PMID- 27248359
TI  - Neutrophils' sexiness is independent of trendy fashion.

PMID- 27248360
TI  - Expanding Boundaries: N2 Cleavage and Functionalization beyond Early Transition
      Metals.
AB  - Early transition metals are well known to catalyze the cleavage and
      functionalization of N2 . In this Highlight, recent work showing that a rhenium
      catalyst is also capable of carrying out this difficult task is summarized, and a
      synthetic cycle for the stoichiometric incorporation of atmospheric N2 into
      acetonitrile is presented.

PMID- 27248361
TI  - Observation of coherent delocalized phonon-like modes in DNA under physiological
      conditions.
AB  - Underdamped terahertz-frequency delocalized phonon-like modes have long been
      suggested to play a role in the biological function of DNA. Such phonon modes
      involve the collective motion of many atoms and are prerequisite to understanding
      the molecular nature of macroscopic conformational changes and related
      biochemical phenomena. Initial predictions were based on simple theoretical
      models of DNA. However, such models do not take into account strong interactions
      with the surrounding water, which is likely to cause phonon modes to be heavily
      damped and localized. Here we apply state-of-the-art femtosecond optical Kerr
      effect spectroscopy, which is currently the only technique capable of taking low
      frequency (GHz to THz) vibrational spectra in solution. We are able to
      demonstrate that phonon modes involving the hydrogen bond network between the
      strands exist in DNA at physiologically relevant conditions. In addition, the
      dynamics of the solvating water molecules is slowed down by about a factor of 20
      compared with the bulk.

PMID- 27248363
TI  - RECENT AND NEEDED ADVANCES IN THE UNDERSTANDING, PREDICTION, AND PREVENTION OF
      SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR.

PMID- 27248362
TI  - Clusterin levels are increased in Alzheimer's disease and influence the regional
      distribution of Abeta.
AB  - Clusterin, also known as apoJ, is a lipoprotein abundantly expressed within the
      CNS. It regulates Abeta fibril formation and toxicity and facilitates amyloid
      beta (Abeta) transport across the blood-brain barrier. Genome-wide association
      studies have shown variations in the clusterin gene (CLU) to influence the risk
      of developing sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). To explore whether clusterin
      modulates the regional deposition of Abeta, we measured levels of soluble (NP40
      extracted) and insoluble (guanidine-HCl-extracted) clusterin, Abeta40 and Abeta42
      by sandwich ELISA in brain regions with a predilection for amyloid pathology-mid
      frontal cortex (MF), cingulate cortex (CC), parahippocampal cortex (PH), and
      regions with little or no pathology-thalamus (TH) and white matter (WM).
      Clusterin level was highest in regions with plaque pathology (MF, CC, PH and PC),
      approximately mirroring the regional distribution of Abeta. It was significantly
      higher in AD than controls, and correlated positively with Abeta42 and insoluble
      Abeta40. Soluble clusterin level rose significantly with severity of cerebral
      amyloid angiopathy, and in MF and PC regions was highest in APOE E4 homozygotes.
      In the TH and WM (areas with little amyloid pathology) clusterin was unaltered in
      AD and did not correlate with Abeta level. There was a significant positive
      correlation between the concentration of clusterin and the regional levels of
      insoluble Abeta42; however, the molar ratio of clusterin : Abeta42 declined with
      insoluble Abeta42 level in a region-dependent manner, being lowest in regions
      with predilection for Abeta plaque pathology. Under physiological conditions,
      clusterin reduces aggregation and promotes clearance of Abeta. Our findings
      indicate that in AD, clusterin increases, particularly in regions with most
      abundant Abeta, but because the increase does not match the rising level of
      Abeta42, the molar ratio of clusterin : Abeta42 in those regions falls, probably
      contributing to Abeta deposition within the tissue.

PMID- 27248364
TI  - Candidate gene approach identifies six SNPs in tenascin-C (TNC) associated with
      degenerative rotator cuff tears.
AB  - Evidence for a heritable predisposition to rotator cuff tears (RCTs) is growing.
      Unrelated Caucasian individuals with surgically diagnosed full thickness RCTs
      (cases) and elderly Caucasian controls with intact rotator cuffs were screened
      for differences at the candidate genes: TNC, Col5A1, TIMP-1, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3,
      MMP-9, and MMP-13. A first cohort (59 cases; 32 controls) was genotyped with the
      Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX system. Of 142 SNPs within about 67-kbp of the TNC gene,
      30 were tested for differences in proportions between cases and controls. A
      second, matched cohort (96 patients; 44 controls) was also genotyped for the same
      30 SNPs, but with the KASPTM genotyping technology. Combining the two cohorts and
      after Bonferroni correction, six SNPs were significantly associated with RCT.
      Compared to controls, RCT patients showed a significantly higher rate of
      homozygosity at rs72758637, rs7021589, and rs1138545; a significantly higher rate
      of heterozygosity at rs10759753, rs3789870, and rs7035322 and a higher minor
      allele frequency at rs3789870. Rs1138545, a missense SNP in exon10 might be of
      biological significance because it varies the amino acid sequence close to the
      TNC-FNIII5 domain. The FNIII5 domain binds multiple growth factors and co-ligates
      with integrins during tendon healing. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society.
      Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:894-901, 2017.

PMID- 27248365
TI  - Predicting High-Power Performance in Professional Cyclists.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess if short-duration (5 to ~300 s) high-power performance can
      accurately be predicted using the anaerobic power reserve (APR) model in
      professional cyclists. METHODS: Data from 4 professional cyclists from a World
      Tour cycling team were used. Using the maximal aerobic power, sprint peak power
      output, and an exponential constant describing the decrement in power over time,
      a power-duration relationship was established for each participant. To test the
      predictive accuracy of the model, several all-out field trials of different
      durations were performed by each cyclist. The power output achieved during the
      all-out trials was compared with the predicted power output by the APR model.
      RESULTS: The power output predicted by the model showed very large to nearly
      perfect correlations to the actual power output obtained during the all-out
      trials for each cyclist (r = .88 +/- .21, .92 +/- .17, .95 +/- .13, and .97 +/-
      .09). Power output during the all-out trials remained within an average of 6.6%
      (53 W) of the predicted power output by the model. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary
      pilot study presents 4 case studies on the applicability of the APR model in
      professional cyclists using a field-based approach. The decrement in all-out
      performance during high-intensity exercise seems to conform to a general
      relationship with a single exponential-decay model describing the decrement in
      power vs increasing duration. These results are in line with previous studies
      using the APR model to predict performance during brief all-out trials. Future
      research should evaluate the APR model with a larger sample size of elite
      cyclists.

PMID- 27248366
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27248367
TI  - Self-Assembly of Hierarchical Chiral Nanostructures Based on Metal-Benzimidazole
      Interactions: Chiral Nanofibers, Nanotubes, and Microtubular Flowers.
AB  - Controlled hierarchical self-assembly of synthetic molecules into chiral
      nanoarchitectures to mimic those biological chiral structures is of great
      importance. Here, a low-molecular-weight organogelator containing a benzimidazole
      moiety conjugated with an amphiphilic l-glutamic amide has been designed and its
      self-assembly into various hierarchical chiral nanostructures is investigated.
      Upon gel formation in organic solvents, 1D chiral nanostructure such as nanofiber
      and nanotube are obtained depending on the solvents. In the presence of
      transition and rare earth metal ions, hierarchical chiral nanostructures are
      formed. Specifically, the addition of TbCl3 , EuCl3 , and AgNO3 leads to
      nanofiber structures, while the addition of Cu(NO3 )2 , Tb(NO3 )3 , or Eu(NO3 )3
      provides the microflower structures and microtubular flower structures,
      respectively. While Eu(III) and Tb(III)-containing microtubular flowers keep the
      chirality, the Cu(II)-coordinated microflowers lose chirality. More
      interestingly, the nanofibers formed by the gelator coordinated with Eu(III) or
      Tb(III) ions show not only the supramolecular chirality but also the circularly
      polarized luminescence. 

PMID- 27248368
TI  - Shaping nanoscale magnetic domain memory in exchange-coupled ferromagnets by
      field cooling.
AB  - The advance of magnetic nanotechnologies relies on detailed understanding of
      nanoscale magnetic mechanisms in materials. Magnetic domain memory (MDM), that
      is, the tendency for magnetic domains to repeat the same pattern during field
      cycling, is important for magnetic recording technologies. Here we demonstrate
      MDM in [Co/Pd]/IrMn films, using coherent X-ray scattering. Under illumination,
      the magnetic domains in [Co/Pd] produce a speckle pattern, a unique fingerprint
      of their nanoscale configuration. We measure MDM by cross-correlating speckle
      patterns throughout magnetization processes. When cooled below its blocking
      temperature, the film exhibits up to 100% MDM, induced by exchange-coupling with
      the underlying IrMn layer. The degree of MDM drastically depends on cooling
      conditions. If the film is cooled under moderate fields, MDM is high throughout
      the entire magnetization loop. If the film is cooled under nearly saturating
      field, MDM vanishes, except at nucleation and saturation. Our findings show how
      to fully control the occurrence of MDM by field cooling.

PMID- 27248369
TI  - New Selective Synthesis of Dithiaboroles as a Viable Pathway to Functionalized
      Benzenedithiolenes and Their Complexes.
AB  - A synthetic protocol to synthesize 2-bromobenzo-1,3,2-dithiaboroles in one step
      from easily accessible benzene bis(isopropyl thioether)s has been developed. The
      reaction is remarkably specific in converting substrates with two adjacent (i)PrS
      moieties while leaving isolated thioether functions and other functional groups
      intact. On the basis of the spectroscopic detection or isolation of reaction
      intermediates, a mechanistic explanation involving a neighbor-group-assisted
      dealkylation as a key step is proposed. The resulting products featuring one or
      two dithiaborole units were isolated in good yields and fully characterized.
      Subsequent methanolysis, which was carried out either as a separate reaction step
      or in the manner of a one-pot reaction, gave rise to functionally substituted
      benzenedithiols. The feasibility of a methylphosphoryl-substituted benzenedithiol
      to act as a dianionic S,S-chelating ligand was demonstrated with the formation of
      paramagnetic Ni(III) and Co(III) complexes. Selective reduction of the phosphoryl
      group afforded a rare example of a phosphino dithiol which was shown to act as a
      monoanionic P,S-bidentate ligand toward Pd(II). All complexes were characterized
      by spectral data and X-ray diffraction studies, and the paramagnetic ones also by
      superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. 

PMID- 27248370
TI  - Energy Decomposition Analysis Based on Absolutely Localized Molecular Orbitals
      for Large-Scale Density Functional Theory Calculations in Drug Design.
AB  - We report the development and implementation of an energy decomposition analysis
      (EDA) scheme in the ONETEP linear-scaling electronic structure package. Our
      approach is hybrid as it combines the localized molecular orbital EDA (Su, P.;
      Li, H. J. Chem. Phys., 2009, 131, 014102) and the absolutely localized molecular
      orbital EDA (Khaliullin, R. Z.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2007, 111, 8753-8765) to
      partition the intermolecular interaction energy into chemically distinct
      components (electrostatic, exchange, correlation, Pauli repulsion, polarization,
      and charge transfer). Limitations shared in EDA approaches such as the issue of
      basis set dependence in polarization and charge transfer are discussed, and a
      remedy to this problem is proposed that exploits the strictly localized property
      of the ONETEP orbitals. Our method is validated on a range of complexes with
      interactions relevant to drug design. We demonstrate the capabilities for large
      scale calculations with our approach on complexes of thrombin with an inhibitor
      comprised of up to 4975 atoms. Given the capability of ONETEP for large-scale
      calculations, such as on entire proteins, we expect that our EDA scheme can be
      applied in a large range of biomolecular problems, especially in the context of
      drug design. 

PMID- 27248371
TI  - Bioabsorbable zinc ion induced biphasic cellular responses in vascular smooth
      muscle cells.
AB  - Bioabsorbable metal zinc (Zn) is a promising new generation of implantable
      scaffold for cardiovascular and orthopedic applications. In cardiovascular stent
      applications, zinc ion (Zn(2+)) will be gradually released into the surrounding
      vascular tissues from such Zn-containing scaffolds after implantation. However,
      the interactions between vascular cells and Zn(2+) are still largely unknown. We
      explored the short-term effects of extracellular Zn(2+) on human smooth muscle
      cells (SMCs) up to 24 h, and an interesting biphasic effect of Zn(2+) was
      observed. Lower concentrations (<80 MUM) of Zn(2+) had no adverse effects on cell
      viability but promoted cell adhesion, cell spreading, cell proliferation, cell
      migration, and enhanced the expression of F-actin and vinculin. Cells treated
      with such lower concentrations of Zn(2+) displayed an elongated shape compared to
      controls without any treatment. In contrast, cells treated with higher Zn(2+)
      concentrations (80-120 MUM) had opposite cellular responses and behaviors. Gene
      expression profiles revealed that the most affected functional genes were related
      to angiogenesis, inflammation, cell adhesion, vessel tone, and platelet
      aggregation. Results indicated that Zn has interesting concentration-dependent
      biphasic effects on SMCs with low concentrations being beneficial to cellular
      functions.

PMID- 27248372
TI  - Assessment of Vascular Disease Prevention Practices in Urban Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women suffer higher rates of death due to stroke compared to men. In
      addition, previous studies suggest that women are treated less aggressively for
      vascular risk factors compared to men. We assessed the quality of primary and
      secondary vascular prevention at multiple primary care sites within a single
      region. METHODS: Women more than age of 40 years were eligible for the study.
      Data from the electronic medical record at multiple primary care locations
      (internal medicine, family medicine, and geriatrics) were analyzed to assess
      quality of vascular preventative care. Specific attention was devoted to use of
      antithrombotic agents, statins, and estrogen. RESULTS: 1,815 women with a mean
      age of 61 years were reviewed. Seventy-five percent were African American.
      Patients in the urban practices had higher rates of vascular risk factors and
      existing vascular disease (heart disease or stroke) compared to the suburban
      locations. Seventy-one percent of patients with diabetes were receiving statins.
      For patients with previous stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), the use of
      antiplatelet agents or statins was <70%. Patients >70 years were more likely to
      receive antiplatelet agents (51% vs. 30%, p < 0.0001) and statins (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Urban women have higher rates of vascular risk factors and overt
      vascular disease compared to suburban women. The use of proven secondary
      prevention medications for patients with prior stroke/TIA was suboptimal. Both
      primary and secondary prevention should be intensified for urban women.

PMID- 27248373
TI  - Effect of the 4-h target on time-to-analgesia in an Australian emergency
      department: a pilot retrospective observational study.
AB  - Objectives The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between
      and the effect of the 4-h target or National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) on
      the time-to-analgesia (TTA), as well as the provision of analgesia in an adult
      emergency department (ED). Methods The present study was a pilot descriptive
      explorative retrospective cohort study conducted in a public metropolitan ED.
      Eligible presentations for analysis were adults presenting with a documented pain
      score of >=4 out of 10 between 1 and 14 September 2014. Triage Category 1,
      pregnant, chest pain and major trauma cases were excluded from the study. As a
      result, data for 260 patients were analysed. Results Of 260 patients, 176 had
      analgesia with a median TTA of 49min. Increased NEAT compliance did not
      significantly decrease TTA. However, when the factors that affected the provision
      of analgesia were analysed, an association was demonstrated between Admitted and
      Short Stay NEAT performance and the provision of analgesia. The likelihood of
      receiving analgesia at all increased as Admitted and Short Stay NEAT compliance
      improved. Conclusion NEAT is a significant health policy initiative with little
      clinical evidence supporting its implementation. However, as the Admitted NEAT
      compliance increases, the probability of receiving analgesia increases,
      demonstrating a possible link between hospital function and clinical care
      provision that needs to be explored further. What is known about the topic? The 4
      h target or NEAT is a widely used initiative in EDs to allay crowding and access
      block. However, little is known of its impact on clinical endpoints, such as TTA.
      What does this paper add? TTA was not significantly reduced as NEAT compliance
      increased. However, when the focus was on the probability of receiving analgesia,
      the results demonstrated that an improvement in Admitted and Short Stay NEAT
      compliance was associated with an increase in the likelihood of patients
      receiving analgesia. What are the implications for practitioners? NEAT is a
      relatively recent initiative, hence evidence of its effect on clinically
      orientated outcomes is limited. Nevertheless, evidence of safety and
      effectiveness is emerging. The results of the present pilot study provide
      preliminary data on the timeliness of patient-centred care as demonstrated by TTA
      and administration of analgesia when required. Further, the results would seem to
      suggest that the provision of analgesia is affected by how timely patients are
      moved out of the ED to the in-patient setting. As for future investigations on
      TTA as a result of NEAT, a wider time period should be considered so that the
      accurate effect of compliance thresholds (e.g. >=90%, 81-89%, <=80%) of NEAT can
      be explored.

PMID- 27248425
TI  - Hierarchic Interaction of Factors Associated With Liver Decompensation After
      Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Liver resection is the treatment of choice for hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) in well-compensated liver cirrhosis. Postoperative liver
      decompensation (LD) is the most representative and least predictable cause of
      morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To determine the hierarchy and interaction
      of factors associated with the risk for LD and to define applicable risk classes
      among surgical candidates. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective
      review collected data from 543 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent
      hepatic resection for HCC from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2013, in a
      tertiary comprehensive cancer center. Final follow-up was completed on January
      31, 2015, and data were assessed from February 1 to 28, 2015. MAJOR OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Preoperative prognostic factors and risk stratification for
      postoperative LD. Multivariate logistic regression was performed, and the
      independent risk factors for LD were included in a recursive partitioning
      analysis model. Results were validated by means of 10-fold cross-validation.
      RESULTS: The analysis included 543 patients, of whom 411 (75.7%) were male, 132
      (24.3%) were female, and the median age was 68 (interquartile range, 62-73)
      years. An independent association with LD was found for major hepatectomy (odds
      ratio [OR], 2.41; 95% CI, 1.17-4.30; P = .01), portal hypertension (OR, 2.20; 95%
      CI, 1.13-4.30; P = .01), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score
      greater than 9 (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.10-4.58; P = .02). Recursive partitioning
      analysis confirmed portal hypertension as the most important factor (OR, 2.99;
      95% CI, 1.93-4.62; P < .001), followed by extension of hepatectomy with (OR,
      2.76; 95% CI, 1.85-4.77; P = .03) and without (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.97-4.52; P <
      .001) portal hypertension, and MELD score (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.23-2.13; P <
      .001). Low-risk patients (LD rate, 4.9% [11 of 226]) without portal hypertension
      underwent minor resection with a MELD score of 9 or less; intermediate-risk
      patients (LD rate, 28.6% [85 of 297]) had no portal hypertension and underwent
      major resections or, in case of minor resections, had portal hypertension or a
      MELD score greater than 9; and high-risk patients (LD rate, 60.0% [12 of 20])
      underwent major resection with portal hypertension. Risk-class progression
      paralleled median length of stay (7, 8, and 11 days, respectively; P < .001) and
      liver-related mortality (4.4% [10 of 226], 9.0% [27 of 297], and 25.0% [5 of 20],
      respectively; P = .001). A 10-fold cross-validation of the model resulted in a C
      index of 0.78 (95% CI, 0.74-0.82) and an overall error rate of 0.06. CONCLUSIONS
      AND RELEVANCE: The risk for postoperative LD after resection for HCC in chronic
      liver disease is associated with preoperative hierarchic interaction of portal
      hypertension, planned extension of hepatectomy, and the MELD score.

PMID- 27248426
TI  - Considerations of pharmacogenetic testing in children.

PMID- 27248428
TI  - Patient Preference in Dermatologist Attire in the Medical, Surgical, and Wound
      Care Settings.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Patients' perceptions of their physician can affect subjective and
      objective outcomes. Physician attire influences patients' perceptions of their
      physician and consequently may affect patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To determine
      patient preferences for different types of dermatologist attire in dermatology
      medical, surgical, and wound care clinics. We hypothesized that patients in the
      dermatology medical setting would prefer professional attire, while patients in
      the dermatology surgical and wound care setting would prefer surgical scrubs.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This study analyzed responses to a cross
      sectional, anonymous survey by English-speaking dermatology patients (aged 18
      years or older) at general, surgical, and wound care clinics in an academic
      center in Miami, Florida. Patients who could not read and understand the survey
      were excluded. Participants received pictures of a physician wearing business
      attire, professional attire, surgical attire, and casual attire, and responded by
      indicating which physician they preferred for each of 19 questions. Frequencies
      of responses were recorded, and chi2 and regression tests were performed. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Response frequencies. RESULTS: Surveys were administered
      to 261 persons, and 255 participated and completed enough of the questions to be
      included in the outcome analyses (118 men, 121 women, 22 unknown [did not answer
      sex question]), mean (SD) age, 56.3 (18.6) years; about 49% of those who reported
      their sex were men; 56% were Hispanic; and 85% were white. Approximately 72% of
      respondents held a college degree or higher. About 63%, 24%, and 13% of
      respondents were medical, surgical, and wound care dermatology patients,
      respectively. Roughly 73%, 19%, 6%, and 2% of cumulative responses were for
      professional, surgical, business, and casual attire, respectively. Respondents
      who received a picture of a black male or black female physician were more likely
      to exclusively prefer professional attire: unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) 3.21 (95%
      CI, 1.39-7.42) and 2.78 (95% CI, 1.18-6.51), respectively, compared with
      respondents who received a picture of a white male physician. Nonwhite and
      unemployed respondents were less likely to prefer professional attire
      exclusively: ORs, 0.28 (95% CI, 0.1-0.83) and 0.28 (95% CI, 0.08-0.99),
      respectively. Respondents preferred professional attire in all clinic settings,
      though respondents in the dermatology surgery clinic were less likely to prefer
      professional attire compared with respondents in the medical dermatology clinic:
      race-adjusted OR, 0.74 (95% CI, 0.56-0.98). Wound care and medical dermatology
      respondents preferred professional attire comparably. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      In this study, most patients preferred professional attire for their
      dermatologists in most settings. It is possible that patients' perceptions of
      their physicians' knowledge and skill is influenced by the physicians'
      appearance, and these perceptions may affect outcomes.

PMID- 27248429
TI  - Validated Predictions of Metabolic Energy Consumption for Submaximal Effort
      Movement.
AB  - Physical performance emerges from complex interactions among many physiological
      systems that are largely driven by the metabolic energy demanded. Quantifying
      metabolic demand is an essential step for revealing the many mechanisms of
      physical performance decrement, but accurate predictive models do not exist. The
      goal of this study was to investigate if a recently developed model of muscle
      energetics and force could be extended to reproduce the kinematics, kinetics, and
      metabolic demand of submaximal effort movement. Upright dynamic knee extension
      against various levels of ergometer load was simulated. Task energetics were
      estimated by combining the model of muscle contraction with validated models of
      lower limb musculotendon paths and segment dynamics. A genetic algorithm was used
      to compute the muscle excitations that reproduced the movement with the lowest
      energetic cost, which was determined to be an appropriate criterion for this
      task. Model predictions of oxygen uptake rate (VO2) were well within experimental
      variability for the range over which the model parameters were confidently known.
      The model's accurate estimates of metabolic demand make it useful for assessing
      the likelihood and severity of physical performance decrement for a given task as
      well as investigating underlying physiologic mechanisms.

PMID- 27248430
TI  - Quantitative Measurements of Enhancement on Preprocedure Triphasic CT Can Predict
      Response of Colorectal Liver Metastases to Radioembolization.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Colorectal liver metastases (CLM) have a variable response to
      radioembolization. This may be due at least partly to differences in tumor
      arterial perfusion. The present study examines whether quantitative measurements
      of enhancement on preprocedure triphasic CT can be used to predict the response
      of CLM to radioembolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
      patients with CLM treated with radioembolization who underwent pretreatment
      PET/CT and triphasic CT examinations and posttreatment PET/CT examinations. A
      total of 31 consecutive patients with 60 target tumors were included in the
      present study. For each tumor, we calculated the hepatic artery coefficient
      (HAC), portal vein coefficient (PVC), and arterial enhancement fraction (AEF)
      based on enhancement measurements on pretreatment triphasic CT. HAC and PVC are
      estimates of the hepatic artery and portal vein blood supply. AEF, which is the
      arterial phase enhancement divided by the portal phase enhancement, provides an
      estimate of the hepatic artery blood supply as a fraction of the total blood
      supply. For each tumor, the metabolic response to radioembolization was based on
      findings from the initial follow-up PET/CT scan obtained at 4-8 weeks after
      treatment. RESULTS: A total of 55% of CLM had a complete or partial metabolic
      response. Arterial phase enhancement, the HAC, and the PVC did not predict which
      tumors responded to radioembolization. However, the AEF was statistically
      significantly greater in tumors with a complete or partial metabolic response
      than in tumors with no metabolic response (i.e., those with stable disease or
      disease progression) (p = 0.038). An AEF of less than 0.4 was associated with a
      40% response rate, whereas an AEF greater than 0.75 was associated with a 78%
      response rate. CONCLUSION: Response to radioembolization can be predicted using
      the AEF calculated from the preprocedure triphasic CT.

PMID- 27248431
TI  - Overview of Innovative Mouse Models for Imaging Neuroinflammation.
AB  - Neuroinflammation demands a comprehensive appraisal in situ to gain in-depth
      knowledge on the roles of particular cells and molecules and their potential
      roles in therapy. Because of the lack of appropriate tools, direct visualization
      of cells has been poorly investigated up to the present. In this context,
      reporter mice expressing cell-specific fluorescent proteins, combined with
      multiphoton microscopy, provide a window into cellular processes in living
      animals. In addition, the ability to collect multiple fluorescent colors from the
      same sample makes in vivo microscopy uniquely useful for characterizing many
      parameters from the same area, supporting powerful correlative analyses. Here, we
      present an overview of the advantages and limitations of this approach, with the
      purpose of providing insight into the neuroinflammation field. We also provide a
      review of existing fluorescent mouse models and describe how these models have
      been used in studies of neuroinflammation. Finally, the potential for developing
      advanced genetic tools and imaging resources is discussed. (c) 2016 by John Wiley
      & Sons, Inc. 

PMID- 27248432
TI  - Intestinal Preparation Techniques for Histological Analysis in the Mouse.
AB  - The murine intestinal tract represents a difficult organ system to study due to
      its long convoluted tubular structure, narrow diameter, and delicate mucosa which
      undergoes rapid changes after sampling prior to fixation. These features do not
      make for easy histological analysis as rapid fixation in situ, or after simple
      removal without careful dissection, results in poor postfixation tissue handling
      and limited options for high quality histological sections. Collecting meaningful
      quantitative data by analysis of this tissue is further complicated by the
      anatomical changes in structure along its length. This article describes two
      methods of intestinal sampling at necropsy that allow systematic histological
      analysis of the entire intestinal tract, either through examination of cross
      sections (circumferences) by the gut bundling technique or longitudinal sections
      by the adapted Swiss roll technique, together with basic methods for data
      collection. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 

PMID- 27248433
TI  - Mouse Models of Asthma.
AB  - Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the conducting airways
      characterized by the presence of allergen-specific IgE, Th2 cytokine production,
      eosinophilic airway inflammation, bronchial hyperreactivity, mucus
      overproduction, and structural changes in the airways. Investigators have tried
      to mimic these features of human allergic asthma in murine models. Whereas the
      surrogate allergen ovalbumin has been extremely valuable for unravelling
      underlying mechanisms of the disease, murine asthma models depend nowadays on
      naturally occurring allergens, such as house dust mite (HDM), cockroach, and
      Alternaria alternata. Here we describe a physiologically relevant model of acute
      allergic asthma based on sensitization and challenge with HDM extracts, and
      compare it with the ovalbumin/alum-induced asthma model. Moreover, we propose a
      detailed readout of the asthma phenotype, determining the degree of eosinophilia
      in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids by flow cytometry, visualizing goblet cell
      metaplasia, and measuring Th cytokine production by lung-draining mediastinal
      lymph node cells restimulated with HDM. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 

PMID- 27248434
TI  - An Overview of Mouse Models of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: From Past to
      Present.
AB  - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver
      disease in the Western world. It is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes
      and represents a spectrum of histological abnormalities ranging from simple
      steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can further progress to
      fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver failure. To gain
      insight into the pathogenesis and evaluate treatment options, mouse models of
      NAFLD/NASH are of utmost importance. There is a high phenotypical variety in the
      available mouse models, however, models that truly display the full spectrum of
      histopathological and metabolic features associated with human NASH are rare. In
      this review, we summarize the most important NAFLD/NASH mouse models that have
      been developed over the years and briefly highlight the pros and cons. Also, we
      illustrate the preclinical research in which these models have been used. (c)
      2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 

PMID- 27248435
TI  - Development of a Representative Mouse Model with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.
AB  - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease in
      the Western world. It represents a disease spectrum ranging from isolated
      steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In particular, NASH can evolve
      to fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. The
      development of novel treatment strategies is hampered by the lack of
      representative NASH mouse models. Here, we describe a NASH mouse model, which is
      based on feeding non-genetically manipulated C57BL6/J mice a 'Western style' high
      fat/high-sucrose diet (HF-HSD). HF-HSD leads to early obesity, insulin
      resistance, and hypercholesterolemia. After 12 weeks of HF-HSD, all mice exhibit
      the complete spectrum of features of NASH, including steatosis, hepatocyte
      ballooning, and lobular inflammation, together with fibrosis in the majority of
      mice. Hence, this model closely mimics the human disease. Implementation of this
      mouse model will lead to a standardized setup for the evaluation of (i)
      underlying mechanisms that contribute to the progression of NAFLD to NASH, and
      (ii) therapeutic interventions for NASH. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 

PMID- 27248436
TI  - A School-Based Intervention to Increase Lyme Disease Preventive Measures Among
      Elementary School-Aged Children.
AB  - PURPOSE: Educational interventions to reduce Lyme disease (LD) among at-risk
      school children have had little study. The purpose of this study was to evaluate
      whether a short in-class LD education program based on social learning theory and
      the Health Belief Model (HBM) impacted a child's knowledge, attitude, and
      preventive behavior. METHODS: Students in grades 2-5 in 19 elementary schools
      were selected in an area that was highly endemic for LD. The children received an
      educational intervention or were on a wait list as controls. Their knowledge,
      attitudes, and self-reported preventive behaviors were surveyed before
      implementing the program and 1 year later. General linear regression analyses
      adjusting for age, gender, and baseline variables were used to measure the impact
      of the intervention. RESULTS: There were 3570 participants in the study: 1562
      received the intervention, and 2008 were controls. The mean age for both groups
      was 9.1 years, with 53% women in the intervention group and 50% women in the
      control group. The children in the intervention group increased their overall
      knowledge of LD more than the children in the control group (overall knowledge
      score improvement, mean difference (SD) 1.38 (1.3) vs. 0.36 (1.3) p < 0.0001).
      All children in classes receiving the intervention reported an increase in
      precautionary behavior, positive attitude toward taking precautions, and self
      efficacy compared with the wait list controls. Two LD cases were confirmed during
      the follow-up period, one in the intervention group and one in the controls.
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that a short in-class educational program
      that includes elements of the HBM, including: (1) awareness and knowledge about
      the disease, (2) benefits of preventive behavior, and (3) confidence in ability
      to perform preventive behaviors can improve knowledge, attitude, and self
      reported precautionary behavior among at-risk children. www.clinicaltrials.gov :
      NCT00594997.

PMID- 27248437
TI  - Correction to "Cyanine-Based Fluorescent Probe for Highly Selective Detection of
      Glutathione in Cell Cultures and Live Mouse Tissues".

PMID- 27248438
TI  - Restrictions on the Importation of Zebrafish into Canada Associated with Spring
      Viremia of Carp Virus.
AB  - The zebrafish model system is helping researchers improve the health and welfare
      of people and animals and has become indispensable for advancing biomedical
      research. As genetic engineering is both resource intensive and time-consuming,
      sharing successfully developed genetically modified zebrafish lines throughout
      the international community is critical to research efficiency and to maximizing
      the millions of dollars in research funding. New restrictions on importation of
      zebrafish into Canada based on putative susceptibility to infection by the spring
      viremia of carp virus (SVCV) have been imposed on the scientific community. In
      this commentary, we review the disease profile of SVCV in fish, discuss the
      findings of the Canadian government's scientific assessment, how the
      interpretations of their assessment differ from that of the Canadian research
      community, and describe the negative impact of these regulations on the Canadian
      research community and public as it pertains to protecting the health of
      Canadians.

PMID- 27248439
TI  - Trehalose pathway as an antifungal target.
AB  - With an increasing immunocompromised population which is linked to invasive
      fungal infections, it is clear that our present 3 classes of antifungal agents
      may not be sufficient to provide optimal management to these fragile patients.
      Furthermore, with widespread use of antifungal agents, drug-resistant fungal
      infections are on the rise. Therefore, there is some urgency to develop the
      antifungal pipeline with the goal of new antifungal agent discovery. In this
      review, a simple metabolic pathway, which forms the disaccharide, trehalose, will
      be characterized and its potential as a focus for antifungal target(s) explained.
      It possesses several important features for development of antifungal agents.
      First, it appears to have fungicidal characteristics and second, it is broad
      spectrum with importance across both ascomycete and basidiomycete species.
      Finally, this pathway is not found in mammals so theoretically specific
      inhibitors of the trehalose pathway and its enzymes in fungi should be relatively
      non-toxic for mammals. The trehalose pathway and its critical enzymes are now in
      a position to have directed antifungal discovery initiated in order to find a new
      class of antifungal drugs.

PMID- 27248440
TI  - Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition as an Adjunct to Pulmonary
      Rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - RATIONALE: Epidemiological studies in older individuals have found an association
      between the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition (ACE-I) therapy
      and preserved locomotor muscle mass, strength, and walking speed. ACE-I therapy
      might therefore have a role in the context of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).
      OBJECTIVES: To investigate the hypothesis that enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, would
      augment the improvement in exercise capacity seen during PR. METHODS: We
      performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group randomized
      controlled trial. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who had at
      least moderate airflow obstruction and were taking part in PR, were randomized to
      either 10 weeks of therapy with an ACE inhibitor (10 mg enalapril) or placebo.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome measurement was the change in
      peak power (assessed using cycle ergometry) from baseline. Eighty patients were
      enrolled, 78 were randomized (age 67 +/- 8 years; FEV1 48 +/- 21% predicted), and
      65 completed the trial (34 on placebo, 31 on the ACE inhibitor). The ACE
      inhibitor-treated group demonstrated a significant reduction in systolic blood
      pressure (Delta, -16 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -22 to -11) and serum
      ACE activity (Delta, -18 IU/L; 95% CI, -23 to -12) versus placebo (between-group
      differences, P < 0.0001). Peak power increased significantly more in the placebo
      group (placebo Delta, +9 W; 95% CI, 5 to 13 vs. ACE-I Delta, +1 W; 95% CI, -2 to
      4; between-group difference, 8 W; 95% CI, 3 to 13; P = 0.001). There was no
      significant between-group difference in quadriceps strength or health-related
      quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the ACE inhibitor enalapril, together with a
      program of PR, in patients without an established indication for ACE-I, reduced
      the peak work rate response to exercise training in patients with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease.

PMID- 27248441
TI  - Emerging Waste-to-Energy Technologies: Solid Waste Solution or Dead End?

PMID- 27248442
TI  - Nonlinear thermoelectric transport in single-molecule junctions: the effect of
      electron-phonon interactions.
AB  - In this paper, we theoretically analyze steady-state thermoelectric transport
      through a single-molecule junction with a vibrating bridge. The thermally induced
      charge current in the system is explored using a nonequilibrium Green function
      formalism. We study the combined effects of Coulomb interactions between charge
      carriers on the bridge and electron-phonon interactions on the thermocurrent
      beyond the linear response regime. It is shown that electron-vibron interactions
      may significantly affect both the magnitude and the direction of the
      thermocurrent, and vibrational signatures may appear.

PMID- 27248443
TI  - In Situ Detection of Protein Complexes and Modifications by Chemical Ligation
      Proximity Assay.
AB  - Protein function is often regulated by protein-protein interactions and post
      translational modifications. Detection of these important biological phenomena in
      fixed biological samples could serve as an invaluable tool in biomedical
      research, drug development, as well as clinical cancer diagnostics and
      prognostics. We report here a novel methodology which utilizes unique antibody
      bioconjugates capable of forming proximity induced chemical ligation to enable in
      situ detection of proximal targets in fixed biological samples. Using this new
      methodology, we demonstrate in situ visualization of various protein
      heterodimers/complexes and post-translational modifications such as
      phosphorylation and ubiquitination. This new method offers high specificity,
      sensitivity, flexibility, and ease of use. In addition, the assay preserves
      critical contextual and heterogeneity information on biomarkers in clinically
      relevant samples.

PMID- 27248444
TI  - Charting variability to ensure conceptual and design precision: a comment on
      Ogden (2016).

PMID- 27248445
TI  - A Legal Setback for the Affordable Care Act.

PMID- 27248446
TI  - Stunted growth.

PMID- 27248447
TI  - Monte Carlo simulation of body height in a spatial network.

PMID- 27248459
TI  - Spectroscopic probe to contribution of physicochemical transformations in the
      toxicity of aged ZnO NPs to Chlorella vulgaris: new insight into the variation of
      toxicity of ZnO NPs under aging process.
AB  - Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the most abundantly applied
      nanomaterials in nanotechnology-based industries and they may cause unexpected
      environmental and health risks with their physicochemical transformations in the
      environment. Currently, there is still a lack of the in-depth understanding of
      the toxicity of aged ZnO NPs to aquatic organisms, particularly demanding
      quantitative analysis of the physicochemical transformations to distinguish their
      contributions in the toxicity assessment. For this purpose, therefore, we
      initiated the study of the toxicity of aged ZnO NPs to the model aquatic
      microalga, i.e. Chlorella vulgaris, and with the aid of spectroscopic tools for
      characterization and quantification of the physicochemical transformations, we
      scrutinized the toxicity variations for ZnO NPs with different aging times. As a
      result, we found that the toxicity altered in an abnormal manner with the aging
      time, i.e. the toxicity of aged ZnO NPs for 30 days showed the higher toxicity to
      the green alga than the fresh ZnO NPs or the ZnO NPs aged for longer time (e.g.
      120 and 210 days). Through spectroscopic tools such as XRD, FTIR and Raman
      spectroscopy, we made both the qualitative and quantitative assessments of the
      physicochemical changes of the ZnO NPs, and confirmed that in the early stage,
      the toxicity mainly stemmed from the release of zinc ions, but with longer aging
      time, the neoformation of the nanoparticles played the critical role, leading to
      the overall reduced toxicity due to the less toxic hydrozincite and zinc
      hydroxide in the transformed compounds.

PMID- 27248460
TI  - Cardiac replacement therapies: outcomes and costs for heart transplantation
      versus circulatory assist.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Growing number of patients with terminal heart failure and a shortage
      of heart donors have increased use of short- and long-term mechanical circulatory
      support (MCS). Few studies have analyzed survival rates and healthcare costs for
      heart transplantation (HTx), with or without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
      (ECMO) and left ventricular assist device (LVAD). DESIGN: In a retrospective,
      single-center study, data were analyzed from patients listed for HTx who died on
      the waiting list (DWL, n = 12), underwent HTx (n = 206), had ECMO as bridge to
      HTx (ECHTx, n = 15), or received LVAD treatment, either isolated (LVAD, n = 19)
      or bridging to HTx (LVADHTx, n = 26) during 2005-2012. Survival and hospital
      costs were assessed. RESULTS: One- and five-year survival rates were 96% and 83%
      for the LVADHTx group, 92% and 81% for HTx, 70% and 70% for ECHTx, 48% and 36%
      for LVAD and 0% for the DWL group (overall survival, p < 0.001). Total hospital
      cost at one year was $102,101 +/- 202,604 for DWL, $151,685 +/- 86,892 for HTx,
      $292,078 +/- 101,915 for ECHTx, $427,337 +/- 365,154 for LVAD, and $600,897 +/-
      198,109 for LVADHTx. CONCLUSION: The LVADHTx and HTx groups showed excellent one-
      and five-year survival. The combined group of DWL and HTx patients had similar
      survival to the combined groups of MCS, but use of LVAD pre-transplant quadrupled
      the cost.

PMID- 27248461
TI  - Hepatorenal syndrome in cirrhosis: diagnostic, pathophysiological, and
      therapeutic aspects.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Renal failure is a common and serious complication in cirrhosis and
      represents a wide spectrum of etiologies. The hepatorenal syndrome (HRS)
      represents a distinct type of renal failure, only seen in cirrhotic patients with
      ascites. The diagnostic criteria, knowledge in the pathophysiology of renal
      failure and HRS, and treatment hereof, have evolved tremendously during the last
      decades, and it is the aim of this review to summarize these discoveries. AREAS
      COVERED: The focus will primarily be on treatment and prevention of renal failure
      and HRS, but areas concerning definition, diagnosis, including biomarkers, and
      pathophysiology, will also be covered through a comprehensive, critical reading
      of the latest literature, encompassing the most recent, updated, international
      guidelines, reviews and high-impact original literature. Expert commentary: The
      advances made in the understanding of the pathophysiology of HRS and other
      complications of cirrhosis within the recent decades, have provided the basis for
      improved diagnostic criteria and the development of treatments that have
      substantially increased survival rates in cirrhotic patients suffering from these
      conditions. Focus should, in the nearest future, be on continuing this positive
      development, thus further improving prognosis for cirrhotic patients with HRS.

PMID- 27248462
TI  - In Situ Confinement of Ultrasmall Pd Clusters within Nanosized Silicalite-1
      Zeolite for Highly Efficient Catalysis of Hydrogen Generation.
AB  - Well-dispersed and ultrasmall Pd clusters in nanosized silicalite-1 (MFI) zeolite
      have been prepared under direct hydrothermal conditions using
      [Pd(NH2CH2CH2NH2)2]Cl2 as precursor. High-resolution scanning transmission
      electron microscopy studies indicate that the Pd clusters are encapsulated within
      the intersectional channels of MFI, and the Pd clusters in adjacent channels
      visually aggregate, forming nanoparticles (NPs) of ~1.8 nm. The resultant
      catalysts show an excellent activity and highly efficient H2 generation toward
      the complete decomposition of formic acid (FA) under mild conditions. Notably,
      thanks to the further reduced Pd NP size (~1.5 nm) and the additionally
      introduced basic sites, the Pd/S-1-in-K catalyst affords turnover frequency
      values up to 856 h(-1) at 25  degrees C and 3027 h(-1) at 50  degrees C. The easy
      in situ confinement synthesis of metal clusters in zeolites endows the catalysts
      with superior catalytic activities, excellent recyclability, and high thermal
      stability, thus opening new perspectives for the practical application of FA as a
      viable and effective H2 storage material for use in fuel cells.

PMID- 27248463
TI  - Nanomaterial resistant microorganism mediated reduction of graphene oxide.
AB  - In this study, soil bacteria were isolated from nanomaterials (NMs) contaminated
      pond soil and enriched in the presence of graphene oxide (GO) in mineral medium
      to obtain NMs resistant bacteria. The isolated resistant bacteria were
      biochemically and genetically identified as Fontibacillus aquaticus. The
      resistant bacteria were allowed to interact with engineered GO in order to study
      the biotransformation in GO structure. Raman spectra of GO extracted from culture
      medium revealed decreased intensity ratio of ID/IG with subsequent reduction of
      CO which was consistent with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results. The
      structural changes and exfoliatied GO nanosheets were also evident from
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy,
      high resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD) and current-voltage measurements
      confirmed the reduction of GO after the interaction with resistant bacteria. X
      ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of biotransformed GO revealed
      reduction of oxygen-containing species on the surface of nanosheets. Our results
      demonstrated that the presented method is an environment friendly, cost
      effective, simple and based on green approaches for the reduction of GO using NMs
      resistant bacteria. 

PMID- 27248464
TI  - Spironolactone loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel for effective treatment of
      mild and moderate acne vulgaris: A randomized, double-blind, prospective trial.
AB  - Spironolactone (SP) known as an anti-androgen drug, has been proven to be
      effective in treatment of acne. The quest to minimize the unnecessary systemic
      side effects associated with the oral drug administration of spironolactone, has
      led to a growing interest of loading SP on lipid nanoparticles to deliver the
      drug in a topical formulation. The aim of the current investigation was to
      prepare and compare the performance of SP loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (SP
      NLC) and SP alcoholic gels (SP-ALC) on two groups of respective patient
      populations, group A and group B in the treatment of mild to moderate acne
      vulgaris. The results showed that SP-NLCs were spherical in shape with an average
      diameter of ~240nm. The polydispersity index (PI) and zeta potential of these
      nanoparticles were 0.286 and -21.4 respectively. The gels showed non-Newtonian
      independent pseudoplastic and shear thinning behavior. The SP-NLCs was not toxic
      to fibroblast cell strains at the 24 and 48h periods. Results showed that the
      mean number of total lesions (37.66+/-9.27) and non-inflammatory lesions (29.26+/
      7.99) in group A significantly decreased to 20.31+/-6.58 (p<0.05) and to 13.95+/
      5.22 (p<0.05) respectively. A similar pattern was observed for group B where the
      mean number of total lesions and non-inflammatory lesions reduced from 33.73+/
      9.40 to 19.13+/-5.53 (p<0.05) and from 25.65+/-8.12 to 13.45+/-4.48 (p<0.05)
      respectively. The total lesion count (TLC) was significantly decreased from
      37.16+/-9.28 to 19.63+/-6.36 (for group A; p<0.071) and 32.60+/-9.32 to 18.33+/
      5.55 (for group B; p<0.05) respectively. After treatment with SP-NLC for 8 weeks,
      the water content of the skin significantly (p<0.05) increased from 37.44+/-8.85
      to 45.69+/-19.34 instrumental units. Therefore, the SP-NLC gel may help in
      controlling acne vulgaris with skin care benefits. 

PMID- 27248465
TI  - Zero-Point Spin-Fluctuations of Single Adatoms.
AB  - Stabilizing the magnetic signal of single adatoms is a crucial step toward their
      successful usage in widespread technological applications such as high-density
      magnetic data storage devices. The quantum mechanical nature of these tiny
      objects, however, introduces intrinsic zero-point spin-fluctuations that tend to
      destabilize the local magnetic moment of interest by dwindling the magnetic
      anisotropy potential barrier even at absolute zero temperature. Here, we
      elucidate the origins and quantify the effect of the fundamental ingredients
      determining the magnitude of the fluctuations, namely, the (i) local magnetic
      moment, (ii) spin-orbit coupling, and (iii) electron-hole Stoner excitations.
      Based on a systematic first-principles study of 3d and 4d adatoms, we demonstrate
      that the transverse contribution of the fluctuations is comparable in size to the
      magnetic moment itself, leading to a remarkable ?50% reduction of the magnetic
      anisotropy energy. Our analysis gives rise to a comprehensible diagram relating
      the fluctuation magnitude to characteristic features of adatoms, providing
      practical guidelines for designing magnetically stable nanomagnets with minimal
      quantum fluctuations.

PMID- 27248466
TI  - Childhood victimization and HIV risk behaviors among university students in Saint
      Petersburg, Russia.
AB  - Exposure to childhood victimization and abuse has been shown to affect HIV risk
      in adult populations. In Russia, the existence of child abuse was largely
      unrecognized until 1990s and its behavioral consequences remain understudied. Our
      goal was to assess childhood victimization and HIV risk behavior among young
      adults in Saint-Petersburg, Russia: 743 students from 15 local universities were
      surveyed. Unprotected sexual intercourse was the most common type of HIV risk
      behavior: study participants reported no condom use at last intercourse (65.17%),
      inconsistent condom use (58.43%) and 30.81% never used condoms in the past 3
      months. Childhood sexual victimization was significantly associated with
      unprotected sex at last intercourse and with inconsistent condom use in the past
      3 months. Young adults in Russia are vulnerable to HIV epidemic due to the
      pervasiveness of unprotected sexual intercourse, and childhood sexual
      victimization is associated with risky sexual behavior in this population.
      Efforts to combat HIV epidemic in Russia must include programming for the
      prevention of childhood sexual abuse and the development of services for the
      survivors of childhood victimization.

PMID- 27248467
TI  - A pilot study using dynamic contrast enhanced-MRI as a response biomarker of the
      radioprotective effect of memantine in patients receiving whole brain
      radiotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: This pilot prospective study sought to determine whether dynamic
      contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) could be used as a clinical imaging biomarker of
      tissue toxicity from whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). METHOD: 14 patients who
      received WBRT were imaged using dynamic contrast enhanced DCE-MRI prior to and at
      8-weeks, 16-weeks and 24-weeks after the initiation of WBRT. Twelve of the
      patients were also enrolled in the RTOG 0614 trial, which randomized patients to
      the use of placebo or memantine. After the unblinding of the treatments received
      by RTOG 0614 patients, DCE-MRI measures of tumor tissue and normal appearing
      white matter (NAWM) vascular permeability (Initial Area Under the Curve (AUC)
      Blood Adjusted) was analyzed. Cognitive, quality-of-life (QOL) assessment and
      blood samples were collected according to the patient's ability to tolerate the
      exams. Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) were measured using flow cytometry.
      RESULTS: Following WBRT, there was an increasing trend in the vascular
      permeability of tumors (p=0.09) and NAWM (p=0.06) with time. Memantine
      significantly (p=0.01) reduced NAWM AUC changes following radiotherapy. Patients
      on memantine retained (COWA p= 0.03) better cognitive functions than those on
      placebo. No association was observed between the level of CEC and DCE-MRI
      changes, time from radiotherapy or memantine use. CONCLUSIONS: DCE-MRI can detect
      vascular damage secondary to WBRT. Our data suggests that memantine reduces WBRT
      induced brain vasculature damages.

PMID- 27248468
TI  - miRNA expression and function in thyroid carcinomas: a comparative and critical
      analysis and a model for other cancers.
AB  - As in many cancer types, miRNA expression profiles and functions have become an
      important field of research on non-medullary thyroid carcinomas, the most common
      endocrine cancers. This could lead to the establishment of new diagnostic tests
      and new cancer therapies. However, different studies showed important variations
      in their research strategies and results. In addition, the action of miRNAs is
      poorly considered as a whole because of the use of underlying dogmatic truncated
      concepts. These lead to discrepancies and limits rarely considered. Recently,
      this field has been enlarged by new miRNA functional and expression studies.
      Moreover, studies using next generation sequencing give a new view of general
      miRNA differential expression profiles of papillary thyroid carcinoma. We
      analyzed in detail this literature from both physiological and differential
      expression points of view. Based on explicit examples, we reviewed the progresses
      but also the discrepancies and limits trying to provide a critical approach of
      where this literature may lead. We also provide recommendations for future
      studies. The conclusions of this systematic analysis could be extended to other
      cancer types.

PMID- 27248469
TI  - Overexpression of transient receptor potential mucolipin-2 ion channels in
      gliomas: role in tumor growth and progression.
AB  - The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) superfamily consists of cation-selective
      and non-selective ion channels playing an important role both in sensory
      physiology and in physiopathology in several complex diseases including cancers.
      Among TRP family, the mucolipin (TRPML1, -2, and -3) channels represent a
      distinct subfamily of endosome/lysosome Ca2+ channel proteins. Loss-of-function
      mutations in human TRPML-1 gene cause a neurodegenerative disease, Mucolipidosis
      Type IV, whereas at present no pathology has been associated to human TRPML-2
      channels. Herein we found that human TRPML-2 is expressed both in normal
      astrocytes and neural stem/progenitor cells. By quantitative RT-PCR, western
      blot, cytofluorimetric and immunohistochemistry analysis we also demonstrated
      that TRPML-2 mRNA and protein are expressed at different levels in glioma tissues
      and high-grade glioma cell lines of astrocytic origin. TRPML-2 mRNA and protein
      levels increased with the pathological grade, starting from pylocitic astrocytoma
      (grade I) to glioblastoma (grade IV). Moreover, by RNA interference, we
      demonstrated a role played by TRPML-2 in survival and proliferation of glioma
      cell lines. In fact, knock-down of TRPML-2 inhibited the viability, altered the
      cell cycle, reduced the proliferation and induced apoptotic cell death in glioma
      cell lines. The DNA damage and apoptosis induced by TRPML-2 loss increased Ser139
      H2AX phosphorylation and induced caspase-3 activation; furthermore, knock-down of
      TRPML-2 in T98 and U251 glioma cell lines completely abrogated Akt and Erk1/2
      phosphorylation, as compared to untreated cells. Overall, the high TRPML-2
      expression in glioma cells resulted in increased survival and proliferation
      signaling, suggesting a pro-tumorigenic role played by TRPML-2 in glioma
      progression.

PMID- 27248471
TI  - The Hippo transducers TAZ/YAP and their target CTGF in male breast cancer.
AB  - Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease and its biology is poorly understood.
      Deregulated Hippo pathway promotes oncogenic functions in female breast cancer.
      We herein investigated the expression of the Hippo transducers TAZ/YAP and their
      target CTGF in MBC. Tissue microarrays containing samples from 255 MBC patients
      were immunostained for TAZ, YAP and CTGF. One hundred and twenty-nine patients
      were considered eligible. The Pearson's Chi-squared test of independence was used
      to test the association between categorical variables. The correlation between
      TAZ, YAP and CTGF was assessed with the Pearson's correlation coefficient. The
      Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test were used for estimating and comparing
      survival curves. Cox proportional regression models were built to identify
      variables impacting overall survival. Statistical tests were two-sided. Tumors
      were considered to harbor active TAZ/YAP-driven gene transcription when they co
      expressed TAZ, or YAP, and CTGF. Patients whose tumors had the TAZ/CTGF and
      YAP/CTGF phenotypes experienced shorter overall survival compared with their
      negative counterparts (log rank p = 0.036 for both). TAZ/CTGF and YAP/CTGF tumors
      were associated with decreased survival in patients with invasive ductal
      carcinomas, G3 tumors, hormone receptor-positive tumors, and tumors with elevated
      Ki-67. Multivariate analyses confirmed that the TAZ/CTGF and YAP/CTGF phenotypes
      are independent predictors of survival (HR 2.03, 95% CI: 1.06-3.90, p = 0.033;
      and HR 2.00, 95% CI: 1.04-3.84, p = 0.037 respectively). Comparable results were
      obtained when excluding uncommon histotypes (TAZ/CTGF: HR 2.34, 95% CI: 1.16
      4.73, p = 0.018. YAP/CTGF. HR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.17-4.77, p = 0.017). Overall, the
      TAZ/YAP-driven oncogenic program may be active in MBC, conferring poorer
      survival.

PMID- 27248472
TI  - AKR1B10 promotes breast cancer metastasis through integrin alpha5/delta-catenin
      mediated FAK/Src/Rac1 signaling pathway.
AB  - Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is not expressed in normal breast, but
      upregulated in primary and metastatic breast cancers, being a negative prognostic
      factor. This study characterized the molecular mechanisms of AKR1B10-promoted
      breast cancer metastasis. Ectopic expression of AKR1B10 in breast cancer cells
      MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 or siRNA-mediated silencing in BT-20 cells affected cell
      adhesion, migration and invasion in cell culture, and metastasis to the lung in
      the nude mice through upregulation of integrin alpha5 and delta-catenin.
      Silencing of integrin alpha5 or delta-catenin eradicated the cell adhesion and
      migration enhanced by AKR1B10, both of which acted synergistically. In these
      cells, the integrin alpha5 mediated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathway
      was activated by AKR1B10, which, along with delta-catenin, stimulated Rac1
      mediated cell migration and movement. In human primary and lymph node metastatic
      breast cancer, AKR1B10, integrin alpha5 and delta-catenin were correlatively
      upregulated with r=0.645 (p<0.0001) and r=0.796 (p<0.0001), respectively. These
      data suggest that AKR1B10 promotes breast cancer metastasis through activation of
      the integrin alpha5 and delta-catenin mediated FAK/Src/Rac1 signaling pathway.

PMID- 27248473
TI  - Recurrent, truncating SOX9 mutations are associated with SOX9 overexpression,
      KRAS mutation, and TP53 wild type status in colorectal carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: The extent to which the developmental transcription factor SOX9
      functions as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is
      debatable. We aimed to clarify the effect of SOX9 mutations on SOX9 protein
      expression and their association with known molecular subtypes and clinical
      characteristics in advanced CRC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Next generation sequencing
      data (MSK-IMPACT) from CRC patients was used to interrogate SOX9, KRAS, NRAS,
      BRAF, TP53, APC, and PIK3CA. Mutant and wild type (WT) SOX9 cases underwent
      immunohistochemical (IHC) staining to assess protein expression. SOX9 allele
      specific copy number was assessed by Affymetrix Oncoscan array. RESULTS: SOX9 was
      mutated in 38 of 353 (10.7%) CRC, of which 82% were frameshift or nonsense.
      Compared to SOX9 WT, SOX9 mutation was strongly associated with coexistent mutant
      KRAS (p=0.0001) and WT TP53 (p=0.0004). SOX9 was overexpressed in both SOX9
      mutant and WT CRC. Among SOX9 mutants, the highest expression was noted for
      truncating exon 3 mutants (mean H scores 239+/-105 versus 147+/-119, p
      value=0.02). Further, SOX9 truncating mutants with loss of the WT allele
      demonstrated protein overexpression indicating the WT protein was not required
      for protein stabilization. CONCLUSIONS: SOX9 is overexpressed in CRC, including
      those with recurrent distal truncating mutations. The latter has structural
      similarity to the oncogenic isoform MiniSOX9, which is distally truncated due to
      aberrant splicing. This information suggests that truncated SOX9 has oncogenic
      features. SOX9 mutations are highly enriched in KRAS mutant and TP53 wild type
      CRC; and may provide a therapeutic target in approximately 11% of CRC.

PMID- 27248474
TI  - Pharmacogenomics of platinum-based chemotherapy response in NSCLC: a genotyping
      study and a pooled analysis.
AB  - Published data showed inconsistent results about associations of extensively
      studied polymorphisms with platinum-based chemotherapy response. Our study aimed
      to provide reliable conclusions of these associations by detecting genotypes of
      the SNPs in a larger sample size and summarizing a comprehensive pooled analysis.
      13 SNPs in 8 genes were genotyped in 1024 NSCLC patients by SequenomMassARRAY. 39
      published studies and our study were included in meta-analysis. Patients with GA
      or GG genotypes of XRCC1 G1196 had better response than AA genotype carriers
      (Genotyping study: OR = 0.72, 95%CI: 0.53-0.96, P = 0.028; Meta-analysis: OR =
      0.74, 95%CI: 0.62-0.89, P = 0.001). Patients carrying CT or TT genotypes of XRCC1
      C580T could be more sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy compared to patients
      with CC genotype (OR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.37-0.80, P = 0.002). CC genotype of XRCC3
      C18067T carriers showed more resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy when
      compared to those with CT or TT genotypes (OR = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.52-0.91, P =
      0.009). Our study indicated that XRCC1 G1196A/ C580T and XRCC3 C18067T should be
      paid attention for personalized platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients.

PMID- 27248475
TI  - Toxicological assessment of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in vitro: potential
      mitochondria effects on male reproductive cells.
AB  - Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been widely used in many fields and
      were reported to cause reversible testis damage in mice at high-dose. However the
      reproductive effects of low dose MWCNTs remained elusive. Herein, we used the
      mice spermatocyte cell line (GC-2spd) to assess the reproductive effects of
      MWCNTs. Size distribution, zeta potential, and intensity of MWCNTs were
      characterized. A maximal concentration of 0.5 MUg/mL MWCNTs was found to be
      nonlethal to GC-2spd. At this dose, cell cycles and the ROS levels were in normal
      status. We also found MWCNTs accumulated in mitochondria, which caused potential
      mitochondrial DNA damage in spermatocyte. Furthermore, the expression level of
      mitochondria-related genes, the oxygen consumption rate, and cellular ATP content
      were declined compared to controls, even at the nonlethal dose. Our results
      suggested for the first time that, in germ cells, mitochondrion was a cellular
      organelle that accumulated MWCNTs.

PMID- 27248477
TI  - Polythiophene-Wrapped Olivine NaFePO4 as a Cathode for Na-Ion Batteries.
AB  - The surface of olivine NaFePO4 was modified with polythiophene (PTh) to develop a
      high-performance cathode material for use in Na-ion batteries. The Rietveld
      refinement results of the prepared material reveal that PTh-coated NaFePO4
      belongs to a space group of Pnma with lattice parameters of a = 10.40656 A, b =
      6.22821 A, and c = 4.94971 A. Uncoated NaFePO4 delivers a discharge capacity of
      108 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 10 mA g(-1) within a voltage range of 2.2
      4.0 V. Conversely, the PTh-coated NaFePO4 electrode exhibits significantly
      improved electrochemical performance, where it exhibits a discharge capacity of
      142 mAh g(-1) and a stable cycle life over 100 cycles, with a capacity retention
      of 94%. The NaFePO4/PTh electrode also exhibits satisfactory performance at high
      current densities, and reversible capacities of 70 mAh g(-1) at 150 mA g(-1) and
      42 mAh g(-1) at 300 mA g(-1) are obtained compared with negligible capacities
      without coating. The related electrochemical reaction mechanism has been
      investigated using in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), which revealed a
      systematic change of Fe valence and reversible contraction/expansion of Fe-O
      octahedra upon desodiation/sodiation. The ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) results
      suggest that the deintercalation in NaFePO4/PTh electrodes proceeds through a
      stable intermediate phase and the lattice parameters show a reversible
      contraction/expansion of unit cell during cycling. 

PMID- 27248476
TI  - The protective effect of longer duration of breastfeeding against pregnancy
      associated triple negative breast cancer.
AB  - Parity associated breast cancer (PABC) often diagnosed within the 2-5 years after
      a full term pregnancy. PABC is usually present with more advanced, poorly
      differentiated, high-grade cancers that show shorter time to progression and
      often of the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype. Data from around the
      world show that pregnancy-associated TNBC is independently associated with poor
      survival, underscoring the impact of the pregnant breast microenvironment on the
      biology and consequently the prognosis of these tumors. Although it is not yet
      clear, a link between pregnancy-associated TNBCs and lack or shorter duration of
      breastfeeding (not pregnancy per se) has been proposed. Here, we present
      epidemiological and experimental evidence for the protective effect of longer
      duration of lactation against pregnancy-associated TNBCs, and propose a putative
      molecular mechanism for this protective effect and its effect in eliminating any
      potential TNBC precursors from the breast by the end of the natural breast
      involution.

PMID- 27248478
TI  - Elucidation of Nonadditive Effects in Protein-Ligand Binding Energies: Thrombin
      as a Case Study.
AB  - Accurate predictions of free energies of binding of ligands to proteins are
      challenging partly because of the nonadditivity of protein-ligand interactions;
      i.e., the free energy of binding is the sum of numerous enthalpic and entropic
      contributions that cannot be separated into functional group contributions. In
      principle, molecular simulations methodologies that compute free energies of
      binding do capture nonadditivity of protein-ligand interactions, but efficient
      protocols are necessary to compute well-converged free energies of binding that
      clearly resolve nonadditive effects. To this end, an efficient GPU-accelerated
      implementation of alchemical free energy calculations has been developed and
      applied to two congeneric series of ligands of the enzyme thrombin. The results
      show that accurate binding affinities are computed across the two congeneric
      series and positive coupling between nonpolar R(1) substituents and a X = NH3(+)
      substituent is reproduced, albeit with a weaker trend than experimentally
      observed. By contrast, a docking methodology completely fails to capture
      nonadditive effects. Further analysis shows that the nonadditive effects are
      partly due to variations in the strength of a hydrogen-bond between the X =
      NH3(+) ligands family and thrombin residue Gly216. However, other partially
      compensating interactions occur across the entire binding site, and no single
      interaction dictates the magnitude of the nonadditive effects for all the
      analyzed protein-ligand complexes.

PMID- 27248479
TI  - Stereoselective Metabolism of the Sterol Biosynthesis Inhibitor Fungicides
      Fenpropidin, Fenpropimorph, and Spiroxamine in Grapes, Sugar Beets, and Wheat.
AB  - Metabolism of chiral pesticides in crops is typically studied using achiral
      analytical methods and, consequently, the stereoisomer composition of residues is
      unknown. In this study, we developed an enantioselective GC-MS/MS method to
      quantify residues of the fungicides fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, and spiroxamine
      in plant matrices. In field trials, the fungicides were applied to grapevines,
      sugar beets, or wheat. Fenpropidin was metabolized with no or only weak
      enantioselectivity. For fenpropimorph, slightly enantioselective metabolism was
      observed in wheat but more pronounced in sugar beets. This enantioselectivity was
      due to different rates of metabolism and not due to interconversion of
      enantiomers. The four stereoisomers of spiroxamine were also metabolized at
      different rates, but selectivity was only found between diastereomers and not
      between enantiomers. trans-Spiroxamine was preferentially degraded in grapes and
      cis-spiroxamine in wheat. These findings may affect the consumer dietary risk
      assessment because toxicological end points were determined using racemic test
      substances. 

PMID- 27248480
TI  - Cyclic peptide-based potent human SIRT6 inhibitors.
AB  - We discovered in the current study that six side chain-to-side chain cyclic
      pentapeptides harboring a central N(epsilon)-dodecyl (or tetradecyl)
      thiocarbamoyl-lysine residue all behaved as highly potent (nM level) inhibitors
      against human SIRT6-catalyzed deacylation reaction. Moreover, one compound was
      also found to be selective for SIRT6 versus SIRT2/3/5 (~20-, ~11-, and >940-fold,
      respectively), despite its modest (~2.3-fold) SIRT6 inhibitory selectivity versus
      SIRT1. These compounds could be valuable leads for the identification of further
      potent and selective human SIRT6 inhibitors. 

PMID- 27248482
TI  - Anti-sense oligonucleotide therapies for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Anti-sense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies are a new development in
      clinical pharmacology offering greater specificity compared to small molecule
      inhibitors and the ability to target intracellular process' not susceptible to
      antibody-based therapies. AREAS COVERED: This article reviews the chemical
      biology of ASOs and related RNA therapeutics. It then reviews the data on their
      use to treat hyperlipidaemia. Data on mipomersen - an ASO to apolipoprotein B
      100(apoB) licensed for treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia
      (FH) is presented. Few effective therapies are available to reduce atehrogenic
      lipoprotein (a) levels. An ASO therapy to apolipoprotein(a) (ISIS Apo(a)Rx)
      specifically reduced lipoprotein (a) levels by up to 78%. Treatment options for
      patients with familial chylomicronaemia syndrome (lipoprotein lipase deficiency;
      LPLD) or lipodystrophies are highly limited and often inadequate. Volanesorsen,
      an ASO to apolipoprotein C-3, shows promise in the treatment of LPLD and severe
      hypertriglyceridaemia as it increases clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins
      and can normalise triglycerides in these patients. EXPERT OPINION: The uptake of
      the novel ASO therapies is likely to be limited to selected niche groups or
      orphan diseases. These will include homozygous FH, severe heterozygous FH for
      mipomersen; LPLD deficiency and lipodystrophy syndromes for volanesorsen and
      treatment of patients with high elevated Lp(a) levels.

PMID- 27248490
TI  - Early-life epileptic encephalopathy secondary to SZT2 pathogenic recessive
      variants.
AB  - Advances in genetic testing have led to the identification of increasing numbers
      of novel gene mutations that underlie infantile-onset epileptic encephalopathies.
      Recently, a mutagenesis screen identified a novel gene, SZT2, with no known
      protein function that has been linked to epileptogenesis in mice. Thus far, two
      clinical reports have identified children with different recessive mutations in
      SZT2 and varying clinical phenotypes. One case report described patients with
      epileptic encephalopathy and the other noted patients with cognitive
      deficiencies, but normal MRI and no epilepsy. This case report identifies novel
      mutations (a compound heterozygous frameshift and a nonsense variant) in the SZT2
      gene with distinct clinical and radiographic findings relative to those
      previously reported. Our patient presented with intractable epilepsy at 2 months
      of age. Seizures were refractory to numerous antiepileptic medications and the
      patient finally achieved seizure cessation at age 3 years with a combination of
      divalproex and lamotrigine. Our patient had similar facial dysmorphisms
      (macrocephaly, high forehead, and down-slanted palpebral fissures) to a previous
      case with truncating mutation. While developmental delay and cognitive
      deficiencies were present, our case had unique MRI findings suggesting
      migrational abnormalities not previously reported in other cases. 

PMID- 27248491
TI  - Improving Psychological Measurement: Does It Make a Difference? A Comment on
      Nesselroade and Molenaar (2016).
AB  - Nesselroade and Molenaar advocate the use of an idiographic filter approach. This
      is a fixed-effects approach, which may limit the number of individuals that can
      be simultaneously modeled, and it is not clear how to model the presence of
      subpopulations. Most important, Nesselroade and Molenaar's proposal appears to be
      best suited for modeling long time series on a few variables for a few
      individuals. Long time series are not common in psychological applications. Can
      it be applied to the usual longitudinal data we face? These are characterized by
      short time series (four to five points in time), hundreds of individuals, and
      dozens of variables. If so, what do we gain? Applied settings most often involve
      between-individual decisions. I conjecture that their approach will not
      outperform common, simpler, methods. However, when intraindividual decisions are
      involved, their approach may have an edge. 

PMID- 27248493
TI  - Institutionalize Reciprocity to Overcome the Public Goods Provision Problem.
AB  - Cooperation is fundamental to human societies, and one of the important paths for
      its emergence and maintenance is reciprocity. In prisoner's dilemma (PD)
      experiments, reciprocal strategies are often effective at attaining and
      maintaining high cooperation. In many public goods (PG) games or n-person PD
      experiments, however, reciprocal strategies are not successful at engendering
      cooperation. In the present paper, we attribute this difficulty to a coordination
      problem against free riding among reciprocators: Because it is difficult for the
      reciprocators to coordinate their behaviors against free riders, this may lead to
      inequality among players, which will demotivate them from cooperating in future
      rounds. We propose a new mechanism, institutionalized reciprocity (IR), which
      refers to embedding the reciprocal strategy as an institution (i.e.,
      institutionalizing the reciprocal strategy). We experimentally demonstrate that
      IR can prevent groups of reciprocators from falling into coordination failure and
      achieve high cooperation in PG games. In conclusion, we argue that a natural
      extension of the present study will be to investigate the possibility of IR to
      serve as a collective punishment system. 

PMID- 27248492
TI  - Cannabinoid Receptors Are Overexpressed in CLL but of Limited Potential for
      Therapeutic Exploitation.
AB  - The cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CNR1&2) are overexpressed in a variety of
      malignant diseases and cannabinoids can have noteworthy impact on tumor cell
      viability and tumor growth. Patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
      (CLL) present with very heterogeneous disease characteristics translating into
      highly differential risk properties. To meet the urgent need for refinement in
      risk stratification at diagnosis and the search for novel therapies we studied
      CNR expression and response to cannabinoid treatment in CLL. Expression levels of
      CNR1&2 were determined in 107 CLL patients by real-time PCR and analyzed with
      regard to prognostic markers and survival. Cell viability of primary CLL cells
      was determined in suspension and co-culture after incubation in increasing
      cannabinoid concentrations under normal and reduced serum conditions and in
      combination with fludarabine. Impact of cannabinoids on migration of CLL cells
      towards CXCL12 was determined in transwell plates. We found CNR1&2 to be
      overexpressed in CLL compared to healthy B-cells. Discriminating between high and
      low expressing subgroups, only high CNR1 expression was associated with two
      established high risk markers and conferred significantly shorter overall and
      treatment free survival. Viability of CLL primary cells was reduced in a dose
      dependent fashion upon incubation with cannabinoids, however, healthy cells were
      similarly affected. Under serum reduced conditions, no significant differences
      were observed within suspension and co-culture, respectively, however, the feeder
      layer contributed significantly to the survival of CLL cells compared to
      suspension culture conditions. No significant differences were observed when
      treating CLL cells with cannabinoids in combination with fludarabine.
      Interestingly, biologic activity of cannabinoids was independent of both CNR1&2
      expression. Finally, we did not observe an inhibition of CXCL12-induced migration
      by cannabinoids. In contrast to other tumor entities, our data suggest a limited
      usability of cannabinoids for CLL therapy. Nonetheless, we could define CNR1 mRNA
      expression as novel prognostic marker. 

PMID- 27248494
TI  - An Analysis of Water Collection Labor among Women and Children in 24 Sub-Saharan
      African Countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is estimated that more than two-thirds of the population in sub
      Saharan Africa (SSA) must leave their home to collect water, putting them at risk
      for a variety of negative health outcomes. There is little research, however,
      quantifying who is most affected by long water collection times. OBJECTIVES: This
      study aims to a) describe gender differences in water collection labor among both
      adults and children (< 15 years of age) in the households (HHs) that report
      spending more than 30 minutes collecting water, disaggregated by urban and rural
      residence; and b) estimate the absolute number of adults and children affected by
      water collection times greater than 30 minutes in 24 SSA countries. METHODS: We
      analyzed data from the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and the Multiple Indicator
      Cluster Survey (MICS) (2005-2012) to describe water collection labor in 24 SSA
      countries. RESULTS: Among households spending more than 30 minutes collecting
      water, adult females were the primary collectors of water across all 24
      countries, ranging from 46% in Liberia (17,412 HHs) to 90% in Cote d'Ivoire
      (224,808 HHs). Across all countries, female children were more likely to be
      responsible for water collection than male children (62% vs. 38%, respectively).
      Six countries had more than 100,000 households (HHs) where children were reported
      to be responsible for water collection (greater than 30 minutes): Burundi
      (181,702 HHs), Cameroon (154,453 HHs), Ethiopia (1,321,424 HHs), Mozambique
      (129,544 HHs), Niger (171,305 HHs), and Nigeria (1,045,647 HHs). CONCLUSION: In
      the 24 SSA countries studied, an estimated 3.36 million children and 13.54
      million adult females were responsible for water collection in households with
      collection times greater than 30 minutes. We suggest that accessibility to water,
      water collection by children, and gender ratios for water collection, especially
      when collection times are great, should be considered as key indicators for
      measuring progress in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.

PMID- 27248495
TI  - Study of Association between Pre-Senile Cataracts and the Polymorphisms rs2228000
      in XPC and rs1042522 in p53 in Spanish Population.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine if the presence of certain polymorphisms in the DNA repair
      gene XPC and the apoptosis inductor gene p53 is associated with pre-senile
      cataract development. METHODS: We have performed a retrospective study over three
      groups of patients. The group with pre-senile cataract formed by 72 patients
      younger than 55 with cataract surgery. The group with senile cataract formed by
      101 patients older than 55 with cataract surgery. The group without cataract was
      formed by 42 subjects older than 55 without lens opacities. We analyzed the
      presence of SNP rs2228000 from XPC and rs1042522 from p53; and the relationship
      between risk factors such as smoking, alcohol intake, hypertension or diabetes.
      RESULTS: The comparison of the genotype distribution in XPC, within the different
      groups, did not show any statistically significant association in any of our
      analysis (p>0,05). The comparison of the genotype distribution in p53 within the
      different groups did not show any statistically significant association (p>0,05);
      except for the comparison between the pre-senile cataract group and the group
      with senile cataract where the genotype Pro/Pro (C/C) in the recessive
      inheritance model showed a higher risk for developing pre-senile cataract (p =
      0,031; OR = 1.04-15.97). This association decreased when we performed the
      analysis adjusting by the studied risk factors (p = 0.056). CONCLUSIONS: Allelic
      variants in the gene XPC are not associated with an increased risk for developing
      pre-senile cataract. The presence of the genotype Pro/Pro in p53 might be
      associated with a major risk for developing pre-senile cataract.

PMID- 27248496
TI  - WDR76 Co-Localizes with Heterochromatin Related Proteins and Rapidly Responds to
      DNA Damage.
AB  - Proteins that respond to DNA damage play critical roles in normal and diseased
      states in human biology. Studies have suggested that the S. cerevisiae protein
      CMR1/YDL156w is associated with histones and is possibly associated with DNA
      repair and replication processes. Through a quantitative proteomic analysis of
      affinity purifications here we show that the human homologue of this protein,
      WDR76, shares multiple protein associations with the histones H2A, H2B, and H4.
      Furthermore, our quantitative proteomic analysis of WDR76 associated proteins
      demonstrated links to proteins in the DNA damage response like PARP1 and XRCC5
      and heterochromatin related proteins like CBX1, CBX3, and CBX5. Co
      immunoprecipitation studies validated these interactions. Next, quantitative
      imaging studies demonstrated that WDR76 was recruited to laser induced DNA damage
      immediately after induction, and we compared the recruitment of WDR76 to laser
      induced DNA damage to known DNA damage proteins like PARP1, XRCC5, and RPA1. In
      addition, WDR76 co-localizes to puncta with the heterochromatin proteins CBX1 and
      CBX5, which are also recruited to DNA damage but much less intensely than WDR76.
      This work demonstrates the chromatin and DNA damage protein associations of WDR76
      and demonstrates the rapid response of WDR76 to laser induced DNA damage. 

PMID- 27248497
TI  - Development of a PCR-Based Reverse Genetics System for an Attenuated Duck Tembusu
      Virus Strain.
AB  - The infectious disease caused by the duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) has resulted in
      massive economic losses to the Chinese duck industry in China since 2010.
      Research on the molecular basis of DTMUV pathogenicity has been hampered by the
      lack of a reliable reverse genetics system for this virus. Here we developed a
      PCR-based reverse genetics system with high fidelity for the attenuated DTMUV
      strain FX2010-180P. The rescued virus was characterized by using both indirect
      immunofluorescence assays (IFA) and whole genome sequencing. The rescued virus
      (rFX2010-180P) grew to similar titers as compared with the wild-type virus in DF
      1 cells, and had similar replication and immunogenicity properties in ducks. To
      determine whether exogenous proteins could be expressed from DTMUV, both an
      internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) and the enhanced green fluorescent protein
      (eGFP) gene were introduced between the NS5 gene and the 3' non-coding sequence
      of FX2010-180P. A recombinant DTMUV expressing eGFP was rescued, but eGFP
      expression was unstable after 4 passages in DF-1 cells due to a deletion of 1,294
      nucleotides. The establishment of a reliable reverse genetics system for FX2010
      180P provides a foundation for future studies of DTMUV. 

PMID- 27248498
TI  - Regulation of G0/G1 Switch Gene 2 (G0S2) Protein Ubiquitination and Stability by
      Triglyceride Accumulation and ATGL Interaction.
AB  - Intracellular triglyceride (TG) hydrolysis or lipolysis is catalyzed by the key
      intracellular triglyceride hydrolase, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). The
      G0/G1 Switch Gene 2 (G0S2) was recently identified as the major selective
      inhibitor of ATGL and its hydrolase function. Since G0S2 levels are dynamically
      linked and rapidly responsive to nutrient status or metabolic requirements, the
      identification of its regulation at the protein level is of significant value.
      Earlier evidence from our laboratory demonstrated that G0S2 is a short-lived
      protein degraded through the proteasomal pathway. However, little is currently
      known regarding the underlying mechanisms. In the current study we find that 1)
      protein degradation is initiated by K48-linked polyubiquitination of the lysine-
      25 in G0S2; and 2) G0S2 protein is stabilized in response to ATGL expression and
      TG accumulation. Mutation of lysine-25 of G0S2 abolished ubiquitination and
      increased protein stability. More importantly, G0S2 was stabilized via different
      mechanisms in the presence of ATGL vs. in response to fatty acid (FA)-induced TG
      accumulation. Furthermore, G0S2 protein but not mRNA levels were reduced in the
      adipose tissue of ATGL-deficient mice, corroborating the involvement of ATGL in
      the stabilization of G0S2. Taken together our data illustrate for the first time
      a crucial multifaceted mechanism for the stabilization of G0S2 at the protein
      level. 

PMID- 27248499
TI  - Intragenic Locus in Human PIWIL2 Gene Shares Promoter and Enhancer Functions.
AB  - Recently, more evidence supporting common nature of promoters and enhancers has
      been accumulated. In this work, we present data on chromatin modifications and
      non-polyadenylated transcription characteristic for enhancers as well as results
      of in vitro luciferase reporter assays suggesting that PIWIL2 alternative
      promoter in exon 7 also functions as an enhancer for gene PHYHIP located 60Kb
      upstream. This finding of an intragenic enhancer serving as a promoter for a
      shorter protein isoform implies broader impact on understanding enhancer-promoter
      networks in regulation of gene expression. 

PMID- 27248500
TI  - Oligonol, a low-molecular-weight polyphenol derived from lychee fruit, protects
      the pancreas from apoptosis and proliferation via oxidative stress in
      streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - We have identified the effects of oligonol, a low-molecular polyphenol derived
      from lychee fruit, on diabetes-induced pancreatic damage via oxidative stress.
      Oligonol was orally administered at 10 or 20 mg (kg d)(-1) for 10 days to
      streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, and we assessed the changes in the
      serum glucose and insulin levels, as well as those of body weight and food and
      water consumption. In addition, analyses of the weight, insulin content, reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) level, and western blots of nicotinamide adenine
      dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-4 (Nox-4), p22(phox), p47(phox), phosphor
      c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), Bax, cytochrome c, caspase 3, pancreatic
      duodenal homeobox (PDX-1) and cyclin E were also performed in the pancreas.
      However, these unfavorable outcomes under diabetes were reversed by oligonol
      administration. Oligonol treatment led to significantly attenuated histological
      damage in the pancreas. In conclusion, this study suggests that oligonol protects
      the pancreas from Bax and PDX-1 via oxidative stress for the prevention or
      delaying of diabetes mellitus. 

PMID- 27248501
TI  - Use of essential gene, encoding prophobilinogen deaminase from extreme
      psychrophilic Colwellia sp. C1, to generate temperature-sensitive strain of
      Francisella novicida.
AB  - Previously, several essential genes from psychrophilic bacteria have been
      substituted for their homologues in mesophilic bacterial pathogens to make the
      latter temperature sensitive. It has been noted that an essential ligA gene from
      an extreme psychrophile, Colwellia sp. C1, yielded a gene product that is
      inactivated at 27 degrees C, the lowest that has been observed for any
      psychrophilic enzyme, and hypothesized that other essential proteins of that
      strain would also have low inactivation temperatures. This work describes the
      partial sequencing of the genome of Colwellia sp. C1 strain and the
      identification of 24 open reading frames encoding homologues of highly conserved
      bacterial essential genes. The gene encoding porphobilinogen deaminase (hemC),
      which is involved in the pathway of haem synthesis, has been tested for its
      ability to convert Francisella novicida into a temperature-sensitive strain. The
      hybrid strain carrying the C1-derived hemC gene exhibited a temperature-sensitive
      phenotype with a restrictive temperature of 36 degrees C. These results support
      the conclusion that Colwellia sp. C1 is a rich source of heat-labile enzymes.
      SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The issue of biosafety is often raised when
      it comes to work with pathogenic organisms. The main concern is caused by the
      risk of researchers being exposed to infectious doses of dangerous microbes. This
      paper analyses essential genes identified in partial genomic sequence of the
      psychrophilic bacterium Collwelia sp. C1. These sequences can be used as a mean
      of generating temperature-sensitive strains of pathogenic bacteria. Such strains
      are incapable of surviving at the temperature of human body. This means they
      could be applied as vaccines or for safer work with dangerous organisms.

PMID- 27248502
TI  - Cryoprecipitate AHF vs. fibrinogen concentrates for fibrinogen replacement in
      acquired bleeding patients - an economic evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fibrinogen repletion in patients with acquired bleeding disorders can
      be accomplished by transfusing cryoprecipitate AHF (cryo) or fibrinogen
      concentrate (FC); thus, we undertook an economic evaluation from the transfusion
      service perspective regarding the use of cryo vs. FC in patients with acquired
      bleeding. METHODS: We created a model comparing the cost of cryo vs. FC from the
      transfusion service perspective. A patient with acquired bleeding requiring
      fibrinogen replacement could receive either 15-20 cryo units or 3-4 g FC,
      consistent with the guidelines from the European Task Force for Advanced Bleeding
      Care in Trauma. All model parameters were estimated from institutional
      experiences and the medical literature. Additionally, a survey of US Transfusion
      Medicine fellowship directors was conducted. RESULTS: After adjusting for 28%
      wastage and technologist salary, cryo cost is $414/5-unit pool. Depending on the
      dose, FC is more expensive by $976-$1303. To be competitive with cryo, FC cost
      must decrease by 44% or be shown to save 0.25-0.66 ICU days. Of the 30 survey
      replies, 96.7% of US centres do not use FC for acquired bleeding with the top
      three reasons being cost (30%), off-label usage (27%) and insufficient evidence
      for usage (20%). Only 47% are willing to pay more for FC, with $437/g as the
      median amount. CONCLUSION: Fibrinogen concentrate is more expensive than cryo,
      even after adjusting for cryo wastage. To be economically competitive with cryo,
      FC must cost $414/g, or save on ICU length of stay, consistent with the survey's
      results.

PMID- 27248503
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Author Response.

PMID- 27248504
TI  - Commentary on the diagnostic utility of non-invasive imaging devices for field
      cancerization.

PMID- 27248506
TI  - Sacrificing the buccal branch of the facial nerve during parotidectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The need for and consequence of sacrificing the buccal branch of the
      facial nerve during parotidectomy is unknown. We sought to determine the
      indication, frequency, and functional outcome of buccal branch sacrifice.
      METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of all cases of parotidectomy at a
      tertiary referral center. RESULTS: Of 100 consecutive cases of parotidectomy, the
      buccal branch was sacrificed in 23 cases. This subgroup was more likely to have
      anterior or deep lesions (p < .001), retrograde facial nerve dissection (p =
      .037), and immediate postoperative upper and lower facial weakness (p = .051 and
      .002, respectively). However, if the temporozygomatic and cervicomandibular
      branches were anatomically preserved, full facial (including buccal) function was
      restored. CONCLUSION: Deep or anterior lesions may warrant sacrifice of the
      buccal branch for adequate access and excision. However, this does not result in
      long-term impairment of facial function. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head
      Neck 38: 1821-1825, 2016.

PMID- 27248505
TI  - In vivo modulation of endothelial polarization by Apelin receptor signalling.
AB  - Endothelial cells (ECs) respond to shear stress by aligning in the direction of
      flow. However, how ECs respond to flow in complex in vivo environments is less
      clear. Here we describe an endothelial-specific transgenic zebrafish line,
      whereby the Golgi apparatus is labelled to allow for in vivo analysis of
      endothelial polarization. We find that most ECs polarize within 4.5 h after the
      onset of vigorous blood flow and, by manipulating cardiac function, observe that
      flow-induced EC polarization is a dynamic and reversible process. Based on its
      role in EC migration, we analyse the role of Apelin signalling in EC polarization
      and find that it is critical for this process. Knocking down Apelin receptor
      function in human primary ECs also affects their polarization. Our study provides
      new tools to analyse the mechanisms of EC polarization in vivo and reveals an
      important role in this process for a signalling pathway implicated in
      cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 27248507
TI  - Patient awareness and beliefs about the risk factors and comorbidities associated
      with chronic kidney disease : A mixed-methods study.
AB  - AIM: Diabetes, hypertension and smoking may contribute to the development and
      progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its complications. The aim of
      this study was to assess patients' awareness and beliefs about these and other
      risk factors associated with CKD. METHODS: Participants with CKD Stages 1-5 were
      purposively sampled for participation in a mixed methods study. Focus group
      participants completed a survey on CKD risk factors and discussed the reasons for
      their choices. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data.
      RESULTS: Of the 38 participants, the proportion who identified hypertension,
      family history, diabetes and obesity as risk factors for CKD were 89%, 87%, 87%
      and 70% respectively. Only 54% and 38% recognized that smoking and Aboriginal or
      Torres Strait Islander status were risk factors. Participants considered the
      risks of heart attack, stroke and premature mortality to be 20-40% lower in
      people with CKD than those with diabetes or pre-existing cardiovascular disease.
      Five themes were identified: invisibility (lack of signs and symptoms of CKD),
      invincibility (participants did not feel they were at risk), lacking awareness
      (identified not knowing much about their disease), cumulative comorbidities
      (concerned about the increased risks of associated diseases) and inevitability of
      death (there is no cure for CKD). CONCLUSION: Participants had good understanding
      of some risk factors for CKD (hypertension and diabetes) but limited
      understanding of others. Awareness of comorbidities was also less than for other
      chronic conditions. Compared with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, CKD was
      perceived to pose less of a threat to life. Patient education that addresses CKD
      risk factors, comorbidities and outcomes may increase awareness and foster better
      self-management for people with CKD.

PMID- 27248508
TI  - Hepatitis B, C, and D virus infection showing distinct patterns between injection
      drug users and the general population.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hepatitis B, C, and D virus (HBV, HCV, and HDV) infections
      are known to be prevalent in injection drug users (IDUs); however, the
      relationship between the molecular epidemiologic features of hepatitis virus
      infection in high-risk individuals and the general population has not yet been
      established. METHODS: In total, 1049 IDUs and 672 individuals who underwent
      physical examinations at Chenzhou hospital, Hunan Province, China, were enrolled.
      HBV, HCV, and HDV infections were screened with serologic tests in both
      populations. HBsAg-positive, anti-HCV IgG-positive, and anti-HDV IgG-positive
      samples were further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Significantly higher HBV
      (21.54 vs 16.52%, P = 0.01), HCV (45.95% vs 1.34%, P < 0.001), and HDV (5.62% vs
      0.30%, P < 0.001) infections were detected in IDUs compared with the general
      population. The dual infection of HBV/HCV or HBV/HDV was also significantly
      higher in IDUs than in the general population. HBV genotype B and HDV genotype II
      were dominants in both populations. HCV infection showed genotype 6a (49.52%)
      dominant in IDUs, but genotype 1b accounted for 50% infection, which was followed
      by genotype 6a (33.33%) in the general population. Higher viral loads were
      associated with HBV genotype B and HCV genotype 6a compared with non-dominant
      genotypic infections. CONCLUSIONS: HBV and HDV infections shared similar patterns
      by IDUs and the general populations, and HCV infection exhibited distinct
      features between two populations. Our results suggest different molecular
      epidemiologic characteristics of HBV, HCV, and HDV infection in two populations.

PMID- 27248509
TI  - A Review of the Internal and External Physiological Demands Associated With
      Batting in Cricket.
AB  - Cricket is a popular international team sport with various game formats ranging
      from long-duration multiday tests to short-duration Twenty20 game play. The role
      of batsmen is critical to all game formats, with differing physiological demands
      imposed during each format. Investigation of the physiological demands imposed
      during cricket batting has historically been neglected, with much of the research
      focusing on bowling responses and batting technique. A greater understanding of
      the physiological demands of the batting role in cricket is required to assist
      strength and conditioning professionals and coaches with the design of training
      plans, recovery protocols, and player-management strategies. This brief review
      provides an updated synthesis of the literature examining the internal (eg,
      metabolic demands and heart rate) and external (eg, activity work rates)
      physiological responses to batting in the various game formats, as well as
      simulated play and small-sided-games training. Although few studies have been
      done in this area, the summary of data provides important insight regarding
      physiological responses to batting and highlights that more research on this
      topic is required. Future research is recommended to combine internal and
      external measures during actual game play, as well as comparing different game
      formats and playing levels. In addition, understanding the relationship between
      batting technique and physiological responses is warranted to gain a more
      holistic understanding of batting in cricket, as well as to develop appropriate
      coaching and training strategies.

PMID- 27248510
TI  - Transition metal sulfides grown on graphene fibers for wearable asymmetric
      supercapacitors with high volumetric capacitance and high energy density.
AB  - Fiber shaped supercapacitors are promising candidates for wearable electronics
      because they are flexible and light-weight. However, a critical challenge of the
      widespread application of these energy storage devices is their low cell voltages
      and low energy densities, resulting in limited run-time of the electronics. Here,
      we demonstrate a 1.5 V high cell voltage and high volumetric energy density
      asymmetric fiber supercapacitor in aqueous electrolyte. The lightweight (0.24 g
      cm(-3)), highly conductive (39 S cm(-1)), and mechanically robust (221 MPa)
      graphene fibers were firstly fabricated and then coated by NiCo2S4 nanoparticles
      (GF/NiCo2S4) via the solvothermal deposition method. The GF/NiCo2S4 display high
      volumetric capacitance up to 388 F cm(-3) at 2 mV s(-1) in a three-electrode cell
      and 300 F cm(-3) at 175.7 mA cm(-3) (568 mF cm(-2) at 0.5 mA cm(-2)) in a two
      electrode cell. The electrochemical characterizations show 1000% higher
      capacitance of the GF/NiCo2S4 as compared to that of neat graphene fibers. The
      fabricated device achieves high energy density up to 12.3 mWh cm(-3) with a
      maximum power density of 1600 mW cm(-3), outperforming the thin-film lithium
      battery. Therefore, these supercapacitors are promising for the next generation
      flexible and wearable electronic devices.

PMID- 27248511
TI  - Simulation of Multi-Dimensional Signals in the Optical Domain: Quantum-Classical
      Feedback in Nonlinear Exciton Propagation.
AB  - We present an algorithm for the simulation of nonlinear 2D spectra of molecular
      systems in the UV-vis spectral region from atomistic molecular dynamics
      trajectories subject to nonadiabatic relaxation. We combine the nonlinear exciton
      propagation (NEP) protocol, that relies on a quasiparticle approach with the
      surface hopping methodology to account for quantum-classical feedback during the
      dynamics. Phenomena, such as dynamic Stokes shift due to nuclear relaxation,
      spectral diffusion, and population transfer among electronic states, are thus
      naturally included and benchmarked on a model of two electronic states coupled to
      a harmonic coordinate and a classical heatbath. The capabilities of the algorithm
      are further demonstrated for the bichromophore diphenylmethane that is described
      in a fully microscopic fashion including all 69 classical nuclear degrees of
      freedom. We demonstrate that simulated 2D signals are especially sensitive to the
      applied theoretical approximations (i.e., choice of active space in the CASSCF
      method) where population dynamics appears comparable. 

PMID- 27248512
TI  - Stochastic Simulation of Biomolecular Networks in Dynamic Environments.
AB  - Simulation of biomolecular networks is now indispensable for studying biological
      systems, from small reaction networks to large ensembles of cells. Here we
      present a novel approach for stochastic simulation of networks embedded in the
      dynamic environment of the cell and its surroundings. We thus sample trajectories
      of the stochastic process described by the chemical master equation with time
      varying propensities. A comparative analysis shows that existing approaches can
      either fail dramatically, or else can impose impractical computational burdens
      due to numerical integration of reaction propensities, especially when cell
      ensembles are studied. Here we introduce the Extrande method which, given a
      simulated time course of dynamic network inputs, provides a conditionally exact
      and several orders-of-magnitude faster simulation solution. The new approach
      makes it feasible to demonstrate-using decision-making by a large population of
      quorum sensing bacteria-that robustness to fluctuations from upstream signaling
      places strong constraints on the design of networks determining cell fate. Our
      approach has the potential to significantly advance both understanding of
      molecular systems biology and design of synthetic circuits.

PMID- 27248513
TI  - Diverse genetic architectures lead to the same cryptic phenotype in a yeast
      cross.
AB  - Cryptic genetic variants that do not typically influence traits can interact
      epistatically with each other and mutations to cause unexpected phenotypes. To
      improve understanding of the genetic architectures and molecular mechanisms that
      underlie these interactions, we comprehensively dissected the genetic bases of 17
      independent instances of the same cryptic colony phenotype in a yeast cross. In
      eight cases, the phenotype resulted from a genetic interaction between a de novo
      mutation and one or more cryptic variants. The number and identities of detected
      cryptic variants depended on the mutated gene. In the nine remaining cases, the
      phenotype arose without a de novo mutation due to two different classes of higher
      order genetic interactions that only involve cryptic variants. Our results may be
      relevant to other species and disease, as most of the mutations and cryptic
      variants identified in our study reside in components of a partially conserved
      and oncogenic signalling pathway.

PMID- 27248514
TI  - SMART: Statistical Metabolomics Analysis-An R Tool.
AB  - Metabolomics data provide unprecedented opportunities to decipher metabolic
      mechanisms by analyzing hundreds to thousands of metabolites. Data quality
      concerns and complex batch effects in metabolomics must be appropriately
      addressed through statistical analysis. This study developed an integrated
      analysis tool for metabolomics studies to streamline the complete analysis flow
      from initial data preprocessing to downstream association analysis. We developed
      Statistical Metabolomics Analysis-An R Tool (SMART), which can analyze input
      files with different formats, visually represent various types of data features,
      implement peak alignment and annotation, conduct quality control for samples and
      peaks, explore batch effects, and perform association analysis. A
      pharmacometabolomics study of antihypertensive medication was conducted and data
      were analyzed using SMART. Neuromedin N was identified as a metabolite
      significantly associated with angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors in our
      metabolome-wide association analysis (p = 1.56 * 10(-4) in an analysis of
      covariance (ANCOVA) with an adjustment for unknown latent groups and p = 1.02 *
      10(-4) in an ANCOVA with an adjustment for hidden substructures). This endogenous
      neuropeptide is highly related to neurotensin and neuromedin U, which are
      involved in blood pressure regulation and smooth muscle contraction. The SMART
      software, a user guide, and example data can be downloaded from
      http://www.stat.sinica.edu.tw/hsinchou/metabolomics/SMART.htm .

PMID- 27248515
TI  - Recurrence and Survival in Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Surgery
      Without Adjuvant Radiation Therapy to the Primary Site.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The use of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) to the primary site in
      Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is not uncommon. However, the need for adjuvant RT to
      the primary site in patients at low risk for local recurrence is questionable.
      OBJECTIVES: To examine the occurrence of true local, satellite, in-transit,
      regional, and distant recurrences in patients undergoing surgery alone without
      adjuvant RT to the primary site. To establish overall survival (OS), MCC-specific
      survival (MCCSS), and disease-free survival (DFS) relationships in a cohort of
      patients with MCC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Our University of Michigan
      Multidisciplinary MCC Program database was used to obtain characteristics and
      outcome measures for 104 patients (105 primary MCCs) with tumors less than 2 cm
      in diameter. The majority of patients were treated between July 2006 and November
      2012. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Outcome measures included the occurrence of
      true local, satellite, in-transit, regional, and distant recurrences. End points
      included OS, MCCSS, and DFS. RESULTS: Overall, information for 55 men and 49
      women with 105 primary MCCs was obtained; 19 patients developed recurrent
      disease, and the mean time to first recurrence was 10.7 months. True local
      recurrence occurred in 1 patient with concurrent in-transit recurrence. Satellite
      recurrence occurred in 1 patient with concurrent regional recurrence. Four
      additional patients developed in-transit metastases. Thirteen patients had a
      regional recurrence component, 4 patients had distant metastases, and 6 patients
      developed subsequent regional and/or distant recurrences. Stratified by initial
      pathologic stage, the OS and MCCSS at 48 months were estimated to be 85.0% (95%
      CI, 71.8%-92.3%) and 94.4% (95% CI, 83.4%-98.2%) for patients with stage 1A/B
      disease and 63.2% (95% CI, 36.6%-81.1%) and 78.1% (95% CI, 50.0%-91.5%) for
      patients with stage 3A disease. The OS and MCCSS at 24 months for patients with
      stage 3B disease were both 50.0% (95% CI, 5.8%-84.5%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      In selected MCC patients with primary tumors less than 2 cm in diameter treated
      with surgery alone without adjuvant RT to the primary site, we found a low
      occurrence of true local recurrences and satellite recurrences. This relatively
      low rate of local recurrence questions the need for adjuvant RT to the primary
      tumor site in patients with small low-risk lesions.

PMID- 27248516
TI  - Prevalence of and disparities in HIV-related sexual risk behaviours among Chinese
      youth in relation to sexual orientation: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - Background: The aim of this study was to calculate the prevalence rate of HIV
      related sexual risk behaviours (HSRB) among Chinese youth and determine whether
      there was an association between sexual orientation and HSRB. Methods: This study
      used a nationally representative survey of youth aged 15-24 years in China.
      Population numbers, prevalence, and proportions were calculated where
      appropriate. chi2 tests were used to determine the difference within categorical
      variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted
      odd ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The rate of any HSRB
      among sexually active youth was 79.43%, and the most common HSRB was lack of
      condom use during the first sexual experience (66.02%). After adjusting for
      demographic and socioeconomic variables (sex, age, residence, living with parents
      or not, father's education and annual family income), non-heterosexual
      orientation was found to significantly increase the odds of HSRB (AOR = 2.42, 95%
      CI: 1.16-5.05). Conclusions: Non-heterosexual youth are at a higher risk of
      partaking in HSRB. The high prevalence of HSRB indicates the insufficiency of sex
      education for Chinese youth, especially for non-heterosexual youth. Greater
      efforts should be made to increase reproductive and sexual health services for
      Chinese youth.

PMID- 27248517
TI  - Identifying genetic loci affecting antidepressant drug response in depression
      using drug-gene interaction models.
AB  - Antidepressants are often only moderately successful in decreasing the severity
      of depressive symptoms. In part, antidepressant treatment response in patients
      with depression is genetically determined. However, although a large number of
      studies have been conducted aiming to identify genetic variants associated with
      antidepressant drug response in depression, only a few variants have been
      repeatedly identified. Within the present review, we will discuss the
      methodological challenges and limitations of the studies that have been conducted
      on this topic to date (e.g., 'treated-only design', statistical power) and we
      will discuss how specifically drug-gene interaction models can be used to be
      better able to identify genetic variants associated with antidepressant drug
      response in depression.

PMID- 27248518
TI  - Controlled Substitution of Chlorine for Iodine in Single-Crystal Nanofibers of
      Mixed Perovskite MAPbI3- x Clx.
AB  - Longer carrier diffusion length and improved power conversion efficiency have
      been reported for thin-film solar cell of organolead mixed-halide perovskite
      MAPbI3- x Cl x in comparison with MAPbI3 . Instead of substituting I in the
      MAPbI3 lattice, Cl-incorporation has been shown to mainly improve the film
      morphology of perovskite absorber. Well-defined crystal structure, adjustable
      composition (x), and regular morphology, remains a formidable task. Herein, a
      facile solution-assembly method is reported for synthesizing single-crystalline
      nanofibers (NFs) of tetragonal-lattice MAPbI3- x Cl x with the Cl-content
      adjustable between 0 <= x <= 0.75, leading to a gradual blueshift of the
      absorption and photoluminescence maxima from x = 0 to 0.75. The photoresponsivity
      (R) of MAPbI3 NFs keeps almost unchanging at a value independent of the white
      light illumination intensity (P). In contrast, R of MAPbI3- x Cl x NFs decreases
      rapidly with increasing both the x and P values, indicating Cl-substitution
      increases the recombination traps of photogenerated free electrons and holes.
      This study provides a model system to examine the role of extrinsic Cl ions in
      both perovskite crystallography and optoelectronic properties. 

PMID- 27248519
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27248520
TI  - Influence of pi-Iodide Intermolecular Interactions on Electronic Properties of
      Tin(IV) Iodide Semiconducting Complexes.
AB  - Coordination compounds with a tin center surrounded by both organic and inorganic
      ligands ([SnI4{(C6H5)3PO}2], [SnI4{(C6H5)2SO}2], and [SnI4(C5H5NO)2]) acting as
      molecular semiconductors are in the spotlight of this article. This is a new
      class of hybrid semiconducting materials where optoelectronic properties of
      inorganic core (SnI4) were tuned by organic ligands. The valence band is located
      at the inorganic portion of the molecule while the conduction band is made of
      carbon-based orbitals. This suggests the great importance of hydrogen bonds where
      iodine atoms play the role of an acceptor. Weak intermolecular interactions
      between iodine atoms and aromatic rings are essential in a band structure
      formation. These materials form orange-red crystals soluble in most of organic
      solvents. Their semiconducting properties are addressed experimentally via
      photovoltage measurements, as well as theoretically, using DFT and semiempirical
      approaches. 

PMID- 27248521
TI  - Assessment of skeletal age on the basis of DXA-derived hand scans in elite youth
      soccer.
AB  - Physical performance is highly dependent on maturity. Therefore, consideration of
      maturity is recommended in the talent identification process. To date, skeletal
      age (SA) is assessed using X-ray scans. However, X-rays are associated with a 10
      fold higher radiation compared to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The aim
      of the study was to validate SA assessments in male soccer players with the DXA
      technique. Paired X-ray and DXA scans of the left hand of 63 Swiss U-15 national
      soccer players were performed. SA assessments were performed twice by two blinded
      raters using Tanner and Whitehouse' reference technique. Intrarater and
      interrater reliability as well as agreement between both techniques were tested.
      Intrarater and interrater reliabilities were excellent. Bland-Altman plots showed
      that SA assessments between X-ray and DXA differed by -0.2 years and 95% limits
      of agreement were +/-0.6 years. Therefore, DXA offered a replicable method for
      assessing SA and maturity in youth soccer players. 

PMID- 27248565
TI  - When past is present: Substitutions of long-term memory for sensory evidence in
      perceptual judgments.
AB  - When perception is underdetermined by current sensory inputs, memories for
      related experiences in the past might fill in missing detail. To evaluate this
      possibility, we measured the likelihood of relying on long-term memory versus
      sensory evidence when judging the appearance of an object near the threshold of
      awareness. Specifically, we associated colors with shapes in long-term memory and
      then presented the shapes again later in unrelated colors and had observers judge
      the appearance of the new colors. We found that responses were well characterized
      as a bimodal mixture of original and current-color representations (vs. an
      integrated unimodal representation). That is, although irrelevant to judgments of
      the current color, observers occasionally anchored their responses on the
      original colors in memory. Moreover, the likelihood of such memory substitutions
      increased when sensory input was degraded. In fact, they occurred even in the
      absence of sensory input when observers falsely reported having seen something.
      Thus, although perceptual judgments intuitively seem to reflect the current state
      of the environment, they can also unknowingly be dictated by past experiences.

PMID- 27248566
TI  - The absolute disparity anomaly and the mechanism of relative disparities.
AB  - There has been a long-standing debate about the mechanisms underlying the
      perception of stereoscopic depth and the computation of the relative disparities
      that it relies on. Relative disparities between visual objects could be computed
      in two ways: (a) using the difference in the object's absolute disparities
      (Hypothesis 1) or (b) using relative disparities based on the differences in the
      monocular separations between objects (Hypothesis 2). To differentiate between
      these hypotheses, we measured stereoscopic discrimination thresholds for lines
      with different absolute and relative disparities. Participants were asked to
      judge the depth of two lines presented at the same distance from the fixation
      plane (absolute disparity) or the depth between two lines presented at different
      distances (relative disparity). We used a single stimulus method involving a
      unique memory component for both conditions, and no extraneous references were
      available. We also measured vergence noise using Nonius lines. Stereo thresholds
      were substantially worse for absolute disparities than for relative disparities,
      and the difference could not be explained by vergence noise. We attribute this
      difference to an absence of conscious readout of absolute disparities, termed the
      absolute disparity anomaly. We further show that the pattern of correlations
      between vergence noise and absolute and relative disparity acuities can be
      explained jointly by the existence of the absolute disparity anomaly and by the
      assumption that relative disparity information is computed from absolute
      disparities (Hypothesis 1).

PMID- 27248567
TI  - Corrections to: The spatiotemporal characteristics of the attentional shift
      relative to a reach.

PMID- 27248568
TI  - Husbandry and Health Program Survey Synopsis.

PMID- 27248569
TI  - Event DAS-444O6-6 soybean grown in Brazil is compositionally equivalent to non
      transgenic soybean.
AB  - Soybean event DAS-444O6-6 is tolerant to the herbicides 2,4-D, glyphosate, and
      glufosinate. An investigation of potential unintended adverse compositional
      changes in a genetically modified crop is required to meet government regulatory
      requirements in various geographies. A study to meet these requirements in Brazil
      was completed demonstrating compositional equivalency between DAS-444O6-6 and non
      transgenic soybean. This study supplements the extensive literature supporting
      transgenesis as less disruptive of crop composition compared with traditional
      breeding methods. 

PMID- 27248571
TI  - Presacral Myelolipoma: Diagnosis on Imaging With Pathologic and Clinical
      Correlation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Myelolipoma is a benign tumor composed of fatty and hematopoietic
      elements. Presacral myelolipoma is rare, with fewer than 40 cases reported in the
      English literature. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis because there
      are malignant diseases included in the differential diagnosis of a presacral
      fatty mass, particularly liposarcoma. CONCLUSION: The combination of a well
      encapsulated fat-containing presacral mass, lack of coinciding hematologic
      disease, and uptake on sulfur colloid scintigraphy support the diagnosis of a
      presacral myelolipoma.

PMID- 27248570
TI  - Attenuation of pathogenic Rift Valley fever virus strain through the chimeric S
      segment encoding sandfly fever phlebovirus NSs or a dominant-negative PKR.
AB  - Rift Valley fever is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease affecting ruminants and
      humans. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV: family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus)
      causes abortions and fetal malformations in ruminants, and hemorrhagic fever,
      encephalitis, or retinitis in humans. The live-attenuated MP-12 vaccine is
      conditionally licensed for veterinary use in the US. However, this vaccine lacks
      a marker for the differentiation of vaccinated from infected animals (DIVA). NSs
      gene is dispensable for RVFV replication, and thus, rMP-12 strains lacking NSs
      gene is applicable to monitor vaccinated animals. However, the immunogenicity of
      MP-12 lacking NSs was not as high as parental MP-12. Thus, chimeric MP-12 strains
      encoding NSs from either Toscana virus (TOSV), sandfly fever Sicilian virus
      (SFSV) or Punta Toro virus Adames strain (PTA) were characterized previously.
      Although chimeric MP-12 strains are highly immunogenic, the attenuation through
      the S-segment remains unknown. Using pathogenic ZH501 strain, we aimed to
      demonstrate the attenuation of ZH501 strain through chimeric S-segment encoding
      either the NSs of TOSV, SFSV, PTA, or Punta Toro virus Balliet strain (PTB). In
      addition, we characterized rZH501 encoding a human dominant-negative PKR
      (PKRDeltaE7), which also enhances the immunogenicity of MP-12. Study done on mice
      revealed that attenuation of rZH501 occurred through the S-segment encoding
      either PKRDeltaE7 or SFSV NSs. However, rZH501 encoding either TOSV, PTA, or PTB
      NSs in the S-segment uniformly caused lethal encephalitis. Our results indicated
      that the S-segments encoding PKRDeltaE7 or SFSV NSs are attenuated and thus
      applicable toward next generation MP-12 vaccine candidates that encode a DIVA
      marker.

PMID- 27248572
TI  - Bariatric Surgery for Patients With Early-Onset vs Late-Onset Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The prevalence of early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which
      responds poorly to medical treatment, is increasing. Bariatric surgery has been
      well recognized for its effectiveness in the remission of T2DM, but its
      effectiveness and durability in the remission of early-onset T2DM has not yet
      been explored. OBJECTIVE: To compare the short- and long-term outcomes of
      bariatric surgery with a specific focus on the rate of remission of T2DM in
      patients with early-onset (age <40 years) and late-onset (age >=40 years) T2DM.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cohort study, 558 Taiwanese patients
      (339 with early-onset T2DM and 219 with late-onset T2DM) with a body mass index
      (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) above 25
      underwent bariatric surgery to ameliorate T2DM between January 1, 2007, and
      December 31, 2013. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Preoperative,
      perioperative, and postoperative clinical and laboratory data were prospectively
      collected and compared between the 2 groups. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Rate of
      remission of T2DM (hemoglobin A1C <6.0% without antiglycemic medication) was the
      primary outcome measure. RESULTS: Of the 558 patients (345 women) in the study,
      mean (SD) ages were 33.5 (7.5) for those with early-onset T2DM and 50.6 (6.5)
      with late onset T2DM. Those with early-onset T2DM had higher mean (SD)
      preoperative BMI and hemoglobin A1C values (39.4 [8.5] and 8.7% [3.8%] of total
      hemoglobin [to convert hemoglobin to a proportion of total hemoglobin, multiply
      by 0.01], respectively) than did patients with late-onset T2DM (36.7 [7.5] and
      8.2% [1.6%], respectively). Distribution of surgical procedures and major
      complications were similar between the 2 groups. At 1 year, patients with early
      onset T2DM achieved greater weight loss than those with late-onset T2DM, although
      the difference was not statistically significant. A higher rate of complete
      remission of T2DM was observed in patients with early-onset T2DM than in those
      with late-onset disease (193 [56.9%] vs 110 [50.2%]; P = .02). At 5 years,
      patients with early-onset T2DM still maintained a higher rate of weight loss
      (mean [SD], 30.4% [11.8%] vs 21.6% [11.7%]; P = .002) and higher rate of
      remission (47 of 72 [65.3%] vs 26 of 48 [54.2%]; P = .04) than did those with
      late-onset disease. Age at bariatric surgery, duration of T2DM, and preoperative
      C-peptide level were independent predictors of remission. The remission rate was
      directly related to extent of weight loss. Multivariate analysis confirmed the
      higher rate of remission in the group with early-onset T2DM. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: This article describes the largest long-term study examining bariatric
      surgery for patients with early-onset T2DM. Bariatric surgery may achieve better
      and more long-lasting glycemic control in select patients with early-onset T2DM
      than in those with late-onset T2DM.

PMID- 27248573
TI  - Altering Antibody-Drug Conjugate Binding to the Neonatal Fc Receptor Impacts
      Efficacy and Tolerability.
AB  - Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) rely on the target-binding specificity of an
      antibody to selectively deliver potent drugs to cancer cells. IgG antibody half
      life is regulated by neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) binding. Histidine 435 of human
      IgG was mutated to alanine (H435A) to explore the effect of FcRn binding on the
      pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and tolerability of two separate maytansine-based ADC
      pairs with noncleavable linkers, (c-DM1 and c-H435A-DM1) and (7v-Cys-may and 7v
      H435A-Cys-may). The in vitro cell-killing potency of each pair of ADCs was
      similar, demonstrating that H435A showed no measurable impact on ADC bioactivity.
      The H435A mutant antibodies showed no detectable binding to human or mouse FcRn
      in vitro, whereas their counterpart wild-type IgG ADCs were found to bind to FcRn
      at pH = 6.0. In xenograft bearing SCID mice expressing mouse FcRn, the AUC of 7v
      Cys-may was 1.6-fold higher than that of 7v-H435A-may, yet the observed efficacy
      was similar. More severe thrombocytopenia was observed with 7v-H435A-Cys-may as
      compared to 7v-Cys-may at multiple dose levels. The AUC of c-DM1 was
      approximately 3-fold higher than that of c-H435A-DM1 in 786-0 xenograft bearing
      SCID mice, which led to a 3-fold difference in efficacy by dose. Murine FcRn
      knockout, human FcRn transgenic line 32 SCID animals bearing 786-0 xenografts
      showed an amplified exposure difference between c-DM1 and c-H435A-DM1 as compared
      to murine FcRn expressing SCID mice, leading to a 10-fold higher dose required
      for efficacy despite a 6-fold higher AUC of the c-H435A-DM1. The accelerated
      clearance observed for the noncleavable maytansine ADCs with the H435A FcRn
      mutation led to reduced efficacy at equivalent doses and exacerbation of clinical
      pathology parameters (decreased tolerability) at equivalent doses. The results
      show that reduced ADC clearance mediated by FcRn modulation can improve
      therapeutic index.

PMID- 27248574
TI  - New Home, New Prognosis? Reduced Hypertension Risk after Moving to a High
      Walkability Neighborhood.

PMID- 27248575
TI  - Global analysis of cellular protein flux quantifies the selectivity of basal
      autophagy.
AB  - In eukaryotic cells, the macroautophagy pathway has been implicated in the
      degradation of long-lived proteins and damaged organelles. Although it has been
      demonstrated that macroautophagy can selectively degrade specific targets, its
      contribution to the basal turnover of cellular proteins had previously not been
      quantified on proteome-wide scales. In a recent study, we utilized dynamic
      proteomics to provide a global comparison of protein half-lives between wild-type
      and autophagy-deficient cells. Our results indicated that in quiescent
      fibroblasts, macroautophagy contributes to the basal turnover of a substantial
      fraction of the proteome. However, the contribution of macroautophagy to
      constitutive protein turnover is variable within the proteome. The methodology
      outlined in the study provides a global strategy for quantifying the selectivity
      of basal macroautophagy.

PMID- 27248576
TI  - Widespread occurrence of perchlorate in water, foodstuffs and human urine
      collected from Kuwait and its contribution to human exposure.
AB  - Perchlorate is a thyroid hormone-disrupting compound and is reported to occur
      widely in the environment. Little is known on human exposure to perchlorate in
      Kuwait. In this study, 218 water samples, 618 commonly consumed foodstuffs and
      532 urine samples collected from Kuwait were analysed to assess the exposure of
      the Kuwaiti population to perchlorate. For the estimation of daily intake of
      perchlorate, food consumption rates were obtained from the National Nutrition
      Survey in the State of Kuwait (NNSSK). The results showed that leafy vegetables
      accounted for a major share of perchlorate exposure among the Kuwaiti population
      at 0.062 ug kg(-)(1) bw day(-)(1) (36.2%), followed by fruits at 0.026 ug kg(
      )(1) bw day(-)(1) (15.3%) and non-leafy vegetables at 0.017 ug kg(-)(1) bw day(
      )(1) (10.1%). The urinary perchlorate geometric mean (GM) concentrations ranged
      from 8.51 to 17.1 ug l(-)(1) for the five age groups, which were higher than
      those reported in other countries. The estimated urinary perchlorate exposure for
      the Kuwaiti general population was 0.42 ug kg(-)(1) bw day(-)(1), which was
      higher than that reported for the United States. The dietary intake of
      perchlorate for the Kuwaiti population ranged from 0.14 to 0.67 ug kg(-)(1) bw
      day(-)(1) for the five age groups, with a mean total daily intake of 0.17 ug kg(
      )(1) bw day(-)(1) for the general population. The highest estimated dietary mean
      daily intake of perchlorate (0.67 ug kg(-)(1) bw day(-)(1)) was found for
      children at 3-5 years. The estimated dietary perchlorate exposure in Kuwait is
      higher than the recommended mean reference dose (RfD) but lower than that of
      provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) set by the Joint FAO/WHO
      Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). 

PMID- 27248577
TI  - Mammalian Cell Tissue Culture Techniques.
AB  - Cultured tissues and cells are used extensively in physiological and
      pharmacological studies. In vitro cultures provide a means of examining cells and
      tissues without the complex interactions that would be present if the whole
      organism were studied. A number of special skills are required in order to
      preserve the structure, function, behavior, and biology of cells in culture. This
      unit describes the basic skills required to maintain and preserve cell cultures:
      maintaining aseptic technique, preparing media with the appropriate
      characteristics, passaging, freezing and storage, recovering frozen stocks, and
      counting viable cells. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27248579
TI  - Assays for Determination of Protein Concentration.
AB  - Biochemical analysis of proteins relies on accurate quantification of protein
      concentration. Detailed in this appendix are some commonly used methods for
      protein analysis, e.g., Lowry, Bradford, bicinchoninic acid (BCA), UV
      spectroscopic, and 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (CBQCA) assays.
      The primary focus of this report is assay selection, emphasizing sample and
      buffer compatibility. The fundamentals of generating protein assay standard
      curves and of data processing are considered, as are high-throughput adaptations
      of the more commonly used protein assays. Also included is a rapid, inexpensive,
      and reliable BCA assay of total protein in SDS-PAGE sample buffer that is used
      for equal loading of SDS-PAGE gels. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27248578
TI  - Genetically Engineered Mouse Models of Pancreatic Cancer: The KPC Model (LSL
      Kras(G12D/+) ;LSL-Trp53(R172H/+) ;Pdx-1-Cre), Its Variants, and Their Application
      in Immuno-oncology Drug Discovery.
AB  - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) ranks fourth among cancer-related deaths
      in the United States. For patients with unresectable disease, treatment options
      are limited and lack curative potential. Preclinical mouse models of PDAC that
      recapitulate the biology of human pancreatic cancer offer an opportunity for the
      rational development of novel treatment approaches that may improve patient
      outcomes. With the recent success of immunotherapy for subsets of patients with
      solid malignancies, interest is mounting in the possible use of immunotherapy for
      the treatment of PDAC. Considered in this unit is the value of genetic mouse
      models for characterizing the immunobiology of PDAC and for investigating novel
      immunotherapeutics. Several variants of these models are described, all of which
      may be used in drug development and for providing information on unique aspects
      of disease biology and therapeutic responsiveness. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons,
      Inc.

PMID- 27248580
TI  - Electrophilic, Activation-Free Fluorogenic Reagent for Labeling Bioactive Amines.
AB  - Herein we report the preparation of BODIPY mesoionic acid fluorides through a
      short sequence involving an isocyanide multicomponent reaction as the key
      synthetic step. These novel BODIPY acid fluorides are water-stable electrophilic
      reagents that can be used for the fluorescent derivatization of amine-containing
      biomolecules using mild and activation-free reaction conditions. As a proof of
      principle, we have labeled the antifungal natamycin and generated a novel
      fluorogenic probe for imaging a variety of human and plant fungal pathogens, with
      excellent selectivity over bacterial cells.

PMID- 27248581
TI  - Comparative Raman study of Weyl semimetals TaAs, NbAs, TaP and NbP.
AB  - We report a comparative polarized Raman study of Weyl semimetals TaAs, NbAs, TaP
      and NbP. The evolution of the phonon frequencies with the sample composition
      allows us to determine experimentally which atoms are mainly involved for each
      vibration mode. Our results confirm previous first-principles calculations
      indicating that the A1, B1(2), E(2) and E(3) modes involve mainly the As(P)
      atoms, the B1(1) mode is mainly related to Ta(Nb) atoms, and the E(1) mode
      involves both kinds of atoms. By comparing the energy of the different modes, we
      establish that the B1(1), B1(2), E(2) and E(3) become harder with increasing
      chemical pressure. This behaviour differs from our observation on the A1 mode,
      which decreases in energy, in contrast to its behaviour under external pressure.

PMID- 27248582
TI  - Can Alveolar Macrophages Made from Stem Cells Achieve Functional Rescue of Lung
      Diseases?

PMID- 27248583
TI  - Could Protecting the Immunoproteasome Reduce Exacerbations in Chronic Obstructive
      Pulmonary Disease?

PMID- 27248584
TI  - Recognizing the Many Faces of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

PMID- 27248585
TI  - The Recruitability Paradox.

PMID- 27248586
TI  - Clarifying Sepsis Management.

PMID- 27248587
TI  - Nature versus Nurture: Does Genetic Ancestry Alter the Effect of Air Pollution in
      Children with Asthma?

PMID- 27248589
TI  - Don't Let (Dl)CO Be Misunderstood.

PMID- 27248588
TI  - Sarcoidosis and T-Helper Cells. Th1, Th17, or Th17.1?

PMID- 27248590
TI  - Activation Profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Specific CD4(+) T Cells Reflects
      Disease Activity Irrespective of HIV Status.

PMID- 27248591
TI  - Improved Survival of Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension with BMPR2
      Mutations in the Last Decade.

PMID- 27248592
TI  - Different Definitions of Lung Recruitment by Computed Tomography Scan.

PMID- 27248593
TI  - Reply: Different Definitions of Lung Recruitment by Computed Tomography Scan.

PMID- 27248594
TI  - Apneic Oxygenation Has Not Been Disproven.

PMID- 27248595
TI  - Reply: Apneic Oxygenation Has Not Been Disproven.

PMID- 27248597
TI  - Expression of Concern: Protection from Lipopolysaccharide-induced Lung Injury by
      Augmentation of Airway S-Nitrosothiols.

PMID- 27248596
TI  - Erratum: Sustained Benefit from Ivacaftor Demonstrated by Combining Clinical
      Trial and Cystic Fibrosis Patient Registry Data.

PMID- 27248598
TI  - Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS) Following Lung Transplant.

PMID- 27248613
TI  - Thermodynamic-Driven Self-Assembly: Heterochiral Self-Sorting and Structural
      Reconfiguration in Gold(I)-Sulfido Cluster System.
AB  - By employing chiral precursors, a new class of chiral gold(I)-sulfido clusters
      with unique structures has been constructed. Interestingly, pure enantiomers of
      the precursors are found to self-assemble into chiral hexa- and decanuclear
      clusters sequentially, while a racemic mixture of them has resulted in
      heterochiral self-sorting of an achiral meso decanuclear cluster. Chirality has
      determined not only the symmetry and structures but also the photophysical
      behaviors of these clusters. The racemic mixture of decanuclear clusters
      undergoes rearrangement and heterochiral self-sorting to give a meso decanuclear
      cluster. The thermodynamic-driven heterochiral self-sorting of gold(I) clusters
      provides a means to develop controlled self-assembly that may be of relevance to
      the understanding of chirality in nature.

PMID- 27248614
TI  - Stepwise surgical approach to equinocavovarus in patients with cerebral palsy:
      Erratum.

PMID- 27248616
TI  - Reimbursing Wisely? CMS's Trial of Medicare Part B Drug Payment Reform.

PMID- 27248615
TI  - Descriptive analysis of the masticatory and salivary functions and gustatory
      sensitivity in healthy children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to better understand salivary and
      masticatory characteristics, this study evaluated the relationship among salivary
      parameters, bite force (BF), masticatory performance (MP) and gustatory
      sensitivity in healthy children. The secondary outcome was to evaluate possible
      gender differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixteen eutrophic
      subjects aged 7-11 years old were evaluated, caries-free and with no definite
      need of orthodontic treatment. Salivary flow rate and pH, total protein (TP),
      alpha-amylase (AMY), calcium (CA) and phosphate (PHO) concentrations were
      determined in stimulated (SS) and unstimulated saliva (US). BF and MP were
      evaluated using digital gnathodynamometer and fractional sieving method,
      respectively. Gustatory sensitivity was determined by detecting the four primary
      tastes (sweet, salty, sour and bitter) in three different concentrations. Data
      were evaluated using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney/t-test, Spearman
      correlation and multiple regression analysis, considering alpha = 0.05. RESULTS:
      Significant positive correlation between taste and age was observed. CA and PHO
      concentrations correlated negatively with salivary flow and pH; sweet taste
      scores correlated with AMY concentrations and bitter taste sensitivity correlated
      with US flow rate (p < 0.05). No significant difference between genders in
      salivary, masticatory characteristics and gustatory sensitivity was observed. The
      regression analysis showed a weak relationship between the distribution of chewed
      particles among the different sieves and BF. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of
      some analytes was influenced by salivary flow and pH. Age, saliva flow and AMY
      concentrations influenced gustatory sensitivity. In addition, salivary,
      masticatory and taste characteristics did not differ between genders, and only a
      weak relation between MP and BF was observed.

PMID- 27248617
TI  - The ACA and Risk Pools--Insurer Losses in the Setting of Noncompliant Plans.

PMID- 27248618
TI  - A Modern Ars Moriendi.

PMID- 27248619
TI  - A Program to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Acute Care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common device
      associated infection in hospitals. Both technical factors--appropriate catheter
      use, aseptic insertion, and proper maintenance--and socioadaptive factors, such
      as cultural and behavioral changes in hospital units, are important in preventing
      catheter-associated UTI. METHODS: The national Comprehensive Unit-based Safety
      Program, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, aimed to
      reduce catheter-associated UTI in intensive care units (ICUs) and non-ICUs. The
      main program features were dissemination of information to sponsor organizations
      and hospitals, data collection, and guidance on key technical and socioadaptive
      factors in the prevention of catheter-associated UTI. Data on catheter use and
      catheter-associated UTI rates were collected during three phases: baseline (3
      months), implementation (2 months), and sustainability (12 months). Multilevel
      negative binomial models were used to assess changes in catheter use and catheter
      associated UTI rates. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 926 units (59.7% were non
      ICUs, and 40.3% were ICUs) in 603 hospitals in 32 states, the District of
      Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The unadjusted catheter-associated UTI rate decreased
      overall from 2.82 to 2.19 infections per 1000 catheter-days. In an adjusted
      analysis, catheter-associated UTI rates decreased from 2.40 to 2.05 infections
      per 1000 catheter-days (incidence rate ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      0.76 to 0.96; P=0.009). Among non-ICUs, catheter use decreased from 20.1% to
      18.8% (incidence rate ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.96; P<0.001) and catheter
      associated UTI rates decreased from 2.28 to 1.54 infections per 1000 catheter
      days (incidence rate ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.82; P<0.001). Catheter use
      and catheter-associated UTI rates were largely unchanged in ICUs. Tests for
      heterogeneity (ICU vs. non-ICU) were significant for catheter use (P=0.004) and
      catheter-associated UTI rates (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A national prevention
      program appears to reduce catheter use and catheter-associated UTI rates in non
      ICUs. (Funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.).

PMID- 27248620
TI  - Integrating Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Research with Patient Care.

PMID- 27248621
TI  - IMAGES IN CLINICAL MEDICINE. Gastrointestinal Complication of Granulomatosis with
      Polyangiitis.

PMID- 27248624
TI  - Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections--Turning the Tide.

PMID- 27248622
TI  - CLINICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING. The Hidden Lesion.

PMID- 27248625
TI  - CLINICAL DECISIONS. E-Cigarettes and Smoking Cessation.

PMID- 27248626
TI  - Assessing the Gold Standard--Lessons from the History of RCTs.

PMID- 27248627
TI  - CDX2 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Colon Cancer.

PMID- 27248628
TI  - CDX2 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Colon Cancer.

PMID- 27248629
TI  - CDX2 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Colon Cancer.

PMID- 27248630
TI  - CDX2 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Colon Cancer.

PMID- 27248631
TI  - New Agents to Treat Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

PMID- 27248632
TI  - New Agents to Treat Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

PMID- 27248633
TI  - New Agents to Treat Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

PMID- 27248634
TI  - Therapy for Tuberculous Meningitis.

PMID- 27248635
TI  - Therapy for Tuberculous Meningitis.

PMID- 27248636
TI  - Therapy for Tuberculous Meningitis.

PMID- 27248637
TI  - Therapy for Tuberculous Meningitis.

PMID- 27248638
TI  - Planned Out-of-Hospital Birth and Birth Outcomes.

PMID- 27248639
TI  - Planned Out-of-Hospital Birth and Birth Outcomes.

PMID- 27248640
TI  - Planned Out-of-Hospital Birth and Birth Outcomes.

PMID- 27248641
TI  - Urinary Tract Infections in Older Men.

PMID- 27248642
TI  - Urinary Tract Infections in Older Men.

PMID- 27248643
TI  - Urinary Tract Infections in Older Men.

PMID- 27248644
TI  - Case 41-2015: A Boy with Immune and Liver Abnormalities.

PMID- 27248645
TI  - Case 41-2015: A Boy with Immune and Liver Abnormalities.

PMID- 27248646
TI  - IMAGES IN CLINICAL MEDICINE. Intrafacial Synkinesis.

PMID- 27248647
TI  - Cox-maze IV cryoablation and postoperative heart failure in mitral valve surgery
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The indications for and the risk and benefit of concomitant surgical
      ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been fully delineated. Our aim was
      to survey whether the Cox-maze IV procedure is associated with postoperative
      heart failure (PHF) or other adverse short-term outcomes after mitral valve
      surgery (MVS). DESIGN: Consecutive patients with AF undergoing MVS with (n = 50)
      or without (n = 66) concomitant Cox-maze IV cryoablation were analysed regarding
      perioperative data and one-year mortality. RESULTS: The patients in the Maze
      group were younger, were in lower NYHA classes, had better right ventricular
      function and had lower pulmonary artery pressure. The Maze group had 30 min
      longer median cross-clamp time (CCT) and 50% had PHF compared with 33% in the No
      maze group, p = 0.09. Two patients in the No-maze group died within one year of
      surgery. Congestive heart failure (OR 4.3 [CI 95%: 1.8-10], p < 0.0001) and CCT
      (OR 1.03 [CI 95%: 1.01-1.04], p = 0.001) were associated with PHF. CONCLUSION:
      The current data cannot exclude that concomitant cryoablation increases the risk
      for PHF, possibly by increasing the cross clamp time.

PMID- 27248648
TI  - Psychological masochism: A systematic review of the literature on conflicts,
      defenses, and motives.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on
      psychological masochism to identify hypotheses for examination in clinical
      studies. METHOD: We identified defenses, conflicts, and motives using
      standardized measures in 23 psychoanalytic papers. RESULTS: Three primary and
      three secondary subtypes of masochism emerged in the literature. Overall
      Gratification Inhibition (subtype I.1) was the "healthiest" form, associated with
      higher developmental level motives and neurotic defenses. The Global Conflict
      (I.2) was the least healthy form of masochism, consistent with personality
      disorder. It was associated with early developmental level motives and immature
      defenses, including depressive defenses, often associated with depression.
      Dominant Other (I.3) represented masochistic attachment problems, associated with
      early developmental level motives, object-related, image-distorting defenses, and
      narcissism. Of the secondary types, Separation-Abandonment (II.1) reflected
      object-related defenses, and separation-related motives. Rejection of Others
      (II.2) represented a sadistic-narcissistic form, associated with image-distorting
      and disavowal defenses, with both early and later developmental level motives.
      Finally, Sexual Pleasure vs. Guilt (II.3) was associated with autistic fantasy,
      and both early and later developmental level motives, suggesting a distinct
      traumatic origin and representing the juncture of sexual and psychological
      masochism. CONCLUSIONS: Analysts described six distinguishable types of
      masochism. Future studies should examine their validity.

PMID- 27248649
TI  - Transarterial Alcohol-Lipiodol Therapy in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
      Using Low Alcohol Concentrations.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate transarterial alcohol-lipiodol therapy (TAL) with low
      concentrations of alcohol for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 patients (69.3 +/- 10.7a, 13 male, 4 female) with
      previously untreated HCC (tumor diameter: 7.7 +/- 5.8 cm), who underwent 20
      transarterial alcohol-lipiodol injections, were evaluated retrospectively. 14
      patients had HCC with coexistent cirrhosis (Child-A n = 9, Child-B n = 4, Child-C
      n = 1). 9 patients presented an Okuda stage I, 7 patients an Okuda stage II and 1
      patient an Okuda stage III. Infiltration of the portal vein was seen in 3
      patients. RESULTS: 15 patients underwent TAL with an alcohol:lipiodol ratio of
      1:2, another one with a ratio of 1:3 and yet another one with a ratio of 1:5. The
      median survival was 23 months, and the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 62.7
      % and 31.4 %, respectively. The median survival of patients with HCC < 7.5 cm (n
      = 10) was 25 months and significantly (p = 0.009) higher than for patients with
      HCC >= 7.5 cm (n = 7; 3 months). Tumor diameters >= 7.5 cm were associated with
      worse lipiodol-contrasting of HCC. Intrainterventional side effects were only
      feelings of slight abdominal pressure in 2 of 20 interventions.
      Postinterventional, mild side effects were observed after 3 interventions
      (abdominal pain n = 1, thoracic pain n = 1, fever n = 1). Serious complications
      were not observed, in particular there was no decompensation of liver cirrhosis.
      CONCLUSION: TAL with low concentrations of alcohol was a safe and effective
      treatment in our cohort in spite of extensive tumors and impaired liver function.
      TAL could be a treatment option for patients who cannot receive other therapies
      (e. g. TACE, RFA) because of their advanced tumor disease, liver cirrhosis or
      other contraindications. KEY POINTS: * TAL can be performed safely in advanced
      tumor disease and liver cirrhosis Citation Format: * Mohne F, Meyer C, Kuhl CK et
      al. Transarterial Alcohol-Lipiodol Therapy in Patients with Hepatocellular
      Carcinoma Using Low Alcohol Concentrations. Fortschr Rontgenstr 2016; 188: 676 -
      683.

PMID- 27248650
TI  - Radiation Protection Clothing in X-Ray Diagnostics - Influence of the Different
      Methods of Measurement on the Lead Equivalent and the Required Mass.
AB  - PURPOSE: The determination of attenuation compared to lead for lead-free and lead
      reduced protective clothing depends strongly on the different methods of
      measurement. The standards EN 61331-1 (2002), DIN 6857-1 und IEC 61331-1 (2014)
      are now available for the testing of protective clothing. These standards define
      methods in the narrow beam and in the inverse broad beam geometry with partially
      different radiation qualities. In the narrow beam the scattered radiation and
      fluorescence are not considered due to the arrangement. Therefore, the protective
      effect of lead-free materials will be incorrectly estimated compared to lead
      material. The influence of the different methods of measurement on the lead
      equivalent and the required mass of radiation protection clothing was examined.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lead equivalents for material samples for commercially
      available protective clothing were determined. These samples were made of lead
      and lead-reduced and lead-free materials. For determination of the attenuation
      equivalents, certified lead foils with high purity and a precise thickness of
      0.05 to 1.25 mm were used. RESULTS: The measurements indicate that the lead
      equivalent depends on the method of measurement and the radiation quality. For X
      ray tube voltages below 110 kV, lead-free or lead-reduced materials show a higher
      lead equivalent compared to lead material in some cases. Significant mass
      reductions of more than 10 % compared to lead material are only achievable with a
      limited range of use up to 100 kV. CONCLUSION: The implementation of an
      internationally accepted measuring standard for radiation protection clothing is
      reasonable and necessary. If standard IEC 61331-1 (2014) can fill this role is
      unknown. Key points * The attenuation factor and the lead equivalent depend
      strongly on the method of measurement.* The used X-ray spectra are only partially
      comparable with the spectra of scattered radiation.* Mass reductions for
      protective clothing are only achievable with a limited range of use. Citation
      Format: * Schopf T, Pichler T. Radiation Protection Clothing in X-Ray Diagnostics
      - Influence of the Different Methods of Measurement on the Lead Equivalent and
      the Required Mass. Fortschr Rontgenstr 2016; 188: 768 - 775.

PMID- 27248651
TI  - Superinfection of a Pericardial Hydatid Cyst Leading to Sepsis and Multi-Organ
      Failure.

PMID- 27248652
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27248653
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27248654
TI  - ESCRT-II controls retinal axon growth by regulating DCC receptor levels and local
      protein synthesis.
AB  - Endocytosis and local protein synthesis (LPS) act coordinately to mediate the
      chemotropic responses of axons, but the link between these two processes is
      poorly understood. The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)
      is a key regulator of cargo sorting in the endocytic pathway, and here we have
      investigated the role of ESCRT-II, a critical ESCRT component, in Xenopus retinal
      ganglion cell (RGC) axons. We show that ESCRT-II is present in RGC axonal growth
      cones (GCs) where it co-localizes with endocytic vesicle GTPases and,
      unexpectedly, with the Netrin-1 receptor, deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC).
      ESCRT-II knockdown (KD) decreases endocytosis and, strikingly, reduces DCC in GCs
      and leads to axon growth and guidance defects. ESCRT-II-depleted axons fail to
      turn in response to a Netrin-1 gradient in vitro and many axons fail to exit the
      eye in vivo These defects, similar to Netrin-1/DCC loss-of-function phenotypes,
      can be rescued in whole (in vitro) or in part (in vivo) by expressing DCC. In
      addition, ESCRT-II KD impairs LPS in GCs and live imaging reveals that ESCRT-II
      transports mRNAs in axons. Collectively, our results show that the ESCRT-II
      mediated endocytic pathway regulates both DCC and LPS in the axonal compartment
      and suggest that ESCRT-II aids gradient sensing in GCs by coupling endocytosis to
      LPS. 

PMID- 27248655
TI  - EZH2 regulates neuroepithelium structure and neuroblast proliferation by
      repressing p21.
AB  - The function of EZH2 as a transcription repressor is well characterized. However,
      its role during vertebrate development is still poorly understood, particularly
      in neurogenesis. Here, we uncover the role of EZH2 in controlling the integrity
      of the neural tube and allowing proper progenitor proliferation. We demonstrate
      that knocking down the EZH2 in chick embryo neural tubes unexpectedly disrupts
      the neuroepithelium (NE) structure, correlating with alteration of the Rho
      pathway, and reduces neural progenitor proliferation. Moreover, we use
      transcriptional profiling and functional assays to show that EZH2-mediated
      repression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) contributes to both processes. Accordingly,
      overexpression of cytoplasmic p21(WAF1/CIP1) induces NE structural alterations
      and p21(WAF1/CIP1) suppression rescues proliferation defects and partially
      compensates for the structural alterations and the Rho activity. Overall, our
      findings describe a new role of EZH2 in controlling the NE integrity in the
      neural tube to allow proper progenitor proliferation. 

PMID- 27248656
TI  - Hsp90beta is involved in the development of high salt-diet-induced nephropathy
      via interaction with various signalling proteins.
AB  - A high-salt diet often leads to a local intrarenal increase in renal hypoxia and
      oxidative stress, which are responsible for an excess production of pathogenic
      substances. Here, Wistar Kyoto/spontaneous hypertensive (WKY/SHR) rats fed a high
      salt diet developed severe proteinuria, resulting from pronounced renal
      inflammation, fibrosis and tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. All these were
      mainly non-pressure-related effects. Hsp90beta, TGF-beta, HIF-1alpha, TNF-alpha,
      IL-6 and MCP-1 were shown to be highly expressed in response to salt loading.
      Next, we found that Hsp90beta might play the key role in non-pressure-related
      effects of salt loading through a series of cellular signalling events, including
      the NF-kappaB, p38 activation and Bcl-2 inactivation. Hsp90beta was previously
      proven to regulate the upstream mediators in multiple cellular signalling
      cascades through stabilizing and maintaining their activities. In our study, 17
      dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) or Hsp90beta knockdown
      dramatically alleviated the high-salt-diet-induced proteinuria and renal damage
      without altering blood pressure significantly, when it reversed activations of NF
      kappaB, mTOR and p38 signalling cascades. Meanwhile, Co-IP results demonstrated
      that Hsp90beta could interact with and stabilize TAK1, AMPKalpha, IKKalpha/beta,
      HIF-1alpha and Raptor, whereas Hsp90beta inhibition disrupted this process. In
      addition, Hsp90beta inhibition-mediated renal improvements also accompanied the
      reduction of renal oxidative stress. In conclusion, salt loading indeed exhibited
      non-pressure-related impacts on proteinuria and renal dysfunction in WKY/SHR
      rats. Hsp90beta inhibition caused the destabilization of upstream mediators in
      various pathogenic signalling events, thereby effectively ameliorating this
      nephropathy owing to renal hypoxia and oxidative stress. 

PMID- 27248658
TI  - A 3.6 nm Ti52-Oxo Nanocluster with Precise Atomic Structure.
AB  - We report a 3.6 nm Ti52-oxo cluster with precise atomic structure, which presents
      a largest size record in the family of titanium-oxo clusters (TOCs). The crystal
      growth of such large Ti52 is based on a stepwise interlayer assembly approach
      from Ti6 substructures. The possible growth mechanism of Ti52 could be deduced
      from crystal structures of two substructures, Ti6 and Ti17, which were also
      synthesized under similar conditions as Ti52. Moreover, these TOCs show cluster
      size-dependent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activities with Ti52 giving a H2
      production rate up to 398 MUmol/h/g, which is also the highest record in the
      family of TOCs. This work not only represents a milestone in constructing large
      TOCs with comparable sizes as TiO2 nanoparticles but also brings significant
      advances in improving photocatalytic behaviors of TOCs.

PMID- 27248657
TI  - Constitutive translation of human alpha-synuclein is mediated by the 5'
      untranslated region.
AB  - Genetic and biochemical studies have established a central role for alpha
      synuclein (SNCA) accumulation in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
      Uncovering and subsequently interfering with physiological mechanisms that
      control SNCA expression is one approach to limit disease progression. To this
      end, the long and GC-rich 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of SNCA, which is
      predicted to fold into stable hairpin and G-quadruplex RNA motifs, was
      investigated for its role in mRNA translation. Inclusion of SNCA 5'-UTR
      significantly induced expression of both SNCA and luciferase ORF constructs. This
      effect was not associated with a change in mRNA levels or differential
      nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Further, the presence of the 5'-UTR enhanced SNCA
      synthesis when cap-dependent translation was attenuated with rapamycin treatment.
      Analysis using multiple methodologies revealed that the 5'-UTR harbours an
      internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that spans most of its nucleotide
      sequence. Signals such as plasma-membrane depolarization, serum starvation and
      oxidative stress stimulated SNCA protein translation via its 5'-UTR as well as
      enhanced its IRES activity. Taken together, these data support the idea that the
      5'-UTR is an important positive regulator of SNCA synthesis under diverse
      physiological and pathological conditions, explaining in part the abundance of
      SNCA in healthy neurons and its accumulation in degenerative cells. 

PMID- 27248659
TI  - Large-Scale Sublattice Asymmetry in Pure and Boron-Doped Graphene.
AB  - The implementation of future graphene-based electronics is essentially restricted
      by the absence of a band gap in the electronic structure of graphene. Options of
      how to create a band gap in a reproducible and processing compatible manner are
      very limited at the moment. A promising approach for the graphene band gap
      engineering is to introduce a large-scale sublattice asymmetry. Using
      photoelectron diffraction and spectroscopy we have demonstrated a selective
      incorporation of boron impurities into only one of the two graphene sublattices.
      We have shown that in the well-oriented graphene on the Co(0001) surface the
      carbon atoms occupy two nonequivalent positions with respect to the Co lattice,
      namely top and hollow sites. Boron impurities embedded into the graphene lattice
      preferably occupy the hollow sites due to a site-specific interaction with the Co
      pattern. Our theoretical calculations predict that such boron-doped graphene
      possesses a band gap that can be precisely controlled by the dopant
      concentration. B-graphene with doping asymmetry is, thus, a novel material, which
      is worth considering as a good candidate for electronic applications.

PMID- 27248660
TI  - Estimating and projecting the effect of cold waves on mortality in 209 US cities.
AB  - The frequency, duration, and intensity of cold waves are expected to decrease in
      the near future under the changing climate. However, there is a lack of
      understanding on future mortality related to cold waves. The present study
      conducted a large-scale national projection to estimate future mortality
      attributable to cold waves during 1960-2050 in 209 US cities. Cold waves were
      defined as two, three, or at least four consecutive days with daily temperature
      lower than the 5th percentile of temperatures in each city. The lingering period
      of a cold wave was defined as the non-cold wave days within seven days following
      that cold wave period. First, with 168million residents in 209 US cities during
      1962-2006, we fitted over-dispersed Poisson regressions to estimate the immediate
      and lingering effects of cold waves on mortality and tested if the associations
      were modified by the duration of cold waves, the intensity of cold waves, and
      mean winter temperature (MWT). Then we projected future mortality related to cold
      waves using 20 downscaled climate models. Here we show that the cold waves (both
      immediate and lingering) were associated with an increased but small risk of
      mortality. The associations varied substantially across climate regions. The risk
      increased with the duration and intensity of cold waves but decreased with MWT.
      The projected mortality related to cold waves would decrease from 1960 to 2050.
      Such a decrease, however, is small and may not be able to offset the potential
      increase in heat-related deaths if the adaptation to heat is not adequate.

PMID- 27248661
TI  - Brominated flame retardants in the indoor environment - Comparative study of
      indoor contamination from three countries.
AB  - Concentrations of more than 20 brominated flame retardants (FRs), including
      polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and emerging FRs, were measured in air,
      dust and window wipes from 63 homes in Canada, the Czech Republic and the United
      States in the spring and summer of 2013. Among the PBDEs, the highest
      concentrations were generally BDE-209 in all three matrices, followed by Penta
      BDEs. Among alternative FRs, EHTBB and BEHTBP were detected at the highest
      concentrations. DBDPE was also a major alternative FR detected in dust and air.
      Bromobenzenes were detected at lower levels than PBDEs and other alternative FRs;
      among the bromobenzenes, HBB and PBEB were the most abundant compounds. In
      general, FR levels were highest in the US and lowest in the Czech Republic - a
      geographic trend that reflects the flame retardants' market. No statistically
      significant differences were detected between bedroom and living room FR
      concentrations in the same house (n=10), suggesting that sources of FRs are
      widespread indoors and mixing between rooms. The concentrations of FRs in air,
      dust, and window film were significantly correlated, especially for PBDEs. We
      found a significant relationship between the concentrations in dust and window
      film and in the gas phase for FRs with log KOA values <14, suggesting that
      equilibrium was reached for these but not compounds with log KOA values >14. This
      hypothesis was confirmed by a large discrepancy between values predicted using a
      partitioning model and the measured values for FRs with log KOA values >14.

PMID- 27248662
TI  - Sub-acute systemic erythropoietin administration reduces ischemic brain injury in
      an age-dependent manner.
AB  - Stroke is associated with neuroinflammation, neuronal loss and blood-brain
      barrier (BBB) breakdown. Thus far, recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator
      (rtPA), the only approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke, increases the risk
      of intracerebral hemorrhage and is poorly efficient in disaggregating platelet
      rich thrombi. Therefore, the development of safer and more efficient therapies is
      highly awaited. Encouraging neuroprotective effects were reported in mouse models
      of ischemic stroke following administration of erythropoietin (EPO). However,
      previous preclinical studies did not investigate the effects of EPO in focal
      ischemic stroke induced by a platelet-rich thrombus and did not consider the
      implication of age. Here, we performed middle cerebral artery occlusion by
      inducing platelet-rich thrombus formation in chimeric 5- (i.e. young) and 20-
      (i.e. aged) months old C57BL/6 mice, in which hematopoietic stem cells carried
      the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tag. Recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) was
      administered 24 hours post-occlusion and blood-circulating monocyte populations
      were studied by flow cytometry 3 hours post-rhEPO administration. Twenty-four
      hours following rhEPO treatment, neuronal loss and BBB integrity were assessed by
      quantification of Fluoro-Jade B (FJB)-positive cells and extravasated serum
      immunoglobulins G (IgG), respectively. Neuroinflammation was determined by
      quantifying infiltration of GFP-positive bone marrow-derived cells (BMDC) and
      recruitment of microglial cells into brain parenchyma, along with monocyte
      chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) brain protein levels. Here, rhEPO anti-inflammatory
      properties rescued ischemic injury by reducing neuronal loss and BBB breakdown in
      young animals, but not in aged littermates. Such age-dependent effects of rhEPO
      must therefore be taken into consideration in future studies aiming to develop
      new therapies for ischemic stroke.

PMID- 27248663
TI  - Targeting hypoxic microenvironment of pancreatic xenografts with the hypoxia
      activated prodrug TH-302.
AB  - Previous reports have suggested that the hypoxic microenvironment provides a
      niche that supports tumor stem cells, and that this might explain clinical
      observations linking hypoxia to metastasis. To test this, we examined the effects
      of a hypoxia-activated prodrug, TH-302, on the tumor-initiating cell (TIC)
      frequency of patient-derived pancreatic xenografts (PDX).The frequencies of TIC,
      measured by limiting dilution assay, varied widely in 11 PDX models, and were
      correlated with rapid growth but not with the levels of hypoxia. Treatment with
      either TH-302 or ionizing radiation (IR), to target hypoxic and well-oxygenated
      regions, respectively, reduced TIC frequency, and the combination of TH-302 and
      IR was much more effective in all models tested. The combination was also more
      effective than TH-302 or IR alone controlling tumor growth, particularly treating
      the more rapidly-growing/hypoxic models. These findings support the clinical
      utility of hypoxia targeting in combination with radiotherapy to treat pancreatic
      cancers, but do not provide strong evidence for a hypoxic stem cell niche. 

PMID- 27248664
TI  - BO-1055, a novel DNA cross-linking agent with remarkable low myelotoxicity shows
      potent activity in sarcoma models.
AB  - DNA damaging agents cause rapid shrinkage of tumors and form the basis of
      chemotherapy for sarcomas despite significant toxicities. Drugs having superior
      efficacy and wider therapeutic windows are needed to improve patient outcomes. We
      used cell proliferation and apoptosis assays in sarcoma cell lines and benign
      cells; gamma-H2AX expression, comet assay, immunoblot analyses and drug
      combination studies in vitro and in patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. BO
      1055 caused apoptosis and cell death in a concentration and time dependent manner
      in sarcoma cell lines. BO-1055 had potent activity (submicromolar IC50) against
      Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, intermediate activity in DSRCT (IC50 = 2
      3MUM) and very weak activity in osteosarcoma (IC50 >10MUM) cell lines. BO-1055
      exhibited a wide therapeutic window compared to other DNA damaging drugs. BO-1055
      induced more DNA double strand breaks and gammaH2AX expression in cancer cells
      compared to benign cells. BO-1055 showed inhibition of tumor growth in A673
      xenografts and caused tumor regression in cyclophosphamide resistant patient
      derived Ewing sarcoma xenografts and A204 xenografts. Combination of BO-1055 and
      irinotecan demonstrated synergism in Ewing sarcoma PDX models. Potent activity on
      sarcoma cells and its relative lack of toxicity presents a strong rationale for
      further development of BO-1055 as a therapeutic agent.

PMID- 27248665
TI  - Risk factor compositions of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease change with body
      mass index in males and females.
AB  - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent and correlated with
      obesity. To evaluate the role of body mass index (BMI) and gender difference in
      NAFLD, 8817 general adult subjects underwent physical examinations and were
      divided into four groups: underweight, normal, overweight and obese. The risk
      factor compositions for NAFLD were evaluated in each group by gender. The
      percentage of subjects with NAFLD increased sharply from 0.4% in the underweight
      group up to 81.9 % in the obese group. BMI stratification showed distinct risk
      factor compositions associated with NAFLD in males and females according to BMI
      and improved the performance of NAFLD prediction models in each group.
      Triglycerides (TG), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and
      uric acid were steady risk factors for NAFLD in males. Total cholesterol (TC),
      TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), ALT, and uric acid were steady
      risk factors for NAFLD in females. TG, ALT and uric acid were common risk factors
      in both genders with high performance for NAFLD discrimination. Our data provide
      gender- and BMI-specific risk factor compositions that will facilitate
      individualised treatment and benefit NAFLD control and prevention.

PMID- 27248666
TI  - Association between the APEX1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and prostate cancer,
      especially among Asians: a new evidence-based analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (Pca) is a serious disease associated with
      considerable morbidity and mortality. As a causative factor, the Asp148Glu
      polymorphism has been identified in the apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease
      (APEX1) gene. However, the association among Asians is considered controversial.
      METHODS: Evidence for this association was obtained from the PubMed, Embase,
      HuGENet and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. In the
      analysis, four models were applied. Associations between the APEX1 polymorphism
      and the invasiveness of Pca based on the Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen
      expression and clinical status were also evaluated. RESULTS: Seven articles were
      included in the analysis. Positive results were not only discovered in the pooled
      analysis, but also among patients of mixed descentand Asian descent. However,
      after considering the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), we observed only a 1.557
      fold increase in Pca risk for subjects of Asian descent(GG vs. TT: OR=1.557,
      95%CI=1.069-2.268) under the co-dominant model. Additionally, we did not also
      find any relationship between the APEX1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and invasive Pca
      risk. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the function of the APEX1 Asp148Glu
      polymorphism, recent studies, and our results, we suggest that the APEX1
      Asp148Glu polymorphism might be important in stimulating the development of Pca
      rather than its invasiveness in various populations, especially for Asians.

PMID- 27248667
TI  - Dispositional characteristics, relational well-being and perceived life
      satisfaction and empowerment of elders.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The broad purpose of this research is to identify the key modifiable
      variables most related to elders' life satisfaction and empowerment in order to
      improve the efficacy of interventions projects. Our study aims to integrate the
      theoretical perspectives of personality and community psychology focusing both on
      dispositional characteristics and relational well-being of elders, investigating
      triads, composed by an elder, a paid caregiver and the most involved relative.
      This study explores the impact of (1) some socio-demographic characteristics of
      elders, (2) some modifiable dispositional variables of elders and (3) elders'
      relational well-being on elders' empowerment and life satisfaction. METHOD: The
      study involved 429 people in 143 triads. Semi-structured interviews with elders,
      paid caregiver and close relatives were used to construct a new pilot measure of
      elders' relational well-being. Life Satisfaction, Empowerment, Loneliness,
      Positivity, Humor and Emotions self-efficacy scales were also administered.
      Hierarchical multiple regressions were performed. RESULTS: Elders' positivity,
      relational well-being of elders and living alone were significantly related to
      empowerment. Elders' relational well-being and positivity significantly
      contributed to life satisfaction. DISCUSSION: Interventions to increase
      empowerment and life satisfaction should focus primarily on augmenting positivity
      and relational well-being integrating the theoretical premises of both
      personality and community psychology.

PMID- 27248668
TI  - Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Seeded Growth of Nucleotide Coordinated
      Polymers.
AB  - The introduction of functional molecules to the surface of magnetic iron oxide
      nanoparticles (NPs) is of critical importance. Most previously reported methods
      were focused on surface ligand attachment either by physisorption or covalent
      conjugation, resulting in limited ligand loading capacity. In this work, we
      report the seeded growth of a nucleotide coordinated polymer shell, which can be
      considered as a special form of adsorption by forming a complete shell. Among all
      of the tested metal ions, Fe(3+) is the most efficient for this seeded growth. A
      diverse range of guest molecules, including small organic dyes, proteins, DNA,
      and gold NPs, can be encapsulated in the shell. All of these molecules were
      loaded at a much higher capacity compared to that on the naked iron oxide NP
      core, confirming the advantage of the coordination polymer (CP) shell. In
      addition, the CP shell provides better guest protein stability compared to that
      of simple physisorption while retaining guest activity as confirmed by the
      entrapped glucose oxidase assay. Use of this system as a peroxidase nanozyme and
      glucose biosensor was demonstrated, detecting glucose as low as 1.4 MUM with
      excellent stability. This work describes a new way to functionalize inorganic
      materials with a biocompatible shell. 

PMID- 27248669
TI  - Analysis of Ligand-Receptor Association and Intermediate Transfer Rates in
      Multienzyme Nanostructures with All-Atom Brownian Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - We present the second-generation GeomBD Brownian dynamics software for
      determining interenzyme intermediate transfer rates and substrate association
      rates in biomolecular complexes. Substrate and intermediate association rates for
      a series of enzymes or biomolecules can be compared between the freely diffusing
      disorganized configuration and various colocalized or complexed arrangements for
      kinetic investigation of enhanced intermediate transfer. In addition, enzyme
      engineering techniques, such as synthetic protein conjugation, can be
      computationally modeled and analyzed to better understand changes in substrate
      association relative to native enzymes. Tools are provided to determine
      nonspecific ligand-receptor association residence times, and to visualize common
      sites of nonspecific association of substrates on receptor surfaces. To
      demonstrate features of the software, interenzyme intermediate substrate transfer
      rate constants are calculated and compared for all-atom models of DNA origami
      scaffold-bound bienzyme systems of glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase.
      Also, a DNA conjugated horseradish peroxidase enzyme was analyzed for its
      propensity to increase substrate association rates and substrate local residence
      times relative to the unmodified enzyme. We also demonstrate the rapid
      determination and visualization of common sites of nonspecific ligand-receptor
      association by using HIV-1 protease and an inhibitor, XK263. GeomBD2 accelerates
      simulations by precomputing van der Waals potential energy grids and
      electrostatic potential grid maps, and has a flexible and extensible support for
      all-atom and coarse-grained force fields. Simulation software is written in C++
      and utilizes modern parallelization techniques for potential grid preparation and
      Brownian dynamics simulation processes. Analysis scripts, written in the Python
      scripting language, are provided for quantitative simulation analysis. GeomBD2 is
      applicable to the fields of biophysics, bioengineering, and enzymology in both
      predictive and explanatory roles.

PMID- 27248670
TI  - Sorption/Desorption Behavior and Mechanism of NH4(+) by Biochar as a Nitrogen
      Fertilizer Sustained-Release Material.
AB  - Biochar, the pyrolysis product of biomass material with limited oxygen, has the
      potential to increase crop production and sustained-release fertilizer, but the
      understanding of the reason for improving soil fertility is insufficient,
      especially the behavior and mechanism of ammonium sulfate. In this study, the
      sorption/desorption effect of NH4(+) by biochar deriving from common agricultural
      wastes under different preparation temperatures from 200 to 500  degrees C was
      studied and its mechanism was discussed. The results showed that biochar
      displayed excellent retention ability in holding NH4(+) above 90% after 21 days
      under 200  degrees C preparation temperature, and it can be deduced that the
      oxygen functional groups, such as carboxyl and keto group, played the primary
      role in adsorbing NH4(+) due to hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction.
      The sorption/desorption effect and mechanism were studied for providing an
      optional way to dispose of agricultural residues into biochar as a nitrogen
      fertilizer sustained-release material under suitable preparation temperature. 

PMID- 27248671
TI  - Tunnelling in carbonic acid.
AB  - The cis,trans-conformer of carbonic acid (H2CO3), generated by near-infrared
      radiation, undergoes an unreported quantum mechanical tunnelling rotamerization
      with half-lives in cryogenic matrices of 4-20 h, depending on temperature and
      host material. First-principles quantum chemistry at high levels of theory gives
      a tunnelling half-life of about 1 h, quite near those measured for the fastest
      rotamerizations. 

PMID- 27248673
TI  - Combined cell-gene therapy for lung cancer: rationale, challenges and prospects.

PMID- 27248683
TI  - Expression of MAGE-C1/CT7 provides prognostic information in multiple myeloma.

PMID- 27248684
TI  - Neuronal autoantibodies in patients with Rasmussen's encephalitis.
AB  - Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE) is a rare disease with unknown pathophysiology. To
      disclose whether anti-neuronal autoimmunity participates in the aetiology of RE,
      various neuronal autoantibodies (NAAbs) were investigated in sera of patients
      with RE and controls. The study included five patients who fulfilled the RE
      diagnostic criteria (clinical, EEG, and MRI findings) as the patient group, and
      50 multiple sclerosis patients and 50 healthy subjects as the control groups.
      Sera were evaluated for various NAAbs by radioimmunoassay or cell-based assays.
      All sera were also screened for uncharacterized antibodies to neuronal cell
      surface or synapse antigens by indirect immunofluorescence using hippocampal cell
      cultures. The mean age at onset of seizures was 8.3+/-3.4 years (range: 4-13.5)
      and mean follow-up time was 11.2+/-5.4 years (range: 5-19). All patients had
      unihemispheric atrophy of the cerebral cortex and epilepsia partialis continua.
      Two of the patients had moderate cognitive impairment, while the others were
      severely affected, as shown by neuropsychological testing. NAAb positivity was
      not detected in any of the patients. Immune aetiology is thought to have a role
      in RE, but the responsible players have not yet been elucidated. Our extensive
      antibody screening in a small number of patients does not support the presence of
      antigen-specific anti-neuronal autoimmunity in RE pathophysiology. 

PMID- 27248685
TI  - A Rejoinder.
AB  - Three commentaries on the Nesselroade and Molenaar target article in this issue
      are responded to in the interest of elaborating and defending the points of view
      expressed in our article. The commentaries feature philosophy of science, general
      structural modeling, and broad behavioral research perspectives. Responding to
      the commentaries afforded us the opportunity to clarify further matters that we
      deem critical to the fundamental matter of measurement in behavioral science,
      especially as it emphasizes (properly, we believe) the individual as the primary
      unit of analysis. 

PMID- 27248686
TI  - In Vitro Biosynthesis and Substrate Tolerance of the Plantazolicin Family of
      Natural Products.
AB  - Plantazolicin (PZN) is a ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally
      modified peptide (RiPP) natural product that exhibits extraordinarily narrow
      spectrum antibacterial activity toward the causative agent of anthrax, Bacillus
      anthracis. During PZN biosynthesis, a cyclodehydratase catalyzes cyclization of
      cysteine, serine, and threonine residues in the PZN precursor peptide (BamA) to
      azolines. Subsequently, a dehydrogenase oxidizes most of these azolines to
      thiazoles and (methyl)oxazoles. The final biosynthetic steps consist of leader
      peptide removal and dimethylation of the nascent N-terminus. Using a
      heterologously expressed and purified heterocycle synthetase, the BamA peptide
      was processed in vitro concordant with the pattern of post-translational
      modification found in the naturally occurring compound. Using a suite of BamA
      derived peptides, including amino acid substitutions as well as contracted and
      expanded substrate variants, the substrate tolerance of the heterocycle
      synthetase was elucidated in vitro, and the residues crucial for leader peptide
      binding were identified. Despite increased promiscuity compared to what was
      previously observed during heterologous production in E. coli, the synthetase
      retained exquisite selectivity in cyclization of unnatural peptides only at
      positions which correspond to those cyclized in the natural product. A cleavage
      site was subsequently introduced to facilitate leader peptide removal, yielding
      mature PZN variants after enzymatic or chemical dimethylation. In addition, we
      report the isolation and characterization of two novel PZN-like natural products
      that were predicted from genome sequences but whose production had not yet been
      observed.

PMID- 27248687
TI  - Presence of Extracellular DNA during Biofilm Formation by Xanthomonas citri
      subsp. citri Strains with Different Host Range.
AB  - Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) A strain causes citrus bacterial canker, a
      serious leaf, fruit and stem spotting disease of several Citrus species. X.
      alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis (Xac) is the cause of citrus bacterial spot, a minor
      disease of citrus nursery plants and X. campestris pv. campestris (Xc) is a
      systemic pathogen that causes black rot of cabbage. Xanthomonas spp. form
      biofilms in planta that facilitate the host infection process. Herein, the role
      of extracellular DNA (eDNA) was evaluated in the formation and stabilization of
      the biofilm matrix at different stages of biofilm development. Fluorescence and
      light microscopy, as well as DNAse treatments, were used to determine the
      presence of eDNA in biofilms and bacterial cultures. DNAse treatments of Xcc
      strains and Xac reduced biofilm formation at the initial stage of development, as
      well as disrupted preformed biofilm. By comparison, no significant effect of the
      DNAse was detected for biofilm formation by Xc. DNAse effects on biofilm
      formation or disruption varied among Xcc strains and Xanthomonas species which
      suggest different roles for eDNA. Variation in the structure of fibers containing
      eDNA in biofilms, bacterial cultures, and in twitching motility was also
      visualized by microscopy. The proposed roles for eDNA are as an adhesin in the
      early stages of biofilm formation, as an structural component of mature bacterial
      aggregates, and twitching motility structures. 

PMID- 27248688
TI  - Multilocus Phylogeography of the Treefrog Scinax eurydice (Anura, Hylidae)
      Reveals a Plio-Pleistocene Diversification in the Atlantic Forest.
AB  - We aim to evaluate the genetic structure of an Atlantic Forest amphibian species,
      Scinax eurydice, testing the congruence among patterns identified and proposed by
      the literature for Pleistocene refugia, microrefugia, and geographic barriers to
      gene flow such as major rivers. Furthermore, we aim to evaluate predictions of
      such barriers and refugia on the genetic structure of the species, such as
      presence/absence of dispersal, timing since separation, and population
      expansions/contractions. We sequenced mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers
      on 94 tissue samples from 41 localities. We inferred a gene tree and estimated
      genetic distances using mtDNA sequences. We then ran population clustering and
      assignment methods, AMOVA, and estimated migration rates among populations
      identified through mtDNA and nDNA analyses. We used a dated species tree, skyline
      plots, and summary statistics to evaluate concordance between population's
      distributions and geographic barriers and Pleistocene refugia. Scinax eurydice
      showed high mtDNA divergences and four clearly distinct mtDNA lineages. Species
      tree and population assignment tests supported the existence of two major clades
      corresponding to northeastern and southeastern Atlantic Forest in Brazil, each
      one composed of two other clades. Lineage splitting events occurred from late
      Pliocene to Pleistocene. We identified demographic expansions in two clades, and
      inexistent to low levels of migrations among different populations. Genetic
      patterns and demographic data support the existence of two northern Refuge and
      corroborate microrefugia south of the Doce/Jequitinhonha Rivers biogeographic
      divide. The results agree with a scenario of recent demographic expansion of
      lowland taxa. Scinax eurydice comprises a species complex, harboring undescribed
      taxa consistent with Pleistocene refugia. Two rivers lie at the boundaries among
      populations and endorse their role as secondary barriers to gene flow. 

PMID- 27248689
TI  - Non-cereal ingredients for the attenuation of glycaemic response to bread: a
      review of the clinical evidence.
AB  - Lowering postprandial blood glucose response remains at the forefront of
      scientific interest, due to emerging evidence of potential health benefits.
      Although a large variety of commercial bread products is available, specific
      postprandial effects of different carbohydrate sources in humans have not been
      elucidated. The purpose of the present review is to critically record the human
      studies investigating the efficacy of non-cereal based ingredients on the
      modulation of glycaemic response to bread. The review of the literature revealed
      that the substitution of refined flours for legume flours is the main alternative
      strategy for reducing glycaemic response to bread beyond cereal ingredients. The
      incorporation of fruit-derived ingredients, specific dietary fibre originating
      from various sources, and the micronutrient enrichment of bread with trivalent
      chromium constitute novel and promising strategies for the production of low GI
      breadstuff. In agreement to the above, bakery industry should focus on
      technological aspects calculating on the suggested approaches in order to obtain
      health-promoting bread products based on ingredients originating from non-cereal
      sources. 

PMID- 27248690
TI  - Refining Pathways: A Model Comparison Approach.
AB  - Cellular signalling pathways consolidate multiple molecular interactions into
      working models of signal propagation, amplification, and modulation. They are
      described and visualized as networks. Adjusting network topologies to
      experimental data is a key goal of systems biology. While network reconstruction
      algorithms like nested effects models are well established tools of computational
      biology, their data requirements can be prohibitive for their practical use. In
      this paper we suggest focussing on well defined aspects of a pathway and develop
      the computational tools to do so. We adapt the framework of nested effect models
      to focus on a specific aspect of activated Wnt signalling in HCT116 colon cancer
      cells: Does the activation of Wnt target genes depend on the secretion of Wnt
      ligands or do mutations in the signalling molecule beta-catenin make this
      activation independent from them? We framed this question into two competing
      classes of models: Models that depend on Wnt ligands secretion versus those that
      do not. The model classes translate into restrictions of the pathways in the
      network topology. Wnt dependent models are more flexible than Wnt independent
      models. Bayes factors are the standard Bayesian tool to compare different models
      fairly on the data evidence. In our analysis, the Bayes factors depend on the
      number of potential Wnt signalling target genes included in the models. Stability
      analysis with respect to this number showed that the data strongly favours Wnt
      ligands dependent models for all realistic numbers of target genes. 

PMID- 27248691
TI  - The moral animal: virtue, vice, and human nature.
AB  - In Leo Tolstoy's famous novella, The Death of Ivan Ilyich, a rich and meaningful
      inner life is sacrificed in pursuit of material rewards and social status. How
      can we cultivate something intrinsic that transcends our worldly accomplishments?
      Assuming that a basic model or map of human nature is needed to navigate the road
      to the good life, what desires, tendencies, and aversions constitute our core
      nature? How has our evolutionary history shaped our moral impulses? Are we
      inherently good or fundamentally flawed? Steve Paulson, executive producer and
      host of To the Best of Our Knowledge, moderated a discussion with philosopher
      Christian Miller, neuroscientist Heather Berlin, and historian of science Michael
      Shermer to examine our moral ecology and its influence on our underlying
      assumptions about human nature.

PMID- 27248692
TI  - Forecasting East Asian Indices Futures via a Novel Hybrid of Wavelet-PCA
      Denoising and Artificial Neural Network Models.
AB  - The motivation behind this research is to innovatively combine new methods like
      wavelet, principal component analysis (PCA), and artificial neural network (ANN)
      approaches to analyze trade in today's increasingly difficult and volatile
      financial futures markets. The main focus of this study is to facilitate
      forecasting by using an enhanced denoising process on market data, taken as a
      multivariate signal, in order to deduct the same noise from the open-high-low
      close signal of a market. This research offers evidence on the predictive ability
      and the profitability of abnormal returns of a new hybrid forecasting model using
      Wavelet-PCA denoising and ANN (named WPCA-NN) on futures contracts of Hong Kong's
      Hang Seng futures, Japan's NIKKEI 225 futures, Singapore's MSCI futures, South
      Korea's KOSPI 200 futures, and Taiwan's TAIEX futures from 2005 to 2014. Using a
      host of technical analysis indicators consisting of RSI, MACD, MACD Signal,
      Stochastic Fast %K, Stochastic Slow %K, Stochastic %D, and Ultimate Oscillator,
      empirical results show that the annual mean returns of WPCA-NN are more than the
      threshold buy-and-hold for the validation, test, and evaluation periods; this is
      inconsistent with the traditional random walk hypothesis, which insists that
      mechanical rules cannot outperform the threshold buy-and-hold. The findings,
      however, are consistent with literature that advocates technical analysis. 

PMID- 27248694
TI  - Protection of neonates and infants by maternal immunization.

PMID- 27248693
TI  - Ancient DNA Analysis Suggests Negligible Impact of the Wari Empire Expansion in
      Peru's Central Coast during the Middle Horizon.
AB  - The analysis of ancient human DNA from South America allows the exploration of
      pre-Columbian population history through time and to directly test hypotheses
      about cultural and demographic evolution. The Middle Horizon (650-1100 AD)
      represents a major transitional period in the Central Andes, which is associated
      with the development and expansion of ancient Andean empires such as Wari and
      Tiwanaku. These empires facilitated a series of interregional interactions and
      socio-political changes, which likely played an important role in shaping the
      region's demographic and cultural profiles. We analyzed individuals from three
      successive pre-Columbian cultures present at the Huaca Pucllana archaeological
      site in Lima, Peru: Lima (Early Intermediate Period, 500-700 AD), Wari (Middle
      Horizon, 800-1000 AD) and Ychsma (Late Intermediate Period, 1000-1450 AD). We
      sequenced 34 complete mitochondrial genomes to investigate the potential genetic
      impact of the Wari Empire in the Central Coast of Peru. The results indicate that
      genetic diversity shifted only slightly through time, ruling out a complete
      population discontinuity or replacement driven by the Wari imperialist hegemony,
      at least in the region around present-day Lima. However, we caution that the very
      subtle genetic contribution of Wari imperialism at the particular Huaca Pucllana
      archaeological site might not be representative for the entire Wari territory in
      the Peruvian Central Coast. 

PMID- 27248695
TI  - Long Distance Dispersal Potential of Two Seagrasses Thalassia hemprichii and
      Halophila ovalis.
AB  - The wide distribution of many seagrasses may be attributable to exploitation of
      currents. However, many species have seeds heavier than seawater, limiting
      surface floating, and thus, deep water becomes a potential barrier between
      suitable habitats. In this investigation, we studied the dispersal potential of
      various life history stages of two species of seagrasses, Thalassia hemprichii
      and Halophila ovalis, at Dongsha Atoll and Penghu Islands in Taiwan Strait, west
      Pacific. The adult plants of both species, often dislodged naturally from
      substrate by waves, could float, but only that of T. hemprichii could float for
      months and still remain alive and potentially able to colonize new territories.
      The seedlings of T. hemprichii could also float for about a month once failing to
      anchor to substrate of coral sand, but that of H. ovalis could not. The fruits
      and seeds of T. hemprichii could both float, but for too short a duration to
      enable long distance travel; those seeds released from long floating fruits had
      low germination rates in our tests. Obviously, their seeds are not adaptive for
      long distance dispersal. Fruits and seeds of H. ovalis do not float. The
      potential of animals as vectors was tested by feeding fruits and seeds of both
      species to a goose, a duck, and two fish in the laboratory. The fruits and seeds
      of T. hemprichii were digested and could no longer germinate; those of H. ovalis
      could pass through the digestive tracts and have a much higher germination rates
      than uningested controls. Therefore, birds could be important vectors for long
      distance dispersal of H. ovalis. The two seagrasses adopted very different
      dispersal mechanisms for long distance travel, and both exploited traits
      originally adaptive for other purposes. 

PMID- 27248696
TI  - The Dynamics of Disease Progression in Cystic Fibrosis.
AB  - In cystic fibrosis, statistical models have been more successful in predicting
      mortality than the time course of clinical status. We develop a system of partial
      differential equations that simultaneously track mortality and patient status,
      with all model parameters estimated from the extensive and carefully maintained
      database from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal
      recessive disease that leads to loss of lung function, most commonly assessed
      using the Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1%). This loss results from
      inflammation secondary to chronic bacterial infections, particularly Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and members of the
      virulent Burkholderia complex. The model tracks FEV1% and carriage of these three
      bacteria over the course of a patient's life. Analysis of patient state changes
      from year to year reveals four feedback loops: a damaging positive feedback loop
      between P. aeruginosa carriage and lower FEV1%, negative feedback loops between
      P. aeruginosa and MSSA and between P. aeruginosa and Burkholderia, and a
      protective positive feedback loop between MSSA carriage and higher FEV1%. The
      partial differential equations built from this data analysis accurately capture
      the life-long progression of the disease, quantify the key role of high annual
      FEV1% variability in reducing survivorship, the relative unimportance of short
      term bacterial interactions for long-term survival, and the potential benefits of
      eradicating the most harmful bacteria. 

PMID- 27248697
TI  - Correction: Postembryonic Nephrogenesis and Persistence of Six2-Expressing
      Nephron Progenitor Cells in the Reptilian Kidney.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153422.].

PMID- 27248698
TI  - Quantitative IR microscopy and spectromics open the way to 3D digital pathology.
AB  - Currently, only mass-spectrometry (MS) microscopy brings a quantitative analysis
      of chemical contents of tissue samples in 3D. Here, the reconstruction of a 3D
      quantitative chemical images of a biological tissue by FTIR spectro-microscopy is
      reported. An automated curve-fitting method is developed to extract all intense
      absorption bands constituting IR spectra. This innovation benefits from three
      critical features: (1) the correction of raw IR spectra to make them
      quantitatively comparable; (2) the automated and iterative data treatment
      allowing to transfer the IR-absorption spectrum into a IR-band spectrum; (3) the
      reconstruction of an 3D IR-band matrix (x, y, z for voxel position and a 4th
      dimension with all IR-band parameters). Spectromics, which is a new method for
      exploiting spectral data for tissue metadata reconstruction, is proposed to
      further translate the related chemical information in 3D, as biochemical and
      anatomical tissue parameters. An example is given with oxidative stress
      distribution and the reconstruction of blood vessels in tissues. The requirements
      of IR microscopy instrumentation to propose 3D digital histology as a clinical
      routine technology is briefly discussed.

PMID- 27248699
TI  - Frontal fibrosing alopecia: a disease fascinating for the researcher,
      disappointing for the clinician and distressing for the patient.

PMID- 27248700
TI  - Symptom load and individual symptoms before and after repair of parastomal
      hernia: a prospective single centre study.
AB  - AIM: The symptom load and individual symptoms before and after repair of
      parastomal hernia were investigated. METHOD: Stoma-related symptoms were
      prospectively recorded before repair of a parastomal hernia and at 10 days and 6
      months postoperatively: leakage, skin problems, difficulty with the appliance,
      limitation of activity, difficulty with clothing, cosmetic complaints, social
      restriction, erratic action of the stoma, a bearing-down sensation at the site of
      the stoma and pain. Episodes of intermittent bowel obstruction and difficulty
      with irrigation were also recorded. Patients were seen at 1, 2 and 3 years and
      were examined for recurrent parastomal herniation. RESULTS: Of 131 consecutive
      patients referred to a specialized centre for treatment of parastomal bulging, 61
      underwent parastomal hernia repair. Forty-eight patients were treated with the
      Sugarbaker technique. Six different symptoms were present in more than half the
      patients before surgery. The overall symptom load decreased significantly from a
      median of 4 [interquartile range (IQR) 2.5-6] preoperatively to 2 (IQR 1-3) on
      postoperative day 10 and 1 (IQR 0-2) at 6 months, P < 0.001. The number of
      symptoms decreased in 93% of patients; in 5% there was no change and in 2%
      symptoms increased. Skin problems and leakage were the only symptoms that were
      not significantly reduced. The overall recurrence rate of herniation was 5/48
      (10%) at a median of 12 (IQR 6-24) months. CONCLUSION: The preoperative symptom
      load was high and this fell after repair in over 90% of patients. Recurrence
      occurred in 10% of patients within 2 years of repair. The study emphasizes the
      importance of detailed knowledge of the symptoms of parastomal hernia when
      addressing and managing patients' problems and complaints.

PMID- 27248701
TI  - Adverse effect of smoking on prognosis in human papillomavirus-associated
      oropharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify prognostic
      factors in a cohort of patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with
      intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). METHODS: Medical records of 142 patients
      treated with (chemo)radiotherapy between September 2005 and September 2011 were
      reviewed and the human papillomavirus (HPV) status was determined by polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Potential prognostic factors for 3-year
      locoregional control and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RESULTS: HPV
      positive patients (n = 82) had locoregional control and OS of 78% and 79%,
      respectively. Significant prognostic factors on multivariate analysis were
      smoking (p = .03) for locoregional control and OS, and comorbidity (p = .04) for
      OS. Further stratification was done according to smoking behavior in HPV-positive
      patients. Locoregional control in current smokers was 67% compared to 86% in
      never smokers and former smokers, respectively (p = .02). CONCLUSION: Smoking was
      the only modifiable prognostic factor in HPV-positive patients. Therefore, active
      stop-smoking programs must be integrated in the routine management of patients to
      maximize treatment results. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1780
      1787, 2016.

PMID- 27248702
TI  - Impact of end-stage renal disease on hospital outcomes among patients admitted to
      intensive care units: A retrospective matched-pair cohort study.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to estimate the burden of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among
      patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), by comparing hospital outcomes
      between patients with and without ESRD. METHODS: Using the Japanese Diagnosis
      Procedure Combination database, we identified patients aged 20 years or older who
      were admitted to ICUs for >=3 days (2 nights) in 2011. We created a matched
      cohort of patients with and without ESRD for hospital, age, sex, main diagnosis
      category, and ICU admission type (medical or surgical) at a maximum ratio of 1:3.
      For these matched patients, we compared patient characteristics, treatment
      regimens at ICU admission, and hospital outcomes. We also performed a
      multivariable logistic regression analysis for the associations between ESRD and
      28-day (counting from ICU admission) and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Among
      the 164 423 eligible patients, 7998 (4.9%) had ESRD, from which 5228 ESRD and 12
      274 non-ESRD patients were matched for the aforementioned factors. Compared to
      non-ESRD patients, ESRD patients were on more intensive treatment regimens,
      including mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drugs, and blood transfusion.
      Patients with ESRD showed significantly higher ICU, 28-day, and in-hospital
      mortality and longer lengths of stay in the ICU and hospital (28-day mortality:
      11.7% vs. 8.3%; P < 0.001, in-hospital mortality: 21.1% vs. 12.0%; P < 0.001).
      After adjusting for confounding factors, ESRD was independently associated with
      28-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22
      1.52) and in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.69-2.02).
      CONCLUSION: This study involving the Japanese national inpatient database, with a
      matched-pair cohort design, suggested that ESRD is an important burden in the
      critical care setting.

PMID- 27248703
TI  - "We are what our bacteria eat": The role of bacteria in personalizing nutrition
      therapy in gastrointestinal conditions.
AB  - The theme for the 2016 World Digestive Health Day is "Your Diet and Gut Health".
      The World Gastroenterology Organization thereby wishes to raise awareness of the
      relationship between what we eat and gastrointestinal symptoms. World Digestive
      Health Day (WDHD) is celebrated each year on May 29. This brief review article on
      behalf of the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology will highlight recent
      developments in this highly active area of research with a special emphasis on
      gastrointestinal disorders.

PMID- 27248704
TI  - Training-Load-Guided vs Standardized Endurance Training in Recreational Runners.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the effects of a standardized endurance-training program with
      individualized endurance training modified based on the cumulative training load
      provided by the Polar training-load feature. METHODS: After 12 wk of similar
      training, 24 recreationally endurance-trained men were matched to a training-load
      guided (TL, n = 10) or standardized (ST, n = 14) group and continued training for
      12 wk. In TL, training sessions were individually chosen daily based on an
      estimated cumulative training load, whereas in ST the training was standardized
      with 4-6 sessions/wk. Endurance performance (shortest 1000-m running time during
      an incremental field test of 6 * 1000 m) and heart-rate variability (HRV) were
      measured every 4 wk, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was measured during
      an incremental treadmill test every 12 wk. RESULTS: During weeks 1-12, similar
      changes in VO2max and 1000-m time were observed in TL (+7% +/- 4%, P = .004 and 
      6% +/- 4%, P = .069) and ST (+5% +/- 7%, P = .019 and -8% +/- 5%, P < .001).
      During wk 13-24, VO2max statistically increased in ST only (3% +/- 4%, P = .034).
      The 1000-m time decreased in TL during wk 13-24 (-9% +/- 5%, P = .011), but in ST
      only during wk 13-20 (-3% +/- 2%, P = .003). The overall changes in VO2max and
      1000-m time during wk 0-24 were similar in TL (+7% +/- 4%, P = .001 and -9% +/-
      5%, P = .011) and ST (+10% +/- 7%, P < .001 and -13% +/- 5%, P < .001). No
      between-groups differences in total training volume and frequency were observed.
      HRV remained statistically unaltered in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The main
      finding was that training performed according to the cumulative training load led
      to improvements in endurance performance similar to those with standardized
      endurance training in recreational endurance runners.

PMID- 27248705
TI  - A GROMOS-Compatible Force Field for Small Organic Molecules in the Condensed
      Phase: The 2016H66 Parameter Set.
AB  - This article reports on the calibration and validation of a new GROMOS-compatible
      parameter set 2016H66 for small organic molecules in the condensed phase. The
      calibration is based on 62 organic molecules spanning the chemical functions
      alcohol, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, ester, amine, amide, thiol,
      sulfide, and disulfide, as well as aromatic compounds and nucleic-acid bases. For
      57 organic compounds, the calibration targets are the experimental pure-liquid
      density rholiq and the vaporization enthalpy DeltaHvap, as well as the hydration
      free energy DeltaGwat and the solvation free energy DeltaGche in cyclohexane, at
      atmospheric pressure and at (or close to) room temperature. The final root-mean
      square deviations (RMSD) for these four quantities over the set of compounds are
      32.4 kg m(-3), 3.5 kJ mol(-1), 4.1 kJ mol(-1), and 2.1 kJ mol(-1), respectively,
      and the corresponding average deviations (AVED) are 1.0 kg m(-3), 0.2 kJ mol(-1),
      2.6 kJ mol(-1), and 1.0 kJ mol(-1), respectively. For the five nucleic-acid
      bases, the parametrization is performed by transferring the final 2016H66
      parameters from analogous organic compounds followed by a slight readjustment of
      the charges to reproduce the experimental water-to-chloroform transfer free
      energies DeltaGtrn. The final RMSD for this quantity over the five bases is 1.7
      kJ mol(-1), and the corresponding AVED is 0.8 kJ mol(-1). As an initial
      validation of the 2016H66 set, seven additional thermodynamic, transport, and
      dielectric properties are calculated for the 57 organic compounds in the liquid
      phase. The agreement with experiment in terms of these additional properties is
      found to be reasonable, with significant deviations typically affecting either a
      specific chemical function or a specific molecule. This suggests that in most
      cases, a classical force-field description along with a careful parametrization
      against rholiq, DeltaHvap, DeltaGwat, and DeltaGche results in a model that
      appropriately describes the liquid in terms of a wide spectrum of its physical
      properties. 

PMID- 27248706
TI  - Alteration of the Intra- and Cross- Hemisphere Posterior Default Mode Network in
      Frontal Lobe Glioma Patients.
AB  - Patients with frontal lobe gliomas often experience neurocognitive dysfunctions
      before surgery, which affects the default mode network (DMN) to different
      degrees. This study quantitatively analyzed this effect from the perspective of
      cerebral hemispheric functional connectivity (FC). We collected resting-state
      fMRI data from 20 frontal lobe glioma patients before treatment and 20 healthy
      controls. All of the patients and controls were right-handed. After pre
      processing the images, FC maps were built from the seed defined in the left or
      right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) to the target regions determined in the
      left or right temporal-parietal junction (TPJ), respectively. The intra- and
      cross-group statistical calculations of FC strength were compared. The
      conclusions were as follows: (1) the intra-hemisphere FC strength values between
      the PCC and TPJ on the left and right were decreased in patients compared with
      controls; and (2) the correlation coefficients between the FC pairs in the
      patients were increased compared with the corresponding controls. When all of the
      patients were grouped by their tumor's hemispheric location, (3) the FC of the
      subgroups showed that the dominant hemisphere was vulnerable to glioma, and (4)
      the FC in the dominant hemisphere showed a significant correlation with WHO
      grade.

PMID- 27248707
TI  - Fast escape of a quantum walker from an integrated photonic maze.
AB  - Escaping from a complex maze, by exploring different paths with several decision
      making branches in order to reach the exit, has always been a very challenging
      and fascinating task. Wave field and quantum objects may explore a complex
      structure in parallel by interference effects, but without necessarily leading to
      more efficient transport. Here, inspired by recent observations in biological
      energy transport phenomena, we demonstrate how a quantum walker can efficiently
      reach the output of a maze by partially suppressing the presence of interference.
      In particular, we show theoretically an unprecedented improvement in transport
      efficiency for increasing maze size with respect to purely quantum and classical
      approaches. In addition, we investigate experimentally these hybrid transport
      phenomena, by mapping the maze problem in an integrated waveguide array, probed
      by coherent light, hence successfully testing our theoretical results. These
      achievements may lead towards future bio-inspired photonics technologies for more
      efficient transport and computation.

PMID- 27248709
TI  - Joint Decision Making and Reduced Need for Compulsory Psychiatric Admission.

PMID- 27248710
TI  - Requirements for comprehensive pharmacogenetic genotyping platforms.
AB  - Recent research highlighted the large extent of rare variants in pharmacogenes
      and, on this basis, it was estimated that rare variants account for 30-40% of the
      functional variability in pharmacogenes. It has been proposed that comprehensive
      next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based sequencing of pharmacogenes could soon be
      a cost-effective methodology for clinical routine genotyping. Yet, multiple
      challenges on technical, interpretative and ethical levels need to be overcome to
      enable the reasonable dissemination of comprehensive pharmacogenetic genotyping,
      that includes rare genetic variation, into clinical practice. We argue that
      current pre-emptive pharmacogenetic testing cannot be based on comprehensive
      approaches but needs to be restricted to validated variants. Rather,
      comprehensive strategies should only be used for retrospective analyses of
      patients exhibiting unanticipated drug responses. Thereby, subsequent to
      computational analyses and functional validations, emerging variants with
      confirmed functional relevance can be incorporated into candidate genotyping
      strategies, thus refining and enhancing future pre-emptive genetic testing.

PMID- 27248712
TI  - Next stop for the CRISPR revolution: RNA-guided epigenetic regulators.
AB  - Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR
      associated (Cas) proteins offer a breakthrough platform for cheap, programmable,
      and effective sequence-specific DNA targeting. The CRISPR-Cas system is naturally
      equipped for targeted DNA cutting through its native nuclease activity. As such,
      groups researching a broad spectrum of biological organisms have quickly adopted
      the technology with groundbreaking applications to genomic sequence editing in
      over 20 different species. However, the biological code of life is not only
      encoded in genetics but also in epigenetics as well. While genetic sequence
      editing is a powerful ability, we must also be able to edit and regulate
      transcriptional and epigenetic code. Taking inspiration from work on earlier
      sequence-specific targeting technologies such as zinc fingers (ZFs) and
      transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), researchers quickly expanded the
      CRISPR-Cas toolbox to include transcriptional activation, repression, and
      epigenetic modification. In this review, we highlight advances that extend the
      CRISPR-Cas toolkit for transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, as well as best
      practice guidelines for these tools, and a perspective on future applications.

PMID- 27248711
TI  - Antigenic Relationships among Human Pathogenic Orientia tsutsugamushi Isolates
      from Thailand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scrub typhus is a common cause of undiagnosed febrile illness in
      certain tropical regions, but can be easily treated with antibiotics. The
      causative agent, Orientia tsutsugamushi, is antigenically variable which
      complicates diagnosis and efforts towards vaccine development.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This study aimed to dissect the antigenic and
      genetic relatedness of O. tsutsugamushi strains and investigate sero-diagnostic
      reactivities by titrating individual patient sera against their O. tsutsugamushi
      isolates (whole-cell antigen preparation), in homologous and heterologous serum
      isolate pairs from the same endemic region in NE Thailand. The indirect
      immunofluorescence assay was used to titrate Orientia tsutsugamushi isolates and
      human sera, and a mathematical technique, antigenic cartography, was applied to
      these data to visualise the antigenic differences and cross-reactivity between
      strains and sera. No functional or antigen-specific analyses were performed. The
      antigenic variation found in clinical isolates was much less pronounced than the
      genetic differences found in the 56kDa type-specific antigen genes. The Karp-like
      sera were more broadly reactive than the Gilliam-like sera.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Antigenic cartography worked well with scrub typhus
      indirect immunofluorescence titres. The data from humoral responses suggest that
      a Karp-like strain would provide broader antibody cross-reactivity than a Gilliam
      like strain. Although previous exposure to O. tsutsugamushi could not be ruled
      out, scrub typhus patient serum antibody responses were characterised by strong
      homologous, but weak heterologous antibody titres, with little evidence for cross
      reactivity by Gilliam-like sera, but a broader response from some Karp-like sera.
      This work highlights the importance of antigenic variation in O. tsutsugamushi
      diagnosis and determination of new serotypes.

PMID- 27248713
TI  - Reducing the use of out-of-hours primary care services: A survey among Dutch
      general practitioners.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Out-of-hours primary care services have a high general practitioner
      (GP) workload with increasing costs, while half of all contacts are non-urgent.
      OBJECTIVES: To identify views of GPs to influence the use of the out-of-hours GP
      cooperatives. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey study among a random sample of 800
      GPs in the Netherlands. RESULTS: Of the 428 respondents (53.5% response rate),
      86.5% confirmed an increase in their workload and 91.8% felt that the number of
      patient contacts could be reduced. A total of 75.4% GP respondents reported that
      the 24-h service society was a 'very important' reason why patients with non
      urgent problems attended the GP cooperative; the equivalent for worry or anxiety
      was 65.8%, and for easy accessibility, 60.1%. Many GPs (83.9%) believed that the
      way telephone triage is currently performed contributes to the high use of GP
      cooperatives. Measures that GPs believed were both desirable and effective in
      reducing the use of GP cooperatives included co-payment for patients, stricter
      triage, and a larger role for the telephone consultation doctor. GPs considered
      patient education, improved telephone accessibility of daytime general practices,
      more possibilities for same-day appointments, as well as feedback concerning the
      use of GP cooperatives to practices and triage nurses also desirable, but less
      effective. CONCLUSION: This study provides several clues for influencing the use
      of GP cooperatives. Further research is needed to examine the impact and safety
      of these strategies. [Box: see text].

PMID- 27248714
TI  - Mixed-Metal Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks and their Selective Capture of Wet
      Carbon Dioxide over Methane.
AB  - A presynthesized, square planar copper imidazole complex, [Cu(imidazole)4](NO3)2,
      was utilized as a precursor in the synthesis of a new series of zeolitic
      imidazolate frameworks, termed ZIF-202, -203, and -204. The structures of all
      three members were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, which
      revealed ZIF-203 and -204 having successfully integrated square planar units
      within the backbones of their respective frameworks. As a result of this unit,
      the structures of both ZIF-203 and -204 were found to adopt unprecedented three
      dimensional nets, namely, ntn and thl, respectively. One member of this series,
      ZIF-204, was demonstrated to be highly porous, exhibit exceptional stability in
      water, and selectively capture CO2 over CH4 under both dry and wet conditions
      without any loss in performance over three cycles. Remarkably, the regeneration
      of ZIF-204 was performed under the mild conditions of flowing a pure N2 gas
      through the material at ambient temperature. 

PMID- 27248715
TI  - Supramolecular Self-Assembly into Biofunctional Soft Nanotubes: From Bilayers to
      Monolayers.
AB  - The inner and outer surfaces of bilayer-based lipid nanotubes can be hardly
      modified selectively by a favorite functional group. Monolayer-based nanotubes
      display a definitive difference in their inner and outer functionalities if
      bipolar wedge-shaped amphiphiles, so-called bolaamphiphiles, as a constituent of
      the monolayer membrane pack in a parallel fashion with a head-to-tail interface.
      To exclusively form unsymmetrical monolayer lipid membranes, we focus herein on
      the rational molecular design of bolaamphiphiles and a variety of self-assembly
      processes into tubular architectures. We first describe the importance of
      polymorph and polytype control and then discuss diverse methodologies utilizing a
      polymer template, multiple hydrogen bonds, binary and ternary coassembly, and two
      step self-assembly. Novel biologically important functions of the obtained soft
      nanotubes, brought about only by completely unsymmetrical inner and outer
      surfaces, are discussed in terms of protein refolding, drug nanocarriers, lectin
      detection, a chiral inducer for achiral polymers, the tailored fabrication of
      polydopamine, and spontaneous nematic alignment.

PMID- 27248716
TI  - Effects of wheelchair Tai Chi on physical and mental health among elderly with
      disability.
AB  - A 12-week Wheelchair Tai Chi 10 Form (WTC10) intervention was conducted among
      elderly with disability to examine the effect of this WTC10 intervention on
      selected physical and mental health variables. Thirteen (age 87.23 +/- 6.71) in
      the WTC10 intervention group and 15 (age 89.73 +/- 6.31) in the control group
      completed the study. Independent t-tests and paired t-tests were employed to
      examine the differences between groups and within groups, respectively, at
      pretest and post-test. The WTC10 intervention group showed significant
      improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, shoulder external
      rotation, left trunk rotation and total trunk rotation after the intervention. A
      12-week WTC10 intervention had positive effects on blood pressure, range of
      motion at the shoulder and trunk, physical activity, and mental health among the
      elderly with disability. WTC10 is a feasible and safe exercise for the elderly
      with disability. 

PMID- 27248764
TI  - Incorrect Table Entries and Word.

PMID- 27248765
TI  - Impact of Obesity on Robot-Assisted Distal Pancreatectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity has been steadily increasing in the United States. The effect
      of body mass index (BMI) on surgical outcomes in pancreatic surgery is still
      controversial. Currently, there is no report related to obesity and robotic
      pancreatic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of BMI
      on the surgical outcomes of both nonobese and obese patients undergoing robot
      assisted distal pancreatectomy (RADP). METHODS: A prospectively collected
      database for RADP was retrieved for analysis. Patients were categorized as obese
      (BMI >=30 kg/m(2)) and nonobese (BMI <30 kg/m(2)). Demographics, perioperative
      data, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, diagnosis, conversion rate,
      morbidity, surgical mortality, pancreatic fistula rate, and length of stay were
      compared. RESULTS: A total for 85 RADP were included, with 57 (67%) in the
      nonobese group and 28 (33%) in the obese group. No differences were found between
      nonobese and obese patients regarding demographic, preoperative risk, and
      perioperative parameters and mortality. There was a trend in the obese group
      associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications, but it was
      statistically insignificant. Clinically significant pancreatic fistula (grade B)
      occurred in 28.5% of obese patients and in 7% of nonobese patients, but without
      statistical significance (P = .064). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity does not have a
      significant impact on the perioperative outcomes and surgical risks for patients
      undergoing RADP, but high BMI may be a predictor for pancreatic fistula after
      RADP.

PMID- 27248766
TI  - Policy Section.

PMID- 27248767
TI  - Medicolegal-Malpractice and Ethical Issues in Radiology.

PMID- 27248768
TI  - Effect of 3-Dimensional Vision on Surgeons Using the da Vinci Robot for
      Laparoscopy: More Than Meets the Eye.

PMID- 27248769
TI  - Random start or emergency IVF/in vitro maturation: a new rapid approach to
      fertility preservation.
AB  - There is a need to develop rapid protocols for ovarian stimulation for women who
      wish to preserve their fertility following diagnosis of cancer. Conventional
      gonadotropin stimulation protocols are lengthy and are delayed until the start of
      the next menstrual period, potentially compromising cancer treatments. The
      development of random start IVF/in vitro maturation has made significant strides
      for enabling couples undergoing cancer therapy to achieve a family. However,
      several unanswered questions still remain. What do we know about the
      endocrinology of stimulating ovarian follicular activity outside the established
      protocols of stimulation during the follicular phase? This article explores what
      is known about antral follicle development during the menstrual cycle, novel
      ovarian stimulation proposals for optimizing assisted reproductive therapies in
      women, and direction.

PMID- 27248770
TI  - Making Sense of Carcinogens: A New Method for Navigating Mechanistic Data.

PMID- 27248772
TI  - Use of auto-segmentation in the delineation of target volumes and organs at risk
      in head and neck.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Manual delineation of structures in head and neck cancers is an
      extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive procedure. With centers worldwide
      moving towards the use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and adaptive
      radiotherapy, there is a need to explore and analyze auto-segmentation (AS)
      software, in the search for a faster yet accurate method of structure
      delineation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search for studies published after 2005
      comparing AS and manual delineation in contouring organ at risks (OARs) and
      target volume for head and neck patients was conducted. The reviewed results were
      then categorized into arguments proposing and opposing the review title. RESULTS:
      Ten studies were reviewed and derived results were assessed in terms of
      delineation time-saving ability and extent of delineation accuracy. The influence
      of other external factors (observer variability, AS strategies adopted and stage
      of disease) were also considered. Results were conflicting with some studies
      demonstrating great potential in replacing manual delineation whereas other
      studies illustrated otherwise. Six of 10 studies investigated time saving; the
      largest time saving reported being 59%. However, one study found that additional
      time of 15.7% was required for AS. Four studies reported AS contours to be
      between 'reasonably good' and 'better quality' than the clinically used contours.
      Remaining studies cited lack of contrast, AS strategy used and the need for
      physician intervention as limitations in the standardized use of AS. DISCUSSION:
      The studies demonstrated significant potential of AS as a useful delineation tool
      in contouring target volumes and OARs in head and neck cancers. However, it is
      evident that AS cannot totally replace manual delineation in contouring some
      structures in the head and neck and cannot be used independently without human
      intervention. It is also emphasized that delineation studies should be conducted
      locally so as to evaluate the true value of AS in head and neck cancers in a
      specific center.

PMID- 27248771
TI  - Alternative Macrophage Activation Is Increased in Asthma.
AB  - The immune responses of type 2 T helper cells (Th2) play an important role in
      asthma and promote the differentiation of alternatively activated (M2)
      macrophages. M2 macrophages have been increasingly understood to contribute to
      Th2 immunity. We hypothesized that M2 macrophages are altered in asthma and
      modulate Th2 responses. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype
      and function of human monocyte-derived M2 and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)
      macrophages from healthy control subjects and subjects with asthma. Phenotypic
      characteristics and effector function of M2 macrophages were examined using
      monocyte-derived and BALF macrophages obtained from subjects with asthma (n = 28)
      and healthy volunteers (n = 9) by flow cytometry and quantitative PCR. Resting
      monocyte-derived (M0) and M2 macrophages were generated by the addition of
      macrophage colony-stimulating factor or macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus
      IL-4, respectively. M2 macrophage cytokine expression and their impact on
      dendritic and CD4+ T cell activation were examined in vitro. High levels of CD206
      and major histocompatibility complex class II expression identify macrophages
      with an M2 phenotype that are increased 2.9-fold in the BALF of subjects with
      asthma compared with control subjects. M2 macrophages have elevated IL-6, IL-10,
      and IL-12p40 production compared with conventional macrophages and modulate
      dendritic and CD4+ T cell interactions. Histamine receptor 1 and E-cadherin
      expression identify M2 macrophage subsets associated with increased airflow
      obstruction. M2 macrophages have a distinct cell surface and effector phenotype
      and are found in increased numbers in subjects with asthma. These findings
      suggest that M2 macrophages may play an important role in allergic asthma through
      their bidirectional interactions with immune and structural cells, and
      inflammatory mediators.

PMID- 27248773
TI  - The Worst Thrush I Have Ever Seen.
AB  - A neonate developed oral lesions during treatment of thrush with gentian violet.
      The medication was applied by his mother according to the instructions on the
      bottle she bought over the counter. The literature is briefly reviewed and it is
      suggested that the availability of this solution without medical supervision
      should be reconsidered. 

PMID- 27248774
TI  - The Great Pretender: Pediatric Wandering Spleen: Two Case Reports and Review of
      the Literature.
AB  - Wandering spleen is a rare condition, typically not only due to embryological
      defects of the splenic ligaments, but also secondary to trauma and splenomegaly.
      The most common presentation is acute abdomen with a mobile abdominal mass or
      recurrent abdominal pain. However, the spleen may be temporary in its normal
      position, and patients could be asymptomatic. A familiarity, if present,
      strengthens the diagnostic suspect.Abdominal ultrasonography and computed
      tomography are the examination of choice, and the management is surgical. 

PMID- 27248775
TI  - Torticollis as the Presenting Sign of Cervical Spondylodiscitis.
AB  - Acquired torticollis is a common clinical finding in children evaluated in the
      pediatric emergency department. It may be the presentation symptom of different
      illnesses, such as trauma, muscle contraction, infections, or malignancies, and
      an accurate differential diagnosis is required to correctly identify the cause
      and choose the right treatment. Spondylodiscitis is a low-grade bacterial
      infection that involves intervertebral disks and the adjacent vertebral bodies.
      Spondylodiscitis of the cervical spine is unusual and may be a rare cause of
      torticollis. We report the case of a 4-year-old male patient admitted to the
      emergency department for a 5-day history of painful torticollis. Blood tests
      showed an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The radiograph of the cervical
      spine showed a thin fifth cervical soma. The magnetic resonance imaging of
      cervical spine showed the alteration of cervical vertebral bodies and
      intervertebral disks, suggesting the diagnosis of cervical spondylodiscitis. The
      patient recovered after endovenous antibiotic treatment. We suggest that cervical
      spondylodiscitis should be suspected and investigated by means of an magnetic
      resonance imaging in every case of unexplained torticollis with persisting
      symptoms.

PMID- 27248776
TI  - Reasons for Energy Drink Use and Reported Adverse Effects Among Adolescent
      Emergency Department Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There is concern of energy drink use by adolescents. The objective of
      this study was to evaluate the energy drink consumption use, frequency, age of
      first use, reasons for use, influences of choice of brand, and adverse events
      recorded in a predominant Latino adolescent population. METHODS: Subjects between
      the ages of 13 and 19 years utilizing emergency department services for any
      reason at a large county hospital answered a questionnaire about energy drink
      usage. RESULTS: There were 192 subjects, of which 49% were male and 51% were
      female. Latino adolescents were 85% of the participants, although other ethnic
      groups participated including African American, white, and Asian. Reasons for use
      include 61% to increase energy, 32% as study aide, 29% to improve sports
      performance, and 9% to lose weight. Twenty-four percent reported using energy
      drinks with ethanol or illicit drugs including marijuana, cocaine, and
      methamphetamine. Adverse reactions were reported in 40% of the subjects including
      insomnia (19%), feeling "jittery" (19%), palpitations (16%), gastrointestinal
      upset (11%), headache (8%), chest pain (5%), shortness of breath (4%), and
      seizures (1%). CONCLUSIONS: Both brand name and packaging influenced the choice
      of energy drink in most subjects. Forty percent reported at least 1 adverse
      effect. While most adverse effects were not severe, a small number are serious.
      In addition, we showed intentional ingestion with ethanol and illicit drugs. Of
      additional concern is that both brand and packaging seem to directly affect
      choice of energy drink consumed.

PMID- 27248777
TI  - Acute Exertional Compartment Syndrome in Young Athletes: A Descriptive Case
      Series and Review of the Literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Acute exertional compartment syndrome (AECS) is a rare presentation
      of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) after exertion without injury. Unfamiliarity
      with this entity can lead to delay in diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to
      increase awareness of AECS and illustrate the morbidities associated with delayed
      diagnosis. METHODS: With institutional review board approval, we conducted a
      retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent emergent fasciotomies
      for AECS from 1997-2013 at our institution. Male patients with sports-related
      closed fractures of the tibia leading to ACS were identified for comparison.
      Demographic variables, patient-specific factors, treatment, and outcome
      characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Seven male patients (mean age, 17 years)
      presented to our institution with AECS from 1997-2013, and 9 patients with
      fracture-related ACS were selected for comparison. All cases of AECS occurred in
      the leg. In the AECS group, the mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 97
      hours. Four patients initially had a missed diagnosis. On presentation, 6 of 7
      patients experienced neurologic symptoms (motor or sensory deficit), although
      none had perfusion deficits. The mean compartment pressure was 91 mm Hg. They all
      underwent isolated anterior and lateral compartment releases (except for 1
      patient who required a 4-compartment release) and required a mean of 4 surgeries.
      The mean follow-up was 270 days. Of the 4 patients with missed diagnoses, 2 had
      significant neurologic and functional deficits at final follow-up. The other 5
      patients had a full recovery. Fracture-related ACS patients were younger, with
      quicker time from symptom onset to surgery, and required more compartments to be
      decompressed at surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the rarity of AECS, orthopedists as
      well as primary care, emergency medicine, and sports medicine physicians should
      maintain a high index of suspicion when examining a patient with leg pain out of
      proportion to examination after exertion. Delay in diagnosis of AECS is
      associated with substantial muscle necrosis and morbidity.

PMID- 27248778
TI  - Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing the HEADS-ED: A Rapid Screening Tool
      for Pediatric Patients in Emergency Departments.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify barriers and facilitators to the
      implementation of the HEADS-ED, a screening tool appropriate for use in the
      emergency department (ED) that facilitates standardized assessments, discharge
      planning, charting, and linking pediatric mental health patients to appropriate
      community resources. METHODS: A qualitative theory-based design was used to
      identify barriers and facilitators to implementing the HEADS-ED tool. Focus
      groups were conducted with participants recruited from 6 different ED settings
      across 2 provinces (Ontario and Nova Scotia). The Theoretical Domains Framework
      was used as a conceptual framework to guide data collection and to identify
      themes from focus group discussions. RESULTS: The following themes spanning 12
      domains were identified as reflective of participants' beliefs about the barriers
      and facilitators to implementing the HEADS-ED tool: knowledge, skills, beliefs
      about capabilities, social professional role and identity, optimism, beliefs
      about consequences, reinforcement, environmental context and resources, social
      influences, emotion, behavioral regulation and memory, and attention and decision
      process. CONCLUSIONS: The HEADS-ED has the potential to address the need for
      better discharge planning, complete charting, and standardized assessments for
      the increasing population of pediatric mental health patients who present to EDs.
      This study has identified potential barriers and facilitators, which should be
      considered when developing an implementation plan for adopting the HEADS-ED tool
      into practice within EDs.

PMID- 27248779
TI  - Time to Bone Healing After Intraosseous Placement in Children is Ill Defined.
AB  - Time to bone healing after intraosseous (IO) insertion in children has not been
      clearly established. This report documents the case of a 23-month-old male infant
      with previous IO placement of the tibia, presenting 3 weeks later to our
      emergency department with radiographic evidence of previous IO insertion. This
      report reviews relevant literature on complications of IO insertion,
      contraindications to IO insertion, and evidentiary support for such
      recommendations. Time to bone healing after IO insertion and recommendations
      regarding time to safe cannulation of previously cannulated areas are based on
      animal models. This case demonstrates 1 instance in which radiographic evidence
      of bone healing at 3 weeks after IO insertion is not complete, in contradiction
      to previously reported data. Although the clinical significance of this finding
      is unknown, further work is needed to define safe timing for IO reinsertion in
      children.

PMID- 27248780
TI  - A de-novo large deletion of 2.8 kb produced in the ABCD1 gene causing
      adrenoleukodystrophy disease.
AB  - X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by
      mutations in the ABCD1 gene, which encodes an ATP-binding cassette transporter
      protein, ALDP. The disease is characterized by increased concentrations of very
      long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in plasma, adrenal, testicular, and nerve
      tissues. For this study, our objective was to conduct clinical, molecular, and
      genetic studies of a Tunisian patient with X-ALD. The diagnosis was based on
      clinical indications, biochemical analyses, typical brain-scan patterns, and
      molecular biology; the molecular analyses were based on PCR, long-range PCR, and
      sequencing. The molecular analysis by long-range PCR and direct sequencing of the
      ABCD1 gene showed the presence of a de-novo 2794 bp deletion covering the whole
      of exon 2. Using bioinformatics tools, we demonstrate that the large deletion is
      located in a region rich with Alu sequences. Furthermore, we suggest that the
      AluJb sequence could be the cause of the large deletion of intron 1, exon 2, and
      intron 2, and the creation of a premature stop codon within exon 3. This report
      is the first report in which we demonstrate the breakpoints and the size of a
      large deletion in a Tunisian with X-ALD.

PMID- 27248781
TI  - Design of a Small-Molecule Drug Conjugate for Prostate Cancer Targeted
      Theranostics.
AB  - Targeted therapy has become an effective strategy of precision medicine for
      cancer treatment. Based on the success of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), here
      we report a theranostic design of small-molecule drug conjugates (T-SMDCs) for
      targeted imaging and chemotherapy of prostate cancer. The structure of T-SMDCs
      built upon a polyethylene glycol (PEG) scaffold consists of (i) a chelating
      moiety for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging when labeled with (68)Ga, a
      positron-emitting radioisotope; (ii) a prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)
      specific ligand for prostate cancer targeting; and (iii) a cytotoxic drug (DM1)
      for chemotherapy. For proof-of-concept, such a T-SMDC, NO3A-DM1-Lys-Urea-Glu, was
      synthesized and evaluated. The chemical modification of Lys-Urea-Glu for the
      construction of the conjugate did not compromise its specific binding affinity to
      PSMA. The PSMA-mediated internalization of (68)Ga-labeled NO3A-DM1-Lys-Urea-Glu
      displayed a time-dependent manner, allowing the desired drug delivery and release
      within tumor cells. The antiproliferative activity of the T-SMDC showed a
      positive correlation with the PSMA expression level. Small animal PET imaging
      with (68)Ga-labeled NO3A-DM1-Lys-Urea-Glu exhibited significantly higher uptake
      (p < 0.01) in the PSMA positive PC3-PIP tumors (4.30 +/- 0.20%ID/g) at 1 h
      postinjection than in the PSMA negative PC3-Flu tumors (1.12 +/- 0.42%ID/g).
      Taken together, we have successfully designed and synthesized a T-SMDC system for
      prostate cancer targeted imaging and therapy. 

PMID- 27248782
TI  - C-C Bond Formation: Synthesis of C5 Substituted Pyrimidine and C8 Substituted
      Purine Nucleosides Using Water Soluble Pd-imidate Complex.
AB  - The synthesis of a highly efficient, water soluble [Pd(Sacc)2 (TPA)2 ] complex
      for C-C bond formation is described. Additionally, application of the [Pd(Sacc)2
      (TPA)2 ] complex for Suzuki-Miyaura arylation of all four nucleosides (5-iodo-2'
      deoxyuridine [5-IdU], 5-iodo-2'-deoxycytidine [5-IdC], 8-bromo-2'-deoxyadenosine,
      and 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine) with various aryl/heteroaryl boronic acids in
      plain water under milder conditions is demonstrated. (c) 2016 by John Wiley &
      Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27248783
TI  - Simple, High-Yield Syntheses of DNA Duplexes Containing Interstrand DNA-DNA Cross
      Links Between an N(4) -Aminocytidine Residue and an Abasic Site.
AB  - The protocol describes the preparation and purification of interstrand DNA-DNA
      cross-links derived from the reaction of an N(4) -aminocytidine residue with an
      abasic site in duplex DNA. The procedures employ inexpensive, commercially
      available chemicals and enzymes to carry out post-synthetic modification of
      commercially available oligodeoxynucleotides. The yield of cross-linked duplex is
      typically better than 90%. If purification is required, the cross-linked duplex
      can be readily separated from single-stranded DNA starting materials by
      denaturing gel electrophoresis. The resulting covalent hydrazone-based cross
      links are stable under physiologically relevant conditions and may be useful for
      biophysical studies, structural analyses, DNA repair studies, and materials
      science applications. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27248785
TI  - Pre-Steady-State Kinetic Analysis of Single-Nucleotide Incorporation by DNA
      Polymerases.
AB  - Pre-steady-state kinetic analysis is a powerful and widely used method to obtain
      multiple kinetic parameters. This protocol provides a step-by-step procedure for
      pre-steady-state kinetic analysis of single-nucleotide incorporation by a DNA
      polymerase. It describes the experimental details of DNA substrate annealing,
      reaction mixture preparation, handling of the RQF-3 rapid quench-flow instrument,
      denaturing polyacrylamide DNA gel preparation, electrophoresis, quantitation, and
      data analysis. The core and unique part of this protocol is the rationale for
      preparation of the reaction mixture (the ratio of the polymerase to the DNA
      substrate) and methods for conducting pre-steady-state assays on an RQF-3 rapid
      quench-flow instrument, as well as data interpretation after analysis. In
      addition, the methods for the DNA substrate annealing and DNA polyacrylamide gel
      preparation, electrophoresis, quantitation and analysis are suitable for use in
      other studies. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27248784
TI  - Diffraction Techniques in Structural Biology.
AB  - A detailed understanding of chemical and biological function and the mechanisms
      underlying the molecular activities ultimately requires atomic-resolution
      structural data. Diffraction-based techniques such as single-crystal X-ray
      crystallography, electron microscopy, and neutron diffraction are well
      established and they have paved the road to the stunning successes of modern-day
      structural biology. The major advances achieved in the last twenty years in all
      aspects of structural research, including sample preparation, crystallization,
      the construction of synchrotron and spallation sources, phasing approaches, and
      high-speed computing and visualization, now provide specialists and
      nonspecialists alike with a steady flow of molecular images of unprecedented
      detail. The present unit combines a general overview of diffraction methods with
      a detailed description of the process of a single-crystal X-ray structure
      determination experiment, from chemical synthesis or expression to phasing and
      refinement, analysis, and quality control. For novices it may serve as a stepping
      stone to more in-depth treatises of the individual topics. Readers relying on
      structural information for interpreting functional data may find it a useful
      consumer guide. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 

PMID- 27248786
TI  - Selection of Natural and Base-Modified DNA Aptamers for a Camptothecin
      Derivative.
AB  - Nucleic acid aptamers for small molecules are currently being developed and have
      a potential role in diverse applications including biosensing, diagnostics, and
      therapeutics involving low-molecular-weight biomarkers and drugs. To enhance and
      broaden their functions through chemical modification, systematic evolution of
      ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) selection has been attempted with
      modified DNA/RNA libraries. Recently, we demonstrated the superior efficacy of
      base modification for affinity enhancement and the usefulness of unnatural
      nucleic acid libraries for development of small-molecule aptamers. In this unit,
      we describe construction of a modified DNA library that includes (E)-5-(2-(N-(2
      (N(6) -adeninyl)ethyl))carbamylvinyl)uracil bases and acquisition of high
      affinity camptothecin-binding DNA aptamers, in addition to those of the
      corresponding natural DNA library and aptamers, using the SELEX method. (c) 2016
      by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27248787
TI  - Copper thiocyanate: polytypes, defects, impurities, and surfaces.
AB  - Copper thiocyanate (CuSCN) is an established solid state dye in solar cells and
      has emerged as a key material for applications in transparent conductors and
      solution-processed thin film transistors. Here we report the results of density
      functional theory calculations on several fundamental properties related to the
      performance of CuSCN in the above-mentioned systems. We describe the structural
      and electronic properties of CuSCN phases and show that the material is prone to
      polytypism. We also perform a systematic study on various defects and hydrogen
      impurities and determine their effect on the electronic properties of the host
      system, particularly with respect to doping. Finally, we show that non-polar
      surfaces have low formation energies, suggesting easy cleavage along certain
      directions.

PMID- 27248788
TI  - Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Extra Ocular Muscle Harbor Neuroectodermal
      Differentiation Potential.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been proposed as suitable candidates for cell
      therapy for neurological disorderssince they exhibit good neuronal
      differentiation capacity. However, for better therapeutic outcomes, it is
      necessary to isolate MSC from a suitable tissue sourcethat posses high neuronal
      differentiation. In this context, we isolated MSC from extra ocular muscle (EOM)
      tissue and tested the in vitro neuronal differentiation potential. In the current
      study, EOM tissue derived MSC were characterized and compared with bone marrow
      derived MSC. We found that EOM derived MSC proliferated as a monolayer and showed
      similarities in morphology, growth properties and cell surface marker expression
      with bone marrow derived MSC and expressed high levels of NES, OCT4, NANOG and
      SOX2 in its undifferentiated state. They also expressed embryonic cell surface
      marker SSEA4 and their intracellular mitochondrial distribution pattern was
      similar to that of multipotent stem cells. Although EOM derived MSC
      differentiated readily into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes, they
      differentiated more efficiently into neuroectodermal cells. The differentiation
      into neuroectodermal cellswas confirmed by the expression of neuronal markers
      NGFR and MAP2B. Thus, EOM derived MSC might be good candidates for stem cell
      based therapies for treating neurodegenerative diseases. 

PMID- 27248789
TI  - Transitions of care in the management of acute bacterial skin and skin structure
      infections: a paradigm shift.
AB  - Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) have evolved over a
      relatively short period of time to become one of the most challenging medical
      problems encountered in clinical practice. Notably the high incidence of
      methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) across the continuum of care has coincided
      with increased outpatient failures and higher rates of hospital admissions for
      parental antibiotic therapy. Consequently the management of ABSSSI constitutes a
      tremendous burden to the healthcare system in terms of cost of care and
      consumption of institutional and clinical resources. This perspective piece
      discusses current and new approaches to the management of ABSSSI in a hospital
      setting and the need for a multifaceted approach. Treatment strategies for the
      management through the utilization of observation units (OU), Outpatient Parental
      Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT), and newly developed antibiotics for the use against
      skin infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria will be discussed in the context
      of ABSSSI. 

PMID- 27248796
TI  - Early experiences with tachycardia-triggered vagus nerve stimulation using the
      AspireSR stimulator.
AB  - Many epilepsy patients treated with vagus nerve stimulation additionally use an
      "on-demand" function, triggering an extra stimulation to terminate a seizure or
      diminish its severity. Nevertheless, a substantial number of patients are not
      able to actively trigger stimulations by use of a magnet, due to the absence of
      an aura or inability for voluntary actions in the early phase of a seizure. To
      address this need, a novel implantable pulse generator, the AspireSR VNS system,
      was developed to provide automated ictal stimulation triggered by a seizure
      detecting algorithm. We report our experience with three patients in assessing
      the functionality of ictal stimulation, illustrating the detection system in
      practice. Detection of ictal tachycardia and variable additional detections of
      physiological tachycardia depended on the individual seizure-detecting algorithm
      settings. 

PMID- 27248797
TI  - Ebstein's Anomaly of the Tricuspid Valve in the Fetus - A Multicenter Experience.
AB  - Purpose To assess the spectrum of associated anomalies, the intrauterine course,
      the outcome and possible prognostic markers in prenatally diagnosed Ebstein's
      anomaly (EA). Materials and Methods All cases of EA diagnosed over a period of 13
      years with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were retrospectively collected in 4
      tertiary referral centers in Germany. Results In the study period 76 cases of EA
      were prenatally diagnosed. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 25.0 weeks
      (range: 13 - 35). 41 (53.9 %) cases were isolated and 35 (46.1 %) had other
      cardiac and/or extracardiac anomalies. 19 (25.0 %) pregnant women opted for
      termination of pregnancy, intrauterine fetal death occurred in 7 cases (9.2 %),
      neonatal death in 14 cases (18.4 %), death in infancy or childhood in 9 cases
      (11.8 %) and 27 children (35.5 %) were alive at the last follow-up. After
      exclusion of terminations, the only parameter inversely correlated with
      intrauterine survival was hydrops fetalis. Prognostic parameters significantly
      associated with postnatal non-survival were an abnormal Celermajer index (right
      atrium/heart ratio > 0.7), cardiomegaly (cardiothoracic circumference ratio >
      0.5), absence of antegrade flow over the pulmonary valve and earlier diagnosis in
      pregnancy. Conclusion Prenatally diagnosed EA has a high morbidity and mortality
      with the highest loss rate in the intrauterine and neonatal period. In our study,
      hydrops fetalis was the only parameter significantly associated with intrauterine
      demise, while other prenatal markers were only significantly associated with
      postnatal mortality.

PMID- 27248799
TI  - The exercise intensity at maximal oxygen uptake (i?O2max): Methodological issues
      and repeatability.
AB  - The minimum exercise intensity that elicits ?O2max (i?O2max) is an important
      variable associated with endurance exercise performance. i?O2max is usually
      determined during a maximal incremental exercise test; however, the magnitude and
      duration of the increments used influence the i?O2max value produced by a given
      test. The aims of this study were twofold. The first was to investigate whether
      the i?O2max value produced by a single cycle ergometer test (i?O2max(S)) was
      repeatable. The second was to determine if i?O2max(S) represents the minimum
      intensity at which ?O2max is elicited when compared to a refined i?O2max value
      (i?O2max(R)) derived from repeated tests. Seventeen male cyclists (age 33.9 +/-
      7.7 years, body mass 80.9 +/- 10.2 kg, height 1.82 +/- 0.05 m; VO2max 4.27 +/-
      0.62 L min(-1)) performed four maximal incremental tests for the determination of
      i?O2max(S) and i?O2max(R) (3 min stages; 20 W increments). Trials 1 and 2 were
      identical and used for assessing the repeatability of i?O2max(S), trials 3 and 4
      began at different intensities and were used to determine i?O2max(R). i?O2max(S)
      showed good test-retest repeatability for i?O2max (CV = 4.1%; ICC = 0.93), VO2max
      (CV = 6.3%; ICC = 0.88) and test duration (CV = 6.7%; ICC = 0.89). There was no
      significant difference between i?O2max(S) and i?O2max(R) (303 +/- 40 W vs. 301 +/
      42 W) (P < .05). The present results suggest that i?O2max determined directly
      during a maximal incremental test is repeatable and provides a very good estimate
      of the minimum exercise intensity that elicits ?O2max. 

PMID- 27248800
TI  - ParA and ParB coordinate chromosome segregation with cell elongation and division
      during Streptomyces sporulation.
AB  - In unicellular bacteria, the ParA and ParB proteins segregate chromosomes and
      coordinate this process with cell division and chromosome replication. During
      sporulation of mycelial Streptomyces, ParA and ParB uniformly distribute multiple
      chromosomes along the filamentous sporogenic hyphal compartment, which then
      differentiates into a chain of unigenomic spores. However, chromosome segregation
      must be coordinated with cell elongation and multiple divisions. Here, we
      addressed the question of whether ParA and ParB are involved in the
      synchronization of cell-cycle processes during sporulation in Streptomyces To
      answer this question, we used time-lapse microscopy, which allows the monitoring
      of growth and division of single sporogenic hyphae. We showed that sporogenic
      hyphae stop extending at the time of ParA accumulation and Z-ring formation. We
      demonstrated that both ParA and ParB affect the rate of hyphal extension.
      Additionally, we showed that ParA promotes the formation of massive nucleoprotein
      complexes by ParB. We also showed that FtsZ ring assembly is affected by the ParB
      protein and/or unsegregated DNA. Our results indicate the existence of a
      checkpoint between the extension and septation of sporogenic hyphae that involves
      the ParA and ParB proteins. 

PMID- 27248803
TI  - Grazing Incidence Cross-Sectioning of Thin-Film Solar Cells via Cryogenic Focused
      Ion Beam: A Case Study on CIGSe.
AB  - Cryogenic focused ion beam (Cryo-FIB) milling at near-grazing angles is employed
      to fabricate cross-sections on thin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 with >8x expansion in thickness.
      Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) on sloped cross sections showed reduction in
      grain boundaries potential deeper into the film. Cryo Fib-KPFM enabled the first
      determination of the electronic structure of the Mo/CIGSe back contact, where a
      sub 100 nm thick MoSey assists hole extraction due to 45 meV higher work
      function. This demonstrates that CryoFIB-KPFM combination can reveal new targets
      of opportunity for improvement in thin-films photovoltaics such as high-work
      function contacts to facilitate hole extraction through the back interface of
      CIGS. 

PMID- 27248802
TI  - Structure and evolutionary history of a large family of NLR proteins in the
      zebrafish.
AB  - Multicellular eukaryotes have evolved a range of mechanisms for immune
      recognition. A widespread family involved in innate immunity are the NACHT-domain
      and leucine-rich-repeat-containing (NLR) proteins. Mammals have small numbers of
      NLR proteins, whereas in some species, mostly those without adaptive immune
      systems, NLRs have expanded into very large families. We describe a family of
      nearly 400 NLR proteins encoded in the zebrafish genome. The proteins share a
      defining overall structure, which arose in fishes after a fusion of the core NLR
      domains with a B30.2 domain, but can be subdivided into four groups based on
      their NACHT domains. Gene conversion acting differentially on the NACHT and B30.2
      domains has shaped the family and created the groups. Evidence of positive
      selection in the B30.2 domain indicates that this domain rather than the leucine
      rich repeats acts as the pathogen recognition module. In an unusual chromosomal
      organization, the majority of the genes are located on one chromosome arm,
      interspersed with other large multigene families, including a new family encoding
      zinc-finger proteins. The NLR-B30.2 proteins represent a new family with
      diversity in the specific recognition module that is present in fishes in spite
      of the parallel existence of an adaptive immune system. 

PMID- 27248804
TI  - Solid-Phase Synthetic Strategies for the Preparation of Purine Derivatives.
AB  - This Review summarizes all of the currently described strategies applicable for
      the solid-phase synthesis of purine derivatives. The individual approaches are
      classified according to the immobilization procedure used resulting in a linkage
      of the final scaffold at various positions.

PMID- 27248801
TI  - Modulation of cellular redox homeostasis by the endocannabinoid system.
AB  - The endocannabinoid system (ECS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) constitute two
      key cellular signalling systems that participate in the modulation of diverse
      cellular functions. Importantly, growing evidence suggests that cross-talk
      between these two prominent signalling systems acts to modulate functionality of
      the ECS as well as redox homeostasis in different cell types. Herein, we review
      and discuss evidence pertaining to ECS-induced regulation of ROS generating and
      scavenging mechanisms, as well as highlighting emerging work that supports redox
      modulation of ECS function. Functionally, the studies outlined reveal that
      interactions between the ECS and ROS signalling systems can be both stimulatory
      and inhibitory in nature, depending on cell stimulus, the source of ROS species
      and cell context. Importantly, such cross-talk may act to maintain cell function,
      whereas abnormalities in either system may propagate and undermine the stability
      of both systems, thereby contributing to various pathologies associated with
      their dysregulation. 

PMID- 27248805
TI  - Procedural and clinical outcomes of percutaneous adrenal biopsy in a high-risk
      population for adrenal malignancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The role of percutaneous adrenal biopsy in a high-risk population for
      adrenal malignancy has not been fully investigated. Our aim was to describe the
      clinical presentation leading to the adrenal biopsy and evaluate the diagnostic
      performance, complications and non diagnostic rate of adrenal biopsy. DESIGN:
      Single-centre, retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Medical
      records of patients who underwent adrenal biopsy between 1994 and 2014 were
      reviewed. Adrenal biopsy outcome was compared to a predefined reference standard.
      RESULTS: Biopsy was performed in 418 patients [62% men, median age 69 years
      (range, 15-91)] on 419 adrenal lesions, median size 3.1 cm (range, 0.6-24). The
      main indication for adrenal mass biopsy was (349/419, 83%) suspected adrenal
      metastasis from a known or suspected extra-adrenal primary source. Only 116 of
      419, 28% of cases had prebiopsy biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma. Biopsy
      related complications occurred in 4% of the patients. Histology revealed a
      metastasis in 231 of 419 (55%), benign adrenal tissue in 137 of 419 (33%),
      adrenocortical carcinoma in eight of 419 (2%), other lesions in 23 of 419 (5%)
      including seven cases of pheochromocytoma and six cases of infectious process.
      Biopsy was nondiagnostic in 20 of 419 (5%). All adrenal masses with unenhanced
      radiodensity <=10 HU (42/137, 31%) proved to be benign adrenal adenomas. Adrenal
      biopsy diagnosed malignancy with a sensitivity of 88.5%, specificity of 91.5%,
      positive predictive value of 93.4% and negative predictive value of 85.5%.
      CONCLUSION: When used in the appropriate clinical setting, adrenal biopsy is a
      powerful tool in the diagnostic algorithm of the evaluation of adrenal masses
      with features suspicious for malignancy. Efforts to increase awareness to perform
      biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma prior to adrenal biopsy are needed.

PMID- 27248816
TI  - A GCN2-Like eIF2alpha Kinase (LdeK1) of Leishmania donovani and Its Possible Role
      in Stress Response.
AB  - Translation regulation in Leishmania parasites assumes significance particularly
      because they encounter myriad of stresses during their life cycle. The eukaryotic
      initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) kinases, the well-known regulators of
      translation initiation in higher eukaryotes have now been found to control
      various processes in these protozoan parasites as well. Here, we report on
      cloning and characterization of a GCN2-like eIF2alpha kinase from L. donovani and
      also on its modulation during nutrient starvation. We cloned a GCN2-like kinase
      from L. donovani, which we named as LdeK1 and validated it to be a functional
      eIF2alpha kinase by in vitro kinase assay. LdeK1 was found to be localized in the
      cytoplasm of the promastigotes with a five-fold higher expression in this stage
      of the parasite as compared to the axenic amastigotes. Phosphorylation of
      eIF2alpha and a G1-arrest was observed in response to nutrient starvation in the
      wild-type parasites. In contrast, phosphorylation was significantly impaired in a
      dominant-negative mutant of LdeK1 during this stress with a subsequent failure to
      bring about a G1-arrest during cell cycle. Thus, LdeK1 is a functional GCN2-like
      kinase of L. donovani which responds to nutrient starvation by phosphorylating
      its substrate, eIF2alpha and a G1-arrest in the cell cycle. Nutrient starvation
      is encountered by the parasites inside the vector which triggers
      metacyclogenesis. We therefore propose that global translational regulation by
      activation of LdeK1 followed by eIF2alpha phosphorylation and G1-arrest during
      nutrient starvation in the gut of sandfly vector could be one of the mechanisms
      to retool the cellular machinery required for metacyclogenesis of Leishmania
      promastigotes. 

PMID- 27248817
TI  - Growth of Catalyst-Free Epitaxial InAs Nanowires on Si Wafers Using Metallic
      Masks.
AB  - Development of heteroepitaxy growth of catalyst-free vertical III-V nanowires on
      Si wafers is highly desirable for future nanoscale Si-based electronic and
      optoelectronic devices. In this study, a proof-of-concept approach is developed
      for catalyst-free heteroepitaxy growth of InAs nanowires on Si wafers. Before the
      growth of InAs nanowires, a Si-compatible metallic film with a thickness of
      several tens of nanometers was predeposited on a Si wafer and then annealed to
      form nanosize openings so as to obtain a metallic mask. These nano-openings
      exposed the surface of the Si wafer, which allowed subsequent nucleation and
      growth of epitaxial InAs nanowires directly on the surface of the Si wafer. The
      small size of the nano-openings limits the lateral growth of the nanostructures
      but promotes their axial growth. Through this approach, catalyst-free InAs
      nanowires were grown on both Si (111) and (001) wafers successfully at different
      growth temperatures. In particular, ultralong defect-free InAs nanowires with the
      wurtzite structure were grown the Si (111) wafers at 550  degrees C using the Ni
      mask. This study offers a simple, cost-effective, and scalable method to grow
      catalyst-free III-V nanowires on Si wafers. The simplicity of the approach opens
      a new avenue for the growth and integration of catalyst-free high-quality
      heteroepitaxial III-V nanowires on Si wafers.

PMID- 27248818
TI  - Comparison of Respondent Driven Sampling Estimators to Determine HIV Prevalence
      and Population Characteristics among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Moscow, Russia.
AB  - Analytically distinct estimators have been proposed for the calculation of
      population-based estimates derived from respondent-driven sampling (RDS), yet
      there have been few comparisons of the inferences from these estimators using
      empirical data. We compared estimates produced by unweighted analysis used to
      calculate sample proportions and by three available estimators that are used to
      calculate population proportions, RDS-I, RDS-II (Volz-Heckathorn), and Gile's RDS
      SS. Data were derived from a cross-sectional, RDS study of men who have sex with
      men (MSM) conducted from October 2010 to April 2013 in Moscow, Russia (N = 1,376,
      recruitment depth: 31 waves). Analyses investigated the influence of key
      parameters: recruitment depth, homophily, and network size on sample and
      population estimates. Variability in results produced by the estimators and
      recruitment depth were statistically compared using the coefficient of variation
      (CV). Sample proportions had the least variability across different recruitment
      depths, compared to the RDS estimators. Population estimates tended to differ at
      lower recruitment depth but were approximately equal after reaching sampling
      equilibrium, highlighting the importance of sampling to greater recruitment
      depth. All estimators incorporate inverse probability weighting using self
      reported network size, explaining the similarities in across population estimates
      and the difference of these estimates relative to sample proportions. Current
      biases and limitations associated with RDS estimators are discussed. 

PMID- 27248819
TI  - Targeted next-generation sequencing of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma in the
      skull base reveals combined TP53 and PTEN mutations with increased proliferation
      index, an implication for pathogenesis.
AB  - Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (DDCS) is a rare disease with a dismal prognosis.
      DDCS consists of two morphologically distinct components: the cartilaginous and
      noncartilaginous components. Whether the two components originate from the same
      progenitor cells has been controversial. Recurrent DDCS commonly displays
      increased proliferation compared with the primary tumor. However, there is no
      conclusive explanation for this mechanism. In this paper, we present two DDCSs in
      the sellar region. Patient 1 exclusively exhibited a noncartilaginous component
      with a TP53 frameshift mutation in the pathological specimens from the first
      surgery. The tumor recurred after radiation therapy with an exceedingly increased
      proliferation index. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed the
      presence of both a TP53 mutation and a PTEN deletion in the cartilaginous and the
      noncartilaginous components of the recurrent tumor. Fluorescence in situ
      hybridization and immunostaining confirmed reduced DNA copy number and protein
      levels of the PTEN gene as a result of the PTEN deletion. Patient 2 exhibited
      both cartilaginous and noncartilaginous components in the surgical specimens.
      Targeted NGS of cells from both components showed neither TP53 nor PTEN
      mutations, making Patient 2 a naive TP53 and PTEN control for comparison. In
      conclusion, additional PTEN loss in the background of the TP53 mutation could be
      the cause of increased proliferation capacity in the recurrent tumor.

PMID- 27248820
TI  - Pellino-1 confers chemoresistance in lung cancer cells by upregulating cIAP2
      through Lys63-mediated polyubiquitination.
AB  - Pellino-1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that mediates immune receptor signaling
      pathways. The role of Pellino-1 in oncogenesis of lung cancer was investigated in
      this study. Pellino-1 expression was increased in human lung cancer cell lines
      compared with non-neoplastic lung cell lines. Pellino-1 overexpression in human
      lung cancer cells, A549 and H1299 cells, increased the survival and colony
      forming ability. Pellino-1 overexpression in these cells also conferred
      resistance to cisplatin- or paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. In contrast, depletion
      of Pellino-1 decreased the survival of A549 and H1299 cells and sensitized these
      cells to cisplatin- and paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. Pellino-1 overexpression in
      A549 and H1299 cells upregulated the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP)
      proteins, including cIAP1 and cIAP2, while Pellino-1 depletion downregulated
      these molecules. Notably, Pellino-1 directly interacted with cIAP2 and stabilized
      cIAP2 through lysine63-mediated polyubiquitination via its E3 ligase activity.
      Pellino-1-mediated chemoresistance in lung cancer cells was dependent on the
      induction of cIAP2. Moreover, a strong positive correlation between Pellino-1 and
      the cIAP2 expression was observed in human lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Taken
      together, these results demonstrate that Pellino-1 contributes to lung
      oncogenesis through the overexpression of cIAP2 and promotion of cell survival
      and chemoresistance. Pellino-1 might be a novel oncogene and potential
      therapeutic target in lung cancer.

PMID- 27248821
TI  - Inhibition of ALK1 signaling with dalantercept combined with VEGFR TKI leads to
      tumor stasis in renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - Treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) with agents that block
      signaling through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) induces
      disease regression or stabilization in some patients; however, these responses
      tend to be short-lived. Therefore, development of combination therapies that can
      extend the efficacy of VEGFR antagonists in mRCC remains a priority.We studied
      murine xenograft models of RCC that become refractory to treatment with the VEGFR
      tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sunitinib. Dalantercept is a novel antagonist of
      Activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1)/Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 9
      signaling. Dalantercept inhibited growth in the murine A498 xenograft model which
      correlated with hyperdilation of the tumor vasculature and an increase in tumor
      hypoxia. When combined with sunitinib, dalantercept induced tumor necrosis and
      prevented tumor regrowth and revascularization typically seen with sunitinib
      monotherapy in two RCC models. Combination therapy led to significant
      downregulation of angiogenic genes as well as downregulation of endothelial
      specific gene expression particularly of the Notch signaling pathway. We
      demonstrate that simultaneous targeting of molecules that control distinct phases
      of angiogenesis, such as ALK1 and VEGFR, is a valid strategy for treatment of
      mRCC. At the molecular level, combination therapy leads to downregulation of
      Notch signaling.

PMID- 27248822
TI  - Viral oncomiR spreading between B and T cells is employed by Kaposi's sarcoma
      herpesvirus to induce non-cell-autonomous target gene regulation.
AB  - The two human lymphotrophic gamma-herpesviruses, Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus
      (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), are a recognized cause of human cancer,
      encoding multiple miRs that are major players in carcinogenesis. Previously, we
      discovered that EBV-encoded miRs transfer between infected B and T lymphocytes.
      To further explore the biological significance of the spreading of gamma
      herpesvirus-encoded miRs on carcinogenesis, we focused on KSHV-miR-K12-11 (miR
      K12-11) that is unique in having an identical seed sequence with the oncomiR hsa
      miR-155, implicated in B cell lymphomas development. Here, we show for the first
      time that miR-K12-11 transfers in vitro from KSHV-infected BCBL-1 and BC-1
      lymphoma lines to T cells. The transferred miR-K12-11 is active in the adopting T
      cells and binds its canonical target, the 3'-UTR of BACH1. Importantly, we show
      that the transfer of miR-K12-11 from BCBL-1 to Jurkat cells correlates with
      inhibition of the innate type-I interferons response to viral dsRNAs downstream
      of IKKepsilon, a validated miR-K12-11 target. Finally, we show that miR-K12-11
      spreading is not reduced by blocking the classical ceramide-dependent exosome
      secretion pathway. In summary, we report for the first time that intercellular
      viral oncomiR spreading is an additional mechanism employed by KSHV to inhibit
      host anti-viral immunity and consequently promote oncogenesis.

PMID- 27248823
TI  - TACC3 promotes colorectal cancer tumourigenesis and correlates with poor
      prognosis.
AB  - Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a malignant epithelial tumour with tremendous
      invasion and metastatic capacity. Transforming acidic coiled-coil protein-3
      (TACC3), a frequently aberrantly expressed oncogene, is an important biomarker in
      various human cancers. Our study aimed to investigate the expression and function
      of TACC3 in human CRC. We found that TACC3 was over-expressed at both the mRNA
      and protein levels in CRC cells and in biopsies of CRC tissues compared with
      normal controls as determined by qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemical
      (IHC) staining assays. IHC staining of samples from 161 patients with CRC also
      revealed that TACC3 expression was significantly correlated with clinical stage
      (P = 0.045), T classification (P = 0.029) and M classification (P = 0.020).
      Multivariate analysis indicated that high TACC3 expression was an independent
      prognostic marker for CRC. Patients who had high TACC3 expression had
      significantly poorer overall survival (OS, P = 0.023) and disease-free survival
      (DFS, P = 0.019) compared to patients who had low TACC3 expression. Furthermore,
      TACC3 knockdown attenuated CRC cell proliferation, colony formation capability,
      migration and invasion capability, and tumourigenesis in nude mice; these
      properties were measured using a real-time cell analyser (RTCA), clonogenicity
      analysis, and transwell and xenograft assays, respectively. These data indicate
      that TACC3 promotes CRC progression and could be an independent prognostic factor
      and a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

PMID- 27248824
TI  - Phospholipid scramblase 1 as a critical node at the crossroad between autophagy
      and apoptosis in mantle cell lymphoma.
AB  - Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive haematological malignancy in which
      the response to therapy can be limited by aberrantly activated molecular and
      cellular pathways, among which autophagy was recently listed. Our study shows
      that the 9-cis-retinoic acid (RA)/Interferon(IFN)-alpha combination induces
      protective autophagy in MCL cell lines and primary cultures reducing the extent
      of drug-induced apoptosis. The treatment significantly up-regulates phospholipid
      scramblase 1 (PLSCR1), a protein which bi-directionally flips lipids across
      membranes. In particular, RA/IFN-alpha combination concomitantly increases PLSCR1
      transcription and controls PLSCR1 protein levels via lysosomal degradation.
      Herein we describe a new function for PLSCR1 as negative regulator of autophagy.
      Indeed, PLSCR1 overexpression reduced MCL cell susceptibility to autophagy
      induced by RA/IFN-alpha, serum deprivation or mTOR pharmacological inhibition.
      Moreover, PLSCR1 can bind the ATG12/ATG5 complex preventing ATG16L1 recruitment
      and its full activation, as indicated by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. The
      combination of doxorubicin or bortezomib with RA/IFN-alpha strengthened PLSCR1 up
      regulation and enhanced apoptosis, as a likely consequence of the blockade of
      RA/IFN-alpha-induced autophagy. Immunohistochemical analysis of 32 MCL biopsies
      revealed heterogeneous expression of PLSCR1 and suggests its possible implication
      in the response to anticancer therapies, especially to drugs promoting protective
      autophagy.

PMID- 27248825
TI  - Survival-associated heterogeneity of marker-defined perivascular cells in
      colorectal cancer.
AB  - Perivascular cells (PC) were recently implied as regulators of metastasis and
      immune cell activity. Perivascular heterogeneity in clinical samples, and
      associations with other tumor features and outcome, remain largely unknown.Here
      we report a novel method for digital quantitative analyses of vessel
      characteristics and PC, which was applied to two collections of human metastatic
      colorectal cancer (mCRC).Initial analyses identified marker-defined subsets of
      PC, including cells expressing PDGFR-beta or alpha-SMA or both markers. PC
      subsets were largely independently expressed in a manner unrelated to vessel
      density and size. Association studies implied specific oncogenic mutations in
      malignant cells as determinants of PC status. Semi-quantitative and digital-image
      analyses-based scoring of the NORDIC-VII cohort identified significant
      associations between low expression of perivascular PDGFR-alpha and -beta and
      shorter overall survival. Analyses of the SPCRC cohort confirmed these findings.
      Perivascular PDGFR-alpha and -beta remained independent factors for survival in
      multivariate analyses.Overall, our study identified host vasculature and
      oncogenic status as determinants of tumor perivascular features. Perivascular
      PDGFR-alpha and -beta were identified as novel independent markers predicting
      survival in mCRC. The novel methodology should be suitable for similar analyses
      in other tumor collections.

PMID- 27248826
TI  - The inflammatory/cancer-related IL-6/STAT3/NF-kappaB positive feedback loop
      includes AUF1 and maintains the active state of breast myofibroblasts.
AB  - The IL-6/STAT3/NF-kappaB positive feedback loop links inflammation to cancer and
      maintains cells at a transformed state. Similarly, cancer-associated
      myofibroblats remains active even in absence of cancer cells. However, the
      molecular basis of this sustained active state remains elusive. We have shown
      here that breast cancer cells and IL-6 persistently activate breast stromal
      fibroblasts through the stimulation of the positive IL-6/STAT3/NF-kappaB feedback
      loop. Transient neutralization of IL-6 in culture inhibited this signaling
      circuit and reverted myofibrobalsts to a normalized state, suggesting the
      implication of the IL-6 autocrine feedback loop as well. Importantly, the IL
      6/STAT3/NF-kappaB pro-inflammatory circuit was also active in cancer-associated
      fibroblasts isolated from breast cancer patients. Transient inhibition of STAT3
      by specific siRNA in active fibroblasts persistently reduced the level of the RNA
      binding protein AUF1, blocked the loop and normalized these cells. Moreover, we
      present clear evidence that AUF1 is also part of this positive feedback loop.
      Interestingly, treatment of breast myofibroblasts with caffeine, which has been
      previously shown to persistently inhibit active breast stromal fibroblasts,
      blocked the positive feedback loop through potent and sustained inhibition of
      STAT3, AKT, lin28B and AUF1. These results indicate that the IL-6/STAT3/NF-kappaB
      positive feedback loop includes AUF1 and is responsible for the sustained active
      status of cancer-associated fibroblasts. We have also shown that normalizing
      myofibroblasts, which could be of great therapeutic value, is possible through
      the inhibition of this procarcinogenic circuit.

PMID- 27248827
TI  - Validation study for the hypothesis of internal mammary sentinel lymph node
      lymphatic drainage in breast cancer.
AB  - According to axilla sentinel lymph node lymphatic drainage pattern, we
      hypothesized that internal mammary sentinel lymph node (IM-SLN) receives
      lymphatic drainage from not only the primary tumor area, but also the entire
      breast parenchyma. Based on the hypothesis a modified radiotracer injection
      technique was established and could increase the visualization rate of the IM-SLN
      significantly. To verify the hypothesis, two kinds of tracers were injected at
      different sites of breast. The radiotracer was injected with the modified
      technique, and the fluorescence tracer was injected in the peritumoral intra
      parenchyma. The location of IM-SLN was identified by preoperative
      lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe. Then, internal mammary
      sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM-SLNB) was performed. The fluorescence status of IM
      SLN was identified by the fluorescence imaging system. A total of 216 patients
      were enrolled from September 2013 to July 2015. The overall visualization rate of
      IM-SLN was 71.8% (155/216). The success rate of IM-SLNB was 97.3% (145/149). The
      radiotracer and the fluorescence tracer were identified in the same IM-SLN in 127
      cases, the correlation and the agreement is significant (Case-base, rs=0.836,
      P<0.001; Kappa=0.823, P<0.001). Different tracers injected into the different
      sites of the intra-parenchyma reached the same IM-SLN, which demonstrates the
      hypothesis that IM-SLN receives the lymphatic drainage from not only the primary
      tumor area but also the entire breast parenchyma.

PMID- 27248829
TI  - Tetranuclear Zn/4f coordination clusters as highly efficient catalysts for
      Friedel-Crafts alkylation.
AB  - A series of custom-designed, high yield, isoskeletal tetranuclear Zn/4f
      coordination clusters showing high efficiency as catalysts with low catalytic
      loadings in Friedel-Crafts alkylation are described for the first time. The
      possibility of altering the 4f centers in these catalysts without altering the
      core topology allows us to further confirm their stability via EPR and NMR, as
      well to gain insights into the plausible reaction mechanism, showcasing the
      usefulness of these bimetallic systems as catalysts. 

PMID- 27248828
TI  - Long noncoding RNA CPS1-IT1 suppresses the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma
      by regulating HIF-1alpha activity and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition.
AB  - Recently, increasing numbers of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), with both
      oncogenic and tumor-suppressive potential, have been found to be aberrantly
      expressed in various human cancers. However, the function of lncRNAs in
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remains largely unknown. In this
      study, we performed a comprehensive microarray analysis of lncRNA expression
      using human HCC specimens. After validation in 119 human HCC tissues, we
      identified a novel tumor suppressor lncRNA, CPS1 intronic transcript 1 (CPS1
      IT1). To elucidate the clinical significance of CPS1-IT1 in HCC, correlations
      between CPS1-IT1 levels, clinical parameters, and survival outcomes were
      analyzed. In vitro and in vivo functional assays were also performed to dissect
      the potential underlying mechanisms. Expression of CPS1-IT1 was significantly
      decreased in 73% of HCC tissues, and patients with low CPS1-IT1 expression had
      poor survival outcomes. Furthermore, in vitro functional assays indicated that
      CPS1-IT1 significantly reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion
      capacities through reduced Hsp90 binding to and activation of HIF-1alpha, thereby
      suppressing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). An in vivo animal model
      also demonstrated the tumor suppressor role of CPS1- IT1 via decreased tumor
      growth and metastasis. In conclusion, lncRNA CPS1-IT1 acts as a tumor suppressor
      in HCC by reducing HIF-1alpha activation and suppressing EMT. The findings of
      this study establish a function for CPS1-IT1 in HCC progression and suggest its
      potential as a new prognostic biomarker and target for HCC therapy.

PMID- 27248830
TI  - Impacts of Climate Change on the Global Invasion Potential of the African Clawed
      Frog Xenopus laevis.
AB  - By altering or eliminating delicate ecological relationships, non-indigenous
      species are considered a major threat to biodiversity, as well as a driver of
      environmental change. Global climate change affects ecosystems and ecological
      communities, leading to changes in the phenology, geographic ranges, or
      population abundance of several species. Thus, predicting the impacts of global
      climate change on the current and future distribution of invasive species is an
      important subject in macroecological studies. The African clawed frog (Xenopus
      laevis), native to South Africa, possesses a strong invasion potential and
      populations have become established in numerous countries across four continents.
      The global invasion potential of X. laevis was assessed using correlative species
      distribution models (SDMs). SDMs were computed based on a comprehensive set of
      occurrence records covering South Africa, North America, South America and Europe
      and a set of nine environmental predictors. Models were built using both a
      maximum entropy model and an ensemble approach integrating eight algorithms. The
      future occurrence probabilities for X. laevis were subsequently computed using
      bioclimatic variables for 2070 following four different IPCC scenarios. Despite
      minor differences between the statistical approaches, both SDMs predict the
      future potential distribution of X. laevis, on a global scale, to decrease across
      all climate change scenarios. On a continental scale, both SDMs predict
      decreasing potential distributions in the species' native range in South Africa,
      as well as in the invaded areas in North and South America, and in Australia
      where the species has not been introduced. In contrast, both SDMs predict the
      potential range size to expand in Europe. Our results suggest that all
      probability classes will be equally affected by climate change. New regional
      conditions may promote new invasions or the spread of established invasive
      populations, especially in France and Great Britain. 

PMID- 27248831
TI  - Some Behaviorial Science Measurement Concerns and Proposals.
AB  - Primarily from a measurement standpoint, we question some basic beliefs and
      procedures characterizing the scientific study of human behavior. The relations
      between observed and unobserved variables are key to an empirical approach to
      building explanatory theories and we are especially concerned about how the
      former are used as proxies for the latter. We believe that behavioral science can
      profitably reconsider the prevailing version of this arrangement because of its
      vulnerability to limiting idiosyncratic aspects of observed/unobserved variable
      relations. We describe a general measurement approach that takes into account
      idiosyncrasies that should be irrelevant to the measurement process but can
      intrude and may invalidate it in ways that distort and weaken relations among
      theoretically important variables. To clarify further our major concerns, we
      briefly describe one version of the measurement approach that fundamentally
      supports the individual as the primary unit of analysis orientation that we
      believe should be preeminent in the scientific study of human behavior. 

PMID- 27248832
TI  - Resistive Switching in All-Oxide Ferroelectric Tunnel Junctions with Ionic
      Interfaces.
AB  - Universal, giant and nonvolatile resistive switching is demonstrated for oxide
      tunnel junctions with ferroelectric PbZr0.2 Ti0.8 O3 , ferroelectric BaTiO3, and
      paraelectric SrTiO3 tunnel barriers. The effects are caused by reversible
      migration of oxygen vacancies between the tunnel barrier and bottom La2/3 Sr1/3
      MnO3 electrode. The switching process, which is driven by large electric fields,
      is efficient down to a temperature of 5 K. 

PMID- 27248833
TI  - Identification of an anti-inflammatory potential of Eriodictyon angustifolium
      compounds in human gingival fibroblasts.
AB  - Polyphenol-rich plant extracts have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory
      activity against oral pathogen-induced cytokine release in model systems of
      inflammation. Here, it was hypothesized that a flavanone-rich extract of E.
      angustifolium exhibits an anti-inflammatory potential against endotoxin-induced
      inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1). HGF-1 cells were
      stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis (pg-LPS) to
      release pro-inflammatory cytokines. Concentrations of interleukins IL-6 and IL-8
      and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 in the incubation media upon stimulation
      were determined by means of magnetic bead analysis. A crude ethanol/water extract
      of E. angustifolium (EE) was fractionated via gel permeation chromatography into
      a flavanone-rich fraction (FF) and an erionic acid-rich fraction (EF). Individual
      flavanones and erionic acids as well as EE, EF and FF were tested in the pg-LPS
      stimulated HGF-1 cells for their anti-inflammatory potential. The E.
      angustifolium extract possessed anti-inflammatory potential in this model system,
      attenuating the pg-LPS-induced release of IL-6 by up to 52.0 +/- 15.5%. Of the
      individual flavanones, eriodictyol and naringenin had the most pronounced effect.
      However, a mixture of the flavanones did not possess the same effect as the
      entire flavanoid fraction, indicating that other compounds may contribute to the
      anti-inflammatory potential of E. angustifolium. For the first time, an anti
      inflammatory potential of E. angustifolium and containing erionic acids has been
      determined. 

PMID- 27248834
TI  - Talk the Walk: Does Socio-Cognitive Resource Reallocation Facilitate the
      Development of Walking?
AB  - Walking is of interest to psychology, robotics, zoology, neuroscience and
      medicine. Human's ability to walk on two feet is considered to be one of the
      defining characteristics of hominoid evolution. Evolutionary science propses that
      it emerged in response to limited environmental resources; yet the processes
      supporting its emergence are not fully understood. Developmental psychology
      research suggests that walking elicits cognitive advancements. We postulate that
      the relationship between cognitive development and walking is a bi-directional
      one; and further suggest that the initiation of novel capacities, such as
      walking, is related to internal socio-cognitive resource reallocation. We shed
      light on these notions by exploring infants' cognitive and socio-communicative
      outputs prospectively from 6-18 months of age. Structured bi/tri weekly
      evaluations of symbolic and verbal development were employed in an urban cohort
      (N = 9) for 12 months, during the transition from crawling to walking. Results
      show links between preemptive cognitive changes in socio-communicative output,
      symbolic-cognitive tool-use processes, and the age of emergence of walking. Plots
      of use rates of lower symbolic play levels before and after emergence of new
      skills illustrate reductions in use of previously attained key behaviors prior to
      emergence of higher symbolic play, language and walking. Further, individual
      differences in age of walking initiation were strongly related to the degree of
      reductions in complexity of object-use (r = .832, p < .005), along with
      increases, counter to the general reduction trend, in skills that serve
      recruitment of external resources [socio-communication bids before speech (r = 
      .696, p < .01), and speech bids before walking; r = .729, p < .01)]. Integration
      of these proactive changes using a computational approach yielded an even
      stronger link, underscoring internal resource reallocation as a facilitator of
      walking initiation (r = .901, p<0.001). These preliminary data suggest that
      representational capacities, symbolic object use, language and social
      developments, form an integrated adaptable composite, which possibly enables
      proactive internal resource reallocation, designed to support the emergence of
      new developmental milestones, such as walking. 

PMID- 27248835
TI  - Ecosystem Alterations and Species Range Shifts: An Atlantic-Mediterranean
      Cephalaspidean Gastropod in an Inland Egyptian Lake.
AB  - The eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean marine Cephalaspidea gastropod Haminoea
      orbignyana was collected from Lake Qarun (Fayoum, Egypt), a landlocked lake that
      has undergone a shift from freshwater to estuarine conditions in the past 100
      years. Species identity was confirmed by both morphological (anatomical
      dissection and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular methods (COI gene
      phylogeny). Observations suggested a robust population of H. orbignyana in the
      lake with a density of ca. 64 individuals/m2 and ca. 105 egg masses/m2 during
      surveys conducted in the summer of 2013. The vast majority of snails and egg
      masses were found under rocks. Observations of egg masses in the lab showed a
      gradual change from whitish to yellow-green as the eggs matured and the release
      of veliger larvae alone after about a week. Although adult cephalaspideans
      readily consumed filamentous red and green algae, and cyanobacteria, laboratory
      trials showed that they consumed significantly more of the red alga Ceramium sp.,
      than of the green alga Cladophora glomerata, with consumption of Oscillatoria
      margaritifera being similar to those on the two algae. When grown on these
      resources for 16 days, H. orbignyana maintained their mass on the rhodophyte and
      cyanobacterium, but not in starvation controls. No cephalaspideans grew over the
      course of this experiment. Lake Qarun has been periodically restocked with
      Mediterranean fishes and prawns since the 1920s to maintain local fisheries,
      which represents a possible route of colonization for H. orbignyana. Yet, based
      on literature records, it seems more likely that invasion of the lake by this
      gastropod species has occurred only within the last 20 years. As human activities
      redistribute species through direct and indirect means, the structure of the
      community of this inland lake has become unpredictable and the long-term effects
      of these recent introductions are unknown. 

PMID- 27248836
TI  - Cholinesterase inhibitor (Altenuene) from an endophytic fungus Alternaria
      alternata: optimization, purification and characterization.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study was to screen endophytic fungi isolated from Vinca
      rosea for their potential to produce acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors.
      METHOD AND RESULTS: Endophytic fungi isolated from V. rosea (Catharanthus
      roseus), were screened for AChE inhibitor production using Ellman's method.
      Maximum inhibition against AChE (78%) was observed in an isolate VS-10,
      identified to be Alternaria alternata on morphological and molecular basis. The
      isolate also inhibited butyrylcholinesterase (73%). Significant increase (1.3
      fold) was achieved after optimization of process parameters using one variable at
      time approach. The inhibitor was purified using chromatographic techniques. The
      structure elucidation of the inhibitor was carried out using spectroscopic
      techniques and was identified to be 'altenuene'. The purified inhibitor possessed
      antioxidant potential as revealed by dot blot assay. The insecticidal potential
      of purified inhibitor was evaluated by feeding Spodoptora litura on diet amended
      with inhibitor. It evinced significant larval mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Endophytic
      A. alternata can serve as a source of dual cholinesterase inhibitor 'altenuene'
      with significant antioxidant and insecticidal activity. This is the first report
      on acetylcholinestearse inhibitory activity of altenuene. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT
      OF THE STUDY: Alternaria alternata has the potential to produce a dual ChE
      inhibitor with antioxidant activity useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative
      disorders and in agriculture as biocontrol agent.

PMID- 27248837
TI  - Tachykinin-Related Peptides Share a G Protein-Coupled Receptor with Ion Transport
      Peptide-Like in the Silkworm Bombyx mori.
AB  - Recently, we identified an orphan Bombyx mori neuropeptide G protein-coupled
      receptor (BNGR)-A24 as an ion transport peptide-like (ITPL) receptor. BNGR-A24
      belongs to the same clade as BNGR-A32 and -A33, which were recently identified as
      natalisin receptors. Since these three BNGRs share high similarities with known
      receptors for tachykinin-related peptides (TRPs), we examined whether these BNGRs
      can function as physiological receptors for five endogenous B. mori TRPs (TK-1
      5). In a heterologous expression system, BNGR-A24 acted as a receptor for all
      five TRPs. In contrast, BNGR-A32 responded only to TK-5, and BNGR-A33 did not
      respond to any of the TRPs. These findings are consistent with recent studies on
      the ligand preferences for B. mori natalisins. Furthermore, we evaluated whether
      the binding of ITPL and TRPs to BNGR-A24 is competitive by using a Ca2+ imaging
      assay. Concomitant addition of a TRP receptor antagonist, spantide I, reduced the
      responses of BNGR-A24 not only to TK-4 but also to ITPL. The results of a binding
      assay using fluorescent-labeled BNGR-A24 and ligands demonstrated that the
      binding of ITPL to BNGR-A24 was inhibited by TK-4 as well as by spantide I, and
      vice versa. In addition, the ITPL-induced increase in cGMP levels of BNGR-A24
      expressing BmN cells was suppressed by the addition of excess TK-4 or spantide I.
      The intracellular levels of cAMP and cGMP, as second messenger candidates of the
      TRP signaling, were not altered by the five TRPs, suggesting that these peptides
      act via different signaling pathways from cAMP and cGMP signaling at least in BmN
      cells. Taken together, the present findings suggest that ITPL and TRPs are
      endogenous orthosteric ligands of BNGR-A24 that may activate discrete signaling
      pathways. This receptor, which shares orthosteric ligands, may constitute an
      important model for studying ligand-biased signaling. 

PMID- 27248839
TI  - Synergy between Two Metal Catalysts: A Highly Active Silica-Supported Bimetallic
      W/Zr Catalyst for Metathesis of n-Decane.
AB  - A well-defined, silica-supported bimetallic precatalyst [=Si-O-W(Me)5=Si-O
      Zr(Np)3] (4) has been synthesized for the first time by successively grafting two
      organometallic complexes [W(Me)6 (1) followed by ZrNp4 (2)] on a single silica
      support. Surprisingly, multiple-quantum NMR characterization demonstrates that W
      and Zr species are in close proximity to each other. Hydrogenation of this
      bimetallic catalyst at room temperature showed the easy formation of zirconium
      hydride, probably facilitated by tungsten hydride which was formed at this
      temperature. This bimetallic W/Zr hydride precatalyst proved to be more efficient
      (TON = 1436) than the monometallic W hydride (TON = 650) in the metathesis of n
      decane at 150  degrees C. This synergy between Zr and W suggests that the slow
      step of alkane metathesis is the C-H bond activation that occurs on Zr. The
      produced olefin resulting from a beta-H elimination undergoes easy metathesis on
      W.

PMID- 27248838
TI  - Effect of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of halitosis in adolescents - a
      controlled, microbiological, clinical trial.
AB  - Halitosis can exert a negative influence on the social relations of adolescents
      and affect one's self-image. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical
      and microbiological effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on
      halitosis in adolescents. Forty-six individuals aged 12 to 19 years were randomly
      allocated: Group 1 - treatment with photodynamic therapy; Group 2 - treatment
      with a tongue scraper and Group 3 - treatment with a tongue scraper and
      photodynamic therapy. The count of bacterial colony-forming units per milliliter
      was used for the microbiological analysis. Statistical analysis involved the
      Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test. ANOVA was used for
      the determination of colony-forming units after treatment. The level of
      significance for all statistical tests was 5% (p < 0.05). After treatment, a
      statistically significant reduction in total volatile sulfur compounds was found
      in all groups (p < 0.001), with the largest reduction (median: 0) found in Group
      3 (tongue scraper and photodynamic therapy). Moreover, a statistically
      significant difference was found between treatment with aPDT and a tongue scraper
      alone (p < 0.001). The present findings demonstrate an option for the treatment
      of halitosis in adolescents, with an immediate effect and without the mechanical
      aggression to the toungue. Clinical Trials: NCT02007993.

PMID- 27248840
TI  - Quality Assessment of Urinary Stone Analysis: Results of a Multicenter Study of
      Laboratories in Europe.
AB  - After stone removal, accurate analysis of urinary stone composition is the most
      crucial laboratory diagnostic procedure for the treatment and recurrence
      prevention in the stone-forming patient. The most common techniques for routine
      analysis of stones are infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and chemical
      analysis. The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of urinary stone
      analysis of laboratories in Europe. Nine laboratories from eight European
      countries participated in six quality control surveys for urinary calculi
      analyses of the Reference Institute for Bioanalytics, Bonn, Germany, between 2010
      and 2014. Each participant received the same blinded test samples for stone
      analysis. A total of 24 samples, comprising pure substances and mixtures of two
      or three components, were analysed. The evaluation of the quality of the
      laboratory in the present study was based on the attainment of 75% of the maximum
      total points, i.e. 99 points. The methods of stone analysis used were infrared
      spectroscopy (n = 7), chemical analysis (n = 1) and X-ray diffraction (n = 1). In
      the present study only 56% of the laboratories, four using infrared spectroscopy
      and one using X-ray diffraction, fulfilled the quality requirements. According to
      the current standard, chemical analysis is considered to be insufficient for
      stone analysis, whereas infrared spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction is mandatory.
      However, the poor results of infrared spectroscopy highlight the importance of
      equipment, reference spectra and qualification of the staff for an accurate
      analysis of stone composition. Regular quality control is essential in carrying
      out routine stone analysis. 

PMID- 27248841
TI  - Hydrolytic Activation Kinetics of the Herbicide Benzobicyclon in Simulated
      Aquatic Systems.
AB  - Herbicide resistance is a growing concern for weeds in California rice fields.
      Benzobicyclon (BZB; 3-(2-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl)-2
      phenylthiobicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-4-one) has proven successful against resistant
      rice field weeds in Asia. A pro-herbicide, BZB forms the active agent,
      benzobicyclon hydrolysate (BH), in water; however, the transformation kinetics
      are not understood for aquatic systems, particularly flooded California rice
      fields. A quantitative experiment was performed to assess the primary mechanism
      and kinetics of BZB hydrolysis to BH. Complete conversion to BH was observed for
      all treatments. Basic conditions (pH 9) enhanced the reaction, with half-lives
      ranging from 5 to 28 h. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) hindered transformation,
      which is consistent with other base-catalyzed hydrolysis reactions. BH was
      relatively hydrolytically stable, with 18% maximum loss after 5 days. Results
      indicate BZB is an efficient pro-herbicide under aqueous conditions such as those
      of a California rice field, although application may be best suited for fields
      with recirculating tailwater systems. 

PMID- 27248842
TI  - Evaluation of Representations and Response Models for Polarizable Force Fields.
AB  - For classical simulations of condensed-phase systems, such as organic liquids and
      biomolecules, to achieve high accuracy, they will probably need to incorporate an
      accurate, efficient model of conformation-dependent electronic polarization.
      Thus, it is of interest to understand what determines the accuracy of a
      polarizable electrostatics model. This study approaches this problem by breaking
      polarization models down into two main components: the representation of
      electronic polarization and the response model used for mapping from an inducing
      field to the polarization within the chosen representation. Among the most common
      polarization representations are redistribution of atom-centered charges, such as
      those used in the fluctuating charge model, and atom-centered point dipoles, such
      as those used in a number of different polarization models. Each of these
      representations has been combined with one or more response models. The response
      model of fluctuating charge, for example, is based on the idea of
      electronegativity equalization in the context of changing electrostatic
      potentials (ESPs), whereas point-dipole representations typically use a response
      model based on point polarizabilities whose induced dipoles are computed based on
      interaction with other charges and dipoles. Here, we decouple polarization
      representations from their typical response models to analyze the strengths and
      weaknesses of various polarization approximations. First, we compare the maximal
      possible accuracies achievable by the charge redistribution and point-dipole
      model representations, by testing their ability to replicate quantum mechanical
      (QM) ESPs around small molecules polarized by external inducing charges. Perhaps
      not surprisingly, the atom-centered dipole model can yield higher accuracy. Next,
      we test two of the most commonly used response functions used for the point
      dipole representations, self-consistent and direct (or first-order) inducible
      point polarizabilities, where the polarizabilities are optimized to best fit the
      full set of polarized QM potentials for each molecule studied. Strikingly, the
      induced-dipole response model markedly degrades accuracy relative to that
      obtainable with optimal point dipoles. In fact, the maximal accuracy achievable
      with this response model is even lower than that afforded by an optimal charge
      redistribution representation. This means that, if coupled with a sufficiently
      accurate response function, the point-charge representation could outperform the
      standard induced-dipole model. Furthermore, although a key advantage of the point
      dipole representation, relative to charge redistribution, is its ability to
      capture out-of-plane polarization, the inducible dipole response model causes it
      to be less accurate than optimal charge redistribution for out-of-plane induction
      of the planar nitrobenzene molecule. Thus, the widely used inducible dipole
      response function falls short of the full potential accuracy achievable with the
      point-dipole representation it employs. Additional results reported here bear on
      the relative accuracy of self-consistent inducible dipoles versus that of the
      first-order, or direct, approximation and on methods for assigning partial atomic
      charges for use in conjunction with inducible dipole models. In sum, these
      results point to the improvement of polarization response models as an important
      direction for future research aimed at improving the accuracy of molecular
      simulations.

PMID- 27248843
TI  - Care staff training based on person-centered care and dementia care mapping, and
      its effects on the quality of life of nursing home residents with dementia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of care staff training based on person-centered
      care (PCC) and dementia care mapping (DCM) on the quality of life (QOL) of
      residents with dementia in a nursing home. METHODS: An intervention of staff
      training based on PCC and DCM was conducted with 40 care staff members at a
      geriatric nursing home. The effects of the staff training on the QOL of residents
      with dementia were evaluated by the DCM measurements of 40 residents with
      dementia three times at about one-month intervals (first, baseline; second, pre
      intervention; third, post-intervention). RESULTS: The well-being and ill-being
      values (WIB values) of the residents with dementia measured by DCM were not
      different between the first and second rounds before the staff training (p =
      0.211). Meanwhile, the WIB values increased from the first and second rounds to
      the third post-intervention round (p = 0.035 and p < 0.001, respectively); over
      50% of the residents had better WIB values. The behavior category 'interactions
      with others' in DCM also demonstrated a significant increase in the third round
      compared to the first round (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Staff training based on PCC
      and DCM could effectively improve the QOL of residents with dementia.

PMID- 27248844
TI  - Transcriptome profiling of patient derived xenograft models established from
      pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients confirm maintenance of FLT3-ITD
      mutation.

PMID- 27248845
TI  - Oncologic outcomes of patients with positive margins after laser cordectomy for
      T1 and T2 glottic squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The oncologic impact of surgical margins after transoral laser
      microsurgery (TLM) for T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma is controversial. The purpose
      of this study was to assess the prognostic value of margin status in terms of
      local control. METHODS: Records of 266 patients treated from 1990 to 2013 were
      evaluated. Patients with previous cordectomy or without preoperative CT scan were
      excluded from the study. RESULTS: A total 110 patients (85 T1a, 8 T1b, and 17 T2)
      were enrolled. A local recurrence was observed in 23 patients. Five-year disease
      free survival was significantly impaired in patients with positive margins (p =
      .009) and in patients with deep involvement of the vocal muscle (p = .004).
      CONCLUSION: The present study shows that invaded margin is a factor of poor local
      control even though laser vaporization was systematically applied after
      resection. In case of deep vocal fold involvement, TLM should be extended beyond
      the vocal muscle to improve local control. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head
      Neck 38: 1804-1809, 2016.

PMID- 27248846
TI  - From the Editor-in-Chief's Desk.

PMID- 27248847
TI  - Conventional methanotrophs are responsible for atmospheric methane oxidation in
      paddy soils.
AB  - Soils serve as the biological sink of the potent greenhouse gas methane with
      exceptionally low concentrations of ~1.84 p.p.m.v. in the atmosphere. The as-yet
      uncultivated methane-consuming bacteria have long been proposed to be responsible
      for this 'high-affinity' methane oxidation (HAMO). Here we show an emerging HAMO
      activity arising from conventional methanotrophs in paddy soil. HAMO activity was
      quickly induced during the low-affinity oxidation of high-concentration methane.
      Activity was lost gradually over 2 weeks, but could be repeatedly regained by
      flush-feeding the soil with elevated methane. The induction of HAMO activity
      occurred only after the rapid growth of methanotrophic populations, and a
      metatranscriptome-wide association study suggests that the concurrent high- and
      low-affinity methane oxidation was catalysed by known methanotrophs rather than
      by the proposed novel atmospheric methane oxidizers. These results provide
      evidence of atmospheric methane uptake in periodically drained ecosystems that
      are typically considered to be a source of atmospheric methane.

PMID- 27248848
TI  - Effect of continuous ultrasonic irrigation on postoperative pain in mandibular
      molars with nonvital pulps: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate via a randomized clinical trial the effect of continuous
      ultrasonic irrigation (CUI) on postoperative pain in mandibular molars with
      nonvital pulps. METHODOLOGY: Seventy mandibular molars with nonvital pulps and
      apical periodontitis were treated endodontically using two different irrigation
      techniques. The patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups, CUI (n =
      35) and syringe irrigation (SI) (n = 35). The CUI group received irrigant
      activation using a Proultra Piezoflow ultrasonic needle as the final irrigation
      protocol, whilst in the SI group, the final irrigation was performed using 27
      gauge needle. All the patients were prescribed ibuprofen 400 mg to be taken every
      8 h, if required. Postoperative pain using a visual analog scale and analgesic
      intake were recorded everyday for 7 days. Data were analysed using chi-Square,
      Mann-Whitney and multiple linear regression tests. RESULTS: Mean postoperative
      pain was lower in the CUI as compared to SI group, but the difference was
      significant on the first day only (P = 0.032). The overall 24-h pain prevalence
      was 41.4%. CUI had a lower incidence of pain (31.4%) as compared to the SI group
      (51.4%), but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). No significant
      difference was observed in analgesic consumption between the groups (P > 0.05).
      Regression analysis revealed a significant association of mean postoperative pain
      at 24 h with the irrigant protocol (P = 0.017) and preoperative pain (P = 0.000).
      CONCLUSION: A significant difference was observed between CUI and syringe
      irrigation on the first postoperative day following chemo-mechanical preparation.
      However, the benefit observed was not clinically relevant.

PMID- 27248849
TI  - Longitudinal, label-free, quantitative tracking of cell death and viability in a
      3D tumor model with OCT.
AB  - Three-dimensional in vitro tumor models are highly useful tools for studying
      tumor growth and treatment response of malignancies such as ovarian cancer.
      Existing viability and treatment assessment assays, however, face shortcomings
      when applied to these large, complex, and heterogeneous culture systems. Optical
      coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, label-free, optical imaging
      technique that can visualize live cells and tissues over time with subcellular
      resolution and millimeters of optical penetration depth. Here, we show that OCT
      is capable of carrying out high-content, longitudinal assays of 3D culture
      treatment response. We demonstrate the usage and capability of OCT for the
      dynamic monitoring of individual and combination therapeutic regimens in vitro,
      including both chemotherapy drugs and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for ovarian
      cancer. OCT was validated against the standard LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity
      Assay in small tumor spheroid cultures, showing excellent correlation with
      existing standards. Importantly, OCT was shown to be capable of evaluating 3D
      spheroid treatment response even when traditional viability assays failed. OCT 3D
      viability imaging revealed synergy between PDT and the standard-of-care
      chemotherapeutic carboplatin that evolved over time. We believe the efficacy and
      accuracy of OCT in vitro drug screening will greatly contribute to the field of
      cancer treatment and therapy evaluation.

PMID- 27248850
TI  - Estrogen-Based Therapies and Depression in Women Who Naturally Enter Menopause
      Before Population Average.

PMID- 27248852
TI  - Left Displacement of the Abomasum in 4 Beef Calves.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the occurrence rate, underlying etiology or
      treatment of left displacement of the abomasum in beef calves. OBJECTIVE:
      Describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of left displacement
      of the abomasum in 4 beef calves. ANIMALS: Four client-owned beef breed calves
      with left displaced abomasum (LDA). METHODS: Retrospective case series. Hospital
      medical records were reviewed to identify all beef breed cattle under the age of
      6 months diagnosed with LDA. RESULTS: Four beef calves were treated for left
      displacement of the abomasum. All four had a history of decreased appetite and
      left-sided abdominal distention. Two had recently been treated for necrotic
      laryngitis and one was being treated for clostridial abomasitis. Ultrasonography
      confirmed the abomasum to be displaced between the rumen and the left body wall
      in all calves. The calves were initially treated by rolling to correct the
      abomasal displacement. The abomasum redisplaced in 3 of 4 calves within 1 hour to
      6 days; 1 calf developed a mesenteric volvulus. A right paramedian abomasopexy
      was performed in all cases. Three of 4 calves grew well and remained in the herd
      6-18 months later; 1 calf was euthanized because of complications associated with
      necrotic laryngitis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Left displacement of
      the abomasum should be considered as a differential diagnosis for beef calves
      with abdominal distention. Concurrent necrotic laryngitis can increase the risk
      of abomasal displacement in beef calves. Treatment should include surgical
      correction as rolling is not curative and might be associated with mesenteric
      volvulus.

PMID- 27248851
TI  - Worldwide Phylogenetic Distributions and Population Dynamics of the Genus
      Histoplasma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Histoplasma capsulatum comprises a worldwide complex of saprobiotic
      fungi mainly found in nitrogen/phosphate (often bird guano) enriched soils. The
      microconidia of Histoplasma species may be inhaled by mammalian hosts, and is
      followed by a rapid conversion to yeast that can persist in host tissues causing
      histoplasmosis, a deep pulmonary/systemic mycosis. Histoplasma capsulatum sensu
      lato is a complex of at least eight clades geographically distributed as follows:
      Australia, Netherlands, Eurasia, North American classes 1 and 2 (NAm 1 and NAm
      2), Latin American groups A and B (LAm A and LAm B) and Africa. With the
      exception of the Eurasian cluster, those clades are considered phylogenetic
      species. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Increased Histoplasma sampling (n = 234)
      resulted in the revision of the phylogenetic distribution and population
      structure using 1,563 aligned nucleotides from four protein-coding regions. The
      LAm B clade appears to be divided into at least two highly supported clades,
      which are geographically restricted to either Colombia/Argentina or Brazil
      respectively. Moreover, a complex population genetic structure was identified
      within LAm A clade supporting multiple monophylogenetic species, which could be
      driven by rapid host or environmental adaptation (~0.5 MYA). We found two
      divergent clades, which include Latin American isolates (newly named as LAm A1
      and LAm A2), harboring a cryptic cluster in association with bats.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: At least six new phylogenetic species are proposed in
      the Histoplasma species complex supported by different phylogenetic and
      population genetics methods, comprising LAm A1, LAm A2, LAm B1, LAm B2, RJ and
      BAC-1 phylogenetic species. The genetic isolation of Histoplasma could be a
      result of differential dispersion potential of naturally infected bats and other
      mammals. In addition, the present study guides isolate selection for future
      population genomics and genome wide association studies in this important
      pathogen complex.

PMID- 27248853
TI  - Risk of Neurological Insult in Competitive Deep Breath-Hold Diving.
AB  - CONTEXT: It has been widely believed that tissue nitrogen uptake from the lungs
      during breath-hold diving would be insufficient to cause decompression stress in
      humans. With competitive free diving, however, diving depths have been ever
      increasing over the past decades. METHODS: A case is presented of a competitive
      free-diving athlete who suffered stroke-like symptoms after surfacing from his
      last dive of a series of 3 deep breath-hold dives. A literature and Web search
      was performed to screen for similar cases of subjects with serious neurological
      symptoms after deep breath-hold dives. CASE DETAILS: A previously healthy 31-y
      old athlete experienced right-sided motor weakness and difficulty speaking
      immediately after surfacing from a breathhold dive to a depth of 100 m. He had
      performed 2 preceding breath-hold dives to that depth with surface intervals of
      only 15 min. The presentation of symptoms and neuroimaging findings supported a
      clinical diagnosis of stroke. Three more cases of neurological insults were
      retrieved by literature and Web search; in all cases the athletes presented with
      stroke-like symptoms after single breath-hold dives of depths exceeding 100 m.
      Two of these cases only had a short delay to recompression treatment and
      completely recovered from the insult. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights the
      possibility of neurological insult, eg, stroke, due to cerebral arterial gas
      embolism as a consequence of decompression stress after deep breath-hold dives.
      Thus, stroke as a clinical presentation of cerebral arterial gas embolism should
      be considered another risk of extreme breath-hold diving.

PMID- 27248854
TI  - Indicators of HIV-risk resilience among men who have sex with men: a content
      analysis of online profiles.
AB  - Background: HIV-risk resilience, or positive adaptation in the face of risk, is
      increasingly being recognised as an important characteristic among men who have
      sex with men (MSM). However, resilience in the context of online partner seeking
      remains underexplored among MSM. Methods: Using content analysis methodology,
      this study operationalised indicators of HIV-risk resilience in the profiles of
      933 MSM using a sexual networking website. HIV-risk resilience included endorsing
      foreplay only (non-penetrative sex) or a versatile sexual position; being "out"
      (e.g. disclosed sexual orientation), having a profile photo, seeking friendship,
      seeking a relationship, serosorting, not endorsing alcohol or drug use, safer
      sexual adventurism (e.g. role playing, bondage), and safer sex. Results: The
      majority of men were between 18 and 35 years old (76.0%) and 73.3% were
      racial/ethnic minorities. The mean number of resilience components endorsed was
      5.2 (s.d. = 1.5; range 0-9). Nearly half (48.0%) reported being "out" and 68.7%
      had a profile photo. The majority of men were seeking relationships (66.5%)
      and/or friendships (69.7%), were sexually versatile (53.3%), and preferred safer
      sex only (76.3%). The majority did not endorse drug use (82.0%) and 25.4% did not
      endorse alcohol use. Nearly one-quarter (21.4%) endorsed sexual adventurism and
      2.5% were serosorting by partner's HIV negative status. Conclusion: HIV-risk
      resilience may be common among MSM using sexual networking websites and may
      manifest in safer sex intentions. Rather than exclusively focusing on sexual risk
      reduction, health promotion efforts targeting MSM online should acknowledge,
      measure, and leverage existent HIV-risk resilience strategies in this group.

PMID- 27248855
TI  - Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage for perforated diverticulitis: are we any further
      forward?

PMID- 27248856
TI  - Pseudo 1-D Micro/Nanofluidic Device for Exact Electrokinetic Responses.
AB  - Conventionally, a 1-D micro/nanofluidic device, whose nanochannel bridged two
      microchannels, was widely chosen in the fundamental electrokinetic studies;
      however, the configuration had intrinsic limitations of the time-consuming and
      labor intensive tasks of filling and flushing the microchannel due to the high
      fluidic resistance of the nanochannel bridge. In this work, a pseudo 1-D
      micro/nanofluidic device incorporating air valves at each microchannel was
      proposed for mitigating these limitations. High Laplace pressure formed at
      liquid/air interface inside the microchannels played as a virtual valve only when
      the electrokinetic operations were conducted. The identical electrokinetic
      behaviors of the propagation of ion concentration polarization layer and current
      voltage responses were obtained in comparison with the conventional 1-D
      micro/nanofluidic device by both experiments and numerical simulations.
      Therefore, the suggested pseudo 1-D micro/nanofluidic device owned not only
      experimental conveniences but also exact electrokinetic responses.

PMID- 27248857
TI  - Monitoring conformational heterogeneity of the lid of DnaK substrate-binding
      domain during its chaperone cycle.
AB  - DnaK or Hsp70 of Escherichia coli is a master regulator of the bacterial
      proteostasis network. Allosteric communication between the two functional domains
      of DnaK, the N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and the C-terminal
      substrate- or peptide-binding domain (SBD) regulate its activity. X-ray
      crystallography and NMR studies have provided snapshots of distinct conformations
      of Hsp70 proteins in various physiological states; however, the conformational
      heterogeneity and dynamics of allostery-driven Hsp70 activity remains
      underexplored. In this work, we employed single-molecule Forster resonance energy
      transfer (sm-FRET) measurements to capture distinct intradomain conformational
      states of a region within the DnaK-SBD known as the lid. Our data conclusively
      demonstrate prominent conformational heterogeneity of the DnaK lid in ADP-bound
      states; in contrast, the ATP-bound open conformations are homogeneous.
      Interestingly, a nonhydrolysable ATP analogue, AMP-PNP, imparts heterogeneity to
      the lid conformations mimicking the ADP-bound state. The cochaperone DnaJ confers
      ADP-like heterogeneous lid conformations to DnaK, although the presence of the
      cochaperone accelerates the substrate-binding rate by a hitherto unknown
      mechanism. Irrespective of the presence of DnaJ, binding of a peptide substrate
      to the DnaK-SBD leads to prominent lid closure. Lid closure is only partial upon
      binding to molten globule-like authentic cellular substrates, probably to
      accommodate non-native substrate proteins of varied structures.

PMID- 27248858
TI  - Excess free histone H3 localizes to centrosomes for proteasome-mediated
      degradation during mitosis in metazoans.
AB  - The cell tightly controls histone protein levels in order to achieve proper
      packaging of the genome into chromatin, while avoiding the deleterious
      consequences of excess free histones. Our accompanying study has shown that a
      histone modification that loosens the intrinsic structure of the nucleosome,
      phosphorylation of histone H3 on threonine 118 (H3 T118ph), exists on centromeres
      and chromosome arms during mitosis. Here, we show that H3 T118ph localizes to
      centrosomes in humans, flies, and worms during all stages of mitosis. H3
      abundance at the centrosome increased upon proteasome inhibition, suggesting that
      excess free histone H3 localizes to centrosomes for degradation during mitosis.
      In agreement, we find ubiquitinated H3 specifically during mitosis and within
      purified centrosomes. These results suggest that targeting of histone H3 to the
      centrosome for proteasome-mediated degradation is a novel pathway for controlling
      histone supply, specifically during mitosis.

PMID- 27248859
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of screening for DPYD polymorphisms to prevent neutropenia in
      cancer patients treated with fluoropyrimidines.
AB  - AIM: To compare the cost of screening for three mutations in the
      dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene and the costs of treating severe
      fluoropyrimidine-induced neutropenia. MATERIALS & METHODS: The polymorphisms
      rs3918290 (DPYD*2A), rs67376798 (DPYD 2846A>T) and rs55886062 (1679T>G, DPYD*13)
      were genotyped using real-time PCR, TaqMan probes and a rapid cell lysis to
      provide PCR-ready DNA. RESULTS: We found that genotyping 1000 patients in our
      center cost ?6400 and that the mean cost of treating severe neutropenia was
      ?3044. Therefore, if severe fluoropyrimidine-induced neutropenia is reduced by
      genotyping the three DPYD variations in at least 2.21 cases per 1000 treated
      patients, then DPYD genotyping will prove cost effective. CONCLUSION: We
      demonstrated that real-time DPYD genotyping using TaqMan probes is cost effective
      in all fluoropyrimidine-based treatments.

PMID- 27248860
TI  - Electronic and Molecular Structure of the Transient Radical Photocatalyst Mn(CO)5
      and Its Parent Compound Mn2(CO)10.
AB  - We present a time-resolved X-ray spectroscopic study of the structural and
      electronic rearrangements of the photocatalyst Mn2(CO)10 upon photocleavage of
      the metal-metal bond. Our study of the manganese K-edge fine structure reveals
      details of both the molecular structure and valence charge distribution of the
      photodissociated radical product. Transient X-ray absorption spectra of the
      formation of the Mn(CO)5 radical demonstrate surprisingly small structural
      modifications between the parent molecule and the resulting two identical
      manganese monomers. Small modifications of the local valence charge distribution
      are decisive for the catalytic activity of the radical product. The spectral
      changes reflect altered hybridization of metal-3d, metal-4p, and ligand-2p
      orbitals, particularly loss of interligand interaction, accompanied by the
      necessary spin transition due to radical formation. The spectral changes in the
      manganese pre- and main-edge region are well-reproduced by time-dependent density
      functional theory and ab initio multiple scattering calculations. 

PMID- 27248861
TI  - Electrochemical pore filling strategy for controlled growth of magnetic and
      metallic nanowire arrays with large area uniformity.
AB  - While a variety of template-based strategies have been developed in the
      fabrication of nanowires (NWs), a uniform pore filling across the template still
      poses a major challenge. Here, we present a large area controlled pore filling
      strategy in the reproducible fabrication of various magnetic and metallic NW
      arrays, embedded inside anodic aluminum oxide templates. Using a diffusive pulsed
      electrodeposition (DPED) technique, this versatile strategy relies on the
      optimized filling of branched nanopores at the bottom of templates with Cu.
      Serving the Cu filled nanopores as appropriate nucleation sites, the DPED is
      followed by a uniform and homogeneous deposition of magnetic (Ni and Fe) and
      metallic (Cu and Zn) NWs at a current density of 50 mA cm-2 for an optimal
      thickness of alumina barrier layer (~18 nm). Our strategy provides large area
      uniformity (exceeding 400 MUm2) in the fabrication of 16 MUm long free-standing
      NW arrays. Using hysteresis loop measurements and scanning electron microscopy
      images, the electrodeposition efficiency (EE) and pore filling percentage (F p)
      are evaluated, leading to maximum EE and F p values of 91% and 95% for Ni and Zn,
      respectively. Moreover, the resulting NW arrays are found to be highly
      crystalline. Accordingly, the DPED technique is capable of cheaply and
      efficiently controlling NW growth over a large area, providing a tool for various
      nanoscale applications including biomedical devices, electronics, photonics,
      magnetic storage medium and nanomagnet computing.

PMID- 27248862
TI  - How do Dutch GPs address work-related problems? A focus group study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, there is a lack of knowledge about general
      practitioners' (GPs) perception of their role regarding patients' occupation and
      work related problems (WRP). As work and health are closely related, and patients
      expect help from their GPs in this area, a better understanding is needed of GPs'
      motivation to address WRP. OBJECTIVES: To explore GPs' opinions on their role in
      the area of work and health. METHODS: This is a qualitative study using three
      focus groups with Dutch GPs from the catchment area of a hospital in the
      Southeast of the Netherlands. The group was heterogeneous in characteristics such
      as sex, age, and practice setting. Three focus groups were convened with 18 GPs.
      The moderator used an interview guide. Two researchers analysed verbatim
      transcripts using constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: We distinguished three
      items: (a) work context in a GP's integrated consultation style; (b) counselling
      about sick leave; (c) cooperation with occupational physicians (OPs). The
      participants are willing to address the topic and counsel about sick leave. They
      consider WRP in patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) challenging.
      They tend to advise these patients to continue working as they think this will
      ultimately benefit them. CONCLUSION: The participating GPs seemed well aware of
      the relation between work and health but need more knowledge, communication
      skills and better cooperation with occupational physicians to manage work-related
      problems. [Box: see text].

PMID- 27248905
TI  - Gentiopicroside and sweroside from Veratrilla baillonii Franch. induce
      phosphorylation of Akt and suppress Pck1 expression in hepatoma cells.
AB  - The use of phytochemicals and herbal medicines has accompanied human history.
      Advances in modern biomedical sciences have allowed us to investigate the
      functional mechanisms of herbal medicines and phytochemicals. Veratrilla
      baillonii Franch. has long been used as a medicinal herb in southwestern China.
      Here, we analyzed the effects of an ethanol extract from V. baillonii (VBFE) on
      the expression levels of the cytosolic form of the phosphoenolpyruvate
      carboxykinase gene (Pck1) mRNA and components of the insulin signalling cascade
      in HL1C hepatoma cells. Compared with the insulin control, VBFE treatment
      inhibited the expression of Pck1 mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. This was
      associated with the phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 in a time-dependent manner.
      Further analysis of the purified components of VBFE indicated that
      gentiopicroside and sweroside from VBFE, alone and in combination, suppressed
      Pck1 expression and induced Akt and Erk1/2 phosphorylation. In conclusion,
      gentiopicroside and sweroside suppress Pck1 expression and induce phosphorylation
      of components in the insulin signalling cascade. This is the first study to
      demonstrate that gentiopicroside and sweroside show insulin-mimicking effects on
      the regulation of Pck1 expression. Further studies are warranted to explore the
      potential of gentiopicroside and sweroside in the control of blood glucose in
      animals.

PMID- 27248906
TI  - Deep Sequencing of Cell-Free Peripheral Blood DNA as a Reliable Method for
      Confirming the Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Demonstrating the presence of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-specific
      molecular abnormalities can aid in diagnosis and patient management. We explored
      the potential of using peripheral blood (PB) cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) and next
      generation sequencing (NGS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed NGS on a panel
      of 14 target genes using total nucleic acid extracted from the plasma of 16
      patients, all of whom had confirmed diagnoses for early MDS with blasts <5%. PB
      cellular DNA from the same patients was sequenced using conventional Sanger
      sequencing and NGS. RESULTS: Deep sequencing of the cf-DNA identified one or more
      mutated gene(s), confirming the diagnosis of MDS in all cases. Five samples (31%)
      showed abnormalities in cf-DNA by NGS that were not detected by Sanger sequencing
      on cellular PB DNA. NGS of PB cell DNA showed the same findings as those of cf
      DNA in four of five patients, but failed to show a mutation in the RUNX1 gene
      that was detected in one patient's cf-DNA. Mutant allele frequency was
      significantly higher in cf-DNA compared with cellular DNA (p = 0.008).
      CONCLUSION: These data suggest that cf-DNA when analyzed using NGS is a reliable
      approach for detecting molecular abnormalities in MDS and should be used to
      determine if bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are necessary.

PMID- 27248908
TI  - TxCell.

PMID- 27248907
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of alternative colonoscopy surveillance strategies to mitigate
      metachronous colorectal cancer incidence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of metachronous colorectal cancer (MCRC) among
      colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors varies significantly, and the optimal
      colonoscopy surveillance practice for mitigating MCRC incidence is unknown.
      METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis was used to compare the performances of
      the US Multi-Society Task Force guideline and all clinically reasonable
      colonoscopy surveillance strategies for 50- to 79-year-old posttreatment CRC
      patients with a computer simulation model. RESULTS: The US guideline [(1,3,5)]
      recommends the first colonoscopy 1 year after treatment, whereas the second and
      third colonoscopies are to be repeated at 3- and 5-year intervals. Some promising
      alternative cost-effective strategies were identified. In comparison with the US
      guideline, under various scenarios for a 20-year period, 1) reducing the
      surveillance interval of the guideline after the first colonoscopy by 1 year
      [(1,2,5)] would save up to 78 discounted life-years (LYs) and prevent 23 MCRCs
      per 1000 patients (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio [ICER] <= $23,270/LY), 2)
      reducing the intervals after the first and second negative colonoscopies by 1
      year [(1,2,4)] would save/prevent up to 109 discounted LYs and 36 MCRCs (ICER <=
      $52,155/LY), and 3) reducing the surveillance intervals after the first and
      second negative colonoscopy by 1 and 2 years [(1,2,3)] would save/prevent up to
      141 discounted LYs and 50 MCRCs (ICER <= $63,822/LY). These strategies would
      require up to 1100 additional colonoscopies per 1000 patients. Although the US
      guideline might not be cost-effective in comparison with a less intensive
      oncology guideline [(3,3,5); the ICER could be as high as $140,000/LY], the
      promising strategies would be cost-effective in comparison with such less
      intensive guidelines unless the cumulative MCRC incidence were very low.
      CONCLUSIONS: The US guideline might be improved by a slight increase in the
      surveillance intensity at the expense of moderately increased cost. More research
      is warranted to explore the benefits/harms of such practices. Cancer
      2016;122:2560-70. (c) 2016 American Cancer Society.

PMID- 27248966
TI  - Complexation Behavior of the Tri-n-butyl Phosphate Ligand with Pu(IV) and Zr(IV):
      A Computational Study.
AB  - Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), used as the extractant in nuclear fuel reprocessing,
      shows superior extraction abilities for Pu(IV) over a large number of fission
      products including Zr(IV). We have applied density functional theory (DFT)
      calculations to explain this selectivity by investigating differences in
      electronic structures of Pu(NO3)4.2TBP and Zr(NO3)4.2TBP complexes. On the basis
      of our quantum chemical calculations, we have established the lowest energy
      electronic states for both complexes; the quintet is the ground state for the
      former, whereas the latter exists in the singlet spin state. The calculated
      structural parameters for the optimized geometry of the plutonium complex are in
      agreement with the experimental results. Atoms in Molecules analysis revealed a
      considerable amount of ionic character to M-O{TBP} and M-O{NO3} bonds.
      Additionally, we have also investigated the extraction behavior of TBP for metal
      nitrates and have estimated the extraction energies to be -73.1 and -57.6
      kcal/mol for Pu(IV) and Zr(IV), respectively. The large extraction energy of
      Pu(IV) system is in agreement with the observed selectivity in the extraction of
      Pu. 

PMID- 27248975
TI  - Hepatic Angiomyolipoma Versus Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Noncirrhotic Liver
      on Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced MRI: A Diagnostic Challenge.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe the imaging characteristics
      of hepatic angiomyolipoma (AML) on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and to identify
      imaging features that are helpful for differentiating it from hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) in a noncirrhotic liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively identified 18 patients with pathologically proven hepatic AMLs
      who had undergone gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI between 2008 and 2012. We randomly
      chose 36 patients with noncirrhotic liver who had a single HCC diagnosed
      radiologically during the same period. None of the HCCs was of the fibrolamellar
      variant. Two readers reviewed images in consensus to assess the lesion size, the
      presence of fat, signal intensity characteristics, enhancement profile, early
      draining veins, intratumoral vessels, and tumor capsules. The tumor-to-liver
      contrast ratios were measured. These features and the measurements were compared
      between the two groups. RESULTS: AMLs are more commonly found in women (83.3%),
      whereas HCCs are more common in men (75%) (p < 0.01). The size of AMLs (3.4 cm)
      and HCCs (4.3 cm) did not differ significantly. Intratumoral fat was identified
      in both AMLs (50.0%) and HCCs (30.6%). The dynamic enhancement profile (arterial
      hypervascularity and hypointensity during the delayed phase) was similar
      qualitatively and quantitatively except for the portal phase. AMLs and HCCs
      differed significantly with regard to isointensity on DWI (16.7% vs 0.0%; p =
      0.03), washout in the portal phase (61.1% vs 88.9%; p = 0.03), early draining
      veins (27.8% vs 2.8%; p = 0.01), intratumoral vessels (55.6% vs 22.2%; p = 0.03),
      and presence of capsule (11.1% vs 50.0%; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: On gadoxetic acid
      enhanced MRI of noncirrhotic liver, AML is often indistinguishable from HCC on
      the basis of the enhancement profiles. Female sex and some imaging features
      including DWI could facilitate the differentiation.

PMID- 27248976
TI  - An audit of the predictors of outcome in status epilepticus from a resource-poor
      country: a comparison with developed countries.
AB  - Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency with significant morbidity and
      mortality. This study describes the clinical profile, treatment, and predictors
      of outcome of status epilepticus in a tertiary referral centre in a developing
      country and aims to highlight the similarities and differences from data
      available from the western world. A retrospective analysis of data of patients
      treated for status epilepticus was conducted from prospectively maintained
      records, between January 2000 and September 2010. The demographic data, clinical
      profile and investigations (including neuroimaging and EEG), aetiology,
      treatment, and outcomes were studied and compared with data available from the
      western world. The analysis included 108 events in 84 patients. A single episode
      of status epilepticus was treated in 72 patients (86%) and multiple status
      epilepticus events, ranging from two to six per patient, were managed in 12
      patients (14%). Mean age was 24.1+/-20.3 years and 63% were males. The types of
      status epilepticus included convulsive status in 98 (90.7%), non-convulsive
      status in seven (6.5%), and myoclonic status in three (2.8%). The majority of
      events (60%) were remote symptomatic, 16% were acute symptomatic, 16% were of
      unexplained aetiology, and 8% were progressive symptomatic. In 85 events (79%),
      status epilepticus could be aborted with first and second-line drugs. The
      remaining 23 events (21%) progressed to refractory status epilepticus, among
      which, 13 (56%) were controlled with continuous intravenous midazolam infusion.
      Case fatality rate was 11%, neurological sequelae were reported in 22%, and 67%
      returned to baseline. Acute symptomatic status, older age, altered sensorium at
      the time of admission, and delayed hospitalisation were predictors of poor
      outcome. Aetiology was the most important determinant of outcome of status
      epilepticus, as in reports from the western world, with remote symptomatic
      aetiology secondary to gliosis being the most common. Treatment delay was
      frequent and adversely affected the outcome. 

PMID- 27248977
TI  - Lower birth rate in patients with total hip replacement.
AB  - Background and purpose - There have been few studies on the effect of THR on
      pregnancy or delivery, and they have mainly been based on small and regional
      data. We evaluated the birth rate nationwide in patients of fertile age with THR.
      Patients and methods - This nationwide population-based cohort study was based on
      registry data on 5,863 Finnish THR patients who had undergone a THR between 1985
      and 2006, and who were aged 15-45 years (females) or 15-50 years (males) at the
      time of THR. The matched reference cohort consisted of 17,575 sex- and age
      matched individuals (3 for each patient) who were alive and resident in Finland
      at the time of the patient's THR. Birth rate and Cox hazard ratios (HRs) with 95%
      CI for live births were calculated. Results - The birth rate after THR was
      approximately 20-60% lower in the male and female patient groups than in the
      reference individuals. The probability of having a live birth after THR was lower
      in female patients than in reference individuals, in all but the oldest age group
      (40-45 years). The same phenomenon was seen in male patients in all but the
      youngest age group (15-19 years). Adjustment for potential confounders increased
      the probability of THR patients having a live birth compared to reference
      individuals, but the birth rate was still clearly reduced (in men, adjusted HR
      =0.80, 95% CI: 0.69-0.92; in women, adjusted HR =0.56, 95% CI: 0.46-0.68).
      Interpretation - THR has a substantial effect on the birth rate of offspring, in
      both women and men. THR patients had a lower birth rate and probability of having
      a child after surgery, even after taking possible confounders into account. 

PMID- 27248978
TI  - Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a persistent concern and
      include surgical site infections, intravascular line-associated infections,
      pneumonia, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and C. difficile
      infection. METHOD: Review of the pertinent English-language literature. RESULTS:
      Hospital-acquired infections result in significant increases in morbidity,
      mortality rates, and cost and are a focus of efforts at reduction. CONCLUSION: I
      discuss efforts specific to each of the most common infections and a
      philosophical approach to prevention that strives to achieve zero potentially
      preventable hospital-acquired infections.

PMID- 27248979
TI  - Enhancement of Wound Healing by Non-Thermal N2/Ar Micro-Plasma Exposure in Mice
      with Fractional-CO2-Laser-Induced Wounds.
AB  - Micro-plasma is a possible alternative treatment for wound management. The effect
      of micro-plasma on wound healing depends on its composition and temperature. The
      authors previously developed a capillary-tube-based micro-plasma system that can
      generate micro-plasma with a high nitric oxide-containing species composition and
      mild working temperature. Here, the efficacy of micro-plasma treatment on wound
      healing in a laser-induced skin wound mouse model was investigated. A partial
      thickness wound was created in the back skin of each mouse and then treated with
      micro-plasma. Non-invasive methods, namely wound closure kinetics, optical
      coherence tomography (OCT), and laser Doppler scanning, were used to measure the
      healing efficiency in the wound area. Neo-tissue growth and the expressions of
      matrix metallopeptidase-3 (MMP-3) and laminin in the wound area were assessed
      using histological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. The results show that
      micro-plasma treatment promoted wound healing. Micro-plasma treatment
      significantly reduced the wound bed region. The OCT images and histological
      analysis indicates more pronounced tissue regrowth in the wound bed region after
      micro-plasma treatment. The laser Doppler images shows that micro-plasma
      treatment promoted blood flow in the wound bed region. The IHC results show that
      the level of laminin increased in the wound bed region after micro-plasma
      treatment, whereas the level of MMP-3 decreased. Based on these results, micro
      plasma has potential to be used to promote the healing of skin wounds clinically.

PMID- 27248980
TI  - Sustainable conversion of agriculture wastes into activated carbons: energy
      balance and arsenic removal from water.
AB  - The aims of this study are to investigate the production of activated carbons
      (AC) from Senegal agricultural wastes such as cashew shells, millet stalks and
      rice husks and to implement them in adsorption processes devoted to arsenic (V)
      removal. AC were produced by a direct physical activation with water steam
      without other chemicals. This production of AC has also led to co-products (gas
      and bio-oil) which have been characterized in terms of physical, chemical and
      thermodynamical properties for energy recovery. Considering the arsenic
      adsorption results and the energy balance for the three studied biomasses, the
      first results have shown that the millet stalks seem to be more interesting for
      arsenate removal from natural water and an energy recovery with a GEEelec of
      18.9%. Cashew shells, which have shown the best energy recovery (34.3%), are not
      suitable for arsenate removal. This global approach is original and contributes
      to a recycling of biowastes with a joint recovery of energy and material.

PMID- 27248981
TI  - Outstanding Antibiofilm Features of Quanta-CuO Film on Glass Surface.
AB  - Intelligently designed surface nanoarchitecture provides defined control over the
      behavior of cells and biomolecules at the solid-liquid interface. In this study,
      CuO quantum dots (quanta-CuO; ~3-5 nm) were synthesized by a simple, low
      temperature solution process and further formulated as paint to construct quanta
      CuO thin film on glass. Surface morphological characterizations of the as-coated
      glass surface reveal a uniform film thickness (~120 +/- 10 nm) with homogeneous
      distribution of quanta-CuO. The antibiofilm assay showed a very high contact
      bacteria-killing capacity of as-coated quanta-CuO glass surfaces toward
      Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This efficient
      antibacterial/antibiofilm activity was ascribed to the intracellular reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) generated by the quanta-CuO attached to the bacterial cells,
      which leads to an oxidative assault and finally results in bacterial cell death.
      Although there is a significant debate regarding the CuO nanostructure's
      antibacterial mode of action, we propose both contact killing and/or copper ion
      release killing mechanisms for the antibiofilm activity of quanta-CuO paint.
      Moreover, synergism of quanta-CuO with conventional antibiotics was also found to
      further enhance the antibacterial efficacy of commonly used antibiotics.
      Collectively, this state-of-the-art design of quanta-CuO coated glass can be
      envisioned as promising candidates for various biomedical and environmental
      device coatings. 

PMID- 27248982
TI  - Robust and stretchable indium gallium zinc oxide-based electronic textiles formed
      by cilia-assisted transfer printing.
AB  - Electronic textile (e-textile) allows for high-end wearable electronic devices
      that provide easy access for carrying, handling and using. However, the related
      technology does not seem to be mature because the woven fabric hampers not only
      the device fabrication process directly on the complex surface but also the
      transfer printing of ultrathin planar electronic devices. Here we report an
      indirect method that enables conformal wrapping of surface with arbitrary yet
      complex shapes. Artificial cilia are introduced in the periphery of electronic
      devices as adhesive elements. The cilia also play an important role in confining
      a small amount of glue and damping mechanical stress to maintain robust
      electronic performance under mechanical deformation. The example of electronic
      applications depicts the feasibility of cilia for 'stick-&-play' systems, which
      provide electronic functions by transfer printing on unconventional complex
      surfaces.

PMID- 27248983
TI  - The putative oncogene CPI-17 is up-regulated in schwannoma.

PMID- 27248984
TI  - An Approach to Characterizing the Complicated Sequential Metabolism of
      Salidroside in Rats.
AB  - Metabolic study of bioactive compounds that undergo a dynamic and sequential
      process of metabolism is still a great challenge. Salidroside, one of the most
      active ingredients of Rhodiola crenulata, can be metabolized in different sites
      before being absorbed into the systemic blood stream. This study proposed an
      approach for describing the sequential biotransformation process of salidroside
      based on comparative analysis. In vitro incubation, in situ closed-loop and in
      vivo blood sampling were used to determine the relative contribution of each site
      to the total metabolism of salidroside. The results showed that salidroside was
      stable in digestive juice, and it was metabolized primarily by the liver and the
      intestinal flora and to a lesser extent by the gut wall. The sequential
      metabolism method described in this study could be a general approach to
      characterizing the metabolic routes in the digestive system for natural products.

PMID- 27248985
TI  - Molecular Genetic Characterization of an Anthrabenzoxocinones Gene Cluster in
      Streptomyces Sp. FJS31-2 for the Biosynthesis of BE-24566B and Zunyimycin Ale.
AB  - Genome mining is an effective tool used to discover novel natural products from
      actinomycetes. Genome sequence analysis of Streptomyces sp. FJS31-2 revealed the
      presence of one putative type II polyketide gene cluster (ABX), which may
      correspond to type II polyketide products including BE-24566B and its chloro
      derivatives. The addition of natural humus acid successfully activated the
      biosynthsis of the abx gene cluster. BE-24566B and its chloro-derivatives, named
      zunyimycin A, were also detected. The targeted deletion of the polyketide
      skeleton synthesis genes such as abxp, abxk, and abxs was performed in the wild
      strain to identify the gene cluster for BE-24566B biosynthesis. 

PMID- 27248986
TI  - Clematichinenoside (AR) Attenuates Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced H9c2
      Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis via a Mitochondria-Mediated Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Mitochondria-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis is involved in myocardial
      ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Clematichinenoside (AR) is a triterpenoid
      saponin isolated from the roots of Clematis chinensis with antioxidant and anti
      inflammatory cardioprotection effects against MI/R injury, yet the anti-apoptotic
      effect and underlying mechanisms of AR in MI/R injury remain unclear. We
      hypothesize that AR may improve mitochondrial function to inhibit MI/R-induced
      cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In this study, we replicated an in vitro H9c2
      cardiomyocyte MI/R model by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment. The viability
      of H9c2 cardiomyocytes was determined by MTT assay; apoptosis was evaluated by
      flow cytometry and TUNEL experiments; mitochondrial permeability transition pore
      (mPTP) opening was analyzed by a calcein-cobalt quenching method; and
      mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) was detected by JC-1. Moreover, we
      used western blots to determine the mitochondrial cytochrome c translocation to
      cytosolic and the expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax proteins. These results
      showed that the application of AR decreased the ratio of apoptosis and the extent
      of mPTP opening, but increased DeltaPsim. AR also inhibited H/R-induced release
      of mitochondrial cytochrome c and decreased the expression of the caspase-3, Bax
      proteins. Conversely, it remarkably increased the expression of Bcl-2 protein.
      Taken together, these results revealed that AR protects H9c2 cardiomyocytes
      against H/R-induced apoptosis through mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic signaling
      pathway. 

PMID- 27248987
TI  - Antioxidative and Antidiabetic Effects of Natural Polyphenols and Isoflavones.
AB  - Many polyphenols that contain more than two phenolic hydroxyl groups are natural
      antioxidants and can provide health benefits to humans. These polyphenols
      include, for example, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, catechin, chlorogenic acids,
      hesperidin, nobiletin, and isoflavones. These have been studied widely because of
      their strong radical-scavenging and antioxidative effects. These effects may
      contribute to the prevention of diseases, such as diabetes. Insulin secretion,
      insulin resistance, and homeostasis are important factors in the onset of
      diabetes, a disease that is associated with dysfunction of pancreatic beta-cells.
      Oxidative stress is thought to contribute to this dysfunction and the effects of
      antioxidants on the pathogenesis of diabetes have, therefore, been investigated.
      Here, we summarize the antioxidative effects of polyphenols from the perspective
      of their radical-scavenging activities as well as their effects on signal
      transduction pathways. We also describe the preventative effects of polyphenols
      on diabetes by referring to recent studies including those reported by us.
      Appropriate analytical approaches for evaluating antioxidants in studies on the
      prevention of diabetes are comprehensively reviewed. 

PMID- 27248988
TI  - Significant Improvement of Metabolic Characteristics and Bioactivities of
      Clopidogrel and Analogs by Selective Deuteration.
AB  - In the search for prodrug analogs of clopidogrel with improved metabolic
      characteristics and antiplatelet bioactivity, a group of clopidogrel and vicagrel
      analogs selectively deuterated at the benzylic methyl ester group were
      synthesized, characterized, and evaluated. The compounds included clopidogrel-d3
      (8), 2-oxoclopidogrel-d3 (9), vicagrel-d3 (10a), and 12 vicagrel-d3 analogs (10b
      10m) with different alkyl groups in the thiophene ester moiety. The D3C-O bond
      length in 10a was shown by X-ray single crystal diffraction to be shorter than
      the H3C-O bond length in clopidogrel, consistent with the slower rate of
      hydrolysis of 8 than of clopidogrel in rat whole blood in vitro. A study of the
      ability of the compounds to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation in fresh rat
      whole blood collected 2 h after oral dosing of rats with the compounds (7.8
      MUmol/kg) showed that deuteration increased the activity of clopidogrel and that
      increasing the size of the alkyl group in the thiophene ester moiety reduced
      activity. A preliminary pharmacokinetic study comparing 10a with vicagrel
      administered simultaneously as single oral doses (72 MUmol/kg of each drug) to
      male Wistar rats showed 10a generated more of its active metabolite than
      vicagrel. These results suggest that 10a is a potentially superior antiplatelet
      agent with improved metabolic characteristics and bioactivity, and less dose
      related toxicity. 

PMID- 27248989
TI  - Purification, Characterization and Biological Activity of Polysaccharides from
      Dendrobium officinale.
AB  - Polysaccharide (DOPA) from the stem of D. officinale, as well as two fractions
      (DOPA-1 and DOPA-2) of it, were isolated and purified by DEAE cellulose-52 and
      Sephacryl S-300 chromatography, and their structural characteristics and
      bioactivities were investigated. The average molecular weights of DOPA-1 and DOPA
      2 were 394 kDa and 362 kDa, respectively. They were mainly composed of d-mannose,
      d-glucose, and had a backbone consisting of 1,4-linked beta-d-Manp and 1,4-linked
      beta-d-Glcp with O-acetyl groups. Bioactivity studies indicated that both DOPA
      and its purified fractions (DOPA-1 and DOPA-2) could activate splenocytes and
      macrophages. The D. officinale polysaccharides had stimulatory effects on
      splenocytes, T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes, promoting the cell viability and NO
      production of RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, DOPA, DOPA-1 and DOPA-2 were
      found to protect RAW 264.7 macrophages against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced
      oxidative injury by promoting cell viability, suppressing apoptosis and
      ameliorating oxidative lesions. These results suggested that D. officinale
      polysaccharides possessed antioxidant activity and mild immunostimulatory
      activity. 

PMID- 27248990
TI  - The Effect of New Thiophene-Derived Aminophosphonic Derivatives on Growth of
      Terrestrial Plants: A Seedling Emergence and Growth Test.
AB  - The aim of this work was to synthesize selected thiophene-derived aminophosphonic
      systems and evaluate the phytotoxicity of newly obtained products according to
      the OECD 208 Guideline. Seven new thiophene-derived N-substituted dimethyl
      aminomethylphosphonic acid esters 2a-h were synthesized by the addition of an
      appropriate phosphite to azomethine bond of starting Schiff bases 1a-h, and NMR
      spectroscopic properties of aminophosphonates were investigated. These eight
      compounds were analyzed in regard to their phytotoxicity towards two plants,
      radish (Raphanus sativus) and oat (Avena sativa). On the basis of the obtained
      results, it was found that tested aminophosphonates 2a-h showed an
      ecotoxicological impact against selected plants, albeit to various degrees. 

PMID- 27248991
TI  - A Deoxyuridine-Based Far-Red Emitting Viscosity Sensor.
AB  - A novel deoxyuridine (dU) benzothiazolium (BZ) derivative, referred to as dU-BZ,
      is reported that was synthesized via Sonogashira coupling reaction methodology.
      The deoxyuridine building block was introduced to enhance hydrophilicity, while
      an alkynylated benzothiazolium dye was incorporated for long wavelength
      absorption to reduce potential phototoxicity that is characteristic of using UV
      light to excite common fluorphores, better discriminate from native
      autofluorescence, and potentially facilitate deep tissue imaging. An impressive
      30-fold enhancement of fluorescence intensity of dU-BZ was achieved upon
      increasing viscosity. Fluorescence quantum yields in 99% glycerol/1% methanol
      (v/v) solution as a function of temperature (293-343 K), together with viscosity
      dependent fluorescence lifetimes and radiative and non-radiative rate constants
      in glycerol/methanol solutions (ranging from 4.8 to 950 cP) were determined. Both
      fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes increased with increased viscosity,
      consistent with results predicted by theory. This suggests that the newly
      designed compound, dU-BZ, is capable of functioning as a probe of local
      microviscosity, an aspect examined by in vitro bioimaging experiments. 

PMID- 27248992
TI  - The Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (Rubiaceae): A Review on Phytochemistry,
      Pharmacology, Quality Control and Pharmacokinetics.
AB  - Hedyotis diffusa Willd (H. diffusa) is a well-known Chinese medicine with a
      variety of activities, especially its anti-cancer effect in the clinic. Up to
      now, 171 compounds have been reported from H. diffusa, including 32 iridoids, 26
      flavonoids, 24 anthraquinones, 26 phenolics and their derivatives, 50 volatile
      oils and 13 miscellaneous compounds. In vitro and in vivo studies show these
      phytochemicals and plant extracts to exhibit a range of pharmacological
      activities of anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibroblast,
      immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects. Although a series of methods have
      been established for the quality control of H. diffusa, a feasible and reliable
      approach is still needed in consideration of its botanical origin, collecting
      time and bioactive effects. Meanwhile, more pharmacokinetics researches are
      needed to illustrate the characteristics of H. diffusa in vivo. The present
      review aims to provide up-to-date and comprehensive information on the
      phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and pharmacokinetic characteristics
      of H. diffusa for its clinical use and further development. 

PMID- 27248993
TI  - Metabolic Profile Changes of CCl4-Liver Fibrosis and Inhibitory Effects of Jiaqi
      Ganxian Granule.
AB  - Jiaqi Ganxian Granule (JGG) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine, which has
      been long used in clinical practice for treating liver fibrosis. However, the
      mechanism underlying its anti-hepatic fibrosis is still not clear. In this study,
      an Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC
      TOF-MS)-based metabolomics strategy was used to profile the metabolic
      characteristic of serum obtained from a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced
      hepatic fibrosis model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with JGG treatment. Through
      Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis
      (PLS-DA), it was shown that metabolic perturbations induced by CCl4 were
      inhibited after treatment of JGG, for 17 different metabolites related to CCl4.
      Among these compounds, the change tendency of eight potential drug targets was
      restored after the intervention with JGG. The current study indicates that JGG
      has a significant anti-fibrosis effect on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats,
      which might be by regulating the dysfunction of sphingolipid metabolism,
      glycerophospholipid metabolism, N-acylethanolamine biosynthesis, fat digestion
      and absorption, while glycerophospholipid metabolism played vital roles in the
      inhibitory effects of JGG on hepatic fibrosis according to Metabolic Pathway
      Analysis (MetPA). Our findings indicated that the metabolomics approach may
      provide a useful tool for exploring potential biomarkers involved in hepatic
      fibrosis and elucidate the mechanisms underlying the action of therapies used in
      traditional Chinese medicine. 

PMID- 27248994
TI  - Trans-Fatty Acids Aggravate Obesity, Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis in
      C57BL/6 Mice, Possibly by Suppressing the IRS1 Dependent Pathway.
AB  - Trans-fatty acid consumption has been reported as a risk factor for metabolic
      disorders and targeted organ damages. Nonetheless, little is known about the
      roles and mechanisms of trans-fatty acids in obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and
      hepatic steatosis. Adult C57BL/6 male mice were fed with four different diets for
      20 weeks: normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HFD), low trans-fatty acids diet (LTD)
      and high trans-fatty acid diet (HTD). The diet-induced metabolic disorders were
      assessed by evaluating body weight, glucose tolerance test, hepatic steatosis and
      plasma lipid profiles post 20-week diet. Histological (H&E, Oil-Red-O) staining
      and western blot analysis were employed to assess liver steatosis and potential
      signaling pathways. After 20-weeks of diet, the body weights of the four groups
      were 29.61 +/- 1.89 g (ND), 39.04 +/- 4.27 g (HFD), 34.09 +/- 2.62 g (LTD) and
      43.78 +/- 4.27 g (HTD) (p < 0.05), respectively. HFD intake significantly
      impaired glucose tolerance, which was impaired further in the mice consuming the
      HTD diet. The effect was further exacerbated by HTD diet. Moreover, the HTD group
      exhibited significantly more severe liver steatosis compared with HFD group
      possibly through regulating adipose triglyceride lipase. The group consuming the
      HTD also exhibited significantly reduced levels of IRS1, phosphor-PKC and
      phosphor-AKT. These results support our hypothesis that consumption of a diet
      high in trans-fatty acids induces higher rates of obesity, IR and hepatic
      steatosis in male C57BL/6 mice, possibly by suppressing the IRS1dependent
      pathway. 

PMID- 27248995
TI  - Recent Advances in Developing Small Molecules Targeting Nucleic Acid.
AB  - Nucleic acids participate in a large number of biological processes. However,
      current approaches for small molecules targeting protein are incompatible with
      nucleic acids. On the other hand, the lack of crystallization of nucleic acid is
      the limiting factor for nucleic acid drug design. Because of the improvements in
      crystallization in recent years, a great many structures of nucleic acids have
      been reported, providing basic information for nucleic acid drug discovery. This
      review focuses on the discovery and development of small molecules targeting
      nucleic acids. 

PMID- 27248996
TI  - Hereditary Predispositions to Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
AB  - Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous clonal hematopoietic disorders
      characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, bone marrow dysplasia, and peripheral
      cytopenias. Familial forms of MDS have traditionally been considered rare,
      especially in adults; however, the increasing availability of somatic and
      germline genetic analyses has identified multiple susceptibility loci. Bone
      marrow failure syndromes have been well-described in the pediatric setting, e.g.,
      Fanconi anemia (FA), dyskeratosis congenita (DC), Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA),
      and Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SBS), hallmarked by clinically-recognizable
      phenotypes (e.g., radial ray anomalies in FA) and significantly increased risks
      for MDS and/or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the setting of bone marrow
      failure. However, additional families with multiple cases of MDS or AML have long
      been reported in the medical literature with little known regarding potential
      hereditary etiologies. Over the last decade, genomic investigation of such
      families has revealed multiple genes conferring inherited risks for MDS and/or
      AML as the primary malignancy, including RUNX1, ANKRD26, DDX41, ETV6, GATA2, and
      SRP72. As these syndromes are increasingly appreciated in even apparently de novo
      presentations of MDS, it is important for hematologists/oncologists to become
      familiar with these newly-described syndromes. Herein, we provide a review of
      familial MDS syndromes and practical aspects of management in patients with
      predisposition syndromes. 

PMID- 27248997
TI  - Follicle Loss and Apoptosis in Cyclophosphamide-Treated Mice: What's the Matter?
AB  - With increasing numbers of young female cancer survivors following chemotherapy,
      chemotherapy-induced fertility loss must be considered. Menstrual disorder and
      infertility are of particular concern in female cancer patients. We showed that
      treatment with the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (CTX) could cause severe
      primordial follicle loss and growing follicle apoptosis, resulting in loss of
      ovarian reserve. SPF C57BL/6 female mice were treated with a single dose of 120
      mg/kg of CTX or saline as a control, and both sides of ovaries were collected
      three or seven days after injection. Following CTX treatment, the ovaries were
      mostly composed of collapsed oocytes and presented marked cortical fibrosis and a
      reduced number of follicles, especially primordial follicles. The loss of
      primordial follicles was confirmed by primordial follicle counting,
      immunohistochemistry and Western blot detection of DDx4/MVH. Follicle apoptosis
      was tested by a TUNEL assay and the number of TUNEL-positive follicle cells
      increased, as expected, in CTX-treated mice. Furthermore, expression of APAF-1
      and cleaved caspase-3 was also increased after CTX treatment. Analysis of the
      PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway showed that CTX increased phosphorylation of Akt,
      mTOR and downstream proteins without affecting total levels. These results
      demonstrated that the CTX treatment led to the hyperactivation of the
      PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in ovaries which may be related to primordial
      follicle loss and growing follicle apoptosis. 

PMID- 27248998
TI  - A Chloroplast-Localized Rubredoxin Family Protein Gene from Puccinellia
      tenuiflora (PutRUB) Increases NaCl and NaHCO3 Tolerance by Decreasing H2O2
      Accumulation.
AB  - Rubredoxin is one of the simplest iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins. It is found
      primarily in strict anaerobic bacteria and acts as a mediator of electron
      transfer participation in different biochemical reactions. The PutRUB gene
      encoding a chloroplast-localized rubredoxin family protein was screened from a
      yeast full-length cDNA library of Puccinellia tenuiflora under NaCl and NaHCO3
      stress. We found that PutRUB expression was induced by abiotic stresses such as
      NaCl, NaHCO3, CuCl2 and H2O2. These findings suggested that PutRUB might be
      involved in plant responses to adversity. In order to study the function of this
      gene, we analyzed the phenotypic and physiological characteristics of PutRUB
      transgenic plants treated with NaCl and NaHCO3. The results showed that PutRUB
      overexpression inhibited H2O2 accumulation, and enhanced transgenic plant
      adaptability to NaCl and NaHCO3 stresses. This indicated PutRUB might be involved
      in maintaining normal electron transfer to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      accumulation. 

PMID- 27248999
TI  - Expression and Characterization of a Novel Glycerophosphodiester
      Phosphodiesterase from Pyrococcus furiosus DSM 3638 That Possesses
      Lysophospholipase D Activity.
AB  - Glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterases (GDPD) are enzymes which degrade various
      glycerophosphodiesters to produce glycerol-3-phosphate and the corresponding
      alcohol moiety. Apart from this, a very interesting finding is that this enzyme
      could be used in the degradation of toxic organophosphorus esters, which has
      resulted in much attention on the biochemical and application research of GDPDs.
      In the present study, a novel GDPD from Pyrococcus furiosus DSM 3638 (pfGDPD) was
      successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and biochemically characterized. This
      enzyme hydrolyzed bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate, one substrate analogue of
      organophosphorus diester, with an optimal reaction temperature 55  degrees C and
      pH 8.5. The activity of pfGDPD was strongly dependent on existing of bivalent
      cations. It was strongly stimulated by Mn(2+) ions, next was Co(2+) and Ni(2+)
      ions. Further investigations were conducted on its substrate selectivity towards
      different phospholipids. The results indicated that except of
      glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), this enzyme also possessed lysophospholipase D
      activity toward both sn1-lysophosphatidylcholine (1-LPC) and sn2
      lysophosphatidylcholine (2-LPC). Higher activity was found for 1-LPC than 2-LPC;
      however, no hydrolytic activity was found for phosphatidylcholine (PC). Molecular
      docking based on the 3D-modeled structure of pfGDPD was conducted in order to
      provide a structural foundation for the substrate selectivity. 

PMID- 27249000
TI  - Goldfish Leptin-AI and Leptin-AII: Function and Central Mechanism in Feeding
      Control.
AB  - In mammals, leptin is a peripheral satiety factor that inhibits feeding by
      regulating a variety of appetite-related hormones in the brain. However, most of
      the previous studies examining leptin in fish feeding were performed with
      mammalian leptins, which share very low sequence homologies with fish leptins. To
      elucidate the function and mechanism of endogenous fish leptins in feeding
      regulation, recombinant goldfish leptin-AI and leptin-AII were expressed in
      methylotrophic yeast and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity
      chromatography (IMAC). By intraperitoneal (IP) injection, both leptin-AI and
      leptin-AII were shown to inhibit the feeding behavior and to reduce the food
      consumption of goldfish in 2 h. In addition, co-treatment of leptin-AI or leptin
      AII could block the feeding behavior and reduce the food consumption induced by
      neuropeptide Y (NPY) injection. High levels of leptin receptor (lepR) mRNA were
      detected in the hypothalamus, telencephalon, optic tectum and cerebellum of the
      goldfish brain. The appetite inhibitory effects of leptins were mediated by
      downregulating the mRNA levels of orexigenic NPY, agouti-related peptide (AgRP)
      and orexin and upregulating the mRNA levels of anorexigenic cocaine-amphetamine
      regulated transcript (CART), cholecystokinin (CCK), melanin-concentrating hormone
      (MCH) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in different areas of the goldfish brain.
      Our study, as a whole, provides new insights into the functions and mechanisms of
      leptins in appetite control in a fish model. 

PMID- 27249002
TI  - Adaptive Particle Filter for Nonparametric Estimation with Measurement
      Uncertainty in Wireless Sensor Networks.
AB  - Particle filters (PFs) are widely used for nonlinear signal processing in
      wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, the measurement uncertainty makes the
      WSN observations unreliable to the actual case and also degrades the estimation
      accuracy of the PFs. In addition to the algorithm design, few works focus on
      improving the likelihood calculation method, since it can be pre-assumed by a
      given distribution model. In this paper, we propose a novel PF method, which is
      based on a new likelihood fusion method for WSNs and can further improve the
      estimation performance. We firstly use a dynamic Gaussian model to describe the
      nonparametric features of the measurement uncertainty. Then, we propose a
      likelihood adaptation method that employs the prior information and a belief
      factor to reduce the measurement noise. The optimal belief factor is attained by
      deriving the minimum Kullback-Leibler divergence. The likelihood adaptation
      method can be integrated into any PFs, and we use our method to develop three
      versions of adaptive PFs for a target tracking system using wireless sensor
      network. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that our likelihood
      adaptation method has greatly improved the estimation performance of PFs in a
      high noise environment. In addition, the adaptive PFs are highly adaptable to the
      environment without imposing computational complexity. 

PMID- 27249001
TI  - Enzyme Biosensors for Biomedical Applications: Strategies for Safeguarding
      Analytical Performances in Biological Fluids.
AB  - Enzyme-based chemical biosensors are based on biological recognition. In order to
      operate, the enzymes must be available to catalyze a specific biochemical
      reaction and be stable under the normal operating conditions of the biosensor.
      Design of biosensors is based on knowledge about the target analyte, as well as
      the complexity of the matrix in which the analyte has to be quantified. This
      article reviews the problems resulting from the interaction of enzyme-based
      amperometric biosensors with complex biological matrices containing the target
      analyte(s). One of the most challenging disadvantages of amperometric enzyme
      based biosensor detection is signal reduction from fouling agents and
      interference from chemicals present in the sample matrix. This article,
      therefore, investigates the principles of functioning of enzymatic biosensors,
      their analytical performance over time and the strategies used to optimize their
      performance. Moreover, the composition of biological fluids as a function of
      their interaction with biosensing will be presented. 

PMID- 27249004
TI  - Iron, Anemia, and Iron Deficiency Anemia among Young Children in the United
      States.
AB  - Iron deficiency and anemia are associated with impaired neurocognitive
      development and immune function in young children. Total body iron, calculated
      from serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor concentrations, and
      hemoglobin allow for monitoring of the iron and anemia status of children in the
      United States. The purpose of this analysis is to describe the prevalence of iron
      deficiency (ID), anemia, and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) among children 1-5
      years using data from the 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination
      Survey (NHANES). Prevalence of ID, anemia, and IDA among children 1-5 years was
      7.1% (5.5, 8.7), 3.9% (2.0, 4.3), and 1.1% (0.6, 1.7), respectively. The
      prevalence of both ID and anemia were higher among children 1-2 years (p < 0.05).
      In addition, 50% of anemic children 1-2 years were iron deficient. This analysis
      provides an update on the prevalence of ID, anemia, and IDA for a representative
      sample of US children. Our results suggest little change in these indicators over
      the past decade. Monitoring of ID and anemia is critical and prevention of ID in
      early childhood should remain a public health priority.

PMID- 27249003
TI  - Clinical Significance of Long Non-Coding RNA CASC8 rs10505477 Polymorphism in
      Lung Cancer Susceptibility, Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Response, and Toxicity.
AB  - Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CASC8 rs10505477 polymorphism has been identified to
      be related to risk of many kinds of cancers, such as colorectal cancer, gastric
      cancer, and invasive ovarian cancer, and it may be involved in the prognosis of
      gastric cancer patients who have received platinum-based chemotherapy after
      surgical treatment. So far, there is no study investigating the clinical
      significance of lncRNA CASC8 rs10505477 in lung cancer susceptibility and
      treatment. In this study, we genotyped 498 lung cancer patients and 213 healthy
      control subjects to explore the correlation between the rs10505477 polymorphism
      and lung cancer risk in a Chinese population. Among the 498 patients, 467 were
      selected for the chemotherapy response and toxicity study. We found that the
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs10505477 was greatly related to lung
      cancer risk in male and adenocarcinoma subgroups in recessive model (adjusted OR
      = 0.51, 95%CI = 0.29-0.90, p = 0.02; adjusted OR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.30-0.89, p =
      0.02, respectively). It was also closely correlated with platinum-based
      chemotherapy response in dominant model (adjusted OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.05-2.39, p
      = 0.03). Additionally, we observed that CASC8 rs10505477 polymorphism was
      significantly relevant to severe hematologic toxicity in non-small-cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) subgroup in dominant model (adjusted OR = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.35-0.98,
      p = 0.04) and in additive model (adjusted OR = 0.62, 95%CI = 0.43-0.90, p =
      0.01). Furthermore, it was found that rs10505477 polymorphism was greatly
      associated with gastrointestinal toxicity in SCLC and cisplatin subgroups in
      dominant model (adjusted OR = 7.82, 95%CI = 1.36-45.07, p = 0.02; adjusted OR =
      1.94, 95%CI = 1.07-3.53, p = 0.03, respectively). Thus, lncRNA CASC8 rs10505477
      could serve as a possible risk marker for diagnosing lung cancer, and could be
      used to forecast the response and toxicity of platinum-based treatment in lung
      cancer patients.

PMID- 27249005
TI  - Clinical Efficacy and Changes of Urothelial Dysfunction after Repeated Detrusor
      Botulinum Toxin A Injections in Chronic Spinal Cord-Injured Bladder.
AB  - Chornic spinal cord injury (SCI) will induce bladder urothelium dysfunction. This
      study investigated the therapeutic effects on urothelial dysfunction after
      repeated detrusor injections of onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A) in SCI patients with
      neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). Twenty chronic suprasacral SCI patients
      with NDO were enrolled. The patients received 300 U BoNT-A injection into the
      detrusor every six months. The urothelium was assessed by cystoscopic biopsy at
      baseline and six months after each BoNT-A treatment. Immunofluorescence staining
      for urothelial dysfunction, including E-cadherin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1),
      tryptase for mast cell activity, and urothelial apoptosis were investigated. The
      outcome of urothelial dysfunction parameters after BoNT-A injection were compared
      between baseline and six months after each treatment. Repeated 300 U BoNT-A
      injections showed a sustained decrease of detrusor pressure compared with
      baseline. After three repeated BoNT-A detrusor injections, significantly greater
      distributions of E-cadherin (p = 0.042) and ZO-1 (p = 0.003) expressions, but no
      significant changes, of urothelial apoptosis and mast cell activation were found
      after repeated BoNT-A therapy. Urothelial dysfunction, such as adhesive and
      junction protein concentrations in SCI patients' bladders, recovered after three
      repeated cycles of BoNT-A treatment. The therapeutic effects sustained. However,
      urothelial inflammation and apoptosis after SCI were not significantly improved
      after three repeated BoNT-A injections.

PMID- 27249007
TI  - Transepithelial High-Intensity Cross-Linking for the Treatment of Progressive
      Keratoconus: 2-year Outcomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report 2-year outcomes of transepithelial high-intensity cross
      linking (CXL) procedure in the treatment of patients with progressive
      keratoconus. METHODS: Forty-eight eyes of 48 consecutive progressive keratoconus
      patients who underwent transepithelial accelerated CXL procedure were enrolled in
      the study. Each patient underwent pre- and postoperative comprehensive
      ophthalmologic examinations including determination of refractive error as
      spherical equivalent (SE) and corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA), slit lamp
      biomicroscopic examination, fundoscopy, and a detailed analysis on a
      Scheimplug+Placido device (Sirius, CSO, Florence, Italy). The riboflavin
      solution, which was composed of riboflavin 0.25% with hydroxypropyl
      methylcellulose (HPMC) and benzalkonium chloride (BAC) (ParaCel, Avedro), was
      used in the procedure. The cornea was exposed to ultraviolet A light (KXL System,
      Avedro Inc., Waltham, MS, USA) for 2 minutes and 40 seconds at an irradiance of
      45 mW/cm2. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 25.9 +/- 4.0 (ranging from
      18 to 33) years. No significant changes were observed in the mean CDVA, SE, and
      topographic indices at year 1 and year 2 visits compared to preoperative
      examination. The mean corneal thickness at the thinnest point was significantly
      higher at year 1 and year 2 visits than at preoperative examination (p1 = 0.014
      and p2 = 0.017, respectively). No intra- or postoperative complications or
      adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Transepithelial high-intensity
      (irradiance of 45 mW/cm2 for 2 minutes and 40 seconds) CXL using 0.25% riboflavin
      solution was a safe and effective method to halt the progression of keratoconus
      for a 2-year follow-up period.

PMID- 27249006
TI  - Tethered and Polymer Supported Bilayer Lipid Membranes: Structure and Function.
AB  - Solid supported bilayer lipid membranes are model systems to mimic natural cell
      membranes in order to understand structural and functional properties of such
      systems. The use of a model system allows for the use of a wide variety of
      analytical tools including atomic force microscopy, impedance spectroscopy,
      neutron reflectometry, and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Among the
      large number of different types of model membranes polymer-supported and tethered
      lipid bilayers have been shown to be versatile and useful systems. Both systems
      consist of a lipid bilayer, which is de-coupled from an underlying support by a
      spacer cushion. Both systems will be reviewed, with an emphasis on the effect
      that the spacer moiety has on the bilayer properties. 

PMID- 27249009
TI  - Impeded Immunity? Reduced Tuberculosis Vaccine Response with Exposure to
      Environmental Chemicals.

PMID- 27249008
TI  - Use of single chain antibody derivatives for targeted drug delivery.
AB  - Single chain antibodies (scFvs), which contain only the variable domains of full
      length antibodies, are relatively small molecules that can be used for selective
      drug delivery. In this review, we display how scFv antibodies help improve the
      specificity and efficiency of drugs. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery using
      scFv-drug fusion peptides, siRNA delivery using scFv-conjugated nanoparticles,
      targeted delivery using scFv-viral peptide- fusion proteins, use of scFv in
      fusion with cell penetrating peptides for effective targeted drug delivery, scFv
      mediated targeted delivery of inorganic nanoparticles, scFv-mediated increase of
      tumor killing activity of granulocytes, use of scFv for tumor imaging, site
      directed conjugation of scFv molecules to drug carrier systems, use of scFv to
      relieve pain, use of scFv for increasing drug loading efficiency are among the
      topics that are discussed here.

PMID- 27249010
TI  - Development of harmonised food and sample lists for total diet studies in five
      European countries.
AB  - A total diet study (TDS) is a public health tool for determination of population
      dietary exposure to chemicals across the entire diet. TDSs have been performed in
      several countries but the comparability of data produced is limited.
      Harmonisation of the TDS methodology is therefore desirable and the development
      of comparable TDS food lists is considered essential to achieve the consistency
      between countries. The aim of this study is to develop and test the feasibility
      of a method for establishing harmonised TDS food and sample lists in five
      European countries with different consumption patterns (Czech Republic, Finland,
      Germany, Iceland and Portugal). The food lists were intended to be applicable for
      exposure assessment of wide range of chemical substances in adults (18-64 years)
      and the elderly (65-74 years). Food consumption data from recent dietary surveys
      measured on individuals served as the basis for this work. Since the national
      data from these five countries were not comparable, all foods were linked to the
      EFSA FoodEx2 classification and description system. The selection of foods for
      TDS was based on the weight of food consumed and was carried out separately for
      each FoodEx2 level 1 food group. Individual food approach was respected as much
      as possible when the TDS samples were defined. TDS food lists developed with this
      approach represented 94.7-98.7% of the national total diet weights. The overall
      number of TDS samples varied from 128 in Finland to 246 in Germany. The suggested
      method was successfully implemented in all five countries. Mapping of data to the
      EFSA FoodEx2 coding system was recognised as a crucial step in harmonisation of
      the developed TDS food lists. 

PMID- 27249014
TI  - Incorrect Author Name in the Byline.

PMID- 27249011
TI  - Redox-Divergent Hydrogen-Retentive or Hydrogen-Releasing Synthesis of 3,4
      Dihydroisoquinolines or Isoquinolines.
AB  - A rare Ru-catalyzed highly selective synthesis of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines or
      isoquinolines is accomplished via a redox-divergent hydrogen-retentive or
      hydrogen-releasing fashion. Notably, high cis-selectivity of 3,4
      dihydroisoquinolines is achieved. Potential applications are shown by gram-scale
      reactions and very concise synthesis of N-containing polycyclic aromatic
      compounds. Primary mechanistic investigations indicate that the sequence of the
      major pathway involves Ru-catalyzed C-H activation, alkyne insertion, and
      subsequent 6pi-electrocyclization.

PMID- 27249015
TI  - Crystallization of Keggin Heteropolyanions via a Two-Step Process in Aqueous
      Solutions.
AB  - Although the analytical simplicity of the one-step classical theory of nucleation
      facilitates its use to understand crystallization processes, recent experiments
      and simulations have shown that many occur via multiple steps. According to the
      contemporary two-stage theory of nucleation, the onset of crystallization in a
      solution is preceded by large density fluctuations in the mother liquor that
      results in the formation of dense liquid-like correlated structures of the
      constituent solute particles. Here we report the observation of dense liquid-like
      correlated structures of heteropolyacid salts of alpha-Keggin anions
      (heteropolyanions) in aqueous solutions as volume is decreased long before the
      onset of crystallization by in situ time-dependent small-angle X-ray scattering
      measurements. Experiments were performed on drying drops of solutions of
      heteropolyacids to monitor their ordering before and during the onset of their
      crystallization. A continuous change in the density of the correlated structures
      is observed up to the onset of crystallization. Moreover, the correlated
      structures and the onset of crystallization are found to depend upon the charge
      of the heteropolyanions. The crystals formed within the drying drops of solutions
      during the crystallization process are found to be metastable polymorphic
      structures that are different from the stable crystal structures obtained after
      complete drying of the drops. Our results support a two-step process and
      Ostwald's rule of stages for the crystallization of heteropolyanions in their
      aqueous solutions upon evaporation.

PMID- 27249016
TI  - Analysis of Performance on Cognitive Test Measures Before, During, and After 6
      Months of Hearing Aid Use: A Single-Subject Experimental Design.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study examined the effect of hearing aid use on cognitive
      test performance using a single-subject treatment design. METHOD: Six
      participants 54 to 64 years old with sensorineural hearing loss were fitted with
      hearing aids. Participants used the hearing aids for approximately 8 hr each day
      for the duration of the study. A battery of cognitive tests was administered to
      participants during baseline (pre-hearing aid fitting), treatment (hearing aid
      use), and withdrawal (post-hearing aid use) study phases over a period of 6
      months of hearing aid use. RESULTS: All participants showed significant
      improvements in performance on the cognitive test measures with hearing aid use.
      The most significant treatment effects were evidenced at 2 to 4 weeks of hearing
      aid use on the Listening Span Test and an auditory selective attention task. In
      many cases, cognitive performance scores returned to baseline levels after the
      participant stopped using the hearing aids. CONCLUSION: The findings from this
      study are consistent with the hypothesis that hearing aid use may improve
      cognitive performance by improving audibility and decreasing the cognitive load
      of the listening task.

PMID- 27249018
TI  - Organocatalytic silyl transfer from silylborane to nitroalkenes for the synthesis
      of beta-silyl nitroalkanes and beta-silyl amines.
AB  - The silylation of a wide array of nitroalkenes is achieved by organocatalysts in
      yields up to 93%. The reaction is carried out in a toluene/water biphasic solvent
      under operationally simple conditions. Reduction of the nitro group provides
      efficient access to functionalized beta-silyl amines. 

PMID- 27249017
TI  - cSPider - Evaluation of a Free and Open-Source Automated Tool to Analyze
      Corticomotor Silent Period.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The corticomotor silent period (CSP), as assessed noninvasively by
      transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the primary motor cortex, has been
      found to reflect intracortical inhibitory mechanisms. Analysis of CSP is mostly
      conducted manually. However, this approach is time-consuming, and comparison of
      results from different laboratories may be compromised by inter-rater variability
      in analysis. No open source program for automated analysis is currently
      available. METHODS/RESULTS: Here, we describe cross-validation with the manual
      analysis of an in-house written automated tool to assess CSP (cSPider). Results
      from automated routine were compared with results of the manual evaluation. We
      found high inter-method reliability between automated and manual analysis
      (p<0.001), and significantly reduced time for CSP analysis (median = 10.3 sec for
      automated analysis of 10 CSPs vs. median = 270 sec for manual analysis of 10
      CSPs). cSPider can be downloaded free of charge. CONCLUSION: cSPider allows
      automated analysis of CSP in a reliable and time-efficient manner. Use of this
      open-source tool may help to improve comparison of data from different
      laboratories.

PMID- 27249019
TI  - Study on the Ultrahigh Quantum Yield of Fluorescent P,O-g-C3 N4 Nanodots and its
      Application in Cell Imaging.
AB  - Graphitic carbon nitride nanodots (g-C3 N4 nanodots), as a new kind of heavy
      metal-free quantum dots, have attracted considerable attention because of their
      unique physical and chemical properties. Although various methods to obtain g-C3
      N4 nanodots have been reported, it is still a challenge to synthesize g-C3 N4
      nanodots with ultrahigh fluorescence quantum yield (QY). In this study, highly
      fluorescent phosphorus/oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride (P,O-g-C3 N4 )
      nanodots were prepared by chemical oxidation and hydrothermal etching of bulk P-g
      C3 N4 derived from the pyrolysis of phytic acid and melamine. The as-prepared P,O
      g-C3 N4 nanodots showed strong blue fluorescence and a relatively high QY of up
      to 90.2 %, which can be ascribed to intrinsic phosphorus/oxygen-containing
      groups, and surface-oxidation-related fluorescence enhancement. In addition, the
      P,O-g-C3 N4 nanodots were explored for cell imaging with excellent stability and
      biocompatibility, which suggest that they have great potential in biological
      applications. 

PMID- 27249020
TI  - Peritoneal Dialysate Glucose Load and Systemic Glucose Metabolism in Non
      Diabetics: Results from the GLOBAL Fluid Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Glucose control is a significant predictor of
      mortality in diabetic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. During PD, the local
      toxic effects of intra-peritoneal glucose are well recognized, but despite large
      amounts of glucose being absorbed, the systemic effects of this in non-diabetic
      patients are not clear. We sought to clarify whether dialysate glucose has an
      effect upon systemic glucose metabolism. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analysed the
      Global Fluid Study cohort, a prospective, observational cohort study initiated in
      2002. A subset of 10 centres from 3 countries with high data quality were
      selected (368 incident and 272 prevalent non-diabetic patients), with multilevel,
      multivariable analysis of the reciprocal of random glucose levels, and a
      stratified-by-centre Cox survival analysis. RESULTS: The median follow up was 5.6
      and 6.4 years respectively in incident and prevalent patients. On multivariate
      analysis, serum glucose increased with age (beta = -0.007, 95%CI -0.010, -0.004)
      and decreased with higher serum sodium (beta = 0.002, 95%CI 0.0005, 0.003) in
      incident patients and increased with dialysate glucose (beta = -0.0002, 95%CI 
      0.0004, -0.00006) in prevalent patients. Levels suggested undiagnosed diabetes in
      5.4% of prevalent patients. Glucose levels predicted death in unadjusted analyses
      of both incident and prevalent groups but in an adjusted survival analysis they
      did not (for random glucose 6-10 compared with <6, Incident group HR 0.92, 95%CI
      0.58, 1.46, Prevalent group HR 1.42, 95%CI 0.86, 2.34). CONCLUSIONS: In prevalent
      non-diabetic patients, random glucose levels at a diabetic level are under
      recognised and increase with dialysate glucose load. Random glucose levels
      predict mortality in unadjusted analyses, but this association has not been
      proven in adjusted analyses.

PMID- 27249021
TI  - New Material of the Pterosaur Gladocephaloideus Lu et al., 2012 from the Early
      Cretaceous of Liaoning Province, China, with Comments on Its Systematic Position.
AB  - Although there are nine genera of ctenochasmatoids reported from the Jehol Biota,
      at present each is known from a specimen that has either a skull or a relatively
      complete postcranial skeleton. A nearly complete juvenile specimen of
      Gladocephaloideus from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Sihedang,
      Lingyuan of Liaoning Province is the most complete ctenochasmatoid preserved to
      date with a skull and postcranial skeleton. Based on the holotype (IG-CAGS 08-07)
      and the nearly complete new specimen (JPM 2014-004), the diagnosis of
      Gladocephaloideus is amended: approximately 50 teeth in total with sharp tips;
      small nasoantorbital opening, occupying approximately 13% of total skull length;
      ratio of prenarial rostrum length to skull length approximately 0.63; deep groove
      along the mid-line of the mandibular symphysis; length to width ratio of the
      longest cervical vertebra = 4.1; ratio of femur length to tibia length = 0.61;
      tibia as long as the wing-phalange 1. Phylogenetic analysis recovers
      Gladocephaloideus within the clade Ctenochasmatidae. Gladocephaloideus has a
      closer relationship to the Chinese Pterofiltrus rather than to other
      ctenochasmatid pterosaurs. Microstructure of limb bones implies that JPM 2014-004
      represents an early juvenile of Gladocephaloideus jingangshanensis, and that the
      type specimen is not a fully grown specimen either. We assume that the holotype
      may equate to the late juvenile or sub-adult developmental stage of
      Gladocephaloideus. 

PMID- 27249022
TI  - Magnetic Particle / Magnetic Resonance Imaging: In-Vitro MPI-Guided Real Time
      Catheter Tracking and 4D Angioplasty Using a Road Map and Blood Pool Tracer
      Approach.
AB  - PURPOSE: In-vitro evaluation of the feasibility of 4D real time tracking of
      endovascular devices and stenosis treatment with a magnetic particle imaging
      (MPI) / magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) road map approach and an MPI-guided
      approach using a blood pool tracer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A guide wire and
      angioplasty-catheter were labeled with a thin layer of magnetic lacquer. For real
      time MPI a custom made software framework was developed. A stenotic vessel
      phantom filled with saline or superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MM4)
      was equipped with bimodal fiducial markers for co-registration in preclinical 7T
      MRI and MPI. In-vitro angioplasty was performed inflating the balloon with saline
      or MM4. MPI data were acquired using a field of view of 37.3*37.3*18.6 mm3 and a
      frame rate of 46 volumes/sec. Analysis of the magnetic lacquer-marks on the
      devices were performed with electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry
      and micro-computed tomography. RESULTS: Magnetic marks allowed for MPI/MRI
      guidance of interventional devices. Bimodal fiducial markers enable MPI/MRI image
      fusion for MRI based roadmapping. MRI roadmapping and the blood pool tracer
      approach facilitate MPI real time monitoring of in-vitro angioplasty. Successful
      angioplasty was verified with MPI and MRI. Magnetic marks consist of micrometer
      sized ferromagnetic plates mainly composed of iron and iron oxide. CONCLUSIONS:
      4D real time MP imaging, tracking and guiding of endovascular instruments and in
      vitro angioplasty is feasible. In addition to an approach that requires a blood
      pool tracer, MRI based roadmapping might emerge as a promising tool for radiation
      free 4D MPI-guided interventions.

PMID- 27249023
TI  - Calcyclin Binding Protein/Siah-1 Interacting Protein Is a Hsp90 Binding
      Chaperone.
AB  - The Hsp90 chaperone activity is tightly regulated by interaction with many co
      chaperones. Since CacyBP/SIP shares some sequence homology with a known Hsp90 co
      chaperone, Sgt1, in this work we performed a set of experiments in order to
      verify whether CacyBP/SIP can interact with Hsp90. By applying the
      immunoprecipitation assay we have found that CacyBP/SIP binds to Hsp90 and that
      the middle (M) domain of Hsp90 is responsible for this binding. Furthermore, the
      proximity ligation assay (PLA) performed on HEp-2 cells has shown that the
      CacyBP/SIP-Hsp90 complexes are mainly localized in the cytoplasm of these cells.
      Using purified proteins and applying an ELISA we have shown that Hsp90 interacts
      directly with CacyBP/SIP and that the latter protein does not compete with Sgt1
      for the binding to Hsp90. Moreover, inhibitors of Hsp90 do not perturb CacyBP/SIP
      Hsp90 binding. Luciferase renaturation assay and citrate synthase aggregation
      assay with the use of recombinant proteins have revealed that CacyBP/SIP exhibits
      chaperone properties. Also, CacyBP/SIP-3xFLAG expression in HEp-2 cells results
      in the appearance of more basic Hsp90 forms in 2D electrophoresis, which may
      indicate that CacyBP/SIP dephosphorylates Hsp90. Altogether, the obtained results
      suggest that CacyBP/SIP is involved in regulation of the Hsp90 chaperone
      machinery. 

PMID- 27249024
TI  - Association of Metabolites with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Based on FTO
      Genotype.
AB  - The single nucleotide polymorphism rs9939609 of the gene FTO, which encodes fat
      mass and obesity-associated protein, is strongly associated with obesity and type
      2 diabetes (T2D) in multiple populations; however, the underlying mechanism of
      this association is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate FTO genotype
      dependent metabolic changes in obesity and T2D. To elucidate metabolic
      dysregulation associated with disease risk genotype, genomic and metabolomic
      datasets were recruited from 2,577 participants of the Korean Association
      REsource (KARE) cohort, including 40 homozygous carriers of the FTO risk allele
      (AA), 570 heterozygous carriers (AT), and 1,967 participants carrying no risk
      allele (TT). A total of 134 serum metabolites were quantified using a targeted
      metabolomics approach. Through comparison of various statistical methods, seven
      metabolites were identified that are significantly altered in obesity and T2D
      based on the FTO risk allele (adjusted p < 0.05). These identified metabolites
      are relevant to phosphatidylcholine metabolic pathway, and previously reported to
      be metabolic markers of obesity and T2D. In conclusion, using metabolomics with
      the information from genome-wide association studies revealed significantly
      altered metabolites depending on the FTO genotype in complex disorders. This
      study may contribute to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms
      linking obesity and T2D. 

PMID- 27249025
TI  - Myricetin arrests human telomeric G-quadruplex structure: a new mechanistic
      approach as an anticancer agent.
AB  - The use of small molecules to arrest G-quadruplex structure has become a
      potential strategy for the development and design of a new class of anticancer
      therapeutics. We have studied the interaction of myricetin, a plant flavonoid and
      a putative anticancer agent, with human telomeric G-quadruplex TTAGGG(TTAGGG)3
      DNA. Reverse transcription PCR data revealed significant repression in hTERT
      expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells upon increasing the concentration of
      myricetin. Further, we conducted a telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay
      to confirm the inhibition of telomerase by myricetin. Optical spectroscopic
      techniques like circular dichroism, UV spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy
      revealed the formation of a stable myricetin-G-quadruplex complex. The
      thermodynamic parameters of myricetin-G-quadruplex complex formation, presented
      through isothermal titration calorimetry studies, indicate the binding process to
      be thermodynamically favorable. In addition, high resolution NMR spectroscopy in
      conjunction with molecular dynamics simulation is employed to provide detailed
      mechanistic insights into the binding in the myricetin-G-quadruplex complex at
      the atomic level. Our results thus propose a new mode of action of myricetin as
      an anticancer agent via arresting telomeric G-quadruplex structure.

PMID- 27249026
TI  - Optimization of Operation Parameters for Helical Flow Cleanout with Supercritical
      CO2 in Horizontal Wells Using Back-Propagation Artificial Neural Network.
AB  - Sand production and blockage are common during the drilling and production of
      horizontal oil and gas wells as a result of formation breakdown. The use of high
      pressure rotating jets and annular helical flow is an effective way to enhance
      horizontal wellbore cleanout. In this paper, we propose the idea of using
      supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) as washing fluid in water-sensitive formation. SC-CO2
      is manifested to be effective in preventing formation damage and enhancing
      production rate as drilling fluid, which justifies tis potential in wellbore
      cleanout. In order to investigate the effectiveness of SC-CO2 helical flow
      cleanout, we perform the numerical study on the annular flow field, which
      significantly affects sand cleanout efficiency, of SC-CO2 jets in horizontal
      wellbore. Based on the field data, the geometry model and mathematical models
      were built. Then a numerical simulation of the annular helical flow field by SC
      CO2 jets was accomplished. The influences of several key parameters were
      investigated, and SC-CO2 jets were compared to conventional water jets. The
      results show that flow rate, ambient temperature, jet temperature, and nozzle
      assemblies play the most important roles on wellbore flow field. Once the
      difference between ambient temperatures and jet temperatures is kept constant,
      the wellbore velocity distributions will not change. With increasing lateral
      nozzle size or decreasing rear/forward nozzle size, suspending ability of SC-CO2
      flow improves obviously. A back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN)
      was successfully employed to match the operation parameters and SC-CO2 flow
      velocities. A comprehensive model was achieved to optimize the operation
      parameters according to two strategies: cost-saving strategy and local optimal
      strategy. This paper can help to understand the distinct characteristics of SC
      CO2 flow. And it is the first time that the BP-ANN is introduced to analyze the
      flow field during wellbore cleanout in horizontal wells. 

PMID- 27249027
TI  - Increased Epithelial Expression of CTGF and S100A7 with Elevated Subepithelial
      Expression of IL-1beta in Trachomatous Trichiasis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To characterize the histological appearance and expression of pro
      inflammatory mediators, growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases and biomarkers
      of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in healthy control and trachomatous
      trichiasis (TT) conjunctival tissue. METHODS: Conjunctival biopsies were taken
      from 20 individuals with TT and from 16 individuals with healthy conjunctiva,
      which served as controls. Study participants were of varying ethnicity and were
      living in a trachoma-endemic region of northern Tanzania. Formalin-fixed paraffin
      embedded tissue sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin or by
      immunohistochemistry using antibodies against: IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-22,
      CXCL5, S100A7, cleaved caspase 1 (CC1), PDGF, CTGF, TGFbeta2, MMP7, MMP9, E
      cadherin, vimentin, and alphaSMA. RESULTS: Tissue from TT cases had a greater
      inflammatory cell infiltrate relative to controls and greater disruption of
      collagen structure. CTGF and S100A7 were more highly expressed in the epithelium
      and IL-1beta was more highly expressed in the substantia propria of TT cases
      relative to controls. Latent TGFbeta2 was slightly more abundant in the
      substantia propria of control tissue. No differences were detected between TT
      cases and controls in the degree of epithelial atrophy, the number of
      myofibroblasts or expression of EMT biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate
      that the innate immune system is active in the immunopathology of trachoma, even
      in the absence of clinical inflammation. CTGF might provide a direct link between
      inflammation and fibrosis and could be a suitable target for therapeutic
      treatment to halt the progression of trachomatous scarring.

PMID- 27249028
TI  - NFKB1 Promoter DNA from nt+402 to nt+99 Is Hypomethylated in Different Human
      Immune Cells.
AB  - Sepsis, with a persistently high 90-day mortality of about 46%, is the third most
      frequent cause of death in intensive care units worldwide. Further understanding
      of the inflammatory signaling pathways occurring in sepsis is important for new
      efficient treatment options. Key regulator of the inflammatory response is the
      transcription factor NFkappaB. As we have recently shown, the -94 Ins/Del NFKB1
      promoter polymorphism influences sepsis mortality. However, a molecular
      explanation is still missing. Thus, promoter activity might be varying depending
      on the NFKB1 genotype, explaining the genotype dependent mortality from sepsis,
      and one likely mechanism is the degree of promoter methylation. Therefore, we
      tested the hypothesis that NFkappaB mRNA expression is regulated by promoter
      methylation in human cell lines and primary immune cell cultures. First, we
      examined the methylation of the NFKB1 promoter in U937, REH and HL-60 cells. In
      the promoter region of nt+99/+229 methylation in all analyzed cell lines was
      below 1%. Following incubation with bacterial cell wall components, no
      significant changes in the frequency of promoter methylation in U937 and REH
      cells were measured and the methylation frequency was under 1%. However,
      NFkappaB1 mRNA expression was two-fold increased in U937 cells after 24 h
      incubation with LPS. By contrast, demethylation by 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine
      incubation enhanced NFkappaB1 expression significantly. In addition, we analyzed
      NFKB1 promoter methylation in primary cells from healthy volunteers depending on
      the NFKB1-94 Ins/Del genotype. Methylation in the promoter region from nt+402 to
      nt+99 was below 1%. Genotype dependent differences occurred in neutrophil cells,
      where DD-genotype was significantly more methylated compared to II genotype at
      nt+284/+402. Besides in the promoter region from nt-227/-8 in ID-genotypes
      methylation of neutrophils was significantly decreased compared to lymphocytes
      and in II-genotypes methylation in neutrophils was significantly decreased
      compared to lymphocytes and monocytes. In addition, CHART-PCR showed that the
      hypomethylated promoter regions are highly accessible. Therefore we assume that
      the demethylated regions are very important for NFKB1 promoter activity. 

PMID- 27249029
TI  - Molecular identification and morphological description of Micropogonias megalops,
      Cynoscion othonopterus, C. reticulatus and Menticirrhus nasus larvae, collected
      in the upper Gulf of California during Summer 2012.
AB  - Sciaenidae fish larvae were collected from the upper Gulf of California during
      September 2012 using a conical net (505 MUm) through surface tows. These were pre
      classified into four larval morphotypes, based on external characteristics
      (mainly meristic and pigmentation). Partial sequences of cytochrome c oxidase,
      subunit 1 and 16S rRNA (16S) genes of mitochondrial DNA, were used in molecular
      genetic identification from each larval morphotype. Genetic results indicated the
      identification of four larval morphotypes as Micropogonias megalops, Cynoscion
      othonopterus, C. reticulatus and Menticirrhus nasus. Pigmentation patterns of
      larvae described after molecular genetic identification made it possible to
      distinguish between M. megalops, M. nasus and C. othonopterus (postflexion).
      However, pigmentation was not reliable for differentiating between preflexion
      larvae of C. othonopterus and C. reticulatus. From these results, both
      morphological and genetic approaches were proposed as complementary tools in
      taxonomic studies of ichthyoplankton, particularly in early fish larvae
      identification of congeneric species with similar morphological characteristics.

PMID- 27249031
TI  - One step at a time: CYP2D6 guided tamoxifen treatment awaits convincing evidence
      of clinical validity.

PMID- 27249030
TI  - Imaging in acute stroke.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Stroke is the third leading cause of death and disability in
      Canada. In the hyperacute stroke setting, the treating physician must make a time
      critical decision on the treatment of each patient. Recent advances in imaging
      help the treating physician identify the subgroup of patients eligible for acute
      treatment of ischaemic stroke. AREAS COVERED: In this review we will discuss Non
      Contrast Computed Tomography (NCCT), CT-Angiography (CTA), and CT-Perfusion (CTP)
      in assessment of patients with acute ischaemic stroke and intracerebral
      haemorrhage. Intravenous tPA was the only proven therapy for acute ischaemic
      stroke presenting within 4.5 hours, until the five recent trials proved the
      efficacy of EVT for acute ischaemic stroke with proximal arterial occlusion.
      Imaging played a major role in patient selection in all five trials. Expert
      commentary: The challenge of rapid clinical assessment, review of imaging and
      timely treatment will continue to be made easier as the development and
      understanding of imaging progresses.

PMID- 27249041
TI  - Evaluation of basilar artery atherosclerotic plaque distribution by 3D MR vessel
      wall imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Basilar artery (BA) atherosclerosis is an important cause of perforator
      stroke in the brainstem due to plaque involvement of the perforator ostia in BA
      dorsal or lateral walls. Therefore, to acquire information on plaque distribution
      is important to better understand and prevent the perforator stroke. This study
      aimed to comprehensively evaluate BA plaque distribution with 3D magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) vessel wall imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive
      patients with cerebrovascular symptoms and stenosis or irregular luminal surface
      of BA were recruited and underwent BA 3D proton density-weighted volume isotropic
      turbo spin echo acquisition (VISTA) imaging at 3T. The cross-sectional and
      longitudinal distribution of BA plaque were analyzed with a custom-developed
      tool. RESULTS: In all, 85 BA plaques were detected in 61 recruited patients. For
      cross-sectional distribution, the prevalence of plaque involvement in the
      ventral, left, dorsal, and right quadrant of BA wall was 74.1%, 70.6%, 67.1%, and
      62.4%, respectively. Of the 85 plaques, 17.7% involved one quadrant and 82.3%
      involved two or more quadrants. The most severe plaque region was more commonly
      situated at lateral walls (66.1%) as compared to ventral (23.2%, P < 0.001) and
      dorsal walls (10.6%, P < 0.001). Longitudinally, plaques were more frequently
      found to occur at BA segment distal than proximal to anterior inferior cerebellar
      artery (AICA) (63.5% vs. 36.5%). CONCLUSION: Taking advantage of 3D MR vessel
      wall imaging, BA plaques were found to more likely affect lateral walls and form
      in BA distal to AICA, where most perforators originate, suggesting that it might
      be useful to characterize BA plaque distribution before aggressive treatment for
      prevention of perforator stroke. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1592-1599.

PMID- 27249043
TI  - The relationship between clinical characteristics, metacognitive appraisals, and
      cognitive insight in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive insight, a recently developed insight measure, refers to
      metacognitive processes of the re-evaluation and correction of distorted beliefs
      and misinterpretations. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no study
      has specifically examined cognitive insight, demographics, psychopathological
      variables, and distorted beliefs in OCD. AIM: The aim of this research was to
      examine links between cognitive insight and demographics, clinical factors, and
      distorted beliefs among patients with OCD. METHOD: Eighty-four consecutive
      outpatients with a diagnosis of OCD underwent a detailed clinical assessment for
      OCD, including the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Beck Cognitive
      Insight Scale (BCIS), Thought-Action Fusion Scale (TAFS), White Bear Thought
      Suppression Inventory, Metacognition Questioniarre-30 (MCQ-30), and a
      sociodemographic questionnaire. In addition, 82 control subjects matched for age,
      education, and gender were tested. RESULTS: BCIS-self-certainty scores were all
      substantially higher in subjects with remitted and unremitted OCD than in healthy
      comparison subjects, while BCIS-composite scores were significantly lower in both
      patient groups than controls. Obsession and compulsion severity had significant
      effects on BCIS scores. In addition, it was found that the specific symptoms were
      linked to self-certainty scores. Self-reflectiveness and composite scores had
      positive correlations with the sub-scale scores of the MCQ-30, while the TAF
      morality score was positively correlated with self-certainty scores. CONCLUSION:
      The results demonstrated poor cognitive insight among remitted and unremitted OCD
      patients. In addition, the present study suggested significant associations
      between sociodemographic and clinical features and dysfunctional appraisals.
      Cognitive-behavioural techniques aimed at enhancing cognitive insight may be
      beneficial for patients with OCD, particularly patients who have prominent
      dysfunctional beliefs.

PMID- 27249044
TI  - [Important Aspects of Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Treatment of Metastases in
      the Spine Through the Plasma Field Therapy (Cavity Coblation Method)].
AB  - Background and objectives: Until recently, it was almost impossible to perform
      major surgery on metastases in the spine. This is especially the case for
      multiple spinal metastases and for older multi-morbid patients with higher OP
      risks. It is very important in such cases that the operation should be as
      minimally invasive as possible, and should aim to reduce pain, treat fractures
      and to improve the quality of life. The aim of this publication is to present and
      discuss the specific features of the methodology, problems, surgical techniques,
      as well as the effectiveness of the modernised cavity/coblation method and
      results of the treatment of 240 patients with spine metastases. Patients/Material
      and Method: Patients: Patients of every age with bone destruction were treated,
      with osteolysis and pathological fractures of vertebrae caused by metastases. The
      pre-operative diagnosis was evaluated by X-Ray, MRT, CT, whole-body F18-FDG-PET,
      whole-body bone scintigraphy, histology. Cavity/coblation method: Tumour
      resection was carried out by the plasma field (42  degrees C, cold energy) over
      the percutaneous trans-/extrapedicular access and was followed by balloon
      kyphoplasty. Tumour tissue was removed, deformation corrected and stability
      enhanced. The treatment clearly reduced the risks of recurrence, fracture and
      compression of the neural structures. Local radiotherapy and chemotherapy were
      performed post-operatively. Clinical and radiological follow-ups, included tumour
      staging, were performed regularly after the OP (after 2 and 14 days and 3, 6,12,
      24, 36, 48 and 60 months), including data on pain and improvement in quality of
      life. Results: Within 6 years (03/08-04/14), we treated 240 patients with
      multiple spinal metastases (146 female, 94 male, age range 31-92 years, average
      age 65.5 years) or 784 vertebral bodies. 61 patients were also given dorsal
      percutaneous instrumentation and straightening. All patients experienced a
      significant reduction in pain, and improvements in satisfaction and quality of
      life. Treatment was combined with chemotherapy and local radiotherapy to reduce
      tumour cell growth or recurrence rate. Patients could be rapidly mobilised after
      surgery, blood loss was minimal, and the next oncology treatment could be
      initiated immediately. Discussion/Conclusions: Cavity/coblation is a safe and
      minimally invasive procedure, as confirmed by our own short- and long-term
      results, as well as by reports/publications of other workers. OP risks, blood
      loss, and surgical time are lower and shorter. This new method is very promising
      for the future. It is important that the indication is correct and the treatment
      strategy must be adapted individually. Prognosis must be assessed and the
      surgical technique must be precise.

PMID- 27249045
TI  - [The Summer School of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Traumatology - A
      Success Story].
AB  - Background: It has been known for several years that orthopaedic and trauma
      clinics suffer from a shortage of young people, due to the substantial loss in
      attractiveness. The Youth Forum OU has been addressing this problem for many
      years, by initiating many projects such as the Summer School to counteract this
      trend. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the success of Summer Schools
      since 2009. Methods: The Youth Forum OU performed a survey in December 2014 to
      answer the research question on the basis of an internet-based poll of the
      student participants in all Summer Schools between 2009 and 2014. Following data
      cleansing, 121 students and former students were included in the survey. Results:
      Seventy-two completed questionnaires were collected and included in the
      evaluation. The survey included 40 % of Summer School participants, with a mean
      age of 27.3 years (SD +/- 2.95); 50 % were female. Participation in the Summer
      School helped 50 % of the respondents to decide to start advanced study in
      orthopaedics and/or traumatology (OU). One third of these Summer School
      participants had already finished a university degree; 100 % are now residents in
      orthopaedics and/or traumatology. Regardless of prior plans, 87.2 % of
      participants are now residents in OU. Thirty-three are still students: 78.8 %
      have already decided to work in OU. The survey also served to identify the
      factors positively and negatively associated with OU. Unfavourable factors
      included the reputation of OU, and the difficulty of reconciling family and work.
      Favourable factors included surgical work and personal experience during
      university studies. Discussion: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the
      efforts of the Youth Forum OU, the German Society for Orthopaedics and
      Traumatology (DGOU) and the local hospitals lead to increased interest in OU. The
      answer to this question is positive. This is particularly true for those students
      who did not plan to become an orthopaedic or trauma surgeon before participating
      in a Summer School. In conclusion, the efforts to recruit residents for OU by
      using Summer Schools were successful. Moreover, this research offers approaches
      to counteract the loss of attractiveness of OU.

PMID- 27249046
TI  - [Influence of Peridural Infiltration Therapy on Postural Control in Chronic Pain
      of the Lower Lumbar Spine - A Prospective Clinical Study].
AB  - Background: Postural control, balance stability, is reduced in patients with
      chronic low back pain, due to pain. Epidural injection therapy (EI) is an
      established treatment of low back pain. The objective of our study was to
      investigate whether EI-induced pain relief also leads to improvement in postural
      control, as detected by computerised dynamic posturography (CDP). Patients and
      Methods: In a prospective study, 32 patients underwent CDP during and after the
      EI series of three injections. The main objective was to measure changes in
      overall stability index (OSI) in a pre- and post-intervention comparison.
      Results: The pain, measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), decreased by 62.8
      %, from 4.3 +/- 2.5 points to 1.6 +/- 1.9 points (p < 0.001). Likewise, the OSI
      improved by 21.6 %, from 3.7 +/- 1.7 degrees  to 2.9 +/- 1.4 degrees  (day 5) (p
      = 0.019). Conclusion: Pain relief induced by EI results in improved postural
      control, which is of importance for supportive physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

PMID- 27249047
TI  - [Acetabular Osteolysis in Total Hip Replacement - When to Retain the Cup?].
AB  - Periacetabular osteolysis is a frequent long-term complication of cementless
      total hip arthroplasty. The decision whether to retain or to revise a cup in the
      presence of osteolysis remains a challenge. The options are regular clinical and
      radiological check-ups, isolated liner exchange with and without bone grafting,
      and complete cup revision. Thorough preoperative diagnostics, including a medical
      history, examination and imaging, are mandatory for correct decision making. In
      most patients, computed tomography is useful to assess periacetabular osteolysis.
      If the cup is well-fixed and positioned in an asymptomatic patient without
      progressive osteolysis and no implant defect or higher grade polyethylene wear
      and no signs of infection, continuous clinical and radiological monitoring is
      preferred. If imaging reveals cup loosening, malposition, osteolysis localised in
      a weight-bearing area, imminent or present periprosthetic fractures, rapid
      progressive osteolysis, implant defects or massive inlay wear, surgical treatment
      may be preferred. Cup revision is usually performed in such patients. If the cup
      is well-positioned and well-fixed in the X-ray, the procedure has to be discussed
      with the patient individually. Apart from patient-specific risk factors, the risk
      of further progression has to be assessed. Isolated liner exchange can be
      performed if the patient is asymptomatic and the cup proves to be stable
      intraoperatively. It is still unclear whether filling osteolyses through screw
      holes or osseous windows is of long-term benefit. 

PMID- 27249048
TI  - The EffectLiteR Approach for Analyzing Average and Conditional Effects.
AB  - We present a framework for estimating average and conditional effects of a
      discrete treatment variable on a continuous outcome variable, conditioning on
      categorical and continuous covariates. Using the new approach, termed the
      EffectLiteR approach, researchers can consider conditional treatment effects
      given values of all covariates in the analysis and various aggregates of these
      conditional treatment effects such as average effects, effects on the treated, or
      aggregated conditional effects given values of a subset of covariates. Building
      on structural equation modeling, key advantages of the new approach are (1) It
      allows for latent covariates and outcome variables; (2) it permits (higher order)
      interactions between the treatment variable and categorical and (latent)
      continuous covariates; and (3) covariates can be treated as stochastic or fixed.
      The approach is illustrated by an example, and open source software EffectLiteR
      is provided, which makes a detailed analysis of effects conveniently accessible
      for applied researchers. 

PMID- 27249049
TI  - Topological protection of multiparticle dissipative transport.
AB  - Topological protection allows robust transport of localized phenomena such as
      quantum information, solitons and dislocations. The transport can be either
      dissipative or non-dissipative. Here, we experimentally demonstrate and
      theoretically explain the topologically protected dissipative motion of colloidal
      particles above a periodic hexagonal magnetic pattern. By driving the system with
      periodic modulation loops of an external and spatially homogeneous magnetic
      field, we achieve total control over the motion of diamagnetic and paramagnetic
      colloids. We can transport simultaneously and independently each type of colloid
      along any of the six crystallographic directions of the pattern via adiabatic or
      deterministic ratchet motion. Both types of motion are topologically protected.
      As an application, we implement an automatic topologically protected quality
      control of a chemical reaction between functionalized colloids. Our results are
      relevant to other systems with the same symmetry.

PMID- 27249050
TI  - Field Effect Modulation of Outer-Sphere Electrochemistry at Back-Gated, Ultrathin
      ZnO Electrodes.
AB  - Here we report field-effect modulation of solution electrochemistry at 5 nm thick
      ZnO working electrodes prepared on SiO2/degenerately doped Si gates. We find that
      ultrathin ZnO behaves like a 2D semiconductor, in which charge carriers
      electrostatically induced by the back gate lead to band edge shift at the front
      electrode/electrolyte interface. This, in turn, manipulates the charge transfer
      kinetics on the electrode at a given electrode potential. Experimental results
      and the proposed model indicate that band edge alignment can be effectively
      modulated by 0.1-0.4 eV depending on the density of states in the semiconductor
      and the capacitance of the gate/dielectric stack.

PMID- 27249051
TI  - Negative Suction Drain Through a Mini Periareolar Incision for the Treatment of
      Lactational Breast Abscess Shortens Hospital Stay and Increases Breastfeeding
      Rates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although breast abscess is a serious uncommon complication of
      mastitis with high morbidity rate, there is a lack of high-quality randomized
      trial to demonstrate the best treatments. We reported a novel way of applying
      negative suction drain through a mini periareolar incision. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed and compared the clinical characteristics of
      62 patients with lactational breast abscess in our department from August 2012 to
      April 2015. Thirty-two patients went through traditional incision and drainage
      (Group A) and 30 patients were placed on negative suction drain through mini
      periareolar incision (Group B). RESULTS: There is no significant difference
      between the two groups in terms of age, white blood cell (WBC) count, size of the
      abscess cavity, and positive rate of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) or methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Patients in Group B had a shorter
      hospitalized stay (p = 0.003) and had a higher rate of continuation of
      breastfeeding (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Applying drain with negative suction
      pressure through a mini periareolar incision is an effective modality for
      treating lactational breast abscess and maintaining breastfeeding.

PMID- 27249052
TI  - Physical Cross-Linking Starch-Based Zwitterionic Hydrogel Exhibiting Excellent
      Biocompatibility, Protein Resistance, and Biodegradability.
AB  - In this work, a novel starch-based zwitterionic copolymer, starch-graft
      poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (ST-g-PSBMA), was synthesized via Atom Transfer
      Radical Polymerization. Starch, which formed the main chain, can be degraded
      completely in vivo, and the pendent segments of PSBMA endowed the copolymer with
      excellent protein resistance properties. This ST-g-PSBMA copolymer could self
      assemble into a physical hydrogel in normal saline, and studies of the formation
      mechanism indicated that the generation of the physical hydrogel was driven by
      electrostatic interactions between PSBMA segments. The obtained hydrogels were
      subjected to detailed analysis by scanning electron microscopy, swelling ratio,
      protein resistance, and rheology tests. Toxicity and hemolysis analysis
      demonstrated that the ST-g-PSBMA hydrogels possess excellent biocompatibility and
      hemocompatibility. Moreover, the cytokine secretion assays (IL-6, TNF-alpha, and
      NO) confirmed that ST-g-PSBMA hydrogels had low potential to trigger the
      activation of macrophages and were suitable for in vivo biomedical applications.
      On the basis of these in vitro results, the ST-g-PSBMA hydrogels were implanted
      in SD rats. The tissue responses to hydrogel implantation and the hydrogel
      degradation in vivo were determined by histological analysis (Hematoxylin and
      eosin, Van Gieson, and Masson's Trichrome stains). The results presented in this
      study demonstrate that the physical cross-linking, starch-based zwitterionic
      hydrogels possess excellent protein resistance, low macrophage-activation
      properties, and good biocompatibility, and they are a promising candidate for an
      in vivo biomedical application platform. 

PMID- 27249053
TI  - Estrogen-Based Therapies and Depression in Women Who Naturally Enter Menopause
      Before Population Average-Reply.

PMID- 27249054
TI  - Potent Nematicidal Activity of Maleimide Derivatives on Meloidogyne incognita.
AB  - Different maleimide derivatives were synthesized and assayed for their in vitro
      activity on the soil inhabiting, plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita,
      also known as root-knot nematode. The compounds maleimide, N-ethylmaleimide, N
      isopropylmaleimide, and N-isobutylmaleimide showed the strongest nematicidal
      activity on the second stage juveniles of the root-knot nematode with EC50/72h
      values of 2.6 +/- 1.3, 5.1 +/- 3.4, 16.2 +/- 5.4, and 19.0 +/- 9.0 mg/L,
      respectively. We also determined the nematicidal activity of copper sulfate,
      finding an EC50 value of 48.6 +/- 29.8 mg/L. When maleimide at 1 mg/L was tested
      in combination with copper sulfate at 50 mg/L, we observed 100% mortality of the
      nematodes. We performed a GC-MS metabolomics analysis after treating nematodes
      with maleimide at 8 mg/L for 24 h. This analysis revealed altered fatty acids and
      diglyceride metabolites such as oleic acid, palmitic acid, and 1-monopalmitin.
      Our results suggest that maleimide may be used as a new interesting building
      block for developing new nematicides in combination with copper salts. 

PMID- 27249055
TI  - The role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in cardiac ischaemic-reperfusion injury,
      cardioprotection and preconditioning.
AB  - Cardiac ischaemic-reperfusion injury (IRI) remains the primary cause of mortality
      throughout the developed world. Molecular mechanisms underlying IRI are complex
      and are often interlinked with each other driving a synergistic response. Toll
      like receptor 4 (TLR4), an immunosurveillance receptor, is known to enhance
      tissue injury during IRI by enhancing the inflammatory response. The release of
      endogenous components during IRI bind onto TLR4 leading to the activation of
      multiple signalling kinases. Once this event occurs these proteins are defined as
      danger associated molecular patterns molecules (DAMPs) or alarmins. Examples
      include heat shock proteins, high mobility group box one (HMGB1) and
      extracellular matrix proteins, all of which are involved in IRI. However,
      literature in the last two decades suggests that transient stimulation of TLR4
      may suppress IRI and thus improve cardiac recovery. Furthermore, it remains to be
      seen what role TLR4 plays during ischaemic-preconditioning where acute bouts of
      ischaemia, preceding a harmful bout of ischaemic-reperfusion, is
      cardioprotective. The other question which also needs to be considered is that if
      transient TLR4 signalling drives a preconditioning response then what are the
      ligands which drive this? Hence the second part of this review explores the
      possible TLR4 ligands which may promote cardioprotection against IRI.

PMID- 27249056
TI  - How Accurate Are Home Blood Pressure Devices in Use? A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Out of office blood pressure measurements, using either home monitors
      or 24 hour ambulatory monitoring, is widely recommended for management of
      hypertension. Though validation protocols, meant to be used by manufacturers,
      exist for blood pressure monitors, there is scant data in the literature about
      the accuracy of home blood pressure monitors in actual clinical practice. We
      performed a chart review in the blood pressure assessment clinic at a tertiary
      care centre. METHODS: We assessed the accuracy of home blood pressure monitors
      used by patients seen in the nephrology clinic in Ottawa between the years 2011
      to 2014. We recorded patient demographics and clinical data, including the blood
      pressure measurements, arm circumference and the manufacturer of the home blood
      pressure monitor. The average of BP measurements performed with the home blood
      pressure monitor, were compared to those with the mercury sphygmomanometer. We
      defined accuracy based on a difference of 5 mm Hg in the blood pressure values
      between the home monitor and mercury sphygmomanometer readings. The two methods
      were compared using a Bland-Altman plot and a student's t-test. RESULTS: The
      study included 210 patients. The mean age of the study population was 67 years
      and 61% was men. The average mid-arm circumference was 32.2 cms. 30% and 32% of
      the home BP monitors reported a mean systolic and diastolic BP values,
      respectively, different from the mercury measurements by 5 mm Hg or more. There
      was no significant difference between the monitors that were accurate versus
      those that were not when grouped according to the patient characteristics, cuff
      size or the brand of the home monitor. CONCLUSIONS: An important proportion of
      home blood pressure monitors used by patients seen in our nephrology clinic were
      inaccurate. A re-validation of the accuracy and safety of the devices already in
      use is prudent before relying on these measurements for clinical decisions.

PMID- 27249057
TI  - Acute Corneal Hydrops in Children with Primary Infantile Glaucoma: A Report of 31
      Cases over 23 Years at the LVPEI.
AB  - PURPOSE: Relatively little data exist regarding the outcomes of children with
      primary infantile glaucoma presenting with acute corneal hydrops. The aim of our
      study was to determine the surgical outcome of children of infantile glaucoma who
      presented with acute corneal hydrops. METHODS: In total, 38 eyes of 31
      consecutive children of infantile glaucoma presented with acute corneal hydrops
      who underwent primary combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT) by a single
      surgeon from January 1990 to December 2012 at the LV Prasad Eye Institute
      (LVPEI), a tertiary eye care centre in Southern India were enrolled in this
      retrospective study. Primary outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP)
      control (IOP <= 16 mmHg under anaesthesia or IOP <= 21 mmHg without anaesthesia)
      and clearance of corneal edema. Secondary outcome measures were visual acuity
      (VA), corneal diameter, bleb appearance, intraoperative and postoperative
      complications. RESULTS: Mean age at presentation was 6.4 months (range, 2-11
      months) and seven eyes (23%) had bilateral affliction. At presentation, all eyes
      (100%) had moderate to severe degree of corneal edema with a mean preoperative
      IOP of 25.6 +/-5.1 mmHg. Postoperatively, the IOP reduced to 12.0 +/- 3.8 mmHg
      (difference = -13.6, 95% CI = -15.7 to -11.5, t = -13.18, p<0.0001), and the
      percentage reduction in IOP was 53.05%. Preoperatively 83% of the eyes were on
      antiglaucoma medication, and postoperatively 2 eyes (5.3%) required 1
      antiglaucoma medication for control of IOP. Preoperatively, corneal edema was
      present in all eyes and postoperatively it cleared in all of them. Significant
      myopic astigmatism was present in 28 eyes (74%), the commonest being compound
      myopic astigmatism (75%) followed by simple myopic astigmatism (21%). Normal VA
      (best-corrected VA; BCVA >= 20/60) was achieved in 44.4% of the eyes and 22.2%
      eyes had low vision (BCVA, <20/60 to 20/400). Complete success (IOP control and
      clearance of corneal oedema) was obtained in 94.7% eyes. There were no
      significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. Two thirds of the
      patients showed low, elevated functional filtering bleb. No patient had any bleb
      leak, blebitis or bleb related endophthalmitis. The median follow-up was 36
      months (range 2-228 months). CONCLUSIONS: Primary CTT is safe and effective in
      controlling IOP, resulting in complete clearance of corneal edema with modest
      visual improvement in children of infantile glaucoma presenting with acute
      corneal hydrops. The outcome of the study will have a positive impact on
      counseling the parents preoperatively.

PMID- 27249058
TI  - How Criterion Scores Predict the Overall Impact Score and Funding Outcomes for
      National Institutes of Health Peer-Reviewed Applications.
AB  - Understanding the factors associated with successful funding outcomes of research
      project grant (R01) applications is critical for the biomedical research
      community. R01 applications are evaluated through the National Institutes of
      Health (NIH) peer review system, where peer reviewers are asked to evaluate and
      assign scores to five research criteria when assessing an application's
      scientific and technical merit. This study examined the relationship of the five
      research criterion scores to the Overall Impact score and the likelihood of being
      funded for over 123,700 competing R01 applications for fiscal years 2010 through
      2013. The relationships of other application and applicant characteristics,
      including demographics, to scoring and funding outcomes were studied as well. The
      analyses showed that the Approach and, to a lesser extent, the Significance
      criterion scores were the main predictors of an R01 application's Overall Impact
      score and its likelihood of being funded. Applicants might consider these
      findings when submitting future R01 applications to NIH. 

PMID- 27249059
TI  - Correction: Modeling Reef Fish Biomass, Recovery Potential, and Management
      Priorities in the Western Indian Ocean.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154585.].

PMID- 27249060
TI  - Ischemic Heart Disease Incidence in Relation to Fine versus Total Particulate
      Matter Exposure in a U.S. Aluminum Industry Cohort.
AB  - Ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been linked to exposures to airborne particles
      with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 MUm (PM2.5) in the ambient environment and in
      occupational settings. Routine industrial exposure monitoring, however, has
      traditionally focused on total particulate matter (TPM). To assess potential
      benefits of PM2.5 monitoring, we compared the exposure-response relationships
      between both PM2.5 and TPM and incidence of IHD in a cohort of active aluminum
      industry workers. To account for the presence of time varying confounding by
      health status we applied marginal structural Cox models in a cohort followed with
      medical claims data for IHD incidence from 1998 to 2012. Analyses were stratified
      by work process into smelters (n = 6,579) and fabrication (n = 7,432). Binary
      exposure was defined by the 10th-percentile cut-off from the respective TPM and
      PM2.5 exposure distributions for each work process. Hazard Ratios (HR) comparing
      always exposed above the exposure cut-off to always exposed below the cut-off
      were higher for PM2.5, with HRs of 1.70 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.60)
      and 1.48 (95% CI: 1.02-2.13) in smelters and fabrication, respectively. For TPM,
      the HRs were 1.25 (95% CI: 0.89-1.77) and 1.25 (95% CI: 0.88-1.77) for smelters
      and fabrication respectively. Although TPM and PM2.5 were highly correlated in
      this work environment, results indicate that, consistent with biologic
      plausibility, PM2.5 is a stronger predictor of IHD risk than TPM. Cardiovascular
      risk management in the aluminum industry, and other similar work environments,
      could be better guided by exposure surveillance programs monitoring PM2.5. 

PMID- 27249061
TI  - Structure and Stability Studies of Pharmacologically Relevant S-Nitrosothiols: A
      Theoretical Approach.
AB  - Nowadays, S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) represent a promising class of nitric oxide
      (NO) donors that could be successfully used as drugs to compensate the decrease
      of NO production that usually arises in conjunction with cardiovascular diseases.
      Nevertheless, notwithstanding their pharmacological interest, the structure
      stability relationship in RSNOs is still unclear, and this issue, together with
      the mechanism of NO donation in the physiological medium, deserves further
      investigation. As a first step forward in this direction, in this paper, the
      overall stability and structural preference of two pharmacologically relevant S
      nitrosothiol molecules were studied in detail by means of computational
      strategies. In particular, performing calculations in implicit solvent (water) on
      the S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine and the S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine and
      analyzing the noncovalent interactions networks of their most stable conformers,
      we observed that the structure and the stability of these molecules can be
      directly related to the formation of stabilizing hydrogen-bond and chalcogen
      chalcogen intramolecular interactions. The obtained results represent the
      starting point for further investigations to be conducted also on larger RSNOs to
      shed further light on the role played by intra- and intermolecular interactions
      and by solvation effects in stabilizing this class of molecules. The obtained
      insights will be hopefully helpful to design new RSNO-based drugs characterized
      by an enhanced pharmacological potency. 

PMID- 27249062
TI  - Two forms of self-criticism mediate differently the shame-psychopathological
      symptoms link.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study explored the relation between external shame, two types of
      self-criticism, and depressive, anxious and stress symptoms, in a clinical
      sample. Specifically, we set out to test whether the impact of external shame on
      such symptoms would be mediated by two forms of self-criticism. METHOD: A total
      of 279 patients (228 female and 51 male; mean age of 28.58) with axis I and II
      disorders recruited from several outpatients psychiatric services in Portugal
      completed the Other as Shamer Scale (OAS), the Forms of Self
      Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), and the Depression,
      Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42). RESULTS: Self-criticism mediated in part the
      shame-psychopathological symptoms link, especially the hated self form. The
      alternative model where shame mediates the link between self-criticism and
      psychopathological symptoms was also significant. This result suggests that fear
      of being devalued in the minds of others has a significant impact on people's
      psychological well-being, and this effect can be partially explained by self
      criticism. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that inadequate self and hated self
      are separable types of self-criticism, because they show different patterns of
      association with psychopathology. Shame and self-criticism appear to mutually
      enhance one another, and both are associated with psychopathological symptoms.
      External shame and self-criticism should be a target in treatment. PRACTITIONER
      POINTS: External shame and self-criticism are associated with depressive,
      anxious, and stress symptoms, in a clinical sample. Self-criticism, especially
      hatred for the self, mediates the shame-psychopathological symptoms link. Shame
      and self-criticism should be addressed in therapeutic interventions targeting the
      reduction of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.

PMID- 27249063
TI  - Control of Urban Zika Vectors: Should We Return to the Successful PAHO/WHO
      Strategy?

PMID- 27249064
TI  - Acylated Carrageenan Changes the Physicochemical Properties of Mixed Enzyme-Lipid
      Ultrathin Films and Enhances the Catalytic Properties of Sucrose Phosphorylase
      Nanostructured as Smart Surfaces.
AB  - Control over the catalytic activity of enzymes is important to construct
      biosensors with a wide range of detectability and higher stability. For this,
      immobilization of enzymes on solid supports as nanostructured films is a current
      approach that permits easy control of the molecular architecture as well as
      tuning of the properties. In this article, we employed acylated carrageenan (AC)
      mixed with phospholipids at the air-water interface to facilitate the adsorption
      of the enzyme sucrose phosphorylase (SP). AC stabilized the adsorption of SP at
      the phospholipid monolayer, as detected by tensiometry, by which thermodynamic
      parameters could be inferred from the surface pressure-area isotherm. Also,
      infrared spectroscopy applied in situ over the monolayer showed that the AC
      phospholipid system not only permitted the enzyme to be adsorbed but also helped
      conserve its secondary structure. The mixed monolayers were then transferred onto
      solid supports as Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films and investigated with transfer
      ratio, quartz crystal microbalance, fluorescence spectroscopy, and atomic force
      microscopy. The enzyme activity of the LB film was then determined, revealing
      that although there was an expected reduction in activity in relation to the
      homogeneous environment the activity could be better preserved after 1 month,
      revealing enhanced stability.

PMID- 27249065
TI  - Low Temperature Induced Changes in Citrate Metabolism in Ponkan (Citrus
      reticulata Blanco cv. Ponkan) Fruit during Maturation.
AB  - Citrate is the most important organic acid in citrus fruit, and its concentration
      in fruit cells is regulated mainly by the balance between synthesis and
      degradation. Ponkan (Citrus reticulate Blanco cv. Ponkan) is one of the major
      citrus cultivars grew in China, and the fruit are picked before fully mature to
      avoid bad weather. Greenhouse production is widely used to prolong the maturation
      period and improve the quality of Ponkan fruit by maintaining adequate
      temperature and providing protection from adverse weather. In this research,
      Ponkan fruit cultivated in either a greenhouse or open field were used to
      investigate differences in the expression of genes related to citrate metabolism
      during maturation in the two environments. The citrate contents were higher in
      open field fruit, and were mainly correlated with expressions of CitPEPCs,
      CitCSs, CitAco3 and CitGAD4, which were significantly increased. In addition, the
      impacts of low temperature (LT) and water stress (WS) on citrate metabolism in
      Ponkan were investigated during fruit maturation. The citrate contents in LT
      fruit were significantly increased, by between 1.4-1.9 fold, compared to the
      control; it showed no significant difference in fruit with water stress treatment
      compared to the control fruit. Furthermore, the expressions of CitPEPCs, CitCSs,
      CitAco3 and CitGAD4 were significantly increased in response to LT treatment, but
      showed no significant difference in WS compared to the control fruit. Thus, it
      can be concluded that low temperature may be the main factor influencing citrate
      metabolism during maturation in Ponkan fruit. 

PMID- 27249066
TI  - Effects of Ripasudil Hydrochloride Hydrate Instillation on Pupil Dynamics.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of instillation of ripasudil hydrochloride
      hydrate (GLANATEC(r)) on pupil dynamics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen healthy
      participants (mean age: 30 years), who had no ophthalmic diseases other than
      refractive error, were enrolled in this study. A single dose of GLANATEC(r) was
      instilled into the left eye only. The pupillary response was measured before and
      30 and 120 min after instillation; we also measured intraocular pressure (IOP) at
      the same time points. RESULTS: The IOP in the left eye was significantly lower at
      both 30 (p < 0.05) and 120 (p < 0.01) min after instillation than at baseline,
      whereas that in the right eye was not significantly different from baseline at
      either of the measured post-instillation time points. In contrast, the pupillary
      response did not significantly differ between the three time points. CONCLUSIONS:
      A single instillation of low concentration GLANATEC(r) may have no effect on
      pupil diameter and pupillary response.

PMID- 27249067
TI  - Fulminant hepatitis B as a result of reactivation in hematologic patient after
      rituximab therapy.

PMID- 27249068
TI  - Genetic detection of hantaviruses in rodents, Albania.
AB  - In order to have a first insight into the epidemiology of hantaviruses in
      Albania, 263 small mammals (248 rodents, 15 insectivores) were captured in 352
      locations in 29 districts and tested for hantavirus infection. Dobrava-Belgrade
      virus (DOBV) was detected in 10 of 148 (6.7%) Apodemus flavicollis rodents. DOBV
      positive A. flavicollis were detected in six districts (Diber, Korce, Kolonje,
      Librazhd, Pogradec, and Vlore). The obtained nucleotide sequences were highly
      similar to each other and to DOBV sequences from northwestern Greece.
      Understanding the epidemiology of hantaviruses and identifying the endemic foci
      enables the public health strategies to minimize the risk of human infection. J.
      Med. Virol. 88:1309-1313, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27249069
TI  - Functional analysis of human cytomegalovirus UL/b' region using SCID-hu mouse
      model.
AB  - Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) attenuated strains, Towne, and AD169, differ from
      prototypic pathogenic strains, such as Toledo, in that they are missing a ~15-kb
      segment in the UL/b' region. In contrast to the attenuated strains, Toledo can
      replicate in human tissue implants in SCID (SCID-hu) mice. Thus, this model
      provides a unique in vivo system to study the mechanism of viral pathogenesis.
      Twenty-two ORFs have been annotated in the UL/b' region, including tissue-tropic
      genes encoded in a pentameric gH/gl complex. To differentiate the role of the
      pentameric gH/gl complex versus the functions of other ORFs in the 15-kb region
      in supporting viral growth in vivo, a series of recombinant viral strains were
      constructed and their ability to replicate in SCID-hu mice was tested. The
      mutations in the Towne and AD169 strains were repaired to restore their
      pentameric gH/gl complex and it was found that these changes did not rescue their
      inability to replicate in the SCID-hu mice. Subsequently four deletion viruses
      (D1, D2, D3, and D4) in the 15-kb region from the Toledo strain were created. It
      was demonstrated that D2 and D3 were able to grow in SCID-hu mice, while D1 and
      D4 were not viable. Interestingly, co-infection of the implant with the D1 and D4
      viruses could compensate their respective growth defect in vivo. The results
      demonstrated that rescuing viral epithelial tropism is not sufficient to revert
      the attenuation phenotype of AD169 or Towne, and pathogenic genes are located in
      the segments missing in D1 and D4 viruses. J. Med. Virol. 88:1417-1426, 2016. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27249070
TI  - Preparation of an inoculum of Gluconacetobacter xylinus without mutants in shaken
      culture.
AB  - AIMS: A high-quality inoculum of Gluconacetobacter xylinus is important to
      produce bacterial cellulose (BC), a versatile biomaterial. This work aims to
      develop a method of preparing an inoculum of this bacterium with high cell
      density and without mutants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Inocula of G. xylinus ACCC
      10220 without and with cellulase or carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were prepared
      in shaken culture. BC pellets and BC-negative mutants were present in the
      inoculum without additives but absent in the inoculum with additives. Based on BC
      weights statically produced in fresh BC-producing media initiated by different
      seed culture, the 24-h-shaken inoculum with 1.50% (w/v) CMC was the best because
      of high biomass and absence of mutants. The BC weights in fresh media inoculated
      by the 96-h-static inoculum and 24-h-shaken CMC inoculum at 7% (v/v) were 0.70
      and 1.05 g l(-1) , respectively, implying significant difference (P < 0.01) in BC
      weights. However, structure properties of the two BC samples, including the
      crystallinity index, mass fraction of cellulose Ialpha , degree of polymerization
      (DP) and micromorphology were slightly different. CONCLUSIONS: The 24-h-shaken
      CMC inoculum was the most suitable for a starter culture of BC. SIGNIFICANCE AND
      IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A novel method of preparing G. xylinus inoculum in shaken
      culture was developed, featuring high biomass, absence of mutants and no BC
      entanglements. Cellulase or CMC added into the medium completely suppressed
      mutation of G. xylinus, and CMC facilitated to form colloidal BC with the low DP
      in shaken culture, indicating less BC stress to cells. These findings suggested
      the mutation could be induced by BC stress, and not by shear stress commonly
      accepted.

PMID- 27249071
TI  - On the Vapor Trail: Examining the Chemical Content of E-Cigarette Flavorings.

PMID- 27249073
TI  - Development and exploratory testing of a school-based educational program for
      healthy life behaviors among fifth grade children in South Korea.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this study was to develop an educational program to promote
      healthy life behaviors and to evaluate its potential effects on the health
      practices of fifth grade elementary school children. METHODS: The program, which
      consisted of six categories (daily life and health, disease prevention and
      management, prevention of drug misuse and overuse, sexuality and health, mental
      health, and injury prevention and first aid), was developed based on the ADDIE
      model. A pretest-post-test, one-group, quasi-experimental design was used with 85
      elementary school students who voluntarily participated in the program. RESULTS:
      A school-based educational program, called the "Six Kid Keys," referring to the
      six categories of healthy life behaviors, was developed. Significant pre-post
      differences in two of the six healthy life behavior categories (disease
      prevention and management, injury prevention and first aid) were found.
      CONCLUSION: A school-based intervention that was aimed at changing habits related
      to healthy life behaviors could be effective for elementary school children.

PMID- 27249072
TI  - GATA3 Expression Is a Poor Prognostic Factor in Soft Tissue Sarcomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have investigated the significance of GATA3 expression
      in patients with various malignant tumors. However, no previous studies have
      evaluated the clinicopathological importance of GATA3 expression in soft tissue
      sarcomas (STS) patients. METHODS: We evaluated GATA3 expression in 76 STS cases
      using immunohistochemical analysis, and statistically compared
      clinicopathological characteristics between GATA3-positive and GATA3-negative
      cases. RESULT: GATA3-positive expression was significantly associated with a
      higher mitotic count (P < 0.0001). Disease-free survival (DFS) of GATA3-positive
      cases was significantly shorter than that of cases without GATA3 expression (P =
      0.0104). Overall survival (OS) of GATA3-positive cases was significantly shorter
      than that of cases without GATA3 expression (P = 0.0006). GATA3-positive
      expression was significantly associated with shorter DFS in both univariate
      analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 2.719; P = 0.012) and multivariate analysis (HR,
      2.711; P = 0.014). GATA3-positive expression was also significantly associated
      with worse OS in both univariate analysis (HR, 5.730; P = 0.0007) and
      multivariate analysis (HR, 5.789; P = 0.0008). CONCLUSION: These results indicate
      that GATA3 is an independent prognostic factor and suggest that evaluation of
      GATA3 expression might enable more effective clinical follow-up using prognostic
      stratification of STS patients.

PMID- 27249074
TI  - The course of suicide risk following traumatic injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although traumatic injuries affect millions of patients each year and
      increase risk for psychiatric disorder, no evidence currently exists regarding
      associated suicidal risk. This study reports a longitudinal investigation of
      suicidal risk in the 2 years after traumatic injury. METHODS: A prospective
      design cohort study was conducted in 4 major trauma hospitals across Australia. A
      total of 1,129 traumatically injured patients were assessed during hospital
      admission between April 2004 and February 2006 and were followed up at 3 months
      (88%), 12 months (77%), and 24 months (72%). Lifetime psychiatric disorder was
      assessed in hospital using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview,
      version 5.5, which was also used to assess the prevalence of suicidality,
      psychiatric disorder, and exposure to adverse life events at 3, 12, and 24 months
      after traumatic injury. RESULTS: Approximately 6% of patients reported
      moderate/high suicidal risk at each assessment. At each assessment, half of
      suicidal patients reported no suicidal risk at the previous assessment.
      Suicidality at 24 months was predicted by current pain levels (odds ratio [OR] =
      1.16; 95% CI, 1.09-1.23), recent life events (OR = 1.30; 95% CI,1.17-1.44), and
      current psychiatric disorder (OR = 17.07; 95% CI, 7.03-41.42), whereas only 36.6%
      of suicidal patients had consulted a mental health professional in the previous
      month, and 66.2% had consulted a primary care physician. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal
      risk affects a significant proportion of patients who experience a traumatic
      injury, and the risk for suicide fluctuates markedly in the initial years
      following the injury. Primary care physicians need to be trained to assess for
      suicidal risk in the initial years after a traumatic injury.

PMID- 27249075
TI  - Benzodiazepine use and risk of mortality among patients with schizophrenia: a
      retrospective longitudinal study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between benzodiazepine use alone
      or in combination with antipsychotics and risk of mortality in patients with
      schizophrenia. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal analysis was performed using
      Medicaid claims data merged with death certificate data for 18,953 patients (aged
      18-58 years) with ICD-9-diagnosed schizophrenia followed from July 1, 2006, to
      December 31, 2013. Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to estimate the
      risk of all-cause mortality associated with benzodiazepine use; adjustment was
      made for a wide array of fixed and time-varying confounders, including
      demographics, psychiatric and medical comorbidities, and other psychotropic
      medications. RESULTS: Of the 18,953 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, 13,741
      (72.5%) were not prescribed a benzodiazepine, 3,476 (18.3%) were prescribed
      benzodiazepines in the absence of antipsychotic medication, and 1,736 (9.2%) were
      prescribed benzodiazepines in combination with antipsychotics. Controlling for a
      wide array of demographic and clinical variables, the hazard of mortality was
      208% higher for patients prescribed benzodiazepines without an antipsychotic (HR
      = 3.08; 95% CI, 2.63-3.61; P < .001) and 48% higher for patients prescribed
      benzodiazepines in combination with antipsychotics (HR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15-1.91;
      P = .002). Benzodiazepine-prescribed patients were at greater risk of death by
      suicide and accidental poisoning as well as from natural causes. CONCLUSIONS:
      Benzodiazepine use is associated with increased mortality risk in patients with
      schizophrenia after adjusting for a wide range of potential confounders. Given
      unproven efficacy, physicians should exercise caution in prescribing
      benzodiazepines to schizophrenic patients.

PMID- 27249076
TI  - Introduction.
AB  - Welcome to the Early Career Psychiatrists section of the Journal of Clinical
      Psychiatry! This month, we highlight the work of individuals who are in the early
      phase of an academic psychiatry career. We present 4 articles on a diverse array
      of topics, including 2 on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The treatment of
      PTSD is of paramount importance to improving the mental health of those around
      the world who develop chronic stress after exposure to violence and trauma.

PMID- 27249077
TI  - Open-Label trial on the effects of memantine in adults with obsessive-compulsive
      disorder after a single ketamine infusion.

PMID- 27249078
TI  - Safety and efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy for depression in the presence
      of deep brain stimulation in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

PMID- 27249079
TI  - Cannabis and neuropsychiatry, 1: benefits and risks.
AB  - Cannabis is popularly believed to be a relatively benign substance. Cannabis is
      also considered to have potential medical benefits, and medical marijuana has
      been legislated in many parts of the world. However, a recent meta-analysis found
      that cannabinoids were associated with only modest benefits for chemotherapy
      related nausea and vomiting, small and inconsistent benefits for pain and
      spasticity, and inconclusive benefits for other indications such as improvement
      of appetite and weight, reduction in tic severity, and improvement of mood or
      sleep. On the flip side, cannabinoids and cannabis have acute and long-term
      adverse effects. In randomized controlled trials, cannabinoids increase the risk
      of total adverse events, serious adverse events, and dropout due to adverse
      events. Cannabis impairs cognition, and driving after cannabis use is associated
      with an increased risk of traffic accidents, including fatal accidents. Long-term
      cannabis use may lead to dependence, respiratory conditions, psychosis, and
      possibly cancer, as well. Cannabis use during pregnancy may compromise certain
      pregnancy outcomes such as fetal growth, and use during adolescence may
      compromise neurodevelopment, social adjustment, and vocational success. The
      composition and bioavailability of cannabis vary across preparations of the
      substance and routes of administration; this limits the ability to generalize the
      findings of studies. The findings of older research may no longer apply to
      current strains of cannabis that are higher in psychotogenic content. It is
      important for medical professionals and the lay public to understand the
      limitations of the efficacy data and the seriousness of the risks associated with
      cannabis use in medical and recreational contexts. 

PMID- 27249080
TI  - Doxazosin XL reduces symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans with
      PTSD: a pilot clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are effective first
      line agents for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but
      treatment is associated with a range of side effects that limit treatment
      adherence. Prazosin, an alpha1-noradrenergic antagonist with a half-life of
      roughly 2-3 hours, has shown promise in the treatment of sleep disturbance and
      nightmares. Doxazosin extended release (XL) is also an alpha1-noradrenergic
      antagonist but with a half-life of approximately 15-19 hours. METHODS: We
      conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects trial to
      characterize the impact of doxazosin XL on PTSD symptoms. Participants (N = 8)
      were diagnosed using DSM-IV criteria. They completed the study twice, once during
      treatment with doxazosin XL and once during treatment with matched placebo, with
      a 2-week washout separating the 2 episodes. Doxazosin XL was titrated from 4 mg/d
      to 16 mg/d over 12 days. After 4 days of treatment at 16 mg/d or the equivalent
      number of placebo capsules, PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Clinician
      Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS17) and the PTSD Checklist-Military version (PCL-M).
      Repeated measures analysis of variance were used to evaluate effects of
      treatment, time, and treatment * time. This study was run from November 20, 2013,
      to June 31, 2014. RESULTS: Doxazosin XL treatment was associated with a
      nonsignificant treatment * time reduction in ratings on the CAPS hyperarousal
      subscale (P < .10) (but not on the CAPS Total score) and with significant
      treatment * time reductions in PCL-M ratings (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Doxazosin
      XL may be an effective alternative to prazosin for the treatment of some PTSD
      symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT02308202.

PMID- 27249081
TI  - Comparative risk of seizure with use of first- and second-generation
      antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the risk of antipsychotic-related seizure (ARS) by
      identifying seizures first diagnosed within 12 months after starting new
      antipsychotics, using a 12-year total population health claims database from
      Taiwan. METHODS: Seizure events were identified through emergency department
      visits or hospitalization with a diagnosis of convulsion (ICD-9-CM: 780.3) or
      epilepsy (ICD-9-CM: 345). Subjects had an ICD-9-CM diagnosis of schizophrenia,
      bipolar disorders, or major depressive disorders. Incidence rates of ARS were
      calculated by person-years of exposure. The ARS risk, adjusted for patient
      characteristics and medical conditions, of individual antipsychotics versus
      risperidone was examined by high-dimensional propensity score stratification
      analyses, followed by sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: The overall 1-year incidence
      rate of ARS was 9.6 (95% CI, 8.8-10.4) per 1,000 person-years (550 ARS events
      among 288,397 new antipsychotic users). First-generation antipsychotics were
      marginally associated with a higher ARS risk than second-generation
      antipsychotics (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.34; 95% CI, 0.99-1.81; P = .061).
      Most antipsychotics, first- or second-generation, had comparable ARS risks versus
      risperidone. Notably, clozapine (aHR = 3.06; 95% CI, 1.40-6.71), thioridazine
      (aHR = 2.90; 95% CI, 1.65-5.10), chlorprothixene (aHR = 2.60; 95% CI, 1.04-6.49),
      and haloperidol (aHR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.48-3.71) had higher ARS risks than
      risperidone, whereas aripiprazole (aHR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.17-1.00; P = .050) had a
      marginally lower ARS risk. Sensitivity analyses largely confirmed such findings.
      CONCLUSIONS: Higher vigilance for ARS is warranted during use of clozapine,
      chlorprothixene, thioridazine, and haloperidol. The possible lower ARS risk
      associated with aripiprazole can be clinically significant but needs to be
      confirmed by larger-scale systematic studies. The comparative ARS risks of
      antipsychotics supplement empirical knowledge for making judicious choices in
      prescribing antipsychotics.

PMID- 27249082
TI  - Can development of PTSD be prevented after acute trauma?

PMID- 27249083
TI  - The incidence of seizures with antipsychotics.

PMID- 27249084
TI  - Benzodiazepine safety: mortality risk or multiple chronic disease comorbidity?

PMID- 27249085
TI  - How many treatments before clozapine? medication choices across the spectrum of
      treatment resistance in schizophrenia.

PMID- 27249086
TI  - Gene expression profiling of the xMHC region reveals 9 candidate genes in
      schizophrenia.

PMID- 27249087
TI  - Sudden cardiac death related to antipsychotics: beyond the long QT syndrome
      hypothesis.

PMID- 27249088
TI  - Why is mechanism of action important in antidepressant treatment?
AB  - Antidepressants are one of the most common treatment strategies for patients
      diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, antidepressant
      medications have different mechanisms of action that can theoretically and in
      practice affect how patients respond. Clinicians should assess their patients'
      symptoms and response to medication at every visit to determine whether or not
      the treatment is fully effective. Here, follow the case of Maria, a 42-year-old
      teacher who is experiencing her first depressive episode.

PMID- 27249089
TI  - Impact of anxious symptoms and comorbid anxiety disorders on functional
      impairment in depressed patients.
AB  - Patients with depression may have unrecognized anxiety symptoms or comorbid
      anxiety disorders that hinder their ability to function and their response to
      treatment. Patients with both depressive and anxious symptoms may be more
      sensitive to medication adverse effects and require lower starting doses of
      antidepressants than those with only depression. Regular monitoring of symptoms
      and functioning should include the use of rating scales to help identify areas of
      need. Novel antidepressants and augmentation strategies may be necessary to help
      patients achieve recovery. 

PMID- 27249090
TI  - Early onset of response with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in obsessive
      compulsive disorder: a meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are recommended as the
      first-line pharmacologic treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). SSRI
      response is thought to be delayed in OCD, even more so than in major depression.
      We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the trajectory of treatment response to
      SSRIs and how this trajectory is modulated by dosage. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and
      the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched on May
      22, 2013, for randomized, placebo-controlled SSRI trials in OCD with the search
      terms "serotonin uptake inhibitors" [MeSH] OR "serotonin uptake inhibitors"
      [Pharmacologic Action] AND "obsessive-compulsive disorder" [MeSH]. There were no
      language limitations on the search. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized, placebo
      controlled trials that examined the efficacy of SSRIs in the treatment of adults
      with OCD and utilized the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) as an
      outcome were selected. DATA EXTRACTION: We extracted weekly symptom data from
      randomized, placebo-controlled trials of SSRIs for the treatment of adults with
      OCD in order to characterize the trajectory of pharmacologic response. Our
      primary outcome was weighted mean difference on the Y-BOCS of SSRI treatment
      compared to placebo. We used the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS to examine 6
      possible models of SSRI response. Interaction terms were utilized to examine the
      effect of dose, individual agent, and year of publication on SSRI response.
      RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 17 trials of SSRIs including 3,276 subjects.
      A statistically significant benefit of SSRIs compared to placebo was seen within
      2 weeks after the start of treatment (weighted mean difference = -0.91 [95% CI, 
      0.54 to -1.28], P < .001). A logarithmic response curve, indicating decreasing
      symptom improvement over time, provided the best fit for the trajectory of OCD
      symptom improvement. A significantly greater response was associated with using
      higher doses of SSRIs (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the
      greatest incremental treatment gains in OCD are seen early on in SSRI treatment.
      This is consistent with a previous meta-analysis examining time course of SSRI
      action in major depressive disorder and contrasts with the widely held belief
      that SSRI response in OCD is delayed.

PMID- 27249091
TI  - Age at the time of exposure to trauma modulates the psychopathological profile in
      patients with early psychosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential differential impact of childhood trauma,
      according to the age at the time of exposure, on the psychopathological profile
      of patients with early psychosis treated in a specialized 3-year program during
      the early phase of the disease. METHODS: 196 subjects with early psychosis aged
      18-35 years were followed up prospectively over 36 months of treatment between
      2004 and 2010. Patients who had faced at least 1 experience of abuse (physical,
      sexual, or emotional) or neglect (physical or emotional) were classified
      according to age at the time of the first exposure (early trauma: before 12 years
      of age; late trauma: from age 12 through 16 years) and then compared with
      unexposed patients (nontrauma). The level of symptoms was assessed using the
      Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Young Mania Rating Scale, and the
      Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. RESULTS: Exposure to 1 or more forms
      of trauma before 16 years of age was present in 31.63% of patients. Comparisons
      over the 3 years of treatment with the nontrauma patients revealed that (1)
      patients with early trauma showed consistently higher levels of positive (P =
      .006), depressive (P = .001), manic (P = .006), and negative (P = .029) symptoms
      and (2) patients with late trauma showed only more negative symptoms (P = .029).
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the age at the time of exposure to trauma
      has a modulating effect on symptoms in patients with early psychosis. Various
      biological and psychological hypotheses can be proposed to explain this
      observation, and they need to be investigated in an experimental setting in order
      to develop therapeutic avenues.

PMID- 27249092
TI  - Demographic variables, design characteristics, and effect sizes of randomized,
      placebo-controlled, monotherapy trials of major depressive disorder and bipolar
      depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to compare the efficacy of pharmacologic
      agents for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar
      depression. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE/PubMed databases were searched for studies
      published in English between January 1980 and September 2014 by cross-referencing
      the search term placebo with each of the antidepressant agents identified and
      with bipolar. The search was supplemented by manual bibliography review. STUDY
      SELECTION: We selected double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of
      antidepressant monotherapies for the treatment of MDD and of oral drug
      monotherapies for the treatment of bipolar depression. 196 trials in MDD and 19
      trials in bipolar depression were found eligible for inclusion in our analysis.
      DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted by one of the authors and checked for
      accuracy by a second one. Data extracted included year of publication, number of
      patients randomized, probability of receiving placebo, duration of the trial,
      baseline symptom severity, dosing schedule, study completion rates, and clinical
      response rates. RESULTS: Response rates for drug versus placebo in trials of MDD
      and bipolar depression were 52.7% versus 37.5% and 54.7% versus 40.5%,
      respectively. The random-effects meta-analysis indicated that drug therapy was
      more effective than placebo in both MDD (risk ratio for response = 1.373; P <
      .001) and bipolar depression (risk ratio = 1.257; P < .001) trials. The meta
      regression analysis suggested a statistically significant difference in the risk
      ratio of responding to drug versus placebo between MDD and bipolar depression
      trials in favor of MDD (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Although a statistically
      significantly greater treatment effect size was noted in MDD relative to bipolar
      depression studies, the absolute magnitude of the difference was numerically
      small. Therefore, the present study suggests no clinically significant
      differences in the overall short-term efficacy of pharmacologic monotherapies for
      MDD and bipolar depression.

PMID- 27249093
TI  - Impact of electrocoagulation of soluble microbial products on membrane fouling at
      different volatile suspended solids' concentrations.
AB  - This research had two objectives: (1) to study the combined effect of volatile
      suspended solids (VSS) and soluble microbial product (SMP) on membrane fouling in
      an attempt to explain the discrepancies of previous studies and (2) to
      investigate the feasibility of reducing SMP impact on membrane fouling rate by
      electrocoagulation. Electrocoagulation successfully removed up to 55% and 90% of
      protein and polysaccharides, respectively, which resulted in a substantial
      reduction of membrane fouling rate (four times less). The results showed that at
      a comparable VSS concentration, membrane fouling increased with an increase in
      SMP. For example, for the same magnitude of VSS, membrane fouling rate was four
      times higher as the concentration of SMP tripled. Higher VSS concentrations were
      not directly responsible for higher fouling rates unless there was an increase in
      the SMP concentration. It was concluded that the correlation of membrane fouling
      with VSS alone is misleading unless accompanied with SMP concentration.
      Statistical analysis demonstrated that VSS impact on membrane fouling was not
      significant when it was considered as a single independent variable. The most
      accurate prediction of the membrane fouling was built by multiple regression
      model based on a quadratic VSS and linear SMP as independent variables.

PMID- 27249094
TI  - Zika Virus Infection and Surgery: What Should We Be Concerned About?

PMID- 27249095
TI  - Drugs for multiple sclerosis.

PMID- 27249096
TI  - Pimavanserin (Nuplazid) for Parkinson's disease psychosis.

PMID- 27249097
TI  - Alternatives to fluoroquinolones.

PMID- 27249098
TI  - In brief: new indications for secukinumab (Cosentyx).

PMID- 27249099
TI  - In brief: liposomal irinotecan (Onivyde) for pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 27249100
TI  - In brief: trifluridine/tipiracil (Lonsurf) for metastatic colorectal cancer.

PMID- 27249101
TI  - Ligand-Induced Stabilization of a Duplex-like Architecture Is Crucial for the
      Switching Mechanism of the SAM-III Riboswitch.
AB  - Riboswitches are structured RNA motifs that control gene expression by sensing
      the concentrations of specific metabolites and make up a promising new class of
      antibiotic targets. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM)-III riboswitch, mainly found in
      lactic acid bacteria, is involved in regulating methionine and SAM biosynthetic
      pathways. SAM-III riboswitch regulates the gene expression by switching the
      translation process on and off with respect to the absence and presence of the
      SAM ligand, respectively. In this study, an attempt is made to understand the key
      conformational transitions involved in ligand binding using atomistic molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulations performed in an explicit solvent environment. G26 is
      found to recognize the SAM ligand by forming hydrogen bonds, whereas the absence
      of the ligand leads to opening of the binding pocket. Consistent with
      experimental results, the absence of the SAM ligand weakens the base pairing
      interactions between the nucleobases that are part of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) and
      anti-Shine-Dalgarno (aSD) sequences, which in turn facilitates recognition of the
      SD sequence by ribosomes. Detailed analysis reveals that a duplex-like structure
      formed by nucleotides from different parts of the RNA and the adenine base of the
      ligand is crucial for the stability of the completely folded state in the
      presence of the ligand. Previous experimental studies have shown that the SAM-III
      riboswitch exists in equilibrium between the unfolded and partially folded states
      in the absence of the ligand, which completely folds upon binding of the ligand.
      Comparison of the results presented here to the available experimental data
      indicates the structures obtained using the MD simulations resemble the partially
      folded state. Thus, this study provides a detailed understanding of the fully and
      partially folded structures of the SAM-III riboswitch in the presence and absence
      of the ligand, respectively. This study hypothesizes a dual role for the SAM
      ligand, which facilitates conformational switching between partially and fully
      folded states by forming a stable duplex-like structure and strengthening the
      interactions between SD and aSD nucleotides.

PMID- 27249103
TI  - Emissions from oil and gas operations in the United States.

PMID- 27249102
TI  - Epigenetic age predictions based on buccal swabs are more precise in combination
      with cell type-specific DNA methylation signatures.
AB  - Aging is reflected by highly reproducible DNA methylation (DNAm) changes that
      open new perspectives for estimation of chronological age in legal medicine. DNA
      can be harvested non-invasively from cells at the inside of a person's cheek
      using buccal swabs - but these specimens resemble heterogeneous mixtures of
      buccal epithelial cells and leukocytes with different epigenetic makeup. In this
      study, we have trained an age predictor based on three age-associated CpG sites
      (associated with the genesPDE4C, ASPA, and ITGA2B) for swab samples to reach a
      mean absolute deviation (MAD) between predicted and chronological age of 4.3
      years in a training set and of 7.03 years in a validation set. Subsequently, the
      composition of buccal epithelial cells versus leukocytes was estimated by two
      additional CpGs (associated with the genes CD6 and SERPINB5). Results of this
      "Buccal-Cell-Signature" correlated with cell counts in cytological stains (R2 =
      0.94). Combination of cell type-specific and age-associated CpGs into one
      multivariate model enabled age predictions with MADs of 5.09 years and 5.12 years
      in two independent validation sets. Our results demonstrate that the cellular
      composition in buccal swab samples can be determined by DNAm at two cell type
      specific CpGs to improve epigenetic age predictions.

PMID- 27249104
TI  - Emissions from oil and gas operations in the United States and their air quality
      implications.
AB  - The energy supply infrastructure in the United States has been changing
      dramatically over the past decade. Increased production of oil and natural gas,
      particularly from shale resources using horizontal drilling and hydraulic
      fracturing, made the United States the world's largest producer of oil and
      natural gas in 2014. This review examines air quality impacts, specifically,
      changes in greenhouse gas, criteria air pollutant, and air toxics emissions from
      oil and gas production activities that are a result of these changes in energy
      supplies and use. National emission inventories indicate that volatile organic
      compound (VOC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from oil and gas supply chains
      in the United States have been increasing significantly, whereas emission
      inventories for greenhouse gases have seen slight declines over the past decade.
      These emission inventories are based on counts of equipment and operational
      activities (activity factors), multiplied by average emission factors, and
      therefore are subject to uncertainties in these factors. Although uncertainties
      associated with activity data and missing emission source types can be
      significant, multiple recent measurement studies indicate that the greatest
      uncertainties are associated with emission factors. In many source categories,
      small groups of devices or sites, referred to as super-emitters, contribute a
      large fraction of emissions. When super-emitters are accounted for, multiple
      measurement approaches, at multiple scales, produce similar results for estimated
      emissions. Challenges moving forward include identifying super-emitters and
      reducing their emission magnitudes. Work done to date suggests that both
      equipment malfunction and operational practices can be important. Finally,
      although most of this review focuses on emissions from energy supply
      infrastructures, the regional air quality implications of some coupled energy
      production and use scenarios are examined. These case studies suggest that both
      energy production and use should be considered in assessing air quality
      implications of changes in energy infrastructures, and that impacts are likely to
      vary among regions. IMPLICATIONS: The energy supply infrastructure in the United
      States has been changing dramatically over the past decade, leading to changes in
      emissions from oil and natural gas supply chain sources. In many source
      categories along these supply chains, small groups of devices or sites, referred
      to as super-emitters, contribute a large fraction of emissions. Effective
      emission reductions will require technologies for both identifying super-emitters
      and reducing their emission magnitudes.

PMID- 27249105
TI  - Greenhouse gas emissions estimation from proposed El Fukhary Landfill in the Gaza
      Strip.
AB  - Landfills throughout the world are contributing to the global warming problem.
      This is due to the existence of the most important greenhouse gases (GHG) in
      landfill gas (LFG); namely, methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The aim of
      this paper is quantifying the total potential emissions, as well as the variation
      in production with time of CH4 from a proposed landfill (El Fukhary landfill) in
      the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Two different methods were adopted in order to
      quantify the total potential CH4 emissions; the Default methodology based on the
      intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) 1996 revised guidelines and the
      Landfill Gas Emissions model (LandGEM V3.02) provided by the United States
      Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The second objective of the study has been
      accomplished using the Triangle gas production model. The results obtained from
      both Default and LandGEM methods were found to be nearly the same. For 25 years
      of disposing MSW, El Fukhary landfill expected to have potential CH4 emissions of
      1.9542 +/- 0.0037 *109 m3. Triangle model showed that the peak production in term
      of CH4 would occur in 2043; 28 years beyond the open year. Moreover, the model
      shows that 50 % of the gas will be produced approximately at the middle of the
      total duration of gas production. Proper control of Methane emissions from El
      Fukhary landfill is highly suggested in order to reduce the harmful effects on
      the environment. IMPLICATIONS: Although, GHG emissions are extensively discussed
      in the developed countries throughout the world, it has gained little concern in
      the developing countries because they are forced most of the time to put
      environmental concerns at the end of their priority list. The paper shows that
      developing countries have to start recognizing their fault and change their way
      of dealing with environmental issues especially GHG emissions (mainly Methane and
      carbon dioxide). The authors estimated the potential methane emissions from a
      proposed central landfill that has been approved to be built in Palestine, a
      country that is classified as a developing country.

PMID- 27249106
TI  - The Association Between Internal and External Measures of Training Load in
      Batsmen and Medium-Fast Bowlers During Net-Based Cricket Training.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between session rating of perceived exertion
      (sRPE) and measures of internal and external training load (TL) in cricket
      batsmen and medium-fast bowlers during net-based training sessions. METHODS: The
      internal (heart rate), external (movement demands, PlayerLoad), and technical
      (cricket-specific skills) loads of 30 male cricket players (age 21.2 +/- 3.8 y,
      height 1.82 +/- 0.07 m, body mass 79.0 +/- 8.7 kg) were determined from net-based
      cricket-training sessions (n = 118). The relationships between sRPE and measures
      of TL were quantified using Pearson product-moment correlations respective to
      playing position. Stepwise multiple-regression techniques provided key internal-
      and external-load determinants of sRPE in cricket players. RESULTS: Significant
      correlations were evident (r = -.34 to .87, P < .05) between internal and
      external measures of TL and sRPE, with the strongest correlations (r >= .62) for
      GPS-derived measures for both playing positions. In batsmen, stepwise multiple
      regression analysis revealed that 67.8% of the adjusted variance in sRPE could be
      explained by PlayerLoad and high-intensity distance (y = 27.43 + 0.81 PlayerLoad
      + 0.29 high-intensity distance). For medium-fast bowlers, 76.3% of the adjusted
      variance could be explained by total distance and mean heart rate (y = 101.82 +
      total distance 0.05 + HRmean - 0.48). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that sRPE
      is a valid method of reporting TL among cricket batsmen and medium-fast bowlers.
      Position-specific responses are evident and should be considered when monitoring
      the TL of cricket players.

PMID- 27249109
TI  - Why Is the X-Ray Tube Usually Located Underneath the Patient Instead of Above the
      Patient for Interventional Fluoroscopic Procedures?

PMID- 27249108
TI  - ATAC-seq on biobanked specimens defines a unique chromatin accessibility
      structure in naive SLE B cells.
AB  - Biobanking is a widespread practice for storing biological samples for future
      studies ranging from genotyping to RNA analysis. However, methods that probe the
      status of the epigenome are lacking. Here, the framework for applying the Assay
      for Transposase Accessible Sequencing (ATAC-seq) to biobanked specimens is
      described and was used to examine the accessibility landscape of naive B cells
      from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients undergoing disease flares. An
      SLE specific chromatin accessibility signature was identified. Changes in
      accessibility occurred at loci surrounding genes involved in B cell activation
      and contained motifs for transcription factors that regulate B cell activation
      and differentiation. These data provide evidence for an altered epigenetic
      programming in SLE B cells and identify loci and transcription factor networks
      that potentially impact disease. The ability to determine the chromatin
      accessibility landscape and identify cis-regulatory elements has broad
      application to studies using biorepositories and offers significant advantages to
      improve the molecular information obtained from biobanked samples.

PMID- 27249110
TI  - Patient-specific instrumentation does not improve radiographic alignment or
      clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty.
AB  - Background and purpose - Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) for total knee
      arthroplasty (TKA) has been introduced to improve alignment and reduce outliers,
      increase efficiency, and reduce operation time. In order to improve our
      understanding of the outcomes of patient-specific instrumentation, we conducted a
      meta-analysis. Patients and methods - We identified randomized and quasi
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing patient-specific and conventional
      instrumentation in TKA. Weighted mean differences and risk ratios were determined
      for radiographic accuracy, operation time, hospital stay, blood loss, number of
      surgical trays required, and patient-reported outcome measures. Results - 21 RCTs
      involving 1,587 TKAs were included. Patient-specific instrumentation resulted in
      slightly more accurate hip-knee-ankle axis (0.3 degrees ), coronal femoral
      alignment (0.3 degrees , femoral flexion (0.9 degrees ), tibial slope (0.7
      degrees ), and femoral component rotation (0.5 degrees ). The risk ratio of a
      coronal plane outlier (> 3 degrees  deviation of chosen target) for the tibial
      component was statistically significantly increased in the PSI group (RR =1.64).
      No significance was found for other radiographic measures. Operation time, blood
      loss, and transfusion rate were similar. Hospital stay was significantly
      shortened, by approximately 8 h, and the number of surgical trays used decreased
      by 4 in the PSI group. Knee Society scores and Oxford knee scores were similar.
      Interpretation - Patient-specific instrumentation does not result in clinically
      meaningful improvement in alignment, fewer outliers, or better early patient
      reported outcome measures. Efficiency is improved by reducing the number of trays
      used, but PSI does not reduce operation time. 

PMID- 27249158
TI  - Study of spatial and temporal distribution of antimicrobial in water and
      sediments from caging fish farms by on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS.
AB  - An on-line solid phase extraction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
      (SPE-LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of 12 antimicrobials in sediment and
      surface water was developed and validated. Furthermore, the spatial and temporal
      antimicrobials distributions in the sediment and in the water of four fish farms
      located in the hydroelectric dam of Ilha Solteira Reservoir in Brazil were
      investigated over four seasons in three sampling sites: at the fish cages, 100
      and 1,000 m downstream far from the cages. The method was performed using an
      Agilent Zorbax 80 SB-C8 column (9.4 * 15 mm, 5 um) as the loading column, and the
      Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (3.0 * 100 mm, 3.5 um) as a separation
      column within a run time of 13 min. The limits of quantification were less than 9
      ng.L(-1) for the antibiotics in water and 16 ug.kg(-1) in sediment; the recovery
      ranged from 80 to 119%, with a variation coefficient less than 11%, and the
      repeatability was lower than 15%. Oxytetracycline was found in the water in all
      sample seasons. However, florfenicol was identified in April and October 2013 and
      January 2014, and tetracycline was present in July 2013. Regarding the sediment,
      oxytetracycline and tetracycline were found in all sampling periods, but
      chlortetracycline was only identified in January 2014. The spatial distribution
      of antimicrobials showed that the main pollution source came from the fish farms.
      This study demonstrated that the proposed method is reliable for the monitoring
      of antimicrobials in water and sediments and it showed contamination in both
      matrices from Ilha Solteira Reservoir. 

PMID- 27249159
TI  - Affect in the eyes: explicit and implicit evaluations.
AB  - The present study investigated whether another individual's gaze direction
      influences an observer's affective responses. In Experiment 1, subjective self
      ratings and an affective priming paradigm were employed to examine how
      participants explicitly and implicitly, respectively, evaluated the affective
      valence of direct gaze, averted gaze, and closed eyes. The explicit self-ratings
      showed that participants evaluated closed eyes more positively than direct gaze.
      However, the implicit priming task showed an inverse pattern of results
      indicating that direct gaze was automatically evaluated more positively than
      closed eyes were. Experiment 2 confirmed that the opposite patterns of results
      between the two tasks were not due to differences in presentation times of the
      gaze stimuli. The results provide evidence for automatic affective reactions to
      eye gaze and indicate a dissociation between explicit and implicit affective
      evaluations of eyes and gaze direction.

PMID- 27249160
TI  - Bipartisan Genetic Research Privacy Protection Act Introduced.

PMID- 27249161
TI  - Internet- and mobile-based stress management for employees with adherence-focused
      guidance: efficacy and mechanism of change.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the efficacy
      of an internet-based stress management intervention (iSMI) among employees
      compared to a 6-month waitlist control group (WLC) with full access to treatment
      as-usual. METHOD: A sample of 264 employees with elevated symptoms of perceived
      stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-10 >=22) was assigned to either the iSMI or
      WLC group. The iSMI consisted of seven sessions and one booster session including
      problem-solving and emotion regulation techniques. Participants received guidance
      from an e-coach that focused on improving the adherence to the intervention. Self
      report data were assessed at baseline, seven weeks, and six months following
      randomization. The primary outcome was perceived stress (PSS-10). The secondary
      outcomes included other relevant mental and work-related health outcomes.
      RESULTS: The iSMI participants showed a significantly higher reduction in
      perceived stress from baseline to seven weeks [d=0.79, 95% confidence interval
      (95% CI) 0.54-1.04] and the 6-month follow up (d=0.85, 95% CI 0.59-1.10) compared
      to controls. Significant moderate-to-large effect sizes were also found for
      depression, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, sleeping problems, worrying, quality
      of life (mental health), psychological detachment and emotion regulation skills.
      Work engagement, quality of life (physical health), absenteeism and presenteeism
      were not found to significantly differ between the iSMI and WLC groups. Changes
      in emotion regulation regarding general distress mediated changes in perceived
      stress. CONCLUSION: The iSMI investigated in this study was found to be effective
      in reducing typical symptoms of stress. However, several important work-related
      health symptoms were not significantly affected by the intervention. Internet
      based guided self-help interventions could be an acceptable, effective approach
      to reduce a range of negative consequences associated with work-related stress.
      Future studies should investigate the comparative (cost-) effectiveness of guided
      and unguided stress management interventions.

PMID- 27249162
TI  - Simple animal models for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drug discovery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Simple animal models have enabled great progress in uncovering the
      disease mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and are helping in the
      selection of therapeutic compounds through chemical genetic approaches. AREAS
      COVERED: Within this article, the authors provide a concise overview of simple
      model organisms, C. elegans, Drosophila and zebrafish, which have been employed
      to study ALS and discuss their value to ALS drug discovery. In particular, the
      authors focus on innovative chemical screens that have established simple
      organisms as important models for ALS drug discovery. EXPERT OPINION: There are
      several advantages of using simple animal model organisms to accelerate drug
      discovery for ALS. It is the authors' particular belief that the amenability of
      simple animal models to various genetic manipulations, the availability of a wide
      range of transgenic strains for labelling motoneurons and other cell types,
      combined with live imaging and chemical screens should allow for new detailed
      studies elucidating early pathological processes in ALS and subsequent drug and
      target discovery.

PMID- 27249164
TI  - The Vital Relationship Between Nutrition and Health in Zebrafish.
AB  - In the relatively short span of four decades, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has
      emerged as an increasingly important model organism for biomedicine and other
      scientific disciplines. As the scale and sophistication of zebrafish research
      expands, so too does the need to develop standards that promote the production
      and maintenance of healthy animals for experiments. A major, but long overlooked,
      contributor to fish health is nutrition. Historically, feeding practices for
      laboratory zebrafish have been designed to promote growth and reproductive
      function. However, as the field matures, it is becoming increasingly clear that
      the nutritional goals for these animals should evolve beyond basic production to
      the maintenance of clinically healthy research subjects. This review outlines
      weaknesses and limitations of current approaches and provides a justification for
      the development of defined standardized diets that will strengthen and facilitate
      the continued growth of the zebrafish model system.

PMID- 27249163
TI  - Bispecific antibodies in cancer immunotherapy.
AB  - Cancer immunotherapy has recently generated much excitement after the continuing
      success of the immunomodulating anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies against
      various types of cancers. Aside from these immunomodulating antibodies,
      bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and other technologies
      are being actively studied. Among the various approaches to cancer immunotherapy,
      2 bispecific antibodies are currently approved for patient care. Many more
      bispecific antibodies are now in various phases of clinical development and will
      become the next generation of antibody-based therapies. Further understanding of
      immunology and advances in protein engineering will help to generate a greater
      variety of bispecific antibodies to fight cancer. Here, we focus on bispecific
      antibodies that recruit immune cells to engage and kill tumor cells.

PMID- 27249165
TI  - Electro-deposited poly-luminol molecularly imprinted polymer coating on carboxyl
      graphene for stir bar sorptive extraction of estrogens in milk.
AB  - Electrochemical polymerization of luminol molecularly imprinted polymer on
      carboxyl graphene (MIP/CG) was developed as stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE)
      coating for selective pre-concentration and specific recognition of bisphenol A
      (BPA), hexoestrol and diethylstilbestrol in milk samples. Luminol was employed as
      monomer and BPA as the template to prepare MIP under 0-0.6V electro
      polymerization. Carboxyl graphene was modified on pencil lead as the substrate to
      increase extraction capacity. The preparation and extraction conditions affecting
      the extraction efficiency were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a good
      linearity of three estrogens was obtained in the range of 4-1000ngmL(-1). The
      average recoveries at the three spiked levels of the three estrogens ranged from
      83.4% to 96.3% with the relative standard deviations (RSD)<=7.1%. The limits of
      detection were in the range of 0.36-1.09ngmL(-1). The developed method with low
      cost, high selectivity and good reproducibility can be potentially applied for
      determining trace estrogens in complex food samples. 

PMID- 27249166
TI  - Synergistic Effects of Metals in a Promising Ru(II) -Pt(II) Assembly for a
      Combined Anticancer Approach: Theoretical Exploration of the Photophysical
      Properties.
AB  - Ru(II) -Pt(II) complexes are a class of bioactive molecules of interest as
      anticancer agents that combine a light-absorbing chromophore with a cisplatin
      like unit. The results of a DFT and TDDFT investigation of a Ru(II) complex and
      its conjugate with a cis-PtCl2 moiety reveal that a synergistic effect of the
      metals makes the assembly a promising multitarget anticancer drug. Inspection of
      type I and type II photoreactions and spin-orbit coupling computations reveals
      that the cis-PtCl2 moiety improves the photophysical properties of the Ru(II)
      chromophore, ensuring efficient singlet oxygen generation and making the assembly
      suitable for photodynamic therapy. At the same time, the Ru(II) chromophore
      promotes a new alternative activation mechanism of the Pt(II) ligand via a
      triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer ((3) MLCT) state, before reaching the
      biological target. The importance of the supramolecular architecture is
      accurately derived, opening interesting new perspectives on the use of bimetallic
      Ru(II) -Pt(II) assemblies in a combined anticancer approach. 

PMID- 27249167
TI  - Methanol diffusion in zeolite HY: a combined quasielastic neutron scattering and
      molecular dynamics simulation study.
AB  - The diffusion of methanol in zeolite HY is studied using tandem quasielastic
      neutron scattering (QENS) experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at
      300-400 K. The experimental diffusion coefficients were measured in the range 2-5
      * 10(-10) m(2) s(-1) and simulated diffusion coefficients calculated in the range
      of 1.6-3.2 * 10(-9) m(2) s(-1). Activation energies were measured as 8.8 and 6.9
      kJ mol(-1) using QENS and MD respectively. Differences may be attributed
      predominantly to the experimental use of a dealuminated HY sample, containing
      significant defects such as strongly adsorbing silanol nests, compared to a
      perfect simulated crystal containing only evenly distributed Bronsted acid sites.
      Experimental and simulated diffusivities measured in this study are lower than
      those obtained from those previously calculated in siliceous faujasite, due to
      methanol H-bonding to Bronsted acid sites as observed in the MD simulations.
      However, both experimental and simulated diffusivities were significantly higher
      than those obtained in NaX, due to the higher concentration of extraframework
      cations present in the previously studied structures. 

PMID- 27249168
TI  - Revised Conceptual Framework of Parent-to-Parent Support for Parents of Children
      Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: A Modified Delphi Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A scoping review of the literature was conducted, resulting in the
      development of a conceptual framework of parent-to-parent support for parents
      with children who are Deaf or hard of hearing. This is the 2nd stage of a dual
      stage scoping review. PURPOSE: This study sought stakeholder opinion and feedback
      with an aim to achieve consensus on the constructs, components, and design of the
      initial conceptual framework. RESEARCH DESIGN: A modified electronic Delphi study
      was completed with 21 handpicked experts from 7 countries who have experience in
      provision, research, or experience in the area of parent-to-parent support.
      Participants completed an online questionnaire using an 11-point Likert scale
      (strongly disagree to strongly agree) and open-ended questions to answer various
      questions related to the descriptor terms, definitions, constructs, components,
      and overall design of the framework. RESULTS: Participant responses led to the
      revision of the original conceptual framework. CONCLUSION: The findings from this
      dual-stage scoping review and electronic Delphi study provide a conceptual
      framework that defines the vital contribution of parents in Early Hearing
      Detection and Intervention programs that will be a useful addition to these
      programs.

PMID- 27249169
TI  - Fabricating Nanometer-Thick Simultaneously Oleophobic/Hydrophilic Polymer
      Coatings via a Photochemical Approach.
AB  - The simultaneously oleophobic/hydrophilic coatings are highly desirable in
      antifogging, oil-water separation, and detergent-free cleaning. However, such
      coatings require special chemical structure, i.e., perfluorinated backbone and
      polar end-groups, and are too expensive for real-life application. Here, we have
      developed an UV-based photochemical approach to make nanometer-thick
      perfluoropolyethers without polar end-groups, which are not intrinsically
      simultaneously oleophobic/hydrophilic but cost-effective, become simultaneously
      oleophobic/hydrophilic. The contact angle, ellipsometry, and X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated that the UV irradiation results in the
      covalent bonding between the polymer and the substrate, which renders more
      ordered packing of polymer chains and thus the appropriately small interchain
      distance. As a result, the small water molecules penetrate the polymer network
      while large oil molecules do not. As a result, the oil contact angle is larger
      than the water contact angle and the coating shows the simultaneous
      oleophobicity/hydrophilicity. Moreover, we also demonstrated that this nanometer
      thick simultaneously oleophobic/hydrophilic coating has improved long-term
      antifogging performance and detergent-free cleaning capability and is
      mechanically robust. The photochemical approach established here potentially can
      be applied on many other polymers and greatly accelerate the development and
      application of simultaneously oleophobic/hydrophilic coatings.

PMID- 27249170
TI  - Effect on Gel Formation Time of Adding Topical Ophthalmic Medications to ReSure
      Sealant, an In Situ Hydrogel.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the gel formation times of
      ReSure((r)) Sealant, an in situ hydrogel approved to seal cataract surgery
      incisions, when commercially available topical medications are mixed with the
      sealant. METHODS: In this experimental laboratory study, the commercial product,
      ReSure Sealant, was used as per the product insert. Two drops of diluent were
      mixed with the polymer and time to gel formation was measured. Following this,
      various commercial antibiotic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and steroid
      drops were used in substitution of one of the drops of the diluent. Combinations
      of 2 medications were also tested. Each condition was performed in triplicate and
      the mean gel time was calculated. RESULTS: The addition of bromfenac slightly
      reduced mean gel time from 19 s (ReSure alone) to 13 s. All other medications,
      including moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, loteprednol
      etabonate, prednisolone acetate, dexamethasone, ketorolac, and nepafenac,
      increased mean gel time, ranging from 49 s to >120 s. The addition of bromfenac
      to moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, or gatifloxacin reduced their mean gel times from
      >=105 s to 18-29 s. CONCLUSIONS: Certain medications, specifically bromfenac, may
      not substantially alter time to gel formation of ReSure Sealant when added to the
      hydrogel. In fact, bromfenac added to moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, or gatifloxacin
      reduced gel formation time to acceptable levels. All other medications and
      combinations of medications added to ReSure Sealant produced unacceptably long
      gel times to be used routinely. Clinical studies may be considered based on these
      results to assess the safety and efficacy of this strategy.

PMID- 27249172
TI  - Exploration of Sedentary Behavior in Residential Substance Abuse Populations:
      Results From an Intervention Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of research linking sedentary behavior with
      increased risk of chronic disease and all-cause mortality. It is increasingly
      recommended that service providers address the multiple behavioral risk factors
      associated with these chronic diseases as part of routine substance abuse
      treatment. OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to investigate rates of physical
      activity and sedentary behavior in a residential substance abuse population. In
      addition, efficacy of a sedentary behavior intervention, "Sit Switch," was
      examined for feasibility in this context. METHODS: Participants (n = 54) were
      residents of The Salvation Army Recovery Service Centres located in Canberra and
      on the Gold Coast, Australia. Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers were used to measure
      rates and patterns of sedentariness and physical activity. A nonrandomized
      controlled study of a single-session group intervention aimed at decreasing
      prolonged sitting ("Sit Switch") was conducted. Education, motivational
      interviewing, and goal setting components underpinned the "Sit Switch"
      intervention. RESULTS: Individuals were highly sedentary, spending 73% of daily
      activity at sedentary intensity engaged in inadequate levels of moderate physical
      activity (6.6%/day). The single session educational program did not lead to any
      significant changes in sedentary behavior. Conclusion/Importance: High levels of
      sedentariness and low levels of physical activity engagement are evident in
      residents in substance abuse treatment programs. It is strongly recommended that
      sedentariness, a modifiable risk behavior with independent consequences for
      cardiovascular disease and cancer, be addressed within residential programs.

PMID- 27249173
TI  - Synthesis, Structure, and Photophysical Properties of Mo2(NN)4 and
      Mo2(NN)2(T(i)PB)2, Where NN = N,N'-Diphenylphenylpropiolamidinate and T(i)PB =
      2,4,6-Triisopropylbenzoate.
AB  - Two dimolybdenum compounds featuring amidinate ligands with a C=C bond, Mo2(NN)4
      (I), where NN = N,N'-diphenylphenylpropiolamidinate, and trans-Mo2(NN)2(T(i)PB)2
      (II), where T(i)PB = 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoate, have been prepared and
      structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Together with
      Mo2(DAniF)4 (III), where DAniF = N,N'-bis(p-anisyl)formamidinate, all three
      compounds have been studied with steady-state UV-vis, IR, and time-resolved
      spectroscopy methods. I and II display intense metal to ligand charge transfer
      (MLCT). Singlet state (S1) lifetimes of I-III are determined to be 0.7, 19.1, and
      2.0 ps, respectively. All three compounds have long-lived triplet state (T1)
      lifetimes around 100 MUs. In femtosecond time-resolved infrared (fs-TRIR)
      experiments, one nu(C=C) band is observed at the S1 state for I but two for II,
      which indicate different patterns of charge distribution. The electron would have
      to be localized on one NN ligand in I and partially delocalized over two NN
      ligands in II to account for the observations. The result is a standard showcase
      of excited-state mixed valence in coordination compounds. 

PMID- 27249171
TI  - The ubiquitin E3 ligase TRAF6 exacerbates pathological cardiac hypertrophy via
      TAK1-dependent signalling.
AB  - Tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is a ubiquitin E3
      ligase that regulates important biological processes. However, the role of TRAF6
      in cardiac hypertrophy remains unknown. Here, we show that TRAF6 levels are
      increased in human and murine hypertrophied hearts, which is regulated by
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Cardiac-specific Traf6 overexpression
      exacerbates cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload or angiotensin
      II (Ang II) challenge, whereas Traf6 deficiency causes an alleviated hypertrophic
      phenotype in mice. Mechanistically, we show that ROS, generated during
      hypertrophic progression, triggers TRAF6 auto-ubiquitination that facilitates
      recruitment of TAB2 and its binding to transforming growth factor beta-activated
      kinase 1 (TAK1), which, in turn, enables the direct TRAF6-TAK1 interaction and
      promotes TAK1 ubiquitination. The binding of TRAF6 to TAK1 and the induction of
      TAK1 ubiquitination and activation are indispensable for TRAF6-regulated cardiac
      remodelling. Taken together, we define TRAF6 as an essential molecular switch
      leading to cardiac hypertrophy in a TAK1-dependent manner.

PMID- 27249174
TI  - Maximum-Intensity-Projection and Computer-Aided-Detection Algorithms as Stand
      Alone Reader Devices in Lung Cancer Screening Using Different Dose Levels and
      Reconstruction Kernels.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate lung nodule detection rates
      on standard and microdose chest CT with two different computer-aided detection
      systems (SyngoCT-CAD, VA 20, Siemens Healthcare [CAD1]; Lung CAD, IntelliSpace
      Portal DX Server, Philips Healthcare [CAD2]) as well as maximum-intensity
      projection (MIP) images. We also assessed the impact of different reconstruction
      kernels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standard and microdose CT using three
      reconstruction kernels (i30, i50, i70) was performed with an anthropomorphic
      chest phantom. We placed 133 ground-glass and 133 solid nodules (diameters of 5
      mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, and 12 mm) in 55 phantoms. Four blinded readers evaluated the
      MIP images; one recorded the results of CAD1 and CAD2. Sensitivities for CAD and
      MIP nodule detection on standard dose and microdose CT were calculated for each
      reconstruction kernel. RESULTS: Dose for microdose CT was significantly less than
      that for standard-dose CT (0.1323 mSv vs 1.65 mSv; p < 0.0001). CAD1 delivered
      superior results compared with CAD2 for standard-dose and microdose CT (p <
      0.0001). At microdose level, the best stand-alone sensitivity (97.6%) was
      comparable with CAD1 sensitivity (96.0%; p = 0.36; both with i30 reconstruction
      kernel). Pooled sensitivities for all nodules, doses, and reconstruction kernels
      on CAD1 ranged from 88.9% to 97.3% versus 49.6% to 73.9% for CAD2. The best
      sensitivity was achieved with standard-dose CT, i50 kernel, and CAD1 (97.3%)
      versus 96% with microdose CT, i30 or i50 kernel, and CAD1. MIP images and CAD1
      had similar performance at both dose levels (p = 0.1313 and p = 0.48).
      CONCLUSION: Submillisievert CT is feasible for detecting solid and ground-glass
      nodules that require soft-tissue kernels for MIP and CAD systems to achieve
      acceptable sensitivities. MIP reconstructions remain a valuable adjunct to the
      interpretation of chest CT for increasing sensitivity and have the advantage of
      significantly lower false-positive rates.

PMID- 27249175
TI  - Evolving landscape of tumor molecular profiling for personalized cancer therapy:
      a comprehensive review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tumour molecular profiling has been at the crossroads of large
      scale integrative genomic studies and major clinical trials over the past 5 years
      and has provided roadmaps for better disease stratification and therapeutic
      management. AREAS COVERED: We review the landscape of precision oncology trials
      in Asia, Europe and the United States, and emerging insights gained from recently
      reported studies such as the SHIVA and CUSTOM trials. Changes in the molecular
      portraits of human cancers and the immune contexture of the tumor
      microenvironment during treatment may predict the course of tumor progression,
      including the development of treatment resistance. 'Liquid biopsy' approaches
      that harness circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA and exosomes may provide a
      non-invasive means of monitoring the parent tumor in real-time. Several molecular
      signatures are being evaluated as biomarkers for emerging immunologic approaches,
      such as the mismatch-repair deficiency status and nonsynonymous mutation burden
      in anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade. Finally, we review the current
      actionability and future clinical impact of multigene panel and next-generation
      sequencing (NGS)-based profiling. EXPERT OPINION: In the future, molecular
      profiling may help to fulfill unmet needs for predictive biomarkers in novel
      immunotherapeutic approaches, while ongoing precision trials are laying the
      foundations for clinical uptake of NGS testing.

PMID- 27249176
TI  - Molecular architecture of the recombinant human MCM2-7 helicase in complex with
      nucleotides and DNA.
AB  - DNA replication is a key biological process that involves different protein
      complexes whose assembly is rigorously regulated in a successive order. One of
      these complexes is a replicative hexameric helicase, the MCM complex, which is
      essential for the initiation and elongation phases of replication. After the
      assembly of a double heterohexameric MCM2-7 complex at replication origins in G1,
      the 2 heterohexamers separate from each other and associate with Cdc45 and GINS
      proteins in a CMG complex that is capable of unwinding dsDNA during S phase.
      Here, we have reconstituted and characterized the purified human MCM2-7 (hMCM2-7)
      hexameric complex by co-expression of its 6 different subunits in insect cells.
      The conformational variability of the complex has been analyzed by single
      particle electron microscopy in the presence of different nucleotide analogs and
      DNA. The interaction with nucleotide stabilizes the complex while DNA introduces
      conformational changes in the hexamer inducing a cylindrical shape. Our studies
      suggest that the assembly of GINS and Cdc45 to the hMCM2-7 hexamer would favor
      conformational changes on the hexamer bound to ssDNA shifting the cylindrical
      shape of the complex into a right-handed spiral conformation as observed in the
      CMG complex bound to DNA. 

PMID- 27249178
TI  - Nature of Hydrogen Bonds and S...S Interactions in the l-Cystine Crystal.
AB  - The intermolecular interactions that govern the stability of the l-cystine
      crystal were studied. This task is accomplished by using density-functional
      theory (DFT) with the generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) and including many
      body dispersion (MBD) interactions. The strengths of the different interactions
      within the molecular crystal were obtained by a decomposition of the total
      interaction energy in two-, three-, and four-body contributions. It was
      determined that most of the hydrogen bonds formed within the crystal are strong
      (13, 15, and 19 kcal/mol) and the van der Waals nature of the S...S interaction
      is fully confirmed. Also, the presence of strong repulsive three-body
      contributions is determined. The results obtained support the idea of designing
      crystal growth inhibitors for this system in such a way that, when inserted in
      the crystal, they maintain the disulfide bridge environment but its capacity of
      generate hydrogen-bond networks is removed. 

PMID- 27249179
TI  - Cerebral Effects of Targeted Temperature Management Methods Assessed by Diffusion
      Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
AB  - The aim of this randomized porcine study was to compare surface targeted
      temperature management (TTM) to endovascular TTM evaluated by cerebral diffusion
      weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC),
      and by intracerebral/intramuscular microdialysis. It is well known that
      alteration in the temperature affects ADC, but the relationship between cerebral
      ADC values and the cooling method per se has not been established. Eighteen
      anesthetized 60-kg female swine were hemodynamically and intracerebrally
      monitored and subsequently subjected to a baseline MRI. The animals were then
      randomized into three groups: (1) surface cooling (n = 6) at 33.5 degrees C using
      EMCOOLSpad(r), (2) endovascular cooling (n = 6) at 33.5 degrees C using an Icy(r)
      cooling catheter with the CoolGard 3000(r), or (3) control (n = 6) at 38.5
      degrees C using a Bair HuggerTM. The swine were treated with TTM for 6 hours
      followed by a second MRI examination, including ADC. Blood and microdialysate
      were sampled regularly throughout the experiment, and glucose, lactate, pyruvate,
      glycerol, and the lactate/pyruvate ratio did not differ among groups, neither
      intracerebrally nor intramuscularly. Surface cooling yielded a significantly
      lower median ADC than endovascular cooling: 714 (634; 804) * 10-6 mm2/s versus
      866 (828; 927) * 10-6 mm2/s, (p < 0.05). The surface cooling ADC was lowered to a
      range usually attributed to cytotoxic edema and these low values could not be
      explained solely by the temperature effect per se. To what extent the ADC is
      fully reversible at rewarming is unknown and the clinical implications should be
      further investigated in clinical studies.

PMID- 27249180
TI  - Interventions to Reduce Compulsory Psychiatric Admissions: A Systematic Review
      and Meta-analysis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Compulsory admissions, defined as admissions against the will of the
      patient (according to local judicial procedures), have a strong effect on
      psychiatric patients. In several Western countries, the rate of such admissions
      is tending to rise. Its reduction is urgently needed. OBJECTIVE: To establish
      which interventions effectively reduce compulsory admissions in adult psychiatric
      patients in outpatient settings. DATA SOURCES: A systematic computerized
      literature search was performed using EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO,
      CINAHL, PubMed (not yet indexed for MEDLINE), Cochrane Central, and Google
      Scholar. Every database was searched from its inception until April 30, 2015.
      STUDY SELECTION: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that studied any kind of
      intervention designed to reduce compulsory admission rates in adult psychiatric
      patients (age range, 18-65 years) in outpatient settings were eligible.
      Eligibility was independently assessed by 2 of us. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS:
      Two of us independently extracted relevant data. The Cochrane Collaboration's
      tool was used for assessing risk of bias. Overall risk reduction (random-effects
      estimate) was calculated in the following 4 subgroups of interventions: advance
      statements, community treatment orders, compliance enhancement, and integrated
      treatment. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Relative risk (RR) was calculated on the
      basis of the number of patients who had been compulsorily admitted. RESULTS: Our
      meta-analyses included 13 RCTs comprising 2970 psychiatric patients. The meta
      analysis of the RCTs on advance statements showed a significant 23% (RR, 0.77;
      95% CI, 0.60-0.98; I2 = 2.2%) (n = 1102) risk reduction in compulsory admissions.
      In contrast, the RCTs on community treatment orders (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81-1.10;
      I2 = 0.0%) (n = 742), compliance enhancement (RR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.11-2.37; I2 =
      55.7%) (n = 250), and integrated treatment (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.49-1.02; I2 =
      49.0%) (n = 876) showed no significant risk reduction in compulsory admissions.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The meta-analysis of the RCTs on advance statements
      showed a statistically significant and clinically relevant 23% reduction in
      compulsory admissions in adult psychiatric patients, whereas the meta-analyses of
      the RCTs on community treatment orders, compliance enhancement, and integrated
      treatment showed no evidence of such a reduction. To date, only 13 RCTs have used
      compulsory admissions as their primary or secondary outcome measure. This
      demonstrates the need for more research in this field.

PMID- 27249181
TI  - Efficient Transfection by Using PDMAEMA-Modified SiNWAs as a Platform for Ca(2+)
      Dependent Gene Delivery.
AB  - The major bottleneck for gene delivery lies in the lack of safe and efficient
      gene vectors and delivery systems. In order to develop a much safer and efficient
      transfection system, a novel strategy of combining traditional Ca(2+)-dependent
      transfection with cationic polymer poly(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate
      (PDMAEMA) modified silicon nanowire arrays (SiNWAs) was proposed in this work.
      Detailed studies were carried out on the effects of the PDMAEMA polymerization
      time, the Ca(2+) concentration, and the incubation time of Ca(2+)@DNA complex
      with PDMAEMA-modified SiNWAs (SN-PDM) on the gene transfection in the cells. The
      results demonstrated that the transfection efficiency of SN-PDM assisted
      traditional Ca(2+)-dependent transfection was significantly enhanced compared to
      those without any surface assistance, and SN-PDM with polymerization time 24 h
      exhibited the highest efficiency. Moreover, the optimal transfection efficiency
      was found at the system of a complex containing Ca(2+) (100 mM) and plasmid DNA
      (pDNA) incubated on SN-PDM for 20 min. Compared with unmodified SiNWAs, SN-PDM
      has little cytotoxicity and can improve cell attachment. All of these results
      demonstrated that SN-PDM could significantly enhance Ca(2+)-dependent
      transfection; this process depends on the amino groups' density of PDMAEMA on the
      surface, the Ca(2+) concentration, and the available Ca(2+)@DNA complex. Our
      study provides a potential novel and excellent means of gene delivery for
      therapeutic applications. 

PMID- 27249182
TI  - Larvicidal and Adulticidal Activity of Chroman and Chromene Analogues against
      Susceptible and Permethrin-Resistant Mosquito Strains.
AB  - Mosquitoes play a major role as vectors that transmit parasitic and viral
      diseases worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Mosquito
      borne diseases not only affect humans but they also affect livestock in many
      parts of the world. They carry diseases that are lethal to dogs and horses. Dog
      heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasitic disease spread through
      mosquitoes. This disease is not limited to dogs, but it can affect other animals
      and humans as well. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV)
      are also mosquito borne diseases that affect the central nervous system of horses
      and cause severe complications and death. Emergence of resistance among
      mosquitoes to current pesticides has increased the importance of the search for
      alternate compounds that are effective and environmentally benign with diverse
      modes of actions than those that are commercially available. Aedes aegypti
      mosquitoes are the primary vector for transmission of Zika viral fever, yellow
      fever, dengue fever, and chikungunya. Mosquito control is currently the best
      strategy to prevent mosquito borne diseases. There are numerous approaches for
      control of potentially dangerous mosquito populations. These approaches include
      the use of adulticides (insecticides), larvicides, and, to a limited extent, the
      use of repellents. Our previous studies have shown the mosquito repellent
      activity of chromenes. In the present study, we demonstrate larvicidal and
      adulticidal activity of chroman and chromene analogues against a permethrin
      susceptible laboratory strain as well as activity against a permethrin-resistant
      strain of Aedes aegypti. 

PMID- 27249183
TI  - Biobanking with Big Data: A Need for Developing "Big Data Metrics".
AB  - The term "big data" has often been used as an all-encompassing phrase for
      research that involves the use of large-scale data sets. However, the use of the
      term does little to signify the underlying complexity of definitions, of data
      sets, and of the requirements that need to be taken into consideration for
      sustainable research and the estimation of downstream impact. In particular, "big
      data" is frequently connected with biobanks and biobank networks as the
      institutions involved in tissue preservation are increasingly and perhaps
      unavoidably linked to the de facto preservation of information.

PMID- 27249184
TI  - Diffusion-weighted MRI in Crohn's disease: Current status and recommendations.
AB  - Over the past years, technological improvements and refinements in magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) hardware have made high-quality diffusion-weighted
      imaging (DWI) routinely possible for the bowel. DWI is promising for the
      detection and characterization of lesions in Crohn's disease (CD) and has been
      advocated as an alternative to intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agents.
      Furthermore, quantification using the apparent diffusion coefficient may have
      value as a biomarker of CD activity and has shown promise. In this article we
      critically review the literature pertaining to the value of DWI in CD for
      detection, characterization, and quantification of disease activity and
      complications. Although the body of supportive evidence is growing, it is clear
      that well-designed, multicenter studies are required before the role of DWI in
      clinical practice can be fully established. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1381
      1396.

PMID- 27249185
TI  - Sequential transurethral enucleation of the prostate and laparoscopic bladder
      diverticulectomy.
AB  - Transurethral endoscopic technique and standard laparoscopic technique are
      surgical options for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
      associated with urinary bladder diverticuli (UBD). In this article, we report
      laparoscopic diverticulectomy (LD) and transurethral plasmakinetic enucleation of
      the prostate (TUEP) in the same patient sequentially. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first case report of LD combined with TUEP. An 82-year-old
      patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia and two secondary large bladder
      diverticuli underwent sequential TUEP and LD. After completion of the TUEP
      procedure, the detached adenoma was pushed into the bladder as a whole. Then
      laparoscopic transperitoneal extravesical diverticulectomy assisted by
      cystoscopic transillumination was performed immediately, and the enucleated
      prostate was removed via the neck of the diverticulum. The enucleation time and
      diverticulectomy time was 18 minutes and 108 minutes, respectively. The catheter
      was removed on the tenth postoperative day. Transurethral endoscopic surgery
      combined with LD is a good choice in treating BPH and UBD in one session. But the
      combined procedure is time-consuming, especially for fragmentation of the
      prostate. TUEP can greatly reduce the operative time of the combined procedure. 

PMID- 27249186
TI  - Structural Transitions in Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Droplets.
AB  - Confinement of cholesteric liquid crystals (ChLC) into droplets leads to a
      delicate interplay between elasticity, chirality, and surface energy. In this
      work, we rely on a combination of theory and experiments to understand the rich
      morphological behavior that arises from that balance. More specifically, a
      systematic study of micrometer-sized ChLC droplets is presented as a function of
      chirality and surface energy (or anchoring). With increasing chirality, a
      continuous transition is observed from a twisted bipolar structure to a radial
      spherical structure, all within a narrow range of chirality. During such a
      transition, a bent structure is predicted by simulations and confirmed by
      experimental observations. Simulations are also able to capture the dynamics of
      the quenching process observed in experiments. Consistent with published work, it
      is found that nanoparticles are attracted to defect regions on the surface of the
      droplets. For weak anchoring conditions at the nanoparticle surface, ChLC
      droplets adopt a morphology similar to that of the equilibrium helical phase
      observed for ChLCs in the bulk. As the anchoring strength increases, a planar
      bipolar structure arises, followed by a morphological transition to a bent
      structure. The influence of chirality and surface interactions are discussed in
      the context of the potential use of ChLC droplets as stimuli-responsive materials
      for reporting molecular adsorbates.

PMID- 27249187
TI  - Convulsive seizures from experimental focal cortical dysplasia occur
      independently of cell misplacement.
AB  - Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), a local malformation of cortical development, is
      the most common cause of pharmacoresistant epilepsy associated with life-long
      neurocognitive impairments. It remains unclear whether neuronal misplacement is
      required for seizure activity. Here we show that dyslamination and white matter
      heterotopia are not necessary for seizure generation in a murine model of type II
      FCDs. These experimental FCDs generated by increasing mTOR activity in layer 2/3
      neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex are associated with tonic-clonic seizures
      and a normal survival rate. Preventing all FCD-related defects, including
      neuronal misplacement and dysmorphogenesis, with rapamycin treatments from birth
      eliminates seizures, but seizures recur after rapamycin withdrawal. In addition,
      bypassing neuronal misplacement and heterotopia using inducible vectors do not
      prevent seizure occurrence. Collectively, data obtained using our new
      experimental FCD-associated epilepsy suggest that life-long treatment to reduce
      neuronal dysmorphogenesis is required to suppress seizures in individuals with
      FCD.

PMID- 27249188
TI  - Gene-Specific Assessment of Guanine Oxidation as an Epigenetic Modulator for
      Cardiac Specification of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.
AB  - Epigenetics have essential roles in development and human diseases. Compared to
      the complex histone modifications, epigenetic changes on mammalian DNA are as
      simple as methylation on cytosine. Guanine, however, can be oxidized as an
      epigenetic change which can undergo base-pair transversion, causing a genetic
      difference. Accumulating evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      are important signaling molecules for embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation,
      possibly through transient changes on genomic DNA such as 7,8-dihydro-8
      oxoguanine (8-oxoG). Technical limitations on detecting such DNA modifications,
      however, restrict the investigation of the role of 8-oxoG in ESC differentiation.
      Here, we developed a Hoogsteen base pairing-mediated PCR-sequencing assay to
      detect 8-oxoG lesions that can subsequently cause G to T transversions during
      PCR. We then used this assay to assess the epigenetic and transient 8-oxoG
      formation in the Tbx5 gene of R1 mouse ESCs subjected to oxidative stress by
      removing 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) from the culture media. To our surprise,
      significantly higher numbers of 8-oxoG-mediated G?C to C?G transversion, not G?C
      to T?A, were detected at 7th and 9th base position from the transcription start
      site of exon 1 of Tbx5 in ESCs in the (-)2ME than (+)2ME group (p < 0.05). This
      was consistent with the decrease in the amount of amplifiable of DNA harboring
      the 8-oxoG lesions at the Tbx5 promoter region in the oxidative stressed ESCs.
      The ESCs responded to oxidative stress, possibly through the epigenetic effects
      of guanine oxidation with decreased proliferation (p < 0.05) and increased
      formation of beating embryoid bodies (EBs; p < 0.001). Additionally, the
      epigenetic changes of guanine induced up-regulation of Ogg1 and PolB, two base
      excision repairing genes for 8-oxoG, in ESCs treated with (-)2ME (p < 0.01).
      Together, we developed a gene-specific and direct quantification assay for
      guanine oxidation. Using oxidative stressed mouse ESCs, we validated this assay
      and assessed the epigenetic effects of 8-oxoG by studying expression of DNA
      repair genes, ESC proliferation, and EB formation. 

PMID- 27249189
TI  - A symbiotic SNARE protein generated by alternative termination of transcription.
AB  - Many microbes interact with their hosts across a membrane interface, which is
      often distinct from existing membranes. Understanding how this interface acquires
      its identity has significant implications. In the symbiosis between legumes and
      rhizobia, the symbiosome encases the intracellular bacteria and receives host
      secretory proteins important for bacterial development. We show that the Medicago
      truncatula SYNTAXIN 132 (SYP132) gene undergoes alternative cleavage and
      polyadenylation during transcription, giving rise to two target-membrane soluble
      NSF attachment protein receptor (t-SNARE) isoforms. One of these isoforms,
      SYP132A, is induced during the symbiosis, is able to localize to the
      peribacteroid membrane, and is required for the maturation of symbiosomes into
      functional forms. The second isoform, SYP132C, has important functions unrelated
      to symbiosis. The SYP132A sequence is broadly found in flowering plants that form
      arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, an ancestral mutualism between soil fungi and
      most land plants. SYP132A silencing severely inhibited arbuscule colonization,
      indicating that SYP132A is an ancient factor specifying plant-microbe interfaces.

PMID- 27249191
TI  - Agriculture: Disaster reduction.

PMID- 27249190
TI  - Genes conserved for arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis identified through
      phylogenomics.
AB  - Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS), a widespread mutualistic association of
      land plants and fungi(1), is predicted to have arisen once, early in the
      evolution of land plants(2-4). Consistent with this notion, several genes
      required for AMS have been conserved throughout evolution(5) and their symbiotic
      functions preserved, at least between monocot and dicot plants(6,7). Despite its
      significance, knowledge of the plants' genetic programme for AMS is limited. To
      date, most genes required for AMS have been found through commonalities with the
      evolutionarily younger nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium legume symbiosis (RLS)(8) or by
      reverse genetic analyses of differentially expressed candidate genes(9). Large
      sequence-indexed insertion mutant collections and recent genome editing
      technologies have vastly increased the power of reverse genetics but selection of
      candidate genes, from the thousands of genes that change expression during AMS,
      remains an arbitrary process. Here, we describe a phylogenomics approach to
      identify genes whose evolutionary history predicts conservation for AMS and we
      demonstrate the accuracy of the predictions through reverse genetics analysis.
      Phylogenomics analysis of 50 plant genomes resulted in 138 genes from Medicago
      truncatula predicted to function in AMS. This includes 15 genes with known roles
      in AMS. Additionally, we demonstrate that mutants in six previously
      uncharacterized AMS-conserved genes are all impaired in AMS. Our results
      demonstrate that phylogenomics is an effective strategy to identify a set of
      evolutionarily conserved genes required for AMS.

PMID- 27249192
TI  - In vivo stoichiometry of photorespiratory metabolism.
AB  - Photorespiration is a major light-dependent metabolic pathway that consumes
      oxygen and produces carbon dioxide. In the metabolic step responsible for carbon
      dioxide production, two molecules of glycine (equivalent to two molecules of O2)
      are converted into one molecule of serine and one molecule of CO2. Here, we use
      quantitative isotopic techniques to determine the stoichiometry of this reaction
      in sunflower leaves, and thereby the O2/CO2 stoichiometry of photorespiration. We
      find that the effective O2/CO2 stoichiometric coefficient at the leaf level is
      very close to 2 under normal photorespiratory conditions, in line with
      expectations, but increases slightly at high rates of photorespiration. The net
      metabolic impact of this imbalance is likely to be modest.

PMID- 27249193
TI  - Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century.
AB  - Organic agriculture has a history of being contentious and is considered by some
      as an inefficient approach to food production. Yet organic foods and beverages
      are a rapidly growing market segment in the global food industry. Here, we
      examine the performance of organic farming in light of four key sustainability
      metrics: productivity, environmental impact, economic viability and social
      wellbeing. Organic farming systems produce lower yields compared with
      conventional agriculture. However, they are more profitable and environmentally
      friendly, and deliver equally or more nutritious foods that contain less (or no)
      pesticide residues, compared with conventional farming. Moreover, initial
      evidence indicates that organic agricultural systems deliver greater ecosystem
      services and social benefits. Although organic agriculture has an untapped role
      to play when it comes to the establishment of sustainable farming systems, no
      single approach will safely feed the planet. Rather, a blend of organic and other
      innovative farming systems is needed. Significant barriers exist to adopting
      these systems, however, and a diversity of policy instruments will be required to
      facilitate their development and implementation.

PMID- 27249194
TI  - Evolutionary patterns of genic DNA methylation vary across land plants.
AB  - Little is known about patterns of genic DNA methylation across the plant kingdom
      or about the evolutionary processes that shape them. To characterize gene-body
      methylation (gbM) within exons, we have gathered single-base resolution methylome
      data that span the phylogenetic breadth of land plants. We find that a basal land
      plant, Marchantia polymorpha, lacks any evident signal of gbM within exons, but
      conifers have high levels of both CG and CHG (where H is A, C or T) methylation
      in expressed genes. To begin to understand the evolutionary forces that shape
      gbM, we first tested for correlations in methylation levels across
      orthologues(1,2). Genic CG methylation levels, but not CHG or CHH levels, are
      correlated across orthologues for species as distantly related as ferns and
      angiosperms. Hence, relative levels of CG methylation are a consistent property
      across genes, even for species that diverged ~400 million years ago(3,4). In
      contrast, genic CHG methylation correlates with genome size, suggesting that the
      host epigenetic response to transposable elements also affects genes. Altogether,
      our data indicate that the evolutionary forces acting on DNA methylation vary
      substantially across species, genes and methylation contexts.

PMID- 27249195
TI  - Epichloe grass endophytes in sustainable agriculture.
AB  - There is an urgent need to create new solutions for sustainable agricultural
      practices that circumvent the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides and
      increase the resilience of agricultural systems to environmental change.
      Beneficial microbial symbionts of plants are expected to play an important role
      in integrated pest management schemes over the coming decades. Epichloe
      endophytes, symbiotic fungi of many grass species, can protect plants against
      several stressors, and could therefore help to increase the productivity of
      forage grasses and the hardiness of turf grasses while reducing the use of
      synthetic pesticides. Indeed, Epichloe endophytes have successfully been
      developed and commercialized for agricultural use in the USA, Australia and New
      Zealand. Many of the host grass species originate from Europe, which is a
      biodiversity hotspot for both grasses and endophytes. However, intentional use of
      endophyte-enhanced grasses in Europe is virtually non-existent. We suggest that
      the diversity of European Epichloe endophytes and their host grasses should be
      exploited for the development of sustainable agricultural, horticultural and
      landscaping practices, and potentially for bioremediation and bioenergy purposes,
      and for environmental improvement.

PMID- 27249197
TI  - Seedling signalling: Ubiquitin ligases acting in tandem.

PMID- 27249196
TI  - PsbS interactions involved in the activation of energy dissipation in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - The non-photochemical quenching of light energy as heat (NPQ) is an important
      photoprotective mechanism that is activated in plants when light absorption
      exceeds the capacity of light utilization in photosynthesis. The PsbS protein
      plays a central role in this process and is supposed to activate NPQ through
      specific, light-regulated interactions with photosystem (PS) II antenna proteins.
      However, NPQ-specific interaction partners of PsbS in the thylakoid membrane are
      still unknown. Here, we have determined the localization and protein interactions
      of PsbS in thylakoid membranes in the NPQ-inactive (dark) and NPQ-active (light)
      states. Our results corroborate a localization of PsbS in PSII supercomplexes and
      support the model that the light activation of NPQ is based on the monomerization
      of dimeric PsbS and a light-induced enhanced interaction of PsbS with Lhcb1, the
      major component of trimeric light-harvesting complexes in PSII.

PMID- 27249198
TI  - Plant genic methylation: Conserved for 400 million years.

PMID- 27249199
TI  - Moss development: Starting BELL for embryos.

PMID- 27249200
TI  - Pathogenomics: Hybrid vs hybrid.

PMID- 27249201
TI  - Grassland ecology: Nitrogen retention.

PMID- 27249202
TI  - Epidermal structures: Sculpting with RSL1.

PMID- 27249203
TI  - Gibberellin signalling: Nectar control.

PMID- 27249204
TI  - Firm foundations for research.

PMID- 27249205
TI  - A Pharmacokinetic Study Comparing Eslicarbazepine Acetate Administered Orally as
      a Crushed or Intact Tablet in Healthy Volunteers.
AB  - The relative bioequivalence of crushed versus intact eslicarbazepine acetate
      (ESL) tablets (800 mg) administered orally in healthy adults was evaluated in an
      open-label, randomized, 2-period crossover study with a 5-day washout between
      treatments. Sample blood levels of eslicarbazepine and (R)-licarbazepine were
      determined; pharmacokinetic parameters were derived for eslicarbazepine.
      Bioequivalence was established if the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the
      geometric mean treatment ratios of eslicarbazepine AUC(0-infinity) and Cmax were
      within the prespecified 80%-125% range. Twenty-seven subjects in the intent-to
      treat population (n = 28) completed both treatment periods. Eslicarbazepine
      exposure measures were similar for crushed versus intact ESL tablets: average
      Cmax , 11 700 versus 11 500 ng/mL; AUC(0-infinity) , 225 000 versus 234 000
      ng.h/mL; AUC(0-last) , 222 000 versus 231 000 ng.h/mL, respectively. Geometric
      least squares mean ratios (90%CIs) comparing eslicarbazepine exposure measures
      were within the 80%-125% range (Cmax , 102.63% [97.07%-108.51%]; AUC(0-infinity)
      , 96.72% [94.36%-99.13%]; AUC0-last , 96.69% [94.24%-99.21%]). In conclusion, ESL
      administered orally as a crushed tablet sprinkled on applesauce, or intact were
      bioequivalent in healthy subjects. Eslicarbazepine bioavailability was not
      significantly altered by crushing, indicating that ESL tablets can be
      administered intact or crushed. 

PMID- 27249206
TI  - Resistance of Wheat Accessions to the English Grain Aphid Sitobion avenae.
AB  - The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, is a major pest species of wheat crops;
      however, certain varieties may have stronger resistance to infestation than
      others. Here, we investigated 3 classical resistance mechanisms (antixenosis,
      antibiosis, and tolerance) by 14 wheat varieties/lines to S. avenae under
      laboratory and field conditions. Under laboratory conditions, alatae given the
      choice between 2 wheat varieties, strongly discriminated against certain
      varieties. Specifically, the 'Amigo' variety had the lowest palatability to S.
      avenae alatae of all varieties. 'Tm' (Triticum monococcum), 'Astron,' 'Xanthus,'
      'Ww2730,' and 'Batis' varieties also had lower palatability than other varieties.
      Thus, these accessions may use antibiosis as the resistant mechanism. In
      contrast, under field conditions, there were no significant differences in the
      number of alatae detected on the 14 wheat varieties. One synthetic line (98-10
      30, a cross between of Triticum aestivum (var. Chris) and Triticum turgidum (var.
      durum) hybridization) had low aphid numbers but high yield loss, indicating that
      it has high antibiosis, but poor tolerance. In comparison, 'Amigo,' 'Xiaoyan22,'
      and some '186Tm' samples had high aphid numbers but low yield loss rates,
      indicating they have low antibiosis, but good tolerance. Aphid population size
      and wheat yield loss rates greatly varied in different fields and years for '98
      10-35,' 'Xiaoyan22,' 'Tp,' 'Tam200,' 'PI high,' and other '186Tm' samples, which
      were hybrid offspring of T. aestivum and wheat related species. Thus, these
      germplasm should be considered for use in future studies. Overall, S. avenae is
      best adapted to 'Xinong1376,' because it was the most palatable variety, with the
      greatest yield loss rates of all 14 wheat varieties. However, individual
      varieties/lines influenced aphid populations differently in different years.
      Therefore, we strongly recommend a combination of laboratory and long-term field
      experiments in targeted planting regions to identify varieties/lines that
      consistently show high resistance to S. avenae infestation. 

PMID- 27249207
TI  - Knockdown of triglyceride synthesis does not enhance palmitate lipotoxicity or
      prevent oleate-mediated rescue in rat hepatocytes.
AB  - Experiments in a variety of cell types, including hepatocytes, consistently
      demonstrate the acutely lipotoxic effects of saturated fatty acids, such as
      palmitate (PA), but not unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleate (OA). PA+OA co
      treatment fully prevents PA lipotoxicity through mechanisms that are not well
      defined but which have been previously attributed to more efficient
      esterification and sequestration of PA into triglycerides (TGs) when OA is
      abundant. However, this hypothesis has never been directly tested by
      experimentally modulating the relative partitioning of PA/OA between TGs and
      other lipid fates in hepatocytes. In this study, we found that addition of OA to
      PA-treated hepatocytes enhanced TG synthesis, reduced total PA uptake and PA
      lipid incorporation, decreased phospholipid saturation and rescued PA-induced ER
      stress and lipoapoptosis. Knockdown of diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), the
      rate-limiting step in TG synthesis, significantly reduced TG accumulation without
      impairing OA-mediated rescue of PA lipotoxicity. In both wild-type and DGAT
      knockdown hepatocytes, OA co-treatment significantly reduced PA lipid
      incorporation and overall phospholipid saturation compared to PA-treated
      hepatocytes. These data indicate that OA's protective effects do not require
      increased conversion of PA into inert TGs, but instead may be due to OA's ability
      to compete against PA for cellular uptake and/or esterification and, thereby,
      normalize the composition of cellular lipids in the presence of a toxic PA load.

PMID- 27249208
TI  - Kinetic Resolution of Benzylamines via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed C-H Cross
      Coupling.
AB  - A Pd(II)-catalyzed enantioselective C-H cross-coupling of benzylamines via
      kinetic resolution has been achieved using chiral mono-N-protected alpha-amino-O
      methylhydroxamic acid (MPAHA) ligands. Both chiral benzylamines and ortho
      arylated benzylamines are obtained in high enantiomeric purity. The use of a
      readily removable nosyl (Ns) protected amino group as the directing group is a
      crucial practical advantage. Moreover, the ortho-arylated benzylamine products
      could be further transformed into chiral 6-substituted 5,6-dihydrophenanthridines
      as important structural motifs in natural products and bioactive molecules.

PMID- 27249215
TI  - Bonding Strength of Ceromer with Direct Laser Sintered, Ni-Cr-Based, and ZrO2
      Metal Infrastructures After Er:YAG, Nd:YAG, and Ho:YAG Laser Surface Treatments-A
      Comparative In Vitro Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Laser modalities instead of conventional surface treatment techniques
      have been suggested to obtain an adequate micromechanical bonding between dental
      super- and infrastructures. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect
      of surface treatment with Ho:YAG, Er:YAG, and Nd:YAG laser modalities on the
      shear bond strength (SBS) of ceromer to different types of metal infrastructures
      in in vitro settings. METHODS: The study specimens consisted of 40 direct laser
      sintered (DLS), 40 Ni-Cr-based, and 40 zirconium oxide (ZrO2) infrastructures. In
      each infrastructure group, the specimens were divided randomly into five
      treatment modalities (n = 8): no treatment (controls), sandblasting, Er:YAG,
      Nd:YAG, and Ho:YAG lasers. The DLS, Ni-Cr-based, and ZrO2 infrastructures were
      prepared in the final dimensions of 7 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness in
      line with the ISO 11405 standard. Ceromer as superstructure was applied to all
      the infrastructures after their surface treatments according to the selected
      treatment modality. SBS test was performed to test the effectiveness of surface
      treatments. A stereomicroscope was used to determine the changes in the surface
      morphology of specimens. RESULTS: Among the laser modalities and sandblasting,
      Ho:YAG laser caused the most important increase in the DLS and Ni-Cr-based
      infrastructures but sandblasting caused the most important increase in the ZrO2
      infrastructure. In all the infrastructures, Nd:YAG laser has the least
      effectiveness, and Er:YAG laser makes an intermediate success. The
      stereomicroscopy images presented that the applications of laser surface
      treatments altered the surface in all the infrastructures. CONCLUSIONS: Overall,
      in current experimental settings, Ho:YAG, Nd:YAG, and Er:YAG lasers, in order of
      strength, are effective in improving the bonding of ceromer to all the
      infrastructures. Ho:YAG laser is more effective in the DLS and Ni-Cr-based
      infrastructures, but sandblasting is more effective in the ZrO2 infrastructure.
      The studied laser modalities need to be subjected for further studies to
      determine their appropriate settings and the specifications to be used in
      prosthodontics.

PMID- 27249209
TI  - Therapeutic options for cutaneous lupus erythematosus: recent advances and future
      prospects.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Treatment and prevention are of critical importance in patients
      with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), as the disease can have a devastating
      effect on patient well-being and quality of life. AREAS COVERED: We conducted a
      selective search of the PubMed database for articles published between December
      2010 and November 2015. This review encompasses both non-pharmaceutical
      (photoprotection, smoking cessation, drug withdrawal, and vitamin D replacement)
      and pharmaceutical (topicals, antimalarials, immunosuppressives, biologics, etc.)
      interventions used in the treatment of CLE. Expert Commentary: Recent work has
      expanded our understanding of established therapies as well as introduced new
      treatments for consideration, though existing medications still prove inadequate
      for a subset of patients. Changes in trial design may help to alleviate this
      issue.

PMID- 27249216
TI  - Attractiveness Compensates for Low Status Background in the Prediction of
      Educational Attainment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People who are perceived as good looking or as having a pleasant
      personality enjoy many advantages, including higher educational attainment. This
      study examines (1) whether associations between physical/personality
      attractiveness and educational attainment vary by parental socioeconomic
      resources and (2) whether parental socioeconomic resources predict these forms of
      attractiveness. Based on the theory of resource substitution with structural
      amplification, we hypothesized that both types of attractiveness would have a
      stronger association with educational attainment for people from disadvantaged
      backgrounds (resource substitution), but also that people from disadvantaged
      backgrounds would be less likely to be perceived as attractive (amplification).
      METHODS: This study draws on data from the National Longitudinal Study of
      Adolescent to Adult Health-including repeated interviewer ratings of respondents'
      attractiveness-and trait-state structural equation models to examine the
      moderation (substitution) and mediation (amplification) of physical and
      personality attractiveness in the link between parental socioeconomic resources
      and educational attainment. RESULTS: Both perceived personality and physical
      attractiveness have stronger associations with educational attainment for people
      from families with lower levels of parental education (substitution). Further,
      parental education and income are associated with both dimensions of perceived
      attractiveness, and personality attractiveness is positively associated with
      educational attainment (amplification). Results do not differ by sex and
      race/ethnicity. Further, associations between perceived attractiveness and
      educational attainment remain after accounting for unmeasured family-level
      confounders using a sibling fixed-effects model. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived
      attractiveness, particularly personality attractiveness, is a more important
      psychosocial resource for educational attainment for people from disadvantaged
      backgrounds than for people from advantaged backgrounds. People from
      disadvantaged backgrounds, however, are less likely to be perceived as attractive
      than people from advantaged backgrounds.

PMID- 27249217
TI  - Correction: High-Flux Hemodialysis and High-Volume Hemodiafiltration Improve
      Serum Calcification Propensity.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151508.].

PMID- 27249218
TI  - Finite Element Analysis of Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial
      Keratoplasty (DSAEK) Surgery Allograft to Predict Endothelial Cell Loss.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop high fidelity finite element (FE) models of the Descemet's
      stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) allograft to estimate the
      stress distributions generated on the allograft during its deformed state in
      popular allograft insertion configurations and qualitatively correlate the stress
      distributions to postsurgical endothelial cell (EC) loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Corneal allograft simulation was performed using ANSYS (Canonsburg, PA, USA)
      utilizing isotropic nonlinear hyperelastic corneal material properties to
      evaluate the stress distributions generated on the DSAEK allograft during popular
      allograft insertion configurations, namely forceps, taco, and double-coil
      insertion configurations. The gathered FE simulation results were qualitatively
      compared with published clinical studies to verify the simulation results.
      RESULTS: The FE simulation results demonstrate that high stress regions predicted
      by FE model results correctly predict the areas of postsurgical EC loss as
      published in the studies available in open literature. The FE simulation stress
      magnitude results suggest that highest EC loss due to mechanical bending trauma
      occurs in double-coil configuration followed by forceps and then taco
      configuration. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the presented FE simulation study
      highlight that allograft regions with high stress distribution demonstrate
      postsurgical EC loss in clinical studies. The modeling procedures presented in
      this research can be utilized to develop novel surgical devices/techniques that
      can modulate the postsurgical EC loss due to mechanical bending trauma and
      facilitate allograft unfolding inside the AC, thereby improving the results of
      the DSAEK surgical procedure.

PMID- 27249219
TI  - Airflow in the Human Nasal Passage and Sinuses of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
      Subjects.
AB  - Endoscopic surgery is performed on patients with chronic inflammatory disease of
      the paranasal sinuses to improve sinus ventilation. Little is known about how
      sinus surgery affects sinonasal airflow. In this study nasal passage geometry was
      reconstructed from computed tomographic imaging from healthy normal, pre
      operative, and post-operative subjects. Transient air flow through the nasal
      passage during calm breathing was simulated. Subject-specific differences in
      ventilation of the nasal passage were observed. Velocity magnitude at ostium was
      different between left and right airway. In FESS, airflow in post-surgical
      subjects, airflow at the maxillary sinus ostium was upto ten times higher during
      inspiration. In a Lothrop procedure, airflow at the frontal sinus ostium can be
      upto four times higher during inspiration. In both post-operative subjects,
      airflow at ostium was not quasi-steady. The subject-specific effect (of surgery)
      on sinonasal interaction evaluated through airflow simulations may have important
      consequences for pre- and post-surgical assessment and surgical planning, and
      design for improvement of the delivery efficiency of nasal therapeutics. 

PMID- 27249220
TI  - Bio-Anthropological Studies on Human Skeletons from the 6th Century Tomb of
      Ancient Silla Kingdom in South Korea.
AB  - In November and December 2013, unidentified human skeletal remains buried in a
      mokgwakmyo (a traditional wooden coffin) were unearthed while conducting an
      archaeological investigation near Gyeongju, which was the capital of the Silla
      Kingdom (57 BCE- 660 CE) of ancient Korea. The human skeletal remains were
      preserved in relatively intact condition. In an attempt to obtain biological
      information on the skeleton, physical anthropological, mitochondrial DNA, stable
      isotope and craniofacial analyses were carried out. The results indicated that
      the individual was a female from the Silla period, of 155 +/- 5 cm height, who
      died in her late thirties. The maternal lineage belonged to the haplogroup F1b1a,
      typical for East Asia, and the diet had been more C3- (wheat, rice and potatoes)
      than C4-based (maize, millet and other tropical grains). Finally, the face of the
      individual was reconstructed utilizing the skull (restored from osseous
      fragments) and three-dimensional computerized modeling system. This study,
      applying multi-dimensional approaches within an overall bio-anthropological
      analysis, was the first attempt to collect holistic biological information on
      human skeletal remains dating to the Silla Kingdom period of ancient Korea. 

PMID- 27249221
TI  - Comparison of Risk Prediction With the CKD-EPI and MDRD Equations in Non-ST
      Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations
      estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) more accurately than the Modification
      of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. HYPOTHESIS: New CKD-EPI equations
      improve risk stratification in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute
      coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and provide complementary information to the Global
      Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score. METHODS: We studied 350
      subjects (mean age, 68 +/- 12 years; 70% male) with NSTE-ACS. Estimated GFR was
      calculated using the MDRD and new CKD-EPI equations based on serum creatinine
      (SCr) and/or cystatin C (CysC) concentrations obtained within 48 hours of
      hospital admission. The primary endpoint was all-cause death during follow-up.
      RESULTS: Over the study period (median, 648 days [interquartile range, 236-1042
      days]), 31 patients died (0.05% events per person-year). Decedents had poorer
      renal-function parameters (P < 0.001). Both CysC-based CKD-EPI equations had the
      highest areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the
      prediction of all-cause mortality. After multivariate adjustment, only CysC-based
      CKD-EPI equations were independent predictors of all-cause mortality (CKD-EPISCr 
      CysC , per mL/min/1.73 m(2) : hazard ratio: 0.975, 95% confidence interval:
      0.956-0.994, P = 0.009; CKD-EPICysC , per mL/min/1.73 m(2) : hazard ratio: 0.976,
      95% confidence interval: 0.959-0.993, P = 0.005). Reclassification analyses
      showed that only CysC-based CKD-EPI equations improved predictive accuracy of the
      GRACE risk score. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NSTE-ACS, CysC-based CKD-EPI
      equations improved clinical risk stratification for mortality and added
      complementary prognostic information to the GRACE risk score.

PMID- 27249222
TI  - Budd-Chiari syndrome: Focus on surgical treatment.
AB  - Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is caused by an obstruction in the hepatic venous
      outflow tract at various levels from small hepatic veins to the inferior vena
      cava (IVC) due to thrombosis or fibrous sequelae. This rare disease mainly
      affects young adults. Risk factors have been identified and patients often have
      multiple risk factors. Myeloproliferative diseases of atypical presentation
      account for nearly 50% of patients in Europe and North America countries.
      Multistep management is required for such patients. Interventional
      revascularization and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure are
      indicated after initial anticoagulation therapy, whereas IVC plasty using a patch
      graft is indicated for obstruction of the IVC. Liver transplantation (LT) is
      usually indicated as a treatment for liver failure despite various treatments.
      The outcomes of LT are good, with a 5-year survival after LT of nearly 70%.

PMID- 27249224
TI  - Coinfections with influenza virus and atypical bacteria: Implications for severe
      outcomes?

PMID- 27249223
TI  - Influence of Coding Variability in APP-Abeta Metabolism Genes in Sporadic
      Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - The cerebral deposition of Abeta42, a neurotoxic proteolytic derivate of amyloid
      precursor protein (APP), is a central event in Alzheimer's disease (AD)(Amyloid
      hypothesis). Given the key role of APP-Abeta metabolism in AD pathogenesis, we
      selected 29 genes involved in APP processing, Abeta degradation and clearance. We
      then used exome and genome sequencing to investigate the single independent
      (single-variant association test) and cumulative (gene-based association test)
      effect of coding variants in these genes as potential susceptibility factors for
      AD, in a cohort composed of 332 sporadic and mainly late-onset AD cases and 676
      elderly controls from North America and the UK. Our study shows that common
      coding variability in these genes does not play a major role for the disease
      development. In the single-variant association analysis, the main hits, none of
      which statistically significant after multiple testing correction (1.9e-4<p
      value<0.05), were found to be rare coding variants (0.009%<MAF<1.4%) with
      moderate to strong effect size (1.84<OR<Inf) that map to genes mainly involved in
      Abeta extracellular degradation (TTR, ACE), clearance (LRP1) and APP trafficking
      and recycling (SORL1). These results were partially replicated in the gene-based
      analysis (c-alpha and SKAT tests), that reports ECE1, LYZ and TTR as nominally
      associated to AD (1.7e-3 <p-value <0.05). In concert with previous studies, we
      suggest that 1) common coding variability in APP-Abeta genes is not a critical
      factor for AD development and 2) Abeta degradation and clearance, rather than
      Abeta production, may play a key role in the etiology of sporadic AD. 

PMID- 27249225
TI  - Presence of the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Genes in Methicillin-Resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus Is Associated with Severity and Clinical Outcome of
      Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in a Single Center Study in China.
AB  - The Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes of methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have previously been associated with severe
      infections. Here, the impact of the PVL genes on severity of disease and clinical
      outcome of patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) or ventilator
      associated pneumonia (VAP) due to MRSA was investigated in a single center
      observational study in a hospital in China. HAP due to MRSA was diagnosed in 100
      patients and 13 of the patients were PVL positive, while VAP was diagnosed in 5
      patients and 2 were PVL positive. The PVL positive patient group showed a
      significantly higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II
      score (14.3 +/-7.8 vs. 10.1 +/-4.7, P = 0.005) and significantly more patients
      with CRP levels >80 mg/L (8/15 vs. 12/90, P = 0.006) or WBC counts >15x109/L
      (7/15 vs. 12/90, P = 0.006), indicating that the severity of disease is affected
      by the presence of the PVL genes. The outcome of the study was defined by 30-day
      mortality. Four (27%) of the PVL positive patients and four (4%) of the PVL
      negative patients died within 30 days (P = 0.01, Fisher exact test). Kaplan-Meier
      survival curves were generated for the PVL positive and PVL negative patient
      groups, which differed significantly (P = 0.003). Among the patients that died,
      the mean interval between diagnosis and death was shorter for the PVL positive
      patients (9.3 +/-5.6 vs. 40.8 +/-6.6 days, P = 0.013). Further analysis within
      the HAP and VAP patient groups showed that the presence of PVL in MRSA impacted
      the severity of disease and clinical outcome of HAP, but for VAP the number of
      patients included in the study was too low. In conclusion, in this single center
      study in a Chinese hospital the presence of the PVL genes in MRSA impacted the
      severity of disease and clinical outcome in patients with HAP due to MRSA. 

PMID- 27249226
TI  - Simultaneous removal of ammonia nitrogen and manganese from wastewater using
      nitrite by electrochemical method.
AB  - In this work, nitrite was developed to simultaneously remove manganese and
      ammonia nitrogen from wastewater by the electrochemical method. The
      characteristics of electrolytic reaction were observed via cyclic voltammograms.
      Moreover, the mole ratio of nitrite and ammonia nitrogen, voltage, and initial pH
      value, which affected the removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen and manganese,
      were investigated. The results showed that the concentration of ammonia nitrogen
      in wastewater could be reduced from 120.2 to 6.0 mg L-1, and manganese could be
      simultaneously removed from 302.4 to 1.5 mg L-1 at initial pH of 8.0, the mole
      ratios of nitrite and ammonia nitrogen of 1.5:1, and voltage of 20 V direct
      current electrolysis for 4.0 h. XRD analysis showed that manganese dioxide was
      deposited on the anode, and manganese was mainly removed in the form of manganese
      hydroxide precipitation in the cathode chamber.

PMID- 27249227
TI  - Usefulness of ELISA Methods for Assessing LPS Interactions with Proteins and
      Peptides.
AB  - Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major constituent of the outer membrane of Gram
      negative bacteria, can trigger severe inflammatory responses during bacterial
      infections, possibly leading to septic shock. One approach to combatting
      endotoxic shock is to neutralize the most conserved part and major mediator of
      LPS activity (lipid A) with LPS-binding proteins or peptides. Although several
      available assays evaluate the biological activity of these molecules on LPS (e.g.
      inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in macrophages), the development
      of simple and cost-effective methods that would enable preliminary screening of
      large numbers of potential candidate molecules is of great interest. Moreover, it
      would be also desirable that such methods could provide information about the
      possible biological relevance of the interactions between proteins and LPS, which
      may enhance or neutralize LPS-induced inflammatory responses. In this study, we
      designed and evaluated different types of ELISA that could be used to study
      possible interactions between LPS and any protein or peptide. We also analysed
      the usefulness and limitations of the different ELISAs. Specifically, we tested
      the capacity of several proteins and peptides to bind FITC-labeled LPSs from
      Escherichia coli serotypes O111:B4 and O55:B5 in an indirect ELISA and in two
      competitive ELISAs including casein hydrolysate (hCAS) and biotinylated polymyxin
      B (captured by deglycosylated avidin; PMX) as LPS-binding agents in the solid
      phase. We also examined the influence of pH, detergents and different blocking
      agents on LPS binding. Our results showed that the competitive hCAS-ELISA
      performed under mildly acidic conditions can be used as a general method for
      studying LPS interactions, while the more restrictive PMX-ELISA may help to
      identify proteins/peptides that are likely to have neutralizing properties in
      vitro or in vivo. 

PMID- 27249228
TI  - Engineered Metal-Phenolic Capsules Show Tunable Targeted Delivery to Cancer
      Cells.
AB  - We engineered metal-phenolic capsules with both high targeting and low
      nonspecific cell binding properties. The capsules were prepared by coating
      phenolic-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on
      calcium carbonate templates, followed by cross-linking the phenolic groups with
      metal ions and removing the templates. The incorporation of HA significantly
      enhanced binding and association with a CD44 overexpressing (CD44+) cancer cell
      line, while the incorporation of PEG reduced nonspecific interactions with a CD44
      minimal-expressing (CD44-) cell line. Moreover, high specific targeting to CD44+
      cells can be balanced with low nonspecific binding to CD44- cells simply by using
      an optimized feed-ratio of HA and PEG to vary the content of HA and PEG
      incorporated into the capsules. Loading an anticancer drug (i.e., doxorubicin)
      into the obtained capsules resulted in significantly higher cytotoxicity to CD44+
      cells but lower cytotoxicity to CD44- cells.

PMID- 27249229
TI  - Epidemiological Investigation and Risk Factors for Cervical Lesions: Cervical
      Cancer Screening Among Women in Rural Areas of Henan Province China.
AB  - BACKGROUND This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of
      cervical lesions and evaluate risk factors for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
      (CIN) among women taking part in cervical cancer screening in rural areas of
      Henan province, China. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cervical cancer screening using the
      ThinPrep cytologic test (TCT) and gynecologic exam was conducted on 1315 women
      age 20-68 years in rural areas of Henan province, China. Colposcopy and biopsies
      were carried out for histopathologic diagnosis when indicated. Univariate and
      multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate risk factors
      associated with cervical lesions. RESULTS Among 1315 women screened, CIN
      prevalence detected by histopathology was 1.22% (0.38% of CIN 1, 0.76% of CIN 2,
      and 0.08% of CIN 3). Cervical cancer prevalence was 2.66%. Multivariate analysis
      confirmed risk factors for cervical lesions included older age (the 21-40 age
      group vs. the 41-66 age group, OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.03~0.57), postmenopause
      (OR=0.11, 95% CI: 0.03~0.45), cervical inflammation (OR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.01~0.31),
      and smoking (OR=6.78, 95% CI: 1.20~38.23). CONCLUSIONS Older age (41-66 years),
      presence of HPV infection, postmenopause, cervical inflammation, and smoking are
      strong risk factors for cervical lesions among women in rural areas of Henan
      province, China. Particular efforts should be made to provide cervical cancer
      screening for these women. 

PMID- 27249231
TI  - NHE1 expression at wound margins increases time-dependently during physiological
      healing.
AB  - Wound repair is an orchestrated process, encompassing the phases of inflammation,
      proliferation and tissue remodeling. In this context, sodium hydrogen exchanger 1
      (NHE1) is crucial to epidermal barrier integrity and acidification. Recently, we
      found that extracellular pH (pHe) on wound surfaces is dramatically increased
      initially after barrier disruption, and that pHe decreases gradually during
      physiological healing. Additionally, we have shown that spatial NHE1-patterns
      account for pHe-gradients on surfaces of chronic wounds. Here, we show that NHE1
      expression is very low at margins initially after wounding and that it increases
      massively during the time-course of physiolgical healing. This finding is in
      accordance with the decrease of pHe on wound surfaces, which we reported on in
      previous works. Thus, we show that NHE1 is an interesting target when it comes to
      modification of surface pHe on wounds, both acute and chronic, and that NHE1 is
      time-dependently regulated in physiological healing.

PMID- 27249232
TI  - Effects of family budgeting responsibility on subjective health status: An
      empirical study of Japanese wives.
AB  - We examine whether the decision-making power of Japanese wives affects their
      health status. Looking at cross-sectional data from the Japanese Panel Survey of
      Consumers (JPSC) conducted with women, we create a new measure for decision
      making power based on participation in family budgeting. The data sample covers
      1,306 married women aged 25 to 45 years in 2004. We find that Japanese wives are
      more likely to report good health when they have more responsibility than their
      husbands for household budgeting. Additionally, having more education or being
      fully employed increased the probability of reporting "good health" by more than
      six percentage points.

PMID- 27249230
TI  - SIRT6 protects against endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in mice.
AB  - SIRT6 is an important member of sirtuin family that represses inflammation, aging
      and DNA damage, three of which are causing factors for endothelial dysfunction.
      SIRT6 expression is decreased in atherosclerotic lesions from ApoE(-/-) mice and
      human patients. However, the role of SIRT6 in regulating vascular endothelial
      function and atherosclerosis is not well understood. Here we show that SIRT6
      protects against endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Global and
      endothelium-specific SIRT6 knockout mice exhibited impaired endothelium-dependent
      vasorelaxation. Moreover, SIRT6(+/-) haploinsufficient mice fed a high-fat diet
      (HFD) also displayed impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. Importantly,
      SIRT6(+/-); ApoE(-/-) mice after HFD feeding exhibited exacerbated
      atherosclerotic lesion development, concurrent with increased expression of the
      proinflammatory cytokine VCAM-1. Loss- and gain-of-SIRT6 function studies in
      cultured human endothelial cells (ECs) showed that SIRT6 attenuated monocyte
      adhesion to ECs. RNA-sequencing profiling revealed that SIRT6 overexpression
      decreased the expression of multiple atherosclerosis-related genes, including
      proatherogenic gene TNFSF4 (tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 4).
      Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that SIRT6 decreased TNFSF4 gene
      expression by binding to and deacetylating H3K9 at TNFSF4 gene promoter.
      Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SIRT6 play a pivotal role in
      maintaining endothelial function and increased SIRT6 activity could be a new
      therapeutic strategy to combat atherosclerotic disease.

PMID- 27249233
TI  - Functional Role of the Front and Back Legs During a Track Start with Special
      Reference to an Inverted Pendulum Model in College Swimmers.
AB  - This study investigated factors that determine the velocity of the center of mass
      (CM) and flight distance from a track start to devise effective technical and
      physical training methods. Nine male and 5 female competitive swimmers
      participated in this study. Kinematics and ground reaction forces of the front
      and back legs were recorded using a video camera and force plates. The track
      start was modeled as an inverted pendulum system including a compliant leg,
      connecting the CM and front edge of the starting block. The increase in the
      horizontal velocity of the CM immediately after the start signal was closely
      correlated with the rotational component of the inverted pendulum. This
      rotational component at hands-off was significantly correlated with the average
      vertical force of the back plate from the start signal to hands-off (r = .967, P
      < .001). The flight distance / height was significantly correlated with the
      average vertical force of the front plate from the back foot-off to front foot
      off (r = .783, P < .01). The results indicate that the legs on the starting block
      in the track start play a different role in the behavior of the inverted
      pendulum. 

PMID- 27249234
TI  - The origin of the cooperativity in the streptavidin-biotin system: A
      computational investigation through molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - Previous experimental study measuring the binding affinities of biotin to the
      wild type streptavidin (WT) and three mutants (S45A, D128A and S45A/D128A double
      mutant) has shown that the loss of binding affinity from the double mutation is
      larger than the direct sum of those from two single mutations. The origin of this
      cooperativity has been investigated in this work through molecular dynamics
      simulations and the end-state free energy method using the polarized protein
      specific charge. The results show that this cooperativity comes from both the
      enthalpy and entropy contributions. The former contribution mainly comes from the
      alternations of solvation free energy. Decomposition analysis shows that the
      mutated residues nearly have no contributions to the cooperativity. Instead, N49
      and S88, which are located at the entry of the binding pocket and interact with
      the carboxyl group of biotin, make the dominant contribution among all the
      residues in the first binding shell around biotin.

PMID- 27249235
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 27249236
TI  - Anthology of Venezuelan psychiatry.
AB  - Reception of Psychiatry in Venezuela since the 19th Century to the late 20th
      Century merits a historical approach. The following work proposes to research
      some of the very origins of Venezuelan psychiatry and its possible influence on
      contemporary mental health practice. Through documental research, the early works
      of local authors from the 19th Century through 20th Century finals: Carlos
      Arvelo, Lisandro Alvarado, Francisco Herrera Luque, Jose Luis Vethencourt and
      Jose Solanes, are subjected to study. This journey illustrates a descriptive
      panoramic view which allows to better comprenhend the current state of our
      psychiatry. In a brief introduction the most important events are described,
      since the arrival of Pinel's ideas, followed by the early research paperworks
      published and the beginnings of the academic teachings of this specialty in
      Venezuela and displaying the main contemporary research groups thorough the
      country.

PMID- 27249307
TI  - IL-27 plasma level in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis subjects: The double
      faced cytokine.
AB  - Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a member of IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family which possesses
      pro- and anti-inflammatory properties and participates in the pathogenesis of
      various autoimmune diseases. In our case-control study, plasma was collected from
      healthy subjects as control group (n = 40) and patients with relapsing-remitting
      multiple sclerosis (RRMS) (n = 40), including new identified cases without
      treatment (n = 12) and those treated with Interferon beta (IFN-beta) (n = 28).
      The plasma level of IL-27 was assessed by ELISA method. Our results indicated
      that plasma level of IL-27 in MS patients increased significantly compared to the
      control subjects (P = 0.027). Furthermore, after parting case group into the two
      sub-groups, results revealed a significant difference of IL-27 plasma levels
      between control group and treated patients (P < 0.001), but not about that of
      between healthy subjects and untreated MS patients (P = 0.259). Also, mean levels
      of IL-27 in treated and untreated patients showed a significant difference (P =
      0.007). These results demonstrate the possible modulation of IL-27 during
      autoimmune disease in human which may suggest the suppressive or therapeutic role
      of IL-27 on inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 27249237
TI  - Cognitive and Other Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of Fatigue. Lessons from
      Staff Physicians Working in Intensive Care Units.
AB  - RATIONALE: Fatigue is common among physicians and adversely affects their
      performance. OBJECTIVES: To identify strategies that attending physicians use
      when fatigued to maintain clinical performance in the intensive care unit (ICU).
      METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study using focus groups and structured
      interviews of attending ICU physicians working in academic centers in Canada.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In three focus group meetings, we engaged a total
      of 11 physicians to identify strategies used to prevent and cope with fatigue. In
      the focus groups, 21 cognitive strategies were identified and classified into 9
      categories (minimizing number of tasks, using techniques to improve retention of
      details, using a structured approach to patient care, asking for help, improving
      opportunities for focusing, planning ahead, double-checking, adjusting
      expectations, and modulating alertness). In addition, various lifestyle
      strategies were mentioned as important in preventing fatigue (e.g., protecting
      sleep before call, adequate exercise, and limiting alcohol). Telephone interviews
      were then conducted (n = 15 physicians) with another group of intensivists.
      Structured questions were asked about the strategies identified in the focus
      groups that were most useful during ICU activities. In the interviews, the most
      useful and frequently used strategies were prioritizing tasks that need to be
      done immediately and postponing tasks that can wait, working systematically,
      using a structured approach, and avoiding distractions. CONCLUSIONS: ICU
      physicians reported using a variety of deliberate cognitive and lifestyle
      strategies to prevent and cope with fatigue. Given the low cost and intuitive
      nature of the majority of these strategies, further investigations should be done
      to better characterize their effectiveness in improving performance.

PMID- 27249308
TI  - Enhanced conflict-driven cognitive control by emotional arousal, not by valence.
AB  - Emotion is widely agreed to have two dimensions, valence and arousal. Few studies
      have explored the effect of emotion on conflict adaptation by considering both of
      these, which could have dissociate influence. The present study aimed to fill the
      gap as to whether emotional valence and arousal would exert dissociable influence
      on conflict adaptation. In the experiments, we included positive, neutral, and
      negative conditions, with comparable arousal between positive and negative
      conditions. Both positive and negative conditions have higher arousal than
      neutral ones. In Experiment 1, by using a two-colour-word Flanker task, we found
      that conflict adaptation was enhanced in both positive and negative contexts
      compared to a neutral context. Furthermore, this effect still existed when
      controlling stimulus-response repetitions in Experiment 2, which used a four
      colour-word Flanker task. The findings suggest emotional arousal enhances
      conflict adaptation, regardless of emotional valence. Thus, future studies should
      consider emotional arousal when studying the effect of emotion on conflict
      adaptation. Moreover, the unique role of the emotional context in conflict-driven
      cognitive control is emphasised.

PMID- 27249309
TI  - Pre-retirement physical working conditions and changes in physical health
      functioning during retirement transition process.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the association between pre
      retirement physical working conditions and changes in physical health functioning
      during the retirement transition process. METHODS: Follow-up survey data were
      collected among ageing employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, at three time
      points: wave 1 (2000-2002), wave 2 (2007) and wave 3 (2012). We focused on those
      who retired full time due to old age between waves 1 and 3 (N=1658). Exposure to
      physical workload, occupational environmental hazards, and computer work were
      divided into quartiles and used as measures of pre-retirement physical working
      conditions. Physical health functioning was measured by the physical component
      summary (PCS) of the Short-Form 36 questionnaire. Repeated-measures analysis was
      used to study the associations. RESULTS: Higher pre-retirement exposure to
      physical workload and environmental hazards was associated with lower physical
      health functioning before and after retirement. The differences in functioning
      narrowed somewhat during the retirement transition process, as physical health
      functioning in the higher exposure groups improved significantly compared to
      lower exposure groups. In addition, both high and low exposure to computer work
      were associated with lower functioning before retirement. However, functioning
      among those in the lowest exposure group improved during the follow-up whereas in
      all other exposure groups it declined slightly. This resulted into significantly
      lower post-retirement functioning among those in the highest as compared to the
      lower exposure groups. CONCLUSIONS: Retirees with higher exposure to adverse
      physical working conditions before retirement had lower pre- and post-retirement
      physical health functioning despite improvements in their functioning during the
      retirement transition process.

PMID- 27249311
TI  - 13 nm Exciton Size in (6,5) Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes.
AB  - Electron-hole correlation lengths, also termed exciton size, for (6,5) single
      wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are determined using femtosecond time-resolved pump
      probe spectroscopy. The phase space filling model is used to obtain the sizes of
      the first subband exciton in samples of isolated and of bundled SWNTs. The
      experiments indicate that the exciton size of (13 +/- 3) nm is a factor of 6
      higher than previous experimental estimates and theoretical predictions for
      vacuum suspended SWNTs. This surprising result may be attributed at least in part
      to the effect of the dielectric environment on exciton sizes and supports recent
      theoretical findings predicting that screening in SWNTs may enhance rather than
      reduce electron-hole interactions for separations larger than the tube diameter.
      Thereby, the work also points to the unique nature of screening and electronic
      correlations in one-dimensional semiconductors. 

PMID- 27249312
TI  - A novel scatter separation method for multi-energy x-ray imaging.
AB  - X-ray imaging coupled with recently emerged energy-resolved photon counting
      detectors provides the ability to differentiate material components and to
      estimate their respective thicknesses. However, such techniques require highly
      accurate images. The presence of scattered radiation leads to a loss of spatial
      contrast and, more importantly, a bias in radiographic material imaging and
      artefacts in computed tomography (CT). The aim of the present study was to
      introduce and evaluate a partial attenuation spectral scatter separation approach
      (PASSSA) adapted for multi-energy imaging. This evaluation was carried out with
      the aid of numerical simulations provided by an internal simulation tool, Sindbad
      SFFD. A simplified numerical thorax phantom placed in a CT geometry was used. The
      attenuation images and CT slices obtained from corrected data showed a remarkable
      increase in local contrast and internal structure detectability when compared to
      uncorrected images. Scatter induced bias was also substantially decreased. In
      terms of quantitative performance, the developed approach proved to be quite
      accurate as well. The average normalized root-mean-square error between the
      uncorrected projections and the reference primary projections was around 23%. The
      application of PASSSA reduced this error to around 5%. Finally, in terms of voxel
      value accuracy, an increase by a factor  >10 was observed for most inspected
      volumes-of-interest, when comparing the corrected and uncorrected total volumes.

PMID- 27249310
TI  - Current status of non-viral gene therapy for CNS disorders.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Viral and non-viral vectors have been used as methods of delivery
      in gene therapy for many CNS diseases. Currently, viral vectors such as adeno
      associated viruses (AAV), retroviruses, lentiviruses, adenoviruses and herpes
      simplex viruses (HHV) are being used as successful vectors in gene therapy at
      clinical trial levels. However, many disadvantages have risen from their usage.
      Non-viral vectors like cationic polymers, cationic lipids, engineered polymers,
      nanoparticles, and naked DNA offer a much safer option and can therefore be
      explored for therapeutic purposes. AREAS COVERED: This review discusses different
      types of viral and non-viral vectors for gene therapy and explores clinical
      trials for CNS diseases that have used these types of vectors for gene delivery.
      Highlights include non-viral gene delivery and its challenges, possible
      strategies to improve transfection, regulatory issues concerning vector usage,
      and future prospects for clinical applications. EXPERT OPINION: Transfection
      efficiency of cationic lipids and polymers can be improved through manipulation
      of molecules used. Efficacy of cationic lipids is dependent on cationic charge,
      saturation levels, and stability of linkers. Factors determining efficacy of
      cationic polymers are total charge density, molecular weights, and complexity of
      molecule. All of the above mentioned parameters must be taken care for efficient
      gene delivery.

PMID- 27249313
TI  - Synthetic cathinone pharmacokinetics, analytical methods, and toxicological
      findings from human performance and postmortem cases.
AB  - Synthetic cathinones are commonly abused novel psychoactive substances (NPS). We
      present a comprehensive systematic review addressing in vitro and in vivo
      synthetic cathinone pharmacokinetics, analytical methods for detection and
      quantification in biological matrices, and toxicological findings from human
      performance and postmortem toxicology cases. Few preclinical administration
      studies examined synthetic cathinone pharmacokinetic profiles (absorption,
      distribution, metabolism, and excretion), and only one investigated metabolite
      pharmacokinetics. Synthetic cathinone metabolic profiling studies, primarily with
      human liver microsomes, elucidated metabolite structures and identified suitable
      biomarkers to extend detection windows beyond those provided by parent compounds.
      Generally, cathinone derivatives underwent ketone reduction, carbonylation of the
      pyrrolidine ring, and oxidative reactions, with phase II metabolites also
      detected. Reliable analytical methods are necessary for cathinone identification
      in biological matrices to document intake and link adverse events to specific
      compounds and concentrations. NPS analytical methods are constrained in their
      ability to detect new emerging synthetic cathinones due to limited commercially
      available reference standards and continuous development of new analogs.
      Immunoassay screening methods are especially affected, but also gas
      chromatography and liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry confirmation methods.
      Non-targeted high-resolution-mass spectrometry screening methods are
      advantageous, as they allow for retrospective data analysis and easier addition
      of new synthetic cathinones to existing methods. Lack of controlled
      administration studies in humans complicate interpretation of synthetic
      cathinones in biological matrices, as dosing information is typically unknown.
      Furthermore, antemortem and postmortem concentrations often overlap and the
      presence of other psychoactive substances are typically found in combination with
      cathinones derivatives, further confounding result interpretation.

PMID- 27249314
TI  - Baseline-Corrected Second-Order Derivative Electroanalysis Combined With
      Ultrasound-Assisted Liquid-Liquid Microextraction: Simultaneous Quantification of
      Fluoroquinolones at Low Levels.
AB  - A baseline-corrected second-order derivative procedure and a miniaturized sample
      preparation based on low-density solvent and ultrasound-assisted liquid-liquid
      microextraction (LDS-UA-LLME) was combined to provide the simultaneous
      electroanalysis of three fluoroquinolones (FQ) as emerging contaminants (ECs).
      The enhanced mathematical processing provided the best separation with an
      accurate measurement of the overlapping peaks during the simultaneous electro
      oxidation of target FQs that were directly dropped on the surface of carbon
      nanofiber-modified screen-printed electrodes. The adapted LDS-UA-LLME protocol
      was the key step involved in the sample preparation, which preconcentrate target
      analytes from diluted tap water samples with an enrichment factor of around 80*,
      allowing their quantification at trace levels. This combined feature demonstrated
      the unique application of an electroanalytical technique for the simultaneous
      electroanalysis of three FQs in spiked tap water samples, with recovery values
      remarkably close to 100%.

PMID- 27249315
TI  - Community Based Psychosocial Education Can Improve Mood Disturbance in Breast
      Cancer Survivors at Various Stages of Their Recovery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychosocial distress can contribute to avoidance, refusal, or
      discontinuation of cancer treatment, which could impact recovery and survival.
      AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a
      community based psychosocial program on alleviating mood disturbance in breast
      cancer survivors at different stages of their breast cancer journey. METHOD: A
      total of 37 women participated in an 8-week psychosocial program at their local
      community centre. The weekly 3-hour program was delivered in a small group
      format. Program components included health education, behavioural training,
      cognitive behavioural therapy, art therapy and stress-management. Questionnaires
      aimed at assessing psychiatric morbidity and mood adjustment were administered at
      the beginning of the program (Pre) and at the completion of the program (Post).
      RESULTS: Group data revealed a significant reduction in psychiatric morbidity and
      improved psychological adjustment. When participants were divided into degree of
      psychiatric morbidity (mild, moderate, severe, very severe) a significant
      reduction in the reporting of anxiety symptoms in the mild, moderate, severe and
      very severe groups was reported; depression symptoms in the severe and very
      severe groups were noted, and anger, confusion and somatic symptoms in the mild
      group were noted. The level of activity was also significantly improved in the
      very severe group. CONCLUSIONS: A structured community based psychosocial program
      is beneficial to women struggling to come to terms with the emotional
      consequences of breast cancer at all stages of recovery.

PMID- 27249316
TI  - Oxygen Isotope Evidence for Mn(II)-Catalyzed Recrystallization of Manganite
      (gamma-MnOOH).
AB  - Manganese is biogeochemically cycled between aqueous Mn(II) and Mn(IV) oxides.
      Aqueous Mn(II) often coexists with Mn(IV) oxides, and redox reactions between the
      two (e.g., comproportionation) are well known to result in the formation of
      Mn(III) minerals. It is unknown, however, whether aqueous Mn(II) exchanges with
      structural Mn(III) in manganese oxides in the absence of any mineral
      transformation (similar to what has been reported for aqueous Fe(II) and some
      Fe(III) minerals). To probe whether atoms exchange between a Mn(III) oxide and
      water, we use a (17)O tracer to measure oxygen isotope exchange between
      structural oxygen in manganite (gamma-MnOOH) and water. In the absence of aqueous
      Mn(II), about 18% of the oxygen atoms in manganite exchange with the aqueous
      phase, which is close to the estimated surface oxygen atoms (~11%). In the
      presence of aqueous Mn(II), an additional 10% (for a total of 28%) of the oxygen
      atoms exchange with water, suggesting that some of the bulk manganite mineral
      (i.e., beyond surface) is exchanging with the fluid. Exchange of manganite oxygen
      with water occurs without any observable change in mineral phase and appears to
      be independent of the rapid Mn(II) sorption kinetics. These experiments suggest
      that Mn(II) catalyzes manganese oxide recrystallization and illustrate a new
      pathway by which these ubiquitous minerals interact with their surrounding fluid.

PMID- 27249317
TI  - Breakthrough in Xenon Capture and Purification Using Adsorbent-Supported Silver
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Rare gas capture and purification is a major challenge for energy, environment,
      and health applications. Of utmost importance for the nuclear industry, novel
      separation processes for Xe are urgently needed for spent nuclear fuel
      reprocessing and nuclear activity monitoring. The recovered, non-radioactive Xe
      is also of high economic value for lighting, surgical anesthetic, etc. Here,
      using adsorption and breakthrough experiments and statistical mechanics molecular
      simulation, we show the outstanding performance of zeolite-supported silver
      nanoparticles to capture/separate Xe at low concentrations (0.087-100 ppm). We
      also establish the efficiency of temperature swing adsorption based on such
      adsorbents for Xe separation from Kr/Xe mixtures and air streams corresponding to
      off-gases generated by nuclear reprocessing. This study paves the way for the
      development of novel, cost-efficient technologies relying on the large
      selectivity/capacity of adsorbent-supported silver nanoparticles which surpass
      all materials ever tested. 

PMID- 27249318
TI  - Addressing Communicative Participation in Treatment Planning for Adults: A Survey
      of U.S. Speech-Language Pathologists.
AB  - PURPOSE: In speech-language pathology, there is increasing attention on
      participation-focused interventions to optimize participation in valued life
      roles. The purpose of this study was to investigate how speech-language
      pathologists (SLPs) in the United States address life participation in therapy
      programs, as well as their opinions regarding barriers and facilitators to
      participation-focused intervention. METHOD: An online questionnaire presented
      case scenarios for aphasia, dysarthria, and laryngectomy to 66 SLPs who have
      worked with adults. SLPs were asked to write goals and describe therapy
      activities for the scenarios. The final section of the questionnaire was an open
      ended question regarding barriers and facilitators to participation-focused
      intervention. RESULTS: Many SLPs addressed participation in their rationales for
      therapy; 50% of goals had a participation-focused rationale. However, the goals,
      activities, and outcomes measures typically focused more on impairment and skill
      performance. Only 8% of goals specifically referenced participation. Although
      many SLPs stated that participation-focused intervention is important, they
      identified many barriers to implementation including time and productivity
      constraints, limits of clinical settings, and documentation challenges.
      CONCLUSIONS: There is potential for gaps between SLPs' participation-focused
      rationale for therapy and activities or outcomes measures that often do not
      include participation elements. SLPs are interested in participation-focused
      treatment resources.

PMID- 27249319
TI  - Penetration Behavior of a Water Droplet into a Cylindrical Hydrophobic Pore.
AB  - Understanding the dynamics with which a water droplet penetrates a pore is
      important because of its relationship with transfer phenomena in plants and
      animals. Using a high-speed camera, we observe the penetration processes of a
      water droplet into a cylindrical pore on a silicone substrate. The force on the
      water droplet is generated by dropping the substrate plus water droplet from a
      height of several centimeters onto an acrylic resin substrate. The penetration
      characteristics depend on pore size Dp, height of release of a drop h, and the
      viscosity of the droplet liquid and are classified into the following patterns:
      spreading, penetration, and breaking. During the process of relaxation to the
      steady state, various interesting deformation or oscillation phenomena occur.
      Based on high-speed images, we estimate the interfacial energy DeltaG during the
      intermediate states and find an energy barrier DeltaG = 1 * 10(-7) J when Dp =
      1.0 mm and h = 15 mm for the spreading pattern and DeltaG = 0.7 * 10(-7) J when
      Dp = 1.0 mm and h = 10 mm for the penetration pattern. Finally, based on a
      theoretical model considering the driving and suppression factors, we explain the
      experimentally obtained phase diagram including the separation, penetration, and
      breaking patterns.

PMID- 27249320
TI  - A new insight into the isotropic-nematic phase transition in lyotropic solutions
      of semiflexible polymers: density-functional theory tested by molecular dynamics.
AB  - Semiflexible polymers in solution are studied for a wide range of both contour
      length L and persistence length lp as a function of monomer concentration under
      good solvent conditions. Both density-functional theory (DFT) and molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulation methods are used, and a very good agreement between both
      techniques is observed for rather stiff polymers. Evidence for a new mechanism of
      order parameter fluctuations in the nematic phase is presented, namely collective
      deformations of bundles of wormlike chains twisted around each other, and the
      typical wavelengths and amplitudes of these modes are estimated. These long
      wavelength fluctuations cause a reduction of the order parameter in comparison
      with the DFT prediction. It is also found that DFT becomes unreliable for rather
      flexible polymers in predicting that the transition from the isotropic (I)-phase
      to the nematic (N)-phase still exists at very high monomer concentrations (which
      in reality does not occur). However, under conditions when DFT is accurate, it
      provides reliable predictions also for the width of the I-N two-phase coexistence
      region, which are difficult to obtain from MD in spite of the use of very large
      systems (up to 500 000 monomers) by means of graphics processing units (GPU). For
      short and not very stiff chains, a pre-transitional chain stretching is found in
      the isotropic phase near the I-N-transition, not predicted by theories. A
      comparison with theoretical predictions by Khokhlov-Semenov, Odijk, and Chen
      reveals that the scaled transition densities are not simply functions of L/lp
      only, as these theories predict, but depend on d/lp (where d is the chain
      diameter) as well. Chain properties in the nematically ordered phase are compared
      to those of chains confined in tubes, and the deflection length concept is
      tested. Eventually, some consequences for the interpretation of experiments are
      spelled out. 

PMID- 27249322
TI  - New ILAE versus previous clinical status epilepticus semiologic classification:
      Analysis of a hospital-based cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In 2015, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) issued a
      new status epilepticus (SE) classification, including a detailed semiologic axis.
      This study assesses frequencies of SE forms in a cohort of adult patients, and
      explores differences and practical implications as compared to a seizure-type
      bound classification. METHODS: The prospective adult SE registry of the Lausanne
      University Hospital (CHUV) was considered over 5 years (2011-2015); each SE
      episode was retrospectively reclassified for its semiology according to the new
      ILAE scheme. Mortality rates were retrieved for each subgroup of SE. RESULTS:
      Among 488 SE episodes, according to the seizure-type-bound classification, 230
      (47%) had a generalized convulsive, and 29 (6%) had a nonconvulsive SE in coma;
      both categories overlapped almost perfectly between the two classifications.
      However, the 84 episodes with focal SE without consciousness impairment and the
      141 episodes with consciousness impairment were each translated into two major
      (and five sub-) categories of the new ILAE classification, having markedly
      different mortality rates. In addition, of 140 episodes labeled as focal motor SE
      according to the new classification, 54% had concomitant consciousness
      impairment, whereas 46% did not; again, mortality rates were heterogeneous.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Although generalized convulsive and nonconvulsive SE in coma show
      an almost perfect correspondence across SE semiologic classifications, focal SE
      is markedly heterogeneous and appears to be better reflected in the new
      classification, offering more clinically relevant subdivisions, also differing in
      mortality rates. This refined knowledge may allow the development of clinical
      prognostic scores that are more precise than existing tools, and should be taken
      into account for epidemiologic studies.

PMID- 27249323
TI  - Demonstrating Medical Student Competency in Palliative Care: Development and
      Evaluation of a New Objective Structured Clinical Examination Station.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) is an important
      tool to assess clinical competencies; however, there are no reported palliative
      care OSCEs for medical student assessment. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop,
      implement, and evaluate the characteristics of a palliative care OSCE for fourth
      year medical students. METHODS: We created a representative case and a checklist
      of 14 history items from three core palliative care competency domains. Subjects
      were fourth-year medical students who had completed our school's longitudinal
      palliative care curriculum. Measurements were students' scores compiled from the
      standardized patient's (SP) tally of the checklist results. We determined inter
      rater reliability between the SP and a remote observer. Measurements included the
      difficulty and discrimination index, internal consistency reliability, factor
      analysis, and relationships between palliative care scores and composite seven
      station OSCE scores. RESULTS: In the implementation year, 95 students scored an
      average of 74% (standard deviation [SD] = 13%) on the 14 history items. There was
      95% agreement in ratings on items between the SP and the remote observer. The
      Cronbach's alpha was 0.53, demonstrating moderate internal consistency. The
      palliative care scores correlated with overall OSCE communication scores (R =
      0.29, p = 0.01) and history scores (R = 0.61, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A new OSCE
      to assess palliative care competencies was feasible to implement with high inter
      rater reliability, evidence supporting validity, and moderate internal
      consistency. We believe this OSCE would prove useful to assess students' primary
      palliative care competency and to evaluate curricula in palliative care.

PMID- 27249321
TI  - Suppressor of IKKE is an essential negative regulator of pathological cardiac
      hypertrophy.
AB  - Although pathological cardiac hypertrophy represents a leading cause of morbidity
      and mortality worldwide, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying
      this disease is still poor. Here, we demonstrate that suppressor of IKKE (SIKE),
      a negative regulator of the interferon pathway, attenuates pathological cardiac
      hypertrophy in rodents and non-human primates in a TANK-binding kinase 1
      (TBK1)/AKT-dependent manner. Sike-deficient mice develop cardiac hypertrophy and
      heart failure, whereas Sike-overexpressing transgenic (Sike-TG) mice are
      protected from hypertrophic stimuli. Mechanistically, SIKE directly interacts
      with TBK1 to inhibit the TBK1-AKT signalling pathway, thereby achieving its anti
      hypertrophic action. The suppression of cardiac remodelling by SIKE is further
      validated in rats and monkeys. Collectively, these findings identify SIKE as a
      negative regulator of cardiac remodelling in multiple animal species due to its
      inhibitory regulation of the TBK1/AKT axis, suggesting that SIKE may represent a
      therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

PMID- 27249325
TI  - Clinical pharmacology, efficacy, and safety aspects of sphingosine-1-phosphate
      receptor modulators.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators, of which one has
      received marketing approval and several others are in clinical development,
      display promising potential in the treatment of a spectrum of autoimmune
      diseases. AREAS COVERED: Administration of S1P1 receptor modulators leads to
      functional receptor antagonism triggering sustained inhibition of the egress of
      lymphocytes from lymphoid organs. First-dose administration is associated with
      transient cardiovascular effects. We compiled and discussed available
      pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety data of selective and non-selective
      S1P receptor modulators that were investigated in recent years. EXPERT OPINION:
      The safety profile of S1P receptor modulators is considered better than other
      classes of immunomodulators and was further improved by the development of up
      titration regimens to mitigate first-dose effects. S1P receptor modulators
      display similar pharmacodynamic effects but have very different pharmacokinetic
      profiles. Drugs with a rapid elimination are of interest in case of opportunistic
      infections or pregnancy, whereas the need of re-initiation of up-titration in
      case of treatment interruption can present a challenge.

PMID- 27249324
TI  - Substitution and Complementarity of Alcohol and Cannabis: A Review of the
      Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether alcohol and cannabis are used as substitutes or complements
      remains debated, and findings across various disciplines have not been
      synthesized to date. OBJECTIVE: This article is a first step towards organizing
      the interdisciplinary literature on alcohol and cannabis substitution and
      complementarity. METHOD: Electronic searches were performed using PubMed and ISI
      Web of Knowledge. Behavioral studies of humans with "alcohol" (or "ethanol") and
      "cannabis" (or "marijuana") and "complement(*)" (or "substitut(*)") in the title
      or as a keyword were considered. Studies were organized according to sample
      characteristics (youth, general population, clinical and community-based). These
      groups were not set a priori, but were informed by the literature review process.
      RESULTS: Of the 39 studies reviewed, 16 support substitution, ten support
      complementarity, 12 support neither and one supports both. Results from studies
      of youth suggest that youth may reduce alcohol in more liberal cannabis
      environments (substitute), but reduce cannabis in more stringent alcohol
      environments (complement). Results from the general population suggest that
      substitution of cannabis for alcohol may occur under more lenient cannabis
      policies, though cannabis-related laws may affect alcohol use differently across
      genders and racial groups. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol and cannabis act as both
      substitutes and complements. Policies aimed at one substance may inadvertently
      affect consumption of other substances. Future studies should collect fine
      grained longitudinal, prospective data from the general population and subgroups
      of interest, especially in locations likely to legalize cannabis.

PMID- 27249326
TI  - CT Findings for Detecting the Presence of Gangrenous Ischemia in Cholecystitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of
      CT in differentiating gangrenous cholecystitis from uncomplicated cholecystitis
      and healthy gallbladders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective
      review of 308 patients with histologically proven gangrenous cholecystitis who
      underwent preoperative CT 1 month before gallbladder removal over a 4-year
      period. Two readers who were blinded to the histologic diagnosis independently
      recorded CT features of and overall likelihood of gangrenous cholecystitis on a 5
      point scale (1, definitely absent; 5, definitely present). Ratings were
      dichotomized such that a diagnosis was considered present at a rating of 4 or 5
      and considered absent at lower ratings. Interobserver variability for individual
      CT findings was also assessed. RESULTS: Patients had gangrenous cholecystitis (n
      = 28), acute cholecystitis (n = 98), chronic cholecystitis (n = 118), or healthy
      gallbladders (n = 64). Multivariate analysis showed that CT findings of
      gallbladder distention greater than 4.0 cm (odds ratio [OR], 9.63; p < 0.01),
      mural striation (OR, 11.39; p < 0.01), and decreased mural enhancement (OR, 3.55;
      p < 0.05) independently predicted gangrenous cholecystitis. Using these CT
      features, the diagnosis of gangrenous cholecystitis was made with a specificity
      of 93.9% and 89.6% for readers 1 and 2, respectively, and accuracy of 90.9% and
      87.0%, respectively. Good agreement was seen between the two readers with respect
      to gallbladder distention greater than 4.0 cm (kappa = 0.77) and decreased mural
      enhancement (kappa = 0.64). CONCLUSION: A markedly distended gallbladder
      associated with decreased wall enhancement is highly specific for gangrenous
      cholecystitis.

PMID- 27249327
TI  - And Walls Shall Break: The ISBER 2016 Annual Meeting and Exhibits.

PMID- 27249328
TI  - A Complex Prime Numerical Representation of Amino Acids for Protein Function
      Comparison.
AB  - Computationally assessing the functional similarity between proteins is an
      important task of bioinformatics research. It can help molecular biologists
      transfer knowledge on certain proteins to others and hence reduce the amount of
      tedious and costly benchwork. Representation of amino acids, the building blocks
      of proteins, plays an important role in achieving this goal. Compared with
      symbolic representation, representing amino acids numerically can expand our
      ability to analyze proteins, including comparing the functional similarity of
      them. Among the state-of-the-art methods, electro-ion interaction pseudopotential
      (EIIP) is widely adopted for the numerical representation of amino acids.
      However, it could suffer from degeneracy that two different amino acid sequences
      have the same numerical representation, due to the design of EIIP. In light of
      this challenge, we propose a complex prime numerical representation (CPNR) of
      amino acids, inspired by the similarity between a pattern among prime numbers and
      the number of codons of amino acids. To empirically assess the effectiveness of
      the proposed method, we compare CPNR against EIIP. Experimental results
      demonstrate that the proposed method CPNR always achieves better performance than
      EIIP. We also develop a framework to combine the advantages of CPNR and EIIP,
      which enables us to improve the performance and study the unique characteristics
      of different representations.

PMID- 27249329
TI  - Quantum mechanical modeling the emission pattern and polarization of nanoscale
      light emitting diodes.
AB  - Understanding of the electroluminescence (EL) mechanism in optoelectronic devices
      is imperative for further optimization of their efficiency and effectiveness.
      Here, a quantum mechanical approach is formulated for modeling the EL processes
      in nanoscale light emitting diodes (LED). Based on non-equilibrium Green's
      function quantum transport equations, interactions with the electromagnetic
      vacuum environment are included to describe electrically driven light emission in
      the devices. The presented framework is illustrated by numerical simulations of a
      silicon nanowire LED device. EL spectra of the nanowire device under different
      bias voltages are obtained and, more importantly, the radiation pattern and
      polarization of optical emission can be determined using the current approach.
      This work is an important step forward towards atomistic quantum mechanical
      modeling of the electrically induced optical response in nanoscale systems. 

PMID- 27249331
TI  - Riluzole exerts transient modulating effects on cortical and axonal
      hyperexcitability in ALS.
AB  - Riluzole is an established therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
      although its effects are modest, prolonging survival by three months on average.
      While the neuroprotective effects of riluzole appear to be mediated by inhibition
      of glutaminergic transmission and antagonization of Na+ channel function, the
      duration of these effects remains to be elucidated. Consequently, the present
      study combined assessment of cortical and peripheral function to determine the
      longitudinal effects of riluzole in ALS patients. Assessment of cortical function
      by threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with
      peripheral nerve function excitability studies were longitudinally undertaken on
      19 sporadic ALS patients, with assessment occurring at baseline, four, eight, and
      12 weeks post riluzole initiation. Baseline results were compared to 31 healthy
      controls. Results showed that, at baseline, cortical hyperexcitability was a
      feature of ALS as indicated by a marked reduction in averaged short interval
      intracortical inhibition [SICI] (3.6 +/- 6.9%, p < 0.0001) and cortical silent
      period duration (p < 0.05) as well as an increase in motor evoked potential
      amplitude (p < 0.05). Riluzole therapy resulted in individual patient increase in
      SICI of 4.3% (p < 0.01) and 5.2% (p < 0.01) at four and eight weeks,
      respectively. At a peripheral level, riluzole therapy lead to a transient
      increase at four weeks in the relative refractory period (p < 0.05),
      superexcitability (p < 0.05) and late subexcitability (p < 0.05), all of which
      returned to baseline levels eight weeks after initiation of riluzole. In
      conclusion, the present study has established that riluzole exerts transient
      effects on cortical and axonal hyperexcitability, potentially accounting for the
      modest clinical effectiveness in ALS.

PMID- 27249330
TI  - Associations Between Cannabis Use and Physical Health Problems in Early Midlife:
      A Longitudinal Comparison of Persistent Cannabis vs Tobacco Users.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: After major policy changes in the United States, policymakers, health
      care professionals, and the general public seek information about whether
      recreational cannabis use is associated with physical health problems later in
      life. OBJECTIVE: To test associations between cannabis use over 20 years and a
      variety of physical health indexes at early midlife. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Participants belonged to a representative birth cohort of 1037
      individuals born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1972 and 1973 and followed to age 38
      years, with 95% retention (the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development
      Study). We tested whether cannabis use from ages 18 to 38 years was associated
      with physical health at age 38, even after controlling for tobacco use, childhood
      health, and childhood socioeconomic status. We also tested whether cannabis use
      from ages 26 to 38 years was associated with within-individual health decline
      using the same measures of health at both ages. EXPOSURES: We assessed frequency
      of cannabis use and cannabis dependence at ages 18, 21, 26, 32, and 38 years.
      MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: We obtained laboratory measures of physical health
      (periodontal health, lung function, systemic inflammation, and metabolic health),
      as well as self-reported physical health, at ages 26 and 38 years. RESULTS: The
      1037 study participants were 51.6% male (n = 535). Of these, 484 had ever used
      tobacco daily and 675 had ever used cannabis. Cannabis use was associated with
      poorer periodontal health at age 38 years and within-individual decline in
      periodontal health from ages 26 to 38 years. For example, cannabis joint-years
      from ages 18 to 38 years was associated with poorer periodontal health at age 38
      years, even after controlling for tobacco pack-years (beta = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.05
      0.18; P <.001). Additionally, cannabis joint-years from ages 26 to 38 years was
      associated with poorer periodontal health at age 38 years, even after accounting
      for periodontal health at age 26 years and tobacco pack-years (beta = 0.10; 95%
      CI, 0.05-0.16; P <.001) However, cannabis use was unrelated to other physical
      health problems. Unlike cannabis use, tobacco use was associated with worse lung
      function, systemic inflammation, and metabolic health at age 38 years, as well as
      within-individual decline in health from ages 26 to 38 years. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Cannabis use for up to 20 years is associated with periodontal disease
      but is not associated with other physical health problems in early midlife.

PMID- 27249332
TI  - Toward Design Principles for Diffusionless Transformations: The Frustrated
      Formation of Co-Co Bonds in a Low-Temperature Polymorph of GdCoSi2.
AB  - Diffusionless (or displacive) phase transitions allow inorganic materials to show
      exquisite responsiveness to external stimuli, as is illustrated vividly by the
      superelasticity, shape memory, and magnetocaloric effects exhibited by
      martensitic materials. In this Article, we present a new diffusionless transition
      in the compound GdCoSi2, whose origin in frustrated bonding points toward
      generalizable design principles for these transformations. We first describe the
      synthesis of GdCoSi2 and the determination of its structure using single crystal
      X-ray diffraction. While previous studies based on powder X-ray diffraction
      assigned this compound to the simple CeNi1-xSi2 structure type (space group
      Cmcm), our structure solution reveals a superstructure variant (space group Pbcm)
      in which the Co sublattice is distorted to create zigzag chains of Co atoms. DFT
      calibrated Huckel calculations, coupled with a reversed approximation Molecular
      Orbital (raMO) analysis, trace this superstructure to the use of Co-Co isolobal
      bonds to complete filled 18 electron configurations on the Co atoms, in
      accordance with the 18-n rule. The formation of these Co-Co bonds is partially
      impeded, however, by a small degree of electron transfer from Si-based electronic
      states to those with Co-Co sigma* character. The incomplete success of Co-Co bond
      creation suggests that these interactions are relatively weak, opening the
      possibility of them being overcome by thermal energy at elevated temperatures. In
      fact, high-temperature powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction data, as well
      as differential scanning calorimetry, indicate that a reversible Pbcm to Cmcm
      transition occurs at about 380 K. This transition is diffusionless, and the
      available data point toward it being first-order. We expect that similar cases of
      frustrated interactions could be staged in other rare earth-transition metal-main
      group phases, providing a potentially rich source of compounds exhibiting
      diffusionless transformations and the unique properties these transitions
      mediate. 

PMID- 27249333
TI  - AirJump: Using Interfaces to Instantly Perform Simultaneous Extractions.
AB  - Analyte isolation is an important process that spans a range of biomedical
      disciplines, including diagnostics, research, and forensics. While downstream
      analytical techniques have advanced in terms of both capability and throughput,
      analyte isolation technology has lagged behind, increasingly becoming the
      bottleneck in these processes. Thus, there exists a need for simple, fast, and
      easy to integrate analyte separation protocols to alleviate this bottleneck.
      Recently, a new class of technologies has emerged that leverages the movement of
      paramagnetic particle (PMP)-bound analytes through phase barriers to achieve a
      high efficiency separation in a single or a few steps. Specifically, the passage
      of a PMP/analyte aggregate through a phase interface (aqueous/air in this case)
      acts to efficiently "exclude" unbound (contaminant) material from PMP-bound
      analytes with higher efficiency than traditional washing-based solid-phase
      extraction (SPE) protocols (i.e., bind, wash several times, elute). Here, we
      describe for the first time a new type of "exclusion-based" sample preparation,
      which we term "AirJump". Upon realizing that much of the contaminant carryover
      stems from interactions with the sample vessel surface (e.g., pipetting residue,
      wetting), we aim to eliminate the influence of that factor. Thus, AirJump
      isolates PMP-bound analyte by "jumping" analyte directly out of a free liquid/air
      interface. Through careful characterization, we have demonstrated the validity of
      AirJump isolation through comparison to traditional washing-based isolations.
      Additionally, we have confirmed the suitability of AirJump in three important
      independent biological isolations, including protein immunoprecipitation, viral
      RNA isolation, and cell culture gene expression analysis. Taken together, these
      data sets demonstrate that AirJump performs efficiently, with high analyte yield,
      high purity, no cross contamination, rapid time-to-isolation, and excellent
      reproducibility. 

PMID- 27249334
TI  - The multiple mini-interviews as a predictor of peer evaluations during clinical
      training in medical school.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMI) is an admissions tool being used for
      more than a decade by medical schools worldwide to assess non-cognitive skills.
      In Israel, in addition to the MMI tool, two questionnaires are given to the
      candidates. It has been necessary to find a relevant criterion to examine the
      predictive validity of the MMI test. The measure developed in this study was a
      peer assessment tool which was filled out during clerkship. AIMS: The study aims
      at evaluating the predictive validity of the MMI and two questionnaires when
      compared with the peer assessment tool. METHOD: Ninety nine fourth-year medical
      students were included in this study. All of them went through the MMI test
      before the beginning of their studies. The students participated in two clinical
      rotations and were divided into 10 groups, each consisting of 9-12 students. This
      study is based on assessments given to 99 students. Every member of a group
      evaluated his fellow members on a number of attribute. The questionnaire included
      10 statements, related to a particular attributes. In addition two concluding
      questions were included. Pearson correlations were used to test the relationships
      between pre-admission variables (MMI and two questionnaires) and the peer
      assessments. RESULTS: Statistically significant, moderate correlations between
      the general MOR and MIRKAM scores and the sum of the questionnaire assessments
      were 0.39 and 0.37, respectively (P-value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study provides
      important evidence for the validity of the MMI. Additional studies are required
      to reevaluate the predicted validity of the MMI.

PMID- 27249335
TI  - Hydrogen-like Wannier-Mott Excitons in Single Crystal of Methylammonium Lead
      Bromide Perovskite.
AB  - A thorough investigation of exciton properties in bulk CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite
      single crystals was carried out by recording the reflectance, steady-state and
      transient photoluminescence spectra of submicron volumes across the crystal. The
      study included an examination of the spectra profiles at various temperatures and
      laser excitation fluencies. The results resolved the first and second hydrogen
      like Wannier-Mott exciton transitions at low temperatures, from which the ground
      state exciton's binding energy of 15.33 meV and Bohr radius of ~4.38 nm were
      derived. Furthermore, the photoluminescence temperature dependence suggested
      dominance of delayed exciton emission at elevated temperatures, originating from
      detrapping of carriers from shallow traps or/and from retrapping of electron-hole
      pairs into exciton states. The study revealed knowledge about several currently
      controversial issues that have an impact on functionality of perovskite materials
      in optoelectronic devices.

PMID- 27249336
TI  - Mitotic phosphorylation of SOX2 mediated by Aurora kinase A is critical for the
      stem-cell like cell maintenance in PA-1 cells.
AB  - Transcription factor SOX2 is multiple phosphorylated. However, the kinase and the
      timing regulating SOX2 phosphorylation remains poorly understood. Here we
      reported mitotic phosphorylation of SOX2 by Aurora kinase A (AURKA). AURKA
      inhibitors (VX680, Aurora kinase Inhibitor I) but not PLK1 inhibitors (BI2536,
      CBB2001) eliminate the mitotic phosphorylation of SOX2. Consistently, siRNA
      inhibition of AURKA can eliminate mitotic SOX2 phosphorylation. Ser220 and Ser251
      are two sites that identified for mitotic phosphorylation on SOX2. Moreover, SOX2
      mutants (S220A and S251A) can promote SOX2 induced OCT4 re-expression in
      differentiated cells. These findings reveal a novel regulation mechanism of SOX2
      phosphorylation mediated by AURKA in mitosis and its function in stem cell
      pluripotency maintenance in cancer cells. 

PMID- 27249337
TI  - Concordance of Brain and Core Temperature in Comatose Patients After Cardiac
      Arrest.
AB  - Comatose patients after cardiac arrest should receive active targeted temperature
      management (TTM), with a goal core temperature of 32-36 degrees C for at least 24
      hours. Small variations in brain temperature may confer or mitigate a substantial
      degree of neuroprotection, which may be lost at temperatures near 37 degrees C.
      The purpose of this study was to define the relationship between brain and core
      temperature after cardiac arrest through direct, simultaneous measurement of
      both. We placed intracranial monitors in a series of consecutive patients
      hospitalized for cardiac arrest at a single tertiary care facility within 12
      hours of return of spontaneous circulation to guide postcardiac arrest care. We
      compared the absolute difference between brain and core (esophageal or rectal)
      temperature measurements every hour for the duration of intracranial monitoring
      and tested for a lag between brain and core temperature using the average square
      difference method. Overall, 11 patients underwent simultaneous brain and core
      temperature monitoring for a total of 906 hours of data (Median 95; IQR: 15-118
      hours per subject). On average, brain temperature was 0.34C degrees  (95%
      confidence interval [CI] 0.31-0.37) higher than core temperature. In 7% of
      observations, brain temperature exceeded the measured core temperature >=1
      degrees C. Brain temperature lagged behind core temperature by 0.45 hours (95% CI
      = -0.27-1.27 hours). Brain temperature averages 0.34 degrees C higher than core
      temperature after cardiac arrest, and is more than 1 degrees C higher than core
      temperature 7% of the time. This phenomenon must be considered when carrying out
      TTM to a goal core temperature of <36 degrees C.

PMID- 27249338
TI  - A Longitudinal Assessment of Associations between Adolescent Environment,
      Adversity Perception, and Economic Status on Fertility and Age of Menarche.
AB  - PURPOSE: Perceptions of environmental adversity and access to economic resources
      in adolescence can theoretically affect the timing of life history transitions
      and investment in reproductive effort. Here we present evidence of correlations
      between variables associated with subjective extrinsic mortality, economic
      status, and reproductive effort in a nationally representative American
      population of young adults. METHODS: We used a longitudinal database that sampled
      American participants (N >= 1,579) at four points during early adolescence and
      early adulthood to test whether perceptions of environmental adversity and early
      economic status were associated with reproductive effort. RESULTS: We found that
      subjectively high ratings of environmental danger and low access to economic
      resources in adolescence were significantly associated with an earlier age of
      menarche in girls and earlier, more robust fertility in young adulthood.
      CONCLUSION: While energetics and somatic condition remain as possible sources of
      variation, the results of this study support the hypothesis that perceptions of
      adversity early in life and limited access to economic resources are associated
      with differences in reproductive effort and scheduling. How these factors may
      covary with energetics and somatic condition merits further investigation.

PMID- 27249339
TI  - Histidine-Directed Arylation/Alkenylation of Backbone N-H Bonds Mediated by
      Copper(II).
AB  - Chemical modification of proteins and peptides represents a challenge of reaction
      design as well as an important biological tool. In contrast to side-chain
      modification, synthetic methods to alter backbone structure are extremely
      limited. In this communication, copper-mediated backbone N-alkenylation or N
      arylation of peptides and proteins by direct modification of natural sequences is
      described. Histidine residues direct oxidative coupling of boronic acids at the
      backbone NH of a neighboring amino acid. The mild reaction conditions in common
      physiological buffers, at ambient temperature, are compatible with proteins and
      biological systems. This simple reaction demonstrates the potential for directed
      reactions in complex systems to allow modification of N-H bonds that directly
      affect polypeptide structure, stability, and function.

PMID- 27249340
TI  - Direct interaction of avermectin with epidermal growth factor receptor mediates
      the penetration resistance in Drosophila larvae.
AB  - With the widespread use of avermectins (AVMs) for managing parasitic and
      agricultural pests, the resistance of worms and insects to AVMs has emerged as a
      serious threat to human health and agriculture worldwide. The reduced penetration
      of AVMs is one of the main reasons for the development of the resistance to the
      chemicals. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we
      use the larvae of Drosophila melanogaster as the model organism to explore the
      molecular mechanisms underlying the development of penetration resistance to
      AVMs. We clearly show that the chitin layer is thickened and the efflux
      transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is overexpressed in the AVM-resistant larvae
      epidermis. We reveal that the activation of the transcription factor Relish by
      the over-activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/AKT/ERK pathway
      induces the overexpression of the chitin synthases DmeCHS1/2 and P-gp in the
      resistant larvae. Interestingly, we discover for the first time, to the best of
      our knowledge, that AVM directly interacts with EGFR and leads to the activation
      of the EGFR/AKT/ERK pathway, which activates the transcription factor Relish and
      induces the overexpression of DmeCHS1/2 and P-gp. These findings provide new
      insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of penetration
      resistance to drugs. 

PMID- 27249342
TI  - Recent advances in dynamic m6A RNA modification.
AB  - The identification of m(6)A demethylases and high-throughput sequencing analysis
      of methylated transcriptome corroborated m(6)A RNA epigenetic modification as a
      dynamic regulation process, and reignited its investigation in the past few
      years. Many basic concepts of cytogenetics have been revolutionized by the
      growing understanding of the fundamental role of m(6)A in RNA splicing,
      degradation and translation. In this review, we summarize typical features of
      methylated transcriptome in mammals, and highlight the 'writers', 'erasers' and
      'readers' of m(6)A RNA modification. Moreover, we emphasize recent advances of
      biological functions of m(6)A and conceive the possible roles of m(6)A in the
      regulation of immune response and related diseases. 

PMID- 27249344
TI  - Getting to the heart of an unusual kinetochore.
AB  - The Mis12 complex forms the central scaffold of the kinetochore and serves to
      bridge the chromatin and microtubule-binding activities of the inner and outer
      layers, respectively. Two recent studies provide new structural insights into the
      formation of this complex, and highlight some intriguing adaptations found in the
      Drosophila kinetochore. 

PMID- 27249345
TI  - An asterid flower from neotropical mid-Tertiary amber.
AB  - Fossils preserved in amber may provide significant palaeoevolutionary and
      biogeographical data regarding the evolution of life on Earth(1). Although amber
      is particularly noted for its detailed preservation of arthropods, the same
      degree of preservation can be found for vascular plant remains(2). Mid-Tertiary
      Dominican amber is a rich source for such fossils, and representatives of several
      angiosperm families have been described. However, no fossilized examples of the
      large asterid plant clade have yet been reported. Here we describe the first
      fossil neotropical flowers found in amber from a representative of the asterids.
      The asterids are one of the largest lineages of flowering plants, containing
      groups such as the sunflower, potato, coffee and mint families, totalling over
      80,000 species(3). The new fossils are only known as flowers, more precisely
      corollas with stamens and styles. We here describe them as a new species,
      Strychnos electri sp. nov, in the plant family Loganiaceae (Gentianales).

PMID- 27249343
TI  - A closed conformation of the Caenorhabditis elegans separase-securin complex.
AB  - The protease separase plays a key role in sister chromatid disjunction and
      centriole disengagement. To maintain genomic stability, separase activity is
      strictly regulated by binding of an inhibitory protein, securin. Despite its
      central role in cell division, the separase and securin complex is poorly
      understood at the structural level. This is partly owing to the difficulty of
      generating a sufficient quantity of homogeneous, stable protein. Here, we report
      the production of Caenorhabditis elegans separase-securin complex, and its
      characterization using biochemical methods and by negative staining electron
      microscopy. Single particle analysis generated a density map at a resolution of
      21-24 A that reveals a close, globular structure of complex connectivity
      harbouring two lobes. One lobe matches closely a homology model of the N-terminal
      HEAT repeat domain of separase, whereas the second lobe readily accommodates
      homology models of the separase C-terminal death and caspase-like domains. The
      globular structure of the C. elegans separase-securin complex contrasts with the
      more elongated structure previously described for the Homo sapiens complex, which
      could represent a different functional state of the complex, suggesting a
      mechanism for the regulation of separase activity through conformational change. 

PMID- 27249346
TI  - Plant synthetic biology for molecular engineering of signalling and development.
AB  - Molecular genetic studies of model plants in the past few decades have identified
      many key genes and pathways controlling development, metabolism and environmental
      responses. Recent technological and informatics advances have led to
      unprecedented volumes of data that may uncover underlying principles of plants as
      biological systems. The newly emerged discipline of synthetic biology and related
      molecular engineering approaches is built on this strong foundation. Today, plant
      regulatory pathways can be reconstituted in heterologous organisms to identify
      and manipulate parameters influencing signalling outputs. Moreover, regulatory
      circuits that include receptors, ligands, signal transduction components,
      epigenetic machinery and molecular motors can be engineered and introduced into
      plants to create novel traits in a predictive manner. Here, we provide a brief
      history of plant synthetic biology and significant recent examples of this
      approach, focusing on how knowledge generated by the reference plant Arabidopsis
      thaliana has contributed to the rapid rise of this new discipline, and discuss
      potential future directions.

PMID- 27249347
TI  - Artificial remodelling of alternative electron flow by flavodiiron proteins in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - In photosynthesis, linear electron transport from water to nicotinamide adenine
      dinucleotide phosphate (NADP(+)) cannot satisfy the ATP/NADPH production
      stoichiometry required by the Calvin-Benson cycle. Cyclic electron transport
      (CET) around photosystem I (PSI) and pseudocyclic electron transport (pseudoCET)
      can produce ATP without the accumulation of NADPH. Flavodiiron proteins (Flv) are
      the main mediator of pseudoCET in photosynthetic organisms, spanning
      cyanobacteria to gymnosperms. However, their genes are not conserved in
      angiosperms. Here we explore the possibility of complementing CET with Flv
      dependent pseudoCET in the angiosperm Arabidopsis thaliana. We introduced FlvA
      and FlvB genes from the moss Physcomitrella patens into both wild-type (WT)
      Arabidopsis and the proton gradient regulation 5 (pgr5) mutant, which is
      defective in the main pathway of CET. We measured rates of pseudoCET using
      membrane inlet mass spectrometry, along with several photosynthetic parameters.
      Flv expression significantly increased rates of pseudoCET in the mutant plants,
      particularly at high light intensities, and partially restored the photosynthetic
      phenotype. In WT plants, Flv did not compete with PGR5-dependent CET during
      steady-state photosynthesis, but did form a large electron sink in fluctuating
      light. We conclude that flavodiiron proteins can help to protect the photosystems
      in Arabidopsis under fluctuating light, even in the presence of CET.

PMID- 27249348
TI  - Arabidopsis NAC transcription factor JUB1 regulates GA/BR metabolism and
      signalling.
AB  - Gibberellins (GAs) and brassinosteroids (BRs) are important phytohormones that
      control plant development and responses to environmental cues by involving DELLA
      proteins and BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT1 (BZR1) respectively as key transcription
      factors. Here, we reveal a new role for JUNGBRUNNEN1 (JUB1) as a transcriptional
      regulator of GA/BR signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana. JUB1 directly represses
      the hormone biosynthesis genes GA3ox1 and DWARF4 (DWF4), leading to reduced
      levels of GAs and BRs and typical GA/BR deficiency phenotypes exhibiting short
      hypocotyls, dwarfism, late flowering and male sterility. JUB1 also directly
      represses PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR4 (PIF4), a transcription factor
      connecting hormonal and environmental stimuli. On the other hand, JUB1 activates
      the DELLA genes GA INSENSITIVE (GAI) and RGA-LIKE 1 (RGL1). In addition, BZR1 and
      PIF4 act as direct transcriptional repressors upstream of JUB1, establishing a
      negative feedback loop. Thus, JUB1 forms the core of a robust regulatory module
      that triggers DELLA accumulation, thereby restricting cell elongation while
      concomitantly enhancing stress tolerance.

PMID- 27249349
TI  - Multi-country evidence that crop diversification promotes ecological
      intensification of agriculture.
AB  - Global food security requires increased crop productivity to meet escalating
      demand(1-3). Current food production systems are heavily dependent on synthetic
      inputs that threaten the environment and human well-being(2,4,5). Biodiversity,
      for instance, is key to the provision of ecosystem services such as pest
      control(6,7), but is eroded in conventional agricultural systems. Yet the
      conservation and reinstatement of biodiversity is challenging(5,8,9), and it
      remains unclear whether the promotion of biodiversity can reduce reliance on
      inputs without penalizing yields on a regional scale. Here we present results
      from multi-site field studies replicated in Thailand, China and Vietnam over a
      period of four years, in which we grew nectar-producing plants around rice
      fields, and monitored levels of pest infestation, insecticide use and yields.
      Compiling the data from all sites, we report that this inexpensive intervention
      significantly reduced populations of two key pests, reduced insecticide
      applications by 70%, increased grain yields by 5% and delivered an economic
      advantage of 7.5%. Additional field studies showed that predators and parasitoids
      of the main rice pests, together with detritivores, were more abundant in the
      presence of nectar-producing plants. We conclude that a simple diversification
      approach, in this case the growth of nectar-producing plants, can contribute to
      the ecological intensification of agricultural systems.

PMID- 27249350
TI  - Coupling of histone methylation and RNA processing by the nuclear mRNA cap
      binding complex.
AB  - In eukaryotes, genes are transcribed into pre-mRNAs that are subsequently
      processed into mature mRNAs by adding a 5'-cap and a 3'-polyA tail and splicing
      introns. Pre-mRNA processing involves their binding proteins and processing
      factors, whereas gene transcription often involves chromatin modifiers. It has
      been unclear how the factors involved in chromatin modifications and RNA
      processing function in concert to control mRNA production. Here, we show that in
      Arabidopsis thaliana, the evolutionarily conserved nuclear mRNA cap-binding
      complex (CBC) forms multi-protein complexes with a conserved histone 3 lysine 4
      (H3K4) methyltransferase complex called COMPASS-like and a histone 3 lysine 36
      (H3K36) methyltransferase to integrate active histone methylations with co
      transcriptional mRNA processing and cap preservation, leading to a high level of
      mature mRNA production. We further show that CBC is required for H3K4 and H3K36
      trimethylation, and the histone methyltransferases are required for CBC-mediated
      mRNA cap preservation and efficient pre-mRNA splicing at their target loci,
      suggesting that these factors are functionally interdependent. Our study reveals
      novel roles for histone methyltransferases in RNA-processing-related events and
      provides mechanistic insights into how the 'downstream' RNA CBC controls
      eukaryotic gene transcription.

PMID- 27249352
TI  - Photosynthesis: Rewiring an angiosperm.

PMID- 27249351
TI  - Transposon-derived small RNA is responsible for modified function of WRKY45
      locus.
AB  - Transposable elements (TEs) are an important source for generating small
      interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in plants and animals. Although TE-siRNA-induced
      silencing of TEs by RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) in the maintenance of
      genome integrity has been intensively studied, it is unknown whether this type of
      silencing occurs in suppressing endogenous non-TE genes during host-pathogen
      interactions. Here we show that a TE-siRNA, TE-siR815, causes opposite functions
      for the two alleles, WRKY45-1 and WRKY45-2, of the WRKY45 transcription factor in
      rice resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, which causes the most
      devastating bacterial disease in rice worldwide. Expression of WRKY45-1, but not
      WRKY45-2, generated TE-siR815, which in turn repressed ST1, an important
      component in WRKY45-mediated resistance, by RdDM. Suppression of ST1 abolished
      WRKY45-mediated resistance leading to pathogen susceptibility. These results
      suggest that TE-siR815 contributes to the natural variation of the WRKY45 locus
      and TE-siR815-induced suppression of ST1 results in the negative role of WRKY45-1
      but positive role of WRKY45-2 in regulating disease resistance.

PMID- 27249353
TI  - Photomorphogenesis: When blue meets red.

PMID- 27249354
TI  - Systemic silencing: Mobile sRNA stabilizes genomes.

PMID- 27249355
TI  - Small RNA biogenesis: Novel roles of an RNase III enzyme.

PMID- 27249356
TI  - Signalling: Yin-yang hormonal crosstalk.

PMID- 27249357
TI  - Monitoring plant functional diversity from space.

PMID- 27249358
TI  - Immunity: NLR population control.

PMID- 27249359
TI  - Photosynthesis: Seasonal shift.

PMID- 27249360
TI  - Ecophysiology: Desert roots.

PMID- 27249361
TI  - Defence: Switching targets.

PMID- 27249362
TI  - In search of anechoic discussion.

PMID- 27249363
TI  - Test-retest reliability of rapid whole body and compartmental fat volume
      quantification on a widebore 3T MR system in normal-weight, overweight, and obese
      subjects.
AB  - PURPOSE: To measure the test-retest reliability of rapid (<15 min) whole body and
      visceral fat volume quantification in normal and obese subjects on a widebore 3T
      MR system and compare it with conventional manual segmentation. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Thirty participants (body mass index [BMI] 20.1-48.6 kg/m2 ) underwent
      two whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations on a widebore 3T
      machine using a 2-point Dixon technique. Phase sensitive reconstruction and
      intensity inhomogeneity correction produced quantitative datasets of total
      adipose tissue (TAT), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT), and visceral
      adipose tissue (VAT). The quantification was performed automatically using
      nonrigid atlas-based segmentation and compared with manual segmentation
      (SliceOmatic). RESULTS: The mean TAT was 31.74 L with a coefficient of variation
      (CV) of 0.79% and a coefficient of repeatability (CR) of 0.49 L. The ASAT was
      7.92 L with a CV of 2.98% and a CR of 0.46 L. There was no significant difference
      in the semiautomated and manually segmented VAT (P = 0.73) but there were
      differences in the reliability of the two techniques. The mean semiautomated VAT
      was 2.56 L, CV 1.8%, and CR 0.09 L compared to the mean manually segmented VAT of
      3.12 L, where the CV was 6.3% and the CR was 0.39 L. CONCLUSION: Rapid
      semiautomated whole body and compartmental fat volume quantification can be
      derived from a widebore 3T system, for a range of body sizes including obese
      patients, with "almost perfect" test-retest reliability. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging
      2016;44:1464-1473.

PMID- 27249364
TI  - Early detection of cryptic memory and glucose uptake deficits in pre-pathological
      APP mice.
AB  - Earlier diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease would greatly benefit from
      the identification of biomarkers at the prodromal stage. Using a prominent animal
      model of aspects of the disease, we here show using clinically relevant
      methodologies that very young, pre-pathological PDAPP mice, which overexpress
      mutant human amyloid precursor protein in the brain, exhibit two cryptic deficits
      that are normally undetected using standard methods of assessment. Despite
      learning a spatial memory task normally and displaying normal brain glucose
      uptake, they display faster forgetting after a long delay following performance
      to a criterion, together with a strong impairment of brain glucose uptake at the
      time of attempted memory retrieval. Preliminary observations suggest that these
      deficits, likely caused by an impairment in systems consolidation, could be
      rescued by immunotherapy with an anti-beta-amyloid antibody. Our data suggest a
      biomarker strategy for the early detection of beta-amyloid-related abnormalities.

PMID- 27249369
TI  - Sequence Evolution and Expression of the Androgen Receptor and Other Pathway
      Related Genes in a Unisexual Fish, the Amazon Molly, Poecilia formosa, and Its
      Bisexual Ancestors.
AB  - The all-female Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) originated from a single
      hybridization of two bisexual ancestors, Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana) and
      sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna). As a gynogenetic species, the Amazon molly
      needs to copulate with a heterospecific male, but the genetic information of the
      sperm-donor does not contribute to the next generation, as the sperm only acts as
      the trigger for the diploid eggs' embryogenesis. Here, we study the sequence
      evolution and gene expression of the duplicated genes coding for androgen
      receptors (ars) and other pathway-related genes, i.e., the estrogen receptors
      (ers) and cytochrome P450, family19, subfamily A, aromatase genes (cyp19as), in
      the Amazon molly, in comparison to its bisexual ancestors. Mollies possess-as
      most other teleost fish-two copies of the ar, er, and cyp19a genes, i.e.,
      aralpha/arbeta, eralpha/erbeta1, and cyp19a1 (also referred as cyp19a1a)/cyp19a2
      (also referred to as cyp19a1b), respectively. Non-synonymous single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) among the ancestral bisexual species were generally
      predicted not to alter protein function. Some derived substitutions in the P.
      mexicana and one in P. formosa are predicted to impact protein function. We also
      describe the gene expression pattern of the ars and pathway-related genes in
      various tissues (i.e., brain, gill, and ovary) and provide SNP markers for allele
      specific expression research. As a general tendency, the levels of gene
      expression were lowest in gill and highest in ovarian tissues, while expression
      levels in the brain were intermediate in most cases. Expression levels in P.
      formosa were conserved where expression did not differ between the two bisexual
      ancestors. In those cases where gene expression levels significantly differed
      between the bisexual species, P. formosa expression was always comparable to the
      higher expression level among the two ancestors. Interestingly, erbeta1 was
      expressed neither in brain nor in gill in the analyzed three molly species, which
      implies a more important role of eralpha in the estradiol synthesis pathway in
      these tissues. Furthermore, our data suggest that interactions of steroid
      signaling pathway genes differ across tissues, in particular the interactions of
      ars and cyp19as. 

PMID- 27249371
TI  - Sodium Reduction--Saving Lives by Putting Choice Into Consumers' Hands.

PMID- 27249370
TI  - 17beta-Estradiol Protects Skeletal Myoblasts From Apoptosis Through p53, Bcl-2,
      and FoxO Families.
AB  - 17beta-Estradiol (E2 ) protects several nonreproductive tissues from apoptosis,
      including skeletal muscle. Previously, we showed that E2 at physiological
      concentrations prevented apoptosis induced by H2 O2 in skeletal myoblasts,
      reverting PKCdelta, JNK, and p66Shc activation and exerting a beneficial action
      over mitochondria. Since genomic actions underlying the regulation of nuclear
      gene transcription are a common property of this steroid, the present work
      characterizes the transcriptional activity modulated by E2 to exert its
      antiapoptotic effect. We report that E2 protects skeletal myoblasts against
      apoptosis induced by H2 O2 modulating p53 and FoxO transcription factors and then
      their target genes Bcl-2, Bim, Puma, PERP, and MDM2, without affecting Noxa gene.
      The results presented in this work support the notion that the transcription
      factors FoxO and p53 coordinate apoptosis in C2C12 cells, and deepens our
      knowledge about a putative molecular mechanism by which E2 exerts beneficial
      effects against oxidative stress in skeletal myoblasts. J. Cell. Biochem. 118:
      104-115, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27249372
TI  - Rh Nanoparticle Anchoring on Metal Phosphates: Fundamental Aspects and Practical
      Impacts on Catalysis.
AB  - Metal phosphates stabilize Rh nanoparticles on their surface via Rh-O-P bonds, in
      contrast to the Rh-O-M bonds formed on metal oxides (MOx ). The local structure,
      electronic structure, and redox properties of Rh nanoparticles anchored on metal
      phosphates, and their practical impacts on catalysis, are reviewed based on
      recent publications from the author's research group. Because of the covalency of
      the Rh-O-P bond, Rh oxide is readily reduced to metallic Rh having a higher
      catalytic activity, whereas Rh oxide on metal oxide supports is more difficult to
      reduce with an increase of the anchoring strength. Furthermore, Rh metal shows a
      higher tolerance to reoxidation when supported on metal phosphates because the Rh
      O-P bond is preserved under reducing atmospheres. The electron deficiency of Rh
      metal is another feature that affects its catalytic properties, and the extent of
      the electron deficiency can be tuned by replacing the metal in the metal
      phosphate with one of higher basicity. Further impacts on practical performance
      (thermal stability, poisoning stability, and lean NOx purification) in automobile
      catalyst applications are also described.

PMID- 27249373
TI  - Reduced Virulence of Azoxystrobin-Resistant Zymoseptoria tritici Populations in
      Greenhouse Assays.
AB  - The development of resistance to multiple fungicide classes is currently limiting
      disease management options for many pathogens, while the discovery of new
      fungicide classes may become less frequent. In light of this, more research is
      needed to quantify virulence trade-offs of fungicide resistance in order to more
      fully understand the implications of fungicide resistance on pathogen fitness.
      The purpose of this study was to measure the virulence of azoxystrobin-resistant
      and -sensitive Zymoseptoria tritici populations collected from North and South
      Willamette Valley, Oregon, in 2012 and 2015. Inoculum mixtures of known fungicide
      resistant phenotypes were used to simulate natural field conditions, where
      multiple genotypes exist and interact in close proximity. Six greenhouse
      inoculations were conducted over 2 years, and virulence of the isolate mixtures
      was evaluated in planta. We considered virulence to be "the degree of pathology
      caused by the organism" and visually estimated the percent area of leaf necrosis
      as a measure of virulence. In greenhouse conditions, a consistent association of
      reduced virulence with azoxystrobin-resistant Z. tritici isolate mixtures was
      observed. North Willamette Valley and South Willamette Valley populations did not
      differ in virulence. 

PMID- 27249375
TI  - In Memoriam, Professor Hanfa Zou, 1961-2016.

PMID- 27249374
TI  - Localization of Acrolein-Lysine Adduct in Fibrovascular Tissues of Proliferative
      Diabetic Retinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the presence of Nepsilon-(3-formyl-3,4-dehydropiperidino)
      lysine adduct (FDP-Lys), unsaturated aldehyde acrolein-derived lipoxidation end
      product, in fibrovascular tissues obtained from patients with proliferative
      diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Fibrovascular tissues were collected from 11
      eyes of 11 patients with PDR and paraffin-embedded tissue sections were prepared.
      Tissue localization of FDP-Lys was studied by immunohistochemistry. Signal
      intensity was quantified by two masked evaluators and graded into three discrete
      categories. The relationship between FDP-Lys staining and vascular density was
      analyzed. In addition, subcellular localization of FDP-Lys was studied by
      immunofluorescent microscopy. The impact of acrolein on cell viability and
      proliferation was assessed and the expression level of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)
      mRNA was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in cultured
      retinal microvascular endothelial cells. RESULTS: In fibrovascular tissues, FDP
      Lys staining was found in vascular components containing CD34-positive cells and
      alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)-positive cells, and clusters of rabbit anti
      glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)-positive cells. Immunofluorescent staining
      depicted subcellular localization of FDP-Lys in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the
      cells. Morphological analysis revealed that fibrovascular tissues with FDP-Lys
      staining in vascular components showed high vascular density. Exposure of
      cultured endothelial cells to high concentration of acrolein resulted in the
      decrease of cell viability and proliferation, whereas lower concentration of
      acrolein increased cell viability and proliferation. Sublethal concentration of
      acrolein upregulated HO-1 mRNA expression in retinal microvascular endothelial
      cells. CONCLUSIONS: The current data demonstrated the presence of FDP-Lys in
      fibrovascular tissues and indicate its involvement in fibrovascular proliferation
      in PDR.

PMID- 27249376
TI  - Glycomics and Glycoproteomics 2016.

PMID- 27249379
TI  - Bardo Terrorist attack : psychological support units : Assessment and
      Recommendations 9 months after ...

PMID- 27249380
TI  - Ki-67: role in diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up after treatment of breast
      cancers.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the literature data about diagnostic value, prognosis value and
      interest in follow-up of Ki-67 antibody after treatment for breast cancer.
      METHODS: We performed a literature search in pubmed using the keywords : Ki-67,
      anti-Ki-67, breast cancer, prognosis, proliferation, chemotherapy, hormone
      therapy. RESULTS: Ki-67 is routinely used as a static marker of proliferative
      activity and in follow-up-monitoring before and after treatment by chemotherapy
      and more recently hormonotherapy. Ki-67 was also used at a cut-off of 14% to
      differentiate between luminal A and B breast cancers. A high Ki-67 expression is
      probably related to a poorer prognosis but also a better response to neoadjuvant
      chemo and/or targeted therapy. More recently, genomic analysis is more reliable
      to classify the molecular breast cancer subtypes avoiding the possible cases of
      discordant Ki-67 rate. Ki-67 is also interesting in predicting histological
      response to neoadjuvant chemo and hormone therapy. CONCLUSION: Ki-67 evaluated by
      immunohistochemistry is important in routine in countries without bimolecular
      plateforms despite technical insufficiencies. When available, genomic grading is
      better to classify molecular subtypes and determine breast cancer prognosis in
      adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting.

PMID- 27249381
TI  - Screening for viral hepatitis C in a young Tunisian population (more than 175,000
      recruits).
AB  - BACKGROUND: In front of the considerable impact of the viral hepatitis C, the
      prevention is more than ever a priority, based essentially on the screening. AIM:
      We realized an epidemiological study in a population of young recruits with the
      aim of considering prevalence of anti-hepatitis C Virus (anti-HCV) antibodies,
      describing its epidemiological evolution and establishing a cartography of the
      viral hepatitis C in Tunisia. METHODS: Epidemiological retrospective study of
      prevalence was realized from the data of the screening of anti-HCV antibodies
      from 2003 till 2012 of all the young recruits suggested to be incorporated for
      the national service or suggested to be recruited as career soldier. The study
      was exhaustive concerning 175 322 young and healthy male adults aged between 20
      and 30 years old, originating from all parts of Tunisia. The screening was
      realized by third and fourth generation ELISA tests then validated by Immunoblot.
      RESULTS: The prevalence was 0.11% and the confirmed prevalence was 0.07%. The
      positive subjects were mainly between 20 and 25 years old (82.32%) and 91.05%
      were detected within the framework of their incorporations to the national
      service. The lowest prevalence was 0.07% in 2004, and the highest was 0.17% in
      2011, without a significant tendency in the increase or in the decrease during
      the period of study (r = 0.857 ; p = 0.564). The screening of anti-VHC antibodies
      had an unequal geographical distribution according to a North-South decreasing
      gradient. The highest proportions were registered in the North-West (23.23%) and
      the District of Tunis (22.73%), contrary to the South-East which was weakly
      affected (3.54%). The governorates with the highest proportions were Tunis
      (19.19%), Bizerte (11.62%) and Jendouba (8.59%), the governorates of Monastir and
      Tataouine were weakly affected (0.51%). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of anti-HCV
      antibodies in the young and male Tunisian population was weak, stable without
      significant tendency in the increase or in the decrease from 2003 till 2012,
      characterized by an unequal geographical distribution according to a North-South
      decreasing gradient.

PMID- 27249377
TI  - Deciphering glycomics and neuroproteomic alterations in experimental traumatic
      brain injury: Comparative analysis of aspirin and clopidogrel treatment.
AB  - As populations age, the number of patients sustaining traumatic brain injury
      (TBI) and concomitantly receiving preinjury antiplatelet therapy such as aspirin
      (ASA) and clopidogrel (CLOP) is rising. These drugs have been linked with
      unfavorable clinical outcomes following TBI, where the exact mechanism(s)
      involved are still unknown. In this novel work, we aimed to identify and compare
      the altered proteome profile imposed by ASA and CLOP when administered alone or
      in combination, prior to experimental TBI. Furthermore, we assessed differential
      glycosylation PTM patterns following experimental controlled cortical impact
      model of TBI, ASA, CLOP, and ASA + CLOP. Ipsilateral cortical brain tissues were
      harvested 48 h postinjury and were analyzed using an advanced neuroproteomics LC
      MS/MS platform to assess proteomic and glycoproteins alterations. Of interest,
      differential proteins pertaining to each group (22 in TBI, 41 in TBI + ASA, 44 in
      TBI + CLOP, and 34 in TBI + ASA + CLOP) were revealed. Advanced
      bioinformatics/systems biology and clustering analyses were performed to evaluate
      biological networks and protein interaction maps illustrating molecular pathways
      involved in the experimental conditions. Results have indicated that proteins
      involved in neuroprotective cellular pathways were upregulated in the ASA and
      CLOP groups when given separately. However, ASA + CLOP administration revealed
      enrichment in biological pathways relevant to inflammation and proinjury
      mechanisms. Moreover, results showed differential upregulation of glycoproteins
      levels in the sialylated N-glycans PTMs that can be implicated in pathological
      changes. Omics data obtained have provided molecular insights of the underlying
      mechanisms that can be translated into clinical bedside settings.

PMID- 27249382
TI  - Reclassification of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors - commonly called GISTs - are rare;
      yet, they represent an important type of mensenchymal tumors arising within the
      gastrointestinal tract. The acronym GIST was introduced in 1998 to define a well
      established pathological entity which bears a highly specific marker called KIT
      (CD117). Scientific interest for these tumors in recent years is mainly due to
      the progress in identification by immunohistochemistry and the advent of targeted
      molecular therapy. AIM: To reclassify mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract
      using advanced immunophenotyping. METHODS: We examined the digestive tissue
      tumors operated at the Principal Military Hospital of Instruction of Tunis over a
      19-year period from 1992 to 2011. RESULTS: We collected 22 cases of benign
      mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract. Tumors were initially diagnosed as
      leiomyomas (4 cases), schwannomas (2 cases), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (14
      cases), a leiomyoblastoma and a mesenchymal tumor with fusiform cells. The
      immunohistochemical study has allowed to correct some diagnoses and, in one case,
      the block has been exhausted. In total, we selected 18 cases of gastrointestinal
      stromal tumor, a tumors. The final diagnosis of GIST was confirmed by the
      positivity of C-kit or DOG1. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of C-kit and DOG1
      ensures accurate diagnosis of GIST. The DOG1 has allowed us to detect the 3
      stromal tumors negative for C-kit. This antibody has achieved a diagnostic gain
      of 15 %. The rate of GIST tumors labeled increased from 71 % to 86 % among
      mesenchymal tumors.

PMID- 27249383
TI  - Impact of gamete cell quality on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: the quality of the gametes used for an intracytoplasmic
      microinjection of spermatozoide is a significant factor which can influence
      pregnancy rates. AIM: To assess the effect of conventional sperm parameters,
      origin of spermatozoa and oocyte quality on pregnancy rate in ICSI. METHODS: A
      retrospective and comparative study of 500 women who underwent ICSI cycle during
      the study period from January 2004 to December 2005. Conventional sperm
      parameters (count, motility and morphology) and oocyte quality (mature and
      immatures oocytes) was compared in two groups of patients: Those achieving a
      pregnancy: The "pregnancy+" group and those failing to have a pregnancy: The
      "pregnancy-" group. RESULTS: Among the conventional sperm parameters, only
      spermatozoa count after preparation was significantly higher in "pregnancy+"
      group (p=0,02). We found significantly more pregnancies in ejaculated and
      epididymal sperm groups than in the testicular one (p<10-3). The number of oocyte
      retrieved was significantly higher in "pregnancy+" group (13,9+/-7 vs 10,6+/- 7,6
      ; p<10-3) with mainly mature oocyte (metaphaseII) (9,1+/-5,5 vs 6,6+/-5,4 ; p<10
      3). Analysis of ROC curve and logistic regression study show that for mature
      oocyte, the most discriminative cut-off for predicting pregnancy is 4 (OR=2,1 ;
      LR+=6,7 ;IC[1 ;1,4] ; p0,009). CONCLUSION: Conventional parameters of ejaculated
      sperm have almost no influence on pregnancy rates in ICSI. Testicular sperm seem
      to have worse results. The number of oocytes retrieved and the proportion of
      mature oocytes (metaphaseII) affect markedly the prognosis.

PMID- 27249384
TI  - Status dystonicus in childhood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Status Dystonicus is a rare complication of dystonia. It is a life
      threatening disorder that needs urgent treatment.The aim of this study is to
      describe clinical features, management and follow up of children with Status
      Dystonicus. METHODS: - We conducted a retrospective study over an 8-year period
      including all patients diagnosed with Status Dystonicus. Clinical
      characteristics, etiologies and management were analyzed. RESULTS: - Ten patients
      were included. Main features of Status Dystonicus were a severe generalized
      dystonia with vegetative signs. Laryngeal spasm and swallowing disorders were
      observed in 4 cases. Several treatments such as Levodopa, Anticholinergics,
      Baclofen, Benzodiazepines and Neuroleptics were tried. Mechanical ventilation was
      required in 4 cases. Two patients died due to rhabdomyolysis and respiratory
      failure. Others returned to their pre-Status Dystonicus. CONCLUSION: - Status
      Dystonicus is a life threatening condition that needs an urgent management on an
      intensive care unit. In fact, patients with Status Dystonicus can develop
      respiratory failure and metabolic complications.On the basis of our experience,
      we delineated a therapeutic approach in which the patient with Status Dystonicus
      needs supportive care, specific therapy of dystonia and intravenous sedative
      treatment.

PMID- 27249385
TI  - Pharmacokinetik population of methotrexate in tunisian population with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of high dose of MTX in the treatment of the leukemia is
      actually better controlled by renal preparation, control of plasma concentrations
      and administration of folinic acid. However, High dose MTX has been proven to
      cause substantial toxicity and have high intra-and inter-patient variability.
      Population pharmacokinetic analysis is a useful tool for identification of
      sources of pharmacokinetic variability during anticancer drug development and can
      aid the design of alternative dosing regimens to enhance their efficacy and
      safety. AIM: The aim of our study is to developed and validate a population
      pharmacokinetics model of our population. We hereby describe the clinical
      covariates (age, sex and clearance of the creatinine) that influence MTX
      pharmacokinetic for predicting optimal dose to reduce MTX toxicity. METHOD: It is
      a prospective study achieved between January 2005 to January 2012 in the Service
      of Clinical Pharmacology. Including 273 patients treated for acute lymphocytic
      leukaemia 2582 plasma concentration was achieved. The data have been analyzed
      with Nonmem(c) software (non linear regression to mixed effect). RESULTS: The age
      of our patients varied from 2 to 23 years with an average of 13 years. The
      patients received high dose MTX therapy (1 to 8 g/m2) in 24 hours infusion every
      15 days. Three compartiment models describe the pharmacokinetic of MTX. The most
      important covariables affecting the model were clearance of the creatinine, age
      and weight. We obtained a good correlation between the predicted and the observed
      concentrations. CONCLUSION: The development of population pharmacokinetics model
      of MTX allows us to propose a therapeutic diagram adapted to every patient
      according to its morphological and pharmacological features while taking in
      consideration the therapeutic objective.

PMID- 27249386
TI  - Contribution of Polymerase Chain Reaction for detection of malaria in Tunisia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Tunisia, detection of Plasmodium in asymptomatic individuals from
      endemic countries is a critical measure in national program of malaria
      eradication. The screening is based on microscopic examination of thick and thin
      blood smears. However, the performance of this diagnosis is closely related to
      the experience of biologist and the parasitaemia. AIM: The objective of this
      study was to evaluate the contribution of the PCR in the screening of malaria.
      METHODS: This prospective study involved 260 students from malaria endemic areas
      who were screened for malaria between september 2011 and june 2013. Each subject
      had a blood sample which was examined for malaria by microscopy and nested
      multiplex PCR. RESULTS: PCR detected the presence of Plasmodium in 13 blood
      samples (5%). While microscopy was positive only in nine cases (3.5%). The
      discordances involved five negative samples at microscopy and which were positive
      in PCR and a negative sample in PCR which was positive at microscopy. A mixed
      infection with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae was identified by
      PCR. For this case, microscopy diagnosed only Plasmodium falciparum specie.
      CONCLUSION: PCR is more efficient than microscopy in detecting low parasitaemia ;
      particularly observed in asymptomatic subjects. This technique allows to reduce
      asymptomatic carriage of Plasmodium and reduce the risk of a resumption of
      transmission of malaria in our country.

PMID- 27249387
TI  - The tunneled catheter for haemodialysis: about 52 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular access is a basic and essential tool required for performing
      renal replacement therapy in end stage renal disease. AIM: To study the
      indications of tunneled catheter (KTT) in hemodialysis (HD), identify
      complications related to the use of KTT and contributing factors, assess the
      survival and performance of the technique. INTRODUCTION: The making of a vascular
      access is an angular piece for adequate HD and in good conditions. In this
      context the KTT may be an alternative. METHODS: A retrospective study of 52 KTT
      placed in 49 patients collected in the department of Nephrology Dialysis and
      Renal Transplantation in RABTA Tunis between 2008 and 2011. RESULTS: The average
      age of our patients was 55.58 years +/- 13.5 years, their Sex ratio was 0.79. The
      Thirty of our patients were diabetic, 46.2% had hypertension and 21.2% had
      underlying cardiac disease. The mean duration of HD was 1111.35 days or 37
      months. The most common indication of KTT was the absence of arteriovenous
      fistula in 65.4% of cases, other indications were: short survival (30.7%), the
      exhaustion of venous capital (34.6%), mediacalcosis (34.6%) and immunosuppression
      (36.5%). The right internal jugular vein was the choice of insertion site with
      78.8%. The overall incidence of immediate complications was 19.2%. Among our
      patients, 31.4% had a dysfunction. The period of HD represent the risk factor for
      dysfunction KTT (p = 0.006).An infectious complication was observed in 29% of
      cases. The median time to onset of infection was 190.83 days. Staphylococcus was
      isolated in 40% of cases. The average duration of use of KTT was 238 days. The
      only single factor determining the survival of KTT was the number of KTT put in
      the same patient. CONCLUSION: More than a quarter of the population are dialyzed
      through a catheter. Despite concerted efforts, much remains to be done for the
      confection at time of a permanent vascular access.

PMID- 27249388
TI  - Impact of the components of metabolic syndrome on survival in a group of
      hemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is defined by the combination of high blood
      pressure, dyslipidemia, central obesity and a state of insulin resistance. Its
      prevalence is high in hemodialysis. AIM: The aim of this work is to see the
      impact of metabolic syndrome on mortality and morbidity in our hemodialysis
      patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 120 chronic hemodialysis
      patients. The metabolic syndrome was investigated according to the criteria of
      the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP
      III). Survival was estimated based on each parameter of the metabolic syndrome. A
      comparison by sex was performed for the following parameters: age, diabetes,
      hypertension, obesity, waist circumference, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease
      and heart failure. RESULTS: Forty chronic hemodialysis patients with metabolic
      syndrome have been the subject of this study. The mean age was 55.97 years and
      the sex ratio was 1.88. Seventy percent had diabetes and 90% were hypertensive.
      Coronary artery disease was present in 57.5% of cases of heart failure in 52.5%
      of cases. There was no significant difference in 10 years survival depending on
      the presence of each component of the metabolic syndrome. The study by sex showed
      no significant difference except for hyper LDL cholesterol. CONCLUSION: Our study
      showed no impact of the components of metabolic syndrome on survival. There is a
      high prevalence of cardiovascular complications but causality with the metabolic
      syndrome could not be demonstrated.

PMID- 27249389
TI  - Smoking prevalence in a factory in the region of Sousse- Tunisia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smoking is a public health problem because of its high prevalence and
      its serious consequences at all levels. AIM: The aim of this study was to
      determine the prevalence of smoking among workers in a private company and
      describe the characteristics of smokers to guide prevention efforts. METHODS: It
      is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2010 among all employees of a private
      company. Data collection was done by a questionnaire administered by interview.
      RESULTS: The participation rate was 90.4%. All smokers were men, with a
      prevalence of active smoking among men of 57.9%. The mean age of smokers was 33.2
      +/- 8 years, significantly lower than nonsmokers. The comparison between smokers
      and nonsmokers according to occupational category showed a statistically
      significant difference. Among smokers, 43.6% were in the contemplation stage and
      46.3% at the stage of preparation for smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: An
      intervention for prevention and fight against smoking in the workplace should be
      established for the promotion of employee health.

PMID- 27249390
TI  - Assessment of cochlear effects and extra-auditory disorders in male rats exposed
      repetitively to low noise.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The noise is considered as a factor of environmental stress, causing
      a wide range of health effects such as acoustic, cardiovascular, nervous and
      endocrine systems. PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to examine the
      affects of repeated exposure to noise on the peripheral auditory system, adrenal
      gland and heart tissue. METHOD: The White strain rats "Wistar" were exposed to
      chronic and repetitive exposure noise at two different intensity levels of 70 and
      85dB (A). The noise level was generated by the Audacity(r) software to an octave
      band noise (8616 kHz). The sound exposure duration was 6 hr/day, 5 days per week
      for 3 months. Quantitative and qualitative investigations were performed by using
      electron microscopy. The ganglion neuron counting was examined via light
      microscopy. RESULTS: The results show that exposure to sound intensities 70 and
      85 dB (A) for long periods, lead to changes in the morphological structure of the
      cochlea (inner ear), adrenal cortex and cardiac tissue which involve cell
      disruption which over time can lead to pathological effects. CONCLUSION: This
      study provides morphological evidence that repetitive exposure noise at moderate
      sound levels to 70 and 85 dB (A) induces changes in the peripheral auditory
      system, the adrenal cortex and heart tissue.

PMID- 27249391
TI  - The incidence of serious adverse events in a tunisian hospital: a retrospective
      medical record review study.
AB  - AIM: To describe the epidemiology of serious adverse events (SAE) reported in the
      division of internal medicine at the Mongi Slim university hospital in Tunis, to
      analyze their causes and contributing factors and compare them to that reported
      in literature so as to establish prevention strategies when these events were
      deemed preventable. Methods This retrospective study collected the medical
      records of randomly selected 500 index hospitalizations. Records review was
      conducted in two stages: a primary review that aimed to detect hospitalizations
      where a SAE was likely to have occurred then a secondary review which purpose was
      to confirm the presence of the SAE, to determine its nature and its
      preventability. RESULTS: SAE were detected in 5.2% of hospitalizations with a
      preventability of 57.7%. These events were responsible for a prolongation in
      27.0% of hospitalizations and disability in 15.4% of cases. They were the cause
      of admission in 42.9% of hospitalizations in which a SAE occurred. The SAE
      consisted in adverse drug events in 73.0% of cases, healthcare-associated
      infections in 19.0% of cases, non-surgical procedures in 4% of cases and pressure
      ulcers in 4.0% of cases. Age and number of comorbidities were identified as the
      main risk factors for the occurrence of SAE. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the extent
      and severity of the problem of iatrogenesis is necessary because it is a
      prerequisite to establishing a culture of patient safety among caregivers.

PMID- 27249392
TI  - Predictive factors of mortality in Fournier's gangrene.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fournier's Gangrene is a rare but serious condition accounting for a
      high death rate. Several predictive factors of mortality have been reported from
      retrospective series but more often these factors vary from one study to another.
      AIM: The aim of this work is to assess the clinical and therapeutic
      characteristics of patients treated for Fournier's gangrene in order to determine
      the predictive factors of mortality. METHODS: The study enrolled retrospectively
      all patients admitted in the surgery 'B' unit of Charles Nicolle hospital for
      Fournier's gangrene during the period ranging between January, 1st, 2000 and
      December, 31st, 2010. The diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene has been retained each
      time a tissue necrosis has been noted in perineum, whether during physical
      examination or intraoperatively. For all patients, clinical variables and
      treatments were collected. A comparative study was carried out between the group
      of survivors and deceased. RESULTS: Forty one patients have been included. The
      univariate analysis identified the following predictive factors of mortality:
      extension of lesions outside the perineum (p=0,002), severe sepsis and/or a
      septic shock (p=0,006), heart rate greater than 90/min (p=0,001), white blood
      cell count higher than 20000/mm3 (p=0,043) and urea level higher than 7 mmol/l
      (p=0,009). The multivariate analysis retained the extension of gangrene beyond
      the perineum as an independent predictive factor of mortality (p=0,004).
      CONCLUSION: Improving prognosis of Fournier's gangrene requires early diagnosis
      ahead of the extension of lesions beside the perineum which is associated with a
      higher mortality risk despite optimal care and treatment.

PMID- 27249393
TI  - Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of Watermelon stomach.

PMID- 27249394
TI  - Multiple autoimmune syndrome. About a case.

PMID- 27249396
TI  - An unusual mediastinal malignant tumor: atypical thymic carcinoid.

PMID- 27249395
TI  - Fahr's disease revealed by psychiatric symptoms like schizo-affective disorder.

PMID- 27249397
TI  - Renal metastases: Rare manifestation of lung carcinoma.

PMID- 27249398
TI  - An under recognized skin complication of diabetes: A diagnostic challenge.

PMID- 27249399
TI  - Infective endocarditis mimicking a systemic vasculitis.

PMID- 27249400
TI  - Idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis in adult: a rare cause of recurrent
      hemoptysis.

PMID- 27249401
TI  - Usefulness and limitations of balloon-occluded transcatheter arterial
      chemoembolization using miriplatin for patients with four or fewer hepatocellular
      carcinoma nodules.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study is to clarify the usefulness and limitations of
      balloon-occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (B-TACE) using
      miriplatin for patients with four or fewer hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      nodules. METHODS: We studied 47 nodules in 30 consecutive patients who received
      miriplatin by B-TACE to treat HCC with four or fewer nodules per patient. The
      treatment effect was evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer
      of the Liver. RESULTS: Nodules were divided according to the presence or absence
      of portal vein visualization during B-TACE. In the presence group, dynamic
      computed tomography at 3 months post-therapy showed Response Evaluation Criteria
      in Cancer of the Liver treatment effect (TE) 4 in 88% (14/16), TE3 in 0% (0/16),
      TE2 in 0% (0/16), TE1 in 12% (2/16), and objective response in 88% of nodules. In
      the absence group, the results were TE4 in 35% (11/31), TE3 in 13% (4/31), TE2 in
      26% (8/31), TE1 in 26% (8/31), and objective response decreased to 48% of
      nodules. In addition to typical hypervascular nodules, we treated three nodules
      with irregular ring enhancement that predicted poorly differentiated HCC and four
      nodules that included a hypoenhancement area that predicted well to moderately
      differentiated HCC. All irregular ring enhancement nodules achieved TE4. Other
      nodules that were predicted to be well to moderately differentiated HCC did not
      have portal vein visualization during B-TACE and could not achieve TE4.
      CONCLUSION: Balloon-occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is a useful
      technique for treatment of classical hypervascular HCC, and portal vein
      visualization during the B-TACE procedure may provide more favorable local
      control.

PMID- 27249402
TI  - Core-Shell Composite Hydrogels for Controlled Nanocrystal Formation and Release
      of Hydrophobic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.
AB  - Although roughly 40% of pharmaceuticals being developed are poorly water soluble,
      this class of drugs lacks a formulation strategy capable of producing high loads,
      fast dissolution kinetics, and low energy input. In this work, a novel bottom-up
      approach is developed for producing and formulating nanocrystals of poorly water
      soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) using core-shell composite
      hydrogel beads. Organic phase nanoemulsion droplets stabilized by polyvinyl
      alcohol (PVA) and containing a model hydrophobic API (fenofibrate) are embedded
      in the alginate hydrogel matrix and subsequently act as crystallization reactors.
      Controlled evaporation of this composite material produces core-shell structured
      alginate-PVA hydrogels with drug nanocrystals (500-650 nm) embedded within the
      core. Adjustable loading of API nanocrystals up to 83% by weight is achieved with
      dissolution (of 80% of the drug) occurring in as little as 30 min. A quantitative
      model is also developed and experimentally validated that the drug release
      patterns of the fenofibrate nanocrystals can be modulated by controlling the
      thickness of the PVA shell and drug loading. Thus, these composite materials
      offer a "designer" drug delivery system. Overall, our approach enables a novel
      means of simultaneous controlled crystallization and formulation of hydrophobic
      drugs that circumvents energy intensive top-down processes in traditional
      manufacturing.

PMID- 27249403
TI  - A full Bayes before-after study accounting for temporal and spatial effects:
      Evaluating the safety impact of new signal installations.
AB  - Recently, important advances in road safety statistics have been brought about by
      methods able to address issues other than the choice of the best error structure
      for modeling crash data. In particular, accounting for spatial and temporal
      interdependence, i.e., the notion that the collision occurrence of a site or unit
      times depend on those of others, has become an important issue that needs further
      research. Overall, autoregressive models can be used for this purpose as they can
      specify that the output variable depends on its own previous values and on a
      stochastic term. Spatial effects have been investigated and applied mostly in the
      context of developing safety performance functions (SPFs) to relate crash
      occurrence to highway characteristics. Hence, there is a need for studies that
      attempt to estimate the effectiveness of safety countermeasures by including the
      spatial interdependence of road sites within the context of an observational
      before-after (BA) study. Moreover, the combination of temporal dynamics and
      spatial effects on crash frequency has not been explored in depth for SPF
      development. Therefore, the main goal of this research was to carry out a BA
      study accounting for spatial effects and temporal dynamics in evaluating the
      effectiveness of a road safety treatment. The countermeasure analyzed was the
      installation of traffic signals at unsignalized urban/suburban intersections in
      British Columbia (Canada). The full Bayes approach was selected as the
      statistical framework to develop the models. The results demonstrated that zone
      variation was a major component of total crash variability and that spatial
      effects were alleviated by clustering intersections together. Finally, the
      methodology used also allowed estimation of the treatment's effectiveness in the
      form of crash modification factors and functions with time trends. 

PMID- 27249413
TI  - Correction: Therapist Effects and the Impact of Early Therapeutic Alliance on
      Symptomatic Outcome in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144623.].

PMID- 27249414
TI  - A Retrospective Analysis of Spontaneous Adverse Drug Reactions Reports Relating
      to Paediatric Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spontaneous reporting on adverse drug reactions (ADR) has been
      established in Malaysia since 1987, and although these reports are monitored by
      the Malaysia drug monitoring authority, the National Pharmaceutical Control
      Bureau, information about ADRs in the paediatric patient population still remains
      unexplored. The aims of this study, therefore, were to characterize the ADRs
      reported in respect to the Malaysian paediatric population and to relate the data
      to specific paediatric age groups. METHODS: Data on all ADRs reported to the
      National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau between 2000 and 2013 for individuals aged
      from birth to 17 years old were analysed with respect to age and gender, type of
      reporter, suspected medicines (using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical
      classification), category of ADR (according to system organ class) as well as the
      severity of the ADR. RESULTS: In total, 11,523 ADR reports corresponding to
      22,237 ADRs were analysed, with half of these reporting one ADR per report.
      Vaccines comprised 55.7% of the 11,523 ADR reports with the remaining being drug
      related ADRs. Overall, 63.9% of ADRs were reported for paediatric patients
      between 12 and 17 years of age, with the majority of ADRs reported in females
      (70.7%). The most common ADRs reported were from the following system organ
      classes: application site disorders (32.2%), skin and appendages disorders
      (20.6%), body as a whole general disorders (12.8%) and central and peripheral
      nervous system disorders (11.2%). Meanwhile, ADRs in respect to anti-infectives
      for systemic use (2194/5106; 43.0%) were the most frequently reported across all
      age groups, followed by drugs from the nervous system (1095/5106; 21.4%). Only
      0.28% of the ADR cases were reported as fatal. A large proportion of the reports
      were received from healthcare providers in government health facilities.
      DISCUSSION: ADR reports concerning vaccines and anti-infectives were the most
      commonly reported in children, and are mainly seen in adolescents, with most of
      the ADRs manifesting in skin reactions. The majority of the ADR reports were
      received from nurses in the public sector, reporting ADRs associated with vaccine
      administration. The low fatality rate of ADR cases reported could potentially be
      caused by reporting bias due to the very low reporting percentage from the
      private healthcare institutions. This study indicates that ADR rates among
      Malaysian children are higher than in developed countries. Constant ADR reporting
      and monitoring, especially in respect to paediatric patients, should be
      undertaken to ensure their safety.

PMID- 27249415
TI  - Association between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) cutoff values (25 ppb)
      and risk factors of cough.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cough is among the most common symptoms for patients to seek
      medical attention. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the
      association between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) cutoff values (25 ppb)
      and risk factors related to cough, hoping to evaluate the feasibility of the FeNO
      cut point values (25 ppb) for clinical prediction of cough in etiology. METHODS:
      In 107 adult patients with acute, subacute, or chronic cough, the FeNO, forced
      expiratory volume for 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), blood routine
      (white blood cell and neutrophil), immunoglobulin E (IgE), lymphocyte
      eosinophils, and hemoglobin were measured. The Student's t-test was used to test
      the differences of FeNO levels compared with FEV1/FVC, lymphocyte, and hemoglobin
      level. For evaluating the correlation of FeNO levels with IgE, eosinophil, blood
      routine, pulmonary infection, and smoking status, the chi-square test was
      performed. RESULTS: FeNO cutoff value (25 ppb) significantly correlated with
      serum IgE (P < .0001) between >=200 IU/mL and <200 IU/mL level, eosinophil (P =
      .039) between >=5% and <5% level, lymphocyte percentage (P = .032) and the ratio
      of FEV1/FVC (P = .032), while weakly correlated with pulmonary infection, blood
      routine (white blood cell and neutrophil), hemoglobin, and smoking. CONCLUSION:
      The cutoff values of FeNO (>=25 ppb or <25 ppb) are useful for etiological
      detection of cough with high sensitivity.

PMID- 27249416
TI  - Serum Anion Gap Predicts All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Advanced Chronic
      Kidney Disease: A Retrospective Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular outcomes and mortality rates are poor
      in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Novel risk factors related to
      clinical outcomes should be identified. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data
      from a randomized controlled study was performed in 440 CKD patients aged > 18
      years, with estimated glomerular filtration rate 15-60 mL/min/1.73m2. Clinical
      data were available, and the albumin-adjusted serum anion gap (A-SAG) could be
      calculated. The outcome analyzed was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Of 440
      participants, the median (interquartile range, IQR) follow-up duration was 5.1
      (3.0-5.5) years. During the follow-up duration, 29 participants died (all-cause
      mortality 6.6%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of A
      SAG for all-cause mortality was 0.616 (95% CI 0.520-0.712, P = 0.037). The best
      threshold of A-SAG for all-cause mortality was 9.48 mmol/L, with sensitivity
      0.793 and specificity 0.431. After adjusting for confounders, A-SAG above 9.48
      mmol/L was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality,
      with hazard ratio 2.968 (95% CI 1.143-7.708, P = 0.025). In our study, serum
      levels of beta-2 microglobulin and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were positively
      associated with A-SAG. CONCLUSIONS: A-SAG is an independent risk factor for all
      cause mortality in advanced CKD patients. The positive correlation between A-SAG
      and serum beta-2 microglobulin or BUN might be a potential reason. Future study
      is needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT 00860431.

PMID- 27249417
TI  - The Distribution of SIgA and IgG Antibody-Secreting Cells in the Small Intestine
      of Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus) of Different Ages.
AB  - Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody-secreting
      cells (ASCs) are two important cell types in the mucosal immune system. This
      study aimed to explore the distribution of these ASC populations in the small
      intestine of Bactrian camels of different ages. Twenty-four Alashan Bactrian
      camels were divided into the following four age groups: young (1-2 years),
      pubertal (3-5 years), middle-aged (6-16 years) and old (17-20 years). SIgA and
      IgG ASCs in the intestinal mucosa lamina propria (LP) were observed and analyzed
      using immunohistochemcal techniques. The results from all age groups show that
      both SIgA and IgG ASCs were diffusely distributed in the intestinal LP, and some
      cells aggregated around the crypts. Moreover, the densities of the two ASC
      populations gradually increased from the duodenum to the jejunum and then
      decreased in the ileum. Meanwhile, there were more SIgA ASCs than IgG ASCs in the
      duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and these differences were significant in the young
      and pubertal groups (P<0.05). In addition, the SIgA and IgG ASC densities
      increased from the young to the pubertal period, peaked at puberty, and then
      gradually decreased with age. The results demonstrate that the SIgA and IgG ASC
      distributions help to form two immunoglobulin barriers in the intestinal mucosa
      to provide full protection, helping to maintain homeostasis. These findings also
      underscore the importance of researching the development and degeneration of
      intestinal mucosal immunity in Bactrian camels. 

PMID- 27249419
TI  - A Systematic Review of Health Economic Analyses of Housing Improvement
      Interventions and Insecticide-Treated Bednets in the Home.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Housing improvements have considerable potential for improving
      health. So does the provision of insecticide-treated bednets for malaria
      prevention. Therefore we aimed to conduct updated systematic reviews of health
      economic analyses in both these intervention domains. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The
      search strategy included economic analyses of housing improvement interventions
      and use of insecticide-treated bednets for community-dwelling, healthy
      populations (published between 1 January 2000 and 15 April 2014). We searched the
      Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and three
      health economics databases. Thirty-five economic analyses of seven types of
      intervention fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most included studies adopted a
      health sector perspective and were cost-effectiveness analyses using decision
      analytic modeling or conducted alongside trials. The overall quality of the
      studies was generally likely to be adequate for informing policy-making (albeit
      with limitations in some areas). There was fairly consistent evidence for the
      cost-effectiveness/favorable cost-benefit of removing indoor lead to prevent lead
      poisoning and sequelae, and retrofitting insulation to prevent lung disease. But
      the value of assessing and improving home safety and providing smoke alarms to
      prevent injuries was more mixed and the economic evidence was inconclusive or
      insufficient for: home ventilation to prevent lung disease, installing heaters to
      prevent lung disease and regulating tap water temperatures to prevent scalding.
      Few studies (n = 4) considered health equity. The 12 studies of providing
      insecticide-treated bednets or hammocks to prevent malaria found these
      interventions to be moderately to highly cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: This
      systematic review provides updated evidence that several housing improvement
      interventions (such as removing indoor lead and retrofitting insulation) and also
      the provision of insecticide-treated bednets are cost-effective interventions.
      Nevertheless, for some interventions additional analyses are required to better
      clarify their health economic and health equity value.

PMID- 27249418
TI  - DYT1 dystonia increases risk taking in humans.
AB  - It has been difficult to link synaptic modification to overt behavioral changes.
      Rodent models of DYT1 dystonia, a motor disorder caused by a single gene
      mutation, demonstrate increased long-term potentiation and decreased long-term
      depression in corticostriatal synapses. Computationally, such asymmetric learning
      predicts risk taking in probabilistic tasks. Here we demonstrate abnormal risk
      taking in DYT1 dystonia patients, which is correlated with disease severity,
      thereby supporting striatal plasticity in shaping choice behavior in humans.

PMID- 27249420
TI  - Towards proactive active living: patients with Parkinson's disease experience of
      a multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-pharmacological approaches to PD disease management seem to be a
      growing and promising field of investigation. Indeed interesting new perspectives
      are forthcoming from studies on physical rehabilitation and on physical exercise.
      AIM: To qualitatively describe the rehabilitation experience of Parkinson Disease
      patients taking part in a multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment
      (MIRT) consisting of four weeks of physical therapy and exercise, with three
      daily sessions, five days a week. DESIGN: Data from a qualitative observational
      study with patients' interviews were analyzed. SETTING: PD inpatients of a
      Neurorehabilitation Department. POPULATION: Convenient sample of 27 PD patients
      (13 male, 14 female), mean age 70.3+/-8.5 and mean disease duration 8.25+/-6.9
      years; Hoehn-Yahr stage 3, hospitalized for the 4-week MIRT. METHODS: Verbatim
      transcriptions of 27 semi-structured interviews were analysed using the Grounded
      Theory methodology. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were present in 55.5% of the
      patients measured by Geriatric Depression Scale: mild (N.=8; 30.0%), moderate
      (N.=6; 22.2%), severe (N.=1; 3.7%). The core category Efficacy of active living
      identified the becoming conscious of the usefulness of a proactive lifestyle to
      counterattack disease degeneration. The category Satisfaction described patients'
      satisfaction upon MIRT, resulting in a perceived enhanced functionality
      (coherently with quantitative functional parameters improvement at discharge) and
      a rediscovered autonomy. The category Future described the intention to continue
      the rehabilitation prescription at home embracing a more dynamic lifestyle. Of
      interest is that the majority in the interview used body related terms and
      described perceived changes through the body itself. Verbs of perception (to see,
      to feel, to perceive) were used in a spontaneous way by all inpatients. The
      inpatients experienced not only through their mind but also by means of body
      perceptions how a proactive lifestyle could become a means of disease control.
      CONCLUSIONS: The positive subjective response to rehabilitation described
      qualitatively in this study, opens perspectives for tailoring interventions
      focusing also on patients' self, self-efficacy and perceived efficacy of active
      living. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Patients' proactive disposition may widen
      the perspective on patients' motivation to rehabilitation. A multidisciplinary
      intervention may act both on physical and subjective disease aspects; paying
      attention to patients' subjective feedbacks could contribute reliably to guide
      for medical decisions in managing tailored and detailed interventions.

PMID- 27249421
TI  - Increase in Self-Injury as a Method of Self-Harm in Ghent, Belgium: 1987-2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-harm is a major health care problem and changes in its
      prevalence and characteristics can have important implications for suicide
      prevention. The objective was to describe trends in the epidemiology of self-harm
      based on emergency department (A&E departments) visits over a 26-year period in
      Ghent, Belgium. METHODS: We analyzed data on all self-harm presentations from the
      three large general hospitals in Ghent between 1987 and 2013. We investigated
      trends in prevalence (events by year per 100.000), methods and alcohol use.
      RESULTS: Rates of self-harm steadily decreased during the 26-year study period.
      In general female rates of self-harm were higher than male rates. The mean
      patient age was 35 years. The most commonly used method of self-harm was self
      poisoning by means of an overdose of medication (80.8%), followed by cutting
      (10.2%) and hanging (4.2%). Psychotropics (including antidepressants,
      benzodiazepines, barbiturates and other tranquilizers) were the most frequently
      used drugs (74.5%). A proportional increase in the use of self-injurious methods
      in self-harm was highly significant, more specifically in the use of hanging,
      jumping from heights and the use of other violent methods such as the use of
      firearms, jumping before a moving object or other traffic related injury.
      CONCLUSION: This epidemiological study showed an increase in the use of high
      lethality methods in self-harm which has important implications for suicide
      prevention. As restrictions in the availability of these methods are difficult or
      impossible to achieve, prevention programmes will have to emphasize the role of
      thorough psychosocial assessment and adequate follow-up care of self-harm
      patients.

PMID- 27249422
TI  - Topical treatment with a two-component gel releasing nitric oxide cures C57BL/6
      mice from cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major.

PMID- 27249425
TI  - HTCC: Broad Range Inhibitor of Coronavirus Entry.
AB  - To date, six human coronaviruses have been known, all of which are associated
      with respiratory infections in humans. With the exception of the highly
      pathogenic SARS and MERS coronaviruses, human coronaviruses (HCoV-NL63, HCoV
      OC43, HCoV-229E, and HCoV-HKU1) circulate worldwide and typically cause the
      common cold. In most cases, infection with these viruses does not lead to severe
      disease, although acute infections in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised
      patients may progress to severe disease requiring hospitalization. Importantly,
      no drugs against human coronaviruses exist, and only supportive therapy is
      available. Previously, we proposed the cationically modified chitosan, N-(2
      hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC), and its
      hydrophobically-modified derivative (HM-HTCC) as potent inhibitors of the
      coronavirus HCoV-NL63. Here, we show that HTCC inhibits interaction of a virus
      with its receptor and thus blocks the entry. Further, we demonstrate that HTCC
      polymers with different degrees of substitution act as effective inhibitors of
      all low-pathogenic human coronaviruses. 

PMID- 27249426
TI  - Misinterpretation in Nanotoxicology: A Personal Perspective.
AB  - As an emerging field, nanotoxicology is gaining significant interest from
      scientists as well as from international regulatory firms in an attempt to build
      accumulated knowledge on this topic, which will be the basis for regulatory codes
      and safer nanotechnology. However, conflicting results and findings are abundant
      in the literature calling for more careful experimental design, result
      interpretation, and detailed reporting. In this perspective, we focus on
      misinterpretation in nanotoxicology and highlight the importance of proper
      experimental practice to avoid artifacts by discussing various examples from the
      literature. 

PMID- 27249427
TI  - HYPOGENESIS OF RIGHT LOBE OF LIVER ACCOMPANIED BY PORTAL HYPERTENSION AND
      ESOPHAGOGASTRIC VARICEAL BLEEDING; A RARE ANOMALY: A CASE REPORT.
AB  - Hypo-agenesis of the right lobe of the liver is an extremely rare finding. It is
      defined as the complete or partial absence of liver tissue on the right side
      without previous disease or surgery. It is usually an incidental finding. A 32
      year-old female patient came to Emergency Department of TSMU the First University
      Clinic 22.10.2015 with an initial diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
      Her medical history showed no previous diseases of the liver or episodes of
      hemorrhage. Dizziness, nausea, vomiting with red blood, melena was presented on
      admission. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed III degree varicose of veins from
      middle part of the esophagus to cardiofundal part of the stomach. Hemorrhage was
      observed from cardial part of the stomach. Control of bleeding was not achieved
      endoscopically. Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was used to stop bleeding temporarily.
      Computed tomography with angiography was performed. Right lobe of the liver was
      presented with VII and VIII segments. Medial edge of the left lobe of the liver
      is located near the spleen. Liver parenchyma is homogenous. No thrombosis of the
      portal or hepatic veins was revealed. Gallbladder was dislocated laterally and
      cranially without pathological changes. Extra- and intrahepatic biliary ducts
      were not dilated. There was colonic interposition between the liver and
      diaphragm. Diagnosis was established - hypogenesis of right lobe of liver,
      atrophy-hypertrophy complex, portal hypertension, varicose of the veins of the
      esophagus and cardiofundal part of the stomach, hemorrhage from variceal vein of
      the cardial part of the stomach, acquired coagulation factors deficiency,
      functional hypersplenism, posthemorrhagic anemia. In our case there was
      congenital hypogenesis of the right lobe of the liver. Five months follow-up
      showed no recurrent bleeding. 

PMID- 27249428
TI  - [PROBLEMS OF NEWBORN NEONATAL ADAPTATION FROM A TWINS].
AB  - The clinical analysis of multiple pregnancies. The features of neonatal
      adaptation process in 96 twins, depending on the type of zygosity. It is proved
      that the adaptation of the newborn with multiple pregnancy depends on the type of
      placentation. It is found that monozygotic twins is a risk factor syndromes
      disadaptation. Children from monozygotic twins compared with dizygotic twins have
      a higher frequency of the syndrome of respiratory disorders, and more prone to
      jaundice, hemorrhagic syndrome, violation gemolikvorodinamics II and III degrees.
      The physical development of the twins also determined by the type zygosity. In
      the group of monozygotic twins are more common heavier versions of intrauterine
      growth retardation - hypoplastic and dysplastic. The high frequency of asphyxia
      on the background of immaturity that leads to the development disadaptation
      syndromes in these children, the most common of which are hypoxic-ischemic CNS
      disorders, thermoregulation, jaundice and gastrointestinal reactions. Detection
      disorders of blood coagulation and glucose metabolism certainly play a negative
      role in the development of adaptation of these newborns. zygosity type must be
      determined at the time of pregnancy to produce medical tactics and prognosis. 

PMID- 27249429
TI  - [SOME CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF PRETERM BIRTH].
AB  - Aim - to make a comparative assessment of the cytokines level in women with
      preterm labor with chronic infection and without it in order to determine the
      risk of implementation of intrauterine infection in their preterm infants. There
      was prospective investigation of 141 pregnant and their 141 premature infants
      with different gestation terms. There was identify cytokines levels in mother's
      blood with immune enzyme analysis method due implementation of intrauterine
      infection in compare with control group. It wasinterconnection ofinfection
      pathology withgestation terms, it lead to preterm labor. Prematurity which cause
      by mothers chronic infection, lead to heavier, extended period of bacterial
      infection in premature infants. It was increasing of cytokines levels IL-1beta,
      IL-6, and TNF-alpha of mother's blood during implementation of intrauterine
      infection in premature infants. Multiparous pregnant, adverse outcomes of
      previous pregnancies in anamnesis, high frequency carrier of bacterial infection
      were risk factors for preterm labor among explored pregnant women. To study
      cytokine profile among the explored pregnant women from main group showed a
      pattern in increasing of level IL-1beta, IL- 6 and TNF-alpha serum during
      pregnancy , indicating the course of pregnancy and can be used as a nonspecific
      marker for early diagnosis of preterm birth and implementing infection in
      premature . The level of IL-2 did not have a diagnostic value. 

PMID- 27249430
TI  - THE USE OF 18F-FLUORODEOXYGLUCOSE POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY TO ASSESS CLINICAL
      OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH BORDERLINE RESECTABLE PANCREATIC CANCER.
AB  - The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of 18FDG PET on preoperative
      staging and clinical management of pancreatic cancer. Between December 2011 and
      February 2015, 28 consecutive patients with borderline resectable pancreatic
      cancer were evaluated with both 18FDG PET scans and conventional preoperative
      imaging studies. Medical records of all patients were noted prospectively. 18FDG
      PET findings were compared with conventional imaging studies and over-staging or
      down-staging rates with changes in clinical management were evaluated. The
      correlation of 18FDG PET with conventional imaging studies was evaluated with a
      kappa agreement coefficient. A number of 22 (78.5%) patients had pancreatic head
      cancer and 6 (21.4%) patients had pancreatic body and tail cancers. Based on
      18FDG PET, additional lesions were found in 4 (14.28%) of the patients which were
      lung and peritoneal lesions as metastasis. No hepatic metastasis or
      supraclavicular lymph node involvement was confirmed in patients. Routine use of
      18FDG PET for preoperative staging has not an effect on cancer management in
      96.8% of our patients. In conclusion, 18FDG PET has additional value over
      conventional radiologic techniques for monitoring the treatment response in
      locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients. It is feasible to predict early
      metastasis and patient outcome early (after one course of IC) during therapy. 

PMID- 27249431
TI  - EVALUATION OF EDENTULISM, PROSTHETIC STATUS AND PROSTHODONTICS TREATMENT NEEDS
      AMONG THE ADULT POPULATION OF GEORGIA.
AB  - The aim of the present study is to identify the level of edentulism among the
      adult population of Georgia, to assess the prosthodontics status and normative
      needs for prosthetic treatment. Cluster- stratified method was used for sampling.
      Overall, 2370 adults including 1289 women and 1081 men and four age groups I - 20
      34, II - 35-44, III - 45-64, IV - 65-74 in nine regions of Georgia and the
      capital, Tbilisi, were examined. The loss of teeth due to caries or periodontitis
      was observed to differing extents throughout the population. One (8.3%) or more
      bridges (7.6%) and removable dentures (3.2-4.7%) were more frequently observed
      than implants (0.1%). Metal-ceramic (12.4%) and metal crowns (6.3%) were more
      commonly detected than zirconia ceramic crowns (0.1%). Statistical analysis of
      the data demonstrates a rather high normative prosthetic need of implants and
      bridges and less needs for removable dentures among the population due to less
      severity of periodontitis and not too high values of missing teeth due to caries
      (despite the high caries prevalence (99%) throughout the Georgian population).
      Edentulism is a public problem in Georgia and needs serious attention from
      government or healthcare centers to prevent the complications . 

PMID- 27249432
TI  - THE RISK FACTORS INFLUENCING THE EDENTULISM AND PROSTHETIC STATUS OF THE ADULT
      POPULATION IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF GEORGIA.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to identify the level of edentulism and
      prosthetic status of the adult population in different regions of Georgia and to
      assess the influencing risk- factors. Cluster- stratified method was used for
      sampling. Overall, 2370 adults including 1289 women and 1081 men and four age
      groups I- (20-34), II-(35-44), III-(45-64), IV- (65-74) in nine regions of
      Georgia and the capital, Tbilisi, were examined. Statistically reliable data
      received showed the different extent of teeth loss in various regions of Georgia.
      <=10 teeth loss were characteristic for Mtskheta (60.2%) and Samtskhe-Javakheti
      (50.7%),whilst >=20 teeth lost were noticed more in Achara(2.9%), Samtskhe
      Javakheti(2.6%), Shida Qartli (2,5%). Therefore, prosthetic status was mostly
      presented with one or more bridges or artificial crowns, removable dentures were
      seen less. Differences in prosthetic status is generally related to low medical
      education background in all regions, though lack of money was considered as
      essential obstacle for dental visit for Mtskheta, Imereti and Samtskhe-Javakheti
      population. Education and family income dictate attitudes towards prosthetic
      dental care and choice of crown types. On the other hand, material disparity
      represents the main obstacle to prosthetic procedures, especially implants. 

PMID- 27249433
TI  - MONITORING THE EFFICACY OF MONTELUKAST USED IN CHILDREN WITH RISK OF ASTHMA.
AB  - The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of Montelukast - leukotriene
      inhibitor in children population with risk of bronchial asthma. The research was
      conducted at LTD. Kutaisi Children primary care unit #3. The data were collected
      from January 2013 till January 2016. 104 patients (5-18 year, 43 girl, 61 boy),
      with potential risk of bronchial asthma were involved into the research, 47 (45%)
      patients out of 104 were considered as a real risk for asthma, based on Peak
      Expiratory Flow (PEF) and spirometry results. Patients with risk of asthma were
      grouped according to the method of treatment (monotherapy with inhaled
      glycocorticoid and inhaled glycocorticoid combined with leukotriene inhibitor).
      Descriptive statistics methods were used to characterize each variable. Our
      results indicate on positive influence of montelukast - selective leukotrien
      inhibitor in treatment of children with various forms of asthma. 

PMID- 27249434
TI  - POSTNATAL GROWTH IN PRETERMS WITH BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA.
AB  - Aim of study - to measure growth data for 69 preterms (39 females) with
      bronchopulmonary dysplasia (PT-BPD) The growth parameters of 69 BPD-PT were
      recorded for 16+/-3 months postnatally. 40 had mild, 20 had moderate and 9 had
      severe BPD. Ninety-six percent of infants were appropriate for gestational age
      (AGA). Only 4% preterms had birth weight SDS <-2 for gestational age (GA) and 4%
      had length SDS (LSDS) <-2. Eighty-eight percent of PT-BPD had normal or
      accelerated growth velocity (GV) during the 16+/-3 months period. At 8+/-2 months
      of uncorrected age 45% had LSDS <-2 and at 16+/-3 months of age 25% had LSDS <-2.
      At 8+/-2 months 13% had body mass index SDS (BMISDS) < -2 and at 16+/-3 months
      5.8% had BMISDS < -2. At 8+/-2 months 52% had head circumference SDS (HCSDS2) <
      2. At 16+/-3 months 27.5% had HCSDS <-2. Seventy-two per cent of PT-BPD had
      normal HCSDS compared to full terms (FT) infants at 16+/-3 months. The majority
      of preterm infants with BPD show normal or above normal (catch-up growth) linear
      growth velocity postnatally compared to FT infants. At 16+/-3 months of their
      life 75% had normal LSDS, 72.5% had normal HCSDS compared to FT infants. Severity
      of the BPD, and the presence of sepsis, NEC, PDA and PVH ominously affects
      postnatal somatic growth in these infants. Our results stress also the importance
      of corrected vs uncorrected age for the growth evaluation. 

PMID- 27249435
TI  - [QUALITY OF LIFE IN CARERS OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TAKING A DISEASE
      MODIFYING MEDICATION: A PILOT STUDY].
AB  - A chronic physical disease not only has direct consequences for the chronically
      ill person but can also distort the life of the healthy family member. The aim of
      our study was to measure the health-related quality of life (QOL) in people
      caring for patients with relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS) and
      currently treated with disease-modifying drugs. Eligible patients were selected
      via Sarajishvili Institute of Neurology database for MS. 25 carers (mean age
      40.7; 56% women, 56% partners) and 25 sex and age-matched controls completed 36
      item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), version 2. Carers also completed the Beck
      depression Inventory (BDI-II). Compared to carers, patients were found to have a
      lower QOL (P<0.05 for five dimensions). However, no significant difference was
      observed in SF-36 domains scores between carers and controls except general
      health score which was lower in carers (63.3 vs 75.6, p=0.016). A strong negative
      correlation was found between BDI and all SF-36 dimension scores of carers. The
      association remains unchanged even adjusted to carers other independent
      variables. Last year relapse rate was the only clinical variable correlated with
      carers QOL dimensions. Our pilot study demonstrated that QOL in carers of
      patients with relapsing-remitting MS receiving disease-modifying treatment is
      minimally affected. Further study with large sample size is warranted. 

PMID- 27249436
TI  - QTC TENDENCY IN PACEMAKER DEPENDENT PATIENTS - PROGNOSTIC MEANING OF LONG QTC
      DURING 5 YEAR FOLLOW UP.
AB  - Prolongation of ventricular repolarization, which is represented by QTc
      prolongation on the standard ECG can be considered as increased risk for fatal
      arrhythmia. However, in pacemaker dependency (with ventricular pacing from the
      right apex) Ventricular Pacemaker causes abnormal steps of ventricular activation
      and therefore widens QRS complex and alters ventricular repolarization. It is
      still questionable whether QTc prolongation in right ventricular-paced patients
      is associated with increased risk of fatal arrhythmia or other cardiac
      complications. The other important question is whether the pacemaker dependent
      patient with long QTc interval may safely receive medications with known
      potential to prolong ventricular repolarization. The aim of the study was to
      determine whether QTc prolongation in VP (ventricular pacemaker) patients is
      associated with increased risk of fatal arrhythmia or other cardiac complications
      and whether these patients can safely receive medications with known potential to
      prolong ventricular repolarization. The study is based on retrospective analysis
      of the QTc interval prior and after pacemaker insertion; dynamic changes of QTc
      interval and possible influence of the medications, with known potential to
      prolong ventricular repolarization. Study population consisted 76 patients with
      narrow native QRS complexes and QTcF/QTcB <500 ms for both male and female
      patients. QTc prolongation in VP patients most likely does not represent true
      repolarization abnormalities and is not associated with risk of fatal arrhythmia.
      While analysis of group receiving medications with known potency of QTc increase
      we found no additional tendency of QTc increase. Based on our data receiving the
      medications with known potency of QTc prolongation in VP patients should be
      considered as safe approach. Long-term follow up data (5 years) assessed
      retrospectively shows that in patients with widened QRS after VP are at increased
      risk of development of HF and HF decompensation. 

PMID- 27249437
TI  - [THE FIRST RESULTS OF THE PREVALENCE OF CYP2C19 GENEPOLYMORPHISM IN PATIENTS WITH
      ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME IN THE AKTYUBINSK POPULATION].
AB  - To study the prevalence of polymorphic variants of CYP2C19 in residents of the
      Aktyubinsk region, in patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous
      coronary intervention. We studied included 100 patients with documented acute
      coronary syndrome, whom stent has been implanted and double antiplatelet therapy
      (aspirin and clopidogrel) was administered (average age was 49.2). The control
      group was formed of 255 volunteers without clinical and electrocardiographic
      manifestations of ischemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In groups of
      patients and volunteers, most of them were ethnic Kazakhs 67% and 72%
      respectively. Thus, about 30% of patients CYP2C19*1/*2 acute coronary syndrome
      who live in Aktobe (Aktobe residents) are under the threat of a possible
      occurrence of new cardiovascular events due to low sensitivity to clopidogrel.
      Our study confirms that CYP2C19 G (681A) genotype has impact on antiplatelet
      effect of clopidogrel. The peculiarity of our work lies in the fact that we were
      the first who conducted pharmacogenetic study in patients treated with
      clopidogrel with ACS/PCI in the region inhabited by persons of mixed Slavic and
      Kazakh nationality. 

PMID- 27249438
TI  - [THE CONTENT OF SOME ESSENTIAL MICRONUTRIENTS IN INFANTS WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT
      WITH INTRAUTERINE HERPES INFECTION].
AB  - To study the comparative aspect of the content of certain essential trace
      elements in the blood serum of infants with low birth weight, identify the
      clinical signs of deficiency. The study involved 127 infants, of which 69
      constituted the main group and 58 infants constituted the comparison group. All
      newborns were identified haematological and biochemical blood tests, some
      Essential micronutrients (copper, selenium, zinc). Laboratory diagnosis of
      microelement composition of blood was determined by mass spectrometry with
      inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP-MS). The analysis of some essential trace
      elements was diagnosed copper and selenium deficiency in all newborns. Mean while
      neonatal treatment group indicators selenium, copper are lower, than similar
      nutrients infants in the control group. The zinc content in both groups mostly
      within the normal parameters. Thus, the level of essential micronutrients
      (copper, selenium) in the blood serum of newborn infants in the study group and
      the control group was below the reference value, indicating that insufficient
      intake data trace in the fetus located in the mother's womb. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1.
      In the diagnosis of various diseases in newborns with low birth weight should
      take into account the level of serum essential micronutrients (copper, selenium).
      2. In the appointment of the underlying disease treatment in these infants need
      to be borne in mind also correct micronutrient deficiencies.

PMID- 27249439
TI  - SENSITIZATION PATTERN AND CLINICAL PECULARITIES OF FOOD ALLERGY IN GEORGIA.
AB  - The aim of our study was to investigate sensitization pattern to food allergens
      in different age groups of atopic patients in Georgia and reveal the associations
      between food sensitization and clinical manifestations of allergic disease
      reflecting the development of atopic march. 1000 patients (children-783, adult
      217) with different clinical manifestations were involved in the study. Specific
      IgE antibodies to food mix, cow's milk, casein, egg, wheat, fish, nuts mixture
      and inhalant allergens were measured by using ImmunoCap (Phadia, Uppsala,
      Sweden). The prevalence of positive specific IgE to food mix was - 7.08%, cow's
      milk-4.61%, casein - 4.68%, hen's egg - 2.72%, fish mix - 0.77%, wheat -1.57% and
      to nuts mixture - 2.86%. The frequency of atopic dermatitis (p<0.0017), urticaria
      (p<0.0223) and anaphylactic shock (p<0.001) were significantly increased in
      patients with specific IgE to food mix. Allergic skin manifestations to ingested
      food were age-dependent, more frequent in children groups. Cow's milk and hen's
      egg are the commonest food allergens in the age group of <2 years. Sensitization
      to food mix, cow's milk, casein, hen's egg and wheat were predominated in male
      patients. Egg allergy was significantly associated with atopic dermatitis, fish
      allergy to bronchial asthma and severe milk allergy to anaphylactic shock.
      Present study is a first comprehensive investigation, providing unique data of
      the prevalence of food allergies in Georgian population. The results of this
      study are contributing to a better understanding of the disease, serving as a
      basis for the development of strategies for preventing and treating food
      allergies. 

PMID- 27249440
TI  - [BREATH TEST WITH LOCALLY PRODUCED 13S-UREA (TBILISI, GEORGIA) IN DIAGNOSTICS OF
      HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION].
AB  - Comparative assessment of results of detection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp)
      infection by breath tests with standard and locally produced 13S urea was done in
      213 patients with gastric and duodenal pathology, including those who already
      were undergone the surgery. Invasive endoscopic biopsy test including rapid
      urease test (RUT), smear cytology and histology were also performed (tissue
      samples were obtained after endoscopy or surgery). RUT was carried out with the
      help of URE-HP test kit. Serological test for Hp antibodies was performed by IFA
      using kit ELISA. 13S urea breath test (UBT) was conducted for the determination
      of 13/12CO2 in breath samples by using of infrared spectroscope. In I group (125
      patients) UBT was performed with standard 13S urea, in II group (88 patients)
      with locally produced 13S urea. Based on 5 different methods of Hp infection
      testing Hp positivity in 172 (80,8%) and Hp negativity in 41 (19,2%) patients
      were revealed. 13S-UBT showed the highest diagnostic value (accuracy-97,5%,
      sensibility-97,0%, specificity-100%) in Hp infection diagnosis. The (accuracy,
      sensibility and specificity of breath test with locally issued 13S urea (98,7%,
      98,5% and 100% respectively) are the same as those for BT with standard 13S urea
      (96,7%, 96,2% and 100% respectively). These parameters are also highly credible
      in control of treatment efficiency (96,7%, 90,0% and 100% respectively). The
      correlation of index DOB0/00 of breath test with results of RUT was revealed In
      Hp positive patients. This can serve as a marker of Hp infection rate.
      Preliminarily, in pre-clinical experimental study, harmless of locally issued 13S
      urea from point of view of acute/sub-acute toxicity and allergy development was
      confirmed. The advantages (noninvasiveness, simplicity, rapidity, safety) and
      high diagnostic value of UBT (with both standard as well as locally produced 13S
      urea) provide the opportunity to offer 13S-UBT as screening method of Hp
      infection diagnosis. It also should be recommended as a method of choice for
      controlling of Hp treatment efficiency. Taking into the consideration all above
      mentioned we may recommend locally produced 13S-urea (Tbilisi, Georgia) for
      certification and further application. 

PMID- 27249441
TI  - PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR ELDERLY POPULATION IN TBILISI.
AB  - The importance of the issue is determined by the current demographic situation in
      Georgia and the world in general. The trend of growing the number of older people
      and the increase of the life span is obvious. At the same time in the number of
      countries, particularly in the developed western countries and Japan, the
      decrease of birth rate is noticed. Similar processes are taking place in Georgia;
      this logically increases the number of sick and weakened people, which means that
      taking care of them becomes more acute problem. Therefore, the purpose of this
      paper was the study of the situation of the pre-hospital emergency medical
      services in the Georgian capital Tbilisi during the period of 2012-2014. For this
      reason, the data provided by the Tbilisi Emergency Medical Service were used.
      Besides, we have also looked for the statistics of the different countries,
      including the US, Japan and South-East Asian countries. Attention was paid to the
      recommendations proposed because of the Monitoring of the European Union Mission
      in Georgia, which focuses on the social and economic protection of elderly. The
      tables and diagrams, describing the current conditions are provided. Since 2012,
      there has been launched the state health care program for the elderly in Georgia,
      but based on research conducted, it does not cover home care services while, the
      majority of the elderly are chronically sick people and suffer from the number of
      diseases. Results of the study can be used for improving quality of the Emergency
      Medical Service model in Georgia and finding the possible ways for its reforms. 

PMID- 27249442
TI  - PREDICTORS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN MILITARY PERSONNEL DEPLOYED TO
      PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS.
AB  - As the empirical evidence suggests PTSD, depression and anxiety represent
      prevalent and severe problem in armed forces. High co morbidity of these
      disorders with each other further complicates clinical picture. Georgian military
      personnel regularly take part in different peacekeeping missions, however there
      is no existing data regarding associations of mental health problems in Georgian
      armed forces. Data was collected between 2014 and 2015, after 6 month deployment.
      Participants were 2810 Georgian military personnel who took part in peacekeeping
      missions. All participants were male, average age: M=31,2 (SD=6,3). All
      instruments used in the study were self-report scales. PTSD was measured by PCL
      5; Depression and anxiety was measured by PHQ (Patient Health Questionnaire).
      Both variables - Severity of Anxiety symptoms and severity of depression symptoms
      independently predicted PTSD, but after being placed together in the same
      regression model, only depression symptom severity accounted for significant
      portion of variance. Due to the fact that the participants of our study (n=69)
      were young (M=29,68 ; SD=5,8) male personnel, our findings cannot be generalized.
      Also it should be considered, that for PTSD screening we used self-report
      questionnaires, which reduces liability of participants' answers and increases
      the tendency of self-biased responses. It is advisable for clinical practitioners
      and therapists to consider depression symptoms in patients with PTSD and screen
      for depression additionally, in order to exclude or include co morbidity factors
      in treatment course. 

PMID- 27249443
TI  - [KINETICS OF PHOTO-INDUCED FREE RADICALS IN THE HUMAN HAIR CHESTNUT COLOR AFTER
      SHORT PERIODS OF RED, GREEN, BLUE AND WHITE LIGHT EXPOSURE].
AB  - The aim of the study was to investigate the kinetics of photo-induced free
      radicals in the human hair chestnut color with short-term exposure to visible
      light in different frequency ranges. Studies carried out on human volunteers aged
      17-21 years (n=37). Hairs of volunteers of the study were not treated with dyes
      and other active cosmetic preparations. Hairs bundled in a bun had a length - 1.5
      cm, weight - 40 mg. At the beginning background EPR-spectrum of a sample was
      measured and then hairs were irradiated with visible light (blue, green, red and
      white) of different wavelength subsequently; exposure duration - 60 minutes;
      after the exposure the kinetics of photo-induced free radicals was measured
      within 60 minutes. The radiation source was selected LED array of the four
      crystals that provides a nearly monochromatic radiation spectrum having no
      parasitic infrared and ultraviolet radiations. The studies give a reason to
      assume that the impact on hairs by visible electromagnetic rays a leading factor
      is their frequency characteristics: on the one hand - the proximity of the blue
      light to ultraviolet radiation, and on the other - the red light to the infrared
      range. 

PMID- 27249444
TI  - THE DETERMINATION OF CORRELATION LINKAGES BETWEEN LEVEL OF REACTIVE OXYGEN
      SPECIES, CONTENTS OF NEUTROPHILES AND BLOOD GAS COMPOSITION IN EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE
      LUNG INJURY.
AB  - Acute lung injury (ALI) remains a major cause of acute respiratory failure and
      death of patients. Despite the achievements at the current stage in treatment,
      morbidity and mortality of ALI remain high. However, a deeper understanding of
      the pathogenetic links of ALI, identifying of the predictors that positively or
      negatively influence on the course of the syndrome, the correlation between some
      pathogenetic mechanisms will improve therapeutic strategies for patients with
      ALI, which makes the actuality of this study. The aim of the research was to
      detect additional pathogenetic mechanisms of the acute lung injury development in
      rats based on a comparative analysis of the correlations between the level of
      reactive oxygen species in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage, contents of
      neutrophils and blood gas composition. The experiments were performed on 54 white
      nonlinear mature male rats 200-220g in weight. The animals were divided into 5
      groups: the 1st - control group (n=6), the 2nd - animals affected by hydrochloric
      acid for 2 hours (n=12), the 3rd - animals affected by hydrochloric acid for 6
      hours (n=12), the 4th - animals affected by hydrochloric acid for 12 hours
      (n=12), the 5th - animals affected by hydrochloric acid for 24 hours (n=12).
      Correlation analysis was performed between all the studied indices. Coefficient
      of linear correlation (r) and its fidelity (p) was calculated that was
      accordingly denoted in the tables (correlation matrices). The correlation
      coefficient was significant at p<0.05. Conducted correlative analysis showed that
      the level of ROS in neutrophils of blood in rats with modeled ALI had a high
      negative correlative linkage with pH of arterial blood in 2nd and 3rd
      experimental groups. Conducted correlative analysis of data in BAL showed that
      the level of ROS in neutrophils in rats with modeled ALI had a strong positive
      correlative relationship with the number of white blood cells in 3-rd, 4-th and 5
      th experimental groups and positive correlative relationship with the absolute
      number of neutrophils in the same experimental group. Consequently, the main
      manifestation of acute lung injury is the development of hypoxia and respiratory
      acidosis that is caused by the violation of gases diffusion in the alveoli. On
      this background non-specific inflammatory reaction is developed at lung
      microvessels level with violation of lung homeostasis, which is iniciated by
      neutrophils' activation, which are producing ROS. 

PMID- 27249445
TI  - [VEGETATIVE REGULATORY MECHANISMS IN DIFFERENT GEOMAGNETIC CONDITIONS DEPENDING
      ON A DEGREE OF PHYSICAL CONDITIONING].
AB  - The aim of the study was to evaluate the vegetative regulatory action in healthy,
      untrained and trained individuals in different geomagnetic conditions. The study
      involved 94 healthy untrained young men aged 18-22 years - I group (control), and
      60 trained volunteers aged 18-25 years - II group, who during the period of the
      study and for at least three years prior have been following active regular
      physical exercise regimen(weight lifting), but were not professional athletes. In
      order to evaluate the heart rate variability the following statistical indicators
      were studied: arithmetic mean, the arithmetic mean of the error variance,
      dispersion, the arithmetic mean deviation, coefficient of skewness, kurtosis,
      standard deviation of the mean. Geometric analysis was performed using a
      variation pulsometry. All the individuals were studied in natural/tranquil
      conditions, during naturally occuring or a simulated geomagnetic storm, which
      provided the use of the characteristics of vegetative balance as a marker for
      differential assessment of the impact of electromagnetic field (EMF). The
      forecast of natural geomagnetic conditions had been made at least three days
      before the study. Under the conditions of simulated geomagnetic storm the test
      subjects were placed in a solenoid with non-magnetic equipment. EMF inductance in
      the solenoid corresponded to the geomagnetic storm frequencies. The study had a
      nature of social experiment and was carried out by a single blind method: tested
      subjects were unaware of geomagnetic conditions during the study. This was an
      open, three-step, cohort, prospective study with parallel character. The results
      showed that under the uniform qualitative conditions (balanced, in particular) of
      initial state of vegetative equilibrium, the level of fitness of the human body
      determines the differentiated response to EMF exposure. Thus, with the possible
      inclusion of the EMF in the complex of therapeutic or preventive measures, it is
      necessary to predict homeostatic resources and body's reactivity to EMF exposure.

PMID- 27249446
TI  - PECULIARITIES OF THE CEREBELLUM NUCLEI IN AGED PERSONS.
AB  - The study of the clinical anatomy and functional features of the cortex,
      subcortical and conductive pathways of the cerebellum is necessary for clinicians
      for elaboration rational surgical approaches to these formations, for
      determination the localization of pathological processes associated with these
      formations. Cerebellar nucleus neurons are crucial to the olivo-cerebellar
      circuit as they provide the sole output of the entire cerebellum. The
      relationship between mobility and cognition in aging is well established, but the
      relationship between mobility and the structure and function of the aging brain
      is relatively unknown. In connection with the above, the purpose of our study was
      detection of the morphological characteristics of the cerebellum nuclei in aged
      persons. Study was performed on 48 specimens of the cerebellum from people (24
      male and 24 female), who died at the age from 75 to 99 years due to diseases,
      which were not related to the central nervous system damaging. Formalin-fixed
      human hemispheres were dissected with the Ludwig and Klingler fiber dissection
      technique under x6 to x40 magnifications of binocular microscope Olympus BX41
      (Japan). The morphological features of the human cerebellar nuclei were
      established. Namely, on the series of sections of the cerebellum in the
      horizontal, frontal and sagittal planes, as well as on the macro-microscopic
      preparations of the cerebellar nuclei location, their relative position, shape,
      linear dimensions, weight and volume were described. The features of macro
      microscopic and histological structure of the nuclei of the cerebellum were made
      own classification of the gyri and teeth of the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum
      was offered. Macro-microscopic dissection of persons died after 75 years old show
      no significant variability of linear dimensions of cerebellar nuclei with their
      specific location and options. Simultaneously, reliable reducing of cellular
      density was detected for Purkinje, granule and basket neurons more pronounced in
      male for Purkinje cells. 

PMID- 27249447
TI  - MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF RAT PLACENTA IN DIFFERENT PERIODS OF PREGNANCY UNDER
      MODELED PREECLAMPSIA.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to determine the morphological changes of rat
      placenta in II, III week of pregnancy under modeled preeclampsia. Modeling of
      preeclampsia was performed in the rats, as follows: lumen of the abdominal aorta
      below the renal artery was narrowed by the silk tread on the third of its
      diameter (0.2 mm). The placenta tissue was studied by histological and
      immunohistochemical methods (AE1/AE3, CD133, Ki-67). The study has shown that in
      the experimental model of preeclampsia at the end of II, III week of pregnancy
      the number of glycogen cells in the placenta trophyspongium layer is reduced
      compared with the control. There was shown sharp dilatation of the blood sinuses
      and lacuna, sometimes along the events of stasis. The volume of nucleated
      erythrocytes in fetal capillaries of the labyrinth layer is reduced compared with
      the control, especially in IIIweek of pregnancy. In the preparations marked by
      the CD133 marker, unlike to the norm of III week of pregnancy, the visualization
      of positive endothelial cells is complicated. The study of the preparations
      marked by Ki-67 marker reveals that the proliferated activity in the hypoxic
      placenta tissue is sharply reduced. The exception is those blood tubes, to which
      umbilical blood vessels are finally formed. It can be concluded that due to
      hypoxia placenta proliferation of placental blood vessels is disturbed that
      contributes to the disorder of placental blood circulation, reduce its metabolism
      in complications of pregnancy. 

PMID- 27249448
TI  - The experience of regaining weight following weight loss surgery: A narrative
      phenomenological exploration.
AB  - Weight loss surgery (WLS) is gaining ground as the most effective treatment
      against obesity. In the literature, however, we see a divide among individuals
      who have undergone WLS based on the amount of weight lost and maintained:
      successful and unsuccessful patients. In this article, we focus on the notion of
      unsuccessful patients-exploring the accounts of three women who have regained
      weight following WLS. In doing so, we endeavor to better understand how weight
      regain has meaning, and its impact and implications for the lives of individuals
      who undergo WLS. The findings reveal how weight-regain stories are easily
      silenced, buried beneath social, cultural, and institutional/medical narratives
      of successful weight loss and transformation. People who have such experiences
      may feel reticent to reveal them and in doing so increase their own suffering,
      therefore leaving the popular narratives unchallenged.

PMID- 27249449
TI  - Timing of population peaks of Norway lemming in relation to atmospheric pressure:
      A hypothesis to explain the spatial synchrony.
AB  - Herbivore cycles are often synchronized over larger areas than what could be
      explained by dispersal. In Norway, the 3-4 year lemming cycle usually show no
      more than a one-year time lag between different regions, despite distances of up
      to 1000 km. If important food plants are forced to reallocate defensive proteins
      in years with high seed production, spatially synchronized herbivore outbreaks
      may be due to climate-synchronized peaks in flowering. Because lemming peaks are
      expected to occur one year after a flowering peak, and the formation of flower
      buds is induced in the year before flowering, a two-year time lag between flower
      inducing climate events and lemming peaks is predicted. At Hardangervidda, South
      Norway, the probability that a year was a population peak year of lemming during
      1920-2014 increased with increasing midsummer atmospheric pressure two years
      earlier, even when the number of years since the previous peak was accounted for.

PMID- 27249450
TI  - The influence of atmospheric particles on the elemental content of vegetables in
      urban gardens of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
AB  - Although urban horticulture provides multiple benefits to society, the extent to
      which these vegetables are contaminated by the absorption of chemical elements
      derived from atmospheric deposition is unclear. This study was designed to
      evaluate the influence of air pollution on leafy vegetables in community gardens
      of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Vegetable seedlings of Brassica oleracea var. acephala
      (collard greens) and Spinacia oleracea (spinach) obtained in a non-polluted rural
      area and growing in vessels containing standard uncontaminated soil were exposed
      for three consecutive periods of 30, 60 and 90 days in 10 community gardens in
      Sao Paulo and in one control site. The concentrations of 17 chemical elements
      (traffic-related elements and those essential to plant biology) were quantified
      by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Tillandsia usneoides L.
      specimens were used as air plant biomonitors. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr
      and Pb found in vegetables were compared to the recommended values for
      consumption. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to cluster the elemental
      concentrations, and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were employed to evaluate
      the association of the factor scores from each PCA component with variables such
      as local weather, traffic burden and vertical barriers adjacent to the gardens.
      We found significant differences in the elemental concentrations of the
      vegetables in the different community gardens. These differences were related to
      the overall traffic burden, vertical obstacles and local weather. The Pb and Cd
      concentrations in both vegetables exceeded the limit values for consumption after
      60 days of exposure. A strong correlation was observed between the concentration
      of traffic-related elements in vegetables and in Tillandsia usneoides L. An
      exposure response was observed between traffic burden and traffic-derived
      particles absorbed in the vegetables. Traffic-derived air pollution directly
      influences the absorption of chemical elements in leafy vegetables, and the
      levels of these elements may exceed the recommended values for consumption. 

PMID- 27249461
TI  - A prospective, split-face, double-blinded, randomized study of the efficacy and
      safety of a fractional 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for photoaging-associated
      mottled pigmentation in Asian skin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laser toning using low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped
      yttrium aluminum laser (QSNY) has gained popularity in the treatment of
      photoaging-associated mottled pigmentation (PMP). However, hypopigmentation or
      lack of efficacy has been reported depending on the fluences used. OBJECTIVE: To
      compare a novel fractional 1064-nm QSNY with conventional 1064-nm QSNY for the
      treatment of photoaging-associated mottled pigmentary lesions except epidermal
      lesions of lentigines and freckles through a randomized, split-face, double-blind
      study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen Asian women were treated every week for 6
      weeks with fractional 1064-nm QSNY on one side of the face and conventional 1064
      nm QSNY on the other side. We evaluated the pigmentation area and severity index
      (PSI), melanin index, erythema index, and the patient's global assessment of
      improvement. RESULTS: At three months post-treatment, the PSI score improved
      compared with baseline, by 14.48% on the conventional 1064-nm QSNY side and
      21.81% on the fractional 1064-nm QSNY side. Both groups showed improvements in
      the melanin index. CONCLUSION: Both fractional 1064-nm QSNY and strictly low
      fluence conventional 1064-nm QSNY are moderately effective against PMP and other
      photoaging signs. Fractional laser toning shows better subjective outcomes than
      conventional toning.

PMID- 27249513
TI  - Validation of the Family Meeting Behavioral Skills Checklist. An Instrument to
      Assess Fellows' Communication Skills.
AB  - RATIONALE: Fellows in pulmonary and critical care medicine are required to show
      competency in facilitating family meetings for critically ill patients. There are
      many assessment measures available for evaluating physician-patient communication
      (e.g., the SEGUE Framework [Set the stage, Elicit information, Give information,
      Understand the patient's perspective, End the encounter]) and some designed for
      family meetings. However, no validated measure exists that is specifically
      designed to assess communication skills during family meetings with surrogate
      decision makers in intensive care settings. OBJECTIVES: We developed the Family
      Meeting Behavioral Skills Checklist (FMBSC) to measure advanced communication
      skills of fellows in family meetings of critically ill patients based on a
      literature review and consensus of an interdisciplinary group of communications
      experts. We evaluated the psychometric properties of the FMBSC. METHODS: We
      digitally recorded 16 pulmonary/critical care fellows performing a simulated
      family meeting for a critically ill patient at the end of 1 year of fellowship
      training. Two clinical health psychologists evaluated each recording
      independently using the FMBSC Rating Scale and the SEGUE Framework. Judges
      recorded the number of skills performed using the checklist and employed a
      summary rating scale to judge the level of performance for each of nine subsets
      of skills. Each instrument was scored and converted to percentage scores. The
      FMBSC and SEGUE Framework items were summed and converted to percentage scores
      for each category and as a total for each instrument. The rating scale items on
      the FMBSC were also summed and converted to a percentage score. Four primary
      analyses were conducted to evaluate interjudge reliability, internal consistency,
      and concurrent validity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Interrater reliability
      was higher for the FMBSC (intraclass correlation [ICC2,2] = 0.57) than for the
      SEGUE instrument (ICC2,2 = 0.32) or the FMBSC Rating Scale (ICC2,2 = 0.23). The
      FMBSC demonstrated evidence of concurrent validity through high positive
      correlations with both the FMBSC Rating Scale and the SEGUE instrument (r =
      +0.83, P <= 0.01; r = +0.65, P <= 0.01 respectively). All but one of the nine
      subscales on the FMBSC showed adequate internal consistency (reliabilities ranged
      from 0.18 to 0.68). Interjudge reliability was higher for the FMBSC (ICC2,2 =
      0.57) than for the SEGUE instrument (ICC2,2 = 0.32) or the FMBSC Rating Scale
      (ICC2,2 = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: The FMBSC demonstrated internal consistency and
      structural validity in assessing advanced communication skills of fellows in
      facilitating family meetings of critically ill patients in the ICU. Interjudge
      reliability was better for the FMBS Checklist than it was for the other measures.

PMID- 27249514
TI  - Heterologous expression and purification of neurotoxic Hainantoxin-III in E.
      coli.
AB  - In the present study, we used Escherichia coli to produce recombinant Hainantoxin
      III (rHNTX-III), a 33-amino acid peptic toxin from the tarantula spider
      Haplopelma hainanum. The toxin has three pairs of disulfide bonds. A pET-HS-HNTX
      III vector was constructed and transformed into the E. coli strain SHuffleTM.
      rHNTX-III was expressed using auto-induction medium. After using a Ni-NTA column,
      the expressed fusion protein was digested using SUMO protease (ULP1) to remove
      the HIS-SUMO tag, and then RP-HPLC and ultrafiltration were used for further
      purification. Then the rHNTX-III was identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass
      spectrometry. The purified rHNTX-III was further analyzed using a whole-cell
      patch-clamp assay. It was shown that the rHNTX-III was able to block currents
      generated by human Nav1.7 (hNav1.7) at an IC50 of 225 nM and also have high
      selectivity for different voltage-gated sodium channels. Therefore, it has very
      similar activity to the natural one.

PMID- 27249515
TI  - Evidence for extensive pleiotropy among pharmacogenes.
AB  - AIM: We sought to identify potential pleiotropy involving pharmacogenes. METHODS:
      We tested 184 functional variants in 34 pharmacogenes for associations using a
      custom grouping of International Classification and Disease, Ninth Revision
      billing codes extracted from deidentified electronic health records of 6892
      patients. RESULTS: We replicated several associations including ABCG2 (rs2231142)
      and gout (p = 1.73 * 10(-7); odds ratio [OR]: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.40-2.12); and
      SLCO1B1 (rs4149056) and jaundice (p = 2.50 * 10(-4); OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.27
      2.20). CONCLUSION: In this systematic screen for phenotypic associations with
      functional variants, several novel genotype-phenotype combinations also achieved
      phenome-wide significance, including SLC15A2 rs1143672 and renal osteodystrophy
      (p = 2.67 * 10(-) (6); OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.49-0.75).

PMID- 27249517
TI  - Electrostatic Interactions Are Key to C?O n-pi* Shifts: An Experimental Proof.
AB  - Carbonyl n-pi* transitions are known to undergo blue shift in polar and hydrogen
      bonding solvents. Using semiempirical expressions, previous studies hypothesized
      several factors like change in dipole moment and hydrogen-bond strength upon
      excitation to cause the blue shift. Theoretically, ground-state electrostatics
      has been predicted to be the key to the observed shifts, however, an experimental
      proof has been lacking. Our experimental results demonstrate a consistent linear
      correlation between IR (ground-state phenomenon) and n-pi* frequency shifts
      (involves both ground and excited electronic-states) of carbonyls in hydrogen
      bonded and non-hydrogen-bonded environments. The carbonyl hydrogen-bonding status
      is experimentally verified from deviation in n-pi*/fluorescence correlation. The
      IR/n-pi* correlation validates the key role of electrostatic stabilization of the
      ground state toward n-pi* shifts and demonstrates the electrostatic nature of
      carbonyl hydrogen bonds. n-pi* shifts show linear sensitivity to calculated
      electrostatic fields on carbonyls. Our results portray the potential for n-pi*
      absorption to estimate local polarity in biomolecules and to probe chemical
      reactions involving carbonyl activation/stabilization. 

PMID- 27249518
TI  - Epigenetic biomarkers in rheumatology - the future?
AB  - Epigenetic changes are stable modifications of DNA or histones that profoundly
      alter gene expression. They can be changed by environmental influences and can
      then be passed on to daughter cells or via the germ line to offspring. A variety
      of changes in epigenetic marks and in the expression of noncoding RNA has been
      found in cancer as well as in chronic inflammatory diseases. Interestingly, in
      both diseases similar mechanisms and pathways are affected albeit often to a
      different extent. DNA methylation is often lost in repetitive sequences, while in
      promoter regions hypo- as well as hypermethylation is found. Changes in microRNA
      levels typically affect microRNAs that are changed by an inflammatory
      environment, but disease specific changes have also been found in the blood and
      various cell types of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus
      erythematosus and other rheumatic diseases. Therefore, changes in the expression
      of microRNA in particular, but also demethylated gene loci, have been proposed as
      potential biomarkers in chronic inflammatory diseases and in cancer. Potentially,
      these changes could be used for early diagnosis and also to predict treatment
      response. Unfortunately most studies in rheumatology up to now were not designed
      to validate these epigenetic changes as biomarkers. Since the cancer field is
      much more advanced in the usage of biomarkers for disease subclassifications and
      subsequent therapeutic decisions, it is worthwhile to take a closer look at the
      biomarkers, methods and procedures used in oncology and to see which of these
      could also be applied to predicting disease severity and therapeutic response in
      rheumatic diseases. This article will highlight common epigenetic pathways
      activated in cancer and various rheumatic diseases and summarise epigenetic
      changes that have the potential to become biomarkers in rheumatic diseases. 

PMID- 27249516
TI  - Unraveling the mechanisms of chromatin fibril packaging.
AB  - Recent data indicate that eukaryotic chromosomes are organized into Topologically
      Associating Domains (TADs); however, the mechanisms underlying TAD formation
      remain obscure. Based on the results of Hi-C analysis performed on 4 Drosophila
      melanogaster cell lines, we have proposed that specific properties of nucleosomes
      in active and repressed chromatin play a key role in the formation of TADs. Our
      computer simulations showed that the ability of "inactive" nucleosomes to stick
      to each other and the lack of such ability in "active" nucleosomes is sufficient
      for spatial segregation of these types of chromatin, which is revealed in the Hi
      C analysis as TAD/inter-TAD partitioning. However, some Drosophila and mammalian
      TADs contain both active and inactive chromatin, a fact that does not fit this
      model. Herein, we present additional arguments for the model by postulating that
      transcriptionally active chromatin is extruded on the surface of a TAD, and
      discuss the possible impact of this organization on the enhancer-promoter
      communication and on the segregation of TADs.

PMID- 27249519
TI  - Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
      patients in Accra, Ghana.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to: a) determine the nasal carriage
      prevalence of Stahpylococcus aureus among HIV patients, b) to characterize S.
      aureus strains isolated. METHODOLOGY: Characterization of S. aureus isolates was
      done by antibiotyping, spa typing, and detection of Panton-Valentine leukocidin
      (PVL) genes. RESULTS: S. aureus isolated (10/124; 8%)  belonged to spa types t084
      (n = 3), t10828 (n = 2), t311, t304, t774, t645, and t091. The isolates were
      resistant to penicillin (100%), tetracycline (40%), rifampicin (10%), fucidic
      acid (10%), norfloxacin (10%), erythromycin (10%), and sulfamethoxazole
      trimethoprim (10%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 30% of the
      isolates. CONCLUSION: The finding of MDR S. aureus among HIV-positive patients
      suggests that surveillance of antimicrobial resistant S. aureus among this
      patient group could be considered as an infection control measure in the
      hospital.

PMID- 27249520
TI  - Lack of strong association of Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis in a
      Jordanian population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The correlation of Chlamydia pneumoniae to coronary artery disease
      (CAD) in Jordan was investigated in this study. METHODOLOGY: Totals of 361
      atherosclerotic patients and 392 apparently healthy controls of both sexes were
      enrolled. C. pneumoniae-specific IgG antibodies were measured by the
      microimmunofluorescence assay (MIF). The presence of the bacterial DNA in the
      blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also tested. RESULTS: The overall
      IgG seroprevalence, estimated at a titer of 1/16, was insignificantly higher in
      patients (75.9%) than in controls (71.7%). About 59.3% of patients demonstrated
      seropositivity at titers <= 1/256, which are suggestive of chronic or presumed
      past infection, whereas 54.1% of controls were seropositive at these titers (p >
      0.05). Analysis of gender-specific seroprevalences revealed no obvious relation
      between C. pneumoniae and atherosclerosis in males (78.9% and 77.9% in
      atherosclerotic and control males, respectively; p > 0.05). However, a
      significantly elevated seropositivity was detected in atherosclerotic females
      (71.7%) compared with control females (64.2%). On the other hand, the PCR-based
      detection of C. pneumoniae DNA failed to correlate the bacterium to
      atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to show a strong association between
      C. pneumoniae and CAD, potentially because of the presence of high seroprevalence
      of C. pneumoniae antibodies and the unreliability of the whole blood-based nested
      PCR technique used.

PMID- 27249521
TI  - Methicillin-resistant S. aureus colonization in intensive care unit patients:
      Early identification and molecular typing.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Early detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      (MRSA) in colonized patients is very important for infection control procedures
      to prevent MRSA spread. We aimed to monitor MRSA carriage in intensive care unit
      (ICU) patients and to evaluate the speed and efficiency of conventional culture,
      immunological, chromogenic, and molecular methods together with genotyping.
      METHODOLOGY: Nasal and axillar swab specimens were obtained from patients in the
      ICUs of the general surgery and neurosurgery wards in a tertiary hospital once a
      week over four weeks between December 2009 and July 2010. Oxacillin and cefoxitin
      disk diffusion tests, oxacillin agar screening test, latex agglutination test,
      chromogenic agar, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were used
      for isolation and identification of MRSA. MRSA isolates were typed using
      ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing. RESULTS: MRSA
      colonization was detected in 48 of 306 patients by real-time PCR. The MRSA
      colonization rate was 6.2%, 15.5%, and 38.5% at admission and in the first and
      second weeks, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative
      predictive values for all phenotypic tests were 98%, 99.6%, 98%, and 99.6%,
      respectively. The shortest handle time was observed in PCR. A total of three
      banding patterns were obtained from MRSA isolates by ribotyping, and PFGE
      analyses revealed 17 different pulsotypes varying from 11 to 18 distinct bands,
      showing high genetic diversity among the samples. CONCLUSION: Phenotypic MRSA
      screening tests in our study exhibited similar performances. The superiority of
      real-time PCR is its short turnaround time.

PMID- 27249522
TI  - Prevalence of Escherichia coli adhesion-related genes in neonatal calf diarrhea
      in Uruguay.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), one of the most important diseases of
      neonatal dairy and beef calves in Uruguay, has become relevant in association
      with intensive systems. This disease generates substantial economic losses every
      year worldwide as a result of increased morbidity and mortality. Escherichia
      coli, one of the pathogens associated with NCD, can express several fimbrial and
      afimbrial adhesins. The objective of this study was to assess the presence of
      clpG, f5, f17A, f17G(II), and f17G(I) genes that encode three important adhesins
      expressed in diarrheagenic E. coli: F5, F17 and CS31A, isolated from feces of
      calves in Uruguay. METHODOLOGY: Feces of 86 (70 diarrheic and 16 healthy) calves,
      from 15 animal facilities in Uruguay, were collected between 2012 and 2013.
      Biochemical and molecular identification were performed to finally obtain 298 E.
      coli isolates. Partial amplification of adhesion-related genes was performed by
      polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The most prevalent gene was f17A (31.2%),
      followed by f17G(II), clpG, f17G(I) and f5 (25.8%, 17.5%, 3.7% and 0.7%,
      respectively). All genes were present in diarrheic and healthy animals except f5
      and f17G(I); these genes were present only in affected calves, although in low
      numbers. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the presence of F5, F17, and
      CS31A genes in E. coli strains from NCD cases in Uruguay. Prevalence values of
      the genes, except f5, were in accordance with regional findings. It is expected
      that further characterization of locally transmitted strains will contribute to
      control a problem of regional and international magnitude.

PMID- 27249523
TI  - Clinical and microbiological findings of infective endocarditis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection that develops on the
      endothelial surface of the heart. Endocarditis is a major problem for the
      clinicians despite of the developments in diagnostic, surgical, and medical
      treatment methods. In this study, we aimed to evaluate symptoms, laboratory
      findings, treatment options, and clinical endpoint of the patients who were
      diagnosed with IE in a tertiary healthcare organization according to the
      literature data. METHODOLOGY: Between January 2006 and March 2013, 80 IE patients
      who were diagnosed and treated in accordance with modified Duke criteria were
      enrolled in the study. Demographic features, symptoms, and laboratory and
      echocardiographic findings were recorded after reviewing the patient files.
      RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 51.3 +/- 16.0, and IE was more common
      in men (n = 56; 70%). Of 41 patients who had positive blood cultures, 20 patients
      had Staphylococcus spp. (48.7%) and 8 patients had Streptococcus spp. (19.5%).
      Brucella spp. was isolated from 5 patients (12.2%). While 48.7% (n = 39) of the
      patients had cardiac complications, 22 patients (27.5%) had embolic complication.
      Hospital mortality was observed in 20 patients (15%). CONCLUSIONS: In our
      patients, endocarditis was seen at a young age, and staphylococci were the most
      frequently isolated microorganism from blood culture. There were more patients
      with Brucella endocarditis compared to the general population. Complications are
      frequently seen in the course of endocarditis, and they cause problems for the
      clinicians during follow ups due to the high mortality rate of IE.

PMID- 27249524
TI  - Mortality risk factors show similar trends in modern and historic populations
      exposed to plague.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Plague has been responsible for two major historic pandemics (6th
      8th century CE; 14th-19th century CE) and a modern one. The recent Malagasy
      plague outbreaks raised new concerns on the deadly potential of the plague
      causing bacteria Yersinia pestis. Between September 2014 and April 2015,
      outbreaks of bubonic and pneumonic plague hit the Malagasy population. Two
      hundred and sixty-three cases, including 71 deaths, have been reported in 16
      different districts with a case fatality rate of 27%. The scope of our study was
      to ascertain whether the risk factors for health in modern-day populations
      exposed to plague and in ancient populations that faced the two historic
      pandemics varied or remained substantially unaltered. METHODOLOGY: The risk of
      mortality of the Malagasy population with those obtained from the reconstruction
      of three samples of European populations exposed to the historic pandemics was
      contrasted. RESULTS: The evidence shows that the risks of death are not uniform
      across age neither in modern nor in historic populations exposed to plague and
      shows precise concentrations in specific age groups (children between five and
      nine years of age and young adults). CONCLUSIONS: Although in the post-antibiotic
      era, the fatality rates have drastically reduced, both modern and historic
      populations were exposed to the same risk factors that are essentially
      represented by a low standard of environmental hygiene, poor nutrition, and weak
      health systems.

PMID- 27249525
TI  - Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential therapy for opportunistic
      microorganisms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Methanolic extracts of six plants (Arbutus andrachne, Chrysanthemum
      coronarium, Inula viscosa, Origanum syriacum, Punica granatum, and Rosmarinus
      officinalis) used in traditional medicine for the treatment of bacterial and
      fungal infections were evaluated. The present study was conducted to evaluate the
      antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of some medicinal plants in lowering
      the risk of opportunistic infections of the oral cavity caused by Staphylococcus
      aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Extracts were evaluated
      separately and in a mixture. METHODOLOGY: The methanolic plant extracts were
      tested against three opportunistic microorganisms by determining the minimum
      inhibitory concentration (MIC). They were also evaluated for their ability to
      suppress the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 while not suppressing
      the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 from peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells using ELISA. RESULTS: All extracts showed both antimicrobial
      and anti-inflammatory activities. However, O. syriacum exhibited the highest
      antimicrobial activity for the three microorganisms among all of the tested
      extracts (MIC S. aureus: 1 mg/mL; P. aeruginosa: 2 mg/mL; and C. albicans: 1
      mg/mL). The extracts inhibited the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL
      6 with apparent dose-dependent responses while they attenuated the secretion of
      the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The mixture of O. syriacum and R.
      officinalis showed an anti-inflammatory effect, with a synergistic antimicrobial
      effect. CONCLUSION: These findings support the idea that a diet rich in plants
      and herbs may contribute to the reduction of inflammation and microbial growth
      and may also be preventive against various infections, including those related to
      the oral cavity.

PMID- 27249526
TI  - An outbreak of dermatophilosis and caseous lymphadenitis mixed infection in
      camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Jordan.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study describes and reports, for the first time, an outbreak
      of dermatophilosis that occurred concurrently with caseous lymphadenitis
      involving two camel herds (Camelus dromedaries) in north Jordan. METHODOLOGY: The
      affected animals were part of two herds comprising 52 Arabian camels in herd 1
      and 65 camels in herd 2. The age of infected camels ranged from 18 months to 5
      years. Pus and skin scab samples were aseptically collected and bacteriologically
      examined. Affected camels were treated by long-acting oxytetracycline injection
      in a dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight every 48 hours for three successive
      treatments, and local antiseptic and antibiotic cutaneous spray treatment for
      five successive days. RESULTS: The main clinical signs on affected camels were
      skin dermatitis and abscess formation. The isolated organisms were Dermatophilus
      congolensis and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis were the causative agents of
      dermatophilosis and caseous lymphadenitis, respectively. Other organisms were
      isolated from skin abscesses, including alpha-hemolytic streptococci, hemolytic
      E. coli, Actinomyces pyogenes, and S. aureus. The affected camels were rapidly
      and effectively cured by the above-mentioned treatment protocol. No mortality was
      recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Introducing purchased camels from animal auctions without
      pre-examination and keeping camels in over-crowded small barns under cold, humid,
      and rainy conditions during winter may predispose the eruption of mixed infection
      of dermatophilosis and caseous lymphadenitis. Treatment by long-acting
      oxytetracycline injection with local antiseptic and antibiotic cutaneous spray
      can control such infection. A survey on camel herds raised near Jordan's borders
      is needed to monitor the possibility of emerging infectious disease.

PMID- 27249527
TI  - Alterations in neutrophil extracellular traps is associated with the degree of
      decompensation of liver cirrhosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Liver cirrhosis (LC) constitutes one of the main 10 causes of death
      worldwide. LC has a characteristic asymptomatic compensated phase followed by a
      progressive decompensated phase, in which diverse complications are presented. LC
      patients are highly prone to bacterial infections. The neutrophils in these
      patients present defects in the production of oxygen radicals, which are
      essential for bacteria elimination as in the activation of neutrophil
      extracellular traps (NETs). The main objective of this work was to determine the
      NETs and neutrophil activation markers in LC patients. METHODOLOGY: Neutrophil
      purification was done with Ficoll Histopaque from a sample of the peripheral
      blood of patients with compensated and decompensated LC. Neutrophils were
      activated with Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to evaluate the release of NETs by
      means of fluorescence microscopy and fluorometry, while expression of activation
      markers (CD69, CD80, perforin, and CAP-18) was evaluated by flow cytometry.
      RESULTS: A significant decrease in the release capability of NETs was observed as
      the level of LC in the patient increased. When comparing serum levels in
      inflammatory cytokines among the different study groups, significant differences
      were observed. No significant differences were detected on neutrophil activation
      markers; nevertheless, there was a correlation between diminution of CD69 and
      CD80 expression in decompensated patients. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that LC
      patients with neutrophil extracellular trap release deficiencies could have an
      increased rate of complications.

PMID- 27249528
TI  - Reducing bacterial contamination in an Orthopedic Theatre ventilated by natural
      ventilation, in a Developing Country.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: All surgical procedures have the potential for infection and some
      of the main sources are contamination from airborne particles, theatre personnel
      and the theatre environment.  There is strong evidence that the use of ultra
      clean air flow systems in orthopedic operating theatres reduces the incidence of
      deep sepsis after surgery. In the developing world however, this is often an
      unrealistic solution. The aim of this study was to establish baseline levels of
      contamination in a working orthopedic theatre, at the Queen Elizabeth Central
      Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi. To feedback results to the theatre team, promote
      infection prevention discussion and work with the team to implement workable and
      realistic goals to improve the intra-operative environment. METHODOLOGY: Samples
      were collected from theatre equipment available at the time of surgery, from
      theatre water and theatre air using passive air sampling techniques. Samples were
      immediately transferred to the Central Microbiology Laboratory for culture on
      basic culture media. RESULTS: Bacterial contamination of theatre equipment, intra
      operative theatre air and water was detected. Results were discussed with the
      theatre and infection prevention team who were receptive to feedback with regards
      to infection prevention strategies and keen to develop simple measures which
      could be put in place to change practice. CONCLUSIONS: In this setting, we
      suggest that implementing workable and realistic goals such as, establishing
      baseline rates of bacterial contamination and introduction of strict protocols
      for asepsis and theatre etiquette, may reduce bacterial contamination rates and
      subsequent intra-operative infection in the absence of expensive engineering
      solutions.

PMID- 27249529
TI  - HCV non-1b genotypes in injecting drug users from Romania.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic hepatitis C cases diagnosed in Romania were mostly related
      to unsafe parenteral treatments and blood transfusions; HCV genotype 1b was
      prevalent. During the last decade, an increasing number of HCV infections was
      reported among people who inject drugs (PWID). The aim of the current study was
      to test if this epidemiological shift triggered a diversification of the
      circulating viral strains. METHODOLOGY: HCV genotypes were determined by reverse
      hybridization in 130 HCV-infected PWID (87.7% males; mean age 27.9 +/- 6.7 years,
      injecting drugs for 8.1 +/- 4.8 years). RESULTS: HIV-HCV co-infection was
      diagnosed in 80.8% of the subjects and 26.9% were HIV-HCV-HBV triple infected.
      Active HCV viral replication was present in 104 PWID (80%), more frequently in
      those HIV-co-infected (91.4% vs. 52% in HCV mono-infected, and 77.148.5% in HIV
      HCV-HBV triple-infected, p = 0.0001). Non-1b genotypes were prevalent (54.8%),
      with subtype 1a the most commonly detected (24%), followed by genotypes 3a
      (14.4%) and 4 (7.7%). Mixed infections with genotypes 1a and 1b were found in
      nine subjects (8.7%). There was no difference in the genotypes frequencies based
      on HIV or HBV co-infection status, length of drug usage, or associated risk
      factors (tattoos, piercing, detention). CONCLUSION: The continuous surveillance
      of HCV genotypes in PWID from Romania will add valuable information to the
      overall European epidemiological picture, with important therapeutic
      implications.

PMID- 27249530
TI  - Pediatric invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae serogroup A in Riyadh,
      Saudi Arabia: case series.
AB  - We describe the first two cases of invasive disease caused by Haemophilus
      influenzae serotype A in Saudi Arabia. This is the first known reported invasive
      Haemophilus influenzae serotype A from Saudi Arabia. CASE PRESENTATION: A ten
      month-old and three-month-old male not known to have any past history of any
      medical illness and who had received H. influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine presented
      to our hospital mainly with fever of few days' duration. A provisional diagnosis
      of meningitis with sepsis was made and laboratory tests were requested. The chest
      radiograph was normal. The laboratory results revealed leukocytosis, but
      leukopenia was noticed in the younger infant. Blood culture and cerebrospinal
      fluid specimens yielded a pure culture of Haemophilus influenzae and serotyping
      showed the isolates to be serogroup A. Both patients were started on vancomycin
      and third-generation cephalosporin. On receiving the blood culture result,
      vancomycin was stopped. Fever subsided after 48 hours, while in the second case,
      it continued for 12 days from the admission date. The repeat blood cultures were
      negative. Antibiotic therapy was given for 10 days for the first case with an
      unremarkable hospital course, while the second case was complicated by seizure
      and received a longer duration of antibiotics. Both infants were discharged home
      in good condition. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive non-typeable H. influenzae strains are
      emerging and there is a need for surveillance of this disease. This has
      implications in future vaccine development.

PMID- 27249531
TI  - A rare fatal case of a novel bunyavirus-associated hemophagocytic
      lymphohistiocytosis.
AB  - Herein we describe a rare fatal case of a novel bunyavirus-associated
      hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in a 62-year-old female patient. The
      novel bunyavirus infects patients with or without HLH who have similar clinical
      features such as fever, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytopenia. Therefore, the
      diagnosis of HLH can be easily missed. When HLH occurs, the disease worsens and
      the fatality rate rises. Our finding highlights the importance of bone marrow
      biopsy performed as soon as possible for patients suspected of having a novel
      bunyavirus infection and showing marked cytopenia in three cell lines. 

PMID- 27249532
TI  - Ebola virus disease: Case management in the Institute of Infectious Diseases,
      University Hospital of Sassari, Sardinia, Italy.
AB  - Since the onset of the worst epidemic of Ebola virus disease in December 2013,
      28,637 cases were reported as confirmed, probable, or suspected. Since the week
      of 3 January 2016, no more cases have been reported. The total number of deaths
      have amounted to 11,315 (39.5%). In developed countries, seven cases have been
      diagnosed: four in the United States, one in Spain, one in the United Kingdom,
      and one in Italy. On 20 July 2015, Italy was declared Ebola-free. On 9 May 2015,
      an Italian health worker came back to Italy after a long stay in Sierra Leone
      working for a non-governmental organization. Forty-eight hours after his arrival,
      he noticed headache, weakness, muscle pains, and slight fever. The following day,
      he was safely transported to the Infectious Diseases Unit of University Hospital
      of Sassari. The patient was hospitalized for 19 hours until an Italian Air Force
      medical division transferred him to Rome, to the Lazzaro Spallanzani Institute.
      Nineteen people who had contacts with the patient were monitored daily for 21
      days by the Public Health Office of Sassari and none presented any symptoms. So
      far, neither vaccine nor treatment is available to be proposed on an
      international scale. Ebola is considered a re-emerging infectious disease which,
      unlike in the past, has been a worldwide emergency. This case study aimed to
      establish a discussion about the operative and logistic difficulties to be faced
      and about the discrepancy arising when protocols clash with the reality of facts.

PMID- 27249533
TI  - Monitoring Enzymatic Reactions in Real Time Using Venturi Easy Ambient Sonic
      Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - We developed a technique to monitor spatially confined surface reactions with
      mass spectrometry under ambient conditions, without the need for voltage or
      organic solvents. Fused-silica capillaries immersed in an aqueous solution,
      positioned in close proximity to each other and the functionalized surface,
      created a laminar flow junction with a resulting reaction volume of ~5 pL. The
      setup was operated with a syringe pump, delivering reagents to the surface
      through a fused-silica capillary. The other fused-silica capillary was connected
      to a Venturi easy ambient sonic-spray ionization source, sampling the resulting
      analytes at a slightly higher flow rate compared to the feeding capillary. The
      combined effects of the inflow and outflow maintains a chemical microenvironment,
      where the rate of advective transport overcomes diffusion. We show proof-of
      concept where acetylcholinesterase was immobilized on an organosiloxane polymer
      through electrostatic interactions. The hydrolysis of acetylcholine by
      acetylcholinesterase into choline was monitored in real-time for a range of
      acetylcholine concentrations, fused-silica capillary geometries, and operating
      flow rates. Higher reaction rates and conversion yields were observed with
      increasing acetylcholine concentrations, as would be expected.

PMID- 27249534
TI  - Nanoparticle Surface Affinity as a Predictor of Trophic Transfer.
AB  - Nanoscale materials, whether natural, engineered, or incidental, are increasingly
      acknowledged as important components in large, environmental systems with
      potential implications for environmental impact and human health. Mathematical
      models are a useful tool for handling the rapidly increasing complexity and
      diversity of these materials and their exposure routes. Presented here is a
      mathematical model of trophic transfer driven by nanomaterial surface affinity
      for environmental and biological surfaces, developed in tandem with an
      experimental functional assay for determining these surface affinities. We found
      that nanoparticle surface affinity is a strong predictor of uptake through
      predation in a simple food web consisting of the algae Chlorella vulgaris and
      daphnid Daphnia magna. The mass of nanoparticles internalized by D. magna through
      consuming nanomaterial-contaminated algae varied linearly with surface-attachment
      efficiency. Internalized quantities of gold nanoparticles in D. magna ranged from
      8.3 to 23.6 ng/mg for nanoparticle preparations with surface-attachment
      efficiencies ranging from 0.07 to 1. This model, coupled with the functional
      assay approach, may provide a useful screening tool for existing materials as
      well as a predictive model for their development.

PMID- 27249536
TI  - In Vitro Selection of Chromium-Dependent DNAzymes for Sensing Chromium(III) and
      Chromium(VI).
AB  - Chromium is a very important analyte for environmental monitoring, and developing
      biosensors for chromium is a long-standing analytical challenge. In this work, in
      vitro selection of RNA-cleaving DNAzymes was carried out in the presence of
      Cr(3+) . The most active DNAzyme turned out to be the previously reported
      lanthanide-dependent Ce13d DNAzyme. Although the Ce13d activity was about 150
      fold lower with Cr(3+) than that with lanthanides, the activity of lanthanides
      and other competing metals was masked by using a phosphate buffer; this left
      Cr(3+) as the only metal that could activate Ce13d. With 100 MUm Cr(3+) , the
      cleavage rate is 1.6 h(-1) at pH 6. By using a molecular beacon design, Cr(3+)
      was measured with a detection limit of 70 nm, which was significantly lower than
      the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit (11 MUm). Cr(4+)
      was measured after reduction by NaBH4 to Cr(3+) , and it could be sensed with a
      similar detection limit of 140 nm Cr(4+) ; this value was lower than the EPA
      limit of 300 nm. This sensor was tested for chromium speciation analysis in a
      real sample, and the results supported its application for environmental
      monitoring. At the same time, it has enhanced our understanding of the
      interactions between chromium and DNA. 

PMID- 27249535
TI  - Effects of uncomplicated carotid endarterectomy on cognitive function and brain
      perfusion in patients with unilateral asymptomatic severe stenosis of the
      internal carotid artery by comparison with unoperated patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present exploratory study was to evaluate the
      effects of uncomplicated carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on cognitive function and
      brain perfusion in patients with unilateral asymptomatic severe stenosis of the
      internal carotid artery (ICA) by comparison with unoperated patients. METHODS:
      Patients with age <=75 years and unilateral asymptomatic severe stenosis (>=70%)
      of the cervical ICA underwent CEA with antiplatelet therapy (surgically treated
      group: 116 patients) or antiplatelet therapy alone or neither (medically treated
      group: 45 patients). For the surgically treated group, neuropsychological testing
      and brain perfusion measurement using single-photon emission computed tomography
      were performed within one month before surgery and one month after surgery. For
      the medically treated group, the same testing and measurement were performed
      twice at an interval of 1 to 2 months. RESULTS: None of the operated patients
      developed new major ischemic events after surgery or intraoperative cerebral
      hyperperfusion. None of the patients in the medically treated group experienced
      neurological deficits including transient ischemic attacks during the study
      period. The incidence of patients with interval cognitive improvement was
      significantly greater in the surgically treated group (11 patients: 9%) than in
      the medically treated group (0%) (p = 0.0352). The incidence of patients with
      interval brain perfusion improvement in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere was
      significantly greater in the surgically treated group (24 patients: 21%) than in
      the medically treated group (0%) (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Uncomplicated CEA may
      improve cognitive function and brain perfusion in patients with unilateral
      asymptomatic severe stenosis of the ICA when compared with unoperated patients.

PMID- 27249537
TI  - Prevalence and Nature of Hearing Loss in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the prevalence, type, severity,
      and age-dependency of hearing loss in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. METHOD:
      Extensive audiological measurements were conducted in 40 persons with proven
      22q11.2 deletion (aged 6-36 years). Besides air and bone conduction thresholds in
      the frequency range between 0.125 and 8.000 kHz, high-frequency thresholds up to
      16.000 kHz were determined and tympanometry, acoustic reflex (AR) measurement,
      and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) testing were performed.
      RESULTS: Hearing loss was identified in 59% of the tested ears and was mainly
      conductive in nature. In addition, a high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss
      with down-sloping curve was found in the majority of patients. Aberrant
      tympanometric results were recorded in 39% of the ears. In 85% of ears with a
      Type A or C tympanometric peak, ARs were absent. A DPOAE response in at least 6
      frequencies was present in only 23% of the ears with a hearing threshold <=30 dB
      HL. In patients above 14 years of age, there was a significantly lower percentage
      of measurable DPOAEs. CONCLUSION: Hearing loss in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is
      highly prevalent and both conductive and high-frequency sensorineural in nature.
      The age-dependent absence of DPOAEs in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome suggests
      cochlear damage underlying the high-frequency hearing loss.

PMID- 27249538
TI  - Macroporous Polymers with Aligned Microporous Walls from Pickering High Internal
      Phase Emulsions.
AB  - A novel class of macroporous polymers, open macroporous polymers with aligned
      microporous void walls, were prepared by combining particle-stabilized high
      internal phase emulsion (Pickering HIPE) and unidirectional freezing technique.
      These Pickering HIPEs were prepared by utilizing poly(urethane urea)/(vinyl ester
      resin) nanoparticles as the sole stabilizer, and this nanoparticles also acted as
      building blocks for the resulting macroporous polymers. Moreover, the morphology
      and compression modulus of the resulting porous materials could be tuned easily.
      This means now Pickering-HIPE templated open-cell foams can be prepared, and this
      route was normally achieved with surfactant and/or chemical reaction involved.

PMID- 27249539
TI  - Characterizing the boundary lateral to the shear direction of deformation twins
      in magnesium.
AB  - The three-dimensional nature of twins, especially the atomic structures and
      motion mechanisms of the boundary lateral to the shear direction of the twin, has
      never been characterized at the atomic level, because such boundary is, in
      principle, crystallographically unobservable. We thus refer to it here as the
      dark side of the twin. Here, using high-resolution transmission electron
      microscopy and atomistic simulations, we characterize the dark side of
      deformation twins in magnesium. It is found that the dark side is serrated and
      comprised of coherent twin boundaries and semi-coherent twist prismatic-prismatic
      boundaries that control twin growth. The conclusions of this work apply to the
      same twin mode in other hexagonal close-packed materials, and the conceptual
      ideas discussed here should hold for all twin modes in crystalline materials.

PMID- 27249541
TI  - The Spectrum of Caregiving in Palliative Care for Serious, Advanced, Rare
      Diseases: Key Issues and Research Directions.
AB  - Rare diseases are often life-limiting conditions, the majority of which require
      constant caregiving needs. The realization of a spectrum of palliative care
      throughout the trajectory of rare diseases could ensure individualized and
      caregiver-focused approaches to the care of patients and families. In June 2015,
      the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), the lead institute at the
      National Institutes of Health for end-of-life research, in conjunction with the
      National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Office of Rare Diseases
      Research (ORDR) held an interdisciplinary workshop on the unique challenges of
      caregiving and palliative care in adult and pediatric rare diseases. The panel
      identified gaps in current knowledge, and afforded suggestions for research
      opportunities in palliative care science to improve the care of individuals with
      serious, advanced, rare diseases and their caregivers. This meeting provided an
      in-depth opportunity to incorporate new concepts into palliative and end-of-life
      care for individuals with a range of rare diseases and their caregivers. This
      report presents a summary of the workshop.

PMID- 27249542
TI  - Advancing pharmacologic treatment options for pharmacologic treatment options for
      children with epilepsy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The pharmacological management of epilepsy is continually modified
      by the increase in our knowledge about the efficacy and the safety on
      antiepileptic drugs. AREAS COVERED: This review covers the published data (2010
      2015) on the pharmacological management of epilepsy in children and adolescent.
      We review the data from the most recent randomized controlled and open-label
      trials. EXPERT OPINION: Even if there is an increasing number of antiepileptic
      drugs approved for focal seizure in children and adolescent with epilepsy, each
      new approval would be considered as a significant addition to the current
      therapeutic options. Refractory epilepsy with focal seizure should not be
      regarded as a single disease but as numerous various patients. Because most of
      evidence of efficacy is primarily from placebo-controlled trials, there is no
      evidence to choose a treatment based on efficacy. In case of focal seizure, we
      explain how possible cognitive impact, mechanisms of action, pharmacologic
      characteristics and side effect profile are the factors taken into an account to
      propose a treatment. In case of childhood absence epilepsy, there are evidences
      showing the ethosuximide should be the first line treatment. Finally, we stress
      that trials in the pediatric epilepsy syndromes are required to propose better
      evidence-based pharmacological management.

PMID- 27249540
TI  - Non-Metabolic Role of PKM2 in Regulation of the HIV-1 LTR.
AB  - Identification of cellular proteins, in addition to already known transcription
      factors such as NF-kappaB, Sp1, C-EBPbeta, NFAT, ATF/CREB, and LEF-1, which
      interact with the HIV-1 LTR, is critical in understanding the mechanism of HIV-1
      replication in monocytes/macrophages. Our studies demonstrate upregulation of
      pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) expression during HIV-1SF162 infection of
      monocyte/macrophages and reactivation of HIV-1 in U1 cells, a macrophage model of
      latency. We observed that HIV-1SF162 infection of monocyte/macrophages and
      reactivation of HIV-1 in U1 cells by PMA resulted in increased levels of nuclear
      PKM2 compared to PMA-induced U937 cells. Furthermore, there was a significant
      increase in the nuclear dimeric form of PKM2 in the PMA-induced U1 cells in
      comparison to PMA-induced U937 cells. We focused on understanding the potential
      role of PKM2 in HIV-1 LTR transactivation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
      analysis in PMA-activated U1 and TZM-bl cells demonstrated the interaction of
      PKM2 with the HIV-1 LTR. Our studies show that overexpression of PKM2 results in
      transactivation of HIV-1 LTR-luciferase reporter in U937, U-87 MG, and TZM-bl
      cells. Using various truncated constructs of the HIV-1 LTR, we mapped the region
      spanning -120 bp to -80 bp to be essential for PKM2-mediated transactivation.
      This region contains the NF-kappaB binding site and deletion of this site
      attenuated PKM2-mediated activation of HIV-1 LTR. Immunoprecipitation experiments
      using U1 cell lysates demonstrated a physical interaction between PKM2 and the
      p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. These observations demonstrate for the first time that
      PKM2 is a transcriptional co-activator of HIV-1 LTR. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 517
      525, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27249543
TI  - Separate Evaluation of the Ipsilateral and Contralateral MR Fetal Lung Volume in
      Patients With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our study had two objectives. First, we separately evaluated observed
      to-expected MR fetal lung volume (FLV) of lungs ipsilateral and contralateral to
      a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Second, we compared the prognostic value
      of observed-to-expected MR FLV of the ipsilateral and contralateral lungs with
      that of observed-to-expected MR FLV of both lungs with respect to survival, need
      for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and development of chronic lung
      disease (CLD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated observed-to-expected MR FLV of
      the lung ipsilateral to the diaphragmatic defect as well as in the contralateral
      lung in 107 fetuses with isolated CDH. ROC analysis and logistic regression
      analysis were performed to assess the prognostic value of the observed-to
      expected MR FLV for association with outcome. RESULTS: In all fetuses with CDH,
      values in the ipsilateral (mean observed-to-expected MR FLV +/- SD, 9.4% +/-
      9.6%) and the contralateral lung (mean observed-to-expected MR FLV, 48.9% +/-
      18.5%; p < 0.0001) were significantly lower than values measured in healthy
      fetuses. Observed-to-expected MR FLV of both lungs and of the contralateral and
      ipsilateral lung revealed significant differences regarding survival (p < 0.0001,
      p < 0.0001, and p = 0.0170, respectively), need for ECMO (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001,
      and p = 0.0051, respectively), and development of CLD (p = 0.0004, p = 0.0002,
      and p = 0.0460, respectively). Compared with the observed-to-expected MR FLV of
      both lungs, the observed-to-expected MR FLV of the contralateral lung showed a
      slightly higher prognostic accuracy regarding survival (AUC = 0.859 vs 0.825) and
      development of CLD (AUC = 0.734 vs 0.732) and a similar prognostic accuracy
      regarding need for ECMO (AUC = 0.805 vs 0.826). Observed-to-expected MR FLV of
      the ipsilateral lung did not show good prognostic value regarding survival (AUC =
      0.617), need for ECMO (AUC = 0.673), and development of CLD (AUC = 0.636). These
      AUCs were significantly smaller than the AUCs resulting from the observed-to
      expected MR FLV of both lungs (each p < 0.05) and considerably smaller than the
      AUCs of the observed-to-expected MR FLV of the contralateral lung (each p <
      0.10). CONCLUSION: Patients with CDH showed a substantially lower observed-to
      expected MR FLV of both lungs compared with healthy fetuses. The observed-to
      expected MR FLV of both lungs as well as of the lung contralateral to the CDH
      were reliable prenatal predictors of survival, need for ECMO, and development of
      CLD.

PMID- 27249544
TI  - Ultrathin Laminar Ir Superstructure as Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution
      Electrocatalyst in Broad pH Range.
AB  - Shape-controlled noble metal nanocrystals (NCs), such as Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ru, and
      Rh are of great success due to their new and enhanced properties and applications
      in chemical conversion, fuel cells, and sensors, but the realization of shape
      control of Ir NCs for achieving enhanced electrocatalysis remains a significant
      challenge. Herein, we report an efficient solution method for a new class of
      three-dimensional (3D) Ir superstructure that consists of ultrathin Ir nanosheets
      as subunits. Electrochemical studies show that it delivers the excellent
      electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline
      condition with an onset potential at 1.43 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode
      (RHE) and a very low Tafel slope of 32.7 mV decade(-1). In particular, it even
      shows superior performance for OER in acidic solutions with the low onset
      overpotential of 1.45 V versus RHE and small Tafel slope of 40.8 mV decade(-1),
      which are much better than those of small Ir nanoparticles (NPs). The 3D Ir
      superstructures also exhibit good stability under acidic condition with the
      potential shift of less than 20 mV after 8 h i-t test. The present work
      highlights the importance of tuning 3D structures of Ir NCs for enhancing OER
      performance.

PMID- 27249545
TI  - Resilience, religiosity and treatment adherence in hemodialysis patients: a
      prospective study.
AB  - Resilience and religiosity have received attention as an important process in the
      experience and management of chronic comorbidities; however, there is no study
      evaluating resilience in hemodialysis patients and its association with other
      psychological dimensions or with treatment adherence. This observational
      prospective study assessed resilience (25 item Wagnild and Young Resilience
      Scale), religiosity under three dimensions (organizational, non-organizational
      and intrinsic) using DUREL scale, depressive symptoms (Patient Health
      Questionnaire-9) and health-related quality of life (Short Form-36
      questionnaire). The main outcomes were medication adherence using the Morisky
      Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAR-8) and the missing/shortened dialysis sessions
      in the following six months. Of 208 patients approached, 202 (97.1%) agreed to
      participate. One hundred twenty-three patients (60.9%) were males and mean age
      was 52.8 +/- 14.8 years-old. The median time on hemodialysis was 36 months (IQR,
      12, 84). 82 (40.6%) patients obtained a MMAS-8 score <6 and were considered as
      having 'poor adherence'. Overall, the mean score of medication adherence was low
      (5.7 +/- 2.1). About adherence to hemodialysis sessions, patients missed a total
      of 234 (1.6%) hemodialysis sessions. Forty-eight patients (23.7%) missed an
      average of at least three sessions in six months. Regarding adherence to
      medication, there was no association in the uni- or multivariate analysis between
      religiosity dimensions and MMAS-8 score. After adjustment, resilience was
      positively associated with MMAS-8 score (standardized beta coefficient .239, p =
      .016). Organized and intrinsic religiosity were associated with adherence to
      dialysis sessions (standardized beta coefficient .258, p = .004 and .231, p =
      .026, respectively). Interestingly, opposite to medication adherence, more
      resilient patients were associated with less adherence to hemodialysis sessions
      (standardized beta coefficient -.296, p = .001). Religiosity was associated with
      dialysis adherence but not with medication adherence. Resilience was associated
      with higher medication adherence but lower adherence to dialysis sessions.

PMID- 27249546
TI  - Effect of Clustering Algorithm on Establishing Markov State Model for Molecular
      Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - Recently, the Markov state model has been applied for kinetic analysis of
      molecular dynamics simulations. However, discretization of the conformational
      space remains a primary challenge in model building, and it is not clear how the
      space decomposition by distinct clustering strategies exerts influence on the
      model output. In this work, different clustering algorithms are employed to
      partition the conformational space sampled in opening and closing of fatty acid
      binding protein 4 as well as inactivation and activation of the epidermal growth
      factor receptor. Various classifications are achieved, and Markov models are set
      up accordingly. On the basis of the models, the total net flux and transition
      rate are calculated between two distinct states. Our results indicate that
      geometric and kinetic clustering perform equally well. The construction and
      outcome of Markov models are heavily dependent on the data traits. Compared to
      other methods, a combination of Bayesian and hierarchical clustering is feasible
      in identification of metastable states.

PMID- 27249547
TI  - Hierarchical graphene-polyaniline nanocomposite films for high-performance
      flexible electronic gas sensors.
AB  - A hierarchically nanostructured graphene-polyaniline composite film is developed
      and assembled for a flexible, transparent electronic gas sensor to be integrated
      into wearable and foldable electronic devices. The hierarchical nanocomposite
      film is obtained via aniline polymerization in reduced graphene oxide (rGO)
      solution and simultaneous deposition on flexible PET substrate. The PANI
      nanoparticles (PPANI) anchored onto rGO surfaces (PPANI/rGO) and the PANI
      nanofiber (FPANI) are successfully interconnected and deposited onto flexible PET
      substrates to form hierarchical nanocomposite (PPANI/rGO-FPANI) network films.
      The assembled flexible, transparent electronic gas sensor exhibits high sensing
      performance towards NH3 gas concentrations ranging from 100 ppb to 100 ppm,
      reliable transparency (90.3% at 550 nm) for the PPANI/rGO-FPANI film (6 h
      sample), fast response/recovery time (36 s/18 s), and robust flexibility without
      an obvious performance decrease after 1000 bending/extending cycles. The
      excellent sensing performance could probably be ascribed to the synergetic
      effects and the relatively high surface area (47.896 m(2) g(-1)) of the PPANI/rGO
      FPANI network films, the efficient artificial neural network sensing channels,
      and the effectively exposed active surfaces. It is expected to hold great promise
      for developing flexible, cost-effective, and highly sensitive electronic sensors
      with real-time analysis to be potentially integrated into wearable flexible
      electronics. 

PMID- 27249548
TI  - Is Early Bariatric Surgery the Answer for Diabetes in Obesity?

PMID- 27249550
TI  - Predicting and measuring fluid responsiveness with echocardiography.
AB  - Echocardiography is ideally suited to guide fluid resuscitation in critically ill
      patients. It can be used to assess fluid responsiveness by looking at the left
      ventricle, aortic outflow, inferior vena cava and right ventricle. Static
      measurements and dynamic variables based on heart-lung interactions all combine
      to predict and measure fluid responsiveness and assess response to intravenous
      fluid resuscitation. Thorough knowledge of these variables, the physiology behind
      them and the pitfalls in their use allows the echocardiographer to confidently
      assess these patients and in combination with clinical judgement manage them
      appropriately. 

PMID- 27249549
TI  - The role of TTE in assessment of the patient before and following TAVI for AS.
AB  - Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is now accepted as a standard mode of
      treatment for an increasingly large population of patients with severe aortic
      stenosis. With the availability of this technique, echocardiographers need to be
      familiar with the imaging characteristics that can help to identify which
      patients are best suited to conventional surgery or transcatheter aortic valve
      implantation, and what parameters need to be measured. This review highlights the
      major features that should be assessed during transthoracic echocardiography
      before presentation of the patient to the 'Heart Team'. In addition, this review
      summarises the aspects to be considered on echocardiography during follow-up
      assessment after successful implantation of a transcatheter aortic valve. 

PMID- 27249551
TI  - Left atrial strain: a new predictor of thrombotic risk and successful electrical
      cardioversion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left atrial deformation (LAD) parameters are new markers of atrial
      structural remodelling that seem to be affected in atrial fibrillation (AF) and
      atrial flutter (AFL). This study aimed to determine whether LAD can identify
      patients with a higher risk of thrombosis and unsuccessful electrical
      cardioversion (ECV). METHODS: Retrospective study including 56 patients with AF
      or AFL undergoing ECV, with previous transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal
      echocardiography (TEE) studies. Echocardiographic parameters analysed were as
      follows: left ventricle function, left atrium (LA) dimensions, LAD parameters
      (positive and negative strain peaks), left atrial appendage (LAA) filling and
      emptying velocities and the presence of thrombi. Strain values were analysed
      according to thrombotic risk and success of ECV. RESULTS: Lower mean values of
      peak-positive strain (PPS) in patients with prothrombotic velocities (<25 cm/s)
      and a higher incidence of thrombi in LAA were observed compared with those with
      normal velocities. Multivariate analysis revealed PPS normalised by LA maximum
      volume indexed by body surface area (BSA) to be associated with prothrombotic
      risk (odds ratio 0.000 (95% CI: 0.000-0.243), P 0.017), regardless of CHADs2VASC
      score. Peak-negative strain normalised by LA volumes indexed by BSA were
      associated with unsuccessful ECV. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial deformation parameters
      identify AF and AFL patients with a high risk of thrombosis and unsuccessful ECV.
      Therefore, these new parameters should be included in anticoagulation management
      and rhythm vs rate control strategies.

PMID- 27249552
TI  - Stress echocardiography in patients with morbid obesity.
AB  - The incidence of significant obesity is rising across the globe. These patients
      often have a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors and are frequently
      referred for noninvasive cardiac imaging tests. Stress echocardiography (SE) is
      widely used for assessment of patients with known or suspected coronary artery
      disease (CAD), but its clinical utility in morbidly obese patients (in whom image
      quality may suffer due to body habitus) has been largely unknown. The recently
      published Stress Ultrasonography in Morbid Obesity (SUMO) study has shown that
      SE, when performed appropriately with ultrasound contrast agents (whether
      performed with physiological or pharmacological stress), has excellent
      feasibility and appropriately risk stratifies morbidly obese patients, including
      identification of patients who require revascularization. This article reviews
      the evidence supporting the use of echocardiographic techniques in morbidly obese
      patients for assessment of known or suspected CAD and briefly discusses other
      noninvasive modalities, including magnetic resonance and nuclear techniques,
      comparing and contrasting these techniques against SE. 

PMID- 27249553
TI  - Pulmonary transit time measurement by contrast-enhanced ultrasound in left
      ventricular dyssynchrony.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary transit time (PTT) is an indirect measure of preload and
      left ventricular function, which can be estimated using the indicator dilution
      theory by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). In this study, we first assessed
      the accuracy of PTT-CEUS by comparing it with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic
      resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Secondly, we tested the hypothesis that PTT-CEUS
      correlates with the severity of heart failure, assessed by MRI and N-terminal pro
      B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty patients
      referred to our hospital for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) were
      enrolled. DCE-MRI, CEUS, and NT-proBNP measurements were performed within an
      hour. Mean transit time (MTT) was obtained by estimating the time evolution of
      indicator concentration within regions of interest drawn in the right and left
      ventricles in video loops of DCE-MRI and CEUS. PTT was estimated as the
      difference of the left and right ventricular MTT. Normalized PTT (nPTT) was
      obtained by multiplication of PTT with the heart rate. Mean PTT-CEUS was 10.5+/
      2.4s and PTT-DCE-MRI was 10.4+/-2.0s (P=0.88). The correlations of PTT and nPTT
      by CEUS and DCE-MRI were strong; r=0.75 (P=0.0001) and r=0.76 (P=0.0001),
      respectively. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a bias of 0.1s for PTT. nPTT-CEUS
      correlated moderately with left ventricle volumes. The correlations for PTT-CEUS
      and nPTT-CEUS were moderate to strong with NT-proBNP; r=0.54 (P=0.022) and r=0.68
      (P=0.002), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: (n)PTT-CEUS showed strong agreement with
      that by DCE-MRI. Given the good correlation with NT-proBNP level, (n)PTT-CEUS may
      provide a novel, clinically feasible measure to quantify the severity of heart
      failure. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: NCT01735838.

PMID- 27249554
TI  - Traumatic avulsion of the tricuspid valve after gas bottle explosion.
AB  - SummaryWe present a very rare example of chronic right heart failure caused by
      torrent tricuspid regurgitation. Massive right heart dilatation and severe
      tricuspid regurgitation due to avulsion of the tricuspid valve apparatus occurred
      as a result of a blunt chest trauma following the explosion of a gas bottle 20
      years before admission, when the patient was a young man in Vietnam. After this
      incident, the patient went through a phase of severe illness, which can
      retrospectively be identified as an acute right heart decompensation with
      malaise, ankle edema, and dyspnea. Blunt chest trauma caused by explosives
      leading to valvular dysfunction has not been reported in the literature so far.
      It is remarkable that the patient not only survived this trauma, but had been
      managing his chronic heart failure well without medication for over 20 years.
      LEARNING POINTS: Thorough clinical and physical examination remains the key to
      identifying patients with relevant valvulopathies.With good acoustic windows, TTE
      is superior to TEE in visualizing the right heart.Traumatic avulsion of valve
      apparatus is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of blunt chest
      trauma and must be actively sought for. Transthoracic echocardiography remains
      the method of choice in these patients.

PMID- 27249555
TI  - The old and the new: the pivotal role of TTE in TAVI.

PMID- 27249556
TI  - Left ventricular mechanical dispersion is associated with nonsustained
      ventricular tachycardia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We assessed the value of speckle tracking two-dimensional (2D) strain
      echocardiography (2DSE) measured mechanical dispersion (MD) with other imaging
      and electrocardiographic parameters in differentiating hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients with and without nonsustained ventricular
      tachycardia (NSVT) on 24-h ambulatory ECG monitoring. METHODS AND RESULTS: We
      studied 31 patients with HCM caused by the Finnish founder mutation MYBPC3-Q1061X
      and 20 control subjects with comprehensive 2DSE echocardiography and cardiac
      magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). The presence of NSVT was assessed from
      ambulatory 24-h ECG monitoring. NSVT episodes were recorded in 11 (35%) patients
      with HCM. MD was significantly higher in HCM patients with NSVT (93 +/- 41 ms)
      compared to HCM patients without NSVT (50 +/- 18 ms, p = 0.012) and control
      subjects (41 +/- 16 ms, p < 0.001). MD was the only variable independently
      associated with the presence of NSVT (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.05-2.45, p = 0.030).
      Assessed by ROC curves, MD performed best in differentiating between HCM patients
      with and without NSVT (AUC = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Increased mechanical dispersion
      was associated with NSVT in HCM patients on 24-h ambulatory ECG monitoring. Key
      messages The prediction of sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
      remains a challenge and novel imaging methods are required to identify
      individuals at risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Mechanical dispersion
      by speckle tracking echocardiography is associated with NSVT on 24-h ambulatory
      ECG monitoring in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 27249557
TI  - Broadband Yellowish-Green Emitting Ba4Gd3Na3(PO4)6F2:Eu(2+) Phosphor: Structure
      Refinement, Energy Transfer, and Thermal Stability.
AB  - A series of Ba4Gd3Na3(PO4)6F2:Eu(2+) phosphors with a broad emitting band have
      been synthesized by a traditional solid state reaction. The crystal structural
      and photoluminescence properties of Ba4Gd3Na3(PO4)6F2:Eu(2+) are investigated.
      The different crystallographic sites of Eu(2+) in Ba4Gd3Na3(PO4)6F2:Eu(2+)
      phosphors have been verified by means of their photoluminescence (PL) properties
      and decay times. Energy transfer between Eu(2+) ions, analyzed by excitation,
      emission, and PL decay behavior, has been indicated to be a dipole-dipole
      mechanism. Moreover, the luminescence quantum yield as well as the thermal
      stability of the Ba4Gd3Na3(PO4)6F2:Eu(2+) phosphor have been investigated
      systematically. The as-prepared Ba4Gd3Na3(PO4)6F2:Eu(2+) phosphor can act as a
      promising candidate for n-UV convertible white LEDs. 

PMID- 27249558
TI  - Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis Discovered a Dietary Pattern Inversely
      Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Risk.
AB  - Evidence on the association between dietary component, dietary pattern and
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is scarce. A major challenge is the high degree of
      correlation among dietary constituents. We aimed to identify dietary pattern
      associated with NPC and to illustrate the dose-response relationship between the
      identified dietary pattern scores and the risk of NPC. Taking advantage of a
      matched NPC case-control study, data from a total of 319 incident cases and 319
      matched controls were analyzed. Dietary pattern was derived employing partial
      least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) performed on energy-adjusted food
      frequencies derived from a 66-item food-frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios
      (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with multiple conditional
      logistic regression models, linking pattern scores and NPC risk. A high score of
      the PLS-DA derived pattern was characterized by high intakes of fruits, milk,
      fresh fish, vegetables, tea, and eggs ordered by loading values. We observed that
      one unit increase in the scores was associated with a significantly lower risk of
      NPC (ORadj = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.60-0.88) after controlling for potential
      confounders. Similar results were observed among Epstein-Barr virus seropositive
      subjects. An NPC protective diet is indicated with more phytonutrient-rich plant
      foods (fruits, vegetables), milk, other protein-rich foods (in particular fresh
      fish and eggs), and tea. This information may be used to design potential dietary
      regimen for NPC prevention. 

PMID- 27249559
TI  - Study of the Microfocus X-Ray Tube Based on a Point-Like Target Used for Micro
      Computed Tomography.
AB  - For a micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) system, the microfocus X-ray tube is
      an essential component because the spatial resolution of CT images, in theory, is
      mainly determined by the size and stability of the X-ray focal spot of the
      microfocus X-ray tube. However, many factors, including voltage fluctuations,
      mechanical vibrations, and temperature changes, can cause the size and the
      stability of the X-ray focal spot to degrade. A new microfocus X-ray tube based
      on a point-like micro-target in which the X-ray target is irradiated with an
      unfocused electron beam was investigated. EGS4 Monte Carlo simulation code was
      employed for the calculation of the X-ray intensity produced from the point-like
      micro-target and the substrate. The effects of several arrangements of the target
      material, target and beam size were studied. The simulation results demonstrated
      that if the intensity of X-rays generated at the point-like target is greater
      than half of the X-ray intensity produced on the substrate, the X-ray focal spot
      is determined in part by the point-like target rather than by the electron beam
      in the conventional X-ray tube. In theory, since it is able to reduce those
      unfavorable effects such as the electron beam trajectory swinging and the beam
      size changing for the microfocus X-ray tube, it could alleviate CT image
      artifacts caused by the X-ray focal spot shift and size change. 

PMID- 27249560
TI  - Receptor-mediated sorting of soluble vacuolar proteins ends at the trans-Golgi
      network/early endosome.
AB  - The sorting of soluble proteins for degradation in the vacuole is of vital
      importance in plant cells, and relies on the activity of vacuolar sorting
      receptors (VSRs). In the plant endomembrane system, VSRs bind vacuole-targeted
      proteins and facilitate their transport to the vacuole. Where exactly these
      interactions take place has remained controversial, however. Here, we examine the
      potential for VSR-ligand interactions in all compartments of the vacuolar
      transport system in tobacco mesophyll protoplasts. To do this, we developed
      compartment-specific VSR sensors that assemble as a result of a nanobody-epitope
      interaction, and monitored the degree of ligand binding by analysing Forster
      resonance energy transfer using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FRET
      FLIM). We show that VSRs bind ligands in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and in
      the Golgi, but not in the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE) or
      multivesicular late endosomes, suggesting that the post-TGN/EE trafficking of
      ligands towards the vacuole is VSR independent. We verify this by showing that
      non-VSR-ligands are also delivered to the vacuole from the TGN/EE after endocytic
      uptake. We conclude that VSRs are required for the transport of ligands from the
      ER and the Golgi to the TGN/EE, and suggest that the onward transport to the
      vacuole occurs by default.

PMID- 27249561
TI  - Global conservation priorities for crop wild relatives.
AB  - The wild relatives of domesticated crops possess genetic diversity useful for
      developing more productive, nutritious and resilient crop varieties. However,
      their conservation status and availability for utilization are a concern, and
      have not been quantified globally. Here, we model the global distribution of
      1,076 taxa related to 81 crops, using occurrence information collected from
      biodiversity, herbarium and gene bank databases. We compare the potential
      geographic and ecological diversity encompassed in these distributions with that
      currently accessible in gene banks, as a means to estimate the comprehensiveness
      of the conservation of genetic diversity. Our results indicate that the diversity
      of crop wild relatives is poorly represented in gene banks. For 313 (29.1% of
      total) taxa associated with 63 crops, no germplasm accessions exist, and a
      further 257 (23.9%) are represented by fewer than ten accessions. Over 70% of
      taxa are identified as high priority for further collecting in order to improve
      their representation in gene banks, and over 95% are insufficiently represented
      in regard to the full range of geographic and ecological variation in their
      native distributions. The most critical collecting gaps occur in the
      Mediterranean and the Near East, western and southern Europe, Southeast and East
      Asia, and South America. We conclude that a systematic effort is needed to
      improve the conservation and availability of crop wild relatives for use in plant
      breeding.

PMID- 27249563
TI  - Silencing in sperm cells is directed by RNA movement from the surrounding nurse
      cell.
AB  - Plant small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) communicate from cell to cell and travel
      long distances through the vasculature. However, siRNA movement into germ cells
      has remained controversial, and has gained interest because the terminally
      differentiated pollen vegetative nurse cell surrounding the sperm cells undergoes
      a programmed heterochromatin decondensation and transcriptional reactivation of
      transposable elements (TEs). Transcription of TEs leads to their post
      transcriptional degradation into siRNAs, and it has been proposed that the
      purpose of this TE reactivation is to generate and load TE siRNAs into the sperm
      cells. Here, we identify the molecular pathway of TE siRNA production in the
      pollen grain and demonstrate that siRNAs produced from pollen vegetative cell
      transcripts can silence TE reporters in the sperm cells. Our data demonstrates
      that TE siRNAs act non-cell-autonomously, inhibiting TE activity in the germ
      cells and potentially the next generation.

PMID- 27249564
TI  - State transitions redistribute rather than dissipate energy between the two
      photosystems in Chlamydomonas.
AB  - Photosynthesis converts sunlight into biologically useful compounds, thus
      fuelling practically the entire biosphere. This process involves two photosystems
      acting in series powered by light harvesting complexes (LHCs) that dramatically
      increase the energy flux to the reaction centres. These complexes are the main
      targets of the regulatory processes that allow photosynthetic organisms to thrive
      across a broad range of light intensities. In microalgae, one mechanism for
      adjusting the flow of energy to the photosystems, state transitions, has a much
      larger amplitude than in terrestrial plants, whereas thermal dissipation of
      energy, the dominant regulatory mechanism in plants, only takes place after
      acclimation to high light. Here we show that, at variance with recent reports,
      microalgal state transitions do not dissipate light energy but redistribute it
      between the two photosystems, thereby allowing a well-balanced influx of
      excitation energy.

PMID- 27249562
TI  - Local auxin metabolism regulates environment-induced hypocotyl elongation.
AB  - A hallmark of plants is their adaptability of size and form in response to widely
      fluctuating environments. The metabolism and redistribution of the phytohormone
      auxin play pivotal roles in establishing active auxin gradients and resulting
      cellular differentiation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, cotyledons and leaves
      synthesize indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan through indole-3-pyruvic
      acid (3-IPA) in response to vegetational shade. This newly synthesized auxin
      moves to the hypocotyl where it induces elongation of hypocotyl cells. Here we
      show that loss of function of VAS2 (IAA-amido synthetase Gretchen Hagen 3
      (GH3).17) leads to increases in free IAA at the expense of IAA-Glu (IAA
      glutamate) in the hypocotyl epidermis. This active IAA elicits shade- and high
      temperature-induced hypocotyl elongation largely independently of 3-IPA-mediated
      IAA biosynthesis in cotyledons. Our results reveal an unexpected capacity of
      local auxin metabolism to modulate the homeostasis and spatial distribution of
      free auxin in specialized organs such as hypocotyls in response to shade and high
      temperature.

PMID- 27249565
TI  - Vascular-mediated signalling involved in early phosphate stress response in
      plants.
AB  - Depletion of finite global rock phosphate (Pi) reserves will impose major
      limitations on future agricultural productivity and food security. Hence, modern
      breeding programmes seek to develop Pi-efficient crops with sustainable yields
      under reduced Pi fertilizer inputs. In this regard, although the long-term
      responses of plants to Pi stress are well documented, the early signalling events
      have yet to be elucidated. Here, we show plant tissue-specific responses to early
      Pi stress at the transcription level and a predominant role of the plant vascular
      system in this process. Specifically, imposition of Pi stress induces rapid and
      major changes in the mRNA population in the phloem translocation stream, and
      grafting studies have revealed that many hundreds of phloem-mobile mRNAs are
      delivered to specific sink tissues. We propose that the shoot vascular system
      acts as the site of root-derived Pi stress perception, and the phloem serves to
      deliver a cascade of signals to various sinks, presumably to coordinate whole
      plant Pi homeostasis.

PMID- 27249567
TI  - Multiple domestications of Asian rice.

PMID- 27249566
TI  - Photodamage of iron-sulphur clusters in photosystem I induces non-photochemical
      energy dissipation.
AB  - Photosystem I (PSI) uses light energy and electrons supplied by photosystem II
      (PSII) to reduce NADP(+) to NADPH. PSI is very tolerant of excess light but
      extremely sensitive to excess electrons from PSII. It has been assumed that PSI
      is protected from photoinhibition by strict control of the intersystem electron
      transfer chain (ETC). Here we demonstrate that the iron-sulphur (FeS) clusters of
      PSI are more sensitive to high light stress than previously anticipated, but PSI
      with damaged FeS clusters still functions as a non-photochemical photoprotective
      energy quencher (PSI-NPQ). Upon photoinhibition of PSI, the highly reduced ETC
      further triggers thylakoid phosphorylation-based mechanisms that increase energy
      flow towards PSI. It is concluded that the sensitivity of FeS clusters provides
      an additional photoprotective mechanism that is able to downregulate PSII, based
      on PSI quenching and protein phosphorylation.

PMID- 27249568
TI  - Limited Phosphate: Mobile RNAs convey the message.

PMID- 27249569
TI  - Mobile small RNAs: Sperm-companion communication.

PMID- 27249570
TI  - Genomics: Decoding the ancestors of peanut.

PMID- 27249571
TI  - Auxin conjugation: Growing out of the shade.

PMID- 27249572
TI  - Re-igniting the green revolution with wild crops.

PMID- 27249573
TI  - Human evolution: Chewing the fat.

PMID- 27249574
TI  - Immunity: Decoys everywhere.

PMID- 27249575
TI  - Archaeobotany: Millet on the move.

PMID- 27249576
TI  - Photosynthesis: Compartment control.

PMID- 27249577
TI  - Learning from the past.

PMID- 27249578
TI  - Regulation of preparation courses for the Situational Judgement Test.

PMID- 27249579
TI  - Geometrical assembly of ultrastable protein templates for nanomaterials.
AB  - The fabrication of nanoscale devices requires architectural templates on which to
      position functional molecules in complex arrangements. Protein scaffolds are
      particularly promising templates for nanomaterials due to inherent molecular
      recognition and self-assembly capabilities combined with genetically encoded
      functionalities. However, difficulties in engineering protein quaternary
      structure into stable and well-ordered shapes have hampered progress. Here we
      report the development of an ultrastable biomolecular construction kit for the
      assembly of filamentous proteins into geometrically defined templates of
      controllable size and symmetry. The strategy combines redesign of protein-protein
      interaction specificity with the creation of tunable connector proteins that
      govern the assembly and projection angles of the filaments. The functionality of
      these nanoarchitectures is illustrated by incorporation of nanoparticles at
      specific locations and orientations to create hybrid materials such as conductive
      nanowires. These new structural components facilitate the manufacturing of
      nanomaterials with diverse shapes and functional properties over a wide range of
      processing conditions.

PMID- 27249580
TI  - Secondary Changes After Injury and Temperature.

PMID- 27249582
TI  - Re-emergence of scarlet fever: old players return?

PMID- 27249585
TI  - Three worlds of health technology assessment: explaining patterns of diffusion of
      HTA agencies in Europe - CORRIGENDUM.

PMID- 27249581
TI  - The Dependence of Carbohydrate-Aromatic Interaction Strengths on the Structure of
      the Carbohydrate.
AB  - Interactions between proteins and carbohydrates are ubiquitous in biology.
      Therefore, understanding the factors that determine their affinity and
      selectivity are correspondingly important. Herein, we have determined the
      relative strengths of intramolecular interactions between a series of
      monosaccharides and an aromatic ring close to the glycosylation site in an N
      glycoprotein host. We employed the enhanced aromatic sequon, a structural motif
      found in the reverse turns of some N-glycoproteins, to facilitate face-to-face
      monosaccharide-aromatic interactions. A protein host was used because the
      dependence of the folding energetics on the identity of the monosaccharide can be
      accurately measured to assess the strength of the carbohydrate-aromatic
      interaction. Our data demonstrate that the carbohydrate-aromatic interaction
      strengths are moderately affected by changes in the stereochemistry and identity
      of the substituents on the pyranose rings of the sugars. Galactose seems to make
      the weakest and allose the strongest sugar-aromatic interactions, with glucose, N
      acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and mannose in between. The NMR solution structures of
      several of the monosaccharide-containing N-glycoproteins were solved to further
      understand the origins of the similarities and differences between the
      monosaccharide-aromatic interaction energies. Peracetylation of the
      monosaccharides substantially increases the strength of the sugar-aromatic
      interaction in the context of our N-glycoprotein host. Finally, we discuss our
      results in light of recent literature regarding the contribution of
      electrostatics to CH-pi interactions and speculate on what our observations imply
      about the absolute conservation of GlcNAc as the monosaccharide through which N
      linked glycans are attached to glycoproteins in eukaryotes.

PMID- 27249584
TI  - The cardiac electrogenic sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1) is activated by
      aldosterone through the G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR 30).
AB  - The sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter (NBC) transports extracellular Na+ and HCO3-
      into the cytoplasm upon intracellular acidosis, restoring the acidic pHi to near
      neutral values. Two different NBC isoforms have been described in the heart, the
      electroneutral NBCn1 (1Na+:1HCO3-) and the electrogenic NBCe1 (1Na+:2HCO3-).
      Certain non-genomic effects of aldosterone (Ald) were due to an orphan G protein
      couple receptor 30 (GPR30). We have recently demonstrated that Ald activates
      GPR30 in adult rat ventricular myocytes, which transactivates the epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) and in turn triggers a reactive oxygen species
      (ROS)- and PI3K/AKT-dependent pathway, leading to the stimulation of NBC. The aim
      of this study was to investigate the NBC isoform involved in the Ald/GPR30
      induced NBC activation. Using specific NBCe1 inhibitory antibodies (a-L3) we
      demonstrated that Ald does not affect NBCn1 activity. Ald was able to increase
      NBCe1 activity recorded in isolation. Using immunofluorescence and confocal
      microscopy analysis we showed in this work that both NBCe1 and GPR30 are
      localized in t-tubules. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that NBCe1 is the NBC
      isoform activated by Ald in the heart.

PMID- 27249586
TI  - Patient satisfaction as an excellent track record in nonsurgical rejuvenation
      procedures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patient satisfaction is the goal of most aesthetic procedures. The aim
      of this study is to analyse nonsurgical rejuvenation procedures in a private
      practice setting, over a period of 10 years, evaluating patients' compliance,
      satisfaction and maintenance of a good fiduciary link with the medical operator.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 429 patients who
      received nonsurgical rejuvenation procedures. Four types of treatments were
      considered: Botulinum toxin type A injections, Hyaluronic acid or Poly-L-lactic
      acid injections, and a combination therapy. The outcome analyzed included a
      number of patients for each treatment for each year, the treatment time interval,
      the number of treatments for each patient, the number of treatments according to
      facial sub site and the "degree of satisfaction". RESULTS: The most required
      treatment was combination therapy (36.8% of patients). The mean time and the
      median time of permanency in the study were respectively 19 and 6 months. After
      18 months, which is the time that we considered to attest a good "degree of
      satisfaction", 55% of patients were still in the study. Patients with only one
      treatment were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings support evidence of a
      more recently described increase in popularity in minimally invasive aesthetic
      procedures, of which combination therapy has the best performances with a good
      degree of satisfaction.

PMID- 27249587
TI  - An evaluation of fecal incontinence in women with urinary incontinence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of and risk factors for fecal and/or gas
      incontinence in female patients having urinary incontinence. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: 741 consecutive adult female patients presenting with urinary
      incontinence alone (group 1, n = 700) or urinary incontinence with fecal and/or
      gas incontinence (group 2, n = 41) were enrolled into the study. As potential
      risk factors for fecal and/or gas incontinence in this population, the following
      variables were investigated: age, body mass index, type of urinary incontinence,
      childbirth history, menopausal symptoms, history of pelvic surgery, neurological
      disease, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, constipation, cystocele, rectocele.
      Quality of life was assessed with the Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form
      (UDI-6) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7). RESULTS: Of the women
      having urinary incontinence, 5.5% also had fecal and/or gas incontinence.
      Associated risk factors were history of difficult delivery, postmenopausal
      symptoms, history of pelvic surgery and constipation. Fecal and/or gas
      incontinence was also associated with a lower quality of life in terms of both
      questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: Women have urinary incontinence may have also fecal
      and/ or gas incontinence. Particularly if they have chronic constipation,
      postmenopausal symptoms or history of difficult delivery or pelvic surgery they
      must be evaluated for this additional symptom. So we can treat these patients
      appropriately and increase their quality of life.

PMID- 27249588
TI  - Analysis of nasal cavity morphology and nasolabial development of the normal Han
      ethnic people under age of 12.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to establish the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction
      model of nasal cavity for China's Han ethnic population (0-12 years) by laser
      scanning and photogrammetry, and thus to elucidate the developmental mechanism of
      nasal cavity morphology and nasolabial region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of
      260 normal people of the Han ethnic aged 0-12 were recruited as subjects, among
      whom 60 were scanned for nasal cavity morphology in order to get reconstructed
      models with the computer engineering software. Photogrammetry was performed for
      the remaining 200 subjects to measure the 7 parameters that reflect vertically or
      horizontally the anatomical features of the nasolabial region. RESULTS: The
      interior morphology of nasal cavity was accurately established by 3D laser
      scanning and photogrammetry with the optimal morphology of nasal cavity simulated
      through 3D reconstruction. Development of nasal cavity and nasolabial region was
      also analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D laser scanning analysis is the ideal method to
      analyze the interior morphology of nasal cavity by reconstructing the normal
      interior morphology of nasal cavity and quantitatively analyze the change of
      nasal cavity morphology with age. Photogrammetry can be applied to conduct the
      morphological measurement for the nasolabial region and, thus, assessing the
      development of the nasolabial region with age, which provides information for
      choosing the timing and options of surgery in treating harelip and nasal
      deformity.

PMID- 27249589
TI  - Altered platelet morphological parameters in patients with retinal vein
      occlusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to investigate whether platelet
      morphology or functions are altered in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) patients.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-three patients with a RVO and eighty-five healthy
      subjects were included in this prospective study. RVO was diagnosed by ophthalmic
      fundus examination, and complete ophthalmic evaluations of both eyes were
      performed. The platelet large cell ratio (PLCR), platelet distribution width
      (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet crit (PCT), and platelet count were
      determined for each participant. RESULTS: The MPV, PDW and PLCR were
      significantly higher in the RVO group than in the control group (MPV: 8.26 +/-
      1.22 fL vs. 7.41 +/- 0.69 fL, respectively, p = 0.006; PDW: 13.43 +/- 1.75% vs.
      12.19 +/- 1.51%, respectively, p = 0.0022; and PLCR: 30.62 +/- 4.65% vs. 28.59 +/
      4.18%, respectively, p = 0.003). There were no significant differences in the
      PCT or platelet count between the two groups (253.76 +/- 70.87 x 103/ul vs.
      248.96 +/- 62.44 x 103/ul, respectively p > 0.05; and PCT: 0.24 +/- 0.07 % vs.
      0.27 +/- 0.06%, respectively, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that the
      platelets RVO patients exhibit morphological evidence of hyperreactivity (e.g., a
      higher MPV, PDW and PLCR). Also, larger platelets are hemostatically more active
      than small ones and an increased proportion of large platelets is a risk factor
      for developing RVO.

PMID- 27249590
TI  - Serum and follicular fluid irisin levels in poor and high responder women
      undergoing IVF/ICSI.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We examined the follicular fluid (FF) and serum levels of irisin in
      high and poor responders undergoing IVF/ICSI to test whether irisin has a role in
      the metabolic regulation of energy homeostasis in growing follicle. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Twenty infertile women with PCOS and 20 poor responder participants
      undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with GnRH antagonist protocol for
      IVF/ICSI treatment were allocated. Blood was obtained at the time of oocyte
      retrieval. The follicular fluid content of mature follicles was collected from
      both high and poor responder women. Irisin levels were measured by using EIA.
      RESULTS: There was no significant difference between serum and FF-irisin levels
      in women with PCOS. (11.18 +/- 5.14 ug/mL vs. 11.06 +/- 4.93 ug/mL, p < 0.96). In
      contrast, serum levels of irisin in poor responders were significantly higher
      than in the FF-irisin levels (13.13 +/- 4.27 ug/mL vs. 10.09 +/- 4.14 ug/mL, p <
      0.01). FF-irisin levels of PCOS subjects were positively and significantly
      correlated with serum levels of irisin (r: 0.81, p < 0.00). Serum irisin was
      positively associated with serum levels of total testosterone but was negatively
      associated with HOMA-IR in the overall patient population. FF-irisin levels were
      also noted to be negatively correlated with HOMA-IR. Although there is no
      correlation between serum irisin and AMH levels, FF irisin levels were negatively
      correlated with serum AMH levels in PCOS subjects. Contrary to PCOS group there
      were no significant correlation between serum and FF-irisin levels in poor
      responder group (r: 0.21; p < 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first
      attempt to explore the role of irisin in oocyte development by measuring FF and
      serum levels of this molecules in patients with poor and high responders
      undergoing IVF/ICSI.

PMID- 27249591
TI  - Comparison of the superb microvascular imaging technique and the color Doppler
      techniques for evaluating children's testicular blood flow.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We have compared conventional Color Doppler (CD) and Power Doppler
      (PD) techniques, which are used for evaluating the testicular blood flow in small
      children, and the Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI), which is a new technique.
      We have also investigated their contributions to testicular evaluations. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: We evaluated blood flow in testicles using a grading system with CD,
      PD and SMI techniques. We determined the average duration of the three
      techniques. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the
      SMI and CD techniques for all patients (p < 0.001, p = 0.001). When we compared
      the PD and SMI, either as much or more vascular information was obtained (p =
      0.106). There was a statistically significant difference between the application
      durations of the tests (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Superb Microvascular Imaging
      yields more detailed vascular information in blood flow in testicles in small
      children, than either CD or PD. Furthermore, this technique decreases the
      duration of the examination at a significant level. Superb Microvascular Imaging
      may represent an alternative method that can be used safely for evaluating blood
      flow in the testicles of small children. Additional studies may increase the
      reliability of SMI.

PMID- 27249592
TI  - Analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and pathological images of
      hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) lesions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) has been introduced as a promising
      imaging technique for diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). But the
      correlation between the image features and the underlying complex pathology of
      HAE has not been fully understood. In this study, we reviewed CEUS and
      pathological images of 31 lesions in 24 patients with HAE from Aba Tibetan Qiang
      Autonomous Prefecture, an epidemic area in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24
      patients who received CEUS examination for suspicion of HAE and with
      pathologically confirmed HAE were retrospectively reviewed. Parasitic lesions
      obtained from surgery were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE).
      RESULTS: US examination showed that the 12 lesions were hypoechoic and 19 lesions
      were hyperechoic. The hypoechoic images of HAE quite resemble the images of
      hepatocellular carcinoma and hemangioma. For the CEUS images of lesions >=3 cm, 9
      lesions (9/25, 36%) were hypoechoic with mixed content without circular rim
      enhancement; 16 lesions (16/25, 64%) had circular rim enhancement. All the
      lesions < 3 cm (n=6) were with circular rim enhancement and non-enhancement
      internal area. Pathological examination showed that the cysts are surrounded by
      an inner necrotic zone and peripheral granulomatous and fibrous tissues.
      CONCLUSIONS: CEUS images of large HAE lesions are more complex than that of the
      small lesions. Large HAE lesions can be hypoechoic with mixed content with or
      without circular rim enhancement, and no internal area enhancement with circular
      rim enhancement. The small lesions are more likely to show circular rim
      enhancement and non-enhancement internal area.

PMID- 27249593
TI  - MEK inhibitor CI-1040 induces apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia cells in vitro.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: MEK1/2 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 and 2)/ERK1/2
      (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2) is important transducers of
      external signals for cell growth, survival, and apoptosis in acute myeloid
      leukemia cells (AML). In this study, we analyzed the effect of MEK inhibitor CI
      1040 on the survival of AML cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using ELISA and MTT we
      studied the cytotoxic effects of CI-1040 on AML U-937 cells. We studied the
      changes induced by CI-1040 on PUMA and p53 expression in U-937 cells by Western
      blotting assay. Moreover, we analyzed the cytotoxic effect of CI-1040 in U-937
      cells with deleted PUMA, wt-p53 by wt-p53 siRNA and PUMA siRNA transfection.
      RESULTS: CI-1040 induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in U-937 cells in
      a dose and time-dependent manner. CI-1040 induced a significant increase in PUMA
      mRNA and protein levels. Importantly, we show that knockdown of PUMA by PUMA
      siRNA transfection inhibited CI-1040-induced apoptosis and proliferation
      inhibition in U-937 cells. Moreover, CI-1040 induced apoptosis and proliferation
      inhibition was irrespective of wt-P53 status. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      demonstrate that CI-1040 induce apoptosis of U-937 cells and might be a new
      therapeutic option for the treatment of AML.

PMID- 27249594
TI  - Expression of LRIG1 in pituitary tumor and its clinical significance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the expression of leucine-rich and immunoglobulin-like
      domain gene1 (LRIG1) in pituitary tumor and its clinical significance. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups: hypophysoma group (n = 80)
      and normal group (normal brain tissue, n = 30). The immune tissue chemical
      streptavidin avidin-peroxidase was applied to detect the expression of LRIG1 of
      both groups and to analyze its relationship with the patients' prognosis.
      RESULTS: The positive expression rate of LRIG1 in normal brain tissues was
      significantly higher than that in pituitary adenomas (100% vs. 53.8%) (p < 0.05).
      The positive expression rate of LRIG1 in pituitary tumors was not significantly
      related to age and gender, the difference was not statistically significant (p >
      0.05). The positive expression rate of LRIGl in non-invasive pituitary adenomas
      was higher than that in invasive pituitary tumors (68.4% vs. 21.7%), the
      difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Cox multivariate survival
      analysis showed that LRIG1 can be used as an independent factor for prognosis
      evaluation. Meier survival analysis showed that the LRIG1 and pituitary tumor
      types were significantly associated with the prognosis of patients (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: LRIG1 was involved in the occurrence and development of pituitary
      tumor, the expression of LRIG1 can be used as an indicator for prognosis
      evaluation, and low expression indicated a poor prognosis.

PMID- 27249595
TI  - Serum human epididymis protein 4 vs. carbohydrate antigen 125 and their
      combination for endometrial cancer diagnosis: a meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) appear
      to be promising predictors for endometrial cancer (EC). However, conflicting
      results exist in the diagnostic performance comparison among CA125 and HE4.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE and
      other databases till December 2015. All studies included were closely assessed
      with the QUADAS. Diagnostic value of HE4, CA125 and HE4+CA125 was systematically
      evaluated, and comparison among the predictive performances of HE4, CA125 were
      conducted. Sensitivity, specificity, DOR (diagnostic odds ratio), and area under
      the SROC curve were summarized with a random model. Meta-regression was used to
      explore the heterogeneity. RESULTS: 8 studies including 1832 cases (1129 in the
      study group and 703 in the control group) were included in our meta-analysis.
      Mean estimates of HE4 and their 95% CIs were: sensitivity 0.53 (95% CI: 0.50
      0.56), specificity 0.91 (95% CI: 0.89-0.93), DOR 17.01 (95% CI: 7.88-36.72). The
      area under the SROC curve of HE4 in the diagnosis of EC was 0.77. However, CA125
      had lower sensitivity, specificity, DOR, and the area under the SROC in diagnosis
      of EC with sensitivity 0.26 (95% CI: 0.24-0.29), specificity 0.81 (95% CI: 0.78
      0.84), DOR 2.61 (95% CI: 0.92-7.41), and the area under the SROC 0.37. In
      patients with EC diagnosed by HE4+CA125, the overall sensitivity was 0.58 (95%
      CI: 0.54-0.62) and a specificity of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.89-0.94) in predicting EC.
      DOR and the area under the SROC curve of HE4+CA125 for diagnosis of EC were 21.86
      (95% CI: 11.08-43.15) and 0.83 respectively, which showed a higher level of
      diagnostic accuracy than HE4 alone. CONCLUSIONS: HE4 is helpful for
      distinguishing EC from healthy and benign disease. CA125 is not better than HE4
      either for EC diagnosis. HE4+CA125 is promising a predictor of EC to replace He4,
      but its utilization requires further exploration.

PMID- 27249596
TI  - Influence of body weight changes on survival in patients undergoing chemotherapy
      for epithelial ovarian cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Epithelial ovarian cancer is a highly fatal gynecologic malignancy
      with a poor prognosis. Therefore, identification of new modifiable prognostic
      factors is important. Due to the fact that the effect of body weight changes
      during chemotherapy for EOC is still not very well known we aimed to describe,
      considering evidence, role of body weight changes in relation to survival.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2014 and August 2015 we systematically
      searched the following databases: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and EMBASE to
      identify the studies describing the influence of body weight changes on survival
      in patients undergoing chemotherapy for EOC. RESULTS: We identified 601
      potentially relevant publications, however finally only one article was included
      for data extraction and analysis. The overall survival in the selected paper was
      significantly associated with body weight changes during the first-line
      chemotherapy. Nevertheless, no influence on progression free survival was found.
      CONCLUSIONS: The analyzed data provides initial evidence, showing poorer overall
      survival  associated with body weight loss and improved overall survival
      associated with body weight gain during primary chemotherapy for epithelial
      ovarian cancer. Prospective and retrospective trials are an urgent calling to
      confirm this conclusion.

PMID- 27249597
TI  - Expression and clinical implication of Beclin1, HMGB1, p62, survivin, BRCA1 and
      ERCC1 in epithelial ovarian tumor tissues.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to investigate the differential
      expression of Beclin1, HMGB1, p62, survivin, ERCC1 and BRCA1 protein in
      epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and to evaluate the relationship between
      autophagy and platinum resistance of EOC patients during platinum-based
      chemotherapy with the protein expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression of
      Beclin1, HMGB1, p62, survivin, ERCC1 and BRCA1 were detected with
      immunohistochemistry in 60 patients, including 39 with epithelial ovarian cancer
      (EOC), 13 benign epithelial ovarian tumor tissue (BET) and 8 borderline ovarian
      tumor tissue. RESULTS: Beclin, p62 and ERCC1 expression was significantly higher
      in the EOC than the BET (p<0.05). No statistical significance was detected with
      HMGB1 or survivin expression among BET, borderline tumor and EOC (p>0.05). BRCA1
      expression was lower in EOC than BET (p<0.05). The expression of Beclin, p62 and
      survivin significantly correlated with FIGO stage (p<0.05), while the expression
      of HMGB1 correlated with pathological type. For platinum-sensitive EOC patients,
      positive expression of Beclin1 and BRCA1 was lower, and positive P62 expression
      was higher than in platinum-resistant patients (p<0.05). BRCA1 expression was
      negatively correlated with Beclin1 and p62 expression (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Inhibition of expression of beclin1 may suppress autophagy to enhance the
      efficiency of platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. HMGB1, survivin and p62 are
      implicated in the development of ovarian cancer. ERCC1 might be a potential
      predictive marker for neoadjuvant treatment in the early stage of ovarian cancer,
      and BRCA1, Beclin1 and p62 as a biomarker to predict platinum resistance and
      prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer.

PMID- 27249598
TI  - MiR-181a upregulation is associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
      (EMT) and multidrug resistance (MDR) of ovarian cancer cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Elevated miR-181a is associated with the transition of ovarian tissues
      from normal into a cancerous state. However, its regulative effect on multidrug
      resistance (MDR) of ovarian cancer is not quite clear. Therefore, this study
      aimed to investigate its regulative effects on epithelial-to-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT) and MDR in ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression
      profile of miR-181a in normal and ovarian cancer tissues was firstly quantified
      using qRT-PCR analysis. Then, human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 were
      transfected for miR-181a overexpression and the paclitaxel-resistant variant
      SKOV3/PTX cells were transfected for miR-181a knockdown. The effect of miR-181a
      overexpression/knockdown on EMT and PTX sensitivity were studied. RESULTS: MiR
      181a level in chemoresistant (CR) cancer tissues were significantly higher than
      in chemosensitive (CS) cancer tissues and in normal tissue. SKOV3/PTX cells had
      significantly higher expression of miR-181a and N-cadherin than SKOV3 cells.
      SKOV3 cells had decreased E-cadherin expression and increased N-cadherin
      expression after enforced miR-181a expression, while SKOV3/PTX cells had
      increased E-cadherin expression and decreased N-cadherin expression after miR
      181a knockdown. SKOV3 cells had increased P-gp expression after enforced miR-181a
      expression. Following MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis both confirmed that
      miR-181a overexpression decreased the PTX sensitivity of SKOV3 cells and while
      miR-181a inhibition increased the sensitivity of SKOV3/PTX cells. CONCLUSIONS:
      MiR-181a is an important oncomiR significantly increased in chemoresistant
      ovarian cancer. Its upregulation is associated with increased level of EMT and
      decreased cell apoptosis induced by PTX treatment.

PMID- 27249599
TI  - MiR-370 promotes cell death of liver cancer cells by Akt/FoxO3a signalling
      pathway.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs have emerged as key regulators in cancer cell biology. In
      the present study, we investigate the role and the involving mechanism of miR-370
      in the progression of liver cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MiR-370 levels were
      detected by real-time PCR assay. Cell proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H and SMMC
      7721 was determined by MTT assay. PI staining was detected by FACS analysis.
      Colony formation was used to test liver cancer cell growth. FoxO3a and Akt
      expression was determined by western blotting analysis. RESULTS: MiR-370 level
      was significantly down-regulated in liver cancer cells. Functional analysis
      revealed that miR-370 mimics suppressed cell proliferation of liver cancer cells,
      while transfection with miR-370 inhibitor increased cell proliferation of liver
      cancer cells. Moreover, miR-370 mimics induced cell death of HepG2. Furthermore,
      Western blotting analysis results demonstrated that miR-370 inhibited the
      proliferation of liver cancer cells by activating FoxO3a. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-370
      inhibited cell proliferation of liver cancer cells by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
      It worked as a tumor suppressor to suppress the progression of human liver
      cancers.

PMID- 27249600
TI  - MiR-183 modulates multi-drug resistance in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) cells via
      miR-183-IDH2/SOCS6-HIF-1alpha feedback loop.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: MiR-183 acts as an oncomiR and is usually upregulated in
      hepatocellular cancer (HCC). This study aims to study the association between miR
      183 dysregulation and multi-drug resistance (MDR). Also, how it is dysregulated
      in HCC cells was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The association between miR
      183 and HIF-1alpha in HCC cell line BEL-7402 and the multidrug-resistant variant
      BEL-7402/5-fluorouracil (BEL-7402/5-FU) were studied using qRT-PCR and Western
      blot analysis. The mediators involved in feedback regulation between miR-183 and
      HIF-1alpha were further studied. Then, the effect of the miR-183-SOCS6 axis on
      IC50 of BEL-7402/5-FU cells to 5-FU were investigated by MTT assay. RESULTS: The
      expression of miR-183 and HIF-1alpha are positively correlated in BEL-7402 and
      BEL-7402/5-FU cells. IDH2 knockdown resulted in significantly increased HIF
      1alpha expression in both BEL-7402 and BEL-7402/5-FU cells. Knockdown of SOCS6
      had similar but stronger effect as miR-183 in promoting MRP2, P-gp, p-STAT3 and
      HIF-1alpha expression in BEL-7402 cells, while SOCS6 overexpression also showed
      similar but stronger effect as miR-183 inhibition in reducing MRP2, P-gp, p-STAT3
      and HIF-1alpha levels in BEL-7402/5-FU cells. Both SOCS6 overexpression and miR
      183 knockdown significantly increased the sensitivity of BEL-7402/5-FU cells to 5
      FU. MiR-183 overexpression partly abrogated the effect of SOCS6 in enhancing 5-FU
      sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Both HIF-1alpha-miR-183-IDH2-HIF-1alpha and HIF-1alpha
      miR-183-SOCS6-p-STAT3-HIF-1alpha feedback loops are involved in miR-183
      upregulation in HCC cells. MiR-183 can modulate MDR of HCC cells at least partly
      through suppressing SOCS6.

PMID- 27249601
TI  - Upregulated STAT3 and RhoA signaling in colorectal cancer (CRC) regulate the
      invasion and migration of CRC cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to reveal the expression and activation of signal transducers
      and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and RhoA/Rho-associated coiled-coil
      forming kinase 1 (ROCK1) signaling in CRC tissues, and to investigate the
      regulatory role of STAT3 and RhoA signaling in the invasion and migration of
      colorectal cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the expression of
      STAT3, RhoA and ROCK1 in CRC tissues with real-time PCR and Western blotting
      methods. And then we examined the interaction between STAT3 and RhoA/ROCK1
      signaling in CRC HT-29 cells with gain-of-function and loss-of-function
      strategies. In addition, we determined the regulation by STAT3 and RhoA/ROCK1 on
      the invasion and migration of CRC HT-29 cells. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated a
      significant upregulation of RhoA and ROCK1 expression and STAT3-Y705
      phosphorylation in 32 CRC specimens, compared to the 17 normal CRC tissues.
      Further study demonstrated there was a coordination between STAT3 and RhoA/Rock
      signaling in the HT-29 cells. Moreover, STAT3 knockdown or RhoA knockdown
      significantly repressed the migration and invasion in HT-29 cells and vice versa.
      CONCLUSIONS: STAT3 and RhoA signaling regulate the invasion and migration of CRC
      cells, implying the orchestrated and oncogenic roles of STAT3 and RhoA/ROCK1
      signaling in CRC.

PMID- 27249602
TI  - STMN1 in colon cancer: expression and prognosis in Chinese patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the stathmin (STMN1) expression in colorectal cancer and
      tumor-adjacent normal tissue and discuss its prognostic significance in colon
      cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: STMN1 was tested with qRT-PCR in 30 samples of
      fresh colon cancer tissue and tumor-adjacent issue, and with immunohistochemical
      SP method in 105 samples of fresh colon cancer tissue and tumor-adjacent issue to
      analyze the association between its expression and clinical pathological
      parameters. Clinical data was combined to study the relationship between STMN1
      expression and 5-year survival rate. Univariate analysis and Cox multivariate
      regression were performed to study the correlation between STMN1 expression and
      prognosis. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein level of STMN1 were significantly higher
      in colon cancer samples than tumor-adjacent normal tissues (p<0.05). STMN1
      expression was independent of patient age, gender or location, but significantly
      related to lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (p<0.05). Survival analysis by
      Kaplan-Meier method showed that STMN1 expression was significantly related with
      the survival of colon cancer patients. The median survival time of STMN1-positive
      patients (37.5 months) was significantly shorter than STMN1-negative patients
      (57.1 months, p<0.05). Cox multivariate regression indicated that STMN1 is
      independent prognostic factors predicting the development, invasion and
      metastasis of colon cancer (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: STMN1 overexpression in colon
      cancer is independently associated with improved survival and significantly
      related to the development of the disease. Our findings suggest that presence of
      a STMN1-prognosis interaction that potentially determines clinical outcome.

PMID- 27249603
TI  - Cancer stem cell targets - a review.
AB  - The varied therapeutic approaches like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, etc.
      primarily aimed to target cancer cells specifically. Despite these efforts, they
      are not completely successful in eliminating this deadly pathological state.
      These failures ultimately lead to cancer reoccurrence, which is again, another
      burning problem associated with cancer. The prime reason for the above
      observation has been found to be the development of resistance by cancer cells
      towards cancer drugs or cancer-initiating cells (cancer stem cells) remain
      unaffected by existing treatment procedures. Recent research has evolved two
      drugs, salinomycin and apoptin, that hold great potential for the future of
      cancer treatment not only for restricting malignancy, but also in preventing
      tumor recurrence. The present review article will put light on these new upcoming
      cancer stem cell targeting agents.

PMID- 27249604
TI  - Screening of anti-mitochondrial antibody subtype M2 in residents at least 18
      years of age in an urban district of Shanghai, China.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of anti-mitochondrial antibody subtype M2
      (AMA-M2) in a healthy population, and characterize the clinical features and risk
      factors of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: AMA-M2 was
      screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 19012 residents who
      received health checkup in Xuhui District of Shanghai. Other relevant liver
      biochemical markers and responses to questionnaires were reviewed and analyzed.
      RESULTS: Total 133 residents (about 0.73% of the 19012 residents) were detected
      AMA-M2, including 33 males (0.40%) and 100 females (0.94%). PBC was confirmed in
      25 residents. Pollution and household smoking were found to be related to PBC. In
      addition, the prevalence of M2 antibody was found significantly higher in the
      residents living near viaducts, especially the intersection region of multiple
      viaducts, than those who lives in other regions. CONCLUSIONS: Although the
      incidence of PBC is low, it is not a rare disease, and PBC may be associated with
      the living environment and genetic factors.

PMID- 27249605
TI  - Relationship between HBV DNA load and levels of serum HBsAg in patients with
      chronic hepatitis B.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the relationship between HBV DNA load
      and levels of serum HBsAg in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Between April 20013 and July 2015, serum samples were collected from
      124 CHB patients. Levels of serum HBsAg was determined using chemiluminescent
      immunoassay and HBV DNA load was measured using quantitative fluorescent RT-PCR
      (qPCR). Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship
      between HBV DNA load and levels of serum HBsAg. RESULTS: Serum HBsAg levels were
      significantly higher in the group with HBV DNA > 1*103 copies/ml than the group
      with HBV DNA < 1*103 copies/ml (t=5.983, p=0.000<0.05). One hundred samples with
      HBV DNA > 1*103 copies/ml were further divided into three subgroups based on HBV
      DNA load, including group A (levels of serum HBV DNA between 1*103- 1*105
      copies/ml), group B (1*105- 1*107 copies/ml) and group C (> 1*107 copies/ml).
      Levels of serum HBsAg increased with increasing load of HBV DNA. HBsAg levels
      were the highest in group C and the lowest in group A with significant
      differences between groups (p<0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that
      levels of serum HBV DNA were positively correlated with levels of serum HBsAg
      (r=0.657, p=0.000<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HBV DNA load has a certain correlation with
      levels of serum HBsAg in CHB patients. The combination of HBV DNA load assessment
      and measurement of serum HBsAg levels can accurately determine HBV infection
      condition, help with the selection of optimal therapy and predict prognosis.

PMID- 27249606
TI  - Primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma - case report and literature overview.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Primary pulmonary lymphomas (PPL) are rarely taken into consideration
      in the differential diagnosis of lung lesions. The aim of this report is to
      characterize the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of primary MALT lymphoma of
      the lung. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 48-year-old man who was admitted
      to hospital with a history of coughing, fever, fatigue and non-specific lesions
      on his chest X-ray. RESULTS: The patient was treated for pneumonia, but showed no
      improvement. A computer tomography revealed atypical lesions. After an initial
      examination and tests, no diagnosis could be established. A thoracotomy with an
      open lung biopsy was performed and MALT lymphoma was finally diagnosed. The
      patient underwent chemotherapy and showed a significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS:
      Primary MALT lymphoma is a rare disease and its diagnosis is difficult. There is
      no non-invasive test that is specific enough, so a proper diagnosis can only be
      established by a histopathological examination. The disease has a slow and mild
      course and the response to treatment is satisfactory.

PMID- 27249607
TI  - Association between SNPs in the promoter region in cathepsin S and risk of asthma
      in Chinese Han population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cathepsin S (CTSS) is a lysosomal cysteine protease and is
      predominantly expressed in antigen-presenting cells, which plays an important
      role in the allergic response. In this study, we explored the association between
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promotor regions in CTSS and risk
      of asthma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 591 cases and 621 controls were
      recruited for this study. Five SNPs in the CTSS were selected including
      rs7534124, rs16827671, rs34495036, rs3754212, and rs1136774. Polymerase chain
      reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was employed for
      genotyping. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that rs7534124 CT and CT
      + CC genotypes had significantly decreased risk of asthma (CT vs. TT, OR: 0.576,
      95% CI: 0.425-0.780, p < 0.001; CT + CC vs. TT, OR: 0.638, 95% CI: 0.479-0.849, p
      < 0.001; respectively) compared to TT genotype. Similarly, the rs1136774 AG and
      AG + GG genotypes (AG vs. AA, OR: 0.581, 95% CI: 0.426-0.793, p = 0.001; AG + GG
      vs. AA, OR: 0.647, 95% CI: 0.483-0.867, p = 0.004, respectively) were also
      associated with a decreased risk of asthma. However, there was no significant
      association between genotypes of the remaining SNPs and the risk of asthma (p >
      0.006). Moreover, the alleles in all SNPs are also not associated with the risk
      of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided strong evidence that polymorphism of
      rs7534124 and rs1136774 in CTSS promoter may decrease the susceptibility of
      asthma in a Chinese Han population.

PMID- 27249608
TI  - Methylprednisolone combined with low-dose indomethacin treating acute fibrinous
      and organizing pneumonia after a surgical resection of rectal adenocarcinoma: a
      case report and literature review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Acute Fibrinous and Organizing Pneumonia (AFOP) is a new pathologic
      pattern of acute lung injury characterized by the presence of intra-alveolar
      fibrin in the form of fibrin "balls" in a patchy distribution. CASE REPORT: A 65
      years-old female after a surgical resection of rectal adenocarcinoma presented
      with typical manifestations of hospital-acquired pneumonia, but she didn't
      respond to the anti infective therapy. After an explicit diagnosis of AFOP via
      percutaneous needle lung biopsy, she got an impressive improvement with a long
      term therapy of methylprednisolone and low-dose indomethacin. To date, a total of
      non-overlapped 45 individual AFOP cases and 4 single-center studies involving
      AFOP have been reported. The most common coexisting diseases are infections,
      connective tissue diseases and hematological diseases. Corticosteroids and
      immunosuppressants are the most common agents prescribed in AFOP. The prognosis
      of AFOP is unfavorable, associated with the pathologic characteristics and the
      clinical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The immune system activated by infection may
      play an important role in the pathogenesis of AFOP. Low-dose indomethacin
      combined with methylprednisolone may be a new choice for AFOP treatment.

PMID- 27249610
TI  - Computerized dynamic pupillometry indices mirrors the heart rate variability
      parameters.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Dynamic pupillometry (DP) is a simple, non-invasive computerized
      assessment of pupillary light response which provides data concerning both
      branches of the autonomous nervous system (ANS). Heart rate variability (HRV)
      analysis assess cardiac health and the ANS modulation on the heart. In this
      study, we aimed to evaluate the utility of DP as a predictor of cardiac autonomic
      activity assessed by HRV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 44 consecutive healthy
      subjects (mean age = 35.9 +/- 7.4 years, 24 males) were enrolled. Pupil diameters
      (R0, R1, R2 and R%): latency (Lc), amplitude (Ac), velocity (Vc) and duration of
      pupil contraction (Tc): latency (Ld), velocity (Vd) and duration of pupil
      dilatation (Td) were measured in DP. Time and frequency domain indices of HRV
      were obtained from 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. RESULTS:
      There were strong significant correlations of Vc with LF/HF (r = -0.672, p =
      0.001) and a measure of HRV: RMSDD (r = 0.654, p = 0.001). R% significantly
      correlated with PNN50 (r = -0.432, p = 0.003) and RMSDD (r = -0.422, p = 0.004)
      and LF/HF (r = 0.340, p = 0.024). Vc (beta = 0.647, p = 0.011) and Ac (beta =
      0.320, p = 0.013) were found as independent predictors of RMSSD. Vc (beta =
      0.578, p = 0.036) was found to be only significant predictor of PNN50. Vc (beta =
      -0.617, p = 0.008) and R% (beta = 0.309, p = 0.038) were found to be significant
      predictors of LF/HF. CONCLUSIONS: Pupillary autonomic functions assessed by DP
      correlates with cardiac autonomic functions evaluated by HRV. Among the DP
      parameters analyzed, Vc was a predictor of parasympathetic indices, and R% was a
      predictor of sympathetic indicators of cardiac autonomic functions.

PMID- 27249609
TI  - Statin-treated patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The cerebral vasospasm, delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND),
      mortality and poor neurological outcome induced by aneurysmal subarachnoid
      haemorrhage (SAH) remain the major causes of morbidity and mortality in
      aneurysmal SAH patients. The effects of statin-treated for aneurysmal SAH
      patients were not comprehensively assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
      systematically literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect
      and Web of Science to identify relevant studies update to March 2015. Data were
      extracted and appraised independently by two authors. Moreover, fixed or random
      effects models were applied to calculate pooled results based on the degree of
      heterogeneity. RESULT: Nine RCTs and three observational studies with a total of
      1957 patients met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that statin
      treatment was not associated with a decrease in the occurrence of DIND (RR: 0.81,
      95% CI: 0.66-1.00, p = 0.05), mortality (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.69-1.18, p = 0.46)
      and poor neurological outcome (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.86-1.20, p = 0.84),
      nonetheless, had a potential effect on reducing the incidence of vasospasm (RR:
      0.77, 95% CI: 0.66-0.89, p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicated
      that the use of statins decreases the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm, whereas
      did not support a beneficial effect of statins on the occurrence of DIND, death
      or poor neurological outcomes in patients with aneurysmal SAH.

PMID- 27249611
TI  - Malignant ventricular arrhythmias induction by programmed electrical stimulation
      of the right ventricular outflow tract only during type 1 Brugada ECG
      maximization.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The role of electrophysiology study in Brugada syndrome (BS) sudden
      cardiac death risk stratification remains controversial and seems to depend on
      the phenotypic expression of the channelopathy. Ajmaline has a key role in the
      diagnosis of BS. We observed that programmed electrical stimulation (PES) of the
      right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), only when type 1 BS ECG is unmasked by
      ajmaline administration, induces ventricular arrhythmias. CASE REPORT: We
      describe a case of ventricular fibrillation induction by PES of the RVOT when
      type 1 BS ECG is revealed by ajmaline, in a patient with a baseline dynamic
      intermittent type 1 and 2 BS ECG. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneous clinical
      presentations of BS are due to the underlying mechanisms. PES of the RVOT during
      positive ajmaline test maximizes the channelopathy and therefore sudden cardiac
      death risk-stratification in BS.

PMID- 27249612
TI  - The impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on plasma obestatin and ghrelin
      levels.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on
      the levels of obestatin and ghrelin hormones and body mass index (BMI) in
      morbidly obese patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 30 morbidly
      obese patients who had LSG. Five cc blood samples were taken from the patients
      preoperatively and at postoperative months 3 and 6. After serum extraction, the
      levels of obestatin and ghrelin hormones and the levels of fasting insulin and
      glucose were studied using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
      The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score was
      calculated. Preoperative and postoperative 3- and 6-month BMI were calculated.
      Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance, Bonferroni-Dunn Test, Spearman's correlation
      test, and Pearson's correlation test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS:
      BMI of the patients were statistically significantly reduced at postoperative
      months 3 and 6 compared to preoperative values, and at postoperative month 3
      compared to month 6 values (p < 0.001). Ghrelin values were higher at
      postoperative month 6 compared to the preoperative and postoperative month 3
      values (p < 0.001). Obestatin values of the patients were lower at postoperative
      month 6 compared to the preoperative and postoperative month3 values (p < 0.001).
      Insulin and glucose values were statistically significantly lower at
      postoperative months 3 and 6 compared to preoperative values (p < 0.001), whereas
      there was no difference between months 3 and 6. HOMA-IR score was significantly
      lower at postoperative month 3 compared to preoperative values (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: LSG enables effective weight loss and glucose regulation in obese
      patients. LSG has also effects on obestatin and ghrelin hormones, which are coded
      by the same gene and have opposing effects, and the associated mechanisms of
      which are still controversial. Obestatin produces a feeling of satiety, whereas
      ghrelin initiates eating by producing a feeling of hunger. The patients were
      observed to have increased ghrelin and reduced obestatin postoperatively due to a
      negative energy balance.

PMID- 27249613
TI  - Swimming intervention mitigates HFD-induced obesity of rats through PGC-1alpha
      irisin pathway.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Irisin, a newly discovered myokine, can drive the browning of white
      adipocytes to control body weight or mitigate obesity progression through
      regulating energy metabolism. However, the underlying mechanisms or specific
      signal pathways of exercise-induced irisin on the management of obesity are still
      unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally 30 rats were subjected to high fat diet
      (HFD) feeding for 8 weeks to establish the rat model with obesity successfully.
      HFD-induced obese model rats were provided with 8 weeks swimming intervention at
      moderate intensity for exploring the treatment of obesity through exercise
      intervention. In addition, another 15 rats were subjected to HFD feeding coupled
      with total 16 weeks swimming intervention at a moderate intensity from the
      beginning of the experiment, which was used for exploring the prevention of
      obesity through exercise intervention. Blood and gastrocnemius samples were
      harvested from obese rats after swimming intervention to explore its specific
      signal pathways through ELISA analysis and Western blotting. RESULTS: HFD feeding
      of rats for 8 weeks could lead to the obesity due to the disorders of lipid
      metabolism. Totally 8 weeks swimming intervention at moderate intensity for rats
      with obesity could obviously alleviate the progression of obesity and 16 weeks
      swimming intervention from the beginning of the experiment could significantly
      inhibit the development of obesity. Meanwhile, swimming intervention could result
      in an increased phosphorylation of AMPK and up-regulation of irisin and PGC
      1alpha as the biomarkers of energy metabolism. CONCLUSION: Exercise intervention
      can activate PGC-1alpha-dependent irisin to induce the browning of white
      adipocytes, thus inhibiting or alleviating the occurrence and development of
      obesity.

PMID- 27249614
TI  - Application of Boston matrix combined with SWOT analysis on operational
      development and evaluations of hospital development.
AB  - The aim of this study is to explore the application of Boston matrix combined
      with SWOT analysis on operational development and evaluations of hospital
      departments. We selected 73 clinical and medical technology departments of our
      hospital from 2011 to 2013, and evaluated our hospital by Boston matrix combined
      with SWOT analysis according to the volume of services, medical quality, work
      efficiency, patients' evaluations, development capacity, operational capability,
      economic benefits, comprehensive evaluation of hospital achievement, innovation
      ability of hospital, influence of hospital, human resources of hospital, health
      insurance costs, etc. It was found that among clinical departments, there were 11
      in Stars (22.4%), 17 in cash cow (34.7%), 15 in question marks (31.2%), 6 Dogs
      (12.2%), 16 in the youth stage of life cycle assessment (27.6%), 14 in the prime
      stage (24.1%), 12 in the stationary stage (20.7%), 9 in the aristocracy stage
      (15.5%) and 7 in the recession stage (12.1%). Among medical technology
      departments, there were 5 in Stars (20.8%), 1 in Cash cow (4.2%), 10 in question
      marks (41.6%), 8 Dogs (29.1%), 9 in the youth stage of life cycle assessment
      (37.5%), 4 in the prime stage (16.7%), 4 in the stable stage (16.7%), 1 in the
      aristocracy stage (4.2%) and 6 in the recession stage (25%). In conclusion,
      Boston matrix combined with SWOT analysis is suitable for operational development
      and comprehensive evaluations of hospital development, and it plays an important
      role in providing hospitals with development strategies.

PMID- 27249615
TI  - Mobile technology in health information systems - a review.
AB  - Mobile technology is getting involved in every sphere of life including medical
      health care. There has been an immense upsurge in mobile phone-based health
      innovations these days. The expansion of mobile phone networks and the
      proliferation of inexpensive mobile handsets have made the digital information
      and communication technology capabilities very handy for the people to exploit if
      for any utility including health care. The mobile phone based innovations are
      able to transform weak and under performing health information system into more
      modern and efficient information system. The present review article will
      enlighten all these aspects of mobile technology in health care.

PMID- 27249616
TI  - Sirt 1 activator attenuates the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice via
      inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on
      the idiopathic bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which is increasingly
      recognized as an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated disease.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the effect of resveratrol on the BLM-induced
      fibrosis in a mouse model, via monitoring the pathological chance in mice lung,
      the mice body weight change and the mice death. And we also explored the
      regulation by BLM on (and) resveratrol on the expression and activity of Sirt 1
      and on the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated
      markers in mice lung. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that resveratrol ameliorated
      the BLM-induced fibrosis-like pathological change in mice lung, inhibited BLM
      induced mice body weight loss and death. Moreover, resveratrol also inhibited the
      BLM-induced EMT-associated molecular events, such as reduced E-cadherin and
      elevated Collagen I and alpha-SMA. We also confirmed the amelioration by
      resveratrol on the BLM-mediated inhibition of Sirt 1 in expression and activity
      in mice lung. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the inhibitory role of resveratrol
      in the BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model. Resveratrol ameliorated
      the BLM-induced pathological change of fibrosis, mice body weight loss and death.
      And such amelioration might be associated with the activation of Sirt 1 in mice
      lung. The present study implied that resveratrol might be a promising agent for
      effective control the pulmonary fibrosis.

PMID- 27249617
TI  - Study on clinical effect and immunologic mechanism of infants capillary
      bronchitis secondary bronchial asthma treated with bacterial lysates Broncho
      Vaxom.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effects and immunologic mechanism of infant
      capillary bronchitis secondary bronchial asthma treated with bacterial lysates
      (Broncho-Vaxom OM-85BV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 2013 and February
      2014, 136 infant capillary bronchitis secondary bronchial asthma cases were
      chosen. This research was approved by Ethics Committee in our hospital and
      obtained the informed consent right from patients and guardians. Patients were
      divided into the control group (n = 62) and the observation group (n = 74) using
      random number table method. Patients in the control group were treated with
      normal glucocorticoid atomizing inhalation, aminophylline and antibiotic
      treatment. In the observation group besides the abovementioned treatment, we
      added Broncho-Vaxom OM-85BV, qd po for 10 days continuously and quitted it for 20
      days. This continued for a total of 3 months. Follow-ups were set for about one
      year to compare the effects. RESULTS: The onset frequency and duration of
      capillary bronchitis and asthma in observation group declined remarkably compared
      with control group and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
      The level of IL-17 and IL-4 in the observation group decreased significantly,
      whereas, the level of IL-10 and IFN- gamma increased considerably. Differences
      were all statistically significant (p < 0.05). Peripheral blood CD4+ T
      lymphocytes in the observation group patients expressed lower levels of nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptors alpha7 (alpha7nAChR) compared to the control group. Then
      difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Broncho-Vaxom
      OM-85BV reduced the onset of infant capillary bronchitis secondary bronchial
      asthma, relating to the reduced inflammation reaction. It also regulated the
      immunologic function of Th1/Th2, and lowered the alpha7nAChR level.

PMID- 27249618
TI  - Changes in cognitive function due to combined propofol and remifentanil treatment
      are associated with phosphorylation of Tau in the hippocampus, abnormal total
      water and calcium contents of the brain, and elevated serum S100beta levels.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Propofol and remifentanil are commonly used combined for anaesthesia
      and can cause cognitive dysfunction. We hypothesized that combined treatment with
      these drugs would exert its effect via increased phosphorylation of Tau protein
      in the brain hippocampus. To address this, we assessed cognitive function and
      extent phosphorylation of Tau in experimental animals treated with either drug or
      their combination. In addition, we documented other biochemical abnormalities,
      such as brain total calcium and water contents, and serum levels of S100beta
      protein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 5
      groups: control, model, propofol-treated, remifentanil-treated, and combined
      treatment groups (12 animals per group). The Morris water maze test assessed
      latent periods as a measure of cognitive function in experimental animals. Tau
      phosphorylation was quantified by immunohistochemistry and expressed as a number
      of cells with positive Tau expression and as average staining area. Brain water
      content was assessed by measuring wet and dry brain weights, and calcium content
      was evaluated by the flame atomic absorption spectroscopy method. Serum S100beta
      levels were assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: Treatment with propofol and remifentanil
      markedly increased the latent period in the Morris water maze test, increased
      number the extent of Tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus, adversely modulated
      total water and calcium content in the brain, and elevated serum S100beta levels.
      Under all conditions, combined treatment caused more pronounced effects on the
      studied outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol combined with remifentanil induces a
      cognitive decline which is associated with Tau phosphorylation and modulation of
      local and systemic biochemical parameters.

PMID- 27249619
TI  - The effect of desflurane on postoperative olfactory memory.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the effects of desflurane 6%, on
      olfactory memory. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective clinical study
      performed with 40 patients aged 18-60 who had elective surgery and American
      Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III. The Brief Smell
      Identification Test (BSIT) was used for evaluating patients' olfactory memories
      before and after the surgery. Patients received standard general anesthesia
      protocol and routine monitoring. For induction, 1.5 mg/kg of fentanyl, 2 mg/kg of
      propofol, and 0.5 mg/kg of rocuronium bromide were administered. Anesthesia was
      maintained with the inhalational of anesthetic desflurane (6%). The scores are
      recorded 30 minutes before the surgery and when the Aldrete Recovery Score
      reached 10 in the postoperative period. Preoperative and postoperative results
      were compared and p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
      RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 41.1+/-12.0. Preoperative total correct
      answer rate to odorous substances was 92.7%, and postoperative rate was 92.1%.
      Percentage of the odor substance identification by the patients revealed no
      statistically significant difference when pre and post-operative rates have been
      compared (p-value >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We have observed for the first time in the
      literature that general anesthesia using desflurane (6%) did not affect short
      term olfactory memory. Further studies will be necessary to confirm our findings
      with larger sample size.

PMID- 27249620
TI  - Does calcium dobesilate protect against intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury
      induced in rats?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated whether the administration of calcium
      dobesilate (CD) affects oxidative stress markers and histopathological outcomes
      in a rat model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This study was conducted with 30 male Wistar rats. The rats were
      randomly assigned to three groups as follows: a sham group (n = 10), an IR group
      (n = 10), and an IR + CD group (n = 10). In the sham group, superior mesenteric
      artery (SMA) dissection alone was performed during laparotomy. In the IR group,
      the procedure included SMA occlusion for 60 min, followed by reperfusion for 60
      min. In the IR + CD group, CD (100 mg/kg/day) was additionally given for two days
      before laparotomy by intragastric lavage. In all the rats, 2 ml of blood were
      drawn, and an ileal segment (approximately 2 cm in size) was removed to evaluate
      oxidative stress markers. The ileal segment removed was divided into two pieces,
      and one piece was reserved for histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Compared to
      the other groups, both serum and tissue oxidative stress indices were lower in
      the IR + CD group. The decrease was due to CD increasing the total antioxidant
      capacity. Moreover, the histological analysis showed that CD reduced tissue
      injury. CONCLUSIONS: CD may exert a protective effect against intestinal IR
      injury by increasing antioxidant capacity.

PMID- 27249621
TI  - Vitamin C suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced procoagulant response of human
      monocyte-derived macrophages.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although vitamin C is a strong antioxidant, the epidemiologic evidence
      to support its role in lowering risk of cardiovascular disease is inconsistent.
      In order to define the role of vitamin C in vascular pathophysiology, we have
      investigated the effect of vitamin C on the tissue factor (TF) and Factor VII
      Activating Protease (FSAP) expression induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in
      human monocyte-derived macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vitamin C at
      clinically relevant doses was tested to its ability to influence the LPS- and
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) - generating system of xanthine/xanthine oxidase
      (X/XO) NF-kB activity in human monocyte-derived macrophages. RESULTS: Vitamin C
      treatment prevents LPS- and ROS-induced DNA-binding activity of NF-kB in a
      concentration-dependent fashion. Vitamin C also inhibited the phosphorylation and
      proteolytic degradation of the inhibitor protein IkBa. In parallel to regulate NF
      kB activity, vitamin C reduced the expression of TF and FSAP, genes known to be
      induced by bacterial LPS and triggered the extrinsic coagulation cascade and
      linked thrombosis with inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C alters pro
      inflammatory and pro-coagulatory processes via inhibition of NF-kB activation and
      exerts beneficial antiatherogenic effects on human monocyte-derived macrophages
      in addition to its anti-oxidant properties.

PMID- 27249622
TI  - Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: early disease manifestations that
      the paediatrician must know.

PMID- 27249623
TI  - Large Annular Plaque on the Arm of a Patient With Recurrent Headaches.

PMID- 27249624
TI  - Exopisiod B and farylhydrazone C, two new alkaloids from the Antarctic-derived
      fungus Penicillium sp. HDN14-431.
AB  - Two new compounds, exopisiod B (1) and farylhydrazone C (2), together with two
      known compounds (3-4), were isolated from the Antarctic-derived fungus
      Penicillium sp. HDN14-431. Their structures including absolute configurations
      were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and TDDFT ECD calculations. The
      cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of all compounds were tested. 

PMID- 27249625
TI  - Application of texture analysis on parametric T1 and T2 maps for detection of
      hepatic fibrosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the utility of texture analysis of T1 and T2 maps for the
      detection of hepatic fibrosis in a murine model of hepatic fibrosis. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Following Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval, a
      dietary model of hepatic fibrosis was used and 15 ex vivo murine livers were
      examined. Images were acquired using a 30 mm bore 11.7T magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) scanner with a rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement
      sequence. Texture analysis was then employed, extracting texture features
      including histogram-based, gray-level co-occurrence matrix-based (GLCM), gray
      level run-length-based features (GLRL), gray-level gradient matrix (GLGM), and
      Laws' features. Areas under the curve (AUCs) were then calculated to determine
      the ability of texture features to detect hepatic fibrosis. RESULTS: Texture
      analysis of T1 maps identified very good to excellent discriminators of hepatic
      fibrosis within the histogram and GLGM categories. Histogram feature
      interquartile range (IQR) achieved an AUC value of 0.90 (P < 0.0001) and GLGM
      feature variance gradient achieved an AUC of 0.91 (P < 0.0001). Texture analysis
      of T2 maps identified very good to excellent discriminators of hepatic fibrosis
      within the histogram, GLCM, GLRL, and GLGM categories. GLGM feature kurtosis was
      the best discriminator of hepatic fibrosis, achieving an AUC value of 0.90 (P <
      0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the utility of texture analysis for
      the detection of hepatic fibrosis when applied to T1 and T2 maps in a murine
      model of hepatic fibrosis and validates the potential use of this technique for
      the noninvasive, quantitative assessment of hepatic fibrosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:250-259.

PMID- 27249626
TI  - Witnesses stumbling down memory lane: The effects of alcohol intoxication,
      retention interval, and repeated interviewing.
AB  - Intoxicated eyewitnesses are often discredited by investigators and in court, but
      few studies have examined how alcohol affects witnesses' memory. The primary aim
      of the present study was to examine how intoxication (alcohol vs. control),
      retention interval (immediate vs. one week delay), and number of interviews (one
      vs. two interviews) affect witnesses' memory. The participants (N = 99) were
      randomly assigned to consume either orange juice or alcohol mixed with orange
      juice, and they all witnessed a filmed mock crime afterwards. The recall took
      place either (a) immediately and after a one week delay or (b) after a one week
      delay only. No main effect of alcohol was found on the quantity or quality of the
      witnesses' statements. Both intoxicated and sober witnesses recalled more
      details, and were more accurate, during immediate compared to delayed recall. For
      witnesses interviewed twice, an average of 30% new details were provided in the
      second compared to the first interview, and these were highly accurate. In sum,
      contrary to what one can expect, intoxicated witnesses with a low to moderate
      blood alcohol concentration (below 0.10%) were reliable witnesses.

PMID- 27249627
TI  - Human annulus progenitor cells: Analyses of this viable endogenous cell
      population.
AB  - Back pain and intervertebral disc degeneration have growing socioeconomic/health
      care impacts. Increasing research efforts address use of stem and progenitor cell
      based replacement therapies to repopulate and regenerate the disc. Data presented
      here on the innate human annulus progenitor cells: (i) assessed osteogenic,
      chondrogenic and adipogenic potentials of cultured human annulus cells; and (ii)
      defined progenitor-cell related gene expression patterns. Verification of the
      presence of progenitor cells within primary human disc tissue also used
      immunohistochemical identification of cell surface markers and microarray
      analyses. Differentiation analysis in cell cultures demonstrated a viable
      progenitor cell pool within Thompson grades III-IV discs. Osteogenesis was
      present in 8 out of 11 cultures (73%), chondrogenesis in 8 of 11 (73%), and
      adipogenesis in 6 of 6 (100%). Immunolocalization was positive for CD29, CD44,
      CD105, and CD14 (mean values 80.2%, 81.5%, 85.1%, and 88.6%, respectively);
      localization of CD45 and CD34 was negative in disc tissue. Compared to controls,
      surgical discs showed significantly downregulated genes with recognized
      progenitor cell functions: TCF7L2 (2.7 fold), BMI1 (3.8 fold), FGF receptor 2 (2
      fold), PAFAH1B1 (2.3 fold), and GSTP1 (9 fold). Compared to healthier grade I/II
      discs, grade III/IV discs showed significantly upregulated XRCC5 (3.6 fold),
      TCF7L2 (6 fold), GSTP1 (3.7 fold), and BMI1 (3 fold). Additional significant cell
      marker analyses showed expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor
      alpha, CD90, CD73, and STRO-1. Statement of Clinical Significance: Findings
      provide the first identification of progenitor cells in annulus specimens from
      older, more degenerate discs (in contrast to earlier studies of healthier discs
      or nondegenerative specimens from teenagers). Findings also increase knowledge on
      progenitor cells present in the disc and suggest their value in potential future
      utilization for regeneration and disc cell therapy. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research
      Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1351-1360, 2016.

PMID- 27249628
TI  - Total Synthesis of Millingtonine.
AB  - Millingtonine is a glycosidic alkaloid that exists as a pair of pseudo
      enantiomeric diastereomers. Consideration of the likely biosynthetic origins of
      this unusual natural product has resulted in the development of a seven-step
      total synthesis. Results from this synthetic work provide evidence in support of
      a proposed network of biosynthetic pathways that can account for the formation of
      several phenylethanoid natural products.

PMID- 27249629
TI  - Assessment of semiempirical enthalpy of formation in solution as an effective
      energy function to discriminate native-like structures in protein decoy sets.
AB  - In this work, we tested the PM6, PM6-DH+, PM6-D3, and PM7 enthalpies of formation
      in aqueous solution as scoring functions across 33 decoy sets to discriminate
      native structures or good models in a decoy set. In each set these semiempirical
      quantum chemistry methods were compared according to enthalpic and geometric
      criteria. Enthalpically, we compared the methods according to how much lower was
      the enthalpy of each native, when compared with the mean enthalpy of its set.
      Geometrically, we compared the methods according to the fraction of native
      contacts (Q), which is a measure of geometric closeness between an arbitrary
      structure and the native. For each set and method, the Q of the best decoy was
      compared with the Q0 , which is the Q of the decoy closest to the native in the
      set. It was shown that the PM7 method is able to assign larger energy differences
      between the native structure and the decoys in a set, arguably because of a
      better description of dispersion interactions, however PM6-DH+ was slightly
      better than the rest at selecting geometrically good models in the absence of a
      native structure in the set. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27249638
TI  - Girls can play ball: Stereotype threat reduces variability in a motor skill.
AB  - The majority of research on stereotype threat shows what is expected: threat
      debilitates performance. However, facilitation is also possible, although seldom
      reported. This study investigated how stereotype threat influences novice females
      when performing the sensorimotor task of bouncing a ball to a target. We tested
      the predictions of two prevailing accounts for debilitation and facilitation due
      to sterotype threat effects: working memory and mere effort. Experimental results
      showed that variability in performance decreased more in stigmatized females than
      in control females, consistent with the prediction of the mere effort account,
      but inconsistent with the working memory account. These findings suggest that
      stereotype threat effects may be predicated upon the correctness of the dominant
      motor behavior, rather than on a novice-expert distinction or task difficulty.
      Further, a comprehensive understanding should incorporate the fact that
      stereotype threat can facilitate, as well as debilitate, performance. 

PMID- 27249639
TI  - From the Bob/Kirk effect to the Benoit/Eric effect: Testing the mechanism of name
      sound symbolism in two languages.
AB  - Although it is often assumed that language involves an arbitrary relationship
      between form and meaning, many studies have demonstrated that nonwords like
      maluma are associated with round shapes, while nonwords like takete are
      associated with sharp shapes (i.e., the Maluma/Takete effect, Kohler, 1929/1947).
      The majority of the research on sound symbolism has used nonwords, but Sidhu and
      Pexman (2015) recently extended this effect to existing labels: real English
      first names (i.e., the Bob/Kirk effect). In the present research we tested
      whether the effects of name sound symbolism generalize to French speakers
      (Experiment 1) and French names (Experiment 2). In addition, we assessed the
      underlying mechanism of name sound symbolism, investigating the roles of
      phonology and orthography in the effect. Results showed that name sound symbolism
      does generalize to French speakers and French names. Further, this robust effect
      remained the same when names were presented in a curved vs. angular font
      (Experiment 3), or when the salience of orthographic information was reduced
      through auditory presentation (Experiment 4). Together these results suggest that
      the Bob/Kirk effect is pervasive, and that it is based on fundamental features of
      name phonemes. 

PMID- 27249640
TI  - Assessment of diabetes care and the healthcare system in economically and
      transport underdeveloped rural mountain areas of western China: A cross-sectional
      survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of diabetes
      care and characteristics of the healthcare system in underdeveloped rural
      mountain areas of western China. METHODS: Questionnaires were used to collect
      data from 288 diabetic patients with a multistage cluster sampling method in
      Zhongjiang County (Sichuan Province) between October 2009 and April 2010. Sixty
      two village clinics, 23 town health centers, and a county central hospital were
      included to assess the availability of diabetes-related medical resources, in
      addition to diabetes-related medical insurance, reimbursement policies, and
      manpower. RESULTS: Of 288 patients, 38.2 % monitored their blood glucose
      regularly. Targets for fasting blood glucose (<=7 mmol/L) and blood pressure
      (<=130/80 mmHg) were achieved by 7.6 % and 9.7 % of patients, respectively. On
      average, each patient paid US$120 out of pocket annually for out-patient diabetes
      care, with a maximum US$86 reimbursed. The county central hospital was the only
      healthcare facility in the county that could provide all essential diabetes
      related drugs and process-of-care measures and tests, except measures of HbA1c
      and the urinary albumin: creatinine ratio. Insulin was not available at village
      clinics, and only 29 % of village clinics had glucometers. "Certified" doctors
      were not available to provide primary care in village clinics. CONCLUSIONS: The
      quality of diabetes care was quite poor in underdeveloped rural mountain areas of
      western China. Recommendations for further intervention research to improve
      diabetes healthcare include increasing investment in medical infrastructure,
      improving the availability of essential drugs and process measures, organizing
      regular diabetes patient education, and recruiting village doctors.

PMID- 27249641
TI  - Ex vivo mammalian prions are formed of paired double helical prion protein
      fibrils.
AB  - Mammalian prions are hypothesized to be fibrillar or amyloid forms of prion
      protein (PrP), but structures observed to date have not been definitively
      correlated with infectivity and the three-dimensional structure of infectious
      prions has remained obscure. Recently, we developed novel methods to obtain
      exceptionally pure preparations of prions from mouse brain and showed that
      pathogenic PrP in these high-titre preparations is assembled into rod-like
      assemblies. Here, we have used precise cell culture-based prion infectivity
      assays to define the physical relationship between the PrP rods and prion
      infectivity and have used electron tomography to define their architecture. We
      show that infectious PrP rods isolated from multiple prion strains have a common
      hierarchical assembly comprising twisted pairs of short fibres with repeating
      substructure. The architecture of the PrP rods provides a new structural basis
      for understanding prion infectivity and can explain the inability to
      systematically generate high-titre synthetic prions from recombinant PrP.

PMID- 27249643
TI  - Correction: Crosslinking of a Peritrophic Matrix Protein Protects Gut Epithelia
      from Bacterial Exotoxins.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005244.].

PMID- 27249644
TI  - Orthogonal Discrimination among Functional Groups in Ullmann-Type C-O and C-N
      Couplings.
AB  - The copper-catalyzed arylation of nucleophiles has been established as an
      efficient methodology for the formation of C-C and C-heteroatom bonds.
      Considering the advances during the last two decades, the ligand choice plays a
      key role in such transformations and can strongly influence the catalytic
      efficiency. The applicability of these Ullmann-type coupling reactions regarding
      the orthogonal selectivity of different functional groups constitutes a
      challenging subject for current synthetic strategies. Herein, we report a useful
      toolkit of Cu-based catalysts for the chemoselective arylation of a wide-range of
      nucleophiles in competitive reactions using aryl iodides and bromides. We show in
      this work that the arylation of all kinds of amides can be orthogonal to that of
      amines (aliphatic or aromatic) and phenol derivatives. This high chemoselectivity
      can be governed by the use of different ligands, yielding the desired coupling
      products under mild conditions. The selectivity trends are maintained for
      electronically biased iodobenzene and bromobenzene electrophiles. Radical clock
      experiments discard the occurrence of radical-based mechanisms.

PMID- 27249642
TI  - Structure of astrotactin-2: a conserved vertebrate-specific and perforin-like
      membrane protein involved in neuronal development.
AB  - The vertebrate-specific proteins astrotactin-1 and 2 (ASTN-1 and ASTN-2) are
      integral membrane perforin-like proteins known to play critical roles in
      neurodevelopment, while ASTN-2 has been linked to the planar cell polarity
      pathway in hair cells. Genetic variations associated with them are linked to a
      variety of neurodevelopmental disorders and other neurological pathologies,
      including an advanced onset of Alzheimer's disease. Here we present the structure
      of the majority endosomal region of ASTN-2, showing it to consist of a unique
      combination of polypeptide folds: a perforin-like domain, a minimal epidermal
      growth factor-like module, a unique form of fibronectin type III domain and an
      annexin-like domain. The perforin-like domain differs from that of other members
      of the membrane attack complex-perforin (MACPF) protein family in ways that
      suggest ASTN-2 does not form pores. Structural and biophysical data show that
      ASTN-2 (but not ASTN-1) binds inositol triphosphates, suggesting a mechanism for
      membrane recognition or secondary messenger regulation of its activity. The
      annexin-like domain is closest in fold to repeat three of human annexin V and
      similarly binds calcium, and yet shares no sequence homology with it. Overall,
      our structure provides the first atomic-resolution description of a MACPF protein
      involved in development, while highlighting distinctive features of ASTN-2
      responsible for its activity.

PMID- 27249645
TI  - Basics to perform and present statistical analyses in scientific biomedical
      reports. Part 2.

PMID- 27249647
TI  - Validation of NINDS-VCI Neuropsychology Protocols for Vascular Cognitive
      Impairment in Taiwan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To validate the three time-difference neuropsychological protocols
      developed by the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Neurological
      Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the Canadian Stroke Network for assessment of
      vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) in Mandarin-speaking subjects and to
      investigate the clinical application of the shortest form. METHODS: Patients aged
      50 years or older who had a stroke were invited to participate in the study.
      Clinical diagnosis of VCI was made. The NINDS-VCI Neuropsychology Protocols, 60-,
      30-, and two 5-minute protocols, were administered. The criteria validities of
      the cognitive protocols against the diagnoses of stroke and VCI were determined
      via Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. The optimal cut-off point
      for the 5-minute protocols total score was estimated for clinical use in
      screening. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients and 53 controls were recruited during
      the study period. Patients with stroke performed more poorly than the control
      group in the three neuropsychological protocols. Forty-two patients with stroke
      were diagnosed with VCI. VCI was used as the standard to estimate the criteria
      validities. The area under the ROC curve was 0.78, 0.80, 0.75, and 0.73 for the
      60-, 30-, 5-mintue protocol-A and 5-minute protocol-B, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      These modified neuropsychological protocols can be used as valid instruments when
      performing comprehensive cognitive assessment or for screening of VCI in Taiwan.

PMID- 27249646
TI  - APOBEC4 Enhances the Replication of HIV-1.
AB  - APOBEC4 (A4) is a member of the AID/APOBEC family of cytidine deaminases. In this
      study we found a high mRNA expression of A4 in human testis. In contrast, there
      were only low levels of A4 mRNA detectable in 293T, HeLa, Jurkat or A3.01 cells.
      Ectopic expression of A4 in HeLa cells resulted in mostly cytoplasmic
      localization of the protein. To test whether A4 has antiviral activity similar to
      that of proteins of the APOBEC3 (A3) subfamily, A4 was co-expressed in 293T cells
      with wild type HIV-1 and HIV-1 luciferase reporter viruses. We found that A4 did
      not inhibit the replication of HIV-1 but instead enhanced the production of HIV-1
      in a dose-dependent manner and seemed to act on the viral LTR. A4 did not show
      detectable cytidine deamination activity in vitro and weakly interacted with
      single-stranded DNA. The presence of A4 in virus producer cells enhanced HIV-1
      replication by transiently transfected A4 or stably expressed A4 in HIV
      susceptible cells. APOBEC4 was capable of similarly enhancing transcription from
      a broad spectrum of promoters, regardless of whether they were viral or
      mammalian. We hypothesize that A4 may have a natural role in modulating host
      promoters or endogenous LTR promoters. 

PMID- 27249648
TI  - Effects of a novel NADPH oxidase inhibitor (S42909) on wound healing in an
      experimental ischemic excisional skin model.
AB  - Chronic wounds are a serious healthcare problem. As non-healing wounds involve
      continuous pathologic inflammatory stage, research is focused on anti
      inflammatory treatments. Our objective was to analyze the effect of S42909, a
      potent NADPH oxidase inhibitor activity, with vascular anti-inflammatory
      properties. An ischemic rabbit ear ulcer model (24 New Zealand white rabbits) was
      used to evaluate the reepithelialization/contraction areas, anti-/pro
      inflammatory cytokines mRNA (TGF-beta1/IL-10/IFN-gamma/VEGF) by qRT-PCR, collagen
      I/III deposition, and neovascularization (TGF-beta1/VEGF) by morphological and
      immunohistochemical analyses. Three different doses were administered by gavage
      for 2 weeks: 10 and 30 mg/kg/d in self-microemulsion drug delivery system
      (SMEDDS) and 100 mg/kg/d in arabic gum. Each vehicle was used as control. No
      signs of infection or necrosis were found. Reepithelialization was almost
      complete whatever the groups reaching 95% at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Wound
      contraction was significantly reduced in all S42909-treated groups. A significant
      increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-beta1 mRNA and IL-10 mRNA was
      observed at the dose of 100 and 30 mg/kg/d, respectively. No changes were
      observed in pro-inflammatory factors INF-gamma and VEGF mRNA. Ischemic skin wound
      areas had scarce expression of collagen I/III and showed rich glycosaminoglycans
      content. Treatment increased the collagen deposition and TGF-beta1 protein
      expression and decreased glycosaminoglycan content dose dependently; however, no
      effect in VEGF was appreciated. Therefore, our results indicate that S42909
      improved healing process by dampening excessive inflammation and facilitating
      collagen deposition without wound contraction phenomena. S42909 might be a
      promising therapy to treat chronic wounds as venous leg ulcers.

PMID- 27249649
TI  - Impact of Insertion Sequences and Recombination on the Population Structure of
      Staphylococcus haemolyticus.
AB  - Staphylococcus haemolyticus is one of the most common pathogens associated with
      medical-device related infections, but its molecular epidemiology is poorly
      explored. In the current study, we aimed to better understand the genetic
      mechanisms contributing to S. haemolyticus diversity in the hospital environment
      and their impact on the population structure and clinical relevant phenotypic
      traits. The analysis of a representative S. haemolyticus collection by multilocus
      sequence typing (MLST) has identified a single highly prevalent and diverse
      genetic lineage of nosocomial S. haemolyticus clonal complex (CC) 29 accounting
      for 91% of the collection of isolates disseminated worldwide. The examination of
      the sequence changes at MLST loci during clonal diversification showed that
      recombination had a higher impact than mutation in shaping the S. haemolyticus
      population. Also, we ascertained that another mechanism contributing
      significantly to clonal diversification and adaptation was mediated by insertion
      sequence (IS) elements. We found that all nosocomial S. haemolyticus, belonging
      to different STs, were rich in IS1272 copies, as determined by Southern
      hybridization of macrorestriction patterns. In particular, we observed that the
      chromosome of a S. haemolyticus strain within CC29 was highly unstable during
      serial growth in vitro which paralleled with IS1272 transposition events and
      changes in clinically relevant phenotypic traits namely, mannitol fermentation,
      susceptibility to beta-lactams, biofilm formation and hemolysis. Our results
      suggest that recombination and IS transposition might be a strategy of
      adaptation, evolution and pathogenicity of the major S. haemolyticus prevalent
      lineage in the hospital environment. 

PMID- 27249650
TI  - High Levels of Sample-to-Sample Variation Confound Data Analysis for Non-Invasive
      Prenatal Screening of Fetal Microdeletions.
AB  - Our goal was to test the hypothesis that inter-individual genomic copy number
      variation in control samples is a confounding factor in the non-invasive prenatal
      detection of fetal microdeletions via the sequence-based analysis of maternal
      plasma DNA. The database of genomic variants (DGV) was used to determine the
      "Genomic Variants Frequency" (GVF) for each 50kb region in the human genome.
      Whole genome sequencing of fifteen karyotypically normal maternal plasma and six
      CVS DNA controls samples was performed. The coefficient of variation of relative
      read counts (cv.RTC) for these samples was determined for each 50kb region.
      Maternal plasma from two pregnancies affected with a chromosome 5p microdeletion
      was also sequenced, and analyzed using the GCREM algorithm. We found strong
      correlation between high variance in read counts and GVF amongst controls.
      Consequently we were unable to confirm the presence of the microdeletion via
      sequencing of maternal plasma samples obtained from two sequential affected
      pregnancies. Caution should be exercised when performing NIPT for microdeletions.
      It is vital to develop our understanding of the factors that impact the
      sensitivity and specificity of these approaches. In particular, benign copy
      number variation amongst controls is a major confounder, and their effects should
      be corrected bioinformatically. 

PMID- 27249652
TI  - Friction and nonlinear dynamics.
AB  - The nonlinear dynamics associated with sliding friction forms a broad
      interdisciplinary research field that involves complex dynamical processes and
      patterns covering a broad range of time and length scales. Progress in
      experimental techniques and computational resources has stimulated the
      development of more refined and accurate mathematical and numerical models,
      capable of capturing many of the essentially nonlinear phenomena involved in
      friction.

PMID- 27249651
TI  - HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha induced angiogenesis in gastrointestinal vascular
      malformation and reversed by thalidomide.
AB  - Thalidomide is used in clinical practice to treat gastrointestinal vascular
      malformation (GIVM), but the pathogenesis of GIVM is not clear. Hypoxia inducible
      factor 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) and 2 alpha (HIF-2alpha/EPAS1) are in the same family
      and act as master regulators of the adaptive response to hypoxia. HIF-1alpha and
      HIF-2alpha are up-regulated in vascular malformations in intestinal tissues from
      GIVM patients, but not in adjacent normal vessels. Therefore, we investigated the
      role of HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha during angiogenesis and the mechanism of
      thalidomide action. In vitro experiments confirmed that vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF) was a direct target of HIF-2alpha and that HIF-1alpha and
      HIF-2alpha regulated NOTCH1, Ang2, and DLL4, which enhanced vessel-forming of
      endothelial cells. Thalidomide down-regulated the expression of HIF-1alpha and
      HIF-2alpha and inhibited angiogenesis. In vivo zebrafish experiments suggested
      that HIF-2alpha overexpression was associated with abnormal subintestinal
      vascular (SIV) sprouting, which was reversed by thalidomide. This result
      indicated that thalidomide regulated angiogenesis via the inhibition of HIF
      1alpha and HIF-2alpha expression, which further regulated downstream factors,
      including VEGF, NOTCH1, DLL4, and Ang2. The abnormally high expression of HIF
      1alpha and HIF-2alpha may contribute to GIVM.

PMID- 27249653
TI  - Establishment of a Wheat Cell-Free Synthesized Protein Array Containing 250 Human
      and Mouse E3 Ubiquitin Ligases to Identify Novel Interaction between E3 Ligases
      and Substrate Proteins.
AB  - Ubiquitination is a key post-translational modification in the regulation of
      numerous biological processes in eukaryotes. The primary roles of ubiquitination
      are thought to be the triggering of protein degradation and the regulation of
      signal transduction. During protein ubiquitination, substrate specificity is
      mainly determined by E3 ubiquitin ligase (E3). Although more than 600 genes in
      the human genome encode E3, the E3s of many target proteins remain unidentified
      owing to E3 diversity and the instability of ubiquitinated proteins in cell. We
      demonstrate herein a novel biochemical analysis for the identification of E3s
      targeting specific proteins. Using wheat cell-free protein synthesis system, a
      protein array containing 227 human and 23 mouse recombinant E3s was synthesized.
      To establish the high-throughput binding assay using AlphaScreen technology, we
      selected MDM2 and p53 as the model combination of E3 and its target protein. The
      AlphaScreen assay specifically detected the binding of p53 and MDM2 in a crude
      translation mixture. Then, a comprehensive binding assay using the E3 protein
      array was performed. Eleven of the E3s showed high binding activity, including
      four previously reported E3s (e.g., MDM2, MDM4, and WWP1) targeting p53. This
      result demonstrated the reliability of the assay. Another interactors, RNF6 and
      DZIP3-which there have been no report to bind p53-were found to ubiquitinate p53
      in vitro. Further analysis showed that RNF6 decreased the amount of p53 in H1299
      cells in E3 activity-dependent manner. These results suggest the possibility that
      the RNF6 ubiquitinates and degrades p53 in cells. The novel in vitro screening
      system established herein is a powerful tool for finding novel E3s of a target
      protein. 

PMID- 27249655
TI  - Effect of Foot Progression Angle and Lateral Wedge Insole on a Reduction in Knee
      Adduction Moment.
AB  - This study evaluated the effect of foot progression angle on the reduction in
      knee adduction moment caused by a lateral wedged insole during walking. Twenty
      healthy, young volunteers walked 10 m at their comfortable velocity wearing a
      lateral wedged insole or control flat insole in 3 foot progression angle
      conditions: natural, toe-out, and toe-in. A 3-dimensional rigid link model was
      used to calculate the external knee adduction moment, the moment arm of ground
      reaction force to knee joint center, and the reduction ratio of knee adduction
      moment and moment arm. The result indicated that the toe-out condition and
      lateral wedged insole decreased the knee adduction moment in the whole stance
      phase. The reduction ratio of the knee adduction moment and the moment arm
      exhibited a close relationship. Lateral wedged insoles decreased the knee
      adduction moment in various foot progression angle conditions due to decrease of
      the moment arm of the ground reaction force. Moreover, the knee adduction moment
      during the toe-out gait with lateral wedged insole was the smallest due to the
      synergistic effect of the lateral wedged insole and foot progression angle.
      Lateral wedged insoles may be a valid intervention for patients with knee
      osteoarthritis regardless of the foot progression angle. 

PMID- 27249654
TI  - Effects of Sublethal Concentrations of Cyantraniliprole on the Development,
      Fecundity and Nutritional Physiology of the Black Cutworm Agrotis ipsilon
      (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - To better understand the sublethal effects of cyantraniliprole on the black
      cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), several studies were carried
      out to investigate sublethal effects on development stages, population
      parameters, feeding indices and nutrient content of A. ipsilon. The result of a
      bioassay showed that cyantraniliprole had high toxicity against A. ipsilon fourth
      instar larvae with an LC50 of 0.354 MUg.g-1 using an artificial diet. Compared
      with controls, sublethal doses of cyantraniliprole at LC5, LC20 and LC40 levels
      prolonged larval and pupal duration and extended mean generation time and total
      preovipositional period. In addition, survival rate, reproductive value,
      intrinsic and finite rates of increase and net reproduction rate declined
      significantly. Meanwhile, cyantraniliprole had markedly antifeedant effects;
      decreased the relative growth rate (RGR), the relative consumption rate (RCR),
      the efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), the efficiency of conversion
      of digested food (ECD); and increased the approximate digestibility (AD)
      significantly. This phenomenon contributed to the decrease of nutrient contents,
      including lipids, protein and carbohydrates, to the point that insufficient
      energy was available for normal growth. Therefore, sublethal concentrations of
      cyantraniliprole decreased growth speed and reduced population reproduction of A.
      ipsilon. This result provides information useful in integrated pest management
      (IPM) programs for A. ipsilon. 

PMID- 27249657
TI  - Community-based Participatory Research Is Needed to Address Pulmonary Health
      Disparities.
AB  - Socioeconomic and racial disparities in the outcomes of medical management remain
      common across pulmonary diseases in the United States and worldwide.
      Acknowledging this, the American Thoracic Society recently put forth
      recommendations to advance respiratory health equity. Through engagement of
      vulnerable communities in search of collaborative solutions to improve health
      disparities, community-based participatory research embodies concepts essential
      to the American Thoracic Society mission for respiratory health equity. The
      purpose of this commentary is to provide an overview of the principles of
      community-based participatory research and the application of this approach to
      addressing inequity in the outcomes of treatment for lung disease. Community
      based participatory research aims to decrease health disparities by recognizing
      the social and ecological paradigms of health care and by partnering community
      members with academic researchers in all aspects of the research process.
      Community partners are uniquely poised to offer insight into local culture,
      circumstances that guide health behaviors, and other challenges to improve their
      own community's health. Sustainable interventions, either through strengthening
      existing community assets or through community empowerment and local capacity
      building throughout the research process, are essential to the success of
      community-based participatory research. The National Institutes of Health and
      other funding agencies offer funding opportunities to support specific
      interventions aimed at engaging community members in the research process. In
      pulmonary medicine, community-based initiatives have focused primarily on
      improving pediatric asthma outcomes. Using a community-based approach in adult
      asthma and other pulmonary diseases could be an ideal manner in which to decrease
      pulmonary health disparities.

PMID- 27249656
TI  - Statistical modeling of ICEEG features that determine resection planning.
AB  - OBJECT: The interpretation of intracranial EEG (ICEEG) recordings is a complex
      balance of the significance of specific rhythms and their relative timing to
      seizure onset. Ictal and interictal findings are evaluated in light of findings
      from cortical stimulation of eloquent cortex to determine the area of resection.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with ICEEG electrodes and subsequent surgical
      resection were retrospectively identified. Only the first 15s of ictal activity,
      which was divided into five 3-s epochs, was considered. Every electrode in each
      patient was considered a separate observation in a logistic regression model to
      predict whether the cortex under a given electrode was included in the planned
      resection. RESULTS: 19 included patients had a total of 37 unique seizures.
      Recordings from a total of 1306 electrodes were analyzed. The strongest
      predictors of resection of cortex underlying a given electrode was the presence
      of low-voltage fast activity in Epoch 1, rhythmic spikes in Epoch 1, interictal
      paroxysmal fast activity, and low-voltage fast activity in Epoch 2. High
      amplitude beta spikes and rhythmic slow waves were also significant predictors in
      Epoch 1. Interictal spikes had a higher odds ratio of affecting the planned
      resection if described as "continuous" or "very frequent". The presence of motor
      or language cortex were the strongest negative predictors of resecting underlying
      cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Here we describe a novel model of ictal and interictal
      patterns significantly associated with the inclusion of cortex underlying a given
      ICEEG electrode in the surgical resection plan.

PMID- 27249658
TI  - Risk Factors for Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli in Pigs Receiving
      Oral Antimicrobial Treatment: A Systematic Review.
AB  - The aim of this literature review was to identify risk factors in addition to
      antimicrobial treatment for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurrence in
      commensal Escherichia coli in pigs. A variety of studies were searched in 2014
      and 2015. Studies identified as potentially relevant were assessed against
      eligibility criteria such as observation or experiment (no review), presentation
      of risk factors in addition to (single dosage) antimicrobial use, risk factors
      for but not resulting from AMR, and the same antimicrobial used and tested.
      Thirteen articles (nine on observational, four on experimental studies) were
      finally selected as relevant. It was reported that space allowance, production
      size/stage, cleanliness, entry of animals and humans into herds,
      dosage/frequency/route of administration, time span between treatment and
      sampling date, herd size, distance to another farm, coldness, and season had an
      impact on AMR occurrence. Associations were shown by one to four studies per
      factor and differed in magnitude, direction, and level of significance. The risk
      of bias was unclear in nearly half of the information of observational studies
      and in most of the information from experimental studies. Further research on the
      effects of specific management practices is needed to develop well-founded
      management advice.

PMID- 27249659
TI  - What Torture Survivors Teach Assessors About Being More Fully Human.
AB  - This article illustrates the complex sociocultural components in the forensic
      psychological assessment of a young Ethiopian woman's claim for political asylum
      due to a well-founded fear of persecution and for relief under the Convention
      Against Torture. It draws attention to the subtle social and cultural influences
      in the practice of forensic psychological assessment with an emphasis of
      reflective practice, which is contextualized in the interpersonal theory of
      Sullivan. In the interpersonal approach, the essential work of the assessor is to
      pay careful attention to the microinteractions between the client and the
      assessor as reflections of the interpersonal (meaning social and cultural)
      processes, eschewing the illusion of objectivity. In this case study, I
      illustrate the particular cultural dilemmas for client and assessor in conducting
      a forensic assessment of psychological trauma, including cross-cultural, gender,
      and legal difficulties in arriving at an informed, objective, and compassionate
      assessment of an individual seeking asylum after an especially brutal experience
      of torture. I argue that collaborative therapeutic assessment methods adapted for
      forensic practice offer an approach to assessment of psychological trauma that
      provides more accurate and compassionate assessment than so-called neutral
      standard forensic assessment practice. 

PMID- 27249660
TI  - Clinical and genetic predictors of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor treatment
      response in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - AIM: To determine the clinical and genetic predictors of the dipeptidyl peptidase
      4 (DPP-4) inhibitor treatment response in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
      patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: DPP4, WFS1 and KCNJ11 gene polymorphisms were
      genotyped in a cohort study of 662 T2DM patients treated with DPP-4 inhibitors
      sitagliptin, vildagliptin or linagliptin. Genotyping was performed by Applied
      Biosystems TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. RESULTS: Patients with triglyceride
      levels less than 1.7 mmol/l (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2.; 95% CI: 1.031-4.723),
      diastolic blood pressure (DBP) less than 90 mmHg (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.009-2.892)
      and KCNJ11 rs2285676 (genotype CC) (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.025-3.767) were more
      likely to response to DPP-4 inhibitor treatment compared with other patients, as
      measured by HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: Triglycerides, DBP and KCNJ11 rs2285676 are
      predictors of the DPP-4 inhibitor treatment response in T2DM patients.

PMID- 27249662
TI  - Observation of Organic Molecules at the Aerosol Surface.
AB  - Organic molecules at the gas-particle interface of atmospheric aerosols influence
      the heterogeneous chemistry of the aerosol and impact climate properties. The
      ability to probe the molecules at the aerosol particle surface in situ therefore
      is important but has been proven challenging. We report the first successful
      observations of molecules at the surface of laboratory-generated aerosols
      suspended in air using the surface-sensitive technique second harmonic light
      scattering (SHS). As a demonstration, we detect trans-4-[4-(dibutylamino)styryl]
      1-methylpyridinium iodide and determine its population and adsorption free energy
      at the surface of submicron aerosol particles. This work illustrates a new and
      versatile experimental approach for studying how aerosol composition may affect
      the atmospheric properties. 

PMID- 27249661
TI  - A rare case of rapidly progressive dementia with elevated RT-QuIC and negative 14
      3-3 and tau proteins.
AB  - Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is characterized by rapidly progressing dementia
      with death usually occurring within 6 months. There is no verified disease
      specific pre-mortem diagnostic test besides brain biopsy. We describe a 66 y old
      previously high functioning male who presented with a 5 month history of rapidly
      progressive dementia. Neurological examination revealed a score of 19/30 on MOCA
      testing. An extensive workup into various causes of dementia including
      electroencephalography and imaging studies was unremarkable. The cerebrospinal
      fluid was sent to National Prion Disease Center and it revealed elevated RT-QuIC
      levels with negative 14-3-3 and T tau proteins. Based on literature review, our
      case is one of few living subjects with elevated RT-QuIC levels and negative 14-3
      3 and tau proteins.

PMID- 27249663
TI  - Multidisciplinary discussion for diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in real
      life.

PMID- 27249664
TI  - Phytovolatilization of Organic Contaminants.
AB  - Plants can interact with a variety of organic compounds, and thereby affect the
      fate and transport of many environmental contaminants. Volatile organic compounds
      may be volatilized from stems or leaves (direct phytovolatilization) or from soil
      due to plant root activities (indirect phytovolatilization). Fluxes of
      contaminants volatilizing from plants are important across scales ranging from
      local contaminant spills to global fluxes of methane emanating from ecosystems
      biochemically reducing organic carbon. In this article past studies are reviewed
      to clearly differentiate between direct- and indirect-phytovolatilization and we
      discuss the plant physiology driving phytovolatilization in different ecosystems.
      Current measurement techniques are also described, including common difficulties
      in experimental design. We also discuss reports of phytovolatilization in the
      literature, finding that compounds with low octanol-air partitioning coefficients
      are more likely to be phytovolatilized (log KOA < 5). Reports of direct
      phytovolatilization at field sites compare favorably to model predictions.
      Finally, future research needs are presented that could better quantify
      phytovolatilization fluxes at field scale. 

PMID- 27249665
TI  - Gadolinium(III) Porpholactones as Efficient and Robust Singlet Oxygen
      Photosensitizers.
AB  - Construction of Gd(III) photosensitizers is important for designing theranostic
      agents owing to the unique properties arising from seven unpaired f electrons of
      the Gd(3+) ion. Combining these with the advantages of porpholactones with
      tunable NIR absorption, we herein report the synthesis of Gd(III) complexes Gd-1
      4 (1, porphyrin; 2, porpholactone; 3 and 4, cis- and trans-porphodilactone,
      respectively) and investigated their function as singlet oxygen ((1) O2 )
      photosensitizers. These Gd complexes displayed (1) O2 quantum yields (PhiDelta s)
      from 0.64-0.99 with the order Gd-1<Gd-2<Gd-3<Gd-4. The gradually enhanced (1) O2
      sensitization after beta-oxazolone moiety replacement was ascribed to the
      narrowing of the energy gap (DeltaE) between the lowest triplet states (T1 ) of
      the ligand and the energy level of the (1) Deltag ->(3) Sigmag transition of (1)
      O2 . In particular, Gd-4 is capable of excitation in the visible to NIR region
      (400-700 nm) with a quantum yield near unity. These Gd complexes were first
      demonstrated as efficient photosensitizers in photocatalysis such as oxidative C
      H bond functionalization of secondary or tertiary amines, and the oxygenation of
      the natural product cholesterol. Finally, after glycosylation, these water
      soluble Gd complexes showed potential applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT)
      in HeLa cells. This work revealed that Gd(III) complexes of "bioinspired" beta
      modified porpholactones are efficient NIR photosensitizers and form a chemical
      basis to construct appealing photocatalysts and theranostic agents based on
      lanthanides. 

PMID- 27249666
TI  - In Vivo Goblet Cell Density as a Potential Indicator of Glaucoma Filtration
      Surgery Outcome.
AB  - PURPOSE: We analyzed the preoperative conjunctival goblet cell density (GCD),
      MUC5AC, and HLA-DR in glaucomatous patients undergoing trabeculectomy, using
      laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and impression cytology (IC). METHODS:
      We enrolled 57 patients undergoing trabeculectomy. At baseline LSCM and IC were
      performed at the site planned for surgery; LSCM was repeated after 12 months at
      the bleb site. The main outcomes were: GCD, mean microcyst density (MMD) and area
      (MMA) at LSCM, MUC5AC, and HLA-DR positivity at IC, and IOP. The relationships
      between baseline GCD, and 12-month IOP, MMD, and MMA were analyzed. RESULTS:
      Trabeculectomy was successful in 39 patients (complete success in 27, Group 1;
      qualified in 12, Group 2), and unsuccessful in 18 (Group 3). At baseline IOP (mm
      Hg) was 27.2 +/- 3.12, 27.5 +/- 2.23, and 27.7 +/- 1.90 in Groups 1 to 3,
      respectively; GCD and MUC5AC positivity were higher in Group 1 compared to Groups
      2 and 3 (P < 0.05); HLA-DR, MMD, and MMA were not significantly different among
      the groups. At 12 months, IOP reduced by 45.3%, 35.4%, and 12.8% in Groups 1 to
      3, respectively. Goblet cell density did not change in Group 1, whereas it was
      reduced in Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05), with values lower in Group 3. Mean
      microcyst density and MMA increased in Groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05), with values
      higher in Group 1 (P < 0.05). Baseline GCD positively correlated with 12-month
      IOP reduction (P < 0.001, r = 0.641), MMD (P < 0.05, r = 0.454), and MMA (P <
      0.001, r = 0.541). CONCLUSIONS: Goblet cells positively affect the filtration
      ability after trabeculectomy; therefore, preoperative GCD could be considered as
      a potential in vivo biomarker of surgical success.

PMID- 27249667
TI  - Insight into the reaction mechanisms for oxidative addition of strong sigma bonds
      to an Al(i) center.
AB  - The oxidation addition of a series of sigma H-X bonds (X = H, B, C, Si, N, P, and
      O) to a single Al(i) supported by a (NacNac)(-) bidentate ligand ((NacNac)(-) =
      [ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr](-) and Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3) has been explored through
      extensive DFT calculations. The presented results show that activation and
      addition of these sigma bonds follow various reaction mechanisms, in which
      hydride transfer, proton transfer, and Al-X bond coupling steps are involved. The
      predicted free energy barriers for these oxidative additions range from 8 to 32
      kcal mol(-1), and all the reactions are remarkably favorable thermodynamically.
      However, sterically hindered ligands, for most reactants, make the formation of
      the initial reactant complex difficult and may reduce the efficiency of the
      reaction. Calculations reveal a strong dependence of the reaction mechanism and
      low-energy channel on the bonding features of X-H and the local structural
      environments. 

PMID- 27249669
TI  - Investigation of Four Different Laponite Clays as Stabilizers in Pickering
      Emulsion Polymerization.
AB  - Clay-armored polymer particles were prepared by emulsion polymerization in the
      presence of Laponite platelets that adsorb at the surface of latex particles and
      act as stabilizers during the course of the polymerization. While Laponite RDS
      clay platelets are most often used, the choice of the type of clay still remains
      an open issue that is addressed in the present article. Four different grades of
      Laponite were investigated as stabilizers in the emulsion polymerization of
      styrene. First, the adsorption isotherms of the clays, on preformed polystyrene
      particles, were determined by ICP-AES analysis of the residual clay in the
      aqueous phase. Adsorption of clay depended on the type of clay at low
      concentrations corresponding to adsorption as a monolayer. Adsorption of clay
      particles as multilayers was observed for all the grades above a certain
      concentration under the considered ionic strength (mainly due to the initiator
      ionic species). The stabilization efficiency of these clays was investigated
      during the polymerization reaction (free of any other stabilizer). The clays did
      not have the same effect on stabilization, which was related to differences in
      their compositions and in their adsorption isotherms. The different grades led to
      different polymer particles sizes and therefore to different polymerization
      reaction rates. Laponite RDS and S482 gave similar results, ensuring the best
      stabilization efficiency and the fastest reaction rate; the number of particles
      increased as the clay concentration increased. Stabilization with Laponite XLS
      gave the same particles size and number as the latter two clays at low clay
      concentrations, but it reached an upper limit in the number of nucleated polymer
      particles at higher concentrations indicating a decrease of stabilization
      efficiency at high concentrations. Laponite JS did not ensure a sufficient
      stability of the polymer particles, as the polymerization results were comparable
      to a stabilizer-free polymerization system.

PMID- 27249668
TI  - aPKC regulates apical localization of Lgl to restrict elongation of microridges
      in developing zebrafish epidermis.
AB  - Epithelial cells exhibit apical membrane protrusions, which confer specific
      functions to epithelial tissues. Microridges are short actin protrusions that are
      laterally long and form a maze-like pattern in the apical domain. They are widely
      found on vertebrate squamous epithelia including epidermis and have functions in
      mucous retention, membrane storage and abrasion resistance. It is largely unknown
      how the formation of these laterally long actin projections is regulated. Here,
      we show that antagonistic interactions between aPKC and Lgl-regulators of apical
      and basolateral domain identity, respectively,-control the length of microridges
      in the zebrafish periderm, the outermost layer of the epidermis. aPKC regulates
      the levels of Lgl and the active form of non-muscle myosinII at the apical cortex
      to prevent actin polymerization-dependent precocious fusion and elongation of
      microridges. Our data unravels the functional significance of exclusion of Lgl
      from the apical domain in epithelial cells.

PMID- 27249670
TI  - Napping-Ultra Flash Profile as a Tool for Category Identification and Subsequent
      Model System Formulation of Caramel Corn Products.
AB  - In a novel approach to formulation, the flash descriptive profiling technique
      Napping-Ultra Flash Profile (Napping-UFP) was used to characterize a wide range
      of commercial caramel corn products. The objectives were to identify product
      categories, develop model systems based on product categories, and correlate
      analytical parameters with sensory terms generated through the Napping-UFP
      exercise. In one 2 h session, 12 panelists participated in 4 Napping-UFP
      exercises, describing and grouping, on a 43*56 cm paper sheet, 12 commercial
      caramel corn samples by degree of similarity, globally and in terms of aroma-by
      mouth, texture, and taste. The coordinates of each sample's placement on the
      paper sheet and descriptive terms generated by the panelists were used to conduct
      Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA) and hierarchical clustering of the samples. Strong
      trends in the clustering of samples across the 4 Napping-UFP exercises resulted
      in the determination of 3 overarching types of commercial caramel corn: "small
      scale dark" (typified by burnt, rich caramel corn), "large-scale light" (typified
      by light and buttery caramel corn), and "large-scale dark" (typified by sweet and
      molasses-like caramel corn). Representative samples that best exemplified the
      properties of each category were used as guides in the formulation of 3 model
      systems that represent the spread of commercial caramel corn products. Analytical
      testing of the commercial products, including aw measurement, moisture content
      determination, and thermal characterization via differential scanning
      calorimetry, were conducted and results related to sensory descriptors using
      Spearman's correlation. 

PMID- 27249672
TI  - Radiation-Induced Helium Nanobubbles Enhance Ductility in Submicron-Sized Single
      Crystalline Copper.
AB  - The workability and ductility of metals usually degrade with exposure to
      irradiation, hence the phrase "radiation damage". Here, we found that helium (He)
      radiation can actually enhance the room-temperature deformability of submicron
      sized copper. In particular, Cu single crystals with diameter of 100-300 nm and
      containing numerous pressurized sub-10 nm He bubbles become stronger, more stable
      in plastic flow and ductile in tension, compared to fully dense samples of the
      same dimensions that tend to display plastic instability (strain bursts). The sub
      10 nm He bubbles are seen to be dislocation sources as well as shearable
      obstacles, which promote dislocation storage and reduce dislocation mean free
      path, thus contributing to more homogeneous and stable plasticity. Failure
      happens abruptly only after significant bubble coalescence. The current findings
      can be explained in light of Weibull statistics of failure and the beneficial
      effects of bubbles on plasticity. These results shed light on plasticity and
      damage developments in metals and could open new avenues for making mechanically
      robust nano- and microstructures by ion beam processing and He bubble
      engineering.

PMID- 27249673
TI  - Rapid Environmental Change Drives Increased Land Use by an Arctic Marine
      Predator.
AB  - In the Arctic Ocean's southern Beaufort Sea (SB), the length of the sea ice melt
      season (i.e., period between the onset of sea ice break-up in summer and freeze
      up in fall) has increased substantially since the late 1990s. Historically, polar
      bears (Ursus maritimus) of the SB have mostly remained on the sea ice year-round
      (except for those that came ashore to den), but recent changes in the extent and
      phenology of sea ice habitat have coincided with evidence that use of terrestrial
      habitat is increasing. We characterized the spatial behavior of polar bears
      spending summer and fall on land along Alaska's north coast to better understand
      the nexus between rapid environmental change and increased use of terrestrial
      habitat. We found that the percentage of radiocollared adult females from the SB
      subpopulation coming ashore has tripled over 15 years. Moreover, we detected
      trends of earlier arrival on shore, increased length of stay, and later departure
      back to sea ice, all of which were related to declines in the availability of sea
      ice habitat over the continental shelf and changes to sea ice phenology. Since
      the late 1990s, the mean duration of the open-water season in the SB increased by
      36 days, and the mean length of stay on shore increased by 31 days. While on
      shore, the distribution of polar bears was influenced by the availability of
      scavenge subsidies in the form of subsistence-harvested bowhead whale (Balaena
      mysticetus) remains aggregated at sites along the coast. The declining spatio
      temporal availability of sea ice habitat and increased availability of human
      provisioned resources are likely to result in increased use of land. Increased
      residency on land is cause for concern given that, while there, bears may be
      exposed to a greater array of risk factors including those associated with
      increased human activities. 

PMID- 27249674
TI  - Current therapies and future possibilities for drug development against liver
      stage malaria.
AB  - Malaria remains a global public health threat, with half of the world's
      population at risk. Despite numerous efforts in the past decade to develop new
      antimalarial drugs to surmount increasing resistance to common therapies,
      challenges remain in the expansion of the current antimalarial arsenal for the
      elimination of this disease. The requirement of prophylactic and radical cure
      activities for the next generation of antimalarial drugs demands that new
      research models be developed to support the investigation of the elusive liver
      stage of the malaria parasite. In this Review, we revisit current antimalarial
      therapies and discuss recent advances for in vitro and in vivo malaria research
      models of the liver stage and their importance in probing parasite biology and
      the discovery of novel drug candidates.

PMID- 27249675
TI  - Non-coding RNAs in muscle differentiation and musculoskeletal disease.
AB  - RNA is likely to be the most rediscovered macromolecule in biology. Periodically,
      new non-canonical functions have been ascribed to RNA, such as the ability to act
      as a catalytic molecule or to work independently from its coding capacity. Recent
      annotations show that more than half of the transcriptome encodes for RNA
      molecules lacking coding activity. Here we illustrate how these transcripts
      affect skeletal muscle differentiation and related disorders. We discuss the most
      recent scientific discoveries that have led to the identification of the
      molecular circuitries that are controlled by RNA during the differentiation
      process and that, when deregulated, lead to pathogenic events. These findings
      will provide insights that can aid in the development of new therapeutic
      interventions for muscle diseases.

PMID- 27249676
TI  - Metabolic regulation of immune responses: therapeutic opportunities.
AB  - Immune cell metabolism is dynamically regulated in parallel with the substantial
      changes in cellular function that accompany immune cell activation. While these
      changes in metabolism are important for facilitating the increased energetic and
      biosynthetic demands of activated cells, immune cell metabolism also has direct
      roles in controlling the functions of immune cells and shaping the immune
      response. A theme is emerging wherein nutrients, metabolic enzymes, and
      metabolites can act as an extension of the established immune signal transduction
      pathways, thereby adding an extra layer of complexity to the regulation of
      immunity. This Review will outline the metabolic configurations adopted by
      different immune cell subsets, describe the emerging roles for metabolic enzymes
      and metabolites in the control of immune cell function, and discuss the
      therapeutic implications of this emerging immune regulatory axis.

PMID- 27249677
TI  - Contextual and Individual Factors Influencing Periodontal Treatment Needs by
      Elderly Brazilians: A Multilevel Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between periodontal treatment needs by
      elderly Brazilians and contextual as well as individual variables. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the need for clinical periodontal
      treatment, based on National Oral Health Survey (SB Brasil 2010) data on the
      presence of dental calculus, shallow (3-5 mm) and deep (>= 6 mm) periodontal
      pockets, and gingival bleeding in elderly people (n = 7,619). The contextual
      variables included the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI), income
      inequality (Gini Index) and coverage of the municipal population by the Family
      Health Strategy (FHS) program oral health teams.<0} The individual variables were
      sex, income, education level and self-reported skin color. Multilevel logistic
      regression models were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence
      intervals (CI95%) between periodontal treatment needs and the contextual as well
      as individual variables. RESULTS: Gingival bleeding was found in 20.7% of the
      elderly analyzed (n = 1,577), dental calculus in 34% (n = 2,590), shallow
      periodontal pockets in 15.6% (n = 1,189), and deep periodontal pockets in 4.2% (n
      = 320). Individual factors were correlated with all the outcomes assessed. Sex
      was a protective factor in regard to gingival bleeding (OR = 0.87; CI95% 0.76
      1.00), dental calculus (OR = 0.86; CI95% 0.75-0.99), shallow periodontal pockets
      (OR = 0.69; CI95% 0.60-0.80) and deep periodontal pockets (OR = 0.58; CI95% 0.45
      0.74). It was found that fewer women needed treatment. Elderly people who self
      reported having nonwhite skin had higher chances of needing periodontal
      treatment. Skin color was a risk factor for gingival bleeding (OR = 1.32; CI95%
      1.14-1.53), dental calculus (OR = 1.32; CI95%1.14-1.54) and shallow periodontal
      pockets (OR = 1.27; CI95% 1.09-1.49). Education level was associated with the
      presence of dental calculus (OR = 0.77; CI95% 0.66-0.89), shallow periodontal
      pockets (OR = 0.86; CI95% 0.73-1.00) and deep periodontal pockets (OR = 0.74;
      CI95% 0.57-0.97), thus acting as a risk factor for undereducated elderly people.
      There was a correlation between population coverage by the Family Health Strategy
      (FHS) program oral health teams and the presence of gingival bleeding (OR = 0.67;
      CI95% 0.52-0.88), shallow periodontal pockets (OR = 0.76; CI95% 0.58-0.98) and
      deep periodontal pockets (OR = 0.62; CI95% 0.44-0.89), making these teams act as
      a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed evidence of the
      sociocontextual as well as individual sociodemographic characteristics
      influencing periodontal treatment needed by elderly Brazilians, based on the
      clinical features of periodontal disease. The results suggest the existence of
      inequality related to periodontal treatment needs among elderly Brazilians,
      especially in regard to sex and ethnicity, in addition to a potentially positive
      impact from the expansion of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) program oral health
      teams.

PMID- 27249679
TI  - Collaborative Practice in an Era of Multidisciplinary Care.

PMID- 27249680
TI  - Value in Oncology: Balance Between Quality and Cost.

PMID- 27249678
TI  - Brain-specific Crmp2 deletion leads to neuronal development deficits and
      behavioural impairments in mice.
AB  - Several genome- and proteome-wide studies have associated transcription and
      translation changes of CRMP2 (collapsing response mediator protein 2) with
      psychiatric disorders, yet little is known about its function in the developing
      or adult mammalian brain in vivo. Here we show that brain-specific Crmp2 knockout
      (cKO) mice display molecular, cellular, structural and behavioural deficits, many
      of which are reminiscent of neural features and symptoms associated with
      schizophrenia. cKO mice exhibit enlarged ventricles and impaired social
      behaviour, locomotor activity, and learning and memory. Loss of Crmp2 in the
      hippocampus leads to reduced long-term potentiation, abnormal NMDA receptor
      composition, aberrant dendrite development and defective synapse formation in CA1
      neurons. Furthermore, knockdown of crmp2 specifically in newborn neurons results
      in stage-dependent defects in their development during adult hippocampal
      neurogenesis. Our findings reveal a critical role for CRMP2 in neuronal
      plasticity, neural function and behavioural modulation in mice.

PMID- 27249681
TI  - Women's Health Issues for BRCA Mutation Carriers.

PMID- 27249682
TI  - Collective Wisdom: Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast.

PMID- 27249683
TI  - Challenges in Treating Premenopausal Women with Endocrine-Sensitive Breast
      Cancer.
AB  - For the hundreds of thousands of premenopausal women who are diagnosed annually
      with endocrine-sensitive breast cancer, treatment strategies are complex. For
      many, chemotherapy may not be necessary, and endocrine therapy decision making is
      paramount. Options for adjuvant endocrine regimens include tamoxifen for 5 years,
      tamoxifen for 10 years, ovarian function suppression (OFS) plus tamoxifen for 5
      years, and OFS plus an aromatase inhibitor for 5 years. There are modest
      differences in efficacy between these regimens, with a benefit from OFS most
      obvious among patients with higher-risk disease; therefore, choosing which should
      be used for a given patient requires consideration of expected toxicities and
      patient preferences. An aromatase inhibitor cannot be safely prescribed without
      OFS in this setting. Additional research is needed to determine whether genomic
      tests such as Prosigna and Endopredict can help with decision making about
      optimal duration of endocrine therapy for premenopausal patients. Endocrine
      therapy side effects can include hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis,
      and infertility, all of which may impair quality of life and can encourage
      nonadherence with treatment. Ovarian function suppression worsens menopausal side
      effects. Hot flashes tend to be worse with tamoxifen/OFS, whereas sexual
      dysfunction and osteoporosis tend to be worse with aromatase inhibitors/OFS.
      Pregnancy is safe after endocrine therapy, and some survivors can conceive
      naturally. Still, embryo or oocyte cryopreservation should be considered at the
      time of diagnosis for patients with endocrine-sensitive disease who desire future
      childbearing, particularly if they will undergo chemotherapy. 

PMID- 27249684
TI  - The Evolution of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: From Biology to Novel
      Therapeutics.
AB  - Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is clinically defined as lacking expression
      of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (ER), and HER2.
      Historically, TNBC has been characterized by an aggressive natural history and
      worse disease-specific outcomes compared with other breast cancer subtypes. The
      advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has allowed for the dissection of TNBC
      into molecular subtypes (i.e., basal-like, claudin-low). Within TNBC, several
      subtypes have emerged as "immune-activated," consistently illustrating better
      disease outcome. In addition, NGS has revealed a host of molecular features
      characteristic of TNBC, including high rates of TP53 mutations, PI3K and MEK
      pathway activation, and genetic similarities to serous ovarian cancers, including
      inactivation of the BRCA pathway. Identified genetic vulnerabilities of TNBC have
      led to promising therapeutic approaches, including DNA-damaging agents (i.e.,
      platinum salts and PARP inhibitors), as well as immunotherapy. Platinum salts are
      routinely incorporated into the treatment of metastatic TNBC; however, best
      outcomes are observed among those with deficiencies in the BRCA pathway. Although
      the incorporation of platinum in the neoadjuvant care of patients with TNBC
      yields higher pathologic complete response (pCR) rates, the impact on longer-term
      outcome is less clear. The presence of immune infiltrate in TNBC has shown both a
      predictive and prognostic role. Checkpoint inhibitors, including PD-1 and PD-L1
      inhibitors, are under investigation in the setting of metastatic TNBC and have
      shown responses in initial clinical trials. Finally, matching emerging
      therapeutic strategies to optimal subtype of TNBC is of utmost importance as we
      design future research strategies to improve patient outcome. 

PMID- 27249685
TI  - Refining Breast Cancer Risk Stratification: Additional Genes, Additional
      Information.
AB  - Recent advances in genomic technology have enabled far more rapid, less expensive
      sequencing of multiple genes than was possible only a few years ago. Advances in
      bioinformatics also facilitate the interpretation of large amounts of genomic
      data. New strategies for cancer genetic risk assessment include multiplex
      sequencing panels of 5 to more than 100 genes (in which rare mutations are often
      associated with at least two times the average risk of developing breast cancer)
      and panels of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), combinations of
      which are generally associated with more modest cancer risks (more than twofold).
      Although these new multiple-gene panel tests are used in oncology practice,
      questions remain about the clinical validity and the clinical utility of their
      results. To translate this increasingly complex genetic information for clinical
      use, cancer risk prediction tools are under development that consider the joint
      effects of all susceptibility genes, together with other established breast
      cancer risk factors. Risk-adapted screening and prevention protocols are
      underway, with ongoing refinement as genetic knowledge grows. Priority areas for
      future research include the clinical validity and clinical utility of emerging
      genetic tests; the accuracy of developing cancer risk prediction models; and the
      long-term outcomes of risk-adapted screening and prevention protocols, in terms
      of patients' experiences and survival. 

PMID- 27249686
TI  - Access to Cancer Therapeutics in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
AB  - Cancer is rapidly becoming a major health care problem, especially in developing
      countries, where 60% of the world's total new cases are diagnosed. The success of
      new antineoplastic medicines and modern radiation devices to cure a good
      proportion of patients with cancer and to alleviate the suffering of many more
      has been achieved at a dramatic cost. Therefore, it has become mandatory for
      health care authorities and pharmaceutical companies to cooperate to use and
      develop resources in an efficient manner to improve health care delivery to
      patients with cancer worldwide. Regulatory harmonization is an important key to
      overcome delays in the approval process, whether for antineoplastic and pain
      control medicines or for essential medical devices. More emphasis on the
      significant role of opiates in pain control among patients with cancer is needed
      to overcome the ingrained belief in their potential for addiction. The World
      Health Organization (WHO) serves an important role in guiding priorities for
      health care and efficiently allocating resources by providing essential medicine
      lists (EMLs) and device lists. However, the financial challenge for access to
      health care is multi-tiered and requires collaboration between key stakeholders
      including pharmaceutical industry, local national health authorities, WHO, and
      other nonprofit, patient-oriented organizations. 

PMID- 27249687
TI  - Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cancer Clinical Trials: Measuring Symptomatic
      Adverse Events With the National Cancer Institute's Patient-Reported Outcomes
      Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE).
AB  - Systematic capture of the patient perspective can inform the development of new
      cancer therapies. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are commonly included in
      cancer clinical trials; however, there is heterogeneity in the constructs,
      measures, and analytic approaches that have been used making these endpoints
      challenging to interpret. There is renewed effort to identify rigorous methods to
      obtain high-quality and informative PRO data from cancer clinical trials. In this
      setting, PROs are used to address specific research objectives, and an important
      objective that spans the product development life cycle is the assessment of
      safety and tolerability. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Office of
      Hematology and Oncology Products (OHOP) has identified symptomatic adverse events
      (AEs) as a central PRO concept, and a systematic assessment of patient-reported
      symptomatic AEs can provide data to complement clinician reporting. The National
      Cancer Institute's Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology
      Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) is being evaluated by multiple
      stakeholders, including the FDA, and is considered a promising tool to provide a
      standard yet flexible method to assess symptomatic AEs from the patient
      perspective. In this article, we briefly review the FDA OHOP's perspective on
      PROs in cancer trials submitted to the FDA and focus on the assessment of
      symptomatic AEs using PRO-CTCAE. We conclude by discussing further work that must
      be done to broaden the use of PRO-CTCAE as a method to provide patient-centered
      data that can complement existing safety and tolerability assessments across
      cancer clinical trials. 

PMID- 27249688
TI  - Treatment of Adult Lower-Grade Glioma in the Era of Genomic Medicine.
AB  - By convention, gliomas are histopathologically classified into four grades by the
      World Health Organization (WHO) legacy criteria, in which increasing grade is
      associated with worse prognosis and grades also are subtyped by presumed cell of
      origin. This classification has prognostic value but is limited by wide
      variability of outcome within each grade, so the classification is rapidly
      undergoing dramatic re-evaluation in the context of a superior understanding of
      the biologic heterogeneity and molecular make-up of these tumors, such that we
      now recognize that some low-grade gliomas behave almost like malignant
      glioblastoma, whereas other anaplastic gliomas have outcomes comparable to
      favorable low-grade gliomas. This clinical spectrum is partly accounted for by
      the dispersion of several molecular genetic alterations inherent to clinical
      tumor behavior. These molecular biomarkers have become important not only as
      prognostic factors but also, more critically, as predictive markers to drive
      therapeutic decision making. Some of these, in the near future, will likely also
      serve as potential therapeutic targets. In this article, we summarize the key
      molecular features of clinical significance for WHO grades II and III gliomas and
      underscore how the therapeutic landscape is changing. 

PMID- 27249689
TI  - Transforming Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria to Reflect Practical Clinical
      Application.
AB  - Historically, oncology clinical trials have focused on comparing a new drug's
      efficacy to the standard of care. However, as our understanding of molecular
      pathways in oncology has evolved, so has our ability to predict how patients will
      respond to a particular drug, and thus comparison with a standard therapy has
      become less important. Biomarkers and corresponding diagnostic testing are
      becoming more and more important to drug development but also limit the type of
      patient who may benefit from the therapy. Newer clinical trial designs have been
      developed to assess clinically meaningful endpoints in biomarker-enriched
      populations, and the number of modern, molecularly driven clinical trials are
      steadily increasing. At the same time, barriers to clinical trial enrollment have
      also grown. Many barriers contribute to nonenrollment in clinical trials,
      including patient, physician, institution, protocol, and regulatory barriers. At
      the protocol level, eligibility criteria have become a large roadblock to
      clinical trial accrual. Over time, eligibility criteria have become more and more
      restrictive. To accrue an adequate number of patients to molecularly driven
      trials, we should consider eligibility criteria carefully and attempt to reduce
      restrictive criteria. Reducing restrictive eligibility criteria will allow more
      patients to be eligible for clinical trial participation, will likely increase
      the speed of drug approvals, and will result in clinical trial results that more
      accurately reflect treatment of the population in the clinical setting. 

PMID- 27249690
TI  - Multimodal Rectal Cancer Treatment: In Some Cases, Less May Be More.
AB  - A series of clinical trials in the last several decades has resulted in the
      development of multimodality treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer that
      includes neoadjuvant (preoperative) chemoradiotherapy, total mesorectal excision,
      and postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Owing to this regimen, patients
      with locally advanced rectal cancer have better survival rates than patients with
      colon cancer, but at the cost of substantial morbidity and reduced quality of
      life. The challenge is to identify treatment approaches that maintain or even
      improve oncologic outcomes while preserving quality of life. We have identified
      different tumor characteristics that are associated with recurrence and
      probability of survival for locally advanced rectal cancer. This risk
      stratification, based on baseline clinical staging and tumor response to
      chemoradiotherapy, has led us to question whether all patients with locally
      advanced rectal cancer require every component of the multimodal regimen. In this
      article, we will review recent evidence that some patients with locally advanced
      rectal cancer can be spared one or more treatment modalities without compromising
      long-term oncologic outcomes and while preserving quality of life. 

PMID- 27249691
TI  - Gastric Adenocarcinoma: An Update on Genomics, Immune System Modulations, and
      Targeted Therapy.
AB  - Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is a global health burden on all societies, and it
      was the third-leading cause of cancer-related mortality in 2012, causing 723,000
      deaths worldwide. The prognosis of patients with metastatic GAC remains poor,
      with a median overall survival of less than 1 year in patients treated with
      currently available therapies. A limited number of therapeutic agents is
      currently available. Recent additions to the armamentarium include trastuzumab
      and ramucirumab, which have shown some survival advantage when added to
      cytotoxic(s). Genomic analyses have defined various genotypes of GACs. The novel
      genomic knowledge can lead to discovery of novel targets and novel therapeutic
      agents. In this update, we focus on the current genomic data, targeted therapies
      including immune system modulators, and expand on HER2/neu testing and the use of
      agents against this target. Several other facets of GAC and its therapy are not
      to be included in this review but have been discussed elsewhere. 

PMID- 27249692
TI  - The Evolution of Systemic Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - The treatment landscape for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a dynamic process that
      has seen considerable change in recent years. We have seen a rebirth of original
      breakthroughs with immune checkpoint inhibitors showing promise in patients with
      treatment-refractory disease. The optimal sequencing of treatments and
      incorporation of novel therapeutics are actively being investigated and have yet
      to be determined. The clinical challenges of this evolving treatment paradigm can
      be attributed to cost considerations, toxicity, and defining endpoints in the
      management of advanced RCC. As novel therapeutics emerge, finding the optimal
      treatment regimen for patients will have an increasing focus on patient-centered
      outcomes and improvement in quality of life in addition to improving survival. 

PMID- 27249693
TI  - Approach to Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer.
AB  - Oligometastatic prostate cancer has increasingly been recognized as a unique
      clinical state with therapeutic implications. It has been proposed that patients
      with oligometastases may have a more indolent course and that outcome may be
      further improved with metastasis-directed local ablative therapy. In addition,
      there are differing schools of thoughts regarding whether oligometastases
      represent isolated lesions-where targeted therapy may render a patient disease
      free-or whether they coexist with micrometastases, where targeted therapy in
      addition to systemic therapy is required for maximal clinical impact. As such,
      the approach to the patient with oligometastatic prostate cancer requires
      multidisciplinary consideration, with surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy
      potentially of benefit either singularly or in combination. Indeed, mounting
      evidence suggests durable disease-free intervals and, in some cases, possibly
      cure, may be achieved with such a multimodal strategy. However, selecting
      patients that may benefit most from treatment of oligometastases is an ongoing
      challenge. Moreover, with the advent of new, highly sensitive imaging
      technologies, the spectrum based on CT of the abdomen and pelvis and technetium
      bone scan of localized to oligometastatic to widespread disease has become
      increasingly blurred. As such, new MRI- and PET-based modalities require
      validation. As some clinical guidelines advise against routine prostate-specific
      antigen screening, the possibility of more men presenting with locally advanced
      or de novo oligometastatic prostate cancer exists; thus, knowing how best to
      treat these patients may become more relevant at a population level. Ultimately,
      the arrival of prospective clinical data and better understanding of biology will
      hopefully further inform how best to treat men with this disease. 

PMID- 27249694
TI  - Emerging Molecular Biomarkers in Advanced Prostate Cancer: Translation to the
      Clinic.
AB  - Recent clinical and preclinical studies focused on understanding the molecular
      landscape of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) have provided insights
      into mechanisms of treatment resistance, disease heterogeneity, and potential
      therapeutic targets. This work has served as a framework for several ongoing
      clinical studies focused on bringing novel observations into the clinic in the
      form of tissue, liquid, and imaging biomarkers. Resistance in CRPC typically is
      driven through reactivation of androgen receptor (AR) signaling, which can occur
      through AR-activating point mutations, amplification, splice variants (such as AR
      V7), or other bypass mechanisms. Detection of AR aberrations in the circulation
      negatively impacts response to subsequent AR-directed therapies such as
      abiraterone and enzalutamide. Other potentially clinically relevant alterations
      in CRPC include defects in DNA damage repair (at either the somatic or germline
      level) in up to 20% of patients (with implications for PARP1 inhibitor therapy),
      PI3K/PTEN/Akt pathway activation, WNT signaling pathway alterations, cell cycle
      gene alterations, and less common but potentially targetable alterations
      involving RAF and FGFR2. Imaging biomarkers that include those focused on
      incorporating overexpressed androgen-regulated genes/proteins, such as prostate
      specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in combination
      with CT, can noninvasively identify patterns of AR-driven distribution of CRPC
      tumor cells, monitor early metastatic lesions, and potentially capture
      heterogeneity of response to AR-directed therapies and other therapeutics. This
      article focuses on the current state of clinical biomarker development and future
      directions for how they might be implemented into the clinic in the near term to
      improve risk stratification and treatment selection for patients. 

PMID- 27249695
TI  - Update on Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Epithelial Ovarian
      Cancer.
AB  - Surgical treatment and chemotherapy administration in women with epithelial
      ovarian cancer is more controversial today than at any point in the last 3
      decades. The use of chemotherapy administered intraperitoneally has been
      particularly contentious. Three large randomized phase III studies, multiple meta
      analyses, and now real-world data have demonstrated substantial outcome benefit
      for the use of chemotherapy administered intraperitoneally versus intravenously
      for first-line postoperative treatment of optimally debulked advanced ovarian
      cancer. Unfortunately, for each of these randomized studies, there was scope to
      either criticize the design or otherwise refute adoption of this route of
      administration. As a result, the uptake has been variable in North America,
      although in Europe it has been practically nonexistent. Reasons for this include
      unquestionable additional toxicity, more inconvenience, and extra cost. However,
      10-year follow up of these studies demonstrates unprecedented survival in the
      intraperitoneal arm (median survival 110 months in patients with completely
      debulked stage III), raising the possibility that by combining maximal debulking
      surgery with postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy it may be possible to
      bring about a step change in the outcomes for these patients. In this review, we
      discuss the rationale for administering chemotherapy intraperitoneally, the
      merits of the main randomized clinical trials, the evidence regarding optimal
      regimes, issues of toxicity, port considerations, and reasons for lack of
      universal adoption. We also explore potential clinical and biologic factors that
      may be useful for patient selection in the future. 

PMID- 27249696
TI  - Primary Surgery or Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: The
      Debate Continues....
AB  - Primary debulking surgery (PDS) followed by platinum-based chemotherapy has been
      the cornerstone of treatment for advanced ovarian cancer for decades. Primary
      debulking surgery has been repeatedly identified as one of the key factors in
      improving survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, especially when
      minimal or no residual disease is left behind. Achieving these results sometimes
      requires extensive abdominal and pelvic surgical procedures and consultation with
      other surgical teams. Some clinicians who propose a primary chemotherapy approach
      reported an increased likelihood of leaving no macroscopic disease after surgery
      and improved patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life (QOL) measures. Given
      the ongoing debate regarding the relative benefit of PDS versus neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy (NACT), tumor biology may aid in patient selection for each
      approach. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy offers the opportunity for in vivo
      chemosensitivity testing. Studies are needed to determine the best way to
      evaluate the impact of NACT in each individual patient with advanced ovarian
      cancer. Indeed, the biggest utility of NACT may be in research, where this
      approach provides the opportunity for the investigation of predictive markers,
      mechanisms of resistance, and a forum to test novel therapies. 

PMID- 27249697
TI  - Treatment of Older Women With Endometrial Cancer: Improving Outcomes With
      Personalized Care.
AB  - Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer, and with a median age
      of 62 at diagnosis, it affects a significant number of older women. With
      increasing age and obesity rates in the world's population, there is an
      anticipated concomitant increase in older women with endometrial cancer. Older
      women are more likely to die of endometrial cancer compared with younger
      patients. Reasons for this include more aggressive tumor biology, less favorable
      clinicopathologic features, and more advanced disease. Other factors, however,
      such as reluctance to offer surgical treatment to the older patient and increased
      complications of treatment are likely to be important. Management of endometrial
      cancer requires multidisciplinary care (surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic
      therapy). For each treatment, the feasibility (related to technical aspect of the
      procedure/treatment), side effects and safety (related to older-patient factors),
      and the overall benefit as it pertains to older women with endometrial cancer
      should be assessed carefully with a multidisciplinary approach. Despite the
      importance of these issues, the data are limited to answer these issues with
      clarity. In this article, we will review each treatment modality for older women
      with endometrial cancer. We will introduce the components of comprehensive
      geriatric assessment and their practical implication for older women with cancer
      in general and older women with endometrial cancer specifically. 

PMID- 27249698
TI  - What's New in Head and Neck Cancer: Key Findings in 2015-2016 From ECCO/ESMO,
      ASTRO, and the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium.
AB  - Scientific investigation is extremely active in the treatment, management, and
      optimization of therapies for patients with head and neck cancer. These issues
      have undergone recent rapid evolution in response to a changing epidemiology
      based on an increasing proportion of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer with
      advances in multimodality technologies to improve outcomes and reduce toxicity.
      Choices of definitive treatment of various anatomic subsites are being refined,
      balancing the relative indications and advantages of surgery or chemoradiation
      based strategies. The major potential influence of HPV-associated etiology on
      therapy selection, prognostic factors, response to treatment, survival outcomes,
      and post-treatment surveillance has created a robust and distinct field of
      scientific inquiry around this patient subset. Meanwhile, for patient subsets
      where prognosis remains poor, therapeutic intensification is being explored, and
      for recurrent/metastatic disease, improved selection for salvage and novel
      systemic therapies are under development. For all patients with head and neck
      cancer, upholding principles of equity and access to the highly specialized care
      that results in optimal outcomes should be the goal. 

PMID- 27249700
TI  - Using Technology to Improve Cancer Care: Social Media, Wearables, and Electronic
      Health Records.
AB  - Digital engagement has become pervasive in the delivery of cancer care. Internet-
      and cellular phone-based tools and systems are allowing large groups of people to
      engage with each other and share information. Health systems and individual
      health professionals are adapting to this revolution in consumer and patient
      behavior by developing ways to incorporate the benefits of technology for the
      purpose of improving the quality of medical care. One example is the use of
      social media platforms by oncologists to foster interaction with each other and
      to participate with the lay public in dialogue about science, medicine, and
      cancer care. In addition, consumer devices and sensors (wearables) have provided
      a new, growing dimension of digital engagement and another layer of patient
      generated health data to foster better care and research. Finally, electronic
      health records have become the new standard for oncology care delivery, bringing
      new opportunities to measure quality in real time and follow practice patterns,
      as well as new challenges as providers and patients seek ways to integrate this
      technology along with other forms of digital engagement to produce more
      satisfaction in the process of care along with measurably better outcomes. 

PMID- 27249701
TI  - Moving Beyond Autologous Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma: Consolidation,
      Maintenance, Allogeneic Transplant, and Immune Therapy.
AB  - For multiple myeloma, introduction of novel agents as part of the front-line
      treatment followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem
      cell transplantation (ASCT) induces deep responses in a majority of patients with
      this disease. However, disease relapse is inevitable, and, with each relapse, the
      remission duration becomes shorter, ultimately leading to a refractory disease.
      Consolidation and maintenance strategy after ASCT is one route to provide
      sustained disease control and prevent repeated relapses. Though the consolidation
      strategy remains largely confined to clinical trials, significant data support
      the efficacy of consolidation in improving the depth of response and outcomes.
      There are also increasing rates of minimal residual disease-negativity with
      additional consolidation therapy. On the other hand, maintenance with novel
      agents post-transplant is well established and has been shown to improve both
      progression-free and overall survival. Evolving paradigms in maintenance include
      the use of newer proteasome inhibitors, immunotherapy maintenance, and patient
      specific maintenance-a concept that utilizes minimal residual disease as the
      primary driver of decisions regarding starting or continuing maintenance therapy.
      The other approach to overcome residual disease is immune therapeutic strategies.
      The demonstration of myeloma-specific alloimmunity from allogeneic
      transplantation is well established. More sophisticated and promising immune
      approaches include adoptive cellular therapies, tumor vaccines, and immune
      checkpoint manipulations. In the future, personalized minimal residual disease
      driven treatment strategies following ASCT will help overcome the residual
      disease, restore multiple myeloma-specific immunity, and achieve sustained
      disease control while minimizing the risk of overtreatment. 

PMID- 27249699
TI  - The Role of Clinical Trial Participation in Cancer Research: Barriers, Evidence,
      and Strategies.
AB  - Fewer than one in 20 adult patients with cancer enroll in cancer clinical trials.
      Although barriers to trial participation have been the subject of frequent study,
      the rate of trial participation has not changed substantially over time. Barriers
      to trial participation are structural, clinical, and attitudinal, and they differ
      according to demographic and socioeconomic factors. In this article, we
      characterize the nature of cancer clinical trial barriers, and we consider global
      and local strategies for reducing barriers. We also consider the specific case of
      adolescents with cancer and show that the low rate of trial enrollment in this
      age group strongly correlates with limited improvements in cancer population
      outcomes compared with other age groups. Our analysis suggests that a clinical
      trial system that enrolls patients at a higher rate produces treatment advances
      at a faster rate and corresponding improvements in cancer population outcomes.
      Viewed in this light, the issue of clinical trial enrollment is foundational,
      lying at the heart of the cancer clinical trial endeavor. Fewer barriers to trial
      participation would enable trials to be completed more quickly and would improve
      the generalizability of trial results. Moreover, increased accrual to trials is
      important for patients, because trials provide patients the opportunity to
      receive the newest treatments. In an era of increasing emphasis on a treatment
      decision-making process that incorporates the patient perspective, the
      opportunity for patients to choose trial participation for their care is vital. 

PMID- 27249702
TI  - Lung Cancer Screening, Cancer Treatment, and Addressing the Continuum of Health
      Risks Caused by Tobacco.
AB  - Tobacco use is the largest preventable risk factor for the development of several
      cancers, and continued tobacco use by patients with cancer and survivors of
      cancer causes adverse outcomes. Worldwide tobacco control efforts have reduced
      tobacco use and improved health outcomes in many countries, but several countries
      continue to suffer from increased tobacco use and associated adverse health
      effects. Continued tobacco use by patients undergoing cancer screening or
      treatment results in continued risk for cancer-related and noncancer-related
      health conditions. Although integrating tobacco assessment and cessation support
      into lung cancer screening and cancer care is well justified and feasible, most
      patients with cancer unfortunately do not receive evidence-based tobacco
      cessation support. Combining evidence-based methods of treating tobacco
      addiction, such as behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy, with practical
      clinical considerations in the setting of lung cancer screening and cancer
      treatment should result in substantial improvements in access to evidence-based
      care and resultant improvements in health risks and cancer treatment outcomes. 

PMID- 27249703
TI  - The Cancer Survivorship Journey: Models of Care, Disparities, Barriers, and
      Future Directions.
AB  - Although the number of long-term cancer survivors has increased substantially
      over past years, the journey of survivorship does not always include high
      quality, patient-centered care. A variety of survivorship care models have
      evolved based on who provides this care, the survivor population, the site of
      care, and/or the capacity for delivering specific services. Other areas of
      survivorship care being explored include how long follow-up care is needed,
      application of a risk-based approach to survivorship care, and the role of the
      survivor in his or her own recovery. However, there is little evidence indicating
      whether any models improve clinical or patient-reported outcomes. A newer focus
      in survivorship care has included assessment of potential disparities; the
      sociodemographic characteristics of population subgroups associated with barriers
      to receiving high-quality cancer treatment may also affect the survivorship
      period. Developing policies and programs to address disparities in survivorship
      care is not simple, and examining how financial hardship affects cancer outcomes,
      reducing economic barriers to care, and increasing incorporation of patient
      centered strategies may be important components. Here too, there is little
      evidence regarding the best strategies to address these disparities. Barriers to
      providing high-quality, patient-centered survivorship care include lack of
      evidence, lack of a trained survivorship workforce, lack of reimbursement
      structures/insurance coverage, and lack of a health care system that reduces
      fragmented care. Future research needs to focus on developing a survivorship care
      evidence base, exploring strategies to facilitate provision of survivorship care,
      and disseminating best survivorship care practices to diverse and international
      audiences. 

PMID- 27249704
TI  - Developing High-Quality Cancer Rehabilitation Programs: A Timely Need.
AB  - The number of survivors of cancer in the United States, already 14.5 million, is
      growing with improved cancer treatment and aging of the population. Two-thirds of
      cancer survivors will be older than age 65 and are likely to enter cancer
      treatment already deconditioned and with multiple comorbidities. Survivors of
      cancer face numerous adverse consequences of cancer treatment that add to or
      exacerbate the effects of existing comorbidities and increase risk of functional
      decline. Many of these problems are amenable to rehabilitation interventions, but
      referral to cancer rehabilitation professionals is not a standard part of care.
      We present an expanded prospective model of surveillance, cancer rehabilitation
      assessment, and referral efforts using a multidisciplinary team approach. In this
      model, cancer rehabilitation begins at the time of cancer diagnosis and continues
      through and beyond cancer treatment. Physical impairments and psychosocial
      symptoms are assessed and treated, and lifestyle and exercise interventions are
      provided to optimize functioning, health, and quality of life. We present a
      stepped-care framework to guide decisions on when, how, and where to refer
      survivors to cancer rehabilitation specialists depending on safety requirements
      and needs. This model has the potential to result in early identification of
      symptoms and impairments, appropriate referral and timely treatment, and, in
      turn, will better address and minimize both acute and long-term cancer morbidity.

PMID- 27249705
TI  - The Advantages and Challenges of Testing Children for Heritable Predisposition to
      Cancer.
AB  - The increased application of germline genetic testing is expanding our
      understanding of the risk factors associated with childhood cancer development,
      and, in some cases, such testing is also informing clinical management.
      Nonetheless, the incorporation of genetic testing into the pediatric oncology
      setting is complex and associated with many ethical and practical challenges. The
      decision as to whether to pursue clinical genetic testing for hereditary cancer
      predisposition for children should always be guided by the best interest of the
      child. Despite this fundamental ethical principle, patients, parents, and health
      care providers may differ in their opinions. Clinical genetic testing to detect
      the presence of predisposition syndromes associated with childhood-onset cancers,
      particularly those for which surveillance and preventive measures have proven to
      enhance outcome, is currently well accepted. On the other hand, clinical genetic
      testing of children for syndromes associated with adult-onset cancers has raised
      many concerns about the potential for psychological harm and disrespect of
      patient autonomy. As a consequence, such testing is not encouraged. The
      challenges surrounding germline genetic testing are further complicated when
      testing is done in the research setting and/or when it involves whole-exome or
      whole-genome sequencing approaches, which can uncover genetic variants that may
      or may not be associated with the disease under study. Accordingly, there is
      great debate around these processes and the most appropriate approaches regarding
      the return of test results. Future research is needed to enhance knowledge about
      how best to incorporate genomic information into clinical practice. 

PMID- 27249706
TI  - Addressing Burnout in Oncology: Why Cancer Care Clinicians Are At Risk, What
      Individuals Can Do, and How Organizations Can Respond.
AB  - Despite their benevolent care of others, today, more than ever, the cancer care
      professional who experiences overwhelming feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and
      inefficacy is in grave jeopardy of developing burnout. Clinicians are repeatedly
      physically and emotionally exposed to exceedingly long hours in direct care with
      seriously ill patients/families, limited autonomy over daily responsibilities,
      endless electronic documentation, and a shifting medical landscape. The physical
      and emotional well-being of the cancer care clinician is critical to the impact
      on quality care, patient satisfaction, and overall success of their
      organizations. The prevention of burnout as well as targeting established burnout
      need to be proactively addressed at the individual level and organizational
      level. In fact, confronting burnout and promoting wellness are the shared
      responsibility of both oncology clinicians and their organizations. From an
      individual perspective, oncology clinicians must be empowered to play a crucial
      role in enhancing their own wellness by identification of burnout symptoms in
      both themselves and their colleagues, learning resilience strategies (e.g.,
      mindful self-compassion), and cultivating positive relationships with fellow
      clinician colleagues. At the organizational level, leadership must recognize the
      importance of oncology clinician well-being; engage leaders and physicians in
      collaborative action planning, improve overall practice environment, and provide
      institutional wellness resources to physicians. These effective individual and
      organizational interventions are crucial for the prevention and improvement of
      overall clinician wellness and must be widely and systematically integrated into
      oncology care. 

PMID- 27249707
TI  - Immunotherapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Tomorrow Is Only a Day Away.
AB  - Despite the advances taking place for patients with many types of cancer, to date
      there has been little success in meeting the great need for novel treatments of
      advanced soft tissue sarcoma with effective immunologic therapies. Here, we
      review recent clinical and preclinical data that indicate immune responses
      against sarcomas occur spontaneously and can also be successfully provoked.
      Efforts to manipulate the sarcoma immune microenvironment have the potential to
      eradicate disease and may also sensitize tumors to other tumor-targeted
      immunotherapeutic approaches. Other approaches, including vaccines and genetic
      engineering of T cells, offer a promising opportunity to actively direct
      cytotoxic lymphocytes toward antigen-bearing sarcomas. Drawing parallels with
      recent advances made in other cancer types, we identify ways in which sarcomas
      can be included in the ongoing immunotherapy revolution. 

PMID- 27249708
TI  - Considerations for Implementation of Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Into Clinical
      Care.
AB  - Physicians have provided personalized care with as much precision as possible for
      several centuries. However, increasingly sophisticated understanding of the human
      genome and of cancer biology has permitted identification of genetic and
      phenotypic distinctions that might permit development of new tumor biomarker
      tests for risk categorization, screening, differential diagnosis, prognosis,
      prediction, and monitoring. Both commercial and academic laboratories are
      offering tests for single analytes, panels of tests of single analytes,
      multiparameter assays coalesced into a signature, and total genomic,
      transcriptomic, or proteomic analyses. However, the absence of a consistent
      regulatory environment has led to marketing of assays without proven analytic
      validity or clinical utility. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval or
      clearance does not necessarily imply that use of the test will improve patient
      outcomes, and FDA discretion to permit laboratory-developed tests results in
      unknown benefit, or harm, of others. In this regard, a "bad tumor marker is as
      bad as a bad drug." Caveat emptor is not a satisfactory approach to delivering
      high-quality care. Rather, adoption of tumor biomarker tests should be based on
      high levels of evidence generated in scientifically rigorous studies that
      demonstrate both analytical validity and clinical utility. Doing so will ensure
      that clinicians and patients are confident that a tumor biomarker test is likely
      to improve their outcomes. 

PMID- 27249709
TI  - Basic Overview of Current Immunotherapy Approaches in Cancer.
AB  - Recent success of immunotherapy strategies such as immune checkpoint blockade in
      several malignancies has established the role of immunotherapy in the treatment
      of cancer. Cancers use multiple mechanisms to co-opt the host-tumor immune
      interactions, leading to immune evasion. Our understanding of the host-tumor
      interactions has evolved over the past few years and led to various promising new
      therapeutic strategies. This article will focus on the basic principles of
      immunotherapy, novel pathways/agents, and combinatorial immunotherapies. 

PMID- 27249710
TI  - Why the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Matters: It's Not Just About Cost.
AB  - The nature and cost of cancer care is evolving, affecting more patients and often
      involving expensive treatment options. The upward cost trends also coincide with
      a national landscape of increasing regulatory mandates that may demand improved
      outcomes and value, but that often require significant up-front investment in
      infrastructure to achieve safety and quality. Oncology practices participating in
      the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Institute for Quality's Quality
      Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) and the QOPI Certification Program (QCP)
      continue to grow in number and reflect changing demographics of the provision of
      cancer care. QOPI and QCP benchmarking can be used to achieve quality improvement
      and to build collaborative quality communities. These programs may be useful
      tools for oncology practices to comply with new legislation such as the Medicare
      Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). 

PMID- 27249711
TI  - The Oncology Care Model: A Critique.
AB  - Rapidly increasing national health care expenditures are a major area of concern
      as threats to the integrity of the health care system. Significant increases in
      the cost of care for patients with cancer are driven by numerous factors, most
      importantly the cost of hospital care and escalating pharmaceutical costs. The
      current fee-for-service system (FFS) has been identified as a potential driver of
      the increasing cost of care, and multiple stakeholders are interested in
      replacing FFS with a system that improves the quality of care while at the same
      time reducing cost. Several models have been piloted, including a Center for
      Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI)-sponsored medical home model (COME HOME)
      for patients with solid tumors that was able to generate savings by integrating a
      phone triage system, pathways, and seamless patient care 7 days a week to reduce
      overall cost of care, mostly by decreasing patient admissions to hospitals and
      referrals to emergency departments. CMMI is now launching a new pilot model, the
      Oncology Care Model (OCM), which differs from COME HOME in several important
      ways. It does not abolish FFS but provides an additional payment in 6-month
      increments for each patient on active cancer treatment. It also allows practices
      to participate in savings if they can decrease the overall cost of care, to
      include all chemotherapy and supportive care drugs, and fulfill certain quality
      metrics. A critical discussion of the proposed model, which is scheduled to start
      in 2016, will be provided at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology
      (ASCO) Annual Meeting with practicing oncologists and a Centers for Medicare &
      Medicaid Services (CMS) representative. 

PMID- 27249712
TI  - Strategies for Sustainable Cancer Care.
AB  - There is an increasing focus on the relative cost-effectiveness and
      sustainability of delivering high-quality cancer care, with most emphasis,
      debatably, given to cost control of innovative treatments. It is difficult to
      calculate all the direct and indirect contributors to the total cost of cancer
      treatment, but it is estimated that cancer drugs constitute 10% to 30% of the
      total cost of cancer care. A 2007 study in France showed the contribution of drug
      costs was less than 20%, with approximately 70% of the total expenditure on
      cancer accounted for by health care resource use, such as hospitalization. The
      U.K. government established the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
      (NICE)-the dominant function of which is technology appraisal-to assess the
      clinical and cost-effectiveness of new pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical
      products. This is to ensure that all National Health Service (NHS) patients have
      equitable access to the most clinically effective and cost-effective treatments
      that are viable. NICE has developed a transparent, public process to judge
      incremental cost-effectiveness using the quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which
      allows comparisons of cost-effectiveness across medical specialties. NICE has
      been both lauded and criticized-especially when it passes judgment on marginally
      effective but expensive anticancer drugs-but it provides a route to "rational
      rationing" and, therefore, may contribute to sustainable cancer care by
      highlighting the issue of affordable medicine. This implies a challenge to the
      wider oncology community as to how we might cooperate to introduce the concept of
      value-driven cancer care. 

PMID- 27249713
TI  - Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Brain Metastases: From Biology to Treatment.
AB  - Cancer immunotherapy has been a subject of intense research over the last several
      years, leading to new approaches for modulation of the immune system to treat
      malignancies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CLTA-4 antibodies and anti-PD
      1/PD-L1 antibodies) potentiate the host's own antitumor immune response. These
      immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown impressive clinical efficacy in advanced
      melanoma, metastatic kidney cancer, and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC)-all malignancies that frequently cause brain metastases. The immune
      response in the brain is highly regulated, challenging the treatment of brain
      metastases with immune-modulatory therapies. The immune microenvironment in brain
      metastases is active with a high density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in
      certain patients and, therefore, may serve as a potential treatment target.
      However, clinical data of the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in brain
      metastases compared with extracranial metastases are limited, as most clinical
      trials with these new agents excluded patients with active brain metastases. In
      this article, we review the current scientific evidence of brain metastases
      biology with specific emphasis on inflammatory tumor microenvironment and the
      evolving state of clinical application of immune checkpoint inhibitors for
      patients with brain metastases. 

PMID- 27249714
TI  - Targeted Therapy in Brain Metastases: Ready for Primetime?
AB  - Brain metastasis is a serious complication of cancer that causes significant
      morbidity for patients. Over the last decade, numerous new driver somatic
      mutations have been recognized and targeted therapies are changing the landscape
      of treatment in lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma, which are also the
      three most common cancers that result in brain metastases. The common actionable
      mutations include the EGFR mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)
      translocations in non-small cell lung cancer, the HER2 mutation in breast cancer,
      and the BRAF mutation in melanoma. However, most of the early trials with
      targeted agents excluded patients with brain metastases. With a better
      understanding of the biology, several recent trials of targeted therapy that
      focus on brain metastases have been reported and others are ongoing. Novel agents
      with better penetration across the blood-brain barrier are currently being
      investigated for patients with brain metastases. In this review, we discuss the
      current state of use and future directions of targeted therapies in brain
      metastases. 

PMID- 27249715
TI  - Current State of Immune-Based Therapies for Glioblastoma.
AB  - Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive solid tumors, and, despite treatment
      options such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, its prognosis remains grim.
      Novel approaches are needed to improve survival. Immunotherapy has proven
      efficacy for melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer and is now a focus for
      glioblastoma. In this article, glioblastoma-mediated immunosuppression will be
      discussed and two exciting immune approaches, checkpoint inhibitors and viral
      based therapies, will be reviewed. 

PMID- 27249716
TI  - Tumor Evolutionary Principles: How Intratumor Heterogeneity Influences Cancer
      Treatment and Outcome.
AB  - Recent studies have shown that intratumor heterogeneity contributes to drug
      resistance in advanced disease. Intratumor heterogeneity may foster the selection
      of a resistant subclone, sometimes detectable prior to treatment. Next-generation
      sequencing is enabling the phylogenetic reconstruction of a cancer's life history
      and has revealed different modes of cancer evolution. These studies have shown
      that cancer evolution is not always stochastic and has certain constraints.
      Consideration of cancer evolution may enable the better design of clinical trials
      and cancer therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the different modes of
      cancer evolution and how this might impact clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we
      will discuss several therapeutic strategies for managing emergent intratumor
      heterogeneity. 

PMID- 27249717
TI  - Biosimilars: Here and Now.
AB  - Congress passed the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCI Act) as
      part of the Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010. The BPCI Act authorized an
      approval pathway for biosimilar and interchangeable products. It defines
      biosimilarity to mean "that the biological product is highly similar to the
      reference product notwithstanding minor differences in clinically inactive
      components" and that "there are no clinically meaningful differences between the
      biological product and the reference product in terms of safety, purity, and
      potency of the product." The biosimilar pathway has the potential to facilitate
      access to biologic products through increased competition, in the same manner as
      biosimilars have done for almost 10 years in Europe. The goal of a biosimilar
      program is not to independently establish safety and effectiveness for each
      condition of use. Rather, the goal is to demonstrate biosimilarity through an
      extensive analytical characterization and a targeted clinical program designed to
      assess for clinically meaningful differences, if they exist. The regulatory
      approaches in both the United States and Europe involve a totality-of-the
      evidence approach to demonstrate biosimilarity. Importantly, the biosimilar
      pathway allows for extrapolation of data across indications so that a sponsor,
      with adequate scientific justification, need not conduct clinical studies in each
      intended condition of use. Without extrapolation, development may not be feasible
      for many products, and patients and resources could be diverted from clinical
      studies of newer agents for cancer. 

PMID- 27249718
TI  - Arming the Immune System Through Vaccination to Prevent Cancer Recurrence.
AB  - Cancer vaccines have the potential to provide a nontoxic treatment for the
      prevention of cancer recurrence in the adjuvant setting. Many cancer vaccines
      have been tested in multiple phase III trials with minimal success. However,
      through these failed clinical trials, we have learned that the ideal setting for
      vaccine therapy is the adjuvant setting. Also, we have learned important lessons
      about patient selection to maximize the probability of success. This article will
      highlight some of the successes, our trial results in the adjuvant setting, and
      future directions. 

PMID- 27249719
TI  - The Role of Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer in the Era of Targeted and Immune
      Therapies.
AB  - Although two phase III trials support the recommendation of nephrectomy followed
      by interferon alpha in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), this procedure
      cannot be applied to every patient with this condition. Systemic therapy has
      changed from interferon alpha to antiangiogenic-targeted therapy, and the
      clinical impact of nephrectomy in the era of targeted therapy has not been
      proven. The SEER database shows that only 35% of patients with advanced RCC
      undergo nephrectomy as their initial treatment. Retrospective studies showed
      improved overall survival (OS) outcomes with nephrectomy and interleukin-2 (IL-2)
      therapy; however, the inherent selection bias of younger and healthier patients
      receiving IL-2 likely accounts for this finding. Neoadjuvant therapy has
      demonstrated only modest efficacy in unresectable disease, and if remission is
      obtained with systemic therapy, it is unclear whether nephrectomy has any
      incremental benefit. In the absence of proven benefit of nephrectomy in the
      setting of targeted therapy, it seems advisable for patients with RCC with
      severely symptomatic disease, competing comorbidities, poor performance status,
      or unresectable disease to avoid nephrectomy and proceed directly to systemic
      therapy. The clinical implications of deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy for
      patients with metastatic RCC are poorly understood, and patient cohorts that do
      not undergo this procedure are likely to be comprised of patients with
      unfavorable disease characteristics. Unfortunately, the completed trials of
      targeted therapy were 90% comprised of patients with prior nephrectomy (the
      majority of trials incorporate prior nephrectomy as an eligibility requirement)
      and hence may not reflect the outcomes of the majority of the patients with
      advanced RCC who have not undergone nephrectomy. Newer therapies such as
      nivolumab and cabozantinib have also been evaluated for a population in which 90%
      of the patients underwent nephrectomy. Future clinical trials and registry
      studies must focus on the therapeutic treatment and overall outcome of patients
      without nephrectomy and treated with contemporary systemic therapy. 

PMID- 27249720
TI  - Overcoming Therapeutic Resistance by Targeting Cancer Inflammation.
AB  - Tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells are a prominent feature of most solid
      malignancies. This inflammatory immune response, driven by tumor-intrinsic
      signaling pathways, is a major checkpoint to therapeutic efficacy achieved with
      immunotherapy and standard cytotoxic therapies. To overcome therapeutic
      resistance mediated by cancer inflammation, ongoing clinical trials are
      evaluating strategies that (1) deplete myeloid cells from tumors, (2) inhibit
      tumor-promoting properties of myeloid cells, and (3) redirect myeloid cells with
      tumor-inhibitory activity. 

PMID- 27249721
TI  - Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics in the Era of Targeted
      Therapies.
AB  - The complex nature of the pharmacologic aspects of cancer therapeutics has become
      more apparent in the past several years with the arrival of a cascade of target
      based agents and the difficult challenge of bringing individualized precision
      medicine to oncology. Interpatient variability in drug action, singularly in
      novel agents, is in part caused by pharmacogenomic (PG), pharmacokinetic, and
      pharmacodynamic (PD) factors, and drug selection and dosing should take this into
      consideration to optimize the benefit for our patients in terms of antitumor
      activity and treatment tolerance. In this regard, somatic genetic evaluation of
      tumors is useful in not only predicting response to initial targeted therapies
      but also in anticipating and guiding therapy after the development of acquired
      resistance; therapeutic drug monitoring of novel small molecules and monoclonal
      antibodies must be incorporated in our day-to-day practice to minimize the
      negative effect on clinical outcome of interindividual variability on
      pharmacokinetic processes of these drugs for all patients, but especially for
      fragile patient populations and those with organ dysfunction or comorbidities.
      For these populations, incorporating frailty assessment tools into trials of
      newer agents and validating frailty-based dose adjustment should be an important
      part of further drug development. 

PMID- 27249722
TI  - Liver Metastases in Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - Resection of colorectal liver metastases is a treatment standard because patients
      experience long-term disease-free survival or are even cured after undergoing
      this procedure. Improved surgical techniques for liver resection in combination
      with downsizing liver metastases by chemotherapy, interventions to induce liver
      hypertrophy before resection, and the use of ablative techniques have allowed us
      to expand the indications for liver surgery and local treatment in situations
      with limited metastatic colorectal cancer. Resectability and identification of
      patients who might benefit from liver surgery and local ablative techniques are
      key factors for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer. Despite the
      wide acceptance of liver surgery and ablative techniques, there are many open
      questions on the management of limited metastatic disease, such as which patients
      benefit from an aggressive surgical approach, what the indications for ablative
      and other local techniques are, and what the role of chemotherapy is for patients
      with resectable or resected disease. Unfortunately, results of randomized trials
      are only available for a limited number of these questions. 

PMID- 27249723
TI  - Biliary Tract Cancer: Epidemiology, Radiotherapy, and Molecular Profiling.
AB  - Biliary tract cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, arises from the biliary epithelium
      of the small ducts in the periphery of the liver (intrahepatic) and the main
      ducts of the hilum (extrahepatic), extending into the gallbladder. The incidence
      and epidemiology of biliary tract cancer are fluid and complex. It is shown that
      intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is on the rise in the Western world, and
      gallbladder cancer is on the decline. Radiation therapy has emerged as an
      important component of adjuvant therapy for resected disease and definitive
      therapy for locally advanced disease. The emerging sophisticated techniques of
      imaging tumors and conformal dose delivery are expanding the indications for
      radiotherapy in the management of bile duct tumors. As we understand more about
      the molecular pathways driving biliary tract cancers, targeted therapies are at
      the forefront of new therapeutic combinations. Understanding the gene expression
      profile and mutational burden in biliary tract cancer allows us to better discern
      the pathogenesis and identify promising new developmental therapeutic targets. 

PMID- 27249724
TI  - Compassionate Use: A Modest Proposal.

PMID- 27249725
TI  - The Past, Present, and Future of Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials.
AB  - Upper gastrointestinal malignancies comprise half of the deadliest cancers as
      defined by those with a 5-year survival rate less than 50%. Using pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma (PAC) as an example, we retrospectively evaluated the success of
      phase III clinical trials, examined the current landscape of clinical trials, and
      identified emerging areas that foretell the future for this disease. Pancreatic
      and liver cancers are on the rise and will be the second and third leading causes
      of cancer deaths in 2030. A total of 35 different agents or combinations have
      been tested in randomized phase III clinical trials for patients with advanced
      PAC over the past 25 years, but only 11% have been incorporated into clinical
      practice. There has been a 37% increase in the number of PAC trials open in the
      United States between 2011 to 2012 and 2014 to 2015. Enrollment has also
      increased slightly, from 3.85% of the newly diagnosed cases in 2011 to 4.15% in
      2014. However, the demand for patients far exceeds the number of patients
      available for these trials. On the horizon is the realization that stratification
      of patients with PAC using biomarkers that predict a high probability of a
      response could reallocate patients to faster, smaller trials with a greater
      chance of a survival benefit. The current landscape of PAC clinical trials and
      the launch of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Know Your Tumor initiative
      indicate this shift is starting to occur, with particular emphasis on targeted
      therapies, immunotherapies, and agents that disrupt the stroma. 

PMID- 27249726
TI  - Localized Pancreatic Cancer: Multidisciplinary Management.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer that continues to have single-digit 5
      year mortality rates despite advancements in the field. Surgery remains the only
      curative treatment; however, most patients present with late-stage disease deemed
      unresectable, either due to extensive local vascular involvement or the presence
      of distant metastasis. Resection guidelines that include a borderline resectable
      group, as well as advancements in neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation that
      improve resectability of locally advanced disease, may improve outcomes for
      patients with more invasive disease. Multi-agent chemotherapy regimens
      fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) and nab
      paclitaxel with gemcitabine improved response rates and survival in metastatic
      pancreatic cancer and are now being used in earlier stages for patients with
      localized potentially resectable and unresectable disease, with goals of
      downstaging tumors to allow margin-negative resection and reducing systemic
      recurrence. Chemoradiotherapy, although still controversial for both resectable
      and unresectable pancreatic cancer, is being used in the context of contemporary
      chemotherapy backbone regimens, and novel radiation techniques such as
      stereotactic body frame radiation therapy (SBRT) are studied on the premise of
      maintaining or improving efficacy and reducing treatment duration. Patient
      selection for optimal treatment designation is currently provided by
      multidisciplinary tumor boards, but biomarker discovery, in blood, tumors, or
      through novel imaging, is an area of intense research. Results to date suggest
      that some patients with unresectable disease at the outset have survival rates as
      good as those with initially resectable disease if able to undergo surgical
      resection. Long-term follow-up and improved clinical trials options are needed to
      determine optimal treatment modalities for patients with localized pancreatic
      cancer. 

PMID- 27249727
TI  - Issues in Breast Cancer Survivorship: Optimal Care, Bone Health, and Lifestyle
      Modifications.
AB  - There are an estimated 3.1 million survivors of breast cancer in the United
      States. The predominant reasons for this substantially large population are that
      breast cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy among women and that 5
      year survival rates after breast cancer treatment are approximately 90%. These
      patients have many medical considerations, including the need to monitor for
      disease recurrence and to manage complications of their previous cancer
      treatments. Most patients remain at risk indefinitely for local and systemic
      recurrences of their breast cancers and have an increased risk of developing
      contralateral new primary breast cancers. Therefore, optimizing care for this
      patient population is critical to the overall health care landscape in the United
      States. Here, we summarize survivorship care delivery and its challenges, the
      optimization of bone health in breast cancer survivors, and opportunities for
      risk reduction through lifestyle modifications. 

PMID- 27249728
TI  - Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer in Older Patients.
AB  - Treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer in older patients is challenging.
      Definitive therapy of localized disease requires either surgery or radiation
      therapy, ideally combined with systemic chemotherapy. However, current population
      data suggest that less than half of patients older than age 70 are offered such
      treatments. We will review tools available to assess the fitness of older
      patients for surgery, alternatives, and tips for perioperative patient treatment.

PMID- 27249730
TI  - Paradigm Shift in the Management Strategy for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.
AB  - The hypothesis on the pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian cancer continues to
      evolve. Although epithelial ovarian cancer had been assumed to arise from the
      coelomic epithelium of the ovarian surface, it is now becoming clearer that the
      majority of serous carcinomas arise from epithelium of the distal fallopian tube,
      whereas clear cell and endometrioid cancers arise from endometriosis. Molecular
      and genomic characteristics of epithelial ovarian cancer have been extensively
      investigated. Our understanding of pathogenesis of the various histologic types
      of ovarian cancer have begun to inform changes to the strategies for management
      of epithelial ovarian cancer, which represent a paradigm shift not only for
      treatment but also for prevention, which previously had not been considered
      achievable. In this article, we will discuss novel attempts at the prevention of
      high-grade serous ovarian cancer and treatment strategies for two distinct
      entities in epithelial ovarian cancer: low-grade serous and clear cell ovarian
      carcinomas, which are relatively rare and resistant to conventional chemotherapy.

PMID- 27249729
TI  - Active Surveillance of Prostate Cancer: Use, Outcomes, Imaging, and Diagnostic
      Tools.
AB  - Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a standard management option for men with
      very low-risk and low-risk prostate cancer, and contemporary data indicate that
      use of AS is increasing in the United States and abroad. In the favorable-risk
      population, reports from multiple prospective cohorts indicate a less than 1%
      likelihood of metastatic disease and prostate cancer-specific mortality over
      intermediate-term follow-up (median 5-6 years). Higher-risk men participating in
      AS appear to be at increased risk of adverse outcomes, but these populations have
      not been adequately studied to this point. Although monitoring on AS largely
      relies on serial prostate biopsy, a procedure associated with considerable
      morbidity, there is a need for improved diagnostic tools for patient selection
      and monitoring. Revisions from the 2014 International Society of Urologic
      Pathology consensus conference have yielded a more intuitive reporting system and
      detailed reporting of low-intermediate grade tumors, which should facilitate the
      practice of AS. Meanwhile, emerging modalities such as multiparametric magnetic
      resonance imaging and tissue-based molecular testing have shown prognostic value
      in some populations. At this time, however, these instruments have not been
      sufficiently studied to consider their routine, standardized use in the AS
      setting. Future studies should seek to identify those platforms most informative
      in the AS population and propose a strategy by which promising diagnostic tools
      can be safely and efficiently incorporated into clinical practice. 

PMID- 27249731
TI  - Gynecologic Cancers: Emerging Novel Strategies for Targeting DNA Repair
      Deficiency.
AB  - The presence of a BRCA mutation, somatic or germline, is now established as a
      standard of care for selecting patients with ovarian cancer for treatment with a
      PARP inhibitor. During the clinical development of the PARP inhibitor class of
      agents, a subset of women without BRCA mutations were shown to respond to these
      drugs (termed "BRCAness"). It was hypothesized that other genetic abnormalities
      causing a homologous recombinant deficiency (HRD) were sensitizing the BRCA wild
      type cancers to PARP inhibition. The molecular basis for these other causes of
      HRD are being defined. They include individual gene defects (e.g., RAD51
      mutation, CHEK2 mutation), homozygous somatic loss, and whole genome properties
      such as genomic scarring. Testing this knowledge is possible when selecting
      patients to receive molecular therapy targeting DNA repair, not only for patients
      with ovarian cancer but also endometrial and cervical cancers. The validity of
      HRD assays and multiple gene sequencing panels to select a broader population of
      patients for treatment with PARP inhibitor therapy is under evaluation. Other non
      HRD targets for exploiting DNA repair defects in gynecologic cancers include
      mismatch repair (MMR), checkpoint signaling, and nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ)
      DNA repair. This article describes recent evidence supporting strategies in
      addition to BRCA mutation for selecting patients for treatment with PARP
      inhibitor therapy. Additionally, the challenges and opportunities of exploiting
      DNA repair pathways other than homologous recombination for molecular therapy in
      gynecologic cancers is discussed. 

PMID- 27249732
TI  - Enhancing Care of the Survivor of Gynecologic Cancer: Managing the Menopause and
      Radiation Toxicity.
AB  - It is expected that there will be 290,000 cases of gynecologic cancers in 2016.
      Of these cancers, 60,000 will be endometrial and 22,000 will be ovarian-the two
      most common gynecologic cancers. Endometrial and ovarian cancers occur in
      menopausal women with mean ages of 60 and 63, respectively. The majority of
      endometrial cancers are early stage, and 5-year survival is considered good at
      upwards of 75%. For ovarian cancer, while survival rates have improved, the 5
      year survival rate for the most common stage (stage III) is 40%. Thus, a
      substantial number of patients with gynecologic cancer are menopausal, and a
      significant number of patients are survivors, particularly of endometrial
      cancers. It will be important for survivors of gynecologic cancers to receive
      care tailored to their needs as women and to mitigate gender-specific side
      effects of their cancer treatment. 

PMID- 27249733
TI  - Immunotherapy and Checkpoint Inhibitors in Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck
      Cancer.
AB  - Immune surveillance is well recognized as an important mechanism to prevent
      development or progression of head and neck cancers. Head and neck cancer cells
      can escape the immune system through multiple mechanisms including development of
      tolerance in T cells and inhibition of T-cell-related pathways, generally
      referred to as checkpoint inhibitors. This article highlights advances in immuno
      oncology treatment approaches in recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous
      cell carcinoma. Clinical trials are discussed in detail, with an emphasis on
      response dynamics, oncologic efficacy, safety, and tolerability of checkpoint
      inhibitors. In addition, developing concepts and ongoing studies in this setting
      are also reviewed. 

PMID- 27249734
TI  - Locoregional Recurrent or Second Primary Head and Neck Cancer: Management
      Strategies and Challenges.
AB  - Treatment of patients with locoregional recurrent or second primary head and neck
      squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) has been guided by well-reasoned principles and
      informed by carefully tested chemotherapy and radiation regimens. However,
      clinical decision making for this population is complicated by many factors.
      Although surgery is generally considered the treatment of choice for patients
      with HNSCC with recurrent disease or new second primary disease in a previously
      irradiated field, operability of cases is not always straightforward.
      Postoperative treatment is frequently warranted but carries significant risk. In
      addition, the rapid rise in the incidence of HPV-associated HNSCC raises the
      question of whether established treatment paradigms should be re-examined in this
      population of patients with a much better prognosis than the non-HPV population.
      Furthermore, new radiation techniques and new systemic agents show early
      promising results in recent clinical studies, suggesting potential for practice
      changing effects in the future management of this disease. This article examines
      each of the treatment modalities used in the care of patients with HNSCC with
      recurrent or new second primary disease and provides a perspective to aid
      clinicians in the management of this disease. 

PMID- 27249735
TI  - Challenges and Opportunities in Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: A 2016
      Update.
AB  - Herein, both the rationale and scope of current initiatives aimed at improving
      the quality of cancer care delivery in the United States are described. First, we
      discuss a recent report from the Institute of Medicine that issued a strong call
      for both the development of quality measures in oncology and implementation of a
      learning health care system in which data and experience from clinical practice
      can inform continuous improvements in cancer care. Second, we review the
      multiple, diverse initiatives that are underway to identify, test, and validate
      quality measures for the entire spectrum of cancer care. Finally, we discuss
      regional quality improvement collaboratives as one successful approach to
      creating a cycle of quality measurement, identification of best practices, and
      implementation of changes in practice patterns that ultimately yield improved
      care and outcomes for patients with cancer. 

PMID- 27249736
TI  - Evolving Therapies in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Progress at Last?
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an acquired disease characterized by chromosomal
      translocations and somatic mutations that lead to leukemogenesis. Systemic
      combination chemotherapy with an anthracycline and cytarabine remains the
      standard induction regimen for "fit" adults. Patients who achieve complete
      remission generally receive postinduction therapy with cytarabine-based
      chemotherapy or an allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Those unfit for induction
      chemotherapy are treated with hypomethylating agents (HMAs), low-dose cytarabine,
      or they are offered supportive care alone with transfusions and prophylactic
      antimicrobials. The revolution in understanding the genetics of AML, facilitated
      by next-generation sequencing, has led to many new drugs against driver
      mutations. Better methods of identification of leukemic blasts have provided us
      with better means to detect the disease left behind after cytotoxic chemotherapy
      regimens. This measurable residual disease has been correlated with poorer
      relapse-free survival, demonstrating the need for novel strategies to eradicate
      it to improve the outcome of patients with acute leukemias. In this article, we
      discuss adapting and improving AML therapy by age and comorbidities, emerging
      targeted therapies in AML, and minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment in AML. 

PMID- 27249737
TI  - Tailoring Chemotherapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Based on Tumor Biology or
      Tumor Burden?
AB  - The question of whether to offer adjuvant chemotherapy to patients with early
      stage breast cancer has always been challenging to answer. It is well known that
      a substantial proportion of patients with early-stage breast cancer are over
      treated, especially when staging and hormonal and HER2 receptors are solely taken
      into consideration. The advances in our knowledge of breast cancer biology and
      its clinical implications were the basis for the discovery of additional reliable
      prognostic markers to aid decision making for adjuvant treatment. Gene expression
      profiling is a molecular tool that more precisely defines the intrinsic
      characteristics of each individual tumor. The application of this technology has
      led to the development of gene signatures/profiles with relevant prognostic-and
      some predictive-value that have become important tools in defining which patients
      with early-stage breast cancer can be safely spared from chemotherapy. However,
      the exact clinical utility of these tools will only be determined after the
      results of two large prospective randomized trials, MINDACT and TailorX,
      evaluating their role become available. Notwithstanding the existence of these
      genomic tools, tumor burden (defined as tumor size and nodal status) still has
      independent prognostic value and must be incorporated in decision making. In
      addition, these gene signatures have limited predictive value, and new biomarkers
      and new targets are needed. Therefore close collaboration between clinicians and
      scientists is crucial. Lastly, issues of cost-effectiveness, reimbursement, and
      availability are crucial and widely variable around the globe. 

PMID- 27249738
TI  - Advances in the Genetics and Therapy of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
AB  - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains an important cause of morbidity in
      children and adults. In this article, we highlight advances in the genetics and
      therapy of three key subtypes of ALL: T-cell ALL, BCR-ABL1 (Philadelphia [Ph]
      chromosone-positive), and Ph-like ALL. T-ALL is an aggressive disease that
      accounts for about 15% and 25% of ALL among pediatric and adult cohorts,
      respectively, and exhibits a multistep nature of cancer initiation and
      progression. The integration of cytogenetics, molecular biology, and
      immunophenotype analyses has led to the identification of defined T-ALL
      subgroups, such as early T-cell precursor ALL and novel lesions with a prognostic
      role, for which specific inhibitors are being developed. Ph-positive ALL was
      historically regarded as a subtype of ALL with a poor prognosis, and allogeneic
      stem cell transplant was recommended for all patients who could undergo this
      procedure. The deep complete responses seen with combination tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors (TKIs) and chemotherapy in Ph-positive ALL, and the reports of long
      term survival among some patients not undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant,
      has raised the question of whether there is a subset of patients who could be
      cured without this intervention. Ph-like ALL is a subtype of B-progenitor ALL
      common among older children and adults and associated with a diverse range of
      genetic alterations that activate kinase signaling. Ph-like ALL is also
      associated with poor outcome, for which precision medicine trials identifying
      kinase alterations and testing TKI therapy are being developed. 

PMID- 27249739
TI  - Individualizing Care for Patients With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Integrating
      Genetics, Evolving Therapies, and Patient-Specific Disease Burden.
AB  - Individualized medicine is important for patients with myeloproliferative
      neoplasms (MPNs), including essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and
      myelofibrosis, which are heterogeneous in terms of genetic mutation profile,
      prognosis, disease burden, and symptoms. Status of MPN driver mutations in JAK2,
      CALR, and MPL (or lack of one of these mutations) and other myeloid mutations
      (ASXL1, SRSF2, CBL, and IDH1/2, among others) affects diagnosis and prognosis.
      Management begins with estimating the prognosis, disease burden including MPN
      symptoms, and prevention of vascular events. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation
      is the definitive therapy in a subset of patients with myelofibrosis, the
      majority of whom receive JAK inhibition with ruxolitinib to relieve splenomegaly
      and symptoms and to prolong survival. Ruxolitinib is now a second-line therapy in
      polycythemia vera, with pegylated interferon being evaluated as a potential front
      line therapy compared with hydroxyurea. The therapeutic landscape is evolving to
      include new JAK inhibitors, which may affect cytopenias (pacritinib and
      momelotinib), combination therapies including ruxolitinib, and novel targets such
      as pentraxin and telomerase. Assessing the therapeutic efficacy (including
      symptom impact) and toxicity of these new approaches is necessary to determine
      longitudinal management of MPNs in clinical practice and is a key component of
      "individualizing" care for patients with MPNs. 

PMID- 27249740
TI  - Integrating Frailty, Comorbidity, and Quality of Life in the Management of
      Myelodysplastic Syndromes.
AB  - Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of acquired hematopoietic stem cell
      disorders that manifest with progressive bone marrow failure and have a
      propensity to transform into leukemia. Although an increase in biologic
      understanding of MDS has led to improved patient risk stratification and
      prognostication, advances in treatment have lagged behind. While hematopoietic
      cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative option for some, most
      affected patients continue to be treated with supportive care or with drugs that
      offer temporary palliation such as hematopoietic growth factors, DNA
      hypomethylating agents, or immunomodulatory therapy. For several groups, such as
      those with intermediate-risk disease as classified by the Revised International
      Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) or those with higher-risk disease for whom
      hypomethylating agents have failed, optimal treatment remains uncertain.
      Inclusion of patient-related factors such as frailty and comorbid conditions into
      risk assessment can improve prognostication beyond the disease-associated
      variables included in systems such as the IPSS-R. This article focuses on
      approaches to assessing and integrating frailty, comorbidities, and quality of
      life into the treatment of patients with MDS. 

PMID- 27249741
TI  - Searching for a Light at the End of the Tunnel? Beyond Hypomethylating Agents in
      Myelodysplastic Syndromes.
AB  - Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are the mainstay treatment of patients with
      myelodysplastic syndromes. Hypomethylating agents remain the only treatment,
      other than allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), that
      improves overall survival (OS) for patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic
      syndromes. It is crucial to maximize the benefit of HMAs by selecting the
      appropriate dosing and schedule and continuing therapy until clear evidence of
      lack of response or failure of therapy. Strategies to improve outcome with HMAs
      include identifying tools and biomarkers for better patient selection, namely the
      ability to identify those who achieve complete response (CR) or long duration of
      response, combination strategies with HMAs aim to improve response rate or its
      duration. The outcome of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes after HMA
      failure is poor for both patients with higher-risk and lower-risk disease and
      represents an unmet medical need. The best outcomes after HMA failure are
      reported with AHSCT or novel agents in clinical trials. This article discusses
      the maximizing benefit of HMAs, offers strategies to improve outcome with HMAs,
      and, finally, reviews selected novel agents in development after HMA failure. 

PMID- 27249742
TI  - Current Management Concepts: Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma, Natural
      Killer T-Cell Lymphoma Nasal Type, and Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative
      Disorder.
AB  - Primary central nervous system lymphoma, natural killer T-cell lymphoma nasal
      type, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder are uncommon and complex
      lymphoproliferative disorders. These disorders present with different risk
      factors, have complex tumor characteristics, and require unique therapeutic
      interventions. These diseases require a multidisciplinary complex team approach.
      This article will update current management approaches and concepts. 

PMID- 27249743
TI  - Functional Imaging Using 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET in the Management of Primary
      Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma: The Contributions of the International
      Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group.
AB  - Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMLBCL) is recognized as a distinct
      disease entity. Treatment outcomes appear better than in other diffuse large B
      cell lymphoma (DLBCL) types, partly because of their earlier stage at
      presentation and the younger age of most patients. If initial treatment fails,
      however, the results of salvage chemotherapy and myeloablative treatment are
      poor. The need to avoid relapses after initial therapy has led to controversy
      over the extent of front-line therapy, particularly whether consolidation
      radiotherapy to the mediastinum is always required and whether the 18
      fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake detected by PET-CT scan can be used to
      determine its requirements. Functional imaging using PET-CT generally allows
      distinguishing of residual mediastinal masses containing active lymphoma from
      those with only sclerotic material remaining. The International Extranodal
      Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) conducted the prospective IELSG-26 study, which
      showed that a five-point visual scale can be used to define metabolic response
      after immunochemotherapy and that a cut point based on liver uptake discriminates
      effectively between high or low risk of failure, with 5-year progression-free
      survival (PFS) of 99% versus 68% and 5-year overall survival (OS) of 100% versus
      83%. This study also showed that a baseline quantitative PET parameter, namely
      the total lesion glycolysis describing the metabolic tumor burden, can be a
      powerful predictor of PMLBCL outcomes and warrants further validation as a
      biomarker. The ongoing IELSG-37 randomized study addresses the need for
      consolidation mediastinal radiotherapy in patients in whom a complete metabolic
      response (CMR) can be seen on PET scans after standard immunochemotherapy. 

PMID- 27249744
TI  - Risk-Adapted Treatment of Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma With PET-CT.
AB  - Although patients with advanced-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma have excellent
      outcomes with contemporary therapy, the outcomes of patients with refractory
      disease is suboptimal. Identification of these high-risk patients at diagnosis is
      challenging as the differences in outcomes using clinical criteria are less
      marked using current modern therapy. Data suggest that an interim PET-CT may be a
      powerful tool in risk-stratifying patients. Retrospective studies show that a
      negative interim PET-CT after two to four cycles of ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin,
      vinblastine, dacarbazine) is predictive of favorable outcome independent of IPS
      score. Currently, there are several ongoing trials that aim to determine whether
      early-response assessment can be used to select patients who might benefit from
      modifications of subsequent therapy, either by intensifying or abbreviating
      regimens and/or omitting radiotherapy with promising early results. Longer follow
      up is required to assess whether this strategy impacts overall survival (OS).
      Herein, we review the results of recent trials using interim PET-CT-based
      adaptive design in the treatment of advanced HL. 

PMID- 27249745
TI  - Chemoimmunotherapy Versus Targeted Treatment in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia:
      When, How Long, How Much, and in Which Combination?
AB  - During the past 5 years, rapid therapeutic advances have changed the landscape of
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) therapy. This disease has traditionally been
      treated using cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens in combination with anti-CD20
      antibody treatment, and recent long-term follow-up data from multiple centers
      suggest that fit patients with CLL with favorable disease features-particularly
      mutated immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) genes-derive very long
      term benefit from the most potent of these regimens, namely the fludarabine,
      cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) regimen. The advent of oral targeted
      therapies, particularly ibrutinib and idelalisib, has provided generally well
      tolerated and highly effective additional options that have come into widespread
      use in the relapsed setting. Additional agents are advancing in clinical
      development, with the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax likely to be approved by the
      U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016. With the development of these
      novel therapies for patients with relapsed CLL, many unanswered questions remain,
      including the optimal sequence (first vs. second line), duration,
      discontinuation, and combination of these agents. In addition, recent
      publications show the emergence of a pattern of treatment resistance in certain
      subgroups of patients with del(17p) and complex karyotype that needs further
      study and improvement. Because the field of CLL management has become much more
      complex, we focus here on understanding the recent data and discuss many of the
      questions and controversies important for how we approach patients with CLL. 

PMID- 27249746
TI  - Improving Response to Hormone Therapy in Breast Cancer: New Targets, New
      Therapeutic Options.
AB  - The majority of breast cancer expresses the estrogen and or progesterone
      receptors (ER and PR). In tumors without concomitant HER2 amplification, hormone
      therapy is a major treatment option for all disease stages. Resistance to
      hormonal therapy is associated with disease recurrence and progression. Recent
      studies have identified a number of resistance mechanisms leading to estrogen
      independent growth of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer as a result
      of genetic and epigenetic alterations, which could be exploited as novel
      therapeutic targets. These include acquired mutations in ER-alpha (ESR1) in
      response to endocrine deprivation; constitutive activation of cyclin-dependent
      kinases (CDK) 4 and 6; cross talk between ER and growth factor receptor signaling
      such as HER family members, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathways,
      intracellular growth, and survival signals PI3K/Akt/mTOR; and epigenetic
      modifications by histone deacetylase (HDAC) as well as interactions with tumor
      microenvironment and host immune response. Inhibitors of these pathways are being
      developed to improve efficacy of hormonal therapy for treatment of both
      metastatic and early-stage disease. Two agents are currently approved in the
      United States for the treatment of metastatic HR+ breast cancer, including the
      mTOR inhibitor everolimus and the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib. Management of
      toxicity is a critical aspect of treatment; the primary toxicity of everolimus is
      stomatitis (treated with topical steroids) and of palbociclib is neutropenia
      (treated with dose reduction/delay). Many agents are in clinical trials,
      primarily in combination with hormone therapy; novel combinations are under
      active investigation. 

PMID- 27249747
TI  - Future Directions in the Evaluation and Treatment of Precursor Plasma Cell
      Disorders.
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable disease that progresses from a premalignant
      stage termed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and an
      intermediate stage of smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). Recent major advances in
      therapy with more effective and less toxic treatments have brought
      reconsideration of early therapeutic intervention in management of SMM, with the
      goal of reducing progression of the disease before the occurrence of end-organ
      damage to MM and improving survival. Key to this effort is accurate
      identification of patients at high risk of progression who would truly benefit
      from early intervention. In this review, we discuss the current definitions, risk
      factors, risk stratification, prognosis, and management of MGUS and SMM, as well
      as new emerging therapeutic options under active investigation. 

PMID- 27249748
TI  - The Role of Imaging in the Treatment of Patients With Multiple Myeloma in 2016.
AB  - The novel criteria for the diagnosis of symptomatic multiple myeloma have
      revealed the value of modern imaging for the management of patients with myeloma.
      Whole-body low-dose CT (LDCT) has increased sensitivity over conventional
      radiography for the detection of osteolytic lesions, and several myeloma
      organizations and institutions have suggested that whole-body LDCT should replace
      conventional radiography for the work-up of patients with myeloma. MRI is the
      best imaging method for the depiction of marrow infiltration by myeloma cells.
      Whole-body MRI (or at least MRI of the spine and pelvis if whole-body MRI is not
      available) should be performed for all patients with smoldering multiple myeloma
      with no lytic lesions to look for occult disease, which may justify treatment. In
      addition, MRI accurately illustrates the presence of plasmacytomas, spinal cord,
      and/or nerve compression for surgical intervention or radiation therapy; it is
      also recommended for the work-up of solitary bone plasmacytoma, and it may
      distinguish malignant from benign fractures (which is very important in cases of
      patients in biochemical remission with no other signs of progression). Diffusion
      weighted imaging (DWI) seems to improve MRI diagnosis in patients with myeloma.
      PET/CT is a functional imaging technique, more sensitive than conventional
      radiography for the detection of lytic lesions, which probably allows better
      definition of complete response and minimal residual disease compared with all
      other imaging methods. PET/CT has shown the best results in the follow-up of
      patients with myeloma and has an independent prognostic value both at diagnosis
      and following treatment. PET/CT can also be used for the work-up of solitary bone
      plasmacytoma and nonsecretory myeloma. 

PMID- 27249749
TI  - Updated Diagnostic Criteria and Staging System for Multiple Myeloma.
AB  - There has been remarkable progress made in the diagnosis and treatment of
      multiple myeloma (MM). The median survival of the disease has doubled as a result
      of several new active drugs. These advances have necessitated a revision of the
      disease definition and staging of MM. Until recently, MM was defined by the
      presence of end-organ damage, specifically hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia,
      and bone lesions (CRAB features) that can be attributed to the clonal process. In
      2014, the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) updated the diagnostic
      criteria for MM to add three specific biomarkers that can be used to diagnose the
      disease in patients who did not have CRAB features: clonal bone marrow plasma
      cells greater than or equal to 60%, serum free light chain (FLC) ratio greater
      than or equal to 100 provided involved FLC level is 100 mg/L or higher, or more
      than one focal lesion on MRI. In addition, the definition was revised to allow CT
      and PET-CT to diagnose MM bone disease. These changes enable early diagnosis and
      allow the initiation of effective therapy to prevent the development of end-organ
      damage for patients who are at the highest risk. A new staging system has been
      developed that incorporates high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities in addition to
      standard laboratory markers of prognosis. 

PMID- 27249750
TI  - Minimal Residual Disease by Next-Generation Sequencing: Pros and Cons.
AB  - The wealth of data recently generated highlights that minimal residual disease
      (MRD)-negative status can be achieved in a large proportion of patients. These
      studies, in addition to a meta-analysis, clearly suggest significant improvement
      in both event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) among those patients
      achieving MRD-negative status, especially with sensitivity of one cell in 1
      million bone marrow cells. There is an evolving consensus that achieving MRD
      negative status should become the ultimate goal of therapeutic intervention.
      Further future efforts should now be directed at determining how MRD status can
      be used to guide and personalize further therapy including type of consolidation
      and maintenance therapy. 

PMID- 27249751
TI  - New Targets and New Agents in High-Risk Multiple Myeloma.
AB  - Advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma have resulted in dramatic
      improvements in outcomes for patients. The newly emerging profiling of mutations
      emerging as a consequence of large prospective sequencing studies such as the
      CoMMpass Study or other efforts from European investigators are not further
      helping to define the place and role for personalized medicine in myeloma. While
      mutations such as NRAS, KRAS, and BRAF do occur in myeloma, it is not clear that
      targeting them as a single drug strategy will result in meaningful responses or
      durations of response. Personalized medicine in multiple myeloma at this time
      likely entails the use of risk-based approaches for maintenance therapy, the use
      of current biology-based treatments such as proteasome inhibitors, and
      immunomodulatory agents, with an eye towards the use of mutation-specific
      treatments in the setting of minimal residual disease or in concert with biology
      based treatments overall. 

PMID- 27249752
TI  - Next-Generation Sequencing Informing Therapeutic Decisions and Personalized
      Approaches.
AB  - Multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous disease featured by different molecular
      subtypes. In the last decade, new therapeutics including second- and third
      generation proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents, monoclonal
      antibodies, and other novel targeted agents have completely transformed the
      outcome of the disease. The task ahead is to develop strategies to identify
      effective combinations and sequences of agents that can exploit the genetic make
      up of myeloma cells to improve efficacy. Moreover, a subgroup of high-risk
      patients who experience early disease relapse and shorter survival also requires
      early identification and specific intervention. Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
      technologies now allow us to accomplish some of these goals. As described here,
      besides improving our understanding of the disease, it is beginning to influence
      our clinical decisions and therapeutic choices. In this article, we describe the
      current state-of-the-art role of NGS in myeloma from identifying high-risk
      disease, to drug selection, and, ultimately, to guide personalized therapy. 

PMID- 27249753
TI  - Immunotherapy: Beyond Anti-PD-1 and Anti-PD-L1 Therapies.
AB  - Advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer are
      cancers in which chemotherapy produces a survival benefit, although it is small.
      We now know that anti-PD-1/PD-L1 has substantial clinical activity in both of
      these diseases, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 15%-20%. These responses
      are frequently rapid and durable, increase median overall survival (OS) compared
      with chemotherapy, and produce long-term survivors. Despite these very
      significant results, many patients do not benefit from anti-PD-1/PD-L1. This is
      because of the potential for malignancies to co-opt myriad immunosuppressive
      mechanisms other than aberrant expression of PD-L1. Conceptually, these can be
      divided into three categories. First, for some patients there is likely a failure
      to generate sufficient functional tumor antigen-specific T cells. Second, for
      others, tumor antigen-specific T cells may be generated but fail to enter into
      the tumor parenchyma. Finally, there are a large number of immunosuppressive
      mechanisms that have the potential to be operational within the tumor
      microenvironment: surface membrane immune checkpoint proteins PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG3,
      TIM3, BTLA, and adenosine A2AR; soluble factors and metabolic alterations
      interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, adenosine, IDO, and
      arginase; and inhibitory cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), regulatory
      T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and tumor-associated
      macrophages. In this article, we discuss three strategies to generate more tumor
      reactive T cells for patients: anti-CTLA-4, therapeutic tumor vaccination, and
      adoptive cellular therapy, with T cells redirected to tumor antigens using T-cell
      receptor (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene modification. We also
      review some of the various strategies in development to thwart tumor
      microenvironment immunosuppressive mechanisms. Strategies to drive more T cells
      into tumors remain a significant challenge. 

PMID- 27249754
TI  - Local Therapy for Limited Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: What Are the
      Options and Is There a Benefit?
AB  - Distant metastasis is common in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and typically
      associated with poor prognosis. Aggressive local therapy including surgery and/or
      radiation for limited metastatic disease from colorectal cancer and sarcoma is
      associated with survival benefit and has become part of the standard of care. In
      this article, we review the literature and ongoing studies concerning surgery,
      radiation, and radiofrequency ablation for oligometastatic NSCLC. 

PMID- 27249755
TI  - Lung Cancer Screening With Low-Dose CT: Implementation Amid Changing Public
      Policy at One Health Care System.
AB  - Screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT has evolved rapidly in recent years
      since the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) results. Subsequent professional
      and governmental organization guidelines have shaped policy and reimbursement for
      the service. Increasingly available guidance describes eligible patients and
      components necessary for a high-quality lung cancer screening program; however,
      practical instruction and implementation experience is not widely reported. We
      launched a lung cancer screening program in the face of reimbursement and
      guideline uncertainties at a large academic health center. We report our
      experience with implementation, including challenges and proposed solutions.
      Initially, we saw less referrals than expected for screening, and many patients
      referred for screening did not clearly meet eligibility guidelines. We educated
      primary care providers and implemented system tools to encourage referral of
      eligible patients. Moreover, in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
      Services (CMS) final coverage determination, we report our programmatic
      adaptation to meet these requirements. In addition to the components common to
      all quality programs, individual health delivery systems will face unique
      barriers related to patient population, available resources, and referral
      patterns. 

PMID- 27249756
TI  - Seeking New Approaches to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - The fundamental approach to the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has
      not changed in the last several decades, with most advances being restricted to
      improved radiation approaches. The standard first-line chemotherapy regimen in
      the United States and Europe remains cisplatin or carboplatin plus etoposide in
      the treatment of limited stage (LS-SCLC) and extensive stage (ES-SCLC) disease.
      Radiation therapy is administered to those patients with LS-SCLC, whose cancer is
      confined to the chest in a single tolerable radiation field. This article will
      summarize a number of exciting observations regarding the biology of SCLC and how
      a deeper understanding of newly integrated targets and target pathways may lead
      to new and better therapeutic approaches in the near future. 

PMID- 27249757
TI  - Treatment of Lung Cancer in Medically Compromised Patients.
AB  - Outcomes for patients with lung cancer have been improved substantially through
      the integration of surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy for patients with
      early-stage disease. Meanwhile, advances in our understanding of molecular
      mechanisms have substantially advanced our treatment of patients with advanced
      lung cancer through the introduction of targeted therapies, immune approaches,
      improvements in chemotherapy, and better supportive care. However, the majority
      of these advances have occurred among patients with good functional status,
      normal organ function, and with the social and economic support systems to be
      able to benefit most from these treatments. The aim of this article is to bring
      greater attention to management of lung cancer in patients who are medically
      compromised, which remains a major barrier to care delivery. Impaired performance
      status is associated with poor outcomes and correlates with the high prevalence
      of cachexia among patients with advanced lung cancer. CT imaging is emerging as a
      research tool to quantify muscle loss in patients with cancer, and new
      therapeutics are on the horizon that may provide important adjunctive therapy in
      the future. The benefits of cancer therapy for patients with organ failure are
      poorly understood because of their exclusion from clinical trials. The
      availability of targeted therapy and immunotherapy may provide alternatives that
      may be easier to deliver in this population, but clinical trials of these new
      agents in this population are vital. Patients with lower socioeconomic status are
      disproportionately affected by lung cancer because of higher rates of tobacco
      addiction and the impact of socioeconomic status on delay in diagnosis,
      treatment, and outcomes. For all patients who are medically compromised with lung
      cancer, multidisciplinary approaches are particularly needed to evaluate these
      patients and to incorporate rapidly changing therapeutics to improve outcomes. 

PMID- 27249758
TI  - Biomarkers for Immunotherapy: Current Developments and Challenges.
AB  - Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer therapy and has been named the cancer
      advance of the year for 2016. Checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated
      unprecedented rates of durable responses in some of the most difficult-to-treat
      cancers; however, many treated patients do not respond, and the potential for
      serious side effects exists. There is a growing need to identify biomarkers that
      will improve the selection of patients who will best respond to therapy, further
      elucidate drug mechanisms of action, and help tailor therapy regimens. Biomarkers
      are being explored at the soluble, cellular, and genomic levels, and examples in
      immunotherapy include serum proteins, tumor-specific receptor expression
      patterns, factors in the tumor microenvironment, circulating immune and tumor
      cells, and host genomic factors. The search for reliable biomarkers is limited by
      our incomplete understanding of how immunotherapies modify the already complex
      immune response to cancer, as well as the contribution of immuno-editing to a
      dynamic and inducible tumor microenvironment and immune milieu. Furthermore,
      there has been little extension of any candidate assay into large, prospective
      studies, and the lack of standardization in measurement and interpretation
      restricts their validity. Both tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1
      expression within the tumor microenvironment have been recognized as having both
      prognostic and predictive value for patients treated with immunotherapy.
      Alternately, a larger panel of gene signatures, chemokines, and other factors
      that correlate with response has been proposed. In this article, we will explore
      the status of current biomarker candidates. 

PMID- 27249759
TI  - Less Is More: The Evolving Surgical Approach to Breast Cancer.
AB  - Personalized medicine is emerging as an important guiding principle in diagnosis
      and treatment. This means not just doing more for some, but safely doing less for
      others. The lessons learned about the biology of breast cancer over the last 2
      decades have enabled us to understand the incredible heterogeneity of breast
      cancer and its associated behavior. Although much work remains, there is an
      emerging opportunity to identify and recognize more indolent forms of breast
      cancer, made more prevalent through the widespread adoption of screening. With
      our improving systemic therapies and improved molecular tools, we now have the
      opportunity to reduce the burden of treatment in women with lower-risk tumors.
      Our surgical treatments have evolved, with less morbid and more cosmetic
      procedures. In this article, we review the indications for further reducing local
      therapy, including adjuvant radiation. 

PMID- 27249760
TI  - Surgical Management and Adjuvant Therapy for High-Risk and Metastatic Melanoma.
AB  - Wide local excision is considered routine therapy after initial diagnosis of
      primary melanoma to reduce local recurrences, but it does not impact survival.
      Sentinel node staging is recommended for melanomas of intermediate thickness, but
      it has also not demonstrated any indisputable therapeutic effect on survival. The
      prognostic value of sentinel node staging has been long established and is
      therefore considered routine, especially in light of the eligibility criteria for
      adjuvant therapy (trials). Whether completion lymph node dissection after a
      positive sentinel node biopsy improves survival is the question of current
      trials. The MSLT-2 study is best powered to show a potential benefit, but it has
      not yet reported any data. Another study, the German DECOG study, presented at
      the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting did not show
      any benefit but is criticized for the underpowered design and insufficient follow
      up. There is no consensus on the use of adjuvant interferon in melanoma. This
      topic has been the focus of many studies with different regimens (low-,
      intermediate-, or high-dose and/or short- or long-term treatment). Adjuvant
      interferon has been shown to improve relapse-free survival but failed to improve
      overall survival. More recently, adjuvant ipilimumab has also demonstrated an
      improved relapse-free survival. Overall survival data have not yet been reported
      due to insufficient follow-up. Currently, studies are ongoing to analyze the use
      of adjuvant anti-PD-1 and molecular targeted therapies (vemurafenib, dabrafenib,
      and trametinib). In the absence of unambiguously positive approved agents,
      clinical trial participation remains a priority. This could change in the near
      future. 

PMID- 27249761
TI  - Cancer Treatment as an Accelerated Aging Process: Assessment, Biomarkers, and
      Interventions.
AB  - An accumulating body of evidence supports the hypothesis that cancer and/or
      cancer treatment is associated with accelerated aging. The majority of these data
      come from the pediatric literature; however, a smaller yet growing body of
      literature points toward similar findings in the geriatric population. This is a
      key survivorship issue the growing number of older adults with cancer face, along
      with the short- and long-term impact of cancer therapy on the aging process. This
      article will review clinical and biologic markers of aging in older adults with
      cancer, use cardiovascular disease as a model of accelerated aging, and discuss
      potential interventions to decrease the risk. 

PMID- 27249762
TI  - Real-World Conundrums and Biases in the Use of White Cell Growth Factors.
AB  - We present the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) white cell
      growth factors, or colony-stimulating factor (CSF), guidelines, updated from
      2006. One new indication has been added-dose-intense chemotherapy for bladder
      cancer-to accompany the existing use for dose-dense breast cancer chemotherapy.
      Colony-stimulating factors remain appropriate for any regimen where the risk of
      febrile neutropenia is about 20% per cycle and dose reduction is not appropriate.
      Based on new evidence from multiple trials, CSF use is no longer indicated in
      treatment of lymphoma unless there are special risk factors. The United States
      accounts for 78% of the sales of CSF. The panel approved the use of all
      biosimilars, but the cost savings will be small as the price is about 80% of the
      branded CSFs. More biosimilars at lower cost are awaited. Methods to reduce use
      without harm to patients, by requiring justification according to accepted
      guidelines, are ongoing. 

PMID- 27249763
TI  - Issues on the Use of White Blood Cell Growth Factors in Oncology Practice.
AB  - Appropriate use of myeloid growth factors may reduce the risk of neutropenic
      complications including febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients receiving cancer
      chemotherapy. The recently updated American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
      Guidelines on the Use of the White Blood Cell Growth Factors recommends routine
      prophylaxis with these agents starting in the first cycle when the risk of FN is
      20% or greater. However, the risks for neutropenic complications and the risk of
      serious adverse consequences from FN vary considerably with different
      chemotherapy regimens as well as other disease-, treatment-, and patient-specific
      risk factors. Considerably more information is now available on the major risk
      factors for FN. Multivariable risk models combining factors look promising but
      require further validation. Most clinical studies of myeloid growth factor
      prophylaxis assessed relative risk (RR) of FN but were not powered to evaluate
      the effect of prophylaxis on disease-free or overall survival. Accumulating
      evidence suggests, however, that the appropriate use of these agents in selected
      patients may improve both short-term and long-term survival by reducing the
      immediate risk of mortality accompanying patients with high-risk disease
      developing FN as well as improving disease-free and overall survival by enabling
      the delivery of full dose intensity chemotherapy and reducing the risk of disease
      recurrence in patients treated with curative intent. Further studies to evaluate
      risk factors and models for FN are needed to guide clinical and shared decision
      making for the optimal personalized use of these agents and offer patients at
      increased risk the best chance of long-term disease control. 

PMID- 27249764
TI  - Discussing the Evidence for Upstream Palliative Care in Improving Outcomes in
      Advanced Cancer.
AB  - Palliative care has received increasing attention at the American Society of
      Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting since the publication of its provisional
      clinical opinion on the topic in 2012. Despite frequent discussion, palliative
      care remains a source of some controversy and confusion in clinical practice,
      especially concerning who should provide it, what it encompasses, and when and
      how it can help patients and their families. In this article, we provide a formal
      definition of palliative care and review the state of the science of palliative
      care in oncology. Several randomized controlled trials now show that palliative
      care improves important outcomes for patients with cancer. Related outcome
      improvements include a reduction in symptoms, improved quality of life, better
      prognostic understanding, less depressed mood, less aggressive end-of-life care,
      reduced resource utilization, and even prolonged survival. As such, ASCO
      recommends early integration of palliative care into comprehensive cancer care
      for all patients with advanced disease and/or significant symptom burden. Our aim
      is that this summary will facilitate greater understanding about palliative care
      and encourage further integration of palliative care services into cancer care.
      More research is needed to illuminate the mechanisms of action of palliative care
      and to improve the specificity of palliative care applications to unique
      scenarios and populations in oncology. 

PMID- 27249765
TI  - Exploiting Laboratory Insights to Improve Outcomes of Pediatric Central Nervous
      System Tumors.
AB  - Over a relatively short period of time, owing to improvements in biotechnology,
      our ability to identify the molecular mechanisms within pediatric brain tumors
      has dramatically increased. These findings have reshaped the way that we describe
      these diseases and have provided insights into how to better treat these often
      devastating diseases. Although still far from reaching the full therapeutic
      potential these advancements hold, the impact of these findings is steadily
      taking hold of pediatric brain tumor management. In this article, we summarize
      the major discoveries within three common pediatric brain tumor categories;
      medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and low-grade glioma. We discuss the current impact
      of these findings on treatment and the direction these findings may take the
      field of pediatric neuro-oncology. 

PMID- 27249766
TI  - Neuroblastoma: A Tough Nut to Crack.
AB  - Neuroblastoma, an embryonal tumor arising from neural crest-derived progenitor
      cells, is the most common solid tumor in childhood, with more than 700 cases
      diagnosed per year in the United States. In the past several decades, significant
      advances have been made in the treatment of neuroblastoma. Treatment advances
      reflect improved understanding of the biology of neuroblastoma. Although
      amplification of MYCN was discovered in the early 1980s, our understanding of
      neuroblastoma oncogenesis has advanced in the last decade as a result of high
      throughput genomic analysis, exome and whole-genome sequencing, genome-wide
      association studies, and synthetic lethal drug screens. Our refined understanding
      of neuroblastoma biology and genetics is reflected in improved prognostic
      stratification and appropriate tailoring of therapy in recent clinical trials.
      Moreover, for high-risk neuroblastoma, a disease that was uniformly fatal 3
      decades ago, recent clinical trials incorporating autologous hematopoietic
      transplant and immunotherapy utilizing anti-GD2 antibody plus cytokines have
      shown improved event-free and overall survival. These advances have resulted in a
      growing population of long-term survivors of neuroblastoma. Examination of the
      late effects and second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) in both older generations of
      survivors and more recently treated survivors will inform both design of future
      trials and surveillance guidelines for long-term follow-up. As a consequence of
      advances in understanding of the biology of neuroblastoma, successful clinical
      trials, and refined understanding of the late effects and SMNs of survivors, the
      promise of precision medicine is becoming a reality for patients with
      neuroblastoma. 

PMID- 27249767
TI  - Manipulating the Immune System With Checkpoint Inhibitors for Patients With
      Metastatic Sarcoma.
AB  - Sarcomas are a rare group of malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin that comprise
      1% of all adult cancers. Despite initial surgery, distant metastatic disease will
      develop in approximately 25% of patients, and standard chemotherapy has limited
      durable efficacy. There is a dire need for more effective and less toxic
      therapies for the treatment of metastatic sarcoma. The immune system plays a
      major role in cancer control and progression. There have been tremendous
      breakthroughs in other malignancies by manipulating the immune system with
      checkpoint inhibitors. These agents, either alone or in combination with other
      approaches such as radiation, chemotherapy, targeted agents, or
      immunotherapeutics, have generally led to improved efficacy in selected
      malignancies thus far. Although promising, these drugs can cause specific immune
      related adverse events that require prompt recognition and treatment. In
      addition, characterizing response and progression radiographically has become
      somewhat more challenging. Identifying predictive biomarkers of benefit will be
      essential. There remains optimism and hope that the strides made in other cancers
      will be emulated in sarcoma. 

PMID- 27249768
TI  - A Value-Based Approach to Treatment of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Examining the
      Evidence.
AB  - Over the past decade, treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer has been
      revolutionized with the introduction of targeted therapies. Survival in both
      early and advanced HER2-positive breast cancer has improved significantly. With
      evidence for major clinical benefit, it is imperative that health systems
      evaluate new treatments to maximize the value of health expenditures. Physicians,
      funding agencies, and policy makers are tasked with analyzing available evidence
      to ensure that each individual patient receives the optimal treatment in a
      resource-challenged environment. 

PMID- 27249769
TI  - Local Ablative Therapies to Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma.
AB  - The approach to metastatic soft tissue sarcoma is complex and depends upon
      several factors, such as the extent of the disease, the histologic subtype of the
      primary tumor, the disease-free interval, patient status and comorbidities, and
      previous treatments. The effect of systemic chemotherapy is suboptimal, therefore
      local ablative therapies are often considered when the disease is limited,
      especially if confined to a single site/organ. Historically, surgery has been
      considered the treatment of choice for isolated lung metastases. This approach
      also has been extended to metastases in the liver, although a formal
      demonstration of its benefit has never been provided. Radiation therapy instead
      has been mainly used to obtain pain control and to reduce the risk of bone
      fracture and cord compression. Advances in techniques, such as the development of
      more precise conformational modalities and the employment of particles, may
      change the role of this modality in the strategic approach to metastatic soft
      tissue sarcoma. Recently, the use of interventional radiology in this scenario
      has expanded. Ablative approaches, such as radiofrequency ablation and
      cryoablation, have shown durable eradication of tumors. Catheter-directed
      therapies, such as hepatic artery embolization, are potential techniques for
      treating the patient who has multiple unresectable liver metastases.
      Understanding the timing and role of these three different modalities in the
      multidisciplinary approach to metastatic soft tissue sarcoma is critical to
      provide better care and to personalize the approach to the single patient. 

PMID- 27249770
TI  - Interrogating the Cancer Genome to Deliver More Precise Cancer Care.
AB  - The aim of precision medicine is to select the best treatment option for each
      patient at the appropriate time in the natural history of the disease, based on
      understanding the molecular makeup of the tumor, with the ultimate objective of
      improving patient survival and quality of life. To achieve it, we must identify
      functionally distinct subtypes of cancers and, critically, have multiple therapy
      options available to match to these functional subtypes. As a result of the
      development of better and less costly next-generation sequencing assays, we can
      now interrogate the cancer genome, enabling us to use the DNA sequence itself for
      biomarker studies in drug development. The success of DNA-based biomarkers
      requires analytical validation and careful clinical qualification in prospective
      clinical trials. In this article, we review some of the challenges the scientific
      community is facing as a consequence of this sequencing revolution: reclassifying
      cancers based on biologic/phenotypic clusters relevant to clinical decision
      making; adapting how we conduct clinical trials; and adjusting our frameworks for
      regulatory approvals of biomarker technologies and drugs. Ultimately, we must
      ensure that this revolution can be safely implemented into routine clinical
      practice and benefit patients. 

PMID- 27249771
TI  - Tumor Heterogeneity and Therapeutic Resistance.
AB  - The rapidly changing landscape of oncology has brought new light, and with it,
      new challenges to optimizing therapeutic strategies for patients. Although the
      concept of patient heterogeneity is well known to any practicing clinician, a
      more detailed understanding of the biologic changes that underscore the clinical
      picture is beginning to emerge. Thus, tumor heterogeneity has come to encompass
      more than just the clinical picture and can represent both intratumor and
      intertumor differences. Within the fields of thoracic oncology and melanoma, the
      discovery of key molecular drivers has resulted in landmark breakthroughs in
      therapy. However, the complexities of tumor genetics and the interaction within
      the environment continue to drive the search for better therapies. Ongoing
      challenges include the accurate and timely assessment of genetic changes as well
      as the development of resistance and the resultant compensatory mechanisms. Novel
      technologies, including commercially available next-generation sequencing, have
      allowed for a greater breadth and depth of information to be gained from a single
      pathologic specimen, and it is now being incorporated into routine clinical
      practice. Translational advances have subsequently provided valuable insight into
      mechanisms of resistance, with the development of novel treatment strategies.
      Future work will focus on novel diagnostic techniques and adaptive mechanisms
      that can ultimately drive the development of the next generation of cancer
      therapy. 

PMID- 27249772
TI  - Emerging Therapeutic Options for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.
AB  - The natural history of HER2-positive breast cancer has progressively improved
      since the introduction of the first anti-HER2 directed therapy (trastuzumab).
      Trastuzumab has significantly increased survival of patients with HER2-positive
      metastatic breast cancer and, after the standardization of the use of this drug
      in the adjuvant setting in 2005, has also avoided many disease recurrences and,
      consequently, saved many lives. Later on, the introduction of lapatinib offered
      new choices for patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, although the
      drug has failed to show a clear efficacy in the adjuvant setting. New promising
      drugs have been approved to broaden the horizon of HER2-positive breast cancer
      such as pertuzumab or T-DM1, but we need new options to further improve the
      management of these diseases. In this review, we cover new strategies that are
      currently under evaluation for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive
      breast cancer, including new tyrosine kinase inhibitors (neratinib, ONT-380), new
      antibody-drug conjugates targeting HER2 (MM-302), and new indications of already
      approved drugs (T-DM1), as well as the potential dual combinations of anti-HER2
      therapy with phosphoinositide 3-kinase/mTOR or cell cycle inhibitors
      (palbociclib, abemaciclib). Last but not least, we briefly review a new paradigm
      of emerging approaches that involve the host immune response, HER2 breast cancer
      vaccines, and other immune strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibition. 

PMID- 27249774
TI  - Evolving Recommendations on Prostate Cancer Screening.
AB  - Results of a number of studies demonstrate that the serum prostate-specific
      antigen (PSA) in and of itself is an inadequate screening test. Today, one of the
      most pressing questions in prostate cancer medicine is how can screening be honed
      to identify those who have life-threatening disease and need aggressive
      treatment. A number of efforts are underway. One such effort is the assessment of
      men in the landmark Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial that has led to a prostate
      cancer risk calculator (PCPTRC), which is available online. PCPTRC version 2.0
      predicts the probability of the diagnosis of no cancer, low-grade cancer, or high
      grade cancer when variables such as PSA, age, race, family history, and physical
      findings are input. Modern biomarker development promises to provide tests with
      fewer false positives and improved ability to find high-grade cancers. Stockholm
      III (STHLM3) is a prospective, population-based, paired, screen-positive,
      prostate cancer diagnostic study assessing a combination of plasma protein
      biomarkers along with age, family history, previous biopsy, and prostate
      examination for prediction of prostate cancer. Multiparametric MRI incorporates
      anatomic and functional imaging to better characterize and predict future
      behavior of tumors within the prostate. After diagnosis of cancer, several
      genomic tests promise to better distinguish the cancers that need treatment
      versus those that need observation. Although the new technologies are promising,
      there is an urgent need for evaluation of these new tests in high-quality, large
      population-based studies. Until these technologies are proven, most professional
      organizations have evolved to a recommendation of informed or shared decision
      making in which there is a discussion between the doctor and patient. 

PMID- 27249773
TI  - How Far Do We Go With Genetic Evaluation? Gene, Panel, and Tumor Testing.
AB  - The traditional model by which an individual was identified as harboring a
      hereditary susceptibility to cancer was to test for a mutation in a single gene
      or a finite number of genes associated with a particular syndrome (e.g., BRCA1
      and BRCA2 for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer or mismatch repair genes for
      Lynch syndrome). The decision regarding which gene or genes to test for was based
      on a review of the patient's personal medical history and their family history.
      With advances in next-generation DNA sequencing technology, offering simultaneous
      testing for multiple genes associated with a hereditary susceptibility to cancer
      is now possible. These panels typically include high-penetrance genes, but they
      also often include moderate- and low-penetrance genes. A number of the genes
      included in these panels have not been fully characterized either in terms of
      their cancer risks or their management options. Another way some patients are
      unexpectedly identified as carrying a germline mutation in a cancer
      susceptibility gene is at the time they undergo molecular profiling of their
      tumor, which typically has been carried out to guide treatment choices for their
      cancer. This article first focuses on the issues that need to be considered when
      deciding between recommending more targeted testing of a single or a small number
      of genes associated with a particular syndrome (single/limited gene testing)
      versus performing a multigene panel. This article also reviews the issues
      regarding germline risk that occur within the setting of ordering molecular
      profiling of tumors. 

PMID- 27249775
TI  - Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes: The Time Is Ripe for Integration Into
      Patient Care and Clinical Research.
AB  - In the emerging team-based approach to delivering cancer care, collecting patient
      reported outcomes (PROs) provides longitudinal monitoring of treatment adverse
      effects, disease complications, functional statuses, and psychological states
      throughout the cancer continuum for all providers to use. Electronic systems
      offer added capabilities, including easy quantitation of individual symptom items
      and aggregated scales, standardization, and longitudinal tracking of patient
      surveys for trend analysis over time. An ideal electronic PRO (ePRO) platform is
      clinically relevant, validated, and reliable and would offer patient usability.
      Additionally, it should allow for automated responses to and from patients, have
      scheduling functionality, and send real-time alerts to site personnel and
      patients. Clinical interfaces should be easy to read and integrated into the
      electronic medical record. Multiple ePRO systems, often using electronic tablets,
      have been created and are beginning to be widely deployed. The Patient Care
      Monitor is one example of a system that has evolved into a comprehensive patient
      engagement platform, with a complete review of systems survey and capabilities
      for mobile health usage. Recent clinical trials have established ePRO systems as
      an effective method of providing information, which aids improved patient
      outcomes, including reduced health resource utilization and longer time on
      therapy. ePROs are also increasingly incorporated into clinical trials, where
      they can provide more thorough reporting of adverse events than can be captured
      by alternative methods. Mobile devices have the potential to become the method by
      which all members of the provider team communicate with patients both at the
      point-of-care and between clinic visits to optimize care delivery. 

PMID- 27249776
TI  - Oncology Advanced Practitioners Bring Advanced Community Oncology Care.
AB  - Oncology care is becoming increasingly complex. The interprofessional team
      concept of care is necessary to meet projected oncology professional shortages,
      as well as to provide superior oncology care. The oncology advanced practitioner
      (AP) is a licensed health care professional who has completed advanced training
      in nursing or pharmacy or has completed training as a physician assistant.
      Oncology APs increase practice productivity and efficiency. Proven to be cost
      effective, APs may perform varied roles in an oncology practice. Integrating an
      AP into an oncology practice requires forethought given to the type of
      collaborative model desired, role expectations, scheduling, training, and
      mentoring. 

PMID- 27249777
TI  - Alkyl substituted [2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-dienes.
AB  - [2.2]Paracyclophane-1,9-dienes substituted with n-octyl chains have been
      synthesised from the corresponding dithia[3.3]paracyclophanes using a benzyne
      induced Stevens rearrangement. The use of 2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl
      trifluoromethanesulfonate and tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride as the in situ
      benzyne source gave significantly improved yields over traditional sources of
      benzyne and enabled the preparation of n-octyl substituted [2.2]paracyclophane
      1,9-dienes on a multi-gram scale. 

PMID- 27249778
TI  - Near-Infrared Phosphorescent Iridium(III) Benzonorrole Complexes Possessing
      Pyridine-based Axial Ligands.
AB  - Novel near-infrared phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes based on benzo
      annulated N-linked corrole analogue (termed as benzonorrole) were synthesized.
      The structures of the complexes revealed octahedral coordination geometries
      involving an organometallic iridium-carbon bond with two external axial ligands.
      Interestingly, the iridium(III) complex exhibits near-infrared phosphorescence at
      room temperature at wavelengths beyond 900 nm. The significant redshift of the
      emission, as compared to the corrole congener, is originated from the ligand
      centered triplet character. The fine-tuning of the photophysical properties of
      the complexes was achieved by introducing electron-donating and electron
      withdrawing substituents on the axial pyridine ligands. 

PMID- 27249779
TI  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis Thioredoxin Reductase Is Essential for Thiol Redox
      Homeostasis but Plays a Minor Role in Antioxidant Defense.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) must cope with exogenous oxidative stress
      imposed by the host. Unlike other antioxidant enzymes, Mtb's thioredoxin
      reductase TrxB2 has been predicted to be essential not only to fight host
      defenses but also for in vitro growth. However, the specific physiological role
      of TrxB2 and its importance for Mtb pathogenesis remain undefined. Here we show
      that genetic inactivation of thioredoxin reductase perturbed several growth
      essential processes, including sulfur and DNA metabolism and rapidly killed and
      lysed Mtb. Death was due to cidal thiol-specific oxidizing stress and prevented
      by a disulfide reductant. In contrast, thioredoxin reductase deficiency did not
      significantly increase susceptibility to oxidative and nitrosative stress. In
      vivo targeting TrxB2 eradicated Mtb during both acute and chronic phases of mouse
      infection. Deliberately leaky knockdown mutants identified the specificity of
      TrxB2 inhibitors and showed that partial inactivation of TrxB2 increased Mtb's
      susceptibility to rifampicin. These studies reveal TrxB2 as essential thiol
      reducing enzyme in Mtb in vitro and during infection, establish the value of
      targeting TrxB2, and provide tools to accelerate the development of TrxB2
      inhibitors.

PMID- 27249780
TI  - Defining the MO's of RGK proteins.

PMID- 27249781
TI  - LSD Acutely Impairs Fear Recognition and Enhances Emotional Empathy and
      Sociality.
AB  - Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is used recreationally and has been evaluated as
      an adjunct to psychotherapy to treat anxiety in patients with life-threatening
      illness. LSD is well-known to induce perceptual alterations, but unknown is
      whether LSD alters emotional processing in ways that can support psychotherapy.
      We investigated the acute effects of LSD on emotional processing using the Face
      Emotion Recognition Task (FERT) and Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET). The effects
      of LSD on social behavior were tested using the Social Value Orientation (SVO)
      test. Two similar placebo-controlled, double-blind, random-order, crossover
      studies were conducted using 100 MUg LSD in 24 subjects and 200 MUg LSD in 16
      subjects. All of the subjects were healthy and mostly hallucinogen-naive 25- to
      65-year-old volunteers (20 men, 20 women). LSD produced feelings of happiness,
      trust, closeness to others, enhanced explicit and implicit emotional empathy on
      the MET, and impaired the recognition of sad and fearful faces on the FERT. LSD
      enhanced the participants' desire to be with other people and increased their
      prosocial behavior on the SVO test. These effects of LSD on emotion processing
      and sociality may be useful for LSD-assisted psychotherapy.

PMID- 27249782
TI  - Integrated ecosystem services assessment: Valuation of changes due to sea level
      rise in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA.
AB  - The goal of the present study was to identify the potential changes in ecosystem
      service values provided by wetlands in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA, under the
      Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) A1B max (0.69 m) sea level rise
      scenario. Built exclusively upon the output produced during the Sea Level
      Affecting Marshes Model 6 (SLAMM 6) exercise for the Galveston Bay region, this
      study showed that fresh marsh and salt marsh present a steady decline from 2009
      (initial condition) to 2100. Fresh marsh was projected to undergo the biggest
      changes, with the loss of approximately 21% of its extent between 2009 and 2100
      under the A1B max scenario. The percentages of change for salt marsh were less
      prominent at approximately 12%. This trend was also shown in the values of
      selected ecosystem services (disturbance regulation, waste regulation,
      recreation, and aesthetics) provided by these habitats. An ordinary least squares
      regression was used to calculate the monetary value of the selected ecosystem
      services provided by salt marsh and fresh marsh in 2009, and in 2050 and 2100
      under the A1B max scenario. The value of the selected services showed potential
      monetary losses in excess of US$40 million annually in 2100, compared to 2009 for
      fresh marsh and more than $11 million for salt marsh. The estimates provided here
      are only small portions of what can be lost due to the decrease in habitat
      extent, and they highlight the need for protecting not only built infrastructure
      but also natural resources from sea level rise. Integr Environ Assess Manag
      2017;13:431-443. (c) 2016 SETAC.

PMID- 27249783
TI  - Decision Tree for Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PMID- 27249784
TI  - Hydrogen Storage and Selective, Reversible O2 Adsorption in a Metal-Organic
      Framework with Open Chromium(II) Sites.
AB  - A chromium(II)-based metal-organic framework Cr3 [(Cr4 Cl)3 (BTT)8 ]2 (Cr-BTT;
      BTT(3-) =1,3,5-benzenetristetrazolate), featuring coordinatively unsaturated,
      redox-active Cr(2+) cation sites, was synthesized and investigated for potential
      applications in H2 storage and O2 production. Low-pressure H2 adsorption and
      neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal moderately strong Cr-H2
      interactions, in line with results from previously reported M-BTT frameworks.
      Notably, gas adsorption measurements also reveal excellent O2 /N2 selectivity
      with substantial O2 reversibility at room temperature, based on selective
      electron transfer to form Cr(III) superoxide moieties. Infrared spectroscopy and
      powder neutron diffraction experiments were used to confirm this mechanism of
      selective O2 binding.

PMID- 27249785
TI  - Hepatocyte growth factor-induced differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells
      toward hepatocyte-like cells occurs through nuclear factor-kappa B signaling in
      vitro.
AB  - Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is multifaceted cytokine that regulates
      proliferation, differentiation, morphology, and motility within numerous stem
      cells. More recently, HGF has been reported to induce the differentiation of bone
      mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into mature hepatocytes, but the underlying
      biochemical and molecular signaling is largely unknown. We isolated BMSC from the
      bone marrow of rats, which were then cultured and exposed to HGF for 15 days. We
      subsequently assayed these cells for liver functionality and markers, and blocked
      NF-kB signaling at various stages of the pathway. The present results demonstrate
      that HGF induces the differentiation of BMSCs toward hepatocyte-like cells
      through the NF-kB signaling. More specifically, HGF upregulated the translocation
      of NF-kB to the nucleus. 

PMID- 27249786
TI  - Inhibited early immunologic response is associated with hypertrophic scarring.
AB  - This study aimed to examine changes in the inflammatory response in early
      hypertrophic compared to normal wound healing. The immune system is thought to be
      involved in hypertrophic scar formation. However, the exact mechanism and time of
      onset of the derailment remain unknown. In a prospective observational study,
      skin biopsies were taken directly postwounding and 3 hours later from patients
      who had elective cardiothoracic surgery. The skin biopsies were analysed for
      mRNA, proteins and cells involved in the early inflammatory phase of wound
      healing. The endpoint was scar outcome (hypertrophic (HTS) or normal (NTS)) at
      one year after surgery. There were significant differences between the NTS and
      HTS groups regarding the fold changes of mRNA expression of P-selectin during
      surgery. Postoperative skin concentrations of inflammatory proteins IL-6, IL-8
      and CCL2 were significantly lower in the HTS compared to the NTS group. Also, a
      trend of higher pre-operative M2 macrophage numbers was observed in the HTS
      group. Neutrophil numbers increased equally during surgery in both groups. The
      increase of P-selectin mRNA in hypertrophic wound healing could affect leucocyte
      migration. The decreased concentrations of inflammatory proteins in hypertrophic
      wound healing indicate a reduced inflammatory response, which has consequences
      for the treatment of hypertrophic scarring during the early inflammatory phase.
      In a conclusion, alterations of wound healing associated with hypertrophic
      scarring are visible as early as 3 hours postwounding and include a reduced
      rather than increased inflammatory protein response.

PMID- 27249787
TI  - Coy Males and Seductive Females in the Sexually Cannibalistic Colonial Spider,
      Cyrtophora citricola.
AB  - The abundance of sperm relative to eggs selects for males that maximize their
      number of mates and for females that choose high quality males. However, in many
      species, males exercise mate choice, even when they invest little in their
      offspring. Sexual cannibalism may promote male choosiness by limiting the number
      of females a male can inseminate and by biasing the sex ratio toward females
      because, while females can reenter the mating pool, cannibalized males cannot.
      These effects may be insufficient for male choosiness to evolve, however, if
      males face low sequential encounter rates with females. We hypothesized that
      sexual cannibalism should facilitate the evolution of male choosiness in group
      living species because a male is likely to encounter multiple receptive females
      simultaneously. We tested this hypothesis in a colonial orb-weaving spider,
      Cyrtophora citricola, with a high rate of sexual cannibalism. We tested whether
      mated females would mate with multiple males, and thereby shift the operational
      sex ratio toward females. We also investigated whether either sex chooses mates
      based on nutritional state and age, and whether males choose females based on
      reproductive state. We found that females are readily polyandrous and exhibit no
      mate choice related to male feeding or age. Males courted more often when the
      male was older and the female was younger, and males copulated more often with
      well-fed females. The data show that males are choosier than females for the
      traits we measured, supporting our hypothesis that group living and sexual
      cannibalism may together promote the evolution of male mate choice. 

PMID- 27249788
TI  - Radiation exposure during the implantation of bioabsorbable vascular scaffolds
      versus drug-eluting stents in non-complex coronary lesions: a matched-cohort
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bioabsorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) are a novel option for the
      treatment of coronary lesions in patients with stable coronary artery disease or
      acute coronary syndromes. We aimed to identify the influence of BVS implantation
      on radiation exposure and procedural outcomes compared to drug-eluting stents
      (DES) in daily clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective single-center study
      was performed in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with BVS
      from 2013 to 2014. Only patients with exclusive BVS implantation (N.=78
      procedures) were compared with a 2:1 matched cohort of exclusive DES-treated
      patients in the same period (N.=156 procedures). We used a four-step protocol to
      reduce radiation exposure in all procedures. Furthermore, a 12-month clinical
      follow-up was performed. RESULTS: Patients had similar baseline characteristics
      due to matching. Radiation exposure (1826 vs. 2167 cGy*cm2, P=0.673), procedure
      time (73 vs. 65 minutes, P=0.574), target vessel revascularization (1.3 vs. 1.3%,
      p=1.000 for PCI; 1.3 vs. 0.6%, P=0.616 for CABG), cardiovascular death (0.0 vs.
      2.6%, P=0.304) or all-cause death (0.0 vs. 3.2%, P=0.172) were similar after
      implantation of BVS vs. DES. However, exposure to contrast agent (166 vs. 139 mL,
      P=0.028) was significantly higher in the BVS group. CONCLUSIONS: The implantation
      of BVS in combination with a simple four-step protocol is a feasible option for
      interventional treatment of non-complex coronary lesions without significant
      impact on radiation exposure or outcome measures in daily clinical routine.

PMID- 27249789
TI  - Effect of intracoronary nitroprusside injection on flow recovery during primary
      PCI in acute STEMI patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The no/slow reflow phenomenon during primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PPCI) causes the destruction of the coronary microcirculation and
      further myocardial damage. Some studies have shown that intracoronary
      nitroprusside infusion is a safe and effective method for managing the no/slow
      reflow phenomenon. However, it is uncertain whether the injection of
      nitroprusside at a specific time point during PPCI can most effectively prevent
      no-reflow. In this study, we investigated the effect of the timing of an
      intracoronary nitroprusside injection on flow recovery during PPCI in patients
      with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: One hundred
      twenty consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent PPCI were enrolled in the
      study. Patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were randomly allocated to
      three groups: control group (N.=40) received no nitroprusside before they
      completed PCI; the second group (N.=40) received nitroprusside before balloon
      dilatation; and the third group (N.=40) received nitroprusside after each balloon
      dilatation and before contrast agent refilling. The baseline clinical variables
      and the details of the PCI procedure were collected. The thrombolysis in
      myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades and the corrected TIMI frame count
      (cTFC) were evaluated immediately after stent implantation was completed.
      RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics,
      antithrombotic drugs given before PCI, and details of the PCI procedure among the
      three groups (P>0.05). The incidence of TIMI grade 3 after PCI was significantly
      higher in the nitroprusside group than in the control group (P=0.025), whereas
      cTFC was significantly lower in the nitroprusside group (26.6+/-15.2) than in the
      control group (38.1+/-21.3, P=0.001). The incidence of TIMI grade 3 after PCI was
      significantly higher in the third group than in the second group (P=0.045), and
      cTFC was significantly lower in the third group (21.5+/-9.5) than in the second
      group (31.2+/-18.3, P=0.002). Multivariable linear regression analyses showed
      that the intracoronary nitroprusside injection time was a significant predictor
      of cTFC after PCI. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the intracoronary
      injection of nitroprusside significantly reduced the incidence of no/slow reflow
      during PPCI. The intracoronary injection of nitroprusside most effectively
      prevented the no/slow reflow phenomenon when administered between balloon
      dilatation and contrast agent refilling during PPCI.

PMID- 27249790
TI  - Radiological anatomy of upper limb arteries and their anatomical variability:
      implications for endovascular treatment in critical hand ischemia.
AB  - Critical hand ischemia (CHI) is a quite uncommon but highly disabling condition,
      generally caused by chronic occlusive arterial disease. For a correct approach to
      the endovascular treatment of these patients, good knowledge of the normal
      vascular anatomy and of the most frequently encountered vascular anatomical
      variations is of paramount importance. In the present paper a description of the
      normal vascular anatomy of the upper limb and of the most commonly encountered
      anatomical variations is provided, focusing on the implications for endovascular
      treatment of patients with CHI. Moreover, data of 151 patients with 172
      critically ischemic hands treated at our institution between 2004 and 2016 are
      presented. 

PMID- 27249791
TI  - Structured self-monitoring of blood glucose regimens improve glycemic control in
      poorly controlled Chinese patients on insulin therapy: Results from COMPASS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) among patients
      with insulin-treated, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in China is suboptimal. Herein we
      evaluated the effectiveness of structured SMBG for improving glycemic control and
      increasing the frequency of SMBG. METHODS: Insulin-treated (>3 months) T2DM
      patients aged >=18 years with HbA1c >8.0 % (64 mmol/mol) were recruited to the
      study. They received SMBG materials and were advised on a structured SMBG regimen
      for their insulin therapy. Patients were trained to self-adjust insulin dosage
      according to SMBG readings and were seen by physicians at Months 3 and 6.
      Endpoints included changes in HbA1c, SMBG frequency, and hypoglycemia frequency.
      RESULTS: The study enrolled 820 patients, with mean (+/- SD) age 55.1 +/- 9.8
      years, body mass index 24.9 +/- 3.6 kg/m2 , HbA1c 9.7 +/- 1.6 % (83 mmol/mol),
      and diabetes duration 9.8 +/- 7.1 years, with median insulin therapy of 30.3 (3.0
      274.1) months, from 19 Chinese clinics. By Month 3, 99.9 % of patients performed
      daily SMBG. At Months 3 and 6, HbA1c had decreased from baseline (-1.81 % and 
      1.73 %, respective; P < 0.0001 for both), with reduced hypoglycemia. In addition,
      36.2 % and 39.9 % of patients achieved HbA1c <7.0 % (53 mmol/mol) at Months 3 and
      6, respectively. The largest HbA1c improvements were for patients with a shorter
      duration of diabetes and insulin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: A structured SMBG regimen,
      with training on interpretation of and responses to SMBG readings, increased SMBG
      frequency and improved HbA1c and the management of insulin-treated T2DM.

PMID- 27249792
TI  - The Role of Trap-assisted Recombination in Luminescent Properties of Organometal
      Halide CH3NH3PbBr3 Perovskite Films and Quantum Dots.
AB  - Hybrid metal halide perovskites have been paid enormous attentions in
      photophysics research, whose excellent performances were attributed to their
      intriguing charge carriers proprieties. However, it still remains far from
      satisfaction in the comprehensive understanding of perovskite charge-transport
      properities, especially about trap-assisted recombination process. In this
      Letter, through time-resolved transient absorption (TA) and photoluminescence
      (PL) measurements, we provided a relative comprehensive investigation on the
      charge carriers recombination dynamics of CH3NH3PbBr3 (MAPbBr3) perovskite films
      and quantum dots (QDs), especially about trap-assisted recombination. It was
      found that the integral recombination mode of MAPbBr3 films was highly sensitive
      to the density distribution of generated charge carriers and trap states.
      Additional, Trap effects would be gradually weakened with elevated carrier
      densities. Furthermore, the trap-assisted recombination can be removed from
      MAPbBr3 QDs through its own surface passivation mechanism and this specialty may
      render the QDs as a new material in illuminating research. This work provides
      deeper physical insights into the dynamics processes of MAPbBr3 materials and
      paves a way toward more light-harvesting applications in future.

PMID- 27249793
TI  - Potential for Local Fertilization: A Benthocosm Test of Long-Term and Short-Term
      Effects of Mussel Excretion on the Plankton.
AB  - Mussel aquaculture has expanded worldwide and it is important to assess its
      impact on the water column and the planktonic food web to determine the
      sustainability of farming practices. Mussel farming may affect the planktonic
      food web indirectly by excreting bioavailable nutrients in the water column (a
      short-term effect) or by increasing nutrient effluxes from biodeposit-enriched
      sediments (a long-term effect). We tested both of these indirect effects in a
      lagoon by using plankton-enclosing benthocosms that were placed on the bottom of
      a shallow lagoon either inside of a mussel farm or at reference sites with no
      history of aquaculture. At each site, half of the benthocosms were enriched with
      seawater that had held mussels (excretion treatment), the other half received non
      enriched seawater as a control treatment. We monitored nutrients ([PO43-] and
      [NH4+]), dissolved oxygen and plankton components (bacteria, the phytoplankton
      and the zooplankton) over 5 days. We found a significant relationship between
      long-term accumulation of mussel biodeposits in sediments, water-column nutrient
      concentrations and plankton growth. Effects of mussel excretion were not
      detected, too weak to be significant given the spatial and temporal variability
      observed in the lagoon. Effects of mussels on the water column are thus likely to
      be coupled to benthic processes in such semi-enclosed water bodies. 

PMID- 27249794
TI  - Expression of PAX8 Target Genes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.
AB  - PAX8 is a thyroid-specific transcription factor whose expression is dysregulated
      in thyroid cancer. A recent study using a conditional knock-out mouse model
      identified 58 putative PAX8 target genes. In the present study, we evaluated the
      expression of 11 of these genes in normal and tumoral thyroid tissues from
      patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). ATP1B1, GPC3, KCNIP3, and PRLR
      transcript levels in tumor tissues were significantly lower in PTCs than in NT,
      whereas LCN2, LGALS1 and SCD1 expression was upregulated in PTC compared with NT.
      Principal component analysis of the expression of the most markedly dysregulated
      PAX8 target genes was able to discriminate between PTC and NT.
      Immunohistochemistry was used to assess levels of proteins encoded by the two
      most dyregulated PAX8 target genes, LCN2 and GPC3. Interestingly, GPC3 was
      detectable in all of the NT samples but none of the PTC samples. Collectively,
      these findings point to significant PTC-associated dysregulation of several PAX8
      target genes, supporting the notion that PAX8-regulated molecular cascades play
      important roles during thyroid tumorigenesis. 

PMID- 27249795
TI  - Corticosterone regulates fear memory via Rac1 activity in the hippocampus.
AB  - Stressful events can generate enduring memories, which may induce certain
      psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the
      underlying molecular mechanisms in these processes remain unclear. In this study,
      we examined whether the active form of the small G protein Rac1, Rac1-GTP, is
      involved in fear memory. Firstly, we detected the time course changes of Rac1-GTP
      after foot shocks (a strong stressor) and exogenous corticosterone (CORT)
      treatment. The data showed that stress and CORT induced the downregulation of
      Rac1-GTP in the hippocampus. Changes in the serum CORT level were negatively
      correlated with the level of Rac1-GTP. Additionally, a glucocorticoid receptor
      antagonist, RU38486, not only recovered the expression of Rac1-GTP but also
      impaired fear memory. Furthermore, systemic administration of NSC23766, an
      inhibitor of Rac1-GTP, improved fear memory at 1.5 and 24h. Therefore, Rac1
      activity plays a critical role in stress-related cognition and may be a potential
      target in stress-related disorders.

PMID- 27249796
TI  - Correction: Galactomannan Testing and the Incidence of Invasive Pulmonary
      Aspergillosis: A 10-Year Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149964.].

PMID- 27249797
TI  - Effects of Red Blood Cell Transfusions on the Risk of Developing Complications or
      Death: An Observational Study of a Cohort of Very Low Birth Weight Infants.
AB  - Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between red
      blood cell (RBC) transfusions on the risk of death, retinopathy of prematurity
      (ROP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in
      very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Study Design and Methods This is an
      observational study. Data were entered prospectively into the study database at
      the time of the first transfusion. Clinical characteristics, adverse events, and
      outcomes of the patients transfused in the first 28 days of life were compared
      with the population of VLBW infants not transfused during the same period. The
      association among birth weight, gestational age, comorbidities, and the number of
      transfusions was estimated with a Poisson regression model. The association
      between the composite outcome and the occurrence of death, ROP, or BPD separately
      considered and a set of covariates was estimated with a logistic regression
      model. Results We enrolled 641 VLBW infants, 42% of whom were transfused.
      Transfusions were associated with the risk of developing the composite outcome,
      independently from other conditions; this risk correlated with several
      transfusions >= 3 (odds ratio: 5.88, 95% confidence interval: 2.74-12.6). ROP and
      BPD were associated with several transfusions >= 3. Conclusion We observed an
      association between RBC transfusions and the composite risk of death or ROP, BPD,
      and NEC.

PMID- 27249798
TI  - The role of the glucose-sensing transcription factor carbohydrate-responsive
      element-binding protein pathway in termite queen fertility.
AB  - Termites are among the few animals that themselves can digest the most abundant
      organic polymer, cellulose, into glucose. In mice and Drosophila, glucose can
      activate genes via the transcription factor carbohydrate-responsive element
      binding protein (ChREBP) to induce glucose utilization and de novo lipogenesis.
      Here, we identify a termite orthologue of ChREBP and its downstream lipogenic
      targets, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase. We show that
      all of these genes, including ChREBP, are upregulated in mature queens compared
      with kings, sterile workers and soldiers in eight different termite species.
      ChREBP is expressed in several tissues, including ovaries and fat bodies, and
      increases in expression in totipotent workers during their differentiation into
      neotenic mature queens. We further show that ChREBP is regulated by a
      carbohydrate diet in termite queens. Suppression of the lipogenic pathway by a
      pharmacological agent in queens elicits the same behavioural alterations in
      sterile workers as observed in queenless colonies, supporting that the ChREBP
      pathway partakes in the biosynthesis of semiochemicals that convey the signal of
      the presence of a fertile queen. Our results highlight ChREBP as a likely key
      factor for the regulation and signalling of queen fertility.

PMID- 27249802
TI  - Internal modeling of upcoming speech: A causal role of the right posterior
      cerebellum in non-motor aspects of language production.
AB  - Some language processing theories propose that, just as for other somatic
      actions, self-monitoring of language production is achieved through internal
      modeling. The cerebellum is the proposed center of such internal modeling in
      motor control, and the right cerebellum has been linked to an increasing number
      of language functions, including predictive processing during comprehension.
      Relating these findings, we tested whether the right posterior cerebellum has a
      causal role for self-monitoring of speech errors. Participants received 1 Hz
      repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation during 15 min to lobules Crus I and
      II in the right hemisphere, and, in counterbalanced orders, to the contralateral
      area in the left cerebellar hemisphere (control) in order to induce a temporary
      inactivation of one of these zones. Immediately afterwards, they engaged in a
      speech production task priming the production of speech errors. Language
      production was impaired after right compared to left hemisphere stimulation, a
      finding that provides evidence for a causal role of the cerebellum during
      language production. We interpreted this role in terms of internal modeling of
      upcoming speech through a verbal working memory process used to prevent errors.

PMID- 27249799
TI  - NADPH oxidases as electrochemical generators to produce ion fluxes and turgor in
      fungi, plants and humans.
AB  - The NOXs are a family of flavocytochromes whose basic structure has been largely
      conserved from algae to man. This is a very simple system. NADPH is generally
      available, in plants it is a direct product of photosynthesis, and oxygen is a
      largely ubiquitous electron acceptor, and the electron-transporting core of an
      FAD and two haems is the minimal required to pass electrons across the plasma
      membrane. These NOXs have been shown to be essential for diverse functions
      throughout the biological world and, lacking a clear mechanism of action, their
      effects have generally been attributed to free radical reactions. Investigation
      into the function of neutrophil leucocytes has demonstrated that electron
      transport through the prototype NOX2 is accompanied by the generation of a charge
      across the membrane that provides the driving force propelling protons and other
      ions across the plasma membrane. The contention is that the primary function of
      the NOXs is to supply the driving force to transport ions, the nature of which
      will depend upon the composition and characteristics of the local ion channels,
      to undertake a host of diverse functions. These include the generation of turgor
      in fungi and plants for the growth of filaments and invasion by appressoria in
      the former, and extension of pollen tubes and root hairs, and stomatal closure,
      in the latter. In neutrophils, they elevate the pH in the phagocytic vacuole
      coupled to other ion fluxes. In endothelial cells of blood vessels, they could
      alter luminal volume to regulate blood pressure and tissue perfusion.

PMID- 27249803
TI  - Profile of Class I Histone Deacetylases (HDAC) by Human Dendritic Cells after
      Alcohol Consumption and In Vitro Alcohol Treatment and Their Implication in
      Oxidative Stress: Role of HDAC Inhibitors Trichostatin A and Mocetinostat.
AB  - Epigenetic mechanisms have been shown to play a role in alcohol use disorders
      (AUDs) and may prove to be valuable therapeutic targets. However, the involvement
      of histone deacetylases (HDACs) on alcohol-induced oxidative stress of human
      primary monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) has not been elucidated. In the
      current study, we took a novel approach combining ex vivo, in vitro and in silico
      analyses to elucidate the mechanisms of alcohol-induced oxidative stress and role
      of HDACs in the periphery. ex vivo and in vitro analyses of alcohol-modulation of
      class I HDACs and activity by MDDCs from self-reported alcohol users and non
      alcohol users was performed. Additionally, MDDCs treated with alcohol were
      assessed using qRT-PCR, western blot, and fluorometric assay. The functional
      effects of alcohol-induce oxidative stress were measured in vitro using PCR array
      and in silico using gene expression network analysis. Our findings show, for the
      first time, that MDDCs from self-reported alcohol users have higher levels of
      class I HDACs compare to controls and alcohol treatment in vitro differentially
      modulates HDACs expression. Further, HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) blocked alcohol
      induction of class I HDACs and modulated alcohol-induced oxidative stress related
      genes expressed by MDDCs. In silico analysis revealed new target genes and
      pathways on the mode of action of alcohol and HDACi. Findings elucidating the
      ability of alcohol to modulate class I HDACs may be useful for the treatment of
      alcohol-induced oxidative damage and may delineate new potential immune
      modulatory mechanisms. 

PMID- 27249804
TI  - The within-person association between alcohol use and sleep duration and quality
      in situ: An experience sampling study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence for detrimental effects of alcohol on sleep quality
      in laboratory studies, alcohol is commonly used as a self-prescribed sleep aid.
      This study examined the within-person associations of alcohol use with sleep
      duration and quality in everyday life to gain insight into the ecological
      validity of laboratory findings on the association between sleep and alcohol.
      METHOD: A sample of 150 adults (age 19-89years) were followed for 60+days as part
      of an intensive experience sampling study wherein participants provided daily
      reports of their alcohol use, sleep duration, and sleep quality. Within-person
      and between-person associations of daily sleep duration and quality with alcohol
      use were examined using multilevel models. RESULTS: A significant, negative
      within-person association was observed between sleep quality and alcohol use.
      Sleep quality was lower on nights following alcohol use. Sleep duration did not
      vary as a function of within-person variation in alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: In
      line with laboratory assessments, alcohol use was associated with low sleep
      quality but was not associated with sleep duration, suggesting that laboratory
      findings generalize to everyday life. This examination of individuals' daily
      lives suggests that alcohol does not systematically improve sleep quality or
      duration in real life.

PMID- 27249805
TI  - Problematic Internet use, well-being, self-esteem and self-control: Data from a
      high-school survey in China.
AB  - Given the prevalence of Internet use among youth, there is concern that a subset
      of Internet-using youth may exhibit problematic or addictive patterns of Internet
      use. The present study examines the association between problematic Internet use
      (PIU), demographic variables, and health-related measures among Chinese
      adolescents. Survey data from 1552 adolescents (male=653, mean age=15.43years)
      from Jilin Province, China, were collected. According to the Young Diagnostic
      Questionnaire for Internet Addiction (YDQ), 77.8% (n=1207), 16.8% (n=260), and
      5.5% (n=85) showed adaptive, maladaptive, and problematic Internet use,
      respectively. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that gender and
      family income per month differed between youth showing problematic and adaptive
      patterns of Internet use. Well-being, self-esteem, and self-control were related
      to severity of problematic Internet use, with greater severity typically
      associated with poorer measures in each domain. The findings that severity of
      problematic Internet use is associated with specific socio-demographic features
      and temperamental and well-being measures suggest that specific groups of youth
      may be particularly vulnerable to developing problematic Internet use. Early
      prevention/intervention programs targeting at-risk groups may help improve public
      health.

PMID- 27249806
TI  - Minority stress is longitudinally associated with alcohol-related problems among
      sexual minority women.
AB  - Compared to sexual minority men and heterosexual women, sexual minority women
      report elevated alcohol use in young adulthood. Heavy alcohol use and alcohol use
      disorders disproportionately affect sexual minority women across the lifespan,
      yet there is limited research investigating reasons for such associations. The
      present study investigates longitudinal associations between minority stress and
      both alcohol use as well as self-rated drinking consequences. Participants
      (N=1057) were self-identified lesbian (40.5%) and bisexual (59.5%) women between
      the ages of 18 to 25 recruited from across the U.S. using online advertisements.
      Participants completed four annual surveys. Hurdle mixed effects models were used
      to assess associations between minority stress and typical weekly drinking and
      drinking consequences one year later. Minority stress was not significantly
      associated with subsequent typical drinking. However, minority stress was
      significantly associated with having any alcohol consequences as well as the
      count of alcohol consequences one year later after controlling for covariates.
      Consistent with extant literature, this study provides evidence for a prospective
      association between minority stress experienced by sexual minority women and
      drinking consequences. This study also provides support for the potential impact
      of efforts to reduce minority stress faced by sexual minority women.

PMID- 27249808
TI  - Transoesophageal echocardiography before DC cardioversion: a survey of clinical
      practice in the UK.
AB  - Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) can be used to expedite DC cardioversion
      (DCCV) in the absence of adequate anticoagulation. There are no guidelines for
      the management of sedation or general anaesthetic. We performed a survey of NHS
      echocardiography departments to determine UK practice. Responses were received
      from 95 (50%) of 189 centres, and TOE-guided DCCV was performed in 81 centres.
      The numbers were <10 a year in 41 (50%), 10 - 50 in 31 (38%), 50 - 100 in 8 (10%)
      and >100 in 4 (5%) centres. Sedation for TOE was a usual practice in 67 (80%)
      centres but often temporally disconnected from DCCV due to logistical reasons.
      TOE under general anaesthetic was performed in 35 (43%) centres and as the usual
      method in 16 (20%). The patient was in the supine position with endotracheal
      intubation in 20 (57%) of centres, but without any form of airway protection
      while supine in 5 (14%). There is variability in practice across centres in the
      UK, in part due to limitations to services in most centres but also because of an
      absence of UK guidelines. The development of national standards may address this
      and aid in the development of local business cases to extend services. 

PMID- 27249807
TI  - Ethical considerations and potential threats to validity for three methods
      commonly used to collect geographic information in studies among people who use
      drugs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Analyses with geographic data can be used to identify "hot spots" and
      "health service deserts", examine associations between proximity to services and
      their use, and link contextual factors with individual-level data to better
      understand how environmental factors influence behaviors. Technological
      advancements in methods for collecting this information can improve the accuracy
      of contextually-relevant information; however, they have outpaced the development
      of ethical standards and guidance, particularly for research involving
      populations engaging in illicit/stigmatized behaviors. Thematic analysis
      identified ethical considerations for collecting geographic data using different
      methods and the extent to which these concerns could influence study compliance
      and data validity. METHODS: In-depth interviews with 15 Baltimore residents (6
      recruited via flyers and 9 via peer-referral) reporting recent drug use explored
      comfort with and ethics of three methods for collecting geographic information:
      (1) surveys collecting self-reported addresses/cross-streets, (2) surveys using
      web-based maps to find/confirm locations, and (3) geographical momentary
      assessments (GMA), which collect spatiotemporally referenced behavioral data.
      RESULTS: Survey methods for collecting geographic data (i.e., addresses/cross
      streets and web-based maps) were generally acceptable; however, participants
      raised confidentiality concerns regarding exact addresses for illicit/stigmatized
      behaviors. Concerns specific to GMA included burden of carrying/safeguarding
      phones and responding to survey prompts, confidentiality, discomfort with being
      tracked, and noncompliance with study procedures. Overall, many felt that
      confidentiality concerns could influence the accuracy of location information
      collected for sensitive behaviors and study compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Concerns
      raised by participants could result in differential study participation and/or
      study compliance and questionable accuracy/validity of location data for
      sensitive behaviors.

PMID- 27249809
TI  - Excessive interatrial adiposity is associated with left atrial remodeling,
      augmented contractile performance in asymptomatic population.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pericardial adipose tissue had been shown to exert local effects on
      adjacent cardiac structures. Data regarding the mechanistic link between such
      measures and left atrial (LA) structural/functional remodeling, a clinical
      hallmark of early stage heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF)
      incidence, in asymptomatic population remain largely unexplored. METHODS: This
      retrospective analysis includes 356 subjects free from significant valvular
      disorders, atrial fibrillation, or clinical HF. Regional adipose tissue including
      pericardial and periaortic fat volumes, interatrial septal (IAS), and left
      atrioventricular groove (AVG) fat thickness were all measured by multidetector
      computed tomography (MDCT) (Aquarius 3D Workstation, TeraRecon, San Mateo, CA,
      USA). We measured LA volumes, booster performance, reservoir capacity as well as
      conduit function, and analyzed their association with adiposity measures.
      RESULTS: All four adiposity measures were positively associated with greater LA
      volumes (all P < 0.05), while IAS and AVG fat were also related to larger LA
      kinetic energy and worse reservoir capacity (both P < 0.01). In multivariate
      models, IAS fat thickness remained independently associated with larger LA
      volumes, increased LA kinetic energy and ejection force (beta-coef: 0.17 & 0.15,
      both P < 0.05), and impaired LA reservoir and conduit function (beta-coef: -0.20
      & -0.12, both P < 0.05) after adjusting for clinical variables. CONCLUSION:
      Accumulated visceral adiposity, especially interatrial fat depots, was associated
      with certain LA structural/functional remodeling characterized by impaired LA
      reservoir and conduit function though augmented kinetic energy and ejection
      performance. Our data suggested that interatrial fat burden may be associated
      with certain detrimental LA functions with compensatory LA adaptation in an
      asymptomatic population.

PMID- 27249810
TI  - Prognostic utility of blood pressure-adjusted global and basal systolic
      longitudinal strain.
AB  - Assessment of global longitudinal systolic strain (GLS) and longitudinal systolic
      strain of the basal segments (BLS) has shown prognostic value in cardiac
      disorders. However, strain is reduced with increased afterload. We assessed the
      prognostic value of GLS and BLS adjusted for afterload. GLS and BLS were
      determined in 272 subjects with normal ejection fraction and no known coronary
      disease, or significant valve disease. Systolic blood pressure (SP) and diastolic
      blood pressure (DP) obtained at the time of echocardiography were used to adjust
      GLS and BLS as follows: strain*SP (mmHg)/120 mmHg and strain*DP (mmHg)/80 mmHg.
      Patients were followed for cardiac events and mortality. The mean age was 53+/-15
      years and 53% had hypertension. There were 19 cardiac events and 70 deaths over a
      mean follow-up of 26+/-14 months. Cox analysis showed that left ventricular mass
      index (P=0.001), BLS (P<0.001), and DP-adjusted BLS (P<0.001) were independent
      predictors of cardiac events. DP-adjusted BLS added incremental value (P<0.001)
      to the other two predictors and had an area under the curve of 0.838 for events.
      DP (P=0.001), age (P=0.001), ACE inhibitor use (P=0.017), and SP-adjusted BLS
      (P=0.012) were independent predictors of mortality. SP-adjusted BLS added
      incremental value (P=0.014) to the other independent predictors. In conclusion,
      DP-adjusted BLS and SP-adjusted BLS were independent predictors of cardiac events
      and mortality, respectively. Blood pressure-adjusted strain added incremental
      prognostic value to other predictors of outcome. 

PMID- 27249811
TI  - A comparison of two forms of the continuity equation in the Trifecta bovine
      pericardial aortic valve.
AB  - AIM: To compare the classical and simplified form of the continuity equation in
      small Trifecta valves. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of post
      operative echocardiograms performed for clinical reasons after implantation of
      Trifecta bioprosthetic valves. RESULTS: There were 60 patients aged 74 (range 38
      89) years. For the valves of size 19, 21 and 23mm, the mean gradient was 11.3,
      10.7 and 9.7mmHg, respectively. The effective orifice areas by the classical form
      of the continuity equation were 1.4, 1.7 and 1.9cm(2), respectively. There was a
      good correlation between the two forms of the continuity equation, but they were
      significantly different using a t-test (P<0.00001). Results using the classical
      form were a mean 0.11 (s.d. 0.18)cm(2) larger than those using the simple
      formula. CONCLUSION: Haemodynamic function of the Trifecta valve in the small
      aortic root is good. There are significant differences between the classical and
      simplified forms of the continuity equation.

PMID- 27249812
TI  - Sudden cardiac arrest and coexisting mitral valve prolapse: a case report and
      literature review.
AB  - The aetiology of sudden cardiac arrest can often be identified to underlying
      cardiac pathology. Mitral valve prolapse is a relatively common valvular
      pathology with symptoms manifesting with increasing severity of mitral
      regurgitation (MR). It is unusual for severe MR to be present without symptoms,
      and there is growing evidence that this subset of patients may be at increased
      risk of sudden cardiac arrest or death. The difficulty lies in identifying those
      patients at risk and applying measures that are appropriate to halting
      progression to cardiac arrest. This article examines the association of mitral
      valve prolapse with cardiac arrests, the underlying pathophysiological process
      and the strategies for identifying those at risk. 

PMID- 27249813
TI  - An extracardiac unruptured right sinus of valsalva aneurysm complicated with
      atherothrombosis.
AB  - SummaryWe present quite a rare case of extracardiac unruptured right sinus of
      valsalva aneurysm (SVA) complicated with atherothrombosis in a young adult man. A
      35-year-old male with a giant unruptured SVA arising from the right coronary
      sinus (RCS) with extracardiac protrusion was diagnosed by echocardiography.
      Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a huge calcified aneurysm
      with mural thrombi originating from the aortic root, and about 80% stenosis at
      the initial segment of the right coronary artery (RCA). Intraoperative
      exploration demonstrated a giant unruptured aneurysm arising from the RCS.
      Different from other SVAs reported before, this aneurismal wall appeared thick
      and atheromatous-like. In this aneurysm, there was a small localized intima
      tearing and mural thrombosis, and the orifice of the RCA was almost blocked. This
      patient underwent surgical patch repair to prevent aneurysm rupture and coronary
      artery bypass grafting for RCA revascularization. In conclusion, the pathological
      examination demonstrated marked foam cells, inflammatory cells, and thrombosis in
      the aneurismal wall. LEARNING POINTS: Echocardiographic characteristics of sinus
      of valsalva aneurysm (SVA).Diagnostic evaluation of extracardiac unruptured
      SVA.Pathology of rare SVA.

PMID- 27249814
TI  - Acute myocarditis with normal wall motion detected with 2D speckle tracking
      echocardiography.
AB  - SummaryWe present the case of a 26-year-old male with acute tonsillitis who was
      referred for coronary angiography because of chest pain, elevated cardiac
      biomarkers, and biphasic T waves. The patient had no cardiovascular risk factors.
      Echocardiography showed no wall motion abnormalities and no pericardial effusion.
      2D speckle tracking revealed distinct decreased regional peak longitudinal
      systolic strain in the lateral and posterior walls. Ischemic disease was
      extremely unlikely in view of his young age, negative family history regarding
      coronary artery disease, and lack of regional wall motion abnormalities on the
      conventional 2D echocardiogram. Coronary angiography was deferred as myocarditis
      was suspected. To confirm the diagnosis, cardiac magnetic resonance tomography
      (MRT) was performed, showing subepicardial delayed hyperenhancement in the
      lateral and posterior walls correlating closely with the strain pattern obtained
      by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography. With a working diagnosis of acute
      myocarditis associated with acute tonsillitis, we prescribed antibiotics and
      nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The patient's clinical signs resolved along
      with normalization of serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, and the patient was
      discharged on the third day after admission. LEARNING POINTS: Acute myocarditis
      can mimic acute coronary syndromes.Conventional 2D echocardiography lacks
      specific features for detection of subtle regional wall motion abnormalities.2D
      speckle tracking expands the scope of echocardiography in identifying myocardial
      dysfunction derived from edema in acute myocarditis.

PMID- 27249815
TI  - Anterior mitral valve aneurysm: a rare sequelae of aortic valve endocarditis.
AB  - SummaryIn intravenous drug abusers, infective endocarditis usually involves right
      sided valves, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common etiologic agent.
      We present a patient who is an intravenous drug abuser with left-sided (aortic
      valve) endocarditis caused by Enterococcus faecalis who subsequently developed an
      anterior mitral valve aneurysm, which is an exceedingly rare complication. A
      systematic literature search was conducted which identified only five reported
      cases in the literature of mitral valve aneurysmal rupture in the setting of E.
      faecalis endocarditis. Real-time 3D-transesophageal echocardiography was critical
      in making an accurate diagnosis leading to timely intervention. LEARNING
      OBJECTIVES: Early recognition of a mitral valve aneurysm (MVA) is important
      because it may rupture and produce catastrophic mitral regurgitation (MR) in an
      already seriously ill patient requiring emergency surgery, or it may be
      overlooked at the time of aortic valve replacement (AVR).Real-time 3D
      transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3DTEE) is much more advanced and accurate
      than transthoracic echocardiography for the diagnosis and management of MVA.

PMID- 27249816
TI  - Clinical utility of speckle-tracking echocardiography in cardiac
      resynchronisation therapy.
AB  - Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) can profoundly improve outcome in
      selected patients with heart failure; however, response is difficult to predict
      and can be absent in up to one in three patients. There has been a substantial
      amount of interest in the echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular
      dyssynchrony, with the ultimate aim of reliably identifying patients who will
      respond to CRT. The measurement of myocardial deformation (strain) has
      conventionally been assessed using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), which is limited
      by its angle dependence and ability to measure in a single plane. Two-dimensional
      speckle-tracking echocardiography is a technique that provides measurements of
      strain in three planes, by tracking patterns of ultrasound interference
      ('speckles') in the myocardial wall throughout the cardiac cycle. Since its
      initial use over 15 years ago, it has emerged as a tool that provides more
      robust, reproducible and sensitive markers of dyssynchrony than TDI. This article
      reviews the use of two-dimensional and three-dimensional speckle-tracking
      echocardiography in the assessment of dyssynchrony, including the identification
      of echocardiographic parameters that may hold predictive potential for the
      response to CRT. It also reviews the application of these techniques in guiding
      optimal LV lead placement pre-implant, with promising results in clinical
      improvement post-CRT. 

PMID- 27249817
TI  - Modulation of natural killer cell functions by interactions between 2B4 and CD48
      in cis and in trans.
AB  - SLAM-related receptors (SRRs) are important modulators of immune cell function.
      While most SRRs are homophilic, 2B4 (CD244) interacts with CD48, a GPI-anchored
      protein expressed on many haematopoietic cells. Here we show that natural killer
      (NK) cell-expressed 2B4 not only binds in trans to CD48 on neighbouring cells but
      also interacts in cis with CD48 on the same cell. 2B4 uses the same binding site
      to interact with CD48 in cis and in trans and structural flexibility of 2B4 is
      necessary for the cis interaction. Furthermore, the cis interaction is sufficient
      to induce basal phosphorylation of 2B4. However, cis interaction reduces the
      ability of 2B4 to bind CD48 in trans As a consequence, stimulation-dependent
      phosphorylation of 2B4 upon binding to CD48 positive target cells is reduced.
      Interfering with the cis interaction therefore enhanced the lysis of CD48
      expressing tumour cells. These data show that the density of 2B4 and CD48 on both
      the NK cell and the potential target cell modulates NK cell activity.

PMID- 27249818
TI  - In vivo myosin step-size from zebrafish skeletal muscle.
AB  - Muscle myosins transduce ATP free energy into actin displacement to power
      contraction. In vivo, myosin side chains are modified post-translationally under
      native conditions, potentially impacting function. Single myosin detection
      provides the 'bottom-up' myosin characterization probing basic mechanisms without
      ambiguities inherent to ensemble observation. Macroscopic muscle physiological
      experimentation provides the definitive 'top-down' phenotype characterizations
      that are the concerns in translational medicine. In vivo single myosin detection
      in muscle from zebrafish embryo models for human muscle fulfils ambitions for
      both bottom-up and top-down experimentation. A photoactivatable green fluorescent
      protein (GFP)-tagged myosin light chain expressed in transgenic zebrafish
      skeletal muscle specifically modifies the myosin lever-arm. Strychnine induces
      the simultaneous contraction of the bilateral tail muscles in a live embryo,
      causing them to be isometric while active. Highly inclined thin illumination
      excites the GFP tag of single lever-arms and its super-resolution orientation is
      measured from an active isometric muscle over a time sequence covering many
      transduction cycles. Consecutive frame lever-arm angular displacement converts to
      step-size by its product with the estimated lever-arm length. About 17% of the
      active myosin steps that fall between 2 and 7 nm are implicated as powerstrokes
      because they are beyond displacements detected from either relaxed or ATP
      depleted (rigor) muscle.

PMID- 27249820
TI  - Maximal Lactate Steady State's Dependence on Cycling Cadence.
AB  - The maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) depicts the highest blood lactate
      concentration (BLC) that can be maintained over time without a continual
      accumulation at constant prolonged workload. In cycling, no difference in the
      MLSS was combined with lower power output related to peak workload (IMLSS) at 100
      than at 50 rpm. MLSS coincides with a respiratory exchange ratio (RER) close to
      1. Recently, at incremental exercise, an RER of 1 was found at similar workload
      and similar intensity but higher BLC at 100 than at 50 rpm. Therefore, the
      authors reassessed a potential effect of cycling cadences on the MLSS and tested
      the hypothesis that the MLSS would be higher at 105 than at 60 rpm with no
      difference in IMLSS in a between-subjects design (n = 16, age 25.1 +/- 1.9 y,
      height 178.4 +/- 6.5 cm, body mass 70.3 +/- 6.5 kg vs n = 16, 23.6 +/- 3.0 y,
      181.4 +/- 5.6 cm, 72.5 +/- 6.2 kg; study I) and confirmed these findings in a
      within-subject design (n = 12, 25.3 +/- 2.1 y, 175.9 +/- 7.7 cm, 67.8 +/- 8.9 kg;
      study II). In study I, the MLSS was lower at 60 than at 105 rpm (4.3 +/- 0.7 vs
      5.4 +/- 1.0 mmol/L; P = .003) with no difference in IMLSS (68.7% +/- 5.3% vs
      71.8% +/- 5.9%). Study II confirmed these findings on MLSS (3.4 +/- 0.8 vs 4.5 +/
      1.0 mmol/L; P = .001) and IMLSS (65.0% +/- 6.8% vs 63.5% +/- 6.3%; P = .421).
      The higher MLSS at 105 than at 60 rpm combined with an invariance of IMLSS and
      RER close to 1 at MLSS supports the hypothesis that higher cadences can induce a
      preservation of carbohydrates at given BLC levels during low-intensity, high
      volume training sessions.

PMID- 27249819
TI  - Systematic analysis of the PTEN 5' leader identifies a major AUU initiated
      proteoform.
AB  - Abundant evidence for translation within the 5' leaders of many human genes is
      rapidly emerging, especially, because of the advent of ribosome profiling. In
      most cases, it is believed that the act of translation rather than the encoded
      peptide is important. However, the wealth of available sequencing data in recent
      years allows phylogenetic detection of sequences within 5' leaders that have
      emerged under coding constraint and therefore allow for the prediction of
      functional 5' leader translation. Using this approach, we previously predicted a
      CUG-initiated, 173 amino acid N-terminal extension to the human tumour suppressor
      PTEN. Here, a systematic experimental analysis of translation events in the PTEN
      5' leader identifies at least two additional non-AUG-initiated PTEN proteoforms
      that are expressed in most human cell lines tested. The most abundant extended
      PTEN proteoform initiates at a conserved AUU codon and extends the canonical AUG
      initiated PTEN by 146 amino acids. All N-terminally extended PTEN proteoforms
      tested retain the ability to downregulate the PI3K pathway. We also provide
      evidence for the translation of two conserved AUG-initiated upstream open reading
      frames within the PTEN 5' leader that control the ratio of PTEN proteoforms.

PMID- 27249821
TI  - Improvement of Long-Jump Performance During Competition Using a Plyometric
      Exercise.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the acute effects of a conditioning plyometric exercise on
      long-jump performance during a simulated long-jump competition. METHODS: Eight
      national-level track and field decathletes performed 6 long-jump attempts with a
      full approach run separated by 10-min recoveries. In the experimental condition
      subjects performed 3 rebound vertical jumps with maximal effort 3 min before the
      last 5 attempts, while the 1st attempt served as baseline. In the control
      condition the participants performed 6 long jumps without executing the
      conditioning exercise. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, long-jump performance
      progressively increased only in the experimental condition, from 3.0%, or 17.5
      cm, in the 3rd attempt (P = .046, d = 0.56), to 4.8%, or 28.2 cm, in the 6th
      attempt (P = .0001, d = 0.84). The improvement in long-jump performance was due
      to a gradual increase in vertical takeoff velocity from the 3rd (by 8.7%, P =
      .0001, d = 1.82) to the 6th jump (by 17.7%, P = .0001, d = 4.38). Horizontal
      approach velocity, takeoff duration, and horizontal velocity at takeoff were
      similar at all long-jump attempts in both conditions (P = .80, P = .36, and P =
      .15, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Long-jump performance progressively improved
      during a simulated competition when a plyometric conditioning exercise was
      executed 3 min before each attempt. This improvement was due to a progressive
      increase in vertical velocity of takeoff, while there was no effect on the
      horizontal velocity.

PMID- 27249822
TI  - An Automatic User-Adapted Physical Activity Classification Method Using
      Smartphones.
AB  - In recent years, an increasing number of people have become concerned about their
      health. Most chronic diseases are related to lifestyle, and daily activity
      records can be used as an important indicator of health. Specifically, using
      advanced technology to automatically monitor actual activities can effectively
      prevent and manage chronic diseases. The data used in this paper were obtained
      from acceleration sensors and gyroscopes integrated in smartphones. We designed
      an efficient Adaboost-Stump running on a smartphone to classify five common
      activities: cycling, running, sitting, standing, and walking and achieved a
      satisfactory classification accuracy of 98%. We designed an online learning
      method, and the classification model requires continuous training with actual
      data. The parameters in the model then become increasingly fitted to the specific
      user, which allows the classification accuracy to reach 95% under different use
      environments. In addition, this paper also utilized the OpenCL framework to
      design the program in parallel. This process can enhance the computing efficiency
      approximately ninefold.

PMID- 27249823
TI  - Mitigation of Intra-coil Eddy Currents in Split Gradient Coils in a Hybrid MRI
      LINAC System.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to mitigate intra-gradient coil eddy currents
      in a hybrid MRI-LINAC system. METHODS: The tracks of the gradient coils are
      modified by cutting slits along the current flow direction. The electromagnetic
      model developed was first experimentally validated and then used to study the
      impacts of the slit conductors on the energized and surrounding coils. In this
      study, gradient coils were slit with different numbers of sub-tracks and driven
      by a current with frequencies ranging from 100 Hz to 10 kHz. The proposed
      configuration was assessed by evaluating a number of system parameters, such as
      the gradient magnetic field, the power loss generated in the surrounding
      unenergized coil (hereafter referred to as passive coils), and the performance of
      the energized coil. RESULTS: It was found that at a typical operating frequency
      of 1 kHz and compared with a conventional (no cut) split coil structure, the new
      coil pattern (with four slits) offered improved coil parameters. 1) The average
      power loss dissipated in the surrounding passive coil was significantly reduced
      by 85%, 2) the cuts largely reduced the secondary field generated by the eddy
      currents in the passive coil, which was reduced to about 4% of that produced by
      the uncut coil and, 3) the performance of the energized coil with slit tracks was
      significantly improved. Some typical gradient coil parameters, such as the figure
      of merit, efficiency (eta), and eta2/R (where eta is the efficiency and R is the
      resistance), were improved by 8.0%, 11.9%, and 45.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION
      AND SIGNIFICANCE: The new slit coil structure is effective in mitigating intra
      coil eddy current effects, which is an important issue in the MRI-LINAC system.

PMID- 27249824
TI  - A Novel Quantitative 500-MHz Acoustic Microscopy System for Ophthalmologic
      Tissues.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper describes development of a novel 500-MHz scanning acoustic
      microscope (SAM) for assessing the mechanical properties of ocular tissues at
      fine resolution. The mechanical properties of some ocular tissues, such as lamina
      cribrosa (LC) in the optic nerve head, are believed to play a pivotal role in eye
      pathogenesis. METHODS: A novel etching technology was used to fabricate silicon
      based lens for a 500-MHz transducer. The transducer was tested in a custom
      designed scanning system on human eyes. Two-dimensional (2-D) maps of bulk
      modulus (K) and mass density (rho) were derived using improved versions of
      current state-of-the-art signal processing approaches. RESULTS: The transducer
      employed a lens radius of 125 MUm and had a center frequency of 479 MHz with a -6
      dB bandwidth of 264 MHz and a lateral resolution of 4 MUm. The LC, Bruch's
      membrane (BM) at the interface of the retina and choroid, and Bowman's layer (BL)
      at the interface of the corneal epithelium and stroma, were successfully imaged
      and resolved. Analysis of the 2-D parameter maps revealed average values of LC,
      BM, and BL with KLC = 2.81 +/-0.17; GPa, KBM = 2.89 +/-0.18; GPa, KBL = 2.6 +/
      0.09 ; GPa, rho LC = 0.96 +/-0.03 g/cm3; rho BM = 0.97 +/-0.04 g/cm3; rho BL =
      0.98 +/-0.04 g/cm3. SIGNIFICANCE: This novel SAM was shown to be capable of
      measuring mechanical properties of soft biological tissues at microscopic
      resolution; it is currently the only system that allows simultaneous measurement
      of K, rho, and attenuation in large lateral scales (field area >9 mm2) and at
      fine resolutions.

PMID- 27249826
TI  - Review: Mechanical Characterization of Carotid Arteries and Atherosclerotic
      Plaques.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and is in the majority
      of cases due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in arteries. Initially,
      thickening of the inner layer of the arterial wall occurs. Continuation of this
      process leads to plaque formation. The risk of a plaque to rupture and thus to
      induce an ischemic event is directly related to its composition. Consequently,
      characterization of the plaque composition and its proneness to rupture are of
      crucial importance for risk assessment and treatment strategies. The carotid is
      an excellent artery to be imaged with ultrasound because of its superficial
      position. In this review, ultrasound-based methods for characterizing the
      mechanical properties of the carotid wall and atherosclerotic plaque are
      discussed. Using conventional echography, the intima media thickness (IMT) can be
      quantified. There is a wealth of studies describing the relation between IMT and
      the risk for myocardial infarction and stroke. Also the carotid distensibility
      can be quantified with ultrasound, providing a surrogate marker for the cross
      sectional mechanical properties. Although all these parameters are associated
      with CVD, they do not easily translate to individual patient risk. Another
      technique is pulse wave velocity (PWV) assessment, which measures the propagation
      of the pressure pulse over the arterial bed. PWV has proven to be a marker for
      global arterial stiffness. Recently, an ultrasound-based method to estimate the
      local PWV has been introduced, but the clinical effectiveness still needs to be
      established. Other techniques focus on characterization of plaques. With
      ultrasound elastography, the strain in the plaque due to the pulsatile pressure
      can be quantified. This technique was initially developed using intravascular
      catheters to image coronaries, but recently noninvasive methods were successfully
      developed. A high correlation between the measured strain and the risk for
      rupture was established. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging also
      provides characterization of local plaque components based on mechanical
      properties. However, both elastography and ARFI provide an indirect measure of
      the elastic modulus of tissue. With shear wave imaging, the elastic modulus can
      be quantified, although the carotid artery is one of the most challenging tissues
      for this technique due to its size and geometry. Prospective studies still have
      to establish the predictive value of these techniques for the individual patient.
      Validation of ultrasound-based mechanical characterization of arteries and
      plaques remains challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging is often used as the
      "gold" standard for plaque characterization, but its limited resolution renders
      only global characterization of the plaque. CT provides information on the
      vascular tree, the degree of stenosis, and the presence of calcified plaque,
      while soft plaque characterization remains limited. Histology still is the gold
      standard, but is available only if tissue is excised. In conclusion,
      elastographic ultrasound techniques are well suited to characterize the different
      stages of vascular disease.

PMID- 27249825
TI  - Optimizing Flip Angles for Metabolic Rate Estimation in Hyperpolarized Carbon-13
      MRI.
AB  - Hyperpolarized carbon-13 magnetic resonance imaging has enabled the real-time
      observation of perfusion and metabolism in vivo. These experiments typically aim
      to distinguish between healthy and diseased tissues based on the rate at which
      they metabolize an injected substrate. However, existing approaches to optimizing
      flip angle sequences for these experiments have focused on indirect metrics of
      the reliability of metabolic rate estimates, such as signal variation and signal
      to-noise ratio. In this paper we present an optimization procedure that focuses
      on maximizing the Fisher information about the metabolic rate. We demonstrate
      through numerical simulation experiments that flip angles optimized based on the
      Fisher information lead to lower variance in metabolic rate estimates than
      previous flip angle sequences. In particular, we demonstrate a 20% decrease in
      metabolic rate uncertainty when compared with the best competing sequence. We
      then demonstrate appropriateness of the mathematical model used in the simulation
      experiments with in vivo experiments in a prostate cancer mouse model. While
      there is no ground truth against which to compare the parameter estimates
      generated in the in vivo experiments, we demonstrate that our model used can
      reproduce consistent parameter estimates for a number of flip angle sequences.

PMID- 27249827
TI  - JPL Ultrastable Trapped Ion Atomic Frequency Standards.
AB  - Recently, room temperature trapped ion atomic clock development at the Jet
      Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has focused on three directions: 1) ultrastable
      atomic clocks, usually for terrestrial applications emphasizing ultimate
      stability performance and autonomous timekeeping; 2) new atomic clock technology
      for space flight applications that require strict adherence to size, weight, and
      power requirements; and 3) miniature clocks. In this paper, we concentrate on the
      first direction and present a design and the initial results from a new
      ultrastable clock referred to as L10 that achieves a short-term stability of 4.5
      *10(-14)/tau(1/2) and an initial measurement of no significant drift with an
      uncertainty of 2.4 *10(-16) /day over a two-week period.

PMID- 27249828
TI  - Coded Spectral Doppler Imaging: From Simulation to Real-Time Processing.
AB  - Transmission of coded pulses and matched receive filtering can improve the
      ultrasound imaging penetration depth while preserving the axial resolution. This
      paper shows that the pulse compression technique may be integrated in a low-cost
      scanner to be profitably used also in spectral Doppler investigations. By
      operating on beamformed, demodulated, and down-sampled data in the frequency
      domain, a single digital signal processor is proved sufficient to perform both
      pulse compression and multigate spectral Doppler algorithms in real time.
      Simulations, phantom, and in vivo experiments demonstrate that the transmission
      of (2.5 or [Formula: see text] long) linear frequency-modulated chirps with
      bandwidths over the range 1.6-5.4 MHz, rather than of corresponding sine-burst
      pulses, provides signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvements very close to theory.
      Even in the presence of selective tissue attenuation, SNR gains up to 11 and 13.3
      dB have been obtained for the short and the longer chirp, respectively. This may
      be important in clinical Doppler applications where the needed penetration depth
      is not achieved with sufficient SNR unless very long bursts are transmitted.

PMID- 27249829
TI  - Image Zoom Completion.
AB  - We consider the problem of recovering a high-resolution image from a pair
      consisting of a complete low-resolution image and a high-resolution but
      incomplete one. We refer to this task as the image zoom completion problem. After
      discussing possible contexts in which this setting may arise, we introduce a
      nonlocal regularization strategy, giving full details concerning the numerical
      optimization of the corresponding energy and discussing its benefits and
      shortcomings. We also derive two total variation-based algorithms and evaluate
      the performance of the proposed methods on a set of natural and textured images.
      We compare the results and get with those obtained with two recent state-of-the
      art single-image super-resolution algorithms.

PMID- 27249830
TI  - Dual Diversified Dynamical Gaussian Process Latent Variable Model for Video
      Repairing.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a dual diversified dynamical Gaussian process latent
      variable model ( [Formula: see text]GPLVM) to tackle the video repairing issue.
      For preservation purposes, videos have to be conserved on media. However, storing
      on media, such as films and hard disks, can suffer from unexpected data loss, for
      instance, physical damage. So repairing of missing or damaged pixels is essential
      for better video maintenance. Most methods seek to fill in missing holes by
      synthesizing similar textures from local patches (the neighboring pixels),
      consecutive frames, or the whole video. However, these can introduce incorrect
      contexts, especially when the missing hole or number of damaged frames is large.
      Furthermore, simple texture synthesis can introduce artifacts in undamaged and
      recovered areas. To address aforementioned problems, we introduce two diversity
      encouraging priors to both of inducing points and latent variables for
      considering the variety in existing videos. In [Formula: see text]GPLVM, the
      inducing points constitute a smaller subset of observed data, while latent
      variables are a low-dimensional representation of observed data. Since they have
      a strong correlation with the observed data, it is essential that both of them
      can capture distinct aspects of and fully represent the observed data. The dual
      diversity encouraging priors ensure that the trained inducing points and latent
      variables are more diverse and resistant for context-aware and artifacts-free
      based video repairing. The defined objective function in our proposed model is
      initially not analytically tractable and must be solved by variational inference.
      Finally, experimental testing results illustrate the robustness and effectiveness
      of our method for damaged video repairing.

PMID- 27249831
TI  - Improving Intra Prediction in High-Efficiency Video Coding.
AB  - Intra prediction is an important tool in intra-frame video coding to reduce the
      spatial redundancy. In current coding standard H.265/high-efficiency video coding
      (HEVC), a copying-based method based on the boundary (or interpolated boundary)
      reference pixels is used to predict each pixel in the coding block to remove the
      spatial redundancy. We find that the conventional copying-based method can be
      further improved in two cases: 1) the boundary has an inhomogeneous region and 2)
      the predicted pixel is far away from the boundary that the correlation between
      the predicted pixel and the reference pixels is relatively weak. This paper
      performs a theoretical analysis of the optimal weights based on a first-order
      Gaussian Markov model and the effects when the pixel values deviate from the
      model and the predicted pixel is far away from the reference pixels. It also
      proposes a novel intra prediction scheme based on the analysis that smoothing the
      copying-based prediction can derive a better prediction block. Both the
      theoretical analysis and the experimental results show the effectiveness of the
      proposed intra prediction method. An average gain of 2.3% on all intra coding can
      be achieved with the HEVC reference software.

PMID- 27249832
TI  - Super-Resolution of Dynamic Scenes Using Sampling Rate Diversity.
AB  - In earlier work, we proposed a super-resolution (SR) method that required the
      availability of two low resolution (LR) sequences corresponding to two different
      sampling rates, where images from one sequence were used as a basis to represent
      the polyphase components (PPCs) of the high resolution (HR) image, while the
      other LR sequences provided the reference LR image (to be super-resolved). The
      (simple) algorithm implemented by Salem and Yagle is only applicable when the
      scene is static. In this paper, we recast our approach to SR as a two-stage
      example-based algorithm to process dynamic scenes. We employ feature selection to
      create, from the LR frames, local LR dictionaries to represent PPCs of HR
      patches. To enforce sparsity, we implement Gaussian generative models as an
      efficient alternative to L1-norm minimization. Estimation errors are further
      reduced using what we refer to as the anchors, which are based on the
      relationship between PPCs corresponding to different sampling rates. In the
      second stage, we revert to simple single frame SR (applied to each frame), using
      HR dictionaries extracted from the super-resolved sequence of the previous stage.
      The second stage is thus a reiteration of the sparsity coding scheme, using only
      one LR sequence, and without involving PPCs. The ability of the modified
      algorithm to super-resolve challenging LR sequences reintroduces sampling rate
      diversity as a prerequisite of robust multiframe SR.

PMID- 27249833
TI  - PiCode: A New Picture-Embedding 2D Barcode.
AB  - Nowadays, 2D barcodes have been widely used as an interface to connect potential
      customers and advertisement contents. However, the appearance of a conventional
      2D barcode pattern is often too obtrusive for integrating into an aesthetically
      designed advertisement. Besides, no human readable information is provided before
      the barcode is successfully decoded. This paper proposes a new picture-embedding
      2D barcode, called PiCode, which mitigates these two limitations by equipping a
      scannable 2D barcode with a picturesque appearance. PiCode is designed with
      careful considerations on both the perceptual quality of the embedded image and
      the decoding robustness of the encoded message. Comparisons with the existing
      beautified 2D barcodes show that PiCode achieves one of the best perceptual
      qualities for the embedded image, and maintains a better tradeoff between image
      quality and decoding robustness in various application conditions. PiCode has
      been implemented in the MATLAB on a PC and some key building blocks have also
      been ported to Android and iOS platforms. Its practicality for real-world
      applications has been successfully demonstrated.

PMID- 27249834
TI  - Just Noticeable Difference Estimation for Screen Content Images.
AB  - We propose a novel just noticeable difference (JND) model for a screen content
      image (SCI). The distinct properties of the SCI result in different behaviors of
      the human visual system when viewing the textual content, which motivate us to
      employ a local parametric edge model with an adaptive representation of the edge
      profile in JND modeling. In particular, we decompose each edge profile into its
      luminance, contrast, and structure, and then evaluate the visibility threshold in
      different ways. The edge luminance adaptation, contrast masking, and structural
      distortion sensitivity are studied in subjective experiments, and the final JND
      model is established based on the edge profile reconstruction with tolerable
      variations. Extensive experiments are conducted to verify the proposed JND model,
      which confirm that it is accurate in predicting the JND profile, and outperforms
      the state-of-the-art schemes in terms of the distortion masking ability.
      Furthermore, we explore the applicability of the proposed JND model in the
      scenario of perceptually lossless SCI compression, and experimental results show
      that the proposed scheme can outperform the conventional JND guided compression
      schemes by providing better visual quality at the same coding bits.

PMID- 27249835
TI  - In Vivo Estimation of Human Forearm and Wrist Dynamic Properties.
AB  - It is important to estimate the 3 degree-of-freedom (DOF) impedance of human
      forearm and wrist (i.e., forearm prono-supination, and wrist flexion-extension
      and radial-ulnar deviation) in motor control and in the diagnosis of altered
      mechanical resistance following stroke. There is, however, a lack of methods to
      characterize 3 DOF impedance. Thus, we developed a reliable and accurate
      impedance estimation method, the distal internal model based impedance control
      (dIMBIC)-based method, to characterize the 3 DOF impedance, including cross
      coupled terms between DOFs, for the first time. Its accuracy and reliability were
      experimentally validated using a robot with substantial nonlinear joint friction.
      The 3 DOF human forearm and wrist impedance of eight healthy subjects was
      reliably characterized, and its linear behavior was verified. Thus, the dIMBIC
      based method can provide us with 3 DOF forearm and wrist impedance regardless of
      nonlinear robot joint friction. It is expected that, with the proposed method,
      the 3 DOF impedance estimation can promote motor control studies and complement
      the diagnosis of altered wrist and forearm resistance post-stroke by providing
      objective impedance estimates, including cross-coupled terms.

PMID- 27249836
TI  - An Insect Eye Inspired Miniaturized Multi-Camera System for Endoscopic Imaging.
AB  - In this work, we present a miniaturized high definition vision system inspired by
      insect eyes, with a distributed illumination method, which can work in dark
      environments for proximity imaging applications such as endoscopy. Our approach
      is based on modeling biological systems with off-the-shelf miniaturized cameras
      combined with digital circuit design for real time image processing. We built a 5
      mm radius hemispherical compound eye, imaging a 180 degrees *180 degrees  degrees
      field of view while providing more than 1.1 megapixels (emulated ommatidias) as
      real-time video with an inter-ommatidial angle ?phi = 0.5 degrees  at 18 mm
      radial distance. We made an FPGA implementation of the image processing system
      which is capable of generating 25 fps video with 1080 * 1080 pixel resolution at
      a 120 MHz processing clock frequency. When compared to similar size insect eye
      mimicking systems in literature, the system proposed in this paper features 1000
      * resolution increase. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that
      a compound eye with built-in illumination idea is reported. We are offering our
      miniaturized imaging system for endoscopic applications like colonoscopy or
      laparoscopic surgery where there is a need for large field of view high
      definition imagery. For that purpose we tested our system inside a human colon
      model. We also present the resulting images and videos from the human colon model
      in this paper.

PMID- 27249837
TI  - Review on Lithotripsy and Cavitation in Urinary Stone Therapy.
AB  - Cavitation is the sudden formation of vapor bubbles or voids in liquid media and
      occurs after rapid changes in pressure as a consequence of mechanical forces. It
      is mostly an undesirable phenomenon. Although the elimination of cavitation is a
      major topic in the study of fluid dynamics, its destructive nature could be
      exploited for therapeutic applications. Ultrasonic and hydrodynamic sources are
      two main origins for generating cavitation. The purpose of this review is to give
      the reader a general idea about the formation of cavitation phenomenon and
      existing biomedical applications of ultrasonic and hydrodynamic cavitation.
      Because of the high number of the studies on ultrasound cavitation in the
      literature, the main focus of this review is placed on the lithotripsy
      techniques, which have been widely used for the treatment of urinary stones.
      Accordingly, cavitation phenomenon and its basic concepts are presented in
      Section II. The significance of the ultrasound cavitation in the urinary stone
      treatment is discussed in Section III in detail and hydrodynamic cavitation as an
      important alternative for the ultrasound cavitation is included in Section IV.
      Finally, side effects of using both ultrasound and hydrodynamic cavitation in
      biomedical applications are presented in Section V.

PMID- 27249838
TI  - Effects of Grip-Force, Contact, and Acceleration Feedback on a Teleoperated Pick
      and-Place Task.
AB  - The multifaceted human sense of touch is fundamental to direct manipulation, but
      technical challenges prevent most teleoperation systems from providing even a
      single modality of haptic feedback, such as force feedback. This paper postulates
      that ungrounded grip-force, fingertip-contact-and-pressure, and high-frequency
      acceleration haptic feedback will improve human performance of a teleoperated
      pick-and-place task. Thirty subjects used a teleoperation system consisting of a
      haptic device worn on the subject's right hand, a remote PR2 humanoid robot, and
      a Vicon motion capture system to move an object to a target location. Each
      subject completed the pick-and-place task 10 times under each of the eight haptic
      conditions obtained by turning on and off grip-force feedback, contact feedback,
      and acceleration feedback. To understand how object stiffness affects the utility
      of the feedback, half of the subjects completed the task with a flexible plastic
      cup, and the others used a rigid plastic block. The results indicate that the
      addition of grip-force feedback with gain switching enables subjects to hold both
      the flexible and rigid objects more stably, and it also allowed subjects who
      manipulated the rigid block to hold the object more delicately and to better
      control the motion of the remote robot's hand. Contact feedback improved the
      ability of subjects who manipulated the flexible cup to move the robot's arm in
      space, but it deteriorated this ability for subjects who manipulated the rigid
      block. Contact feedback also caused subjects to hold the flexible cup less
      stably, but the rigid block more securely. Finally, adding acceleration feedback
      slightly improved the subject's performance when setting the object down, as
      originally hypothesized; interestingly, it also allowed subjects to feel
      vibrations produced by the robot's motion, causing them to be more careful when
      completing the task. This study supports the utility of grip-force and high
      frequency acceleration feedback in teleoperation systems and motivates further
      improvements to fingertip-contact-and-pressure feedback.

PMID- 27249839
TI  - Iterative Adaptive Dynamic Programming for Solving Unknown Nonlinear Zero-Sum
      Game Based on Online Data.
AB  - Hinfinity control is a powerful method to solve the disturbance attenuation
      problems that occur in some control systems. The design of such controllers
      relies on solving the zero-sum game (ZSG). But in practical applications, the
      exact dynamics is mostly unknown. Identification of dynamics also produces errors
      that are detrimental to the control performance. To overcome this problem, an
      iterative adaptive dynamic programming algorithm is proposed in this paper to
      solve the continuous-time, unknown nonlinear ZSG with only online data. A model
      free approach to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs equation is developed based on the
      policy iteration method. Control and disturbance policies and value are
      approximated by neural networks (NNs) under the critic-actor-disturber structure.
      The NN weights are solved by the least-squares method. According to the
      theoretical analysis, our algorithm is equivalent to a Gauss-Newton method
      solving an optimization problem, and it converges uniformly to the optimal
      solution. The online data can also be used repeatedly, which is highly efficient.
      Simulation results demonstrate its feasibility to solve the unknown nonlinear
      ZSG. When compared with other algorithms, it saves a significant amount of online
      measurement time.

PMID- 27249843
TI  - Rigidity-Based Multiagent Layered Formation Control.
AB  - This paper provides a solution to the nonplanar multiagent formation control
      problem using graph rigidity. We consider a 3-D multiagent formation control
      where multiple agents are operating in one plane and some other agents are
      operating outside of that plane. This can be referred to as a layered formation
      control where the objective is for all agents to cooperatively acquire a
      predefined formation shape using a decentralized control law. The proposed
      control strategy is based on regulating the interagent distances. A rigorous
      stability analysis is presented that guarantees convergence of these distances to
      desired values. Simulation results are presented to support the theoretical
      results.

PMID- 27249840
TI  - Low-Power Wearable Systems for Continuous Monitoring of Environment and Health
      for Chronic Respiratory Disease.
AB  - We present our efforts toward enabling a wearable sensor system that allows for
      the correlation of individual environmental exposures with physiologic and
      subsequent adverse health responses. This system will permit a better
      understanding of the impact of increased ozone levels and other pollutants on
      chronic asthma conditions. We discuss the inefficiency of existing commercial off
      the-shelf components to achieve continuous monitoring and our system-level and
      nano-enabled efforts toward improving the wearability and power consumption. Our
      system consists of a wristband, a chest patch, and a handheld spirometer. We
      describe our preliminary efforts to achieve a submilliwatt system ultimately
      powered by the energy harvested from thermal radiation and motion of the body
      with the primary contributions being an ultralow-power ozone sensor, an volatile
      organic compounds sensor, spirometer, and the integration of these and other
      sensors in a multimodal sensing platform. The measured environmental parameters
      include ambient ozone concentration, temperature, and relative humidity. Our
      array of sensors also assesses heart rate via photoplethysmography and
      electrocardiography, respiratory rate via photoplethysmography, skin impedance,
      three-axis acceleration, wheezing via a microphone, and expiratory airflow. The
      sensors on the wristband, chest patch, and spirometer consume 0.83, 0.96, and
      0.01 mW, respectively. The data from each sensor are continually streamed to a
      peripheral data aggregation device and are subsequently transferred to a
      dedicated server for cloud storage. Future work includes reducing the power
      consumption of the system-on-chip including radio to reduce the entirety of each
      described system in the submilliwatt range.

PMID- 27249841
TI  - Integrative Analysis of Proteomic, Glycomic, and Metabolomic Data for Biomarker
      Discovery.
AB  - Studies associating changes in the levels of multiple biomolecules including
      proteins, glycans, glycoproteins, and metabolites with the onset of cancer have
      been widely investigated to identify clinically relevant diagnostic biomarkers.
      Advances in liquid or gas chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS, GC-MS) have
      enabled high-throughput qualitative and quantitative analysis of these
      biomolecules. While results from separate analyses of different biomolecules have
      been reported widely, the mutual information obtained by partly or fully
      combining them has been relatively unexplored. In this study, we investigate
      integrative analysis of proteins, N-glycans, and metabolites to take advantage of
      complementary information to improve the ability to distinguish cancer cases from
      controls. Specifically, support vector machine-recursive feature elimination
      algorithm is utilized to select a panel of proteins, N-glycans, and metabolites
      based on LC-MS and GC-MS data previously acquired by the analysis of blood
      samples from two cohorts in a liver cancer study. Improved performances are
      observed by integrative analysis compared to separate proteomic, glycomic, and
      metabolomic studies in distinguishing liver cancer cases from patients with liver
      cirrhosis.

PMID- 27249844
TI  - Output Feedback Control and Stabilization for Networked Control Systems With
      Packet Losses.
AB  - This paper mainly considers the optimal measurement feedback control and
      stabilization for networked control systems (NCSs) with packet losses. The
      problems are involved with fundamental difficulties of separation principle and
      optimal estimation (conditional expectation) for multiplicative noise stochastic
      systems. First, the optimal estimator (conditional expectation) for NCSs with
      packet losses is derived and the optimal measurement feedback controller is
      obtained by using the maximum principle. The sufficient and necessary solvability
      condition of finite horizon measurement feedback control problem is first
      presented. Moreover, the asymptotic stability of the optimal estimator is
      studied. Finally, for the infinite horizon case, based on the introduction of a
      new Lyapunov function, which is defined with the optimal cost function, it is
      shown that the system is stabilizable in the mean square sense if and only if an
      algebraic Riccati equation admits a unique positive definite solution.

PMID- 27249845
TI  - Person Reidentification in a Distributed Camera Network Framework.
AB  - Plenty of research has been conducted to obtain the best reidentification
      performance between a single camera-pairs. None of the current approaches has
      addressed the reidentification in a camera network by considering the network
      topology (i.e., the structure of the monitored environment). We introduce a
      distributed network person reidentification framework which introduces the
      following contributions. 1) a camera matching cost to measure the
      reidentification performance between nodes of the network and 2) a derivation of
      the distance vector algorithm which allows to learn the network topology thus to
      prioritize and limit the cameras inquired for the matching of the probe. Results
      on three benchmark datasets show that the network topology can be learned in an
      unsupervised fashion and network-wise reidentification performance improves. As a
      side effect, we obtain that the communication bandwidth usage is reduced.

PMID- 27249846
TI  - Active Complementary Control for Affine Nonlinear Control Systems With Actuator
      Faults.
AB  - This paper is concerned with the problem of active complementary control design
      for affine nonlinear control systems with actuator faults. The outage and loss of
      effectiveness fault cases are considered. In order to achieve the performance
      enhancement of the faulty control system, the complementary control scheme is
      designed in two steps. Firstly, a novel fault estimation scheme is developed.
      Then, by using the fault estimations to reconstruct the faulty system dynamics
      and introducing a cost function as the optimization objective, a nearly optimal
      complementary control is obtained online based on the adaptive dynamic
      programming (ADP) method. Unlike most of the previous ADP methods with the
      addition of a probing signal, new adaptive weight update laws are derived to
      guarantee the convergence of neural network weights and the stability of the
      closed-loop system, which strongly supports the online implementation of the ADP
      method. Finally, two simulation examples are given to illustrate the performance
      and effectiveness of the proposed method.

PMID- 27249847
TI  - Is dental caries a multifactorial disease? Likely not!

PMID- 27249848
TI  - Freezing and fractionation: effects of preservation on carbon and nitrogen stable
      isotope ratios of some limnetic organisms.
AB  - RATIONALE: Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen have become important natural
      tracers for studying food-web structure and function. Considerable research has
      demonstrated that chemical preservatives and fixatives shift the isotopic ratios
      of aquatic organisms. Much less is known about the effects of freezing as a
      preservation method although this technique is commonly used. METHODS: We
      conducted a controlled experiment to test the effects of freezing (-10  degrees
      C) and flash freezing (-79  degrees C) on the carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios
      of zooplankton (Cladocera), Mysis diluviana and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus
      mykiss). Subsamples (~0.5 mg) of dried material were analyzed for percentage
      carbon, percentage nitrogen, and the relative abundance of stable carbon and
      nitrogen isotopes (delta13C and delta15N values) using a Carlo Erba NC2500
      elemental analyzer interfaced to a ThermoFinnigan MAT Delta Plus isotope ratio
      mass spectrometer. RESULTS: The effects of freezing were taxon-dependent.
      Freezing had no effect on the isotopic or elemental values of Rainbow Trout
      muscle. Effects on the delta13C and delta15N values of zooplankton and Mysis were
      statistically significant but small relative to typical values of trophic
      fractionation. The treatment-control offsets had larger absolute values for Mysis
      (delta13C: <=0.76 +/- 0.410/00, delta15N: <=0.37 +/- 0.160/00) than for
      zooplankton (delta13C: <=0.12 +/- 0.060/00, delta15N: <=0.30 +/- 0.270/00). The
      effects of freezing were more variable for the delta13C values of Mysis, and more
      variable for the delta15N values of zooplankton. Generally, both freezing methods
      reduced the carbon content of zooplankton and Mysis, but freezing had a negative
      effect on the %N of zooplankton and a positive effect on the %N of Mysis.
      CONCLUSIONS: The species-dependencies and variability of freezing effects on
      aquatic organisms suggest that more research is needed to understand the
      mechanisms responsible for freezing-related fractionation before standardized
      protocols for freezing as a preservation method can be adopted.

PMID- 27249849
TI  - [Strategy for anti-HBV therapy in women of childbearing age and pregnancy].

PMID- 27249850
TI  - [Pregnancy-related factors and antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B].

PMID- 27249851
TI  - [Indications and opportunities for antiviral therapy to treat chronic HBV
      infection in women of childbearing age and during pregnancy].

PMID- 27249852
TI  - THE VISION CONTINUES....

PMID- 27249853
TI  - PATIENT'S PAGE. COMMON MYTHS OF GUM DISEASE.

PMID- 27249854
TI  - L.D. WHITLOCK, DDS ODA PRESIDENT 1987-88.

PMID- 27249855
TI  - Leaving a Legacy.

PMID- 27249856
TI  - Somebody is watching you (or your customer service anyway).

PMID- 27249857
TI  - [COMPETENCE OF INTRALUMINAL ENDOSCOPY SPECIALISTS: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES].
AB  - This article shows the current status of the establishment of endoscopists in
      Kazakhstan, the need for which have grown because of implementation of a
      population-based screening for colorectal cancer and a screening pilot project to
      detect cancer of esophagus and stomach. Also the article reflects the
      opportunities and problems of the educational process, compares the world
      experience in this field with real situation in Kazakhstan.

PMID- 27249858
TI  - [OPTICAL BIOPSY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF ESOPHAGEAL MUCOSAL CHANGES IN CHILDREN].
AB  - AIM: To analyze the value of confocal laser endomicroscopy in diagnostics of
      upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa changes in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In
      the current study a total of 116 children aged from 3 to 18 years old undergo
      conventional endoscopy with confocal laser endomicroscopy supplemented with
      mucosal biopsy followed by traditional histology in the period from 2011 until
      2014. To determine the prognostic value of the of probe based CLE in the
      evaluation of normal and pathological changes of the esophageal mucosa a
      comparison of results of optical biopsy with the data obtained during the
      standard histological examination were performed. RESULTS: After results of probe
      based CLE and traditional histology were comprised optical biopsy showed 88.8%
      sensitivity and 88.3% specificity to esophagitis with Spearmen correlation 0.79
      (p = 0.001); 92.3% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity to metaplastic changes of
      esophageal mucosa with Spearmen correlation 0.85 (p = 0.001); 92.4% sensitivity
      and 95.2% specificity in differential diagnosis of esophageal polyps with
      Spearmen correlation 0.95 (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Confocal endomicroscopy may
      become one of the leading methods in pediatric gastroenterology since it allows
      the endoscopists to inspect the mucosa at the cellular level during the
      endoscopic procedure and can help in establishing the diagnosis.

PMID- 27249859
TI  - [MEDICAL-DIAGNOSTIC ALGORITM IN BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS].
AB  - Aim of study was determination of effectiveness of endoscopic argon plasma
      coagulation and oxide of nitrogen in the treatment of Barretts esophagus.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results of using argon plasma coagulation and oxide of
      nitrogen in the treatment of 26 patients with Barretts esophagus. RESULTS: It was
      shown that argon plasma coagulation is very effective and safe method for
      endoscopic treatment of Barretts esophagus. Ablation of short and long segment of
      Barretts esophagus is completed in all cases, but it requires follow up and
      biopsy. Oxide of nitrogen in the speed up process of epythelisation.

PMID- 27249860
TI  - [THE CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ENDOSCOPIC MANOMETROGRAPHY OF UPPER
      GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PANCREATITIS].
AB  - THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: To study the cavitary esophagogastroduodenal
      pressure in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) depending on the dominant
      clinical symptoms--gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and abdominal pancreatic pain.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: By esophagogastroduodenoscopy that included manometrography
      and acid-perfusion test--were examined 86 patients with CP and 25 healthy
      individuals. RESULTS: 63% of patients with CP detected changes of the esophagus
      and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) based on the endoscopy, or
      manometrography, or test with 0.1N hydrochloric acid solution. The presence of
      GER compared with its absence in patients with CP was associated with
      significantly lower rates LES pressure and pressure gradients between the LES and
      antral stomach and between the LES and duodenum. Patients with CP with leading
      pancreatic abdominal pain syndrome compared with patients with GER signs and
      without GER signs were found the lowest pressure LES and pressure gradients
      between the LES and the pyloric stomach, LES and the duodenum. The presence of
      heartburn in patients with CP without erosive esophagitis found correlative
      connection with positive endoscopic acid-perfusion test and the pressure drop in
      the LES. CONCLUSION: Integrated upper endoscopy, including endoscopic
      manometrography and esophageal acid-perfusion test in clinical studies increases
      the frequency of detection of non-erosive reflux disease and one of its
      predictors--reduced esophago-gastric pressure gradient.

PMID- 27249861
TI  - [COLON CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY IN CLINICAL EXPERIENCE].
AB  - AIM: Is to evaluate technical aspects and feasibility of colon capsule endoscopy
      (CCE) in the daily clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From I.2014 to
      VIII.2014 we performed 36 (97.3%) CCE from 37 patients (m-19, f-17, mean age 43.9
      +/- 14.2 years, range 22-72). RESULTS: Total CCE was performed in 33 (89.2%)
      patients. In all patients we were able to register anatomy and to evaluate the
      lumen and the wall of large bowel; to explore and identify mucosal abnormality as
      well as epithelial lesions. CONCLUSION: The article demonstrates our own
      experience of colon capsule endoscopy (n = 36); the principal possibilities to
      evaluate colon anatomy and to detect wide range of abnormality.

PMID- 27249862
TI  - [APPLICATION OF HD-VIDEOENDOSCOPY, MAGNIFYING ENDOSCOPY AND NARROW BAND IMAGING
      TECHNIQUE FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF BENIGN AND NEOPLASTIC EPITHELIAL
      LESIONS IN THE STOMACH. THE POTENTIAL OF THE COMPUTER-AIDED ANALYSIS].
AB  - An endoscopic diagnosis of superficial epithelial neoplastic gastric lesions and
      early gastric cancer is the challenge of medicine today. It remains at a low
      level without the use of modern endoscopic technologies such as HDTV and
      magnifying endoscopy, narrow band imaging (NBI) and similar image-enhanced
      endoscopic methods, which provide the visualization of microsurface and
      microvascular pattern. There are a few endoscopic classifications of microsurface
      and microvascular patterns to distinguish benign and neoplastic superficial
      gastric epithelial lesions. However, the most effective classifications are based
      on the intuitive analysis of regularity of surface or/and vascular pattern or
      heterogeneity of vessels shape and thickness. They are complex for understanding
      and learning to inexperienced specialists. In this study, we performed expert and
      computer analysis of 104 HDTV and magnifying NBI endoscopic images of benign and
      neoplastic gastric lesions in parallel. The images were described for 7 clinical
      and 23 endoscopic parameters, including 12 qualitative parameters of microsurface
      and microvascular patterns by the expert evaluation. After statistical analysis,
      the significant parameters were defined, and the decision rule for the
      differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions were composed. An accuracy
      of the decision rule was 95.8% for selection of benign lesions and 81.8% for
      epithelial neoplasia. We performed the computer-aided image analysis using a
      method "bag of visual words" to distinguish endoscopic images based on irregular
      vascular pattern as the most significant parameter in expert image analysis and
      we have shown the accuracy 73-78% for this method. We plan to use this method for
      independent computer-aided analysis of endoscopic images for differentiation of
      benign and neoplastic epithelial gastric lesions and creating the clinical
      decision support system for endoscopy.

PMID- 27249863
TI  - [ENDOSCOPIC GASTRODUODENAL AND ENTERAL STENTING OF MALIGNANT STENOSES:
      INDICATIONS, TECHNIQUE, RESULTS].

PMID- 27249864
TI  - [RADICAL ENDOSCOPIC REMOVAL OF ADENOMA OF THE MAJOR DUODENAL PAPILLA WITH
      SUCCESSFUL INTRAOPERATIVE CORRECTION OF COMPLICATIONS].
AB  - We introduce one of the successful clinical observations of a radical endoscopic
      removal of adenoma of the major duodenal papilla with severe dysplasia, as well
      as intraoperative correction of complications, jet bleeding and retroduodenal
      perforation, which occurred during this operation.

PMID- 27249865
TI  - [THE FIRST CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE CELIAC PLEXUS BLOCKADE UNDER ENDOSCOPIC
      ULTRASOUND NAVIGATION IN PATIENTS WITH PANCREATIC CANCER].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Implementation into clinical practice and getting our own data of the
      effectiveness of EUS-CPN in chronic pain syndrome associated with pancreatic
      cancer in the palliative treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period from
      October 2014 to May 2015 in P.A. Herzen Moscow Research Oncological Institute-
      filial FGBI "NMIRC" gained the first clinical experience in the celiac plexus
      blockade under endoscopic ultrasound navigation in 10 patients with pain
      associated with pancreatic cancer. The study group included 6 women and 4 men
      aged 54-83 years. In 2 of 10 cases out celiac ganglia were located and injections
      made in side them. In eight cases, the blockade was performed after injection
      into the tissue surrounding the celiac trunk. In most cases, we used standard FNA
      needle with diameter 22G. Blockade performed by a combination of local anesthetic
      (3-4 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine) and 14-20 ml of 96% ethanol. RESULTS: There were no
      complications after EUS-BCS. 9 of 10 patients (90%) had a significant (2-4 points
      on a visual analogue scale) reduction of pain after 1-3 days after the procedure.
      These patients had a significant reduction in the frequency and dosage of
      analgesics. Four patients required repeat of anesthesia after 2 months--the same
      with a marked positive effect. One patient, in spite of the double execution of
      EUS-CPN did not note reduction in pain intensity. CONCLUSION: EUS-CPN procedure
      is highly effective, very simple and safe. It provides a high quality of life and
      of social adaptation oncology patients. It should be more widely used in clinical
      practice.

PMID- 27249866
TI  - [DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTIONAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF A PANCREAS DEPENDING ON
      THE DURATION OF OBSTRUCTIVE CHOLESTASIS].
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To study the severity and timing of the development of
      functional (reversible) and morphological (irreversible) disturbances in the
      pancreas, depending on the duration of obstructive cholestasis. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Obstructive jaundice in the experiment 18 dogs modeled by applying the
      loop stranglehold on the common bile duct, followed by observation for 30 days.
      We measured total bilirubin and fractions aspartate aminotransferase activity
      (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), the contents alpha-amylase, pancreatic
      lipase, glucose, histological examination of the pancreas (magnification of 100
      times and 400). RESULTS: On day 3 the common bile duct obstruction bilirubin
      increased from 7.1 to 286.8 MUmol/l, ALT--from 0.17 to 4.18 MUmol*h/l, alpha
      amylase from 89 to 186 U/L and lipase--to 68 to 179 U/L. Then there was a slight
      decrease in the parameters studied with repeated their increase to 15 hours.
      Morphological changes in the first three days were characterized by reversible
      (swelling), impaired organ that 14-16 days passed in organic (irreversible)
      changes. CONCLUSION: Dynamics of fluctuations in the level of liver enzymes in
      the pancreas and obstructive cholestasis correlates with morphological
      abnormalities in the pancreas and fit into the concept of general biological
      organism's reaction to injury.

PMID- 27249867
TI  - [SEROTONERGIC REGULATION OF THE DUODENUM CONTRACTIONS].
AB  - The review contains an analysis of literature data on enhancement mechanisms of
      duodenum contractions arising during stimulation of the sympathetic trunk in the
      right thoracic cavity in dogs. It is established in experiments that There are
      mostly enhancement, not relaxation of the organ contraction occured. In this case
      the stimulatory effect due to the excitation of the parasympathetic fibers is
      excluded. The trimeperedin inhibit the serotonin receptors of autonomic ganglia
      neurons stimulatory activity during the nerve stimulation. It is concluded that
      the sympathetic trunk contain the preganglionic serotonergic nerve fibers, whose
      activation leads to increased bowel contractions. Direct adipinate-serotonin
      administration increased the bowel contraction that confirm the preganglionic
      serotonergic nerve fibers presence in the sympathetic trunk. The practical
      significance of these studies is that the new approach to the development of
      pharmacological agents to stimulate the motility of the gastrointestinal tract
      was found. The trimeperedin may inhibit the serotoninergic nerves activity that
      resulted in the perioperative constipation in surgical patients. Practical
      recommendation to exclude trimeperedin in preparing the patient for surgery to
      prevent perioperative constipation is formulated.

PMID- 27249868
TI  - [BIOLOGICAL RESERVOIRS AS A THE RESPONSE OF THE ORGANISM TO INJURY AND PROOF FOR
      METABOLIC CORRECTION IN GASTRODUODENAL HEMORRHAGE IN PATIENTS WITH HIGH OPERATING
      ANESTHETIC RISK].
AB  - In the authors opinion in the process of self-regulation the human body creates
      some biological reservoirs in response to damage (disturbance of homeostasis) for
      constant internal environment In cases of decompensation and depletion of these
      pools metabolic correction is necessary. This opinion was based on the results of
      the endoscopic metabolic hemostasis in ulcer gastroduodenal bleeding in patients
      with high operational and anesthetic risk.

PMID- 27249869
TI  - [DYSFUNCTION OF THE BILIARY TRACT: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT].

PMID- 27249870
TI  - [THE COMBINATION OF RECURRENT INTUSSUSCEPTION DUODENAL, ZENKER DIVERTICULUM,
      HIATAL HERNIA AND HASTROPTOSIS AS A MANIFESTATION OF NON-DIFFERENT DYSPLASIA OF
      CONNECTIVE TISSUE].
AB  - Presented rare clinical case: a combination of recurrent intussusception
      duodenal, diverticulum Zenker, hiatal hernia and hastroptosis as a manifestation
      of non-different dysplasia of connective tissue. Special interest is recurrent
      intussusception upper horizontal portion duodenal in the bulb, is not detected
      when esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

PMID- 27249871
TI  - Presidential Election and Healthcare Policy: The Last Time We Discuss This (For a
      While, at Least).

PMID- 27249872
TI  - What Practice Administrators Need to Do Today to Succeed Tomorrow.
AB  - Creating a high-performance culture in your medical practice does not happen
      overnight. For most practices, there is a divide between the structure of the
      practice and how the practice actually operates. Using a particular skillset and
      organization system to help improve overall office functions is needed in the
      ever-changing healthcare landscape. This article discusses how practice
      administrators can use actions, electronic medical records, and training to
      increase overall retention and create a high-performance culture in their medical
      practice.

PMID- 27249874
TI  - Avoiding Lawsuits for Wage and Hour Violations.
AB  - Due to the highly technical language in the wage and hour laws and regulations,
      employers often find that they have unknowingly violated the Fair Labor Standards
      Act (FLSA). This can occur because employers have improperly classified an
      employee as exempt or because employers do not realize that certain time should
      be paid in full. Improperly classifying employees as exempt or failing to
      compensate nonexempt employees for all time worked can lead to costly lawsuits,
      audits, or enforcement actions by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of
      Labor. This article discusses the most common FLSA exemptions and provides best
      practices to avoid liability under the FLSA.

PMID- 27249873
TI  - Physician Reimbursement: From Fee-for-Service to MACRA, MIPS and APMs.
AB  - To a significant degree, "healthcare reform" is a movement to change how both
      physicians and healthcare facilities are compensated, with value replacing volume
      as the key compensation metric. The goal of this movement has not yet been
      accomplished, but the process is accelerating. In this article, we track how the
      arc of physician compensation is bending, how the Medicare Access and CHIP
      Reauthorization Act will drive further changes to physician compensation models,
      and how these changes may affect physician practice patterns and physician
      staffing in the future.

PMID- 27249875
TI  - The Changing Face of Healthcare: 2016 CPT Changes and Beyond.
AB  - This article reviews the changes to CPT 2016, with emphasis on the way CPT
      services will be provided in the future. Some of the newer codes are designed for
      reimbursable services provided by the medical clinical staff. In addition to the
      CPT changes, there are changes to the Medicare fee-for service Physician Fee
      Schedule. Review of these changes provides the reader with a snapshot of how
      healthcare will be provided and reimbursed in the future.

PMID- 27249876
TI  - Compliance Challenges Facing Healthcare Providers in 2016.
AB  - It is time to add risk analysis and risk management to your policies and
      procedures manuals to comply with the HIPAA Security Rules. CMS is very serious
      about protecting patients' health information. There is no doubt that complying
      just with HIPAA security is a complex undertaking, because the rules themselves
      have multiple elements. Create a road map that not only sees the big picture but
      is detailed enough to address specific concerns unique to your practice, such as
      identifying the right individuals in your practice to lead the effort. And
      finally, if you need professional help then get it--because not every practice
      has the time and resources needed for this effort.

PMID- 27249877
TI  - Assessment and Management of Work-Related Stress in Hospital Emergency
      Departments in Italy.
AB  - Recent changes in the organization of the healthcare system, triggered by the
      current economic crisis in Italy, require interventions aimed at minimizing the
      impact of work-related stress (WRS) on healthcare workers' health status and well
      being. Emergency department (ED) personnel appear to be particularly vulnerable
      to WRS as a consequence of specific occupational risk factors. The aim of this
      retrospective observational study was to analyze the level of WRS after
      improvement interventions implemented by the management staff of the ED and
      focused on work context factors. The assessment of WRS showed that nurses and
      physicians of the ED are exposed to a medium level of risk; the improvement
      interventions aimed at reducing WRS were focused on: (1) function and
      organizational culture; (2) role within the occupational organization; and (3)
      relationships at work policy. These interventions were found to be significantly
      effective in reducing the risk of WRS.

PMID- 27249878
TI  - End of Year Legislation; EEOC Guidance on Genetic Information; Paying for Health
      Insurance Under a Spouse's Plan; No Health Plan Service Provider ERISA Rights
      When No Assignment; Benefit Dollar Limits in 2016.

PMID- 27249879
TI  - The Role of Positive Psychology in the Modern Medical Practice.
AB  - American healthcare has been shrouded in a cloak of negativity for too long. Many
      doctors are more pessimistic about the state of healthcare than they were even a
      few decades ago. In spite of extraordinary advances in the clinical aspects of
      healthcare, the business side of medicine has created a downward spiral in
      physician spirit, resulting in unnecessary stress, zapped energy, a rise in
      interpersonal conflict and, ultimately and as a byproduct of this negativity,
      reduced patient satisfaction. This downward spiral needs to be--and can be-
      stemmed. This article discuss how insights from the field of positive psychology
      and social neuroscience can help healthcare providers and their organizations
      flourish, in both their professional practices and personal lives.

PMID- 27249880
TI  - Loneliness at the Top: Ten Ways Medical Practice Administrators Can Manage the
      Isolation of Leadership.
AB  - Medical practice.managers spend their days surrounded by people, so the last
      thing they may expect to feel is lonely. Yet for many, being the manager of a
      medical practice can lead to feelings of isolation from the rest of the staff,
      and loneliness. This article explores the many reasons that managing a medical
      practice can be a lonely business. It considers the risks when a practice
      manager's loneliness goes unchecked, both to the individual and to the practice.
      It suggests 10 effective and healthy strategies for preventing and managing the
      leadership loneliness that medical practice managers sometimes experience. Next,
      this article argues that acceptance is the first step in overcoming loneliness in
      the workplace. It offers guidance for medical practice managers who wish to help
      lonely members of their teams. It describes the benefits of having a confidant to
      help support the medical practice manager, and the characteristics of an ideal
      confidant. Finally, this article suggests a strategy for combatting loneliness by
      interacting with the staff more frequently.

PMID- 27249881
TI  - Volume of Cataract Surgery and Surgeon Gender: The Florida Ambulatory Surgery
      Center Experience 2005 Through 2012.
AB  - Cataract is the most common surgically reversible cause of vision loss and the
      most common major surgical procedure performed in the United States. To
      understand how gender composition might affect differences in health services, we
      examined the surgeon gender-specific rates of routine cataract surgery performed
      in ambulatory surgical centers in Florida. Routine cataract surgeries were
      identified through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
      ambulatory surgery center dataset. The background of individual surgeons was
      determined by linking license numbers in the dataset to physician profiles
      publicly available from AHCA. From 2005 through 2012, women ophthalmologists in
      Florida performed roughly half the annual rate of cataract surgery as their male
      counterparts. This difference is not explained by greater time in clinical
      practice for men. Further investigation into the causes of this gender-volume
      disparity is warranted to determine what roles choice and barriers may play.

PMID- 27249882
TI  - Make It So--Engage!

PMID- 27249883
TI  - The Importance of the Medical Record: A Critical Professional Responsibility.
AB  - Comprehensive, detailed documentation in the medical record is critical to
      patient care and to a physician when allegations of negligence arise. Physicians,
      therefore, would be prudent to have a clear understanding of this documentation.
      It is important to understand who is responsible for documentation, what is
      important to document, when to document, and how to document. Additionally, it
      should be understood who owns the medical record, the significance of the
      transition to the electronic medical record, problems and pitfalls when using the
      electronic medical record, and how the Health Information Technology for Economic
      and Clinical Health Act affects healthcare providers and health information
      technology.

PMID- 27249884
TI  - Hard Internet Truths: 34,748 Online Reviews Reveal What Patients Really Want from
      Doctors.
AB  - For all of us living in the Internet age, it's hard to underestimate the power of
      online reviews. Before booking a reservation at a new hotel or restaurant, who
      doesn't consult websites such as TripAdvisor and Open Table? Who would gamble
      $100 on a dinner out or $200 on a hotel stay before first seeing what other
      diners and patrons had to say about their experiences? Patients who are looking
      for a healthcare provider are no different than those customers looking for a
      restaurant or a hotel; they want opinions from others who have previously availed
      themselves of that restaurant or hotel. This article addresses the importance of
      online reputation management and offers ideas and suggestions for healthcare
      providers to control and protect their online reputations.

PMID- 27249885
TI  - Practice Consolidation: Forces Not of Nature, but of Government, Demographics,
      Economics, and Technology.
AB  - The demand for healthcare services is increasing more rapidly than the supply of
      providers, while reimbursement levels ignore the free market law of supply and
      demand. The regulated healthcare environment in the United States fails to
      increase prices (i.e., reimbursement rates) as demand outstrips supply.
      Healthcare practitioners must find alternative methods in order to continue
      providing excellent patient care while at the same time maintaining an
      economically viable practice. Practice consolidation with the assistance of
      private equity healthcare investment is an extremely attractive solution to this
      imbalance.

PMID- 27249886
TI  - Compounded Medications and Physicians' Q&A on Current Legal Issues.

PMID- 27249887
TI  - Taking in a Show.
AB  - Many medical practices have cut back on education and staff development expenses,
      especially those costs associated with conventions and conferences. But there are
      hard-to-value returns on your investment in these live events--beyond the obvious
      benefits of acquired knowledge and skills. Major vendors still exhibit their
      services and wares at many events, and the exhibit hall is a treasure-house of
      information and resources for the savvy physician or administrator. Make and
      stick to a purposeful plan to exploit the trade show. You can compare products,
      gain new insights and ideas, and even negotiate better deals with representatives
      anxious to realize returns on their exhibition investments.

PMID- 27249888
TI  - Ten Most Commonly Asked Questions About Closing a Consult.

PMID- 27249889
TI  - Comparison of Endometrial Pathology between Tissues Obtained from Manual Vacuum
      Aspiration and Sharp Metal Curettage in Women with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of endometrial pathology, which were derived
      from manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and sharp metal curettage (SMC). MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: Women aged over 35 years old who presented with abnormal uterine bleeding
      were enrolled. Endometrial biopsy using MVA and sharp metal curettage under
      paracervical nerve block were performed, respectively. Correlation of endometrial
      pathology from both methods and correlation between endometrial pathology from
      MVA and the most severe pathology were analyzed using Kappa statistics. RESULTS:
      One hundred and thirty two women were enrolled Nine cases were drop out because
      of inability to pass the MVA's cannula through the cervical os. Mean age was 49.3
      +/- 8.5 years old. Mean BMI was 25.1 +/- 4 kg/m2. Pathological correspondence
      between tissue obtained from MVA and sharp metal curette was 64.2% and the Kappa
      agreement was 0.56 (K0 = 0.56, p-value < 0.05). Pathological correspondence
      between tissue obtained from MVA and the most severe pathology was 92.7% and the
      Kappa.agreement was 0.86 (K = 0.86, p-value < 0.05). MVA could diagnose all cases
      of malignancy and endometrial hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Manual vacuum aspiration
      (MVA) can be used as an alternative diagnostic procedure in women with abnormal
      uterine bleeding.

PMID- 27249890
TI  - Performance of Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay in Screening for
      Syphilis in Pregnant Women from Low-Prevalence, Resource-Limited Setting.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of chemiluminescent
      microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) in screening for syphilis in Asian pregnant
      women. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study retrospectively reviewed the CMA results
      of pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinic, King Chulalongkorn
      Memorial Hospital. Women with reactive CMA results were extracted from the
      laboratory database and further analyzed. A reactive/positive result for
      Treponema pallidum was defined as having a sample/cut-off absorbance ratio of >=
      1.0. Samples were also tested by rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and Treponema pallidum
      particle agglutination assay (TPPA). RESULTS: From February 2011 to January 2013,
      a total of 11,640 pregnant women were tested and 65 women (0.56%) had reactive
      CMIA results. Among these cases, 58 women (89.2%) had non-reactive RPR results.
      TPPA were non-reactive in 35 women (60.3%) who had non-reactive RPR results. A
      total of 23 women (39.7%) with RPR non-reactive and TPPA reactive results;
      therefore, the prevalence rate of syphilis in this population was estimated as
      1.98 per 1,000 pregnant women. Among this, 7 cases had a history of past, partial
      treatment for syphilis and 16 cases were considered as untreated, late, latent
      syphilis. If RPR tests were used as the screening test, 16/23 cases (69.6%) cases
      with untreated syphilis would be missed. CONCLUSION: Even though CMIA has high
      false positive results, however it is still recommended that this reverse
      sequence screening be used instead of the traditional algorithm. The rate of
      false positive results can be decreased by adjusting the sample/cut-off
      absorbance ratio of CMIA.

PMID- 27249891
TI  - A Participatory Randomized Controlled Trial in Knowledge Translation (KT) to
      Promote the Adoption of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose for Type 2 Diabetes
      Mellitus Patients in An Urban District of Thailand.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in
      glycemic control for poor control diabetes patients, and test whether the
      glycemic outcome for those with the 7-point SMBG was better than those with 5
      point SMBG or usual care. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Randomized-controlled trial (RCT)
      of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 30 years or older HbA1c > 7.
      Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups; 7-point SMBG 5-point
      SBMG and control group. Differences in HbA1c at 6 months and baseline were
      compared among groups. RESULTS: A total of 191 patients with poor control of
      diabetes were included. Compared with baseline, at 6 months, average change in
      HbAlc among control, 7-point, and 5-point SMBG were -0.38, -0.87, and -0.99 (p =
      0.04), respectively. The corresponding percentages of patients with reduced HbA1c
      were 57.1%, 77.6% and 75.5%, respectively (p = 0.03). Using different cut-off
      values for HbA1c (< 7 and < 7.5) resulted in different percentage distribution of
      T2DM patients among the 3 groups, yet the differences were not statistically
      significant. Reductions in body weight were observed in both SMBG groups but not
      in the control group. CONCLUSION: Using RCT on participatory basis, SMBG with
      individual dietary counseling was effective in short term. Further engagement
      with the provider team, the patients/care takers and the health care financing
      agency to integrate SMBG in the care protocol for poor control diabetes should be
      considered.

PMID- 27249892
TI  - Effect of Anti-Hypertensive Medication Withdrawal in Well-Controlled Treated
      Hypertensive Patients: Preliminary Results.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of hypertensive (HT) patients whose BP can be
      normalized (hospital BP < 140/90 mmHg) for at least a year and still remained
      normotensive (NT) after 12-week anti-HT drug withdrawal. Clinical characteristics
      of this group of patients were assessed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: At least a year of
      well controlled HT patients by hospital BP without target organ damage and
      diabetes mellitus who were treated with single low-to-standard dose anti-HT
      medication in hypertension clinic, Siriraj Hospital were screened. After an
      informed consent was signed, epidemiologic data, cardiovascular risks and
      laboratory data done within a year was collected. The anti-HT drug taken would be
      discontinued and a series of home blood pressure (HBP) was measured twice a day
      (wake-up time and bed time) for 2 weeks. The anti-HT drug was still discontinued
      in normal HBP group (average HBP < 135/85 mmHg) and reassessed hospital BP 10
      weeks later (week 12). Previous anti-HT medications were resumed in high HBP
      group (average HBP >135/85 mmHg), at week 2. At week 12, those who became
      hypertensive (hospital BP > 140/90 mmHg) would be advised to continue the drug.
      RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were recruited. Six patients were excluded since
      they did not complete HBP measurement data. After 2 weeks of antihypertensive
      drug discontinuation, 16 out of 89 patients enrolled were found to be HT by HBP.
      The rest 73 patients (82.0%) were remained NT At week 12, 7 patients (7.9%) self
      administrated drug prior to the visit date. Therefore, 66 patients (74.1%) were
      left for further analyses. Of them, 55 patients (61.8%) were still NT by hospital
      BP and 11 patients (12.3%) turned to be HT. There were no significant differences
      of all risk factors studied between those NT and HT, except male was found in a
      higher proportion than female (p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Fifty five patients
      (61.8%) out of 89 enrolled patients are still NT and able to stop anti-HT drug
      after 12 weeks follow-up. Male had a higher rate to remain NT than female.

PMID- 27249893
TI  - A Comparative Study of 3 Different Methods of Temperature Measurement in
      Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accuracy of body temperature measurement is very important in
      children. The accuracy and reliability of the forehead skin thermometer (FST) and
      infrared tympanic thermometer (TT) are inconclusive. OBJECTIVES: To determine: 1)
      the mean difference, agreement, and accuracy of body temperature detected in
      children by FST and ITT, as compared with the gold standard rectal mercury-in
      glass thermometer (RMT); and, 2) the cut-off level for FST and ITT in the
      detection of fever MATERIAL AND METHOD: Children <= 2 years old with the chief
      complaint of "fever" were recruited for this study. Body temperature (BT) was
      measured by 3 different methods, including FST 5 times; ITT 3 times; and, RMT, 1
      time, for each patient. Each measurement method was performed by 3 well-trained
      staff members, all of whom were blinded to the recorded data of the other
      methods. The mean difference in body temperature, agreement by Bland-Altman
      method, and the verified performance of FST and ITT by diagnostic test were
      assessed. RESULTS: A total 312 children were recruited. Body temperatures
      measured by FST and ITT were lower than those measured by RMT, with a mean
      difference of 1.04 degrees C (p < 0.001) and 1.03 degrees C (p < 0.001),
      respectively. In subgroup analysis by levels of fever the mean differences
      between rectal temperature and both forehead and ear temperature were
      statistically significantly different (p < 0.001) for all levels of fever.
      Regarding the diagnostic test to verify performance, the data revealed the most
      practical cut-off point to be 37.0 degrees C for both FST and ITT as compared to
      the gold standard RMT. CONCLUSION: Both FST and ITT were found to be accurate
      temperature screening methods for daily clinical use. However, the cut-off points
      to detect fever should be lowered to 37.0 degrees C to be consistent with gold
      standard measurement.

PMID- 27249895
TI  - Effectiveness of Medium Chain Triglyceride Ketogenic Diet in Thai Children with
      Intractable Epilepsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy, side effects and feasibility of Medium
      chain triglyceride (MCT) ketogenic diet (KD) in Thai children with intractable
      epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Children with intractable epilepsy were recruited.
      Baseline seizure frequency was recorded over 4 weeks before starting MCT KD.
      Average seizure frequency was assessed at 1 month and 3 months, compared to the
      baseline using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Side effects and feasibility were also
      assessed by blood tests and an interview. RESULTS: Sixteen subjects were
      recruited with mean seizure frequency of 0.35-52.5 per day. After treatment,
      there was a significant reduction in seizure frequency, ranging from 12% to 100%
      (p = 0.002 at 1 month, and 0.001 at 3 months). 64.3% of the subjects achieved
      more than 50% seizure reduction at 3 months and 28.6% of the patients were
      seizure-free. Common adverse effects were initial weight loss (37.5%) and nausea
      (25%). 87.5% of subjects and parents were satisfied with the MCT KD with 2 cases
      dropping-out due to diarrhea and non-compliance. CONCLUSION: MCT ketogenic diet
      is effective and feasible in Thai children with intractable epilepsy. Despite
      modification against Asian culinary culture, the tolerability and maintenance
      rate was still satisfactory. A larger study is required.

PMID- 27249894
TI  - Clinical Features and Survival Outcomes of Invasive Aspergillosis in Pediatric
      Patients at a Medical School in Thailand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a severe infection in
      immunocompromised patients. Recently, serum galactomannan has been widely used
      for diagnosis and voriconazole as an antifungal agent. The objective of this
      study is to describe clinical features and survival outcomes of IA. MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: A retrospective chart review of IA in patients younger than 18 years old
      at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand, was conducted. Clinical
      definitions were based on criteria oft he European Organization for Research and
      Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) 2008. RESULTS: Between
      January 2006 and December 2012, 40 cases of invasive aspergillosis were
      identified, classified as proven (8 patients, 20%), probable (28, 70%), and
      possible IA (4, 10%). Median age of patients was 10 years (range, 42 days-17
      years). The most common underlying disease was hematologic malignancy (60%). The
      major risk factor was neutropenia (65%) with median duration of 21 days (range, 4
      58 days). The most common site of infection was in the lungs (80%). The most
      common computed tomography chest finding was nodules (71%). An air crescent sign
      was seen only in 11% and a halo sign was found only in 7% of patients. Serum
      galactomannan was positive in 78% of patients with median value of 1.34 (range
      0.5-5.6). Only seven patients (17%) had microbiological confirmation, of which
      were Aspergillus flavus (4 cases) and Aspergillus fumigates (3 cases). Antifungal
      therapy included voriconazole (23 patients, 58%), amphotericin B (12, 30%),
      liposomal amphotericin B (3, 8%), caspofungin (1, 2%) and itraconazole (1, 2%).
      Two deaths related to angioinvasive complications of aspergillosis (pulmonary
      hemorrhage and rupture mycotic aneurysm) were reported The 3-month and 12- month
      survival rates after diagnosed IA were 73.7% and 56.7%, respectively. The major
      cause of death was new episode of sepsis found in 11 cases (52%). CONCLUSION: The
      1-year survival rate was poor; however, cause of death is related to
      complications of the immunocompromised state not from IA.

PMID- 27249896
TI  - School-Based Educational Interventions Can Significantly Improve Health Outcomes
      in Children with Asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lack of asthma knowledge among the pediatric patients and their
      caregivers contribute to poor asthma control in children. There is no data from
      Thailand on the health outcomes of school-based educational interventions for
      asthmatic children. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of school-based asthma
      educational interventions on health outcomes, asthma control, and management in
      asthmatic children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-seven asthmatic students (6-15
      years old), 14 caregivers, and five teachers from the Homkred School participated
      in the study. Asthma knowledge, workshops on pMDI (pressurized metered dose
      inhaler) techniques, use of asthma diaries, and self-management plans were
      provided Pre- and post-tests were administered to assess the asthma knowledge of
      the asthmatic students, their caregivers, and teachers. Pulmonary function tests
      (PFT) were used to assess the health outcomes. The controls of asthma and self
      management behaviors were assessed at three and six months post-intervention.
      RESULTS: There were significant improvements of asthma knowledge in all groups (p
      < 0.01) immediately post-intervention and six months later. At pre-intervention
      phase, there were 18 children who had FEV1 less than 80% of the predicted value.
      Their PFT significantly improved for all parameters at post-intervention, but in
      children who had normal FEV1 at baseline, there were no significant changes.
      Control of asthma was significantly better three and six months post
      intervention. The rate of regular use of ICS (inhaled corticosteroid)
      significantly increased to 40% at three months and 30% at six months (p < 0.001)
      post-intervention. In addition, the self-management behaviors in the asthmatic
      children improved. The teachers' management of asthmatic attacks during the
      classes also improved. As a result of this, there were fewer emergency room (ER)
      visits. CONCLUSION: School-based educational interventions can significantly
      improve asthma outcomes in children with asthma. Therefore, the authors highly
      recommend the use of this intervention.

PMID- 27249897
TI  - Seroepidemiology of Dengue Virus Infection in HIV-Infected Children in Comparison
      to Healthy Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dengue infection is the most common arboviral infection in the world
      while the HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a global concern. The pathogenesis of both
      diseases is rather on the contrary and it is generally observed that dengue
      diseases are uncommon in children with AIDS. OBJECTIVE: To study the
      seroprevalence of dengue virus infection in HIV-infected children compared to
      healthy children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional seroprevalence of dengue
      virus was conducted at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
      Eighty-six HIV-infected children aged less than 15 years and one hundred age
      matched healthy children were enrolled. HIV-infected children were classified in
      categories by CDC 1994 criteria. Neutralizing antibodies to all four dengue
      serotypes (DEN1, DEN2, DEN3, and DEN4) were measured by plaque reduction
      neutralization test (PRNT). RESULTS: Fifty out of 86 (58%) HIV-infected children
      and 65 out of 100 (65%) healthy, HIV-negative children had positive neutralizing
      antibody against dengue virus by PRNT There were no significant differences
      between these two groups (p > 0.05). Most children had neutralizing antibody
      against DEN2. In HIV-infected children, a monotypic PRNT50 pattern was found in
      26 children (30%) and multitypic pattern was found in 24 children (28%). Most
      children had neutralizing antibody against DEN2. There were no significant
      differences in dengue seroprevalence between these two groups. CONCLUSION: HIV
      infected children and healthy children had no different seroepidemiology of
      dengue virus infection.

PMID- 27249898
TI  - Wilson's Disease in Thai Children between 2000 and 2012 at King Chulalongkorn
      Memorial Hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder
      characterized by copper accumulation. Clinical presentations are extraordinarily
      diverse, and currently no single diagnostic test can confirm WD with high
      accuracy. A complete understanding of the presentations and improved diagnostic
      methods are important for disease management. The authors' aimed to examine
      disease characteristics, management, and treatment outcome of WD in children,
      especially when genetic analysis and liver copper measurements were limited.
      MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data was collected from 21 WD children who were treated at
      King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between 2000 and 2012. Inclusion criteria
      followed the WD scoring system, where other liver diseases are ruled out
      systematically. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 13.5 +/- 3.36 years, with
      19 symptomatic patients, and two asymptomatic individuals who were diagnosed
      through family screening. Presentations varied, jaundice (52%), ascites (52%),
      edema (52%), Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia (14%), neurological abnormalities
      (33%), renal involvement (19%), and fulminant hepatic failure (5%). Based on the
      key parameters in WD scoring system, 14 patients (66%) had Kayser-Fleischer (KF)
      rings. Seventeen (89%) had low serum ceruloplasmin, and 20 (95%) had increased
      urinary copper excretion. These positive findings made WD scoring system
      accurately diagnose 66% of patients. Chelation therapy was the first line of
      therapy for all patients except one, who underwent liver transplantation. After
      therapy, liver function test returned to normal in all patients. However,
      neurological symptoms did not improve with combined drug therapy using chelating
      and neuropsychiatric agents. CONCLUSION: WD in children mostly affected the liver
      WD was suspected in seven patients (34%), thus needed further investigation.
      Therefore, long-term follow-up in those with suspected WD is the appropriate
      method for diagnosis and management in limited diagnostic tests. We suggest
      further treatment, and use of clinical response to treatment, as a criterion for
      confirming the WD diagnosis.

PMID- 27249899
TI  - Safety of Phenylephrine in Antihypotensive Treatment during Spinal Anesthesia for
      Cesarean Section.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In Thailand, hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section
      is routinely treated by ephedrine. As incidence of fetal acidosis reportedly
      increases resulting from placental transfer of ephedrine, phenylephrine, an alpha
      1 agonist with less lipid solubility, becomes an alternative. However, the
      potential development of serious bradycardia after phenylephrine is a concern.
      The objectives of this study were to investigate the incidence of serious
      bradycardia and identify risk factors associated with phenylephrine-induced
      serious bradycardia and other side effects of phenylephrine. MATERIAL AND METHOD:
      This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between July 1, 2014 and
      March 15, 2015 on 509 parturients undergoing cesarean section under spinal
      anesthesia. Predelivery hypotension was treated by intravenous phenylephrine 100
      mcg and pretherapeutic heart rate (pHR) was recorded. If serious bradycardia (HR
      < 60 bpm and hypotension or HR <45 bpm) developed, atropine 0.6 mg was
      administered intravenously. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic
      regression and AuROC. RESULTS: Incidence of serious bradycardia was 11% (95% CI:
      8.0-14.0). A one bpm increment increase in pHR reduced this incidence by 4%
      (adjusted OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.94-0.98, p < 0.001; AuROC: 0.76). As compared to
      apHR greater than 80 bpm, apHR of 61 to 80 bpm and a pHR of 60 bpm or lower
      increased the risk of serious bradycardia by 3.55 times and 12.81 times,
      respectively. Other risk factors were height (adjusted OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89
      0.98, p = 0.015), baseline DBP (adjusted OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-0.99,p = 0.03),
      and anesthetic level at first minute (adjusted OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02-1.23, p =
      0.02). Benign and temporary abnormal ECG readings were noted. CONCLUSION:
      Phenylephrine for antihypotensive treatment in spinal anesthesia induces
      bradycardia. Findings indicate an association between slower HR at time
      phenylephrine is administered and serious bradycardia. Close ECG monitoring and
      prompt treatment are required.

PMID- 27249900
TI  - Effects of Precooling with Cold Water Ingestion on Thermoregulatory Response of
      Obese Men during Moderate Intensity Exercise in Hot and Humid Environment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: 1) To determine rectal temperature (Tre) and fluid loss (FL) of obese
      men (OM) compared to non-obese men (NM) during exercise in cool conditions (CC)
      and hot and humid conditions (HC), and 2) to investigate the effects of cold
      water (CW; 0.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C) ingestion before exercise in HC in OM MATERIAL
      AND METHOD: Twelve OM and 12 NM completed 2 treadmill exercise sessions, in CC
      and HC, in a randomized order Each session was performed for 30 minutes at 45-50%
      of heart rate reserve with a 5-minute warm up and 5-minute cool down. RESULTS:
      There were no differences in Tre in response to exercise between OM and NM both
      in CC (OM 37.77 +/- 0.08 degrees C, NM 37.68 +/- 0.08 degrees C; p = 0.463) and
      in HC (OM 37.82 +/- 0.06 degrees C, NM 37.85 +/- 0.06 degrees C; p = 0.725).
      Heart rate, perceived exertion and thermal sensations were not significantly
      different between OM and NM. However, compared to NM, fluid loss (FL) was
      approximately 160 mL greater in OM (OM 443.33 +/- 98.65 mL, NM 283.33 +/- 108.15
      mL; p <= 0.001) in CC, and was 194 mL greater (OM 632.50 +/- 126.57 mL, NM 438.33
      +/- 126.62 mL; p <= 0.001) in HC. In HC, the 12 OM performed additional 2 bouts
      of exercise, with CW vs. ambient temperature water (AW; 30.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C)
      ingestions prior to the start of exercise. Precooling with CW ingestion, compared
      to AW ingestion, showed no significant difference in Tre but CW was able to
      reduce FL (CW 646.67 +/- 139.82 mL, AW 735 +/- 126.95 mL; p = 0.010). CONCLUSION:
      OM may continuously exercise about 30 minutes at moderate intensity in HC without
      the increase of Tre to dangerous levels. However, OM should drink approximately
      200 mL more water in HC and 160 mL more water in CC than NM. Precooling with CW
      ingestion is a good method of reducing risk of exertional heat illnesses in obese
      individuals during exercise in HC, as it decreases the amount of FL induced by
      exercise.

PMID- 27249901
TI  - Estrous Cycle Induces Peripheral Sensitization in Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons: An
      Animal Model of Menstrual Migraine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many women experience menstrual migraines that develop into recurrent
      migraine attacks during menstruation. In the human menstrual cycle, the estrogen
      level fluctuates according to changes in the follicular and luteal phases. The
      rat estrous cycle is used as an animal model to study the effects of estrogen
      fluctuation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the estrous cycle is involved in
      migraine development by comparing the neuronal excitability of trigeminal
      ganglion (TG) neurons in each stage of the estrous cycle. MATERIAL AND METHOD:
      Female rats were divided into four experimental groups based on examinations of
      the cytologies of vaginal smears, and serum analyses of estrogen levels following
      each stage of the estrous cycle. The rats in each stage of the estrous cycle were
      anesthetized and their trigeminal ganglia were removed The collections of
      trigeminal ganglia were cultured for two to three hours, after which whole-cell
      patch clamp experiments were recorded to estimate the electrophysiological
      properties of the TG neurons. RESULTS: There were many vaginal epithelial cells
      and high estrogen levels in the proestrus and estrus stages of the estrous cycle.
      Electrophysiological studies revealed that the TG neurons in the proestrus and
      estrus stages exhibited significantly lower thresholds of stimulation, and
      significant increase in total spikes compared to the TG neurons that were
      collected in the diestrus stage. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that high
      estrogen levels in the proestrus and estrus stages altered the thresholds,
      rheobases, and total spikes of the TG neurons. High estrogen levels in the
      estrous cycle induced an increase in neuronal excitability and the peripheral
      sensitization of TG neurons. These findings may provide an explanation for the
      correlation of estrogen fluctuations during the menstrual cycle with the
      pathogenesis of menstrual migraines.

PMID- 27249902
TI  - Pleiotropic Effects of Simvastatin on Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of pre-treatment with low-dose simvastatin on
      angiogenesis and wound healing in a diabetic mouse model. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Balb/c nude mice were divided into three groups, including control (CON),
      diabetic (DM, and diabetic pre-treated with low-dose simvastatin (DM+ SIM). Seven
      days prior to wounding, the DM + SIM group was started on oral simvastatin (0.25
      mg/kg/day). Eleven weeks after diabetes was induced, all mice were subjected to a
      bilateral full-thickness excisional skin wound on the back (0.6 x 0.6 cm2). On
      day 14 after wounding, percentage of wound closure (%WC), percentage of capillary
      vascularity (%CV), and neutrophil infiltration were determined using Image Pro
      Plus, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining,
      respectively. Tissue vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected by
      ELISA at days 7 and 14, post-wounding. RESULTS: On day 14, %WC and %CV in CON and
      DM + SIM groups were significantly increased, with no significant change observed
      in the DM group. Neutrophil infiltration in the CON and DM + SIM groups was
      signficantly lower than that of the DM group. VEGF levels in the CON and DM + SIM
      groups were significantly higher than levels in the DM group on day 7, but not
      different among groups on day 14. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that
      pre-treatment with low-dose simvastatin could increase angiogenesis, reduce
      inflammation, and improve wound healing in diabetic mice.

PMID- 27249903
TI  - Radiation Exposure to Relatives of Patients Treated with Iodine-131 for Thyroid
      Cancer at Siriraj Hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Thyroid cancer patients treated with 1-131 are potential source of
      radiation exposure to relatives who are knowingly and willingly exposed to
      ionizing radiation as a result of providing comfort to patients undergoing I-131
      therapy. This study aims to determine radiation dose received by relatives who
      care for non self-supporting 1-131 patients at Siriraj Hospital. MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: Twenty caregivers of 20 patients underwent I-131 therapy for thyroid
      cancer with a standard protocol were given specific instructions with regard to
      radiation safety and provided with electronic digital dosimeter to continuously
      measure radiation dose received on daily basis, three days in the hospital. On
      the day patient is released, thyroid uptake estimates were performed to assess
      internal radiation dose received by caregivers. RESULTS: The 3-day accumulative
      doses to caregivers to patients receiving 150 mCi (n = 11) and 200 mCi (n = 9) of
      I-131 ranged from 37 to 333 uSv and 176 to 1,920 pSv respectively depending on
      the level of supports required. Thyroid uptake estimates in all caregivers were
      undetectable. Dosimeter indicated a maximum whole-body dose of1.92 mSv was more
      than the public dose limit of] mSv but within the dose constraint of 5 mSv for
      caregivers. DISCUSSION: Radiation dose to caregivers of a non self-supporting
      hospitalized patient undergoing 1-131 therapy were well below the limits
      recommended by the ICRP. The patients can be comforted with confidence that dose
      to caregivers will be less than the limit. CONCLUSION: This study provides
      guidance for medical practitioners to obtain practical radiation safety concerns
      associated with hospitalized patients receiving I-131 therapy especially when
      patient needs assistance.

PMID- 27249904
TI  - Total Effective Dose Equivalent to Caregivers from Hospitalized Patients Treated
      with High Dose Radioiodine for Thyroid Carcinoma.
AB  - Thyroid cancer patients treated with high-dose radioactive iodine (3.7-7.4 GBq)
      are different from other people because after the administration, the
      radionuclide I-131 is excreted via urine, feces, saliva and breathing, and also
      via exposure to other patients. Caregivers of the patient may receive higher
      radiation doses than normal. The purposes of this study were to estimate the
      total effective dose equivalent from internal and external exposure to caregivers
      of patients treated with high dose I-131 admitted at Siriraj Hospital, and to
      compare the estimated dose with the dose constraint of 5 mSv per annum for
      caregivers. Thirteen caregivers of 13 patients who underwent radioiodine therapy
      for thyroid cancers following a standard protocol were given specific
      instructions with regard to radiation safety and were attached to an electronic
      personal dosimeter and a personal air sampler pump continuously to measure
      received radiation dose on a daily basis over three days in the hospital. On
      discharge day, caregivers were asked to perform an in vivo bioassay by the
      thyroid uptake instrument. The results from the thirteen caregivers were divided
      into 3 groups. The total effective dose equivalent to caregivers of patients
      administered 3.7 GBq (n = 1), 5.55 GBq (n = 9), and 7.4 GBq (n = 3) were 0.159
      mSv, 0.123 to 0.629 mSv, and 0.631 to 0.718 mSv, respectively. There values were
      well below 5 mSv per episode as proposed in the IAEA Safety Reports Series No. 63
      and the ICRP Publication 103.

PMID- 27249905
TI  - Development of a Food Insecurity Screening Instrument.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is a dynamic, global issue requiring our constant
      attention today, and practical assessment instruments are needed to detect food
      insecurity in various populations and countries. A screening tool for food
      insecurity was developed and tested its psychometric properties. MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: The Food Insecurity Screening Instrument (FISI) was developed based on
      literature review and qualitative data from a sample of 30 female who were family
      food providers in crowded urban communities in Bangkok. RESULTS: Content validity
      was determined by five experts, resulting in a good content validity index. It
      was tested with another 350 food providers, resulting in high reliability Item
      analysis revealed good internal consistency of items to total scale, except for
      two items which were deleted. Construct validity was determined using exploratoiy
      factor analysis, and revealed four factors, consisting of 33 items, food
      quantity, food quality, food safety, and anxiety about food These factors
      together explained 74.9% of total variance of the new tool. CONCLUSION: This new
      tool provides a valid and reliable means of screening for food insecurity in
      families and communities. Policy makers in Thailand have supported the usefulness
      of the instrument which has already been used across the country for the National
      Survey, and after the 2011 Thai floods.

PMID- 27249906
TI  - Residents' Obstacles and Attitudes Toward Research during Residency Training.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many residents often encounter several problems to accomplish their
      research projects, a requirement to complete medical residency training in
      Thailand. This study aimed to explore perceived obstacles and attitude of Thai
      residents toward conducting research. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The questionnaires
      were distributed among 640 residents at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from
      November to December 2014. Structured-questionnaires explored the participants'
      characteristics, research experience, purpose of conducting research, motivations
      and perceived barriers to research. Five-pointed Likert scale was used to
      determine residents' attitude toward research. Descriptive statistical analysis
      was used. RESULTS: 246 respondents were achieved from 640 residents surveyed,
      yielding a response rate of 39.7%. The mean age was 28.21 +/- 1.60 years and
      66.7% was female. Most of them were studying in internal medicine, pediatrics and
      anesthesiology. Residency year ranged from 1st-4th year and the ratio was 21.5:
      20.8:18:1. The purposes to conduct the research were to meet the program
      requirement (72.4%), to develop research skills (23.6%), and to accrue
      credentials for future fellowship application (2.4%). While 52.4% pursued
      research in order to bolster research experience, 12.6% would like to publish and
      4.5% would like to present in the international conference, as high as 39.8% had
      not motivation. Perceived barriers were limited statistical knowledge, inadequate
      time and, difficulty formulating research topic. In addition, 50.6% were assigned
      research topics from advisors. Most of the residents agreed that conducting
      research enhanced inquiry-based learning and enabled them to better understand
      research methodology. Nevertheless, they thought that researching was
      complicated, time-consuming, and tedious. CONCLUSION: Most residents were
      motivated to conduct research projects but perceived obstacles and negative
      attitude might erode their motivation for research.

PMID- 27249908
TI  - Diversifying Diversity.
AB  - A hospital board needs to mirror the people and communities it serves. Progress
      is being made on board diversity, and there are an increasing number of resources
      to aid the effort.

PMID- 27249907
TI  - Listeriosis: Is It a Rare Disease in Thailand?
AB  - The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes infection has been characterized as rare
      in Thailand. Within one month, 3 cases of listeriosis were seen at Vachira Phuket
      Hospital in Phuket, Thailand. Two cases were neonates with septicemia, of which
      one made an uneventful recovery and the other expired. The third case was an
      eleven-year-old boy with meningitis who also succumbed to his illness. All
      isolated L. monocytogenes were sensitive to ampicillin. An outbreak investigation
      revealed no L. monocytogenes contamination in tested food sources in Phuket.

PMID- 27249909
TI  - HEALTH CARE'S POWERFUL NEW TOOL.
AB  - Predictive analytics can help hospitals and health networks promote wellness,
      improve patient care, become more efficient and reduce costs. Here's whatyou need
      to know.

PMID- 27249910
TI  - At Mass General, 'Serving the Community Is in Our DNA'.
AB  - This year's winner, Massachusetts General Hospital, is dedicated to addressing
      the social and economic determinants of health in all of the communities it
      serves.

PMID- 27249911
TI  - Rewriting the Script.
AB  - Pharmacists are coming out from behind the scenes to play a more direct role in
      patient care, advising on medications both before and after discharge.

PMID- 27249912
TI  - Innovation: A Playbook That Lets Boards, Leaders Achieve Health System Success.
AB  - This month's Trustee Workbook outlines four key steps that enable board members
      and executives to embrace innovation and achieve health systen success.

PMID- 27249913
TI  - The New Consumer.
AB  - Pocketbook issues are driving patients to behave like consumers and the health
      care field to become more like the retail industry. What are the implications for
      your organization?

PMID- 27249914
TI  - Grooming M.D. Leaders.
AB  - CEOs need to target and develop physicians to play leading roles in the
      transformation of health care--and of their organizations.

PMID- 27249915
TI  - [APPROACH TO ESTABLISHMENT OF INDICATIONS FOR PROGRAMMED SANATION OF ABDOMINAL
      CAVITY IN DIFFUSE PERITONITIS].
AB  - The results of treatment of 33 patients, suffering diffuse peritonitis, with
      postoperatively applied tactics of the programmed surgical sanation of abdominal
      cavity were analyzed. Indications for relaparotomy were established, based on the
      estimation scale for the enteral insufficiency severity. The patients death and
      the complications causes were analyzed, depending on terms and rates of
      relaparotomy conduction.

PMID- 27249916
TI  - [PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF METASTATIC AFFECTION OF REGIONAL LYMPHATIC NODES AND
      LEVEL OF A LYMPH NODE DISSECTION IN SURGICAL TREATMENT OF GASTRIC CANCER].
AB  - In 142 patients, operated on for resectable gastric cancer, a dependence of the
      survival indices from clinico-morphological characteristics of tumoral process
      and peculiarities of surgical interventions was studied. Efficacy of a lymph node
      dissection (LND) on a D1 -D2 level was investigated. There was established, that
      regional lymph nodes affection in gastric carcinoma causes deterioration of
      indices of general and disease-free survival. In patients without regional
      metastases the operation conduction with LND D1 have promoted improvement of
      indices of general and a disease-free survival, and expansion of a LND up to the
      D2 level did not guarantee the treatment results improvement.

PMID- 27249918
TI  - [MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES OF INTRA- AND EXTRAPANCREATIC ARTERIES IN ELDERLY AND SENILE
      PATIENTS IN ACUTE NECROTIC PANCREATITIS].
AB  - In 38 elderly and senile patients, in whom an acute necrotic pancreatitis (ANP)
      was diagnosed, morphological changes in the walls of intra- and extrapancreatic
      arteries were studied, including dorsal pancreatic artery, big pancreatic artery
      (Heller) and their branches. The patients were operated, using open surgical
      access, on the 10 - 26-th day after admittance to hospital for purulent-septic
      complications of pancreonecrosis. In total 9 (24%) patients died. Changes of
      intra- and extrapancreatic arteries causes the essential reduction of the
      splanchnic blood flow intensity and necrotic changes in pancreatic parenchyma and
      parapancreatic cellular space.

PMID- 27249917
TI  - [IMPACT OF QUERCETIN ON SYSTEMIC AND SPLANCHNIC BLOOD CIRCULATION IN A COMPLEX OF
      PREOPERATIVE PREPARATION IN PATIENTS, SUFFERING AN ACUTE PANCREATITIS].
AB  - The results of prospective investigation of 76 patients, suffering an acute
      pancreatitis, in whom Quercetin was applied in content of a starting liquid
      resuscitation in complex of preoperative preparation, were studied. Its impact on
      the indices of systemic and splanchnic blood circulation, as well as results of
      an acute pancreatitis treatment was studied. Inclusion of Quercetin into a scheme
      of the patients preoperative preparation have promoted the improvement of indices
      of systemic hemodynamics and the cardiac pump function and enhancement of the
      left ventricle mechanical work by 18.4% (p < 0.01) at average. A trustworthy
      reduction of the peak systolic velocity of blood flow in the splanchnic space
      vessels was established. The systemic and regional blood circulation improvement
      caused a reduction of the organ dysfunction rate, as well as polyorgan
      insufficiency from 71.4 to 28.6%.

PMID- 27249920
TI  - [PROPHYLAXIS OF INFILTRATIVE-INFLAMMATORY COMPLICATIONS OF THE WOUNDS HEALING IN
      PATIENTS, OPERATED ON FOR NONCOMPLICATED HERNIA OF ANTERIOR ABDOMINAL WALL].
AB  - The results of investigation of the inflammatory processes dynamics in operative
      wounds in 238 patients after surgical intervention, performed for noncomplicated
      hernias of anterior abdominal wall of various localization, as well as the impact
      of polarized light on correction of the vegetative nervous system disorders, for
      prophylaxis of infiltrative-purulent complications were analyzed.

PMID- 27249919
TI  - [APPLICATION OF PRESEPSIN IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PURULENT-SEPTIC
      COMPLICATIONS OF ACUTE NECROTIC PANCREATITIS].
AB  - In 70 patients, suffering an acute necrotic pancreatitis (ANP), and 10
      practically healthy persons a content of presepsin in a blood plasm, using
      immunochemiluminescent method and conducted bacteriological investigations, were
      analyzed. The infection occurrence is accompanied by plausible upgrading of a
      presepsin level in a blood plasm, depending on activity and severity of a septic
      process: in local infection--up to (677 +/- 30) pg/ml, sepsis--up to (988 +/- 47)
      pg/ml, severe sepsis--up to 2668 pg/ml; in an ANP without infection it have
      constituted (332 +/- 38) pg/mI at average, in practically healthy persons--(184
      +/- 16) pg/mI. A presepsin level correlates with a state severity in accordance
      to APACHE I scale, what permits to estimate the patients state severity
      objectively, to prognosticate a favorable and unfavorable consequences of
      treatment, rapidly changing, depending on efficacy of treatment.

PMID- 27249921
TI  - [RECONSTRUCTIVE-RESTORATION OPERATIONS AFTER OBSTRUCTIVE RESECTION OF LARGE
      BOWEL].
AB  - The results of reconstructive-restoration operations, performed after obstructive
      resection of large bowel for colorectal cancer, were analyzed. The postoperative
      complications rate have constituted 11.7%. The most frequent cause of morbidity,
      3.9%, was partial insufficiency of sutures of interintestinal anastomosis,
      formatted in the end to end fashion. Lethality have constituted 1.1%.

PMID- 27249922
TI  - [SURGICAL TREATMENT OF FOCAL HEPATIC AFFECTION: ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS AND
      PERSPECTIVES].
AB  - Basing on own material analysis (386 observations) and the literature date there
      was established, that hepatic resection occupies the first place in treatment of
      the organ focal affection, together--nontumoral and a tumoral one. The treatment
      of all kinds of focal hepatic affection must be expanded in a specialized clinic
      in the Ukraine. The main task of the investigation was to determine a permissible
      volume of hepatic resection, depending on functional state of the organ
      parenchyma, improvement of existing and elaboration of a new methods of operative
      intervention, directed on the complications prophylaxis and the hepatic function
      preservation.

PMID- 27249923
TI  - [APPLICATION OF MINIINVASIVE INTERVENTIONS UNDER ULTRASONOGRAPHIC CONTROL FOR
      NONPARASITIC HEPATIC CYSTS].
AB  - The results of treatment of 21 patients, suffering nonparasitic hepatic cysts,
      using laparoscopic draining and puncture under ultrasonographic control, were
      analyzed. Minimal traumaticity of the intervention, absence of necessity to apply
      general anesthesia, low rate of postoperative morbidity (7.1%), reduction of
      duration of the patients stationary treatment down to (3.3 +/- 0.61) days,
      reduction of economic wastes on the treatment constitute the advantages of such
      method.

PMID- 27249924
TI  - [SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ACUTE CHOLANGITIS IN CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS].
AB  - The results of surgical treatment of 184 patients for obstructive jaundice and an
      acute cholangitis in choledocholithiasis were analyzed. Acute cholangitis was
      diagnosed in 62 (33.7%) patients. Sensitivity of a Tokyo Guidelines (2013)--TG 13
      criteria for diagnosis and estimation of the course severity of an acute
      cholangitis was studied. Dynamics of postoperative laboratory parameters was
      studied. There was established, that occurrence of obturation jaundice and
      cholangitis coincides with pronounced hepatic function disorders, which are
      preserved after a bile outflow restoration also, and changes in peripheral blood.
      Severity of inflammatory reaction reflects hematological indices, the most
      informative of which is an intoxication index.

PMID- 27249925
TI  - [HEMOSTASIOLOGIC INDICES AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY FOR AN ACUTE
      CHOLECYSTITIS].
AB  - The indices of coagulometry and thromboelastography (THEG) were determined in 60
      patients, suffering various forms of an acute cholecystitis. Preoperatively the
      coagulometry indices have had a hypercoagulation tendency while the disease
      severity enhances. After performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy the most
      essential changes of indices were observed. In the patients after severe
      operation there was observed accelerated kinetics of the blood clotting,
      witnessed by the THEG indices. The risk of the hemorrhage occurrence restricts
      application of medicinal thromboprophylaxis.

PMID- 27249926
TI  - [FUNCTIONAL STATE OF PERIPHERAL VESSELS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES AND INTRAOSSEOUS
      PRESSURE IN PATIENTS, SUFFERING OBLITERATING ATHEROSCLEROSIS ON BACKGROUND OF
      DIABETES MELLITUS].
AB  - Results of examination of 46 patients, suffering obliterating atherosclerosis of
      the lower extremities arteries solely or in combination with diabetes mellitus
      (DM), were analyzed. The malleolar pressure index (MPI), regional systolic
      pressure (RSP), velocity of the volume blood flow (VVBF), rheographic index (RI),
      using test with nitroglycerine, postocclusion venous pressure (POVP) and
      intaosseous pressure (IOP) in tibiae were studied. The RI reduction, parallel to
      the arterial ischemia progression, was established. The test indices with
      nitroglycerine in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis have reduced step by
      step. With coexistent DM the efficacy of nitroglycerine was practically absent.
      POVP is upgraded in patients of all the groups and it have lowered step by step
      in a laying position of the patient, and while transition into standing position-
      it have upgraded progressively with a progress of arterial ischemia. IOP have
      upgraded significantly in isolated obliterating atherosclerosis in ischemia stage
      3a and have lowered--in stage 3b. In coexistent DM IOP is upgraded in ischemia
      stage 3b also.

PMID- 27249927
TI  - [THE RISK OF OCCURRENCE OF THE VARICOSE DISEASE RECURRENCE, DEPENDING ON DIAMETER
      OF VARICOSE--CHANGED VEINS OF LOWER EXTREMITIES WHILE PERFORMANCE OF THE FOAM
      SCLEROTHERAPY].
AB  - The results of treatment of 139 patients, to whom for the varicose disease of
      lower extremities there was conducted a foam sclerotherapy of trunks and
      tributaries of big subcutaneous vein, small subcutaneous vein and/or nonsaphenous
      veins with signs of a valvular insufficiency under ultrasonographic control were
      presented. Complex of measures for prophylaxis of the disease recurrences and
      complications was elaborated.

PMID- 27249928
TI  - [THE TREATMENT OF INJURED PERSONS WITH COMPLICATED PENETRATING THORACIC WOUNDINGS
      ON TERTIARY LEVEL OF THE MEDICAL CARE DELIVERY].
AB  - The results of examination and treatment of 36 injured persons with complicated
      penetrating thoracic woundings in tertiary centres were analyzed. Own experience
      of the pulmonary woundings surgical treatment, using application of
      videothoracoscopic and welding-coagulating equipment, was summarized.

PMID- 27249929
TI  - [PECULIARITES OF SIMULTANT INTERVENTIONS FOR SOME TYPES OF CHRONIC PHTHISIC
      PLEURITIS, COEXISTENT WITH PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS].
AB  - In coincidence of chronic phthisic pleuritis in a rigid stage with pulmonary
      tuberculosis operative intervention is indicated of a pleuropulmonectomy type,
      what is a complex situation for performance and preservation of the patient's
      functional state. Pleuropulmonectomy in some patients is complicated by empyema
      and pathological processes in bronchi. Possibilities of operative interventions
      application, alternative to pleuropulmonectomy, were studied. Of 48 patients, to
      whom pleuropulmonectomy is indicated in accordance to data of clinic
      roentgenological investigations, in 7--simultant operative treatment were
      conducted with positive results.

PMID- 27249930
TI  - [CHANGES OF HISTOSTRUCTURE OF CHRONIC ANAL FISSURE, DEPENDING ON DURATION OF THE
      DISEASE].
AB  - The results of histological investigation of the chronic anal fissure (AF) edges
      in 95 patients with the disease duration from 6 mo to 4.5 yrs were analyzed.
      Basing on estimation of severity of an acute inflammation signs and the
      granulation and cicatricial tissue presence there was established, that duration
      of an acute inflammation in the AF may constitute up to 6 - 7 mo; subacute--from
      8 to 11 mo, chronic cicatricial process was observed in terms from 12 mo and
      more.

PMID- 27249931
TI  - [INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN CHILDREN, SUFFERING SEPSIS].
AB  - The efficacy of normal immunoglobulin of a man (NIM) injection in children,
      suffering sepsis and being in extremely severe state, was studied. Of 174
      patients, who were treated for sepsis in 2005 - 2014 yrs., in 69 (39.6%)--NIM was
      applied, in 105 (60.3%)--did not apply. Positive changes of cellular immunity
      while immunotherapy application were noted. To estimate the immunotherapy
      efficacy it is mandatory to continue investigations with recruiting more quantity
      of patients.

PMID- 27249932
TI  - [THE CHOICE OF THE ANESTHESY OPTIMAL METHOD, USING DETERMINATION OF THE TOLL-LIKE
      RECEPTORS LEVEL IN THE PLASM AS A MARKER OF HYPERALGESIA IN EARLY POSTOPERATIVE
      PERIOD].
AB  - There were examined 47 children, operated on for tumors of abdominal cavity and
      retroperitoneal space. The opioid-induced hyperalgesia may occur in early
      postoperative period. The anesthesia conduction of m. transverses abdominis (TAP
      block), using 0.375% bupivacaine solution and combined spinal epidural analgesia
      (CSEA) for postoperative anesthesia have promoted the hyperalgesia severity
      reduction. Hyperalgesia in early postoperative period was demonstrated by
      upgrading of the toll-like receptors (TLR-4) level in the blood. The TLR-4
      expression increased in the blood was noted while application of a TAP-block and
      CSEA.

PMID- 27249933
TI  - [FORMATION OF BILIODIGESTIVE AND INTERINTESTINAL ANASTOMOSES IN ENVIRONMENT OF
      BILIARY PERITONITIS, USING A HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRIC WELDING IN EXPERIMENT].
AB  - In experiment on 20 rabbits a diffuse biliary peritonitis was simulated, using
      intraabdominal injection of a laboratory culture of E. coli suspension and a
      medicinal bile. In 24 h on background of peritonitis on excluded loop of a small
      bowel in accordance to method of Roux, using a high frequency electric welding
      with the help of apparatus Patonmed EKB3-300 a one-layered everting
      cholecystoenteroanastomosis and enteroenteroanastomosis was formated. In a 6 mo
      postoperatively a connection line was not revealed from outside or from inside,
      the signs of stenosis were absent. In environment of a diffuse biliary
      peritonitis a welding technologies have permitted to form a hermetic and
      competent biliodigestive and interintestinal anastomoses, the processes of a
      welding suture regeneration postoperatively have a typical course. Using a high
      frequency-electric welding it is possible to perform a one-staged reconstructive
      interventions in environment of a pronounced inflammation of tissues due to
      subsequent precise conjunction of mucosal sheets of connected organs, preventing
      the anastomotic stricture formation.

PMID- 27249934
TI  - [MODERN ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC VENOUS DISEASES: THERMAL AND NONTHERMAL
      PROCEDURES].

PMID- 27249935
TI  - [STRATEGY OF ANTIBACTERIAL THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH SEPSIS. Part 2].

PMID- 27249936
TI  - [ACHIEVEMENTS AND UNSOLVED ISSUES OF TREATMENT OF PLEURAL EMPYEMA].

PMID- 27249937
TI  - The Critical Role Of VP1 In Forming The Necessary Cavities For Receptor-mediated
      Entry Of FMDV To The Host Cell.
AB  - The antigenic inconsistency of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is very
      broad, such that a vaccine made from one isolate will not offer protection
      against infection with other isolates from the same serotype. Viral particles
      (VPs) or surface exposed capsid proteins, VP1-VP3, of FMDV determine both the
      antigenicity of the virus and its receptor-mediated entry into the host cell.
      Therefore, modifications of these structural proteins may alter the properties of
      the virus. Here we show putative cavities on the FMDV-SAT1 (FMDV Southern African
      Territories1) capsid as possible binding sites for the receptor-mediated viral
      entry into the host cell. We identified three possible cavities on the FMDV
      capsid surface, from which the largest one (C2) is shaped in the contact regions
      of VP1-VP3. Our results demonstrate the significance of VP1, in the formation of
      FMDV-SAT1 surface cavities, which is the main component in all the identified
      cavities. Our findings can have profound implications in the protein engineering
      of FMDV in the contact region of VP1-VP3 found to be embedded in several
      cavities. Such information is of great significance in the context of vaccine
      design, as it provides the ground for future improvement of synthetic vaccines to
      control FMD caused by FMDV-SAT1 serotypes.

PMID- 27249938
TI  - Structural equation modeling of the quality of life for patients with marfan
      syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We used structural equation modeling to evaluate the quality of life
      (QOL) for patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). The goal was to provide guidelines
      to facilitate the development of interventions and strategies to improve the QOL
      for patients with MFS. METHODS: The participants fulfilled the Ghent 2 criteria
      for MFS and they comprised patients who visited the cardiology outpatient
      department of a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea, between August 17, 2013 and
      April 17, 2014. Demographic, social support, disease-related factors,
      biobehavioral factors, and QOL data were collected in one-on-one interviews.
      RESULTS: The final analyses included 218 patients. Anxious and depressed patients
      comprised 63.8 and 71.5 % of the sample, respectively. For the hypothetical
      model, the goodness-of-fit index = 0.91, normal fit index = 0.93, and comparative
      fit index = 0.90. The outcome was suitable for the recommended level, so the
      hypothetical model appeared to fit the data. In patients with MFS, the QOL was
      affected significantly by social support, disease-related factors, and
      biobehavioral factors. These variables explained 72.4 % of the QOL in patients
      with MFS. Biobehavioral factors had the strongest and most direct effects on QOL.
      CONCLUSION: To improve QOL in patients with MFS, comprehensive interventions are
      necessary to assess and manage biobehavioral factors, social support, and disease
      related factors.

PMID- 27249939
TI  - Neuromechanical response to spinal manipulation therapy: effects of a constant
      rate of force application.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuromechanical responses to spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) have
      been shown to be modulated through the variation of SMT biomechanical parameters:
      peak force, time to peak force, and preload force. Although rate of force
      application was modulated by the variation of these parameters, the assumption
      that neuromuscular responses are modulated by the rate of force application
      remains to be confirmed. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to
      evaluate the effect of a constant rate of force application in neuromechanical
      responses to SMT in healthy adults. METHODS: Four SMT force-time profiles
      presenting different time to peak force and peak force, but with a constant rate
      of force application were applied on 25 healthy participants' T7 transverse
      processes. Muscular responses were recorded through surface electromyography
      electrodes (T6 and T8 levels), while vertebral displacements were assessed
      through pasted kinematic markers on T6 to T8 spinous processes. Effects of SMT
      force-time profiles on neuromechanical responses were assessed using repeated
      measures ANOVAs. RESULTS: There was no main effect of SMT force-time profile
      modulation on muscular responses (ps > .05) except for the left T8 (F (3, 72) =
      3.23, p = .03) and left T6 (F (3, 72) = 2.94, p = .04). Muscular responses were
      significantly lower for the lowest peak force condition than the highest (for T8)
      or second highest (for T6). Analysis showed that increasing the SMT peak force
      (and concomitantly time to peak force) led to a significant vertebral
      displacement increase for the contacted vertebra (F T7 (1, 17) = 354.80, p <
      .001) and both adjacent vertebras (F T6 (1, 12) = 104.71, p < .001 and F T8 (1,
      19) = 468.68, p < .001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that peak force modulation
      using constant rate of force application leads to similar neuromuscular
      responses. Coupled with previous investigations of SMT peak force and duration
      effects, the results suggest that neuromuscular responses to SMT are mostly
      influenced by the rate of force application, while peak force modulation yields
      changes in the vertebral displacement. Rate of force application should therefore
      be defined in future studies. Clinical implications of various SMT dosages in
      patients with spine related pain should also be investigated. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02550132 . Registered 8 September 2015.

PMID- 27249940
TI  - Hypo-fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy alone using volumetric modulated arc
      therapy for patients with single, large brain metastases unsuitable for surgical
      resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypo-fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) is emerging as a
      valid treatment option for patients with single, large brain metastases (BMs). We
      analyzed a set of our patients treated with HSRT. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate local control (LC), brain distant progression (BDP), toxicity and
      overall survival (OS). METHODS: From July 2011 to May 2015, 102 patients
      underwent HSRT consisting of 27Gy/3fractions for lesions 2.1-3 cm and 32Gy/4
      fractions for lesions 3.1-5 cm. Local progression was defined as increase of the
      enhancing abnormality on MRI, and distant progression as new brain metastases
      outside the irradiated volume. Toxicity in terms of radio-necrosis was assessed
      using contrast enhanced T1MRI, T2 weighted-MRI and perfusion- MRI. RESULT: The
      median maximum diameter of BM was 2.9 cm (range 2.1-5 cm), the median gross
      target volume (GTV) was 16.3 cm(3) and the median planning target volume (PTV)
      was 33.7 cm(3) The median,1,2-year local control rate was 30 months, 96, 96 %;
      the median, 1-2-year rate of BDP was 24 months, 12, 24 %; the median,1,2-year OS
      was 14 months, 69, 33 %. KPS and controlled extracranial disease were associated
      with significant survival benefit (p <0.01). Brain radio-necrosis occurred in six
      patients (5.8 %). CONCLUSION: In patients with single, large BMs unsuitable for
      surgical resection, HSRT is a safe and feasible treatment, with good brain local
      control and limited toxicity.

PMID- 27249941
TI  - Conservative dissipation: How important is the Jacobi identity in the dynamics?
AB  - Hamiltonian dynamics are characterized by a function, called the Hamiltonian, and
      a Poisson bracket. The Hamiltonian is a conserved quantity due to the anti
      symmetry of the Poisson bracket. The Poisson bracket satisfies the Jacobi
      identity which is usually more intricate and more complex to comprehend than the
      conservation of the Hamiltonian. Here, we investigate the importance of the
      Jacobi identity in the dynamics by considering three different types of
      conservative flows in R(3): Hamiltonian, almost-Poisson, and metriplectic. The
      comparison of their dynamics reveals the importance of the Jacobi identity in
      structuring the resulting phase space.

PMID- 27249942
TI  - Probing and exploiting the chaotic dynamics of a hydrodynamic photochemical
      oscillator to implement all the basic binary logic functions.
AB  - The convective motions within a solution of a photochromic spiro-oxazine being
      irradiated by UV only on the bottom part of its volume, give rise to aperiodic
      spectrophotometric dynamics. In this paper, we study three nonlinear properties
      of the aperiodic time series: permutation entropy, short-term predictability and
      long-term unpredictability, and degree distribution of the visibility graph
      networks. After ascertaining the extracted chaotic features, we show how the
      aperiodic time series can be exploited to implement all the fundamental two
      inputs binary logic functions (AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR) and some basic
      arithmetic operations (half-adder, full-adder, half-subtractor). This is possible
      due to the wide range of states a nonlinear system accesses in the course of its
      evolution. Therefore, the solution of the convective photochemical oscillator
      results in hardware for chaos-computing alternative to conventional complementary
      metal-oxide semiconductor-based integrated circuits.

PMID- 27249943
TI  - Heterogeneity and nearest-neighbor coupling can explain small-worldness and wave
      properties in pancreatic islets.
AB  - Many multicellular systems consist of coupled cells that work as a syncytium. The
      pancreatic islet of Langerhans is a well-studied example of such a microorgan.
      The islets are responsible for secretion of glucose-regulating hormones, mainly
      glucagon and insulin, which are released in distinct pulses. In order to observe
      pulsatile insulin secretion from the beta-cells within the islets, the cellular
      responses must be synchronized. It is now well established that gap junctions
      provide the electrical nearest-neighbor coupling that allows excitation waves to
      spread across islets to synchronize the beta-cell population. Surprisingly,
      functional coupling analysis of calcium responses in beta-cells shows small-world
      properties, i.e., a high degree of local coupling with a few long-range "short
      cut" connections that reduce the average path-length greatly. Here, we
      investigate how such long-range functional coupling can appear as a result of
      heterogeneity, nearest-neighbor coupling, and wave propagation. Heterogeneity is
      also able to explain a set of experimentally observed synchronization and wave
      properties without introducing all-or-none cell coupling and percolation theory.
      Our theoretical results highlight how local biological coupling can give rise to
      functional small-world properties via heterogeneity and wave propagation.

PMID- 27249944
TI  - On the existence of bifocal heteroclinic cycles in a class of four-dimensional
      piecewise affine systems.
AB  - Based on mathematical analysis, this paper provides a methodology to ensure the
      existence of heteroclinic cycles in a class of four-dimensional piecewise affine
      systems. In addition, examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of
      the method.

PMID- 27249945
TI  - Persistent topological features of dynamical systems.
AB  - Inspired by an early work of Muldoon et al., Physica D 65, 1-16 (1993), we
      present a general method for constructing simplicial complex from observed time
      series of dynamical systems based on the delay coordinate reconstruction
      procedure. The obtained simplicial complex preserves all pertinent topological
      features of the reconstructed phase space, and it may be analyzed from
      topological, combinatorial, and algebraic aspects. In focus of this study is the
      computation of homology of the invariant set of some well known dynamical systems
      that display chaotic behavior. Persistent homology of simplicial complex and its
      relationship with the embedding dimensions are examined by studying the lifetime
      of topological features and topological noise. The consistency of topological
      properties for different dynamic regimes and embedding dimensions is examined.
      The obtained results shed new light on the topological properties of the
      reconstructed phase space and open up new possibilities for application of
      advanced topological methods. The method presented here may be used as a generic
      method for constructing simplicial complex from a scalar time series that has a
      number of advantages compared to the mapping of the same time series to a complex
      network.

PMID- 27249946
TI  - Bifurcations and degenerate periodic points in a three dimensional chaotic fluid
      flow.
AB  - Analysis of the periodic points of a conservative periodic dynamical system
      uncovers the basic kinematic structure of the transport dynamics and identifies
      regions of local stability or chaos. While elliptic and hyperbolic points
      typically govern such behaviour in 3D systems, degenerate (parabolic) points also
      play an important role. These points represent a bifurcation in local stability
      and Lagrangian topology. In this study, we consider the ramifications of the two
      types of degenerate periodic points that occur in a model 3D fluid flow. (1)
      Period-tripling bifurcations occur when the local rotation angle associated with
      elliptic points is reversed, creating a reversal in the orientation of associated
      Lagrangian structures. Even though a single unstable point is created, the
      bifurcation in local stability has a large influence on local transport and the
      global arrangement of manifolds as the unstable degenerate point has three stable
      and three unstable directions, similar to hyperbolic points, and occurs at the
      intersection of three hyperbolic periodic lines. The presence of period-tripling
      bifurcation points indicates regions of both chaos and confinement, with the
      extent of each depending on the nature of the associated manifold intersections.
      (2) The second type of bifurcation occurs when periodic lines become tangent to
      local or global invariant surfaces. This bifurcation creates both saddle-centre
      bifurcations which can create both chaotic and stable regions, and period
      doubling bifurcations which are a common route to chaos in 2D systems. We provide
      conditions for the occurrence of these tangent bifurcations in 3D conservative
      systems, as well as constraints on the possible types of tangent bifurcation that
      can occur based on topological considerations.

PMID- 27249947
TI  - Visibility graphlet approach to chaotic time series.
AB  - Many novel methods have been proposed for mapping time series into complex
      networks. Although some dynamical behaviors can be effectively captured by
      existing approaches, the preservation and tracking of the temporal behaviors of a
      chaotic system remains an open problem. In this work, we extended the visibility
      graphlet approach to investigate both discrete and continuous chaotic time
      series. We applied visibility graphlets to capture the reconstructed local
      states, so that each is treated as a node and tracked downstream to create a
      temporal chain link. Our empirical findings show that the approach accurately
      captures the dynamical properties of chaotic systems. Networks constructed from
      periodic dynamic phases all converge to regular networks and to unique network
      structures for each model in the chaotic zones. Furthermore, our results show
      that the characterization of chaotic and non-chaotic zones in the Lorenz system
      corresponds to the maximal Lyapunov exponent, thus providing a simple and
      straightforward way to analyze chaotic systems.

PMID- 27249948
TI  - Noise induced stabilization of chaotic free-running laser diode.
AB  - In this paper, we investigate theoretically the stabilization of a free-running
      vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser exhibiting polarization chaos dynamics. We
      report the existence of a boundary isolating the chaotic attractor on one side
      and a steady-state on the other side and identify the unstable periodic orbit
      playing the role of separatrix. In addition, we highlight a small range of
      parameters where the chaotic attractor passes through this boundary, and
      therefore where chaos only appears as a transient behaviour. Then, including the
      effect of spontaneous emission noise in the laser, we demonstrate that, for
      realistic levels of noise, the system is systematically pushed over the
      separating solution. As a result, we show that the chaotic dynamics cannot be
      sustained unless the steady-state on the other side of the separatrix becomes
      unstable. Finally, we link the stability of this steady-state to a small value of
      the birefringence in the laser cavity and discuss the significance of this result
      on future experimental work.

PMID- 27249949
TI  - Reconstruction of the modified discrete Langevin equation from persistent time
      series.
AB  - The discrete Langevin-type equation, which can describe persistent processes, was
      introduced. The procedure of reconstruction of the equation from time series was
      proposed and tested on synthetic data, with short and long-tail distributions,
      generated by different Langevin equations. Corrections due to the finite sampling
      rates were derived. For an exemplary meteorological time series, an appropriate
      Langevin equation, which constitutes a stochastic macroscopic model of the
      phenomenon, was reconstructed.

PMID- 27249950
TI  - Objective Eulerian coherent structures.
AB  - We define objective Eulerian Coherent Structures (OECSs) in two-dimensional, non
      autonomous dynamical systems as the instantaneously most influential material
      curves. Specifically, OECSs are stationary curves of the averaged instantaneous
      material stretching-rate or material shearing-rate functionals. From these
      objective (frame-invariant) variational principles, we obtain explicit
      differential equations for hyperbolic, elliptic, and parabolic OECSs. As an
      illustration, we compute OECSs in an unsteady ocean velocity data set. In
      comparison to structures suggested by other common Eulerian diagnostic tools, we
      find OECSs to be the correct short-term cores of observed trajectory deformation
      patterns. 

PMID- 27249951
TI  - Waves transmission and amplification in an electrical model of microtubules.
AB  - Inspired by standard electrophysiological models of microtubules, a discrete
      nonlinear equation for ionic wave propagation that incorporates a negative
      nonlinear resistance is presented. The conditions for wave propagation in
      forbidden band gap are analyzed without and with dissipation. The nonlinear
      response manifold method is used to determine the supratransmission threshold of
      the case of study without dissipation. This threshold is found to be similar to
      the value obtained by analytical methods. With the dissipation, the monitoring of
      the accumulated energy is used to estimate the infratransmission threshold. It
      appears that the value of the supratransmission threshold can be lower than the
      value of the infratransmission threshold. The system is found to amplify
      significantly the amplitude of the input signal, thus confirming known
      experimental results. Nevertheless, a proper choice of the parameter of the
      nonlinear resistance is required for further validation of our results. A
      possible biological implication of the obtained results is presented. 

PMID- 27249952
TI  - The circadian rhythm induced by the heterogeneous network structure of the
      suprachiasmatic nucleus.
AB  - In mammals, the master clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN),
      which is composed of about 20 000 nonidentical neuronal oscillators expressing
      different intrinsic periods. These neurons are coupled through neurotransmitters
      to form a network consisting of two subgroups, i.e., a ventrolateral (VL)
      subgroup and a dorsomedial (DM) subgroup. The VL contains about 25% SCN neurons
      that receive photic input from the retina, and the DM comprises the remaining 75%
      SCN neurons which are coupled to the VL. The synapses from the VL to the DM are
      evidently denser than that from the DM to the VL, in which the VL dominates the
      DM. Therefore, the SCN is a heterogeneous network where the neurons of the VL are
      linked with a large number of SCN neurons. In the present study, we mimicked the
      SCN network based on Goodwin model considering four types of networks including
      an all-to-all network, a Newman-Watts (NW) small world network, an Erdos-Renyi
      (ER) random network, and a Barabasi-Albert (BA) scale free network. We found that
      the circadian rhythm was induced in the BA, ER, and NW networks, while the
      circadian rhythm was absent in the all-to-all network with weak cellular
      coupling, where the amplitude of the circadian rhythm is largest in the BA
      network which is most heterogeneous in the network structure. Our finding
      provides an alternative explanation for the induction or enhancement of circadian
      rhythm by the heterogeneity of the network structure.

PMID- 27249953
TI  - In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from
      Solidago virgaurea in rats.
AB  - CONTEXT: Solidago virgaurea L. (Asteraceae) is traditionally used as an anti
      inflammatory for the treatment of various symptoms including cystitis. However,
      little is known concerning the constituents responsible for this activity and the
      mechanism of their action. OBJECTIVE: To assess the anti-inflammatory activity of
      the phenolic-rich fraction of S. virgaurea aerial parts in rats, isolate and
      assess the activity of the major compounds present. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An
      HPLC method was developed for the analysis of the phenolic-rich fraction (EtFr).
      The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the EtFr and four isolated compounds
      (at 25 and 50 mg/kg) were assessed in adult male rats using the carrageenan
      induced rat paw oedema model. The levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF
      alpha and IL-1beta) were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: 3,5-O-Dicaffeoylquinic
      acid (1), 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (2), 3,4,5-O-tricaffeoylquinic acid (3) and
      4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4) were isolated from EtFr. Compound 3 (50 mg/kg)
      showed a highly significant activity in inhibiting the oedema volume after 3 h
      (88% of the activity of indomethacin at 10 mg/kg). The EtFr and the isolated
      compounds largely inhibited the excessive production of the inflammatory
      mediators TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This is the first
      report of 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3) in Solidago species. The
      tricaffeoylquinic acid (3) showed a significantly higher activity than the other
      three dicaffeoylquinic acids (1, 2, 4) and indomethacin in reduction of TNF-alpha
      and IL-1beta concentrations (8.44 +/- 0.62 and 5.83 +/- 0.57 pg/mL compared to
      12.60 +/- 1.30 and 52.91 +/- 5.20 pg/mL induced by indomethacin, respectively).

PMID- 27249954
TI  - CORR Insights((r)): How Does Wear Rate Compare in Well-functioning Total Hip and
      Knee Replacements? A Postmortem Polyethylene Liner Study.

PMID- 27249955
TI  - Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Hip Arthroplasty: Is There an Association
      Between Infection and Bearing Surface Type?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies have raised the question of whether certain
      prosthetic biomaterials used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) bearings are
      associated with increased risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). For
      example, some observational data suggest the risk of PJI is higher with metal-on
      metal bearings. However, it is not known whether other bearings-including ceramic
      bearings or metal-on-polyethylene bearings-may be associated with a higher or
      lower risk of PJI. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The objective of this study was to use a
      national arthroplasty registry to assess whether the choice of bearings-metal-on
      polyethylene (MoP), ceramic-on-polyethylene (CoP), ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC), or
      metal-on-metal (MoM)-is associated with differences in the risk of revision for
      deep infection, either (1) within 6 months or (2) over the entire period of
      observation, which spanned 15 years. METHODS: Data from primary THAs were
      extracted from the New Zealand Joint Registry over a 15-year period. A total of
      97,889 hips were available for analysis. Inclusion criterion was degenerative
      joint disease; exclusion criteria were previous surgery, trauma, and any other
      diagnosis (12,566 hips). We also excluded a small group of ceramic-on-metal THAs
      (429) with short followup. The median observation period of the selected group of
      hips (84,894) was 9 years (range, 1-15 years). The mean age of patients was 68
      years (SD +/- 11 years), and 52% were women. There were 54,409 (64%) MoP, 16,503
      (19%) CoP, 9051 (11%) CoC, and 4931 (6%) MoM hip arthroplasties. Four hundred one
      hips were revised for deep infection. A multivariate assessment was carried out
      including the following risks factors available for analysis: age, sex, operating
      room type, use of body exhaust suits, THA fixation mode, and surgeon volume.
      Because of late introduction of data collection in the Registry, we were unable
      to include body mass index (BMI, recording started 2010) and medical
      comorbidities according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists class (ASA,
      recording started 2005) in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The rate of early
      PJI (< 6 months) did not differ by bearing surface. In contrast, we observed a
      difference over the total observation period. Within the first 6 months after the
      index surgery, CoC THAs were not associated with a lower risk of revision for PJI
      (p = 0.118) when compared with CoP (hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.50-3.41), MoP (HR, 2.10; CI, 0.91-4.82), and MoM (HR, 2.04; CI,
      0.69-6.09). When the whole observation period was considered, CoC hips were
      associated with a lower risk of revision for deep infection when compared with
      CoP (HR, 1.30; CI, 0.78-2.18; p = 0.01), MoP (HR, 1.75; CI, 1.07-2.86; p = 0.02),
      and MoM (HR, 2.12; CI, 1.23-3.65; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding
      associating CoC THA bearings with a lower risk of infection after THA must be
      considered very preliminary, and we caution readers against attributing all of
      the observed difference to the bearing surface. It is possible that some or all
      of the observed difference associated with bearing type may have been driven by
      other factors such as ASA and BMI, which could not be included in our
      multivariate analysis, and so future registry studies on this topic must assess
      those variables carefully. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

PMID- 27249956
TI  - Relationships between poverty and AIDS Illness in South Africa: an investigation
      of urban and rural households in KwaZulu-Natal.
AB  - The association between poverty and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa remains
      contested. A better understanding of the relationship between the prevalence of
      poverty and the disease is essential for addressing prevention, treatment, and
      care. The present study interrogates this relationship, using a cross-sectional
      survey of 2477 households in urban and rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
      Structural equation modelling was employed to estimate the correlations between
      poverty and AIDS illness. The analysis revealed a correlation of rpb = 0.23,
      denoting that a higher level of household poverty was associated with a higher
      likelihood of being AIDS-unwell. Post hoc t-test showed that receipt of a
      disability grant by AIDS-affected households was associated with significantly
      lower poverty, compared to AIDS-affected households not receiving the grant,
      t(654) = 3.67, p < .01. Geographic location was found to confound the
      correlation: the strength of the relationship between poverty and AIDS was
      decreased to rpb = 0.15 (p < .001) for the urban and rpb = 0.16 (p < .001) for
      the rural sub-population. Findings suggest the importance of two sets of
      policies: those that address the potential upstream risk of poverty through
      economic interventions, and those that alleviate the impoverishing effects of
      AIDS illness for affected households.

PMID- 27249957
TI  - CHRNA7 Polymorphisms and Dementia Risk: Interactions with Apolipoprotein epsilon4
      and Cigarette Smoking.
AB  - alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7nAChR, encoded by CHRNA7) is
      involved in dementia pathogenesis through cholinergic neurotransmission,
      neuroprotection and interactions with amyloid-beta. Smoking promotes
      atherosclerosis and increases dementia risk, but nicotine exerts neuroprotective
      effect via alpha7nAChR in preclinical studies. No studies explored the gene-gene,
      gene-environment interactions between CHRNA7 polymorphism, apolipoprotein E
      (APOE) epsilon4 status and smoking on dementia risk. This case-control study
      recruited 254 late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) and 115 vascular dementia
      (VaD) cases (age >=65) from the neurology clinics of three teaching hospitals in
      Taiwan during 2007-2010. Controls (N = 435) were recruited from health checkup
      programs and volunteers during the same period. Nine CHRNA7 haplotype-tagging
      single nucleotide polymorphisms representative for Taiwanese were genotyped.
      Among APOE epsilon4 non-carriers, CHRNA7 rs7179008 variant carriers had
      significantly decreased LOAD risk after correction for multiple tests (GG + AG
      vs. AA: adjusted odds ratio = 0.29, 95% confidence interval = 0.13-0.64, P =
      0.002). Similar findings were observed for carriers of GT haplotype in CHRNA7
      block4. A significant interaction was found between rs7179008, GT haplotype in
      block4 and APOE epsilon4 on LOAD risk. rs7179008 variant also reduced the
      detrimental effect of smoking on LOAD risk. No significant association was found
      between CHRNA7 and VaD. These findings help to understand dementia pathogenesis.

PMID- 27249960
TI  - Effects of high three pro-nuclei (3PN) proportion incidence on clinical outcomes
      in the fresh cleavage-stage and blastocyst-stage embryo transfer (ET) cycles.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of three pro-nuclei
      (3PN) incidence on clinical outcomes in the fresh cleavage-stage embryo transfer
      (CSET) and blastocyst-stage embryo transfer (BSET) cycles. METHODS: This
      retrospective cohort study included 1427 CSET cycles, 632 BSET cycles, and 313
      elective single BSET cycles from January 2013 to June 2015. The patients were
      divided into two groups as follows: Group 1 included patients with no 3PN zygotes
      and Group 2 included patients with >20% 3PN zygotes. RESULTS: We observed that
      the fertilization rate was significantly lower in 3PN = 0% than 3PN > 20% group
      (p < 0.05), but the day-3 grade I + II embryo and day-3 grade I + II + III embryo
      rates were not significantly different between 3PN = 0% and 3PN > 20% group (p >
      0.05). Interestingly, in the CSET, the implantation (42.87% and 41.76%, p =
      0.585) and clinical pregnancy (59.94% and 58.25%, p = 0.538) rates were not
      significantly different between two groups. In the BSET, the implantation (61.93%
      and 49.62%, p < 0.001) and clinical pregnancy rates (69.45% and 61.02%, p =
      0.043) were significantly higher in 3PN = 0% than 3PN > 20% group. In the
      elective single BSET, the implantation (68.91% and 61.33%, p = 0.223) and
      clinical pregnancy rates (68.48% and 61.33%, p = 0.251) were higher in 3PN = 0%
      than 3PN > 20% group, but there was no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: We
      concluded that a high 3PN incidence may predict poor outcomes in BSET but not
      CSET cleavage-stage.

PMID- 27249958
TI  - The channel catfish genome sequence provides insights into the evolution of scale
      formation in teleosts.
AB  - Catfish represent 12% of teleost or 6.3% of all vertebrate species, and are of
      enormous economic value. Here we report a high-quality reference genome sequence
      of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), the major aquaculture species in the
      US. The reference genome sequence was validated by genetic mapping of 54,000
      SNPs, and annotated with 26,661 predicted protein-coding genes. Through
      comparative analysis of genomes and transcriptomes of scaled and scaleless fish
      and scale regeneration experiments, we address the genomic basis for the most
      striking physical characteristic of catfish, the evolutionary loss of scales and
      provide evidence that lack of secretory calcium-binding phosphoproteins accounts
      for the evolutionary loss of scales in catfish. The channel catfish reference
      genome sequence, along with two additional genome sequences and transcriptomes of
      scaled catfishes, provide crucial resources for evolutionary and biological
      studies. This work also demonstrates the power of comparative subtraction of
      candidate genes for traits of structural significance.

PMID- 27249959
TI  - Lobe-Specific Nodal Dissection for Clinical Stage I and II NSCLC: Japanese Multi
      Institutional Retrospective Study Using a Propensity Score Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the surgical outcomes
      according to the extent of mediastinal lymph node dissection for patients with
      NSCLC by using a nationwide registry database. METHODS: From among 11,663
      patients in a Japanese lung cancer registry study for 2004, 5392 patients with
      clinical stage (c-stage) I or II NSCLC that was completely resected by lobectomy
      and either systematic (SND) or lobe-specific nodal dissection (LSD) were
      enrolled. Patients who received preoperative therapy or had middle lobe tumor
      were excluded. In the LSD group, inferior mediastinal (subcarinal) nodes were not
      dissected for upper lobe tumors, and superior mediastinal nodes were not
      dissected for lower lobe tumors. To reduce the selection bias, an inverse
      probability of treatment weighting method using a propensity score was
      implemented. RESULTS: LSD and SND were performed in 1268 patients (23.5%) and
      4124 patients (76.5%), respectively. The LSD group included more upper lobe and c
      stage I tumors and less pathological N2 disease than the SND group. Extended
      pathological N2 disease outside LSD area was found in 3.2% of the SND group. The
      5-year overall survival was 81.5% in the LSD group and 75.9% in the SND group. An
      inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted Cox model showed that LSD did
      not have a negative prognostic impact and instead was associated with favorable
      survival (hazard ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.77). CONCLUSIONS:
      This retrospective registry study suggested that LSD is an alternative to SND for
      selected patients with c-stage I or II NSCLC. Future prospective studies are
      warranted to determine whether LSD is applicable and provides clinical benefit
      for the general population of patients with c-stage I or II NSCLC.

PMID- 27249961
TI  - X-ray characterization of mesophases of human telomeric G-quadruplexes and other
      DNA analogues.
AB  - Observed in the folds of guanine-rich oligonucleotides, non-canonical G
      quadruplex structures are based on G-quartets formed by hydrogen bonding and
      cation-coordination of guanosines. In dilute 5'-guanosine monophosphate (GMP)
      solutions, G-quartets form by the self-assembly of four GMP nucleotides. We use x
      ray diffraction to characterize the columnar liquid-crystalline mesophases in
      concentrated solutions of various model G-quadruplexes. We then probe the
      transitions between mesophases by varying the PEG solution osmotic pressure, thus
      mimicking in vivo molecular crowding conditions. Using the GMP-quadruplex, built
      by the stacking of G-quartets with no covalent linking between them, as the
      baseline, we report the liquid-crystalline phase behaviors of two other related G
      quadruplexes: (i) the intramolecular parallel-stranded G-quadruplex formed by the
      22-mer four-repeat human telomeric sequence AG3(TTAG3)3 and (ii) the
      intermolecular parallel-stranded G-quadruplex formed by the TG4T
      oligonucleotides. Finally, we compare the mesophases of the G-quadruplexes, under
      PEG-induced crowding conditions, with the corresponding mesophases of the
      canonical duplex and triplex DNA analogues.

PMID- 27249962
TI  - Continued transmission of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a wash hand basin tap in a
      critical care unit.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen, colonizing hospital
      water supplies including taps and sinks. We report a cluster of P. aeruginosa
      acquisitions during a period of five months from tap water to patients occupying
      the same burns single room in a critical care unit. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      cultured from clinical isolates from four different patients was
      indistinguishable from water strains by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Water
      outlets in critical care may be a source of P. aeruginosa despite following the
      national guidance, and updated guidance and improved control measures are needed
      to reduce the risks of transmission to patients. 

PMID- 27249963
TI  - Electrocotyle whittingtoni n. gen., n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae:
      Heterocotylinae) from the gills of a captive onefin electric ray, Narke capensis
      (Narkidae) at Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town, South Africa.
AB  - Electrocotyle whittingtoni n. gen., n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) is
      described from the gills of a captive female onefin electric ray, Narke capensis,
      collected for exhibition at Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, South Africa.
      Electrocotyle n. gen. is most similar to the heterocotyline genera Heterocotyle
      and Potamotrygonocotyle but could not be accommodated easily in either of these
      groups. The new genus is characterised by a haptor with one central and eight
      peripheral loculi, four unsclerotised structures on the dorsal surface of the
      haptor, a single unsclerotised non-sinous ridge on the ventral surface of the
      haptoral septa, large hamuli with a long handle and reduced guard, a vagina with
      sclerotised walls, and tetrahedral eggs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on
      28S sequences strongly support the separate genus status of Electrocotyle n. gen
      and thus support our morphological conclusion. The Heterocotylinae is amended to
      accommodate the new genus, and the new species is fully described and illustrated
      herein. This is the first record of a monocotylid from the Narkidae.
      Electrocotyle whittingtoni n. gen. n. sp. is considered potentially pathogenic
      given its negative impact on the health of its captive host kept in the
      quarantine facility at Two Oceans Aquarium. 

PMID- 27249964
TI  - Fresh fruits, vegetables and mushrooms as transmission vehicles for Echinococcus
      multilocularis in highly endemic areas of Poland: reply to concerns.
AB  - Echinococcus multilocularis is a tapeworm that may cause alveolar echinococcosis
      (AE), one of the most dangerous parasitic zoonoses. As in the case of other
      foodborne diseases, unwashed fruits and vegetables, contaminated with dispersed
      forms of E. multilocularis, may serve as an important transmission route for this
      parasite. In this article, we reply to the incorrect interpretation of results of
      our study concerning the detection of E. multilocularis DNA in fresh fruit,
      vegetable and mushroom samples collected from the highly endemic areas of the
      Warmia-Masuria Province, Poland, to dispel any doubts. The accusations formulated
      by the commentators concerning our paper are unfounded; moreover, these
      commentators demand information which was beyond the purview of our study. Making
      generalisations and drawing far-reaching conclusions from our work is also
      unjustified. The majority of positive samples were found in only a few
      hyperendemic communities; this information corresponds with the highest number of
      both infected foxes and AE cases in humans recorded in this area. Our findings
      indicate that E. multilocularis is present in the environment and may create a
      potential risk for the inhabitants. These people should simply be informed to
      wash fruits and vegetables before eating. No additional far-reaching conclusions
      should be drawn from our data. We believe these commentators needlessly
      misinterpreted our results and disseminated misleading information. Nevertheless,
      we would like to encourage any readers simply to contact us if any aspects of our
      study are unclear. 

PMID- 27249965
TI  - Improving detection of avian malaria from host blood: a step towards a
      standardised protocol for diagnostics.
AB  - Avian malaria, caused by Plasmodium spp., has been linked to the mortality and
      population-level declines in native birds in some regions. While molecular
      diagnostic methods have greatly improved our ability to detect infections of both
      human and bird malaria, failing to identify false negatives remains an important
      handicap, particularly for avian malaria due to host DNA presence in the bird
      blood cells. In an attempt to improve the accuracy of diagnostics by PCR, we
      evaluated the performance of a commercial silica-membrane-based DNA extraction
      kit by modifying the protocol with four unpooled elution volume alternatives. Our
      results suggest that the best template is the DNA extract obtained from the
      second eluate of a first 50 MUL elution step. In one case, the only band visible
      was from this second eluate and, thus, may not have been identified as positive
      for Plasmodium spp. if a different elution protocol had been followed. Our
      results are likely explained by the concept of size exclusion chromatography by
      which particles of different sizes will elute at different rates. Overall, first
      elution templates may consist of a lower ratio of parasite to host DNA, while
      second eluates may contain a higher parasite to host DNA ratio. A low ratio of
      parasite to host DNA is a concern in detecting chronic infections, in which birds
      typically carry low levels of parasitemia, making accurate diagnostics imperative
      when identifying reservoirs of disease that could lead to spillback events. 

PMID- 27249966
TI  - Benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus recovered from farmed red deer.
AB  - Thirty Haemonchus contortus male worms were collected from farmed red deer
      yearlings in order to determine whether routine administration of albendazole for
      a long-term period (17 years) could select anthelmintic resistance. PCR-RFLP
      method based on single-nucleotide polymorphism of codon 200 in isotype 1 beta
      tubulin gene (Phe200Tyr) was applied. The results showed a significant frequency
      of either the resistant allele (85 %) or the homozygous resistant genotype (70
      %). By chi-square test, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of the population was accepted
      (p = 0.334, power of test 0.01). True prevalence of the resistant genotype (RR)
      was estimated to be 46.5-87.2 % (confidence interval 95 %) calculated by Sterne's
      exact method. These results confirmed that long-term use of benzimidazoles could
      change the relative allele frequency of genes associated with drug resistance and
      may cause a large-scale spread of the resistant allele. To our knowledge, this
      study supported benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus in red deer for
      the first time. 

PMID- 27249968
TI  - Erratum to: Detection of Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis DNA in
      mosquitoes from Belarus.

PMID- 27249967
TI  - Antileishmanial activity of antiretroviral drugs combined with miltefosine.
AB  - Co-infection of Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, with human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has hindered treatment efficacy. In this study, we
      aim to evaluate the antileishmanial activity of two protease inhibitors
      (darunavir and atazanavir) and four reverse transcriptase inhibitors (tenofovir,
      efavirenz, neviraprine, and delavirdine mesylate) on Leishmania infantum. The
      activity of different antiretrovirals combinations and of antiretroviral with
      miltefosine, a drug used on leishmaniasis treatment, was also evaluated. Only two
      non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) were active on L.
      infantum. Efavirenz showed the best antileishmanial activity on promastigotes
      cells with IC50 value of 26.1 MUM followed by delavirdine mesylate with an IC50
      value of 136.2 MUM. Neviraprine, tenofovir, atazanavir, and darunavir were not
      active at the concentrations tested (IC50 > 200 MUM). The efavirenz also showed
      high antileishmanial activity on intramacrophage amastigotes with IC50 of 12.59
      MUM. The interaction of efavirenz with miltefosine improved antileishmanial
      activity on promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes (IC50 values of 11. 8 MUM
      and 8.89 MUM, respectively). These results suggest that combined-therapy
      including efavirenz and miltefosine could be alternative options for treating
      Leishmaniasis and Leishmania/HIV co-infections. 

PMID- 27249969
TI  - Rectal Calcified Fibrous Tumor Diagnosed After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
      of a Suspected Neuroendocrine Tumor.

PMID- 27249970
TI  - Esophageal Perforation From a Gunshot Wound.

PMID- 27249971
TI  - Pancreatic Islet Cells Mimicking Hepatic Metastases.

PMID- 27249972
TI  - A Splenic UFO: Intrasplenic Epithelioid Mesothelioma.

PMID- 27249973
TI  - An Alcoholic With Hematochezia From an Accidental Cocktail Sword Ingestion.

PMID- 27249974
TI  - Endoscopic Image After Subselective Embolization of a Bleeding Colonic
      Diverticulum.

PMID- 27249975
TI  - Positive PET in a Patient With Esophageal Leiomyoma.

PMID- 27249976
TI  - MRI Patterns in a Case of 6-Thioguanine-Related Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction
      Syndrome.

PMID- 27249977
TI  - Use of PGA Sheets in the Endoscopic Closure of a Perforation After Endoscopic
      Submucosal Dissection for Gastric-Tube Cancer.

PMID- 27249982
TI  - Editorial: Endoscopic Resection of Upper Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Tumors:
      Promising New Endoscopic Techniques-Are They Here to Stay?
AB  - Endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors originating from
      muscularis propria is feasible and safe if performed by experienced hands. Large
      tumors with predominantly extraluminal growth and extensive connection of the
      tumor base with the muscularis propria are associated with less complete
      resection and more complications. An intact tumor capsule should be used as an
      indication of complete resection. Free air on images after endoscopic full
      thickness resection may not be an accident. Submucosal endoscopic procedures are
      promising therapeutic procedures but are potentially associated with serious
      complications. Therefore, advanced endoscopic training is needed in order to
      perform them correctly and safely.

PMID- 27249983
TI  - Editorial: A New Spin on Magnetic Resonance Elastography.
AB  - The development of hepatic fibrosis is the hallmark of liver disease progression.
      Identifying fibrosis across the spectrum, from early stages to cirrhosis has
      become a major unmet need. Newer imaging techniques that measure liver
      elastography (stiffness) as a surrogate of fibrosis seem to outperform serum
      tests. The current study compares two-dimensional (2D) gradient-recalled echo
      magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to three-dimensional (3D) spin-echo echo
      planar imaging MRE. 3D-SE-EPI MRE was able to image more liver volume in less
      time with fewer technical failures. The current study demonstrates that 3D-SE-EPI
      MRE appears marginally superior to 2D-GRE and may evolve into the new gold
      standard.

PMID- 27249984
TI  - Right- versus Conventional Left-Sided Starting Position for Colonoscopy: The
      Issues to Be Considered.

PMID- 27249985
TI  - Reply to Koklu et al.

PMID- 27249986
TI  - Right Lateral Decubitus for Routine Colonoscopy: Beware the Potential Risk of
      Aspiration.

PMID- 27249987
TI  - Reply to Fusaroli.

PMID- 27249988
TI  - Screening and Surveillance for Barrett's Esophagus: When Will We Reach the
      Horizon?

PMID- 27249989
TI  - Response to Braillon et al.

PMID- 27249990
TI  - Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index: Accurate Assessment of Inflammatory
      Burden or Reflection of Low Mood and Somatoform Behavior?

PMID- 27249991
TI  - Response to Gracie and Ford.

PMID- 27249992
TI  - Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Is Superior to Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for
      Histologic Evaluation of Barrett's Esophagus and Barrett's-Related Neoplasia.

PMID- 27249993
TI  - Direct Observed Therapy of Chronic Hepatitis C With Interferon-Free All-Oral
      Regimens at a Low-Threshold Drug Treatment Facility-a New Concept for Treatment
      of Patients With Borderline Compliance Receiving Opioid Substitution Therapy.

PMID- 27249994
TI  - What Is the Appropriate Sample Size One Should Submit from EUS Biopsies for
      Genotyping Lymphomas? Ask Your Pathologist before Embarking.

PMID- 27249995
TI  - Why Referring Physicians Rarely Diagnose Gastrointestinal Diseases.

PMID- 27249998
TI  - Corrigendum: Diagnostic Performance of the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index
      Self-Administered Online at Home by Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: CRONICA-UC
      Study.

PMID- 27249999
TI  - Human breast cancer biopsies induce eosinophil recruitment and enhance adjacent
      cancer cell proliferation.
AB  - Chronic inflammation is known to facilitate cancer progression and metastasis.
      Less is known about the effect of acute inflammation within the tumor
      microenvironment, resulting from standard invasive procedures. Recent studies in
      mouse models have shown that the acute inflammatory response triggered by a
      biopsy in mammary cancer increases the frequency of distal metastases. Although
      tumor biopsies are part of the standard clinical practice in breast cancer
      diagnosis, no studies have reported their effect on inflammatory response. The
      objective of this study is to (1) determine whether core needle biopsies in
      breast cancer patients trigger an inflammatory response, (2) characterize the
      type of inflammatory response present, and (3) evaluate the potential effect of
      any acute inflammatory response on residual tumor cells. The biopsy wound site
      was identified in the primary tumor resection tissue samples from breast cancer
      patients. The inflammatory response in areas adjacent (i.e., immediately around
      previous biopsy site) and distant to the wound biopsy was investigated by
      histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. Proliferation of tumor cells was
      also assayed. We demonstrate that diagnostic core needle biopsies trigger a
      selective recruitment of inflammatory cells at the site of the biopsy, and they
      persist for extended periods of time. While macrophages were part of the
      inflammatory response, an unexpected accumulation of eosinophils at the edge of
      the biopsy wound was also identified. Importantly, we show that biopsy causes an
      increase in the proliferation rate of tumor cells located in the area adjacent to
      the biopsy wound. Diagnostic core needle biopsies in breast cancer patients do
      induce a unique acute inflammatory response within the tumor microenvironment and
      have an effect on the surrounding tumor cells. Therefore, biopsy-induced
      inflammation could have an impact on residual tumor cell progression and/or
      metastasis in human breast cancer. These findings may carry relevance in the
      clinical management of breast cancer.

PMID- 27250000
TI  - Validation of an oligo-gene signature for the prognostic stratification of ductal
      carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
AB  - Current evidence suggests that the majority of DCIS lesions do not progress to
      invasive carcinoma, and overtreatment of DCIS is a significant problem. We
      previously reported an 8-gene signature that differentiated microdissected low
      grade (LG) DCIS lesions with and without associated stromal invasion, based on
      differential DNA copy number changes detected by quantitative (q) PCR. The
      current study was undertaken to validate our candidate breast cancer invasion
      gene panel in a larger series of non-microdissected LG DCIS cases, and to
      investigate its potential utility in intermediate-grade (IG) and high-grade (HG)
      DCIS. Representative paraffin blocks were selected from 267 resected DCIS cases
      with 5-15 years of follow-up (139 pure DCIS ["PD"] and 128 mixed DCIS with
      associated invasion ["MD"]). These included 171 LG, 46 IG and 50 HG DCIS cases.
      Gene copy number changes were determined by qPCR, and their differential
      distribution in the PD and MD subgroups was evaluated. As an alternate platform,
      we employed immunohistochemistry (IHC). Novel IHC assays were developed for all
      eight candidate genes, and increased or reduced protein expression was manually
      scored. Separate multi-gene models were developed for qPCR and IHC to distinguish
      progressing and non-progressing DCIS lesions. By qPCR analysis, a panel of six
      genes, as well as CELSR1 alone (a potential invasion suppressor), differentiated
      PD and MD cases in LG and IG, but not in HG DCIS. By IHC, a panel of three genes,
      as well as GRAP2 alone (a potential invasion promoter), also distinguished PD and
      MD cases in LG and IG, but not in HG DCIS. The combination of CELSR1 (by qPCR)
      and GRAP2 (by IHC) had the best discriminatory power (p = 0.00004). Assays
      testing either or both of these genes have the potential to become important
      adjuncts for choosing appropriate treatment for LG/IG DCIS patients.

PMID- 27250001
TI  - A single-center, randomized, parallel controlled study comparing the efficacy and
      safety aspects of three anthracycline-based regimens as neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      in primary breast cancer.
AB  - This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety aspects of three
      anthracycline-based regimens as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in primary breast
      cancer. Five-hundred and one patients with clinical stage I-III invasive breast
      cancer were randomly assigned to receive four cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      with either CEFci arm (5-Fu 200 mg/m(2) daily by 24-h continuous infusion and
      epirubicin 100 mg/m(2) and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2) intravenous bolus on day
      1), CEF arm (cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2), epirubicin 100 mg/m(2), and 5-Fu 600
      mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1), or EC arm (epirubicin 100 mg/m(2) and cyclophosphamide
      600 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1). The pathologic responses to chemotherapy were
      assessed according to the Miller and Payne grading system (MP). A total of 485
      patients were included in the intent-to-treat population. Breast pathologic
      complete response (pCR) rate was 18.9 % (31/164) in CEFci arm, 15.0 % (24/160) in
      CEF arm, and 12.4 % (20/161) in EC arm (P = 0.266). MP grading system 4/5
      response rate was significantly higher in CEFci arm than that in CEF arm and EC
      arm (44.5, 31.3 and 27.3 %, respectively, P = 0.003). There was no significant
      difference on grade III/IV neutropenia among three arms (P = 0.538), but
      thrombocytopenia, decreased hemoglobin, and elevated aminotransferase appeared to
      be observed more in CEFci arm (P = 0.040, 0.059, and 0.073, respectively). CEFci
      did not reach a higher pCR rate compared with CEF or EC in patients with primary
      breast cancer. The potential advantage of CEFci in improving pathologic response
      still requires further research. The accompanied hematologic and biochemical
      toxicities, and the catheter-related complications should also be noted.

PMID- 27250002
TI  - Development of the Mexican Heart Team: The Long and Winding Road.
AB  - Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Efforts to decrease
      HF mortality rates include a multidisciplinary approach management. Although
      evidence suggests that this has been an optimal strategy for treating HF, the
      model remains not widely implanted. The current article explores the rationale
      behind the formation of a Heart Team in a developing country and its development
      despite the lack of an allocated budget. 

PMID- 27250004
TI  - Diversity of nitrogen fixation strategies in Mediterranean legumes.
AB  - Symbiotic N2 fixation (SNF) brings nitrogen into ecosystems, fuelling much of the
      world's agriculture(1) and sustaining carbon storage(2,3). However, it can also
      cause nitrogen saturation, exacerbating eutrophication and greenhouse warming(4
      7). The balance of these effects depends on the degree to which N2-fixing plants
      adjust how much N2 they fix based on their needs (their SNF 'strategies')(5,6).
      Genetic, biochemical and physiological details of SNF are well known for certain
      economically important species(8,9), but the diversity of N2-fixing plants(10)
      and bacteria(11) is enormous, and little is known about most N2-fixing symbioses
      in natural ecosystems(12). Here, we show that co-occurring, closely related herbs
      exhibit diverse SNF strategies. In response to a nitrogen supply gradient, four
      species fixed less N2 than they needed (over-regulation), two fixed what they
      needed (facultative) and two did not downregulate SNF (obligate). No species
      downregulated but fixed more N2 than it needed (under-regulation or incomplete
      downregulation), but some species under-regulated or incompletely downregulated
      structural allocation to SNF. In fact, most species maintained nodules (the root
      structures that house symbionts) when they did not fix N2, suggesting decoupling
      of SNF activity and structure. Simulations showed that over-regulation of SNF
      activity is more adaptive than under-regulation or incomplete downregulation, and
      that different strategies have wildly different effects on ecosystem-level
      nitrogen cycling. 

PMID- 27250005
TI  - Role of auxiliary proteins in Rubisco biogenesis and function.
AB  - Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) catalyses the
      conversion of atmospheric CO2 into organic compounds during photosynthesis.
      Despite its pivotal role in plant metabolism, Rubisco is an inefficient enzyme
      and has therefore been a key target in bioengineering efforts to improve crop
      yields. Much has been learnt about the complex cellular machinery involved in
      Rubisco assembly and metabolic repair over recent years. The simple form of
      Rubisco found in certain bacteria and dinoflagellates comprises two large
      subunits, and generally requires the chaperonin system for folding. However, the
      evolution of hexadecameric Rubisco, which comprises eight large and eight small
      subunits, from its dimeric precursor has rendered Rubisco in most plants, algae,
      cyanobacteria and proteobacteria dependent on an array of additional factors.
      These auxiliary factors include several chaperones for assembly as well as
      ATPases of the AAA+ family for functional maintenance. An integrated view of the
      pathways underlying Rubisco biogenesis and repair will pave the way for efforts
      to improve the enzyme with the goal of increasing crop yields. 

PMID- 27250007
TI  - Asiatic cotton can generate similar economic benefits to Bt cotton under rainfed
      conditions.
AB  - American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), transformed with Bacillus thuringiensis
      Cry genes (Bt G. hirsutum) that confer resistance to lepidopteran pests, is
      extensively cultivated worldwide. In India, transgenic Bt G. hirsutum was
      commercially released in 2002 and by 2014 95% of farmers had adopted Bt G.
      hirsutum(1). The economic benefits of Bt G. hirsutum over non-Bt G. hirsutum are
      well documented and include increase in yields, increase in farmers' net revenue
      and reduction in pesticide application against lepidopteran pests(2-9). However,
      it is unclear to what extent irrigation influences the performance of Bt G.
      hirsutum on smallholder farming in India, and if, in the absence of irrigation,
      growing Bt G. hirsutum provides greater economic benefits for Indian smallholder
      farmers compared with growing the Asiatic cotton Gossypium arboreum L. Here, we
      compare the economic impact of growing Bt G. hirsutum with growing G. arboreum
      under rainfed conditions in the Indian state of Maharashtra, and show that G.
      arboreum can generate similar net revenue, and thus similar economic benefits for
      smallholder farmers compared with growing Bt G. hirsutum. We also compare the
      economic impact of growing Bt G. hirsutum under rainfed conditions with growing
      Bt G. hirsutum under irrigated conditions and show that even though Bt G.
      hirsutum yields increase with irrigation, the net revenue does not significantly
      increase because farmers using irrigation spend significantly more than farmers
      growing Bt G. hirsutum without irrigation. We conclude that our data provide a
      broader insight into how socio-economic data needs to be incorporated into agro
      ecological data when planning strategies to improve cotton farming in India. 

PMID- 27250008
TI  - The gibberellin precursor GA12 acts as a long-distance growth signal in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - The gibberellin (GA) phytohormones play important roles in plant growth and
      development, promoting seed germination, elongation growth and reproductive
      development(1). Over the years, substantial progress has been made in
      understanding the regulation of GA signalling and metabolism, which ensures
      appropriate levels of GAs for growth and development(2). Moreover, an additional
      level of regulation may reside in the transport of GAs from production sites to
      recipient tissues that require GAs for growth. Although there is considerable
      evidence suggesting the existence of short- and long-distance movement of GAs in
      plants(3-8), the nature and the biological properties of this transport are not
      yet understood. Here, we combine biochemical and conventional micrografting
      experiments in Arabidopsis thaliana to show that the GA precursor GA12, although
      biologically inactive by itself, is the major mobile GA signal over long
      distances. Quantitative analysis of endogenous GAs in xylem and phloem exudates
      further indicates that GA12 moves through the plant vascular system. Finally, we
      demonstrate that GA12 is functional in recipient tissues, supporting growth via
      the activation of the GA signalling cascade. Collectively, these results reveal
      the existence of long-range transport of endogenous GA12 in plants that may have
      implications for the control of developmental phase transitions and the
      adaptation to adverse environments. 

PMID- 27250009
TI  - Chloroplasts play a central role in plant defence and are targeted by pathogen
      effectors.
AB  - Microbe associated molecular pattern (MAMP) receptors in plants recognize MAMPs
      and activate basal defences; however a complete understanding of the molecular
      and physiological mechanisms conferring immunity remains elusive. Pathogens
      suppress active defence in plants through the combined action of effector
      proteins. Here we show that the chloroplast is a key component of early immune
      responses. MAMP perception triggers the rapid, large-scale suppression of nuclear
      encoded chloroplast-targeted genes (NECGs). Virulent Pseudomonas syringae
      effectors reprogramme NECG expression in Arabidopsis, target the chloroplast and
      inhibit photosynthetic CO2 assimilation through disruption of photosystem II.
      This activity prevents a chloroplastic reactive oxygen burst. These physiological
      changes precede bacterial multiplication and coincide with pathogen-induced
      abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation. MAMP pretreatment protects chloroplasts from
      effector manipulation, whereas application of ABA or the inhibitor of
      photosynthetic electron transport, DCMU, abolishes the MAMP-induced chloroplastic
      reactive oxygen burst, and enhances growth of a P. syringae hrpA mutant that
      fails to secrete effectors. 

PMID- 27250011
TI  - MicroRNA transcription and processing: Elongator caught in the act.

PMID- 27250012
TI  - Domestication: Sweet! A naturally transgenic crop.

PMID- 27250010
TI  - Transcription and processing of primary microRNAs are coupled by Elongator
      complex in Arabidopsis.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play important
      regulatory roles in gene expression in plants and animals. The biogenesis of
      miRNAs involves the transcription of primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) by RNA
      polymerase II (RNAPII) and subsequent processing by Dicer or Dicer-like (DCL)
      proteins. Here we show that the Elongator complex is involved in miRNA biogenesis
      in Arabidopsis. Disruption of Elongator reduces RNAPII occupancy at miRNA loci
      and pri-miRNA transcription. We also show that Elongator interacts with the DCL1
      containing Dicing complex and lack of Elongator impairs DCL1 localization in the
      nuclear Dicing body. Finally, we show that pri-miRNA transcripts as well as DCL1
      associate with the chromatin of miRNA genes and the chromatin association of DCL1
      is compromised in the absence of Elongator. Our results suggest that Elongator
      functions in both transcription and processing of pri-miRNAs and probably couples
      these two processes. 

PMID- 27250013
TI  - Expanding the role of botanical gardens in the future of food.

PMID- 27250014
TI  - Immune responses: Photosynthetic defence.

PMID- 27250015
TI  - Flower development: Compounding a raceme.

PMID- 27250016
TI  - Root development: Subterranean specialization.

PMID- 27250017
TI  - Ecology: Grassland growth.

PMID- 27250019
TI  - More than naming of parts.

PMID- 27250018
TI  - Immunity: Antagonistic acetylases.

PMID- 27250021
TI  - Simultaneous identification of multi-combustion-intermediates of alkanol-air
      flames by femtosecond filament excitation for combustion sensing.
AB  - Laser filamentation produced by the propagation of intense laser pulses in flames
      is opening up new possibility in application to combustion diagnostics that can
      provide useful information on understanding combustion processes, enhancing
      combustion efficiency and reducing pollutant products. Here we present
      simultaneous identification of multiple combustion intermediates by femtosecond
      filament excitation for five alkanol-air flames fueled by methanol, ethanol, n
      propanol, n-butanol, and n-pentanol. We experimentally demonstrate that the
      intensities of filament-induced photoemission signals from the combustion
      intermediates C, C2, CH, CN increase with the increasing number of carbons in the
      fuel molecules, and the signal ratios between the intermediates (CH/C, CH/C2,
      CN/C, CH/C2, CN/CH) are different for different alkanol combustion flames. Our
      observation provides a way for sensing multiple combustion components by
      femtosecond filament excitation in various combustion conditions that strongly
      depend on the fuel species.

PMID- 27250022
TI  - Monitoring of tissue optical properties during thermal coagulation of ex vivo
      tissues.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Real-time monitoring of tissue status during thermal
      ablation of tumors is critical to ensure complete destruction of tumor mass,
      while avoiding tissue charring and excessive damage to normal tissues. Currently,
      magnetic resonance thermometry (MRT), along with magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI), is the most commonly used technique for monitoring and assessing thermal
      ablation process in soft tissues. MRT/MRI is very expensive, bulky, and often
      subject to motion artifacts. On the other hand, light propagation within tissue
      is sensitive to changes in tissue microstructure and physiology which could be
      used to directly quantify the extent of tissue damage. Furthermore, optical
      monitoring can be a portable, and cost-effective alternative for monitoring a
      thermal ablation process. The main objective of this study, is to establish a
      correlation between changes in tissue optical properties and the status of tissue
      coagulation/damage during heating of ex vivo tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      portable diffuse reflectance spectroscopy system and a side-firing fiber-optic
      probe were developed to study the absorption (MUa (lambda)), and reduced
      scattering coefficients (MU's (lambda)) of native and coagulated ex vivo porcine,
      and chicken breast tissues. In the first experiment, both porcine and chicken
      breast tissues were heated at discrete temperature points between 24 and 140
      degrees C for 2 minutes. Diffuse reflectance spectra (430-630 nm) of native and
      coagulated tissues were recorded prior to, and post heating. In a second
      experiment, porcine tissue samples were heated at 70 degrees C and diffuse
      reflectance spectra were recorded continuously during heating. The MUa (lambda)
      and MU's (lambda) of the tissues were extracted from the measured diffuse
      reflectance spectra using an inverse Monte-Carlo model of diffuse reflectance.
      Tissue heating was stopped when the wavelength-averaged scattering plateaued.
      RESULTS: The wavelength-averaged optical properties, <MU's (lambda)> and <MUa
      (lambda)>, for native porcine tissues (n = 66) at room temperature, were 5.4 +/-
      0.3 cm(-1) and 0.780 +/- 0.008 cm(-1) (SD), respectively. The <MU's (lambda)> and
      <MUa (lambda)> for native chicken breast tissues (n = 66) at room temperature,
      were 2.69 +/- 0.08 cm(-1) and 0.29 +/- 0.01 cm(-1) (SD), respectively. In the
      first experiment, the <MU's (lambda)> of coagulated porcine and chicken breast
      tissue rose to 56.4 +/- 3.6 cm(-1) at 68.7 +/- 1.7 degrees C (SD), and 52.8 +/- 1
      cm(-1) at 57.1 +/- 1.5 degrees C (SD), respectively. Correspondingly, the <MUa
      (lambda)> of coagulated porcine (140.6 degrees C), and chicken breast tissues
      (130 degrees C) were 0.75 +/- 0.05 cm(-1) and 0.263 +/- 0.004 cm(-1) (SD). For
      both tissues, charring was observed at temperatures above 80 degrees C. During
      continuous monitoring of porcine tissue (with connective tissues) heating, the
      <MU's (lambda)> started to rise rapidly from 13.7 +/- 1.5 minutes and plateaued
      at 19 +/- 2.5 (SD) minutes. The <MU's (lambda)> plateaued at 11.7 +/- 3 (SD)
      minutes for porcine tissue devoid of connective tissue between probe and tissue
      surface. No charring was observed during continuous monitoring of thermal
      ablation process. CONCLUSION: The changes in optical absorption and scattering
      properties can be continuously quantified, which could be used as a diagnostic
      biomarker for assessing tissue coagulation/damage during thermal ablation. Lasers
      Surg. Med. 48:686-694, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27250024
TI  - Fibronectin on circulating extracellular vesicles as a liquid biopsy to detect
      breast cancer.
AB  - Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from cancer cells have potential for
      generating cancer biomarker signatures. Fibronectin (FN) was selected as a
      biomarker candidate, due to the presence in surface on EVs secreted from human
      breast cancer cell lines. A subsequent study used two types of enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to determine the presence of these proteins in
      plasma samples from disease-free individuals (n=70), patients with BC (n=240), BC
      patients after surgical resection (n=40), patients with benign breast tumor
      (n=55), and patients with non-cancerous diseases (thyroiditis, gastritis,
      hepatitis B, and rheumatoid arthritis; n=80). FN levels were significantly
      elevated (p< .0001) at all stages of BC, and returned to normal after tumor
      removal. The diagnostic accuracy for FN detection in extracellular vesicles
      (ELISA method 1) (area under the curve, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.86; sensitivity
      of 65.1% and specificity of 83.2%) were also better than those for FN detection
      in the plasma (ELISA method 2) (area under the curve, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.83;
      sensitivity of 69.2% and specificity of 73.3%) in BC. The diagnostic accuracy of
      plasma FN was similar in both the early-stage BC and all BC patients, as well as
      in the two sets. This liquid biopsy to detect FN on circulating EVs could be a
      promising method to detect early breast cancer.

PMID- 27250023
TI  - Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation controls cancer cell's life and death
      decisions upon exposure to MAPK inhibitors.
AB  - Although MAPK pathway inhibitors are becoming a promising anticancer strategy,
      they are insufficient to fully eliminate cancer cells and their long-term
      efficacy is strikingly limited in patients with BRAF-mutant melanomas. It is well
      established that BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) hamper glucose uptake before the
      apparition of cell death. Here, we show that BRAFi induce an extensive
      restructuring of mitochondria including an increase in mitochondrial activity and
      biogenesis associated with mitochondrial network remodeling. Furthermore, we
      report a close interaction between ER and mitochondria in melanoma exposed to
      BRAFi. This physical connection facilitates mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake after its
      release from the ER. Interestingly, Mfn2 silencing disrupts the ER-mitochondria
      interface, intensifies ER stress and exacerbates ER stress-induced apoptosis in
      cells exposed to BRAFi in vitro and in vivo. This mitochondrial control of ER
      stress-mediated cell death is similar in both BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma
      cells exposed to MEK inhibitors. This evidence reinforces the relevance in
      combining MAPK pathway inhibitors with mitochondriotropic drugs to improve
      targeted therapies.

PMID- 27250025
TI  - RIC versus MAC UCBT in adults with AML: A report from Eurocord, the ALWP and the
      CTIWP of the EBMT.
AB  - Nonrelapse mortality (NRM) is the first cause of treatment failure after
      unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) following myeloablative conditioning
      (MAC). In the last decade, reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens have
      been developed with the aim of reducing NRM and allowing older patients and those
      with medical comorbidities to benefit from UCBT. The aim of the current
      retrospective study was to compare transplantation outcomes of acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML) patients given UCBT after either RIC or MAC. Data from 894 adults
      with AML receiving a single or double UCBT as first allograft from 2004 to 2013
      at EBMT centers were included in this study. 415 patients were given UCBT after
      RIC while 479 patients following a MAC. In comparison to MAC recipients, RIC
      recipients had a similar incidence of neutrophil engraftment and of acute and
      chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). However, RIC recipients had a higher
      incidence of disease relapse and a lower NRM, translating to comparable leukemia
      free (LFS), GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) and overall survival (OS).
      These observations remained qualitatively similar after adjusting for differences
      between groups in multivariate analyses. In conclusion, these data suggest that
      LFS and OS are similar with RIC or with MAC in adults AML patients transplanted
      with UCBT. These observations could serve as basis for a future prospective
      randomized study.

PMID- 27250026
TI  - Functional and prognostic significance of long non-coding RNA MALAT1 as a
      metastasis driver in ER negative lymph node negative breast cancer.
AB  - MALAT1 (metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript1) is a conserved
      long non-coding RNA, known to regulate gene expression by modulating
      transcription and post-transcriptional pre-mRNA processing of a large number of
      genes. MALAT1 expression is deregulated in various tumors, including breast
      cancer. However, the significance of such abnormal expression is yet to be fully
      understood. In this study, we demonstrate that regulation of aggressive breast
      cancer cell traits by MALAT1 is not predicted solely based on an elevated
      expression level but is context specific. By performing loss- and gain-of
      function studies, both under in vitro and in vivo conditions, we demonstrate that
      MALAT1 facilitates cell proliferation, tumor progression and metastasis of triple
      negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells despite having a comparatively lower
      expression level than ER or HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Furthermore,
      MALAT1 regulates the expression of several cancer metastasis-related genes, but
      displays molecular subtype specific correlations with such genes. Assessment of
      the prognostic significance of MALAT1 in human breast cancer (n=1992) revealed
      elevated MALAT1 expression was associated with decreased disease-specific
      survival in ER negative, lymph node negative patients of the HER2 and TNBC
      molecular subtypes. Multivariable analysis confirmed MALAT1 to have independent
      prognostic significance in the TNBC lymph node negative patient subset (HR=2.64,
      95%CI 1.35- 5.16, p=0.005). We propose that the functional significance of MALAT1
      as a metastasis driver and its potential use as a prognostic marker is most
      promising for those patients diagnosed with ER negative, lymph node negative
      breast cancer who might otherwise mistakenly be stratified to have low recurrence
      risk.

PMID- 27250027
TI  - A novel peptide targeting Clec9a on dendritic cell for cancer immunotherapy.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells with antigen
      recognition molecules on the surface. Clec9a is selectively expressed on mouse
      CD8a+ DCs and CD103+ DCs subsets, which are functionally similar to human BDCA3+
      DCs. It is reported that Clec9a is responsible for the antigen cross-presentation
      of these DC subsets. In the present study, by using phage display technique, we
      discovered a novel peptide WH, which can selectively bind to mouse Flt3L induced
      Clec9a+ DCs or Clec9a over-expressed HEK-293T cells. Furthermore, by using
      computer-aided docking model and mutation assay, we observed that Asp248 and
      Trp250 are two key residues for Clec9a to bind with peptide WH. When coupled with
      OVA257-264 epitope, peptide WH can significantly enhance the ability of Clec9a+
      DCs to activate OVA-specific CD8+ T cells, which elicit strong ability to secret
      IFN-gamma, express perforin and granzyme B mRNA. In B16-OVA lung metastasis mouse
      model, WH-OVA257-264 fusion peptide can also enhance the activation of CD8+ T
      cells and decrease the lung metastasis loci. All these results suggested that
      peptide WH could be considered as an antigen delivery carrier targeting Clec9a+
      DCs for cancer immunotherapy.

PMID- 27250028
TI  - Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of mouse radiation-induced acute myeloid
      leukaemia (AML).
AB  - A combined transcriptome and proteome analysis of mouse radiation-induced AMLs
      using two primary AMLs, cell lines from these primaries, another cell line and
      its in vivo passage is reported. Compared to haematopoietic progenitor and stem
      cells (HPSC), over 5000 transcriptome alterations were identified, 2600 present
      in all materials. 55 and 3 alterations were detected in the proteomes of the cell
      lines and primary/in vivo passage material respectively, with one common to all
      materials. In cell lines, approximately 50% of the transcriptome changes are
      related to adaptation to cell culture, and in the proteome this proportion was
      higher. An AML 'signature' of 17 genes/proteins commonly deregulated in primary
      AMLs and cell lines compared to HPSCs was identified and validated using human
      AML transcriptome data. This also distinguishes primary AMLs from cell lines and
      includes proteins such as Coronin 1, pontin/RUVBL1 and Myeloperoxidase commonly
      implicated in human AML. C-Myc was identified as having a key role in radiation
      leukaemogenesis. These data identify novel candidates relevant to mouse radiation
      AML pathogenesis, and confirm that pathways of leukaemogenesis in the mouse and
      human share substantial commonality.

PMID- 27250029
TI  - Genetic polymorphisms in TNIP1 increase the risk of gastric carcinoma.
AB  - The distribution and levels of TNIP1 in malignant and normal gastric mucosa are
      different, but it is not known whether TNIP1 polymorphisms are related to gastric
      carcinogenesis. To assess the association between four TNIP1 SNPs (rs3792792,
      rs4958881, rs7708392, rs10036748) and carcinogenesis, we used Sequenom Mass-ARRAY
      technology to determine the genotypes of 302 gastric carcinoma patients and 300
      healthy controls in a Northwest Chinese Han population. These data were then
      compared using the Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test, genetic model analysis,
      and haplotype analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were
      used to evaluate the correlation. We observed that patients with the "G" allele
      of rs7708392 and the "C" allele of rs10036748 showed an increased risk of gastric
      carcinoma (OR= 1.335, 95%CI: 1.021-1.745, P= 0.035; OR= 1.358, 95%CI: 1.039
      1.774, P= 0.025, respectively). Conversely, the haplotype "CT" of TNIP1
      (rs7708392-rs10036748) may act as a genetic protective factor for gastric
      carcinoma (adjusted OR= 0.731, 95%CI: 0.552-0.970, P= 0.030). Our results are the
      first to suggest that genetic variation in TNIP1 gene is associated with gastric
      carcinoma, though, this finding must be confirmed in other populations with
      larger sample size.

PMID- 27250030
TI  - The associations between serum biomarkers and stenosis of the coronary arteries.
AB  - Serum biochemical indices reflect dynamic physiological and pathophysiological
      processes within the body, the associations between these markers and the number
      of stenotic coronary arteries have been rarely studied. 627 healthy controls and
      1,049 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients were sequentially recruited in our
      hospital. The association patterns between serum biochemical markers and the
      numbers of stenotic coronary arteries were evaluated in a cross-sectional manner.
      Upon binary multiple logistic regression analysis, the risk factor patterns
      differed by gender. Age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and
      homocysteine (HCY) were common risk factors for CHD in both males and females.
      Upon ordinal multiple logistic regression analysis, age, low-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol (LDL) and lipoprotein (Lp) (a) increased, and HDL decreased, as the
      number of stenotic coronary arteries increased in male patients. Age and Lp(a)
      were positively associated with the number of stenotic coronary arteries and
      total bilirubin (TBil) was negatively associated with the number of stenotic
      coronary arteries in female patients. Age and Lp(a) were common risk factors
      positively associated with the number of stenotic coronary arteries in both male
      and female patients. HDL and LDL were male-specific risk factors and TBil was a
      female-specific risk factor for an increasing number of stenotic coronary
      arteries. In conclusion, serum biomarker levels correlated with the number of
      stenotic coronary arteries and showed gender different patterns.

PMID- 27250031
TI  - CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutics: a cure for cancer and other genetic diseases.
AB  - Cancer is caused by a series of alterations in genome and epigenome mostly
      resulting in activation of oncogenes or inactivation of cancer suppressor genes.
      Genetic engineering has become pivotal in the treatment of cancer and other
      genetic diseases, especially the formerly-niche use of clustered regularly
      interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) associated with Cas9. In defining
      its superior use, we have followed the recent advances that have been made in
      producing CRISPR/Cas9 as a therapy of choice. We also provide important genetic
      mutations where CRISPRs can be repurposed to create adaptive immunity to fight
      carcinomas and edit genetic mutations causing it. Meanwhile, challenges to CRISPR
      technology are also discussed with emphasis on ability of pathogens to evolve
      against CRISPRs. We follow the recent developments on the function of CRISPRs
      with different carriers which can efficiently deliver it to target cells;
      furthermore, analogous technologies are also discussed along CRISPRs, including
      zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases
      (TALENs). Moreover, progress in clinical applications of CRISPR therapeutics is
      reviewed; in effect, patients can have lower morbidity and/or mortality from the
      therapeutic method with least possible side-effects.

PMID- 27250032
TI  - Prognostic value of the autophagy markers LC3 and p62/SQSTM1 in early-stage non
      small cell lung cancer.
AB  - Autophagy is a cellular degrading process that promotes tumor cell survival or
      cell death in cancer, depending on the progress of oncogenesis. Protein light
      chain 3 (LC3) and p62/SQSTM1 (p62) are associated with autophagosomal membranes
      that engulf cytoplasmic content for subsequent degradation. We studied LC3 and
      p62 expression using immunohistochemistry in a large cohort of 466 stage I/II non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using a tissue microarray. We evaluated dot-like
      cytoplasmic expression of LC3 and dot-like, cytoplasmic and nuclear staining for
      p62 in relation to clinico-pathological parameters.LC3 expression correlated with
      all p62 patterns, as those correlated among each other (p < 0.001 each). There
      was no correlation with stage, age or gender. A combination of high LC3/high p62
      dot-like staining (suggesting impaired autophagy) showed a trend for better
      outcome (p = 0.11). Interestingly, a combined low cytoplasmic/low nuclear p62
      expression regardless of dot-like staining was an independent prognostic factor
      for longer survival (p = 0.006; HR=1.96), in addition to tumor stage (p = 0.004;
      HR=1.4).The autophagy markers LC3 and p62 are differentially expressed in NSCLC,
      pointing towards a biologically significant role. High LC3 levels seem to be
      linked to lower tumor aggressiveness, while high general p62 expression was
      significantly associated with aggressive tumor behavior.

PMID- 27250033
TI  - Caspase-8 inhibition represses initial human monocyte activation in septic shock
      model.
AB  - In septic patients, the onset of septic shock occurs due to the over-activation
      of monocytes. We tested the therapeutic potential of directly targeting innate
      immune cell activation to limit the cytokine storm and downstream phases. We
      initially investigated whether caspase-8 could be an appropriate target given it
      has recently been shown to be involved in microglial activation. We found that
      LPS caused a mild increase in caspase-8 activity and that the caspase-8 inhibitor
      IETD-fmk partially decreased monocyte activation. Furthermore, caspase-8
      inhibition induced necroptotic cell death of activated monocytes. Despite
      inducing necroptosis, caspase-8 inhibition reduced LPS-induced expression and
      release of IL-1beta and IL-10. Thus, blocking monocyte activation has positive
      effects on both the pro and anti-inflammatory phases of septic shock. We also
      found that in primary mouse monocytes, caspase-8 inhibition did not reduce LPS
      induced activation or induce necroptosis. On the other hand, broad caspase
      inhibitors, which have already been shown to improve survival in mouse models of
      sepsis, achieved both. Thus, given that monocyte activation can be regulated in
      humans via the inhibition of a single caspase, we propose that the therapeutic
      use of caspase-8 inhibitors could represent a more selective alternative that
      blocks both phases of septic shock at the source.

PMID- 27250034
TI  - Prognostic relevance of autophagy markers LC3B and p62 in esophageal
      adenocarcinomas.
AB  - Esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC) are aggressive tumors with considerable rates of
      chemoresistance. Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent degradation process,
      characterized by the formation of vesicles called autophagosomes, and has been
      implicated in cancer. Protein light chain 3 B (LC3B) and p62 are associated with
      autophagosomal membranes and degraded. We aimed to assess the impact of basal
      autophagy on EAC. In EAC cell lines, an increase in LC3B and p62 was observed
      with increasing concentrations of the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine, which
      indicates functional basal autophagy. LC3B and p62 immunohistochemistry was
      performed on primary resected EAC. High LC3B and p62 expression was associated
      with earlier tumor stages (p < 0.05). High nuclear and cytoplasmic p62 staining
      were associated with a better prognosis (p = 0.006; p = 0.028). Various
      combinations of p62 expression with or without LC3B expression identified
      different prognostic groups. Tumors with low total p62 (p = 0.007) or low
      LC3B/low p62 expression had the worst outcome (p = 0.007; p = 0.005). A
      combination score of dot-like/cytoplasmic p62 and nuclear p62 staining was an
      independent prognostic parameter (p = 0.033; HR = 0.6). This study highlights the
      potential significance of basal autophagy in EAC biology. Tumors with low LC3B
      and p62 expression show the most aggressive behavior and may be candidates for
      autophagy regulating therapeutics.

PMID- 27250036
TI  - Contribution of polymeric materials to progress in xenotransplantation of
      microencapsulated cells: a review.
AB  - Cell microencapsulation and subsequent transplantation of the microencapsulated
      cells require multidisciplinary approaches. Physical, chemical, biological,
      engineering, and medical expertise has to be combined. Several natural and
      synthetic polymeric materials and different technologies have been reported for
      the preparation of hydrogels, which are suitable to protect cells by
      microencapsulation. However, owing to the frequent lack of adequate
      characterization of the hydrogels and their components as well as incomplete
      description of the technology, many results of in vitro and in vivo studies
      appear contradictory or cannot reliably be reproduced. This review addresses the
      state of the art in cell microencapsulation with special focus on
      microencapsulated cells intended for xenotransplantation cell therapies. The
      choice of materials, the design and fabrication of the microspheres, as well as
      the conditions to be met during the cell microencapsulation process, are
      summarized and discussed prior to presenting research results of in vitro and in
      vivo studies. Overall, this review will serve to sensitize medically educated
      specialists for materials and technological aspects of cell microencapsulation.

PMID- 27250035
TI  - Osterix acetylation at K307 and K312 enhances its transcriptional activity and is
      required for osteoblast differentiation.
AB  - Osterix (Osx) is an essential transcription factor involved in osteoblast
      differentiation and bone formation. The precise molecular mechanisms of the
      regulation of Osx expression are not fully understood. In the present study, we
      found that in cells, both endogenous and exogenous Osx protein increased after
      treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors Trichostatin A and hydroxamic acid.
      Meanwhile, the results of immunoprecipitation indicated that Osx was an
      acetylated protein and that the CREB binding protein (CBP), and less efficiently
      p300, acetylated Osx. The interaction and colocalization of CBP and Osx were
      demonstrated by Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence, respectively. In
      addition, K307 and K312 were identified as the acetylated sites of Osx. By
      contrast, HDAC4, a histone deacetylase (HDAC), was observed to interact and co
      localize with Osx. HDAC4 was demonstrated to mediate the deacetylation of Osx.
      Moreover, we found that acetylation of Osx enhanced its stability, DNA binding
      ability and transcriptional activity. Finally, we demonstrated that acetylation
      of Osx was required for the osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. Taken
      together, our results provide evidence that CBP-mediated acetylation and HDAC4
      mediated deacetylation have critical roles in the modification of Osx, and thus
      are important in osteoblast differentiation.

PMID- 27250037
TI  - How variation between individuals affects species coexistence.
AB  - Although the effects of variation between individuals within species are
      traditionally ignored in studies of species coexistence, the magnitude of
      intraspecific variation in nature is forcing ecologists to reconsider. Compelling
      intuitive arguments suggest that individual variation may provide a previously
      unrecognised route to diversity maintenance by blurring species-level competitive
      differences or substituting for species-level niche differences. These arguments,
      which are motivating a large body of empirical work, have rarely been evaluated
      with quantitative theory. Here we incorporate intraspecific variation into a
      common model of competition and identify three pathways by which this variation
      affects coexistence: (1) changes in competitive dynamics because of nonlinear
      averaging, (2) changes in species' mean interaction strengths because of
      variation in underlying traits (also via nonlinear averaging) and (3) effects on
      stochastic demography. As a consequence of the first two mechanisms, we find that
      intraspecific variation in competitive ability increases the dominance of
      superior competitors, and intraspecific niche variation reduces species-level
      niche differentiation, both of which make coexistence more difficult. In
      addition, individual variation can exacerbate the effects of demographic
      stochasticity, and this further destabilises coexistence. Our work provides a
      theoretical foundation for emerging empirical interests in the effects of
      intraspecific variation on species diversity.

PMID- 27250038
TI  - Hemostatic properties and protein expression profile of therapeutic apheresis
      plasma treated with amotosalen and ultraviolet A for pathogen inactivation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The INTERCEPT Blood System (IBS) using amotosalen-HCl and ultraviolet
      (UV)A inactivates a large spectrum of microbial pathogens and white blood cells
      in therapeutic plasma. Our aim was to evaluate to what extent IBS modifies the
      capacity of plasma to generate thrombin and induces qualitative or quantitative
      modifications of plasma proteins. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma units from
      four donors were collected by apheresis. Samples were taken before (control
      [CTRL]) and after IBS treatment and stored at -80 degrees C until use. The
      activities of plasma coagulation factors and inhibitors and the thrombin
      generation potential were determined using assays measuring clotting times and
      the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT), respectively. The proteomic profile
      of plasma proteins was examined using a two-dimensional differential in-gel
      electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) method. RESULTS: Nearly all of the procoagulant and
      antithrombotic factors tested retained at least 78% of their initial pre-IBS
      activity. Only FVII and FVIII displayed a lower level of conservation (67%),
      which nevertheless remained within the reference range for conventional plasma
      coagulation factors. The thrombin generation profile of plasma was conserved
      after IBS treatment. Among the 1331 protein spots revealed by 2D-DIGE analysis,
      only four were differentially expressed in IBS plasma compared to CTRL plasma and
      two were identified by mass spectrometric analysis as transthyretin and
      apolipoprotein A1. CONCLUSION: The IBS technique for plasma moderately decreases
      the activities of plasma coagulation factors and antithrombotic proteins, with no
      impact on the thrombin generation potential of plasma and very limited
      modifications of the proteomic profile.

PMID- 27250039
TI  - Climate change impacts on wildlife in a High Arctic archipelago - Svalbard,
      Norway.
AB  - The Arctic is warming more rapidly than other region on the planet, and the
      northern Barents Sea, including the Svalbard Archipelago, is experiencing the
      fastest temperature increases within the circumpolar Arctic, along with the
      highest rate of sea ice loss. These physical changes are affecting a broad array
      of resident Arctic organisms as well as some migrants that occupy the region
      seasonally. Herein, evidence of climate change impacts on terrestrial and marine
      wildlife in Svalbard is reviewed, with a focus on bird and mammal species. In the
      terrestrial ecosystem, increased winter air temperatures and concomitant
      increases in the frequency of 'rain-on-snow' events are one of the most important
      facets of climate change with respect to impacts on flora and fauna. Winter rain
      creates ice that blocks access to food for herbivores and synchronizes the
      population dynamics of the herbivore-predator guild. In the marine ecosystem,
      increases in sea temperature and reductions in sea ice are influencing the entire
      food web. These changes are affecting the foraging and breeding ecology of most
      marine birds and mammals and are associated with an increase in abundance of
      several temperate fish, seabird and marine mammal species. Our review indicates
      that even though a few species are benefiting from a warming climate, most Arctic
      endemic species in Svalbard are experiencing negative consequences induced by the
      warming environment. Our review emphasizes the tight relationships between the
      marine and terrestrial ecosystems in this High Arctic archipelago. Detecting
      changes in trophic relationships within and between these ecosystems requires
      long-term (multidecadal) demographic, population- and ecosystem-based monitoring,
      the results of which are necessary to set appropriate conservation priorities in
      relation to climate warming.

PMID- 27250040
TI  - Degenerative cervical myelopathy.
AB  - Cervical myelopathy is the most common cause of acquired spinal cord compromise.
      The concept of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), defined as symptomatic
      myelopathy associated with degenerative arthropathic changes in the spine axis,
      is being introduced. Given its progressive nature, treatment options have to be
      chosen in a timely manner. Surgical options include anterior discectomy and
      fusion (ACDF), anterior corpectomy and fusion (ACCF), arthroplasty (in highly
      select cases), posterior laminectomy with/without fusion, and laminoplasty.
      Indications for each should be carefully considered in individual patients.
      Riluzole, a sodium-glutamate antagonist, is a promising option to optimize
      neurologic outcomes post-surgery and is being examined in the CSM-Protect
      Randomized Controlled Trial. Preoperative risk assessment is mandatory for
      prognostication. Sagittal alignment is known to play an important role to
      optimize surgical outcome. Guidelines for optimal management of DCM are in
      process. In principle, all but the mildest cases of DCM should be offered surgery
      for optimal outcome. 

PMID- 27250043
TI  - Seven days in medicine: 25-31 May.

PMID- 27250041
TI  - Neurological complications in adult spinal deformity surgery.
AB  - The number of surgeries performed for adult spinal deformity (ASD) has been
      increasing due to an aging population, longer life expectancy, and studies
      supporting an improvement in health-related quality of life scores after
      operative intervention. However, medical and surgical complication rates remain
      high, and neurological complications such as spinal cord injury and motor
      deficits can be especially debilitating to patients. Several independent factors
      potentially influence the likelihood of neurological complications including
      surgical approach (anterior, lateral, or posterior), use of osteotomies, thoracic
      hyperkyphosis, spinal region, patient characteristics, and revision surgery
      status. The majority of ASD surgeries are performed by a posterior approach to
      the thoracic and/or lumbar spine, but anterior and lateral approaches are
      commonly performed and are associated with unique neural complications such as
      femoral nerve palsy and lumbar plexus injuries. Spinal morphology, such as that
      of hyperkyphosis, has been reported to be a risk factor for complications in
      addition to three-column osteotomies, which are often utilized to correct large
      deformities. Additionally, revision surgeries are common in ASD and these
      patients are at an increased risk of procedure-related complications and nervous
      system injury. Patient selection, surgical technique, and use of intraoperative
      neuromonitoring may reduce the incidence of complications and optimize outcomes. 

PMID- 27250042
TI  - Cervical radiculopathy.
AB  - Cervical radiculopathy is a common clinical scenario. Patients with radiculopathy
      typically present with neck pain, arm pain, or both. We review the epidemiology
      of cervical radiculopathy and discuss the diagnosis of this condition. This
      includes an overview of the pertinent findings on the patient history and
      physical examination. We also discuss relevant clinical syndromes that must be
      considered in the differential diagnosis including peripheral nerve entrapment
      syndromes and shoulder pathology. The natural history of cervical radiculopathy
      is reviewed and options for management are discussed. These options include
      conservative management, non-operative modalities such as physical therapy,
      steroid injections, and operative intervention. While the exact indications for
      surgical intervention have not yet been elucidated, we provide an overview of the
      available literature regarding indications and discuss the timing of
      intervention. The surgical outcomes of anterior cervical decompression and fusion
      (ACDF), cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA), and posterior cervical foraminotomy
      (PCF) are discussed. 

PMID- 27250044
TI  - Pulmonary Hypertension and Inflammation/Infection.

PMID- 27250045
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Gallbladder Stenting for Acute Cholecystitis in
      Patients with Concomitant Unresectable Cancer.
AB  - Objective Endoscopic gallbladder stenting (EGBS) is an alternative treatment
      option for high-risk surgical patients with acute cholecystitis. However, there
      are no reports focusing on EGBS in patients with concomitant unresectable cancer.
      The aim of this study was thus to evaluate EGBS in such patients. Methods Twenty
      two consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis and unresectable cancer were
      enrolled between September 2010 and December 2014. Their median age was 74.5
      years (range: 51-95). Thirteen patients were men and nine were women. The primary
      cancers of the patients were biliary tract cancer (9), pancreas cancer (9), lung
      cancer (2), gastric cancer (1), and colon cancer (1). The causes of cholecystitis
      were calculus cholecystitis (7), obstruction by malignant tumor (13), and
      obstruction by fully covered stent (2). Results EGBS was successfully performed
      in 17 patients (77.2%). The technical success rates for calculus cholecystitis,
      obstruction by malignant tumor, and obstruction by fully covered stent were 85.7%
      (6/7), 69.2% (9/13), and 100% (2/2), respectively. No complications were
      observed. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage was conducted on two
      patients in whom EGBS had failed and then we performed EGBS by a rendezvous
      approach. Of the 19 patients in whom we finally deployed EGBS, the median follow
      up period was 229 days (range: 14-880 days). A recurrence of acute cholecystitis
      occurred in three (15.7%) patients 14, 130, and 440 days after EGBS placement.
      The rates of recurrence of cholecystitis at one and two years were 10.5% and
      18.7%, respectively. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that EGBS is a safe and
      effective method for acute cholecystitis in patients with concomitant
      unresectable cancer. 

PMID- 27250046
TI  - Seven-year Observational Study on the Association between Glycemic Control and
      the New Onset of Macroangiopathy in Japanese Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - Objective To examine the association between glycemic control and the new onset
      of macroangiopathy in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes. Methods We examined
      seven-year follow-up data for 572 patients. We divided the subjects by the
      average of seven-year glycemic control based on the guidelines. First, we
      excluded the subjects with a past history of macroangiopathy and then examined
      the incidence of the new onset of macroangiopathy. Results The incidence of
      ischemic heart disease (IHD) was 1.0% per year, and that of cerebral vascular
      disease (CVD) was 1.0% per year. However, IHD events were not observed at all for
      five years in the most intensive glycemic control group (HbA1c<6%). Similarly,
      CVD events were not observed at all for seven years in the most intensive
      glycemic control group (HbA1c<6%). In addition, the cumulative incidence rate of
      IHD tended to increase as the glycemic control became poorer (HbA1c<6%, 4.5%;
      6%<=HbA1c<7%, 6.0%; 7%<=HbA1c<8%, 7.2%; HbA1c>=8%, 10.7%). Furthermore, a
      logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of diabetes and HbA1c level
      were independent risk factors contributing to the onset of IHD, but not to the
      onset of CVD. Conclusion This seven-year observational study showed the possible
      association between glycemic control and the onset of macroangiopathy in a total
      of 572 Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 27250047
TI  - Association of Waist Circumference and Body Fat Weight with Insulin Resistance in
      Male Subjects with Normal Body Mass Index and Normal Glucose Tolerance.
AB  - Objective We investigated the relationship of the waist circumference (WC) and
      body fat weight (BF) with insulin resistance in subjects with normal body mass
      index (BMI) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) during a routine medical check-up.
      Methods We categorized 167 male subjects in three groups as follows: a group with
      normal BMI but high WC (normal-BMI/high-WC group; 22<=BMI<25 kg/m(2), waist >=85
      cm; n=31), a group with normal BMI and normal WC (normal-BMI/normal-WC group,
      waist <85 cm; n=68), and a group with low normal BMI and normal WC (low normal
      BMI/normal-WC group; 18.5<=BMI<22 kg/m(2) and waist<85 cm; n=68). We measured the
      plasma glucose and serum insulin levels before glucose loading and after 30 and
      120 minutes and calculated several indexes of insulin secretion and sensitivity.
      Results Subjects from the normal-BMI/high-WC group showed significantly decreased
      Matsuda index and increased homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance
      (HOMA-IR) compared with normal-BMI/normal-WC group. Univariate regression
      analyses showed significant correlation of HOMA-IR with WC (r=0.39) and BF
      (r=0.37). Matsuda index was significantly correlated with WC (r=-0.39) and BF (r=
      0.47). The multiple regression analysis showed that the BF is significantly
      correlated with HOMA-IR (p<0.05) and Masuda index (p<0.005) among the clinical
      variables and with HOMA-IR (p<0.05) and Masuda index (p<0.0001) among the
      anthropometric variables but not with WC in either analysis. Conclusion Decreased
      Matsuda index and increased HOMA-IR were observed in subjects from the normal
      BMI/high-WC group. Multivariate analysis showed that BF is associated with
      decreased Matsuda index and increased HOMA-IR and that WC is not associated with
      either factors. 

PMID- 27250048
TI  - Clindamycin-induced Kidney Diseases: A Retrospective Analysis of 50 Patients.
AB  - Objective There are many adverse reactions due to clindamycin, but kidney
      diseases (acute kidney injury, AKI) are uncommon. However, in recent years, the
      rate of clindamycin-induced kidney diseases has increased. We analyzed 50
      patients with clindamycin-induced kidney diseases retrospectively, and
      investigated the characteristics of these kidney diseases in order to provide a
      reference for rational clinical drug use and to reduce drug-induced organ damage.
      Methods We investigated 50 patients diagnosed with clindamycin-induced kidney
      diseases retrospectively at the Department of Nephrology, Shandong University
      Qilu Hospital, from January 2009 to December 2013. The parameters included in our
      study were age, sex, clinical manifestations, efficacy and prognosis. Results All
      patients were diagnosed with clindamycin-induced kidney diseases within 48 hours
      of the application of clindamycin at 1.0-2.0 g/day. The patients included 29
      women and 21 men. Most of the enrolled patients were 20-59 years old. Fifty-one
      patients were diagnosed with AKI stage 3 upon admission. Thirty-three had
      episodes of gross hematuria, but fever, skin rash and eosinophilia were rare.
      Urine analysis revealed mild proteinuria and severe tubular dysfunction. In the
      majority of patients, AKI was severe and required renal replacement therapy, but
      renal function in all patients had recovered significantly two months after
      discharge. Conclusion Clindamycin-induced AKI is largely reversible and is
      associated with episodes of gross hematuria. Clinicians should use clindamycin
      rationally and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions. 

PMID- 27250049
TI  - Clinical Impact of a Humanized CCR4 Antibody (Mogamulizumab) in 14 Patients with
      Aggressive Adult T-cell Leukemia-lymphoma Treated at a Single Institution During
      a Three-year Period (2012-2014).
AB  - Objective We elucidated the effectiveness of a humanized CCR4 antibody
      (mogamulizumab) on adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL), which typically has a
      poor outcome. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 14 patients with aggressive ATL
      who had been treated at our institution with weekly cycles of mogamulizumab for
      eight weeks from 2012-2014. Results The patients (median age: 63 years old) were
      classified as having acute- (n=10) or lymphoma-type (n=4) ATL. The prior
      treatment regimens consisted of CHOP, VCAP-AMP-VECP, DeVIC and CHASE, with an
      average of two courses (range: 1-4). The prior disease responses were partial
      remission (n=3) and progressive disease (n=11). The treatment was administered in
      the primary refractory setting (n=8), for relapse (n=2), or as bridging therapy
      before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n=4). The overall response rates
      were 64% and 43% after four and eight cycles (or after the final cycles),
      respectively. The median overall survival (OS), OS rate at six months and OS rate
      at 12 months were 66 days, 41.7% and 20.8%, respectively. All of the patients
      with acute-type ATL who showed a response to treatment had an early response.
      Notably, six of the 14 ATL patients showed somewhat prolonged survival (>100
      days). However, relapse or disease progression in the peripheral blood, central
      nervous system, lymph nodes, skin, and/or bone occurred within a relatively short
      period after treatment. The adverse effects were tolerable, and included
      lymphopenia, cytomegalovirus infection and skin rash. Conclusion Mogamulizumab
      therapy resulted in an early and high remission rate and somewhat prolonged
      survival in patients with refractory ATL. However, the duration of remission was
      short, and there was early relapse and disease progression. This study may show
      the current impact of mogamulizumab in clinical practice. 

PMID- 27250050
TI  - Serum D-dimer Levels Are Proportionally Associated with Left Atrial Enlargement
      in Patients with an Acute Ischemic Stroke due to Non-valvular Atrial
      Fibrillation.
AB  - Objective Left atrial enlargement (LAE) may predispose individuals to blood
      stasis in atrial fibrillation (AF), and thus play a crucial role in
      thrombogenesis. The D-dimer level is one of the surrogate markers for a
      hypercoagulable state and reflects thrombus formation in AF. Since the D-dimer
      level reflects hypercoagulability as well as thrombus and fibrin burdens, LAE
      could be associated with a D-dimer elevation. However, no studies have explored
      this association or which factors contribute to increases in the D-dimer levels
      in patients with AF. Therefore, we assessed whether the serum D-dimer levels are
      related to the left atrial volume index (LAVI) or other vascular risk factors and
      also evaluated the association between the D-dimer levels and the initial stroke
      severity. Methods Ninety-eight consecutive patients with an acute ischemic stroke
      and non-valvular AF (NVAF) who were anticoagulation-naive were enrolled, and all
      patients were stratified into moderate-to-severe and mild neurologic deficit
      groups using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on admission. The
      association between the initial serum D-dimer levels and the LAVI was evaluated
      in all enrolled patients, and the serum D-dimer levels were compared between the
      two groups. Results The patients were classified into two groups according to the
      severity of the neurologic deficit. In a partial correlation coefficient analysis
      adjusted for confounding factors, an increase in the initial serum D-dimer levels
      was significantly associated with LAVI (r=0.286; p=0.027). A linear regression
      analysis showed that a history of peripheral artery disease was the factor most
      strongly associated with the serum D-dimer level (t=3.90, p<0.001), followed by
      LAVI (t=2.37, p=0.021) and a history of congestive heart failure (t=2.16,
      p=0.035). The D-dimer levels were higher in the moderate-to-severe neurologic
      deficit group than in the mild deficit group, but this difference was not
      statistically significant (4.5+/-7.1 vs. 1.6+/-2.6 mg/L, p=0.068). Conclusion The
      serum D-dimer levels were significantly associated with LAE in anticoagulation
      naive patients with an acute ischemic stroke and NVAF. 

PMID- 27250051
TI  - A Possible Case of Hepatitis due to Hypereosinophilic Syndrome.
AB  - A 63-year-old Japanese man whose white blood cell count and total-bilirubin and
      aminotransferase levels were elevated was referred to our hospital. Computed
      tomography did not reveal any abnormalities, and there was no evidence of
      gastritis or colitis on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Although the patient had no
      history of drug use or allergies, a high concentration of eosinophils (80%) was
      noted. A liver biopsy revealed hepatitis with eosinophilic infiltration. The
      patient's alanine aminotransferase and eosinophil levels improved with the
      administration of steroids. A second biopsy, performed 6 months later, showed the
      improvement of the eosinophilic infiltration. The patient was diagnosed with
      eosinophilic hepatitis due to the presence of hypereosinophilic syndrome without
      the dysfunction of other organs. 

PMID- 27250052
TI  - Transcatheter Balloon Expandable Aortic Valve Implantation through an
      Aortofemoral Bypass Graft.
AB  - An 84-year-old woman was diagnosed with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. She
      had previously undergone aortobifemoral bypass grafting (Y graft) for bilateral
      iliac stenosis. In view of a high surgical risk, a decision for transcatheter
      aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was made. An incision was made on the right limb
      of the Y graft and subsequently a 16 Fr e-sheath was smoothly advanced through
      the graft. A 23 mm balloon expandable valve was then advanced with no resistance
      and successfully deployed. This case highlights the feasibility of TAVI through
      the graft, but requires a thorough preprocedural assessment of the access route
      using multiple imaging modalities. 

PMID- 27250053
TI  - Cardiac Asystole Triggered by Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with Amygdala Enlargement.
AB  - A 25-year-old previously healthy man was hospitalized for syncope. While
      standing, he suddenly lost consciousness, followed by a generalized tonic clonic
      seizure. An electrocardiogram demonstrated asystole. No cardiac abnormalities
      were detected on the echocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
      positron emission tomography, or a coronary angiogram. An electrophysiological
      study showed normal sinus node and atrioventricular node function. An
      electroencephalogram revealed small spike waves in the fronto-temporal region.
      Brain MRI demonstrated a left-sided amygdala enlargement. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first case of temporal lobe epilepsy with an amygdala
      enlargement that induced cardiac asystole. 

PMID- 27250054
TI  - Retroperitoneal Bleeding and Arteriovenous Fistula after Percutaneous Coronary
      Intervention Successfully Treated with Intravascular Ultrasound-guided Covered
      Stent Implantation.
AB  - The major puncture-site complications of the transfemoral approach are
      retroperitoneal bleeding (RPB), arteriovenous (AV) fistula, and arterial
      pseudoaneurysm. Although the management of RPB and AV fistula depends on
      individual cases, our experience shows that the use of a covered stent with
      intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance can successfully manage percutaneous
      coronary intervention-associated RPB and AV fistula. IVUS guidance can therefore
      make it easy to use an optimal-size covered stent. 

PMID- 27250055
TI  - Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Chronic
      Inflammation.
AB  - Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is one of the leading
      causes of severe pulmonary hypertension. According to previously reported studies
      in the pertinent literature, chronic inflammatory conditions may be implicated in
      the development of CTEPH. We herein describe the case of a 56-year-old woman who
      was diagnosed with CTEPH in association with chronic infection. The patient had
      experienced five episodes of pneumonia in the five years prior to the diagnosis
      of CTEPH. Blood tests from the previous five years of outpatient follow-up
      demonstrated that the C-reactive protein level was slightly elevated. This case
      suggests that a relationship exists between chronic inflammation and CTEPH, and
      furthermore, may contribute towards elucidating the pathophysiology of CTEPH. 

PMID- 27250057
TI  - Pulmonary Metastatic Choriocarcinoma from a Burned-out Testicular Tumor.
AB  - A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of progressive dyspnea.
      Chest computed tomography showed multiple nodular shadows with a peripheral
      ground-glass halo. His clinical condition continued to deteriorate with the
      development of progressive respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.
      A histological examination of a transbronchial lung biopsy revealed
      choriocarcinoma. The patient died within nine days of admission. A histological
      examination of the right testis during an autopsy revealed a burned-out
      testicular tumor consisting of a teratoma and a fibrous scar. We herein report a
      rare case of pulmonary multiple metastatic choriocarcinoma originating from a
      burned-out testicular tumor. 

PMID- 27250056
TI  - Excessive Dynamic Airway Collapse Detected Using Nondynamic CT.
AB  - Excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) has been diagnosed using dynamic CT
      during inspiration and expiration. We herein report an asthma patient with EDAC
      that was detected incidentally using nondynamic CT. The patient presented with
      wheezing, cough and mild fever. Treatment for the asthma did not improve her
      wheeze. CT revealed tracheal narrowing and bulging of the posterior bronchial
      wall. The patient was diagnosed with EDAC by bronchoscopy. Her wheeze improved
      with continuous positive airway pressure therapy. Clinicians should be aware of
      the airway shape when performing nondynamic CT in refractory asthma patients
      because recognizing the existence of EDAC may help when deciding on the treatment
      strategy. 

PMID- 27250058
TI  - Regression of a Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation after Acute Interstitial
      Nephritis.
AB  - A 68-year-old woman was scheduled to undergo percutaneous embolization of a
      pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) to prevent a paradoxical embolic
      event. After contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed to
      carefully evaluate the PAVM, she developed acute interstitial nephritis, which
      required steroid therapy. Moreover, her D-dimer level increased, which was
      suggestive of thrombus formation. After nine months, we noted that the affected
      vessels had markedly decreased in size, and the fistula had almost disappeared on
      unenhanced CT images. To our knowledge, this is the first case report to describe
      the regression of a PAVM, detected by CT, after the onset of acute interstitial
      nephritis. 

PMID- 27250059
TI  - Pure Red Cell Aplasia and Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Sequentially Occurring in a
      Patient with Large Granular T-lymphocytic Leukemia.
AB  - Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), a type of anemia, occurred in a 50-year-old man six
      weeks after a splenectomy. It was successfully controlled by ciclosporin A (CsA)
      treatment. However, the onset of acute autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)
      developed one week after the CsA had been tapered off. Fortunately, the AIHA
      responded well to a high-dose methylprednisolone and immunoglobulin treatment.
      Unexpectedly, the patient suffered from severe pulmonary infection three months
      after the AIHA therapy. Four months later, he completely stopped the
      methylprednisolone. The disease was diagnosed as large granular T-lymphocytic
      leukemia by T cell receptor gene rearrangement, a surface marker examination and
      immunohistochemical staining. To our knowledge, no similar cases have previously
      been reported in the literature. 

PMID- 27250060
TI  - Cancer-related Stroke due to Mural Thrombus in the Extracranial Carotid Artery.
AB  - A 41-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of a cancer-related stroke
      (CRS) caused by a thrombus of the extracranial carotid artery. He had undergone
      neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. The serum
      D-dimer values were within the normal range. We treated him with intravenous
      unfractionated heparin followed by warfarin. There were no recurrent stroke
      events over six months. The leading cause of a CRS is an embolism caused by
      hypercoagulopathy, mainly represented by non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis.
      However, it was unusual that, in the current case, a thrombus of the extracranial
      carotid artery was formed with no significant residual stenosis, thus resulting
      in an artery-to-artery embolism. 

PMID- 27250061
TI  - Invasive Intrasellar Plasmacytoma Mimicking Pituitary Adenoma.

PMID- 27250062
TI  - Orbital Inflammatory Pseudotumor Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PMID- 27250063
TI  - Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome due to Cryptococcal Meningitis.

PMID- 27250064
TI  - Spontaneous Isolated Common Hepatic Artery Dissection.

PMID- 27250065
TI  - Aberrant salience network and its functional coupling with default and executive
      networks in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a resting-state fMRI study.
AB  - The purposes of this study are to explore functional alterations in salience
      network (SN) and its functional coupling with default mode (DMN) and central
      executive (CEN) networks in minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Twenty
      cirrhotic patients with MHE, 23 cirrhotic patients without MHE (NHE), and 18
      controls underwent resting-state fMRI and psychometric hepatic encephalopathy
      score (PHES) test. Independent component analysis was performed to obtain DMN
      (including three subsystems: anterior, inferior-posterior, and superior-posterior
      DMN [a/ip/spDMN]), SN, and CEN (including three subsystems: left-ventral, right
      ventral, and dorsal CEN [lv/rv/dCEN]). The intrinsic functional connectivity
      (iFC) within (intra-iFC) and between (inter-iFC and time-lagged inter-iFC)
      networks was measured. MHE patients showed decreased intra-iFC within aDMN, SN,
      lvCEN, and rvCEN; and decreased inter-iFC and time-lagged inter-iFC between SN
      and ipDMN/spDMN/lvCEN and increased inter-iFC and time-lagged inter-iFC between
      SN and aDMN, compared with controls. A progressive trend in connectivity
      alterations was found as the disease developed from NHE to MHE. The inter-iFC
      between ipDMN/spDMN and SN was significantly correlated with PHES score. In
      conclusion, an aberrant SN and its functional interaction with the DMN/CEN are
      core features of MHE that are associated with disease progression and may play an
      important role in neurocognitive dysfunction in MHE.

PMID- 27250066
TI  - Design, execution, and analysis of pooled in vitro CRISPR/Cas9 screens.
AB  - The recently described clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats
      (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology has proven to be an exquisitely powerful and invaluable
      method of genetic manipulation and/or modification. As such, many researchers
      have realized the potential of using the CRISPR/Cas9 system as a novel screening
      method for the identification of important proteins in biological processes and
      have designed short guide RNA libraries for an in vitro screening. The seminal
      papers describing these libraries offer valuable information regarding methods
      for generating the short guide RNA libraries, creating cell lines containing
      these libraries, and specific details regarding the screening workflow. However,
      certain considerations are often overlooked that may be important when planning
      and performing a screen, including which CRISPR library to use and how to best
      analyze the resulting screen data. In this review, we offer suggestions to answer
      some of these questions that are not covered as deeply in the papers describing
      the available CRISPR libraries for an in vitro screening.

PMID- 27250067
TI  - Size-confined fixed-composition and composition-dependent engineered band gap
      alloying induces different internal structures in L-cysteine-capped alloyed
      quaternary CdZnTeS quantum dots.
AB  - The development of alloyed quantum dot (QD) nanocrystals with attractive optical
      properties for a wide array of chemical and biological applications is a growing
      research field. In this work, size-tunable engineered band gap composition
      dependent alloying and fixed-composition alloying were employed to fabricate new
      L-cysteine-capped alloyed quaternary CdZnTeS QDs exhibiting different internal
      structures. Lattice parameters simulated based on powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD)
      revealed the internal structure of the composition-dependent alloyed CdxZnyTeS
      QDs to have a gradient nature, whereas the fixed-composition alloyed QDs
      exhibited a homogenous internal structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
      and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis confirmed the size-confined nature
      and monodispersity of the alloyed nanocrystals. The zeta potential values were
      within the accepted range of colloidal stability. Circular dichroism (CD)
      analysis showed that the surface-capped L-cysteine ligand induced electronic and
      conformational chiroptical changes in the alloyed nanocrystals. The
      photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) values of the gradient alloyed QDs were
      27-61%, whereas for the homogenous alloyed QDs, the PL QY values were
      spectacularly high (72-93%). Our work demonstrates that engineered fixed alloying
      produces homogenous QD nanocrystals with higher PL QY than composition-dependent
      alloying.

PMID- 27250069
TI  - Risk Versus Reward.

PMID- 27250068
TI  - Attitudes Toward Autism Spectrum Disorders Among Students of Allied Health
      Professions.
AB  - The prevalence of autism has increased dramatically. The objectives of this study
      were to explore attitudes toward prenatal diagnosis to detect autism prenatally
      and avoid having an affected child and to understand social acceptability of
      these disorders among students of allied health professions. In this study,
      college students of nursing and health systems management answered a structured
      self-report questionnaire (n = 305). The first part addressed the respondent's
      personal data. The second part targeted the respondent's attitudes toward
      prenatal diagnosis of non-life-threatening disorders, including autism spectrum
      disorders. We found that almost two thirds of the students responded that they
      would not proceed with a pregnancy if the child were diagnosed with autism, and
      more than half thought that they would not continue with a pregnancy if the fetus
      were diagnosed with Asperger's. Age, level of religiosity, and years of education
      were influential. This study is limited in scope; however, the positive attitude
      of the students toward prenatal diagnosis to avoid having an affected child might
      also reflect a negative view of autism spectrum disorders in future health care
      professionals. Further research of attitudes and the social acceptability of
      autism spectrum disorders, particularly among health care professionals, is
      required.

PMID- 27250070
TI  - Avoiding Medication Errors: Reducing Harm in Residents Using Oral Anticoagulants.
AB  - Medication errors involving oral anticoagulants have led to serious adverse
      events, including hemorrhage, treatment failures leading to thromboembolic
      events, and death. This article will highlight medication errors that may arise
      during the use of oral anticoagulants and provide risk-reduction strategies to
      address the potential for error and patient harm. 

PMID- 27250072
TI  - Valproic Acid Suppositories for Management of Seizures for Geriatric Patients.
AB  - This case describes the use of valproic acid suppositories for secondary seizure
      prophylaxis in a geriatric veteran with a feeding and swallowing disorder. The
      effectiveness of valproic acid suppositories is outlined to reinforce the need
      for compounding pharmacies to have this formulation available to meet the needs
      of geriatric patients. 

PMID- 27250073
TI  - Fidget Blankets: A Sensory Stimulation Outreach Program.
AB  - Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) include behaviors such
      as aberrant motor behavior, agitation, anxiety, apathy, delusions, depression,
      disinhibition, elation, hallucinations, irritability, and sleep or appetite
      changes. A student-led project to provide sensory stimulation in the form of
      "fidget blankets" developed into a community outreach program. The goal was to
      decrease the use of antipsychotics used for BPSD. 

PMID- 27250074
TI  - Help Me Remember My Meds.
AB  - Nonadherence has led to increased health consequences and higher health care
      costs. A study surveyed subjects using either blister pack or a Philips
      Medication Dispenser machine to determine medication adherence. Although there is
      still a research gap associated with medication packaging, it has great potential
      to help patients who have difficulty managing their multiple medications. 

PMID- 27250075
TI  - Validating the Medication Risk Questionnaire with Family Caregivers of Older
      Adults.
AB  - This study supports the validity of the 8-item version of the Medication-Risk
      Questionnaire (MRQ8). The MRQ8 can identify higher-risk patients via family
      caregivers and target them for medication review and other preventive
      intervention. It also enables pharmacists to collaborate with family caregivers
      in identifying older adults at high risk for medication-related problems. 

PMID- 27250076
TI  - The Medicare Advisory Commission.

PMID- 27250077
TI  - Key genes and pathways predicted in papillary thyroid carcinoma based on
      bioinformatics analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to predict the key genes and pathways
      associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). METHODS: Based on the
      microarray data of GSE3467 from Gene Expression Omnibus database, we identified
      the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 9 PTC samples and 9 normal
      controls. With the identified DEGs, functional enrichment analyses were
      performed. Additionally, a protein-protein interaction network was constructed to
      screened out some key gene nodes. These key nodes were then performed clustering
      analysis and pathway enrichment analysis. Furthermore, human PTC-associated
      network was constructed based on these key genes to investigate the potential
      relationships between genes and PTC. RESULTS: A total of 651 up-regulated and 692
      down-regulated DEGs were identified in PTC samples compared with controls. The up
      regulated DEGs, such as complement component 3 (C3), were mainly enriched in
      hsa04610:Complement and coagulation cascades. The down-regulated DEGs, including
      paired box 8 (PAX8), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG),
      and cadherin 1, type 1 were found enriched in hsa05216:Thyroid cancer. Total 33
      DEGs were considered as key genes, such as PAX8, PPARG and Jun proto-oncogene
      (JUN). Disease-associated network analysis found that 15 key genes such as JUN,
      PPARG and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) were involved in this network.
      CONCLUSIONS: DEGs of C3, PPARG, PAX8, JUN and MMP9 were differentially expressed
      in PTC samples and may be used as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis and
      treatment of PTC. Additionally, pathways of complement and coagulation cascades
      and thyroid cancer may also play important roles in the development of PTC.

PMID- 27250079
TI  - Sharing Progress in Neonatal (SPIN) Lung and Brain.

PMID- 27250078
TI  - Management of chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis: a long term retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis (CVVC) is an unremitting condition
      causally associated with species of Candida. Limited data are available on its
      management and long-term outcomes. This retrospective study aimed to explore the
      long-term outcomes of patients who had experienced symptom remission after a
      course of oral antifungals. METHODS: Retrospective study conducted over 1 year
      from data obtained from a vulval dermatology outpatient clinic in Sydney,
      Australia. Data from 208 patients satisfying presumptive or definitive criteria
      for CVVC who had been successfully treated with oral azole antifungal medication
      were collected from a database, including drugs, induction and maintenance
      treatment regimes, results and adverse effects. RESULTS: Altogether 208 patients
      commenced an induction regime of oral fluconazole 50-100 mg daily for up to 12
      weeks. All patients demonstrated a clinical improvement within 12 weeks. Of the
      208 patients, subsequently 95% remained on oral fluconazole for maintenance
      treatment, 3% changed to other antifungals due to adverse effects and 2% ceased
      treatment. The most common maintenance regime was oral fluconazole 50 mg twice
      weekly (46%). Of the study cohort 99% remained on treatment with antifungal
      therapy for symptom suppression with the mean duration of follow up 26.2 months
      (range, 5 months to 8.5 years). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term symptom remission was
      possible in this subset of women with CVVC using fluconazole 50-100 mg or
      itraconazole 50-100 mg. However, most were unable to cease treatment without
      experiencing relapse. Adverse effects in this cohort were minimal and there were
      no cases of drug-induced hepatitis.

PMID- 27250080
TI  - Quench field sensitivity of two-particle correlation in a Hubbard model.
AB  - Short-range interaction can give rise to particle pairing with a short-range
      correlation, which may be destroyed in the presence of an external field. We
      study the transition between correlated and uncorrelated particle states in the
      framework of one- dimensional Hubbard model driven by a field. We show that the
      long time-scale transfer rate from an initial correlated state to final
      uncorrelated particle states is sensitive to the quench field strength and
      exhibits a periodic behavior. This process involves an irreversible energy
      transfer from the field to particles, leading to a quantum electrothermal effect.

PMID- 27250081
TI  - A rapid assessment of barriers and facilitators to safety culture in an intensive
      care unit.
AB  - The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety was used to identify opportunities for
      safety culture improvement in a 30-bed intensive care unit. Based on the survey
      results, a core team decided to focus on three safety domains: reporting errors,
      approachability of authority figures and handovers. The project team subsequently
      interviewed 39 intensive care unit staff members, gathering information on these
      three domains that will inform future safety efforts. Numerous barriers and
      facilitators to improvement were described. This mixed-methods approach could be
      applied in other hospitals seeking to quickly yet thoroughly understand how their
      safety culture can be improved. Developing local strategies to reduce these
      barriers may promote a safer patient experience at our hospital. 

PMID- 27250082
TI  - The Bare Minimum: The Reality of Global Anaesthesia and Patient Safety.

PMID- 27250083
TI  - Efficacy of Surgical Simulation Training in a Low-Income Country.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Simulation training has evolved as an important component of
      postgraduate surgical education and has shown to be effective in teaching
      procedural skills. Despite potential benefits to low- and middle-income countries
      (LMIC), simulation training is predominately used in high-income settings. This
      study evaluates the effectiveness of simulation training in one LMIC (Rwanda).
      METHODS: Twenty-six postgraduate surgical trainees at the University of Rwanda
      (Kigali, Rwanda) and Dalhousie University (Halifax, Canada) participated in the
      study. Participants attended one 3-hour simulation session using a high-fidelity,
      tissue-based model simulating the creation of an end ileostomy. Each participant
      was anonymously recorded completing the assigned task at three time points: prior
      to, immediately following, and 90 days following the simulation training. A
      single blinded expert reviewer assessed the performance using the Objective
      Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) instrument. RESULTS: The mean
      OSATS score improvement for participants who completed all the assessments was
      6.1 points [95 % Confidence Interval (CI) 2.2-9.9, p = 0.005]. Improvement was
      sustained over a 90-day period with a mean improvement of 4.1 points between the
      first and third attempts (95 % CI 0.3-7.9, p = 0.038). Simulation training was
      effective in both study sites, though most gains occurred with junior-level
      learners, with a mean improvement of 8.3 points (95 % CI 5.1-11.6, p < 0.001).
      Significant improvements were not identified for senior-level learners.
      CONCLUSION: This study supports the benefit for simulation in surgical training
      in LMICs. Skill improvements were limited to junior-level trainees. This work
      provides justification for investment in simulation-based curricula in Rwanda and
      potentially other LMICs.

PMID- 27250084
TI  - Distribution of natural and artificial radionuclides in chernozem soil/crop
      system from stationary experiments.
AB  - The present paper focuses on the determination of radiological characteristics of
      cultivated chernozem soil and crops from long-term field experiments, taking into
      account the importance of distribution and transfer of radionuclides in the soil
      plant system, especially in agricultural cropland. The investigation was
      performed on the experimental fields where maize, winter wheat, and rapeseed were
      cultivated. Analysis of radioactivity included determination of the gross alpha
      and beta activity as a screening method, as well as the activities of the
      following radionuclides: natural ((210)Pb, (235)U, (238)U, (226)Ra, (232)Th,
      (40)K, (7)Be) and artificial ((90)Sr and (137)Cs). The activities of natural and
      artificial ((137)Cs) radionuclides were determined by gamma spectrometry, while
      the artificial radionuclide (90)Sr was determined by a radiochemical analytical
      method. Based on the obtained results for the specific activity of (40)K,
      (137)Cs, and (90)Sr, accumulation factors for these radionuclides were calculated
      in order to estimate transfer of radionuclides from soil to crops. The results of
      performed analyses showed that there is no increase of radioactivity that could
      endanger the food production through the grown crops. 

PMID- 27250085
TI  - Enhancement of sediment phosphorus release during a tunnel construction across an
      urban lake (Lake Donghu, China).
AB  - Tunnel construction in watershed area of urban lakes would accelerate
      eutrophication by inputting nutrients into them, while mechanisms underlying the
      internal phosphorus cycling as affected by construction events are scarcely
      studied. Focusing on two main pathways of phosphorus releasing from sediment
      (enzymatic mineralization and anaerobic desorption), spatial and temporal
      variations in phosphorus fractionation, and activities of extracellular enzymes
      (alkaline phosphatase, beta-1,4-glucosidase, leucine aminopeptidase,
      dehydrogenase, lipase) in sediment were examined, together with relevant
      parameters in interstitial and surface waters in a Chinese urban lake (Lake
      Donghu) where a subaqueous tunnel was constructed across it from October 2013 to
      July 2014. Higher alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) indicated phosphorus
      deficiency for phytoplankton, as illustrated by a significantly negative
      relationship between APA and concentration of dissolved total phosphorus (DTP).
      Noticeably, in the construction area, APAs in both sediment and surface water
      were significantly lower than those in other relevant basins, suggesting a
      phosphorus supply from some sources in this area. In parallel, its sediment gave
      the significantly lower iron-bound phosphorus (Fe(OOH)~P) content, coupled with
      significantly higher ratio of iron (II) to total iron content (Fe(2+)/TFe) and
      dehydrogenase activities (DHA). Contrastingly, difference in the activities of
      sediment hydrolases was not significant between the construction area and other
      basins studied. Thus, in the construction area, subsidy of bioavailable
      phosphorus from sediment to surface water was attributable to the anaerobic
      desorption of Fe(OOH)~P rather than enzymatic mineralization. Finally, there
      existed a significantly positive relationship between chlorophyll a concentration
      in surface water and Fe(OOH)~P content in sediment. In short, construction
      activities within lakes may interrupt cycling patterns of phosphorus across
      sediment-water interface by enhancing release of redox-sensitive phosphate, and
      thereby facilitating phytoplankton growth in water column. 

PMID- 27250086
TI  - Seasonal variation of indoor and outdoor air quality of nitrogen dioxide in homes
      with gas and electric stoves.
AB  - Indoor air pollution significantly influences personal exposure to air pollution
      and increases health risks. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the major air
      pollutants, and therefore it is important to properly determine indoor
      concentration of this pollutant considering the fact that people spend most of
      their time inside. The aim of this study was to assess indoor and outdoor
      concentration of NO2 during each season; for this purpose, passive sampling was
      applied. We analyzed homes with gas and electric stoves to determine and compare
      the concentrations of NO2 in kitchen, living room, and bedroom microenvironments
      (MEs). The accuracy of passive sampling was evaluated by comparing the sampling
      results with the data from air quality monitoring stations. The highest indoor
      concentration of NO2 was observed in kitchen ME during the winter period, the
      median concentration being 28.4 MUg m(-3). Indoor NO2 levels in homes with gas
      stoves were higher than outdoor levels during all seasons. The concentration of
      NO2 was by 2.5 times higher in kitchen MEs with gas stoves than with electric
      stoves. This study showed that the concentration of NO2 in indoor MEs mainly
      depended on the stove type used in the kitchen. Homes with gas stoves had
      significantly higher levels of NO2 in all indoor MEs compared with homes where
      electric stoves were used. 

PMID- 27250087
TI  - Inhibition of five natural products from Chinese herbs on the growth of
      Chattonella marina.
AB  - The effects of five natural products from Chinese herbs including evodiamine,
      curcumin, 4-methoxysalicylaldehyde, esculin hydrate, and gramine on the growth of
      Chattonella marina, one of the most noxious red tide algae, were observed. Among
      them, gramine exhibited the highest inhibitory rate with LC50, 96h of 0.51 mg/l.
      After exposure to gramine, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
      catalase (CAT), and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in C. marina,
      suggesting that gramine could induce microalgae oxidative stress. In addition,
      chlorophyll a and the maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis (Fv/Fm) decreased
      following exposure to gramine, indicating the inhibition of photosynthesis
      activity in the microalgae. Combined with the fast inhibition against the algal
      cells and environmentally friendly character of gramine, we proposed that gramine
      might be a potential algaecide against marine harmful algae and that the
      oxidative damage and photosynthesis inhibition might be responsible for the
      toxicity of gramine on harmful algae. 

PMID- 27250088
TI  - F sorption/desorption on two soils and on different by-products and waste
      materials.
AB  - We used batch-type experiments to study F sorption/desorption on a forest soil, a
      vineyard soil, pyritic material, granitic material, finely and coarsely ground
      mussel shell, mussel shell calcination ash, oak wood ash, pine-sawdust, slate
      processing fines, and three different mixtures that included three components:
      sewage sludge, mussel shell ash, and calcined mussel shell or pine wood ash. The
      three waste mixtures, forest soil, pyritic material, and shell ash showed high
      sorption capacity (73-91 % of added F) and low desorption, even when 100 mg F L(
      1) was added. All these materials (and to a lower extent wood ash) could be
      useful to remove F from polluted media (as certain soils, dumping sites, and
      contaminated waters). The vineyard soil, the granitic material, mussel shell,
      slate fines, and pine-sawdust were less effective in F removal. In most cases,
      sorption data fitted better to the Freundlich than to the Langmuir equation.
      These results can be useful to program the correct management of the soils, by
      products, and waste materials assayed, mostly in situations where F
      concentrations are excessive and F removal should be promoted. 

PMID- 27250089
TI  - Heavy metals in aquatic organisms of different trophic levels and their potential
      human health risk in Bohai Bay, China.
AB  - Fourteen aquatic organism samples were collected from Bohai Bay, and
      concentrations of five heavy metals were measured to evaluate the pollution
      levels in aquatic organisms and the potential risk to human health. The
      concentrations of Zn and Cu were much higher than those of Cd, Cr, and Pb in all
      the organisms. In general, the heavy metal concentration levels were in the order
      phytoplankton < zooplankton < fish < shrimp < shellfish. Heavy metal
      concentrations in higher trophic-level aquatic organisms in Bohai Bay were
      compared to those in the organisms from other worldwide coastal waters. The
      concentration levels of most heavy metals were higher than the 75th percentile,
      except that Pb concentration was between the 25th and 50th percentiles. The
      calculated bioconcentration factors (BCF) of Cr, Cu, and Pb for phytoplankton
      were less than 100, indicating no accumulation in primary producers. The
      bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of Pb for zooplankton was the highest, indicating
      significant Pb accumulation in zooplankton. For higher trophic-level aquatic
      organisms, the order of BAF values was fish < shrimp < shellfish for most metals
      except for Pb. The human health risk assessment suggests that strict abatement
      measures of heavy metals must be taken to decrease the health risk caused by
      consuming aquatic products. 

PMID- 27250090
TI  - Genotoxic effect of a binary mixture of dicamba- and glyphosate-based commercial
      herbicide formulations on Rhinella arenarum (Hensel, 1867) (Anura, Bufonidae)
      late-stage larvae.
AB  - The acute toxicity of two herbicide formulations, namely, the 57.71 % dicamba
      (DIC)-based Banvel((r)) and the 48 % glyphosate (GLY)-based Credit((r)), alone as
      well as the binary mixture of these herbicides was evaluated on late-stage
      Rhinella arenarum larvae (stage 36) exposed under laboratory conditions.
      Mortality was used as an endpoint for determining acute lethal effects, whereas
      the single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was employed as genotoxic
      endpoint to study sublethal effects. Lethality studies revealed LC5096 h values
      of 358.44 and 78.18 mg L(-1) DIC and GLY for Banvel((r)) and Credit((r)),
      respectively. SCGE assay revealed, after exposure for 96 h to either 5 and 10 %
      of the Banvel((r)) LC5096 h concentration or 5 and 10 % of the Credit((r)) LC5096
      h concentration, an equal significant increase of the genetic damage index (GDI)
      regardless of the concentration of the herbicide assayed. The binary mixtures of
      5 % Banvel((r)) plus 5 % Credit((r)) LC5096 h concentrations and 10 % Banvel((r))
      plus 10 % Credit((r)) LC5096 h concentrations induced equivalent significant
      increases in the GDI in regard to GDI values from late-stage larvae exposed only
      to Banvel((r)) or Credit((r)). This study represents the first experimental
      evidence of acute lethal and sublethal effects exerted by DIC on the species, as
      well as the induction of primary DNA breaks by this herbicide in amphibians.
      Finally, a synergistic effect of the mixture of GLY and DIC on the induction of
      primary DNA breaks on circulating blood cells of R. arenarum late-stage larvae
      could be demonstrated. 

PMID- 27250091
TI  - Mechanism and toxicity research of benzalkonium chloride oxidation in aqueous
      solution by H2O2/Fe(2+) process.
AB  - As widely used disinfectants, the pollution caused by benzalkonium chloride (BAC)
      has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. Since it is not suitable for
      biodegradation, BAC was degraded firstly by Fenton advanced oxidation
      technologies (AOTs) in this research to enhance the biodegradability of the
      pollutions. The result revealed that the optimal molar ratio of H2O2/Fe(2+) for
      BAC degradation was 10:1, and the COD removal rate was 32 %. To clarify the
      pathway of degradation, the technique of GC-MS was implemented herein to identify
      intermediates and the toxicity of those BAC intermediates were also novelty
      tested through microbial fuel cells (MFC). The findings indicated that ten
      transformation products including benzyl dimethyl amine and dodecane were formed
      during the H2O2/Fe(2+) processes, which means the degradation pathway of BAC was
      initiated both on the hydrophobic (alkyl chain) and hydrophilic (benzyl and
      ammonium moiety) region of the surfactant. The toxicity of BAC before and after
      treated by Fenton process was monitored through MFC system. The electricity
      generation was improved 337 % after BAC was treated by H2O2/Fe(2+) oxidation
      processes which indicated that the toxicity of those intermediates were much
      lower than BAC. The mechanism and toxicity research in this paper could provide
      the in-depth understanding to the pathway of BAC degradation and proved the
      possibility of AOTs for the pretreatment of a biodegradation process. 

PMID- 27250092
TI  - Microalga, Acutodesmus obliquus KGE 30 as a potential candidate for CO2
      mitigation and biodiesel production.
AB  - In this study, the effect of flue gas CO2 on growth, lipid production, and fatty
      acid composition of a green microalga Acutodesmus obliquus KGE 30 was
      investigated. The highest growth rate (0.46 g L(-1) and MUmax = 1.09 day(-1)),
      total inorganic carbon removal (95.9 mg L(-1)), and lipid productivity (20.1 mg
      L(-1) day L(-1)) was obtained at 14.1 % CO2 after 4 days of cultivation. In a
      semicontinuous batch reactor, the highest biomass production (1.19 g L(-1)) was
      achieved after 12 days with continuous injection of flue gas CO2. Compared with
      synthetic CO2, fatty acid methyl ester analysis showed that the amount of
      unsaturated fatty acid increased by 19.2 % with 14.1 % flue gas CO2. The
      application of flue gas CO2 improved biomass production and lipid productivity in
      A. obliquus. The current investigation demonstrated that the use of flue gas CO2
      could reduce the cost of microalgae biomass production for better biofuel
      generation. 

PMID- 27250093
TI  - Variations in organic carbon, aggregation, and enzyme activities of gangue-fly
      ash-reconstructed soils with sludge and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi during 6
      year reclamation.
AB  - Mining activities can cause drastic disturbances in soil properties, which
      adversely affect the nutrient cycling and soil environment. As a result, many
      efforts have been made to explore suitable reclamation strategies that can be
      applied to accelerate ecology restoration. In this study, we reconstructed mine
      soils with fly ash, gangue, sludge, planted ryegrass, and inoculated arbuscular
      mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in Pangzhuang mine of Xuzhou during 2009 to 2015. The
      soil aggregation process, enzyme activities (i.e., invertase, urease and acid
      phosphatase activities), soil organic carbon (SOC) as well as other soil
      nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents of the
      reconstructed mine soils were monitored during 6-year reclamation. The integrated
      application of sludge and AMF led to a promising reclamation performance of
      mining areas, in which soil aggregate stability, enzyme activities, SOC, and
      ryegrass biomass were effectively enhanced. The micro-aggregates (< 0.25 mm)
      decreased with the increase of macro-aggregates (> 0.25 mm) during the
      reclamation, indicating that macro-aggregates were gradually formed from micro
      aggregates during the pedogenesis of reconstructed mine soils. The correlation
      analysis shows that SOC contents in aggregate fraction of 0.25~0.5 mm were
      correlated with aggregate distribution and enzyme activities. Enzyme activities,
      however, were not significantly correlated with aggregate distribution. The
      outcomes from the present study could enrich our understanding on soil property
      changes in pedogenesis process of reconstructed mine soils, and meanwhile, the
      employment of sludge combined with AMF is suggested to be an effective
      alternative for the mine soil reclamation. 

PMID- 27250094
TI  - Evaluation of the joint toxicity of chlorpyrifos ethyl and fenobucarb on climbing
      perch (Anabas testudineus) from rice fields in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
AB  - Organophosphates (e.g. chlorpyrifos ethyl) and carbamates (e.g. fenobucarb) are
      commonly used to control a wide range of pests in rice fields of the Mekong Delta
      in Vietnam. This study assesses the combined effect of chlorpyrifos ethyl (CPF)
      and fenobucarb (F), applied at concentrations used by rice farmers, on the brain
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in climbing perch fingerlings from rice
      fields in the Mekong Delta. It also investigates if Pyridine-2-aldoxime
      methiodide (2-PAM) can be used to reactivate cholinesterase that has been blocked
      by CPF. Three days after spraying, the water concentrations of both insecticides
      decreased quickly below the detection levels. However, the brain AChE activity in
      fish was inhibited for more than 7 days. The results indicate a quicker but less
      prolonged inhibition of the brain AChE activity by the mixture than by only CPF.
      The inhibition levels were above 70 % only during the first 48 h, which could
      explain why all fish survived. 2-PAM resulted in a significant reactivation of
      the cholinesterase blocked by a combination of CPF and F, and it is proposed that
      the reactivation by 2-PAM could provide a way to assess the AChE inhibition
      levels in organisms, when no unexposed individuals are available as controls. The
      results indicate that the current use of CPF and F in rice farming in the Mekong
      Delta is likely to cause negative effects on non-target organisms. Many of these
      effects may be sub-lethal, and there is a need to develop biomarkers that are
      relevant, inexpensive and easy to apply. The results show that brain AChE in
      climbing perch fingerling is a relevant biomarker for monitoring of exposure to,
      and sub-lethal impacts from organophosphates and carbamates under tropical
      conditions in developing countries.

PMID- 27250095
TI  - Heart Failure in a Preterm Infant. Case Report and Echocardiographic Clues for
      the Diagnostic Approach to Pulmonary Sequestration.
AB  - Pulmonary sequestration is an unusual cause of heart failure in infants. We
      report a preterm newborn with signs of congestive heart failure supposed
      secondary to a ductus arteriosus that was finally diagnosed as a coexistent
      extralobar pulmonary sequestration. In this case, Doppler echocardiography was
      essential for diagnosis, revealing an abnormal systemic arterial supply to the
      sequestered lung and abnormal venous drainage. 

PMID- 27250096
TI  - Survival after percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited data on prognosis after percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) for coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) in the era of drug
      eluting stents (DES). AIMS: This study investigates the specific contribution of
      CTO recanalization to the survival benefit of complete revascularization.
      METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent PCI of a CTO at our center between
      01/2005 and 12/2013 were followed for a median of 2.6 years (interquartile range
      1.1-3.1 years). All-cause mortality was compared between patients with successful
      and failed PCI of CTO without and with adjustment for pertinent co-variables by
      the Cox models. RESULTS: The study comprised 2002 patients with attempted PCI of
      CTO (mean age 65.2 +/- 11 years, 17 % female), 82 % had multivessel disease. The
      CTO PCI was successful in 1662 (83 %) patients with a DES rate of 94 %. All-cause
      mortality was significantly lower in patients with successful PCI of CTO compared
      to failed PCI of CTO (15.3 vs. 25.9 % at 4 years; P < 0.001). In the
      multivariable model, both successful CTO PCI and complete revascularization were
      strong independent predictors of reduced long-term mortality (adjusted hazard
      ratio (HR) 0.72; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.53-0.97; P = 0.03 and adjusted
      HR 0.59; 95 % CI 0.42-0.82; P = 0.002). Also within the subset of incomplete
      revascularization, successful PCI of CTO was associated with reduced mortality
      (adjusted HR: 0.67; 95 % CI: 0.50-0.92; P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Successful CTO
      recanalization is an independent predictor for improved long-term survival.
      Persistent CTO lesions are associated with significantly worse survival than
      persistent non-occlusive coronary lesions.

PMID- 27250097
TI  - Assessing the sustainability of freshwater systems: A critical review of
      composite indicators.
AB  - Quantitative indicators are a common means of assessing the complex dimensions of
      a sustainable freshwater system, and framing scientific knowledge for policy and
      decision makers. There is an abundance of indicators in use, but considerable
      variation in terms of what is being measured and how indicators are applied,
      making it difficult for end-users to identify suitable assessment methods. We
      review 95 water-related indices and analyze them along their normative,
      procedural, and systemic dimensions to better understand how problems are being
      defined, highlight overlaps and differences, and identify the context(s) in which
      a particular index is useful. We also analyze the intended use, end-users, and
      geographic scale of application for each index. We find that risk assessment is
      the most common application (n = 25), with indices in this group typically
      focusing either on hazard identification (biophysical assessments) or
      vulnerability of human populations. Indices that measure freshwater ecological
      health are not explicitly linking these indicators to ecosystem services, and in
      fact the concept of ecosystem services is rarely (n = 3) used for indicator
      selection. Resource managers are the most common group of intended end-users (n =
      25), but while 28 indices involved consultation with potential end-users, 11 did
      not specify an intended use. We conclude that indices can be applied as solution
      oriented tools, evaluating scenarios and identifying tradeoffs among services and
      beneficiaries, rather than only assessing and monitoring existing conditions.
      Finally, earlier engagement of end-users is recommended to help researchers find
      the right balance among indices' salience, legitimacy, and credibility and thus
      improve their decision relevance.

PMID- 27250098
TI  - Predicting the export and concentrations of organic carbon, nitrogen and
      phosphorus in boreal lakes by catchment characteristics and land use: A practical
      approach.
AB  - The majority of C, N and P in boreal lakes are in organic form. Organically bound
      nutrients are released through biodegradation or photodegradation which affects
      the water quality, eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions of lakes. We
      tested whether open land-use data combined with land-use-specific export
      coefficients can be used to predict total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic
      nitrogen (DON) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) loading and lake water
      concentrations. Using data from 12 lake catchments in eastern Finland, we found
      that land use and management of the catchment explained a substantial proportion
      of the variations in TOC (r 2 = 0.78), DON (r 2 = 0.55) and DOP (r 2 = 0.80)
      concentrations between lakes. The computation does not account for in-lake
      processes, which are reflected as mismatch between the predicted and observed
      concentrations. However, this simple practical approach is useful in ranking
      lakes according to their water quality. The results indicated that natural
      sources dominate TOC, DON and DOP exports; the background leachings accounted for
      57-99 %, 48-96 % and 55-99 % of TOC, DON and DOP export, respectively. The
      proposed method has promise as a practical decision support tool for assessing
      the impacts of land use on water quality. The results showed that possibilities
      to control TOC, DON and DOP loading to surface waters are limited to catchments
      where the peatland proportion is low and anthropogenic sources significant.

PMID- 27250099
TI  - Quantity discrimination in parental fish: female convict cichlid discriminate fry
      shoals of different sizes.
AB  - Numerical abilities have been found to be adaptive in different contexts,
      including mating, foraging, fighting assessment and antipredator strategies. In
      species with parental care, another potential advantage is the possibility to
      adjust parental behavior in relation to the numerosity of the progeny. The
      finding that many fish vary their parental investment in relation to brood size
      advocates the existence of a mechanism for appraising offspring number, an aspect
      that has never been directly investigated. Here we tested the ability of parental
      female convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) to discriminate between two
      fry groups differing in number by measuring time spent attempting to recover
      groups of fry experimentally displaced from the next. Females spent more time
      trying to recover the fry from larger groups when tested with contrasts 6 versus
      12 (1:2) and 6 versus 9 fry (2:3); however, they showed no preference in the 6
      versus 8 (3:4) contrast, suggesting that this task exceeds their discrimination
      capacity.

PMID- 27250100
TI  - Translating vibrational spectroscopy into clinical applications - vision or
      reality?
AB  - The Faraday Discussion meeting "Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy for Biomedical
      Applications" provided an excellent opportunity to share and discuss recent
      research and applications on a highly interdisciplinary level. Spectral
      pathology, single cell analysis, data handling, clinical spectroscopy, and the
      spectral analysis of biofluids were among the topics covered during the meeting.
      The focus on discussion rather than "merely" presentation was highly appreciated
      and fruitful discussions evolved around the interpretation of the amide-bands,
      optical resolution, the role of diffraction and data analysis procedure, to name
      a few. The meeting made clear that the spectroscopy of molecular vibrations in
      biomolecules has evolved from a purely academic research tool to a technology
      used in clinical practice in some cases. In this sense, biomedical vibrational
      spectroscopy has reached a pivotal point at which questions like diagnostic
      value, therapeutic consequence and financial viability are gaining more and more
      importance.

PMID- 27250101
TI  - Hypoxia and Reactive Oxygen Species Homeostasis in Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells
      Define a Molecular Mechanism for Fracture Nonunion.
AB  - Fracture nonunion is a major complication of bone fracture regeneration and
      repair. The molecular mechanisms that result in fracture nonunion appearance are
      not fully determined. We hypothesized that fracture nonunion results from the
      failure of hypoxia and hematoma, the primary signals in response to bone injury,
      to trigger Bmp2 expression by mesenchymal progenitor cells (MSCs). Using a model
      of nonstabilized fracture healing in transgenic 5'Bmp2BAC mice we determined that
      Bmp2 expression appears in close association with hypoxic tissue and hematoma
      during the early phases of fracture healing. In addition, BMP2 expression is
      induced when human periosteum explants are exposed to hypoxia ex vivo. Transient
      interference of hypoxia signaling in vivo with PX-12, a thioredoxin inhibitor,
      results in reduced Bmp2 expression, impaired fracture callus formation and
      atrophic-like nonunion by a HIF-1alpha independent mechanism. In isolated human
      periosteum-derived MSCs, BMP2 expression could be induced with the addition of
      platelets concentrate lysate but not with hypoxia treatment, confirming HIF
      1alpha-independent BMP2 expression. Interestingly, in isolated human periosteum
      derived mesenchymal progenitor cells, inhibition of BMP2 expression by PX-12 is
      accomplished only under hypoxic conditions seemingly through dis-regulation of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. In conclusion, we provide evidence of a
      molecular mechanism of hypoxia-dependent BMP2 expression in MSCs where
      interference with ROS homeostasis specifies fracture nonunion-like appearance in
      vivo through inhibition of Bmp2 expression. Stem Cells 2016;34:2342-2353.

PMID- 27250102
TI  - Impact of physical exercise/activity on vascular structure and inflammation in
      pediatric populations: A literature review.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the effects of physical exercise/activity on the vascular
      architecture of children and adolescents, as well as to identify the effects of
      inflammation and sedentary behaviors on this relationship. METHODS: Potentially
      relevant articles were identified in the databases MEDLINE and PubMed covering
      the period from 2000 to 2015. No language restrictions were applied. RESULTS:
      Thirteen articles were found that included obese boys and girls in their samples
      (aged 9-19). Six interventional studies assessed inflammation and in five of
      these, physical exercise decreased inflammation. In 10 studies, vascular
      architecture was affected by physical exercise/activity. CONCLUSIONS: The impact
      of physical exercise on vascular architecture and inflammation seems relevant,
      but has been mainly investigated in obese groups. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Health
      professionals should act together in organized interventions in schools,
      targeting the promotion of higher physical activity levels in children and
      adolescents.

PMID- 27250103
TI  - Synthesis of benzo[a]carbazole derivatives from 3-ethylindoles by exploiting the
      dual character of benzoquinone as an oxidizing agent and dienophile.
AB  - The dual character of benzoquinone is exploited for the synthesis of
      benzo[a]carbazole derivatives starting from 3-ethylindole derivatives. A diene is
      generated in situ from the 3-ethylindole derivative with the help of
      benzoquinone, where it acts as an oxidizing agent. Later it serves as a
      dienophile and participates in a Diels-Alder reaction with the diene to afford
      benzo[a]carbazole derivatives. 

PMID- 27250104
TI  - [Dermatological diseases of the external male genitalia : Part 1].
AB  - The urological examination of male patients includes an inspection of the
      external genitalia whereby a variety of dermatological alterations can be found.
      Not all dermatological findings are of clinical relevance. Pearly penile papules
      and heterotopic sebaceous glands are examples of normal physiological variations.
      Most penile melanotic macules, angiokeratomas, fibromas and angiomas do not have
      to be treated; however, penile skin lesions may also be symptoms of other
      diseases, such as circinate balanitis in Reiter's syndrome and multiple
      angiokeratomas in Fabry's disease. A typical manifestation of reactions to
      various drugs is the fixed drug eruption of penile skin. The differential
      diagnosis of various forms of balanoposthitis may be difficult and requires
      histological investigations (e.g. plasma cell balanitis or Zoon's disease). In
      contrast, the clinical manifestation of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus is easy to
      recognize. The clinical relevance of this disease is due to phimosis and problems
      during sexual intercourse. 

PMID- 27250105
TI  - [Cell biology and physiology of male reproduction].
AB  - BACKGROUND: An adequate and undisturbed generation of fertile sperm is a
      prerequisite for fatherhood. Therefore, spermatogenesis is of central importance
      for male fertility. The testes, however, not only hold the germinal epithelium as
      the sperm-generating organ but also acts as a gland releasing androgens to
      control male reproductive function. This dual testicular function provides
      options to couple and coordinate spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. METHODS:
      The regulation of both processes via the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis is
      arranged via feedback loops, which are interconnected but also enable separate
      modulation of germ cell production and endocrine activity. Many parameters of
      gonadal function can be determined and provide information about physiological or
      pathological changes of testis function. OBJECTIVES: This article introduces the
      physiological basics of testis function and presents the repertoire of endpoints
      determined in clinical andrology to facilitate a deeper understanding for
      clinical diagnostics of male fertility.

PMID- 27250106
TI  - Electrostatics analysis of the mutational and pH effects of the N-terminal domain
      self-association of the major ampullate spidroin.
AB  - Spider silk is a fascinating material combining mechanical properties such as
      maximum strength and high toughness comparable or better than man-made materials,
      with biocompatible degradability characteristics. Experimental measurements have
      shown that pH triggers the dimer formation of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the
      major ampullate spidroin 1 (MaSp 1). A coarse-grained model accounting for
      electrostatics, van der Waals and pH-dependent charge-fluctuation interactions,
      by means of Monte Carlo simulations, gave us a more comprehensive view of the NTD
      dimerization process. A detailed analysis of the electrostatic properties and
      free energy derivatives for the NTD homoassociation was carried out at different
      pH values and salt concentrations for the protein wild type and for several
      mutants. We observed an enhancement of dipole-dipole interactions at pH 6 due to
      the ionization of key amino acids, a process identified as the main driving force
      for dimerization. Analytical estimates based on the DVLO theory framework
      corroborate our findings. Molecular dynamics simulations using the OPEP coarse
      grained force field for proteins show that the mutant E17Q is subject to larger
      structural fluctuations when compared to the wild type. Estimates of the
      association rate constants for this mutant were evaluated by the Debye
      Smoluchowski theory and are in agreement with the experimental data when
      thermally relaxed structures are used instead of the crystallographic data. Our
      results can contribute to the design of new mutants with specific association
      properties. 

PMID- 27250108
TI  - Genes associated with common variable immunodeficiency: one diagnosis to rule
      them all?
AB  - Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary antibody deficiency
      characterised by hypogammaglobulinaemia, impaired production of specific
      antibodies after immunisation and increased susceptibility to infections. CVID
      shows a considerable phenotypical and genetic heterogeneity. In contrast to many
      other primary immunodeficiencies, monogenic forms count for only 2-10% of
      patients with CVID. Genes that have been implicated in monogenic CVID include
      ICOS, TNFRSF13B (TACI), TNFRSF13C (BAFF-R), TNFSF12 (TWEAK), CD19, CD81, CR2
      (CD21), MS4A1 (CD20), TNFRSF7 (CD27), IL21, IL21R, LRBA, CTLA4, PRKCD, PLCG2,
      NFKB1, NFKB2, PIK3CD, PIK3R1, VAV1, RAC2, BLK, IKZF1 (IKAROS) and IRF2BP2 With
      the increasing number of disease genes identified in CVID, it has become clear
      that CVID is an umbrella diagnosis and that many of these genetic defects cause
      distinct disease entities. Moreover, there is accumulating evidence that at least
      a subgroup of patients with CVID has a complex rather than a monogenic
      inheritance. This review aims to discuss current knowledge regarding the
      molecular genetic basis of CVID with an emphasis on the relationship with the
      clinical and immunological phenotype.

PMID- 27250109
TI  - Evaluation of Automatically Assigned Job-Specific Interview Modules.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In community-based epidemiological studies, job- and industry-specific
      'modules' are often used to systematically obtain details about the subject's
      work tasks. The module assignment is often made by the interviewer, who may have
      insufficient occupational hygiene knowledge to assign the correct module. We
      evaluated, in the context of a case-control study of lymphoid neoplasms in Asia
      ('AsiaLymph'), the performance of an algorithm that provided automatic, real-time
      module assignment during a computer-assisted personal interview. METHODS:
      AsiaLymph's occupational component began with a lifetime occupational history
      questionnaire with free-text responses and three solvent exposure screening
      questions. To assign each job to one of 23 study-specific modules, an algorithm
      automatically searched the free-text responses to the questions 'job title' and
      'product made or services provided by employer' using a list of module-specific
      keywords, comprising over 5800 keywords in English, Traditional and Simplified
      Chinese. Hierarchical decision rules were used when the keyword match triggered
      multiple modules. If no keyword match was identified, a generic solvent module
      was assigned if the subject responded 'yes' to any of the three solvent screening
      questions. If these question responses were all 'no', a work location module was
      assigned, which redirected the subject to the farming, teaching, health
      professional, solvent, or industry solvent modules or ended the questions for
      that job, depending on the location response. We conducted a reliability
      assessment that compared the algorithm-assigned modules to consensus module
      assignments made by two industrial hygienists for a subset of 1251 (of 11409)
      jobs selected using a stratified random selection procedure using module-specific
      strata. Discordant assignments between the algorithm and consensus assignments
      (483 jobs) were qualitatively reviewed by the hygienists to evaluate the
      potential information lost from missed questions with using the algorithm
      assigned module (none, low, medium, high). RESULTS: The most frequently assigned
      modules were the work location (33%), solvent (20%), farming and food industry
      (19%), and dry cleaning and textile industry (6.4%) modules. In the reliability
      subset, the algorithm assignment had an exact match to the expert consensus
      assigned module for 722 (57.7%) of the 1251 jobs. Overall, adjusted for the
      proportion of jobs in each stratum, we estimated that 86% of the algorithm
      assigned modules would result in no information loss, 2% would have low
      information loss, and 12% would have medium to high information loss. Medium to
      high information loss occurred for <10% of the jobs assigned the generic solvent
      module and for 21, 32, and 31% of the jobs assigned the work location module with
      location responses of 'someplace else', 'factory', and 'don't know',
      respectively. Other work location responses had <=8% with medium to high
      information loss because of redirections to other modules. Medium to high
      information loss occurred more frequently when a job description matched with
      multiple keywords pointing to different modules (29-69%, depending on the
      triggered assignment rule). CONCLUSIONS: These evaluations demonstrated that
      automatically assigned modules can reliably reproduce an expert's module
      assignment without the direct involvement of an industrial hygienist or
      interviewer. The feasibility of adapting this framework to other studies will be
      language- and exposure-specific.

PMID- 27250110
TI  - Sensitization of multidrug-resistant malignant cells by liposomes co
      encapsulating doxorubicin and chloroquine through autophagic inhibition.
AB  - Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play a key role
      in the development of multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells. P-glycoprotein
      (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) are important
      proteins in this superfamily which are widely expressed on the membranes of
      multidrug resistance (MDR) cancer cells. Besides, upregulation of cellular
      autophagic responses is considered a contributing factor for MDR in cancer cells.
      We designed a liposome system co-encapsulating a chemotherapeutic drug
      (doxorubicin hydrochloride, DOX) and a typical autophagy inhibitior (chloroquine
      phosphate, CQ) at a weight ratio of 1:2 and investigated its drug resistance
      reversal mechanism. MTT assay showed that the IC50 of DOX/CQ co-encapsulated
      liposome in DOX-resistant human breast cancer cells (MCF7/ADR) was 4.7 +/- 0.2
      MUM, 5.7-fold less than that of free DOX (26.9 +/- 1.9  MUM), whereas it was 19.5
      fold in doxorubicin-resistant human acute myelocytic leukemia cancer cells
      (HL60/ADR) (DOX/CQ co-encapsulated liposome 1.2 +/- 0.1 MUM, free DOX 23.4 +/-
      2.8 MUM). The cellular uptake of DOX increased upon addition of free CQ,
      indicating that CQ may interact with P-gp and MRP1; however, the expressions of P
      gp and MRP1 remained unchanged. In contrast, the expression of the autophagy
      related protein LC3-II increased remarkably. Therefore, the mechanism of MDR
      reversal may be closely related to autophagic inhibition. Evaluation of anti
      tumor activity was achieved in an MCF-7/ADR multicellular tumor spheroid model
      and transgenic zebrafish model. DOX/CQ co-encapsulated liposome exerted a better
      anti-tumor effect in both models than that of liposomal DOX or DOX alone. These
      findings suggest that encapsulating CQ with DOX in liposomes significantly
      improves the sensitivity of DOX in DOX-resistant cancer cells.

PMID- 27250111
TI  - Transgressive women don't deserve protection: young men's narratives of sexual
      violence against women in rural Papua New Guinea.
AB  - Sexual violence against women and girls is commonplace in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
      While the experiences of women are rightly given central place in institutional
      responses to sexual violence, the men who perpetrate violence are often
      overlooked, an oversight that undermines the effectiveness of prevention efforts.
      This paper draws on interviews conducted with young men as part of a qualitative
      longitudinal study of masculinity and male sexuality in a rural highland area of
      PNG. It explores one aspect of male sexuality: men's narratives of sexual
      violence. Most striking from the data is that the collective enactment of sexual
      violence against women and girls is reported as an everyday and accepted practice
      amongst young men. However, not all women and girls were described as equally at
      risk, with those who transgress gender roles and roles inscribed and reinforced
      by patriarchal structures, at greater risk. To address this situation, efforts to
      reduce sexual violence against women and girls require an increased focus on male
      centred intervention to critically engage with the forms of patriarchal authority
      that give license to sexual violence. Understanding the perceptions and
      experiences of men as perpetrators of sexual violence is a critical first step in
      the process of changing normative perceptions of gender, a task crucial to
      reducing sexual violence in countries such as PNG.

PMID- 27250112
TI  - Possible role of mitochondrial injury in Caulis Aristolochia manshuriensis
      induced chronic aristolochic acid nephropathy.
AB  - CONTEXT: The proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) are the primary target of
      aristolochic acids and especially vulnerable to mitochondrial injury from insults
      of toxic xenobiotics. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the possible
      role of mitochondrial injury in Caulis Aristolochia manshuriensis (CAM)-induced
      aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley
      rats were gavaged with CAM extract every other week for 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks,
      respectively. RESULTS: The rats in the model group showed chronic AAN as
      evidenced by worsening kidney function evaluated by blood urea nitrogen,
      creatinine and proteinuria levels, and severe tubulointerstitial injury marked by
      massive tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis in kidney tissues. Moreover,
      overt apoptosis and impaired regeneration of PTECs were observed in AAN rats.
      Furthermore, the study revealed that mitochondria in PTECs were fragmented into
      small, punctuate suborganelles in AAN rats. Two mitochondrial respiratory chain
      proteins, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX
      I) and nuclear DNA-encoded nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase
      (ubiquinone)-1beta subcomplex 8 (NDUFbeta8), were both down-regulated after one
      week of CAM treatment. However, with AAN progression, NDUFbeta8 level restored,
      while COX-I level maintained low. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
      gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), master regulator of mitochondrial
      biogenesis, was significantly down-regulated at week 4 and week 8, but
      significantly up-regulated at week 12. In addition, mtDNA copy number reduced
      markedly along with AAN progression. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A rat model of
      chronic AAN was successfully reproduced by gavage with CAM extract. Dynamic
      changes of mitochondrial injury induced by CAM might contribute to the AAN
      progression.

PMID- 27250113
TI  - Detection of serous precursor lesions in resected fallopian tubes from patients
      with benign diseases and a relatively low risk for ovarian cancer.
AB  - The frequency of ovarian cancers in Japan has increased; however, doubts have
      been raised concerning the mechanism by which high-grade serous adenocarcinomas
      (HGSCs) arise. Conventionally, HGSC is thought to originate from the ovarian
      surface epithelium or epithelial inclusion cyst. However, recent data indicate
      that HGSCs may in fact develop from precursor lesions in the fallopian tube,
      including epithelia with a p53 signature, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas
      (STICs), secretory cell outgrowths (SCOUTs), and tubal intraepithelial lesions in
      transition (TILT). Here, we determined the frequency of these fallopian tube
      precursors in surgically excised samples from 123 patients with benign pelvic
      diseases. We identified 12 cases with a p53 signature (9.7%), 26 with observable
      SCOUTs (21.1%), and 4 with TILT (3.2%), but no STIC cases. Although the lifetime
      risk for developing ovarian cancer is only around 1.4% for women without germ
      line mutations, it is important to evaluate the presence of precursor lesions to
      understand HGSC pathogenesis better. Taken together, salpingectomy appears to be
      an option for women who are past their childbearing age and plan to undergo
      elective pelvic surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate
      the presence of these specific precursors post-salpingectomy in low-risk
      patients. 

PMID- 27250114
TI  - Severe Obesity Is Associated With Increased Risk of Early Complications and
      Extended Length of Stay Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Better understanding of the relationship between obesity and
      postsurgical adverse outcomes is needed to provide quality and efficient care. We
      examined the relationship of obesity with the incidence of early adverse outcomes
      and in-hospital length of stay following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed data from 7560 patients who underwent coronary
      artery bypass grafting. Using body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) of 18.5 to 24.9
      as a reference, the associations of 4 BMI categories (25.0-29.9, 30.0-34.9, 35.0
      39.9, and >=40.0) with rates of operative mortality, overall early complications,
      subgroups of early complications (ie, infection, renal and pulmonary
      complications), and length of stay were assessed while adjusting for clinical
      covariates. There was no difference in operative mortality; however, higher risks
      of overall complications were observed for patients with BMI 35.0 to 39.9
      (adjusted odds ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.11-1.63) and >=40.0 (adjusted odds ratio
      1.56, 95% CI 1.21-2.01). Subgroup analyses identified obesity as an independent
      risk factor for infection (BMI 30.0-34.9: adjusted odds ratio 1.60, 95% CI 1.24
      2.05; BMI 35.0-39.9: adjusted odds ratio 2.34, 95% CI 1.73-3.17; BMI >=40.0:
      adjusted odds ratio 3.29, 95% CI 2.30-4.71). Median length of stay was longer
      with BMI >=40.0 than with BMI 18.5 to 24.9 (median 7.0 days [interquartile range
      5 to 10] versus 6.0 days [interquartile range 5 to 9], P=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: BMI
      >=40.0 was an independent risk factor for longer length of stay, and infection
      was a potentially modifiable risk factor. Greater perioperative attention and
      intervention to control the risks associated with infection and length of stay in
      patients with BMI >=40.0 may improve patient care quality and efficiency.

PMID- 27250115
TI  - Use of diagnostic coronary angiography in women and men presenting with acute
      myocardial infarction: a matched cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Based on evident sex-related differences in the invasive management
      of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we sought to
      identify predictors of diagnostic coronary angiography (DCA) and to investigate
      reasons for opting out an invasive strategy in women and men. METHODS: The study
      was designed as a matched cohort study. We randomly selected 250 female cases
      from a source population of 4000 patients hospitalized with a first AMI in a
      geographically confined region of Denmark from January 2010 to November 2011.
      Each case was matched to a male control on age and availability of cardiac
      invasive facilities at the index hospital. We systematically reviewed medical
      records for risk factors, comorbid conditions, clinical presentation, and receipt
      of DCA. Clinical justifications, as stated by the treating physician, were noted
      for the subset of patients who did not receive a DCA. RESULTS: Overall, 187 women
      and 198 men received DCA within 60 days (75 % vs. 79 %, hazard ratio: 0.82 [0.67
      1.00], p = 0.047).In the subset of patients who did not receive a DCA (n = 114),
      clinical justifications for opting out an invasive strategy was not documented
      for 21 patients (18.4 %). Type 2 myocardial infarction was noted in 11 patients
      (women versus men; 14.5 % vs. 3.8 %, p = 0.06) and identified as a potential
      confounder of the sex-DCA relationship. Receipt of DCA was predicted by
      traditional risk factors for ischaemic heart disease (family history of
      cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking) and clinical
      presentation (chest pain, ST-segment elevations). Although prevalent in both
      women and men, the presence of relative contraindications did not prohibit the
      use of DCA. CONCLUSION: In this matched cohort of patients with a first AMI,
      women and men had different clinical presentations despite similar age. However,
      no differences in the distribution of relative contraindications for DCA were
      found between the sexes. Type 2 MI posed a potentiel confounder for the sex
      related differences in the use of DCA. Importantly,clinical justification for
      opting out an invasive strategy was not documented in almost one fifth of
      patients not receiving a DCA.

PMID- 27250116
TI  - HER2 status and disparities in luminal breast cancers.
AB  - National Comprehensive Care Network guidelines for adjuvant treatment of invasive
      breast cancer are based on HER2 and hormone receptor (HR) status, where HR+
      disease encompasses all estrogen receptor (ER)+ and/or progesterone receptor
      (PR)+ tumors. We sought to explore clinical and demographic differences among
      patients with HR+ breast cancer subtypes, and the role of HER2 status, age,
      race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) in disease risk. We evaluated
      breast cancer subtype distribution, defined by HR and HER2 status, using patient
      clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics. Differences in HR
      categories by demographic and tumor characteristics were examined using chi
      squared tests. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios
      (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to quantify associations between breast
      cancer HR status and demographic factors. We found that differences in HR+ (ER
      /PR+ vs. ER+/PR- or ER+/PR+) tumor biology are likely clinically significant and
      may play a role in breast cancer, regardless of HER2 status. While clinical and
      patient characteristics differed within each luminal subtype, we found
      disparities in SES only among Luminal A (HR+/HER2-) tumors. Among HR+/HER2-
      cases, we observed that ER-/PR+ patients tend to live in areas of higher poverty
      (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.03-1.40) and are 70% more likely to be aged 50 years or
      older. However, this pattern was not found in women with Luminal B (HR+/HER2+)
      disease (Poverty OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.76-1.27; Age OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.81
      1.26). Racial/ethnic disparities among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic women
      persisted across HR+/HER2- cases compared to non-Hispanic white women. Our
      findings suggest that while race/ethnicity and SES are correlated, each plays an
      independent role in contributing to disease among Luminal A tumors. Further study
      is needed to investigate how tumor biology, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic
      disparities among HR+/HER2- cases may contribute to poorer patient prognosis.

PMID- 27250117
TI  - Development of a survey instrument to measure patient experience of integrated
      care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Healthcare systems are working to move towards more integrated,
      patient-centered care. This study describes the development and testing of a
      multidimensional self-report measure of patients' experiences of integrated care.
      METHODS: Random-digit-dial telephone survey in 2012 of 317 adults aged 40 years
      or older in the San Francisco region who had used healthcare at least twice in
      the past 12 months. One-time cross-sectional survey; psychometric evaluation to
      confirm dimensions and create multi-item scales. Survey data were analyzed using
      VARCLUS and confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability
      testing. RESULTS: Scales measuring five domains were confirmed: coordination
      within and between care teams, navigation (arranging appointments and visits),
      communication between specialist and primary care doctor, and communication
      between primary care doctor and specialist. Four of these demonstrated excellent
      internal consistency reliability. Mean scale scores indicated low levels of
      integration. CONCLUSION: These scales measuring integrated care capture
      meaningful domains of patients' experiences of health care. The low levels of
      care integration reported by patients in the study sample suggest that these
      types of measures should be considered in ongoing evaluations of health system
      performance and improvement. Further research should examine whether differences
      in patient experience of integrated care are associated with differences in the
      processes and outcomes of care received.

PMID- 27250118
TI  - Progression of experimental chronic Aleutian mink disease virus infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) is found world-wide and has a
      major impact on mink health and welfare by decreasing reproduction and fur
      quality. In the majority of mink, the infection is subclinical and the diagnosis
      must be confirmed by serology or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Increased
      knowledge based on a systematically description of clinical signs, pathology and
      histopathology might be a tool to reduce the risk of infection from subclinically
      infected mink to AMDV free herds. The aim of this study was to give a
      histopathological description of the progression of a chronic experimental
      infection with a currently circulating Danish strain of AMDV, Saeby/DEN/799.1/05.
      These results were compared with the pathogenesis of previously published AMDV
      stains. RESULTS: This experimental AMDV infection resulted in only decreased
      appetite and soft or discolored feces, primarily within the first 8 weeks after
      AMDV inoculation. Gross pathology revealed few and inconsistent findings mainly
      associated with the liver, spleen and kidneys. The majority of the AMDV
      inoculated wild type mink (n = 41) developed various histopathological changes
      consistent with AMDV infection in one or more organs: infiltrations of
      mononuclear cells in liver, kidney and brain, reduced density of lymphocytes and
      increased numbers of plasma cells in lymph nodes and spleen. Natural infection,
      as occurred in the sentinel sapphire mink (four of six mink), progressed similar
      to the experimentally inoculated mink. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental AMDV inoculation
      mainly resulted in subclinical infection with unspecific clinical signs and gross
      pathology, and more consistent histopathology appearing at any time after AMDV
      inoculation during the 24 weeks of observation. Thus, the observed histopathology
      substantiates AMDV infection and no correlation to time of inoculation was found.
      This confirms that diagnosing AMDV infection requires serology and/or PCR and the
      Saeby/DEN/799.1/05 AMDV strain results in histopathology consistent with other
      AMDV strains.

PMID- 27250119
TI  - Solitary splenic tuberculosis: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis remains one of the most prevalent and fatal infectious
      diseases in spite of considerable improvements in medical science. Tuberculosis
      is an important health problem in developing countries. There are few cases of
      solitary splenic tuberculosis reported in the literature internationally.
      Solitary splenic tuberculosis is extremely rare and is mostly seen in individuals
      with immunosuppression. Patients susceptible to acquiring splenic tuberculosis
      usually have some risk factors such as immunosuppression, pyogenic infections,
      splenic abnormalities, spleen trauma, sickle cell disease, and so on (Basa JV,
      Singh L, Jaoude WA, Sugiyama G, Int J Surg 8C:117-119,2015). CASE PRESENTATION:
      Here we report a case of surgically confirmed mass-forming solitary splenic
      tuberculosis in a 64-year-old woman who presented with abdominal discomfort for
      two months, but with no other symptoms. Laboratory data provided no specific
      information for diagnosis. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a large hypoechoic
      lesion within the spleen. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a
      solitary hypodense lesion. A diagnosis of solitary splenic tuberculosis was
      confirmed after a splenectomy was performed and histopathological examination
      revealed splenic tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Solitary splenic tuberculosis is rare
      and associated with an immunocompetent patient is extremely rare. It is hard to
      correctly diagnose it by US or CT scan.

PMID- 27250122
TI  - Evaluation of the successive approximations method for acoustic streaming
      numerical simulations.
AB  - This work evaluates the successive approximations method commonly used to predict
      acoustic streaming by comparing it with a direct method. The successive
      approximations method solves both the acoustic wave propagation and acoustic
      streaming by solving the first and second order Navier-Stokes equations, ignoring
      the first order convective effects. This method was applied to acoustic streaming
      in a 2D domain and the results were compared with results from the direct
      simulation of the Navier-Stokes equations. The velocity results showed
      qualitative agreement between both methods, which indicates that the successive
      approximations method can describe the formation of flows with recirculation.
      However, a large quantitative deviation was observed between the two methods.
      Further analysis showed that the successive approximation method solution is
      sensitive to the initial flow field. The direct method showed that the
      instantaneous flow field changes significantly due to reflections and wave
      interference. It was also found that convective effects contribute significantly
      to the wave propagation pattern. These effects must be taken into account when
      solving the acoustic streaming problems, since it affects the global flow. By
      adequately calculating the initial condition for first order step, the acoustic
      streaming prediction by the successive approximations method can be improved
      significantly.

PMID- 27250121
TI  - Pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma mimicking neurocysticercosis: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurocysticercosis occurs when the eggs of the pork tapeworm (Taenia
      solium) migrate and hatch into larvae within the central nervous system.
      Neurocysticercosis is the most common cause of seizures in the developing world
      and is characterized on brain imaging by cysts in different stages of evolution.
      In Canada, cases of neurocysticercosis are rare and most of these patients
      acquire the disease outside of Canada. We report the case of a patient with
      multiple intracranial lesions whose history and diagnostic imaging were
      consistent with neurocysticercosis. Pathological investigations ultimately
      demonstrated that her brain lesions were secondary to malignancy. Brain
      metastases are considered to be the most common cause of intracranial cystic
      lesions. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 60-year-old Canadian-born
      Caucasian woman with a subacute history of ataxia, lower extremity hyper
      reflexia, and otalgia who resided near a pig farm for most of her childhood.
      Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed that she had multiple
      heterogeneous intracranial cysts, suggestive of neurocysticercosis. Despite a
      heavy burden of disease, serological tests for cysticercosis were negative. This
      result and a lack of the central scolices on neuroimaging that are pathognomonic
      of neurocysticercosis prompted whole-body computed tomography imaging to identify
      another etiology. The whole-body computed tomography revealed right hilar
      lymphadenopathy associated with soft tissue nodules in her chest wall and
      abdomen. A biopsy of an anterior chest wall nodule demonstrated high-grade poorly
      differentiated carcinoma with necrosis, which stained strongly positive for
      thyroid transcription factor-1 and synaptophysin on immunohistochemistry. A
      diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was made and
      our patient was referred for oncological palliative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This
      case illustrates the importance of the diagnostic approach to intracranial
      lesions. Our patient's diagnosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma was delayed because
      of her nontraditional presentation. Despite extensive metastatic burden, the lack
      of perilesional edema and the identification of lesions appearing to be in
      various stages of development led to a pursuit of neurocysticercosis as the
      diagnosis. The absence of constitutional symptoms should not discount the
      possibility of malignancy from the differential diagnosis.

PMID- 27250120
TI  - The N3RO trial: a randomised controlled trial of docosahexaenoic acid to reduce
      bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants < 29 weeks' gestation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major cause of mortality and
      long-term respiratory and neurological morbidity in very preterm infants. While
      survival rates of very preterm infants have increased over the past two decades
      there has been no decrease in the rate of BPD in surviving infants. Evidence from
      animal and human studies has suggested potential benefits of docosahexaenoic acid
      (DHA), an n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, in the prevention of chronic
      lung disease. This randomised controlled trial aims to determine the
      effectiveness of supplementary DHA in reducing the rate of BPD in infants less
      than 29 weeks' gestation. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a multicentre, parallel group,
      randomised, blinded and controlled trial. Infants born less than 29 weeks'
      gestation, within 3 days of first enteral feed and with parent informed consent
      are eligible to participate. Infants will be randomised to receive an enteral
      emulsion containing DHA or a control emulsion without DHA. The DHA emulsion will
      provide 60 mg/kg/day of DHA. The study emulsions will continue to 36 weeks'
      postmenstrual age (PMA). The primary outcome is BPD as assessed by the
      requirement for supplemental oxygen and/or assisted ventilation at 36 weeks' PMA.
      Secondary outcomes include the composite of death or BPD; duration of respiratory
      support and hospitalisation, major neonatal morbidities. The target sample size
      is 1244 infants (622 per group), which will provide 90 % power to detect a
      clinically meaningful absolute reduction of 10 % in the incidence of BPD between
      the DHA and control emulsion (two tailed alpha =0.05). DISCUSSION: DHA
      supplementation has the potential to reduce respiratory morbidity in very preterm
      infants. This multicentre trial will provide evidence on whether an enteral DHA
      supplement reduces BPD in very preterm infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia and
      New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12612000503820 . Registered 09 May
      2012.

PMID- 27250123
TI  - Auditory localization by subjects with unilateral tinnitus.
AB  - Tinnitus is associated with changes in neural activity. How such alterations
      impact the localization ability of subjects with tinnitus remains largely
      unexplored. In this study, subjects with self-reported unilateral tinnitus were
      compared to subjects with matching hearing loss at high frequencies and to normal
      hearing subjects in horizontal and vertical plane localization tasks. Subjects
      were asked to localize a pink noise source either alone or over background noise.
      Results showed some degree of difference between subjects with tinnitus and
      subjects with normal hearing in horizontal plane localization, which was
      exacerbated by background noise. However, this difference could be explained by
      different hearing sensitivities between groups. In vertical plane localization
      there was no difference between groups in the binaural listening condition, but
      in monaural listening the tinnitus group localized significantly worse with the
      tinnitus ear. This effect remained when accounting for differences in hearing
      sensitivity. It is concluded that tinnitus may degrade auditory localization
      ability, but this effect is for the most part due to the associated levels of
      hearing loss. More detailed studies are needed to fully disentangle the effects
      of hearing loss and tinnitus.

PMID- 27250124
TI  - Sparse feature learning for instrument identification: Effects of sampling and
      pooling methods.
AB  - Feature learning for music applications has recently received considerable
      attention from many researchers. This paper reports on the sparse feature
      learning algorithm for musical instrument identification, and in particular,
      focuses on the effects of the frame sampling techniques for dictionary learning
      and the pooling methods for feature aggregation. To this end, two frame sampling
      techniques are examined that are fixed and proportional random sampling.
      Furthermore, the effect of using onset frame was analyzed for both of proposed
      sampling methods. Regarding summarization of the feature activation, a standard
      deviation pooling method is used and compared with the commonly used max- and
      average-pooling techniques. Using more than 47 000 recordings of 24 instruments
      from various performers, playing styles, and dynamics, a number of tuning
      parameters are experimented including the analysis frame size, the dictionary
      size, and the type of frequency scaling as well as the different sampling and
      pooling methods. The results show that the combination of proportional sampling
      and standard deviation pooling achieve the best overall performance of 95.62%
      while the optimal parameter set varies among the instrument classes.

PMID- 27250126
TI  - Influence of laminate sequence and fabric type on the inherent acoustic
      nonlinearity in carbon fiber reinforced composites.
AB  - This paper presents the study of influence of laminate sequence and fabric type
      on the baseline acoustic nonlinearity of fiber-reinforced composites. Nonlinear
      elastic wave techniques are increasingly becoming popular in detecting damage in
      composite materials. It was earlier observed by the authors that the non
      classical nonlinear response of fiber-reinforced composite is influenced by the
      fiber orientation [Chakrapani, Barnard, and Dayal, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 137(2),
      617-624 (2015)]. The current study expands this effort to investigate the effect
      of laminate sequence and fabric type on the non-classical nonlinear response. Two
      hypotheses were developed using the previous results, and the theory of
      interlaminar stresses to investigate the influence of laminate sequence and
      fabric type. Each hypothesis was tested by capturing the nonlinear response by
      performing nonlinear resonance spectroscopy and measuring frequency shifts, loss
      factors, and higher harmonics. It was observed that the laminate sequence can
      either increase or decrease the nonlinear response based on the stacking
      sequence. Similarly, tests were performed to compare unidirectional fabric and
      woven fabric and it was observed that woven fabric exhibited a lower nonlinear
      response compared to the unidirectional fabric. Conjectures based on the matrix
      properties and interlaminar stresses were used in an attempt to explain the
      observed nonlinear responses for different configurations.

PMID- 27250125
TI  - Multi-tone suppression of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions in humans.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of multiple
      suppressors. Distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were
      made in normal-hearing participants. Primary tones had fixed frequencies (f2 =
      4000 Hz; f1 / f2 = 1.22) and a range of levels. Suppressor tones were at three
      frequencies (fs = 2828, 4100, 4300 Hz) and range of levels. Decrement was defined
      as the attenuation in DPOAE level due to the presence of a suppressor. A measure
      of suppression called suppressive intensity was calculated by an equation
      previously shown to fit DPOAE suppression data. Suppressor pairs, which were the
      combination of two different frequencies, were presented at levels selected to
      have equal single-suppressor decrements. A hybrid model that represents a
      continuum between additive intensity and additive attenuation best described the
      results. The suppressor pair with the smallest frequency ratio produced
      decrements that were more consistent with additive intensity. The suppressor pair
      with the largest frequency ratio produced decrements at the highest level that
      were consistent with additive attenuation. Other suppressor-pair conditions
      produced decrements that were intermediate between these two alternative models.
      The hybrid model provides a useful framework for representing the observed range
      of interaction when two suppressors are combined.

PMID- 27250127
TI  - Effects of complex tonal stimuli on latency and amplitude of a late auditory
      evoked potential.
AB  - An optimum stimulus for evoking late auditory potentials is not well established.
      A typical stimulus for clinical purposes is either a brief speech signal or a
      brief single-frequency tone. Based on previous research, it is reasonable to
      assume that a complex stimulus may enhance waveform morphology relative to a
      single-frequency stimulus. The current project investigated the effects on P1
      latency and P1/N1 amplitude of a two-frequency complex stimulus with the second
      frequency having either a dissonant or harmonic relationship to a single
      frequency reference stimulus. An 80 ms 1000 Hz tone with 10 ms rise/fall times
      served as the reference stimulus. The two-frequency complex stimuli consisted of
      the reference (1000 Hz) frequency mixed with a second frequency of equal duration
      and amplitude at 1100, 1250, 1500, 2000, or 4000 Hz, resulting in three dissonant
      and two harmonic stimuli. One dissonant stimulus (1000 + 1100 Hz) was designed to
      fall within the critical band of the reference stimulus. Stimuli were presented
      in a counterbalanced order to 20 normal hearing adult subjects. Two replicate
      runs were obtained for each stimulus condition. Results showed that the complex
      stimuli had no significant effect on P1 latency relative to the reference
      stimulus, but produced a significant increase in P1/N1 amplitude for the harmonic
      stimuli.

PMID- 27250128
TI  - Sound transmission loss of double plates with an air cavity between them in a
      rigid duct.
AB  - In this paper, the sound transmission loss (STL) of thin double plates with an
      air cavity between them in a rigid duct is considered using an analytical
      approach. The vibration motion of the plate and sound pressure field are expanded
      in terms of an infinite series of the modal functions. Under the plane wave
      condition, a low frequency solution is derived by including the first few
      symmetric modes. It is determined that the peak frequencies of the double plates
      coincide with those of each single plate. When the two plates are identical, the
      STL becomes zero at the natural frequencies of the single plate. However, when
      the two plates are not identical, the STL is always greater than zero. The
      location and amplitude of the dips are investigated using an approximate solution
      when the cavity depth is very small. It is observed that dividing the single
      plate into two plates with an air cavity in between degrades the STL in the low
      frequency range, while the equivalent surface mass density is preserved. However,
      when the cavity depth is not small, the STL of the single plate can be smaller
      than that of the double plates.

PMID- 27250129
TI  - Mid-bandwidth loudness depression in hearing-impaired listeners.
AB  - The loudness of a bandpass-filtered noise depends on its bandwidth. For
      bandwidths larger than a critical bandwidth, loudness increases as the bandwidth
      increases, an effect commonly referred to as spectral loudness summation. For
      bandwidths smaller than the critical bandwidth, it was shown recently for normal
      hearing listeners that loudness decreases as the bandwidth increases. This study
      investigated if listeners with a hearing impairment of primarily cochlear origin
      also showed this effect. Levels at equal loudness between a 1500-Hz pure-tone
      reference and noise-band targets centered at 1500 Hz were measured for bandwidths
      in the range from 15 to 1620 Hz. The reference level was adjusted individually on
      the basis of the audiogram. The average level difference at equal loudness
      increased from 0 dB at 15 Hz up to a maximum of about 4 dB at 810 Hz. Thus, the
      mid-bandwidth loudness depression is also observed for hearing-impaired
      listeners.

PMID- 27250132
TI  - Suppression of bending waves in a beam using resonators with different separation
      lengths.
AB  - This work is concerned with the suppression of a bending wave in a beam using
      resonators. Particular focus is put on the separation length between resonators.
      It is demonstrated that, for a beam with identical resonators attached at equal
      intervals, the bending wave transmission efficiency varies with respect to the
      separation length. The phenomena and the underlying physics are investigated by
      resorting to a simple beam model having two resonators resting on it. The two
      resonators are coupled over the segment through various bending wave components,
      comprising both propagating waves and evanescent waves, generated at the
      resonator locations where the beam encounters impedance discontinuities. The
      separation length, specifying the phase change of the propagating waves and the
      amplitude decay of the evanescent waves travelling from one resonator to the
      other, is thereby the parameter determining the extent to which the resonators
      would be coupled and the degree of the power that is transmitted. Results show,
      qualitatively, the difference in the working mechanism of the resonators in
      different separation length regions, with criteria being defined to distinguish
      those regions. Particularly, in the intermediate separation region, the
      evanescent waves are shown to play an important role in the coupling and are
      responsible for transmitting power, comparable with that transmitted by
      propagating waves, to the far field.

PMID- 27250130
TI  - Ultrasound and acoustic analysis of sibilant fricatives in preadolescents and
      adults.
AB  - This study describes the production of sibilant fricatives /s/ and /?/, comparing
      Scottish English speaking preadolescent children with adults. The materials were
      the sequences /eCa/ and /eCi/ produced by 15 adults and 15 children aged between
      10 and 12 years old. Quantitative analyses were carried out on both spectral
      information and on ultrasound imaging data on tongue shape, taken from nine
      successive time points during the fricative. The two groups of speakers were very
      similar to each other in the articulatory and acoustic characteristics
      distinguishing the two fricatives. Age-related differences in the fricative
      centroid measure occurred at consonant-vowel boundaries, with lower values in the
      preadolescents. Within-speaker variability was mostly similar across age groups,
      with the exception of the fricative centroid for /?/, which was significantly
      more variable in preadolescents than in adults. Throughout the consonant
      duration, both groups consistently differentiated between the two consonants in
      both the fricative centroid and in one measure of tongue shape.

PMID- 27250134
TI  - Flight parameter estimation using instantaneous frequency and time delay
      measurements from a three-element planar acoustic array.
AB  - The acoustic signal emitted by a turbo-prop aircraft consists of a strong
      narrowband tone superimposed on a broadband random component. A ground-based
      three-element planar acoustic array can be used to estimate the full set of
      flight parameters of a turbo-prop aircraft in transit by measuring the time delay
      (TD) between the signal received at the reference sensor and the signal received
      at each of the other two sensors of the array over a sufficiently long period of
      time. This paper studies the possibility of using instantaneous frequency (IF)
      measurements from the reference sensor to improve the precision of the flight
      parameter estimates. A simplified Cramer-Rao lower bound analysis shows that the
      standard deviations in the estimates of the aircraft velocity and altitude can be
      greatly reduced when IF measurements are used together with TD measurements. Two
      flight parameter estimation algorithms that utilize both IF and TD measurements
      are formulated and their performances are evaluated using both simulated and real
      data.

PMID- 27250133
TI  - Dynamic vocal fold parameters with changing adduction in ex-vivo hemilarynx
      experiments.
AB  - Ex-vivo hemilarynx experiments allow the visualization and quantification of
      three-dimensional dynamics of the medial vocal fold surface. For three excised
      human male larynges, the vibrational output, the glottal flow resistance, and the
      sound pressure during sustained phonation were analyzed as a function of vocal
      fold adduction for varying subglottal pressure. Empirical eigenfunctions,
      displacements, and velocities were investigated along the vocal fold surface. For
      two larynges, an increase of adduction level resulted in an increase of the
      glottal flow resistance at equal subglottal pressures. This caused an increase of
      lateral and vertical oscillation amplitudes and velocity indicating an improved
      energy transfer from the airflow to the vocal folds. In contrast, the third
      larynx exhibited an amplitude decrease for rising adduction accompanying
      reduction of the flow resistance. By evaluating the empirical eigenfunctions,
      this reduced flow resistance was assigned to an unbalanced oscillation pattern
      with predominantly lateral amplitudes. The results suggest that adduction
      facilitates the phonatory process by increasing the glottal flow resistance and
      enhancing the vibrational amplitudes. However, this interrelation only holds for
      a maintained balanced ratio between vertical and lateral displacements. Indeed, a
      balanced vertical-lateral oscillation pattern may be more beneficial to phonation
      than strong periodicity with predominantly lateral vibrations.

PMID- 27250135
TI  - Comment on "Reconstructing surface wave profiles from reflected acoustic pulses"
      [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 133(5), 2597-2611 (2013)].
AB  - A computationally efficient, time-domain Helmholtz-Kirchhoff (H-K) integral was
      derived and applied to reconstructing surface wave profiles from reflected
      acoustic pulses [Walstead and Deane, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 133, 2597-2611 (2013)].
      However, the final form of the integral equation incorporating a stationary phase
      approximation contained a complex phase term exp(ipi/4), which cannot be treated
      as a simple time delay. In this work, a real time-domain H-K integral is
      presented that includes an additional Hilbert transform of the time-derivative of
      the transmitted pulse. Numerical simulation with a sinusoidal surface shows good
      agreement between the real time-domain formulation and exact H-K integral, while
      achieving a significant improvement in computational speed (e.g., 2 orders of
      magnitude).

PMID- 27250136
TI  - Masked threshold for noise bands masked by narrower bands of noise: Effects of
      masker bandwidth and center frequency.
AB  - This paper examines how masked thresholds depend on the masker bandwidth and
      center frequency when the masker has a smaller bandwidth than the signal. The
      signal bandwidth was equal to the equivalent rectangular bandwidth of the
      auditory filter and the masker bandwidth was 0.1, 0.35, or 0.6 times the signal
      bandwidth. The masker and signal were centered at the same frequency of 257, 697,
      1538, 3142, or 6930 Hz. Masked thresholds were estimated using a two-interval two
      alternative forced-choice paradigm and a three-down one-up adaptive staircase
      method. Masked thresholds increased with increasing masker bandwidth and were
      lowest for medium center frequencies.

PMID- 27250137
TI  - Understanding acoustic methods for cement bond logging.
AB  - Well cementation is important for oil/gas production, underground gas storage,
      and CO2 storage, since it isolates the reservoir layers from aquifers to increase
      well integrity and reduce environmental footprint. This paper analyzes wave modes
      of different sonic/ultrasonic methods for cement bonding evaluation. A Two
      dimensional finite difference method is then used to simulate the wavefield for
      the ultrasonic methods in the cased-hole models. Waveforms of pulse-echo method
      from different interfaces in a good bonded well are analyzed. Wavefield of the
      pitch-catch method for free casing, partial or full bonded models with ultra-low
      density cement are studied. Based on the studies, the modes in different methods
      are considered as follows: the zero-order symmetric Leaky-Lamb mode (S0) for
      sonic method, the first-order symmetric Leaky-Lamb mode (S1) for the pulse-echo
      method, and the zero-order anti-symmetric Leaky-Lamb mode (A0) for the pitch
      catch method. For the sonic method, a directional transmitter in both the azimuth
      and axial directions can generate energy with a large incidence angle and azimuth
      resolution, which can effectively generate S0 and break out the azimuth
      limitation of the conventional sonic method. Although combination of pulse-echo
      and pitch-catch methods can determine the bonding condition of the third
      interface for the ultra-low density cement case, the pitch-catch cannot tell the
      fluid annulus thickness behind casing for the partial bonded cased-hole.

PMID- 27250138
TI  - Ocean ambient sound south of Bermuda and Panama Canal traffic.
AB  - Comparisons of current and historic ocean ambient noise levels are rare,
      especially in the North Atlantic. Recent (2013-2014) monthly patterns in ocean
      ambient sound south of Bermuda were compared to those recorded at the same
      location in 1966. Additionally, trends in ocean traffic, in particular, Panama
      Canal traffic, over this time were also investigated. One year of ocean ambient
      noise measurements were collected in 1966 using cabled, omnidirectional
      hydrophones at the U.S. Navy Tudor Hill Laboratory in Bermuda, and repeat
      measurements were collected at the same location from June 2013-May 2014 using a
      High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package. Average monthly pressure spectrum
      levels at 44 Hz increased 2.8 +/- 0.8 dB from 1966 to 2013, indicating an average
      increase of 0.6 dB/decade. This low level of increase may be due to topographic
      shielding at this site, limiting it to only southern exposure, and the limit in
      the number of ship transits through the Panama Canal, which did not change
      substantially during this time. The impending expansion of the Canal, which will
      enable the transit of larger ships at twice the current rate, is likely to lead
      to a substantial increase in ocean ambient sound at this location in the near
      future.

PMID- 27250139
TI  - Acoustic reflections in the water column of Krishna-Godavari offshore basin, Bay
      of Bengal.
AB  - Seismic oceanographic studies from various oceans worldwide have indicated that
      the acoustic reflections are mostly observed along thermal boundaries within the
      water column. However, the authors present a case study of seismic data from
      Krishna-Godavari Basin which shows that salinity variations also play an
      important role in the occurrence of water column reflections. The observed
      reflection is modeled using the reflectivity series derived from the salinity and
      temperature profiles from a nearby Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) location.
      Sensitivity analysis of temperature and salinity on soundspeed shows that the
      effect of salinity cannot be ignored for modeling acoustic reflections. The
      synthetic seismogram matches well with the observed reflection seismic data.
      Remarkable similarities between the reflection seismic and the salinity profile
      in the upper thermocline suggest the importance of salinity variations on the
      water column reflection. Furthermore, impedance inversion of the reflectivity
      data reveals several thermohaline structures in the water column. The origin of
      these thermohaline structures is largely unaddressed and may be attributed to the
      fresh water influx coming from Himalayan and Peninsular rivers or due to the
      presence of different water masses in the Indian Ocean which warrants a detailed
      study using concurrent seismic and CTD data.

PMID- 27250140
TI  - Effects of musical and linguistic experience on categorization of lexical and
      melodic tones.
AB  - This study investigated the categorization of Mandarin lexical tones and music
      melodic tones by listeners differing in linguistic and musical experience
      (English musicians, English non-musicians, and Mandarin non-musicians).
      Linguistic tonal continua were created from the Mandarin rising to level, and
      falling to level tones. Melodic continua were created by varying the note D under
      the context of C and E. The tasks involved tone discrimination and
      identification. Results revealed that musical training facilitated Mandarin tone
      categorization, with English musicians' tone identification approximating native
      Mandarin patterns, being more categorical than English non-musicians'. However,
      English musicians showed higher discrimination accuracy than Mandarin listeners
      but not English non-musicians. This suggests that musical experience was not
      advantageous in discriminating linguistic tonal variations, which requires
      listeners to ignore subtle physical differences in order to make categorical
      judgments. Similarly, Mandarin tone experience affected melodic tone
      identification, with Mandarin non-musicians approximating English musicians,
      showing more categorical patterns than English non-musicians. In contrast,
      Mandarin non-musicians' melodic discrimination was the poorest among the three
      groups, indicating that their experience with linguistic tone categorization may
      have decreased their sensitivity to fine-grained pitch variations. These results
      demonstrate bi-directional transfer of pitch proficiency between speech and music
      as a function of experience.

PMID- 27250141
TI  - Simulating electrical modulation detection thresholds using a biophysical model
      of the auditory nerve.
AB  - Modulation detection thresholds (MDTs) assess listeners' sensitivity to changes
      in the temporal envelope of a signal and have been shown to strongly correlate
      with speech perception in cochlear implant users. MDTs are simulated with a
      stochastic model of a population of auditory nerve fibers that has been verified
      to accurately simulate a number of physiologically important temporal response
      properties. The procedure to estimate detection thresholds has previously been
      applied to stimulus discrimination tasks. The population model simulates the MDT
      stimulus intensity relationship measured in cochlear implant users. The model
      also recreates the shape of the modulation transfer function and the relationship
      between MDTs and carrier rate. Discrimination based on fluctuations in
      synchronous firing activity predicts better performance at low carrier rates, but
      quantitative measures of modulation coding predict better neural representation
      of high carrier rate stimuli. Manipulating the number of fibers and a temporal
      integration parameter, the width of a sliding temporal integration window, varies
      properties of the MDTs, such as cutoff frequency and peak threshold. These
      results demonstrate the importance of using a multi-diameter fiber population in
      modeling the MDTs and demonstrate a wider applicability of this model to
      simulating behavioral performance in cochlear implant listeners.

PMID- 27250142
TI  - Asymptotic limits of some models for sound propagation in porous media and the
      assignment of the pore characteristic lengths.
AB  - Modeling of sound propagation in porous media requires the knowledge of several
      intrinsic material parameters, some of which are difficult or impossible to
      measure directly, particularly in the case of a porous medium which is composed
      of pores with a wide range of scales and random interconnections. Four particular
      parameters which are rarely measured non-acoustically, but used extensively in a
      number of acoustical models, are the viscous and thermal characteristic lengths,
      thermal permeability, and Pride parameter. The main purpose of this work is to
      show how these parameters relate to the pore size distribution which is a routine
      characteristic measured non-acoustically. This is achieved through the analysis
      of the asymptotic behavior of four analytical models which have been developed
      previously to predict the dynamic density and/or compressibility of the
      equivalent fluid in a porous medium. In this work the models proposed by Johnson,
      Koplik, and Dashn [J. Fluid Mech. 176, 379-402 (1987)], Champoux and Allard [J.
      Appl. Phys. 70(4), 1975-1979 (1991)], Pride, Morgan, and Gangi [Phys. Rev. B 47,
      4964-4978 (1993)], and Horoshenkov, Attenborough, and Chandler-Wilde [J. Acoust.
      Soc. Am. 104, 1198-1209 (1998)] are compared. The findings are then used to
      compare the behavior of the complex dynamic density and compressibility of the
      fluid in a material pore with uniform and variable cross-sections.

PMID- 27250143
TI  - Temperature dependence of acoustic harmonics generated by nonlinear ultrasound
      wave propagation in water at various frequencies.
AB  - Ultrasound-based thermometry requires a temperature-sensitive acoustic parameter
      that can be used to estimate the temperature by tracking changes in that
      parameter during heating. The objective of this study is to investigate the
      temperature dependence of acoustic harmonics generated by nonlinear ultrasound
      wave propagation in water at various pulse transmit frequencies from 1 to 20 MHz.
      Simulations were conducted using an expanded form of the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya
      Kuznetsov nonlinear acoustic wave propagation model in which temperature
      dependence of the medium parameters was included. Measurements were performed
      using single-element transducers at two different transmit frequencies of 3.3 and
      13 MHz which are within the range of frequencies simulated. The acoustic pressure
      signals were measured by a calibrated needle hydrophone along the axes of the
      transducers. The water temperature was uniformly increased from 26  degrees C to
      46  degrees C in increments of 5  degrees C. The results show that the
      temperature dependence of the harmonic generation is different at various
      frequencies which is due to the interplay between the mechanisms of absorption,
      nonlinearity, and focusing gain. At the transmit frequencies of 1 and 3.3 MHz,
      the harmonic amplitudes decrease with increasing the temperature, while the
      opposite temperature dependence is observed at 13 and 20 MHz.

PMID- 27250144
TI  - Durations required to distinguish noise and tone: Effects of noise bandwidth and
      frequency.
AB  - Perceptual audio coders exploit the masking properties of the human auditory
      system to reduce the bit rate in audio recording and transmission systems; it is
      intended that the quantization noise is just masked by the audio signal. The
      effectiveness of the audio signal as a masker depends on whether it is tone-like
      or noise-like. The determination of this, both physically and perceptually,
      depends on the duration of the stimuli. To gather information that might improve
      the efficiency of perceptual coders, the duration required to distinguish between
      a narrowband noise and a tone was measured as a function of center frequency and
      noise bandwidth. In experiment 1, duration thresholds were measured for isolated
      noise and tone bursts. In experiment 2, duration thresholds were measured for
      tone and noise segments embedded within longer tone pulses. In both experiments,
      center frequencies were 345, 754, 1456, and 2658 Hz and bandwidths were 0.25,
      0.5, and 1 times the equivalent rectangular bandwidth of the auditory filter at
      each center frequency. The duration thresholds decreased with increasing
      bandwidth and with increasing center frequency up to 1456 Hz. It is argued that
      the duration thresholds depended mainly on the detection of amplitude
      fluctuations in the noise bursts.

PMID- 27250145
TI  - Influence of voxelization on finite difference time domain simulations of head
      related transfer functions.
AB  - The scattering around the human pinna that is captured by the Head-Related
      Transfer Functions (HRTFs) is a complex problem that creates uncertainties in
      both acoustical measurements and simulations. Within the simulation framework of
      Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) with axis-aligned staircase boundaries
      resulting from a voxelization process, the voxelization-based uncertainty
      propagating in the HRTF-captured sound field is quantified for one solid and two
      surface voxelization algorithms. Simulated results utilizing a laser-scanned mesh
      of Knowles Electronics Manikin for Acoustic Research (KEMAR) show that in the
      context of complex geometries with local topology comparable to grid spacing such
      as the human pinna, the voxelization-related uncertainties in simulations emerge
      at lower frequencies than the generally used accuracy bandwidths. Numerical
      simulations show that the voxelization process induces both random error and
      algorithm-dependent bias in the simulated HRTF spectral features. Frequencies fr
      below which the random error is bounded by various dB thresholds are estimated
      and predicted. Particular shortcomings of the used voxelization algorithms are
      identified and the influence of the surface impedance on the induced errors is
      studied. Simulations are also validated against measurements.

PMID- 27250146
TI  - Quantitative analysis of a frequency-domain nonlinearity indicator.
AB  - In this paper, quantitative understanding of a frequency-domain nonlinearity
      indicator is developed. The indicator is derived from an ensemble-averaged,
      frequency-domain version of the generalized Burgers equation, which can be
      rearranged in order to directly compare the effects of nonlinearity, absorption,
      and geometric spreading on the pressure spectrum level with frequency and
      distance. The nonlinear effect is calculated using pressure-squared-pressure
      quadspectrum. Further theoretical development has given an expression for the
      role of the normalized quadspectrum, referred to as Q/S by Morfey and Howell
      [AIAA J. 19, 986-992 (1981)], in the spatial rate of change of the pressure
      spectrum level. To explore this finding, an investigation of the change in level
      for initial sinusoids propagating as plane waves through inviscid and
      thermoviscous media has been conducted. The decibel change with distance,
      calculated through Q/S, captures the growth and decay of the harmonics and
      indicates that the most significant changes in level occur prior to sawtooth
      formation. At large distances, the inviscid case results in a spatial rate of
      change that is uniform across all harmonics. For thermoviscous media, large
      positive nonlinear gains are observed but offset by absorption, which leads to a
      greater overall negative spatial rate of change for higher harmonics.

PMID- 27250147
TI  - Compensation for a lip-tube perturbation in 4-year-olds: Articulatory, acoustic,
      and perceptual data analyzed in comparison with adults.
AB  - The nature of the speech goal in children was investigated in a study of
      compensation strategies for a lip-tube perturbation. Acoustic, articulatory, and
      perceptual analyses of the vowels /y/ and /u/ produced by ten 4-year-old French
      speakers and ten adult French speakers were conducted under two conditions:
      normal and with a large tube inserted between the lips. Ultrasound and acoustic
      recordings of isolated vowels were made in the normal condition before any
      perturbation, for each of the trials in the perturbed condition, and in the
      normal condition after the perturbed trials. Data revealed that adult
      participants moved their tongues in the perturbed condition more than children
      did. The perturbation was generally at least partly compensated for during the
      perturbed trials in adults, but children did not show a typical learning effect.
      In particular, unsystematic improvements were observed during the sequence of
      perturbed trials, and after-effects were not clear in the articulatory domain.
      This suggests that children may establish associative links between multisensory
      phonemic representations and articulatory maneuvers, but those links may mainly
      rely on trial-to-trial, error-based feedback correction mechanisms rather than on
      the internal model of the speech production apparatus, as they are in adults.

PMID- 27250148
TI  - Automatic grunt detector and recognizer for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).
AB  - Northwest Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) have been heavily overfished in recent
      years and have not yet recovered. Passive acoustic technology offers a new
      approach to identify the spatial location of spawning fish, as well as their
      seasonal and long term persistence in an area. To date, the lack of a species
      specific detector has made searching for Atlantic cod grunts in large amounts of
      passive acoustic data cumbersome. To address this problem, an automatic grunt
      detection and recognition algorithm that processes yearlong passive acoustic data
      recordings was designed. The proposed technique is a two-stage hypothesis testing
      algorithm that includes detecting and recognizing all grunt-like sounds. Test
      results demonstrated that the algorithm provided a detection probability of 0.93
      for grunts with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) higher than 10 dB, and a detection
      probability of 0.8 for grunts with the SNR ranging from 3 to 10 dB. This detector
      is being used to identify cod in current and historical data from U.S. waters.
      Its use has significantly reduced the time required to find and validate the
      presence of cod grunts.

PMID- 27250149
TI  - Phonetic correlates of phonological vowel quantity in Yakut read and spontaneous
      speech.
AB  - The quantity language Yakut (Sakha) has a binary distinction between short and
      long vowels. Disyllabic words with short and long vowels in one or both syllables
      were extracted from spontaneous speech of native Yakut speakers. In addition, a
      controlled production by a native speaker of disyllabic words with different
      short and long vowel combinations along with contrastive minimal pairs was
      recorded in a phonetics laboratory. Acoustic measurements of the vowels'
      fundamental frequency, duration, and intensity showed a significant consistent
      lengthening of phonologically long vowels compared to their short counterparts.
      However, in addition to evident durational differences between long and short
      quantities, fundamental frequency and intensity also showed effects of quantity.
      These results allow the interpretation that similarly to other non-tonal quantity
      languages like Finnish or Estonian, the Yakut vowel quantity opposition is not
      based exclusively on durational differences. The data furthermore revealed
      differences in F0 contours between spontaneous and read speech, providing some
      first indications of utterance-level prosody in Yakut.

PMID- 27250150
TI  - Characterization of compressed earth blocks using low frequency guided acoustic
      waves.
AB  - The objective of this work was to analyze the influence of compaction pressure on
      the intrinsic acoustic parameters (porosity, tortuosity, air-flow resistivity,
      viscous, and thermal characteristic lengths) of compressed earth blocks through
      their identification by solving an inverse acoustic wave transmission problem. A
      low frequency acoustic pipe (60-6000 Hz of length 22 m, internal diameter 3.4 cm)
      was used for the experimental characterization of the samples. The parameters
      were identified by the minimization of the difference between the transmissions
      coefficients data obtained in the pipe with that from an analytical interaction
      model in which the compressed earth blocks were considered as having rigid
      frames. The viscous and thermal effects in the pores were accounted for by
      employing the Johnson-Champoux-Allard-Lafarge model. The results obtained by
      inversion for high-density compressed earth blocks showed some discordance
      between the model and experiment especially for the high frequency limit of the
      acoustic characteristics studied. This was as a consequence of applying high
      compaction pressure rendering them very highly resistive therefore degrading the
      signal-to-noise ratios of the transmitted waves. The results showed that the
      airflow resistivity was very sensitive to the degree of the applied compaction
      pressure used to form the blocks.

PMID- 27250151
TI  - Nonlinear cochlear mechanics.
AB  - An earlier paper characterizing the linear mechanical response of the organ of
      Corti [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 138, 1102-1121 (2015)] is extended to the nonlinear
      domain. Assuming the existence of nonlinear oscillators nonlocally coupled
      through the pressure they help create, the oscillator equations are derived and
      examined when the stimuli are modulated tones and clicks. The nonlinearities are
      constrained by the requirements of oscillator stability and the invariance of
      zero crossings in the click response to changes in click amplitude. The nonlinear
      oscillator equations for tones are solved in terms of the fluid pressure that
      drives them, and its time derivative, presumably a proxy for forces created by
      outer hair cells. The pressure equation is reduced to quadrature, the integrand
      depending on the oscillators' responses. The resulting nonlocally coupled
      nonlinear equations for the pressure, and oscillator amplitudes and phases, are
      solved numerically in terms of the fluid pressure at the stapes. Methods for
      determining the nonlinear damping directly from measurements are described. Once
      the oscillators have been characterized from their tone and click responses, the
      mechanical response of the cochlea to natural sounds may be computed numerically.
      Signal processing inspired by cochlear mechanics opens up a new area of nonlocal
      nonlinear time-frequency analysis.

PMID- 27250152
TI  - Can the elongated hindwing tails of fluttering moths serve as false sonar targets
      to divert bat attacks?
AB  - It has long been postulated that the elongated hindwing tails of many saturniid
      moths have evolved to create false sonar targets to divert the attack of
      echolocation-guided bat predators. However, rigorous echo-acoustic evidence to
      support this hypothesis has been lacking. In this study, fluttering luna moths
      (Actias luna), a species with elongated hindwing tails, were ensonified with
      frequency modulated chirp signals from all angles of orientation and across the
      wingbeat cycle. High-speed stereo videography was combined with pulse compression
      sonar processing to characterize the echo information available to foraging bats.
      Contrary to previous suggestions, the results show that the tail echoes are weak
      and do not dominate the sonar returns, compared to the large, planar wings and
      the moth body. However, the distinctive twisted morphology of the tails create
      persistent echoes across all angles of orientation, which may induce erroneous
      sonar target localization and disrupt accurate tracking by echolocating bats.
      These findings thus suggest a refinement of the false target hypothesis to
      emphasize sonar localization errors induced by the twisted tails, and highlight
      the importance of physics-based approaches to study the sensory information
      involved in the evolutionary arms race between moths and their bat predators.

PMID- 27250153
TI  - The multiple contributions of interaural differences to improved speech
      intelligibility in multitalker scenarios.
AB  - Spatial separation of talkers is known to improve speech intelligibility in a
      multitalker scenario. A contribution of binaural unmasking, in addition to a
      better-ear effect, is usually considered to account for this advantage. Binaural
      unmasking is assumed to result from the spectro-temporally simultaneous presence
      of target and masker energy with different interaural properties. However, in the
      case of speech targets and speech interference, the spectro-temporal signal-to
      noise ratio (SNR) fluctuates strongly, resulting in audible and localizable
      glimpses of target speech even at adverse global SNRs. The disparate interaural
      properties of target and masker may thus lead to improved segregation without
      requiring simultaneity. This study addresses the binaural contribution to spatial
      release from masking due to simultaneous disparities in interaural cues between
      target and interferers. For that purpose stimuli were designed that lacked
      simultaneously occurring disparities, but yielded a percept of spatially
      separated speech nearly indistinguishable from that of non-modified stimuli. A
      phoneme recognition experiment with either three collocated or spatially
      separated talkers showed a substantial spatial release from masking for the
      modified stimuli. The results suggest that binaural unmasking made a minor
      contribution to spatial release from masking, and that rather the interaural cues
      mediated by dominant speech components were essential.

PMID- 27250154
TI  - Large-scale training to increase speech intelligibility for hearing-impaired
      listeners in novel noises.
AB  - Supervised speech segregation has been recently shown to improve human speech
      intelligibility in noise, when trained and tested on similar noises. However, a
      major challenge involves the ability to generalize to entirely novel noises. Such
      generalization would enable hearing aid and cochlear implant users to improve
      speech intelligibility in unknown noisy environments. This challenge is addressed
      in the current study through large-scale training. Specifically, a deep neural
      network (DNN) was trained on 10 000 noises to estimate the ideal ratio mask, and
      then employed to separate sentences from completely new noises (cafeteria and
      babble) at several signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Although the DNN was trained at
      the fixed SNR of - 2 dB, testing using hearing-impaired listeners demonstrated
      that speech intelligibility increased substantially following speech segregation
      using the novel noises and unmatched SNR conditions of 0 dB and 5 dB. Sentence
      intelligibility benefit was also observed for normal-hearing listeners in most
      noisy conditions. The results indicate that DNN-based supervised speech
      segregation with large-scale training is a very promising approach for
      generalization to new acoustic environments.

PMID- 27250155
TI  - A meshless method for unbounded acoustic problems.
AB  - In this paper an effective meshless method is proposed to solve time-harmonic
      acoustic problems defined on unbounded domains. To this end, the near field is
      discretized by a set of nodes and the far field effect is taken into account by
      considering radiative boundary conditions. The approximation within the near
      field is performed using a set of local residual-free basis functions defined on
      a series of finite clouds. For considering the far field effect, a series of
      infinite clouds are defined on which another set of residual-free bases,
      satisfying the radiation conditions, are considered for the approximation.
      Validation of the results is performed through solving some acoustic problems.

PMID- 27250157
TI  - Analysis of coupled fast-shear and extensional vibrations of a LiTaO3 crystal
      plate with a ferroelectric inversion layer.
AB  - The resonance vibrations of LiTaO3 fast-shear overtone mode resonators with a
      ferroelectric inversion layer are analyzed. In addition to the fast-shear mode,
      the coupled extensional mode is considered. Different from most of the LiTaO3
      resonators studied in the literature that are based on the slow-shear mode, the
      resonator in this paper operates with the fast-shear overtone mode. Results show
      that the capacitance ratio assumes maxima at two resonances, which are identified
      to be the second overtone modes of fast-shear and extension, respectively. It is
      found that the thickness of the inversion layer has obvious influences on the
      capacitance ratio of fast-shear and extensional modes. This condition may provide
      a simple method to adjust capacitance ratios of piezoelectric resonators. The
      influence mechanisms are also discussed. Besides, the effect of the cut angle of
      the crystal on the mode shape of vibrations is also investigated. The results can
      be used as important basis of parameters designs of LiTaO3 resonators operating
      on the fast-shear overtone mode.

PMID- 27250156
TI  - Experimental validation of a nonlinear derating technique based upon Gaussian
      modal representation of focused ultrasound beams.
AB  - A technique useful for performing derating at acoustic powers where significant
      harmonic generation occurs is illustrated and validated with experimental
      measurements. The technique was previously presented using data from simulations.
      The method is based upon a Gaussian representation of the propagation modes,
      resulting in simple expressions for the modal quantities, but a Gaussian source
      is not required. The nonlinear interaction of modes within tissue is estimated
      from the nonlinear interaction in water, using appropriate amounts of source
      reduction and focal-point reduction derived from numerical simulations. An
      important feature of this nonlinear derating method is that focal temperatures
      can be estimated with little additional effort beyond that required to determine
      the focal pressure waveforms. Hydrophone measurements made in water were used to
      inform the derating algorithm, and the resulting pressure waveforms and increases
      in temperature were compared with values directly measured in tissue phantoms.
      For a 1.05 MHz focused transducer operated at 80 W and 128 W, the derated
      pressures (peak positive, peak negative) agreed with the directly measured values
      to within 11%. Focal temperature rises determined by the derating method agreed
      with values measured using a remote thermocouple technique with a difference of
      17%.

PMID- 27250158
TI  - Comparisons between physics-based, engineering, and statistical learning models
      for outdoor sound propagation.
AB  - Many outdoor sound propagation models exist, ranging from highly complex physics
      based simulations to simplified engineering calculations, and more recently,
      highly flexible statistical learning methods. Several engineering and statistical
      learning models are evaluated by using a particular physics-based model, namely,
      a Crank-Nicholson parabolic equation (CNPE), as a benchmark. Narrowband
      transmission loss values predicted with the CNPE, based upon a simulated data set
      of meteorological, boundary, and source conditions, act as simulated
      observations. In the simulated data set sound propagation conditions span from
      downward refracting to upward refracting, for acoustically hard and soft
      boundaries, and low frequencies. Engineering models used in the comparisons
      include the ISO 9613-2 method, Harmonoise, and Nord2000 propagation models.
      Statistical learning methods used in the comparisons include bagged decision tree
      regression, random forest regression, boosting regression, and artificial neural
      network models. Computed skill scores are relative to sound propagation in a
      homogeneous atmosphere over a rigid ground. Overall skill scores for the
      engineering noise models are 0.6%, -7.1%, and 83.8% for the ISO 9613-2,
      Harmonoise, and Nord2000 models, respectively. Overall skill scores for the
      statistical learning models are 99.5%, 99.5%, 99.6%, and 99.6% for bagged
      decision tree, random forest, boosting, and artificial neural network regression
      models, respectively.

PMID- 27250160
TI  - Editorial-A brief journal status update.
AB  - In this editorial, the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Acoustical Society
      of America gives a brief overview of the present status of the Journal,
      emphasizing the events that have occurred over the past one and one half years.
      Topics addressed include: (1) The recent transition to the Editorial Manager peer
      review system, (2) new features that have been implemented in the Journal, (3)
      the incoming Managing Editor, (4) the publications component of the Acoustical
      Society's Strategic Plan, (5) new and revived article types, (6) open access, and
      (7) Journal metrics and statistics.

PMID- 27250159
TI  - Observations and Bayesian location methodology of transient acoustic signals
      (likely blue whales) in the Indian Ocean, using a hydrophone triplet.
AB  - A notable sequence of calls was encountered, spanning several days in January
      2003, in the central part of the Indian Ocean on a hydrophone triplet recording
      acoustic data at a 250 Hz sampling rate. This paper presents signal processing
      methods applied to the waveform data to detect, group, extract amplitude and
      bearing estimates for the recorded signals. An approximate location for the
      source of the sequence of calls is inferred from extracting the features from the
      waveform. As the source approaches the hydrophone triplet, the source level (SL)
      of the calls is estimated at 187 +/- 6 dB re: 1 MUPa-1 m in the 15-60 Hz
      frequency range. The calls are attributed to a subgroup of blue whales,
      Balaenoptera musculus, with a characteristic acoustic signature. A Bayesian
      location method using probabilistic models for bearing and amplitude is
      demonstrated on the calls sequence. The method is applied to the case of
      detection at a single triad of hydrophones and results in a probability
      distribution map for the origin of the calls. It can be extended to detections at
      multiple triads and because of the Bayesian formulation, additional modeling
      complexity can be built-in as needed.

PMID- 27250161
TI  - Elastic parabolic equation and normal mode solutions for seismo-acoustic
      propagation in underwater environments with ice covers.
AB  - Sound propagation predictions for ice-covered ocean acoustic environments do not
      match observational data: received levels in nature are less than expected,
      suggesting that the effects of the ice are substantial. Effects due to elasticity
      in overlying ice can be significant enough that low-shear approximations, such as
      effective complex density treatments, may not be appropriate. Building on recent
      elastic seafloor modeling developments, a range-dependent parabolic equation
      solution that treats the ice as an elastic medium is presented. The solution is
      benchmarked against a derived elastic normal mode solution for range-independent
      underwater acoustic propagation. Results from both solutions accurately predict
      plate flexural modes that propagate in the ice layer, as well as Scholte
      interface waves that propagate at the boundary between the water and the
      seafloor. The parabolic equation solution is used to model a scenario with range
      dependent ice thickness and a water sound speed profile similar to those observed
      during the 2009 Ice Exercise (ICEX) in the Beaufort Sea.

PMID- 27250163
TI  - Dual instrument passive acoustic monitoring of belugas in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
AB  - As part of a long-term research program, Cook Inlet beluga (Delphinapterus
      leucas) presence was acoustically monitored with two types of acoustic sensors
      utilized in tandem in moorings deployed year-round: an ecological acoustic
      recorder (EAR) and a cetacean and porpoise detector (C-POD). The EAR was used
      primarily to record the calls, whistles, and buzzes produced by belugas and
      killer whales (Orcinus orca). The C-POD was used to log and classify echolocation
      clicks from belugas, killer whales, and porpoises. This paper describes mooring
      packages that maximized the chances of successful long-term data collection in
      the particularly challenging Cook Inlet environment, and presents an analytical
      comparison of odontocete detections obtained by the collocated EAR and C-POD
      instruments from two mooring locations in the upper inlet. Results from this
      study illustrate a significant improvement in detecting beluga and killer whale
      presence when the different acoustic signals detected by EARs and C-PODs are
      considered together. Further, results from concurrent porpoise detections
      indicating prey competition and feeding interference with beluga, and porpoise
      displacement due to ice formation are described.

PMID- 27250162
TI  - Non-stationary Bayesian estimation of parameters from a body cover model of the
      vocal folds.
AB  - The evolution of reduced-order vocal fold models into clinically useful tools for
      subject-specific diagnosis and treatment hinges upon successfully and accurately
      representing an individual patient in the modeling framework. This, in turn,
      requires inference of model parameters from clinical measurements in order to
      tune a model to the given individual. Bayesian analysis is a powerful tool for
      estimating model parameter probabilities based upon a set of observed data. In
      this work, a Bayesian particle filter sampling technique capable of estimating
      time-varying model parameters, as occur in complex vocal gestures, is introduced.
      The technique is compared with time-invariant Bayesian estimation and least
      squares methods for determining both stationary and non-stationary parameters.
      The current technique accurately estimates the time-varying unknown model
      parameter and maintains tight credibility bounds. The credibility bounds are
      particularly relevant from a clinical perspective, as they provide insight into
      the confidence a clinician should have in the model predictions.

PMID- 27250164
TI  - A simulation framework for auditory discrimination experiments: Revealing the
      importance of across-frequency processing in speech perception.
AB  - A framework for simulating auditory discrimination experiments, based on an
      approach from Schadler, Warzybok, Hochmuth, and Kollmeier [(2015). Int. J.
      Audiol. 54, 100-107] which was originally designed to predict speech recognition
      thresholds, is extended to also predict psychoacoustic thresholds. The proposed
      framework is used to assess the suitability of different auditory-inspired
      feature sets for a range of auditory discrimination experiments that included
      psychoacoustic as well as speech recognition experiments in noise. The considered
      experiments were 2 kHz tone-in-broadband-noise simultaneous masking depending on
      the tone length, spectral masking with simultaneously presented tone signals and
      narrow-band noise maskers, and German Matrix sentence test reception threshold in
      stationary and modulated noise. The employed feature sets included spectro
      temporal Gabor filter bank features, Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients,
      logarithmically scaled Mel-spectrograms, and the internal representation of the
      Perception Model from Dau, Kollmeier, and Kohlrausch [(1997). J. Acoust. Soc. Am.
      102(5), 2892-2905]. The proposed framework was successfully employed to simulate
      all experiments with a common parameter set and obtain objective thresholds with
      less assumptions compared to traditional modeling approaches. Depending on the
      feature set, the simulated reference-free thresholds were found to agree with-and
      hence to predict-empirical data from the literature. Across-frequency processing
      was found to be crucial to accurately model the lower speech reception threshold
      in modulated noise conditions than in stationary noise conditions.

PMID- 27250165
TI  - Acoustic firearm discharge detection and classification in an enclosed
      environment.
AB  - Two different signal processing algorithms are described for detection and
      classification of acoustic signals generated by firearm discharges in small
      enclosed spaces. The first is based on the logarithm of the signal energy. The
      second is a joint entropy. The current study indicates that a system using both
      signal energy and joint entropy would be able to both detect weapon discharges
      and classify weapon type, in small spaces, with high statistical certainty.

PMID- 27250166
TI  - On the performance and flow characteristics of jet pumps with multiple orifices.
AB  - The design of compact thermoacoustic devices requires compact jet pump
      geometries, which can be realized by employing jet pumps with multiple orifices.
      The oscillatory flow through the orifice(s) of a jet pump generates asymmetric
      hydrodynamic end effects, which result in a time-averaged pressure drop that can
      counteract Gedeon streaming in traveling wave thermoacoustic devices. In this
      study, the performance of jet pumps having 1-16 orifices is characterized
      experimentally in terms of the time-averaged pressure drop and acoustic power
      dissipation. Upon increasing the number of orifices, a significant decay in the
      jet pump performance is observed. Further analysis shows a relation between this
      performance decay and the diameter of the individual holes. Possible causes of
      this phenomenon are discussed. Flow visualization is used to study the
      differences in vortex ring interaction from adjacent jet pump orifices. The
      mutual orifice spacing is varied and the corresponding jet pump performance is
      measured. The orifice spacing is shown to have less effect on the jet pump
      performance compared to increasing the number of orifices.

PMID- 27250167
TI  - Geometrical parameter combinations that correlate with early interaural cross
      correlation coefficients in a performance hall.
AB  - The previous binaural data of the authors measured inside two multi-purpose
      performance halls are re-analyzed using regression in this study. It is done in
      an attempt to establish a framework that can improve the prediction of early
      interaural cross-correlation coefficients (IACCs), but with as little measurement
      effort and parameters as possible. The results show that regression models
      consist of linear combinations of polynomials of geometrical parameters, when
      used together with the measurement schemes suggested previously by the authors,
      are sufficient for predicting the IACCs to within engineering tolerance. The
      predictions are better than those obtained previously by the neural network
      approach of the authors. The relative importance of the geometrical parameters in
      the prediction of IACCs is also investigated.

PMID- 27250168
TI  - Estimation of saxophone reed parameters during playing.
AB  - An approach for the estimation of single reed parameters during playing, using an
      instrumented mouthpiece and an iterative method, is presented. Different physical
      models describing the reed tip movement are tested in the estimation method. The
      uncertainties of the sensors installed on the mouthpiece and the limits of the
      estimation method are studied. A tenor saxophone reed is mounted on this
      mouthpiece connected to a cylinder, played by a musician, and characterized at
      different dynamic levels. Results show that the method can be used to estimate
      the reed parameters with a small error for low and medium sound levels (piano and
      mezzoforte dynamic levels). The analysis reveals that the complexity of the
      physical model describing the reed behavior must increase with dynamic levels.
      For medium level dynamics, the most relevant physical model assumes that the reed
      is an oscillator with non-linear stiffness and damping, the effect of mass
      (inertia) being very small.

PMID- 27250169
TI  - Radiation efficiency of plates subjected to turbulent boundary layer
      fluctuations.
AB  - The modal averaged radiation efficiency of a rectangular plate subjected to
      turbulent boundary layer fluctuations is discussed in this letter. Numerical
      results demonstrate that below the hydrodynamic coincidence frequency, the modal
      averaged radiation efficiency will be larger with the increase of the convection
      velocity, and an increase of the structural damping will increase the modal
      averaged radiation efficiency at sub-critical frequencies.

PMID- 27250170
TI  - Effects of noise, reverberation and foreign accent on native and non-native
      listeners' performance of English speech comprehension.
AB  - A large number of non-native English speakers may be found in American
      classrooms, both as listeners and talkers. Little is known about how this
      population comprehends speech in realistic adverse acoustical conditions. A study
      was conducted to investigate the effects of background noise level (BNL),
      reverberation time (RT), and talker foreign accent on native and non-native
      listeners' speech comprehension, while controlling for English language
      abilities. A total of 115 adult listeners completed comprehension tasks under 15
      acoustic conditions: three BNLs (RC-30, RC-40, and RC-50) and five RTs (from 0.4
      to 1.2 s). Fifty-six listeners were tested with speech from native English
      speaking talkers and 59 with native Mandarin-Chinese-speaking talkers. Results
      show that, while higher BNLs were generally more detrimental to listeners with
      lower English proficiency, all listeners experienced significant comprehension
      deficits above RC-40 with native English talkers. This limit was lower (i.e.,
      above RC-30), however, with Chinese talkers. For reverberation, non-native
      listeners as a group performed best with RT up to 0.6 s, while native listeners
      performed equally well up to 1.2 s. A matched foreign accent benefit has also
      been identified, where the negative impact of higher reverberation does not exist
      for non-native listeners who share the talker's native language.

PMID- 27250171
TI  - Intensity statistics of very high frequency sound scattered from wind-driven
      waves.
AB  - The interaction of vhf 100-1000 kHz underwater sound with the ocean surface is
      explored. The bistatic forward scatter of 300 kHz sound is measured in a wind
      driven wave channel. Fluctuations in arrival amplitude are described by the
      scintillation index (SI) which is a measure of arrival intensity variance. SI
      initially increases with wind speed but eventually saturates to a value of 0.5
      when the root-mean-square (rms) roughness is 0.5 mm. An adjusted scintillation
      index (SI*) is suggested that accounts for the multiple arrivals and properly
      saturates to a value of 1. Fluctuations in arrival time do not saturate and
      increase proportionately to the dominant surface wave component. Forward
      scattering is modeled at frequencies ranging from 50 to 2000 kHz using the
      Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral with surface wave realizations derived from wave
      gauge data. The amplitude and temporal statistics of the simulated scattering
      agree well with measured data. Intensity saturation occurs at lower wind speeds
      for higher frequency sound. Both measured and modeled vhf sound is characterized
      by many surface arrivals at saturation. Doppler shifts associated with wave
      motion are expected to vary rapidly for vhf sound however further analysis is
      required.

PMID- 27250172
TI  - Supersonic intensity and non-negative intensity for prediction of radiated sound.
AB  - Two numerical methods to identify the surface areas of a vibrating structure that
      radiate sound are presented. The supersonic intensity identifies only the
      supersonic wave components of the sound field contributing to far-field radiated
      sound. The supersonic intensity is calculated using a two-dimensional convolution
      between a spatial radiation filter and the sound field. To compute the spatial
      radiation filter, the shortest surface distance between two points on the
      structure is calculated using the geodesic distance method. The non-negative
      intensity is based on acoustic radiation modes and identifies the radiated sound
      power from a vibrating structure. Numerical models of a baffled plate, a cylinder
      and an engine crankcase are presented. The supersonic intensity is shown to be
      difficult to implement at low frequencies due to the size of the spatial
      radiation filter and accuracy of the surface distances. A cut-off coefficient
      associated with the acoustic wavenumber of the spatial radiation filter is used
      to reduce the aperture error. A comparison of the two intensity-based techniques
      both in terms of a sound power ratio and the modal assurance criterion is
      introduced to identify the optimal values of the cut-off coefficients that result
      in better convergence between the intensity techniques.

PMID- 27250173
TI  - Optimized sound diffusers based on sonic crystals using a multiobjective
      evolutionary algorithm.
AB  - Sonic crystals have been demonstrated to be good candidates to substitute for
      conventional diffusers in order to overcome the need for extremely thick
      structures when low frequencies have to be scattered, however, their performance
      is limited to a narrow band. In this work, multiobjective evolutionary algorithms
      are used to extend the bandwidth to the whole low frequency range. The results
      show that diffusion can be significantly increased. Several cost functions are
      considered in the paper, on the one hand to illustrate the flexibility of the
      optimization and on the other hand to demonstrate the problems associated with
      the use of certain cost functions. A study of the robustness of the optimized
      diffusers is also presented, introducing a parameter that can help to choose
      among the best candidates. Finally, the advantages of the use of multiobjective
      optimization in comparison with conventional optimizations are discussed.

PMID- 27250174
TI  - Design and analysis of air acoustic vector-sensor configurations for two
      dimensional geometry.
AB  - Acoustic vector-sensors (AVS) have been designed using the P-P method for
      different microphone configurations. These configurations have been used to
      project the acoustic intensity on the orthogonal axes through which the direction
      of arrival (DoA) of a sound source has been estimated. The analytical expressions
      for the DoA for different microphone configurations have been derived for two
      dimensional geometry. Finite element method simulation using COMSOL-Multiphysics
      has been performed, where the microphone signals for AVS configurations have been
      recorded in free field conditions. The performance of all the configurations has
      been evaluated with respect to angular error and root-mean-square angular error.
      The simulation results obtained with ideal geometry for different configurations
      have been corroborated experimentally with prototype AVS realizations and also
      compared with microphone-array method, viz., Multiple Signal Classification and
      Generalized Cross Correlation. Experiments have been performed in an anechoic
      room using different prototype AVS configurations made from small size
      microphones. The DoA performance using analytical expressions, simulation
      studies, and experiments with prototype AVS in anechoic chamber are presented in
      the paper. The square and delta configurations are found to perform better in the
      absence and presence of noise, respectively.

PMID- 27250175
TI  - Kurtosis of room impulse responses as a diffuseness measure for reverberation
      chambers.
AB  - This study presents a kurtosis analysis of room impulse responses as a potential
      room diffuseness measure. The early part of an impulse response contains a direct
      sound and strong reflections. As these reflections are sparse and strong, the
      sound field is unlikely to be diffuse. Such deterministic reflections are extreme
      events, which prevent the pressure samples from being distributed Gaussianly,
      leading to a high kurtosis. This indicates that the kurtosis can be used as a
      diffuseness measure. Two rooms are analyzed. A non-uniform surface absorption
      distribution tends to increase the kurtosis significantly in a small room. A full
      scale reverberation chamber is tested with different diffuser settings, which
      shows that the kurtosis calculated from broadband impulse responses from 125 Hz
      to 4 kHz has a good correlation with the Sabine absorption coefficient according
      to ISO 354 (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland,
      2003).

PMID- 27250176
TI  - Pile driving playback sounds and temporary threshold shift in harbor porpoises
      (Phocoena phocoena): Effect of exposure duration.
AB  - High intensity underwater sounds may cause temporary hearing threshold shifts
      (TTSs) in harbor porpoises, the magnitude of which may depend on the exposure
      duration. After exposure to playbacks of pile driving sounds, TTSs in two
      porpoises were quantified at 4 and 8 kHz with a psychophysical technique. At 8
      kHz, the pile driving sounds caused the highest TTS. Pile driving sounds had the
      following: pulse duration 124 ms, rate 2760 strikes/h, inter-pulse interval 1.3
      s, duty cycle ~9.5%, average received single-strike unweighted broadband sound
      exposure level (SELss) 145 dB re 1 MUPa(2)s, exposure duration range 15-360 min
      (cumulative SEL range: 173-187 dB re 1 MUPa(2)s). Control sessions were also
      carried out. Mean TTS (1-4 min after sound exposure stopped in one porpoise, and
      12-16 min in the other animal) increased from 0 dB after 15 min exposure to 5 dB
      after 360 min exposure. Recovery occurred within 60 min post-exposure. For the
      signal duration, sound pressure level (SPL), and duty cycle used, the TTS onset
      SELcum is estimated to be around 175 dB re 1 MUPa(2)s. The small increase in TTS
      between 15 and 360 min exposures is due to the small amount of sound energy per
      unit of time to which the porpoises were exposed [average (over time) broadband
      SPL ~144 dB re 1 MUPa].

PMID- 27250177
TI  - Influence of lips on the production of vowels based on finite element simulations
      and experiments.
AB  - Three-dimensional (3-D) numerical approaches for voice production are currently
      being investigated and developed. Radiation losses produced when sound waves
      emanate from the mouth aperture are one of the key aspects to be modeled. When
      doing so, the lips are usually removed from the vocal tract geometry in order to
      impose a radiation impedance on a closed cross-section, which speeds up the
      numerical simulations compared to free-field radiation solutions. However, lips
      may play a significant role. In this work, the lips' effects on vowel sounds are
      investigated by using 3-D vocal tract geometries generated from magnetic
      resonance imaging. To this aim, two configurations for the vocal tract exit are
      considered: with lips and without lips. The acoustic behavior of each is analyzed
      and compared by means of time-domain finite element simulations that allow free
      field wave propagation and experiments performed using 3-D-printed mechanical
      replicas. The results show that the lips should be included in order to correctly
      model vocal tract acoustics not only at high frequencies, as commonly accepted,
      but also in the low frequency range below 4 kHz, where plane wave propagation
      occurs.

PMID- 27250178
TI  - Sperm whale codas may encode individuality as well as clan identity.
AB  - Sperm whales produce codas for communication that can be grouped into different
      types according to their temporal patterns. Codas have led researchers to propose
      that sperm whales belong to distinct cultural clans, but it is presently unclear
      if they also convey individual information. Coda clicks comprise a series of
      pulses and the delay between pulses is a function of organ size, and therefore
      body size, and so is one potential source of individual information. Another
      potential individual-specific parameter could be the inter-click intervals within
      codas. To test whether these parameters provide reliable individual cues, stereo
      hydrophone acoustic tags (Dtags) were attached to five sperm whales of the
      Azores, recording a total of 802 codas. A discriminant function analysis was used
      to distinguish 288 5 Regular codas from four of the sperm whales and 183 3
      Regular codas from two sperm whales. The results suggest that codas have
      consistent individual features in their inter-click intervals and inter-pulse
      intervals which may contribute to individual identification. Additionally, two
      whales produced different coda types in distinct foraging dive phases. Codas may
      therefore be used by sperm whales to convey information of identity as well as
      activity within a social group to a larger extent than previously assumed.

PMID- 27250179
TI  - Effects of speech style, room acoustics, and vocal fatigue on vocal effort.
AB  - Vocal effort is a physiological measure that accounts for changes in voice
      production as vocal loading increases. It has been quantified in terms of sound
      pressure level (SPL). This study investigates how vocal effort is affected by
      speaking style, room acoustics, and short-term vocal fatigue. Twenty subjects
      were recorded while reading a text at normal and loud volumes in anechoic, semi
      reverberant, and reverberant rooms in the presence of classroom babble noise. The
      acoustics in each environment were modified by creating a strong first reflection
      in the talker position. After each task, the subjects answered questions
      addressing their perception of the vocal effort, comfort, control, and clarity of
      their own voice. Variation in SPL for each subject was measured per task. It was
      found that SPL and self-reported effort increased in the loud style and decreased
      when the reflective panels were present and when reverberation time increased.
      Self-reported comfort and control decreased in the loud style, while self
      reported clarity increased when panels were present. The lowest magnitude of
      vocal fatigue was experienced in the semi-reverberant room. The results indicate
      that early reflections may be used to reduce vocal effort without modifying
      reverberation time.

PMID- 27250181
TI  - Estimation of biological parameters of marine organisms using linear and
      nonlinear acoustic scattering model-based inversion methods.
AB  - The linear inversion commonly used in fisheries and zooplankton acoustics assumes
      a constant inversion kernel and ignores the uncertainties associated with the
      shape and behavior of the scattering targets, as well as other relevant animal
      parameters. Here, errors of the linear inversion due to uncertainty associated
      with the inversion kernel are quantified. A scattering model-based nonlinear
      inversion method is presented that takes into account the nonlinearity of the
      inverse problem and is able to estimate simultaneously animal abundance and the
      parameters associated with the scattering model inherent to the kernel. It uses
      sophisticated scattering models to estimate first, the abundance, and second, the
      relevant shape and behavioral parameters of the target organisms. Numerical
      simulations demonstrate that the abundance, size, and behavior (tilt angle)
      parameters of marine animals (fish or zooplankton) can be accurately inferred
      from the inversion by using multi-frequency acoustic data. The influence of the
      singularity and uncertainty in the inversion kernel on the inversion results can
      be mitigated by examining the singular values for linear inverse problems and
      employing a non-linear inversion involving a scattering model-based kernel.

PMID- 27250182
TI  - Physiological motivated transmission-lines as front end for loudness models.
AB  - The perception of loudness is strongly influenced by peripheral auditory
      processing, which calls for a physiologically correct peripheral auditory
      processing stage when constructing advanced loudness models. Most loudness
      models, however, rather follow a functional approach: a parallel auditory filter
      bank combined with a compression stage, followed by spectral and temporal
      integration. Such classical loudness models do not allow to directly link
      physiological measurements like otoacoustic emissions to properties of their
      auditory filterbank. However, this can be achieved with physiologically motivated
      transmission-line models (TLMs) of the cochlea. Here two active and nonlinear
      TLMs were tested as the peripheral front end of a loudness model. The TLMs are
      followed by a simple generic back end which performs integration of basilar
      membrane "excitation" across place and time to yield a loudness estimate. The
      proposed model approach reaches similar performance as other state-of-the-art
      loudness models regarding the prediction of loudness in sones, equal-loudness
      contours (including spectral fine structure), and loudness as a function of
      bandwidth. The suggested model provides a powerful tool to directly connect
      objective measures of basilar membrane compression, such as distortion product
      otoacoustic emissions, and loudness in future studies.

PMID- 27250183
TI  - Modeling of speech localization in a multi-talker mixture using periodicity and
      energy-based auditory features.
AB  - A recent study showed that human listeners are able to localize a short speech
      target simultaneously masked by four speech tokens in reverberation [Kopco, Best,
      and Carlile (2010). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 127, 1450-1457]. Here, an auditory model
      for solving this task is introduced. The model has three processing stages: (1)
      extraction of the instantaneous interaural time difference (ITD) information, (2)
      selection of target-related ITD information ("glimpses") using a template
      matching procedure based on periodicity, spectral energy, or both, and (3) target
      location estimation. The model performance was compared to the human data, and to
      the performance of a modified model using an ideal binary mask (IBM) at stage
      (2). The IBM-based model performed similarly to the subjects, indicating that the
      binaural model is able to accurately estimate source locations. Template matching
      using spectral energy and using a combination of spectral energy and periodicity
      achieved good results, while using periodicity alone led to poor results.
      Particularly, the glimpses extracted from the initial portion of the signal were
      critical for good performance. Simulation data show that the auditory features
      investigated here are sufficient to explain human performance in this challenging
      listening condition and thus may be used in models of auditory scene analysis.

PMID- 27250185
TI  - Multiple scattering by infinitely long cylindrical glass inclusions in a
      saturated Biot porous medium of glass beads.
AB  - The resonance spectrum of sets of two to five infinitely long parallel
      cylindrical glass inclusions in a fluid saturated porous matrix of unconsolidated
      glass beads is investigated. The ratio of bead diameters to inclusion diameters
      is 1/5. The far field form functions and the related phase derivatives are
      calculated by using an exact multiple scattering formalism and by assuming that
      the porous medium obeys Biot's model. In order to validate this hypothesis,
      comparisons between theory and experiments are done in the special case of a fast
      incident wave on a set of two and three inclusions.

PMID- 27250184
TI  - Frequencies, bandwidths and magnitudes of vocal tract and surrounding tissue
      resonances, measured through the lips during phonation.
AB  - The frequencies, magnitudes, and bandwidths of vocal tract resonances are all
      important in understanding and synthesizing speech. High precision acoustic
      impedance spectra of the vocal tracts of 10 subjects were measured from 10 Hz to
      4.2 kHz by injecting a broadband acoustic signal through the lips. Between 300 Hz
      and 4 kHz the acoustic resonances R (impedance minima measured through the lips)
      and anti-resonances R- (impedance maxima) associated with the first three voice
      formants, have bandwidths of ~50 to 90 Hz for men and ~70 to 90 Hz for women.
      These acoustic resonances approximate those of a smooth, dry, rigid cylinder of
      similar dimensions, except that their bandwidths indicate higher losses in the
      vocal tract. The lossy, inertive load and airflow caused by opening the glottis
      further increase the bandwidths observed during phonation. The vocal tract walls
      are not rigid and measurements show an acousto-mechanical resonance R0 ~ 20 Hz
      and anti-resonance R-0~200 Hz. These give an estimate of wall inertance
      consistent with an effective thickness of 1-2 cm and a wall stiffness of 2-4 kN
      m(-1). The non-rigidity of the tract imposes a lower limit of the frequency of
      the first acoustic resonance fR1 and the first formant F1.

PMID- 27250186
TI  - Short-term annoyance reactions to stationary and time-varying wind turbine and
      road traffic noise: A laboratory study.
AB  - Current literature suggests that wind turbine noise is more annoying than
      transportation noise. To date, however, it is not known which acoustic
      characteristics of wind turbines alone, i.e., without effect modifiers such as
      visibility, are associated with annoyance. The objective of this study was
      therefore to investigate and compare the short-term noise annoyance reactions to
      wind turbines and road traffic in controlled laboratory listening tests. A set of
      acoustic scenarios was created which, combined with the factorial design of the
      listening tests, allowed separating the individual associations of three acoustic
      characteristics with annoyance, namely, source type (wind turbine, road traffic),
      A-weighted sound pressure level, and amplitude modulation (without, periodic,
      random). Sixty participants rated their annoyance to the sounds. At the same A
      weighted sound pressure level, wind turbine noise was found to be associated with
      higher annoyance than road traffic noise, particularly with amplitude modulation.
      The increased annoyance to amplitude modulation of wind turbines is not related
      to its periodicity, but seems to depend on the modulation frequency range. The
      study discloses a direct link of different acoustic characteristics to annoyance,
      yet the generalizability to long-term exposure in the field still needs to be
      verified.

PMID- 27250188
TI  - Eliciting the most prominent perceived differences between microphones.
AB  - The attributes contributing to the differences perceived between microphones
      (when auditioning recordings made with those microphones) are not clear from
      previous research. Consideration of technical specifications and expert opinions
      indicated that recording five programme items with eight studio and two
      microelectromechanical system microphones could allow determination of the
      attributes related to the most prominent inter-microphone differences. Pairwise
      listening comparisons between the resulting 50 recordings, followed by multi
      dimensional scaling analysis, revealed up to 5 salient dimensions per programme
      item; 17 corresponding pairs of recordings were selected exemplifying the
      differences across those dimensions. Direct elicitation and panel discussions on
      the 17 pairs identified a hierarchy of 40 perceptual attributes. An attribute
      contribution experiment on the 31 lowest-level attributes in the hierarchy
      allowed them to be ordered by degree of contribution and showed brightness,
      harshness, and clarity to always contribute highly to perceived inter-microphone
      differences. This work enables the future development of objective models to
      predict these important attributes.

PMID- 27250187
TI  - Factors affecting the development of speech recognition in steady and modulated
      noise.
AB  - This study used a checkerboard-masking paradigm to investigate the development of
      the speech reception threshold (SRT) for monosyllabic words in synchronously and
      asynchronously modulated noise. In asynchronous modulation, masker frequencies
      below 1300 Hz were gated off when frequencies above 1300 Hz were gated on, and
      vice versa. The goals of the study were to examine development of the ability to
      use asynchronous spectro-temporal cues for speech recognition and to assess
      factors related to speech frequency region and audible speech bandwidth. A speech
      shaped noise masker was steady or was modulated synchronously or asynchronously
      across frequency. Target words were presented to 5-7 year old children or to
      adults. Overall, children showed higher SRTs and smaller masking release than
      adults. Consideration of the present results along with previous findings
      supports the idea that children can have particularly poor masked SRTs when the
      speech and masker spectra differ substantially, and that this may arise due to
      children requiring a wider speech bandwidth than adults for speech recognition.
      The results were also consistent with the idea that children are relatively poor
      in integrating speech cues when the frequency regions with the best signal-to
      noise ratios vary across frequency as a function of time.

PMID- 27250189
TI  - On the sampling criterion for structural radiation in fluid.
AB  - When experimentally investigating the sound radiating from vibrating structures
      the surface is discretised into elemental areas also referred to as patches in
      which the surface vibrations are considered uniform. In many cases the structural
      Nyquist criterion imposes very small patch sizes which turn the experimental
      analysis into an overwhelmingly elaborate and error-prone task. The possibility
      to use a coarse sampling scheme for the surface velocity can greatly enhance the
      practical feasibility of such experimental investigations. Here the special case
      of a simply supported baffled plate excited by a broadband point force is
      considered. It is shown that accurate approximations of the radiated power may be
      obtained well beyond the frequency limit imposed by the structural Nyquist
      sampling criterion, provided the complex-valued vibration field is averaged over
      each patch. This is due to the fact that the structural wave components with
      wavenumbers greater than the acoustic wavenumber tend to be averaged out, owing
      to the mutual canceling of areas which vibrate out-of-phase within each patch,
      leaving only those components that contribute significantly to the radiated
      sound. It turns out, however, that this canceling process is not complete and
      that an error is introduced by the spatial aliasing. An analytical expression is
      derived allowing one to quantify this error and to optimise the patch size given
      a desired accuracy level and frequency range for the assessment of the radiated
      power. The proposed sampling criterion not only allows one to significantly
      reduce the measurement efforts when the radiation of vibro-acoustic systems are
      experimentally investigated but can also be applied to reduce the size of
      numerical models for weakly coupled structural-acoustic systems.

PMID- 27250190
TI  - The role of spectral detail in the binaural transfer function on perceived
      externalization in a reverberant environment.
AB  - Individual binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) were recorded at a distance of
      1.5 m for azimuth angles of 0 degrees  and 50 degrees  in a reverberant room.
      Spectral details were reduced in either the direct or the reverberant part of the
      BRIRs by averaging the magnitude responses with band-pass filters. For various
      filter bandwidths, the modified BRIRs were convolved with broadband noise and
      listeners judged the perceived position of the noise when virtualized over
      headphones. Only reductions in spectral details of the direct part obtained with
      filter bandwidths broader than one equivalent rectangular bandwidth affected
      externalization. Reductions in spectral details of the reverberant part had only
      little influence on externalization. In both conditions, externalization was not
      as pronounced at 0 degrees  as at 50 degrees . To characterize the auditory
      processes that may be involved in the perception of externalization, a
      quantitative model is proposed. The model includes an echo-suppression mechanism,
      a filterbank describing the frequency selectivity in the cochlea and a binaural
      stage that measures the deviations of the interaural level differences between
      the considered input and the unmodified input. These deviations, integrated
      across frequency, are then mapped to a value that corresponds to the perceived
      externalization.

PMID- 27250192
TI  - Acoustic scattering from phononic crystals with complex geometry.
AB  - This work introduces a formalism for computing external acoustic scattering from
      phononic crystals (PCs) with arbitrary exterior shape using a Bloch wave
      expansion technique coupled with the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral (HKI). Similar
      to a Kirchhoff approximation, a geometrically complex PC's surface is broken into
      a set of facets in which the scattering from each facet is calculated as if it
      was a semi-infinite plane interface in the short wavelength limit. When excited
      by incident radiation, these facets introduce wave modes into the interior of the
      PC. Incorporation of these modes in the HKI, summed over all facets, then
      determines the externally scattered acoustic field. In particular, for
      frequencies in a complete bandgap (the usual operating frequency regime of many
      PC-based devices and the requisite operating regime of the presented theory), no
      need exists to solve for internal reflections from oppositely facing edges and,
      thus, the total scattered field can be computed without the need to consider
      internal multiple scattering. Several numerical examples are provided to verify
      the presented approach. Both harmonic and transient results are considered for
      spherical and bean-shaped PCs, each containing over 100 000 inclusions. This
      facet formalism is validated by comparison to an existing self-consistent
      scattering technique.

PMID- 27250191
TI  - In-air hearing of a diving duck: A comparison of psychoacoustic and auditory
      brainstem response thresholds.
AB  - Auditory sensitivity was measured in a species of diving duck that is not often
      kept in captivity, the lesser scaup. Behavioral (psychoacoustics) and
      electrophysiological [the auditory brainstem response (ABR)] methods were used to
      measure in-air auditory sensitivity, and the resulting audiograms were compared.
      Both approaches yielded audiograms with similar U-shapes and regions of greatest
      sensitivity (2000-3000 Hz). However, ABR thresholds were higher than
      psychoacoustic thresholds at all frequencies. This difference was least at the
      highest frequency tested using both methods (5700 Hz) and greatest at 1000 Hz,
      where the ABR threshold was 26.8 dB higher than the behavioral measure of
      threshold. This difference is commonly reported in studies involving many
      different species. These results highlight the usefulness of each method,
      depending on the testing conditions and availability of the animals.

PMID- 27250193
TI  - Time-domain comparisons of power law attenuation in causal and noncausal time
      fractional wave equations.
AB  - The attenuation of ultrasound propagating in human tissue follows a power law
      with respect to frequency that is modeled by several different causal and
      noncausal fractional partial differential equations. To demonstrate some of the
      similarities and differences that are observed in three related time-fractional
      partial differential equations, time-domain Green's functions are calculated
      numerically for the power law wave equation, the Szabo wave equation, and for the
      Caputo wave equation. These Green's functions are evaluated for water with a
      power law exponent of y = 2, breast with a power law exponent of y = 1.5, and
      liver with a power law exponent of y = 1.139. Simulation results show that the
      noncausal features of the numerically calculated time-domain response are only
      evident very close to the source and that these causal and noncausal time-domain
      Green's functions converge to the same result away from the source. When
      noncausal time-domain Green's functions are convolved with a short pulse, no
      evidence of noncausal behavior remains in the time-domain, which suggests that
      these causal and noncausal time-fractional models are equally effective for these
      numerical calculations.

PMID- 27250194
TI  - Multifractal analysis of visualized room impulse response for detecting early
      reflections.
AB  - This paper describes an improved method for detecting early reflections in the
      initial part of the room impulse response using multifractals. The proposed
      method uses the two-dimensional multifractal analysis. The room impulse response
      is visualized as a spectrogram image which is then subjected to the multifractal
      analysis. The algorithm is based on describing local regularity in the image
      using distribution of Holder exponents. The time positions of the selected Holder
      exponents in the image are utilized in detecting early reflections. The obtained
      results show better efficiency of the proposed algorithm compared to the previous
      one-dimensional multifractal analysis based algorithm.

PMID- 27250195
TI  - A simple expression for sound attenuation due to surface duct energy leakage in
      low-latitude oceans.
AB  - This paper presents an expression for the attenuation of sound energy in an ocean
      surface duct due to energy leakage outside the duct. Dominant parameters
      determining the attenuation are the sound frequency and the surface duct
      thickness. The attenuation is found to be exponentially dependent on a scaled
      frequency that combines the two parameters. Data from experiments in low-latitude
      oceans with three different surface duct thicknesses are used to verify the
      exponential expression derived for the attenuation.

PMID- 27250196
TI  - Whistle comparison of four delphinid species in Southeastern Brazil.
AB  - The present study evaluates variations in frequency and duration parameters of
      whistles of four dolphin species (Sotalia guianensis, Steno bredanensis, Stenella
      frontalis, and Tursiops truncatus), recorded in the Rio de Janeiro State Coast,
      Southeastern Brazil. A total of 487 whistles were analyzed. Acoustic parameters
      of the whistles were classified to species by discriminant function analysis.
      Overall classification score was 72.5%, with the highest classification score
      obtained for whistles of S. bredanensis and the lowest obtained for S. frontalis.
      Most differences were among S. bredanensis and S. guianensis, species that did
      not have their repertoires compared in other studies.

PMID- 27250197
TI  - Gaps-in-noise detection and gender identification from noise-vocoded vowel
      segments: Comparing performance of active musicians to non-musicians.
AB  - This study evaluated performance on a gender identification and temporal
      resolution task among active musicians and age-matched non-musicians. Brief
      duration (i.e., 50 and 100 ms) vowel segments produced by four adult male and
      four adult female speakers were spectro-temporally degraded using various
      parameters and presented to both groups for gender identification. Gap detection
      thresholds were measured using the gaps-in-noise (GIN) test. Contrary to the
      stated hypothesis, a significant difference in gender identification was not
      observed between the musician and non-musician listeners. A significant
      difference, however, was observed on the temporal resolution task, with the
      musician group achieving approximately 2 ms shorter gap detection thresholds on
      the GIN test compared to the non-musician counterparts. These results provide
      evidence supporting the potential benefits of musical training on temporal
      processing abilities, which have implications for the processing of speech in
      degraded listening environments and the enhanced processing of the fine-grained
      temporal aspects of the speech signal. The results also support the GIN test as
      an instrument sensitive to temporal processing differences among active musicians
      and non-musicians.

PMID- 27250198
TI  - The microscale evolution of the erosion front of blood clots exposed to
      ultrasound stimulated microbubbles.
AB  - Serial two-photon microscopy of blood clots with fluorescently tagged fibrin
      networks was conducted during microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis to examine
      the microscale evolution of the resulting erosion front. The development of a
      complex zonal erosion pattern was observed, comprised of a cell depleted layer of
      fibrin network overlying intact clot which then underwent progressive recession.
      The fibrin zone architecture was dependent on exposure conditions with 0.1 MPa
      causing no erosion, 0.39 MPa resulting in homogenous structure, and combination
      0.39/0.96 MPa pulses forming large-scale tunnels. High speed imaging and Coulter
      counter data indicated the fibrin zone formation process involves the ejection of
      intact erythrocytes.

PMID- 27250199
TI  - Size-isolation of ultrasound-mediated phase change perfluorocarbon droplets using
      differential centrifugation.
AB  - Perfluorocarbon droplets that are capable of an ultrasound-mediated phase
      transition have applications in diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound. Techniques
      to modify the droplet size distribution are of interest because of the size
      dependent acoustic response of the droplets. Differential centrifugation has been
      used to isolate specific sizes of microbubbles. In this work, differential
      centrifugation was employed to isolate droplets with diameters between 1 and 3
      MUm and 2 and 5 MUm from an initially polydisperse distribution. Further, an
      empirical model was developed for predicting the droplet size distribution
      following differential centrifugation and to facilitate the selection of
      centrifugation parameters for obtaining desired size distributions.

PMID- 27250200
TI  - Low frequency sound attenuation in a flow duct using a thin slow sound material.
AB  - A thin subwavelength material that can be flush mounted in a duct and that gives
      an attenuation band at low frequencies in air flow channels is presented. To
      decrease the material thickness, the sound is slowed in the material using folded
      side branch tubes. The impedance of the material is compared to the optimal value
      given by the Cremer condition, which can differ greatly from the air
      characteristic impedance. Grazing flow on this material increases the losses at
      the interface between the flow and the material.

PMID- 27250201
TI  - A comparative study on the contour tracking algorithms in ultrasound tongue
      images with automatic re-initialization.
AB  - The feasibility of an automatic re-initialization of contour tracking is explored
      by using an image similarity-based method in the ultrasound tongue sequences. To
      this end, the re-initialization method was incorporated into current state-of-art
      tongue tracking algorithms, and a quantitative comparison was made between
      different algorithms by computing the mean sum of distances errors. The results
      demonstrate that with automatic re-initialization, the tracking error can be
      reduced from an average of 5-6 to about 4 pixels, a result obtained by using a
      large number of hand-labeled frames and similarity measurements to extract the
      contours, which results in improved performance.

PMID- 27250202
TI  - Auditory detection of non-speech and speech stimuli in noise: Native speech
      advantage.
AB  - Detection thresholds of Chinese vowels, Korean vowels, and a complex tone, with
      harmonic and noise carriers were measured in noise for Mandarin Chinese-native
      listeners. The harmonic index was calculated as the difference between detection
      thresholds of the stimuli with harmonic carriers and those with noise carriers.
      The harmonic index for Chinese vowels was significantly greater than that for
      Korean vowels and the complex tone. Moreover, native speech sounds were rated
      significantly more native-like than non-native speech and non-speech sounds. The
      results indicate that native speech has an advantage over other sounds in simple
      auditory tasks like sound detection.

PMID- 27250204
TI  - Lexically driven selective adaptation by ambiguous auditory stimuli occurs after
      limited exposure to adaptors.
AB  - Limited exposure to ambiguous auditory stimuli results in perceptual
      recalibration. When unambiguous stimuli are used instead, selective adaptation
      (SA) effects have been reported, even after few adaptor presentations. Crucially,
      selective adaptation by an ambiguous sound in biasing lexical contexts had
      previously been found only after massive adaptor repetition [Samuel (2001).
      Psychol. Sci. 12(4), 348-351]. The present study shows that extensive exposure is
      not necessary for lexically driven selective adaptation to occur. Lexically
      driven selective adaptation can arise after as few as nine adaptor presentations.
      Additionally, build-up course inspection reveals several parallelisms with the
      time course observed for SA with unambiguous stimuli.

PMID- 27250203
TI  - Indexing head movement during speech production using optical markers.
AB  - Optical marker tracking integrated with electromagnetic articulometry was used to
      assess the movement extent of various points on (a) forehead skin and (b) points
      on a head-mounted apparatus, relative to a fixed point just above the upper
      incisors, and to compare the accuracy of the two different approaches to indexing
      head position during speech production. Both methods can provide a satisfactory
      index of head position. If skin-affixed markers are used, a minimum of 4 is
      recommended. Locations for optimal marker placement are identified.

PMID- 27250205
TI  - Proteomic Analysis of the Spatio-temporal Based Molecular Kinetics of Acute
      Spinal Cord Injury Identifies a Time- and Segment-specific Window for Effective
      Tissue Repair.
AB  - Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a major debilitating health issue with a
      direct socioeconomic burden on the public and private sectors worldwide. Although
      several studies have been conducted to identify the molecular progression of
      injury sequel due from the lesion site, still the exact underlying mechanisms and
      pathways of injury development have not been fully elucidated. In this work,
      based on OMICs, 3D matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) imaging,
      cytokines arrays, confocal imaging we established for the first time that
      molecular and cellular processes occurring after SCI are altered between the
      lesion proximity, i.e. rostral and caudal segments nearby the lesion (R1-C1)
      whereas segments distant from R1-C1, i.e. R2-C2 and R3-C3 levels coexpressed
      factors implicated in neurogenesis. Delay in T regulators recruitment between R1
      and C1 favor discrepancies between the two segments. This is also reinforced by
      presence of neurites outgrowth inhibitors in C1, absent in R1. Moreover, the
      presence of immunoglobulins (IgGs) in neurons at the lesion site at 3 days,
      validated by mass spectrometry, may present additional factor that contributes to
      limited regeneration. Treatment in vivo with anti-CD20 one hour after SCI did not
      improve locomotor function and decrease IgG expression. These results open the
      door of a novel view of the SCI treatment by considering the C1 as the
      therapeutic target.

PMID- 27250207
TI  - Atypical Manifestations in Glut1 Deficiency Syndrome.
AB  - Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome is a genetically determined,
      treatable, neurologic disorder that is caused by an insufficient transport of
      glucose into the brain. It is caused by a mutation in the SCL2A1 gene, which is
      so far the only known to be associated with this condition. Glucose transporter
      type 1 deficiency syndrome consists of a wide clinical spectrum that usually
      presents with cognitive impairment, epilepsy, paroxysmal exercise-induced
      dyskinesia, acquired microcephaly, hemolytic anemia, gait disturbance, and
      dyspraxia in different combinations. However, there are other clinical
      manifestations that we consider equally peculiar but that have so far been poorly
      described in literature. In this review, supported by a video contribution, we
      will accurately describe this type of clinical manifestation such as oculogyric
      crises, weakness, paroxysmal kinesigenic and nonkinesigenic dyskinesia in order
      to provide an additional instrument for a correct, rapid diagnosis.

PMID- 27250206
TI  - Structure of Complement C3(H2O) Revealed By Quantitative Cross-Linking/Mass
      Spectrometry And Modeling.
AB  - The slow but spontaneous and ubiquitous formation of C3(H2O), the hydrolytic and
      conformationally rearranged product of C3, initiates antibody-independent
      activation of the complement system that is a key first line of antimicrobial
      defense. The structure of C3(H2O) has not been determined. Here we subjected
      C3(H2O) to quantitative cross-linking/mass spectrometry (QCLMS). This revealed
      details of the structural differences and similarities between C3(H2O) and C3, as
      well as between C3(H2O) and its pivotal proteolytic cleavage product, C3b, which
      shares functionally similarity with C3(H2O). Considered in combination with the
      crystal structures of C3 and C3b, the QCMLS data suggest that C3(H2O) generation
      is accompanied by the migration of the thioester-containing domain of C3 from one
      end of the molecule to the other. This creates a stable C3b-like platform able to
      bind the zymogen, factor B, or the regulator, factor H. Integration of available
      crystallographic and QCLMS data allowed the determination of a 3D model of the
      C3(H2O) domain architecture. The unique arrangement of domains thus observed in
      C3(H2O), which retains the anaphylatoxin domain (that is excised when C3 is
      enzymatically activated to C3b), can be used to rationalize observed differences
      between C3(H2O) and C3b in terms of complement activation and regulation.

PMID- 27250208
TI  - The Dopamine Receptor D5 May Influence Age of Onset: An Exploratory Study on Indo
      Caucasoid ADHD Subjects.
AB  - The objective was to investigate contribution of the dopamine receptor 5 (DRD5)
      gene variants in the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
      probands since brain regions identified to be affected in these group of patients
      have higher expression of the DRD5 receptor. Out of 22 exonic variants, 19 were
      monomorphic in the Indo-Caucasoid individuals. rs6283 "C" and rs113828117 "A"
      exhibited significant higher occurrence in families with ADHD probands. Several
      haplotypes showed biased occurrence in the probands. Early and late onset groups
      exhibited significantly different genotypic frequencies. A new G>A substitution
      was observed in the control samples only. The late onset group exhibited higher
      scores for hyperactivity as compared to the early onset group. The authors infer
      that the age of onset of ADHD may at least partially be affected by DRD5 variants
      warranting further investigation on the role of DRD5 in the disease etiology.

PMID- 27250209
TI  - Detecting Single-Nucleotide Substitutions Induced by Genome Editing.
AB  - The detection of genome editing is critical in evaluating genome-editing tools or
      conditions, but it is not an easy task to detect genome-editing events-especially
      single-nucleotide substitutions-without a surrogate marker. Here we introduce a
      procedure that significantly contributes to the advancement of genome-editing
      technologies. It uses droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and
      allele-specific hydrolysis probes to detect single-nucleotide substitutions
      generated by genome editing (via homology-directed repair, or HDR). HDR events
      that introduce substitutions using donor DNA are generally infrequent, even with
      genome-editing tools, and the outcome is only one base pair difference in 3
      billion base pairs of the human genome. This task is particularly difficult in
      induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, in which editing events can be very rare.
      Therefore, the technological advances described here have implications for
      therapeutic genome editing and experimental approaches to disease modeling with
      iPS cells.

PMID- 27250211
TI  - Effects of Isha Hatha Yoga on Core Stability and Standing Balance.
AB  - Context * Isha Hatha yoga is a form of yoga practice that practitioners claim can
      improve health. Gaining a scientific understanding of its effects on health is a
      crucial step in claiming health benefits. Objective * The study intended to
      investigate the effects of Isha Hatha yoga on core stability and standing balance
      in healthy volunteers. Design * The research team designed a quasiexperimental
      study. Setting * The setting was at Isha Yoga Center at Isha Foundation in
      Coimbatore, India. Participants * Participants were individuals registered for a
      residential program providing training in Isha Hatha yoga at the Isha Yoga
      Center. Intervention * The training consisted of 21 d of training in Isha Hatha
      yoga, including Upa yoga, Surya Kriya, Angamardhana, Bhuta Suddhi, and asanas.
      Outcome Measures * The single-leg stork test and the plank test were conducted
      before and after the training. Results * Significant increases occurred in the
      standing-stork test scores on the right (P = .014) and left (P = .033) sides and
      in the plank test scores (P < .001). Conclusions * The current study concluded
      that healthy volunteers who underwent 21 d of training in Isha Hatha yoga showed
      significant improvements in core strength and balance. 

PMID- 27250210
TI  - Using Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction to Detect Single-Nucleotide Substitutions
      Induced by Genome Editing.
AB  - This protocol is designed to detect single-nucleotide substitutions generated by
      genome editing in a highly sensitive and quantitative manner. It uses a
      combination of allele-specific hydrolysis probes and a new digital polymerase
      chain reaction (dPCR) technology called droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). ddPCR
      partitions a reaction into more than 10,000 nanoliter-scale water-in-oil
      droplets. As a result, each droplet contains only a few copies of the genome so
      that ddPCR is able to detect rare genome-editing events without missing them.

PMID- 27250212
TI  - Salutogenesis and the Monks of Athos, Greece: A Spiritual Health Promotion?
AB  - Context * A cohort of studies on secular populations has indicated the role that
      religiosity plays in psychological well-being. An increase in the participation
      in religious activity has been shown to have a positive correlation with
      beneficial mental health outcomes. Internationally, few studies exist regarding
      the sense of coherence (SOC) of monks. SOC is a health asset related to stress
      management skills. Objective * The study aimed to assess the SOC of monks who
      lived at Mount Athos, Greece, and to determine its correlation with demographic
      characteristics. Design * The type of design was a descriptive cross-sectional
      study using convenience sampling. Setting * The study took place at Mount Athos
      in 2 monasteries and 1 skete, which is an organized community that consists of
      several monastic huts that belong to a communal monastery. Participants * Of the
      215 monks living in the 2 monasteries and the skete, 166 monks participated.
      Outcome Measures * Data were collected from May-August 2012, using a structured
      questionnaire that was divided into 2 parts: (1) a demographic section (8 items)
      and (2) the Sense of Coherence (SOC-13) survey. Results * The mean age of
      participants was 45.5 y +/- 13.0. Of the 166 monks participating, 139 (83.7 %)
      lived in communal monasteries, and the mean time of participation in monasticism
      was 18.4 +/- 12.1 y. The mean value on the SOC-13 scale was 65.7 +/- 6.5.
      According to the multiple regression analyses, the number of years in monasticism
      presented a positive correlation with the SOC score (beta = 0.12, SE = 0.04, P =
      .003), whereas the number of daily hours of sleep presented a negative
      correlation with the SOC score (beta = -1.34, SE = 0.50, P = .008). Conclusions *
      The monks seemed to have a strong SOC and, therefore, adequate stress management
      skills. Religious spirituality may help individuals in coping with daily life.
      More evidence-based studies need to be implemented to highlight the correlation
      between Orthodox Christian monasticism and SOC. 

PMID- 27250213
TI  - Case Report: Outcomes of Feldenkrais Movements on Self-reported Cognitive Decline
      in Older Adults.
AB  - Context * A lack of cognitive health can limit a person's well-being and may
      compromise independent living. The potential for cognitive decline is a major
      concern for aging individuals. Regular physical activity has been shown to
      improve cognitive processes. However, functional limitations frequently prevent
      older adults from participating in conventional exercise programs. Given the
      gentle nature of mind-body exercises, interventions such as the Feldenkrais may
      provide an alternative. Objective * The study intended to investigate whether
      Feldenkrais lessons can offset cognitive decline among older adults. DESIGN: The
      study was a case series with 2 participants. Setting * The study took place in
      the wellness center of a retirement community. Participants * Participants were 2
      female residents in the community, with self-reported cognitive challenges.
      Intervention * The Feldenkrais method awareness through movement (ATM) was used.
      The lessons were based on common Feldenkrais themes, such as the relationship
      between eye organization and body movement, coordination of muscles, breathing,
      and an exploration of the participants' habits. Outcome Measures * The Trail
      Making Test A (TMT-A) and Trail Making Tests B (TMT-B) were used to measure
      cognitive function at baseline and after the Feldenkrais intervention. Results *
      Both participants improved their performance on the TMT-A and TMT-B after
      completing the Feldenkrais intervention. Neither of the 2 participants reported
      any adverse events related to the lessons. Conclusion * The beneficial results
      warrant further research into the efficacy of Feldenkrais as complementary,
      alternative therapy for preserving cognitive function on a larger scale and in
      populations with diagnosed cognitive impairments.

PMID- 27250214
TI  - Obesity and atrial fibrillation: can adipokines help to solve this puzzle.

PMID- 27250215
TI  - Contemporary evaluation and management of lower extremity peripheral artery
      disease.
AB  - Peripheral artery disease (PAD) includes atherosclerosis of the aorta and lower
      extremities. Affecting a large segment of the population, PAD is associated with
      impaired functional capacity and reduced quality of life as well as an increased
      risk of stroke, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death. The evaluation of
      PAD begins with the physical examination, incorporating non-invasive testing such
      as ankle-brachial indices to confirm the diagnosis. Therapeutic interventions are
      aimed at alleviating symptoms while preserving limb integrity and reducing
      overall cardiovascular risk. With this in mind, risk factor modification with
      exercise and medical therapy are the mainstays of treatment for many patients
      with PAD. Persistent symptoms or non-healing wounds should prompt more aggressive
      therapies with endovascular or surgical revascularisation. The following
      manuscript provides a comprehensive review on the contemporary evaluation and
      management of PAD.

PMID- 27250216
TI  - Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in adults with congenital heart
      disease.
AB  - Remarkable gains in survival have led to an unprecedented number of adults with
      congenital heart disease. Arrhythmias collectively comprise the most common
      complication encountered. Recognising the unique issues and challenges involved
      in managing arrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease and the
      consequential decisions surrounding sudden death prevention, expert societies
      have proposed evidence-based recommendations. On the whole, acute ventricular
      arrhythmias are managed according to general cardiology guidelines, while taking
      into consideration congenital heart disease-specific issues, such as positioning
      of patches or paddles according to location of the heart. Implantable
      cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are indicated for secondary prevention in
      patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia or resuscitated cardiac arrest in
      the absence of a reversible cause. Pharmacological therapy and catheter ablation
      can be effective in reducing recurrent ICD shocks. Risk-benefit assessment for
      primary prevention ICDs is a major challenge. Although a clearer picture has
      emerged of the high-risk patient with tetralogy of Fallot, ICD indications for
      those with systemic right ventricles or univentricular hearts remain contentious.
      Challenges to ICD implantation include obstructed veins, conduits and baffles,
      atrioventricular valve disease and intracardiac shunts. In selected patients,
      customised systems with epicardial and/or subcutaneous coils may represent a
      viable solution. Alternatively, the subcutaneous ICD is an attractive option for
      patients in whom transvenous access is not feasible or desirable and in whom
      bradycardia and antitachycardia pacing features are not essential. Continued
      advances in risk stratification and device technologies carry the potential to
      further improve efficacy and safety outcomes in this growing population of
      patients.

PMID- 27250217
TI  - Expression of EAP1 and CUX1 in the hypothalamus of female rats and relationship
      with KISS1 and GnRH.
AB  - Using a combination of high throughput and bioinformatics strategies, in
      combination with a system biology approach, a group of related genes including
      EAP1 and CUX1 whose expression increased at the time of female puberty were
      singled out from the hypothalamus of nonhuman primates and rats. It was
      hypothesized that EAP1 and CUX1 genes may be required for the timely initiation
      of female puberty by regulating the expression of KISS1 gene. Therefore, we
      measured the hypothalamic expression of EAP1 and CUX1 genes of female SD rats in
      mRNA and protein levels along with the numbers of respective immunoreactive cells
      at three different development stages (juvenile, early puberty and adult).
      Besides, we investigated the distribution of their immunoreactive cells. Although
      there was no changes in the mRNA levels of EAP1 and CUX1 in the hypothalamus
      during the different sexual development stages, the protein expression of EAP1 in
      the early-puberty group was significantly higher than that in the juvenile group.
      Moreover, we found that EAP1 and CUX1 genes were localized in neuronal nuclei.
      Both were prominent in cells of the the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the rat
      hypothalamus which was also the main localization of KISS1 gene. Especially, CUX1
      gene was co-expressed in the kisspeptin neurons. Furthermore, the number and
      percentage of EAP1 immunoreactive cells in the early-puberty group were both
      significantly more than the juvenile group. Above results indicate that EAP1 gene
      may be involved in the neuroendocrine control of female puberty in correlation
      with the kisspeptin signaling. 

PMID- 27250218
TI  - Sucralose, an activator of the glucose-sensing receptor, increases ATP by calcium
      dependent and -independent mechanisms.
AB  - Sucralose is an artificial sweetener and activates the glucose-sensing receptor
      expressed in pancreatic beta-cells. Although sucralose does not enter beta-cells
      nor acts as a substrate for glucokinase, it induces a marked elevation of
      intracellular ATP ([ATP]c). The present study was conducted to identify the
      signaling pathway responsible for the elevation of [ATP]c induced by sucralose.
      Previous studies have shown that sucralose elevates cyclic AMP (cAMP), activates
      phospholipase C (PLC) and stimulates Ca(2+) entry by a Na(+)-dependent mechanism
      in MIN6 cells. The addition of forskolin induced a marked elevation of cAMP,
      whereas it did not affect [ATP]c. Carbachol, an activator of PLC, did not
      increase [ATP]c. In addition, activation of protein kinase C by
      dioctanoylglycerol did not affect [ATP]c. In contrast, nifedipine, an inhibitor
      of the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel, significantly reduced [ATP]c response to
      sucralose. Removal of extracellular Na(+) nearly completely blocked sucralose
      induced elevation of [ATP]c. Stimulation of Na(+) entry by adding a Na(+)
      ionophore monensin elevated [ATP]c. The monensin-induced elevation of [ATP]c was
      only partially inhibited by nifedipine and loading of BAPTA, both of which
      completely abolished elevation of [Ca(2+)]c. These results suggest that Na(+)
      entry is critical for the sucralose-induced elevation of [ATP]c. Both calcium
      dependent and -independent mechanisms are involved in the action of sucralose. 

PMID- 27250219
TI  - The effectiveness of beauty care on self-rated health among community-dwelling
      older people.
AB  - AIM: The maintenance and improvement of self-rated health is important for
      prolonging healthy life expectancy in a well-aged society. In the present study,
      we examined the effectiveness of beauty care on self-rated health among community
      dwelling older people through a quasi- randomized controlled trial by propensity
      score matching (PSM). METHOD: One hundred twelve community-dwelling older people
      who were recruited from the local community, participated in a beauty care
      program that consisted of two training sessions per month for 3 months and daily
      enforcement of facial skin care (intervention group). Seven hundred fifty-nine
      participants who received a comprehensive geriatric assessment were treated as a
      control group. Sex, age, BMI, lifestyle habits, hand grip strength, walking
      speed, skeletal muscle mass, bone density, medical history and life function
      (Kihon Checklist) were matched by the PSM method. We compared the subjects' self
      rated health, depressive mood status (self-rating depression scale: SDS), and the
      frequency of going outdoors in the intervention and control groups before and
      after intervention. RESULTS: The improvements of SDS were significantly greater
      in the intervention group than in the control group. The self-rated health and
      the frequency of going outdoors were maintained in the intervention group but
      were significantly decreased in the control group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that
      beauty care is effective for maintaining and improving the self-rated health and
      depression status of community-dwelling older people and that it may help prolong
      healthy life expectancy.

PMID- 27250220
TI  - Factors related to the urination methods of elderly people with incontinence who
      require at-home nursing care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elucidate the urination status among elderly
      people with incontinence who require at-home nursing care as well as the status
      of their family caregivers, and to identify the factors related to their
      urination methods. METHODS: In the present study, questionnaires were distributed
      to 101 elderly subjects (n=101) and their caregivers. RESULTS: The most prevalent
      urination method was the collaboration of toilet and adult diapers (69,
      68.8%).There was a significantly larger number of patients who used a toilet <4
      times and who had a "moderate" amount of incontinence and patients who used
      toilet 4-8 times and had a "slight" amount of incontinence (p<0.05). We performed
      a multivariate logistic regression analysis using the stepwise method. We used 8
      items from the responses of the elderly subjects and their caregivers that were
      identified as being independently associated with the urination method using the
      chi-squared test (or Fisher's exact probability test), with the urination method
      as the dependent variable. Among elderly people, the ability to use a toilet
      properly (p=0.004) and independent mobility (p=0.028) strongly influenced their
      use of a toilet for urination. Among caregivers, the influencing factor was not
      thinking that they have to use the toilet even though they are unable to urinate
      (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: The use of a toilet for urination by elderly people was
      influenced by their physical functions and by the caregivers' attitudes toward
      excretion-related nursing care. When providing urination assistance, it is
      important for caregivers to maintain the physical functions of the elderly by
      providing support when necessary. It is also important to assess the bladder
      function by, methods such, as measuring the amount of residual urine and
      cooperate with a physician.

PMID- 27250221
TI  - Clinical characteristics of patients aged 65 and older with newly developed type
      1 diabetes: An analysis of elderly patients at our hospital.
AB  - AIM: We herein investigated the clinical features of elderly patients with newly
      developed type 1 diabetes with respect to onset age, frequency of islet
      associated antibodies, and other clinical markers. METHODS: One hundred and
      ninety-nine patients aged 65 and older with new-onset diabetes, who were admitted
      to our hospital between July 2000 and June 2013, were classified into 4 types of
      diabetes. In addition, 85 patients with newly diagnosed type 1A diabetes among
      all age ranges admitted during the same period were divided into two groups: a
      younger group (less than 65 years, n=71) and an elderly group (65 years and
      older, n=14). Clinical features including mode of onset, frequency of islet
      associated antibodies, and serum C-peptide (CPR) levels were compared between
      these groups. The elderly group was further divided into two age groups (less
      than 75 years, n=7; 75 years and older, n=7), and the frequency of autoantibodies
      was compared. RESULTS: The patients (n=199) were classified into type 1 (n=16,
      8%), type 2 (n=155, 78%), pancreatic (n=22, 11%), and other type (n=6, 3%)
      diabetes. Between the younger and elderly groups with type 1 diabetes, no
      significant difference in the CPR levels, frequency of autoantibodies, or other
      clinical features were observed. Positivity for IA-2 antibody was higher in the
      younger group (53.5%) than in the elderly group (35.7%), however, it was also
      considerably high (57.1%) in the oldest age group (75 years and older).
      CONCLUSIONS: Type 1 diabetes may develop in the elderly, and an IA-2 antibody
      test may be useful for diagnosing type 1 diabetes in older patients.

PMID- 27250222
TI  - The prevalence of dementia in subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy (SMON) patients
      who underwent medical checkups.
AB  - AIM: Subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy (SMON) is a known adverse effect of
      clioquinol use; however, clioquinol dissolves beta-amyloid aggregation in
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of dementia
      in SMON patients and whether past clioquinol use affected the current incidence
      of AD. METHODS: We included 647 SMON patients (195 men, 452 women; mean age 77.9
      years) who had undergone medical checkups including the mini-mental state
      examination (MMSE) in 2012. Of them, 105 patients scored <=23 on the MMSE
      assessment. The presence/absence of dementia and disease backgrounds were
      obtained by a questionnaire. Then, using the medical checkup database, the
      correlation between the degree of severity when signs of SMON were at their worst
      and the concurrent presence or absence of AD at present was analyzed. RESULTS: In
      patients >=65 years of age, the estimated prevalence of dementia was
      approximately 10.9% (95% confidence interval: 7.9%-13.8%). The concurrent
      presence of AD at present was not correlated with the past degree of SMON
      severity when the SMON signs were at their worst. CONCLUSIONS: The 10.9%
      prevalence of dementia in SMON patients was lower than a previously reported 15%
      prevalence found in the general population. According to these results, we cannot
      draw a definitive conclusion regarding the preventive effect of clioquinol on AD.
      Additionally, the lack of association between the onset of AD and past severity
      of SMON precludes definitive conclusions on the relationship between concurrent
      presence of AD and past clioquinol use.

PMID- 27250223
TI  - Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in an elderly man with severe aortic
      stenosis and high surgical risk.
AB  - An 85-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis (transaortic peak velocity 4.4
      m/s, mean gradient 46 mmHg and valve area 0.71 cm(2)) was admitted to our
      hospital due to mild exertional dyspnea (NYHA class II). He had received low-dose
      prednisolone (5 mg/day) plus tacrolimus hydrate (1.5 mg/day) for rheumatic
      arthritis and interstitial pneumonia. Although aortic valve replacement was
      indicated, he was considered at high risk to undergo open heart surgery because
      of reduced pulmonary function (FEV1.0%, 77.2%) and long-term treatment with
      immunosuppressive drugs. After a multidisciplinary heart team conference, the
      decision was made to perform transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation
      (TAVI) using a SAPIEN XT 26 mm valve. TAVI was completed in 105 minutes without
      any complications. After the procedure, his symptom was improved and his activity
      of daily life was maintained, and he was ambulatory the next day. Aortic stenosis
      by degenerative calcification is becoming increasingly common as the Japanese
      population ages. TAVI has been used to treat patients with concomitant diseases
      and at high risk of open heart surgery. We herein report a case with rheumatic
      arthritis and interstitial pneumonia that underwent successful TAVI.

PMID- 27250224
TI  - The safety and effectiveness of earwax removal by nurse in cognitive impaired
      inpatients.

PMID- 27250226
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27250225
TI  - Research of carotid stenosis in the elderly aged 80 and over in mountain towns.

PMID- 27250227
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27250228
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27250232
TI  - Long-term occipital nerve stimulation for drug-resistant chronic cluster
      headache.
AB  - Introduction Chronic cluster headache is rare and some of these patients become
      drug-resistant. Occipital nerve stimulation has been successfully employed in
      open studies to treat chronic drug-resistant cluster headache. Data from large
      group of occipital nerve stimulation-treated chronic cluster headache patients
      with long duration follow-up are advantageous. Patients and methods Efficacy of
      occipital nerve stimulation has been evaluated in an experimental monocentric
      open-label study including 35 chronic drug-resistant cluster headache patients
      (mean age 42 years; 30 men; mean illness duration: 6.7 years). The primary end
      point was a reduction in number of daily attacks. Results After a median follow
      up of 6.1 years (range 1.6-10.7), 20 (66.7%) patients were responders (>=50%
      reduction in headache number per day): 12 (40%) responders showed a stable
      condition characterized by sporadic attacks, five responders had a 60-80%
      reduction in headache number per day and in the remaining three responders
      chronic cluster headache was transformed in episodic cluster headache. Ten
      (33.3%) patients were non-responders; half of these have been responders for a
      long period (mean 14.6 months; range 2-48 months). Battery depletion (21 patients
      70%) and electrode migration (six patients - 20%) were the most frequent adverse
      events. Conclusions Occipital nerve stimulation efficacy is confirmed in chronic
      drug-resistant cluster headaches even after an exceptional long-term follow-up.
      Tolerance can occur years after improvement.

PMID- 27250233
TI  - Relationship between serum levels of VIP, but not of CGRP, and cranial autonomic
      parasympathetic symptoms: A study in chronic migraine patients.
AB  - Background Cranial autonomic parasympathetic symptoms (CAPS) appear in at least
      half of migraine patients theoretically as a result of the release of peptides by
      the trigemino-vascular system (TVS). Cranial pain pathways become sensitised by
      repeated episodes of TVS activation, leading to migraine chronification.
      Objective The objective of this article is to correlate the presence of CAPS with
      serum levels of vasoactive intestinal peptides (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related
      peptide (CGRP). Patients and methods Patients with chronic migraine (CM) were
      asked about the presence - during migraine attacks - of five CAPS, which were
      scored from 0 to 10 by using a quantitative scale. Serum VIP and CGRP levels were
      determined by ELISA. Results We interviewed 87 CM patients (82 females; mean age
      44.7 +/- 10.6 years). Seventeen had no CAPS, while 70 reported at least one CAPS.
      VIP levels ranged from 20.8 to 668.2 pg/ml (mean 154.5 +/- 123.2). There was a
      significant positive correlation between scores in the CAPS scale and VIP levels
      (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.227; p = 0.035). VIP levels were
      significantly higher in CM patients by at least one point in the scale vs those
      with 0 points ( p = 0.002). Analysing symptoms individually, VIP levels were
      numerically higher in those patients with symptoms, though they were
      significantly higher only in those patients with lacrimation vs those without it
      ( p = 0.013). There was no significant correlation between CGRP levels and the
      score in the CAPS scale. Conclusions Serum VIP, but not CGRP, levels seem to
      reflect the rate of activation of the parasympathetic arm of the TVS in migraine.

PMID- 27250234
TI  - Anxiety and depression in probable migraine: A population-based study.
AB  - Background Although probable migraine (PM) is common among headache sufferers,
      there is little knowledge of the prevalence and impacts of comorbid anxiety and
      depression in patients with PM. We assessed the prevalence and impact of anxiety
      and depression among PM sufferers in the general population. Methods We recruited
      Korean individuals aged 19-69 years via stratified random sampling and assessed
      headache type, anxiety, and depression among them using structured interviews.
      Results In a representative sample of 2695 individuals, 143 (5.3%) and 379
      (14.1%) had migraine and PM, respectively. Fewer patients with PM had anxiety
      (17.7% vs. 30.1%, p = 0.002) and depression (8.7% vs. 16.8%, p = 0.007) compared
      to those with migraine. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was lower in people
      with PM than in those with migraine in univariable analysis, but insignificant
      after including headache intensity and headache frequency for adjustment.
      Headache frequency, headache intensity, and impact of headache were significantly
      higher among PM and migraine patients with anxiety and depression than among
      those without. Conclusions The prevalence of anxiety and depression was lower
      among individuals with PM compared to those with migraine. However, they were
      still prevalent and associated with an exacerbation of symptoms among individuals
      with PM.

PMID- 27250235
TI  - Pain modulation is affected differently in medication-overuse headache and
      chronic myofascial pain - A multimodal MRI study.
AB  - Background Neuroimaging studies revealed structural and functional changes in
      medication-overuse headache (MOH), but it remains unclear whether similar changes
      could be observed in other chronic pain disorders. Methods In this cross
      sectional study, we investigated functional connectivity (FC) with resting-state
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and white matter integrity using
      diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to measure fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean
      diffusivity (MD) in patients with MOH ( N = 12) relative to two control groups:
      patients with chronic myofascial pain (MYO; N = 11) and healthy controls (CN; N =
      16). Results In a data-driven approach we found hypoconnectivity in the fronto
      parietal attention network in both pain groups relative to CN (i.e. MOH < CN and
      MYO < CN). In contrast, hyperconnectivity in the saliency network (SN) was
      detected only in MOH, which correlated with FA in the insula. In a seed-based
      analysis we investigated FC between the periaqueductal grey (PAG) and all other
      brain regions. In addition to overlapping hyperconnectivity seen in patient
      groups (relative to CN), MOH had a distinct connectivity pattern with lower FC to
      parieto-occipital regions and higher FC to orbitofrontal regions compared to
      controls. FA and MD abnormalities were mostly observed in MOH, involving the
      insula. Conclusions Hyperconnectivity within the SN along with associated white
      matter changes therein suggest a particular role of this network in MOH. In
      addition, abnormal connectivity between the PAG and other pain modulatory
      (frontal) regions in MOH are consistent with dysfunctional central pain control.

PMID- 27250238
TI  - Visualization of Steady-State Ionic Concentration Profiles Formed in Electrolytes
      during Li-Ion Battery Operation and Determination of Mass-Transport Properties by
      in Situ Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
AB  - Accurate modeling of Li-ion batteries performance, particularly during the
      transient conditions experienced in automotive applications, requires knowledge
      of electrolyte transport properties (ionic conductivity kappa, salt diffusivity
      D, and lithium ion transference number t(+)) over a wide range of salt
      concentrations and temperatures. While specific conductivity data can be easily
      obtained with modern computerized instrumentation, this is not the case for D and
      t(+). A combination of NMR and MRI techniques was used to solve the problem. The
      main advantage of such an approach over classical electrochemical methods is its
      ability to provide spatially resolved details regarding the chemical and dynamic
      features of charged species in solution, hence the ability to present a more
      accurate characterization of processes in an electrolyte under operational
      conditions. We demonstrate herein data on ion transport properties (D and t(+))
      of concentrated LiPF6 solutions in a binary ethylene carbonate (EC)-dimethyl
      carbonate (DMC) 1:1 v/v solvent mixture, obtained by the proposed technique. The
      buildup of steady-state (time-invariant) ion concentration profiles during
      galvanostatic experiments with graphite-lithium metal cells containing the
      electrolyte was monitored by pure phase-encoding single point imaging MRI. We
      then derived the salt diffusivity and Li(+) transference number over the salt
      concentration range 0.78-1.27 M from a pseudo-3D combined PFG-NMR and MRI
      technique. The results obtained with our novel methodology agree with those
      obtained by electrochemical methods, but in contrast to them, the concentration
      dependences of salt diffusivity and Li(+) transference number were obtained
      simultaneously within the single in situ experiment.

PMID- 27250236
TI  - The CebE/MsiK Transporter is a Doorway to the Cello-oligosaccharide-mediated
      Induction of Streptomyces scabies Pathogenicity.
AB  - Streptomyces scabies is an economically important plant pathogen well-known for
      damaging root and tuber crops by causing scab lesions. Thaxtomin A is the main
      causative agent responsible for the pathogenicity of S. scabies and cello
      oligosaccharides are environmental triggers that induce the production of this
      phytotoxin. How cello-oligosaccharides are sensed or transported in order to
      induce the virulent behavior of S. scabies? Here we report that the cellobiose
      and cellotriose binding protein CebE, and MsiK, the ATPase providing energy for
      carbohydrates transport, are the protagonists of the cello-oligosaccharide
      mediated induction of thaxtomin production in S. scabies. Our work provides the
      first example where the transport and not the sensing of major constituents of
      the plant host is the central mechanism associated with virulence of the
      pathogen. Our results allow to draw a complete pathway from signal transport to
      phytotoxin production where each step of the cascade is controlled by CebR, the
      cellulose utilization regulator. We propose the high affinity of CebE to
      cellotriose as possible adaptation of S. scabies to colonize expanding plant
      tissue. Our work further highlights how genes associated with primary metabolism
      in nonpathogenic Streptomyces species have been recruited as basic elements of
      virulence in plant pathogenic species.

PMID- 27250239
TI  - [Knocking on SciELO's doors: a new opportunity for Archivos].

PMID- 27250241
TI  - [Evaluation of an intervention for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in
      workers of a pharmaceutical company].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study are to: 1) assess the impact of an
      intervention designed to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort, and
      2) analyze whether the impact differs by individual characteristics. METHODS:
      Quasi-experimental study with pre-post test design and no control group. The
      study population consisted of 55 workers of a pharmaceutical company. Data were
      collected through the self-administered Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal
      Symptoms, completed before the intervention and again one year later. Differences
      were examined with the McNemar test. Dependent variables were upper extremity
      pain, lower extremity pain, back pain and limitation of daily activities due to
      musculoskeletal disorders. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were
      observed. In addition, the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort increased in
      two of the three locations (upper and lower extremities), as well as for related
      activity limitations, and decreased only in the case of back pain. Differences
      were also not observed for any of the different stratification variables.
      CONCLUSIONS: This intervention did not significantly reduce the prevalence of
      musculoskeletal discomfort, either overall or by specific subgroups. Moreover,
      except in the case of back pain, prevalence increased. This type of individual
      interventions should be supplemented by others measures in the workplace.

PMID- 27250240
TI  - [Non work-related sickness absence in 2013 in a Spanish banking sector company].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe the incidence and duration of episodes of non work
      related temporary sickness absence (SA) between January and December of 2013, by
      diagnostic groups, in a banking sector company. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of
      3.193 episodes of SA (>= day), excluding work-related injuries and illnesses. The
      distribution of the duration of SA episodes by medical diagnosis was analyzed by
      calculating the median duration, 25th and 75th percentiles, mean and standard
      deviation. RESULTS: The median duration of SA was 9 days for cases where there
      was a medical diagnosis (n=2.931, 91.8%); the 25th and 75th percentiles were 4
      and 32 days, respectively. The most frequent pathologies were respiratory
      (19.9%), followed by musculoskeletal (19.1%) and pregnancy-related disorders
      (17.3%). Neoplasms had the longest median duration (49 days), followed by
      pregnancy-related disorders (39 days) and psychiatric disorders (23 days).
      CONCLUSIONS: Overall sickness absence incidence in our study population was
      lower, but had a longer duration, as compared to similar studies. The incidence
      and duration by diagnostic groups were very similar to that reported in the
      literature, except for pregnancy-related disorders, where both were clearly
      higher (incidence 4 to 11 times and duration 0.4 times larger) in our company
      (<0.001). This analysis is useful from a prevention perspective, and suggests the
      need to prioritize the study to the control of potential workplace exposures that
      might be affecting pregnant workers' health.

PMID- 27250242
TI  - [Pulmonary thromboembolism in Occupational Medicine].
AB  - Occupational physicians should be familiar with the risk factors and clinical
      presentation of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). PTE belongs to the group ofis a
      cardiovascular diseases, which are the main cause (40%) of death in Spanish
      workplaces; at present, they may be considered a work-related injury because of
      the doctrinal evolution in the legal interpretation of the presumption of iuris
      tantum. We present the case of a hypertensive and obese adult male who suffered a
      PTE at his workplace. The availability of a portable pulse oximeter (room air
      SpO2, 92%) was critical in guiding the decision to refer him urgently to the
      hospital, where the diagnosis was confirmed. We can conclude that, independently
      of whether this event is later deemed to be work-related (in this case it was
      not), occupational physicians must know how to correctly manage and refer
      affected workers. 

PMID- 27250243
TI  - [Response: Description of dysphonia cases evaluated in a Mutua in 2013].

PMID- 27250244
TI  - [Response: Return to work after musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of
      good practices guidelines].

PMID- 27250246
TI  - Estimation of the lag time in a subsequent monomer addition model for fibril
      elongation.
AB  - Fibrillogenesis, the production or development of protein fibers, has been linked
      to protein folding diseases. The progress curve of fibrils or aggregates
      typically takes on a sigmoidal shape with a lag phase, a rapid growth phase, and
      a final plateau regime. The study of the lag phase and the estimation of its
      critical timescale provide insight into the factors regulating the fibrillation
      process. However, methods to estimate a quantitative expression for the lag time
      rely on empirical expressions, which cannot connect the lag time to kinetic
      parameters associated with the reaction mechanisms of protein fibrillation. Here
      we introduce an approach for the estimation of the lag time using the governing
      rate equations of the elementary reactions of a subsequent monomer addition model
      for protein fibrillation as a case study. We show that the lag time is given by
      the sum of the critical timescales for each fibril intermediate in the subsequent
      monomer addition mechanism and therefore reveals causal connectivity between
      intermediate species. Furthermore, we find that single-molecule assays of protein
      fibrillation can exhibit a lag phase without a nucleation process, while dyes and
      extrinsic fluorescent probe bulk assays of protein fibrillation do not exhibit an
      observable lag phase during template-dependent elongation. Our approach could be
      valuable for investigating the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to the
      protein fibrillation reaction mechanism and provides physicochemical insights
      into parameters regulating the lag phase. 

PMID- 27250245
TI  - LRP6 acts as a scaffold protein in cardiac gap junction assembly.
AB  - Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) is a Wnt co-receptor in
      the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signalling. Here, we report the scaffold function
      of LRP6 in gap junction formation of cardiomyocytes. Cardiac LRP6 is spatially
      restricted to intercalated discs and binds to gap junction protein connexin 43
      (Cx43). A deficiency in LRP6 disrupts Cx43 gap junction formation and thereby
      impairs the cell-to-cell coupling, which is independent of Wnt/beta-catenin
      signalling. The defect in Cx43 gap junction resulting from LRP6 reduction is
      attributable to the defective traffic of de novo Cx43 proteins from the
      endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, leading to the lysosomal
      degradation of Cx43 proteins. Accordingly, the hearts of conditional cardiac
      specific Lrp6-knockout mice consistently exhibit overt reduction of Cx43 gap
      junction plaques without any abnormality in Wnt signalling and are predisposed to
      lethal arrhythmias. These findings uncover a distinct role of LRP6 as a platform
      for intracellular protein trafficking.

PMID- 27250247
TI  - Towards the development of a screening tool to enhance the detection of elder
      abuse and neglect by emergency medical technicians (EMTs): a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To develop a screening tool to enhance elder abuse and neglect
      detection and reporting rates among emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Our
      primary aim was to identify the most salient indicators of elder abuse and
      neglect for potential inclusion on a screening tool. We also sought to identify
      practical elements of the tool that would optimize EMT uptake and use in the
      field, such as format, length and number of items, and types of response options
      available. METHODS: Qualitative data were collected from 23 EMTs and Adult
      Protective Services (APS) caseworkers that participated in one of five semi
      structured focus groups. Focus group data were iteratively coded by two coders
      using inductive thematic identification and data reduction. Findings were subject
      to interpretation by the research team. RESULTS: EMTs and APS caseworks
      identified eight domains of items that might be included on a screening tool: (1)
      exterior home condition; (2) interior living conditions; (3) social support; (4)
      medical history; (5) caregiving quality; (6) physical condition of the older
      adult; (7) older adult's behavior; and, (8) EMTs instincts. The screening tool
      should be based on observable cues in the physical or social environment, be very
      brief, easily integrated into electronic charting systems, and provide a decision
      rule for reporting guidance to optimize utility for EMTs in the field.
      CONCLUSIONS: We described characteristics of a screening tool for EMTs to enhance
      detection and reporting of elder abuse and neglect to APS. Future research should
      narrow identified items and evaluate how these domains positively predict
      confirmed cases of elder abuse and neglect.

PMID- 27250248
TI  - Labs-on-a-chip meet self-propelled micromotors.
AB  - This frontier review covers recent advances in the field of nanomaterial-based
      micromotors for the development of novel labs-on-a-chip (LOCs). In this review,
      we will discuss how carbon nanomaterials "on-board" of micromotors offer
      particular promise for diverse LOC applications. New trends in the field,
      directed towards the use of quantum dots and nanoparticles as functional
      materials for sophisticated micromotors, will be reviewed. Micromotor strategies
      using functionalized catalytic microengines to capture and transport
      (bio)molecules between the different reservoirs of LOC devices will also be
      covered. These recent advances are bringing closer our hopes for personalized
      medicine and food safety assurance, among others.

PMID- 27250249
TI  - National Early Warning Score (NEWS) as an emergency department predictor of
      disease severity and 90-day survival in the acutely dyspneic patient - a
      prospective observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: National Early Warning Score (NEWS) was designed to detect
      deteriorating patients in hospital wards, specifically those at increased risk of
      ICU admission, cardiac arrest, or death within 24 h. NEWS is not validated for
      use in Emergency Departments (ED), but emerging data suggest it may be useful. A
      criticism of NEWS is that patients with chronic poor oxygenation, e.g. severe
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), will have elevated NEWS also in the
      absence of acute deterioration, possibly reducing the predictive power of NEWS in
      this subgroup. We wanted to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of NEWS in
      unselected adult patients emergently presenting in a Norwegian ED with
      respiratory distress as main symptom. METHODS: In respiratory distressed
      patients, NEWS was calculated on ED arrival, after 2-4 h, and the next day.
      Manchester Triage Scale (MTS) category, age, gender, comorbidity (ASA score), ICU
      admission, ventilatory support, and discharge diagnoses were noted. Survival
      status was tracked for >90 days through the Population Registry. Data are medians
      (25-75th percentiles). Factors predicting 90-day survival were analysed with
      multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: We included 246 patients; 71 years old (60
      80), 89 % home-dwelling, 74 % ASA 3-4, 72 % MTS 1-2, 88 % admitted to hospital.
      NEWS on arrival was 5 (3-7). NEWS correlated closely with MTS category and
      maximum in-hospital level of care (ED, ward, high-dependency unit, ICU). Sixteen
      patients died in-hospital, 26 died after discharge within 90 days. Controlled for
      age, ASA score, and COPD, a higher NEWS on ED arrival predicted poorer 90-day
      survival. Increased NEWS also correlated with decreased 30-day- and in-hospital
      survival and a decreased probability for home-dwelling patients to be discharged
      directly home. DISCUSSION: In respiratory distressed patients, NEWS on ED arrival
      correlated closely with triage category and need of ICU admission and predicted
      long-term out-of-hospital survival controlled for age, comorbidity, and COPD.
      CONCLUSIONS: NEWS should be explored in the ED setting to determine its role in
      clinical decision-making and in communication along the acute care chain.

PMID- 27250250
TI  - Vibrio vulnificus VvhA induces autophagy-related cell death through the lipid
      raft-dependent c-Src/NOX signaling pathway.
AB  - VvhA, a virulent factor of Vibrio (V.) vulnificus, induces acute cell death in a
      destructive manner. Autophagy plays an important role in cell death, but the
      functional role of VvhA in autophagy-related cell death has not been elucidated
      yet. We found that rVvhA significantly increased LC3 puncta formation and
      autophagic flux in promoting the cell death of human intestinal epithelial Caco-2
      cells. The cell death induced by rVvhA was independent of lysosomal
      permeabilizaton and caspase activation. rVvhA induced rapid phosphorylation of c
      Src in the membrane lipid raft, which resulted in an increased interaction
      between lipid raft molecule caveolin-1 and NADPH oxidase (NOX) complex Rac1 for
      ROS production. NOX-mediated ROS signaling induced by rVvhA increased the
      phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and eukaryotic
      translation initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) which are required for mRNA
      expression of Atg5 and Atg16L1 involved in autophagosome formation. In an in vivo
      model, VvhA increased autophagy activation and paracellular permeabilization in
      intestinal epithelium. Collectively, the results here show that VvhA plays a
      pivotal role in the pathogenesis and dissemination of V. vulnificus by autophagy
      upregulation, through the lipid raft-mediated c-Src/NOX signaling pathway and
      ERK/eIF2alpha activation.

PMID- 27250251
TI  - Proteomic Response and Quality Maintenance in Postharvest Fruit of Strawberry
      (Fragaria * ananassa) to Exogenous Cytokinin.
AB  - The limitations in current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying
      fruit response to the application of plant growth regulators have increasingly
      become major challenges in improvement of crop quality. This study aimed to
      evaluate the response of strawberry to the preharvest application of exogenous
      cytokinin known as forchlorfenuron (CPPU). Postharvest internal and physiological
      quality attributes were characterized following storage under different
      conditions. Hierarchical clustering analysis via a label-free proteomic
      quantitative approach identified a total of 124 proteins in strawberries across
      all treatments. The expression profiles of both proteins and genes spanned the
      ranged role of cytokinin involved in primary and secondary metabolism, stress
      response, and so on. Eighty-eight proteins and fifty-six proteins were
      significantly regulated immediately at harvest and after storage, respectively.
      In general, the glycolysis in strawberry was only regulated by CPPU before
      storage; in addition to the accelerated photosynthesis and acid metabolism, CPPU
      application maintained higher capacity of resistance in strawberry to stress
      stimuli after storage, in comparison to control. Nevertheless, the volatile
      biosynthesis in strawberry has been suppressed by exogenous CPPU. Novel cytokinin
      response proteins and processes were identified in addition to the main
      transcriptomic expression to gain insights into the phytohormone control of fruit
      postharvest quality.

PMID- 27250252
TI  - Migrant integration policies and health inequalities in Europe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research on socio-economic determinants of migrant health
      inequalities has produced a large body of evidence. There is lack of evidence on
      the influence of structural factors on lives of fragile groups, frequently
      exposed to health inequalities. The role of poor socio-economic status and
      country level structural factors, such as migrant integration policies, in
      explaining migrant health inequalities is unclear. The objective of this paper is
      to examine the role of migrant socio-economic status and the impact of migrant
      integration policies on health inequalities during the recent economic crisis in
      Europe. METHODS: Using the 2012 wave of Eurostat EU-SILC data for a set of 23
      European countries, we estimate multilevel mixed-effects ordered logit models for
      self-assessed poor health (SAH) and self-reported limiting long-standing
      illnesses (LLS), and multilevel mixed-effects logit models for self-reported
      chronic illness (SC). We estimate two-level models with individuals nested within
      countries, allowing for both individual socio-economic determinants of health and
      country-level characteristics (healthy life years expectancy, proportion of
      health care expenditure over the GDP, and problems in migrant integration
      policies, derived from the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX). RESULTS:
      Being a non-European citizen or born outside Europe does not increase the odds of
      reporting poor health conditions, in accordance with the "healthy migrant
      effect". However, the country context in terms of problems in migrant integration
      policies influences negatively all of the three measures of health (self-reported
      health status, limiting long-standing illnesses, and self-reported chronic
      illness) in foreign people living in European countries, and partially offsets
      the "healthy migrant effect". CONCLUSIONS: Policies for migrant integration can
      reduce migrant health disparities.

PMID- 27250253
TI  - Grassland productivity limited by multiple nutrients.
AB  - Terrestrial ecosystem productivity is widely accepted to be nutrient limited(1).
      Although nitrogen (N) is deemed a key determinant of aboveground net primary
      production (ANPP)(2,3), the prevalence of co-limitation by N and phosphorus (P)
      is increasingly recognized(4-8). However, the extent to which terrestrial
      productivity is co-limited by nutrients other than N and P has remained unclear.
      Here, we report results from a standardized factorial nutrient addition
      experiment, in which we added N, P and potassium (K) combined with a selection of
      micronutrients (K+MU), alone or in concert, to 42 grassland sites spanning five
      continents, and monitored ANPP. Nutrient availability limited productivity at 31
      of the 42 grassland sites. And pairwise combinations of N, P, and K+MU co-limited
      ANPP at 29 of the sites. Nitrogen limitation peaked in cool, high latitude sites.
      Our findings highlight the importance of less studied nutrients, such as K and
      micronutrients, for grassland productivity, and point to significant variations
      in the type and degree of nutrient limitation. We suggest that multiple-nutrient
      constraints must be considered when assessing the ecosystem-scale consequences of
      nutrient enrichment. 

PMID- 27250255
TI  - PRC2 represses dedifferentiation of mature somatic cells in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Plant somatic cells are generally acknowledged to retain totipotency, the
      potential to develop into any cell type within an organism. This astonishing
      plasticity may contribute to a high regenerative capacity on severe damage, but
      how plants control this potential during normal post-embryonic development
      remains largely unknown(1,2). Here we show that POLYCOMB REPRESSIVE COMPLEX 2
      (PRC2), a chromatin regulator that maintains gene repression through histone
      modification, prevents dedifferentiation of mature somatic cells in Arabidopsis
      thaliana roots. Loss-of-function mutants in PRC2 subunits initially develop
      unicellular root hairs indistinguishable from those in wild type but fail to
      retain the differentiated state, ultimately resulting in the generation of an
      unorganized cell mass and somatic embryos from a single root hair. Strikingly,
      mutant root hairs complete the normal endoreduplication programme, increasing
      their nuclear ploidy, but subsequently reinitiate mitotic division coupled with
      successive DNA replication. Our data show that the WOUND INDUCED
      DEDIFFERENTIATION3 (WIND3) and LEAFY COTYLEDON2 (LEC2) genes are among the PRC2
      targets involved in this reprogramming, as their ectopic overexpression partly
      phenocopies the dedifferentiation phenotype of PRC2 mutants. These findings
      unveil the pivotal role of PRC2-mediated gene repression in preventing
      unscheduled reprogramming of fully differentiated plant cells. 

PMID- 27250256
TI  - Systematic analysis of how phytochrome B dimerization determines its specificity.
AB  - Phytochromes are red/far-red-light detecting photoreceptors that regulate plant
      growth and development. They photo-interconvert between an inactive Pr (red-light
      absorbing) and a physiologically active Pfr (far-red-light absorbing) form,
      acting as light-controlled molecular switches. Although the two major plant
      phytochromes A (phyA) and B (phyB) share similar absorption properties, they
      exhibit dramatic differences in their action spectra. Since both phytochromes
      antagonistically regulate seedling development under vegetative shade, it is
      essential for plants to clearly distinguish between phyA and phyB action. This
      discrimination is not comprehensible solely by the molecular properties of the
      phytochromes, but is evidently due to the dynamics of the phytochrome system.
      Using an integrated experimental and mathematical modelling approach we show that
      phytochrome dimerization is an essential element for phyB function. Our findings
      reveal that light-independent Pfr to Pr relaxation (dark reversion) and
      association/dissociation to nuclear bodies (NBs) severely depend on the
      conformational state of the phyB dimer. We conclude that only Pfr-Pfr homodimers
      of phyB can be responsible for triggering physiological responses, leading to a
      suppression of phyB function in the far-red range of the light spectrum. 

PMID- 27250257
TI  - Heterosis and inbreeding depression of epigenetic Arabidopsis hybrids.
AB  - We have addressed the possible epigenetic contribution to heterosis using
      epigenetic inbred lines (epiRILs) with varying levels and distributions of DNA
      methylation. One line consistently displayed parent-of-origin heterosis for
      growth-related traits. Genome-wide transcription profiling followed by a
      candidate gene approach revealed 33 genes with altered regulation in crosses of
      this line that could contribute to the observed heterosis. Although none of the
      candidate genes could explain hybrid vigour, we detected intriguing, hybrid
      specific transcriptional regulation of the RPP5 gene, encoding a growth
      suppressor. RPP5 displayed intermediate transcript levels in heterotic hybrids;
      surprisingly however, with global loss of fitness of their F2 progeny, we
      observed striking under-representation of the hybrid-like intermediate levels.
      Thus, in addition to genetic factors contributing to heterosis, our results
      strongly suggest that epigenetic diversity and epigenetic regulation of
      transcription play a role in hybrid vigour and inbreeding depression, and also in
      the absence of parental genetic diversity. 

PMID- 27250259
TI  - Hypoxia and development: Air conditional.

PMID- 27250258
TI  - V-ATPase activity in the TGN/EE is required for exocytosis and recycling in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - In plants, vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) activity acidifies both the trans
      Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE) and the vacuole. This dual V-ATPase
      function has impeded our understanding of how the pH homeostasis within the plant
      TGN/EE controls exo- and endocytosis. Here, we show that the weak V-ATPase mutant
      deetiolated3 (det3) displayed a pH increase in the TGN/EE, but not in the
      vacuole, strongly impairing secretion and recycling of the brassinosteroid
      receptor and the cellulose synthase complexes to the plasma membrane, in contrast
      to mutants lacking tonoplast-localized V-ATPase activity only. The
      brassinosteroid insensitivity and the cellulose deficiency defects in det3 were
      tightly correlated with reduced Golgi and TGN/EE motility. Thus, our results
      provide strong evidence that acidification of the TGN/EE, but not of the vacuole,
      is indispensable for functional secretion and recycling in plants. 

PMID- 27250260
TI  - Nitrogen-use efficiency: Transport solution in rice variations.

PMID- 27250262
TI  - Grassland ecology: Complexity of nutrient constraints.

PMID- 27250261
TI  - Auxin: Shape matters.

PMID- 27250263
TI  - Encouraging metadata curation in the Diversity Seek initiative.

PMID- 27250264
TI  - Development: Acting your cellular age.

PMID- 27250265
TI  - Soil fertility decline at the base of rural poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

PMID- 27250266
TI  - Hybrid vigour: Infertility rescue.

PMID- 27250268
TI  - Genome evolution: From big to immense.

PMID- 27250267
TI  - Thermotolerance: Waste management.

PMID- 27250269
TI  - Ecology: Sourcing water in a savannah.

PMID- 27250270
TI  - Jurassic bark.

PMID- 27250271
TI  - Perspective: The first ten years of broadband chirped pulse Fourier transform
      microwave spectroscopy.
AB  - Since its invention in 2006, the broadband chirped pulse Fourier transform
      spectrometer has transformed the field of microwave spectroscopy. The technique
      enables the collection of a >=10 GHz bandwidth spectrum in a single shot of the
      spectrometer, which allows broadband, high-resolution microwave spectra to be
      acquired several orders of magnitude faster than what was previously possible. We
      discuss the advantages and challenges associated with the technique and look back
      on the first ten years of chirped pulse Fourier transform spectroscopy. In
      addition to enabling faster-than-ever structure determination of increasingly
      complex species, the technique has given rise to an assortment of entirely new
      classes of experiments, ranging from chiral sensing by three-wave mixing to
      microwave detection of multichannel reaction kinetics. However, this is only the
      beginning. Future generations of microwave experiments will make increasingly
      creative use of frequency-agile pulse sequences for the coherent manipulation and
      interrogation of molecular dynamics. 

PMID- 27250272
TI  - Communication: Quantum six-dimensional calculations of the coupled translation
      rotation eigenstates of H2O@C60.
AB  - We report rigorous quantum calculations of the translation-rotation (TR)
      eigenstates of para- and ortho-H2O@C60. They provide a comprehensive description
      of the dynamical behavior of H2O inside the fullerene having icosahedral (Ih)
      symmetry. The TR eigenstates are assigned in terms of the irreducible
      representations of the proper symmetry group of H2O@C60, as well as the
      appropriate translational and rotational quantum numbers. The coupling between
      the orbital and the rotational angular momenta of the caged H2O gives rise to the
      total angular momentum lambda, which additionally labels each TR level. The
      calculated TR levels allow tentative assignments of a number of transitions in
      the recent experimental INS spectra of H2O@C60 that have not been assigned
      previously. 

PMID- 27250273
TI  - Diffusive flux in a model of stochastically gated oxygen transport in insect
      respiration.
AB  - Oxygen delivery to insect tissues is controlled by transport through a branched
      tubular network that is connected to the atmosphere by valve-like gates, known as
      spiracles. In certain physiological regimes, the spiracles appear to be randomly
      switching between open and closed states. Quantitative analysis of this regime
      leads a reaction-diffusion problem with stochastically switching boundary
      condition. We derive an expression for the diffusive flux at long times in this
      problem. Our approach starts with the derivation of the passage probability for a
      single particle that diffuses between a stochastically gated boundary, which
      models the opening and closing spiracle, and the perfectly absorbing boundary,
      which models oxygen absorption by the tissue. This passage probability is then
      used to derive an expression giving the diffusive flux as a function of the
      geometric parameters of the tube and characteristic time scales of diffusion and
      gate dynamics. 

PMID- 27250274
TI  - The explicitly correlated same number of optimized parameters (SNOOP-F12) scheme
      for calculating intermolecular interaction energies.
AB  - We augment the recently introduced same number of optimized parameters (SNOOP)
      scheme [K. Kristensen et al., J. Chem. Phys. 142, 114116 (2015)] for calculating
      interaction energies of molecular dimers with an F12 correction and generalize
      the method to enable the determination of interaction energies of general
      molecular clusters. The SNOOP, uncorrected (UC), and counterpoise (CP) schemes
      with/without an F12 correction are compared for the S22 test set of Jurecka et
      al. [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 8, 1985 (2006)]-which consists of 22 molecular
      dimers of biological importance-and for water and methane molecular clusters. The
      calculations have been performed using the Resolution of the Identity second
      order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory method. We conclude from the results
      that the SNOOP scheme generally yields interaction energies closer to the
      complete basis set limit value than the UC and CP approaches, regardless of
      whether the F12 correction is applied or not. Specifically, using the SNOOP
      scheme with an F12 correction yields the computationally most efficient way of
      achieving accurate results at low basis set levels. These conclusions hold both
      for molecular dimers and more general molecular clusters. 

PMID- 27250275
TI  - First time combination of frozen density embedding theory with the algebraic
      diagrammatic construction scheme for the polarization propagator of second order.
AB  - The combination of Frozen Density Embedding Theory (FDET) and the Algebraic
      Diagrammatic Construction (ADC) scheme for the polarization propagator for
      describing environmental effects on electronically excited states is presented.
      Two different ways of interfacing and expressing the so-called embedding operator
      are introduced. The resulting excited states are compared with supermolecular
      calculations of the total system at the ADC(2) level of theory. Molecular test
      systems were chosen to investigate molecule-environment interactions of varying
      strength from dispersion interaction up to multiple hydrogen bonds. The overall
      difference between the supermolecular and the FDE-ADC calculations in excitation
      energies is lower than 0.09 eV (max) and 0.032 eV in average, which is well below
      the intrinsic error of the ADC(2) method itself. 

PMID- 27250276
TI  - Computing bulk and shear viscosities from simulations of fluids with dissipative
      and stochastic interactions.
AB  - Exact values for bulk and shear viscosity are important to characterize a fluid,
      and they are a necessary input for a continuum description. Here we present two
      novel methods to compute bulk viscosities by non-equilibrium molecular dynamics
      simulations of steady-state systems with periodic boundary conditions - one based
      on frequent particle displacements and one based on the application of external
      bulk forces with an inhomogeneous force profile. In equilibrium simulations,
      viscosities can be determined from the stress tensor fluctuations via Green-Kubo
      relations; however, the correct incorporation of random and dissipative forces is
      not obvious. We discuss different expressions proposed in the literature and test
      them at the example of a dissipative particle dynamics fluid. 

PMID- 27250277
TI  - Sequential double excitations from linear-response time-dependent density
      functional theory.
AB  - Traditional UV/vis and X-ray spectroscopies focus mainly on the study of
      excitations starting exclusively from electronic ground states. However there are
      many experiments where transitions from excited states, both absorption and
      emission, are probed. In this work we develop a formalism based on linear
      response time-dependent density functional theory to investigate spectroscopic
      properties of excited states. We apply our model to study the excited-state
      absorption of a diplatinum(II) complex under X-rays, and transient vis/UV
      absorption of pyrene and azobenzene. 

PMID- 27250278
TI  - A variational master equation approach to quantum dynamics with off-diagonal
      coupling in a sub-Ohmic environment.
AB  - A master equation approach based on an optimized polaron transformation is
      adopted for dynamics simulation with simultaneous diagonal and off-diagonal spin
      boson coupling. Two types of bath spectral density functions are considered, the
      Ohmic and the sub-Ohmic. The off-diagonal coupling leads asymptotically to a
      thermal equilibrium with a nonzero population difference Pz(t -> infinity) ? 0,
      which implies localization of the system, and it also plays a role in restraining
      coherent dynamics for the sub-Ohmic case. Since the new method can extend to the
      stronger coupling regime, we can investigate the coherent-incoherent transition
      in the sub-Ohmic environment. Relevant phase diagrams are obtained for different
      temperatures. It is found that the sub-Ohmic environment allows coherent dynamics
      at a higher temperature than the Ohmic environment. 

PMID- 27250279
TI  - Modified Newton-Raphson GRAPE methods for optimal control of spin systems.
AB  - Quadratic convergence throughout the active space is achieved for the gradient
      ascent pulse engineering (GRAPE) family of quantum optimal control algorithms. We
      demonstrate in this communication that the Hessian of the GRAPE fidelity
      functional is unusually cheap, having the same asymptotic complexity scaling as
      the functional itself. This leads to the possibility of using very efficient
      numerical optimization techniques. In particular, the Newton-Raphson method with
      a rational function optimization (RFO) regularized Hessian is shown in this work
      to require fewer system trajectory evaluations than any other algorithm in the
      GRAPE family. This communication describes algebraic and numerical implementation
      aspects (matrix exponential recycling, Hessian regularization, etc.) for the RFO
      Newton-Raphson version of GRAPE and reports benchmarks for common spin state
      control problems in magnetic resonance spectroscopy. 

PMID- 27250280
TI  - Molecular electric moments calculated by using natural orbital functional theory.
AB  - The molecular electric dipole, quadrupole, and octupole moments of a selected set
      of 21 spin-compensated molecules are determined employing the extended version of
      the Piris natural orbital functional 6 (PNOF6), using the triple-zeta Gaussian
      basis set with polarization functions developed by Sadlej, at the experimental
      geometries. The performance of the PNOF6 is established by carrying out a
      statistical analysis of the mean absolute errors with respect to the experiment.
      The calculated PNOF6 electric moments agree satisfactorily with the corresponding
      experimental data and are in good agreement with the values obtained by accurate
      ab initio methods, namely, the coupled-cluster single and doubles and multi
      reference single and double excitation configuration interaction methods. 

PMID- 27250281
TI  - Analytical correlation functions for motion through diffusivity landscapes.
AB  - Diffusion of a particle through an energy and diffusivity landscape is a very
      general phenomenon in numerous systems of soft and condensed matter. On the one
      hand, theoretical frameworks such as Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations present
      valuable accounts to understand these motions in great detail, and numerous
      studies have exploited these approaches. On the other hand, analytical solutions
      for correlation functions, as, e.g., desired by experimentalists for data
      fitting, are only available for special cases. We explore the possibility to use
      different theoretical methods in the specific picture of time-dependent switching
      between diffusive states to derive analytical functions that allow to link
      experimental and simulation results to theoretical calculations. In particular,
      we present a closed formula for diffusion switching between two states, as well
      as a general recipe of how to generalize the formula to multiple states. 

PMID- 27250282
TI  - Kinetic-energy matrix elements for atomic Hylleraas-CI wave functions.
AB  - Hylleraas-CI is a superposition-of-configurations method in which each
      configuration is constructed from a Slater-type orbital (STO) product to which is
      appended (linearly) at most one interelectron distance rij. Computations of the
      kinetic energy for atoms by this method have been difficult due to the lack of
      formulas expressing these matrix elements for general angular momentum in terms
      of overlap and potential-energy integrals. It is shown here that a strategic
      application of angular-momentum theory, including the use of vector spherical
      harmonics, enables the reduction of all atomic kinetic-energy integrals to
      overlap and potential-energy matrix elements. The new formulas are validated by
      showing that they yield correct results for a large number of integrals published
      by other investigators. 

PMID- 27250283
TI  - An integral-factorized implementation of the driven similarity renormalization
      group second-order multireference perturbation theory.
AB  - We report an efficient implementation of a second-order multireference
      perturbation theory based on the driven similarity renormalization group (DSRG
      MRPT2) [C. Li and F. A. Evangelista, J. Chem. Theory Comput. 11, 2097 (2015)].
      Our implementation employs factorized two-electron integrals to avoid storage of
      large four-index intermediates. It also exploits the block structure of the
      reference density matrices to reduce the computational cost to that of second
      order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory. Our new DSRG-MRPT2 implementation is
      benchmarked on ten naphthyne isomers using basis sets up to quintuple-zeta
      quality. We find that the singlet-triplet splittings (DeltaST) of the naphthyne
      isomers strongly depend on the equilibrium structures. For a consistent set of
      geometries, the DeltaST values predicted by the DSRG-MRPT2 are in good agreements
      with those computed by the reduced multireference coupled cluster theory with
      singles, doubles, and perturbative triples. 

PMID- 27250284
TI  - Explicitly correlated second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory in a Divide
      Expand-Consolidate (DEC) context.
AB  - We present the DEC-RIMP2-F12 method where we have augmented the Divide Expand
      Consolidate resolution-of-the-identity second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation
      theory method (DEC-RIMP2) [P. Baudin et al., J. Chem. Phys. 144, 054102 (2016)]
      with an explicitly correlated (F12) correction. The new method is linear-scaling,
      massively parallel, and it corrects for the basis set incompleteness error in an
      efficient manner. In addition, we observe that the F12 contribution decreases the
      domain error of the DEC-RIMP2 correlation energy by roughly an order of
      magnitude. An important feature of the DEC scheme is the inherent error control
      defined by a single parameter, and this feature is also retained for the DEC
      RIMP2-F12 method. In this paper we present the working equations for the DEC
      RIMP2-F12 method and proof of concept numerical results for a set of test
      molecules. 

PMID- 27250285
TI  - A projected approximation to strongly contracted N-electron valence perturbation
      theory for DMRG wavefunctions.
AB  - A novel approach to strongly contracted N-electron valence perturbation theory
      (SC-NEVPT2) as a means of describing dynamic electron correlation for quantum
      chemical density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) calculations is presented.
      In this approach the strongly contracted perturber functions are projected onto a
      renormalized Hilbert space. Compared to a straightforward implementation of SC
      NEVPT2 with DMRG wavefunctions, the computational scaling and storage
      requirements are reduced. This favorable scaling opens up the possibility of
      calculations with larger active spaces. A specially designed renormalization
      scheme ensures that both the electronic ground state and the perturber functions
      are well represented in the renormalized Hilbert space. Test calculations on the
      N2 and [Cu2O2(en)2](2+) demonstrate some key properties of the method and
      indicate its capabilities. 

PMID- 27250286
TI  - On the errors of local density (LDA) and generalized gradient (GGA)
      approximations to the Kohn-Sham potential and orbital energies.
AB  - In spite of the high quality of exchange-correlation energies Exc obtained with
      the generalized gradient approximations (GGAs) of density functional theory,
      their xc potentials vxc are strongly deficient, yielding upshifts of ca. 5 eV in
      the orbital energy spectrum (in the order of 50% of high-lying valence orbital
      energies). The GGAs share this deficiency with the local density approximation
      (LDA). We argue that this error is not caused by the incorrect long-range
      asymptotics of vxc or by self-interaction error. It arises from incorrect density
      dependencies of LDA and GGA exchange functionals leading to incorrect (too
      repulsive) functional derivatives (i.e., response parts of the potentials). The
      vxc potential is partitioned into the potential of the xc hole vxchole (twice the
      xc energy density epsilonxc), which determines Exc, and the response potential
      vresp, which does not contribute to Exc explicitly. The substantial upshift of
      LDA/GGA orbital energies is due to a too repulsive LDA exchange response
      potential vxresp (LDA) in the bulk region. Retaining the LDA exchange hole
      potential plus the B88 gradient correction to it but replacing the response parts
      of these potentials by the model orbital-dependent response potential vxresp
      (GLLB) of Gritsenko et al. [Phys. Rev. A 51, 1944 (1995)], which has the proper
      step-wise form, improves the orbital energies by more than an order of magnitude.
      Examples are given for the prototype molecules: dihydrogen, dinitrogen, carbon
      monoxide, ethylene, formaldehyde, and formic acid. 

PMID- 27250287
TI  - Character of intermolecular interaction in pyridine-argon complex: Ab initio
      potential energy surface, internal dynamics, and interrelations between SAPT
      energy components.
AB  - The pyridine-Ar (PAr) van der Waals (vdW) complex is studied using a high level
      ab initio method. Its structure, binding energy, and intermolecular vibrational
      states are determined from the analytical potential energy surface constructed
      from interaction energy (IE) values computed at the coupled cluster level of
      theory with single, double, and perturbatively included triple excitations with
      the augmented correlation consistent polarized valence double-zeta (aug-cc-pVDZ)
      basis set complemented by midbond functions. The structure of the complex at its
      global minimum with Ar at a distance of 3.509 A from the pyridine plane and
      shifted by 0.218 A from the center of mass towards nitrogen agrees well with the
      corresponding equilibrium structure derived previously from the rotational
      spectrum of PAr. The PAr binding energy De of 392 cm(-1) is close to that of 387
      cm(-1) calculated earlier at the same ab initio level for the prototypical
      benzene-Ar (BAr) complex. However, under an extension of the basis set, De for
      PAr becomes slightly lower than De for BAr. The ab initio vdW vibrational energy
      levels allow us to estimate the reliability of the methods for the determination
      of the vdW fundamentals from the rotational spectra. To disclose the character of
      the intermolecular interaction in PAr, the symmetry-adapted perturbation theory
      (SAPT) is employed for the analysis of different physical contributions to IE. It
      is found that SAPT components of IE can be approximately expressed in the binding
      region by only two of them: the exchange repulsion and dispersion energy. The
      total induction effect is negligible. The interrelations between various SAPT
      components found for PAr are fulfilled for a few other complexes involving
      aromatic molecules and Ar or Ne, which indicates that they are valid for all rare
      gas (Rg) atoms and aromatics. 

PMID- 27250288
TI  - Intermediate vibrational coordinate localization with harmonic coupling
      constraints.
AB  - Optimized normal coordinates can significantly improve the speed and accuracy of
      vibrational frequency calculations. However, over-localization can occur when
      using unconstrained spatial localization techniques. The unintuitive mixtures of
      stretching and bending coordinates that result can make interpreting spectra more
      difficult and also cause artificial increases in mode-coupling during anharmonic
      calculations. Combining spatial localization with a constraint on the coupling
      between modes can be used to generate coordinates with properties in-between the
      normal and fully localized schemes. These modes preserve the diagonal nature of
      the mass-weighted Hessian matrix to within a specified tolerance and are found to
      prevent contamination between the stretching and bending vibrations of the
      molecules studied without a priori classification of the different types of
      vibration present. Relaxing the constraint can also be used to identify which
      normal modes form specific groups of localized modes. The new coordinates are
      found to center on more spatially delocalized functional groups than their fully
      localized counterparts and can be used to tune the degree of vibrational
      correlation energy during anharmonic calculations. 

PMID- 27250289
TI  - Natural ionization orbitals for interpreting electron detachment processes.
AB  - A compact orbital representation of ionization processes is described utilizing
      the difference of calculated one-particle density matrices. Natural orbital
      analysis involving this difference density matrix simplifies interpretation of
      electronic detachment processes and allows differentiation between one-electron
      transitions and shake-up/shake-off transitions, in which one-electron processes
      are accompanied by excitation of a second electron into the virtual orbital
      space. 

PMID- 27250290
TI  - G4CEP: A G4 theory modification by including pseudopotential for molecules
      containing first-, second- and third-row representative elements.
AB  - The G4CEP composite method was developed from the respective G4 all-electron
      version by considering the implementation of compact effective pseudopotential
      (CEP). The G3/05 test set was used as reference to benchmark the adaptation by
      treating in this work atoms and compounds from the first and second periods of
      the periodic table, as well as representative elements of the third period,
      comprising 440 thermochemical data. G4CEP has not reached a so high level of
      accuracy as the G4 all-electron theory. G4CEP presented a mean absolute error
      around 1.09 kcal mol(-1), while the original method presents a deviation
      corresponding to 0.83 kcal mol(-1). The similarity of the optimized molecular
      geometries between G4 and G4CEP indicates that the core-electron effects and
      basis set adjustments may be pointed out as a significant factor responsible for
      the large discrepancies between the pseudopotential results and the experimental
      data, or even that the all-electron calculations are more efficient either in its
      formulation or in the cancellation of errors. When the G4CEP mean absolute error
      (1.09 kcal mol(-1)) is compared to 1.29 kcal mol(-1) from G3CEP, it does not seem
      so efficient. However, while the G3CEP uncertainty is +/-4.06 kcal mol(-1), the
      G4CEP deviation is +/-2.72 kcal mol(-1). Therefore, the G4CEP theory is
      considerably more reliable than any previous combination of composite theory and
      pseudopotential, particularly for enthalpies of formation and electron
      affinities. 

PMID- 27250291
TI  - S-matrix decomposition, natural reaction channels, and the quantum transition
      state approach to reactive scattering.
AB  - A new approach for the quantum-state resolved analysis of polyatomic reactions is
      introduced. Based on the singular value decomposition of the S-matrix, energy
      dependent natural reaction channels and natural reaction probabilities are
      defined. It is shown that the natural reaction probabilities are equal to the
      eigenvalues of the reaction probability operator [U. Manthe and W. H. Miller, J.
      Chem. Phys. 99, 3411 (1993)]. Consequently, the natural reaction channels can be
      interpreted as uniquely defined pathways through the transition state of the
      reaction. The analysis can efficiently be combined with reactive scattering
      calculations based on the propagation of thermal flux eigenstates. In contrast to
      a decomposition based straightforwardly on thermal flux eigenstates, it does not
      depend on the choice of the dividing surface separating reactants from products.
      The new approach is illustrated studying a prototypical example, the H + CH4 ->
      H2 + CH3 reaction. The natural reaction probabilities and the contributions of
      the different vibrational states of the methyl product to the natural reaction
      channels are calculated and discussed. The relation between the thermal flux
      eigenstates and the natural reaction channels is studied in detail. 

PMID- 27250292
TI  - Rungs 1 to 4 of DFT Jacob's ladder: Extensive test on the lattice constant, bulk
      modulus, and cohesive energy of solids.
AB  - A large panel of old and recently proposed exchange-correlation functionals
      belonging to rungs 1 to 4 of Jacob's ladder of density functional theory are
      tested (with and without a dispersion correction term) for the calculation of the
      lattice constant, bulk modulus, and cohesive energy of solids. Particular
      attention will be paid to the functionals MGGA_MS2 [J. Sun et al., J. Chem. Phys.
      138, 044113 (2013)], mBEEF [J. Wellendorff et al., J. Chem. Phys. 140, 144107
      (2014)], and SCAN [J. Sun et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 036402 (2015)] which are
      meta-generalized gradient approximations (meta-GGA) and are developed with the
      goal to be universally good. Another goal is also to determine for which
      semilocal functionals and groups of solids it is beneficial (or not necessary) to
      use the Hartree-Fock exchange or a dispersion correction term. It is concluded
      that for strongly bound solids, functionals of the GGA, i.e., rung 2 of Jacob's
      ladder, are as accurate as the more sophisticated functionals of the higher
      rungs, while it is necessary to use dispersion corrected functionals in order to
      expect at least meaningful results for weakly bound solids. If results for finite
      systems are also considered, then the meta-GGA functionals are overall clearly
      superior to the GGA functionals. 

PMID- 27250293
TI  - Analytic ab initio-based molecular interaction potential for the BrO?H2O complex.
AB  - Radical halogen oxide species play important roles within atmospheric processes,
      specifically those responsible for the removal of O3. To facilitate future
      investigations on this family of compounds, RCCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ-level electronic
      structure calculations were employed to generate individual-molecule optimized
      geometries, as well as to determine the global minimum energy structure for the
      BrO?H2O complex. This information facilitated the generation of several one
      dimensional potential energy surface (PES) scans for the BrO?H2O complex. Scans
      were performed for both the ground state and the first excited state; this
      inclusion is due to a low-lying first electronic excited-state energy. These
      rigid-geometry PES scans were used both to generate a novel analytic interaction
      potential by modifying the existing Thole-type model used for water and to the
      fitted potential function. This interaction potential features anisotropic atomic
      polarizabilities facilitating appropriate modeling of the physics regarding the
      unpaired electron residing within the p-orbitals of the oxygen atom of the
      bromine oxide radical. The intention of this work is to facilitate future
      molecular dynamics simulations involving the interaction between the BrO radical
      and water clusters as a first step in devising possible novel chemistries taking
      place at the water interface of clouds within the atmosphere. 

PMID- 27250294
TI  - Ab initio electronic structure of quasi-two-dimensional materials: A "native"
      Gaussian-plane wave approach.
AB  - Ab initio electronic structure calculations of two-dimensional layered structures
      are typically performed using codes that were developed for three-dimensional
      structures, which are periodic in all three directions. The introduction of a
      periodicity in the third direction (perpendicular to the layer) is completely
      artificial and may lead in some cases to spurious results and to difficulties in
      treating the action of external fields. In this paper we develop a new approach,
      which is "native" to quasi-2D materials, making use of basis function that are
      periodic in the plane, but atomic-like in the perpendicular direction. We show
      how some of the basic tools of ab initio electronic structure theory - density
      functional theory, GW approximation and Bethe-Salpeter equation - are implemented
      in the new basis. We argue that the new approach will be preferable to the
      conventional one in treating the peculiarities of layered materials, including
      the long range of the unscreened Coulomb interaction in insulators, and the
      effects of strain, corrugations, and external fields. 

PMID- 27250295
TI  - Adaptive vibrational configuration interaction (A-VCI): A posteriori error
      estimation to efficiently compute anharmonic IR spectra.
AB  - A new variational algorithm called adaptive vibrational configuration interaction
      (A-VCI) intended for the resolution of the vibrational Schrodinger equation was
      developed. The main advantage of this approach is to efficiently reduce the
      dimension of the active space generated into the configuration interaction (CI)
      process. Here, we assume that the Hamiltonian writes as a sum of products of
      operators. This adaptive algorithm was developed with the use of three correlated
      conditions, i.e., a suitable starting space, a criterion for convergence, and a
      procedure to expand the approximate space. The velocity of the algorithm was
      increased with the use of a posteriori error estimator (residue) to select the
      most relevant direction to increase the space. Two examples have been selected
      for benchmark. In the case of H2CO, we mainly study the performance of A-VCI
      algorithm: comparison with the variation-perturbation method, choice of the
      initial space, and residual contributions. For CH3CN, we compare the A-VCI
      results with a computed reference spectrum using the same potential energy
      surface and for an active space reduced by about 90%. 

PMID- 27250296
TI  - Bottom-up coarse-grained models with predictive accuracy and transferability for
      both structural and thermodynamic properties of heptane-toluene mixtures.
AB  - This work investigates the promise of a "bottom-up" extended ensemble framework
      for developing coarse-grained (CG) models that provide predictive accuracy and
      transferability for describing both structural and thermodynamic properties. We
      employ a force-matching variational principle to determine system-independent,
      i.e., transferable, interaction potentials that optimally model the interactions
      in five distinct heptane-toluene mixtures. Similarly, we employ a self-consistent
      pressure-matching approach to determine a system-specific pressure correction for
      each mixture. The resulting CG potentials accurately reproduce the site-site
      rdfs, the volume fluctuations, and the pressure equations of state that are
      determined by all-atom (AA) models for the five mixtures. Furthermore, we
      demonstrate that these CG potentials provide similar accuracy for additional
      heptane-toluene mixtures that were not included their parameterization.
      Surprisingly, the extended ensemble approach improves not only the
      transferability but also the accuracy of the calculated potentials. Additionally,
      we observe that the required pressure corrections strongly correlate with the
      intermolecular cohesion of the system-specific CG potentials. Moreover, this
      cohesion correlates with the relative "structure" within the corresponding mapped
      AA ensemble. Finally, the appendix demonstrates that the self-consistent pressure
      matching approach corresponds to minimizing an appropriate relative entropy. 

PMID- 27250297
TI  - Accuracy and computational efficiency of real-time subspace propagation schemes
      for the time-dependent density functional theory.
AB  - Time-dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) has become successful for its
      balance of economy and accuracy. However, the application of TDDFT to large
      systems or long time scales remains computationally prohibitively expensive. In
      this paper, we investigate the numerical stability and accuracy of two subspace
      propagation methods to solve the time-dependent Kohn-Sham equations with finite
      and periodic boundary conditions. The bases considered are the Lanczos basis and
      the adiabatic eigenbasis. The results are compared to a benchmark fourth-order
      Taylor expansion of the time propagator. Our results show that it is possible to
      use larger time steps with the subspace methods, leading to computational
      speedups by a factor of 2-3 over Taylor propagation. Accuracy is found to be
      maintained for certain energy regimes and small time scales. 

PMID- 27250298
TI  - Ion aggregation in high salt solutions. V. Graph entropy analyses of ion
      aggregate structure and water hydrogen bonding network.
AB  - Dissolved ions in water tend to form polydisperse ion aggregates such as ion
      pairs, relatively compact ion clusters, and even spatially extended ion networks
      with increasing salt concentration. Combining molecular dynamics simulation and
      graph theoretical analysis methods, we recently studied morphological structures
      of ion aggregates with distinctively different characteristics. They can be
      distinguished from each other by calculating various spectral graph theoretical
      properties such as eigenvalues and eigenvectors of adjacency matrices of ion
      aggregates and water hydrogen-bonding networks, minimum path lengths, clustering
      coefficients, and degree distributions. Here, we focus on percolation and graph
      entropic properties of ion aggregates and water hydrogen-bonding networks in high
      salt solutions. Ion network-forming K(+) and SCN(-) ions at high concentrations
      show a percolating behavior in their aqueous solutions, but ion cluster-forming
      ions in NaCl solutions do not show such a transition from isolated ion aggregates
      to percolating ion-water mixture morphology. Despite that the ion aggregate
      structures are strikingly different for either cluster- or network-forming ions
      in high salt solutions, it is interesting that the water structures remain
      insensitive to the electrostatic properties, such as charge densities and
      polydentate properties, of dissolved ions, and morphological structures of water
      H-bonding networks appear to be highly robust regardless of the nature and
      concentration of salt. We anticipate that the present graph entropy analysis
      results would be of use in understanding a variety of anomalous behaviors of
      interfacial water around biomolecules as well as electric conductivities of high
      electrolyte solutions. 

PMID- 27250299
TI  - T2-Filtered T2 - T2 Exchange NMR.
AB  - This work introduces an alternative way to perform the T2 - T2 Exchange NMR
      experiment. Rather than varying the number of pi pulses in the first CPMG cycle
      of the T2 - T2 Exchange NMR pulse sequence, as used to obtain the 2D correlation
      maps, it is fixed and small enough to act as a short T2-filter. By varying the
      storage time, a set of 1D measurements of T2 distributions can be obtained to
      reveal the effects of the migration dynamics combined with relaxation effects.
      This significantly reduces the required time to perform the experiment, allowing
      a more in-depth study of exchange dynamics and relaxation processes with improved
      signal-to-noise ratio. These aspects stand as basis of this novel experiment, T2
      Filtered T2 - T2 Exchange NMR or simply T2 F-TREx. 

PMID- 27250300
TI  - Lieb-Liniger-like model of quantum solvation in CO-(4)HeN clusters.
AB  - Small (4)He clusters doped with various molecules allow for the study of "quantum
      solvation" as a function of cluster size. A peculiarity of quantum solvation is
      that, as the number of (4)He atoms is increased from N = 1, the solvent appears
      to decouple from the molecule which, in turn, appears to undergo free rotation.
      This is generally taken to signify the onset of "microscopic superfluidity."
      Currently, little is known about the quantum mechanics of the decoupling
      mechanism, mainly because the system is a quantum (N + 1)-body problem in three
      dimensions which makes computations difficult. Here, a one-dimensional model is
      studied in which the (4)He atoms are confined to revolve on a ring and encircle a
      rotating CO molecule. The Lanczos algorithm is used to investigate the eigenvalue
      spectrum as the number of (4)He atoms is varied. Substantial solvent decoupling
      is observed for as few as N = 5 (4)He atoms. Examination of the Hamiltonian
      matrix, which has an almost block diagonal structure, reveals increasingly weak
      inter-block (solvent-molecule) coupling as the number of (4)He atoms is
      increased. In the absence of a dopant molecule the system is similar to a Lieb
      Liniger (LL) gas and we find a relatively rapid transition to the LL limit as N
      is increased. In essence, the molecule initially-for very small N-provides a
      central, if relatively weak, attraction to organize the cluster; as more (4)He
      atoms are added, the repulsive interactions between the identical bosons start to
      dominate as the solvation ring (shell) becomes more crowded which causes the
      molecule to start to decouple. For low N, the molecule pins the atoms in place
      relative to itself; as N increases the atom-atom repulsion starts to dominate the
      Hamiltonian and the molecule decouples. We conclude that, while the notion of
      superfluidity is a useful and correct description of the decoupling process, a
      molecular viewpoint provides complementary insights into the quantum mechanism of
      the transition from a molecular cluster to a quantum solvated molecule. 

PMID- 27250301
TI  - Full-dimensional vibrational calculations of five-atom molecules using a
      combination of Radau and Jacobi coordinates: Applications to methane and
      fluoromethane.
AB  - Full quantum mechanical calculations of vibrational energies of methane and
      fluoromethane are carried out using a polyspherical description combining Radau
      and Jacobi coordinates. The Hamiltonian is built in a potential-optimized
      discrete variable representation, and vibrational energies are solved using an
      iterative eigensolver. This new approach can be applied to a large variety of
      molecules. In particular, we show that it is able to accurately and efficiently
      compute eigenstates for four different molecules : CH4, CHD3, CH2D2, and CH3F.
      Very good agreement is obtained with the results reported previously in the
      literature with different approaches and with experimental data. 

PMID- 27250302
TI  - Ab initio studies of the Rg-NO(+)(X(1)Sigma(+)) van der Waals complexes (Rg = He,
      Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe).
AB  - We used the explicitly correlated variant of the coupled clusters method with
      single, double, and noniterative triple excitations [CCSD(T)-F12] to compute two
      dimensional potential energy surfaces of van der Waals complexes formed by rare
      gas atoms (Rg) and NO(+)(X(1)Sigma(+)) cations. We used the correlation
      consistent, triple-zeta (cc-pVTZ-F12) atomic basis sets, and for Kr and Xe rare
      gases, we employed corresponding pseudopotential cc-pVTZ-PP-F12 atomic basis
      sets. These basis sets were additionally augmented with mid-bond functions. The
      complexes are all of skewed T-shape type with Rg atom being closer to the N-side.
      Using analytical representation of the potentials, we have estimated zero-point
      energy corrected dissociation energies from anharmonic calculations with BOUND
      program and also from the harmonic approximation. The binding energies increase
      with the polarization of the Rg atom in series from He to Xe and are 196 cm(-1),
      360 cm(-1), 1024 cm(-1), 1434 cm(-1), and 2141 cm(-1), respectively. Their
      corresponding dissociation energies are 132 cm(-1), 300 cm(-1), 927 cm(-1), 1320
      cm(-1), and 1994 cm(-1) for the complexes with He to Xe, respectively. We find
      good agreement with previous theoretical and experimental results. The harmonic
      vibrational frequencies were calculated for the bending and stretching modes of
      the Rg-NO(+) complexes. 

PMID- 27250303
TI  - Calculated rotation-bending energy levels of CH5 (+) and a comparison with
      experiment.
AB  - We report J > 0 CH5 (+) levels computed by fixing stretch coordinates. They are
      computed by using a simple product basis, exploiting symmetry, and carefully
      parallelizing the calculation. The J > 0 CH5 (+) levels are compared with those
      obtained from other theoretical methods and with experimental ground state
      combination differences of Asvany et al. [Science, 347, 1346 (2015)]. If the
      assignment of Asvany et al. is correct, there are important differences between
      the levels we compute and those observed. We propose a different assignment of
      the experimental levels that reduces the maximum error from 34 to 2 cm(-1). The
      new assignment can only be correct if states of both parities exist in the
      experiment. Although, ro-vibrational levels of CH5 (+) cannot be associated with
      individual vibrational states, they do occur in blocks separated by gaps. 

PMID- 27250304
TI  - Combined theoretical and experimental study of the valence, Rydberg and ionic
      states of fluorobenzene.
AB  - New photoelectron spectra (PES) and ultra violet (UV) and vacuum UV (VUV)
      absorption spectra of fluorobenzene recorded at higher resolution than
      previously, have been combined with mass-resolved (2 + 1) and (3 + 1) resonance
      enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectra; this has led to the
      identification of numerous Rydberg states. The PES have been compared with
      earlier mass-analyzed threshold ionization and photoinduced Rydberg ionization
      (PIRI) spectra to give an overall picture of the ionic state sequence. The
      analysis of these spectra using both equations of motion with coupled cluster
      singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD) configuration interaction and time dependent
      density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations have been combined with
      vibrational analysis of both the hot and cold bands of the spectra, in
      considerable detail. The results extend several earlier studies on the vibronic
      coupling leading to conical intersections between the X(2)B1 and A(2)A2 states,
      and a further trio (B, C, and D) of states. The conical intersection of the X and
      A states has been explicitly identified, and its structure and energetics
      evaluated. The energy sequence of the last group is only acceptable to the
      present study if given as B(2)B2<C(2)B1<D(2)A1, a conclusion which is in
      agreement with most previous EOM-CCSD and other calculations. However, this
      symmetry ordering of the B and C states forces reconsideration of the nature of
      the PIRI spectrum. The coupling between these two states is induced by the a2
      modes, nu12 and nu14 and we propose that the 14(1) band is observed in the B(2)B2
      band in the PES for the first time, because of the improved resolution. This same
      assignment is given to the lowest energy band in the PIRI spectrum which was
      previously assigned as the origin band and further conclude that the entire PIRI
      spectrum is induced by nu12 and nu14. The relative intensities of the various
      Rydberg state peaks in the VUV absorption and REMPI spectra of fluorobenzene are
      very similar to those observed in the equivalent spectra of benzene. 

PMID- 27250305
TI  - Ab initio study of reactive collisions between Rb((2)S) or Rb((2)P) and OH(
      )((1)Sigma(+)).
AB  - A theoretical rate constant for the associative detachment reaction Rb((2)S) +
      OH(-)((1)Sigma(+)) -> RbOH((1)Sigma(+)) + e(-) of 4 * 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1) at 300
      K has been calculated. This result agrees with the experimental rate constant of
      2-1 (+2)*10(-10)cm(3)s(-1) obtained by Deiglmayr et al. [Phys. Rev. A 86, 043438
      (2012)] for a temperature between 200 K and 600 K. A Langevin-based dynamics
      which depends on the crossing point between the anion (RbOH(-)) and neutral
      (RbOH) potential energy surfaces has been used. The calculations were performed
      using the ECP28MDF effective core potential to describe the rubidium atom at the
      CCSD(T) level of theory and extended basis sets. The effect of ECPs and basis set
      on the height of the crossing point, and hence the rate constant, has been
      investigated. The temperature dependence of the latter is also discussed.
      Preliminary work on the potential energy surface for the excited reaction channel
      Rb((2)P) + OH(-)((1)Sigma(+)) calculated at the CASSCF-icMRCI level of theory is
      presented. We qualitatively discuss the charge transfer and associative
      detachment reactions arising from this excited entrance channel. 

PMID- 27250306
TI  - Synchrotron-based valence shell photoionization of CH radical.
AB  - We report the first experimental observations of X(+) (1)Sigma(+)<-X (2)Pi and
      a(+) (3)Pi<-X (2)Pi single-photon ionization transitions of the CH radical
      performed on the DESIRS beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility. The radical
      was produced by successive hydrogen-atom abstractions on methane by fluorine
      atoms in a continuous microwave discharge flow tube. Mass-selected ion yields and
      photoelectron spectra were recorded as a function of photon energy using a double
      imaging photoelectron/photoion coincidence spectrometer. The ion yield appears to
      be strongly affected by vibrational and electronic autoionizations, which allow
      the observation of high Rydberg states of the neutral species. The photoelectron
      spectra enable the first direct determinations of the adiabatic ionization
      potential and the energy of the first triplet state of the cation with respect to
      its singlet ground state. This work also brings valuable information on the
      complex electronic structure of the CH radical and its cation and adds new
      observations to complement our understanding of Rydberg states and autoionization
      processes. 

PMID- 27250307
TI  - Polarization response of clathrate hydrates capsulated with guest molecules.
AB  - Clathrate hydrates are characterized by their water cages encapsulating various
      guest atoms or molecules. The polarization effect of these guest-cage complexes
      was studied with combined density functional theory and finite-field
      calculations. An addition rule was noted for these systems whose total
      polarizability is approximately equal to the polarizability sum of the guest and
      the cage. However, their distributional polarizability computed with Hirshfeld
      partitioning scheme indicates that the guest-cage interaction has considerable
      influence on their polarization response. The polarization of encapsulated guest
      is reduced while the polarization of water cage is enhanced. The counteraction of
      these two opposite effects leads to the almost unchanged total polarizability.
      Further analysis reveals that the reduced polarizability of encapsulated guest
      results from the shielding effect of water cage against the external field and
      the enhanced polarizability of water cage from the enhanced bonding of hydrogen
      bonds among water molecules. Although the charge transfer through the hydrogen
      bonds is rather small in the water cage, the polarization response of clathrate
      hydrates is sensitive to the changes of hydrogen bonding strength. The guest
      encapsulation strengthens the hydrogen bonding network and leads to enhanced
      polarizability. 

PMID- 27250308
TI  - Mutual neutralization of He(+) with the anions Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), and SF6 (.).
AB  - Mutual neutralization (MN) rate coefficients kMN for He(+) with the anions Cl(-),
      Br(-), I(-), and SF6 (-) are reported from 300 to 500 K. The measured rate
      coefficients may contain a contribution from transfer ionization, i.e., double
      ionization of the anion. The large rate coefficient for He(+) + SF6 (-) (2.4 *
      10(-7) cm(3) s(-1) at 300 K) is consistent with earlier polyatomic MN results
      found to have a reduced mass dependence of MU(-1/2). Neutralization of He(+) by
      the atomic halides follows the trend observed earlier for Ne(+), Ar(+), Kr(+),
      and Xe(+) neutralized by atomic halides, kMN (Cl(-)) < kMN (Br(-)) < kMN (I(-)).
      Only an upper limit could be measured for the neutralization of He(+) by Cl(-).
      Predictions of the rate coefficients from a previously proposed simple model of
      atomic-atomic MN results are consistent with the present He(+)-halide rate
      coefficients. The temperature dependences are modestly negative for Br(-) and I(
      ), while that for SF6 (-) is small or negligible. 

PMID- 27250309
TI  - Satellite bands of the RbCs molecule in the range of highly excited states.
AB  - We report on the observation of three RbCs satellite bands in the blue and green
      ranges of the visible spectrum. Absorption measurements are performed using all
      sapphire cell filled with a mixture of Rb and Cs. We compare high resolution
      absorption spectrum of Rb-Cs vapor mixture with pure Rb and Cs vapor spectra from
      the literature. After detailed analysis, the new satellite bands of RbCs molecule
      at 418.3 nm, 468.3, and 527.5 nm are identified. The origin of these bands is
      discussed by direct comparison with difference potentials derived from quantum
      chemistry calculations of RbCs potential energy curves. These bands originate
      from the lower Rydberg states of the RbCs molecule. This study thus provides
      further insight into photoassociation of lower Rydberg molecular states,
      approximately between Cs(7s) + Rb(5s) and Cs(6s) + Rb(6p) asymptotes, in
      ultracold gases. 

PMID- 27250310
TI  - Kinetic theory of diffusion-limited nucleation.
AB  - We examine binary nucleation in the size and composition space {R,c} using the
      formalism of the multivariable theory [N. V. Alekseechkin, J. Chem. Phys. 124,
      124512 (2006)]. We show that the variable c drops out of consideration for very
      large curvature of the new phase Gibbs energy with composition. Consequently
      nuclei around the critical size have the critical composition, which is derived
      from the condition of criticality for the canonical variables and is found not to
      depend on surface tension. In this case, nucleation kinetics can be investigated
      in the size space only. Using macroscopic kinetics, we determine the general
      expression for the condensation rate when growth is limited by bulk diffusion,
      which accounts for both diffusion and capillarity and exhibits a different
      dependence with the critical size, as compared with the interface-limited regime.
      This new expression of the condensation rate for bulk diffusion-limited
      nucleation is the counterpart of the classical interface-limited result. We then
      extend our analysis to multicomponent solutions. 

PMID- 27250311
TI  - A new structural relaxation pathway of low-density amorphous ice.
AB  - Low-density amorphous (LDA) ice is involved in critical cosmological processes
      and has gained prominence as one of the at least two distinct amorphous forms of
      ice. Despite these accolades, we still have an incomplete understanding of the
      structural diversity that is encompassed within the LDA state and the dynamic
      processes that take place upon heating LDA. Heating the high-pressure ice VIII
      phase at ambient pressure is a remarkable example of temperature-induced
      amorphisation yielding LDA. We investigate this process in detail using X-ray
      diffraction and Raman spectroscopy and show that the LDA obtained from ice VIII
      is structurally different from the more "traditional" states of LDA which are
      approached upon thermal annealing. This new structural relaxation pathway
      involves an increase of structural order on the intermediate range length scale.
      In contrast with other LDA materials the local structure is more ordered
      initially and becomes slightly more disordered upon annealing. We also show that
      the cascade of phase transitions upon heating ice VIII at ambient pressure
      includes the formation of ice IX which may be connected with the structural
      peculiarities of LDA from ice VIII. Overall, this study shows that LDA is a
      structurally more diverse material than previously appreciated. 

PMID- 27250312
TI  - Ice Ih anomalies: Thermal contraction, anomalous volume isotope effect, and
      pressure-induced amorphization.
AB  - Ice Ih displays several anomalous thermodynamic properties such as thermal
      contraction at low temperatures, an anomalous volume isotope effect (VIE)
      rendering the volume of D2O ice greater than that of H2O ice, and a pressure
      induced transition to the high-density amorphous (HDA) phase. Furthermore, the
      anomalous VIE increases with temperature, despite its quantum-mechanical origin.
      Here, embedded-fragment ab initio second-order many-body perturbation (MP2)
      theory in the quasiharmonic approximation (QHA) is applied to the Gibbs energy of
      an infinite, proton-disordered crystal of ice Ih at wide ranges of temperatures
      and pressures. The quantum effect of nuclei moving in anharmonic potentials is
      taken into account from first principles without any empirical or nonsystematic
      approximation to either the electronic or vibrational Hamiltonian. MP2 predicts
      quantitatively correctly the thermal contraction at low temperatures, which is
      confirmed to originate from the volume-contracting hydrogen-bond bending modes
      (acoustic phonons). It qualitatively reproduces (but underestimates) the thermal
      expansion at higher temperatures, caused by the volume-expanding hydrogen-bond
      stretching (and to a lesser extent librational) modes. The anomalous VIE is found
      to be the result of subtle cancellations among closely competing isotope effects
      on volume from all modes. Consequently, even ab initio MP2 with the aug-cc-pVDZ
      and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets has difficulty reproducing this anomaly, yielding
      qualitatively varied predictions of the sign of the VIE depending on such
      computational details as the choice of the embedding field. However, the
      temperature growth of the anomalous VIE is reproduced robustly and is ascribed to
      the librational modes. These solid-state MP2 calculations, as well as MP2 Born
      Oppenheimer molecular dynamics, find a volume collapse and a loss of symmetry and
      long-range order in ice Ih upon pressure loading of 2.35 GPa or higher.
      Concomitantly, rapid softening of acoustic phonons is observed starting around 2
      GPa. They constitute a computational detection of a mechanical instability in ice
      Ih and the resulting pressure-induced amorphization to HDA. 

PMID- 27250313
TI  - A link between structure, diffusion and rotations of hydrogen bonding tracers in
      ionic liquids.
AB  - When solutes are small compared to the size of the ions in an ionic liquid,
      energetic heterogeneities associated with charge enhanced (stiff) and charge
      depleted (soft) nanoenvironments are sampled. In a recent article [J. C. Araque
      et al., J. Phys. Chem. B 119(23), 7015-7029 (2015)], we explored large deviations
      from Stokes-Einstein translational diffusion caused by such a heterogeneity. The
      current article is set to explore the effect of soft and stiff solvent
      environments (i.e., structure) on OH-bond rotations in the case of water and
      small alcohols in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide
      (Im1,2 (+)NTf2 (-)). Is solute rotational dynamics heterogeneous? If so, are
      solute rotations and translations coupled in the sense that stiff and soft
      solvent environments hinder or speed up both types of dynamics? For the systems
      studied here, there appears to be a clear connection between translations,
      rotations, and stiff/soft solvent environments. We also discuss interesting
      asymmetries of the correlation between solutes with anions and cations. 

PMID- 27250314
TI  - Lutetium(iii) aqua ion: On the dynamical structure of the heaviest lanthanoid
      hydration complex.
AB  - The structure and dynamics of the lutetium(iii) ion in aqueous solution have been
      investigated by means of a polarizable force field molecular dynamics (MD). An 8
      fold square antiprism (SAP) geometry has been found to be the dominant
      configuration of the lutetium(iii) aqua ion. Nevertheless, a low percentage of 9
      fold complexes arranged in a tricapped trigonal prism (TTP) geometry has been
      also detected. Dynamic properties have been explored by carrying out six
      independent MD simulations for each of four different temperatures: 277 K, 298 K,
      423 K, 632 K. The mean residence time of water molecules in the first hydration
      shell at room temperature has been found to increase as compared to the central
      elements of the lanthanoid series in agreement with previous experimental
      findings. Water exchange kinetic rate constants at each temperature and
      activation parameters of the process have been determined from the MD
      simulations. The obtained structural and dynamical results suggest that the water
      exchange process for the lutetium(iii) aqua ion proceeds with an associative
      mechanism, in which the SAP hydration complex undergoes temporary structural
      changes passing through a 9-fold TTP intermediate. Such results are consistent
      with the water exchange mechanism proposed for heavy lanthanoid atoms. 

PMID- 27250316
TI  - A fast dynamic mode in rare earth based glasses.
AB  - Metallic glasses (MGs) usually exhibit only slow beta-relaxation peak, and the
      signature of the fast dynamic is challenging to be observed experimentally in
      MGs. We report a general and unusual fast dynamic mode in a series of rare earth
      based MGs manifested as a distinct fast beta'-relaxation peak in addition to slow
      beta-relaxation and alpha-relaxation peaks. We show that the activation energy of
      the fast beta'-relaxation is about 12RTg and is equivalent to the activation of
      localized flow event. The coupling of these dynamic processes as well as their
      relationship with glass transition and structural heterogeneity is discussed. 

PMID- 27250315
TI  - Molecular mobility in glassy dispersions.
AB  - Dielectric spectroscopy was used to characterize the structural relaxation in
      pharmaceutical dispersions containing nifedipine (NIF) and either poly(vinyl)
      pyrrolidone (PVP) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS).
      The shape of the dielectric response (permittivity versus log time) curve was
      observed to be independent of temperature. Thus, for the pure NIF as well as the
      dispersions, the validity of the time-temperature superposition principle was
      established. Furthermore, though the shape of the full dielectric response varied
      with polymer concentration, the regime related to the alpha- or structural
      relaxation was found to superimpose for the dispersions, though not with the
      response of the NIF itself. Hence, there is a limited time-temperature
      concentration superposition for these systems as well. Therefore, in this polymer
      concentration range, calculation of long relaxation times in these glass-forming
      systems becomes possible. We found that strong drug-polymer hydrogen bonding
      interactions improved the physical stability (i.e., delayed crystallization) by
      reducing the molecular mobility. The strength of hydrogen bonding, structural
      relaxation time, and crystallization followed the order: NIF-PV P>NIF-HPMCAS>NIF.
      With an increase in polymer concentration, the relaxation times were longer
      indicating a decrease in molecular mobility. The temperature dependence of
      relaxation time, in other words fragility, was independent of polymer
      concentration. This is the first application of the superposition principle to
      characterize structural relaxation in glassy pharmaceutical dispersions. 

PMID- 27250317
TI  - Influence of the exchange and correlation functional on the structure of
      amorphous InSb and In3SbTe2 compounds.
AB  - We have investigated the structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of
      the amorphous phase of InSb and In3SbTe2 compounds of interest for applications
      in phase change non-volatile memories. Models of the amorphous phase have been
      generated by quenching from the melt by molecular dynamics simulations based on
      density functional theory. In particular, we have studied the dependence of the
      structural properties on the choice of the exchange-correlation functional. It
      turns out that the use of the Becke-Lee-Yang-Parr functional provides models with
      a much larger fraction of In atoms in a tetrahedral bonding geometry with respect
      to previous results obtained with the most commonly used Perdew-Becke-Ernzerhof
      functional. This outcome is at odd with the properties of Ge2Sb2Te5 phase change
      compound for which the two exchange-correlation functionals yield very similar
      results on the structure of the amorphous phase. 

PMID- 27250318
TI  - Glassy dynamics of model colloidal polymers: The effect of "monomer" size.
AB  - In recent years, attempts have been made to assemble colloidal particles into
      chains, which are termed "colloidal polymers." An apparent difference between
      molecular and colloidal polymers is the "monomer" size. Here, we propose a model
      to represent the variation from molecular polymer to colloidal polymer and study
      the quantitative differences in their glassy dynamics. For chains, two
      incompatible local length scales, i.e., monomer size and bond length, are
      manifested in the radial distribution function and intramolecular correlation
      function. The mean square displacement of monomers exhibits Rouse-like sub
      diffusion at intermediate time/length scale and the corresponding exponent
      depends on the volume fraction and the monomer size. We find that the threshold
      volume fraction at which the caging regime emerges can be used as a rescaling
      unit so that the data of localization length versus volume fraction for different
      monomer sizes can gather close to an exponential curve. The increase of monomer
      size effectively increases the hardness of monomers and thus makes the colloidal
      polymers vitrify at lower volume fraction. Static and dynamic equivalences
      between colloidal polymers of different monomer sizes have been discussed. In the
      case of having the same peak time of the non-Gaussian parameter, the motion of
      monomers of larger size is much less non-Gaussian. The mode-coupling critical
      exponents for colloidal polymers are in agreement with that of flexible bead
      spring chains. 

PMID- 27250319
TI  - Adsorption of anionic and non-ionic surfactants on carbon nanotubes in water with
      dissipative particle dynamics simulation.
AB  - The morphology of surfactants physically adsorbed on the surface of carbon
      nanotubes (CNTs) has a significant impact on the dispersion of CNTs in the
      solution. The adsorption of the surfactants alfoterra 123-8s (AF) and tergitol 15
      s-40 (TG) on CNTs was investigated with dissipative particle dynamics (DPD)
      simulations, as well as the behavior of the binary surfactant system with CNTs.
      Properties of surfactants (i.e., critical micelle concentration, aggregation
      number, shape and size of micelle, and diffusivity) in water were determined to
      validate the simulation model. Results indicated that the assembly of surfactants
      (AF and TG) on CNTs depends on the interaction of the surfactant tail and the CNT
      surface, where surfactants formed mainly hemimicellar structures. For surfactants
      in solution, most micelles had spherical shape. The particles formed by the CNT
      and the adsorbed surfactant became hydrophilic, due to the outward orientation of
      the head groups of the surfactants that formed monolayer adsorption. In the
      binary surfactant system, the presence of TG on the CNT surface provided a
      considerable hydrophilic steric effect, due to the EO groups of TG molecules. It
      was also seen that the adsorption of AF was more favorable than TG on the CNT
      surface. Diffusion coefficients for the surfactants in the bulk and surface
      diffusion on the CNT were calculated. These results are applicable, in a
      qualitative sense, to the more general case of adsorption of surfactants on the
      hydrophobic surface of cylindrically shaped nanoscale objects. 

PMID- 27250320
TI  - Target search kinetics of self-propelled particles in a confining domain.
AB  - We present a numerical investigation of the search kinetics of self-propelled
      particles (SPPs) to a target located at the center or at the boundary of a
      confining domain. When searching a target located at the center of a circular
      confining domain, the search efficiency of SPPs is improved compared to that of
      Brownian particles if the rotational diffusion is not too slow. In this case, the
      mean search time tau could be minimized with proper combinations of the
      characteristic rotation time tautheta and the self-propulsion velocity v0. It is
      further shown to be a consequence of the interplay between the enhanced diffusion
      and the thigmotactism (boundary-following behavior) of SPPs due to the self
      propulsion. However, for a target located at the boundary of the circular
      confining domain, we find that the search process is continuing to be accelerated
      with increasing tautheta or v0. Our results highlight the role of the target
      position in the search kinetics, and open up new opportunities to optimize the
      search process of SPPs by taking accurate controls over their motions. 

PMID- 27250321
TI  - Density functional study on the mechanism for the highly active palladium
      monolayer supported on titanium carbide for the oxygen reduction reaction.
AB  - The adsorption, diffusion, and dissociation of O2 on the palladium monolayer
      supported on TiC(001) surface, MLPd/TiC(001), are investigated using ab initio
      density functional theory calculations. Strong adhesion of palladium monolayer to
      the TiC(001) support, accompanied by a modification of electronic structure of
      the supported palladium, is evidenced. Compared with Pt(111) surface, the
      MLPd/TiC(001) can enhance the adsorption of O2, leading to comparable
      dissociation barrier and a smaller diffusion barrier of O2. Whilst the adsorption
      strength of atomic O (the dissociation product of O2) on MLPd/TiC(001) is similar
      to that on the Pt(111) surface, possessing high mobility, our theoretical results
      indicate that MLPd/TiC(001) may serve as a good catalyst for the oxygen reduction
      reaction. 

PMID- 27250322
TI  - Search for giant magnetic anisotropy in transition-metal dimers on defected
      hexagonal boron nitride sheet.
AB  - Structural and magnetic properties of many transition-metal dimers embedded in a
      defected hexagonal boron nitride monolayer are investigated through density
      functional calculations to search for systems with magnetic anisotropy energies
      (MAEs) larger than 30meV. In particular, Ir-Ir@Dh-BN is found to have both large
      MAE (~126 meV) and high structural stability against dissociation and diffusion,
      and it hence can serve as magnetic unit in spintronics and quantum computing
      devices. This giant MAE mainly results from the spin orbit coupling and the
      magnetization of the upper Ir atom, which is in a rather isolated environment. 

PMID- 27250323
TI  - Surface tension of ab initio liquid water at the water-air interface.
AB  - We report calculations on the surface tension of the water-air interface using ab
      initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. We investigate the influence of the
      cell size on surface tension of water from force field molecular dynamics
      simulations. We find that the calculated surface tension increases with
      increasing simulation cell size, thereby illustrating that a correction for
      finite size effects is essential for small systems that are customary in AIMD
      simulations. Moreover, AIMD simulations reveal that the use of a double-zeta
      basis set overestimates the experimentally measured surface tension due to the
      Pulay stress while more accurate triple and quadruple-zeta basis sets give
      converged results. We further demonstrate that van der Waals corrections
      critically affect the surface tension. AIMD simulations without the van der Waals
      correction substantially underestimate the surface tension while the van der
      Waals correction with the Grimme's D2 technique results in a value for the
      surface tension that is too high. The Grimme's D3 van der Waals correction
      provides a surface tension close to the experimental value. Whereas the specific
      choices for the van der Waals correction and basis sets critically affect the
      calculated surface tension, the surface tension is remarkably insensitive to the
      details of the exchange and correlation functionals, which highlights the impact
      of long-range interactions on the surface tension. Our simulated values provide
      important benchmarks, both for improving van der Waals corrections and AIMD
      simulations of aqueous interfaces. 

PMID- 27250324
TI  - Extent of hydrogen coverage of Si(001) under chemical vapor deposition conditions
      from ab initio approaches.
AB  - The extent of hydrogen coverage of the Si(001) c(4 * 2) surface in the presence
      of hydrogen gas has been studied with dispersion corrected density functional
      theory. Electronic energy contributions are well described using a hybrid
      functional. The temperature dependence of the coverage in thermodynamic
      equilibrium was studied computing the phonon spectrum in a supercell approach. As
      an approximation to these demanding computations, an interpolated phonon approach
      was found to give comparable accuracy. The simpler ab initio thermodynamic
      approach is not accurate enough for the system studied, even if corrections by
      the Einstein model for surface vibrations are considered. The on-set of H2
      desorption from the fully hydrogenated surface is predicted to occur at
      temperatures around 750 K. Strong changes in hydrogen coverage are found between
      1000 and 1200 K in good agreement with previous reflectance anisotropy
      spectroscopy experiments. These findings allow a rational choice for the surface
      state in the computational treatment of chemical reactions under typical metal
      organic vapor phase epitaxy conditions on Si(001). 

PMID- 27250325
TI  - Thermodynamic stability and structural properties of cluster crystals formed by
      amphiphilic dendrimers.
AB  - We pursue the goal of finding real-world examples of macromolecular aggregates
      that form cluster crystals, which have been predicted on the basis of coarse
      grained, ultrasoft pair potentials belonging to a particular mathematical class
      [B. M. Mladek et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 46, 045701 (2006)]. For this purpose, we
      examine in detail the phase behavior and structural properties of model
      amphiphilic dendrimers of the second generation by means of monomer-resolved
      computer simulations. On augmenting the density of these systems, a fluid
      comprised of clusters that contain several overlapping and penetrating
      macromolecules is spontaneously formed. Upon further compression of the system, a
      transition to multi-occupancy crystals takes place, the thermodynamic stability
      of which is demonstrated by means of free-energy calculations, and where the FCC
      is preferred over the BCC-phase. Contrary to predictions for coarse-grained
      theoretical models in which the particles interact exclusively by effective pair
      potentials, the internal degrees of freedom of these molecules cause the lattice
      constant to be density-dependent. Furthermore, the mechanical stability of
      monodisperse BCC and FCC cluster crystals is restricted to a bounded region in
      the plane of cluster occupation number versus density. The structural properties
      of the dendrimers in the dense crystals, including their overall sizes and the
      distribution of monomers are also thoroughly analyzed. 

PMID- 27250326
TI  - The efficiency of self-phoretic propulsion mechanisms with surface reaction
      heterogeneity.
AB  - We consider the efficiency of self-phoretic colloidal particles (swimmers) as a
      function of the heterogeneity in the surface reaction rate. The set of fluid,
      species, and electrostatic continuity equations is solved analytically using a
      linearization and numerically using a finite-element method. To compare spherical
      swimmers of different size and with heterogeneous catalytic conversion rates, a
      "swimmer efficiency" functional eta is introduced. It is proven that in order to
      obtain maximum swimmer efficiency, the reactivity has to be localized at the
      pole(s). Our results also shed light on the sensitivity of the propulsion speed
      to details of the surface reactivity, a property that is notoriously hard to
      measure. This insight can be utilized in the design of new self-phoretic
      swimmers. 

PMID- 27250327
TI  - Solvent and solute ingress into hydrogels resolved by a combination of imaging
      techniques.
AB  - Using simultaneous neutron, fluorescence, and optical brightfield transmission
      imaging, the diffusion of solvent, fluorescent dyes, and macromolecules into a
      crosslinked polyacrylamide hydrogel was investigated. This novel combination of
      different imaging techniques enables us to distinguish the movements of the
      solvent and fluorescent molecules. Additionally, the swelling or deswelling of
      the hydrogels can be monitored. From the sequence of images, dye and solvent
      concentrations were extracted spatially and temporally resolved. Diffusion
      equations and different boundary conditions, represented by different models,
      were used to quantitatively analyze the temporal evolution of these concentration
      profiles and to determine the diffusion coefficients of solvent and solutes.
      Solute size and network properties were varied and their effect was investigated.
      Increasing the crosslinking ratio or partially drying the hydrogel was found to
      hinder solute diffusion due to the reduced pore size. By contrast, solvent
      diffusion seemed to be slightly faster if the hydrogel was only partially swollen
      and hence solvent uptake enhanced. 

PMID- 27250328
TI  - Dynamic colloidal assembly pathways via low dimensional models.
AB  - Here we construct a low-dimensional Smoluchowski model for electric field
      mediated colloidal crystallization using Brownian dynamic simulations, which were
      previously matched to experiments. Diffusion mapping is used to infer
      dimensionality and confirm the use of two order parameters, one for degree of
      condensation and one for global crystallinity. Free energy and diffusivity
      landscapes are obtained as the coefficients of a low-dimensional Smoluchowski
      equation to capture the thermodynamics and kinetics of microstructure evolution.
      The resulting low-dimensional model quantitatively captures the dynamics of
      different assembly pathways between fluid, polycrystal, and single crystals
      states, in agreement with the full N-dimensional data as characterized by first
      passage time distributions. Numerical solution of the low-dimensional
      Smoluchowski equation reveals statistical properties of the dynamic evolution of
      states vs. applied field amplitude and system size. The low-dimensional
      Smoluchowski equation and associated landscapes calculated here can serve as
      models for predictive control of electric field mediated assembly of colloidal
      ensembles into two-dimensional crystalline objects. 

PMID- 27250329
TI  - Divalent cation shrinks DNA but inhibits its compaction with trivalent cation.
AB  - Our observation reveals the effects of divalent and trivalent cations on the
      higher-order structure of giant DNA (T4 DNA 166 kbp) by fluorescence microscopy.
      It was found that divalent cations, Mg(2+) and Ca(2+), inhibit DNA compaction
      induced by a trivalent cation, spermidine (SPD(3+)). On the other hand, in the
      absence of SPD(3+), divalent cations cause the shrinkage of DNA. As the control
      experiment, we have confirmed the minimum effect of monovalent cation, Na(+) on
      the DNA higher-order structure. We interpret the competition between 2+ and 3+
      cations in terms of the change in the translational entropy of the counterions.
      For the compaction with SPD(3+), we consider the increase in translational
      entropy due to the ion-exchange of the intrinsic monovalent cations condensing on
      a highly charged polyelectrolyte, double-stranded DNA, by the 3+ cations. In
      contrast, the presence of 2+ cation decreases the gain of entropy contribution by
      the ion-exchange between monovalent and 3+ ions. 

PMID- 27250330
TI  - Understanding nucleic acid structural changes by comparing wide-angle x-ray
      scattering (WAXS) experiments to molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - Wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) is emerging as a powerful tool for increasing
      the resolution of solution structure measurements of biomolecules. Compared to
      its better known complement, small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), WAXS targets
      higher scattering angles and can enhance structural studies of molecules by
      accessing finer details of solution structures. Although the extension from SAXS
      to WAXS is easy to implement experimentally, the computational tools required to
      fully harness the power of WAXS are still under development. Currently, WAXS is
      employed to study structural changes and ligand binding in proteins; however, the
      methods are not as fully developed for nucleic acids. Here, we show how WAXS can
      qualitatively characterize nucleic acid structures as well as the small but
      significant structural changes driven by the addition of multivalent ions. We
      show the potential of WAXS to test all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations
      and to provide insight into understanding how the trivalent ion cobalt(III)
      hexammine (CoHex) affects the structure of RNA and DNA helices. We find that MD
      simulations capture the RNA structural change that occurs due to addition of
      CoHex. 

PMID- 27250331
TI  - Lattice model for amyloid peptides: OPEP force field parametrization and
      applications to the nucleus size of Alzheimer's peptides.
AB  - Coarse-grained protein lattice models approximate atomistic details and keep the
      essential interactions. They are, therefore, suitable for capturing generic
      features of protein folding and amyloid formation at low computational cost. As
      our aim is to study the critical nucleus sizes of two experimentally well
      characterized peptide fragments Abeta16-22 and Abeta37-42 of the full length
      Abeta1-42 Alzheimer's peptide, it is important that simulations with the lattice
      model reproduce all-atom simulations. In this study, we present a comprehensive
      force field parameterization based on the OPEP (Optimized Potential for Efficient
      protein structure Prediction) force field for an on-lattice protein model, which
      incorporates explicitly the formation of hydrogen bonds and directions of side
      chains. Our bottom-up approach starts with the determination of the best lattice
      force parameters for the Abeta16-22 dimer by fitting its equilibrium parallel and
      anti-parallel beta-sheet populations to all-atom simulation results.
      Surprisingly, the calibrated force field is transferable to the trimer of Abeta16
      22 and the dimer and trimer of Abeta37-42. Encouraged by this finding, we
      characterized the free energy landscapes of the two decamers. The dominant
      structure of the Abeta16-22 decamer matches the microcrystal structure. Pushing
      the simulations for aggregates between 4-mer and 12-mer suggests a nucleus size
      for fibril formation of 10 chains. In contrast, the Abeta37-42 decamer is largely
      disordered with mixed by parallel and antiparallel chains, suggesting that the
      nucleus size is >10 peptides. Our refined force field coupled to this on-lattice
      model should provide useful insights into the critical nucleation number
      associated with neurodegenerative diseases. 

PMID- 27250332
TI  - Effect of non-specific interactions on formation and stability of specific
      complexes.
AB  - We introduce a simple model to describe the interplay between specific and non
      specific interactions. We study the influence of various physical factors on the
      static and dynamic properties of the specific interactions of our model and show
      that contrary to intuitive expectations, non-specific interactions can assist in
      the formation of specific complexes and increase their stability. We then discuss
      the relevance of these results for biological systems. 

PMID- 27250333
TI  - Thermodynamics of complex structures formed between single-stranded DNA oligomers
      and the KH domains of the far upstream element binding protein.
AB  - The noncovalent interaction between protein and DNA is responsible for regulating
      the genetic activities in living organisms. The most critical issue in this
      problem is to understand the underlying driving force for the formation and
      stability of the complex. To address this issue, we have performed atomistic
      molecular dynamics simulations of two DNA binding K homology (KH) domains (KH3
      and KH4) of the far upstream element binding protein (FBP) complexed with two
      single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) oligomers in aqueous media. Attempts have been made
      to calculate the individual components of the net entropy change for the
      complexation process by adopting suitable statistical mechanical approaches. Our
      calculations reveal that translational, rotational, and configurational entropy
      changes of the protein and the DNA components have unfavourable contributions for
      this protein-DNA association process and such entropy lost is compensated by the
      entropy gained due to the release of hydration layer water molecules. The free
      energy change corresponding to the association process has also been calculated
      using the Free Energy Perturbation (FEP) method. The free energy gain associated
      with the KH4-DNA complex formation has been found to be noticeably higher than
      that involving the formation of the KH3-DNA complex. 

PMID- 27250334
TI  - Publisher's Note: "New ab initio adiabatic potential energy surfaces and bound
      state calculations for the singlet ground X(1)A1 and excited C(1)B2(2(1)A('))
      states of SO2" [J. Chem. Phys. 144, 174301 (2016)].

PMID- 27250335
TI  - How the initial level of visibility and limited resource affect the evolution of
      cooperation.
AB  - This work sheds important light on how the initial level of visibility and
      limited resource might affect the evolution of the players' strategies under
      different network structure. We perform the prisoner's dilemma game in the
      lattice network and the scale-free network, the simulation results indicate that
      the average density of death in lattice network decreases with the increases of
      the initial proportion of visibility. However, the contrary phenomenon is
      observed in the scale-free network. Further results reflect that the individuals'
      payoff in lattice network is significantly larger than the one in the scale-free
      network. In the lattice network, the visibility individuals could earn much more
      than the invisibility one. However, the difference is not apparent in the scale
      free network. We also find that a high Successful-Defection-Payoff (SDB) and a
      rich natural environment have relatively larger deleterious cooperation effects.
      A high SDB is beneficial to raising the level of visibility in the heterogeneous
      network, however, that has adverse visibility consequences in homogeneous
      network. Our result reveals that players are more likely to cooperate voluntarily
      under homogeneous network structure.

PMID- 27250336
TI  - The Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (QWLQ-CS): a Pre
      test Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Returning to and continuing work is important to many cancer
      survivors, but also represents a challenge. We know little about subjective work
      outcomes and how cancer survivors perceive being returned to work. Therefore, we
      developed the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (QWLQ
      CS). Our aim was to pre-test the items of the initial QWLQ-CS on acceptability
      and comprehensiveness. In addition, item retention was performed by pre-assessing
      the relevance scores and response distributions of the items in the QWLQ-CS.
      METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted after cancer survivors, who
      had returned to work, filled in the 102 items of the QWLQ-CS. To improve
      acceptability and comprehensiveness, the semi-structured interview inquired about
      items that were annoying, difficult, confusing, twofold or redundant. If cancer
      survivors had difficulty explaining their opinion or emotion about an item, the
      interviewer used verbal probing technique to investigate the cancer survivor's
      underlying thoughts. The cancer survivors' comments on the items were analysed,
      and items were revised accordingly. Decisions on item retention regarding the
      relevance of items and the response distributions were made by means of pre-set
      decision rules. RESULTS: The 19 cancer survivors (53 % male) had a mean age of 51
      +/- 11 years old. They were diagnosed between 2009 and 2013 with lymphoma,
      leukaemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer, or colon cancer. Acceptability of the
      QWLQ-CS was good - none of the items were annoying - but 73 items were considered
      difficult, confusing, twofold or redundant. To improve acceptability, for
      instance, the authors replaced the phrase 'disease' with 'health situation' in
      several items. Consequently, comprehensiveness was improved by the authors
      rephrasing and adjusting items by adding clarifying words, such as 'in the work
      situation'. The pre-assessment of the relevance scores resulted in a sufficient
      number of cancer survivors indicating the items as relevant to their quality of
      working life, and no evident indication for uneven response distributions.
      Therefore, all items were retained. CONCLUSIONS: The 104 items of the preliminary
      QWLQ-CS were found relevant, acceptable and comprehensible by cancer survivors
      who have returned to work. The QWLQ-CS is now suitable for larger sample sizes of
      cancer survivors, which is necessary to test the psychometric properties of this
      questionnaire.

PMID- 27250337
TI  - Visceral symptoms as a key diagnostic sign for the early infantile form of
      Niemann-Pick disease type C in a Russian patient: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Niemann-Pick disease type C is a rare metabolic disease characterized
      by progressive neurological deterioration with childhood onset, and often results
      in premature mortality. Niemann-Pick disease type C has an extremely
      heterogeneous clinical presentation with a wide range of visceral and
      neurological signs and symptoms that are not specific to the disease, and which
      progress over varied periods of time. The incidence and epidemiology of Niemann
      Pick disease type C in Russia have not been characterized. We report the case of
      a Russian newborn with early-infantile onset Niemann-Pick disease type C who
      displayed prolonged neonatal jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly. CASE PRESENTATION:
      A 5-year-old white boy born to non-consanguineous Russian parents was originally
      diagnosed with galactosemia at the age of 2 months based on a raised blood
      galactose level. A galactose-free and lactose-free diet resulted in achievement
      of a normal galactose level, but hepatosplenomegaly and cholestatic signs
      persisted. Liver biopsy results hinted at possible Niemann-Pick disease type C,
      but differential diagnostic investigations for progressive familial intrahepatic
      cholestasis type 2 (Byler syndrome) indicated a heterozygous genotype suggestive
      of this disease. Further, progressive neurological symptoms prompted additional
      genetic analyses for possible Niemann-Pick disease type C, from which an as-yet
      unreported combination of known NPC1 gene mutations was identified, and a final
      diagnosis of Niemann-Pick disease type C was established. The patient
      subsequently developed typical neurological symptoms of early-infantile Niemann
      Pick disease type C, including vertical supranuclear ophthalmoparesis and
      cerebellar ataxia. Miglustat therapy was initiated 2.5 years ago, and some
      improvements in movement and speech have since been observed. CONCLUSIONS: This
      case illustrates the continued challenges associated with diagnosing Niemann-Pick
      disease type C based on the appearance of nonspecific cholestatic symptoms. Based
      on this case we recommend examination of all newborns and children who display
      unexplained cholestasis or isolated splenomegaly/hepatosplenomegaly during the
      first months of life for other signs of possible Niemann-Pick disease type C.

PMID- 27250338
TI  - Close-to-community providers of health care: increasing evidence of how to bridge
      community and health systems.

PMID- 27250339
TI  - Glacial melting: an overlooked threat to Antarctic krill.
AB  - Strandings of marine animals are relatively common in marine systems. However,
      the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We observed mass strandings of
      krill in Antarctica that appeared to be linked to the presence of glacial
      meltwater. Climate-induced glacial meltwater leads to an increased occurrence of
      suspended particles in the sea, which is known to affect the physiology of
      aquatic organisms. Here, we study the effect of suspended inorganic particles on
      krill in relation to krill mortality events observed in Potter Cove, Antarctica,
      between 2003 and 2012. The experimental results showed that large quantities of
      lithogenic particles affected krill feeding, absorption capacity and performance
      after only 24 h of exposure. Negative effects were related to both the threshold
      concentrations and the size of the suspended particles. Analysis of the stomach
      contents of stranded krill showed large quantities of large particles ( > 10(6
      )MUm(3)), which were most likely mobilized by glacial meltwater. Ongoing climate
      induced glacial melting may impact the coastal ecosystems of Antarctica that rely
      on krill.

PMID- 27250340
TI  - MicroRNA-449a enhances radiosensitivity by downregulation of c-Myc in prostate
      cancer cells.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in DNA damage response
      induced by ionizing radiation (IR). c-Myc is reduced when cells treated with IR
      or other DNA damaging agents. It is unknown whether miRNAs participate in c-Myc
      downregulation in response to IR. In the present study, we found that miR-449a
      enhanced radiosensitivity in vitro and in vivo by targeting c-Myc in prostate
      cancer (LNCaP) cells. MiR-449a was upregulated and c-Myc was downregulated in
      response to IR in LNCaP cells. Overexpression of miR-449a or knockdown of c-Myc
      promoted the sensitivity of LNCaP cells to IR. By establishing c-Myc as a direct
      target of miR-449a, we revealed that miR-449a enhanced radiosensitivity by
      repressing c-Myc expression in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, we showed that miR-449a
      enhanced radiation-induced G2/M phase arrest by directly downregulating c-Myc,
      which controlled the Cdc2/CyclinB1 cell cycle signal by modulating Cdc25A. These
      results highlight an unrecognized mechanism of miR-449a-mediated c-Myc regulation
      in response to IR and may provide alternative therapeutic strategies for the
      treatment of prostate cancer.

PMID- 27250341
TI  - Single-Step Partial Purification of Intracellular beta-Galactosidase from
      Kluyveromyces lactis Using Microemulsion Droplets.
AB  - Partial purification of beta-galactosidase from the crude extract of
      Kluyveromyces lactis was carried out using water-in-isooctane microemulsions
      formed by the anionic surfactant, sodium di-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate (Aerosol
      OT). In order to obtain the crude extract, yeast cells of K. lactis were
      disrupted by a cell disrupter and separated. The purification of beta
      galactosidase from the extract by a recently developed one-step reversed micellar
      (i.e., microemulsion-based) extraction method was then tested, by measuring total
      protein mass and enzyme activity in the product stream and by analyzing its
      composition using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS
      PAGE) and gel filtration chromatography. Effects of salt concentration, protein
      concentration, and pH on the extraction were investigated. Using this approach, a
      5.4-fold purification of beta-galactosidase was achieved with 96 % total activity
      recovery, using a feed containing crude extract and 50 mM K-phosphate buffer (pH
      7.5) and 50 mM KCl. Gel filtration chromatography showed that the single
      extraction was successful at removing low molecular weight impurity proteins
      (molecular weight (MW) < 42 kDa) from the crude extract.

PMID- 27250342
TI  - In situ Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide During Biogas Fermentation at Microaerobic
      Condition.
AB  - In this paper, rice straw was used as a raw material to produce biogas by
      anaerobic batch fermentation at 35  degrees C (mesophilic) or 55  degrees C
      (thermophilic). The hydrogen sulfide in biogas can be converted to S0 or sulfate
      and removed in-situ under micro-oxygen environment. Trace oxygen was conducted to
      the anaerobic fermentation tank in amount of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, or
      10.0 times stoichiometric equivalence, respectively, and the control experiment
      without oxygen addition was carried out. The results showed that the initial H2S
      concentrations of biogas are about 3235 +/- 185 mg/m3 (mesophilic) or 3394 +/-
      126 mg/m3 (thermophilic), respectively. The desulfurization efficiency is 72.3 %
      (mesophilic) or 65.6 % (thermophilic), respectively, with oxygen addition by
      stoichiometric relation. When the oxygen feeded in amount of 2~4 times,
      theoretical quantity demanded the removal efficiency of hydrogen sulfide could be
      over 92 %, and the oxygen residue in biogas could be maintained less than 0.5 %,
      which fit the requirement of biogas used as vehicle fuel or combined to the grid.
      Though further more oxygen addition could promote the removal efficiency of
      hydrogen sulfide (about 93.6 %), the oxygen residue in biogas would be higher
      than the application limit concentration (0.5 %). Whether mesophilic or
      thermophilic fermentation with the extra addition of oxygen, there were no
      obvious changes in the gas production and methane concentration. In conclusion,
      in-situ desulfurization can be achieved in the anaerobic methane fermentation
      system under micro-oxygen environment. In addition, air could be used as a
      substitute oxygen resource on the situation without strict demand for the methane
      content of biogas.

PMID- 27250343
TI  - Energy transfer from an individual silica nanoparticle to graphene quantum dots
      and resulting enhancement of photodetector responsivity.
AB  - Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET), referred to as the transfer of the
      photon energy absorbed in donor to acceptor, has received much attention as an
      important physical phenomenon for its potential applications in optoelectronic
      devices as well as for the understanding of some biological systems. If one-atom
      thick graphene is used for donor or acceptor, it can minimize the separation
      between donor and acceptor, thereby maximizing the FRET efficiency (EFRET). Here,
      we report first fabrication of a FRET system composed of silica nanoparticles
      (SNPs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as donors and acceptors, respectively.
      The FRET from SNPs to GQDs with an EFRET of ~78% is demonstrated from excitation
      dependent photoluminescence spectra and decay curves. The photodetector (PD)
      responsivity (R) of the FRET system at 532 nm is enhanced by
      10(0)~10(1)/10(2)~10(3) times under forward/reverse biases, respectively,
      compared to the PD containing solely GQDs. This remarkable enhancement is
      understood by network-like current paths formed by the GQDs on the SNPs and easy
      transfer of the carriers generated from the SNPs into the GQDs due to their close
      attachment. The R is 2~3 times further enhanced at 325 nm by the FRET effect.

PMID- 27250344
TI  - Current status and recent advances of gene therapy in hematological diseases.

PMID- 27250346
TI  - A Prospective Investigation of Affect, the Desire to Gamble, Gambling Motivations
      and Gambling Behavior in the Mood Disorders.
AB  - Time-sampling methodology was implemented to examine the prospective associations
      between affect, desire to gamble, and gambling behavior in individuals diagnosed
      with a mood disorder. Thirty (9 male, 21 female) adults with a lifetime diagnosis
      of a depressive or bipolar disorder diagnosis who endorsed current gambling and
      lifetime gambling harm participated in the present study. Participants completed
      electronic diary entries of their current affective state, desire to gamble, and
      gambling behavior for 30 consecutive days. Hierarchical linear modelling revealed
      that affect was not a predictor of gambling behavior. Instead, affect predicted
      the desire to gamble, with high levels of sadness and arousal independently
      predicting an increased desire to gamble. Desire to gamble predicted actual
      gambling behavior. There were no differences across diagnostic groups in terms of
      gambling motivations at baseline; however, during the 30-day period, participants
      with bipolar disorder endorsed gambling to cope with negative affect more often
      than did participants with depressive disorder, whereas those with depressive
      disorder more often endorsed gambling for social reasons or enhancement of
      positive affect. The present findings provide evidence that negative affect is
      not directly related to actual gambling behavior, and suggest that affective
      states rather impact the desire to gamble.

PMID- 27250345
TI  - Regulation of hematopoietic development by ZBTB transcription factors.
AB  - Hematopoietic development is governed by the coordinated expression of lineage-
      and differentiation stage-specific genes. Transcription factors play major roles
      in this process and their perturbation may underlie hematologic and immunologic
      disorders. Nearly 1900 transcription factors are encoded in the human genome: of
      these, 49 BTB (for broad-complex, tram-track and bric a brac)-zinc finger
      transcription factors referred to as ZBTB or POK proteins have been identified.
      ZBTB proteins, including BCL6, PLZF, ThPOK and LRF, exhibit a broad spectrum of
      functions in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. This review summarizes
      developmental and molecular functions of ZBTB proteins relevant to hematology. 

PMID- 27250348
TI  - Feasibility of ultra low-dose thallium stress-redistribution protocol including
      prone imaging in obese patients using CZT camera.
AB  - High efficiency cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) cameras provide an opportunity to
      lower the injected activities of radiopharmaceuticals for single photon emission
      tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). The limits for reducing
      activities of thallium have not been determined, particularly in obese patients.
      After an injection of 0.7 megabecquerel (MBq) of thallium/kg, we collected an
      average 1.5 million counts for the 10-min acquisition in a pilot cohort of ten
      patients. After extrapolation, we reduced the administered activity to 0.5 MBq/kg
      to obtain the expected 1 million counts. We studied the image quality in 124
      patients (86 men, 43 obese with body mass index over 30 kg/m2) referred for MPI.
      The quality of images was assessed by a number of recorded counts and visually by
      a four-grade scale (one-poor quality, four-excellent quality). In non-obese and
      obese patients, the average number of recorded counts was 1.1 vs. 1.07 million
      counts for the 10-min stress acquisition, 1.04 vs. 1.06 million counts for the 13
      min rest acquisition, and the average quality score was 3.97 vs. 3.90,
      respectively (p = NS).The mean administered activity was 39.2 +/- 7 MBq for non
      obese and 48.7 +/- 6 for obese patients (p < 0.0001), and the calculated
      effective dose was 4.0 +/- 0.7 and 4.9 +/- 0.6 mSv respectively (p < 0.0001). The
      ultra-low-dose thallium stress-redistribution protocol, including post-stress
      prone imaging, provides good quality of images with a low radiation burden, even
      in obese patients.

PMID- 27250350
TI  - Peripheral artery disease and blood pressure profile abnormalities in
      hemodialysis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) are at increased risk
      for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Both ankle-brachial index (ABI) and
      ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in the interdialytic period have been
      shown to be strong predictors of all-cause mortality. METHODS: This cross
      sectional study investigated the relationship between ABPM profile and ABI in 81
      HD patients. ABPM was measured throughout a 44-h midweek interdialytic period.
      Pre-dialysis ABI was evaluated with a BOSO ABI device. An ABI value <0.9 or >=1.3
      was defined as abnormal. RESULTS: In the whole study group (72 % males, mean age
      67 +/- 14 years), there was an increase in BP (p < 0.05) and in systolic BP
      night/day ratio (n/dSR, p = 0.01) during the interdialytic period. Patients with
      abnormal ABI (n = 29) more frequently had a positive history for cerebrovascular
      accident and PAD and higher proBNP values than those with normal ABI (n = 52). No
      difference was detected among ABPM-derived components except for the n/dSR (p =
      0.02). Patients with abnormal ABI showed a significantly increased n/dSR (p =
      0.02) and ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) (p = 0.006) on the second
      day compared to the first. Patients with n/dSR >1 during day 2 (n = 34) were
      older, showed significantly higher proBNP and AASI and were more likely to reveal
      abnormal ABI compared to those with a lower n/dSR (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS:
      Abnormal ABI in HD patients is associated to changes in interdialytic ABPM
      pattern, namely higher n/dSR on day 2. These data may indicate the
      pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the worse outcome observed in HD
      patients.

PMID- 27250352
TI  - Erratum to: Collaborative Care: a Pilot Study of a Child Psychiatry Outpatient
      Consultation Model for Primary Care Providers.

PMID- 27250351
TI  - Use of CRB-65 and quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment to predict site
      of care and mortality in pneumonia patients in the emergency department: a
      retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) is a new
      screening system for sepsis that has prognostic performance equal to the full
      SOFA for patients with suspected infection outside the intensive care unit (ICU).
      The predictive value of qSOFA for mortality and site of care in patients with
      pneumonia is not clear. The present study was designed to investigate the
      predictive performance of qSOFA, CRB-65 (confusion, respiratory rate >=30/minute,
      systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure <=60 mmHg, age >=65
      years) and CRB (confusion, respiratory rate >=30/minute, systolic blood pressure
      <90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure <=60 mmHg) for mortality, hospitalisation
      and ICU admission in patients with pneumonia in the emergency department (ED).
      METHODS: Retrospective analyses of published data on adult patients with
      pneumonia presenting between January 2012 and May 2014 were undertaken. The
      prevalence of 28-day mortality, hospitalisation and ICU admission were compared
      with regard to qSOFA, CRB and CRB-65 scores. The performance of these three
      systems for predicting outcomes was compared. RESULTS: Of 1641 patients, 861 (53
      %) were hospitalised (38 % in a general ward, 15 % in the ICU), and the remaining
      780 (47 %) were treated as outpatients or were observed in the ED. Within 28
      days, 547 (33 %) of 1641 patients died. CRB-65, CRB and qSOFA scores of patients
      who died, were hospitalised and admitted to the ICU than those who survived and
      were not hospitalised or admitted to the ICU (P < 0.001). AUC values of qSOFA for
      prediction of 28-day mortality, hospitalisation and ICU admission were similar to
      those for CRB-65 and CRB. Patients with qSOFA scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3 were
      associated with, respectively, mortality of 16.3 %, 24.4 %, 48.2 % and 68.4 %;
      prevalence of hospitalisation of 37.2 %, 47.4 %, 61.6 % and 73.7 %; and
      prevalence of ICU admission of 9.3 %, 9.1 %, 22.4 % and 45.3 %. Patients with
      qSOFA scores of 2 and 3 had a significantly higher prevalence of mortality and
      ICU admission than patients with identical CRB-65 scores. CONCLUSIONS: qSOFA is
      better than CRB-65 for identification of a high risk of mortality and requirement
      of ICU admission.

PMID- 27250349
TI  - Evaluation of a multi-arm multi-stage Bayesian design for phase II drug selection
      trials - an example in hemato-oncology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multi-Arm Multi-Stage designs aim at comparing several new treatments
      to a common reference, in order to select or drop any treatment arm to move
      forward when such evidence already exists based on interim analyses. We
      redesigned a Bayesian adaptive design initially proposed for dose-finding,
      focusing our interest in the comparison of multiple experimental drugs to a
      control on a binary criterion measure. METHODS: We redesigned a phase II clinical
      trial that randomly allocates patients across three (one control and two
      experimental) treatment arms to assess dropping decision rules. We were
      interested in dropping any arm due to futility, either based on historical
      control rate (first rule) or comparison across arms (second rule), and in
      stopping experimental arm due to its ability to reach a sufficient response rate
      (third rule), using the difference of response probabilities in Bayes binomial
      trials between the treated and control as a measure of treatment benefit.
      Simulations were then conducted to investigate the decision operating
      characteristics under a variety of plausible scenarios, as a function of the
      decision thresholds. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that one experimental
      treatment was less efficient than the control and could have been dropped from
      the trial based on a sample of approximately 20 instead of 40 patients. In the
      simulation study, stopping decisions were reached sooner for the first rule than
      for the second rule, with close mean estimates of response rates and small bias.
      According to the decision threshold, the mean sample size to detect the required
      0.15 absolute benefit ranged from 63 to 70 (rule 3) with false negative rates of
      less than 2 % (rule 1) up to 6 % (rule 2). In contrast, detecting a 0.15
      inferiority in response rates required a sample size ranging on average from 23
      to 35 (rules 1 and 2, respectively) with a false positive rate ranging from 3.6
      to 0.6 % (rule 3). CONCLUSION: Adaptive trial design is a good way to improve
      clinical trials. It allows removing ineffective drugs and reducing the trial
      sample size, while maintaining unbiased estimates. Decision thresholds can be set
      according to predefined fixed error decision rates. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01342692 .

PMID- 27250347
TI  - Use of genome-editing tools to treat sickle cell disease.
AB  - Recent advances in genome-editing techniques have made it possible to modify any
      desired DNA sequence by employing programmable nucleases. These next-generation
      genome-modifying tools are the ideal candidates for therapeutic applications,
      especially for the treatment of genetic disorders like sickle cell disease (SCD).
      SCD is an inheritable monogenic disorder which is caused by a point mutation in
      the beta-globin gene. Substantial success has been achieved in the development of
      supportive therapeutic strategies for SCD, but unfortunately there is still a
      lack of long-term universal cure. The only existing curative treatment is based
      on allogeneic stem cell transplantation from healthy donors; however, this
      treatment is applicable to a limited number of patients only. Hence, a
      universally applicable therapy is highly desirable. In this review, we will
      discuss the three programmable nucleases that are commonly used for genome
      editing purposes: zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like
      effector nucleases (TALENs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic
      repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9). We will continue by
      exemplifying uses of these methods to correct the sickle cell mutation.
      Additionally, we will present induction of fetal globin expression as an
      alternative approach to cure sickle cell disease. We will conclude by comparing
      the three methods and explaining the concerns about their use in therapy.

PMID- 27250353
TI  - Evaluation of Effectiveness of Embolization in Pelvic Congestion Syndrome with
      the New Vascular Occlusion Device (ArtVentive EOSTM): Preliminary Results.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to collect confirmatory data in support of the safety
      and efficiency of the ArtVentive EOSTM for the treatment of the pelvic congestion
      syndrome (PCS). This study was based on the OCCLUDE 1 Study Protocol approved by
      the Local Ethics Committee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study carried
      out in June and July 2014 included 12 women aged 21-48 years (mean 31 years)
      scheduled for PCS embolization using the ArtVentive EOSTM. The inclusion criteria
      were clinical symptoms of PCS documented by transvaginal Doppler ultrasound and
      pelvic MRI. The pelvic pain was assessed by VAS score from 0 to 10 (0 represents
      lack of pain and 10 unbearable pain). A decrease in pelvic pain intensity based
      on the VAS was considered a clinical success. RESULTS: Successful embolization
      procedures with ArtVentive EOSTM were performed in 11 out of 12 patients. Nine
      patients underwent unilateral embolization of the left ovarian vein, and two had
      bilateral embolization of the ovarian veins. Complete ovarian vein occlusion
      confirmed by post deployment venography was achieved in all 11 patients.
      Procedures lasted from 19 to 45 min (average 28 min). Pain intensity decrease was
      observed in all 11 patients-a decrease of 5.6 points-from 7.3 pre-procedure to
      1.6 post-embolization (standard deviation: 0.67). In one case, the left ovarian
      vein was injured by guide wire manipulation with contrast extravasation-not
      clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ArtVentive EOSTM for occlusion of
      the ovarian veins in PCS patients is safe and effective.

PMID- 27250355
TI  - REcanalisation and Balloon-Oriented Puncture for Re-Insertion of Dialysis
      Catheter in Nonpatent Central Veins (REBORN).
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe a technique involving REcanalisation and Balloon-Oriented
      puncture for Re-insertion of dialysis catheter in Nonpatent central veins
      (REBORN) and to report long-term results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a
      retrospective study of ten subjects in whom dialysis catheters were inserted
      using the REBORN technique from March 2012 to October 2014 and followed up till
      April 2016. Data on the duration of catheter usage, complications and reasons for
      removal were obtained. Seven patients had partially occluded lower internal
      jugular veins (IJV) recanalised in an antegrade fashion via a more cranial
      puncture. The balloon was then inflated at usual puncture site with an 18G
      needle. The collapsed balloon was cannulated with a guide wire, and both balloon
      and guide wire were advanced together into the superior vena cava. This was
      followed by tunnelled catheter placement using standard techniques. Two patients
      had catheters placed in the subclavian vein using a similar antegrade technique,
      and one patient had catheter placed via the left IJV following retrograde
      recanalisation from a right femoral puncture. RESULTS: Mean duration of catheter
      use was 278 days (range 32-503). Three catheters were removed due to matured
      arteriovenous accesses. Four patients had successful catheter change over the
      same subcutaneous track due to catheter malfunction. One catheter was removed
      after 7 months because of sepsis. No complications were reported. CONCLUSION: The
      REBORN technique allows for the preservation of central veins for future
      haemodialysis access, which can be challenging in patients requiring long-term
      dialysis.

PMID- 27250356
TI  - Bring Back 'Permanent' Filters.

PMID- 27250354
TI  - A Retrospective Comparison of Ultrasound-Assisted Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis
      and Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Alone for Treatment of Proximal Deep Vein
      Thrombosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that catheter-directed thrombolysis
      (CDT) reduces development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Ultrasound-assisted
      CDT (USCDT) might enhance the efficiency of thrombolysis. We aimed to compare
      USCDT with CDT on efficacy, safety, development of PTS, and quality of life after
      long-term follow-up. METHODS: We describe a retrospective case series of 94
      consecutive patients admitted with iliofemoral or more proximal deep vein
      thrombosis (DVT) to the University Hospital from 2002 to 2011, treated either
      with CDT or USCDT. Scheduled follow-up visits took place between April 2013 and
      January 2014. Venography measured the degree of residual luminal obstruction of
      the affected veins. Each patient completed the Short Form 36-item health survey
      assessment and the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study
      Quality of Life/Symptoms questionnaires. PTS was assessed using the Villalta
      scale. RESULTS: Risk factors of DVT were equally distributed between groups. In
      the USCDT group, we observed a significant decline in the duration of
      thrombolytic treatment (<48 h: 27 vs. 10 %), shortened hospital stay (median 6.0
      days (IQR 5.0-9.0) vs. 8.0 (IQR 5.8-12.0)), and less implantation of
      (intravenous) stents (30 vs. 55 %). There was no difference in patency (76 vs. 79
      % fully patent), prevalence of PTS (52 vs. 55 %), or quality of life between
      groups after long-term follow-up (median 65 months, range: 15-141). CONCLUSIONS:
      In this observational study, USCDT was associated with shortened treatment
      duration, shorter hospital stay, and less intravenous stenting, compared to CDT
      alone without affecting the long-term prevalence of PTS or quality of life.

PMID- 27250357
TI  - Diffusion-Weighted MRI Assessment of Adjacent Disc Degeneration After
      Thoracolumbar Vertebral Fractures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess, by the mean apparent
      diffusion coefficient (ADC), if a relationship exists between disc ADC and MR
      findings of adjacent disc degeneration after thoracolumbar fractures treated by
      anatomic reduction using vertebral augmentation (VAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Twenty non-consecutive patients (mean age 50.7 years; range 45-56) treated
      because of vertebral fractures, were included in this study. There were 10 A3.1
      and 10 A1.2 fractures (AO classification). Surgical treatment using VAP was
      applied in 14 cases, and conservative in 6 patients. MRI T2-weighted images and
      mapping of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the intervertebral disc
      adjacent to the fractured segment were performed after a mean follow-up of 32
      months. A total of 60 discs, 3 per patient, were analysed: infra-adjacent, supra
      adjacent and a control disc one level above the supra-adjacent. RESULTS: No
      differences between patients surgically treated and those following a
      conservative protocol regarding the average ADC values obtained in the 20 control
      discs analysed were found. Considering all discs, average ADC in the supra
      adjacent level was lower than in the infra-adjacent (1.35 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.53 +/-
      0.06; p < 0.001). Average ADC values of the discs used as a control were similar
      to those of the infra-adjacent level (1.54 +/- 0.06). Compared to surgically
      treated patients, discs at the supra-adjacent fracture level showed statistically
      significant lower values in cases treated conservatively (p < 0.001). The
      variation in the delay of surgery had no influence on the average values of ADC
      at any of the measured levels. CONCLUSIONS: ADC measurements of the supra
      adjacent discs after a mean follow-up of 32 months following thoracolumbar
      fractures, showed that restoration of the vertebral collapse by minimally
      invasive VAP prevents posttraumatic disc degeneration.

PMID- 27250359
TI  - Partial oxidation of step-bound water leads to anomalous pH effects on metal
      electrode step-edges.
AB  - The design of better heterogeneous catalysts for applications such as fuel cells
      and electrolyzers requires a mechanistic understanding of electrocatalytic
      reactions and the dependence of their activity on operating conditions such as
      pH. A satisfactory explanation for the unexpected pH dependence of
      electrochemical properties of platinum surfaces has so far remained elusive, with
      previous explanations resorting to complex co-adsorption of multiple species and
      resulting in limited predictive power. This knowledge gap suggests that the
      fundamental properties of these catalysts are not yet understood, limiting
      systematic improvement. Here, we analyze the change in charge and free energies
      upon adsorption using density-functional theory (DFT) to establish that water
      adsorbs on platinum step edges across a wide voltage range, including the double
      layer region, with a loss of approximately 0.2 electrons upon adsorption. We show
      how this as-yet unreported change in net surface charge due to this water
      explains the anomalous pH variations of the hydrogen underpotential deposition
      (Hupd) and the potentials of zero total charge (PZTC) observed in published
      experimental data. This partial oxidation of water is not limited to platinum
      metal step edges, and we report the charge of the water on metal step edges of
      commonly used catalytic metals, including copper, silver, iridium, and palladium,
      illustrating that this partial oxidation of water broadly influences the
      reactivity of metal electrodes. 

PMID- 27250360
TI  - Which way is which? Examining symbolic control of attention with compound arrow
      cues.
AB  - Spatial symbols can generate attentional biases toward peripheral locations
      compatible with the symbol's meaning. An important question concerns how one
      symbol is selected when competing symbols are present. Studies examining this
      issue for spatially distinct symbols have suggested that selection depends on the
      task goals. In the present study, we examined whether the influence of competing
      symbolic stimuli (arrows) at different levels of structure on attentional control
      also depends on the task goals. Participants made simple detection responses to a
      peripheral target preceded by a spatially uninformative compound arrow (global
      arrow composed of local arrows). In addition, participants were required to
      perform a secondary task in which they matched the orientation of the global
      arrow (global task) or the location of a uniquely colored local arrow (local
      task) to a test display presented immediately following a detection response.
      When the global and local arrows pointed at opposite locations, a local cueing
      effect emerged in the local task, and a global cueing effect in the global task,
      indicating that the task goals influenced the selection of the level of
      structure. However, when the local level was spatially neutral (global arrow,
      local rectangles), a cueing effect was observed independent of task, and when the
      global level was spatially neutral (global rectangle, local arrows), a cueing
      effect was observed in the local task only, suggesting that global processing was
      obligatory and local processing optional. These findings suggest that attentional
      effects triggered by the global level are more strongly reflexive than those
      triggered by the local level.

PMID- 27250361
TI  - Perceptual overloading reveals illusory contour perception without awareness of
      the inducers.
AB  - Unconscious perception is frequently examined by restricting visual input (e.g.,
      using short stimulus durations followed by masking) to prevent that information
      from entering visual awareness. Failures to demonstrate perception without
      awareness may thus be a consequence of this restricted input rather than of
      limitations in unconscious perception. Here, we demonstrate a novel method that
      circumvents these significant drawbacks inherent in other methods. Using this new
      perceptual overloading technique (POT), in which stimuli are repeatedly presented
      in alternation with a stream of variable masks, we demonstrate illusory contour
      perception and modal completion even when subjects are completely unaware of the
      inducing elements. In addition to demonstrating a powerful new method to study
      consciousness by effectively gating robust visual input from visual awareness, we
      show that more complex contextual effects, previously considered to be a
      privilege only of conscious vision, can occur without awareness.

PMID- 27250362
TI  - Perceptual salience captures the eyes on a surprise trial.
AB  - A number of characteristics of the visual system and of the visual stimulus are
      invoked to explain involuntary control of attention, including goals, novelty,
      and perceptual salience. The present experiment tested perceptual salience on a
      surprise trial, that is, on its unannounced first presentation following trials
      lacking any salient items, thus eliminating possible confounds by current goals.
      Moreover, the salient item's location was not singled out by a novel feature,
      thus eliminating a possible confound by novelty in directing attention. Eye
      tracking was used to measure involuntary attention. Results show a prioritization
      of the salient item. However, contrary to predictions of prominent neuro
      computational and psychological salience models, prioritization was not fast
      acting. Rather the observers' gaze was attracted only as the second fixation on
      average or later (depending on condition) and with a latency of more than 500 ms
      on average. These results support the general proposition that salience can
      control attention. However, contrary to most salience models, the present results
      indicate that salience changes attentional priority only in novel environments.

PMID- 27250363
TI  - Identifying visual targets amongst interfering distractors: Sorting out the roles
      of perceptual load, dilution, and attentional zoom.
AB  - Visual selection is imperfect; whenever a complex array of objects is processed,
      representations of multiple objects are likely to be active simultaneously. A
      full account of attentional processing must explain how these representations
      affect one another and how they interact to produce a response. Evidence on these
      interactions comes from measures of distractor interference and from dilution of
      distractor effects by other nontargets. Based on these data, different principles
      have been proposed to help understand target-distractor interactions, including
      accounts based on perceptual load and on dilution among nontargets. We review
      evidence from a number of experiments, including some using Yantis and Jonides's
      (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 10, 601
      621, 1984, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance,
      16, 121-134, 1990) methods for preventing abrupt onsets, which can disrupt
      spatial attention. The results underscore spatial constraints on the allocation
      of attention to include targets and exclude distractors. Selection is most
      effective when a single region can be selected that includes all possible target
      locations and excludes possible distractor locations. This region can be expanded
      or contracted as needed for the task, as suggested by C. W. Eriksen and St.
      James's (Perception & Psychophysics, 40, 225-240, 1986) zoom lens model. This
      attentional zoom setting is probably affected by a number of factors, including
      the number of nontargets, the similarity among stimulus elements, the
      discriminability of the possible targets, and the discrimination difficulty of a
      concurrent task. A narrower attentional zoom setting that excludes a distractor
      will prevent interference from that distractor. Interference from a distractor
      will be diluted by nontargets, but only if they are within the attentional zoom
      region.

PMID- 27250364
TI  - High hydrostatic pressure adaptive strategies in an obligate piezophile
      Pyrococcus yayanosii.
AB  - Pyrococcus yayanosii CH1, as the first and only obligate piezophilic
      hyperthermophilic microorganism discovered to date, extends the physical and
      chemical limits of life on Earth. It was isolated from the Ashadze hydrothermal
      vent at 4,100 m depth. Multi-omics analyses were performed to study the
      mechanisms used by the cell to cope with high hydrostatic pressure variations. In
      silico analyses showed that the P. yayanosii genome is highly adapted to its
      harsh environment, with a loss of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis pathways and
      the high constitutive expression of the energy metabolism compared with other non
      obligate piezophilic Pyrococcus species. Differential proteomics and
      transcriptomics analyses identified key hydrostatic pressure-responsive genes
      involved in translation, chemotaxis, energy metabolism (hydrogenases and formate
      metabolism) and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
      sequences associated with Cellular apoptosis susceptibility proteins.

PMID- 27250366
TI  - Invited Article: Quantitative imaging of explosions with high-speed cameras.
AB  - The techniques presented in this paper allow for mapping of temperature,
      pressure, chemical species, and energy deposition during and following
      detonations of explosives, using high speed cameras as the main diagnostic tool.
      This work provides measurement in the explosive near to far-field (0-500 charge
      diameters) of surface temperatures, peak air-shock pressures, some chemical
      species signatures, shock energy deposition, and air shock formation.

PMID- 27250367
TI  - Preface: The 5th International Workshop on X-ray Mirror Design, Fabrication, and
      Metrology.
AB  - Recent developments in synchrotron storage rings and free-electron laser-based x
      ray sources with ever-increasing brightness and coherent flux have pushed x-ray
      optics requirements to new frontiers. This Special Topic gathers a set of
      articles derived from a subset of the key presentations of the International
      Workshop on X-ray Mirrors Fabrication (IWXM-2015) and Metrology held at Lawrence
      Berkley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA, July 14-16, 2015. The
      workshop objective was to report on recent progress in x-ray synchrotron
      radiation mirrors fabrication as well as on new developments in related metrology
      tools and methods.

PMID- 27250368
TI  - Damage threshold of coating materials on x-ray mirror for x-ray free electron
      laser.
AB  - We evaluated the damage threshold of coating materials such as Mo, Ru, Rh, W, and
      Pt on Si substrates, and that of uncoated Si substrate, for mirror optics of X
      ray free electron lasers (XFELs). Focused 1 MUm (full width at half maximum) XFEL
      pulses with the energies of 5.5 and 10 keV, generated by the SPring-8 angstrom
      compact free electron laser (SACLA), were irradiated under the grazing incidence
      condition. The damage thresholds were evaluated by in situ measurements of X-ray
      reflectivity degradation during irradiation by multiple pulses. The measured
      damage fluences below the critical angles were sufficiently high compared with
      the unfocused SACLA beam fluence. Rh coating was adopted for two mirror systems
      of SACLA. One system was a beamline transport mirror system that was partially
      coated with Rh for optional utilization of a pink beam in the photon energy range
      of more than 20 keV. The other was an improved version of the 1 MUm focusing
      mirror system, and no damage was observed after one year of operation.

PMID- 27250365
TI  - Current pharmacotherapy and putative disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's
      disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease of the
      central nervous system correlated with the progressive loss of cognition and
      memory. beta-Amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and the deficiency in
      cholinergic neurotransmission constitute the major hallmarks of the AD. Two major
      hypotheses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD namely the cholinergic
      hypothesis which ascribed the clinical features of dementia to the deficit
      cholinergic neurotransmission and the amyloid cascade hypothesis which emphasized
      on the deposition of insoluble peptides formed due to the faulty cleavage of the
      amyloid precursor protein. Current pharmacotherapy includes mainly the
      acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist which
      offer symptomatic therapy and does not address the underlying cause of the
      disease. The disease-modifying therapy has garnered a lot of research interest
      for the development of effective pharmacotherapy for AD. beta and gamma-Secretase
      constitute attractive targets that are focussed in the disease-modifying
      approach. Potentiation of alpha-secretase also seems to be a promising approach
      towards the development of an effective anti-Alzheimer therapy. Additionally, the
      ameliorative agents that prevent aggregation of amyloid peptide and also the ones
      that modulate inflammation and oxidative damage associated with the disease are
      focussed upon. Development in the area of the vaccines is in progress to combat
      the characteristic hallmarks of the disease. Use of cholesterol-lowering agents
      also is a fruitful strategy for the alleviation of the disease as a close
      association between the cholesterol and AD has been cited. The present review
      underlines the major therapeutic strategies for AD with focus on the new
      developments that are on their way to amend the current therapeutic scenario of
      the disease. 

PMID- 27250369
TI  - Development of a multi-lane X-ray mirror providing variable beam sizes.
AB  - Grazing incidence mirrors are used on most X-ray synchrotron beamlines to focus,
      collimate or suppress harmonics. Increasingly beamline users are demanding
      variable beam shapes and sizes at the sample position. We have now developed a
      new concept to rapidly vary the beam size and shape of a focused X-ray beam. The
      surface of an elliptically figured mirror is divided into a number of laterally
      separated lanes, each of which is given an additional longitudinal height profile
      calculated to shape the X-ray beam to a top-hat profile in the focal plane. We
      have now fabricated two prototype mirrors and present the results of metrology
      tests and measurements made with one of the mirrors focusing the X-rays on a
      synchrotron beamline. We envisage that such mirrors could be widely applied to
      rapid beam-size switching on many synchrotron beamlines.

PMID- 27250370
TI  - Development of high-order harmonic focusing system based on ellipsoidal mirror.
AB  - We have developed a focusing system for extreme ultraviolet light produced by
      high-order harmonic generation. An ellipsoidal mirror with a precise surface
      shape was fabricated and installed into the focusing system. A rigid mirror
      manipulator and a beam profiler were employed to perform precise and stable
      mirror alignment. As a demonstration of the focusing performance, high-order
      harmonics in the wavelength range of 13.5-19.5 nm were successfully focused into
      a 2.4 * 2.3 MUm(2) spot.

PMID- 27250371
TI  - Ultra-precision fabrication of 500 mm long and laterally graded Ru/C multilayer
      mirrors for X-ray light sources.
AB  - X-ray mirrors are needed for beam shaping and monochromatization at advanced
      research light sources, for instance, free-electron lasers and synchrotron
      sources. Such mirrors consist of a substrate and a coating. The shape accuracy of
      the substrate and the layer precision of the coating are the crucial parameters
      that determine the beam properties required for various applications. In
      principal, the selection of the layer materials determines the mirror
      reflectivity. A single layer mirror offers high reflectivity in the range of
      total external reflection, whereas the reflectivity is reduced considerably above
      the critical angle. A periodic multilayer can enhance the reflectivity at higher
      angles due to Bragg reflection. Here, the selection of a suitable combination of
      layer materials is essential to achieve a high flux at distinct photon energies,
      which is often required for applications such as microtomography, diffraction, or
      protein crystallography. This contribution presents the current development of a
      Ru/C multilayer mirror prepared by magnetron sputtering with a sputtering
      facility that was designed in-house at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht. The
      deposition conditions were optimized in order to achieve ultra-high precision and
      high flux in future mirrors. Input for the improved deposition parameters came
      from investigations by transmission electron microscopy. The X-ray optical
      properties were investigated by means of X-ray reflectometry using Cu- and Mo
      radiation. The change of the multilayer d-spacing over the mirror dimensions and
      the variation of the Bragg angles were determined. The results demonstrate the
      ability to precisely control the variation in thickness over the whole mirror
      length of 500 mm thus achieving picometer-precision in the meter-range.

PMID- 27250372
TI  - Optimized mirror shape tuning using beam weightings based on distance, angle of
      incidence, reflectivity, and power.
AB  - For glancing-incidence optical systems, such as short-wavelength optics used for
      nano-focusing, incorporating physical factors in the calculations used for shape
      optimization can improve performance. Wavefront metrology, including the
      measurement of a mirror's shape or slope, is routinely used as input for mirror
      figure optimization on mirrors that can be bent, actuated, positioned, or
      aligned. Modeling shows that when the incident power distribution, distance from
      focus, angle of incidence, and the spatially varying reflectivity are included in
      the optimization, higher Strehl ratios can be achieved. Following the works of
      Marechal and Mahajan, optimization of the Strehl ratio (for peak intensity with a
      coherently illuminated system) occurs when the expectation value of the phase
      error's variance is minimized. We describe an optimization procedure based on
      regression analysis that incorporates these physical parameters. This approach is
      suitable for coherently illuminated systems of nearly diffraction-limited
      quality. Mathematically, this work is an enhancement of the methods commonly
      applied for ex situ alignment based on uniform weighting of all points on the
      surface (or a sub-region of the surface). It follows a similar approach to the
      optimization of apodized and non-uniformly illuminated optical systems.
      Significantly, it reaches a different conclusion than a more recent approach
      based on minimization of focal plane ray errors.

PMID- 27250373
TI  - Large aperture Fizeau interferometer commissioning and preliminary measurements
      of a long x-ray mirror at European X-ray Free Electron Laser.
AB  - The European XFEL (X-ray Free Electron Laser) is a large facility under
      construction in Hamburg, Germany. It will provide a transversally fully coherent
      x-ray radiation with outstanding characteristics: high repetition rate (up to
      2700 pulses with a 0.6 ms long pulse train at 10 Hz), short wavelength (down to
      0.05 nm), short pulse (in the femtoseconds scale), and high average brilliance
      (1.6 ? 10(25) (photons s(-1) mm(-2) mrad(-2))/0.1% bandwidth). The beam has very
      high pulse energy; therefore, it has to be spread out on a relatively long mirror
      (about 1 m). Due to the very short wavelength, the mirrors need to have a high
      quality surface on their entire length, and this is considered very challenging
      even with the most advanced polishing methods. In order to measure the mirrors
      and to characterize their interaction with the mechanical mount, we equipped a
      metrology laboratory with a large aperture Fizeau interferometer. The system is a
      classical 100 mm diameter commercial Fizeau, with an additional expander
      providing a 300 mm diameter beam. Despite the commercial nature of the system,
      special care has been taken in the polishing of the reference flats and in the
      expander quality. We report the first commissioning of the instrument, its
      calibration, and performance characterization, together with some preliminary
      results with the measurement of a 950 mm silicon substrate. The intended
      application is to characterize the final XFEL mirrors with nanometer accuracy.

PMID- 27250374
TI  - Nano-metrology: The art of measuring X-ray mirrors with slope errors <100 nrad.
AB  - We present a comprehensive investigation of the systematic and random errors of
      the nano-metrology instruments used to characterize synchrotron X-ray optics at
      Diamond Light Source. With experimental skill and careful analysis, we show that
      these instruments used in combination are capable of measuring state-of-the-art X
      ray mirrors. Examples are provided of how Diamond metrology data have helped to
      achieve slope errors of <100 nrad for optical systems installed on synchrotron
      beamlines, including: iterative correction of substrates using ion beam figuring
      and optimal clamping of monochromator grating blanks in their holders.
      Simulations demonstrate how random noise from the Diamond-NOM's autocollimator
      adds into the overall measured value of the mirror's slope error, and thus
      predict how many averaged scans are required to accurately characterize different
      grades of mirror.

PMID- 27250375
TI  - Application of advanced shearing techniques to the calibration of autocollimators
      with small angle generators and investigation of error sources.
AB  - The application of advanced error-separating shearing techniques to the precise
      calibration of autocollimators with Small Angle Generators (SAGs) was carried out
      for the first time. The experimental realization was achieved using the High
      Precision Small Angle Generator (HPSAG) of TUBITAK UME under classical
      dimensional metrology laboratory environmental conditions. The standard
      uncertainty value of 5 mas (24.2 nrad) reached by classical calibration method
      was improved to the level of 1.38 mas (6.7 nrad). Shearing techniques, which
      offer a unique opportunity to separate the errors of devices without recourse to
      any external standard, were first adapted by Physikalisch-Technische
      Bundesanstalt (PTB) to the calibration of autocollimators with angle encoders. It
      has been demonstrated experimentally in a clean room environment using the
      primary angle standard of PTB (WMT 220). The application of the technique to a
      different type of angle measurement system extends the range of the shearing
      technique further and reveals other advantages. For example, the angular scales
      of the SAGs are based on linear measurement systems (e.g., capacitive nanosensors
      for the HPSAG). Therefore, SAGs show different systematic errors when compared to
      angle encoders. In addition to the error-separation of HPSAG and the
      autocollimator, detailed investigations on error sources were carried out. Apart
      from determination of the systematic errors of the capacitive sensor used in the
      HPSAG, it was also demonstrated that the shearing method enables the unique
      opportunity to characterize other error sources such as errors due to temperature
      drift in long term measurements. This proves that the shearing technique is a
      very powerful method for investigating angle measuring systems, for their
      improvement, and for specifying precautions to be taken during the measurements.

PMID- 27250376
TI  - High precision tilt stage as a key element to a universal test mirror for
      characterization and calibration of slope measuring instruments.
AB  - The ultimate performance of surface slope metrology instrumentation, such as long
      trace profilers and auto-collimator based deflectometers, is limited by
      systematic errors that are increased when the entire angular range is used for
      metrology of significantly curved optics. At the ALS X-Ray Optics Laboratory, in
      collaboration with the HZB/BESSY-II and PTB (Germany) metrology teams, we are
      working on a calibration method for deflectometers, based on a concept of a
      universal test mirror (UTM) [V. V. Yashchuk et al., Proc. SPIE 6704, 67040A
      (2007)]. Potentially, the UTM method provides high performance calibration and
      accounts for peculiarities of the optics under test (e.g., slope distribution)
      and the experimental arrangement (e.g., the distance between the sensor and the
      optic under test). At the same time, the UTM calibration method is inherently
      universal, applicable to a variety of optics and experimental arrangements. In
      this work, we present the results of tests with a key component of the UTM
      system, a custom high precision tilt stage, which has been recently developed in
      collaboration with Physik Instrumente, GmbH. The tests have demonstrated high
      performance of the stage and its capability (after additional calibration) to
      provide angular calibration of surface slope measuring profilers over the entire
      instrumental dynamic range with absolute accuracy better than 30 nrad. The
      details of the stage design and tests are presented. We also discuss the
      foundation of the UTM method and calibration algorithm, as well as the possible
      design of a full scale UTM system.

PMID- 27250377
TI  - Stitching interferometry for ellipsoidal x-ray mirrors.
AB  - Ellipsoidal mirrors, which can efficiently produce a two-dimensional focusing
      beam with a single mirror, are superior x-ray focusing optics, especially when
      compared to elliptical-cylinder mirrors in the Kirkpatrick-Baez geometry.
      However, nano-focusing ellipsoidal mirrors are not commonly used for x-ray optics
      because achieving the accuracy required for the surface metrology of nano
      focusing ellipsoidal mirrors is difficult due to their small radius of curvature
      along the short ellipsoidal axis. Here, we developed a surface metrology system
      for nano-focusing ellipsoidal mirrors using stitching interferometric techniques.
      The developed system simultaneously measures sub-aperture shapes with a
      microscopic interferometer and the tilt angles of the sub-aperture shapes with a
      large Fizeau interferometer. After correcting the systematic errors included in
      the sub-aperture shapes, the entire mirror shape is calculated by stitching the
      sub-aperture shapes based on the obtained relative angles between partially
      overlapped sub-apertures. In this study, we developed correction methods for
      systematic errors in sub-aperture shapes that originated from off-axis
      aberrations produced in the optics of the microscopic interferometer. The
      systematic errors on an ellipsoidal mirror were estimated by measuring a series
      of tilted plane substrates and the ellipsoidal substrate. From measurements of an
      ellipsoidal mirror with a 3.6-mm radius of curvature at the mirror center, we
      obtained a measurement repeatability of 0.51 nm (root-mean-square) in an
      assessment area of 0.5 mm * 99.18 mm. This value satisfies the requirements for
      surface metrology of nano-focusing x-ray mirrors. Thus, the developed metrology
      system should be applicable for fabricating nano-focusing ellipsoidal mirrors.

PMID- 27250378
TI  - Aperture alignment in autocollimator-based deflectometric profilometers.
AB  - During the last ten years, deflectometric profilometers have become indispensable
      tools for the precision form measurement of optical surfaces. They have proven to
      be especially suitable for characterizing beam-shaping optical surfaces for x-ray
      beamline applications at synchrotrons and free electron lasers. Deflectometric
      profilometers use surface slope (angle) to assess topography and utilize
      commercial autocollimators for the contactless slope measurement. To this
      purpose, the autocollimator beam is deflected by a movable optical square (or
      pentaprism) towards the surface where a co-moving aperture limits and defines the
      beam footprint. In this paper, we focus on the precise and reproducible alignment
      of the aperture relative to the autocollimator's optical axis. Its alignment
      needs to be maintained while it is scanned across the surface under test. The
      reproducibility of the autocollimator's measuring conditions during calibration
      and during its use in the profilometer is of crucial importance to providing
      precise and traceable angle metrology. In the first part of the paper, we present
      the aperture alignment procedure developed at the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence
      Berkeley National Laboratory, USA, for the use of their deflectometric
      profilometers. In the second part, we investigate the topic further by providing
      extensive ray tracing simulations and calibrations of a commercial autocollimator
      performed at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Germany, for evaluating
      the effects of the positioning of the aperture on the autocollimator's angle
      response. The investigations which we performed are crucial for reaching
      fundamental metrological limits in deflectometric profilometry.

PMID- 27250379
TI  - Linear chirped slope profile for spatial calibration in slope measuring
      deflectometry.
AB  - Slope measuring deflectometry is commonly used by the X-ray optics community to
      measure the long-spatial-wavelength surface figure error of optical components
      dedicated to guide and focus X-rays under grazing incidence condition at
      synchrotron and free electron laser beamlines. The best performing instruments of
      this kind are capable of absolute accuracy on the level of 30-50 nrad. However,
      the exact bandwidth of the measurements, determined at the higher spatial
      frequencies by the instrument's spatial resolution, or more generally by the
      instrument's modulation transfer function (MTF) is hard to determine. An MTF
      calibration method based on application of a test surface with a one-dimensional
      (1D) chirped height profile of constant amplitude was suggested in the past. In
      this work, we propose a new approach to designing the test surfaces with a 2D
      chirped topography, specially optimized for MTF characterization of slope
      measuring instruments. The design of the developed MTF test samples based on the
      proposed linear chirped slope profiles (LCSPs) is free of the major drawback of
      the 1D chirped height profiles, where in the slope domain, the amplitude strongly
      increases with the local spatial frequency of the profile. We provide the details
      of fabrication of the LCSP samples. The results of first application of the
      developed test samples to measure the spatial resolution of the BESSY-NOM at
      different experimental arrangements are also presented and discussed.

PMID- 27250380
TI  - Stitching methods at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF).
AB  - X-ray mirror quality has continuously improved over the past 20 years and
      manufacturers are now able to provide long mirrors with slope errors below 0.2
      MUrad. Nevertheless, these mirrors are mounted on holders or even mechanical
      benders to adjust their curvature and their intrinsic quality must be preserved
      from any parasitic deformation such as twist. The most direct method of detecting
      these deformations is to measure the 3D topography of the optical surface. At the
      ESRF metrology laboratory, three different stitching systems are under
      development based on Fizeau sub-aperture measurements. The first one consists of
      measuring long flat mirrors, the second based on the relative angle determinable
      stitching interferometry (RADSI) method developed at SPring-8 is aimed primarily
      at the measurement of short mirrors with strong curvature down to a few meters,
      and the last, also based on the RADSI method, is dedicated to characterize longer
      mirrors with intermediate curvature. For each method we will describe the
      measurement setup and discuss first results obtained. Micro-stitching
      interferometry is also currently used at the ESRF metrology laboratory. The
      technique is suitable for measuring deeply curved aspherical profiles and will be
      illustrated with results from a Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror system for nano-focusing.

PMID- 27250381
TI  - Speckle-based at-wavelength metrology of X-ray mirrors with super accuracy.
AB  - X-ray active mirrors, such as bimorph and mechanically bendable mirrors, are
      increasingly being used on beamlines at modern synchrotron source facilities to
      generate either focused or "tophat" beams. As well as optical tests in the
      metrology lab, it is becoming increasingly important to optimise and characterise
      active optics under actual beamline operating conditions. Recently developed X
      ray speckle-based at-wavelength metrology technique has shown great potential.
      The technique has been established and further developed at the Diamond Light
      Source and is increasingly being used to optimise active mirrors. Details of the
      X-ray speckle-based at-wavelength metrology technique and an example of its
      applicability in characterising and optimising a micro-focusing bimorph X-ray
      mirror are presented. Importantly, an unprecedented angular sensitivity in the
      range of two nanoradians for measuring the slope error of an optical surface has
      been demonstrated. Such a super precision metrology technique will be beneficial
      to the manufacturers of polished mirrors and also in optimization of beam shaping
      during experiments. 

PMID- 27250382
TI  - Optical pseudomotors for soft x-ray beamlines.
AB  - Optical elements of soft x-ray beamlines usually have motorized translations and
      rotations that allow for the fine alignment of the beamline. This is to steer the
      photon beam at some positions and to correct the focus on slits or on sample.
      Generally, each degree of freedom of a mirror induces a change of several
      parameters of the beam. Inversely, several motions are required to actuate on a
      single optical parameter, keeping the others unchanged. We define optical
      pseudomotors as combinations of physical motions of the optical elements of a
      beamline, which allow modifying one optical parameter without affecting the
      others. We describe a method to obtain analytic relationships between physical
      motions of mirrors and the corresponding variations of the beam parameters. This
      method has been implemented and tested at two beamlines at ALBA, where it is used
      to control the focus of the photon beam and its position independently. 

PMID- 27250383
TI  - X-ray metrology and performance of a 45-cm long x-ray deformable mirror.
AB  - We describe experiments with a 45-cm long x-ray deformable mirror (XDM) that have
      been conducted in End Station 2, Beamline 5.3.1 at the Advanced Light Source. A
      detailed description of the hardware implementation is provided. We explain our
      one-dimensional Fresnel propagation code that correctly handles grazing incidence
      and includes a model of the XDM. This code is used to simulate and verify
      experimental results. Initial long trace profiler metrology of the XDM at 7.5 keV
      is presented. The ability to measure a large (150-nm amplitude) height change on
      the XDM is demonstrated. The results agree well with the simulated experiment at
      an error level of 1 MUrad RMS. Direct imaging of the x-ray beam also shows the
      expected change in intensity profile at the detector.

PMID- 27250384
TI  - Development and implementation of a portable grating interferometer system as a
      standard tool for testing optics at the Advanced Photon Source beamline 1-BM.
AB  - We developed a portable X-ray grating interferometer setup as a standard tool for
      testing optics at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) beamline 1-BM. The
      interferometer can be operated in phase-stepping, Moire, or single-grating
      harmonic imaging mode with 1-D or 2-D gratings. All of the interferometer motions
      are motorized; hence, it is much easier and quicker to switch between the
      different modes of operation. A novel aspect of this new instrument is its
      designed portability. While the setup is designed to be primarily used as a
      standard tool for testing optics at 1-BM, it could be potentially deployed at
      other APS beamlines for beam coherence and wavefront characterization or imaging.
      The design of the interferometer system is described in detail and coherence
      measurements obtained at the APS 34-ID-E beamline are presented. The coherence
      was probed in two directions using a 2-D checkerboard, a linear, and a circular
      grating at X-ray energies of 8 keV, 11 keV, and 18 keV.

PMID- 27250386
TI  - Tunable hard X-ray spectrometer utilizing asymmetric planes of a quartz
      transmission crystal.
AB  - A Cauchois type hard x-ray spectrometer was developed that utilizes the (301)
      diffraction planes at an asymmetric angle of 23.51 degrees  to the normal to the
      surface of a cylindrically curved quartz transmission crystal. The energy
      coverage is tunable by rotating the crystal and the detector arm, and spectra
      were recorded in the 8 keV to 20 keV range with greater than 2000 resolving
      power. The high resolution results from low aberrations enabled by the nearly
      perpendicular angle of the diffracted rays with the back surface of the crystal.
      By using other asymmetric planes of the same crystal and rotating to selected
      angles, the spectrometer can operate with high resolution up to 50 keV.

PMID- 27250385
TI  - At-wavelength metrology facility for soft X-ray reflection optics.
AB  - A new Optics Beamline coupled to a versatile UHV reflectometer is successfully
      operating at BESSY-II. It is used to carry out at-wavelength characterization and
      calibration of in-house produced gratings and novel nano-optical devices as well
      as mirrors and multilayer systems in the UV and XUV spectral region. This paper
      presents most recent commissioning data of the beamline and shows their
      correlation with initial beamline design calculations. Special attention is paid
      to beamline key parameters which determine the quality of the measurements such
      as high-order suppression and stray light behavior. The facility is open to user
      operation.

PMID- 27250387
TI  - A mobile system for a comprehensive online-characterization of nanoparticle
      aggregates based on wide-angle light scattering and laser-induced incandescence.
AB  - A mobile demonstrator for the comprehensive online-characterization of gas-borne
      nanoparticle aggregates is presented. Two optical measurement techniques are
      combined, both utilizing a pulsed Nd:YAG laser as light source. Aggregate size
      and fractal dimension are measured by Wide-Angle Light Scattering (WALS). An
      ellipsoidal mirror images elastically scattered light from scattering angles
      between 10 degrees  and 165 degrees  onto a CCD-camera chip resulting in an
      almost complete scattering diagram with high angular resolution. Primary particle
      size and volume fraction are measured by time-resolved Laser-Induced
      Incandescence (TiRe-LII). Here, particles are heated up to about 3000 K by the
      short laser pulse, the enhanced thermal radiation signal is detected with gated
      photomultiplier tubes. Analysis of the signal decay time and maximum LII-signal
      allows for the determination of primary particle diameter and volume fraction.
      The performance of the system is demonstrated by combined measurements on soot
      nanoparticle aggregates from a soot aerosol generator. Particle and aggregate
      sizes are varied by using different equivalence ratios of the combustion in the
      generator. Soot volume fraction can be adjusted by different levels of dilution
      with air. Online-measurements were carried out demonstrating the favorable
      performance of the system and the potential for industrial applications such as
      process control and product development. The particle properties obtained are
      confirmed through transmission electron microscopy analysis on representative
      samples.

PMID- 27250388
TI  - A cylindrical quadrupole ion trap in combination with an electrospray ion source
      for gas-phase luminescence and absorption spectroscopy.
AB  - A relatively simple setup for collection and detection of light emitted from
      isolated photo-excited molecular ions has been constructed. It benefits from a
      high collection efficiency of photons, which is accomplished by using a
      cylindrical ion trap where one end-cap electrode is a mesh grid combined with an
      aspheric condenser lens. The geometry permits nearly 10% of the emitted light to
      be collected and, after transmission losses, approximately 5% to be delivered to
      the entrance of a grating spectrometer equipped with a detector array. The high
      collection efficiency enables the use of pulsed tunable lasers with low
      repetition rates (e.g., 20 Hz) instead of continuous wave (cw) lasers or very
      high repetition rate (e.g., MHz) lasers that are typically used as light sources
      for gas-phase fluorescence experiments on molecular ions. A hole has been drilled
      in the cylinder electrode so that a light pulse can interact with the ion cloud
      in the center of the trap. Simulations indicate that these modifications to the
      trap do not significantly affect the storage capability and the overall shape of
      the ion cloud. The overlap between the ion cloud and the laser light is basically
      100%, and experimentally >50% of negatively charged chromophore ions are
      routinely photodepleted. The performance of the setup is illustrated based on
      fluorescence spectra of several laser dyes, and the quality of these spectra is
      comparable to those reported by other groups. Finally, by replacing the optical
      system with a channeltron detector, we demonstrate that the setup can also be
      used for gas-phase action spectroscopy where either depletion or fragmentation is
      monitored to provide an indirect measurement on the absorption spectrum of the
      ion.

PMID- 27250389
TI  - A highly versatile optical fibre vacuum feed-through.
AB  - Coupling light into a vacuum system is a non-trivial problem, requiring the use
      of a specialized feed-through. This feed-through must be both leak tight and
      offer a low optical loss if it is to be suitable for general use. In this paper,
      we report on the development of an extremely simple yet versatile, low cost,
      demountable optical fiber vacuum feed-through based on the modification of a
      standard optical fiber bulkhead connector. The modified connector was found to
      have a leak rate of 6.6 +/- 2.1 * 10(-6) mbar l/s and an optical loss of -0.41 +/
      0.28 dB, making it suitable for use in high vacuum applications.

PMID- 27250390
TI  - Injection locking of a low cost high power laser diode at 461 nm.
AB  - Stable laser sources at 461 nm are important for optical cooling of strontium
      atoms. In most existing experiments, this wavelength is obtained by frequency
      doubling infrared lasers, since blue laser diodes either have low power or large
      emission bandwidths. Here, we show that injecting less than 10 mW of monomode
      laser radiation into a blue multimode 500 mW high power laser diode is capable of
      slaving at least 50% of the power to the desired frequency. We verify the
      emission bandwidth reduction by saturation spectroscopy on a strontium gas cell
      and by direct beating of the slave with the master laser. We also demonstrate
      that the laser can efficiently be used within the Zeeman slower for optical
      cooling of a strontium atomic beam.

PMID- 27250391
TI  - Grazing incidence off Rowland spectrometer with shifted slit.
AB  - The article presents the analysis of the scheme of grazing incidence spectrometer
      with the normal to the line of site registration of the spectrum. The scheme is
      intended for the usage of the micro channel plate assembly as a spectrum
      detector. The main feature is the displacement of the entrance slit from the
      Rowland circle. The results of the experimental test of the spectral resolution
      (lambda/deltalambda around 200) are presented and compared with the theoretical
      estimations.

PMID- 27250392
TI  - Characteristics and performance of offset phase locked single frequency
      heterodyned laser systems.
AB  - We demonstrate and characterize the performance of two heterodyned optical phase
      locked loop (PLL) laser systems for use in characterizing photodetector RF
      frequency response and nonlinearities. Descriptions of PLL circuit parameters for
      Nd:YAG non-planar ring oscillator lasers at 1064 nm and 1319 nm, and Er ion fiber
      lasers from 1530 nm to 1565 nm are presented. Both laser systems have
      piezoelectric transducer wavelength control over the PLL voltage controlled
      oscillator circuit. Offset frequency phase locking from 1.5 kHz to 51+ GHz is
      demonstrated. Frequency stability at 10 MHz is measured to be +/-50 MUHz, limited
      by the stability of the Rb stabilized crystal oscillator. Phase noise of the
      phase-locked 1319 nm laser system is discussed where we find that the phase noise
      is dominated by the input source noise at frequency offsets below 100 Hz and by
      the laser's RIN noise at frequency offsets > 100 Hz. Comparing nonlinearity data
      from an InGaAs p-i-n photodiode using both 1319 nm and 1550 nm PLL nonlinearity
      measurement systems, we find two new separate photodetector nonlinearity
      mechanisms. Measurements of the harmonic components of a 11 MHz sinusoidal
      heterodyned optical beat note signal are found to be at or below 1 nW/mW for the
      second harmonic (at 22 MHz) and at or below 0.25 nW/mW for the 3rd harmonic (at
      33 MHz), confirming the nearly pure sinusoidal nature of the optically generated
      microwave beat note.

PMID- 27250393
TI  - An improved hydrothermal diamond anvil cell.
AB  - A new type of HDAC-V hydrothermal diamond anvil cell (HDAC-VT) has been designed
      to meet the demands of X-ray research including X-Ray Fluorescence, X-ray
      Absorption Spectroscopy, and small angle X-ray scattering. The earlier version of
      HDAC-V that offered a large rectangular solid angle used two posts and two driver
      screws on both sides of a rectangular body. The new version HDAC-VT in a
      triangular shape has two alternative guide systems, either three posts inserted
      into bushings suitable for small anvil faces or linear ball bearings suitable for
      large anvil faces. The HDAC-VT having three driver screws offers the advantage of
      greater control and stability even though it sacrifices some of the size of solid
      angle. The greater control allows better sealing of samples, while greater
      stability results in longer survival for anvils and ceramic parts. This improved
      design retains several beneficial features of the original HDAC-V as well. These
      include the small collar that surrounds the heater and sample chamber forming an
      Ar + H2 gas chamber to protect diamonds and their heating parts from being
      oxidized. Three linear ball bearings, when used, fit to the three posts prevent
      seizing that can result from deterioration of lubricant at high temperatures.
      Positioning the posts and bearings outside of the gas chamber as in HDAC-V also
      prevents seizing and possible deformation due to overheating. In order to control
      the heating rate precisely with computer software, we use Linkam T95 and have
      replaced the Linkam 1400XY heating stage with the HDAC-VT allowing the HDAC to be
      heated to 950  degrees C at a rate from 0.01  degrees C/min to 50  degrees C/min.
      We have used the HDAC-VT and Linkam T95 to observe in situ nucleation and growth
      of zabuyelite in aqueous fluid and to homogenize melt inclusions in quartz from
      three porphyry deposits in Shanxi, China.

PMID- 27250394
TI  - TAKASAGO-6 apparatus for cryogenic coherent X-ray diffraction imaging of
      biological non-crystalline particles using X-ray free electron laser at SACLA.
AB  - Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) is a technique for structure analyses
      of non-crystalline particles with dimensions ranging from micrometer to sub
      micrometer. We have developed a diffraction apparatus named TAKASAGO-6 for use in
      single-shot CXDI experiments of frozen-hydrated non-crystalline biological
      particles at cryogenic temperature with X-ray free electron laser pulses provided
      at a repetition rate of 30 Hz from the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free-electron
      LAser. Specimen particles are flash-cooled after being dispersed on thin
      membranes supported by specially designed disks. The apparatus is equipped with a
      high-speed translation stage with a cryogenic pot for raster-scanning of the
      disks at a speed higher than 25 MUm/33 ms. In addition, we use devices assisting
      the easy transfer of cooled specimens from liquid-nitrogen storages to the
      cryogenic pot. In the current experimental procedure, more than 20 000
      diffraction patterns can be collected within 1 h. Here we report the key
      components and performance of the diffraction apparatus. Based on the efficiency
      of the diffraction data collection and the structure analyses of metal particles,
      biological cells, and cellular organelles, we discuss the future application of
      this diffraction apparatus for structure analyses of biological specimens.

PMID- 27250395
TI  - Active stabilization of ion trap radiofrequency potentials.
AB  - We actively stabilize the harmonic oscillation frequency of a laser-cooled atomic
      ion confined in a radiofrequency (rf) Paul trap by sampling and rectifying the
      high voltage rf applied to the trap electrodes. We are able to stabilize the 1
      MHz atomic oscillation frequency to be better than 10 Hz or 10 ppm. This
      represents a suppression of ambient noise on the rf circuit by 34 dB. This
      technique could impact the sensitivity of ion trap mass spectrometry and the
      fidelity of quantum operations in ion trap quantum information applications.

PMID- 27250396
TI  - High-resolution three-dimensional spin- and angle-resolved photoelectron
      spectrometer using vacuum ultraviolet laser light.
AB  - We describe a spin- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (SARPES)
      apparatus with a vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) laser (hnu = 6.994 eV) developed at the
      Laser and Synchrotron Research Center at the Institute for Solid State Physics,
      The University of Tokyo. The spectrometer consists of a hemispherical
      photoelectron analyzer equipped with an electron deflector function and twin very
      low-energy-electron-diffraction-type spin detectors, which allows us to analyze
      the spin vector of a photoelectron three-dimensionally with both high energy and
      angular resolutions. The combination of the high-performance spectrometer and the
      high-photon-flux VUV laser can achieve an energy resolution of 1.7 meV for
      SARPES. We demonstrate that the present laser-SARPES machine realizes a quick
      SARPES on the spin-split band structure of a Bi(111) film even with 7 meV energy
      and 0.7(?) angular resolutions along the entrance-slit direction. This laser
      SARPES machine is applicable to the investigation of spin-dependent electronic
      states on an energy scale of a few meV.

PMID- 27250397
TI  - A highly miniaturized vacuum package for a trapped ion atomic clock.
AB  - We report on the development of a highly miniaturized vacuum package for use in
      an atomic clock utilizing trapped ytterbium-171 ions. The vacuum package is
      approximately 1 cm(3) in size and contains a linear quadrupole RF Paul ion trap,
      miniature neutral Yb sources, and a non-evaporable getter pump. We describe the
      fabrication process for making the Yb sources and assembling the vacuum package.
      To prepare the vacuum package for ion trapping, it was evacuated, baked at a high
      temperature, and then back filled with a helium buffer gas. Once appropriate
      vacuum conditions were achieved in the package, it was sealed with a copper pinch
      off and was subsequently pumped only by the non-evaporable getter. We
      demonstrated ion trapping in this vacuum package and the operation of an atomic
      clock, stabilizing a local oscillator to the 12.6 GHz hyperfine transition of
      (171)Y b(+). The fractional frequency stability of the clock was measured to be 2
      * 10(-11)/tau(1/2).

PMID- 27250398
TI  - Comparison measurements of low-pressure between a laser refractometer and
      ultrasonic manometer.
AB  - We have developed a new low-pressure sensor which is based on the measurement of
      (nitrogen) gas refractivity inside a Fabry-Perot cavity. We compare pressure
      determinations via this laser refractometer to that of well-established
      ultrasonic manometers throughout the range 100 Pa to 180 000 Pa. The
      refractometer demonstrates 10(-6) ? p reproducibility for p > 100 Pa, and this
      precision outperforms a manometer. We also claim the refractometer has an
      expanded uncertainty of U(pFP) = [(2.0 mPa)(2) + (8.8 * 10(-6) ? p)(2)](1/2), as
      realized through the properties of nitrogen gas; we argue that a transfer of the
      pascal to p < 1 kPa using a laser refractometer is more accurate than the current
      primary realization.

PMID- 27250399
TI  - A microchip laser source with stable intensity and frequency used for self-mixing
      interferometry.
AB  - We present a stable 40 * 40 * 30 mm(3) Laser-diode (LD)-pumped-microchip laser
      (ML) laser source used for self-mixing interferometry which can measure non
      cooperative targets. We simplify the coupling process of pump light in order to
      make its polarization and intensity robust against environmental disturbance.
      Thermal frequency stabilization technology is used to stabilize the laser
      frequency of both LD and ML. Frequency stability of about 1 * 10(-7) and short
      term intensity fluctuation of 0.1% are achieved. The theoretical long-term
      displacement accuracy limited by frequency and intensity fluctuation is about 10
      nm when the measuring range is 0.1 m. The line-width of this laser is about 25
      kHz corresponding to 12 km coherent length and 6 km measurement range for self
      mixing interference. The laser source has been equipped to a self-mixing
      interferometer, and it works very well.

PMID- 27250400
TI  - Femtosecond broadband fluorescence upconversion spectroscopy: Spectral coverage
      versus efficiency.
AB  - Sum frequency mixing of fluorescence and ~1300 nm gate pulses, in a thin beta
      barium borate crystal and non-collinear type II geometry, is quantified as part
      of a femtosecond fluorimeter [X.-X. Zhang et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 063108
      (2011)]. For a series of fixed phasematching angles, the upconversion efficiency
      is measured depending on fluorescence wavelength. Two useful orientations of the
      crystal are related by rotation around the surface normal. Orientation A has
      higher efficiency (factor ~3) compared to B at the cost of some loss of spectral
      coverage for a given crystal angle. It should be used when subtle changes of an
      otherwise stationary emission band are to be monitored. With orientation B, the
      fluorescence range lambdaF > 420-750 nm is covered with a single setting of the
      crystal and less gate scatter around time zero. The accuracy of determining an
      instantaneous emission band shape is demonstrated by comparing results from two
      laboratories.

PMID- 27250401
TI  - Time-resolved pump and probe x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at
      beamline P11 at PETRA III.
AB  - We report about the development and implementation of a new setup for time
      resolved X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at beamline P11 utilizing
      the outstanding source properties of the low-emittance PETRA III synchrotron
      storage ring in Hamburg. Using a high intensity micrometer-sized X-ray beam in
      combination with two positional feedback systems, measurements were performed on
      the transition metal complex fac-Tris[2-phenylpyridinato-C2,N]iridium(III) also
      referred to as fac-Ir(ppy)3. This compound is a representative of the
      phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes, which play an important role in organic
      light emitting diode (OLED) technology. The experiment could directly prove the
      anticipated photoinduced charge transfer reaction. Our results further reveal
      that the temporal resolution of the experiment is limited by the PETRA III X-ray
      bunch length of ~103 ps full width at half maximum (FWHM).

PMID- 27250402
TI  - Ultrafast time measurements by time-correlated single photon counting coupled
      with superconducting single photon detector.
AB  - Time resolution is one of the main characteristics of the single photon detectors
      besides quantum efficiency and dark count rate. We demonstrate here an ultrafast
      time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) setup consisting of a newly
      developed single photon counting board SPC-150NX and a superconducting NbN single
      photon detector with a sensitive area of 7 * 7 MUm. The combination delivers a
      record instrument response function with a full width at half maximum of 17.8 ps
      and system quantum efficiency ~15% at wavelength of 1560 nm. A calculation of the
      root mean square value of the timing jitter for channels with counts more than 1%
      of the peak value yielded about 7.6 ps. The setup has also good timing stability
      of the detector-TCSPC board.

PMID- 27250403
TI  - Room temperature optically detected magnetic resonance (photoluminescence
      detected magnetic resonance) of radical ion pairs induced by vacuum ultraviolet
      in thin polymeric films.
AB  - A setup for recording optically detected electron paramagnetic resonance spectra
      of radical ions involved in geminate recombination and generated by vacuum
      ultraviolet is described. The setup allows registration of EPR spectra from short
      lived radical ions in polymeric films at room temperature by recombination
      fluorescence modulated by a resonance microwave field.

PMID- 27250404
TI  - In-vacuum scattered light reduction with black cupric oxide surfaces for
      sensitive fluorescence detection.
AB  - We demonstrate a simple and easy method for producing low-reflectivity surfaces
      that are ultra-high vacuum compatible, may be baked to high temperatures, and are
      easily applied even on complex surface geometries. Black cupric oxide (CuO)
      surfaces are chemically grown in minutes on any copper surface, allowing for low
      cost, rapid prototyping, and production. The reflective properties are measured
      to be comparable to commercially available products for creating optically black
      surfaces. We describe a vacuum apparatus which uses multiple blackened copper
      surfaces for sensitive, low-background detection of molecules using laser-induced
      fluorescence.

PMID- 27250405
TI  - A compact high-resolution X-ray ion mobility spectrometer.
AB  - For the ionization of gaseous samples, most ion mobility spectrometers employ
      radioactive ionization sources, e.g., containing (63)Ni or (3)H. Besides legal
      restrictions, radioactive materials have the disadvantage of a constant radiation
      with predetermined intensity. In this work, we replaced the (3)H source of our
      previously described high-resolution ion mobility spectrometer with 75 mm drift
      tube length with a commercially available X-ray source. It is shown that the
      current configuration maintains the resolving power of R = 100 which was reported
      for the original setup containing a (3)H source. The main advantage of an X-ray
      source is that the intensity of the radiation can be adjusted by varying its
      operating parameters, i.e., filament current and acceleration voltage. At the
      expense of reduced resolving power, the sensitivity of the setup can be increased
      by increasing the activity of the source. Therefore, the performance of the setup
      can be adjusted to the specific requirements of any application. To investigate
      the relation between operating parameters of the X-Ray source and the performance
      of the ion mobility spectrometer, parametric studies of filament current and
      acceleration voltage are performed and the influence on resolving power, peak
      height, and noise is analyzed.

PMID- 27250406
TI  - Atmospheric pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy apparatus: Bridging the
      pressure gap.
AB  - One of the main goals in catalysis is the characterization of solid/gas
      interfaces in a reaction environment. The electronic structure and chemical
      composition of surfaces become heavily influenced by the surrounding environment.
      However, the lack of surface sensitive techniques that are able to monitor these
      modifications under high pressure conditions hinders the understanding of such
      processes. This limitation is known throughout the community as the "pressure
      gap." We have developed a novel experimental setup that provides chemical
      information on a molecular level under atmospheric pressure and in presence of
      reactive gases and at elevated temperatures. This approach is based on separating
      the vacuum environment from the high-pressure environment by a silicon nitride
      grid-that contains an array of micrometer-sized holes-coated with a bilayer of
      graphene. Using this configuration, we have investigated the local electronic
      structure of catalysts by means of photoelectron spectroscopy and in presence of
      gases at 1 atm. The reaction products were monitored online by mass spectrometry
      and gas chromatography. The successful operation of this setup was demonstrated
      with three different examples: the oxidation/reduction reaction of iridium (noble
      metal) and copper (transition metal) nanoparticles and with the hydrogenation of
      propyne on Pd black catalyst (powder).

PMID- 27250407
TI  - Ultralow-frequency Raman system down to 10 cm(-1) with longpass edge filters and
      its application to the interface coupling in t(2+2)LGs.
AB  - Ultralow-frequency (ULF) Raman spectroscopy becomes increasingly important in the
      area of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials; however, such measurement usually
      requires expensive and nonstandard equipment. Here, the measurement of ULF Raman
      signal down to 10 cm(-1) has been realized with high throughput by combining a
      kind of longpass edge filters with a single monochromator, which are verified by
      the Raman spectrum of L-cystine using three laser excitations. Fine adjustment of
      the angle of incident laser beam from normal of the longpass edge filters and
      selection of polarization geometry are demonstrated how to probe ULF Raman signal
      with high signal-to-noise. Davydov splitting of the shear mode in twisted (2+2)
      layer graphenes (t(2+2)LG) has been observed by such system in both exfoliated
      and transferred samples. We provide a direct evidence of twist-angle dependent
      softening of the shear coupling in t(2+2)LG, while the layer-breathing coupling
      at twisted interfaces is found to be almost identical to that in bulk graphite.
      This suggests that the exfoliation and transferring techniques are enough good to
      make a good 2D heterostructures to demonstrate potential device application. This
      Raman system will be potentially applied to the research field of ULF Raman
      spectroscopy.

PMID- 27250408
TI  - A simple counter-flow cooling system for a supersonic free-jet beam source
      assembly.
AB  - A simple design for an inexpensive, cooled, free-jet beam source is described.
      The source assembly features an integrated cooling system as supplied by a
      counter-flow of chilled nitrogen, and is composed primarily of off-the-shelf tube
      fittings. The design facilitates rapid implementation and eases subsequent
      alignment with respect to any downstream beamline aperture. The source assembly
      outlined cools the full length of the stagnation volume, offering temperature
      control down to 100 K and long-term temperature stability better than +/-1 K.

PMID- 27250409
TI  - A cylindrically symmetric "micro-Mott" electron polarimeter.
AB  - A small, novel, cylindrically symmetric Mott electron polarimeter is described.
      The effective Sherman function, Seff, or analyzing power, for 20 kV Au target
      bias with a 1.3 keV energy loss window is 0.16 +/- 0.01, where uncertainty in the
      measurement is due primarily to uncertainty in the incident electron
      polarization. For an energy loss window of 0.5 keV, Seff reaches its maximum
      value of 0.24 +/- 0.02. The device's maximum efficiency, I/Io, defined as the
      detected count rate divided by the incident particle rate, is 3.7 +/- 0.2 * 10(
      4) at 20 keV. The figure-of-merit of the device, eta, is defined as Seff (2)IIo
      and equals 9.0 +/- 1.6 * 10(-6). Potential sources of false asymmetries due to
      detector electronic asymmetry and beam misalignment have been investigated. The
      new polarimeter's performance is compared to published results for similar
      compact retarding-field Mott polarimeters, and it is concluded that this device
      has a relatively large Seff and low efficiency. SIMION((r)) electron trajectory
      simulations and Sherman function calculations are presented to explain the
      differences in performance between this device and previous designs. This design
      has an Seff that is insensitive to spatial beam fluctuations and, for an energy
      loss window >0.5 keV, negligible background due to spurious ion and X-ray
      production at the target.

PMID- 27250410
TI  - Performance improvements of wavelength-shifting-fiber neutron detectors using
      high-resolution positioning algorithms.
AB  - Three high-resolution positioning methods based on the FluoroBancroft linear
      algebraic method [S. B. Andersson, Opt. Express 16, 18714 (2008)] are proposed
      for wavelength-shifting fiber (WLSF) neutron detectors. Using a Gaussian or
      exponential-decay light-response function, the non-linear relation of photon
      number profiles vs. x-pixels was linearized and neutron positions were
      determined. After taking the super-Poissonian photon noise into account, the
      proposed algorithms give an average of 0.03-0.08 pixel position error much
      smaller than that (0.29 pixel) from a traditional maximum photon algorithm (MPA).
      The new algorithms result in better detector uniformity, less position
      misassignment (ghosting), better spatial resolution, and an equivalent or better
      instrument resolution in powder diffraction than the MPA. These improvements will
      facilitate broader applications of WLSF detectors at time-of-flight neutron
      powder diffraction beamlines, including single-crystal diffraction and texture
      analysis.

PMID- 27250411
TI  - Novel pulsed particle accelerator for energy dependent positron re-emission
      experiments.
AB  - We report on a novel device for particle acceleration based on elevation of the
      potential energy of beam pulses. This so-called energy elevator is particularly
      beneficial if both the particle source and the sample have to be near ground
      potential due to experimental constraints. We applied this new technique to
      enable depth dependent measurements of re-emitted positrons using the surface
      spectrometer at the NEPOMUC positron beam facility. First, a two-stage bunching
      system is used to generate positron pulses with a repetition rate of 5 MHz and a
      duration of 1.663(5) ns before their energy is raised to several keV. The whole
      system was shown to work with an exceptional efficiency of 88%. We demonstrated
      the usability of our setup by investigating the positron re-emission spectra of
      Ni and Pd as function of positron implantation energy. For Ni the positron work
      function could be determined to be PhiNi (+)=-1.4(2)eV. In addition, as predicted
      by theory, our experimental findings imply a positive positron work function for
      Pd.

PMID- 27250412
TI  - Cold and intense OH radical beam sources.
AB  - We present the design and performance of two supersonic radical beam sources: a
      conventional pinhole-discharge source and a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)
      source, both based on the Nijmegen pulsed valve. Both designs have been
      characterized by discharging water molecules seeded in the rare gases Ar, Kr, or
      Xe. The resulting OH radicals have been detected by laser-induced fluorescence.
      The measured OH densities are (3.0 +/- 0.6) * 10(11) cm(-3) and (1.0 +/- 0.5) *
      10(11) cm(-3) for the pinhole-discharge and DBD sources, respectively. The beam
      profiles for both radical sources show a relative longitudinal velocity spread of
      about 10%. The absolute rotational ground state population of the OH beam
      generated from the pinhole-discharge source has been determined to be more than
      98%. The DBD source even produces a rotationally colder OH beam with a population
      of the ground state exceeding 99%. For the DBD source, addition of O2 molecules
      to the gas mixture increases the OH beam density by a factor of about 2.5,
      improves the DBD valve stability, and allows to tune the mean velocity of the
      radical beam.

PMID- 27250413
TI  - Calibration of imaging plates to electrons between 40 and 180 MeV.
AB  - This paper presents the response calibration of Imaging Plates (IPs) for
      electrons in the 40-180 MeV range using laser-accelerated electrons at
      Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquee (LOA), Palaiseau, France. In the calibration
      process, the energy spectrum and charge of electron beams are measured by an
      independent system composed of a magnetic spectrometer and a Lanex scintillator
      screen used as a calibrated reference detector. It is possible to insert IPs of
      different types or stacks of IPs in this spectrometer in order to detect
      dispersed electrons simultaneously. The response values are inferred from the
      signal on the IPs, due to an appropriate charge calibration of the reference
      detector. The effect of thin layers of tungsten in front and/or behind IPs is
      studied in detail. GEANT4 simulations are used in order to analyze our
      measurements.

PMID- 27250414
TI  - Development and performance of a suprathermal electron spectrometer to study
      auroral precipitations.
AB  - The design, development, and performance of Medium-energy Electron SPectrometer
      (MESP), dedicated to the in situ observation of suprathermal electrons in the
      auroral ionosphere, are summarized in this paper. MESP employs a permanent magnet
      filter with a light tight structure to select electrons with proper energies
      guided to the detectors. A combination of two avalanche photodiodes and a large
      area solid-state detector (SSD) provided 46 total energy bins (1 keV resolution
      for 3-20 keV range for APDs, and 7 keV resolution for >20 keV range for SSDs).
      Multi-channel ultra-low power application-specific integrated circuits are also
      verified for the flight operation to read-out and analyze the detector signals.
      MESP was launched from Poker Flat Research Range on 3 March 2014 as a part of
      ground-to-rocket electrodynamics-electrons correlative experiment (GREECE)
      mission. MESP successfully measured the precipitating electrons from 3 to 120 keV
      in 120-ms time resolution and characterized the features of suprathermal
      distributions associated with auroral arcs throughout the flight. The measured
      electrons were showing the inverted-V type spectra, consistent with the past
      measurements. In addition, investigations of the suprathermal electron population
      indicated the existence of the energetic non-thermal distribution corresponding
      to the brightest aurora.

PMID- 27250415
TI  - High power microwave source with a three dimensional printed metamaterial slow
      wave structure.
AB  - For over the last decade, the concept of metamaterials has led to new approaches
      for considering the interaction of radiation with complex structures. However,
      practical manifestations of such a device operating at high power densities have
      proven difficult to achieve due to the resonant nature of metamaterials and the
      resultant high electric fields, which place severe constraints on manufacturing
      the slow wave structures. In this paper, we describe the first experimental
      manifestation of a high power microwave device utilizing a metallic slow wave
      structure (metamaterial-like) fabricated using additive manufacturing. The
      feasibility of utilizing additive manufacturing as a technique for building these
      relatively complicated structures has thus been demonstrated. The MW class
      microwave source operates in the C-band and shows frequency tunablility with
      electron beam voltage. The basic electromagnetic characteristics of this device,
      the construction using additive manufacturing, and the basic performance as a
      microwave oscillator are considered. Due to the tunable nature of the device, it
      shows promise not only as an oscillator but also as a microwave amplifier.
      Therefore, the dispersive characteristics and a discussion of the anticipated
      gain is included as it relates to an amplifier configuration.

PMID- 27250416
TI  - Energy deposition evaluation for ultra-low energy electron beam irradiation
      systems using calibrated thin radiochromic film and Monte Carlo simulations.
AB  - For evaluation of on-site dosimetry and process design in industrial use of ultra
      low energy electron beam (ULEB) processes, we evaluate the energy deposition
      using a thin radiochromic film and a Monte Carlo simulation. The response of film
      dosimeter was calibrated using a high energy electron beam with an acceleration
      voltage of 2 MV and alanine dosimeters with uncertainty of 11% at coverage factor
      2. Using this response function, the results of absorbed dose measurements for
      ULEB were evaluated from 10 kGy to 100 kGy as a relative dose. The deviation
      between the responses of deposit energy on the films and Monte Carlo simulations
      was within 15%. As far as this limitation, relative dose estimation using thin
      film dosimeters with response function obtained by high energy electron
      irradiation and simulation results is effective for ULEB irradiation processes
      management.

PMID- 27250417
TI  - Neutron temporal diagnostic for high-yield deuterium-tritium cryogenic implosions
      on OMEGA.
AB  - A next-generation neutron temporal diagnostic (NTD) capable of recording high
      quality data for the highest anticipated yield cryogenic deuterium-tritium (DT)
      implosion experiments was recently installed at the Omega Laser Facility. A high
      quality measurement of the neutron production width is required to determine the
      hot-spot pressure achieved in inertial confinement fusion experiments-a key
      metric in assessing the quality of these implosions. The design of this NTD is
      based on a fast-rise-time plastic scintillator, which converts the neutron
      kinetic energy to 350- to 450-nm-wavelength light. The light from the
      scintillator inside the nose-cone assembly is relayed ~16 m to a streak camera in
      a well-shielded location. An ~200* reduction in neutron background was observed
      during the first high-yield DT cryogenic implosions compared to the current NTD
      installation on OMEGA. An impulse response of ~40 +/- 10 ps was measured in a
      dedicated experiment using hard x-rays from a planar target irradiated with a 10
      ps short pulse from the OMEGA EP laser. The measured instrument response includes
      contributions from the scintillator rise time, optical relay, and streak camera.

PMID- 27250419
TI  - A simple spectroscopic method to determine the degree of dissociation in hydrogen
      plasmas with wide-range spectrometer.
AB  - A new and simple method for determining the degree of dissociation in hydrogen
      plasmas is presented. In this method, wide-range spectrum covering from an atomic
      H-gamma line (434.05 nm) to molecular Fulcher-alpha band (600-640 nm) is measured
      simultaneously by a wide-range miniature spectrometer. Since the wide-range
      spectrum measured by the miniature spectrometer is too broadened to resolve
      respective lines in the Fulcher-alpha band, a synthetic spectrum method is
      applied to improve the accuracy in the Q-branch of Fulcher-alpha band intensity
      measurement. In order to reduce the influence from other transitions or anomalous
      P- and R-branch of Fulcher-alpha spectrum, the Fulcher-alpha spectra of which
      vibrational states are higher than 1 (upsilon >= 1) are synthesized using the
      rotational temperature obtained by the 0-0 Fulcher-alpha spectrum. The degree of
      dissociation is determined from the intensity ratio between H-gamma line and the
      synthesized Fulcher-alpha band spectrum. A comparative study carried out in a
      volume-produced negative hydrogen ion source shows that the degree of
      dissociation determined by this method agrees well with the measured values using
      a spectrometer with high spectral resolution. The present method is expected to
      be useful to characterize the plasma sources with molecular species since it
      provides important parameters for understanding neutral particle behaviors.

PMID- 27250418
TI  - Three-dimensional tomographic imaging for dynamic radiation behavior study using
      infrared imaging video bolometers in large helical device plasma.
AB  - A three-dimensional (3D) tomography system using four InfraRed imaging Video
      Bolometers (IRVBs) has been designed with a helical periodicity assumption for
      the purpose of plasma radiation measurement in the large helical device. For the
      spatial inversion of large sized arrays, the system has been numerically and
      experimentally examined using the Tikhonov regularization with the criterion of
      minimum generalized cross validation, which is the standard solver of inverse
      problems. The 3D transport code EMC3-EIRENE for impurity behavior and related
      radiation has been used to produce phantoms for numerical tests, and the relative
      calibration of the IRVB images has been carried out with a simple function model
      of the decaying plasma in a radiation collapse. The tomography system can respond
      to temporal changes in the plasma profile and identify the 3D dynamic behavior of
      radiation, such as the radiation enhancement that starts from the inboard side of
      the torus, during the radiation collapse. The reconstruction results are also
      consistent with the output signals of a resistive bolometer. These results
      indicate that the designed 3D tomography system is available for the 3D imaging
      of radiation. The first 3D direct tomographic measurement of a magnetically
      confined plasma has been achieved.

PMID- 27250420
TI  - A method for coincidence timing resolution enhancement.
AB  - A method including the coincidence time resolution improvement for a TOF/positron
      emission tomography system was suggested. The spectrometer for this aim was
      composed of two NaI(Tl) and two plastic scintillation detectors. Experimental
      results were supported by FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation program by constructing
      the detector setup in software medium. Present experimental results verified our
      previous results and conclusions obtained from the suggested method. It was
      concluded that better resolutions would help the improvement not only on the TOF
      gain but also on the spatial resolution, leading to better images and helping the
      Physician in his/her diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 27250421
TI  - Transport and trapping of dust particles in a potential well created by
      inductively coupled diffused plasmas.
AB  - A versatile linear dusty (complex) plasma device is designed to study the
      transport and dynamical behavior of dust particles in a large volume. Diffused
      inductively coupled plasma is generated in the background of argon gas. A novel
      technique is used to introduce the dust particles in the main plasma by striking
      a secondary direct current glow discharge. These dust particles are found to get
      trapped in an electrostatic potential well, which is formed due to the
      combination of the ambipolar electric field caused by diffusive plasma and the
      field produced by the charged glass wall of the vacuum chamber. According to the
      requirements, the volume of the dust cloud can be controlled very precisely by
      tuning the plasma and discharge parameters. The present device can be used to
      address the underlying physics behind the transport of dust particles, self
      excited dust acoustic waves, and instabilities. The detailed design of this
      device, plasma production and characterization, trapping and transport of the
      dust particle, and some of the preliminary experimental results are presented.

PMID- 27250422
TI  - Charge exchange recombination spectroscopy on the T-10 tokamak.
AB  - The charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CXRS) diagnostics on the T-10
      tokamak is described. The system is based on a diagnostic neutral beam and
      includes three high etendue spectrometers designed for the ITER edge CXRS system.
      A combined two-channel spectrometer is developed for simultaneous measurements of
      two beam-induced spectral lines using the same lines of sight. A basic element of
      the combined spectrometer is a transmitting holographic grating designed for the
      narrow spectral region 5291 +/- 100 A. The whole CXRS system provides
      simultaneous measurements of two CXRS impurity spectra and Halpha beam line. Ion
      temperature measurements are routinely provided using the C(6+) CXRS spectral
      line 5291 A. Simultaneous measurements of carbon densities and one more impurity
      (oxygen, helium, lithium etc.) are carried out. Two light collecting systems with
      9 lines of sight in each system are used in the diagnostics. Spatial resolution
      is up to 2.5 cm and temporal resolution of 1 ms is defined by the diagnostic
      neutral beam diameter and pulse duration, respectively. Experimental results are
      shown to demonstrate a wide range of the CXRS diagnostic capabilities on T-10 for
      investigation of impurity transport processes in tokamak plasma. Developed
      diagnostics provides necessary experimental data for studying of plasma electric
      fields, heat and particle transport processes, and for investigation of geodesic
      acoustic modes.

PMID- 27250423
TI  - High-speed digital holography for neutral gas and electron density imaging.
AB  - An instrument was developed using digital holographic reconstruction of the
      wavefront from a CO2 laser imaged on a high-speed commercial IR camera. An
      acousto-optic modulator is used to generate 1-25 MUs pulses from a continuous
      wave CO2 laser, both to limit the average power at the detector and also to
      freeze motion from sub-interframe time scales. Extensive effort was made to
      characterize and eliminate noise from vibrations and second-surface reflections.
      Mismatch of the reference and object beam curvature initially contributed
      substantially to vibrational noise, but was mitigated through careful positioning
      of identical imaging lenses. Vibrational mode amplitudes were successfully
      reduced to ?1 nm for frequencies ?50 Hz, and the inter-frame noise across the 128
      * 128 pixel window which is typically used is ?2.5 nm. To demonstrate the
      capabilities of the system, a piezo-electric valve and a reducing-expanding
      nozzle were used to generate a super-sonic gas jet which was imaged with high
      spatial resolution (better than 0.8 lp/mm) at high speed. Abel inversions were
      performed on the phase images to produce 2-D images of localized gas density.
      This system could also be used for high spatial and temporal resolution
      measurements of plasma electron density or surface deformations.

PMID- 27250424
TI  - Development and evaluation of a collection apparatus for recoil products for
      study of the deexcitation process of (235m)U.
AB  - The nucleus (235m)U is an isomer with extremely low excitation energy (76.8 eV)
      and decays dominantly through the internal conversion (IC) process. Because outer
      shell electrons are involved in the IC process, the decay constant of (235m)U
      depends on its chemical environment. We plan to study the deexcitation process of
      (235m)U by measuring the energy spectra of IC electrons in addition to the decay
      constants for various chemical forms. In this paper, the preparation method of
      (235m)U samples from (239)Pu by using alpha-recoil energy is reported. A
      Collection Apparatus for Recoil Products was fabricated, and then collection
      efficiencies under various conditions were determined by collecting (224)Ra
      recoiling out of (228)Th electrodeposited and precipitated sources. The pressure
      in the apparatus (vacuum or 1 atm of N2 gas) affected the variations of the
      collection efficiencies depending on the negative voltage applied to the
      collector. The maximum values of the collection efficiencies were mainly affected
      by the thickness of the (228)Th sources. From these results, the suitable
      conditions of the (239)Pu sources for preparation of (235m)U were determined. In
      addition, dissolution efficiencies were determined by washing collected (224)Ra
      with solutions. When (224)Ra was collected in 1 atm of N2 gas and dissolved with
      polar solutions such as water, the dissolution efficiencies were nearly 100%. The
      method of rapid dissolution of recoil products would be applicable to rapid
      preparation of short-lived (235m)U samples for various chemical forms.

PMID- 27250425
TI  - Real-time diamagnetic flux measurements on ASDEX Upgrade.
AB  - Real-time diamagnetic flux measurements are now available on ASDEX Upgrade. In
      contrast to the majority of diamagnetic flux measurements on other tokamaks, no
      analog summation of signals is necessary for measuring the change in toroidal
      flux or for removing contributions arising from unwanted coupling to the plasma
      and poloidal field coil currents. To achieve the highest possible sensitivity,
      the diamagnetic measurement and compensation coil integrators are triggered
      shortly before plasma initiation when the toroidal field coil current is close to
      its maximum. In this way, the integration time can be chosen to measure only the
      small changes in flux due to the presence of plasma. Two identical plasma
      discharges with positive and negative magnetic field have shown that the
      alignment error with respect to the plasma current is negligible. The measured
      diamagnetic flux is compared to that predicted by TRANSP simulations. The
      poloidal beta inferred from the diamagnetic flux measurement is compared to the
      values calculated from magnetic equilibrium reconstruction codes. The diamagnetic
      flux measurement and TRANSP simulation can be used together to estimate the
      coupled power in discharges with dominant ion cyclotron resonance heating.

PMID- 27250426
TI  - Bunker probe: A plasma potential probe almost insensitive to its orientation with
      the magnetic field.
AB  - Due to their ability to suppress a large part of the electron current and thus
      measuring directly the plasma potential, ion sensitive probes have begun to be
      widely tested and used in fusion devices. For these probes to work, almost
      perfect alignment with the total magnetic field is necessary. This condition
      cannot always be fulfilled due to the curvature of magnetic fields, complex
      magnetic structure, or magnetic field reconnection. In this perspective, we have
      developed a plasma potential probe (named Bunker probe) based on the principle of
      the ion sensitive probe but almost insensitive to its orientation with the total
      magnetic field. Therefore it can be used to measure the plasma potential inside
      fusion devices, especially in regions with complex magnetic field topology.
      Experimental results are presented and compared with Ball-Pen probe measurements
      taken under identical conditions. We have observed that the floating potential of
      the Bunker probe is indeed little affected by its orientation with the magnetic
      field for angles ranging from 90 degrees  to 30 degrees , in contrast to the Ball
      Pen probe whose floating potential decreases towards that of a Langmuir probe if
      not properly aligned with the magnetic field.

PMID- 27250427
TI  - A picosecond beam-timing system for the OMEGA laser.
AB  - A timing system is demonstrated for the OMEGA Laser System that guarantees all 60
      beams will arrive on target simultaneously with a root mean square variability of
      4 ps. The system relies on placing a scattering sphere at the target position to
      couple the ultraviolet light from each beam into a single photodetector.

PMID- 27250428
TI  - Development of a magnetized coaxial plasma gun for compact toroid injection into
      the C-2 field-reversed configuration device.
AB  - A compact toroid (CT) injector was developed for the C-2 device, primarily for
      refueling of field-reversed configurations. The CTs are formed by a magnetized
      coaxial plasma gun (MCPG), which consists of coaxial cylindrical electrodes and a
      bias coil for creating a magnetic field. First, a plasma ring is generated by a
      discharge between the electrodes and is accelerated by Lorenz self-force. Then,
      the plasma ring is captured by an interlinkage flux (poloidal flux). Finally, the
      fully formed CT is ejected from the MCPG. The MCPG described herein has two gas
      injection ports that are arranged tangentially on the outer electrode. A tungsten
      coated inner electrode has a head which can be replaced with a longer one to
      extend the length of the acceleration region for the CT. The developed MCPG has
      achieved supersonic CT velocities of ~100 km/s. Plasma parameters for electron
      density, electron temperature, and the number of particles are ~5 * 10(21) m(-3),
      ~40 eV, and 0.5-1.0 * 10(19), respectively.

PMID- 27250429
TI  - A broadband toolbox for scanning microwave microscopy transmission measurements.
AB  - In this paper, we present in detail the design, both electromagnetic and
      mechanical, the fabrication, and the test of the first prototype of a Scanning
      Microwave Microscope (SMM) suitable for a two-port transmission measurement,
      recording, and processing the high frequency transmission scattering parameter
      S21 passing through the investigated sample. The S21 toolbox is composed by a
      microwave emitter, placed below the sample, which excites an electromagnetic wave
      passing through the sample under test, and is collected by the cantilever used as
      the detector, electrically matched for high frequency measurements. This
      prototype enhances the actual capability of the instrument for a sub-surface
      imaging at the nanoscale. Moreover, it allows the study of the electromagnetic
      properties of the material under test obtained through the measurement of the
      reflection (S11) and transmission (S21) parameters at the same time. The SMM
      operates between 1 GHz and 20 GHz, current limit for the microwave matching of
      the cantilever, and the high frequency signal is recorded by means of a two-port
      Vector Network Analyzer, using both contact and no-contact modes of operation,
      the latter, especially minded for a fully nondestructive and topography-free
      characterization. This tool is an upgrade of the already established setup for
      the reflection mode S11 measurement. Actually, the proposed setup is able to give
      richer information in terms of scattering parameters, including amplitude and
      phase measurements, by means of the two-port arrangement.

PMID- 27250430
TI  - Fast time-resolved electrostatic force microscopy: Achieving sub-cycle time
      resolution.
AB  - The ability to measure microsecond- and nanosecond-scale local dynamics below the
      diffraction limit with widely available atomic force microscopy hardware would
      enable new scientific studies in fields ranging from biology to semiconductor
      physics. However, commercially available scanning-probe instruments typically
      offer the ability to measure dynamics only on time scales of milliseconds to
      seconds. Here, we describe in detail the implementation of fast time-resolved
      electrostatic force microscopy using an oscillating cantilever as a means to
      measure fast local dynamics following a perturbation to a sample. We show how the
      phase of the oscillating cantilever relative to the perturbation event is
      critical to achieving reliable sub-cycle time resolution. We explore how noise
      affects the achievable time resolution and present empirical guidelines for
      reducing noise and optimizing experimental parameters. Specifically, we show that
      reducing the noise on the cantilever by using photothermal excitation instead of
      piezoacoustic excitation further improves time resolution. We demonstrate the
      discrimination of signal rise times with time constants as fast as 10 ns, and
      simultaneous data acquisition and analysis for dramatically improved image
      acquisition times.

PMID- 27250431
TI  - Operando x-ray photoelectron emission microscopy for studying forward and reverse
      biased silicon p-n junctions.
AB  - Significant progress in the understanding of surfaces and interfaces of materials
      for new technologies requires operando studies, i.e., measurement of chemical,
      electronic, and magnetic properties under external stimulus (such as mechanical
      strain, optical illumination, or electric fields) applied in situ in order to
      approach real operating conditions. Electron microscopy attracts much interest,
      thanks to its ability to determine semiconductor doping at various scales in
      devices. Spectroscopic photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) is particularly
      powerful since it combines high spatial and energy resolution, allowing a
      comprehensive analysis of local work function, chemistry, and electronic
      structure using secondary, core level, and valence band electrons, respectively.
      Here we present the first operando spectroscopic PEEM study of a planar Si p-n
      junction under forward and reverse bias. The method can be used to characterize a
      vast range of materials at near device scales such as resistive oxides,
      conducting bridge memories and domain wall arrays in ferroelectrics photovoltaic
      devices.

PMID- 27250432
TI  - High-resolution fully vectorial scanning Kerr magnetometer.
AB  - We report on the development of a high-resolution scanning magnetometer, which
      fully exploits the vectorial nature of the magneto-optical Kerr effect. The three
      dimensional nature of magnetization is at the basis of many micromagnetic
      phenomena and from these data, we can fully characterize magnetization processes
      of nanostructures in static and dynamic regimes. Our scanning Kerr magnetometer
      uses a high numerical aperture microscope objective where the incident light beam
      can be deterministically deviated from the objective symmetry axis, therefore,
      both in-plane (via the longitudinal Kerr effect) and out-of-plane (via the polar
      Kerr effect) components of the magnetization vector may be detected. These
      components are then separated by exploiting the symmetries of the polar and
      longitudinal Kerr effects. From four consecutive measurements, we are able to
      directly obtain the three orthogonal components of the magnetization vector with
      a resolution of 600 nm. Performance of the apparatus is demonstrated by a
      measurement of 3D magnetization vector maps showing out-of-plane domains and in
      plane domain walls in an yttrium-iron-garnet film and on a study of magnetization
      reversal in a 4-MUm-wide magnetic disk.

PMID- 27250433
TI  - Automated force controller for amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy.
AB  - Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is widely used in physics, chemistry, and biology
      to analyze the topography of a sample at nanometer resolution. Controlling
      precisely the force applied by the AFM tip to the sample is a prerequisite for
      faithful and reproducible imaging. In amplitude modulation (oscillating) mode
      AFM, the applied force depends on the free and the setpoint amplitudes of the
      cantilever oscillation. Therefore, for keeping the applied force constant, not
      only the setpoint amplitude but also the free amplitude must be kept constant.
      While the AFM user defines the setpoint amplitude, the free amplitude is
      typically subject to uncontrollable drift, and hence, unfortunately, the real
      applied force is permanently drifting during an experiment. This is particularly
      harmful in biological sciences where increased force destroys the soft biological
      matter. Here, we have developed a strategy and an electronic circuit that
      analyzes permanently the free amplitude of oscillation and readjusts the
      excitation to maintain the free amplitude constant. As a consequence, the real
      applied force is permanently and automatically controlled with picoNewton
      precision. With this circuit associated to a high-speed AFM, we illustrate the
      power of the development through imaging over long-duration and at various
      forces. The development is applicable for all AFMs and will widen the
      applicability of AFM to a larger range of samples and to a larger range of (non
      specialist) users. Furthermore, from controlled force imaging experiments, the
      interaction strength between biomolecules can be analyzed.

PMID- 27250434
TI  - Optical imaging module for astigmatic detection system.
AB  - In this paper, an optical imaging module design for an astigmatic detection
      system (ADS) is presented. The module is based on a commercial optical pickup
      unit (OPU) and it contains a coaxial illuminant for illuminating a specimen.
      Furthermore, the imaging module facilitates viewing the specimen and the
      detection laser spot of the ADS with a lateral resolution of approximately 1 MUm
      without requiring the removal of an element of the OPU. Two polarizers and one
      infrared filter are used to eliminate stray laser light in the OPU and stray
      light produced by the illuminant. Imaging modules designed for digital versatile
      disks (DVDs) and Blu-ray DVDs were demonstrated. Furthermore, the module can be
      used for imaging a small cantilever with approximate dimensions of 2 MUm (width)
      * 5 MUm (length), and therefore, it has the potential to be used in high-speed
      atomic force microscopy.

PMID- 27250435
TI  - Development of a spectroscopic Mueller matrix imaging ellipsometer for
      nanostructure metrology.
AB  - In this paper, we describe the development of a spectroscopic Mueller matrix
      imaging ellipsometer (MMIE), which combines the great power of Mueller matrix
      ellipsometry with the high spatial resolution of optical microscopy. A dual
      rotating-compensator configuration is adopted to collect the full 4 * 4 imaging
      Mueller matrix in a single measurement. The light wavelengths are scanned in the
      range of 400-700 nm by a monochromator. The instrument has measurement accuracy
      and precision better than 0.01 for all the Mueller matrix elements in both the
      whole image and the whole spectral range. The instrument was then applied for the
      measurement of nanostructures combined with an inverse diffraction problem
      solving technique. The experiment performed on a photoresist grating sample has
      demonstrated the great potential of MMIE for accurate grating reconstruction from
      spectral data collected by a single pixel of the camera and for efficient
      quantification of geometrical profile of the grating structure over a large area
      with pixel resolution. It is expected that MMIE will be a powerful tool for
      nanostructure metrology in future high-volume nanomanufacturing.

PMID- 27250436
TI  - Stress measurements of planar dielectric elastomer actuators.
AB  - Dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) micro- and nano-structures are referred to
      artificial muscles because of their specific continuous power and adequate time
      response. The bending measurement of an asymmetric, planar DEA is described. The
      asymmetric cantilevers consist of 1 or 5 MUm-thin DEAs deposited on polyethylene
      naphthalate (PEN) substrates 16, 25, 38, or 50 MUm thick. The application of a
      voltage to the DEA electrodes generates an electrostatic pressure in the
      sandwiched silicone elastomer layer, which causes the underlying PEN substrate to
      bend. Optical beam deflection enables the detection of the bending angle vs.
      applied voltage. Bending radii as large as 850 m were reproducibly detected. DEA
      tests with electric fields of up to 80 V/MUm showed limitations in electrode's
      conductivity and structure failures. The actuation measurement is essential for
      the quantitative characterization of nanometer-thin, low-voltage, single- and
      multi-layer DEAs, as foreseen for artificial sphincters to efficiently treat
      severe urinary and fecal incontinence.

PMID- 27250437
TI  - Temperature calibration for diffusion experiments to sub-Kelvin precision.
AB  - Arrhenius plots are often used to determine energy barriers and prefactors of
      thermally activated processes. The precision of thus determined values depends
      crucially on the precision of the temperature measurement at the sample surface.
      We line out a procedure to determine the absolute temperature of a metal sample
      in a cryogenic scanning tunneling microscope between 5 K and 50 K with sub-Kelvin
      precision. We demonstrate the dependence of prefactor and diffusion energy on
      this calibration for diffusion of CO on Cu(111) and on Ag(100) measured in the
      temperature range from 30 K to 38 K and 19 K to 23 K, respectively.

PMID- 27250438
TI  - Simultaneous, single-pulse, synchrotron x-ray imaging and diffraction under gas
      gun loading.
AB  - We develop a mini gas gun system for simultaneous, single-pulse, x-ray
      diffraction and imaging under high strain-rate loading at the beamline 32-ID of
      the Advanced Photon Source. In order to increase the reciprocal space covered by
      a small-area detector, a conventional target chamber is split into two chambers:
      a narrowed measurement chamber and a relief chamber. The gas gun impact is
      synchronized with synchrotron x-ray pulses and high-speed cameras. Depending on a
      camera's capability, multiframe imaging and diffraction can be achieved. The
      proof-of-principle experiments are performed on single-crystal sapphire. The
      diffraction spots and images during impact are analyzed to quantify lattice
      deformation and fracture; fracture is dominated by splitting cracks followed by
      wing cracks, and diffraction peaks are broadened likely due to mosaic spread. Our
      results demonstrate the potential of such multiscale measurements for studying
      high strain-rate phenomena at dynamic extremes.

PMID- 27250439
TI  - Broadband, large-area microwave antenna for optically detected magnetic resonance
      of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond.
AB  - We report on a microwave planar ring antenna specifically designed for optically
      detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond.
      It has the resonance frequency at around 2.87 GHz with the bandwidth of 400 MHz,
      ensuring that ODMR can be observed under external magnetic fields up to 100 G
      without the need of adjustment of the resonance frequency. It is also spatially
      uniform within the 1-mm-diameter center hole, enabling the magnetic-field imaging
      in the wide spatial range. These features facilitate the experiments on quantum
      sensing and imaging using NV centers at room temperature.

PMID- 27250440
TI  - Contactless electrical conductivity measurement of metallic submicron-grain
      material: Application to the study of aluminum with severe plastic deformation.
AB  - We measured the electrical conductivity sigma of aluminum specimen consisting of
      submicron-grains by observing the AC magnetic susceptibility resulting from the
      eddy current. By using a commercial platform for magnetic measurement,
      contactless measurement of the relative electrical conductivity sigman of a
      nonmagnetic metal is possible over a wide temperature (T) range. By referring to
      sigma at room temperature, obtained by the four-terminal method, sigman(T) was
      transformed into sigma(T). This approach is useful for cylinder specimens, in
      which the estimation of the radius and/or volume is difficult. An experiment in
      which aluminum underwent accumulative roll bonding, which is a severe plastic
      deformation process, validated this method of evaluating sigma as a function of
      the fraction of high-angle grain boundaries.

PMID- 27250441
TI  - High accuracy calibration of a dynamic vapor sorption instrument and
      determination of the equilibrium humidities using single salts.
AB  - We present a procedure for accurately calibrating a dynamic vapor sorption (DVS)
      instrument using single salts. The procedure accounts for and tailors distinct
      calibration tests according to the fundamental properties of each salt.
      Especially relevant properties influencing the calibration are the heat of
      solution, heat of condensation, and the kinetics connected to the salt phase
      transition, as these influence the microclimate surrounding the salts during
      calibration. All these issues were dealt with to obtain precise calibration
      results. The DVS instrument comprises two control modes to generate and measure
      the relative humidity (RH). Both control modes were separately examined and
      combined to overcome the shortcomings of each of the two control modes and
      thereby obtain the most accurate results. Repeated calibration testing with the
      single salts (LiCl, MgCl2, Mg(NO3)2, NaCl, and KNO3) enables five discrete
      sorption isotherm measurements within the range of 11%-93%RH. The equilibrium RH
      of the solution for LiCl, MgCl2, Mg(NO3)2, NaCl, and KNO3 was determined with a
      standard deviation of 0.06%-0.15% (0.45% for KNO3) RH. By comparing the measured
      calibration values with the well-known equilibrium RH of each salt solution, the
      presented method's results are both accurate with significant agreement and
      precise with small variation.

PMID- 27250442
TI  - An instrument to measure fast gas phase radical kinetics at high temperatures and
      pressures.
AB  - Fast radical reactions are central to the chemistry of planetary atmospheres and
      combustion systems. Laser-induced fluorescence is a highly sensitive and
      selective technique that can be used to monitor a number of radical species in
      kinetics experiments, but is typically limited to low pressure systems owing to
      quenching of fluorescent states at higher pressures. The design and
      characterisation of an instrument are reported using laser-induced fluorescence
      detection to monitor fast radical kinetics (up to 25 000 s(-1)) at high
      temperatures and pressures by sampling from a high pressure reaction region to a
      low pressure detection region. Kinetics have been characterised at temperatures
      reaching 740 K and pressures up to 2 atm, with expected maximum operational
      conditions of up to ~900 K and ~5 atm. The distance between the point of sampling
      from the high pressure region and the point of probing within the low pressure
      region is critical to the measurement of fast kinetics. The instrumentation
      described in this work can be applied to the measurement of kinetics relevant to
      atmospheric and combustion chemistry.

PMID- 27250443
TI  - Measurements of fluid viscosity using a miniature ball drop device.
AB  - This paper describes measurement of fluid viscosity using a small ball drop
      device. It requires as little as 100 MUl of fluid. Each measurement can be
      performed in seconds. The experiment is designed to yield reliable viscosity
      values by operating at properly chosen tilt angles and with calibration using
      well-characterized Newtonian fluids such as mixtures of glycerol and water. It
      also yields dynamical viscosity of non-Newtonian fluids at moderate shear rates.
      The device is easy to assemble and it allows for the measurement of viscosity
      even when the fluid samples are too small to measure using most commercial
      viscometers or rheometers. Therefore, the technique is particularly useful in
      characterizing biological fluids such as solutions of proteins, DNA, and polymers
      frequently used in biomaterial applications.

PMID- 27250444
TI  - Development of a low noise induction magnetic sensor using magnetic flux negative
      feedback in the time domain.
AB  - Time-domain electromagnetic system can implement great depth detection. As for
      the electromagnetic system, the receiver utilized an air coil sensor, and the
      matching mode of the sensor employed the resistance matching method. By using the
      resistance matching method, the vibration of the coil in the time domain can be
      effectively controlled. However, the noise of the sensor, especially the noise at
      the resonance frequency, will be increased as well. In this paper, a novel design
      of a low noise induction coil sensor is proposed, and the experimental data and
      noise characteristics are provided. The sensor is designed based on the principle
      that the amplified voltage will be converted to current under the influence of
      the feedback resistance of the coil. The feedback loop around the induction coil
      exerts a magnetic field and sends the negative feedback signal to the sensor. The
      paper analyses the influence of the closed magnetic feedback loop on both the
      bandwidth and the noise of the sensor. The signal-to-noise ratio is improved
      dramatically.

PMID- 27250445
TI  - A broadband micro-machined far-infrared absorber.
AB  - The experimental investigation of a broadband far-infrared meta-material absorber
      is described. The observed absorptance is >0.95 from 1 to 20 THz (300-15 MUm)
      over a temperature range spanning 5-300 K. The meta-material, realized from an
      array of tapers ~100 MUm in length, is largely insensitive to the detailed
      geometry of these elements and is cryogenically compatible with silicon-based
      micro-machined technologies. The electromagnetic response is in general agreement
      with a physically motivated transmission line model.

PMID- 27250446
TI  - Time-frequency energy density precipitation method for time-of-flight extraction
      of narrowband Lamb wave detection signals.
AB  - The time-of-flight of the Lamb wave provides an important basis for defect
      evaluation in metal plates and is the input signal for Lamb wave tomographic
      imaging. However, the time-of-flight can be difficult to acquire because of the
      Lamb wave dispersion characteristics. This work proposes a time-frequency energy
      density precipitation method to accurately extract the time-of-flight of
      narrowband Lamb wave detection signals in metal plates. In the proposed method, a
      discrete short-time Fourier transform is performed on the narrowband Lamb wave
      detection signals to obtain the corresponding discrete time-frequency energy
      density distribution. The energy density values at the center frequency for all
      discrete time points are then calculated by linear interpolation. Next, the time
      domain energy density curve focused on that center frequency is precipitated by
      least squares fitting of the calculated energy density values. Finally, the peak
      times of the energy density curve obtained relative to the initial pulse signal
      are extracted as the time-of-flight for the narrowband Lamb wave detection
      signals. An experimental platform is established for time-of-flight extraction of
      narrowband Lamb wave detection signals, and sensitivity analysis of the proposed
      time-frequency energy density precipitation method is performed in terms of
      propagation distance, dispersion characteristics, center frequency, and plate
      thickness. For comparison, the widely used Hilbert-Huang transform method is also
      implemented for time-of-flight extraction. The results show that the time
      frequency energy density precipitation method can accurately extract the time-of
      flight with relative error of <1% and thus can act as a universal time-of-flight
      extraction method for narrowband Lamb wave detection signals.

PMID- 27250447
TI  - An X-band waveguide measurement technique for the accurate characterization of
      materials with low dielectric loss permittivity.
AB  - In this work, we present a new X-band waveguide (WR90) measurement method that
      permits the broadband characterization of the complex permittivity for low
      dielectric loss tangent material specimens with improved accuracy. An
      electrically long polypropylene specimen that partially fills the cross-section
      is inserted into the waveguide and the transmitted scattering parameter (S21) is
      measured. The extraction method relies on computational electromagnetic
      simulations, coupled with a genetic algorithm, to match the experimental S21
      measurement. The sensitivity of the technique to sample length was explored by
      simulating specimen lengths from 2.54 to 15.24 cm, in 2.54 cm increments.
      Analysis of our simulated data predicts the technique will have the sensitivity
      to measure loss tangent values on the order of 10(-3) for materials such as
      polymers with relatively low real permittivity values. The ability to accurately
      characterize low-loss dielectric material specimens of polypropylene is
      demonstrated experimentally. The method was validated by excellent agreement with
      a free-space focused-beam system measurement of a polypropylene sheet. This
      technique provides the material measurement community with the ability to
      accurately extract material properties of low-loss material specimen over the
      entire X-band range. This technique could easily be extended to other frequency
      bands.

PMID- 27250448
TI  - Characteristics of a four element gyromagnetic nonlinear transmission line array
      high power microwave source.
AB  - In this paper, a solid-state four element array gyromagnetic nonlinear
      transmission line high power microwave system is presented as well as a detailed
      description of its subsystems and general output capabilities. This frequency
      agile S-band source is easily adjusted from 2-4 GHz by way of a DC driven biasing
      magnetic field and is capable of generating electric fields of 7.8 kV/m at 10 m
      correlating to 4.2 MW of RF power with pulse repetition frequencies up to 1 kHz.
      Beam steering of the array at angles of +/-16.7 degrees  is also demonstrated,
      and the associated general radiation pattern is detailed.

PMID- 27250449
TI  - Waveguide transition with vacuum window for multiband dynamic nuclear
      polarization systems.
AB  - A low loss waveguide transition section and oversized microwave vacuum window
      covering several frequency bands (94 GHz, 140 GHz, 188 GHz) is presented. The
      transition is compact and was optimized for multiband Dynamic Nuclear
      Polarization (DNP) systems in a full-wave simulator. The window is more broadband
      than commercially available windows, which are usually optimized for single band
      operation. It is demonstrated that high-density polyethylene with urethane
      adhesive can be used as a low loss microwave vacuum window in multiband DNP
      systems. The overall assembly performance and dimensions are found using full
      wave simulations. The practical aspects of the window implementation in the
      waveguide are discussed. To verify the design and simulation results, the window
      is tested experimentally at the three frequencies of interest.

PMID- 27250450
TI  - A low noise and high precision linear power supply with thermal foldback
      protection.
AB  - A low noise and high precision linear power supply was designed for use in rare
      event search experiments with macrobolometers. The circuit accepts at the input a
      "noisy" dual supply voltage up to +/-15 V and gives at the output precise, low
      noise, and stable voltages that can be set between +/-3.75 V and +/-12.5 V in
      eight 1.25 V steps. Particular care in circuit design, component selection, and
      proper filtering results in a noise spectral density of 50nV/Hz at 1 Hz and
      20nV/Hz white when the output is set to +/-5 V. This corresponds to 125 nV RMS
      (0.8 MUV peak to peak) between 0.1 Hz and 10 Hz, and 240 nV RMS (1.6 MUV peak to
      peak) between 0.1 Hz and 100 Hz. The power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) of the
      circuit is 100 dB at low frequency, and larger than 40 dB up to high frequency,
      thanks to a proper compensation design. Calibration allows to reach a precision
      in the absolute value of the output voltage of +/-70 ppm, or +/-350 MUV at +/-5
      V, and to reduce thermal drifts below +/-1 ppm/(?)C in the expected operating
      range. The maximum peak output current is about 6 A from each output. An original
      foldback protection scheme was developed that dynamically limits the maximum
      output current to keep the temperature of the output transistors within their
      safe operating range. An add-on card based on an ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller is
      devoted to the monitoring and control of all circuit functionalities and provides
      remote communication via CAN bus.

PMID- 27250451
TI  - Autonomous portable pulsed-periodical generator of high-power radiofrequency
      pulses based on gas discharge with hollow cathode.
AB  - Portable autonomous generator of high-power RF-pulses based on the gas discharge
      with hollow cathode has been designed, fabricated, and tested. Input and output
      characteristics are the following: discharge current amplitude is 800 A, duration
      of generated RF-pulses is 350 ns, carrier frequency is ~90 MHz, power in RF-pulse
      is 0.5 MW, pulse repetition rate is 0.5 kHz, and device efficiency is ~25%.

PMID- 27250452
TI  - High-speed, high-voltage pulse generation using avalanche transistor.
AB  - In this work, the conduction mechanism of avalanche transistors was demonstrated
      and the operation condition for generating high-speed pulse using avalanche
      transistors was illustrated. Based on the above analysis, a high-speed and high
      voltage pulse (HHP) generating circuit using avalanche transistors was designed,
      and its working principle and process were studied. To improve the speed of the
      output pulse, an approach of reducing the rise time of the leading edge is
      proposed. Methods for selecting avalanche transistor and reducing the parasitic
      inductance and capacitance of printed circuit board (PCB) were demonstrated. With
      these instructions, a PCB with a tapered transmission line was carefully designed
      and manufactured. Output pulse with amplitude of 2 kV and rise time of about 200
      ps was realized with this PCB mounted with avalanche transistors FMMT417,
      indicating the effectiveness of the HHP generating circuit design.

PMID- 27250453
TI  - Nine-channel mid-power bipolar pulse generator based on a field programmable gate
      array.
AB  - Many channel arbitrary pulse sequence generation is required for the electro
      optic reconfiguration of optical waveguide networks in Lithium Niobate. Here we
      describe a scalable solution to the requirement for mid-power bipolar parallel
      outputs, based on pulse patterns generated by an externally clocked field
      programmable gate array. Positive and negative pulses can be generated at
      repetition rates up to 80 MHz with pulse width adjustable in increments of 1.6 ns
      across nine independent outputs. Each channel can provide 1.5 W of RF power and
      can be synchronised with the operation of other components in an optical network
      such as light sources and detectors through an external clock with adjustable
      delay.

PMID- 27250454
TI  - An improved model to predict bandwidth enhancement in an inductively tuned common
      source amplifier.
AB  - This paper presents an improved model for the prediction of bandwidth enhancement
      factor (BWEF) in an inductively tuned common source amplifier. In this model, we
      have included the effect of drain-source channel resistance of field effect
      transistor along with load inductance and output capacitance on BWEF of the
      amplifier. A frequency domain analysis of the model is performed and a closed
      form expression is derived for BWEF of the amplifier. A prototype common source
      amplifier is designed and tested. The BWEF of amplifier is obtained from the
      measured frequency response as a function of drain current and load inductance.
      In the present work, we have clearly demonstrated that inclusion of drain-source
      channel resistance in the proposed model helps to estimate the BWEF, which is
      accurate to less than 5% as compared to the measured results.

PMID- 27250455
TI  - Oscillator metrology with software defined radio.
AB  - Analog electrical elements such as mixers, filters, transfer oscillators,
      isolating buffers, dividers, and even transmission lines contribute technical
      noise and unwanted environmental coupling in time and frequency measurements.
      Software defined radio (SDR) techniques replace many of these analog components
      with digital signal processing (DSP) on rapidly sampled signals. We demonstrate
      that, generically, commercially available multi-channel SDRs are capable of time
      and frequency metrology, outperforming purpose-built devices by as much as an
      order-of-magnitude. For example, for signals at 10 MHz and 6 GHz, we observe SDR
      time deviation noise floors of about 20 fs and 1 fs, respectively, in under 10 ms
      of averaging. Examining the other complex signal component, we find a relative
      amplitude measurement instability of 3 * 10(-7) at 5 MHz. We discuss the
      scalability of a SDR-based system for simultaneous measurement of many clocks.
      SDR's frequency agility allows for comparison of oscillators at widely different
      frequencies. We demonstrate a novel and extreme example with optical clock
      frequencies differing by many terahertz: using a femtosecond-laser frequency comb
      and SDR, we show femtosecond-level time comparisons of ultra-stable lasers with
      zero measurement dead-time.

PMID- 27250456
TI  - Detecting leaks in gas-filled pressure vessels using acoustic resonances.
AB  - We demonstrate that a leak from a large, unthermostatted pressure vessel into
      ambient air can be detected an order of magnitude more effectively by measuring
      the time dependence of the ratio p/f(2) than by measuring the ratio p/T. Here f
      is the resonance frequency of an acoustic mode of the gas inside the pressure
      vessel, p is the pressure of the gas, and T is the kelvin temperature measured at
      one point in the gas. In general, the resonance frequencies are determined by a
      mode-dependent, weighted average of the square of the speed-of-sound throughout
      the volume of the gas. However, the weighting usually has a weak dependence on
      likely temperature gradients in the gas inside a large pressure vessel. Using the
      ratio p/f(2), we measured a gas leak (dM/dt)/M ~ - 1.3 * 10(-5) h(-1) = - 0.11
      yr(-1) from a 300-liter pressure vessel filled with argon at 450 kPa that was
      exposed to sunshine-driven temperature and pressure fluctuations as large as
      (dT/dt)/T ~ (dp/dt)/p ~ 5 * 10(-2) h(-1) using a 24-hour data record. This leak
      could not be detected in a 72-hour record of p/T. (Here M is the mass of the gas
      in the vessel and t is the time.).

PMID- 27250457
TI  - Nanosecond-resolved temperature measurements using magnetic nanoparticles.
AB  - Instantaneous and noninvasive temperature measurements are important when laser
      thermotherapy or welding is performed. A noninvasive nanosecond-resolved magnetic
      nanoparticle (MNP) temperature measurement system is described in which a
      transient change in temperature causes an instantaneous change in the magnetic
      susceptibilities of the MNPs. These transient changes in the magnetic
      susceptibilities are rapidly recorded using a wideband magnetic measurement
      system with an upper frequency limit of 0.5 GHz. The Langevin function (the
      thermodynamic model characterizing the MNP magnetization process) is used to
      obtain the temperature information. Experiments showed that the MNP DC
      magnetization temperature-measurement system can detect a 14.4 ns laser pulse at
      least. This method of measuring temperature is likely to be useful for acquiring
      the internal temperatures of materials irradiated with lasers, as well as in
      other areas of research.

PMID- 27250459
TI  - Simultaneous measurement of heat capacity and internal relaxation time.
AB  - A new steady-state method is proposed to simultaneously measure the heat capacity
      and internal relaxation time using superimposed constant and square-wave power.
      This method is appropriate for small sample systems with low thermal conductance.
      The accuracies of the heat capacity and internal relaxation time are almost the
      same as those determined using other similar methods, but correction for the
      effect of internal relaxation on the heat capacity is more flexible. The thermal
      diffusivity and thermal conductivity are also simultaneously determined for rod-
      and slab-shaped samples. We demonstrate the method for small slabs of synthetic
      silica in the 80-320 K temperature range.

PMID- 27250458
TI  - Ultrasonic power measurement system based on acousto-optic interaction.
AB  - Ultrasonic waves are widely used, with applications including the medical,
      military, and chemical fields. However, there are currently no effective methods
      for ultrasonic power measurement. Previously, ultrasonic power measurement has
      been reliant on mechanical methods such as hydrophones and radiation force
      balances. This paper deals with ultrasonic power measurement based on an
      unconventional method: acousto-optic interaction. Compared with mechanical
      methods, the optical method has a greater ability to resist interference and also
      has reduced environmental requirements. Therefore, this paper begins with an
      experimental determination of the acoustic power in water contained in a glass
      tank using a set of optical devices. Because the light intensity of the
      diffraction image generated by acousto-optic interaction contains the required
      ultrasonic power information, specific software was written to extract the light
      intensity information from the image through a combination of filtering,
      binarization, contour extraction, and other image processing operations. The
      power value can then be obtained rapidly by processing the diffraction image
      using a computer. The results of this work show that the optical method offers
      advantages that include accuracy, speed, and a noncontact measurement method.

PMID- 27250460
TI  - Pulse wave detection method based on the bio-impedance of the wrist.
AB  - The real-time monitoring of pulse rate can evaluate the heart health to some
      extent, and the measurement of bio-impedance has the potential in wearable health
      monitoring system. In this paper, an effective method, which contains self
      balancing bridge, flexible electrode, and high-speed digital lock-in algorithm
      (DLIA) with over-sampling, was designed to detect the impedance pulse wave at the
      wrist. By applying the self-balancing bridge, the basic impedance can be
      compensated as much as possible, and the low amplitude of impedance variation
      related to heart pulse can be obtained more easily. And the flexible conductive
      rubber electrode used in our experiment is human-friendly. Besides, the over
      sampling method and high-speed DLIA are used to enhance the effective resolution
      of the existing data sampled by analog to digital converter. With the high-speed
      data process and simple circuit above, this proposed method has the potential in
      wrist-band wearable systems and it can satisfy quests of small volume and low
      power consumption.

PMID- 27250461
TI  - Design of single-phase driven screw-thread-type ultrasonic motor.
AB  - Most screw-thread-type ultrasonic motors are designed to be two-phase driven.
      This paper aims to present a novel single phase driven design that generates the
      required wobble motion, thus significantly simplifying the driving circuit of the
      ultrasonic motor. The proposed single-phase driven screw-thread-type ultrasonic
      motor works with two orthogonal bending modes generated by an asymmetric stator
      design. The novel stator design can improve the vibration displacement and
      further enhance the performance of the single phase driven motor. The vibration
      characteristics of the asymmetric stator structure were analyzed by ANSYS finite
      element analysis software. Based on the design and analysis processes, a
      prototype of the desired screw-thread-type ultrasonic motor was fabricated and
      tested. When the operating voltage is 200 Vpp, the obtained main characteristics
      of the proposed motor are as follows: the working frequency is between 28.3 and
      29.5 kHz; the maximum no-load velocity is approximately 4.1 mm s(-1); and the
      thrust force is 1.6 N.

PMID- 27250462
TI  - Construction and characterization of a frequency-controlled, picometer
      resolution, displacement encoder-actuator.
AB  - We have constructed an actuator/encoder whose generated displacement is
      controlled through the resonance frequency of a microwave cavity. A compact, 10
      MUm-range, digitally controlled actuator executing frequency-coded displacement
      with picometer resolution is described. We consider this approach particularly
      suitable for metrologic-precision scanning probe microscopy.

PMID- 27250463
TI  - Miniature hemispherical shell resonator with large-scale effective electrodes
      based on piezoelectric drive mechanism.
AB  - Miniature resonators with three-dimensional curved surface are mostly driven by
      electrostatic capacitive. However, it is quite difficult to fabricate a curved
      surface electrostatic resonator with large-scale effective electrodes. This paper
      presents the first miniature hemispherical shell resonator with large-scale
      effective electrodes based on piezoelectric drive mechanism. The vibrating body
      and electrodes of the piezoelectric resonator are easily integrated without micro
      scale or nano-scale narrow capacitive gap. Vibration experiment and finite
      element analysis both reveal that there exist seven significant vibration modes
      between 10 kHz and 100 kHz. Mode shape validation is also carried out by
      measuring the vibration velocity of upper perimeter and lateral perimeter with
      laser doppler vibrometer. Special vibration characteristics of each vibration
      mode are described in detail, based on which the resonator may be used for many
      specific applications. Compared with common electrostatic resonators, even
      smaller drive voltage applied to the piezoelectric resonator may produce larger
      vibration displacement at atmosphere. According to the experiment results, the
      resonator may provide a new way of realizing high performance three-dimensional
      miniature devices for communication and inertial navigation applications.

PMID- 27250464
TI  - A multi-probe thermophoretic soot sampling system for high-pressure diffusion
      flames.
AB  - Optical diagnostics and physical probing of the soot processes in high pressure
      combustion pose challenges that are not faced in atmospheric flames. One of the
      preferred methods of studying soot in atmospheric flames is in situ
      thermophoretic sampling followed by transmission electron microscopy imaging and
      analysis for soot sizing and morphology. The application of this method of
      sampling to high pressures has been held back by various operational and
      mechanical problems. In this work, we describe a rotating disk multi-probe
      thermophoretic soot sampling system, driven by a microstepping stepper motor,
      fitted into a high-pressure chamber capable of producing sooting laminar
      diffusion flames up to 100 atm. Innovative aspects of the sampling system design
      include an easy and precise control of the sampling time down to 2.6 ms,
      avoidance of the drawbacks of the pneumatic drivers used in conventional
      thermophoretic sampling systems, and the capability to collect ten consecutive
      samples in a single experimental run. Proof of principle experiments were
      performed using this system in a laminar diffusion flame of methane, and primary
      soot diameter distributions at various pressures up to 10 atm were determined.
      High-speed images of the flame during thermophoretic sampling were recorded to
      assess the influence of probe intrusion on the flow field of the flame.

PMID- 27250465
TI  - Simple locking of infrared and ultraviolet diode lasers to a visible laser using
      a LabVIEW proportional-integral-derivative controller on a Fabry-Perot signal.
AB  - Simultaneous laser locking of infrared (IR) and ultraviolet lasers to a visible
      stabilized reference laser is demonstrated via a Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity. LabVIEW
      is used to analyze the input, and an internal proportional-integral-derivative
      algorithm converts the FP signal to an analog locking feedback signal. The
      locking program stabilized both lasers to a long term stability of better than 9
      MHz, with a custom-built IR laser undergoing significant improvement in frequency
      stabilization. The results of this study demonstrate the viability of a simple,
      computer-controlled, non-temperature-stabilized FP locking scheme for our
      applications, laser cooling of Ca(+) ions, and its use in other applications with
      similar modest frequency stabilization requirements.

PMID- 27250466
TI  - Method for measuring settling phenomena by means of frequency domain
      instrumentation.
AB  - The paper deals with the analysis of settling phenomena that characterize the
      step response of digital to analog converters, amplifiers, and several other
      devices. Settling is described by means of a minimal second order model that is
      suitable to account for the distortion terms recognized in the signal spectrum.
      An alternative method for dynamic performance assessment of systems characterized
      by poor settling performance is then proposed. Thanks to the use of high
      bandwidth spectrum analyzers, the proposed method overtakes the limits
      characterizing the measurement approaches based on the use of time-domain
      instruments in the presence of modern ultra-wideband systems.

PMID- 27250467
TI  - Automatic outdoor monitoring system for photovoltaic panels.
AB  - Long-term acquisition of solar panel performance parameters, for panels operated
      at maximum power point in their real environment, is of critical importance in
      the photovoltaic research sector. However, few options exist for the
      characterization of non-standard panels such as concentrated photovoltaic
      systems, heavily soiled or shaded panels or those operating under non-standard
      spectral illumination; certainly, it is difficult to find such a measurement
      system that is flexible and affordable enough to be adopted by the smaller
      research institutes or universities. We present here an instrument aiming to fill
      this gap, autonomously tracking and maintaining any solar panel at maximum power
      point while continuously monitoring its operational parameters and dissipating
      the produced energy without connection to the power grid. The instrument allows
      periodic acquisition of current-voltage curves to verify the employed maximum
      power point tracking approach. At the same time, with hardware schematics and
      software code being provided, it provides a flexible open development environment
      for the monitoring of non-standard generators like concentrator photovoltaic
      systems and to test novel power tracking approaches. The key issues, and the
      corresponding solutions, encountered in the design are analyzed in detail and the
      relevant schematics presented.

PMID- 27250468
TI  - New procedure to measure simultaneously the surface tension and contact angle.
AB  - This paper proposes a new procedure to simultaneously measure the static contact
      angle and the surface tension of a liquid using a spherical geometry. Unlike the
      other existing methods, the knowledge of one of both previous parameters and the
      displacement of the sphere are not mandatory. The technique is based on the
      measurement of two simple physical quantities: the height of the meniscus formed
      on a sphere at the very contact with a liquid bath and the resulting vertical
      force exerted on this object at equilibrium. The meniscus height, whose exact
      value requires the numerical resolution of the Laplace equation, is often
      estimated with an approximate 2D model, valid only for very large spheres
      compared to the capillary length. We develop instead another simplified solution
      of the Young-Laplace equation based on the work of Ferguson for the meniscus on a
      cylinder and adapted for the spherical shape. This alternative model, which is
      less restrictive in terms of the sphere size, is successfully compared to
      numerical solutions of the complete Young-Laplace equation. It appears to be
      accurate for sphere radii larger than only two capillary lengths. Finally the
      feasibility of the method is experimentally tested and validated for three common
      liquids and two "small" steel spheres.

PMID- 27250469
TI  - Design and analysis of a high-accuracy flexure hinge.
AB  - This paper designs and analyzes a new kind of flexure hinge obtained by using a
      topology optimization approach, namely, a quasi-V-shaped flexure hinge (QVFH).
      Flexure hinges are formed by three segments: the left and right segments with
      convex shapes and the middle segment with straight line. According to the results
      of topology optimization, the curve equations of profiles of the flexure hinges
      are developed by numerical fitting. The in-plane dimensionless compliance
      equations of the flexure hinges are derived based on Castigliano's second
      theorem. The accuracy of rotation, which is denoted by the compliance of the
      center of rotation that deviates from the midpoint, is derived. The equations for
      evaluating the maximum stresses are also provided. These dimensionless equations
      are verified by finite element analysis and experimentation. The analytical
      results are within 8% uncertainty compared to the finite element analysis results
      and within 9% uncertainty compared to the experimental measurement data. Compared
      with the filleted V-shaped flexure hinge, the QVFH has a higher accuracy of
      rotation and better ability of preserving the center of rotation position but
      smaller compliance.

PMID- 27250470
TI  - An absolute instrument for determination of the speed of sound in water.
AB  - An apparatus for the absolute determination of the sound speed in water based on
      the time-of-flight technique is described. The time measurement is realized by
      hardware circuits and the distance measurement by a double-beam plane-mirror
      interferometer. A highly accurate time chip, with a resolution of approximately
      90 ps, is employed for time measurements. The acoustic path length is adjustable
      and can be measured directly. Two transducers are used for transmitting and
      receiving ultrasonic signals without reflection. The transducers are immersed in
      a thermostatic vessel that maintains bath temperature with high stability. The
      speed of sound in pure water was measured at ambient pressure and at the
      temperatures 308 K, 303 K, 298 K, and 293 K. The achieved measurement
      uncertainties are 2 mK for temperature and 0.045 m/s for speed of sound. The
      results are compared to data from the literature, equation of state models, and
      measurements by two commercial sensors in the same experiment, showing excellent
      agreement among them.

PMID- 27250471
TI  - Force measurement using strain-gauge balance in a shock tunnel with long test
      duration.
AB  - Force tests were conducted at the long-duration-test shock tunnel JF12, which has
      been designed and built in the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of
      Sciences. The performance tests demonstrated that this facility is capable of
      reproducing a flow of dry air at Mach numbers from 5 to 9 at more than 100 ms
      test duration. Therefore, the traditional internal strain-gauge balance was
      considered for the force tests use in this large impulse facility. However, when
      the force tests are conducted in a shock tunnel, the inertial forces lead to low
      frequency vibrations of the test model and its motion cannot be addressed through
      digital filtering because a sufficient number of cycles cannot be found during a
      shock tunnel run. The post-processing of the balance signal thus becomes
      extremely difficult when an averaging method is employed. Therefore, the force
      measurement encounters many problems in an impulse facility, particularly for
      large and heavy models. The objective of the present study is to develop pulse
      type sting balance by using a strain-gauge sensor that can be applied in the
      force measurement of 100 ms test time, especially for the force test of the large
      scale model. Different structures of the S-series (i.e., sting shaped balances)
      strain-gauge balance are proposed and designed, and the measuring elements are
      further optimized to overcome the difficulties encountered during the measurement
      of aerodynamic force in a shock tunnel. In addition, the force tests were
      conducted using two large-scale test models in JF12 and the S-series strain-gauge
      balances show good performance in the force measurements during the 100 ms test
      time.

PMID- 27250472
TI  - Eddy current-shielded x-space relaxometer for sensitive magnetic nanoparticle
      characterization.
AB  - The development of magnetic particle imaging (MPI) has created a need for
      optimized magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic particle relaxometry is an excellent
      tool for characterizing potential tracers for MPI. In this paper, we describe the
      design and construction of a high-throughput tabletop relaxometer that is able to
      make sensitive measurements of MPI tracers without the need for a dedicated
      shield room.

PMID- 27250473
TI  - A new streaked soft x-ray imager for the National Ignition Facility.
AB  - A new streaked soft x-ray imager has been designed for use on high energy-density
      (HED) physics experiments at the National Ignition Facility based at the Lawrence
      Livermore National Laboratory. This streaked imager uses a slit aperture, single
      shallow angle reflection from a nickel mirror, and soft x-ray filtering to, when
      coupled to one of the NIF's x-ray streak cameras, record a 4* magnification, one
      dimensional image of an x-ray source with a spatial resolution of less than 90
      MUm. The energy band pass produced depends upon the filter material used; for the
      first qualification shots, vanadium and silver-on-titanium filters were used to
      gate on photon energy ranges of approximately 300-510 eV and 200-400 eV,
      respectively. A two-channel version of the snout is available for x-ray sources
      up to 1 mm and a single-channel is available for larger sources up to 3 mm. Both
      the one and two-channel variants have been qualified on quartz wire and HED
      physics target shots.

PMID- 27250474
TI  - Open ISEmeter: An open hardware high-impedance interface for potentiometric
      detection.
AB  - In this work, a new open hardware interface based on Arduino to read
      electromotive force (emf) from potentiometric detectors is presented. The
      interface has been fully designed with the open code philosophy and all
      documentation will be accessible on web. The paper describes a comprehensive
      project including the electronic design, the firmware loaded on Arduino, and the
      Java-coded graphical user interface to load data in a computer (PC or Mac) for
      processing. The prototype was tested by measuring the calibration curve of a
      detector. As detection element, an active poly(vinyl chloride)-based membrane was
      used, doped with cetyltrimethylammonium dodecylsulphate (CTA(+)-DS(-)). The
      experimental measures of emf indicate Nernstian behaviour with the CTA(+) content
      of test solutions, as it was described in the literature, proving the validity of
      the developed prototype. A comparative analysis of performance was made by using
      the same chemical detector but changing the measurement instrumentation.

PMID- 27250475
TI  - An apparatus to measure frictional, anelastic, and viscous behavior in ice at
      temperate and planetary conditions.
AB  - In this paper, we describe a cryogenic, servo-controlled biaxial friction
      apparatus designed to measure the deformational behaviors of ice. The apparatus
      is specifically designed to accurately achieve and measure the low differential
      stresses applicable to deforming ice on earth and on icy satellites. We can apply
      loads in the range ~2-1800 kPa and velocities up to 4 mm/s, with resolution of 39
      Pa and 0.7 MUm, respectively. Precise temperature control, measurement, and
      insulation allow testing at constant temperature (from -2 to -30  degrees C) for
      prolonged periods of time. The apparatus is tested with various plastics as well
      as with polycrystalline ice samples and the results are consistent with
      previously published values. Critical components of the instrument are described
      along with examples of data collection schemes and preliminary results. The
      flexibility of the design allows for both glaciological and planetary
      applications over a range of deformational behaviors including friction,
      anelastic, and viscous.

PMID- 27250476
TI  - Note: A novel dielectric barrier discharge system for generating stable patterns
      in wide range.
AB  - We develop a novel dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system with a meshed water
      electrode to generate stable square superlattice patterns (MSSP) in Ar/air
      mixture in a wide range of experimental environments. Discharge scenarios with
      the applied voltage increasing in the meshed DBD and ordinary DBD are presented
      respectively under the same experimental conditions. It is found that a square
      pattern and MSSP can be obtained stably and easily in meshed DBD, while no
      pattern emerges in ordinary DBD. MSSP can be formed when the Ar content is from
      0% to 70%, and the corresponding applied voltage decreases with Ar content
      increasing. Results based on optical methods show that MSSP is generated by
      artificially designed electrodes together with nonlinear characteristics of DBD,
      which may account for why patterns in meshed DBD exist in a wide range.

PMID- 27250477
TI  - Note: Space qualified photon counting detector for laser time transfer with
      picosecond precision and stability.
AB  - The laser time transfer link is under construction for the European Space Agency
      in the frame of Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space. We have developed and tested the
      flying unit of the photon counting detector optimized for this space mission. The
      results are summarized in this Note. An extreme challenge was to build a detector
      package, which is rugged, small and which provides long term detection delay
      stability on picosecond level. The device passed successfully all the tests
      required for space missions on the low Earth orbits. The detector is extremely
      rugged and compact. Its long term detection delay stability is excellent, it is
      better than +/-1 ps/day, in a sense of time deviation it is better than 0.5 ps
      for averaging times of 2000 s to several hours. The device is capable to operate
      in a temperature range of -55  degrees C up to +60  degrees C, the change of the
      detection delay with temperature is +0.5 ps/K. The device is ready for
      integration into the space structure now.

PMID- 27250478
TI  - Note: A portable laser induced breakdown spectroscopy instrument for rapid
      sampling and analysis of silicon-containing aerosols.
AB  - A portable instrument has been developed for measuring silicon-containing
      aerosols in near real-time using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The
      instrument uses a vacuum system to collect and deposit airborne particulate
      matter onto a translatable reel of filter tape. LIBS is used to analyze the
      deposited material, determining the amount of silicon-containing compounds
      present. In laboratory testing with pure silica (SiO2), the correlation between
      LIBS intensity for a characteristic silicon emission and the concentration of
      silica in a model aerosol was determined for a range of concentrations,
      demonstrating the instrument's plausibility for identifying hazardous levels of
      silicon-containing compounds.

PMID- 27250479
TI  - Note: The expansion of possibilities for plasma probe diagnostics.
AB  - The determination of ion mass for low-pressure Maxwellian plasmas has been
      proposed. It can be done using Langmuir probe measurements and the Bohm formula
      for the ion current density to a floating probe, due to this formula's reliance
      on ion mass. This goal was achieved by accurate measurements of xenon plasma
      parameters in the inductive discharge at pressure p = 2 ? 10(-3) Torr using the
      Plasma Sensors VGPS-12 probe station with the cylindrical Langmuir probes. The
      analysis of measurement data showed that in these conditions, the Bohm effect was
      valid with engineering-level precision, resulting in the experimental Bohm
      coefficient CBCyl ~ 1.13 for cylindrical probes.

PMID- 27250480
TI  - Note: Digital laser frequency auto-locking for inter-satellite laser ranging.
AB  - We present a prototype of a laser frequency auto-locking and re-locking control
      system designed for laser frequency stabilization in inter-satellite laser
      ranging system. The controller has been implemented on field programmable gate
      arrays and programmed with LabVIEW software. The controller allows initial
      frequency calibrating and lock-in of a free-running laser to a Fabry-Perot
      cavity. Since it allows automatic recovery from unlocked conditions, benefit
      derives to automated in-orbit operations. Program design and experimental results
      are demonstrated.

PMID- 27250481
TI  - Note: Arc discharge plasma source with plane segmented LaB6 cathode.
AB  - A plane cathode composed of close-packed hexagonal LaB6 (lanthanum hexaboride)
      segments is described. The 6 cm diameter circular cathode is heated by radiation
      from a graphite foil flat spiral. The cathode along with a hollow copper anode is
      used for the arc discharge plasma production in a newly developed linear plasma
      device. A separately powered coil located around the anode is used to change the
      magnetic field strength and geometry in the anode region. Different discharge
      regimes were realized using this coil.

PMID- 27250482
TI  - Note: A sub-sampling technique for frequency locking in Doppler wind lidar.
AB  - Double-edge technique is employed in Doppler wind lidar for detecting the Doppler
      frequency shift. A dedicated locking channel, employing one channel of a triple
      Fabry-Perot etalon, is designed to compensate for the effects caused by the
      frequency drift of outgoing laser. Agilent Oscilloscopes, with a sampling rate of
      2.5 GSPS, are employed to obtain accurate amplitudes of the narrow pulses in
      existing experiments. In order to achieve the requirement of real-time ability
      and integration, a sub-sampling technique based on the theory of statistics is
      presented. With the technique, the drift can be acquired at a sub-sampling rate,
      250 MSPS. A prototype is designed and the test results show that the prototype,
      providing real-time ability and better integration, has a comparable performance
      as the oscilloscope for frequency locking.

PMID- 27250483
TI  - Note: Design and implementation of a home-built imaging system with low jitter
      for cold atom experiments.
AB  - A novel home-built system for imaging cold atom samples is presented using a
      readily available astronomy camera which has the requisite sensitivity but no
      timing-control. We integrate the camera with LabVIEW achieving fast, low-jitter
      imaging with a convenient user-defined interface. We show that our system takes
      precisely timed millisecond exposures and offers significant improvements in
      terms of system jitter and readout time over previously reported home-built
      systems. Our system rivals current commercial "black box" systems in performance
      and user-friendliness.

PMID- 27250484
TI  - Note: Development of leg size sensors for fluid accumulation monitoring.
AB  - A number of diseases can lead to fluid accumulation and swelling in the lower
      leg. Early detection of leg swelling can be used to effectively predict potential
      health risks and allows for early intervention from medical providers. Hence this
      note develops a novel leg size sensor based on the use of magnetic field
      measurement. An electromagnet is combined with two magnetic field transducers to
      provide a drift-free leg size estimation technique immune to environmental
      disturbances. The sensor can measure changes as small as 1 mm in diameter
      reliably during in vitro tests. Its performance is compared with that of other
      size measurement techniques.

PMID- 27250485
TI  - Note: An improved solenoid driver valve for miniature shock tubes.
AB  - A solenoid driver valve has been built to improve the operating performance of
      diaphragmless shock tubes, which are used for high pressure, high temperature
      chemical kinetics, and fluid mechanics studies. For shock tube driver
      application, the most important characteristics are those of sealing, strength,
      and quality of the generated shock waves and repeatability of opening
      characteristics and therefore subsequent post-shock conditions. The main features
      of the new driver valve are a face o-ring sealing design of the valve, the large
      internal volume, and through inserts near the solenoid core: adjustable opening
      characteristics of the valve.

PMID- 27250487
TI  - Erratum: "Concepts of magnetic filter fields in powerful negative ion sources for
      fusion" [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 02B315 (2016)].

PMID- 27250488
TI  - Publisher's Note: "High sensitivity measurement system for the direct-current,
      capacitance-voltage, and gate-drain low frequency noise characterization of field
      effect transistors" [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 044702 (2016)].

PMID- 27250489
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27250490
TI  - [IL-2-Therapy in SLE- Selective reconstitution of immunological tolerance].

PMID- 27250491
TI  - [Inflammation and bone : Osteoimmunological aspects].
AB  - Microscopic fractures (so-called microcracks) or traumatic macrofractures require
      bone, as the basic scaffold of the human body, to have a high regenerative
      capability. In order to be able to provide this regenerative capability, bone is
      in a constant process of remodeling. This finely tuned homeostasis of bone
      formation and degradation can become disrupted, which leads to osteoporosis or
      other bone disorders. It has been shown that the immune system is substantially
      involved in the regulation of bone homeostasis and that chronic inflammation in
      particular can disturb this balance; therefore, this article reviews the
      osteoimmunological aspects contributing to osteoporosis and other diseases
      associated with bone degradation. 

PMID- 27250492
TI  - Protective Effects of Selenium, N-Acetylcysteine and Vitamin E Against Acute
      Ethanol Intoxication in Rats.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine possible protective influences of selenium
      (Se), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and vitamin E (Vit E) against acute ethanol (EtOH)
      intoxication. Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups: I (control), II
      (EtOH), III (EtOH + Se), IV (EtOH + Vit E), V (EtOH + NAC), and VI (EtOH + mix).
      Except group I, EtOH was given the other pretreated (groups III, IV, V, and VI)
      and untreated groups (group II). Compared with the EtOH group, serum aspartate
      aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate
      dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and creatine kinase-MB levels were significantly
      decreased in all pretreated groups, whereas slightly diminished amylase and
      lipase were observed. Compared with the control group, a remarkably lower total
      antioxidant status (TAS), but higher total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative
      stress index (OSI) were seen in brain, liver, and kidney tissues. The values of
      these parameters were less affected from EtOH-exposed brain tissue of EtOH + NAC
      and liver of EtOH + mix groups. Both significant decrease of catalase activity
      and marked increases of adenosine deaminase and myeloperoxidase were determined
      only in liver tissue of the EtOH group. Activities of these enzymes were restored
      in almost all pretreated groups. Moreover, an increase of xanthine oxidase
      activity was prevented in brain tissue of pretreated groups. In histopathological
      examination of the liver, hydropic degeneration, sinusoidal dilatation,
      mononuclear cell infiltration, and marked congestion, which were seen in the EtOH
      group, were prevented in all pretreated groups. Relative protection against acute
      EtOH toxicity, in both single and combined pretreatments of Se, NAC, and Vit E
      supplementation, was probably through antioxidant and free radical-neutralizing
      effects of foregoing materials.

PMID- 27250493
TI  - Zinc Content in Cord Blood Is Associated with Maternal Age and Parity.
AB  - At childbirth (parturition), zinc (Zn) homeostasis in cord blood (CB) can be
      affected by a number of factors: Zn in maternal blood, parturition related stress
      as well as metallothionein (MT). Both Zn and stress are known inducers of MT
      which is primarily involved in Zn homeostasis. This study analyzed Zn
      concentration [Zn], in CB components and MT-2A transcription in CB mononuclear
      cells (MNC) in relation to primiparous and multiparous childbirth. [Zn] in CB (n
      = 47) plasma, erythrocytes, and MNCs were measured by atomic absorption
      spectrophotometry (lambda = 213.9 nm). The MT-2A transcription in CB-MNC was
      quantified using real-time PCR. Significant correlations (Pearson r) were found
      between: plasma-[Zn] and erythrocyte-[Zn] (p = 0.002); [Zn] and MT-2A messenger
      RNA (mRNA) (p = 0.000) in CB-MNC. Student's t tests showed higher levels of MT-2A
      mRNA and MNC-[Zn] in CB of older (>=25 years) compared to younger mothers (<=24
      years) (p = 0.043 and p = 0.016, respectively). Significantly higher [Zn] was
      found in CB plasma (p = 0.017) and MNC (p = 0.041) of older primiparous compared
      to the younger primiparous and older multiparous mothers respectively. MT-2A mRNA
      in CB-MNC was significantly lower in CB of younger primiparous mothers compared
      to their older counterparts (p = 0.001). Path analysis showed that MNC-[Zn] (beta
      = 0.83; p = 0.000) had a greater influence on MT-2A mRNA expression, compared to
      parity (beta = -0.14; p = 0.033). Higher [Zn] in CB of primiparous mothers could
      be linked to higher stress during parturition, however, might be beneficial for
      the growth and development of the child. Together MNC-[Zn] and parity contributed
      ~70 % of the MT-2A transcription in CB-MNC.

PMID- 27250494
TI  - A Comparative Analysis of the Contents Of Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and
      Calcium in the Collective Diet Of Preschool Children in the Northwestern Region
      of Bosnia.
AB  - Researches conducted worldwide indicate a frequent deficiency in mineral matters.
      Due to the increased need during the period of accelerated growth and
      development, children belong to the group that is exposed to the highest risk of
      mineral matter deficiency. Our objectives were to determine the iron, zinc,
      copper, manganese, and calcium intake in the collective diet of the preschool
      population in the in the northwestern region of Bosnia- in the Republic of Srpska
      and to estimate the adequacy of the application of the international food
      composition tables for nutrition planning relating to mineral matters. Samples of
      food intended for children's diet were collected in the preschool institution
      "Radost" (a kindergarten), in the city of Prijedor. In daily portions, Fe, Zn,
      Cu, Mn, and Ca contents were determined by flame atomic absorption
      spectrophotometry. Contents of mineral matters in daily meals were also
      calculated by the food composition tables. An average daily meal contained 2.86
      mg of Fe, 1.71 mg of Zn, 0.19 mg of Cu, 0.21 mg of Mn, and 83.5 mg of Ca. With
      calculation method, contents of all minerals are significantly higher than the
      experimental data for all used food composition tables. The obtained results
      indicate a significant deficiency in mineral matters in the collective diet of
      the preschool population in the Republic of Srpska, a certain non-compliance with
      the applicable recommendations, and also suggest a need to create food
      composition tables for food being consumed in our region.

PMID- 27250495
TI  - Blood Selenium Concentration and Blood Cystatin C Concentration in a Randomly
      Selected Population of Healthy Children Environmentally Exposed to Lead and
      Cadmium.
AB  - This study aimed at evaluation of a relationship between blood selenium
      concentration (Se-B) and blood cystatin C concentration (CST) in a randomly
      selected population of healthy children, environmentally exposed to lead and
      cadmium. The studies were conducted on 172 randomly selected children (7.98 +/-
      0.97 years). Among participants, the subgroups were distinguished, manifesting
      marginally low blood selenium concentration (Se-B 40-59 MUg/l), suboptimal blood
      selenium concentration (Se-B: 60-79 MUg/l) or optimal blood selenium
      concentration (Se-B >= 80 MUg/l). At the subsequent stage, analogous subgroups of
      participants were selected separately in groups of children with BMI below median
      value (BMI <16.48 kg/m2) and in children with BMI >= median value (BMI >=16.48
      kg/m2). In all participants, values of Se-B and CST were estimated. In the entire
      group of examined children no significant differences in mean CST values were
      detected between groups distinguished on the base of normative Se-B values. Among
      children with BMI below 16.48 kg/m2, children with marginally low Se-B manifested
      significantly higher mean CST values, as compared to children with optimum Se-B
      (0.95 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.82 +/- 0.15 mg/l, p < 0.05). In summary, in a randomly
      selected population of healthy children no relationships could be detected
      between blood selenium concentration and blood cystatin C concentration. On the
      other hand, in children with low body mass index, a negative non-linear
      relationship was present between blood selenium concentration and blood cystatin
      C concentration.

PMID- 27250496
TI  - Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 and Heavy Metal Levels in Mothers Breast Milk in
      Famagusta, Cyprus.
AB  - Breast milk contributes towards optimal nutrition for infants. However, studies
      showed that it can also contain different toxins and heavy metals, which reduce
      its health benefits. The aim of this study is to determine the level of
      contaminants such as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), Pb, Cd, As, and Hg in breast milk
      samples from Famagusta, Cyprus. Correlations between moldy food consumption,
      smoking habits of the mothers, and contaminant levels in breast milk were also
      investigated. Breast milk samples from 50 lactating mothers in rural and urban
      areas of Famagusta District were analyzed for AFM1 by ELISA. Eighty percent of
      them were found to be contaminated with AFM1 with the mean measurement of 7.84 +/
      1.72 ng/l. Socio-demographic status, moldy food consumption habits, and smoking
      status do not have any effect on the AFM1 levels observed in breast milk. Heavy
      metal levels in breast milk were examined by inductively coupled plasma mass
      spectrometry, and the mean measurements were1.19 +/- 1.53 ppm for Pb, 0.73 +/-
      0.58 ppm for As, 0 +/- 0.20 ppm for Hg, and 0.45 +/- 0.23 ppm for Cd. This study
      indicates that the levels of these contaminants in breast milk samples obtained
      in Famagusta District are well within the acceptable levels. However, the
      presence of AFM1 and heavy metals still may pose risks for infant health.

PMID- 27250497
TI  - The association between psychosocial and structural-level stressors and HIV
      injection drug risk behavior among Malaysian fishermen: A cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaysian fishermen have been identified as a key-affected HIV
      population with HIV rates 10 times higher than national rates. A number of
      studies have identified that psychosocial and structural-level stressors increase
      HIV injection drug risk behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to examine
      psychosocial and structural-level stressors of injection drug use and HIV
      injection drug risk behaviors among Malaysian fishermen. METHODS: The study
      employs a cross-sectional design using respondent driven sampling methods. The
      sample includes 406 fishermen from Pahang state, Malaysia. Using multivariate
      logistic regressions, we examined the relationship between individual
      (depression), social (adverse interactions with the police), and structural
      (poverty-related) stressors and injection drug use and risky injection drug use
      (e.g.., receptive and non-receptive needle sharing, frontloading and back
      loading, or sharing drugs from a common container). RESULTS: Participants below
      the poverty line had significantly lower odds of injection drug use (OR 0.52, 95
      % CI: 0.27-0.99, p = 0.047) and risky injection drug use behavior (OR 0.48, 95 %
      CI: 0.25-0.93, p = 0.030). In addition, participants with an arrest history had
      higher odds of injection use (OR 19.58, 95 % CI: 9.81-39.10, p < 0.001) and risky
      injection drug use (OR 16.25, 95 % CI: 4.73-55.85, p < 0.001). Participants with
      depression had significantly higher odds of engaging in risky injection drug use
      behavior (OR 3.26, 95 % 1.39-7.67, p = 0.007). Focusing on participants with a
      history of injection drug use, we found that participants with depression were
      significantly more likely to engage in risky drug use compared to participants
      below the depression cutoff (OR 3.45, 95 % CI: 1.23-9.66, p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS:
      Findings underscore the need to address psychosocial and structural-level
      stressors among Malaysian fishermen to reduce HIV injection drug risk behaviors.

PMID- 27250498
TI  - Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with mixed connective
      tissue disease: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy is a syndrome highly associated
      with hypertension and cytotoxic therapy. The syndrome typically presents with
      headache, visual abnormality, seizures and characteristic vasogenic edema on
      magnetic resonance imaging. The entity warrants a prompt diagnosis to avoid
      deteriorating consequences. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we describe a 15
      year-old Iranian boy who was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease, and
      cyclophosphamide pulse therapy was administered. Three days after the second
      pulse of cyclophosphamide, when he was receiving prednisolone and
      hydroxycholoroquine, our patient developed generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
      Magnetic resonance imaging findings showed high signal intensities in the
      posterior areas of his brain. After 8 days, the brain magnetic resonance imaging
      abnormalities were resolved following the control of his blood pressure and
      antiepileptic treatment. These observations have been indicative of posterior
      reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Nevertheless, our patient developed
      uncontrollable respiratory distress and eventually died. CONCLUSIONS: To the best
      of our knowledge, this case is the first report of posterior reversible
      encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease. As the
      patient developed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome 3 days after
      cyclophosphamide pulse therapy to reduce the disease activity, it is hard to
      accurately determine whether posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in this
      case is a complication of cyclophosphamide or a condition that resulted from the
      mixed connective tissue disease flare-up.

PMID- 27250499
TI  - Probiotics and microbiota composition.
AB  - Accumulated evidence, corroborated by a new systematic review by Kristensen et
      al. (Genome Med 8:52, 2016), suggests that probiotics do not significantly impact
      the fecal microbiota composition of healthy subjects. Nevertheless, physiological
      benefits have been associated with probiotic consumption by healthy people. Some
      studies have suggested that probiotics may impact the function of colonizing
      microbes, although this needs to be further studied. An alternative hypothesis is
      that probiotics may promote homeostasis of the gut microbiota, rather than change
      its composition. This hypothesis warrants investigation as a possible mechanism
      for how probiotics may benefit healthy people.Please see related article:
      http://genomemedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13073-016-0300-5 .

PMID- 27250500
TI  - Deciphering the gene expression profile of peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor signaling pathway in the left atria of patients with mitral
      regurgitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Differentially expressed genes in the left atria of mitral
      regurgitation (MR) pigs have been linked to peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway in the KEGG pathway. However, specific genes of
      the PPAR signaling pathway in the left atria of MR patients have never been
      explored. METHODS: This study enrolled 15 MR patients with heart failure, 7
      patients with aortic valve disease and heart failure, and 6 normal controls. We
      used PCR assay (84 genes) for PPAR pathway and quantitative RT-PCR to study
      specific genes of the PPAR pathway in the left atria. RESULTS: Gene expression
      profiling analysis through PCR assay identified 23 genes to be differentially
      expressed in the left atria of MR patients compared to normal controls. The
      expressions of APOA1, ACADM, FABP3, ETFDH, ECH1, CPT1B, CPT2, SLC27A6, ACAA2,
      SMARCD3, SORBS1, EHHADH, SLC27A1, PPARGC1B, PPARA and CPT1A were significantly up
      regulated, whereas the expression of PLTP was significantly down-regulated in the
      MR patients compared to normal controls. The expressions of HMGCS2, ACADM, FABP3,
      MLYCD, ECH1, ACAA2, EHHADH, CPT1A and PLTP were significantly up-regulated in the
      MR patients compared to patients with aortic valve disease. Notably, only ACADM,
      FABP3, ECH1, ACAA2, EHHADH, CPT1A and PLTP of the PPAR pathway were significantly
      differentially expressed in the MR patients compared to patients with aortic
      valve disease and normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: Differentially expressed genes of
      the PPAR pathway have been identified in the left atria of MR patients compared
      with patients with aortic valve disease and normal controls.

PMID- 27250501
TI  - Investigation of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of eriodictyol
      through its cellular anti-oxidant activity.
AB  - Many studies have been performed to assess the potential utility of natural
      products as immunomodulatory agents to enhance host responses against infection
      or to ameliorate immune-based pathologies. To determine whether eriodictyol has
      immunomodulatory effects and clarify which types of immune effector cells are
      stimulated in vitro, we investigated the stimulatory effect of eriodictyol on
      spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice. Eriodictyol significantly stimulated
      splenocyte proliferation. However, only B lymphocytes (not T lymphocytes) could
      be stimulated by eriodictyol in a dose-related manner. Studies assessing
      potential effect of eriodictyol on innate immunity reported that eriodictyol
      enhanced significantly the killing activity of natural killer (NK) cells, T
      lymphocytes, and macrophages. We also demonstrated that eriodictyol inhibited
      nitric oxide (NO) production and lysosomal enzyme activity in murine peritoneal
      macrophages cultured ex-vivo, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory effect in
      situ. Eriodictyol revealed also a cellular anti-oxidant activity in splenocytes
      and macrophages. Furthermore, eriodictyol increased catalase activity in spleen
      cells. From this data, it can be concluded that eriodictyol exhibited an
      immunomodulatory effect that could be ascribed in part to a cytoprotective effect
      related to its anti-oxidant activity.

PMID- 27250502
TI  - A Multilayer Perceptron Based Smart Pathological Brain Detection System by
      Fractional Fourier Entropy.
AB  - This work aims at developing a novel pathological brain detection system (PBDS)
      to assist neuroradiologists to interpret magnetic resonance (MR) brain images. We
      simplify this problem as recognizing pathological brains from healthy brains.
      First, 12 fractional Fourier entropy (FRFE) features were extracted from each
      brain image. Next, we submit those features to a multi-layer perceptron (MLP)
      classifier. Two improvements were proposed for MLP. One improvement is the
      pruning technique that determines the optimal hidden neuron number. We compared
      three pruning techniques: dynamic pruning (DP), Bayesian detection boundaries
      (BDB), and Kappa coefficient (KC). The other improvement is to use the adaptive
      real-coded biogeography-based optimization (ARCBBO) to train the biases and
      weights of MLP. The experiments showed that the proposed FRFE + KC-MLP + ARCBBO
      achieved an average accuracy of 99.53 % based on 10 repetitions of K-fold cross
      validation, which was better than 11 recent PBDS methods. 

PMID- 27250505
TI  - The Proceedings of the 2015 Tohoku Regional Post Graduate Education Meeting.

PMID- 27250503
TI  - Improving GENCODE reference gene annotation using a high-stringency
      proteogenomics workflow.
AB  - Complete annotation of the human genome is indispensable for medical research.
      The GENCODE consortium strives to provide this, augmenting computational and
      experimental evidence with manual annotation. The rapidly developing field of
      proteogenomics provides evidence for the translation of genes into proteins and
      can be used to discover and refine gene models. However, for both the proteomics
      and annotation groups, there is a lack of guidelines for integrating this data.
      Here we report a stringent workflow for the interpretation of proteogenomic data
      that could be used by the annotation community to interpret novel proteogenomic
      evidence. Based on reprocessing of three large-scale publicly available human
      data sets, we show that a conservative approach, using stringent filtering is
      required to generate valid identifications. Evidence has been found supporting 16
      novel protein-coding genes being added to GENCODE. Despite this many peptide
      identifications in pseudogenes cannot be annotated due to the absence of
      orthogonal supporting evidence.

PMID- 27250506
TI  - The Proceedings of the 2015 Tokai-Hokuriku Regional Post Graduate Education
      Meeting.

PMID- 27250504
TI  - Deleterious effects of 28-day oral co-administration of first-line anti-TB drugs
      on spleen, blood and bone marrow chromosomes in normal rat.
AB  - CONTEXT: Isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide are most reliable and cost
      effective remedy for tuberculosis treatment and prophylaxis among first-line anti
      tuberculosis (TB) drugs and have a pronounced tendency to cause adverse drug
      reactions. Hepatotoxicity is well-studied side effect of these drugs but their
      effects on other organs like spleen and blood are still needed to be explored.
      OBJECTIVE: To explore the probable outcome of co-administration these three major
      antitubercular drugs (ATDs), rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide on spleen,
      blood and bone marrow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different parameters were evaluated
      like lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) and protein content in spleen by
      spectrophotometric evaluation, hematological evaluation by determining total
      hemoglobin, total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count and scanning
      electron microscopy studies in blood, genotoxicity studied by bone marrow
      chromosomal analysis and DNA fragmentation. The female rats n = 12 (150-200 g)
      were grouped as control group orally given saline and toxicant group given INH
      (30.85 mg/kg b.wt.) + RIF (61.7 mg/kg b.wt.) + PZA (132.65 mg/kg b.wt.) dosage
      extrapolated from dose that is used in human for 28 d once daily. RESULTS: After
      28 d-oral co-administration of anti-TB drugs (INH (30.85 mg/kg b.wt.) + RIF (61.7
      mg/kg b.wt.) + PZA (132.65 mg/kg b.wt.)), it was revealed that there were an
      increase thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, decrease in GSH and protein
      contents in spleen. Marked changes in hematological parameters, DNA fragmentation
      and chromosomes were also observed. CONCLUSION: This can be concluded from this
      work that co-administration of first-line ATDs is toxic to spleen and blood also
      these drugs can cause damage at genetic level.

PMID- 27250507
TI  - The Proceedings of the 103th Kinki Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of
      Neurology.

PMID- 27250510
TI  - Editor's Note.

PMID- 27250511
TI  - Touching the private parts: how gender and sexuality norms affect medical
      students' first pelvic examination.
AB  - Gynaecologists are in a position to challenge norms about gender and sexuality in
      relation to female genitals. Through their work they have the opportunity to
      educate patients, which is why teaching medical students to perform examinations
      in a gender sensitive way is significant. Medical students performing their first
      pelvic examination often experience the examination as uncomfortable because it
      is a body part that is connected to sex and to something private. This paper uses
      medical students' interpretations of performing their first pelvic examination as
      a means to discuss how cultural norms for gender, sexuality and female genitals
      affect these examinations. Issues raised include how cultural connotations of
      female genitals affect the pelvic examination, how female and male students
      relate differently to examining female genitals and the interpretations they make
      in relation to themselves. Findings show that the female genitals are perceived
      as a special body part connected to sexuality and intimacy. Students' gender also
      affects the interpretations they make during pelvic examinations. Norms of
      gender, sexuality and female genitals need to be challenged in the teaching and
      performance of pelvic examination in order to demystify this experience.

PMID- 27250512
TI  - Prospects of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and natural killer cell therapies
      in acute leukemias.

PMID- 27250513
TI  - Update on the surgical management of ovarian neoplasms in children and
      adolescents: analysis on 32 cases.
AB  - This study analyzes updated clinical, diagnostic, and surgical directions for the
      treatment of ovarian neoplasms in children and adolescents, comparing them with a
      retrospective analysis of 32 cases treated in two Pediatric Surgery University
      Institutions. From January 2005 to December 2015, 32 pediatric patients were
      surgically treated for 32 ovarian tumors: 28 (87.5%) benign and 4 (12.5%)
      malignant neoplastic lesions. Median age at surgery was 11.2 years (12.8 years in
      patients with benign neoplasms, 7.25 years in patients with malignant ones). All
      patients with malignant and 25% of patients with benign ovarian lesions had
      elevated serum level of tumors markers. The surgical approach was laparotomic in
      62.5% and laparoscopic in 37.5%; 81.2% surgeries were performed in elective
      surgery and 18.8% in emergency. Intraoperative frozen section analysis was
      performed in 18.75% of patients. The most frequent surgery (96.8%) was unilateral
      oophorectomy. After a median follow-up of 76 months (range 6-132 months), 31/32
      patients are alive and disease-free. In case of malignant tumors, fertility
      sparing surgery with accurate staging must be performed. Laparoscopic multiport
      is the gold standard approach for benign pediatric ovarian neoplasms, but the use
      of laparoscopy in full respect of oncological principles also for early stage
      malignant tumors is currently increased.

PMID- 27250515
TI  - Synthesis of Mesoporous Single Crystal Co(OH)2 Nanoplate and Its Topotactic
      Conversion to Dual-Pore Mesoporous Single Crystal Co3O4.
AB  - A new class of mesoporous single crystalline (MSC) material, Co(OH)2 nanoplates,
      is synthesized by a soft template method, and it is topotactically converted to
      dual-pore MSC Co3O4. Most mesoporous materials derived from the soft template
      method are reported to be amorphous or polycrystallined; however, in our
      synthesis, Co(OH)2 seeds grow to form single crystals, with amphiphilic block
      copolymer F127 colloids as the pore producer. The single-crystalline nature of
      material can be kept during the conversion from Co(OH)2 to Co3O4, and special
      dual-pore MSC Co3O4 nanoplates can be obtained. As the anode of lithium-ion
      batteries, such dual-pore MSC Co3O4 nanoplates possess exceedingly high capacity
      as well as long cyclic performance (730 mAh g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) after the 350th
      cycle). The superior performance is because of the unique hierarchical mesoporous
      structure, which could significantly improve Li(+) diffusion kinetics, and the
      exposed highly active (111) crystal planes are in favor of the conversion
      reaction in the charge/discharge cycles. 

PMID- 27250516
TI  - Suppression of phase transitions at low temperature by chromium substitution in
      vanadium spinel Fe(V1-x Cr x )2O4.
AB  - Synchrotron powder diffraction, magnetization, and specific heat measurements
      have been used to investigate the structural and magnetic phase transitions in
      the spinel-type vanadate Fe(V1-x Cr x )2O4 (0.0  ?  x  ?  1.0). We observed five
      different transitions in our polycrystalline samples. The canted-type
      ferrimagnetic phase transition accompanied by the lattice distortion was
      suppressed by Cr substitution (x  =  0.2). Additionally, high-resolution
      synchrotron powder diffraction revealed that the low-temperature orthorhombic
      phase appears in FeV2O4 below 30 K and disappears by subtle Cr doping. In
      contrast, for x  ?  0.7, we observed a different magnetic transition of possibly
      conical-type ferrimagnetic ordering that did not induce significant lattice
      distortion at the transition temperature. We performed structural refinements for
      low-temperature phases and suggest that the crystal system of Fe(V1-x Cr x )2O4
      at 15K is an orthorhombic lattice for all x values. In the orthorhombic phase, a
      unique behaviour was observed, with the lattice constants a and b approaching
      each other as Cr doping increased. This behaviour can be explained by the change
      of orbitally ordered states of the Fe(2+) ions.

PMID- 27250517
TI  - Catalyst-controlled switch of regioselectivity in the asymmetric allylic
      alkylation of oxazolones with MBHCs.
AB  - A catalyst-controlled switch of regioselectivity in asymmetric allylic alkylation
      of oxazolones with MBHCs was described. The SN2'-SN2' reaction catalysed by a
      quinine-derived base produced gamma-selective secondary allylic oxazolone
      derivatives, whereas the addition-elimination reaction catalysed by an amino acid
      derived bifunctional urea catalyst provided beta-selective primary adducts. 

PMID- 27250518
TI  - [Reporting occupational disease in the Valencia Autonomous Community].

PMID- 27250519
TI  - [Archivos, much accomplished, much left to do].

PMID- 27250520
TI  - [Work-related motor vehicle injuries among workers at a banking institution (2007
      2013)].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study physical harm caused by road accidents (LATT in Spanish)
      among employees of a Spanish financial institution from 2007 to 2013.
      Additionally, we tried to define damage features in each sex and at different
      ages in hurt patients, as well as work disability caused by this type of injury.
      METHODS: Cross-sectional study of labor injuries verified by the occupational
      medical service of the bank. Absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies related to
      interesting variables were described. Chi-square test was used to assess
      correlation. RESULTS: Along the mentioned period of time, 1.517 traumatic
      occupational injuries were recorded on a population of 14.541 workers. 27% of
      them were LATT. 1,3% of these were fatal or seriously harmful, significantly
      associated to sex and age (p < 0,05). Co-driver damage, LATT in itinere and twist
      or sprain were more common in women. LATT at work and closed fractures were more
      frequent in men.Work disability caused by LATT was higher than other traumatic
      occupational injuries. CONCLUSIONS: LATT in the studied sample were almost three
      times higher than LATT are among general Spanish population, but serious lesions
      in our group were less common.We observed differences in LATT distribution by
      sexes and ages in workers included in this study, and also a higher incidence of
      work disability compared to the whole traumatic occupational injuries. Public
      health and occupational health authorities must find efficient strategies in
      order to diminish the incidence of these LATT-associated injuries.

PMID- 27250521
TI  - [Work-related common mental disorders in Navarra, Spain (2009-2012)].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine work-related mental health morbidity and correct
      psychosocial risks. METHODOLOGY: In this pilot study conducted at a mental health
      center, work-related common mental disorders were identified and population
      incidence was estimated.We next described cases reported from primary care
      centers in the period 2009 to 2012, via the Occupational Health Surveillance
      Program. Incidence was calculated by socioeconomic variables. Associations among
      variables (Chi2 test), their prevalence ratios (PR) and the correlation of risks
      (kappa coefficient) were compared. Reporting of these cases to the occupational
      health services and subsequent actions are described. RESULTS: In the pilot
      study, 17.5% of common mental disorders were work-related (7.2 x 1000 workers /
      year). Among the reported cases, incidence was higher in unskilled occupations,
      feminized economic activities and the services sector. Seventy per cent of cases
      were associated with hostile behavior and 14.2% with organizational factors. In
      addition, 83.2% of cases led to sickness absence episodes. Managing directors
      were at greater risk of bullying (PR 3.92 95%CI 2.35-6.53) as compared to other
      risks. Overall, 20% of cases ended in job dismissal, particularly in cases of
      mistreatment or bullying (PR 1.64 95%CI 1.24-2.16). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary
      to implement reporting systems and prevention programs for work-relaed mental
      disorders, especially for collectives of workers with high risk profiles.

PMID- 27250522
TI  - [Scrotal cancer: the first occupational cancer].

PMID- 27250524
TI  - Neuroprotective effects of the ethanol stem bark extracts of Terminalia ivorensis
      in ketamine-induced schizophrenia-like behaviors and oxidative damage in mice.
AB  - CONTEXT: Schizophrenia is a heterogenous neurological disorder, which has been
      hypothetically linked to oxidative imbalance and associated behavioral
      perturbations. Preliminary evidence from animal models predictive of human
      psychosis suggests that Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev. (Combretaceae) has
      antipsychotic-like activity in mice. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the
      neuroprotective property of the ethanol stem bark extracts of T. ivorensis (EETI)
      in reversal treatment of ketamine-induced schizophrenia-like behaviors and
      oxidative alteration in adult male Swiss albino mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Animals were divided into six treatment groups (n = 5). Animals received
      distilled water or ketamine (20 mg/kg) once daily intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 14
      days, and from the 8th to the 14th day, they were treated with EETI (125, 250 or
      500 mg/kg), risperidone (RIS) or vehicle orally once daily. Behaviors related to
      positive (locomotor activity) and cognitive (Y maze) symptoms of schizophrenia
      were assessed. Glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase
      (CAT) activities, including malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were measured in
      mice whole brains. RESULT: The LD50 of EETI was 2236.06 mg/kg, p.o. body weight.
      EETI (125, 250 or 500 mg/kg, p.o.) demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) inhibition
      of ketamine-induced hyperlocomotion and cognitive dysfunction. The extract
      decreased MDA concentration (39.0, 62.6 and 67.5%) in a dose-dependent manner.
      Moreover, EETI significantly (p < 0.05) reversed the depletion of GSH, and
      increased activities of SOD and CAT in brain tissues. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:
      These findings suggest that EETI probably exert its antipsychotic-like activity,
      via a neuroprotective compensatory mechanism of action, and as such, could be
      relevant in the management of schizophrenia.

PMID- 27250523
TI  - Estrogen/ERR-alpha signaling axis is associated with fiber-type conversion of
      upper airway muscles in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.
AB  - Estrogen is related with the low morbidity associated with obstructive sleep
      apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAS) in women, but the underlying mechanisms remain
      largely unknown. In this study, we examined the relationship between OSAS and
      estrogen related receptor-alpha (ERR-alpha). We found that the expression levels
      of ERR-alpha and Myh7 were both downregulated in palatopharyngeal tissues from
      OSAS patients. In addition, we report that ERR-alpha is dynamically expressed
      during differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Knockdown of ERR-alpha via instant
      siRNA resulted in reduced expression of Myh7, but not Myh4. Furthermore,
      differentiation of C2C12 cells under 3% chronic intermittent hypoxia, a model
      resembling human OSAS, was impaired and accompanied by a obvious reduction in
      Myh7 expression levels. Moreover, activation of ERR-alpha with 17beta-estradiol
      (E2) increased the expression of Myh7, whereas pretreatment with the ERR-alpha
      antagonist XCT790 reversed the E2-induced slow fiber-type switch. A rat
      ovariectomy model also demonstrated the switch to fast fiber type. Collectively,
      our findings suggest that ERR-alpha is involved in estrogen-mediated OSAS by
      regulating Myhc-slow expression. The present study illustrates an important role
      of the estrogen/ERR-alpha axis in the pathogenesis of OSAS, and may represent an
      attractive therapeutic target, especially in postmenopausal women.

PMID- 27250525
TI  - Direct observation of polar tweed in LaAlO3.
AB  - Polar tweed was discovered in mechanically stressed LaAlO3. Local patches of
      strained material (diameter ca. 5 MUm) form interwoven patterns seen in
      birefringence images, Piezo-Force Microscopy (PFM) and Resonant Piezoelectric
      Spectroscopy (RPS). PFM and RPS observations prove unequivocally that electrical
      polarity exists inside the tweed patterns of LaAlO3. The local piezoelectric
      effect varies greatly within the tweed patterns and reaches magnitudes similar to
      quartz. The patterns were mapped by the shift of the Eg soft-mode frequency by
      Raman spectroscopy.

PMID- 27250526
TI  - Thiazolides Elicit Anti-Viral Innate Immunity and Reduce HIV Replication.
AB  - Nitazoxanide (Alinia((r)), NTZ) and tizoxanide (TIZ), its active circulating
      metabolite, belong to a class of agents known as thiazolides (TZD) endowed with
      broad anti-infective activities. TIZ and RM-4848, the active metabolite of RM
      5038, were shown to stimulate innate immunity in vitro. Because natural
      resistance to HIV-1 infection in HIV-exposed seronegative (HESN) individuals is
      suggested to be associated with strong innate immune responses, we verified
      whether TIZ and RM-4848 could reduce the in vitro infectiousness of HIV-1.
      Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 20 healthy donors were infected
      in vitro with HIV-1BaL in the presence/absence of TIZ or RM4848. HIV-1 p24 were
      measured at different timepoints. The immunomodulatory abilities of TZD were
      evaluated by the expression of type I IFN pathway genes and the production of
      cytokines and chemokines. TZD drastically inhibited in vitro HIV-1 replication
      (>87%). This was associated with the activation of innate immune responses and
      with the up-regulation of several interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), including
      those involved in cholesterol pathway, particularly the cholesterol-25
      hydroxylase (CH25H). TZD inhibition of HIV-1 replication in vitro could be due to
      their ability to stimulate potent and multifaceted antiviral immune responses.
      These data warrant the exploration of TZD as preventive/therapeutic agent in HIV
      infection.

PMID- 27250527
TI  - Collaborative care for anxiety disorders in primary care: a systematic review and
      meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating collaborative care for anxiety disorders are
      recently emerging. A systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the effect
      of collaborative care for adult patients with anxiety disorders in primary care
      is therefore warranted. METHODS: A literature search was performed. DATA SOURCES:
      PubMed, Psycinfo, Embase, Cinahl, and the Cochrane library. STUDY ELIGIBILITY
      CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of collaborative
      care for adult primary care patients with an anxiety disorder, compared to care
      as usual or another intervention. Synthesis methods: Standardized mean
      differences (SMD) on an anxiety scale closest to twelve months follow-up were
      calculated and pooled in a random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Of the 3073
      studies found, seven studies were included with a total of 2105 participants.
      Included studies were of moderate to high quality. Collaborative care was
      superior to care as usual, with a small effect size (SMD = 0.35 95 % CI 0.14
      0.56) for all anxiety disorders combined and a moderate effect size (SMD = 0.59,
      95 % CI 0.41-0.78) in a subgroup analysis (five studies) on patients with panic
      disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative care seems to be a promising strategy for
      improving primary care for anxiety disorders, in particular panic disorder.
      However, the number of studies is still small and further research is needed to
      evaluate the effectiveness in other anxiety disorders.

PMID- 27250528
TI  - Impact of Insulin Sensitizers on the Incidence of Dementia: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abundant evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies has
      proven that diabetes mellitus (DM) is correlated with an increased incidence of
      dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Insulin resistance is considered to play
      an important role in the associations between DM and dementia. However, whether
      insulin sensitizer drugs are effective in preventing dementia still remains
      unclear. METHODS: Electronic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and the
      ISI Web of Science were conducted to identify studies that reported about the
      associations between insulin sensitizers and the incidence of dementia. The
      included studies were reviewed, and a meta-analysis was performed using STATA to
      determine the combined relative risk (RR) for the incidence of dementia when
      using insulin sensitizers. Subgroup analysis and meta regression were also
      conducted. RESULTS: In total, nine comparisons out of six studies were qualified
      for inclusion, and data from 544,093 participants were evaluated. The results of
      the meta-analysis revealed a combined RR of 0.78 (95% CI 0.64-0.95, p = 0.015)
      for the incidence of dementia when using insulin sensitizers. The incidence rate
      of dementia was reduced with either metformin (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.62-1.01, p =
      0.064) or thiazolidinediones (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.56-1.00, p = 0.050), both with a
      marginal trend toward significance. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that
      insulin sensitizer drugs might provide protection against incident dementia.
      Controlled studies with large samples should be conducted to further confirm
      these conclusions and provide information for clinical strategies.

PMID- 27250529
TI  - A nanofiber based artificial electronic skin with high pressure sensitivity and
      3D conformability.
AB  - Pressure sensors with 3D conformability are highly desirable components for
      artificial electronic skin or e-textiles that can mimic natural skin, especially
      for application in real-time monitoring of human physiological signals. Here, a
      nanofiber based electronic skin with ultra-high pressure sensitivity and 3D
      conformability is designed and built by interlocking two elastic patterned
      nanofibrous membranes. The patterned membrane is facilely prepared by casting
      conductive nanofiber ink into a silicon mould to form an array of semi-spheroid
      like protuberances. The protuberances composed of intertwined elastic POE
      nanofibers and PPy@PVA-co-PE nanofibers afford a tunable effective elastic
      modulus that is capable of capturing varied strains and stresses, thereby
      contributing to a high sensitivity for pressure sensing. This electronic skin
      like sensor demonstrates an ultra-high sensitivity (1.24 kPa(-1)) below 150 Pa
      with a detection limit as low as about 1.3 Pa. The pixelated sensor array and a
      RGB-LED light are then assembled into a circuit and show a feasibility for visual
      detection of spatial pressure. Furthermore, a nanofiber based proof-of-concept
      wireless pressure sensor with a bluetooth module as a signal transmitter is
      proposed and has demonstrated great promise for wireless monitoring of human
      physiological signals, indicating a potential for large scale wearable electronic
      devices or e-skin. 

PMID- 27250530
TI  - Drop formation using ferrofluids driven magnetically in a step emulsification
      device.
AB  - We present a microfluidic droplet generation technique, where instead of pumps,
      only magnetic field gradient strength adjusted by the position of an external
      magnet is used for controllable emulsification of ferrofluid containing
      solutions. Uniform droplet generation at frequencies O(1-100) Hz per channel for
      long periods of time (10s of minutes) were easily achieved. In this method,
      adding magnetic nanoparticles (10 nm) into aqueous solutions imparts a magnetic
      body force on the fluid in the presence of an external magnetic field gradient.
      Consequently, the aqueous fluid moves toward the position of an external magnet
      and towards a junction with a larger width and height oil filled reservoir.
      Emulsification occurs at the junction due to a rapid change in surface tension
      forces due to the abrupt change in channel height. Droplet generation rate could
      be controlled by adjusting surface tension/viscosity, number of channels, and
      strength of the magnetic force. The geometry of the channel, rather than flow
      rates or magnetic force, plays the dominant role in defining the droplet size. In
      addition, reagents mixed with ferrofluids could also be introduced from two or
      more separate inlets and mixed prior to emulsification as they move toward the
      step driven by magnetic force. Mixing reagents on chip and forming droplets all
      within a small foot-print defined by movement of an external magnet is a unique
      feature of this method suitable for point-of-care diagnostics and other
      bioengineering applications.

PMID- 27250532
TI  - Withaferin A protects against palmitic acid-induced endothelial insulin
      resistance and dysfunction through suppression of oxidative stress and
      inflammation.
AB  - Activation of inflammatory pathways via reactive oxygen species (ROS) by free
      fatty acids (FFA) in obesity gives rise to insulin resistance and endothelial
      dysfunction. Withaferin A (WA), possesses both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
      properties and therefore would be a good strategy to suppress palmitic acid (PA)
      induced oxidative stress and inflammation and hence, insulin resistance and
      dysfunction in the endothelium. Effect of WA on PA-induced insulin resistance in
      human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was determined by evaluating
      insulin signaling mechanisms whilst effect of this drug on PA-induced endothelial
      dysfunction was determined in acetylcholine-mediated relaxation in isolated rat
      aortic preparations. WA significantly inhibited ROS production and inflammation
      induced by PA. Furthermore, WA significantly decreased TNF-alpha and IL-6
      production in endothelial cells by specifically suppressing IKKbeta/NF-kappabeta
      phosphorylation. WA inhibited inflammation-stimulated IRS-1 serine
      phosphorylation and improved the impaired insulin PI3-K signaling, and restored
      the decreased nitric oxide (NO) production triggered by PA. WA also decreased
      endothelin-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 levels, and restored the
      impaired endothelium-mediated vasodilation in isolated aortic preparations. These
      findings suggest that WA inhibited both ROS production and inflammation to
      restore impaired insulin resistance in cultured endothelial cells and improve
      endothelial dysfunction in rat aortic rings.

PMID- 27250533
TI  - Increased concentration of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in follicular fluid of
      infertile women with endometriosis.
AB  - Impaired oocyte quality and oxidative stress might be involved in the
      pathogenesis of endometriosis-related infertility. To improve our understanding
      of the role of oxidative stress in this condition, we compare eight oxidative
      stress markers from each stage, including the simultaneous analysis of lipids,
      proteins and DNA damage, in the serum and follicular fluid of infertile women
      with endometriosis and infertile controls undergoing controlled ovarian
      stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In total, 87 serum samples (43
      with endometriosis, 44 controls) and 61 follicular fluid samples (29 with
      endometriosis, 32 controls) free of blood contamination upon visual inspection
      and presenting granulosa cells alone or granulosa cells plus a retrieved mature
      oocyte were collected on the day of oocyte retrieval. Total hydroperoxides,
      malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, glutathione, superoxide
      dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined by
      spectrophotometry, vitamin E by high-performance liquid chromatography and 8
      hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The
      endometriosis group showed higher serum concentrations of glutathione and SOD,
      lower serum concentrations of TAC and higher follicular concentrations of 8OHdG
      and vitamin E compared with infertile controls. These data indicate both systemic
      and follicular oxidative stress in infertile patients with endometriosis. For the
      first time, we demonstrate the presence of oxidative DNA damage, represented by
      higher 8OHdG concentrations in the follicular microenvironment of these patients,
      possibly related to compromised oocyte quality and associated with the
      pathogenesis of endometriosis-related infertility.

PMID- 27250535
TI  - Neoantigen activation, protein translocation and targeted drug delivery in
      combination with radiotherapy.
AB  - Concurrent chemo and radiation therapies are commonly used to treat locally
      advanced cancer. Despite improved efficacy, failure rates remain high due to
      healthy organ toxicity caused by chemo-radiotherapy. Recent technological
      advances such as nanoparticle encapsulation of anticancer agents, locally
      controlled irradiation and concurrent use of radio- and nano-medicines are
      providing innovative solutions for overcoming the limitations of systemic and
      local treatment toxicities. In this mini-review, we discuss the roles of
      radiotherapy in generating new therapeutic targets and altering the tumor
      microenvironment, and we propose their future applications in drug delivery in
      combination with radiotherapy.

PMID- 27250536
TI  - Design, modification and in vitro evaluation of pectin's bucco-adhesiveness.
AB  - AIM: It was the aim of this study to synthesize pectin (PEC) with sulfhydryl
      groups and evaluate its suitability in buccal application. MATERIALS & METHODS:
      Native PEC was chemically modified by covalent attachment of sulfhydryl-bearing
      cysteine (CYS). Stability assays in form of water uptake behavior and erosion
      study were performed. Additionally, mucoadhesive study on buccal mucosa was
      performed. RESULTS: Pectin-cysteine (PECCYS) was successfully synthesized as
      proved by IR and Ellman's assay exhibiting 436.59 +/- 127.87 umol thiol groups
      per gram polymer. Stability assay showed that PECCYS revealed a 2.27-fold
      improved water uptake and mucoadhesiveness augmented 3.75-fold in comparison to
      unmodified PEC. CONCLUSION: PECCYS might be a future suitable excipient for
      buccal adhesive application.

PMID- 27250534
TI  - Quantifying intrinsic and extrinsic control of single-cell fates in cancer and
      stem/progenitor cell pedigrees with competing risks analysis.
AB  - The molecular control of cell fate and behaviour is a central theme in biology.
      Inherent heterogeneity within cell populations requires that control of cell fate
      is studied at the single-cell level. Time-lapse imaging and single-cell tracking
      are powerful technologies for acquiring cell lifetime data, allowing
      quantification of how cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors control single-cell
      fates over time. However, cell lifetime data contain complex features. Competing
      cell fates, censoring, and the possible inter-dependence of competing fates,
      currently present challenges to modelling cell lifetime data. Thus far such
      features are largely ignored, resulting in loss of data and introducing a source
      of bias. Here we show that competing risks and concordance statistics, previously
      applied to clinical data and the study of genetic influences on life events in
      twins, respectively, can be used to quantify intrinsic and extrinsic control of
      single-cell fates. Using these statistics we demonstrate that 1) breast cancer
      cell fate after chemotherapy is dependent on p53 genotype; 2) granulocyte
      macrophage progenitors and their differentiated progeny have concordant fates;
      and 3) cytokines promote self-renewal of cardiac mesenchymal stem cells by
      symmetric divisions. Therefore, competing risks and concordance statistics
      provide a robust and unbiased approach for evaluating hypotheses at the single
      cell level.

PMID- 27250539
TI  - What is the future of noninvasive routes for protein- and peptide-based drugs?

PMID- 27250538
TI  - Injectable thermosensitive gelling delivery system for the sustained release of
      lidocaine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing arthroplasty require appropriate postsurgical
      pain relief. Analgesia is typically achieved through bolus doses of short-acting
      local anesthetics and with oral analgesics such as opiates, which are associated
      with systemic side effects. By formulating an injectable thermosensitive gelling
      system containing lidocaine, sustained and local delivery can be achieved
      following a single administration. RESULTS: Poloxamer-based thermosensitive
      gelling formulations were prepared. Altering the weight ratios of poloxamers
      affected the sol-to-gel transition temperature, mechanical and rheological
      properties and in vitro drug release. Desirable formulations gelled between 28
      and 33 degrees C providing sustained release of lidocaine over 48 h. CONCLUSION:
      Thermosensitive gelling systems are promising for sustained drug release
      following patient administration and may be beneficial in addressing
      postoperative pain.

PMID- 27250540
TI  - Lineage-specific chromatin signatures reveal a regulator of lipid metabolism in
      microalgae.
AB  - Alga-derived lipids represent an attractive potential source of biofuels.
      However, lipid accumulation in algae is a stress response tightly coupled to
      growth arrest, thereby imposing a major limitation on productivity. To identify
      transcriptional regulators of lipid accumulation, we performed an integrative
      chromatin signature and transcriptomic analysis to decipher the regulation of
      lipid biosynthesis in the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Genome-wide histone
      modification profiling revealed remarkable differences in functional chromatin
      states between the algae and higher eukaryotes and uncovered regulatory
      components at the core of lipid accumulation pathways. We identified the
      transcription factor, PSR1, as a pivotal switch that triggers cytosolic lipid
      accumulation. Dissection of the PSR1-induced lipid profiles corroborates its role
      in coordinating multiple lipid-inducing stress responses. The comprehensive maps
      of functional chromatin signatures in a major clade of eukaryotic life and the
      discovery of a transcriptional regulator of algal lipid metabolism will
      facilitate targeted engineering strategies to mediate high lipid production in
      microalgae. 

PMID- 27250537
TI  - In pursuit of functional electrospun materials for clinical applications in
      humans.
AB  - Electrospinning is a simple, low-cost and versatile approach to fabricate
      multifunctional materials useful in drug delivery and tissue engineering
      applications. Despite its emergence into other manufacturing sectors,
      electrospinning has not yet made a transformative impact in the clinic with a
      pharmaceutical product for use in humans. Why is this the current state of
      electrospun materials in biomedicine? Is it because electrospun materials are not
      yet capable of overcoming the biological safety and efficacy challenges needed in
      pharmaceutical products? Or, is it that technological advances in the
      electrospinning process are needed? This review investigates the current state of
      electrospun materials in medicine to identify both scientific and technological
      gaps that may limit clinical translation.

PMID- 27250541
TI  - A vesicle-trafficking protein commandeers Kv channel voltage sensors for voltage
      dependent secretion.
AB  - Growth in plants depends on ion transport for osmotic solute uptake and secretory
      membrane trafficking to deliver material for wall remodelling and cell expansion.
      The coordination of these processes lies at the heart of the question, unresolved
      for more than a century, of how plants regulate cell volume and turgor. Here we
      report that the SNARE protein SYP121 (SYR1/PEN1), which mediates vesicle fusion
      at the Arabidopsis plasma membrane, binds the voltage sensor domains (VSDs) of
      K(+) channels to confer a voltage dependence on secretory traffic in parallel
      with K(+) uptake. VSD binding enhances secretion in vivo subject to voltage, and
      mutations affecting VSD conformation alter binding and secretion in parallel with
      channel gating, net K(+) concentration, osmotic content and growth. These results
      demonstrate a new and unexpected mechanism for secretory control, in which a
      subset of plant SNAREs commandeer K(+) channel VSDs to coordinate membrane
      trafficking with K(+) uptake for growth. 

PMID- 27250542
TI  - Phosphorus nutrition in Proteaceae and beyond.
AB  - Proteaceae in southwestern Australia have evolved on some of the most phosphorus
      impoverished soils in the world. They exhibit a range of traits that allow them
      to both acquire and utilize phosphorus highly efficiently. This is in stark
      contrast with many model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and crop species,
      which evolved on soils where nitrogen is the major limiting nutrient. When
      exposed to low phosphorus availability, these plants typically exhibit phosphorus
      starvation responses, whereas Proteaceae do not. This Review explores the traits
      that account for the very high efficiency of acquisition and use of phosphorus in
      Proteaceae, and explores which of these traits are promising for improving the
      phosphorus efficiency of crop plants. 

PMID- 27250543
TI  - The non-processive rice kinesin-14 OsKCH1 transports actin filaments along
      microtubules with two distinct velocities.
AB  - Microtubules and actin filaments function coordinately in many cellular
      processes(1-3). Although much of this coordination is mediated by proteins that
      statically bridge the two cytoskeletal networks(4-6), kinesin-14 motors with an
      actin binding calponin homology domain (KCHs) have been discovered as putatively
      dynamic crosslinkers in plants(7,8). OsKCH1, a KCH from rice, interacts with both
      microtubules and actin filaments in vivo and in vitro(9). However, it has
      remained unclear whether this interaction is dynamic or if actin binding reduces
      or even abolishes the motor's motility on microtubules(10,11). Here, we directly
      show in vitro that OsKCH1 is a non-processive, minus-end-directed motor that
      transports actin filaments along microtubules. Interestingly, we observe two
      distinct transport velocities dependent on the relative orientation of the actin
      filaments with respect to the microtubules. In addition, torsional compliance
      measurements on individual molecules reveal low flexibility in OsKCH1. We suggest
      that the orientation-dependent transport velocities emerge from OsKCH1's low
      torsional compliance combined with an inherently oriented binding to the actin
      filament. Together, our results imply a central role of OsKCH1 in the polar
      orientation of actin filaments along microtubules, and thus a contribution to the
      organization of the cytoskeletal architecture. 

PMID- 27250544
TI  - Rice genetics: Control of grain length and quality.

PMID- 27250545
TI  - Growth and development: Close relations of secretion and K(.).

PMID- 27250546
TI  - Evolutionary outcomes should inform strategies to increase drought tolerance.

PMID- 27250547
TI  - Signal transduction: GABA receptor found in plants.

PMID- 27250548
TI  - The hidden half of crop yields.

PMID- 27250550
TI  - Rose scent: Restricting methane.

PMID- 27250549
TI  - Achieving more crop per drop.

PMID- 27250551
TI  - Invasive species: Trading places.

PMID- 27250553
TI  - Auxin signalling: Ancestral pathways.

PMID- 27250552
TI  - Rice agriculture: Restricting methane.

PMID- 27250554
TI  - Better than riches.

PMID- 27250555
TI  - Vcfanno: fast, flexible annotation of genetic variants.
AB  - The integration of genome annotations is critical to the identification of
      genetic variants that are relevant to studies of disease or other traits.
      However, comprehensive variant annotation with diverse file formats is difficult
      with existing methods. Here we describe vcfanno, which flexibly extracts and
      summarizes attributes from multiple annotation files and integrates the
      annotations within the INFO column of the original VCF file. By leveraging a
      parallel "chromosome sweeping" algorithm, we demonstrate substantial performance
      gains by annotating ~85,000 variants per second with 50 attributes from 17
      commonly used genome annotation resources. Vcfanno is available at
      https://github.com/brentp/vcfanno under the MIT license.

PMID- 27250556
TI  - Inlay osteotome sinus floor elevation with concentrated growth factor application
      and simultaneous short implant placement in severely atrophic maxilla.
AB  - Sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant placement in severely atrophic
      maxilla is challenging. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the
      short-term performance of modified osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) with
      concentrated growth factor (CGF) application and concurrent placement of a short
      implant in cases with residual bone height (RBH) of 2-4 mm. Twenty-five short
      implants were installed in 16 patients with mean RBH of 3.23 mm using modified
      OSFE with CGFs from January 2012 to April 2014. Postoperatively, the implants
      were clinically evaluated, and vertical bone gain (VBG) was measured using cone
      beam computed tomography. The mean duration of follow-up was 19.88 months (12-32
      months). All the implants were stable with an overall survival rate of 100%. The
      mean VBG immediately after surgery was 9.21 mm. Six months later, significant
      reduction of alveolar bone height (2.90 +/- 0.22 mm) was found (P < 0.05). During
      the second 6-month period, further alveolar bone resorption (0.14 +/- 0.11 mm)
      was noted but without significance (P > 0.05). Within the limits of this study,
      modified OSFE with CGF application and simultaneous short implant placement could
      yield predictable clinical results for severely atrophic maxilla with RBH of 2-4
      mm.

PMID- 27250557
TI  - Oxygen Saturation Targets for Extremely Preterm Infants after the NeOProM Trials.
AB  - Five randomized controlled trials comparing lower (85-89%) versus higher (91-95%)
      pulse oximeter saturation (SpO2) targets for extremely preterm infants have now
      been reported from the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom,
      Australia and New Zealand. These trials included more than 4,800 infants, and
      they provide robust evidence to permit comparison of these target ranges and
      consider the next steps for clinicians and researchers. The lower SpO2 range was
      associated with a significant increase in the risk of death. There was no
      significant difference between the two target ranges in the rate of disability at
      18-24 months, including blindness. A significant difference between groups in the
      risk of the composite primary outcome of death or disability in favour of the
      higher SpO2 range was mainly attributable to the difference between groups in the
      risk of death. The lower target range did not reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia
      or severe visual impairment, but it did increase the risk of necrotizing
      enterocolitis requiring surgery or causing death. The trials provide no reason to
      prefer SpO2 targets below 90% and indicate the importance of more trials to see
      if a further survival advantage can be identified. The safety of targets above
      95% has not been evaluated. The five trials were designed to be similar to
      facilitate an individual patient data meta-analysis, and this Neonatal Oxygen
      Prospective Meta-Analysis (NeOProM) may provide further insights.

PMID- 27250559
TI  - Fatty Acids and Bioactive Lipids of Potato Cultivars: An Overview.
AB  - Potato tuber is a highly nutritious, wherein genotype and environmental
      differences are known to exist in the shape, size and nutritional value of
      potatoes. Owing to its high consumption, potato could be an ideal carrier of
      health-promoting phytochemicals. Potato cultivars contain many bioactive lipidic
      compounds such as fatty acids, glycolipids, phospholipids, sterols, tocols and
      carotenoids, which are highly desirable in diet because of their health-promoting
      effects. In the scientific literature, information on the content and profile of
      bioactive lipidic compounds in potato cultivars are few. The concentration and
      stability of bioactive lipids are affected by many factors such as genotype,
      agronomic factors, postharvest storage, cooking and processing conditions. In
      this review levels and composition of bioactive lipids in terms of lipid classes,
      fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and caroteinoids distribution in
      different potato cultivars including genetically modified potato (GMP) were
      highlighted and discussed. In addition, factors affecting bioactive lipids
      levels, stability and health benefits are reviewed. In consideration of potential
      nutritional value, detailed knowledge on lipids of potato cultivars is of major
      importance. 

PMID- 27250558
TI  - Sphere-forming cells from peripheral cornea demonstrate the ability to repopulate
      the ocular surface.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The limbus forms the outer rim of the cornea at the corneoscleral
      junction and harbours a population of stem cells for corneal maintenance.
      Injuries to the limbus, through disease or accidents such as chemical injuries or
      burns, may lead to significant visual impairment due to depletion of the native
      stem cells of the tissue. METHODS: Sphere-forming cells were isolated from
      peripheral cornea for potential use as transplantable elements for limbal stem
      cell repopulation and limbal reconstruction. Immunocytochemistry, live cell
      imaging and quantitative PCR were used to characterize spheres and elucidate
      activity post implantation into human cadaveric corneal tissue. RESULTS: Spheres
      stained positively for stem cell markers ?NP63alpha, ABCG2 and ABCB5 as well as
      the basal limbal marker and putative niche marker, notch 1. In addition, spheres
      also stained positively for markers of corneal cells, vimentin, keratin 3,
      keratocan and laminin, indicating a heterogeneous mix of stromal and epithelial
      origin cells. Upon implantation into decellularized corneoscleral tissue, 3D,
      polarized and radially orientated cell migration with cell proliferation was
      observed. Cells migrated out from the spheres and repopulated the entire corneal
      surface over 14 days. Post-implantation analysis revealed qualitative evidence of
      stem, stromal and epithelial cell markers while quantitative PCR showed a
      quantitative reduction in keratocan and laminin expression indicative of an
      enhanced progenitor cell response. Proliferation, quantified by PCNA expression,
      significantly increased at 4 days subsequently followed by a decrease at day 7
      post implantation. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest great promise for the
      potential of peripheral corneal spheres as transplantable units for corneal
      repair, targeting ocular surface regeneration and stem cell repopulation.

PMID- 27250560
TI  - Characteristics and Composition of a High Oil Yielding Castor Variety from
      Pakistan.
AB  - Keeping in view the versatile applications of castor oil in cosmetic,
      pharmaceutical and recently as renewable source, the present work is a step
      towards the commercialization of castor on large scale in Pakistan. The current
      study introduces a castor variety with high oil content. Initially seeds were
      physically examined for some physical parameters. Seed moisture, ash content and
      linear dimensions such as length, width and thickness were found to be 4.53%,
      6.44%, 12.24 mm, 8.31 mm and 5.67 mm, respectively. For oil extraction, Soxhlet
      method was used which resulted in the high oil content 54.0%. For quality
      assessment of oil, physicochemical parameters were checked according to official
      standard AOCS methods and compared with ASTM specifications. The determined
      parameters were as follows; specific gravity 0.953 g/cm(-3), refractive index
      1.431, viscosity 672.0 mPas.s, moisture content 0.32%, FFA 0.14%, IV 83.61
      gI2/100 g, PV 2.25 meq/Kg and SV 186.0 mgKOH/g. Furthermore, fatty acid analysis
      of oil showed that, most abundant fatty acid was ricinoleic acid 94.59%, followed
      by palmitic 0.31%, linoleic 1.84%, oleic (n-9) 2.05%, oleic (n-10) 0.22%, stearic
      0.45% and eicosenoic acid 0.53%. The detected fatty acids were compared with
      registered variety and varieties of other regions. 

PMID- 27250563
TI  - Comparison of two automated mononuclear cell collection systems in patients
      undergoing extracorporeal photopheresis: a prospective crossover equivalence
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an effective cell therapy
      employed in several diseases, including graft versus host disease (GVHD) and
      organ rejection. When ECP is performed using an off-line technique, mononuclear
      cell (MNC) collection by leukapheresis is necessary for further manipulation
      (addition of 8-methoxypsoralen and ultraviolet A irradiation before reinfusion to
      the patient). We report the results of the first crossover equivalence study on
      yield and purity of MNCs collected from patients undergoing ECP with two
      different automated systems: MNC and CMNC (working with intermittent and
      continuous-flow collection, respectively), released by Terumo BCT. STUDY DESIGN
      AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients (15 males and 36 females) with GVHD or chronic
      lung allograft dysfunction were consecutively enrolled and randomly assigned to
      MNC collection alternatively by the CMNC or MNC system within each ECP cycle (two
      procedures) in two consecutive cycles. ECP procedures were performed using the
      off-line technique, according to our internal protocol, processing 1.5 blood
      volumes. RESULTS: A total of 204 ECP procedures were evaluated. The MNC system
      showed a higher MNC concentration capacity than the CMNC (mean difference, 
      13.46; 95% confidence interval, -21.05 to -5.47; p < 0.001). Collection
      efficiency was higher with the CMNC system as well as total MNC bag content,
      while MNC bag purity was equivalent for both systems. Platelet loss was higher
      with the CMNC. Equivalence was shown for MNC purity and anticoagulant infused to
      the patient. CONCLUSION: CMNC and MNC systems offer different advantages in
      different clinical conditions, and both are safe and efficient in collecting MNCs
      for ECP.

PMID- 27250562
TI  - Artemisinin-based antimalarial research: application of biotechnology to the
      production of artemisinin, its mode of action, and the mechanism of resistance of
      Plasmodium parasites.
AB  - Malaria is a worldwide disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. A sesquiterpene
      endoperoxide artemisinin isolated from Artemisia annua was discovered and has
      been accepted for its use in artemisinin-based combinatorial therapies, as the
      most effective current antimalarial treatment. However, the quantity of this
      compound produced from the A. annua plant is very low, and the availability of
      artemisinin is insufficient to treat all infected patients. In addition, the
      emergence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium has been reported recently. Several
      techniques have been applied to enhance artemisinin availability, and studies
      related to its mode of action and the mechanism of resistance of malaria-causing
      parasites are ongoing. In this review, we summarize the application of modern
      technologies to improve the production of artemisinin, including our ongoing
      research on artemisinin biosynthetic genes in other Artemisia species. The
      current understanding of the mode of action of artemisinin as well as the
      mechanism of resistance against this compound in Plasmodium parasites is also
      presented. Finally, the current situation of malaria infection and the future
      direction of antimalarial drug development are discussed. 

PMID- 27250565
TI  - Development of Metal-Organic Framework for Gaseous Plant Hormone Encapsulation To
      Manage Ripening of Climacteric Produce.
AB  - Controlled ripening of climacteric fruits, such as bananas and avocados, is a
      critical step to provide consumers with high-quality products while reducing
      postharvest losses. Prior to ripening, these fruits can be stored for an extended
      period of time but are usually not suitable for consumption. However, once
      ripening is initiated, they undergo irreversible changes that lead to rapid
      quality loss and decay if not consumed within a short window of time. Therefore,
      technologies to slow the ripening process after its onset or to stimulate
      ripening immediately before consumption are in high demand. In this study, we
      developed a solid porous metal-organic framework (MOF) to encapsulate gaseous
      ethylene for subsequent release. We evaluated the feasibility of this technology
      for on-demand stimulated ripening of bananas and avocados. Copper terephthalate
      (CuTPA) MOF was synthesized via a solvothermal method and loaded with ethylene
      gas. Its crystalline structure and chemical composition were characterized by X
      ray diffraction crystallography, porosity by N2 and ethylene isotherms, and
      morphology by electron microscopy. The MOF loaded with ethylene (MOF-ethylene)
      was placed inside sealed containers with preclimacteric bananas and avocados and
      stored at 16  degrees C. The headspace gas composition and fruit color and
      texture were monitored periodically. Results showed that this CuTPA MOF is highly
      porous, with a total pore volume of 0.39 cm(3)/g. A 50 mg portion of MOF-ethylene
      can absorb and release up to 654 MUL/L of ethylene in a 4 L container. MOF
      ethylene significantly accelerated the ripening-related color and firmness
      changes of treated bananas and avocados. This result suggests that MOF-ethylene
      technology could be used for postharvest application to stimulate ripening just
      before the point of consumption. 

PMID- 27250564
TI  - Death in the intestinal epithelium-basic biology and implications for
      inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - Every 4-5 days, intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) are terminated as they reach
      the end of their life. This process ensures that the epithelium is comprised of
      the fittest cells that maintain an impermeable barrier to luminal contents and
      the gut microbiota, as well as the most metabolically able cells that conduct
      functions in nutrient absorption, digestion, and secretion of antimicrobial
      peptides. IEC are terminated by apical extrusion-or shedding-from the intestinal
      epithelial monolayer into the gut lumen. Whether death by apoptosis signals
      extrusion or death follows expulsion by younger IEC has been a matter of debate.
      Seemingly a minor detail, IEC death before or after apical extrusion bears weight
      on the potential contribution of apoptotic IEC to intestinal homeostasis as a
      consequence of their recognition by intestinal lamina propria phagocytes. In
      inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), excessive death is observed in the ileal and
      colonic epithelium. The precise mode of IEC death in IBD is not defined. A highly
      inflammatory milieu within the intestinal lamina propria, rich in the
      proinflammatory cytokine, TNF-alpha, increases IEC shedding and compromises
      barrier integrity fueling more inflammation. A milestone in the treatment of IBD,
      anti-TNF-alpha therapy, may promote mucosal healing by reversing increased and
      inflammation-associated IEC death. Understanding the biology and consequences of
      cell death in the intestinal epithelium is critical to the design of new avenues
      for IBD therapy.

PMID- 27250567
TI  - Early regression of coronary artery remodeling with esmolol and DDAH/ADMA pathway
      in hypertensive rats.
AB  - Our preclinical study demonstrated that esmolol produces early regression of left
      ventricular hypertrophy in arterial hypertension. The aim of this study was to
      assess the effects of short-term esmolol therapy on the regression of left
      anterior descending artery remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs),
      and to determine whether the asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)/dimethylarginine
      dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) pathway, a regulator of nitric oxide (NO)
      bioavailability, accounted for this regression. Fourteen-month-old male SHRs were
      treated intravenously with vehicle (SHR, n=15) or esmolol (SHR-E, n=20) (300 MUg
      kg-1 min-1). Age-matched, vehicle-treated male Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n=15)
      served as controls. SHRs were also treated with nitroglycerin (SHR-N, n=5). After
      48 h, the left anterior descending artery structure and morphology were assessed,
      and dose-response curves for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 10-9-3 * 10-5 mol l-1)
      were constructed. ADMA concentrations in plasma and left ventricle and DDAH
      activity in tissue were analyzed. Wall thickness and cross-sectional area were
      significantly lower after treatment with esmolol in SHR-E than in SHR. Media
      thickness and smooth muscle cell count were lower in SHR-E than in SHR. Esmolol
      induced a significant reduction in adventitial cell count in SHR-E. The area
      under the concentration-response curves was significantly higher in SHR than in
      SHR-E, as were the esmolol normalized coronary artery contracting responses to 5
      HT. We found significantly lower ADMA levels and significantly higher DDAH
      activity in the ventricle in SHR-E than in SHR. The protective effect of esmolol
      on the regression of left anterior descending artery remodeling may be related to
      the reduction in ADMA levels.

PMID- 27250568
TI  - Effects of smoking and its cessation on creatinine- and cystatin C-based
      estimated glomerular filtration rates and albuminuria in male patients with type
      2 diabetes mellitus: the Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.
AB  - Cigarette smoking is an important modifiable risk factor for lifestyle diseases.
      The smoking rate remains high, and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is
      increasing in Asian countries; however, few studies have examined the effects of
      smoking on chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Asian diabetic patients. The aim of
      the present study was to investigate the association between smoking and its
      cessation with CKD and its components in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total
      of 2770 Japanese male patients with type 2 diabetes aged ?20 years were divided
      according to the amount of cigarette smoking and the years since cessation. The
      associations with CKD, the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) and the
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were cross-sectionally examined. The
      proportions of CKD and the mean UACR dose-dependently increased with increases in
      both the number of cigarettes per day and the Brinkman index compared with the
      never smokers. The creatinine-based eGFR also increased with increases in the
      amount of smoking, whereas the cystatin C-based eGFR decreased, and their average
      did not significantly change. These parameters exhibited inverse associations
      with the years after smoking cessation compared with the association with the
      amount of smoking. A dose-dependent association of active smoking and a graded
      inverse association of the years since quitting with CKD enhance the merit of
      smoking cessation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27250566
TI  - Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 and Histone Deacetylase 9c Regulate Age-Dependent
      Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation into Osteoblasts and Adipocytes.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent precursors that can undergo
      multilineage differentiation, including osteogenesis and adipogenesis, which are
      two mutually exclusive events. Previously, we demonstrated that enhancer of zeste
      homolog 2 (EZH2), the catalytic component of the Polycomb-repressive complex 2,
      mediates epigenetic silencing of histone deacetylase 9c (HDAC9c) in adipocytes
      but not in osteoblasts and that HDAC9c accelerates osteogenesis while attenuating
      adipogenesis of MSCs through inactivation of peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor gamma 2 activity. Importantly, disrupting the balance between
      adipogenesis and osteogenesis can lead to age-associated bone loss (osteoporosis)
      and obesity. Here, we investigated the relationship between age, and osteogenic
      and adipogenic differentiation potential of MSCs by comparing EZH2 and HDAC9c
      expression in osteoblasts and adipocytes of both human and mice origins to
      determine whether the EZH2-HDAC9c axis regulates age-associated osteoporosis and
      obesity. Our findings indicated that a decline in HDAC9c expression over time was
      accompanied by increased EZH2 expression and suggested that a therapeutic
      intervention for age-associated osteoporosis and obesity may be feasible by
      targeting the EZH2-HDAC9c axis. Stem Cells 2016;34:2183-2193.

PMID- 27250569
TI  - Comparing para-rowing set-ups on an ergometer using kinematic movement patterns
      of able-bodied rowers.
AB  - While numerous studies have investigated the biomechanics of able-bodied rowing,
      few studies have been completed with para-rowing set-ups. The purpose of this
      research was to provide benchmark data for handle kinetics and joint kinematics
      for able-bodied athletes rowing in para- rowing set-ups on an indoor ergometer.
      Able-bodied varsity rowers performed maximal trials in three para-rowing set-ups;
      Legs, Trunk and Arms (LTA), Trunk and Arms (TA) and Arms and Shoulders (AS)
      rowing. The handle force kinetics of the LTA stroke were comparable to the values
      for able-bodied literature. Lumbar flexion at the catch, extension at the finish
      and total range of motion were, however, greater than values in the literature
      for able-bodied athletes in the LTA set-up. Additionally, rowers in TA and AS set
      ups utilised more extreme ranges of motion for lumbar flexion, elbow flexion and
      shoulder abduction than the LTA set-up. This study provides the first
      biomechanical values of the para-rowing strokes for researchers, coaches and
      athletes to use while promoting the safest training programmes possible for para
      rowing.

PMID- 27250570
TI  - Demonstration of a positron beam-driven hollow channel plasma wakefield
      accelerator.
AB  - Plasma wakefield accelerators have been used to accelerate electron and positron
      particle beams with gradients that are orders of magnitude larger than those
      achieved in conventional accelerators. In addition to being accelerated by the
      plasma wakefield, the beam particles also experience strong transverse forces
      that may disrupt the beam quality. Hollow plasma channels have been proposed as a
      technique for generating accelerating fields without transverse forces. Here we
      demonstrate a method for creating an extended hollow plasma channel and measure
      the wakefields created by an ultrarelativistic positron beam as it propagates
      through the channel. The plasma channel is created by directing a high-intensity
      laser pulse with a spatially modulated profile into lithium vapour, which results
      in an annular region of ionization. A peak decelerating field of 230 MeV m(-1) is
      inferred from changes in the beam energy spectrum, in good agreement with theory
      and particle-in-cell simulations.

PMID- 27250571
TI  - Clinical features and management of 33 patients with 46,XX pure gonadal
      dysgenesis.
AB  - The objective of the study is to summarize the clinical characteristics of 33
      patients' cohort (46,XX pure gonadal dysgenesis, 46,XX PGD), discuss the
      management, and propose treatment suggestions. Patients' information, medical
      history, and medical records were obtained. All patients were closely followed
      up. At the time of diagnosis, the patients presented 19.53 +/- 3.60 years old,
      165 +/- 6.49 cm height, breast development of Tanner stage I, and infantile
      female genitalia. High level of follicle-stimulating hormone (87.41 +/- 21.50
      mIU/mL) and LH (27.10 +/- 8.47 mIU/mL) and low level of E2 (8.85 +/- 6.13 pg/mL)
      were observed. Individualized hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was initiated
      after diagnosis. After 2 years of treatment, all patients had obvious breast
      development; the uterus showed (2.38 +/- 0.60) * (1.38 +/- 0.70) * (1.38 +/-
      0.55) cm growth. The incidence of osteopenia changed from 69.70% to 22.22% and
      that of osteoporosis changed from 18.18% to 0. Dysgeminoma was found in one
      patient. We concluded that gonadal dysgenesis in 46,XX PGD causes secondary
      sexual characteristic absence, tendency of taller, osteoporosis, infertility, and
      sexual health problems. There is minor chance of tumor occurrence for the
      patients. Optimal care including HRT and close follow-up are required.

PMID- 27250572
TI  - Identification of Regulatory DNA Elements Using Genome-wide Mapping of DNase I
      Hypersensitive Sites during Tomato Fruit Development.
AB  - Development and ripening of tomato fruit are precisely controlled by
      transcriptional regulation, which depends on the orchestrated accessibility of
      regulatory proteins to promoters and other cis-regulatory DNA elements. This
      accessibility and its effect on gene expression play a major role in defining the
      developmental process. To understand the regulatory mechanism and functional
      elements modulating morphological and anatomical changes during fruit
      development, we generated genome-wide high-resolution maps of DNase I
      hypersensitive sites (DHSs) from the fruit tissues of the tomato cultivar
      "Moneymaker" at 20 days post anthesis as well as break stage. By exploring
      variation of DHSs across fruit development stages, we pinpointed the most likely
      hypersensitive sites related to development-specific genes. By detecting binding
      motifs on DHSs of these development-specific genes or genes in the ascorbic acid
      biosynthetic pathway, we revealed the common regulatory elements contributing to
      coordinating gene transcription of plant ripening and specialized metabolic
      pathways. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory
      dynamics of genes involved in tomato fruit development and ripening.

PMID- 27250573
TI  - Interaction of Heterotrimeric G-Protein Components with Receptor-like Kinases in
      Plants: An Alternative to the Established Signaling Paradigm?

PMID- 27250574
TI  - Forty years of yeast genome exploration by Bernard Dujon.

PMID- 27250575
TI  - Verbal Dominant Memory Impairment and Low Risk for Post-operative Memory
      Worsening in Both Left and Right Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Associated with
      Hippocampal Sclerosis.
AB  - Post-operative memory changes after temporal lobe surgery have been established
      mainly by group analysis of cognitive outcome. This study investigated individual
      patient-based memory outcome in surgically-treated patients with mesial temporal
      lobe epilepsy (TLE). This study included 84 consecutive patients with intractable
      TLE caused by unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (HS) who underwent epilepsy
      surgery (47 females, 41 left [Lt] TLE). Memory functions were evaluated with the
      Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised before and at 1 year after surgery. Pre-operative
      memory function was classified into three patterns: verbal dominant memory
      impairment (Verb-D), visual dominant impairment (Vis-D), and no material-specific
      impairment. Post-operative changes in verbal and visual memory indices were
      classified into meaningful improvement, worsening, or no significant changes. Pre
      operative patterns and post-operative changes in verbal and visual memory
      function were compared between the Lt and right (Rt) TLE groups. Pre-operatively,
      Verb-D was the most common type of impairment in both the Lt and Rt TLE groups
      (65.9 and 48.8%), and verbal memory indices were lower than visual memory
      indices, especially in the Lt compared with Rt TLE group. Vis-D was observed only
      in 11.6% of Rt and 7.3% of Lt TLE patients. Post-operatively, meaningful
      improvement of memory indices was observed in 23.3-36.6% of the patients, and the
      memory improvement was equivalent between Lt and Rt TLE groups and between verbal
      and visual materials. In conclusion, Verb-D is most commonly observed in patients
      with both the Lt and Rt TLE associated with HS. Hippocampectomy can improve
      memory indices in such patients regardless of the side of surgery and the
      function impaired.

PMID- 27250576
TI  - Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Malignant Brain Tumors.
AB  - Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a biochemically targeted radiotherapy
      based on the nuclear capture and fission reactions that occur when non
      radioactive boron-10, which is a constituent of natural elemental boron, is
      irradiated with low energy thermal neutrons to yield high linear energy transfer
      alpha particles and recoiling lithium-7 nuclei. Therefore, BNCT enables the
      application of a high dose of particle radiation selectively to tumor cells in
      which boron-10 compound has been accumulated. We applied BNCT using nuclear
      reactors for 167 cases of malignant brain tumors, including recurrent malignant
      gliomas, newly diagnosed malignant gliomas, and recurrent high-grade meningiomas
      from January 2002 to May 2014. Here, we review the principle and history of BNCT.
      In addition, we introduce fluoride-18-labeled boronophenylalanine positron
      emission tomography and the clinical results of BNCT for the above-mentioned
      malignant brain tumors. Finally, we discuss the recent development of
      accelerators producing epithermal neutron beams. This development could provide
      an alternative to the current use of specially modified nuclear reactors as a
      neutron source, and could allow BNCT to be performed in a hospital setting. 

PMID- 27250577
TI  - Usefulness of positron emission tomographic studies for gliomas.
AB  - Non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) enables the measurement of
      metabolic and molecular processes with high sensitivity. PET plays a significant
      role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of brain tumors and predominantly
      detects brain tumors by detecting their metabolic alterations, including energy
      metabolism, amino acids, nucleic acids, and hypoxia. Glucose metabolic tracers
      are related to tumor cell energy and exhibit good sensitivity but poor
      specificity for malignant tumors. Amino acid metabolic tracers provide a better
      delineation of tumors and cellular proliferation. Nucleic acid metabolic tracers
      have a high sensitivity for malignant tumors and cellular proliferation. Hypoxic
      metabolism tracers are useful for detecting resistance to radiotherapy and
      chemotherapy. Therefore, PET imaging techniques are useful for detecting biopsy
      targeting points, deciding on tumor resection, radiotherapy planning, monitoring
      therapy, and distinguishing brain tumor recurrence or progression from post
      radiotherapy effects. However, it is not possible to use only one PET tracer to
      make all clinical decisions because each tracer has both advantages and
      disadvantages. This study focuses on the different kinds of PET tracers and
      summarizes their recent applications in patients with gliomas. Combinational uses
      of PET tracers are expected to contribute to differential diagnosis, prognosis,
      treatment targeting, and monitoring therapy. 

PMID- 27250580
TI  - Gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation: a case report
      and review.
AB  - We report an unusual case of gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and
      neudoendocrinal differentiation in a 71-year-old Japanese female. Gastric
      carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and neuroendocrinal differentiation is a
      rare tumor. The tumor developed in the body of the stomach and was exophytic in
      appearance. By histochemical analysis, the tumor was shown a part of positive for
      desmin and myoglobin and a part of positive for synaphtophysin and vimentin.We
      conclude that, though rare, gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and
      neuroendocrinal differentiation thus is reviewed in the English literatures. 

PMID- 27250579
TI  - Biallelic CACNA1A mutations cause early onset epileptic encephalopathy with
      progressive cerebral, cerebellar, and optic nerve atrophy.
AB  - The CACNA1A gene encodes the transmembrane pore-forming alpha-1A subunit of the
      Cav 2.1 P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel. Several heterozygous mutations
      within this gene, including nonsense mutations, missense mutations, and expansion
      of cytosine-adenine-guanine repeats, are known to cause three allelic autosomal
      dominant conditions-episodic ataxia type 2, familial hemiplegic migraine type 1,
      and spinocerebellar ataxia type 6. An association with epilepsy and CACNA1A
      mutations has also been described. However, the link with epileptic
      encephalopathies has emerged only recently. Here we describe two patients, sister
      and brother, with compound heterozygous mutations in CACNA1A. Exome sequencing
      detected biallelic mutations in CACNA1A: A missense mutation c.4315T>A
      (p.Trp1439Arg) in exon 27, and a seven base pair deletion c.472_478delGCCTTCC
      (p.Ala158Thrfs*6) in exon 3. Both patients were normal at birth, but developed
      daily recurrent seizures in early infancy with concomitant extreme muscular
      hypotonia, hypokinesia, and global developmental delay. The brain MRI images
      showed progressive cerebral, cerebellar, and optic nerve atrophy. At the age of
      5, both patients were blind and bedridden with a profound developmental delay.
      The elder sister died at that age. Their parents and two siblings were
      heterozygotes for one of those pathogenic mutations and expressed a milder
      phenotype. Both of them have intellectual disability and in addition the mother
      has adult onset cerebellar ataxia with a slowly progressive cerebellar atrophy.
      Compound heterozygous mutations in the CACNA1A gene presumably cause early onset
      epileptic encephalopathy, and progressive cerebral, cerebellar and optic nerve
      atrophy with reduced lifespan. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27250581
TI  - Quantitative antibody-free LC-MS/MS analysis of sTRAIL in sputum and saliva at
      the sub-ng/mL level.
AB  - Soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (sTRAIL) induces
      apoptosis via the extrinsic death receptor pathway and may be a biomarker in the
      pathogenesis of a broad range of diseases. To investigate the role of sTRAIL in
      asthma, we developed a quantitative LC-MS/MS method with a lower limit of
      quantitation (LLOQ) of ~3pM in induced sputum (174pg/mL) and saliva (198pg/mL)
      without the use of antibodies. sTRAIL was enriched by immobilized metal affinity
      chromatography (IMAC) solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by tryptic digestion
      and subsequent enrichment of a signature peptide by strong cation exchange (SCX)
      SPE. The method was validated with respect to stability, accuracy and precision
      using the standard addition approach and fully metabolically (15)N-labelled
      hrTRAIL as internal standard. Our results indicate that it is possible to
      quantify cytokines like sTRAIL at the pM level by LC-MS/MS without the use of
      antibodies, which has, to our knowledge, never been shown before. 

PMID- 27250583
TI  - Multifocal and refractory pyoderma gangrenosum: Possible role of cocaine abuse.
AB  - Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare and severe inflammatory skin condition. There are
      different variants, including generalised and atypical forms, but the most common
      presentation is an enlarging ulcer on the lower extremities. Treatment can
      represent a challenge for physicians and there are no guidelines based on
      randomised controlled trials. We report an exceptional case of widespread and
      refractory pyoderma gangrenosum in a middle-aged woman where cocaine use may have
      played a role. Treatment with i.v. pulse corticosteroids and cyclosporine was
      ineffective, and disease control was obtained with oral corticosteroids together
      with mycophenolic acid, infliximab and abstinence from cocaine consumption. There
      was a temporal relationship between disease outbreaks and cocaine consumption and
      improvement after its discontinuation. In the present case such clinical severity
      without associated pathology and the temporal association with cocaine abuse
      raises the possibility of cocaine playing an aetiological role as well as
      accounting for therapy resistance.

PMID- 27250584
TI  - Pseudoaneurysmal defect of mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa is likely to be a
      cerebral embolic source. An autopsy study in remote period from the stroke.

PMID- 27250582
TI  - Activation of liver X receptor inhibits the development of pulmonary carcinomas
      induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and butylated hydroxytoluene in BALB/c mice.
AB  - We previously reported that LXR ligand, T0901317, inhibited the growth of
      inoculated Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice by activating IFN-gamma
      production. However, the effects of T0901317 on carcinogen-induced pulmonary
      carcinomas remain unknown. In this study, we initially conducted a statistical
      analysis on the data of human lung cancer samples extracted from the TCGA
      database, and determined that survival rate/time of lung cancer patients and
      grade of lung adenocarcinoma were positively and negatively related to lung IFN
      gamma levels, respectively. We then determined the inhibitory effects of T0901317
      on mouse pulmonary carcinomas induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) and butylated
      hydroxytoluene (BHT) or urethane. We found that T0901317 reduced morbidity and
      mortality in MCA/BHT-injected BALB/c mice by inhibiting lung adenocarcinoma.
      T0901317 also protected C57BL/6 mice, but not IFN-gamma deficient (IFN-gamma(-/
      ), C57BL/6 background) mice, against MCA/BHT-induced lung
      hyperplasia/inflammation. In addition, we determined that T0901317 inhibited
      urethane-induced lung tumors in BABL/c mice. Furthermore, we determined that
      T0901317 prevented metastasis of 4T1 breast cancer cells in BALB/c mice.
      Administration of T0901317 substantially increased serum IFN-gamma levels and
      lung IFN-gamma expression in BABL/c and C57BL/6 mice. Taken together, our study
      demonstrates that LXR inhibits MCA/BHT-induced pulmonary carcinomas in BABL/c
      mice and the inhibition is associated with induction of IFN-gamma production.

PMID- 27250585
TI  - Clinical significance and origin of leukocytes that lack HLA-A allele expression
      in patients with acquired aplastic anemia.
AB  - To gain insight into the origin and clinical significance of leukocytes that lack
      human leukocyte antigen A (HLA-A) allele expression caused by a copy-number
      neutral loss of heterozygosity in the short arm of chromosome 6 in patients with
      acquired aplastic anemia (AA), we used a high-sensitivity flow cytometry assay to
      investigate the presence of HLA-A allele-lacking leukocytes (HLA-LLs) in 144 AA
      patients. HLA-LLs, accounting for 0.2-99.8% of each leukocyte population, were
      detected in 18 of 71 (25.4%) newly diagnosed patients and in 25 of 73 (34.2%)
      previously treated patients. The lineage combination patterns of the HLA-LLs in
      the 43 HLA-LL(+) patients were granulocytes (Gs), monocytes (Ms), B cells (Bs),
      and T cells (Ts; GMBT) in 13 cases, GMB in 16 cases, GM in 11 cases, and B alone
      in three cases. The response rate to antithymocyte globulin plus cyclosporine
      therapy (100%) and the 2-year, failure-free survival rate (100%) in 8 newly
      diagnosed HLA-LL(+) patients were significantly higher than in 23 HLA-LL(-)
      patients (52.2% for both). These data suggest that HLA-LLs are a useful marker of
      the presence of immune pathophysiology in AA and that T-cell attacks against
      hematopoietic progenitor cells, rather than against hematopoietic stem cells, can
      trigger bone marrow failure in AA patients.

PMID- 27250586
TI  - Identification of pigmented Serratia marcescens symbiotically associated with
      Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
AB  - To characterize red pigment-producing bacteria (RPPB) regularly released during
      oviposition by red palm weevil (RPW), RPPB were recovered from eggs deposited in
      apples supplied as substrate for oviposition. The presence of RPPB was also
      detected from gut, the reproductive apparatus of dissected adult and virgin
      insects and from pupal cases collected within infested palms. RPPB were also
      identified all along the tissue of these palms. Analysis of the 16S rDNA, gyrB,
      rpoB, recA, and groEL sequences assigned RPPB to the species Serratia marcescens.
      RPPB exhibited an antimicrobial activity assessed by the agar well diffusion
      method against a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In this
      study, we first report the identification of a red pigment-producing S.
      marcescens as extracellular symbiont of RPW. Route of transmission, detection
      within different organs, and a wide spread along the infested palm tissue,
      suggested S. marcescens is present as extracellular symbiont in different
      developmental stages of the RPW. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity
      exhibited versus Bacillus spp., Paenibacillus spp., and Lysinibacillus spp.,
      reported as insect pathogens and potential candidates for biocontrol agents,
      could ascribe for S. marcescens a potential protective role.

PMID- 27250588
TI  - Letter: oral low-dose methotrexate for collagenous colitis.

PMID- 27250589
TI  - Letter: oral low-dose methotrexate for collagenous colitis - authors' reply.

PMID- 27250590
TI  - Letter: avoiding misconceptions about elimination diet for eosinophilic
      oesophagitis.

PMID- 27250591
TI  - Letter: avoiding misconceptions about elimination diet for eosinophilic
      oesophagitis - authors' reply.

PMID- 27250592
TI  - Letter: a simple out-patient faecal microbiota transplant technique.

PMID- 27250593
TI  - Letter: anti-TNF in steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis - are the available data
      enough?

PMID- 27250594
TI  - Chromogenic Detection of Aqueous Formaldehyde Using Functionalized Silica
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Silica nanoparticles functionalized with thiol reactive units and bulky polar
      polyamines were used for the selective colorimetric detection of formaldehyde.
      The reaction of thiols groups in the nanoparticles surface with a squaraine dye
      resulted in loss of the pi-conjugation of the chromophores, and the subsequent
      bleaching of the solution. However, when formaldehyde was present in the
      suspension, the thiol-squaraine reaction was inhibited and a chromogenic response
      was observed. A selective response to formaldehyde was observed only when the
      thiol and polyamine groups were anchored to the silica surface. The observed
      selective response was ascribed to the fact that bulky polyamines generate a
      highly polar environment around thiols, which were only able to react with the
      small and polar formaldehyde, but not with other aldehydes. The sensing
      nanoparticles showed a limit of detection (LOD) for formaldehyde of 36 ppb in
      water. 

PMID- 27250595
TI  - Sequential bottom-up and top-down processing for the synthesis of transition
      metal dichalcogenide nanosheets: the case of rhenium disulfide (ReS2).
AB  - Bottom-up (aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition, AACVD) and top-down
      (liquid phase exfoliation, LPE) processing methodologies are used in tandem to
      produce colloids of few-layer thick rhenium disulfide (ReS2) in N-methyl
      pyrrolidone. The processing route we use is a potentially robust and scalable
      pathway to manufacture useful 2D materials. 

PMID- 27250596
TI  - Faculty Mentors' Perspectives on E-Mentoring Post-Professional Occupational
      Therapy Doctoral Students.
AB  - E-mentoring is a viable option for mentoring students in occupational therapy
      educational programs. The objective of this study was to investigate faculty
      perspectives of faculty-to-student e-mentoring in an online post-professional
      doctor of occupational therapy program. In a retrospective mixed-method design,
      nine faculty members described features and outcomes of e-mentoring 48 doctoral
      students. Online survey results were analysed quantitatively for descriptive
      statistics; transcripts from structured interviews were analysed using
      qualitative content analysis. The results showed that successful, satisfactory e
      mentoring is student-centered, flexible, frequent, academically and
      psychosocially supportive; faculty members must be skilled in adapting e
      mentoring to the needs and objectives of each mentee; e-mentoring provides
      opportunities for faculty members and students to achieve academic and
      professional objectives and growth. The findings suggest that implementation of e
      mentoring may be a useful model in other occupational therapy programs. There is
      a need for future studies with broader participant pool, observable measures of e
      mentoring, standardized measures of satisfaction and success and comparison
      between e-mentoring with and without web camera. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27250597
TI  - Is it time for everolimus-based combination in castration-resistant prostate
      cancer?

PMID- 27250598
TI  - IRAK1 variant is protective for orthodontic-induced external apical root
      resorption.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-1 beta (IL1B) pathway is a key player in orthodontic
      induced external apical root resorption (EARR). The aim of this work was to
      identify the genes related to the IL1 pathway as possible candidate genes for
      EARR, which might be included in an integrative predictive model of this complex
      phenotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a stepwise multiple linear regression
      model, 195 patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment were assessed for
      clinical and genetic factors associated with %EARRmax (maximum %EARR value
      obtained for each patient). The four maxillary incisors and the two maxillary
      canines were assessed. Three functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      were genotyped: rs1143634 in IL1B gene, rs315952 in IL1RN gene, and rs1059703 in
      X-linked IRAK1 gene. RESULTS: The model showed that four of the nine clinical
      variables and one SNP explained 30% of the %EARRmax variability. The most
      significant unique contributions to the model were gender (P = 0.001), treatment
      duration (P < 0.001), premolar extractions (P = 0.003), Hyrax appliance (P <
      0.001), and homozygosity/hemizygosity for variant C from IRAK1 gene (P = 0.018),
      which proved to be a protective factor. CONCLUSION: IRAK1 polymorphism is
      proposed as a protective variant for EARR.

PMID- 27250599
TI  - A rare variant between the left superior vena cava and the azygos vein.
AB  - During the educational dissection of a 68-year-old Chinese male cadaver, an
      azygos vein (AV) coursing on the left side with double superior vena cava was
      observed. The left superior vena cava (LSVC) began from the confluence of the
      left internal jugular and left subclavian veins, and extended downwards medially
      into the left edge of the dilated coronary sinus. The right superior vena cava
      was formed by the union of the right internal jugular and right subclavian veins,
      and drained into the right atrium from the above. The AV was formed by the union
      of the right and left ascending lumbar veins at the level of the tenth thoracic
      vertebra. It ascended along the left margin of the thoracic vertebra, receiving
      almost the bilateral posterior intercostal veins and then extended into the LSVC
      on the left wall via the azygos arch. Better understanding of these variations
      will reduce unnecessary and potential harmful testing, and unneeded patient
      anxiety.

PMID- 27250600
TI  - The ecology of sex explains patterns of helping in arthropod societies.
AB  - Across arthropod societies, sib-rearing (e.g. nursing or nest defence) may be
      provided by females, by males or by both sexes. According to Hamilton's
      'haplodiploidy hypothesis', this diversity reflects the relatedness consequences
      of diploid vs. haplodiploid inheritance. However, an alternative 'preadaptation
      hypothesis' instead emphasises an interplay of ecology and the co-option of
      ancestral, sexually dimorphic traits for sib-rearing. The preadaptation
      hypothesis has recently received empirical support, but remains to be formalised.
      Here, we mathematically model the coevolution of sex-specific helping and sex
      allocation, contrasting these hypotheses. We find that ploidy per se has little
      effect. Rather, the ecology of sex shapes patterns of helping: sex-specific
      preadaptation strongly influences who helps; a freely adjustable sex ratio
      magnifies sex biases and promotes helping; and sib-mating, promiscuity, and
      reproductive autonomy also modulate the sex and abundance of helpers. An
      empirical survey reveals that patterns of sex-specific helping in arthropod taxa
      are consistent with the preadaptation hypothesis.

PMID- 27250601
TI  - [Effective bowel preparation before coloscopy - low-volume PEG in the divided
      dose regimen].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The good and safe bowel cleansing is key to the success of
      coloscopy. The standard preparation involves 4 l polyethylene glycol (PEG). Now
      the combination of PEG and ascorbic acid (PEGA) of half the volume is available.
      Besides the type of product also the time factors which are not clarified, play a
      role during the bowel preparation. The aim of the study was to compare the
      efficiency and tolerance of both the agents and evaluate the effect of the time
      regimen of preparation. METHODS: 380 individuals were included in the evaluation
      in 4 cohorts which used 4 l PEG (Fortrans) in a single dose or split into 3 + 1 l
      and PEG + ascorbic acid (Moviprep) split into 1 + 1 l or 2 l one day before
      examination. RESULTS: There was no difference between the agents as to the
      quality of bowel preparation, when they were used in the same regimen. The bowel
      cleansing was better in both cases in the divided dose regimen (p < 0.001), and
      it was inversely proportional to the length of preparation (p = 0.003) and
      directly proportional to the length of time between the end of preparation and
      coloscopy (p < 0.001). PEGA was better tolerated (p < 0.028), regardless of the
      preparation regimen. CONCLUSION: PEG and PEGA are similarly efficient in the
      bowel preparation before coloscopy provided they are used in a similar regimen.
      The best results are reached when the preparation is divided into 2 days. PEGA is
      better tolerated than PEG, regardless of the used regimen. The quality of bowel
      cleansing is affected by the length of preparation (optimally up to 12 hours) and
      the time elapsed from the preparation until examination (up to 8 hours).

PMID- 27250602
TI  - [The role of epicardial fat and obesity parameters in the prediction of coronary
      heart disease].
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess the relationship of parameters of obesity in relationship
      to coronary angiography findings with correlation of epicardial fat (EF)
      thickness in uppermentioned context. METHODS: There were 80 patients examined (43
      males, 37 postmenopausal females) undergoing elective coronary angiography. We
      examined the regular obesity parameters - BMI, waist circumference (WC), neck
      circumference (NC), total body fat (TBF), and visceral fat (VF) using
      bioimpedance. We assessed the echocardiographically measured EF thickness. We
      added examination of lipidogram, glycaemia, HOMA-IR (insulin resistance index)
      and AIP (aterogenic index of plasma). The set was divided into group with
      coronarographically proved stenosis or stenoses (withCS), and a group without
      finding of quantifiable stenosis or stenoses (withoutCS). RESULTS: The average
      thickness of EF in withCS group was 6.3 vs 5.6 mm in group withoutCS (p < 0.025).
      The differences in the thickness of EF in mentioned groups were 6.5 vs 5.2 mm in
      males (p < 0.025, = 20 %) and 6.1 vs 6.0 mm in females (p < 0.025, = 1.64 %). In
      males in withCS group, there was a dominant fat increase in epicardial region and
      TBF, and in females in withCS group, the fat deposits were increased in general.
      BMI was not a dominant parameter of adiposity in neither group (males in withCS
      group 31.11 vs withoutCS 30.41 kg/m(2); females in withCS group 31.40 vs
      withoutCS 31.20 kg/m(2)). EF was correlated the most by WC in males (r = 0.488; p
      < 0.005), and in females too (r = 0.564, p < 0.005). The patients in withCS group
      had increased HOMA-IR 4.75 vs 3.56 in withoutCS group, and AIP 0.22 vs 0.17.
      CONCLUSION: Thickness of EF in males and VT in females could be considered
      obesity parameters in assessment of pre-clinical stages of coronary
      atherosclerosis and prediction of risk of coronary heart disease. In adipose
      parameters, EF thickness was correlated the most by WC. Risk stratification of
      coronary artery disease is supplemented by increased HOMA-IR and AIP.

PMID- 27250603
TI  - [Diuretic treatment in patients with acute pulmonary edema did not produces
      severe hyponatremia or hypokalemia].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: One of the risks of diuretic therapy for pulmonary edema is the
      development of hyponatremia and hypokalemia with pro-arrhythmic potential. The
      aim of our study was to analyze the incidence of hyponatremia and hypokalemia
      after the first day of treatment in a real clinical practice. METHODS: We
      performed a retrospective analysis of data obtained from medical records. We
      included all patients with pulmonary edema admitted to the coronary care unit,
      only patients which died within the first day of treatment were excluded.
      Absolute dose of administered furosemide, total fluid intake and urine output,
      saline and pottasium intake were analyzed. Nonparametric paired Wilcoxon test was
      used to compare natrium and pottasium levels changes. RESULTS: 37 patients were
      included into analysis. The median dose of furosemide administered during the
      first day of treatment was 120 mg (IQR 20-300 mg). Median diuresis was 2 400 ml
      (IQR 1 425-3 225 ml). The median of difference between diuresis and total fluid
      intake was 315 ml (IQR 538-1 380 ml). Wilcoxon test confirmed a prevailing
      statistically significant trend of slight rise in serum sodium within the first
      day of treatment (serum sodium 138.0 IQR 132.8-139.6 vs 138.1 IQR 134,0-141,7
      mmol/l, p = 0.0046). The difference in serum potassium was not statistically
      significant (serum potassium 4.2 IQR 3.9-4.8 vs 4.2, IQR 3.8-4.8 mmol/l).
      CONCLUSION: Results did not confirmed the need for a substitution of sodium and
      potassium losses during the first day of diuretic therapy to prevent
      hyponatriemia and hypokalemia in patients with pulmonary edema.

PMID- 27250604
TI  - [Analysis of serum free light chains kappa/lambda ratio and heavy/light chain
      pairs of immunoglobulin to the stratification of multiple myeloma according to
      Mayo Stratification of Myeloma and Revised International Staging System].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Assessment of serum levels of free light chains (FLC-kappa and FLC
      lambda) and recently heavy/light chain pairs of immunoglobulin (HLC-kappa and HLC
      lambda) and their ratio (FLC-r and HLC-r) has significantly enriched traditional
      algorithm of multiple myeloma (MM) evaluation. The aim of the presented study was
      to assess the relationship of classical prognostic parameters of MM, standard FLC
      kappa/lambda and HLC-kappa/lambda ratio ((s)FLC-r and (s)HLC-r), modified ratio
      of "involved/uninvolved" FLC and HLC ((m)FLC-r and (m)HLC-r ), the difference
      between "involved - uninvolved" FLC and HLC (FLC-dif. and HLC-dif.) to current
      stratification models of MM based on the result of cytogenetic analysis. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: In a group of 97 patients with MM we assessed serum levels of FLC by
      FreeliteTM method, and we calculated (s)FLC-r, (m)FLC-r and FLC-dif. indices by
      HevyliteTM method. For cytogenetic analysis we used FICTION (fluorescence
      immunophenotyping and interphase cytogenetics as a tool for the investigation of
      neoplasms). For MM stratification we used standard staging systems according to
      Durie-Salmon (D-S) and International Staging System (ISS) as well as novel
      stratification systems based on the results of cytogenetic analysis, ie. "Mayo
      Stratification of Myeloma and Risk-Adapted Therapy" (mSMART) and "Revised
      International Staging System" (R-ISS). RESULTS: Stratification mSMART and R-ISS
      has significantly different representation of "standard" or "low-risk" (71, 15.5,
      11.3 a 29.9 %), "intermediate risk" (15.5, 53.6, 34 a 33 %) and "high risk"
      patients (13.4, 30.9, 54.7 a 37.1 %) compared to standard staging systems. mSMART
      stratification was compared to prognostic factors of MM (Hb, albumin, beta(2)-M,
      creatinine and LDH), and the only significant relationship was found in the case
      of beta(2)-M, R-ISS had relationship only to Hb and creatinine. In the case of D
      S staging we found significant relationship of stages 1-3 and substages A and B
      to the levels of (m)FLC-r, FLC-dif. and (m)HLC-r, ISS had moreover relationship
      to k HLC-dif. and MIg concentration. Analysis of mSMART stratification showed
      primarily significant relationship of risk categories 1-3 to (m)FLC-r and (s)HLC
      r indices, and R-ISS to (m)HLC-r index and MIg concentration. In both
      cytogenetics-based stratifications there was a lack of relationship to (s)FLC-r,
      FLC-dif. and HLC-dif. indices. CONCLUSION: Comparison of the results of standard
      staging systems according to D-S and ISS with cytogenetics based models mSMART
      and R-ISS showed different representation of risk groups, and significantly
      different relationship to classical prognostic factors together with original
      relationship of sMART stratification to (m)FLC-r and (s)HLC-r, and R-ISS to
      (m)HLC-r and MIg concentration.

PMID- 27250605
TI  - Prothrombin gene 20210A mutation in Slovak population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A mutation (PTM) are
      the two most common genetic polymorphisms known to predispose to a first episode
      of venous thromboembolism (VTE). PTM is present in 2 % Caucasian population. The
      main aim of this study was to identify the PTM in the patients with positive
      history of thrombotic events vs. control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      assessment of PTM was performed by the PCR analysis of the chromosomal DNA, which
      was isolated from the peripheral blood leukocytes. RESULTS: Of the 2 274 patients
      included, 157 (6.9 %) were carriers of the PTM. The mutation was present only in
      2.6 % (n = 8) of the 303 controls. The following clinical manifestations of PTM
      were analysed. We observed 123 venous thrombotic events, 46 arterial thrombosis
      and 14 spontaneous abortions. In this article we analyse other possible risk
      factors for thromboembolic events in patients with carriage of PTM. CONCLUSIONS:
      To our knowledge, this is the largest epidemiological study of PTM in Central
      Europe. Employing statistical analysis, we found relatively high prevalence of
      the PTM in both, the patients with positive thrombosis history (6.9 %), as well
      as in the control group (2.6 %). The risk of thrombosis by carriage of PTM is
      independent of age and gender. Study has shown relatively frequent presence of
      double carriership of PTM and factor V Leiden mutation (FVL).

PMID- 27250606
TI  - [Treatment of 14 cases of Castlemans disease: the experience of one centre and an
      overview of literature].
AB  - Castlemans disease is the term for reactive lymphocytary and plasmocytary
      proliferation which occurs in the unicentric (localized) form, usually without
      systemic symptoms, or in the generalized/multicentric form, typically with
      systemic symptoms (www.vzacne-diagnozy.cz). Over the past 25 years we diagnosed,
      treated and followed 14 histologically proven cases of Castlemans diseases. Seven
      patients had the localised form of the disease. In 5 of 7 cases the pathological
      lesion was located intrathoracically or intraabdominally and in only 2 cases it
      was on the surface of the body. No clinical symptoms were present in any of the
      patients with the unicentric form of the disease and surgical treatment led to
      the total removing of the disease in all of them. As opposed to that, all 7
      patients with the multicentric form of Castlemans disease experienced febrile or
      subfebrile temperatures. Three of the 7 patients complained of severe troubling
      night sweats. Clinical expressions of vasculitis which was the cause of stroke,
      were present in 1 of 7 patients. Osteosclerotic changes on the skeleton were
      detected in 1 patient, who also suffered from fluid retention likely associated
      with this disease. Polyclonal propagation of immunoglobulins, predominantly
      immunoglobulin IgG type, was present in 5 of 7 patients with the multicentric
      form. In one case there was one complete molecule of monoclonal imunoglobuline
      present and in one case loose light chains kappa were increased More than 1
      sampling of material for histological examination of enlarged lymph nodes were
      needed in 6 of 7 patients for diagnosing the multicentric form of the disease. It
      has turned out beneficial with respect to diagnosing the disease to carry out
      surgical removal and histological examination of the nodes which accumulated the
      most fluorodeoxyglucose within PET-CT examination. The text describes experience
      of the treatment. In recent years the basis for the treatment has been the
      monoclonal antibody antiCD20 rituximab, or thalidomide and lenalidomide, or
      possibly their combination. The new medicine for these patients is interleukin-6
      antibody called siltuximab (Sylvant), of which we have no own experience so far.
      Five of our seven patients with the multicentric form received treatment, 1
      patient refused treatment and in one patient the signs of the disease activity
      are not expressed to such extent that would require treatment. The therapy
      containing rituximab reached complete remission in 2 patients and the therapy
      containing thalidomide and lenalidomide achieved the complete remission of the
      disease in 3 patients. In one of the above described cases the disease did not
      respond to the initial treatment with rituximab and remission was reached by
      thalidomide and lenalidomide and in one case the disease did not respond to the
      initial treatment with thalidomide and complete remission was reached with
      rituximab. Following the treatment, no patient with the multicentric form of
      Castlemans disease has had a relapse until now.

PMID- 27250607
TI  - [Chronic kidney diseases, metformin and lactic acidosis].
AB  - Chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus represent a worldwide public health
      problem. The incidence of these diseases is gradually growing into epidemic
      proportions. In many cases they occur simultaneously, what leads to increased
      morbidity and mortality among the affected patients. The majority of the patients
      treated for diabetes mellitus are unaware of the presence of renal insufficiency.
      Vascular hypertrophy and diabetic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes
      are the most common causes of kidney failure in countries with advanced
      healthcare systems. Metformin is a basic drug used for the treatment of type 2
      diabetes mellitus. It is excreted in an unchanged form by the kidneys. When
      administered to patients with renal insufficiency, sepsis, dehydration or after
      the parenteral administration of iodinated contrast agents, metformin can cause
      lactic acidosis, which is also associated with an increased mortality rate.

PMID- 27250608
TI  - [Beta-blockers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
AB  - This general article discusses the problems of beta-blockers use in patients with
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its aim is to refute exaggerated
      concerns of physicians over possible undesirable effects of beta-blockers on the
      patient respiratory functions and present new data on the effects of beta
      blockers on the extent of COPD exacerbations, bronchial reactivity and mortality
      of patients.

PMID- 27250609
TI  - [Overview of current modalities of colorectal cancer screening].
AB  - There are one-step and two-steps programs for colorectal cancer screening. The
      aim of all screening examinations is to detect early stage of the disease in
      asymptomatic patient. The aim of this article is actual review of current
      screening modalities such as fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoideoscopy,
      colonoscopy, CT colonography, capsule endoscopy, blood-based tests and stool DNA
      tests. Colonoscopy still remains the gold standard for detection of colorectal
      neoplasias. In majority of countries worldwide programs for colorectal cancer
      screening are based on immunochemical fecal occult blood test followed by
      colonoscopy when positive.

PMID- 27250610
TI  - [The effect of antihypertensive treatment on patients with diabetes depends on
      the values of blood pressure: a systematic survey and meta-analyses].
AB  - What was already known about these problems before the publication of the
      Northern Swedish study? Hypertension is the most important risk factor for
      mortality and cardiovascular disease on a global scale. Patients with diabetes
      mellitus demonstrate an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and they often
      also have hypertension at the same time. Antihypertensive treatment reduces the
      risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with diabetes, however an optimum
      value of blood pressure is a matter of debate. What is the special contribution
      of the Swedish study? Antihypertensive treatment in patients with diabetes and a
      systolic pressure higher than 140 mm Hg brings with it a decreased risk of
      mortality and cardiovascular disease. Antihypertensive treatment in patients with
      dia-betes and a systolic lower than 140 mm Hg, however, brings with it an
      increased risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. The interaction between
      systolic pressure values before the treatment and during it is significant.

PMID- 27250611
TI  - [What are the effects of fixed-dose combination of candesartan and amlodipine].
AB  - We are presenting a current view on a fixed-dose combination of amlodipine and
      candesartan in the treatment of hypertension. Major studies on the individual
      preparations as well as studies examining their combination are included. This
      fixed-dose combination expands our possibilities with regard to attaining the
      blood pressure target values, in particular in patients with risk factors or
      patients with comorbidities. Finally, the benefit mainly consists in the greater
      compliance of the patient with a minimum adverse effects.

PMID- 27250612
TI  - [Are some antidiabetic drugs also drugs useful for heart failure treatment?].
AB  - The prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 is rapidly growing. It is the
      cardiovascular mortality and morbidity why these patients suffer. Also heart
      failure becomes very frequent in diabetics, as it is a strong risk factor for
      development of heart failure and for its progression. Recently published data of
      EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial with empagliflozin hint to the possibility of heart
      failure treatment with this drug. The author presents data about the influence of
      antidiabetic drugs on cardiovascular risk factors, specifically on heart failure.
      This can be a way how to prevent heart failure in diabetic patients. Later he
      presents data about the influence of antidiabetics on symptoms and signs of heart
      failure. Some of these drugs are neutral, some are risky for patients and in the
      case of empagliflozin there is a beneficial influence. As heart failure is a
      great problem of clinical practice and diabetes is a strong risk factor of heart
      failure, we are looking also for prevention of heart failure and for its
      treatment also by using antidiabetic drug.

PMID- 27250613
TI  - [PCSK9 inhibitors - new possibilities in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia:
      For which patients will be indicated?Czech atherosclerosis society statement].
AB  - First line drug for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia are statins, which
      reduce LDL-cholesterol up to 50 %; such reduction is sufficient for most patients
      to achieve the target values. The exceptions are patients with familial
      hypercholesterolemia and patients with statin intolerance. To achieve target LDL
      cholesterol in these two groups of patients will be possible with new drugs -
      PCSK9 inhibitors, which decrease LDL-cholesterol by an additional 50-60 %. The
      first two PCSK9 inhibitors (alirocumab and evolocumab) already had been approved
      for clinical use by European regulatory authorities. The primary indication for
      combination statin with PCSK9 inhibitor should be undoubtedly patients with a
      confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia, who are treated in the
      Czech Republic primarily in specialized centers of MedPed project. Furthermore,
      this treatment should be available for other patients at very high risk of
      cardiovascular diseases, who cannot achieve target LDL-cholesterol (eg. for
      statins intolerance).

PMID- 27250614
TI  - [DRESS syndrome].
AB  - DRESS syndrome (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) is severe drug
      induced allergic-type reaction which occurs few days to weeks after taking a drug
      in a predisposed patient. Organ damage, eosinophilia and skin rash are typical at
      presentation. Corticotherapy is often necessary in severe cases. In this report
      we describe a case of 56-year old female with fever, elevated liver tests and
      skin rash. DRESS syndrome was diagnosed and allopurinol was indentified as a
      causative drug. Due to possible fatal outcome, DRESS syndrome should be
      considered in a differential diagnosis of all patients presenting with similar
      signs and symptoms.

PMID- 27250615
TI  - Practice comparisons between accelerated resolution therapy, eye movement
      desensitization and reprocessing and cognitive processing therapy with case
      examples.
AB  - Recent outcomes for Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure
      (PE) therapy indicate that as many as 60-72% of patients retain their PTSD
      diagnosis after treatment with CPT or PE. One emerging therapy with the potential
      to augment existing trauma focused therapies is Accelerated Resolution Therapy
      (ART). ART is currently being used along with evidence based approaches at Fort
      Belvoir Community Hospital and by report has been both positive for clients as
      well as less taxing on professionals trained in ART. The following is an in
      practice theoretical comparison of CPT, EMDR and ART with case examples from Fort
      Belvoir Community Hospital. While all three approaches share common elements and
      interventions, ART distinguishes itself through emphasis on the rescripting of
      traumatic events and the brevity of the intervention. While these case reports
      are not part of a formal study, they suggest that ART has the potential to
      augment and enhance the current delivery methods of mental health care in
      military environments.

PMID- 27250616
TI  - How personal standards perfectionism and evaluative concerns perfectionism affect
      the error positivity and post-error behavior with varying stimulus visibility.
AB  - Error detection is required in order to correct or avoid imperfect behavior.
      Although error detection is beneficial for some people, for others it might be
      disturbing. We investigated Gaudreau and Thompson's (Personality and Individual
      Differences, 48, 532-537, 2010) model, which combines personal standards
      perfectionism (PSP) and evaluative concerns perfectionism (ECP). In our
      electrophysiological study, 43 participants performed a combination of a modified
      Simon task, an error awareness paradigm, and a masking task with a variation of
      stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA; 33, 67, and 100 ms). Interestingly, relative to
      low-ECP participants, high-ECP participants showed a better post-error accuracy
      (despite a worse classification accuracy) in the high-visibility SOA 100
      condition than in the two low-visibility conditions (SOA 33 and SOA 67).
      Regarding the electrophysiological results, first, we found a positive
      correlation between ECP and the amplitude of the error positivity (Pe) under
      conditions of low stimulus visibility. Second, under the condition of high
      stimulus visibility, we observed a higher Pe amplitude for high-ECP-low-PSP
      participants than for high-ECP-high-PSP participants. These findings are
      discussed within the framework of the error-processing avoidance hypothesis of
      perfectionism (Stahl, Acharki, Kresimon, Voller, & Gibbons, International Journal
      of Psychophysiology, 97, 153-162, 2015).

PMID- 27250617
TI  - The osteoblast as an inflammatory cell: production of cytokines in response to
      bacteria and components of bacterial biofilms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Implant infections are a major complication in the field of
      orthopaedics. Bacteria attach to the implant-surface and form biofilm-colonies
      which makes them difficult to treat. Not only immune cells exclusively respond to
      bacterial challenges, but also local tissue cells are capable of participating in
      defense mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of osteoblasts
      in the context of implant infections. METHODS: Primary osteoblasts were
      cultivated and stimulated with free-swimming bacteria at 4  degrees C and 37 
      degrees C. Supernatants were harvested for ELISA and expression of pro
      inflammatory cytokines evaluated by RT-PCR. Bacterial binding to osteoblasts was
      evaluated using cytofluorometry and uptake was investigated by (3)H thymidine
      labelling of bacteria. Osteoblasts were additionally stimulated with the
      extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms,
      as well as components of the EPS; the bacterial heat shock protein GroEL in
      particular. RESULTS: We demonstrated that binding of bacteria to the osteoblast
      cell surface leads to an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
      Bacteria are capable of surviving intracellular. Furthermore, osteoblasts do not
      only respond to free-swimming, planktonic bacteria, but also to components of the
      EPS, including lipoteichoic acid and the heat shock protein GroEL. CONCLUSION: In
      conclusion, local tissue cells, specifically osteoblasts, might contribute to the
      persistence of the inflammatory response associated with implant-infections.

PMID- 27250619
TI  - Osteochondritis dissecans of the medial femoral condyle : New cell-free scaffold
      as a treatment option.
AB  - There is no gold standard in treating osteochondral lesions, which is why the
      treatment remains very challenging. Osteochondral defects can occur in any joint,
      but the most common locations are the knee and the ankle. Trauma, repeated
      microtrauma, avascular necrosis and osteochondritis dissecans (a special type of
      avascular necrosis) are blamed for the cartilage damage and the damage of
      adjacent subchondral bone. The self-healing ability of the cartilage is
      unfortunately very poor; thus, it is necessary to develop new methods of
      cartilage repair. Unfortunately, few data and long-term survival rates for these
      new scaffolds are available. We report a case of osteochondritis dissecans
      treated with a new cell-free scaffold MaioRegen(r) (Fin-Ceramica Faenza Spa,
      Faenza, Italy). 

PMID- 27250618
TI  - [Bernese periacetabular osteotomy. : Indications, technique and results 30 years
      after the first description].
AB  - The Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a surgical technique for the
      treatment of (1) hip dysplasia and (2) femoroacetabular impingement due to
      acetabular retroversion. The aim of the surgery is to prevent secondary
      osteoarthritis by improvement of the hip biomechanics. In contrast to other
      pelvic osteotomies, the posterior column remains intact with this technique. This
      improves the inherent stability of the acetabular fragment and thereby
      facilitates postoperative rehabilitation. The birth canal remains unchanged.
      Through a shortened ilioinguinal incision, four osteotomies and one controlled
      fracture around the acetabulum are performed. The direction of acetabular
      reorientation differs for both indications while the sequence of the osteotomies
      remains the same. This surgical approach allows for a concomitant
      osteochondroplasty in the case of an aspherical femoral head-neck junction. The
      complication rate is relatively low despite the complexity of the procedure. The
      key point for a successful long term outcome is an optimal reorientation of the
      acetabulum for both indications. With an optimal reorientation and a spherical
      femoral head, the cumulative survivorship of the hip after 10 years is 80-90 %.
      For the very first 75 patients, the cumulative 20-year survivorship was 60 %. The
      preliminary evaluation of the same series at a 30-year follow-up still showed a
      survivorship of approximately 30 %. The PAO has become the standard procedure for
      the surgical therapy of hip dysplasia in adolescents and adults. 

PMID- 27250620
TI  - [The growing spine : Normal and abnormal development].
AB  - Growth of the pediatric spine occurs in phases. The first 5 years of life are
      characterized by rapid growth. The lower extremities and trunk contribute equally
      to the entire growth by 50 % each. In the following years, until the onset of
      puberty, a steady but reduced rate of growth is observed. During these years a T1
      S1 growth of only 1 cm per year can be detected and the spine contributes only
      one third to the entire growth. Puberty consists of an acceleration phase lasting
      2 years. In the first year of this phase the growth peak of the extremities and
      in the following year the growth peak of the spine can be noticed. The ensuing
      deceleration phase of puberty lasts for 3 years. During that period the
      development of the Risser sign, menarche, and fusion of the trochanter epiphysis
      are taking place. Clinical parameters such as sitting height, standing height,
      and arm span may be used to evaluate growth. Important radiological parameters
      include the Risser sign, the determination of skeletal age according to Greulich
      and Pyle, and the T1-T12 height. The use of the olecranon method during the
      ascending phase of puberty can be recommended. Problems of the developing spine
      may include malformations, developmental disruptions or deformations. According
      to their manifestations they have a different prognosis, which can be estimated
      by knowledge of residual growth and the typical course of spinal growth in
      childhood. 

PMID- 27250621
TI  - [Uncertainties and challenges when facing new and emerging occupational risks].

PMID- 27250622
TI  - [Archivos 2015: an Open Access journal].

PMID- 27250623
TI  - [Descriptive Study of sickness absence in the health care sector of Catalonia
      (2009-2012)].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and evolution of sickness absence (SA) for
      non-occupational and occupational illness/injury in the population of workers in
      Catalonian Health Centers based on the definition of a set of common indicators.
      METHODS: The study population consisted of 25,964 workers from 30 health centers
      in Catalonia, during 2009-2012. Information on SA episodes was obtained from
      records of the Directorate of Human Resources. SA indicators were defined, and SA
      incidence rates and temporal evolution were calculated, depending on the length
      and type of episode, and the size and activity of health centers. RESULTS: SA
      incidence rates for non-occupational illness and injury showed a decreasing trend
      during 2009-2012. Smaller centers had lower SA rates for non-occupational
      conditions than larger centers (p<0.001). Social health centers had higher SA
      rates of non-occupational illness and injury, especially those with a very short
      duration (p<0.001). Primary care centers had the lowest SA occupational illness
      and injury rates, with the highest rates occurring in the social health centers,
      especially long-term centers (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The differences in incidence
      rates of SA detected by type of activity of the health centers could be due to
      differences in working conditions.

PMID- 27250624
TI  - [Update the wood dust exposure values included in the job-exposure matrix
      MatEmESp by making use of the WOODEX database].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To revise and complete information on prevalence and intensity of wood
      dust exposure among Spanish workers in the MatEmESp job-exposure matrix, based on
      data from the WOODEX database. METHODS: Exposure groups by economic activity in
      WOODEX were linked to the occupations in MatEmESp. The WOODEX data were then used
      to calculate new values of exposure prevalence and intensity for the occupations
      included in MatEmESp. RESULTS: A total of 18 occupations in MatEmESp were linked
      to exposure groups in the WOODEX database. This allowed estimation of new
      exposure intensity values for these 18 occupations and calculation of new
      exposure prevalence values for 16 of them. In addition, a new at-risk occupation,
      previously not in MatEmESp, was identified. The occupations with the highest
      prevalence values are sawmill operators (CNO-94 code 8141) and operators of
      machinery for making wood products (CNO-94 code 8340). The new calculations
      indicate that 10.5% of at-risk workers in MatEmESp are exposed to concentrations
      above 5 mg/m3. CONCLUSIONS: The WOODEX data provided more detailed information
      about exposure profiles to wood dust and are mainly based on Spanish data. In
      contrast, 95% of the data on wood dust exposure inMatEmESp is based on
      extrapolations from other countries or on expert considerations.

PMID- 27250625
TI  - [Should psychosocial risk factors associated with working conditions be
      evaluated?].

PMID- 27250626
TI  - [Should psychosocial risk factors associated with working conditions be
      evaluated?].

PMID- 27250627
TI  - Anti-dsDNA antibodies bind to TLR4 and activate NLRP3 inflammasome in lupus
      monocytes/macrophages.
AB  - BACKGROUND: NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of
      systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome results
      in the production of IL-1beta and the subsequent inflammation. Anti-dsDNA
      antibodies (anti-dsDNA Abs) play critical roles in the development and
      progression of SLE. However, the mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in
      SLE is still not known. This study investigated the activation of NLRP3
      inflammasome stimulated by anti-dsDNA Abs in monocytes/macrophages from SLE
      patients. METHODS: Monocytes/macrophages from SLE patients or healthy controls
      were stimulated with anti-dsDNA Ab-positive serum or purified anti-dsDNA Abs.
      Activation of inflammasome was measured by flow cytometry or Western blot. Anti
      dsDNA Abs isolated from active SLE patients were injected into female (NZB * NZW)
      F1 mice and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the frequencies of Th17 and
      Treg were examined. RESULTS: The activity of caspase-1 was significantly
      increased in active SLE patients and was correlated with serum levels of anti
      dsDNA Abs and disease activities. The concentrations of IL-1beta and IL-17A were
      also significantly higher in SLE patients compared to healthy controls. Anti
      dsDNA Ab-positive serum rather than healthy serum or RF (rheumatoid factor)
      positive serum stimulated the activation of caspase-1 in monocytes. Anti-dsDNA
      Abs bound to TLR4 on macrophages and induced the production of ROS. Mitochondria
      targeting antioxidant Mito-TEMPO, IkappaB kinase inhibitor peptide or TLR4 siRNA
      inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the secretion of IL-1beta
      induced by anti-dsDNA Abs. Injection of anti-dsDNA Abs into (NZB * NZW) F1 mice
      resulted in increased caspase-1 activation and production of IL-1beta and IL-17A.
      The Th17/Treg cell ratio also significantly increased following anti-dsDNA Ab
      injection. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-dsDNA Abs activated NLRP3 inflammasome in
      monocytes/macrophages from SLE patients by binding to TLR4 and inducing the
      production of mitochondrial ROS.

PMID- 27250628
TI  - Blood Biomarkers in Minor Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack.
AB  - Minor stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are common disorders with a high
      rate of subsequent disabling stroke, so the early recognition and management of
      minor stroke and TIA is of great importance. At the moment, the diagnosis of
      these disorders is based on neurologic deficits in a stroke-clinician's
      examination of the patient, supplemented by the results of acute brain imaging.
      However, high variability in TIA diagnosis has been reported between physicians,
      even trained vascular neurologists, and image-based diagnostic confirmation is
      not always readily available. Some patients still have ischemic events despite
      sustained standard secondary preventive therapy. Blood biomarkers are promising
      to aid in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and individual treatment of minor
      stroke and TIA. Some studies are being conducted in this field. This mini-review
      aims to highlight potential biomarkers for diagnosis and those helpful in
      predicting the risk of future stroke and the selection of treatment. 

PMID- 27250630
TI  - Robust Statistical Detection of Power-Law Cross-Correlation.
AB  - We show that widely used approaches in statistical physics incorrectly indicate
      the existence of power-law cross-correlations between financial stock market
      fluctuations measured over several years and the neuronal activity of the human
      brain lasting for only a few minutes. While such cross-correlations are
      nonsensical, no current methodology allows them to be reliably discarded, leaving
      researchers at greater risk when the spurious nature of cross-correlations is not
      clear from the unrelated origin of the time series and rather requires careful
      statistical estimation. Here we propose a theory and method (PLCC-test) which
      allows us to rigorously and robustly test for power-law cross-correlations,
      correctly detecting genuine and discarding spurious cross-correlations, thus
      establishing meaningful relationships between processes in complex physical
      systems. Our method reveals for the first time the presence of power-law cross
      correlations between amplitudes of the alpha and beta frequency ranges of the
      human electroencephalogram.

PMID- 27250629
TI  - Epigenetic and SP1-mediated regulation is involved in the repression of
      galactokinase 1 gene in the liver of neonatal piglets born to betaine
      supplemented sows.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of maternal betaine
      supplementation on the expression and regulation of GALK1 gene in the liver of
      neonatal piglets. METHODS: Sixteen sows of two groups were fed control or betaine
      supplemented diets (3 g/kg), respectively, throughout the pregnancy. Newborn
      piglets were individually weighed immediately after birth, and one male piglet
      close to mean body weight from the same litter was selected and killed before
      suckling. Serum samples of newborn piglets were analyzed for biochemical indexes,
      hormone and amino acid levels. Liver samples were analyzed for GALK1 expression
      by real-time PCR and western blotting, while GALK1 regulational mechanism was
      analyzed by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation and
      microRNAs expression. RESULTS: Betaine-exposed neonatal piglets had lower serum
      concentration of galactose, which was associated with significantly down
      regulated hepatic GALK1 expression. The repression of GALK1 mRNA expression was
      associated with DNA hypermethylation and more enriched repression histone mark
      H3K27me3 on its promoter. Binding sites of SP1, GR and STAT3 were predicted on
      GALK1 promoter, and decreased SP1 protein content and lower SP1 binding to GALK1
      promoter were detected in the liver of betaine-exposed piglets. Furthermore, the
      expression of miRNA-149 targeting GALK1 was up-regulated in the liver of betaine
      exposed piglets, along with elevated miRNAs-processing enzymes Dicer and Ago2.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that maternal dietary betaine supplementation
      during gestation suppresses GALK1 expression in the liver of neonatal piglets,
      which involves complex gene regulation mechanisms including DNA methylation,
      histone modification, miRNAs expression and SP1-mediated transcriptional
      modulation.

PMID- 27250631
TI  - Are atypical lymphocytes present with viral influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in
      hospitalized adults?
AB  - The purpose of this investigation was to determine if atypical lymphocytes were
      of diagnostic value in viral influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in hospitalized
      adults during the influenza season. Are atypical lymphocytes present with viral
      ILIs in hospitalized adults? During the influenza season, hospitals are inundated
      with influenza and viral ILIs, e.g., human parainfluenza virus-3 (HPIV-3).
      Without specific testing, clinically, it is difficult to differentiate influenza
      from ILIs, and surrogate influenza markers have been used for this purpose, e.g.,
      relative lymphopenia. The diagnostic significance of atypical lymphocytes with
      ILIs is not known. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 35 adults admitted
      with pneumonia due to viral ILI. The diagnosis of 14 patients was by respiratory
      virus polymerase chain reaction (PCR). During the 2015 influenza A season with
      ILIs, atypical lymphocytes were not present in influenza A (H3N2) patients but
      atypical lymphocytes were present in some ILIs, particularly HPIV-3. With viral
      ILIs, atypical lymphocytes should suggest a non-influenza viral diagnosis. 

PMID- 27250632
TI  - Tongue coating frequency and its colonization by yeasts in chronic kidney disease
      patients.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate tongue coating (TC) frequency and
      its colonization by yeasts in a group of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
      Clinical examination of the oral mucosa of 33 CKD patients was performed to
      investigate oral and tongue lesions. TC was diagnosed according to its clinical
      characteristics. Stimulated saliva and TC samples were collected to verify the
      salivary flow, and determine yeast frequency, species and counts. TC was found in
      18/33 of the patients (54.55 %) and was the most frequent oral lesion found. Of
      18 patients with TC, 13 (72.22 %) presented positive cultures for yeasts on the
      tongue dorsum, and one (5.55 %) in the saliva only. Yeasts were significantly
      more frequent in the tongue dorsum when compared to the saliva (p = 0.0106). The
      most frequent yeast species found was C. albicans (55.55 %), while C.
      parapsilosis comprised 50 % of non-albicans Candida species. This study
      demonstrated high amounts of yeasts on the cultures from TC samples of CKD
      patients, strongly suggesting that TC is a clinical representation of a
      polymicrobial biofilm, which could serve as a gateway for disseminated infection
      in immunosuppressed patients undergoing frequent hospitalization. 

PMID- 27250633
TI  - Emergence of co-production of plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase and ESBL in
      cefoxitin-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli.
AB  - Plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC) and ESBL co-production was detected in Escherichia
      coli a major etiologic agent of urinary tract infection. Isolates resistant to
      cefoxitin by CLSI methodology were tested for pAmpC beta-lactamase using
      phenylboronic acid and ESBLs by combined disk diffusion method. pAmpC/ESBL genes
      were characterized by PCR and sequencing. Transconjugation experiments were done
      to study the transfer of pAmpC and ESBL production from clinical isolates as
      donor to E. coli J53 AziR as recipient. Incompatibility groups of transmissible
      plasmids were classified by PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT). Among 148 urine
      culture positive isolates, E. coli was reported in 39.86 % (59/148), with 93.22 %
      (55/59) of cefoxitin resistance. pAmpC production was detected in 25, with varied
      distribution of blaCMY-2 and blaDHA-1type genes alone (n = 13 and 7 respectively)
      or in combination (n = 5). ESBL co-production was observed in 88 % (22/25) of
      pAmpC producing isolates with predominance of blaTEM (n = 20). Twenty-three
      transconjugants showed transmission of pAmpC-and ESBL-resistant genes with co
      carriage of blaCMY-2 and blaTEM (n = 15) in plasmids of IncF type (n = 9) being
      predominant, followed by IncI1 (n = 4) and IncH1 (n = 2) in combination. All
      clinical isolates were clonally diverse. Resistance against different beta
      lactams in uropathogenic E. coli has been an emerging concern in resource- poor
      countries such as India. Knowledge on the occurrence of AmpC beta-lactamases and
      ESBL amongst this pathogen and its transmission dynamics may aid in hospital
      infection control. 

PMID- 27250635
TI  - Stem Cells in Bone Regeneration.
AB  - Bone has the capacity to regenerate and repair itself. However, this capacity may
      be impaired or lost depending on the size of the defect or the presence of
      certain disease states. In this review, we discuss the key principles underlying
      bone healing, efforts to characterize bone stem and progenitor cell populations,
      and the current status of translational and clinical studies in cell-based bone
      tissue engineering. Though barriers to clinical implementation still exist, the
      application of stem and progenitor cell populations to bone engineering
      strategies has the potential to profoundly impact regenerative medicine.

PMID- 27250634
TI  - Beyond Return to Work: The Effect of Multimorbidity on Work Functioning
      Trajectories After Sick Leave due to Common Mental Disorders.
AB  - Objectives Patients with common mental disorders (CMDs) often suffer from
      comorbidities, which may limit their functioning at work. We assessed the
      longitudinal impact of multimorbidity, defined as two or more co-occurring
      chronic health conditions, on work functioning over time among workers who had
      returned to work after sick leave due to CMDs. Methods Prospective cohort study
      of 156 workers followed for 1 year after return to work from sick leave due to
      CMDs. A multimorbidity score was computed by counting severity-weighted chronic
      health conditions measured at baseline. Work functioning was measured at baseline
      and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up with the Work Role Functioning Questionnaire.
      Work functioning trajectories, i.e. the course of work functioning after return
      to work over time, were identified through latent class growth analysis. Results
      A total of 44 % of workers had multimorbidity. Four work functioning trajectories
      were identified: one (12 % of the workers) showed increasing work functioning
      scores during follow-up, whereas the other trajectories showed low, medium and
      high scores (23, 41 and 25 %, respectively) that remained stable across time
      points. Although multimorbidity did not predict membership in any trajectory,
      within the increasing score trajectory levels of work functioning were lower
      among those with high baseline multimorbidity score (p < 0.001). Conclusions Over
      time, multimorbidity negatively impacts work functioning after return to work
      from sick leave due to CMDs.

PMID- 27250637
TI  - Bariatric surgery for obese adolescents to prevent type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27250636
TI  - Identification of a novel PPARbeta/delta/miR-21-3p axis in UV-induced skin
      inflammation.
AB  - Although excessive exposure to UV is widely recognized as a major factor leading
      to skin perturbations and cancer, the complex mechanisms underlying inflammatory
      skin disorders resulting from UV exposure remain incompletely characterized. The
      nuclear hormone receptor PPARbeta/delta is known to control mouse cutaneous
      repair and UV-induced skin cancer development. Here, we describe a novel
      PPARbeta/delta-dependent molecular cascade involving TGFbeta1 and miR-21-3p,
      which is activated in the epidermis in response to UV exposure. We establish that
      the passenger miRNA miR-21-3p, that we identify as a novel UV-induced miRNA in
      the epidermis, plays a pro-inflammatory function in keratinocytes and that its
      high level of expression in human skin is associated with psoriasis and squamous
      cell carcinomas. Finally, we provide evidence that inhibition of miR-21-3p
      reduces UV-induced cutaneous inflammation in ex vivo human skin biopsies, thereby
      underlining the clinical relevance of miRNA-based topical therapies for cutaneous
      disorders.

PMID- 27250638
TI  - Personal utility is inherent to direct-to-consumer genomic testing.
AB  - People for and against direct-to-consumer (DTC) genomic tests are arguing around
      two issues: first, on whether an autonomy-based account can justify the tests;
      second, on whether the tests bring any personal utility. Bunnik et al, in an
      article published in this journal, were doubtful on the latter, especially in
      clinically irrelevant and uninterpretable sequences, and how far this claim could
      go in the justification. Here we argue that personal utility is inherent to DTC
      genomic tests and their results. We discuss Bunnik et al's account of personal
      utility and identify problems in its motivation and application. We then explore
      concepts like utility and entertainment which suggest that DTC genomic tests
      bring personal utility to their consumers, both in the motivation and the content
      of the tests. This points to an alternative account of personal utility which
      entails that entertainment value alone is adequate to justify DTC genomic tests,
      given appropriate strategies to communicate tests results with the consumers. It
      supports the autonomy-based justification of the test by showing that DTC genomic
      test itself stands as a valuable option and facilitates meaningful choice of the
      people.

PMID- 27250639
TI  - Formulation and characterization of Turkish oregano microcapsules prepared by
      spray-drying technology.
AB  - The aim of this study was optimization of spray-drying process conditions for
      microencapsulation of Turkish oregano extract. Different concentrations of
      maltodextrin and gum arabic as encapsulating agents (wall material) as well as
      influence of selected processing variables were evaluated. The optimal conditions
      were maintained on the basis of the load of main bioactive compounds - ursolic,
      rosmarinic acids and carvacrol - in prepared microparticles after comparison of
      all significant response variables using desirability function. Physicomechanical
      properties of powders such as flowability, wettability, solubility, moisture
      content as well as product yield, encapsulation efficiency (EE), density,
      morphology and size distribution of prepared microparticles have been determined.
      The results demonstrated that the optimal conditions for spray-drying mixture
      consisted of two parts of wall material solution and one part of ethanolic
      oregano extract when the feed flow rate was 40 mL/min and air inlet temperature 
      170  degrees C. Optimal concentration of wall materials in solution was 20% while
      the ratio of maltodextrin and gum arabic was 8.74:1.26.

PMID- 27250640
TI  - Enantiomeric two-armed lanthanide-binding tags for complementary effects in
      paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - Two-armed lanthanide-binding tags induce significant, long-range paramagnetic
      effects in the NMR spectra of attached proteins. An enantiomeric pair of rigid,
      two-armed, cyclen-based tags are reported that produce markedly different effects
      from the same tagging site, allowing for the measurement of complementary
      paramagnetic restraints for structural studies. 

PMID- 27250641
TI  - EphrinB2 regulates the emergence of a hemogenic endothelium from the aorta.
AB  - Adult-type intraembryonic hematopoiesis arises from specialized endothelial cells
      of the dorsal aorta (DA). Despite the critical importance of this specialized
      endothelium for establishment of hematopoietic stem cells and adult hematopoietic
      lineages, the mechanisms regulating its emergence are incompletely understood. We
      show that EphrinB2, a principal regulator of endothelial cell function, controls
      the development of endothelium producing adult-type hematopoiesis. The absence of
      EphrinB2 impairs DA-derived hematopoiesis. Transmembrane EphrinB2 and its EphB4
      receptor interact in the emerging DA, which transiently harbors EphrinB2(+) and
      EphB4(+) endothelial cells, thereby providing an opportunity for bi-directional
      cell-to-cell signaling to control the emergence of the hemogenic endothelium.
      Embryonic Stem (ES) cell-derived EphrinB2(+) cells are enriched with hemogenic
      endothelial precursors. EphrinB2 silencing impairs ES generation of hematopoietic
      cells but not generation of endothelial cells. The identification of EphrinB2 as
      an essential regulator of adult hematopoiesis provides important insight in the
      regulation of early hematopoietic commitment.

PMID- 27250642
TI  - Localized Morphea Developing in a Scar After Breast Carcinoma Surgery in the
      Absence of Radiotherapy.

PMID- 27250644
TI  - Identification of novel selective MMP-9 inhibitors as potential anti-metastatic
      lead using structure-based hierarchical virtual screening and molecular dynamics
      simulation.
AB  - MMP-9 is an attractive target for the development of new anticancer drugs. In the
      current study, pharmacophore modeling was employed using two highly active and
      selective gelatinase inhibitors obtained from two X-ray crystal structures (PDB
      IDs: and ) to identify novel selective MMP-9 inhibitors. The derived model was
      refined manually and also validated by the GH scoring method. The refined
      pharmacophore model, ADRR, was able to retrieve 86% of actives with a GH score of
      0.774, indicating that the model was capable of retrieving the active MMP-9
      inhibitors. ADRR was used to screen 2 838 166 unique structures. Hit filtration
      was carried out using a fitness score >1.5 and drug-likeness properties.
      Hierarchical clustering generates 33 clusters based on diversity. A total of 33
      molecules were obtained and these molecules were taken for cross-docking studies
      with 5 subtype MMPs. Among 33 tested, 2 molecules, P10A-0000088030 (Lig-1) and
      P10A-0001383812 (Lig-2), were found to have the highest docking scores (-8.59
      kcal mol(-1) and -8.27 kcal mol(-1)) towards MMP-9 compared with the other MMPs.
      Further MM-GBSA analysis was performed for two hits with 5 subtype MMPs to reveal
      the essential features that contribute to selectivity. The results showed that
      van der Waals contributions play a central role in determining the selectivity of
      MMP-9 inhibitors. Molecular dynamics studies were carried out for total time of
      330 ns to assess the stability of ligands at the active site. MD analysis showed
      that binding of Lig-1 with MMP-9 is stable compared to that with Lig-2. Hence, we
      suggest the Lig-1 compound as a good lead in designing novel potent inhibitors of
      MMP-9.

PMID- 27250645
TI  - Structural and chemical analysis of gadolinium halides encapsulated within WS2
      nanotubes.
AB  - The hollow cavities of nanotubes serve as templates for the growth of size- and
      shape-confined functional nanostructures, giving rise to novel materials and
      properties. In this work, considering their potential application as MRI contrast
      agents, gadolinium halides are encapsulated within the hollow cavities of WS2
      nanotubes by capillary filling to obtain GdX3@WS2 nanotubes (where X = Cl, Br or
      I and @ means encapsulated in). Aberration corrected scanning/transmission
      electron microscopy (S/TEM) and spectroscopy is employed to understand the
      morphology and composition of the GdI3@WS2 nanotubes. The three dimensional
      morphology is studied with STEM tomography but understanding the compositional
      information is non-trivial due to the presence of multiple high atomic number
      elements. Therefore, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) tomography was
      employed revealing the three dimensional chemical composition. Molecular dynamics
      simulations of the filling procedure shed light into the mechanics behind the
      formation of the confined gadolinium halide crystals. The quasi-1D system
      employed here serves as an example of a TEM-based chemical nanotomography method
      that could be extended to other materials, including beam-sensitive soft
      materials. 

PMID- 27250643
TI  - Enhancement of anti-STLV-1/HTLV-1 immune responses through multimodal effects of
      anti-CCR4 antibody.
AB  - Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causes adult T-cell leukemia and
      inflammatory diseases. Because anti-HTLV-1 immune responses are critical for
      suppressing infected cells, enhancing cellular immunity is beneficial for the
      treatment of HTLV-1-associated diseases. Using simian T-cell leukemia virus type
      1 (STLV-1) infected Japanese macaques, we analyzed the immune responses to viral
      antigens and the dynamics of virus-infected cells. The chemokine receptor CCR4 is
      expressed on STLV-1 infected cells, and administration of humanized monoclonal
      antibody to CCR4, mogamulizumab, dramatically decreased the number of STLV-1
      infected cells in vivo. Concurrently, mogamulizumab treatment enhanced STLV-1
      specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses by simultaneously targeting CCR4(+)
      effector regulatory T (Treg) cells and infected cells. Mogamulizumab promoted the
      phagocytosis of CCR4(+) infected cells by macrophages, which likely enhanced
      antigen presentation. Vaccination with recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV)
      expressing viral antigens suppressed the proviral load and the number of Tax
      expressing cells. Enhanced T-cell responses were also observed in some ATL
      patients who were treated with mogamulizumab. This study shows that mogamulizumab
      works not only by killing CCR4(+) infected cells directly, but also by enhancing
      T cell responses by increasing the phagocytosis of infected cells by antigen
      presenting cells and suppressing CCR4(+) effector Treg cells.

PMID- 27250647
TI  - Tunable ultraviolet and blue light generation from Nd:YAB random laser bolstered
      by second-order nonlinear processes.
AB  - Ultraviolet and blue light were obtained by nonlinear frequency conversion in a
      random laser (RL) based on Nd0.10Y0.90Al3(BO3)4 nanocrystalline powder. RL
      operation at 1062 nm, due to the (4)F3/2 -> (4)I11/2 transition of neodymium ions
      (Nd(3+)), was achieved by exciting the Nd(3+) with a tunable beam from 680 to 920
      nm covering the ground state absorption transitions to the (4)F9/2,
      ((4)F7/2,(4)S3/2), ((4)F5/2,(2)H9/2), and (4)F3/2 states. Light from 340 to 460
      nm was obtained via the second-harmonic generation of the excitation beam while
      tunable blue light, from 417 to 486 nm, was generated by self-sum-frequency
      mixing between the excitation beam and the RL emission.

PMID- 27250648
TI  - Interface induce growth of intermediate layer for bandgap engineering insights
      into photoelectrochemical water splitting.
AB  - A model of interface induction for interlayer growing is proposed for bandgap
      engineering insights into photocatalysis. In the interface of CdS/ZnS core/shell
      nanorods, a lamellar solid solution intermediate with uniform thickness and high
      crystallinity was formed under interface induction process. Merged the novel
      charge carrier transfer layer, the photocurrent of the core/shell/shell nanorod
      (css-NR) array was significantly improved to 14.0 mA cm(-2) at 0.0 V vs. SCE,
      nearly 8 times higher than that of the perfect CdS counterpart and incident
      photon to electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) values above 50% under AM 1.5G
      irradiation. In addition, this array photoelectrode showed excellent
      photocatalytic stability over 6000 s. These results suggest that the CdS/Zn1
      xCdxS/ZnS css-NR array photoelectrode provides a scalable charge carrier transfer
      channel, as well as durability, and therefore is promising to be a large-area
      nanostructured CdS-based photoanodes in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water
      splitting system.

PMID- 27250649
TI  - Operator eye doses during computed tomography fluoroscopic lung biopsy.
AB  - The aim of this work was to examine the peak entrance surface air kerma (peak
      ESAK) to the eyes during CT fluoroscopy lung biopsy, and the impact of lead
      glasses, exposure parameters, head rotation, and height on peak ESAK to the eyes.
      Two phantoms simulating the patient and radiologist were used, and 108 exposures
      were made using a 16-slice Toshiba Alexion CT scanner (Toshiba Medical Systems,
      Nasu, Japan). ESAK to the phantom radiologist's right eye was measured using an
      Unfors Xi dosimeter (RaySafe, Billdal, Sweden) with and without lead glasses at
      two kilovoltages (120 kVp and 135 kVp) and three milliampere settings (10 mA, 20
      mA, and 30 mA. A paired t test was used to compare peak ESAK to the eye at
      different angles, heights, and kVp and mA with and without lead glasses. Peak
      ESAK was higher without compared to with lead glasses (p  ?  0.001). The peak
      ESAK to the eyes increased as the phantom radiologist rotated toward the gantry
      without lead glasses, from 2.42 MUGy at 120 degrees  to 10.54 MUGy at 30 degrees 
      (p  =  0.001). No significant difference was noted in peak ESAK with change in
      phantom radiologist height (p  >  0.05). An increase from 120 kVp to 135 kVp
      resulted in 23% and 26% increases in peak ESAK with and without lead glasses
      respectively (p  =  0.001). An increase of tube current from 10 mA to 20 mA
      almost doubled peak ESAK (p  =  0.005). Findings demonstrate that lead glasses
      reduce ESAK to the eyes, and that increased kVp, mA, and eye rotation to the
      gantry increase ESAK to the eyes. 

PMID- 27250650
TI  - The clinical frailty scale predicts functional decline and mortality when used by
      junior medical staff: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing frailty is associated with risk of mortality and
      functional decline in hospitalized older adults, but there is no consensus on the
      best screening method for use by non-geriatricians. The objective of this study
      is to determine whether the clinical frailty scale (CFS) can be used to identify
      patient baseline frailty status in the acute general medical setting when used by
      junior medical staff using information obtained on routine clinical assessment.
      METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study in an acute general medical unit.
      All patients aged 65 and over admitted to a general medical unit during August
      and September 2013 were eligible for the study. CFS score at baseline was
      documented by a member of the treating medical team. Demographic information and
      outcomes were obtained from medical records. The primary outcomes were functional
      decline and death within three months. RESULTS: Frailty was assessed in 95 % of
      179 eligible patients. 45 % of patients experienced functional decline and 11 %
      died within three months. 40 % of patients were classified as vulnerable/mildly
      frail, and 41 % were moderately to severely frail. When patients in residential
      care were excluded, increasing frailty was associated with functional decline (p
      = 0.011). Increasing frailty was associated with increasing mortality within
      three months (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of eligible patients had
      the frailty measure completed, demonstrating the acceptability of the CFS to
      clinicians. Despite lack of training for medical staff, increasing frailty was
      correlated with functional decline and mortality supporting the validity of the
      CFS as a frailty screening tool for clinicians.

PMID- 27250651
TI  - Marked Reduction of the Number and Individual Volume of Sebaceous Glands in
      Psoriatic Lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by
      plaques with inflammation, infiltration, hyper-/parakeratosis and desquamation.
      Microscopic findings in previous studies have revealed some degree of atrophy of
      the sebaceous glands in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic alopecia.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate possible changes of the
      sebaceous glands in patients with psoriatic plaques and especially psoriatic
      alopecia. METHODS: Histological and stereological analyses were performed in skin
      specimens from involved and healthy-looking skin of 14 patients with psoriasis.
      Stereology detects and quantifies 3-dimensional structures ex vivo. Furthermore,
      the differentiation process of sebocytes of another 14 psoriatic patients was
      examined by immunohistochemistry of involved and uninvolved skin specimens.
      RESULTS: A significant reduction of the number of sebaceous glands as well as of
      the volume of individual sebaceous glands was assessed in the lesional compared
      to the nonlesional psoriatic skin. Moreover, it was likely that sebocytes in
      psoriatic lesions may not differentiate properly. CONCLUSION: These findings
      indicate that the sebaceous gland may be a player and not an innocent bystander
      in the development of psoriatic lesions and especially of psoriatic alopecia.

PMID- 27250652
TI  - Growth and palmitoleic acid accumulation of filamentous oleaginous microalgae
      Tribonema minus at varying temperatures and light regimes.
AB  - Palmitoleic acid (C16:1Delta9), contributes greatly to human health, industrial
      chemicals and biodiesel. The filamentous oleaginous microalgae Tribonema sp. has
      been identified as a highly efficient producer of palmitoleic acid. Temperature
      and light regime were adapted to regulate the palmitoleic acid content in this
      study. Strain T. minus was able to grow well at all the tested temperatures, even
      at 5  degrees C. The optimum temperature for palmitoleic acid accumulation (54.25
      % of total fatty acid) was 25  degrees C. Moreover, both light intensity and
      photoperiod affect the growth, lipid content and fatty acid files of T. minus.
      The culture exposed to 240 MUmol photons m(-2) s(-1) with a photoperiod of 24:0
      showed the highest biomass (6.87 g L(-1)) and biggest lipid content (61.27 % of
      dry weight), whereas the most amount of palmitoleic acid (50.47 % of total fatty
      acid) was detected at 120 MUmol photons m(-2) s(-1). These findings make tangible
      contributions to culture T. minus for commercial production of lipid or
      palmitoleic acid. 

PMID- 27250653
TI  - Production, characteristics and applications of phytase from a rhizosphere
      isolated Enterobacter sp. ACSS.
AB  - Optimization of process parameters for phytase production by Enterobacter sp.
      ACSS led to a 4.6-fold improvement in submerged fermentation, which was enhanced
      further in fed-batch fermentation. The purified 62 kDa monomeric phytase was
      optimally active at pH 2.5 and 60  degrees C and retained activity over a wide
      range of temperature (40-80  degrees C) and pH (2.0-6.0) with a half-life of 11.3
      min at 80  degrees C. The kinetic parameters K m, V max, K cat, and K cat/K m of
      the pure phytase were 0.21 mM, 131.58 nmol mg(-1) s(-1), 1.64 * 10(3) s(-1), and
      7.81 * 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. The enzyme was fairly stable in the
      presence of pepsin under physiological conditions. It was stimulated by Ca(+2),
      Mg(+2) and Mn(+2), but inhibited by Zn(+2), Cu(+2), Fe(+2), Pb(+2), Ba(+2) and
      surfactants. The enzyme can be applied in dephytinizing animal feeds, and the
      baking industry. 

PMID- 27250654
TI  - Primary Cilia and Intraflagellar Transport Proteins in Bone and Cartilage.
AB  - Primary cilia, present on most mammalian cells, function as a sensor to sense the
      environment change and transduce signaling. Loss of primary cilia causes a group
      of human pleiotropic syndromes called Ciliopathies. Some of the ciliopathies
      display skeletal dysplasias, implying the important role of primary cilia in
      skeletal development and homeostasis. Emerging evidence has shown that loss or
      malfunction of primary cilia or ciliary proteins in bone and cartilage is
      associated with developmental and function defects. Intraflagellar transport
      (IFT) proteins are essential for cilia formation and/or function. In this review,
      we discuss the role of primary cilia and IFT proteins in the development of bone
      and cartilage, as well as the differentiation and mechanotransduction of
      mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. We also
      include the role of primary cilia in tooth development and highlight the current
      advance of primary cilia and IFT proteins in the pathogenesis of cartilage
      diseases, including osteoarthritis, osteosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma.

PMID- 27250655
TI  - Developmental Regulation of the Growth Plate and Cranial Synchondrosis.
AB  - Long bones and the cranial base are both formed through endochondral
      ossification. Elongation of long bones is primarily through the growth plate,
      which is a cartilaginous structure at the end of long bones made up of
      chondrocytes. Growth plate chondrocytes are organized in columns along the
      longitudinal axis of bone growth. The cranial base is the growth center of the
      neurocranium. Synchondroses, consisting of mirror-image growth plates, are
      critical for cranial base elongation and development. Over the last decade,
      considerable progress has been made in determining the roles of the parathyroid
      hormone-related protein, Indian hedgehog, fibroblast growth factor, bone
      morphogenetic protein, and Wnt signaling pathways in various aspects of skeletal
      development. Furthermore, recent evidence indicates the important role of the
      primary cilia signaling pathway in bone elongation. Here, we review the
      development of the growth plate and cranial synchondrosis and the regulation by
      the above-mentioned signaling pathways, highlighting the similarities and
      differences between these 2 structures.

PMID- 27250656
TI  - Assessment of hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potential of withaferin A on
      bromobenzene-induced injury in Swiss albino mice: possible involvement of
      mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation.
AB  - Bromobenzene is a well-known environmental toxin which causes liver and kidney
      damage through CYP450-mediated bio-activation to generate reactive metabolites
      and, consequently, oxidative stress. The present study aimed to evaluate the
      possible protective role of withaferin A against bromobenzene-induced liver and
      kidney damage in mice. Withaferin A (10 mg/kg) was administered orally to the
      mice for 8 days before intragastric intubation of bromobenzene (10 mmol/kg). As
      results of this experiment, the levels of liver and kidney functional markers,
      lipid peroxidation, and cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) presented an increase
      and there was a decrease in anti-oxidant activity in the bromobenzene-treated
      group of mice. Pre-treatment with withaferin A not only significantly decreased
      the levels of liver and kidney functional markers and cytokines but also reduced
      oxidative stress, as evidenced by improved anti-oxidant status. In addition, the
      mitochondrial dysfunction shown through the decrease in the activities of
      mitochondrial enzymes and imbalance in the Bax/Bcl-2 expression in the livers and
      kidneys of bromobenzene-treated mice was effectively prevented by pre
      administration of withaferin A. These results validated our conviction that
      bromobenzene caused liver and kidney damage via mitochondrial pathway and
      withaferin A provided significant protection against it. Thus, withaferin A may
      have possible usage in clinical liver and kidney diseases in which oxidative
      stress and mitochondrial dysfunction may be existent.

PMID- 27250658
TI  - Non-sedation versus sedation with a daily wake-up trial in critically ill
      patients recieving mechanical ventilation - effects on long-term cognitive
      function: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial, a substudy of the
      NONSEDA trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effects of non-sedation on cognitive function in critically ill
      patients on mechanical ventilation are not yet certain. This trial is a substudy
      of the NONSEDA trial where critically ill patients are randomized to non-sedation
      or to sedation with a daily wake-up attempt during mechanical ventilation in the
      intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this substudy is to assess the effects of
      non-sedation versus sedation with a daily wake-up attempt on long-term cognitive
      function. METHODS: This is an investigator-initiated, randomized, clinical,
      parallel-group, superiority trial, including 200 patients. Inclusion criteria
      will be adult patients who are intubated and on mechanical ventilation with an
      expected duration of more than 24 hours. Exclusion criteria will be patients who
      are comatose at admission and patients with conditions requiring therapeutic coma
      (i.e., severe head trauma, status epilepticus, patients treated with therapeutic
      hypothermia and patients with severe hypoxia). The experimental intervention will
      be non-sedation supplemented with pain management during mechanical ventilation.
      The control intervention will be sedation with a daily wake-up attempt. The
      primary outcome will be cognitive function 3 months after discharge from
      intensive care. The secondary outcomes will be the results of seven specific
      cognitive tests, performed 3 months after discharge from intensive care, and the
      association between hypoactive and agitated delirium during ICU admission and
      long-term cognitive function. DISCUSSION: If non-sedation can improve long-term
      cognitive function, it could be an approach worth considering for a larger group
      of critically ill patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been approved by
      the relevant scientific ethics committee and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov
      (ID: NCT02035436 , registered on 10 January 2014).

PMID- 27250657
TI  - Upregulation of long noncoding RNA SPRY4-IT1 promotes metastasis of esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma via induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
AB  - Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the prevalent and deadly
      cancers worldwide, especially in Eastern Asia. Recent studies show that long
      noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have critical roles in diverse biological processes,
      including tumorigenesis. In the present study, we find that the expression of
      lncRNA SPRY4-IT1 is significantly upregulated in ESCC cell lines as compared with
      human esophageal epithelial cell line HEEC. Overexpression of SPRY4-IT1 can
      increase in vitro motility of ESCC cells via induction of epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT), which is characterized by increasing the expression of vimentin
      (Vim) and fibronectin (FN) with a concomitant decrease of E-cadherin (E-Cad) and
      ZO-1, while silencing of SPRY4-IT1 significantly inhibits the in vitro motility
      of ESCC cells. Further, the knockdown of SPRY4-IT1 also significantly attenuates
      TFG-beta-induced EMT of ESCC cells. Further, lncRNA SPRY4-IT1 can directly
      increase the transcription, expression, and nuclear localization of Snail, one
      key transcription factor during the EMT processes of cancer cells, while siRNA
      mediated specific knockdown of Snail can significantly attenuate SPRY4-IT1
      induced EMT of ESCC cells. Our results suggest that lncRNA SPRY4-IT1 might be
      considered as a novel oncogene involved in ESCC progression.

PMID- 27250660
TI  - A novel laser-collider used to produce monoenergetic 13.3 MeV (7)Li (d, n)
      neutrons.
AB  - Neutron energy is directly correlated with the energy of the incident ions in
      experiments involving laser-driven nuclear reactions. Using high-energy incident
      ions reduces the energy concentration of the generated neutrons. A novel "laser
      collider" method was used at the Shenguang II laser facility to produce
      monoenergetic neutrons via (7)Li (d, n) nuclear reactions. The specially designed
      K-shaped target significantly increased the numbers of incident d and Li ions at
      the keV level. Ultimately, 13.3 MeV neutrons were obtained. Considering the time
      resolution of the neutron detector, we demonstrated that the produced neutrons
      were monoenergetic. Interferometry and a Multi hydro-dynamics simulation
      confirmed the monoenergetic nature of these neutrons.

PMID- 27250661
TI  - Mycothiol protects Corynebacterium glutamicum against acid stress via maintaining
      intracellular pH homeostasis, scavenging ROS, and S-mycothiolating MetE.
AB  - Mycothiol (MSH) plays a major role in protecting cells against oxidative stress
      and detoxification from a broad range of exogenous toxic agents. In the present
      study, we reveal that intracellular MSH contributes significantly to the
      adaptation to acidic conditions in the model organism Corynebacterium glutamicum.
      We present evidence that MSH confers C. glutamicum with the ability to adapt to
      acidic conditions by maintaining pHi homeostasis, scavenging reactive oxygen
      species (ROS), and protecting methionine synthesis by the S-mycothiolation
      modification of methionine synthase (MetE). The role of MSH in acid adaptation
      was further confirmed by improving the acid tolerance of C. glutamicum by
      overexpressing the key MSH synthesis gene mshA. Hence, our work provides insights
      into a previously unknown, but important, aspect of the C. glutamicum cellular
      response to acid stress. The results reported here may help to understand acid
      tolerance mechanisms in acid sensitive bacteria and may open a new avenue for
      improving acid resistance in industry strains for the production of bio-based
      chemicals from renewable biomass. 

PMID- 27250662
TI  - A tightly inducible riboswitch system in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.
AB  - Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms that serve as experimental model
      organisms for the study of photosynthesis, environmental stress responses, and
      the production of biofuels. Genetic tools for bioengineering have been developed
      as a result of such studies. However, there is still room for improvement for the
      tight control of experimental protein expression in these microorganisms. Here,
      we describe an expression system controlled by a theophylline-responsive
      riboswitch that we have constructed in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC
      6803. We demonstrate that, in response to different theophylline concentrations,
      this riboswitch can tightly control green fluorescence protein expression in
      Synechocystis. Thus, this system is useful as a tool for genetic engineering and
      the synthetic biology of cyanobacteria. 

PMID- 27250663
TI  - Nitrile-synthesizing enzyme: Screening, purification and characterization.
AB  - Cyanide is known as a toxic compound for almost all living organisms. We have
      searched for cyanide-resistant bacteria from the soil and stock culture
      collection of our laboratory, and have found the existence of a lot of
      microorganisms grown on culture media containing 10 mM potassium cyanide. Almost
      all of these cyanide-resistant bacteria were found to show beta-cyano-L-alanine
      (beta-CNAla) synthetic activity. beta-CNAla synthase is known to catalyze nitrile
      synthesis: the formation of beta-CNAla from potassium cyanide and O-acetyl-L
      serine or L-cysteine. We found that some microorganisms were able to detoxify
      cyanide using O-methyl-DL-serine, O-phospho-L-serine and beta-chloro-DL-alanine.
      In addition, we purified beta-CNAla synthase from Pseudomonas ovalis No. 111 in
      nine steps, and characterized the purified enzyme. This enzyme has a molecular
      mass of 60,000 and appears to consist of two identical subunits. The purified
      enzyme exhibits a maximum activity at pH 8.5-9.0 at an optimal temperature of 40
      50 degrees C. The enzyme is specific for O-acetyl-L-serine and beta-chloro-DL
      alanine. The Km value for O-acetyl-L-serine is 10.0 mM and Vmax value is 3.57
      MUmol/min/mg. 

PMID- 27250664
TI  - Nitrile-synthesizing enzyme: Gene cloning, overexpression and application for the
      production of useful compounds.
AB  - One of the nitrile-synthesizing enzymes, beta-cyano-L-alanine synthase, catalyzes
      beta-cyano-L-alanine (beta-CNAla) from potassium cyanide and O-acetyl-L-serine or
      L-cysteine. We have identified this enzyme from Pseudomonas ovalis No. 111. In
      this study, we cloned the beta-CNAla synthase gene and expressed it in
      Escherichia coli and Rhodococcus rhodochrous. Furthermore, we carried out co
      expression of beta-CNAla synthase with nitrilase or nitrile hydratases in order
      to synthesize aspartic acid and asparagine from KCN and O-acetyl-L-serine. This
      strategy can be used for the synthesis of labeled amino acids by using a carbon
      labeled KCN as a substrate, resulting in an application for positron emission
      tomography. 

PMID- 27250665
TI  - Charge carrier loss mechanisms in CuInS2/ZnO nanocrystal solar cells.
AB  - Heterojunction solar cells based on colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) have shown
      remarkable improvements in performance in the last decade, but this progress is
      limited to merely two materials, PbS and PbSe. However, solar cells based on
      other material systems such as copper-based compounds show lower power conversion
      efficiencies and much less effort has been made to develop a better understanding
      of factors limiting their performance. Here, we study charge carrier loss
      mechanisms in solution-processed CuInS2/ZnO NC solar cells by combining steady
      state measurements with transient photocurrent and photovoltage measurements. We
      demonstrate the presence of an extraction barrier at the CuInS2/ZnO interface,
      which can be reduced upon illumination with UV light. However, trap-assisted
      recombination in the CuInS2 layer is shown to be the dominant decay process in
      these devices. 

PMID- 27250666
TI  - Why do occupational therapists' medico-legal opinions differ regarding the amount
      of domestic assistance a person requires?

PMID- 27250668
TI  - In this June issue.

PMID- 27250669
TI  - Human factors in the emergency department: Is physician perception of time to
      intubation and desaturation rate accurate?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the present study was to examine the perceived
      versus actual time to intubation (TTI) as an indication to help determine the
      situational awareness of Emergency Physicians during rapid sequence intubation
      and, additionally, to determine the physician's perception of desaturation
      events. METHODS: A timed, observation prospective cohort study was conducted. A
      post-intubation survey was administered to the intubating physician. Each step of
      the procedure was timed by an observer in order to determine actual TTI. The
      number of desaturation events was also recorded. RESULTS: One hundred individual
      intubations were included. The provider perceived TTI was significantly different
      and underestimated when compared with the actual TTI (23 s, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 20.4-25.49 vs 45.5 s, 95% CI 40.2-50.7, P < 0.001, respectively).
      Pearson correlation coefficient of perceived TTI to actual TTI was r(2)  = 0.39
      (95% CI 0.21-0.54, P < 0.001). The provider perceived desaturation rate was also
      significantly different from actual desaturation rate (13, 95% CI 3-12 vs 23, 95%
      CI 13-29, P = 0.05, respectively). The overall time to desaturation was 65.1 s.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have shown that provider's perception of TTI occurs
      sooner than actually observed. Also, the providers were less aware of
      desaturation during the procedure.

PMID- 27250670
TI  - Estimation of the potential eye and tissue donor pool in an Australian emergency
      department.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: EDs have long been considered a potential source of eye and tissue
      donors, but no specific evidence to support this was identified in the Australian
      setting. The present study aims to bridge that knowledge gap, by analysing
      medical and social histories of those who have died over a 5 year period so as to
      determine donation eligibility in this population. METHODS: A retrospective audit
      was undertaken of all patients who died within the Royal Melbourne Hospital ED
      between 2010 and 2014. ED records, pharmacy records and electronic medical
      histories were audited for the presence of eye and tissue donation exclusion
      criteria and the distribution of these criteria within the target population.
      RESULTS: Over the 5 year period, of 326 deaths that occurred in the ED, one third
      was suitable for eye donation (n = 106) and one in seven (n = 45) for tissue
      donation. Of the age appropriate patients, five criteria were identified that
      excluded up to 85% of the population not eligible to donate. These were:
      haematological malignancies, neurodegenerative conditions, non-haematological
      malignancies, chronic renal failure and eye disease. CONCLUSION: The present
      study has identified a large pool of potential eye and tissue donors; a pool
      mostly unrecognised by emergency clinicians. An extensive list of exclusion
      criteria restricts donor potential. However, the present study has identified
      that only five fundamentally limit donation in the ED population. Utilisation of
      this knowledge will allow for the development of clinical triggers that will
      improve identification, and increase realisation, of potential donors.

PMID- 27250671
TI  - Review of therapeutic agents employed by an Australian aeromedical prehospital
      and retrieval service.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is little current evidence regarding which therapeutic agents
      are actually used within existing aeromedical services. The Greater Sydney Area
      Helicopter Emergency Medical Service operates a large, physician-staffed,
      multimodal, prehospital and interhospital retrieval service. The aim of the
      present study was to identify the range and frequency of drug, fluid and blood
      product use within our service. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional
      study. Case sheets relating to a 12 month period were inspected to identify the
      therapeutic agents used by retrieval teams during each mission. Corresponding
      case notes, demographic data (age, sex) and case data (prehospital vs
      interhospital, trauma vs medical) were extracted from an electronic database.
      RESULTS: Of 2566 missions, 848 were prehospital, 1662 interhospital and 56 mixed.
      Prehospital missions were associated with fewer agents per case (median, 2 vs 3)
      and a narrower range of agents overall (45 vs 117) compared to interhospital
      missions. In both mission types, the most frequently used agents included
      morphine, fentanyl, Hartmann's solution, ketamine, rocuronium, ondansetron and
      midazolam. Noradrenaline, propofol and metaraminol were used frequently in
      interhospital missions only. A number of stocked and unstocked agents were used
      less commonly, or not at all, over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The results of
      the present study form a practical guide to aid prehospital and retrieval
      services in establishing or reviewing their medical agent formularies. Key
      practice points illuminated by the data provide insights into current practice in
      critical care. There remains a clear need for similar studies from other services
      worldwide.

PMID- 27250673
TI  - Concise Review: Application of In Vitro Transcribed Messenger RNA for Cellular
      Engineering and Reprogramming: Progress and Challenges.
AB  - Several diseases are caused by missing or defective synthesis of proteins due to
      genetic or acquired disorders. In recent years, in vitro transcribed (IVT)
      messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapy for de novo protein expression in cells has
      increased in importance. Thereby, desired proteins can be produced in cells by
      exogenous delivery of IVT mRNA, which does not integrate into the host genome and
      results in transient production of target proteins. Due to the lack of genomic
      integration, the risk of mutation and tumor development is minimized. Different
      approaches using IVT mRNA have been applied to alter the expression profiles of
      cells by the production of proteins. IVT mRNAs encoding transcription factors
      have led to the highly efficient induction of pluripotency in somatic cells and
      generated induced pluripotent stem cells that are free of viral vector
      components. Furthermore, specific IVT mRNA cocktails containing more than one
      specific IVT mRNA can be used to directly induce the differentiation into a
      desired cell type. In theory, every desired mRNA can be produced in vitro and
      used to enable extrinsic biosynthesis of target proteins in each cell type. Cells
      can be engineered by IVT mRNA to express antigens on dendritic cells for
      vaccination and tumor treatment, surface receptors on stem cells for increased
      homing to distinct areas, and to produce industrial grade human growth factors.
      In this review, we focus on the progress and challenges in mRNA-based cell
      engineering approaches. Stem Cells 2017;35:68-79.

PMID- 27250674
TI  - Use of bioartificial dermal regeneration template for skin restoration in combat
      casualty injuries.
AB  - A letter in response to: Seavey JG, Masters ZA, Balazs GC, Tintle SM, Sabino J,
      Fleming ME & Valerio IL. Use of bioartificial dermal regeneration template for
      skin restoration in combat casualty injuries. Regen. Med. 11(1), 81-90 (2016).

PMID- 27250675
TI  - Light accelerates plant responses to warming.
AB  - Competition for light has profound effects on plant performance in virtually all
      terrestrial ecosystems. Nowhere is this more evident than in forests, where trees
      create environmental heterogeneity that shapes the dynamics of forest-floor
      communities(1-3). Observational evidence suggests that biotic responses to both
      anthropogenic global warming and nitrogen pollution may be attenuated by the
      shading effects of trees and shrubs(4-9). Here we show experimentally that tree
      shade is slowing down changes in below-canopy communities due to warming. We
      manipulated levels of photosynthetically active radiation, temperature and
      nitrogen, alone and in combination, in a temperate forest understorey over a 3
      year period, and monitored the composition of the understorey community. Light
      addition, but not nitrogen enrichment, accelerated directional plant community
      responses to warming, increasing the dominance of warmth-preferring taxa over
      cold-tolerant plants (a process described as thermophilization(6,10-12)). Tall,
      competitive plants took greatest advantage of the combination of elevated
      temperature and light. Warming of the forest floor did not result in strong
      community thermophilization unless light was also increased. Our findings suggest
      that the maintenance of locally closed canopy conditions could reduce, at least
      temporarily, warming-induced changes in forest floor plant communities. 

PMID- 27250676
TI  - Forest ecology: Conservation through closure.

PMID- 27250677
TI  - A trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase enhances anaerobic germination tolerance in
      rice.
AB  - Global socioeconomic developments create strong incentives for farmers to shift
      from transplanted to direct-seeded rice (DSR) as a means of intensification and
      economization(1). Rice production must increase to ensure food security(2) and
      the bulk of this increase will have to be achieved through intensification of
      cultivation, because expansion of cultivated areas is reaching sustainable
      limits(3). Anaerobic germination tolerance, which enables uniform germination and
      seedling establishment under submergence(4), is a key trait for the development
      of tropical DSR varieties(5,6). Here, we identify a trehalose-6-phosphate
      phosphatase gene, OsTPP7, as the genetic determinant in qAG-9-2, a major
      quantitative trait locus (QTL) for anaerobic germination tolerance(7). OsTPP7 is
      involved in trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) metabolism, central to an energy sensor
      that determines anabolism or catabolism depending on local sucrose
      availability(8,9). OsTPP7 activity may increase sink strength in proliferating
      heterotrophic tissues by indicating low sugar availability through increased T6P
      turnover, thus enhancing starch mobilization to drive growth kinetics of the
      germinating embryo and elongating coleoptile, which consequently enhances
      anaerobic germination tolerance. 

PMID- 27250678
TI  - Crystal structure of the catalytic subunit of magnesium chelatase.
AB  - Tetrapyrroles, including haem and chlorophyll, play vital roles for various
      biological processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis, and their
      biosynthesis is critical for virtually all organisms. In photosynthetic
      organisms, magnesium chelatase (MgCh) catalyses insertion of magnesium into the
      centre of protoporphyrin IX, the branch-point precursor for both haem and
      chlorophyll, leading tetrapyrrole biosynthesis into the magnesium branch(1,2).
      This reaction needs a cooperated action of the three subunits of MgCh: the
      catalytic subunit ChlH and two AAA(+) subunits, ChlI and ChlD (refs 3-5). To
      date, the mechanism of MgCh awaits further elucidation due to a lack of high
      resolution structures, especially for the ~150 kDa catalytic subunit. Here we
      report the crystal structure of ChlH from the photosynthetic cyanobacterium
      Synechocystis PCC 6803, solved at 2.5 A resolution. The active site is buried
      deeply inside the protein interior, and the surrounding residues are conserved
      throughout evolution. This structure helps to explain the loss of function
      reported for the cch and gun5 mutations of the ChlH subunit, and to provide the
      molecular basis of substrate channelling during the magnesium-chelating process.
      The structure advances our understanding of the holoenzyme of MgCh, a metal
      chelating enzyme other than ferrochelatase. 

PMID- 27250679
TI  - Kinesin motors: Teamsters' union.

PMID- 27250680
TI  - Chromatin assembly factor CAF-1 represses priming of plant defence response
      genes.
AB  - Plants have evolved efficient defence systems against pathogens that often rely
      on specific transcriptional responses. Priming is part of the defence syndrome,
      by establishing a hypersensitive state of defence genes such as after a first
      encounter with a pathogen. Because activation of defence responses has a fitness
      cost, priming must be tightly controlled to prevent spurious activation of
      defence. However, mechanisms that repress defence gene priming are poorly
      understood. Here, we show that the histone chaperone CAF-1 is required to
      establish a repressed chromatin state at defence genes. Absence of CAF-1 results
      in spurious activation of a salicylic acid-dependent pathogen defence response in
      plants grown under non-sterile conditions. Chromatin at defence response genes in
      CAF-1 mutants under non-inductive (sterile) conditions is marked by low
      nucleosome occupancy and high H3K4me3 at transcription start sites, resembling
      chromatin in primed wild-type plants. We conclude that CAF-1-mediated chromatin
      assembly prevents the establishment of a primed state that may under standard non
      sterile growth conditions result in spurious activation of SA-dependent defence
      responses and consequential reduction of plant vigour. 

PMID- 27250681
TI  - Calcium signalling mediates self-incompatibility response in the Brassicaceae.
AB  - Self-incompatibility in the Brassicaceae is controlled by multiple haplotypes
      encoding the pollen ligand (S-locus protein 11, SP11, also known as S-locus
      cysteine-rich protein, SCR) and its stigmatic receptor (S-receptor kinase, SRK).
      A haplotype-specific interaction between SP11/SCR and SRK triggers the self
      incompatibility response that leads to self-pollen rejection, but the signalling
      pathway remains largely unknown. Here we show that Ca(2+) influx into stigma
      papilla cells mediates self-incompatibility signalling. Using self-incompatible
      Arabidopsis thaliana expressing SP11/SCR and SRK, we found that self-pollination
      specifically induced an increase in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]cyt) in papilla
      cells. Direct application of SP11/SCR to the papilla cell protoplasts induced
      Ca(2+) increase, which was inhibited by D-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid
      (AP-5), a glutamate receptor channel blocker. An artificial increase in
      [Ca(2+)]cyt in papilla cells arrested wild-type (WT) pollen hydration. Treatment
      of papilla cells with AP-5 interfered with self-incompatibility, and Ca(2+)
      increase on the self-incompatibility response was reduced in the glutamate
      receptor-like channel (GLR) gene mutants. These results suggest that Ca(2+)
      influx mediated by GLR is the essential self-incompatibility response leading to
      self-pollen rejection. 

PMID- 27250682
TI  - Self-incompatibility: Calcium signalling in Brassica.

PMID- 27250683
TI  - Photosynthesis: Getting it together for CO2 fixation.

PMID- 27250684
TI  - 150 years of an integrative plant physiology.

PMID- 27250685
TI  - Stomata signalling: A pore within a pore.

PMID- 27250687
TI  - Barley domestication: Double event.

PMID- 27250686
TI  - Evolution: Dryland orchid divergence.

PMID- 27250688
TI  - Treasuring researchers.

PMID- 27250689
TI  - Pre-40S ribosome biogenesis factor Tsr1 is an inactive structural mimic of
      translational GTPases.
AB  - Budding yeast Tsr1 is a ribosome biogenesis factor with sequence similarity to
      GTPases, which is essential for cytoplasmic steps in 40S subunit maturation. Here
      we present the crystal structure of Tsr1 at 3.6 A. Tsr1 has a similar domain
      architecture to translational GTPases such as EF-Tu and the selenocysteine
      incorporation factor SelB. However, active site residues required for GTP binding
      and hydrolysis are absent, explaining the lack of enzymatic activity in previous
      analyses. Modelling of Tsr1 into cryo-electron microscopy maps of pre-40S
      particles shows that a highly acidic surface of Tsr1 is presented on the outside
      of pre-40S particles, potentially preventing premature binding to 60S subunits.
      Late pre-40S maturation also requires the GTPase eIF5B and the ATPase Rio1. The
      location of Tsr1 is predicted to block binding by both factors, strongly
      indicating that removal of Tsr1 is an essential step during cytoplasmic
      maturation of 40S ribosomal subunits.

PMID- 27250690
TI  - Modelling and numerical simulation of the in vivo mechanical response of the
      ascending aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome.
AB  - Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a genetic disorder that affects connective tissue,
      impairing cardiovascular structures and function, such as heart valves and aorta.
      Thus, patients with Marfan disease have a higher risk of developing circulatory
      problems associated with mitral and aortic valves prolapse, manifested as dilated
      aorta and aortic aneurysm. However, little is known about the biomechanical
      characteristics of these structures affected with MFS. This study presents the
      modelling and simulation of the mechanical response of human ascending aortic
      aneurysms in MFS under in vivo conditions with intraluminal pressures within
      normotensive and hypertensive ranges. We obtained ascending aortic segments from
      five adults with MFS subjected to a vascular prosthesis implantation replacing an
      aortic aneurysm. We characterised the arterial samples via ex vivo tensile test
      measurements that enable fitting the material parameters of a hyperelastic
      isotropic constitutive model. Then, these material parameters were used in a
      numerical simulation of an ascending aortic aneurysm subjected to in vivo
      normotensive and hypertensive conditions. In addition, we assessed different
      constraints related to the movement of the aortic root. Overall, our results
      provide not only a realistic description of the mechanical behaviour of the
      vessel, but also useful data about stress/stretch-based criteria to predict
      vascular rupture. This knowledge may be included in the clinical assessment to
      determine risk and indicate surgical intervention.

PMID- 27250691
TI  - Calcaneal varus angle change in normal calcaneus: a three-dimensional finite
      element analysis.
AB  - The objective of the study was to investigate the stress changes in the posterior
      articular surface of the calcaneus following alternation of the calcaneal varus
      angle in normal calcaneus and discuss the clinical significance of the calcaneal
      varus angle. Axial view radiographs of 165 volunteers were obtained to measure
      the calcaneal varus angle of normal calcaneus. A calcaneal model with different
      varus angle changes (including +2 degrees , +4 degrees , +6 degrees , -2 degrees
      , -4 degrees , and -6 degrees ) was established using Creo 2.0 software. Stress
      changes at different calcaneal varus angles in the posterior articular surface of
      the calcaneus under a load of 100 N were measured. Stressed areas in posterior
      articular facets were slightly fewer following +2 degrees , +4 degrees , and +6
      degrees  changes in varus angle than in normal varus angles with stress
      concentering regions moving to the anteromedial aspect of the posterior calcaneal
      facet. However, stress concentering areas in posterior calcaneal facets following
      -4 degrees  and -6 degrees  changes in varus angle obviously moved to the
      anterior and posterior medial side of posterior calcaneal facets. Stress
      distribution in the posterior articular surface of the calcaneus varies with the
      calcaneal varus angle. The decrease in calcaneal varus angle following operative
      treatment of calcaneal fractures should be controlled within 2 degrees .

PMID- 27250692
TI  - High Frequency of Hb E-Saskatoon (HBB: c.67G > A) in Brazilians: A New Genetic
      Origin?
AB  - Hb E-Saskatoon [beta22(B4)Glu->Lys, HBB: c.67G > A] is a rare, nonpathological
      beta-globin variant that was first described in a Canadian woman of Scottish and
      Dutch ancestry and has since then been detected in several populations. The aim
      of the present study was to identify the origin of Hb E-Saskatoon in Brazil using
      beta-globin haplotypes and genetic ancestry in carriers of this hemoglobin (Hb)
      variant. Blood samples were investigated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) and high
      performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using commercial kits. Hb E-Saskatoon
      was confirmed by amplification of the HBB gene, followed by sequence analysis.
      Haplotypes of the beta-globin gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction
      (PCR), followed by digestion with specific restriction enzymes. Individual
      ancestry was estimated with 48 biallelic insertion/deletions using three 16-plex
      PCR amplifications. The IEF pattern was similar to Hbs C (HBB: c.19G > A) and Hb
      E (HBB: c.79G > A) [isoelectric point (pI): 7.59-7.65], and HPLC results showed
      an elution in the Hb S (HBB: c.20A > T) window [retention time (RT): 4.26-4.38].
      DNA sequencing of the amplified beta-globin gene showed a mutation at codon 22
      (GAA>AAA) corresponding to Hb E-Saskatoon. A total of 11 cases of this variant
      were identified. In nine unrelated individuals, Hb E-Saskatoon was in linkage
      disequilibrium with haplotype 2 [+ - - - -]. All subjects showed a high degree of
      European contribution (mean = 0.85). Hb E-Saskatoon occurred on the beta-globin
      gene of haplotype 2 in all Brazilian carriers. These findings suggest a different
      genetic origin for this Hb variant from that previously described. 

PMID- 27250693
TI  - Usefulness of triphasic CT aortic angiography in acute and surveillance: Our
      experience in the assessment of acute aortic dissection and endoleak.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been widely used in the
      diagnostic evaluation of many aortic diseases, but no standardized techniques
      actually exist for aortic CTA. The aim of this study was to describe the
      usefulness of triphasic CTA in aortic assessment in both non-traumatic emergency
      and surveillance conditions. METHODS: We performed non ECG-gated CTA examinations
      with a 64-slice CT scanner using a triphasic protocol consisting of an unenhanced
      acquisition, and two (early and delayed) contrastographic phases with a delay of
      25-30 s and 100-120 s respectively after the injection of contrast medium. Were
      retrospectively selected adult patients with imaging findings of acute aortic
      dissection (AAD) or endoleak (EL) from November 2012 to November 2014. RESULTS:
      AAD was detected in 36 (67%) patients: 23 type A-AADs, and 13 type B-AADs. The
      presence of EL was observed in 18 (33%) patients: 1 type Ia, 5 types IIa, 2 types
      IIb, 1 type IIIa and 9 types IIIb. DISCUSSION: Triphasic CTA is useful to provide
      correct and prompt diagnosis of AAD in emergency, allowing the evaluation of type
      and atypical forms of AAD, and the identification of possible branch-vessel
      involvement and complications. During surveillance, triphasic CTA assures
      accurate and complete assessment of all known and unknown ELs and it is essential
      for first follow-up examination. CONCLUSION: Triphasic CTA represents a reliable
      imaging tool for aortic assessment in both non-traumatic emergency and
      surveillance after endovascular aneurysm repair. Modified protocol could be
      employed in selected patients and tailored in their known disease.

PMID- 27250694
TI  - The impact of BMI on early colorectal neoplastic lesions and the role of
      endoscopic diagnosis:. An Italian observational study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: CRC often arises from polyps: an early detection and resection are
      effective in decreasing both incidence and mortality rate. Relation between risk
      factors, adenomas and CRC have been showed, but there is little evidence for
      overweight association with preneoplastic lesions. This study analyzed the
      correlation between body mass index (BMI) and primitive site of polyps. METHODS:
      We performed a retrospective study, in a period between January 2010 and October
      2014. Subjects aged 50 years and older who underwent their first-time screening
      colonoscopy were included. Reports regarding characteristic of the polyps were
      collected. RESULTS: 142 patients were enrolled and they were divided into two
      groups: group I - patients with left sided colonic polyps, and group II -
      patients who right sided colonic polyps. The ANOVA test-one way, documents a
      difference between the BMI and the colon localization of polyps. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with overweight had a higher risk to develop lesions in the left colon
      compared to patients with normal weight. Despite the fact that Italian
      epidemiological studies have found a prevalence of polyps of 44-53% in rectal
      sigmoid segment, 32-36% in transverse segment and of 14-20% in right segment, we
      showed an incidence of 26.05% for right sided polyps, which maybe related with
      the eating habits of the territory.

PMID- 27250695
TI  - Molecular and phenotypic spectrum of ASPM-related primary microcephaly:
      Identification of eight novel mutations.
AB  - Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is an abnormal proliferation of
      neurons during brain development that leads to a small brain size but
      architecturally normal in most instances. Mutations in the ASPM gene have been
      identified to be the most prevalent. Thirty-seven patients from 30 unrelated
      families with a clinical diagnosis of MCPH were enrolled in this study. Screening
      of ASPM gene mutations was performed by targeted linkage analysis followed by
      direct sequencing. Thirteen protein truncating mutations of the ASPM were
      identified in 15 families (50%), eight of which were novel mutations. The
      mutations detected were eight nonsense, four frameshift, and one splice site. Two
      of these mutations (p.R1327* and p.R3181*) were recurrent and shared similar
      haplotypes suggesting founder effect. Patients with ASPM mutations had mild to
      severe intellectual disability and variable degrees of simplified gyral pattern
      and small frontal lobe. In addition, hypoplasia of corpus callosum (18 patients),
      mildly small cerebellar vermis (10 patients), and relatively small pons (13
      patients) were found in 85.7%, 47.6%, and 61.9%, respectively. Furthermore, one
      patient had porencephaly and another had a small midline cyst. Epilepsy was
      documented in two patients (9.5%). Non-neurologic abnormalities consisted of
      growth retardation (four patients), and co-incidental association of oculo
      cutaneous albinism (one patient). Our study expands the mutation spectrum of
      ASPM. Moreover, the simplified gyral pattern and small frontal lobe together with
      hypoplastic corpus callosum, small cerebellum and pons enable ASPM mutated
      patients to be distinguished. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27250696
TI  - Improving outcomes in hidradenitis suppurativa.

PMID- 27250697
TI  - Pain and hospital admissions are important factors associated with quality of
      life in nonambulatory children.
AB  - AIM: This was the first study to investigate the factors associated with health
      related quality of life (HRQoL) in nonambulatory children with cerebral palsy
      (CP), based on a HRQoL measure specifically developed for this population.
      METHODS: The Dutch version of the Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of
      Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD-DV) was used to measure HRQoL. It was completed
      by 66 parents of 47 boys and 19 girls with nonambulatory CP aged between five and
      18 years with gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) levels of IV and
      V. Factors measured were the child's motor and cognitive impairments,
      comorbidities, pain, parents' education and occupations and family structure.
      Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the significant
      factors and the relative contribution of these factors to the CPCHILD-DV scores.
      RESULTS: The most important factors associated with poorer HRQoL scores were pain
      and hospital admissions in the previous six months. Other factors were as
      follows: increased GMFCS level, feeding by gastrostomy tube, inability to
      communicate verbally, cognitive impairment, poor seizure control and higher
      parents' educational qualifications. CONCLUSION: Pain and hospital admissions
      were the most important factors that were negatively associated with HRQoL in
      nonambulatory children with CP between five to 18 years.

PMID- 27250698
TI  - The freshwater artisanal fishery of Patos Lagoon.
AB  - In this study data relative to the fishery in the freshwater area of the Patos
      Lagoon are analysed, and the dynamics, fishing gears used and catches evaluated.
      The results reveal the existence of two fishery strategies: forbidden mesh size
      gillnets (FMG; <35 mm; square measure) and allowed mesh size gillnets (AMG; >=35
      mm; square measure). In total, 31 species were caught (AMG = 27 and FMG = 24),
      but selectivity due to mesh size was significant (P < 0.001). The FMG may be very
      harmful since it captures individuals of most species below size at first
      maturity, including the target species, the armoured catfish Loricariichthys anus
      (61% of the total catch). In addition, this gear is used throughout the year,
      including the closed season (CS; November to January), when the target species is
      reproducing. Target species for the AMG are larger in size, comprising mainly the
      mullet Mugil liza, the marine catfish Genidens barbus and the whitemouth croaker
      Micropogonias furnieri. AMS gillnets were not used during the CS. The use of FMG
      reveals the need for effective fishery law enforcement and the need for
      additional studies to assess the status of populations of the exploited species. 

PMID- 27250699
TI  - Embryological Consideration of Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas.
AB  - The topographical distribution of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) was
      analyzed based on the embryological anatomy of the dural membrane. Sixty-six
      consecutive cases of intracranial and spinal DAVFs were analyzed based on the
      angiography, and each shunt point was identified according to the embryological
      bony structures. The area of dural membranes was categorized into three different
      groups: a ventral group located on the endochondral bone (VE group), a dorsal
      group located on the membranous bone (DM group) and a falco-tentorial group (FT
      group) located in the falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli, falx cerebelli, and
      diaphragm sellae. The FT group was designated when the dural membrane was formed
      only with the dura propria (meningeal layer of the dura mater) and not from the
      endosteal dura. Cavernous sinus, sigmoid sinus, and anterior condylar confluence
      was categorized to VE group, which had a female predominance, more benign
      clinical presentations, and a lower rate of cortical and spinal venous reflux.
      Transverse sinus, confluence, and superior sagittal sinus belonged to the DM
      group. Olfactory groove, falx, tent of the cerebellum, and nerve sleeve of spinal
      cord were categorized to the FT group, which presented later in life and which
      had a male predominance, more aggressive clinical presentations, and significant
      cortical and spinal venous reflux. The DAVFs was associated with the layers of
      the dural membrane characterized by the two different embryological bony
      structures. The FT group was formed only with the dura propria as an independent
      risk factor for aggressive clinical course and hemorrhage of DAVFs. 

PMID- 27250700
TI  - Developmental Venous Anomaly: Benign or Not Benign.
AB  - Developmental venous anomalies (DVAs), previously called venous angiomas, are the
      most frequently encountered cerebral vascular malformations. However, DVA is
      considered to be rather an extreme developmental anatomical variation of
      medullary veins than true malformation. DVAs are composed of dilated medullary
      veins converging centripetally into a large collecting venous system that drains
      into the superficial or deep venous system. Their etiology and mechanism are
      generally accepted that DVAs result from the focal arrest of the normal
      parenchymal vein development or occlusion of the medullary veins as a
      compensatory venous system. DVAs per se are benign and asymptomatic except for
      under certain unusual conditions. The pathomechanisms of symptomatic DVAs are
      divided into mechanical, flow-related causes, and idiopathic. However, in cases
      of DVAs associated with hemorrhage, cavernous malformations (CMs) are most often
      the cause rather than DVAs themselves. The coexistence of CM and DVA is common.
      There are some possibilities that DVA affects the formation and clinical course
      of CM because CM related to DVA is generally located within the drainage
      territory of DVA and is more aggressive than isolated CM in the literature. Brain
      parenchymal abnormalities surrounding DVA and cerebral varix have also been
      reported. These phenomena are considered to be the result of venous hypertension
      associated with DVAs. With the advance of diagnostic imagings, perfusion study
      supports this hypothesis demonstrating that some DVAs have venous congestion
      pattern. Although DVAs should be considered benign and clinically silent, they
      can have potential venous hypertension and can be vulnerable to hemodynamic
      changes. 

PMID- 27250704
TI  - Closing the gap in Aboriginal women's reproductive health: some progress, but
      still a long way to go.

PMID- 27250703
TI  - Dengue Specific Immunoglobulin A Antibody is Present in Urine and Associated with
      Disease Severity.
AB  - The kinetics of dengue virus (DENV)-specific IgA antibody in urine and the
      potential correlation with disease severity remain elusive. In this study, 262
      serial urine samples from 78 laboratory-confirmed patients were assayed by a
      commercial immunoglobulin A (IgA) kit against DENV. All cases were classified
      into dengue fever (DF) and severe dengue (SD) according to the 2009 WHO/TDR
      guideline. The total positive rate of IgA in urine was 59%. DENV-specific IgA was
      detected in urine from day 2 to day 13 after the onset of illness in DF patients;
      While for SD patients, anti-DENV IgA could be detected till day 14. The positive
      rate of IgA in patients with secondary infection was higher than that in patients
      with primary infection. Importantly, during 4-7 days after the onset of illness,
      the IgA positive rate of SD patients was significantly higher than that of DF
      patients. Especially, the intensity of IgA signal in SD patients was obviously
      stronger than that in DF patient at the recovery stage. Overall, our results
      suggested that the existence of DENV-specific IgA antibodies in urine might be a
      warning sign for the severity of disease and its measurement might provide
      valuable guidance for proper patient management.

PMID- 27250705
TI  - Fetal autopsy and closing the gap.
AB  - Over the past 30 years, the perinatal mortality rate (PMR) in Australia has been
      reduced to almost a quarter of that observed in the 1970s. To a large extent,
      this decline in the PMR has been driven by a reduction in neonatal mortality.
      Stillbirth rates have, however, remained relatively unchanged, and stillbirth
      rates for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander mothers have remained
      approximately twice that for non-Indigenous women over the last 10 years. The
      causes for this difference remain to be fully established. Fetal autopsy is the
      single most important investigative tool to determine the cause of fetal demise.
      While facilitators and barriers to gaining consent for autopsy have been
      identified in a non-Indigenous context, these are yet to be established for
      Indigenous families. In order to address the gap in stillbirths between
      Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers, it is essential to identify culturally
      appropriate ways when approaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
      for consent after fetal death. Culturally safe and appropriate counselling at
      this time provides the basis for respectful care to families while offering an
      opportunity to gain knowledge to reduce the PMR. Identifying the cause of
      preventable stillbirth is an important step in narrowing the disparity in
      stillbirth rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers. 

PMID- 27250706
TI  - Growth Factor-Free Pre-vascularization of Cell Sheets for Tissue Engineering.
AB  - The therapeutic efficacy of tissue-engineered constructs is often compromised by
      inadequate inosculation and neo-vascularization. This problem is considered one
      of the biggest hurdles in the field and finding a solution is currently the focus
      of a great fraction of the research community. Many of the methodologies designed
      to address this issue propose the use of endothelial cells and angiogenic growth
      factors, or combinations of both, to accelerate neo-vascularization after
      transplantation. However, an adequate solution is still elusive. In this context,
      we describe a methodology that combines the use of the stromal vascular fraction
      (SVF) isolated from adipose tissue with low oxygen culture to produce pre
      vascularized cell sheets as angiogenic tools for Tissue Engineering. The herein
      proposed approach takes advantage of the SVF angiogenic nature conferred by
      adipose stem cells, endothelial progenitors, endothelial and hematopoietic cells,
      and pericytes and further potentiates it using low oxygen, or hypoxic, culture.
      Freshly isolated nucleated SVF cells are cultured in hyperconfluent conditions
      under hypoxia (pO2 = 5 %) for up to 5 days in medium without extrinsic growth
      factors enabling the generation of contiguous sheets as described by the cell
      sheet engineering technique. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry allow
      confirming the phenotype of the different cell types composing the cell-sheets as
      well the organization of the CD31(+) cells in branched and highly complex tube
      like structures. Overall, a simple and flexible approach to promote growth factor
      free pre-vascularization of cell sheets for tissue engineering (TE) applications
      is described.

PMID- 27250707
TI  - Hereditary xerocytosis, a misleading anemia.

PMID- 27250708
TI  - Discrepancy between blood gas concentration measurements and carbon dioxide
      removal rate: response to comments by Du et al.

PMID- 27250709
TI  - Discrepancy between blood gas concentration measurements and carbon dioxide
      removal rate.

PMID- 27250710
TI  - Focus on cardiac arrest.

PMID- 27250711
TI  - Transgenic expression of non-structural genes of Theiler's virus suppresses
      initial viral replication and pathogenesis of demyelination.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic infection with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus
      (TMEV) in susceptible SJL/J mice induces an immune-mediated demyelinating disease
      and has extensively been used as a relevant infectious model for multiple
      sclerosis (MS). Infection of the host with many other viruses also leads to acute
      or chronic inflammatory diseases in the central nervous system (CNS). Levels of
      viral load in the host often play a critical role in the pathogenesis of virus
      induced diseases. Thus, the inhibition of viral replication in the host against a
      broad spectrum of similar viruses is critically important for preventing the
      viral pathogenicity. METHODS: P2/P3-expressing transgenic (B6 X SJL)F1 founders
      were generated and bred onto the C57BL/6 and SJL/J backgrounds. Differences in
      the development of demyelinating disease were compared. Viral persistence,
      cytokine production, and immune responses in the CNS of infected control and
      P2/P3-Tg mice were analyzed after infection using quantitative PCR, ELISA, and
      flow cytometry. Various cell types from the control and P2/P3-Tg mice, as well as
      cells transfected in vitro with the P2 and/or P3 regions, were also analyzed for
      viral replication and innate cytokine production. RESULTS: P2/P3-transgenic
      (P2/P3-Tg) mice carrying the viral non-structural protein genes displayed
      significantly reduced virus-specific T cell responses in the CNS against both the
      structural and non-structural proteins. Consequently, viral loads in the CNS were
      greater in the Tg mice during the chronic infection. However, P2/P3-Tg SJL mice
      exhibited reduced disease incidence and less severe clinical symptoms than did
      their non-transgenic littermates. Interestingly, P2/P3-Tg mice showed low viral
      loads in the CNS at a very early period after infection (1-3 days) with TMEV and
      related EMCV but not unrelated VSV. Cells from P2/P3-Tg mice and cells
      transfected with the P2 and/or P3 regions in vitro yielded also lower viral
      replication but higher IFN-alpha/beta production. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrates that the expression of viral non-structural genes in mice inhibits
      initial viral replication and suppresses sustaining pathogenic anti-viral immune
      responses to broad viral determinants. It appears that the elevation of innate
      immune cytokines produced in the cells expressing the non-structural viral genes
      upon viral infection is responsible for the inhibitions. The inhibition is
      partially virus-specific as it is more efficient for a related virus compared to
      an unrelated virus, suggesting a role for the similarity in the viral genome
      structures. Therefore, the expression of viral non-structural genes may serve as
      a useful new method to prevent a broadly virus-specific pathogenesis in the
      hosts.

PMID- 27250712
TI  - Erythrocyte sedimentation rate of human blood exposed to low-level laser.
AB  - This study is designed to investigate in vitro low-level laser (LLL) effects on
      rheological parameter, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), of human blood. The
      interaction mechanism between LLL radiation and blood is unclear. Therefore,
      research addresses the effects of LLL irradiation on human blood and this is
      essential to understanding how laser radiation interacts with biological cells
      and tissues. The blood samples were collected through venipuncture into EDTA
      containing tubes as an anticoagulant. Each sample was divided into two equal
      aliquots to be used as a non-irradiated sample (control) and an irradiated
      sample. The aliquot was subjected to doses of 36, 54, 72 and 90 J/cm(2) with
      wavelengths of 405, 589 and 780 nm, with a radiation source at a fixed power
      density of 30 mW/cm(2). The ESR and red blood cell count and volume are measured
      after laser irradiation and compared with the non-irradiated samples. The maximum
      reduction in ESR is observed with radiation dose 72 J/cm(2) delivered with a 405
      nm wavelength laser beam. Moreover, no hemolysis is observed under these
      irradiation conditions. In a separate protocol, ESR of separated RBCs re
      suspended in irradiated plasma (7.6 +/- 2.3 mm/h) is found to be significantly
      lower (by 51 %) than their counterpart re-suspended in non-irradiated plasma
      (15.0 +/- 3.7 mm/h). These results indicate that ESR reduction is mainly due to
      the effects of LLL on the plasma composition that ultimately affect whole blood
      ESR. 

PMID- 27250713
TI  - Acute effects of low-level laser therapy irradiation on blood lactate and muscle
      fatigue perception in hospitalized patients with heart failure-a pilot study.
AB  - The objective of the present study is to evaluate the acute effects of low-level
      laser therapy (LLLT) on functional capacity, perceived exertion, and blood
      lactate in hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF). Patients diagnosed with
      systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction <45 %) were randomized and
      allocated prospectively into two groups: placebo LLLT group (n = 10)-subjects who
      were submitted to placebo laser and active LLLT group (n = 10)-subjects who were
      submitted to active laser. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) was performed, and blood
      lactate was determined at rest (before LLLT application and 6MWT), immediately
      after the exercise test (time 0) and recovery (3, 6, and 30 min). A multi-diode
      LLLT cluster probe (DMC, Sao Carlos, Brazil) was used. Both groups increased 6MWT
      distance after active or placebo LLLT application compared to baseline values (p
      = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively); however, no difference was observed during
      intergroup comparison. The active LLLT group showed a significant reduction in
      the perceived exertion Borg (PEB) scale compared to the placebo LLLT group (p =
      0.006). In addition, the group that received active LLLT showed no statistically
      significant difference for the blood lactate level through the times analyzed.
      The placebo LLLT group demonstrated a significant increase in blood lactate
      between the rest and recovery phase (p < 0.05). Acute effects of LLLT irradiation
      on skeletal musculature were not able to improve the functional capacity of
      hospitalized patients with HF, although it may favorably modulate blood lactate
      metabolism and reduce perceived muscle fatigue. 

PMID- 27250714
TI  - Evaluation of low-level laser therapy on skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion in
      streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by assaying biochemical markers and
      histological changes.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of low-level laser
      therapy (LLLT) on skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injuries in
      streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly
      assigned into two experimental groups, as follows: the diabetic IR group (G1, n =
      10) and the diabetic IR + LLLT group (G2, n = 10). Ischemia was induced in
      anesthetized rats from the right femoral artery clipping for 2 h, followed by a
      reperfusion for 24 h. Then, the laser irradiation (K30 handheld probe, AZOR,
      Technica, Russia, 650 nm, 30 mW, surface area = 1 cm(2), energy density = 1.8
      J/cm(2)) was carried out by irradiating the rats over a unique point on the skin
      over the middle region of the right gastrocnemius muscle belly three times (every
      8 h), starting after initiating the reperfusion for 3 min. At the end of the
      reperfusion period, rats were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected and
      used for the estimation of pO2, pCO2, pH, HCO3, serum creatine phosphokinase
      (CPK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Subsequently, the right gastrocnemius
      muscle samples were taken for wet/dry weight ratio assessment and
      histological/biochemical examination. The pO2, pCO2, HCO3, and pH levels were
      similar for both groups (P > 0.05). The serum LDH and CPK levels were
      significantly lower (P < 0.05) for G2 compared to G1. In comparison to G1, tissue
      malondialdehyde level in G2 was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In G2,
      superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased compared to G1 (P <
      0.05). Unlike G2, a significant decrease in the activity of catalase was observed
      in G1 (P < 0.05). The wet/dry ratio in G1 was significantly higher than that of
      G2 (P < 0.05). Histological examination confirmed that the extent of muscle
      changes in G1 was higher than G2 (P < 0.05). Finally, according to this study,
      LLLT has a beneficial effect on the IR muscle injury treatment in the diabetic
      rats. Therefore, we suggest that further research needs to be conducted using
      different laser parameters and examining response over a longer period of tissue
      recovery. 

PMID- 27250716
TI  - Disentangling Linguistic Modality Effects in Semantic Processing.
AB  - Sensory systems are essential for perceiving and conceptualizing our semantic
      knowledge about the world and the way we interact with it. Despite studies
      reporting neural changes to compensate for the absence of a given sensory
      modality, studies focusing on the assessment of semantic processing reveal poor
      performances by deaf individuals when compared with hearing individuals. However,
      the majority of those studies were not performed in the linguistic modality
      considered the most adequate to their sensory capabilities (i.e., sign language).
      Therefore, this exploratory study was developed focusing on linguistic modality
      effects during semantic retrieval in deaf individuals in comparison with their
      hearing peers through a category fluency task. Results show a difference in
      performance between the two linguistic modalities by deaf individuals as well as
      in the type of linguistic clusters most chosen by participants, suggesting a
      complex clustering tendency by deaf individuals.

PMID- 27250715
TI  - Low level laser therapy associated with a strength training program on muscle
      performance in elderly women: a randomized double blind control study.
AB  - The aging process leads to a gradual loss of muscle mass and muscle performance,
      leading to a higher functional dependence. Within this context, many studies have
      demonstrated the benefits of a combination of physical exercise and low level
      laser therapy (LLLT) as an intervention that enhances muscle performance in young
      people and athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of
      combination of LLLT and strength training on muscle performance in elderly women.
      For this, a hundred elderly women were screened, and 48 met all inclusion
      criteria to participate in this double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Volunteers
      were divided in three groups: control (CG = 15), strength training associated
      with placebo LLLT (TG = 17), and strength training associated with active LLLT
      (808 nm, 100 mW, 7 J) (TLG = 16). The strength training consisted of knee flexion
      extension performed with 80 % of 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) during 8 weeks.
      Several outcomes related to muscle performance were analyzed through the 6-min
      walk test (6-MWT), isokinetic dynamometry, surface electromyography (SEMG),
      lactate concentration, and 1-RM. The results revealed that a higher work (p =
      0.0162), peak torque (p = 0.0309), and power (p = 0.0223) were observed in TLG
      compared to CG. Furthermore, both trained groups increased the 1-RM load (TG vs
      CG: p = 0.0067 and TLG vs CG: p < 0.0001) and decreased the lactate concentration
      in the third minute after isokinetic protocol (CG vs TLG: p = 0.0289 and CG vs
      TG: p = 0.0085). No difference in 6-MWT and in fatigue levels were observed among
      the groups. The present findings suggested that LLLT in combination with strength
      training was able to improve muscle performance in elderly people. 

PMID- 27250717
TI  - Vitamin D supplements do not prevent falls.

PMID- 27250719
TI  - Managing Extended Oral Anticoagulation After Unprovoked Venous Thromboembolism.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary
      embolism, is a major public health problem associated with increased morbidity
      and mortality. Despite the high recurrence risk associated with unprovoked VTE,
      extended anticoagulation remains controversial. Oral antithrombotic agents for
      extended VTE treatment comprise the vitamin K antagonists, aspirin, and the
      direct oral anticoagulants (also known as target-specific oral anticoagulants and
      formerly known as the new or novel oral anticoagulants) including rivaroxaban,
      dabigatran, apixaban, and edoxaban. The efficacy of these anticoagulants in
      reducing the risk of VTE recurrence (>80%-90% relative risk reduction) is offset
      by the risk of major bleeding that approaches 3% per year. Stratifying risks of
      recurrence and bleeding to identify patients at low, intermediate, or high risk
      and carefully considering the pharmacologic profile of the antithrombotic agents
      will help clinicians in choosing the optimal anticoagulant and duration and/or
      surveillance strategy. This review will discuss the current guidelines for
      extended VTE treatment, review the clinical trials involving the direct oral
      anticoagulants, and present the clinical considerations and concerns involving
      extended therapy.

PMID- 27250718
TI  - Characterization and differentiation of equine experimental local and early
      systemic inflammation by expression responses of inflammation-related genes in
      peripheral blood leukocytes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Local inflammation may progress into systemic inflammation. To
      increase our understanding of the basic immunological processes during transition
      of equine local inflammation into a systemic state, investigation into the equine
      systemic immune response to local inflammation is warranted. Therefore, the aim
      of this study was to investigate the innate peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL)
      immune response to local inflammation in horses, and to compare this response
      with the PBL immune response during the early phase of acute systemic
      inflammation. Expression of 22 selected inflammation-related genes was measured
      in whole blood leukocytes from 6 horses in an experimental cross-over model of
      lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute synovitis (3 MUg LPS intraarticularly;
      locally inflamed [LI] horses) and endotoxemia (1 MUg LPS/kg intravenously;
      systemically inflamed [SI] horses). Multiple clinical and
      hematological/biochemical examinations were performed, and serial blood samples
      were analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR. Post-induction
      expression profiles of all genes were compared between study groups using
      principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering. RESULTS: Moderate
      synovitis and mild systemic inflammation of approximately 24 h duration was
      confirmed by clinical and paraclinical observations in LI and SI horses,
      respectively. In the LI group, samples obtained 3-16 h post-injection showed
      distinct clustering in the PCA compared with baseline levels, indicating a
      transcriptional response to local inflammation in PBLs in this time interval.
      There was no clinical or hematological indication of actual systemic
      inflammation. There was a clear separation of all LI samples from all SI samples
      in two distinct clusters, indicating that expression profiles in the two study
      groups were different, independent of time since LPS injection. Co-regulated
      genes formed four clusters across study groups which were distinctly differently
      regulated. Only few of individual genes displayed different expression between
      the study groups at all times after LPS injection. CONCLUSIONS: Local
      inflammation in horses initiated an innate transcriptional response in PBLs,
      which differed from the transcriptional response during the early phase of
      systemic inflammation. This study may provide new insights into the immunobiology
      of PBLs during the transition of local inflammation into a systemic state.

PMID- 27250721
TI  - Erratum to: Hidden musculoskeletal involvement in inflammatory bowel disease: a
      multicenter ultrasound study.

PMID- 27250720
TI  - Tibolone protects astrocytic cells from glucose deprivation through a mechanism
      involving estrogen receptor beta and the upregulation of neuroglobin expression.
AB  - Tibolone, a synthetic steroid used for the prevention of osteoporosis and the
      treatment of climacteric symptoms in post-menopausal women, may exert tissue
      selective estrogenic actions acting on estrogen receptors (ERs). We previously
      showed that tibolone protects human T98G astroglial cells against glucose
      deprivation (GD). In this study we have explored whether the protective effect of
      tibolone on these cells is mediated by ERs. Experimental studies showed that both
      ERalpha and ERbeta were involved in the protection by tibolone on GD cells, being
      ERbeta preferentially involved on these actions over ERalpha. Tibolone increased
      viability of GD cells by a mechanism fully blocked by an ERbeta antagonist and
      partially blocked by an ERalpha antagonist. Furthermore, ERbeta inhibition
      prevented the effect of tibolone on nuclear fragmentation, ROS and mitochondrial
      membrane potential in GD cells. The protective effect of tibolone was mediated by
      neuroglobin. Tibolone upregulated neuroglobin in T98G cells and primary mouse
      astrocytes by a mechanism involving ERbeta and neuroglobin silencing prevented
      the protective action of tibolone on GD cells. In summary, tibolone protects T98G
      cells by a mechanism involving ERbeta and the upregulation of neuroglobin.

PMID- 27250722
TI  - Safety and Outcomes of Capsule Endoscopy in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist
      Device: a Single-Center Retrospective Case Series.
AB  - Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in patients with continuous-flow left
      ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD) is common. Capsule endoscopy (CE) can be
      used in the diagnosis of obscure GIB. Safety and outcomes of CE in patients with
      CF-LVAD are unknown. The aim is to define the safety and outcomes of CE in this
      population. Paitents with CF-LVAD undergoing CE at a single center between 2007
      and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-four CE studies were performed.
      Positive CE occurred in 19 studies. No clinically significant cardiac events
      occurred. Medical intervention was the most common management strategy.
      Rebleeding after CE occurred in 10 patients. Patients with active bleeding or
      lesions such as arteriovenous malformations (AVM) incurred a higher risk of
      rebleeding, transfusion, and repeated endoscopy. CE is safe in patients with CF
      LVAD. The risk of rebleeding was more common in patients with active bleeding or
      AVM lesions although this result did not reach statistical significance.

PMID- 27250724
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27250723
TI  - A Multidisciplinary Assessment of Remote Myocardial Fibrosis After Reperfused
      Myocardial Infarction in Swine and Patients.
AB  - In extensive nonreperfused myocardial infarction (MI), remote fibrosis has been
      documented. Early reperfusion by primary angioplasty represents the gold standard
      method to minimize the extension of the infarction. We aimed to ascertain whether
      fibrosis also affects remote regions in reperfused MI in swine and patients.
      Swine were subjected to a transient occlusion of the left anterior descending
      artery followed by 1-week or 1-month reperfusion. Collagen content in the remote
      area macroscopically, microscopically, by magnetic resonance microimaging, and at
      the molecular level was similar to controls. In patients with previous MI,
      samples from autopsies displayed a significant increase in collagen content only
      in the infarct region. In patients with previous MI submitted to cardiac magnetic
      resonance-T1 mapping, the extracellular volume fraction in remote segments was
      similar to that for controls. In all scenarios, the remote region did not show a
      significant increase of collagen content in comparison with controls.

PMID- 27250725
TI  - Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in congenital heart disease.
AB  - Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have an important role in reducing
      sudden cardiac death in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD); however,
      the benefit of ICDs needs to be weighed up against both short-term and long-term
      adverse effects, which are difficult to evaluate in the heterogeneous CHD
      population. A tailored approach, taking into account risk stratification and
      patient-specific factors, is needed to select the most appropriate strategy. This
      review discusses primary and secondary ICD indications, implantation approaches
      and long-term follow-up. Recent publications have shed light on the concerns of
      system longevity, lead extractions, inappropriate shocks and impact on the
      quality of life. All of these factors require consideration prior to commitment
      to this long-term treatment strategy. 

PMID- 27250726
TI  - [Arrhythmia in adults with congenital heart defects : Atrial tachycardia].
AB  - Atrial arrhythmias are frequently encountered in patients with congenital heart
      disease (CHD) with or without corrective surgery and respond to pharmacological
      therapies with only limited success. This review describes the technologies
      currently available for performing successful ablation procedures in this very
      complex patient cohort. In addition to an understanding of the underlying
      anatomy, which can be supplemented by 3D imaging with the aid of magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), the choice between the
      different 3D mapping systems (sequential versus simultaneous) is presented.
      Finally, conventional manual navigation is compared with magnetic navigation and
      then discussed with regard to the respective arrhythmias encountered with the
      different forms of CHD. 

PMID- 27250727
TI  - Ligation-Assisted Endoscopic Enucleation for the Resection of Gastrointestinal
      Tumors Originating from the Muscularis Propria: Analysis of Efficacy and
      Facility.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal tumors originating from the muscularis propria are
      believed to have the potential to progress to malignant tumors. The efficacy of
      'pre-management' with elastic band or endoloop assistant ligation after initial
      submucosal dissection in endoscopic enucleation procedure of these tumors was
      investigated and evaluated. METHODS: The study included 21 patients with small
      gastric stromal tumors arising in the gastric muscularis propria as determined by
      endoscopy (endoscopic ultrasonography). A standard endoscope with a transparent
      cap attached to the tip was used. The cap was placed over the lesion, after
      incision of the surrounding tissue, maximum sustained suction was applied. Then
      the elastic band or endoloop was released around the base. Circumference
      resection was performed with clips strengthening the defect closure. RESULTS: The
      22 gastrointestinal stromal tumors sloughed completely. The mean time required
      for the full-thickness resection was 48 min. Minor perforation occurred with
      metal clips closing the defect of the gastric wall. Follow-up ranged from 13 to
      42 months, during which time no recurrence was observed postoperatively.
      CONCLUSIONS: The band or endoloop assistant endoscopic ligation technique is
      effective for the enucleation of deep gastric tumors. It may help avoiding
      disturbance the abdominal cavity hemostasis in traditional full-thickness
      enucleation procedure.

PMID- 27250728
TI  - The value of CT and MRI in the classification and surgical decision-making among
      spine surgeons in thoracolumbar spinal injuries.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although imaging has a major role in evaluation and management of
      thoracolumbar spinal trauma by spine surgeons, the exact role of computed
      tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to radiographs
      for fracture classification and surgical decision-making is unclear. METHODS:
      Spine surgeons (n = 41) from around the world classified 30 thoracolumbar
      fractures. The cases were presented in a three-step approach: first plain
      radiographs, followed by CT and MRI images. Surgeons were asked to classify
      according to the AOSpine classification system and choose management in each of
      the three steps. RESULTS: Surgeons correctly classified 43.4 % of fractures with
      plain radiographs alone; after, additionally, evaluating CT and MRI images, this
      percentage increased by further 18.2 and 2.2 %, respectively. AO type A fractures
      were identified in 51.7 % of fractures with radiographs, while the number of type
      B fractures increased after CT and MRI. The number of type C fractures diagnosed
      was constant across the three steps. Agreement between radiographs and CT was
      fair for A-type (k = 0.31), poor for B-type (k = 0.19), but it was excellent
      between CT and MRI (k > 0.87). CT and MRI had similar sensitivity in identifying
      fracture subtypes except that MRI had a higher sensitivity (56.5 %) for B2
      fractures (p < 0.001). The need for surgical fixation was deemed present in 72 %
      based on radiographs alone and increased to 81.7 % with CT images (p < 0.0001).
      The assessment for need of surgery did not change after an MRI (p = 0.77).
      CONCLUSION: For accurate classification, radiographs alone were insufficient
      except for C-type injuries. CT is mandatory for accurately classifying
      thoracolumbar fractures. Though MRI did confer a modest gain in sensitivity in B2
      injuries, the study does not support the need for routine MRI in patients for
      classification, assessing instability or need for surgery.

PMID- 27250729
TI  - Development and psychometric evaluation of a health questionnaire on back care
      knowledge in daily life physical activities for adolescent students.
AB  - PURPOSE: The most relevant musculoskeletal problems are related with back health.
      Study instruments have been designed for adult patient population but not for
      school-aged children. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the
      psychometric properties of a questionnaire to assess adolescents' level of back
      care knowledge in daily life physical activities. METHODS: Participants were 171
      adolescents from secondary schools. The questionnaire was made up of 24
      questions. A Delphi method was used for test validation. Cronbach's alpha, test
      retest, Wilcoxon signed-rank and Bland-Altman graph were used to evaluate the
      instrument reliability. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha (alpha = 0.82) showed a strong
      internal consistency. Test-retest was excellent for total score (0.76) and
      moderate to excellent (0.54-0.76) for seven score conceptual categories with good
      results of standard error of the mean and minimal detectable change. No
      differences were found between test 1 and test 2 except for the standing posture
      scores. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire showed acceptable psychometric values.
      Results showed that this questionnaire is a good instrument to assess
      adolescent's back care knowledge.

PMID- 27250730
TI  - BReastfeeding Attitude and Volume Optimization (BRAVO) trial: study protocol for
      a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence shows the short-term benefits of
      breastfeeding, which include protection against infections, allergies, and lung
      diseases. However, evidence on the long-term benefits of breastfeeding is scarce
      and often conflicting. The BReastfeeding Attitude and Volume Optimization (BRAVO)
      trial is designed to study the effect of breastfeeding on early signs of later
      chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic risks
      later in life. In addition, the effectiveness of breastfeeding empowerment in
      promoting breastfeeding will also be evaluated. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is an
      ongoing randomized trial in Jakarta, Indonesia, that began in July 2012. Pregnant
      women are being screened for their breastfeeding plan in the third trimester, and
      those with low intention to breastfeed are randomly allocated to either receiving
      an add-on breastfeeding-optimization program or usual care. Primary outcomes
      include breastfeeding rate, lung function, and blood pressure during the first
      year of life and vascular/cardiac characteristics, which will be measured at the
      age of 4 to 5 years. Child growth and infection/illness episodes are measured,
      whereas cognitive testing is planned for the children at 5 years of age.
      DISCUSSION: To date, 784 women (80 %) have been randomized of the 1,000 planned,
      with satisfactory completeness of the 1-year follow up (90.1 %). Included mothers
      are of lower socioeconomic status and more often have blue-collar jobs, similar
      to what was observed in the pilot study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov,
      NCT01566812 . Registered on 27 March 2012.

PMID- 27250731
TI  - Emotional Control Mediates the Association Between Dimensions of Perfectionism
      and Worry in Children.
AB  - Previous research has shown that perfectionism predicts for increased worry in
      children. Theoretically, children with high levels of perfectionism may show a
      decreased ability to control their emotions during times of perceived failure.
      Children may then worry as a maladaptive attempt to cope with intense emotions.
      The current study sought to test the mediating role of emotional control on the
      relation between perfectionism dimensions and worry in children. Participants
      were 66 parent-child dyads. Children were 7-13 years (50 % male; 77.3 %
      Caucasian, 9.1 % African American). Overall the model fit the data well. Results
      indicated that perfectionism domains predicted for emotional control deficits and
      increased worry. Emotional control also partially mediated the relation between
      perfectionism dimensions and worry. These results suggest that emotional control
      may be one mechanism through which perfectionism exerts its effect on worry and
      perfectionistic children may worry due to difficulty controlling their emotional
      responses.

PMID- 27250732
TI  - Multifunctional Nitrogen-Doped Loofah Sponge Carbon Blocking Layer for High
      Performance Rechargeable Lithium Batteries.
AB  - Low-cost, long-life, and high-performance lithium batteries not only provide an
      economically viable power source to electric vehicles and smart electricity grids
      but also address the issues of the energy shortage and environmental
      sustainability. Herein, low-cost, hierarchically porous, and nitrogen-doped
      loofah sponge carbon (N-LSC) derived from the loofah sponge has been synthesized
      via a simple calcining process and then applied as a multifunctional blocking
      layer for Li-S, Li-Se, and Li-I2 batteries. As a result of the ultrahigh specific
      area (2551.06 m(2) g(-1)), high porosity (1.75 cm(3) g(-1)), high conductivity
      (1170 S m(-1)), and heteroatoms doping of N-LSC, the resultant Li-S, Li-Se, and
      Li-I2 batteries with the N-LSC-900 membrane deliver outstanding electrochemical
      performance stability in all cases, i.e., high reversible capacities of 623.6 mA
      h g(-1) at 1675 mA g(-1) after 500 cycles, 350 mA h g(-1) at 1356 mA g(-1) after
      1000 cycles, and 150 mA h g(-1) at 10550 mA g(-1) after 5000 cycles,
      respectively. The successful application to Li-S, Li-Se, and Li-I2 batteries
      suggests that loofa sponge carbon could play a vital role in modern rechargeable
      battery industries as a universal, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and
      high-performance blocking layer. 

PMID- 27250733
TI  - The impact of irradiance on optimal and cellular nitrogen to phosphorus ratios in
      phytoplankton.
AB  - Phytoplankton acclimates to irradiance by regulating the cellular content of
      light-harvesting complexes, which are nitrogen (N) rich and phosphorus (P) poor.
      Irradiance is thus hypothesised to influence the cellular N : P ratio and the N :
      P defining the threshold between N and P limitation (the 'optimal' N : P). We
      tested this hypothesis by first addressing the response of the optimal N : P to
      irradiance in a controlled experiment with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Then, we
      did a meta-analysis of experimental data on optimal and cellular N : P ratios
      across light gradients to test the generality of an N : P to light response
      within species. In both the experiment and the meta-analysis, N : P ratios
      decreased with irradiance, indicating that factors affecting underwater
      irradiance, like depth and the composition of the water, may influence the
      relative N : P requirement. The effect of irradiance did not differ between
      optimal and cellular N : P ratios, but observations of optimal N : P were on
      average 2.8 times higher than observations of cellular N : P.

PMID- 27250734
TI  - The Influence of a Mexican Cultural Immersion Experience on Personal and
      Professional Healthcare Practices.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to understand the influence of a cultural immersion
      experience on personal and professional healthcare practices of occupational
      therapists. The experience, a 10-day course in Oaxaca, Mexico, exposed
      participants to alternative and complementary medicine through interactive
      sessions with Mexican indigenous traditional healers. The literature indicates
      that cultural immersion experiences can increase the perceived cultural
      effectiveness of healthcare professionals. Three focus groups were conducted with
      eight occupational therapists and two occupational therapy fieldwork students who
      had participated in the course. Themes were coded based on responses to each
      question by two graduate students and a qualitative researcher. Four major themes
      emerged regarding the influence of a cultural immersion experience on personal
      and professional healthcare practices of occupational therapists: (1) Natural
      Remedies; (2) Mind, Body, Spirit Connection; (3) Increased Openness; and (4)
      Challenges of Integrating Traditional and Western Medicine. The themes derived
      from this study confirmed the advantages of a cultural immersion experience on
      both the personal and professional views and practices of occupational
      therapists. Cultural immersion courses can assist occupational therapists to
      better understand different cultural views of health, disability and healing in
      order to provide quality occupational therapy care in a multicultural society.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27250736
TI  - Occurrences, sources and risk assessment of short- and medium-chain chlorinated
      paraffins in sediments from the middle reaches of the Yellow River, China.
AB  - Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), one class of hydrophobic and toxic compounds, are
      easily adsorbed into sediments and then pose potential risks to the ecosystem and
      human health. However, few researches on short- and medium-chain CPs (SCCPs and
      MCCPs) in sediments have been performed. In order to comprehensively investigate
      the spatial distributions, sources, and ecological risks of CPs, sediments
      collected from the middle reaches of the Yellow River were analyzed by two
      dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC
      * GC-TOFMS). The concentrations of SCCPs and MCCPs ranged from 11.6 to 9.76 * 103
      ng/g dry weight (dw) and from 8.33 to 168 ng/g dw, respectively. No significant
      correlation was found between total organic carbon (TOC) and CP concentrations (P
      > 0.05). The spatial distributions showed that contamination levels of CPs were
      relevant to human activities. In addition, two types of sediment samples were
      classified by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and results indicated the
      predominant congener groups were C10Cl6-7 for SCCPs and C14Cl7-8 for MCCPs.
      Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that SCCPs and MCCPs in the sediments
      may have different sources, and SCCPs are likely to come from the production and
      use of CP-42 and CP-52. Moreover, complex environmental processes, including long
      range transportation via the atmosphere and/or river, deposition and degradation
      of CPs, resulted in increased abundances of short chain and low chlorinated
      congeners in sediment samples compared with commercial mixtures, and different
      homolog patterns among samples. The significant negative correlation between SCCP
      concentrations and MCCP/SCCP ratios could be related to long-range transport of
      CPs. A preliminary risk assessment indicated that CPs at current levels posed no
      significant ecological risk.

PMID- 27250735
TI  - miR-146a is essential for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cross-tolerance
      against kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice.
AB  - MicroRNA-146a is one of most important microRNAs involved in development of
      endotoxin tolerance via (toll-like receptors) TLRs/ NF-kappaB pathway. In this
      study, we sought to identify the mechanistic role of miR-146a in mediating the
      protective effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pretreatment on kidney
      ischemia/reperfusion injury. A locked nucleic acid-modified anti-miR-146a given
      before LPS treatment knocked down miR-146a expression and completely negated LPS
      mediated protection against kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury. Knockdown of miR
      146a resulted in significantly higher histopathological scores for tubular
      damage, expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and neutrophil
      and macrophage infiltration. Furthermore, knockdown of miR-146a greatly up
      regulated the protein levels of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK-1) and
      tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), which are known
      target genes of miR-146a, leading to activation of NF-kappaB. Finally, elevation
      of nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65/p50 and caspase-3 expression,
      degradation of cytosolic IkBalpha and BcL-xL, and substantially exacerbation of
      tubular cell apoptosis were inversely correlated with miR-146a expression. Taken
      together, our results identify that miR146a exerts a kidney protective effect
      through negative regulation of acute inflammatory response by suppressing NF
      kappaB activation and proinflammatory genes expression.

PMID- 27250737
TI  - Nutrition and bone health.
AB  - Low bone mass leads to fracture risk. Osteoporosis affects over 10% of the
      population and one of every two women over the age of 50 years. Genetics predicts
      more than half of bone mass. Diet and weight bearing exercise are two lifestyle
      choices that can influence the risk of fracture. Nutrients are the structural
      constituents of bone. As bone is a living tissue and turns over, albeit more
      slowly than other tissues, there is an obligatory loss of minerals daily that
      must be replaced through diet. Three servings of dairy products daily are
      recommended to replace those losses. Alternative sources of nutrients can come
      from calcium fortified orange juice, plant-based beverages, or tofu to provide
      many nutrients needed for bone health. Supplements can provide nutrients at risk
      for being inadequate such as calcium or vitamin D.

PMID- 27250738
TI  - Prevalence of prenatal depression and associated factors among HIV-positive women
      in primary care in Mpumalanga province, South Africa.
AB  - This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressed symptoms and associated
      factors in prenatal HIV-positive women in primary care facilities in rural South
      Africa. In a cross-sectional study, 663 HIV-positive prenatal women in 12
      community health centres in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, were recruited by
      systematic sampling (every consecutive patient after HIV post-test counselling).
      Results indicate that overall, 48.7% [95% CI: 44.8, 52.6] of women during the
      prenatal period reported depressed mood (scores of >= 13 on the Edinburgh
      Postnatal Depression Scale 10). In multivariate analysis, not being employed,
      unplanned pregnancy, not having an HIV-positive child, poor antiretroviral
      therapy adherence, non-condom use at last sex, and intimate partner violence were
      associated with depressive symptoms. Potential risk factors among HIV-infected
      prenatal women were identified which could be utilized in interventions. Routine
      screening for depression may be integrated into prenatal care settings.

PMID- 27250739
TI  - Urine colorimetry to detect Low rifampin exposure during tuberculosis therapy: a
      proof-of-concept study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cost and complexity of current approaches to therapeutic drug
      monitoring during tuberculosis (TB) therapy limits widespread use in areas of
      greatest need. We sought to determine whether urine colorimetry could have a
      novel application as a form of therapeutic drug monitoring during anti-TB
      therapy. METHODS: Among healthy volunteers, we evaluated 3 dose sizes of rifampin
      (150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg), performed intensive pharmacokinetic sampling, and
      collected a timed urine void at 4 h post-dosing. The absorbance peak at 475 nm
      was measured after rifamycin extraction. The optimal cutoff was evaluated in a
      study of 39 HIV/TB patients undergoing TB treatment in Botswana. RESULTS: In the
      derivation study, a urine colorimetric assay value of 4.0 * 10(-2) Abs, using a
      timed void 4 h after dosing, demonstrated a sensitivity of 92 % and specificity
      of 60 % to detect a peak rifampin concentration (Cmax) under 8 mg/L, with an area
      under the ROC curve of 0.92. In the validation study, this cutoff was specific
      (100 %) but insensitive (28 %). We observed similar test characteristics for a
      target Cmax target of 6.6 mg/L, and a target area under the drug concentration
      versus-time curve (AUC0-8) target of 24.1 mg*hour/L. CONCLUSIONS: The urine
      colorimetric assay was specific but insensitive to detect low rifampin serum
      concentrations among HIV/TB patients. In future work we will attempt to optimize
      sampling times and assay performance, with the goal of delivering a method that
      can translate into a point-of-care assessment of rifampin exposure during anti-TB
      therapy.

PMID- 27250740
TI  - Electrostatic Control of Isoform Selective Inhibitor Binding in Nitric Oxide
      Synthase.
AB  - Development of potent and isoform selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS)
      inhibitors is challenging because of the structural similarity in the heme active
      sites. One amino acid difference between NOS isoforms, Asp597 in rat neuronal NOS
      (nNOS) versus Asn368 in bovine endothelial NOS (eNOS), has been identified as the
      structural basis for why some dipeptide amide inhibitors bind more tightly to
      nNOS than to eNOS. We now have found that the same amino acid variation is
      responsible for substantially different binding modes and affinity for a new
      class of aminopyridine-based inhibitors.

PMID- 27250741
TI  - Adrenalectomy: postoperative survival data.

PMID- 27250742
TI  - Effects of positive end-expiratory pressure and 30% inspired oxygen on pulmonary
      mechanics and atelectasis in cats undergoing non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar
      lavage.
AB  - Objectives The objective of this study was to determine if modification of
      inspired oxygen concentration or positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) would
      alter bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-induced changes in pulmonary mechanics or
      atelectasis, as measured using ventilator-acquired pulmonary mechanics and
      thoracic CT. Methods Six experimentally asthmatic cats underwent anesthesia and
      non-bronchoscopic BAL, each under four randomized treatment conditions: 100%
      oxygen, zero PEEP; 30% oxygen, zero PEEP; 100% oxygen, PEEP 2 cmH2O; and 30%
      oxygen, PEEP 2 cmH2O. Pulse oximetry was used to estimate oxygen saturation
      (SpO2). Ventilator-acquired pulmonary mechanics and thoracic CT scans were
      collected prior to BAL and at 1, 5 and 15 mins post-BAL. Results While receiving
      100% oxygen, no cat had SpO2 <91%. Some cats receiving 30% oxygen had decreased
      saturation immediately post-BAL (mean +/- SD 70.8 +/- 31%), but 6/8 of these had
      SpO2 >90% by 1 min later. There was a significant increase in airway resistance
      and a decrease in lung compliance following BAL, but there was no significant
      difference between treatment groups. Cats receiving no PEEP and 30% oxygen
      conserved better aeration of the lung parenchyma in BAL-sampled areas than those
      receiving no PEEP and 100% oxygen. Conclusions and relevance Alterations in
      pulmonary mechanics or atelectasis may not be reflected by SpO2 following BAL.
      The use of 30% inspired oxygen concentration failed to show any significant
      improvement in pulmonary mechanics but did diminish atelectasis. In some cats, it
      was also associated with desaturation of hemoglobin. The use of PEEP in this
      study did not show any effect on our outcome parameters. Further studies using
      higher PEEP (5-10 cmH2O) and intermediate inspired oxygen concentration (40-60%)
      are warranted to determine if they would confer clinical benefit in cats
      undergoing diagnostic BAL.

PMID- 27250743
TI  - Synergetic electrode architecture for efficient graphene-based flexible organic
      light-emitting diodes.
AB  - Graphene-based organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have recently emerged as a
      key element essential in next-generation displays and lighting, mainly due to
      their promise for highly flexible light sources. However, their efficiency has
      been, at best, similar to that of conventional, indium tin oxide-based
      counterparts. We here propose an ideal electrode structure based on a synergetic
      interplay of high-index TiO2 layers and low-index hole-injection layers
      sandwiching graphene electrodes, which results in an ideal situation where
      enhancement by cavity resonance is maximized yet loss to surface plasmon
      polariton is mitigated. The proposed approach leads to OLEDs exhibiting ultrahigh
      external quantum efficiency of 40.8 and 62.1% (64.7 and 103% with a half-ball
      lens) for single- and multi-junction devices, respectively. The OLEDs made on
      plastics with those electrodes are repeatedly bendable at a radius of 2.3 mm,
      partly due to the TiO2 layers withstanding flexural strain up to 4% via crack
      deflection toughening.

PMID- 27250745
TI  - Phosphoketolase pathway contributes to carbon metabolism in cyanobacteria.
AB  - Central carbon metabolism in cyanobacteria comprises the Calvin-Benson-Bassham
      (CBB) cycle, glycolysis, the pentose phosphate (PP) pathway and the tricarboxylic
      acid (TCA) cycle. Redundancy in this complex metabolic network renders the
      rational engineering of cyanobacterial metabolism for the generation of biomass,
      biofuels and chemicals a challenge. Here we report the presence of a functional
      phosphoketolase pathway, which splits xylulose-5-phosphate (or fructose-6
      phosphate) to acetate precursor acetyl phosphate, in an engineered strain of the
      model cyanobacterium Synechocystis (DeltaglgC/xylAB), in which glycogen synthesis
      is blocked, and xylose catabolism enabled through the introduction of xylose
      isomerase and xylulokinase. We show that this mutant strain is able to metabolise
      xylose to acetate on nitrogen starvation. To see whether acetate production in
      the mutant is linked to the activity of phosphoketolase, we disrupted a putative
      phosphoketolase gene (slr0453) in the DeltaglgC/xylAB strain, and monitored
      metabolic flux using (13)C labelling; acetate and 2-oxoglutarate production was
      reduced in the light. A metabolic flux analysis, based on isotopic data, suggests
      that the phosphoketolase pathway metabolises over 30% of the carbon consumed by
      DeltaglgC/xylAB during photomixotrophic growth on xylose and CO2. Disruption of
      the putative phosphoketolase gene in wild-type Synechocystis also led to a
      deficiency in acetate production in the dark, indicative of a contribution of the
      phosphoketolase pathway to heterotrophic metabolism. We suggest that the
      phosphoketolase pathway, previously uncharacterized in photosynthetic organisms,
      confers flexibility in energy and carbon metabolism in cyanobacteria, and could
      be exploited to increase the efficiency of cyanobacterial carbon metabolism and
      photosynthetic productivity. 

PMID- 27250746
TI  - Flexibility in the structure of spiral flowers and its underlying mechanisms.
AB  - Spiral flowers usually bear a variable number of organs, suggestive of the
      flexibility in structure. The mechanisms underlying the flexibility, however,
      remain unclear. Here we show that in Nigella damascena, a species with spiral
      flowers, different types of floral organs show different ranges of variation in
      number. We also show that the total number of organs per flower is largely
      dependent on the initial size of the floral meristem, whereas the respective
      numbers of different types of floral organs are determined by the functional
      domains of corresponding genetic programmes. By conducting extensive expression
      and functional studies, we further elucidate the genetic programmes that specify
      the identities of different types of floral organs. Notably, the AGL6-lineage
      member NdAGL6, rather than the AP1-lineage members NdFL1/2, is an A-function
      gene, whereas petaloidy of sepals is not controlled by AP3- or PI-lineage
      members. Moreover, owing to the formation of a regulatory network, some floral
      organ identity genes also regulate the boundaries between different types of
      floral organs. On the basis of these results, we propose that the floral organ
      identity determination programme is highly dynamic and shows considerable
      flexibility. Transitions from spiral to whorled flowers, therefore, may be
      explained by evolution of the mechanisms that reduce the flexibility. 

PMID- 27250744
TI  - Comparison of Two ELISA Methods and Mass Spectrometry for Measurement of Vitamin
      D-Binding Protein: Implications for the Assessment of Bioavailable Vitamin D
      Concentrations Across Genotypes.
AB  - Studies using vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) concentrations to estimate free and
      bioavailable vitamin D have increased dramatically in recent years. Combinations
      of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) produce three major DBP isoforms
      (Gc1f, Gc1s, and Gc2). A recent study showed that DBP concentrations quantified
      by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) did not differ by
      race, whereas a widely used monoclonal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
      quantified DBP differentially by isoform, yielding significantly lower DBP
      concentrations in black versus white individuals. We compared measurements of
      serum DBP using a monoclonal ELISA, a polyclonal ELISA, and LC-MS/MS in 125
      participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC). Serum free and
      bioavailable 25OHD were calculated based on DBP concentrations from these three
      assays in homozygous participants, and race differences were compared. We
      confirmed that the monoclonal ELISA quantifies DBP differentially by isoform and
      showed that the polyclonal ELISA is not subject to this bias. Whereas <=9% of the
      variability in DBP concentrations quantified using either LC-MS/MS or the
      polyclonal ELISA was explained by genotype, 85% of the variability in the
      monoclonal ELISA-based measures was explained by genotype. DBP concentrations
      measured by the monoclonal ELISA were disproportionately lower than LC-MS/MS
      based results for Gc1f homozygotes (median difference -67%; interquartile range
      [IQR] -71%, -64%), 95% of whom were black. In contrast, the polyclonal ELISA
      yielded consistently and similarly higher measurements of DBP than LC-MS/MS,
      irrespective of genotype, with a median percent difference of +50% (IQR +33%,
      +65%). Contrary to findings using the monoclonal ELISA, DBP concentrations did
      not differ by race, and free and bioavailable 25OHD were significantly lower in
      black versus white participants based on both the polyclonal ELISA and LC-MS/MS,
      consistent with their lower total 25OHD. Future studies of DBP and free or
      bioavailable vitamin D metabolites should employ DBP assays that are not biased
      by DBP genotype. (c) 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

PMID- 27250747
TI  - Control of grain size and rice yield by GL2-mediated brassinosteroid responses.
AB  - Given the continuously growing population and decreasing arable land, food
      shortage is becoming one of the most serious global problems in this century(1).
      Grain size is one of the determining factors for grain yield and thus is a prime
      target for genetic breeding(2,3). Although a number of quantitative trait loci
      (QTLs) associated with rice grain size have been identified in the past decade,
      mechanisms underlying their functions remain largely unknown(4,5). Here we show
      that a grain-length-associated QTL, GL2, has the potential to improve grain
      weight and grain yield up to 27.1% and 16.6%, respectively. We also show that GL2
      is allelic to OsGRF4 and that it contains mutations in the miR396 targeting
      sequence. Because of the mutation, GL2 has a moderately increased expression
      level, which consequently activates brassinosteroid responses by upregulating a
      large number of brassinosteroid-induced genes to promote grain development.
      Furthermore, we found that GSK2, the central negative regulator of rice
      brassinosteroid signalling, directly interacts with OsGRF4 and inhibits its
      transcription activation activity to mediate the specific regulation of grain
      length by the hormone. Thus, this work demonstrates the feasibility of modulating
      specific brassinosteroid responses to improve plant productivity. 

PMID- 27250748
TI  - Blocking miR396 increases rice yield by shaping inflorescence architecture.
AB  - Strategies to increase rice productivity to meet the global demand have been the
      main concern of breeders around the world. Although a growing number of
      functional genes related to crop yield have been characterized, our understanding
      of its associated regulatory pathways is limited. Using rice as a model, we find
      that blocking miR396 greatly increases grain yield by modulating development of
      auxiliary branches and spikelets through direct induction of the growth
      regulating factor 6 (OsGRF6) gene. The upregulation of OsGRF6 results in the
      coordinated activation of several immediate downstream biological clades,
      including auxin (IAA) biosynthesis, auxin response factors, and branch and
      spikelet development-related transcription factors. This study describes a
      conserved microRNA (miRNA)-dependent regulatory module that integrates
      inflorescence development, auxin biosynthesis and signalling pathways, and could
      potentially be used in engineering high-yield crop plants. 

PMID- 27250749
TI  - Regulation of OsGRF4 by OsmiR396 controls grain size and yield in rice.
AB  - An increase in grain yield is crucial for modern agriculture(1). Grain size is
      one of the key components of grain yield in rice and is regulated by quantitative
      trait loci (QTLs)(2,3). Exploring new QTLs for grain size will help breeders
      develop elite rice varieties with higher yields(3,4). Here, we report a new semi
      dominant QTL for grain size and weight (GS2) in rice, which encodes the
      transcription factor OsGRF4 (GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR 4) and is regulated by
      OsmiR396. We demonstrate that a 2 bp substitution mutation in GS2 perturbs
      OsmiR396-directed regulation of GS2, resulting in large and heavy grains and
      increased grain yield. Further results reveal that GS2 interacts with the
      transcription coactivitors OsGIF1/2/3, and overexpression of OsGIF1 increases
      grain size and weight. Thus, our findings define the regulatory mechanism of GS2,
      OsGIFs and OsmiR396 in grain size and weight control, suggesting this pathway
      could be used to increase yields in crops. 

PMID- 27250751
TI  - Yield increase: GRFs provide the key.

PMID- 27250750
TI  - Rice domestication occurred through single origin and multiple introgressions.

PMID- 27250754
TI  - Floral flexibility: Diversification of the flower.

PMID- 27250752
TI  - Molecular and genetic control of plant thermomorphogenesis.
AB  - Temperature is a major factor governing the distribution and seasonal behaviour
      of plants. Being sessile, plants are highly responsive to small differences in
      temperature and adjust their growth and development accordingly. The suite of
      morphological and architectural changes induced by high ambient temperatures,
      below the heat-stress range, is collectively called thermomorphogenesis.
      Understanding the molecular genetic circuitries underlying thermomorphogenesis is
      particularly relevant in the context of climate change, as this knowledge will be
      key to rational breeding for thermo-tolerant crop varieties. Until recently, the
      fundamental mechanisms of temperature perception and signalling remained unknown.
      Our understanding of temperature signalling is now progressing, mainly by
      exploiting the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The transcription factor
      PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) has emerged as a critical player in
      regulating phytohormone levels and their activity. To control
      thermomorphogenesis, multiple regulatory circuits are in place to modulate PIF4
      levels, activity and downstream mechanisms. Thermomorphogenesis is integrally
      governed by various light signalling pathways, the circadian clock, epigenetic
      mechanisms and chromatin-level regulation. In this Review, we summarize recent
      progress in the field and discuss how the emerging knowledge in Arabidopsis may
      be transferred to relevant crop systems.

PMID- 27250753
TI  - Mechanisms and evolution of plant resistance to aphids.
AB  - Aphids are important herbivores of both wild and cultivated plants. Plants rely
      on unique mechanisms of recognition, signalling and defence to cope with the
      specialized mode of phloem feeding by aphids. Aspects of the molecular mechanisms
      underlying aphid-plant interactions are beginning to be understood. Recent
      advances include the identification of aphid salivary proteins involved in host
      plant manipulation, and plant receptors involved in aphid recognition. However, a
      complete picture of aphid-plant interactions requires consideration of the
      ecological outcome of these mechanisms in nature, and the evolutionary processes
      that shaped them. Here we identify general patterns of resistance, with a special
      focus on recognition, phytohormonal signalling, secondary metabolites and
      induction of plant resistance. We discuss how host specialization can enable
      aphids to co-opt both the phytohormonal responses and defensive compounds of
      plants for their own benefit at a local scale. In response, systemically induced
      resistance in plants is common and often involves targeted responses to specific
      aphid species or even genotypes. As co-evolutionary adaptation between plants and
      aphids is ongoing, the stealthy nature of aphid feeding makes both the mechanisms
      and outcomes of these interactions highly distinct from those of other herbivore
      plant interactions.

PMID- 27250755
TI  - Crop genetics: Oil prospecting.

PMID- 27250757
TI  - Signalling: Poisoning the well.

PMID- 27250756
TI  - Tomato domestication: Slowing down the clock.

PMID- 27250758
TI  - Photorespiration: In the balance.

PMID- 27250759
TI  - Happy birthday to us.

PMID- 27250760
TI  - Molecular mechanism and functional significance of acid generation in the
      Drosophila midgut.
AB  - The gut of Drosophila melanogaster includes a proximal acidic region (~pH 2),
      however the genome lacks the H(+)/K(+) ATPase characteristic of the mammalian
      gastric parietal cell, and the molecular mechanisms of acid generation are poorly
      understood. Here, we show that maintenance of the low pH of the acidic region is
      dependent on H(+) V-ATPase, together with carbonic anhydrase and five further
      transporters or channels that mediate K(+), Cl(-) and HCO3(-) transport.
      Abrogation of the low pH did not influence larval survival under standard
      laboratory conditions, but was deleterious for insects subjected to high Na(+) or
      K(+) load. Insects with elevated pH in the acidic region displayed increased
      susceptibility to Pseudomonas pathogens and increased abundance of key members of
      the gut microbiota (Acetobacter and Lactobacillus), suggesting that the acidic
      region has bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal activity. Conversely, the pH of the
      acidic region was significantly reduced in germ-free Drosophila, indicative of a
      role of the gut bacteria in shaping the pH conditions of the gut. These results
      demonstrate that the acidic gut region protects the insect and gut microbiome
      from pathological disruption, and shed light on the mechanisms by which low pH
      can be maintained in the absence of H(+), K(+) ATPase.

PMID- 27250761
TI  - Normal Newborn Heart Rate in the First Five Minutes of Life Assessed by Dry
      Electrode Electrocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence regarding the heart rate (HR) during the
      first minutes of life. Nonetheless, resuscitative actions within the first minute
      are partly guided by different HR levels. The advent of an electrocardiographic
      (ECG) HR sensor with early HR detection has provided the opportunity to study
      changes immediately following delivery. OBJECTIVE: The objectives were to
      determine immediately following delivery: (i) the time to achievement of reliable
      ECG signals using dry electrodes, (ii) changes in HR, and (iii) the influence of
      the onset of breathing and cord clamping on the HR. METHODS: Healthy term
      neonates were randomly included between July and October 2013. The HR was
      recorded by the ECG sensor, placed over the abdomen immediately after birth.
      RESULTS: Fifty-five newborns were included. The median time from birth to
      placement of the HR sensor was 3 s (quartiles: 2 and 5), and the median time to
      the start of breathing was 6 s (quartiles: 2 and 15). The HR was around 120
      beats/min (bpm) in the first seconds of life. As determined via breakpoint
      analysis, the HR increased by 1 beat in the first 40 s to 149 +/- 33 bpm,
      followed by a moderate increase until 130 s and stabilization thereafter. After
      the onset of breathing, the HR decreased for 10 s and then increased. Minimal HR
      changes were observed after cord clamping. CONCLUSION: A dry-electrode ECG sensor
      detected reliable ECG signals almost immediately after birth. The normal HR
      increased significantly in spontaneously breathing infants during the first
      minute, influenced by the onset of breathing. Delayed cord clamping had a minimal
      impact on the HR, likely reflecting an earlier onset of breathing.

PMID- 27250762
TI  - Effect of AURKA Gene Expression Knockdown on Angiogenesis and Tumorigenesis of
      Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common malignant gynecological
      cancers. Higher expression of AURKA has been found in immortalized human ovarian
      epithelial cells in previous studies, implying the relationship between AURKA and
      ovarian cancer pathogenesis. AIM: We investigated the effect of AURKA on
      angiogenesis and tumorigenesis of human ovarian cancer cells. METHODS: Firstly,
      the expression of AURKA in HO8910 and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell lines was knocked
      down using a vector expressing a short hairpin small interfering RNA (shRNA).
      Next, the effect of knockdown of AURKA on cell angiogenesis, proliferation,
      migration, and invasion was determined by microtubule formation assay,
      proliferation assay, transwell migration, and invasion assays. In addition, the
      effect of AURKA knockdown on angiogenesis and tumorigenesis was also determined
      in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model and in nude mice. RESULTS: The
      results of the microtubule formation assay indicated that knockdown of AURKA
      significantly inhibited ovarian cancer cell-induced angiogenesis of endothelial
      cells compared to its control (P < 0.001). Knockdown of AURKA also significantly
      inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of HO8910 and SKOV3 cells
      in vitro. Furthermore, the Matrigel plug assay showed that knockdown of AURKA
      significantly repressed ovarian cancer cell-induced angiogenesis in nude mice (P
      < 0.05), and the CAMs model also showed that AURKA knockdown significantly
      attenuated the angiogenesis (P < 0.001) and tumorigenesis (P < 0.001) of HO8910
      cells compared to the control. Finally, the tumorigenicity assay in vivo further
      indicated that AURKA shRNA reduced tumorigenesis in nude mice inoculated with
      ovarian cancer cells (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the
      potential role of AURKA in angiogenesis and tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer,
      which may provide a potential therapeutic target for the disease.

PMID- 27250764
TI  - Insights on dramatic radial fluctuations in track formation by energetic ions.
AB  - We report on unexpected dramatic radial variations in ion tracks formed by
      irradiation with energetic ions (2.3 GeV (208)Pb) at a constant electronic energy
      loss (~42 keV/nm) in pyrochlore-structured Gd2TiZrO7. Though previous studies
      have shown track formation and average track diameter measurements in the
      Gd2TixZr(1-x)O7 system, the present work clearly reveals the importance of the
      recrystallization process in ion track formation in this system, which leads to
      more morphological complexities in tracks than currently accepted behavior. The
      ion track profile is usually considered to be diametrically uniform for a
      constant value of electronic energy-loss. This study reveals the diameter
      variations to be as large as ~40% within an extremely short incremental track
      length of ~20 nm. Our molecular dynamics simulations show that these fluctuations
      in diameter of amorphous core and overall track diameter are attributed to the
      partial substitution of Ti atoms by Zr atoms, which have a large difference in
      ionic radii, on the B-site in pyrochlore lattice. This random distribution of Ti
      and Zr atoms leads to a local competition between amorphous phase formation
      (favored by Ti atoms) and defect-fluorite phase formation (favored by Zr atoms)
      during the recrystallization process and finally introduces large radial
      variations in track morphology.

PMID- 27250763
TI  - Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of the Novel Isotype Specific HDAC
      Inhibitor 4SC-202 in Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Targeting of class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) exerts
      antineoplastic actions in various cancer types by modulation of transcription,
      upregulation of tumor suppressors, induction of cell cycle arrest, replication
      stress and promotion of apoptosis. Class I HDACs are often deregulated in
      urothelial cancer. 4SC-202, a novel oral benzamide type HDAC inhibitor (HDACi)
      specific for class I HDACs HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 and the histone demethylase
      LSD1, shows substantial anti-tumor activity in a broad range of cancer cell lines
      and xenograft tumor models. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the
      therapeutic potential of 4SC-202 in urothelial carcinoma (UC) cell lines.
      METHODS: We determined dose response curves of 4SC-202 by MTT assay in seven UC
      cell lines with distinct HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 expression profiles. Cellular
      effects were further analyzed in VM-CUB1 and UM-UC-3 cells by colony forming
      assay, caspase-3/7 assay, flow cytometry, senescence assay, LDH release assay,
      and immunofluorescence staining. Response markers were followed by quantitative
      real-time PCR and western blotting. Treatment with the class I HDAC specific
      inhibitor SAHA (vorinostat) served as a general control. RESULTS: 4SC-202
      significantly reduced proliferation of all epithelial and mesenchymal UC cell
      lines (IC50 0.15-0.51 MUM), inhibited clonogenic growth and induced caspase
      activity. Flow cytometry revealed increased G2/M and subG1 fractions in VM-CUB1
      and UM-UC-3 cells. Both effects were stronger than with SAHA treatment.
      CONCLUSION: Specific pharmacological inhibition of class I HDACs by 4SC-202
      impairs UC cell viability, inducing cell cycle disturbances and cell death.
      Combined inhibition of HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 seems to be a promising treatment
      strategy for UC.

PMID- 27250765
TI  - Plasmonic gratings with nano-protrusions made by glancing angle deposition for
      single-molecule super-resolution imaging.
AB  - Super-resolution imaging has been advantageous in studying biological and
      chemical systems, but the required equipment and platforms are expensive and
      unable to observe single-molecules at the high (MUM) fluorophore concentrations
      required to study protein interaction and enzymatic activity. Here, a plasmonic
      platform was designed that utilized an inexpensively fabricated plasmonic grating
      in combination with a scalable glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technique using
      physical vapor deposition. The GLAD creates an abundance of plasmonic nano
      protrusion probes that combine the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) from the
      periodic gratings with the localized SPR of these nano-protrusions. The resulting
      platform enables simultaneous imaging of a large area without point-by-point
      scanning or bulk averaging for the detection of single Cyanine-5 molecules in dye
      concentrations ranging from 50 pM to 10 MUM using epifluorescence microscopy.
      Combining the near-field plasmonic nano-protrusion probes and super-resolution
      technique using localization microscopy, we demonstrate the ability to resolve
      grain sizes down to 65 nm. This plasmonic GLAD grating is a cost-effective super
      resolution imaging substrate with potential applications in high-speed biomedical
      imaging over a wide range of fluorescent concentrations. 

PMID- 27250766
TI  - Hypoxia induced CCL28 promotes angiogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma by targeting
      CCR3 on endothelial cells.
AB  - Tumor hypoxia is one of the important features of lung adenocarcinoma. Chemokines
      might mediate the effects caused by tumor hypoxia. As confirmed in tumor tissue
      and serum of patients, CC chemokine 28 (CCL28) was the only hypoxia induced
      chemokine in lung adenocarcinoma cells. CCL28 could promote tube formation,
      migration and proliferation of endothelial cells. In addition, angiogenesis was
      promoted by CCL28 in the chick chorioallantoic membrane and matrigel implanted in
      dorsal back of athymic nude mice (CByJ.Cg-Foxn1(nu)/J). Tumors formed by lung
      adenocarcinoma cells with high expression of CCL28 grew faster and had a higher
      vascular density, whereas tumor formation rate of lung adenocarcinoma cells with
      CCL28 expression knockdown was quite low and had a lower vascular density. CCR3,
      receptor of CCL28, was highly expressed in vascular endothelial cells in lung
      adenocarcinoma when examining by immunohistochemistry. Further signaling pathways
      in endothelial cells, modulated by CCL28, were analyzed by Phosphorylation
      Antibody Array. CCL28/CCR3 signaling pathway could bypass that of VEGF/VEGFR on
      the levels of PI3K-Akt, p38 MAPK and PLC gamma. The effects could be neutralized
      by antibody against CCR3. In conclusion, CCL28, as a chemokine induced by tumor
      hypoxia, could promote angiogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma through targeting CCR3
      on microvascular endothelial cells.

PMID- 27250768
TI  - Genetically Engineered Phages: a Review of Advances over the Last Decade.
AB  - Soon after their discovery in the early 20th century, bacteriophages were
      recognized to have great potential as antimicrobial agents, a potential that has
      yet to be fully realized. The nascent field of phage therapy was adversely
      affected by inadequately controlled trials and the discovery of antibiotics.
      Although the study of phages as anti-infective agents slowed, phages played an
      important role in the development of molecular biology. In recent years, the
      increase in multidrug-resistant bacteria has renewed interest in the use of
      phages as antimicrobial agents. With the wide array of possibilities offered by
      genetic engineering, these bacterial viruses are being modified to precisely
      control and detect bacteria and to serve as new sources of antibacterials. In
      applications that go beyond their antimicrobial activity, phages are also being
      developed as vehicles for drug delivery and vaccines, as well as for the assembly
      of new materials. This review highlights advances in techniques used to engineer
      phages for all of these purposes and discusses existing challenges and
      opportunities for future work.

PMID- 27250772
TI  - Nerve-Adherent Giant Cell Tumors of Tendon Sheath: A New Presentation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tenosynovial giant cell tumors are a group of slowly growing benign
      neoplasms of synovial membrane of joints, tendons, and bursae. The localized type
      or giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (GCTTS) is the extra-articular form of
      tenosynovial giant cell tumors. We describe two patients with a GCTTS, confirmed
      histologically at the time of surgical resection, that was adherent to peripheral
      nerves. Rare GCTTS can cause extrinsic compression of major nerves. CASE
      DESCRIPTIONS: The first patient was a 36-year-old man with a left wrist mass
      associated with pain and paresthesia in the radial three digits. On ultrasound
      and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the mass appeared arising from the left
      median nerve with a picture suggestive of an atypical neurogenic tumor; however,
      the possibility of GCTTS could not be excluded. Intraoperatively, the tumor was
      adherent to the median nerve without a connection to nearby intercarpal joints.
      The second patient was a 25-year-old woman with a history of malignant melanoma
      and an incidentally discovered mass on routine follow-up. MRI of the pelvis
      showed an ovoid mass related to the right sciatic nerve. The MRI picture was
      suggestive of a GCTTS, although a benign neurogenic tumor was favored given the
      anatomic relation to the sciatic nerve. Intraoperatively, the tumor appeared as a
      nodule implanted on the nerve, and it was easily peeled off. CONCLUSION: We
      present a new, rare presentation of GCTTS adherent to peripheral nerves with
      extrinsic compression. We suggest either an implantation mechanism or an
      unrecognized extrasynovial origin for such tumors.

PMID- 27250771
TI  - Viable offspring obtained from Prm1-deficient sperm in mice.
AB  - Protamines are expressed in the spermatid nucleus and allow denser packaging of
      DNA compared with histones. Disruption of the coding sequence of one allele of
      either protamine 1 (Prm1) or Prm2 results in failure to produce offspring,
      although sperm with disrupted Prm1 or Prm2 alleles are produced. Here, we
      produced Prm1-deficient female chimeric mice carrying Prm1-deficient oocytes.
      These mice successfully produced Prm1(+/-) male mice. Healthy Prm1(+/-) offspring
      were then produced by transferring blastocysts obtained via in vitro
      fertilization using zona-free oocytes and sperm from Prm1(+/-) mice. This result
      suggests that sperm lacking Prm1 can generate offspring despite being abnormally
      shaped and having destabilised DNA, decondensed chromatin and a reduction in
      mitochondrial membrane potential. Nevertheless, these mice showed little
      derangement of expression profiles.

PMID- 27250773
TI  - Is Carotid Revascularization Safe for Patients with Concomitant Carotid Stenosis
      and Intracranial Aneurysms?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The safety of carotid revascularization in patients with concomitant
      extracranial carotid stenosis and cerebral aneurysm is rarely reported. We
      examine the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysm growth, ipsilateral
      transient ischemic attack, or stroke after revascularization in patients with
      both carotid stenosis and cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: A retrospective cohort
      study of patients with concomitant diagnosis of aneurysm and carotid stenosis
      evaluated in the neurosurgical department at our institution from 1990 to 2013
      was carried out. Patients with both revascularized and nonrevascularized carotid
      stenosis were included. Demographic and angiographic characteristics, medical
      history, and treatment outcomes were collected. Comparison was made between the
      following 2 groups: revascularized carotid stenosis with stent or carotid
      endarterectomy versus nonrevascularized carotid stenosis. RESULTS: The study
      cohort consisted of 39 patients with 48 stenotic cervical internal carotid
      arteries and 51 cerebral aneurysms. Twenty patients (51.3%) underwent carotid
      endarterectomy/stenting, and 19 (48.7%) were managed medically. Patient
      characteristics were similar across the 2 groups except for increased severity of
      carotid stenosis (P < 0.001) and more posterior circulation aneurysms (P = 0.045)
      in the revascularized group. Ipsilateral stenosis and aneurysm was observed in 9
      cases (40.9%) in the revascularized group and in 11 cases (42.3%) in the
      nonrevascularized group. During average follow-up of 1.62 years, no aneurysm
      rupture was observed. One ipsilateral stroke occurred in the revascularized group
      during follow-up, corresponding to an annual risk of 2.0%. One aneurysm
      enlargement occurred per group, with both located in the posterior circulation.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that revascularization procedures for carotid
      stenosis should be considered safe and effective in patients with concomitant
      extracranial carotid occlusive disease and cerebral aneurysms.

PMID- 27250774
TI  - Rising Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Infections in Hospitalized Children in
      the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is an emerging drug-resistant
      organism responsible for increasing numbers of nosocomial infections in adults.
      Few data are available on the epidemiology and impact of VRE infections in
      children. We hypothesized a significant increase in VRE infections among
      hospitalized children. Additionally, we predicted that VRE infection would be
      associated with certain comorbid conditions and increased duration and cost of
      hospitalization. METHODS: A retrospective study of inpatient pediatric patients
      was performed using data on hospitalizations for VRE from the Healthcare Cost and
      Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database from 1997 to 2012. We used a
      multivariable logistic regression model to establish factors associated with VRE
      infection and a high-dimensional propensity score match to evaluate death, length
      of stay, and cost of hospitalization. RESULTS: Hospitalizations for VRE infection
      showed an increasing trend, from 53 hospitalizations per million in 1997 to 120
      in 2012 (P < .001). Conditions associated with VRE included Clostridium difficile
      infection and other diagnoses involving immunosuppression and significant
      antibiotic and health care exposure. Patients with VRE infection had a
      significantly longer length of stay (attributable difference [AD] 2.1 days, P <
      .001) and higher hospitalization costs (AD $8233, P = .004). VRE infection was
      not associated with an increased risk of death (odds ratio 1.03; 95% confidence
      interval 0.73-1.47). CONCLUSIONS: VRE infections among hospitalized children are
      increasing at a substantial rate. This study demonstrates the significant impact
      of VRE on the health of pediatric patients and highlights the importance of
      strict adherence to existing infection control policies and VRE surveillance in
      certain high-risk pediatric populations.

PMID- 27250769
TI  - The Epigenetic Pathways to Ribosomal DNA Silencing.
AB  - Heterochromatin is the transcriptionally repressed portion of eukaryotic
      chromatin that maintains a condensed appearance throughout the cell cycle. At
      sites of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) heterochromatin, epigenetic states contribute to
      gene silencing and genome stability, which are required for proper chromosome
      segregation and a normal life span. Here, we focus on recent advances in the
      epigenetic regulation of rDNA silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in
      mammals, including regulation by several histone modifications and several
      protein components associated with the inner nuclear membrane within the
      nucleolus. Finally, we discuss the perturbations of rDNA epigenetic pathways in
      regulating cellular aging and in causing various types of diseases.

PMID- 27250775
TI  - Occupational therapy in Australian acute hospitals: A modified practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Ongoing changes to health-care funding Australia wide continue to
      influence how occupational therapists practise in acute hospitals. This study
      describes the practice challenges experienced by Western Australian acute care
      occupational therapists. Then, it explores if and how acute care occupational
      therapists are modifying their practice in response to these practice changes.
      METHODOLOGY: This study used a qualitative grounded theory approach. Semi
      structured interviews were completed with 13 purposively selected acute care
      occupational therapists from four Western Australian metropolitan hospitals. Data
      were analysed using a constant comparative method to provide detailed
      descriptions of acute care occupational therapy practice and to generate theory.
      FINDINGS: Five conceptual categories were developed. The first two addressed
      practice challenges: pragmatic organisational influences on client care and
      establishing a professional identity within the multidisciplinary team. Three
      categories related to therapist responses are as follows: becoming the client
      advocate, being the facilitator and applying clinical reasoning. Finally,
      modified practice was identified as the core category which explains the process
      whereby acute care occupational therapists are ensuring they remain relevant and
      authentic in the acute care context. CONCLUSION: Western Australian acute care
      occupational therapists are practising in a highly complex health context that
      presents many challenges. They are responding by using a modified form of
      practice that ensures occupational therapy skills remain relevant within the
      narrow confines of this health setting.

PMID- 27250777
TI  - Effective Topological Charge Cancelation Mechanism.
AB  - Topological defects (TDs) appear almost unavoidably in continuous symmetry
      breaking phase transitions. The topological origin makes their key features
      independent of systems' microscopic details; therefore TDs display many
      universalities. Because of their strong impact on numerous material properties
      and their significant role in several technological applications it is of strong
      interest to find simple and robust mechanisms controlling the positioning and
      local number of TDs. We present a numerical study of TDs within effectively two
      dimensional closed soft films exhibiting in-plane orientational ordering. Popular
      examples of such class of systems are liquid crystalline shells and various
      biological membranes. We introduce the Effective Topological Charge Cancellation
      mechanism controlling localised positional assembling tendency of TDs and the
      formation of pairs {defect, antidefect} on curved surfaces and/or presence of
      relevant "impurities" (e.g. nanoparticles). For this purpose, we define an
      effective topological charge Deltameff consisting of real, virtual and smeared
      curvature topological charges within a surface patch Deltasigma identified by the
      typical spatially averaged local Gaussian curvature K. We demonstrate a strong
      tendency enforcing Deltameff -> 0 on surfaces composed of Deltasigma exhibiting
      significantly different values of spatially averaged K. For Deltameff ? 0 we
      estimate a critical depinning threshold to form pairs {defect, antidefect} using
      the electrostatic analogy.

PMID- 27250778
TI  - A new hydrophilic supramolecular photocatalyst for the production of H2 in
      aerobic aqueous solutions.
AB  - Addition of sulfonated terminal ligands into a Ru,Rh,Ru photocatalyst has a
      significant impact on the excited-state properties of the complex. The
      hydrophilic photocatalyst demonstrates increased solubility and H2 production in
      aqueous solutions. H2 production is observed under aerobic conditions for the new
      complex, a stark contrast to the hydrophobic analog in organic solvents. 

PMID- 27250779
TI  - [A strategy for health and safety at work].

PMID- 27250776
TI  - Concise Review: Measuring Physiological Responses of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell
      Derived Cardiomyocytes to Drugs and Disease.
AB  - Cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) are of growing interest
      as models to understand mechanisms underlying genetic disease, identify potential
      drug targets and for safety pharmacology as they may predict human relevant
      effects more accurately and inexpensively than animals or other cell models.
      Crucial to their optimal use are accurate methods to quantify cardiomyocyte
      phenotypes accurately and reproducibly. Here, we review current methods for
      determining biophysical parameters of hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) that
      recapitulate disease and drug responses. Even though hPSC-CMs as currently
      available are immature, various biophysical methods are nevertheless already
      providing useful insights into the biology of the human heart and its maladies.
      Advantages and limitations of assays currently available looking toward
      applications of hPSC-CMs are described with examples of how they have been used
      to date. This will help guide the choice of biophysical method to characterize
      healthy cardiomyocytes and their pathologies in vitro. Stem Cells 2016;34:2008
      2015.

PMID- 27250770
TI  - Plasticity of Candida albicans Biofilms.
AB  - Candida albicans, the most pervasive fungal pathogen that colonizes humans, forms
      biofilms that are architecturally complex. They consist of a basal yeast cell
      polylayer and an upper region of hyphae encapsulated in extracellular matrix.
      However, biofilms formed in vitro vary as a result of the different conditions
      employed in models, the methods used to assess biofilm formation, strain
      differences, and, in a most dramatic fashion, the configuration of the mating
      type locus (MTL). Therefore, integrating data from different studies can lead to
      problems of interpretation if such variability is not taken into account. Here we
      review the conditions and factors that cause biofilm variation, with the goal of
      engendering awareness that more attention must be paid to the strains employed,
      the methods used to assess biofilm development, every aspect of the model
      employed, and the configuration of the MTL locus. We end by posing a set of
      questions that may be asked in comparing the results of different studies and
      developing protocols for new ones. This review should engender the notion that
      not all biofilms are created equal.

PMID- 27250780
TI  - [The UNIPSICO questionnaire: psychometric properties of the scales measuring
      psychosocial demands].
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the psychometric properties of the UNIPSICO questionnaire'
      scales designed to evaluate psychosocial demands at work. METHODS: The sample
      consisted of 2564 participants; 1391 were employees working with persons with
      intellectual disabilities and 1173 high school teachers from the Valencian
      Community. Data were collected using the UNIPSICO questionnaire, which features
      scales designed to measures psychosocial demands at work. This instrument
      contains 27 items distributed in 5 scales: interpersonal conflicts, imbalance,
      role conflict, role ambiguity, and workload. Data were analysed to test item
      validity, construct validity by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability
      by Cronbach's alpha, and predictive validity by stepwise regression analysis.
      RESULTS: For all items, skewness and reliability were adequate. The five scales
      followed a normal distribution, with skewness values ranging between +1 and -1.
      The results of the CFA confirmed the hypothesised five-factor structure. The
      hypothesised model obtained a good data fit (GFI = 0,935, NNFI = 0,903, CFI =
      0,914, RMSEA = 0,050). Scale score reliability coefficients for the five scales
      showed values above 0.70. Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated all variables
      to be significant predictors of psychosomatic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The
      validity and reliability of the five scales were satisfactory. In addition, the
      scales offer predictive validity for measuring work-related psychosomatic
      disorders. The UNIPSICO scales analyzed are an adequate tool for the evaluation
      of psychosocial risk factors at work.

PMID- 27250781
TI  - [The UNIPSICO questionnaire: psychometric properties of the scales measuring
      psychosocial resource factors].
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the psychometric properties of the UNIPSICO questionnaire'
      scales designed to evaluate psychosocial resource factors at work. METHODS: The
      sample consisted of 2564 participants; 1391 were employees working with people
      with intellectual disability and 1173 were high school teachers from the
      Valencian Community. Data were collected through use of the UNIPSICO
      questionnaire, which includes scales designed to measure psychosocial resource
      factors in the workplace. This instrument consists of 26 items distributed in 4
      scales: resources at work, work social support, feedback, and autonomy. Data were
      analysed to test item validity, construct validity by confirmatory factor
      analysis (CFA), reliability by Cronbach's alpha, and predictive validity by
      stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: For all items skewness and reliability
      values were adequate. The four scales followed the normal distribution, with
      skewness values ranging between +1 and -1. The results of the CFA confirmed the
      hypothesised four-factor structure. The hypothesised model showed a good data fit
      (GFI = 0,922, NNFI = 0,898, CFI = 0,912, RMSEA = 0,059). Scale score reliability
      coefficients for the five scales showed values above 0.80. Stepwise regression
      analysis demonstrated all variables were significant predictors of psychosomatic
      disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The validity and reliability of the four scales were
      satisfactory. In addition, the scales offer predictive validity for the study of
      work-related psychosomatic disorders. The UNIPSICO scales analyzed are an
      adequate tool to evaluate psychosocial resource factors at work.

PMID- 27250782
TI  - [The application of causal diagrams to conceptualize mechanisms in occupational
      epidemiology].
AB  - Although a goal of epidemiological research is to identify causal relationships
      between a risk factor and a health problem, the methodology employed often
      sacrifices internal validity to gain capacity to detect associations. There are
      new graphical and statistical methods that can help unravel the possible causal
      mechanisms and better understand this "black box". This paper presents causal
      diagrams, one of the most useful tools for mapping out, prior to analysis,
      whether a possible association is causal or just due to bias. To demonstrate its
      usefulness, we use occupational health examples, showing how associations may
      arise through non-causal pathways as a result of bias. In conclusion, we
      recommend the routine practice of using causal diagrams in epidemiological
      research. 

PMID- 27250783
TI  - [A comparison of two simplified methods of exposure risk assesment of inhalation
      of chemical agents: the COSHH essentials method and the INRS-based method].

PMID- 27250784
TI  - [Response: "Should psychosocial risk factors associated with working conditions
      be evaluated?"].

PMID- 27250785
TI  - [Response: "Should psychosocial risk factors associated with working conditions
      be evaluated?"].

PMID- 27250786
TI  - Improving efficiency and color purity of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) through
      addition of a high boiling-point solvent of 1-chloronaphthalene.
AB  - In this work, the beta-phase of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) was used as a
      probe to study the effects of the addition of a high boiling-point solvent of 1
      chloronaphthalene on the nanostructures and electroluminescence of PFO films.
      Both absorption and photoluminescence spectra showed that the content of the beta
      phase in PFO film was obviously enhanced as a result of the addition of a small
      amount of 1-chloronaphthalene into the processing solvent of p-xylenes.
      Apparently rougher morphology associated with the effectively enhanced ordering
      of polymer chains across the entire film was observed for films processed from p
      xylene solutions consisting of a certain amount of 1-chloronaphthalene, as
      revealed by atomic force microscopy and grazing incidence x-ray diffraction
      measurements. In addition to the effects on the nanostructures of films, of
      particular interest is that the performance and color purity of polymer light
      emitting devices can be noticeably enhanced upon the addition of 1
      chloronaphthalene. These observations highlight the importance of controlling the
      nanostructures of the emissive layer, and demonstrate that the addition of a low
      volume ratio of high boiling-point additive can be a promising strategy to attain
      high-performance polymer light-emitting diodes. 

PMID- 27250787
TI  - Development of Tetranuclear Zinc Cluster-Catalyzed Environmentally Friendly
      Reactions and Mechanistic Studies.
AB  - Our studies on tetranuclear zinc cluster-catalyzed environmentally friendly
      reactions are presented here. The newly developed MU-oxo-tetranuclear zinc
      cluster is a highly efficient catalyst for the direct formation of oxazolines
      from esters, carboxylic acids, lactones, and nitriles; for the
      transesterification of various methyl esters including alpha-amino esters and
      beta-keto esters; for the acetylation of alcohols in EtOAc; and for the
      deacylation of esters in MeOH. A unique hydroxy group-selective acylation in the
      presence of inherently much more nucleophilic amino groups was also achieved by
      this zinc cluster. Zinc cluster-catalyzed transesterification, in particular, was
      drastically accelerated by the addition of alkyl amine and N-heteroaromatic
      ligands, which coordinate with the metals, stabilize the clusters with lower
      nuclearities, and enhance catalytic activity for the transesterification. We also
      performed several mechanistic studies which revealed that alkoxide metal
      complexes are the active species in this catalytic cycle, and that the Michaelis
      Menten behavior of the complexes through an ordered ternary complex mechanism is
      similar to that of dinuclear metalloenzymes. The deprotonation of nucleophiles
      was the most important step in this process, not only for achieving high
      catalytic activity but also for determining chemoselectivity, resulting in the
      chemical differentiation of alcohols and amines. 

PMID- 27250788
TI  - BET Bromodomain as a Target of Epigenetic Therapy.
AB  - Acetylation of histone is a key epigenetic modification, and contributes to many
      DNA-dependent cellular processes. The bromodomain structure, which consists of
      approximately 110 amino acid residues, serves as a 'reader' that recognizes
      acetylated lysine in histones, leading to recruitment of positive transcriptional
      elongation factor b (P-TEFb), and thereby promoting transcriptional activity and
      chromatin remodeling. Among bromodomain-containing proteins, members of the
      bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family contain tandem N-terminal
      bromodomains. BET proteins, especially BRD4, have attracted interest as candidate
      therapeutic targets due to their putative involvement in the pathogenesis of
      various diseases, including cancer and inflammatory diseases. Several BET
      inhibitors are under clinical trial for treatment of various cancers.
      Furthermore, polypharmacological agents such as dual kinase/BET inhibitors and
      dual histone deacetylase (HDAC)/BET inhibitors have recently been developed, in
      addition to agents that degrade BET family proteins, such as proteolysis
      targeting chimeras (PROTACs). This paper reviews recent progress in epigenetic
      therapy targeting the BET bromodomain. 

PMID- 27250789
TI  - Role of Vitamin C in Cardioprotection of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by
      Activation of Mitochondrial KATP Channel.
AB  - How to provide effective prevention and treatment of myocardial
      ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and study of the mechanism underlying I/R
      injury are hotspots of current research. This study aimed to elucidate the effect
      and cardioprotective mechanism of vitamin C (VC) on myocardial I/R injury. Our
      study introduced two different I/R models: I/R in vitro and oxygen-glucose
      deprivation/recovery (OGD/R) in primary neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. We used
      the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opener lonidamine (LND) and
      the mitochondrial KATP (mitoKATP) channel inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) to
      analyze the underlying mechanisms. We found that post-treatment with VC decreased
      I/R injury in our models. Post-treatment with VC significantly decreased I/R
      induced injury, attenuated apoptosis, and maintained the functional integrity of
      mitochondria via alleviation of Ca(2+) overload, reactive oxygen species burst,
      inhibition of the opening of mPTP, and prevention of mitochondrial membrane
      potential (DeltaPsim) depolarization. VC post-treatment increased the
      phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta. The present
      results demonstrate that VC might protect the myocardium from I/R-induced injury
      by inhibiting the mPTP opening via activation of mitoKATP channels. VC mediates
      cardioprotection via activation of the phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt
      signaling pathway. These findings may contribute toward the development of novel
      strategies for clinical cardioprotection against I/R injury. 

PMID- 27250790
TI  - Synthesis, in Vivo Anti-inflammatory, and in Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of New
      5-Benzofuranyl Fused Pyrimidines.
AB  - Chalcone (3) has been synthesized as a new chalcone derivative bearing benzofuran
      moiety at 1 position. Such chalcone was used as a model dielectrophile applied to
      react with some nucleophiles such as 5-amino pyrazoles, 5-amino-1,2,4-triazole, 2
      aminobenzimidazole, and 6-uraciles under Michael reaction conditions and resulted
      in a new series of fused pyrimidines such as pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 7a-e,
      [1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine 9, pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole 11, and
      synthesis of pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidinones 13a and b. The structures of the
      synthesized target heterocyclic compounds were confirmed by microanalytical and
      spectral data such as Fourier transform (FT)-IR, (1)H-NMR, and MS spectra. The
      newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and
      antimicrobial activities; most showed significant activities. 

PMID- 27250791
TI  - Highly Efficient Synthesis of Chalcones from Poly Carbonyl Aromatic Compounds
      Using BF3-Et2O via a Regioselective Condensation Reaction.
AB  - A new, simple, highly efficient method for the synthesis of different types of
      carbonyl chalcones through a regioselective condensation reaction of appropriate
      5-acetyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with various substituted acetophenones and 4
      hydroxyisothalaldehyde with various substituted aldehydes using BF3-Et2O as a
      reagent is described. 

PMID- 27250792
TI  - Preparation and Characterization of SN-38-Encapsulated Phytantriol Cubosomes
      Containing alpha-Monoglyceride Additives.
AB  - SN-38 is a potent active metabolite of irinotecan that has been considered as an
      anticancer candidate. However, the clinical development of this compound has been
      hampered by its poor aqueous solubility and chemical instability. In this study,
      we developed SN-38-encapsulated cubosomes to resolve these problems. Six alpha
      monoglyceride additives, comprising monocaprylin, monocaprin, monolaurin,
      monomyristin, monopalmitin, and monostearin, were used to prepare phytantriol
      (PHYT) cubosomes by probe sonication. The mean particle size, polydispersity
      index, and zeta potential values of these systems were around 190-230 nm, 0.19
      0.25 and -17 to -22 mV, respectively. Small-angle X-ray scattering analyses
      confirmed that the SN-38-encapsulated cubosomes existed in the Pn3m space group
      both with and without the additives. The monoglyceride additives led to around a
      two-fold increase in the solubility of SN-38 compared with the PHYT cubosome. The
      drug entrapment efficiency of PHYT cubosomes with additives was greater than 97%.
      The results of a stability study at 25 degrees C showed no dramatic changes in
      the particle size or polydispersity index characteristics, with at least 85% of
      the SN-38 existing in its active lactone form after 10 d, demonstrating the high
      stability of the cubosome nanoparticles. Furthermore, approximately 55% of SN-38
      was slowly released from the cubosomes with additives over 96 h in vitro under
      physiological conditions. Taken together, these results show that the SN-38
      encapsulated PHYT cubosome particles are promising drug carriers that should be
      considered for further in vivo experiments, including drug delivery to tumor
      cells using the enhanced permeability and retention effect. 

PMID- 27250793
TI  - Intracellular Metabolism of alpha,beta-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds, Acrolein,
      Crotonaldehyde and Methyl Vinyl Ketone, Active Toxicants in Cigarette Smoke:
      Participation of Glutathione Conjugation Ability and Aldehyde-Ketone Sensitive
      Reductase Activity.
AB  - The major toxicants in cigarette smoke, alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, such as
      acrolein (ACR) and crotonaldehyde (CA), and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone, methyl
      vinyl ketone (MVK), are known to form Michael-type adducts with glutathione (GSH)
      and consequently cause intracellular GSH depletion, which is involved in
      cigarette smoke-induced cytotoxicity. We have previously clarified that exposure
      to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) of a mouse melanoma cell culture medium causes
      rapid reduction of intracellular GSH levels, and that the GSH-MVK adduct can be
      detected by LC/MS analysis while the GSH-CA adduct is hardly detected. In the
      present study, to clarify why the GSH-CA adduct is difficult to detect in the
      cell medium, we conducted detailed investigation of the structures of the
      reaction products of ACR, CA, MVK and CSE in the GSH solution or the cell culture
      medium. The mass spectra indicated that in the presence of the cells, the GSH-CA
      and GSH-ACR adducts were almost not detected while their corresponding alcohols
      were detected. On the other hand, both the GSH-MVK adducts and their reduced
      products were detected. In the absence of the cells, the reaction of GSH with all
      alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls produced only their corresponding adducts. These
      results show that the GSH adducts of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, CA and
      ACR, are quickly reduced by certain intracellular carbonyl reductase(s) and
      excreted from the cells, unlike the GSH adduct of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone,
      MVK. Such a difference in reactivity to the carbonyl reductase might be related
      to differences in the cytotoxicity of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and
      ketones. 

PMID- 27250794
TI  - Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of New Fluoroamodiaquine Analogues.
AB  - Malaria is one of the most important tropical diseases; the use of amodiaquine as
      a current chemotherapy in the treatment of malaria has shown some problems such
      as hepatotoxicity and agranulocytosis. In this work we present the rational
      design, synthesis, and biological evaluation (antimalarial activity, cytotoxicity
      and genotoxicity) of four new fluoroamodiaquine analogues. The results showed
      significant correlation between MolDock score and IC50 values. The molecules 7b
      and c were the most active of the planned compounds, with lower IC50 against
      Plasmodium falciparum W2 strain (0.9 and 0.8 uM, respectively) and an excellent
      cytotoxicity profile. The present study revealed no mutagenicity or genotoxicity
      for the analogues. Confirming our docking results, the molecular dynamics showed
      that compound 7b remains stably bound to the heme group by means of pi-stacking
      interactions between quinoline and the porphyrin ring. Based on these findings,
      this study may prove to be an efficient approach for the rational design of
      hemozoin inhibiting compounds to treat malaria. 

PMID- 27250795
TI  - Identification of Cyclopropylacetyl-(R)-carnitine, a Unique Chemical Marker of
      the Fatally Toxic Mushroom Russula subnigricans.
AB  - A toxic mushroom, Russula subnigricans, causes fatal poisoning by mistaken
      ingestion. In spite of the potent bioactivity, the responsible toxin had not been
      identified for about 50 years since its first documentation. Recently, we
      isolated an unstable toxin and determined the structure. The slow elucidation was
      partly due to the instability of the toxin and also due to misidentification of
      R. subnigricans for similar mushrooms. To discriminate genuine Russula
      subnigricans from similar unidentified Russula species, we searched for a unique
      chemical marker contained in the mushroom. Cyclopropylacetyl-(R)-carnitine
      specific to R. subnigricans was identified as a novel compound whose (1)H-NMR
      signals appearing in the upfield region were easily recognizable among the
      complicated signals of the crude extract. 

PMID- 27250796
TI  - Synthesis and in Vitro Antifungal Activities of Novel Benzamide Derivatives
      Containing a Triazole Moiety.
AB  - The study reported the synthesis and antifungal activities in vitro against six
      phytopathogenic fungi of 17 novel N-[2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol
      1-yl)methyl]butyl]benzamide derivatives. All the target compounds were
      synthesized and elucidated by means of MS, high resolution (HR)-MS, IR, (1)H- and
      (13)C-NMR analysis. The results showed that almost all the derivatives exhibited
      good activities against each of the tested fungi at the concentration of 50
      ug/mL. Among them, 6h displayed excellent activity against Alternaria alternata
      with the median effective concentration value (EC50) of 1.77 ug/mL, superior to
      myclobutanil (EC50=6.23 ug/mL), a commercial fungicide with broad-spectrum
      bioactivities for plant protection and high-efficiency. Compound 6k showed the
      broadest antifungal spectrum, demonstrating positive activities against the
      corresponding fungi with EC50 values ranging from 0.98 to 6.71 ug/mL.
      Furthermore, 6e to 6i revealed good activities against Alternaria solani with
      EC50 values of 1.90, 4.51, 7.07, 2.00 and 5.44 ug/mL, respectively. The
      preliminary analysis of structure-activity relationship (SAR) demonstrated that
      the presence of F or Cl on the benzene ring remarkably improved the activity,
      while the introduction of 4-OMe or CF3 group decreased the activity in varying
      degrees. Thus, the present results strongly suggest that N-[2-hydroxy-3,3
      dimethyl-2-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]butyl]benzamide derivatives should be
      promising candidates for the development of novel antifungal agents in the
      effective control of phytopathogenic fungi. 

PMID- 27250797
TI  - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water of the Southeastern Japan Sea.
AB  - Surface water samples were collected at 15 sampling sites in the southeastern
      Japan Sea along the Japanese Archipelago for analysis of polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons (PAHs). Water samples were fractionated by filtration through a
      glass fiber membrane (pore size 0.5 um) and analyzed by high-performance liquid
      chromatography with fluorescence detection. Thirteen PAHs having 3 to 6 rings
      were found in the dissolved phase (DP) and 12 were found in the particulate phase
      (PP). The total (DP+PP) PAH concentration ranged from 6.83 to 13.81 ng/L with the
      mean+/-standard deviation (S.D.) concentration of 9.36+/-1.92 ng/L. The mean+/
      S.D. PAH concentration in the DP and PP was 5.99+/-1.80 and 3.38+/-0.65 ng/L,
      respectively. Three-ring PAHs predominated in the DP, while the proportion of 4
      ring PAHs was higher in the PP. The mean total PAH concentration in the
      southeastern Japan Sea was higher than the concentration in the northwestern
      Japan Sea (8.5 ng/L). The Tsushima Current, which originates from the East China
      Sea with higher PAH concentration, is considered to be responsible for this
      higher concentration. 

PMID- 27250798
TI  - Sulfated Glucosides of an Aliphatic Alcohol and Monoterpenes, and Megastigmanes
      from the Leaves of Meliosma pinnata spp. arnottiana.
AB  - Chemical study of the leaves of Meliosma pinnata spp. arnottiana afforded five
      sulfated glucosides of oct-1-en-3-ol (1) and cyclic linalool derivatives (2-5),
      and two megastigmanes (6, 7). Their structures were elucidated by extensive
      investigation of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic data, and the
      absolute structures of the megastigmanes were determined by the modified Mosher's
      method. 

PMID- 27250799
TI  - Preparation of Fine Particles with Improved Solubility Using a Complex Fluidized
      Bed Granulator Equipped with a Particle-Sizing Mechanism.
AB  - A new type of fluidized-bed granulator equipped with a particle-sizing mechanism
      was used for the preparation of fine particles that improved the solubility of a
      poorly water-soluble drug substance. Cefteram pivoxyl (CEF) was selected as a
      model drug substance, and its solution with a hydrophilic polymer, hydroxypropyl
      cellulose (HPC-L), was sprayed on granulation grade lactose monohydrate (Lac).
      Three types of treated particles were prepared under different conditions focused
      on the spraying air pressure and the amount of HPC-L. When the amount of HPC-L
      was changed, the size of the obtained particles was similar. However, particle
      size distribution was dependent on the amount of HPC-L. Its distribution became
      more homogenous with greater amounts of HPC-L, but the particle size distribution
      obtained by decreasing the spraying air pressure was not acceptable. By
      processing CEF with HPC-L using a complex fluidized-bed granulator equipped with
      a particle-sizing mechanism, the dissolution ratio was elevated by approximately
      40% compared to that of unprocessed CEF. Moreover, in the dissolution profile of
      treated CEF, the initial burst was suppressed, and nearly zero order release was
      observed up to approximately 60% in the dissolution profile. This technique may
      represent a method with which to design fine particles of approximately 100 um in
      size with a narrow distribution, which can improve the solubility of a drug
      substance with low solubility. 

PMID- 27250800
TI  - In Vitro Transformation of Chlorinated Parabens by the Liver S9 Fraction:
      Kinetics, Metabolite Identification, and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonist
      Activity.
AB  - We investigated the kinetics of in vitro transformation of a dichlorinated propyl
      paraben (2-propyl 3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzoate; Cl2PP) by the rat liver S9
      fraction and assessed the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist activity of the
      metabolite products identified in HPLC and GC/MS analysis and by metabolite
      syntheses. The results indicated that the chlorination of Cl2PP reduced its
      degradation rate by approximately 40-fold. Two hydroxylated metabolite products
      showed AhR agonist activity of up to 39% of that of the parent Cl2PP when
      assessed in a yeast (YCM3) reporter gene assay. The determination of the
      metabolic properties of paraben bioaccumulation presented here provides further
      information on the value of risk assessments of chlorinated parabens as a means
      to ensure human health and environmental safety. 

PMID- 27250801
TI  - Endocrine prevention of chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure.

PMID- 27250804
TI  - Targeting CD1c-expressing classical dendritic cells to prevent thymus and
      activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)-mediated T-cell chemotaxis in rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) attracts cells that
      express the C-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4), including CD4 T cells. As
      expression of CCR4 is increased on peripheral T cells and intra-articular
      interleukin (IL)-17-producing cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
      we investigated whether TARC plays a role in the attraction of T cells to the
      synovial compartment. In addition, we assessed the role of classical dendritic
      cells (cDCs) in the production of TARC in RA. METHOD: TARC was measured in
      synovial fluid (SF) samples from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Spontaneous
      and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)-induced TARC production by mononuclear
      cells (MCs) and CD1c cDCs from peripheral blood (PB) and SF was assessed. The
      role of TARC in CD4 T-cell migration towards cDCs was assessed and the
      contribution of CD1c-expressing cells to TARC production was studied. RESULTS:
      TARC concentrations were higher in SF of RA patients compared to OA patients. MCs
      from SF produced TARC spontaneously and produced more TARC upon stimulation than
      paired PBMCs. Blocking TARC strongly inhibited CD4 T-cell chemotaxis by TSLP
      stimulated cDCs, associated with decreased production of tumour necrosis factor
      (TNF)-alpha. Depletion of cDCs from SFMCs strongly reduced TARC production.
      CONCLUSIONS: TARC levels are increased in RA SF and our data indicate that this
      results from production by SFMCs and in particular CD1c cDCs. TARC attracts T
      cells and TARC secretion by MCs is crucially dependent on the presence of CD1c
      cDCs. Considering the potential of SF cDCs to activate T cells and induce pro
      inflammatory cytokine secretion, targeting intra-articular cDCs constitutes a
      novel therapeutic approach in RA.

PMID- 27250805
TI  - Fishes and aquatic habitats of the Orinoco River Basin: diversity and
      conservation.
AB  - About 1000 freshwater fishes have been found so far in the Orinoco River Basin of
      Venezuela and Colombia. This high ichthyological diversity reflects the wide
      range of landscapes and aquatic ecosystems included in the basin. Mountain
      streams descend from the high Andes to become rapid-flowing foothill rivers that
      burst out upon vast savannah flatlands where they slowly make their way to the
      sea. These white-water rivers are heavily laden with sediments from the
      geologically young Andes. Because their sediment deposits have formed the richest
      soils of the basin, they have attracted the highest density of human populations,
      along with the greatest levels of deforestation, wildfires, agricultural biocides
      and fertilizers, sewage and all the other impacts associated with urban centres,
      agriculture and cattle ranching. In the southern portion of the basin, human
      populations are much smaller, where often the only inhabitants are indigenous
      peoples. The ancient rocks and sands of the Guiana Shield yield clear and black
      water streams of very different quality. Here, sediment loads are miniscule, pH
      is very acid and fish biomass is only a fraction of that observed in the rich
      Andean tributaries to the north. For each region of the basin, the current state
      of knowledge about fish diversity is assessed, fish sampling density evaluated,
      the presence of endemic species and economically important species (for human
      consumption or ornamental purposes) described and gaps in knowledge are pointed
      out. Current trends in the fishery for human consumption are analysed, noting
      that stocks of many species are in steep decline, and that current fishing
      practices are not sustainable. Finally, the major impacts and threats faced by
      the fishes and aquatic ecosystems of the Orinoco River Basin are summarized, and
      the creation of bi-national commissions to promote standardized fishing laws in
      both countries is recommended. 

PMID- 27250802
TI  - Short Communication: Maraviroc Once-Daily: Experience in Routine Clinical
      Practice.
AB  - To assess the efficacy and safety of maraviroc (MVC) administered once-daily in
      routine clinical practice. A retrospective multicenter study (27 centers in
      Spain) was conducted. Data were collected from the records of patients starting a
      regimen with MVC. Laboratory and clinical data were recorded every 3 months the
      first year and every 6 months thereafter. Data are presented as median and
      interquartile range. Among 667 patients treated with MVC, 142 (21.3%) received
      MVC once-daily: 108 (76.1%), 150 mg and 34 (23.9%), and 300 mg. Age was 47 (42
      45) years, there were 76.1% men, and 81 (57%) patients had baseline HIV-RNA <50
      copies/mL. Viral tropism was R5 in 118 (83.1%) patients. Reasons for prescribing
      MVC: salvage therapy (36.6%), drug toxicity (31.2%), simplification (16.9%), and
      immunodiscordant response (7.1%). Median follow-up was 13 (9-16) months. In
      95.8%, a PI/r was part of the regimen (67% on dual therapy). At months 12 and 24,
      73.3% and 68.2% of patients had HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL, respectively (p = .041 and
      p < .001 vs. baseline). CD4+ cell count increased by a median of 52 (-36,135) and
      84 (-9.5,180) cells/mm3 at 12 and 24 months, respectively (p < .001 and p = .039
      vs. baseline). Twenty-five (17.6%) patients discontinued MVC: virologic failure
      (6), medical decision (5), and other reasons (14). Two patients presented grade 3
      adverse events (hypertransaminasemia, hypertriglyceridemia) without the need for
      MVC withdrawal, whereas MVC was discontinued in two patients due to
      gastrointestinal toxicity. In routine clinical practice, MVC once-daily combined
      with at least PI/r was virologically effective and well tolerated in a high
      percentage of pretreated patients.

PMID- 27250806
TI  - REACTED - Reducing Acute Chest pain Time in the ED: A prospective pre-/post
      interventional cohort study, stratifying risk using early cardiac multi-markers,
      probably increases discharges safely.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: ED chest pain assessments can be challenging, lengthy and contribute
      to overcrowding. Rapid accurate risk stratification strategies should improve ED
      length of stay (EDLOS). Emergency, Biochemistry and Cardiology implemented new
      guidelines using paired (<3 h) multiple cardiac markers to stratify patients. The
      intervention would reduce chest pain EDLOS. We observed for safety and
      disposition effects. METHODS: This is a single-site, prospective observational,
      before and after intervention study. In December 2009, paired multiple cardiac
      markers, the second at least 4 h from pain, replaced late troponins. The 4 h rule
      (ED flow improvement) started in April 2009 (unplanned confounder). Demographics,
      clinical features, risk assessment and disposition; preferably prospective.
      Administrative datasets provided disposition outcomes, 4 months pre-/post
      intervention. Follow up with partially blinded adjudications assessed for 45 day
      major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Before intervention, consecutive patients
      were enrolled with mixed prospective/retrospective data. After, sampling occurred
      whenever prospective data were collected. RESULTS: Adjudicated patients were n =
      1029 (14.2% MI, 14.9% MACE), 426 before, 603 after. EDLOS reduced 87 min (416
      329; P < 0.001), similar to triage 2 patients without chest pain. Possibly,
      avoidable MACE occurred in five of 598 discharges (0.8%, CI 0.3-1.8%) with non
      significant decreases (0.5%, CI 0.1-1.8%) post-intervention. Disposition changes
      included greater observation ward use (3.8-12.3%; P < 0.001), more discharges
      (47.4-52.9%, P = 0.002), less transfers (9.3-6.9%, P = 0.014) and less late
      inpatient discharge decisions (15.2-8.7%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Paired cardiac
      markers performed adequately for avoidable MACE, and disposition improved
      significantly. A confounding system change meant the reduced EDLOS (primary
      outcome) was unable to be associated with the intervention.

PMID- 27250807
TI  - Sleep Pathology in Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Associations between sleep and neurodegenerative diseases have
      become increasingly evident. This study aims to characterize the prevalence and
      type of sleep pathology in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rapidly
      progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease. METHODS: In this observational
      cross-sectional cohort study, we performed a retrospective analysis of sleep
      signs and symptoms in a consecutive group of patients with definite CJD at a
      tertiary care medical center (n = 28). Polysomnography was performed in 14
      patients. RESULTS: Although only 5 of 28 patients carried a premorbid sleep
      diagnosis, signs/symptoms of sleep pathology were present in 25 patients. Eleven
      reported hypersomnia whereas 13 reported insomnia. Seven had restless legs
      symptoms and/or periodic limb movements of sleep, and nine reported parasomnias.
      Of the 14 patients who underwent polysomnography, 1 did not show sleep, 9 (69%)
      had poorly formed or absent sleep spindles and/or K-complexes, and 10 (77%) had
      sleep-disordered breathing. Of the 8 patients who experienced rapid eye movement
      (REM) sleep during the polysomnography, 3 (38%) showed REM sleep without atonia,
      and 2 patients met criteria for REM sleep behavior disorder. Median total sleep
      time was 226 (interquartile range [IQR] = 195-282) min. Median sleep efficiency
      was 58.5% (IQR = 41-65.5 %). Median REM time was 0.35% (IQR = 0-7.125%). Five
      patients (38%) demonstrated periodic limb movements during polysomnography. One
      case is presented. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep pathology is common in CJD, and screening
      for sleep pathology is indicated in the evaluation of patients with rapidly
      progressive dementias. Early identification and treatment of sleep pathology may
      provide an intervenable target for CJD.

PMID- 27250808
TI  - Prevalence and Mimics of Kleine-Levin Syndrome: A Survey in French-Speaking
      Switzerland.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare disease of unknown
      etiology, the diagnosis of which can be challenging. We aimed to estimate KLS
      prevalence in French-speaking Switzerland, and assess differences with mimicking
      conditions. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, KLS patients were identified
      through a population-based approach, including at our hospital and contacting all
      sleep-certified facilities and neurologists in French-speaking Switzerland.
      Furthermore, we identified patients referred to our center for suspected KLS that
      received other diagnoses. Relevant clinical data of these two groups was
      compared. RESULTS: We identified 7 patients with diagnosed KLS (6 since 2009),
      leading to a prevalence estimation of 3.19 per million (95% confidence interval:
      1.55-6.59). Median age at diagnosis was 17 years (range: 12-19), 71.4% of them
      were men, and mean diagnosis delay after the first episode was 20.1 +/- 10.9
      months. We identified 9 mimic patients referred to our center; they differed from
      KLS patients by their higher age at disease onset (median: 15 [range: 12-16] vs.
      19 [range: 16-64] years; p < 0.001), suspected KLS as referral reason (more
      frequent in mimics, p = 0.003), and the presence of precipitating factors (more
      frequent in KLS, p = 0.011). Among the mimic patients, 77% (versus 28% in KLS)
      had a psychiatric diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a relatively higher
      KLS prevalence than previously reported. As compared to KLS, mimic patients have
      higher age at symptom onset, are more often initially referred for KLS suspicion,
      and have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders.

PMID- 27250809
TI  - Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of
      the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
AB  - ABSTRACT: Sleep is essential for optimal health in children and adolescents.
      Members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine developed consensus
      recommendations for the amount of sleep needed to promote optimal health in
      children and adolescents using a modified RAND Appropriateness Method. The
      recommendations are summarized here. A manuscript detailing the conference
      proceedings and the evidence supporting these recommendations will be published
      in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

PMID- 27250810
TI  - "Please, sir, I want some more.".

PMID- 27250811
TI  - Investigating Psychological Mechanisms in Relation to Sleep Problems and Suicide.

PMID- 27250812
TI  - A Unified Plan to Strengthen the Sleep Medicine Pipeline and Maximize Our
      Workforce.

PMID- 27250813
TI  - The Development of Sleep Medicine: A Historical Sketch.
AB  - ABSTRACT: For centuries the scope of sleep disorders in medical writings was
      limited to those disturbances which were either perceived by the sleeper him- or
      herself as troublesome, such as insomnia, or which were recognized by an observer
      as strange behavioral acts during sleep, such as sleepwalking or sleep terrors.
      Awareness of other sleep disorders, which are caused by malfunction of a
      physiological system during sleep, such as sleep-related respiratory disorders,
      were widely unknown or ignored before sleep monitoring techniques became
      available, mainly in the second half of the 20(th) century. Finally, circadian
      sleep-wake disorders were recognized as a group of disturbances by its own only
      when chronobiology and sleep research began to interact extensively in the last
      two decades of the 20(th) century. Sleep medicine as a medical specialty with its
      own diagnostic procedures and therapeutic strategies could be established only
      when key findings in neurophysiology and basic sleep research allowed a
      breakthrough in the understanding of the sleeping brain, mainly since the second
      half of the last century.

PMID- 27250814
TI  - Mandibular Advancement Device as a Comparable Treatment to Nasal Continuous
      Positive Airway Pressure for Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Positional obstructive sleep apnea (P-OSA) is a clinically
      common phenotype of OSA, which can be treated effectively with mandibular
      advancement devices (MADs). We hypothesized that the efficacy of an MAD is
      comparable to that of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) in P-OSA
      patients. METHODS: Among patients diagnosed with OSA at a single sleep center
      from January 2008 to May 2014, male subjects with moderate OSA were recruited and
      stringently categorized as having P-OSA when the ratio of their lateral apnea
      hypopnea index (AHI) to supine AHI was <= 0.5, their lateral sleep time was > 60
      minutes, and their lateral REM sleep time was longer than 10 minutes. Treatment
      efficacy was compared between P-OSA subjects with an MAD (n = 34) and those with
      nCPAP (n = 34) after matching for age, body-mass index, and baseline AHI.
      RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline AHI (MAD: nCPAP = 20.6
      +/- 3.9/h: 21.3 +/- 1.7/h, p = 0.35) or in follow-up AHI (MAD: nCPAP = 4.7 +/-
      3.5/h: 3.4 +/- 3.7/h, p = 0.12) between the 2 treatment groups, and hence MADs
      lowered the AHI to the same extent as nCPAP. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest
      that an MAD is as efficacious as nCPAP for P-OSA patients. MAD treatment for this
      specific phenotype may be a promising patient-tailored and first-line approach to
      OSA. COMMENTARY: A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 1079.

PMID- 27250815
TI  - Pain Intensity and Opioid Utilization in Response to CPAP Therapy in Veterans
      with Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Chronic Opioid Treatment.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep fragmentation has been linked to poor pain tolerance and
      lowered pain threshold. Little evidence exists on whether continuous positive
      airway pressure (CPAP) adherence in veterans with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
      who are taking opioids for non-malignant pain would ameliorate pain and reduce
      consumption of opioids. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed
      at a VA sleep center. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numerical Categorical
      Scale prior to CPAP treatment and 12-mo follow-up. Opioids intake was assessed
      using the morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD). Adherence to CPAP was evaluated
      with the built-in meter. RESULTS: We reviewed 113 patients with OSA (apnea
      hypopnea index [AHI] 35.9 +/- 29.5) using a MEDD of 61.6 mg (range 5-980 mg) and
      a control group of 113 veterans with OSA (AHI 33.4 +/- 27.3) on no opioids
      treatment. CPAP adherence was significantly lower at 12 mo in opioid-treated
      patients compared to controls (37% versus 55%; p = 0.01). Greater pain intensity
      was the only independent variable associated with CPAP non-adherence at 12-mo
      follow-up (p = 0.03). Compared to baseline, no significant difference was
      observed in pain intensity or consumption of opioids in CPAP adherent patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: CPAP treatment did not reduce pain intensity or consumption of
      opioids in veterans with chronic pain who have coexisting OSA. CPAP adherence was
      lower in opioid-treated veterans with OSA compared to opioid-free veterans with
      OSA. Pain intensity was the only determinant of CPAP adherence. Future studies
      are needed to evaluate pain management program on adherence to CPAP.

PMID- 27250816
TI  - Sleep Fragmentation Does Not Explain Misperception of Latency or Total Sleep
      Time.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Perception of sleep-wake times may differ from objective
      measures, although the mechanisms remain elusive. Quantifying the misperception
      phenotype involves two operational challenges: defining objective sleep latency
      and treating sleep latency and total sleep time as independent factors. We
      evaluated a novel approach to address these challenges and test the hypothesis
      that sleep fragmentation underlies misperception. METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective analysis on patients with or without obstructive sleep apnea during
      overnight diagnostic polysomnography in our laboratory (n = 391; n = 252). We
      compared subjective and objective sleep-wake durations to characterize
      misperception. We introduce a new metric, sleep during subjective latency (SDSL),
      which captures latency misperception without defining objective sleep latency and
      allows correction for latency misperception when assessing total sleep time (TST)
      misperception. RESULTS: The stage content of SDSL is related to latency
      misperception, but in the opposite manner as our hypothesis: those with > 20
      minutes of SDSL had less N1%, more N3%, and lower transition frequency. After
      adjusting for misperceived sleep during subjective sleep latency, TST
      misperception was greater in those with longer bouts of REM and N2 stages (OSA
      patients) as well as N3 (non-OSA patients), which also did not support our
      hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the advantages of SDSL as a phenotyping tool to
      overcome operational issues with quantifying misperception, our results argue
      against the hypothesis that light or fragmented sleep underlies misperception.
      Further investigation of sleep physiology utilizing alternative methods than that
      captured by conventional stages may yield additional mechanistic insights into
      misperception. COMMENTARY: A commentary on this article appears in this issue on
      page 1211.

PMID- 27250818
TI  - Search for aromatic anions in the P2E3(-) (E = N, P, As, Sb, Bi) series.
AB  - We report a systematic computational study focused on the global minimum and low
      lying isomer search for the P2E3(-) (E = N, P, As, Sb, Bi) series of anions. We
      found nine planar five-membered rings and proved their aromatic character by
      various quantum chemical techniques. The possible use of two different P2N3(-)
      aromatic anions as ligands in a number of sandwich complexes was also studied. 

PMID- 27250817
TI  - Critical Neural Networks in Awake Surgery for Gliomas.
AB  - From the embarrassing character commonly infiltrating eloquent brain regions, the
      surgical resection of glioma remains challenging. Owing to the recent development
      of in vivo visualization techniques for the human brain, white matter regions can
      be delineated using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as a routine clinical practice
      in neurosurgery. In confirmation of the results of DTI tractography, a direct
      electrical stimulation (DES) substantially influences the investigation of
      cortico-subcortical networks, which can be identified via specific symptoms
      elicited in the concerned white matter tracts (eg., the arcuate fascicle,
      superior longitudinal fascicles, inferior fronto-occipital fascicle, inferior
      longitudinal fascicle, frontal aslant tract, sensori-motor tracts, optic
      radiation, and so forth). During awake surgery for glioma using DES, it is
      important to identify the anatomo-functional structure of white matter tracts to
      identify the surgical boundaries of brain regions not only to achieve maximal
      resection of the glioma but also to maximally preserve quality of life. However,
      the risk exists that neurosurgeons may be misled by the inability of DTI to
      visualize the actual anatomy of the white matter fibers, resulting in
      inappropriate decisions regarding surgical boundaries. This review article
      provides information of the critical neuronal network that is necessary to
      identify and understand in awake surgery for glioma, with special references to
      white matter tracts and the author's experiences.

PMID- 27250819
TI  - New approach to treating spinal cord injury using PEG-TAT-modified, cyclosporine
      A-loaded PLGA/polymeric liposomes.
AB  - Cyclosporine-A (CsA) is an immunosuppressant agent that has shown effectiveness
      as a neuroprotective drug; however, it does not readily cross the blood-spinal
      cord barrier (BSCB), which constrains the clinical applications of CsA for the
      treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Our group recently tested the ability of
      novel polyethylene glycol (PEG)-transactivating-transduction protein (TAT)
      modified CsA-loaded cationic multifunctional polymeric liposome-poly(lactic-co
      glycolic acid) (PLGA) core/shell nanoparticles (PLGA/CsA NPs) to transport and
      deliver CsA across the BSCB to treat SCI. The PLGA/CsA NPs were successfully
      constructed. In vitro drug release studies have demonstrated that the sustained
      release of CsA from PLGA/CsA NPs occurs over ~25 h. The in vivo study presented
      here showed that injured animals that received PLGA/CsA NPs through the tail
      vein, exhibited a significant up-regulation of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP
      43) expression and an increased number of GAP-43-stained neurons compared with
      animals that received CsA or the vehicle alone. The improvement in neurological
      function was also evaluated by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) open-field test.
      Moreover, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-attached PLGA/CsA NPs were
      successfully aggregated in the intact spinal cord 4 h after injection. Our data
      suggest that PLGA/CsA NPs have the potential for use as a new treatment method
      for SCI.

PMID- 27250820
TI  - Role of freeze-thaw cycles and chlorpyrifos insecticide use on diffuse Cd loss
      and sediment accumulation.
AB  - Freeze-thaw cycles are predicted to increase in cold temperate regions. The
      potential influence of the interactions of freeze-thaw cycles and agrochemicals
      on the release of Cd into river water is unknown. In this study, the interactions
      of freeze-thaw cycles and chlorpyrifos (FC) on Cd mobility in soils were
      analysed. The spatial variability of soil Cd under long-term intensive tillage in
      a freeze-thaw agro-system was also identified. The temporal variation of sediment
      Cd was detected based on analysis of the sediment geochemistry. The results
      showed that FC increased soil Cd mobility, with an increase of approximately 10%
      in CaCl2-extractable Cd. The increased mobile fractions of water-soluble and
      exchangeable Cd originated from the decreased fraction of Fe-Mn-oxide-associated
      Cd and organic matter-bound Cd. The total Cd content in the surface soil followed
      the zonally decreasing trend of dry land > paddy land > natural land. The Cd
      concentrations and sedimentation rates of the sediment core generally increased
      from 1943 to 2013 due to agricultural exploration and farmland irrigation system
      construction, indicating an increase of the Cd input flux into water. The results
      provide valuable information about the soil Cd transport response to the
      influence of climatic and anthropogenic factors in cold intensive agro-systems.

PMID- 27250821
TI  - Syndromes with supernumerary teeth.
AB  - While most supernumerary teeth are idiopathic, they can be associated with a
      number of Mendelian syndromes. However, this can also be a coincidental finding,
      since supernumerary teeth occur in 6% or more of the normal population. To better
      define this relationship, we analyzed the evidence for specific associations. We
      excluded conditions with a single affected patient reported, supernumerary teeth
      adjacent to clefts or other forms of alveolar disruption (as secondary rather
      than primary findings), and natal teeth, which can involve premature eruption of
      a normal tooth. Since, the cause of supernumerary teeth shows considerable
      heterogeneity, certain findings are less likely to be coincidental, such as five
      or more supernumerary teeth in a single patient, or locations outside of the
      premaxilla. We found only eight genetic syndromes with strong evidence for an
      association: cleidocranial dysplasia; familial adenomatous polyposis;
      trichorhinophalangeal syndrome, type I; Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome; Nance-Horan
      syndrome; Opitz BBB/G syndrome; oculofaciocardiodental syndrome; and autosomal
      dominant Robinow syndrome. There is also suggestive evidence of an association
      with two uncommon disorders, Kreiborg-Pakistani syndrome (craniosynostosis and
      dental anomalies), and insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus with
      acanthosisnigricans. An association of a Mendelian disorder with a low frequency
      manifestation of supernumerary teeth is difficult to exclude without large
      numbers, but several commonly cited syndromes lacked evidence for clear
      association, including Hallermann-Streiff syndrome, Fabry disease, Ehlers-Danlos
      syndrome, Apert and Crouzon syndromes, Zimmermann-Laband syndrome, and Ellis-van
      Creveld syndrome. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27250822
TI  - Spherical cap surface model: A novel method for predicting renal function after
      partial nephrectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the percent functional volume preservation from
      preoperative images using a novel method, the spherical cap surface model, and to
      investigate whether this model can preoperatively predict renal function after
      partial nephrectomy. METHODS: A total of 233 patients with renal cell carcinoma
      who underwent open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy between January 2011 and
      December 2013 were included in the present study. The spherical cap surface model
      was used to calculate the estimated percent functional volume preservation on
      preoperative computed tomography, and the estimated percent functional volume
      preservation was multiplied by the preoperative estimated glomerular filtration
      rate to predict the postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate. The
      occurrence of acute kidney injury also served as an outcome. Univariate and
      multivariate linear regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve
      analysis were used to test the model. RESULTS: The estimated percent functional
      volume preservation calculated by the novel model was significantly associated
      with both nadir percent estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation and
      late percent estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation in the
      multivariate analysis (the P-values were 0.021 and 0.043, respectively). Receiver
      operating characteristic curve analysis for predicting acute kidney injury after
      partial nephrectomy showed that volume preservation (P < 0.001) and warm ischemia
      time (P = 0.040) were both significant. Regarding the ability to predict a
      significant decrease in late renal function after partial nephrectomy, only
      volume preservation (P = 0.044) was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of
      functional volume is the primary determinant of functional outcomes after partial
      nephrectomy. The spherical cap surface model seems to represent a promising tool
      to predict nadir and late postoperative renal function in patients undergoing
      partial nephrectomy.

PMID- 27250823
TI  - Diagnostic utility of additional conventional techniques after endobronchial
      ultrasonography guidance during transbronchial biopsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath
      transbronchial biopsy (EBUS-GS TBB) has been used to diagnose peripheral
      pulmonary lesions (PPLs). In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of
      conventional TBB after EBUS-GS TBB. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients
      who underwent conventional TBB after EBUS-GS TBB for PPL between August 1, 2012
      and December 31, 2014. We performed multivariate analysis to examine the
      association of various clinical factors, including EBUS probe distance and sample
      size area, with diagnostic yield. RESULTS: Of 88 eligible patients, 57 (65%) were
      successfully diagnosed by EBUS-GS TBB. In 31 patients not diagnosed by EBUS-GS
      TBB, 15 (48%) were successfully diagnosed by additional conventional TBB. Ground
      glass opacity (GGO) was a significant factor associated with the diagnostic yield
      of additional conventional TBB following EBUS-GS TBB. Multivariate analysis and
      receiver operator curves revealed that distance between the PPL and the EBUS
      probe of less than 2.55 mm favored the utility of conventional TBB. CONCLUSION:
      Additional conventional TBB after EBUS-GS TBB could be a useful procedure for the
      diagnosis of ground glass opacity PPLs and in cases of a distance of less than
      2.55 mm between the EBUS probe and the lesion.

PMID- 27250824
TI  - Hb San Cataldo [beta144(HC1)Lys->Thr; HBB: C.434A > C]: A New Hemoglobin Variant
      with Increased Affinity for Oxygen.
AB  - A 59-year-old Italian woman came to our center for revaluation of a previous
      diagnosis of polycythemia vera. The patient presented with a lifelong history of
      polycythemia, no increase in white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets, and a
      negative bone marrow biopsy. Analysis of hemoglobin (Hb) fractions showed an
      abnormal fast moving Hb component. We aimed to determine if this variant was the
      cause of polycythemia in this patient. A complete blood count (CBC) was performed
      by an automated cell counter and Hb fractions were determined by high performance
      liquid chromatography (HPLC). Standard stability tests and oxygen affinity
      evaluation were also performed. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood
      leukocytes using the phenol chloroform method and the entire beta-globin gene was
      analyzed by direct sequencing. At the hematological level, no anemia or hemolysis
      was observed but an abnormal Hb fraction was detected using cation exchange HPLC.
      Molecular analysis of the beta-globin gene showed heterozygosity for an AAG > ACG
      substitution at codon 144, resulting in a Lys->Thr amino acid replacement. We
      demonstrated that this is a new Hb variant with increased oxygen affinity. Its
      altered physiology is caused by the reduction of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG)
      effects, due to an amino acid substitution in the central pocket near the C
      terminal of the beta chain. We called this new variant Hb San Cataldo for the
      native city of proband. 

PMID- 27250826
TI  - Familial Mediterranean fever complicated with refractory asthma: Successful
      treatment with colchicine.

PMID- 27250827
TI  - Role of hepcidin and its downstream proteins in early brain injury after
      experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats.
AB  - Early brain injury (EBI) is a major cause of mortality from subarachnoid
      hemorrhage (SAH). We aimed to study the pathophysiology of EBI and explore the
      role of hepcidin, a protein involved in iron homeostatic regulation, and its
      downstream proteins. One hundred and thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were
      assigned into groups (n = 24/group): sham, SAH, SAH + hepcidin, SAH + hepcidin
      targeting small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA), and SAH + scramble siRNA.
      Three hepcidin-targeting siRNAs and one scramble siRNA for hepcidin were injected
      24 h before hemorrhage induction, and hepcidin protein was injected 30 min before
      induction. The rats were neurologically evaluated at 24 h and euthanized at 72 h.
      Hepcidin, ferroportin-1, and ceruloplasmin protein expression were measured by
      immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Brain water content, blood-brain
      barrier (BBB) leakage, non-heme tissue iron and Garcia scale were evaluated.
      Hepcidin expression increased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus after
      experimental SAH (P < 0.05 compared to sham), while ferroportin-1 and
      ceruloplasmin decreased (P < 0.05). Hepcidin injection lowered the expression of
      ferroportin-1 and ceruloplasmin further but siRNA reduced the levels of hepcidin
      (P < 0.05 compared to SAH) resulting in recovery of ferroportin-1 and
      ceruloplasmin levels. Apoptosis was increased in SAH rats compared to sham (P <
      0.05) and increased slightly more by hepcidin, but decreased by siRNA (P < 0.05
      compared to SAH). SAH rats had lower neurological scores, high brain water
      content, BBB permeability, and non-heme tissue iron (P < 0.05). In conclusion,
      downregulation of ferroportin-1 and ceruloplasmin caused by hepcidin enhanced
      iron-dependent oxidative damage and may be the potential mechanism of SAH. 

PMID- 27250825
TI  - Anti-fibrotic actions of relaxin.
AB  - : Fibrosis refers to the hardening or scarring of tissues that usually results
      from aberrant wound healing in response to organ injury, and its manifestations
      in various organs have collectively been estimated to contribute to around 45-50%
      of deaths in the Western world. Despite this, there is currently no effective
      cure for the tissue structural and functional damage induced by fibrosis-related
      disorders. Relaxin meets several criteria of an effective anti-fibrotic based on
      its specific ability to inhibit pro-fibrotic cytokine and/or growth factor
      mediated, but not normal/unstimulated, fibroblast proliferation, differentiation
      and matrix production. Furthermore, relaxin augments matrix degradation through
      its ability to up-regulate the release and activation of various matrix-degrading
      matrix metalloproteinases and/or being able to down-regulate tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinase activity. Relaxin can also indirectly suppress fibrosis through
      its other well-known (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hypertrophic, anti
      apoptotic, angiogenic, wound healing and vasodilator) properties. This review
      will outline the organ-specific and general anti-fibrotic significance of
      exogenously administered relaxin and its mechanisms of action that have been
      documented in various non-reproductive organs such as the cardiovascular system,
      kidney, lung, liver, skin and tendons. In addition, it will outline the influence
      of sex on relaxin's anti-fibrotic actions, highlighting its potential as an
      emerging anti-fibrotic therapeutic. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a
      themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides
      and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit
      http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.

PMID- 27250828
TI  - Anatomical and functional changes to the pelvic floor after robotic versus
      laparoscopic ventral rectopexy: a randomised study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To compare the effect of laparoscopic and robot
      assisted ventral rectopexy for posterior compartment procidentia on the pelvic
      floor anatomy and function. METHODS: A prospective randomised single-centre study
      was carried out of 29 female patients, who underwent robot-assisted or
      laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy for external or internal rectal prolapse with
      symptoms of obstructive defecation and/or faecal incontinence. Anatomical changes
      were measured by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) and magnetic
      resonance defecography. Functional changes were evaluated using symptom
      questionnaires before and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: After rectopexy,
      changes in POP-Q measurements were statistically significant for points Ap, Bp,
      C, D and Ba. The descent of the anorectum and cervix/vaginal cuff during
      straining were significantly reduced with regard to the reference line (mean, 
      10.4 +/- 14.9 mm, p = 0.001) and (-13.3 +/- 18.1 mm, p < 0.001) respectively.
      Pelvic organ mobility (POM) was reduced statistically significantly for the
      posterior (mean, -16.6 +/- 20.8 mm, p < 0.001) and apical compartments (mean, 
      13.1 +/- 14.8, p < 0.001). The PFDI-20, PFIQ-7 and PISQ-12 questionnaires showed
      statistically significant improvement of symptoms and sexual function. No
      significant differences were observed between the robot-assisted and laparoscopic
      techniques in terms of anatomical or functional parameters. CONCLUSION: Ventral
      mesh recto-colpo-sacropexy effectively corrects the anatomy of the posterior
      compartment, elevates the vaginal apex and reduces pelvic organ mobility of the
      posterior and middle compartments. The robot-assisted and laparoscopic techniques
      had similar anatomical and functional outcomes.

PMID- 27250829
TI  - Laparoscopic wrap round mesh sacrohysteropexy for the management of apical
      prolapse.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Interest in uterine-conserving surgery for apical
      prolapse is growing. Laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy is one of the conservative
      surgical options, although different surgical approaches have been described. We
      report medium-term outcome data using a bifurcated mesh implant, employing 'wrap
      round' uterine attachment. METHODS: All procedures undertaken at our unit were
      reviewed. Study inclusion was contingent on the collection of baseline and 3
      month anatomical and symptomatic outcome data. Medium-term follow-up data were
      collected by telephone review. Anatomical outcome was reported using the Pelvic
      Organ Prolapse Quantification scale. Symptom prevalence and treatment response
      were assessed using validated instruments including the Patient Global Impression
      of Improvement scale (PGI-I), and the International Consultation on Incontinence
      Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI) and Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS)
      questionnaires. Patient satisfaction was reported using Kaplan-Meier survival
      analysis. RESULTS: Data were available for 110 patients. Of 80 patients providing
      PGI-I data at 3 months, 75 (94 %) described their prolapse symptoms as 'much
      better' or 'very much better'. Anatomical success in the apical compartment was
      98 %. ICIQ-UI and ICIQ-VS responses demonstrated significant improvement. Despite
      a concurrent vaginal repair in only 11 % of patients, satisfaction at a mean
      follow-up of 2.6 years was 96 %. Repeat surgery for vaginal wall prolapse was
      required in only 5 % of patients. No safety concerns or graft complications were
      recorded. CONCLUSIONS: This surgical variant of laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy is
      safe and highly effective. These data also cast doubt on the need for correction
      of modest vaginal wall prolapse at the time of surgery, and imply that apical
      prolapse may play a dominant role in the generation of symptoms.

PMID- 27250830
TI  - Fulfilment of patient goals after tension-free vaginal tape operation for stress
      urinary incontinence.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to investigate patient
      reported goals after a tension-free vaginal tape operation for stress urinary
      incontinence and the correlation with postoperative incontinence. METHODS: A
      prospective study involving 70 women was carried out. Preoperatively, patients
      completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary
      Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and stated three goals for the operation. A
      telephone interview was performed 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: A Visual
      Analogue Scale (VAS) score from zero to ten estimated the extent to which goals
      were achieved. Goals were divided into five groups: 1, symptoms; 2, quality of
      life (physical); 3, quality of life (emotional); 4, sexual function; 5,
      avoidance. ICIQ-UI SF preoperative mean was 14.9 and postoperative mean was 1.5
      (p < 0.05). A total of 210 goals were stated. The majority of the goals (38 %)
      were in group 2 concerning quality of life in the physical domains. Mean VAS
      score for all goals was 9.1 (SD 2). Thirty-seven patients (53 %) fulfilled all
      their goals. Twenty-one patients (30 %) did not have a VAS score of 10, although
      continent with an ICIQ-UI SF score of zero. Reasons for not achieving a full VAS
      score were that some still used pads out of fear (n = 10), that their mental
      focus was still on incontinence (n = 7) or that they had not yet tried some of
      the physical aims (n = 7). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients achieved their goals. The
      majority of the goals concerned quality of life in the physical domains.

PMID- 27250831
TI  - Effectiveness of adding voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction to a Pilates
      exercise program: an assessor-masked randomized controlled trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
      effectiveness of adding voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC) to a
      Pilates exercise program in sedentary nulliparous women. METHODS: Fifty-seven
      healthy nulliparous and physically inactive women were randomized to a Pilates
      exercise program (PEP) with or without PFMC. Forty-eight women concluded this
      study (24 participants for each group). Each woman was evaluated before and after
      the PEP, by a physiotherapist and an urogynecologist (UG). Neither of the
      professionals was revealed to them. This physiotherapist measured their pelvic
      floor muscle strength by using both a perineometer (Peritron) and vaginal
      palpation (Oxford Scale). The UG, who performed 3D perineal ultrasound
      examinations, collected their data and evaluated the results for pubovisceral
      muscle thickness and the levator hiatus area (LA). Both professionals were
      blinded to the group allocation. The protocol for both groups consisted of 24 bi
      weekly 1-h individual sessions of Pilates exercises, developed by another
      physiotherapist who specializes in PFM rehabilitation and the Pilates technique.
      RESULTS: The PEP+ PFMC group showed significantly greater strength improvements
      than the PEP group when comparing the Oxford scale, vaginal pressure and
      pubovisceral muscle thickness during contraction measurements at baseline and
      post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that adding a voluntary PFMC to
      a Pilates exercise program is more effective than Pilates alone in improving PFM
      strength in sedentary nulliparous women.

PMID- 27250832
TI  - The evolution of transperineal ultrasound findings of the external anal sphincter
      during the first years after childbirth.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI) are a major
      form of maternal birth trauma. Ultrasound imaging is commonly used to evaluate
      the condition. We undertook a study to compare the sonographic appearance of the
      external anal sphincter (EAS) 3 to 6 months and 2 to 3 years after a first birth.
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data of primiparous women obtained in a
      prospective perinatal imaging study. Women were invited for postnatal assessment
      3 - 6 months and 2 - 3 years after a first delivery. All had completed a
      standardized questionnaire, and had undergone clinical examination and
      translabial 4D ultrasound imaging. A "significant" EAS defect was diagnosed if
      four out of six slices on tomographic ultrasound imaging showed a defect of >=30
      degrees  circumference. RESULTS: Datasets of 76 women with complete data and no
      intervening birth were assessed. Their mean age was 30.0 years (range 19.5 - 45.3
      years) at the time of antenatal assessment. They were delivered at a mean
      gestation of 40 weeks (range 37 - 42 weeks), by caesarean section in 19, normal
      vaginal delivery in 42, vacuum delivery in 14 and forceps delivery in 1. A
      significant EAS defect on transperineal ultrasound imaging was found in 13 of 57
      women (23 %) at an average of 4.7 months and in 12 of 57 (21 %) at a mean 26.4
      months after a first vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of primiparous
      women after a term singleton delivery, we found only minor improvement in
      sonographic appearance of the EAS between 4.7 months and 26.4 months on
      transperineal ultrasound imaging, arguing against any significant degree of
      structural recovery during this time period.

PMID- 27250833
TI  - Quality of life outcomes in peri-urethral calcium hydroxylapatite injection.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Peri-urethral calcium hydroxylapatite injection is
      an established treatment for patients with stress urinary incontinence.
      Information is limited regarding calcium hydroxylapatite treatment and quality of
      life (QOL) outcomes. We hypothesize that patients might improve QOL after peri
      urethral calcium hydroxylapatite injection, which was reflected in validated
      questionnaires. METHODS: The peri-urethral calcium hydroxylapatite injection
      billing code was used to identify patients who underwent injection from 2011
      2013. Female patients who completed the American Urological Association Symptom
      Score (AUASS), the AUASS QOL and Michigan Incontinence Symptom Index (M-ISI), and
      the bother score (M-ISI bother), or pad count at baseline and follow-up were
      included. Change in questionnaire scores and pads were assessed using the paired
      t test. RESULTS: Sixty patients underwent 1 (30), 2 (63) or 3 (7 %) peri-urethral
      calcium hydroxylapatite injections performed by a single surgeon. Thirty-seven
      patients provided questionnaires and 38 provided pad counts, all with a mean age
      of 75 years. The overall AUASS, AUASS QOL, and overall M-ISI scores improved in
      67.6, 54.8, and 61.3 % respectively (4.5 +/- 7.9, 1.3 +/- 1.7 and 5.5 +/- 8.6
      respectively). The M-ISI bother score improved in 44.8 % with a mean improvement
      of 0.5 +/- 2.9, but did not reach significance. There was a 1.7 +/- 3.7 decrease
      in the mean number of pads used daily after the procedure (p = 0.006) and 19 %
      experienced transient urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS: Peri-urethral calcium
      hydroxylapatite injections can improve urinary QOL scores in patients with
      initial and recurrent stress urinary incontinence. This short-term retrospective
      analysis suggests that larger long-term studies focusing on QOL outcomes are
      needed to evaluate the effect of peri-urethral calcium hydroxylapatite has on
      incontinence-specific QOL.

PMID- 27250834
TI  - Assessing the use of the IUGA/ICS classification system for prosthesis/graft
      complications in publications from 2011 to 2015.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Complications of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary
      incontinence surgery have gained increasing attention from both lay media and
      medical societies. The International Urogynecological Association and
      International Continence Society proposed the category-time-site system to
      classify complications in 2011. Our objective is to assess the usage of the
      category-time-site system in the literature. METHODS: We conducted a systematic
      review and identified records using PubMed search terms "mesh" and "prolapse or
      incontinence" and "complication or excision" (February 2011 to December 2015) to
      select publications following the introduction of category-time-site system.
      Relevant publications were included and reviewed for study design, initial
      procedure, number of patients assigned codes, number of unique codes applied,
      purpose of assigning codes, and duration of clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Of 167
      eligible records, 23 (14 %) used the system, 137 (82 %) used no system, and 7 (4
      %) used another system. They included three study designs: randomized control
      trials, case reports, and case series. Given the very limited amount of data, no
      statistical tests were performed, but trends were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Fourteen
      percent of the reports in the literature describing complications related to
      prosthesis/graft use in pelvic surgery utilize the category-time-site system. The
      system's limited and inconsistent use hinders the ability to draw conclusions
      useful for clinical practice. Effort should be directed toward improving
      appropriate usage or revising the system to increase its exposure in related
      publications. An improved system will better prepare pelvic surgeons for
      assessing future generations of prostheses/grafts.

PMID- 27250835
TI  - Long-term monitoring of opioid, sedative and anti-inflammatory drugs in horse
      hair using a selective and sensitive LC-MS/MS procedure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Compared to blood or urine, drugs can be detected for much longer
      periods in the long hair of horses. The aim of this study was to establish and
      validate a highly sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC
      MS/MS) method for the detection and quantification of frequently prescribed
      opioids, sedatives and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in the mane and
      tail hair of horses. Based on an average growth rate of about 2 cm per month,
      times of administration reported by horse owners or veterinary physicians were
      related to drug localizations in hair. Hair samples were collected from ten
      horses that received drug treatments and analyzed in segments of 2, 4 or 6 cm in
      length. Hair segments were decontaminated, cut into fragments and methanol
      extracted under sonication. The extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS for 13
      commonly used drugs using the validated procedure. Deuterated analogs were
      included as internal standards. RESULTS: Analytes were detected in hair samples
      with a length of up to 70 cm. Fourteen out of 16 hair samples were positive for
      at least one of the tested drugs. Segmentation allowed for time-resolved
      monitoring of periods of 1 to 3 months of drug administration. Concentrations in
      dark hair reached a maximum of 4.0 pg/mg for butorphanol, 6.0 pg/mg for tramadol,
      1.4 pg/mg for morphine, 1.8 pg/mg for detomidine, 1.2 pg/mg for acepromazine, 39
      pg/mg for flunixin, 5.0 pg/mg for firocoxib, and 3'600 pg/mg for phenylbutazone.
      Only trace amounts of meloxicam were detected. Drug detection correlated well
      with the reported period of medical treatment. No analytes were detected in the
      light-colored mane and tail hair samples from one horse despite preceding
      administrations of acepromazine and phenylbutazone. CONCLUSION: This study
      describes a sensitive and selective technique suitable for the validated
      detection and quantification of frequently prescribed veterinary drugs in horse
      hair. The segmental method can be applied for time-resolved long-term
      retrospective drug monitoring, for example in prepurchase examinations of horses
      as drug detection in hair can prove preceding medical treatments.

PMID- 27250837
TI  - Screening for BPPV in falls: an easy but big clinical "win".

PMID- 27250836
TI  - Reduction of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha upregulation delays the onset of
      symptoms in SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal multifactorial
      neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective death of motor neurons in
      the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Cytosolic phospholipase A2 alpha
      (cPLA2alpha) upregulation and activation in the spinal cord of patients with
      sporadic ALS and in the spinal cord of human mutant SOD1G93A (hmSOD1) transgenic
      mice were recently reported. METHODS: cPLA2alpha upregulation in the brainstem
      and spinal cord was reduced by brain infusion of a specific antisense
      oligonucleotide against cPLA2alpha (AS), and the effect was evaluated on disease
      progression and brain cell activation. RESULTS: We found that the elevation of
      cPLA2alpha protein expression in the spinal cord was first detected at 6-week-old
      hmSOD1 mice and remained elevated during their whole life span. Reduction of the
      elevated expression of cPLA2alpha in the spinal cord of hmSOD1 mice by brain
      infusion of an AS at week 15 (shortly before the appearance of the disease
      symptoms), for a duration of 6 weeks, delayed the loss of motor neuron function
      in comparison with hmSOD1 mice and with sense brain-infused hmSOD1 mice. To
      characterize the effect of cPLA2alpha upregulation on different processes taking
      place at the appearance of the disease symptoms, mice were brain infused with AS
      or with sense at week 15 for 3-4 weeks. The AS treatment that reduced cPLA2alpha
      upregulation in the spinal cord of AS-treated hmSOD1 mice (as analyzed at week 18
      19) prevented the reduction in the number of the neurons (detected by NeuN) and
      inhibited astrocyte activation (detected by GFAP) and microglia activation
      (detected by Iba-1 and by CD40). In addition, AS treatment blunted the
      upregulation of the proinflammatory enzyme-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)
      and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) detected in hmSOD1 mice. CONCLUSIONS: Since specific
      reduction of cPLA2alpha in the brainstem and spinal cord significantly attenuated
      the development of the disease, cPLA2alpha may offer an efficient target for
      treatment of ALS.

PMID- 27250838
TI  - Gastrokine 1 inhibits gastric cancer cell migration and invasion by
      downregulating RhoA expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated whether GKN1, a gastric tumor suppressor, contributes
      to the progression of gastric cancer by regulating RhoA expression. METHODS: We
      analyzed the expression of GKN1, RhoA, miR-185, and miR-34a in 35 gastric cancer
      tissues, and compared their expression with T category and TNM stage. Cell
      migration and invasion, as well as the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT)-related proteins, were assessed in GKN1- and RhoA small
      interfering RNA (siRhoA)-transfected and recombinant-GKN1-treated AGS and MKN1
      gastric cancer cells. RESULTS: Expression of RhoA protein and messenger RNA
      (mRNA) was increased in 15 (42.9 %) and 17 (48.6 %) of 35 gastric cancer tissues
      respectively, and was associated with higher T category and TNM stage. GKN1
      expression was significantly decreased in 27 gastric cancers (77.1 %) with a
      higher T category, and was inversely correlated with RhoA mRNA expression. In AGS
      and MKN1 cells, GKN1 expression increased miR-185 and miR-34a expression and
      reduced RhoA mRNA and protein expression. A positive relationship between GKN1
      and miR-34a and miR-185 expression and an inverse relationship between miR-34a
      and RhoA expression were observed in gastric cancer tissues. Cell migration and
      invasiveness were markedly decreased in GKN1- and siRhoA-transfected cells. GKN1
      expression and silencing of RhoA decreased the expression of the proteins Snail,
      Slug, and vimentin. Furthermore, miR-185 and miR-34a silencing in MKN1 cells
      transfected with GKN1 stimulated cell migration and invasion, and increased the
      expression of EMT-related proteins. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that GKN1 may
      inhibit gastric cancer cell migration and invasion by downregulating RhoA
      expression in a miR-185- and miR-34a-dependent manner.

PMID- 27250840
TI  - Anticancer effects of synthetic hexahydrobenzo [g]chromen-4-one derivatives on
      human breast cancer cell lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer results from a series of molecular changes that alter the
      normal function of cells. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer
      death in women. To develop novel anticancer agents, new series of chromen
      derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against
      human breast cancer cell lines. METHOD: The growth inhibitory activities of
      synthesized hexahydrobenzo chromen-4-one were screened against six human cancer
      cell lines using an in vitro cell culture system (MTT assay). Fluorochrome
      staining (acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining) and DNA fragmentation
      by the diphenylamine method were used to investigate the effects of most potent
      compounds on the process of apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines. To determine
      the mechanism of apoptosis, ROS and NOX production in treated breast cancer cells
      with compounds was evaluated. RESULTS: The cytotoxicity data of tested compounds
      demonstrate these compounds had varying degree of toxicity. Compound 7h was the
      most potent compound with IC50 = 1.8 +/- 0.6 ug/mL against T-47D cell line.
      Analyses of the compounds treated (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and T-47D) cells by
      acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining and DNA fragmentation by the
      diphenylamine method showed that the synthetic compounds induce apoptosis in the
      cells. A significant increase in ROS production was observed in T-47D cells
      treated with IC50 value of compound 7g. Incubation with IC50 value of synthetic
      compounds increased the NOX production in cell lines, especially T-47D cells.
      CONCLUSION: Our results show that most compounds have a significant anti
      proliferative activity against six human cancer cell lines. The observations
      confirm that chromen derivatives have induced the cell death through apoptosis.

PMID- 27250839
TI  - Acute and Chronic Cutaneous Reactions to Ionizing Radiation Therapy.
AB  - Ionizing radiation is an important treatment modality for a variety of malignant
      conditions. However, development of radiation-induced skin changes is a
      significant adverse effect of radiation therapy (RT). Cutaneous repercussions of
      RT vary considerably in severity, course, and prognosis. When they do occur,
      cutaneous changes to RT are commonly graded as acute, consequential-late, or
      chronic. Acute reactions can have severe sequelae that impact quality of life as
      well as cancer treatment. Thus, dermatologists should be informed about these
      adverse reactions, know how to assess their severity and be able to determine
      course of management. The majority of measures currently available to prevent
      these acute reactions are proper skin hygiene and topical steroids, which limit
      the severity and decrease symptoms. Once acute cutaneous reactions develop, they
      are treated according to their severity. Treatments are similar to those used in
      prevention, but incorporate wound care management that maintains a moist
      environment to hasten recovery. Chronic changes are a unique subset of adverse
      reactions to RT that may develop months to years following treatment. Chronic
      radiation dermatitis is often permanent, progressive, and potentially
      irreversible with substantial impact on quality of life. Here, we also review the
      etiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, prevention, and management of
      late-stage cutaneous reactions to radiotherapy, including chronic radiation
      dermatitis and radiation-induced fibrosis. 

PMID- 27250841
TI  - Predisposing factors for adverse skin reactions with percutaneous bone anchored
      hearing devices implanted with skin reduction techniques.
AB  - We present an analysis of adverse events after implantation of bone anchored
      hearing device in our patient population with focus on individual risk factors
      for peri-implant skin reactions. The investigation involved a chart review of
      adult Baha patients (n = 179) with 203 Bahas implanted with skin reduction
      techniques between 1993 and 2009, a questionnaire (n = 97) and a free clinical
      examination (n = 47). Skin reactions were graded by severity from 0 (no skin
      reaction) to 4 (implant loss resulting from infection) according to Holgers. We
      analyzed the skin reaction rate (SRR) defined as the number of skin reactions per
      year and the worst Holgers grade (WHG), which indicates the grade of the worst
      skin reaction per implant. We defined 20 parameters including the demographic
      characteristics, surgery details, subjective benefits, handling and individual
      factors. The most frequent adverse events (85 %) were skin reactions. The average
      SRR was 0.426 per Baha year. Six parameters showed an association with the SRR or
      the WHG. The clinically most relevant factors are an elevated Body Mass Index
      (BMI, p = 0.02) and darker skin type (p = 0.03). The SRR increased with the
      distance between the tragus and the implant (p = 0.02). Regarding the identified
      risk factors, the SRR might be reduced by selecting a location for the implant
      near the pinna and by specific counseling regarding post-operative care for
      patients with darker skin type or an elevated Body Mass Index (BMI). Few of the
      factors analyzed were found to influence the SRR and WHG. Since most adverse skin
      reactions could be treated easily with local therapy, our results suggest that in
      adult patients, individual risk factors for skin reactions are not a
      contraindication for Baha implantation. Thus, patients can be selected purely on
      audiological criteria.

PMID- 27250842
TI  - Decreasing the Stigma of Mental Illness Through a Student-Nurse Mentoring
      Program: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - Stigma is defined as endorsing prejudicial attitudes about mental illness leading
      to discriminatory behaviors. It undermines the quality of medical care received
      by people with mental illness. Research suggests contact based interventions are
      effective in reducing stigma and increasing positive attitudes towards people
      with mental illness. This paper describes the development of a consumer led
      student-nurse mentoring program as part of nursing student education. People with
      lived mental health experience would mentor student nurses regarding the harmful
      effects of stigma and the beneficial outcomes of affirming attitudes. Seventy
      members of stakeholder groups (people with lived mental health experience and
      student nurses) participated in focus groups. Qualitative analyses revealed
      themes across stakeholder groups regarding: perceived mental health stigma from
      nurses, ways to reduce stigma, target message for the mentorship program,
      characteristics of mentors and logistics in developing such a program within the
      student nurse curricula.

PMID- 27250843
TI  - Effective Prevention Strategies for Increasing Health Services Utilization Among
      Hispanic Youth.
AB  - The study purpose is to address the underutilization of mental health services
      among Hispanic youth. This article provides professionals with strategies to
      increase health services utilization by utilizing a framework of the levels of
      prevention model, with an emphasis on primary prevention. The following questions
      were explored: (1) What are primary prevention strategies that can assist school
      professionals? (2) What are secondary prevention strategies and tertiary
      prevention strategies school professionals can employ to increase the utilization
      of health services? Implementing primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention
      strategies may improve Hispanic youth's overall mental health, academic
      achievement, and quality of life.

PMID- 27250844
TI  - Behavioral Health Problems Presented to Integrated Pediatric Behavioral Health
      Clinics: Differences in Urban and Rural Patients.
AB  - Behavioral health diagnoses and service use may differ based on rurality. The
      purpose of this study was to examine the patterns of mental disorder diagnoses of
      urban, rural, and remote pediatric populations. This retrospective study used
      electronic medical records from integrated behavioral health clinics in Nebraska
      from 2012 to 2013. Bivariate and multivariable models were used to examine the
      differences in diagnoses. Adolescents with attention deficit and related
      disorders were more likely to be male, younger, have public insurance and
      rural/remote residents. Adjustment disorders were associated with being female,
      older, and urban residents. Adolescents with anxiety disorder had a significant
      interaction between age and gender, with both genders being older, having private
      insurance, and urban residents. Adolescents with mood disorder were more likely
      to be female, older, and urban residents. Demographic and clinical differences
      among patients in urban and rural/remote settings have implications for care in
      rural settings.

PMID- 27250845
TI  - Evidence for safety of retreatment with a single intra-articular injection of Gel
      200 for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee from the double-blind pivotal and
      open-label retreatment clinical trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gel-200 is a cross-linked hyaluronate single-injection device for
      treatment of osteoarthritis pain in the knee. This report summarizes new analyses
      of the safety of retreatment with Gel-200 from the 13-week, pivotal, multicenter,
      randomized controlled trial (RCT) followed by an open-label extension trial
      (OLE). METHODS: 379 patients were enrolled in the RCT [Gel-200; phosphate
      buffered saline (PBS)]. Safety of retreatment with Gel-200 was assessed by
      comparing adverse events (AEs) and device-related AEs reported through Week 4
      following retreatment with Gel-200 to those reported in patients receiving their
      first injection in the OLE. RESULTS: 350 patients completed the initial RCT (231
      Gel-200; 119 PBS); 258 patients enrolled in the OLE (162 Gel-200; 96 PBS). In
      total, 202 patients (125 Gel-200; 77 PBS) qualified for retreatment, while 56 (37
      Gel-200; 19 PBS) did not. There were no significant demographic or disease
      characteristic differences between Gel-200 patients who were and were not
      retreated; those who were not eligible for retreatment experienced greater pain
      relief from Gel-200 in the RCT by all effectiveness endpoints (all p < 0.001),
      without differences in their safety profile. In the OLE, the safety of Gel-200,
      including percentages of patients who experienced any AEs (p = 0.547) and device
      related AEs (p = 0.521), did not significantly differ between those receiving a
      second versus a first injection of Gel-200 following PBS in the RCT. CONCLUSION:
      In the OLE, the safety of a second injection of Gel-200 was comparable to that of
      a first injection and effectiveness was similar, as previously reported. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identification numbers NTC 00449696 and NTC
      00450112.

PMID- 27250846
TI  - Is a Central Venous Catheter Necessary for the Perioperative Management of
      Esophagectomy? A Prospective Randomized Pilot Study Comparing Two Different
      Perioperative Regimens.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our prospective randomized study examined the possibility of
      perioperative management of esophagectomy without a central venous catheter
      (CVC). METHODS: Forty patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
      were divided into the total parenteral nutrition (TPN; receiving conventional
      perioperative management via a CVC) and peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN;
      receiving perioperative management without a CVC) groups. Albumin and retinol
      binding protein (RBP) levels were used as measurements of the nutritional status.
      Early postoperative complications and catheter-related complications were also
      evaluated. RESULTS: The actual calories administered per kg of body weight and
      the albumin and RBP levels did not significantly differ between the groups.
      Additionally, there was no significant difference in the morbidity of early
      postoperative complications between the groups. Catheter-related complications
      were observed in 4 patients in the TPN group (2 catheter infections, 1 case of
      thrombosis, and 1 case of iatrogenic pneumothorax), and 4 cases of peripheral
      phlebitis occurred in the PPN group. The incidence of catheter-related
      complications did not significantly differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Perioperative management without a CVC can be safely performed in esophagectomy
      patients, and the decision to insert a CVC should be made based on the patient's
      perioperative condition.

PMID- 27250847
TI  - Retrieval of a migrated coil with a handmade microwire-snare device.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intraprocedural coil migration during endovascular treatment of
      intracranial aneurysms is associated with potential vessel occlusion and
      thromboembolic complications. There is no standard management strategy for coil
      migration. Here, we describe our experience with using a handmade microwire-snare
      device (HMD) to retrieve a migrated coil. METHODS: The HMD consists of a 0.017
      inch microcatheter, a 0.014-inch microwire, and a 4-0 silk thread. The ring of
      the microwire-snare device can open, close, and twist in a figure eight pattern
      for coil entwinement. In addition, the ring can be shaped as needed to navigate
      tortuous vessels or capture the migrated coil. RESULTS: The HMD was successfully
      used to retrieve two migrated coils. In the first case, the coil was displaced in
      the M2 branch of the middle cerebral artery. In the second case, the coil loop
      prolapsed into the parent artery. In both cases, control cerebral angiograms
      performed after retrieval confirmed the patency of the vessels and a lack of
      thromboembolic complications. At the 3-month follow-up, magnetic resonance
      angiography demonstrated stable patency of the affected vessels. CONCLUSIONS: The
      HMD is a cost-effective, easy-to-use, safe, and universally available device for
      retrieving migrated coil(s) during intracranial aneurysm embolization procedures.

PMID- 27250848
TI  - Internal and external spheno-orbital meningioma varieties: different outcomes and
      prognoses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Internal variation among spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOM) is
      surgically challenging. Optic canal invasion management is discussed. METHOD:
      This retrospective study includes 70 patients with SOM who underwent surgery
      between 1995 and 2012. Preoperative ophthalmological, neurological and aesthetic
      clinical signs were collected. All patients benefitted from repeated tomography
      and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The surgical team consisted of a
      neurosurgeon and a plastic surgeon. In the majority of cases, resection was
      followed by bone reconstruction using an autologous iliac crest graft. The extent
      of resection was evaluated on the dural and osseous sides. Early clinical
      outcomes, long-term follow-up, recurrence and adjuvant therapies were reported.
      RESULTS: The mean age was 52 years old, and 91 % of the patients were women.
      Initial symptoms primarily included proptosis (65 %), decreased visual acuity (39
      %) and soft tissue tumefaction (16 %). We classified 40 cases as the internal
      variety when considering the inner third of the greater wing of the sphenoid,
      optic canal, anterior clinoid process or cavernous sinus. The remaining cases
      were described as the external variety. The complete resection rates for the
      internal and external varieties were 12 % and 61 %, respectively (P < 0.001). In
      total, 90 % of cases were grade I meningiomas. For grade I, we reported 30 %
      recurrence, and 50 % of these cases recurred in the first 2 years. Grade II cases
      without early adjuvant radiotherapy increased at 2 years. We did not observe any
      difference in recurrence rate among grade I tumours with or without tumour
      remnants. At the end of follow-up, visual acuity was stabilised or increased in
      88 % of patients. In addition, 14 % of patients experienced persistent pain at
      the location of the iliac harvesting site. CONCLUSIONS: The internal SOM variety
      exhibited a reduced total resection rate and a shorter progression-free survival
      (PFS). Unroofing of the optic canal extended PFS. Among grade I cases, the
      persistence of a negligible tumour remnant did not alter the probability of
      recurrence. For superior grades, radiotherapy must be administered in addition to
      surgery as soon as possible. SOMs require prolonged follow-up. Autologous iliac
      reconstruction is related to substantial morbidity and could be replaced by
      prosthetic bone three-dimensional reconstruction.

PMID- 27250849
TI  - Stent-assisted coil embolization of challenging intracranial aneurysms: initial
      and mid-term results with low-profile ACCLINO devices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stent-assisted coiling using low-profile, self-expandable and
      retrievable stents is a valid option in endovascular treatment of challenging
      intracranial aneurysms. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy
      of ACCLINO 1.9 F and ACCLINO Flex stent systems, designed for use as adjunctive
      products in coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Case files of
      47 patients, and 52 aneurysms in total, treated with at least one ACCLINO 1.9 F
      or ACCLINO Flex stent were retrospectively evaluated. Technical success,
      complications, and angiographic outcomes were assessed based on immediate post
      procedural controls along with 6th and 12th month angiograms. RESULTS: Mechanical
      untoward event rate, including asymptomatic complications, is 9.6 % (five out of
      52 aneurysms). Failed dual-stenting attempt rate is 15.4 % (two out of 13).
      Overall procedure-related morbidity is 4.2 % with no neurologic sequelae. Initial
      occlusion rate is 90.4 % (47 aneurysms). One patient had residual filling in the
      aneurysm neck, which was stable throughout follow-up. The remaining four cases
      had spontaneous follow-up occlusion. Recanalization rate at 6th month is 2.1 %
      with one aneurysm requiring retreatment. One patient was lost to follow-up. There
      is no mortality associated with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Stent-assisted coil
      embolization with ACCLINO stents in single or dual configurations is a feasible
      treatment option for challenging intracranial aneurysms. Follow-up results are
      encouraging; techniques were effective in complex cases and there were no
      clinically significant adverse outcomes.

PMID- 27250850
TI  - Synaptogenesis: Modulation by Availability of Membrane Phospholipid Precursors.
AB  - Phospholipids are the main constituents of brain membranes. Formation of new
      membranes requires that uridine, the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as
      docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and choline, the three circulating precursors of
      major phospholipids, interact via the Kennedy pathway. Supplementation of
      laboratory rodents with uridine, DHA and choline enhances the amount of brain
      membranes as well as synaptic proteins and increases the number of dendritic
      spines, the essential cytological precursor of new synapses. Hence, the newly
      formed membranes are utilized for synaptogenesis which underlies increased
      synaptic functioning evidenced by enhanced neurotransmission and cognition. In
      addition, this supplementation ameliorates the degeneration in a rat model of
      Parkinson's disease and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) when used in
      combination with several vitamins and cofactors. Hence, accumulating evidence
      shows that increasing the availability of phospholipid precursors, vitamins and
      cofactors to the brain through dietary supplementation enhances the formation of
      new synapses and provides protection under neurodegenerative conditions. The
      combination has been tested in clinical trials and a medication has been marketed
      for early-stage AD patients. 

PMID- 27250851
TI  - Exercise prior to assisted fertilization in overweight and obese women
      (FertilEX): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Overweight and obese women show reduced conception rates compared to
      women of normal weight. Insulin resistance and increased amount of visceral fat
      may be important mechanisms for reduced fertility in these women. Exercise
      training, in particular with high intensity, has previously been found to improve
      insulin sensitivity in overweight subjects. This study will assess if regular
      high-intensity interval training will improve the pregnancy rate after assisted
      fertilization compared to usual care only in overweight and obese women. We
      hypothesize that the intervention will improve pregnancy rate and insulin
      sensitivity compared to the control group. METHODS/DESIGN: The FertilEX study is
      a randomized, controlled trial in which 140 women with body mass index (BMI) >25
      kg/m(2) accepted for assisted fertilization will be randomized (1:1) to an
      intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will do high
      intensity interval training three times per week for 10 weeks before assisted
      fertilization. The control group will receive standard care assisted
      fertilization only. The primary outcome measure is ongoing pregnancy 7-8 weeks
      after embryo transfer. Secondary outcome measures are insulin sensitivity, peak
      oxygen uptake, brachial flow-mediated endothelial function, levels of
      reproductive hormones, and body composition. DISCUSSION: The results of this
      trial will provide knowledge about the effects of high-intensity exercise before
      assisted fertilization in subfertile overweight/obese women. If the intervention
      leads to beneficial effects on outcome measures, such programs should be
      considered as part of regular fertility care procedures for this population of
      women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01933633 . Registered on 28
      August 2013.

PMID- 27250853
TI  - On-demand calibration and evaluation for electromagnetically tracked laparoscope
      in augmented reality visualization.
AB  - PURPOSE: Common camera calibration methods employed in current laparoscopic
      augmented reality systems require the acquisition of multiple images of an entire
      checkerboard pattern from various poses. This lengthy procedure prevents
      performing laparoscope calibration in the operating room (OR). The purpose of
      this work was to develop a fast calibration method for electromagnetically (EM)
      tracked laparoscopes, such that the calibration can be performed in the OR on
      demand. METHODS: We designed a mechanical tracking mount to uniquely and snugly
      position an EM sensor to an appropriate location on a conventional laparoscope. A
      tool named fCalib was developed to calibrate intrinsic camera parameters,
      distortion coefficients, and extrinsic parameters (transformation between the
      scope lens coordinate system and the EM sensor coordinate system) using a single
      image that shows an arbitrary portion of a special target pattern. For quick
      evaluation of calibration results in the OR, we integrated a tube phantom with
      fCalib prototype and overlaid a virtual representation of the tube on the live
      video scene. RESULTS: We compared spatial target registration error between the
      common OpenCV method and the fCalib method in a laboratory setting. In addition,
      we compared the calibration re-projection error between the EM tracking-based
      fCalib and the optical tracking-based fCalib in a clinical setting. Our results
      suggest that the proposed method is comparable to the OpenCV method. However,
      changing the environment, e.g., inserting or removing surgical tools, might
      affect re-projection accuracy for the EM tracking-based approach. Computational
      time of the fCalib method averaged 14.0 s (range 3.5 s-22.7 s). CONCLUSIONS: We
      developed and validated a prototype for fast calibration and evaluation of EM
      tracked conventional (forward viewing) laparoscopes. The calibration method
      achieved acceptable accuracy and was relatively fast and easy to be performed in
      the OR on demand.

PMID- 27250852
TI  - Feasibility and usefulness of ultrasonography in idiopathic intracranial
      hypertension or secondary intracranial hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transorbital sonography (TOS) has been proven to be able to non
      invasively detect elevated intracranial pressure. In this condition TOS shows an
      increase in optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). It has been suggested that
      internal jugular vein valve insufficiency (IJVVI) may represent a factor
      contributing to the pathogenesis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).
      The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with IIH or secondary
      IH have higher ONSD values and higher frequency of IJVVI compared to subjects
      without IH. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with newly diagnosed IIH or secondary IH
      were prospectively evaluated and compared with 21 age, gender and BMI-matched
      controls. Experienced vascular sonographers used B-mode TOS to evaluate ONSD,
      optic nerve diameter (OND) and IJVVI. CSF opening pressures were also measured.
      RESULTS: ONSD values were significantly higher in patients (6.50 +/- 0.67) than
      controls (5.73 +/- 0.66; p < 0.0001). No differences were found in OND values
      between patients (2.99 +/- 0.26) and controls (2.93 +/- 0.41; p = 0.574). No
      correlation was demonstrated between ONSD and CSF opening pressure (r = 0,086) (p
      = 0.73). No difference in frequency of IJVVI between patients (11/42 valves, 26
      %) and controls (9/42, 21 %) was observed (p = 0.777). CONCLUSIONS: Increased
      ONSD values detected by TOS support the diagnosis of IH. Our results do not
      support the hypothesis of a venous congestion as a potential factor contributing
      to the pathogenesis of IIH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable. Observational,
      non-interventional study.

PMID- 27250854
TI  - miLBP: a robust and fast modality-independent 3D LBP for multimodal deformable
      registration.
AB  - PURPOSE: Computer-assisted intervention often depends on multimodal deformable
      registration to provide complementary information. However, multimodal deformable
      registration remains a challenging task. METHODS: This paper introduces a novel
      robust and fast modality-independent 3D binary descriptor, called miLBP, which
      integrates the principle of local self-similarity with a form of local binary
      pattern and can robustly extract the similar geometry features from 3D volumes
      across different modalities. miLBP is a bit string that can be computed by simply
      thresholding the voxel distance. Furthermore, the descriptor similarity can be
      evaluated efficiently using the Hamming distance. RESULTS: miLBP was compared to
      vector-valued self-similarity context (SSC) in artificial image and clinical
      settings. The results show that miLBP is more robust than SSC in extracting local
      geometry features across modalities and achieved higher registration accuracy in
      different registration scenarios. Furthermore, in the most challenging
      registration between preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and intra-operative
      ultrasound images, our approach significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art
      methods in terms of both accuracy ([Formula: see text]) and speed (29.2 s for one
      case). CONCLUSIONS: Registration performance and speed indicate that miLBP has
      the potential of being applied to the time-sensitive intra-operative computer
      assisted intervention.

PMID- 27250855
TI  - Soft tissue motion tracking with application to tablet-based incision planning in
      laser surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent research has revealed that incision planning in laser surgery
      deploying stylus and tablet outperforms micromanipulator control. However, vision
      based adaption to dynamic surgical scenes has not been addressed so far. In this
      study, scene motion compensation for tablet-based planning by means of tissue
      deformation tracking is discussed. METHODS: A stereo-based method for motion
      tracking with piecewise affine deformation modeling is presented. Proposed
      parametrization relies on the epipolar constraint to enforce left-right
      consistency in the energy minimization problem. Furthermore, the method
      implements illumination-invariant tracking and appearance-based occlusion
      detection. Performance is assessed on laparoscopic and laryngeal in vivo data. In
      particular, tracking accuracy is measured under various conditions such as
      occlusions and simulated laser cuttings. Experimental validation is extended to a
      user study conducted on a tablet-based interface that integrates the tracking for
      image stabilization. RESULTS: Tracking accuracy measurement reveals a root-mean
      square error of 2.45 mm for the laparoscopic and 0.41 mm for the laryngeal
      dataset. Results successfully demonstrate stereoscopic tracking under changes in
      illumination, translation, rotation and scale. In particular, proposed occlusion
      detection scheme can increase robustness against tracking failure. Moreover,
      assessed user performance indicates significantly increased path tracing accuracy
      and usability if proposed tracking is deployed to stabilize the view during free
      hand path definition. CONCLUSION: The presented algorithm successfully extends
      piecewise affine deformation tracking to stereo vision taking the epipolar
      constraint into account. Improved surgical performance as demonstrated for laser
      incision planning highlights the potential of presented method regarding further
      applications in computer-assisted surgery.

PMID- 27250856
TI  - Genomic resources and draft assemblies of the human and porcine varieties of
      scabies mites, Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis and var. suis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The scabies mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, is a parasitic arachnid and
      cause of the infectious skin disease scabies in humans and mange in other animal
      species. Scabies infections are a major health problem, particularly in remote
      Indigenous communities in Australia, where secondary group A streptococcal and
      Staphylococcus aureus infections of scabies sores are thought to drive the high
      rate of rheumatic heart disease and chronic kidney disease. RESULTS: We sequenced
      the genome of two samples of Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis obtained from
      unrelated patients with crusted scabies located in different parts of northern
      Australia using the Illumina HiSeq. We also sequenced samples of Sarcoptes
      scabiei var. suis from a pig model. Because of the small size of the scabies
      mite, these data are derived from pools of thousands of mites and are
      metagenomic, including host and microbiome DNA. We performed cleaning and de novo
      assembly and present Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis and var. suis draft reference
      genomes. We have constructed a preliminary annotation of this reference
      comprising 13,226 putative coding sequences based on sequence similarity to known
      proteins. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed extensive genomic resources for the
      scabies mite, including reference genomes and a preliminary annotation.

PMID- 27250857
TI  - The reciprocal interaction of sympathetic nervous system and cAMP-PKA-NF-kB
      pathway in immune suppression after experimental stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sympathetic nervous system(SNS) is involved in the mechanism of
      immune suppression after stroke. Furthermore, as the pro-inflammatory effect of
      nuclear factor kappa B(NF-kB) is inhibited after stroke, which is regulated by
      cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) and proteinkinase A(PKA). The cAMP-PKA-NF-kB
      pathway might play an important role in noradrenergic-mediated immune
      dysfunction. AIM: The purpose of our research is to analyze how SNS interfere
      with the immune system after acute stroke and the underlying mechanism of cAMP
      PKA-NF-kB pathway in regulating the inflammation. METHODS: 32 healthy male
      Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups equally and randomly (1) Sham
      operation group; (2) middle cerebral artery occlusion; (MCAO) control group; (3)
      propranolol MCAO group; (4) isopropylarterenol sham group. 72h later after MCAO
      or sham operation, tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha)and interleukine-10(IL
      10) in serum as well as cAMP, PKA and NF-kB in spleen cells were tested. RESULTS:
      TNF-alpha decreased while IL-10 increased in serum after acute ischemia stroke
      (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the levels of cAMP and PKA in spleen both increased in MCAO
      model while the expression of NF-kB was inhibited (p<0.05). When propranolol was
      used to inhibit SNS, all of the results reversed (p<0.05). But the reversed
      results were still significantly different from the sham operation group
      (p<0.05). Isopropylarterenol administrated rats appeared the same trend as MCAO
      group when compared to the sham operation group (p<0.05). However, the
      differences still existed (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: On account of the SNS activation
      after stroke, epinephrine activates the expression of cAMP, which further
      increases the level of PKA. Therefore, the level of nuclear factor NF-kB is down
      regulated. Since the pro-inflammatory effect of NF-kB slacked, the immune system
      may be inhibited after stroke.

PMID- 27250858
TI  - Changes of gamma-band oscillatory activity to tonic muscle pain.
AB  - It is well know that phasic pain could induce suppression of alpha oscillations
      and enhancement of gamma oscillations. However, the cortical responses to tonic
      pain, especially tonic pain originating from deep tissue, which was proposed to
      better resemble the clinical pain, are not well understood. Here we aimed to
      investigate electroencephalographic (EEG) responses to tonic muscle pain. EEG
      signals and pain perceptions of three order-counterbalanced conditions: innocuous
      condition (A, infusion of isotonic saline), noxious conditions with low (B) and
      medium (C) intensities (infusion of hypertonic saline) were recorded from 43
      subjects. We observed the enhancement of gamma oscillations in frontal-central
      region in condition C, as compared to either condition A or B. Positive
      relationship between the amplitude of gamma oscillations and pain intensity was
      also observed in frontal-central region. Therefore, we provide novel evidence for
      the encoding of frontal-central gamma oscillations in tonic pain processing.

PMID- 27250859
TI  - Lower limb joint angles and ground reaction forces in forefoot strike and
      rearfoot strike runners during overground downhill and uphill running.
AB  - This study investigated the normal and parallel ground reaction forces during
      downhill and uphill running in habitual forefoot strike and habitual rearfoot
      strike (RFS) runners. Fifteen habitual forefoot strike and 15 habitual RFS
      recreational male runners ran at 3 m/s +/- 5% during level, uphill and downhill
      overground running on a ramp mounted at 6 degrees  and 9 degrees . Results showed
      that forefoot strike runners had no visible impact peak in all running
      conditions, while the impact peaks only decreased during the uphill conditions in
      RFS runners. Active peaks decreased during the downhill conditions in forefoot
      strike runners while active loading rates increased during downhill conditions in
      RFS runners. Compared to the level condition, parallel braking peaks were larger
      during downhill conditions and parallel propulsive peaks were larger during
      uphill conditions. Combined with previous biomechanics studies, our findings
      suggest that forefoot strike running may be an effective strategy to reduce
      impacts, especially during downhill running. These findings may have further
      implications towards injury management and prevention. 

PMID- 27250860
TI  - Assessing Heart Rate at Birth: Auscultation Is Still the Gold Standard.

PMID- 27250861
TI  - Comments on 'Multiplicity adjustments in testing for bioequivalence'.

PMID- 27250862
TI  - Plasmon-Driven Dynamic Response of a Hierarchically Structural Silver-Decorated
      Nanorod Array for Sub-10 nm Nanogaps.
AB  - Plasmonic nanogaps serve as a useful configuration for light concentration and
      local field amplification owing to the extreme localization of surface plasmons.
      Here, a smart plasmonic nanogap device is fabricated by the dynamic response of
      an Ag decorated hierarchically structural vertical polymer nanorod array under
      the light irradiation. Seven nanorods in one unit bend because of plasmonic
      heating effect and they are centrally collected due to the attraction of the
      plasmon-induced polaritons, leading to the significantly enhanced local
      electromagnetic field at the sub-10 nm gaps among the constricted nanorod tops.
      Compared with tuning capillarity in microscale by wetting and drying, using light
      as external stimuli is much easier and more tunable in nanoscale. This plasmonic
      nanogap device is used for a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate.
      Its hydrophobic surface with a contact angle of 142 degree can make the probed
      aqueous solution only access to the Ag tips of nanorods. Thus, the analytes can
      be driven to the "hot spot" regions where located at the tops of nanorods during
      the solvent evaporation process, which is beneficial to SERS detection. Discovery
      of this smart plasmon-driven process broadens the scope for further functionality
      of both the dynamic nanostructure design and the smart plasmonic devices in the
      communities of chemistry, biomedicine, and microfluidic engineering. 

PMID- 27250863
TI  - Comparison of long-term outcomes of bare-metal and paclitaxel-eluting stents in
      New York.
AB  - AIMS: Bare-metal stents (BMS) as the first-generation coronary stent and
      paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) as a first-generation drug-eluting stent have
      been employed in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the long-term
      comparative effectiveness of BMS versus PES in real practice remains unclear. To
      assess long-term outcomes for patients undergoing PCI with either BMS or PES
      placement and to determine comparative effectiveness of BMS versus PES in six
      'off-label' and two 'high-risk' patient subgroups. METHODS AND RESULTS: A
      longitudinal database was created by linking the New York State cardiac
      registries, statewide hospital discharge data, the National Death Index and the
      US Census file (2010) for patients undergoing PCI with BMS or PES placement in
      2006 and 2007. Outcomes included all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction
      (AMI), target vessel PCI (TVPCI) and target vessel coronary artery bypass graft
      (TVCABG) surgery for a 5.5-year follow-up period. A total of 13 879 propensity
      score matched pairs were compared with respect to outcomes using Kaplan-Meier
      method with further adjustment using Cox proportional hazards regression. At 5.5
      years, PES use was associated with significantly lower mortality (adjusted hazard
      ratio (AHR): 0.73, 95% confidence interval < CI>: 0.69-0.77), AMI (AHR: 0.90, 95%
      CI: 0.83-0.98), TVPCI (AHR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.99) and TVCABG (AHR, 0.63, 95%
      CI: 0.53-0.74). For 'off-label' and 'high-risk' subgroups, PES was associated
      with lower mortality and improved/similar AMI, TVPCI and TVCABG rates relative to
      BMS. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with BMS, PES was associated with improved mortality
      and better or comparable AMI, TVPCI and TVCABG outcomes at 5.5 years.

PMID- 27250864
TI  - CHIP: Facilitating Interprofessional and Culturally Competent Patient Care
      Through Experiential Learning in China.
AB  - Health care professionals have advocated for educating culturally competent
      practitioners. Immersion in international experiences has an impact on student
      cultural competency and interprofessional development. The China Honors
      Interprofessional Program (CHIP) at a university in the Midwest is designed to
      increase students' cultural competency and interprofessional development. From
      2009 to 2013, a total of 25 professional students including twelve occupational
      therapy students, ten physical therapy students and three nursing students were
      enrolled in the programme. Using a one group pre and posttest research design,
      this study evaluated the impact of CHIP on the participating students. Both
      quantitative and qualitative data were collected in the study. Findings of the
      study revealed that CHIP has impact on students' cultural competency and
      professional development including gaining appreciation and understanding of the
      contributions of other healthcare professionals and knowledge and skills in team
      work. The findings of the study suggested that international immersion experience
      such as CHIP is an important way to increase students' cultural competency and
      interprofessional knowledge and skills. Limitations of the study included the
      small sample in the study, indirect outcome measures and the possible celling
      effect of the instruments of the study. Future research studies should include a
      larger and more representative sample, direct outcome measures such as behaviour
      observation and more rigorous design such as prospective experimental comparison
      group design. Future research should also examine the long-term effects of
      international experience on the professional development of occupational therapy
      students. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27250865
TI  - Multidimensional biases, gaps and uncertainties in global plant occurrence
      information.
AB  - Plants are a hyperdiverse clade that plays a key role in maintaining ecological
      and evolutionary processes as well as human livelihoods. Biases, gaps and
      uncertainties in plant occurrence information remain a central problem in ecology
      and conservation, but these limitations remain largely unassessed globally. In
      this synthesis, we propose a conceptual framework for analysing gaps in
      information coverage, information uncertainties and biases in these metrics along
      taxonomic, geographical and temporal dimensions, and apply it to all c. 370 000
      species of land plants. To this end, we integrated 120 million point-occurrence
      records with independent databases on plant taxonomy, distributions and
      conservation status. We find that different data limitations are prevalent in
      each dimension. Different metrics of information coverage and uncertainty are
      largely uncorrelated, and reducing taxonomic, spatial or temporal uncertainty by
      filtering out records would usually come at great costs to coverage. In light of
      these multidimensional data limitations, we discuss prospects for global plant
      ecological and biogeographical research, monitoring and conservation and outline
      critical next steps towards more effective information usage and mobilisation.
      Our study provides an empirical baseline for evaluating and improving global
      floristic knowledge, along with a conceptual framework that can be applied to
      study other hyperdiverse clades.

PMID- 27250866
TI  - Stromal Tissue Rigidity Promotes Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Corneal Wound
      Healing Through the Transforming Growth Factor beta Signaling Pathway.
AB  - The healing of a corneal epithelial defect is essential for preventing infectious
      corneal ulcers and subsequent blindness. We previously demonstrated that
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the corneal stroma, through a paracrine
      mechanism, yield a more favorable therapeutic benefit for corneal wound re
      epithelialization than do MSCs in the corneal epithelium. In this study, MSCs
      were grown on a matrix with the rigidity of the physiological human vitreous (1
      kPa), corneal epithelium (8 kPa), or corneal stroma (25 kPa) for investigating
      the role of corneal tissue rigidity in MSC functions regarding re
      epithelialization promotion. MSC growth on a 25-kPa dish significantly promoted
      the wound healing of human corneal epithelial (HCE-T) cells. Among growth factors
      contributing to corneal epithelial wound healing, corneal stromal rigidity
      selectively enhanced transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) secretion from
      MSCs. Inhibitors of TGF-beta pan receptor, TGF-beta receptor 1, and Smad2 dose
      dependently abrogated MSC-mediated HCE-T wound healing. Furthermore, MSCs growth
      on a matrix with corneal stromal rigidity enhanced the ability of themselves to
      promote corneal re-epithelialization by activating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)
      expression and integrin beta1 production in HCE-T cells through TGF-beta
      signaling pathway activation. Smad2 activation resulted in the upregulation of
      MMP-2 and -13 expression in HCE-T cells, whereas integrin beta1 production
      favored a Smad2-independent TGF-beta pathway. Altogether, we conclude that
      corneal stromal rigidity is a critical factor for MSC-induced promotion of
      corneal re-epithelialization. The activation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway,
      which maintains the balance between integrin and MMP expression, in HCE-T cells
      is the major pathway responsible for MSC-mediated wound healing. Stem Cells
      2016;34:2525-2535.

PMID- 27250867
TI  - Effect of Promoter Polymorphisms on Cytokine Concentration in Preterm Breast Milk
      and Subsequent Infant Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast milk concentrations of immune components are variable between
      women and interleukin (IL) differences may be associated with infant outcomes.
      Molecular mechanisms for milk variability remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aims
      were to (1) examine the relationship between maternal IL genotypes and milk
      concentrations of IL4, IL6, and IL10, (2) describe the trajectories of milk IL
      change, (3) examine whether maternal IL genotypes predict IL trajectories and/or
      average weekly IL concentration, and (4) examine if weekly IL levels and/or IL
      trajectories are associated with infant outcomes. METHODS: Milk aliquots were
      collected from each feeding of mother's own milk and pooled weekly. DNA was
      extracted from 1 sample of each mother's breast milk whey (n = 64), and single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL genes were genotyped. Milk IL
      concentrations were measured and trajectory analysis examined IL milk change over
      time. Multivariate breast milk IL concentration analyses controlled for
      gestational age and prepregnancy body mass index. Multivariate infant outcome (n
      = 73) analyses controlled for gestational age and the ratio of human milk to
      total milk. RESULTS: Trajectory analysis resulted in linear group shapes, with 2
      distinct subgroups in IL6 and 3 subgroups in IL4 and IL10. Trajectory groups
      trended toward significance with calprotectin, intraventricular hemorrhage, and
      blood transfusions. Multivariate analyses resulted in trending associations
      between maternal SNPs and subsequent IL6 and IL10 milk levels. There was a
      trending relationship between IL milk levels and both fecal calprotectin and
      intraventricular hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Maternal IL SNPs may affect IL breast
      milk levels and IL milk levels may be associated with infant outcomes.

PMID- 27250869
TI  - Effect of emplaced nZVI mass and groundwater velocity on PCE dechlorination and
      hydrogen evolution in water-saturated sand.
AB  - The effect of nZVI mass loading and groundwater velocity on the
      tetrachloroethylene (PCE) dechlorination rate and the hydrogen evolution rate for
      poly(maleic acid-co-olefin) (MW=12K) coated nZVI was examined. In batch reactors,
      the PCE reaction rate constant (3.7*10-4Lhr-1m-2) and hydrogen evolution rate
      constant (1.4 nanomolLhr-1m-2) were independent of nZVI concentration above
      10g/L, but the PCE dechlorination rate decreased and the hydrogen evolution rate
      increased for nZVI concentration below 10g/L. The nonlinearity between nZVI mass
      loading and PCE dechlorination and H2 evolution was explained by differences in
      pH and Eh at each nZVI mass loading; PCE reactivity increased when solution Eh
      decreased, and the H2 evolution rate increased with decreasing pH. Thus, nZVI
      mass loading of <5g/L yields lower reactivity with PCE and lower efficiency of Fe
      degrees  utilization than for higher nZVI mass loading. The PCE dechlorination
      rate increased with increasing pore-water velocity, suggesting that mass transfer
      limits the reaction at low porewater velocity. Overall, this work suggests that
      design of nZVI-based reactive barriers for groundwater treatment should consider
      the non-linear effects of both mass loading and flow velocity on performance and
      expected reactive lifetime.

PMID- 27250868
TI  - A meta-analysis of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for Peyronie's disease.
AB  - The efficiency of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for Peyronie's disease
      (PD) has been controversial for a very long time. We aimed to evaluate the
      efficiency of ESWT for PD and provide possible evidence on the basis of a meta
      analysis of existing comparative studies. All controlled studies, including
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies and case-control studies,
      that focused on the efficiency of ESWT for PD, were prospectively identified
      through comprehensive searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase
      databases. We conducted a meta-analysis of these studies. Six studies including
      443 patients were selected for the meta-analysis. Pooling data of these studies
      showed that ESWT could significantly increase the percentage of men with
      lessening of penile plaques (odds ratio (OR) 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI)
      1.11-3.85, P=0.02), relief of pain (OR 4.46, 95% CI 2.29-8.68, P<0.0001) and
      complete remission of pain (OR 5.86, 95% CI 2.66-12.92, P<0.0001). However,
      insignificant differences were found in improvement of penile curvature (OR 1.88,
      95% CI 0.97-3.65, P=0.06) and sexual function (OR 2.22, 95% CI 0.69-7.11, P=0.18)
      between ESWT and placebo groups. Further, similar results were shown for
      sensitivity and publication bias analysis when only RCTs were included. However,
      sporadic complications caused by ESWT were reported, but no patient needed
      additional treatment aside from conservative observation. ESWT may be an
      effective and safe treatment for lessening of penile plaques and relieving pain
      for men with PD, but not for improving of penile curvature and sexual function. 

PMID- 27250870
TI  - The response of an egg parasitoid to substrate-borne semiochemicals is affected
      by previous experience.
AB  - Animals can adjust their behaviour according to previous experience gained during
      foraging. In parasitoids, experience plays a key role in host location, a
      hierarchical process in which air-borne and substrate-borne semiochemicals are
      used to find hosts. In nature, chemical traces deposited by herbivore hosts when
      walking on the plant are adsorbed by leaf surfaces and perceived as substrate
      borne semiochemicals by parasitoids. Chemical traces left on cabbage leaves by
      adults of the harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica) induce an innate arrestment
      response in the egg parasitoid Trissolcus brochymenae characterized by an intense
      searching behaviour on host-contaminated areas. Here we investigated whether the
      T. brochymenae response to host walking traces left on leaf surfaces is affected
      by previous experience in the context of parasitoid foraging behaviour. We found
      that: 1) an unrewarded experience (successive encounters with host-contaminated
      areas without successful oviposition) decreased the intensity of the parasitoid
      response; 2) a rewarded experience (successful oviposition) acted as a
      reinforcing stimulus; 3) the elapsed time between two consecutive unrewarded
      events affected the parasitoid response in a host-gender specific manner. The
      ecological role of these results to the host location process of egg parasitoids
      is discussed.

PMID- 27250871
TI  - Subliminal gait initiation deficits in rapid eye movement sleep behavior
      disorder: A harbinger of freezing of gait?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Muscle activity during rapid eye movement sleep is markedly increased
      in people with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and people with
      Parkinson's disease (PD) who have freezing of gait. This study examined whether
      individuals with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder who do not have a
      diagnosis of PD show abnormalities in gait initiation that resemble the
      impairments observed in PD and whether there is a relationship between these
      deficits and the level of rapid eye movement sleep without atonia. METHODS: Gait
      initiation and polysomnography studies were conducted in 4 groups of 10
      participants: rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, PD with and without
      freezing of gait, and controls. RESULTS: Significant reductions were seen in the
      posterior shift of the center of pressure during the propulsive phase of gait
      initiation in the groups with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and PD
      with freezing of gait when compared with controls and PD nonfreezers. These
      reductions negatively correlated with the amount of rapid eye movement sleep
      without atonia. The duration of the initial dorsiflexor muscle burst during gait
      initiation was significantly reduced in both PD groups and the rapid eye movement
      sleep behavior disorder cohort. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that
      people with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, prior to a diagnosis of a
      degenerative neurologic disorder, show alterations in the coupling of posture and
      gait similar to those seen in PD. The correlation between increased rapid eye
      movement sleep without atonia and deficits in forward propulsion during the push
      off phase of gait initiation suggests that abnormities in the regulation of
      muscle tone during rapid eye movement sleep may be related to the pathogenesis of
      freezing of gait. (c) 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

PMID- 27250872
TI  - Single-trial prediction of reaction time variability from MEG brain activity.
AB  - Neural activity prior to movement onset contains essential information for
      predictive assistance for humans using brain-machine-interfaces (BMIs). Even
      though previous studies successfully predicted different goals for upcoming
      movements, it is unclear whether non-invasive recording signals contain the
      information to predict trial-by-trial behavioral variability under the same
      movement. In this paper, we examined the predictability of subsequent short or
      long reaction times (RTs) from magnetoencephalography (MEG) signals in a delayed
      reach task. The difference in RTs was classified significantly above chance from
      550 ms before the go-signal onset using the cortical currents in the premotor
      cortex. Significantly above-chance classification was performed in the lateral
      prefrontal and the right inferior parietal cortices at the late stage of the
      delay period. Thus, inter-trial variability in RTs is predictable information.
      Our study provides a proof-of-concept of the future development of non-invasive
      BMIs to prevent delayed movements.

PMID- 27250874
TI  - A single homeobox gene triggers phase transition, embryogenesis and asexual
      reproduction.
AB  - Plants characteristically alternate between haploid gametophytic and diploid
      sporophytic stages. Meiosis and fertilization respectively initiate these two
      different ontogenies(1). Genes triggering ectopic embryo development on
      vegetative sporophytic tissues are well described(2,3); however, a genetic
      control of embryo development from gametophytic tissues remains elusive. Here, in
      the moss Physcomitrella patens we show that ectopic overexpression of the
      homeobox gene BELL1 induces embryo formation and subsequently reproductive
      diploid sporophytes from specific gametophytic cells without fertilization. In
      line with this, BELL1 loss-of-function mutants have a wild-type phenotype, except
      that their egg cells are bigger and unable to form embryos. Our results identify
      BELL1 as a master regulator for the gametophyte-to-sporophyte transition in P.
      patens and provide mechanistic insights into the evolution of embryos that can
      generate multicellular diploid sporophytes. This developmental innovation
      facilitated the colonization of land by plants about 500 million years ago(4) and
      thus shaped our current ecosystems.

PMID- 27250873
TI  - Prevalence and correlates of valvular heart diseases in the elderly population in
      Hubei, China.
AB  - We sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of valvular heart diseases
      (VHD) in the elderly population. The participants' personal information, medical
      history, behavioral habits and clinical status were assessed by questionnaire,
      while the left ventricular dimensions, function and the presence and severity of
      VHD were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. This study analyzed the
      data of 3948 participants who were older than 60 years. Significant VHD was
      present in 1.93% of participants; the standardized prevalence of VHD among the
      elderly population in Hubei was 2.05% (95% CI: 1.61-2.49). The most frequent VHD
      was aortic regurgitation, followed by tricuspid regurgitation, mitral
      regurgitation and multiple valve diseases. Univariate analysis results indicated
      that compared with participants without VHD, those with VHD were older (p <
      0.001), with a higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), were more likely to
      smoke (p = 0.04), and had higher rates of coronary artery disease (CAD) (p <
      0.001) and arrhythmia (p < 0.001). The results of multinomial regression analysis
      of complex sampling indicated that combined mitral and aortic valve diseases were
      related to older age, male sex and smoking; CAD was associated with single left
      sided VHD.

PMID- 27250876
TI  - Nanoparticle-Templated Formation and Growth Mechanism of Curved Protein Polymer
      Fibrils.
AB  - We investigated the growth of biosynthetic protein polymers with templated
      curvature on pluronic nanospheres. The protein has a central silk-like block
      containing glutamic residues (S(E)) and collagen-like end-blocks (C). The S(E)
      blocks stack into filaments when their charge is removed (pH <5). Indeed, at low
      pH curved and circular fibers are formed at the surface of the nanospheres, which
      keep their shape after removal of the pluronics. The data reveal the mechanism of
      the templated fibril-growth: The growth of protein assemblies is nucleated in
      solution; small protein fibrils adsorb on the nanospheres, presumably due to
      hydrogen bond formation between the silk-like blocks and the pluronic PEO blocks.
      The surface of the pluronic particles templates further growth. At relatively low
      protein/pluronic weight ratios, only a fraction of the nanospheres bears protein
      fibers, pointing to a limiting amount of nuclei in solution. Because the
      nanospheres capture fibrils at an early stage of growth, they can be used to
      separate growth and nucleation rates in protein fibril formation. Moreover, the
      nanoparticle-templated growth of stable curved fibers opens ways to build
      proteinaceous nanocapsules from designed protein polymers.

PMID- 27250877
TI  - Wafer-scale fabrication and growth dynamics of suspended graphene nanoribbon
      arrays.
AB  - Adding a mechanical degree of freedom to the electrical and optical properties of
      atomically thin materials can provide an excellent platform to investigate
      various optoelectrical physics and devices with mechanical motion interaction.
      The large scale fabrication of such atomically thin materials with suspended
      structures remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate the wafer-scale bottom-up
      synthesis of suspended graphene nanoribbon arrays (over 1,000,000 graphene
      nanoribbons in 2 * 2 cm(2) substrate) with a very high yield (over 98%).
      Polarized Raman measurements reveal graphene nanoribbons in the array can have
      relatively uniform-edge structures with near zigzag orientation dominant. A
      promising growth model of suspended graphene nanoribbons is also established
      through a comprehensive study that combined experiments, molecular dynamics
      simulations and theoretical calculations with a phase-diagram analysis. We
      believe that our results can contribute to pushing the study of graphene
      nanoribbons into a new stage related to the optoelectrical physics and industrial
      applications.

PMID- 27250875
TI  - Specific control of Arabidopsis BAK1/SERK4-regulated cell death by protein
      glycosylation.
AB  - Precise control of cell death is essential for the survival of all organisms.
      Arabidopsis thaliana BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-associated receptor kinase 1
      (BAK1) and somatic embryogenesis receptor kinase 4 (SERK4) redundantly and
      negatively regulate cell death through elusive mechanisms. By deploying a genetic
      screen for suppressors of cell death triggered by virus-induced gene silencing of
      BAK1/SERK4 on Arabidopsis knockout collections, we identified STT3a, a protein
      involved in N-glycosylation modification, as an important regulator of bak1/serk4
      cell death. Systematic investigation of glycosylation pathway and endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) quality control (ERQC) components revealed distinct and
      overlapping mechanisms of cell death regulated by BAK1/SERK4 and their
      interacting protein BIR1. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis revealed the
      activation of members of cysteine-rich receptor-like kinase (CRK) genes in the
      bak1/serk4 mutant. Ectopic expression of CRK4 induced STT3a/N-glycosylation
      dependent cell death in Arabidopsis and Nicotiana benthamiana. Therefore, N
      glycosylation and specific ERQC components are essential to activate bak1/serk4
      cell death, and CRK4 is likely to be among client proteins of protein
      glycosylation involved in BAK1/SERK4-regulated cell death.

PMID- 27250879
TI  - Handedness is related to neural mechanisms underlying hemispheric lateralization
      of face processing.
AB  - While the right-hemispheric lateralization of the face perception network is well
      established, recent evidence suggests that handedness affects the cerebral
      lateralization of face processing at the hierarchical level of the fusiform face
      area (FFA). However, the neural mechanisms underlying differential hemispheric
      lateralization of face perception in right- and left-handers are largely unknown.
      Using dynamic causal modeling (DCM) for fMRI, we aimed to unravel the putative
      processes that mediate handedness-related differences by investigating the
      effective connectivity in the bilateral core face perception network. Our results
      reveal an enhanced recruitment of the left FFA in left-handers compared to right
      handers, as evidenced by more pronounced face-specific modulatory influences on
      both intra- and interhemispheric connections. As structural and physiological
      correlates of handedness-related differences in face processing, right- and left
      handers varied with regard to their gray matter volume in the left fusiform gyrus
      and their pupil responses to face stimuli. Overall, these results describe how
      handedness is related to the lateralization of the core face perception network,
      and point to different neural mechanisms underlying face processing in right- and
      left-handers. In a wider context, this demonstrates the entanglement of
      structurally and functionally remote brain networks, suggesting a broader
      underlying process regulating brain lateralization.

PMID- 27250881
TI  - Weekly versus Three-Weekly Cisplatin-based Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy as
      definitive treatment in Head and Neck Cancer- Where do we stand?
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare toxicity, compliance, and early response of weekly and 3
      weekly cisplatin administration concurrent with radiotherapy as definitive
      treatment in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma head and neck. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Patients with histologically proven stage III - IV B head and neck
      carcinoma presenting from June 2013 to March 2014 were randomly assigned to
      weekly (35 mg/m2, 6 cycles; arm A) and 3 weekly (100 mg/m2, 3 cycles; arm B)
      cisplatin with concurrent radiotherapy. RESULTS: 60 patients were randomly
      assigned to treatment, 30 in each arm. Median follow-up was 8 months (range 4
      13). There was no significant difference in grade 3 mucositis between the two
      arms (75.9% vs 70%, p = 0.20). Grade 3 neutropenia was more frequent in arm B
      (55.2% vs 26.7%, p = 0.01). Hypomagnesemia was the commonest electrolyte
      imbalance and it was significantly higher in arm B (60% vs 20%, p = 0.001).
      Completion rate of scheduled chemotherapy cycles was higher for patients
      receiving weekly regimen. Response at 3 months was similar for all the patients
      {Complete Response (66.7% vs 62.1%), p = 0.200}. Our data suggested that there is
      a reduced need of hospitalization and supportive care measures for patients
      receiving weekly cisplatin with RT (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Weekly cisplatin 35
      mg/m2 chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy is equally effective and less
      toxic in terms of neutropenia, hypomagnesemia and need for supportive measures
      than the conventional 3 weekly cisplatin 100 mg/m2 regimen.

PMID- 27250882
TI  - Stereotactic Hypofractionated Accurate Radiotherapy of the Prostate (SHARP),
      36.25 Gy in Five Fractions for Localized Disease: A Case Series Results from King
      Faisal Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic
      hypofractionated accurate radiotherapy (SHARP) for localized prostate cancer.
      METHODS AND MATERIALS: The current series of SHARP included six patients with
      localized prostate cancer treated with 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions by Cyber-knife.
      Non-coplanar conformal fields and daily stereotactic localization of implanted
      fiducials were used for treatment. Acute and Late Genitourinary (GU) and
      gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity were evaluated by Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC).
      Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values and self-reported sexual function were
      recorded at 3 months interval at first two years then every 6 months thereafter.
      RESULTS: The median follow-up is 32 months. Acute toxicity Grade 1 (GU) noted in
      four cases and two cases were Grade II; Grade I (GI) was in five cases and one
      patient in Grade II; also with regards to late toxicity, Grade 1 (GU) and (GI)
      was present in all cases. No patient has experienced grade 3 or greater acute or
      late toxicity. Regarding sexual activity, three patients reported impotency
      before and after therapy and all of them have insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
      and ischemic heart disease; fourth patient has developed impotence and the other
      two patients developed no changes as before radiation. The mean basal PSA was 8
      ng/ml and became 0.658 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: SHARP for localized prostate cancer is
      feasible with minimal acute or late toxicity. Dose escalation should be possible.
      MRI guided target volume delineation and intrafraction prostate motion tracking
      with real-time beam adjustment are critical for safe high dose per fraction
      prostate SBRT.

PMID- 27250880
TI  - PepT1 Expression Helps Maintain Intestinal Homeostasis by Mediating the
      Differential Expression of miRNAs along the Crypt-Villus Axis.
AB  - In the jejunum, PepT1 is particularly enriched in the well-differentiated
      absorptive epithelial cells in the villi. Studies of expression and function of
      PepT1 along the crypt-villus axis demonstrated that this protein is crucial to
      the process of di/tripeptide absorption. We recently exhibited that PepT1 plays
      an important role in multiple biological functions, including the ability to
      regulate the expression/secretion of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) and the
      expression levels of multiple proteins. In this study, we observed that PepT1
      knockout (KO) mice exhibited reduced body weight and shorten intestinal
      microvilli. We then examined the expression levels of various miRNAs and their
      target proteins along the crypt-villi axis in the jejunum of PepT1 KO mice. We
      found that PepT1 KO altered the distribution of miRNAs along the crypt-villus
      axis and changed the miRNA profiles of both villi and crypts. Using miRNA-target
      prediction and 2D-DIGE/mass spectrometry on villi and crypts samples, we found
      that ablation of PepT1 further directly or indirectly altered expression levels
      of certain protein targets. Collectively, our results suggest that PepT1
      contributes to maintain balance of homeostasis and proper functions in the small
      intestine, and dysregulated miRNAs and proteins along the crypt-villus axis are
      highly related to this process.

PMID- 27250883
TI  - FOLFOX as Perioperative Chemotherapy of localized Gastric Cancer: Efficacy and
      Tolerance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Use of perioperative chemotherapy had significantly improved
      prognosis of localized gastric cancer. Two studies have validated this approach
      using cisplatin based chemotherapy despite important toxicities. We conducted
      this study with the aim to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of FOLFOX regimen in
      this setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study including
      patients followed for gastric cancer in the Oncology Department of the military
      hospital Mohamed V in Rabat, Morocco over a period of 7 years from 2007 to 2013.
      Patients received 4 cycles of mFOLFOX as perioperative regimen. Assessment of
      tumor response after completion of preoperative chemotherapy was granted by
      comparative CT scan, tumor markers measurements and R0 surgery rate.Adverse
      events were graded according to classification of the National Cancer Institute
      Common Toxicity Criteria version 4.0. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included
      in this study. Use of preoperative chemotherapy showed partial response in
      fourteen patients (45.1%), stabilization in fifteen patients (48.4%). Tumor
      markers CEA and CA 19- 9 were significantly decreased. R0 resection rate was
      83.87%. Only 2 (6.45%) cases of grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity were reported in
      our study. Achieving programmed postoperative chemotherapy was possible in 72.41%
      of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is limited by the retrospective design and
      small sample size but FOLFOX chemotherapy seems effective and well tolerated in
      this setting and its place deserves to be studied in a larger study.

PMID- 27250884
TI  - Evaluation of localization uncertainty of fiducial markers due to length and
      position variations induced by motion in CT imaging by measurement and modeling.
AB  - PURPOSE: To quantify the variations in the length and position of fiducial
      markers induced by motion in axial (ACT), helical (HCT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT)
      imaging and associated uncertainty in image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) by
      measurement and modeling. METHODS: A mobile thorax phantom containing markers of
      various lengths was imaged using ACT, HCT and CBCT imaging. The phantom was
      imaged while stationary and moving where it was moved sinusoidally with different
      motion amplitudes and frequency. An analytical motion model was developed that
      predicts the localization accuracy of IGRT based on fiducial markers in mobile
      phantom with ACT, HCT and CBCT. RESULTS: The apparent lengths of the markers
      varied with the different motion patterns and CT imaging modalities. In CBCT, the
      apparent length of the markers increased linearly with the motion amplitude for
      both half-fan and full-fan modes. In HCT and ACT, the apparent length of the
      markers increased or decreased non-linearly with motion parameters and speed of
      the imaging couch. When the marker moved opposed to couch motion the apparent
      lengths decreased, while they increased when the phantom moved along the
      direction of the imaging couch as predicted by the motion model. The position of
      marker centers did not shift and distance between makers did not change in CBCT
      images. However, in HCT and ACT, the position of marker center and distance
      between markers varied depending on motion parameters during imaging. The marker
      center could move superiorly or inferiorly and the distance between markers could
      increase or decrease depending on the phase of motion as predicted by the motion
      model. CONCLUSIONS: The variations of marker length and position due to phantom
      motion were quantified by measurement and modeling. These variations may lead to
      large positioning uncertainties in patient setup and tumor localization based on
      IGRT with fiducial marker registration.

PMID- 27250885
TI  - Effect of Fractionated Dose of Radiotherapy on Oral Mucosa in Head and Neck
      Cancer Patients: A Cytological Assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer therapy couples with it a plethora of complications of short
      and long term effects which can be so distressing that patient may tolerate only
      lower less-effective doses of therapy, may postpone treatments or will
      discontinue treatment entirely. Fractionated dose of radiotherapy coupled with
      therapy induce local or systemic infections due to high cellular turnover rates
      of the oral mucosa, diverse and complex microflora and trauma to oral tissues.
      Several mucosal abnormalities often results in epithelial and glandular
      destruction and inflammation, which can be so devastating that it may cause
      atypical changes on the area exposed to radiation. Thus, the aim of this study
      was to investigate the feasibility of using cytological evaluation to detect oral
      epithelial atypia among Head and Neck cancer patients receiving fractionated dose
      of radiotherapy. METHODS: Study was conducted on 125 head and neck cancer
      patients receiving radiotherapy. Subjects were divided into 5 study groups on the
      basis of fractionated dose of radiotherapy from 10th-50th fractions respectively.
      Mucosal changes were evaluated by exfoliative cytology and atypical changes and
      inflammatory cell infiltration were assessed. RESULTS: Without prior knowledge of
      the subjects' group, oral epithelial atypia was detected with increase
      fractionated dose of radiation. Dense inflammatory nfiltrate were identified in
      nearly all study groups irrespective of dose of radiotherapy. CONCLUSION:
      Cytological atypia and inflammatory infiltrates were detected after exposure to
      radiotherapy.

PMID- 27250886
TI  - Change in the Quality of Life in Oropharyngeal, Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal
      Cancer Patients treated with Volumetric Modulated Arc-Based Concomitant Boost
      Radiotherapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the change in the quality of life (QOL) in Oropharyngeal,
      Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal cancer patients treated with concomitant boost
      radiotherapy by Volumetric Intensity Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) technique.
      METHODS: Thirty patients with oropharynx, larynx or hypopharynx cancers of stage
      II to IVA were treated with an Accelerated fractionation schedule using
      Concomitant boost. The dose given was 1.8Gy/fraction daily, 5 days a week to the
      large field for 28 fractions and a daily concomitant boost of 1.5Gy/fraction to
      the boost field over the last 12 treatment days for a total dose of 68.4Gy/40
      fractions/51/2weeks by VMAT technique with concurrent chemotherapy (in stage III
      and IV patients) using Cisplatin 100mg/m2 IV three weekly during week 1 and week
      4 of irradiation. QOL was assessed using the European Organization of Research
      and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire, version 3.0 (EORTC
      QLQC30) and EORTC head and neck module (EORTC QLQ-HN35) before treatment, at the
      end of treatment, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post treatment. The QOL scores
      and their evolution over the five measurements were calculated. RESULTS: The
      change in the QOL scores was acceptable in general. There was a significant
      reduction in quality of life scores at the end of treatment. The QOL improved in
      the followup period; and by 3 months post irradiation, there was a return of QOL
      scores to the baseline value. CONCLUSION: The QOL scores indicate that
      concomitant boost radiotherapy by VMAT is well tolerated and helps in rapid
      return to baseline quality of life scores. We believe that this is one of the
      first papers which have combined concomitant boost radiotherapy with VMAT
      technique in head and neck cancers. VMAT based concomitant boost radiotherapy
      helps in rapid return to baseline quality of life.

PMID- 27250887
TI  - Prostate biopsy handling: special tiss1ue embedding technique with sponges
      affects the yield of prostatic tissue available for microscopic examination.
AB  - Prostate cancer is considered as the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy
      and the sixth leading cause of cancer death in males. The quality of the prostate
      biopsy and its processing techniques may influence the outcome of the
      histopathological assessment which is the gold standard for cancer diagnosis. An
      audit of 240 prostate biopsies from 20 patients was conducted to compare the
      quality and length of tissue before and after the implementation of sponge
      embedding technique. The average length of prostatic biopsy before the procedure
      was 5.8 mm (range 1-15 mm) and the average length after implementation of the
      procedure was 9.5 mm (range 2-17 mm). This equates to a total of 60% increase in
      tissue volume after implementation of sponge embedding. A simple modification in
      the embedding of prostate biopsy in the laboratory resulted in higher quality
      biopsies available for histopathological examination. 

PMID- 27250888
TI  - Expression of VEGF-A in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Correlation with Morphologic
      Types, Grade and Clinical Stage.
AB  - AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern of
      vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF A) in epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC)
      and to correlate the intensity of expression with morphologic types, histologic
      grade and clinical stage of the disease. METHODS: Tissue microarrays were
      constructed from paraffin blocks of 78 cases of EOC in duplicate.
      Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF A was carried out with mouse monoclonal
      antibody and the intensity was scored independently by two pathologists (CSP and
      MA). RESULTS: Twenty six of 78 (33.3%) cases of primary malignant epithelial
      ovarian neoplasm showed high VEGF A expression. Among high expressors, 23 were
      seen in serous carcinomas, two in undifferentiated carcinomas and one in mixed
      carcinoma. High expression was not seen in other types like, endometrioid,
      mucinous and clear cell carcinomas. High VEGF-A expression was also associated
      high grade and advanced stage of the disease. CONCLUSION: High VEGF-A expression
      in epithelial ovarian cancer was found to be associated with serous morphology,
      high grade and advanced stage of the disease. Though some degree of VEGF A
      expression was seen in most ovarian carcinomas, high expression was seen in only
      one third of cases and this may help in selecting the patients for targeted
      therapy with antiangiogenic agents.

PMID- 27250889
TI  - Efficacy of Different Protocols in Treatment of Nephroblastoma: A revisit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Management of Nephroblastoma (NB) remains a subject of debate despite
      the fact that it ranked first among primary childhood's renal neoplasm. We have
      previously discussed this issue 13, 14, yet, the sample size was limited. AIM:
      The aim of this study was to further evaluate the efficacy of initial surgery in
      the treatment of stage II and III pediatric NB as a part of the short
      administration schedule as in National Wilms' Tumor Study (NWTS)-4 and to
      evaluate its effectiveness compared to the long administration schedule. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: The study included 50 children who were primarily diagnosed as stage
      II and III NB. They were divided into 2 equal groups. Group I (n = 25) included
      children who have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and
      postoperative chemotherapy, while group II (n = 25) included children who have
      undergone primary surgery as an initial management followed by chemotherapy.
      After a mean postoperative follow-up period of 20+/-6 months, clinical and
      radiological evaluation was performed to all patients. RESULTS: In group I, 15
      patients were preoperatively diagnosed as stage II and 10 patients as stage III
      while in group II, 16 patients were proved to be stage II and 9 patients were
      stage III. After a follow up period, clinical and radiological evaluation using
      CT was performed to all patients. In patients with stage II, evidence of
      recurrence was noted in 5 patients of group I whereas no patient showed any
      evidence of recurrence in group II. In patients with stage III, rebound increase
      in size was seen in 3 patients in group I and only one patient in group II.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed our previous conclusions that initial surgical
      intervention with appropriate adjuvant therapy has a better outcome than the
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy and delayed surgery for children primarily diagnosed as
      stage II and III NB. Moreover, it may also act as a short administration schedule
      for the treatment as it is not less effective than the long administration
      schedule and can be administered at a substantially lower total treatment cost.

PMID- 27250890
TI  - Ectopic Intrathymic Parathyroid adenoma demonstrated on Tc-99m Sestamibi SPECT
      CT.
AB  - Intrathymic parathyroid adenoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism.
      In this case, Tc-99m Sestamibi SPECT-CT successfully localized abnormal tracer
      uptake in the mediastinum with corresponding low density lesion on CT images
      suggestive of mediastinal parathyroid adenoma which late on confirmed on
      histopathology. After the median sternotomy a large intrathymic parathyroid
      adenoma was identified and excised. With the help of gamma probe the surgeons
      detect the lesion early and with more confidence as well as reducing the total
      operation time. Tc-99m Sestamibi SPECT-CT scintigraphy and gamma probe
      localization is recommended for preoperative and intra operative localization of
      ectopic parathyroid adenomas. 

PMID- 27250891
TI  - Is cutaneous leishmaniasis a risk factor for basal cell carcinoma?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common epithelial neoplasm of
      skin. Risk factors for the development of BCC include intermittent intense sun
      exposure, radiation therapy, family history of BCC, immune suppression and fair
      complexion, especially red hair. It can originate in scars like small pox,
      vaccination, chicken pox or surgical scars. OBJECTIVE AND CONCLUSION: We present
      a case of basal cell carcinoma arising in a leishmania scar on the nose, sixty
      years after the primary lesion. Although rare, BCC's have arisen in leishmania
      scars. Thus the possibility of basal cell carcinoma should be considered while
      dealing with such patients. Even though a causal relationship, if any, cannot be
      ascertained at present.

PMID- 27250892
TI  - Bilateral Choroidal Metastases from Prostate Cancer revealed in a patient under
      Abiraterone - Fourteen years after diagnosis.
AB  - Choroidal metastasis from prostate cancer is very rare and usually presents late
      during the disease. Since 2010, many new drugs were approved in the treatment of
      castrationresistant prostate cancer, including Abiraterone acetate. We report a
      case of bilateral choroidal metastases from prostate cancer 3 months after the
      initiation of Abiraterone. Abiraterone was not efficient in controlling the
      progression of the disease in this case, especially the choroidal metastasis.
      More case reports are essential in order to evaluate the role of Abiraterone in
      controlling choroidal metastases from prostate adenocarcinoma. 

PMID- 27250893
TI  - Spectrum of Presentation of Anorectal Malignant Melanoma: Experience of a
      Tertiary Care Centre of North India.
AB  - Malignant melanoma of the anorectum is a rare but highly aggressive tumor. We
      report our experience of anorectal melanoma in five patients. Of these, two have
      advanced disease, two had localized disease and one patient had florid systemic
      metastases with a history of hemorrhoidectomy one year prior. One patient whose
      metastatic workup was negative, expired on post-op day 15 of abdominoperineal
      resection due to unsuspected but florid cerebral metastases. Another patient with
      localized disease underwent an APR with curative resection and post-op whole body
      PET scan negative for occult or residual disease. Advanced stage patients were
      referred for chemotherapy. To improve prognosis, it is important to detect
      anorectal melanoma at an early stage. 

PMID- 27250894
TI  - Metaplastic carcinoma of breast: A case series of seven patients from a tertiary
      care center and review of literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: Metaplastic carcinoma of breast (MCB) is a rare histological subtype of
      breast carcinoma and accounts for less than 1 percent of the total breast cancer
      cases. Here we are reporting a series of seven patients of MCB from single
      institute along with review of literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients records
      from January 2008 to August 2014 were retrieved to search for MCB patients. A
      etrospective review was conducted to document the clinicopathological features,
      treatment and outcomes of these patients. The data was entered in a predesigned
      proforma document. RESULTS: Seven patients were diagnosed to have MCB during this
      period. Most common symptom at presentation was lump in the breast with
      associated discharge per nipple in one patient. On histology, there was no
      definite differentiation in four patients while one patient had spindle cell
      neoplasia, one had osteoid and chondroid neoplasia respectively. Five patients
      underwent modified radical mastectomy while other two patients underwent simple
      mastectomy. All the patients were pathologically node negative and triple
      negative breast cancer. Adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy was given to all patients.
      Median follow up was 4 years (Range 3-6 years). Three out of seven patients
      completed 5 years of follow up. One patient developed isolated liver metastasis
      six years after completion of the treatment and she lost to follow up for further
      treatment. CONCLUSION: Metaplastic carcinoma of breast is a rare disease entity
      and there are no specific treatment guidelines. The prognosis of patients in this
      rare sub group remains poor and multi institutional studies evaluating role of
      new therapies may be required to improve outcome.

PMID- 27250895
TI  - DNA methylation and Cancer: Identifying and targeting epigenetic modifications
      may be the future of cancer therapy?
AB  - DNA methylation has been recognized as one of the most important epigenetic
      mechanisms regulating the expression and inhibition of genes giving rise to an
      organism's phenotype. It is hence of no surprise that when DNA methylation
      mechanisms are disrupted by intrinsic or extrinsic causes, the likelihood of
      tumourigenesis increases. Both hypermethylation and hypomethylation may
      predispose to cancer formation through aberrant inhibition or expression of
      particular genes and this is seen in different types of cancers, such as
      laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and acute myeloid leukaemia. By increasing our
      knowledge and understanding of these epigenetic mechanisms, we will be able to
      develop diagnostic techniques such as methylation profiling, to screen for and
      detect aberrant methylation patterns which may predispose to cancer formation in
      our patients. This would enable early diagnosis and treatment which may also
      involve the use of drugs developed to provide directed epigenetic therapy,
      shifting away from the current trend which involves the use of radical anti
      cancer therapy. These diagnostic and treatment options may be the future of
      cancer management. 

PMID- 27250896
TI  - Novel agents in second-line therapy for EGFR wild-type Advanced Non-Small-Cell
      Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide owing to
      its advanced-stage at the time of diagnosis. The majority of patients will
      require a second-line therapy after progression during first-line treatment.
      While treatment for NSCLC with EGFR mutation or EML4/ALK fusion, target therapy
      is the favored second-line therapy if not already used in first-line therapy,
      NSCLC with EGFR wild-type remains an unmet need and many oncologists favor
      cytotoxic therapy. Recently, a better understanding of lung cancer biology, with
      a better selection of patients based on histology, molecular biology and the
      identification of potential target antigens in the immune system have
      significantly improved patient outcome. This article will provide an update on
      different treatment options available for patients with EGFR wild-type advanced
      NSCLC who relapse after first-line therapy, which includes essentially
      ramucirumab, vandetanib, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab and considerations that may
      allow clinicians to a better choice of agent for second-line therapy. 

PMID- 27250897
TI  - 3D-printed bioanalytical devices.
AB  - While 3D printing technologies first appeared in the 1980s, prohibitive costs,
      limited materials, and the relatively small number of commercially available
      printers confined applications mainly to prototyping for manufacturing purposes.
      As technologies, printer cost, materials, and accessibility continue to improve,
      3D printing has found widespread implementation in research and development in
      many disciplines due to ease-of-use and relatively fast design-to-object
      workflow. Several 3D printing techniques have been used to prepare devices such
      as milli- and microfluidic flow cells for analyses of cells and biomolecules as
      well as interfaces that enable bioanalytical measurements using cellphones. This
      review focuses on preparation and applications of 3D-printed bioanalytical
      devices. 

PMID- 27250898
TI  - An Application of Item Response Theory and the Rasch Model in Speech Recognition
      Test Materials.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe an attempt to apply item
      response theory (IRT) and the Rasch model to construction of speech-recognition
      tests. A set of word-recognition test items applicable to children as young as 3
      years old-with any level of hearing sensitivity, with or without using hearing
      devices-was developed. METHOD: Test items were constructed through expert
      consultation and by reference to some established language corpora, validated
      with 121 participants with various degrees of hearing loss and 255 with typical
      hearing. IRT and the Rasch model were applied to evaluate item quality. RESULTS:
      Eighty disyllabic word items were selected in accordance with IRT. The speech
      recognition abilities of the 376 young participants are reported. The IRT
      analyses on this set of data are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A new set of speech
      recognition test materials in Cantonese Chinese has been developed. Construction
      of short equivalent lists may be performed in accordance with IRT item qualities.
      Clinical applications of this test tool in the particular language population are
      discussed.

PMID- 27250899
TI  - Arterial Stiffness Measured with the Cuff Oscillometric Method Is Predictive of
      Exercise Capacity in Patients with Cardiac Diseases.
AB  - Arterial stiffness is widely used in assessing arteriosclerosis in the background
      of increased cardiovascular events. Arteriosclerosis also causes reduction in
      exercise capacity, which is a most important prognostic factor in patients with
      cardiovascular disease; however, data on the association between arterial
      stiffness and exercise capacity are limited. Therefore, a simple and noninvasive
      measurement of arterial stiffness that reflects the central circulation and
      exercise capacity is needed. The arterial velocity pulse index (AVI) is a
      parameter of arterial stiffness measurable with the cuff oscillometric method;
      however, the clinical utility of this method is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the
      trend of AVI in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and the association
      between AVI and exercise capacity. A cross-sectional study of 116 patients with
      cardiac disease (34 CAD and 82 non-CAD patients) was performed. Non-CAD patients
      were those with any cardiac diseases who did not have proven CAD. The results
      showed that the AVI was significantly higher in CAD patients than non-CAD
      patients (P < 0.05, analysis of covariance). The AVI was inversely correlated
      with peakVO2 (r = -0.239, P < 0.05) and was a significant explanatory variable
      for peakVO2 in stepwise regression analysis (beta = -14.62, t = -2.5, P < 0.05).
      These results indicate that the AVI is strongly associated with CAD and
      predictive of the exercise capacity in patients with cardiac diseases. We,
      therefore, propose that the cuff oscillometric method is clinically useful in
      evaluating arterial stiffness in patients with cardiac diseases, especially CAD. 

PMID- 27250900
TI  - Perinatal Coxsackievirus B3 Infection with Transient Thrombocytopenia.
AB  - Coxsackievirus (Cox) B is the second common picornaviruses, after echovirus,
      detected from children younger than 2 months of age. Neonates who present with
      Cox B3 infection in the first week are known to have severe illness such as
      myocarditis or menigoencephalitis. Severity is commonly associated with perinatal
      vertical transmission. Here, we report a neonatal case of Cox B3 infection with
      severe thrombocytopenia through horizontal transmission. The patient was a
      preterm infant born without asphyxia by selective cesarean section. From his
      6(th) day of life, the patient had recurrent episodes of apnea. At that time, the
      laboratory investigations revealed a profound thrombocytopenia without any
      evidence of inflammation. Thus, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) was
      suspected, and the patient received transfusion of immunoglobulin and platelets.
      Thereafter, the patient had no further episodes of apnea, and platelet counts of
      the patient increased gradually. Later, the possibility of NAIT was ruled out by
      the result of the platelet antigen genotyping of the patient and his parents.
      Culture obtained from his nasopharynx was positive for Cox B3. We thus speculate
      that the patient was exposed to the virus from his mother because she had a
      febrile episode at her 5(th) day after delivery, and her Cox B3 infection was
      confirmed by serology. Assuming that the thrombocytopenia was a complication of
      Cox B3 infection, the immunoglobulin transfusion might have provided a
      neutralizing antibody against Cox B3. It is important to consider the possibility
      of enterovirus infection as a differential diagnosis whenever unexplained
      thrombocytopenia was observed in neonates. 

PMID- 27250901
TI  - Intracellular quantitative detection of human thymidylate synthase engagement
      with an unconventional inhibitor using tetracysteine-diarsenical-probe
      technology.
AB  - Demonstrating a candidate drug's interaction with its target protein in live
      cells is of pivotal relevance to the successful outcome of the drug discovery
      process. Although thymidylate synthase (hTS) is an important anticancer target
      protein, the efficacy of the few anti-hTS drugs currently used in clinical
      practice is limited by the development of resistance. Hence, there is an intense
      search for new, unconventional anti-hTS drugs; there are approximately 1600
      ongoing clinical trials involving hTS-targeting drugs, both alone and in
      combination protocols. We recently discovered new, unconventional peptidic
      inhibitors of hTS that are active against cancer cells and do not result in the
      overexpression of hTS, which is a known molecular source of resistance. Here, we
      propose an adaptation of the recently proposed tetracysteine-arsenic-binding
      motif technology to detect and quantitatively characterize the engagement of hTS
      with one such peptidic inhibitor in cell lysates. This new model can be developed
      into a test for high-throughput screening studies of intracellular target
      protein/small-molecule binding.

PMID- 27250903
TI  - Microfluidic enzymatic DNA extraction on a hybrid polyester-toner-PMMA device.
AB  - To date, the forensic community regards solid phase extraction (SPE) as the most
      effective methodology for the purification of DNA for use in short tandem repeat
      (STR) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. While a dominant
      methodology, SPE protocols generally necessitate the use of PCR inhibitors
      (guanidine, IPA) and, in addition, can demand timescales of up to 30 min due to
      the necessary load, wash and elution steps. The recent discovery and
      characterization of the EA1 protease has allowed the user to enzymatically
      extract (not purify) DNA, dramatically simplifying the task of producing a PCR
      ready template. Despite this, this procedure has yet to make a significant impact
      on microfluidic technologies. Here, we describe a microfluidic device that
      implements the EA1 enzyme for DNA extraction by incorporating it into a hybrid
      microdevice comprising laminated polyester (Pe) and PMMA layers. The PMMA layer
      provides a macro-to-micro interface for introducing the biological sample into
      the microfluidic architecture, whilst also possessing the necessary dimensions to
      function as the swab acceptor. Pre-loaded reagents are then introduced to the
      swab chamber centrifugally, initiating DNA extraction at 75  degrees C. The
      extraction of DNA occurs in timescales of less than 3 min and any external
      hardware associated with the transportation of reagents by pneumatic pumping is
      eliminated. Finally, multiplexing is demonstrated with a circular device
      containing eight separate chambers for the simultaneous processing of eight
      buccal swab samples. The studies here provide DNA concentrations up to 10 ng MUL(
      1) with a 100% success rate in less than 3 minutes. The STR profiles generated
      using these extracted samples demonstrate that the DNA is of PCR forensic-quality
      and adequate for human identification. 

PMID- 27250904
TI  - Neighborhood Collective Efficacy Moderates the Association between Maternal
      Adverse Childhood Experiences and Marital Conflict.
AB  - In a socio-demographically diverse sample of 501 caregivers participating in a
      longitudinal birth cohort study during the childbearing years, we examined
      whether neighborhood collective efficacy moderated the association between
      maternal adverse childhood experience (ACEs) and marital conflict. Maternal ACEs
      were assessed via retrospective reports. Neighborhood collective efficacy was
      measured via maternal and paternal reports at 2 months, and maternal reports of
      marital conflict were collected at infant age 2 and 18 months. Multiple linear
      regression analyses revealed that maternal ACEs were associated with increased
      marital conflict. Neighborhood collective efficacy moderated the association
      between early maternal ACEs and marital conflict, such that mothers experiencing
      ACEs had lower levels of marital conflict when exposed to high levels of
      neighborhood collective efficacy. Results suggest that extra-familial sources of
      social support and control, such as feelings of security, trust, order, and
      connectedness with others, may buffer the effects of early adversity on marital
      discord.

PMID- 27250905
TI  - Short Communication: Few Liver-Infiltrating Cells Express CXCR3 in HIV/HCV
      Patients Commencing Antiretroviral Therapy.
AB  - Coinfections with Hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus accelerate
      the progression of both conditions and hamper effective treatment. Here we
      describe expression of CXCR3 on liver-infiltrating cells and peripheral T cells
      from coinfected patients commencing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Indonesia.
      CXCR3 was expressed by small number of intrahepatic inflammatory cells, mostly in
      the portal areas. The number of cells did not change on ART and was markedly
      lower than the number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the liver. Data suggest that
      CXCR3 may contribute to liver infiltration but demonstrate a dynamic situation,
      changing as the immune system recovers on ART.

PMID- 27250906
TI  - State-of-the art advances in fertility preservation for the male cancer patient.

PMID- 27250907
TI  - Exploiting the sigma-phylic properties of cationic gold(i) catalysts in the ring
      opening reactions of aziridines with indoles.
AB  - A study on the SN2-type ring opening reactions of aziridines with indoles as
      nucleophiles is reported. Under gold(i) catalysis a great variety of tryptamine
      derivatives were prepared in good to excellent yields with complete stereocontrol
      when chiral aziridines were used. We demonstrated that cationic gold(i) catalysts
      are superior Lewis acids to the previously reported group 3, 12 and 13 metals in
      terms of catalyst loading and reaction yields. Moreover, complete
      regioselectivity was observed for 2-phenyl-N-tosylaziridine; whereas,
      regioselectivity up to 10 : 1 ratio was observed with 2-methyl-N-tosylaziridine.
      Finally, a preliminary study on the dearomatization reactions giving rise to
      pyrroloindolines is also reported. 

PMID- 27250909
TI  - Arousal dynamics drive vocal production in marmoset monkeys.
AB  - Vocal production is the result of interacting cognitive and autonomic processes.
      Despite claims that changes in one interoceptive state (arousal) govern primate
      vocalizations, we know very little about how it influences their likelihood and
      timing. In this study we investigated the role of arousal during naturally
      occurring vocal production in marmoset monkeys. Throughout each session,
      naturally occurring contact calls are produced more quickly, and with greater
      probability, during higher levels of arousal, as measured by heart rate. On
      average, we observed a steady increase in heart rate 23 s before the production
      of a call. Following call production, there is a sharp and steep cardiac
      deceleration lasting ~8 s. The dynamics of cardiac fluctuations around a
      vocalization cannot be completely predicted by the animal's respiration or
      movement. Moreover, the timing of vocal production was tightly correlated to the
      phase of a 0.1-Hz autonomic nervous system rhythm known as the Mayer wave.
      Finally, a compilation of the state space of arousal dynamics during vocalization
      illustrated that perturbations to the resting state space increase the likelihood
      of a call occurring. Together, these data suggest that arousal dynamics are
      critical for spontaneous primate vocal production, not only as a robust predictor
      of the likelihood of vocal onset but also as scaffolding on which behavior can
      unfold.

PMID- 27250910
TI  - Current advances in invertebrate vision: insights from patch-clamp studies of
      photoreceptors in apposition eyes.
AB  - Traditional electrophysiological research on invertebrate photoreceptors has been
      conducted in vivo, using intracellular recordings from intact compound eyes. The
      only exception used to be Drosophila melanogaster, which was exhaustively studied
      by both intracellular recording and patch-clamp methods. Recently, several patch
      clamp studies have provided new information on the biophysical properties of
      photoreceptors of diverse insect species, having both apposition and neural
      superposition eyes, in the contexts of visual ecology, behavior, and ontogenesis.
      Here, I discuss these and other relevant results, emphasizing differences between
      fruit flies and other species, between photoreceptors of diurnal and nocturnal
      insects, properties of distinct functional types of photoreceptors, postembryonic
      developmental changes, and relationships between voltage-gated potassium channels
      and visual ecology.

PMID- 27250911
TI  - Beyond cones: an improved model of whisker bending based on measured mechanics
      and tapering.
AB  - The sense of touch is represented by neural activity patterns evoked by
      mechanosensory input forces. The rodent whisker system is exceptional for
      studying the neurophysiology of touch in part because these forces can be
      precisely computed from video of whisker deformation. We evaluate the accuracy of
      a standard model of whisker bending, which assumes quasi-static dynamics and a
      linearly tapered conical profile, using controlled whisker deflections. We find
      significant discrepancies between model and experiment: real whiskers bend more
      than predicted upon contact at locations in the middle of the whisker and less at
      distal locations. Thus whiskers behave as if their stiffness near the base and
      near the tip is larger than expected for a homogeneous cone. We assess whether
      contact direction, friction, inhomogeneous elasticity, whisker orientation, or
      nonconical shape could explain these deviations. We show that a thin-middle taper
      of mouse whisker shape accounts for the majority of this behavior. This taper is
      conserved across rows and columns of the whisker array. The taper has a large
      effect on the touch-evoked forces and the ease with which whiskers slip past
      objects, which are key drivers of neural activity in tactile object localization
      and identification. This holds for orientations with intrinsic whisker curvature
      pointed toward, away from, or down from objects, validating two-dimensional
      models of simple whisker-object interactions. The precision of computational
      models relating sensory input forces to neural activity patterns can be
      quantitatively enhanced by taking thin-middle taper into account with a simple
      corrective function that we provide.

PMID- 27250913
TI  - Management of patients treated with pertuzumab in the Australian clinical
      practice setting.
AB  - AIM: Treatment with pertuzumab-trastuzumab-taxane combinations has become the
      international standard of care for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast
      cancer. In this paper we discuss the practicalities of treating patients with
      this combination with a particular focus on treatment in the Australian setting.
      METHOD: An expert panel was convened to discuss practical aspects for use of
      pertuzumab in the Australian clinical setting. The findings of this panel are
      reported in this article. RESULTS: The combination of pertuzumab-trastuzumab
      docetaxel has established efficacy in patients with HER2-positive metastatic
      breast cancer, prolonging progression-free and overall survival compared to
      trastuzumab-taxane combinations. In Australia, combinations of pertuzumab and
      trastuzumab with docetaxel or paclitaxel are reimbursed. Management of treatment
      related side-effects such as diarrhea, febrile neutropenia and neuropathy
      typically include dose reduction or switching taxane. Specific patients with
      poorer tolerance of chemotherapy such as the elderly or those from Asian
      backgrounds may require particular management strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The advent
      of targeted therapies for women with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer has
      markedly improved survival. Combinations of pertuzumab-trastuzumab and a taxane
      are the standard of care in patients with good performance status. Given
      prolongation of survival and the importance of quality of life endpoints, the
      treatment paradigm for patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer is
      changing rapidly. Careful management of toxicities is required, and dose
      reduction or switching taxane may be necessary. Further research is required on
      the efficacy of pertuzumab combinations in patients with brain metastases, and on
      those who relapse quickly following adjuvant therapy.

PMID- 27250912
TI  - Feature-based attention and spatial selection in frontal eye fields during
      natural scene search.
AB  - When we search for visual objects, the features of those objects bias our
      attention across the visual landscape (feature-based attention). The brain uses
      these top-down cues to select eye movement targets (spatial selection). The
      frontal eye field (FEF) is a prefrontal brain region implicated in selecting eye
      movements and is thought to reflect feature-based attention and spatial
      selection. Here, we study how FEF facilitates attention and selection in complex
      natural scenes. We ask whether FEF neurons facilitate feature-based attention by
      representing search-relevant visual features or whether they are primarily
      involved in selecting eye movement targets in space. We show that search-relevant
      visual features are weakly predictive of gaze in natural scenes and additionally
      have no significant influence on FEF activity. Instead, FEF activity appears to
      primarily correlate with the direction of the upcoming eye movement. Our result
      demonstrates a concrete need for better models of natural scene search and
      suggests that FEF activity during natural scene search is explained primarily by
      spatial selection.

PMID- 27250914
TI  - Before-after environmental impact assessment of an artificial channel opening on
      a south-western Atlantic choked lagoon system.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the human induced impact of a channel opening in a
      choked lagoon and attempted to establish the cause-effect links for the observed
      changes. The same lagoon system was sampled before and after the channel opening
      event, and the differences in fish and crustacean assemblages and environmental
      variables between these periods analysed. The opening of the artificial channel
      resulted in salinity increases, leading to a shift in species composition,
      favouring marine species and reducing abundance and diversity of previously
      dominant freshwater species. Furthermore, saltwater entrance into the choked
      lagoon caused an unexpected decrease in species richness and biomass, plus
      deterioration of ecosystem processes, reducing fishing capacity. The effects of
      salinity on the ecosystem vary depending on the ecosystem's composition and
      capacity to overcome salinity changes, thus specific monitoring projects are
      important strategies for developing coastal lagoon conservation management. 

PMID- 27250915
TI  - Effect of multilayer structure, stacking order and external electric field on the
      electrical properties of few-layer boron-phosphide.
AB  - Development of nanoelectronics requires two-dimensional (2D) systems with both
      direct-bandgap and tunable electronic properties as they act in response to the
      external electric field (E-field). Here, we present a detailed theoretical
      investigation to predict the effect of atomic structure, stacking order and
      external electric field on the electrical properties of few-layer boron-phosphide
      (BP). We demonstrate that the splitting of bands and bandgap of BP depends on the
      number of layers and the stacking order. The values for the bandgap show a
      monotonically decreasing relationship with increasing layer number. We also show
      that AB-stacking BP has a direct-bandgap, while ABA-stacking BP has an indirect
      bandgap when the number of layers n > 2. In addition, for a bilayer and a
      trilayer, the bandgap increases (decreases) as the electric field increases along
      the positive direction of the external electric field (E-field) (negative
      direction). In the case of four-layer BP, the bandgap exhibits a nonlinearly
      decreasing behavior as the increase in the electric field is independent of the
      electric field direction. The tunable mechanism of the bandgap can be attributed
      to a giant Stark effect. Interestingly, the investigation also shows that a
      semiconductor-to-metal transition may occur for the four-layer case or more
      layers beyond the critical electric field. Our findings may inspire more efforts
      in fabricating new nanoelectronics devices based on few-layer BP. 

PMID- 27250916
TI  - How well are health information websites displayed on mobile phones? Implications
      for the readability of health information.
AB  - Issue addressed More than 87% of Australians own a mobile phone with Internet
      access and 82% of phone owners use their smartphones to search for health
      information, indicating that mobile phones may be a powerful tool for building
      health literacy. Yet, online health information has been found to be above the
      reading ability of the general population. As reading on a smaller screen may
      further complicate the readability of information, this study aimed to examine
      how health information is displayed on mobile phones and its implications for
      readability. Methods Using a cross-sectional design with convenience sampling, a
      sample of 270 mobile webpages with information on 12 common health conditions was
      generated for analysis, they were categorised based on design and position of
      information display. Results The results showed that 71.48% of webpages were
      mobile-friendly but only 15.93% were mobile-friendly webpages designed in a way
      to optimise readability, with a paging format and queried information displayed
      for immediate viewing. Conclusion With inadequate evidence and lack of consensus
      on how webpage design can best promote reading and comprehension, it is difficult
      to draw a conclusion on the effect of current mobile health information
      presentation on readability. So what? Building mobile-responsive websites should
      be a priority for health information providers and policy-makers. Research
      efforts are urgently required to identify how best to enhance readability of
      mobile health information and fully capture the capabilities of mobile phones as
      a useful device to increase health literacy.

PMID- 27250917
TI  - Time to Reperfusion in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients With
      vs. Without Pre-Hospital Mobile Telemedicine 12-Lead Electrocardiogram
      Transmission.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prehospital ECG improves survival following ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI). Although a new International Consensus on
      Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With
      Treatment Recommendations placed new emphasis on the role of prehospital ECG,
      this technology is not widely used in Japan. We developed a mobile telemedicine
      system (MTS) that continuously transmits real-time 12-lead ECG from ambulances in
      a prehospital setting. This study was designed to compare reperfusion delay
      between STEMI patients with different prehospital transfer pathways. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2012, 393 consecutive STEMI patients were transferred
      by ambulance to hospital (PCI-capable center); 301 patients who underwent primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled prospectively. We compared
      time to reperfusion between patients transferred to PCI-capable hospital using
      the MTS (MTS group, n=37), patients directly transferred from the field to PCI
      capable hospital without the MTS (field transfer group, n=125) and patients
      referred from a PCI-incapable hospital (interhospital transfer group, n=139).
      Times to reperfusion in the MTS group were significantly shorter than in the
      other groups, yielding substantial benefits in patients who arrived at a PCI
      capable hospital within 6 h after symptom onset. On multivariate analysis, MTS
      use was an independent predictor of <90-min door-to-device interval (OR, 4.61;
      P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Reperfusion delay was shorter in patients using MTS than
      in patients without it. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1624-1633).

PMID- 27250918
TI  - Impacts of Surgically Performed Renal Denervation on the Cardiovascular and
      Electrophysiological Variables in the Chronic Atrioventricular Block Dogs -
      Comparison With Those of Amiodarone Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to begin to precisely clarify the impact of renal
      denervation on the blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and ventricular
      tachyarrhythmias, in addition to proarrhythmic potential, its cardiovascular
      effects were assessed by using the chronic complete atrioventricular block dogs.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiohemodynamic and electrophysiological effects, together
      with neurohumoral factors and/or electrolytes, were assessed before and 4 weeks
      after either renal denervation (n=5) or amiodarone treatment (n=6). Amiodarone
      hydrochloride was given orally to the animals every day in a dose of 200 mg/day
      for the first 7 days followed by 100 mg/day for the following 21 days. The renal
      denervation decreased the systolic pressure, idioventricular rate, prolonged
      ventricular effective refractory period, and slightly suppressed the adrenergic
      tone and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, but hardly affected the atrial
      effective refractory period and terminal repolarization period. Amiodarone
      prolonged the atrial effective refractory period, whereas no significant change
      was detected in the other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Surgically performed renal
      denervation may possess the anti-ventricular tachyarrhythmic rather than anti
      atrial fibrillatory potentials, and it also modestly decreased the blood
      pressure. Thus, currently obtained information may be used as guidance for better
      understanding the utility and limitation of renal denervation against various
      types of cardiovascular diseases. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1556-1563).

PMID- 27250919
TI  - Hybrid imidazole (benzimidazole)/pyridine (quinoline) derivatives and evaluation
      of their anticancer and antimycobacterial activity.
AB  - The design, synthesis, structure, and in vitro anticancer and antimycobacterial
      activity of new hybrid imidazole (benzimidazole)/pyridine (quinoline) derivatives
      are described. The strategy adopted for synthesis is straight and efficient,
      involving a three-step setup procedure: N-acylation, N-alkylation, and
      quaternization of nitrogen heterocycle. The solubility in microbiological medium
      and anticancer and antimycobacterial activity of a selection of new synthesized
      compounds were evaluated. The hybrid derivatives have an excellent solubility in
      microbiological medium, which make them promising from the pharmacological
      properties point of view. One of the hybrid compounds, 9 (with a benzimidazole
      and 8-aminoquinoline skeleton), exhibits a very good and selective antitumor
      activity against Renal Cancer A498 and Breast Cancer MDA-MB-468. Moreover, the
      anticancer assay suggests that the hybrid Imz (Bimz)/2-AP (8-AQ) compounds
      present a specific affinity to Renal Cancer A498. Concerning the
      antimycobacterial activity, only the hybrid compound, 9, has a significant
      activity. SAR correlations have been performed.

PMID- 27250921
TI  - Pudendal neuralgia after pelvic surgery using mesh: Case reports and laparoscopic
      pudendal nerve decompression.
AB  - Persistent pain after vaginal mesh surgery is a rare and agonizing entity that
      has devastating consequences for the patient's quality of life. Many etiologies
      have been blamed including nerve injuries and entrapments. Pudendal neuralgia is
      a rare chronic neuropathic pain syndrome in the anatomical territory of the
      pudendal nerve. Various treatment options, such as medication management,
      physiotherapy, nerve blocks, decompression surgery and neuromodulation, have been
      used, but the most appropriate treatment for pudendal neuralgia has not yet been
      determined. In this article, we present two cases of postoperative pelvic pain
      thought to be secondary to injury or mechanical distortion of the pudendal nerve
      after rectocele repair using mesh and tension-free vaginal tape sling. In cases
      of failed conservative treatment and of mesh removal surgery, laparoscopic
      pudendal nerve decompression and omental flap wrapping operation can be a
      treatment option for pudendal neuralgia.

PMID- 27250920
TI  - Role of Histidine 547 of Human Dopamine Transporter in Molecular Interaction with
      HIV-1 Tat and Dopamine Uptake.
AB  - HIV-1 Tat plays an important role in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders
      (HAND) by disrupting neurotransmission including dopamine uptake by human
      dopamine transporter (hDAT). Previous studies have demonstrated that HIV-1 Tat
      directly binds to hDAT and some amino-acid mutations that attenuate the hDAT-Tat
      binding also significantly decreased dopamine uptake activity of hDAT. This
      combined computational-experimental study demonstrates that histidine-547 (H547)
      of hDAT plays a crucial role in the hDAT-Tat binding and dopamine uptake by hDAT,
      and that the H547A mutation can not only considerably attenuate Tat-induced
      inhibition of dopamine uptake, but also significantly increase the Vmax of hDAT
      for dopamine uptake. The finding of such an unusual hDAT mutant capable of both
      increasing the Vmax of hDAT for dopamine uptake and disrupting the hDAT-Tat
      binding may provide an exciting knowledge basis for development of novel concepts
      for therapeutic treatment of the HAND.

PMID- 27250923
TI  - Computational insights into intriguing vibration-induced pulsing diradical
      character in perfluoropentacene and the perfluorination effect.
AB  - As an n-type organic semiconductor compound, perfluoropentacene has more
      widespread applications in organic electronics because of its higher electron
      mobility compared with its parent pentacene. Herein, we explore intriguing
      dynamic electronic properties of perfluoropentacene caused by structural
      vibrations using density functional theory calculations. Perfluoropentacene could
      exhibit diradical character because of the persistent vibrations, although it
      belongs to a closed-shell singlet molecule in its equilibrium configuration. Not
      all the vibration-induced structural changes can induce diradical character, but
      only those leading to a small singlet-triplet energy gap, especially the small
      HOMO-LUMO gap, as well as the short cross-linking C-C bonds and distorted carbon
      ring structures in polyacetylene chains make great contributions. Due to
      molecular vibrations, the diradical character of dynamic perfluoropentacene
      exhibits pulsing behavior. Compared with pentacene, its perfluorination can not
      only considerably stabilize two frontier molecular orbitals, but also reduce the
      HOMO-LUMO gap, thus leading to an increase of the number of vibrational modes
      which can make the diradical character appear. In particular, perfluorination
      makes 19 diradical vibrational modes appear in the low frequency region. These
      observations indicate that some low energy pulses can trigger perfluoropentacene
      molecular vibrations according to some low energy modes and thus the appearance
      of pulsing diradical character or molecular magnetism. Clearly, the observed
      novel characters of a molecule possessing hidden pulsing diradical character and
      tunable magnetism in this work would contribute to opening up promising areas for
      designing peculiar magnetic materials. 

PMID- 27250922
TI  - CRIPT exonic deletion and a novel missense mutation in a female with short
      stature, dysmorphic features, microcephaly, and pigmentary abnormalities.
AB  - Mutations in CRIPT encoding cysteine-rich PDZ domain-binding protein are rare,
      and to date have been reported in only two patients with autosomal recessive
      primordial dwarfism and distinctive facies. Here, we describe a female with
      biallelic mutations in CRIPT presenting with postnatal growth retardation, global
      developmental delay, and dysmorphic features including frontal bossing, high
      forehead, and sparse hair and eyebrows. Additional clinical features included
      high myopia, admixed hyper- and hypopigmented macules primarily on the face,
      arms, and legs, and syndactyly of 4-5 toes bilaterally. Using whole exome
      sequencing (WES) and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), we detected a c.8G>A
      (p.C3Y) missense variant in exon 1 of the CRIPT gene inherited from the mother
      and a 1,331 bp deletion encompassing exon 1, inherited from the father. The
      c.8G>A (p.C3Y) missense variant in CRIPT was apparently homozygous in the proband
      due to the exon 1 deletion. Our findings illustrate the clinical utility of
      combining WES with copy number variant (CNV) analysis to provide a molecular
      diagnosis to patients with rare Mendelian disorders. Our findings also illustrate
      the clinical spectrum of CRIPT related mutations. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27250924
TI  - Predictors of clinical outcome in emphysema patients with atelectasis following
      endoscopic valve therapy: A retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of endoscopic valve therapy in patients with
      emphysema is complete lobar atelectasis of the most emphysematous lobe. However,
      even after the radiological advent of atelectasis, great variability in clinical
      outcomes can be observed. METHODS: The baseline clinical measures (vital capacity
      (VC), forced expiratory flow in 1 s (FEV1 ), residual volume (RV) and 6-min walk
      test (6-MWT)) and computed tomography variables (low attenuation volume (LAV) of
      the target lobe, LAV% of the target and the ipsilateral untreated lobe and LAV of
      the target lobe to LAV of the target lung and to LAV of the total lung) of 77
      patients with complete atelectasis following valve therapy were retrospectively
      examined to determine their impact on patient's outcome (changes in VC, FEV1 , RV
      and 6-MWT from baseline to the time of atelectasis). RESULTS: Low attenuation
      volume of the target lobe to LAV of the target lung predicts a significant FEV1
      improvement in patients with complete lobar atelectasis following valve therapy.
      A 10% difference in that computed tomography predictor was associated with a 82
      mL improvement in FEV1 (P = 0.006). Lower 6-MWT scores, low VC and high RV at
      baseline were significantly associated with greater improvement in the respective
      parameter (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Low attenuation volume of the target lobe
      to LAV of the target lung and baseline clinical measures seem to significantly
      predict clinical outcomes in patients with complete lobar atelectasis following
      valve treatment.

PMID- 27250925
TI  - Cutaneous murine model of infection caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum: a
      preliminary study of an emerging human pathogen.
AB  - Neoscytalidium dimidiatum is an emerging fungus that causes a skin infection
      similar to dermatophytosis; it affects both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed
      individuals, and it may invade deeper tissues and organs and cause systemic
      disease. Little is known about the etiopathogenesis of the infection caused by
      this fungus, and no standard effective treatment is available. The aim of the
      present experimental study was to develop an animal model of skin infection with
      N. dimidiatum. BALB/c mice were inoculated with two fungal strains, and different
      routes of infection were tested. When challenged intradermally, N. dimidiatum
      strain HUPE164165 caused skin infection in 67% of the animals whereas strain
      HUPE115669 did it in 49%. Neoscytalidium dimidiatum was isolated from the skin of
      25% of the animals inoculated via epidermal scarification and from 100% of the
      animals challenged via subcutaneous injection. Mice inoculated intradermally were
      followed-up during four weeks, and clinical samples were collected on days 3, 8,
      15, and 29 after inoculation, corresponding to different stages of infection. The
      cutaneous infection rate, as measured by the recovery of N. dimidiatum strain
      HUPE164165 from skin biopsies of animals inoculated intradermally, revealed the
      presence of infection in 90% of the animals sacrificed at 3 days post
      inoculation, 71% at 8, 85% at 15, and 33% at 29. Conidia and hyphae were observed
      in PAS-stained sections as well as a mild to moderate inflammatory infiltrate in
      haematoxylin-eosin, although it did not differ from animals inoculated either
      with T. quinckeanum or PBS. The intradermal route of inoculation was considered
      to be suitable for the study of skin infection with N. dimidiatum The animal
      model developed in this preliminary study is the first to allow the study of
      cutaneous infection with N. dimidiatum and may contribute to further
      investigations of the aetiology, immunology, pathogenesis and treatment targeting
      this emerging mycosis. 

PMID- 27250926
TI  - Probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii (nom. nud.) modulates adhesive properties
      of Candida glabrata.
AB  - Following the widespread use of immunosuppressive therapy together with broad
      spectrum antimycotic therapy, the frequency of mucosal and systemic infections
      caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata has increased in the past
      decades. Due to the resistance of C. glabrata to existing azole drugs, it is very
      important to look for new strategies helping the treatment of such fungal
      diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of the probiotic yeast
      Saccharomyces boulardii (nom. nud.) on C. glabrata adhesion at different
      temperatures, pH values, and in the presence of fluconazole, itraconazole and
      amphotericin B. We also studied the adhesion of C. glabrata co-culture with
      Candida krusei, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two bacterial probiotics Lactobacillus
      rhamnosus and Lactobacillus casei The method used to assess adhesion was crystal
      violet staining. Our results showed that despite the nonadhesiveness of S.
      boulardii cells, this probiotic significantly affected the adherence ability of
      C. glabrata This effect was highly dependent on C. glabrata strain and was either
      antagonistic or synergistic. Regarding the extrinsic factors, temperature did not
      indicate any significant influence on this S. boulardii modulatory effect, while
      at high pH and at increased concentrations of antimycotics, S. boulardii did not
      manage to repress the adhesion of C. glabrata strains. The experiments of C.
      glabrata co-cultures with other species showed that the adhesiveness of two
      separate cultures could not be used to predict the adhesiveness of their co
      culture. 

PMID- 27250927
TI  - Production of an anti-dermatophyte monoclonal antibody and its application:
      immunochromatographic detection of dermatophytes.
AB  - Tinea refers to superficial infection with one of three fungal genera
      Microsporum, Epidermophyton, or Trichophyton-that are collectively known as
      dermatophytes. These infections are among the most common diseases worldwide and
      cause chronic morbidity. They are usually diagnosed by direct microscopy and
      fungal culture, which are burdensome to perform in the clinical setting. To
      supplement conventional methods, we developed a new method that employs an
      immunochromatography test for detection of dermatophyte infections. First, anti
      Trichophyton monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were produced in mice using a
      Trichophyton allergen solution as an immunogen. The mAb specificity was assessed
      by immunostaining alcohol fixed slide cultures and formalin fixed paraffin
      embedded microbial samples. Both alcohol- and formalin-fixed samples of all seven
      species of Trichophyton tested displayed positive immunostaining.
      Immunochromatography test strips were created using the anti-Trichophyton mAb.
      The efficiency of the test strip was assessed in patients diagnosed with tinea
      unguium and in healthy volunteers. Of the 20 patient nails tested, 19 tested
      positive and one tested negative, whereas of the 17 volunteer nails, only one
      tested positive. However, KOH microscopic examination of the volunteer nail that
      tested positive revealed the existence of Trichophyton hyphae. Although the
      number of nails assayed was small, since the assay had a sensitivity of 95.0%
      (19/20) and a specificity of 94.1% (16/17), the obtained results were considered
      to be promising. Thus, while further investigation with a greater number of
      samples is necessary, this method could potentially be employed as a new
      diagnostic tool for Trichophyton in the future. 

PMID- 27250930
TI  - Phase I Testing: 60 Years in the Making.

PMID- 27250931
TI  - Dose Finding of Small-Molecule Oncology Drugs: Optimization throughout the
      Development Life Cycle.
AB  - In the current era of rapid marketing approval for promising new products in
      oncology, dose finding and optimization for small-molecule oncology drugs occurs
      throughout the development cycle and into the postmarketing setting. Many trials
      that support a regulatory application have high rates of dose reductions and
      discontinuations, which may result in postmarketing requirements (PMR) to study
      alternate doses or dosing schedules. Kinase inhibitors particularly have been
      susceptible to this problem, and among the 31 approved drugs of this class, the
      approvals of eight have included such PMRs and/or commitments. Thus, the current
      paradigm for dose finding and optimization could be improved. Newer strategies
      for dose finding rather than traditional 3 + 3 designs should be considered where
      feasible, and dose optimization should be continued after phase I and throughout
      development. Such strategies will increase the likelihood of a right dose for the
      right drug at the time of regulatory approval. Clin Cancer Res; 22(11); 2613-7.
      (c)2016 AACR SEE ALL ARTICLES IN THIS CCR FOCUS SECTION, "NEW APPROACHES FOR
      OPTIMIZING DOSING OF ANTICANCER AGENTS".

PMID- 27250929
TI  - Molecular Pathways: Targeting the PI3K Pathway in Cancer-BET Inhibitors to the
      Rescue.
AB  - The PI3K signaling pathway is a complex and tightly regulated network that is
      critical for many physiologic processes, such as cell growth, proliferation,
      metabolism, and survival. Aberrant activation of this pathway can occur through
      mutation of almost any of its major nodes and has been implicated in a number of
      human diseases, including cancer. The high frequency of mutations in this pathway
      in multiple types of cancer has led to the development of small-molecule
      inhibitors of PI3K, several of which are currently in clinical trials. However,
      several feedback mechanisms either within the PI3K pathway or in compensatory
      pathways can render tumor cells resistant to therapy. Recently, targeting
      proteins of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of epigenetic readers
      of histone acetylation has been shown to effectively block adaptive signaling
      response of cancer cells to inhibitors of the PI3K pathway, which at least in
      some cases can restore sensitivity. BET inhibitors also enforce blockade of the
      MAPK, JAK/STAT, and ER pathways, suggesting they may be a rational combinatorial
      partner for divergent oncogenic signals that are subject to homeostatic
      regulation. Here, we review the PI3K pathway as a target for cancer therapy and
      discuss the potential use of BET inhibition to enhance the clinical efficacy of
      PI3K inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res; 22(11); 2605-10. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27250932
TI  - Nonclinical Evaluations of Small-Molecule Oncology Drugs: Integration into
      Clinical Dose Optimization and Toxicity Management.
AB  - Multidisciplinary approaches that incorporate nonclinical pharmacologic and
      toxicologic characterization of small-molecule oncology drugs into clinical
      development programs may facilitate improved benefit-risk profiles and clinical
      toxicity management in patients. The performance of the current nonclinical
      safety-testing scheme was discussed, highlighting current strengths and areas for
      improvement. While current nonclinical testing appears to predict the clinical
      outcome where the prevalence of specific adverse effects are high, nonclinical
      testing becomes less reliable for predicting clinical adverse effects that occur
      infrequently, as with some kinase inhibitors. Although adverse effects associated
      with kinase inhibitors can often be predicted on the basis of target biology,
      drugs can be promiscuous and inhibit targets with poorly defined function and
      associated risks. Improvements in adverse effect databases and better
      characterization of the biologic activities of drug targets may enable better use
      of computational modeling approaches in predicting adverse effects with kinase
      inhibitors. Assessing safety of a lead candidate in parallel with other drug
      properties enables incorporation of a molecule's best features during chemical
      design, eliminates the worst molecules early, and permits timely
      investigation/characterization of toxicity mechanisms for identified liabilities.
      A safety lead optimization and candidate identification strategy that reduces
      intrinsic toxicity and metabolic risk and enhances selectivity can deliver
      selective kinase inhibitors that demonstrate on-target adverse effects identified
      nonclinically. Integrating clinical and nonclinical data during drug development
      can facilitate better identification and management of oncology drugs. Follow-up
      nonclinical studies may be used to better understand the risks in a given patient
      population and minimize or manage these risks more appropriately. Clin Cancer
      Res; 22(11); 2618-22. (c)2016 AACR SEE ALL ARTICLES IN THIS CCR FOCUS SECTION,
      "NEW APPROACHES FOR OPTIMIZING DOSING OF ANTICANCER AGENTS".

PMID- 27250934
TI  - Lessons Learned: Dose Selection of Small Molecule-Targeted Oncology Drugs.
AB  - Evaluation of dose plays a critical role in a successful oncology development
      program. Typically for oncology agents, the first-in-man phase I dose-escalation
      trials are conducted to determine a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). This MTD is
      taken forward into subsequent trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the
      drug product. Although this approach was appropriate historically for cytotoxics,
      the application of MTD as the recommend phase II dose has been problematic for
      the newer small molecule-targeted oncology agents. Promising alternative
      approaches using dose and exposure exploration, including lessons learned from
      recent targeted oncology agent development and approvals, are summarized and
      discussed. Clin Cancer Res; 22(11); 2630-8. (c)2016 AACR SEE ALL ARTICLES IN THIS
      CCR FOCUS SECTION, "NEW APPROACHES FOR OPTIMIZING DOSING OF ANTICANCER AGENTS".

PMID- 27250933
TI  - Rendering the 3 + 3 Design to Rest: More Efficient Approaches to Oncology Dose
      Finding Trials in the Era of Targeted Therapy.
AB  - Selection of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) as the recommended dose for
      registration trials based on a dose-escalation trial using variations of an MTD/3
      + 3 design often occurs in the development of oncology products. The MTD/3 + 3
      approach is not optimal and may result in recommended doses that are unacceptably
      toxic for many patients and in dose reduction/interruptions that might have an
      impact on effectiveness. Instead of the MTD/3 + 3 approach, the authors recommend
      an integrated approach. In this approach, typically an adaptive/Bayesian model
      provides a general framework to incorporate and make decisions for dose
      escalation based on nonclinical data, such as animal efficacy and toxicity data;
      clinical data, including pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics data; and
      dose/exposure-response data for efficacy and safety. To improve dose-ranging
      trials, model-based estimation, rather than hypothesis testing, should be used to
      maximize and integrate the information gathered across trials and doses. This
      approach may improve identification of optimal recommended doses, which can then
      be confirmed in registration trials. Clin Cancer Res; 22(11); 2623-9. (c)2016
      AACR SEE ALL ARTICLES IN THIS CCR FOCUS SECTION, "NEW APPROACHES FOR OPTIMIZING
      DOSING OF ANTICANCER AGENTS".

PMID- 27250936
TI  - Correction: Hydroxychloroquine Inhibits Autophagy to Potentiate Antiestrogen
      Responsiveness in ER+ Breast Cancer.

PMID- 27250935
TI  - Voxel Level Radiologic-Pathologic Validation of Restriction Spectrum Imaging
      Cellularity Index with Gleason Grade in Prostate Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Restriction spectrum imaging (RSI-MRI), an advanced diffusion imaging
      technique, can potentially circumvent current limitations in tumor conspicuity,
      in vivo characterization, and location demonstrated by multiparametric magnetic
      resonance imaging (MP-MRI) techniques in prostate cancer detection. Prior reports
      show that the quantitative signal derived from RSI-MRI, the cellularity index, is
      associated with aggressive prostate cancer as measured by Gleason grade (GG). We
      evaluated the reliability of RSI-MRI to predict variance with GG at the voxel
      level within clinically demarcated prostate cancer regions. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:
      Ten cases were processed using whole mount sectioning after radical
      prostatectomy. Regions of tumor were identified by an uropathologist. Stained
      prostate sections were scanned at high resolution (75 MUm/pixel). A grid of tiles
      corresponding to voxel dimensions was graded using the GG system. RSI-MRI
      cellularity index was calculated from presurgical prostate MR scans and presented
      as normalized z-score maps. In total, 2,795 tiles were analyzed and compared with
      RSI-MRI cellularity. RESULTS: RSI-MRI cellularity index was found to distinguish
      between prostate cancer and benign tumor (t = 25.48, P < 0.00001). Significant
      differences were also found between benign tissue and prostate cancer classified
      as low-grade (GG = 3; t = 11.56, P < 0.001) or high-grade (GG >= 4; t = 24.03, P
      < 0.001). Furthermore, RSI-MRI differentiated between low and high-grade prostate
      cancer (t = 3.23; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Building on our previous findings of
      correlation between GG and the RSI-MRI among whole tumors, our current study
      reveals a similar correlation at voxel resolution within tumors. Because it can
      detect variations in tumor grade with voxel-level precision, RSI-MRI may become
      an option for planning targeted procedures where identifying the area with the
      most aggressive disease is important. Clin Cancer Res; 22(11); 2668-74. (c)2016
      AACR.

PMID- 27250938
TI  - Population Screening for Hemoglobinopathy Profiling: Is the Development of a
      Microarray Worthwhile?
AB  - In order to perform affordable and expedient whole population scans for the
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in hemoglobinopathies,
      microarrays based on single nucleotide extension (SNE) might prove advantageous
      to whole genome/exome sequencing in terms of cost, speed, interpretation and
      discretion as they focus on a very small part of the tested genome. The
      development of a microarray assay entails most of the cost, to be deferred by the
      massive use of the end product. A microarray assay development project, involving
      multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), labeling, hybridization and
      scanning/scoring steps is presented as a paradigm of objective bug ratios
      expected to such procedures and of ways to cope with them. Qualification of the
      microarray genotypes needs a reference method, which may still be restriction
      digestion or other, as sequencing remains an expensive commodity. Optimization of
      wet steps should also be followed by careful and perhaps individualized dye
      excitation and in silico scoring rules, taking into consideration decay and
      bleaching effects that perplex development. The strategy of successive
      elimination of problems, a top-bottom procedure, which had been used and is
      usually preferred by developing agencies, might have been erroneous; a bottom-up
      course to delineate issues in different levels, although more laborious, might be
      the correct choice, especially as software and robotic hardware, high throughput
      tools become more mature and available. The testing for interlocus compatibility,
      specificity and robustness is demanding and warranted only in the case of steady,
      high volume use of an assay for territorial, national or international use. 

PMID- 27250937
TI  - Prognosis following surgical bypass compared with laparotomy alone in
      unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resection with curative intent has been shown to prolong survival of
      patients with locoregional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, up
      to 33 per cent of patients are deemed unresectable at exploratory laparotomy
      owing to unanticipated locally advanced or metastatic disease. In these patients,
      prophylactic double bypass (PDB) procedures have been considered the standard of
      care. The aim of this study was to compare PDB with exploratory laparotomy alone
      in terms of impact on postoperative course, chemotherapy and overall survival.
      METHODS: This retrospective observational cohort study (2004-2013) was conducted
      using a prospective institutional database. Patients with histologically
      confirmed, unresectable PDAC were included. Relationships between PDB procedures,
      exploratory laparotomy alone, postoperative chemotherapy and best supportive care
      were investigated by means of Cox regression. Overall survival was compared using
      Kaplan-Meier estimations and log rank test. RESULTS: Of 503 patients with PDAC
      scheduled for resection with curative intent, 104 were deemed unresectable at
      laparotomy (resection rate 79.3 per cent). Seventy-four patients underwent PDB
      procedures and 30 had exploratory laparotomy alone. PDB and exploratory
      laparotomy were similar in terms of perioperative mortality, initiation of
      chemotherapy and overall survival. Compared with best supportive care,
      postoperative chemotherapy prolonged survival (8.0 versus 14.4 months in locally
      advanced PDAC, P = 0.007; 2.3 versus 8.0 months in metastatic PDAC, P < 0.001).
      Patients undergoing chemotherapy following exploratory laparotomy alone had
      longer median overall survival than patients undergoing chemotherapy following
      PDB procedures (16.3 versus 10.3 months; P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Patients with
      pancreatic cancer deemed unresectable at laparotomy may derive survival benefit
      from subsequent chemotherapy as opposed to supportive care alone. At laparotomy,
      proceeding with a bypass procedure for prophylactic symptom control may be
      prognostically unfavourable.

PMID- 27250939
TI  - Using Yeast Transposon-Insertion Libraries for Phenotypic Screening and Protein
      Localization.
AB  - This protocol details how to use a transposon-insertion library for phenotypic
      screening and protein localization. The insertion library was generated by
      mutagenesis of a plasmid-based yeast genomic DNA library by using a multipurpose
      transposon; the transposon produces gene disruptions, and, by Cre-mediated
      recombination at lox sites incorporated within the transposon, alleles with an in
      frame insertion can be truncated to a residual transposon encoding multiple
      copies of the hemagglutinin epitope. Insertions are generated in yeast by shuttle
      mutagenesis. Yeast genomic DNA containing a transposon insertion is released from
      the library, and the mutagenized DNA sequences are introduced into a desired
      strain of yeast, where the insertion alleles replace native loci by homologous
      recombination. The insertion mutants can be screened for phenotypes, and the site
      of transposon insertion can subsequently be identified in selected mutants by
      inverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In-frame insertions within genes of
      interest can be truncated to an epitope-tagged allele by Cre-lox recombination,
      and the subcellular localization of the encoded protein product can be identified
      by standard methods of indirect immunofluorescence. In summary, the transposon
      insertion libraries represent an informative resource for large-scale
      mutagenesis, presenting a straightforward alternative to labor-intensive targeted
      approaches for the construction of deletion alleles and fluorescent protein
      fusions.

PMID- 27250940
TI  - CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cells.
AB  - This protocol describes a method for CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing that
      results in scarless and marker-free integrations of DNA into Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae genomes. DNA integration results from cotransforming (1) a single
      plasmid (pCAS) that coexpresses the Cas9 endonuclease and a uniquely engineered
      single guide RNA (sgRNA) expression cassette and (2) a linear DNA molecule that
      is used to repair the chromosomal DNA damage by homology-directed repair. For
      target specificity, the pCAS plasmid requires only a single cloning modification:
      replacing the 20-bp guide RNA sequence within the sgRNA cassette. This CRISPR
      Cas9 protocol includes methods for (1) cloning the unique target sequence into
      pCAS, (2) assembly of the double-stranded DNA repair oligonucleotides, and (3)
      cotransformation of pCAS and linear repair DNA into yeast cells. The protocol is
      technically facile and requires no special equipment. It can be used in any S.
      cerevisiae strain, including industrial polyploid isolates. Therefore, this
      CRISPR-Cas9-based DNA integration protocol is achievable by virtually any yeast
      genetics and molecular biology laboratory.

PMID- 27250941
TI  - Studying Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization by Analyzing the Release of
      Preloaded BSA-Gold Particles into the Cytosol.
AB  - In addition to techniques involving assaying the release of endogenous lysosomal
      molecules into the cytosol, the endocytic system can be preloaded with exogenous
      fluorescent or electron-dense tracers. These tracers will translocate into the
      cytosol upon lysosomal membrane permeabilization and have the advantage of being
      detectable directly without additional labeling. Another benefit is that the
      tracers can be made more abundant than most endogenous lysosomal molecules, which
      facilitates their detection. Tracers that can be analyzed with fluorescence
      microscopy include low-molecular-mass molecules such as sulforhodamine B and also
      fluorescent polymers of dextran that are available in a wide range of molecular
      masses. This protocol shows how, for electron-microscopic analysis, cells can be
      fed with colloidal gold or ferrofluid particles complexed to bovine serum
      albumin. Although electron microscopy entails a high-resolution analysis, which
      can be advantageous, we caution how it is important to note that particulate
      tracers are larger than many endogenous lysosomal molecules and might be released
      only upon extensive membrane permeabilization.

PMID- 27250942
TI  - Chromatin and Cell Wall Staining of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
AB  - Fission yeasts grow by tip extension, maintaining a constant width until they
      reach a critical size threshold and divide. Division by medial fission-which
      gives these yeast their name-generates a new end that arises from the site of
      cytokinesis. The old end, which was produced during the previous cell cycle,
      initiates progression of the new cell cycle, and in G2, the new end is activated
      in a process termed new-end takeoff (NETO). In this protocol, the fluorescent
      stains calcofluor and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) are used to give a
      rapid and informative assessment of morphogenesis and cell-cycle progression in
      the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe Calcofluor reveals the timing of NETO
      because it stains the birth scars that are generated at new ends by cytokinesis
      less efficiently than the rest of the cell wall. Intense calcofluor staining of
      the septum and measurement of cell length are also widely used to identify
      dividing cells and to gauge the timing of mitotic commitment. Staining nuclei
      with DAPI identifies mono- and binucleated cells and complements the calcofluor
      staining procedure to evaluate the stages of the cell cycle and identify mitotic
      errors. Equally simple DAPI staining procedures reveal chromatin structure in
      higher resolution, facilitating more accurate staging of mitotic progression and
      characterization of mitotic errors.

PMID- 27250943
TI  - Staining Fission Yeast Filamentous Actin with Fluorescent Phalloidin Conjugates.
AB  - The Schizosaccharomyces pombe filamentous (F)-actin cytoskeleton drives cell
      growth, morphogenesis, endocytosis, and cytokinesis. The protocol described here
      reveals the distribution of F-actin in fixed cells through the use of
      fluorescently conjugated phalloidin. Simultaneous staining of cell wall landmarks
      (with calcofluor) and chromatin (with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, or DAPI)
      makes this rapid staining procedure highly effective for staging cell cycle
      progression, monitoring morphogenetic abnormalities, and assessing the impact of
      environmental and genetic changes on the integrity of the F-actin cytoskeleton.

PMID- 27250944
TI  - Cell Cycle Synchronization of Schizosaccharomyces pombe by Centrifugal
      Elutriation of Small Cells.
AB  - Division of Schizosaccharomyces pombe by medial fission produces identically
      sized daughter cells that grow by tip extension until their own division is
      prompted by reaching the same critical size for division as the parental cell.
      The fidelity of this size control in the absence of perturbation means that cells
      of the same size are at the same point in the cell cycle. Size selection of small
      cells from an asynchronous culture by centrifugal elutriation permits generation
      of synchronous cultures large enough for biochemical analysis. The changes
      observed in the synchronized cell cycle progression of such cultures are
      representative of those that accompany cell cycle progression of individual
      cells. Here, we describe how size selection with the Beckman Coulter JE-5.0 rotor
      can be used to generate synchronized cultures. Because of the continuous passage
      of medium through the rotor throughout the procedure, elutriation is considered
      to have less impact on the integrity of the cell cycle than other approaches. Two
      protocols are presented here: The first generates a 2-L culture ideal for
      detailed biochemical analysis, whereas the second allows rapid generation and
      simultaneous analysis of three smaller (200-mL) cultures.

PMID- 27250945
TI  - Cell Cycle Synchronization of Schizosaccharomyces pombe by Lactose Gradient
      Centrifugation to Isolate Small Cells.
AB  - Size selection of small cells from an asynchronous Schizosaccharomyces pombe
      culture offers a simple way to generate cultures in which progression through the
      mitotic cell division cycle is synchronized throughout the population. Here, we
      describe how density centrifugation of cells from asynchronous cultures through
      lactose gradients selects small G2 cells to generate synchronized cultures as
      large as 500 mL. The ease and simplicity of this approach makes it an accessible
      and attractive method for generating synchronous cultures.

PMID- 27250946
TI  - Analyzing Schizosaccharomyces pombe DNA Content by Flow Cytometry.
AB  - Flow cytometry can be used to measure the DNA content of individual cells. The
      data are usually presented as DNA histograms that can be used to examine the
      cells' progression through the cell cycle. Under standard growth conditions,
      fission yeast cells do not complete cytokinesis until after G1 phase; therefore,
      DNA histograms show one major peak representing cells in G1 (2*1C DNA) and G2
      phase (1*2C DNA). By analysis of the duration of the fluorescence signal as well
      as the intensity of the DNA-related signal, it is possible to discriminate
      between cells in M/G1, S, and G2 This protocol describes how to prepare cells for
      flow cytometry and analyze them. We also describe the application of barcoding
      for more accurate comparison of samples.

PMID- 27250947
TI  - Long-Term Potentiation by Theta-Burst Stimulation Using Extracellular Field
      Potential Recordings in Acute Hippocampal Slices.
AB  - This protocol describes how to carry out theta-burst long-term potentiation (LTP)
      with extracellular field recordings in acute rodent hippocampal slices. This
      method is relatively simple and noninvasive and provides a way to sample many
      neurons simultaneously, making it suitable for applications requiring higher
      throughput than whole-cell recording.

PMID- 27250948
TI  - Using Multiple Whole-Cell Recordings to Study Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity
      in Acute Neocortical Slices.
AB  - This protocol provides a method for quadruple whole-cell recording to study
      synaptic plasticity of neocortical connections, with a special focus on spike
      timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). It also describes how to morphologically
      identify recorded cells from two-photon laser-scanning microscopy (2PLSM) stacks.

PMID- 27250949
TI  - Strategies for Assaying Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization.
AB  - Late endosomal organelles have an acidic pH and contain hydrolytic enzymes to
      degrade cargo delivered either from the extracellular environment by endocytosis
      or from within the cell itself by autophagy. In the event of lysosomal membrane
      permeabilization (LMP), the contents of late endosomes and lysosomes can be
      released into the cytosol and then initiate apoptosis. Compounds that can trigger
      LMP are therefore candidates for the induction of apoptosis, in particular in
      anticancer therapy. Alternatively, drug-delivery systems, such as nanoparticles,
      can have side effects that can include LMP, which has toxic consequences for the
      cells. To determine when, to what extent, and with what consequences LMP occurs
      is therefore of paramount importance for the evaluation of new potentially LMP
      inducing compounds. In this introduction, we provide an overview of some basic
      assays for assessing LMP, such as staining with lysosomotropic dyes and
      measurement of cysteine cathepsin activity, and discuss additional strategies for
      the detection of the release of endogenous lysosomal molecules or preloaded
      exogenous tracers into the cytosol.

PMID- 27250950
TI  - Multipurpose Transposon-Insertion Libraries in Yeast.
AB  - Libraries of transposon-insertion alleles constitute powerful and versatile tools
      for large-scale analysis of yeast gene function. Transposon-insertion libraries
      are constructed most simply through mutagenesis of a plasmid-based genomic DNA
      library; modification of the mutagenizing transposon by incorporation of yeast
      selectable markers, recombination sites, and an epitope tag enables the
      application of insertion alleles for phenotypic screening and protein
      localization. In particular, yeast genomic DNA libraries have been mutagenized
      with modified bacterial transposons carrying the URA3 marker, lox recombination
      sites, and sequence encoding multiple copies of the hemagglutinin (HA) epitope.
      Mutagenesis with these transposons has yielded a large resource of insertion
      alleles affecting nearly 4000 yeast genes in total. Through well-established
      protocols, these insertion libraries can be introduced into the desired strain
      backgrounds and the resulting insertional mutants can be screened or
      systematically analyzed. Relative to alternative methods of UV irradiation or
      chemical mutagenesis, transposon-insertion alleles can be easily identified by
      PCR-based approaches or high-throughput sequencing. Transposon-insertion
      libraries also provide a cost-effective alternative to targeted deletion
      approaches, although, in contrast to start-codon to stop-codon deletions,
      insertion alleles might not represent true null-mutants. For protein-localization
      studies, transposon-insertion alleles can provide encoded epitope tags in-frame
      with internal codons; in many cases, these transposon-encoded epitope tags can
      provide a more accurate localization for proteins in which terminal sequences are
      crucial for intracellular targeting. Thus, overall, transposon-insertion
      libraries can be used quickly and economically and have a particular utility in
      screening for desired phenotypes and localization patterns in nonstandard genetic
      backgrounds.

PMID- 27250951
TI  - In Vitro Investigation of Synaptic Plasticity.
AB  - A classical in vitro model for investigation of information storage in the brain
      is based on the acute hippocampal slice. Here, repeated high-frequency
      stimulation of excitatory Schaeffer collaterals making synapses onto pyramidal
      cells in the hippocampal CA1 region leads to strengthening of evoked field
      recording responses-long-term potentiation (LTP)-in keeping with Hebb's
      postulate. This model remains tremendously influential for its reliability,
      specificity, and relative ease of use. More recent plasticity studies have
      explored various other brain regions including the neocortex, which often
      requires more laborious whole-cell recordings of synaptically connected pairs of
      neurons, to ensure that the identities of recorded cells are known. In addition,
      with this experimental approach, the spiking activity can be controlled with
      millisecond precision, which is necessary for the study of spike-timing-dependent
      plasticity (STDP). Here, we provide protocols for in vitro study of hippocampal
      CA1 LTP using field recordings, and of STDP in synaptically connected pairs of
      layer-5 pyramidal cells in acute slices of rodent neocortex.

PMID- 27250952
TI  - Intrinsic Optical Imaging of Functional Map Development in Mammalian Visual
      Cortex.
AB  - Here we describe how intrinsic imaging of the visual cortex can be used as a
      chronic technique. This method allows the time course of the development of
      cortical maps to be studied in a single animal during a period of up to 1 yr.

PMID- 27250953
TI  - [A Reflection on the Policy of Transcultural Long-Term Care for the Indigenous
      Peoples in Taiwan].
AB  - Giving high-profile attention to socio-cultural and traditional beliefs in the
      promotion of long-term care policies enjoys strong, consensus support in the
      field of transcultural nursing. To protect the rights of indigenous people in
      Taiwan, the Ministry of Health and Welfare incorporated the concept of cultural
      care into the Long-term Care Services Act, which was approved by the Legislature
      in May 2014. However, the policies, resource strategies, manpower allocations,
      and staff educations and trainings related to this act are still await
      implementation in indigenous areas. Beyond the concept of professional
      healthcare, which considers cultural sensitivity, suitability, and ability,
      cultural care gives greater priority to crossing cultural barriers, integrating
      with the lifestyle of clients, and addressing their concerns in order to improve
      the well-being of target populations. The present article reviews current long
      term care policy to highlight the importance of considering the cultural needs of
      the indigenous peoples of Taiwan in order to enhance the efficiency and impact of
      long-term care programs. Furthermore, the findings strongly recommend that
      additional resources be provided in order to meet the long-term care needs of
      indigenous communities. Finally, cultural-specific, long-term care service
      strategies should be promulgated in order to upgrade well-being in order to ease
      and comfort the feelings of indigenous people. 

PMID- 27250954
TI  - [Reflection on the Health and Gender Mainstreaming of Indigenous Women in
      Taiwan].
AB  - Gender and race issues have caused rapid cultural and societal changes to affect
      the healthcare of indigenous women, which involves complicated, cultural
      meanings. The present paper begins by outlining the gender perspective and then
      elaborates on the present gender mainstreaming and status of indigenous women's
      healthcare in Taiwan. Furthermore, this paper identifies the current difficulties
      experienced by Taiwanese indigenous women, including those related to the lack of
      adequate healthcare data and gender analyses on indigenous women and the lack of
      regular research on healthcare strategies for indigenous women. Therefore, the
      present paper proposes to establish health policy references that are gender and
      race sensitive. The health policy not only addresses racial and gender concerns
      regarding healthcare information but also focuses on the analysis of indigenous
      healthcare information. Indigenous women's health concerns are discussed here
      within the framework of healthcare policy through the perspective of gender
      mainstreaming. Additionally, we will analyze and evaluate the effects of gender
      in order to establish inspection and management processes that integrate the
      concept of gender into policy development and implementation, thus promoting
      relevant health policies. During the processes of planning, implementing, and
      evaluating healthcare policies, women should unite to contribute toward
      indigenous women's health policies and gender mainstreaming. 

PMID- 27250955
TI  - [How are You, My Tribe? The Health Relationship Among the Tribe, Ethnic Group,
      and the Self].
AB  - Most papers on the status of indigenous health focus on health problems from the
      individual perspective in the hope that this will spread from the individual to
      tribal/ethnic perspectives. For most indigenous people, the 'tribe' is their home
      and this home has been affected by colonial society, which has changed tribal
      ethics and influenced the status of indigenous health. Similarly, there are
      fissures in the links between indigenous people and their tribes, their ancestry,
      and their land because of the loss of their land, traditional culture, and racial
      discrimination and prejudice. These result in an imbalance between indigenous
      people and their environment and have a deeply felt influence on indigenous
      health. Transitional justice is an approach to coping with these issues that
      include colonization, capitalism, relationships with production, and promoting
      indigenous health. 

PMID- 27250956
TI  - [The Development of Research Ethics Involving Indigenous People in Taiwan: A
      Brief Introduction].
AB  - Adhering to ethics protocols has become increasingly important in the process of
      doing research in Taiwan since the introduction of research-ethics mechanisms.
      Adhering to these protocols affects research on Taiwan's indigenous peoples due
      to the vulnerability of indigenous groups and to their increasing rights
      consciousness. The present paper explains the context of group rights from a
      national self-determination perspective and then discusses the current indigenous
      research-ethics mechanisms in Taiwan. The ethical guidelines for indigenous
      research in Canada, TCPS2 2014-Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for
      Research Involving Humans are referenced as a model for protocols that may foster
      positive and mutually trusting relationships between academic researchers and
      indigenous communities in Taiwan. 

PMID- 27250957
TI  - [Exploring the Care Needs of Primary Caregivers of Patients Awaiting Brain Tumor
      Surgery and Related Factors].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with brain tumor diagnoses is often
      uncertain. Therefore, the primary caregivers of these patients must not only
      adjust their lives to patient care but also often deal with patient anxiety and
      depression, which may significantly increase patient-care needs. PURPOSE: The
      present study explores the care needs of primary caregivers of patients awaiting
      brain tumor surgery and the factors that are associated with these needs.
      METHODS: A correlational research design was used. Convenience sampling was used
      to recruit 80 pre-brain-tumor operation patient/caregiver pairs. Data were
      collected using a questionnaire survey, which included Supportive Care Needs
      Survey-Partners & Caregivers 45 (SCNS-P&C45) and the Hospital Anxiety and
      Depression Scales (HADS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for
      data analysis. RESULTS: The information-needs and healthcare-service-needs
      subscales earned the highest subscale scores on the SCNS-P&C45. Higher anxiety
      perception (r = .37, p < .01) and higher depression status (r = .27, p < .05)
      were significantly correlated with increased care needs. In addition, decreased
      patient functional status was significantly associated with increased depression
      in the primary caregiver. Anxiety perception was the only significant predictor
      of care needs that was identified (R(2) = 12.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare
      providers should provide patient education on the disease and disease-related
      care information soon after a diagnosis of brain tumor in order to decrease the
      anxiety and depression perceptions of caregivers and to reduce the care needs of
      caregivers.

PMID- 27250958
TI  - [Reliability and Validity Testing of the Taiwanese Inpatient Nursing Care
      Satisfaction Scale: A Pilot-Study].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inpatient nursing care satisfaction is an important indicator of
      medical care quality. However, no reliable and validated tool is currently
      available in Taiwan to measure the satisfaction of inpatients with nursing care.
      PURPOSE: This pilot study developed a reliable and validated scale for measuring
      inpatient nursing care satisfaction in Taiwan. METHODS: First phase: literature
      review and expert focus group discussion constructs the content of the
      questionnaire to be used to assess inpatient nursing care satisfaction. Second
      phase: experts were requested to validate questionnaire content. Third phase:
      convenience sampling was used to recruit 766 inpatients from 6 hospitals to
      complete the validated questionnaire. The data collected from the questionnaire
      were analyzed using item analysis, construct validity, and internal consistency.
      The results of analysis were used to determine the reliability and validity of
      the developed scale. RESULTS: The 20-item Taiwanese inpatient nursing care
      satisfaction scale was developed, with a CVI (content validity index) of expert
      validity of .97, item discrimination CR (critical ratio) of 28.61-50.25 (p <
      .001), and item-total correlation of .68-.84 (p < .001). Two factors, including
      "professional knowledge & skill" and "environmental control" were extracted by
      exploratory factor analysis after the deletion of 5 items, with item factor
      loadings ranging from .61 to .84. The factors explained 71.40% of total variance.
      The internal consistency of the two categories of Cronbach's alpha was .94-.97
      coefficient and the overall internal consistency coefficient was .97.
      CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study confirms the validity of the
      developed Taiwanese inpatient nursing care satisfaction scale and suggests that
      this instrument is reliable for measuring the satisfaction of inpatients with
      nursing care in Taiwan.

PMID- 27250959
TI  - [The Childbearing Experiences of Taiwanese Women After a Stillbirth].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perinatal losses are traumatic events for women and may have serious
      long-term consequences for the psychological health of women and subsequent
      pregnancies. Therefore, it is important to explore the psychological adaptation
      process of subsequent pregnancy after loss in order to understand the overall
      phenomenon of perinatal loss. PURPOSE: To explore the childbearing experiences of
      women who have experienced a prior stillbirth. METHODS: This qualitative
      descriptive study targeted a purposive sample of 15 women who had prior personal
      experiences with stillbirth. A total of 22 in-depth interviews were conducted in
      order to ensure data saturation. Women who had experienced stillbirth at one of
      two teaching hospitals in southern Taiwan were recruited. Data were analyzed
      using content analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified that captured the
      complex feelings of participants regarding their subsequent childbearing
      experiences: (1) looking forward to another pregnancy but afraid of being hurt
      again, (2) treading on thin ice, and (3) bearing another child helps heal the
      loss of the stillborn. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The empirical data
      gathered in the present study helps build a more complete understanding of the
      process of recovery that women undergo following a stillbirth experience. In
      addition, the results suggest that healthcare professionals should be aware of
      and accept the worries and reactions of women during their subsequent pregnancy
      in order to help these women achieve a positive subsequent childbearing
      experience.

PMID- 27250960
TI  - [Exploration of the Care Needs of Post-Chemotherapy Lung Cancer Patients and
      Related Factors].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy (CT) is the first priority treatment for advanced stage
      lung cancer. However, symptom distress, impaired ability to conduct daily
      activities, and post-CT care needs are potential side effects of CT. PURPOSE: To
      explore the factors related to the care needs of post-chemotherapy lung cancer
      patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was used. One hundred and twenty-one
      adult patients who had been diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer and who had
      undergone CT using the Platinum and Docetaxel doublet regimen were recruited from
      a medical center in southern Taiwan. The instruments used included a nursing care
      needs survey, symptoms distress scale, daily activity interference scale, and
      patient characteristics datasheet. RESULTS: Participants self-prioritized their
      emergency management, health consultation, and emotional support activities based
      on their perceived care needs. The top three post-CT symptoms in terms of
      severity were: fatigue, appetite change, and sleep disorder. Primary disruptions
      in daily activities during the post-CT period related to: holding social
      activities, work, and stair climbing. Significant and positive correlations were
      found among daily activity interference (r = .30, p < .01), symptoms distress (r
      = .23, p < .01), and care needs. The regression model indicated daily activity
      interference as a predictor of care needs, accounting for 10.7% of the total
      variance. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These results highlight the
      relationships among care needs, symptom distress, and daily activity interference
      in post-chemotherapy lung-cancer patients. The present study provides a reference
      for nursing care to reduce the symptom distress, to enhance the performance of
      daily activities, and to meet the care needs of lung-cancer patients.

PMID- 27250961
TI  - [The Effectiveness of Different Corticosteroid Injections in Patients With Carpal
      Tunnel Syndrome: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid injection is one of the interventions used to
      alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The consistency across domestic
      and overseas studies of the results of corticosteroid injections in terms of
      easing carpal tunnel syndrome has not previously been analyzed. PURPOSE: This
      meta-analysis explored the symptom severity and functional status of different
      corticosteroid injection strategies in treating patients with carpal tunnel
      syndrome. METHODS: A systematic review was performed, keywords including: carpal
      tunnel syndrome, corticosteroid [Title/Abstract], placebo, disability, and pain
      intensity were used to query electronic databases, including Cochrane Library,
      CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), ProQuest,
      PubMed database. All of the articles that were indexed on these databases, met
      the inclusion criteria, and were published prior to June 2015 were extracted for
      analysis. A standardized critical appraisal tool from the "Cochrane Handbook
      Systematic Reviews of Intervention" to assess the risk of bias tool was used to
      assess methodological quality. WinBUGS software was used to conduct the meta
      analysis. RESULTS: The 10 articles that were qualified and used in the present
      study contained a total of 633 participants. Median symptom severity was -1.16
      (95%CrI [-1.95, .38]) on the symptom severity scale for ultrasound-guided in
      plane injection among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The surface under the
      cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) achieved 95%. The median MD was -.74 (95%CrI [
      2.0, .52]) on the functional status scale for ultrasound-guided in-plane
      injection among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The (SUCRA) achieved 78%.
      The results indicate that the three injection methods reduced the severity and
      improved the functional status in comparison with the placebo, ultrasound-guided
      in-plane corticosteroid injection. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroid injections
      alleviate symptom severity and promote functional status in patients with carpal
      tunnel syndrome. Ultrasound-guided in-plane injections demonstrated greater
      effectiveness. The network meta-analysis provides a reference for rehabilitation
      nursing.

PMID- 27250962
TI  - [A Systematic Review of the Literature Related to Elevating the Head of the Bed
      for Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Applications in Patients After
      Esophageal Cancer Surgery].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acid regurgitation typically worsens during nighttime sleep, which
      influences the quality of life of patients and potentially causes pathological
      changes. As much as 80% of esophageal cancer patients experience acid
      regurgitation following esophagectomy and reconstruction surgery. Thus, improving
      this symptom is important to improving the quality of life of these patients.
      PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of elevating
      the head of the bed for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
      METHODS: A systematic review was used. Electronic databases including CINAHL
      (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Library,
      ProQuest, and PubMed/MEDLINE were retrieved for relevant articles that were
      published prior to June 2015. Keywords included "elevating the head of the
      bed/bed position/body position", "flat", "reflux", and the MeSh term
      "gastroesophageal reflux". A total of 37 articles that matched the search
      criteria were extracted. After screening the topics and deleting repetitions,
      three randomized controlled studies and one quasi-experimental designed study
      were selected. RESULTS: Results of this systemic review revealed that elevating
      the head of the bed for patients with GERD reduced the duration of exposure of
      the the esophagus to an acid environment. Furthermore, patients perceived that
      this intervention not only improved symptoms such as regurgitation and burn
      sensation without medication but also relieved symptoms better than taking
      medications alone. CONCLUSIONS: The reviewed studies support that elevating the
      head of the bed is an easy and effective way to alleviate the symptoms of acid
      regurgitation. A height of elevation of 20 to 28 cm is recommended in the
      literature. The slope of the elevated bed must also be considered. Elevating the
      head of the bed may be useful for improving acid regurgitation among esophageal
      cancer patients after surgery. A randomized controlled study may be used to
      validate this effect in the future.

PMID- 27250963
TI  - [The Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Critical-Care Ventilator
      Patients: A Systematic Review].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prolonged of use mechanical ventilators results in respiratory muscle
      atrophy and difficulties in weaning, which increase mortality rates and
      psychlogical distress. While pulmonary rehabilitation has been shown to improve
      respiratory muscle strength, the effects of this intervention in critical-care
      patients who use mechanical ventilation remain uncertain. PURPOSE: The present
      paper uses a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effects of
      pulmonary rehabilitation on the rate of ventilator weaning and on the physical
      performance of ventilator patients receiving critical care. METHODS: A systematic
      review was used. Searches were conducted in databases including: Cochrane
      Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed and Airit Library. Keywords that were used
      included: "mechanical ventilation", "pulmonary rehabilitation", "exercise",
      "weaning", and "activities of daily living". The search focused on articles that
      were published prior to February 2015. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,
      7 articles addressing relevant randomized controlled trials were extracted.
      RESULTS: All of the 7 studies supported that pulmonary rehabilitation
      interventions improve mechanical ventilation weaning and functional independence
      activities. Several studies were limited by small sample size and differences in
      the types of rehabilitations used. Thus, the generalizability of the findings of
      this review is limited. and further research is required to verify the effects of
      pulmonary rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results of
      this systematic review support that pulmonary rehabilitation interventions
      improved the weaning rate, activities of functional independence, and maximal
      inspiratory pressure (MIP) in critical patients who had used mechanical
      ventilators for over 48 hours. Under hemodynamic-stablized and pressure-support
      mode, inspiratory muscle training is suggested as useful for patients with
      limited ability to participate in rehabilitation programs.

PMID- 27250964
TI  - [Constructing an ACP Simulation-Situation Communication Training Program for
      Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease].
AB  - The aging population and changing lifestyles have lead to the increased general
      risk of chronic kidney disease. Taiwan currently has the highest incidence and
      prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) of any country or region in the
      world. Hemodialysis patients must endure comorbidities and face the uncertainties
      of death. The best way to achieve a good death is for patients to sign advance
      care planning (ACP). However, the key factors contributing to low ACP signature
      rates have been the lack of communication skills and related training among
      medical staffs. This article explores the dilemma of ACP using an example of
      chronic kidney disease (CKD) and proposes a theory-based approach to develop a
      theoretical framework for an ACP simulation-situation communication training
      program that integrates the simulation situation model, PREPARED model, and
      scaffolding theory. Readers may use this framework to design ACP simulation
      situation communication training programs that conform to their own conditions
      and then test the effectiveness and feasibility of these programs in clinical
      settings. 

PMID- 27250965
TI  - [Improving the Care Accuracy of Percutaneously Inserted Central Catheters Using
      Objective Structured Clinical Examination].
AB  - Approximately 9,800 adverse events related to medical tubing are reported in
      Taiwan every year. Most neonates in critical condition and premature infants
      acquire fluid, nutrition, and infusion solution using percutaneously inserted
      central catheters (PICCs). Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is an
      objective evaluative tool that may be used to measure the clinical competence of
      healthcare professionals. Very little is known about the effects of OSCE in
      Taiwan in terms of improving the accuracy of use of PICCs in nursing care and of
      reducing unexpected medical tubing removals. The present project aimed to explore
      the effects of an OSCE course on these two issues in the realms of standard
      operating procedures, care protocols, and training equipment at a neonatal
      intermediate unit in Taiwan. The duration of the present study ran from 2/20/2013
      to 10/30/2013. The results showed that nurses' knowledge of PICCs improved from
      87% to 91.5%; nurses' skill-care accuracy related to PICCs improved from 59.1% to
      97.3%; and incidents of unexpected tube removals declined from 63.6% to 16.7%.
      This project demonstrated that OSCE courses improve the quality of PICC nursing
      care. Additionally, the instant feedback mechanism within the OSCE course
      benefited both teachers and students. 

PMID- 27250966
TI  - [The Efficacy of Rooming-In in the Context the Physical and Mental Health of New
      Mothers].
AB  - The Breastfeeding-Friendly Policy promotes successful breastfeeding by
      encouraging postpartum rooming-in and other practices that have been shown to
      increase breastfeeding success. Puerperium is a key transition period in a
      woman's life during which she faces physical changes as well as changes in roles
      and tasks as she transitions into motherhood. During this transition period,
      postpartum women typically follow the rooming-in and breastfeeding practices that
      are recommended by the hospital. However, without suitable assistance, the
      physical and mental problems that often accompany childbirth may impact the
      postpartum health of the mother. This article reflects on the potential health
      problems that are encountered by postpartum women who adopt 24-hour rooming-in
      practices from the perspective of their health rights and proposes suggestions
      for improving these practices as a reference for related government and
      healthcare workers. 

PMID- 27250967
TI  - The positive association between elevated blood lead levels and brain-specific
      autoantibodies in autistic children from low lead-polluted areas.
AB  - The underlying pathogenic mechanism in autoimmune disorders is the formation of
      autoantibodies. In children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it has been
      documented increased levels of brain-specific autoantibodies. Furthermore, lead
      (Pb) has been identified as one of the main neurotoxicants acting as
      environmental triggers for ASD as it induces neuroinflammation and autoimmunity.
      The present study is the first to explore a potential relationship between the
      levels of blood lead (BPb) and seropositivity of anti-ribosomal P protein
      antibodies in ASD children. Levels of BPb and serum anti-ribosomal P protein
      antibodies were measured in 60 children with ASD and 60 healthy control matched
      children, aged between 5 and 12 years, recruited from low Pb-polluted areas. The
      levels of BPb were significantly higher in ASD children than in healthy control
      children (P < 0.001). Patients with ASD had significantly higher frequency of
      increased BPb levels >=10 MUg/dL (43.3 %) than healthy control children (13.3 %;
      P < 0.001). There were significant and positive correlations between the levels
      of BPb, and the values of Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) (P < 0.01) and IQ
      in children with ASD (P < 0.001). Patients with ASD showing increased levels of
      BPb had significantly higher frequency of seropositivity of anti-ribosomal P
      antibodies (92.3 %) than patients with normal BPb levels (32.3 %; P < 0.001). The
      findings of the present study suggest that increased levels of BPb in some
      children with ASD may trigger the production of serum anti-ribosomal P
      antibodies. Further research is warranted to determine if the production of brain
      autoantibodies is triggered by environmental Pb exposure in children with ASD.
      The possible therapeutic role of Pb chelators in ASD children should also be
      studied.

PMID- 27250968
TI  - Methylglyoxal-induced neuroinflammatory response in in vitro astrocytic cultures
      and hippocampus of experimental animals.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and its diverse
      complications. Hyperglycemia is associated with inflammatory responses in
      different organs and diabetic patients have a higher risk of developing
      neurodegenerative disorders. Methylglyoxal is a reactive advanced glycation end
      product precursor that accumulates in diabetic patients. It induces various
      stress responses in the central nervous system and causes neuronal dysfunction.
      Astrocytes are actively involved in maintaining neuronal homeostasis and possibly
      play a role in protecting the brain against neurodegeneration. However it is not
      clear whether methylglyoxal exerts any adverse effects towards these astrocytes.
      In the present study we investigated the effects of methylglyoxal in astrocytic
      cultures and hippocampi of experimental animals. The cells from the astrocytic
      line DITNC1 were treated with methylglyoxal for 1 to 24 h. For the in vivo model,
      3 months old C57BL/6 mice were treated with methylglyoxal solution for 6 weeks by
      intraperitoneal injection. Following the treatment, both astrocytes and
      hippocampi were harvested for MTT assay, Western blot and real time PCR analyses.
      We found that methylglyoxal induced astrogliosis in DITNC1 astrocytic cultures
      and C57BL/6 mice. Further, activation of the pro-inflammatory JNK signaling
      pathway and its downstream effectors c-Jun were observed. Furthermore, increased
      gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and astrocytic markers were
      observed from real time PCR analyses. In addition, inhibition of JNK activities
      resulted in down-regulation of TNF-alpha gene expression in methylglyoxal treated
      astrocytes. Our results suggest that methylglyoxal may contribute to the
      progression of diabetes related neurodegeneration through JNK pathway activation
      in astrocytes and the subsequent neuroinflammatory responses in the central
      nervous system.

PMID- 27250969
TI  - Therapeutic potential of taxanes in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic
      cancer.
AB  - Most patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) present with
      unresectable or metastatic disease with very poor prognosis. Chemotherapy is the
      primary treatment modality for patients with locally advanced and metastatic
      PDAC, but the efficacy of currently available regimens is limited. Taxanes are
      widely used in many primary cancers including breast, ovarian and lung cancers.
      The activity of combined regimen of taxanes plus nucleoside analogue or platinum
      derivate in terms of response rate ranges between 20 and 57 % in PDAC and may
      prolong overall survival. Since 2013 nab-paclitaxel (paclitaxel-albumin-bound
      particles) became a new treatment option for patients with metastatic pancreatic
      cancer based on the results of MPACT trial. Moreover, encouraging activity in
      PDAC of the combination regimen of paclitaxel and carboplatin that is being
      widely used in other solid tumors has been reported recently. Biomarkers,
      including biomarkers predictive of taxane resistance, could allow individualized
      tailored therapy. BRCA mutation status could serve as predictor of better
      chemotherapy treatment outcome in PDAC. The present review summarizes the
      principal clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of taxanes both as monotherapy
      and in combination in view of the potential use in the treatment of PDAC.

PMID- 27250971
TI  - Teriparatide and denosumab combination therapy and skeletal metabolism.
AB  - : Several therapies are available for osteoporis. Understanding the bone turnover
      changes and their mutual realtionship gives an overall view and might lead to a
      target therapy INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to compare the changes in
      bone turnover markers in patients treated with either denosumab alone,
      teriparatide (TPTD) alone, or in a third therapeutic scheme, when TPTD was added
      to patients previously treated with denosumab. METHODS: Fifty-nine women over 65
      years old with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis (evidence of at least two
      moderate-severe vertebral fractures) were enrolled in the study. Serum samples
      were collected every 3 months. They were assayed for intact N-propeptide of type
      I collagen (P1NP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), intact
      parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25 hydroxy-vitamin D (25 OHD), Sclerostin (SOST), and
      Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1). Bone mass density was assessed by dual-energy
      X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine and at the total hip. RESULTS: In the
      groups treated only with TPTD or with denosumab, bone turnover markers increased
      and decreased, respectively. In TPTD group, a later significant increase in DKK1
      was observed, while in denosumab group, a progressive increase in SOST was
      associated with a progressive significant decrease in DKK1. In the group treated
      first with denosumab and in which TPTD was added 3 months later, both CTX and
      P1NP increased 3 months after the beginning of TPTD. The strong effect of
      denosumab on bone turnover seems to be reversed by TPTD treatment. CONCLUSIONS:
      In this study, we showed that TPTD is able to express its biological activity
      even when bone turnover is fully suppressed by denosumab treatment. The
      combination therapy is associated with significant increases in both DKK1 and
      SOST.

PMID- 27250970
TI  - Surfactant proteins, SP-A and SP-D, in respiratory fungal infections: their role
      in the inflammatory response.
AB  - Pulmonary surfactant is a complex fluid that comprises phospholipids and four
      proteins (SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, and SP-D) with different biological functions. SP-B,
      SP-C, and SP-D are essential for the lungs' surface tension function and for the
      organization, stability and metabolism of lung parenchyma. SP-A and SP-D, which
      are also known as pulmonary collectins, have an important function in the host's
      lung immune response; they act as opsonins for different pathogens via a C
      terminal carbohydrate recognition domain and enhance the attachment to phagocytic
      cells or show their own microbicidal activity by increasing the cellular membrane
      permeability. Interactions between the pulmonary collectins and bacteria or
      viruses have been extensively studied, but this is not the same for fungal
      pathogens. SP-A and SP-D bind glucan and mannose residues from fungal cell wall,
      but there is still a lack of information on their binding to other fungal
      carbohydrate residues. In addition, both their relation with immune cells for the
      clearance of these pathogens and the role of surfactant proteins' regulation
      during respiratory fungal infections remain unknown. Here we highlight the
      relevant findings associated with SP-A and SP-D in those respiratory mycoses
      where the fungal infective propagules reach the lungs by the airways.

PMID- 27250973
TI  - Next-generation sequencing for virus detection: covering all the bases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of next-generation sequencing has become an established
      method for virus detection. Efficient study design for accurate detection relies
      on the optimal amount of data representing a significant portion of a virus
      genome. FINDINGS: In this study, genome coverage at different sequencing depths
      was determined for a number of viruses, viroids, hosts and sequencing library
      types, using both read-mapping and de novo assembly-based approaches. The results
      highlighted the strength of ribo-depleted RNA and sRNA in obtaining saturated
      genome coverage with the least amount of data, while even though the poly(A)
      selected RNA yielded virus-derived reads, it was insufficient to cover the
      complete genome of a non-polyadenylated virus. The ribo-depleted RNA data also
      outperformed the sRNA data in terms of the percentage of coverage that could be
      obtained particularly with the de novo assembled contigs. CONCLUSION: Our results
      suggest the use of ribo-depleted RNA in a de novo assembly-based approach for the
      detection of single-stranded RNA viruses. Furthermore, we suggest that sequencing
      one million reads will provide sufficient genome coverage specifically for
      closterovirus detection.

PMID- 27250972
TI  - Systemic markers of microvascular disease and bone mineral density in older
      adults : The cardiovascular health study.
AB  - : Here we report that abnormal brain white matter and, to a lesser extent,
      albuminuria are associated with reduced bone mineral density in the hip, spine,
      and total body in men and women. These findings may explain the increased hip
      fracture risk reported in some studies in association with microvascular
      disorders. INTRODUCTION: Markers of microvascular disease have been individually
      associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures in some studies. Here,
      we examine whether these markers are associated with reduced bone mineral density
      (BMD) individually and together. METHODS: BMD testing using dual x-ray
      absorptiometry of the hip, lumbar spine, and total body was performed in 1473
      participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study (mean age ~ 78 years): 1215
      were assessed for urinary albumin-creatinine ratio, 944 for abnormal white matter
      disease (AWMD) by brain MRI, and 541 for retinal vascular disease with fundus
      photographs. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the cross-sectional
      association of each marker with BMD accounting for potentially confounding
      factors. RESULTS: AWMD was associated with lower hip, spine, and total body BMD
      in women (beta -3.08 to -4.53; p < 0.01 for all) and lower hip and total body BMD
      in men (beta -2.90 to -4.24; p = 0.01-0.03). Albuminuria was associated with
      lower hip (beta -3.37; p = .05) and total body (beta -3.21; p = .02) BMD in men,
      but not in women. The associations of AWMD and albuminuria with BMD persisted
      with mutual adjustment and appeared to be additive to each other. Retinal
      vascular disease was not associated with BMD in men or women. CONCLUSION: AWMD
      and, to a lesser extent, albuminuria were independently associated with lower
      BMD, suggesting that microvascular disease may play a role in the pathogenesis of
      reduced BMD. These findings need to be confirmed by longitudinal studies.

PMID- 27250974
TI  - Aneurysmal dilatation of torcular herophili.

PMID- 27250975
TI  - The floating cardiac fat pad-sign of occult pneumothorax.
AB  - Pneumothoraces are a possible sequela of chest trauma with potential morbidity
      and mortality if not recognized and treated promptly. A portable supine chest
      radiograph is frequently the first radiologic study performed in the setting of
      trauma. While large pneumothoraces can be readily recognized on these
      radiographs, smaller pneumothoraces are missed in up to 15 % of trauma patients.
      There are many radiographic signs of occult pneumothoraces, and we are presenting
      a new radiographic sign of occult pneumothorax. The floating cardiac fat pad sign
      occurs when pleural air collects anteriorly and superiorly in the most non
      dependent portion of the chest lifting the pericardial fat pad off the diaphragm.
      Lung markings are still seen surrounding the pericardial fat pad due to the
      inflated lower lobe of the lung resting dependently. Rapid and accurate
      identification of pneumothoraces is critical but often difficult on chest
      radiographs. Although there are many existing radiographic signs for
      identification of pneumothorax, prospective identification of small
      pneumothoraces is still relatively poor. Here, we describe an additional sign
      which aides in the detection of pneumothoraces, the floating cardiac fat pad.
      When present, this should prompt further evaluation with chest CT or upright
      chest radiograph. 

PMID- 27250976
TI  - Diagnostic performance of CT angiography in neck vessel trauma: systematic review
      and meta-analysis.
AB  - This study was conducted in order to define the diagnostic performance of CT
      angiography for vascular injuries compared with angiography in patients with neck
      trauma. CT angiography is the cornerstone of diagnosis for hemodynamically stable
      patients with wounds suspicious of vascular trauma in the limbs, chest, or
      abdomen. Available evidence for the use of CT angiography in neck vascular trauma
      comes from small case series and few randomized controlled trials, and high
      quality information does not exist regarding its performance. A protocol using
      the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration was designed. A systematic
      search of diagnostic studies without limits on language or time was carried out
      to December 2014. Studies including patients with neck trauma with retrospective
      or prospective data collection that assessed CT angiography compared with other
      methods were selected. Methodological quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2
      tool. A hierarchical model ROC curve and a bivariate random effects model were
      used for the pooled analysis. Sixteen studies were selected and reviewed, and
      nine studies with 693 patients were included in this review. The overall
      sensitivity was 97 % (95 % CI 0.77-1.00; I (2) = 65.7 % (41.4-90.0)), while the
      overall specificity was 99 % (95 % CI 0.93-1.00; I (2) = 0). The hierarchic ROC
      curve showed an area under the curve of 0.99. Publication bias was not identified
      in this study. CT angiography can be stated as the gold standard for diagnosing
      vascular injuries in hemodynamically stable patients with neck trauma. 

PMID- 27250979
TI  - Breast self examination error.

PMID- 27250977
TI  - Resting-State Functional Connectivity Changes Between Dentate Nucleus and
      Cortical Social Brain Regions in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are known to be characterized by restricted and
      repetitive behaviors and interests and by impairments in social communication and
      interactions mainly including "theory of mind" (ToM) processes. The cerebellum
      has emerged as one of the brain regions affected by ASDs. As the cerebellum is
      known to influence cerebral cortex activity via cerebello-thalamo-cortical (CTC)
      circuits, it has been proposed that cerebello-cortical "disconnection" could in
      part underlie autistic symptoms. We used resting-state (RS) functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the potential RS connectivity changes
      between the cerebellar dentate nucleus (DN) and the CTC circuit targets, that may
      contribute to ASD pathophysiology. When comparing ASD patients to controls, we
      found decreased connectivity between the left DN and cerebral regions known to be
      components of the ToM network and the default mode network, implicated in
      specific aspects of mentalizing, social cognition processing, and higher order
      emotional processes. Further, a pattern of overconnectivity was also detected
      between the left DN and the supramodal cerebellar lobules associated with the
      default mode network. The presented RS-fMRI data provide evidence that functional
      connectivity (FC) between the dentate nucleus and the cerebral cortex is altered
      in ASD patients. This suggests that the dysfunction reported within the cerebral
      cortical network, typically related to social features of ASDs, may be at least
      partially related to an impaired interaction between cerebellum and key cortical
      social brain regions.

PMID- 27250978
TI  - General and social cognition in remitted first-episode schizophrenia patients: a
      comparative study.
AB  - The aim of this paper was to investigate whether both neurocognitive and social
      cognitive performances were different between remitted first-episode
      schizophrenia patients, non-remitters and healthy controls (HC). We assessed
      social cognition (Degraded Facial Affect Recognition Task-DFAR and Emotional
      Mentalizing Task-EMT) and neurocognition (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and
      Word Learning Test-WLT) in 174 remitted first-episode schizophrenia patients, 110
      non-remitted first-episode schizophrenia patients and 320 HC. Multivariate
      analyses of variance with age, gender and IQ as covariates (MANCOVA) were
      performed to compare mean cognitive test scores between the three groups.
      Remitted first-episode schizophrenia patients performed significantly worse than
      HC only in one verbal memory task (WLT immediate recall; p = 0.004); in the same
      test, they were significantly better than non-remitters (p = 0.027). Non-remitted
      first-episode schizophrenia patients, differently from remitters, performed
      significantly worse than HC in terms of social cognition (EMT-p < 0.05 and DFAR-p
      < 0.05). Remitted first-episode schizophrenia patients presented worse cognitive
      performance than HC in verbal memory tasks, but not in facial affect recognition
      and in ToM, while non-remitters did; these results suggest that neurocognitive
      deficits are the core hallmark of schizophrenia and that social cognition is
      relatively unaffected in remitted patients after their first episode. 

PMID- 27250980
TI  - The 2010-2015 Prevalence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in the USA: A Population
      Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory
      disorder with increasing prevalence. However, epidemiologic data have mostly been
      acquired from small studies. We sought to describe the epidemiology of EoE in the
      USA, utilizing a large database. METHODS: We queried a commercial database
      (Explorys Inc, Cleveland, OH, USA), an aggregate of electronic health record data
      from 26 major integrated US healthcare systems from 1999 to July 2015. We
      identified an aggregated patient cohort of eligible patients with EoE and a
      history of proton-pump inhibitor use between July 2010 and July 2015, based on
      Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms. We calculated the
      prevalence of EoE among different patient groups. RESULTS: Of the 30,301,440
      individuals in the database, we identified 7840 patients with EoE with an overall
      prevalence of 25.9/100,000 persons. Prevalence was higher in males than females
      [odds ratio (OR) 2.00; 95 % CI 1.92-2.10, p < 0.0001], Caucasians versus African
      Americans and Asians (OR 2.00; 95 % CI 1.86-2.14, p < 0.0001), and adults (18-65
      years) versus elderly (>65 years) and children (<18 years) (OR 1.63; 95 % CI 1.54
      1.71, p < 0.0001). Compared with controls (individuals in database without EoE),
      individuals with EoE were more likely to have other gastrointestinal diagnoses
      such as dysphagia and at least one allergic condition. CONCLUSIONS: In this large
      study, we found that the estimated prevalence of EoE in the USA is 25.9/100,000,
      which is at the lower end of prevalence rates reported in the USA and other
      industrial countries. We confirmed that EoE has a strong association with
      allergic and gastrointestinal diagnoses.

PMID- 27250982
TI  - Early Detection of Steatohepatitis: Less Teeth NASHing and More Research?

PMID- 27250981
TI  - Is Gastric Xanthelasma an Alarming Endoscopic Marker for Advanced Atrophic
      Gastritis and Intestinal Metaplasia?
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The clinical significance of gastric xanthelasmas is unknown. We
      conducted a case-control study in order to evaluate whether gastric xanthelasma
      is an indicator of advanced atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.
      MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was conducted among 1400 patients who underwent
      elective upper endoscopy. Patients with gastric xanthelasma and atrophy and/or
      intestinal metaplasia constituted the study group (n = 55). The control group
      involved patients with only atrophic gastritis and/or intestinal metaplasia (n =
      50). Histopathologic findings of the groups including the distribution of
      atrophic gastritis and/or intestinal metaplasia, operative link on gastritis
      assessment score, operative link on gastritis intestinal metaplasia assessment
      (OLGIM) score, and presence of dysplasia and malignancy were compared. Subgroup
      analysis was performed in order to establish the relation between the
      characteristics (size, number, and localization) of xanthelasmas, atrophy, and
      intestinal metaplasia. RESULTS: Multifocal atrophic gastritis was significantly
      more common in patients with a gastric xanthelasma (41.8 vs. 26.0 %, p = 0.03).
      Patients with multiple xanthelasmas had a significantly higher rate of intestinal
      metaplasia (p = 0.02) and a higher OLGIM score (p = 0.02) compared to those with
      a single xanthelasma. Dysplasia was detected in 8 (14.5 %) patients with a
      xanthelasma and 4 (8.0 %) patients without a xanthelasma (p = 0.2). CONCLUSION:
      Gastric xanthelasma(s) is a warning endoscopic sign for the presence of
      multifocal atrophic gastritis and advanced intestinal metaplasia.

PMID- 27250983
TI  - P2Y1, P2Y2, and TRPV1 Receptors Are Increased in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable
      Bowel Syndrome and P2Y2 Correlates with Abdominal Pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicated that P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors, which are
      widely distributed in the enteric nervous system, are related to pain, while
      TRPV1 may contribute to visceral pain and hypersensitivity states in irritable
      bowel syndrome (IBS). Other studies showed that ATP activates the capsaicin
      sensitive TRPV1 channel via P2Y receptors. AIM: To detect the expression of P2Y1,
      P2Y2, and TRPV1 receptors in diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) patients and
      analyze any correlations with abdominal pain and to investigate interactions
      between P2Y receptors and the TRPV1 receptor in IBS-D patients. METHODS:
      Rectosigmoid biopsies were collected from patients with IBS-D (n = 36) and
      healthy controls (n = 15). Abdominal pain was scored using a 10-cm visual
      analogue scale. Expression levels of P2Y1, P2Y2, and TRPV1 receptors in
      rectosigmoid biopsies were determined by real-time PCR and double-labeling
      immunofluorescence with specific antibodies. RESULTS: Both mRNA and protein
      expression levels of P2Y1, P2Y2, and TRPV1 receptors were increased in IBS-D
      compared with controls. Of these receptors, P2Y2 expression correlated with the
      maximum pain scores (p = 0.02, r = 0.63, Spearman correlation) in IBS-D patients.
      However, no relationships were detected between P2Y receptors and the TRPV1
      receptor. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we identified an increased expression
      of P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors in the rectosigmoid mucosa of IBS-D patients, and P2Y2
      correlated with abdominal pain. Furthermore, we identified an increase in TRPV1
      expression; however, there were no correlations found between P2Y receptors and
      the TRPV1 receptor.

PMID- 27250985
TI  - Prediction of Postoperative Complications Following Elective Surgery in Elderly
      Patients with Colorectal Cancer Using the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.
AB  - AIMS: The study aims to determine whether the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
      (CGA) could predict complications of colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery and identify
      the problems. So we compared the prognostic value of the CGA with patient
      characteristics and determined predictive scores. METHODS: A total of 156
      patients aged 75 years and older, who underwent surgery for CRC at Osaka
      University Hospital, were enrolled. Each patient was examined by the CGA
      prospectively, and all postoperative complications were obtained from the medical
      records. The CGA included the Barthel Index (BI), Vitality Index, instrumental
      activities of daily living (iADL), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and
      Geriatric Depression Score (GDS). All elements were retrospectively compared in
      patients with or without postoperative complications, including delirium,
      surgical site infection and ileus. RESULTS: Overall, postoperative complications
      developed in 76 patients (48.7%). The BI and MMSE were associated with the
      incidence of complications, and BI, iADL, MMSE and GDS were significantly related
      with delirium. Multivariate logistic analysis identified the MMSE as a
      significant determinant of postoperative complications after adjusting for other
      determined predictive scores including the prognostic nutritional index and
      performance status. CONCLUSION: The CGA was a useful predictor of postoperative
      complications in elderly patients when administered before surgery for CRC.

PMID- 27250984
TI  - Efficacy of live feedback to improve objectively monitored compliance to
      prescribed, home-based, exercise therapy-dosage in 15 to 19 year old adolescents
      with patellofemoral pain- a study protocol of a randomized controlled superiority
      trial (The XRCISE-AS-INSTRUcted-1 trial).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral pain is one of the most frequent knee conditions among
      adolescents with a prevalence of 7 %. Evidence-based treatment consists of
      patient education combined with hip and quadriceps strengthening. Recent evidence
      suggests that a large proportion of adolescents does not follow their exercise
      prescription, performing too few repetitions or too fast below the prescribed
      time under tension. Live feedback, such as a metronome or exercise games, has
      previously shown promising results in improving the quality of exercises. The aim
      of this study is to investigate if live feedback from a sensor (BandCizerTM) and
      an iPad will improve the ability of adolescents with PFP to perform exercises as
      prescribed. METHODS: This study is a randomized, controlled, participant-blinded,
      superiority trial with a 2-group parallel design. Forty 15 to 19 year old
      adolescents with patellofemoral pain will be randomized to receive either live
      visual and auditory feedback on time under tension or no feedback on time under
      tension during a 6-week intervention period. Adolescents will be instructed to
      perform three elastic band exercises. Feedback will be provided by BandCizerTM
      and an iPad. The adolescents perform the exercises twice a week unsupervised and
      once a week during a supervised group training session. The primary outcome will
      be the mean deviation of the prescribed time under tension per repetition in
      seconds during the course of the intervention. DISCUSSION: Low compliance is a
      major problem among adolescents with patellofemoral pain. Providing the
      adolescents with real time feedback on time under tension from a sensor and an
      iPad could potentially help the adolescents perform the exercises as prescribed.
      This may increase the total exercise dosage they receive during treatment which
      may help improve patient outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at
      ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02674841 ) on February 4(th) 2016.

PMID- 27250986
TI  - A53T in a parkinsonian family: a clinical update of the SNCA phenotypes.
AB  - Approximately 15 % of PD patients with Parkinson Disease (PD) have the familial
      type and 5-10 % of these are known to have monogenic forms with either an
      autosomal dominant or a recessive inheritance pattern. Here, we report on a
      family carrying the A53T SNCA mutation and we review SNCA mutation phenotypes by
      comparing point mutations within each other as well as with duplication and
      triplication.

PMID- 27250987
TI  - Systematic review of outcome domains and instruments used in clinical trials of
      tinnitus treatments in adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is no evidence-based guidance to facilitate design decisions
      for confirmatory trials or systematic reviews investigating treatment efficacy
      for adults with tinnitus. This systematic review therefore seeks to ascertain the
      current status of trial designs by identifying and evaluating the reporting of
      outcome domains and instruments in the treatment of adults with tinnitus.
      METHODS: Records were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE CINAHL, EBSCO, and
      CENTRAL clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN, ICTRP) and the
      Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Eligible records were those published
      from 1 July 2006 to 12 March 2015. Included studies were those reporting adults
      aged 18 years or older who reported tinnitus as a primary complaint, and who were
      enrolled into a randomised controlled trial, a before and after study, a non
      randomised controlled trial, a case-controlled study or a cohort study, and
      written in English. Studies with fewer than 20 participants were excluded.
      RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-eight studies were included. Thirty-five
      different primary outcome domains were identified spanning seven categories
      (tinnitus percept, impact of tinnitus, co-occurring complaints, quality of life,
      body structures and function, treatment-related outcomes and unclear or not
      specified). Over half the studies (55 %) did not clearly define the complaint of
      interest. Tinnitus loudness was the domain most often reported (14 %), followed
      by tinnitus distress (7 %). Seventy-eight different primary outcome instruments
      were identified. Instruments assessing multiple attributes of the impact of
      tinnitus were most common (34 %). Overall, 24 different patient-reported tools
      were used, predominantly the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (15 %). Loudness was
      measured in diverse ways including a numerical rating scale (8 %), loudness
      matching (4 %), minimum masking level (1 %) and loudness discomfort level (1 %).
      Ten percent of studies did not clearly report the instrument used. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our findings indicate poor appreciation of the basic principles of good trial
      design, particularly the importance of specifying what aspect of therapeutic
      benefit is the main outcome. No single outcome was reported in all studies and
      there was a broad diversity of outcome instruments. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: The
      systematic review protocol is registered on PROSPERO (International Prospective
      Register of Systematic Reviews): CRD42015017525 . Registered on 12 March 2015
      revised on 15 March 2016.

PMID- 27250989
TI  - Diagnostic performance of parafibromin immunohistochemical staining for sporadic
      parathyroid carcinoma: a meta-analysis.
AB  - It is a challenge to distinguish parathyroid carcinoma (PTCA) from benign
      parathyroid lesions without recurrence or metastasis. Parafibromin
      immunohistochemical (IHC) staining had been described for the diagnosis of PTCA.
      But great variations existed in the reported sensitivity and specificity among
      different studies. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the diagnostic
      accuracy of parafibromin staining for PTCA. Published studies from Pubmed,
      Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched using the combination of terms
      "parafibromin," "CDC73," "HRPT2," and "parathyroid." Pooled sensitivity and
      specificity with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated and the summary
      receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curves were constructed. The
      heterogeneity among included studies was evaluated and possible reasons were
      explored by meta-regression. A total of 10 studies including 202 patients with
      PTCA were finally enrolled in this meta-analysis. For parafibromin staining,
      sensitivity varied from 29 to 100 % (pooled estimate of 68 %; 95 % CI 49-82 %)
      and specificity ranged from 61 to 100 % (pooled estimate of 95 %; 95 % CI 85-98
      %). The AUC for parafibromin staining was 0.91 (95 % CI 0.88-0.93). A significant
      heterogeneity was observed among included studies. According to meta-regression
      analysis, the scoring criteria and parafibromin antibody used in IHC were the
      covariates influencing the sensitivity. And the specificity decreased if atypical
      parathyroid adenomas were included in the control groups. The specificity of
      parafibromin staining was satisfactory for diagnosis of PTCA, while the
      sensitivity was limited. We suggested that a standardized IHC protocol and
      scoring system criteria should be applied in future studies to improve the
      diagnostic performance of parafibromin staining.

PMID- 27250988
TI  - Fall-related activity avoidance in relation to a history of falls or near falls,
      fear of falling and disease severity in people with Parkinson's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge concerning fall-related activity avoidance
      in people with Parkinson's disease (PD); such knowledge would be of importance
      for the development of more efficient PD-care and rehabilitation. This study
      aimed to examine how fall-related activity avoidance relates to a history of self
      reported falls/near falls and fear of falling (FOF) as well as to disease
      severity in people with PD. METHODS: Data were collected from 251 (61 % men)
      participants with PD; their median (min-max) age and PD duration were 70 (45-93)
      and 8 (1-43) years, respectively. A self-administered postal survey preceded a
      home visit which included observations, clinical tests and interview-administered
      questionnaires. Fall-related activity avoidance was assessed using the modified
      Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (mSAFFE) as well as by
      using a dichotomous (Yes/No) question. Further dichotomous questions concerned:
      the presence of FOF and the history (past 6 months) of falls or near falls,
      followed by stating the number of incidents. Disease severity was assessed
      according to the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stages. RESULTS: In the total sample (n =
      251), 41 % of the participants reported fall-related activity avoidance; the
      median mSAFFE score was 22. In relation to a history of fall, the proportions of
      participants (p < 0.001) that reported fall-related activity avoidance were: non
      fallers (30 %), single fallers (50 %) and recurrent fallers, i.e. >= 2 falls (57
      %). Among those that reported near falls (but no falls), 51 % (26 out of 51)
      reported fall-related activity avoidance. Of those that reported FOF, 70 %
      reported fall-related activity avoidance. Fall-related activity avoidance ranged
      from 24 % in the early PD-stage (HY I) to 74 % in the most severe stages (HY IV
      V). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that fall-related activity avoidance may be
      related to a history of self-reported falls/near falls, FOF and disease severity
      in people with PD. Importantly, fall-related activity avoidance is reported among
      those that do not fall and already in mild PD-stages (HY I-II). Although further
      studies are needed, our findings indicate that fall-related activity avoidance
      needs to be addressed early in order to prevent sedentary behavior and
      participation restrictions.

PMID- 27250990
TI  - Prognostic Impact of the Initial Postoperative CA19-9 Level in Patients with
      Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of the
      initial serum postoperative CA19-9 levels in patients with extrahepatic bile duct
      cancer. METHODS: Data of a total of 143 patients of extrahepatic bile duct cancer
      with elevated preoperative serum CA19-9 levels (>37 U/ml) who underwent surgery
      with curative intent were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided
      into the "Normalization group" and "Non-normalization group" (initial
      postoperative serum CA19-9 <=37 and >37 U/ml, respectively), and the
      clinicopathological factors and survival outcomes in these groups were
      comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: The cumulative 5-year overall survival (OS) rate
      and median survival time (MST) were 39.2 % and 42.9 months, respectively, in the
      Normalization group and 17.9 % and 24.0 months, respectively, in the Non
      normalization group (P < 0.001). Presence of jaundice, a poorer histological
      differentiation grade (G3-4), lymph node metastasis, and initial postoperative
      serum CA19-9 level (>37 U/ml) were significant independent predictors of a poor
      prognosis on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Non-normalization of the serum
      CA19-9 level in the initial postoperative phase is a strong predictor of a poor
      prognosis and is a useful marker to identify patients who would need additional
      treatments and stricter follow-up.

PMID- 27250992
TI  - A 13-Year Retrospective Study on Primary Liver Cancer in Cambodia: A Strikingly
      High Hepatitis C Occurrence among Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main type of primary liver
      cancer (PLC) worldwide, but cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) may be predominant in some
      specific regions of Southeast Asia. The aim of the present study was to delineate
      a pattern of Cambodian PLC patients attending the Calmette Hospital in the
      Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 553 medical
      charts diagnosing PLCs from January 2003 to May 2015 were obtained from both the
      Oncology and Hepato-Gastroenterology Departments of the Calmette Hospital.
      RESULTS: HCC was the predominant type of PLC recorded, with 511 cases (92.4%),
      whereas CCA represented merely 7.6% (42 cases) of the overall series. Hepatitis B
      virus (HBV; 44.3%) and hepatitis C virus (HCV; 43%) infection rates were similar
      among the HCC patients, while small subsets of CCA patients were infected with
      HBV (15.4%) or HCV (11.5%). Most HCC (84%) and CCA (73.8%) patients received
      palliative treatment only. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that HCC is
      the main form of primary hepatic neoplasm among PLC patients attending a hospital
      in Cambodia. HBV and HCV infections represented equivalent burdens and major
      contributing factors to HCC. Therefore, the implementation of prevention programs
      for these infectious agents should become a priority for health policy makers in
      the country.

PMID- 27250991
TI  - Microbial succession in an inflated lunar/Mars analog habitat during a 30-day
      human occupation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For potential future human missions to the Moon or Mars and sustained
      presence in the International Space Station, a safe enclosed habitat environment
      for astronauts is required. Potential microbial contamination of closed habitats
      presents a risk for crewmembers due to reduced human immune response during long
      term confinement. To make future habitat designs safer for crewmembers, lessons
      learned from characterizing analogous habitats is very critical. One of the key
      issues is that how human presence influences the accumulation of microorganisms
      in the closed habitat. RESULTS: Molecular technologies, along with traditional
      microbiological methods, were utilized to catalog microbial succession during a
      30-day human occupation of a simulated inflatable lunar/Mars habitat. Surface
      samples were collected at different time points to capture the complete spectrum
      of viable and potential opportunistic pathogenic bacterial population.
      Traditional cultivation, propidium monoazide (PMA)-quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction (qPCR), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assays were employed to
      estimate the cultivable, viable, and metabolically active microbial population,
      respectively. Next-generation sequencing was used to elucidate the microbial
      dynamics and community profiles at different locations of the habitat during
      varying time points. Statistical analyses confirm that occupation time has a
      strong influence on bacterial community profiles. The Day 0 samples (before human
      occupation) have a very different microbial diversity compared to the later three
      time points. Members of Proteobacteria (esp. Oxalobacteraceae and
      Caulobacteraceae) and Firmicutes (esp. Bacillaceae) were most abundant before
      human occupation (Day 0), while other members of Firmicutes (Clostridiales) and
      Actinobacteria (esp. Corynebacteriaceae) were abundant during the 30-day
      occupation. Treatment of samples with PMA (a DNA-intercalating dye for selective
      detection of viable microbial population) had a significant effect on the
      microbial diversity compared to non-PMA-treated samples. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical
      analyses revealed a significant difference in community structure of samples over
      time, particularly of the bacteriomes existing before human occupation of the
      habitat (Day 0 sampling) and after occupation (Day 13, Day 20, and Day 30
      samplings). Actinobacteria (mainly Corynebacteriaceae) and Firmicutes (mainly
      Clostridiales Incertae Sedis XI and Staphylococcaceae) were shown to increase
      over the occupation time period. The results of this study revealed a strong
      relationship between human presence and succession of microbial diversity in a
      closed habitat. Consequently, it is necessary to develop methods and tools for
      effective maintenance of a closed system to enable safe human habitation in
      enclosed environments on Earth and beyond.

PMID- 27250993
TI  - Construction and evaluation of a modular biofilm-forming chamber for microbial
      recovery of neodymium and semi-continuous biofilm preparation. Tolerance of
      Serratia sp.N14 on acidic conditions and neutralized aqua regia.
AB  - Recovery of neodymium from liquid metallic wastes and scrap leachates is a
      crucial step for its recycling, which can take place through the immobilized
      biofilms of Serratia sp. N14. These biofilms are produced in a fermentor vessel
      with a turnaround time of 10-14 days, which is unacceptable from an economic
      point of view for an industrial process. This study proposes the construction and
      evaluation of a modular system, whereby a biofilm-forming chamber is inserted
      into the continuous biomass outflow of the main chemostat vessel, for an
      alternative semi-continuous and economic production of biofilm. The activity of
      the biofilm from the outflow chamber was found to be the same as the one from the
      main chamber, which was stored in a cold room (4 degrees C), for 9-12 months,
      depending on a 24 h nucleation step.Moreover, the ability of the biofilm to
      function in the presence of a leaching agent (aqua regia) or in acidic conditions
      was also evaluated. The biofilm of the main chamber can remain active even at 50%
      neutralized aqua regia (pH 3.0), while at acidic conditions, phosphate release of
      the cells is reduced to 50%. This strain proves to be very tolerant in low pH or
      high salt concentration solutions. The biofilm produced from the outflow of the
      main fermentor vessel is of acceptable activity, rather than being disposed.

PMID- 27250994
TI  - Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells Do Not Ameliorate Experimental Autoimmune
      Encephalomyelitis and Are Not Detectable in the Central Nervous System of
      Transplanted Mice.
AB  - Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) constitute progenitor cells that can be
      isolated from different tissues. Based on their immunomodulatory and
      neuroprotective functions, MSC-based cell-therapy approaches have been suggested
      to antagonize inflammatory activity and neuronal damage associated with
      autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), for example, multiple
      sclerosis (MS). Intravenous MSC transplantation was reported to ameliorate
      experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the murine model of MS, within
      days after transplantation. However, systemic distribution patterns and fate of
      MSCs after administration, especially their potential to migrate into
      inflammatory lesions within the CNS, remain to be elucidated. This question has
      of recent become particularly important, since therapeutic infusion of MSCs is
      now being tested in clinical trials with MS-affected patients. Here, we made use
      of the established EAE mouse model to investigate migration and therapeutic
      efficacy of murine bone marrow-derived MSCs. Applying a variety of techniques,
      including magnetic resonance imaging, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in-situ
      hybridization, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction we found no evidence
      for immediate migration of infused MSC into the CNS of treated mice. Moreover, in
      contrast to other studies, transplanted MSCs did not ameliorate EAE. In
      conclusion, our data does not provide substantiation for a relevant migration of
      infused MSCs into the CNS of EAE mice supporting the hypothesis that potential
      therapeutic efficacy could be based on systemic effects. Evaluation of possible
      mechanisms underlying the observed discrepancies in MSC treatment outcomes
      between different EAE models demands further studies.

PMID- 27250995
TI  - Resonant Effects in Nanoscale Bowtie Apertures.
AB  - Nanoscale bowtie aperture antennas can be used to focus light well below the
      diffraction limit with extremely high transmission efficiencies. This paper
      studies the spectral dependence of the transmission through nanoscale bowtie
      apertures defined in a silver film. A realistic bowtie aperture is numerically
      modeled using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. Results show that
      the transmission spectrum is dominated by Fabry-Perot (F-P) waveguide modes and
      plasmonic modes. The F-P resonance is sensitive to the thickness of the film and
      the plasmonic resonant mode is closely related to the gap distance of the bowtie
      aperture. Both characteristics significantly affect the transmission spectrum. To
      verify these numerical results, bowtie apertures are FIB milled in a silver film.
      Experimental transmission measurements agree with simulation data. Based on this
      result, nanoscale bowtie apertures can be optimized to realize deep sub
      wavelength confinement with high transmission efficiency with applications to
      nanolithography, data storage, and bio-chemical sensing.

PMID- 27250996
TI  - Disseminated intravascular coagulation.
AB  - Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is an acquired syndrome
      characterized by widespread intravascular activation of coagulation that can be
      caused by infectious insults (such as sepsis) and non-infectious insults (such as
      trauma). The main pathophysiological mechanisms of DIC are inflammatory cytokine
      initiated activation of tissue factor-dependent coagulation, insufficient control
      of anticoagulant pathways and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1-mediated
      suppression of fibrinolysis. Together, these changes give rise to endothelial
      dysfunction and microvascular thrombosis, which can cause organ dysfunction and
      seriously affect patient prognosis. Recent observations have pointed to an
      important role for extracellular DNA and DNA-binding proteins, such as histones,
      in the pathogenesis of DIC. The International Society on Thrombosis and
      Haemostasis (ISTH) established a DIC diagnostic scoring system consisting of
      global haemostatic test parameters. This scoring system has now been well
      validated in diverse clinical settings. The theoretical cornerstone of DIC
      management is the specific and vigorous treatment of the underlying conditions,
      and DIC should be simultaneously managed to improve patient outcomes. The ISTH
      guidance for the treatment of DIC recommends treatment strategies that are based
      on current evidence. In this Primer, we provide an updated overview of the
      pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of DIC and discuss the future
      directions of basic and clinical research in this field.

PMID- 27250998
TI  - Contents: Macromol. Rapid Commun. 11/2016.

PMID- 27250997
TI  - Photolithography-Based Patterning of Liquid Metal Interconnects for
      Monolithically Integrated Stretchable Circuits.
AB  - We demonstrate a new patterning technique for gallium-based liquid metals on flat
      substrates, which can provide both high pattern resolution (~20 MUm) and
      alignment precision as required for highly integrated circuits. In a very similar
      manner as in the patterning of solid metal films by photolithography and lift-off
      processes, the liquid metal layer painted over the whole substrate area can be
      selectively removed by dissolving the underlying photoresist layer, leaving
      behind robust liquid patterns as defined by the photolithography. This quick and
      simple method makes it possible to integrate fine-scale interconnects with
      preformed devices precisely, which is indispensable for realizing monolithically
      integrated stretchable circuits. As a way for constructing stretchable integrated
      circuits, we propose a hybrid configuration composed of rigid device regions and
      liquid interconnects, which is constructed on a rigid substrate first but highly
      stretchable after being transferred onto an elastomeric substrate. This new
      method can be useful in various applications requiring both high-resolution and
      precisely aligned patterning of gallium-based liquid metals. 

PMID- 27250999
TI  - Macromol. Rapid Commun. 11/2016.
AB  - Back Cover: Polymers featuring photoresponsive groups have been exploited as
      promising drug delivery systems. Light as spatially and temporally controllable
      external stimulus can be readily tuned and focused to trigger changes in the
      structure of polymer chains to provide "on-command" drug delivery. A benign
      synthesis route for a novel controlled polymerization, known as photoinduced
      electron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation (PET-RAFT)
      polymerization, is presented. Further details can be found in the article by A.
      Bagheri, J. Yeow, H. Arandiyan, J. Xu, C. Boyer,* and M. Limon page 905. 

PMID- 27251001
TI  - A new concordance measure for risk prediction models in external validation
      settings.
AB  - Concordance measures are frequently used for assessing the discriminative ability
      of risk prediction models. The interpretation of estimated concordance at
      external validation is difficult if the case-mix differs from the model
      development setting. We aimed to develop a concordance measure that provides
      insight into the influence of case-mix heterogeneity and is robust to censoring
      of time-to-event data. We first derived a model-based concordance (mbc) measure
      that allows for quantification of the influence of case-mix heterogeneity on
      discriminative ability of proportional hazards and logistic regression models.
      This mbc can also be calculated including a regression slope that calibrates the
      predictions at external validation (c-mbc), hence assessing the influence of
      overall regression coefficient validity on discriminative ability. We derived
      variance formulas for both mbc and c-mbc. We compared the mbc and the c-mbc with
      commonly used concordance measures in a simulation study and in two external
      validation settings. The mbc was asymptotically equivalent to a previously
      proposed resampling-based case-mix corrected c-index. The c-mbc remained stable
      at the true value with increasing proportions of censoring, while Harrell's c
      index and to a lesser extent Uno's concordance measure increased unfavorably.
      Variance estimates of mbc and c-mbc were well in agreement with the simulated
      empirical variances. We conclude that the mbc is an attractive closed-form
      measure that allows for a straightforward quantification of the expected change
      in a model's discriminative ability due to case-mix heterogeneity. The c-mbc also
      reflects regression coefficient validity and is a censoring-robust alternative
      for the c-index when the proportional hazards assumption holds. Copyright (c)
      2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27251002
TI  - Gamma-irradiated quiescent cells repair directly induced double-strand breaks but
      accumulate persistent double-strand breaks during subsequent DNA replication.
AB  - H2AX is expressed at very low levels in quiescent normal cells in vivo and in
      vitro. Such cells repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by gamma
      irradiation through a transient stabilization of H2AX. However, the resultant
      cells accumulate small numbers of irreparable (or persistent) DSBs via an unknown
      mechanism. We found that quiescent cells that had repaired DSBs directly induced
      by gamma-rays were prone to accumulate DSBs during the subsequent DNA
      replication. Unlike directly induced DSBs, secondary DSBs were not efficiently
      repaired, although Rad51 and 53BP1 were recruited to these sites. H2AX was
      dramatically stabilized in response to DSBs directly caused by gamma-rays,
      enabling gammaH2AX foci formation and DSB repair, whereas H2AX was barely
      stabilized in response to secondary DSBs, in which gammaH2AX foci were small and
      DSBs were not efficiently repaired. Our results show a pathway that leads to the
      persistent DSB formation after gamma-irradiation. 

PMID- 27251003
TI  - Effect of 2 Models of Care and Factors Predicting Patients' Adherence to Doctor's
      Appointment Attendance in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos,
      Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Provision of antiretroviral therapy in resource limited settings has
      put pressure on the available infrastructure. OBJECTIVES: The study examined
      patients' adherence to Doctor's appointment attendance after an intervention
      changing the model of care and factors that predicted adherence. METHODS:
      Observational study was carried out over four years. The model of care was
      changed in the last year and the effect assessed. SPSS version 15.0 was used for
      analysis. Predictors of adherence were determined using logistic regression
      model. RESULTS: Over half 148 (59.7%) of the patients were females, with a mean
      age of 40.4+/-8.8 years and baseline CD4 cells of 143.5+/-92.7cells/microliters.
      "Adherence" rates were 51.3% in 2007, 35.9% in 2008 and 14.9% in 2009 giving
      patients' average adherence to Doctor's appointment attendance of 34.03%.
      Intervention changing the model of care in 2010 recorded an adherence rate of
      93.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The change in model of care greatly improved patients'
      "adherence". Patients' knowledge of management, adherence, and smoking and
      drinking habits were identified as statistically significant predictors of
      adherence.

PMID- 27251004
TI  - The first Japanese case of leukodystrophy with ovarian failure arising from novel
      compound heterozygous AARS2 mutations.
AB  - Even now, only a portion of leukodystrophy patients are correctly diagnosed,
      though various causative genes have been identified. In the present report, we
      describe a case of adult-onset leukodystrophy in a woman with ovarian failure. By
      whole-exome sequencing, a compound heterozygous mutation consisting of
      NM_020745.3 (AARS2_v001):c.1145C>A and NM_020745.3 (AARS2_v001):c.2255+1G>A was
      identified. Neither of the mutations has been previously reported, and this is
      the first report of alanyl-transfer RNA synthetase 2 mutation in Asia. We
      anticipate that further studies of the molecular basis of leukodystrophy will
      provide insight into its pathogenesis and hopefully lead to sophisticated
      diagnostic and treatment strategies.

PMID- 27251006
TI  - Transcript, methylation and molecular docking analyses of the effects of HDAC
      inhibitors, SAHA and Dacinostat, on SMN2 expression in fibroblasts of SMA
      patients.
AB  - Several histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are known to increase Survival
      Motor Neuron 2 (SMN2) expression for the therapy of spinal muscular atrophy
      (SMA). We aimed to compare the effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA)
      and Dacinostat, a novel HDACi, on SMN2 expression and to elucidate their
      acetylation effects on the methylation of the SMN2. Cell-based assays using type
      I and type II SMA fibroblasts examined changes in transcript expressions,
      methylation levels and protein expressions. In silico methods analyzed the
      intermolecular interactions between each compound and HDAC2/HDAC7. SMN2 mRNA
      transcript levels and SMN protein levels showed notable increases in both cell
      types, except for Dacinostat exposure on type II cells. However, combined
      compound exposures showed less pronounced increase in SMN2 transcript and SMN
      protein level. Acetylation effects of SAHA and Dacinostat promoted demethylation
      of the SMN2 promoter. The in silico analyses revealed identical binding sites for
      both compounds in HDACs, which could explain the limited effects of the combined
      exposure. With the exception on the effect of Dacinostat in Type II cells, we
      have shown that SAHA and Dacinostat increased SMN2 transcript and protein levels
      and promoted demethylation of the SMN2 gene. 

PMID- 27251008
TI  - Highlights from the Current Issue: June 2016.

PMID- 27251005
TI  - MicroRNA in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies.
      Patients with PDAC are often asymptomatic, and many have lymph node and distant
      metastases as well as vessel invasion upon diagnosis. Surgery and current
      chemotherapy have limited efficacy for improving prognosis, which accounts for
      overall median survival of 8.6 months and a 9.7% 5-year survival rate. MicroRNAs
      (miRNAs) are attracting increasing attention because of their association with
      tumour progression. At least 50% of miRNAs that are aberrantly expressed in
      tumours have important roles as post-transcriptional regulators and exhibit
      oncogenic or tumour suppressive activities by directly binding to their target
      messenger RNAs. Various techniques are available to identify miRNAs that are
      differentially expressed in cancerous vs normal tissues. In this review, we
      summarise the miRNA profiles of normal pancreatic tissue and cancer tissue of
      patients with PDACs and characterise the expression of miRNAs associated with
      tumour progression. Further, we highlight the target genes and signalling
      pathways of miRNAs that are aberrantly expressed in PDACs. This knowledge may
      lead to the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for treating
      this deadly disease.

PMID- 27251007
TI  - Survey of motivation to participate in a birth cohort.
AB  - For a longitudinal prospective cohort study to be successful, participants'
      motivation to provide information must be maintained. Therefore, this study aimed
      to identify items that effectively promote participants' motivation.
      Questionnaires were mailed to 4541 mothers and expectant mothers in Chiba
      Prefecture, Japan who participated in a nationwide birth cohort. A total of 2387
      (52.6%) responses were received. The following items were identified as primary
      motivating factors among our cohort: "benefits to the participants' children",
      "monetary compensation" and "contribution to a better future environment". More
      than 30% of the respondents expressed a lack of understanding regarding the study
      purpose and requirements for participation. About 14% were concerned about the
      leakage of personal information, and 13% felt burdened by having to make a long
      term commitment to the study. Cluster analysis identified four groups, two of
      which, one with extremely low levels of motivation and the other motivated by
      only money or goods, lacked an understanding of the study and tended to be
      concerned about the associated risks and burdens. Participants in these groups
      were considered to be at a high risk of dropout. Therefore, implementing measures
      to provide participants with a better understanding of cohort studies could lead
      to more successful results. 

PMID- 27251009
TI  - New Web-Based Tool for Generating Scattergrams to Report Hearing Results.

PMID- 27251010
TI  - Concise Review: Stem Cells and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer:
      Biological Implications and Therapeutic Targets.
AB  - Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a small subpopulation of cancer cells with
      stem-like properties that are able to self-renew, generate differentiated
      daughter cells, and give rise to heterogeneous tumor tissue. Tumor heterogeneity
      is a hallmark of cancer and underlies resistance to anticancer therapies and
      disease progression. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible
      phenomenon that is mediated by EMT-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs) and
      plays an important role in normal organ development, wound healing, and the
      invasiveness of cancer cells. Recent evidence showing that overexpression of
      several EMT-TFs is associated with stemness in cancer cells has suggested the
      existence of a link between EMT and CSCs. In this review, we focus on the roles
      of CSCs and EMT signaling in driving tumor heterogeneity. A better understanding
      of the dynamics of both CSCs and EMT-TFs in the generation of tumor heterogeneity
      may provide a basis for the development of new treatment options for cancer
      patients. Stem Cells 2016;34:1997-2007.

PMID- 27251011
TI  - A dual-mode turn-on fluorescent BODIPY-based probe for visualization of mercury
      ions in living cells.
AB  - A novel turn-on fluorescent 8-amino BODIPY-based probe carrying a thiourea unit
      as the mercury ion recognition unit has been developed. Due to the cascade
      reaction processes, consecutive color changes reflecting the electronic
      absorption and emission responses were observed upon addition of increased
      concentrations of mercury(ii) ions. The likely sensing mechanism was proposed as
      mercury ion-promoted cyclization and subsequent hydrolysis. The probe displayed a
      selective response to mercury ions over other metal ions. Additionally,
      experiments with living Human Hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells to visualize intracellular
      mercury ions in biological systems were carried out with the probe. 

PMID- 27251012
TI  - CTG-loaded liposomes as an approach for improving the intestinal absorption of
      asiaticoside in Centella Total Glucosides.
AB  - Centella Total Glucosides (CTG),obtained from Centella asiatica (L.), have been
      shown to possess a multitude of pharmacological activities, however, oral
      administeration of CTG failed to fulfill their therapeutic potentials due to the
      low bioavailability. In this study, the author prepared the liposomes
      encapsulated CTG using the ethanol injection method in order to enhance their
      intestinal absorption. The average particle size and the polydispersityindex(PDI)
      of CTG-loaded liposome in a batch are 137.0nm and 0.283, and the CTG-loaded
      amounts in CTG-loaded liposomes were 0.177mgmL(-1) and the zeta potential of CTG
      loaded lipsomes is -21.2mV. The TEM images of CTG-loaded lipsomes showed that CTG
      loaded liposomes are round and maintain high structural integrity, and their DSC
      thermograms indicated that CTG might be incorporated into the aqueous phase of
      DPPC to become more stable. The everted rat gut sac model was used to study the
      absorption characteristic of CTG-loaded solution in rat intestines. The
      cumulative absorption amount (Q) and the cumulative absorption percentage (P%) of
      asiaticoside in the CTG-loaded liposome was significantly higher than that in CTG
      (P<0.05), both the steady-state infiltration rate (Jss, MUgcm(-2)s(-1)) and the
      permeability coefficient (Papp, cms(-1)) of asiaticoside in CTG-loaded liposomes
      were significantly higher than those in CTG (P<0.05), which revealed that the
      liposomes encapsulated CTG can promote the absorption of asiaticoside in the
      ileum of the rats by enhancing its transmembrane permeability. The above study
      will provide the experimental evidence and a reference for the development of the
      oral dosage forms of Centella total glucosides. 

PMID- 27251013
TI  - tDCS effect on cognitive performance in Parkinson's disease.

PMID- 27251014
TI  - Strategies toward the Total Synthesis of Calyciphylline B-type Alkaloids: A
      Computational Perspective Aided by DFT Analysis.
AB  - Herein we describe synthetic efforts toward the total synthesis of calyciphylline
      B-type alkaloids. In the process, we disclose a detailed DFT study of equilibrium
      geometries and transition states that explains the stereochemical outcome during
      the formation of critical intermediates. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals
      interesting conformational features in the naturally occurring
      deoxycalyciphylline B and its synthetic congeners.

PMID- 27251015
TI  - Fluorescence microscopy as an alternative to electron microscopy for microscale
      dispersion evaluation of organic-inorganic composites.
AB  - Inorganic dispersion is of great importance for actual implementation of advanced
      properties of organic-inorganic composites. Currently, electron microscopy is the
      most conventional approach for observing dispersion of inorganic fillers from
      ultrathin sections of organic-inorganic composites at the nanoscale by
      professional technicians. However, direct visualization of macrodispersion of
      inorganic fillers in organic-inorganic composites using high-contrast fluorescent
      imaging method is hampered. Here we design and synthesize a unique fluorescent
      surfactant, which combines the properties of the aggregation-induced emission
      (AIE) and amphiphilicity, to image macrodispersion of montmorillonite and layered
      double hydroxide fillers in polymer matrix. The proposed fluorescence imaging
      provides a number of important advantages over electron microscope imaging, and
      opens a new avenue in the development of direct three-dimensional observation of
      inorganic filler macrodispersion in organic-inorganic composites.

PMID- 27251017
TI  - Attractiveness of volatiles from different body parts to the malaria mosquito
      Anopheles coluzzii is affected by deodorant compounds.
AB  - Mosquitoes display biting preferences among different sites of the human body. In
      addition to height or convection currents, body odour may play a role in the
      selection of these biting sites. Previous studies have shown that skin emanations
      are important host-finding cues for mosquitoes. In this study, skin emanations
      were collected from armpits, hands and feet; the volatile profiles were analysed
      and tested for their attractiveness to the malaria mosquito Anopheles coluzzii.
      Skin emanations collected from armpits were less attractive to An. coluzzii
      compared to hands or/and feet. The difference may have been caused by deodorant
      residues, which were found in the armpit samples and not in those of hands and
      feet. In a subsequent experiment, volunteers were asked to avoid using skincare
      products for five days, and thereafter, no differences in attractiveness of the
      body parts to mosquitoes were found. The detected deodorant compound isopropyl
      tetradecanoate inhibited mosquito landings in a repellent bioassay. It is
      concluded that the volatiles emanated from different body parts induced
      comparable levels of attraction in mosquitoes, and that skincare products may
      reduce a person's attractiveness to mosquitoes.

PMID- 27251018
TI  - Gross, histologic, and computed tomographic characterization of nonpathological
      intrascleral cartilage and bone in the domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize grossly, histologically, and via computed tomography
      (CT) the appearance of intrascleral cartilage, bone, or both in domestic goats
      with otherwise normal eyes and to correlate this with age, sex, and breed.
      ANIMALS STUDIED: Sixty-eight domestic goats (89 eyes). PROCEDURES: Forty-nine
      formalin-fixed globes from 38 goats underwent high-resolution CT, and gross and
      light microscopic examination. An additional 40 eyes from 30 goats underwent
      light microscopy only. Age, breed, and sex of affected goats were retrieved from
      medical records. RESULTS: Considering all methods of evaluation collectively,
      cartilage was detected in 42% of eyes (44% of goats) and bone in 11% of eyes (12%
      of goats); bone was never seen without cartilage. Goats in which bone, cartilage,
      or both were detected ranged from 0.25 to 13 (median = 3.5) years of age,
      represented 11 of 12 breeds of the study population, and had a male:female ratio
      of 11:19. Bone was detected in the eyes of significantly more males (n = 8) than
      females (n = 2). No sex predilection was noted for cartilage alone. Histology
      revealed intrascleral chondrocyte-like cells, hyaline cartilage, and islands of
      lamellar bone. Some regions of bone had central, adipose-rich, marrow-like
      cavities. CT localized mineralized tissue as adjacent to or partially surrounding
      the optic nerve head. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of intrascleral bone
      or cartilage in a normal goat and of intrascleral bone in an otherwise normal
      mammal. The high prevalence of intrascleral cartilage and bone in this study
      suggests that this finding is normal and likely represents an adaptation in
      goats.

PMID- 27251019
TI  - Hybrid nanostructures of well-organized arrays of colloidal quantum dots and a
      self-assembled monolayer of gold nanoparticles for enhanced fluorescence.
AB  - Hybrid nanomaterials comprised of well-organized arrays of colloidal
      semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) in close proximity to metal nanoparticles (NPs)
      represent an appealing system for high-performance, spectrum-tunable photon
      sources with controlled photoluminescence. Experimental realization of such
      materials requires well-defined QD arrays and precisely controlled QD-metal
      interspacing. This long-standing challenge is tackled through a strategy that
      synergistically combines lateral confinement and vertical stacking.
      Lithographically generated nanoscale patterns with tailored surface chemistry
      confine the QDs into well-organized arrays with high selectivity through chemical
      pattern directed assembly, while subsequent coating with a monolayer of close
      packed Au NPs introduces the plasmonic component for fluorescence enhancement.
      The results show uniform fluorescence emission in large-area ordered arrays for
      the fabricated QD structures and demonstrate five-fold fluorescence amplification
      for red, yellow, and green QDs in the presence of the Au NP monolayer.
      Encapsulation of QDs with a silica shell is shown to extend the design space for
      reliable QD/metal coupling with stronger enhancement of 11 times through the
      tuning of QD-metal spatial separation. This approach provides new opportunities
      for designing hybrid nanomaterials with tailored array structures and multiple
      functionalities for applications such as multiplexed optical coding, color
      display, and quantum transduction. 

PMID- 27251020
TI  - Super color purity green quantum dot light-emitting diodes fabricated by using
      CdSe/CdS nanoplatelets.
AB  - Colloidal nanoplatelets (NPLs) have recently been introduced as semiconductor
      emissive materials for the fabrication of quantum dot light-emitting diodes
      (QLED) on account of their ultra-narrow photoluminescence (PL) linewidth. In this
      paper, we report a multilayer all solution-processed green QLED based on
      colloidal CdSe/CdS core/shell NPLs with a narrow PL full-width-at-half-maximum
      (FWHM) of 12 nm. Our characterization results reveal that this kind of NPL
      containing QLED exhibit a low operating voltage of 2.25 V and a maximum luminance
      up to 33 000 cd m(-2), and peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 5%,
      corresponding to 12.5 cd A(-1) in luminance efficiency. Particularly, these
      devices show ultra-high color purity for electroluminescence (EL) with FWHM of 14
      nm. As extremely narrow EL and ultra-pure color is highly attractive in the
      applications of LED industries, this work signifies the unique potential
      application of one new class of colloidal core/shell NPLs in achieving bright and
      efficient LEDs with superior color saturation. 

PMID- 27251021
TI  - Changes in soil organic carbon in croplands subjected to fertilizer management: a
      global meta-analysis.
AB  - Cropland soil organic carbon (SOC) is undergoing substantial alterations due to
      both environmental and anthropogenic changes. Although numerous case studies have
      been conducted, there remains a lack of quantification of the consequences of
      such environmental and anthropogenic changes on the SOC sequestration across
      global agricultural systems. Here, we conducted a global meta-analysis of SOC
      changes under different fertilizer managements, namely unbalanced application of
      chemical fertilizers (UCF), balanced application of chemical fertilizers (CF),
      chemical fertilizers with straw application (CFS), and chemical fertilizers with
      manure application (CFM). We show that topsoil organic carbon (C) increased by
      0.9 (0.7-1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI)) g kg(-1) (10.0%, relative change,
      hereafter the same), 1.7 (1.2-2.3) g kg(-1) (15.4%), 2.0 (1.9-2.2) g kg(-1)
      (19.5%) and 3.5 (3.2-3.8) g kg(-1) (36.2%) under UCF, CF, CFS and CFM,
      respectively. The C sequestration durations were estimated as 28-73 years under
      CFS and 26-117 years under CFM but with high variability across climatic regions.
      At least 2.0 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) C input is needed to maintain the SOC in ~85%
      cases. We highlight a great C sequestration potential of applying CF, and
      adopting CFS and CFM is highly important for either improving or maintaining
      current SOC stocks across all agro-ecosystems.

PMID- 27251022
TI  - Genomic structure analysis of a set of Oryza nivara introgression lines and
      identification of yield-associated QTLs using whole-genome resequencing.
AB  - Oryza nivara, an annual wild AA-genome species of rice, is an important gene pool
      for broadening the genetic diversity of cultivated rice (O. sativa L.). Towards
      identifying and utilizing favourable alleles from O. nivara, we developed a set
      of introgression lines (ILs) by introducing O. nivara segments into the elite
      indica rice variety 93-11 background through advanced backcrossing and repeated
      selfing. Using whole-genome resequencing, a high-density genetic map containing
      1,070 bin-markers was constructed for the 131 ILs, with an average length of 349
      kb per bin. The 131 ILs cover 95% of O. nivara genome, providing a relatively
      complete genomic library for introgressing O. nivara alleles for trait
      improvement. Using this high-density bin-map, QTL mapping for 13 yield-related
      traits was performed and a total of 65 QTLs were detected across two
      environments. At ~36.9% of detected QTLs, the alleles from O. nivara conferred
      improving effects on yield-associated traits. Six cloned genes, Sh4/SHA1, Bh4,
      Sd1, TE/TAD1, GS3 and FZP, colocalised in the peak intervals of 9 QTLs. In
      conclusion, we developed new genetic materials for exploration and use of
      beneficial alleles from wild rice and provided a basis for future fine mapping
      and cloning of the favourable O. nivara-derived QTLs.

PMID- 27251025
TI  - Can contact allergy to p-phenylenediamine explain the high rates of terpene
      hydroperoxide allergy? - An epidemiological study based on consecutive patch test
      results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Contact allergy to linalool hydroperoxides (Lin-OOHs) and limonene
      hydroperoxides (Lim-OOHs) is common. Similarly to what occurs with the terpene
      hydroperoxides, reactive intermediates formed from p-phenylenediamine (PPD) can
      cause oxidative modifications of tryptophan residues on proteins in mechanistic
      studies. OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that patients sensitized to PPD are
      at increased risk of concomitant reactivity to either of the terpene
      hydroperoxides, owing to a 'common pathway' of skin protein oxidation. METHODS: A
      database study of consecutively patch tested eczema patients (n = 3843) from 2012
      to 2015, tested concomitantly with PPD, Lim-OOHs and Lin-OOHs, was performed.
      Associations were examined by level of concordance and odds ratios (ORs) adjusted
      for age, sex, and contact allergy to fragrance mix I and fragrance mix II.
      RESULTS: Concomitant reactions to PPD were seen in 2.2% of Lim-OOH-positive
      patients and in 4.9% of Lin-OOH-positive patients. Neither proportion was higher
      than expected by chance. No association existed between PPD and Lim-OOH patch
      test reactivity. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, PPD allergy was
      associated with an insignificantly increased risk (OR 2.11, 95%CI:0.92-4.80) of a
      positive patch test reaction to Lin-OOHs. CONCLUSIONS: PPD sensitization cannot
      explain the high rates of sensitization to Lin-OOHs and/or Lim-OOHs. Contact
      allergy to oxidized linalool is more strongly associated with fragrance allergy
      than with PPD allergy.

PMID- 27251023
TI  - Investigation of an unrecognized large-scale outbreak of Candida parapsilosis
      sensu stricto fungaemia in a tertiary-care hospital in China.
AB  - A data analysis of yeast collections from the National China Hospital Invasive
      Fungal Surveillance Net (CHIF-NET) programme in 2013 revealed a sudden increase
      in the proportion of Candida parapsilosis complex isolates (n = 98) in one
      participating hospital (Hospital H). Out of 443 yeast isolates submitted to the
      CHIF-NET reference laboratory by Hospital H (2010-2014), 212 (47.9%) were
      identified as C. parapsilosis sensu stricto by sequencing analysis of the
      internal transcribed spacer region and D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene. Among
      the 212 C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates, 176 (83.0%) bloodstream-based
      isolates and 25 isolates from tip cultures of various vascular catheters from 25
      patients with candidaemia, were subjected to microsatellite genotyping, and a
      phylogenetic relationship analysis was performed for 152 isolates. Among the 152
      isolates, 45 genotypes (T01 to T45) were identified, and two prevalent genotypes
      (63.8%) were found: T15 (n = 74, 48.7%) and T16 (n = 23, 15.1%). These two main
      clones were confined mainly to three different wards of the hospital, and they
      persisted for 16-25 months and 12-13 months, respectively. The lack of proper
      coordination between the clinical microbiology laboratory and infection control
      staff as part of public health control resulted in the failure to timely identify
      an outbreak, which led to the wide and long-term dissemination of C. parapsilosis
      sensu stricto in Hospital H.

PMID- 27251026
TI  - Localized Spoof Surface Plasmons based on Closed Subwavelength High Contrast
      Gratings: Concept and Microwave-Regime Realizations.
AB  - In this work, we report the existence of spoof localized surface plasmons (spoof
      LSPs) arising with closed high contrast gratings (HCGs) at deep subwavelength
      scales, another platform for field localization at microwave frequencies. The
      HCGs are in the form of a periodic array of radial dielectric blocks with high
      permittivity around a metal core supporting spoof-LSPs of transverse magnetic
      (TM) form. Simulation results validate the phenomenon and a metamaterial approach
      is also given to capture all the resonant features of this kind of spoof-LSPs. In
      addition, experimental verification of the existence of spoof-LSPs supported by a
      three dimensional (3D) HCGs resonance structure in the microwave regime is
      presented. This work expands the original spoof-LSPs theory and opens up a new
      avenue for obtaining resonance devices in the microwave frequencies.

PMID- 27251027
TI  - Prebiotic potential of gum odina and its impact on gut ecology: in vitro and in
      vivo assessments.
AB  - The use of prebiotics to escalate certain gut flora is a current aspect of
      research for effective gut ecology. In the present study we appraise the efficacy
      of gum odina obtained from the bark of Odina wodier (Anacardiaceae), which is not
      fully degraded (16%) in the upper GI tract and becomes available to the lower
      region, as a prebiotic. An in vitro prebiotic activity assay established a
      quantitative score to describe the extent to which gum odina supports the
      selective growth of probiotics with a maximum of 5.60 +/- 0.11 for Lactobacillus
      plantarum MTCC 6160. The polysaccharide, upon fermentation, also liberates lactic
      acid (0.46 +/- 0.003 mg ml(-1)) and acetic acid (1.03 +/- 0.003 mg ml(-1)). In
      vivo studies revealed that natural gum selectively stimulates Lactobacillus sp.,
      and eliminates enteric pathogens with a C.F.U. of 384.48 +/- 0.11 and 40.56 +/-
      0.17 respectively on the 8(th) day. The changes in the level of beta
      galactosidase signify maturation of macrophages in the gut environment. It also
      boosts the immune system by increasing sIgA upon infection from the 5(th) day in
      the gut, when incorporated into the feed of mice. Moreover an increase in levels
      of IFNgamma on the 5(th) day also manifest additional protection against various
      pathogen-induced primary and secondary infections. Thus, gum odina is a potential
      prebiotic which not only provides nutrition but also improves gut ecology. 

PMID- 27251028
TI  - Development of Core-Shell Nanostructures by In Situ Assembly of Pyridine-Grafted
      Diblock Copolymer and Transferrin for Drug Delivery Applications.
AB  - We previously reported the coassembly of various proteins with poly(4
      vinylpyridine) (P4VP) to form core-shell nanoparticles (CSNPs). However, P4VP
      suffers from its cytotoxicity and in vivo toxicity, which prohibit it from many
      potential biomedical applications. Here, pyridine-grafted diblock copolymer
      poly(caprolactone-graft-pyridine)-block-poly(caprolactone) [P(CL-g-Py)-b-PCL] was
      prepared through a combination of ring-opening polymerization and Cu(I) catalyzed
      azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. CSNPs could be readily constructed by the
      self-assembly of transferrin (Tf) and P(CL-g-Py)-b-PCL, which showed a narrower
      range of particle sizes, improved stability, and higher loading capacity for
      anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX), compared with similar particles prepared from
      the coassembly of Tf and P4VP. Additionally, the drug-loaded Tf/P(CL-g-Py)-b-PCL
      CSNPs could effectively target MCF7 cancer cells via the binding of Tf to
      transferrin receptors (TfR).

PMID- 27251029
TI  - Development and Reliability Evaluation of the Movement Rating Instrument for
      Virtual Reality Video Game Play.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Virtual reality active video games are increasingly popular physical
      therapy interventions for children with cerebral palsy. However, physical
      therapists require educational resources to support decision making about game
      selection to match individual patient goals. Quantifying the movements elicited
      during virtual reality active video game play can inform individualized game
      selection in pediatric rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study
      were to develop and evaluate the feasibility and reliability of the Movement
      Rating Instrument for Virtual Reality Game Play (MRI-VRGP). METHODS: Item
      generation occurred through an iterative process of literature review and sample
      videotape viewing. The MRI-VRGP includes 25 items quantifying upper extremity,
      lower extremity, and total body movements. A total of 176 videotaped 90-second
      game play sessions involving 7 typically developing children and 4 children with
      cerebral palsy were rated by 3 raters trained in MRI-VRGP use. Children played 8
      games on 2 virtual reality and active video game systems. Intraclass correlation
      coefficients (ICCs) determined intra-rater and interrater reliability. RESULTS:
      Excellent intrarater reliability was evidenced by ICCs of >0.75 for 17 of the 25
      items across the 3 raters. Interrater reliability estimates were less precise.
      Excellent interrater reliability was achieved for far reach upper extremity
      movements (ICC=0.92 [for right and ICC=0.90 for left) and for squat (ICC=0.80)
      and jump items (ICC=0.99), with 9 items achieving ICCs of >0.70, 12 items
      achieving ICCs of between 0.40 and 0.70, and 4 items achieving poor reliability
      (close-reach upper extremity-ICC=0.14 for right and ICC=0.07 for left) and single
      leg stance (ICC=0.55 for right and ICC=0.27 for left). CONCLUSIONS: Poor video
      quality, differing item interpretations between raters, and difficulty
      quantifying the high-speed movements involved in game play affected reliability.
      With item definition clarification and further psychometric property evaluation,
      the MRI-VRGP could inform the content of educational resources for therapists by
      ranking games according to frequency and type of elicited body movements.

PMID- 27251030
TI  - Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of construction workers towards
      tetanus vaccine in Northern Italy.
AB  - Construction workers (CWs) are both more exposed to tetanus and at higher risk to
      be inadequately immunized. Our aim was to evaluate tetanus immunization status
      and knowledge/attitudes towards tetanus vaccination in CWs in Italy. In this
      field report, the immunization status of 554 unskilled CWs (i.e. labourers).
      Immunization status was assessed recalling immunization booklets/certificates.
      Attitudes and knowledge were collected through a standardized questionnaire. In
      240/554 CWs, immunization status was inadequate/not documented: in 184 subjects
      (33.2%), the last vaccination shot was older than 10 years, whereas basal
      immunization was incomplete in 20 cases, more frequently in foreign-born people
      (FBP) than in Italian born (IBP) (OR=7.116). In 198 cases (35.7%), an
      Occupational Physician (OPh) performed last booster, usually with monovalent (T,
      n=173) vaccine. The main reason for inadequate immunization was having forgotten
      the periodic booster (148/554; 26.7%), whereas 42 subjects (7.6%) deliberately
      avoided tetanus vaccine because of personal/religious beliefs, more frequently in
      FBP than in IBP (OR=3.182). In summary, the prevalence of inadequate immunization
      status was relatively high (43.4%): the high prevalence of "forgotten boosters"
      enlightens the key role of OPh in recalling and promoting vaccination policies.
      Moreover, the inappropriate use of Td vaccine points out the opportunity for
      educational campaigns in OPh.

PMID- 27251031
TI  - Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oil from Filifolium
      sibiricum (L.) Kitam.
AB  - The essential oil from Filifolium sibiricum (L.) Kitam were extracted using
      hydrodistillation and GC-MS was used to analyse the essential oil. The main
      components were espatulenol (8.55%), geranyl acetate (8.03%), caryophyllene oxide
      (5.47%), calamenene (4.79%), geraniol (4.28%), calamenene (4.53%), geraniol
      (4.06%), cedrene epoxide (3.23%), myrtenol (3.18%), transgeranylgeranio (3.13%),
      etc. The essential oil showed intensive inhibitory effects against MCF-7 with
      IC50 level of 0.78 mg/mL, HepG-2 with IC50 level of 0.44 mg/mL, SKOV-3 with IC50
      level of 0.27 mg/mL, BGC-823 with IC50 level of 0.34 mg/mL. In the antibacterial
      test, the essential oil showed the significant antibacterial activities. The MIC
      and MBC values were 5.20 and 5.20 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus.

PMID- 27251032
TI  - Asymmetric synthesis and absolute stereochemistry of a labdane-type diterpenoid
      isolated from the rhizomes of Isodan yuennanensis.
AB  - The first synthesis of a labdane-type diterpenoid isolated from Isodon
      yuennanensis was achieved in fourteen steps from commercially available starting
      material, (+)-sclareolide. The synthesis features the Barton nitrite ester
      reaction to introduce an oxime at the angular methyl group and the Jones
      oxidation to construct the lactone segment. By comparison of the optical rotation
      of our synthetic sample and the natural sample, the absolute stereochemistry of
      the natural diterpenoid has been determined. 

PMID- 27251033
TI  - Footprintless disruption of prosurvival genes in aneuploid cancer cells using
      CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
AB  - CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as a powerful methodology for the targeted editing of
      genomic DNA sequences. Nevertheless, the intrinsic inefficiency of transfection
      methods required to use this technique with cultured cells requires the selection
      and isolation of successfully modified cells, which invariably subjects the cells
      to stress. Here we report a workflow that allows the isolation of genomically
      modified cells, even where loss of functional alleles constitutes a selective
      disadvantage owing to impaired ability to survive stress. Using targeted
      disruption of the Id1 and Id3 genes in murine B16-F10 and Ret melanoma cell lines
      as an example, we show that the method allows for the footprintless isolation of
      CRISPR/Cas9-modified aneuploid cancer cells. We also provide evidence that serial
      CRISPR/Cas9 modifications can occur, for example when initial homologous
      recombination events introduce cryptic PAM sequences, and demonstrate that
      multiple alleles can be successfully targeted in aneuploid cancer cells. By
      sequencing individual alleles we also found evidence for CRISPR/Cas9-induced
      transposable element insertion, albeit at a low frequency. This workflow should
      have broad application in the functional analysis of prosurvival gene function in
      cultured cells.

PMID- 27251034
TI  - Effect of S100A12 and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products on the
      occurrence of severe acute pancreatitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether serum levels of S100A12 and soluble receptor for
      advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) could predict the severity of acute
      pancreatitis (AP). METHODS: We conducted a non-interventional pilot study,
      including 74 AP patients and 28 healthy volunteers serving as controls. AP
      patients were further divided into the mild (MAP, n = 22), moderately severe
      (MSAP, n = 30) and severe (SAP, n = 22) groups. Peripheral blood samples were
      collected within 72 h after the onset of AP for the determination of S100A12,
      sRAGE and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The acute physiology and chronic
      health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, Balthazar computed tomography severity
      index (CTSI) were calculated at admission. RESULTS: S100A12 and sRAGE levels in
      SAP patient were significantly higher than in controls, MAP and MSAP patients.
      The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated the
      predictive ability of S100A12 [sensitivity 91%, specificity 81%, the area under
      the ROC curve AUROC 0.9047] and sRAGE (sensitivity 57%, specificity 100%, AUROC
      0.8304) for evaluating the severity of AP. S100A12 and sRAGE were correlated with
      APACHE II and CTSI but not with CRP. This combination of new and traditional
      indicators had higher accuracy than traditional indicators alone. Specifically,
      S100A12 and sRAGE were positively correlated with the type of organ failure
      (respiratory and renal failure) and might distinguish transient from persistent
      organ failure at admission. CONCLUSION: S100A12 and sRAGE could be used as
      efficient biomarkers for the early identification of SAP.

PMID- 27251035
TI  - The mitochondrial kinase PINK1: functions beyond mitophagy.
AB  - Mutations in the genes encoding the mitochondrial kinase PINK1 and the E3
      ubiquitin ligase Parkin cause autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease (PD).
      Pioneering work in Drosophila melanogaster revealed that the loss of PINK1 or
      Parkin function causes similar phenotypes including dysfunctional mitochondria.
      Further research showed that PINK1 can act upstream of Parkin in a mitochondrial
      quality control pathway to induce removal of damaged mitochondria in a process
      called mitophagy. Albeit the PINK1/Parkin-induced mitophagy pathway is well
      established and has recently been elucidated in great detail, its
      pathophysiological relevance is being debated. Mounting evidence indicates that
      PINK1 has additional functions, for example, in regulating complex I activity and
      maintaining neuronal viability in response to stress. Here, we discuss mitophagy
      dependent and -independent functions of PINK1 and their possible role in PD
      pathogenesis. Mutations in the PINK1 gene, encoding a mitochondrial kinase, are
      associated with autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease. In this review, we
      summarize and discuss the functional roles of PINK1 in maintaining mitochondrial
      integrity, eliminating damaged mitochondria, and promoting cell survival. This
      article is part of a special issue on Parkinson disease.

PMID- 27251036
TI  - Tolerance Induction of Temperature and Starvation with Tricalcium Phosphate on
      Preservation and Sporulation in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Detected by Flow
      Cytometry.
AB  - The Bacillus species have many applications in the preparation of various
      enzymes, probiotic, biofertilizer, and biomarkers for which the survival of
      resting cells and spore formation under different conditions are important. In
      this study, water and saline along with different mineral substances such as
      calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and silica were used for the detection of
      survival and preservation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The results showed
      intensive death of resting cells at 8  degrees C, but significant survival at 28 
      degrees C after one month. However, preservation by minerals significantly
      decreased the rate of death and induced sporulation at both the temperatures. The
      resting cells were maintained at room temperature (about 60 % of the initial
      population survived after a month) in the presence of tricalcium phosphate. The
      results showed that temperature has more effect on sporulation compare with
      starvation. The sporulation in normal saline at 28  degrees C was 70 times more
      than that at 8  degrees C; meanwhile, addition of tricalcium phosphate increases
      sporulation by 90 times. Also, the FTIR data showed the interaction of tricalcium
      phosphate with spores and resting cells. The discrimination of sporulation from
      non-sporulation state was performed by nucleic acid staining with thiazole orange
      and detected by flow cytometry. The flow cytometric studies confirmed that the
      rates of sporulation in pure water were significantly more at 28  degrees C. This
      is the first report on the detection of bacterial spore with thiazole orange by
      flow cytometry and also on the interaction of tricalcium phosphate with spores by
      FTIR analyses. 

PMID- 27251037
TI  - Quantitative metabolomics of the thermophilic methylotroph Bacillus methanolicus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The gram-positive bacterium Bacillus methanolicus MGA3 is a promising
      candidate for methanol-based biotechnologies. Accurate determination of
      intracellular metabolites is crucial for engineering this bacteria into an
      efficient microbial cell factory. Due to the diversity of chemical and cell
      properties, an experimental protocol validated on B. methanolicus is needed. Here
      a systematic evaluation of different techniques for establishing a reliable basis
      for metabolome investigations is presented. RESULTS: Metabolome analysis was
      focused on metabolites closely linked with B. methanolicus central methanol
      metabolism. As an alternative to cold solvent based procedures, a solvent-free
      quenching strategy using stainless steel beads cooled to -20  degrees C was
      assessed. The precision, the consistency of the measurements, and the extent of
      metabolite leakage from quenched cells were evaluated in procedures with and
      without cell separation. The most accurate and reliable performance was provided
      by the method without cell separation, as significant metabolite leakage occurred
      in the procedures based on fast filtration. As a biological test case, the best
      protocol was used to assess the metabolome of B. methanolicus grown in chemostat
      on methanol at two different growth rates and its validity was demonstrated.
      CONCLUSION: The presented protocol is a first and helpful step towards developing
      reliable metabolomics data for thermophilic methylotroph B. methanolicus. This
      will definitely help for designing an efficient methylotrophic cell factory.

PMID- 27251038
TI  - A Study of Hypermethylated Circulating Tumor DNA as a Universal Colorectal Cancer
      Biomarker.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a good candidate for
      tracking tumor dynamics in different cancer types, potentially avoiding repeated
      tumor biopsies. Many different genes can be mutated within a tumor, complicating
      procedures for tumor monitoring, even with highly sensitive next-generation
      sequencing (NGS) strategies. Droplet-based digital PCR (dPCR) is a highly
      sensitive and quantitative procedure, allowing detection of very low amounts of
      circulating tumor genetic material, but can be limited in the total number of
      target loci monitored. METHODS: We analyzed hypermethylation of 3 genes, by use
      of droplet-based dPCR in different stages of colorectal cancer (CRC), to identify
      universal markers for tumor follow-up. RESULTS: Hypermethylation of WIF1 (WNT
      inhibitory factor 1) and NPY (neuropeptide Y) genes was significantly higher in
      tumor tissue compared to normal tissue, independently of tumor stage. All tumor
      tissues appeared positive for one of the 2 markers. Methylated ctDNA (MetctDNA)
      was detected in 80% of metastatic CRC and 45% of localized CRC. For samples with
      detectable mutations in ctDNA, MetctDNA and mutant ctDNA (MutctDNA) fractions
      were correlated. During follow-up of different stage CRC patients, MetctDNA
      changes allowed monitoring of tumor evolution. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      indicate that MetctDNA could be used as a universal surrogate marker for tumor
      follow-up in CRC patients, and monitoring MetctDNA by droplet-based dPCR could
      avoid the need for monitoring mutations.

PMID- 27251039
TI  - A set of isogenic auxotrophic strains for constructing multiple gene deletion
      mutants and parasexual crossings in Aspergillus niger.
AB  - To construct a set of isogenic auxotrophic strains in Aspergillus niger suited
      for creating multiple gene deletion mutants and executing parasexual crossings,
      we have combined mutations in genes involved in colour pigmentation (fwnA and
      olvA) with well-selectable auxotrophic markers (pyrG, nicB, argB, and adeA). All
      markers, except for the pyrG marker, were introduced by targeted deletion,
      omitting UV mutagenesis of the strains. Aspergillus oryzae orthologous genes of
      the argB, nicB, and adeA markers were used as heterologous selection markers, and
      all markers were shown to complement to respective auxotrophic A. niger mutants.
      A quadruple auxotrophic marker was further constructed suitable for multiple gene
      deletions. Genome sequencing of two auxotrophic colour mutants JN3.2 (olvA::pyrG,
      argB::hygB) and JN6.2 (olvA::pyrG, nicB::hygB) revealed four SNPs between them in
      non-coding regions, indicating a high level of isogenicity between both strains.
      The availability of near-isogenic complementary auxotrophic colour mutants
      facilitates the selection of diploids and the isolation of haploid segregants
      from the diploid using the parasexual cycle. 

PMID- 27251040
TI  - Analysis of coevolution in nonstructural proteins of chikungunya virus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: RNA viruses are characterized by high rate of mutations mainly due to
      the lack of proofreading repair activities associated with its RNA-dependent RNA
      polymerase (RdRp). In case of arboviruses, this phenomenon has lead to the
      existence of mixed population of genomic variants within the host called quasi
      species. The stability of strains within the quasi-species lies on mutations that
      are positively selected which in turn depend on whether these mutations are
      beneficial in either or both hosts. Coevolution of amino acids (aa) is one
      phenomenon that leads to establishment of favorable traits in viruses and leading
      to their fitness. RESULTS: Fourteen CHIKV clinical samples collected over three
      years were subjected to RT-PCR, the four non-structural genes amplified and
      subjected to various genetic analyses. Coevolution analysis showed 30 aa pairs
      coevolving in nsP1, 23 aa pairs coevolving in nsP2, 239 in nsP3 and 46 aa
      coevolving pairs in nsP4 when each non-structural protein was considered
      independently. Further analysis showed that 705 amino acids pairs of the non
      structural polyproteins coevolved together with a correlation coefficient of
      >=0.5. Functional relevance of these coevolving amino acids in all the
      nonstructural proteins of CHIKV were predicted using Eukaryotic Linear Motifs
      (ELMs) of human. CONCLUSIONS: The present study was undertaken to study co
      evolving amino acids in the non-structural proteins of chikungunya virus (CHIKV),
      an important arbovirus. It was observed that several amino acids residues were
      coevolving and shared common functions.

PMID- 27251041
TI  - Chromosomal Aberrations in Canine Gliomas Define Candidate Genes and Common
      Pathways in Dogs and Humans.
AB  - Spontaneous gliomas in dogs occur at a frequency similar to that in humans and
      may provide a translational model for therapeutic development and comparative
      biological investigations. Copy number alterations in 38 canine gliomas,
      including diffuse astrocytomas, glioblastomas, oligodendrogliomas, and mixed
      oligoastrocytomas, were defined using an Illumina 170K single nucleotide
      polymorphism array. Highly recurrent alterations were seen in up to 85% of some
      tumor types, most notably involving chromosomes 13, 22, and 38, and gliomas
      clustered into 2 major groups consisting of high-grade IV astrocytomas, or
      oligodendrogliomas and other tumors. Tumor types were characterized by specific
      broad and focal chromosomal events including focal loss of the INK4A/B locus in
      glioblastoma and loss of the RB1 gene and amplification of the PDGFRA gene in
      oligodendrogliomas. Genes associated with the 3 critical pathways in human high
      grade gliomas (TP53, RB1, and RTK/RAS/PI3K) were frequently associated with
      canine aberrations. Analysis of oligodendrogliomas revealed regions of
      chromosomal losses syntenic to human 1p involving tumor suppressor genes, such as
      CDKN2C, as well as genes associated with apoptosis, autophagy, and response to
      chemotherapy and radiation. Analysis of high frequency chromosomal aberrations
      with respect to human orthologues may provide insight into both novel and common
      pathways in gliomagenesis and response to therapy.

PMID- 27251043
TI  - Protective Effects of Forskolin on Behavioral Deficits and Neuropathological
      Changes in a Mouse Model of Cerebral Amyloidosis.
AB  - The production of amyloid-beta peptides in the brains of patients with Alzheimer
      disease (AD) may contribute to memory loss and impairments in social behavior.
      Here, an efficient adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, was orally
      administered by gavage (100 mg/kg body weight) to 5-month-old transgenic APP/PS1
      mice, which serve as an animal model of cerebral amyloidosis. Analyses of nest
      construction, sociability, and immunohistochemical features were used to
      determine the effects of forskolin treatment. After a relatively short term of
      treatment (10 days), forskolin-treated transgenic mice showed restored nest
      construction ability (p < 0.05) and their sociability (p < 0.01). There was a
      reduction of Abeta plaque deposition in the cortex and in the hippocampus.
      Furthermore, expression of transforming growth factor beta, glial fibrillary
      acidic protein, and Iba-1 in the cortex was reduced in the forskolin-treated
      group, suggesting regulation of the inflammatory response mediated by activated
      microglia and astrocytes in the brains of the APP/PS1 mice (p < 0.01). Taken
      together, these findings suggest that forskolin shows neuroprotective effects in
      APP/PS1 Tg mice and may be a promising drug in the treatment of patients with AD.

PMID- 27251044
TI  - Transduodenal ampullectomy provides a less invasive technique to cure early
      ampullary cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficiency of
      transduodenal ampullectomy (TDA) compared to conventional pancreatoduodenectomy
      (PD) in patients with early ampullary cancers. METHODS: We carried out a
      retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of 43 patients with early
      ampullary cancer who underwent either TDA or PD from January 2001 to December
      2014. TDA and PD were performed on 22 patients and 21 patients, respectively.
      Clinical data, perioperative clinical outcomes and prognosis were evaluated. The
      median follow-up was 75 (range, 38-143) months. RESULTS: The sensitivity of
      intraoperative frozen resection was 100 % (4/4) and 94.9 % (37/39) in patients
      with pTis and pT1 tumors compared to final histologic diagnoses. The 5-year
      survival rate of patients with early ampullary cancer was 77.3 % in TDA group and
      75.9 % in PD group (P = 0.927). Patients with lymph node metastasis presented a
      shorter 5-year survival rate (P = 0.014). TDA was associated with lower surgical
      morbidity (P = 0.033), estimated blood loss (P = 0.002), medical cost (P = 0.028)
      compared to PD. No pancreatic fistula and surgical mortality occurred in TDA
      group. CONCLUSIONS: TDA could produce satisfactory clinical efficiency in
      patients fulfilled the following criteria simultaneously: pTis or pT1 stage,
      tumor size <= 2 cm, without lymph node metastasis. To achieve favorable outcomes,
      intraoperative frozen section examinations should be reliable and resection
      margins should be negative.

PMID- 27251042
TI  - Chronic Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Results in Reduced Cerebral Blood
      Flow, Axonal Injury, Gliosis, and Increased T-Tau and Tau Oligomers.
AB  - Exposure to repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a risk factor for
      chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is characterized by patchy deposition of
      hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates in neurons and astrocytes at the depths of
      cortical sulci. We developed an mTBI paradigm to explore effects of repetitive
      concussive-type injury over several months in mice with a human tau genetic
      background (hTau). Two injuries were induced in the hTau mice weekly over a
      period of 3 or 4 months and the effects were compared with those in noninjured
      sham animals. Behavioral and in vivo measures and detailed neuropathological
      assessments were conducted 6 months after the first injury. Our data confirm
      impairment in cerebral blood flow and white matter damage. This was accompanied
      by a 2-fold increase in total tau levels and mild increases in tau
      oligomers/conformers and pTau (Thr231) species in brain gray matter. There was no
      evidence of neurofibrillary/astroglial tangles, neuropil threads, or perivascular
      foci of tau immunoreactivity. There were neurobehavioral deficits (ie,
      disinhibition and impaired cognitive performance) in the mTBI animals. These data
      support the relevance of this new mTBI injury model for studying the consequences
      of chronic repetitive mTBI in humans, and the role of tau in TBI.

PMID- 27251045
TI  - Niacin esters of chalcones with tumor-selective properties.
AB  - Novel series of niacin esters of chalcones 2, 4 and 6 were designed as
      antineoplastic agents that have the potential to release the chemoprotectant
      niacin. These enones are cytotoxic to human CD4(+ )T-lymphocyte Molt 4/C8 and CEM
      and murine leukemia L1210 cells. Quantitative structure-activity relationship
      (QSAR) studies of the biodata in series 4 revealed that cytotoxic potency was
      enhanced by placing electron-repelling groups in one of the aryl rings. The
      compounds are lethal to HL-60, HSC-2, HSC-3 and HSC-4 neoplasms but less toxic to
      nonmalignant hepatocyte growth factor, hematopoietic progenitor cell and human
      periodontal ligament fibroblast cells. Hence, the compounds display tumor
      selective toxicity. These chalcones are well tolerated in mice and no overt
      toxicity was noted. The results establish that in general the compounds in series
      2, 4 and 6 have positive characteristics which warrant further studies. 

PMID- 27251046
TI  - Posterior fossa decompression with and without duraplasty for the treatment of
      Chiari malformation type I-a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - The treatment of Chiari malformation type 1 (CM-I) with posterior fossa
      decompression without (PFD) or with duraplasty (PFDD) is controversial. Our aim
      is to compare the clinical outcome between the two methods for the treatment of
      CM-I. In this paper, the authors report a systematic review and meta-analysis of
      operation time, clinical improvement, and complications of PFD compared with PFDD
      for the treatment of CM-I. Randomized or non-randomized controlled trials of PFD
      and PFDD were considered for inclusion. Twelve published reports of eligible
      studies involving 841participants meet the inclusion criteria. There is
      significant difference in the operative time [mean difference = -74.63, 95 % CI (
      83.02, -66.25), p < 0.05] in favor of PFD compared with PFDD. There is
      significant difference in overall complication rates [mean difference = 0.34, 95
      % CI (0.19, 0.60), p < 0.05] and rates of CSF leak [mean difference = 0.24, 95 %
      CI (0.07, 0.78), p < 0.05] in favor of PFD groups. However, there is significant
      difference in the clinical improvement rate in favor of the PFDD group [mean
      difference = 0.85, 95 % CI (0.73, 0.99), p < 0.05]. Although PFDD is related with
      longer operation time and higher CSF leak rate, it can still be considered as a
      preferable treatment option for most CM-I patients for its higher improvement
      rate. More evidence from advanced multi-center studies are needed to provide
      illumination for the surgical decision making of CM-I.

PMID- 27251047
TI  - A method for estimating gestational age of fetal remains based on long bone
      lengths.
AB  - The estimation of gestational age (GA) in fetal human remains is important in
      forensic settings, particularly to assess fetal viability, in addition to often
      being the only biological profile parameter that can be assessed with some
      accuracy for non-adults. The length of long bone diaphysis is one of the most
      frequently used methods for fetal age estimation. The main objective of this
      study was to present a simple and objective method for estimating GA based on the
      measurements of the diaphysis of the femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, ulna, and
      radius. Conventional least squares regression equations (classical and inverse
      calibration approaches) and quick reference tables were generated. A
      supplementary objective was to compare the performance of the new formulae
      against previously published models. The sample comprised 257 fetuses (136
      females and 121 males) with known GA (between 12 and 40 weeks) and was selected
      based on clinical and pathological information. All measurements were performed
      on radiographic images acquired in anonymous clinical autopsy records from
      spontaneous and therapeutic abortions in two Portuguese hospitals. The proposed
      technique is straightforward and reproducible. The models for the GA estimation
      are exceedingly accurate and unbiased. Comparisons between inverse and classical
      calibration show that both perform exceptionally well, with high accuracy and low
      bias. Also, the newly developed equations generally outperform earlier methods of
      GA estimation in forensic contexts. Quick reference tables for each long bone are
      now available. The obtained models for the estimation of gestational age are of
      great applicability in forensic contexts. 

PMID- 27251048
TI  - Differences that matter: developing critical insights into discourses of patient
      centeredness.
AB  - Patient-centeredness can be considered a popular, and at the same time "fuzzy",
      concept. Scientists have proposed different definitions and models. The present
      article studies scientific publications that discuss the meaning of patient
      centeredness to identify different "discourses" of patient-centeredness. Three
      discourses are presented; the first is labelled as "caring for patients", the
      second as "empowering patients" and the third as "being responsive". Each of
      these discourses has different things to say about (a) the why of patient
      centeredness; (b) the patient's identity; (c) the role of the healthcare
      professional; (d) responsibilities for medical decision-making, and (e) the role
      of health information. This article compares and contrasts the discourses in ways
      that allow us to see differences that matter for practitioners in healthcare. On
      the basis of a relational constructionist philosophy, it is argued that
      discursive diversity is both an inevitable and a potentially valuable aspect of
      conversations in healthcare. We are therefore invited to center the challenge of
      dealing with diversity in productive ways. This article ends with a discussion of
      the practical implications of the discourse analysis for projects that aim to
      make healthcare more patient-centered. Debates on patient-centered "Health
      Information Exchange" are used to explain the need for a recognition of different
      discourses of patient-centeredness and a reflexive stance towards them.

PMID- 27251049
TI  - Authors' reply to Seemungal and Bolland and colleagues.

PMID- 27251050
TI  - Molecular characteristics of a novel strain of canine minute virus associated
      with hepatitis in a dog.
AB  - A 5-year-old female Yorkshire terrier dog died a few days following hernia and
      ovariohysterectomy surgeries. Necropsy performed on the dog revealed that the
      surgeries were not the cause of death; however, degenerative viral hepatitis,
      showing intranuclear inclusion bodies in hepatic cells, was observed in
      histopathologic examination. Several diagnostic methods were used to screen for
      the cause of disease, and minute virus of canines (MVC) was detected in all
      parenchymal organs, including the liver. Other pathogens that may cause
      degenerative viral hepatitis were not found. Infection with MVC was confirmed by
      in situ hybridization, which revealed the presence of MVC nucleic acid in the
      liver tissue of the dog. Through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the
      nearly complete genome sequence, the strain was found to be distinct from other
      previously reported MVC strains. These results indicate that this novel MVC
      strain might be related to degenerative viral hepatitis in dogs. 

PMID- 27251051
TI  - Cutaneous Adverse Events in the Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Comparator
      DECIDE Study of Daclizumab High-Yield Process Versus Intramuscular Interferon
      Beta-1a in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous adverse events (AEs) have been observed in clinical
      studies of daclizumab high-yield process (HYP) in relapsing-remitting multiple
      sclerosis (RRMS). Here, we report cutaneous AEs observed in the randomized,
      double-blind, active-comparator DECIDE study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier,
      NCT01064401). METHODS: DECIDE was a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled
      phase 3 study of daclizumab HYP 150 mg subcutaneous every 4 weeks versus
      interferon (IFN) beta-1a 30 mcg intramuscular (IM) once weekly in RRMS. Treatment
      emergent AEs were classified and recorded by investigators. Investigators also
      assessed the severity of each AE, and whether it met the criteria for a serious
      AE. Cutaneous AEs were defined as AEs coded to the Medical Dictionary for
      Regulatory Activities System Organ Class of skin and subcutaneous tissue
      disorders. The incidence, severity, onset, resolution, and management of AEs were
      analyzed by treatment group. RESULTS: Cutaneous AEs were reported in 37% of
      daclizumab HYP-treated patients and 19% of IFN beta-1a-treated patients. The most
      common investigator-reported cutaneous AEs with daclizumab HYP were rash (7%) and
      eczema (4%). Most patients with cutaneous AEs remained on treatment (daclizumab
      HYP, 81%; IM IFN beta-1a, 90%) and had events that were mild or moderate (94% and
      98%) and subsequently resolved (78% and 82%). Most patients with cutaneous AEs
      did not require treatment with corticosteroids or were treated with topical
      corticosteroids (daclizumab HYP, 73%; IM IFN beta-1a, 81%). Serious cutaneous AEs
      were reported in 14 (2%) daclizumab HYP patients and one (<1%) IM IFN beta-1a
      patient. CONCLUSION: There was an increased risk of cutaneous AEs with daclizumab
      HYP. While physicians should be aware of the potential for serious cutaneous AEs,
      the typical cutaneous AEs were mild-to-moderate in severity, manageable, and
      resolved over time. FUNDING: Biogen and AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01064401.

PMID- 27251052
TI  - Effectiveness of the Home Based Life Saving Skills training by community health
      workers on knowledge of danger signs, birth preparedness, complication readiness
      and facility delivery, among women in Rural Tanzania.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In spite of government efforts, maternal mortality in Tanzania is
      currently at more than 400 per 100,000 live births. Community-based interventions
      that encourage safe motherhood and improved health-seeking behaviour through
      acquiring knowledge on the danger signs and improving birth preparedness, and,
      ultimately, reduce maternal mortality, have been initiated in different parts of
      low-income countries. Our aim was to evaluate if the Home Based Life Saving
      Skills education by community health workers would improve knowledge of danger
      signs, birth preparedness and complication readiness and facility-based
      deliveries in a rural community in Tanzania. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study
      design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of Home Based Life Saving Skills
      education to pregnant women and their families through a community intervention.
      An intervention district received training with routine care. A comparison
      district continued to receive routine antenatal care. A structured household
      questionnaire was used in order to gather information from women who had
      delivered a child within the last two years before the intervention. This
      questionnaire was used in both the intervention and comparison districts before
      and after the intervention. The net intervention effect was estimated using the
      difference between the differences in the intervention and control districts at
      baseline and endline. RESULTS: A total of 1,584 and 1,486 women were interviewed
      at pre-intervention and post intervention, respectively. We observed significant
      improvement of knowledge of three or more danger signs during pregnancy (15.2 %
      vs. 48.1 %) with a net intervention effect of 29.0 % (95 % CI: 12.8-36.2; p <
      .0001) compared to the comparison district. There was significant effect on the
      knowledge of three or more danger signs during childbirth (15.3 % vs. 43.1 %)
      with a net intervention effect of 18.3 % (95 % CI: 11.4-25.2; p < .0001) and
      postpartum for those mentioning three or more of the signs (8.8 % vs. 19.8 %)
      with net effect of 9.4 % (95 % CI: 6.4-15.7; p < .0001). Birth preparedness
      practice improved for those who made more than three actions (20.8 vs. 35.3 %)
      with a net intervention effect of 10.3 % (95 % CI: 10.3-20.3; p < .0001) between
      the intervention and control district at pre-intervention and post intervention.
      Utilisation of antenatal care with four visits improved significantly (43.4 vs.
      67.8 %) with net effect of 25.3 % (95 % CI: 16.9-33.2; p < .0001), use of
      facility delivery improved in the intervention area (75.6 vs. 90.2 %; p = 0.0002)
      but there was no significant net effect 11.5 % (95 % CI: -5.1-39.6; p = 0.123)
      compared to comparison district. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a community
      based intervention employing community health workers as teachers in delivering
      Home Based Life Saving Skills program to pregnant women and their families
      improved their knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy, childbirth and
      postpartum, preparedness for childbirth and increased deliveries at health
      facilities which employ skilled health workers in this rural community.

PMID- 27251053
TI  - Sex-Based Differences in Smgc Expression in the Submandibular Gland of C57BL/6
      Mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The decrease in female hormone levels at menopause affects whole-body
      homeostasis. Various therapies including hormone therapy and treatment with
      herbal supplements are available to improve menopausal symptoms. However, a
      method for evaluating their effectiveness has not been established. We sought to
      identify useful biomarkers to assess therapy efficacy. METHODS: We searched for
      salivary proteins affected by changes in female hormone levels in mouse
      submandibular glands. RESULTS: The expression of submandibular gland protein C
      (Smgc) was decreased following ovariectomy, while the expression of the
      alternative splicing transcript t-Smgc was increased. Notably, Smgc expression
      increased following beta-estradiol administration, and was barely detectable in
      the submandibular glands of male mice. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Smgc
      expression may be estrogen dependent. Moreover, changes in the SMGC protein
      amount in the saliva were in accordance with those in mRNA expression in the
      submandibular gland. Our findings suggest that salivary proteins have potential
      as markers for evaluating therapies for menopausal symptoms.

PMID- 27251054
TI  - Intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor injection in
      unrecognised early pregnancy.
AB  - The use of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor
      medications has widened considerably to include indications affecting females of
      reproductive age. Our patient was inadvertently exposed to bevacizumab within the
      first trimester when placental growth and fetal organogenesis take place and
      patient suffered pregnancy loss. There is insufficient information to suggest
      that such use is safe, nor is there definitive evidence to suggest that it causes
      harm. We advise that ophthalmologists discuss pregnancy with women of
      childbearing age undergoing intraocular anti-VEGF injections and in pregnant
      woman counselling is needed to explain the potential risks and benefits.

PMID- 27251055
TI  - An evaluation of alternative selection indexes for a non-linear profit trait
      approaching its economic optimum.
AB  - This study used simulation to evaluate the performance of alternative selection
      index configurations in the context of a breeding programme where a trait with a
      non-linear economic value is approaching an economic optimum. The simulation used
      a simple population structure that approximately mimics selection in dual purpose
      sheep flocks in New Zealand (NZ). In the NZ dual purpose sheep population, number
      of lambs born is a genetic trait that is approaching an economic optimum, while
      genetically correlated growth traits have linear economic values and are not
      approaching any optimum. The predominant view among theoretical livestock
      geneticists is that the optimal approach to select for nonlinear profit traits is
      to use a linear selection index and to update it regularly. However, there are
      some nonlinear index approaches that have not been evaluated. This study assessed
      the efficiency of the following four alternative selection index approaches in
      terms of genetic progress relative to each other: (i) a linear index, (ii) a
      linear index updated regularly, (iii) a nonlinear (quadratic) index, and (iv) a
      NLF index (nonlinear index below the optimum and then flat). The NLF approach
      does not reward or penalize animals for additional genetic merit beyond the trait
      optimum. It was found to be at least comparable in efficiency to the approach of
      regularly updating the linear index with short (15 year) and long (30 year) time
      frames. The relative efficiency of this approach was slightly reduced when the
      current average value of the nonlinear trait was close to the optimum. Finally,
      practical issues of industry application of indexes are considered and some
      potential practical benefits of efficient deployment of a NLF index in highly
      heterogeneous industries (breeds, flocks and production environments) such as in
      the NZ dual purpose sheep population are discussed.

PMID- 27251056
TI  - Detailed Lymph Node Sectioning of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Specimen Increases
      the Number of pN1a Patients.
AB  - Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a common endocrine malignancy, frequently
      presenting with lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Lymph node
      staging (N) partly determines treatment, follow-up, and prognosis. Since 2011,
      our institution has employed a more comprehensive histopathological work-up of
      lymph nodes in patients with PTC. We sought to retrospectively determine the
      value of serial lymph node level sectioning in PTCs with negative preoperative
      lymph node status (pN0) as a method to increase the sensitivity of detecting
      metastatic disease. We included all patients that underwent thyroidectomy and
      central neck dissection and subsequent comprehensive lymph node level sectioning
      due to PTC with an initial pN0 status between the years 2011 and 2015 at our
      institution. Sixty-seven cases of PTC with a median of 10 metastatic free lymph
      nodes identified per case were included. After serial lymph node sectioning of
      the central compartment, 11 cases (16 %) revealed lymph node metastasis, six of
      which (55 %) presented with a small primary tumor (<20 mm, T1). Of all T1 tumors
      with initial pN0 status, 18 % (T1a) and 9 % (T1b) reached a pN1 stage after
      comprehensive lymph node sectioning. Cases with altered lymph node status had a
      median of 15 identified lymph nodes as compared to ten in cases that remained
      negative. We conclude that comprehensive lymph node sectioning increased the
      sensitivity of detecting metastases in PTC and altered the pathological TNM
      staging (pTNM) for a significant number of patients. Although of limited
      prognostic significance, the method should be considered as an adjunct tool when
      assessing lymph node status of PTC as a part of the routine histological work-up
      to ensure an accurate cancer staging.

PMID- 27251059
TI  - An investigation on the structure, spectroscopy and thermodynamic aspects of
      Br2((-))(H2O)n clusters using a conjunction of stochastic and quantum chemical
      methods.
AB  - In this work we obtained global as well as local structures of Br2((-))(H2O)n
      clusters for n = 2 to 6 followed by the study of IR-spectral features and
      thermochemistry for the structures. The way adopted by us to obtain structures is
      not the conventional one used in most cases. Here we at first generated excellent
      quality pre-optimized structures by exploring the suitable empirical potential
      energy surface using stochastic optimizer simulated annealing. These structures
      are then further refined using quantum chemical calculations to obtain the final
      structures, and spectral and thermodynamic features. We clearly showed that our
      approach results in very quick and better convergence which reduces the
      computational cost and obviously using the strategy we are able to get one [i.e.
      global] or more than one [i.e. global and local(s)] energetically lower
      structures than those which are already reported for a given cluster size.
      Moreover, IR-spectral results and the evolutionary trends in interaction energy,
      solvation energy and vertical detachment energy for global structures of each
      size have also been presented to establish the utility of the procedure employed.

PMID- 27251057
TI  - Systematic analysis of the molecular mechanism underlying atherosclerosis using a
      text mining approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is one of the common health threats all over the
      world. It is a complex heritable disease that affects arterial blood vessels.
      Chronic inflammatory response plays an important role in atherogenesis. There has
      been little success in fully identifying functionally important genes in the
      pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. RESULTS: In the present study, we performed a
      systematic analysis of atherosclerosis-related genes using text mining. We
      identified a total of 1312 genes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that a
      total of 35 terms exhibited significance (p < 0.05) as overrepresented terms,
      indicating that atherosclerosis invokes many genes with a wide range of different
      functions. Pathway analysis demonstrated that the most highly enriched pathway is
      the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. Finally, through gene network analysis,
      we prioritized 48 genes using the hub gene method. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      provides a valuable resource for the in-depth understanding of the mechanism
      underlying atherosclerosis.

PMID- 27251058
TI  - Inadequate Systems to Support Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening in Primary
      Care Practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite substantial resources devoted to cancer screening nationally,
      the availability of clinical practice-based systems to support screening
      guidelines is not known. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the prevalence and correlates
      of practice-based systems to support breast and cervical cancer screening, with a
      focus on the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). DESIGN: Web and mail survey of
      primary care providers conducted in 2014. The survey assessed provider (gender,
      training) and facility (size, specialty training, physician report of National
      Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) PCMH recognition, and practice
      affiliation) characteristics. A hierarchical multivariate analysis clustered by
      clinical practice was conducted to evaluate characteristics associated with the
      adoption of practice-based systems and technology to support guideline-adherent
      screening. PARTICIPANTS: Primary care physicians in family medicine, general
      internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology, and nurse practitioners or
      physician assistants from four clinical care networks affiliated with PROSPR
      (Population-based Research Optimizing Screening through Personalized Regimens)
      consortium research centers. MAIN MEASURES: The prevalence of routine breast
      cancer risk assessment, electronic health record (EHR) decision support,
      comparative performance reports, and panel reports of patients due for routine
      screening and follow-up. KEY RESULTS: There were 385 participants (57.6 % of
      eligible). Forty-seven percent (47.0 %) of providers reported NCQA recognition as
      a PCMH. Less than half reported EHR decision support for breast (48.8 %) or
      cervical cancer (46.2 %) screening. A minority received comparative performance
      reports for breast (26.2 %) or cervical (19.7 %) cancer screening, automated
      reports of patients overdue for breast (18.7 %) or cervical (16.4 %) cancer
      screening, or follow-up of abnormal breast (18.1 %) or cervical (17.6 %) cancer
      screening tests. In multivariate analysis, reported NCQA recognition as a PCMH
      was associated with greater use of comparative performance reports of guideline
      adherent breast (OR 3.23, 95 % CI 1.58-6.61) or cervical (OR 2.56, 95 % CI 1.32
      4.96) cancer screening and automated reports of patients overdue for breast (OR
      2.19, 95 % CI 1.15-41.7) or cervical (OR. 2.56, 95 % CI 1.26-5.26) cancer
      screening. CONCLUSIONS: Providers lack systems to support breast and cervical
      cancer screening. Practice transformation toward a PCMH may support the adoption
      of systems to achieve guideline-adherent cancer screening in primary care
      settings.

PMID- 27251060
TI  - Sex of co-twin affects the in vitro developmental competence of oocytes derived
      from 6- to 8-week-old lambs.
AB  - Several intrinsic factors (age, genotype, liveweight) influence the reliability
      of juvenile in vitro fertilisation embryo transfer (JIVET) programs. Limited
      evidence indicates that variability between lambs is reduced in twin-born lambs.
      We examined the impact of birth type (single, twin, triplet) and sex of the co
      twin (with age, birthweight and liveweight as covariates) on JIVET outcomes.
      Birth type did not influence any parameter studied. However, blastocysts
      produced, as a percentage of embryos cleaved or total cumulus-oocyte complexes
      collected, was higher (P<0.05) for females born with a female co-twin (67.0+/
      6.1, 57.5+/-6.0 respectively) compared with those born with a male co-twin
      (26.9+/-6.5, 22.3+/-6.2 respectively; least-square mean+/-s.e.m.). Blastocyst
      rates for lambs born with a male co-twin did not differ significantly from lambs
      born either as singles (39.5+/-6.7%, 34.6+/-6.5% respectively) or triplets
      (43.1+/-10.6%, 36.5+/-10.3% respectively). Other parameters were not influenced
      by sex of the co-twin. These results are indicative of an enhancement effect of
      the female co-twin on oocyte development. From a practical perspective, selecting
      lambs for a JIVET program based on litter size and sex of the co-twin is
      warranted.

PMID- 27251061
TI  - Grainyhead-like 2 inhibits the coactivator p300, suppressing tubulogenesis and
      the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
AB  - Developmental morphogenesis and tumor progression require a transient or stable
      breakdown of epithelial junctional complexes to permit programmed migration,
      invasion, and anoikis resistance, characteristics endowed by the epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT). The epithelial master-regulatory transcription
      factor Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) suppresses and reverses EMT, causing a
      mesenchymal-epithelial transition to the default epithelial phenotype. Here we
      investigated the role of GRHL2 in tubulogenesis of Madin-Darby canine kidney
      cells, a process requiring transient, partial EMT. GRHL2 was required for
      cystogenesis, but it suppressed tubulogenesis in response to hepatocyte growth
      factor. Surprisingly, GRHL2 suppressed this process by inhibiting the histone
      acetyltransferase coactivator p300, preventing the induction of matrix
      metalloproteases and other p300-dependent genes required for tubulogenesis. A 13
      amino acid region of GRHL2 was necessary for inhibition of p300, suppression of
      tubulogenesis, and interference with EMT. The results demonstrate that p300 is
      required for partial or complete EMT occurring in tubulogenesis or tumor
      progression and that GRHL2 suppresses EMT in both contexts through inhibition of
      p300.

PMID- 27251062
TI  - Tetrahymena Poc1 ensures proper intertriplet microtubule linkages to maintain
      basal body integrity.
AB  - Basal bodies comprise nine symmetric triplet microtubules that anchor forces
      produced by the asymmetric beat pattern of motile cilia. The ciliopathy protein
      Poc1 stabilizes basal bodies through an unknown mechanism. In poc1? cells,
      electron tomography reveals subtle defects in the organization of intertriplet
      linkers (A-C linkers) that connect adjacent triplet microtubules. Complete
      triplet microtubules are lost preferentially near the posterior face of the basal
      body. Basal bodies that are missing triplets likely remain competent to assemble
      new basal bodies with nine triplet microtubules, suggesting that the mother basal
      body microtubule structure does not template the daughter. Our data indicate that
      Poc1 stabilizes basal body triplet microtubules through linkers between
      neighboring triplets. Without this stabilization, specific triplet microtubules
      within the basal body are more susceptible to loss, probably due to force
      distribution within the basal body during ciliary beating. This work provides
      insights into how the ciliopathy protein Poc1 maintains basal body integrity.

PMID- 27251064
TI  - Regional Differences in Frequency of Warfarin Therapy and Thromboembolism in
      Japanese Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation - Analysis of the J
      RHYTHM Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with
      anticoagulation varies from country to country. In Japan, little is known about
      regional differences in frequency of warfarin use or prognosis among patients
      with non-valvular AF (NVAF). METHODS AND RESULTS: In J-RHYTHM Registry, the
      number of patients recruited from each of 10 geographic regions of Japan was
      based on region population density. A total of 7,406 NVAF patients were followed
      up prospectively for 2 years. At baseline, significant differences in various
      clinical characteristics including age, sex, type of AF, comorbidity, and
      CHADS2score, were detected among the regions. The highest mean CHADS2score was
      recorded in Shikoku. Frequency of warfarin use differed between the regions
      (P<0.001), with lower frequencies observed in Hokkaido and Shikoku. Baseline
      prothrombin time international normalized ratio differed slightly but
      significantly between the regions (P<0.05). On univariate analysis, frequency of
      thromboembolic events differed among the regions (P<0.001), with the highest rate
      seen in Shikoku. An inverse correlation was detected between frequency of
      thromboembolic and of major hemorrhagic events (P=0.062). On multivariate
      analysis, region emerged as an independent risk for thromboembolism. CONCLUSIONS:
      Thromboembolic risk, frequency of warfarin use, and intensity and quality of
      warfarin treatment differed significantly between geographic regions of Japan.
      Region was found to be an independent predictor of thromboembolic events. (Circ J
      2016; 80: 1548-1555).

PMID- 27251063
TI  - The role of the dynein light intermediate chain in retrograde IFT and flagellar
      function in Chlamydomonas.
AB  - The assembly of cilia and flagella depends on the activity of two microtubule
      motor complexes, kinesin-2 and dynein-2/1b, but the specific functions of the
      different subunits are poorly defined. Here we analyze Chlamydomonas strains
      expressing different amounts of the dynein 1b light intermediate chain (D1bLIC).
      Disruption of D1bLIC alters the stability of the dynein 1b complex and reduces
      both the frequency and velocity of retrograde intraflagellar transport (IFT), but
      it does not eliminate retrograde IFT. Flagellar assembly, motility, gliding, and
      mating are altered in a dose-dependent manner. iTRAQ-based proteomics identifies
      a small subset of proteins that are significantly reduced or elevated in d1blic
      flagella. Transformation with D1bLIC-GFP rescues the mutant phenotypes, and
      D1bLIC-GFP assembles into the dynein 1b complex at wild-type levels. D1bLIC-GFP
      is transported with anterograde IFT particles to the flagellar tip, dissociates
      into smaller particles, and begins processive retrograde IFT in <2 s. These
      studies demonstrate the role of D1bLIC in facilitating the recycling of IFT
      subunits and other proteins, identify new components potentially involved in the
      regulation of IFT, flagellar assembly, and flagellar signaling, and provide
      insight into the role of D1bLIC and retrograde IFT in other organisms.

PMID- 27251066
TI  - Effect of Aging on Fractional Flow Reserve - Hyperemic Index Fractional Flow
      Reserve May Not Be Sufficient to Reveal the Whole Picture of Coronary
      Circulation.

PMID- 27251067
TI  - Self-Assembled 3D Flower-Like Nickel Hydroxide Nanostructures and Their
      Supercapacitor Applications.
AB  - Three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures have attracted considerable attention
      because of their high surface areas and unique properties which gives outstanding
      performance in catalysis and energy storage applications. This paper proposes the
      growth mechanism of 3D flower-like beta-Ni(OH)2 constructed through a two
      dimensional sheet framework using a one-step oleylamine-assisted solvothermal
      approach, where oleylamine acts as the surfactant, co-solvent, stabilizer, and
      reducing agent. A detailed examination of the product morphology after various
      reaction times suggested that the self-assembly of flower occurs through a
      mechanism involving nucleation, Ostwald ripening, and recrystallization. The
      associated characterization revealed it to be pure beta-Ni(OH)2 without any sign
      of contamination. The effect of the morphology (sheet to 3D flower-like beta
      Ni(OH)2) on the electrochemical supercapacitive behavior was assessed by cyclic
      voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests. The results showed that 3D
      flower-like beta-Ni(OH)2 exhibited better specific capacitance of ~1567 F g(-1)
      at a current density of 1 A g(-1) and retained ~25% capacitance at a high current
      density of 10 A g(-1) compared to the other reference materials. The superior
      electrochemical properties of the 3D flower-like beta-Ni(OH)2 originate from
      their large specific surface area and unique structure.

PMID- 27251065
TI  - Rho Kinases and Cardiac Remodeling.
AB  - Hypertensive cardiac remodeling is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy
      and interstitial fibrosis, which can lead to heart failure with preserved
      ejection fraction. The Rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinases (ROCKs) are
      members of the serine/threonine protein kinase family, which mediates the
      downstream effects of the small GTP-binding protein RhoA. There are 2 isoforms:
      ROCK1 and ROCK2. They have different functions in different types of cells and
      tissues. There is growing evidence that ROCKs contribute to the development of
      cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac fibrosis, hypertrophy, and subsequent
      heart failure. Recent experimental studies using ROCK inhibitors, such as
      fasudil, have shown the benefits of ROCK inhibition in cardiac remodeling. Mice
      lacking each ROCK isoform also exhibit reduced myocardial fibrosis in a variety
      of pathological models of cardiac remodeling. Indeed, clinical studies with
      fasudil have suggested that ROCKs could be potential novel therapeutic targets
      for cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we summarize the current
      understanding of the roles of ROCKs in the development of cardiac fibrosis and
      hypertrophy and discuss their therapeutic potential for deleterious cardiac
      remodeling. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1491-1498). 

PMID- 27251068
TI  - Magnetic field actuated manipulation and transfer of oil droplets on a stable
      underwater superoleophobic surface.
AB  - The transport of fluids at functional interfaces, driven by the external stimuli,
      is well established. The lossless transport of oil-based fluids under water
      remains a challenge, however, due to their high stickiness towards the surface.
      Here, a superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic tri-phase water/oil/solid
      nanoarray surface has been designed and prepared. The unique tri-phase surface
      exhibits underwater superoleophobic properties with an extremely low stickiness
      towards oil-based fluids. The magnetic-field-driven manipulation and transport of
      oil-based magnetic fluids are demonstrated under water, which opens up a new
      pathway to design flexible and smart devices for the control and transfer of
      liquid droplets by using tri-phase systems. 

PMID- 27251069
TI  - Multiple pregnancy is the leading contributor to cesarean sections in in vitro
      fertilization pregnancies: An analysis using the Robson 10-group classification
      system.
AB  - AIM: In vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy is an important contributor to rising
      cesarean section (CS) rates. The profile of CS in this group is not well
      documented. This study sought to identify leading patient categories of the
      Robson 10-Group Classification System (TGCS) contributing to the high IVF CS
      rate. METHODS: We carried out a prospective study of IVF patients who delivered
      in the Singapore General Hospital from January 2010 to July 2012. Parity,
      singleton/multiple pregnancy, previous CS, mode of labor onset and gestational
      age at delivery were collected based on the TGCS. All other deliveries during the
      study period served as control. RESULTS: There were a total of 215 IVF
      deliveries, of which 114 (54.4%) were CS. Group 8 (all multiple pregnancies) was
      the greatest contributor to the overall CS rate (43.0%). Group 2 (term
      nulliparous singleton cephalic pregnancies with induction of labor or planned CS)
      was the second largest contributor to overall CS rate (12.3%). The third and
      fourth leading contributors were Group 10 (preterm singleton pregnancies) and
      Group 5 (pregnancies with previous CS), respectively. In contrast, these two
      groups were top contributors to the overall CS rate for the control group.
      CONCLUSION: Multiple pregnancy is the principal contributor to CS in our IVF
      population, and reducing its incidence may reduce its CS rate. Among singleton
      pregnancies, planned CS and failed induction for cephalic term pregnancies and
      preterm singleton pregnancies were the next largest contributors, suggesting a
      higher prevalence of maternal request and high-risk obstetric indications
      requiring interventions at preterm gestations.

PMID- 27251071
TI  - Etiology of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH): novel insights from Zebrafish
      embryos.
AB  - Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most severe subtype of stroke. Treatment
      options are scarce and given the high morbidity and mortality, relatively
      ineffective. Since patients with ICH may have an unknown heritable component, the
      need to identify potential risk factors necessitates the use of animal models to
      elucidate the genetic underpinnings of neurovascular development and, thereby,
      identify candidate regulatory pathways that are likely to be disrupted in
      patients with ICH. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) exhibits the anatomical and
      physiological complexity of a closed circulatory system observed in all
      vertebrates (with arteries, veins and capillaries). Moreover, studies over the
      last decade, aided by the application of chemical mutagenesis screens, morpholino
      mediated knockdown approaches and tissue-specific transgenic markers, have paved
      the way for the identification of several genes and signaling pathways that
      regulate developmental neurovascular stabilization. We hypothesize that mutations
      in these genes or pharmacological perturbations of these gene-products may
      account, at least in part, for the etiology of some forms of spontaneous ICH in
      humans.

PMID- 27251070
TI  - Escherichia coli-based cell-free extract development for protein-based cancer
      therapeutic production.
AB  - Cell-free protein synthesis has been around for decades but it has never been
      close to becoming a robust tool for the production of biotherapeutic agents. In
      this review, we focus on how Escherichia coli-based cell-free protein synthesis
      can be modified in various ways to produce challenging, complex anticancer
      biotherapeutics. Here we report progress in extract preparation and its relation
      to cell-free cancer research. The future prospects of cell-free technology and
      its potential in various areas of cancer therapeutics production are also
      highlighted.

PMID- 27251072
TI  - Single-molecule, antibody-free fluorescent visualisation of replication tracts
      along barcoded DNA molecules.
AB  - DNA combing is a standard technique to map DNA replication at the single molecule
      level. Typically, replicating DNA is metabolically labelled with nucleoside or
      nucleotide analogs, purified, stretched on coverslips and treated with
      fluorescent antibodies to reveal tracts of newly synthesized DNA. Fibres
      containing a locus of interest can then be identified by fluorescent in situ
      hybridization (FISH) with DNA probes. These steps are complex and the throughput
      is low. Here, we describe a simpler, antibody-free method to reveal replication
      tracts and identify the locus of origin of combed DNA replication intermediates.
      DNA was replicated in Xenopus egg extracts in the presence of a fluorescent dUTP.
      Purified DNA was barcoded by nicking with Nt.BspQI, a site-specific nicking
      endonuclease (NE), followed by limited nick-translation in the presence of
      another fluorescent dUTP. DNA was then stained with YOYO-1, a fluorescent DNA
      intercalator, and combed. Direct epifluorescence revealed the DNA molecules,
      their replication tracts and their Nt.BspQI sites in three distinct colours.
      Replication intermediates could thus be aligned to a reference genome map. In
      addition, replicated DNA segments showed a stronger YOYO-1 fluorescence than
      unreplicated segments. The entire length, replication tracts, and NE sites of
      combed DNA molecules can be simultaneously visualized in three distinct colours
      by standard epifluorescence microscopy, with no need for antibody staining and/or
      FISH detection. Furthermore, replication bubbles can be detected by quantitative
      YOYO-1 staining, eliminating the need for metabolic labelling. These results
      provide a starting point for genome-wide, single-molecule mapping of DNA
      replication in any organism.

PMID- 27251073
TI  - Reprogramming of somatic cells and nuclei by Xenopus oocyte and egg extracts.
AB  - Differentiated somatic cells and nuclei can be reprogrammed to a pluripotent
      undifferentiated state in the cytoplasm of oocytes and eggs. The ability of the
      gamete cells to induce reprogramming is not species-specific, so the extracts
      prepared from the oocytes and eggs of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis can
      reprogram somatic mammalian cells. Thus, Xenopus egg extract-mediated
      reprogramming may constitute an alternative or complement other experimental
      reprogramming approaches, such as nuclear transfer, cell fusion, and
      transcription factor transduction. Here, we discuss the major reprogramming
      events induced by the extracts in somatic nuclei and cells, including remodeling
      of nuclear structure, replacement of somatic proteins with their embryonic
      counterparts, epigenetic modification of DNA and histones, transcriptional
      reprogramming, and initiation of DNA replication. We also address the advantages
      and limitations of the extract-based reprogramming approach.

PMID- 27251074
TI  - In silico analysis of histone H3 gene expression during human brain development.
AB  - Precise regulation of chromatin structure is essential for proper development of
      higher eukaryotes, and methylation of histone H3 at lysine-27 (H3K27) by the
      Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) component EZH2 has emerged as an important
      and conserved mechanism to ensure silencing of developmentally regulated genes.
      Recurrent mutations within the histone H3 genes H3F3A and HIST1H3B that convert
      K27 to methionine (H3K27M) and disrupt the global H3K27 methylation landscape and
      PRC2-dependent silencing, have recently been identified in pediatric high-grade
      gliomas including Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) and Glioblastoma
      multiforme (GBM; Type IV glioma). These findings have generated renewed interest
      in the dynamics of histone genes and their expression, which have been difficult
      to study due to redundancy and high sequence homology within the H3 gene family.
      In this in silico study, we re-evaluated genomic organization of the human H3
      gene family and expression of these genes in the human brain, utilizing public
      RNA-based sequence datasets for the human genome and brain development. We
      identified transcriptional activity from at least 17 protein-encoding H3 genes in
      the developing brain, comprising at least 14 canonical (H3.1)-like and 3
      'replication-independent' (H3.3)-like forms, and encoding six distinct H3
      isoforms. Transcripts for H3.3 genes including H3F3A show gradual decrease in
      abundance associated with developmental progression, whereas H3.1 transcripts
      including HIST1H3B tend to be strongly downregulated at an early prenatal stage
      and remain essentially silent thereafter. Twelve genes, including members of both
      H3.1 and H3.3 classes, contain a K27-AAG codon that is mutable to that for M
      (ATG), whereas the remaining contain the alternative, AAA codon for K at this
      position. H3F3A is the only H3.3-like gene containing the K27-AAG codon, whereas
      HIST1H3B is among ten H3.1-like genes containing this codon. This data indicates
      that, in the early developing human brain, HIST1H3B constitutes the largest
      proportion of H3.1 transcripts among H3.1 isoforms. We suggest that the apparent
      overrepresentation of K27M mutations in H3F3A relative to other H3 isoforms may
      result from its uniqueness among H3.3s for the K27-AAG codon and the functional
      relationship between H3.3 and PRC2, whereas overrepresentation of K27M mutations
      in HIST1H3B may be a product of strong relative expression of this gene in the
      early developing brain.

PMID- 27251075
TI  - Cell optoporation with a sub-15 fs and a 250-fs laser.
AB  - We employed two commercially available femtosecond lasers, a Ti:sapphire and a
      ytterbium-based oscillator, to directly compare from a user's practical point-of
      view in one common experimental setup the efficiencies of transient laser-induced
      cell membrane permeabilization, i.e., of so-called optoporation. The experimental
      setup consisted of a modified multiphoton laser-scanning microscope employing
      high-NA focusing optics. An automatic cell irradiation procedure was realized
      with custom-made software that identified cell positions and controlled relevant
      hardware components. The Ti:sapphire and ytterbium-based oscillators generated
      broadband sub-15-fs pulses around 800 nm and 250-fs pulses at 1044 nm,
      respectively. A higher optoporation rate and posttreatment viability were
      observed for the shorter fs pulses, confirming the importance of multiphoton
      effects for efficient optoporation.

PMID- 27251076
TI  - Noncontact speckle-based optical sensor for detection of glucose concentration
      using magneto-optic effect.
AB  - We experimentally verify a speckle-based technique for noncontact measurement of
      glucose concentration in the bloodstream. The final device is intended to be a
      single wristwatch-style device containing a laser, a camera, and an alternating
      current (ac) electromagnet generated by a solenoid. The experiments presented are
      performed in vitro as proof of the concept. When a glucose substance is inserted
      into a solenoid generating an ac magnetic field, it exhibits Faraday rotation,
      which affects the temporal changes of the secondary speckle pattern
      distributions. The temporal frequency resulting from the ac magnetic field was
      found to have a lock-in amplification role, which increased the observability of
      the relatively small magneto-optic effect. Experimental results to support the
      proposed concept are presented.

PMID- 27251077
TI  - Diffuse optical microscopy for quantification of depth-dependent epithelial
      backscattering in the cervix.
AB  - A fiber optic imaging approach is presented using structured illumination for
      quantification of almost pure epithelial backscattering. We employ multiple
      spatially modulated projection patterns and camera-based reflectance capture to
      image depth-dependent epithelial scattering. The potential diagnostic value of
      our approach is investigated on cervical ex vivo tissue specimens. Our study
      indicates a strong backscattering increase in the upper part of the cervical
      epithelium caused by dysplastic microstructural changes. Quantization of relative
      depth-dependent backscattering is confirmed as a potentially useful diagnostic
      feature for detection of precancerous lesions in cervical squamous epithelium.

PMID- 27251079
TI  - The reduction in circulating levels of melatonin may be associated with the
      development of preeclampsia.
AB  - Placental dysfunction and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of
      preeclampsia, which is a pregnancy-specific disorder. It has been suggested that
      the incidence of preeclampsia has a seasonal variation. Melatonin, as a seasonal
      factor, has been suggested to be involved in a successful pregnancy. In this
      study, we investigated the association of circulating levels of melatonin with
      preeclampsia. Serum was collected from women with preeclampsia (n=113) and
      gestation-matched healthy pregnant women, and the levels of melatonin were
      measured. In addition, the expression of melatonin receptors was examined in
      preeclamptic placentae (n=27). The association of the incidence of preeclampsia
      and seasonal variation was also analysed from 1491 women with preeclampsia within
      77 745 healthy pregnancies. The serum levels of melatonin were significantly
      reduced in women with preeclampsia at presentation and these reduced serum levels
      of melatonin were not associated with the severity or time onset of preeclampsia
      nor with seasonal variation. The expression of melatonin receptor, MT1 was
      reduced in preeclamptic placentae. The incidence of preeclampsia was did exhibit
      seasonal variation, but this was largely due to the increase in the incidence of
      mild or late-onset preeclampsia. Our results demonstrate that reduced melatonin
      levels are associated with the development of preeclampsia but that the
      circulating levels of melatonin do not appear to be subject to seasonal variation
      during pregnancy.

PMID- 27251078
TI  - Incident hypertension and its prediction model in a prospective northern urban
      Han Chinese cohort study.
AB  - Trends in incidence and prevalence of hypertension are grave in China and
      identifying high-risk, non-hypertension individuals for intervention may delay
      hypertension onset. We aimed to investigate the incidence of hypertension in
      northern urban Han Chinese population and construct multivariable hypertension
      prediction models through the prospective cohort, which included 7537 men and
      4960 women free of hypertension at baseline between 2005 and 2010. During 38 958
      person-years of follow-up, 2785 participants (men, 72.57%; women, 27.43%)
      developed hypertension. The incidence density of hypertension was 71.48 per 1000
      person-year. In multivariable backward cox analyses, age, body mass index,
      systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood
      glucose and current drinking were retained for both men and women, while gamma
      glutamyl transferase only for men, total cholesterol, neutrophil granulocyte and
      current smoking only for women. The area under receiver operating characteristic
      curve (AUC) was 0.761 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.752-0.771) for men and
      0.753 (95% CI, 0.741-0.765) for women, even after 10-fold cross-validation, the
      AUC was 0.760 (95% CI, 0.751-0.770) for men and 0.749 (95% CI, 0.737-0.761) for
      women. Through risk stratification, the absolute risk of incident hypertension in
      5 years at moderate, high and very high risk level was 2.13, 3.84 and 6.14 times
      that of those who were at low risk in men, and 1.30, 2.56 and 6.01 times that of
      those who were at low risk in women. Our findings identified predictors of
      incident hypertension and indicated that the sex-specific multivariable
      prediction models would be simply used to estimate the risk of incident
      hypertension.

PMID- 27251080
TI  - Utility of blood pressure genetic risk score in admixed Hispanic samples.
AB  - Hypertension is strongly influenced by genetic factors. Although hypertension
      prevalence in some Hispanic sub-populations is greater than in non-Hispanic
      whites, genetic studies on hypertension have focused primarily on samples of
      European descent. A recent meta-analysis of 200 000 individuals of European
      descent identified 29 common genetic variants that influence blood pressure, and
      a genetic risk score derived from the 29 variants has been proposed. We sought to
      evaluate the utility of this genetic risk score in Hispanics. The sample set
      consists of 1994 Hispanics from 2 cohorts: the Northern Manhattan Study
      (primarily Dominican/Puerto Rican) and the Miami Cardiovascular Registry
      (primarily Cuban/South American). Risk scores for systolic and diastolic blood
      pressure were computed as a weighted sum of the risk alleles, with the regression
      coefficients reported in the European meta-analysis used as weights. Association
      of risk score with blood pressure was tested within each cohort, adjusting for
      age, age2, sex and body mass index. Results were combined using an inverse
      variance meta-analysis. The risk score was significantly associated with blood
      pressure in our combined sample (P=5.65 * 10-4 for systolic and P=1.65 * 10-3 for
      diastolic) but the magnitude of the effect sizes varied by degree of European,
      African and Native American admixture. Further studies among other Hispanic sub
      populations are needed to elucidate the role of these 29 variants and identify
      additional genetic and environmental factors contributing to blood pressure
      variability in Hispanics.

PMID- 27251082
TI  - Into the Looking Glass: Literacy Acquisition and Mirror Invariance in Preschool
      and First-Grade Children.
AB  - At what point in reading development does literacy impact object recognition and
      orientation processing? Is it specific to mirror images? To answer these
      questions, forty-six 5- to 7-year-old preschoolers and first graders performed
      two same-different tasks differing in the matching criterion-orientation-based
      versus shape-based (orientation independent)-on geometric shapes and letters. On
      orientation-based judgments, first graders outperformed preschoolers who had the
      strongest difficulty with mirrored pairs. On shape-based judgments, first graders
      were slower for mirrored than identical pairs, and even slower than preschoolers.
      This mirror cost emerged with letter knowledge. Only first graders presented
      worse shape-based judgments for mirrored and rotated pairs of reversible (e.g., b
      d; b-q) than nonreversible (e.g., e-?) letters, indicating readers' difficulty in
      ignoring orientation contrasts relevant to letters.

PMID- 27251081
TI  - A common polymorphism rs1800247 in osteocalcin gene is associated with
      hypertension and diastolic blood pressure levels: the Shanghai Changfeng study.
AB  - Osteocalcin may have a role in hypertension due to its close relationship with
      energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the association of a common polymorphism rs1800247 in osteocalcin gene with
      hypertension and related traits. This was a population-based cross-sectional
      study including 5647 individuals. Baseline information was collected. Body mass
      index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose and lipids were
      determined. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was
      used to estimate insulin sensitivity. Genotyping was performed by matrix-assisted
      laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. The carriers of C
      allele of rs1800247 were associated with a decreased odds of hypertension
      compared with the carriers of T allele adjusted for age, sex and BMI (odds ratio
      (OR)=0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81-0.97, P=0.01). The carriers of C
      allele were also associated with a lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) level
      adjusted for age, sex and BMI in normotensive individuals (beta=-0.55, 95% CI 
      0.99 to -0.10, P=0.02), but its association with systolic blood pressure levels
      was not significant. The interaction between rs1800247 and HOMA-IR on
      hypertension was significant (P<0.001). In the stratified analysis by the median
      of HOMA-IR (1.93), rs1800247 was significantly associated with hypertension in
      the subgroup with HOMA-IR?1.93 (OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.94, P=0.005), but this
      association was not significant in the subgroup with HOMA-IR >1.93. We
      demonstrated that a common polymorphism rs1800247 in osteocalcin gene was
      associated with hypertension and DBP levels. The association of rs1800247 with
      hypertension was affected by its interaction with HOMA-IR.

PMID- 27251083
TI  - Isolation of yeast candidates for efficient sophorolipids production: their
      production potentials associate to their lineage.
AB  - Eleven biosurfactant-producing strains were newly isolated from environmental
      samples using a drop-collapse assay and thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
      According to the TLC analysis, the separation patterns of the glycolipid spots of
      nine dominant strains corresponded to that of the sophorolipids produced by a
      Starmerella bombicola type strain. The retention factor values of the spot
      patterns of two strains were less than those of the others. Two representative
      major products were purified, and their molecular structures were determined. The
      major products were identified as diacetylated lactonic and acidic sophorolipids.
      The fatty acid moieties of both compounds were estimated to be 17-hydroxymethyl
      hexadecenoic acid. The amounts of glycolipids ranged from 5.0 to 22.9 g/L after 4
      d of cultivation. According to a phylogenetic analysis, the strains were
      identified as Starmerella bombicola and Candida floricola. 

PMID- 27251085
TI  - Adhere, Degrade, and Move: The Three-Step Model of Invasion.
AB  - Experimental work during the period 1975-1986 revealed the crucial importance of
      the extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and
      culminated in the three-step hypothesis of invasion. The first step is tumor cell
      attachment to the ECM. The second step is proteolytic degradation of the ECM, led
      by advancing protruding actin-rich pseudopods. The third step is migration of the
      tumor cell body through the remodeled matrix. This mechanistic scheme is widely
      accepted and continues to generate insights related to the large number of
      molecules, inside and outside invading cells, which all play a role in each of
      the three steps. Understanding the interaction of the tumor cells with the ECM
      has never been more clinically important. The ECM is not just a passive
      mechanical scaffold. Instead, the ECM is an active participant in neoplastic and
      physiologic invasion, and acts as an information highway, an immune sanctuary,
      and a storage depot supporting tumor growth and drug resistance. Cancer Res;
      76(11); 3115-7. (c)2016 AACRSee related article by Liotta, Cancer Res 1986;46:1
      7Visit the Cancer Research 75(th) Anniversary timeline.

PMID- 27251086
TI  - Implications of Increase in Vascular Permeability in Tumors by VEGF: A Commentary
      on the Pioneering Work of Harold Dvorak.
AB  - See related article by Senger et al., Cancer Res 1986;46:5629-32Visit the Cancer
      Research 75(th) Anniversary timeline.

PMID- 27251087
TI  - Correction: Delivery of Therapeutics Targeting the mRNA-Binding Protein HuR Using
      3DNA Nanocarriers Suppresses Ovarian Tumor Growth.

PMID- 27251088
TI  - It's a matter of respect.

PMID- 27251089
TI  - Epidemiology of dementia and its burden in the city of Kolkata, India.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Increase in aging population is expected to lead to increasing
      prevalence of dementia in India. In this study, we aimed to determine prevalence,
      incidence, and mortality of dementia and its subtypes and assess dementia burden
      in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALY). METHODS: A community study was
      conducted over 5 years (2003-2008) in Kolkata, India, on 100,802 (males 53,209)
      randomly selected subjects to assess prevalence and capture data on incident
      cases and deaths. Standard case definitions were used. The data were used to
      estimate years of life lost (YLL) due to premature mortality, years of life lived
      with disability (YLD), and DALY, based on Global Burden of Disease 2010 approach.
      RESULTS: During 2003-2004, there were 103 (men 55) cases of dementia. The
      prevalence was 1.53% (age adjusted 1.12%) at age >=65 years. In those >=55 years
      age, average annual incidence rate of dementia was 72.57 per 100,000. All-cause
      standardized mortality ratio in dementia cases was 4.74 (men 6.19, women 3.03).
      The burden of dementia in 2007-2008 revealed that overall YLL was 47.13 per
      100,000 and YLD ranged from 1.87 to 16.95 per 100,000 depending on the clinical
      severity of dementia. The overall DALY lost per 100,000 due to dementia for the
      year 2007-2008 was 74.19. CONCLUSIONS: This community study revealed a low
      prevalence and incidence of dementia with consequent low DALY-derived burden of
      illness compared with many industrialized nations. YLL formed major component of
      DALY indicating premature mortality to be an outcome of dementia burden.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27251090
TI  - Genetic modulators of sickle cell disease in French Guiana: Markers of the slave
      trade.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the leading genetic disease in French
      Guiana, reflecting the predominantly African ancestry of the Guianese population.
      Our purpose was to characterize the genetic modulators of SCD in order to retrace
      the origin of the population in light of the slave trade. METHODS: We have
      studied the sickle cell genotype, the betaS haplotypes, the alpha and beta
      thalassemia and the UGT1A1 promoter polymorphisms in 224 Guianese patients with
      SCD. RESULTS: The genotypes of SCD were HbSS 65.6%, HbSC 24.5%, and HbS-beta
      thalassemia 9.4%. The most frequent betaS haplotypes were the Benin haplotype
      (65.9% of the chromosomes) and the Bantu (20.5%). Alpha thalassemic deletions
      were present in 37% of the patients and homozygosity for the (TA)7 allele of the
      UGT1A1 promoter in 21.4%. When the patients' origins were considered, 3 groups,
      Noir Marron, Haitians and Creoles, displayed distinctive characteristics. The
      HbSC genotype, the Benin haplotype, and the homozygous UGT1A1 genotype TA7/TA7
      were significantly more frequent in Noir Marron. The Haitian patients were
      characterized by the occurrence of alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia and by
      a higher prevalence of the Bantu haplotype. In the group of Creole patients, the
      genotype HbSS was predominant but the other modulators of SCD were associated
      with intermediate risk. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the genetic diversity
      of the Guianese population and are concordant with historical data on the slave
      trade showing a West African origin for Noir Marron and a Central African origin
      for Haitians, while Guianese Creoles are highly admixed. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:811
      816, 2016. (c) 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27251091
TI  - Expression of Cnnm1 and Its Association with Stemness, Cell Cycle, and
      Differentiation in Spermatogenic Cells in Mouse Testis.
AB  - Cyclin M1 (CNNM1) functions as a copper storage protein in neuronal cells. We
      report that Cnnm1 is expressed in mouse testis and brain and has a coding
      sequence of 1761 bp that encodes a 586 amino acid protein with a molecular weight
      of 66 kDa. Cnnm1 is expressed in the testes of mice from neonatal to adult stages
      with relatively higher levels in neonates. CNNM1 expression appeared to be
      restricted to c-KIT- and OCT3/4-positive cells in the testis, indicating that
      they are early spermatogonial cells. Spermatogonial stem cells in primary culture
      expressed Cnnm1, and their differentiation into embryoid body-like clusters in
      vitro resulted in the loss of Cnnm1 expression. Silencing of Cnnm1 in GC1-spg
      cells resulted in a significant reduction in the number of cells in G1 phase with
      concomitant increase in the numbers of cells in both S and G2/M phases. Further,
      retinoic acid downregulated the expression of Cnnm1 in GC1-spg cells. We conclude
      that CNNM1 is associated with stemness and self-renewal, and its downregulation
      triggers differentiation in spermatogonial cells in mouse.

PMID- 27251092
TI  - Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in the Rat Myometrium During Pregnancy, Term
      Labor, and Postpartum.
AB  - Pregnancy, spontaneous term labor (TL), and postpartum (PP) involution are
      associated with changes in the cellular and extracellular matrix composition of
      the uterus. Both the uterine smooth muscle (myometrium) and the infiltrating
      peripheral blood leukocytes involved in the activation of labor secrete
      extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs) that can
      modulate cellular behavior and barrier function. MMP expression is induced by
      mechanical stretch in several tissues. We hypothesized that the expression and
      activity of myometrial MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are modulated in
      preparation for TL and PP involution and are regulated by mechanical stretch of
      uterine walls imposed by the growing fetus. Myometrial tissues were collected
      from bilaterally and unilaterally pregnant rats across gestation, TL, and PP.
      Total RNA and proteins were subjected to real-time PCR and immunoblotting,
      respectively, and tissue localization and activity was examined by
      immunohistochemistry and in situ zymography. We found that Mmp7, Mmp11, and Mmp12
      mRNA levels were upregulated during TL and PP, while Mmp2, Mmp3, Mmp8, Mmp9,
      Mmp10, and Mmp13 mRNAs were only upregulated during PP. Timp1-Timp4 were stably
      expressed throughout gestation with some fluctuations PP. Active MMP2 was induced
      in the empty uterine horn during gestation and in the gravid PP uterus,
      suggesting negative regulation by biological mechanical stretch. We conclude that
      specific subsets of uterine MMPs are differentially regulated in the rat
      myometrium in preparation for two major events: TL and PP uterine involution.

PMID- 27251093
TI  - N-Acetylcysteine Prevents Programmed Hypertension in Male Rat Offspring Born to
      Suramin-Treated Mothers.
AB  - Adulthood hypertension can be programmed by preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is
      associated with an imbalance in vasoactive factors, including nitric oxide (NO),
      hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and renin-angiotensin system (RAS). We examined whether
      maternal N-acetylcysteine (NAC) therapy prevented maternal suramin treatment
      induced programmed hypertension in offspring and explored the effects of this
      therapy on NO, H2S, and RAS pathways in the kidneys. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats
      were intraperitoneally administered 60 mg/kg suramin alone on Gestational Days 10
      and 11 and were treated with or without 1% NAC through drinking water during the
      entire pregnancy and lactation period. Male offspring were divided into four
      groups (n = 8-10/group): control, suramin, NAC, and suramin plus NAC. All rat
      offspring were euthanized at 12 wk of age. Maternal suramin treatment induced
      programmed hypertension in male offspring, which was prevented by maternal NAC
      therapy. Suramin-induced programmed hypertension was associated with increased
      plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA, an NO synthase inhibitor) level,
      decreased plasma l-arginine-to-ADMA ratio, and decreased renal dimethylarginine
      dimethylaminohydrolase (an ADMA-metabolizing enzyme) activity. Protective effects
      of NAC against suramin-induced programmed hypertension were associated with an
      increase in plasma glutathione level, increase in renal 3-mercaptopyruvate
      sulfurtransferase level, and restoration of suramin-induced reduction in H2S
      synthesis in the kidneys. Suramin treatment exerted negligible effect on the RAS
      pathway in the adult male offspring kidneys. Our data suggested interplay among
      suramin, ADMA-NO pathway, and H2S synthesis pathway in programmed hypertension.
      Furthermore, NAC administration in pregnant rats with hypertension prevented
      programmed hypertension in adult offspring.

PMID- 27251094
TI  - Conditions for Long-Term Culture of Cattle Undifferentiated Spermatogonia.
AB  - Continual and robust spermatogenesis relies on the actions of an undifferentiated
      spermatogonial population that contains stem cells. A remarkable feature of
      spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is the capacity to regenerate spermatogenesis
      following isolation from a donor testis and transplantation into a permissive
      recipient testis. This capacity has enormous potential as a tool for enhancing
      the reproductive capacity of livestock, which can improve production efficiency.
      Because SSCs are a rare subset of the undifferentiated spermatogonial population,
      a period of in vitro amplification in number following isolation from donor
      testicular tissue is essential. Here, we describe methodology for isolation of a
      cell fraction from prepubertal bull testes that is enriched for undifferentiated
      spermatogonia and long-term maintenance of the cells in both the feeder cell
      coculture and the feeder-free format. To achieve this method, we derived bovine
      fetal fibroblasts (BFF) to serve as feeders for optimizing medium conditions that
      promote maintenance of bovine undifferentiated spermatogonia for at least 2 mo.
      In addition, we devised a feeder-free system with BFF-conditioned medium that
      sustained bovine undifferentiated spermatogonia for at least 1 mo in vitro. The
      methodologies described could be optimized to provide platforms for exponential
      expansion of bovine SSCs that will provide the numbers needed for transplantation
      into recipient testes.

PMID- 27251095
TI  - Effects of glycerol, equilibration time and antioxidants on post-thaw functional
      integrity of bovine spermatozoa directly obtained from epididymis.
AB  - This work aimed to evaluate the effect of stabilisation times, glycerol
      concentration, and the catalase and superoxide dismutase supplementation of
      diluent on parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa from epididymis of Nelore
      bulls: Experiment 1: spermatozoa diluted in Tris-egg yolk with glycerol (3%, 5%
      or 7%) and stabilisation times (0, 2 or 4 hr at 5 degrees C); Experiment 2: Tris
      egg yolk only, Tris-egg yolk with catalase (CAT, 50 or 100 U ml-1 ) or superoxide
      dismutase (SOD, 50 or 100 U ml-1 ). Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were evaluated for
      kinetic parameters, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial
      activity and IVF capacity. ALH and BCF were affected (p < .05) by glycerol at 3%
      after 4-hr equilibration time and 7% after 2-hr equilibration time. Glycerol 3%
      had lower (p < .05) iPM and iAc after 4 hr. Glycerol 5% had greater (p < .05)
      hPMM after 4 hr and iAc after 2 hr than at 0 hr. SOD 100 U ml-1 had lower (p <
      .05) linearity and wobble compared to control group. No was observed differences
      to fertilisation rate (p < .05) among groups. In conclusion, glycerol 5% in Tris
      egg yolk extender for 4 hr is suitable for the preservation of sperm kinetics and
      membrane integrity. CAT (50 and 100 U ml-1 ) or SOD (50-100 U ml-1 ) had no
      beneficial effects on sperm kinetics, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity,
      mitochondrial activity or the capacity for IVF of frozen-thawed spermatozoa from
      epididymis of Nelore bulls.

PMID- 27251096
TI  - Detection of biofilm related genes, classical enterotoxin genes and agr typing
      among Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine with subclinical mastitis in
      southwest of Iran.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus by producing biofilm and facilitating chronic infection is
      a common cause of mastitis in cows and thereby can cause food poisoning by
      production of enterotoxins in milk. The agr typing method is an important tool
      for epidemiological investigation about S. aureus. The aims of the present study
      were to detect biofilm related genes, 5 classical enterotoxin genes and the agr
      types among S. aureus isolates. The ability of S. aureus isolates to produce
      biofilm was evaluated by modified CRA plate. Six biofilm related adhesion genes
      (icaD, icaA, fnbA, bap, clfA and cna), five classical enterotoxin genes (sea,
      seb, sec, sed and see) and tst-1 gene were detected by PCR methods. Multiplex-PCR
      was used to determination of the agr groups. 55 out of 80(68.8%) S. aureus
      isolates were biofilm producer. The icaD gene was detected in 70 (87.5%) of
      isolates. The prevalence rates of fnbA, icaA, clfA, cna and bap were 72.5, 56.25,
      50, 22.5, and 5% respectively. The agr group I and III were detected in 57.5% 25%
      of studied isolates. The sea, sed and tst-1 genes were found in 10%, 7.5% and
      1.25% of isolates respectively. The majority of S. aureus were able to produce
      biofilm. Significant associations were observed between presence of the icaD,
      icaA, fnbA, clfA and the cna genes as well as biofilm formation. The present
      study revealed that isolates with the agr type III are more potent for biofilm
      production. Our data supported a possible link between the agr types and certain
      SE genes. 

PMID- 27251097
TI  - Disseminated intravascular coagulation.

PMID- 27251098
TI  - Crystallographic Lattice Boltzmann Method.
AB  - Current approaches to Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) are computationally quite
      expensive for most realistic scientific and engineering applications of Fluid
      Dynamics such as automobiles or atmospheric flows. The Lattice Boltzmann Method
      (LBM), with its simplified kinetic descriptions, has emerged as an important tool
      for simulating hydrodynamics. In a heterogeneous computing environment, it is
      often preferred due to its flexibility and better parallel scaling. However,
      direct simulation of realistic applications, without the use of turbulence
      models, remains a distant dream even with highly efficient methods such as LBM.
      In LBM, a fictitious lattice with suitable isotropy in the velocity space is
      considered to recover Navier-Stokes hydrodynamics in macroscopic limit. The same
      lattice is mapped onto a cartesian grid for spatial discretization of the kinetic
      equation. In this paper, we present an inverted argument of the LBM, by making
      spatial discretization as the central theme. We argue that the optimal spatial
      discretization for LBM is a Body Centered Cubic (BCC) arrangement of grid points.
      We illustrate an order-of-magnitude gain in efficiency for LBM and thus a
      significant progress towards feasibility of DNS for realistic flows.

PMID- 27251099
TI  - Stereochemical Recognition of Helicenes on Metal Surfaces.
AB  - The chiral recognition among biomolecules is fundamentally important for many
      processes of life, including the stereochemistry of evolution. Of special
      interest is chiral recognition during crystallization of racemates, when either
      homochiral recognition leads to a conglomerate of homochiral crystals or
      heterochiral recognition dominates resulting in a racemic compound. The complex
      nature of molecular recognition at the level of nucleation and crystal growth
      renders it difficult to understand and calls for manageable model systems.
      Notably, the approach of studying aggregation of molecules at surfaces under well
      defined conditions includes the benefit of the availability of a multitude of
      highly sensitive investigation methods, of which scanning tunneling microscopy
      (STM) with its submolecular resolution is tremendously valuable. Heterogeneous
      nucleation at surfaces is strongly favored over homogeneous nucleation in
      solution; hence, surfaces are significantly involved in stereochemical
      recognition during crystallization. Helicenes are a fascinating class of chiral
      compounds with outstanding optical activity. These pi-conjugated, ortho-fused,
      aromatic hydrocarbons are promising candidates for organic electronic devices
      such as sensors, circular dichroic photonics, liquid crystal displays or spin
      filters. But in particular the defined footprint of their terminal benzo rings on
      a surface makes them interesting for studying stereochemical recognition with
      different single crystalline surfaces and the impact this has, in turn, on
      intermolecular recognition. In this Account, we describe the self-assembly of
      helicenes on metal surfaces with the focus on stereochemical recognition in two
      dimensional structures. Using the isomeric all-carbon helicenes, heptahelicene
      and dibenzohelicene as examples, different aggregation phenomena on different
      surfaces of single crystalline copper, silver, and gold are investigated. By
      means of STM different modes of transmission of molecular handedness from single
      molecules into extended two-dimensional supramolecular structures are identified.
      For the problem of racemate versus conglomerate crystallization, the impact of
      surface and molecular structure and their interplay are analyzed. This leads to
      detailed conclusions about the importance of the match of molecular and surface
      binding sites for long-range self-assembly. The absence of polar groups puts
      emphasis on van der Waals interaction and their maximization by steric overlap of
      molecular parts in enantiomeric and diastereomeric interactions. With STM as a
      manipulation tool, dimers are manually separated in order to analyze their chiral
      composition. And finally, new nonlinear cooperative effects induced by small
      enantiospecific bias are discovered that lead to single enantiomorphism in two
      dimensional racemate crystals as well as in racemic multilayered films. By means
      of these model studies many details that govern chiral recognition at surfaces
      are rationalized.

PMID- 27251100
TI  - Catalytic Enantioselective Desymmetrization Reactions to All-Carbon Quaternary
      Stereocenters.
AB  - This Review summarizes the advances in the construction of all-carbon quaternary
      stereocenters via catalytic enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral and
      meso-compounds, highlights the power and potential of this strategy in the total
      synthesis of natural products and biologically active compounds, and outlines the
      synthetic opportunities still available.

PMID- 27251101
TI  - The N-terminal zinc finger domain of Tgf2 transposase contributes to DNA binding
      and to transposition activity.
AB  - Active Hobo/Activator/Tam3 (hAT) transposable elements are rarely found in
      vertebrates. Previously, goldfish Tgf2 was found to be an autonomously active
      vertebrate transposon that is efficient at gene-transfer in teleost fish.
      However, little is known about Tgf2 functional domains required for
      transposition. To explore this, we first predicted in silico a zinc finger domain
      in the N-terminus of full length Tgf2 transposase (L-Tgf2TPase). Two truncated
      recombinant Tgf2 transposases with deletions in the N-terminal zinc finger
      domain, S1- and S2-Tgf2TPase, were expressed in bacteria from goldfish cDNAs.
      Both truncated Tgf2TPases lost their DNA-binding ability in vitro, specifically
      at the ends of Tgf2 transposon than native L-Tgf2TPase. Consequently, S1- and S2
      Tgf2TPases mediated gene transfer in the zebrafish genome in vivo at a
      significantly (p < 0.01) lower efficiency (21%-25%), in comparison with L
      Tgf2TPase (56% efficiency). Compared to L-Tgf2TPase, truncated Tgf2TPases
      catalyzed imprecise excisions with partial deletion of TE ends and/or plasmid
      backbone insertion/deletion. The gene integration into the zebrafish genome
      mediated by truncated Tgf2TPases was imperfect, creating incomplete 8-bp target
      site duplications at the insertion sites. These results indicate that the zinc
      finger domain in Tgf2 transposase is involved in binding to Tgf2 terminal
      sequences, and loss of those domains has effects on TE transposition.

PMID- 27251102
TI  - High prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use and comparison of self-reported alcohol
      consumption to phosphatidylethanol among women engaged in sex work and their male
      clients in Cambodia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Cambodia, most of the female sex workers (FSW) work in venues
      where unhealthy alcohol use is ubiquitous and potentially contributing to the HIV
      epidemic. However, no accurate data exists. We compare self-reported unhealthy
      alcohol consumption to a biomarker of alcohol intake in Cambodian FSW and male
      clients, and determine factors associated with unhealthy alcohol use. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study was conducted among FSW (n=100) and male clients (n=100) in
      entertainment and sex work venues in Cambodia. Self-reported unhealthy alcohol
      use (AUDIT-C) was compared to phosphatidylethanol (PEth) positive (>=50ng/ml), a
      biomarker of alcohol intake. Sociodemographics data was collected. Correlates of
      self-reported unhealthy alcohol use and PEth positive were determined. RESULTS:
      The prevalence of PEth positive in FSW was 60.0%. Self-reported unhealthy alcohol
      consumption was reported by 85.0% of the women. Almost all women (95.0%) testing
      PEth positive also reported unhealthy alcohol use. Prevalence of unhealthy
      alcohol consumption (self-report and PEth positive) was higher in FSW working in
      entertainment establishments compared to other sex work venues (p<0.01). Among
      male clients, 47.0% reported unhealthy alcohol consumption and 42.0% had a PEth
      positive. However, only 57.1% of male clients with PEth positive reported
      unhealthy alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy alcohol consumption is prevalent in
      Cambodian sex work settings. Self-reported unhealthy alcohol use is well reported
      by FSW, but less by male clients. These findings highlight the urgency of using
      accurate measures of unhealthy alcohol consumption and integrating this health
      issue into HIV prevention interventions.

PMID- 27251103
TI  - Gomafu lncRNA knockout mice exhibit mild hyperactivity with enhanced
      responsiveness to the psychostimulant methamphetamine.
AB  - The long noncoding RNA Gomafu/MIAT/Rncr2 is thought to function in retinal cell
      specification, stem cell differentiation and the control of alternative splicing.
      To further investigate physiological functions of Gomafu, we created mouse
      knockout (KO) model that completely lacks the Gomafu gene. The KO mice did not
      exhibit any developmental deficits. However, behavioral tests revealed that the
      KO mice are hyperactive. This hyperactive behavior was enhanced when the KO mice
      were treated with the psychostimulant methamphetamine, which was associated with
      an increase in dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. RNA sequencing analyses
      identified a small number of genes affected by the deficiency of Gomafu, a subset
      of which are known to have important neurobiological functions. These
      observations suggest that Gomafu modifies mouse behavior thorough a mild
      modulation of gene expression and/or alternative splicing of target genes.

PMID- 27251105
TI  - Controlled mechanical ventilation with constant positive end-expiratory pressure
      and alveolar recruitment manoeuvres during anaesthesia in laterally or dorsally
      recumbent horses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) and
      constant positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and interposed recruitment
      manoeuvres (RMs) with those of CMV without PEEP on gas exchange during general
      anaesthesia and the early recovery period. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized
      clinical trial. ANIMALS: A total of 48 Warmblood horses undergoing elective
      surgery in lateral (Lat) (n = 24) or dorsal (Dors) (n = 24) recumbency. METHODS:
      Premedication (romifidine), induction (diazepam and ketamine) and maintenance
      (isoflurane in oxygen) were identical in all horses. Groups Lat- CMV and Dors-CMV
      (each n = 12) were ventilated using CMV. Groups Lat-RM and Dors-RM (each n = 12)
      were ventilated using CMV with constant PEEP (10 cmH2O) and intermittent RMs
      (three consecutive breaths with peak inspiratory pressure of 60 cmH2O, 80 cmH2O
      and 60 cmH2O, respectively). RMs were applied as required to maintain PaO2 at >
      400 mmHg (> 53.3 kPa). Dobutamine was given to maintain mean arterial blood
      pressure at > 60 mmHg. Physiological parameters were recorded every 10 minutes.
      Arterial blood gases were measured intra- and postoperatively. Statistical
      analyses were conducted using analyses of variance (anova),t tests and the Mann
      Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Horses in Dors-RM had higher PaO2 values [478 +/- 35
      mmHg (63.7 +/- 4.6 kPa)] than horses in Dors-CMV [324 +/- 45 mmHg (43.2 +/- 6
      kPa)] during anaesthesia and the early recovery period. There were no differences
      between horses in groups Lat-CMV and Lat-RM. Other measured parameters did not
      differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ventilation with CMV,
      constant PEEP and interposed RM provided improved arterial oxygenation in horses
      in dorsal recumbency that lasted into the early recovery period, but had no
      benefit in horses in lateral recumbency. This mode of ventilation may provide a
      clinically practicable method of improving oxygenation in anaesthetized horses,
      especially in dorsal recumbency.

PMID- 27251106
TI  - Reduction of Laboratory Utilization in the Intensive Care Unit.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In our academic intensive care unit (ICU), there is excess ordering of
      routine laboratory tests. This is partially due to a lack of transparency of
      laboratory-processing costs and to the admission order plans that favor daily
      laboratory test orders. We hypothesized that a program that involves physician
      and staff education and alters the current ICU order sets will lead to a
      sustained decrease in routine laboratory test ordering. DESIGN: Prospective
      cohort study. SETTING: Academic closed medical ICU (MICU). PATIENTS: All patients
      admitted to the MICU. METHODS: We consistently educated residents, faculty, and
      staff about laboratory test costs. We removed the daily laboratory test option
      from the admission order sets and asked residents to order needed laboratory test
      results every day. We only allowed the G3+I-STAT (arterial blood gas only)
      cartridges in the MICU in hopes of decreasing duplicative laboratory test
      results. We added laboratory review to the daily rounding checklist. MEASUREMENT
      AND MAIN RESULTS: Total number of laboratory tests per patient-day decreased from
      39.43 to an average of 26.74 ( P <.001) over a 9-month period. The number of
      iSTAT laboratory tests per patient-day decreased from 7.37 to an average of 1.16
      ( P < .001) over the same time period. The number of iSTAT/central laboratory
      processing duplicative laboratory tests per patient-day decreased from 0.17 to an
      average of 0.01 ( P < .001). The percentage of patients who have daily laboratory
      test orders decreased from 100% to an average of 11.94% ( P <. 001). US$123 436
      in direct savings and US$258 035 dollars in indirect savings could be achieved
      with these trends. Intensive care unit morbidity and mortality were not impacted.
      CONCLUSION: A simple technique of resident, nursing, and ancillary staff
      education, combined with alterations in order sets using electronic medical
      records, can lead to a sustained reduction in laboratory test utilization over
      time and to significant cost savings without affecting patient safety.

PMID- 27251107
TI  - Elevated Red Cell Distribution Width Is Associated With Decreased Ventilator-Free
      Days in Critically Ill Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with
      mortality in a variety of respiratory conditions. Recent data also suggest that
      RDW is associated with mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Although
      respiratory failure is common in the ICU, the relationship between RDW and
      pulmonary outcomes in the ICU has not been previously explored. Therefore, our
      goal was to investigate the association of admission RDW with 30-day ventilator
      free days (VFDs) in ICU patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis
      from an ongoing prospective, observational study. Patients were recruited from
      medical and surgical ICUs of a large teaching hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
      The RDW was assessed within 1 hour of ICU admission. Poisson regression analysis
      was used to investigate the association of RDW (normal: 11.5%-14.5% vs elevated:
      >14.5%) with 30-day VFD, while controlling for age, sex, race, body mass index,
      Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill score, the presence of chronic lung disease,
      Pao2/Fio2 ratio, and admission levels of hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume,
      phosphate, albumin, C-reactive protein, and creatinine. RESULTS: A total of 637
      patients comprised the analytic cohort. Mean RDW was 15 (standard deviation 4%),
      with 53% of patients in the normal range and 47% with elevated levels. Median VFD
      was 16 (interquartile range: 6-25) days. Poisson regression analysis demonstrated
      that ICU patients with elevated admission RDW were likely to have 32% lower 30
      day VFDs compared to their counterparts with RDW in the normal range (incidence
      rate ratio: 0.68; 95% confidence interval: 0.55-0.83: P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We
      observed an inverse association of RDW and 30-day VFD, despite controlling for
      demographics, nutritional factors, and severity of illness. This supports the
      need for future studies to validate our findings, understand the physiologic
      processes that lead to elevated RDW in patients with respiratory failure, and
      determine whether changes in RDW may be used to support clinical decision-making.

PMID- 27251104
TI  - Apoptosis-mediated endothelial toxicity but not direct calcification or
      functional changes in anti-calcification proteins defines pathogenic effects of
      calcium phosphate bions.
AB  - Calcium phosphate bions (CPB) are biomimetic mineralo-organic nanoparticles which
      represent a physiological mechanism regulating the function, transport and
      disposal of calcium and phosphorus in the human body. We hypothesised that CPB
      may be pathogenic entities and even a cause of cardiovascular calcification. Here
      we revealed that CPB isolated from calcified atherosclerotic plaques and
      artificially synthesised CPB are morphologically and chemically indistinguishable
      entities. Their formation is accelerated along with the increase in calcium salts
      phosphates/serum concentration ratio. Experiments in vitro and in vivo showed
      that pathogenic effects of CPB are defined by apoptosis-mediated endothelial
      toxicity but not by direct tissue calcification or functional changes in anti
      calcification proteins. Since the factors underlying the formation of CPB and
      their pathogenic mechanism closely resemble those responsible for atherosclerosis
      development, further research in this direction may help us to uncover triggers
      of this disease.

PMID- 27251109
TI  - Effects of the large distribution of CdS quantum dot sizes on the charge transfer
      interactions into TiO2 nanotubes for photocatalytic hydrogen generation.
AB  - Hydrogen fuels generated by water splitting using a photocatalyst and solar
      irradiation are currently gaining the strength to diversify the world energy
      matrix in a green way. CdS quantum dots have revealed a hydrogen generation
      improvement when added to TiO2 materials under visible-light irradiation. In the
      present paper, we investigated the performance of TiO2 nanotubes coupled with CdS
      quantum dots, by a molecular bifunctional linker, on photocatalytic hydrogen
      generation. TiO2 nanotubes were obtained by anodization of Ti foil, followed by
      annealing to crystallize the nanotubes into the anatase phase. Afterwards, the
      samples were sensitized with CdS quantum dots via an in situ hydrothermal route
      using 3-mercaptopropionic acid as the capping agent. This sensitization technique
      permits high loading and uniform distribution of CdS quantum dots onto TiO2
      nanotubes. The XPS depth profile showed that CdS concentration remains almost
      unchanged (homogeneous), while the concentration relative to the sulfate anion
      decreases by more than 80% with respect to the initial value after ~100 nm in
      depth. The presence of sulfate anions is due to the oxidation of sulfide and
      occurs in greater proportion in the material surface. This protection for air
      oxidation inside the nanotubular matrix seemingly protected the CdS for
      photocorrosion in sacrificial solution leading to good stability properties
      proved by long duration, stable photocurrent measurements. The effect of the size
      and the distribution of sizes of CdS quantum dots attached to TiO2 nanotubes on
      the photocatalytic hydrogen generation were investigated. The experimental
      results showed three different behaviors when the reaction time of CdS synthesis
      was increased in the sensitized samples, i.e. similar, deactivation and
      activation effects on the hydrogen production with regard to TiO2 nanotubes. The
      deactivation effect was related to two populations of sizes of CdS, where the
      population with a shorter band gap acts as a trap for the electrons
      photogenerated by the population with a larger band gap. Electron transfer from
      CdS quantum dots to TiO2 semiconductor nanotubes was proven by the results of UPS
      measurements combined with optical band gap measurements. This property
      facilitates an improvement of the visible-light hydrogen evolution rate from
      zero, for TiO2 nanotubes, to approximately 0.3 MUmol cm(-2) h(-1) for TiO2
      nanotubes sensitized with CdS quantum dots. 

PMID- 27251108
TI  - Vitamin D Status After Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Children With Congenital Heart
      Disease.
AB  - Deficiency in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) is associated with increased morbidity
      and mortality in the critically ill. Children who underwent surgery for
      congenital heart disease under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are typically
      deficient in 25OHD. It is unclear whether this deficiency is due to CPB. We
      hypothesized that CPB reduces the levels of 25OHD in children with congenital
      heart disease. We conducted a prospective observational study on children aged 2
      months to 17 years who underwent CPB. Serum was collected at 3 time points:
      immediately before, immediately after surgery, and 24 hours after surgery. 25
      Hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, vitamin D binding protein,
      and albumin levels were measured. Levels were compared using repeated measures
      analysis of variance. We enrolled 20 patients, 40% were deficient in 25OHD with
      levels <20 ng/mL prior to surgery. Mean (+/-standard deviation) of 25OHD at the 3
      time points was 21.3 +/- 8 ng/mL, 19 +/- 5.8 ng/mL, and 19.5 +/- 6.6 ng/mL,
      respectively ( P = .02). The decrease in 25OHD was observed primarily in children
      with sufficient levels of 25OHD, with mean levels at the 3 time points: 26.8 +/-
      4.2 ng/mL, 21.5 +/- 5.7 ng/mL, and 23.0 +/- 4.9 ng/mL, respectively ( P < .001).
      Calculated means of free fraction of 25OHD at the 3 time points were 6.2 +/- 2.8
      pg/mL, 5.8 +/- 2.2 pg/mL, and 5.5 +/- 2.4 pg/mL, respectively, ( P = .04). Mean
      levels of 1,25(OH)2D were 63.7 +/- 34.9 ng/mL, 53.2 +/- 30.6 ng/mL, and 67.7 +/-
      23.5 ng/mL ( P = .04). Vitamin D binding protein and albumin levels did not
      significantly change. Cardiopulmonary bypass decreases 25OHD by reducing the free
      fraction. Current investigations are geared to establish whether vitamin D
      deficiency is associated with outcomes and if treatment is appropriate.

PMID- 27251110
TI  - Effects of Information Visualization on Older Adults' Decision-Making Performance
      in a Medicare Plan Selection Task: A Comparative Usability Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Technology gains have improved tools for evaluating complex tasks by
      providing environmental supports (ES) that increase ease of use and improve
      performance outcomes through the use of information visualizations (info-vis).
      Complex info-vis emphasize the need to understand individual differences in
      abilities of target users, the key cognitive abilities needed to execute a
      decision task, and the graphical elements that can serve as the most effective
      ES. Older adults may be one such target user group that would benefit from
      increased ES to mitigate specific declines in cognitive abilities. For example,
      choosing a prescription drug plan is a necessary and complex task that can impact
      quality of life if the wrong choice is made. The decision to enroll in one plan
      over another can involve comparing over 15 plans across many categories. Within
      this context, the large amount of complex information and reduced working memory
      capacity puts older adults' decision making at a disadvantage. An intentionally
      designed ES, such as an info-vis that reduces working memory demand, may assist
      older adults in making the most effective decision among many options. OBJECTIVE:
      The objective of this study is to examine whether the use of an info-vis can
      lower working memory demands and positively affect complex decision-making
      performance of older adults in the context of choosing a Medicare prescription
      drug plan. METHODS: Participants performed a computerized decision-making task in
      the context of finding the best health care plan. Data included quantitative
      decision-making performance indicators and surveys examining previous history
      with purchasing insurance. Participants used a colored info-vis ES or a table (no
      ES) to perform the decision task. Task difficulty was manipulated by increasing
      the number of selection criteria used to make an accurate decision. A repeated
      measures analysis was performed to examine differences between the two table
      designs. RESULTS: Twenty-three older adults between the ages of 66 and 80
      completed the study. There was a main effect for accuracy such that older adults
      made more accurate decisions in the color info-vis condition than the table
      condition. In the low difficulty condition, participants were more successful at
      choosing the correct answer when the question was about the gap coverage
      attribute in the info-vis condition. Participants also made significantly faster
      decisions in the info-vis condition than in the table condition. CONCLUSIONS:
      Reducing the working memory demand of the task through the use of an ES can
      improve decision accuracy, especially when selection criteria is only focused on
      a single attribute of the insurance plan.

PMID- 27251111
TI  - Cobalt oxyhydroxide nanoflake based fluorescence sensing platform for label-free
      detection of DNA.
AB  - Detection of specific DNA sequences is critical in life science. In this study,
      we investigated the interaction of cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanoflakes with
      DNA and their fluorescence quenching mechanism of a FAM-labeled single-stranded
      DNA (ssDNA) probe. ssDNA could adsorb on the CoOOH surface via electrostatic
      interactions and therefore the fluorescence of FAM was quenched. However, upon
      addition of targets, ssDNA was hybridized with target DNA and the formed double
      stranded DNA (dsDNA) had much weaker affinity to CoOOH, resulting in the
      retaining of fluorescence. Based on the affinity difference of CoOOH nanoflakes
      to ssDNA and dsDNA and fluorescence resonance energy transfer based fluorescence
      quenching, a mix-and-detect method was proposed for homogeneous detection of DNA.
      The proposed method is simple and can be finished in a few minutes with high
      sensitivity. Furthermore, it displays a wide linear range from 1 to 50 nM with a
      detection limit of 0.5 nM and is capable of detecting DNA in real biological
      samples. 

PMID- 27251112
TI  - Concise Review: One Stone for Multiple Birds: Generating Universally Compatible
      Human Embryonic Stem Cells.
AB  - With ongoing clinical trials, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have shown
      substantial potential for regenerative medicine. However, due to the mismatch of
      human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) between hESC-derived allografts and recipients,
      immunosuppressant regimens must be used to prevent immune rejection of the
      grafts. Considerable efforts have been devoted to overcoming this hurdle via the
      derivation and banking of human nuclear transfer ESCs, parthenogenetic ESCs, and
      induced pluripotent stem cells. However, ethical and safety concerns remain,
      hindering the application of these types of pluripotent cells. Other approaches
      have recently been explored to generate universally compatible hESCs through the
      silencing or deletion of HLAs or genes essential for HLA expression, including
      beta-2-microglobulin and class-II MHC transactivator, as well as the induction of
      immunosuppression via the ectopic expression of non-classical HLAs (e.g., HLA-E
      and -G), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 fused with immunoglobulin, and
      programmed death ligand-1. In this review, we introduce developments in this line
      of research and discuss strategies to reduce the tumorigenic concerns regarding
      hESCs, especially after they acquire the capability to escape immune
      surveillance. Stem Cells 2016;34:2269-2275.

PMID- 27251114
TI  - Cooperation Survives and Cheating Pays in a Dynamic Network Structure with
      Unreliable Reputation.
AB  - In a networked society like ours, reputation is an indispensable tool to guide
      decisions about social or economic interactions with individuals otherwise
      unknown. Usually, information about prospective counterparts is incomplete, often
      being limited to an average success rate. Uncertainty on reputation is further
      increased by fraud, which is increasingly becoming a cause of concern. To address
      these issues, we have designed an experiment based on the Prisoner's Dilemma as a
      model for social interactions. Participants could spend money to have their
      observable cooperativeness increased. We find that the aggregate cooperation
      level is practically unchanged, i.e., global behavior does not seem to be
      affected by unreliable reputations. However, at the individual level we find two
      distinct types of behavior, one of reliable subjects and one of cheaters, where
      the latter artificially fake their reputation in almost every interaction.
      Cheaters end up being better off than honest individuals, who not only keep their
      true reputation but are also more cooperative. In practice, this results in
      honest subjects paying the costs of fraud as cheaters earn the same as in a
      truthful environment. These findings point to the importance of ensuring the
      truthfulness of reputation for a more equitable and fair society.

PMID- 27251115
TI  - Metal organic frameworks mimicking natural enzymes: a structural and functional
      analogy.
AB  - In this review, we have portrayed the structure, synthesis and applications of a
      variety of biomimetic MOFs from an unprecedented angle. Synthetic MOF analogues
      of five distinct enzymes: phosphotriesterase, hydrogenase, cytochrome P450,
      chymotrypsin and carbonic anhydrase, have been discussed with their skeletal
      comparison to actual enzymatic active sites as reference, and an explanation of
      catalytic pathways from the mechanistic cycle of the corresponding enzymes is
      depicted. We demonstrated critically each of the five discrete situations by
      assimilating available benchmark researches in an attempt to provide a concise
      literature source on the ingenious design strategies and versatile biomimetic
      applications of this domain of materials. 

PMID- 27251116
TI  - Hydrogen-bonded oligothiophene rosettes with a benzodithiophene terminal unit:
      self-assembly and application to bulk heterojunction solar cells.
AB  - Benzodithiophene-functionalized oligothiophene with barbituric acid hydrogen
      bonding unit self-assembles into nanoscopic structures via the formation of
      rosettes. The nanostructures show a power conversion efficiency of 3% upon mixing
      with PC61BM in bulk-heterojunction solar cells without thermal annealing. 

PMID- 27251118
TI  - Troubled families and individualised solutions: an institutional discourse
      analysis of alcohol and drug treatment practices involving affected others.
AB  - Research shows that members of the families with patients suffering from alcohol
      and other drug-related issues (AOD) experience stress and strain. An important
      question is, what options do AOD treatment have for them when it comes to
      support? To answer this, we interviewed directors and clinicians from three AOD
      treatment institutions in Norway. The study revealed that family-oriented
      practices are gaining ground as a 'going concern'. However, the relative position
      of family-orientation in the services, is constrained and shaped by three other
      going concerns related to: (i) discourse on health and illness, emphasising that
      addiction is an individual medical and psychological phenomenon, rather than a
      relational one; (ii) discourse on rights and involvement, emphasising the
      autonomy of the individual patient and their right to define the format of their
      own treatment; and (iii) discourse on management, emphasising the relationship
      between cost and benefit, where family-oriented practices are defined as not
      being cost-effective. All three discourses are connected to underpin the weight
      placed on individualised practices. Thus, the findings point to a paradox: there
      is a growing focus on the needs of children and affected family members, while
      the possibility of performing integrated work on families is limited.

PMID- 27251117
TI  - Active diffusion and microtubule-based transport oppose myosin forces to position
      organelles in cells.
AB  - Even distribution of peroxisomes (POs) and lipid droplets (LDs) is critical to
      their role in lipid and reactive oxygen species homeostasis. How even
      distribution is achieved remains elusive, but diffusive motion and directed
      motility may play a role. Here we show that in the fungus Ustilago maydis ~95% of
      POs and LDs undergo diffusive motions. These movements require ATP and involve
      bidirectional early endosome motility, indicating that microtubule-associated
      membrane trafficking enhances diffusion of organelles. When early endosome
      transport is abolished, POs and LDs drift slowly towards the growing cell end.
      This pole-ward drift is facilitated by anterograde delivery of secretory cargo to
      the cell tip by myosin-5. Modelling reveals that microtubule-based directed
      transport and active diffusion support distribution, mobility and mixing of POs.
      In mammalian COS-7 cells, microtubules and F-actin also counteract each other to
      distribute POs. This highlights the importance of opposing cytoskeletal forces in
      organelle positioning in eukaryotes.

PMID- 27251119
TI  - Catecholamines and Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity after Traumatic Brain
      Injury.
AB  - Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) affects a significant minority of
      people in the intensive care unit after severe traumatic brain injury. Systematic
      research has yet to elucidate or quantify the extent of the role of the
      catecholamines or adrenocortical and thyroid axis hormonal influences in the
      condition. Data were prospectively collected on 80 consecutive patients, 18 of
      whom developed clinical signs of PSH (22.5%). Catecholamine and hormonal data
      were collected sequentially at 4-h intervals or during and between episodes of
      PSH. Evaluated variables showed 200-300% increases in catecholamines and, to a
      lesser extent, adrenocortical hormones during paroxysms. The majority of PSH
      episodes (72%) were noted to be in response to an observable triggering event.
      These changes were not observed in subjects without PSH. These data go some way
      to explain why PSH produces adverse consequences in survivors of TBI with the
      condition.

PMID- 27251121
TI  - Double Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Azygos Lobe.

PMID- 27251120
TI  - Synthesis and evaluation of new 2-aminothiophenes against Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis.
AB  - Tuberculosis (TB) and its drug resistant forms kills more people than any other
      infectious disease. This fact emphasizes the need to identify new drugs to treat
      TB. 2-Aminothiophenes (2AT) have been reported to inhibit Pks13, a validated anti
      TB drug target. We synthesized a library of 42 2AT compounds. Among these,
      compound 33 showed remarkable potency against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)
      H37RV (MIC = 0.23 MUM) and showed an impressive potency (MIC = 0.20-0.44 MUM)
      against Mtb strains resistant to isoniazid, rifampicin and fluoroquinolones. The
      site of action for the compound 33 is presumed to be Pks13 or an earlier enzyme
      in the mycolic acid biosynthetic pathway. This inference is based on structural
      similarity of the compound 33 with known Pks13 inhibitors, which is corroborated
      by mycolic acid biosynthesis studies showing that the compound strongly inhibits
      the biosynthesis of all forms of mycolic acid in Mtb. In summary, these studies
      suggest 33 represents a promising anti-TB lead that exhibits activity well below
      toxicity to human monocytic cells. 

PMID- 27251122
TI  - Partial genotyping at polymorphic markers can improve heritability estimates in
      sibling groups.
AB  - Accurate estimates of heritability (h2) are necessary to assess adaptive
      responses of populations and evolution of fitness-related traits in changing
      environments. For plants, h2 estimates generally rely on maternal progeny
      designs, assuming that offspring are either half-sibs or unrelated. However,
      plant mating systems often depart from half-sib assumptions, this can bias h2
      estimates. Here, we investigate how to accurately estimate h2 in nonmodel species
      through the analysis of sibling designs with a moderate genotyping effort. We
      performed simulations to investigate how microsatellite marker information
      available for only a subset of offspring can improve h2 estimates based on
      maternal progeny designs in the presence of nonrandom mating, inbreeding in the
      parental population or maternal effects. We compared the basic family method,
      considering or not adjustments based on average relatedness coefficients, and
      methods based on the animal model. The animal model was used with average
      relatedness information, or with hybrid relatedness information: associating one
      generation pedigree and family assumptions, or associating one-generation
      pedigree and average relatedness coefficients. Our results highlighted that
      methods using marker-based relatedness coefficients performed as well as pedigree
      based methods in the presence of nonrandom mating (i.e. unequal male reproductive
      contributions, selfing), offering promising prospects to investigate in situ
      heritabilities in natural populations. In the presence of maternal effects, only
      the use of pairwise relatednesses through pedigree information improved the
      accuracy of h2 estimates. In that case, the amount of father-related offspring in
      the sibling design is the most critical. Overall, we showed that the method using
      both one-generation pedigree and average relatedness coefficients was the most
      robust to various ecological scenarios.

PMID- 27251124
TI  - Increase of anthraquinone content in Rubia cordifolia cells transformed by native
      and constitutively active forms of the AtCPK1 gene.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Overexpression of both native and mutant forms of AtCPK1 in Rubia
      cordifolia cells increased anthraquinone production and transcript abundance of
      the RcIPPI, RcOSBL, RcOSBS , and RcICS genes to different extents. Calcium
      dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are involved in various cell processes and are
      regulated by a calcium signal system. CDPKs also function in plant defense
      against stress factors such as pathogens, temperature, and salinity. In this
      study, we compared the effect of heterologous expression of two forms of the
      Arabidopsis AtCPK1 gene, native and constitutively active (Ca(2+)-independent),
      on anthraquinone production in transgenic Rubia cordifolia cells. Significant
      qualitative and quantitative differences were found in the content of
      anthraquinone derivatives in control and AtCPK1-transgenic calli. Expression of
      the AtCPK1 gene increased anthraquinone production by 3 and 12 times for native
      and constitutively active forms, respectively, compared with control cells. In
      addition, we identified and quantified the expression of genes encoding key
      enzymes of the anthraquinone biosynthesis pathway, including isochorismate
      synthase (ICS), o-succinylbenzoate synthase (OSBS), o-succinylbenzoate ligase
      (OSBL), and isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IPPi). In all AtCPK1-transgenic
      cell lines, expression of ICS, OSBS, OSBL, and IPPi increased considerably at 14
      15 days of subculture and decreased at the end of cultivation (30 days). The
      results suggest that both native and constitutively active AtCPK1 forms induced
      anthraquinone accumulation at the logarithmic growth stage via enhancement of
      expression of genes involved in the metabolism of anthraquinones or their
      regulatory mechanisms.

PMID- 27251123
TI  - Unity and diversity of executive functions: Individual differences as a window on
      cognitive structure.
AB  - Executive functions (EFs) are high-level cognitive processes, often associated
      with the frontal lobes, that control lower level processes in the service of goal
      directed behavior. They include abilities such as response inhibition,
      interference control, working memory updating, and set shifting. EFs show a
      general pattern of shared but distinct functions, a pattern described as "unity
      and diversity". We review studies of EF unity and diversity at the behavioral and
      genetic levels, focusing on studies of normal individual differences and what
      they reveal about the functional organization of these cognitive abilities. In
      particular, we review evidence that across multiple ages and populations,
      commonly studied EFs (a) are robustly correlated but separable when measured with
      latent variables; (b) are not the same as general intelligence or g; (c) are
      highly heritable at the latent level and seemingly also highly polygenic; and (d)
      activate both common and specific neural areas and can be linked to individual
      differences in neural activation, volume, and connectivity. We highlight how
      considering individual differences at the behavioral and neural levels can add
      considerable insight to the investigation of the functional organization of the
      brain, and conclude with some key points about individual differences to consider
      when interpreting neuropsychological patterns of dissociation.

PMID- 27251126
TI  - Impact of Low Procalcitonin Results on Antibiotic Administration in Hospitalized
      Patients at a Tertiary Care Center.
AB  - Procalcitonin is a sensitive and specific marker of bacterial infection; low
      results allow clinicians to safely de-escalate antibiotics. This retrospective
      cohort study aimed to determine the effect of low procalcitonin results on
      withholding, discontinuing, or de-escalating antibiotics in hospitalized patients
      at a tertiary care center. Antibiotics were initiated or continued without de
      escalation in 55% of patients with low procalcitonin results. Among patients with
      low procalcitonin results, the primary service, but not measures of patient
      complexity, disease severity, or underlying disease process (lower respiratory
      tract infection evaluation versus systemic inflammatory response
      syndrome/possible sepsis) was associated with initiation or continued broad
      spectrum antibiotic use. Provider-level factors may be an important variable in
      the initiation or continued use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for patients with
      low procalcitonin levels. 

PMID- 27251125
TI  - A sunflower WRKY transcription factor stimulates the mobilization of seed-stored
      reserves during germination and post-germination growth.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: The sunflower transcription factor HaWRKY10 stimulates reserves
      mobilization in Arabidopsis. Gene expression and enzymes activity assays
      indicated that lipolysis and gluconeogenesis were increased. Microarray results
      suggested a parallelism in sunflower. Germinating oilseeds converts stored lipids
      into sugars, and thereafter in metabolic energy that is used in seedling growth
      and establishment. During germination, the induced lipolysis linked to the
      glyoxylate pathway and gluconeogenesis produces sucrose, which is then
      transported to the embryo and driven through catabolic routes. Herein, we report
      that the sunflower transcription factor HaWRKY10 regulates carbon partitioning by
      reducing carbohydrate catabolism and increasing lipolysis and gluconeogenesis.
      HaWRKY10 was regulated by abscisic acid and gibberellins in the embryo leaves 48
      h after seed imbibition and highly expressed during sunflower seed germination
      and seedling growth, concomitantly with lipid mobilization. Sunflower leaf disks
      overexpressing HaWRKY10 showed repressed expression of genes related to sucrose
      cleavage and glycolysis compared with controls. Moreover, HaWRKY10 constitutive
      expression in Arabidopsis seeds produced higher decrease in lipid reserves,
      whereas starch and sucrose were more preserved compared with wild type. Gene
      transcripts abundance and enzyme activities involved in stored lipid mobilization
      and gluconeogenesis increased more in transgenic than in wild type seeds 36 h
      after imbibition, whereas the negative regulator of lipid mobilization, ABI4, was
      repressed. Altogether, the results point out a functional parallelism between
      tissues and plant species, and reveal HaWRKY10 as a positive regulator of storage
      reserve mobilization in sunflower.

PMID- 27251127
TI  - Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words? Few Evidence-Based Features of Dietary
      Interventions Included in Photo Diet Tracking Mobile Apps for Weight Loss.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Apps using digital photos to track dietary intake and provide
      feedback are common, but currently there has been no research examining what
      evidence-based strategies are included in these apps. METHODS: A content analysis
      of mobile apps for photo diet tracking was conducted, including whether effective
      techniques for interventions promoting behavior change, including self
      regulation, for healthy eating (HE) are targeted. An initial search of app stores
      yielded 34 apps (n = 8 Android and Apple; n = 11 Android; n = 15 Apple). One app
      was removed (unable to download), and other apps (n = 4) were unable to be rated
      (no longer available). Remaining apps (n = 29) were downloaded, reviewed, and
      coded by 2 independent reviewers to determine the number of known effective self
      regulation and other behavior change techniques included. The raters met to
      compare their coding of the apps, calculate interrater agreement, resolve any
      discrepancies, and come to a consensus. RESULTS: Six apps (21%) did not utilize
      any of the behavior change techniques examined. Three apps (10%) provided
      feedback to users via crowdsourcing or collective feedback from other users and
      professionals, 7 apps (24%) used crowdsourcing or collective feedback, 1 app (3%)
      used professionals, and 18 apps (62%) did not provide any dietary feedback to
      users. CONCLUSION: Few photo diet-tracking apps include evidence-based strategies
      to improve dietary intake. Use of photos to self-monitor dietary intake and
      receive feedback has the potential to reduce user burden for self-monitoring, yet
      photo diet tracking apps need to incorporate known effective behavior strategies
      for HE, including self-regulation.

PMID- 27251128
TI  - Severe anaemia associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection in children:
      consequences for additional blood sampling for research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum infection may cause severe anaemia,
      particularly in children. When planning a diagnostic study on children suspected
      of severe malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, it was questioned how much blood could
      be safely sampled; intended blood volumes (blood cultures and EDTA blood) were 6
      mL (children aged <6 years) and 10 mL (6-12 years). A previous review [Bull World
      Health Organ. 89: 46-53. 2011] recommended not to exceed 3.8 % of total blood
      volume (TBV). In a simulation exercise using data of children previously enrolled
      in a study about severe malaria and bacteraemia in Burkina Faso, the impact of
      this 3.8 % safety guideline was evaluated. METHODS: For a total of 666 children
      aged >2 months to <12 years, data of age, weight and haemoglobin value (Hb) were
      available. For each child, the estimated TBV (TBVe) (mL) was calculated by
      multiplying the body weight (kg) by the factor 80 (ml/kg). Next, TBVe was
      corrected for the degree of anaemia to obtain the functional TBV (TBVf). The
      correction factor consisted of the rate 'Hb of the child divided by the reference
      Hb'; both the lowest ('best case') and highest ('worst case') reference Hb values
      were used. Next, the exact volume that a 3.8 % proportion of this TBVf would
      present was calculated and this volume was compared to the blood volumes that
      were intended to be sampled. RESULTS: When applied to the Burkina Faso cohort,
      the simulation exercise pointed out that in 5.3 % (best case) and 11.4 % (worst
      case) of children the blood volume intended to be sampled would exceed the volume
      as defined by the 3.8 % safety guideline. Highest proportions would be in the age
      groups 2-6 months (19.0 %; worst scenario) and 6 months-2 years (15.7 %; worst
      case scenario). A positive rapid diagnostic test for P. falciparum was associated
      with an increased risk of violating the safety guideline in the worst case
      scenario (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Blood sampling in children for research in P.
      falciparum endemic settings may easily violate the proposed safety guideline when
      applied to TBVf. Ethical committees and researchers should be wary of this and
      take appropriate precautions.

PMID- 27251129
TI  - Differential effects of the pharmacological stressor yohimbine on impulsive
      decision making and response inhibition.
AB  - RATIONALE: High levels of impulsivity have been associated with psychiatric
      disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance
      abuse. In addition, acute stress is known to exacerbate many psychiatric symptoms
      in impulse control disorders. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to
      investigate the acute effects of the pharmacological stressor yohimbine on
      response inhibition and impulsive choice. METHODS: A group of male rats (n = 12)
      was trained in the delayed reward task (DRT) to assess impulsive choice. A
      separate group (n = 10) was trained in the stop-signal task (SST) to measure
      response inhibition. Upon stable responding, the effects of yohimbine (0, 1.25,
      2.5, and 5 mg/kg i.p.) were tested in a Latin square design. RESULTS: Acute
      yohimbine significantly increased the preference for the large and delayed
      reinforcer in the DRT, indicating a decrease in impulsive choice. On the
      contrary, the effect size of 1.25 mg/kg yohimbine on stop-signal reaction times
      correlated negatively with baseline performance, suggesting a baseline-dependent
      effect on response inhibition as measured in the SST. CONCLUSIONS: The current
      data suggest that the effects of the pharmacological stressor yohimbine on
      impulse control strongly depend on the type of impulsive behavior.
      Pharmacological stress decreased impulsive decision making, an observation that
      is in line with previously published rodent studies. By contrast, the lowest dose
      of yohimbine revealed a baseline-dependent effect on response inhibition. As
      such, the effects of yohimbine are largely comparable to the effects of
      psychostimulants on impulsivity and may support the notion of cross sensitization
      of stress and psychostimulants.

PMID- 27251131
TI  - CRF type 1 receptor antagonism in ventral tegmental area of adolescent rats
      during social defeat: prevention of escalated cocaine self-administration in
      adulthood and behavioral adaptations during adolescence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Activation of corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptors (CRF
      R1) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) represents a critical mechanism for
      social defeat to escalate cocaine self-administration in adult rats. OBJECTIVE:
      We determined the acute effect of a CRF-R1 antagonist (CP376395) microinfusion
      into the VTA prior to each episode of social defeat in adolescent rats and
      determined whether this drug treatment could prevent later escalation of cocaine
      taking in early adulthood. METHODS: Rats were implanted with bilateral cannulae
      aimed at the VTA 5 days before the first social defeat. Bilateral microinfusion
      of CP376395 (500 ng/side) or vehicle occurred 20 min before each episode of
      social defeat on postnatal days (P) 35, 38, 41, and 44. Behavior was quantified
      on P35 and P44. On P57, rats were implanted with intra-jugular catheters, and
      subsequent cocaine self-administration was analyzed. RESULTS: CP376395-treated
      adolescent rats walked less and were attacked more slowly but were socially
      investigated more than vehicle-treated adolescents. Vehicle-treated rats showed
      increased social and decreased non-social exploration from P35 to P44, while
      CP376395-treated rats did not. Socially defeated, vehicle-treated adolescents
      took more cocaine during a 24-h unlimited access binge during adulthood. The
      latency to supine posture on P44 was inversely correlated with later cocaine self
      administration during fixed and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement and
      during the binge. CONCLUSIONS: CP376395 treatment in adolescence blocked
      escalation of cocaine taking in adulthood. Episodes of social defeat stress
      engender neuroadaptation in CRF-R1s in the VTA that alter coping with social
      stress and that persist into adulthood.

PMID- 27251130
TI  - Atypical antipsychotics and effects on feeding: from mice to men.
AB  - RATIONALE: So-called atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) are associated with varying
      levels of weight gain and associated metabolic disturbances, which in patients
      with serious mental illness (SMI) have been linked to non-compliance and poor
      functional outcomes. Mechanisms underlying AAP-induced metabolic abnormalities
      are only partially understood. Antipsychotic-induced weight gain may occur as a
      result of increases in food intake and/or changes in feeding. OBJECTIVE: In this
      review, we examine the available human and preclinical literature addressing AAP
      related changes in feeding behavior, to determine whether changes in appetite and
      perturbations in regulation of food intake could be contributing factors to
      antipsychotic-induced weight gain. RESULTS: In general, human studies point to
      disruption by AAPs of feeding behaviors and food consumption. In rodents,
      increases in cumulative food intake are mainly observed in females; however,
      changes in feeding microstructure or motivational aspects of food intake appear
      to occur independent of sex. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this review indicate
      that the varying levels of AAP-related weight gain reflect changes in both
      appetite and feeding behaviors, which differ by type of AAP. However,
      inconsistencies exist among the studies (both human and rodent) that may reflect
      considerable differences in study design and methodology. Future studies
      examining underlying mechanisms of antipsychotic-induced weight gain are
      recommended in order to develop strategies addressing the serious metabolic side
      effect of AAPs.

PMID- 27251133
TI  - Is Survival for Patients with Resectable Lung Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
      Comparable to Those with Resectable Liver Disease? Results from the South
      Australian Metastatic Colorectal Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection for colorectal (CRC) metastasis is considered a
      standard of care. Resection of metastasis isolated to lung also is considered
      potentially curable, although there is still some variation in recommendations.
      We explore outcomes for patients undergoing lung resection for mCRC, with the
      liver resection group as the comparator. METHODS: South Australian (SA)
      metastatic CRC registry data were analysed to assess patient characteristics and
      survival outcomes for patients suitable for lung or liver resection. RESULTS: A
      total of 3241 patients are registered on the database to December 2014. One
      hundred two (3.1 %) patients were able to undergo a lung resection compared with
      420 (12.9 %) who had a liver resection. Of the lung resection patients, 62 (61 %)
      presented with lung disease only, 21 % initially presented with liver disease
      only, 11 % had both lung and liver, and 7 % had brain or pelvic disease
      resection. Of these patients, 79 % went straight to surgery without any
      neoadjuvant treatment and 34 % had lung resection as the only intervention.
      Chemotherapy for metastatic disease was given more often to liver resection
      patients: 76.9 versus 53.9 %, p = 0.17. Median overall survival is 5.6 years for
      liver resection and has not been reached for lung resection (hazard ratio 0.82,
      95 % confidence interval 0.54-1.24, p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Lung resection was
      undertaken in 3.1 % of patients with mCRC in our registry. These data provide
      further support for long-term survival after lung resection in mCRC, survival
      that is at least comparable to those who undergo resection for liver metastasis
      in mCRC.

PMID- 27251132
TI  - Multi-walled carbon nanotubes directly induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition
      in human bronchial epithelial cells via the TGF-beta-mediated Akt/GSK-3beta/SNAIL
      1 signalling pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are currently under intense
      toxicological investigation due to concern on their potential health effects.
      Current in vitro and in vivo data indicate that MWCNT exposure is strongly
      associated with lung toxicity (inflammation, fibrosis, granuloma, cancer and
      airway injury) and their effects might be comparable to asbestos-induced
      carcinogenesis. Although fibrosis is a multi-origin disease, epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) is recently recognized as an important pathway in
      cell transformation. It is known that MWCNT exposure induces EMT through the
      activation of the TGF-beta/Smad signalling pathway thus promoting pulmonary
      fibrosis, but the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. In the
      present work we propose a new mechanism involving a TGF-beta-mediated signalling
      pathway. METHODS: Human bronchial epithelial cells were incubated with two
      different MWCNT samples at various concentrations for up to 96 h and several
      markers of EMT were investigated. Quantitative real time PCR, western blot,
      immunofluorescent staining and gelatin zymographies were performed to detect the
      marker protein alterations. ELISA was performed to evaluate TGF-beta production.
      Experiments with neutralizing anti-TGF-beta antibody, specific inhibitors of GSK
      3beta and Akt and siRNA were carried out in order to confirm their involvement in
      MWCNT-induced EMT. In vivo experiments of pharyngeal aspiration in C57BL/6 mice
      were also performed. Data were analyzed by a one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc
      test. RESULTS: Fully characterized MWCNT (mean length < 5 MUm) are able to induce
      EMT in an in vitro human model (BEAS-2B cells) after long-term incubation at sub
      cytotoxic concentrations. MWCNT stimulate TGF-beta secretion, Akt activation and
      GSK-3beta inhibition, which induces nuclear accumulation of SNAIL-1 and its
      transcriptional activity, thus contributing to switch on the EMT program.
      Moreover, a significant increment of nuclear beta-catenin - due to E-cadherin
      repression and following translocation to nucleus - likely reinforces signalling
      for EMT promotion. In vivo results supported the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis
      following MWCNT exposure. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a new molecular mechanism
      of MWCNT-mediated EMT, which is Smad-independent and involves TGF-beta and its
      intracellular effectors Akt/GSK-3beta that activate the SNAIL-1 signalling
      pathway. This finding suggests potential novel targets in the development of
      therapeutic and preventive approaches.

PMID- 27251134
TI  - Radiation Therapy is Associated with Improved Outcomes in Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Following wide excision of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), postoperative
      radiation therapy (RT) is typically recommended. Controversy remains as to
      whether RT can be avoided in selected cases, such as those with negative margins.
      Additionally, there is evidence that RT can influence survival. METHODS: We
      included 171 patients treated for non-metastatic MCC from 1994 through 2012 at a
      single institution. Patients without pathologic nodal evaluation (clinical N0
      disease) were excluded to reflect modern treatment practice. The endpoints
      included local control (LC), locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival
      (DFS), overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS:
      Median follow-up was 33 months. Treatment with RT was associated with improved 3
      year LC (91.2 vs. 76.9 %, respectively; p = 0.01), LRC (79.5 vs. 59.1 %; p =
      0.004), DFS (57.0 vs. 30.2 %; p < 0.001), and OS (73 vs. 66 %; p = 0.02), and was
      associated with improved 3-year DSS among node-positive patients (76.2 vs. 48.1
      %; p = 0.035), but not node-negative patients (90.1 vs. 80.8 %; p = 0.79). On
      multivariate analysis, RT was associated with improved LC [hazard ratio (HR)
      0.18, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.46; p < 0.001], LRC (HR 0.28, 95 % CI
      0.14-0.56; p < 0.001), DFS (HR 0.42, 95 % CI 0.26-0.70; p = 0.001), OS (HR 0.53,
      95 % CI 0.31-0.93; p = 0.03), and DSS (HR 0.42, 95 % CI 0.26-0.70; p = 0.001).
      Patients with negative margins had significant improvements in 3-year LC (90.1
      vs. 75.4 %; p < 0.001) with RT. Deaths not attributable to MCC were relatively
      evenly distributed between the RT and no RT groups (28.5 and 29.3 % of patients,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RT for MCC was associated with improved LRC and
      survival. RT appeared to be beneficial regardless of margin status.

PMID- 27251135
TI  - Treatment Interval between Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy and Surgery in Rectal
      Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) has been widely implemented
      in the treatment of rectal cancer patients, but optimal timing of surgery after
      neoadjuvant therapy is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
      effects of prolonged intervals between long-course CRT and surgery in rectal
      cancer patients. METHODS: Data on all rectal cancer patients diagnosed between
      2006 and 2011 were retrieved from the population-based Netherlands Cancer
      Registry; the main outcome parameters were pathologic complete response (pCR) and
      overall survival (OS). Outcomes were reported separately for patients with early
      tumors (ETs; N = 217) and locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC; N = 1073).
      Patients were divided into 2-week interval groups according to treatment
      interval, ranging from 5-6 to 13-14 weeks. Kaplan-Meier curves, and logistic
      regression and Cox regression models were used for data analysis. RESULTS: No
      significant difference in pCR rate was observed for ET patients according to
      treatment interval. Compared with a treatment interval of 7-8 weeks, pCR rates in
      LARC patients were higher after 9-10 weeks (18.4 %; odds ratio [OR] 1.56, 95 % CI
      1.03-2.37) and 11-12 weeks of treatment interval (20.8 %; OR 1.94, 95 % CI 1.15
      3.26). Treatment interval did not influence OS in ET or LARC patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: Treatment intervals of 9-12 weeks between surgery and CRT seem to
      improve the chances of pCR in LARC patients, without an effect on OS. The length
      of treatment interval did not affect outcomes in patients with ET. The ongoing
      search for minimally invasive surgery drives the need for exploration of factors
      that improve pathologic response.

PMID- 27251137
TI  - Erratum to: The association between white-matter tract abnormalities, and
      neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms in retired professional football players
      with multiple concussions.

PMID- 27251136
TI  - Crystal structure of human S100A8 in complex with zinc and calcium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: S100 proteins are a large family of calcium binding proteins present
      only in vertebrates. They function intra- and extracellularly both as regulators
      of homeostatic processes and as potent effectors during inflammation. Among
      these, S100A8 and S100A9 are two major constituents of neutrophils that can
      assemble into homodimers, heterodimers and higher oligomeric species, including
      fibrillary structures found in the ageing prostate. Each of these forms assumes
      specific functions and their formation is dependent on divalent cations, notably
      calcium and zinc. In particular, zinc appears as a major regulator of S100
      protein function in a disease context. Despite this central role, no structural
      information on how zinc bind to S100A8/S100A9 and regulates their quaternary
      structure is yet available. RESULTS: Here we report two crystallographic
      structures of calcium and zinc-loaded human S100A8. S100A8 binds two zinc ions
      per homodimer, through two symmetrical, all-His tetracoordination sites,
      revealing a classical His-Zn binding mode for the protein. Furthermore, the
      presence of a (Zn)2-cacodylate complex in our second crystal form induces ligand
      swapping within the canonical His4 zinc binding motif, thereby creating two new
      Zn-sites, one of which involves residues from symmetry-related molecules.
      Finally, we describe the calcium-induced S100A8 tetramer and reveal how zinc
      stabilizes this tetramer by tightening the dimer-dimer interface. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our structures of Zn(2+)/Ca(2+)-bound hS100A8 demonstrate that S100A8 is a
      genuine His-Zn S100 protein. Furthermore, they show how zinc stabilizes S100A8
      tetramerization and potentially mediates the formation of novel interdimer
      interactions. We propose that these zinc-mediated interactions may serve as a
      basis for the generation of larger oligomers in vivo.

PMID- 27251138
TI  - Microbial diversification of Diels-Alder cycloadducts by whole cells of
      Penicillium brasilianum.
AB  - Functionalizations of cycloadducts are important steps for the use of Diels-Alder
      reactions in the construction of complex cyclic or polycyclic molecules from
      relatively simple starting materials. In the present work, we studied the ability
      of Penicillium brasilianum to perform microbial transformations of racemic Diels
      Alder endo-cycloadducts. Thus, Diels-Alder products, obtained from reacting
      cyclopentadiene or 2,3-dimethylbutadiene with alkylated para-benzoquinones, were
      transformed by the resting cells of P. brasilianum producing new functionalized
      polycyclic compounds. These biotransformations yielded novel products of
      oxidation and ring closure, reduction of the C=C or C=O in [Formula: see text]
      unsaturated system, and allylic hydroxylations. The reduction products
      (conjugated double bond and carbonyl group) were also synthesized, and the
      enantioselectivity of both in vitro and in vivo processes was evaluated. In all
      cases, the microbiological transformations were enantioselective. In silico
      docking studies of the Diels-Alder cycloadducts with P. brasilianum
      oxidoreductase "old yellow enzymes" shed more light on these transformations.

PMID- 27251139
TI  - Experimental and theoretical correlations between vanadium K-edge X-ray
      absorption and Kbeta emission spectra.
AB  - A series of vanadium compounds was studied by K-edge X-ray absorption (XAS) and
      K[Formula: see text] X-ray emission spectroscopies (XES). Qualitative trends
      within the datasets, as well as comparisons between the XAS and XES data,
      illustrate the information content of both methods. The complementary nature of
      the chemical insight highlights the success of this dual-technique approach in
      characterizing both the structural and electronic properties of vanadium sites.
      In particular, and in contrast to XAS or extended X-ray absorption fine structure
      (EXAFS), we demonstrate that valence-to-core XES is capable of differentiating
      between ligating atoms with the same identity but different bonding character.
      Finally, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations
      enable a more detailed, quantitative interpretation of the data. We also
      establish correction factors for the computational protocols through calibration
      to experiment. These hard X-ray methods can probe vanadium ions in any oxidation
      or spin state, and can readily be applied to sample environments ranging from
      solid-phase catalysts to biological samples in frozen solution. Thus, the
      combined XAS and XES approach, coupled with DFT calculations, provides a robust
      tool for the study of vanadium atoms in bioinorganic chemistry.

PMID- 27251141
TI  - New method for accurate estimations of LV function for small hearts.

PMID- 27251140
TI  - Bis(hinokitiolato)zinc complex ([Zn(hkt)2]) activates Akt/protein kinase B
      independent of insulin signal transduction.
AB  - Since many Zn complexes have been developed to enhance the insulin-like activity
      and increase the exposure and residence of Zn in the animal body, these complexes
      are recognized as one of the new candidates with action mechanism different from
      existing anti-diabetic drugs. However, the molecular mechanism by which Zn
      complexes exert an anti-DM effect is unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the
      activity of Zn complexes, especially related to the phosphorylation of insulin
      signaling pathway components. We focused on the insulin-like effects of the
      bis(hinokitiolato)zinc complex, [Zn(hkt)2], using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. [Zn(hkt)2]
      was taken up by cells and induced Akt phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner.
      Additionally, it showed inhibitory activity against PTP1B and PTEN, which are
      major negative regulators of insulin signaling. It did not promote the
      phosphorylation of IR (insulin receptor)-beta or IRS (insulin receptor substrate)
      1 by itself, but in combination with insulin, it enhanced the phosphorylation of
      IRbeta. We conclude that [Zn(hkt)2] has effects on the proteins of insulin
      signaling pathway without insulin receptor mediation, and [Zn(hkt)2] promotes
      insulin function and shows the anti-DM effects. Thus, [Zn(hkt)2] may be the basis
      for improved DM treatments.

PMID- 27251142
TI  - Impact of integrating heart rate response with perfusion imaging on the
      prognostic value of regadenoson SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in patients
      with end-stage renal disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated whether integrating heart rate response (HRR) to
      regadenoson with myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) analysis can enhance risk
      prediction in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We
      prospectively followed 303 ESRD patients after regadenoson stress MPI for a mean
      of 35 months. Normal HRR to regadenoson was defined as >=28% increase from
      baseline. Normal MPI was defined as a summed stress score <=3 and left
      ventricular ejection fraction >=50%. The study cohort was divided in four groups
      based on various combinations of normal/abnormal HRR and MPI. There was a step
      wise increase in the risk of primary endpoint of all-cause death and the
      composite secondary endpoint of cardiac death or myocardial infarction; patients
      with Normal MPI/Normal HRR had the lowest event rates and those with Abnormal
      MPI/Abnormal HRR had the highest, whereas subjects with Abnormal MPI/Normal HRR
      and Normal MPI/Abnormal HRR had intermediate event rates. This pattern was
      maintained after adjusting for important clinical covariates. CONCLUSION: In ESRD
      patients, integrating HRR to vasodilator stress with MPI interpretation improves
      risk stratification. Normal HRR/Normal MPI identify truly low-risk group, whereas
      abnormal MPI or abnormal HRR portrays elevated risk.

PMID- 27251144
TI  - A quick glance at selected topics in this issue.

PMID- 27251143
TI  - Correction of collimator-dependent differences in the heart-to-mediastinum ratio
      in 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine cardiac sympathetic imaging: Determination of
      conversion equations using point-source imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Septal penetration causes collimator-dependent differences in the
      heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio in 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) cardiac
      imaging. We investigated generally applicable methods to correct such
      differences. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four hours after 123I-MIBG injection, 40
      patients underwent anterior chest imaging successively with medium-energy (ME)
      and various non-ME collimators. The H/M ratios obtained with the non-ME
      collimators before and after 123I-dual-window penetration correction were
      compared with the ME-derived standard values to determine patient-based
      conversion equations for empiric and combined corrections, respectively. A 123I
      point source was imaged with various collimators, and the central ratio, the
      ratio of count in a small central region of interest to count in a large one, was
      calculated. The method of predicting the conversion equations from the central
      ratios was determined. Correction using the patient-based conversion equations
      removed systematic underestimation of the H/M ratios obtained with the non-ME
      collimators, and combined correction depressed residual random errors to some
      degree. Point-source-based equations yielded results comparable to the patient
      based equations. CONCLUSIONS: Empiric and combined corrections effectively reduce
      collimator-dependent differences in the H/M ratio. The conversion equations can
      be predicted from simple point-source imaging, which would allow to apply these
      corrections to data obtained with various collimators.

PMID- 27251145
TI  - Targeting activated macrophages to identify the vulnerable atherosclerotic
      plaque.

PMID- 27251146
TI  - Evaluation of myocardial sympathetic innervation in the 21st century: Is there a
      role for planar 123I-MIBG imaging?

PMID- 27251147
TI  - The role and clinical effectiveness of multimodality imaging in the management of
      cardiac complications of cancer and cancer therapy.
AB  - With the increasing number of individuals living with a current or prior
      diagnosis of cancer, it is important for the cardiovascular specialist to
      recognize the various complications of cancer and its therapy on the
      cardiovascular system. This is true not only for established cancer therapies,
      such as anthracyclines, that have well established cardiovascular toxicities, but
      also for the new targeted therapies that can have "off target" effects in the
      heart and vessels. The purpose of this informational statement is to provide
      cardiologists, cardiac imaging specialists, cardio-oncologists, and oncologists
      an understanding of how multimodality imaging may be used in the diagnosis and
      management of the cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy. In addition,
      this document is meant to provide useful general information concerning the
      cardiovascular complications of cancer and cancer therapy as well as established
      recommendations for the monitoring of specific cardiotoxic therapies.

PMID- 27251150
TI  - Specialists attack drug agency's fast track approval scheme.

PMID- 27251149
TI  - Bioimpedance cardiography in pregnancy: A longitudinal cohort study on
      hemodynamic pattern and outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pregnancy associated cardiovascular pathologies have a significant
      impact on outcome for mother and child. Bioimpedance cardiography may provide
      additional outcome-relevant information early in pregnancy and may also be used
      as a predictive instrument for pregnancy-associated diseases. METHODS: We
      performed a prospective longitudinal cohort trial in an outpatient setting and
      included 242 pregnant women. Cardiac output and concomitant hemodynamic data were
      recorded from 11(th)-13(th) week of gestation every 5(th) week as well as at two
      occasions post partum employing bioimpedance cardiography. RESULTS: Cardiac
      output increased during pregnancy and peaked early in the third trimester. A
      higher heart rate and a decreased systemic vascular resistance were accountable
      for the observed changes. Women who had a pregnancy-associated disease during a
      previous pregnancy or developed hypertension or preeclampsia had a significantly
      increased cardiac output early in pregnancy. Furthermore, an effect of cardiac
      output on birthweight was found in healthy pregnancies and could be confirmed
      with multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular adaptation
      during pregnancy is characterized by distinct pattern described herein. These may
      be altered in women at risk for preeclampsia or reduced birthweigth. The
      assessment of cardiac parameters by bioimpedance cardiography could be performed
      at low costs without additional risks.

PMID- 27251151
TI  - Medicines and Vegetable Oils as Hidden Causes of Cardiovascular Disease and
      Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Positive associations have been observed between cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), but their causal relationship
      has not been clarified. Nevertheless, guidelines from relevant medical societies
      recommend using cholesterol lowering medication (statin) for both types of
      patients. Medicines with several different action mechanisms have been developed,
      and the effectiveness of different lifestyle modifications has been studied
      extensively for the prevention of DM, which was successful in improving clinical
      marker status in relatively short-term treatments, but none have been shown to be
      effective in improving long-term outcomes (mortality from CVD and all causes).
      SUMMARY: Statin-induced suppression of prenyl intermediates in the cholesterol
      biosynthetic pathway has been linked to stimulated atherosclerosis and heart
      failure. On the other hand, certain types of vegetable oil and hydrogenated oil
      shortened the survival of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats by
      decreasing platelet number, increasing hemorrhagic tendency and damaging kidney
      functions, which could not be accounted for by their fatty acid and phytosterol
      compositions. These vegetable oils and medicines such as statin and warfarin
      share, in part, a common mechanism to inhibit vitamin K2-dependent processes,
      which was interpreted to lead to increased onset of CVD, DM, chronic kidney
      disease, bone fracture and even mental disorder. Impaired vitamin K2-dependent
      processes by some types of vegetable oils and medicines, but not plasma high low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol, were proposed as the cause of CVD, DM and other
      lifestyle-related diseases. High n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio of ingested foods, but
      not animal fats, was emphasized to be another risk factor for many of the
      diseases described above. KEY MESSAGES: To date, no randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs) have been performed to prove the above interpretation. However, the
      opposite types of RCT trials have been performed by increasing the intake of high
      linoleic vegetable oils and reducing that of animal fats, which resulted in
      increased CVD and all-cause mortality. The amounts of these vegetable oils to
      exhibit adverse effects in animal studies are not huge (<6 energy %), which
      should not be overlooked nor disregarded.

PMID- 27251148
TI  - Dermacentor reticulatus: a vector on the rise.
AB  - Dermacentor reticulatus is a hard tick species with extraordinary biological
      features. It has a high reproduction rate, a rapid developmental cycle, and is
      also able to overcome years of unfavourable conditions. Dermacentor reticulatus
      can survive under water for several months and is cold-hardy even compared to
      other tick species. It has a wide host range: over 60 different wild and
      domesticated hosts are known for the three active developmental stages. Its high
      adaptiveness gives an edge to this tick species as shown by new data on the
      emergence and establishment of D. reticulatus populations throughout Europe. The
      tick has been the research focus of a growing number of scientists, physicians
      and veterinarians. Within the Web of Science database, more than a fifth of the
      over 700 items published on this species between 1897 and 2015 appeared in the
      last three years (2013-2015). Here we attempt to synthesize current knowledge on
      the systematics, ecology, geographical distribution and recent spread of the
      species and to highlight the great spectrum of possible veterinary and public
      health threats it poses. Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis is a severe
      leading canine vector-borne disease in many endemic areas. Although less
      frequently than Ixodes ricinus, D. reticulatus adults bite humans and transmit
      several Rickettsia spp., Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus or Tick-borne encephalitis
      virus. We have not solely collected and reviewed the latest and fundamental
      scientific papers available in primary databases but also widened our scope to
      books, theses, conference papers and specialists colleagues' experience where
      needed. Besides the dominant literature available in English, we also tried to
      access scientific literature in German, Russian and eastern European languages as
      well. We hope to inspire future research projects that are necessary to
      understand the basic life-cycle and ecology of this vector in order to understand
      and prevent disease threats. We conclude that although great strides have been
      made in our knowledge of the eco-epidemiology of this species, several gaps still
      need to be filled with basic research, targeting possible reservoir and vector
      roles and the key factors resulting in the observed geographical spread of D.
      reticulatus.

PMID- 27251153
TI  - Neonatal Respiratory Diseases in the Newborn Infant: Novel Insights from Stable
      Isotope Tracer Studies.
AB  - Respiratory distress syndrome is a common problem in preterm infants and the
      etiology is multifactorial. Lung underdevelopment, lung hypoplasia, abnormal lung
      water metabolism, inflammation, and pulmonary surfactant deficiency or
      disfunction play a variable role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress
      syndrome. High-quality exogenous surfactant replacement studies and studies on
      surfactant metabolism are available; however, the contribution of surfactant
      deficiency, alteration or dysfunction in selected neonatal lung conditions is not
      fully understood. In this article, we describe a series of studies made by
      applying stable isotope tracers to the study of surfactant metabolism and lung
      water. In a first set of studies, which we call 'endogenous studies', using
      stable isotope-labelled intravenous surfactant precursors, we showed the
      feasibility of measuring surfactant synthesis and kinetics in infants using
      several metabolic precursors including plasma glucose, plasma fatty acids and
      body water. In a second set of studies, named 'exogenous studies', using stable
      isotope-labelled phosphatidylcholine tracer given endotracheally, we could
      estimate surfactant disaturated phosphatidylcholine pool size and half-life. Very
      recent studies are focusing on lung water and on the endogenous biosynthesis of
      the surfactant-specific proteins. Information obtained from these studies in
      infants will help to better tailor exogenous surfactant treatment in neonatal
      lung diseases.

PMID- 27251152
TI  - Temporal association between childhood leukaemia and population growth in Swiss
      municipalities.
AB  - The population mixing hypothesis proposes that childhood leukaemia (CL) might be
      a rare complication of a yet unidentified subclinical infection. Large population
      influxes into previously isolated rural areas may foster localised epidemics of
      the postulated infection causing a subsequent increase of CL. While marked
      population growth after a period of stability was central to the formulation of
      the hypothesis and to the early studies on population mixing, there is a lack of
      objective criteria to define such growth patterns. We aimed to determine whether
      periods of marked population growth coincided with increases in the risk of CL in
      Swiss municipalities. We identified incident cases of CL aged 0-15 years for the
      period 1985-2010 from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry. Annual data on
      population counts in Swiss municipalities were obtained for 1980-2010. As
      exposures, we defined (1) cumulative population growth during a 5-year moving
      time window centred on each year (1985-2010) and (2) periods of 'take-off growth'
      identified by segmented linear regression. We compared CL incidence across
      exposure categories using Poisson regression and tested for effect modification
      by degree of urbanisation. Our study included 1500 incident cases and 2561
      municipalities. The incident rate ratio (IRR) comparing the highest to the lowest
      quintile of 5-year population growth was 1.18 (95 % CI 0.96, 1.46) in all
      municipalities and 1.33 (95 % CI 0.93, 1.92) in rural municipalities (p value
      interaction 0.36). In municipalities with take-off growth, the IRR comparing the
      take-off period (>6 % annual population growth) with the initial period of low or
      negative growth (<2 %) was 2.07 (95 % CI 0.95, 4.51) overall and 2.99 (1.11,
      8.05) in rural areas (p interaction 0.52). Our study provides further support for
      the population mixing hypothesis and underlines the need to distinguish take-off
      growth from other growth patterns in future research.

PMID- 27251154
TI  - Spatial transmission and meteorological determinants of tuberculosis incidence in
      Qinghai Province, China: a spatial clustering panel analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is the notifiable infectious disease with the
      second highest incidence in the Qinghai province, a province with poor primary
      health care infrastructure. Understanding the spatial distribution of TB and
      related environmental factors is necessary for developing effective strategies to
      control and further eliminate TB. METHODS: Our TB incidence data and
      meteorological data were extracted from the China Information System of Disease
      Control and Prevention and statistical yearbooks, respectively. We calculated the
      global and local Moran's I by using spatial autocorrelation analysis to detect
      the spatial clustering of TB incidence each year. A spatial panel data model was
      applied to examine the associations of meteorological factors with TB incidence
      after adjustment of spatial individual effects and spatial autocorrelation.
      RESULTS: The Local Moran's I method detected 11 counties with a significantly
      high-high spatial clustering (average annual incidence: 294/100 000) and 17
      counties with a significantly low-low spatial clustering (average annual
      incidence: 68/100 000) of TB annual incidence within the examined five-year
      period; the global Moran's I values ranged from 0.40 to 0.58 (all P-values <
      0.05). The TB incidence was positively associated with the temperature,
      precipitation, and wind speed (all P-values < 0.05), which were confirmed by the
      spatial panel data model. Each 10  degrees C, 2 cm, and 1 m/s increase in
      temperature, precipitation, and wind speed associated with 9 % and 3 % decrements
      and a 7 % increment in the TB incidence, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High TB
      incidence areas were mainly concentrated in south-western Qinghai, while low TB
      incidence areas clustered in eastern and north-western Qinghai. Areas with low
      temperature and precipitation and with strong wind speeds tended to have higher
      TB incidences.

PMID- 27251155
TI  - Evaluation of a New Brain Tissue Probe for Intracranial Pressure, Temperature,
      and Cerebral Blood Flow Monitoring in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid
      Hemorrhage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an intraparenchymal probe for intracranial pressure (ICP)
      and temperature (TEMP) monitoring as well as determination of cerebral
      hemodynamics using a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and indocyanine green
      (ICG) dye dilution method (NIRS-ICP probe). METHODS: The NIRS-ICP probe was
      applied after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage if multimodal monitoring was
      established due to poor neurological condition. ICP and TEMP values were obtained
      from ventricular catheters and systemic temperature sensors. Repeated NIRS-ICG
      measurements (2 injections within 30 min) were performed daily for determination
      of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time
      of ICG (mttICG). Secondary neurologic dysfunction was defined as brain tissue
      oxygen tension <20 mmHg and/or lactate/pyruvate ratio >35 obtained from cerebral
      probing. RESULTS: A total of 128 NIRS-ICG measurements were performed in ten
      patients. The correlation coefficients between ICP and TEMP values obtained with
      the NIRS-ICP probe and values from routine monitoring were r = 0.72 and r = 0.96,
      respectively. The mean values were 30.3 +/- 13.6 ml/100 g/min for CBF, 3.3 +/-
      1.2 ml/100 g for CBV, and 6.8 +/- 1.6 s for mttICG. The coefficients of variation
      from repeated NIRS-ICG measurements were 10.9 % for CBF, 11.7 % for CBV, and 3.8
      % for mttICG. The sensitivity for detection of secondary neurologic dysfunction
      was 85 % and the specificity 83 % using a CBF-threshold of 25 ml/100 g/min.
      CONCLUSION: Multimodal monitoring using the NIRS-ICP probe is feasible with high
      reproducibility of measurement values and the ability to detect secondary
      neurologic dysfunction. No safety concerns exist for the routine clinical use of
      the NIRS-ICP probe.

PMID- 27251157
TI  - Stimulation of cell proliferation by glutathione monoethyl ester in aged bone
      marrow stromal cells is associated with the assistance of TERT gene expression
      and telomerase activity.
AB  - The proliferation and differentiation potential of aged bone marrow stromal cells
      (BMSCs) are significantly reduced. In order to improve the performance of the
      aged BMSCs, these cells were treated with 2 mM glutathione monoethyl ester (GSH
      MEE) for 24 h. Proliferation rate, telomerase activity, telomere length, and
      differentiation to cholinergic neuron-like cells (CNLCs) were observed to
      increase. Though, the expression level of telomerase reverse transcriptase gene
      increased, but CTC1 and TEN1 genes from Ctc1-Stn1-Ten1 complex encoding proteins
      with regulatory function significantly decreased. Trypan blue exclusion assay was
      used to analyze the proliferation and, while telomere length, its several related
      gene expressions, and telomerase activity were measured using the real time
      reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and polymerase chain reaction
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques, respectively. CNLCs differentiation
      potential was evaluated by estimating the percentage of choline acetyltransferase
      immunereactive cells.The results suggested that GSH-MEE could improve aged rat
      BMSC properties and would be of potential benefit for enhancing the performance
      of aged people's BMSCs. 

PMID- 27251156
TI  - BM-MSCs and Bio-Oss complexes enhanced new bone formation during maxillary sinus
      floor augmentation by promoting differentiation of BM-MSCs.
AB  - Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been recognized as a
      new strategy for maxillary sinus floor elevation. However, little is known
      concerning the effect of the biomechanical pressure (i.e., sinus pressure,
      masticatory pressure, and respiration) on the differentiation of BM-MSCs and the
      formation of new bone during maxillary sinus floor elevation. The differentiation
      of BM-MSCs into osteoblasts was examined in vitro under cyclic compressive
      pressure using the Flexcell(r) pressure system, and by immunohistochemical
      analysis, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. Micro-CT was used to detect bone formation
      and allow image reconstruction of the entire maxillary sinus floor elevation
      area. Differentiation of BM-MSCs into osteoblasts was significantly increased
      under cyclic compressive pressure. The formation of new bone was enhanced after
      implantation of the pressured complex of BM-MSCs and Bio-Oss during maxillary
      sinus floor elevation. The pressured complex of BM-MSCs and Bio-Oss promoted new
      bone formation and maturation in the rabbit maxillary sinus. Stem cell therapy
      combined with this tissue engineering technique could be effectively used in
      maxillary sinus elevation and bone regeneration. 

PMID- 27251158
TI  - Silver nanoparticles from Dendropanax morbifera Leveille inhibit cell migration,
      induce apoptosis, and increase generation of reactive oxygen species in A549 lung
      cancer cells.
AB  - Green synthesized silver nanoparticles have significant potential in the
      pharmaceutical field because of their biological functions such as antioxidant
      and anticancer activities. Novel silver nanoparticles synthesized from
      Dendropanax morbifera Leveille leaves (D-AgNPs) exhibit antimicrobial activity
      and reduce the viability of cancer cells without affecting the viability of RAW
      264.7 macrophage-like cells. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effect of
      D-AgNPs by measuring the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and
      toxicity against A549 and HepG2 cell lines. The effect of D-AgNPs on cell
      migration, induction of apoptosis, and modification of gene and/or protein
      expression of cancer-related markers was determined using A549 cells. D-AgNPs
      exhibited cytotoxicity in A549 and HepG2 cell at different concentrations and
      enhanced the production of ROS in both cell lines. An increase in cell apoptosis
      and a reduction in cell migration in A549 cells were also observed after D-AgNP
      treatment. Furthermore, the effect of D-AgNPs in A549 cells was shown to be
      related to modification of the EGFR/p38 MAPK pathway. Our data provide the first
      evidence supporting the potential of D-AgNPs as a possible anticancer agent,
      particularly for the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma.

PMID- 27251159
TI  - Quantitative comparison of cancer and normal cell adhesion using organosilane
      monolayer templates: an experimental study on the anti-adhesion effect of green
      tea catechins.
AB  - The main constituent of green tea, (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), is
      known to have cancer-specific chemopreventive effects. In the present work, we
      investigated how EGCG suppresses cell adhesion by comparing the adhesion of human
      pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1 and BxPC-3) and their counterpart, normal human
      embryonic pancreas-derived cells (1C3D3), in catechin-containing media using
      organosilane monolayer templates (OMTs). The purpose of this work is (1) to
      evaluate the quantitativeness in the measurement of cell adhesion with the OMT
      and (2) to show how green-tea catechins suppress cell adhesion in a cancer
      specific manner. For the first purpose, the adhesion of cancer and normal cells
      was compared using the OMT. The cell adhesion in different type of catechins such
      as EGCG, (-)-Epicatechin-3-O-gallate (ECG) and (-)-Epicatechin (EC) was also
      evaluated. The measurements revealed that the anti-adhesion effect of green-tea
      catechins is cancer-specific, and the order is EGCG?ECG>EC. The results agree
      well with the data reported to date, showing the quantitativeness of the new
      method. For the second purpose, the contact area of cells on the OMT was measured
      by reflection interference contrast microscopy. The cell-OMT contact area of
      cancer cells decreases with increasing EGCG concentration, whereas that of normal
      cells remains constant. The results reveal a twofold action of EGCG on cancer
      cell adhesion-suppressing cell attachment to a candidate adhesion site and
      decreasing the contact area of the cells-and validates the use of OMT as a tool
      for screening cancer cell adhesion. 

PMID- 27251162
TI  - A role for the Wnt3a/beta-catenin signaling pathway in the myogenic program of
      C2C12 cells.
AB  - The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is a key regulator of embryonic
      development that was first identified in drosophila. More recent work has
      suggested a role for this pathway in mammalian, myogenesis but this process
      remains to be more completely elucidated. The current study was designed to
      investigate the role of the Wnt3a/beta-catenin signaling module in C2C12 cell
      differentiation and myotube formation. Activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway
      in differentiating myoblasts, using lithium chloride supplementation, increased
      both the number and size of C2C12 myotubes. On the other hand, pharmacological
      inhibitors of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling (IWR-1, XAV939) resulted in significant
      decreases in myotube length without affecting their numbers. In separate
      experiments, a neutralizing antibody to Wnt3a also reduced myotube length without
      affecting the number of myotubes formed during differentiation. Confocal imaging
      studies revealed that beta-catenin was primarily localized in the cytoplasmic
      region of undifferentiated myoblasts and differentiation resulted in its enhanced
      expression in myotubes. Additionally, LiCl treatment resulted in enhanced
      expression of beta-catenin in pre-differentiating myoblast cultures. These data
      suggest that Wnt3a/beta-catenin signaling plays a critical role in C2C12 cell
      differentiation and provides an appropriate model for elucidating its functions
      in more detail.

PMID- 27251161
TI  - Induction of specific neuron types by overexpression of single transcription
      factors.
AB  - Specific neuronal types derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can facilitate
      mechanistic studies and potentially aid in regenerative medicine. Existing
      induction methods, however, mostly rely on the effects of the combined action of
      multiple added growth factors, which generally tend to result in mixed
      populations of neurons. Here, we report that overexpression of specific
      transcription factors (TFs) in ESCs can rather guide the differentiation of ESCs
      towards specific neuron lineages. Analysis of data on gene expression changes 2 d
      after induction of each of 185 TFs implicated candidate TFs for further ESC
      differentiation studies. Induction of 23 TFs (out of 49 TFs tested) for 6 d
      facilitated neural differentiation of ESCs as inferred from increased proportion
      of cells with neural progenitor marker PSA-NCAM. We identified early activation
      of the Notch signaling pathway as a common feature of most potent inducers of
      neural differentiation. The majority of neuron-like cells generated by induction
      of Ascl1, Smad7, Nr2f1, Dlx2, Dlx4, Nr2f2, Barhl2, and Lhx1 were GABA-positive
      and expressed other markers of GABAergic neurons. In the same way, we identified
      Lmx1a and Nr4a2 as inducers for neurons bearing dopaminergic markers and Isl1,
      Fezf2, and St18 for cholinergic motor neurons. A time-course experiment with
      induction of Ascl1 showed early upregulation of most neural-specific messenger
      RNA (mRNA) and microRNAs (miRNAs). Sets of Ascl1-induced mRNAs and miRNAs were
      enriched in Ascl1 targets. In further studies, enrichment of cells obtained with
      the induction of Ascl1, Smad7, and Nr2f1 using microbeads resulted in essentially
      pure population of neuron-like cells with expression profiles similar to neural
      tissues and expressed markers of GABAergic neurons. In summary, this study
      indicates that induction of transcription factors is a promising approach to
      generate cultures that show the transcription profiles characteristic of specific
      neural cell types.

PMID- 27251160
TI  - TNF-alpha and Notch signaling regulates the expression of HOXB4 and GATA3 during
      early T lymphopoiesis.
AB  - During the early thymus colonization, Notch signaling activation on hematopoietic
      progenitor cells (HPCs) drives proliferation and T cell commitment. Although
      these processes are driven by transcription factors such as HOXB4 and GATA3,
      there is no evidence that Notch directly regulates their transcription. To
      evaluate the role of NOTCH and TNF signaling in this process, human CD34+ HPCs
      were cocultured with OP9-DL1 cells, in the presence or absence of TNF. The use of
      a Notch signaling inhibitor and a protein synthesis inhibitor allowed us to
      distinguish primary effects, mediated by direct signaling downstream Notch and
      TNF, from secondary effects, mediated by de novo synthesized proteins. A low and
      physiologically relevant concentration of TNF promoted T lymphopoiesis in OP9-DL1
      cocultures. TNF positively modulated the expression of both transcripts in a
      Notch-dependent manner; however, GATA3 induction was mediated by a direct
      mechanism, while HOXB4 induction was indirect. Induction of both transcripts was
      repressed by a GSK3beta inhibitor, indicating that activation of canonical Wnt
      signaling inhibits rather than induces their expression. Our study provides novel
      evidences of the mechanisms integrating Notch and TNF-alpha signaling in the
      transcriptional induction of GATA3 and HOXB4. This mechanism has direct
      implications in the control of self-renewal, proliferation, commitment, and T
      cell differentiation.

PMID- 27251164
TI  - Human Action Perception is Consistent, Flexible, and Orientation Dependent.
AB  - Previous research has found that observers of object-directed human action pay
      more attention to information regarding hand contact over information regarding
      spatial trajectories in action, and that processing of trajectory information is
      disrupted by inversion. However, observers can also flexibly modulate their
      attention to spatial trajectory depending on the goal or context of the actor. In
      Experiments 1(a) and 1b of the current research, we directly compared attention
      with hand and trajectory information across placing and dropping actions in order
      to determine whether the hand bias is always present or whether flexibility in
      action perception can attenuate this bias. Results demonstrated that observers
      attend more to hand information for placing, but attend equally to hand and
      trajectory information for dropping. Experiment 2 explored the role of the
      actor's goal in processing spatial trajectory for mimed dropping actions and non
      human control stimuli, and the role of goals in the inversion effect. Results
      indicated that goal relevance increases processing of trajectory information, and
      that processing of all spatial trajectories in human action is disrupted by
      inversion, regardless of the actor's goal. The present findings highlight the
      role of prediction in action perception, and suggest that human action is
      processed with expertise.

PMID- 27251163
TI  - Systemic Inflammation Is Associated With Coronary Artery Calcification and All
      Cause Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Presence of systemic inflammation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is
      associated with advanced coronary artery calcification (CAC). The prognostic
      significance of this association, however, is unknown. We evaluated the
      associations between CAC, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and all
      cause mortality, to determine whether the associations differ according to the
      presence of systemic inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We followed 30,703
      consecutive individuals who underwent CAC measurement for a median of 79 months
      (IQR, 65-96 months). Patients were categorized according to baseline CAC score
      (0, 1-99, 100-399 and >=400), eGFR (<45, 45-59, 60-74, 75-89, 90-104, and >=105
      ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP; <2.0, and >=2.0
      mg/L). Prevalence and extent of CAC were greater in those with lower eGFR and
      higher hsCRP accordingly, even after adjustment. Lower eGFR was strongly
      associated with higher CAC score (>=400), and the association was more
      significant in patients with higher hsCRP. The greater CAC burden was associated
      with worse outcome in the CKD patients (eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) only in those
      with higher hsCRP. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low eGFR and more extensive CAC had
      greater risk of mortality, and associations differed according to the presence of
      systemic inflammation. Among the CKD patients, coronary evaluation may be
      considered for those with elevated hsCRP. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1644-1652).

PMID- 27251165
TI  - Deep Learning and Developmental Learning: Emergence of Fine-to-Coarse Conceptual
      Categories at Layers of Deep Belief Network.
AB  - In this paper, I investigate conceptual categories derived from developmental
      processing in a deep neural network. The similarity matrices of deep
      representation at each layer of neural network are computed and compared with
      their raw representation. While the clusters generated by raw representation
      stand at the basic level of abstraction, conceptual categories obtained from deep
      representation shows a bottom-up transition procedure. Results demonstrate a
      developmental course of learning from specific to general level of abstraction
      through learned layers of representations in a deep belief network. 

PMID- 27251166
TI  - Olfactory Sensitivity for the Mammalian Blood Odor Component Trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)
      2-decenal in CD-1 Mice.
AB  - Using a conditioning paradigm and an automated olfactometer, we investigated the
      olfactory sensitivity of CD-1 mice for the mammalian blood odor component trans
      4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal. We found that two of the animals significantly
      discriminated concentrations down to 3.0 ppt (parts per trillion) from the
      solvent, and three animals even successfully detected dilutions as low as 0.3
      ppt. Intraspecific comparisons between the olfactory detection thresholds
      obtained here with those obtained in earlier studies with other odorants show
      that mice are extraordinarily sensitive to this blood odor component.
      Interspecific comparisons of olfactory detection thresholds show that human
      subjects are even more sensitive to trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal than the mice
      tested here. Both intra- and inter-specific comparisons suggest that neither
      neuroanatomical properties such as the size of the olfactory epithelium, the
      total number of olfactory receptor neurons, or the size of olfactory brain
      structures, nor genetic properties such as the number of functional olfactory
      receptor genes or the proportion of functional relative to the total number of
      olfactory receptor genes allow us to reliably predict a species' olfactory
      sensitivity. In contrast, the results support the notion that the behavioral
      relevance of an odorant rather than neuroanatomical or genetic properties may
      determine a species' olfactory sensitivity.

PMID- 27251167
TI  - Biological Form is Sufficient to Create a Biological Motion Sex Aftereffect.
AB  - In a series of five experiments we sought to determine what causes the biological
      motion sex aftereffect-adaptation of a general representation of the stimulus
      sex, adaptation to the motion in the stimulus, or adaptation to the form in the
      stimulus. The experiments showed that (a) adaptation to gendered faces and
      gendered full body images did not create a biological motion sex aftereffect; (b)
      adaptation to moving partial biological motion displays containing the most
      important motion cues for sex discrimination (shoulders and hips or shoulders,
      hips, and feet) did not create a biological motion sex aftereffect; and (c)
      adaptation to a static frame or shapes derived from a static frame did create a
      biological motion sex aftereffect. These results suggest that form information is
      sufficient to create a biological motion sex aftereffect and suggests that
      biological motion sex aftereffects may be a result of lower level rather than
      higher level adaptation in the visual system. 

PMID- 27251168
TI  - Action Congruency Influences Crowding When Discriminating Biological Motion
      Direction.
AB  - Identification and discrimination of peripheral stimuli are often difficult when
      a few stimuli adjacent to the target are present (crowding). Our previous study
      showed that crowding occurs for walking direction discrimination of a biological
      motion stimulus. In the present study, we attempted to examine whether action
      congruency between the target and flankers would influence the crowding effect on
      biological motion stimuli. Each biological motion stimulus comprised one action
      (e.g., walking, throwing wastepaper, etc.) and was rotated in one of five
      directions around the vertical axis. In Experiment 1, observers discriminated
      between the directions of the target stimulus actions, which were surrounded by
      two flankers in the peripheral visual field. The crowding effect was stronger
      when the flankers performed the same action as the target and the directions
      differed. The congruency of action type enhanced the crowding effect in the
      direction-discrimination task. In Experiment 2, observers discriminated between
      action types of target stimuli. The crowding effect for the action-discrimination
      task was not modulated by the congruency of action direction. Thus, identical
      actions induced a larger crowding effect for action-direction discrimination, but
      congruent directions did not influence crowding for action-type discrimination.
      These results suggest that the processes involved in direction discrimination of
      biological motion are partially distinct from action discrimination processes. 

PMID- 27251169
TI  - Octave Bias in Pitch Perception: The Influence of Pitch Height on Pitch Class
      Identification.
AB  - Pitch height and pitch class are different, but strictly related, percepts of
      music tones. To investigate the influence of pitch height in a pitch class
      identification task, we systematically analyzed the errors-in terms of direction
      and amount-committed by a group of musicians. The aim of our study was to verify
      the existence of constant errors in the identification of pitch classes across
      consecutive octaves. Stimuli were single piano tones from the C major scale
      executed in two consecutive octaves. Participants showed different response
      patterns in the two octaves. The direction of errors revealed a constant tendency
      to underestimate pitch classes in the lowest octave and to overestimate pitch
      classes in the highest octave. Thus, pitch height showed to influence pitch class
      identification. We called this bias "pitch class polarization", since the same
      pitch class was judged to be respectively lower and higher, depending on
      relatively low or high pitch height. 

PMID- 27251170
TI  - Role of capsaicin-sensitive nerves and tachykinins in mast cell tryptase-induced
      inflammation of murine knees.
AB  - OBJECTIVE, DESIGN: Mast cell tryptase (MCT) is elevated in arthritic joints, but
      its direct effects are not known. Here, we investigated MCT-evoked acute
      inflammatory and nociceptive mechanisms with behavioural, in vivo imaging and
      immunological techniques. MATERIAL AND SUBJECTS: Neurogenic inflammation
      involving capsaicin-sensitive afferents, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1
      receptor (TRPV1), substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and their NK1 tachykinin
      receptor were studied using gene-deleted mice compared to C57Bl/6 wildtypes (n =
      5-8/group). TREATMENT: MCT was administered intraarticularly or topically (20
      MUl, 12 MUg/ml). Capsaicin-sensitive afferents were defunctionalized with the
      TRPV1 agonist resiniferatoxin (RTX; 30-70-100 MUg/kg s.c. pretreatment). METHODS:
      Knee diameter was measured with a caliper, synovial perfusion with laser Doppler
      imaging, mechanonociception with aesthesiometry and weight distribution with
      incapacitance tester over 6 h. Cytokines and neuropeptides were determined with
      immunoassays. RESULTS: MCT induced synovial vasodilatation, oedema, impaired
      weight distribution and mechanical hyperalgesia, but cytokine or neuropeptide
      levels were not altered at the 6-h timepoint. Hyperaemia was reduced in RTX
      treated and TRPV1-deleted animals, and oedema was absent in NK1-deficient mice.
      Hyperalgesia was decreased in SP/NKA- and NK1-deficient mice, weight bearing
      impairment in RTX-pretreated, TRPV1- and NK1-deficient animals. CONCLUSIONS: MCT
      evokes synovial hyperaemia, oedema, hyperalgesia and spontaneous pain. Capsaicin
      sensitive afferents and TRPV1 receptors are essential for vasodilatation, while
      tachykinins mediate oedema and pain.

PMID- 27251172
TI  - Reciprocal regulation of farnesoid X receptor alpha activity and hepatitis B
      virus replication in differentiated HepaRG cells and primary human hepatocytes.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and bile salt metabolism seem tightly connected. HBV
      enters hepatocytes by binding to sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide
      (NTCP), the genome of which contains 2 active farnesoid X receptor (FXR) alpha
      response elements that participate in HBV transcriptional activity. We
      investigated in differentiated HepaRG cells and in primary human hepatocytes
      (PHHs) effects of FXR activation on HBV replication and of infection on the FXR
      pathway. In HepaRG cells, FXR agonists (6-ethyl chenodeoxycholic acid and
      GW4064), but no antagonist, and an FXR-unrelated bile salt inhibited viral mRNA,
      DNA, and protein production (IC50, 0.1-0.5 MUM) and reduced covalently closed
      circular DNA pool size. These effects were independent of the NTCP inhibitor
      cyclosporine-A, which suggests inhibition occurred at a postentry step. Similar
      results were obtained in PHHs with GW4064. Infection of these cells increased
      expression of FXR and modified expression of FXR-regulated genes SHP, APOA1,
      NTCP, CYP7A1, and CYP8B1 with a more pronounced effect in PHHs than in HepaRG
      cells. FXR agonists reversed all but one of the HBV-induced FXR gene profile
      modifications. HBV replication and FXR regulation seem to be interdependent, and
      altered bile salt metabolism homeostasis might contribute to the persistence of
      HBV infection.-Radreau, P., Porcherot, M., Ramiere, C., Mouzannar, K., Lotteau,
      V., Andre, P. Reciprocal regulation of farnesoid X receptor alpha activity and
      hepatitis B virus replication in differentiated HepaRG cells and primary human
      hepatocytes.

PMID- 27251173
TI  - Down-regulation of Risa improves insulin sensitivity by enhancing autophagy.
AB  - It has been reported that some small noncoding RNAs are involved in the
      regulation of insulin sensitivity. However, whether long noncoding RNAs also
      participate in the regulation of insulin sensitivity is still largely unknown. We
      identified and characterized a long noncoding RNA, regulator of insulin
      sensitivity and autophagy (Risa), which is a poly(A)(+) cytoplasmic RNA.
      Overexpression of Risa in mouse primary hepatocytes or C2C12 myotubes attenuated
      insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of insulin receptor, Akt, and Gsk3beta, and
      knockdown of Risa alleviated insulin resistance. Further studies showed that
      overexpression of Risa in hepatocytes or myotubes decreased autophagy, and
      knockdown of Risa up-regulated autophagy. Moreover, knockdown of Atg7 or -5
      significantly inhibited the effect of knockdown of Risa on insulin resistance,
      suggesting that knockdown of Risa alleviated insulin resistance via enhancing
      autophagy. In addition, tail vein injection of adenovirus to knock down Risa
      enhanced insulin sensitivity and hepatic autophagy in both C57BL/6 and ob/ob
      mice. Taken together, the data demonstrate that Risa regulates insulin
      sensitivity by affecting autophagy and suggest that Risa is a potential target
      for treating insulin-resistance-related diseases.-Wang, Y., Hu, Y., Sun, C.,
      Zhuo, S., He, Z., Wang, H., Yan, M., Liu, J., Luan, Y., Dai, C., Yang, Y., Huang,
      R., Zhou, B., Zhang, F., Zhai, Q. Down-regulation of Risa improves insulin
      sensitivity by enhancing autophagy.

PMID- 27251174
TI  - Radiographic, antibacterial and bond-strength effects of radiopaque caries
      tagging.
AB  - Selectively excavated carious lesions remain radiographically detectable.
      Radiopaque tagging could resolve the resulting diagnostic uncertainty. We aimed
      to evaluate if tagging depends on lesions depths, is antibacterial, or affects
      dentin bond-strengths. Artificial lesions (depth-range: 152-682 MUm, n =
      34/group) were induced in human dentin samples, evaluated using wavelength
      independent microradiography, treated with one of two tagging materials (70%
      SnCl2, 30% SnF2) and re-evaluated. To evaluate antimicrobial effects, 40 dentin
      samples were submitted to a Lactobacillus rhamnosus invasion-model. Infected
      samples were treated with placebo, 0.2% chlorhexidine, SnCl2, SnF2 (n =
      10/group). Dentin was sampled and colony-forming units/mg determined. Micro
      tensile bond-strengths of adhesive restorations (OptiBond FL, Filtek Z250) to
      tagged or untagged, sound and carious dentin were assessed (n = 12/group). Tagged
      surfaces were evaluated microscopically and via energy-dispersive X-ray
      spectroscopy (EDS). Tagging effects of both materials decreased with increasing
      lesion depths (p < 0.001). Un-/chlorhexidine-treated dentin contained
      significantly more viable bacteria (median 7.3/3.7 * 10(5) CFU/mg) than tagged
      dentin (no CFU detectable, p < 0.001). Tagging decreased bond strengths (p <
      0.001) on sound (-22%/-33% for SnCl2/SnF2) and carious dentin (-50%/-54%). This
      might be due to widespread tin chloride or fluoride precipitation, as detected
      via microscopy and EDS. While radiopaque tagging seems beneficial, an optimized
      application protocol needs to be developed prior clinical use.

PMID- 27251171
TI  - Red cell DAMPs and inflammation.
AB  - Intravascular hemolysis, or the destruction of red blood cells in the
      circulation, can occur in numerous diseases, including the acquired hemolytic
      anemias, sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, as well as during some
      transfusion reactions, preeclampsia and infections, such as those caused by
      malaria or Clostridium perfringens. Hemolysis results in the release of large
      quantities of red cell damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) into the
      circulation, which, if not neutralized by innate protective mechanisms, have the
      potential to activate multiple inflammatory pathways. One of the major red cell
      DAMPs, heme, is able to activate converging inflammatory pathways, such as toll
      like receptor signaling, neutrophil extracellular trap formation and inflammasome
      formation, suggesting that this DAMP both activates and amplifies inflammation.
      Other potent DAMPs that may be released by the erythrocytes upon their rupture
      include heat shock proteins (Hsp), such as Hsp70, interleukin-33 and Adenosine 5'
      triphosphate. As such, hemolysis represents a major inflammatory mechanism that
      potentially contributes to the clinical manifestations that have been associated
      with the hemolytic diseases, such as pulmonary hypertension and leg ulcers, and
      likely plays a role in specific complications of sickle cell disease such as
      endothelial activation, vaso-occlusive processes and tissue injury. 

PMID- 27251175
TI  - Sulodexide for treating venous leg ulcers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Venous leg ulcers are common, chronic wounds caused by venous
      diseases, with a high recurrence rate and heavy disease burden. Compression
      therapy (bandages or stockings) is the first choice treatment for venous leg
      ulcers. However, when ulcers remain unhealed, medication can also be used with or
      without compression therapy. Sulodexide, a highly purified glycosaminoglycan (a
      naturally occurring molecule) has antithrombotic and profibrinolytic properties
      (it reduces the formation of blood clots) as well as anti-inflammatory effects.
      Sulodexide has been studied as a potential treatment for venous leg ulcers.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of sulodexide for treating venous
      leg ulcers. SEARCH METHODS: In July 2015 we searched: The Cochrane Wounds
      Specialised Register; The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
      (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other
      Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE; EBSCO CINAHL; Chinese Biomedical Literature
      Database (CBM); China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI); Wan Fang
      and VIP. We also searched clinical trials registries to identify ongoing studies,
      as well as references listed in relevant publications. There were no restrictions
      based on date of publication, language or study setting. SELECTION CRITERIA:
      Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving people with a diagnosis of venous
      leg ulcers which compared sulodexide with placebo or any other drug therapy (such
      as pentoxifylline, flavonoids, aspirin), with or without compression therapy.
      DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard Cochrane methodological
      procedures. The authors independently selected studies, extracted data and
      assessed risk of bias. We pooled data to present the risk ratio (RR) with 95%
      confidence interval (CI), or presented a narrative summary. We assessed overall
      evidence quality according to the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: We included four
      RCTs with a total of 463 participants (aged 42 years to 93 years); one report was
      only available as a published abstract.Meta-analysis of three RCTs suggests an
      increase in the proportion of ulcers completely healed with sulodexide as an
      adjuvant to local treatment (including wound care and compression therapy)
      compared with local treatment alone (rate of complete healing with sulodexide
      49.4% compared with 29.8% with local treatment alone; RR 1.66; 95% CI 1.30 to
      2.12). This evidence for sulodexide increasing the rate of complete healing is
      low quality due to risk of bias. It is unclear whether sulodexide is associated
      with any increase in adverse events (4.4% with sulodexide versus 3.1% with no
      sulodexide; RR 1.44; 95% CI 0.48 to 4.34). The evidence for adverse events is
      very low quality, downgraded twice for risk of bias and once for imprecision.
      AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Sulodexide may increase the healing of venous ulcers, when
      used alongside local wound care, however the evidence is only low quality and the
      conclusion is likely to be affected by new research. It is not clear whether
      sulodexide is associated with adverse effects. The standard dosage, route and
      frequency of sulodexide reported in the trials was unclear. Further rigorous,
      adequately powered RCTs examining the effects of sulodexide on healing, ulcer
      recurrence, quality of life and costs are necessary.

PMID- 27251177
TI  - Arterial Stiffness: Is This a Marker for the Current Status or Future?

PMID- 27251176
TI  - Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity is Associated with Composite Carotid and
      Coronary Atherosclerosis in a Middle-Aged Asymptomatic Population.
AB  - AIM: Although arterial stiffness has been associated with the development of
      atherosclerosis, the role of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) for
      diagnosing composite coronary and carotid atherosclerosis has not been completely
      elucidated. METHOD: We enrolled 773 asymptomatic individuals who were referred
      from 25 public health centers in Seoul and who underwent carotid ultrasonography
      and coronary computed tomography. Non-invasive hemodynamic parameters, including
      baPWV, were also measured. Composite coronary and carotid atherosclerosis was
      defined as follows: 1) coronary artery calcium (CAC) score >= 100, 2) coronary
      artery stenosis (CAS) >= 50% of diameter stenosis, 3) carotid intima medial
      thickness (CIMT) >= 0.9 mm, or 4) presence of carotid artery plaque (CAP).
      RESULTS: The incidence of composite coronary and carotid atherosclerosis was
      28.2%. Coronary atherosclerosis (CAC and CAS) was significantly associated with
      carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT and CAP). Subjects with higher baPWV (highest
      quartile) had a higher prevalence of composite coronary and carotid
      atherosclerosis (p<.001). Although multivariate analysis failed to show baPWV as
      an independent predictor for composite atherosclerosis, baPWV had moderate
      diagnostic power to detect a subject with more than two positive subclinical
      atherosclerosis exams [area under the curve (AUC), 0.692]. CONCLUSION: baPWV was
      associated with the composite coronary and carotid atherosclerotic burden in a
      community-based asymptomatic population.

PMID- 27251180
TI  - Impact of post-processing methods on apparent diffusion coefficient values.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is increasingly used as a
      quantitative biomarker in oncological imaging. ADC calculation is based on raw
      diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data, and multiple post-processing methods
      (PPMs) have been proposed for this purpose. We investigated whether PPM has an
      impact on final ADC values. METHODS: Sixty-five lesions scanned with a
      standardized whole-body DWI-protocol at 3 T served as input data (EPI-DWI, b
      values: 50, 400 and 800 s/mm2). Using exactly the same ROI coordinates, four
      different PPM (ADC_1-ADC_4) were executed to calculate corresponding ADC values,
      given as [10-3 mm2/s] of each lesion. Statistical analysis was performed to intra
      individually compare ADC values stratified by PPM (Wilcoxon signed-rank tests:
      alpha = 1 %; descriptive statistics; relative difference/?; coefficient of
      variation/CV). RESULTS: Stratified by PPM, mean ADCs ranged from 1.136-1.206 *10
      3 mm2/s (? = 7.0 %). Variances between PPM were pronounced in the upper range of
      ADC values (maximum: 2.540-2.763 10-3 mm2/s, ? = 8 %). Pairwise comparisons
      identified significant differences between all PPM (P <= 0.003; mean CV = 7.2 %)
      and reached 0.137 *10-3 mm2/s within the 25th-75th percentile. CONCLUSION:
      Altering the PPM had a significant impact on the ADC value. This should be
      considered if ADC values from different post-processing methods are compared in
      patient studies. KEY POINTS: * Post-processing methods significantly influenced
      ADC values. * The mean coefficient of ADC variation due to PPM was 7.2 %. * To
      achieve reproducible ADC values, standardization of post-processing is
      recommended.

PMID- 27251178
TI  - Construction of a disulfide-stabilized diabody against fibroblast growth factor-2
      and the inhibition activity in targeting breast cancer.
AB  - Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is one of the most important angiogenic
      factors to promote tumor growth, progression and metastasis. Neutralizing
      antibodies against FGF-2 may suppress the growth of tumor cells by blocking the
      FGF-2 signaling pathway. In this study, a disulfide-stabilized diabody (ds
      Diabody) that specifically targets FGF-2 was designed. Compared to its parent
      antibody, the introduction of disulphide bonds in the diabody could significantly
      increase the stability of ds-Diabody and maintain its antigen binding activity.
      The ds-Diabody against FGF-2 could effectively inhibit the tube formation and
      migration of vascular endothelial cells and block the proliferation and invasion
      of human breast cancer cells. In the mouse model of breast cancer xenograft
      tumors, the ds-Diabody against FGF-2 could significantly inhibit the growth of
      tumor cells. Moreover, the densities of microvessels stained with CD31 and
      lymphatic vessels stained with LYVE1 in tumors showed a significant decrease
      following treatment with the ds-Diabody against FGF-2. Our data indicated that
      the ds-Diabody against FGF-2 could inhibit tumor angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis
      and tumor growth. 

PMID- 27251181
TI  - Erratum to: A retrospective, semi-quantitative image quality analysis of cone
      beam computed tomography (CBCT) and MSCT in the diagnosis of distal radius
      fractures.

PMID- 27251179
TI  - Psychosocial predictors of treatment outcome for trauma-affected refugees.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effects of treatment in trials with trauma-affected refugees vary
      considerably not only between studies but also between patients within a single
      study. However, we know little about why some patients benefit more from
      treatment, as few studies have analysed predictors of treatment outcome.
      OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to examine possible psychosocial
      predictors of treatment outcome for trauma-affected refugees. METHOD: The
      participants were 195 adult refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
      who were enrolled in a 6- to 7-month treatment programme at the Competence Centre
      for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP), Denmark. The CTP Predictor Index used in the
      study included 15 different possible outcome predictors concerning the patients'
      past, chronicity of mental health problems, pain, treatment motivation,
      prerequisites for engaging in psychotherapy, and social situation. The primary
      outcome measure was PTSD symptoms measured on the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire
      (HTQ). Other outcome measures included the Hopkins Symptom Check List-25, the WHO
      5 Well-being Index, Sheehan Disability Scale, Hamilton Depression and Anxiety
      Scales, the somatisation scale of the Symptoms Checklist-90, Global Assessment of
      Functioning scales, and pain rated on visual analogue scales. The relations
      between treatment outcomes and the total score as well as subscores of the CTP
      Predictor Index were analysed. RESULTS: Overall, the total score of the CTP
      Predictor Index was significantly correlated to pre- to post treatment score
      changes on the majority of the ratings mentioned above. While employment status
      was the only single item significantly correlated to HTQ-score changes, a number
      of single items from the CTP Predictor Index correlated significantly with
      changes in depression and anxiety symptoms, but the size of the correlation
      coefficients were modest. CONCLUSIONS: The total score of the CTP Predictor Index
      correlated significantly with outcomes on most of the rating scales, but
      correlations were modest in size, possibly due to the number of different factors
      influencing treatment outcome.

PMID- 27251182
TI  - Sustainable Financing of Innovative Therapies: A Review of Approaches.
AB  - The process of innovation is inherently complex, and it occurs within an even
      more complex institutional environment characterized by incomplete information,
      market power, and externalities. There are therefore different competing
      approaches to supporting and financing innovation in medical technologies, which
      bring their own advantages and disadvantages. This article reviews value- and
      cost-based pricing, as well direct government funding, and cross-cutting
      institutional structures. It argues that performance-based risk-sharing
      agreements are likely to have little effect on the sustainability of financing;
      that there is a role for cost-based pricing models in some situations; and that
      the push towards longer exclusivity periods is likely contrary to the interests
      of industry.

PMID- 27251184
TI  - Improved overall survival for pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation - A comparison of the last two decades.
AB  - Pediatric protocols for allogeneic hematopoietic SCT have been altered during the
      last two decades. To compare the outcomes in children (<18 yr old), who underwent
      SCT at our center during 1992-2002 (P1) and 2003-2013 (P2). We retrospectively
      analyzed 188 patients in P1 and 201 patients in P2. The most significant protocol
      changes during P2 compared with P1 were a decrease in MAC protocols, particularly
      those containing TBI, an increase in RIC protocols, and altered GvHD prophylaxis.
      In addition, P2 had more patients with nonmalignant diagnoses (p = 0.002), more
      mismatched (MM) donors (p = 0.01), and more umbilical CB grafts (p = 0.03).
      Mesenchymal or DSCs were used for severe acute GvHD during P2. Three-yr OS in P1
      was 58%, and in P2, it was 78% (p < 0.001). Improved OS was seen in both
      malignant disorders (51% vs. 68%; p = 0.05) and nonmalignant disorders (77% vs.
      87%; p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis showed that SCT during P2 was associated
      with reduced mortality (HR = 0.57; p = 0.005), reduced TRM (HR = 0.57; p = 0.03),
      unchanged relapse rate, similar rate of GF, less chronic GvHD (HR = 0.49; p =
      0.01), and more acute GvHD (HR = 1.77, p = 0.007). During recent years, OS has
      improved at our center, possibly reflecting the introduction of less toxic
      conditioning regimens and a number of other methodological developments in SCT.

PMID- 27251183
TI  - Chronic cigarette smoking is linked with structural alterations in brain regions
      showing acute nicotinic drug-induced functional modulations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whereas acute nicotine administration alters brain function which
      may, in turn, contribute to enhanced attention and performance, chronic cigarette
      smoking is linked with regional brain atrophy and poorer cognition. However,
      results from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies comparing
      smokers versus nonsmokers have been inconsistent and measures of gray matter
      possess limited ability to inform functional relations or behavioral
      implications. The purpose of this study was to address these interpretational
      challenges through meta-analytic techniques in the service of clarifying the
      impact of chronic smoking on gray matter integrity and more fully contextualizing
      such structural alterations. METHODS: We first conducted a coordinate-based meta
      analysis of structural MRI studies to identify consistent structural alterations
      associated with chronic smoking. Subsequently, we conducted two additional meta
      analytic assessments to enhance insight into potential functional and behavioral
      relations. Specifically, we performed a multimodal meta-analytic assessment to
      test the structural-functional hypothesis that smoking-related structural
      alterations overlapped those same regions showing acute nicotinic drug-induced
      functional modulations. Finally, we employed database driven tools to identify
      pairs of structurally impacted regions that were also functionally related via
      meta-analytic connectivity modeling, and then delineated behavioral phenomena
      associated with such functional interactions via behavioral decoding. RESULTS:
      Across studies, smoking was associated with convergent structural decreases in
      the left insula, right cerebellum, parahippocampus, multiple prefrontal cortex
      (PFC) regions, and the thalamus. Indicating a structural-functional relation, we
      observed that smoking-related gray matter decreases overlapped with the acute
      functional effects of nicotinic agonist administration in the left insula,
      ventromedial PFC, and mediodorsal thalamus. Suggesting structural-behavioral
      implications, we observed that the left insula's task-based, functional
      interactions with multiple other structurally impacted regions were linked with
      pain perception, the right cerebellum's interactions with other regions were
      associated with overt body movements, interactions between the parahippocampus
      and thalamus were linked with memory processes, and interactions between medial
      PFC regions were associated with face processing. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively,
      these findings emphasize brain regions (e.g., ventromedial PFC, insula, thalamus)
      critically linked with cigarette smoking, suggest neuroimaging paradigms
      warranting additional consideration among smokers (e.g., pain processing), and
      highlight regions in need of further elucidation in addiction (e.g., cerebellum).

PMID- 27251185
TI  - Consumption of a cranberry juice beverage lowered the number of clinical urinary
      tract infection episodes in women with a recent history of urinary tract
      infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial
      infections and are often treated with antibiotics. Concerns about multidrug
      resistant uropathogens have pointed to the need for safe and effective UTI
      prevention strategies such as cranberry consumption. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the
      effects of the consumption of a cranberry beverage on episodes of clinical UTIs.
      DESIGN: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter
      clinical trial, women with a history of a recent UTI were assigned to consume one
      240-mL serving of cranberry beverage/d (n = 185) or a placebo (n = 188) beverage
      for 24 wk. The primary outcome was the clinical UTI incidence density, which was
      defined as the total number of clinical UTI events (including multiple events per
      subject when applicable) per unit of observation time. RESULTS: The dates of the
      random assignment of the first subject and the last subject's final visit were
      February 2013 and March 2015, respectively. The mean age was 40.9 y, and
      characteristics were similar in both groups. Compliance with study product
      consumption was 98%, and 86% of subjects completed the treatment period in both
      groups. There were 39 investigator-diagnosed episodes of clinical UTI in the
      cranberry group compared with 67 episodes in the placebo group (antibiotic use
      adjusted incidence rate ratio: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.91; P = 0.016). Clinical UTI
      with pyuria was also significantly reduced (incidence rate ratio: 0.63; 95% CI:
      0.40, 0.97; P = 0.037). One clinical UTI event was prevented for every 3.2 woman
      years (95% CI: 2.0, 13.1 woman-years) of the cranberry intervention. The time to
      UTI with culture positivity did not differ significantly between groups (HR:
      0.97; 95% CI: 0.56, 1.67; P = 0.914). CONCLUSION: The consumption of a cranberry
      juice beverage lowered the number of clinical UTI episodes in women with a recent
      history of UTI. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01776021.

PMID- 27251186
TI  - Why don't more people eat breakfast? A biological perspective.

PMID- 27251187
TI  - Reply to SL Buckner et al.

PMID- 27251188
TI  - Challenging the claim that intake of krill oil is associated with increased
      metabolic risk in overweight men.

PMID- 27251189
TI  - Reply to N Hoem.

PMID- 27251191
TI  - Views of Australian dental practitioners towards rural recruitment and retention:
      a descriptive study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite an increase in the supply of dental practitioners in
      Australia in recent years, there remains an unequal distribution of dental
      practitioners with more dental practitioners working in city areas. This is in
      part due to difficulties in attracting and retaining dental practitioners to
      rural practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of
      Australian dental practitioners towards what may attract them to rural areas and
      why they may remain in them. METHOD: A descriptive study, utilising telephone,
      semi-structured interviews with dental practitioners across Australia. Dental
      practitioners were recruited through their professional associations. Data were
      analysed using content and thematic analysis. RESULTS: Fifty participants; 34
      dentists, eight oral health therapists, and eight dental prosthetists working in
      rural and urban areas of Australia. Four main themes were identified: Business
      Case: concerns related to income and employment security, Differences in Clinical
      Practices: differences in clinical treatments and professional work, Community:
      fitting in and belonging in the area in which you live and work, and Individual
      Factors: local area provision for lifestyle choices and circumstances. The most
      influential of these themes were business case and individual factors. Smaller
      rural areas, due to low populations and being unable to provide individuals with
      their lifestyle needs were considered unappealing for dental practitioners to
      live. Previous experience of rural areas was highly influential. CONCLUSIONS: The
      main factors influencing rural recruitment and retention were income
      sustainability and employment security, and individual factors. Dental
      practitioners felt that it was harder to earn a sustainable income and provide
      quality lifestyles for their family in rural areas. Previous experience of rural
      areas was influential towards long-term rural retention. These factors should be
      considered in order to develop effective strategies to address the unequal
      distribution of dental practitioners.

PMID- 27251192
TI  - Optical coherence tomography manifestations of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), a subset of primary central
      nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), is a high-grade malignant tumor that shows
      various chorioretinal findings. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is useful for
      detecting these lesions, and various abnormalities on OCT images have been
      reported. The purpose of this report was to investigate retrospectively the OCT
      manifestations of various disease stages and compare the manifestations of
      pretreatment, recurrent, and chronic cases. METHODS: We reviewed the medical
      charts and OCT images of 38 consecutive cases with PVRL. When abnormalities were
      detected on OCT images, the patients were classified based on the treatment of
      the primary disease: pretreatment if not treated, recurrent if treated
      previously, and chronic when chronic changes. RESULTS: Twenty-six eyes (20 cases)
      had abnormalities in the post-pole OCT images, i.e., 16 eyes (12 cases) were in
      the pretreatment group, seven eyes (five cases) were in the recurrent group, and
      five eyes (five cases) were in the chronic group. Two eyes (two cases) had
      abnormalities on OCT in the pretreatment and recurrent or chronic stages. The
      pretreatment and recurrent groups had subretinal or retinal pigment epithelium
      (RPE) level abnormalities more often than intraretinal changes. Twelve of 16
      pretreated eyes and all seven eyes with recurrent disease had subretinal or RPE
      level abnormalities. One pretreatment case and three recurrent cases had atypical
      OCT manifestations of intraretinal (round lesions) or epiretinal changes (villous
      shaped lesions). CONCLUSIONS: Although pretreatment cases and recurrent cases
      showed similar OCT abnormalities and the specific changes in the various disease
      stages were unclarified, collecting OCT data from various disease stages will
      facilitate detection of typical OCT changes of PVRL and lead to early diagnosis
      and treatment.

PMID- 27251193
TI  - Comparison of intravitreal aflibercept and ranibizumab injections on subfoveal
      and peripapillary choroidal thickness in eyes with neovascular age-related
      macular degeneration.

PMID- 27251194
TI  - A novel blue light laser system for surgical applications in dentistry:
      evaluation of specific laser-tissue interactions in monolayer cultures.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine a new blue light diode
      laser system (445 nm) for dental soft tissue surgery on cellular level. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: An in vitro cell culture model was established to evaluate the
      effects of the 445-nm diode laser in comparison to an established infrared diode
      laser (IR). Monolayer cell cultures were irradiated and wound healing was
      morphometrically measured. Fluorescence staining was used for proof of potential
      DNA double-strand breaks as well as cytoskeleton alterations. Cellular live/dead
      discrimination was performed and temperature development during laser irradiation
      was measured with a thermographic infrared camera. RESULTS: A characteristic zone
      formation was detected after irradiation with both wavelengths. Despite a larger
      wound area after irradiation with 445 nm, due to its higher temperature
      development, this laser system showed a faster wound healing in comparison to the
      IR laser. No increase of devitalized cells was documented with higher distances
      between laser tip and cell layer and thus without thermal interaction. Neither
      cytoskeleton alteration nor DNA double-strand breaks could be recorded after
      irradiation in non-contact mode. CONCLUSIONS: The blue diode laser system
      demonstrated an excellent direct thermal coupling to cells and tissues without
      side effects even by reduced power settings. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The blue diode
      laser seems to be a promising technology for clinical application due to high
      absorption of blue light without major side effects in adjacent tissues even by
      reduced power settings.

PMID- 27251195
TI  - Peripheral Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Precursor Regulates Pain as an
      Inflammatory Mediator.
AB  - The precursor of brain derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF), the unprocessed
      BDNF gene product, binds to its receptors and exerts the opposing biologic
      functions of mature BDNF. proBDNF is expressed in the peripheral tissues but the
      functions of peripheral proBDNF remain elusive. Here we showed that proBDNF and
      its predominant receptor, p75 pan-neurotrophin receptor were upregulated in the
      nerve fibers and inflammatory cells in the local tissue in inflammatory pain.
      Neutralization of proBDNF by polyclonal antibody attenuated pain in different
      models of inflammatory pain. Unilateral intra-plantar supplementation of proBDNF
      by injecting exogenous proBDNF or ectopic overexpression resulted in pain
      hypersensitivity and induced spinal phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated
      kinase activation. Exogenous proBDNF injection induced the infiltration of
      inflammatory cells and the activation of proinflammatory cytokines, suggesting
      that inflammatory reaction contributed to the pro-algesic effect of proBDNF.
      Finally, we generated monoclonal anti-proBDNF antibody that could biologically
      block proBDNF. Administration of monoclonal Ab-proBDNF attenuated various types
      of inflammatory pain and surgical pain. Thus, peripheral proBDNF is a potential
      pain mediator and anti-proBDNF pretreatment may alleviate the development of
      inflammatory pain.

PMID- 27251196
TI  - Comparison of cell counting methods in rodent pulmonary toxicity studies:
      automated and manual protocols and considerations for experimental design.
AB  - Pulmonary toxicity studies often use bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to investigate
      potential adverse lung responses to a particulate exposure. The BAL cellular
      fraction is counted, using automated (i.e. Coulter Counter(r)), flow cytometry or
      manual (i.e. hemocytometer) methods, to determine inflammatory cell influx. The
      goal of the study was to compare the different counting methods to determine
      which is optimal for examining BAL cell influx after exposure by inhalation or
      intratracheal instillation (ITI) to different particles with varying inherent
      pulmonary toxicities in both rat and mouse models. General findings indicate that
      total BAL cell counts using the automated and manual methods tended to agree
      after inhalation or ITI exposure to particle samples that are relatively nontoxic
      or at later time points after exposure to a pneumotoxic particle when the
      response resolves. However, when the initial lung inflammation and cytotoxicity
      was high after exposure to a pneumotoxic particle, significant differences were
      observed when comparing cell counts from the automated, flow cytometry and manual
      methods. When using total BAL cell count for differential calculations from the
      automated method, depending on the cell diameter size range cutoff, the data
      suggest that the number of lung polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) varies.
      Importantly, the automated counts, regardless of the size cutoff, still indicated
      a greater number of total lung PMN when compared with the manual method, which
      agreed more closely with flow cytometry. The results suggest that either the
      manual method or flow cytometry would be better suited for BAL studies where
      cytotoxicity is an unknown variable.

PMID- 27251197
TI  - Experimental and computational studies on molecularly imprinted solid-phase
      extraction for gonyautoxins 2,3 from dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum.
AB  - An innovative and effective extraction procedure based on molecularly imprinted
      solid-phase extraction (MISPE) was developed for the isolation of gonyautoxins
      2,3 (GTX2,3) from Alexandrium minutum sample. Molecularly imprinted polymer
      microspheres were prepared by suspension polymerization and and were employed as
      sorbents for the solid-phase extraction of GTX2,3. An off-line MISPE protocol was
      optimized. Subsequently, the extract samples from A. minutum were analyzed. The
      results showed that the interference matrices in the extract were obviously
      cleaned up by MISPE procedures. This outcome enabled the direct extraction of
      GTX2,3 in A. minutum samples with extraction efficiency as high as 83 %, rather
      significantly, without any need for a cleanup step prior to the extraction.
      Furthermore, computational approach also provided direct evidences of the high
      selective isolation of GTX2,3 from the microalgal extracts. 

PMID- 27251198
TI  - Screen-printed electrode modified with carbon black and chitosan: a novel
      platform for acetylcholinesterase biosensor development.
AB  - We report a screen-printed electrode (SPE) modified with a dispersion of carbon
      black (CB) and chitosan by drop casting. A cyclic voltammetry technique towards
      ferricyanide, caffeic acid, hydroquinone, and thiocholine was performed and an
      improvement of the electrochemical response with respect to bare SPE as well as
      SPE modified only with chitosan was observed. The possibility to detect
      thiocholine at a low applied potential with high sensitivity was exploited and an
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor was developed. A dispersion of CB,
      chitosan, and AChE was used to fabricate this biosensor in one step by drop
      casting. The enzymatic activity of the immobilized AChE was determined measuring
      the enzymatic product thiocholine at +300 mV. Owing to the capability of
      organophosphorus pesticides to inhibit AChE, this biosensor was used to detect
      these pollutants, and paraoxon was taken as model compound. The enzyme inhibition
      was linearly related to the concentration of paraoxon up to 0.5 MUg L(-1), and a
      low detection limit equal to 0.05 MUg L(-1) (calculated as 10% of inhibition) was
      achieved. This biosensor was challenged for paraoxon detection in drinking waters
      with satisfactory recovery values. The use of AChE embedded in a dispersion of CB
      and chitosan allowed an easy and fast production of a sensitive biosensor
      suitable for paraoxon detection in drinking waters at legal limit levels.
      Graphical Abstract Biosensors based on screen-printed electrodes modified with
      Acetylcholinesterase, Carbon Black, and Chitosan for organophosphorus pesticide
      detection. 

PMID- 27251200
TI  - Risk based survey evidence supports electronic informed consent as a recruitment
      method for UK clinical trials.

PMID- 27251201
TI  - Transport spectroscopy on trapped superconducting nano-islands of Pb: signature
      of unconventional pairing.
AB  - Elemental bulk lead (Pb) is a conventional type I, spin-singlet (s-wave)
      superconductor with a critical temperature T c = 7.2 K and a critical magnetic
      field H c = 800 Oe. However, it is known that at mesoscopic length scales, like
      in point-contact geometries, Pb shows significantly higher critical field,
      sometimes up to several Tesla. We have used this property to trap a small
      superconducting nano-droplet of Pb by forming a metallic point contact on Pb and
      then applying a magnetic field larger than 800 Oe that drives the bulk of the
      material non-superconducting. From systematic magnetic field dependent behaviour
      of the point-contact spectra measured across such a trapped island of Pb we show
      that the superconducting order parameter of mesoscopic Pb mixes non-trivially
      with magnetic field possibly due to the emergence of a local spin-triplet
      component at such length scales. From comparative studies with Nb-based point
      contacts we surmise that the strong spin-orbit coupling in Pb leads to the
      emergence of the unconventional component in the order parameter of mesoscopic
      Pb. 

PMID- 27251199
TI  - Combating poor-quality anti-malarial medicines: a call to action.
AB  - The circulation of poor-quality medicines continues to undermine the fight
      against many life-threatening diseases. Anti-malarial medicines appear to have
      been particularly compromised and present a major public health threat in malaria
      endemic countries, negatively affecting individuals and their communities.
      Concerted collaborative efforts are required from global, regional and national
      organizations, involving the public and private sectors, to address the problem.
      While many initiatives are underway, a number of unmet needs deserve urgent and
      increased multisector attention. At the global level, there is a need for an
      international public health legal framework or treaty on poor-quality medicines,
      with statutes suitable for integration into national laws. In addition, increased
      international efforts are required to strengthen the governance of global supply
      chains and enhance cooperation between national medicine regulation authorities
      and law enforcement bodies. Increased investment is needed in innovative
      technologies that will enable healthcare teams to detect poor-quality medicines
      at all levels of the supply chain. At the regional level, a number of initiatives
      would be beneficial-key areas are standardization, simplification, and reciprocal
      recognition of registration processes and development of quality control capacity
      in regional centres of excellence that are better aligned with public health
      needs; improved surveillance methods and creation of a framework for compulsory
      and transparent reporting of poor-quality medicines; additional support for
      national medicine regulation authorities and other national partner authorities;
      and an increase in support for regional laboratories to boost their capabilities
      in detecting poor-quality medicines. It is vital that all stakeholders involved
      in efforts against poor-quality anti-malarial medicines extend and strengthen
      their actions in these critical areas and thus effectively support global health
      development and malaria elimination programmes.

PMID- 27251202
TI  - Impact of vitrification on the mitochondrial activity and redox homeostasis of
      human oocyte.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Do the extreme conditions of vitrification affect mitochondrial
      health and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of human oocytes? SUMMARY ANSWER:
      Vitrification of discarded human oocytes shifts the intracellular redox potential
      towards oxidation but does not alter the mitochondrial potential or intracellular
      ROS levels. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Recent studies have reflected increased ROS
      levels in warmed young oocytes and have highlighted the temporal dynamic loss of
      mitochondrial potential that could, therefore, lead to a decrease in ATP
      production, impairing embryo development. Mitochondrial function can also be
      evaluated in vivo by the FAD/NAD(P)H autofluorescence ratio, which reflects the
      respiratory chain activity and is considered as a marker of the intracellular
      redox state. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A total of 629 discarded Metaphase II
      (MII) oocytes collected from June 2013 to April 2014 were included in this
      control (fresh oocytes, n= 270) versus treatment (vitrified oocytes, n= 359)
      study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Discarded MII oocytes were
      donated to research by young (<27 years old) and reproductively aged (>36 years
      old) women who underwent ovarian stimulation for IVF at a university-affiliated
      private fertility clinic. Redox state was assessed by measuring the FAD/NAD(P)H
      autofluorescence ratio, while ROS and mitochondrial activity were reported by in
      vivo labelling with carboxy-H2DCFDA and JC-1, respectively. MAIN RESULTS AND THE
      ROLE OF CHANCE: Young and aged oocytes showed high and similar survival rates
      (81.8 versus 83.1%, not significant). Confocal microscopy revealed that the
      FAD/NAD(P)H ratio was significantly higher in vitrified oocytes than in fresh
      oocytes, suggesting a significant shift towards the oxidized state in oocytes
      after vitrification, regardless of the maternal age. Mitochondrial distribution
      was not affected by vitrification. Furthermore, it was not possible to resolve
      any difference in mitochondrial potential using JC-1 potentiometric dye or in
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (assessed with H2-DCFDA staining)
      between fresh and vitrified oocytes. Therefore, measurement of intracellular
      redox potential by autofluorescence imaging may be a more sensitive method to
      assess oxidative stress or mitochondrial demise in human oocytes because it
      showed a higher resolving power than JC-1 staining and displayed less variability
      than H2-DCFDA staining. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Owing to sample
      availability, MII discarded oocytes (in vitro matured oocytes and unfertilized
      oocytes 20 h after ICSI) were included in the study. These discarded oocytes do
      not necessarily reflect the physiological condition of the MII human oocyte.
      WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Although vitrified oocytes yield comparable
      clinical outcomes compared with fresh oocytes, lower cleavage and blastocyst
      rates can be observed during in vitro culture. Data here obtained suggest that
      the redox state of human oocytes could be affected by vitrification. Therefore,
      the importance of adding protective antioxidant molecules to the vitrification
      solution and to the post-warming culture medium to improve embryo cleavage
      deserves some research. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This research project
      was supported by the Valencian Government (Val+i+D program, M.N.-C.), INCLIVA
      Foundation for health research (G.S.-A.) and by the University of L'Aquila and
      Regione Abruzzo ('Reti per l'Alta Formazione' - P.O.F.S.E. Abruzzo 2007-2013
      G.D.E.). No conflicts of interest were declared.

PMID- 27251204
TI  - Trends and determinants of IUD use in the USA, 2002-2012.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: What factors and subgroups have propelled the recent increase in
      intrauterine device (IUD) use in the USA? SUMMARY ANSWER: The increase in IUD
      use, from 1.8 to 9.5% in the USA between 2002 and 2012, was driven primarily by a
      marked uptake among parous women who intended to have more children. WHAT IS
      KNOWN ALREADY: Recent data suggest an unprecedented increase in IUD use among
      women in the USA, yet less is known about how this increase has affected the
      overall proportion of women, at risk of unintended pregnancy, who are using
      contraception and which social and economic groups are involved. STUDY DESIGN,
      SIZE, DURATION: Data are drawn from the 2002 and 2011-2013 National Surveys of
      Family Growth. The surveys were based on cross-sectional, national samples of
      women of 15-44 years of age in the USA. Women responded to in-person interviews,
      which lasted an average of 80 min. The response rate was 80% in 2002 and 73% in
      2011-2013. The sample included 7643 completed interviews in 2002 and 5601
      interviews in 2011-2013. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: This study was
      limited to women at risk of unintended pregnancy, i.e. women who were sexually
      active in the previous 3 months (using contraception or not); it excludes women
      who were sterile, currently pregnant or trying to conceive. Altogether, 5181
      women were at risk in the 2002 sample and 3681 were at risk in the 2012 sample.
      We used descriptive statistics to investigate trends in contraceptive use
      patterns by women's sociodemographic characteristics between 2002 and 2012 and
      used logistic regression to identify current predictors of IUD use in 2012. MAIN
      RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: IUD use increased from 1.8% in 2002 to 9.5% in
      2012 (P < 0.001). The surge was especially marked among parous women who intended
      to have more children (4.2% in 2002 to 19.3% in 2012; P < 0.001); it occurred to
      a lesser extent among parous women who did not intend to have more children (2.0
      9.7% P < 0.001), suggesting that IUDs are more often used for spacing than for
      ending childbearing in the USA. The most important predictors of IUD use in 2012
      were age, parity and intent to have children. Dissatisfaction with a previous
      method was also associated with IUD use (adjusted odds ratio = 1.89, P < 0.001).
      LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: As with all cross-sectional studies, causal
      inference is limited. Data are self-reported, but the survey had a high response
      rate and rigorous quality controls. WIDER IMPLICATION OF THE FINDINGS: This study
      shows promising trends in the use of highly effective contraceptive methods in
      the USA, which may help to explain recently reported declines in unintended
      pregnancy in the USA. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Caroline Moreau was
      supported by the William Robertson endowment funds. The work of Hannah Lantos and
      William Mosher on this analysis was supported by the Department of Population
      Family and Reproductive Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
      Health. The authors declare that no conflict of interest exists.

PMID- 27251203
TI  - Charged iron particles, components of space radiation, destroy ovarian follicles.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Do charged iron particles, components of space radiation, cause
      premature ovarian failure? SUMMARY ANSWER: Exposure to charged iron particles
      causes ovarian DNA damage, oxidative damage and apoptosis, resulting in premature
      ovarian failure. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The ovary is very sensitive to follicle
      destruction by low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, such as X-rays and
      gamma-rays. However, it is completely unknown whether high-LET radiation, such as
      charged iron particles, also destroys ovarian follicles. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE,
      DURATION: Twelve week old C57BL/6J female mice were exposed to single doses of 0,
      5, 30 or 50 cGy (n = 8/group) charged iron particles (LET = 179 keV/um) at energy
      of 600 MeV/u. Two groups were irradiated at the highest dose, one fed AIN-93M
      chow and the other fed AIN-93M chow supplemented with 150 mg/kg diet alpha lipoic
      acid (ALA). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: We quantified the numbers
      of ovarian follicles, measured serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and
      luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations, and analyzed histone H2AX
      phosphorylation, oxidative damage and apoptosis markers in the ovarian follicles.
      MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: H2AX phosphorylation, lipid peroxidation,
      protein nitration and apoptosis were highly induced in ovarian follicles at 6 h
      and remained increased 1 week after irradiation. As a result, numbers of healthy
      ovarian follicles were significantly and dose-dependently depleted at 1 and 8
      weeks post-irradiation, with 57, 84 and 99% decreases in primordial follicles at
      8 weeks at the 5, 30 and 50 cGy doses, respectively (P < 0.05 versus 0 cGy).
      Consistent with near-total depletion of ovarian follicles in the 50 cGy group,
      serum concentrations of FSH and LH were significantly elevated at 8 weeks.
      Dietary supplementation with ALA partially prevented the adverse ovarian effects
      of 50 cGy iron particles. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: About 21% of the
      estimated radiation dose from exposure to galactic cosmic rays during a multi
      year Mars mission will be due to high-LET particles, of which iron is only one.
      The effects of galactic cosmic rays, which contain a mixture of multiple charged
      particles, as well as protons, neutrons, and helium ions, may differ from the
      effects of iron alone. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: We show for the first
      time that charged high-LET ions are highly damaging to the ovary even at low
      doses, causing premature ovarian failure. In addition to raising concerns for
      female astronauts, these findings raise concerns for ovarian damage due to
      clinical uses of high-LET particles for cancer treatment. In addition to causing
      infertility, premature ovarian failure has adverse implications for the functions
      of heart, brain, bone and muscle later in life. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING
      INTERESTS: This work was supported by a National Aeronautics and Space
      Administration grant NNX14AC50G to U.L. B.M. was partially supported by a
      National Space Biomedical Research Institute First Award, PF04302. Additional
      support was received from the University of California Irvine Center for
      Occupational and Environmental Health. The authors have no conflicts of
      interests.

PMID- 27251205
TI  - Hospital admission for hyperemesis gravidarum: a nationwide study of occurrence,
      reoccurrence and risk factors among 8.2 million pregnancies.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: What are the maternal risk factors for hyperemesis gravidarum
      (HG) hospital admission, readmission and reoccurrence in a following pregnancy?
      SUMMARY ANSWER: Young age, less socioeconomic deprivation, nulliparity, Asian or
      Black ethnicity, female fetus, multiple pregnancy, history of HG in a previous
      pregnancy, thyroid and parathyroid dysfunction, hypercholesterolemia and Type 1
      diabetes are all risk factors for HG. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Women with Black or
      Asian ethnicity, of young age, carrying multiple babies or singleton females,
      with Type 1 diabetes or with a history of HG were previously reported to be at
      higher risk of developing HG; however, most evidence is from small studies.
      Little is known about associations with other comorbidities and there is
      controversy over other risk factors such as parity. Estimates of HG prevalence
      vary and there is a little understanding of the risks of HG readmission in a
      current pregnancy and reoccurrence rates in subsequent pregnancies, all of which
      are needed for planning measures to reduce onset or worsening of the condition.
      STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We performed a population-based cohort study of
      pregnancies ending in live births and stillbirths using prospectively recorded
      secondary care records (Hospital Episode Statistics) from England. We analysed
      those computerized and anonymized clinical records from over 5.3 million women
      who had one or more pregnancies between 1997 and 2012. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS,
      SETTING, METHODS: We obtained 8 215 538 pregnancies from 5 329 101 women of
      reproductive age, with a total of 186 800 HG admissions occurring during 121 885
      pregnancies. Multivariate logistic regression with generalized estimating
      equations was employed to estimate odds ratios (aOR) to assess sociodemographic,
      pregnancy and comorbidity risk factors for HG onset, HG readmission within a
      pregnancy and reoccurrence in a subsequent pregnancy. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE
      OF CHANCE: Being younger, from a less socioeconomically deprived status, of Asian
      or Black ethnicity, carrying a female fetus or having a multiple pregnancy all
      significantly increased HG and readmission risk but only ethnicity increased
      reoccurrence. Comorbidities most strongly associated with HG were parathyroid
      dysfunction (aOR = 3.83, 95% confidence interval 2.28-6.44), hypercholesterolemia
      (aOR = 2.54, 1.88-3.44), Type 1 diabetes (aOR = 1.95, 1.82-2.09), and thyroid
      dysfunction (aOR = 1.85, 1.74-1.96). History of HG was the strongest independent
      risk factor (aOR = 4.74, 4.46-5.05). Women with higher parity had a lower risk of
      HG compared with nulliparous women (aOR = 0.90, 0.89-0.91), which was not
      explained by women with HG curtailing further pregnancies. LIMITATIONS, REASONS
      FOR CAUTION: Although this represents the largest population-based study
      worldwide on the topic, the results could have been biased by residual and
      unmeasured confounding considering that some potential important risk factors
      such as smoking, BMI or prenatal care could not be measured with these data.
      Underestimation of non-routinely screened comorbidities such as
      hypercholesterolemia or thyroid dysfunction could also be a cause of selection
      bias. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The estimated prevalence of 1.5% from
      our study was similar to the average prevalence reported in the literature and
      the representativeness of our data has been validated by comparison to national
      statistics. Also the prevalence of comorbidities was mostly similar to other
      studies estimating these in the UK and other developed countries. Women with
      Black or Asian ethnicity, of young age, carrying multiple babies or singleton
      females, with Type 1 diabetes or with history of HG were confirmed to be at
      higher risk of HG with an unprecedented higher statistical power. We showed for
      the first time that socioeconomic status interacts with maternal age, that
      hypercholesterolemia is a potential risk factor for HG and that carrying multiple
      females increases risk of hyperemesis compared with multiple males. We also
      provided robust evidence for the association of parity with HG. Earlier
      recognition and management of symptoms via gynaecology day-case units or general
      practitioner services can inform prevention and control of consequent hospital
      admissions. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The work was founded by The
      Rosetrees Trust and the Stoneygate Trust. The funders had no role in study
      design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the
      manuscript. C.N.-P. reports personal fees from Sanofi Aventis, Warner Chilcott,
      Leo Pharma, UCB and Falk, outside the submitted work and she is one of the co
      developers of the RCOG Green Top Guideline on HG; all other authors did not
      report any potential conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not
      applicable.

PMID- 27251206
TI  - Therapy: HCV drugs reduce transplantation need.

PMID- 27251207
TI  - IBD: Sensing gene-microbiota signals in IBD.

PMID- 27251208
TI  - Paediatrics: Diagnostic yield of paediatric lower gastrointestinal endoscopy.

PMID- 27251209
TI  - Paediatrics: Fruitful therapy for dehydration.

PMID- 27251210
TI  - IBD: Exposure to anti-TNF agents in utero: controlling health risks.

PMID- 27251211
TI  - Liver cancer: A new drug target for hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 27251212
TI  - Therapy: Colorectal cancer: how to teach an old drug new tricks.

PMID- 27251214
TI  - Gastrointestinal cancer: Neutrophils and cancer: guilt by association.

PMID- 27251215
TI  - Catch-up growth and growth deficits: Nine-year annual panel child growth for
      native Amazonians in Bolivia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood growth stunting is negatively associated with cognitive and
      health outcomes, and is claimed to be irreversible after age 2. AIM: To estimate
      growth rates for children aged 2-7 who were stunted (sex-age standardised z-score
      [HAZ] <-2), marginally-stunted (-2 <= HAZ <=-1) or not-stunted (HAZ >-1) at
      baseline and tracked annually until age 11; frequency of movement among height
      categories; and variation in height predicted by early childhood height. SUBJECTS
      AND METHODS: This study used a 9-year annual panel (2002-2010) from a native
      Amazonian society of horticulturalists-foragers (Tsimane'; n = 174 girls; 179
      boys at baseline). Descriptive statistics and random-effect regressions were
      used. RESULTS: This study found some evidence of catch-up growth in HAZ, but
      persistent height deficits. Children stunted at baseline improved 1 HAZ unit by
      age 11 and had higher annual growth rates than non-stunted children. Marginally
      stunted boys had a 0.1 HAZ units higher annual growth rate than non-stunted boys.
      Despite some catch up, ~ 80% of marginally-stunted children at baseline remained
      marginally-stunted by age 11. The height deficit increased from age 2 to 11.
      Modest year-to-year movement was found between height categories. CONCLUSIONS:
      The prevalence of growth faltering among the Tsimane' has declined, but hurdles
      still substantially lock children into height categories.

PMID- 27251216
TI  - Perioperative complications of scoliosis surgery in patients with Duchenne
      muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy, focussing on wound healing
      disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE: Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or spinal muscular
      atrophy (SMA), both neuromuscular diseases, sustain spinal scoliosis in the
      course of their disease. To reduce the concomitant major morbidity and to improve
      their quality of life, patients require surgical spine stabilization. This can
      lead to complications like respiratory, cardiac or neurological complications or
      wound healing disorders (WHD). To find out the different complexities and risk
      factors increasing the chance to develop a WHD, the inpatient database was
      analyzed. METHODS: We performed a retrospective statistical study. Therefore, we
      analyzed the inpatient database of 180 patients (142 DMD and 38 SMA patients).
      The focus was on WHD. To figure out the risk factors leading to WHD, we conducted
      a logistic regression. RESULTS: Cardiac complications occurred most frequently,
      followed by pulmonary complications and neurological lesions. Fifty-seven out of
      180 patients developed a WHD. In 23 cases the WHD was aseptic, in the other 34
      cases dermal organisms, Pseudomonas species and intestinal organisms were
      responsible. By means of the logistic regression, we were able to identify two
      more risk factors, in addition to diagnosis and gender, for developing a WHD in
      our patients: the year of surgery and the direction of pelvic tilt. CONCLUSIONS:
      Most common complications following scoliosis surgery are respiratory and cardiac
      complications. WHD is a severe complication that implies a prolonged therapy.
      Some risk factors for developing WHD could be identified in this analysis.
      Specifically, these were the date of surgery and the direction of pelvic tilt.

PMID- 27251213
TI  - Vagal neurocircuitry and its influence on gastric motility.
AB  - A large body of research has been dedicated to the effects of gastrointestinal
      peptides on vagal afferent fibres, yet multiple lines of evidence indicate that
      gastrointestinal peptides also modulate brainstem vagal neurocircuitry, and that
      this modulation has a fundamental role in the physiology and pathophysiology of
      the upper gastrointestinal tract. In fact, brainstem vagovagal neurocircuits
      comprise highly plastic neurons and synapses connecting afferent vagal fibres,
      second order neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), and efferent fibres
      originating in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). Neuronal
      communication between the NTS and DMV is regulated by the presence of a variety
      of inputs, both from within the brainstem itself as well as from higher centres,
      which utilize an array of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Because of the
      circumventricular nature of these brainstem areas, circulating hormones can also
      modulate the vagal output to the upper gastrointestinal tract. This Review
      summarizes the organization and function of vagovagal reflex control of the upper
      gastrointestinal tract, presents data on the plasticity within these
      neurocircuits after stress, and discusses the gastrointestinal dysfunctions
      observed in Parkinson disease as examples of physiological adjustment and
      maladaptation of these reflexes.

PMID- 27251217
TI  - The risk-outcome-experience triad: Mortality risk and the hospital consumer
      assessment of healthcare providers and systems survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have shown an association between the Hospital Consumer
      Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey (HCAHPS) scores and
      clinical quality. The mortality risk on admission predicts adverse events. It is
      not known if this risk also portends a suboptimal patient experience. OBJECTIVE:
      To determine if the admission mortality risk identifies an experience of care
      risk. DESIGN: A retrospectively assembled cohort in which individual HCAHPS
      survey responses were linked to the admission risk of dying. SETTING: Five
      community hospitals of various sizes in Michigan. PATIENTS: There were 17,509
      HCAHPS medical and surgical respondents; 2513 (14.4%) were at high risk of dying.
      MEASUREMENTS: Odds ratio (OR) (high-risk patients to low-risk patients) for
      providing a top box score for HCAHPS dimensions, controlling for hospital and the
      standard HCAHPS patient mix adjustment factors. RESULTS: High-risk respondents
      were less likely to provide the most favorable response (unadjusted) for all
      HCAHPS domains, although the difference was not significant (P = 0.09) for
      discharge information. Multivariable analyses indicated that high-risk patients
      were less likely to report a top box experience for doctor communication (OR:
      0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77-0.94) and responsiveness of hospital
      staff (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.69-0.85), but were more likely to have received
      adequate discharge information (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14-1.48). CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients at high risk of dying who completed surveys were less likely to report
      favorable physician communication and staff responsiveness. Further understanding
      of these relationships may help design a care model to improve both outcomes and
      experience. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:628-635. (c) 2016 Society of
      Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 27251219
TI  - Monitoring Natural World Heritage Sites: optimization of the monitoring system in
      Bogda with GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis.
AB  - Natural World Heritage Sites (NWHSs) are invaluable treasure due to the
      uniqueness of each site. Proper monitoring and management can guarantee their
      protection from multiple threats. In this study, geographic information system
      (GIS)-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) was used to assess
      criteria layers acquired from the data available in the literature. A conceptual
      model for determining the priority area for monitoring in Bogda, China, was
      created based on outstanding universal values (OUV) and expert knowledge. Weights
      were assigned to each layer using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based on
      group decisions, encompassing three experts: one being a heritage site expert,
      another a forest ranger, and the other a heritage site manager. Subsequently,
      evaluation layers and constraint layers were used to generate a priority map and
      to determine the feasibility of monitoring in Bogda. Finally, a monitoring
      suitability map of Bogda was obtained by referencing priority and feasibility
      maps.The high-priority monitoring area is located in the montane forest belt,
      which exhibits high biodiversity and is the main tourist area of Bogda. The
      northern buffer zone of Bogda comprises the concentrated feasible monitoring
      areas, and the area closest to roads and monitoring facilities is highly feasible
      for NWHS monitoring. The suitability of an area in terms of monitoring is largely
      determined by the monitoring priority in that particular area. The majority of
      planned monitoring facilities are well distributed in both suitable and less
      suitable areas. Analysis results indicate that the protection of Bogda will be
      more scientifically based due to its effective and all-around planned monitoring
      system proposed by the declaration text of Xinjiang Tianshan, which is the
      essential file submitted to World Heritage Centre to inscribe as a NWHS. 

PMID- 27251218
TI  - Construction and immunogenicity of a new Fc-based subunit vaccine candidate
      against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - As an ancient disease, tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health threat.
      Therefore, there is an urgent need for an effective and safe anti-TB vaccine. In
      the current study, a delivery system of Fc domain of mouse IgG2a and early
      secreted antigenic target protein 6 (ESAT-6) was evaluated for the selective
      uptake of antigens by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Thus, it was based on the
      immunogenicity of a fusion protein. The study was initiated by the transfer of
      recombinant expression vectors of pPICZalphaA-ESAT-6:Fcgamma2a and pPICZalphaA
      ESAT-6: His into Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris). Recombinant proteins were
      assessed for immunogenicity following the immunoblotting analysis. High levels of
      IFN-gamma and IL-12 were produced to induce Th1-type cellular responses through
      vaccination with both recombinant proteins [ESAT-6:Fcgamma2a (EF) and ESAT-6:His
      (EH)]. The Fc-tagged recombinant protein induced more effective Th1-type cellular
      responses with a low increment in IL-4 compared to PBS, BCG, and EH groups.
      Although in all the immunized groups, the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 was in favor of
      Th1 responses, the highest Th1/Th2 balance was observed in EF immunized group. Fc
      fragment of mouse IgG2a may induce a selective uptake of APCs towards the cross
      presentation and formation of Th1 responses in favor of an appropriate protective
      anti-tuberculosis reaction. Thus, further research on Fc-fusion proteins is
      required to develop Fc-based TB vaccines. 

PMID- 27251220
TI  - Current status of seawater quality in Digha (India), northwestern coast of the
      Bay of Bengal.
AB  - The present investigation was intended to assess the seawater quality of Digha
      (India) in the northwestern coast of the Bay of Bengal. Digha is a meso-tidal
      coastal plain located between two major estuarine systems, i.e. Subarnarekha and
      Hooghly located respectively on the western and eastern sides of the West Bengal
      along the northeast coast of India. The sampling was made at nine stations at
      various distances. Significant seasonal variations in environmental parameters
      and nutrients were observed during the study period. Analyses of physicochemical
      characteristics of the study area indicated that the level of dissolved oxygen
      (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolved solid (TDS) and nutrients
      is within the permissible limit. The results clearly revealed that, though sewage
      discharge takes place in the coastal waters, the quality of the water was not
      affected. It may be due to the large quantity of estuarine water input from the
      Hooghly estuarine system that have enhanced dilution of discharged sewage in
      Digha coastal waters. Strong tidal activities, wave dynamics and coastal current
      further dilute the effluent water in the study area, resulting to the minimised
      sewage effect on coastal ecosystem. Further studies on the heavy metal
      concentration and benthic diversity can be assessed to understand the health of
      the ecosystem. 

PMID- 27251221
TI  - Occurrence and estimation of pesticide residues in edible minor crops in
      southeastern Poland in 2013-2014.
AB  - This paper presents the results of official control of pesticide residues in
      minor crops collected in southeastern Poland in 2013-2014. Compliance of used
      pesticides with applicable law was also verified, and determined residues were
      compared to maximum residue levels (MRLs) provided for in Regulation (EC) No.
      395/2005. A total of 583 samples of 25 different types of fresh fruit and
      vegetables were analyzed for pesticide residues. Pesticide residues were detected
      in 158 samples (27.1 % of the analyzed samples). According to the European
      Commission Health & Consumer Protection Directorate-General (SANCO) guidelines
      document, MRL violations were understood as cases where a residue level exceeded
      the MRL after the uncertainty of the method (50 %) was considered. MRL violations
      were found in four samples. The usage of unauthorized pesticides was detected in
      5.8 % of analyzed samples. Substances banned in Poland were found in two samples.
      Fungicides were the most frequently detected group of pesticides. Pesticide
      residues were most commonly found in fruit samples (19.4 % of all analyzed
      samples), mainly in gooseberry, redcurrant, and huckleberry. The majority of
      samples were compliant with MRLs, which means that they were suitable for trade. 

PMID- 27251222
TI  - Biohydrogen Production from Hydrolysates of Selected Tropical Biomass Wastes with
      Clostridium Butyricum.
AB  - Biohydrogen production has received widespread attention from researchers in
      industry and academic fields. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to
      evaluate the effects of several key variables in anaerobic fermentation of
      glucose with Clostridium butyrium, and achieved the highest production rate and
      yield of hydrogen. Highest H2 yield of 2.02 mol H2/mol-glucose was achieved from
      24 h bottle fermentation of glucose at 35  degrees C, while the composition of
      medium was (g/L): 15.66 glucose, 6.04 yeast extract, 4 tryptone, 3 K2HPO4, 3
      KH2PO4, 0.05 L-cysteine, 0.05 MgSO4.7H2O, 0.1 MnSO4.H2O and 0.3 FeSO4.7H2O, which
      was very different from that for cell growth. Sugarcane bagasse and Jatropha
      hulls were selected as typical tropical biomass wastes to produce sugars via a
      two-step acid hydrolysis for hydrogen production. Under the optimized
      fermentation conditions, H2 yield (mol H2/mol-total reducing sugar) was 2.15 for
      glucose, 2.06 for bagasse hydrolysate and 1.95 for Jatropha hull hydrolysate in a
      3L fermenter for 24 h at 35  degrees C, with H2 purity of 49.7-64.34%. The
      results provide useful information and basic data for practical use of tropical
      plant wastes to produce hydrogen.

PMID- 27251224
TI  - Anomalous mitral and tricuspid arcade in a patient with stenotic double-orifice
      tricuspid valve.

PMID- 27251223
TI  - Evidence for participation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin/matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (NGAL*MMP-9) complex in the inflammatory response to
      infection in pregnancies complicated by preterm birth.
AB  - PROBLEM: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is expressed in
      neutrophils and involved in innate immunity by sequestering iron. NGAL's ability
      to complex with matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and extend its gelatinolytic
      activity led us to investigate its role in pregnancies complicated by preterm
      birth (PTB) and intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI). METHOD OF STUDY: We
      assayed the amniotic fluid (AF) levels of NGAL and MMP-9 in 308 women that had a
      clinically indicated amniocentesis and a normal pregnancy outcome or PTB. qRT-PCR
      was employed to determine NGAL mRNA expression of placental villous trophoblast
      and amniochorion. Immunohistochemistry was used for cellular localization.
      RESULTS: AF NGAL levels were gestational age-regulated. Women with IAI and PTB
      had significantly higher levels of NGAL, MMP-9 and NGAL*MMP-9 complex.
      CONCLUSION: The amniochorion is a source of NGAL and similarly to other
      inflammatory conditions, this protein may augment the collagenolytic effect of
      MMP-9 and modulate host-microbe interactions in pregnancies complicated by IAI.

PMID- 27251226
TI  - Norm statement considered harmful: comment on 'evolution of unconditional
      dispersal in periodic environments'.
AB  - The mathematical symbol for the norm, which is heavily overloaded with multiple
      definitions that have both universal and specific properties, lends itself to
      confusion. This is manifest in the proof of an important theorem for population
      dynamics by Schreiber and Li on how dispersal increases population growth in a
      periodic environment. Here the theorem is placed in context, the proof is
      clarified, and the confusing but inconsequential errors corrected. 

PMID- 27251225
TI  - RANKL expression is a useful marker for differentiation of pagetoid squamous cell
      carcinoma in situ from extramammary Paget disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pagetoid squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS) is a histopathologic
      variant of SCCIS composed of cells that display an abundant, pale-staining
      cytoplasm in a pagetoid distribution within the epidermis. As pagetoid SCCIS is
      sometimes difficult to differentiate from extramammary Paget disease (EMPD)
      histopathologically, specific markers for pagetoid SCCIS or EMPD are needed by
      dermatopathologists. METHODS: In this report, we employed immunohistochemical
      staining for receptor of activated nuclear factor kappa ligand (RANKL) and
      programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in six cases each of pagetoid SCCIS and EMPD.
      RESULTS: The Paget cells strongly expressed RANKL in EMPD, whereas the atypical
      keratinocytes did not express RANKL in any of the six cases of pagetoid SCCIS. In
      all cases of pagetoid SCCIS, atypical keratinocytes expressed PD-L1. In EMPD,
      Paget cells expressed PD-L1 in half of the cases at a lower level of expression
      than was seen in the surrounding keratinocytes. CONCLUSION: This study suggested
      that RANKL, but not PD-L1, could be a marker to differentiate between pagetoid
      SCCIS and EMPD.

PMID- 27251227
TI  - Trichocysts-Paramecium's Projectile-like Secretory Organelles: Reappraisal of
      their Biogenesis, Composition, Intracellular Transport, and Possible Functions.
AB  - This review summarizes biogenesis, composition, intracellular transport, and
      possible functions of trichocysts. Trichocyst release by Paramecium is the
      fastest dense core-secretory vesicle exocytosis known. This is enabled by the
      crystalline nature of the trichocyst "body" whose matrix proteins (tmp), upon
      contact with extracellular Ca2+ , undergo explosive recrystallization that
      propagates cooperatively throughout the organelle. Membrane fusion during
      stimulated trichocyst exocytosis involves Ca2+ mobilization from alveolar sacs
      and tightly coupled store-operated Ca2+ -influx, initiated by activation of
      ryanodine receptor-like Ca2+ -release channels. Particularly, aminoethyldextran
      perfectly mimics a physiological function of trichocysts, i.e. defense against
      predators, by vigorous, local trichocyst discharge. The tmp's contained in the
      main "body" of a trichocyst are arranged in a defined pattern, resulting in
      crossstriation, whose period expands upon expulsion. The second part of a
      trichocyst, the "tip", contains secretory lectins which diffuse upon discharge.
      Repulsion from predators may not be the only function of trichocysts. We consider
      ciliary reversal accompanying stimulated trichocyst exocytosis (also in mutants
      devoid of depolarization-activated Ca2+ channels) a second, automatically
      superimposed defense mechanism. A third defensive mechanism may be effectuated by
      the secretory lectins of the trichocyst tip; they may inhibit toxicyst exocytosis
      in Dileptus by crosslinking surface proteins (an effect mimicked in Paramecium by
      antibodies against cell surface components). Some of the proteins, body and tip,
      are glycosylated as visualized by binding of exogenous lectins. This reflects the
      biogenetic pathway, from the endoplasmic reticulum via the Golgi apparatus, which
      is also supported by details from molecular biology. There are fragile links
      connecting the matrix of a trichocyst with its membrane; these may signal the
      filling state, full or empty, before and after tmp release upon exocytosis,
      respectively. This is supported by experimentally produced "frustrated
      exocytosis", i.e. membrane fusion without contents release, followed by membrane
      resealing and entry in a new cycle of reattachment for stimulated exocytosis.
      There are some more puzzles to be solved: Considering the absence of any
      detectable Ca2+ and of acidity in the organelle, what causes the striking effects
      of silencing the genes of some specific Ca2+ -release channels and of subunits of
      the H+ -ATPase? What determines the inherent polarity of a trichocyst? What
      precisely causes the inability of trichocyst mutants to dock at the cell
      membrane? Many details now call for further experimental work to unravel more
      secrets about these fascinating organelles.

PMID- 27251228
TI  - Structure and inhibition analysis of the mouse SAD-B C-terminal fragment.
AB  - The SAD (synapses of amphids defective) kinases, including SAD-A and SAD-B, play
      important roles in the regulation of neuronal development, cell cycle, and energy
      metabolism. Our recent study of mouse SAD-A identified a unique autoinhibitory
      sequence (AIS), which binds at the junction of the kinase domain (KD) and the
      ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain and exerts autoregulation in cooperation with
      UBA. Here, we report the crystal structure of the mouse SAD-B C-terminal fragment
      including the AIS and the kinase-associated domain 1 (KA1) at 2.8 A resolution.
      The KA1 domain is structurally conserved, while the isolated AIS sequence is
      highly flexible and solvent-accessible. Our biochemical studies indicated that
      the SAD-B AIS exerts the same autoinhibitory role as that in SAD-A. We believe
      that the flexible isolated AIS sequence is readily available for interaction with
      KD-UBA and thus inhibits SAD-B activity. 

PMID- 27251229
TI  - Effects of 22 CYP2D6 Genetic Variations Newly Identified in Chinese Population on
      Olanzapine Metabolism in vitro.
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess the catalytic activity of 22 novel
      CYP2D6 allelic variants (2D6*87-*98, R25Q, F164L, E215K, F219S, V327M, D336N,
      V342M, R344Q, R440C and R497C) to olanzapine in vitro. Their protein products
      expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda 21 (Sf21) insect cells were incubated with
      olanzapine 100-2,000 MUmol/l for 30 min. The kinetic parameters of Km, Vmax and
      intrinsic clearance were determined by 2-hydroxymethylolanzapine, the metabolite
      of olanzapine mediated by CYP2D6, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography
      tandem mass spectrometry. Results showed that the kinetic parameters of 2
      alleles, CYP2D6*92 and 2D6*96, could not be detected; 17 allelic variants,
      CYP2D6*87-*88, 2D6*90-*91, 2D6*93-*95, 2D6*97, R25Q, F164L, E215K, F219S, V327M,
      V342M, R344Q, R440C and R497C, significantly reduced the intrinsic clearance of
      olanzapine; 2 variants, CYP2D6*89 and 2D6*98, increased the intrinsic clearance
      of olanzapine; no difference was found in intrinsic clearance of D336N.
      Furthermore, 6 alleles, CYP2D6*87, 2D6*88, 2D6*91, 2D6*93, 2D6*97 and R497C,
      exhibited higher Km values in a range of 120.80-217.56% relative to wild-type
      CYP2D6*1. The research demonstrated the metabolic phenotype of the 22 novel
      CYP2D6 variants for olanzapine that were different from probe drugs we used
      previously and might provide beneficial information to the personalized medicine
      of olanzapine. 

PMID- 27251230
TI  - Evaluating the responses of a territorial solitary carnivore to potential mates
      and competitors.
AB  - Successful communication is critical to the fitness of individuals and
      maintenance of populations, but less is known regarding the social contexts and
      reactions to scent marking by other individuals in solitary carnivores, including
      pumas. We evaluated the responses of resident male pumas to visitation and scent
      marking by potential competitors (other male pumas) and potential mates (female
      pumas) by capturing and marking 46 pumas (Puma concolor), and documenting scent
      marking behaviours using motion-triggered video cameras. By comparing resident
      male puma visitation rates and communication behaviours in response to either
      male or female visitors, we found that their visitation and communication
      behaviours were best explained by the combination of visitation by both
      competitors and potential mates. Resident males returned to scent marking sites
      more quickly and increased their rate of flehmen response after visitation by a
      females, while they increased their rate of visitation and duration of visits in
      response to other males. Male pumas also visited less frequently in summer and
      autumn when female visitation rates were lower, but males created nearly twice as
      many scrapes during these visits. This study suggests that advertising for mates
      when scent marking may sometimes overshadow the importance of deterring
      competitors and claiming territory.

PMID- 27251231
TI  - Diaphragmatic excursion measurement in emergency patients with acute dyspnea:
      toward a new diagnostic tool?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: During acute dyspnea (AD), respiratory exhaustion is mainly due to
      diaphragm fatigue. The primary objective was to validate interobserver
      reproducibility of diaphragmatic excursion (DE) in emergency department (ED)
      patients admitted for AD. The secondary objectives were to assess the feasibility
      of DE measurement and intraobserver reproducibility. Finally, we examined whether
      the DE value was associated with a need for noninvasive ventilation (NIV).
      MATERIALS: This was a monocentric, prospective, technical reproducibility study.
      Adult patients in spontaneous ventilation admitted for AD were included. Two
      operators carried out 2 consecutive diaphragm excursion measurements each on the
      right and left hemidiaphragms. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were analyzed. The
      feasibility was 96% on the right and 67% on the left. The interobserver
      concordance between the 2 measures was 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59
      0.91) (average difference, -0.07+/-0.48 cm) on the right and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.19
      0.82) (average difference, 0.30+/-0.91 cm) on the left. For right DE values
      inferior to 2.3 cm, the interobserver concordance between measures was 0.92 (95%
      CI, 0.78-0.97). The intraobserver concordance was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.81-0.94)
      (average difference, 0.02+/-0.35 cm) on the right and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.82-0.95)
      (average difference,-0.06+/-0.45 cm) on the left. When the DE was greater than 2
      cm, no patient required NIV. CONCLUSION: Diaphragmatic excursion measurement of
      the right diaphragm is feasible, with good interobserver and intraobserver
      reproducibility in ED patients admitted for AD. When the DE value is greater than
      2 cm at admission, no subsequent NIV is required.

PMID- 27251232
TI  - Late lead perforation presenting as acute shoulder pain.

PMID- 27251233
TI  - Giant Seebeck effect in Ge-doped SnSe.
AB  - Thermoelectric materials may contribute in the near future as new alternative
      sources of sustainable energy. Unprecedented thermoelectric properties in p-type
      SnSe single crystals have been recently reported, accompanied by extremely low
      thermal conductivity in polycrystalline samples. In order to enhance
      thermoelectric efficiency through proper tuning of this material we report a full
      structural characterization and evaluation of the thermoelectric properties of
      novel Ge-doped SnSe prepared by a straightforward arc-melting method, which
      yields nanostructured polycrystalline samples. Ge does not dope the system in the
      sense of donating carriers, yet the electrical properties show a semiconductor
      behavior with resistivity values higher than that of the parent compound, as a
      consequence of nanostructuration, whereas the Seebeck coefficient is higher and
      thermal conductivity lower, favorable to a better ZT figure of merit.

PMID- 27251234
TI  - Does caspase-12 suppress inflammasome activation?

PMID- 27251236
TI  - Toxic control.

PMID- 27251235
TI  - Dark satanic wings.

PMID- 27251237
TI  - Seeing farther.

PMID- 27251238
TI  - The developing world needs basic research too.

PMID- 27251250
TI  - Marine ecologists take to the skies to study coral reefs.

PMID- 27251252
TI  - Tiny 'chipsat' spacecraft set for first flight.

PMID- 27251251
TI  - Biology's big funders boost eLife. Open-access journal nets L25 million in
      support until 2022.

PMID- 27251254
TI  - Two-hundred-terabyte maths proof is largest ever.

PMID- 27251253
TI  - US advised to stick with troubled fusion reactor ITER.

PMID- 27251255
TI  - Why the historic deal to expand US chemical regulation matters.

PMID- 27251256
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27251257
TI  - Why South Korea is the world's biggest investor in research.

PMID- 27251258
TI  - The snot-spattered experiments that show how far sneezes really spread.

PMID- 27251259
TI  - Industrial research: Drug companies must adopt green chemistry.

PMID- 27251260
TI  - Conservation: The seas cannot be saved on a budget of breadcrumbs.

PMID- 27251264
TI  - Chernobyl anniversary: Ukraine should cut back nuclear power.

PMID- 27251265
TI  - Invasive species: Bee-hawking hornet already in line of fire.

PMID- 27251266
TI  - Genome editing: Broad Institute keeps CRISPR tools open.

PMID- 27251267
TI  - China: Industry parks limit circular economy.

PMID- 27251268
TI  - Environmental costs: Revive China's green GDP programme.

PMID- 27251269
TI  - Walter Kohn (1923-2016).

PMID- 27251270
TI  - Planetary science: Pluto's polygons explained.

PMID- 27251271
TI  - Microbiology: Pumping persisters.

PMID- 27251272
TI  - Structural biology: A photo shoot of plant photosystem II.

PMID- 27251273
TI  - Archaeology: Neanderthals built underground.

PMID- 27251274
TI  - Geophysics: Earth's core problem.

PMID- 27251277
TI  - Regulation of black-hole accretion by a disk wind during a violent outburst of
      V404 Cygni.
AB  - Accretion of matter onto black holes is universally associated with strong
      radiative feedback and powerful outflows. In particular, black-hole transients
      have outflows whose properties are strongly coupled to those of the accretion
      flow. This includes X-ray winds of ionized material, expelled from the accretion
      disk encircling the black hole, and collimated radio jets. Very recently, a
      distinct optical variability pattern has been reported in the transient stellar
      mass black hole V404 Cygni, and interpreted as disrupted mass flow into the inner
      regions of its large accretion disk. Here we report observations of a sustained
      outer accretion disk wind in V404 Cyg, which is unlike any seen hitherto. We find
      that the outflowing wind is neutral, has a large covering factor, expands at one
      per cent of the speed of light and triggers a nebular phase once accretion drops
      sharply and the ejecta become optically thin. The large expelled mass (>10(-8)
      solar masses) indicates that the outburst was prematurely ended when a sizeable
      fraction of the outer disk was depleted by the wind, detaching the inner regions
      from the rest of the disk. The luminous, but brief, accretion phases shown by
      transients with large accretion disks imply that this outflow is probably a
      fundamental ingredient in regulating mass accretion onto black holes.

PMID- 27251276
TI  - Structure of spinach photosystem II-LHCII supercomplex at 3.2 A resolution.
AB  - During photosynthesis, the plant photosystem II core complex receives excitation
      energy from the peripheral light-harvesting complex II (LHCII). The pathways
      along which excitation energy is transferred between them, and their assembly
      mechanisms, remain to be deciphered through high-resolution structural studies.
      Here we report the structure of a 1.1-megadalton spinach photosystem II-LHCII
      supercomplex solved at 3.2 A resolution through single-particle cryo-electron
      microscopy. The structure reveals a homodimeric supramolecular system in which
      each monomer contains 25 protein subunits, 105 chlorophylls, 28 carotenoids and
      other cofactors. Three extrinsic subunits (PsbO, PsbP and PsbQ), which are
      essential for optimal oxygen-evolving activity of photosystem II, form a
      triangular crown that shields the Mn4CaO5-binding domains of CP43 and D1. One
      major trimeric and two minor monomeric LHCIIs associate with each core-complex
      monomer, and the antenna-core interactions are reinforced by three small
      intrinsic subunits (PsbW, PsbH and PsbZ). By analysing the closely connected
      interfacial chlorophylls, we have obtained detailed insights into the energy
      transfer pathways between the antenna and core complexes.

PMID- 27251278
TI  - Vigorous convection as the explanation for Pluto's polygonal terrain.
AB  - Pluto's surface is surprisingly young and geologically active. One of its
      youngest terrains is the near-equatorial region informally named Sputnik Planum,
      which is a topographic basin filled by nitrogen (N2) ice mixed with minor amounts
      of CH4 and CO ices. Nearly the entire surface of the region is divided into
      irregular polygons about 20-30 kilometres in diameter, whose centres rise tens of
      metres above their sides. The edges of this region exhibit bulk flow features
      without polygons. Both thermal contraction and convection have been proposed to
      explain this terrain, but polygons formed from thermal contraction (analogous to
      ice-wedges or mud-crack networks) of N2 are inconsistent with the observations on
      Pluto of non-brittle deformation within the N2-ice sheet. Here we report a
      parameterized convection model to compute the Rayleigh number of the N2 ice and
      show that it is vigorously convecting, making Rayleigh-Benard convection the most
      likely explanation for these polygons. The diameter of Sputnik Planum's polygons
      and the dimensions of the 'floating mountains' (the hills of of water ice along
      the edges of the polygons) suggest that its N2 ice is about ten kilometres thick.
      The estimated convection velocity of 1.5 centimetres a year indicates a surface
      age of only around a million years. 

PMID- 27251279
TI  - Convection in a volatile nitrogen-ice-rich layer drives Pluto's geological
      vigour.
AB  - The vast, deep, volatile-ice-filled basin informally named Sputnik Planum is
      central to Pluto's vigorous geological activity. Composed of molecular nitrogen,
      methane, and carbon monoxide ices, but dominated by nitrogen ice, this layer is
      organized into cells or polygons, typically about 10 to 40 kilometres across,
      that resemble the surface manifestation of solid-state convection. Here we
      report, on the basis of available rheological measurements, that solid layers of
      nitrogen ice with a thickness in excess of about one kilometre should undergo
      convection for estimated present-day heat-flow conditions on Pluto. More
      importantly, we show numerically that convective overturn in a several-kilometre
      thick layer of solid nitrogen can explain the great lateral width of the cells.
      The temperature dependence of nitrogen-ice viscosity implies that the ice layer
      convects in the so-called sluggish lid regime, a unique convective mode not
      previously definitively observed in the Solar System. Average surface horizontal
      velocities of a few centimetres a year imply surface transport or renewal times
      of about 500,000 years, well under the ten-million-year upper-limit crater
      retention age for Sputnik Planum. Similar convective surface renewal may also
      occur on other dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt, which may help to explain the
      high albedos shown by some of these bodies. 

PMID- 27251280
TI  - Attosecond nonlinear polarization and light-matter energy transfer in solids.
AB  - Electric-field-induced charge separation (polarization) is the most fundamental
      manifestation of the interaction of light with matter and a phenomenon of great
      technological relevance. Nonlinear optical polarization produces coherent
      radiation in spectral ranges inaccessible by lasers and constitutes the key to
      ultimate-speed signal manipulation. Terahertz techniques have provided
      experimental access to this important observable up to frequencies of several
      terahertz. Here we demonstrate that attosecond metrology extends the resolution
      to petahertz frequencies of visible light. Attosecond polarization spectroscopy
      allows measurement of the response of the electronic system of silica to strong
      (more than one volt per angstrom) few-cycle optical (about 750 nanometres)
      fields. Our proof-of-concept study provides time-resolved insight into the
      attosecond nonlinear polarization and the light-matter energy transfer dynamics
      behind the optical Kerr effect and multi-photon absorption. Timing the nonlinear
      polarization relative to the driving laser electric field with sub-30-attosecond
      accuracy yields direct quantitative access to both the reversible and
      irreversible energy exchange between visible-infrared light and electrons.
      Quantitative determination of dissipation within a signal manipulation cycle of
      only a few femtoseconds duration (by measurement and ab initio calculation)
      reveals the feasibility of dielectric optical switching at clock rates above 100
      terahertz. The observed sub-femtosecond rise of energy transfer from the field to
      the material (for a peak electric field strength exceeding 2.5 volts per
      angstrom) in turn indicates the viability of petahertz-bandwidth metrology with a
      solid-state device.

PMID- 27251275
TI  - Proteogenomics connects somatic mutations to signalling in breast cancer.
AB  - Somatic mutations have been extensively characterized in breast cancer, but the
      effects of these genetic alterations on the proteomic landscape remain poorly
      understood. Here we describe quantitative mass-spectrometry-based proteomic and
      phosphoproteomic analyses of 105 genomically annotated breast cancers, of which
      77 provided high-quality data. Integrated analyses provided insights into the
      somatic cancer genome including the consequences of chromosomal loss, such as the
      5q deletion characteristic of basal-like breast cancer. Interrogation of the 5q
      trans-effects against the Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular
      Signatures, connected loss of CETN3 and SKP1 to elevated expression of epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR), and SKP1 loss also to increased SRC tyrosine
      kinase. Global proteomic data confirmed a stromal-enriched group of proteins in
      addition to basal and luminal clusters, and pathway analysis of the
      phosphoproteome identified a G-protein-coupled receptor cluster that was not
      readily identified at the mRNA level. In addition to ERBB2, other amplicon
      associated highly phosphorylated kinases were identified, including CDK12, PAK1,
      PTK2, RIPK2 and TLK2. We demonstrate that proteogenomic analysis of breast cancer
      elucidates the functional consequences of somatic mutations, narrows candidate
      nominations for driver genes within large deletions and amplified regions, and
      identifies therapeutic targets.

PMID- 27251281
TI  - Oil sands operations as a large source of secondary organic aerosols.
AB  - Worldwide heavy oil and bitumen deposits amount to 9 trillion barrels of oil
      distributed in over 280 basins around the world, with Canada home to oil sands
      deposits of 1.7 trillion barrels. The global development of this resource and the
      increase in oil production from oil sands has caused environmental concerns over
      the presence of toxic compounds in nearby ecosystems and acid deposition. The
      contribution of oil sands exploration to secondary organic aerosol formation, an
      important component of atmospheric particulate matter that affects air quality
      and climate, remains poorly understood. Here we use data from airborne
      measurements over the Canadian oil sands, laboratory experiments and a box-model
      study to provide a quantitative assessment of the magnitude of secondary organic
      aerosol production from oil sands emissions. We find that the evaporation and
      atmospheric oxidation of low-volatility organic vapours from the mined oil sands
      material is directly responsible for the majority of the observed secondary
      organic aerosol mass. The resultant production rates of 45-84 tonnes per day make
      the oil sands one of the largest sources of anthropogenic secondary organic
      aerosols in North America. Heavy oil and bitumen account for over ten per cent of
      global oil production today, and this figure continues to grow. Our findings
      suggest that the production of the more viscous crude oils could be a large
      source of secondary organic aerosols in many production and refining regions
      worldwide, and that such production should be considered when assessing the
      environmental impacts of current and planned bitumen and heavy oil extraction
      projects globally.

PMID- 27251282
TI  - Experimental determination of the electrical resistivity of iron at Earth's core
      conditions.
AB  - Earth continuously generates a dipole magnetic field in its convecting liquid
      outer core by a self-sustained dynamo action. Metallic iron is a dominant
      component of the outer core, so its electrical and thermal conductivity controls
      the dynamics and thermal evolution of Earth's core. However, in spite of
      extensive research, the transport properties of iron under core conditions are
      still controversial. Since free electrons are a primary carrier of both electric
      current and heat, the electron scattering mechanism in iron under high pressure
      and temperature holds the key to understanding the transport properties of
      planetary cores. Here we measure the electrical resistivity (the reciprocal of
      electrical conductivity) of iron at the high temperatures (up to 4,500 kelvin)
      and pressures (megabars) of Earth's core in a laser-heated diamond-anvil cell.
      The value measured for the resistivity of iron is even lower than the value
      extrapolated from high-pressure, low-temperature data using the Bloch-Gruneisen
      law, which considers only the electron-phonon scattering. This shows that the
      iron resistivity is strongly suppressed by the resistivity saturation effect at
      high temperatures. The low electrical resistivity of iron indicates the high
      thermal conductivity of Earth's core, suggesting rapid core cooling and a young
      inner core less than 0.7 billion years old. Therefore, an abrupt increase in
      palaeomagnetic field intensity around 1.3 billion years ago may not be related to
      the birth of the inner core. 

PMID- 27251283
TI  - Direct measurement of thermal conductivity in solid iron at planetary core
      conditions.
AB  - The conduction of heat through minerals and melts at extreme pressures and
      temperatures is of central importance to the evolution and dynamics of planets.
      In the cooling Earth's core, the thermal conductivity of iron alloys defines the
      adiabatic heat flux and therefore the thermal and compositional energy available
      to support the production of Earth's magnetic field via dynamo action. Attempts
      to describe thermal transport in Earth's core have been problematic, with
      predictions of high thermal conductivity at odds with traditional geophysical
      models and direct evidence for a primordial magnetic field in the rock record.
      Measurements of core heat transport are needed to resolve this difference. Here
      we present direct measurements of the thermal conductivity of solid iron at
      pressure and temperature conditions relevant to the cores of Mercury-sized to
      Earth-sized planets, using a dynamically laser-heated diamond-anvil cell. Our
      measurements place the thermal conductivity of Earth's core near the low end of
      previous estimates, at 18-44 watts per metre per kelvin. The result is in
      agreement with palaeomagnetic measurements indicating that Earth's geodynamo has
      persisted since the beginning of Earth's history, and allows for a solid inner
      core as old as the dynamo. 

PMID- 27251284
TI  - The industrial melanism mutation in British peppered moths is a transposable
      element.
AB  - Discovering the mutational events that fuel adaptation to environmental change
      remains an important challenge for evolutionary biology. The classroom example of
      a visible evolutionary response is industrial melanism in the peppered moth
      (Biston betularia): the replacement, during the Industrial Revolution, of the
      common pale typica form by a previously unknown black (carbonaria) form, driven
      by the interaction between bird predation and coal pollution. The carbonaria
      locus has been coarsely localized to a 200-kilobase region, but the specific
      identity and nature of the sequence difference controlling the carbonaria-typica
      polymorphism, and the gene it influences, are unknown. Here we show that the
      mutation event giving rise to industrial melanism in Britain was the insertion of
      a large, tandemly repeated, transposable element into the first intron of the
      gene cortex. Statistical inference based on the distribution of recombined
      carbonaria haplotypes indicates that this transposition event occurred around
      1819, consistent with the historical record. We have begun to dissect the mode of
      action of the carbonaria transposable element by showing that it increases the
      abundance of a cortex transcript, the protein product of which plays an important
      role in cell-cycle regulation, during early wing disc development. Our findings
      fill a substantial knowledge gap in the iconic example of microevolutionary
      change, adding a further layer of insight into the mechanism of adaptation in
      response to natural selection. The discovery that the mutation itself is a
      transposable element will stimulate further debate about the importance of
      'jumping genes' as a source of major phenotypic novelty. 

PMID- 27251285
TI  - The gene cortex controls mimicry and crypsis in butterflies and moths.
AB  - The wing patterns of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are diverse and striking
      examples of evolutionary diversification by natural selection. Lepidopteran wing
      colour patterns are a key innovation, consisting of arrays of coloured scales. We
      still lack a general understanding of how these patterns are controlled and
      whether this control shows any commonality across the 160,000 moth and 17,000
      butterfly species. Here, we use fine-scale mapping with population genomics and
      gene expression analyses to identify a gene, cortex, that regulates pattern
      switches in multiple species across the mimetic radiation in Heliconius
      butterflies. cortex belongs to a fast-evolving subfamily of the otherwise highly
      conserved fizzy family of cell-cycle regulators, suggesting that it probably
      regulates pigmentation patterning by regulating scale cell development. In
      parallel with findings in the peppered moth (Biston betularia), our results
      suggest that this mechanism is common within Lepidoptera and that cortex has
      become a major target for natural selection acting on colour and pattern
      variation in this group of insects. 

PMID- 27251286
TI  - Early Neanderthal constructions deep in Bruniquel Cave in southwestern France.
AB  - Very little is known about Neanderthal cultures, particularly early ones. Other
      than lithic implements and exceptional bone tools, very few artefacts have been
      preserved. While those that do remain include red and black pigments and burial
      sites, these indications of modernity are extremely sparse and few have been
      precisely dated, thus greatly limiting our knowledge of these predecessors of
      modern humans. Here we report the dating of annular constructions made of broken
      stalagmites found deep in Bruniquel Cave in southwest France. The regular
      geometry of the stalagmite circles, the arrangement of broken stalagmites and
      several traces of fire demonstrate the anthropogenic origin of these
      constructions. Uranium-series dating of stalagmite regrowths on the structures
      and on burnt bone, combined with the dating of stalagmite tips in the structures,
      give a reliable and replicated age of 176.5 thousand years (+/-2.1 thousand
      years), making these edifices among the oldest known well-dated constructions
      made by humans. Their presence at 336 metres from the entrance of the cave
      indicates that humans from this period had already mastered the underground
      environment, which can be considered a major step in human modernity.

PMID- 27251287
TI  - A shared neural ensemble links distinct contextual memories encoded close in
      time.
AB  - Recent studies suggest that a shared neural ensemble may link distinct memories
      encoded close in time. According to the memory allocation hypothesis, learning
      triggers a temporary increase in neuronal excitability that biases the
      representation of a subsequent memory to the neuronal ensemble encoding the first
      memory, such that recall of one memory increases the likelihood of recalling the
      other memory. Here we show in mice that the overlap between the hippocampal CA1
      ensembles activated by two distinct contexts acquired within a day is higher than
      when they are separated by a week. Several findings indicate that this overlap of
      neuronal ensembles links two contextual memories. First, fear paired with one
      context is transferred to a neutral context when the two contexts are acquired
      within a day but not across a week. Second, the first memory strengthens the
      second memory within a day but not across a week. Older mice, known to have lower
      CA1 excitability, do not show the overlap between ensembles, the transfer of fear
      between contexts, or the strengthening of the second memory. Finally, in aged
      mice, increasing cellular excitability and activating a common ensemble of CA1
      neurons during two distinct context exposures rescued the deficit in linking
      memories. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that contextual memories
      encoded close in time are linked by directing storage into overlapping ensembles.
      Alteration of these processes by ageing could affect the temporal structure of
      memories, thus impairing efficient recall of related information.

PMID- 27251288
TI  - Pitx2 promotes heart repair by activating the antioxidant response after cardiac
      injury.
AB  - Myocardial infarction results in compromised myocardial function and heart
      failure owing to insufficient cardiomyocyte self-renewal. Unlike many
      vertebrates, mammalian hearts have only a transient neonatal renewal capacity.
      Reactivating primitive reparative ability in the mature mammalian heart requires
      knowledge of the mechanisms that promote early heart repair. By testing an
      established Hippo-deficient heart regeneration mouse model for factors that
      promote renewal, here we show that the expression of Pitx2 is induced in injured,
      Hippo-deficient ventricles. Pitx2-deficient neonatal mouse hearts failed to
      repair after apex resection, whereas adult mouse cardiomyocytes with Pitx2 gain
      of-function efficiently regenerated after myocardial infarction. Genomic analyses
      indicated that Pitx2 activated genes encoding electron transport chain components
      and reactive oxygen species scavengers. A subset of Pitx2 target genes was
      cooperatively regulated with the Hippo pathway effector Yap. Furthermore, Nrf2, a
      regulator of the antioxidant response, directly regulated the expression and
      subcellular localization of Pitx2. Pitx2 mutant myocardium had increased levels
      of reactive oxygen species, while antioxidant supplementation suppressed the
      Pitx2 loss-of-function phenotype. These findings reveal a genetic pathway
      activated by tissue damage that is essential for cardiac repair.

PMID- 27251289
TI  - Feedback modulation of cholesterol metabolism by the lipid-responsive non-coding
      RNA LeXis.
AB  - Liver X receptors (LXRs) are transcriptional regulators of cellular and systemic
      cholesterol homeostasis. Under conditions of excess cholesterol, LXR activation
      induces the expression of several genes involved in cholesterol efflux,
      facilitates cholesterol esterification by promoting fatty acid synthesis, and
      inhibits cholesterol uptake by the low-density lipoprotein receptor. The fact
      that sterol content is maintained in a narrow range in most cell types and in the
      organism as a whole suggests that extensive crosstalk between regulatory pathways
      must exist. However, the molecular mechanisms that integrate LXRs with other
      lipid metabolic pathways are incompletely understood. Here we show that ligand
      activation of LXRs in mouse liver not only promotes cholesterol efflux, but also
      simultaneously inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis. We further identify the long
      non-coding RNA LeXis as a mediator of this effect. Hepatic LeXis expression is
      robustly induced in response to a Western diet (high in fat and cholesterol) or
      to pharmacological LXR activation. Raising or lowering LeXis levels in the liver
      affects the expression of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and alters
      the cholesterol levels in the liver and plasma. LeXis interacts with and affects
      the DNA interactions of RALY, a heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein that acts as a
      transcriptional cofactor for cholesterol biosynthetic genes in the mouse liver.
      These findings outline a regulatory role for a non-coding RNA in lipid metabolism
      and advance our understanding of the mechanisms that coordinate sterol
      homeostasis.

PMID- 27251290
TI  - Overcoming EGFR(T790M) and EGFR(C797S) resistance with mutant-selective
      allosteric inhibitors.
AB  - The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors
      (TKIs) gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib are approved treatments for non-small
      cell lung cancers harbouring activating mutations in the EGFR kinase, but
      resistance arises rapidly, most frequently owing to the secondary T790M mutation
      within the ATP site of the receptor. Recently developed mutant-selective
      irreversible inhibitors are highly active against the T790M mutant, but their
      efficacy can be compromised by acquired mutation of C797, the cysteine residue
      with which they form a key covalent bond. All current EGFR TKIs target the ATP
      site of the kinase, highlighting the need for therapeutic agents with alternative
      mechanisms of action. Here we describe the rational discovery of EAI045, an
      allosteric inhibitor that targets selected drug-resistant EGFR mutants but spares
      the wild-type receptor. The crystal structure shows that the compound binds an
      allosteric site created by the displacement of the regulatory C-helix in an
      inactive conformation of the kinase. The compound inhibits L858R/T790M-mutant
      EGFR with low-nanomolar potency in biochemical assays. However, as a single agent
      it is not effective in blocking EGFR-driven proliferation in cells owing to
      differential potency on the two subunits of the dimeric receptor, which interact
      in an asymmetric manner in the active state. We observe marked synergy of EAI045
      with cetuximab, an antibody therapeutic that blocks EGFR dimerization, rendering
      the kinase uniformly susceptible to the allosteric agent. EAI045 in combination
      with cetuximab is effective in mouse models of lung cancer driven by
      EGFR(L858R/T790M) and by EGFR(L858R/T790M/C797S), a mutant that is resistant to
      all currently available EGFR TKIs. More generally, our findings illustrate the
      utility of purposefully targeting allosteric sites to obtain mutant-selective
      inhibitors.

PMID- 27251291
TI  - Diverse roles of assembly factors revealed by structures of late nuclear pre-60S
      ribosomes.
AB  - Ribosome biogenesis is a highly complex process in eukaryotes, involving
      temporally and spatially regulated ribosomal protein (r-protein) binding and
      ribosomal RNA remodelling events in the nucleolus, nucleoplasm and cytoplasm.
      Hundreds of assembly factors, organized into sequential functional groups,
      facilitate and guide the maturation process into productive assembly branches in
      and across different cellular compartments. However, the precise mechanisms by
      which these assembly factors function are largely unknown. Here we use cryo
      electron microscopy to characterize the structures of yeast nucleoplasmic pre-60S
      particles affinity-purified using the epitope-tagged assembly factor Nog2. Our
      data pinpoint the locations and determine the structures of over 20 assembly
      factors, which are enriched in two areas: an arc region extending from the
      central protuberance to the polypeptide tunnel exit, and the domain including the
      internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) that separates 5.8S and 25S ribosomal RNAs.
      In particular, two regulatory GTPases, Nog2 and Nog1, act as hub proteins to
      interact with multiple, distant assembly factors and functional ribosomal RNA
      elements, manifesting their critical roles in structural remodelling checkpoints
      and nuclear export. Moreover, our snapshots of compositionally and structurally
      different pre-60S intermediates provide essential mechanistic details for three
      major remodelling events before nuclear export: rotation of the 5S
      ribonucleoprotein, construction of the active centre and ITS2 removal. The rich
      structural information in our structures provides a framework to dissect
      molecular roles of diverse assembly factors in eukaryotic ribosome assembly.

PMID- 27251295
TI  - Technique and outcome of post-mastectomy adjuvant chest wall radiotherapy-the
      role of tissue-equivalent bolus in reducing risk of local recurrence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adjuvant chest wall radiotherapy is used in patients with high-risk
      histological features post-mastectomy to reduce the risk of locoregional
      recurrence. Treatment can be given with or without a tissue-equivalent bolus to
      increase skin surface dose. The additional benefit of using a bolus remains
      unclear; however, it is known to be associated with a higher incidence of skin
      toxicity. This study compared chest wall recurrence and skin toxicity in patients
      treated with and without a bolus. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study
      reviewed 314 consecutive patients who received chest wall radiotherapy between
      2005 and 2010. Data were collected on histological, demographic and treatment
      parameters and on the incidence and grade of acute skin reactions. Treatment
      outcomes analyzed included chest wall recurrence, disease-free survival and
      overall survival (OS). RESULTS: 101 patients received treatment with a bolus; 213
      patients received treatment without a bolus. A significantly higher incidence of
      acute skin toxicity was seen in the bolus treatment group (p = 0.002). One
      patient treated with a bolus developed chest wall recurrence compared with four
      patients treated without a bolus. No statistically significant difference could
      be shown between the two groups. 66 (21%) patients had metastatic relapse. Median
      time to relapse was 29.5 months and OS was 76% in both treatment groups.
      CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference in chest wall recurrence can
      be demonstrated between patients treated with and without a bolus. ADVANCES IN
      KNOWLEDGE: This study is consistent with limited previous literature and invites
      further evaluation of the role of a bolus in post-mastectomy chest wall
      radiotherapy, especially considering the increased toxicity that the use of a
      bolus generates.

PMID- 27251294
TI  - Cryptosporidium and Giardia taxa in faecal samples from animals in catchments
      supplying the city of Melbourne with drinking water (2011 to 2015).
AB  - BACKGROUND: In a long-term program to monitor pathogens in water catchments
      serving the City of Melbourne in the State of Victoria in Australia, we detected
      and genetically characterised Cryptosporidium and Giardia in faecal samples from
      various animals in nine water reservoir areas over a period of 4 years (July 2011
      to November 2015). METHODS: This work was conducted using PCR-based single-strand
      conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and phylogenetic analyses of portions of the
      small subunit of ribosomal RNA (SSU) and 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) genes for
      Cryptosporidium, and triose-phosphate isomerase (tpi) gene for Giardia. RESULTS:
      The prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 1.62 % (69 of 4,256 samples); 25 distinct
      sequence types were defined for pSSU, and six for gp60 which represented C.
      hominis (genotype Ib - subgenotype IbA10G2), C. cuniculus (genotype Vb -
      subgenotypes VbA26, and VbA25), and C. canis, C. fayeri, C. macropodum, C.
      parvum, C. ryanae, Cryptosporidium sp. "duck" genotype, C. suis and C. ubiquitum
      as well as 12 novel SSU sequence types. The prevalence of Giardia was 0.31 % (13
      of 4,256 samples); all three distinct tpi sequence types defined represented
      assemblage A of G. duodenalis. CONCLUSIONS: Of the 34 sequence types (genotypes)
      characterized here, five and one have been recorded previously for
      Cryptosporidium and Giardia, respectively, from humans. Novel genotypes of
      Cryptosporidium and Giardia were recorded for SSU (n = 12), gp60 (n = 4) and tpi
      (n = 1); the zoonotic potential of these novel genotypes is presently unknown.
      Future work will continue to monitor the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and
      Giardia genotypes in animals in these catchments, and expand investigations to
      humans. Nucleotide sequences reported in this paper are available in the GenBank
      database under accession nos. KU531647-KU531718.

PMID- 27251296
TI  - Evaluation of intramyocellular and extramyocellular lipids in the paraspinal
      muscle in patients with chronic low back pain using MR spectroscopy: preliminary
      results.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) and extramyocellular
      lipids (EMCL) in the psoas muscle (Pm) and multifidus muscle (Mm) using MR
      spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and asymptomatic
      volunteers. METHODS: This prospective study had institutional review board
      approval, and written informed consent was obtained from all individual
      participants. 20 patients with CLBP (mean age, 49.8 +/- 12.5 years; age range, 28
      66 years) with low back pain (LBP) duration of >=3 months and asymptomatic
      volunteers (mean age, 44.0 +/- 12.8 years; age range, 28-65 years) underwent MRS
      for the quantification of IMCL and EMCL of the right Pm and Mm in a volume of
      interest at the intervertebral level of L4 through L5. We compared patients with
      CLBP and asymptomatic volunteers for age and body mass index (BMI), IMCL and EMCL
      of Pm and Mm. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for significant difference
      testing, with p-value <0.05 indicating statistical significance. RESULTS: No
      statistically significant differences were observed in the age and BMI of
      patients with CLBP and asymptomatic volunteers. There was no statistically
      significant difference in the EMCL and IMCL in Pm between the two groups. EMCL in
      Mm was not statistically significantly different; the IMCL of patients with CLBP
      was significantly higher than that of asymptomatic volunteers (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: MRS demonstrates that IMCL in the Mm of patients with CLBP is
      significantly higher than that of asymptomatic volunteers. The increase of IMCL
      in the Mm may be a characteristic finding in CLBP. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: We
      investigated the detail of the fat content in the paraspinal muscles in patients
      CLBP and asymptomatic volunteers. The increase of fat content in the Mm of
      patients with LBP on previous studies was demonstrated to be the increase of
      IMCL.

PMID- 27251298
TI  - A Novel Approach: Local Resection for Ampullary GIST-Case Report and Review of
      Literature.

PMID- 27251297
TI  - Neuroanatomic pathways associated with monoaminergic dysregulation after stroke.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We examined the complex relationship between lesion location, symptoms
      of depression (affective and apathetic), and monoamine dysfunction after stroke.
      METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 48 post-stroke patients that
      had been assessed for affective and apathetic symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety
      and Depression Scale and the Apathy Scale, respectively. Noradrenalin (NA),
      dopamine (DA), their metabolites, and a metabolite of serotonin (5-HT) were
      measured using 24-h urine samples, and 5-HT and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol
      were measured using blood samples. We developed a statistical parametric map that
      displayed the associations between lesion location and both positive and negative
      alterations of monoamines and their metabolites. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis
      indicated that basal ganglia lesions and 5-HT showed relationships with affective
      symptoms, whereas homovanillic acid was related to apathetic symptoms. Univariate
      analysis showed no such relationships. However, decreases in NA and DA and
      increases in NA and DA turnover were related to lesions in the brainstem, whereas
      increases in NA and DA as well as decreases in NA and DA turnover were related to
      cortical and/or striatum lesions. 5-HT turnover data showed a pattern opposite to
      that seen for NA and DA turnover. CONCLUSIONS: Monoaminergic neuronal pathways
      are controlled by both receptor-mediated feedback mechanisms and turnover; thus,
      depletion of monoamines is not the only cause of depression and apathy. Moreover,
      the monoamine neuronal network might be divided into two branches, catecholamine
      (NA and DA) and 5-HT, both of which are anatomically and functionally
      interconnected and could respectively influence apathetic and affective symptoms
      of depression.

PMID- 27251299
TI  - Gastrocolic Fistula as a Presentation of Concomitant Gastric and Colon Cancer in
      a Patient with a History of Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 27251301
TI  - Correction to "Toward Nonadiabatic Dynamics of Multichromophore Complexes: A
      Scalable GPU-Accelerated Exciton Framework.

PMID- 27251300
TI  - Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of miR-1287 in Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: MicroRNAs are non-coding RNAs that regulate the gene expression at
      post-transcriptional level. This futuristic study characterized the contribution
      of miR-1287 to the colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis. METHODS: The real-time
      reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to examine miR-1287
      expression levels, prospectively in 40 pairs of CRC tissue samples and adjacent
      noncancerous tissues (>2 cm from cancer tissue). RESULTS: No significant
      relationship was found between miR-1287 expression levels and clinicopathological
      features. Showing significant changes overall, MiR-1287 was significantly
      upregulated in the group of CRC samples compared with matched noncancerous tissue
      samples. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve also showed ROC area
      (AROC) of 34 % with 1.0 and 0.02 sensitivity and specificity, respectively.
      Expression of miR-1287, with a value of 0.34, P value = 1.98, and P > 0.05,
      revealed that this microRNA has a low sensitivity and specificity to be regarded
      as a tumor marker. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to recent increased rate of CRC in
      the world, the present study may be a contribution, though very small, in the
      diagnosis and consequently in the treatment of CRC patients.

PMID- 27251303
TI  - Factors affecting outcome in myasthenia gravis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: Information from myasthenia gravis (MG) patients
      treated and evaluated for at least 2 years between 1980 and 2014 was reviewed to
      assess the effect of demographics, antibody status and titer, thymus histology,
      and clinical severity on outcome after 2, 5, and 10 years of treatment. RESULTS:
      Among 268 patients, 74% had acetylcholine receptor antibodies, 5% had muscle
      specific tyrosine kinase-antibodies, and 22% had neither. Optimal outcome was
      achieved by 64% of patients at 2 years of follow-up, 73% at 5 years, and 75%
      after 10 years. Optimal outcome was achieved more often in patients with late
      onset, in those who had thymectomy, and in those with ocular-only disease at
      maximum severity. The only consistent independent predictor of optimal outcome
      was onset after age 50 years on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis is
      favorable for the majority of MG patients, regardless of age, maximum disease
      severity, or antibody status. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 54: 1041-1049,
      2016.

PMID- 27251302
TI  - Going global: the new era of mapping modifications in RNA.
AB  - The post-transcriptional modification of RNA by the addition of one or more
      chemical groups has been known for over 50 years. These chemical modifications,
      once thought to be static, are now being discovered to play key regulatory roles
      in gene expression. The advent of massive parallel sequencing of RNA (RNA-seq)
      now allows us to probe the complexity of cellular RNA and how chemically altering
      RNA structure expands the RNA vocabulary. Here we present an overview of the
      various strategies and technologies that are available to profile RNA chemical
      modifications at the cellular level. These strategies can be characterized as
      targeted and untargeted approaches: targeted strategies are developed for one
      single chemical modification while untargeted strategies are more broadly
      applicable to a range of such chemical changes. Key for all of these approaches
      is the ability to locate modifications within the RNA sequence. While most of
      these methods are built upon an RNA-Seq pipeline, alternative approaches based on
      mass spectrometry or conventional DNA sequencing retain value in the overall
      analysis process. We also look forward toward future opportunities and
      technologies that may expand the types of modifications that can be globally
      profiled. Given the ever increasing recognition that these RNA chemical
      modifications play important biological roles, a variety of methods, preferably
      orthogonal approaches, will be required to globally identify, validate and
      quantify RNA chemical modifications found in the transcriptome. WIREs RNA 2017,
      8:e1367. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1367 For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website.

PMID- 27251304
TI  - Protocol for regional implementation of collaborative lung function testing.

PMID- 27251305
TI  - Epidemiological characteristics of human prion diseases.
AB  - Human prion diseases are a group of transmissible, progressive, and invariably
      fatal neurodegenerative disorders, which include Kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
      (CJD), Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome, and fatal familial insomnia.
      Human prion diseases affect approximately 1-2 persons per million worldwide
      annually, occurring in sporadic, inherited, and acquired forms. These diseases
      have attracted both scientific and public attention not only because of their
      mysterious pathogen, but also due to their considerable threat to public health
      since the emergence of the variant CJD.There are still no specific therapeutic
      and prophylactic interventions available for prion diseases, thus active
      surveillance of human prion diseases is critical for disease control and
      prevention. Since 1993, CJD surveillance systems have been established in many
      countries and regions, and several long-term multinational cooperative projects
      have been conducted.In this paper, the epidemiological characteristics of various
      human prion diseases and the active surveillance systems pertaining to them in
      different countries and regions are summarized and reviewed. 

PMID- 27251307
TI  - Molecular Design of Benzodithiophene-Based Organic Photovoltaic Materials.
AB  - Advances in the design and application of highly efficient conjugated polymers
      and small molecules over the past years have enabled the rapid progress in the
      development of organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology as a promising alternative
      to conventional solar cells. Among the numerous OPV materials, benzodithiophene
      (BDT)-based polymers and small molecules have come to the fore in achieving
      outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) and breaking 10% efficiency barrier
      in the single junction OPV devices. Remarkably, the OPV device featured by BDT
      based polymer has recently demonstrated an impressive PCE of 11.21%, indicating
      the great potential of this class of materials in commercial photovoltaic
      applications. In this review, we offered an overview of the organic photovoltaic
      materials based on BDT from the aspects of backbones, functional groups, alkyl
      chains, and device performance, trying to provide a guideline about the structure
      performance relationship. We believe more exciting BDT-based photovoltaic
      materials and devices will be developed in the near future.

PMID- 27251306
TI  - TLR9-ERK-mTOR signaling is critical for autophagic cell death induced by CpG
      oligodeoxynucleotide 107 combined with irradiation in glioma cells.
AB  - Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides (CpG
      ODN) function as potential radiosensitizers for glioma treatment, although the
      underlying mechanism is unclear. It was observed that CpG ODN107, when combined
      with irradiation, did not induce apoptosis. Herein, the effect of CpG ODN107 +
      irradiation on autophagy and the related signaling pathways was investigated. In
      vitro, CpG ODN107 + irradiation induced autophagosome formation, increased the
      ratio of LC3 II/LC3 I, beclin 1 and decreased p62 expression in U87 cells.
      Meanwhile, CpG ODN107 also increased LC3 II/LC3 I expression in U251 and CHG-5
      cells. In vivo, CpG ODN107 combined with local radiotherapy induced autophagosome
      formation in orthotopic transplantation tumor. Investigation of the molecular
      mechanisms demonstrated that CpG ODN107 + irradiation increased the levels of
      TLR9 and p-ERK, and decreased the level of p-mTOR in glioma cells. Further, TLR9
      specific siRNA could affect the expressions of p-ERK and autophagy-related
      proteins in glioma cells. Taken together, CpG ODN107 combined with irradiation
      could induce autophagic cell death, and this effect was closely related to the
      TLR9-ERK-mTOR signaling pathway in glioma cells, providing new insights into the
      investigation mechanism of CpG ODN.

PMID- 27251308
TI  - C-peptide antioxidant adaptive pathways in beta cells and diabetes.
AB  - In this review, we present findings that support autocrine cell protection by C
      peptide in the context of clinical studies of type 1 diabetes (T1D), which
      universally measure C-peptide serum levels as a surrogate for beta cell
      functional mass. Over the last decade, evidence has accumulated that supports
      models in which C-peptide, cosecreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells, acts
      on peripheral targets including the vascular endothelium to reduce oxidative
      stress and apoptosis subsequent to exposure to diabetic insults. In parallel, as
      assays have become more sensitive, C-peptide has been detected in the circulation
      of most subjects with T1D where higher C-peptide levels are associated with fewer
      and slower development of diabetic microvascular complications, consistent with
      antioxidant protection by C-peptide. Clinical trials investigating C-peptide
      replacement therapy effects have demonstrated amelioration of T1D nephropathy and
      neuropathy. Recently, the antioxidant action of C-peptide was extended to the
      beta cells secreting it, that is an autocrine mechanism. Autocrine protection has
      major implications for the treatment of diabetes because the more C-peptide
      secreted, the more protection provided to the same beta cells resulting in a
      slower decay in beta cell functional mass over the time course of disease. Why
      beta cells evolved to cosecrete an antioxidant C-peptide hormone together with
      the glycaemia-lowering insulin hormone is explored in the context of proposed
      evolutionary advantages of physiologically transient oxidative stress and insulin
      resistance as an adaptation for survival through times of fuel scarcity. The
      importance of recognizing autocrine C-peptide protection of functional beta cell
      mass in observational clinical studies, and its therapeutic implications in
      interventional C-peptide-replacement studies, will be discussed.

PMID- 27251309
TI  - EU agrees tighter standards for medical devices.

PMID- 27251310
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of two point-of-care kits for the diagnosis of Giardia
      species infection in dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare results obtained by ZnSO4
      Flotation and SNAP ((r)) Giardia to those generated by the new point-of-care
      tests Single and Triple Rapid. METHODS: Prospective study evaluating 51 canine
      faecal samples submitted at a reference laboratory for the presence of Giardia
      spp. Kappa statistics, specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV)
      and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated by comparing the new tests to
      the combined results of ZnSO4 and SNAP tests. RESULTS: There was fair (Single
      Rapid, j=0.434) to good (Triple Rapid, j =0.797) agreement with the reference
      tests. At this study's prevalence (59 to 61%), specificities and PPV were high
      (1.00) with both Rapid tests, but sensitivities and NPV were lower for the Single
      than for the Triple (0.48 vs 0.83 and 0.55 vs 0.80) tests. At lower prevalence
      rates, both tests exhibited a high PPV (1.00), but the NPV were higher with the
      Triple (0.96 to 0.99) than the Single (0.88 to 0.96) Rapid test. CLINICAL
      SIGNIFICANCE: Both tests exhibited excellent PPV values at all prevalence rates
      but an excellent NPV only at low prevalence. As the prevalence is likely to be
      low (<15%) in clinical settings, we propose that these tests may be helpful in
      the in-house diagnosis of Giardia spp infection. However, they exhibit lower
      sensitivity than the combined sensitivity of ZnSO4 and SNAP tests, particularly
      in high prevalence settings.

PMID- 27251311
TI  - Response to the letter.

PMID- 27251312
TI  - Advances in Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension.
AB  - Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a surprisingly common
      event in the neonatal intensive care unit, and affects both term and preterm
      infants. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the maternal, fetal and genetic
      risk factors that trigger PPHN. There have been numerous therapeutic advances
      over the last decade. It is now appreciated that oxygen supplementation,
      particularly for the goal of pulmonary vasodilation, needs to be approached as a
      therapy that has risks and benefits. Administration of surfactant or inhaled
      nitric oxide (iNO) therapy at a lower acuity of illness can decrease the risk of
      extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/death, progression of disease and duration of
      hospital stay. Milrinone may have specific benefits as an 'inodilator', as
      prolonged exposure to iNO plus oxygen may activate phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3A.
      Additionally, sildenafil and hydrocortisone may benefit infants exposed to
      hyperoxia and oxidative stress. Continued investigation is likely to reveal new
      therapies such as citrulline and cinaciguat that will enhance NO synthase and
      soluble guanylate cyclase function. Continued laboratory and clinical
      investigation will be needed to optimize treatment and improve outcomes.

PMID- 27251313
TI  - Feasibility and Performance Test of a Real-Time Sensor-Informed Context-Sensitive
      Ecological Momentary Assessment to Capture Physical Activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Objective physical activity monitors (eg, accelerometers) have high
      rates of nonwear and do not provide contextual information about behavior.
      OBJECTIVE: This study tested performance and value of a mobile phone app that
      combined objective and real-time self-report methods to measure physical activity
      using sensor-informed context-sensitive ecological momentary assessment (CS-EMA).
      METHODS: The app was programmed to prompt CS-EMA surveys immediately after 3
      types of events detected by the mobile phone's built-in motion sensor: (1)
      Activity (ie, mobile phone movement), (2) No-Activity (ie, mobile phone
      nonmovement), and (3) No-Data (ie, mobile phone or app powered off). In addition,
      the app triggered random (ie, signal-contingent) ecological momentary assessment
      (R-EMA) prompts (up to 7 per day). A sample of 39 ethnically diverse high school
      students in the United States (aged 14-18, 54% female) tested the app over 14
      continuous days during nonschool time. Both CS-EMA and R-EMA prompts assessed
      activity type (eg, reading or doing homework, eating or drinking, sports or
      exercising) and contextual characteristics of the activity (eg, location, social
      company, purpose). Activity was also measured with a waist-worn Actigraph
      accelerometer. RESULTS: The average CS-EMA + R-EMA prompt compliance and survey
      completion rates were 80.5% and 98.5%, respectively. More moderate-to-vigorous
      intensity physical activity was recorded by the waist-worn accelerometer in the
      30 minutes before CS-EMA activity prompts (M=5.84 minutes) than CS-EMA No
      Activity (M=1.11 minutes) and CS-EMA No-Data (M=0.76 minute) prompts (P's<.001).
      Participants were almost 5 times as likely to report going somewhere (ie, active
      or motorized transit) in the 30 minutes before CS-EMA Activity than R-EMA prompts
      (odds ratio=4.91, 95% confidence interval=2.16-11.12). CONCLUSIONS: Mobile phone
      apps using motion sensor-informed CS-EMA are acceptable among high school
      students and may be used to augment objective physical activity data collected
      from traditional waist-worn accelerometers.

PMID- 27251315
TI  - Most Accessed Papers: An Interesting Mix.

PMID- 27251314
TI  - Characterization of Motor and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in the Yucatan
      Micropig Using Transcranial and Epidural Stimulation.
AB  - Yucatan micropigs have brain and spinal cord dimensions similar to humans and are
      useful for certain spinal cord injury (SCI) translational studies. Micropigs are
      readily trained in behavioral tasks, allowing consistent testing of locomotor
      loss and recovery. However, there has been little description of their motor and
      sensory pathway neurophysiology. We established methods to assess motor and
      sensory cortical evoked potentials in the anesthetized, uninjured state. We also
      evaluated epidurally evoked motor and sensory stimuli from the T6 and T9 levels,
      spanning the intended contusion injury epicenter. Response detection frequency,
      mean latency and amplitude values, and variability of evoked potentials were
      determined. Somatosensory evoked potentials were reliable and best detected
      during stimulation of peripheral nerve and epidural stimulation by referencing
      the lateral cortex to midline Fz. The most reliable hindlimb motor evoked
      potential (MEP) occurred in tibialis anterior. We found MEPs in forelimb muscles
      in response to thoracic epidural stimulation likely generated from propriospinal
      pathways. Cranially stimulated MEPs were easier to evoke in the upper limbs than
      in the hindlimbs. Autopsy studies revealed substantial variations in cortical
      morphology between animals. This electrophysiological study establishes that
      neurophysiological measures can be reliably obtained in micropigs in a time frame
      compatible with other experimental procedures, such as SCI and transplantation.
      It underscores the need to better understand the motor control pathways,
      including the corticospinal tract, to determine which therapeutics are suitable
      for testing in the pig model.

PMID- 27251316
TI  - Polyclonality of Trichophyton rubrum Isolates in aDermatophytosis Patient with
      Multiple Lesions.
AB  - We cultured 15 isolates of Trichophyton rubrum and one isolate of Trichophyton
      mentagrophytes from an 82-year-old male tinea patient with multiple lesions. To
      determine whether feet lesions were the source of dermatophytes of other tinea
      lesions, we extracted total cellular DNA from the T. rubrum isolates(13 from
      feet, two from right waist and buttock). PCR targeting the non-transcribed
      spacer(NTS)region of ribosomal RNA gene was performed. Molecular polymorphisms
      were detected by length variation of amplicons.Four molecular types were found
      among the 15 isolates. The predominant type, which we previously named Type III,
      comprised seven isolates cultured from both feet and from left waist and buttock.
      This was followed by Type VI, five isolates; Type V, two isolates; and Type IV,
      one isolate. Apart from type III, which was cultured from both feet, isolates
      were cultured from one foot only. The patient was successfully treated for all
      types with a six-month course of oral terbinafine and topical luliconazole. The
      molecular typing supported the notion that tinea pedis was the source of tinea
      corporis in the patient. 

PMID- 27251317
TI  - A Case of Fingernail Onychomycosis due to Aspergillus flavus.
AB  - A 56-year-old woman on insulin therapy for diabetes visited our clinic due to
      whitish discoloration on the right index finger. Despite topical application of
      1% lanoconazole solution, the lesion grew, causing paronychia. Direct microscopy
      revealed non-dermatophyte molds. Based on the morphological features and genetic
      analysis of the isolate, the pathogen was identified as Aspergillus flavus. The
      patient was diagnosed with proximal subungual onychomycosis due to A. flavus.
      Following itraconazole pulse therapy, she was cured in 6 months. To our
      knowledge, this is the first reported case of fingernail onychomycosis due to A.
      flavus in Japan. 

PMID- 27251318
TI  - A Case of Cutaneous Fusariosis of the Scrotum as a Complication of Acute Myeloid
      Leukemia.
AB  - Fusarium, a hyphomyocetous fungus, is often isolated from the environment as a
      laboratory contaminant, but is also known as a pathogen causing keratomycosis,
      onychomycosis, and opportunistic infection of the skin and viscera. We report a
      67-year-old man with localized cutaneous fusariosis of the scrotum, as a
      complication of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) under chemotherapy. An induration of
      25 mm in diameter, which was covered by necrosis and black crust and with pain
      upon pressure, was found on the scrotum. Direct microscopic examination of the
      necrosis showed numerous fungal elements. Culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar with
      cycloheximide yielded a floccose, grayish white colony. Microscopically, crescent
      shaped macroconidia and oval microconidia were abundant. The fungus was
      identified using gene analysis as Fusarium falciforme of the Fusarium solani
      species complex. The lesion was treated by voriconazole (total dose: 66,180 mg)
      and was reduced to 15 mm in diameter. Other metastatic lesions did not appear.
      After 4 months from the first visit to our department, the patient died of AML.
      It is believed that the treatment in the early stage of infection prevented
      further extension of the lesion. During examination of necrotic lesions occurring
      on the skin of patients with hematological malignancies, it is important to
      include mycological examination for opportunistic fungal infections, such as
      aspergillosis or fusariosis, which are easily overlooked by routine culture
      methods using conventional media with cycloheximide. This paper summarizes cases
      of cutaneous fusariosis in Japan.

PMID- 27251319
TI  - Oral Antifungal Drugs in the Treatment of Dermatomycosis.
AB  - Oral antifungal drugs are used primarily to treat tinea unguium; however, they
      are also useful for other types of tinea. For example, a combination of topical
      and oral antifungal drugs is effective in hyperkeratotic tinea pedis that is
      unresponsive to topical monotherapy. In cases of tinea facialis adjacent to the
      eyes, ears, or mouth, or widespread tinea corporis, or tinea cruris involving the
      complex skin folds of the external genitalia, it is difficult to apply topical
      drugs to all the lesions; therefore, oral antifungal drugs are necessary. Oral
      antifungal drugs are also useful not only for tinea but for widespread pityriasis
      versicolor and Malassezia folliculitis, candidal onychomycosis, and candidal
      paronychia and onychia. Topical antifungal drugs are in fact unsuitable for some
      mycoses. In tinea capitis, for example, irritation by topical drugs is likely to
      enhance inflammation; therefore, oral antifungal drug monotherapy is preferable.
      In interdigital tinea pedis with erosion or contact dermatitis, topical drugs are
      difficult to use because they tend to cause irritant dermatitis, resulting in
      exacerbation of the condition. In such cases, treatment should begin with a
      combination of topical corticosteroid therapy and oral antifungal drugs active
      against dermatophytes. Topical antifungal drugs are used after the complications
      resolve. A combination of topical and oral antifungal drugs can shorten the
      treatment period, thus improving patient adherence to topical treatment. Oral
      antifungal drugs are useful because of their wide range of applications in the
      treatment of dermatomycosis.

PMID- 27251320
TI  - Invasive Aspergillosis in Hematological Patients.
AB  - Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and
      mortality in hematological patients, although its outcome has been improving.
      Prolonged and profound neutropenia in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy
      for acute leukemia and stem cell transplantation is a major risk factor for IA.
      Allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients with graft-versus-host disease and
      corticosteroid use are also at high risk. Management in a protective environment
      with high efficiency particular air (HEPA) filter is generally recommended to
      prevent aspergillosis in patients with prolonged and profound neutropenia.
      Antifungal prophylaxis against Aspergillus species should be considered in
      patients with past history of aspergillosis or colonization of Aspergillus
      species, at facilities with high incidence of IA and those without a protective
      environment. Early diagnosis and prompt antifungal treatment is important to
      improve outcome. Imaging studies such as computed tomography and biomarkers such
      as galactomannan antigen and beta-D-glucan are useful for early diagnosis.
      Empirical antifungal treatment based on persistent or recurrent fever during
      neutropenia despite broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy is generally recommended in
      high-risk patients. Alternatively, a preemptive treatment strategy has recently
      been proposed in the context of progress in the early diagnosis of IA based on
      the results of imaging studies and biomarkers. Voriconazole is recommended for
      initial therapy for IA. Liposomal amphotericin B is considered as alternative
      initial therapy. Combination antifungal therapy of echinocandin with voriconazole
      or liposomal amphotericin B could be a choice for refractory cases.

PMID- 27251321
TI  - Cutaneous Mycoses: Management and Education in Universities and Their Clinics in
      Japan.
AB  - In May 2015, information on the current status of mycological examinations in
      university clinics, and the education of students, and junior and senior
      residents in Japanese universities was gathered using a questionnaire, which was
      completed by 98 of the 117 (83.8%) professors or directors in charge of
      dermatology departments in Japan that were included in the survey.The
      questionnaire items were divided into three parts; namely, Part A, inspection
      methods used for diagnosis of cutaneous mycoses in each university clinic; Part
      B, need for a network and construction of a support system for medical care and
      education; and Part C, status of education of undergraduate students and
      residents. Some of these questions are based on a similar survey in 2007. In Part
      A, it was found that only 3% of university clinics performed fungal culture for
      all or most cases, indicating a drop from the previous study (9% in 2007).
      Meanwhile, responses indicating that fungal culture was almost or completely done
      away with accounted for about 36%. Based on type of mycoses, fungal culture for
      deep mycoses was performed in about 83% of the facilities. However, the
      percentage for superficial mycoses was very low, wherein only 39% of the
      facilities performed cultures even for tinea capitis. Trichophyton tonsurans
      infection was "often" or "sometimes" diagnosed in 22% of the facilities, with the
      other 78% reporting "no" or "almost no cases" of T. tonsurans infection
      diagnosed. In Part B, it was found that 96% of respondents (up from 89% in 2007)
      desired help from the university network, including aid in identifying fungal
      isolates, diagnosing rare fungal infections, and basic training in medical
      mycology of young doctors (senior residents in university hospitals). In Part C,
      it was found that education in direct KOH preparation for senior residents was
      satisfactory in about 80% of the facilities. However, about 45% of respondents
      reported that majority or all of the senior residents in their institutes had no
      opportunity to perform fungal culture. The results indicate that respondents
      desire a diagnostic laboratory for medical mycology, especially for rare (deep)
      mycoses, and a database for diagnosis and management of deep mycoses. It is still
      therefore necessary to continue an educational program targeted at leaders to
      educate those in charge of each department.

PMID- 27251322
TI  - Term 10.

PMID- 27251323
TI  - KI-catalyzed alpha-acyloxylation of acetone with carboxylic acids.
AB  - The KI-catalyzed reaction of acetone with aromatic carboxylic acids is achieved,
      leading to alpha-acyloxycarbonyl compounds in good to excellent yields under mild
      reaction conditions. The present method exhibits good functional-group
      compatibility. Notably, this reaction system is even suitable for cinnamic acid,
      3-phenylpropiolic acid and 4-phenylbutanoic acid. A kinetic isotope effect (KIE)
      study indicates that C-H cleavage of the acetone is the rate-limiting step in the
      catalytic cycle. 

PMID- 27251324
TI  - Effect of Oxidation Condition on Growth of N: ZnO Prepared by Oxidizing
      Sputtering Zn-N Film.
AB  - Nitrogen-doped zinc oxide (N: ZnO) films have been prepared by oxidizing reactive
      RF magnetron-sputtering zinc nitride (Zn-N) films. The effect of oxidation
      temperature and oxidation time on the growth, transmittance, and electrical
      properties of the film has been explored. The results show that both long
      oxidation time and high oxidation temperature can obtain the film with a good
      transmittance (over 80 % for visible and infrared light) and a high carrier
      concentration. The N: ZnO film exhibits a special growth model with the oxidation
      time and is first to form a N: ZnO particle on the surface, then to become a N:
      ZnO layer, and followed by the inside Zn-N segregating to the surface to oxidize
      N: ZnO. The surface particle oxidized more adequately than the inside. However,
      the X-ray photoemission spectroscopy results show that the lower N concentration
      results in the lower N substitution in the O lattice (No). This leads to the
      formation of n-type N: ZnO and the decrease of carrier concentration. Thus, this
      method can be used to tune the microstructure, optical transmittance, and
      electrical properties of the N: ZnO film. 

PMID- 27251325
TI  - Mechanisms of Low-Temperature Nitridation Technology on a TaN Thin Film Resistor
      for Temperature Sensor Applications.
AB  - In this letter, we propose a novel low-temperature nitridation technology on a
      tantalum nitride (TaN) thin film resistor (TFR) through supercritical carbon
      dioxide (SCCO2) treatment for temperature sensor applications. We also found that
      the sensitivity of temperature of the TaN TFR was improved about 10.2 %, which
      can be demonstrated from measurement of temperature coefficient of resistance
      (TCR). In order to understand the mechanism of SCCO2 nitridation on the TaN TFR,
      the carrier conduction mechanism of the device was analyzed through current
      fitting. The current conduction mechanism of the TaN TFR changes from hopping to
      a Schottky emission after the low-temperature SCCO2 nitridation treatment. A
      model of vacancy passivation in TaN grains with nitrogen and by SCCO2 nitridation
      treatment is eventually proposed to increase the isolation ability in TaN TFR,
      which causes the transfer of current conduction mechanisms. 

PMID- 27251326
TI  - Green Synthesis of Magnetite (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles Using Seaweed (Kappaphycus
      alvarezii) Extract.
AB  - In this study, a simple, rapid, and eco-friendly green method was introduced to
      synthesize magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) successfully. Seaweed Kappaphycus
      alvarezii (K. alvarezii) was employed as a green reducing and stabilizing agents.
      The synthesized Fe3O4-NPs were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD),
      ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR),
      and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The X-ray diffraction
      planes at (220), (311), (400), (422), (511), (440), and (533) were corresponding
      to the standard Fe3O4 patterns, which showed the high purity and crystallinity of
      Fe3O4-NPs had been synthesized. Based on FT-IR analysis, two characteristic
      absorption peaks were observed at 556 and 423 cm(-1), which proved the existence
      of Fe3O4 in the prepared nanoparticles. TEM image displayed the synthesized Fe3O4
      NPs were mostly in spherical shape with an average size of 14.7 nm. 

PMID- 27251327
TI  - Overexpression of a Chimeric Gene, OsDST-SRDX, Improved Salt Tolerance of
      Perennial Ryegrass.
AB  - The Drought and Salt Tolerance gene (DST) encodes a C2H2 zinc finger
      transcription factor, which negatively regulates salt tolerance in rice (Oryza
      sativa). Phylogenetic analysis of six homologues of DST genes in different plant
      species revealed that DST genes were conserved evolutionarily. Here, the rice DST
      gene was linked to an SRDX domain for gene expression repression based on the
      Chimeric REpressor gene-Silencing Technology (CRES-T) to make a chimeric gene
      (OsDST-SRDX) construct and introduced into perennial ryegrass by Agrobacterium
      mediated transformation. Integration and expression of the OsDST-SRDX in
      transgenic plants were tested by PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. Transgenic lines
      overexpressing the OsDST-SRDX fusion gene showed obvious phenotypic differences
      and clear resistance to salt-shock and to continuous salt stresses compared to
      non-transgenic plants. Physiological analyses including relative leaf water
      content, electrolyte leakage, proline content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content,
      H2O2 content and sodium and potassium accumulation indicated that the OsDST-SRDX
      fusion gene enhanced salt tolerance in transgenic perennial ryegrass by altering
      a wide range of physiological responses. To our best knowledge this study is the
      first report of utilizing Chimeric Repressor gene-Silencing Technology (CRES-T)
      in turfgrass and forage species for salt-tolerance improvement.

PMID- 27251329
TI  - Exploring the diffusion of tweets designed to raise the road safety agenda in
      Saudi Arabia.
AB  - This study demonstrates the importance of understanding the diffusion process in
      social media such as Twitter as an example of the relationship between new media
      platforms and health promotion interventions. Evidence-informed tweets were
      developed, pilot tested and distributed to all followers of the Ministry of
      Health's Twitter account with the aim of influencing the agenda on road safety in
      Saudi Arabia. The dissemination pattern and influence of this health
      communication was assessed. We collected 70 tweets into two groups (29
      intervention tweets and 41 additional supported tweets) extracted from the
      Tweetreach data set and then analysed them using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Using
      the concept of innovation/imitation as defined in the Bass Model, we classified
      retweeting by direct followers as innovation and retweeting by users who were not
      followers as imitation. In the study, we identify an informative indicator of
      successful diffusion and propose a novel procedure to measure
      innovation/imitation coefficients ( p and q). We also provided a statistical
      procedure for evaluating tweet adoption by innovators (influentials) and
      imitators. In addition, we also assessed the use of message design tools for new
      media messages. The resulting information can be used to improve public health
      and health promotion interventions at the levels of planning, design,
      implementation and evaluation.

PMID- 27251328
TI  - Erratum to: Controlling the response to DNA damage by the APC/C-Cdh1.

PMID- 27251330
TI  - Impact of Distal Protection with Filter-Type Device on Long-term Outcome after
      Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction: Clinical
      Results with Filtrap(r).
AB  - AIM: Although distal embolization during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
      for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) deteriorates cardiac function, whether
      distal protection (DP) can improve prognosis is still controversial. We
      investigated whether a filter-type DP device, Filtrap(r), could improve long-term
      outcomes after PCI for AMI. METHOD: We studied 164 patients (130 men, mean age:
      65.7 years) who underwent PCI. Patients were divided into two groups based on the
      use of Filtrap(r). The occurrence of congestive heart failure (CHF) and major
      adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as cardiac death, recurrent AMI, and target
      vessel revascularization were compared. RESULT: Between DP (n=53, 41 men, mean
      age: 65.5 years) and non-DP (n=111, 89 men, mean age: 65.8 years) groups,
      although there was significantly greater plaque area in the DP group than in the
      non-DP group, there were no significant differences in coronary reperfusion flow
      after PCI. Interestingly, patients with CHF in the non-DP group exhibited a
      higher CK level than those in the DP group. During a 2-year follow-up period,
      cumulative CHF was significantly lower in the DP group than in the non-DP group
      (log-rank p=0.018), and there was no significant difference in the MACE rate (log
      rank p=0.238). The use of DP device could not predict MACE, but could predict CHF
      by multivariate analysis (odds ratio=0.099, 95% CI: 0.02-0.42, p=0.005).
      CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that favorable clinical outcomes could be
      achieved by the filter-type DP device in AMI, particularly in patients with CHF.

PMID- 27251331
TI  - [Freiburg keratoconus registry : Example of application of smart data for
      clinical research and inititial results].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Keratoconus is a progressive corneal disease with thinning and
      scarring of the cornea. Diagnostic and treatment options are usually evaluated in
      large prospective or retrospective trials. Big data and smart data provide the
      possibility to analyze routine data for clinical research. In this article we
      report the generation of a monocentric keratoconus registry by means of
      computerized data analysis of routine data. This demonstrates the potential of
      clinical research by means of routine data. METHODS: A "clinical data warehouse"
      was created from all available routine electronic data. At the time of first
      presentation, each eye was classified into one out of four categories: suspected,
      early disease, late disease and status postkeratoplasty. Through integration of
      multiple data sources the clinical course for each patient was documented in the
      registry. RESULTS: A total of 3681 eyes from 1841 patients were included. The
      median follow-up time was 0.54 years. Patient age was higher in the groups with
      more severe stages of keratoconus, the proportion of female patients was higher
      in the group of suspected keratoconus and patient age and male to female ratios
      showed statistically significant differences between the groups (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: We were able to create a "clinical data warehouse" by linking
      multiple data sources and normalizing the data. With this tool we established a
      novel, monocentric keratoconus registry. Only the grading of disease severity and
      the exclusion of false positive results were carried out manually. In our opinion
      establishing a structured clinical data warehouse has a huge potential for
      clinical and retrospective studies and proves the value of the Smart Data
      concept.

PMID- 27251332
TI  - [Unilateral conjunctival chemosis with edematous facial involvement].

PMID- 27251333
TI  - [Smart data : Possibilities for clinical research and translation into practice].

PMID- 27251334
TI  - Current Approaches to Tactical Performance Analyses in Soccer Using Position
      Data.
AB  - Tactical match performance depends on the quality of actions of individual
      players or teams in space and time during match-play in order to be successful.
      Technological innovations have led to new possibilities to capture accurate
      spatio-temporal information of all players and unravel the dynamics and
      complexity of soccer matches. The main aim of this article is to give an overview
      of the current state of development of the analysis of position data in soccer.
      Based on the same single set of position data of a high-level 11 versus 11 match
      (Bayern Munich against FC Barcelona) three different promising approaches from
      the perspective of dynamic systems and neural networks will be presented:
      Tactical performance analysis revealed inter-player coordination, inter-team and
      inter-line coordination before critical events, as well as team-team interaction
      and compactness coefficients. This could lead to a multi-disciplinary discussion
      on match analyses in sport science and new avenues for theoretical and practical
      implications in soccer.

PMID- 27251335
TI  - Identification and characteristics of patients with palliative care needs in
      Brazilian primary care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Brazilian healthcare system offers universal coverage but lacks
      information about how patients with PC needs are serviced by its primary care
      program, Estrategia Saude da Familia (ESF). METHODS: Cross-sectional study in
      community settings. Patients in ESF program were screened using a Palliative Care
      Screening Tool (PCST). Included patients were assessed with Karnofsky Performance
      Scale (KPS), Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and Palliative Care
      Outcome Scale (POS). RESULTS: Patients with PC needs are accessing the ESF
      program regardless of there being no specific PC support provided. From 238
      patients identified, 73 (43 women, 30 men) were identified as having a need for
      PC, and the mean age was 77.18 (95 % Confidence Interval = +/-2,78) years, with
      non-malignant neurologic conditions, such as dementia and cerebrovascular
      diseases, being the most common (53 % of all patients). Chronic conditions (2 or
      more years) were found in 70 % of these patients, with 71 % scoring 50 or less
      points in the KPS. Overall symptom intensity was low, with the exception of some
      cases with moderate and high score, and POS average score was 14.16 points
      (minimum = 4; maximum = 28). Most patients received medication and professional
      support through the primary care units, but limitations of services were
      identified, including lack of home visits and limited multi-professional
      approaches. CONCLUSION: Patients with PC needs were identified in ESF program.
      Basic health care support is provided but there is a lack of attention to some
      specific needs. PC policies and professional training should be implemented to
      improve this area.

PMID- 27251337
TI  - Antipsychotics for fibromyalgia in adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This review is one of a series on drugs used to treat fibromyalgia.
      Fibromyalgia is a clinically well-defined chronic condition of unknown aetiology
      characterised by chronic widespread pain that often co-exists with sleep problems
      and fatigue. It affects approximately 2% of the general population. Up to 70% of
      patients with fibromyalgia meet the criteria for a depressive or anxiety
      disorder. People often report high disability levels and poor health-related
      quality of life. Drug therapy focuses on reducing key symptoms and disability,
      and improving health-related quality of life. Antipsychotics might reduce
      fibromyalgia and associated mental health symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To assess the
      efficacy, tolerability and safety of antipsychotics in fibromyalgia in adults.
      SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (2016, Issue 4), MEDLINE and EMBASE to 20 May
      2016, together with reference lists of retrieved papers and reviews and two
      clinical trial registries. We also contacted trial authors. SELECTION CRITERIA:
      We selected controlled trials of at least four weeks duration of any formulation
      of antipsychotics used for the treatment of fibromyalgia in adults. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted the data from all included studies and two
      review authors independently assessed study risks of bias. We resolved
      discrepancies by discussion. We performed analysis using three tiers of evidence.
      We derived first tier evidence from data meeting current best standards and
      subject to minimal risk of bias (outcome equivalent to substantial pain intensity
      reduction, intention-to-treat analysis without imputation for drop-outs, at least
      200 participants in the comparison, eight to 12 weeks duration, parallel design),
      second tier evidence from data that failed to meet one or more of these criteria
      and that we considered at some risk of bias but with adequate numbers in the
      comparison, and third tier evidence from data involving small numbers of
      participants that we considered very likely to be biased or used outcomes of
      limited clinical utility, or both. We rated the quality of evidence using the
      Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE)
      approach. MAIN RESULTS: We included a total of four studies with 296
      participants.Three studies with 206 participants compared quetiapine, an atypical
      (second-generation) antipsychotic, with placebo. One study used a cross-over
      design and two studies a parallel-group design. Study duration was eight or 12
      weeks. Quetiapine was used in all studies with a bedtime dosage between 50 and
      300 mg/day. All studies had one or more sources of potential major bias and we
      judged them to be at moderate risk of bias overall. The primary outcomes in this
      review were participant-reported pain relief of 50% or greater, Patient Global
      Impression of Change (PGIC) much or very much improved, withdrawal due to adverse
      events (tolerability) and serious adverse events (safety).Second tier evidence
      indicated that quetiapine was not statistically superior to placebo in the number
      of participants with a 50% or more pain reduction (very low quality evidence). No
      study reported data on PGIC. A greater proportion of participants on quetiapine
      reported a 30% or more pain reduction (risk difference (RD) 0.12, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 0.00 to 0.23; number needed to treat for an additional benefit
      (NNTB) 8, 95% CI 5 to 100) (very low quality evidence). A greater proportion of
      participants on quetiapine reported a clinically relevant improvement of health
      related quality of life compared to placebo ( RD 0.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.31; NNTB
      5, 95% CI 3 to 20) (very low quality evidence). Quetiapine was statistically
      superior to placebo in reducing sleep problems (standardised mean difference
      (SMD) -0.67, 95% CI -1.10 to -0.23), depression (SMD -0.39, 95% CI -0.74 to 
      0.04) and anxiety (SMD -0.40, 95% CI -0.69 to -0.11) (very low quality evidence).
      Quetiapine was statistically superior to placebo in reducing the risk of
      withdrawing from the study due to a lack of efficacy (RD -0.14, 95% CI -0.23 to 
      0.05) (very low quality evidence). There was no statistically significant
      difference between quetiapine and placebo in the proportion of participants
      withdrawing due to adverse events (tolerability) (very low quality evidence), in
      the frequency of serious adverse events (safety) (very low quality evidence) and
      in the proportion of participants reporting dizziness and somnolence as an
      adverse event (very low quality evidence). In more participants in the quetiapine
      group a substantial weight gain was noted (RD 0.08, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.15; number
      needed to treat for an additional harm (NNTH) 12, 95% CI 6 to 50) (very low
      quality evidence). We downgraded the quality of evidence by three levels to a
      very low quality rating because of limitations of study design, indirectness
      (patients with major medical diseases and mental disorders were excluded) and
      imprecision (fewer than 400 patients were analysed).One parallel design study
      with 90 participants compared quetiapine (50 to 300 mg/day flexible at bedtime)
      to amitriptyline (10 to 75 mg/day flexible at bedtime). The study had three major
      risks of bias and we judged it to be at moderate risk of bias overall. We
      downgraded the quality of evidence by two levels to a low quality rating because
      of indirectness (patients with major medical diseases and mental disorders were
      excluded) and imprecision (fewer than 400 patients were analysed). Third tier
      evidence indicated no statistically significant differences between the two
      drugs. Both drugs did not statistically significantly differ in the reduction of
      average scores for pain, fatigue, sleep problems, depression, anxiety and for
      limitations of health-related quality of life and in the proportion of
      participants reporting dizziness, somnolence and weight gain as a side effect
      (low quality evidence). Compared to amitriptyline, more participants left the
      study due to adverse events (low quality evidence). No serious adverse events
      were reported (low quality evidence).We found no relevant study with other
      antipsychotics than quetiapine in fibromyalgia. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Very low
      quality evidence suggests that quetiapine may be considered for a time-limited
      trial (4 to 12 weeks) to reduce pain, sleep problems, depression and anxiety in
      fibromyalgia patients with major depression. Potential side effects such as
      weight gain should be balanced against the potential benefits in shared decision
      making with the patient.

PMID- 27251336
TI  - Neuro-Mechanics of Recumbent Leg Cycling in Post-Acute Stroke Patients.
AB  - Cycling training is strongly applied in post-stroke rehabilitation, but how its
      modular control is altered soon after stroke has been not analyzed yet. EMG
      signals from 9 leg muscles and pedal forces were measured bilaterally during
      recumbent pedaling in 16 post-acute stroke patients and 12 age-matched healthy
      controls. Patients were asked to walk over a GaitRite mat and standard gait
      parameters were computed. Four muscle synergies were extracted through
      nonnegative matrix factorization in healthy subjects and patients unaffected
      legs. Two to four synergies were identified in the affected sides and the number
      of synergies significantly correlated with the Motricity Index (Spearman's
      coefficient = 0.521). The reduced coordination complexity resulted in a reduced
      biomechanical performance, with the two-module sub-group showing the lowest work
      production and mechanical effectiveness in the affected side. These patients also
      exhibited locomotor impairments (reduced gait speed, asymmetrical stance time,
      prolonged double support time). Significant correlations were found between
      cycling-based metrics and gait parameters, suggesting that neuro-mechanical
      quantities of pedaling can inform on walking dysfunctions. Our findings support
      the use of pedaling as a rehabilitation method and an assessment tool after
      stroke, mainly in the early phase, when patients can be unable to perform a safe
      and active gait training.

PMID- 27251338
TI  - Burnout and health behaviors in health professionals from seven European
      countries.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Within an underlying health-impairing process, work stressors exhaust
      employees' mental and physical resources and lead to exhaustion/burnout and to
      health problems, with health-impairing behaviors being one of the potential
      mechanisms, linking burnout to ill health. The study aims to explore the
      associations between burnout and fast food consumption, exercise, alcohol
      consumption and painkiller use in a multinational sample of 2623 doctors, nurses
      and residents from Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Croatia and
      Macedonia, adopting a cross-national approach. METHODS: Data are part of the
      international cross-sectional quantitative ORCAB survey. The measures included
      the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Health Behaviors Questionnaire. RESULTS:
      Burnout was significantly positively associated with higher fast food
      consumption, infrequent exercise, higher alcohol consumption and more frequent
      painkiller use in the full sample, and these associations remained significant
      after the inclusion of individual differences factors and country of residence.
      Cross-national comparisons showed significant differences in burnout and health
      behaviors, and some differences in the statistical significance and magnitude
      (but not the direction) of the associations between them. Health professionals
      from Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria reported the most unfavorable experiences.
      CONCLUSIONS: Burnout and risk health behaviors among health professionals are
      important both in the context of health professionals' health and well-being and
      as factors contributing to medical errors and inadequate patient safety.
      Organizational interventions should incorporate early identification of such
      behaviors together with programs promoting health and aimed at the reduction of
      burnout and work-related stress.

PMID- 27251339
TI  - Childhood Risk Factors and Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension: The Bogalusa Heart
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) causes increased risk of
      maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Identification of risk
      factors for PIH in early life is central to the development of prevention
      strategies. METHODS: A cohort of 703 women aged 25.5-51.3 years from the Bogalusa
      Heart Study were included. PIH were defined as self-reported hypertension during
      pregnancy and a blood pressure level <140/90mm Hg without antihypertensive
      medication (n = 131) at the subsequent examinations. Body mass index (BMI),
      systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high- and low-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol, and triglycerides measured during childhood (4-17 years) were
      considered. General linear models were used to examine differences in childhood
      between those who did and those who did not develop PIH. Logistic regression
      models were used to estimate odds ratios for PIH associated with childhood risk
      factors. RESULTS: Compared to women who did not develop PIH, those who developed
      PIH had higher BMI (20.2 vs. 19.2kg/m(2), P = 0.0002) and systolic blood pressure
      (104.1 vs. 103.3mm Hg, P = 0.008) in childhood. After adjustment for other
      variables, childhood BMI was the only risk factor associated with PIH, with each
      standard deviation increase in childhood BMI being associated with an odds ratio
      of 1.35 (95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.68) for PIH. The odds of PIH increased
      significantly as childhood BMI increased from the bottom quartile to the top
      quartile (P for trend = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated childhood BMI is a
      significant risk factor for PIH in adulthood, which underscores the importance of
      body weight control in childhood for prevention of PIH.

PMID- 27251340
TI  - Clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy patients with different levels of
      proteinuria.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy (IgAN)
      patients with different levels of proteinuria and its clinical significance.
      METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Patients with
      biopsy-proven primary IgAN were enrolled from January 2006 to December 2011 in
      The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, divided into six groups
      based on proteinuria at biopsy (<= 0.30 g/d, 0.31 - 0.50 g/d, 0.51 - 1.00 g/d,
      1.01 - 2.00 g/d, 2.01 - 3.00 g/d, and > 3.00 g/d). Demographic and
      clinicopathologic data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: 1,413 patients were
      enrolled in this study, with the median proteinuria being 0.61 g/d (interquartile
      range 0.30 - 1.29). Patients with proteinuria > 0.50 g/d showed significant
      differences in their clinicopathologic characteristics with higher prevalence of
      hypertension, hypoalbuminemia, hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia and
      hypertriglyceridemia, worse renal function, higher proportions of segmental
      glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis, and interstitial
      inflammation. Even the patients with proteinuria 0.31 - 0.50 g/d exhibited higher
      uric acid, lower total serum protein and albumin, higher proportions of
      crescents, and global glomerulosclerosis. Furthermore, multiple risk factors
      linear regression analysis has shown that there were significant associations
      between proteinuria and serum albumin, uric acid, total cholesterol,
      triglyceride, systolic blood pressure, degrees of segmental glomerulosclerosis,
      proportions of crescents, and global glomerulosclerosis. CONCLUSION:
      Clinicopathologic features were significantly worse in IgAN patients with
      increasing of proteinuria.

PMID- 27251341
TI  - Fluconazole dosing predictions in critically-ill patients receiving prolonged
      intermittent renal replacement therapy: a Monte Carlo simulation approach.
AB  - Fluconazole is a renally-eliminated antifungal commonly used to treat Candida
      species infections. In critically-ill patients receiving prolonged intermittent
      renal replacement therapy (PIRRT), limited pharmacokinetic (PK) data are
      available to guide fluconazole dosing. We used previously-published fluconazole
      clearance data and PK data of critically-ill patients with acute kidney injury to
      develop a PK model with the goal of determining a therapeutic dosing regimen for
      critically-ill patients receiving PIRRT. Monte Carlo simulations were performed
      to create a virtual cohort of patients receiving different fluconazole dosing
      regimens. Plasma drug concentration-time profiles were evaluated on the
      probability of attaining a mean 24-hour area under the drug concentration-time
      curve to minimum inhibitory concentration ratio (AUC24h : MIC) of 100 during the
      initial 48 hours of antifungal therapy. At the susceptibility breakpoint of
      Candida albicans (2 mg/L), 93 - 96% of simulated subjects receiving PIRRT
      attained the pharmacodynamic target with a fluconazole 800-mg loading dose plus
      400 mg twice daily (q12h or pre and post PIRRT) regimen. Monte Carlo simulations
      of a PK model of PIRRT provided a basis for the development of an informed
      fluconazole dosing recommendation when PK data was limited. This finding should
      be validated in the clinical setting. 

PMID- 27251342
TI  - Cononsolvency behavior of hydrophobes in water + methanol mixtures.
AB  - The molecular origin of cononsolvency behavior is explored using molecular
      dynamics simulations. Cononsolvency behavior in aggregations of methane molecules
      and conformational changes of those clusters dissolved in water + methanol
      mixtures are confirmed by re-entrant changes in the solvent-mediated interactions
      with increasing methanol concentration. The results indicate that the
      cononsolvency behavior arises from the solute-solute hydrophobic interactions
      rather than other interactions such as solute-solvent hydrophilic interactions.
      Furthermore, we show that even the van der Waals interaction is not necessary to
      induce the cononsolvency behavior by investigating the dimerization process of
      repulsive cavities. The non-monotonic change of the solvent-mediated interaction
      results from the difference in the concentration dependencies of excess chemical
      potentials between an isolated methane and methane clusters. The concentration
      dependencies of the excess chemical potentials are decomposed into contributions
      from various intermolecular effective interactions through the framework of the
      Kirkwood-Buff theory, and then we show that the change of the relative magnitude
      between hydrophobe-methanol and hydrophobe-water effective interactions with
      increasing methanol concentration is responsible for the cononsolvency behavior. 

PMID- 27251343
TI  - Moving Toward 21st-Century Clinical Licensure Examinations in Dentistry.

PMID- 27251344
TI  - The Buffalo Model: Shifting the Focus of Clinical Licensure Exams in Dentistry to
      Address Ethical Concerns Regarding Patient Care.
AB  - Most jurisdictions grant dental licensure to graduating students following
      successful completion of a clinical exam. Testing agencies, which are independent
      of dental schools, nevertheless conduct their exams at school facilities. Patient
      participation in these exams raises ethical concerns regarding such issues as
      unlicensed providers' performing irreversible procedures with minimal supervision
      and graduates' limited accessibility to provide follow-up treatment. To address
      these concerns, a collaborative effort between University at Buffalo School of
      Dental Medicine faculty and testing agency personnel was launched. The aims of
      this article are to describe the development and implementation of the resulting
      Buffalo Model, to highlight ethical advantages in its application, and to
      identify areas of improvement to be addressed in future iterations. With the
      Buffalo Model, modifications were made to the traditional exam format in order to
      integrate the exam into the school curriculum, enabling candidates to take it at
      various points during their fourth year. In addition, after calibration of school
      faculty members, 98.5% of cases verified by faculty were accepted by the
      Commission on Dental Competency Assessments for use in the exam. In two cases,
      restorative treatment completed during the exam did not meet the school's
      competency standard. This new approach ameliorates ethical concerns associated
      with clinical licensure exams because treatment is provided only to patients of
      record within a sequenced treatment plan and timely and appropriate treatment is
      provided to all patients. The results of this first year of implementation also
      suggest that calibrated faculty members will not show bias in the selection of
      lesions or competency evaluations of candidates. 

PMID- 27251345
TI  - Non-Patient-Based Clinical Licensure Examination for Dentistry in Minnesota:
      Significance of Decision and Description of Process.
AB  - In recent years in the United States, there has been heightened interest in
      offering clinical licensure examination (CLE) alternatives to the live patient
      based method in dentistry. Fueled by ethical concerns of faculty members at the
      University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, the state of Minnesota's Board of
      Dentistry approved a motion in 2009 to provide two CLE options to the school's
      future predoctoral graduates: a patient-based one, administered by the Central
      Regional Dental Testing Service, and a non-patient-based one administered by the
      National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB). The validity of the NDEB
      written exam and objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) has been verified in a
      multi-year study. Via five-option, one-best-answer, multiple-choice questions in
      the written exam and extended match questions with up to 15 answer options in the
      station-based OSCE, competent candidates are distinguished from those who are
      incompetent in their didactic knowledge and clinical critical thinking and
      judgment across all dental disciplines. The action had the additional effects of
      furthering participation of Minnesota Board of Dentistry members in the
      University of Minnesota School of Dentistry's competency-based curriculum, of
      involving the school's faculty in NDEB item development workshops, and, beginning
      in 2018, of no longer permitting the patient-based CLE option on site. The aim of
      this article is to describe how this change came about and its effects. 

PMID- 27251346
TI  - Development and Implementation of an Electronic Clinical Formative Assessment:
      Dental Faculty and Student Perspectives.
AB  - A traditional summative grading structure, used at Indiana University School of
      Dentistry (IUSD) for more than 30 years, was identified by faculty as outdated
      for assessing students' clinical performance. In an effort to change the status
      quo, a feedback-driven assessment was implemented in 2012 to provide a
      constructive assessment tool acceptable to both faculty and students. Building on
      the successful non-graded clinical evaluation employed at Baylor College of
      Dentistry, IUSD implemented a streamlined electronic formative feedback model
      (FFM) to assess students' daily clinical performance. An important addition to
      this evaluation tool was the inclusion of routine student self-assessment
      opportunities. The aim of this study was to determine faculty and student
      response to the new assessment instrument. Following training sessions, anonymous
      satisfaction surveys were examined for the three user groups: clinical faculty
      (60% response rate), third-year (D3) students (72% response rate), and fourth
      year (D4) students (57% response rate). In the results, 70% of the responding
      faculty members preferred the FFM over the summative model; however, 61.8% of the
      D4 respondents preferred the summative model, reporting insufficient assessment
      time and low faculty participation. The two groups of students had different
      responses to the self-assessment component: 70.2% of the D4 respondents
      appreciated clinical self-assessment compared to 46% of the D3 respondents.
      Overall, while some components of the FFM assessment were well received, a phased
      approach to implementation may have facilitated a transition more acceptable to
      both faculty and students. Improvements are being made in an attempt to increase
      overall satisfaction. 

PMID- 27251347
TI  - Design and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Care Experience Level System to Evaluate
      and Monitor Dental Students' Clinical Progress.
AB  - A Comprehensive Care Experience Level (CCEL) system that is aligned with
      Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards, promotes comprehensive care
      and prevention, and addresses flaws observed in previous Relative Value Units
      (RVU)-based programs has been implemented at the School of Dental Medicine, Case
      Western Reserve University since 2011. The purpose of this article is to report
      on the design, implementation, and preliminary outcomes of this novel clinical
      evaluation system. With the development of the CCEL concept, it was decided not
      to award points for procedures performed on competency exams. The reason behind
      this decision was that exams are not learning opportunities and are evaluated
      with summative tools. To determine reasonable alternative requirements,
      production data from previous classes were gathered and translated into CCEL
      points. These RVU points had been granted selectively only for restorative
      procedures completed after the initial preparation stage of the treatment plan,
      and achievement of the required levels was checked at multiple points during the
      clinical curriculum. Results of the CCEL system showed that low performing
      students increased their productivity, overall production at graduation increased
      significantly, and fluoride utilization to prevent caries rose by an order of
      magnitude over the RVU system. The CCEL program also allowed early identification
      and remediation of students having difficulty in the clinic. This successful
      implementation suggests that the CCEL concept has the potential for widespread
      adoption by dental schools. This method also can be used as a behavior
      modification tool to achieve specific patient care or clinical educational goals
      as illustrated by the way caries prevention was promoted through the program. 

PMID- 27251348
TI  - Impact of Community-Based Dental Education on Attainment of ADEA Competencies:
      Students' Self-Ratings.
AB  - Fourth-year dental students at the College of Dentistry, University of Nebraska
      Medical Center participate in a community-based dental education (CBDE) program
      that includes a four-week rotation in rural dental practices and community health
      clinics across Nebraska and nearby states. The aim of this study was to assess
      the impact of participation in the CBDE program on the self-rated competencies of
      these students. A retrospective survey was administered to students who
      participated in extramural rotations in two academic years. The survey collected
      demographic data and asked students to rate themselves on a scale from 1=not
      competent at all to 5=very competent on attainment of the American Dental
      Education Association (ADEA) Competencies for the New General Dentist for before
      and after the rotations. A total of 92 responses were obtained: 43 students for
      2011-12 and 49 students for 2012-13 (95% response rate for each cohort). The
      results showed that the students' mean pre-program self-ratings ranged from 3.28
      for the competency domain of Practice Management and Informatics to 3.93 for
      Professionalism. Their mean post-program self-ratings ranged from 3.76 for
      Practice Management and Informatics to 4.31 for Professionalism. The students
      showed a statistically significant increase in self-ratings for all six
      competency domains. The increase was greatest in the domain of Critical Thinking
      and least in Communication and Interpersonal Skills. Overall, these results
      suggest that the CBDE program was effective in improving the students' self
      perceptions of competence in all six domains and support the idea that a
      competency-based evaluation of CBDE programs can provide valuable information to
      dental educators about program effectiveness. 

PMID- 27251349
TI  - Untangling the Web of Influences on Dental Students' Participation in
      Interprofessional Education Programs.
AB  - The aim of this study was to explore how dental students involved in an
      experiential interprofessional education (IPE) program in New Zealand made sense
      of engaging in this unfamiliar learning environment. Qualitative data gathered
      from students during group interviews were analyzed to better understand how they
      assessed the IPE experience. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed before
      analysis of students' comments was undertaken, using constant comparison analysis
      and taking an inductive approach to the initial coding. Once each of the
      investigators had gone through his or her own transcripts, they reviewed each
      other's coding and agreed-upon categories before applying the 3-P model of
      student learning. Over a three-year period (2012-14), 16 focus groups were
      conducted with students from multiple health professions. In total, 24 dental
      students participated. Six categories of comments made in the focus groups were
      identified: expectations and realizations; not practicing; trade-offs/losses;
      learning with, from, and about each other; becoming open to a different clinical
      experience; valuing dental students' participation in IPE; and learning about
      what dentists do. From these categories, three main themes emerged: becoming a
      dentist, negotiating IPE experience, and valuing dentistry. The 3-P model
      highlighted the complexity of IPE, and the challenges suggested that dental
      students may need extra preparation prior to participating in IPE programs. 

PMID- 27251350
TI  - An Interactive Website to Facilitate In-State Retention of New Dentists and
      Recruitment to Underserved Areas.
AB  - Some U.S. states have more difficulty than others in recruiting or retaining
      dentists. Part of the problem is that often dental students are not aware of
      opportunities across geographic regions of either their home state or the state
      where they were educated. With student input, the University of Iowa College of
      Dentistry and Dental Clinics designed and launched an interactive website that
      provides basic demographic, economic, and other meaningful information to help
      dental students locate potential practice locations and identify current
      employment opportunities in Iowa. Although this website is not a recruitment or
      retention panacea, it provides an easy method for dental students to explore all
      or parts of the state as they go about making one of the most important decisions
      of their careers. The website also provides a showcase for current practitioners
      and communities to demonstrate what they have to offer as practice opportunities.

PMID- 27251351
TI  - Honoring Dental Patients' Privacy Rule Right of Access in the Context of
      Electronic Health Records.
AB  - A person's right to access his or her protected health information is a core
      feature of the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
      Privacy Rule. If the information is stored electronically, covered entities must
      be able to provide patients with some type of machine-readable, electronic copy
      of their data. The aim of this study was to understand how academic dental
      institutions execute the Privacy Rule's right of access in the context of
      electronic health records (EHRs). A validated electronic survey was distributed
      to the clinical deans of 62 U.S. dental schools during a two-month period in
      2014. The response rate to the survey was 53.2% (N=33). However, three surveys
      were partially completed, and of the 30 completed surveys, the 24 respondents who
      reported using axiUm as the EHR at their dental school clinic were the ones on
      which the results were based (38.7% of total schools at the time). Of the
      responses analyzed, 86% agreed that clinical modules should be considered part of
      a patient's dental record, and all agreed that student teaching-related modules
      should not. Great variability existed among these clinical deans as to whether
      administrative and financial modules should be considered part of a patient
      record. When patients request their records, close to 50% of responding schools
      provide the information exclusively on paper. This study found variation among
      dental schools in their implementation of the Privacy Rule right of access, and
      although all the respondents had adopted EHRs, a large number return records in
      paper format. 

PMID- 27251352
TI  - Patient-Centered Communication: Exploring the Dentist's Role in the Era of e
      Patients and Health 2.0.
AB  - In today's digital era, people are increasingly relying on the Internet-including
      social media-to access health information and inform their health decisions. This
      article describes an exploratory initiative to better understand and define the
      role of dentists in patient education in the context of e-patients and Health
      2.0. This initiative consisted of four phases. In Phase I, an interdisciplinary
      expert advisory committee was assembled for a roundtable discussion about
      patients' health information-seeking behaviors online. In Phase II, a pilot case
      study was conducted, with methods and analysis informed by Phase I
      recommendations. Phase III consisted of a debriefing conference to outline future
      areas of research on modernizing health communication strategies. In Phase IV,
      the findings and working theories were presented to 75 dental students, who then
      took a survey regarding their perspectives with the objective of guiding
      potential curriculum design for predoctoral courses. The results of the survey
      showed that the validity of online content was often secondary to the strength of
      the network sharing it and that advocacy online could be more effective if it
      allowed for emotional connections with peers rather than preserving accuracy of
      the information. Students expressed high interest in learning how to harness
      modern health communications in their clinical care since the role of the dentist
      is evolving from giving information to giving personalized guidance against the
      backdrop of an often contradictory modern information environment. The authors
      recommend that the dental profession develop patient-centered health
      communication training for predoctoral students and professional development and
      continuing education for practicing professionals. 

PMID- 27251353
TI  - Development of a Core Curriculum Framework in Cariology for U.S. Dental Schools.
AB  - Maintenance of health and preservation of tooth structure through risk-based
      prevention and patient-centered, evidence-based disease management, reassessed at
      regular intervals over time, are the cornerstones of present-day caries
      management. Yet management of caries based on risk assessment that goes beyond
      restorative care has not had a strong place in curriculum development and
      competency assessment in U.S. dental schools. The aim of this study was to
      develop a competency-based core cariology curriculum framework for use in U.S.
      dental schools. The Section on Cariology of the American Dental Education
      Association (ADEA) organized a one-day consensus workshop, followed by a meeting
      program, to adapt the European Core Cariology Curriculum to the needs of U.S.
      dental education. Participants in the workshop were 73 faculty members from 35
      U.S., three Canadian, and four international dental schools. Representatives from
      all 65 U.S. dental schools were then invited to review and provide feedback on a
      draft document. A recommended competency statement on caries management was also
      developed: "Upon graduation, a dentist must be competent in evidence-based
      detection, diagnosis, risk assessment, prevention, and nonsurgical and surgical
      management of dental caries, both at the individual and community levels, and be
      able to reassess the outcomes of interventions over time." This competency
      statement supports a curriculum framework built around five domains: 1) knowledge
      base; 2) risk assessment, diagnosis, and synthesis; 3) treatment decision making:
      preventive strategies and nonsurgical management; 4) treatment decision making:
      surgical therapy; and 5) evidence-based cariology in clinical and public health
      practice. Each domain includes objectives and learning outcomes. 

PMID- 27251354
TI  - U.S. Dental School Deans' Views on the Value of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
      in Dentistry.
AB  - There has historically been limited development and utilization of patient
      reported outcome measures (PROMs) in clinical dentistry. However, in recent years
      PROMs have been recognized by other health care fields as valuable in the
      comprehensive assessment of patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to survey
      deans of U.S. dental schools to better understand their vision for the role of
      PROMs in the field of dentistry. A 13-question online survey was emailed to the
      deans of the 64 accredited U.S. dental schools at the time to gather their
      opinions about the value of patient-reported outcomes in dentistry. The survey
      consisted of questions in 12 domains such as treatment planning, perceived
      success/complications of surgery, identification/management of dental pain,
      psychological and oral function, and insurance payment/reimbursement. Of the 64
      deans, 33 responses were received (51.5% response rate), but three surveys were
      excluded due to incomplete answers, resulting in a final response rate of 46.8%.
      All respondents reported there was value in utilization of PROMs for
      understanding a patient's satisfaction of a procedure, a patient's perceived
      success of dental surgery, identifying dental pain, and managing dental pain.
      However, there was disagreement among the respondents about utilization of PROMs
      for the purpose of determining insurance payment and/or reimbursement. Additional
      steps should be taken to develop clinically appropriate PROMs for dentistry and
      to determine the appropriate situations in which to use dental PROMs. This study
      suggests that PROMs should be incorporated into dental school curricula as they
      will likely play a role in future comprehensive treatment assessment. 

PMID- 27251355
TI  - Second Mesiobuccal Canal Treatment in a Predoctoral Dental Clinic: A
      Retrospective Clinical Study.
AB  - The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate the location and
      treatment of second canals in mesiobuccal roots (MB2) of first and second
      maxillary molars in a predoctoral endodontic clinic by the graduating classes of
      2008 to 2015. These results were compared to similar clinical studies. Included
      in the study were 368 root canal treatments performed by 310 third- and fourth
      year dental students at one U.S. dental school. All cases were done under faculty
      supervision, and the students were instructed to use dental loupe magnification.
      Students' evaluation sheets were used to deteremine the total MB2 canals treated
      in first and second maxillary molars. The results showed that, overall, 72.55% of
      the teeth had an MB2 canal treated. The frequency was higher in first molars
      (75.91%) than in second molars (56.92%) (p<0.05). Third-year students were able
      to detect 39 MB2 canals in 57 maxillary molars (68.42%), while fourth-year
      students detected 228 MB2 canals in 311 teeth (73.31%) (p>0.05). Under proper
      supervision by experienced endodontists, these dental students were capable of
      treating MB2 canals in maxillary molars. The frequency of MB2 canals located and
      treated by dental students with the assistance of experienced professionals was
      higher in first than in second molars. No significant difference was found
      between third- and fourth-year students. The incidence of MB2 canals located and
      treated in this study was found to be similar to that in other clinical studies. 

PMID- 27251356
TI  - Factors Influencing Dental Educators As They Develop Problem-Based Learning
      Cases.
AB  - In problem-based learning (PBL) environments, patient cases encourage students'
      development of critical thinking and problem-solving. Previous research has found
      that non-structured patient cases fostered students' critical thinking and
      problem-solving abilities; however, structured cases dominate in dental PBL. The
      aim of this study was to explore factors influencing educators as they developed
      cases for a hybrid PBL dental education program in Canada. In this
      phenomenological study, semi-structured interviews were used to collect seven
      educators' experiences with PBL case development. Content analyses with
      conceptual mapping were triangulated with field notes, researcher memos, and
      member checking to elucidate codes and themes. There were two major themes and 14
      subthemes. The major theme-external factors-involved environmental parameters
      that influenced educators to develop PBL cases with a definitive problem-solving
      approach and preferred solution. Structured PBL cases dominated because of
      limited curricular time for students to explore identified learning issues within
      a three-session framework. The hybrid PBL dental curriculum further influenced
      educators to develop structured PBL cases such that content was not duplicated by
      corresponding lectures. The second major theme-internal factors-encompassed the
      educators' beliefs and values about teaching and student learning. These
      educators were enthusiastic about PBL as an instructional strategy, but did not
      appear to support the PBL philosophy wherein students engage in self-directed,
      self-exploratory learning. Structured PBL case development occurred when
      educators believed students needed content expert guidance. Structured PBL cases
      dominated in the hybrid PBL program because the educators felt students needed
      guidance in solving the cases to meet the learning objectives within the limited
      curricular time. 

PMID- 27251357
TI  - World Malaria Day 2016 in the Kingdom of Cambodia: high-level governmental
      support embodies the WHO call for "political will to end malaria".
AB  - On World Malaria Day 2016, The Kingdom of Cambodia's National celebrations served
      as a prime of example of how political will is currently being exercised in
      Cambodia through high-level governmental support for malaria elimination. The
      main country event was well-planned and coordinated by the National Programme for
      Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control (CNM), and included key
      contributions from high-ranking political figures, such as His Excellency (H.E)
      Mam Bun Heng (Minister of Health), and H.E. Keut Sothea (Governor of Pailin
      Province). There were more than 1000 attendees, ranging from Village Malaria
      Workers and high school students to CNM's director and other officials in Pailin
      Province, Western Cambodia. A strong inter-sectoral participation included
      attendances from the Ministry of Education and high-level representatives of the
      Cambodian Armed Forces, as well as Malaria Partners like the World Health
      Organization.

PMID- 27251358
TI  - Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies in childhood kidney transplantation.
AB  - Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies (AT1 RAb) have emerged as non-HLA Ab
      present in patients with acute AMR and risk of graft loss. Furthermore, AT1 RAb
      have been shown to increase angiotensin II sensitivity which may play a role in
      the development of CVD and hypertension. Data on AT1 RAb in stable transplant
      recipients are lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of AT1
      RAb in a cohort of stable patients after kidney transplantation (tx) in
      childhood. A cross-sectional study of 30 children (median age 14, range 3-19 yr,
      median time since tx five yr) and 28 adults who were transplanted in childhood
      (median age 26, range 20-40 yr, median time since tx 18 yr) transplanted between
      1993-2006 and 1983-2002, respectively, was performed. Healthy controls were 51
      healthy children (5-8 yr) and 199 healthy donors (median age 56.5 yr, range 42-83
      yr). Plasma AT1 RAb were analyzed by immunoassay. Median total AT1 RAb IgG
      concentration was significantly higher in the pediatric-tx group as compared to
      the adult-tx group (40.0 and 10.95 U/mL, p < 0.0001). For both groups, the tx
      group showed higher levels: the pediatric-tx group vs. control group (40.0 vs.
      13.3 U/mL, p = 0.0006) and the adult-tx group vs. adult control group (10.95 vs.
      6.5 U/mL, p < 0.0001). Age was the strongest indicator of high levels of AT1 RAb
      IgG (p = 0.0003). AT1 RAb total IgG levels are significantly higher in a stable
      pediatric-tx cohort as compared to adult-tx patients and healthy controls of
      comparable age groups. The relevance of our findings in relation to age, time
      since tx, previous or future rejection, and CVD risk merits future studies.

PMID- 27251359
TI  - The role of neutralizing antibodies to interferon-beta as a biomarker of
      persistent MRI activity in multiple sclerosis: a 7-year observational study.
AB  - PURPOSE: During interferon-beta (IFN-beta) therapy, up to 45 % of patients may
      develop neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), associated with a decreased efficacy of
      the drug. We investigated in a real-life setting the impact of NAbs on magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes in a population of 567 IFN-beta-treated
      relapsing-remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients up to 7 years. We also
      evaluated NAbs' role as a biomarker of the persistence of MRI disease activity.
      METHODS: Patients' sera were tested for NAbs' presence by cytopathic effect (CPE)
      assay every 6-12 months. MRI scans were performed every 12 months. Generalized
      hierarchical linear models accounting for within-patient correlation were used to
      analyze T1 gadolinium-enhancing and new T2 lesions. Moreover, further tests were
      carried out to assess the overall outcome difference from year 1 to year 7
      according to NAb status and the possible interaction between NAb status and time
      of follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (13.2 %) became NAb positive (NAb+)
      during the follow-up. Considering T1 gadolinium-enhancing (GD+) lesions, we
      observed a significantly higher incidence in NAb+ patients (52 %, p = 0.0091).
      Also for new T2 lesions, we found a higher incidence in NAb+ patients (50 %, p =
      0.0075). The negative impact of NAbs on the MRI outcomes considered did not
      change during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our 7-year results show the negative
      effect of NAbs on MRI measures of disease activity and confirm their role as a
      surrogate marker of IFN-beta treatment efficacy.

PMID- 27251360
TI  - Polypharmacy and medication regimen complexity as factors associated with staff
      informant rated quality of life in residents of aged care facilities: a cross
      sectional study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between
      polypharmacy with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and medication regimen
      complexity with HRQoL in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study of 383 residents from six Australian RACFs was conducted.
      The primary exposures were polypharmacy (>=9 regular medications) and the
      validated Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). The outcome measure was
      staff informant rated quality of life assessed using the Quality of Life
      Alzheimer's disease (QoL-AD) scale. Covariates included age, sex, Charlson's
      comorbidity index, activities of daily living, and dementia severity. Logistic
      quantile regression was used to characterize the association between polypharmacy
      and QoL-AD (model 1) and MRCI and QoL-AD (model 2). RESULTS: The median age of
      the 383 residents was 88 years and 297 (78 %) residents were female. In total, 63
      % of residents were exposed to polypharmacy and the median MRCI score (range) was
      43.5 (4-113). After adjusting for the covariates, polypharmacy was not associated
      with either higher or lower QoL-AD scores (estimate -0.02; 95 % confidence
      interval (CI) -0.165, 0.124; p = 0.78). Similarly, after adjusting for the
      covariates, MRCI was not associated with either higher or lower QoL-AD scores
      (estimate -0.0009, 95 % CI -0.005, 0.003; p = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: These findings
      suggest that polypharmacy and medication regimen complexity are not associated
      with staff informant rated HRQoL. Further research is needed to investigate how
      specific medication classes may impact change in quality of life over time.

PMID- 27251361
TI  - Pretransplantation Donor-Recipient Pair Seroreactivity Against BK Polyomavirus
      Predicts Viremia and Nephropathy After Kidney Transplantation.
AB  - Kidney transplant donors are not currently implicated in predicting BK
      polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection in kidney transplant recipients. It has been
      postulated, however, that BKPyV infection originates from the kidney allograft.
      Because BKPyV seroreactivity correlates with BKPyV replication and thus might
      mirror the infectious load, we investigated whether BKPyV seroreactivity of the
      donor predicts viremia and BKPyV-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) in the
      recipient. In a retrospective cohort of 407 living kidney donor-recipient pairs,
      pretransplantation donor and recipient sera were tested for BKPyV IgG levels and
      correlated with the occurrence of recipient BKPyV viremia and BKPyVAN within 1
      year after transplantation. Donor BKPyV IgG level was strongly associated with
      BKPyV viremia and BKPyVAN (p < 0.001), whereas recipient BKPyV seroreactivity
      showed a nonsignificant inverse trend. Pairing of high-BKPyV-seroreactive donors
      with low-seroreactive recipients resulted in a 10-fold increased risk of BKPyV
      viremia (hazard ratio 10.1, 95% CI 3.5-29.0, p < 0.001). In multivariate
      analysis, donor BKPyV seroreactivity was the strongest pretransplantation factor
      associated with viremia (p < 0.001) and BKPyVAN (p = 0.007). The proportional
      relationship between donor BKPyV seroreactivity and recipient infection suggests
      that donor BKPyV seroreactivity reflects the infectious load of the kidney
      allograft and calls for the use of pretransplantation BKPyV serological testing
      of (potential) donors and recipients.

PMID- 27251362
TI  - Urinary Bladder-Relaxant Effect of Kurarinone Depending on Potentiation of Large
      Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels.
AB  - The large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (BKCa channel) plays
      critical roles in smooth muscle relaxation. In urinary bladder smooth muscle,
      BKCa channel activity underlies the maintenance of the resting membrane potential
      and repolarization of the spontaneous action potential triggering the phasic
      contraction. To identify novel BKCa channel activators, we screened a library of
      natural compounds using a cell-based fluorescence assay and a hyperactive mutant
      BKCa channel (Lee et al., 2013). From 794 natural compounds, kurarinone, a
      flavanone from Sophora flavescens, strongly potentiated BKCa channels. When
      treated from the extracellular side, this compound progressively shifted the
      conductance-voltage relationship of BKCa channels to more negative voltages and
      increased the maximum conductance in a dose-dependent manner. Whereas kurarinone
      strongly potentiated the homomeric BKCa channel composed of only the alpha
      subunit, its effects were much smaller on heteromeric channels coassembled with
      auxiliary beta subunits. Although the activation kinetics was not altered
      significantly, the deactivation of BKCa channels was dramatically slowed by
      kurarinone treatment. At the single-channel level, kurarinone increased the open
      probability of the BKCa channel without affecting its single-channel conductance.
      Kurarinone potently relaxed acetylcholine-induced contraction of rat bladder
      smooth muscle and thus decreased the micturition frequency of rats with
      overactive bladder symptoms. These results indicate that kurarinone can directly
      potentiate BKCa channels and demonstrate the therapeutic potentials of kurarinone
      and its derivatives for developing antioveractive bladder medications and
      supplements.

PMID- 27251363
TI  - Guanylyl Cyclase C Hormone Axis at the Intersection of Obesity and Colorectal
      Cancer.
AB  - Obesity has emerged as a principal cause of mortality worldwide, reflecting
      comorbidities including cancer risk, particularly in colorectum. Although this
      relationship is established epidemiologically, molecular mechanisms linking
      colorectal cancer and obesity continue to be refined. Guanylyl cyclase C
      (GUCY2C), a membrane-bound guanylyl cyclase expressed in intestinal epithelial
      cells, binds the paracrine hormones guanylin and uroguanylin, inducing cGMP
      signaling in colorectum and small intestine, respectively. Guanylin is the most
      commonly lost gene product in sporadic colorectal cancer, and its universal loss
      early in transformation silences GUCY2C, a tumor suppressor, disrupting
      epithelial homeostasis underlying tumorigenesis. In small intestine, eating
      induces endocrine secretion of uroguanylin, the afferent limb of a novel gut
      brain axis that activates hypothalamic GUCY2C-cGMP signaling mediating satiety
      opposing obesity. Recent studies revealed that diet-induced obesity suppressed
      guanylin and uroguanylin expression in mice and humans. Hormone loss reflects
      reversible calorie-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and the associated
      unfolded protein response, rather than the endocrine, adipokine, or inflammatory
      milieu of obesity. Loss of intestinal uroguanylin secretion silences the
      hypothalamic GUCY2C endocrine axis, creating a feed-forward loop contributing to
      hyperphagia in obesity. Importantly, calorie-induced guanylin loss silences the
      GUCY2C-cGMP paracrine axis underlying obesity-induced epithelial dysfunction and
      colorectal tumorigenesis. Indeed, genetically enforced guanylin replacement
      eliminated diet-induced intestinal tumorigenesis in mice. Taken together, these
      observations suggest that GUCY2C hormone axes are at the intersection of obesity
      and colorectal cancer. Moreover, they suggest that hormone replacement that
      restores GUCY2C signaling may be a novel therapeutic paradigm to prevent both
      hyperphagia and intestinal tumorigenesis in obesity. 

PMID- 27251364
TI  - Wild food plants and fungi used in the mycophilous Tibetan community of Zhagana
      (Tewo County, Gansu, China).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate knowledge and use of wild
      food plants and fungi in a highland valley in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous
      Region on the north-eastern edges of the Tibetan Plateau. METHODS: Field research
      was carried out in four neighbouring villages in a mountain valley of the Diebu
      (Tewo) county, surrounded by spruce forests. The study consisted of 30 interviews
      with single informants, or group interviews (altogether 63 informants). Apart
      from collecting voucher specimens, we also identified fungi using DNA barcoding.
      RESULTS: We recorded the use of 54 species of vascular plants. We also recorded
      the use of 22 mushroom taxa, which made up the largest category of wild foods.
      Fruits formed the largest category of food plants, with 21 species, larger than
      the wild greens category, which consisted of 20 species eaten after boiling or
      frying and 7 as raw snacks. We also recorded the alimentary use of 10 species of
      edible flowers and 3 species with underground edible organs. On average, 20.8
      edible taxa were listed per interview (median - 21). The most listed category of
      wild foods was green vegetables (mean - 7.5 species, median - 8 species), but
      fruits and mushrooms were listed nearly as frequently (mean - 6.3, median - 6 and
      mean - 5.8, - median 6 respectively). Other category lists were very short, e.g.,
      flowers (mean - 1.3, median - 1) and underground edible parts (mean - 0.7, median
      - 1). Wild vegetables are usually boiled and/or fried and served as side-dishes,
      or their green parts are eaten as snacks during mountain treks (e.g., peeled
      rhubarb shoots). Wild fruits are mainly collected by children and eaten raw, they
      are not stored for further use. The most widely used wild staple foods are
      Potetilla anserina roots, an important ceremonial food served on such occasions
      as New Year or at funerals. They are boiled and served with sugar and butter. The
      most important famine plants remembered by people are the aerial bulbils of
      Persicaria vivipara. Flowers are used as children's snacks - their nectar is
      sucked. CONCLUSIONS: The number of wild taxa eaten in the studied valley is
      similar to that of other Tibetan areas. The structure of wild food plant taxa is
      also very typical for Tibetan speaking areas (e.g., the use of rhubarb shoots,
      Potentilla anserina, Persicaria vivipara). The studied community show a high
      level of mycophilia.

PMID- 27251365
TI  - How do changes in bulk soil organic carbon content affect carbon concentrations
      in individual soil particle fractions?
AB  - We test the common assumption that organic carbon (OC) storage occurs on sand
      sized soil particles only after the OC storage capacity on silt- and clay-sized
      particles is saturated. Soil samples from a Brookston clay loam in Southwestern
      Ontario were analysed for the OC concentrations in bulk soil, and on the clay (<2
      MUm), silt (2-53 MUm) and sand (53-2000 MUm) particle size fractions. The OC
      concentrations in bulk soil ranged from 4.7 to 70.8 g C kg(-1) soil. The OC
      concentrations on all three particle size fractions were significantly related to
      the OC concentration of bulk soil. However, OC concentration increased slowly
      toward an apparent maximum on silt and clay, but this maximum was far greater
      than the maximum predicted by established C sequestration models. In addition,
      significant increases in OC associated with sand occurred when the bulk soil OC
      concentration exceeded 30 g C kg(-1), but this increase occurred when the OC
      concentration on silt + clay was still far below the predicted storage capacity
      for silt and clay fractions. Since the OC concentrations in all fractions of
      Brookston clay loam soil continued to increase with increasing C (bulk soil OC
      content) input, we concluded that the concept of OC storage capacity requires
      further investigation.

PMID- 27251366
TI  - Dissolved Divalent Metal and pH Effects on Amino Acid Polymerization: A
      Thermodynamic Evaluation.
AB  - Polymerization of amino acids is a fundamentally important step for the chemical
      evolution of life. Nevertheless, its response to changing environmental
      conditions has not yet been well understood because of the lack of reliable
      quantitative information. For thermodynamics, detailed prediction over diverse
      combinations of temperature and pH has been made only for a few amino acid
      peptide systems. This study used recently reported thermodynamic dataset for the
      polymerization of the simplest amino acid "glycine (Gly)" to its short peptides
      (di-glycine and tri-glycine) to examine chemical and structural characteristics
      of amino acids and peptides that control the temperature and pH dependence of
      polymerization. Results showed that the dependency is strongly controlled by the
      intramolecular distance between the amino and carboxyl groups in an amino acid
      structure, although the side-chain group role is minor. The polymerization
      behavior of Gly reported earlier in the literature is therefore expected to be a
      typical feature for those of alpha-amino acids. Equilibrium calculations were
      conducted to examine effects of dissolved metals as a function of pH on the
      monomer-polymer equilibria of Gly. Results showed that metals shift the
      equilibria toward the monomer side, particularly at neutral and alkaline pH.
      Metals that form weak interaction with Gly (e.g., Mg2+) have no noticeable
      influence on the polymerization, although strong interaction engenders
      significant decrease of the equilibrium concentrations of Gly peptides.
      Considering chemical and structural characteristics of Gly and Gly peptides that
      control their interactions with metals, it can be expected that similar responses
      to the addition of metals are applicable in the polymerization of neutral alpha
      amino acids. Neutral and alkaline aqueous environments with dissolved metals
      having high affinity with neutral alpha-amino acids (e.g., Cu2+) are therefore
      not beneficial places for peptide bond formation on the primitive Earth.

PMID- 27251367
TI  - Supplementation of procyanidins B2 attenuates photooxidation-induced apoptosis in
      ARPE-19 cells.
AB  - During the aging process, dimers of dietary vitamin A accumulated in retinal
      pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Vitamin A dimer-mediated photooxidation resulted
      in RPE apoptosis, which is associated with age-related degenerative disease of
      retina, leading to blindness. It has been reported that proanthocyanidin-rich
      grape seed extract reduces oxidative stress in the eye. In this study, we
      investigated the underlying mechanism of photooxidation-induced apoptosis
      inhibition by procyanidins B2 (PB2), one of the main components of grape seed
      proanthocyanidin. To mimic vitamin A dimer-mediated photooxidation, ARPE-19 cells
      that accumulated vitamin A dimer, A2E, were used as a model system. Exposure of
      A2E loaded ARPE-19 cells to blue light induced ER stress and resulted in
      significant apoptosis. Pretreatment of blue light-exposed A2E containing ARPE-19
      cells with PB2 inhibited apoptosis, increased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in the
      mitochondria, attenuated ROS and cytochrome c release, and decreased caspase
      cleavage. Additionally, PB2 inhibited the phosphorylation of ER stress markers
      elF2alpha and IRE1alpha and reduced CHOP expression. Moreover, PB2 inhibition of
      apoptosis is dependent on the UPR chaperone GRP78, indicating PB2 inhibits
      vitamin A dimer-mediated apoptosis in RPE cells by activating the UPR. 

PMID- 27251368
TI  - Neurobiology of early life stress and visceral pain: translational relevance from
      animal models to patient care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies show that females are twice as likely to
      receive a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) than their male
      counterparts. Despite evidence pointing to a role for sex hormones in the onset
      or exacerbation of IBS symptoms, the mechanism by which ovarian hormones may
      predispose women to develop IBS remains largely undefined. On the other hand,
      there is a growing body of research showing a correlation between reports of
      early life stress (ELS) and the diagnosis of IBS. Current treatments available
      for IBS patients target symptom relief including abdominal pain and alterations
      in bowel habits, but are not directed to the etiology of the disease. PURPOSE: To
      better understand the mechanisms by which sex hormones and ELS contribute to IBS,
      animal models have been developed to mirror complex human experiences allowing
      for longitudinal studies that investigate the lifelong consequences of ELS. These
      preclinical models have been successful in recapitulating ELS-induced visceral
      pain. Moreover, in female rats the influence of cycling hormones on visceral
      hypersensitivity resembles that seen in women with IBS. Such studies suggest that
      rodent models of ELS may serve as pivotal tools in determining (i) the etiology
      of IBS, (ii) novel future treatments for IBS, and (iii) improving individualized
      patient care. The current review aims to shed light on the progress and the
      challenges observed by clinicians within the field of gastroenterology and the
      preclinical science aimed at addressing those challenges in an effort to
      understand and more efficiently treat functional gastrointestinal disorders
      (FGIDs) in both children and adults.

PMID- 27251369
TI  - A Z-scheme photocatalyst constructed with an yttrium-tantalum oxynitride and a
      binuclear Ru(ii) complex for visible-light CO2 reduction.
AB  - An yttrium-tantalum oxynitride having a band gap of 2.1 eV (absorbing visible
      light at <580 nm) was applicable as a semiconductor component of a Z-scheme CO2
      reduction system operable under visible light, in combination with a binuclear
      Ru(ii) complex that has strong absorption in the visible region (<600 nm).
      Excitation of this system with visible light under a CO2 atmosphere induced
      photocatalytic formation of formic acid with very high selectivity (>99%). 

PMID- 27251370
TI  - The mechanisms of delayed onset type adverse reactions to oseltamivir.
AB  - Oseltamivir is recommended for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza in
      persons at higher risk for influenza complications such as individuals with
      diabetes, neuropsychiatric illnesses, and respiratory, cardiac, renal, hepatic or
      haematological diseases. However, a recent Cochrane review reported that
      reduction of antibody production, renal disorders, hyperglycaemia, psychiatric
      disorders, and QT prolongation may be related to oseltamivir use. The underlying
      mechanisms are reviewed. There is decisive evidence that administration of a
      clinically compatible dose of oseltamivir in mice challenged by a respiratory
      syncytial virus (RSV) that lacks a neuraminidase gene showed symptom-relieving
      effects and inhibition of viral clearance. These effects were accompanied by
      decreased level of T cell surface sialoglycosphingolipid (ganglioside) GM1 that
      is regulated by the endogenous neuraminidase in response to viral challenge.
      Clinical and non-clinical evidence supports the view that the usual dose of
      oseltamivir suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma,
      interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha almost completely with partial
      suppression of viral shedding in human influenza virus infection experiment.
      Animal toxicity tests support the clinical evidence with regard to renal and
      cardiac disorders (bradycardia and QT prolongation) and do not disprove the
      metabolic effect. Reduction of antibody production and cytokine induction and
      renal, metabolic, cardiac, and prolonged psychiatric disorders after oseltamivir
      use may be related to inhibition of the host's endogenous neuraminidase. While
      the usual clinical dose of zanamivir may not have this effect, a higher dose or
      prolonged administration of zanamivir and other neuraminidase inhibitors may
      induce similar delayed reactions, including reduction of the antibody and/or
      cytokine production. 

PMID- 27251371
TI  - Metformin Prevented Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity Induced by 3,4
      Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Administration.
AB  - Metformin, a well-known antidiabetic drug, has recently been proposed to promote
      neurogenesis and to have a neuroprotective effect on the neurodegenerative
      processes induced by the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6
      tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in models of Parkinson's disease. Interestingly,
      metformin has antioxidant properties and is involved in regulating the production
      of cytokines released during the neuroinflammatory process. Several studies have
      reported that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a recreational drug
      mostly consumed by young adults, produces a persistent loss of dopaminergic
      neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and caudate putamen (CPu) of
      mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective
      effect of metformin against short- and long-term neurotoxicity induced by MDMA
      and its role on MDMA-induced hyperthermia. Adult mice received metformin (2 * 200
      mg/kg, 11-h intervals, administered orally), MDMA (4 * 20 mg/kg, 2-h interval,
      administered intraperitoneally), or MDMA plus metformin (2 * 200 mg/kg, 1 h
      before the first MDMA administration and 4 h after the last). On the second and
      third day, mice were treated with vehicle or metformin (1 * 200 mg/kg) and
      sacrificed 48 h and 7 days after the last MDMA administration. The
      neuroprotective effect of metformin on MDMA-induced dopaminergic damage was
      evaluated by dopamine transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)
      immunohistochemistry in SNc and CPu. Metformin prevented the MDMA-induced loss of
      TH-positive neurons in the SNc and TH- and DAT-positive fibers in CPu, both at 48
      h and 7 days after the last MDMA administration. These results show that
      metformin is neuroprotective against the short- and long-lasting dopaminergic
      neurodegeneration induced by MDMA.

PMID- 27251372
TI  - Effect of vildagliptin and pravastatin combination on cholesterol efflux in
      adipocytes.
AB  - Many reports suggested that some statins are almost ineffective in reducing
      triglycerides or enhancing HDL-C plasma levels, although statin treatment was
      still efficacious in reducing LDL-C. In diabetic dyslipidemic patients, it may
      therefore be necessary to use a combination therapy with other drugs to achieve
      either LDL-C- and triglyceride-lowering or HDL-C-enhancing goals. Such
      ineffectiveness of statins can be attributed to their effect on the liver X
      receptor (LXR) which regulates the expression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC)
      transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1. A decrease in the expression of these transporters
      eventually leads to decreased cholesterol efflux from peripheral tissues leading
      to low levels of HDL-C. Although manipulating the LXR pathway may complement the
      effects of statins, LXR synthetic ligands as T091317 have shown significant
      hypertriglyceridemic action which limits their use. We recently found that the
      antidiabetic drug vildagliptin stimulates LXR expression leading to increased
      ABCB1/ABCG1 expression which improves cholesterol efflux from adipocytes.
      Therefore, a combination of vildagliptin and statin may provide a solution
      without the hypertriglyceridemic action observed with LXR agonist. We hypothesize
      that a combination of vildagliptin and pravastatin will improve cholesterol
      efflux in adipocytes. Statin-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with
      vildagliptin, and the expression of LXR-ABCA1/ABCG1 cascade and the cholesterol
      efflux were then determined. Our data indicate that a combination of vildagliptin
      and pravastatin significantly induces the expression of LXR-ABCA1/ABCG1 cascade
      and improves cholesterol efflux (P > 0.05) in adipocytes. Our data may explain,
      at least in part, the improvement in HDL-C levels observed in patients receiving
      both medications. (c) 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(7):535-543, 2016.

PMID- 27251374
TI  - Teflon Might Be a Factor Accounting for a Failed Microvascular Decompression in
      Hemifacial Spasm: A Technical Note.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although Teflon is widely adopted for microvascular decompression
      (MVD) surgery, it has never been addressed for failure analysis. This study
      analyzed the reasons for failed MVDs with emphasis on the Teflon sponge. METHODS:
      Among the 685 hemifacial spasm cases between 2010 and 2014, 31 were reoperated on
      within a week because of unsatisfactory outcome, which was focused on in this
      study. Intraoperative findings regarding Teflon inserts of these repeat MVDs were
      reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 38 without satisfactory outcomes, 31 underwent
      repeat MVDs, and they were all spasm free afterwards. Eventually, the final cure
      rate was 99.2%. It was found in the repeat MVDs that the failure was attributable
      to the Teflon insert in most of the cases (74.2%) directly or indirectly. It was
      caused by improper placement (47.8%), inappropriate size (34.8%) and unsuitable
      shape (17.4%) of the Teflon sponge. CONCLUSION: Although it is not difficult for
      an experienced neurosurgeon to discover a neurovascular conflict during the MVD
      process, the size, shape and location of the Teflon sponge should not be ignored.
      Basically, the Teflon insert is used to keep the offending artery away from the
      facial nerve root rather than to isolate it. Therefore, the ideal Teflon sponge
      should be just small enough to produce a neurovascular separation.

PMID- 27251373
TI  - A Lipid Based Antigen Delivery System Efficiently Facilitates MHC Class-I Antigen
      Presentation in Dendritic Cells to Stimulate CD8(+) T Cells.
AB  - The most effective strategy for protection against intracellular infections such
      as Leishmania is vaccination with live parasites. Use of recombinant proteins
      avoids the risks associated with live vaccines. However, due to low
      immunogenicity, they fail to trigger T cell responses particularly of CD8(+)
      cells requisite for persistent immunity. Previously we showed the importance of
      protein entrapment in cationic liposomes and MPL as adjuvant for elicitation of
      CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses for long-term protection. In this study we
      investigated the role of cationic liposomes on maturation and antigen
      presentation capacity of dendritic cells (DCs). We observed that cationic
      liposomes were taken up very efficiently by DCs and transported to different
      cellular sites. DCs activated with liposomal rgp63 led to efficient presentation
      of antigen to specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Furthermore, lymphoid CD8(+) T
      cells from liposomal rgp63 immunized mice demonstrated better proliferative
      ability when co-cultured ex vivo with stimulated DCs. Addition of MPL to vaccine
      enhanced the antigen presentation by DCs and induced more efficient antigen
      specific CD8(+) T cell responses when compared to free and liposomal antigen.
      These liposomal formulations presented to CD8(+) T cells through TAP-dependent
      MHC-I pathway offer new possibilities for a safe subunit vaccine.

PMID- 27251375
TI  - Immunotherapy-responsive allodynia due to distal acquired demyelinating symmetric
      (DADS) neuropathy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Distal acquired demyelinating symmetric (DADS) neuropathy is a
      distal variant of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. It
      is characterized by chronic distal symmetric sensory or sensorimotor deficits.
      Sensory ataxia is a common clinical presentation. Nerve conduction studies
      typically show markedly prolonged distal motor latencies. METHODS: We report 2
      patients with chronic progressive generalized pain and fatigue, with normal
      neurological examinations except for allodynia. RESULTS: Nerve conduction studies
      were typical of DADS neuropathy. Monoclonal protein studies were negative.
      Cerebrospinal fluid protein levels were elevated. Sural nerve biopsies revealed
      segmental demyelination and remyelination. One biopsy had marked endoneurial and
      epineurial lymphocytic infiltration. Immunomodulatory therapy alleviated the pain
      and fatigue and markedly improved distal motor latencies in both patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: DADS neuropathy can present with pain and a normal neurological
      examination apart from allodynia. Nerve conduction studies are necessary for
      diagnosis. These patients respond to immunotherapy better than typical DADS
      neuropathy patients with sensory ataxia. Muscle Nerve 54: 973-977, 2016.

PMID- 27251376
TI  - 3D culture of Her2+ breast cancer cells promotes AKT to MAPK switching and a loss
      of therapeutic response.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Her2 receptor is overexpressed in up to 25 % of breast cancers
      and is associated with a poor prognosis. Around half of Her2+ breast cancers also
      express the estrogen receptor and treatment for such tumours can involve both
      endocrine and Her2-targeted therapies. However, despite preclinical data
      supporting the effectiveness of these agents, responses can vary widely in the
      clinical setting. In light of the increasing evidence pointing to the interplay
      between the tumour and its extracellular microenvironment as a significant
      determinant of therapeutic sensitivity and response here we investigated the
      impact of 3D matrix culture of breast cancer cells on their therapeutic
      sensitivity. METHODS: A 3D Matrigel-based culture system was established and
      optimized for the growth of ER+/Her2+ breast cancer cell models. Growth of cells
      in response to trastuzumab and endocrine agents in 3D culture versus routine
      monolayer culture were assessed using cell counting and Ki67 staining. Endogenous
      and trastuzumab-modulated signalling pathway activity in 2D and 3D cultures were
      assessed using Western blotting. RESULTS: Breast cancer cells in 3D culture
      displayed an attenuated response to both endocrine agents and trastuzumab
      compared with cells cultured in traditional 2D monolayers. Underlying this
      phenomenon was an apparent matrix-induced shift from AKT to MAPK signalling;
      consequently, suppression of MAPK in 3D cultures restores therapeutic response.
      CONCLUSION: These data suggest that breast cancer cells in 3D culture display a
      reduced sensitivity to therapeutic agents which may be mediated by internal MAPK
      mediated signalling. Targeting of adaptive pathways that maintain growth in 3D
      culture may represent an effective strategy to improve therapeutic response
      clinically.

PMID- 27251378
TI  - Limited significance of curative surgery in Borrmann type IV gastric cancer.
AB  - Borrmann type IV advanced gastric cancer has a poor prognosis. Although surgical
      resection remains the only hope for a cure, the role of curative surgery is
      questionable in this type of cancer. This study defined the role of curative
      surgery in the prognosis of type IV gastric cancer. We analyzed 168 patients with
      Borrmann type IV undergoing surgery at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital from 1989 to
      2010. We categorized the patients into curative (R0) and non-curative (R1, R2,
      and non-resection) groups. The curative and non-curative groups comprised 88 and
      80 patients, respectively. The preoperative predictive value of Borrmann type IV
      was 50.5, and 8.9 % of the patients had microscopic resection margin involvement.
      The 3- to 5-year overall survival (OS) of patients in the curative group was
      significantly higher than that of in the non-curative group (p < 0.001). However,
      in a multivariate analysis, curability was not a significant predictor of
      survival (p = 0.187). In the curative group, the most frequent recurrence site
      was the peritoneum (85.7 %). Most recurrences occurred within 2 years. The role
      of surgery for Borrmann type IV is quite limited. Such cases have a poor
      prognosis even after curative surgery. In addition, microscopic resection margin
      involvement is frequent in type IV cancer because it is difficult to diagnose
      preoperatively. Therefore, multimodal diagnostic tools and treatment strategies
      should be developed for Borrmann type IV gastric cancer. 

PMID- 27251377
TI  - The role of IL-37 in cancer.
AB  - Interleukin 37 (IL-37) is a new member of the IL-1 family which all have a
      similar beta-barrel structure. Since its discovery, IL-37 has been studied
      extensively in immunological field. It has been established that IL-37 possesses
      anti-inflammatory characteristics both in innate immune response as well as in
      acquired immune responses by downregulating pro-inflammatory molecules. This
      review will discuss the role of IL-37 in immunological processes and neoplastic
      pathogenesis. 

PMID- 27251379
TI  - Anti-Inflammation Effects and Potential Mechanism of Saikosaponins by Regulating
      Nicotinate and Nicotinamide Metabolism and Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.
AB  - Inflammation is an important immune response; however, excessive inflammation
      causes severe tissue damages and secondary inflammatory injuries. The long-term
      and ongoing uses of routinely used drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
      drugs (NSAIDS) are associated with serious adverse reactions, and not all
      patients have a well response to them. Consequently, therapeutic products with
      more safer and less adverse reaction are constantly being sought. Radix Bupleuri,
      a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been reported to have anti
      inflammatory effects. However, saikosaponins (SS) as the main pharmacodynamic
      active ingredient, their pharmacological effects and action mechanism in anti
      inflammation have not been reported frequently. This study aimed to explore the
      anti-inflammatory activity of SS and clarify the potential mechanism in acute
      inflammatory mice induced by subcutaneous injection of formalin in hind paws. Paw
      edema was detected as an index to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of SS.
      Then, a metabolomic method was used to investigate the changed metabolites and
      potential mechanism of SS. Metabolite profiling was performed by high-performance
      liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry
      (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The detection and identification of the changed metabolites were
      systematically analyzed by multivariate data and pathway analysis. As a result,
      12 different potential biomarkers associated with SS in anti-inflammation were
      identified, including nicotinate, niacinamide, arachidonic acid (AA), and 20
      carboxy-leukotriene B4, which are associated with nicotinate and nicotinamide
      metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism. The expression levels of biomarkers
      were effectively modulated towards the normal range by SS. It indicated that SS
      show their effective anti-inflammatory effects through regulating nicotinate and
      nicotinamide metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism. 

PMID- 27251380
TI  - The Effects of Rifampin, Povidone-Iodine and Hydrogen Peroxide on the Formation
      of Epidural Fibrosis in the Experimental Epidural Fibrosis Model.
AB  - The aim of the study was to determine the effect of direct application of
      rifampin, povidone-iodine, and hydrogen peroxide on the formation of epidural
      fibrosis in rats. Forty-eight adult male Wistar albino rats were equally and
      randomly divided into four groups (laminectomy, topical rifampin, topical
      povidone-iodine, and topical hydrogen peroxide). Laminectomy was performed at the
      T12 level in all rats. Four weeks later, the extent of epidural fibrosis was
      assessed both macroscopically and histopathologically. ANOVA test was used for
      the evaluation of dural thickness. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for the pathology
      and macroscopic evaluation. Chi-square test was used for evaluation of the
      arachnoid involvement. p value <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.
      Our data revealed that topical application of both povidone-iodine and hydrogen
      peroxide were effective in reducing epidural fibrosis formation. The results of
      our study provide the experimental evidence of the preventive effects of topical
      application of povidone-iodine and hydrogen peroxide over epidural fibrosis. 

PMID- 27251382
TI  - The Vulnerable Newborn Brain: Imaging Patterns of Acquired Perinatal Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, imaging techniques have allowed for better
      visualization of the newborn brain. This has enabled us to detect patterns,
      understand mechanisms and guide diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVES: The purpose
      of this review is to discuss imaging characteristics of acquired perinatal brain
      injury. METHODS: Through literature review and the author's research, this review
      assesses published data on the distinct imaging patterns that occur in the
      neonatal period due to acquired brain insults. RESULTS: In the term brain,
      susceptibility to hypoxia-ischemia, hypoglycemia and hyperbilirubinemia results
      in unique patterns of injury. Stroke commonly occurs in the newborn period.
      Infections, especially viral, have distinct patterns of white matter injury. In
      the preterm brain, white matter injury occurs commonly and is affected by
      postnatal growth, stress and infection. The cerebellum is uniquely vulnerable
      during this period, with resultant hemorrhages in almost half of preterm infants.
      Cerebellar growth is affected by intraventricular hemorrhage, drugs and placental
      pathology. Periventricular hemorrhagic infarction is the most serious consequence
      of the spectrum of intraventricular hemorrhage and results in profound
      disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the acquired perinatal brain injuries
      can have lifelong devastating consequences, so the search for therapies must
      continue.

PMID- 27251381
TI  - Psychology, replication & beyond.
AB  - Modern psychology is apparently in crisis and the prevailing view is that this
      partly reflects an inability to replicate past findings. If a crisis does exists,
      then it is some kind of 'chronic' crisis, as psychologists have been censuring
      themselves over replicability for decades. While the debate in psychology is not
      new, the lack of progress across the decades is disappointing. Recently though,
      we have seen a veritable surfeit of debate alongside multiple orchestrated and
      well-publicised replication initiatives. The spotlight is being shone on certain
      areas and although not everyone agrees on how we should interpret the outcomes,
      the debate is happening and impassioned. The issue of reproducibility occupies a
      central place in our whig history of psychology. 

PMID- 27251383
TI  - Debate on whether Tamiflu prevents flu deaths reignites after new analysis.

PMID- 27251384
TI  - The Impact of an Online Crowdsourcing Diagnostic Tool on Health Care Utilization:
      A Case Study Using a Novel Approach to Retrospective Claims Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with difficult medical cases often remain undiagnosed
      despite visiting multiple physicians. A new online platform, CrowdMed, uses
      crowdsourcing to quickly and efficiently reach an accurate diagnosis for these
      patients. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate whether CrowdMed decreased
      health care utilization for patients who have used the service. METHODS: Novel,
      electronic methods of patient recruitment and data collection were utilized.
      Patients who completed cases on CrowdMed's platform between July 2014 and April
      2015 were recruited for the study via email and screened via an online survey.
      After providing eConsent, participants provided identifying information used to
      access their medical claims data, which was retrieved through a third-party web
      application program interface (API). Utilization metrics including frequency of
      provider visits and medical charges were compared pre- and post-case resolution
      to assess the impact of resolving a case on CrowdMed. RESULTS: Of 45 CrowdMed
      users who completed the study survey, comprehensive claims data was available via
      API for 13 participants, who made up the final enrolled sample. There were a
      total of 221 health care provider visits collected for the study participants,
      with service dates ranging from September 2013 to July 2015. Frequency of
      provider visits was significantly lower after resolution of a case on CrowdMed
      (mean of 1.07 visits per month pre-resolution vs. 0.65 visits per month post
      resolution, P=.01). Medical charges were also significantly lower after case
      resolution (mean of US $719.70 per month pre-resolution vs. US $516.79 per month
      post-resolution, P=.03). There was no significant relationship between study
      results and disease onset date, and there was no evidence of regression to the
      mean influencing results. CONCLUSIONS: This study employed technology-enabled
      methods to demonstrate that patients who used CrowdMed had lower health care
      utilization after case resolution. However, since the final sample size was
      limited, results should be interpreted as a case study. Despite this limitation,
      the statistically significant results suggest that online crowdsourcing shows
      promise as an efficient method of solving difficult medical cases.

PMID- 27251385
TI  - Thermo-therapeutic applications of chitosan- and PEG-coated NiFe2O4
      nanoparticles.
AB  - The paper reports the thermo-therapeutic applications of chitosan- and PEG-coated
      nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles. In this study NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were
      synthesized by the co-precipitation method, tuning the particle size through heat
      treatment in the temperature range from 200-800  degrees C for 3 h. XRD and TEM
      analysis revealed that the the ultrafine nanoparticles were of size 2-58 nm.
      Crystallinity of the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles in the as-dried condition with the
      particle size ~2-3 nm was confirmed from the presence of a lattice fringe in the
      HRTEM image. VSM measurements showed that a superparamagnetic/ferromagnetic
      transition occurs with increasing particle size, which was further confirmed by
      Mossbauer spectroscopy. The nickel ferrite nanoparticles with optimum particle
      size of 10 nm were then coated with materials commonly used for biomedical
      applications, i.e. chitosan and PEG, to form homogeneous suspensions. The
      hydrodynamic diameter and the polydispersity index (PDI) were analyzed by dynamic
      light scattering at the physiological temperature of 37  degrees C and found to
      be 187 nm and 0.21 for chitosan-coated nanoparticles and 285 nm and 0.32 for PEG
      coated ones. The specific loss power of rf induction heating by the set-up for
      hyperthermia and r 2 relaxivity by the nuclear magnetic resonance were
      determined. The results of induction heating measurements showed that the
      temperature attained by the nanoparticles of size 10 nm and concentration of
      about 20 mg ml(-1) was >70  degrees C (for chitosan) and >64  degrees C (for
      PEG). It has been demonstrated that the required temperature for hyperthermia
      heating could be tuned by tuning the particle size, shape and magnetization and
      the concentration of solution. For other potential biomedical applications of the
      NiFe2O4 nanoparticle solution, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging, the NMR studies
      yielded the T 1 and T 2 relaxivities as 0.348 and 89 mM(-1) s(-1) respectively.
      The fact that the T 2 relaxivity is orders of magnitude higher than T 1 indicates
      that this is suitable as a T 2 contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. 

PMID- 27251386
TI  - Language Matters.

PMID- 27251387
TI  - In Tribute: Charles Magistro-The Shoemaker's Son.

PMID- 27251388
TI  - Chuang L, Wu C, Lin K, Hsieh C. Relative and Absolute Reliability of a Vertical
      Numerical Pain Rating Scale Supplemented With a Faces Pain Scale After Stroke.
      Phys Ther. 2014;94:129-138.

PMID- 27251389
TI  - Research investment implications of shifts in the global geography of wheat
      stripe rust.
AB  - Breeding new crop varieties with resistance to the biotic stresses that undermine
      crop yields is tantamount to increasing the amount and quality of biological
      capital in agriculture. However, the success of genes that confer resistance to
      pests induces a co-evolutionary response that depreciates the biological capital
      embodied in the crop, as pests evolve the capacity to overcome the crop's new
      defences. Thus, simply maintaining this biological capital, and the beneficial
      production and economic outcomes it bestows, requires continual reinvestment in
      new crop defences. Here we use observed and modelled data on stripe rust
      occurrence to gauge changes in the geographic spread of the disease over recent
      decades. We document a significant increase in the spread of stripe rust since
      1960, with 88% of the world's wheat production now susceptible to infection.
      Using a probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation model we estimate that 5.47 million
      tonnes of wheat are lost to the pathogen each year, equivalent to a loss of
      US$979 million per year. Comparing the cost of developing stripe-rust-resistant
      varieties of wheat with the cost of stripe-rust-induced yield losses, we estimate
      that a sustained annual research investment of at least US$32 million into stripe
      rust resistance is economically justified. 

PMID- 27251390
TI  - Intensity of a pulse of RSL4 transcription factor synthesis determines
      Arabidopsis root hair cell size.
AB  - Cell size is determined by the duration and rate of growth and plays a central
      role in cell function. Root hairs are tip-growing cellular projections that
      emerge from the root epidermis and explore the soil to acquire nutrients and
      water(1). Previously we demonstrated that the basic helix-loop-helix
      transcription factor root hair defective 6-like 4 (RSL4) is necessary and
      sufficient for root hair growth(2). Here we show that RSL4 is synthesized in a 4
      h pulse at the initiation of hair elongation and is gradually degraded by the 26S
      proteasome. The amount of RSL4 synthesis during this pulse is modulated as part
      of a root hair growth response to low phosphate. RSL4 synthesis increases in low
      phosphate and this increase prolongs the growth phase, resulting in the
      development of long root hairs. Our data demonstrate that the amount of RSL4
      synthesized during the pulse directly determines the final size of the
      differentiated root hair cell. We propose that the modulation of growth-promoting
      transcription factors by external cues could be a general mechanism for the
      regulation of cell growth by environmental factors during development. 

PMID- 27251391
TI  - Larger trees suffer most during drought in forests worldwide.
AB  - The frequency of severe droughts is increasing in many regions around the world
      as a result of climate change(1-3). Droughts alter the structure and function of
      forests(4,5). Site- and region-specific studies suggest that large trees, which
      play keystone roles in forests(6) and can be disproportionately important to
      ecosystem carbon storage(7) and hydrology(8), exhibit greater sensitivity to
      drought than small trees(4,5,9,10). Here, we synthesize data on tree growth and
      mortality collected during 40 drought events in forests worldwide to see whether
      this size-dependent sensitivity to drought holds more widely. We find that
      droughts consistently had a more detrimental impact on the growth and mortality
      rates of larger trees. Moreover, drought-related mortality increased with tree
      size in 65% of the droughts examined, especially when community-wide mortality
      was high or when bark beetles were present. The more pronounced drought
      sensitivity of larger trees could be underpinned by greater inherent
      vulnerability to hydraulic stress(11-14), the higher radiation and evaporative
      demand experienced by exposed crowns(4,15), and the tendency for bark beetles to
      preferentially attack larger trees(16). We suggest that future droughts will have
      a more detrimental impact on the growth and mortality of larger trees,
      potentially exacerbating feedbacks to climate change. 

PMID- 27251392
TI  - An RLP23-SOBIR1-BAK1 complex mediates NLP-triggered immunity.
AB  - Plants and animals employ innate immune systems to cope with microbial infection.
      Pattern-triggered immunity relies on the recognition of microbe-derived patterns
      by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Necrosis and ethylene-inducing peptide 1
      like proteins (NLPs) constitute plant immunogenic patterns that are unique, as
      these proteins are produced by multiple prokaryotic (bacterial) and eukaryotic
      (fungal, oomycete) species. Here we show that the leucine-rich repeat receptor
      protein (LRR-RP) RLP23 binds in vivo to a conserved 20-amino-acid fragment found
      in most NLPs (nlp20), thereby mediating immune activation in Arabidopsis
      thaliana. RLP23 forms a constitutive, ligand-independent complex with the LRR
      receptor kinase (LRR-RK) SOBIR1 (Suppressor of Brassinosteroid insensitive 1
      (BRI1)-associated kinase (BAK1)-interacting receptor kinase 1), and recruits a
      second LRR-RK, BAK1, into a tripartite complex upon ligand binding. Stable,
      ectopic expression of RLP23 in potato (Solanum tuberosum) confers nlp20 pattern
      recognition and enhanced immunity to destructive oomycete and fungal plant
      pathogens, such as Phytophthora infestans and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. PRRs that
      recognize widespread microbial patterns might be particularly suited for
      engineering immunity in crop plants. 

PMID- 27251393
TI  - Faecal mimicry by seeds ensures dispersal by dung beetles.
AB  - The large brown, round, strongly scented seeds of Ceratocaryum argenteum
      (Restionaceae) emit many volatiles found to be present in herbivore dung. These
      seeds attract dung beetles that roll and bury them. As the seeds are hard and
      offer no reward to the dung beetles, this is a remarkable example of deception in
      plant seed dispersal. 

PMID- 27251395
TI  - Establishing a CRISPR-Cas-like immune system conferring DNA virus resistance in
      plants.
AB  - CRISPR-Cas (clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR
      associated proteins) is an adaptive immune system in many archaea and bacteria
      that cleaves foreign DNA on the basis of sequence complementarity. Here, using
      the geminivirus, beet severe curly top virus (BSCTV), transient assays performed
      in Nicotiana benthamiana demonstrate that the sgRNA-Cas9 constructs inhibit virus
      accumulation and introduce mutations at the target sequences. Further, transgenic
      Arabidopsis and N. benthamiana plants overexpressing sgRNA-Cas9 are highly
      resistant to virus infection. 

PMID- 27251396
TI  - Stingless bees (Melipona subnitida) adjust brood production rather than foraging
      activity in response to changes in pollen stores.
AB  - Highly eusocial bees (honey bees and stingless bees) sustain their colonies
      through periods of resource scarcity by food stored within the nest. The protein
      supply necessary for successful brood production is ensured through adjustments
      of the colonies' pollen foraging according to the availability of this resource
      in the environment. In honey bees Apis mellifera, in addition, pollen foraging is
      regulated through the broods' demand for this resource. Here, we investigated the
      influence of the colony's pollen store level on pollen foraging and brood
      production in stingless bees (Melipona subnitida). When pollen was added to the
      nests, colonies increased their brood production and reduced their pollen
      foraging within 24 h. On the other hand, when pollen reserves were removed,
      colonies significantly reduced their brood production. In strong contrast to A.
      mellifera; however, M. subnitida did not significantly increase its pollen
      foraging activity under poor pollen store conditions. This difference concerning
      the regulation of pollen foraging may be due to differences regarding the
      mechanism of brood provisioning. Honey bees progressively feed young larvae and,
      consequently, require a constant pollen supply. Stingless bees, by contrast, mass
      provision their brood cells and temporary absence of pollen storage will not
      immediately result in substantial brood loss. 

PMID- 27251397
TI  - Risk factors of postthrombotic syndrome before and after deep venous thrombosis
      treatment.
AB  - Postthrombotic syndrome is the most common complication after deep venous
      thrombosis. Postthrombotic syndrome is a debilitating disease and associated with
      decreased quality of life and high healthcare costs. Postthrombotic syndrome is a
      chronic disease, and causative treatment options are limited. Prevention of
      postthrombotic syndrome is therefore very important. Not all patients develop
      postthrombotic syndrome. Risk factors have been identified to try to predict the
      risk of developing postthrombotic syndrome. Age, gender, and recurrent deep
      venous thrombosis are factors that cannot be changed. Deep venous thrombosis
      location and extent seem to predict severity of postthrombotic syndrome and are
      potentially suitable as patient selection criteria. Residual thrombosis and
      reflux are known to increase the incidence of postthrombotic syndrome, but are of
      limited use. More recently developed treatment options for deep venous
      thrombosis, such as new oral factor X inhibitors and catheter-directed
      thrombolysis, are available at the moment. Catheter-directed thrombolysis shows
      promising results in reducing the incidence of postthrombotic syndrome after deep
      venous thrombosis. The role of new oral factor X inhibitors in preventing
      postthrombotic syndrome is still to be determined.

PMID- 27251394
TI  - High proportion of cactus species threatened with extinction.
AB  - A high proportion of plant species is predicted to be threatened with extinction
      in the near future. However, the threat status of only a small number has been
      evaluated compared with key animal groups, rendering the magnitude and nature of
      the risks plants face unclear. Here we report the results of a global species
      assessment for the largest plant taxon evaluated to date under the International
      Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories and Criteria, the
      iconic Cactaceae (cacti). We show that cacti are among the most threatened
      taxonomic groups assessed to date, with 31% of the 1,478 evaluated species
      threatened, demonstrating the high anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity in
      arid lands. The distribution of threatened species and the predominant
      threatening processes and drivers are different to those described for other
      taxa. The most significant threat processes comprise land conversion to
      agriculture and aquaculture, collection as biological resources, and residential
      and commercial development. The dominant drivers of extinction risk are the
      unscrupulous collection of live plants and seeds for horticultural trade and
      private ornamental collections, smallholder livestock ranching and smallholder
      annual agriculture. Our findings demonstrate that global species assessments are
      readily achievable for major groups of plants with relatively moderate resources,
      and highlight different conservation priorities and actions to those derived from
      species assessments of key animal groups. 

PMID- 27251398
TI  - Exploring approaches to patient safety: the case of spinal manipulation therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the current safety
      culture around the use of spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) by regulated health
      professionals in Canada and to explore perceptions of readiness for implementing
      formal mechanisms for tracking associated adverse events. METHODS: Fifty-six semi
      structured telephone interviews were conducted with professional leaders and
      frontline practitioners in chiropractic, physiotherapy, naturopathy and medicine,
      all professions regulated to perform SMT in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario
      Canada. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded for verbatim transcription.
      Transcripts were entered into HyperResearch software for qualitative data
      analysis and were coded for both anticipated and emergent themes using the
      constant comparative method. A thematic, descriptive analysis was produced.
      RESULTS: The safety culture around SMT is characterized by substantial
      disagreement about its actual rather than putative risks. Competing intra- and
      inter-professional narratives further cloud the safety picture. Participants felt
      that safety talk is sometimes conflated with competition for business in the
      context of fee-for-service healthcare delivery by several professions with
      overlapping scopes of practice. Both professional leaders and frontline
      practitioners perceived multiple barriers to the implementation of an incident
      reporting system for SMT. CONCLUSIONS: The established 'measure and manage'
      approach to patient safety is difficult to apply to care which is geographically
      dispersed and delivered by practitioners in multiple professions with overlapping
      scopes of practice, primarily in a fee-for-service model. Collaboration across
      professions on models that allow practitioners to share information anonymously
      and help practitioners learn from the reported incidents is needed.

PMID- 27251400
TI  - Computer-aided rational design of novel EBF analogues with an aromatic ring.
AB  - Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are important in insect olfactory recognition.
      These proteins bind specifically to insect semiochemicals and induce their
      seeking, mating, and alarm behaviors. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics
      simulations were performed to provide computational insight into the interaction
      mode between AgamOBP7 and novel (E)-beta-farnesene (EBF) analogues with an
      aromatic ring. The ligand-binding cavity in OBP7 was found to be mostly
      hydrophobic due to the presence of several nonpolar residues. The interactions
      between the EBF analogues and the hydrophobic residues in the binding cavity
      increased in strength as the distance between them decreased. The EBF analogues
      with an N-methyl formamide or ester linkage had higher docking scores than those
      with an amide linkage. Moreover, delocalized pi-pi and electrostatic interactions
      were found to contribute significantly to the binding between the ligand benzene
      ring and nearby protein residues. To design new compounds with higher activity,
      four EBF analogues D1-D4 with a benzene ring were synthesized and evaluated based
      on their docking scores and binding affinities. D2, which had an N-methyl
      formamide group linkage, exhibited stronger binding than D1, which had an amide
      linkage. D4 exhibited particularly strong binding due to multiple hydrophobic
      interactions with the protein. This study provides crucial foundations for
      designing novel EBF analogues based on the OBP structure. Graphical abstract The
      design strategy of new EBF analogues based on the OBP7 structure.

PMID- 27251399
TI  - The Influence of Age on the Diagnostic Performance of White Blood Cell Count and
      Absolute Neutrophil Count in Suspected Pediatric Appendicitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: White blood cell (WBC) count and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) are a
      standard part of the evaluation of suspected appendicitis. Specific threshold
      values are utilized in clinical pathways, but the discriminatory value of WBC
      count and ANC may vary by age. The objective of this study was to investigate
      whether the diagnostic value of WBC count and ANC varies across age groups and
      whether diagnostic thresholds should be age-adjusted. METHODS: This is a
      multicenter prospective observational study of patients aged 3-18 years who were
      evaluated for appendicitis. Receiver operator characteristic curves were
      developed to assess overall discriminative power of WBC count and ANC across
      three age groups: <5, 5-11, and 12-18 years of age. Diagnostic performance of WBC
      count and ANC was then assessed at specific cut-points. RESULTS: A total of 2,133
      patients with a median age of 10.9 years (interquartile range = 8.0-13.9 years)
      were studied. Forty-one percent had appendicitis. The area under the curve (AUC)
      for WBC count was 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61 to 0.77) for patients
      < 5 years of age, 0.76 (95% CI = 0.73 to 0.79) for 5-11 years of age, and 0.83
      (95% CI = 0.81 to 0.86) for 12-18 years of age. The AUCs for ANC across age
      groups mirrored WBC performance. At a commonly utilized WBC cut-point of
      10,000/mm3 , the sensitivity decreased with increasing age: 95% (<5 years), 91%
      (5-11 years), and 89% (12-18 years) whereas specificity increased by age: 36% (<5
      years), 49% (5-12 years), and 64% (12-18 years). CONCLUSION: WBC count and ANC
      had better diagnostic performance with increasing age. Age-adjusted values of WBC
      count or ANC should be considered in diagnostic strategies for suspected
      pediatric appendicitis.

PMID- 27251401
TI  - High breast milk IL-1beta level is associated with reduced risk of childhood
      eczema.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We recently demonstrated a dual effect of breastfeeding with
      increased risk of eczema and decreased risk of wheezing in early childhood by
      increasing breastfeeding length. We hypothesize that immune mediators in breast
      milk could explain such association either through a direct effect or as a
      surrogate marker of maternal immune constitution. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
      possible association between cytokine and chemokine levels in breast milk and
      development of eczema and recurrent wheeze during early childhood. METHODS:
      Levels of 19 pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines and chemokines were
      measured in 223 breast milk samples from mothers in the Copenhagen Prospective
      Study on Asthma in Childhood2000 (COPSAC) high-risk birth cohort. Eczema and
      recurrent wheeze at the age of 0-3 years were prospectively diagnosed by COPSAC
      physicians adherent to predefined validated algorithms. Association analyses were
      performed by Cox regression adjusting for potential confounding factors and by
      multivariable principal component analysis. RESULTS: Increased IL-1beta in breast
      milk (>= 0.7 pg/mL) was associated with more than a halved risk of eczema before
      age three (aHR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.24-0.68; P < 0.001), which remained significant
      after false discovery rate adjustment (P = 0.008). The principal component
      analysis confirmed that a mediator pattern dominated by high levels of IL-1beta,
      IL-17A, and CCL17 and low levels of CXCL1 and TSLP in breast milk protected
      against eczema (aHR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.68-0.98; P = 0.03). No associations were
      observed for recurrent wheeze. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Elevated
      breast milk IL-1beta level was associated with decreased risk of early childhood
      eczema suggesting either a direct protective effect of IL-1beta or IL-1b acting
      as a proxy for a healthy maternal immune system protecting high-risk offspring
      from eczema.

PMID- 27251402
TI  - Socio-Genomics and Structural Competency.
AB  - Adverse developmental exposures and pathologies of the social environment make
      vastly greater contributions to the leading health burdens in society than
      currently known genotypic information. Yet, while patients now commonly bring
      information on single alleles to the attention of their healthcare team, the
      former conditions are only rarely considered with respect to future health
      outcomes. This manuscript aims to integrate social environmental influences in
      genetic predictive models of disease risk. Healthcare providers must be educated
      to better understand genetic risks for complex diseases and the specific health
      consequences of societal adversities, to facilitate patient education, disease
      prevention, and the optimal care in order to achieve positive health outcomes for
      those with early trauma or other social disadvantage. 

PMID- 27251403
TI  - Genomic Testing in The Paediatric Population: Ethical Considerations in Light of
      Recent Policy Statements.
AB  - Genomic testing is rapidly becoming established in clinical practice and
      research. In this paper we consider the ethical issues arising in genomic testing
      in children, focusing on the clinical context. After describing how genomics can
      be said to depart from genetics in ethically relevant ways, we introduce two case
      studies involving ethical issues in paediatric genomic testing. We then summarise
      and critically engage with recent professional statements regarding genomic
      testing in children; notably the 2015 position statement from the American
      Society for Human Genetics. To provide a conceptual framework for these debates,
      we then synthesise recent bioethics literature regarding appropriate concepts to
      use when making decisions regarding children, and applying them to genomic
      testing. We recommend an approach to genomic testing in children that is child
      focused and flexibly applied, driven by a core clinical question. Finally, we
      examine the role that age and emerging capacity should play in these debates.

PMID- 27251404
TI  - Semiconductor Whole Exome Sequencing for the Identification of Genetic Variants
      in Colombian Patients Clinically Diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiac
      channelopathy characterized by a prolongation of QT interval and the risk of
      syncope, cardiac arrest, and sudden cardiac death. Genetic diagnosis of LQTS is
      critical in medical practice as results can guide adequate management of patients
      and distinguish phenocopies such as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular
      tachycardia (CPVT). However, extensive screening of large genomic regions is
      required in order to reliably identify genetic causes. Semiconductor whole exome
      sequencing (WES) is a promising approach for the identification of variants in
      the coding regions of most human genes. METHODS: DNA samples from 21 Colombian
      patients clinically diagnosed with LQTS were enriched for coding regions using
      multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subjected to WES using a
      semiconductor sequencer. RESULTS: Semiconductor WES showed mean coverage of 93.6
      % for all coding regions relevant to LQTS at >10* depth with high intra- and
      inter-assay depth heterogeneity. Fifteen variants were detected in 12 patients in
      genes associated with LQTS. Three variants were identified in three patients in
      genes associated with CPVT. Co-segregation analysis was performed when possible.
      All variants were analyzed with two pathogenicity prediction algorithms. The
      overall prevalence of LQTS and CPVT variants in our cohort was 71.4 %. All LQTS
      variants previously identified through commercial genetic testing were
      identified. CONCLUSION: Standardized WES assays can be easily implemented, often
      at a lower cost than sequencing panels. Our results show that WES can identify
      LQTS-causing mutations and permits differential diagnosis of related conditions
      in a real-world clinical setting. However, high heterogeneity in sequencing depth
      and low coverage in the most relevant genes is expected to be associated with
      reduced analytical sensitivity.

PMID- 27251405
TI  - The impact of changing economic conditions on overweight risk among children in
      California from 2008 to 2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recent economic recession represents an opportunity to test
      whether decreases in economic resources may have deleterious consequences on
      childhood overweight/obesity risk. METHODS: We investigated the association
      between indicators of changing macroeconomic conditions from 2008 to 2012 and
      overweight/obesity risk among school-aged children in California (n=1 741 712)
      using longitudinal anthropometric measurements. Multivariate regression, with
      individual and county fixed effects, was used to examine the effects of annual
      county-level unemployment and foreclosure rates on risk of child
      overweight/obesity, overall and among subgroups (race/ethnicity, sex, county
      level median household income and county-level urban/rural status). RESULTS: From
      2008 to 2012, ~38% of children were overweight/obese and unemployment and
      foreclosure rates averaged 11% and 6.9%, respectively. A 1-percentage point (pp)
      increase in unemployment was associated with a 1.4 pp (95% CI 1.3 to 1.5)
      increase in overweight/obesity risk. Therefore, a child of average weight could
      expect a 14% increase in their body mass index z-score in association with a 1 pp
      increase in unemployment during the study period. We found some differences in
      the magnitude of the effects for unemployment among demographic subgroups, with
      the largest effects observed for unemployment among American Indians and Pacific
      Islanders. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing children to themselves over time, we provide
      evidence that increases in county-level unemployment are associated with
      increased overweight/obesity risk. Given that overweight among children with
      lower economic resources remains a challenge for public health, these findings
      highlight the importance of policy-level approaches, which aim to mitigate the
      impact of decreased resources as economic conditions change.

PMID- 27251406
TI  - Exercise duration-matched interval and continuous sprint cycling induce similar
      increases in AMPK phosphorylation, PGC-1alpha and VEGF mRNA expression in trained
      individuals.
AB  - PURPOSE: The effects of low-volume interval and continuous 'all-out' cycling,
      matched for total exercise duration, on mitochondrial and angiogenic cell
      signalling was investigated in trained individuals. METHODS: In a repeated
      measures design, 8 trained males ([Formula: see text], 57 +/- 7 ml kg(-1) min(
      1)) performed two cycling exercise protocols; interval (INT, 4 * 30 s maximal
      sprints interspersed by 4 min passive recovery) or continuous (CON, 2 min
      continuous maximal sprint). Muscle biopsies were obtained before, immediately
      after and 3 h post-exercise. RESULTS: Total work was 53 % greater (P = 0.01) in
      INT compared to CON (71.2 +/- 7.3 vs. 46.3 +/- 2.7 kJ, respectively).
      Phosphorylation of AMPK(Thr172) increased by a similar magnitude (P = 0.347)
      immediately post INT and CON (1.6 +/- 0.2 and 1.3 +/- 0.3 fold, respectively; P =
      0.011), before returning to resting values at 3 h post-exercise. mRNA expression
      of PGC-1alpha (7.1 +/- 2.1 vs. 5.5 +/- 1.8 fold; P = 0.007), VEGF (3.5 +/- 1.2
      vs. 4.3 +/- 1.8 fold; P = 0.02) and HIF-1alpha (2.0 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.3 fold;
      P = 0.04) increased at 3 h post-exercise in response to INT and CON,
      respectively; the magnitude of which were not different between protocols.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite differences in total work done, low-volume INT and CON 'all
      out' cycling, matched for exercise duration, provides a similar stimulus for the
      induction of mitochondrial and angiogenic cell signalling pathways in trained
      skeletal muscle.

PMID- 27251407
TI  - The effect of vigorous running and cycling on serum COMP, lubricin, and femoral
      cartilage thickness: a pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate lubricin, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein
      (COMP), and femoral cartilage deformation in response to different biomechanical
      loading of the knee joint (running vs cycling). METHODS: Serum lubricin and COMP
      concentrations (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and femoral cartilage
      thickness (suprapatellar transverse ultrasonography) were determined in 11 male
      runners (age: 40 +/- 6 years; weight: 76 +/- 8 kg) and 11 male cyclists (35 +/-
      12 years; 75 +/- 5 kg) at baseline, immediately after, and 30 min after vigorous
      exercise (time trial: 10-km run or 25-km cycle). RESULTS: At baseline, lubricin
      (runners: 104.0 +/- 19.8 ng/ml; cyclists: 119.1 +/- 23.9 ng/ml) and COMP
      (runners: 804.1 +/- 87.5 ng/ml; cyclists: 693.0 +/- 84.7 ng/ml) did not
      significantly differ; however, vigorous exercise was accompanied by an increase
      in lubricin (cyclists: 39.4 %; p < 0.05; runners: 56.9 %; p < 0.05) and COMP
      (cyclists: 32.1 %; p < 0.05; runners: 14.2 %; p = 0.14) that returned toward
      baseline following 30 min of rest (p < 0.05). No between-group differences were
      observed for baseline cartilage thickness at the intercondyle notch, medial
      condyle, and lateral condyle, and vigorous exercise did not result in significant
      change for either group. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of ultrasonographic knee
      cartilage deformation, the response of serum lubricin and COMP following acute
      vigorous exercise indicates an increase in joint lubrication and cartilage
      metabolism, respectively, which appears largely independent of exercise modality.

PMID- 27251408
TI  - Reversible hard palate hyperplasia associated with amlodipine use: case report.
AB  - Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are medications often used in the clinical
      management of hypertension and coronary artery disease. Gingival enlargement is a
      common side effect of CCB administration with no other oral tissue hyperplasia
      being reported. Thus, gingival enlargement is considered to be a tissue-specific
      side effect of CCBs. Here, we report for the first time a case of CCB-related
      palate hyperplasia in a patient suffering from oral lichen planus and the
      possible reasons for its occurrence. 

PMID- 27251409
TI  - miRNA-124 modulates lung carcinoma cell migration and invasion.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality
      worldwide. Recently, accumulating studies have evidenced that microRNAs (miRNAs)
      contribute to the carcinogenesis of lung cancer through acting as either
      oncogenes or tumor suppressors. The purpose of our study was to investigate the
      functional role of miR-124 in lung cancer. METHODS: The expression of miR-124 was
      assessed by real-time RT-PCR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues in
      comparison to its adjacent normal tissues. After transfection with miR-124 Mimics
      or negative controls into A549 cells, migration and invasion assays, apoptosis,
      and cell viability were evaluated. Luciferase reporter assay and RT-PCR were
      performed to explore whether zinc finger e-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) was a
      target of miR-124. Further, the effects of miR-124 Mimic on migration and
      invasion were assessed after overexpression of ZEB1. RESULTS: MiR-124 expression
      was significantly down-regulated in NSCLC tissues compared to the normal tissue.
      In in-vitro study, overexpression of miR-124 in A549 cells suppressed cell
      migration and invasion activity, decreased expression of vimentin, but increased
      expression of E-cadherin and induced apoptosis. Luciferase reporter assay ensured
      that ZEB1 was a direct target of miR-124 and was negatively regulated by miR-124.
      Overexpression of ZEB1 could reverse the effect of miR-124 Mimic on the migration
      and invasion of the cells. CONCLUSION: The results suggests that miR-124 inhibits
      lung cancer cell migration and invasion through suppressing epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inducing apoptosis of the lung cancer cells.

PMID- 27251410
TI  - Spontaneous remission of eosinophilic granuloma of the maxilla after incisional
      biopsy: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as
      Histiocytosis X, is an infrequent disease that congregates a wide spectrum of
      clinical presentations with variable systemic involvement. Unification of these
      diseases under only one category is based on the almost identical histopathologic
      features of the lesions, but the etiology and proper approach for each
      presentation remains controversial. The localized alternative of Langerhans cell
      histiocytosis (LLCH), known as Eosinophilic Granuloma (EG) of bone, is the
      predominant clinical presentation of LCH. The maxilla is involved in 1 % of the
      head and neck region cases, representing an uncommon condition in this area. CASE
      PRESENTATION: In this clinical case report, it is described a case of a 16-year
      old male patient with an asymptomatic osteolytic lesion at first upper left molar
      apical level, a finding detected on control radiographic images was reported as
      "Monostotic Eosinophilic granuloma of the maxillary bone", which was later
      confirmed through an incisional biopsy. A surgical excision was initially
      planned, but finally it was not performed due to a spontaneous healing of the
      lesion after the incisional biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The presented case supports a
      conservative approach in the management of solitary EG of maxillary and
      mandibular bone lesions and even supports an expectant attitude in the course of
      treatment given the possibility of a spontaneous regression after the biopsy,
      especially in small lesions.

PMID- 27251411
TI  - Prolonged Tp-e Interval and Tp-e/QT Ratio in Children with Mitral Valve Prolapse.
AB  - Although it is considered to be a benign condition, previous studies have shown
      that a subset of patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) may be at risk of
      ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Previous studies have
      suggested that the interval between the peak and the end of the T wave (Tp-e) can
      be used as a marker for the transmural dispersion of repolarization. Increased Tp
      e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with ventricular arrhythmias and SCD.
      The aim of this study was to assess alterations in ventricular repolarization by
      using the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in children with MVP and to investigate
      their relationships with the degree of valvular regurgitation. This study
      prospectively investigated 110 children with MVP and 107 age- and sex-matched
      healthy control subjects. Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and QT and QTc
      dispersions were measured from a 12-lead electrocardiogram and compared between
      groups. QT and QTc dispersions, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QTc ratio were found to
      be significantly higher in patients with MVP. A positive correlation was found
      between Tp-e/QTc ratio and increase in the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR) (p
      < 0.05; r = 0.2). However, the degree of MR was not associated with QT, QTc, or
      Tp-e intervals; QT, QTc, or Tp-e dispersions; or Tp-e/QT ratio (all p values
      >0.05). Individuals with MVP may be more prone to ventricular arrhythmias due to
      prolonged QTd, QTcd, and Tp-e interval and increased Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios.
      Therefore, due to their longer life expectancy, children with MVP should be
      followed up on regarding life-threatening arrhythmias. 

PMID- 27251412
TI  - Adaption of microbial community during the start-up stage of a thermophilic
      anaerobic digester treating food waste.
AB  - A successful start-up enables acceleration of anaerobic digestion (AD) into
      steady state. The microbial community influences the AD performance during the
      start-up. To investigate how microbial communities changed during the start-up,
      microbial dynamics was analyzed via high-throughput sequencing in this study. The
      results confirmed that the AD was started up within 25 d. Thermophilic
      methanogens and bacterial members functioning in hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and
      syntrophic oxidation became predominant during the start-up stage, reflecting a
      quick adaption of microorganisms to operating conditions. Such predominance also
      indicated the great contribution of these members to the fast start-up of AD.
      Redundancy analysis confirmed that the bacterial abundance significantly
      correlated with AD conditions. The stable ratio of hydrogenotrophic methanogens
      to aceticlastic methanogens is also important to maintain the stability of the AD
      process. This work will be helpful to understand the contribution of microbial
      community to the start-up of AD. 

PMID- 27251413
TI  - Biomaterials for Enhancing CNS Repair.
AB  - The health of the central nervous system (CNS) does not only rely on the state of
      the neural cells but also on how various extracellular components organize
      cellular behaviors into proper tissue functions. Biomaterials have been valuable
      in restoring or augmenting the roles of extracellular components in the CNS in
      the event of injury and disease. In this review, we highlight how biomaterials
      have been enabling tools in important therapeutic strategies involving cell
      transplantation and drug/protein delivery. We further discuss advances in
      biomaterial design and applications that can potentially be translated into the
      CNS to provide unprecedented benefits.

PMID- 27251414
TI  - Preparation and Characterization of Gelonin-Melittin Fusion Biotoxin for
      Synergistically Enhanced Anti-Tumor Activity.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the applicability of fusion biotoxins combining pore
      forming toxins (PFTs) and ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) for the anti
      cancer treatment. METHODS: Membrane active PFTs tend to destabilize cell
      membranes of tumor cells, but lack a warhead inducing significant cause of cell
      death. Cell-impermeable RIPs possess a powerful warhead, yet not able to enter
      the tumor cells. To address these challenges for anti-tumor effects, we
      introduced a fusion strategy of conjugating melittin (a PFT) and gelonin (a type
      1 RIP) via chemical and recombinant methods, followed by in vitro assays and in
      vivo animal studies. RESULTS: In vitro characterization results confirmed that
      the chimeric gelonin-melittin fusion proteins retained equivalent intrinsic
      activity to that of unmodified gelonin in inhibiting protein translation.
      However, chemically conjugated gelonin-melittin (cGel-Mel) and recombinant
      chimeric gelonin-melittin fusion (rGel-Mel) exhibited greater cell uptake,
      yielding a significantly enhanced cytotoxic activity over treatment of gelonin,
      melittin or physical mixture of gelonin and melittin. Remarkably, cGel-Mel and
      rGel-Mel displayed 32- and 10-fold lower IC50 than gelonin in the cell lines. The
      superior anti-tumor efficacy of multivalent cGel-Mel to monovalent rGel-Mel
      suggested that valency could be a crucial factor for the extent of melittin
      mediated cell uptake. Tumoricidal effects observed from animal studies were in
      good accordance with our findings from the cellular assays. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study successfully demonstrated that fusion of biotoxins could provide a simple
      yet effective way to synergistically augment their anti-tumor activity.

PMID- 27251415
TI  - Humid Heat Autoclaving of Hybrid Nanoparticles Achieved by Decreased Nanoparticle
      Concentration and Improved Nanoparticle Stability Using Medium Chain
      Triglycerides as a Modifier.
AB  - PURPOSE: Humid heat autoclaving is a facile technique widely used in the
      sterilization of injections, but the high temperature employed would destroy
      nanoparticles composed of biodegradable polymers. The aim of this study was to
      investigate whether incorporation of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) could
      stabilize nanoparticles composed of poly (ethylene glycol)-b-polycaprolactone
      (PEG-b-PCL) during autoclaving (121 degrees C, 10 min). METHODS: Polymeric
      nanoparticles with different MCT contents were prepared by dialysis. Block
      copolymer degradation was studied by GPC. The critical aggregation concentrations
      of nanoparticles at different temperatures were determined using pyrene
      fluorescence. The size, morphology and weight averaged molecular weight of
      pristine/autoclaved nanoparticles were studied using DLS, TEM and SLS,
      respectively. Drug loading content and release profile were determined using RP
      HPLC. RESULTS: The protecting effect of MCT on nanoparticles was dependent on the
      amount of MCT incorporated. Nanoparticles with high MCT contents, which assumed
      an emulsion-like morphology, showed reduced block copolymer degradation and
      particle disassociation after incubation at 100 degrees C for 24 h. Nanoparticles
      with high MCT content showed the lowest critical aggregation concentration (CAC)
      under either room temperature or 60 degrees C and the lowest particle
      concentration among all samples. And the particle size, drug loading content,
      physical stability and release profile of nanoparticles with high MCT contents
      remained nearly unchanged after autoclaving. CONCLUSION: Incorporation of high
      amount of MCT changed the morphology of PEG-b-PCL based nanoparticles to an
      emulsion-like structure and the nanoparticles prepared could withstand
      autoclaving due to improved particle stability and decreased particle
      concentration caused by MCT incorporation.

PMID- 27251416
TI  - Pediatric Dispersible Tablets: a Modular Approach for Rapid Prototyping.
AB  - PURPOSE: The design of pediatric formulations is challenging. Solid dosage forms
      for children have to meet the needs of different ages, e.g. high number of dosing
      increments and strengths. A modular formulation strategy offering the possibility
      of rapid prototyping was applied. Different tablet compositions and the resulting
      tablet characteristics were investigated for dispersible tablets using customized
      analytical methods. METHODS: Fluid bed granules were blended with extragranular
      components, and compressed to tablets. Disintegration behavior was studied with a
      Texture Analyzer and a Tensiometer. RESULTS: Methods for determination of
      disintegration time and water uptake of tablets were developed with a Texture
      Analyzer, and a Tensiometer, respectively. Twenty-two different tablet
      formulations were prepared and analyzed with respect to disintegration time,
      hardness, friability, and viscosity. Multivariate data analysis revealed a high
      impact of type and amount of viscosity enhancer on the disintegration behavior of
      tablets. An optimized formulation was selected with a disintegration time of 24
      s. CONCLUSION: Methods providing additional information on the disintegration
      behavior of dispersible tablets compared to standard pharmacopoeia methods were
      established. Selecting the right type and level of viscosity enhancer and
      superdisintegrant was critical for developing pediatric tablets with a
      disintegration time of less than 30 s but still pleasant mouth feel.

PMID- 27251417
TI  - Pharmacokinetic considerations in the treatment of hypertension in risperidone
      medicated patients - thinking of clinically relevant CYP2D6 interactions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment of arterial hypertension in patients with severe mental
      illnesses often results in polypharmacy, potentially leading to drug-drug
      interactions. The objective of the study was to analyse the in vivo inhibitory
      potential of two antihypertensive drugs, amlodipine and metoprolol on CYP2D6
      catalysed 9-hydroxylation of risperidone (RIS). METHODS: A therapeutic drug
      monitoring database with plasma concentrations of RIS and 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9
      OH-RIS) of 1584 patients was analysed. Three groups were considered; a group of
      patients receiving RIS without a potentially cytochrome influencing co-medication
      (control group, R0, n=852), a group co-medicated with amlodipine (RA, n=27) and a
      group, co-medicated with metoprolol (RM, n=41). Plasma concentrations,
      concentration-to-dose ratios (C/Ds) of RIS, 9-OH-RIS and the active moiety (AM),
      as well as the metabolic ratios were computed and compared using the Kruskal
      Wallis test, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Jonckheere-Terpstra test to
      determine the means and different patterns of distribution of plasma
      concentrations as well as the concentration-to-dose ratios. RESULTS: The median
      daily dosage of RIS did not differ between the groups (p=0.708). No differences
      were found in median plasma concentrations of RIS, 9-OH-RIS and AM. However,
      concentration-to-dose ratios for RIS, 9-OH-RIS and AM were significantly higher
      in the amlodipine group (p=0.025, p=0.048 and p=0.005). In the metoprolol group,
      the concentration-to-dose ratio for RIS was significantly higher than in the
      control group (p=0.017), while the C/D for 9-OH-RIS and AM was not. CONCLUSIONS
      AND LIMITATIONS: Our data show a potential pharmacokinetic interaction, most
      likely via CYP3A4 between amlodipine and RIS, reflected in significantly
      different C/Ds for RIS, 9-OH-RIS and AM. Although the interaction did not result
      in significantly higher plasma levels, changes in C/Ds and their distribution
      with regard to the median concentrations were observed.

PMID- 27251418
TI  - Herpetic cranial polyneuritis mimicking brain stem infarction-an atypical
      presentation of Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
AB  - An elderly man presented with severe right ear pain and discharge, hoarseness and
      dysphagia causing significant involuntary weight loss. Extensive investigations
      by varied specialties only highlighted right vocal cord palsy and right parotid
      lymphadenitis. Reassessment on transfer to a rehabilitation ward noted clinically
      subtle right Ramsay Hunt syndrome with multiple lower cranial nerve involvement.
      We illustrate a case of varicella zoster virus cranial polyneuritis with bulbar
      symptoms mimicking bulbar stroke, requiring percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
      feeds, with significant clinical and radiological recovery over 1 year. 

PMID- 27251419
TI  - Evaluation of the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of filling pastes used for pulp
      therapy on deciduous teeth using the micronucleus test on bone marrow from mice
      (Mus musculus).
AB  - Pulp therapy is the last resort for preserving deciduous teeth. However, the
      genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of many products used in this therapy are not
      well established. The aim of this study was to use the micronucleus test on bone
      marrow from mice to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of four filling
      pastes: zinc oxide, calcium hydroxide P.A., mineral trioxide aggregate and an
      iodoform paste (iodoform + camphorated + paramonochlorophenol + rifamycin +
      prednisolone). Male Swiss mice were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals, each
      exposed to one of the pastes, and were subdivided according to the dilutions
      tested: 1/10, 1/50, 1/500 and 1/1000 administered intraperitoneally (0.1ml/10g of
      weight). Cyclophosphamide was the positive control. The negative controls were
      dimethylsulfoxide and buffered saline solution. Five animals were killed 24h and
      five 48h after the treatment. The material was processed in accordance with
      Schmid (1976) and micronuclei were counted in 1000 polychromatic erythrocytes
      (PCE), under an optical microscope in a blinded test. Cytotoxicity was evaluated
      using the PCE/normochromatic erythrocyte (NCE) ratio in 200 erythrocytes. The
      micronucleus analysis results were evaluated using the conditional test for
      comparing proportions in situations of rare events. Analysis of variance and
      Tukey's test were used to evaluate the PCE/NCE ratio. There was significantly
      greater occurrence of micronuclei in the animals treated with iodoform paste at
      all the dilutions tested, at both sacrifice times. Greater occurrence of
      micronuclei was observed among the animals treated with zinc oxide and sacrificed
      48h after the treatment, at the dilutions 1:50; 1:500 and 1:1000. Calcium
      hydroxide P.A. and mineral trioxide aggregate did not present any genotoxic or
      cytotoxic effects. The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of zinc oxide and iodoform
      paste revealed here constitute an initial step towards their contraindication,
      but additional studies will be necessary in order to securely establish the risks
      involved in their use.

PMID- 27251420
TI  - Direct spinning of fiber supercapacitor.
AB  - A direct wet spinning approach is demonstrated for facile and continuous
      fabrication of a whole fiber supercapacitor using a microfluidic spinneret. The
      resulting fiber supercapacitor shows good electrochemical properties and
      possesses high flexibility and mechanical stability. This strategy paves the way
      for large-scale continuous production of fiber supercapacitors for weavable
      electronics. 

PMID- 27251422
TI  - Membrane trafficking: The second job of ULKs.

PMID- 27251421
TI  - The multiple functions of RNA helicases as drivers and regulators of gene
      expression.
AB  - RNA helicases comprise the largest family of enzymes involved in the metabolism
      of mRNAs, the processing and fate of which rely on their packaging into messenger
      ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs). In this Review, we describe how the capacity
      of some RNA helicases to either remodel or lock the composition of mRNP complexes
      underlies their pleiotropic functions at different steps of the gene expression
      process. We illustrate the roles of RNA helicases in coordinating gene expression
      steps and programmes, and propose that RNA helicases function as molecular
      drivers and guides of the progression of their mRNA substrates from one RNA
      processing factory to another, to a productive mRNA pool that leads to protein
      synthesis or to unproductive mRNA pools that are stored or degraded.

PMID- 27251426
TI  - Carbon dioxide cleavage across a tungsten-alkylidyne bearing a trianionic pincer
      type ligand.
AB  - The cleavage of carbon dioxide by the tungsten alkylidyne [CF3-ONO]W[triple bond,
      length as m-dash]CCtBu(THF)2 (1) {where CF3-ONO = (MeC6H3[C-(CF3)2O])2N3-}, is
      reported. Splitting of CO2 yields the tungsten oxo ketene complex [CF3
      ONO]W(O){(CH3)3CC[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m
      dash]O} (6). The proposed pathway occurs through initial cycloaddition of
      W[triple bond, length as m-dash]C and C[double bond, length as m-dash]O bonds to
      generate a heterometallacyclobutene, which then rearranges to yield W[triple
      bond, length as m-dash]O and C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds. Complex 6
      was characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR, and single crystal X-ray diffraction.

PMID- 27251425
TI  - Clinical characteristics and prognosis of 272 postterm choriocarcinoma patients
      at Peking Union Medical College Hospital: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of our study was to investigate the clinical
      characteristics and prognosis of postterm choriocarcinoma patients at Peking
      Union Medical College Hospital within the past 30 years. METHODS: The clinical
      characteristics and pertinent follow-up data of 272 patients with postterm
      choriocarcinoma diagnosed from December 1985 through December 2014 in our
      hospital were reviewed. The clinical characteristics of two cohorts cut off at
      2006 were compared using chi (2) tests. Risk factors of prognosis were estimated
      by multivariate Cox proportional regression analysis. RESULTS: The most common
      initial symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding. After individualized treatment 239
      patients (87.9 %) achieved complete remission, including 140 patients received
      initial treatment of 5-fluorouracil-based multidrug chemotherapy. There were
      almost no statistically significant differences in the clinical characteristics
      and survival rates between the two cohorts. The results of the multivariate
      analysis showed that history of resistance to multidrug chemotherapy, liver
      metastasis and FIGO score greater than 12 were independent risk factors of
      prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Postterm choriocarcinoma patients were usually
      accompanied by several high-risk factors that should received combined
      chemotherapy to prevent delay in adequate treatment. 5-fluorouracil-based
      multidrug chemotherapy, which has been applied at PUMCH for several decades, can
      be an effective initial treatment for postterm choriocarcinoma patients. More
      emphasis should be placed on those who have history of resistance to multidrug
      chemotherapy, liver metastasis or a FIGO score greater than 12.

PMID- 27251424
TI  - miR-200 family promotes podocyte differentiation through repression of RSAD2.
AB  - Mature podocytes are highly differentiated cells with several characteristic
      phenotypic features that are involved in the glomerular filtration function.
      During kidney development, a series of changes of the morphological
      characteristics and cellular functions may happen in podocytes. The miR-200
      family functions in various biological and pathological processes. But the
      underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-200 family that functions in podocyte
      differentiation remain poorly understood. Herein is shown that miR-200a, miR-200b
      and miR-429 are significantly upregulated during the differentiation of
      podocytes, with highest upregulation of miR-200a. In these cells, restraint of
      miR-200 family by RNA interference assay revealed a prominent inhibition of cell
      differentiation. More intriguingly, miR-200 family directly inhibited the radical
      S-adenosyl methionine domain-containing protein 2 (RASD2) expression. Moreover,
      further upregulation of RSAD2 combining with restraint of miR-200 family revealed
      a promotion of podocyte dedifferentiation and proliferation. In addition, the
      expression of RSAD2 is consistent with that of in vitro podocyte differentiation
      in prenatal and postnatal mouse kidney, and significantly down-regulated during
      the kidney development. Together, these findings indicate that miR-200 family may
      potentially promote podocyte differentiation through repression of RSAD2
      expression. Our data also demonstrate a novel role of the antiviral protein RSAD2
      as a regulator in cell differentiation.

PMID- 27251423
TI  - Transcriptional and epigenetic control of brown and beige adipose cell fate and
      function.
AB  - White adipocytes store excess energy in the form of triglycerides, whereas brown
      and beige adipocytes dissipate energy in the form of heat. This thermogenic
      function relies on the activation of brown and beige adipocyte-specific gene
      programmes that are coordinately regulated by adipose-selective chromatin
      architectures and by a set of unique transcriptional and epigenetic regulators. A
      number of transcriptional and epigenetic regulators are also required for
      promoting beige adipocyte biogenesis in response to various environmental
      stimuli. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the
      generation and function of brown and beige adipocytes is necessary to allow us to
      control adipose cell fate and stimulate thermogenesis. This may provide a
      therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity and obesity-associated
      diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27251427
TI  - The Effect of an Emollient Containing Urea, Ceramide NP, and Lactate on Skin
      Barrier Structure and Function in Older People with Dry Skin.
AB  - Xerosis affects up to 75% of older people and develops as a result of a skin
      barrier defect. Emollients are widely used to treat xerosis; however, there is
      limited understanding of the differences between them and their effects on the
      skin barrier in older people. This study aimed to compare the effect of a
      commercially available emollient containing 5% urea, ceramide NP and lactate
      (test emollient) to an alternative emollient without these additives (control
      emollient) on the properties of the skin barrier in older people. Two cohorts of
      21 volunteers aged >60 years with dry skin were recruited. The first applied the
      test emollient to one forearm and no treatment to the other for 28 days. The
      second compared the test emollient to the control emollient observing the same
      parameters. Effects on the skin barrier were determined by measuring skin barrier
      function, hydration, skin surface pH and by analysing Fourier transform infrared
      spectra before and after treatment. A third cohort of 6 young adults was
      recruited to investigate the effect of a single treatment with the test emollient
      on the molecular structure of the skin barrier at greater depths by employing the
      tape-stripping technique. The test emollient hydrated the skin to a significantly
      greater extent and for a longer period of time compared to the control emollient,
      an effect associated with a significant elevation of carboxylate groups (a marker
      of natural moisturizing factor content) within the stratum corneum. Furthermore,
      the test emollient imparted additional benefits to the structure and function of
      the skin barrier not exhibited by the control emollient. In conclusion, the test
      emollient addressed the pathological features of xerotic aged skin, supporting
      its use as first-line therapy for xerotic skin conditions in this population. 

PMID- 27251428
TI  - Repeated Neonatal Sevoflurane Exposure-Induced Developmental Delays of
      Parvalbumin Interneurons and Cognitive Impairments Are Reversed by Environmental
      Enrichment.
AB  - Parvalbumin (PV) interneurons are critically involved in the cognitive processes.
      Based on prior investigations that environmental enrichment reverses impaired
      cognition after anesthetic exposure, we proposed that environmental enrichment
      protects PV interneurons and thereby improves sevoflurane-induced cognitive
      impairments. Six-day-old C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to 3 % sevoflurane or 30
      % oxygen/air 2 h daily for 3 days from postnatal day 6 (P6) to P8. The mice were
      randomly allocated to an enriched environment for 2 h daily between P8 and P90 or
      a standard environment. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used for
      determining PV expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In another
      set of experiments, cognitive tests were assessed by the open field test (P41),
      Morris water maze test (P54-60), and fear conditioning tests (P42-43 and P89-90).
      Exposure of neonatal mice to sevoflurane resulted in a reduced freezing response
      in the contextual test at P43 but not P90. The PV expression in these mice was
      decreased at P9, P14, P28, and P42, but not at >=P60. No colocalization of
      caspase-3 and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine or caspase-3 and PV was observed, suggesting
      that caspase-independent pathways may be involved in the mediation of sevoflurane
      induced down-regulation of PV. The sevoflurane-exposed mice that were placed in
      an enriched environment exhibited normal behavior and had PV interneurons that
      did not differ from those in the control mice at P42-43. Neonatal sevoflurane
      exposure induces a reduced freezing response in the contextual test at P43 and
      developmental delays in PV interneurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
      Placement of the sevoflurane-exposed mice in an enriched environment can prevent
      these abnormalities.

PMID- 27251429
TI  - Erratum to: Different expression of beta subunits of the KCa1.1 channel by
      invasive and non-invasive human fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

PMID- 27251430
TI  - Monitoring the appositions of posterior graft-host junctions with anterior
      segment optical coherence tomogram after penetrating keratoplasty.
AB  - This study aimed to monitor the graft-host junction's (GHJ's) apposition with
      anterior segment optical coherence tomogram after penetrating keratoplasty (PK)
      and correlate the analysis with the preoperative diagnosis. Fifty-one eyes of 50
      patients with various preoperative diagnosis of adherent leucoma, pseudophakic
      bullous keratopathy, corneal opacity or scarring, graft failure, corneal
      dystrophy and anterior staphyloma, who underwent PK for optical purposes were
      reviewed retrospectively. Based on the age, the patients were divided into groups
      1 and II: those aged <=40 and >40 years, respectively. Anterior segment optical
      coherence tomography was done for all these eyes to evaluate the posterior graft
      host junction. All graft-host junction patterns were classified as well apposed,
      and malapposed with various components like hill, gap, step and tag. The
      comparisons of various clinical parameters were done for the various malapposed
      junction groups (hill, gap, step and tag). A total of 408 graft-host junction
      cross sections of 51 eyes were analysed. Amongst them 70 (17.15 %) sections were
      well apposed, and 338 (82.84 %) were malapposed. Most frequent type of
      malapposition was hill: 164 sections (40.19 %) followed by step: 139 sections
      (34.06 %). The distribution of graft-host junction alignment patterns varied
      amongst all the indications. Patients with preoperative diagnosis of adherent
      leucoma and corneal dystrophy had predominantly steps pattern in 65 (40.62 %) and
      12 (75 %) sections, respectively. Hill pattern was seen predominantly in PBK,
      corneal opacity, graft failure and anterior staphyloma in 55 (42.96 %), 16 (40
      %), 22 (45.83 %) and 8 (50 %) sections, respectively. Comparisons of various
      clinical characteristics like intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness,
      best-corrected visual acuity, astigmatism and size of graft with the various
      malapposed patterns showed significant differences in best-corrected visual
      acuity and keratometric astigmatism in the hill pattern of malapposition group
      with p values of .004 and .053, respectively, using independent T test. Posterior
      graft-host junction analysis with anterior segment optical coherence tomography
      is very important for post penetrating keratoplasty management. The posterior
      wound profile differed according to the indications of penetrating keratoplasty.
      Best-corrected visual acuity and keratometric astigmatism showed significant
      difference with the malapposition hill (pattern).

PMID- 27251432
TI  - Tetramethyl-6-carboxyrhodamine quenching-based aptasensing platform for aflatoxin
      B1: Analytical performance comparison of two aptamers.
AB  - In this study, a simple TAMRA (tetramethyl-6-carboxyrhodamine) quenching-based
      aptasensing platform was designed for the detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Here,
      we compared the analytical performance of two aptamer sequences: seqA and seqB.
      The AFB1 detection was based on the interactions of FAM (carboxyfluorescein)
      labeled aptamer with TAMRA-labeled DNA complementary strand in the presence and
      absence of target analyte. Under optimized experimental conditions, TAMRA-labeled
      strand quenched the fluorescence response of FAM-labeled aptamer due to the
      noncovalent interaction between the two DNA strands. The binding of AFB1 induced
      the complex formation and weakened the interaction between FAM-labeled aptamer
      and TAMRA-labeled complementary strand, resulting in the fluorescence recovery.
      By using this principle concept, an assay was constructed for the detection of
      AFB1. The method exhibited good sensitivity, good selectivity with a limit of
      detection of 0.2 ng ml(-1), and a wide linear range from 0.25 to 32 ng ml(-1).
      For real sample application, the aptasensors were tested in beer and wine
      samples, with good recovery rates obtained for AFB1 detection.

PMID- 27251433
TI  - Semi-automated microplate monitoring of protein polymerization and aggregation.
AB  - Static light scattering (SLS) is a commonly used technique for monitoring
      dynamics of high molecular weight protein complexes such as protein oligomers or
      aggregates. However, traditional methods are limited to testing a single
      condition and typically require large amounts of protein and specialized
      equipment. We show that a standard microplate reader can be used to characterize
      the molecular dynamics of different types of protein complexes, with the multiple
      advantages of microscale experimental volumes, semi-automated protocols and
      highly parallel processing.

PMID- 27251431
TI  - Hallmarks of cancer and AU-rich elements.
AB  - Post-transcriptional control of gene expression is aberrant in cancer cells.
      Sustained stabilization and enhanced translation of specific mRNAs are features
      of tumor cells. AU-rich elements (AREs), cis-acting mRNA decay determinants, play
      a major role in the posttranscriptional regulation of many genes involved in
      cancer processes. This review discusses the role of aberrant ARE-mediated
      posttranscriptional processes in each of the hallmarks of cancer, including
      sustained cellular growth, resistance to apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion, and
      metastasis. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1368. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1368 For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

PMID- 27251434
TI  - Exciton circular dichroism couplet arising from nitrile-derivatized aromatic
      residues as a structural probe of proteins.
AB  - Exciton coupling between two chromophores can produce a circular dichroism (CD)
      couplet that depends on their separation distance, among other factors.
      Therefore, exciton CD signals arising from aromatic sidechains, especially those
      of tryptophan (Trp), have been used in various protein conformational studies.
      However, the long-wavelength component of the commonly used CD couplet produced
      by a pair of Trp residues is typically located around 230 nm, thereby overlapping
      significantly with the protein backbone CD signal. This overlap often prevents a
      direct and quantitative assessment of the Trp CD couplet in question without
      further spectral analysis. Here, we show that this inconvenience can be
      alleviated by using a derivative of Trp, 5-cyanotryptophan (TrpCN), as the
      chromophore. Specifically, through studying a series of peptides that fold into
      either alpha-helical or beta-hairpin conformations, we demonstrate that in
      comparison with the Trp CD couplet, that arising from two TrpCN residues not only
      is significantly red-shifted but also becomes more intense due to the larger
      extinction coefficient of the underlying electronic transition. In addition, we
      show that a pair of p-cyanophenylalanines (PheCN) or a PheCN-TrpCN pair can also
      produce a distinct exciton CD couplet that can be useful in monitoring
      conformational changes in proteins.

PMID- 27251435
TI  - Epidermal multinucleated keratinocytes: a histopathologic clue to dermatitis
      artefacta.
AB  - Dermatitis artefacta is a psycho-cutaneous disorder characterized by self
      inflicted cutaneous injuries, often in association with an underlying psychiatric
      disorder or as a response to external stressors. Cutaneous lesions suggestive of
      dermatitis artefacta are dependent on the means of injury and thus may be
      morphologically variable, but typically have geometric shapes, spare hard-to
      reach anatomic areas, and are present in variable stages of evolution at any
      specific time. Although a dermatologist may be suspicious of dermatitis artefacta
      in a given patient, making a definitive diagnosis is extremely challenging.
      Patients often clinically evade questioning and deny creating skin lesions, and
      histopathologic evaluation of lesional biopsies usually reveals non-specific
      epidermal and dermal changes and inflammation. Thus, identification of clues that
      lend support to a diagnosis of dermatitis artefacta would be welcomed by both
      clinicians and pathologists. Here we present a case of dermatitis artefacta with
      a unique, yet previously reported, histopathological finding of multinucleated
      keratinocytes within the epidermis. Although probably uncommon and dependent on
      the etiology of cutaneous injury, we believe this finding is important for
      dermatopathologists to be aware of as a potential diagnostic clue when evaluating
      biopsies in patients suspected to have dermatitis artefacta. 

PMID- 27251436
TI  - Depression and Engagement in Care Among Newly Diagnosed HIV-Infected Adults in
      Johannesburg, South Africa.
AB  - Delayed engagement in HIV care threatens the success of HIV treatment programs in
      sub-Saharan Africa and may be influenced by depression. We examined the
      relationship between depression prior to HIV diagnosis and engagement in HIV care
      at a primary care clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. We screened 1683 patients
      for depression prior to HIV testing using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.
      Among patients who tested positive for HIV we assessed linkage to HIV care,
      defined as obtaining a CD4 count within 3 months. Among those who linked to care
      and were eligible for ART, we assessed ART initiation within 3 months.
      Multivariable Poisson regression with a robust variance estimator was used to
      assess the association between depression and linkage to care or ART initiation.
      The prevalence of HIV was 26 % (n = 340). Among HIV-infected participants, the
      prevalence of depression was 30 %. The proportion of linkage to care was 80 %
      among depressed patients and 73 % among patients who were not depressed (risk
      ratio 1.08; 95 % confidence interval 0.96, 1.23). Of the participants who linked
      to care, 81 % initiated ART within 3 months in both depressed and not depressed
      groups (risk ratio 0.99; 95 % confidence interval 0.86, 1.15). Depression was not
      associated with engagement in HIV care in this South African primary care
      setting. Our unexpected findings suggest that some depressed HIV-infected
      patients might be more likely to engage in care than their counterparts without
      depression, and highlight the complex relationship between depression and HIV
      infection. These findings have led us to propose a new framework relating HIV
      infection, depression, and the population under study.

PMID- 27251439
TI  - Human adipocytes from the subcutaneous superficial layer have greater adipogenic
      potential and lower PPAR-gamma DNA methylation levels than deep layer adipocytes.
AB  - Human subcutaneous fat tissue consists of two layers, superficial adipose tissue
      (SAT) and deep adipose tissue (DAT). Some recent reports suggest that a
      disproportionate accumulation of DAT is related to obesity-associated metabolic
      complications. However, the differences in adipocyte function between SAT and DAT
      are unclear. To clarify the differences in human adipocyte characteristics
      between SAT and DAT, human ceiling culture-derived proliferative adipocytes
      (ccdPAs) were primary cultured from SAT and DAT of three lean female patients.
      Differences in adipogenic differentiation potential and sensitivity to exogenous
      adipogenic factors were examined. Epigenetic modification of the CpG island DNA
      methylation levels of genes related to adipogenesis was measured. In histological
      analyses, the mean adipocyte size in SAT was significantly larger than that in
      DAT (8,741 +/- 416 vs. 7,732 +/- 213 MUm(2), P < 0.05). Primary cultured
      adipocytes from SAT showed significantly greater adipogenesis than did those of
      DAT. Sensitivity to partial adipogenic stimulation was significantly different
      between ccdPAs of SAT and DAT. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma
      (PPAR-gamma) protein expression and leptin protein secretion from ccdPAs were
      significantly higher in SAT than DAT. DNA methylation levels of PPAR-gamma were
      significantly lower in ccdPAs of SAT than DAT. Adipocyte size was larger in SAT
      than DAT in vivo. This is consistent with the findings of an in vitro study that,
      compared with ccdPAs in DAT, ccdPAs in SAT have higher adipogenic potential and
      lower DNA methylation levels of PPAR-gamma.

PMID- 27251438
TI  - Role of the tryptophan residues in proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT
      SLC46A1) function.
AB  - The proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) mediates folate absorption across
      the brush-border membrane of the proximal small intestine and is required for
      folate transport across the choroid plexus into the cerebrospinal fluid. In this
      study, the functional role and accessibility of the seven PCFT Trp residues were
      assessed by the substituted-cysteine accessibility method. Six Trp residues at a
      lipid-aqueous interface tolerated Cys substitution in terms of protein stability
      and function. W85C, W202C, and W213C were accessible to N-biotinyl
      aminoethylmethanethiosulfonate; W48C and W299C were accessible only after
      treatment with dithiotreitol (DTT), consistent with modification of these
      residues by an endogenous thiol-reacting molecule and their extracellular
      location. Neither W107C nor W333C was accessible (even after DTT) consistent with
      their cytoplasmic orientation. Biotinylation was blocked by pemetrexed only for
      the W48C (after DTT), W85C, W202C residues. Function was impaired only for the
      W299C PCFT mutant located in the 4th external loop between the 7th and 8th
      transmembrane helices. Despite its aqueous location, function could only be fully
      preserved with Phe and, to a lesser extent, Ala substitutions. There was a 6.5
      fold decrease in the pemetrexed influx Vmax and a 3.5- and 6-fold decrease in the
      influx Kt and Ki, respectively, for the W299S PCFT. The data indicate that the
      hydrophobicity of the W299 residue is important for function suggesting that
      during the transport cycle this residue interacts with the lipid membrane thereby
      impacting on the oscillation of the carrier and, indirectly, on the folate
      binding pocket.

PMID- 27251437
TI  - Macrophage-mediated inflammatory response decreases mycobacterial survival in
      mouse MSCs by augmenting NO production.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a hard-to-eradicate intracellular microbe,
      which escapes host immune attack during latent infection. Recent studies reveal
      that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a protective niche for MTB to maintain
      latency. However, the regulation of mycobacterial residency in MSCs in the
      infectious microenvironment remains largely unknown. Here, we found that
      macrophage-mediated inflammatory response during MTB infection facilitated the
      clearance of bacilli residing in mouse MSCs. Higher inducible nitric oxide
      synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production were observed in
      mouse MSCs under macrophage-mediated inflammatory circumstance. Blocking NO
      production in MSCs increased the survival of intracellular mycobacteria,
      indicating NO-mediated antimycobacterial activity. Moreover, both nuclear factor
      kappaB (NF-kappaB) and Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of
      transcription (STAT) pathways were involved in iNOS expression and NO production
      in inflammatory microenvironment. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory cytokine
      interleukin-1beta could trigger NO production in MSCs and exert anti
      mycobacterial activity via NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Neutralization of
      interleukin-1beta in macrophage-mediated inflammatory microenvironment dampened
      the ability of mouse MSCs to produce NO. Together, our findings demonstrated that
      macrophage-mediated inflammatory response during mycobacterial infection promotes
      the clearance of bacilli in mouse MSCs by increasing NO production, which may
      provide a better understanding of latent MTB infection.

PMID- 27251440
TI  - Quinones Derived from Polychlorinated Biphenyls Induce ROS-Dependent Autophagy by
      Evoking an Autophagic Flux and Inhibition of mTOR/p70S6k.
AB  - Autophagy is a "self-eating" destructive process that eliminates damaged
      organelles to maintain cellular homeostasis. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are
      one of the most infamous industrial pollutants, which are ubiquitous in nature.
      In the present study, we found that an active, quinone-type PCB metabolite (PCB29
      pQ) treatment causes an autophagic response through mTOR/p70S6k inhibition in
      HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, our data suggested that PCB29-pQ
      enhances autophagosome formation through autophagic vacuole (AV) biogenesis,
      which evokes autophagic flux and induces AV-lysosome colocalization. The
      inhibition of autophagy enhanced PCB29-pQ-caused cytotoxicity, suggesting that
      autophagy serves as pro-survival machinery that plays a protective role in the
      early stage of PCB29-pQ-induced insult. However, higher concentration of PCB29-pQ
      exposure (>5 MUM) caused autophagic cell death, which implied a shift from "pro
      survival" to "pro-death" upon autophagic signaling. N-Acetylcysteine suppressed
      PCB29-pQ-induced autophagy and cytotoxicity, suggesting that ROS plays an
      important role in the regulation of PCB29-pQ-induced autophagy. Because autophagy
      shows significant implications in various human diseases and conditions, our
      current study provides a new mechanism for PCB-associated toxicity.

PMID- 27251441
TI  - Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Oligometastatic Disease: a Treatment in
      Search of Evidence - a Response.

PMID- 27251442
TI  - Disparities in adversity among children with autism spectrum disorder: a
      population-based study.
AB  - AIM: People with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) experience disparities in
      health. An important but overlooked risk factor for health disparities in the ASD
      population is adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The purpose of this study was
      to identify the prevalence of ACEs among families of children with and without
      ASD, using a population-based sample. METHOD: Data from the 2011 to 2012 National
      Survey of Child Health were analyzed to estimate prevalence of ACEs among
      families of children with and without ASD, age 3 to 17 years (ASD=1611; estimated
      population=1 165 34). The child's ASD status was obtained from parent report;
      ACEs were assessed with the modified Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale.
      Bivariate and multinomial logistic regression analyses were utilized to
      investigate the relationship between ACEs and childhood ASD status. RESULTS: ASD
      status among children was significantly and independently associated with higher
      probability of reporting one to three ACEs (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR]
      1.53; 95% CI: 1.16-2.0; p<0.010) and four or more ACEs (aRRR 1.99; 95% CI: 1.35
      2.91; p<0.010). INTERPRETATION: Children with ASD may experience a greater number
      of family and neighborhood adversities, potentially compromising their chances
      for optimal physical and behavioral health outcomes. Assessment and reduction of
      ACEs among families of young people with ASD could potentially contribute to the
      reduction of population health disparities.

PMID- 27251443
TI  - Transcription of a novel P450 gene varies with some factors (pollutant exposure,
      temperature, time, and body region) in a marine oligochaete (Thalassodrilides
      sp.).
AB  - Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes play important roles in the metabolism of exogenous
      compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A novel, full-length
      CYP gene (CYP4V30) was identified in the oligochaete Thalassodrilides sp. CYP4V30
      mRNA expression was studied in worms exposed to PAH-polluted (Sigma16PAHs;
      37441ng/g dry weight) or unpolluted (Sigma16PAHs; 19ng/g dry weight) sediment.
      CYP4V30 expression was much higher in worms exposed to contaminated sediments
      than in those exposed to unpolluted sediments at some temperatures (20 and 25
      degrees C) and exposure durations (11-fold increase at 20 degrees C, 10-day
      exposure), but not at 15 degrees C or other exposure durations (P<0.05). CYP4V30
      mRNA expression was higher in the middle of the body than in the posterior
      (P<0.05). The variation in transcriptional response with exposure time,
      temperature, and body region indicates that these factors should be considered
      when monitoring marine sediment pollution. 

PMID- 27251444
TI  - Geogenic metal mobility in a coastal inlet impacted by cannery discharge,
      Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
AB  - Magdalena Bay is an important habitat for marine organisms, some of which have
      been the subject of metal bioaccumulation studies. Cannery waste is discharged
      into the bay providing a plausible source of contamination but this study finds
      that some metals occur geogenically. Bay sediments and rocks (n=59) were analyzed
      for total metals and clustered (HCA) into two distinct groups with PCA indicating
      concentrations of Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni influenced samples near ophiolite outcrops,
      which reported some metal concentrations exceeding averages in the crust by an
      order of magnitude (up to 4450ppm Cr and 1269ppm Ni). Metals at the cannery are
      rarely elevated above crustal averages except Zn (max. 160ppm), however, acid
      extracted Zn was below recommended sediment quality guidelines in contrast to 80%
      of ophiolitic samples reporting Ni extractability exceeding such guidelines. This
      study raises awareness of geogenic metals when considering sources of
      contamination in marine environments. 

PMID- 27251445
TI  - Cloning, purification, crystallization and X-ray crystallographic analysis of the
      periplasmic sensing domain of Pseudomonas fluorescens chemotactic transducer of
      amino acids type A (CtaA).
AB  - Chemotaxis towards nutrients plays a crucial role in root colonization by
      Pseudomonas fluorescens. The P. fluorescens chemotactic transducer of amino acids
      type A (CtaA) mediates movement towards amino acids present in root exudates. In
      this study, the periplasmic sensory domain of CtaA has been crystallized by the
      hanging-drop vapor diffusion method using ammonium sulfate as a precipitating
      agent. A complete data set was collected to 1.9 A resolution using cryocooling
      conditions and synchrotron radiation. The crystals belong to space group I222 or
      I212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 67.2, b = 76.0, c = 113.3 A. This is an
      important step towards elucidation of the structural basis of how CtaA recognizes
      its signal molecules and transduces the signal across the membrane. 

PMID- 27251446
TI  - Predictive biomarkers for targeted and cytotoxic agents in gastric cancer for
      personalized medicine.
AB  - Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause
      of cancer. The treatment of GC remains challenging as the outcomes achieved with
      surgery alone or adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy are
      relatively poor. New treatment strategies are emerging and are being tested in
      solid tumors including GC. Over the past few years, the treatment of metastatic
      colorectal cancer (CRC) has made great advances, but strategies to manage GC have
      improved little. Multiple drug resistance is common in GC chemotherapy and
      targeted therapy; some patients appear to receive treatment that is suboptimal or
      even inefficacious. Unfortunately, there are few validated predictive biomarkers
      to guide the tailored treatment of GC. ToGA and AVAGAST are two phase III trials
      that tested the efficacy and safety of targeted agents in advanced gastric cancer
      (AGC), and results clearly indicated that patients need to be selected and that
      targeted agents are the best hope for better results. This review aims to provide
      an overview of potential predictive biomarkers for cytotoxic and targeted agents
      in GC. 

PMID- 27251448
TI  - The Great Reduction of a Carbon Nanotube's Mechanical Performance by a Few
      Topological Defects.
AB  - It is widely believed that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be employed to produce
      superstrong materials with tensile strengths of up to 50 GPa. Numerous efforts
      have, however, led to CNT fibers with maximum strengths of only a few GPa. Here
      we report that, due to different mechanical responses to the tensile loading of
      disclination topological defects in the CNT walls, a few of these topological
      defects are able to greatly decrease the strength of the CNTs, by up to an order
      of magnitude. This study reveals that even nearly perfect CNTs cannot be used to
      build exceptionally strong materials, and therefore synthesizing flawless CNTs is
      essential for utilizing the ideal strength of CNTs.

PMID- 27251447
TI  - The dynamic transcriptional and translational landscape of the model antibiotic
      producer Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2).
AB  - Individual Streptomyces species have the genetic potential to produce a diverse
      array of natural products of commercial, medical and veterinary interest.
      However, these products are often not detectable under laboratory culture
      conditions. To harness their full biosynthetic potential, it is important to
      develop a detailed understanding of the regulatory networks that orchestrate
      their metabolism. Here we integrate nucleotide resolution genome-scale
      measurements of the transcriptome and translatome of Streptomyces coelicolor, the
      model antibiotic-producing actinomycete. Our systematic study determines 3,570
      transcription start sites and identifies 230 small RNAs and a considerable
      proportion (~21%) of leaderless mRNAs; this enables deduction of genome-wide
      promoter architecture. Ribosome profiling reveals that the translation efficiency
      of secondary metabolic genes is negatively correlated with transcription and that
      several key antibiotic regulatory genes are translationally induced at transition
      growth phase. These findings might facilitate the design of new approaches to
      antibiotic discovery and development.

PMID- 27251449
TI  - Highly Sensitive Measurement of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate by Using a New
      Fluorescent Ligand and Ligand Binding Domain Combination.
AB  - Based on the results of our previous adenophostin A structure-activity
      relationship studies, two fluorescent inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3 )
      receptor ligands, fluorescent adenophostin A (FADA) and fluorescent low-affinity
      ligand (FLL), were designed. Binding of the fluorescent ligands to the
      fluorescent IP3 sensor in protein-expressing cells caused FRET. This principle
      was extended to a cell-free assay system by using the fluorescent IP3 sensor
      bound to agarose beads. The effect of FLL on the FRET signal was reduced by
      subsequent addition of IP3 . The IC50 values of IP3 on the FRET signals were
      139.7 and 352.1 nm for 30 and 100 nm FLL, respectively. This method allowed
      quantitative measurement of IP3 concentrations below 10 nm and was applied to
      measure cytosolic IP3 concentrations in COS-7 cells and to examine the potency of
      synthesized adenophostin A analogues.

PMID- 27251450
TI  - GC-MS-Based Metabolome and Metabolite Regulation in Serum-Resistant Streptococcus
      agalactiae.
AB  - Streptococcus agalactiae causes severe systemic infections in human and fish. In
      the present study, we established a pathogen-plasma interaction model by which we
      explored how S. agalactiae evaded serum-mediated killing. We found that S.
      agalactiae grew faster in the presence of yellow grouper plasma than in the
      absence of the plasma, indicating S. agalactiae evolved a way of evading the fish
      immune system. To determine the events underlying this phenotype, we applied GC
      MS-based metabolomics approaches to identify differential metabolomes between S.
      agalactiae cultured with and without yellow grouper plasma. Through
      bioinformatics analysis, decreased malic acid and increased adenosine were
      identified as the most crucial metabolites that distinguish the two groups.
      Meanwhile, they presented with decreased TCA cycle and elevated purine
      metabolism, respectively. Finally, exogenous malic acid and adenosine were used
      to reprogram the plasma-resistant metabolome, leading to elevated and decreased
      susceptibility to the plasma, respectively. Therefore, our findings reveal for
      the first time that S. agalactiae utilizes a metabolic trick to respond to plasma
      killing as a result of serum resistance, which may be reverted or enhanced by
      exogenous malic acid and adenosine, respectively, suggesting that the metabolic
      trick can be regulated by metabolites.

PMID- 27251451
TI  - Association of ideal cardiovascular health metrics and cognitive functioning: the
      APAC study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies have demonstrated that the components of
      ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics are related to dementia. This study
      aimed to investigate the overall effects of ideal CVH metrics on cognitive
      functioning. METHODS: Information was collected on the seven ideal CVH metrics
      (smoking, body mass index, dietary intake, physical activity, blood pressure,
      total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose) from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular
      Abnormalities Community study, and cognitive functioning was assessed by the
      score of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Multivariate logistic
      regression and linear regression models were used to assess the relationships
      between ideal CVH metrics and cognitive functioning. RESULTS: A total of 3260
      (56.7% men) patients were included in this study. After adjusting for potential
      confounding factors, the associations between the number or score of ideal CVH
      metrics and cognitive impairment remained significant [odds ratio (OR) (95%
      confidence interval) 0.773 (0.664-0.928) and 0.904 (0.831-0.983), respectively].
      In addition, there were significant linear relationships between the number or
      score of CVH metrics and the score of the MMSE (beta = 0.211 and 0.134
      respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A clear inverse association was observed
      between the number or score of ideal CVH metrics and cognitive impairment in a
      Chinese population, supporting the importance of ideal CVH metrics in prevention
      of dementia.

PMID- 27251452
TI  - Luminescence mechanisms of defective ZnO nanoparticles.
AB  - ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by pulsed laser ablation (PLAL) of a zinc
      plate in deionized water were investigated by time-resolved photoluminescence
      (PL) and complementary techniques (TEM, AFM, MURaman). HRTEM images show that
      PLAL produces crystalline ZnO NPs in wurtzite structure with a slightly distorted
      lattice parameter a. Consistently, optical spectra show the typical absorption
      edge of wurtzite ZnO (Eg = 3.38 eV) and the related excitonic PL peaked at 3.32
      eV with a subnanosecond lifetime. ZnO NPs display a further PL peaking at 2.2 eV
      related to defects, which shows a power law decay kinetics. Thermal annealing in
      O2 and in a He atmosphere produces a reduction of the A1(LO) Raman mode at 565
      cm(-1) associated with oxygen vacancies, accompanied by a decrease of defect
      related emission at 2.2 eV. Based on our experimental results the emission at 2.2
      eV is proposed to originate from a photo-generated hole in the valence band
      recombining with an electron deeply trapped in a singly ionized oxygen vacancy.
      This investigation clarifies important aspects of the photophysics of ZnO NPs and
      indicates that ZnO emission can be controlled by thermal annealing, which is
      important in view of optoelectronic applications. 

PMID- 27251453
TI  - Synchronized Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation of the Newborn:
      Technical Issues and Clinical Results.
AB  - Although mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube has undoubtedly led to
      improvement in neonatal survival in the last 40 years, the prolonged use of this
      technique may predispose the infant to development of many possible complications
      including bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Avoiding mechanical ventilation is thought
      to be a critical goal, and different modes of noninvasive respiratory support
      beyond nasal continuous positive airway pressure, such as nasal intermittent
      positive pressure ventilation and synchronized nasal intermittent positive
      pressure ventilation, are also available and may reduce intubation rate. Several
      trials have demonstrated that the newer modes of noninvasive ventilation are more
      effective than nasal continuous positive airway pressure in reducing extubation
      failure and may also be more helpful as modes of primary support to treat
      respiratory distress syndrome after surfactant and for treatment of apnea of
      prematurity. With synchronized noninvasive ventilation, these benefits are more
      consistent, and different modes of synchronization have been reported. Although
      flow-triggering is the most common mode of synchronization, this technique is not
      reliable for noninvasive ventilation in neonates because it is affected by
      variable leaks at the mouth and nose. This review discusses the mechanisms of
      action, benefits and limitations of noninvasive ventilation, describes the
      different modes of synchronization and analyzes the technical characteristics,
      properties and clinical results of a flow-sensor expressly developed for
      synchronized noninvasive ventilation.

PMID- 27251454
TI  - "Carbon monoxide poisoning"-triggered cardiomyopathy and takotsubo syndrome.

PMID- 27251455
TI  - Prevalence and progression of pectinate ligament dysplasia in the Welsh springer
      spaniel.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of pectinate ligament dysplasia in a
      large group of Welsh springer spaniels; to investigate associations between
      pectinate ligament dysplasia and age, sex and intraocular pressure and between
      intraocular pressure and age and sex; and to investigate progression of pectinate
      ligament dysplasia in individual dogs. METHODS: In a prospective study,
      gonioscopy was performed in both eyes of 227 Welsh springer spaniels and
      intraocular pressure measured by rebound tonometry. Eyes were classified as
      "unaffected" if 0% of the iridocorneal angle was affected with pectinate ligament
      dysplasia (grade 0), "mildly affected" if <20% was affected (grade 1),
      "moderately affected" if 20 to 90% was affected (grade 2) and "severely affected"
      if >90% was affected (grade 3). In a retrospective study, progression of
      pectinate ligament dysplasia over time was investigated for 65 dogs. RESULTS: One
      hundred and thirty-nine of 227 dogs (61.2%) were affected by pectinate ligament
      dysplasia (grades 1 to 3) and 82/227 (36.2%) were moderately or severely
      affected. There was a significant association between pectinate ligament
      dysplasia and age. There were no associations between pectinate ligament
      dysplasia and intraocular pressure or pectinate ligament dysplasia and sex.
      Thirty-five of 65 dogs (53.8%) demonstrated progression of pectinate ligament
      dysplasia. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Prevalence of pectinate ligament dysplasia was
      high despite widespread screening and selection against the condition. Our data
      indicate that gonioscopic features of pectinate ligament dysplasia can progress
      in the Welsh springer spaniel. Dogs deemed unaffected at an early age may
      subsequently be diagnosed with pectinate ligament dysplasia.

PMID- 27251457
TI  - Highly selective uptake of carbon dioxide on the zeolite |Na10.2KCs0.8|-LTA- a
      possible sorbent for biogas upgrading.
AB  - The|Na10.2KCs0.8|8[Al12Si12O48]8(Fm3[combining macron]c)-LTA zeolite adsorbs CO2
      over-CH4 with a high selectivity (over 1500). The uptake of carbon dioxide is
      also high (3.31 mmol g(-1), 293 K, 101 kPa). This form of zeolite A is a very
      promising adsorbent for applications such as biogas upgrading, where keeping the
      adsorption of methane to a minimum is crucial. 

PMID- 27251456
TI  - Antimicrobial activity, improved cell selectivity and mode of action of short
      PMAP-36-derived peptides against bacteria and Candida.
AB  - Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have recently attracted a great deal of attention
      as promising antibiotic candidates, but some obstacles such as toxicity and high
      synthesis cost must be addressed before developing them further. For developing
      short peptides with improved cell selectivity, we designed a series of modified
      PMAP-36 analogues. Antimicrobial assays showed that decreasing chain length in a
      certain range retained the high antimicrobial activity of the parental peptide
      and reduced hemolysis. The 18-mer peptide RI18 exhibited excellent antimicrobial
      activity against both bacteria and fungi, and its hemolytic activity was
      observably lower than PMAP-36 and melittin. The selectivity indexes of RI18
      against bacteria and fungi were improved approximately 19-fold and 108-fold,
      respectively, compared to PMAP-36. In addition, serum did not affect the
      antibacterial activity of RI18 against E. coli but inhibited the antifungal
      efficiency against C. albicans. Flow cytometry and electron microscopy
      observation revealed that RI18 killed microbial cells primarily by damaging
      membrane integrity, leading to whole cell lysis. Taken together, these results
      suggest that RI18 has potential for further therapeutic research against
      frequently-encountered bacteria and fungi. Meanwhile, modification of AMPs is a
      promising strategy for developing novel antimicrobials to overcome drug
      resistance.

PMID- 27251458
TI  - European drug agency recommends limiting colistin use in animals to cut
      resistance in patients.

PMID- 27251459
TI  - Improved long-term antiretroviral treatment outcomes amongst patients receiving
      community-based adherence support in South Africa.
AB  - Retaining high levels of patients in care who are virally suppressed over long
      treatment periods has been an important challenge for antiretroviral treatment
      (ART) programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, the region having the highest HIV burden
      globally. Clinic-linked community-based adherence support (CBAS) programmes
      provide home-based adherence and psychosocial support for ART patients. However,
      there is little evidence of their longer-term impact. This study assessed the
      effectiveness of CBAS after eight years of ART. CBAS workers are lay healthcare
      personnel providing regular adherence and psychosocial support for ART patients
      and their households through home visits addressing household challenges
      affecting adherence. A multicentre cohort study using routinely collected data
      was undertaken at six public ART sites in a high HIV-prevalence South African
      district. Patient retention, loss to follow-up (LTFU), viral suppression and CD4
      cell restoration were compared between patients with and without CBAS, using
      competing-risks regression, linear mixed models and log-binomial regression. 3861
      patients were included, of whom 1616 (41.9%) received CBAS. Over 14,792 patient
      years of observation, the cumulative incidence of LTFU was 37.3% and 46.2%
      amongst patients with and without CBAS, respectively, following 8 years of ART;
      adjusted subhazard ratio (CBAS vs. no CBAS) = 0.74 (95% CI: 0.66-0.84; P <
      .0001). Amongst patients on ART for 6.5-8 years, proportions not achieving viral
      suppression were 11.4% and 19.4% in patients with and without CBAS, respectively;
      adjusted risk ratio = 0.47 (95% CI: 0.26-0.86; P = .015). Annual CD4 cell
      increases from baseline were 62.8 cells/uL/year and 51.5 cells/uL/year amongst
      patients with and without CBAS, respectively, after 6.5 years or more (P = .034).
      After adjustment, annual CD4 cell recovery was 15.1 cells/uL/year (95% CI: 2.7
      27.6) greater in CBAS patients (P = .017). ART patients who received CBAS had
      improved long-term patient retention, viral suppression and immunological
      restoration. CBAS is an intervention that can improve longer-term ART programme
      outcomes in resource-limited settings.

PMID- 27251460
TI  - Radio frequency spectral characterization and model parameters extraction of high
      Q optical resonators.
AB  - A microwave domain characterization approach is proposed to determine the
      properties of high quality factor optical resonators. This approach features a
      very high precision in frequency and aims to acquire a full knowledge of the
      complex transfer function (amplitude and phase) characterizing an optical
      resonator using a microwave vector network analyzer. It is able to discriminate
      between the different coupling regimes, from the under-coupling to the selective
      amplification, and it is used together with a model from which the main resonator
      parameters are extracted, i.e. coupling factor, intrinsic losses, phase slope,
      intrinsic and external quality factor.

PMID- 27251461
TI  - Influenza vaccination for healthcare workers who care for people aged 60 or older
      living in long-term care institutions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A systematic review found that 3% of working adults who had received
      influenza vaccine and 5% of those who were unvaccinated had laboratory-proven
      influenza per season; in healthcare workers (HCWs) these percentages were 5% and
      8% respectively. Healthcare workers may transmit influenza to patients.
      OBJECTIVES: To identify all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs
      assessing the effects of vaccinating healthcare workers on the incidence of
      laboratory-proven influenza, pneumonia, death from pneumonia and admission to
      hospital for respiratory illness in those aged 60 years or older resident in long
      term care institutions (LTCIs). SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (2015, Issue
      9), MEDLINE (1966 to October week 3, 2015), EMBASE (1974 to October 2015) and Web
      of Science (2006 to October 2015), but Biological Abstracts only from 1969 to
      March 2013 and Science Citation Index-Expanded from 1974 to March 2013 due to
      lack of institutional access in 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled
      trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs of influenza vaccination of healthcare workers caring
      for individuals aged 60 years or older in LTCIs and the incidence of laboratory
      proven influenza and its complications (lower respiratory tract infection, or
      hospitalisation or death due to lower respiratory tract infection) in individuals
      aged 60 years or older in LTCIs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors
      independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Effects on dichotomous
      outcomes were measured as risk differences (RDs) with 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs). We assessed the quality of evidence with GRADE. MAIN RESULTS: We
      identified four cluster-RCTs and one cohort study (n = 12,742) of influenza
      vaccination for HCWs caring for individuals >= 60 years in LTCIs. Four cluster
      RCTs (5896 residents) provided outcome data that addressed the objectives of our
      review. The studies were comparable in their study populations, intervention and
      outcome measures. The studies did not report adverse events. The principal
      sources of bias in the studies related to attrition, lack of blinding,
      contamination in the control groups and low rates of vaccination coverage in the
      intervention arms, leading us to downgrade the quality of evidence for all
      outcomes due to serious risk of bias.Offering influenza vaccination to HCWs based
      in long term care homes may have little or no effect on the number of residents
      who develop laboratory-proven influenza compared with those living in care homes
      where no vaccination is offered (RD 0 (95% CI -0.03 to 0.03), two studies with
      samples taken from 752 participants; low quality evidence). HCW vaccination
      probably leads to a reduction in lower respiratory tract infection in residents
      from 6% to 4% (RD -0.02 (95% CI -0.04 to 0.01), one study of 3400 people;
      moderate quality evidence). HCW vaccination programmes may have little or no
      effect on the number of residents admitted to hospital for respiratory illness
      (RD 0 (95% CI -0.02 to 0.02, one study of 1059 people; low quality evidence). We
      decided not to combine data on deaths from lower respiratory tract infection (two
      studies of 4459 people) or all cause deaths (four studies of 8468 people). The
      direction and size of difference in risk varied between the studies. We are
      uncertain as to the effect of vaccination on these outcomes due to the very low
      quality of evidence. Adjusted analyses, which took into account the cluster
      design, did not differ substantively from the pooled analysis with unadjusted
      data. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Our review findings have not identified conclusive
      evidence of benefit of HCW vaccination programmes on specific outcomes of
      laboratory-proven influenza, its complications (lower respiratory tract
      infection, hospitalisation or death due to lower respiratory tract illness), or
      all cause mortality in people over the age of 60 who live in care institutions.
      This review did not find information on co-interventions with healthcare worker
      vaccination: hand-washing, face masks, early detection of laboratory-proven
      influenza, quarantine, avoiding admissions, antivirals and asking healthcare
      workers with influenza or influenza-like illness (ILI) not to work. This review
      does not provide reasonable evidence to support the vaccination of healthcare
      workers to prevent influenza in those aged 60 years or older resident in LTCIs.
      High quality RCTs are required to avoid the risks of bias in methodology and
      conduct identified by this review and to test further these interventions in
      combination.

PMID- 27251462
TI  - OGG1 is essential in oxidative stress induced DNA demethylation.
AB  - DNA demethylation is an essential cellular activity to regulate gene expression;
      however, the mechanism that triggers DNA demethylation remains unknown.
      Furthermore, DNA demethylation was recently demonstrated to be induced by
      oxidative stress without a clear molecular mechanism. In this manuscript, we
      demonstrated that 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1) is the essential protein
      involved in oxidative stress-induced DNA demethylation. Oxidative stress induced
      the formation of 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). We found that OGG1, the 8-oxoG binding
      protein, promotes DNA demethylation by interacting and recruiting TET1 to the 8
      oxoG lesion. Downregulation of OGG1 makes cells resistant to oxidative stress
      induced DNA demethylation, while over-expression of OGG1 renders cells
      susceptible to DNA demethylation by oxidative stress. These data not only
      illustrate the importance of base excision repair (BER) in DNA demethylation but
      also reveal how the DNA demethylation signal is transferred to downstream DNA
      demethylation enzymes.

PMID- 27251463
TI  - Prevalence among adolescents in Bergen, Western Norway, of temporomandibular
      disorders according to the DC/TMD criteria and examination protocol.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of
      temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among adolescents and to contrast the
      prevalence of TMD according to the DC/TMD clinical examination protocol versus
      the prevalence of pain related to TMD according to two screening questions.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and ten adolescents living in the county of
      Bergen, Norway, were offered an additional examination for TMD in connection with
      their regular dental check-up appointment. Five dental clinics were selected with
      differing socio-economic patient populations, as reflected by stratification of
      average levels of DMFT, and an equal number of girls and boys were invited to
      participate. The participants answered two screening questions for pain related
      to TMD followed by a clinical examination according to the DC/TMD protocol by
      five calibrated examiners. RESULTS: Acceptable calibration results were obtained.
      Approximately 80% of eligible participants consented to partake. According to the
      criteria of DC/TMD, the prevalence of TMD among the study participants was 11.9%,
      with a peak at 16 years of age. According to the self-reported screening
      questions for pain related to TMD, 7.2% responded positively. Only seven
      participants with a TMD diagnosis established according to the DC/TMD clinical
      examination protocol reported also pain related to TMD based on answering the two
      screening questions. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TMD is higher for girls than
      for boys and the prevalence of TMD established according to the DC/TMD criteria
      was higher than the prevalence of pain related to TMD estimated by use of two
      screening questions for self-reported pain.

PMID- 27251465
TI  - Cooperative catalysis by bovine serum albumin-iodine towards cascade oxidative
      coupling-C(sp(2))-H sulfenylation of indoles/hydroxyaryls with thiophenols on
      water.
AB  - Cooperative cascade catalysis by bovine serum albumin (BSA)-iodine allows for the
      first time the performance of C(sp(2))-H sulfenylation of indole from readily
      available thiophenol (-SH bond) via in situ generation/cleavage of disulfide (S-S
      bond) in air under aqueous conditions, whereas BSA or I2 individually do not
      permit this two step sequence to occur in the same pot towards C-S bond
      formation. This green cooperative protocol is extendable to sulfenylation of
      hydroxyaryls (i.e. 2-naphthol or 4-hydroxycoumarin) with diverse thiols
      (aryl/heteroaryl) without using any toxic metal catalysts, bases or oxidants,
      thus rendering the process environmentally and economically reliable. Further,
      the gram scale synthesis of a COX-2 inhibitor (3-(pyridin-2-ylthio)-1H-indole),
      regioselectivity and recyclability (up to four cycles) are the additional merits
      of this cooperative cascade bio-chemocatalytic (BSA-I2) protocol. Moreover, HPLC
      and ESI-MS provide powerful insights into the mechanistic aspects of the above
      cascade sulfenylation reaction. 

PMID- 27251464
TI  - Global gene expression analysis using RNA-seq uncovered a new role for SR1/CAMTA3
      transcription factor in salt stress.
AB  - Abiotic and biotic stresses cause significant yield losses in all crops.
      Acquisition of stress tolerance in plants requires rapid reprogramming of gene
      expression. SR1/CAMTA3, a member of signal responsive transcription factors
      (TFs), functions both as a positive and a negative regulator of biotic stress
      responses and as a positive regulator of cold stress-induced gene expression.
      Using high throughput RNA-seq, we identified ~3000 SR1-regulated genes. Promoters
      of about 60% of the differentially expressed genes have a known DNA binding site
      for SR1, suggesting that they are likely direct targets. Gene ontology analysis
      of SR1-regulated genes confirmed previously known functions of SR1 and uncovered
      a potential role for this TF in salt stress. Our results showed that SR1 mutant
      is more tolerant to salt stress than the wild type and complemented line.
      Improved tolerance of sr1 seedlings to salt is accompanied with the induction of
      salt-responsive genes. Furthermore, ChIP-PCR results showed that SR1 binds to
      promoters of several salt-responsive genes. These results suggest that SR1 acts
      as a negative regulator of salt tolerance by directly repressing the expression
      of salt-responsive genes. Overall, this study identified SR1-regulated genes
      globally and uncovered a previously uncharacterized role for SR1 in salt stress
      response.

PMID- 27251466
TI  - In vitro toxicity determination of antifungal constituents from Combretum
      zeyheri.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is one of the organisms living on the human body
      symbiotically, but, in hosts with low immunity it becomes one of the most
      pathogenic fungal organisms. Combretum zeyheri has been reported to have
      antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Medicinal plants are
      believed to be non-toxic by the general public. Toxicity studies, however, have
      indicated that they are capable of causing numerous side effects, therefore,
      evaluation of safety is required. The objective of this study was to determine
      the toxicity of the antifungal constituents of Combretum zeyheri on mammalian
      cells. METHODS: Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids-enriched extracts and crude
      ethanol extracts were prepared from the leaves of Combretum zeyheri. The broth
      microdilution method was used to investigate for antifungal activity, with
      miconazole used as the positive control. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)
      2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to determine cell viability of
      the Candida albicans cells. The most potent extracts; the ethanol extract,
      alkaloids and saponins respectively, were further tested for their toxicity on
      sheep erythrocytes, mouse peritoneal macrophages and Jurkat T cells. RESULTS: All
      Combretum zeyheri extracts displayed a dose-dependent antifungal activity and had
      IC50 values ranging from 16 MUg/ml to 159 MUg/ml for Candida albicans. The
      alkaloids, saponins and ethanol extracts were found to be non-toxic towards mouse
      peritoneal cells and Jurkat T cells. In the haemolysis assay, all extracts were
      haemolytic at varying degrees and showed their greatest haemolytic activity at
      the highest concentration of 5 mg/ml. The saponins were the least haemolytic,
      followed by the ethanol extracts and the alkaloids respectively. Although these
      extracts were haemolytic to some extent, they may considered safe at therapeutic
      concentrations since there was a large difference between the antifungal IC50 and
      haemolysis EC50 values, hence a large therapeutic window. CONCLUSIONS: Combretum
      zeyheri antifungal constituents are, therefore, a potential source of lead
      compounds which can be developed into antifungal drugs of natural origin owing to
      Combretum zeyheri's effective antifungal activity and low toxicity to mammalian
      cells.

PMID- 27251467
TI  - The Interactive Use of Multi-Dimensional Modeling and 3D Printing in Preplanning
      of Type A Aortic Dissection.
AB  - We report a technique of multidimensional modeling and 3D printing in preplanning
      of Type A acute aortic dissection (TAAD) repair. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12772 (J Card
      Surg 2016;31:441-445). 

PMID- 27251468
TI  - Effortful semantic decision-making boosts memory performance in older adults.
AB  - A major concern in age-related cognitive decline is episodic memory (EM).
      Previous studies indicate that both resource and binding deficits contribute to
      EM decline. Environmental support by task manipulations encouraging stronger
      cognitive effort and deeper levels of processing may facilitate compensation for
      these two deficits. To clarify factors that can counteract age-related EM
      decline, we assessed effects of cognitive effort (four levels) and level of
      processing (LoP, shallow/deep) during encoding on subsequent retrieval. Young
      (YAs, N = 23) and older (OAs, N = 23) adults performed two incidental encoding
      tasks, deep/semantic and shallow/perceptual. Cognitive effort was manipulated by
      varying decision-making demands. EM performance, indexed by d-prime, was later
      tested using a recognition task. Results showed that regardless of LoP, increased
      cognitive effort caused higher d-primes in both age groups. Compared to YAs, OAs
      showed a lower d-prime after shallow encoding across all cognitive effort levels,
      and after deep encoding with low cognitive effort. Deep encoding with higher
      levels of cognitive effort completely eliminated these age differences. Our
      findings support an environmental-compensatory account of cognitive ageing and
      can have important therapeutic implications.

PMID- 27251469
TI  - Heterogeneous characteristics of MRI changes of thigh muscles in patients with
      dysferlinopathy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of thigh muscle
      MRI changes in a large cohort of patients with dysferlinopathy. METHODS: MRI of
      the thigh was performed in 60 patients. We correlated the scale of muscle
      involvement on MRI with the modified Gardner-Medwin and Walton (GM-W) scale and
      disease duration. We also analyzed the relationship between muscle changes and
      genetic mutations. RESULTS: Fatty infiltration and edema were observed in 95.50%
      and 86.67% of patients, respectively. The hamstring muscles had the highest
      frequency and mean score of fatty infiltration, although a posterior-dominant
      pattern was found in only 56%. Edema most commonly and severely affected the
      quadriceps and adductor magnus muscles. Fatty infiltration score correlated
      positively with disease duration and GM-W scale. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of
      fatty infiltration was heterogeneous in dysferlinopathy patients. Muscle edema
      was common. Fatty infiltration can be used to assess disease progression. Muscle
      Nerve 54: 1072-1079, 2016.

PMID- 27251470
TI  - Image-based quantification of 3D morphology for bifurcations in the left coronary
      artery: Application to stent design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Improved strategies for stent-based treatment of coronary artery
      disease at bifurcations require a greater understanding of artery morphology.
      OBJECTIVE: We developed a workflow to quantify morphology in the left main
      coronary (LMCA), left anterior descending (LAD), and left circumflex (LCX) artery
      bifurcations. METHODS: Computational models of each bifurcation were created for
      55 patients using computed tomography images in 3D segmentation software. Metrics
      including cross-sectional area, length, eccentricity, taper, curvature,
      planarity, branching law parameters, and bifurcation angles were assessed using
      open-sources software and custom applications. Geometric characterization was
      performed by comparison of means, correlation, and linear discriminant analysis
      (LDA). RESULTS: Differences between metrics suggest dedicated or multistent
      approaches should be tailored for each bifurcation. For example, the side branch
      of the LCX (i.e., obtuse marginal; OM) was longer than that of the LMCA (i.e.,
      LCXprox) and LAD (i.e., first diagonal; D1). Bifurcation metrics for some
      locations (e.g., LMCA Finet ratio) provide results and confidence intervals
      agreeing with prior findings, while revised metric values are presented for
      others (e.g., LAD and LCX). LDA revealed several metrics that differentiate
      between artery locations (e.g., LMCA vs. D1, LMCA vs. OM, LADprox vs. D1, and
      LCXprox vs. D1). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a foundation for elucidating
      common parameters from healthy coronary arteries and could be leveraged in the
      future for treating diseased arteries. Collectively the current results may
      ultimately be used for design iterations that improve outcomes following
      implantation of future dedicated bifurcation stents. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27251472
TI  - Dissecting the role of transforming growth factor-beta1 in topmouth culter
      immunobiological activity: a fundamental functional analysis.
AB  - Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) has been proven to function
      primarily in mammalian immunobiological activity, but information regarding the
      immune role of TGF-beta1 in teleosts is limited. In the present study, we
      describe the cDNA cloning and characterization of the TGF-beta1 molecule in the
      topmouth culter. TGF-beta1 is highly expressed in immune-related tissues of the
      culter, including the thymus, head kidney, and spleen. The recombinant culter TGF
      beta1 (cTGF-beta1) was successfully expressed and purified in vitro, and the
      effects of cTGF-beta1 on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such
      as TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, in the absence or presence of LPS was determined in
      culter peripheral blood leukocytes. cTGF-beta1 was found to have bipolar
      properties in inflammatory reactions. Additionally, to assess the immune role of
      teleost TGF-beta1 in vivo, the expression of TGF-beta1 in the culter thymus and
      spleen tissues induced by poly I:C were also examined. The expression of TGF
      beta1 was obviously up-regulated, as shown in the cell lines. However, the peak
      time of cTGF-beta1 expression in the cell lines occurred significantly earlier
      than in the organic tissues under the same inducer, suggesting that the response
      of the teleost TGF-beta1 molecule to exogenous infection depends on a more
      complicated signalling pathway in vivo than in vitro.

PMID- 27251474
TI  - Vaginal cuff dehiscence: a randomized trial comparing robotic vaginal cuff
      closure methods.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to compare the rate of vaginal cuff dehiscence
      between two different methods of closure in patients undergoing robotic-assisted
      total laparoscopic hysterectomy and explore variables related to postoperative
      breakdown. This was a prospective, randomized controlled study with two arms. The
      control group (Arm 1) underwent single-layer continuous closure while the study
      group (Arm 2) had three additional imbricating figure-of-X sutures placed in
      addition to the standard protocol. Of the 263 patients who completed the study, 4
      patients (1.49 %) experienced dehiscence of the vaginal cuff. Three of the four
      patients with dehiscence received the standard single vaginal cuff closure (Arm
      1) and the one remaining case of dehiscence underwent the protocol with
      additional sutures (Arm 2). All patients who experienced dehiscence were current
      smokers. Our study suggests that there may be benefit in adding additional
      sutures to the standard single-layer vaginal cuff closure procedure. Physicians
      should evaluate smoking status before deciding on a vaginal cuff closure method.

PMID- 27251475
TI  - Non-coordinating anions assemble cyanine amphiphiles into ultra-small fluorescent
      nanoparticles.
AB  - A non-coordinating anion, fluorinated tetraphenylborate, assembles specially
      designed cationic cyanine amphiphiles into 7-8 nm fluorescent nanoparticles that
      are >40-fold brighter than a single cyanine dye. This kind of anion, combining
      hydrophobic and electrostatic forces in aqueous media, constitutes promising
      building blocks in the self-assembly of functional nanomaterials. 

PMID- 27251471
TI  - Functional Impact of Ryanodine Receptor Oxidation on Intracellular Calcium
      Regulation in the Heart.
AB  - Type 2 ryanodine receptor (RyR2) serves as the major intracellular Ca2+ release
      channel that drives heart contraction. RyR2 is activated by cytosolic Ca2+ via
      the process of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR). To ensure stability of Ca2+
      dynamics, the self-reinforcing CICR must be tightly controlled. Defects in this
      control cause sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ mishandling, which manifests in a
      variety of cardiac pathologies that include myocardial infarction and heart
      failure. These pathologies are also associated with oxidative stress. Given that
      RyR2 contains a large number of cysteine residues, it is no surprise that RyR2
      plays a key role in the cellular response to oxidative stress. RyR's many
      cysteine residues pose an experimental limitation in defining a specific target
      or mechanism of action for oxidative stress. As a result, the current
      understanding of redox-mediated RyR2 dysfunction remains incomplete. Several
      oxidative modifications, including S-glutathionylation and S-nitrosylation, have
      been suggested playing an important role in the regulation of RyR2 activity.
      Moreover, oxidative stress can increase RyR2 activity by forming disulfide bonds
      between two neighboring subunits (intersubunit cross-linking). Since intersubunit
      interactions within the RyR2 homotetramer complex dictate the channel gating,
      such posttranslational modification of RyR2 would have a significant impact on
      RyR2 function and Ca2+ regulation. This review summarizes recent findings on
      oxidative modifications of RyR2 and discusses contributions of these RyR2
      modifications to SR Ca2+ mishandling during cardiac pathologies.

PMID- 27251473
TI  - Current status of various neurovascular bundle-sparing techniques in robot
      assisted radical prostatectomy.
AB  - Nerve-sparing procedures during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) have
      demonstrated improved postoperative functional outcomes. This article provides an
      overview of clinically applied prostatic neuro-anatomy, various techniques of
      nerve sparing (NS), and recent innovations in NS and potency outcomes of NS RARP.
      We retrieved and reviewed all listed publications within PubMed using keywords:
      nerve sparing, robotic radical prostatectomy, prostate cancer, outcomes, pelvic
      neuroanatomy and potency. Studies reporting potency outcomes of NS RARP
      (comparative and non-comparative) were analysed using the Delphi method with an
      expert panel of urological robotic surgeons. Herein, we outline the published
      techniques of NS during RARP. Potency and continence outcomes of individual
      series are discussed in light of the evidence provided by case series and
      published trials. The potency outcomes of various comparative and non-comparative
      series of NS RARP have also been mentioned. There are numerous NS techniques
      reported for RARP. Each method is complimented with benefits and constrained by
      idiosyncratic caveats, and thus, careful patient selection, a wise intraoperative
      clinical judgment and tailored approach for each patient is required, when
      decision for nerve sparing is made. Further large prospective multi-institutional
      randomized controlled trials are required to evaluate potency and continence
      outcomes of these techniques, using a rigid standard patient selection criteria
      and definition of potency are warranted in the new era of functional outcome
      driven research. 

PMID- 27251477
TI  - Mediterranean Diet and cancer risk: an open issue.
AB  - The traditional Mediterranean Diet of the early 1960s meets the characteristics
      of an anticancer diet defined by the World Cancer Research Fund/American
      Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AIRC). A diet rich of whole grains, pulses,
      vegetables and fruits, limited in high-calorie foods (foods high in sugar or
      fat), red meat and foods high in salt, without sugary drinks and processed meat
      is recommended by the WCRF/AIRC experts to reduce the risk of cancer. The aim of
      this review was to examine whether Mediterranean Diet is protective or not
      against cancer risk. Three meta-analyses of cohort studies reported that a high
      adherence to the Mediterranean Diet significantly reduces the risk of cancer
      incidence and/or mortality. Nevertheless, the Mediterranean dietary pattern
      defined in the studies' part of the meta-analyses has qualitative and/or
      quantitative differences compared to the Mediterranean Diet of the early 1960s.
      Therefore, the protective role of the Mediterranean Diet against cancer has not
      definitely been established. In epidemiological studies, a universal definition
      of the Mediterranean Diet, possibly the traditional Mediterranean Diet of the
      early 1960s, could be useful to understand the role of this dietary pattern in
      cancer prevention. 

PMID- 27251476
TI  - Relationship between genotype and arcuate fasciculus morphology in six young
      children with global developmental delay: Preliminary DTI stuy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether different genetic mutations observed in children
      with global developmental delay (GD) are associated with unique patterns of the
      arcuate fasciculus dysmorphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six children with GD
      (age: 36.8 +/- 14.1 months, 5 boys) having mutations in MID1, CDK4, SFRP1, EN2,
      RXRG-GLRB, or MECP2, and five children with typical development (TD, age: 38.5 +/
      20.5 months, 4 boys) underwent a 3 Tesla MRI including diffusion weighted
      imaging (DWI). Five language pathway segments in the left hemisphere, "C1 :
      Broca's to Wernicke's area," "C2 : Broca's to premotor area," "C3 : premotor to
      Wernicke's area," "C4 : Wernicke's to inferior parietal area," and "C5 : premotor
      to inferior parietal area" were objectively identified using the DWI "maximum a
      posteriori probability" classifier. RESULTS: Affinity propagation clustering
      analysis found that three arcuate pathway segments, C1,2,4 , of MID1, CDK4, EN2,
      and MECP2 had a similar pattern of volume ratio while those of SFRP1 and RXRG
      GLRB had a heterogeneous pattern of volume ratio (net similarity = -0.01). Using
      receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the fiber ratios of C1,2,4
      showed a high probability to discriminate between GD and TD, yielding an accuracy
      of 0.91, 0.91, 1.00, respectively. The fiber volumes of C1 and C4 showed a strong
      correlation with expressive language (R2  = 0.6019; P-value = 0.033) and
      receptive language (R2  = 0.6379; P-value = 0.028), respectively. CONCLUSION: The
      findings of the present study provide preliminary evidence to suggest that
      different segments of the arcuate fasciculus are formed under the regulation of
      different genes which, when mutated, may result in developmental delay. J. Magn.
      Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1504-1512.

PMID- 27251478
TI  - [Management of intraoperative carcinoid crises].

PMID- 27251479
TI  - [Does the time interval between diagnosis and treatment influence survival of
      patients with resectable esophageal cancer?].

PMID- 27251480
TI  - [Mediastinitis].

PMID- 27251481
TI  - [RCT of chemoembolization plus rediofrequency ablation versus liver resection for
      hepatocellular carcinoma].

PMID- 27251482
TI  - [Surgery without anatomy?].
AB  - Anatomy is the basis of all operative medicine. While this branch of scientific
      medicine is frequently not explicitly mentioned in surgical publications, it is
      nonetheless quintessential to medical education. In the era of video sequences
      and digitized images, surgical methods are frequently communicated in the form of
      cinematic documentation of surgical procedures; however, this occurs without the
      help of explanatory drawings or subtexts that would illustrate the underlying
      anatomical nomenclature, comment on fine functionally important details or even
      without making any mention of the surgeon. In scientific manuscripts color
      illustrations frequently appear in such overwhelming quantities that they
      resemble long arrays of trophies but fail to give detailed explanations that
      would aid the therapeutic translation of the novel datasets. In a similar
      fashion, many anatomy textbooks prefer to place emphasis on illustrations and
      photographs while supplying only a paucity of explanations that would foster the
      understanding of functional contexts and thus confuse students and practitioners
      alike. There is great temptation to repeat existing data and facts over and over
      again, while it is proportionally rare to make reference to truly original
      scientific discoveries. A number of examples are given in this article to
      illustrate how discoveries that were made even a long time ago can still
      contribute to scientific progress in current times. This includes the NO
      signaling molecules, which were first described in 1775 but were only discovered
      to have a pivotal role as neurotransmitters in the function of human paradoxical
      sphincter muscles in 2012 and 2015. Readers of scientific manuscripts often long
      for explanations by the numerous silent coauthors of a publication who could
      contribute to the main topic by adding in-depth illustrations (e. g.
      malignograms, evolution and involution of lymph node structures). 

PMID- 27251483
TI  - [Sternal osteomyelitis - Surgical treatment concepts].
AB  - Sternal osteomyelitis is a potentially fatal condition following cardiac surgery.
      Sternal osteomyelitis should be diagnosed as early as possible followed by an
      interdisciplinary radical debridement. Subsequently plastic reconstructive
      surgery is necessary for defect reconstruction. This can be achieved by a number
      of established pedicled and free flap plastic surgery procedures. The choice of
      flap procedures is based on defect geometry and the individual patient situation,
      including potential flap donor sites. Smaller defects can generally be
      reconstructed by pedicled flap transfer. For extensive sternal defects, free flap
      transplantation is now a well-established therapeutic option. In some patients
      lacking sufficient recipient vessels, the creation of an arteriovenous (AV) loop
      as recipient vessel is necessary. In summary, successful therapy of sternal
      osteomyelitis is based on early interdisciplinary treatment by the various
      surgical subspecialties. 

PMID- 27251484
TI  - Syndromes that Mimic an Excess of Mineralocorticoids.
AB  - Pseudohyperaldosteronism is characterized by a clinical picture of
      hyperaldosteronism with suppression of renin and aldosterone. It can be due to
      endogenous or exogenous substances that mimic the effector mechanisms of
      aldosterone, leading not only to alterations of electrolytes and hypertension,
      but also to an increased inflammatory reaction in several tissues. Enzymatic
      defects of adrenal steroidogenesis (deficiency of 17alpha-hydroxylase and 11beta
      hydroxylase), mutations of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and alterations of
      expression or saturation of 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (apparent
      mineralocorticoid excess syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, excessive intake of
      licorice, grapefruits or carbenoxolone) are the main causes of
      pseudohyperaldosteronism. In these cases treatment with dexamethasone and/or MR
      blockers is useful not only to normalize blood pressure and electrolytes, but
      also to prevent the deleterious effects of prolonged over-activation of MR in
      epithelial and non-epithelial tissues. Genetic alterations of the sodium channel
      (Liddle's syndrome) or of the sodium-chloride co-transporter (Gordon's syndrome)
      cause abnormal sodium and water reabsorption in the distal renal tubules and
      hypertension. Treatment with amiloride and thiazide diuretics can respectively
      reverse the clinical picture and the renin aldosterone system. Finally, many
      other more common situations can lead to an acquired pseudohyperaldosteronism,
      like the expansion of volume due to exaggerated water and/or sodium intake, and
      the use of drugs, as contraceptives, corticosteroids, beta-adrenergic agonists
      and FANS. In conclusion, syndromes or situations that mimic aldosterone excess
      are not rare and an accurate personal and pharmacological history is mandatory
      for a correct diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary tests and mistreatments. 

PMID- 27251485
TI  - Children's use of evaluative devices in spoken and written narratives.
AB  - This study investigated the development of evaluation in narratives from middle
      to late childhood, within the context of differentiating between spoken and
      written modalities. Two parallel forms of a picture story were used to elicit
      spoken and written narratives from fourth- and sixth-graders. It was expected
      that, in addition to an increase of evaluative devices with age, written
      narratives would exhibit a higher frequency and diversity as a result of the
      intrinsic differences between the two modalities. From a developmental
      perspective, the results showed that only few categories exhibited the expected
      increase with age. Qualitative analyses provided a fruitful method to illustrate
      developmental changes. The results further indicated that modality had the
      expected impact on the diversity, and on the frequency, of most categories of
      evaluative language. Specifically, markers of decontextualized language and
      categories with a high degree of syntactic complexity were prone to modality
      differences.

PMID- 27251486
TI  - The Genetics of Success: How Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated With
      Educational Attainment Relate to Life-Course Development.
AB  - A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) of more than 100,000 individuals
      identified molecular-genetic predictors of educational attainment. We undertook
      in-depth life-course investigation of the polygenic score derived from this GWAS
      using the four-decade Dunedin Study (N = 918). There were five main findings.
      First, polygenic scores predicted adult economic outcomes even after accounting
      for educational attainments. Second, genes and environments were correlated:
      Children with higher polygenic scores were born into better-off homes. Third,
      children's polygenic scores predicted their adult outcomes even when analyses
      accounted for their social-class origins; social-mobility analysis showed that
      children with higher polygenic scores were more upwardly mobile than children
      with lower scores. Fourth, polygenic scores predicted behavior across the life
      course, from early acquisition of speech and reading skills through geographic
      mobility and mate choice and on to financial planning for retirement. Fifth,
      polygenic-score associations were mediated by psychological characteristics,
      including intelligence, self-control, and interpersonal skill. Effect sizes were
      small. Factors connecting DNA sequence with life outcomes may provide targets for
      interventions to promote population-wide positive development.

PMID- 27251488
TI  - Dentate Circuitry as a Model to Study Epileptogenesis.
AB  - Epileptogenesis, which can be initiated by brain insults or gene mutations in the
      normal brain, is defined as the gradual (months to years) process of epilepsy
      development that begins before the first epileptic seizure. Epileptogenic changes
      include induction of immediate early genes, post-translational modification of
      ion-channel functions, neuronal death, gliosis, and reorganization of neural
      circuits. Each of these changes alone or in combination can contribute to an
      epileptogenic focus, which is defined by the minimal cortical region that is
      necessary and sufficient to induce synchronized epileptic bursting activity in
      neurons. Therefore to discover and develop anti-epileptogenic drugs it is
      essential to unveil the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the
      development of epileptogenic foci. Among the epileptogenic changes, abnormally
      appended excitatory recurrent circuits can directly cause synchronized bursting
      of neuron activity. Here, I will introduce and discuss the mechanisms underlying
      the development of two representative abnormal neural circuits, namely,
      hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting and ectopic granule cells, which are found in
      the dentate gyrus of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and its animal
      models. 

PMID- 27251487
TI  - Extralaryngeal branching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve: a meta-analysis of
      28,387 nerves.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN) are branches of the vagus
      nerve that go on to innervate most of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx.
      Historically, the RLN has been considered to branch after it enters the larynx,
      but numerous studies have demonstrated that it often branches before. The wide
      variability of this extralaryngeal branching (ELB) has significant implications
      for the risk of iatrogenic injury. We aimed to assess the anatomical
      characteristics of ELB comprehensively. METHODS: Articles on the ELB of the RLN
      were identified by a comprehensive database search. Relevant data were extracted
      and pooled into a meta-analysis of the prevalence of branching, branching
      pattern, distance of ELB point from the larynx, and presence of positive motor
      signals in anterior and posterior ELB branches. RESULTS: A total of 69 articles
      (n = 28,387 nerves) from both intraoperative and cadaveric modalities were
      included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of ELB was 60.0 %
      (95 % CI 52.0-67.7). Cadaveric and intraoperative subgroups differed with
      prevalence rates of 73.3 % (95 % CI 61.0-84.0) and 39.2 % (95 % CI 29.0-49.9),
      respectively. Cadavers most often presented with a ELB pattern of bifurcation,
      with a prevalence of 61.1 %, followed by no branching at 23.4 %. Branching of the
      RLN occurred most often at a distance of 1-2 cm (74.8 % of cases) prior to
      entering the larynx. A positive motor signal was most often noted in anterior RLN
      branches (99.9 %) but only in 1.5 % of posterior branches. CONCLUSIONS: The
      anatomy of the RLN is highly variable, and ELB is likely to have been
      underreported in intraoperative studies. Because of its high likelihood, the
      possibility of ELB needs to be assessed in patients to prevent iatrogenic injury
      and long-term postoperative complications.

PMID- 27251489
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 27251490
TI  - A Standardized Method for the Preparation of a Gas Phase Extract of Cigarette
      Smoke.
AB  - The gas phase of cigarette smoke is important from the viewpoint of human health,
      because it can pass through alveolar epithelium and enter the circulation. There
      is no standard method for the preparation of a gas phase extract of cigarette
      smoke (CSE), although CSE is widely used for research instead of whole cigarette
      smoke. We have established a standard method for the preparation of CSE. One
      cigarette per trial is continuously combusted under a reduced pressure generated
      by an aspiration pump with a velocity of 1.050 L/min: the main stream of the
      smoke is passed through a Cambridge filter to remove tar, and subsequently,
      bubbled through a glass ball filter (pore size, 20-30 um) into 15 mL of phosphate
      buffered saline (PBS). To express the concentration of CSE, a virtual tar
      concentration is introduced, which is calculated assuming that tar trapped on the
      Cambridge filter is dissolved in the PBS. CSEs prepared from smaller numbers of
      cigarettes (original virtual tar concentration<=15 mg/mL) show similar
      concentration-response curves for cytotoxicity versus virtual tar concentrations.
      CSEs prepared from various brands of cigarettes and by different smoking regimes
      (continuous and puff smoking) show similar cytotoxic potency if the virtual tar
      concentrations are the same. In conclusion, using the standardized method for CSE
      preparation in combination with the virtual tar concentration, it becomes
      possible to simply and rapidly prepare standard CSEs with defined concentrations
      from any brand of cigarettes, which are toxicologically equivalent to CSE
      prepared by puff smoking. 

PMID- 27251491
TI  - Mass Spectrometric Approaches to the Identification of Potential Ingredients in
      Cigarette Smoke Causing Cytotoxicity.
AB  - Cigarette smoke contains many harmful chemicals that contribute to the
      pathogenesis of smoking-related diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Many studies have been done to
      identify cytotoxic chemicals in cigarette smoke and elucidate the onset of the
      above-mentioned diseases caused by smoking. However, definitive mechanisms for
      cigarette smoke toxicity remain unknown. As candidates for cytotoxic chemicals,
      we have recently found methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and acetic anhydride in
      nicotine/tar-free cigarette smoke extract (CSE) using L-tyrosine (Tyr), an amino
      acid with highly reactive hydroxyl group. The presence of MVK and acetic
      anhydride in CSE was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
      We also found new reaction products formed in B16-BL6 mouse melanoma (B16-BL6)
      cells treated with CSE using LC/MS. These were identified as glutathione (GSH)
      conjugates of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, MVK, crotonaldehyde
      (CA), and acrolein (ACR), by the mass value and product ion spectra of these new
      products. ACR and MVK are type-2 alkenes, which are well known as electron
      acceptors and form Michael-type adducts to nucleophilic side chain of amino acids
      on peptides. These alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds may have a key role
      in CSE-induced cell death. 

PMID- 27251492
TI  - Carbonyl Compounds in the Gas Phase of Cigarette Mainstream Smoke and Their
      Pharmacological Properties.
AB  - Cigarette mainstream smoke is composed of gas and tar phases and contains >4000
      chemical constituents, including nicotine and tar. The substances in the gas
      phase but not in the tar phase can pass through the airway epithelial barrier,
      enter the systemic circulation via the pulmonary circulation, and increase
      systemic oxidative damage, leading to the development of cigarette smoking
      related diseases such as atherosclerosis. Recently, we identified some stable
      carbonyl compounds, including acrolein (ACR) and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), as
      major cytotoxic factors in nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (CSE)
      of the gas phase. CSE, ACR, and MVK induce protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent
      activation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase
      (NOX) and subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via NOX, causing
      plasma membrane damage and cell apoptosis. CSE, ACR, and MVK also trigger
      carbonylation of PKC, which is an irreversible oxidative modification. Cell
      damage and PKC carbonylation in response to treatment with CSE, ACR, or MVK are
      abolished by thiol-containing antioxidants such as N-acetyl-L-cysteine and
      reduced glutathione. Thus pharmacological modulation of PKC and NOX activities
      and the trapping of ROS are potential strategies for the prevention of diseases
      related to cigarette smoking. 

PMID- 27251493
TI  - Recent Progress in Analytical Methods for Determination of Urinary 3
      Hydroxypropylmercapturic Acid, a Major Metabolite of Acrolein.
AB  - 3-Hydroxypropylmercapturic acid (3-HPMA), a major metabolite of acrolein in
      urine, has been recognized as a noninvasive biomarker of exposure to cigarette
      smoke. Since acrolein is formed endogenously from polyamines and is also formed
      during oxidative stress and aggravates tissue damage by changing protein activity
      through its conjugation in pathological lesions, it is thought that the urinary 3
      HPMA level is useful as a biomarker to monitor the severity of several diseases
      related to acrolein. To study the correlation between 3-HPMA and disease
      severity, it is important to understand the properties of analytical methods for
      determination of 3-HPMA. In this article, we summarize the analytical methods for
      determination of urinary 3-HPMA and discuss the utility of 3-HPMA as one of the
      biomarkers for the diagnosis of brain infarction. 

PMID- 27251494
TI  - Antigenotoxic and Antioxidant Properties of Solanum cernuum and Its Alkaloid,
      Cernumidine.
AB  - Solanum cernuum VE. has been used extensively for the treatment of urinary
      disorders, gonorrhea and skin infections; cernumidine is a major component of S.
      cernuum (SC) hydroalcoholic extract. The micronucleus test in V79 cells was used
      to evaluate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of SC and cernumidine. For
      antigenotoxicity assessment, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS, 44 ug/mL) and hydrogen
      peroxide (H2O2, 3.5 ug/mL) were added as inducers of chromosome damage.
      Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
      test. Significantly higher frequencies of micronuclei were observed in cell
      cultures treated with SC concentrations of 160 and 320 ug/mL in comparison with
      the negative control, demonstrating a genotoxic effect. There was no significant
      difference in the frequency of micronuclei between cell cultures treated with a
      combination of SC and MMS and those treated only with MMS. On the other hand, a
      significant reduction in the frequency of micronuclei was observed for V79 cells
      treated with SC or cernumidine plus H2O2 compared to those treated only with
      H2O2. Furthermore, SC and cernumidine were able to scavenge free radicals in the
      DPPH assay. Thus, the protective effect of SC and cernumidine against H2O2 can be
      attributed to antioxidant activity. 

PMID- 27251495
TI  - Effects of All trans-Retinoic Acid on Alveolar Regeneration in Dexamethasone
      Induced Emphysema Models and Its Relationship to Exposure in ICR and FVB Mice.
AB  - During the past two decades, it has been reported that treatment with all-trans
      retinoic acid (ATRA) induces alveolar regeneration in rodent emphysema models. In
      the present study, we investigated the regeneration by ATRA at various exposure
      conditions in two strains of mice with induced emphysema. The emphysema model was
      created by postnatal administration of dexamethasone to ICR and FVB mice, which
      were then treated with ATRA from postnatal day 42. The regeneration was observed
      in ICR mice but not in FVB mice given 10 and 40 mg/kg/d ATRA for 10 d. The
      concentration-time profiles of ATRA in plasma and lung were similar in both
      strains. These results suggest that the strain difference in the regeneration by
      ATRA was not caused by differences in the exposure to ATRA. On the other hand,
      the regeneration in ICR mice was enhanced by an increase of the intraperitoneal
      dose in the range of 10-40 mg/kg/d for 10 d. At an intraperitoneal dose of 40
      mg/kg/d, the regeneration was observed after 10 and 20 d of treatment but not
      after 1 to 5 d of treatment. Meanwhile, the regeneration by intraperitoneal
      administration of ATRA was enhanced more than that by oral administration.
      Exposure to ATRA during repeated intraperitoneal administration to ICR mice was
      higher than that in oral administration. The results suggest that the
      regeneration in ICR mice requires at least 10 d of treatment with ATRA and its
      effects depend on the exposure to ATRA in plasma, which parallels that in lung. 

PMID- 27251496
TI  - Effect of 1.8-Cineole in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-Stimulated Bronchial
      Epithelial Cells and Mouse Model of Asthma.
AB  - 1.8-Cineole (eucalyptol) is a phytoncide, a volatile organic compound derived
      from plants. Phytoncides are known to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However,
      the effects of 1.8-cineole in house dust mite (HDM)-stimulated bronchial
      epithelial cells are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess
      the effect of 1.8-cineole in HDM-stimulated bronchial epithelial cells and in the
      HDM-induced murine asthma model. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate
      the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of 1.8-cineole action in HDM-induced
      airway inflammation. Human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) were cultured with
      Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) and 1.8-cineole. Cytokine protein levels,
      phosphorylation of protein kinases, and intracellular Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)
      expressions were measured. In the murine model, BALB/C mice were sensitized with
      Der p and were exposed to Der p via intranasal route during the challenge period.
      1.8-Cineole was given by inhalation 6 h before the each challenge. Treatment with
      1.8-cineole inhibited the Der p-induced cytokine protein expression,
      phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt and
      intracellular TLR4 expression in HBECs. In the Der p-induced mouse model, airway
      hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluid (BALF) was also significantly reduced by 1.8-cineole treatment. The
      treatment of 1.8-cineole inhibited the increased production of interleukin (IL)
      4, IL-13 and IL-17A in BALF after Der p challenge. These results suggest that 1.8
      cineole suppresses Der p-induced IL-8, IL-6 and granulocyte macrophage-colony
      stimulating factor (GM-CSF) production in HBECs. Finally, we confirmed that 1.8
      cineole decreases AHR and eosinophilic airway inflammation in Der p-induced
      asthma mice. 

PMID- 27251497
TI  - Effect of pH on the Misincorporation Rate of DNA Polymerase eta.
AB  - The many known eukaryotic DNA polymerases are classified into four families; A,
      B, X, and Y. Among them, DNA polymerase eta, a Y family polymerase, is a low
      fidelity enzyme that contributes to translesional synthesis and somatic
      hypermutation. Although a high mutation frequency is observed in immunoglobulin
      genes, translesional synthesis occurs with a high accuracy. We determined whether
      the misincorporation rate of DNA polymerase eta varies with ambient conditions.
      It has been reported that DNA polymerase eta is unable to exclude water molecules
      from the active site. This finding suggests that some ions affect hydrogen bond
      formation at the active site. We focused on the effect of pH and evaluated the
      misincorporation rate of deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP) opposite template T
      by DNA polymerase eta at various pH levels with a synthetic template-primer. The
      misincorporation rate of dGTP by DNA polymerase eta drastically increased at pH
      8.0-9.0 compared with that at pH 6.5-7.5. Kinetic analysis revealed that the Km
      value for dGTP on the misincorporation opposite template T was markedly affected
      by pH. However, this drastic change was not seen with the low fidelity DNA
      polymerase alpha. 

PMID- 27251498
TI  - Simultaneous Addition of Shikonin and Its Derivatives with Lipopolysaccharide
      Induces Rapid Macrophage Death.
AB  - Macrophages play pivotal roles in inflammatory responses. Previous studies showed
      that various natural products exert antiinflammatory effects by regulating
      macrophage activation. Recent studies have shown that shikonin (SHK) and its
      derivatives (beta-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin, acetylshikonin, and
      isobutylshikonin), which are 1,4-naphthoquinone pigments extracted from the roots
      of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, have various pharmacological, including
      antiinflammatory and antitumor, effects. Even though there have been many studies
      on the antiinflammatory activities of SHK derivatives, only a few have described
      their direct effects on macrophages. We investigated the effects of SHK
      derivatives on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages. Low doses of SHK
      derivatives induced significant macrophage cytotoxicity (mouse macrophage-like
      J774.1/JA-4 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages) in the presence of LPS. SHK
      activated caspases-3 and -7, which led to DNA fragmentation, but this
      cytotoxicity was prevented through a pan-caspase inhibitor in LPS-treated JA-4
      cells. Maximal cytotoxic effects were achieved when SHK was added immediately
      before LPS addition. These results indicate that SHK derivatives induce caspase
      dependent apoptotic cell death of LPS-treated macrophages and suggest that SHK
      acts during an early stage of LPS signaling. 

PMID- 27251499
TI  - Preparation of Angiopep-2 Peptide-Modified Bubble Liposomes for Delivery to the
      Brain.
AB  - In the development of therapeutic approaches for central nervous system diseases,
      a significant obstacle is efficient drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier
      owing to its low permeability. Various nanocarriers have been developed for brain
      targeted drug delivery by modification with specific ligands. We have previously
      developed polyethylene glycol-modified liposomes (Bubble liposomes [BLs]) that
      entrap ultrasound (US) contrast gas and can serve as both plasmid DNA or small
      interfering RNA carriers and US contrast agents. In this study, we attempted to
      prepare brain-targeting BLs modified with Angiopep-2 (Ang2) peptide (Ang2-BLs).
      Ang2 is expected to be a useful ligand for the efficient delivery of nanocarriers
      to the brain. We showed that Ang2-BLs interacted specifically with brain
      endothelial cells via low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1. We also
      confirmed that Ang2-BLs could entrap US contrast gas and had US imaging ability
      as well as unmodified BLs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Ang2-BLs accumulated
      in brain tissue after intravascular injection. These results suggested that Ang2
      BLs may be a useful tool for brain-targeted delivery and US imaging via systemic
      administration. 

PMID- 27251500
TI  - Effects of Constituent Compounds of Smilax china on Nicotine-Induced Endothelial
      Dysfunction in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.
AB  - This study investigated the effects of compounds isolated from 70% ethanol (EtOH)
      extraction of Smilax china L. (SCE), a plant belonging to the family Smilacaceae
      on nicotine-induced endothelial dysfunction (ED) in human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells. We isolated 10 compounds from ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction
      of 70% EtOH extract of SCE and investigated their inhibitory effect on nicotine
      induced ED in endothelial cells. Kaempferol, kaempferol 7-O-alpha-L
      rhamnopyranoside, puerarin and ferulic acid showed strong inhibition of nicotine
      induced vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) expression while kaempferol,
      kaempferin, and caffeic acid attenuated intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1)
      expression. Lepidoside, caffeic acid and methylsuccinic acid caused the highest
      up-regulated expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase at the protein level
      with caffeic acid and ferulic acid showing strong inhibitory effects on inducible
      nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. In addition, ferulic acid and kaempferol
      showed inhibition against interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)
      expression while ferulic acid and caffeic acid showed comparatively higher
      inhibition of ED associated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) expression.
      These results show the potential of the aforementioned compounds to reverse the
      toxic effects of nicotine on the endothelium. 

PMID- 27251501
TI  - Indirubin 3'-Epoxide Induces Caspase-Independent Cell Death in Human
      Neuroblastoma.
AB  - Indirubin inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases by binding to their ATP-binding site,
      thereby exerting potent cytotoxicity on some tumor cells. We examined the anti
      tumor effect of indirubin 3'-epoxide on human neuroblastoma cell lines (IMR-32,
      SK-N-SH, and NB-39). The results revealed potent cytotoxicity of indirubin 3'
      epoxide against the IMR-32 (IC50: 0.16 uM) and SK-N-SH (IC50: 0.07 uM) cells.
      Furthermore, it also induced an increase of the sub-G1 population in the IMR-32
      cells. Examination by Hoechst 33342 staining revealed apoptosis characterized by
      cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation and nuclear fragmentation in a concentration
      dependent manner. Furthermore, annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) double-staining
      revealed an increase in the percentage of early apoptotic cells following
      treatment of the cells with indirubin 3'-epoxide without activation of caspases.
      In addition, significant decreases in the protein level of survivin and poly(ADP
      ribose)polymerase (PARP), and increase in that of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF)
      were found in the nuclei of the cells. These results suggest that indirubin 3'
      epoxide induced caspase-independent apoptosis through mechanisms involving DNA
      fragmentation and inhibition of DNA repair. 

PMID- 27251502
TI  - Effect of a Ferric Citrate Formulation, a Phosphate Binder, on Oxidative Stress
      in Chronic Kidney Diseases-Mineral and Bone Disorder Patients Receiving
      Hemodialysis: A Pilot Study.
AB  - A ferric citrate formulation for treating hyperphosphatemia is a new therapeutic
      that not only suppresses the accumulation of phosphorus in patients with chronic
      kidney disease-mineral bone disorders (CKD-MBD), but also ameliorates anemia
      caused by iron deficiency. In contrast, it has been demonstrated that intravenous
      iron injection markedly increases oxidative stress. This study was designed to
      investigate the effect of a ferric citrate formulation on oxidative stress in CKD
      MBD patients receiving hemodialysis therapy. Fifteen CKD-MBD patients undergoing
      dialysis were enrolled in this study. The patients were orally administered a
      ferric citrate formulation for 6 months. Their plasma phosphorus concentrations
      remained unchanged with the switch from other phosphorus adsorbents to the ferric
      citrate formulation. In addition, the ferric citrate formulation generally
      allowed for dose reduction of an erythropoiesis stimulating agent with an
      increased hematopoietic effect. The average values of plasma ferritin level
      increased after the introduction of a ferric citrate formulation, but did not
      exceed 100 (ng/mL). Interestingly, oxidative stress markers did not increase
      significantly, and anti-oxidative capacity was not significantly decreased at 6
      months after the drug administration. Similarly, no change was observed in any
      inflammation markers. The ferric citrate formulation induces negligible oxidative
      stress in CKD-MBD patients receiving dialysis under the present clinical
      condition. 

PMID- 27251503
TI  - Prevention of Barrier Disruption by Heme Oxygenase-1 in Intestinal Bleeding
      Model.
AB  - In this study we investigated the effect of free heme, the local level of which
      was increased by bleeding, on the intestinal barrier function, using human
      epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2). Our results show that the
      addition of hemin to the culture medium markedly disrupted the barrier function,
      which was significantly improved by glutamine supplementation. Although hemin
      treatment caused the increased expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1, the
      inhibition of HO activity resulted in the aggravation of hemin-induced barrier
      dysfunction. Up-regulation of HO-1 by pretreatment with a low concentration of
      hemin almost completely prevented hemin-induced barrier dysfunction. Taken
      together, these observations indicate that an abnormally high level of
      intracellular free heme causes barrier dysfunction, probably through the
      modulation of proteins forming tight junctions. 

PMID- 27251504
TI  - Modeling and Simulation for Estimating the Influence of Renal Dysfunction on the
      Hypouricemic Effect of Febuxostat in Hyperuricemic Patients Due to Overproduction
      or Underexcretion of Uric Acid.
AB  - Whether renal dysfunction influences the hypouricemic effect of febuxostat, a
      xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor, in patients with hyperuricemia due to
      overproduction or underexcretion of uric acid (UA) remains unclear. We aimed to
      address this question with a modeling and simulation approach. The
      pharmacokinetics (PK) of febuxostat were analyzed using data from the literature.
      A kinetic model of UA was retrieved from a previous human study. Renal UA
      clearance was estimated as a function of creatinine clearance (CLcr) but non
      renal UA clearance was assumed constant. A reversible inhibition model for bovine
      XO was adopted. Integrating these kinetic formulas, we developed a PK
      pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model for estimating the time course of the hypouricemic
      effect of febuxostat as a function of baseline UA level, febuxostat dose,
      treatment duration, body weight, and CLcr. Using the Monte Carlo simulation
      method, we examined the performance of the model by comparing predicted UA levels
      with those reported in the literature. We also modified the models for
      application to hyperuricemia due to UA overproduction or underexcretion. Thirty
      nine data sets comprising 735 volunteers or patients were retrieved from the
      literature. A good correlation was observed between the hypouricemic effects of
      febuxostat estimated by our PK-PD model and those reported in the articles
      (observed) (r=0.89, p<0.001). The hypouricemic effect was estimated to be
      augmented in patients with renal dysfunction irrespective of the etiology of
      hyperuricemia. While validation in clinical studies is needed, the modeling and
      simulation approach may be useful for individualizing febuxostat doses in
      patients with various clinical characteristics. 

PMID- 27251505
TI  - Protective Effects of Ethyl Acetate Soluble Fraction of Limonium tetragonum on
      Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats.
AB  - Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is a potent toxic material that can cause necrosis and
      subsequent fibrosis in the liver. Based on the previously reported
      hepatoprotective effect of Limonium tetragonum against the proliferation of
      hepatic stellate cells, we tested the EtOAc soluble fraction of L. tetragonum
      extract (EALT) in a DEN-induced hepatotoxic rat model. The development of
      hepatotoxicity including mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis induced by
      intraperitoneal injections of DEN (70 mg/2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) per week) was
      observed at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the first DEN treatment. Administration of
      EALT (200 mg/kg body weight, per os (p.o.)) induced significant reductions in
      serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline
      phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and triglycerides (TG) in
      DEN-injected rats. Increased oxidative stress in DEN-induced liver fibrosis rats
      was diminished by EALT treatment through a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and
      increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD). Histologic findings that included
      markedly attenuated mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis could be observed
      in liver samples from the EALT-treated groups. An extract of Hovenia dulcis fruit
      and Sylimarin were used as positive controls. The present study provides direct
      experimental evidence for EALT attenuated hepatic injury and fibrosis in DEN
      treated mice. The L. tetragonum EtOAc fraction might be useful in treating
      fibrotic liver diseases. 

PMID- 27251506
TI  - Methyl-beta-Cyclodextrin Impairs the Monocyte-Adhering Ability of Endothelial
      Cells by Down-Regulating Adhesion Molecules and Caveolae and Reorganizing the
      Actin Cytoskeleton.
AB  - Due to its powerful ability to deplete cholesterol from the plasma membrane of
      cells, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD) has been widely used as a putative
      research tool in cell biology. Recently, recruiting MbetaCD as an effective drug
      (e.g., antitumor drugs) has been developed. However, it remains unclear whether
      MbetaCD, when it enters the blood circulation as a drug, influences the functions
      of the endothelium, e.g., the adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium. In this
      study, we found that MbetaCD can impair the adhesion of monocytes to the
      monolayer of endothelial cells by lowering the cell-surface adhesive force and
      expression of adhesion molecules and caveolae-related molecules on/in endothelial
      cells, and reorganizing the actin cytoskeleton of endothelial cells. The data
      imply that MbetaCD, when recruited as a drug, potentially helps to inhibit
      inflammation or initiation/progression of atherosclerosis since its important
      early step is the adhesion of circulating leukocytes (e.g., monocytes) to the
      endothelium. 

PMID- 27251507
TI  - Glucosamines Attenuate Bone Loss Due to Menopause by Regulating Osteoclast
      Function in Ovariectomized Mice.
AB  - The effect of glucosamine (GlcN) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) on bone
      metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) mice was studied. After 12 weeks of feeding
      with 0.2% GlcN and 0.2% GlcNAc, the femoral bone mineral density in OVX mice was
      significantly increased compared with that in OVX mice fed the control diet.
      Histomorphometric analysis of the tibia indicated that the rates of osteogenesis
      and bone resorption were reduced due to the GlcN diet. The erosion depth of
      osteoclasts on the tibia in GlcN- and GlcNAc-fed OVX mice was significantly lower
      than that in the control OVX mice. The number of tartrate-resistant acid
      phosphatase-positive osteoclasts induced from bone marrow stem cells isolated
      from GlcN-fed OVX mice was significantly lower than that from control OVX mice. A
      loss of uterine weight and higher serum calcium concentration in the GlcN- and
      GlcNAc-fed OVX mice were observed. The results suggest that the intake of GlcN
      suppresses bone loss by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and activity in a
      nonestrogenic manner. 

PMID- 27251508
TI  - Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice Is Prevented by Pretreatment
      with Zinc Sulfate.
AB  - Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is commonly used as a chemical inducer of
      experimental liver injury. In addition, many studies showed that CCl4 can induce
      kidney damage. In the current study, we evaluated the protective effect of zinc
      (Zn) against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity. We hypothesized that this protective
      effect would result from the ability of Zn to serve as an inducer of
      metallothionein (MT), a known endogenous scavenger of free radicals. We
      administered Zn (as ZnSO4) 50 mg/kg subcutaneously once daily for 3 successive
      days prior to a single intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 4 g/kg in male ddY
      mice. Our results showed that Zn pretreatment significantly decreased creatinine
      and blood urea nitrogen levels and reduced renal histopathological damage at 6 h
      post-CCl4 injection, observations consistent with enhanced antioxidative activity
      in the kidney. Moreover, kidney MT levels in the Zn+CCl4-treated group decreased
      by greater than 70% compared with levels in the Zn-alone group, implying that MT
      was consumed by CCl4-induced radicals. These findings suggest that prophylaxis
      with Zn protects mice from CCl4-induced acute nephrotoxicity, presumably by
      induction of MT, which in turn scavenges radicals induced by CCl4 exposure. 

PMID- 27251509
TI  - Potentiation of Methylmercury-Induced Death in Rat Cerebellar Granular Neurons
      Occurs by Further Decrease of Total Intracellular GSH with BDNF via TrkB in
      Vitro.
AB  - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a principal factor for neurogenesis,
      neurodevelopment and neural survival through a BDNF receptor, tropomyosin-related
      kinase (Trk) B, while BDNF can also cause a decrease in the intracellular
      glutathione (GSH) level. We investigated the exacerbation of methylmercury
      induced death of rat cerebellar granular neurons (CGNs) by BDNF in vitro. Since
      methylmercury can decrease intracellular GSH levels, we hypothesized that a
      further decrease of the intracellular GSH level is involved in the process of the
      exacerbation of neuronal cell death. In the present study, we established that in
      CGN culture, a decrease of the intracellular GSH level was further potentiated
      with BDNF in the process of the methylmercury-induced neuronal death and also in
      GSH reducer-induced neuronal death. BDNF treatment promoted the decrease in GSH
      levels induced by methylmercury and also by L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and
      diethyl maleate (DEM). The promoting effect of BDNF was observed in a TrkB-vector
      transformant of the rat neuroblastoma B35 cell line but not in the mock-vector
      transformant. These results indicate that the exacerbating effect of BDNF on
      methylmercury-induced neuronal death in cultures of CGNs includes a further
      decrease of intracellular GSH levels, for which TrkB is essential. 

PMID- 27251510
TI  - Protective Effect of Dimethyl Fumarate on an Oxidative Stress Model Induced by
      Sodium Nitroprusside in Mice.
AB  - Recent reports have shown that dimethyl fumarate (DMF) prevents brain damage
      induced by intracerebral hemorrhage and this beneficial effect is mediated by the
      nuclear erythroid 2 p45-related factor-2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE)
      pathway. However, the downstream mechanism underlying the activation of the Nrf2
      ARE pathway is unclear. Here, we investigated the protective effect of DMF using
      an in vivo model of oxidative stress induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and
      rat primary striatal cultures. Oral administration of DMF prevented SNP-induced
      motor dysfunction. Pre-administration of DMF (60-200 mg/kg) for 24 h dose
      dependently protected against brain damage induced by the striatal injection of
      SNP. Next, we investigated the protective effect and mechanism of DMF against
      oxidative stress using rat primary striatal cell cultures. Treatment of striatal
      cells with DMF (10 uM) markedly prevented hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity.
      The protective effect of DMF against oxidative stress in vitro was inhibited by
      zinc protoporphyrin IX, an inhibitor of heme oxygenase-1, but not by buthionine
      sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. These results suggest that
      the activation of heme oxygenase-1 plays an important role in the protective
      effect of DMF. 

PMID- 27251511
TI  - Regulation of Human Kv1.4 Channel Activity by the Antidepressant Metergoline.
AB  - Metergoline is an ergot-derived psychoactive drug that is a ligand for various
      serotonin and dopamine receptors. Little is known about the effect of metergoline
      on different types of receptors and ion channels. Potassium channels are the most
      diverse group of ion channels. Kv1.4, a shaker family K channel alpha subunit, is
      one of a family of voltage gated K channels that mediates transient and rapid
      inactivating A-type currents and N-type inactivation. We demonstrated previously
      that metergoline inhibited the activity of neuronal voltage-dependent Na(+)
      channels in Xenopus laevis oocytes (Acta Pharmacol. Sin., 35, 2014, Lee et al.).
      In this study, we sought to elucidate the regulatory effects underlying
      metergoline-induced human Kv1.4 channel inhibition. We used the two electrode
      voltage-clamp (TEVC) technique to investigate the effect of metergoline on human
      Kv1.4 channel currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human Kv1.4 alpha
      subunits. Interestingly, metergoline treatment also induced inhibition of peak
      currents in human Kv1.4 channels in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of
      peak currents of hKv1.4 currents was 3.6+/-0.6 uM. These results indicate that
      metergoline might regulate the human Kv1.4 channel activity that is expressed in
      X. laevis oocytes. Further, this regulation of potassium currents by metergoline
      might be one of the pharmacological actions of metergoline-mediated
      psychoactivity. 

PMID- 27251512
TI  - Vaccination with Antigen Combined with alphabeta-ATP as a Vaccine Adjuvant
      Enhances Antigen-Specific Antibody Production via Dendritic Cell Activation.
AB  - Adjuvants are required to enhance antigen-specific immune responses by vaccines.
      Extracellular ATP serves as a danger signal to alert the immune system of tissue
      damage by acting on P2X and P2Y receptors and triggers the activation of
      dendritic cells (DCs). Here we investigated the in vivo adjuvant efficacy of
      alpha,beta-methylene-ATP (alphabeta-ATP), a non-hydrolysable form of ATP. We
      found that intradermal injection of ovalbumin (OVA), as a model antigen, combined
      with alphabeta-ATP, as the adjuvant, enhanced OVA-specific immune responses more
      than OVA alone. Additionally, DCs in the skin of mice injected with OVA and
      alphabeta-ATP had increased expression of major histocompatibility complex class
      II and co-stimulator molecules, CD40, CD80, and CD86, suggesting that alphabeta
      ATP activated DC. These findings indicate that alphabeta-ATP functions as a
      potent vaccine adjuvant. 

PMID- 27251513
TI  - Locomotor-Reducing Activity of Sesquiterpenes Related to Zingiber zerumbet
      Essential Oil and Hexahydrozerumbone Derivatives.
AB  - Zerumbone derivatives 1-4 are 11-membered cyclic compounds synthesised from a
      sesquiterpene zerumbone obtained from the rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet SMITH
      (Zingiberaceae). In this study, we investigated the locomotor-reducing effects of
      hexahydrozerumbone derivatives 1-3 and zerumbol 4, and those of beta
      caryophyllene 5 and caryophyllene oxide 6, which are present in Z. zerumbet
      essential oil. The absence of the double bond at C6 weakened the locomotor
      reducing effects. beta-Caryophyllene 5 and caryophyllene oxide 6 showed locomotor
      reducing effects in mice at 4.5*10(-3) mg/cage. Moreover, locomotor activity
      increased significantly at 0.45 mg/cage of caryophyllene oxide 6. 

PMID- 27251514
TI  - Drug preparation, injection, and sharing practices in Tajikistan: a qualitative
      study in Kulob and Khorog.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sharing injection equipment remains an important rout of transmission
      of HIV and HCV infections in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
      Tajikistan is one of the most affected countries with high rates of injection
      drug use and related epidemics.The aim of this qualitative study was to describe
      drug use practices and related behaviors in two Tajik cities - Kulob and Khorog.
      METHODS: Twelve focus group discussions (6 per city) with 100 people who inject
      drugs recruited through needle and syringe program (NSP) outreach in May 2014.
      Topics covered included specific drugs injected, drug prices and purity, access
      to sterile equipment, safe injection practices and types of syringes and needles
      used. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 10 software.
      RESULTS: All participants were male and ranged in age from 20 to 78 years.
      Thematic analysis showed that cheap Afghan heroin, often adulterated by dealers
      with other admixtures, was the only drug injected. Drug injectors often added
      Dimedrol (Diphenhydramine) to increase the potency of "low quality" heroin. NSPs
      were a major source of sterile equipment. Very few participants report direct
      sharing of needles and syringes. Conversely, many participants reported preparing
      drugs jointly and sharing injection paraphernalia. Using drugs in an outdoor
      setting and experiencing withdrawal were major contributors to sharing equipment,
      using non-sterile water, not boiling and not filtering the drug solution.
      CONCLUSION: Qualitative research can provide insights into risk behaviors that
      may be missed in quantitative studies. These finding have important implications
      for planning risk reduction interventions in Tajikistan. Prevention should
      specifically focus on indirect sharing practices.

PMID- 27251515
TI  - Surgical treatment options for septic arthritis of the hip in children.
AB  - Septic arthritis is the result of bacterial infection of the hip joint and is
      often found in infants and toddlers. It is the most common septic joint condition
      during growth and may cause the most devastating complications without prompt and
      proper treatment. Early diagnosis and intervention are required to avoid
      irreversible complications. This review documents the systematic approach to
      diagnosis and management of septic arthritis in children. 

PMID- 27251516
TI  - Labial adhesion in children at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Labial adhesion is one of the most common reasons for gynaecologic
      consultations in children. We sought to determine the prevalence of labial
      adhesions, mode of presentation and treatment in children at the Jos University
      Teaching Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of labial
      adhesions in children from January 2004 to December 2013. Data on paediatric
      gynaecological consultations, and labial adhesions were retrieved from the
      gynaecological clinic and the theatre records. The case notes of those with
      labial adhesions were retrieved and the relevant data extracted. RESULTS: The
      total number of paediatric patients seen at the gynaecology clinic over the study
      period was 379 and 25 had labial adhesion (6.6%). The majority (88%) presented in
      the first 2 years of life, all the patients were asymptomatic, and 2 (8%) had
      surgical separation of the adhesions while the rest were managed conservatively.
      A total of 5 (20%) came for follow-up. While 2 (8%) came a week later following
      surgical management, 3 (12%) came back more than 6 months later due to recurrence
      following conservative management. CONCLUSION: Labial adhesions account for
      significant proportion of paediatric gynaecologic consultations. They are usually
      asymptomatic, occur in the first 2 years of life and frequently managed
      conservatively.

PMID- 27251517
TI  - Topical tranexamic acid as a novel treatment for bleeding peptic ulcer: A
      randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcers are among the most common causes of upper
      gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in children. The standard care for GI bleeding is
      endoscopy for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We aimed to assess the effect
      of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) via endoscopic procedures in children with GI
      bleeding caused by bleeding ulcers. PROCEDURE: In this randomised controlled
      trial, 120 children were evaluated by diagnostic procedures for GI bleeding, of
      which 63 (30 girls, 33 boys) aged 1-month to 15 years were recruited. The
      patients were randomly divided into case and control groups. In the case group,
      TXA was administered directly under endoscopic therapy. In the control group,
      epinephrine (1/10,000) was submucosally injected to the four quadrants of ulcer
      margins as the routine endoscopic therapy. In both groups, the patients received
      supportive medical therapy with intravenous fluids and proton pump inhibitor
      drugs. RESULTS: The mean +/- standard deviation age of the children was 5 +/-
      2.03 years. Rebleeding occurred in 15 (11.4%) and 21 (9.8%) patients in the case
      and control groups, respectively (P = 0.50). The frequency of blood transfusion
      episodes (P = 0.06) and duration of hospital stay (P = 0.07) were not
      statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Using topical TXA via
      endoscopic procedures may be effective in cases of GI bleedings caused by active
      bleeding ulcers. In order to establish this therapeutic effect, a large number of
      clinical studies are needed.

PMID- 27251518
TI  - Correlation between adenoidal nasopharyngeal ratio and symptoms of enlarged
      adenoids in children with adenoidal hypertrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adenoid hypertrophy is one of the most common health problems
      affecting the paediatric population. This study aims to correlate adenoidal
      nasopharyngeal ratio (ANR) with symptoms of enlarged adenoids in children with
      enlarged adenoids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a year, cross-sectional,
      hospital-based study conducted at Lautech Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. ANR was
      determined by dividing adenoidal depth with nasopharyngeal depth on the plain
      lateral radiographs. RESULTS: A total of 90 consecutive children consisting of 61
      males and 29 females were included in the study with M:F ratio of 2.1:1. Their
      ages ranged from 8 months to 11 years. All the patients presented with nasal
      obstruction, mouth breathing and noisy breathing. Majority (64.5%) had severe
      obstructions with preponderance among children of 3-5 years (39.9%). Linear
      regression analysis showed significant association between age and ANR (t =
      10.447, P < 0.001). There was high significant association (P < 0.05) between
      presenting symptoms and degree of nasopharyngeal airway obstruction; for snoring
      (r = 0.251, P = 0.000), sleep apnoea (r = 0.594, P = 0.000), nasal discharge (r =
      0.314, P = 0.001), excessive daytime sleepiness (r = 0.219, P = 0.019) and
      failure to thrive (r = 0.240, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Lateral X-ray of the
      nasopharynx is an effective tool to evaluate children with suspected adenoid
      hypertrophy. It correlates well with patients' symptoms and provides objective
      measures of adenoid hypertrophy.

PMID- 27251519
TI  - One-stage vs. three-stage repair in anorectal malformation with rectovestibular
      fistula.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anorectal malformations (ARMs) disease is one of the congenital
      anomalies with an incidence of about 1 in 5000 neonate births, and treatment
      requires surgical intervention. Selecting the one- or three-step surgical
      procedure to treat the disease, especially in female neonates with
      rectovestibular fistula, is a subject of debate. This study aims to compare the
      advantages and disadvantages of these two methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty
      female neonates with ARM and rectovestibular fistula between March 2011 and March
      2013 were included in the study, and they were divided into two equal groups.
      Allocation of the first case was random, and all cases were then allocated
      alternatively (every other subject was assigned to a treatment group) until each
      group received 20 cases equally patients of study group underwent a one-stage
      posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) and in control group patients underwent
      a three-stage operation (colostomy, PSARP, and closure of colostomy). The
      complications during and after the surgery were recorded in both groups, and the
      results were compared. RESULTS: In the control group, only one case (5%) of wound
      infection and dehiscence was seen, whereas in the one-stage study group, six
      cases (30%) of wound infection and dehiscence were seen (P value = 0.046).
      However, regarding the incidence of other complications, such as iatrogenic
      vaginal injury as well as final recovery, no considerable differences were seen
      between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite more surgical site infections and
      dehiscence in the one-stage repair, but due to the numerous advantages compared
      to the three-stage method, which is more time-consuming, more costly, and causes
      more adverse effect on parents and children, performing the one-stage repair is
      recommended for this anomaly.

PMID- 27251520
TI  - Comparison of trans-perineal ultrasound-guided pressure augmented saline
      colostomy distension study and conventional contrast radiographic colostography
      in children with anorectal malformation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In children with high and intermediate anorectal malformation, distal
      colostography is an important investigation done to determine the relationship
      between the position of the rectal pouch and the probable site of the neo-anus as
      well as the presence or absence of a fistula. Conventionally, this is done using
      contrast with fluoroscopy or still X-ray imaging. This, however, has the
      challenges of irradiation, availability and affordability, especially in
      developing countries. This study compared the accuracy of trans-perineal
      ultrasound-guided pressure augmented saline colostomy distension study (SCDS)
      with conventional contrast distal colostography (CCDC) in the determination of
      the precise location of the distal rectal pouch and in detecting the presence and
      site of fistulous communication between the rectum and the urogenital tract was
      studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Trans-perineal ultrasound-guided pressure
      augmented SCDS, CCDC and intra-operative measurements were done sequentially for
      qualified infants with anorectal malformation and colostomy. Pouch skin distance
      and presence or absence of recto urinary or genital fistula was measured
      prospectively in each case. Statistical significance was inferred at P-value of
      <0.01. RESULTS: There were thirteen infants, 9 males and 4 females. The age at
      onset of investigation ranged from 2 to 12 months with a median value of 9
      months. Using paired t-test at a confidence interval of 95%, the P value when
      SCDS values are compared with CCDC is 0.19; and 0.06 when SCDS was compared with
      intra-operative measurements. Hence, there is no statistical difference as P >
      0.01. On its ability to detect presence or absence of a fistula: SCDS had a
      sensitivity of 50.0%, specificity of 100.0%, accuracy of 69.2%, negative
      predictive value of fistulas of 55.6% and a positive predictive value of fistulas
      of 100.0%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided pressure augmented SCDS can safely and
      reliably be used to assess the distal colonic anatomy and the presence of fistula
      in infants with Anorectal malformation who are on colostomy.

PMID- 27251521
TI  - Forgotten/retained double J ureteric stents: A source of severe morbidity in
      children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increase in the usage of double J (DJ) ureteral stents in the
      management of a variety of urinary tract disease processes mandates familiarity
      with these devices, their consequences and their potential complications, which
      at times can be devastating. We retrospectively reviewed our series of children
      with forgotten/retained DJ ureteric stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital
      records of all patients' <18 years old who underwent removal of
      forgotten/retained DJ ureteral stent at our hospital were reviewed for age,
      gender, indication for insertion of DJ stent, duration of stent insertion,
      radiological images and surgical procedures performed. RESULTS: During the study
      period, January 2000 to December 2014 (a 15-year period), a total of 14 children
      underwent removal of forgotten/retained DJ ureteral stent. A combination of
      extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, cystolitholapaxy and percutaneous
      nephrolithotomy was done to free the DJ stent and extract it. CONCLUSIONS:
      Forgotten/retained stents in children are a source of severe morbidity,
      additional/unnecessary hospitalisation and definitely financial strain.

PMID- 27251522
TI  - Umbilical only access laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children: Preliminary report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the past three decades, laparoscopic surgery has become a well
      established alternative to open surgery in the management of ureteropelvic
      junction (UPJ) obstruction. Currently, several efforts are being made, aimed at
      further reducing the morbidity associated with conventional laparoscopy. We
      report our experience with modified umbilical port laparoscopic pyeloplasty in
      children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children presenting with hydronephrosis
      secondary to UPJ obstruction formed the study group. A 5 mm endoscopic port was
      placed on the inferior umbilical crease. The two 3 mm instruments were introduced
      through puncture sites created a few mm superior and lateral to the endoscopic
      port, under vision. Total operating time, the time taken for insertion of double
      pigtail catheter, time taken for pyeloplasty anastomosis and complications were
      noted. RESULTS: During the study period, 16 children underwent modified umbilical
      only access laparoscopic pyeloplasty. The total operating time and the time for
      insertion of double pigtail catheter were significantly more in our earlier half
      of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Modified umbilical port laparoscopic pyeloplasty reduces
      the morbidity associated with conventional multiport laparoscopy without the need
      of expensive multichannel cannulas, curved laparoscopic instruments and longer
      laparoscopic endoscopes. Though crossing instruments are a factor which prolongs
      the duration of surgery, it does not hinder complex suturing needed during
      pyeloplasty.

PMID- 27251523
TI  - Endoscopic removal of impacted oesophageal foreign body: A case report and a
      review of literature.
AB  - Foreign body (FB) impaction in the oesophagus is fairly common in paediatric
      Gastroenterology practice. This study aims to describe a case of an unusually
      impacted button lithium battery, in the mid-oesophagus of a 7-year-old child that
      was confirmed, and removed during oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. A 7-year-old male
      child, presented at the Emergency Paediatric Unit of our hospital with a history
      of ingestion of a button-like metallic object. A plain soft tissue X-ray of the
      neck and chest, however, revealed a dense round object located at the sternal
      angle of Louis. The object was dislodged and identified as a flat lithium battery
      after an oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, carried out under general anaesthesia using
      a flexible forward-viewing video gastroscope. The button battery was subsequently
      passed in faeces. Endoscopic removal of impacted oesophageal FBs under general
      anaesthesia is an effective and safe procedure in children in experienced hands. 

PMID- 27251524
TI  - Early diagnosis of post-varicella necrotising fasciitis: A medical and surgical
      emergency.
AB  - Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is an extremely rare complication of a rather common
      paediatric viral exanthem varicella. Delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to
      significant morbidity and mortality. Laboratory risk indicator of NF score aids
      in early clinical diagnosis in suspected cases of post-varicella NF thus enabling
      timely intervention. Surgery delayed for more than 24 hours, is an independent
      risk factor for death. Surgical debridement with good antibiotic coverage is the
      definitive treatment for NF. 

PMID- 27251525
TI  - Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Meckel's diverticulum and malrotation in a 3
      month-old infant.
AB  - Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a common developmental anomaly that
      usually presents in the neonatal period. It is known to be associated with
      cardiac, renal, genital and chromosomal anomalies. Late presentation of CDH
      (beyond 1-month of age) is seen in 13% of the cases. Malrotation is reported in
      42% of CDH cases. We report a case of a 3-month-old infant with concurrent CDH,
      Meckel's diverticulum and malrotation. This is the first case report of such an
      association in an infant. 

PMID- 27251526
TI  - Oesophageal pseudodiverticulum after foregut duplication cyst excision: Case
      report and literature review.
AB  - Oesophageal pseudodiverticula rarely occur after excision of benign oesophageal
      neoplasms. While management and outcomes have been reported in the adult
      leiomyoma literature, sparse data exist on the occurrence and management of
      pseudodiverticula after foregut duplication cyst excision. We discuss our
      experience with a paediatric patient and review relevant literature regarding
      operative techniques and surgical outcomes. 

PMID- 27251527
TI  - Congenital hernias and hydrocele: Importance of age.

PMID- 27251528
TI  - Pre-impact fall detection.
AB  - Pre-impact fall detection has been proposed to be an effective fall prevention
      strategy. In particular, it can help activate on-demand fall injury prevention
      systems (e.g. inflatable hip protectors) prior to fall impacts, and thus directly
      prevent the fall-related physical injuries. This paper gave a systematical review
      on pre-impact fall detection, and focused on the following aspects of the
      existing pre-impact fall detection research: fall detection apparatus, fall
      detection indicators, fall detection algorithms, and types of falls for fall
      detection evaluation. In addition, the performance of the existing pre-impact
      fall detection solutions were also reviewed and reported in terms of their
      sensitivity, specificity, and detection/lead time. This review also summarized
      the limitations in the existing pre-impact fall detection research, and proposed
      future research directions in this field. 

PMID- 27251529
TI  - Universal stress protein HRU1 mediates ROS homeostasis under anoxia.
AB  - Plant survival is greatly impaired when oxygen levels are limiting, such as
      during flooding or when anatomical constraints limit oxygen diffusion. Oxygen
      sensing in Arabidopsis thaliana is mediated by Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF)
      VII transcription factors, which control a core set of hypoxia- and anoxia
      responsive genes responsible for metabolic acclimation to low-oxygen conditions.
      Anoxic conditions also induce genes related to reactive oxygen species (ROS).
      Whether the oxygen-sensing machinery coordinates ROS production under anoxia has
      remained unclear. Here we show that a low-oxygen-responsive universal stress
      protein (USP), Hypoxia Responsive Universal Stress Protein 1 (HRU1), is induced
      by RAP2.12 (Related to Apetala 2.12), an ERF-VII protein, and modulates ROS
      production in Arabidopsis. We found that HRU1 is strongly induced by submergence,
      but that this induction is abolished in plants lacking RAP2.12. Mutation of HRU1
      through transfer DNA (T-DNA) insertion alters hydrogen peroxide production, and
      reduces tolerance to submergence and anoxia. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular
      fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analyses reveal that HRU1 interacts with
      proteins that induce ROS production, the GTPase ROP2 and the NADPH oxidase RbohD,
      pointing to the existence of a low-oxygen-specific mechanism for the modulation
      of ROS levels. We propose that HRU1 coordinates oxygen sensing with ROS
      signalling under anoxic conditions. 

PMID- 27251530
TI  - Regulation of resource exchange in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.
AB  - Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are one of the most important groups of plant
      symbionts. These fungi provide mineral nutrients to plants in exchange for
      carbon. Although substantial amounts of resources are exchanged, the factors that
      regulate trade in the AM symbiosis are poorly understood. Recent evidence for the
      reciprocally regulated exchange of resources by AM fungi and plants has led to
      the suggestion that these symbioses operate according to biological market
      dynamics, in which interactions are viewed from an economic perspective, and the
      most beneficial partners are favoured. Here we present five arguments that
      challenge the importance of reciprocally regulated exchange, and thereby market
      dynamics, for resource exchange in the AM symbiosis, and suggest that such
      reciprocity is only found in a subset of symbionts, under specific conditions. We
      instead propose that resource exchange in the AM symbiosis is determined by
      competition for surplus resources, functional diversity and sink strength. 

PMID- 27251532
TI  - Visualizing the dynamic structure of the plant photosynthetic membrane.
AB  - The chloroplast thylakoid membrane is the site for the initial steps of
      photosynthesis that convert solar energy into chemical energy, ultimately
      powering almost all life on earth. The heterogeneous distribution of protein
      complexes within the membrane gives rise to an intricate three-dimensional
      structure that is nonetheless extremely dynamic on a timescale of seconds to
      minutes. These dynamics form the basis for the regulation of photosynthesis, and
      therefore the adaptability of plants to different environments. High-resolution
      microscopy has in recent years begun to provide new insights into the structural
      dynamics underlying a number of regulatory processes such as membrane stacking,
      photosystem II repair, photoprotective energy dissipation, state transitions and
      alternative electron transfer. Here we provide an overview of the essentials of
      thylakoid membrane structure in plants, and consider how recent advances, using a
      range of microscopies, have substantially increased our knowledge of the
      thylakoid dynamic structure. We discuss both the successes and limitations of the
      currently available techniques and highlight newly emerging microscopic methods
      that promise to move the field beyond the current 'static' view of membrane
      organization based on frozen snapshots to a 'live' view of functional membranes
      imaged under native aqueous conditions at ambient temperature and responding
      dynamically to external stimuli. 

PMID- 27251531
TI  - Woody biomass production lags stem-girth increase by over one month in coniferous
      forests.
AB  - Wood is the main terrestrial biotic reservoir for long-term carbon
      sequestration(1), and its formation in trees consumes around 15% of anthropogenic
      carbon dioxide emissions each year(2). However, the seasonal dynamics of woody
      biomass production cannot be quantified from eddy covariance or satellite
      observations. As such, our understanding of this key carbon cycle component, and
      its sensitivity to climate, remains limited. Here, we present high-resolution
      cellular based measurements of wood formation dynamics in three coniferous forest
      sites in northeastern France, performed over a period of 3 years. We show that
      stem woody biomass production lags behind stem-girth increase by over 1 month. We
      also analyse more general phenological observations of xylem tissue formation in
      Northern Hemisphere forests and find similar time lags in boreal, temperate,
      subalpine and Mediterranean forests. These time lags question the extension of
      the equivalence between stem size increase and woody biomass production to intra
      annual time scales(3, 4, 5, 6). They also suggest that these two growth processes
      exhibit differential sensitivities to local environmental conditions. Indeed, in
      the well-watered French sites the seasonal dynamics of stem-girth increase
      matched the photoperiod cycle, whereas those of woody biomass production closely
      followed the seasonal course of temperature. We suggest that forecasted changes
      in the annual cycle of climatic factors(7) may shift the phase timing of stem
      size increase and woody biomass production in the future. 

PMID- 27251533
TI  - Arabidopsis D6PK is a lipid domain-dependent mediator of root epidermal planar
      polarity.
AB  - Development of diverse multicellular organisms relies on coordination of single
      cell polarities within the plane of the tissue layer (planar polarity). Cell
      polarity often involves plasma membrane heterogeneity generated by accumulation
      of specific lipids and proteins into membrane subdomains. Coordinated hair
      positioning along Arabidopsis root epidermal cells provides a planar polarity
      model in plants, but knowledge about the functions of proteo-lipid domains in
      planar polarity signalling remains limited. Here we show that Rho-of-plant (ROP)
      2 and 6, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase 3 (PIP5K3), DYNAMIN-RELATED
      PROTEIN (DRP) 1A and DRP2B accumulate in a sterol-enriched, polar membrane domain
      during root hair initiation. DRP1A, DRP2B, PIP5K3 and sterols are required for
      planar polarity and the AGCVIII kinase D6 PROTEIN KINASE (D6PK) is a modulator of
      this process. D6PK undergoes phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate- and sterol
      dependent basal-to-planar polarity switching into the polar, lipid-enriched
      domain just before hair formation, unravelling lipid-dependent D6PK localization
      during late planar polarity signalling. 

PMID- 27251534
TI  - Decentralized circadian clocks process thermal and photoperiodic cues in specific
      tissues.
AB  - The circadian clock increases organisms' fitness by regulating physiological
      responses(1). In mammals, the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus
      (SCN) governs daily behavioural rhythms(2). Similarly, in Arabidopsis, tissue
      specific circadian clock functions have emerged, and the importance of the
      vasculature clock for photoperiodic flowering has been demonstrated(3-5).
      However, it remains unclear if the vasculature clock regulates the majority of
      physiological responses, like the SCN in mammals, and if other environmental
      signals are also processed by the vasculature clock. Here, we studied the
      involvement of tissue-specific circadian clock regulation of flowering and cell
      elongation under different photoperiods and temperatures. We found that the
      circadian clock in vascular phloem companion cells is essential for photoperiodic
      flowering regulation; by contrast, the epidermis has a crucial impact on ambient
      temperature-dependent cell elongation. Thus, there are clear assignments of roles
      among circadian clocks in each tissue. Our results reveal that, unlike the more
      centralized circadian clock in mammals, the plant circadian clock is
      decentralized, where each tissue specifically processes individual environmental
      cues and regulates individual physiological responses. Our new conceptual
      framework will be a starting point for deciphering circadian clock functions in
      each tissue, which will lead to a better understanding of how circadian clock
      processing of environmental signals may be affected by ongoing climate change(6).

PMID- 27251535
TI  - Three geographically separate domestications of Asian rice.
AB  - Domesticated rice (Oryza sativa L.) accompanied the dawn of Asian civilization(1)
      and has become one of world's staple crops. From archaeological and genetic
      evidence various contradictory scenarios for the origin of different varieties of
      cultivated rice have been proposed, the most recent based on a single
      domestication(2,3). By examining the footprints of selection in the genomes of
      different cultivated rice types, we show that there were three independent
      domestications in different parts of Asia. We identify wild populations in
      southern China and the Yangtze valley as the source of the japonica gene pool,
      and populations in Indochina and the Brahmaputra valley as the source of the
      indica gene pool. We reveal a hitherto unrecognized origin for the aus variety in
      central India or Bangladesh. We also conclude that aromatic rice is a result of a
      hybridization between japonica and aus, and that the tropical and temperate
      versions of japonica are later adaptations of one crop. Our conclusions are in
      accord with archaeological evidence that suggests widespread origins of rice
      cultivation(1,4). We therefore anticipate that our results will stimulate a more
      productive collaboration between genetic and archaeological studies of rice
      domestication, and guide utilization of genetic resources in breeding programmes
      aimed at crop improvement. 

PMID- 27251537
TI  - Circadian clocks: Who knows where the time goes.

PMID- 27251536
TI  - The extremophile Nicotiana benthamiana has traded viral defence for early vigour.
AB  - A single lineage of Nicotiana benthamiana is widely used as a model plant(1) and
      has been instrumental in making revolutionary discoveries about RNA interference
      (RNAi), viral defence and vaccine production. It is peerless in its
      susceptibility to viruses and its amenability in transiently expressing
      transgenes(2,3). These unparalleled characteristics have been associated both
      positively and negatively with a disruptive insertion in the RNA-dependent RNA
      polymerase 1 gene, Rdr1(4-6). For a plant so routinely used in research, the
      origin, diversity and evolution of the species, and the basis of its unusual
      abilities, have been relatively unexplored. Here, by comparison with wild
      accessions from across the spectrum of the species' natural distribution, we show
      that the laboratory strain of N. benthamiana is an extremophile originating from
      a population that has retained a mutation in Rdr1 for ~0.8 Myr and thereby traded
      its defence capacity for early vigour and survival in the extreme habitat of
      central Australia. Reconstituting Rdr1 activity in this isolate provided
      protection. Silencing the functional allele in a wild strain rendered it
      hypersusceptible and was associated with a doubling of seed size and enhanced
      early growth rate. These findings open the way to a deeper understanding of the
      delicate balance between protection and vigour. 

PMID- 27251538
TI  - Plant science and the food security agenda.

PMID- 27251539
TI  - Molecular Ecology: Trading defence for vigour.

PMID- 27251540
TI  - Tree physiology: Tracking tree carbon gain.

PMID- 27251541
TI  - Tree growth: Getting back up.

PMID- 27251542
TI  - Crop domestication: Baked beans.

PMID- 27251543
TI  - Ecology: Biocrusts buffer drought.

PMID- 27251545
TI  - Literary plants.

PMID- 27251544
TI  - Evolution: Symbiotic beginnings.

PMID- 27251546
TI  - Targeting asparagine and autophagy for pulmonary adenocarcinoma therapy.
AB  - The mounting number of patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma (ADCA) is subjected
      to poor prognosis and heavy mortality, which prompts us to explore new potential
      therapeutics for lung ADCA. Herein, we reported a novel approach for lung ADCA
      therapy by abolishing autophagy and asparagine. We demonstrated that deprivation
      of asparagine by asparaginase could induce significant cytotoxicity and apoptosis
      in A549 and H1975 cells. During this process, autophagy was triggered by the
      asparaginase treatment, characterized by the autophagic flux with three main
      stages including formation of autophagosomes, lysosomes fused with
      autophagosomes, and degradation of autophagosomes by lysosomes. Importantly,
      suppression of autophagy could notably enhance the cytotoxicity and accelerate
      the caspase 3-dependent apoptosis induced by asparaginase. Furthermore,
      suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) could attenuated both the
      cytotoxicity and autophagy induced by asparaginase, while inhibition of autophagy
      promoted the generation of ROS in A549 and H1975 cells, indicating the essential
      role of ROS in asparagine deprivation therapy in lung ADCA cells. Our results
      demonstrated that targeting cytoprotective autophagy and asparagine could
      potently kill the ADCA cells, which highlighted a novel approach for lung ADCA
      therapy in the clinics.

PMID- 27251547
TI  - Characterization of a novel enzyme-Starmerella bombicola lactone esterase (SBLE)
      responsible for sophorolipid lactonization.
AB  - We recently discovered a novel enzyme in the exoproteome of Starmerella
      bombicola, which is structurally related to Candida antarctica lipase A. A
      knockout strain for this enzyme does no longer produce lactonic sophorolipids,
      prompting us to believe that this protein is the missing S. bombicola lactone
      esterase (SBLE). SBLE catalyzes a rather unusual reaction, i.e., an
      intramolecular esterification (lactonization) of acidic sophorolipids in an
      aqueous environment, which raised questions about its activity and mode of
      action. Here, we report the heterologous production of this enzyme in Pichia
      pastoris and its purification in a two-step strategy. Purified recombinant SBLE
      (rSBLE) was used to perform HPLC and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
      (LCMS)-based assays with different sophorolipid mixtures. We experimentally
      confirmed that SBLE is able to perform ring closure of acetylated acidic
      sophorolipids. This substrate was selected for rSBLE kinetic studies to estimate
      the apparent values of K m . We established that rSBLE displays optimal activity
      in the pH range of 3.5 to 6 and has an optimal temperature in the range of 20 to
      50  degrees C. Additionally, we generated a rSBLE mutant through site-directed
      mutagenesis of Ser194 in the predicted active site pocket and show that this
      mutant is lacking the ability to lactonize sophorolipids. We therefore propose
      that SBLE operates via the common serine hydrolase mechanism in which the
      catalytic serine residue is assisted by a His/Asp pair.

PMID- 27251548
TI  - [Targeting abattoirs to control cystic echinococcosis in Algeria].
AB  - Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important anthropozoonotic parasitic common in
      Algeria. The predominant life cycle of E. granulosus is a synanthropic cycle with
      domestic dogs as definitive hosts and livestock animals as intermediate hosts.
      Slaughter activity represents a potential source for dogs to access infected
      offal. The aim of the present study was to determine if the contact between dogs
      and potentially infected offal was possible in licensed abattoirs. Eighty-one
      private and public abattoirs located in eastern Algeria were assessed with
      respect to their level of protection against the intrusion of dogs.We have
      demonstrated that in 42 % of these abattoirs, dogs could easily come in contact
      with potentially parasitized offal. The most common incorrect practices were the
      dumping of offal freely into the environment, the feeding of dogs with offal, and
      the leaving of unattended offal in an unsealed chamber. Overall, some hazardous
      practices remained common customs of workers, and enough abattoirs remain non
      compliant that the cattledog domestic cycle of CE is unlikely to be broken.
      Hence, some recommended measures to interrupt parasite transmission include the
      following: recognition of the importance of abattoirs in the maintenance of
      canine echinococcosis, the controlled and proper disposal of offal, the
      abolishment of the custom of feeding dogs with infected offal and improvements in
      the level of health education of abattoir staff. 

PMID- 27251549
TI  - Data-directed RNA secondary structure prediction using probabilistic modeling.
AB  - Structure dictates the function of many RNAs, but secondary RNA structure
      analysis is either labor intensive and costly or relies on computational
      predictions that are often inaccurate. These limitations are alleviated by
      integration of structure probing data into prediction algorithms. However,
      existing algorithms are optimized for a specific type of probing data. Recently,
      new chemistries combined with advances in sequencing have facilitated structure
      probing at unprecedented scale and sensitivity. These novel technologies and
      anticipated wealth of data highlight a need for algorithms that readily
      accommodate more complex and diverse input sources. We implemented and
      investigated a recently outlined probabilistic framework for RNA secondary
      structure prediction and extended it to accommodate further refinement of
      structural information. This framework utilizes direct likelihood-based
      calculations of pseudo-energy terms per considered structural context and can
      readily accommodate diverse data types and complex data dependencies. We use real
      data in conjunction with simulations to evaluate performances of several
      implementations and to show that proper integration of structural contexts can
      lead to improvements. Our tests also reveal discrepancies between real data and
      simulations, which we show can be alleviated by refined modeling. We then propose
      statistical preprocessing approaches to standardize data interpretation and
      integration into such a generic framework. We further systematically quantify the
      information content of data subsets, demonstrating that high reactivities are
      major drivers of SHAPE-directed predictions and that better understanding of less
      informative reactivities is key to further improvements. Finally, we provide
      evidence for the adaptive capability of our framework using mock probe
      simulations.

PMID- 27251550
TI  - Defects in THO/TREX-2 function cause accumulation of novel cytoplasmic mRNP
      granules that can be cleared by autophagy.
AB  - The nuclear THO and TREX-2 complexes are implicated in several steps of nuclear
      mRNP biogenesis, including transcription, 3' end processing and export. In a
      recent genomic microscopy screen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for mutants with
      constitutive stress granules, we identified that absence of THO and TREX-2
      complex subunits leads to the accumulation of Pab1-GFP in cytoplasmic foci. We
      now show that these THO/TREX-2 mutant induced foci ("TT foci") are not stress
      granules but instead are a mRNP granule containing poly(A)(+) mRNA, some mRNP
      components also found in stress granules, as well several proteins involved in
      mRNA 3' end processing and export not normally seen in stress granules. In
      addition, TT foci are resistant to cycloheximide-induced disassembly, suggesting
      the presence of mRNPs impaired for entry into translation. THO mutants also
      exhibit defects in normal stress granule assembly. Finally, our data also suggest
      that TT foci are targeted by autophagy. These observations argue that defects in
      nuclear THO and TREX-2 complexes can affect cytoplasmic mRNP function by
      producing aberrant mRNPs that are exported to cytosol, where they accumulate in
      TT foci and ultimately can be cleared by autophagy. This identifies a novel
      mechanism of quality control for aberrant mRNPs assembled in the nucleus.

PMID- 27251551
TI  - Physiological evidence for plasticity in glycolate/glycerate transport during
      photorespiration.
AB  - Photorespiration recycles fixed carbon following the oxygenation reaction of
      Ribulose, 1-5, carboxylase oxygenase (Rubisco). The recycling of photorespiratory
      C2 to C3 intermediates is not perfectly efficient and reduces photosynthesis in
      C3 plants. Recently, a plastidic glycolate/glycerate transporter (PLGG1) in
      photorespiration was identified in Arabidopsis thaliana, but it is not known how
      critical this transporter is for maintaining photorespiratory efficiency. We
      examined a mutant deficient in PLGG1 (plgg1-1) using modeling, gas exchange, and
      Rubisco biochemistry. Under low light (under 65 MUmol m(-2) s(-1) PAR), there was
      no difference in the quantum efficiency of CO2 assimilation or in the
      photorespiratory CO2 compensation point of plgg1-1, indicating that
      photorespiration proceeded with wild-type efficiency under sub-saturating light
      irradiances. Under saturating light irradiance (1200 MUmol m(-2) s(-1) PAR),
      plgg1-1 showed decreased CO2 assimilation that was explained by decreases in the
      maximum rate of Rubisco carboxylation and photosynthetic linear electron
      transport. Decreased rates of Rubisco carboxylation resulted from probable
      decreases in the Rubisco activation state. These results suggest that
      glycolate/glycerate transport during photorespiration can proceed in moderate
      rates through an alternative transport process with wild-type efficiencies. These
      findings also suggest that decreases in net CO2 assimilation that occur due to
      disruption to photorespiration can occur by decreases in Rubisco activity and not
      necessarily decreases in the recycling efficiency of photorespiration. 

PMID- 27251552
TI  - Intraventricular thrombolysis after endovascular treatment of a ruptured
      arteriovenous malformation.
AB  - Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) secondary to arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
      rupture carries significant morbidity and mortality. External ventricular
      drainage of IVH is frequently complicated by thrombus formation within the
      ventricular catheter and therefore often unsuccessful at treating hydrocephalus
      in this setting. Intraventricular administration of recombinant tissue-type
      plasminogen activator (rtPA) has proved successful in the treatment of
      spontaneous panventricular haemorrhage. However, usage of rtPA is contraindicated
      in the setting of a ruptured AVM or aneurysm in which the bleeding source has not
      been secured. There are only a few reports of intraventricular thrombolysis in
      the treatment of IVH from AVM rupture. We present the case of successful
      application of rtPA to treat IVH after endovascularly securing the haemorrhage
      site of the AVM. Intraventricular thrombolysis remains an option for the
      treatment of IVH in the setting of AVM rupture and should be considered on a case
      by-case basis.

PMID- 27251553
TI  - Development of an Emergency Medicine Simulation Fellowship Consensus Curriculum:
      Initiative of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Simulation Academy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There is currently no consolidated list of existing simulation
      fellowship programs in emergency medicine (EM). In addition, there are no
      universally accepted or expected standards for core curricular content. The
      objective of this project is to develop consensus-based core content for EM
      simulation fellowships to help frame the critical components of such training
      programs. METHODS: This paper delineates the process used to develop consensus
      curriculum content for EM simulation fellowships. EM simulation fellowship
      curricula were collected. Curricular content was reviewed and compiled by
      simulation experts and validated utilizing survey methodology, and consensus was
      obtained using a modified Delphi methodology. RESULTS: Fifteen EM simulation
      fellowship curricula were obtained and analyzed. Two rounds of a modified Delphi
      survey were conducted. The final proposed core curriculum content contains 47
      elements in nine domains with 14 optional elements. CONCLUSION: The proposed
      consensus content will provide current and future fellowships a foundation on
      which to build their own specific and detailed fellowship curricula. Such
      standardization will ultimately increase the transparency of training programs
      for future trainees and potential employers.

PMID- 27251554
TI  - Fish allergy in patients with parvalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E depends on
      parvalbumin content rather than molecular differences in the protein among fish
      species.
AB  - Allergenic characteristics of purified parvalbumins from different fish species
      have not been thoroughly investigated. We revealed that purified parvalbumins
      from nine different fish species have identical IgE-reactivities and high cross
      reactivities. We also showed that fish allergenicity is associated with the
      parvalbumin content of the fish species, rather than species-specific differences
      in the molecular characteristics of the individual parvalbumin proteins. 

PMID- 27251555
TI  - Parathyroid adenomas: a potential source of pitfalls for thyroid FNA cytology.

PMID- 27251556
TI  - Economic evaluation of the breast cancer screening programme in the Basque
      Country: retrospective cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer screening in the Basque Country has shown 20 %
      reduction of the number of BC deaths and an acceptable overdiagnosis level (4 %
      of screen detected BC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the breast cancer
      early detection programme in the Basque Country in terms of retrospective cost
      effectiveness and budget impact from 1996 to 2011. METHODS: A discrete event
      simulation model was built to reproduce the natural history of breast cancer
      (BC). We estimated for lifetime follow-up the total cost of BC (screening,
      diagnosis and treatment), as well as quality-adjusted life years (QALY), for
      women invited to participate in the evaluated programme during the 15-year period
      in the actual screening scenario and in a hypothetical unscreened scenario. An
      incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated with the use of aggregated
      costs. Besides, annual costs were considered for budget impact analysis. Both
      population level and single-cohort analysis were performed. A probabilistic
      sensitivity analysis was applied to assess the impact of parameters uncertainty.
      RESULTS: The actual screening programme involved a cost of 1,127 million euros
      and provided 6.7 million QALYs over the lifetime of the target population,
      resulting in a gain of 8,666 QALYs for an additional cost of 36.4 million euros,
      compared with the unscreened scenario. Thus, the incremental cost-effectiveness
      ratio was 4,214?/QALY. All the model runs in the probabilistic sensitivity
      analysis resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio lower than
      10,000?/QALY. The screening programme involved an increase of the annual budget
      of the Basque Health Service by 5.2 million euros from year 2000 onwards.
      CONCLUSIONS: The BC screening programme in the Basque Country proved to be cost
      effective during the evaluated period and determined an affordable budget impact.
      These results confirm the epidemiological benefits related to the centralised
      screening system and support the continuation of the programme.

PMID- 27251558
TI  - Isolation of culturable aerobic bacteria and evidence of Kerstersia gyiorum from
      the blowhole of captive Yangtze finless porpoises.
AB  - Bacterial respiratory illnesses are problematic in aquatic mammals such as the
      Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis; YFP),
      which is now at a critically endangered status. Yet little is known about the
      bacteria inhabiting the respiratory tract of YFPs. In this study, we
      preliminarily characterized the culturable aerobic bacteria from blow samples of
      captive YFPs. The bacterial diversity was assessed through cultivation by direct
      exhalation onto Columbia blood agar plates and identification of representative
      isolates through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. In total, eleven bacterial
      species belonging to four phyla Proteobacteria (71 %), Firmicutes (25 %),
      Bacteroidetes (3 %) and Actinobacteria (1 %) were identified. Most of these
      isolates were opportunistic pathogens found in respiratory illnesses in humans
      and animals. We also reported the first case of Kerstersia gyiorum isolated from
      an animal. This work provides a preliminary assessment of the bacteria present in
      the respiratory tract of captive YFPs, which will be an important first step in
      elucidating the roles of normal microbiota in maintaining respiratory health of
      YFPs. This study also points out the necessity of future long-term monitoring of
      blowhole microorganisms in the YFPs and making emergency preparedness plans for
      respiratory tract infections. These measures can aid in assessing the pathogenic
      risk of the critically endangered YFP populations. 

PMID- 27251557
TI  - Genomic survey sequencing for development and validation of single-locus SSR
      markers in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Single-locus markers have many advantages compared with multi-locus
      markers in genetic and breeding studies because their alleles can be assigned to
      particular genomic loci in diversity analyses. However, there is little research
      on single-locus SSR markers in peanut. Through the de novo assembly of DNA
      sequencing reads of A. hypogaea, we developed single-locus SSR markers in a
      genomic survey for better application in genetic and breeding studies of peanut.
      RESULTS: In this study, DNA libraries with four different insert sizes were used
      for sequencing with 150 bp paired-end reads. Approximately 237 gigabases of clean
      data containing 1,675,631,984 reads were obtained after filtering. These reads
      were assembled into 2,102,446 contigs with an N50 length of 1,782 bp, and the
      contigs were further assembled into 1,176,527 scaffolds with an N50 of 3,920 bp.
      The total length of the assembled scaffold sequences was 2.0 Gbp, and 134,652
      single-locus SSRs were identified from 375,180 SSRs. Among these developed single
      locus SSRs, trinucleotide motifs were the most abundant, followed by tetra-, di-,
      mono-, penta- and hexanucleotide motifs. The most common motif repeats for the
      various types of single-locus SSRs have a tendency to be A/T rich. A total of
      1,790 developed in silico single-locus SSR markers were chosen and used in PCR
      experiments to confirm amplification patterns. Of them, 1,637 markers that
      produced single amplicons in twelve inbred lines were considered putative single
      locus markers, and 290 (17.7 %) showed polymorphisms. A further F2 population
      study showed that the segregation ratios of the 97 developed SSR markers, which
      showed polymorphisms between the parents, were consistent with the Mendelian
      inheritance law for single loci (1:2:1). Finally, 89 markers were assigned to an
      A. hypogaea linkage map. A subset of 100 single-locus SSR markers was shown to be
      highly stable and universal in a collection of 96 peanut accessions. A neighbor
      joining tree of this natural population showed that genotypes have obviously
      correlation with botanical varieties. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that the
      detection of single-locus SSR markers from a de novo genomic assembly of a
      combination of different-insert-size libraries is highly efficient. This is the
      first report of the development of genome-wide single-locus markers for A.
      hypogaea, and the markers developed in this study will be useful for gene
      tagging, sequence scaffold assignment, linkage map construction, diversity
      analysis, variety identification and association mapping in peanut.

PMID- 27251559
TI  - Adoption Factors of the Electronic Health Record: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health
      (HITECH) was a significant piece of legislation in America that served as a
      catalyst for the adoption of health information technology. Following
      implementation of the HITECH Act, Health Information Technology (HIT) experienced
      broad adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHR), despite skepticism exhibited
      by many providers for the transition to an electronic system. A thorough review
      of EHR adoption facilitator and barriers provides ongoing support for the
      continuation of EHR implementation across various health care structures,
      possibly leading to a reduction in associated economic expenditures. OBJECTIVE:
      The purpose of this review is to compile a current and comprehensive list of
      facilitators and barriers to the adoption of the EHR in the United States.
      METHODS: Authors searched Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health
      Literature (CINAHL) and MEDLINE, 01/01/2012-09/01/2015, core clinical/academic
      journals, MEDLINE full text, and evaluated only articles germane to our research
      objective. Team members selected a final list of articles through consensus
      meetings (n=31). Multiple research team members thoroughly read each article to
      confirm applicability and study conclusions, thereby increasing validity.
      RESULTS: Group members identified common facilitators and barriers associated
      with the EHR adoption process. In total, 25 adoption facilitators were identified
      in the literature occurring 109 times; the majority of which were efficiency,
      hospital size, quality, access to data, perceived value, and ability to transfer
      information. A total of 23 barriers to adoption were identified in the
      literature, appearing 95 times; the majority of which were cost, time consuming,
      perception of uselessness, transition of data, facility location, and
      implementation issues. CONCLUSIONS: The 25 facilitators and 23 barriers to the
      adoption of the EHR continue to reveal a preoccupation on cost, despite
      incentives in the HITECH Act. Limited financial backing and outdated technology
      were also common barriers frequently mentioned during data review. Future public
      policy should include incentives commensurate with those in the HITECH Act to
      maintain strong adoption rates.

PMID- 27251560
TI  - Downregulation of Checkpoint Protein Kinase 2 in the Urothelium of Healthy Male
      Tobacco Smokers.
AB  - With this letter to the editor we present for the first time a study on CHEK2
      expression in normal urothelium of healthy male smokers, former smokers and non
      smokers. We could show a statistically significant downregulation of this DNA
      repair gene in current smokers compared to non-smokers, suggesting that smoking
      downregulates CHEK2 in normal urothelium, probably associated with an early step
      in carcinogenesis of urothelial bladder carcinoma.

PMID- 27251561
TI  - Iron Deficiency in India.

PMID- 27251562
TI  - Organizing pneumonia as the first manifestation of anti-synthetase syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-synthetase syndrome associated interstitial lung disease can
      occur either simultaneously, before, or after the development of
      polymyositis/dermatomyositis. Histology of interstitial lung disease can be
      nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, usual interstitial pneumonia, diffuse
      alveolar damage, organizing pneumonia. Organizing pneumonia associated anti
      synthetase syndrome is a rare finding especially as the first manifestation. CASE
      PRESENTATION: We report a 41 year old male patient who presented with organizing
      pneumonia and 2 years following the onset, developed polymyositis with anti-JO-1
      antibody positivity. CONCLUSION: It is important to screen patients with
      organizing pneumonia for anti-synthetase syndrome which can be manifested later.

PMID- 27251563
TI  - Effect of Heme Oxygenase-1 Deficiency on Glomerular Proteomics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cytoprotective effect of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in various forms
      of renal glomerular injury is established. However, little is known on the role
      of HO-1 in preserving glomerular structural/functional integrity in the absence
      of injury. The present study addressed this question in HO-1-deficient rats.
      METHODS: HO-1-deficient rats were generated using zinc finger nuclease-mediated
      HO-1 gene (Hmox1) disruption and studied. Glomeruli were isolated from HO-1
      deficient (Hmox1-/-) rats and their wild type (WT) littermates for proteomic
      analysis. RESULTS: Glomerular lesions were characterized and differentially
      expressed proteins important for preserving integrity of the glomerular
      filtration barrier were identified. HO-1-deficient (Hmox1-/-) rats developed
      albuminuria with decreased glomerular filtration rate. In albuminuric rats, there
      were lesions resembling focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Western
      blot analysis of the integral slit diaphragm proteins, nephrin and podocin
      revealed a significant decrease in nephrin, with no change in podocin. Proteomic
      analysis of glomerular protein lysates from Hmox1-/- and WT rats revealed
      differential expression of proteins previously linked with FSGS pathogenesis.
      Specifically, alpha-actinin-4, actin related protein 3, cytokeratins and novel
      candidates including transgelin-2 and lamins. Bioinformatic analysis predicted
      the upregulation of pathways implicated in platelet aggregation and fibrin clot
      formation. CONCLUSION: HO-1 is a putative regulator of proteins important in
      preserving glomerular structural stability and integrity, and in minimizing the
      activity of proinflammatory pathways.

PMID- 27251564
TI  - Well-defined palladium(0) complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene and phosphine
      moieties: efficient catalytic applications in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction and
      direct C-H functionalization.
AB  - Two series of well-defined palladium(0) complexes with phosphine-functionalized N
      heterocyclic carbene ligands were prepared. These complexes featured six- and
      seven-membered chelate rings in the two series. Among the seven-membered chelate
      complexes, those featuring the PCy2 moiety exhibited observable fluxional
      behavior on the NMR time scale, corresponding to the interchange between two sets
      of conformations. Most of these novel complexes were successfully structurally
      characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. These two series of
      palladium(0) complexes were tested for their potential catalytic applications in
      two mechanistically distinct reactions, namely, Mizoroki-Heck coupling and direct
      C-H functionalization reactions. One of the six-membered chelate complexes was
      found to be an efficient pre-catalyst for mediating the coupling reactions
      between aryl chlorides and alkenes. The palladium(0) complex could also be
      effectively applied in the direct C-H functionalization reactions of aryl
      bromides with 1,2-dimethylimidazole. 

PMID- 27251565
TI  - Iatrogenic injury of the lateral meniscus anterior insertion following anterior
      cruciate ligament reconstruction: A case report.

PMID- 27251566
TI  - Sustained Inflation and Its Role in the Delivery Room Management of Preterm
      Infants.
AB  - A noninvasive approach in the delivery room in place of intubation and mechanical
      ventilation can reduce rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and death.
      Nevertheless, the rate of nasal continuous positive airway pressure failure still
      remains high. In order to prevent lung injury and to enhance the success of
      continuous positive airway pressure, sustained inflation (administration by face
      mask or nasopharyngeal tube of a high peak pressure of 20-25 cm H2O, maintained
      for 10-15 s) has been recently proposed to establish an early and efficient
      functional residual capacity in the delivery room. Sustained inflation is an
      intriguing therapy, although the results of clinical trials are controversial in
      terms of respiratory outcomes. A critical role in the success of sustained
      inflation could be the presence of open or closed glottis and the contribution of
      spontaneous breathing that allows air to enter the lungs during the maneuver.
      Recent neonatal resuscitation guidelines suggest that sustained inflation may be
      considered in individual clinical circumstances or research settings.

PMID- 27251567
TI  - The changing shape of vaccination: improving immune responses through geometrical
      variations of a microdevice for immunization.
AB  - Micro-device use for vaccination has grown in the past decade, with the promise
      of ease-of-use, painless application, stable solid formulations and greater
      immune response generation. However, the designs of the highly immunogenic
      devices (e.g. the gene gun, Nanopatch or laser adjuvantation) require significant
      energy to enter the skin (30-90 mJ). Within this study, we explore a way to more
      effectively use energy for skin penetration and vaccination. These modifications
      change the Nanopatch projections from cylindrical/conical shapes with a density
      of 20,000 per cm(2) to flat-shaped protrusions at 8,000 per cm(2), whilst
      maintaining the surface area and volume that is placed within the skin. We show
      that this design results in more efficient surface crack initiations, allowing
      the energy to be more efficiently be deployed through the projections into the
      skin, with a significant overall increase in penetration depth (50%).
      Furthermore, we measured a significant increase in localized skin cell death (>2
      fold), and resultant infiltrate of cells (monocytes and neutrophils). Using a
      commercial seasonal trivalent human influenza vaccine (Fluvax 2014), our new
      patch design resulted in an immune response equivalent to intramuscular injection
      with approximately 1000 fold less dose, while also being a practical device
      conceptually suited to widespread vaccination.

PMID- 27251568
TI  - Clinical importance of change in physical activity after endovascular treatment
      combined with exercise training in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
AB  - We aimed to investigate the characteristics of changes in amount of physical
      activity of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) before/after
      endovascular treatment (EVT) combined with exercise training. Twenty-two patients
      with peripheral arterial disease at stage-II of the Fontaine classification who
      received EVT combined with exercise training were included in this study. A tri
      axial accelerometer was used to record physical activity every day from the day
      before surgery to 3 months after discharge from hospital. The mean number of
      walking steps before surgery was 2664 steps (611 steps-5404 steps), whereas those
      after surgery was 3393 (567 steps-7578 steps). Ankle Brachial Index (from 0.69 to
      1.03; p < 0.001), maximum walking distance (from 728.2 to 1271.8 m; p < 0.05) and
      Vascu-QOL (from 98.9 to 137.9; p < 0.01) showed improvement between before and
      after surgery. Physical activity of patients with PAD was still low at 3 months
      after surgery even though walking ability, QOL, and self-efficacy were improved
      after EVT combined with exercise training. Among the 22 patients, the number of
      walking steps increased in 17 of them and decreased in 5 of them. Compared with
      the patients in the increased-steps group, those in the decreased-steps group
      were significantly older (p < 0.05), and had a significantly higher
      cardiovascular event rate within the first 3 months after surgery (p < 0.05).
      These results suggested that, not only the improvement of walking ability, but
      increase in physical activity after EVT combined with exercise training is also
      important for short-term prognosis.

PMID- 27251569
TI  - Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in nonagenarians: early and intermediate
      outcome from the OBSERVANT study and meta-analysis of the literature.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of nonagenarians after
      transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) from the OBSERVANT study and to
      pool the results of the literature on this topic. Aortic stenosis is the most
      common acquired valvular heart disease in the Western countries, and its
      prevalence is linked to the phenomenon of population aging. TAVR can be
      considered as a wise approach to treat nonagenarians, but data on its safety and
      effectiveness are scarce. Data on 80 patients aged >90 years who underwent TAVR
      from OBSERVANT study were analyzed. A systematic review and meta-analysis of
      published data were performed. Thirty-day mortality in the OBSERVANT series was
      6.3 %. None of these patients experienced stroke. Permanent pacemaker
      implantation was necessary in 20 % of patients. Paravalvular regurgitation was
      observed in 57.5 %. Survival at 1, 2, and 3 years was 79.6, 71.9, and 61.5 %. Ten
      series provided data on 1227 nonagenarians who underwent TAVR. Pooled 30-day
      mortality rate was 7.1 %, stroke 2.8 %, vascular access complication 8.8 %, and
      permanent pacemaker implantation 10.6 %. Paravalvular regurgitation was observed
      in 60.1 % of patients. Pooled 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 79.2, 68.2,
      and 55.6 %. Transapical TAVR was associated with a significantly higher risk of
      early mortality compared with transfemoral TAVR. The results of OBSERVANT study
      and aggregate data meta-analysis suggest that in nonagenarians, TAVR is
      associated with low postoperative morbidity and excellent intermediate survival.
      Transapical TAVR in these very elderly is associated with high postoperative
      mortality.

PMID- 27251570
TI  - Serum carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (I-CTP) is predictive of
      clinical outcome in peripheral artery disease patients following endovascular
      therapy.
AB  - Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a risk factor for the development of heart
      failure and mortality. The serum levels of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I
      collagen (I-CTP), a marker for collagen degradation derived from the
      extracellular matrix of vascular and myocardial tissue, is reportedly a useful
      marker for cardiac events in patients with heart disease. However, it remains
      unclear whether I-CTP can predict poor clinical outcome in patients with PAD.
      Serum I-CTP was measured in 246 consecutive PAD patients who underwent
      endovascular therapy. Patients were prospectively followed during a median follow
      up period of 887 days with the end points of major adverse cardiovascular events
      (MACE). I-CTP was significantly higher in patients with critical limb ischemia
      than those without. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that
      I-CTP was an independent predictor of MACE after adjusting for confounding
      factors. Patients were stratified into three groups based on I-CTP level tertile,
      and those with third tertile had higher levels of brain natriuretic peptide
      levels and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein compared to the other two groups.
      Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients in the highest tertile of I-CTP
      also had the greatest risk of MACE. The net reclassification index significantly
      improved with the addition of I-CTP to basic predictors. I-CTP is a reliable
      marker and indicator for MACE in patients with PAD.

PMID- 27251572
TI  - Laparoscopic caudal approach for a small hepatocellular carcinoma located in the
      paracaval portion of a cirrhotic liver.
AB  - Resection of a tumor located in the paracaval portion of the liver, without
      sacrificing other parts of the liver, is surgically challenging. Here, we
      describe using a laparoscopic caudal approach for a small hepatocellular
      carcinoma located in the paracaval portion. It is the first case using the
      laparoscopic caudal approach to be reported in the literature. Compared with the
      conventional approaches, this procedure can minimize both surgical invasiveness
      and the volume of liver parenchyma to be resected. In addition, the laparoscopic
      view is suitable for this procedure. The laparoscopic caudal approach can be a
      safe procedure with minimal invasiveness for a small paracaval tumor,
      particularly in patients with liver cirrhosis. 

PMID- 27251571
TI  - Zuogui Wan rescues the high-glucose-induced damaging effects on early embryo
      development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High concentration of glucose in culture medium affects the
      developmental process and the quality of the pre-implantation embryo. This study
      examined the effects of Zuogui Wan (ZGW) supplementation on early embryo
      development cultured in high-glucose medium. METHODS: Embryos were cultured in
      high-glucose medium with or without ZGW supplementation. Developmental rate and
      competence was evaluated by cleavage rate, blastocyst rate, and blastocyst total
      cell number, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, glutathione (GSH)
      concentration, and metabolome were also measured to determine the effect of ZGW
      on embryo development at the cellular level. RESULTS: Compared with the vehicle
      group, supplementation of 0.01 % (v/v) ZGW to high-glucose medium significantly
      increased cleavage rate (80.1 +/- 1.0 % vs 72.1 +/- 1.3 %), blastocyst rate (50.5
      +/- 1.0 % vs 41.3 +/- 1.7 %), and blastocyst total cell number (63.2 +/- 2.2 vs
      57.2 +/- 1.6). ROS level was lower and GSH concentration in blastocysts was
      higher in ZGW-treated group. Metabolomic analysis found that the ratio of glucose
      to succinic acid and glucose to fumaric acid were lower in the ZGW-treated group
      . CONCLUSIONS: Developmental rates of zygotes in high-glucose culture medium were
      significantly lower than those in regular culture medium. ZGW supplementation
      significantly improved embryo development and quality in high-glucose medium.
      Supplementing ZGW in high-glucose medium also significantly increased total cell
      number and GSH concentration but decreased ROS level in blastocysts likely by
      modifying metabolic profile during embryo development. Together, these data
      suggest that supplementation of ZGW rescues high-glucose-induced detrimental
      effects on pre-implantation embryo development.

PMID- 27251574
TI  - G-Quadruplexes with Tetra(ethylene glycol)-Modified Deoxythymidines are Resistant
      to Nucleases and Inhibit HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase.
AB  - G-quadruplex formation in virally encoded templates arrests reverse
      transcription. Methods to stabilize this structure are promising for antiviral
      approaches. To stabilize G-quadruplex formation, deoxythymidines were modified
      with tetra(ethylene glycol) (TEG). The TEG-modified G-quadruplexes were
      stabilized significantly relative to unmodified DNA. In the presence of a TEG
      modified oligonucleotide that is capable of forming an intermolecular G
      quadruplex with a template containing a hu- man immunodeficiency virus-1
      sequence, reverse transcription was inhibited by more than 70 % relative to the
      reaction in the absence of the TEG-modified oligonucleotide. Moreover, the TEG
      modified deoxythymidines protected the DNA oligonucleotide from degradation by
      various nucleases in human serum. Thus, DNA oligonucleotides modified with TEG
      have potential in therapeutic applications.

PMID- 27251573
TI  - Immuno-targeting the multifunctional CD38 using nanobody.
AB  - CD38, as a cell surface antigen is highly expressed in several hematologic
      malignancies including multiple myeloma (MM) and has been proven to be a good
      target for immunotherapy of the disease. CD38 is also a signaling enzyme
      responsible for the metabolism of two novel calcium messenger molecules. To be
      able to target this multifunctional protein, we generated a series of nanobodies
      against CD38 with high affinities. Crystal structures of the complexes of CD38
      with the nanobodies were solved, identifying three separate epitopes on the
      carboxyl domain. Chromobodies, engineered by tagging the nanobody with
      fluorescence proteins, provide fast, simple and versatile tools for quantifying
      CD38 expression. Results confirmed that CD38 was highly expressed in malignant MM
      cells compared with normal white blood cells. The immunotoxin constructed by
      splicing the nanobody with a bacterial toxin, PE38 shows highly selective
      cytotoxicity against patient-derived MM cells as well as the cell lines, with
      half maximal effective concentration reaching as low as 10(-11) molar. The
      effectiveness of the immunotoxin can be further increased by stimulating CD38
      expression using retinoid acid. These results set the stage for the development
      of clinical therapeutics as well as diagnostic screening for myeloma.

PMID- 27251575
TI  - The dark side of street lighting: impacts on moths and evidence for the
      disruption of nocturnal pollen transport.
AB  - Among drivers of environmental change, artificial light at night is relatively
      poorly understood, yet is increasing on a global scale. The community-level
      effects of existing street lights on moths and their biotic interactions have not
      previously been studied. Using a combination of sampling methods at matched-pairs
      of lit and unlit sites, we found significant effects of street lighting: moth
      abundance at ground level was halved at lit sites, species richness was >25%
      lower, and flight activity at the level of the light was 70% greater.
      Furthermore, we found that 23% of moths carried pollen of at least 28 plant
      species and that there was a consequent overall reduction in pollen transport at
      lit sites. These findings support the disruptive impact of lights on moth
      activity, which is one proposed mechanism driving moth declines, and suggest that
      street lighting potentially impacts upon pollination by nocturnal invertebrates.
      We highlight the importance of considering both direct and cascading impacts of
      artificial light.

PMID- 27251576
TI  - Frequent Nek1 overexpression in human gliomas.
AB  - Never in mitosis A (NIMA)-related kinase 1 (Nek1) regulates cell cycle
      progression to mitosis. Its expression and potential functions in human gliomas
      have not been studied. Here, our immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay and Western
      blot assay results showed that Nek1 expression was significantly upregulated in
      fresh and paraffin-embedded human glioma tissues. Its level in normal brain
      tissues was low. Nek1 overexpression in human gliomas was correlated with the
      proliferation marker (Ki-67), tumor grade, Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) and
      more importantly, patients' poor survival. Further studies showed that Nek1
      expression level was also increased in multiple human glioma cell lines (U251-MG,
      U87-MG, U118, H4 and U373). Significantly, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nek1
      inhibited glioma cell (U87-MG/U251-MG) growth. Nek1 siRNA also sensitized U87
      MG/U251-MG cells to temozolomide (TMZ), causing a profound apoptosis induction
      and growth inhibition. The current study indicates Nek1 might be a novel and
      valuable oncotarget of glioma, it is important for glioma cell growth and TMZ
      resistance.

PMID- 27251577
TI  - Concurrent enhancement of percolation and synchronization in adaptive networks.
AB  - Co-evolutionary adaptive mechanisms are not only ubiquitous in nature, but also
      beneficial for the functioning of a variety of systems. We here consider an
      adaptive network of oscillators with a stochastic, fitness-based, rule of
      connectivity, and show that it self-organizes from fragmented and incoherent
      states to connected and synchronized ones. The synchronization and percolation
      are associated to abrupt transitions, and they are concurrently (and
      significantly) enhanced as compared to the non-adaptive case. Finally we provide
      evidence that only partial adaptation is sufficient to determine these
      enhancements. Our study, therefore, indicates that inclusion of simple adaptive
      mechanisms can efficiently describe some emergent features of networked systems'
      collective behaviors, and suggests also self-organized ways to control
      synchronization and percolation in natural and social systems.

PMID- 27251578
TI  - A pilot investigation of the potential for incorporating lifelog technology into
      executive function rehabilitation for enhanced transfer of self-regulation skills
      to everyday life.
AB  - The objective of the study was to identify the potential target and effect size
      of goal management training (GMT) enhanced with life-logging technology compared
      with standard GMT on a range of possible primary outcomes reflecting cognitive
      and ecological aspects of executive functioning and quality of life. Sixteen
      patients with acquired brain injury involving executive dysfunction were randomly
      allocated to one of the two interventions: seven weeks of GMT (n = 8), or seven
      weeks of GMT+Lifelog (n = 8). Outcome measures included a battery of executive
      function tests, the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) and the Quality of Life
      after Brain Injury scale (QOLIBRI), measured pre- and post-interventions. Within
      group changes were assessed with related-samples t-tests and estimation of effect
      sizes. GMT+Lifelog was associated with significant changes, of medium to large
      effect size, in response inhibition (Stroop), multitasking (Strategy Application
      and Multiple Errand tests), DEX Intentionality and Positive Affect subscales and
      QOLIBRI Daily Life and Autonomy, subscales. GMT alone was associated with
      significant changes of overall quality of life. It was concluded that GMT+Lifelog
      holds promise to optimise the impact of GMT on executive dysfunction and quality
      of life.

PMID- 27251579
TI  - Very mild features of dysequilibrium syndrome associated with a novel VLDLR
      missense mutation.
AB  - Dysequilibrium syndrome (DES) is a non-progressive congenital ataxia
      characterized by severe intellectual deficit, truncal ataxia and markedly
      delayed, quadrupedal or absent ambulation. Recessive loss-of-function mutations
      in the very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) gene represent the most
      common cause of DES. Only two families have been reported harbouring homozygous
      missense mutations, both with a similarly severe phenotype. We report an Italian
      girl with very mild DES caused by the novel homozygous VLDLR missense mutation
      p.(C419Y). This unusually benign phenotype possibly relates to a less disruptive
      effect of the mutation, falling within a domain (EGF-B) not predicted as crucial
      for the protein function.

PMID- 27251580
TI  - Cortical gene expression: prognostic value for seizure outcome following temporal
      lobectomy and amygdalohippocampectomy.
AB  - Whole genome analyses were performed to test the hypothesis that temporal
      cortical gene expression differs between epilepsy patients rendered seizure-free
      versus non-seizure-free following anterior temporal lobectomy with
      amygdalohippocampectomy (ATL/AH). Twenty four patients underwent ATL/AH to treat
      medically intractable seizures of temporal lobe origin (mean age 35.5 years, mean
      follow-up 42.2 months); they were then dichotomized into seizure-free and non
      seizure-free groups. Tissue RNA was isolated from the lateral temporal cortex and
      gene expression analysis was performed. Whole genome data were analyzed for
      prognostic value for seizure-free outcome following ATL/AH by logistic
      regression. Genes that could distinguish seizure outcome groups were identified
      based on providing an accuracy of >0.90 judging by area under the receiver
      operating characteristic curve, AUC, with a P value of the slope coefficient of
      <0.05. Four genes and seven RNA probes were with prognostic value for post
      operative seizure-free outcome. Gene expression associated with seizure-free
      outcome included relative down-regulation of zinc finger protein 852 (ZNF852),
      CUB domain-containing protein 2 (CDCP2), proline-rich transmembrane protein 1
      (PRRT1), hypothetical LOC440200 (FLJ41170), RNA probe 8047763, RNA probe 8126238,
      RNA probe 8113489, RNA probe 8092883, RNA probe 7935228, RNA probe 806293, and
      RNA probe 8104131. This study describes the predictive value of temporal cortical
      gene expression for seizure-free outcome after ATL/AH. Four genes and seven RNA
      probes were found to predict post-operative seizure-free outcome. Future
      prospective investigation of these genes and probes in human brain tissue and
      blood could establish new biomarkers predictive of seizure outcome following
      ATL/AH.

PMID- 27251581
TI  - Consummatory succesive positive contrast produced by the downshift of an aversive
      solution in infant rats.
AB  - Subjects trained in successive positive contrast are usually given an appetitive
      stimulus of relatively low quality during a pre-shift, followed by exposure to a
      significantly greater quality of the same stimulus. Enhanced responsiveness to
      the high-quality stimulus during the post-shift phase, compared to a control
      group that receives the superior reward in both phases, is taken as an index of
      successive positive contrast. Successive positive contrast reports are rare,
      probably due to performance limitations inherent to the experimental protocols
      available. We exposed infant rats (14 days old at the start of training) to .1%
      or .01% quinine during 4, 10 min, trials (pre-shift phase). All animals were then
      given two trials of exposure to .01% quinine (post-shift phase). During the pre
      shift the level of intake was greater in pups stimulated with the relatively less
      aversive .01% quinine solution. These animals also exhibited, compared to those
      stimulated with .1% quinine, lower emission of the aversive response paw
      treading. During the post-shift phase, the group that had been exposed to .1%
      quinine exhibited significantly greater intake of .01% quinine, along with a
      reduction in the emission of paw treading and an enhancement in paw licking, an
      ingestive, appetitive response. Altogether, the evidence is suggestive of the
      emergence of consummatory successive positive contrast during the second week of
      life of the rat. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of positive
      contrast using an aversive solution.

PMID- 27251582
TI  - Effect of 3,4-diaminopyridine at the murine neuromuscular junction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We investigated the effects of 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) and
      its acetylated metabolite, N-(4-amino-pyridin-3-yl) acetamide (3-Ac), at the
      mammalian neuromuscular junction. METHODS: Quantal release of acetylcholine was
      studied in diaphragm muscles of mice, using in vitro intracellular microelectrode
      recordings. RESULTS: Under conditions of low probability of release, 3,4-DAP
      produced a 1,000% increase in quantal release, but 3-Ac had no effect. Under
      conditions of normal probability of release, the effect of 3,4-DAP was modest and
      limited by concurrent depletion of synaptic vesicles, especially with high
      concentrations of 3,4-DAP and high frequencies of nerve stimulation. CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings predict 3,4-DAP is most effective in conditions with low
      probability of quantal release, such as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. A
      beneficial effect is also expected in disorders of neuromuscular transmission in
      which the effect of 3,4-DAP on quantal release is not limited by depletion of
      synaptic vesicles, such as postsynaptic congenital myasthenic syndromes. Muscle
      Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 55: 223-231, 2017.

PMID- 27251583
TI  - Lack of significant bleeding despite large acute rivaroxaban overdose confirmed
      with whole blood concentrations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since intentional overdose with rivaroxaban is expected to lead to
      significant coagulopathy and bleeding, prophylactic reversal has been suggested.
      We report a single massive ingestion confirmed by a blood concentration that was
      managed with expectant therapy alone. CASE REPORT: A 71-year-old man with atrial
      fibrillation, aortic valve replacement, and congestive heart failure presented to
      the emergency department after an intentional ingestion of 97 (1940 mg total)
      rivaroxaban tablets in a suicide attempt. Initial laboratories revealed: PT, 60.2
      s; INR 7.2; aPTT, 55.7 s; BUN 28 mg/dL; and creatinine 1.2 mg/dL. A whole-blood
      rivaroxaban concentration obtained on hospital-day three was 160 ng/mL. The
      patient was admitted for continued observation and the coagulation markers
      trended downward with no major bleeding events. No reversal agents or blood
      products were given during his hospitalization. CONCLUSION: In the setting of a
      single, acute rivaroxaban overdose, with normal renal function, and no active
      bleeding, conservative therapy alone may be sufficient.

PMID- 27251584
TI  - Flexibilities of isoindoline-derived spin labels for nucleic acids by orientation
      selective PELDOR.
AB  - Pulsed electron electron double resonance experiments with rigid spin labels can
      reveal very detailed information about the structure and conformational
      flexibility of nucleic acid molecules. On the other hand, the analysis of such
      data is more involved the distance and orientation information encoded in the
      time domain data need to be extracted and separated. In this respect studies with
      different spin labels with variable internal mobility are interesting and can
      help to unambiguously interpret the EPR data. Here orientation selective multi
      frequency/multi-field 4-pulse PELDOR/DEER experiments with three recently
      presented semi-rigid or conformationally unambiguous isoindoline-derived spin
      labels were performed and simulated quantitatively by taking the spin label
      dynamics into account. PELDOR measurements were performed for a 20-mer dsDNA with
      two spin labels attached to two defined uridine derivatives. Measurements were
      recorded for different spin label positions within the double helical strand and
      for different magnetic field strengths. The experimental data sets were compared
      with simulations, taking into account the previously described dsDNA dynamics and
      the internal motions of the spin label itself, which had shown distinct
      differences between the three spin labels used. The (ExIm)U spin label shows a
      free rotation around a single bond, which averages out orientation effects,
      without influencing the distance distribution as it can occur in other spin
      labels. The (Im)U and (Ox)U spin label, on the other hand, show distinct
      orientation behaviour with minimal intrinsic motion. We could quantitatively
      determine this internal motion and demonstrate that the conformational dynamics
      of the nucleic acid and the spin label can be well separated by this approach. 

PMID- 27251585
TI  - Downregulation of CXCR4 Expression and Functionality After Zoledronate Exposure
      in Canine Osteosarcoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The establishment and progression of metastases remains the life
      limiting factor for dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma (OS). The pattern of
      metastases is likely regulated through interactions between chemokine receptors
      and chemokines, and perturbations in these signaling cascades responsible for
      cytoskeletal organization and directional migration have the potential to alter
      metastatic cell trafficking behaviors. HYPOTHESIS: Zoledronate will impair
      directional migration of OS cells through downregulation of chemokine (C-X-C
      motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) expression and functionality. SAMPLES: Nineteen
      archived tumor specimens and plasma from 20 dogs with OS. METHODS: Prospectively,
      the expressions of CXCR4 were studied in OS cell lines and spontaneous tumor
      samples. The effect of zoledronate on CXCR4 expression and functionality was
      investigated by characterizing responses in 3 OS cell lines. In 19 OS specimens
      and 20 dogs with OS, changes in CXCR4 expression and circulating CXCR4
      concentrations were characterized in response to zoledronate therapy
      respectively. RESULTS: All canine OS cells express CXCR4, and zoledronate reduces
      CXCR4 expression and functionality by 27.7% (P < .0001), through augmented
      proteasome degradation and reduced prenylation of heterotrimeric G-proteins in
      33% of tumor cell lines evaluated. In OS-bearing dogs, zoledronate reduces CXCR4
      expressions by 40% within the primary tumor compared to untreated controls (P =
      .03) and also decreases the circulating concentrations of CXCR4 in 18 of 20 dogs
      with OS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Zoledronate can alter CXCR4
      expression and functionality in OS cells, and consequent perturbations in CXCR4
      intracellular signaling cascades might influence patterns of metastases.

PMID- 27251586
TI  - Old World Leishmaniasis: an ancient disease with nonstandardized microscopic and
      clinical classifications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microscopic and clinical classifications of cutaneous leishmania have
      been set in the 1980s. Since then, they have been used invariably. Lebanon, a
      nonendemic country, is suffering from a leishmaniasis epidemic because of the
      massive population influx from endemic Syria. DESIGN: Patients diagnosed and
      speciated with leishmania (n = 169) using molecular and microscopic analysis were
      studied. General demographic data, microscopic data [Ridley's pattern (RP),
      microscopic pattern, Parasitic Index (PI)] and clinical stage were documented.
      Clinical score was scored as: 1: inflammatory; 2: proliferative/reorganization;
      3: healed phases. The three patterns were studied in comparison to the lesion age
      and PI. RESULTS: At low PI, the clinical score and microscopic pattern showed
      healing scores (scores 3 and 4, respectively). In contrast, RP showed variable
      distribution at low PI. The same pattern is noted when correlating the different
      patterns with high PI. In comparison to lesion age, none of the three patterns
      showed the predicted linear correlation with lesion progression. CONCLUSION: In
      the studied population, the previously adopted classifications did not correlate
      with the disease progression. Such findings may raise the possibility of evolving
      disease. The proposed clinical and microscopic patterns showed better correlation
      with the disease progression.

PMID- 27251587
TI  - Botanical and biological pesticides elicit a similar Induced Systemic Response in
      tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) secondary metabolism.
AB  - Natural pesticides have attracted substantial interest due to the increase in
      organic agriculture and enhanced attention to environmental pollution. Plant
      Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) are applied for both disease control and growth
      enhancement; PGPBs are known to elicit Induced Systemic Response (ISR) in plants.
      However, less is known about the effect of botanical pesticides, such as the
      azadirachtin-containing neem extracts, on plant metabolism. This study aimed to
      investigate the effects of foliar application of the above-mentioned natural
      pesticides on the metabolic profiling of tomato. Leaf application of Bacillus
      subtilis fostered Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) in treated plants via the
      Jasmonic acid pathway, and enhanced production of secondary metabolites such as
      flavonoids, phytoalexins and auxins. Changes in sterols and terpenes, as well as
      an increase in glucosinolates were also observed. Interestingly, azadirachtin
      treated tomatoes also showed an increase in ISR and our results revealed that
      most of the enriched metabolites are shared with a B. subtilis treatment,
      suggesting conserved biochemical responses. These (un)expected findings indicate
      that plants are not insensitive to application of natural pesticide and while
      Azadirachtin is applied as a direct pesticide, it also stimulates a defense
      response in tomatoes very similar to B. subtilis induced ISR. 

PMID- 27251588
TI  - Androgen receptor GGC repeat might be more involved than CAG repeat in the
      regulation of the metabolic profile in men.
AB  - The influence of androgen receptor (AR) GGC repeat polymorphism on the metabolic
      profile of men has been much less studied than the one of CAG tract polymorphism.
      Therefore, in this study, we looked for the association of GGC and CAG tract with
      cardiovascular risk factors in men. Ninety-eight men followed by our andrological
      unit were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and biochemical parameters on
      cardiovascular risk were considered. AR CAG and GGC polymorphisms were studied.
      GGC triplets were found to be positively and significantly correlated with
      several cardiovascular risk factors. On the other hand, inverse and significant
      correlations of CAG triplets were found with insulin and HOMA. As expected, age
      was positively correlated with cardiovascular risk, whereas total testosterone
      was inversely correlated with metabolic profile. Estradiol was not found to be
      correlated with any of the metabolic parameters. In the total sample,
      multivariate linear regression analysis confirms the positive and independent
      association of GGC triplets with glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, total
      cholesterol, triglycerides and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance
      (HOMA), whereas CAG repeat length is negatively associated with insulin and HOMA.
      Such associations are also substantially confirmed in non-diabetic subjects,
      whereas in diabetic patients only the GGC tract seems to be involved in the
      metabolic profile regulation. Our work shows a relevant role for GGC repeat tract
      in conditioning male cardiovascular risk, thus rendering necessary a deeper
      analysis on the role of GGC polymorphism both from the molecular and the clinical
      point of view.

PMID- 27251589
TI  - DYT-40, a novel synthetic 2-styryl-5-nitroimidazole derivative, blocks malignant
      glioblastoma growth and invasion by inhibiting AEG-1 and NF-kappaB signaling
      pathways.
AB  - Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) has been explored as a novel target for human
      glioma therapy, thus reflecting its potential contribution to gliomagenesis. In
      the present study, we investigated the effect of DYT-40, a novel synthetic 2
      styryl-5-nitroimidazole derivative, on cell growth and invasion in glioblastoma
      (GBM) and uncovered the underlying mechanisms of this molecule. DYT-40 induces
      the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis and inhibits the epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion of GBM cell lines. Furthermore, DYT-40
      deactivates PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, suppresses AEG-1 expression, and inhibits
      NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. DYT-40 reduced the tumor volumes in a rat C6
      glioma model by apoptotic induction. Moreover, HE staining demonstrated that the
      glioma rat model treated with DYT-40 exhibited better defined tumor margins and
      fewer invasive cells to the contralateral striatum compared with the vehicle
      control and temozolomide-treated rats. Microscopic examination showed a decrease
      in AEG-1-positive cells in DYT-40-treated rats compared with the untreated
      controls. DYT-40-treatment increases the in vivo apoptotic response of glioma
      cells to DYT-40 treatment by TUNEL staining. In conclusion, the inhibitory
      effects of DYT-40 on growth and invasion in GBM suggest that DYT-40 might be a
      potential AEG-1 inhibitor to prevent the growth and motility of malignant glioma.

PMID- 27251591
TI  - Oxidorhenium(V) Complexes with Tetradentate Iminophenolate Ligands: Influence of
      Ligand Flexibility on the Coordination Motif and Oxygen-Atom-Transfer Activity.
AB  - The synthesis of oxidorhenium(V) complexes 1-3 coordinated by tetradentate
      iminophenolate ligands H2L1-H2L3 bearing backbones of different rigidity (alkyl,
      cycloalkyl, and phenyl bridges) allows for the formation of distinct geometric
      isomers, including a symmetric trans-oxidochlorido coordination motif in complex
      3. The complex employing a cycloalkyl-bridged ligand (2) of intermediate rigidity
      exhibits an interesting solvent- and temperature-dependent equilibrium between a
      symmetric (trans) isomer and an asymmetric (cis) isomer in solution. The
      occurrence of a symmetric isomer for 2 and 3 is confirmed by single-crystal X-ray
      diffraction analysis. Chlorido abstraction from 2 with AgOTf yields the
      corresponding cationic complex 2a, which does not exhibit an isomeric equilibrium
      in solution but adopts the isomeric form predominant for 2 in a given solvent.
      All complexes were, furthermore, employed in three benchmark oxygen-atom-transfer
      (OAT) reactions, namely, the reduction of perchlorate, the epoxidation of
      cyclooctene, and OAT from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to triphenylphosphane (PPh3),
      to assess the influence of the isomeric structure on the reactivity in these
      reactions. In perchlorate reduction, a clear structural influence was observed,
      where the trans arrangement in 3 led to the complete absence of activity. In the
      epoxidation reaction, all complexes led to comparable epoxide yields, albeit
      higher catalytic activity but lower overall stability of the catalysts with a
      trans arrangement was observed. In OAT from DMSO to PPh3, also a clear structural
      dependence was observed, where the trans complex 3 led to full phosphane
      conversion with an excess of oxidant, while the cis compound 1 was completely
      inactive. 

PMID- 27251592
TI  - Trends in AIDS-related mortality among people aged 60 years and older in Brazil:
      a nationwide population-based study.
AB  - The success of antiretroviral therapy has led to an increase in the number of
      older people living with human immunodeficiency virus worldwide. This study
      analyzed the epidemiological patterns and time trends of acquired
      immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) related mortality in people aged 60 and older in
      Brazil from 2000 to 2011. Secondary mortality data from the Brazilian Mortality
      Information System was used to perform a nationwide population-based study, which
      included all AIDS-related deaths among people aged 60 years and older in Brazil
      from 2000 to 2011. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (per 100,000
      inhabitants) were calculated by sex, age group and place of residence. Trends
      over time were assessed using joinpoint regression analysis. In the 12-year study
      period, 12,491,280 deaths were recorded in Brazil, of which 144,175 were AIDS
      related deaths. A total of 8194 AIDS-related deaths was identified in people aged
      60 years and older (0.12% of all deaths and 5.7% of AIDS-related deaths). The
      overall age-adjusted mortality rate for the period was 4.30 deaths/100,000
      inhabitants (95% confidence interval: 3.99-4.64). Males (6.45 deaths/100,000
      inhabitants), aged 60-64 years (6.63 deaths/100,000 inhabitants) and residing in
      the South region (5.94 deaths/100,000 inhabitants) had the highest mortality
      rates. We observed a significant increase in mortality at the national level and
      in all the Brazilian regions, with a sharper increase in the most
      socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of the country, such as the North and
      Northeast. The findings show that AIDS in older people is an increasing public
      health problem in Brazil, and reinforce the need to establish public policies for
      the prevention, early diagnosis and appropriate clinical treatment of this age
      group.

PMID- 27251590
TI  - The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases Supports 15 Major Studies in
      Hypertension Prevention and Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

PMID- 27251593
TI  - Vinblastine as a second rescue for the treatment of canine multicentric lymphoma
      in 39 cases (2005 to 2014).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate response
      and outcome of dogs with multicentric lymphoma treated with single-agent
      vinblastine as a second rescue. METHODS: Medical records from 39 client-owned
      dogs receiving vinblastine rescue treatment (having relapsed on or following
      completion of UW-Madison and CCNU/L-asparaginase protocols), between 2005 and
      2014, were reviewed for information regarding clinical presentation, diagnostic
      testing, drug dosage, number of treatments, side effects, response and outcome.
      RESULTS: The median starting dose of vinblastine was 2.6 mg/m(2) (1.7 to 2.8
      mg/m(2) ), administered weekly until disease progression. Of the 39 dogs treated,
      3 dogs (7.7%) achieved a complete remission, 7 dogs (17.9%) achieved a partial
      response, 18 dogs (46.2%) maintained stable disease and 11 (28.2%) had
      progressive disease. Ten dogs (25.6%) developed a grade III or IV neutropenia,
      and 4 dogs (10.3%) developed grade III or IV thrombocytopenia (one dog in both
      categories). After starting vinblastine, the median progression-free survival was
      29.5 days (0 to 77 days) and overall median survival time was 46 days (4 to 250
      days). Duration of first remission was identified as a positive predictor of
      outcome. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Single-agent vinblastine is well tolerated in
      dogs with relapsed or refractory lymphoma. Responses were incomplete and short
      lasting.

PMID- 27251594
TI  - Knockdown of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) suppresses cell proliferation and
      inhibits tumor growth in gastric cancer cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) gene encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the
      glutamine- and ATP-dependent conversion of aspartic acid to asparagine. ASNS is
      deemed as a promising therapeutic target and its expression is associated with
      the chemotherapy resistance in several human cancers. However, its role in
      gastric cancer tumorigenesis has not been investigated. METHODS: In this study,
      we employed small interfering RNA (siRNA) to transiently knockdown ASNS in two
      gastric cancer cell lines, AGS and MKN-45, followed by growth rate assay and
      colony formation assay. Dose response curve analysis was performed in AGS and MKN
      45 cells with stable ASNS knockdown to assess sensitivity to cisplatin. Xenograft
      experiment was performed to examine in vivo synergistic effects of ASNS depletion
      and cisplatin on tumor growth. Expression level of ASNS was evaluated in human
      patient samples using quantitative PCR. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis was performed
      to evaluate association between ASNS expression and patient survival. RESULTS:
      Transient knockdown of ASNS inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation in
      AGS and MKN-45 cells. Stable knockdown of ASNS conferred sensitivity to cisplatin
      in these cells. Depletion of ASNS and cisplatin treatment exerted synergistic
      effects on tumor growth in AGS xenografts. Moreover, ASNS was found to be up
      regulated in human gastric cancer tissues compared with matched normal colon
      tissues. Low expression of ASNS was significantly associated with better survival
      in gastric cancer patients. CONCLUSION: ASNS may contribute to gastric cancer
      tumorigenesis and may represent a novel therapeutic target for prevention or
      intervention of gastric cancer.

PMID- 27251596
TI  - Truth is elusive.

PMID- 27251595
TI  - Synthesis and regioselective functionalization of perhalogenated BODIPYs.
AB  - Three perhalogenated BODIPYs (1b-3b), bearing chloro and bromo groups at all
      carbon positions, were synthesized and characterized. The reactivity of BODIPY 3b
      was investigated under Stille cross-coupling reactions, and single crystal X-ray
      analysis was used to confirm the regioselectivity of the reactions. Further
      substitution at the boron atom produced nona-functionalized BODIPYs 7a,b, which
      show 676 and 739 nm emissions with 91 and 100 nm Stokes shifts, respectively. 

PMID- 27251597
TI  - Pharmacological treatment versus acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress
      syndrome - reflections from the clinical perspective and yacht racing (and more).

PMID- 27251598
TI  - Behavioral Pain Scale - translation, reliability, and validity in a Swedish
      context.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessing pain in the intensive care unit (ICU) is challenging. Due
      to intubation and sedation, communication can be limited. International
      guidelines recommend assessing pain with instruments based on behavioral
      parameters when critically ill patients are unable to self-report their pain
      level. One of the recommended instruments, the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS), has
      shown good validity and reliability in international studies. The aim of this
      study was to translate and adapt the BPS for critically ill intubated and non
      intubated patients in a Swedish ICU context and to assess inter-rater reliability
      and discriminant validity. METHODS: The BPS (both for intubated and non-intubated
      patients) was translated and adapted into Swedish using a translation method
      consisting of ten steps. The Swedish version was then tested for inter-rater
      reliability and discriminant validity on 20 critically ill patients (10 intubated
      and 10 non-intubated) before and directly after a potentially painful procedure
      (repositioning). RESULTS: The Swedish version of the BPS showed inter-rater
      reliability with a percentage agreement of 85% when tested on a sample of
      critically ill patients. The instrument also showed discriminant validity between
      assessments at rest and after repositioning. CONCLUSION: Results of the Swedish
      version of the BPS support its use in critically ill patients who cannot self
      report their pain level. Still, additional studies are needed to further explore
      its reliability and validity in the Swedish ICU context.

PMID- 27251599
TI  - Photophysical properties of pyrrolocytosine, a cytosine fluorescent base
      analogue.
AB  - The photophysical behavior of pyrrolocytosine (PC), a fluorescent base analogue
      of cytosine, has been investigated using theoretical approaches. The similarities
      between the PC and cytosine structures allow PC to maintain the pseudo-Watson
      Crick base-pairing arrangement with guanine. Cytosine, similar to the other
      natural nucleobases, is practically non-fluorescent, because of ultrafast
      radiationless decay occurring through conical intersections. PC displays a much
      higher fluorescence quantum yield than cytosine, making it an effective
      fluorescent marker to study the structure, function, and dynamics of DNA/RNA
      complexes. Similar to 2-aminopurine, a constitutional isomer of adenine that base
      pairs with thymine, PC's fluorescence is quenched when it is incorporated into a
      dinucleotide or a trinucleotide. In this work we examine the photophysical
      properties of isolated PC, microhydrated PC, as well as, complexes where PC is
      either base-stacked or hydrogen-bonded with guanine. Our results indicate that
      hydration affects the radiationless decay pathways in PC by destabilizing conical
      intersections. The calculations of dimers and trimers show that the radiative
      decay is affected by pi stacking, while the presence of charge transfer states
      between PC and guanine may contribute to radiationless decay. 

PMID- 27251600
TI  - N-Heterocyclic olefins as efficient phase-transfer catalysts for base-promoted
      alkylation reactions.
AB  - N-Heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) have very recently emerged as efficient promoters
      for several chemical reactions due to their strong Bronsted/Lewis basicities.
      Here we report the novel application of NHOs as efficient phase-transfer
      organocatalysts for synthetically important alkylation reactions on a wide range
      of substrates, further demonstrating the great potential of NHOs in organic
      chemistry. 

PMID- 27251601
TI  - Management of a patient with pericardial decompression syndrome and HOCM.
AB  - A 44-year-old man, with a history of arterial hypertension, was referred with
      increasing shortness of breath due to a large pericardial effusion and imminent
      tamponade. Emergency ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis resulted in the rapid
      withdrawal of 2760 cc of serous fluid. 3 hours later, the patient developed acute
      pulmonary oedema, which was successfully treated. Hypertrophic obstructive
      cardiomyopathy was later diagnosed and malignancy was excluded as a cause of the
      effusion. Clinicians performing pericardiocentesis need to be aware of
      pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS), a rare but serious complication.
      Although the underlying mechanisms causing PDS are not fully understood, patients
      with high left ventricular (LV) filling pressures are at particular risk. In
      other words: diastolic dysfunction of the LV is a risk factor for the occurrence
      of PDS. 

PMID- 27251602
TI  - 5-Fluorouracil-induced acute reversible heart failure not explained by coronary
      spasms, myocarditis or takotsubo: lessons from MRI.
AB  - A 69-year-old woman presented with arterial hypotension, pulmonary oedema and a
      severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 25% only 3 days
      after having received her first treatment for colorectal cancer with 5
      fluorouracil (5-FU)-based therapy. The ECG demonstrated widespread ST-segment
      depression and echocardiography showed uniform hypokinesia of all left
      ventricular (LV) myocardial segments without signs of regional LV ballooning.
      Coronary angiography was normal and the patient gained full recovery after
      receiving treatment with heart failure medication. Interestingly, cardiac MRI
      scan 9 days later showed a normal LVEF with signs of neither myocardial oedema
      nor necrosis. Despite the high therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU in treatment of
      colorectal cancer, it is associated with undesired cardiac toxicities including
      coronary spasms, toxic inflammation and takotsubo cardiomyopathy. However, our
      patient did not fulfil the diagnostic criteria for the aforementioned
      complications. Based on this case report, we discuss alternative mechanisms
      including myocardial adenosine triphosphate depletion suggested from animal
      experiments. 

PMID- 27251603
TI  - Intracardiac metastasis of high-grade sarcoma of the neck causing right
      ventricular outflow obstruction.

PMID- 27251604
TI  - Spleen and gone? An interesting case of fever in a young man.

PMID- 27251605
TI  - Functional analysis of thioredoxin from the desert lichen-forming fungus,
      Endocarpon pusillum Hedwig, reveals its role in stress tolerance.
AB  - Endocarpon pusillum is a lichen-forming fungus with an outstanding stress
      resistance property closely related to its antioxidant system. In this study,
      thioredoxin (Trx), one of the main components of antioxidant defense systems in
      E. pusillum (EpTrx), was characterized and analyzed both in transgenic yeasts and
      in vitro. Our analyses identified that the heterologous expression of EpTrx in
      the yeast Pichia pastoris significantly enhanced its resistance to osmotic and
      oxidative stresses. Assays in vitro showed EpTrx acted as a disulfide reductase
      as well as a molecular chaperone by assembling into various polymeric structures.
      Upon exposure to heat-shock stress, EpTrx exhibited weaker disulfide reductase
      activity but stronger chaperone activity, which coincided with the switching of
      the protein complexes from low molecular weight forms to high molecular weight
      complexes. Specifically, we found that Cys31 near but not at the active site was
      crucial in promoting the structural and functional transitions, most likely by
      accelerating the formation of intermolecular disulfide bond. Transgenic
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae harboring the native EpTrx exhibited stronger tolerance
      to oxidative, osmotic and high temperature stresses than the corresponding yeast
      strain containing the mutant EpTrx (C31S). Our results provide the first
      molecular evidence on how Trx influences stress response in lichen-forming fungi.

PMID- 27251606
TI  - The cross-talk between enterocytes and intraepithelial lymphocytes.
AB  - The gut mucosa is continuously exposed to food and microbial antigens. Both
      enterocytes and intraepithelial lymphocytes have a pivotal role in maintaining
      the integrity of intestinal mucosa, as these cells guarantee a first line of
      defense against pathogens and toxic molecules. Enterocytes maintain a physical
      barrier against microbes and directly contribute to the gut homeostasis by
      sampling the luminal agents through several pattern recognition receptors or
      presenting antigen to mucosa T cells. Similarly, due to a close physical contact
      with the intestinal epithelial cells, the intraepithelial lymphocytes represent
      an important part of the gut lymphoid tissue, contrasting the entry and spread of
      pathogens. An alteration of the cross-talk between intestinal epithelial cells
      and intraepithelial lymphocytes might actively contribute to the development of
      intestinal immune disorders, as occurring in patients with celiac disease. In
      genetically predisposed individuals, the gluten exposure results in a massive
      production of interleukin-15, activation of intraepithelial lymphocytes, and
      modification of small intestinal mucosa architecture and function. We will review
      the recent studies on the pathophysiology of cross-talk between enterocytes and
      intraepithelial T cells, and how this interaction is crucial for intestinal
      integrity and homeostasis. 

PMID- 27251607
TI  - Mechanism of human rhinovirus infections.
AB  - About 150 human rhinovirus serotypes are responsible for more than 50 % of
      recurrent upper respiratory infections. Despite having similar 3D structures,
      some bind members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, some ICAM-1,
      and some use CDHR3 for host cell infection. This is also reflected in the
      pathways exploited for cellular entry. We found that even rhinovirus serotypes
      binding the same receptor can travel along different endocytic pathways and
      release their RNA genome into the cytosol at different locations. How this may
      account for distinct immune responses elicited by various rhinoviruses and the
      observed symptoms of the common cold is briefly discussed. 

PMID- 27251608
TI  - Study on the mechanisms of the bronchodilator effects of Folium Eriobotryae and
      the selected active ingredient on isolated guinea pig tracheal strips.
AB  - CONTEXT: Folium Eriobotryae (FE), the dry leaf of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.)
      Lindl. (Rosaceae), has been widely used to treat respiratory disorders.
      OBJECTIVE: To examine the bronchodilatory activity of FE and the potential
      mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of ethyl acetate fraction
      of FE (EFE) (0.05-0.3 mg/mL) on the isolated tracheal strips, and ursolic acid
      (UA) (5-30 MUg/mL) that was the main constituent of EFE, were tested in vitro.
      Meanwhile, acetylcholine (Ach) and histamine (His)-induced bronchospasm were
      conducted in vivo in guinea pig. Furthermore, mechanisms of relaxant effects of
      EFE and UA were evaluated in the absence and presence of specific inhibitors.
      RESULTS: With in vitro studies, the contractile response evoked by Ach or His
      (EC50 = 0.21 and 0.16 mg/mL) was decreased by EFE, and UA caused a concentration
      dependent relaxation precontracted by His (EC50 = 23.2 MUg/mL). With in vivo
      studies, EFE strongly prolonged preconvulsive time similar to isoprenalin. The
      bronchodilator effects of EFE could be blocked by propranolol (1 MUM), NG-nitro-l
      arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (100 MUM) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3
      a]quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ) (1 MUM). EFE also inhibited the contraction in Ca2+
      free medium and produced rightward parallel displacement of CaCl2 curves. In
      addition, the relaxant effects of UA could only be blocked by l-NAME and ODQ.
      DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results suggest that bronchodilator activities
      of EFE were related to activation of beta-adrenoceptor and NO/cGMP pathway.
      Blockage of Ca2+ channels and inhibition of IP3R-mediated internal Ca2+ release
      were also involved. Additionally, UA produced relaxant effects by the NO/cGMP
      pathway.

PMID- 27251609
TI  - Stigma, Social Structure, and the Biomedical Framework: Exploring the Stigma
      Experiences of Inpatient Service Users in Two Belgian Psychiatric Hospitals.
AB  - The study discusses the stigma experiences of service users in mental health
      care, within the debate on the role of the biomedical framework for mental health
      care and power relations in society. Interview data of inpatient users ( n = 42)
      and care providers ( n = 43) from two Belgian psychiatric hospitals were analyzed
      using a constructivist grounded theory approach: Findings offer insight into how
      stigma experiences are affected by social structure. Stigma seemed to be related
      to the relation between care providers and service users their social position.
      The concept "mental health literacy" is used to frame this finding. In paying
      attention to the specific cultural and normative context, which influences the
      relationship between mental health literacy and stigma, it is further possible to
      cast some light on the meaning of the biomedical model for the construction and
      maintenance of power relations in mental health care and broader society.

PMID- 27251611
TI  - Changes to the Review Process.

PMID- 27251610
TI  - Short-term treatment outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 and
      hepatitis B virus co-infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Co-infection of HIV with HBV is common in West Africa but little
      information is available on the effects of HBV on short-term therapy for HIV
      patients. A 28 day longitudinal study was conducted to examine short-term
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) outcomes in HIV infected individuals with HBV co
      infection. METHODS: Plasma from 18 HIV infected individuals co-infected with HBV
      and matched controls with only HIV infection were obtained at initiation, and 7
      and 28 days after ART. HIV-1 viral load changes were monitored. Clinical and
      demographic data were also obtained from patient folders, and HIV-1 drug
      resistance mutation and subtype analysis performed. RESULTS: The presence of HBV
      co-infection did not significantly affect HIV-1 viral load changes within 7 or 28
      days. The CD4(+) counts on the other hand of patients significantly affected the
      magnitude of HIV-1 viral load decline after 7 days (rho = -0.441, p = 0.040),
      while the pre-ART HIV-1 VL (rho = 0.844, p = <0.001) and sex (U = 19.0, p =
      0.020) also determined HIV-1 viral load outcomes after 28 days of ART. Even
      though the geometric sensitivity score of HIV-1 strains were influenced by the
      HIV-1 subtypes (U = 56.00; p = 0.036), it was not a confounder for ART outcomes.
      CONCLUSIONS: There may be the need to consider the confounder effects of sex, pre
      ART CD4(+), and pre-ART HIV-1 viral load in the discourse on HIV and HBV co
      infection.

PMID- 27251612
TI  - Neural Evidence for a Role of Urgency in the Speed-Accuracy Trade-off in
      Perceptual Decision-Making.

PMID- 27251613
TI  - How Do Microtubule Dynamics Relate to the Hallmarks of Learning and Memory?

PMID- 27251614
TI  - Visual Deprivation During the Critical Period Enhances Layer 2/3 GABAergic
      Inhibition in Mouse V1.
AB  - The role of GABAergic signaling in establishing a critical period for experience
      in visual cortex is well understood. However, the effects of early experience on
      GABAergic synapses themselves are less clear. Here, we show that monocular
      deprivation (MD) during the adolescent critical period produces marked
      enhancement of GABAergic signaling in layer 2/3 of mouse monocular visual cortex.
      This enhancement coincides with a weakening of glutamatergic inputs, resulting in
      a significant reduction in the ratio of excitation to inhibition. The
      potentiation of GABAergic transmission arises from both an increased number of
      inhibitory synapses and an enhancement of presynaptic GABA release from
      parvalbumin- and somatostatin-expressing interneurons. Our results suggest that
      augmented GABAergic inhibition contributes to the experience-dependent regulation
      of visual function. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Visual experience shapes the synaptic
      organization of cortical circuits in the mouse brain. Here, we show that
      monocular visual deprivation enhances GABAergic synaptic inhibition in primary
      visual cortex. This enhancement is mediated by an increase in both the number of
      postsynaptic GABAergic synapses and the probability of presynaptic GABA release.
      Our results suggest a contributing mechanism to altered visual responses after
      deprivation.

PMID- 27251615
TI  - Transient P2X7 Receptor Antagonism Produces Lasting Reductions in Spontaneous
      Seizures and Gliosis in Experimental Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.
AB  - Neuroinflammation is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis and maintenance of
      temporal lobe epilepsy, but the underlying cell and molecular mechanisms are not
      fully understood. The P2X7 receptor is an ionotropic receptor predominantly
      expressed on the surface of microglia, although neuronal expression has also been
      reported. The receptor is activated by the release of ATP from intracellular
      sources that occurs during neurodegeneration, leading to microglial activation
      and inflammasome-mediated interleukin 1beta release that contributes to
      neuroinflammation. Using a reporter mouse in which green fluorescent protein is
      induced in response to the transcription of P2rx7, we show that expression of the
      receptor is selectively increased in CA1 pyramidal and dentate granule neurons,
      as well as in microglia in mice that developed epilepsy after intra-amygdala
      kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. P2X7 receptor levels were increased in
      hippocampal subfields in the mice and in resected hippocampus from patients with
      pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Cells transcribing P2rx7 in hippocampal
      slices from epileptic mice displayed enhanced agonist-evoked P2X7 receptor
      currents, and synaptosomes from these animals showed increased P2X7 receptor
      levels and altered calcium responses. A 5 d treatment of epileptic mice with
      systemic injections of the centrally available, potent, and specific P2X7
      receptor antagonist JNJ-47965567 (30 mg/kg) significantly reduced spontaneous
      seizures during continuous video-EEG monitoring that persisted beyond the time of
      drug presence in the brain. Hippocampal sections from JNJ-47965567-treated
      animals obtained >5 d after treatment ceased displayed strongly reduced
      microgliosis and astrogliosis. The present study suggests that targeting the P2X7
      receptor has anticonvulsant and possibly disease-modifying effects in
      experimental epilepsy. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most
      common and drug-resistant form of epilepsy in adults. Neuroinflammation is
      implicated as a pathomechanism, but the upstream mechanisms driving gliosis and
      how important this is for seizures remain unclear. In our study, we show that the
      ATP-gated P2X7 receptor is upregulated in experimental epilepsy and resected
      hippocampus from epilepsy patients. Targeting the receptor with a new centrally
      available antagonist, JNJ-47965567, suppressed epileptic seizures well beyond the
      time of treatment and reduced underlying gliosis in the hippocampus. The findings
      suggest a potential disease-modifying treatment for epilepsy based on targeting
      the P2X7 receptor.

PMID- 27251616
TI  - Compartment-Specific Regulation of Autophagy in Primary Neurons.
AB  - Autophagy is an essential degradative pathway that maintains neuronal homeostasis
      and prevents axon degeneration. Initial observations suggest that autophagy is
      spatially regulated in neurons, but how autophagy is regulated in distinct
      neuronal compartments is unclear. Using live-cell imaging in mouse hippocampal
      neurons, we establish the compartment-specific mechanisms of constitutive
      autophagy under basal conditions, as well as in response to stress induced by
      nutrient deprivation. We find that at steady state, the cell soma contains
      populations of autophagosomes derived from distinct neuronal compartments and
      defined by differences in maturation state and dynamics. Axonal autophagosomes
      enter the soma and remain confined within the somatodendritic domain. This
      compartmentalization likely facilitates cargo degradation by enabling fusion with
      proteolytically active lysosomes enriched in the soma. In contrast,
      autophagosomes generated within the soma are less mobile and tend to cluster.
      Surprisingly, starvation did not induce autophagy in either the axonal or
      somatodendritic compartment. While starvation robustly decreased mTORC1 signaling
      in neurons, this decrease was not sufficient to activate autophagy. Furthermore,
      pharmacological inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin with Torin1 also was
      not sufficient to markedly upregulate neuronal autophagy. These observations
      suggest that the primary physiological function of autophagy in neurons may not
      be to mobilize amino acids and other biosynthetic building blocks in response to
      starvation, in contrast to findings in other cell types. Rather, constitutive
      autophagy in neurons may function to maintain cellular homeostasis by balancing
      synthesis and degradation, especially within distal axonal processes far removed
      from the soma. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Autophagy is an essential homeostatic
      process in neurons, but neuron-specific mechanisms are poorly understood. Here,
      we compare autophagosome dynamics within neuronal compartments. Axonal autophagy
      is a vectorial process that delivers cargo from the distal axon to the soma. The
      soma, however, contains autophagosomes at different maturation states, including
      input received from the axon combined with locally generated autophagosomes. Once
      in the soma, autophagosomes are confined to the somatodendritic domain,
      facilitating cargo degradation and recycling of biosynthetic building blocks to
      primary sites of protein synthesis. Neuronal autophagy is not robustly
      upregulated in response to starvation or mammalian target of rapamycin
      inhibition, suggesting that constitutive autophagy in neurons maintains
      homeostasis by playing an integral role in regulating the quality of the neuronal
      proteome.

PMID- 27251617
TI  - Neural Representation of Odor-Guided Behavior in the Rat Olfactory Thalamus.
AB  - The mediodorsal thalamus (MDT) is a higher-order corticocortical thalamic nucleus
      involved in cognition and memory. However, anatomically, the MDT is also the
      primary site of olfactory representation in the thalamus, receiving strong inputs
      from olfactory cortex and having reciprocal connections with orbitofrontal cortex
      (OFC). Nonetheless, its role in olfaction remains unclear. Here, we recorded
      single units in the MDT, as well as local field potentials in the MDT, piriform
      cortex (PCX), and OFC in rats performing a two-alternative odor discrimination
      task. We show that subsets of MDT units display odorant selectivity during
      sampling, as well as encoding of spatio-motor aspects of the task. Furthermore,
      the olfactory trans-thalamic network rapidly switches functional connectivity
      between MDT and cortical areas depending on current task demands, with, for
      example, MDT-PCX coupling enhanced during odor sampling and MDT-OFC coupling
      enhanced during the decision/goal approach compared with baseline and
      presampling. These results demonstrate MDT representation of diverse sensorimotor
      components of an olfactory task. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The mediodorsal thalamus
      (MDT) is the major olfactory thalamic nucleus and links the olfactory archicortex
      with the prefrontal neocortex. The MDT is well known to be involved in higher
      order cognitive and memory functions, but its role in olfaction is poorly
      understood. Here, using single-unit and local field potential analyses, we
      explored MDT function during an odor-guided decision task in rats. We describe
      MDT odor and multisensory coding and demonstrate behavior-dependent functional
      connectivity within the MDT/sensory cortex/prefrontal cortex network. Our results
      suggest a rich representation of olfactory and other information within MDT
      required to perform this odor-guided task. Our work opens a new model system for
      understanding MDT function and exploring the important role of MDT in cortical
      cortical communication.

PMID- 27251618
TI  - An Optogenetic Approach for Investigation of Excitatory and Inhibitory Network
      GABA Actions in Mice Expressing Channelrhodopsin-2 in GABAergic Neurons.
AB  - To investigate excitatory and inhibitory GABA actions in cortical neuronal
      networks, we present a novel optogenetic approach using a mouse knock-in line
      with conditional expression of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in GABAergic
      interneurons. During whole-cell recordings from hippocampal and neocortical
      slices from postnatal day (P) 2-P15 mice, photostimulation caused depolarization
      and excitation of interneurons and evoked barrages of postsynaptic GABAergic
      currents. Excitatory/inhibitory GABA actions on pyramidal cells were assessed by
      monitoring the alteration in the frequency of EPSCs during photostimulation of
      interneurons. We found that in slices from P2-P8 mice, photostimulation evoked an
      increase in EPSC frequency, whereas in P9-P15 mice the response switched to a
      reduction in EPSC frequency, indicating a developmental excitatory-to-inhibitory
      switch in GABA actions on glutamatergic neurons. Using a similar approach in
      urethane-anesthetized animals in vivo, we found that photostimulation of
      interneurons reduces EPSC frequency at ages P3-P9. Thus, expression of ChR2 in
      GABAergic interneurons of mice enables selective photostimulation of interneurons
      during the early postnatal period, and these mice display a developmental
      excitatory-to-inhibitory switch in GABA action in cortical slices in vitro, but
      so far show mainly inhibitory GABA actions on spontaneous EPSCs in the immature
      hippocampus and neocortex in vivo SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We report a novel
      optogenetic approach for investigating excitatory and inhibitory GABA actions in
      mice with conditional expression of channelrhodopsin-2 in GABAergic interneurons.
      This approach shows a developmental excitatory-to-inhibitory switch in the
      actions of GABA on glutamatergic neurons in neocortical and hippocampal slices
      from neonatal mouse pups in vitro, but also reveals inhibitory GABA actions in
      the neonatal mouse neocortex and hippocampus in vivo.

PMID- 27251619
TI  - Representation of Behavioral Tactics and Tactics-Action Transformation in the
      Primate Medial Prefrontal Cortex.
AB  - To expedite the selection of action under a structured behavioral context, we
      develop an expedient to promote its efficiency: tactics for action selection.
      Setting up a behavioral condition for subhuman primates (Macaca fuscata) that
      induced the development of a behavioral tactics, we explored neuronal
      representation of tactics in the medial frontal cortex. Here we show that neurons
      in the posterior medial prefrontal cortex, but not much in the medial premotor
      cortex, exhibit activity representing the behavioral tactics, in advance of
      action-selective activity. Such activity appeared during behavioral epochs of its
      retrieval from instruction cues, maintenance in short-term memory, and its
      implementation for the achievement of action selection. At a population level,
      posterior medial prefrontal cortex neurons take part in transforming the tactics
      information into the information representing action selection. The tactics
      representation revealed an aspect of neural mechanisms for an adaptive behavioral
      control, taking place in the medial prefrontal cortex. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We
      studied behavioral significance of neuronal activity in the posterior medial
      prefrontal cortex (pmPFC) and found the representation of behavioral tactics
      defined as specific and efficient ways to achieve objectives of actions. Neuronal
      activity appeared during behavioral epochs of its retrieval from instruction
      cues, maintenance in short-term memory, and its use preceding the achievement of
      action selection. We found further that pmPFC neurons take part in transforming
      the tactics information into the information representing action selection. A
      majority of individual neurons was recruited during a limited period in each
      behavioral epoch, constituting, as a whole, a temporal cascade of activity. Such
      dynamics found in behavioral-tactics specific activity characterize the
      participation of pmPFC neurons in executive control of purposeful behavior.

PMID- 27251621
TI  - Sentential Negation Might Share Neurophysiological Mechanisms with Action
      Inhibition. Evidence from Frontal Theta Rhythm.
AB  - According to the literature, negations such as "not" or "don't" reduce the
      accessibility in memory of the concepts under their scope. Moreover, negations
      applied to action contents (e.g., "don't write the letter") impede the activation
      of motor processes in the brain, inducing "disembodied" representations. These
      facts provide important information on the behavioral and neural consequences of
      negations. However, how negations themselves are processed in the brain is still
      poorly understood. In two electrophysiological experiments, we explored whether
      sentential negation shares neural mechanisms with action monitoring or
      inhibition. Human participants read action-related sentences in affirmative or
      negative form ("now you will cut the bread" vs "now you will not cut the bread")
      while performing a simultaneous Go/NoGo task. The analysis of the EEG rhythms
      revealed that theta oscillations were significantly reduced for NoGo trials in
      the context of negative sentences compared with affirmative sentences. Given the
      fact that theta oscillations are often considered as neural markers of response
      inhibition processes, their modulation by negative sentences strongly suggests
      that negation uses neural resources of response inhibition. We propose a new
      approach that views the syntactic operator of negation as relying on the neural
      machinery of high-order action-monitoring processes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT:
      Previous studies have shown that linguistic negation reduces the accessibility of
      the negated concepts and suppresses the activation of specific brain regions that
      operate in affirmative statements. Although these studies focus on the
      consequences of negation on cognitive and neural processes, the proper neural
      mechanisms of negation have not yet been explored. In the present EEG study, we
      tested the hypothesis that negation uses the neural network of action inhibition.
      Using a Go/NoGo task embedded in a sentence comprehension task, we found that
      negation in the context of NoGo trials modulates frontal theta rhythm, which is
      usually considered a signature of action inhibition and control mechanisms.

PMID- 27251620
TI  - Decreasing Striatopallidal Pathway Function Enhances Motivation by Energizing the
      Initiation of Goal-Directed Action.
AB  - Altered dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) binding in the striatum has been associated
      with abnormal motivation in neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia.
      Here, we tested whether motivational deficits observed in mice with upregulated
      D2Rs (D2R-OEdev mice) are reversed by decreasing function of the striatopallidal
      "no-go" pathway. To this end, we expressed the Galphai-coupled designer receptor
      hM4D in adult striatopallidal neurons and activated the receptor with clozapine-N
      oxide (CNO). Using a head-mounted miniature microscope we confirmed with calcium
      imaging in awake mice that hM4D activation by CNO inhibits striatopallidal
      function measured as disinhibited downstream activity in the globus pallidus.
      Mice were then tested in three operant tasks that address motivated behavior, the
      progressive ratio task, the progressive hold-down task, and outcome devaluation.
      Decreasing striatopallidal function in the dorsomedial striatum or nucleus
      accumbens core enhanced motivation in D2R-OEdev mice and control littermates.
      This effect was due to increased response initiation but came at the cost of goal
      directed efficiency. Moreover, response vigor and the sensitivity to changes in
      reward value were not altered. Chronic activation of hM4D by administering CNO
      for 2 weeks in drinking water did not affect motivation due to a tolerance
      effect. However, the acute effect of CNO on motivation was reinstated after
      discontinuing chronic treatment for 48 h. Used as a therapeutic approach,
      striatopallidal inhibition should consider the risk of impairing goal-directed
      efficiency and behavioral desensitization. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Motivation
      involves a directional component that allows subjects to efficiently select the
      behavior that will lead to an optimal outcome and an activational component that
      initiates and maintains the vigor and persistence of actions. Striatal output
      pathways modulate motivated behavior, but it remains unknown how these pathways
      regulate specific components of motivation. Here, we found that the indirect
      pathway controls response initiation without affecting response vigor or the
      sensitivity to changes in the reward outcome. A specific enhancement in the
      activational component of motivation, however, can come at the cost of goal
      directed efficiency when a sustained response is required to obtain the goal.
      These data should inform treatment strategies for brain disorders with impaired
      motivation such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.

PMID- 27251622
TI  - Cue-Evoked Dopamine Release Rapidly Modulates D2 Neurons in the Nucleus Accumbens
      During Motivated Behavior.
AB  - Dopaminergic neurons that project from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the
      nucleus accumbens (NAc) fire in response to unpredicted rewards or to cues that
      predict reward delivery. Although it is well established that reward-related
      events elicit dopamine release in the NAc, the role of rapid dopamine signaling
      in modulating NAc neurons that respond to these events remains unclear. Here, we
      examined dopamine's actions in the NAc in the rat brain during an intracranial
      self-stimulation task in which a cue predicted lever availability for electrical
      stimulation of the VTA. To distinguish actions of dopamine at select receptors on
      NAc neurons during the task, we used a multimodal sensor that probes three
      aspects of neuronal communication simultaneously: neurotransmitter release, cell
      firing, and identification of dopamine receptor type. Consistent with prior
      studies, we first show dopamine release events in the NAc both at cue
      presentation and after lever press (LP). Distinct populations of NAc neurons
      encode these behavioral events at these same locations selectively. Using our
      multimodal sensor, we found that dopamine-mediated responses after the cue
      involve exclusively a subset of D2-like receptors (D2Rs), whereas dopamine
      mediated responses proximal to the LP are mediated by both D1-like receptors
      (D1R) and D2Rs. These results demonstrate for the first time that dopamine
      mediated responses after cues that predict reward availability are specifically
      linked to its actions at a subset of neurons in the NAc containing D2Rs.
      SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Successful reward procurement typically involves the
      completion of a goal-directed behavior in response to appropriate environmental
      cues. Although numerous studies link the mesolimbic dopamine system with these
      processes, how dopamine's effects are mediated on the receptor level within a key
      neural substrate, the nucleus accumbens, remains elusive. Here, we used a unique
      multimodal sensor that reveals three aspects of neuronal interactions:
      neurotransmitter release, cell firing, and dopamine-receptor type. We identified
      a key role of D2-like receptor (D2R)-expressing neurons in response to a reward
      predicting cue, whereas both the D2R and D1R types modulate responses of neurons
      proximal to the goal-directed action. This work provides novel insight into the
      unique role of D2R-mediated neuronal activity to reward-associated cues, a
      fundamental aspect of motivated behaviors.

PMID- 27251623
TI  - Dopamine Release in the Nonhuman Primate Caudate and Putamen Depends upon Site of
      Stimulation in the Subthalamic Nucleus.
AB  - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective
      treatment for medically refractory Parkinson's disease. Although DBS has
      recognized clinical utility, its biologic mechanisms are not fully understood,
      and whether dopamine release is a potential factor in those mechanisms is in
      dispute. We tested the hypothesis that STN DBS-evoked dopamine release depends on
      the precise location of the stimulation site in the STN and the site of recording
      in the caudate and putamen. We conducted DBS with miniature, scaled-to-animal
      size, multicontact electrodes and used functional magnetic resonance imaging to
      identify the best dopamine recording site in the brains of nonhuman primates
      (rhesus macaques), which are highly representative of human brain anatomy and
      circuitry. Real-time stimulation-evoked dopamine release was monitored using in
      vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. This study demonstrates that STN DBS-evoked
      dopamine release can be reduced or increased by redirecting STN stimulation to a
      slightly different site. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Electrical stimulation of deep
      structures of the brain, or deep brain stimulation (DBS), is used to modulate
      pathological brain activity. However, technological limitations and incomplete
      understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms of DBS prevent personalization of
      this therapy and may contribute to less-than-optimal outcomes. We have
      demonstrated that DBS coincides with changes in dopamine neurotransmitter release
      in the basal ganglia. Here we mapped relationships between DBS and changes in
      neurochemical activity. Importantly, this study shows that DBS-evoked dopamine
      release can be reduced or increased by refocusing the DBS on a slightly different
      stimulation site.

PMID- 27251624
TI  - Broadband Electrophysiological Dynamics Contribute to Global Resting-State fMRI
      Signal.
AB  - Spontaneous activity observed with resting-state fMRI is used widely to uncover
      the brain's intrinsic functional networks in health and disease. Although many
      networks appear modular and specific, global and nonspecific fMRI fluctuations
      also exist and both pose a challenge and present an opportunity for
      characterizing and understanding brain networks. Here, we used a multimodal
      approach to investigate the neural correlates to the global fMRI signal in the
      resting state. Like fMRI, resting-state power fluctuations of broadband and
      arrhythmic, or scale-free, macaque electrocorticography and human
      magnetoencephalography activity were correlated globally. The power fluctuations
      of scale-free human electroencephalography (EEG) were coupled with the global
      component of simultaneously acquired resting-state fMRI, with the global
      hemodynamic change lagging the broadband spectral change of EEG by ~5 s. The
      levels of global and nonspecific fluctuation and synchronization in scale-free
      population activity also varied across and depended on arousal states. Together,
      these results suggest that the neural origin of global resting-state fMRI
      activity is the broadband power fluctuation in scale-free population activity
      observable with macroscopic electrical or magnetic recordings. Moreover, the
      global fluctuation in neurophysiological and hemodynamic activity is likely
      modulated through diffuse neuromodulation pathways that govern arousal states and
      vigilance levels. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study provides new insights into
      the neural origin of resting-state fMRI. Results demonstrate that the broadband
      power fluctuation of scale-free electrophysiology is globally synchronized and
      directly coupled with the global component of spontaneous fMRI signals, in
      contrast to modularly synchronized fluctuations in oscillatory neural activity.
      These findings lead to a new hypothesis that scale-free and oscillatory neural
      processes account for global and modular patterns of functional connectivity
      observed with resting-state fMRI, respectively.

PMID- 27251626
TI  - DNA Methyltransferase 1 Is Indispensable for Development of the Hippocampal
      Dentate Gyrus.
AB  - Development of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in the mammalian brain is
      achieved through multiple processes during late embryonic and postnatal stages,
      with each developmental step being strictly governed by extracellular cues and
      intracellular mechanisms. Here, we show that the maintenance DNA
      methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) is critical for development of the DG in the mouse.
      Deletion of Dnmt1 in neural stem cells (NSCs) at the beginning of DG development
      led to a smaller size of the granule cell layer in the DG. NSCs lacking Dnmt1
      failed to establish proper radial processes or to migrate into the subgranular
      zone, resulting in aberrant neuronal production in the molecular layer of the DG
      and a reduction of integrated neurons in the granule cell layer. Interestingly,
      prenatal deletion of Dnmt1 in NSCs affected not only the developmental
      progression of the DG but also the properties of NSCs maintained into adulthood:
      Dnmt1-deficient NSCs displayed impaired neurogenic ability and proliferation. We
      also found that Dnmt1 deficiency in NSCs decreased the expression of Reelin
      signaling components in the developing DG and increased that of the cell cycle
      inhibitors p21 and p57 in the adult DG. Together, these findings led us to
      propose that Dnmt1 functions as a key regulator to ensure the proper development
      of the DG, as well as the proper status of NSCs maintained into adulthood, by
      modulating extracellular signaling and intracellular mechanisms. SIGNIFICANCE
      STATEMENT: Here, we provide evidence that Dnmt1 is required for the proper
      development of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Deletion of Dnmt1 in neural
      stem cells (NSCs) at an early stage of DG development impaired the ability of
      NSCs to establish secondary radial glial scaffolds and to migrate into the
      subgranular zone of the DG, leading to aberrant neuronal production in the
      molecular layer, increased cell death, and decreased granule neuron production.
      Prenatal deletion of Dnmt1 in NSCs also induced defects in the proliferation and
      neurogenic ability of adult NSCs. Furthermore, we found that Dnmt1 regulates the
      expression of key extracellular signaling components during developmental stages
      while modulating intracellular mechanisms for proliferation and neuronal
      production of NSCs in the adult.

PMID- 27251627
TI  - Reconstructing Perceived and Retrieved Faces from Activity Patterns in Lateral
      Parietal Cortex.
AB  - Recent findings suggest that the contents of memory encoding and retrieval can be
      decoded from the angular gyrus (ANG), a subregion of posterior lateral parietal
      cortex. However, typical decoding approaches provide little insight into the
      nature of ANG content representations. Here, we tested whether complex,
      multidimensional stimuli (faces) could be reconstructed from ANG by predicting
      underlying face components from fMRI activity patterns in humans. Using an
      approach inspired by computer vision methods for face recognition, we applied
      principal component analysis to a large set of face images to generate
      eigenfaces. We then modeled relationships between eigenface values and patterns
      of fMRI activity. Activity patterns evoked by individual faces were then used to
      generate predicted eigenface values, which could be transformed into
      reconstructions of individual faces. We show that visually perceived faces were
      reliably reconstructed from activity patterns in occipitotemporal cortex and
      several lateral parietal subregions, including ANG. Subjective assessment of
      reconstructed faces revealed specific sources of information (e.g., affect and
      skin color) that were successfully reconstructed in ANG. Strikingly, we also
      found that a model trained on ANG activity patterns during face perception was
      able to successfully reconstruct an independent set of face images that were held
      in memory. Together, these findings provide compelling evidence that ANG forms
      complex, stimulus-specific representations that are reflected in activity
      patterns evoked during perception and remembering. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT:
      Neuroimaging studies have consistently implicated lateral parietal cortex in
      episodic remembering, but the functional contributions of lateral parietal cortex
      to memory remain a topic of debate. Here, we used an innovative form of fMRI
      pattern analysis to test whether lateral parietal cortex actively represents the
      contents of memory. Using a large set of human face images, we first extracted
      latent face components (eigenfaces). We then used machine learning algorithms to
      predict face components from fMRI activity patterns and, ultimately, to
      reconstruct images of individual faces. We show that activity patterns in a
      subregion of lateral parietal cortex, the angular gyrus, supported successful
      reconstruction of perceived and remembered faces, confirming a role for this
      region in actively representing remembered content.

PMID- 27251625
TI  - Maternal Inflammation Disrupts Fetal Neurodevelopment via Increased Placental
      Output of Serotonin to the Fetal Brain.
AB  - Maternal inflammation during pregnancy affects placental function and is
      associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring.
      The molecular mechanisms linking placental dysfunction to abnormal fetal
      neurodevelopment remain unclear. During typical development, serotonin (5-HT)
      synthesized in the placenta from maternal l-tryptophan (TRP) reaches the fetal
      brain. There, 5-HT modulates critical neurodevelopmental processes. We
      investigated the effects of maternal inflammation triggered in midpregnancy in
      mice by the immunostimulant polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid [poly(I:C)]
      on TRP metabolism in the placenta and its impact on fetal neurodevelopment. We
      show that a moderate maternal immune challenge upregulates placental TRP
      conversion rapidly to 5-HT through successively transient increases in substrate
      availability and TRP hydroxylase (TPH) enzymatic activity, leading to
      accumulation of exogenous 5-HT and blunting of endogenous 5-HT axonal outgrowth
      specifically within the fetal forebrain. The pharmacological inhibition of TPH
      activity blocked these effects. These results establish altered placental TRP
      conversion to 5-HT as a new mechanism by which maternal inflammation disrupts 5
      HT-dependent neurogenic processes during fetal neurodevelopment. SIGNIFICANCE
      STATEMENT: The mechanisms linking maternal inflammation during pregnancy with
      increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring are poorly
      understood. In this study, we show that maternal inflammation in midpregnancy
      results in an upregulation of tryptophan conversion to serotonin (5-HT) within
      the placenta. Remarkably, this leads to exposure of the fetal forebrain to
      increased concentrations of this biogenic amine and to specific alterations of
      crucially important 5-HT-dependent neurogenic processes. More specifically, we
      found altered serotonergic axon growth resulting from increased 5-HT in the fetal
      forebrain. The data provide a new understanding of placental function playing a
      key role in fetal brain development and how this process is altered by adverse
      prenatal events such as maternal inflammation. The results uncover important
      future directions for understanding the early developmental origins of mental
      disorders.

PMID- 27251630
TI  - Divisive Normalization Predicts Adaptation-Induced Response Changes in Macaque
      Inferior Temporal Cortex.
AB  - Stimulus repetition alters neural responses to the repeated stimulus. This so
      called adaptation phenomenon has been commonly observed at multiple spatial and
      temporal scales and in different brain areas, and has been hypothesized to affect
      the neural representation of the sensory input. Yet, the neural mechanisms
      underlying adaptation still remain unclear, especially in higher-order cortical
      areas. Here we employ a divisive normalization model of neural responses to
      predict adaptation-induced changes in responses of single neurons in the macaque
      inferior temporal (IT) cortex. According to this model, the response of a neuron
      is determined by an interplay between its direct excitatory and divisive
      normalizing inputs, with each input being subject to adaptation. To test the
      model, we recorded the responses of single IT cortex neurons to complex visual
      stimuli while separately adapting the two putative types of input to those
      neurons. We compared the changes in responses of these neurons following such
      adaptation with predictions derived from the divisive normalization model. As
      predicted by the model, we show that adaptation in the IT cortex can, depending
      on the relative strength of each putative type of input to a neuron, suppress or
      enhance the neural response to a complex stimulus. More generally, our data
      suggest that adaptation serves to selectively enhance processing of the stimuli
      that differ from recently experienced ones, even when these occur within a
      configuration of multiple stimuli. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Stimulus repetition
      alters neural responses to the repeated stimulus. This so-called adaptation
      phenomenon has been robustly demonstrated in brains of different species and is
      considered to be a form of short-term plasticity inherent to the processing of
      sensory stimuli. Nevertheless, the functional role and underlying mechanisms of
      adaptation remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that divisive normalization, a
      canonical neural computation operating throughout the brain, predicts the
      adaptation-induced changes in response of single neurons to complex stimulus
      configurations in the macaque inferotemporal cortex. Our findings embed
      adaptation effects of inferotemporal neurons into the context of a broader neural
      network perspective that includes divisive normalization. Additionally, our
      findings have implications for understanding of the function of adaptation in
      higher-order sensory cortices.

PMID- 27251628
TI  - Functional Evidence for a Cerebellar Node of the Dorsal Attention Network.
AB  - The "dorsal attention network" or "frontoparietal network" refers to a network of
      cortical regions that support sustained attention and working memory. Recent work
      has demonstrated that cortical nodes of the dorsal attention network possess
      intrinsic functional connections with a region in ventral cerebellum, in the
      vicinity of lobules VII/VIII. Here, we performed a series of task-based and
      resting-state fMRI experiments to investigate cerebellar participation in the
      dorsal attention network in humans. We observed that visual working memory and
      visual attention tasks robustly recruit cerebellar lobules VIIb and VIIIa, in
      addition to canonical cortical dorsal attention network regions. Across the
      cerebellum, resting-state functional connectivity with the cortical dorsal
      attention network strongly predicted the level of activation produced by
      attention and working memory tasks. Critically, cerebellar voxels that were most
      strongly connected with the dorsal attention network selectively exhibited load
      dependent activity, a hallmark of the neural structures that support visual
      working memory. Finally, we examined intrinsic functional connectivity between
      task-responsive portions of cerebellar lobules VIIb/VIIIa and cortex. Cerebellum
      to-cortex functional connectivity strongly predicted the pattern of cortical
      activation during task performance. Moreover, resting-state connectivity patterns
      revealed that cerebellar lobules VIIb/VIIIa group with cortical nodes of the
      dorsal attention network. This evidence leads us to conclude that the
      conceptualization of the dorsal attention network should be expanded to include
      cerebellar lobules VIIb/VIIIa. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The functional
      participation of cerebellar structures in nonmotor cortical networks remains
      poorly understood and is highly understudied, despite the fact that the
      cerebellum possesses many more neurons than the cerebral cortex. Although visual
      attention paradigms have been reported to activate cerebellum, many researchers
      have largely dismissed the possibility of a cerebellar contribution to attention
      in favor of a motor explanation, namely, eye movements. The present study
      demonstrates that a cerebellar subdivision (mainly lobules VIIb/VIIIa), which
      exhibits strong intrinsic functional connectivity with the cortical dorsal
      attention network, also closely mirrors a myriad of cortical dorsal attention
      network responses to visual attention and working memory tasks. This evidence
      strongly supports a reconceptualization of the dorsal attention network to
      include cerebellar lobules VIIb/VIIIa.

PMID- 27251629
TI  - Dynamin 1- and 3-Mediated Endocytosis Is Essential for the Development of a Large
      Central Synapse In Vivo.
AB  - Dynamin is a large GTPase crucial for endocytosis and sustained
      neurotransmission, but its role in synapse development in the mammalian brain has
      received little attention. We addressed this question using the calyx of Held
      (CH), a large nerve terminal in the auditory brainstem in mice. Tissue-specific
      ablation of different dynamin isoforms bypasses the early lethality of
      conventional knock-outs and allows us to examine CH development in a native brain
      circuit. Individual gene deletion of dynamin 1, a primary dynamin isoform in
      neurons, as well as dynamin 2 and 3, did not affect CH development. However,
      combined tissue-specific knock-out of both dynamin 1 and 3 (cDKO) severely
      impaired CH formation and growth during the first postnatal week, and the
      phenotypes were exacerbated by further additive conditional knock-out of dynamin
      2. The developmental defect of CH in cDKO first became evident on postnatal day 3
      (P3), a time point when CH forms and grows abruptly. This is followed by a
      progressive loss of postsynaptic neurons and increased glial infiltration late in
      development. However, early CH synaptogenesis before protocalyx formation was not
      altered in cDKO. Functional maturation of synaptic transmission in the medial
      nucleus of the trapezoid body in cDKO was impeded during development and
      accompanied by an increase in the membrane excitability of medial nucleus of the
      trapezoid body neurons. This study provides compelling genetic evidence that CH
      formation requires dynamin 1- and 3-mediated endocytosis in vivo, indicating a
      critical role of dynamin in synaptic development, maturation, and subsequent
      maintenance in the mammalian brain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Synaptic development
      has been increasingly implicated in numerous brain disorders. Dynamin plays a
      crucial role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and synaptic transmission at nerve
      terminals, but its potential role in synaptic development in the native brain
      circuitry is unclear. Using the calyx of Held, a giant nerve terminal in the
      mouse brainstem, we evaluated the role of dynamin in this process by using tissue
      specific knock-out (KO) of three different dynamin isoforms (dynamin 1, 2, and 3)
      individually and in combination. Our data demonstrated that dynamin is required
      for the formation, functional maturation, and subsequent survival of the calyx of
      Held. This study highlights the important role of dynamin-mediated endocytosis in
      the development of central synapses in the mammalian brain.

PMID- 27251631
TI  - Disruption of Fixation Reveals Latent Sensorimotor Processes in the Superior
      Colliculus.
AB  - Executive control of voluntary movements is a hallmark of the mammalian brain. In
      the gaze-control network, this function is thought to be mediated by a critical
      balance between neurons responsible for generating movements and those
      responsible for fixating or suppressing movements, but the nature of this balance
      between the relevant elements-saccade-generating and fixation-related neurons
      remains unclear. Specifically, it has been debated whether the two functions are
      necessarily coupled (i.e., push-and-pull) or independently controlled. Here we
      show that behavioral perturbation of ongoing fixation with the trigeminal blink
      reflex in monkeys (Macaca mulatta) alters the effective balance between fixation
      and saccade-generating neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) and can lead to
      premature gaze shifts reminiscent of compromised inhibitory control. The shift in
      balance is primarily driven by an increase in the activity of visuomovement
      neurons in the caudal SC, and the extent to which fixation-related neurons in the
      rostral SC play a role seems to be linked to the animal's propensity to make
      microsaccades. The perturbation also reveals a hitherto unknown feature of
      sensorimotor integration: the presence of a hidden visual response in canonical
      movement neurons. These findings offer new insights into the latent functional
      interactions, or lack thereof, between components of the gaze-control network,
      suggesting that the perturbation technique used here may prove to be a useful
      tool for probing the neural mechanisms of movement generation in executive
      function and dysfunction. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Eye movements are an integral
      part of how we explore the environment. Although we know a great deal about where
      sensorimotor transformations leading to saccadic eye movements are implemented in
      the brain, less is known about the functional interactions between neurons that
      maintain gaze fixation and neurons that program saccades. In this study, we used
      a novel approach to study these interactions. By transient disruption of
      fixation, we found that activity of saccade-generating neurons can increase
      independently of modulation in fixation-related neurons, which may occasionally
      lead to premature movements mimicking lack of impulse control. Our findings
      support the notion of a common pathway for sensory and movement processing and
      suggest that impulsive movements arise when sensory processes become "motorized."

PMID- 27251632
TI  - Role of SGK1 for fatty acid uptake, cell survival and radioresistance of NCI-H460
      lung cancer cells exposed to acute or chronic cycling severe hypoxia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unsaturated fatty acids (FA) are required for cancer cell growth. In
      normoxia cells can generate unsaturated FA from saturated stearic and palmitic
      acid by desaturation. However, since the desaturation step is oxygen-dependent
      hypoxic cancer cells display an increased dependence on the uptake of unsaturated
      FA. Up to now the mechanism of increased FA uptake in hypoxia is largely unknown.
      Here we aimed to study the role of human serum and glucocorticoid-inducible
      kinase (SGK1) in the regulation of FA uptake in cancer cells exposed to acute or
      chronic cycling hypoxia and explore its use as target for the radiosensitization
      of hypoxic cancer cells. METHODS: The effect of SGK1-inhibition (GSK650394) on
      NCI-H460 lung adenocarcinoma cells exposed to normoxia, acute or chronic cycling
      hypoxia was analyzed under standard and serum-deprived conditions by short-term
      proliferation, apoptosis and cell death assays. The impact of SGK1-inhibition on
      radiation sensitivity was determined by standard colony formation assays. The
      effect of GSK650394 on FA uptake was quantified by measuring intracellular
      accumulation of fluorescent FA (C1-BODIPY(r)-C12). RESULTS: Exposure to acute or
      chronic cycling hypoxia was associated with up-regulated expression of SGK1 in
      NCI-H460 cells, increased uptake of FA from the culture medium, and increased
      sensitivity to serum deprivation. Survival of serum-deprived hypoxic NCI-H460
      cells was rescued by the addition of the unsaturated FA, oleic acid, whereas the
      saturated FA, palmitic acid was highly toxic to the hypoxic cancer cells.
      Interestingly, SGK1 inhibition abrogated the rescue effect of oleic acid in serum
      deprived hypoxic cancer cells and this effect was associated with a reduction in
      FA uptake particularly in anoxia-tolerant cancer cells exposed to severe hypoxia.
      Finally, SKG1 inhibition decreased long-term survival and potently sensitized the
      parental and anoxia-tolerant NCI-H460 cells to the cytotoxic effects of ionizing
      radiation in normoxia as well as the anoxia-tolerant cancer cells in severe
      hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that SGK1 plays a role in the regulation
      of FA uptake that becomes essential under conditions of acute or chronic cycling
      hypoxia. We assume that SGK1 may represent a promising therapeutic target for the
      eradication of hypoxic cancer cells.

PMID- 27251633
TI  - "Others Like Me". An Approach to the Use of the Internet and Social Networks in
      Adolescents and Young Adults Diagnosed with Cancer.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to improve comprehension about how adolescents and
      young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer use the Internet and social networks to
      seek information about their illness and to establish relationships between them.
      A group of 20 AYA patients and survivors of cancer (ages 14 to 29) were
      interviewed from a qualitative approach. Most of the respondents (N = 16) sought
      information about their disease on the Internet. They looked for information
      using search engines (mainly Google) and general concepts as their own cancer
      name. In general, they did not share the information obtained with their parents
      or professional healthcare providers. The interviewees think that the information
      is difficult to understand because of jargon and that it is not aimed at a young
      audience. All (N = 20) have presence in social networking sites. AYAs with cancer
      are starting to create content themselves: three started a blog in order to
      explain their experience to others like them. The study shows that is necessary
      to increase efforts on adapting content to these age groups in order to help them
      learn more about their own disease. This may contribute to increment their
      adherence to treatment and to maintain surveillance of potential consequences and
      health problems post-treatment.

PMID- 27251634
TI  - Health Literacy and Health-Care Engagement as Predictors of Shared Decision
      Making Among Adult Information Seekers in the USA: a Secondary Data Analysis of
      the Health Information National Trends Survey.
AB  - The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between health
      literacy, health-care engagement, and shared decision-making (SDM). We analyzed
      Health Information National Trends Survey 4 (cycle 3) data for 1604 information
      seekers who had one or more non-emergency room health-care visits in the previous
      year. SDM was more than two times higher among adults who "always" versus
      "usually/sometimes/never" take health information to doctor visits (OR = 2.54; 95
      % CI 1.19-5.43). There was a twofold increase in SDM among adults who were
      "completely/very confident" versus "somewhat/a little/not confident" about
      finding health information (OR = 2.03; 95 % CI 1.37-3.02). Differences in SDM
      between adults who understood health information and those who had difficulty
      understanding health information were not statistically significant (OR = 1.39;
      95 % CI 0.93-2.07). A Healthy People 2020 goal is to increase SDM. Previous
      research has suggested that SDM may improve health outcomes across the continuum
      of care. Only about half of adults report always being involved in health-care
      decisions. Even more alarming is the fact that SDM has not increased from 2003 to
      2013. Our findings suggest that increasing health literacy has the potential to
      increase health-care engagement and subsequently increase SDM. Effective
      intervention strategies are needed to improve health literacy and promote health
      care engagement.

PMID- 27251636
TI  - Fast, greener and scalable direct coupling of organolithium compounds with no
      additional solvents.
AB  - Although the use of catalytic rather than stoichiometric amounts of metal
      mediator in cross-coupling reactions between organic halides and organometallic
      counterparts improves significantly the atom economy and waste production, the
      use of solvents and stoichiometric generation of main-group byproducts (B, Sn and
      Zn) hamper the 'greenness' and industrial efficiency of these processes. Here we
      present a highly selective and green Pd-catalysed cross-coupling between organic
      halides and organolithium reagents proceeding without additional solvents and
      with short reaction times (10 min). This method bypasses a number of challenges
      previously encountered in Pd-catalysed cross-coupling with organolithium
      compounds such as strict exclusion of moisture, dilution and slow addition.
      Operational ease of this protocol combines the use of industrially viable
      catalysts loadings (down to 0.1 mol%), scalability of the process (tested up to
      120 mmol) and exceptionally favourable environmental impact (E factors in several
      cases as low as 1).

PMID- 27251635
TI  - The rise of angiosperm-dominated herbaceous floras: Insights from Ranunculaceae.
AB  - The rise of angiosperms has been regarded as a trigger for the Cretaceous
      revolution of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the timeframe of the rise
      angiosperm-dominated herbaceous floras (ADHFs) is lacking. Here, we used the
      buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) as a proxy to provide insights into the rise of
      ADHFs. An integration of phylogenetic, molecular dating, ancestral state
      inferring, and diversification analytical methods was used to infer the early
      evolutionary history of Ranunculaceae. We found that Ranunculaceae became
      differentiated in forests between about 108-90 Ma. Diversification rates markedly
      elevated during the Campanian, mainly resulted from the rapid divergence of the
      non-forest lineages, but did not change across the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary.
      Our data for Ranunculaceae indicate that forest-dwelling ADHFs may have appeared
      almost simultaneously with angiosperm-dominated forests during the mid
      Cretaceous, whereas non-forest ADHFs arose later, by the end of the Cretaceous
      terrestrial revolution. Furthermore, ADHFs were relatively unaffected by the
      Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction.

PMID- 27251637
TI  - Dual-responsive aggregation-induced emission-active supramolecular nanoparticles
      for gene delivery and bioimaging.
AB  - Dual-responsive aggregation-induced emission-active supramolecular fluorescent
      nanoparticles are reported, which have the ability to undergo a unique
      morphological transition combining with a cooperative optical variation in
      response to pH and light stimuli. The dynamic supramolecular nanoparticles show
      excellent biocompatibility and effective plasmid DNA condensation capability,
      further achieving efficient in vitro gene delivery and bioimaging. 

PMID- 27251639
TI  - Changes in American Adults' Reported Same-Sex Sexual Experiences and Attitudes,
      1973-2014.
AB  - We examined change over time in the reported prevalence of men having sex with
      men and women having sex with women and acceptance of those behaviors in the
      nationally representative General Social Survey of U.S. adults (n's = 28,161
      33,728, ages 18-96 years), 1972-2014. The number of U.S. adults who had at least
      one same-sex partner since age 18 doubled between the early 1990s and early 2010s
      (from 3.6 to 8.7 % for women and from 4.5 to 8.2 % for men). Bisexual behavior
      (having sex with both male and female partners) increased from 3.1 to 7.7 %,
      accounting for much of the rise, with little consistent change in those having
      sex exclusively with same-sex partners. The increase in same-sex partners was
      larger for women than for men, consistent with erotic plasticity theory.
      Attitudes toward same-sex sexual behavior also became substantially more
      accepting, d = .75, between the early 1970s and early 2010s. By 2014, 49 % of
      American adults believed that same-sex sexual activity was "not wrong at all," up
      from 11 % in 1973 and 13 % in 1990. Controlling for acceptance reduced, but did
      not eliminate, the increase in same-sex behavior over time. Mixed effects
      (hierarchical linear modeling) analyses separating age, time period, and cohort
      showed that the trends were primarily due to time period. Increases in same-sex
      sexual behavior were largest in the South and Midwest and among Whites, were
      mostly absent among Blacks, and were smaller among the religious. Overall, same
      sex sexual behavior has become both more common (or at least more commonly
      reported) and more accepted.

PMID- 27251638
TI  - Metallothionein regulates intracellular zinc signaling during CD4(+) T cell
      activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ultra-low redox potential and zinc binding properties of the
      intracellular pool of mammalian metallothioneins (MT) suggest a role for MT in
      the transduction of redox signals into intracellular zinc signals. Increased
      expression of MT after exposure to heavy metals, oxidative stress, or
      inflammatory cytokines leads to an increased intracellular redox-mobilizable zinc
      pool that can affect downstream zinc-sensitive signaling pathways. CD4(+) T
      helper cells are poised to be influenced by MT transduced zinc signaling because
      they produce intracellular reactive oxygen species following activation through
      the T cell receptor and are sensitive to small changes in intracellular [Zn(2+)].
      RESULTS: MT expression and intracellular [Zn(2+)] are both increased during
      primary activation and expansion of naive CD4(+) T cells into the Tr1 phenotype
      in vitro. When Tr1 cells from wildtype mice are compared with congenic mice
      lacking functional Mt1 and Mt2 genes, the expression of intracellular MT is
      associated with a greater increase in intracellular [Zn(2+)] immediately
      following exposure to reactive oxygen species or upon restimulation through the T
      cell receptor. The release of Zn(2+) from MT is associated with a greater
      increase in p38 MAPK activation following restimulation and decreased p38 MAPK
      activation in MT knockout Tr1 cells can be rescued by increasing intracellular
      [Zn(2+)]. Additionally, IL-10 secretion is increased in MT knockout Tr1 cells
      compared with wildtype controls and this increase is prevented when the
      intracellular [Zn(2+)] is increased experimentally. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in
      zinc signaling associated with MT expression appear to be a result of
      preferential oxidation of MT and concomitant release of Zn(2+). Although zinc is
      released from many proteins following oxidation, release is greater when the cell
      contains an intracellular pool of MT. By expressing MT in response to certain
      environmental conditions, CD4(+) T cells are able to more efficiently release
      intracellular zinc and regulate signaling pathways following stimulation. The
      link between MT expression and increased zinc signaling following activation
      represents an important immunomodulatory mechanism of MT and illuminates the
      complex role MT plays in shaping immune responses.

PMID- 27251640
TI  - Perceptions of Sex, Gender, and Puberty Suppression: A Qualitative Analysis of
      Transgender Youth.
AB  - International guidelines recommend the use of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
      (GnRH) agonists in adolescents with gender dysphoria (GD) to suppress puberty.
      Little is known about the way gender dysphoric adolescents themselves think about
      this early medical intervention. The purpose of the present study was (1) to
      explicate the considerations of gender dysphoric adolescents in the Netherlands
      concerning the use of puberty suppression; (2) to explore whether the
      considerations of gender dysphoric adolescents differ from those of professionals
      working in treatment teams, and if so in what sense. This was a qualitative study
      designed to identify considerations of gender dysphoric adolescents regarding
      early treatment. All 13 adolescents, except for one, were treated with puberty
      suppression; five adolescents were trans girls and eight were trans boys. Their
      ages ranged between 13 and 18 years, with an average age of 16 years and 11
      months, and a median age of 17 years and 4 months. Subsequently, the
      considerations of the adolescents were compared with views of clinicians treating
      youth with GD. From the interviews with the gender dysphoric adolescents, three
      themes emerged: (1) the difficulty of determining what is an appropriate lower
      age limit for starting puberty suppression. Most adolescents found it difficult
      to define an appropriate age limit and saw it as a dilemma; (2) the lack of data
      on the long-term effects of puberty suppression. Most adolescents stated that the
      lack of long-term data did not and would not stop them from wanting puberty
      suppression; (3) the role of the social context, for which there were two
      subthemes: (a) increased media-attention, on television, and on the Internet; (b)
      an imposed stereotype. Some adolescents were positive about the role of the
      social context, but others raised doubts about it. Compared to clinicians,
      adolescents were often more cautious in their treatment views. It is important to
      give voice to gender dysphoric adolescents when discussing the use of puberty
      suppression in GD. Otherwise, professionals might act based on assumptions about
      adolescents' opinions instead of their actual considerations. We encourage
      gathering more qualitative research data from gender dysphoric adolescents in
      other countries.

PMID- 27251641
TI  - A Plea for Scientific Ambitions: Reply to Commentaries from Martin Wieser,
      Nikolai Veresov, Asger Neumann, and Peter Krojgaard.
AB  - The paper is a reply to commentaries to "Activity theories and the Ontology of
      Psychology: Learning from Danish and Russian Experiences" (Mammen and Mironenko
      2015). At the same time it is an attempt to reply to more general issues raised
      by the commentators and an attempt to further develop some general ideas from our
      paper with a focus on the introduction of the new analytical concepts sense and
      choice categories. These concepts have been elaborated in an axiomatic frame in
      (Mammen 2016) and the present paper is thus also pointing forwards to that and
      supporting it with examples from research on adult human relations of love and
      affection and on infant cognitive development. A few examples from myth and
      literature are referred to also. The ambition is to introduce new analytical
      tools across schools and domains of psychology which open for theoretical
      inclusion of new phenomena and re-structuring of well-known ones. The hope is to
      surmount some problems, as e.g. the dilemma between dualism and reductionism,
      which have been obstacles in the search for conceptual and methodological
      coherence in psychology. In the first place the hope is also to sharpen the
      analytical, critical and practical potential of psychology as a science. The
      ambition is not, here and now, to develop a comprehensive general theory as a
      container for the huge amount of empirical results collected using very
      heterogeneous criteria for what belongs to the domain of psychology and very
      heterogeneous conceptual frames. Here we still need some patience following the
      lesson from natural science, step by step including new domains as the conceptual
      and practical frames are expanding, but on the other hand not excluding anything
      apriori. 

PMID- 27251642
TI  - Correlation of metabolic information on FDG-PET with tissue expression of immune
      markers in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are candidates
      for upfront surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: Eliciting antitumor T-cell response by targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis
      with checkpoint inhibitors has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy in non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The identification of predictors for sensitivity
      or resistance to these agents is, therefore, needed. Herein, we investigate the
      correlation of metabolic information on FDG-PET with tissue expression of immune
      checkpoints and other markers of tumor-related immunity in resected NSCLC
      patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients referred to our institution for
      upfront surgical resection of NSCLC, who were investigated with FDG-PET prior to
      surgery, were consecutively included in the study. From January 2010 to May 2014,
      55 patients (stage IA-IIIB; M:F = 42:13; mean age 68.9 years) were investigated.
      Sampled surgical tumor specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for
      CD68-TAMs (tumor-associated macrophages), CD8-TILs (tumor infiltrating
      lymphocytes), PD-1-TILs, and PD-L1 tumor expression. Immunoreactivity was
      evaluated, and scores were compared with imaging findings. FDG-PET images were
      analyzed to define semi-quantitative parameters: SUVmax and SUVmean. Metabolic
      information on FDG-PET was correlated with tissue markers expression and disease
      free survival (DFS) considering a median follow-up of 16.2 months. RESULTS:
      Thirty-six adenocarcinomas (ADC), 18 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and one
      sarcomatoid carcinoma were analyzed. All tumors resulted positive at FDG-PET:
      median SUVmax 11.3 (range: 2.3-32.5) and SUVmean 6.4 (range: 1.5-13) both
      resulted significantly higher in SCC compared to other NSCLC histotypes (p =
      0.007 and 0.048, respectively). IHC demonstrated a median immunoreactive surface
      covered by CD68-TAMs of 5.41 % (range: 0.84-14.01 %), CD8-TILs of 2.9 % (range:
      0.11-11.92 %), PD-1 of 0.65 % (range: 0.02-5.87 %), and PD-L1 of 0.7 % (range:
      0.03-10.29 %). We found a statistically significant correlation between SUVmax
      and SUVmean with the expression of CD8 TILs (rho = 0.31; p = 0.027) and PD-1 (rho
      = 0.33; p = 0.017 and rho = 0.36; p = 0.009, respectively). The other tissue
      markers correlated as follows: CD8 TILs and PD-1 (rho = 0.45; p = 0.001), CD8
      TILs and PD-L1 (rho = 0.41; p = 0.003), CD68-TAMs and PD-L1 (rho = 0.30; p =
      0.027), PD-1 and PD-L1 (rho = 0.26; p = 0.059). With respect to patients'
      outcome, SUVmax, SUVmean, and disease stage showed a statistically significant
      correlation with DFS (p = 0.002, 0.004, and <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:
      The present study shows a direct association between metabolic parameters on FDG
      PET and the expression of tumor-related immunity markers, suggesting a potential
      role for FDG-PET to characterize the tumor microenvironment and select NSCLC
      patients candidate to checkpoint inhibitors.

PMID- 27251643
TI  - Evaluation of tumour hypoxia during radiotherapy using [18F]HX4 PET imaging and
      blood biomarkers in patients with head and neck cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Increased tumour hypoxia is associated with a worse
      overall survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
      The aims of this study were to evaluate treatment-associated changes in [18F]HX4
      PET, hypoxia-related blood biomarkers, and their interdependence. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: [18F]HX4-PET/CT scans of 20 patients with HNSCC were acquired at
      baseline and after +/-20Gy of radiotherapy. Within the gross-tumour-volumes (GTV;
      primary and lymph nodes), mean and maximum standardized uptake values, the
      hypoxic fraction (HF) and volume (HV) were calculated. Also, the changes in
      spatial uptake pattern were evaluated using [18F]HX4-PET/CT imaging. For all
      patients, the plasma concentration of CAIX, osteopontin and VEGF was assessed.
      RESULTS: At baseline, tumour hypoxia was detected in 69 % (22/32) of the GTVs.
      During therapy, we observed a significant decrease in all image parameters. The
      HF decreased from 21.7 +/- 19.8 % (baseline) to 3.6 +/- 10.0 % (during treatment;
      P < 0.001). Only two patients had a HV > 1 cm3 during treatment, which was
      located for >98 % within the baseline HV. During treatment, no significant
      changes in plasma CAIX or VEGF were observed, while osteopontin was increased.
      CONCLUSIONS: [18F]HX4-PET/CT imaging allows monitoring changes in hypoxia during
      (chemo)radiotherapy whereas the blood biomarkers were not able to detect a
      treatment-associated decrease in hypoxia.

PMID- 27251644
TI  - The reoxygenation of hypoxia and the reduction of glucose metabolism in head and
      neck cancer by fractionated radiotherapy with intensity-modulated radiation
      therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate reoxygenation
      in the early phase of fractionated radiotherapy and serial changes of tumoricidal
      effects associated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients
      with head and neck cancer (HNC) using F-18 fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET and F
      18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET. METHODS: Patients with untreated HNC underwent
      FMISO-PET and FDG-PET studies prospectively. A PET evaluation was conducted
      before each IMRT (Pre-IMRT), during IMRT (at 30 Gy/15 fr) (Inter-IMRT), and after
      completion of IMRT (70 Gy/35 fr) (Post-IMRT). FMISO-PET images were scanned by a
      PET/CT scanner at 4 h after the FMISO injection. We quantitatively analyzed the
      FMISO-PET images of the primary lesion using the maximum standardized uptake
      (SUVmax) and tumor-to-muscle ratio (TMR). The hypoxic volume (HV) was calculated
      as an index of tumor hypoxia, and was defined as the volume when the TMR was >=
      1.25. Each FDG-PET scan was started 1 h after injection. The SUVmax and metabolic
      tumor volume (MTV) values obtained by FDG-PET were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty
      patients finished the complete PET study protocol. At Pre-IMRT, 19 patients had
      tumor hypoxia in the primary tumor. In ten patients, the tumor hypoxia
      disappeared at Inter-IMRT. Another seven patients showed the disappearance of
      tumor hypoxia at Post-IMRT. Two patients showed tumor hypoxia at Post-IMRT. The
      FMISO-PET results showed that the reduction rates of both SUVmax and TMR from Pre
      IMRT to Inter-IMRT were significantly higher than the corresponding reductions
      from Inter-IMRT to Post-IMRT (SUVmax: 27 % vs. 10 %, p = 0.025; TMR: 26 % vs. 12
      %, p = 0.048). The reduction rate of SUVmax in FDG-PET from Pre-IMRT to Inter
      IMRT was similar to that from Inter-IMRT to Post-IMRT (47 % vs. 48 %, p = 0.778).
      The reduction rate of the HV in FMISO-PET from Pre-IMRT to Inter-IMRT tended to
      be larger than that from Inter-IMRT to Post-IMRT (63 % vs. 40 %, p = 0.490).
      Conversely, the reduction rate of the MTV in FDG-PET from Pre-IMRT to Inter-IMRT
      was lower than that from Inter-IMRT to Post-IMRT (47 % vs. 74 %, p = 0.003).
      CONCLUSIONS: Both the intensity and the volume of tumor hypoxia rapidly decreased
      in the early phase of radiotherapy, indicating reoxygenation of the tumor
      hypoxia. In contrast, the FDG uptake declined gradually with the course of
      radiotherapy, indicating that the tumoricidal effect continues over the entire
      course of radiation treatment.

PMID- 27251645
TI  - Retinopathy of Prematurity: Therapeutic Strategies Based on Pathophysiology.
AB  - Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) continues to be a major preventable cause of
      blindness and visual handicaps globally. With improved perinatal care, improved
      survival of moderately preterm infants, and limited resources for oxygen delivery
      and monitoring, more mature preterm infants are developing severe ROP in
      developing countries. The pathophysiology of ROP is characterized by two phases.
      Phase I ROP is due to vaso-obliteration beginning immediately after birth
      secondary to a marked decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and
      insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Phase II begins around 33 weeks'
      postmenstrual age (PMA). During this phase, VEGF levels increase, especially if
      there is retinal hypoxia with increasing retinal metabolism and demand for oxygen
      leading to abnormal vasoproliferation. Since the original description of ROP in
      1942 by Terry et al. [Am J Ophthalmol 1942;25:203-204], four epidemics of ROP
      have been observed. Prevention or early treatment of ROP involves careful
      titration of oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter (SpO2). Optimal SpO2 target
      remains elusive. Most of the large trials have focused on either a low SpO2 (85
      89%) or a high SpO2 (91-95%) from the first day of birth to 36 weeks' PMA.
      Although the incidence of severe ROP and bronchopulmonary dysplasia decreased
      significantly, predischarge mortality was higher in these studies. Use of graded
      SpO2 during the 2 different phases of ROP (early, low SpO2 during phase I vs.
      late, high SpO2 during phase II) may be the best approach to prevent this
      disabling condition. Further trials should focus on this strategy. Other
      biological agents that are currently being studied include IGF-1 with IGF-binding
      protein-3 (rhIGF-1 + rhIGFBP-3) and propranolol. For advanced stages of ROP,
      laser ablation of avascular retina, early treatment of ROP (ETROP) protocol,
      intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF antibodies (e.g. bevacizumab) and vitrectomy
      are used to protect central vision and prevent retinal detachment. Long-term
      complications such as refractory errors, recurrence of ROP and risk of retinal
      detachment require continued follow-up with an ophthalmologist through
      adolescence and beyond. Optimal nutrition including adequate intake of omega-3
      polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreasing infection/inflammation to promote
      normal vascularization are important strategies. Screening guidelines for ROP
      based on local incidence of ROP in different regions of the world are very
      important. Oxygen therapy is clearly a modifiable risk factor to decrease ROP
      that needs further study. Understanding the two phases of ROP will help to
      identify appropriate therapeutic strategies and improve visual outcomes in many
      preterm infants globally.

PMID- 27251646
TI  - Patient satisfaction with extended-interval warfarin monitoring.
AB  - Extended-interval monitoring of warfarin has been proposed to reduce follow-up
      burden and improve patient satisfaction. We aimed to make an initial assessment
      of anticoagulation satisfaction before and after an extended-interval warfarin
      monitoring intervention. We conducted a translational prospective single-arm
      pilot study of extended-interval warfarin monitoring in five pharmacist-managed
      anticoagulation clinics. Patients meeting CHEST guideline criteria for extended
      interval warfarin monitoring began progressive extended-interval follow-up (6, 8,
      and 12 weeks thereafter). The Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS) was
      administered at baseline and at end-of-study or study removal (in patients no
      longer appropriate for extended interval follow-up). Forty-six patients had
      evaluable pre- and post-intervention DASS survey data. Mean age of patients was
      66.5 years, 74 % were non-Hispanic whites, and 48 % were men. Patients completed
      a mean +/- SD of 34 +/- 22 weeks of follow-up. Mean +/- SD total DASS score at
      baseline was 45.2 +/- 14.2 versus 49.1 +/- 14.9 at end-of-study (mean change,
      +3.9 [95 % CI -0.6-8.4; p = 0.09]), indicating no benefit-and trending toward
      decrement-to anticoagulation satisfaction. Change in anticoagulation satisfaction
      varied substantially following extended-interval monitoring, with no evidence of
      improved satisfaction. Plausible reasons for patients not preferring extended
      interval monitoring include increased anxiety and disengagement from self
      management activities, both potentially related to less frequent feedback and
      reassurance during extended interval-monitoring. Additional research is needed to
      identify who is likely to benefit most from extended-interval monitoring.
      Anticoagulation satisfaction should be considered with clinical factors and
      shared-decision making when implementing extended-interval warfarin monitoring. 

PMID- 27251647
TI  - MRI and the distribution of bone marrow fat in hip osteoarthritis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To characterize the distribution of bone marrow fat in hip
      osteoarthritis (OA) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to assess its use
      as a potential biomarker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 67 subjects (39 female,
      28 male) with either total hip replacement (THA) or different severities of
      radiographic OA, assessed by Kellgren-Lawrence grading (KLG), underwent 3T MRI of
      the pelvis using the IDEAL sequence to separate fat and water signals. Six
      regions of interest (ROIs) were identified within the proximal femur. Within each
      ROI the fractional-fat distribution, represented by pixel intensities, was
      described by its mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, and entropy.
      RESULTS: Hips were graded: 12 as severe symptomatic (THA), 33 had KLG0 or 1, 9
      were KLG2, 11 with KLG3, and 2 with KLG4 were analyzed together. The fractional
      fat content in the whole proximal femur did not vary with severity in males (mean
      (SD) 91.2 (6.0)%) but reduced with severity in females from 89.1 (6.7)% (KLG0,1),
      91.5 (2.9)% (KLG2), 85.8 (16.7)% (KLG3,4) to 77.5 (11.9)% (THA) (analysis of
      variance [ANOVA] P = 0.029). These differences were most pronounced in the
      femoral head, where mean values fell with OA severity in both sexes from 97.9%
      (2.5%) (KLG0,1) to 73.0% (25.9%) (THA, P < 0.001) with the largest difference at
      the final stage. The standard deviation and the entropy of the distribution both
      increased (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Descriptors of the fractional fat distribution
      varied little with the severity of OA until the most severe stage, when changes
      appeared mainly in the femoral head, and have, therefore, limited value as
      biomarkers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:42-50.

PMID- 27251648
TI  - Effect of extrusion processing on immune activation properties of hazelnut
      protein in a mouse model.
AB  - Although food processing can alter food allergenicity, the impact of extrusion
      processing on in vivo hazelnut allergenicity is unknown. Here, we tested the
      hypothesis that extrusion processing will alter the immune activation properties
      of hazelnut protein (HNP) in mice. Soluble extrusion-processed HNP (EHNP) was
      prepared and evaluated for immune response using an established transdermal
      sensitization mouse model. Mice were sensitized with identical amounts of EHNP
      versus raw HNP. After confirming systemic IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a antibody responses,
      oral hypersensitivity reaction was quantified by hypothermia shock response
      (HSR). Mechanism was studied by measuring mucosal mast cell (MMC) degranulation.
      Compared to raw HNP, the EHNP elicited slower but similar IgE antibody (Ab)
      response, lower IgG1 but higher IgG2a Ab response. The EHNP exhibited
      significantly lower oral HSR as well as MMC degranulation capacity. These results
      demonstrate that the extrusion technology can be used to produce soluble HNP with
      altered immune activation properties. 

PMID- 27251649
TI  - Ultrasound screening for cholangiocarcinoma could detect premalignant lesions and
      early-stage diseases with survival benefits: a population-based prospective study
      of 4,225 subjects in an endemic area.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thailand has a high incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA),
      particularly in the north and northeastern regions. Most CCA patients come at a
      late, unresectable stage and presently no optimal screening test for CCA has been
      established. We determined the prevalence of CCA in a remote northern village and
      explored if screening could lead to early detection and survival benefits.
      METHODS: A 5-year population-based study was started in October, 2011 for
      consented Thai individuals, aged 30-60 years. The screening program comprised
      blood testing, stool examination and serial ultrasonography every 6 months.
      RESULTS: During the first 3 years, 4,225 eligible individuals were enrolled. CCA
      was detected in 32 patients, with a mean age of 51.9 years (41-62 years), and
      21/32 cases were at a curative resectable stage. The prevalence rate of CCA was
      165.7 per 100,000 and one- and two-year incidence rate was 236.7/100,000 and
      520.7/100,000, respectively. One- and 2-year overall survival rates of CCA
      patients were 90.9 and 61.5 %, respectively. Prognosis was better in resectable
      cases with 100 % 1-year and 77.8 % 2-year survival rates. Interestingly,
      premalignant pathological lesions (stage 0) were identified in 11 cases with 100
      % 3-year survival rate. Serum biomarkers and alkaline phosphatase were not
      sufficient to detect early-stage disease. In 22 patients, stool samples were
      positive for Opistorchis viverrini, based on polymerase chain reaction.
      CONCLUSION: Detection of premalignant lesions and early-stage resectable CCA by
      ultrasonography resulted in improved clinical outcome. Ultrasonography should be
      offered as a first screening tool for CCA in an endemic area until other useful
      biological markers become available.

PMID- 27251650
TI  - Quantitative measurement of exchange dynamics in proteins via (13)C relaxation
      dispersion of (13)CHD2-labeled samples.
AB  - Methyl groups have emerged as powerful probes of protein dynamics with timescales
      from picoseconds to seconds. Typically, studies involving high molecular weight
      complexes exploit (13)CH3- or (13)CHD2-labeling in otherwise highly deuterated
      proteins. The (13)CHD2 label offers the unique advantage of providing (13)C, (1)H
      and (2)H spin probes, however a disadvantage has been the lack of an experiment
      to record (13)C Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill relaxation dispersion that monitors
      millisecond time-scale dynamics, implicated in a wide range of biological
      processes. Herein we develop an experiment that eliminates artifacts that would
      normally result from the scalar coupling between (13)C and (2)H spins that has
      limited applications in the past. The utility of the approach is established with
      a number of applications, including measurement of ms dynamics of a disease
      mutant of a 320 kDa p97 complex.

PMID- 27251651
TI  - Dissociable roles for histone acetyltransferases p300 and PCAF in hippocampus and
      perirhinal cortex-mediated object memory.
AB  - The importance of histone acetylation for certain types of memory is now well
      established. However, the specific contributions of the various histone
      acetyltransferases to distinct memory functions remain to be determined;
      therefore, we employed selective histone acetyltransferase protein inhibitors and
      short-interference RNAs to evaluate the roles of CREB-binding protein (CBP), E1A
      binding protein (p300) and p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) in hippocampus and
      perirhinal cortex (PRh)-mediated object memory. Rats were tested for short- (STM)
      and long-term memory (LTM) in the object-in-place task, which relies on the
      hippocampus and PRh for spatial memory and object identity processing,
      respectively. Selective inhibition of these histone acetyltransferases by small
      interfering RNA and pharmacological inhibitors targeting the HAT domain produced
      dissociable effects. In the hippocampus, CBP or p300 inhibition impaired long
      term but not short-term object memory, while inhibition of PCAF impaired memory
      at both delays. In PRh, HAT inhibition did not impair STM, and only CBP and PCAF
      inhibition disrupted LTM; p300 inhibition had no effects. Messenger RNA analyses
      revealed findings consistent with the pattern of behavioral effects, as all three
      enzymes were upregulated in the hippocampus (dentate gyrus) following learning,
      whereas only CBP and PCAF were upregulated in PRh. These results demonstrate, for
      the first time, the necessity of histone acetyltransferase activity for PRh
      mediated object memory and indicate that the specific mnemonic roles of
      distinctive histone acetyltransferases can be dissociated according to specific
      brain regions and memory timeframe.

PMID- 27251652
TI  - Oxidative and nitrative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines in
      Mucopolysaccharidosis type II patients: effect of long-term enzyme replacement
      therapy and relation with glycosaminoglycan accumulation.
AB  - Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a
      deficient activity of iduronate-2-sulfatase, leading to abnormal accumulation of
      glycosaminoglycans (GAG). The main treatment for MPS II is enzyme replacement
      therapy (ERT). Previous studies described potential benefits of six months of ERT
      against oxidative stress in patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to
      investigate oxidative, nitrative and inflammatory biomarkers in MPS II patients
      submitted to long term ERT. It were analyzed urine and blood samples from
      patients on ERT (mean time: 5.2years) and healthy controls. Patients presented
      increased levels of lipid peroxidation, assessed by urinary 15-F2t-isoprostane
      and plasmatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Concerning to protein
      damage, urinary di-tyrosine (di-Tyr) was increased in patients; however,
      sulfhydryl and carbonyl groups in plasma were not altered. It were also verified
      increased levels of urinary nitrate+nitrite and plasmatic nitric oxide (NO) in
      MPS II patients. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were increased
      in treated patients. GAG levels were correlated to di-Tyr and nitrate+nitrite.
      Furthermore, IL-1beta was positively correlated with TNF-alpha and NO.
      Contrastingly, we did not observed alterations in erythrocyte superoxide
      dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities,
      in reduced glutathione content and in the plasmatic antioxidant capacity.
      Although some parameters were still altered in MPS II patients, these results may
      suggest a protective role of long-term ERT against oxidative stress, especially
      upon oxidative damage to protein and enzymatic and non-enzymatic defenses.
      Moreover, the redox imbalance observed in treated patients seems to be GAG- and
      pro-inflammatory cytokine-related.

PMID- 27251653
TI  - Congenital retrosternal hernias of Morgagni: Manifestation and treatment in
      children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to scarcity of congenital diaphragmatic hearnias of Morgagni
      (CDHM), non-specific clinical presentation in the pediatric age group, we aimed
      to investigate the incidence, clinical manifestations, anatomical
      characteristics, and develop diagnostic algorithm and treatment of CDHM in
      children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients' records of children with CDHM
      treated in our hospital during past 20 years were retrospectively reviewed for
      the age at diagnosis, gender, clinical findings, anatomical features, operative
      details and outcome. RESULTS: Since 1995 to 2014 we observed 6 (3 boys, 3 girls)
      patients with CDHM, that comprise 3.2% of all congenital diaphragmatic hernia
      cases (n = 185). Age at diagnosis varied from 3 mo. to 10y.o. Failure to thrive
      was main symptom in 4 patients, followed by recurrent respiratory infections (n =
      3), dyspnea (n = 3), and gastrointestinal manifestations: constipation (n = 2),
      abdominal pain (n = 1). Work-up consisted of plain X-ray for all (n = 6), upper
      GI (n = 3), barium enema (n = 2), sonography (n = 6) and CT (n = 2). Abdominal
      approach used in 5 patients, and thoracotomy in one. Herniated contents were:
      liver lobes (n = 4), transverse colon (n = 3) and greater omentum (n = 1). 5 had
      right-sided lesion, 1- left-sided. Defect repaired using local tissues. Post
      operative course was uneventful; all patients appeared well during follow-up.
      CONCLUSION: CDHM is very uncommon anomaly, very occasionally diagnosed at the
      early age. Failure to thrive and recurrent respiratory infections are most
      frequent clinical manifestations. In suspected CDHM we advocate the following
      work-up: plain chest and abdominal X-ray, contrast study (upper GI series or
      barium enema), ultrasonographic screen and CT scan. Surgical repair via abdominal
      approach, using local tissues and hernia sac removal is preferred.

PMID- 27251654
TI  - Diagnostic value of anti-smooth muscle antibodies and liver enzymes in
      differentiation of extrahepatic biliary atresia and idiopathic neonatal
      hepatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of anti-smooth muscle
      antibodies (ASMA) and two liver markers (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT] and
      alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) for differentiating between patients with
      extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) and idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (INH).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: During April 2010-2011, all infants at 2 weeks of age who
      were diagnosed with cholestasis and admitted to Children's Hospital of Tabriz
      were enrolled. Based on the results of physical examination, laboratory, imaging
      and pathological studies, neonates were divided into two groups (EHBA and INH).
      Receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to define sensitivity,
      specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and
      accuracy for ASMA, GGT and ALP. RESULTS: Thirty neonates with cholestasis (18
      with EHBA and 12 with INH) and mean age of 54.66 ? 25.86 days were enrolled.
      Total and direct bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum
      glutamic pyruvic transaminase and ASMA titres were highly not significant (P >
      0.05) in patients with INH. GGT (P = 0.008) and ALP (P = 0.01) had statistically
      significant differences that were higher in patients with EHBA. The sensitivity,
      specificity, PPV and NPV, accuracy, LR+ and LR- of SMA in differentiating cases
      with BA were 66.7%, 75%, 80% 60%, 70%, 2.68 and 0.44, respectively. For GGT, the
      values were 88.9%, 66.7%, 80%, 80%, 79.1%, 3.08 and 0.31, respectively. Finally,
      for ALP, the values were 77.8%, 75%, 82.4%, 69.2%, 80%, 2.66 and 0.24,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that ASMA may be a useful biomarker
      for differentiation of EHBA from INH. Further studies with larger samples are
      recommended for confirming the results of this study.

PMID- 27251655
TI  - Our experience with pre-operative haemostatic assessment of paediatric patients
      undergoing adenotonsillectomy at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2-4% of all patients requiring adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy or
      adenotonsillectomy, pre-operative screening tests for coagulation disorders are
      indicated to detect surgical bleeding complications. However, because of cost
      effect on the patients, the usefulness of these tests is being challenged. We
      therefore highlight our experience in paediatric patients undergoing
      adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy or both in our centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is
      a 31/2-year analysis of the data of 165 paediatric patients who had
      adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy or both over the study period. The data collected
      included age, sex, procedure done and detailed clinical bleeding history.
      RESULTS: A total of 165 children had either adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy, or
      both. There were 76 males and 89 females giving a male to female ratio of 1:1.2.
      Their ages ranged from 10 months to 18 years. Eighty-five (51.5%) patients had
      adenotonsillectomy, 48 (29.1%) and 32 (19.4%) had only tonsillectomies and
      adenoidectomies, respectively. Only 11 (6.7%) families volunteered the history of
      either prolonged bleeding with minor injury on the skin or occasional slight nose
      bleeding. Six (3.6%) patients including 3 of the children with positive family
      history had posttonsillectomy bleed, out of which 4 (66.7%) were moderate whereas
      the remaining 2 (33.3%) were severe bleeding, which was not statistically
      significant (P = 0.041). The two cases of severe bleeding had fresh whole blood
      transfused whereas the rest that had no bleeding issues were discharged home 48 h
      postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Our experience in this study suggests that detailed
      bleeding history is necessary as well as pre-operative haemostatic assessment, if
      available and affordable for paediatric patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

PMID- 27251656
TI  - Is there any correlation between radiologic findings and eradication of symptoms
      after pyloromyotomy in hypertrophic pyloric stenosis?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is one of the most common
      gastrointestinal disorders during early infancy, with an incidence of 1-2:1000
      live births in the world. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation
      between radiologic findings and eradication of symptoms after pyloromyotomy in
      HPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five (102 boys and 23 girls)
      patients with suspected infantile HPS were treated surgically by Ramstedt
      pyloromyotomy between March 21, 2004 and March 20, 2014 at paediatric surgery
      ward of Tabriz Children's Hospital, Iran. The demographic features, clinical
      findings, diagnostic work-up, operation type and postoperative specifications of
      the patients were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 4:1.
      The patients were 16-90 days of old and the mean age was 39 +/- 1.42 days. The
      range of pyloric canal length was 7.60-29.00 mm and the mean length was 19.54 +/-
      3.42 mm. Pyloric muscle diameter was 2.70-9.00 mm, and the mean diameter was 4.86
      +/- 1.14 mm. Seventy-two percent of patients had episodes of vomiting after
      operation. Mean time of persistence of vomiting after pyloromyotomy was 15.73 +/-
      0.15 h. Mean discharge time was 55.22 +/- 0.08 h. Radiologic findings did not
      show any significant correlation with persistence of vomiting or discharge time.
      CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that radiographic findings could not
      predict postoperative symptom eradication after pyloromyotomy in HPS.

PMID- 27251657
TI  - Paediatric day-case neurosurgery in a resource challenged setting: Pattern and
      practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been generally observed that children achieve better
      convalescence in the home environment especially if discharged same day after
      surgery. This is probably due to the fact that children generally tend to feel
      more at ease in the home environment than in the hospital setting. Only few
      tertiary health institutions provide routine day-case surgery for paediatric
      neurosurgical patients in our sub-region. OBJECTIVE: To review the pattern and
      practice of paediatric neurosurgical day-cases at our hospital. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A prospective study of all paediatric day-case neurosurgeries carried
      out between June 2011 and June 2014. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients (34 males
      and 19 females) with age ranging from 2 days to 14 years were seen. Majority of
      the patients (77.4%) presented with congenital lesions, and the most common
      procedure carried out was spina bifida repair (32%) followed by
      ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion (26.4%) for hydrocephalus. Sixty-eight
      percentage belonged to the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status
      class 2, whereas the rest (32%) belonged to class 1. General anaesthesia was
      employed in 83% of cases. Parenteral paracetamol was used for intra-operative
      analgesia for most of the patients. Two patients had post-operative nausea and
      vomiting and were successfully managed. There was no case of emergency re
      operation, unplanned admission, cancellation or mortality. CONCLUSION: Paediatric
      day-case neurosurgery is feasible in our environment. With careful patient
      selection and adequate pre-operative preparation, good outcome can be achieved.

PMID- 27251658
TI  - How to manage a late diagnosed Hirschsprung's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: How to manage a late diagnosed Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and how to
      avoid calibre discrepancy? SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all
      patients diagnosed with HD over 2 years in our hospital from January 2009 to
      December 2012. Data were analysed for clinical presentations, investigations,
      surgical procedures and post-operative outcome. RESULTS: Fifteen patients,
      operated by one single surgeon, were included in this study. The mean age was 6
      years (2-16 years). Patients had an ultra-short segment type in 4 cases,
      rectosigmoid type in 9 cases and descending colonic aganglionosis in 2 cases.
      Rectal wash out was effective in 12 patients. A blowhole transverse colostomy was
      performed in 2 patients. Twelve patients underwent one single stage endorectal
      pull-through. Anastomosis incongruence was avoided by a plication procedure never
      described before. The assessment of post-operative outcomes by the paediatric
      incontinence and constipation scoring system revealed a normal continence
      function in all our patients, but 3 patients suffered from soiling secondary to
      constipation. CONCLUSION: One single stage pull-through can be safe and effective
      in children with late diagnosed HD. Routine rectal washout is a good way to
      prepare the colon. In some cases, blowhole colostomy can be an option.
      Anastomosis incongruence is a challenge; we describe a plication procedure to
      avoid it.

PMID- 27251659
TI  - Corrections of diverse forms of lower limb deformities in patients with
      mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (Morquio syndrome).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thoracolumbar kyphosis has been considered as the first presenting
      deformity and is often a key diagnostic clue noted in children with
      mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IV (Morquio's syndrome). However, we observed
      that the progressive irregularities of the epiphyses of the long bones were the
      most prominent skeletal pathology, causing effectively the development of diverse
      forms of lower limbs deformities with extreme variation in age of onset.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients (seven children and three adults) with an
      average age of 15 years have been enrolled in this study. Age of diagnosis of MPS
      IVA has a variable age of onset and a MISLEADING rate of severity. Hip
      dislocations, genu valgum, protrusio acetabuli and osteoarthritis were the most
      common lower limbs deformities in these patients. Clinical and radiographic
      phenotypes were the baseline tools of documentation. Urinary screening and
      genotypic characterizations have been applied accordingly. RESULTS: Combined
      pelvic and femoral procedures for hip dislocation, epiphysiodeses and
      supracondylar osteotomy for genu valgum and hip arthroplasty for protrusio
      acetabuli have been performed. All patients manifested insufficient activity of N
      acetylgalactosamine-6-sulphate sulphatase, an enzyme that degrades keratin
      sulphate and chondroitin-6 sulphate. CONCLUSION: The extensive clinical
      heterogeneity contributed significantly in the delay in establishing the
      diagnosis particularly in adult patients with MPS IV. The epiphyseal
      irregularities of the long bones and the progressive flattening pathology of MPS
      IV A were the reason to falsely diagnose some patients as spondyloepiphyseal
      dysplasia congenital and/or tarda. Proximal femoral osteotomy, realignment
      osteotomy and total hip arthroplasty have been performed for coxa vara, genu
      valgum and protrusio acetabuli, respectively, in children and adult group of
      patients. The importance of early diagnosis on MPS IV A is to receive enzyme
      replacement therapy and plan for other therapeutic measures.

PMID- 27251660
TI  - Volvulus of the jejunum on cystic lymphangioma: About a clinical case.
AB  - Intestinal volvulus on mesenteric cysticum lymphangioma (CL) is rare in children.
      The clinical picture is not very suggestive. We report a case of intestinal
      volvulus on CL in a 7-year-old girl after an abdominal trauma. Resection and
      anastomosis were made. The confirmation diagnosis was done by anatomopathological
      examination. Early diagnosis of intra-abdominal CL will allow avoiding
      complication.

PMID- 27251661
TI  - Laparoscopic treatment of adrenal masses in children: Report of two cases and
      review of literature.
AB  - Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become a common alternative to open surgery for
      the resection of adrenal lesions in adults: The advantages are to provide better
      exposure of the adrenal gland, diminish soft tissue dissection, decrease
      morbidity and postoperative pain; however, reporting on the laparoscopic
      adrenalectomy in paediatric patients has been limited. We present two cases of
      laparoscopic adrenalectomy performed at our institution in two children, for left
      adrenal neuroblastoma in a first patient with opsomyoclonus syndrome, and for a
      right incidentaloma in the second case. According to recent literature, our
      experience has demonstrated that the laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a feasible
      procedure in children with small, well-circumscribed adrenal masses: It can be
      used a safety to treat suspected benign and malignant adrenal masses in children,
      with minimal morbidity and short hospital stay. The lateral trans-peritoneal
      approach offers optimal visualisation and good outcomes in terms of minimal
      discomfort, rapid recovery and excellent cosmesis. However, in the paediatric
      field, the number of patients is limited, making the learning curve longer.

PMID- 27251662
TI  - Aneurysmal femoral neck cyst: Report of a paediatric case and review of
      literature.
AB  - The aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign tumour of children and young adults.
      It represents approximately 1-2% of all bone tumours. The ABC may develop on all
      skeletal bones, but the proximal end of the femur is the most common location.
      The authors report a ABC femoral neck in a child of 13 years. This location is
      pretty special. Indeed, the fragility of the femoral neck due partly to the
      pathology itself and secondarily curettage requires a judicious attitude surgical
      (excisional curettage + bone graft + screw) to prevent the risk of high local
      recurrence and pathological fracture.

PMID- 27251663
TI  - A glance at rabies pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis for dog bites.

PMID- 27251664
TI  - Dietary Fatty Acids: Is it Time to Change the Recommendations?
AB  - Limiting the saturated fatty acid (SAFA) consumption forms the basis of dietary
      fat recommendations for heart health, despite several meta-analyses demonstrating
      no link between dietary SAFA and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Three
      experts on dietary fat and health discussed the evidence of reducing SAFA intake
      at a symposium of the Federation of European Nutrition Societies in Berlin,
      Germany, October 23, 2015. Ronald P. Mensink, Maastricht University, the
      Netherlands, discussed the evidence linking dietary fatty acids and CVD risk. He
      emphasized the importance of the replacement nutrient(s) when SAFA intake is
      reduced. Julie Lovegrove, University of Reading, UK, addressed the question of
      whether higher intakes of unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial. She discussed
      the replacement of SAFA by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated
      fatty acids (MUFA), noting the reduction in CVD risk with PUFA replacement and in
      CVD risk markers with MUFA replacement of SAFA. Ursula Schwab, University of
      Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland, discussed the importance of dietary patterns in
      achieving reduced risk of CVD, observing that several dietary patterns following
      the principles of a health-promoting diet and adapted to local customs, food
      preferences and seasonality are effective in reducing the risk of CVD, type 2
      diabetes and other chronic diseases. This paper summarizes the symposium
      presentations.

PMID- 27251665
TI  - Application of Microneedles to Skin Induces Activation of Epidermal Langerhans
      Cells and Dermal Dendritic Cells in Mice.
AB  - An adequate immune response to percutaneous vaccine application is generated by
      delivery of sufficient amounts of antigen to skin and by administration of toxin
      adjuvants or invasive skin abrasion that leads to an adjuvant effect.
      Microneedles penetrate the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, and
      enable direct delivery of vaccines from the surface into the skin, where
      immunocompetent dendritic cells are densely distributed. However, whether the
      application of microneedles to the skin activates antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
      has not been demonstrated. Here we aimed to demonstrate that microneedles may act
      as a potent physical adjuvant for successful transcutaneous immunization (TCI).
      We prepared samples of isolated epidermal and dermal cells and analyzed the
      expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and costimulatory
      molecules on Langerhans or dermal dendritic cells in the prepared samples using
      flow cytometry. The expression of MHC class II and costimulatory molecules
      demonstrated an upward trend in APCs in the skin after the application of 500-
      and 300-um microneedles. In addition, in the epidermal cells, application of
      microneedles induced more effective activation of Langerhans cells than did an
      invasive tape-stripping (positive control). In conclusion, the use of
      microneedles is likely to have a positive effect not only as an antigen delivery
      system but also as a physical technique inducing an adjuvant-like effect for TCI.

PMID- 27251666
TI  - Blood transfusion strategy and risk of postoperative delirium in nursing homes
      residents with hip fracture. A post hoc analysis based on the TRIFE randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether a liberal blood transfusion strategy [Hb
      levels >=11.3 g/dL (7 mmol/L)] reduces the risk of postoperative delirium (POD)
      on day 10, among nursing home residents with hip fracture, compared to a
      restrictive transfusion strategy [Hb levels >=9.7 g/dL (6 mmol/L)]. Furthermore,
      to investigate whether POD influences mortality within 90 days after hip surgery.
      METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis based on The TRIFE - a randomized controlled
      trial. Frail anemic patients from the Orthopedic Surgical Ward at Aarhus
      University Hospital were enrolled consecutively between January 18, 2010 and June
      6, 2013. These patients (aged >=65 years) had been admitted from nursing homes
      for unilateral hip fracture surgery. After surgery, 179 patients were included in
      this study. On the first day of hospitalization, all enrolled patients were
      examined for cognitive impairment (assessed by MMSE) and delirium (assessed by
      CAM). Delirium was also assessed on the tenth postoperative day. RESULTS: The
      prevalence of delirium was 10 % in patients allocated to a liberal blood
      transfusion strategy (LB) and 21 % in the group with a restrictive blood
      transfusion strategy (RB). LB prevents development of delirium on day 10,
      compared to RB, odds ratio 0.41 (95 % CI 0.17-0.96), p = 0.04. Development of POD
      on day 10 increased the risk of 90-day death, hazard ratio 3.14 (95 % CI 1.72
      5.78), p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: In nursing home residents undergoing surgery for
      hip fracture, maintaining hemoglobin level above 11.3 g/dL reduces the rate of
      POD on day 10 compared to a RB. Development of POD is associated with increased
      mortality.

PMID- 27251667
TI  - Continuous decline in incidence of distal humeral fracture of older women in
      Finland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low-trauma fractures (also called osteoporotic fragility fractures or
      fall-induced fractures) of older adults are a serious public health problem.
      However, very little population-based information is available on the nationwide
      numbers, incidences, and especially secular trends of elderly people's low-trauma
      fractures of the distal humerus. METHODS: We assessed the current trends in the
      number and incidence of these fractures in 60-year-old or older women in Finland
      by taking into account all women who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for
      primary treatment of such fracture in 1970-2014. RESULTS: The annual number of
      low-trauma distal humeral fractures among Finnish women 60 years of age or older
      rose over fivefold between 1970 and 1998 (from 42 to 224 fractures), but
      thereafter, the number decreased down to 198 fractures in 2014. The age-adjusted
      incidence (per 100,000 persons) of these fractures also increased in 1970-1998
      (from 12 to 35) but decreased thereafter to 23 in 2014. The finding was similar
      in the age-specific patient groups (60-69, 70-79, and 80+): The incidence rose
      from 1970 till 1998 and decreased thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: The steep rise in the
      rate of low-trauma distal humeral fractures in 60-year-old or older Finnish women
      from 1970 till late 1990s has been followed by a clearly declining fracture rate.
      The exact reasons for this secular change are unknown, but a cohort effect toward
      improved functional ability among elderly women, as well as measures to prevent
      falls and alleviate fall severity, could partly explain the phenomenon.

PMID- 27251668
TI  - Pressurised metered dose inhaler-spacer technique in young children improves with
      video instruction.
AB  - The importance of good device technique to maximise delivery of aerosolised
      medications is widely recognised. Pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI)-spacer
      technique was investigated in 122 children, aged 2-7 years, with asthma. Eight
      individual steps of device technique were evaluated before and after viewing an
      instructional video for correct device technique. Video measurements were
      repeated every three months for nine months. Device technique improved directly
      after video instruction at the baseline study visit (p < 0.001) but had no
      immediate effect at subsequent visits. Additionally, pMDI-spacer technique
      improved with successive visits over one year for the group overall as evidenced
      by increases in the proportion of children scoring maximal (p = 0.02) and near
      maximal (p = 0.04) scores. CONCLUSION: Repeated video instruction over time
      improves inhaler technique in young children. WHAT IS KNOWN: * Correct device
      technique is considered essential for sufficient delivery of inhaled medication.
      * Poor inhaler use is common in young asthmatic children using pressurised
      metered dose inhalers and spacers. What is New: * Video instruction could be used
      as a strategy to improve device technique in young children.

PMID- 27251669
TI  - Perinatal practice in extreme premature delivery: variation in Dutch physicians'
      preferences despite guideline.
AB  - Decisions at the limits of viability about initiating care are challenging. We
      aimed to investigate physicians' preferences on treatment decisions, against the
      background of the 2010 Dutch guideline offering active care from 24(+0/7) weeks
      of gestational age (GA). Obstetricians' and neonatologists' opinions were
      compared. An online survey was conducted amongst all perinatal professionals (n =
      205) of the 10 Dutch level III perinatal care centers. Response rate was 60 % (n
      = 122). Comfort care was mostly recommended below 24(+0/7) weeks and intensive
      care over 26(+0/7) weeks. The professional views varied most at 24 and 25 weeks,
      with intensive care recommended but comfort care at parental request optional
      being the median. There was a wide range in perceived lowest limits of GA for
      interventions as a caesarian section and a neonatologist present at birth.
      Obstetricians and neonatologists disagreed on the lowest limit providing chest
      compressions and administering epinephrine for resuscitation. The main factors
      restricting active treatment were presence of congenital disorders, "small for
      gestational age" fetus, and incomplete course of corticosteroids. CONCLUSION:
      There was a wide variety in individually preferred treatment decisions,
      especially when aspects were not covered in the Dutch guideline on perinatal
      practice in extreme prematurity. Furthermore, obstetricians and neonatologists
      did not always agree. WHAT IS KNOWN: * Cross-cultural differences exists in the
      preferred treatment at the limits of viability * In the Netherlands since 2010,
      intensive care can be offered starting at 24 (+0/7)   weeks gestation What is
      new: * There was a wide variety in preferred treatment decisions at the limits of
      viability especially when aspects were not covered in the Dutch national
      guideline on perinatal practice in extreme prematurity.

PMID- 27251670
TI  - Sex-determining region Y-box3 (SOX3) functions as an oncogene in promoting
      epithelial ovarian cancer by targeting Src kinase.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers which cause female mortality.
      The knowledge of ovarian cancer initiation and progression is critical to develop
      new therapeutic strategies to treat and prevent it. Recently, SOX3 has been
      reported to play a pivotal role in tumor progression. However, the clinical
      significance of SOX3 in human ovarian cancer remains elusive, and the identity of
      SOX3 in ovarian cancer initiation, progression, and the related underlying
      mechanism is unknown. In this study, we showed that SOX3 expression increased
      from benign and borderline to malignant ovarian tumors. Subsequently, we found
      that overexpression of SOX3 in EOC cells promoted proliferation, migration, and
      invasion, while restrained apoptosis and adhesion of ovarian cancer cells. In
      contrast, silencing of SOX3 gained the opposite results. Finally, we discovered
      SOX3 targeted Src kinase in EOC cells. These data imply that SOX3, acting as an
      oncogene in EOC, is not only a crucial factor in the carcinogenesis but also a
      promising therapeutic target for EOC.

PMID- 27251671
TI  - [Choosing wisely in internal medicine].
AB  - "Choosing wisely - DGIM" is an initiative of the German Society of Internal
      Medicine (DGIM) to strengthen the quality of diagnostics and indications for
      therapy. Aspects of inappropriate patient care are identified based on scientific
      evidence in collaboration with12 internal medicine and associated societies.
      Identified aspects are reviewed and endorsed by an interdisciplinary consensus
      committee. Addressed are those diagnostic and therapeutic measures which are
      rarely used despite scientific evidence of their usefulness and those which are
      frequently used although clear evidence exists that the measures are not useful
      or even harmful. The resulting positive or negative recommendations are intended
      to support physicians in the assessment of indications. The relevance of the
      "Choosing wisely - DGIM" initiative is confirmed by a survey involving 4200
      members of DGIM. 

PMID- 27251672
TI  - [Individualized treatment of osteoporosis].
AB  - Osteoporosis is the most common clinical disorder of bone metabolism. Treatment
      decisions should be made on an individual basis, taking into consideration the
      relative benefits and risks in different patient populations. Drug selection
      should be based on the form (primary/secondary) and severity of osteoporosis,
      age, sex, the specific contraindications and precautions for using the various
      available medications, and existing comorbidities. 

PMID- 27251673
TI  - Psoriatic nail involvement and its relationship with distal interphalangeal joint
      disease.
AB  - Psoriatic nail disease and distal interphalangeal (DIP) arthritis both are common
      manifestations of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Several clinical characteristics are
      allegedly associated with DIP joint damage, particularly nail psoriasis. However,
      there is little evidence to substantiate this phenomenon. The purpose of this
      study is to investigate the relationship between DIP involvement, nail psoriasis
      and other parameters. A cross-sectional study involved 45 patients from local
      rheumatology clinic. Four hundred fifty psoriatic fingernails scored, and the
      radiographs of all these fingers were reviewed to define PsA DIP arthritic
      changes. 64.4 % patients had nail psoriasis and 35.6 % had DIP arthritis.
      Univariate analysis identified that swollen joint-count, digits with chronic
      dactylitis, HLA-B27 status and nail psoriasis were associated with DIP arthritis.
      Regression model supported that nail disease was the most significant associated
      factor of DIP arthritis (OR 9.7, p = 0.05). Nail psoriasis was identified in 40.2
      % of digits. Pitting (29.6 %), onycholysis (15.1 %), crumbling (8.2 %), nail bed
      hyperkeratosis (2.0 %) were noted with the mean modified Nail Psoriasis Severity
      Index of 0.95 +/-1.68. Among all digits, 57 had DIP arthritis while 393 did not.
      Within DIP joints with PsA radiological change, 59.6 % had nail disease. Chi
      square test with the Bonferroni correction further supported an association
      between nail psoriasis and DIP involvement with p value of 0.001. Two specific
      nail subtypes-crumbling and onycholysis-were found to be significantly associated
      with DIP disease. A significant proportion of PsA patients had nail involvement
      and DIP arthritis. PsA patients with nail changes may be more susceptible to DIP
      disease. 

PMID- 27251674
TI  - A comprehensive comparison between pediatric and adult patients with periodic
      fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenopathy (PFAPA)
      syndrome.
AB  - Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenopathy (PFAPA)
      syndrome is a mysterious disorder characterized by periodically recurrent fevers,
      oropharyngeal inflammation, and adenitis, which mainly affects children, though
      in very recent times, it has been also recognized in adulthood. We enrolled 115
      unrelated pediatric and adult patients with history of periodic fevers who
      fulfilled the current diagnostic criteria for PFAPA syndrome in three Italian
      referral centers and highlighted differences between children and adults. Eighty
      five children and 30 adults were evaluated: the frequency of flares was
      significantly higher in pediatric cases, while febrile attack duration was
      significantly longer in adults. Clockwork periodicity of fever and recurrent
      pharyngitis were more frequently observed in childhood, but no differences were
      identified for aphthosis and cervical adenopathy. Conversely, joint symptoms,
      myalgia, headache, fatigue, ocular signs, and rashes were more common in adults.
      The simultaneous occurrence of two or three cardinal PFAPA signs did not show any
      statistical difference between the groups, while the occurrence of only one
      cardinal manifestation was more frequent in adults. Corticosteroids were
      effective in 98.82 % of children and 88.2 % of adults. Tonsillectomy was rarely
      performed, resulting effective in only two patients. Our data illustrate the
      clinical overlap between pediatric and adult cases of PFAPA syndrome. Adults are
      characterized by a wider repertoire of inflammatory signs, suggesting that onset
      in adulthood might leave the disease misdiagnosed. Clinicians, not only
      pediatricians, should take into account this clinical entity in every patient of
      whatever age suffering from recurrent fevers of unknown origin.

PMID- 27251675
TI  - Serum decoy receptor 3 levels are associated with the disease activity of MPO
      ANCA-associated renal vasculitis.
AB  - Type 17 T-helper (Th17) cells have been suggested to be involved in the
      pathogenesis of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis
      (AAV). Th17 cell proliferation is promoted by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like
      ligand 1A (TL1A), which binds to death receptor 3 (DR3) expressed on Th17 cells.
      Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) is known to block the TL1A-DR3 pathway by binding TL1A.
      To evaluate the Th17-TL1A systems as disease activity markers in AAV, we
      investigated the serum levels of TL1A and DcR3 in AAV patients. Serum IL-17, IL
      23, TL1A, and DcR3 were measured by ELISA in 24 AAV patients with microscopic
      polyangiitis before the initial treatment, 24 AAV patients during remission, and
      20 control subjects. There were no significant differences in serum IL-17, IL-23,
      and TL1A levels among the active-vasculitis patients, inactive-vasculitis
      patients, and controls. The mean serum DcR3 level was significantly higher in the
      active-vasculitis patients than in the inactive-vasculitis patients and controls
      (P < 0.0001, respectively). There were significant positive correlations between
      the serum DcR3 levels and Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS),
      myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA titers, white blood cell counts, serum creatinine
      levels, and serum C-reactive protein levels. In a multiple regression analysis,
      there was a significant positive correlation between the serum DcR3 level and
      BVAS (beta = 0.650, P = 0.0462). The mean BVAS level was significantly higher in
      the active-vasculitis patients with high serum DcR3 levels than in those with the
      low serum DcR3 levels (P = 0.0202). The serum level of DcR3 may be a useful
      marker for disease activity in AAV. 

PMID- 27251676
TI  - Utility of testing for apraxia and associated features in dementia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Existing literature suggests that the presence or absence of
      apraxia and associated parietal deficits may be clinically relevant in
      differential diagnosis of dementia syndromes. AIM: This study investigated the
      profile of these features in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia
      (FTD) spectrum disorders, at first presentation. METHODS: Retrospective case note
      analysis was undertaken in 111 patients who presented to the Oxford Cognitive
      Disorders Clinic, Oxford, UK, including 29 amnestic AD, 12 posterior cortical
      atrophy (PCA), 12 logopenic primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA), 20 behavioural
      variant FTD (bvFTD), 7 non-fluent variant PPA (nfvPPA), 6 semantic variant PPA
      (svPPA) and 25 patients with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). The clinical
      features of interest were: limb apraxia, apraxia of speech (AOS), and left
      parietal symptoms of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. RESULTS: The
      prevalence of limb apraxia was highest in PCA, amnestic AD, lvPPA and nfvPPA. AOS
      was only observed in nfvPPA. Associated parietal features were more prevalent in
      AD spectrum than FTD spectrum disorders. Group comparisons between key
      differential diagnostic challenges showed that lvPPA and nfvPPA could be
      significantly differentiated on the presence of left parietal features and AOS,
      and amnestic AD could be differentiated from bvFTD, svPPA and SCI by limb
      apraxia. Regression analysis showed that limb apraxia could successfully
      differentiate between AD and FTLD spectrum disorders with 83% accuracy.
      DISCUSSION: Disease-specific profiles of limb apraxia and associated deficits can
      be observed. FTD and AD spectrum disorders can be difficult to differentiate due
      to overlapping cognitive symptoms, and measures of apraxia, in particular, appear
      to be a promising discriminator.

PMID- 27251677
TI  - (18)F-FDG uptake by rectal cancer is similar in mucinous and nonmucinous
      histological subtypes.
AB  - PURPOSE: PET/CT has been considered limited for the evaluation of mucinous
      colorectal tumors due to low (18)F-FDG uptake. The aim of our study was to
      compare PET/CT variables in mucinous (MC) and nonmucinous (NMC) rectal
      adenocarcinomas. METHODS: Consecutive patients with cT2-4N0-2M0 rectal cancer
      included in a prospective clinical trial were reviewed. PET/CT was performed for
      primary baseline staging. Visual and quantitative analysis included SUVmax and
      SUVmean, metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). PET/CT
      parameters were compared according to histological subtypes. RESULTS: Overall, 73
      patients were included (18 mucinous and 55 nonmucinous). SUVmax values were
      similar between MC and NMC (19.7 vs. 16.6; p = 0.5). MTV and TLG values were
      greater in the MC group (103.9 vs. 54.1; p = 0.007 and 892.5 vs. 358.8; p =
      0.020) due to larger tumor volumes of MC. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic parameters at
      baseline PET/CT for patients with rectal cancer are similar in mucinous and
      nonmucinous histological subtypes.

PMID- 27251678
TI  - Effect of antibrowning dips and controlled atmosphere storage on the physico
      chemical, visual and nutritional quality of minimally processed "Rojo Brillante"
      persimmons.
AB  - The combined effect of antibrowning dips and controlled atmosphere storage on
      fresh-cut "Rojo Brillante" persimmon quality was investigated. Persimmon slices
      were dipped in 10 g L-1 ascorbic acid, 10 g L-1 citric acid or water and were
      stored in different controlled atmospheres at 5 C. Controlled atmosphere
      conditions were 21 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 (Atm-B), 21 kPa O2 + 20 kPa CO2 (Atm-C), 5
      kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 (Atm-D) and 5 kPa O2 in the absence of CO2 (Atm-E). Air (Atm
      A) was used as a control. Atmospheres with high CO2 concentrations induced
      darkening, associated with a flesh disorder known as "internal flesh browning".
      Only the samples placed in Atm-E, and treated with 10 g L-1 ascorbic acid or 10 g
      L-1 citric acid, controlled enzymatic browning, reduced firmness loss and
      prevented the "internal flesh browning" disorder. The maximum limit of
      marketability was achieved in the samples treated with 10 g L-1 citric acid and
      stored in Atm-E for nine storage days at 5 C. The total vitamin C, free radical
      scavenging activity, total phenolic content and total carotenoids of the fresh
      cut "Rojo Brillante" persimmons were affected by maturity stage at harvest,
      whereas antibrowning dips and controlled atmosphere storage had no clear effect.

PMID- 27251679
TI  - Correction to 'Estimating oxygen distribution from vasculature in three
      dimensional tumour tissue'.

PMID- 27251680
TI  - Modelling the transport of environmental DNA through a porous substrate using
      continuous flow-through column experiments.
AB  - Detecting environmental DNA (eDNA) in water samples is a powerful tool in
      determining the presence of rare aquatic species. However, many open questions
      remain as to how biological and physical conditions in flowing waters influence
      eDNA. Motivated by what one might find in a stream/river benthos we conducted
      experiments in continuous flow columns packed with porous substrates to explore
      eDNA transport and ask whether substrate type and the presence of colonized
      biofilms plays an important role for eDNA retention. To interpret our data, and
      for modelling purposes, we began with the assumption that eDNA could be treated
      as a classical tracer. Comparing our experimental data with traditional transport
      models, we found that eDNA behaves anomalously, displaying characteristics of a
      heterogeneous, polydisperse substance with particle-like behaviour that can be
      filtered by the substrate. Columns were quickly flushed of suspended eDNA
      particles while a significant amount of particles never made it through and were
      retained in the column, as calculated from a mass balance. Suspended eDNA was
      exported through the column, regardless of biofilm colonization. Our results
      indicate that the variable particle size of eDNA results in stochastic retention,
      release and transport, which may influence the interpretation eDNA detection in
      biological systems.

PMID- 27251681
TI  - Community-based participatory research to improve life quality and clinical
      outcomes of patients with breast cancer (DianaWeb in Umbria pilot study).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer in Europe and the
      International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has estimated over 460 000
      incident cases per year. Survival among patients with BC has increased in the
      past decades and EUROCARE-5 has estimated a 5-year relative survival rate of 82%
      for patients diagnosed in 2000-2007. There is growing evidence that lifestyle
      (such as a diet based on Mediterranean principles associated with moderate
      physical activity) may influence prognosis of BC; however, this information is
      not currently available to patients and is not considered in oncology protocols.
      Only a few epidemiological studies have investigated the role of diet in BC
      recurrence and metastasis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: DianaWeb is a community-based
      participatory research dedicated to patients with BC and represents a
      collaborative effort between participants and research institutions to determine
      if specified changes in lifestyle would result in improved outcomes in terms of
      quality of life or survival. The aim of the study is to recruit a large number of
      participants, to monitor their lifestyle and health status over time, to provide
      them tips to encourage sustainable lifestyle changes, to analyse clinical
      outcomes as a function of baseline risk factors and subsequent changes, and to
      share with patients methodologies and results. DianaWeb uses a specific
      interactive website (http://www.dianaweb.org/) and, with very few exceptions, all
      communications will be made through the web. In this paper we describe the pilot
      study, namely DianaWeb in Umbria. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: DianaWeb does not
      interfere with prescribed oncological treatments; rather, it recommends that
      participants should follow the received prescriptions. The results will be used
      to plan guidelines for nutrition and physical activity for patients with BC. The
      pilot study was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Perugia
      (reference number 2015-002), and is supported by Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di
      Perugia (2013.0185 021).

PMID- 27251682
TI  - Identification of responders to inhaled corticosteroids in a chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease population using cluster analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify clusters of patients who may benefit from treatment with
      an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting beta2 agonist (LABA) versus LABA
      alone, in terms of exacerbation reduction, and to validate previously identified
      clusters of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (based on
      diuretic use and reversibility). DESIGN: Post hoc supervised cluster analysis
      using a modified recursive partitioning algorithm of two 1-year randomised,
      controlled trials of fluticasone furoate (FF)/vilanterol (VI) versus VI alone,
      with the primary end points of the annual rate of moderate-to-severe
      exacerbations. SETTING: Global. PARTICIPANTS: 3255 patients with COPD (intent-to
      treat populations) with a history of exacerbations in the past year.
      INTERVENTIONS: FF/VI 50/25 ug, 100/25 ug or 200/25 ug, or VI 25 ug; all one time
      per day. OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean annual COPD exacerbation rate to identify
      clusters of patients who benefit from adding an ICS (FF) to VI bronchodilator
      therapy. RESULTS: Three clusters were identified, including two groups that
      benefit from FF/VI versus VI: patients with blood eosinophils >2.4% (RR=0.68, 95%
      CI 0.58 to 0.79), or blood eosinophils <=2.4% and smoking history <=46 pack
      years, experienced a reduced rate of exacerbations with FF/VI versus VI (RR=0.78,
      95% CI 0.63 to 0.96), whereas those with blood eosinophils <=2.4% and smoking
      history >46 pack-years were identified as non-responders (RR=1.22, 95% CI 0.94 to
      1.58). Clusters of patients previously identified in the fluticasone
      propionate/salmeterol (SAL) versus SAL trials of similar design were not
      validated; all clusters of patients tended to benefit from FF/VI versus VI alone
      irrespective of diuretic use and reversibility. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with
      COPD with a history of exacerbations, those with greater blood eosinophils or a
      lower smoking history may benefit more from ICS/LABA versus LABA alone as
      measured by a reduced rate of exacerbations. In terms of eosinophils, this
      finding is consistent with findings from other studies; however, the validity of
      the 2.4% cut-off and the impact of smoking history require further investigation.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT01009463; NCT01017952; Post-results.

PMID- 27251684
TI  - Evolution of target organ damage and haemodynamic parameters over 4 years in
      patients with increased insulin resistance: the LOD-DIABETES prospective
      observational study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We prospectively examined the impact of type 2 diabetes compared with
      metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the development of vascular disease over 4 years as
      determined by anatomic and functional markers of vascular disease. By comparing
      the vascular outcomes of the 2 disorders, we seek to determine the independent
      effect of elevated glucose levels on vascular disease. SETTING: 2 primary care
      centres in Salamanca, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: We performed a prospective
      observational study involving 112 patients (68 with type 2 diabetes and 44 with
      MetS) who were followed for 4 years. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Measurements included blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, smoking, body mass
      index, waist circumference, Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA
      IR), hs-c-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels. We also evaluated vascular,
      carotid intima media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and
      ankle/brachial index, heart and renal target organ damage (TOD). The haemodynamic
      parameters were central (CAIx) and peripheral (PAIx) augmentation indices.
      RESULTS: In year 4, participants with type 2 diabetes had increased IMT
      thickness. These patients had more plaques and an IMT>0.90 mm. In participants
      with MetS, we only found an increase in the number of plaques. We found no
      changes in PWV, CAIx and PAIx. The patients with diabetes had a greater frequency
      of vascular TOD. There were no differences neither in renal nor cardiac
      percentage of TOD in the patients with MetS or diabetes mellitus type 2.
      CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study showed that the evolution of vascular TOD is
      different in participants with type 2 diabetes compared with those with MetS.
      While IMT and PWV increased in type 2 diabetes, these were not modified in MetS.
      The renal and cardiac TOD evolution, as well as the PAIx and CAIx, did not change
      in either group. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01065155; Results.

PMID- 27251683
TI  - Association between white blood cell count and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
      in urban Han Chinese: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The white blood cell (WBC) count is a simple and convenient marker of
      inflammation for use in medical practice; however, its association with non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been determined. We examined the
      relationship between WBC and NAFLD to provide a convenient and useful marker for
      the prediction of NAFLD. SETTING: A longitudinal cohort participating in a large
      health check-up programme for the Chinese population was selected and followed up
      from 2005 to 2011. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 21 307 male and female participants
      without NAFLD who underwent health check-ups at least twice between 2005 and 2011
      were included in this study. 15 201 participants (7286 men and 7915 women) were
      eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: The baseline distribution of age, WBC, body mass
      index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP),
      fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL
      C), serum total protein (TP), albumin (ALB) and globin (GLO) and the prevalence
      of males, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, smoking and regular exercise were
      significantly different between the incident NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups (p<0.05).
      Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to estimate the HRs
      and 95% CIs of WBC, which predicted the occurrence of NAFLD. Compared with the
      lowest WBC quartile (Q1), the HRs and 95% CIs of the other WBC quartiles (Q2, Q3
      and Q4) for incident NAFLD were 1.090 (0.978 to 1.215), 1.174 (1.055 to 1.305)
      and 1.152 (1.035 to 1.281), respectively, after adjusting for age, gender,
      smoking, regular exercise, BMI, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL
      C, ALB and GLO. CONCLUSIONS: Our study clearly showed that WBC count was a
      significant factor associated with incident NAFLD in Han Chinese.

PMID- 27251685
TI  - Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its related factors among North Korean
      refugees in South Korea: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its
      related factors among North Korean refugees (NKR) in South Korea. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional study conducted using a questionnaire and anthropometric and
      biochemical data on NKR in South Korea. SETTING: Seoul, South Korea.
      PARTICIPANTS: A sample of NKR who voluntarily underwent medical examinations in
      Anam Hospital of Korea University, Seoul, South Korea (N=708, consisting of 161
      males and 547 females). To compare the prevalence of MetS, 1416 age- and gender
      matched individuals from the South Korean population (SKP, at a ratio of 1:2 to
      NKR) were randomly selected from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of MetS and its related
      factors among NKR in South Korea and comparison with its prevalence among the
      general SKP. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS among male and female NKR in South
      Korea was 19.7% and 17.2%, respectively. Although obesity is more prevalent in
      South than in North Korea, we found no difference in the prevalence of MetS
      between the female NKR and SKP groups (17.2% vs 16.6%, respectively; p=0.830). As
      regards the males, the small sample size of the NKR group yielded insufficient
      evidence of any difference in MetS prevalence between the NKR and SKP groups
      (19.7% vs 26.2%, respectively; p=0.134). We found that excess weight gain (>=5%)
      in South Korea was significantly associated with MetS among NKR. CONCLUSIONS: The
      prevalence of MetS among NKR did not differ from that in the SKP group despite
      the lower prevalence of obesity in NKR than in the general SKP. The fact that
      excess weight gain in South Korea was associated with the risk of MetS suggests
      that public health policy makers should focus on preventing excess weight gain in
      NKR during resettlement in South Korea.

PMID- 27251686
TI  - Conflict of interest between professional medical societies and industry: a cross
      sectional study of Italian medical societies' websites.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe how Italian medical societies interact with pharmaceutical
      and medical device industries through an analysis of the information available on
      their websites. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: Italy. PARTICIPANTS: 154
      medical societies registered with the Italian Federation of Medical-Scientific
      Societies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Indicators of industry sponsorship (presence of
      industry sponsorship in the programme of the last medical societies' annual
      conference; presence of manufacturers' logos on the homepage; presence of
      industry sponsorship of satellite symposia during the last annual conference).
      RESULTS: 131 Italian medical societies were considered. Of these, 4.6% had an
      ethical code covering relationships with industry on their websites, while 45.6%
      had a statute that mentioned the issue of conflict of interest and 6.1% published
      the annual financial report. With regard to industry sponsorship, 64.9% received
      private sponsorship for their last conference, 29.0% had manufacturers' logos on
      their webpage, while 35.9% had industry-sponsored satellite symposia at their
      last conference. The presence of an ethical code on the societies' websites was
      associated with both an increased risk of industry sponsorship of the last
      conference (relative risk (RR) 1.22, 95% CIs 1.01 to 1.48 after adjustment) and
      of conferences and/or satellite symposia (RR 1.22, 95% CIs 1.02 to 1.48 after
      adjustment) but not with the presence of manufacturers' logos on the websites (RR
      1.79, 95% CIs 0.66 to 4.82 after adjustment). No association was observed with
      the other indicators of governance and transparency. CONCLUSIONS: This survey
      shows that industry sponsorship of Italian medical societies' conferences is
      common, while the presence of a structured regulatory system is not. Disclosure
      of the amount of industry funding to medical societies is scarce. The level of
      transparency therefore needs to be improved and the whole relationship between
      medical societies and industry should be further disciplined in order to avoid
      any potential for conflict of interest.

PMID- 27251687
TI  - Validation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnoses in
      healthcare databases: a systematic review protocol.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Healthcare databases are useful sources to investigate the
      epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to assess
      longitudinal outcomes in patients with COPD, and to develop disease management
      strategies. However, in order to constitute a reliable source for research,
      healthcare databases need to be validated. The aim of this protocol is to perform
      the first systematic review of studies reporting the validation of codes related
      to COPD diagnoses in healthcare databases. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: MEDLINE, EMBASE,
      Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases will be searched using
      appropriate search strategies. Studies that evaluated the validity of COPD codes
      (such as the International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision and 10th
      Revision system; the Real codes system or the International Classification of
      Primary Care) in healthcare databases will be included. Inclusion criteria will
      be: (1) the presence of a reference standard case definition for COPD; (2) the
      presence of at least one test measure (eg, sensitivity, positive predictive
      values, etc); and (3) the use of a healthcare database (including administrative
      claims databases, electronic healthcare databases or COPD registries) as a data
      source. Pairs of reviewers will independently abstract data using standardised
      forms and will assess quality using a checklist based on the Standards for
      Reporting of Diagnostic accuracy (STARD) criteria. This systematic review
      protocol has been produced in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for
      Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. ETHICS
      AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not required. Results of this study will be
      submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. The results from this
      systematic review will be used for outcome research on COPD and will serve as a
      guide to identify appropriate case definitions of COPD, and reference standards,
      for researchers involved in validating healthcare databases. TRIAL REGISTRATION
      NUMBER: CRD42015029204.

PMID- 27251688
TI  - Rethinking funding priorities in mental health research.
AB  - Mental health research funding priorities in high-income countries must balance
      longer-term investment in identifying neurobiological mechanisms of disease with
      shorter-term funding of novel prevention and treatment strategies to alleviate
      the current burden of mental illness. Prioritising one area of science over
      others risks reduced returns on the entire scientific portfolio.

PMID- 27251689
TI  - Invited commentary on ... Rethinking funding priorities in mental health
      research.
AB  - This commentary takes up the notion proposed by Lewis-Fernandez and colleagues
      that we need more balance in research priorities. Specifically, our reliance on
      neurobiology may be misplaced and likely to be unrewarding unless we ensure that:
      (a) research with better return for patients and the public is also pursued; (b)
      research findings are put into practice; and (c) we retain a focus on
      proportionate investment in service provision. Patient, public and economic
      perspectives should drive the decision making for better investment, and
      behaviour change might be better targeted at commissioners and policy makers
      rather than patients and providers.

PMID- 27251690
TI  - The FDA's failure to address the lack of generalisability of antidepressant
      efficacy trials in product labelling.
AB  - According to the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) regulations, the
      criteria used to select patients into registration studies should be addressed in
      a product's label. The FDA's labelling guidelines, which specifically indicate
      that the routine exclusion of patients of a certain level of severity should be
      noted in the label, has been uniformly ignored.

PMID- 27251694
TI  - Antoni Kepinski (1918-1972), pioneer of post-traumatic stress disorder -
      psychiatry in history.

PMID- 27251695
TI  - Duration of depressive symptoms significantly related to increase in mortality.

PMID- 27251696
TI  - Authors' reply.

PMID- 27251697
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27251701
TI  - A modified breathing pattern improves the performance of a continuous
      capnodynamic method for estimation of effective pulmonary blood flow.
AB  - In a previous study a new capnodynamic method for estimation of effective
      pulmonary blood flow (COEPBF) presented a good trending ability but a poor
      agreement with a reference cardiac output (CO) measurement at high levels of
      PEEP. In this study we aimed at evaluating the agreement and trending ability of
      a modified COEPBF algorithm that uses expiratory instead of inspiratory holds
      during CO and ventilatory manipulations. COEPBF was evaluated in a porcine model
      at different PEEP levels, tidal volumes and CO manipulations (N = 8). An
      ultrasonic flow probe placed around the pulmonary trunk was used for CO
      measurement. We tested the COEPBF algorithm using a modified breathing pattern
      that introduces cyclic end-expiratory time pauses. The subsequent changes in mean
      alveolar fraction of carbon dioxide were integrated into a capnodynamic equation
      and effective pulmonary blood flow, i.e. non-shunted CO, was calculated
      continuously breath by breath. The overall agreement between COEPBF and the
      reference method during all interventions was good with bias (limits of
      agreement) 0.05 (-1.1 to 1.2) L/min and percentage error of 36 %. The overall
      trending ability as assessed by the four-quadrant and the polar plot methodology
      was high with a concordance rate of 93 and 94 % respectively. The mean polar
      angle was 0.4 (95 % CI -3.7 to 4.5) degrees . A ventilatory pattern recurrently
      introducing end-expiratory pauses maintains a good agreement between COEPBF and
      the reference CO method while preserving its trending ability during CO and
      ventilatory alterations.

PMID- 27251702
TI  - Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of HA gene of influenza
      A(H1N1)pdm09 strain during 2010-2014 in Dalian, North China.
AB  - The objective of the present study was to evaluate the epidemiology of influenza
      A(H1N1)pdm09 and its hemagglutinin (HA) molecular and phylogenetic analysis
      during 2010-2014 in Dalian, North China. A total of 3717 influenza-like illness
      (ILI) cases were tested by real-time PCR and 493 were found to be positive. Out
      of these 493 cases, 121 were subtype influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, of which 14 cases
      were reported in 2010-2011, 29 in 2012-2013, and 78 in 2013-2014. HA coding
      regions of 45 isolates were compared to that of the vaccine strain
      A/California/7/09(H1N1), and a number of variations were detected. P83S, S185T,
      S203T, R223Q, and I321V mutations were observed in all of the Dalian isolates.
      Furthermore, a high proportion >71 % of the strains possessed the variation D97N
      and K283E. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the close match of the majority of
      circulating strains with the vaccine strains. However, it also reveals a trend of
      strains to accumulate amino acid variations and form new phylogenetic groups. 

PMID- 27251703
TI  - Risk factors for ischaemic colitis after surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm: a
      systematic review and observational meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ischaemic colitis is an infrequent but serious complication following
      repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), with high mortality rates. This
      systematic review set out to identify risk factors for the development of
      ischaemic colitis after AAA surgery. METHODS: A systematic search of the MEDLINE,
      EMBASE and CINAHL databases was performed. This search was limited to studies
      published in the English language after 1990. Abstracts were screened by two
      authors. Eligible studies were obtained as full text for further examination.
      Data was extracted by two authors, and any disputes were resolved via consensus.
      Extracted data was pooled using Mantel-Haenszel random effects models. Bias was
      assessed using two Cochrane-approved tools. Effect sizes are expressed as
      relative risk ratios alongside the 95 % confidence interval. Statistical
      significance was defined at the level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: From 388 studies
      identified in the initial search, 33 articles were included in the final
      synthesis and analysis. Risk factors were grouped into patient (female gender,
      disease severity) and operative factors (peri-procedural hypotension, operative
      modality). The risk of ischaemic colitis was significantly higher when undergoing
      emergency repair versus elective (risk ratio (RR) 7.36, 3.08 to 17.58, p <
      0.001). Endovascular repair reduced the likelihood of ischaemic colitis (RR 0.22,
      0.12 to 0.39, p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The quality of published evidence on this
      subject is poor with many retrospective datasets and inconsistent reporting
      across studies. Despite this, emergency presentation and open repair should
      prompt close monitoring for the development of IC.

PMID- 27251704
TI  - Aspirin vs Heparin for the Prevention of Preeclampsia.
AB  - Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that remains a significant
      cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Preeclampsia can be resolved
      by delivery, and most of the proposed preventive treatment approaches are based
      on processes involved in placental development in early pregnancy. Yet, none of
      these has been established in clinical practice. Low-dose aspirin is the most
      promising candidate, nevertheless; while some individual randomized controlled
      trials showed minimal or no statistically significant benefit, recent metanalyses
      showed that early initiation before 16 weeks of gestation is associated with
      prevention of early-onset preeclampsia and reduction in prevalence of perinatal
      death or morbidity of pregnant women. Heparin could be an alternative
      antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory median to prevent preeclampsia either alone
      or in combination with aspirin; however, results are conflicting concerning
      efficacy. 

PMID- 27251705
TI  - A Qualitative Study of Factors Affecting Morale in Psychiatry Residency Training.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Resident morale is an important yet poorly understood aspect of the
      residency training experience. Despite implications for program quality, resident
      satisfaction, patient care, and recruitment, little is known about the variables
      influencing this complex phenomenon. This study sought to identify important
      factors affecting morale in psychiatry residency training. METHODS: The authors
      conducted four semi-structured focus groups at a moderately sized, urban,
      psychiatry residency program during the 2013-2014 academic year. They used
      qualitative data analysis techniques, including grounded theory and content
      analysis, to identify key themes affecting resident morale across training
      levels. RESULTS: Twenty-seven residents participated in the focus groups with
      equal distribution across post-graduate years (PGY) 1-4. Five major conceptual
      categories affecting resident morale emerged: Sense of Community, Individual
      Motivators, Clinical Work, Feeling Cared For, and Trust in the Administration.
      CONCLUSIONS: Morale is an important topic in residency education. The qualitative
      results suggest that factors related to a Sense of Community and Individual
      Motivators generally enhanced resident morale whereas factors related to a lack
      of Feeling Cared For and Trust in the Administration tended to contribute to
      lower morale. The authors describe the possible interventions to promote stronger
      program morale suggested by these findings.

PMID- 27251706
TI  - Cardiomyocyte-derived CXCL12 is not involved in cardiogenesis but plays a crucial
      role in myocardial infarction.
AB  - The chemokine CXCL12/SDF-1 is crucial for heart development and affects cardiac
      repair processes due to its ability to attract leukocytes and stem cells to
      injured myocardium. However, there is a great controversy whether CXCL12 is
      beneficial or detrimental after myocardial infarction (MI). The divergence in the
      reported CXCL12 actions may be due to the cellular source and time of release of
      the chemokine after MI. This study was designed to evaluate the role of
      cardiomyocyte-derived CXCL12 for cardiogenesis and heart repair after MI. We
      generated two rodent models each targeting CXCL12 in only one cardiac cell type:
      cardiomyocyte-specific CXCL12-overexpressing transgenic (Tg) rats and CXCL12
      conditional knockout (cKO) mice. Animals of both models did not show any signs of
      cardiac abnormalities under baseline conditions. After induction of MI, cKO mice
      displayed preserved cardiac function and remodeling. Moreover, fibrosis was less
      pronounced in the hearts of cKO mice after MI. Accordingly, CXCL12 Tg rats
      revealed impaired cardiac function post-MI accompanied by enhanced fibrosis.
      Furthermore, we observed decreased numbers of infiltrating Th1 cells in the
      hearts of cKO mice. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that cardiomyocyte
      derived CXCL12 is not involved in cardiac development but has adverse effects on
      the heart after injury via promotion of inflammation and fibrosis. KEY MESSAGES:
      * CXCL12 in cardiomyocytes is not involved in cardiac development. * CXCL12
      deficiency in cardiomyocytes improves outcome of myocardial infarction. * CXCL12
      overexpression in cardiomyocytes worsens outcome of myocardial infarction. *
      CXCL12 increases fibrosis and invasion of Th1 cells in the heart after
      infarction.

PMID- 27251708
TI  - The Contribution of Hearing and Hearing Loss to Balance Control.
AB  - This study investigated the hypothesis that a hearing 'map' of our surroundings
      is used to maintain balance control. We investigated the effects of sound on
      postural sway using centre of pressure analysis in 50 subjects with normal
      hearing, 28 with hearing loss and 19 with vestibular dysfunction. The acoustic
      environments utilized sound cues that were either present or absent. It was found
      that auditory cues are utilized by subjects with normal hearing to improve
      postural sway. The ability to utilize sound for postural control is diminished
      when there is a hearing loss, but this appears to be overcome by the use of a
      hearing aid. Patients with additional vestibular deficits exploit auditory cues
      to a greater degree, suggesting that sensory weighting to enhance the use of
      auditory cues may be applied when there is diminished sensory redundancy.

PMID- 27251707
TI  - Early growth response-1 in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.
AB  - This article reviews the regulatory roles of the immediate-early gene product and
      prototypic zinc finger transcription factor, early growth response-1 in models of
      cardiovascular pathobiology, focusing on insights using microRNA, DNAzymes, small
      hairpin RNA, small interfering RNA, oligonucleotide decoy strategies and mice
      deficient in early growth response-1.

PMID- 27251709
TI  - How Does Sensor-Space Group Blind Source Separation Face Inter-individual
      Neuroanatomical Variability? Insights from a Simulation Study Based on the PALS
      B12 Atlas.
AB  - Because of volume conduction and inter-individual neuroanatomical variability,
      similar sources in different brains may lead to variable topographies. This
      represents a major limitation for sensor-space group level decomposition of
      electroencephalographic data, a technique which introduces potential biases when
      aggregating individual data. To which extent this impedes subsequent source
      separation and localization was quantified in the present study. To this end,
      several simulations using an atlas of human cerebral cortex that takes into
      account the variability of cortical morphology (Van Essen in NeuroImage 28:635
      662, 2005) were performed. For each virtual subject (up to n = 160), the
      orientation and location of each single simulated dipole was randomly modified as
      a function of the variability of the cortical shape of a given point in the brain
      provided by the probabilistic atlas. The resulting activity was projected on the
      scalp, and topographical shifts were estimated. Then, different algorithms based
      on second order statistics (SOS) or higher order statistics were used to recover
      the simulated sources from sensor space information with group blind source
      separation (gBSS) procedures (based on UWSOBI or EFICA, respectively). As
      expected, the variability of orientation of the cortical surface across subjects
      was found to induce substantial variability in scalp potential maps, especially
      if the sources originate from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or the
      temporoparietal junction. These biases could be compensated for by increasing
      drastically the number of subjects included in the topographical analyses. By
      contrast, gBSS was found to be insensitive to inter-individual differences of
      neuroanatomy. Rather, the estimation of the spatial filters seems to be optimized
      for the population of interest. Thus, optimal performance of source separation
      and subsequent source localization did not require the inclusion of a large
      sample of subjects (n < 20), at least when applying SOS-based statistics that use
      source spectral diversity to identify and gather similar sources with variable
      location and orientation. The resulting conclusion that inter-individual
      neuroanatomical variability is not a major limitation to sensor-space gBSS
      methods provides boosting perspectives for this promising approach, especially
      for the detection and localization of task/population related neural sources.

PMID- 27251710
TI  - Change in Excitability of Corticospinal Pathway and GABA-Mediated Inhibitory
      Circuits of Primary Motor Cortex Induced by Contraction of Adjacent Hand Muscle.
AB  - The present study examined whether the excitability of the corticospinal pathway
      and the GABA-mediated inhibitory circuits of the primary motor cortex that
      project onto the corticospinal neurons in the tonically contracting hand muscle
      are changed by tonic contraction of the adjacent hand muscle. The motor evoked
      potential (MEP) and cortical silent period (CSP) in the tonically contracting
      hand muscle were obtained while the adjacent hand muscle was either tonically
      contracting or at rest. The MEP and CSP of the first dorsal interosseous (FDI)
      muscle elicited across the scalp sites where the MEP is predominantly elicited in
      the FDI muscle were decreased by tonic contraction of the abductor digiti minimi
      (ADM) muscle. The centers of the area of the MEP and the duration of the CSP in
      the FDI muscle elicited across the sites where the MEP is predominantly elicited
      in the FDI muscle were lateral to those in the FDI muscle elicited across the
      sites where the MEP is elicited in both the FDI and ADM muscles. They were also
      lateral to those in the ADM muscle elicited either across the sites where the MEP
      is predominantly elicited in the ADM muscle, or across the sites where the MEP is
      elicited in both the FDI and ADM muscles. The decrease in the corticospinal
      excitability and the excitability of the GABA-mediated inhibitory circuits of the
      primary motor cortex that project onto the corticospinal neurons in the FDI
      muscle may be due either to (1) the interaction between the activity of the
      lateral area of the FDI representation and the descending drive to the ADM
      muscle, or (2) the decreased susceptibility of the primary motor area that
      predominantly projects onto the corticospinal neurons in the FDI muscle, which
      also plays a role in independent finger movement when both the FDI and ADM
      muscles act together as synergists.

PMID- 27251712
TI  - Impact of the plastidial stringent response in plant growth and stress responses.
AB  - The regulatory nucleotide guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp), which
      was originally identified in Escherichia coli, controls the expression of a large
      gene set and many enzyme activities. The ppGpp-dependent control of cell
      activities is referred to as the stringent response. Recently, genes responsible
      for the synthesis and degradation of ppGpp have been identified not only in
      bacteria, but also in eukaryotes, including plants and animals, indicating that
      the stringent response is, unexpectedly, widely conserved. However, the exact
      function of the eukaryotic stringent response remains elusive. Here, we isolated
      an Arabidopsis mutant that overproduces ppGpp in chloroplasts. This mutant shows
      metabolite reduction, dwarf chloroplasts and significantly suppressed plastidial
      transcription and translation. Under nutrient-deficient conditions, the mutant
      shows more robust growth than the wild type. These results indicate that the
      ppGpp-dependent control of the organelle function is crucial for the systematic
      growth of host organisms. 

PMID- 27251711
TI  - Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis may be under anagenesis and biovar Equi forms
      biovar Ovis: a phylogenic inference from sequence and structural analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis can be classified into two biovars
      or biovars based on their nitrate-reducing ability. Strains isolated from sheep
      and goats show negative nitrate reduction and are termed biovar Ovis, while
      strains from horse and cattle exhibit positive nitrate reduction and are called
      biovar Equi. However, molecular evidence has not been established so far to
      understand this difference, specifically if these C. pseudotuberculosis strains
      are under an evolutionary process. RESULTS: The ERIC 1 + 2 Minimum-spanning tree
      from 367 strains of C. pseudotuberculosis showed that the great majority of
      biovar Ovis strains clustered together, but separately from biovar Equi strains
      that also clustered amongst themselves. Using evolutionarily conserved genes
      (rpoB, gapA, fusA, and rsmE) and their corresponding amino acid sequences, we
      analyzed the phylogenetic relationship among eighteen strains of C.
      pseudotuberculosis belonging to both biovars Ovis and Equi. Additionally,
      conserved point mutation based on structural variation analysis was also carried
      out to elucidate the genotype-phenotype correlations and speciation. We observed
      that the biovars are different at the molecular phylogenetic level and a probable
      anagenesis is occurring slowly within the species C. pseudotuberculosis.
      CONCLUSIONS: Taken together the results suggest that biovar Equi is forming the
      biovar Ovis. However, additional analyses using other genes and other bacterial
      strains are required to further support our anagenesis hypothesis in C.
      pseudotuberculosis.

PMID- 27251714
TI  - Genome sequencing: Long reads for a short plant.

PMID- 27251713
TI  - Accessibility controls selective degradation of photosystem II subunits by FtsH
      protease.
AB  - The oxygen-evolving photosystem II (PSII) complex located in chloroplasts and
      cyanobacteria is sensitive to light-induced damage(1) that unless repaired causes
      reduction in photosynthetic capacity and growth. Although a potential target for
      crop improvement, the mechanism of PSII repair remains unclear. The D1 reaction
      center protein is the main target for photodamage(2), with repair involving the
      selective degradation of the damaged protein by FtsH protease(3). How a single
      damaged PSII subunit is recognized for replacement is unknown. Here, we have
      tested the dark stability of PSII subunits in strains of the cyanobacterium
      Synechocystis PCC 6803 blocked at specific stages of assembly. We have found that
      when D1, which is normally shielded by the CP43 subunit, becomes exposed in a
      photochemically active PSII complex lacking CP43, it is selectively degraded by
      FtsH even in the dark. Removal of the CP47 subunit, which increases accessibility
      of FtsH to the D2 subunit, induced dark degradation of D2 at a faster rate than
      that of D1. In contrast, CP47 and CP43 are resistant to degradation in the dark.
      Our results indicate that protease accessibility induced by PSII disassembly is
      an important determinant in the selection of the D1 and D2 subunits to be
      degraded by FtsH. 

PMID- 27251715
TI  - A polarly localized transporter for efficient manganese uptake in rice.
AB  - Manganese is an essential metal for plant growth. A number of transporters
      involved in the uptake of manganese from soils, and its translocation to the
      shoot, have been identified in Arabidopsis and rice. However, the transporter
      responsible for the radial transport of manganese out of root exodermis and
      endodermis cells and into the root stele remains unknown. Here, we show that
      metal tolerance protein 9 (MTP9), a member of the cation diffusion facilitator
      family, is a critical player in this process in rice (Oryza sativa). We find that
      MTP9 is mainly expressed in roots, and that the resulting protein is localized to
      the plasma membrane of exo- and endodermis cells, at the proximal side of these
      cell layers (opposite the manganese uptake transporter Nramp5, which is found at
      the distal side). We demonstrate that MTP9 has manganese transport activity by
      expression in proteoliposomes and yeast, and show that knockout of MTP9 in rice
      reduces manganese uptake and its translocation to shoots. We conclude that at
      least in rice MTP9 is required for manganese translocation to the root stele, and
      thereby manganese uptake. 

PMID- 27251716
TI  - An intact light harvesting complex I antenna system is required for complete
      state transitions in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Efficient photosynthesis depends on maintaining balance between the rate of light
      driven electron transport occurring in photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II
      (PSII), located in the chloroplast thylakoid membranes. Balance is achieved
      through a process of 'state transitions' that increases energy transfer towards
      PSI when PSII is overexcited (state II), and towards PSII when PSI is overexcited
      (state I). This is achieved through redox control of the phosphorylation state of
      light-harvesting antenna complex II (LHCII). PSI is served by both LHCII and four
      light-harvesting antenna complex I (LHCI) subunits, Lhca1, 2, 3 and 4. Here we
      demonstrate that despite unchanged levels of LHCII phosphorylation, absence of
      specific Lhca subunits reduces state transitions in Arabidopsis. The severest
      phenotype-observed in a mutant lacking Lhca4 (DeltaLhca4)-displayed a 69%
      reduction compared with the wild type. Yet, surprisingly, the amounts of the PSI
      LHCI-LHCII supercomplex isolated by blue native polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) from digitonin-solubilized thylakoids were similar in
      the wild type and DeltaLhca mutants. Fluorescence excitation spectroscopy
      revealed that in the wild type this PSI-LHCI-LHCII supercomplex is supplemented
      by energy transfer from additional LHCII trimers in state II, whose binding is
      sensitive to digitonin, and which are absent in DeltaLhca4. The grana margins of
      the thylakoid membrane were found to be the primary site of interaction between
      this 'extra' LHCII and the PSI-LHCI-LHCII supercomplex in state II. The results
      suggest that the LHCI complexes mediate energetic interactions between LHCII and
      PSI in the intact membrane. 

PMID- 27251717
TI  - Biome-scale nitrogen fixation strategies selected by climatic constraints on
      nitrogen cycle.
AB  - Dinitrogen fixation by plants (in symbiosis with root bacteria) is a major source
      of new nitrogen for land ecosystems(1). A long-standing puzzle(2) is that trees
      capable of nitrogen fixation are abundant in nitrogen-rich tropical forests, but
      absent or restricted to early successional stages in nitrogen-poor extra-tropical
      forests. This biome-scale pattern presents an evolutionary paradox(3), given that
      the physiological cost(4) of nitrogen fixation predicts the opposite pattern:
      fixers should be out-competed by non-fixers in nitrogen-rich conditions, but
      competitively superior in nitrogen-poor soils. Here we evaluate whether this
      paradox can be explained by the existence of different fixation strategies in
      tropical versus extra-tropical trees: facultative fixers (capable of
      downregulating fixation(5,6) by sanctioning mutualistic bacteria(7)) are common
      in the tropics, whereas obligate fixers (less able to downregulate fixation)
      dominate at higher latitudes. Using a game-theoretic approach, we assess the
      ecological and evolutionary conditions under which these fixation strategies
      emerge, and examine their dependence on climate-driven differences in the
      nitrogen cycle. We show that in the tropics, transient soil nitrogen deficits
      following disturbance and rapid tree growth favour a facultative strategy and the
      coexistence of fixers and non-fixers. In contrast, sustained nitrogen deficits
      following disturbance in extra-tropical forests favour an obligate fixation
      strategy, and cause fixers to be excluded in late successional stages. We
      conclude that biome-scale differences in the abundance of nitrogen fixers can be
      explained by the interaction between individual plant strategies and climatic
      constraints on the nitrogen cycle over evolutionary time. 

PMID- 27251719
TI  - Auxin production couples endosperm development to fertilization.
AB  - In flowering plants, seed development is preceded by a double fertilization
      event, whereby two male sperm cells fuse with two female gametes: the egg and
      central cells. The fertilized egg cell will form the embryo, and the fertilized
      central cell will give rise to the triploid endosperm, whose function is to
      nourish and support the embryo. Even though the endosperm has an unparalleled
      role for human nutrition, the molecular bases for its development are yet to be
      understood. Our results reveal that increasing auxin levels after fertilization
      drive the replication of the central cell in Arabidopsis thaliana. Auxin is
      sufficient to trigger central cell division and is necessary for correct
      endosperm development, a process dependent on the MADS-box transcription factor
      AGL62 (AGAMOUS-LIKE 62). We propose that the epigenetic regulators of the
      Polycomb group (PcG) family block central cell division before fertilization by
      repressing the expression of auxin biosynthesis genes in the female gametophyte. 

PMID- 27251720
TI  - Degradation of glyoxalase I in Brassica napus stigma leads to self
      incompatibility response.
AB  - Self-incompatibility (rejection of 'self'-pollen) is a reproductive barrier that
      allows hermaphroditic flowering plants to prevent inbreeding, to promote
      outcrossing and hybrid vigour. The self-incompatibility response in Brassica
      involves allele-specific interaction between the pollen small cysteine-rich,
      secreted protein ligand (SCR/SP11) and the stigmatic S-receptor kinase (SRK),
      which leads to the activation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase ARC1 (Armadillo repeat
      containing 1), resulting in proteasomal degradation of compatibility factors
      needed for successful pollination. Despite this, targets of ARC1 and the
      intracellular signalling network that is regulated by these targets, have
      remained elusive. Here we show that glyoxalase I (GLO1), an enzyme that is
      required for the detoxification of methylglyoxal (MG, a cytotoxic by-product of
      glycolysis), is a stigmatic compatibility factor required for pollination to
      occur and is targeted by the self-incompatibility system. Suppression of GLO1 was
      sufficient to reduce compatibility, and overexpression of GLO1 in self
      incompatible Brassica napus stigmas resulted in partial breakdown of the self
      incompatibility response. ARC1-mediated destruction of GLO1 after self
      pollination results in increased MG levels and a concomitant increase in MG
      modified proteins (including GLO1), which are efficiently targeted for
      destruction in the papillary cells, leading to pollen rejection. Our findings
      demonstrate the elegant nature of plants to use a metabolic by-product to
      regulate the self-incompatibility response. 

PMID- 27251722
TI  - Development: Turning on endosperm in seeds.

PMID- 27251723
TI  - Chloroplast biology: Cost-benefit analysis.

PMID- 27251721
TI  - The wheat Sr50 gene reveals rich diversity at a cereal disease resistance locus.
AB  - We identify the wheat stem rust resistance gene Sr50 (using physical mapping,
      mutation and complementation) as homologous to barley Mla, encoding a coiled-coil
      nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (CC-NB-LRR) protein. We show that Sr50
      confers a unique resistance specificity different from Sr31 and other genes on
      rye chromosome 1RS, and is effective against the broadly virulent Ug99 race
      lineage. Extensive haplotype diversity at the rye Sr50 locus holds promise for
      mining effective resistance genes. 

PMID- 27251724
TI  - Ethylene signalling: EIN2 dual targeting.

PMID- 27251725
TI  - Growing innovations for the bioeconomy.

PMID- 27251726
TI  - Deep influence of soil microbes.

PMID- 27251728
TI  - Grassland ecology: Rare plants and rainfall.

PMID- 27251727
TI  - Self-incompatibility: Avoiding inbreeding in Arabidopsis.

PMID- 27251729
TI  - Synthetic biology: Elegans control by auxin.

PMID- 27251730
TI  - Flower development: Sex lessons from cucumbers.

PMID- 27251731
TI  - Neglected tropical crops?

PMID- 27251732
TI  - Nitrogen fixation: Fixing evolution in global forests.

PMID- 27251733
TI  - Torsion, infarction, and rupture of a nongravid uterus: a complication of a large
      ovarian cyst.
AB  - Torsion of a nongravid uterus is rare, as most cases of uterine torsion occur
      during pregnancy. We report a case of a large ovarian cyst causing uterine
      torsion, infarction, and rupture. A 57-year-old woman presented with acute-onset
      abdominal pain and increasing abdominal girth over the past year. Contrast
      enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated axial rotation and swirling of the
      uterus and the mesenteric fat, leading to a preoperative diagnosis of uterine
      torsion. Laparotomy confirmed that the uterine corpus had undergone a 180-degree
      axial rotation, and further revealed uterine wall infarction and rupture into the
      endometrium as well as partial decapitation of the uterus from the cervix. The
      swirled appearance of the uterus, radiologically similar to the "whirlpool sign"
      seen in bowel volvulus, is an important CT finding to recognize, especially in
      view of the risk of irreversible ischemic complications this uncommon entity may
      inflict on the uterus.

PMID- 27251734
TI  - Normal main portal vein diameter measured on CT is larger than the widely
      referenced upper limit of 13 mm.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We determined mean main portal vein diameter in healthy patients
      evaluated with CT, compared this value to the "upper limit of normal" reported
      previously, and evaluated effects of age, sex, height, and BMI on portal vein
      diameter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our cohort of healthy patients underwent
      abdominal CT as potential renal donors. We excluded patients with evidence of
      liver or severe cardiac disease. We recorded patients' age, sex, height, weight,
      and BMI. Patients' main portal vein diameters were measured by fellowship-trained
      abdominal imagers on non-contrast and post-contrast images in axial and coronal
      projections at a defined location. A general linear mixed model was used for
      analysis. RESULTS: 191 patients with 679 main portal vein measurements were
      included in the analysis. Mean main portal vein diameter was 15.5 +/- 1.9 mm;
      this value was significantly different from the upper limit of normal of 13 mm
      commonly referenced in the literature (95% CI: 2.22-2.69 mm higher, p < 0.0001).
      Portal vein diameter does not vary significantly when measured on axial vs.
      coronal images. On average, post-contrast main portal veins were 0.56 mm larger
      compared to non-contrast, (95% CI: 0.40-0.71 mm, p < 0.0071). Patient height and
      BMI are positively correlated with MPV diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Normal mean portal
      vein diameter measured on CT was significantly larger (mean 15.5 mm) than the
      accepted upper limit of 13 mm. Contrast-enhanced main portal veins are
      significantly larger (0.56 mm) than unenhanced. Sex, height, and BMI
      significantly affect main portal vein diameter.

PMID- 27251735
TI  - Massive splenic infarction and splenic venous thrombosis observed in a patient
      with acute splenic syndrome of sickle cell traits on contrast-enhanced thin-slice
      computed tomography.
AB  - We report a case of splenic infarction in a patient with sickle cell traits
      (SCT), focusing on the computed tomography (CT) findings. The patient was an
      African-American man in his twenties with no past medical history who experienced
      sudden left upper quadrant pain while climbing a mountain (over 3000 m above sea
      level). Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT revealed massive non-segmental splenic
      infarction accompanied with nodule-like preserved splenic tissue. The region of
      splenic infarction did not coincide with the arterial vascular territory and
      differed from the features of infarction caused by large arterial embolism. In
      addition, thrombotic occlusion of the distal splenic vein was depicted on plain
      and contrast-enhanced thin-slice CT images. Early-phase contrast-enhanced images
      also showed inhomogeneous enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma. The patient's
      symptoms improved with conservative therapy. A hemoglobin electrophoresis test
      confirmed the diagnosis of SCT. SCT is usually asymptomatic, but hypoxic
      environments may induce acute splenic syndrome, which is commonly manifested as
      splenic infarction. We observed splenic venous thrombosis and inhomogeneous
      hepatic parenchymal enhancement in addition to a huge splenic infarction in our
      patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the
      specific imaging findings, particularly splenic venous thrombosis and
      inhomogeneous hepatic parenchymal enhancement, of acute splenic syndrome in a
      patient with previously undiagnosed SCT. These findings demonstrate the
      pathophysiology of SCT, and may help with the diagnosis of this disease.

PMID- 27251736
TI  - The imaging findings of typical and atypical genital and gynecologic infections.
AB  - Genital and gynecologic infections are common medical problems, affecting
      millions of women worldwide. The spectrum of these infections extends from the
      labia, including processes such as necrotizing fasciitis and anogenital warts, to
      the upper reproductive tracts in conditions including endometritis and pelvic
      inflammatory disease. Although often a clinical diagnosis, the radiologist plays
      an important role in determining the etiology of acute abdominal and pelvic pain
      as well as facilitating the diagnosis for cases which are not clinically
      straightforward. Imaging also plays an important role in assessing the
      complications and sequelae of these conditions, including infertility, chronic
      abdominal and pelvic pain, and pelvic adhesions. Familiarity with the appearances
      of these infections, their complications, and their potential mimics on
      sonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and
      hysterosalpingography is important for timely diagnosis and optimal clinical
      outcomes.

PMID- 27251737
TI  - CT gastrography for volumetric measurement of remnant stomach after distal
      gastrectomy: a feasibility study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of post-operative CT gastrography for
      volumetry of the remnant stomach in gastric cancer patients treated with distal
      gastrectomy. METHODS: CT gastrography was performed with oral administration of
      effervescent granules in 35 gastric cancer patients who underwent distal
      gastrectomy. Two readers independently rated the degree of gastric distension on
      a four-point scale, one (near-total collapse) to four (well distended) and
      measured the volume of remnant stomach using either 3D or 2D volumetry. The inter
      volumetry agreements between the 2D and 3D methods and the interobserver
      agreements between readers 1 and 2 were assessed by intraclass correlation
      coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: The mean score of gastric
      distension was 3.4 +/- 0.6 points and 3.4 +/- 0.7 points from readers 1 and 2,
      respectively. We regarded CT images scored with 3-4 points as a technical success
      for reliable CT volumetry, which achieved a rate of 91.4% (32/35). For the inter
      volumetry agreements between 3D and 2D volumetry, the ICCs were 0.9778 and 0.9814
      from readers 1 and 2, respectively. The interobserver agreement between readers 1
      and 2 was also excellent, with ICCs of 0.9961 and 0.9876 for 2D and 3D volumetry,
      respectively. On Bland-Altman plots, the means of differences between any pairs
      of volumetry measurements ranged from -31.1 to 3.2 cm(3), which may be an
      acceptable range of measurement variability. CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative CT
      gastrography is feasible in patients treated with distal gastrectomy. Both 2D and
      3D volumetry methods are comparable in measuring the remnant stomach volume.

PMID- 27251738
TI  - [Connections between sleep and Alzheimer's disease : Insomnia, amnesia and
      amyloid].
AB  - Sleep plays an essential role in memory consolidation. Although sleep problems
      are common in Alzheimer's disease, they are not usually thought to be key
      features of the disease; however, new experimental research has shown that sleep
      disturbances not only occur before the onset of typical cognitive deficits but
      are also associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and may have a
      decisive influence on the symptoms and course. Thus, sleep disturbances may be
      potentially modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease that deserve more
      attention in research, diagnostics and treatment.

PMID- 27251739
TI  - [System-immanent incentives in the remuneration for psychiatry and psychosomatics
      : Analysis exemplified by treatment of alcohol-related disorders].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The German fixed rate remuneration system in psychiatry and
      psychosomatics (PEPP) has been criticized by many specialty associations because
      negative effects on mental healthcare are expected through economic incentives.
      OBJECTIVE: Through analysis of performance data in the treatment of alcohol
      dependency at the Evangelical Hospital Bielefeld (Evangelisches Krankenhaus
      Bielefeld, EvKB) from 2014 and various simulations, the incentives of the PEPP
      (version 2015) were analyzed and its potential impact on patient care was
      evaluated. METHODS: Groups of cases were created based on the clinical data.
      Various parameters were evaluated, such as duration of treatment, PEPP coding,
      loss of income by merging cases and case remuneration. Additionally, changes in
      the duration of treatment, the intensity of treatment and the intensity of care
      were simulated. RESULTS: In the simulations a reduction in the duration of
      treatment by 16.1 % led to additional revenues of 1.9 % per treatment day. The
      calculated additional costs of 1:1 care and intensive nursing care were not
      completely covered by the additional revenues, whereas psychotherapeutic
      inpatient treatment programs showed positive profit contributions. Complicated
      cases with increased merging of cases showed lower revenues but with above
      average expenditure of efforts. CONCLUSION: The current version of the PEPP leads
      to misdirected incentives in patient care. This is caused, for example, by the
      fact that higher profit contributions can be realized in some patient groups and
      intensive nursing care of patients is insufficiently represented. It is not clear
      whether these incentives will persist or can be compensated in subsequent
      versions of the system.

PMID- 27251740
TI  - Concurrent Loss of Heterozygosity and Mosaic Deletion of 12p13.32pter.
AB  - Deletions in the short arm of chromosome 12 are the rarest subtelomeric
      imbalances. Less than 20 patients have been reported to date, and their
      microdeletions were identified either by FISH or array-CGH without SNP data.
      Here, we report a patient with a 12p13.32pter mosaic deletion detected by
      chromosome microarray analysis with loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the deleted
      segment in addition to the adjacent distal segment. LOH is indicative of a
      complex rearrangement, suggestive of mitotic microhomology-mediated break-induced
      replication. 

PMID- 27251741
TI  - The HSP90 inhibitor, 17AAG, protects the intestinal stem cell niche and inhibits
      graft versus host disease development.

PMID- 27251742
TI  - Regulation of osteosarcoma cell lung metastasis by the c-Fos/AP-1 target FGFR1.

PMID- 27251743
TI  - Electrocardiograms in African Americans and Non-African Americans Presenting with
      Takotsubo Syndrome.

PMID- 27251744
TI  - [Age is no protection against technology?!].

PMID- 27251745
TI  - [Risk-benefit profile of testosterone treatment for older men].

PMID- 27251746
TI  - Stem Cells for Neonatal Brain Disorders.
AB  - Despite recent advances in neonatal intensive care medicine, neonatal brain
      injury resulting from intraventricular hemorrhage or hypoxic-ischemic
      encephalopathy remains a major cause of neonatal mortality and neurologic
      morbidities in survivors. Several studies have indicated that stem cell therapy
      is a promising novel therapy for neonatal brain injury resulting from these
      disorders. This review summarizes recent advances in stem cell research for
      treating neonatal brain injury due to intraventricular hemorrhage or hypoxic
      ischemic encephalopathy with a particular focus on preclinical data, covering
      important issues for clinical translation such as optimal cell type, route, dose
      and timing of stem cell therapy, and translation of these preclinical results
      into a clinical trial.

PMID- 27251747
TI  - Genome-scale metabolic models as platforms for strain design and biological
      discovery.
AB  - Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) have been developed and used in guiding
      systems' metabolic engineering strategies for strain design and development. This
      strategy has been used in fermentative production of bio-based industrial
      chemicals and fuels from alternative carbon sources. However, computer-aided
      hypotheses building using established algorithms and software platforms for
      biological discovery can be integrated into the pipeline for strain design
      strategy to create superior strains of microorganisms for targeted biosynthetic
      goals. Here, I described an integrated workflow strategy using GEMs for strain
      design and biological discovery. Specific case studies of strain design and
      biological discovery using Escherichia coli genome-scale model are presented and
      discussed. The integrated workflow presented herein, when applied carefully would
      help guide future design strategies for high-performance microbial strains that
      have existing and forthcoming genome-scale metabolic models.

PMID- 27251748
TI  - Identification of zinc finger protein Bcl6 as a novel regulator of early adipose
      commitment.
AB  - Adipose tissue is a key determinant of whole-body metabolism and energy
      homeostasis. Unravelling the transcriptional regulatory process during
      adipogenesis is therefore highly relevant from a biomedical perspective. In these
      studies, zinc finger protein B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6) was demonstrated to have a
      role in early adipogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells. Bcl6 is enriched in
      preadipose versus non-preadipose fibroblasts and shows upregulated expression in
      the early stage of adipogenesis. Gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that
      Bcl6 acts as a key regulator of adipose commitment and differentiation both in
      vitro and ex vivo RNAi-mediated knockdown of Bcl6 in C3H10T1/2 cells greatly
      inhibited adipogenic potential, whereas Bcl6 overexpression enhanced adipogenic
      differentiation. This transcription factor also directly or indirectly targets
      and controls the expression of some early and late adipogenic regulators (i.e.
      Zfp423, Zfp467, KLF15, C/EBPdelta, C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma). We further
      identified that Bcl6 transactivated the signal transducers and activators of
      transcription 1 (STAT1), which was determined as a required factor for
      adipogenesis. Moreover, overexpression of STAT1 rescued the impairment of
      adipogenic commitment and differentiation induced by Bcl6 knockdown in C3H10T1/2
      cells, thereby confirming that STAT1 is a downstream direct target of Bcl6. This
      study identifies Bcl6 as a positive transcriptional regulator of early adipose
      commitment.

PMID- 27251749
TI  - Rapid Resorbable Sutures Are a Favourable Alternative to Non-resorbable Sutures
      in Closing Transcolumellar Incision in Rhinoplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The open approach using inverted-V incisions has gained popularity in
      both primary and revision rhinoplasty during the last years. The risk of a
      disturbing columellar scar has been shown to be very low when meticulously
      closed. However, the suture extractions are usually painful and time consuming.
      OBJECTIVES: To investigate if rapid resorbable sutures could replace non
      resorbable sutures in nasal transcolumellar incisions. The present study compared
      (1) patient discomfort, (2) scarring and (3) risk for postoperative infection.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 58 consecutive patients subjected to open
      rhinoplasty by the same surgeon using midcolumellar inverted-V incisions were
      investigated retrospectively. Forty-one (71 %) were eligible and investigated, of
      whom 27 (65 %) were of Middle Eastern descent and the rest Caucasians from
      Northern Europe. The first 21 patients were sutured with non-resorbable suture
      material polypropylene (PP) (Prolene((r)) 5/0; Ethicon Inc.) and the subsequent
      20 patients with a rapidly resorbable suture material, the 5/0 irradiated
      Polygalactic acid (PGA); (Vicryl Rapide((r)) 5/0; Ethicon Inc.). Discomfort from
      the suture extraction of the PP sutures was compared to trimming of the PGA
      sutures at the skin surface 1 week postoperatively, and visibility of the
      columellar scars was evaluated by the patients themselves on a self-report
      questionnaire. This was done prior to the investigation and postoperative
      photography at the follow-up visit a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. The
      postoperative photographs were then assessed by 20 rhinoplasty surgeons
      independently, using the same questionnaire. RESULTS: Trimming of the PGA sutures
      caused significantly less discomfort than the extraction of PP sutures (p <=
      0.01), of which 6 (29 %) found the suture extraction very painful. Overall, 40/41
      (98 %) found their scars non-disturbing. Moreover, 17/21 (81 %) of the patients
      sutured with PP and 18/20 (90 %) of the patients sutured with PGA considered
      their scars to be invisible or almost invisible. The corresponding assessments
      from the observers were 16/21 (76 %) and 16/20 (80 %), respectively. No
      postoperative infection was found in any group. CONCLUSION: Suturing inverted-V
      transcolumellar incisions with rapid resorbable sutures caused significantly less
      discomfort but no difference in scarring compared to non-resorbable sutures as
      evaluated by patients and observers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: 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- 27251750
TI  - Management of Breast Deformity After Removal of Injectable Polyacrylamide
      Hydrogel: Retrospective Study of 200 Cases for 7 Years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG), once used as an injection for breast
      augmentation, has been banned in the medical field for cosmetic purposes for more
      than 10 years in China. But a large number of breasts have characteristic
      deformities due to the gel's feature of erosion. Our aim is to explore a
      retrospective study on PAAG's long-term effects on women, ensuing breast
      deformity and the strategy for breast plasticity after removing the gel in our
      center from 2007 to 2014. METHODS: From 2007 to 2014, 200 patients, whose breasts
      were injected with PAAG, underwent the operation to remove the injectable
      material. Complications were summarized. Ultrasound or MRI was performed before
      the operation to disclose the general distribution of the gel and the muscle and
      gland infiltration. According to the gel distribution, muscle and gland
      infiltration, infection, gel residue, and other factors, the patients were
      treated, respectively, with or without prosthesis implantation surgery after the
      removal of the gel. According to the decision about whether or when to undergo
      prosthesis implantation, the patients were classified into three types: group I
      prosthesis implantation at the first stage, group II-prosthesis implantation at
      the second stage, and group III-only removing the material without prosthesis
      implantation. The scores of the BREAST-Q program were used to evaluate the
      preoperative and postoperative differences. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients
      underwent prosthesis implantation at the first stage and 61 patients were
      operated on by placing the prosthesis at the second stage. A total of 62 patients
      only underwent the PAAG removal operation. By BREAST-Q evaluation, changes are
      summarized in Tables 1, 2, and 3 between mean preoperative scores and mean
      postoperative scores through categories of satisfaction with appearance of
      breasts, psychosocial wellbeing, sexual wellbeing, and physical wellbeing, in
      which all categories were presented with statistical significance (p < 0.001).
      Table 1 Patient demographics General patient data Number Number of patients 200
      Age range 25-48 Follow-up period 6-12 months Injection material  Domestic
      material 84 (42 %)  Imported material 93 (46.5 %)  Domestic + imported 23 (11.5
      %) Injection site  Regular hospital 47 (23.5 %)  Clinics 153 (76.5 %)
      Complication  Inflammation 10 (2 %)  Pain 75 (37.5 %)  Induration 155 (77.5 %) 
      Shift 50 (25 %)  Deformation 17 (8.5 %)  Bilateral asymmetry 48 (24 %) 
      Deposition milk 2 (1 %)  Psychological fear 150 (75 %)  Systemic symptoms 34 (17
      %)  Single complication 25 (16.97 %)  Two or more complications 160 (80 %) 
      Preoperative aspiration 48 (24 %) Table 2 Group I-changes in mean preoperative
      scores and mean postoperative scores Category Preoperatively (n = 77)
      Postoperatively (n = 77) p Satisfaction with appearance of breasts 18.8 +/- 16.2
      81.6 +/- 13.1 <0.001 Psychosocial wellbeing 39.5 +/- 20.2 84.5 +/- 19.3 <0.001
      Sexual wellbeing 38.7 +/- 23.1 77.2 +/- 20.5 <0.001 Physical wellbeing 42.4 +/-
      16.3 81.7 +/- 10.5 <0.001 Table 3 Group II-changes in mean preoperative scores
      and mean postoperative scores Category Preoperatively (n = 61) Postoperatively (n
      = 61) p Satisfaction with appearance of breasts 19.6 +/- 15.3 82.5 +/- 11.1
      <0.001 Psychosocial wellbeing 38.9 +/- 19.3 83.6 +/- 20.1 <0.001 Sexual wellbeing
      37.6 +/- 22.4 79.3 +/- 20.4 <0.001 Physical wellbeing 41.3 +/- 15.1 82.2 +/- 9.9
      <0.001 CONCLUSIONS: Timely removal is critical for women who have received the
      PAAG removal operation. However, the surgery may destroy the shape of the breast.
      It is recommended that preoperative communication and local tissue condition are
      guidelines for surgeons to choose conservative or aggressive surgery. A balance
      must be maintained between removing the gel as much as possible and retaining
      soft tissue to reshape breasts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: 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- 27251751
TI  - Eumorphic Plastic Surgery: Expectation Versus Satisfaction in Body Dysmorphic
      Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eumorphic Plastic Surgery aims at improving the severe psychosocial
      pain caused by a deformity. Dysmorphopathology is an increasingly relevant
      problem facing the plastic surgeon. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to
      describe the perioperative questionnaires created by the senior author and to
      present a cohort of plastic surgery patients suffering from dysmorphopathies.
      These patients were prospectively followed and evaluated with the proposed
      questionnaires through their surgical pathway to explore the degree of
      satisfaction or disappointment compared to expectations. METHODS: All candidates
      for plastic surgery procedures between April 2011 and June 2013 were included in
      the study. Preoperatively, all patients completed the Patient Expectation
      Questionnaire (E-pgm). Twelve months postoperatively, they completed the Patient
      Satisfaction Questionnaire (S-pgm). The E-pgm and S-pgm were compared to evaluate
      the consistency between the patient's preoperative expectations and postoperative
      evaluations. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients were included in the study. Out of
      them, 79 % experienced an improvement or no variation between preoperative
      expectations and postoperative satisfaction. With regard to the motivation for
      undergoing surgery, 91 % showed that the surgical procedure met the motivation.
      An overall positive perioperative change in life was experienced by 93 % of
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: The E-pgm questionnaire proved to be a valid and reliable
      tool for the selection of suitable candidates for surgery and for identification
      of dysmorphophobic patients. Enhancing the doctor-patient relationship and
      communication can reduce ambiguity and avoid troublesome misunderstandings,
      litigation and other legal implications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: 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- 27251752
TI  - Interaction in planning vocalizations and grasping.
AB  - Previous studies have shown a congruency effect between manual grasping and
      syllable articulation. For instance, a power grip is associated with syllables
      whose articulation involves the tongue body and/or large mouth aperture
      ([kalpha]) whereas a precision grip is associated with articulations that involve
      the tongue tip and/or small mouth aperture ([ti]). Previously, this effect has
      been observed in manual reaction times. The primary aim of the current study was
      to investigate whether this congruency effect also takes place in vocal responses
      and to investigate involvement of action selection processes in the effect. The
      congruency effect was found in vocal and manual responses regardless of whether
      or not the syllable or grip was known a priori, suggesting that the effect
      operates with minimal or absent action selection processes. In addition, the
      effect was observed in vocal responses even when the grip was only prepared but
      not performed, suggesting that merely planning a grip response primes the
      corresponding articulatory response. These results support the view that
      articulation and grasping are processed in a partially overlapping network.

PMID- 27251753
TI  - Limitations of videolaryngoscopy.

PMID- 27251754
TI  - Clinical and immunological analysis of measles patients admitted to a Beijing
      hospital in 2014 during an outbreak in China.
AB  - At the end of 2013, China reported a countrywide outbreak of measles. From
      January to May 2014, we investigated the clinical and immunological features of
      the cases of the outbreak admitted to our hospital. In this study, all 112
      inpatients with clinically diagnosed measles were recruited from the 302 Military
      Hospital of China. The virus was isolated from throat swabs from these patients,
      and cytokine profiles were examined. By detecting the measles virus of 30 of the
      112 patients, we found that this measles outbreak was of the H1 genotype, which
      is the major strain in China. The rates of complications, specifically pneumonia
      and liver injury, differed significantly in patients aged 18 years: pneumonia was
      more common in children, while liver injury was more common in adults. Pneumonia
      was a significant independent risk factor affecting measles duration. Compared to
      healthy subjects, measles patients had fewer CD4+IL-17+, CD4+IFN-gamma +, and
      CD8+IFN-gamma + cells in both the acute and recovery phases. In contrast, measles
      patients in the acute phase had more CD8+IL-22+ cells than those in recovery or
      healthy subjects. We recommend that future studies focus on the age-related
      distribution of pneumonia and liver injury as measles-related complications as
      well as the association between immunological markers and measles prognosis.

PMID- 27251755
TI  - Morphological Transformation between Nanocoils and Nanoribbons via
      Defragmentation Structural Rearrangement or Fragmentation-recombination
      Mechanism.
AB  - Kinetic control over the assembly pathways towards novel metastable functional
      materials or far-from-equilibrium systems has been much less studied compared to
      the thermodynamic equilibrium self-assembly. Herein, we report the distinct
      morphological transformation between nanocoils and nanoribbons in the self
      assembly of unsymmetric perylene diimide (PDI) molecules. We demonstrate that the
      morphological transformation of the kinetically trapped assemblies into the
      thermodynamically stable forms proceeds via two distinct mechanisms, i.e., a
      direct structural rearrangement (molecule 1 or 2) and a fragmentation
      recombination mechanism (molecule 4), respectively. The subtle interplay of the
      steric hindrance of the bulky substituents and the flexibility of the linker
      structure between the bulky moiety and the perylene core was demonstrated to
      enable the effective modulation of the energetic landscape of the assemblies and
      thus modulation of the assembly pathways. Herein, our work presents a new
      approach to control the self-assembly pathways and thereby can be used to achieve
      novel far-from-equilibrium systems.

PMID- 27251756
TI  - A non-aggressive, highly efficient, enzymatic method for dissociation of human
      brain-tumors and brain-tissues to viable single-cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conducting research on the molecular biology, immunology, and
      physiology of brain tumors (BTs) and primary brain tissues requires the use of
      viably dissociated single cells. Inadequate methods for tissue dissociation
      generate considerable loss in the quantity of single cells produced and in the
      produced cells' viability. Improper dissociation may also demote the quality of
      data attained in functional and molecular assays due to the presence of large
      quantities cellular debris containing immune-activatory danger associated
      molecular patterns, and due to the increased quantities of degraded proteins and
      RNA. RESULTS: Over 40 resected BTs and non-tumorous brain tissue samples were
      dissociated into single cells by mechanical dissociation or by mechanical and
      enzymatic dissociation. The quality of dissociation was compared for all
      frequently used dissociation enzymes (collagenase, DNase, hyaluronidase, papain,
      dispase) and for neutral protease (NP) from Clostridium histolyticum. Single-cell
      dissociated cell mixtures were evaluated for cellular viability and for the cell
      mixture dissociation quality. Dissociation quality was graded by the quantity of
      subcellular debris, non-dissociated cell clumps, and DNA released from dead
      cells. Of all enzymes or enzyme combinations examined, NP (an enzyme previously
      not evaluated on brain tissues) produced dissociated cell mixtures with the
      highest mean cellular viability: 93 % in gliomas, 85 % in brain metastases, and
      89 % in non-tumorous brain tissue. NP also produced cell mixtures with
      significantly less cellular debris than other enzymes tested. Dissociation using
      NP was non-aggressive over time-no changes in cell viability or dissociation
      quality were found when comparing 2-h dissociation at 37  degrees C to overnight
      dissociation at ambient temperature. CONCLUSIONS: The use of NP allows for the
      most effective dissociation of viable single cells from human BTs or brain
      tissue. Its non-aggressive dissociative capacity may enable ambient-temperature
      shipping of tumor pieces in multi-center clinical trials, meanwhile being
      dissociated. As clinical grade NP is commercially available it can be easily
      integrated into cell-therapy clinical trials in neuro-oncology. The high quality
      viable cells produced may enable investigators to conduct more consistent
      research by avoiding the experimental artifacts associated with the presence dead
      cells or cellular debris.

PMID- 27251757
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and the effect of heat on intraperitoneal pemetrexed using a
      murine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pemetrexed is a systemic chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment
      of malignant mesothelioma. This drug represents a potentially promising
      intraperitoneal (IP) agent to use for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
      (HIPEC) in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma. However, this has yet to be
      supported by preclinical studies. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of
      pemetrexed dose and perfusion temperature on the resultant pemetrexed
      concentration in 3 different compartments (systemic circulation, portal
      circulation and peritoneal tissues) using a murine model. METHODS: Under general
      anesthesia, 29 Sprague-Dawley rats were submitted to 3 different doses of IP
      pemetrexed (500, 1000 and 1500 mg/m2) combined with 3 different perfusion
      temperatures (37, 40 and 43  degrees C) for a total duration of 25 min. At the
      end of perfusion, samples in different compartments (systemic circulation, portal
      circulation and peritoneum) were harvested and concentrations of pemetrexed were
      measured using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: With increasing
      dose of IP pemetrexed, higher concentrations were measured in the 3 compartments
      tested. In peritoneal cells, the difference between IP doses of 500 and 1000
      mg/m2 (2.03 vs. 19.17 MUg/g, p < 0.001) was greater than the difference between
      1000 and 1500 mg/m2 (19.17 vs. 22.80 MUg/g, p = 0.027). When the perfusion
      temperature increased, we observed a proportional rise of pemetrexed
      concentration in both the portal and systemic compartments; while in the
      peritoneal cells, the pemetrexed concentration increased up to 40  degrees C,
      after which it plateaued. CONCLUSION: Both heat and increasing doses of IP
      pemetrexed enhance peritoneal cell concentration of pemetrexed. However, for
      temperatures above 40  degrees C, pemetrexed concentration reached a plateau in
      peritoneal cells. Systemic and portal concentrations increased proportionally
      with both increasing temperatures and IP doses. We believe these results should
      be taken into consideration for the design of an eventual clinical study in
      humans.

PMID- 27251760
TI  - Initialized decadal prediction for transition to positive phase of the
      Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation.
AB  - The negative phase of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO), a dominant mode
      of multi-decadal variability of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Pacific,
      contributed to the reduced rate of global surface temperature warming in the
      early 2000s. A proposed mechanism for IPO multidecadal variability indicates that
      the presence of decadal timescale upper ocean heat content in the off-equatorial
      western tropical Pacific can provide conditions for an interannual El
      Nino/Southern Oscillation event to trigger a transition of tropical Pacific SSTs
      to the opposite IPO phase. Here we show that a decadal prediction initialized in
      2013 simulates predicted Nino3.4 SSTs that have qualitatively tracked the
      observations through 2015. The year three to seven average prediction (2015-2019)
      from the 2013 initial state shows a transition to the positive phase of the IPO
      from the previous negative phase and a resumption of larger rates of global
      warming over the 2013-2022 period consistent with a positive IPO phase.

PMID- 27251758
TI  - The co-chaperone Cdc37 regulates the rabies virus phosphoprotein stability by
      targeting to Hsp90AA1 machinery.
AB  - Cdc37, as a kinase-specific co-chaperone of the chaperone Hsp90AA1 (Hsp90),
      actively aids with the maturation, stabilization and activation of the cellular
      or viral kinase/kinase-like targets. Phosphoprotein (P) of rabies virus (RABV) is
      a multifunctional, non-kinase protein involved in interferon antagonism, viral
      transcription and replication. Here, we demonstrated that the RABV non-kinase P
      is chaperoned by Cdc37 and Hsp90 during infection. We found that Cdc37 and Hsp90
      affect the RABV life cycle directly. Activity inhibition and knockdown of Cdc37
      and Hsp90 increased the instability of the viral P protein. Overexpression of
      Cdc37 and Hsp90 maintained P's stability but did not increase the yield of
      infectious RABV virions. We further demonstrated that the non-enzymatic
      polymerase cofactor P protein of all the genotypes of lyssaviruses is a target of
      the Cdc37/Hsp90 complex. Cdc37, phosphorylated or unphosphorylated on Ser13, aids
      the P protein to load onto the Hsp90 machinery, with or without Cdc37 binding to
      Hsp90. However, the interaction between Cdc37 and Hsp90 appears to have
      additional allosteric regulation of the conformational switch of Hsp90. Our study
      highlighted a novel mechanism in which Cdc37/Hsp90 chaperones a non-kinase
      target, which has significant implications for designing therapeutic targets
      against Rabies.

PMID- 27251759
TI  - Racial differences in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas among non-Hispanic
      black and white males identified through the National Cancer Database (1998
      2012).
AB  - PURPOSE: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) incidence is increasing,
      and evidence suggests survival disparities between non-Hispanic (nH) black and
      white males. However, temporal changes in HNSCCs and factors contributing to
      survival differences have not been examined at the national level. METHODS:
      National Cancer Database (NCDB) cases were used to evaluate temporal trends in
      HNSCC anatomical sites and site groupings (i.e., oral cavity, oropharyngeal, non
      oropharyngeal), and to estimate incidence ratios (IRs) comparing nH black and
      white males in demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Between 1998
      and 2012, 18,443 (11 %) nH black males and 145,611 (89 %) nH white males were
      diagnosed with HNSCCs. Cases rose from 9094 diagnosed in 1998 to 13,838 in 2012,
      driven by increases in oropharyngeal tumors, particularly tumors of the tonsil
      and tongue. Annual percent changes in nH black males and nH white males were 1.93
      and 3.17, respectively. Additionally, nH black males had higher incidence of the
      more aggressive non-oropharyngeal tumors (p < .0001) and distant-stage tumors (76
      vs. 64 %, p < .0001). However, nH white males had higher incidence of high-risk
      HPV types (IRs range from 1.68, 95 % CI 1.50-1.88 in oropharyngeal tumors to
      3.03, 95 % CI 1.11-8.25 in non-oropharyngeal tumors). CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of
      oropharyngeal tumors has risen in both nH black and white males. However, nH
      white males have higher incidence of HPV, and nH black males have higher
      incidence of more aggressive and advanced HNSCCs. Racial differences in clinical
      characteristics associated with poorer survival exist, and future studies should
      determine factors associated with these differences.

PMID- 27251761
TI  - Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess Syndrome: A Case of Resistant Hypertension From
      Licorice Tea Consumption.

PMID- 27251762
TI  - Rethinking spontaneous giving: Extreme time pressure and ego-depletion favor self
      regarding reactions.
AB  - Previous experimental studies suggest that cooperation in one-shot anonymous
      interactions is, on average, spontaneous, rather than calculative. To explain
      this finding, it has been proposed that people internalize cooperative heuristics
      in their everyday life and bring them as intuitive strategies in new and atypical
      situations. Yet, these studies have important limitations, as they promote
      intuitive responses using weak time pressure or conceptual priming of intuition.
      Since these manipulations do not deplete participants' ability to reason
      completely, it remains unclear whether cooperative heuristics are really
      automatic or they emerge after a small, but positive, amount of deliberation.
      Consistent with the latter hypothesis, we report two experiments demonstrating
      that spontaneous reactions in one-shot anonymous interactions tend to be
      egoistic. In doing so, our findings shed further light on the cognitive
      underpinnings of cooperation, as they suggest that cooperation in one-shot
      interactions is not automatic, but appears only at later stages of reasoning.

PMID- 27251764
TI  - Intramolecular Electron Transfers Thwart Bistability in a Pentanuclear Iron
      Complex.
AB  - With the intention to investigate the redox properties of polynuclear complexes
      as previously reported for the pentamanganese complex [{Mn(II)(MU
      bpp)3}2Mn(III)Mn(II)2(MU3-O)](3+) (2(3+)), we focused on the analogous pentairon
      complex that was previously isolated as all-ferrous. As Masaoka and co-workers
      recently published, aerobic synthesis leads to the [{Fe(II)(MU
      bpp)3}2Fe(III)Fe(II)2(MU3-O)](3+) complex (1(3+)). This species exhibits in
      acetonitrile solution four reversible one-electron oxidation waves. Accordingly,
      the three oxidized species 1(4+), 1(5+), and 1(6+) with a 3Fe(II)2Fe(III),
      2Fe(II)3Fe(III), and 1Fe(II)4Fe(III) composition, respectively, were generated by
      bulk electrolysis and isolated. Mossbauer spectroscopy allowed us to determine
      the spin states of all the iron ions and to unambiguously locate the sites of the
      successive oxidations. They all occur in the MU3-oxo core except for the 1(4+) to
      1(5+) process that presents a striking electronic rearrangement, with both metals
      in axial position being oxidized while the core is reduced to the
      [Fe(III)Fe(II)2(MU3-O)](5+) oxidation level. This strongly differs from the redox
      behavior of the Mn5 system. The origin of this electronic switch is discussed. 

PMID- 27251763
TI  - Finding Web-Based Anxiety Interventions on the World Wide Web: A Scoping Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One relatively new and increasingly popular approach of increasing
      access to treatment is Web-based intervention programs. The advantage of Web
      based approaches is the accessibility, affordability, and anonymity of
      potentially evidence-based treatment. Despite much research evidence on the
      effectiveness of Web-based interventions for anxiety found in the literature,
      little is known about what is publically available for potential consumers on the
      Web. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to explore what a consumer searching the Web for Web
      based intervention options for anxiety-related issues might find. The objectives
      were to identify currently publically available Web-based intervention programs
      for anxiety and to synthesize and review these in terms of (1) website
      characteristics such as credibility and accessibility; (2) intervention program
      characteristics such as intervention focus, design, and presentation modes; (3)
      therapeutic elements employed; and (4) published evidence of efficacy. METHODS:
      Web keyword searches were carried out on three major search engines (Google,
      Bing, and Yahoo-UK platforms). For each search, the first 25 hyperlinks were
      screened for eligible programs. Included were programs that were designed for
      anxiety symptoms, currently publically accessible on the Web, had an online
      component, a structured treatment plan, and were available in English. Data were
      extracted for website characteristics, program characteristics, therapeutic
      characteristics, as well as empirical evidence. Programs were also evaluated
      using a 16-point rating tool. RESULTS: The search resulted in 34 programs that
      were eligible for review. A wide variety of programs for anxiety, including
      specific anxiety disorders, and anxiety in combination with stress, depression,
      or anger were identified and based predominantly on cognitive behavioral therapy
      techniques. The majority of websites were rated as credible, secure, and free of
      advertisement. The majority required users to register and/or to pay a program
      access fee. Half of the programs offered some form of paid therapist or
      professional support. Programs varied in treatment length and number of modules
      and employed a variety of presentation modes. Relatively few programs had
      published research evidence of the intervention's efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This
      review represents a snapshot of available Web-based intervention programs for
      anxiety that could be found by consumers in March 2015. The consumer is
      confronted with a diversity of programs, which makes it difficult to identify an
      appropriate program. Limited reports and existence of empirical evidence for
      efficacy make it even more challenging to identify credible and reliable
      programs. This highlights the need for consistent guidelines and standards on
      developing, providing, and evaluating Web-based interventions and platforms with
      reliable up-to-date information for professionals and consumers about the
      characteristics, quality, and accessibility of Web-based interventions.

PMID- 27251765
TI  - Metabonomic analysis of the protective effect of quercetin on the toxicity
      induced by mixture of organophosphate pesticides in rat urine.
AB  - The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of quercetin against
      the joint toxic action induced by the mixture of four organophosphate pesticides
      (mixture-OPs) (dimethoate, acephate, dichlorvos, and phorate) at their
      corresponding no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) using metabonomics. Rats
      were randomly divided into control, quercetin-treated, mixture-OPs-treated, and
      quercetin plus mixture-OPs-treated groups. Mixture-OPs and quercetin were given
      to the rats daily through drinking water and intragastric administration,
      respectively, for 90 days. The metabonomic profiles of rat urine were analyzed
      using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS). The 14
      metabolites significantly changed in the treatment groups compared with the
      control group, including the biomarkers of OPs exposure (dimethylphosphate,
      dimethyldithiophosphate, diethylphosphate) and the metabolites of quercetin
      (quercetin and isorhamnetina). The intensities of gentisic acid, creatinine,
      suberic acid, hippuric acid, uric acid, and citric acid significantly decreased,
      whereas the intensities of 7-methylguanine, estrone sulfate, and cholic acid
      significantly increased, in the mixture-OPs-treated group compared with the
      control group ( p < 0.01). The variation tendency of the aforementioned
      metabolites was significantly ameliorated in the high-dose quercetin (50 mg/(kg
      bw day)) plus mixture-OPs-treated group compared with the mixture-OPs-treated
      group ( p < 0.05). However, the intensities of these metabolites in the high-dose
      quercetin plus mixture-OPs-treated group were still significantly different from
      those of the control group ( p < 0.05). Results indicated that high dose of
      quercetin elicits a partial protective effect on the toxicity induced by mixture
      OPs, including fatty acid and energy metabolism, antioxidant defense system, DNA
      damage, and liver and kidney function.

PMID- 27251766
TI  - Evaluation of nanoselenium (Nano-Se) effect on hematological and serum
      biochemical parameters of rat in experimentally lead poisoning.
AB  - The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of nanoselenium (Nano-Se)
      on hematological and biochemical parameters of rats experimentally intoxicated
      with lead (Pb). Thirty male rats were randomly divided into six groups as
      follows: the control, selenite, Nano-Se, Pb group, Pb + selenite, and Pb + Nano
      Se groups. After 35 days, blood was collected from rats and hematology and serum
      biochemical parameters of oxidative stress were measured. The thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances (TBARS) level of Pb group was significantly higher than other
      groups. Also, TBARS level was significantly lower in the Pb + Nano-Se group than
      Pb + selenite group. The serum superoxide dismutase activities were significantly
      lower in Pb group than the control, Pb + selenite, and Pb + Nano-Se groups. The
      catalase activities in the Pb group showed no significant change when compared to
      other groups. In the Pb group, packed cell volume was lower than the control
      group. A significant difference was observed between the control group and the
      Pb, Pb + selenite, and Pb + Nano-Se groups. In the Pb group, the numbers of white
      blood cell (WBC) decreased in comparison with the control group. Also, there was
      significant increase in WBC counts in the Pb + Nano-Se and Pb + selenite groups
      in comparison with Pb group. The number of lymphocytes in the Pb group decreased
      in comparison with the control group. By comparing the means of the Pb + Nano-Se
      and Pb + selenite groups together, it was determined that there were significant
      differences in the lymphocytes and neutrophil counts. In conclusion, usage of
      selenium compounds particularly Nano-Se particles inhibits the adverse effects of
      Pb on antioxidant activity and immune system function in the Pb poisoning.

PMID- 27251767
TI  - Facile access to a Ge(ii) dication stabilized by isocyanides.
AB  - Herein, we introduce isocyanide as a ligand in main group chemistry and describe
      the facile isolation of a Ge(ii) dication. The reaction of 2,6
      dimethylphenylisocyanide with GeCl2 leads to the formation of a Ge(ii) dication
      with two [GeCl3](-) molecules as counter anions. The dicationic Ge(ii) center is
      bound to four isocyanide ligands and also holds a lone pair of electrons. DFT
      calculations reveal that the dication is stabilized only by sigma-donation from
      the four isocyanide ligands. Natural population analysis gives a charge of +0.74
      on the Ge(ii) center, indicating that the positive charge is shared by the
      isocyanide substituents. 

PMID- 27251768
TI  - Wide angle and narrow-band asymmetric absorption in visible and near-infrared
      regime through lossy Bragg stacks.
AB  - Absorber is an important component in various optical devices. Here we report a
      novel type of asymmetric absorber in the visible and near-infrared spectrum which
      is based on lossy Bragg stacks. The lossy Bragg stacks can achieve near-perfect
      absorption at one side and high reflection at the other within the narrow bands
      (several nm) of resonance wavelengths, whereas display almost identical
      absorption/reflection responses for the rest of the spectrum. Meanwhile, this
      interesting wavelength-selective asymmetric absorption behavior persists for wide
      angles, does not depend on polarization, and can be ascribed to the lossy
      characteristics of the Bragg stacks. Moreover, interesting Fano resonance with
      easily tailorable peak profiles can be realized using the lossy Bragg stacks.

PMID- 27251769
TI  - Prostate cancer characteristics and outcome in renal transplant recipients:
      results from a contemporary single center study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) incidence is expected to increase in renal
      transplant recipients (RTR) with no clear nor contemporary data on management and
      oncological outcome. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single center study of
      RTR diagnosed with PCa after transplantation between 2000 and 2013. Demographics,
      PCa characteristics, and treatment were assessed. For each RTR in radical
      prostatectomy (RP) subset, we included 4 non-organ transplant patients who
      underwent RP by the same surgeons, and compared pre-operative and post-operative
      oncological features, and biochemical recurrence (BCR) rate. RESULTS: Twenty-four
      RTR were included (PCa incidence 1.5%). Mean follow-up was 47 months. PCa was
      mostly localized (n=21, 87.5%) with treatments including RP (n=16, 76.2%),
      brachytherapy (n=3, 14.3%), radiation therapy (n=1, 4.7%), and active
      surveillance (n=1, 4.7%). No graft loss due to PCa treatment was reported.
      Nineteen RTR with localized PCa (90.5%) were free from BCR. Considering RP
      subset, no difference in PCa characteristics at diagnosis and BCR rate was found
      between RTR (n=16) and control patients (n=64). CONCLUSIONS: Localized PCa
      following renal transplantation was not associated with adverse features as
      compared with non-transplant patients. Standard treatments could be proposed to
      RTR with satisfying results both on oncological outcome and graft function.

PMID- 27251770
TI  - Validating alternative methodologies to estimate the regime of temporary rivers
      when flow data are unavailable.
AB  - Hydrological data for assessing the regime of temporary rivers are often non
      existent or scarce. The scarcity of flow data makes impossible to characterize
      the hydrological regime of temporary streams and, in consequence, to select the
      correct periods and methods to determine their ecological status. This is why the
      TREHS software is being developed, in the framework of the LIFE Trivers project.
      It will help managers to implement adequately the European Water Framework
      Directive in this kind of water body. TREHS, using the methodology described in
      Gallart et al. (2012), defines six transient 'aquatic states', based on
      hydrological conditions representing different mesohabitats, for a given reach at
      a particular moment. Because of its qualitative nature, this approach allows
      using alternative methodologies to assess the regime of temporary rivers when
      there are no observed flow data. These methods, based on interviews and high
      resolution aerial photographs, were tested for estimating the aquatic regime of
      temporary rivers. All the gauging stations (13) belonging to the Catalan Internal
      Catchments (NE Spain) with recurrent zero-flow periods were selected to validate
      this methodology. On the one hand, non-structured interviews were conducted with
      inhabitants of villages near the gauging stations. On the other hand, the
      historical series of available orthophotographs were examined. Flow records
      measured at the gauging stations were used to validate the alternative methods.
      Flow permanence in the reaches was estimated reasonably by the interviews and
      adequately by aerial photographs, when compared with the values estimated using
      daily flows. The degree of seasonality was assessed only roughly by the
      interviews. The recurrence of disconnected pools was not detected by flow records
      but was estimated with some divergences by the two methods. The combination of
      the two alternative methods allows substituting or complementing flow records, to
      be updated in the future through monitoring by professionals and citizens. 

PMID- 27251771
TI  - Profiles and changes in stimulant use in Belgium in the period of 2011-2015.
AB  - Adapting illicit drug policy strategies requires detailed knowledge on types and
      amounts of substances consumed by the target population. In this study, we
      applied wastewater-based epidemiology to detect spatio-temporal changes in the
      relative amounts of stimulants (amphetamine, methamphetamine,
      methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), cocaine) used in seven locations in Belgium
      over 2011-2015. Clear geographical differences were observed with stimulant users
      in large cities (Antwerp, Brussels) showing a preference for cocaine, while
      amphetamine use was most abundant in smaller cities (Geraardsbergen, Koksijde,
      Lier, Ninove, Ostend). Results obtained across odifferent years revealed that the
      investigated substances had a stable share in the total amount of stimulants
      used, suggesting that habits of stimulant use remained constant, although
      differences in absolute amounts were observed across years. Investigation of the
      weekly pattern in stimulant use showed an increase in the use of MDMA on the
      weekends compared to cocaine and amphetamine. 

PMID- 27251772
TI  - Flt1/VEGFR1 heterozygosity causes transient embryonic edema.
AB  - Vascular endothelial growth factor-A is a major player in vascular development
      and a potent vascular permeability factor under physiological and pathological
      conditions by binding to a decoy receptor Flt1 and its primary receptor Flk1. In
      this study, we show that Flt1 heterozygous (Flt1(+/-)) mouse embryos grow up to
      adult without life-threatening abnormalities but exhibit a transient embryonic
      edema around the nuchal and back regions, which is reminiscent of increased
      nuchal translucency in human fetuses. Vascular permeability is enhanced and an
      intricate infolding of the plasma membrane and huge vesicle-like structures are
      seen in Flt1(+/-) capillary endothelial cells. Flk1 tyrosine phosphorylation is
      elevated in Flt1(+/-) embryos, but Flk1 heterozygosity does not suppress
      embryonic edema caused by Flt1 heterozygosity. When Flt1 mutants are crossed with
      Aspp1(-/-) mice which exhibit a transient embryonic edema with delayed formation
      and dysfunction of lymphatic vessels, only 5.7% of Flt1(+/-); Aspp1(-/-) mice
      survive, compared to expected ratio (25%). Our results demonstrate that Flt1
      heterozygosity causes a transient embryonic edema and can be a risk factor for
      embryonic lethality in combination with other mutations causing non-lethal
      vascular phenotype.

PMID- 27251773
TI  - Variations of lumbrical muscle innervation patterns in the hand, focusing on the
      dual innervation of the third lumbrical muscle.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to clarify the innervation patterns of the
      lumbrical muscles by identifying the origin of the nerve fascicles innervating
      these muscles. METHODS: The lumbricals in the hand were investigated in 50
      specimens of embalmed Korean adult cadavers. RESULTS: Dual innervation of the
      third lumbrical was most frequently observed in 64.0%. The third lumbrical was
      innervated by a branch arising from the median nerve (MN) distal to site at which
      the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve (sUN) joins the MN in 34%. When
      separating and tracing the nerve fascicles from the MN distal to the
      communicating branch from the sUN to MN, the fascicles contained parts of the MN
      and sUN in 18% and part of the MN in 16%. CONCLUSIONS: These results will be
      helpful for accurate diagnoses, surgical procedures, and electrophysiological
      examinations in lesions of the MN and ulnar nerve in the hand. Muscle Nerve, 2016
      Muscle Nerve 55: 160-165, 2017.

PMID- 27251774
TI  - MRI of the knees in asymptomatic adolescent soccer players: A case-control study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the range of asymptomatic abnormal findings in adolescent
      soccer players at 3.0T MRI of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 87 knees
      of asymptomatic 14-17-year-old male adolescents were evaluated at 3T, using a
      standardized examination protocol comprising four sequences: two fat-suppressed
      T2 -weighted fast spin-echo sequences (T2 FSE), in the sagittal (repetition time
      / echo time [TR/TE], 5.300/71, echo train length [ETL] 17) and coronal planes
      (TR/TE, 4234/70, ETL 17), one fat-suppressed proton density (PD) sequence in the
      axial plane (TR/TE, 2.467/40, ETL 9), and one T1 -weighted spin-echo (T1 SE)
      sequence in the sagittal plane (TR/TE, 684/12.5). Soccer players (46 knees) were
      paired with controls (41 knees) by age and weight. Bone marrow, articular
      cartilage, meniscus, tendons, ligaments, fat pad abnormalities, and joint fluid
      were assessed. RESULTS: One or more abnormalities were detected in 31 knees
      (67.4%) in the soccer player group, compared to 20 knees (48.8%) in the control
      group. The prevalence of bone marrow edema was higher in the soccer group (19
      knees, 41.3%) than in the control group (3 knees, 7.3%), P = 0.001. Other
      abnormalities found in this sample (joint effusion, cartilage lesions,
      tendinopathy, ganglion cysts, and infrapatellar fat pat edema) were not
      significantly different between the two study groups. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic
      adolescents had a high prevalence of abnormal findings on knee imaging,
      especially bone marrow edema. This prevalence was higher among soccer players.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:59-65.

PMID- 27251775
TI  - Semirational Protein Engineering of CYP153AM.aq. -CPRBM3 for Efficient Terminal
      Hydroxylation of Short- to Long-Chain Fatty Acids.
AB  - The regioselective terminal hydroxylation of alkanes and fatty acids is of great
      interest in a variety of industrial applications, such as in cosmetics, in fine
      chemicals, and in the fragrance industry. The chemically challenging activation
      and oxidation of non-activated C-H bonds can be achieved with cytochrome P450
      enzymes. CYP153AM.aq. -CPRBM3 is an artificial fusion construct consisting of the
      heme domain from Marinobacter aquaeolei and the reductase domain of CYP102A1 from
      Bacillus megaterium. It has the ability to hydroxylate medium- and long-chain
      fatty acids selectively at their terminal positions. However, the activity of
      this interesting P450 construct needs to be improved for applications in
      industrial processes. For this purpose, the design of mutant libraries including
      two consecutive steps of mutagenesis is demonstrated. Targeted positions and
      residues chosen for substitution were based on semi-rational protein design after
      creation of a homology model of the heme domain of CYP153AM.aq. , sequence
      alignments, and docking studies. Site-directed mutagenesis was the preferred
      method employed to address positions within the binding pocket, whereas diversity
      was created with the aid of a degenerate codon for amino acids located at the
      substrate entrance channel. Combining the successful variants led to the
      identification of a double variant-G307A/S233G-that showed alterations of one
      position within the binding pocket and one position located in the substrate
      access channel. This double variant showed twofold increased activity relative to
      the wild type for the terminal hydroxylation of medium-chain-length fatty acids.
      This variant furthermore showed improved activity towards short- and long-chain
      fatty acids and enhanced stability in the presence of higher concentrations of
      fatty acids.

PMID- 27251776
TI  - Bilateral cochlear implantation under local anaesthesia in a young adult - A case
      report.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cochlear implantation is routinely performed under general anaesthesia
      in most centres in the world. There have been reports of this surgery being
      performed under local anaesthesia and sedation for unilateral cochlear
      implantation. Our case study reports the first bilateral cochlear implantation
      carried out under local anaesthesia with sedation. This paper outlines the
      protocol used and discusses the challenges and advantages of the procedure being
      performed under local anaesthesia. CASE STUDY: A 28-year-old female with a
      history of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis presented with bilateral severe to
      profound sensorineural hearing loss. On evaluation, she was found to be a
      suitable candidate for cochlear implantation. However, she was clinically unfit
      to undergo the surgery under general anaesthesia. After counselling the patient,
      the decision to undertake the procedure under local anaesthesia was made. The
      procedure took 105 min and was uneventful. The patient was discharged the next
      day Conclusion: In the hands of an experienced surgeon and anaesthesiology team,
      bilateral cochlear implantation is possible under local anaesthesia. Patient
      motivation and cooperation are extremely important for the procedure to be done
      under local anaesthesia. This is an option for patients needing cochlear
      implantation who are medically unfit for general anaesthesia.

PMID- 27251778
TI  - Smarty plants.

PMID- 27251779
TI  - Transposable elements: Microbiomes in the genomes.

PMID- 27251777
TI  - Distinct genetic profiles of extracranial and intracranial acral melanoma
      metastases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge of the genetic alterations in acral
      melanoma metastases at different anatomic sites. Here, we characterized the
      genetic abnormalities of metastases in a 51-year-old man with stage IIIC heel
      melanoma who developed concomitant brain and cutaneous metastases in spite of
      multiple treatment modalities. METHODS: Melanoma cells were isolated following
      palliative resection of the patient's cortical tumor and biopsy of cutaneous
      thigh metastasis. Mutational analysis using polymerase chain reaction
      amplification and BLAST, as well as exome sequencing (160 Mb coverage) was
      performed on the tumors, cell lines generated thereof and normal lymph nodes.
      RESULTS: All specimens had neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog Q61K
      mutations. There was a 40-fold higher somatic mutation frequency in the brain
      metastasis compared to the cutaneous metastasis. The former showed truncations of
      DNA mismatch repair genes (MLH1 and MSH2), and non-canonical BRAF (v-raf murine
      sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1), PIK3CA and NF-1 mutations not observed in the
      extracranial lesion. Genomic profiling of each cell line was concordant with the
      respective original tumor tissue. CONCLUSIONS: We present the mutational
      differences between brain and cutaneous acral melanoma metastases in a patient
      with concomitant lesions. Further genetic and functional studies are needed to
      understand the biology of metastatic disease appearing at different sites.

PMID- 27251780
TI  - Systems pharmacology to predict drug safety in drug development.
AB  - Ensuring that drugs are safe and effective is a very high priority for drug
      development and the US Food and Drug Administration review process. This is
      especially true today because of faster approval times and smaller clinical
      trials, especially in oncology and rare diseases. In light of these trends,
      systems pharmacology is seen as an essential strategy to understand and predict
      adverse drug events during drug development by analyzing interactions between
      drugs and multiple targets rather than the traditional "one-drug-one-target"
      approach. This commentary offers an overview of the current trends and challenges
      of using systems pharmacology to reduce the risks of unintended adverse events.

PMID- 27251781
TI  - Clustering siRNA conjugates for MMP-responsive therapeutics in chronic wounds of
      diabetic animals.
AB  - The MMP-responsive breakdown of siRNA clusters was translated to site-specific
      gene transfection and enhanced wound healing in diabetic ulcers. MMP-2 siRNA was
      chemically tethered to the end of multi-armed PEG via MMP-cleavable linkers (4PEG
      siRNA) and subsequently clustered into submicron particles complexed with LPEI.
      4PEG-siRNA was more tightly complexed with LPEI and the associated cluster showed
      higher resistance against RNase attack, in comparison to naked siRNA. Because the
      size of the clusters increased depending on the increase in charge ratio of LPEI
      to siRNA, cellular uptake of the 4PEG-siRNA/LPEI cluster was significantly
      attenuated due to the huge size of the cluster. However, upon MMP treatment, the
      cluster dissociated into smaller particles and was efficiently endocytosed by
      cells. An in vivo fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) study also
      revealed that the clusters were effectively dissociated in MMP-rich environments
      of dorsal wounds in diabetic animals. In addition, diabetic ulcers treated with
      the clusters showed a faster wound closure rate and the recovered tissue
      expressed a larger amount of cytokeratin along with a lower expression level of
      MMP-2 compared to the other groups. 

PMID- 27251782
TI  - Lithium poisoning in the intensive care unit: predictive factors of severity and
      indications for extracorporeal toxin removal to improve outcome.
AB  - CONTEXT: Lithium is responsible for life-threatening poisoning, not consistently
      improved by extracorporeal toxin removal (ECTR). OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to
      identify predictive factors on admission of poisoning severity and based on an
      evaluation of practice, report indications for ECTR susceptible to improve
      outcome Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including all lithium
      poisoned patients admitted to the ICU in a university hospital. The usual
      clinical, biological and toxicological variables were collected. Poisoning
      severity was defined by seizures, catecholamine infusion, mechanical ventilation
      >48 h and/or fatality. Univariate followed by multiple logistic regression
      analyses were performed to identify prognosticators of poisoning severity and
      ECTR use. RESULTS: From 1992 to 2013, 128 lithium-poisoned patients including
      acutely (10%), acute-on-chronically (63%) and chronically poisoned patients (27%)
      were included. The presumed ingested dose of lithium was 17.0 g [8.0-24.5]
      (median [25th-75th percentiles]). Serum lithium concentrations were 2.6 mmol/l
      [1.5-4.6], 2.8 mmol/l [1.8-4.5] and 2.8 mmol/l [2.1-3.0] on admission, peaking at
      3.6 mmol/l [2.6; 6.2], 4.3 mmol/l [2.4; 6.2] and 2.8 mmol/l [2.1; 3.1] in the
      three groups, respectively. Severe poisoning occurred in 48 patients (38%)
      including four fatalities. Using the regression analysis, predictive factors of
      poisoning severity were Glasgow coma score <=10 (Odds ratio (OR), 11.1; 95%
      confidence interval (CI), [4.1-33.3], p < 0.0001) and lithium concentration >=5.2
      mmol/l (OR, 6.0; CI, [1.7-25.5], p = 0.005). Ninety-eight patients (77%)
      developed acute kidney injury according to KDIGO criteria and 22 (17%) were
      treated with ECTR. Peak lithium concentration >=5.2 mmol/l (OR, 22.4; CI, [6.4
      96.4]; p < 0.0001) and peak creatinine concentration >=200 MUmol/l (OR, 5.0; CI,
      [1.4-19.2]; p = 0.01) were associated with ECTR use. Only 21/46 patients who
      presented one of these two criteria were actually treated with ECTR. More
      significant neurological impairment persisted on discharge in patients not
      treated with ECTR (p = 0.0007) despite not significantly shorter length of ICU
      stay. CONCLUSIONS: Lithium poisoning is responsible for severe impairments but
      rare fatalities. Severity can be predicted on admission using Glasgow coma score
      and lithium concentration. Our results suggest that ECTR could be indicated if
      serum lithium >=5.2 mmol/l or creatinine >=200 MUmol/l.

PMID- 27251783
TI  - Hormetic Effect of Chronic Hypergravity in a Mouse Model of Allergic Asthma and
      Rhinitis.
AB  - We aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic hypergravity in a mouse model of
      allergic asthma and rhinitis. Forty BALB/c mice were divided as: group A (n = 10,
      control) sensitized and challenged with saline, group B (n = 10, asthma)
      challenged by intraperitoneal and intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) to induce allergic
      asthma and rhinitis, and groups C (n = 10, asthma/rotatory control) and D (n =
      10, asthma/hypergravity) exposed to 4 weeks of rotation with normogravity (1G) or
      hypergravity (5G) during induction of asthma/rhinitis. Group D showed
      significantly decreased eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in their BAL
      fluid compared with groups B and C (p < 0.05). In real-time polymerase chain
      reaction using lung homogenate, the expression of IL-1beta was significantly
      upregulated (p < 0.001) and IL-4 and IL-10 significantly downregulated (p < 0.05)
      in group D. Infiltration of inflammatory cells into lung parenchyma and
      turbinate, and the thickness of respiratory epithelium was significantly reduced
      in group D (p < 0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 and heme oxygenase-1 were
      significantly downregulated, Bax and extracellular dismutase significantly
      upregulated in Group D. Therefore, chronic hypergravity could have a hormetic
      effect for allergic asthma and rhinitis via regulation of genes involved in
      antioxidative and proapoptotic pathways. It is possible that we could use
      hypergravity machinery for treating allergic respiratory disorders.

PMID- 27251784
TI  - A qualitative study of patient experiences of Type 2 Diabetes care delivered
      comparatively by General Practice Nurses and Medical Practitioners.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore patient experiences of type 2 diabetes mellitus
      care delivered by general practice nurses in collaboration with the general
      practitioner. BACKGROUND: Australian general practice nurses are expanding their
      role in multidisciplinary type 2 diabetes care with limited research on patient
      perceptions of care provision within this collaborative model. DESIGN:
      Qualitative interpretive. METHODS: Purposeful sampling was used to invite the
      patients (n = 10). Data were collected from semi-structured face-to-face
      interviews. Braun and Clarke's () inductive coding thematic analysis process was
      used to interpret the data. RESULTS: All participants experienced their General
      Practice Nurse consultation as a clinical assessment for their General
      Practitioner. While they appreciated the extra time with the General Practice
      Nurse, they were unsure of the purpose of the consultation beyond clinical
      assessment. They described the ongoing challenge of living with T2DM and
      identified a need for additional information and advice. CONCLUSION: The results
      suggest that the model of general practice nurse type 2 diabetes care has an
      important role to play in the delivery of effective ongoing care of patients.
      However, this role requires further development to ensure that it is understood
      by the patients as a role that not only conducts clinical assessments but also
      provides relevant education and self-management support as part of a
      collaborative approach to care delivery with General Practitioners. RELEVANCE TO
      PRACTICE: The findings are relevant to primary health care clinicians providing
      diabetes care to inform more relevant supportive care by general practice nurses.

PMID- 27251785
TI  - Involving users and carers in the assessment of preregistration nursing students'
      clinical nursing practice: a strategy for patient empowerment and quality
      improvement?
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine (1) nursing lecturers' and (2) preregistration
      nursing students' perspectives of user and carer involvement in the formal
      assessment of preregistration nursing students' clinical practice. BACKGROUND:
      The involvement of service users and carers in the assessment of clinical
      practice in nursing education is a recent phenomenon. The Nursing and Midwifery
      Council Standards in the UK clearly reflect a shift in thinking from
      paternalistic approaches to person-centred approaches. This shift in thinking
      includes service user and carer involvement in student nursing assessment and
      there is evidence that this is being developed in several countries. DESIGN:
      Located in the interpretive paradigm, data from a two-staged, multicentre
      qualitative study are presented. METHODS: Interpretive analysis of semi
      structured, one to one interviews with nursing lecturers (n = 15) and focus
      groups with nursing students (n = 51) across 11 Higher Educational Institutions.
      RESULTS: There is a strong commitment for working alongside service users and
      carers in the education and training of nursing students; however, involving
      service users and carers in formal practice assessment is identified as more
      challenging compared with other areas of service user/carer involvement. Service
      user/carers should provide feedback/review or comment, but not necessarily
      formal, summative 'assessment'. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence base for involving
      users and carers in assessment is limited. Involvement of users and carers in
      providing feedback to nursing students is welcomed. However, concerns exist about
      the preparedness of users and carers for formal clinical assessment. RELEVANCE TO
      CLINICAL PRACTICE: Discussion and clarification with clinical mentors and user
      and carer groups is necessary to understand if they agree with the policy
      direction of user and carer involvement in the assessment of nursing students.
      Quality assurance concerns are raised by students and lecturers when involving
      user and carer in assessing nursing students' clinical skills. Mentors are seen
      as key to this process, but little is known about their perspectives.

PMID- 27251786
TI  - Sharing Progress in Neonatal (SPIN) Lung and Brain.

PMID- 27251787
TI  - The effects of intravenous lidocaine before propofol induction in premedicated
      dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The effects of lidocaine, administered before induction of anaesthesia
      with propofol, on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, cough
      reflex, ease of intubation, extrapyramidal signs and required dose of propofol in
      healthy premedicated dogs were evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-four client-owned dogs
      were premedicated intramuscularly with 1 ug/kg dexmedetomidine and 0.2 mg/kg
      methadone, and randomly allocated to receive 2 mg/kg lidocaine (group L) or
      saline (group P) 120 seconds before induction of anaesthesia with propofol. Heart
      rate, non-invasive arterial blood pressure and respiratory rate were assessed at
      pre-established intervals. Quality of intubation, cough reflex and the occurrence
      of adverse effects were scored according to predefined scales. The total amount
      of propofol administered was also recorded. RESULTS: Cardiovascular and
      respiratory variables changed over time but were not significantly different
      between treatments. No significant differences between groups were found for the
      incidence of coughing, quality of intubation, adverse effects and propofol
      intubation dose. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Intravenous administration of lidocaine 2
      mg/kg before propofol induction was not associated with significant
      cardiovascular and respiratory benefits compared to standard induction and did
      not result in a propofol dose-sparing effect or improvement of the quality of
      intubation in dogs premedicated with dexmedetomidine and methadone.

PMID- 27251788
TI  - Efficacy of CT-guided localization followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic
      surgery in children with tiny pulmonary nodules.
AB  - CT-guided localization followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was
      performed in three children with pulmonary nodules less than 5 mm in diameter.
      The patients' respective primary diagnoses were Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, and
      osteosarcoma of the femur. The pulmonary nodules were marked preoperatively by a
      percutaneously placed hook-wire or dye under CT guidance. Although none of the
      nodules was grossly detected during the operation, they were correctly resected
      under the guidance of the hook-wire wound or dye. A histological assessment
      revealed viable metastatic lesions in the case of hepatoblastoma, completely
      necrotic lesions in the case of Wilms tumor, and inflammatory nodules in the case
      of osteosarcoma. CT-guided localization followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic
      surgery appears to be a beneficial procedure in children with tiny pulmonary
      nodules.

PMID- 27251789
TI  - Phosphoproteomic Analyses of NRAS(G12) and NRAS(Q61) Mutant Melanocytes Reveal
      Increased CK2alpha Kinase Levels in NRAS(Q61) Mutant Cells.
AB  - In melanoma, mutant and thereby constantly active neuroblastoma rat sarcoma
      (NRAS) affects 15-20% of tumors, contributing to tumor initiation, growth,
      invasion, and metastasis. Recent therapeutic approaches aim to mimic RAS
      extinction by interfering with critical signaling pathways downstream of the
      mutant protein. This study investigates the phosphoproteome of primary human
      melanocytes bearing mutations in the two hot spots of NRAS, NRAS(G12) and
      NRAS(Q61). Stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture followed by
      mass spectrometry identified 14,155 spectra of 3,371 unique phosphopeptides
      mapping to 1,159 proteins (false discovery rate < 2%). Data revealed pronounced
      PI3K/AKT signaling in NRAS(G12V) mutant cells and pronounced mitogen-activated
      protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in NRAS(Q61L) variants. Computer-based prediction
      models for kinases involved, revealed that CK2alpha is significantly
      overrepresented in primary human melanocytes bearing NRAS(Q61L) mutations.
      Similar differences were found in human NRAS(Q61) mutant melanoma cell lines that
      were also more sensitive to pharmacologic CK2alpha inhibition compared with
      NRAS(G12) mutant cells. Furthermore, CK2alpha levels were pronounced in patient
      samples of NRAS(Q61) mutant melanoma at the mRNA and protein level. The
      preclinical findings of this study reveal that codon 12 and 61 mutant NRAS cells
      have distinct signaling characteristics that could allow for the development of
      more effective, mutation-specific treatment modalities.

PMID- 27251791
TI  - Oral Metformin Ameliorates Bleomycin-Induced Skin Fibrosis.

PMID- 27251790
TI  - Association of Melanocortin-1 Receptor Variants with Pigmentary Traits in Humans:
      A Pooled Analysis from the M-Skip Project.

PMID- 27251792
TI  - Sex Differences in Age at Primary Melanoma Diagnosis in a Population-Based
      Analysis (US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, 2005-2011).

PMID- 27251793
TI  - Fragmented QRS Can Optimize the Exercise Stress Test Results.

PMID- 27251794
TI  - Do maize models capture the impacts of heat and drought stresses on yield? Using
      algorithm ensembles to identify successful approaches.
AB  - Stresses from heat and drought are expected to increasingly suppress crop yields,
      but the degree to which current models can represent these effects is uncertain.
      Here we evaluate the algorithms that determine impacts of heat and drought stress
      on maize in 16 major maize models by incorporating these algorithms into a
      standard model, the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM), and
      running an ensemble of simulations. Although both daily mean temperature and
      daylight temperature are common choice of forcing heat stress algorithms, current
      parameterizations in most models favor the use of daylight temperature even
      though the algorithm was designed for daily mean temperature. Different drought
      algorithms (i.e., a function of soil water content, of soil water supply to
      demand ratio, and of actual to potential transpiration ratio) simulated
      considerably different patterns of water shortage over the growing season, but
      nonetheless predicted similar decreases in annual yield. Using the selected
      combination of algorithms, our simulations show that maize yield reduction was
      more sensitive to drought stress than to heat stress for the US Midwest since the
      1980s, and this pattern will continue under future scenarios; the influence of
      excessive heat will become increasingly prominent by the late 21st century. Our
      review of algorithms in 16 crop models suggests that the impacts of heat and
      drought stress on plant yield can be best described by crop models that: (i)
      incorporate event-based descriptions of heat and drought stress, (ii) consider
      the effects of nighttime warming, and (iii) coordinate the interactions among
      multiple stresses. Our study identifies the proficiency with which different
      model formulations capture the impacts of heat and drought stress on maize
      biomass and yield production. The framework presented here can be applied to
      other modeled processes and used to improve yield predictions of other crops with
      a wide variety of crop models.

PMID- 27251799
TI  - A novel reconstruction method for giant incisional hernia: Hybrid laparoscopic
      technic.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic reconstruction of ventral hernia is a
      popular technic today. Patients with large defects have various difficulties of
      laparoscopic approach. In this study, we aimed to present a new reconstruction
      technic that combines laparoscopic and open approach in giant incisional hernias.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and August 2012, 28 patients who were
      operated consequently for incisional hernia with defect size over 10 cm were
      included in this study and separated into two groups. Group 1 (n = 12) identifies
      patients operated with standard laparoscopic approach, whereas Group 2 (n = 16)
      labels laparoscopic technic combined with open approach. Patients were evaluated
      in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), mean operation time, length of
      hospital stay, surgical site infection (SSI) and recurrence rate. RESULTS: There
      were 12 patients in Group 1 and 16 patients in Group 2. Mean length of hospital
      stay and SSI rates are similar in both groups. Postoperative seroma formation was
      observed in 6 patients for Group 1 and in only 1 patient for Group 2. Group 1 had
      1 patient who suffered from recurrence where as Group 2 had no recurrence.
      DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic technic combined with open approach may safely be used
      as an alternative method for reconstruction of giant incisional hernias.

PMID- 27251795
TI  - Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteremia: clinical features and outcomes from a
      Helsinki ICU cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative rod capable of causing
      severe sepsis or septic shock. We studied the characteristics of patients with C.
      canimorsus bacteremia treated in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Patients
      with C. canimorsus bacteremia in the Helsinki University Hospital district from
      2005 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed using laboratory database and
      electronical patient records. RESULTS: We identified 65 patients with
      C.canimorsus bacteremia. Of these, 16 (25%) were treated in an ICU. The most
      commonly affected organ systems were coagulation (94%) and kidney (69%).
      Mortality of ICU treated patients was 19%. Three survivors underwent lower limb
      amputations for gangrene. Only 25% of the patients were immune-compromised, but
      alcohol abuse was common (69%). All patients had a contact with dogs, but only
      37% had a history of a dog-bite. CONCLUSION: Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection
      may present with severe sepsis or septic shock with organ dysfunction, most
      frequently coagulopathy and acute kidney injury. Previously recognized risk
      factors are not always present. A dog in a household may be a sufficient exposure
      for developing a severe form of the disease. The possibility of C. canimorsus
      infection should be considered in patients with any contact with dogs, even in
      immunocompetent patients.

PMID- 27251803
TI  - Laparoscopic retrieval of impacted Dormia basket.
AB  - For choledocholithiasis, endoscopic management is the first line of treatment.
      Both Dormia basket and balloon catheter are used to retrieve common bile duct
      (CBD) stones. Here we present a case of impaction of the Dormia basket during an
      endoscopic procedure. The patient was managed through laparoscopic
      choledochotomy, and the basket was found to be impacted with a common bile stone
      of size 18 mm. The stone was disengaged from the basket and, by holding the tip
      of the basket, was removed through one of the laparoscopic ports.

PMID- 27251804
TI  - Laparoscopic resection of a large paraganglioma arising in the organ of
      Zuckerkandl: Report of a case and review of the literature.
AB  - Paragangliomas are catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumours arising from
      chromaffin tissue at extra-adrenal sites. The commonest site for a paraganglioma
      is the organ of Zuckerkandl. Traditional treatment of paraganglioma of organ of
      Zuckerkandl (POZ) involves open surgical resection, and only a few cases of
      laparoscopic approach to this pathology have been reported. We report the
      successful laparoscopic resection of a large POZ in a 22-year-old woman and
      review the previous cases reporting a laparoscopic approach to this rare tumour. 

PMID- 27251809
TI  - Laparoscopic splenic artery ligation for hypersplenism in cirrhosis: A case
      series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Splenectomy for the treatment of hypersplenism in patients with
      cirrhosis (HIC) is related with complications. Laparoscopic splenic artery
      ligation (LSAL) may be an alternative treatment option. AIMS: To evaluate safety
      and feasibility of LSAL in the treatment of HIC. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of ten patients with HIC
      who were treated with LSAL from October 2012 to February 2015. RESULTS: The
      median (range) age was 33.2 (13-56) years and sex distribution was equal. The
      median (range) leukocyte counts (*10(9)/L) before, and at 3, 6 and 12 months
      after LSAL were 2.2 (0.8-8.2) and 5.65 (2.78-10.7), 4.7 (2.8-7.8) and 4.95 (3.4
      7.7) respectively. The median (range) platelet counts (*10(9)/L) before and at 3,
      6 and 12 months after LSAL were 25.5 (11-65) and 75 (39-289), 74 (32-184) and 76
      (56-251) respectively. Following LSAL, there was a significant improvement in
      total leucocyte count, platelet count and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease
      (MELD) score (P < 0.05). Two patients (20%) developed intraoperative bleeding and
      required conversion; one of these two patients developed splenic cyst that
      required radiological intervention. Four patients (40%) had post ligation
      syndrome (PLS) that was managed conservatively. During a median (range) follow-up
      of 19.5 (5-29) months, one patient (10%) required splenectomy due to inadequate
      response. CONCLUSION: LSAL is a safe and feasible treatment option for the
      palliation of symptomatic HIC, however, further prospective trials are necessary
      for confirmation.

PMID- 27251808
TI  - Management of gastric leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid
      obesity: A tertiary care experience and design of a management algorithm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed
      'standalone' bariatric procedure in India. Staple line gastric leaks occur
      infrequently but cause significant and prolonged morbidity. The aim of this
      retrospective study was to analyse the management of patients with a gastric leak
      after LSG for morbid obesity at our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From
      February 2008 to 2014, 650 patients with different degrees of morbid obesity
      underwent LSG. Among these, all those diagnosed with a gastric leak were included
      in the study. Patients referred to our institution with gastric leak after LSG
      were also included. The time of presentation, site of leak, investigations
      performed, treatment given and time of closure of all leaks were analysed.
      RESULTS: Among the 650 patients who underwent LSG, 3 (0.46%) developed a gastric
      leak. Two patients were referred after LSG was performed at another institution.
      The mean age was 45.60 +/- 15.43 years. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 44.79 +/-
      5.35. Gastric leak was diagnosed 24 h to 7 months after surgery. One was early,
      two were intermediate and two were late leaks. Two were type I and three were
      type II gastric leaks. Endoscopic oesophageal stenting was used variably before
      or after re-surgery. Re-surgery was performed in all and included stapled fistula
      excision (re-sleeve), suture repair only or with conversion to roux-en-Y gastric
      bypass or fistula jujenostomy. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Leakage
      closure time may be shorter with intervention than expectant management. Sequence
      and choice of endoscopic oesophageal stenting and/or surgical re-intervention
      should be individualized according to clinical presentation.

PMID- 27251811
TI  - Is rhabdomyolysis an anaesthetic complication in patients undergoing robot
      assisted radical prostatectomy?
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP),
      pneumoperitoneum, intraoperative fluid restriction and prolonged Trendelenburg
      position may cause rhabdomyolysis (RM) due to hypoperfusion in gluteal muscles
      and lower extremities. In this study, it was aimed to assess effects of body mass
      index (BMI), comorbidities, intra-operative positioning, fluid restriction and
      length of surgery on the development of RM in RARP patients during the
      perioperative period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 52 American
      Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients aged 50-80 years with BMI >25 kg/m2,
      who underwent RARP. Fluid therapy with normal saline (1 ml/kg/h) and 6%
      hydroxyethyl starch 200/05 (1 ml/kg/h) was given during the surgery. Charlson
      comorbidity index (CCI), operation time (OT) and Trendelenburg time (TT) were
      recorded. Blood samples for creatine phosphokinase (CPK), blood urea nitrogen,
      creatinine (Cr), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT),
      lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin I and
      arterial blood gases were drawn at baseline and on 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. RM was
      defined by serum CPK level exceeding 5000 IU/L. RESULTS: Seven patients met
      predefined criteria for RM. There were positive correlations among serum CPK and
      Cr, AST, ALT and LDH levels. However, there was no significant difference in BMI,
      OT and TT between patients with or without RM (P > 0.05). CCI scores were higher
      in patients with RM than those without (3.00 +/- 0.58 vs. 2.07 +/- 0.62; P<
      0.01). No renal impairment was detected among patients with RM at the post
      operative period. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that comorbid conditions are more
      important in the development of RM during RARP rather than BMI, OT or TT.
      Patients with higher comorbidity are at risk for RM development and that this
      should be kept in mind at follow-up and when informing patients.

PMID- 27251814
TI  - A comparative study of two-port versus three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conventionally, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is performed by
      using three or four ports of various sizes. As cosmesis is an important aspect of
      LC, the trend is now towards use of fewer ports, thereby resulting in better
      cosmesis for patients. The aim of this study was to compare three-port against
      two-port LC techniques and to see whether there is any advantage in using one
      technique over the other. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was conducted in the
      Department of General Surgery of North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute
      of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) hospital in Northeast India. A
      prospective comparative type of study was designed. An odd number of patients
      were operated on by using the three-port technique (Group A), whereas an even
      number of patients were operated on by the two-port technique (Group B).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with symptomatic gallstone disease were
      included in the study after obtaining informed consent from each of the patients.
      All patients were operated on under general anaesthesia. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
      USED: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS:
      There were 51 female patients and 9 male patients. The mean patient age was 38.67
      years. There was less operative time in group A but less postoperative pain in
      group B. Cosmetic appearance and patient satisfaction for the scar were better in
      group B. CONCLUSIONS: The two-port method appeared to have better acceptability
      among patients due to lower pain score and better cosmesis.

PMID- 27251818
TI  - Laparoscopic modified subtotal cholecystectomy for difficult gall bladders: A
      single-centre experience.
AB  - AIM: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is considered the 'gold standard'
      intervention for gall bladder (GB) diseases. However, to avoid serious
      biliovascular injury, conversion is advocated for distorted anatomy at the
      Calot's triangle. The aim is to find out whether our technique of laparoscopic
      modified subtotal cholecystectomy (LMSC) is suitable, with an acceptable
      morbidity and outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of
      prospectively collected data of 993 consecutive patients who underwent
      cholecystectomy was done at a large District General Hospital (DGH) between
      August 2007 and January 2015. The data are as follows: Patient's demographics,
      operative details including intra- and postoperative complications, postoperative
      stay including follow-up that was recorded and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 993
      patients (263 males and 730 female) were included. The median age was 52*(18-89)
      years. Out of the 993 patients, 979 (98.5%) and 14 (1.5%) were listed for
      laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, respectively. Of the 979 patients, 902
      (92%) and 64 (6.5%) patients underwent LC +/- on-table cholangiography (OTC) and
      LMSC +/- OTC, respectively, with a median stay of 1* (0-15) days. Of the 64
      patients, 55 (86%) had dense adhesions, 22 (34%) had acute inflammation, 19 (30%)
      had severe contraction, 12 (19%) had empyema, 7 (11%) had Mirizzi's syndrome and
      2 (3%) had gangrenous GB. The mean operative time was 120 * (50-180) min [Table
      1]. Six (12%) patients required endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
      (ERCP) postoperatively, and there were four (6%) readmissions in a follow-up of
      30 * (8-76) months. The remaining 13 (1.3%) patients underwent laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy converted to an open cholecystectomy. The median stay for
      open/laparoscopic cholecystectomy converted to open cholecystectomy was 5 * (1
      12) days. CONCLUSION: Our technique of LMSC avoided conversion in 6.5% patients
      and believe that it is feasible and safe for difficult GBs with a positive
      outcome.

PMID- 27251816
TI  - Short-stay daycare laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a dedicated daycare centre:
      Feasible or futile.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the last decade, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become a
      regular daycare surgery at many centres across the world. However, only a few
      centres in India have a dedicated daycare surgery centre, and very few of them
      have reported their experience. Concerns remain regarding the feasibility, safety
      and acceptability of the introduction of daycare laparoscopic cholecystectomy
      (DCLC) in India. There is a need to assess the safety and acceptability of the
      implementation of short-stay DCLC service at a centre completely dedicated to
      daycare surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Comprehensive care and operative data were
      retrospectively collected from a daycare centre of our hospital. Postoperative
      recovery was monitored by telephone questionnaire on days 0, 1 and 5
      postoperatively, including adverse outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients
      were admitted for DCLC during the period from November 2011 till November 2014,
      of whom 211 were discharged on the day of surgery. Two hundred and two patients
      could be discharged within 6 h of surgery. Mean operation time was 72 min. No
      patient required admission. No patient needed conversion to open surgery. Only 1
      patient was re-admitted due to bilioma formation and was managed with minimal
      intervention. CONCLUSION: The introduction of short-stay DCLC in India is
      feasible and acceptable to patients. High body mass index (BMI) in otherwise
      healthy patients and selective additional procedures are not contraindications
      for DCLC.

PMID- 27251819
TI  - Inflammatory stricture of the right ureter following perforated appendicitis: The
      first Indian report.
AB  - Perforated appendicitis leading to inflammatory stricture of the right ureter is
      a rarity. We present this fairly uncommon case of a patient who developed a
      stricture of the right ureter secondary to an ongoing inflammatory process in the
      peritoneum and retroperitoneum. A perforated appendicitis was operated upon, and
      on follow-up the mild hydronephrosis had worsened. Stenting of the right ureter
      completely solved the problem. 

PMID- 27251820
TI  - Reversal of the Hartmann's procedure: A comparative study of laparoscopic versus
      open surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Hartmann's operation, although less frequently performed today,
      is still used when initial colonic anastomosis is too risky in the short term.
      However, the subsequent procedure to restore gastrointestinal continuity is
      associated with significant morbidity and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The
      review of an institutional review board (IRB)-approved prospectively maintained
      database provided data on the Hartmann's reversal procedure performed by either
      laparoscopic or open technique at our institution. The data collected included:
      demographic data, operative approach, conversion for laparoscopic cases and
      perioperative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Over a 14-year period from
      January 1997 to August 2011, 74 Hartmann's reversal procedures were performed
      (laparoscopic surgery-49, open surgery-25). The average age was 55 years for the
      laparoscopic and 57 years for the open surgery group, respectively. Male patients
      represent 61% of both groups. There was no significant difference in operative
      time between the two groups (149 min vs 151 min; P = 0.95), and there was a
      tendency to lower morbidity (3/49-7.3% vs 4/25-16%; P = 0.24) in the laparoscopic
      surgery group. In the laparoscopic group, eight patients (16.3%) were converted
      to open surgery, mostly due to severe adhesions. The length of hospital stay was
      significantly shorter for the laparoscopic group (5 days vs 7 days; P = 0.44).
      CONCLUSIONS: The Hartmann's reversal procedure can be safely performed in the
      majority of the cases using a laparoscopic approach with a low morbidity rate and
      achieving a shorter hospital stay.

PMID- 27251821
TI  - Hepatic artery reconstruction following iatrogenic injury during laparoscopic
      distal pancreatectomy: Minimal access surgery is new horizon.
AB  - Although minimally invasive surgery has evolved in every field of surgery, its
      use in vascular surgery is limited to major vessel diseases only. A 23-year-old
      female presented with a cystic lesion in the distal body and the tail of the
      pancreas. Triphasic computed tomography (CT) abdomen revealed a 4.5 cm * 3.2 cm
      sized mass with calcifications. A diagnosis of the mucinous cystic neoplasm in
      the distal body and the tail of the pancreas was made and the patient was planned
      for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. During the procedure, hepatic artery was
      accidentally injured due to its anomalous course. The artery was then
      reconstructed laparoscopically using left gastric artery as conduit. The time
      duration of the procedure was 45 min and blood loss was approximately 75 mL. The
      patient recovered well and the postoperative Doppler study revealed normal blood
      flow. Medium-vessel surgery through laparoscopic approach is feasible and safe in
      select cases, while availing benefits of laparoscopy. 

PMID- 27251822
TI  - Clinical anatomy of the inferior epigastric artery with special relevance to
      invasive procedures of the anterior abdominal wall.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Injury to the inferior epigastric artery (IEA) has been reported
      following lower abdominal wall surgical incisions, abdominal peritoneocentesis
      and trocar placements at laparoscopic port sites, resulting in the formation of
      abdominal wall haematomas that may expand considerably due to lack of tissue
      resistance. The aim of this study was to localise its course in relation to
      standard anatomic landmarks and suggest safe areas for performance of invasive
      procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty IEAs of 30 adult cadavers (male = 19;
      female = 11) were dissected and the course of the IEA noted in relation to the
      mid-inguinal point, anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and umbilicus. RESULTS:
      The mean distance of the IEA from the midline was 4.45 +/- 1.42 cm at the level
      of the mid-inguinal point, 4.10 +/- 1.15 cm at the level of ASIS and 4.49 +/-
      1.15 cm at the level of umbilicus. There was an average of 3.3 branches per IEA
      with more branches arising from its lateral aspect. The IEA was situated within
      one-third (32%) of the distance between the midline and the sagittal plane
      through ASIS at all levels. CONCLUSION: To avoid injury to IEA, trocars can be
      safely inserted 5.5 cm [mean + 1 standard deviation (SD)] away from the midline
      (or) slightly more than one-third of the distance between the midline and a
      sagittal plane running through ASIS. These findings may be useful not only for
      laparoscopic procedures but also for image-guided biopsy, abdominal paracentesis,
      and placement of abdominal drains.

PMID- 27251823
TI  - Modified uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery in children.
AB  - Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been traditionally performed by a
      multi-port approach, but uniportal VATS is gaining popularity among thoracic
      surgeons. The use of only one intercostal space may result in less pain, but
      competition among camera and operating instruments may be a disadvantage. In
      children, the limited space in the thorax makes the uniportal VATS difficult to
      accomplish. We present a modification of the uniportal VATS, using a single skin
      incision but placing the thoracoscope in the superior or inferior intercostal
      space relative to the working instruments to increase instrument range of motion
      within a single intercostal space. 

PMID- 27251825
TI  - Life-threatening upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric Dieulafoy's
      lesion: Successful minimally-invasive management.
AB  - Dieulafoy's lesion (DL) is a relatively rare, but potentially life-threatening
      condition. It accounts for 1-2% of acute gastrointestinal bleedings. Its serious
      nature makes it necessary for early diagnosis and treatment. This is a case
      report of a patient who presented with life-threatening haematemesis due to
      gastric Dieulafoy's that was successfully treated laparoscopically after failed
      endotherapy. 

PMID- 27251826
TI  - Current status of mini-gastric bypass.
AB  - Mini-gastric bypass (MGP) is a promising bariatric procedure. Tens of thousands
      of this procedure have been performed throughout the world since Rutledge
      performed the first procedure in the United States of America in 1997. Several
      thousands of these have even been documented in the published scientific
      literature. Despite a proven track record over nearly two decades, this operation
      continues to polarise the bariatric community. A large number of surgeons across
      the world have strong objections to this procedure and do not perform it. The
      risk of symptomatic (bile) reflux, marginal ulceration, severe malnutrition, and
      long-term risk of gastric and oesophageal cancers are some of the commonly voiced
      concerns. Despite these expressed fears, several advantages such as technical
      simplicity, shorter learning curve, ease of revision and reversal, non-inferior
      weight loss and comorbidity resolution outcomes have prompted some surgeons to
      advocate a wider adoption of this procedure. This review examines the current
      status of these controversial aspects in the light of the published academic
      literature in English. 

PMID- 27251827
TI  - Is mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy any better than the gold standard?: A
      comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC) has widened the horizons of
      modern laparoscopic surgery. Standard four port laparoscopic cholecystectomy
      (SLC), which has long been established as the "Gold Standard" for gall bladder
      diseases, is under reconsideration following the advent of further minimally
      invasive procedures including MLC. Our study aims to provide a comparison between
      MLC and SLC and assesses whether MLC has any added benefits. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Patients with symptomatic gall bladder disease undergoing MLC or SLC
      during the 2.5-month period were included in the study. Thirty-two patients
      underwent MLC while SLC was performed on 40 patients by the same surgeon. Data
      was collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively using a predesigned
      questionnaire. RESULTS: In our study, both the groups had similar age, body mass
      index (BMI) and gender distribution. No cases of MLC required insertion of
      additional ports. The mean operative time for MLC was 38.2 min (33-61 min), which
      is longer than SLC; but it was not statistically significant. There was no
      significant difference in mean operative blood loss, postoperative pain,
      analgesia requirement and mobilization. Patients who underwent MLC were able to
      return to normal activity earlier than patients undergoing SLC (P < 0.01).
      CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that MLC can safely be used as an alternative
      to SLC. Compared to SLC, it has the added benefit of an early return to work
      along with excellent cosmetic results. Further large scale trials are required to
      prove any additional benefit of MLC.

PMID- 27251829
TI  - Anomalous middle hepatic artery in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Wolf in sheep's
      clothing.
AB  - Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a simple but dangerous operation. The complex
      anatomy and frequent anomalies of the hepatic arterial and biliary system are
      often a shocking surprise to the laparoscopic surgeon. When these vital
      structures cannot be identified correctly, potentially crippling serious vascular
      and biliary injury can occur. A very rare case of middle hepatic artery
      encountered in the Calot's coursing over the gall bladder and travelling
      extraparenchymal into segment IV is reported. Identification and preservation of
      the middle hepatic artery is essential to prevent the possibility of hepatic
      artery thrombosis and to avoid ischemic cholangiopathy of segment IV duct. A
      comprehensive understanding of the hepatic arterial and biliary anatomy of the
      liver will empower laparoscopic surgeons to avoid crippling vascular and biliary
      injury.

PMID- 27251830
TI  - The difficulties encountered in conversion from classic pancreaticoduodenectomy
      to total laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, total laparoscopic pancreatectomy has been performed at
      many centres as an alternative to open surgery. In this study, we aimed to
      present the difficulties that we have encountered in converting from classic open
      pancreaticoduodenectomy to total laparoscopic pancreatectomy. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Between December 2012 and January 2014, we had 100 open
      pancreaticoduodenectomies. Subsequently, we tried to perform total laparoscopic
      pancreaticoduodenectomy (TLPD) in 22 patients. In 17 of these 22 patients, we
      carried out the total laparoscopic procedure. We analysed the difficulties that
      we encountered converting to TLPD in three parts: Preoperative, operative and
      postoperative. Preoperative difficulties involved patient selection, preparation
      of operative instruments, and planning the operation. Operative difficulties
      involved the position of the trocars, dissection, and reconstruction problems.
      The postoperative difficulty involved follow-up of the patient. RESULTS:
      According to our experiences, the most important problem is the proper selection
      of patients. Contrary to our previous thoughts, older patients who were in better
      condition were comparatively more appropriate candidates than younger patients.
      This is because the younger patients have generally soft pancreatic texture,
      which complicates the reconstruction. The main operative problems are trocar
      positions and maintaining the appropriate position of the camera, which requires
      continuous changes in its angles during the operation. However, postoperative
      follow-up is not very different from the classic procedure. CONCLUSION: TLPD is a
      suitable procedure under appropriate conditions.

PMID- 27251833
TI  - Laparoscopic diverticulectomy with the aid of intraoperative gastrointestinal
      endoscopy to treat epiphrenic diverticulum.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Most researchers believe that the presence of large epiphrenic
      diverticulum (ED) with severe symptoms should lead to the consideration of
      surgical options. The choice of minimally invasive techniques and whether Heller
      myotomy with antireflux fundoplication should be employed after diverticulectomy
      became points of debate. The aim of this study was to describe how to perform
      laparoscopic transhiatal diverticulectomy (LTD) and oesophagomyotomy with the aid
      of intraoperative gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and how to investigate whether
      the oesophagomyotomy should be performed routinely after LTD. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: From 2008 to 2013, 11 patients with ED underwent LTD with the aid of
      intraoperative GI endoscopy at our department. Before surgery, 4 patients
      successfully underwent oesophageal manometry: Oesophageal dysfunction and an
      increase of the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) were found in 2
      patients. RESULTS: There were 2 cases of conversion to an open transthoracic
      procedure. Six patients underwent LTD, Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication; and
      3 patients underwent only LTD. The dysphagia and regurgitation 11 patients
      experienced before surgery improved significantly. Motor function studies showed
      that there was no oesophageal peristalsis in 5 patients during follow-up, while 6
      patients showed seemingly normal oesophageal motility. The LESP of 6 patients
      undergoing LTD, myotomy and Dor fundoplication was 16.7 +/- 10.2 mmHg, while the
      LESPs of 3 patients undergoing only LTD were 26 mmHg, 18 mmHg and 21 mmHg,
      respectively. In 4 cases experiencing LTD, myotomy and Dor fundoplication, the
      gastro-oesophageal reflux occurred during the sleep stage. CONCLUSIONS: LTD
      constitutes a safe and valid approach for ED patients with severe symptoms. As
      not all patients with large ED have oesophageal disorders, according to
      manometric and endoscopic results, surgeons can categorise and decide whether or
      not myotomy and antireflux surgery after LTD will be conducted.

PMID- 27251835
TI  - Clinical outcomes of single incision laparoscopic surgery and conventional
      laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has been a frequently performed method for
      inguinal hernia repair. Studies have demonstrated that the laparoscopic
      transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach is an appropriate choice for
      inguinal hernia repair. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) was developed
      to improve the cosmetic effects of conventional laparoscopy. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of SILS-TAPP compared with TAPP
      technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 148 patients who underwent TAPP or
      SILS-TAPP in our surgery clinic between December 2012 and January 2015 were
      enrolled. Data including patient demographics, hernia characteristics, operative
      time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and
      recurrence rate were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: In total, 60 SILS-TAPP
      and 88 TAPP procedures were performed in the study period. The two groups were
      similar in terms of gender, type of hernia, and American Society of
      Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification score. The patients in the SILS-TAPP group
      were younger when compared the TAPP group. Port site hernia (PSH) rate was
      significantly high in the SILS-TAPP group, and all PSHs were recorded in patients
      with severe comorbidities. The mean operative time has no significant difference
      in two groups. All SILS procedures were completed successfully without conversion
      to conventional laparoscopy or open repair. No intraoperative complication was
      recorded. There was no recurrence during the mean follow-up period of 15.2 +/-
      3.8 months. CONCLUSION: SILS TAPP for inguinal hernia repair seems to be a
      feasible, safe method, and is comparable with TAPP technique. However, randomized
      trials are required to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes.

PMID- 27251836
TI  - An unusual approach for the treatment of oesophageal perforation: Laparoscopic
      endoscopic cooperative surgery.
AB  - Boerhaave syndrome describes a transmural oesophageal rupture that develops
      following a spontaneous, sudden intraluminal pressure increase (i.e. vomiting,
      cough). It has a high rate of mortality and morbidity because of its proximity to
      the mediastinum and pleura. Perforation localisation and treatment initiation
      time affect the morbidity and mortality. In this article, we aim to present our
      successful laparoscopic-endoscopic cooperative surgery in a 59-year-old female
      who was referred to our clinic with a diagnosis of spontaneous lower oesophageal
      perforation. Laparoscopy and a simultaneous oesophageal stent application may be
      assumed as an effective alternative to conventional surgical approaches in cases
      of spontaneous lower oesophageal perforation.

PMID- 27251837
TI  - Gastric duplication cyst in adult: Challenge for surgeons.
AB  - Gastric duplication cysts (GDCs) are uncommon developmental anomalies found
      primarily in children, being rarely seen in adults. Duplications can occur
      anywhere in the intestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Accurate diagnosis
      of cysts before resection is difficult even using the most advanced imaging
      techniques. In this report, we present and discuss a case of GDC in a 25-year-old
      man treated laparoscopically. Patient admitted to our department with complaints
      of epigastric pain and swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging performed for
      accurate characterisation showed a 4 cm * 4.5 cm cystic lesion, with
      heterogeneous signal intensity on T2-weighted images, located in the posterior
      wall of the stomach. Pre-operative differential diagnosis including
      gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) was made according to radiological
      findings. Patient underwent surgery and cyst resected laparoscopically.
      Histopathological examination suggesting duplication cyst. GDC can easily be
      mistaken for a GIST, and the clinician as well as radiologist must maintain a
      high degree of suspicion.

PMID- 27251838
TI  - Laparoscopic excision of a large retroperitoneal lymphovascular malformation in
      an adult.
AB  - Retroperitoneal lymphangioma is a rare benign tumour of the retroperitoneal
      lymphatics that usually manifests in infancy. It is worth reporting of an
      unexpected presentation, especially in an adult. They frequently affect the neck
      (75%) and the axilla (20%). Intra-abdominal lymphangiomas (<5%) have been
      reported in the mesentery, gastrointestinal tract, spleen, liver and pancreas.
      Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas account for nearly 1% of all lymphangiomas and are
      uncommon incidental findings usually at surgery, autopsy or lymphography.
      Differentiating cystic lymphangiomas from other cystic growths by imaging studies
      alone is often inconclusive, and surgery is frequently required for definitive
      diagnosis. An interesting and rare case of a retroperitoneal lymphangioma in an
      adult patient which was removed laparoscopically is described here.

PMID- 27251839
TI  - Complication reports for robotic surgery using three arms by a single surgeon at
      a single institution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate perioperative complications
      related to robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery for management of gynaecologic
      disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight hundred and fifty-one women who underwent
      robotic procedures between December 2011 and April 2015 were retrospectively
      included for analysis. Patient demographics, surgical outcomes and complications
      were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 5.5%, whereas the rate
      of complications for oncologic cases was 8.4%. Intra-operative complications (n =
      7, 0.8%) consisted of five cases of bowel lacerations, one case of ureter
      laceration and one case of bladder injury. Early and late post-operative
      complications were 4.0% (n = 34) and 0.8% (n = 6), respectively. Six patients
      (0.7%) experienced Grade III complications based on the Clavien-Dindo
      classification and required further surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Robotic
      assisted laparoscopic surgery is a feasible approach for management of
      gynaecologic disorders; the complication rates for this type of procedure are
      acceptable.

PMID- 27251840
TI  - Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis.
AB  - Situs inversus totalis(SIT) is a relatively rare condition involving
      transposition of both the abdominal and thoracic viscera. SIT typically presents
      as left to right reversal of the viscera combined with dextrocardia, while the
      individual organs function is normal. Although there are no obvious abnormalities
      in the function of transposed organs, anatomical irregularity causes important
      technical difficulties in the surgical treatment of these patients. In this
      study, we aim to report surgical challenges in laparoscopic adrenalectomy in a
      patient with SIT.

PMID- 27251841
TI  - Laparoscopic versus percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement in children:
      Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and laparoscopic-assisted
      gastrostomy (LAG) are widely used in the paediatric population. The aim of this
      study was to determine which one of the two procedures is the most effective and
      safe method. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted according to the
      preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement.
      Primary outcomes were success rate, efficacy of feeding, quality of life,
      gastroesophageal reflux and post-operative complications. RESULTS: Five
      retrospective studies, comparing 550 PEG to 483 LAG placements in children, were
      identified after screening 2347 articles. The completion rate was similar for
      both procedures. PEG was associated with significantly more adjacent bowel
      injuries (P = 0.047), early tube dislodgements (P = 0.02) and complications that
      require reintervention under general anaesthesia (P < 0.001). Minor complications
      were equally frequent after both procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the lack of
      well-designed studies, we have to be cautious in making definitive conclusions
      comparing PEG to LAG. To decide which type of gastrostomy placement is best
      practice in paediatric patients, randomised controlled trials comparing PEG to
      LAG are highly warranted.

PMID- 27251842
TI  - Laparoscopy in children and its impact on brain oxygenation during routine
      inguinal hernia repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The systemic impact of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and/or changes
      in carbon dioxide (CO2) during laparoscopy are not yet well defined. Changes in
      brain oxygenation have been reported as a possible cause of cerebral hypotension
      and perfusion. The side effects of anaesthesia could also be involved in these
      changes, especially in children. To date, no data have been reported on brain
      oxygenation during routine laparoscopy in paediatric patients. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Brain and peripheral oxygenation were investigated in 10 children (8
      male, 2 female) who underwent elective minimally invasive surgery for inguinal
      hernia repair. Intraoperative transcranial near-infrared spectroscopy to assess
      regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2), peripheral oxygen saturation using
      pulse oximetry and heart rate (HR) were monitored at five surgical intervals:
      Induction of anaesthesia (baseline T1); before CO2insufflation induced
      pneumoperitoneum (PP) (T2); CO2PP insufflation (T3); cessation of CO2PP (T4);
      before extubation (T5). RESULTS: rScO2decreases were recorded immediately after
      T1 and became significant after insufflation (P = 0.006; rScO2decreased 3.6 +/-
      0.38%); restoration of rScO2was achieved after PP cessation (P = 0.007). The
      changes in rScO2were primarily due to IAP increases (P = 0.06). The HR changes
      were correlated to PP pressure (P < 0.001) and CO2flow rate (P = 0.001). No
      significant peripheral effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in IAP is a
      critical determinant in cerebral oxygenation stability during laparoscopic
      procedures. However, the impact of anaesthesia on adaptive changes should not be
      underestimated. Close monitoring and close collaboration between the members of
      the multidisciplinary paediatric team are essential to guarantee the patient's
      safety during minimally invasive surgical procedures.

PMID- 27251843
TI  - Intra-cholecystic approach for laparoscopic management of Mirizzi's syndrome: A
      case series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic management of patients with Mirizzi's syndrome (MS) is
      not routinely recommended due to the high risk of iatrogenic complications.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Intra-cholecystic (IC) or inside-gall bladder (GB) approach
      was used for laparoscopic management of 16 patients with MS at a tertiary care
      referral centre in North India from May 2010 to August 2014; a retrospective
      analysis of prospectively collected data was performed. RESULTS: Mean age was
      40.1 +/- 14.7 years, the male-to-female ratio was 1:3, and 9 (56.25%) patients
      had type 1 MS (MS1) and 7 (43.75%) had type 2 MS (MS2) (McSherry's
      classification). The laparoscopic intra-cholecystic approach (LICA) was
      successful in 11 (68.75%) patients, whereas 5 patients (31.25%) required
      conversion to open method. Median blood loss was 100 mL (range: 50-400 mL), and
      median duration of surgery was 3.25 h (range: 2-7.5 h). No major complications
      were encountered except 1 patient (6.5%) who required re-operation for retained
      bile duct stones. The final histopathology report was benign in all the patients.
      No remote complications were noted during a mean follow-up of 20.18 months.
      CONCLUSION: LICA is a feasible and safe approach for selected patients with
      Mirizzi's syndrome; however, a low threshold for conversion is necessary to avoid
      iatrogenic complications.

PMID- 27251844
TI  - Comparison of short outcomes between laparoscopic and experienced robotic
      gastrectomy: A meta-analysis and systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the short-term
      outcomes between experienced robotic gastrectomy (RG) and laparoscopic
      gastrectomy (LG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Springer Link,
      Elsevier, and Embase databases for articles published in English before June 2015
      using an electronic literature search and including cross-referenced articles.
      Three studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. The outcomes evaluated were
      operation time, estimated blood loss, harvested lymph nodes, complication, and
      postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Of a total of 562 patients, 165 underwent
      RG and 397 underwent LG. Operation time was significantly longer in the RG group
      [weighted mean difference (WMD): 21.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 12.48
      30.50, P< 0.00001). Estimated blood loss, harvested lymph nodes, complication,
      and postoperative hospital stay were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION:
      Experienced RG has similar short-term outcomes to LG that is performed by
      sophisticated laparoscopic surgeons, except for operation time.

PMID- 27251845
TI  - Use of a novel multi-purpose sponge for laparoscopic surgery: Does it have
      special relevance to robotically-assisted laparoscopic surgery?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The STAR System (Ekymed SpA) is a novel multipurpose sponge developed
      for conventional manual laparoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between
      December 2012 and December 2014, we successfully used the sponge in ten robot
      assisted and ten direct manual laparoscopic operations to achieve haemostasis,
      for blunt dissections, for atraumatic lifting of solid organs, to check for bile
      leaks, for cleaning the surgical field thus avoiding frequent use of suction or
      the application of haemostatic agents. The reason of the insertion (RI), the main
      use (MU) and any further use (FU), once inserted, were registered for each
      operation and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The principal RI was
      haemostasis for minor bleeding, without differences between the two groups (P =
      not significant). Regard to MU, in the robotic group cleaning the surgical field
      was utilised more than laparoscopic group (100% vs. 60%; P = 0.03). About FU,
      atraumatic solid organs lifting was more frequent during robotically assisted
      surgery than with laparoscopy (50% vs. 0%; P = 0.01). A statistically more
      frequent use of the sponge was registered during standard laparoscopy for the
      blunt dissection (30% vs. 80%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The STAR System was
      beneficial in both approaches, but it imparts added benefit during robotically
      assisted laparoscopic surgery organs because of the lack of tactile feedback and
      because the operating surgeon is remote from the patient, and has to rely on the
      assisting surgeon in the sterile field for dealing with bleeding episodes,
      cleansing/mopping the operative field when necessary, who may not be experienced
      or completely proficient.

PMID- 27251846
TI  - Laparoscopic side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis in
      children.
AB  - Surgical pancreatic duct (PD) drainage for chronic pancreatitis in children is
      relatively rare. It is indicated in cases of recurrent pancreatitis and PD
      dilatation that have not responded to medical therapy and therapeutic endoscopy.
      We performed laparoscopic side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy for two paediatric
      patients with chronic pancreatitis. The main PD was opened easily by
      electrocautery after locating the dilated PD by intraoperative ultrasonography.
      The dilated PD was split longitudinally from the pancreatic tail to the
      pancreatic head by laparoscopic coagulation shears or electrocautery after
      pancreatography. A laparoscopic side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy was performed
      by a one-layered technique using continuous 4-0 polydioxanone (PDS) sutures from
      the pancreatic tail to the pancreatic head. There were no intraoperative or
      postoperative complications or recurrences. This procedure has cosmetic
      advantages compared with open surgery for chronic pancreatitis. Laparoscopic side
      to-side pancreaticojejunostomy in children is feasible and effective for the
      treatment of chronic pancreatitis. 

PMID- 27251847
TI  - Perforated Meckel's diverticulum containing a carcinoid tumor successfully
      treated by the laparoscopic approach: Case report.
AB  - Mekel's diverticulum is a gastrointestinal malformation. Occurs in one of every
      40 patients. It is usually asymptomatic whereas complications can be developed in
      2% to 4%. The report is based on a 41-year old male, who attended to emergency,
      complaining of right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Blood tests showed high level
      of inflammatory markers. With acute appendicitis as presumptive diagnosis,
      laparoscopy was performed. The intraoperative findings were: a perforated Mekel's
      diverticulum with normal cecal appendix. Mechanical diverticular resection was
      made. The patient was successfully recovered from surgery. Histopathology
      examination showed: Meckel's diverticulum perforated with acute inflammation and
      neuroendocrine tumor (G1) pT1. Mekel's diverticulum is rarely affected by
      inflammatory complications and just few cases are associated with tumors.
      However, has ever been described before, coexisting both situations, being our
      patient the first reported with this exceptional clinical presentation, and
      treated successfully by laparoscopic approach. 

PMID- 27251848
TI  - GSK2656157, a PERK inhibitor, reduced LPS-induced IL-1beta production through
      inhibiting Caspase 1 activation in macrophage-like J774.1 cells.
AB  - IL-1beta is one of the inflammatory cytokines and is cleaved from pro-IL-1beta
      proteolytically by activated Caspase 1. For the activation of Caspase 1,
      inflammasome was formed by two signals, what is called, priming and triggering
      signals. In this study, it was found that mouse macrophage J774.1 cells, when
      treated by single large amount of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), produced a
      significant amount of IL-1beta. On the other hand, IL-1beta production was not
      detected when treated by a single, small amount of LPS. Then, focusing on
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response among stress responses induced by a
      large amount of LPS, when GSK2656157, a PERK inhibitor, was used for inhibition
      of ER stress, GSK2656157 reduced IL-1beta production dose-dependently. Next, when
      Thapsigargin, an ER stress reagent, was added with LPS, IL-1beta production
      increased more than by LPS alone. Thus, these results suggested that ER stress
      was involved in LPS-induced IL-1beta production. When the activation of Caspase 1
      was examined by fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis, it was found that
      GSK2656157 inhibited LPS-induced Caspase 1 activation. Further, it was confirmed
      that GSK2656157 did not affect LPS-induced TNF-alpha production and activation of
      NF-kappaB and specifically inhibited the PERK/eIF-2alpha pathway. Therefore, it
      was found that GSK2656157 specifically inhibited ER stress induced by large
      amount of LPS and reduced LPS-induced IL-1beta production through inhibition of
      Caspase 1 activation. 

PMID- 27251849
TI  - Cannulation Selection of Portal Venous and Splenic Venous Catheterization in
      Venovenous Bypass of Swine Orthotopic Liver Transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic changes in 2
      different cannulations in portal system (portal venous catheterization and
      splenic venous catheterization) during venovenous bypass (VVB) of swine
      orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty pairs (a total
      of 60) of healthy Duroc pigs were selected for OLT. According to the difference
      of cannulation in portal venous system during VVB, these pigs were divided into 2
      groups: the PVC group (pigs with portal venous catheterization, n=15) and the SVC
      group (pigs with splenic venous catheterization, n=15). Intraoperative
      hemodynamic parameters were monitored continuously. RESULTS Two recipients in the
      PVC group died: 1 died of unsmooth bypass during the operation and 1 died of
      disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). There was only 1 death in the SVC
      group, due to hemorrhagic shock. The duration of anhepatic phase (AP) in the SVC
      group was significantly shorter than in the PVC group (P<0.05). Moreover,
      hemodynamic parameters in phase III (5 min after start of portal vein suturing)
      and phase IV (5 min after graft reperfusion) were remarkably different between
      the SVC group and the PVC group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that VVB
      via splenic venous catheterization in swine OLT: 1) shortens the AP time; 2)
      keeps the hemodynamics stable; and 3) reduces the occurrence of postoperative
      complications. Thus, SVC appears to be superior to PVC. 

PMID- 27251850
TI  - MLX Is a Transcriptional Repressor of the Mammalian Golgi Stress Response.
AB  - The Golgi stress response is a homeostatic mechanism that controls the capacity
      of the Golgi apparatus in accordance with cellular demands. When the capacity of
      the Golgi apparatus becomes insufficient (Golgi stress), transcription levels of
      Golgi-related genes encoding glycosylation enzymes, a Golgi structural protein,
      and components of vesicular transport are upregulated through a common cis-acting
      enhancer-the Golgi apparatus stress response element (GASE). Here, we identified
      the transcription factor MLX as a GASE-binding protein. MLX resides in the
      cytoplasm and does not bind to GASE in normal growth conditions, whereas MLX
      translocates into the nucleus and specifically binds to GASE in response to Golgi
      stress. Suppression of MLX expression increased transcriptional induction of
      target genes of the Golgi stress response, whereas overexpression of MLX reduced
      GASE-binding of TFE3 as well as transcriptional induction from GASE, suggesting
      that MLX is a transcriptional repressor of the mammalian Golgi stress response. 

PMID- 27251852
TI  - Analytical tools for the analysis of fire debris. A review: 2008-2015.
AB  - The analysis of fire debris evidence might offer crucial information to a
      forensic investigation, when for instance, there is suspicion of the intentional
      use of ignitable liquids to initiate a fire. Although the evidence analysis in
      the laboratory is mainly conducted by a handful of well-established
      methodologies, during the last eight years several authors proposed noteworthy
      improvements on these methodologies, suggesting new interesting approaches. This
      review critically outlines the most up-to-date and suitable tools for the
      analysis and interpretation of fire debris evidence. The survey about analytical
      tools covers works published in the 2008-2015 period. It includes sources of
      consensus-classified reference samples, current standard procedures, new
      proposals for sample extraction and analysis, and the most novel statistical
      tools. In addition, this review provides relevant knowledge on the distortion
      effects of the ignitable liquid chemical fingerprints, which have to be
      considered during interpretation of results.

PMID- 27251851
TI  - Synthesis and Antileishmanial Activity of Natural Dehydrodieugenol and Its Mono-
      and Dimethyl Ethers.
AB  - The study of chemistry of naturally occurring compounds and the synthesis of
      their derivatives is fundamentally important for the development of new drugs. In
      this work, dehydrodieugenol (DHDE) was obtained through oxidative coupling of
      eugenol, promoted by an aqueous mixture of potassium ferricyanide (K3 [Fe(CN)6 ])
      and NH3  . H2 O. The partial methoxylation of DHDE with MeI and K2 CO3 mainly
      resulted in the molecular-shaped monomethyl ether (DHDE-1MeO) and its dimethyl
      ether derivative (DHDE-2MeO). The products from the reactions were characterized
      by (1) H- and (13) C-NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, these studies have reported
      the antileishmanial activity of DHDE against Leishmania amazonensis (IC50 value
      of 42.20 MUg ml(-1) ) and shown that partial methoxylation of DHDE results in a
      significant increase in its antiparasitic activity (IC50 value of 13.68 MUg ml(
      1) ). Based on in vitro bioassays, DHDE-1MeO has shown the highest leishmanicidal
      activity in promastigota form. Production by direct one-step synthesis of this
      monomethoxylated compound can be considered to be a cost-effective and
      environmentally friendly method with a short reaction time. 

PMID- 27251853
TI  - Synchrotron radiation-based multi-analytical approach for studying underglaze
      color: The microstructure of Chinese Qinghua blue decors (Ming dynasty).
AB  - In this paper, we develop a methodological approach combining macro-X-ray
      fluorescence and synchrotron radiation-based techniques (MUXRF, full-field XANES
      and MUXRD) to determine the composition and microstructure of underglaze decors
      of Qinghua porcelains (Ming dynasty). Various transition metal elements (Fe, Mn,
      Co) are present in the blue decoration of these ceramics and the approach
      proposed allows for establishing the feature of each. Thus it shows that Fe ions
      are distributed homogeneously over the whole glaze without any significant
      difference in blue and white parts. They do not play a significant role in the
      color. In contrast, Co ions exhibit a heterogeneous distribution with CoAl2O4
      particles close to the body/glaze interphase. These particles play a key role in
      the blue color and, the hue variations seem in greater part to link to their
      density and repartition. Co dispersed in the glassy matrix is also bivalent and
      mainly in tetragonal coordination, leading also to a blue color. Mn ion
      distribution is similar to the one of Co but without presenting local high
      concentrations associated to Mn based particles. Mn affects the darkness of the
      color and for the sample without CoAl2O4 particle; it is the main color
      contribution. The presence of CoAl2O4 crystals was confirmed by MUXRD, which
      revealed, in addition, a variation of cell parameters certainly linking to a Co
      partial substitution. 

PMID- 27251854
TI  - Fast analysis of terbutaline in pharmaceuticals using multi-walled nanotubes
      modified electrodes from recordable compact disc.
AB  - In this study, homemade disposable gold electrodes made from recordable compact
      disks were modified with carbon nanotubes for amperometric quantification of
      terbutaline sulfate in pharmaceutical products. A flow cell using an impingent
      jet of solution on the electrode surface was build and used for amperometric
      detection, and a series of experiments were carried out to find the best
      experimental conditions for the new electrode in a specially designed cell. A
      linear response for terbutaline was obtained in the range from 3.0 * 10(-6) to
      5.0 * 10(-4) mol L(-1) (at 0.63 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The limits of detection and
      quantification were calculated as 5.8 * 10(-7) mol L(-1) (S/N = 3) and 1.9 * 10(
      6) mol L(-1) (S/N = 10), respectively. A frequency of 30 injections h(-1) was
      attained. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analyses of
      commercial syrup samples, and all results were in good agreement with those
      obtained by using high performance liquid chromatography and capillary
      electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 27251855
TI  - Band-type microelectrodes for amperometric immunoassays.
AB  - A band-type microelectrode was made using a parylene-N film as a passivation
      layer. A circular-type, mm-scale electrode with the same diameter as the band
      type microelectrode was also made with an electrode area that was 5000 times
      larger than the band-type microelectrode. By comparing the amperometric signals
      of 3,5,3',5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) samples at different optical density (OD)
      values, the band-type microelectrode was determined to be 9 times more sensitive
      than the circular-type electrode. The properties of the circular-type and the
      band-type electrodes (e.g., the shape of their cyclic voltammograms, the type of
      diffusion layer used, and the diffusion layer thickness per unit electrode area)
      were characterized according to their electrode area using the COMSOL
      Multiphysics software. From these simulations, the band-type electrode was
      estimated to have the conventional microelectrode properties, even when the
      electrode area was 100 times larger than a conventional circular-type electrode.
      These results show that both the geometry and the area of an electrode can
      influence the properties of the electrode. Finally, amperometric analysis based
      on a band-type electrode was applied to commercial ELISA kits to analyze human
      hepatitis B surface antigen (hHBsAg) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      antibodies. 

PMID- 27251856
TI  - Children's cortisol responses to a social evaluative laboratory stressor from
      early to middle childhood.
AB  - This study examined the stability of children's cortisol responses to a social
      evaluative laboratory stressor from early to middle childhood. Ninety-six
      children (51 males) completed stress-inducing laboratory tasks and provided five
      salivary cortisol samples in early (W1) and middle (W2) childhood. Although W1
      cortisol responses did not predict W2 cortisol responses, children's cortisol
      responses demonstrated change: compared to their W1 cortisol responses,
      children's W2 cortisol responses demonstrated an increased slope and more
      negative quadratic curvature. Furthermore, child psychiatric symptoms at W1
      moderated the stability of children's cortisol responses. Children with fewer
      preschool psychiatric symptoms demonstrated greater inter-individual and intra
      individual stability, whereas children with higher preschool psychiatric symptoms
      and comorbidity demonstrated systematic inter-individual and intra-individual
      instability in cortisol responses over time. Findings suggest a developmental
      shift toward increasing cortisol stress responses from early to middle childhood
      and highlight preschool psychopathology as a moderator of stability in children's
      cortisol responses over time.

PMID- 27251857
TI  - Influence of chitosan coating on magnetic nanoparticles in endothelial cells and
      acute tissue biodistribution.
AB  - Chitosan coating on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was studied on biological
      systems as a first step toward the application in the biomedical field as drug
      targeted nanosystems. Composition of MNPs consists of magnetite functionalized
      with oleic acid and coated with the biopolymer chitosan or glutaraldehyde-cross
      linked chitosan. The influence of the biopolymeric coating has been evaluated by
      in vitro and in vivo assays on the effects of these MNPs on rat aortic
      endothelial cells (ECs) viability and on the random tissue distribution in mice.
      Results were correlated with the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles.
      Nitric oxide (NO) production by ECs was determined, considering that endothelial
      NO represents one of the major markers of ECs function. Cell viability was
      studied by MTT assay. Different doses of the MNPs (1, 10 and 100 MUg/mL) were
      assayed, revealing that MNPs coated with non-cross-linked chitosan for 6 and 24 h
      did not affect neither NO production nor cell viability. However, a significant
      decrease in cell viability was observed after 36 h treatment with the highest
      dose of this nanocarrier. It was also revealed that the presence and dose of
      glutaraldehyde in the MNPs structureimpact on the cytotoxicity. The study of the
      acute tissue distribution was performed acutely in mice after 24 h of an
      intraperitoneal injection of the MNPs and sub acutely, after 28 days of weekly
      administration. Both formulations greatly avoided the initial clearance by the
      reticuloendothelial system (RES) in liver. Biological properties found for N1 and
      N2 in the performed assays reveal that chitosan coating improves biocompatibility
      of MNPs turning these magnetic nanosystems as promising devices for targeted drug
      delivery.

PMID- 27251859
TI  - The definition and diagnosis of developmental prosopagnosia.
AB  - Over the last 20 years much attention in the field of face recognition has been
      directed towards the study of developmental prosopagnosia (DP), with some authors
      investigating the behavioural characteristics of the condition, and many others
      using these individuals to further our theoretical understanding of the typical
      face-processing system. It is broadly agreed that the term "DP" refers to people
      who have failed to develop the ability to recognize faces in the absence of
      neurological illness or injury, yet more precise terminology in relation to
      potential subtypes of the population are yet to be confirmed. Furthermore,
      specific diagnostic techniques and inclusion and exclusion criteria have yet to
      be uniformly accepted across the field, making cross-paper comparisons and meta
      analyses very difficult. This paper presents an overview of the current
      challenges that face research into DP and introduces a series of papers that
      attempt to further our understanding of the condition's characteristics. It is
      hoped that this special issue will provide a springboard for further research
      addressing these issues, improving the current state of the art by ensuring the
      quality of theoretical investigations into DP, and by posing advances that will
      assist those who have the condition.

PMID- 27251858
TI  - Anomalous uptake and circulatory characteristics of the plant-based small RNA
      MIR2911.
AB  - Inconsistent detection of plant-based dietary small RNAs in circulation has
      thwarted the use of dietary RNA therapeutics. Here we demonstrate mice consuming
      diets rich in vegetables displayed enhanced serum levels of the plant specific
      small RNA MIR2911. Differential centrifugation, size-exclusion chromatography,
      and proteinase K treatment of plant extracts suggest this RNA resides within a
      proteinase K-sensitive complex. Plant derived MIR2911 was more bioavailable than
      the synthetic RNA. Furthermore, MIR2911 exhibited unusual digestive stability
      compared with other synthetic plant microRNAs. The characteristics of circulating
      MIR2911 were also unusual as it was not associated with exosomes and fractionated
      as a soluble complex that was insensitive to proteinase K treatment, consistent
      with MIR2911 being stabilized by modifications conferred by the host. These
      results indicate that intrinsic stability and plant-based modifications
      orchestrate consumer uptake of this anomalous plant based small RNA and invite
      revisiting plant-based microRNA therapeutic approaches.

PMID- 27251861
TI  - Strategic cooperation with WHO.

PMID- 27251860
TI  - Solvent-induced multicolour fluorescence of amino-substituted 2,3-naphthalimides
      studied by fluorescence and transient absorption measurements.
AB  - A series of amino-2,3-naphthalimide derivatives having the amino functionality at
      1-, 5- and 6-positions (, and , respectively) were prepared, and their
      photophysical properties were systematically investigated based on the
      measurements of steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence
      lifetimes as well as transient absorption spectra. The s efficiently fluoresced
      in solution, and the emission spectra appreciably shifted depending on the
      solvent polarity. displayed only a slight fluorescence red-shift upon increasing
      the solvent polarity. In contrast, and showed marked positive
      solvatofluorochromism with large Stokes shifts displaying multicolour
      fluorescence; the fluorescence colours of and varied from violet-blue in hexane
      to orange-red in methanol. and , thus, serve as micro-environment responding
      fluorophores. In methanol, the intensity of the fluorescence emission band of and
      significantly reduced. Based on the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes,
      and transient absorption measurements, it has been revealed that internal
      conversion from the S1 state of s to the ground state was accelerated by the
      protic medium, resulting in a reduction in their fluorescence efficiency, while
      intersystem crossing from the S1 state to a triplet state was not responsible for
      the decrease of fluorescence intensity.

PMID- 27251862
TI  - Elevated periostin in serum and peritoneal washing fluids as potential biomarkers
      for endometriosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To identify the level of periostin in serum and peritoneal washing
      fluids (PWF) from women with and without endometriosis, as well as to explore the
      potential of periostin as a biomarker of endometriosis. METHODS: Samples were
      obtained from 184 women with and without endometriosis. Concentrations of
      periostin in PWF and blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
      RESULTS: Levels of periostin both in serum and PWF were notably elevated in women
      with endometriosis in both the proliferative and secretory phase. Combined with
      dysmenorrhea and infertility, two potential covariates, the serum periostin had a
      sensitivity of 75.00%, specificity of 65.00%, and area under the curve (AUC) of
      0.774, whereas the PWF periostin had a sensitivity of 94.23%, specificity of
      90.00%, and AUC of 0.967 for the diagnosis of endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Serum
      and PWF periostin concentrations may be new potential biomarkers for
      endometriosis, especially when combined with dysmenorrhea and infertility.

PMID- 27251863
TI  - Inhibition of Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Resorption by Bisphosphonate
      conjugated Gold Nanoparticles.
AB  - In recent years, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been reported to affect the
      regeneration of bone tissue. The goal of this study was to improve bone tissue
      regeneration by using targeted GNPs. We fabricated a functionalized GNPs
      conjugated with alendronate (ALD), of the bisphosphonate group. Subsequently, the
      ALD, GNPs, and ALD conjugated GNPs (GNPs-ALD) were analyzed by ultraviolet
      visible absorbance (UV-vis) spectrophotometer, Attenuated total reflectance
      Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (ATR-FTIR), and thermo gravimetric
      analysis (TGA). The prepared GNPs-ALD were used to investigate their inhibitory
      effects on the receptor activator of nuclear factor- kappab ligand (RANKL)
      induced osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs).
      Additionally, the GNPs-ALD were applied to ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporotic
      mice and the experiments were evaluated. ALD was found to be successfully
      conjugated to the GNPs surface, and it displayed significant adhesion onto the
      bone surface. The in-vitro study indicated that the GNPs, ALD and GNPs-ALD
      suppressed osteoclast formation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, in the
      OVX mouse model, the mice treated GNPs-ALD had higher bone density as compared to
      other OVX mice groups. The results from these tests indicated that GNPs-ALD can
      be useful agents for preventing and treating osteoporosis.

PMID- 27251864
TI  - Rol genes enhance the biosynthesis of antioxidants in Artemisia carvifolia Buch.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The secondary metabolites of the Artemisia genus are well known for
      their important therapeutic properties. This genus is one of the valuable sources
      of flavonoids and other polyphenols, but due to the low contents of these
      important metabolites, there is a need to either enhance their concentration in
      the original plant or seek alternative sources for them. The aim of the current
      study was to detect and enhance the yield of antioxidant compounds of Artemisia
      carvifolia Buch. HPLC analysis was performed to detect the antioxidants. With the
      aim of increasing flavonoid content, Rol gene transgenics of A. carvifolia were
      established. Two genes of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, phenylalanine
      ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase, were studied by real time qPCR. Antioxidant
      potential was determined by performing different antioxidant assays. RESULTS:
      HPLC analysis of wild-type A. carvifolia revealed the presence of flavonoids such
      as caffeic acid (30 MUg/g DW), quercetin (10 MUg/g DW), isoquercetin (400 MUg/g
      DW) and rutin (300 MUg/g DW). Compared to the untransformed plants, flavonoid
      levels increased 1.9-6-fold and 1.6-4-fold in rol B and rol C transgenics,
      respectively. RT qPCR analysis showed a variable expression of the flavonoid
      biosynthetic genes, including those encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and
      chalcone synthase, which were found to be relatively more expressed in
      transformed than wild-type plants, thus correlating with the metabolite
      concentration. Methanolic extracts of transgenics showed higher antioxidant
      capacity, reducing power, and protection against free radical-induced DNA damage.
      Among the transgenic plants, those harboring rol B were slightly more active than
      the rol C-transformants. CONCLUSION: As well as demonstrating the effectiveness
      of rol genes in inducing plant secondary metabolism, this study provides insight
      into the molecular dynamics of the flavonoid accumulation pattern, which
      correlated with the expression of biosynthetic genes.

PMID- 27251867
TI  - The National Children's Study: An Introduction and Historical Overview.
AB  - The National Children's Study (NCS) was an ambitious attempt to map children's
      health and development in a large representative group of children in the United
      States. In this introduction, we briefly review the background of the NCS and the
      history of the multiple strategies that were tested to recruit women and
      children. Subsequent articles then detail the protocols and outcomes of 4 of the
      recruitment strategies. It is hoped that lessons learned from these attempts to
      define a study protocol that could achieve the initial aims of the NCS will
      inform future efforts to conceptualize and execute strategies to provide
      generalizable insights on the longitudinal health of our nation's children. 

PMID- 27251865
TI  - Altered resting-state functional activity in posttraumatic stress disorder: A
      quantitative meta-analysis.
AB  - Many functional neuroimaging studies have reported differential patterns of
      spontaneous brain activity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the
      findings are inconsistent and have not so far been quantitatively reviewed. The
      present study set out to determine consistent, specific regional brain activity
      alterations in PTSD, using the Effect Size Signed Differential Mapping technique
      to conduct a quantitative meta-analysis of resting-state functional neuroimaging
      studies of PTSD that used either a non-trauma (NTC) or a trauma-exposed (TEC)
      comparison control group. Fifteen functional neuroimaging studies were included,
      comparing 286 PTSDs, 203 TECs and 155 NTCs. Compared with NTC, PTSD patients
      showed hyperactivity in the right anterior insula and bilateral cerebellum, and
      hypoactivity in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC); compared with TEC,
      PTSD showed hyperactivity in the ventral mPFC. The pooled meta-analysis showed
      hypoactivity in the posterior insula, superior temporal, and Heschl's gyrus in
      PTSD. Additionally, subgroup meta-analysis (non-medicated subjects vs. NTC)
      identified abnormal activation in the prefrontal-limbic system. In meta
      regression analyses, mean illness duration was positively associated with
      activity in the right cerebellum (PTSD vs. NTC), and illness severity was
      negatively associated with activity in the right lingual gyrus (PTSD vs. TEC).

PMID- 27251868
TI  - The National Children's Study: Recruitment Outcomes Using an Enhanced Household
      Based Approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Ten National Children's Study (NCS) study locations with diverse
      demographic characteristics used an enhanced household-based recruitment (EHBR)
      approach to enroll preconceptional and pregnant women. Study centers used
      different types and dosages of community outreach and engagement (COE) activities
      and supplemental strategies. The goal of the study was to determine whether
      variability in enumeration and recruitment outcomes correlated with study
      location characteristics or types and dosages of COE activities (number of COE
      events, number of advance household mailings, total media expenditures, and total
      COE expenditures). METHODS: Each of the sites provided data on COE activities,
      protocol implementation, supplemental recruitment activities, location
      demographic characteristics, and enumeration/recruitment outcomes. RESULTS: COE
      activities varied across sites in breadth and scope. Numerous strategies were
      used, including media advertising, social media, participation in community-wide
      events, presentations to stakeholders, and creation of advisory boards. Some
      sites included supplemental recruitment efforts. EHBR sites enrolled 1404 women
      at the initial pregnancy screening. No significant relationships were found
      between study location demographic characteristics or between the types and
      dosages of COE activities and recruitment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Probability
      sampling for a long-term study requires a positive image with stakeholders and
      within communities; this requirement may be especially true for door-to-door
      recruitment. EHBR sites successfully recruited a representative sample of
      preconceptional and pregnant women. Sites reported implementing similar COE
      activities but with varying dosage and cost; however, analyses did not support a
      benefit of COE strategies on study recruitment.

PMID- 27251869
TI  - The National Children's Study: Early Recruitment Outcomes Using the Direct
      Outreach Approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In 2009, the National Children's Study (NCS) Vanguard Study tested the
      feasibility of household-based recruitment and participant enrollment by using a
      birth rate probability sample. In 2010, the NCS Program Office launched 3
      alternative recruitment methods. We tested whether direct outreach (DO)
      recruitment could be a more efficient strategy to recruit women of child-bearing
      age. METHODS: The NCS DO recruitment approach recruited women, 18 to 49 years,
      who were pregnant or trying to conceive using passive recruitment methods
      emphasizing broad community outreach and engagement to create study awareness.
      Study mailings to listed households included a pregnancy screening questionnaire
      to identify potentially eligible women from selected neighborhoods to contact the
      study center. Unique features of this recruitment approach included the
      following: (1) expansion of selected neighborhoods to maximize potential
      participant recruitment and enrollment while minimizing in-person participant
      contact and (2) offering 2 levels of study participation distinguished by data
      collection intensity. RESULTS: Ten study centers listed 255 475 geographically
      eligible households for contact representing, on average, 3.3% of households per
      Primary Sampling Unit. A total of 19 354 women were identified for screening, and
      17 421 completed a pregnancy screener representing 6.8% of eligible households.
      Study-eligible pregnant women were older, more educated, and less likely to be
      Hispanic than the general population. Only 16% (2786) of 17 421 screened women
      were study-eligible, and 81.1% of these 2786 women consented to participate.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although feasible, the DO approach recruited a sample of study
      eligible pregnant women significantly different from the population. This
      recruitment approach was labor intensive for the yield of enrolled women.

PMID- 27251870
TI  - The National Children's Study: Recruitment Outcomes Using the Provider-Based
      Recruitment Approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In 2009, the National Children's Study (NCS) Vanguard Study tested the
      feasibility of household-based recruitment and participant enrollment using a
      birth-rate probability sample. In 2010, the NCS Program Office launched 3
      additional recruitment approaches. We tested whether provider-based recruitment
      could improve recruitment outcomes compared with household-based recruitment.
      METHODS: The NCS aimed to recruit 18- to 49-year-old women who were pregnant or
      at risk for becoming pregnant who lived in designated geographic segments within
      primary sampling units, generally counties. Using provider-based recruitment, 10
      study centers engaged providers to enroll eligible participants at their
      practice. Recruitment models used different levels of provider engagement (full,
      intermediate, information-only). RESULTS: The percentage of eligible women per
      county ranged from 1.5% to 57.3%. Across the centers, 3371 potential participants
      were approached for screening, 3459 (92%) were screened and 1479 were eligible
      (43%). Of those 1181 (80.0%) gave consent and 1008 (94%) were retained until
      delivery. Recruited participants were generally representative of the county
      population. CONCLUSIONS: Provider-based recruitment was successful in recruiting
      NCS participants. Challenges included time-intensity of engaging the clinical
      practices, differential willingness of providers to participate, and necessary
      reliance on providers for participant identification. The vast majority of
      practices cooperated to some degree. Recruitment from obstetric practices is an
      effective means of obtaining a representative sample.

PMID- 27251871
TI  - Multilevel Provider-Based Sampling for Recruitment of Pregnant Women and Mother
      Newborn Dyads.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In 2010, the National Children's Study launched 3 alternative
      recruitment methods to test possible improvements in efficiency compared with
      traditional household-based recruitment and participant enrollment. In 2012, a
      fourth method, provider-based sampling (PBS), tested a probability-based sampling
      of prenatal provider locations supplemented by a second cohort of neonates born
      at a convenience sample of maternity hospitals. METHODS: From a sampling frame of
      472 prenatal care provider locations and 59 maternity hospitals, 49 provider and
      7 hospital locations within or just outside 3 counties participated in study
      recruitment. During first prenatal care visits or immediately postdelivery at
      these locations, face-to-face contact was used to screen and recruit eligible
      women. RESULTS: Of 1450 screened women, 1270 were eligible. Consent rates at
      prenatal provider locations (62%-74% by county) were similar to those at birth
      locations (64%-77% by county). During 6 field months, 3 study centers enrolled a
      total prenatal cohort of 530 women (the majority in the first trimester) and
      during 2 months enrolled a birth cohort of an additional 320 mother-newborn
      dyads. As personnel became experienced in the field, the time required to enroll
      a woman in the prenatal cohort declined from up to 200 hours to 50 to 100 hours
      per woman recruited. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that PBS was feasible and
      operationally efficient in recruiting a representative cohort of newborns from 3
      diverse US counties. Our findings suggest that PBS is a practical approach to
      recruit large pregnancy and birth cohorts across the United States.

PMID- 27251872
TI  - The Experience of Direct Outreach Recruitment in the National Children's Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Few studies have reported the outcome of direct outreach methods for
      recruitment of research participants in population-based samples. We describe the
      relationship of outreach strategies that are tailored to specific community
      factors to recruitment and consent outcomes in 10 National Children's Study
      direct outreach study locations (all were single counties). METHODS: Each study
      center collected data from a target population of women who resided in selected
      county segments that were sampled based on a geographic area probability sampling
      design. Based on county characteristics of the 10 study locations, each study
      center used site-specific marketing approaches (direct mail, mass media, provider
      referrals, social networking) to recruit study participants. Recruitment success
      was measured by the number of recruited women as well as by a qualitative
      assessment of the effectiveness of various recruitment methods. RESULTS: The
      number of women who consented varied from 67 to 792. The majority of women were
      pregnant at the time of consent. Community awareness varied from <1% to 70%.
      Although no significant associations were found between community characteristics
      and recruitment success, we found that certain types of outreach strategies
      enhanced recruitment. CONCLUSIONS: In a small sample of 10 US counties,
      recruitment success was not associated with community characteristics. It was,
      however, associated with certain types of outreach strategies that may be more
      effective in close-knit communities.

PMID- 27251873
TI  - Shifting El Nino inhibits summer Arctic warming and Arctic sea-ice melting over
      the Canada Basin.
AB  - Arctic climate changes include not only changes in trends and mean states but
      also strong interannual variations in various fields. Although it is known that
      tropical-extratropical teleconnection is sensitive to changes in flavours of El
      Nino, whether Arctic climate variability is linked to El Nino, in particular on
      interannual timescale, remains unclear. Here we demonstrate for the first time a
      long-range linkage between central Pacific (CP) El Nino and summer Arctic
      climate. Observations show that the CP warming related to CP El Nino events
      deepens the tropospheric Arctic polar vortex and strengthens the circumpolar
      westerly wind, thereby contributing to inhibiting summer Arctic warming and sea
      ice melting. Atmospheric model experiments can generally capture the observed
      responses of Arctic circulation and robust surface cooling to CP El Nino forcing.
      We suggest that identification of the equator-Arctic teleconnection, via the
      'atmospheric bridge', can potentially contribute to improving the skill of
      predicting Arctic climate.

PMID- 27251874
TI  - A highly efficient supramolecular photoswitch for singlet oxygen generation in
      water.
AB  - A series of water-soluble supramolecular assemblies were constructed from
      dithienylethene-modified permethyl-beta-cyclodextrins and porphyrin derivatives,
      accompanied by a high FRET efficiency, and could be applied in the control of
      singlet oxygen generation in a 1% ethanol aqueous solution upon irradiation of
      different wavelength light. These findings will provide a feasible and convenient
      way to construct a potential photodynamic therapy material. 

PMID- 27251875
TI  - Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Blood Pressure Variability in
      Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
AB  - Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
      Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves OSA symptoms and blood
      pressure (BP) control. The effect of CPAP on BP variability (BPV) in patients
      with and without hypertension treated with autotitrating CPAP (APAP) for 2 weeks
      was studied. A total of 78 participants (76.9% men, 49% hypertensive, mean body
      mass index 36.2 [6.9] kg/m2 , age 49.0 [12.9] years) underwent 2 weeks of APAP
      therapy. Office BP, BPV (standard deviation of three BP measurements), and pulse
      rate were measured before and after treatment. Systolic BPV (5.3+/-4.9 vs 4.2+/
      3.4 mm Hg, P=.047) and pulse rate (78.0+/-14.5 vs 75.5+/-15.8 beats per minute,
      P=.032) decreased after treatment, particularly in hypertensive participants.
      Mask leak was independently associated with reduced changes in systolic BPV (r=
      0.237, P=.048). Short-term APAP treatment reduced BPV and pulse rate,
      particularly in hypertensive patients with OSA.

PMID- 27251876
TI  - Soft-template construction of three-dimensionally ordered inverse opal structure
      from Li2FeSiO4/C composite nanofibers for high-rate lithium-ion batteries.
AB  - Exploring a new method to fabricate small-sized nanofibers is essential to
      achieve superior performances for energy conversion and storage devices. Here, a
      novel soft-template strategy is developed to synthesize a three-dimensionally
      ordered macroporous (3DOM) architecture constructed from small-sized nanofibers.
      The effectiveness of a nanofiber-assembled three-dimensional inverse opal
      material as an electrode for high-rate lithium-ion batteries is demonstrated. The
      small-sized Li2FeSiO4/C composite nanofibers with a diameter of 20-30 nm are
      grown by employing a tri-block copolymer P123 as a structure directing agent.
      Accordingly, the macro-mesoporous hierarchical 3DOM architecture constructed from
      Li2FeSiO4/C nanofibers is further templated from P123 for the nanofibers and a
      polystyrene colloidal crystal array for the 3DOM architecture. We find that the
      thermal stability of the nanofiber morphology depends on the self-limited growth
      of Li2FeSiO4 nanocrystals in a crystalline-amorphous hybrid. As a cathode for a
      lithium-ion battery, the 3D hierarchical macro-mesoporous cathodes exhibit
      outstanding high-rate and ultralong-life performances with a capacity retention
      of 84% after 1500 cycles at 5 C in the voltage window of 1.5-4.5 V, which is
      greatly improved compared with a simple 3DOM Li2FeSiO4/C nanocomposite. 

PMID- 27251877
TI  - Annexin A5 is the Most Abundant Membrane-Associated Protein in Stereocilia but is
      Dispensable for Hair-Bundle Development and Function.
AB  - The phospholipid- and Ca(2+)-binding protein annexin A5 (ANXA5) is the most
      abundant membrane-associated protein of ~P23 mouse vestibular hair bundles, the
      inner ear's sensory organelle. Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we estimated
      that ANXA5 accounts for ~15,000 copies per stereocilium, or ~2% of the total
      protein there. Although seven other annexin genes are expressed in mouse
      utricles, mass spectrometry showed that none were present at levels near ANXA5 in
      bundles and none were upregulated in stereocilia of Anxa5(-/-) mice. Annexins
      have been proposed to mediate Ca(2+)-dependent repair of membrane lesions, which
      could be part of the repair mechanism in hair cells after noise damage.
      Nevertheless, mature Anxa5(-/-) mice not only have normal hearing and balance
      function, but following noise exposure, they are identical to wild-type mice in
      their temporary or permanent changes in hearing sensitivity. We suggest that
      despite the unusually high levels of ANXA5 in bundles, it does not play a role in
      the bundle's key function, mechanotransduction, at least until after two months
      of age in the cochlea and six months of age in the vestibular system. These
      results reinforce the lack of correlation between abundance of a protein in a
      specific compartment or cellular structure and its functional significance.

PMID- 27251878
TI  - Bilingual Text4Walking Food Service Employee Intervention Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Half of all adults in the United States do not meet the level of
      recommended aerobic physical activity. Physical activity interventions are now
      being conducted in the workplace. Accessible technology, in the form of
      widespread usage of cell phones and text messaging, is available for promoting
      physical activity. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study, which was conducted in
      the workplace, were to determine (1) the feasibility of implementing a bilingual
      12-week Text4Walking intervention and (2) the effect of the Text4Walking
      intervention on change in physical activity and health status in a food service
      employee population. METHODS: Before conducting the study reported here, the
      Text4Walking research team developed a database of motivational physical activity
      text messages in English. Because Hispanic or Latino adults compose one-quarter
      of all adults employed in the food service industry, the Text4Walking team
      translated the physical activity text messages into Spanish. This pilot study was
      guided by the Physical Activity Health Promotion Framework and used a 1-group 12
      week pre- and posttest design with food service employees who self-reported as
      being sedentary. The aim of the study was to increase the number of daily steps
      over the baseline by 3000 steps. Three physical activity text messages were
      delivered weekly. In addition, participants received 3 motivational calls during
      the study. RESULTS: SPSS version 19.0 and R 3.0 were used to perform the data
      analysis. There were 33 employees who participated in the study (57.6% female),
      with a mean age of 43.7 years (SD 8.4). The study included 11 Hispanic or Latino
      participants, 8 of whom requested that the study be delivered in Spanish. There
      was a 100% retention rate in the study. At baseline, the participants walked 102
      (SD 138) minutes/day (per self-report). This rate increased significantly
      (P=.008) to 182 (SD 219) minutes/day over the course of the study. The
      participants had a baseline mean of 10,416 (SD 5097) steps, which also increased
      significantly (P=.017) to 12,540 (SD 5149). They significantly improved their
      performance on their aerobic fitness test (P<.001). The participants had a
      baseline mean systolic blood pressure of 120 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure
      of 76 mm Hg, a mean body mass index of 29.29 kg/m2, and a mean waist
      circumference of 36.95 inches, without significant changes seen at 12 weeks.
      CONCLUSIONS: We were able to conduct a motivational physical activity text
      messaging intervention within the workplace setting. Both physical activity and
      aerobic fitness improved. However, at baseline, participants were more active
      than they perceived themselves to be. Although there is insufficient evidence to
      draw strong conclusions about the study findings, it would be useful to test this
      physical activity text messaging intervention in a sedentary sample within a
      larger workplace intervention study trial conducted over a longer time frame.

PMID- 27251879
TI  - Sodium Ion Transport Mechanisms in Antiperovskite Electrolytes Na3OBr and Na4OI2:
      An in Situ Neutron Diffraction Study.
AB  - Na-rich antiperovskites are recently developed solid electrolytes with enhanced
      sodium ionic conductivity and show promising functionality as a novel solid
      electrolyte in an all solid-state battery. In this work, the sodium ionic
      transport pathways of the parent compound Na3OBr, as well as the modified layered
      antiperovskite Na4OI2, were studied and compared through temperature-dependent
      neutron diffraction combined with the maximum entropy method. In the cubic Na3OBr
      antiperovskite, the nuclear density distribution maps at 500 K indicate that
      sodium ions hop within and among oxygen octahedra, and Br(-) ions are not
      involved. In the tetragonal Na4OI2 antiperovskite, Na ions, which connect
      octahedra in the ab plane, have the lowest activation energy barrier. The
      transport of sodium ions along the c axis is assisted by I(-) ions. 

PMID- 27251880
TI  - Application of vancomycin in patients with varying renal function, especially
      those with augmented renal clearance.
AB  - CONTEXT: Augmented renal clearance (ARC) refers to enhanced renal elimination of
      circulating solute, and has attracted wide attention in recent years. OBJECTIVE:
      This study evaluates the effects of ARC on serum vancomycin concentration in
      patients administered vancomycin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective
      study in patients receiving vancomycin treatment at a dose of 1000 mg in every 12
      h and undergoing serum monitoring admitted over a 2-year period (May 2013 to May
      2015), in order to estimate the influence of ARC on serum vancomycin
      concentration. In this study, statistical comparisons were made on the results
      from patients grouped according to creatinine clearance (CLcr). RESULTS: One
      hundred forty-eight patients were enrolled in our study. The results showed that
      ARC patients were significantly younger, with a significantly lower Scr and
      higher GFR. The CLcr and steady-state trough concentrations of serum vancomycin
      exhibited a logarithmic correlation (Rs = -0.699, R2 = 0.488, p < 0.01) in the
      patients included in our study. The trough vancomycin concentrations of 62.9%
      patients in high CLcr group were under 10 MUg/mL. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:
      Since ARC was significantly associated with subtherapeutic serum vancomycin
      concentration, it was necessary to devise adjusted dosage regimens for these
      patients based on their CLcr.

PMID- 27251882
TI  - Comment: A quick and reliable test of peripheral vestibular function-On an
      impulse.

PMID- 27251881
TI  - Linker design for the modular assembly of multifunctional and targeted
      platinum(ii)-containing anticancer agents.
AB  - A versatile and efficient modular synthetic platform was developed for assembling
      multifunctional conjugates and targeted forms of platinum-(benz)acridines, a
      class of highly cytotoxic DNA-targeted hybrid agents. The synthetic strategy
      involved amide coupling between succinyl ester-modified platinum compounds (P1,
      P2) and a set of 11 biologically relevant primary and secondary amines (N1-N11).
      To demonstrate the feasibility and versatility of the approach, a structurally
      and functionally diverse range of amines was introduced. These include
      biologically active molecules, such as rucaparib (a PARP inhibitor), E/Z
      endoxifen (an estrogen receptor antagonist), and a quinazoline-based tyrosine
      kinase inhibitor. Micro-scale reactions in Eppendorf tubes or on 96-well plates
      were used to screen for optimal coupling conditions in DMF solution with
      carbodiimide-, uronium-, and phosphonium-based compounds, as well as other common
      coupling reagents. Reactions with the phosphonium-based coupling reagent PyBOP
      produced the highest yields and gave the cleanest conversions. Furthermore, it
      was demonstrated that the chemistry can also be performed in aqueous media and is
      amenable to parallel synthesis based on multiple consecutive reactions in DMF in
      a "one-tube" format. In-line LC-MS was used to assess the stability of the
      conjugates in physiologically relevant buffers. Hydrolysis of the conjugates
      occurs at the ester moiety and is facilitated by the aquated metal moiety under
      low-chloride ion conditions. The rate of ester cleavage greatly depends on the
      nature of the amine component. Potential applications of the linker technology
      are discussed. 

PMID- 27251883
TI  - Temozolomide induces radiologic pseudoprogression and tumor cell vanishing in
      oligodendroglioma.

PMID- 27251884
TI  - A new saccadic indicator of peripheral vestibular function based on the video
      head impulse test.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: While compensatory saccades indicate vestibular loss in the
      conventional head impulse test paradigm (HIMP), in which the participant fixates
      an earth-fixed target, we investigated a complementary suppression head impulse
      paradigm (SHIMP), in which the participant is fixating a head-fixed target to
      elicit anticompensatory saccades as a sign of vestibular function. METHODS: HIMP
      and SHIMP eye movement responses were measured with the horizontal video head
      impulse test in patients with unilateral vestibular loss, patients with bilateral
      vestibular loss, and in healthy controls. RESULTS: Vestibulo-ocular reflex gains
      showed close correlation (R(2) = 0.97) with slightly lower SHIMP than HIMP gains
      (mean gain difference 0.06 +/- 0.05 SD, p < 0.001). However, the 2 paradigms
      produced complementary catch-up saccade patterns: HIMP elicited compensatory
      saccades in patients but rarely in controls, whereas SHIMP elicited large
      anticompensatory saccades in controls, but smaller or no saccades in bilateral
      vestibular loss. Unilateral vestibular loss produced covert saccades in HIMP, but
      later and smaller saccades in SHIMP toward the affected side. Cumulative HIMP and
      SHIMP saccade amplitude differentiated patients from controls with high
      sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: While compensatory saccades indicate
      vestibular loss in conventional HIMP, anticompensatory saccades in SHIMP using a
      head-fixed target indicate vestibular function. SHIMP saccades usually appear
      later than HIMP saccades, therefore being more salient to the naked eye and
      facilitating vestibulo-ocular reflex gain measurements. The new paradigm is
      intuitive and easy to explain to patients, and the SHIMP results complement those
      from the standard video head impulse test. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This case
      control study provides Class III evidence that SHIMP accurately identifies
      patients with unilateral or bilateral vestibulopathies.

PMID- 27251885
TI  - Sex hormones in women with and without migraine: Evidence of migraine-specific
      hormone profiles.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare daily sex hormone levels and rates of change between women
      with history of migraine and controls. METHODS: History of migraine, daily
      headache diaries, and daily hormone data were collected in ovulatory cycles of
      pre- and early perimenopausal women in the Study of Women's Health Across the
      Nation. Peak hormone levels, average daily levels, and within-woman day-to-day
      rates of decline over the 5 days following each hormone peak were calculated in
      ovulatory cycles for conjugated urinary estrogens (E1c), pregnanediol-3
      glucuronide, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. Comparisons
      were made between migraineurs and controls using 2-sample t tests on the log
      scale with results reported as geometric means. RESULTS: The sample included 114
      women with history of migraine and 223 controls. Analyses of within-woman rates
      of decline showed that E1c decline over the 2 days following the luteal peak was
      greater in migraineurs for both absolute rate of decline (33.8 [95% confidence
      interval 28.0-40.8] pg/mgCr vs 23.1 [95% confidence interval 20.1-26.6] pg/mgCr,
      p = 0.002) and percent change (40% vs 30%, p < 0.001). There was no significant
      difference between migraineurs and controls in absolute peak or daily E1c,
      pregnanediol-3-glucuronide, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone
      levels. Secondary analyses demonstrated that, among migraineurs, the rate of E1c
      decline did not differ according to whether a headache occurred during the cycle
      studied. CONCLUSIONS: Migraineurs are characterized by faster late luteal phase
      E1c decline compared to controls. The timing and rate of estrogen withdrawal
      before menses may be a marker of neuroendocrine vulnerability in women with
      migraine.

PMID- 27251888
TI  - Comment on 'Novel anticoagulants - an update on the latest developments and
      management for clinicians treating patients on these drugs'.

PMID- 27251886
TI  - Carbon isotope fractionation reveals distinct process of CH4 emission from
      different compartments of paddy ecosystem.
AB  - Carbon isotopic fractionations in the processes of CH4 emission from paddy field
      remain poorly understood. The delta(13)C-values of CH4 in association with
      production, oxidation and transport of CH4 in different pools of a paddy field
      were determined, and the stable carbon isotope fractionations were calibrated to
      assess relative contribution of acetate to CH4 production (fac) and fraction of
      CH4 oxidized (fox) by different pathways. The apparent isotope fractionation for
      CO2 conversion to CH4 (alphaapp) was 1.041-1.056 in the soil and 1.046-1.080 on
      the roots, indicating that fac was 10-60% and 0-50%, respectively. Isotope
      fractionation associated with CH4 oxidation (alphaox) was 1.021 +/- 0.007 in the
      soil and 1.013 +/- 0.005 on the roots, and the transport fractionation
      (epsilontransport) by rice plants was estimated to be -16.70/00 ~ -11.10/00.
      Rhizospheric fox was about 30-100%, and it was more important at the beginning
      but decreased fast towards the end of season. Large value of fox was also
      observed at the soil-water interface and soil and roots surfaces, respectively.
      The results demonstrate that carbon isotopic fractionations which might be
      different in different conditions were sensitive to the estimations of fac and
      fox in paddy field.

PMID- 27251889
TI  - In vivo Magnetic Resonance Microscopy and Hypothermic Anaesthesia of a Disease
      Model in Medaka.
AB  - In medical and pharmacological research, various human disease models in small
      fish, such as medaka (Oryzias latipes), have been created. To investigate these
      disease models noninvasively, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is suitable
      because these small fish are no longer transparent as adults. However, their
      small body size requires a high spatial resolution, and a water pool should be
      avoided to maximize the strength of MRI. We developed in vivo magnetic resonance
      microscopy (MR microscopy) without a water pool by combining hypothermic
      anaesthesia and a 14.1 T MR microscope. Using in vivo MR microscopy, we
      noninvasively evaluated the hepatic steatosis level of a non-alcoholic fatty
      liver disease model in medaka and followed the individual disease progression.
      The steatosis level was quantified by the MRI-estimated proton density fat
      fraction (MRI-PDFF), which estimates the triglyceride fat concentration in liver
      tissue and is recognized as an imaging biomarker. The MRI-PDFF results agreed
      with a histological analysis. Moreover, we optimized the hypothermic anaesthesia
      procedure to obtain a recovery proportion of 1 in the experiment involving MR
      microscopy. Recovered medaka could not be distinguished from naive medaka after
      the experiment. Therefore, the in vivo MR microscopy will expand the
      possibilities of a human disease model in fish.

PMID- 27251890
TI  - "Sorry, I'm Not Accepting New Patients": An Audit Study of Access to Mental
      Health Care.
AB  - Through a phone-based field experiment, I investigated the effect of mental help
      seekers' race, class, and gender on the accessibility of psychotherapists. Three
      hundred and twenty psychotherapists each received voicemail messages from one
      black middle-class and one white middle-class help seeker, or from one black
      working-class and one white working-class help seeker, requesting an appointment.
      The results revealed an otherwise invisible form of discrimination. Middle-class
      help seekers had appointment offer rates almost three times higher than their
      working-class counterparts. Race differences emerged only among middle-class help
      seekers, with blacks considerably less likely than whites to be offered an
      appointment. Average appointment offer rates were equivalent across gender, but
      women were favored over men for appointment offers in their preferred time range.

PMID- 27251891
TI  - Challenges Evaluating Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Childhood
      Cancer Survivors.
AB  - Children treated for cancer are exposed to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents
      with known toxicity to the peripheral nervous system. The side effect of
      peripheral neuropathy can cause changes in sensation, function, and even cause
      pain. Although peripheral neuropathy is recognized by pediatric oncology nurses
      as an important and significant side effect, measuring neuropathy can be quite
      complex for clinical care and research efforts. With more children surviving a
      cancer diagnosis today, this issue is increasingly important for childhood cancer
      survivors. This article has reviewed existing literature examining peripheral
      neuropathy in childhood cancer survivors with particular interest paid to
      measurement tools available and needs for future research. It is important for
      nurses to choose appropriate measures for clinical care and research methods in
      order to have an impact on patients experiencing this condition.

PMID- 27251892
TI  - Optimal processing for gel electrophoresis images: Applying Monte Carlo Tree
      Search in GelApp.
AB  - In biomedical research, gel band size estimation in electrophoresis analysis is a
      routine process. To facilitate and automate this process, numerous software have
      been released, notably the GelApp mobile app. However, the band detection
      accuracy is limited due to a band detection algorithm that cannot adapt to the
      variations in input images. To address this, we used the Monte Carlo Tree Search
      with Upper Confidence Bound (MCTS-UCB) method to efficiently search for optimal
      image processing pipelines for the band detection task, thereby improving the
      segmentation algorithm. Incorporating this into GelApp, we report a significant
      enhancement of gel band detection accuracy by 55.9 +/- 2.0% for protein
      polyacrylamide gels, and 35.9 +/- 2.5% for DNA SYBR green agarose gels. This
      implementation is a proof-of-concept in demonstrating MCTS-UCB as a strategy to
      optimize general image segmentation. The improved version of GelApp-GelApp 2.0-is
      freely available on both Google Play Store (for Android platform), and Apple App
      Store (for iOS platform).

PMID- 27251893
TI  - Tetradentate polyamines as efficient metallodrugs for Chagas disease treatment in
      murine model.
AB  - A series of tetraamine-based compounds was prepared, and their trypanocidal
      effects against Trypanosoma cruzi and cytotoxicity were determined through the
      determination of IC50 values. In vivo assays were performed in mice, where
      parasitaemia levels were quantified by fresh blood examination and the assignment
      of a cure was determined by polymerase chain reaction and reactivation of blood
      parasitaemia levels after immunosuppression. The mechanisms of action were
      elucidated at metabolic and ultra-structural levels, by 1H NMR, Fe-SOD inhibition
      and TEM studies. The high-selectivity indexes observed in vitro were the basis of
      promoting one of the tested compounds to in vivo assays. Compound 6 induced a
      remarkable decrease in the reactivation of parasitaemia after immunosuppression
      and curative rates of 33%. The experiments allowed us to select compound 6 as a
      promising candidate for treating Chagas disease, but a further high-level study
      should be considered to obtain an improved efficiency.

PMID- 27251895
TI  - If overuse injury is a 'training load error', should undertraining be viewed the
      same way?

PMID- 27251896
TI  - Current state of concussion prevention strategies: a systematic review and meta
      analysis of prospective, controlled studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current review was to systematically identify, evaluate
      and synthesise trials that examine concussion prevention via equipment,
      educational programmes and training programmes. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and EBSCO
      host (CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES:
      The electronic databases PubMed and EBSCO were searched using the phrases:
      concussion prevention equipment, concussion prevention training and concussion
      prevention education. Included studies utilised a prospective study design to
      evaluate the preventative effect of: (1) equipment, (2) training or (3)
      educational programmes on the incidence of concussions in comparison to a control
      group. DATA EXTRACTION: Demographic data and intervention methods were recorded.
      Intervention and control group concussion rates and superficial head injury rates
      were extracted and combined using random-effects relative risk meta-analysis.
      RESULTS: 14 studies evaluated interventions of novel protective equipment. One
      prospective investigation evaluated an educational programme. The relative risk
      of concussion for participants enrolled in the interventional arms of trials was
      not significantly different from that in standard practice arms (RR=0.78, 95% CI
      0.55 to 1.11, chi2=1.8, p=0.17; I2=85.3%, 95% CI 71.5% to 90.8%). The relative
      risk of concussion for participants wearing protective equipment (ie, headgear,
      full face shields) relative to their counterparts wearing standard or no
      equipment, calculated from seven available reports, showed no effect of
      intervention (RR=0.82, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.20, chi2=1.06, p=0.30; I2=86.7%, 95% CI
      73.3% to 91.8%). The relative risk of superficial head injury for participants
      wearing protective equipment relative to their counterparts, calculated from
      three reports, showed a significant risk reduction (RR=0.41, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.56,
      chi2=34.13, p<0.0001; I2=53.1%, 95% CI 0% to 85.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Prospective
      controlled studies indicate that certain protective equipment may prevent
      superficial head injury, but these items are suboptimal for concussion prevention
      in sport.

PMID- 27251897
TI  - Clinical outcomes of a scapular-focused treatment in patients with subacromial
      pain syndrome: a systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the clinical outcomes of
      scapular-focused treatments in participants with subacromial pain syndrome (SPS).
      DESIGN: Systematic literature review. Studies were appraised by two reviewers
      using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale, and a best-evidence
      synthesis was performed. DATA SOURCES: The literature search was conducted in the
      databases PubMed, Embase and Cinahl up to February 2015. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR
      SELECTING STUDIES: Randomised controlled trials evaluating the clinical outcomes
      of a physiotherapeutic scapular-focused treatment in participants with SPS.
      RESULTS: Four studies were included describing various scapular-focused
      interventions, including scapular-focused exercise therapy, scapular mobilisation
      and scapular taping. All included studies had a PEDro score of 6 or higher,
      indicating low risk of bias. There was moderate evidence that scapular-focused
      treatment compared with other physiotherapeutic treatment is effective in
      improving scapular muscle strength in participants with SPS. Conflicting evidence
      was found for improvements in pain, function and clinical measures of scapular
      positioning. No evidence was found for improvements in shoulder range of motion
      or rotator cuff muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: There is some support for the use
      of scapular-focused exercise therapy in patients with SPS. Owing to the low
      number of studies, no firm conclusions can be drawn. Therefore, more randomised
      controlled trials are needed to determine the clinical outcomes of scapular
      focused exercise therapy, scapular mobilisation techniques and scapular taping in
      patients with SPS.

PMID- 27251898
TI  - Critical components of neuromuscular training to reduce ACL injury risk in female
      athletes: meta-regression analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine key components in neuromuscular
      training that optimise ACL injury reduction in female athletes using meta
      regression analyses. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-regression. DATA SOURCES:
      The literature search was performed in PubMed and EBSCO. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
      Inclusion criteria for the current analysis were: (1) documented the number of
      ACL injuries, (2) employed a neuromuscular training intervention that aimed to
      reduce ACL injuries, (3) had a comparison group, (4) used a prospective control
      study design and (5) recruited female athletes as participants. Two independent
      reviewers extracted studies which met the inclusion criteria. Methodological
      quality of included study and strength of recommendation were evaluated. Number
      of ACL injuries and participants in control and intervention groups, age of
      participants, dosage of neuromuscular training, exercise variations within
      neuromuscular training and status of verbal feedback were extracted. RESULTS: The
      meta-regression analyses identified age of participants, dosage of neuromuscular
      training, exercise variations within neuromuscular training and utilisation of
      verbal feedback as significant predictors of ACL injury reduction (p=0.01 in
      fixed-effects model, p=0.03 in random-effects model). Inclusion of 1 of the 4
      components in neuromuscular training could reduce ACL injury risk by 17.2-17.7%
      in female athletes. No significant heterogeneity and publication bias effects
      were detected. Strength of recommendation was rated as A (recommendation based on
      consistent and good-quality patient-oriented study evidence). CONCLUSIONS: Age of
      participants, dosage of neuromuscular training, exercise variations within
      neuromuscular training and utilisation of verbal feedback are predictors that
      influence the optimisation of prophylactic effects of neuromuscular training and
      the resultant ACL injury reduction in female athletes.

PMID- 27251899
TI  - Longevity protein klotho is induced by a single bout of exercise.

PMID- 27251900
TI  - Centrofacial Balamuthiasis: case report of a rare cutaneous amebic infection.
AB  - Free-living amebae are ubiquitous in our environment, but rarely cause cutaneous
      infection. Balamuthia mandrillaris has a predilection for infecting skin of the
      central face. Infection may be restricted to the skin or associated with life
      threatening central nervous system (CNS) involvement. We report a case of a 91
      year-old woman, who presented with a non-healing red plaque over her right cheek.
      Several punch biopsies exhibited non-specific granulomatous inflammation without
      demonstrable fungi or mycobacteria in histochemical stains. She was treated
      empirically for granulomatous rosacea, but the lesion continued to progress. A
      larger incisional biopsy was performed in which amebae were observed in
      hematoxylin-eosin stained sections. These were retrospectively apparent in the
      prior punch biopsy specimens. Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction
      studies identified the organisms as Balamuthia mandrillaris. Cutaneous infection
      by B. mandrillaris is a rare condition that is sometimes complicated by life
      threatening CNS involvement and which often evades timely diagnosis due to its
      rarity and nonspecific clinical manifestations. Moreover, these amebae are easily
      overlooked in histopathologic sections because of their small number and their
      resemblance to histiocytes. Dermatopathologists should be familiar with the
      histopathologic appearance of these organisms and include balamuthiasis and other
      amebic infections in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous dermatitis. 

PMID- 27251901
TI  - Quantification of common carotid artery and descending aorta vessel wall
      thickness from MR vessel wall imaging using a fully automated processing
      pipeline.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a method that can fully automatically identify
      the vessel wall boundaries and quantify the wall thickness for both common
      carotid artery (CCA) and descending aorta (DAO) from axial magnetic resonance
      (MR) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3T MRI data acquired with T1 -weighted
      gradient-echo black-blood imaging sequence from carotid (39 subjects) and aorta
      (39 subjects) were used to develop and test the algorithm. The vessel wall
      segmentation was achieved by respectively fitting a 3D cylindrical B-spline
      surface to the boundaries of lumen and outer wall. The tube-fitting was based on
      the edge detection performed on the signal intensity (SI) profile along the
      surface normal. To achieve a fully automated process, Hough Transform (HT) was
      developed to estimate the lumen centerline and radii for the target vessel. Using
      the outputs of HT, a tube model for lumen segmentation was initialized and
      deformed to fit the image data. Finally, lumen segmentation was dilated to
      initiate the adaptation procedure of outer wall tube. The algorithm was validated
      by determining: 1) its performance against manual tracing; 2) its interscan
      reproducibility in quantifying vessel wall thickness (VWT); 3) its capability of
      detecting VWT difference in hypertensive patients compared with healthy controls.
      Statistical analysis including Bland-Altman analysis, t-test, and sample size
      calculation were performed for the purpose of algorithm evaluation. RESULTS: The
      mean distance between the manual and automatically detected lumen/outer wall
      contours was 0.00 +/- 0.23/0.09 +/- 0.21 mm for CCA and 0.12 +/- 0.24/0.14 +/-
      0.35 mm for DAO. No significant difference was observed between the interscan VWT
      assessment using automated segmentation for both CCA (P = 0.19) and DAO (P =
      0.94). Both manual and automated segmentation detected significantly higher
      carotid (P = 0.016 and P = 0.005) and aortic (P < 0.001 and P = 0.021) wall
      thickness in the hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: A reliable and reproducible
      pipeline for fully automatic vessel wall quantification was developed and
      validated on healthy volunteers as well as patients with increased vessel wall
      thickness. This method holds promise for helping in efficient image
      interpretation for large-scale cohort studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 J. Magn.
      Reson. Imaging 2017;45:215-228.

PMID- 27251902
TI  - Early pathology in sleep studies of patients with familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob
      disease.
AB  - In this study, we aimed to assess sleep function in patients with recent-onset
      familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (fCJD). The largest cluster of fCJD patients
      is found in Jews of Libyan origin, linked to the prion protein gene (PRNP) E200K
      mutation. The high index of suspicion in these patients often leads to early
      diagnosis, with complaints of insomnia being a very common presenting symptom of
      the disease. The study included 10 fCJD patients diagnosed by clinical
      manifestations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain, elevated tau
      protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positive PRNP E200K mutation.
      Standard polysomnography was performed after a brief interview confirming the
      presence of sleep disturbances. All patients showed a pathological sleep pattern
      according to all scoring evaluation settings. The sleep stages were characterized
      by (i) disappearance of sleep spindles; (ii) outbursts of periodic sharp waves
      and shallowing of sleep consisting in increased Stage 2 and wake periods during
      the night, as well as decrease of slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM)
      sleep. Recordings of respiratory functions reported irregular breathing with
      central and obstructive apnea and hypopnea. The typical hypotonia occurring
      during the night and atonia during REM sleep were replaced by hyperactive sleep
      consisting of multiple jerks, movements and parasomnia (mainly talking)
      throughout the night. In conclusion, we report unique pathological sleep patterns
      in early fCJD associated with the E200K mutation. Specific respiratory
      disturbances and lack of atonia could possibly serve as new, early diagnostic
      tools in the disease.

PMID- 27251903
TI  - Clinical toxicity following analytically confirmed use of the synthetic
      cannabinoid receptor agonist MDMB-CHMICA. A report from the Identification Of
      Novel psychoActive substances (IONA) study.
AB  - CONTEXT: Recreational use of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptors Agonists (SCRAs) has
      become increasingly common in many countries and may cause severe toxic effects.
      OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features of toxicity in seven men after
      analytically confirmed exposure to MDMB-CHMICA, a recently described indole-based
      SCRA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical information and biological samples (blood,
      urine) were collected from patients with severe toxicity after suspected use of
      novel psychoactive substances. Samples were analyzed by data-independent liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). CASE REPORTS: All seven cases
      were men who presented to hospitals in England between July and October 2015; six
      reported smoking "legal high" products. In all cases, MDMB-CHMICA was identified
      in blood samples taken on admission to hospital. Other substances were identified
      in four cases (methadone 1, methiopropamine 1, other SCRAs 2). Clinical features
      in all seven cases and in the three exposed to MDMB-CHIMICA alone included
      acidosis (7/7 and 3/3) which was respiratory (3/7 and 3/3), metabolic (3/7 and
      0/3) or mixed (1/7, 0/3), reduced level of consciousness (6/7 and 3/3), mydriasis
      (5/7 and 3/3), tachycardia (5/7 and 2/3), bradycardia (2/7 and 1/3), tonic-clonic
      convulsions (2/7 and 1/3) and agitation (3/7 and 1/3). Recovery occurred within
      24 h in all cases except one male also exposed to methiopropamine. CONCLUSIONS:
      Analytically confirmed exposure to MDMB-CHMICA was associated with acidosis
      (often of respiratory origin), reduced level of consciousness, mydriasis, heart
      rate disturbances and convulsions.

PMID- 27251904
TI  - Clinical leishmaniasis in dogs living in the UK.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of leishmaniasis in dogs in the UK and
      to describe clinical presentation, clinicopathological abnormalities, therapeutic
      protocols and outcome in this non-endemic country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical
      records of dogs diagnosed with leishmaniasis at seven referral centres in the UK
      were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The prevalence was between 0.007 and
      0.04% with a higher number of cases in southern England. All dogs had a history
      of travel to or from an endemic country. Lethargy, dermatological disease,
      decreased appetite and lameness were the most common reasons for presentation.
      Allopurinol was used alone for treatment in the majority of cases. CLINICAL
      SIGNIFICANCE: Although rare, leishmaniasis should be considered in dogs in the UK
      if they have compatible clinical signs and history of travel to or from endemic
      areas.

PMID- 27251906
TI  - Clinician scientists in training.

PMID- 27251907
TI  - Ambitions for palliative and end-of-life care.

PMID- 27251905
TI  - Insights into autophagosome biogenesis from in vitro reconstitutions.
AB  - Macro-autophagy (autophagy) is a conserved catabolic pathway for the degradation
      of cytoplasmic material in the lysosomal system. This is achieved by the
      sequestration of the cytoplasmic cargo material within double membrane-bound
      vesicles that fuse with lysosomes, wherein the vesicle's inner membrane and the
      cargo are degraded. Autophagosomes form in a de novo manner and their precursors
      are initially detected as small membrane structures that are referred to as
      isolation membranes. The isolation membranes gradually expand and subsequently
      close to give rise to autophagosomes. Many proteins required to form
      autophagosomes have been identified but how they act mechanistically is still
      enigmatic. Here we critically review reconstitution approaches employed to
      decipher the inner working of the fascinating autophagy machinery.

PMID- 27251908
TI  - The combined medical/PhD degree: a global survey of physician-scientist training
      programmes.
AB  - Typically lasting 7-9 years, medical-scientist training programmes (MSTPs) allow
      students a unique opportunity to simultaneously intercalate medical (MBBS, MBChB
      or MD) and research (PhD) degrees. The nature of both degrees means that the
      combined programme is arduous, and selection is often restricted to a few highly
      motivated students. Despite the many successes of MSTPs, enthusiasm about MSTPs
      and the number of intercalating students, at least in some countries, appear to
      be diminishing. In this review, I shed light on MSTPs around the world, highlight
      the plethora of successes such programmes have had and provide insights on the
      setbacks experienced and solutions offered, with the aim of reigniting interest
      in these programmes. 

PMID- 27251909
TI  - Blurred lines: the General Medical Council guidance on doctors and social media .
AB  - Digital technology in the early 21st century has introduced significant changes
      to everyday life and the ways in which we practise medicine. It is important that
      the ease and practicality of accessing and disseminating information does not
      intrude on the high standards expected of doctors, and that the boundaries
      between professional and public life do not become blurred through the increasing
      adoption of social media. This said, as with any such profound disruption, the
      social media age could be responsible for driving a new understanding of what it
      means to be a medical professional. 

PMID- 27251910
TI  - Randomised controlled trial of GP-led in-hospital management of homeless people
      ('Pathway').
AB  - Homeless people have complex problems. GP enhanced care (Pathway) has shown
      benefits. We performed a randomised, -parallel arm trial at two large inner city
      hospitals. Inpatient homeless adults were randomly allocated to either standard
      care (all management by the hospital-based clinical team) or enhanced care with
      input from a homeless care team. The hospital data system provided healthcare
      usage information, and we used questionnaires to assess quality of life. 206
      patients were allocated to enhanced care and 204 to usual care. Length of stay
      (up to 90 days after admission) did not differ between groups (standard care 14.0
      days, enhanced care 13.3 days). Average reattendance at the emergency department
      within a year was 5.8 visits in the standard care group and 4.8 visits with
      enhanced care, but this decrease was not significant. -Quality of life scores
      after discharge (in 108 patients) improved with enhanced care (EQ-5D-5L score
      increased by 0.12 [95% CI 0.032 to 0.22] compared wtih 0.03 [-0.1 to 0.15;
      p=0.076] with standard care). The proportion of people sleeping on the streets
      after discharge was 14.6% in the standard care arm and 3.8% in the enhanced care
      arm (p=0.034). The quality-of-life cost per quality-adjusted life-year was
      L26,000. The Pathway approach doesn't alter length of stay but improves quality
      of life and reduces street -homelessness. 

PMID- 27251911
TI  - An in vitro analysis of the effect of acidosis on coagulation in chronic disease
      states - a thromboelastograph study.
AB  - Thrombosis is a complication of many chronic illnesses. Chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes mellitus are common medical conditions
      frequently associated with a hypercoagulable state. Acidaemia has been shown to
      reduce coagulation. COPD and diabetes mellitus during acute deterioration can
      present with a severe acidaemia. The impact of this acidaemia on coagulation is
      poorly studied. Patients presenting with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis or
      type II respiratory failure from COPD and a pH of less than 7.2 were included in
      our study. A coagulation screen and a thromboelastograph (TEG) were performed on
      admission and 24 hours later. The mean pH on admission was 7.07 and mean base
      excess was -16.3. The activated partial thromboplastin time was associated with
      pH change but remained within the normal range (26-41 s). All other coagulation
      and TEG parameters failed to show evidence of association (p>0.05). In the two
      models of non-haemorrhagic acidosis investigated, coagulation was not altered by
      the changes in pH. More work is needed to understand the complex relationship
      between factors affecting coagulation in individual disease processes. 

PMID- 27251912
TI  - Service contribution and cost-effectiveness of specialist registrars in NHS
      trusts: a survey and costing analysis.
AB  - Since the introduction of the European Working Time Directive, specialist
      registrars arguably contribute less to clinical service. The purpose of this
      study was to broadly quantify the service contribution of specialist registrars
      across a range of specialties and their value to an NHS organisation. A
      questionnaire-based survey of the clinical activities of specialist registrars in
      a large NHS trust was undertaken. Simple costing analyses of this -clinical
      activity were performed. Responses from 66 specialist registrars in 24
      specialties showed an average of 51% overall clinical autonomy. Trainees attended
      an average of 2.7 outpatient clinics per week and spent 3.5 sessions a week doing
      ward work. Medical trainees took more referrals and attended more clinics. An
      analysis of costings suggested that surgical trainees might have generated around
      L700,000 income per year for the trust. Overall, specialist registrars make a
      substantial contribution to NHS clinical service and are cost-effective. 

PMID- 27251913
TI  - The holistic management of consequences of cancer treatment by a gastrointestinal
      and nutrition team: a financially viable approach to an enormous problem?
AB  - There is no national NHS tariff to fund services for patients experiencing long
      term bowel and nutritional problems after cancer treatment. In this paper, we
      report the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients referred to our
      service and the estimated cost of a completed episode of care. Patient
      characteristics, symptom severity, investigations, diagnoses, number of clinic
      visits and referrals elsewhere were recorded in a prospective cohort study.
      During 2013-14, 325 patients completed assessment and treatment. The majority of
      original cancer diagnoses were urological (43%) and gynaecological (21%). A
      median of six investigations were requested. 62% were found to have three or more
      new diagnoses including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (46%), vitamin D
      deficiency (38%), bile acid malabsorption (28%), gastritis (22%), radiation
      induced bleeding (20%), vitamin B12 deficiency (17%), pelvic floor weakness
      (17%), colorectal polyps (13%) and pancreatic insufficiency (5%). A median of
      three visits were required and all commonly reported gastrointestinal symptoms
      improved by discharge. The mean episode of care per patient was costed at L1,563.
      Effective amelioration of chronic gastrointestinal toxicity after cancer
      treatment costs substantially less than treating the cancer in the first place
      and requires an NHS tariff. 

PMID- 27251914
TI  - Drug treatments in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Despite the significant public health issue that it poses, only five medical
      treatments have been approved for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and these act to
      control symptoms rather than alter the course of the disease. Studies of
      potential disease-modifying therapy have generally been undertaken in patients
      with clinically detectable disease, yet evidence suggests that the pathological
      changes associated with AD begin several years before this. It is possible that
      pharmacological therapy may be beneficial in this pre-clinical stage before the
      neurodegenerative process is established. Techniques providing earlier diagnosis,
      such as cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and amyloid positron emission tomography
      neuroimaging, are key to testing this theory in clinical trials. Recent results
      from trials of agents such as aducanumab are encouraging but must also be
      interpreted with caution. Such medicines could potentially delay the onset of
      dementia and would therefore markedly reduce its prevalence. However, we
      currently remain a good distance away from clinically available disease-modifying
      therapy. 

PMID- 27251915
TI  - Care of dying adults in the last days of life .
AB  - Care of people in their last days of life should be based on compassion, respect
      and, wherever possible, on research evidence. Previously the Liverpool Care
      Pathway attempted to facilitate this but it was withdrawn after an independent
      government report found that its uncritical implementation could lead to poor
      care. This Concise Guideline overviews NICE Clinical Guideline (NG31), which
      addresses: recognising dying; communication and shared decision making;
      maintaining hydration; and pharmacological symptom control, including
      anticipatory prescribing. Doctors may need to change their attitudes to care of
      dying people and those important to them. Specific areas where practices will
      need to reflect the individualised approach to care are highlighted. Limitations
      of the guideline are discussed. Potential barriers to implementation include need
      for further training and 24/7 availability of specialist support to front-line
      clinicians. 

PMID- 27251916
TI  - Neuromuscular conditions for physicians - what you need to know.
AB  - The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the British Society of Rehabilitation
      Medicine co-hosted a meeting entitled 'Neuromuscular conditions for physicians -
      what you need to know' at the RCP on 30 November 2015. There was a series of
      talks, ranging from in-depth genetic and molecular descriptions of pathology to
      multidisciplinary management of chronic neuromuscular conditions, which
      stimulated lively debate and discussion. Some overarching themes emerged from the
      day, most notably: i) the changing expectations and survival rates in Duchenne
      muscular dystrophy (DMD), which are transforming this disorder into an adult as
      much as a paediatric condition; ii) the need for integrated management and good
      communication -between services - whether primary, secondary and tertiary care,
      medical teams and intensivists, or the multiple teams involved in providing
      treatment to neuromuscular patients; and iii) in line with the above, the
      essential need for streamlining care such that patients can avoid spending most
      of their time attending outpatient appointments, and instead concentrate on
      living full lives and exploring educational, occupational, leisure and social
      opportunities. 

PMID- 27251917
TI  - Polycystic ovary syndrome: insight into pathogenesis and a common association
      with insulin resistance.
AB  - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that typically develops in
      reproductive-age women. The cardinal clinical and biochemical characteristics of
      PCOS include reproductive dysfunction and hyperandrogenic features. PCOS is also
      strongly associated with obesity based on data from epidemiological and genetic
      studies. Accordingly, PCOS often becomes manifest in those women who carry a
      genetic predisposition to its development, and who also gain weight. The role of
      weight gain and obesity in the development of PCOS is mediated at least in part,
      through worsening of insulin resistance. Compensatory hyperinsulinaemia that
      develops in this context disrupts ovarian function, with enhanced androgen
      production and arrest of ovarian follicular development. Insulin resistance also
      contributes to the strong association of PCOS with adverse metabolic risk,
      including dysglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and fatty liver. Conversely, modest weight
      loss of just 5% body weight with improvement in insulin sensitivity, frequently
      results in clinically meaningful improvements in hyperandrogenic, reproductive
      and metabolic features. Future developments of novel therapies for obese women
      with PCOS should focus on promotion of weight loss and improvement in insulin
      sensitivity. In this context, therapies that complement lifestyle changes such as
      dietary modification and exercise, particularly during the maintenance phase of
      weight loss are important. Putative novel targets for therapy in PCOS include
      human brown adipose tissue. 

PMID- 27251918
TI  - The role of catheter ablation in the management of atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation is driven by spontaneous electrical activation emerging from
      the pulmonary veins. Catheter ablation using either radiofrequency or cryothermal
      energy electrically isolates these veins from the left atrium, both reducing the
      burden of atrial fibrillation episodes and improving the patient's symptoms.
      Catheter ablation is superior to antiarryhthmic drugs when patients are carefully
      selected. Underlying medical problems - including obesity, hypertension and
      obstructive sleep apnoea - should be optimally treated before considering
      ablation. Although this treatment has the potential to cure patients of their
      symptoms, they should be aware of the important associated procedural
      complications. 

PMID- 27251919
TI  - The importance of interactions between atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
AB  - Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are among the commonest
      cardiovascular conditions encountered in clinical practice and frequently
      coexist. Over the last decade, they have evolved into global cardiovascular
      epidemics. This, in turn, has huge clinical and economic implications. There is
      ample evidence that AF and HF have a mutually deleterious effect on each other.
      AF is not only a marker of HF severity but also affects HF prognosis
      independently. This article presents the close pathophysiological relationship
      between AF and HF and the adverse prognostic consequences of this bidirectional
      interaction. The scope of various therapeutic modalities and their potential
      impacts are discussed briefly. 

PMID- 27251920
TI  - ST elevation myocardial infarction.
AB  - ST segment elevation myocardial infarction remains a significant contributor to
      morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite a declining incidence and better
      survival rates. It usually results from thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery
      at the site of a ruptured or eroded plaque. Diagnosis is based on characteristic
      symptoms and electrocardiogram changes, and confirmed subsequently by raised
      cardiac enzymes. Prognosis is dependent on the size of the infarct, presence of
      collaterals and speed with which the occluded artery is reopened. Mechanical
      reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention is superior to
      fibrinolytic therapy if delivered by an experienced team in a timely fashion.
      Post-reperfusion care includes monitoring for complications, evaluation of left
      ventricular function, secondary preventive therapy and cardiac rehabilitation. 

PMID- 27251921
TI  - New approaches to predicting the risk of sudden death.
AB  - In this review article, we will explore some of the contemporary methods for
      predicting sudden cardiac death (SCD). These include experimental methods yet to
      be adopted in the clinical setting, and methods that have been extrapolated from
      observational data in those with a history of SCD. We will discuss how these
      relate to the different aetiologies and disease processes. We will also explore
      how these may be used in the clinical setting to decide on management. 

PMID- 27251922
TI  - CME Cardiology (100622): self-assessment questionnaire.

PMID- 27251923
TI  - Lesson of the month 1: Post-malaria neurological syndromes.
AB  - There are three neurological syndromes that may follow -malarial infection after
      recovery and at a time when the patient is aparasitaemic. An acute disseminated
      encephalopathy; a cerebellar syndrome; and an acute demyelinating polyneuropathy.
      This paper reports a 42-year-old male patient who developed encephalopathy. 

PMID- 27251924
TI  - Lesson of the month 2: Houssay phenomenon - hypopitutarism leading to remission
      of diabetes.
AB  - Because of a pituitary insult and the subsequent loss of counter-regulatory
      hormones, individuals can experience increased sensitivity to insulin,
      hypoglycaemia or even complete amelioration of diabetes; this is known as the
      Houssay phenomenon. Severe dehydration following diarrhoea can lead to pituitary
      infarction causing hypopituitarism. We describe this situation in a patient with
      insulin-treated type-2 diabetes presenting with recurrent hypoglycaemia and
      cessation of insulin requirement along with weight loss, hypotension and
      hyponatraemia. Pituitary imaging revealed a partial empty sella and a synacthen
      stimulation test revealed an initial positive response but later loss of
      response, proving recent-onset pituitary dysfunction. Physicians should keep this
      possibility in mind while treating hypoglycaemia in stable diabetic individuals.
      Judicious supplementation of deficient hormones is of utmost importance. 

PMID- 27251925
TI  - Image of the month: Alternating bifid pulse - a novel -manifestation of low
      cardiac output states.

PMID- 27251926
TI  - Case series of short synacthen tests supports using 9 am cortisol level to
      exclude adrenal insufficiency.

PMID- 27251927
TI  - A symptom observation chart to support an individualised approach to care for
      dying patients in hospital.

PMID- 27251928
TI  - A cough that doesn't fit the mould.

PMID- 27251929
TI  - Response.

PMID- 27251930
TI  - Heart failure - what the general physician needs to know.

PMID- 27251931
TI  - Embedding comprehensive geriatric assessment in the emergency assessment unit:
      the impact of the COPE zone.

PMID- 27251932
TI  - Response.

PMID- 27251933
TI  - Embedding comprehensive geriatric assessment in the emergency assessment unit:
      the impact of the COPE zone.

PMID- 27251934
TI  - Response.

PMID- 27251935
TI  - Incorrect primer sequences in the article on methylprednisolone treatment.

PMID- 27251936
TI  - Extrapolating human judgments from skip-gram vector representations of word
      meaning.
AB  - There is a growing body of research in psychology that attempts to extrapolate
      human lexical judgments from computational models of semantics. This research can
      be used to help develop comprehensive norm sets for experimental research, it has
      applications to large-scale statistical modelling of lexical access and has broad
      value within natural language processing and sentiment analysis. However, the
      value of extrapolated human judgments has recently been questioned within
      psychological research. Of primary concern is the fact that extrapolated
      judgments may not share the same pattern of statistical relationship with lexical
      and semantic variables as do actual human judgments; often the error component in
      extrapolated judgments is not psychologically inert, making such judgments
      problematic to use for psychological research. We present a new methodology for
      extrapolating human judgments that partially addresses prior concerns of
      validity. We use this methodology to extrapolate human judgments of valence,
      arousal, dominance, and concreteness for 78,286 words. We also provide resources
      for users to extrapolate these human judgments for three million English words
      and short phrases. Applications for large sets of extrapolated human judgments
      are demonstrated and discussed.

PMID- 27251937
TI  - Biological invasion by a benthivorous fish reduced the cover and species richness
      of aquatic plants in most lakes of a large North American ecoregion.
AB  - Biological invasions are projected to be the main driver of biodiversity and
      ecosystem function loss in lakes in the 21st century. However, the extent of
      these future losses is difficult to quantify because most invasions are recent
      and confounded by other stressors. In this study, we quantified the outcome of a
      century-old invasion, the introduction of common carp to North America, to
      illustrate potential consequences of introducing non-native ecosystem engineers
      to lakes worldwide. We used the decline in aquatic plant richness and cover as an
      index of ecological impact across three ecoregions: Great Plains, Eastern
      Temperate Forests and Northern Forests. Using whole-lake manipulations, we
      demonstrated that both submersed plant cover and richness declined exponentially
      as carp biomass increased such that plant cover was reduced to <10% and species
      richness was halved in lakes in which carp biomass exceeded 190 kg ha-1 . Using
      catch rates amassed from 2000+ lakes, we showed that carp exceeded this biomass
      level in 70.6% of Great Plains lakes and 23.3% of Eastern Temperate Forests
      lakes, but 0% of Northern Forests lakes. Using model selection analysis, we
      showed that carp was a key driver of plant species richness along with Secchi
      depth, lake area and human development of lake watersheds. Model parameters
      showed that carp reduced species richness to a similar degree across lakes of
      various Secchi depths and surface areas. In regions dominated by carp (e.g.,
      Great Plains), carp had a stronger impact on plant richness than human watershed
      development. Overall, our analysis shows that the introduction of common carp
      played a key role in driving a severe reduction in plant cover and richness in a
      majority of Great Plains lakes and a large portion of Eastern Temperate Forests
      lakes in North America.

PMID- 27251939
TI  - Are electrophysiological criteria useful in distinguishing childhood
      demyelinating neuropathies?

PMID- 27251938
TI  - Subcutaneous vs. intravenous immunoglobulin in CIDP: pharmacokinetic and clinical
      response.

PMID- 27251940
TI  - KIR2DL2 and KIR2DS2 as genetic markers to the methotrexate response in rheumatoid
      arthritis patients.
AB  - CONTEXT: Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) are aimed to interfere
      with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression and reduce the joint damage; however,
      not all patients respond alike. Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR)
      and their ligands, human leucocyte antigen class I (HLA-I), have been associated
      with RA pathology; therefore, KIR and HLA genes may influence the treatment
      response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the association of KIR genotype and
      their ligands HLA-C genes with the response to DMARDs in RA patients. We included
      69 patients diagnosed with RA and 82 healthy individuals as the reference group.
      KIR and HLA-C genotyping was performed using SSP-PCR. RA patients were assessed
      at baseline and under treatment at 6 and 12 months; subsequently classified as
      responders and non-responders in each time period. We evaluated the association
      between DMARD response and genes using statistical analysis by using Fisher exact
      test with Bonferroni correction; results were regarded as statistically
      significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Significant difference was observed in gene
      frequencies of patients and the reference group, KIR2DL2 was associated with RA
      (p = 0.031, OR = 2.119). We also observed an association between KIR2DS2 and the
      response to methotrexate (MTX), moreover, the combination KIR2DL2+/KIR2DS2+ was
      more frequent in responders to MTX (p = 0.043). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In
      our results, responders and non-responders to DMARDs showed KIR2DS2 and KIR2DL2
      different gene frequencies, therefore, these genes could be used as response
      predictors to DMARDs treatment. Thus, these genes were also associated with
      disease severity, as well as the treatment response possibly by the
      immunoregulatory function of NK cells.

PMID- 27251941
TI  - The phosphatidylethanolamine derivative diDCP-LA-PE mimics intracellular insulin
      signaling.
AB  - Insulin facilitates glucose uptake into cells by translocating the glucose
      transporter GLUT4 towards the cell surface through a pathway along an insulin
      receptor (IR)/IR substrate 1 (IRS-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/3
      phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1)/Akt axis. The newly
      synthesized phosphatidylethanolamine derivative 1,2-O-bis-[8-{2-(2-pentyl
      cyclopropylmethyl)-cyclopropyl}-octanoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine
      (diDCP-LA-PE) has the potential to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B
      (PTP1B) and to directly activate PKCzeta, an atypical isozyme, and PKCepsilon, a
      novel isozyme. PTP1B inhibition enhanced insulin signaling cascades downstream
      IR/IRS-1 by preventing tyrosine dephosphorylation. PKCzeta and PKCepsilon
      directly activated Akt2 by phosphorylating at Thr309 and Ser474, respectively.
      diDCP-LA-PE increased cell surface localization of GLUT4 and stimulated glucose
      uptake into differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, still with knocking-down IR or in
      the absence of insulin. Moreover, diDCP-LA-PE effectively reduced serum glucose
      levels in type 1 diabetes (DM) model mice. diDCP-LA-PE, thus, may enable type 1
      DM therapy without insulin injection.

PMID- 27251942
TI  - Heterogeneous Uptake of Gas-Phase Acetic Acid on the Surface of alpha-Al2 O3
      Particles: Temperature Effects.
AB  - Heterogeneous reactions are thought to play a significant role in the formation
      of haze, especially in wintertime, which suggests that temperature may affect the
      heterogeneous formation of organic aerosols. As the most-abundant carboxylic acid
      in the Earth's atmosphere, we chose acetic acid to study the effect of
      temperature on its heterogeneous reaction with alpha-Al2 O3 between 248 and 298
      K. The products were characterized by in situ DRIFTS, which indicated that
      lowering the temperature slowed the formation of acetate, but promoted the
      formation of crystalline acetic acid. Moreover, low temperatures promoted a
      different reaction mechanism to that at room temperature. Owing to the formation
      of chain structures at low temperatures, crystalline acetic acid molecules
      covered the surface active sites on alpha-Al2 O3 , thereby inhibiting the
      formation of acetate. However, crystalline acetic acid reacted with alpha-Al2 O3
      itself in a sequential manner. Furthermore, the reactive uptake coefficients,
      active energies, and acetic acid lifetimes at different temperatures were
      investigated.

PMID- 27251943
TI  - Nebivolol and Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Essential Hypertension: A
      Reputation Saver of beta-Blockers?

PMID- 27251944
TI  - Microfluidic solutions enabling continuous processing and monitoring of
      biological samples: A review.
AB  - The last decade has witnessed tremendous advances in employing microfluidic
      solutions enabling Continuous Processing and Monitoring of Biological Samples
      (CPMBS), which is an essential requirement for the control of bio-processes. The
      microfluidic systems are superior to the traditional inline sensors due to their
      ability to implement complex analytical procedures, such as multi-step sample
      preparation, and enabling the online measurement of parameters. This manuscript
      provides a backgound review of microfluidic approaches employing laminar flow,
      hydrodynamic separation, acoustophoresis, electrophoresis, dielectrophoresis,
      magnetophoresis and segmented flow for the continuous processing and monitoring
      of biological samples. The principles, advantages and limitations of each
      microfluidic approach are described along with its potential applications. The
      challenges in the field and the future directions are also provided.

PMID- 27251945
TI  - Ethylene glycol assisted preparation of Ti(4+)-modified polydopamine coated
      magnetic particles with rough surface for capture of phosphorylated proteins.
AB  - The reversible protein phosphorylation is very important in regulating almost all
      aspects of cell life, while the enrichment of phosphorylated proteins still
      remains a technical challenge. In this work, polydopamine (PDA) modified magnetic
      particles with rough surface (rPDA@Fe3O4) were synthesized by introduction of
      ethylene glycol in aqueous solution. The PDA coating possessing a wealth of
      catechol hydroxyl groups could serve as an active medium to immobilize titanium
      ions through the metal-catechol chelation, which makes the fabrication of
      titanium ions modified rPDA@Fe3O4 particles (Ti(4+)-rPDA@Fe3O4) simple and very
      convenient. The spherical Ti(4+)-rPDA@Fe3O4 particles have a surface area of 37.7
      m(2) g(-1) and superparamagnetism with a saturation magnetization value of 38.4
      emu g(-1). The amount of Ti element in the particle was measured to be 3.93%. And
      the particles demonstrated good water dispersibility. The particles were used as
      adsorbents for capture of phosphorylated proteins and they demonstrated affinity
      and specificity for phosphorylated proteins due to the specific binding sites
      (Ti(4+)). Factors affecting the adsorption of phosphorylated proteins on Ti(4+)
      rPDA@Fe3O4 particles were investigated. The adsorption capacity of Ti(4+)
      rPDA@Fe3O4 particles for kappa-casein was 1105.6 mg g(-1). Furthermore, the
      particles were successfully applied to isolate phosphorylated proteins in milk
      samples, which demonstrated that Ti(4+)-rPDA@Fe3O4 particles had potential
      application in selective separation of phosphorylated proteins. 

PMID- 27251946
TI  - Quantification of monosialogangliosides in human plasma through chemical
      derivatization for signal enhancement in LC-ESI-MS.
AB  - Gangliosides are found in abundance in the central nervous system of vertebrates.
      Their metabolic disruption and dysfunction are associated with various
      neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
      In order to improve our understanding of the etiology of these diseases,
      analytical ganglioside assays with sufficient specificity and sensitivity in
      relevant biological matrices are required. In the present work we have developed
      and validated a reverse-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography
      (UPLC)/tandem mass spectrometry (MS) method for determining monosialogangliosides
      GM1, GM2, and GM3 present in human plasma. Compared with our previous method,
      this method enhanced, by 15 fold, MS responses of the analytes by employing 2-(2
      Pyridilamino)-ethylamine (PAEA) & 4-(4, 6-Dimethoxy-1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl)-4
      methylmorpholinium chloride (DMTMM)-based derivatization. The analytes and
      internal standards were derivatized with PAEA&DMTMM after extraction from plasma
      using a protein precipitation procedure. They were then purified using liquid
      liquid partitioning. When the samples were then analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS with a
      multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, we achieved superior sensitivity and
      specificity. This method was evaluated for extraction recovery, calibration
      linearity, precision, accuracy, and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ). The
      validated method was successfully applied to monitor monosialoganglioside levels
      in the plasma from patients with GM3 synthase deficiency. With significantly
      increased sensitivity, we have, for the first time, detected a significant amount
      of GM3 in the affected patients. 

PMID- 27251947
TI  - A pyrene-benzthiazolium conjugate portraying aggregation induced emission, a
      ratiometric detection and live cell visualization of HSO3(.).
AB  - The present study deals with the photophysical property of a pyrene
      benzthiazolium conjugate R1, as a strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT)
      probe exhibiting long wavelength emission in the red region. Unlike traditional
      planar polyaromatic hydrocarbons whose aggregation generally quenches the light
      emission, the pyrene based R1 was found to display aggregation-induced emission
      (AIE) property along with simultaneous increase in its quantum yield upon
      increasing the water content of the medium. The R1 exhibits high specificity
      towards HSO3(-)/SO3(2-) by interrupting its own ICT producing there upon a large
      ratiometric blue shift of ~220 nm in its emission spectrum. The lowest detection
      limit for the above measurement was found to be 8.90 * 10(-8) M. The fluorescent
      detection of HSO3(-) was also demonstrated excellently by test paper strip and
      silica coated TLC plate incorporating R1. The live cell imaging of HSO3(?)
      through R1 in HeLa cells was studied using fluorescence microscopic studies. The
      particle size and morphological features of R1 and R1-HSO3(-) aggregates in
      aqueous solution were characterized by DLS along with SEM analysis. 

PMID- 27251948
TI  - A homogeneous and "off-on" fluorescence aptamer-based assay for chloramphenicol
      using vesicle quantum dot-gold colloid composite probes.
AB  - In this work, a novel homogeneous and signal "off-on" aptamer based fluorescence
      assay was successfully developed to detect chloramphenicol (CAP) residues in food
      based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The vesicle
      nanotracer was prepared through labeling single stranded DNA binding protein
      (SSB) on limposome-CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (SSB/L-QD) complexes. It was worth
      mentioning that the signal tracer (SSB/L-QD) with vesicle shape, which was
      fabricated being encapsulated with a number of quantum dots and SSB. The
      nanotracer has excellent signal amplification effects. The vesicle composite
      probe was formed by combining aptamer labeled nano-gold (Au-Apt) and SSB/L-QD.
      Which based on SSB's specific affinity towards aptamer. This probe can't emit
      fluoresce which is in "off" state because the signal from SSB/L-QD as donor can
      be quenched by the Au-aptas acceptor. When CAP was added in the composite probe
      solution, the aptamer on the Au-Apt can be preferentially bounded with CAP then
      release from the composite probe, which can turn the "off" signal of SSB/L-QD
      tracer into "on" state. The assay indicates excellent linear response to CAP from
      0.001 nM to 10 nM and detection limit down to 0.3 pM. The vesicle probes with
      size of 88 nm have strong signal amplification. Because a larger number of QDs
      can be labeled inside the double phosphorus lipid membrane. Besides, it was
      employed to detect CAP residues in the milk samples with results being agreed
      well with those from ELISA, verifying its accuracy and reliability. 

PMID- 27251949
TI  - Radiosynthesis and in vivo Evaluation of Carbon-11 (2S)-3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-{[(4
      methoxyphenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-{[1-(5-methoxypyridin-2
      yl)cyclohexyl]methyl}propanamide: An Attempt to Visualize Brain Formyl Peptide
      Receptors in Mouse Models of Neuroinflammation.
AB  - Here, we describe the very first attempt to visualize in vivo formyl peptide
      receptors (FPRs) in mouse brain by positron emission tomography (PET). FPRs are
      expressed in microglial cells where they mediate chemotactic activity of beta
      amyloid peptide in Alzheimer disease and, thus, are involved in neuroinflammatory
      processes. To this purpose, we have selected (2S)-3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-{[(4
      methoxyphenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-{[1-(5-methoxypyridin-2
      yl)cyclohexyl]methyl}propanamide ((S)-1), that we have previously identified as a
      potent non-peptidic FPR agonist. (S)-[(11) C]-1 has been prepared in high
      radiochemical yield. (S)-[(11) C]-1 showed very low penetration of blood-brain
      barrier and, thus, was unable to accumulate into the brain. In addition, (S)
      [(11) C]-1 was not able to label FPRs receptors in brain slices of PS19 and APP23
      mice, two animal models of Alzheimer disease. Although (S)-[(11) C]-1 was not
      suitable to visualize FPRs in the brain, this study provides useful information
      for the design and characterization of future potential PET radioligands for
      visualization of brain FPRs by PET. 

PMID- 27251950
TI  - Newly identified motifs in Candida albicans Cdr1 protein nucleotide binding
      domains are pleiotropic drug resistance subfamily-specific and functionally
      asymmetric.
AB  - An analysis of Candida albicans ABC transporters identified conserved related
      alpha-helical sequence motifs immediately C-terminal of each Walker A sequence.
      Despite the occurrence of these motifs in ABC subfamilies of other yeasts and
      higher eukaryotes, their roles in protein function remained unexplored. In this
      study we have examined the functional significance of these motifs in the C.
      albicans PDR transporter Cdr1p. The motifs present in NBD1 and NBD2 were
      subjected to alanine scanning mutagenesis, deletion, or replacement of an entire
      motif. Systematic replacement of individual motif residues with alanine did not
      affect the function of Cdr1p but deletion of the M1-motif in NBD1 (M1-Del)
      resulted in Cdr1p being trapped within the endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast,
      deletion of the M2-motif in NBD2 (M2-Del) yielded a non-functional protein with
      normal plasma membrane localization. Replacement of the motif in M1-Del with six
      alanines (M1-Ala) significantly improved localization of the protein and
      partially restored function. Conversely, replacement of the motif in M2-Del with
      six alanines (M2-Ala) did not reverse the phenotype and susceptibility to
      antifungal substrates of Cdr1p was unchanged. Together, the M1 and M2 motifs
      contribute to the functional asymmetry of NBDs and are important for maturation
      of Cdr1p and ATP catalysis, respectively.

PMID- 27251951
TI  - Modification of the pT2 substage classification in prostate adenocarcinoma.
AB  - The current substage classification of pT2 prostate cancer (AJCC, 7th edition,
      2010) into pT2a (unilateral tumors <1/2 of lobe), pT2b (unilateral tumors >=1/2
      of lobe), and pT2c (bilateral tumors) is of questionable relevance. Many studies
      show no difference in prognosis between substages, and incidence of pT2b prostate
      cancer is low. Other classification systems have been proposed based on tumor
      volume, as measured by dominant nodule size or tumor percentage. We characterized
      pT2b tumors and assessed the utility of current pT2 substaging in predicting
      biochemical recurrence-free survival after radical prostatectomy and compared
      them with different substaging methods based on tumor volume. Patients with pT2
      tumors were selected among patients who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1998
      to 2008. Dominant nodule size was dichotomized as <1.6 cm versus >=1.6 cm. Tumor
      percentage was dichotomized as <=25% versus >25%. Kaplan-Meier analysis and
      multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate
      pathological parameters predictive of biochemical recurrence-free survival. Of
      785 patients who met criteria, 145 (18.5%) were pT2a, 15 (1.9%) were pT2b, and
      625 (79.6%) were pT2c. The pT2 substages were not significant predictors of
      biochemical recurrence-free survival on univariate or multivariate analysis. In a
      multivariate model, tumor percentage >25% (P=.002) was associated with decreased
      biochemical recurrence-free survival. In patients with stage pT2 prostate cancer,
      the current substaging method lacks predictive value for biochemical recurrence
      free survival after accounting for other pathologic and clinical predictors.
      However, tumor percentage (<=25% versus >25%) is a promising approach to
      substaging of pT2 prostate cancer based on its prognostic significance.

PMID- 27251952
TI  - Association of rs6983267 Polymorphism and Thyroid Cancer Susceptibility: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND Recent genome-wide association studies have identified rs6983267
      polymorphism as a key locus in the 8q24 region associated with multisite cancers.
      However, the information on its association with thyroid cancer is inconclusive.
      The aim of this study was to determine whether this locus is a risk factor for
      susceptibility to thyroid cancer by conducting a meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase
      databases. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval
      (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS A total of 4 studies including 2825 cases and
      9684 controls were enrolled to this meta-analysis. The pooled data showed the G
      allele of the rs6983267 polymorphism is a risk factor for susceptibility to
      thyroid cancer (OR=1.08, 95%CI: 1.02-1.16, P=0.01). Significant associations were
      also found in homozygote comparison (GG vs. TT: OR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.03-1.33,
      P=0.02) and dominant model (GG+GT vs. TT: OR=1.13, 95%CI: 1.01-1.26, P=0.03).
      Borderline significant associations in similar directions were found in the
      recessive model (GG vs. GT+TT: OR=1.10, 95%CI: 0.99-1.22, P=0.07) and
      heterozygote comparison (GT vs. TT: OR=1.10, 95%CI: 0.99-1.24, P=0.09).
      CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis shows that the rs6983267 G>T polymorphism might be
      associated with higher risk of thyroid cancer. Further research with larger
      sample sizes and full investigation of confounding risk factors is needed to
      confirm or revise our conclusions. 

PMID- 27251953
TI  - Biomolecule-assisted synthesis of defect-mediated Cd1-xZnxS/MoS2/graphene hollow
      spheres for highly efficient hydrogen evolution.
AB  - Moderate efficiency and the utilization of noble metal cocatalysts are the key
      factors that restrict the large-scale application of photocatalytic hydrogen
      production. To develop more efficient photocatalysts based on earth abundant
      elements, either a new material strategy or a fundamental understanding of the
      semiconductor/cocatalyst interfaces is highly desirable. In this paper, we
      studied the feasibility of in situ formation of defect-rich cocatalysts on
      graphene-based photocatalysts. A facile biomolecule-assisted strategy was used to
      self-assmble Cd1-xZnxS/MoS2/graphene hollow spheres. The defect-mediated
      cocatalyst and synergetic charge transfer around heterostructured interfaces
      exhibit a significant impact on the visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity
      of multicomponent solid solutions. With engineered interfacial defects,
      Cd0.8Zn0.2S/MoS2/graphene hollow spheres exhibited a 63-fold improved H2
      production rate, which was even 2 and 3.8 times higher than those of
      CdS/MoS2/graphene hollow spheres and Cd0.8Zn0.2S/Pt. Therefore, our research
      provides a promising approach for the rational design of high-efficiency and low
      cost photocatalysts for solar fuel production. 

PMID- 27251954
TI  - Genetic surfing, not allopatric divergence, explains spatial sorting of
      mitochondrial haplotypes in venomous coralsnakes.
AB  - Strong spatial sorting of genetic variation in contiguous populations is often
      explained by local adaptation or secondary contact following allopatric
      divergence. A third explanation, spatial sorting by stochastic effects of range
      expansion, has been considered less often though theoretical models suggest it
      should be widespread, if ephemeral. In a study designed to delimit species within
      a clade of venomous coralsnakes, we identified an unusual pattern within the
      Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener): strong spatial sorting of divergent
      mitochondrial (mtDNA) lineages over a portion of its range, but weak sorting of
      these lineages elsewhere. We tested three alternative hypotheses to explain this
      pattern-local adaptation, secondary contact following allopatric divergence, and
      range expansion. Collectively, near panmixia of nuclear DNA, the signal of range
      expansion associated sampling drift, expansion origins in the Gulf Coast of
      Mexico, and species distribution modeling suggest that the spatial sorting of
      divergent mtDNA lineages within M. tener has resulted from genetic surfing of
      standing mtDNA variation-not local adaptation or allopatric divergence. Our
      findings highlight the potential for the stochastic effects of recent range
      expansion to mislead estimations of population divergence made from mtDNA, which
      may be exacerbated in systems with low vagility, ancestral mtDNA polymorphism,
      and male-biased dispersal.

PMID- 27251955
TI  - Association of pre-eclampsia with metabolic syndrome and increased risk of
      cardiovascular disease in women: A systemic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of
      death in women globally. Preeclampsia has been linked to increased risk of
      developing heart disease later in life. The best approach for the prevention of
      CVD after preeclampsia is yet unclear. Studies assessing CVD risk post
      preeclampsia have included metabolic risk factors that define the metabolic
      syndrome (MS). This review quantifies the association between preeclampsia and
      CVD in the context of metabolic risk factors that define the MS. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: PubMed database was searched for relevant articles from 1999 to March
      2015. The search phrase was "preeclampsia and MS." After two levels of screening
      by title and abstract, case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies that
      included at least 50 subjects were selected. RESULTS: Twenty-four articles that
      reported the prevalence or odds for MS and its components following a history of
      preeclampsia and the prevalence of preeclampsia in women with prepregnancy MS
      were selected. A total of 9 case-control, 11 cohort, and four cross-sectional
      studies were included. The prevalence of MS ranged from 10.9% to 27.3% after a
      preeclamptic pregnancy. About 88% of the case-control studies showed a
      statistically significant difference in prevalence of MS post preeclampsia
      whereas 75% of the cohort studies reported prevalence values >10% for the
      prevalence of MS post preeclampsia. The odds for developing MS post preeclampsia
      ranged from 1.23 to 3.60 and 83% of the studies reported an odds ratio >2. The
      prevalence of developing preeclampsia in women with prepregnancy MS ranged from
      26.7% to 45% compared to 4.7% to 17% among controls. CONCLUSION: The prevalence
      and odds for developing MS after a preeclamptic pregnancy are high suggesting
      that MS may be involved in the pathogenesis of CVD following preeclampsia. This
      will provide evidence on the potential health benefits of a modifiable CVD risk
      screening program for women with a history of preeclampsia.

PMID- 27251956
TI  - Effects of combined general anesthesia and thoracic epidural analgesia on
      cytokine response in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe postoperative pain is not often experienced in laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy. Anesthesia, surgery, and pain are stressful and cause different
      reactions in neuro-immuno-endocrine systems. Many factors such as the
      pharmacological effect of the drugs used, as well as the type and depth of
      anesthesia, can affect these reactions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the effect of the combination of general anesthesia and thoracic
      epidural analgesia (TEA) on cytokine reaction in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
      STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical comparative study. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Sixty adult patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
      were divided into four groups. Group saline (Group S), group fentanyl (Group F),
      group bupivacaine (Group B), and group levobupivacaine (Group L) were infused
      with saline, saline and fentanyl, bupivacaine and fentanyl, and levobupivacaine
      and fentanyl, respectively, via epidural catheter before surgical incision.
      RESULTS: There were no differences among groups in the demographic features,
      heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation values.
      Group L had lower visual analogue scale value compared to the other postoperative
      groups (P < 0.01). In all groups, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and IL-10 levels
      started to increase at 2 h and returned to the basal level at 24 h. IL levels
      increased in most of the epidural saline-administered group compared to other
      groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined general anesthesia and TEA provided pain
      control and hemodynamic stability more efficiently during the first 24 h of the
      intraoperative and postoperative period by suppressing cytokine levels. However,
      we determined that this effect was more obvious with the local anesthetic and
      opioid combination.

PMID- 27251957
TI  - W/M serrated osteotomy for infantile Blount's disease in Ghana: Short-term
      results.
AB  - PURPOSE: The W/M serrated high tibial osteotomy is a not frequently described
      surgical technique for simultaneously correcting the varus and torsional
      deformity in patients with Blount's disease. Without the need for internal
      fixation, this surgical treatment is well suited for developing countries. This
      study describes the short-term results of the bilateral and unilateral W/M
      serrated osteotomy in patients with infantile Blount's disease. METHODS: Between
      May 2008 and January 2013, 52 patients were treated with uni- (n = 22) or bi
      lateral (n = 30) W/M serrated osteotomy of the proximal tibia due to a tibial
      varus deformity in two district hospitals in Ghana. Other causes than infantile
      Blount's disease were excluded from the analysis. Pre- and post-operative
      clinical and radiological measurements were done, and complications were
      monitored up to 12 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (five males,
      12 females; mean age 4.9 [standard deviation: 2.10]) were included, which
      underwent a total of 25 W/M serrated osteotomies. The femorotibial angle was
      corrected from 34.1 degrees  ([mean] range: 6-68 degrees ) to - 7.1 degrees 
      ([mean] range: -28-5 degrees ). Only one patient had developed a wound infection,
      and all reached full consolidation. CONCLUSIONS: The W/M serrated osteotomy seems
      a profitable alternative technique for treating the varus and torsional deformity
      in patients with Blount's disease in the circumstances of developing countries.
      The short-term outcomes are good and promising with a low complication rate and
      good consolidation. Long-term follow-up results of these patients are needed to
      observe possible complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, therapeutic case series.

PMID- 27251958
TI  - Comparison of Saudi child versus parent-report of child tooth-brushing practices.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study compared Saudi children's tooth-brushing
      practices as reported by children and parents and then matched the agreement of
      reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 100 Saudi parents and their children
      of ages 8-12 years participated in this cross-sectional investigation. A self
      administered structured questionnaire regarding the current tooth-brushing
      practice and habits at home was filled by the child. The same questionnaire was
      filled independently by parents. RESULTS: Mothers were more likely to teach
      children about tooth-brushing and fathers were minimally helping children during
      tooth-brushing. Mothers were the first to teach the children and approximately
      33% of the children started brushing their teeth by age 5. Children and parents
      reported that children clean their teeth using a tooth-brush (73.74% and 76.77%),
      miswak (5.05% and 5.05%), or both (21.21% and 18.18%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      There was some agreement between reported tooth-brushing practice of children and
      their parents. It is important to question both the child and parent regarding
      oral hygiene practice and compare their answers to get more broad knowledge about
      their practices. Approximately, one-third of the children started brushing their
      teeth by age 5, which differs from recommended oral hygiene practices.

PMID- 27251959
TI  - Day surgery is effective and safe for patients with great saphenous vein varices
      who meet American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II grading.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Since the concept of "Day Surgery"; (DS) was firstly put
      forward in 1995, DS for great saphenous vein varices (GSVV) becomes more and more
      dominant in worldwide, but it is accepted only in a limited population in China.
      Hence in the present retrospective study, patients who received DS and regular
      surgery are compared to assess the effectiveness and safety of DS for GSVV.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2011 to 2013, 452 patients who received DS and 372
      patients who received inpatient surgery (IS) were collected from hospital main
      clinical database. Baseline characteristics, prognosis, and 12-month-long follow
      up were compared. RESULTS: Mean age in DS group was 52.76 +/- 4.89, 53.42 +/-
      5.52 in IS group. During follow-up after surgery, incidence of deep vein
      thrombosis (DVT), saphenous nerve injury (SNI), wound infection, and recurrence
      in DS and IS groups was 0.9% versus 0.8%; 2% versus 3%; 3.3% versus 3.8%; and
      1.3% versus 1.1%, respectively. Moreover, there was no significant difference in
      incidence of DVT, SNI, wound infection, and recurrence between groups (P = 0.904;
      0.376; 0.719; and 0.742). However, average hospital stays in DS group was 1 day,
      compared to 4.2 days in IS group. Moreover with respect to average medical cost
      (dollar), it was 780.33 dollars and 1021.06 dollars in DS and IS group,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: DS for GSVV is an effective and safe procedure, which
      was the same as IS. However compared with IS, DS could decrease the average
      medical cost for patients and hospital stays obviously. Hence DS for GSVV is a
      win-win procedure for patient and health care.

PMID- 27251960
TI  - Are blood pressure values compatible with medication adherence in hypertensive
      patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: In the management of hypertension (HT), maintaining the
      medication adherence with treatment is as important as starting treatment.
      Studies have shown that the majority of patients taking medication do not reach
      their target values. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the
      patient medication adherence and blood pressure (BP) values and reflection to
      general well-being. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 259 primary HT
      patients. The patients with BP measurements completed the Medication Adherence
      Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form 13 and the World Health Organization-5 (WHO-5)
      well-being index. A Holter device was attached, and 24 h BP monitoring was
      completed. RESULTS: The mean points for medication adherence scale was 29.2 +/-
      10.3 (1-40) and mean WHO-5 points was 13.7 +/- 4.6 (4-25) for patients. Clinical
      mean systolic BP was 140.0 +/- 12.6 and diastolic 84.8 +/- 9.0 mm Hg, while 24 h
      mean BP was systolic 119.5 +/- 10.6 and diastolic 73.3 +/- 8.1 mm Hg. While there
      was negative correlation between medication adherence scale scores and clinical
      systolic BP (r = -0.171; P = 0.006), there was no correlation with other BP
      readings. There was no correlation with the WHO-5 score and clinical readings,
      though there was a positive correlation between ambulatory mean systolic and
      diastolic BP (r = 0.141; P = 0.023 and r = 0.123; P = 0.049, respectively). There
      was positive correlation between the patient's medication adherence scores and
      the WHO-5 scores (r = 0.141; P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: When clinicians assess
      medication adherence of patients, they should benefit from objective BP
      measurements and scales. Subjective and objective findings are important while
      making clinical decision.

PMID- 27251961
TI  - The effects of different irrigation protocols on removing calcium hydroxide from
      the root canals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiencies of different
      irrigation protocols and solutions in the removal of calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight maxillary incisors were used. Root canals were
      prepared and filled with Ca(OH)2. Two control (n = 4) and six experimental groups
      (n = 10) were adjusted: Group 1:1% peracetic acid (PAA) + master apical file
      (MAF); Group 2: 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) + MAF; Group 3: 9% 1
      hydroxyethylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) + MAF; Group 4: 1% PAA + ultrasonic
      activation (UA); Group 5: 17% EDTA + UA; Group 6: 9% HEBP + UA. The cleanliness
      of root canal thirds were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy.
      Statistical analysis were performed (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: At coronal thirds;
      PAA + UA was superior to EDTA + MAF, HEBP + MAF; and PAA + MAF was superior to
      EDTA + MAF, HEBP + MAF (P < 0.05). At middle thirds; PAA + MAF and PAA + UA were
      superior to EDTA + MAF and EDTA + UA; and, PAA + UA was superior to HEBP + MAF (P
      < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the rest of the experimental
      groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Complete removal of Ca(OH)2could not be achieved
      by none of the irrigants at all root thirds.

PMID- 27251962
TI  - Prevalence and associations of symptomatic renal papillary necrosis in sickle
      cell anemia patients in South-Eastern Nigeria.
AB  - AIM: To assess the prevalence and associations of symptomatic renal papillary
      necrosis (RPN) in sickle cell anemia patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case
      notes of homozygous hemoglobin (Hb) S patients diagnosed with RPN were
      retrospectively assessed. Diagnosis was based on microscopic hematuria and
      positive ultrasound findings. Their steady state diastolic blood pressure, Hb,
      leukocyte count, platelet count, serum direct bilirubin, and aspartate
      transaminase, were obtained by automated analyzers. These were evaluated for any
      relationship with the occurrence of RPN. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty patients
      were assessed aged 6-55 years with a median age of 24 years. The prevalence of
      symptomatic RPN was found to be 2.3%. RPN was positively associated with the
      female gender (Chi-square P value 0.001), but not with any other clinical or
      laboratory variable. However, other predictors of disease severity were
      positively associated with RPN such as age, diastolic blood pressure 0.180 (P =
      0.016), serum aspartate transaminase, serum bilirubin 0.145 (0.027), Hb, and
      leukocyte count - 0.155 (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of symptomatic
      RPN is low in this group of homozygous S patients and occurs more commonly in
      females. Improvement in care for these patients will reduce these chronic
      complications.

PMID- 27251963
TI  - Conventional trans-tibial versus anatomic medial portal technique for femoral
      tunnel preparation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; comparison of
      clinical outcomes.
AB  - AIM: Method of femoral tunnel preparation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
      reconstruction is controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine if there is
      any difference between the clinical outcomes of two most commonly used drilling
      techniques; which are conventional trans-tibial (TT) drilling of femoral tunnel
      and anatomic preparation of femoral tunnel through medial portal (MP), in
      patients who underwent ACL reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and
      twenty-nine male patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between 2010 and 2012
      were included in the study. Single-bundle reconstruction with a quadrupled
      autologous hamstring graft was performed in all patients. Femoral tunnel was
      drilled by the conventional TT technique in 58 patients (Group 1) and through MP
      in 71 patients (Group 2). Functional evaluation was made about 12 months
      postoperatively. Functional evaluation included the Lysholm Knee Scale,
      International Knee Documentation Committee Scoring (IKDC), and Tegner Activity
      Level Scale were used for assessment. The anteroposterior stability was assessed
      using KT-1000 arthrometer and the pivot shift test for assessment of rotational
      stability. RESULTS: Interval between injury and surgery was similar between two
      groups (median 8.0 vs. 10 weeks, for TT vs. MP, respectively). One hundred twenty
      five patients attending the final follow-up examination (96.8%) were evaluated.
      The results of Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner scales were found to be similar.
      According to KT-1000 arthrometer results, MP group revealed slightly better
      results than TT group. Regarding pivot shift, MP group showed significantly
      better stability than TT group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The anatomical single
      bundle femoral tunnel preparation in the reconstruction of the ACL seems as
      effective as the conventional technique in terms of functional stability in the
      midterm. The technique better preserved the rotational stability in non
      professional athletes.

PMID- 27251964
TI  - Effects of alpha-tocopherol on gingival expression of inducible nitric oxide
      synthase in the rats with experimental periodontitis and diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of alpha-tocopherol
      and/or insulin on the number of gingival inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)
      positive cells in rats with experimental periodontitis with or without
      streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60
      Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Group I: The group without
      diabetes; Group II: The group with STZ-induced diabetes; Group III: The group
      with STZ-induced diabetes receiving insulin therapy. All animals received
      anesthesia, and 3/0 silk suture was inserted around the mandibular molar teeth.
      All groups were divided into subgroups receiving saline (Groups IA, IIA, IIIA)
      and alpha-tocopherol injection (Groups IB, IIB, IIIB). After a period of 3 weeks,
      all rats were sacrificed, and the number of gingival iNOS positive cells was
      analyzed using image analysis software. RESULTS: Applying alpha-tocopherol
      suppressed the number of gingival iNOS positive cells in Groups IB, IIB, and IIIB
      compared to application of saline (Groups IA, IIA, and IIIA) (P < 0.05). Numbers
      of gingival iNOS positive cells were found to be similar in the Groups I and III
      (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within limitations of the current study, this is the
      first study one may suggest that alpha-tocopherol may reduce oxidative damage in
      the gingiva of the rats with periodontitis with or without STZ-induced diabetes
      and increase effects of insulin.

PMID- 27251965
TI  - Salivary glucose as a diagnostic tool in Type II diabetes mellitus: A case
      control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing
      steadily in India. Understanding blood glucose level is the key to both diagnosis
      and management of diabetes mellitus. However, there is an on-going need for
      improvements in noninvasive, point-of-care tools for the diagnosis and prognosis
      of diabetes. Assessing a relationship between the blood glucose level and its
      concentration in other body fluids such as the saliva can help in developing a
      conservative method for blood sugar assessment replacing venous blood sampling.
      Diabetes mellitus is known to cause changes in salivary composition. Hence, this
      study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship of blood glucose level with
      salivary glucose in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      study sample included 100 diabetic patients and 100 nondiabetic patients aged
      above 35 years of age. Fasting blood and salivary glucose levels were measured in
      the two groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the
      correlation of blood glucose with salivary glucose in the two groups. RESULTS:
      The results of the study revealed an increase in the level of fasting salivary
      glucose in diabetics compared to that of nondiabetic patients. It also showed a
      highly significant positive correlation between fasting salivary glucose and
      serum glucose in both diabetic patients and in controls. CONCLUSION: From this
      study, it can be concluded that fasting salivary glucose level can be used as a
      noninvasive diagnostic, as well as a monitoring tool to assess the glycemic
      status of Type II diabetes mellitus patients.

PMID- 27251966
TI  - Bacterial contamination of hemodialysis water in three randomly selected centers
      in South Western Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) is the most common method of renal replacement
      therapy for patients with either acute kidney injury in the failure stage or end
      stage kidney failure in Nigeria. The number of dialysis centers in Nigeria has
      risen exponentially from 10 centers two decades ago to more than 120 centers in
      2015. The number of patients needing renal replacement therapy in the country in
      the form of HD has also risen close to a projected 2000/year. The outcome from HD
      in Nigeria is poor as a result of a myriad of interwoven factors such as
      complications of cardiovascular diseases and suboptimal dialysis dose primarily
      due to economic factors. These are often complicated by episodes of dialysis
      water related bacteremia, possibly as a result of the apparent lack of a
      standardized guideline or protocol for monitoring dialysis water treatment system
      which is the driving force of dialysis units. OBJECTIVES: This is a multicenter
      laboratory-based study designed to determine the microbiological quality of
      samples of HD water and dialysate in randomly selected dialysis units in three
      major government teaching hospitals in Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: Water samples were
      aseptically and serially collected from three HD units. The samples were taken
      from 6 points at each center coded A, B, and C over a 6-month period. RESULTS:
      The water system in the three dialysis centers were grossly contaminated with
      Gram-negative aerobic bacteria such as Pseudomonas species and Moraxella species
      at all the points in the three centers. CONCLUSION: Conventionally, water
      treatment is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality in HD units, and the
      microbial quality is a major factor involved. There is evidence of bacterial
      contamination in the dialysis units sampled in this study. There is thus the
      compelling need for periodic microbiological monitoring of water after each
      treatment step. A uniform national guideline as part of an effective quality
      assurance protocol in infection surveillance is also advocated for dialysis units
      in Nigeria.

PMID- 27251967
TI  - Dentists' knowledge of occlusal splint therapy for bruxism and temporomandibular
      joint disorders.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate dentist's approaches to the use of
      splint therapy for myofascial pain, bruxism, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
      disorders and to assessment of treatment modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 12
      item questionnaire was developed to determine dentists' knowledge of TMJ
      disorders and approaches for occlusal splint treatments. The researchers spoke
      with each dentist included in the study at his/her clinic or by telephone to
      assess their immediate knowledge and approach to the TMJ disorders. Chi-squared
      test was performed to analyze the values. The confidence interval was set as 95%.
      RESULTS: A total of 370 dentists working in Turkey were participated in this
      study. The most common splint application reason for occlusal splint treatment
      was bruxism (77.8%) while TMJ pain was very rare (%1.4). The use of hard splint
      ratios for 0-5 years of professional experience was 57.0%, 42.4.0%, and 26.8% for
      the experience of 5-15 years and over 15 years groups, respectively (P < 0.001).
      While the dentists' with sufficient knowledge soft splint application rates were
      11.6%, hard splint application rates were 43.4% for the dentists with sufficient
      knowledge. Occlusion adjustment rate of dentists who practice in all three groups
      was under 16.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the dentists about TMJ disorders
      and occlusal splint therapy were found to be insufficient. Their knowledge
      decreased with increasing experience.

PMID- 27251968
TI  - Physician and nurse knowledge about patient radiation exposure in the emergency
      department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Imaging methods that use ionizing radiation in emergency departments
      (EDs) have increased with advances in radiological diagnostic methods. Physician
      and nurse awareness of the radiation dose in the ED and the associated cancer
      risks to which the patients are exposed were surveyed with a questionnaire.
      METHODS: A total of 191 subjects in six EDs participated in this study. ED
      physicians and ED nurses were asked about the risks and the radiation doses of
      imaging methods ordered in the ED. The differences between the two groups were
      compared using Student's t-test for continuous variables. A Fisher's exact and
      Chi-squared tests were used for categorical variables. RESULTS: A total of 82 ED
      physicians and 109 ED nurses completed the questionnaire; 38 (46.3%) physicians
      and 8 (7.3%) nurses correctly answered the question about the chest X-ray
      radiation dose. A question about the number of chest X-rays that is equivalent to
      the dose of a pelvic X-ray was answered correctly by 5 (6.1%) physicians and 9
      (8.3%) nurses (P = 0.571). Questions regarding abdominal computed tomography
      (CT), chest CT, brain CT, abdominal ultrasonography, and brain magnetic resonance
      imaging were answered correctly more frequently by the physician group than the
      nurse group (P < 0.05). The risk of developing cancer over a lifetime due to a
      brain CT was correctly answered by 21 (25.6%) physicians and 30 (27.5%) nurses (P
      = 0.170). A similar question regarding abdominal CT was correctly answered by 21
      (25.6%) physicians and 42 (38.5%) nurses (P = 0.127). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of
      the radiation exposure of radiology examinations was lower in nurses than
      physicians, but knowledge was poor in both groups. ED physicians and nurses
      should be educated about radiation exposure and cancer risks associated with
      various diagnostic radiological methods.

PMID- 27251969
TI  - Clinical profile, knowledge, and beliefs about diabetes among patients attending
      a Tertiary Health Centre in Lagos: A cross-sectional survey.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diabetes affects 347 million people worldwide; more than 80% of the
      affected live in low- or middle-income countries. Patients' beliefs about their
      medical conditions are important in helping physician focus on beliefs that
      needed to be changed or reinforced. The overall aim of this study was to improve
      the standard of care of patients with diabetes. METHODS: The study designed was a
      cross-sectional survey; adults with diabetes attending diabetic clinic of LASUTH
      took part in the survey. Participants were asked to fill a structured
      questionnaire which was used to assess clinical patterns, beliefs, and practice
      about diabetes. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients with diabetes took part
      in the study. This study showed that more females presented with diabetes
      compared with males, type 2 diabetes is commonerthan type 1 and there is a
      highassociation of the disease with hypertension or being overweight. More than
      half of the participants do not know the cause of diabetes, 13% believed that
      disease is curable, and 30% admitted to use alternative medications in addition
      to the anti-diabetic medications prescribed by the physicians. CONCLUSION:
      Knowing patients' beliefs and knowledge about diabetes is important to impart
      overall care for them. Health education about a disease should be planned to
      address beliefs and knowledge of patients about their medical condition to
      address misinformation and misconceptions about their disease conditions.

PMID- 27251970
TI  - The prevalence of cervical ribs in Enugu, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervical rib is an important cause of nontraumatic thoracic outlet
      neurovascular compression. This study was undertaken as there is no known
      documented report on its prevalence in the study environment. AIMS: To evaluate
      the prevalence of cervical ribs and its variation with sex and age among patients
      presenting at radiological facilities for a chest radiograph. SETTINGS AND
      DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of plain posterior-anterior view chest
      radiographs done in radiological facilities in Enugu, Southeast, Nigeria.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Evaluated in this study were all 6571 chest radiographs
      consecutively obtained between 2009 and 2012 in three randomly selected
      radiological facilities in Enugu. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: SPSS version 17
      software was used in data analysis. Chi-square and student t-tests were used to
      test for the significance of findings at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: This
      study reports the overall prevalence of cervical ribs as 48 (0.7%) with a
      significantly higher rate in females 43 (1.1%) when compared to males 5 (0.2%) (P
      = 0.000). In 27 (0.4%) cases, the cervical ribs were bilateral; whereas in 21
      (0.3%) cases, they were unilateral with 8 (0.1%) on the left and 13 (0.2%) on the
      right. There was no age-related variability with prevalence (P = -0.813).
      CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cervical rib in the study population is low and
      within the known range as seen in other geographical regions of Nigeria.

PMID- 27251971
TI  - The histological study of osseous regeneration following implantation of various
      bone graft biomaterials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While various biomaterials are used for bone regeneration, the
      relative comparative efficiency of them has not been thoroughly investigated.
      PURPOSE: This study evaluated histopathological events during osseous healing
      after implantation of following bone grafts: Demineralized freeze-dried cortical
      bone powder (DFDB), natural coral implants, calcium sulfate-based putty
      containing demineralized bone matrix (CaS-DBM), and pure-phase beta tricalcium
      phosphate ceramic granules (beta-TCP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six Wistar
      Albino rats were used for this study. The postimplantation osseous healing was
      evaluated at 3rd, 6th weeks after the operation. RESULTS: DFDB did not induce
      bone formation in 3 weeks period, but it showed a highly osteoinductive effect at
      the end of 6th week period. The effects of coral implants on bone formation both
      at 3 and 6 weeks period were much higher than the DFDB. CaS-DBM showed higher
      bone formation than beta-TCP at 3rd, 6th weeks. It was found that coral and CaS
      DBM had a more beneficial impact on early bone healing compared to beta-TCP and
      DFDB. All these graft biomaterials are useable in human bone defects. The main
      difference in the ossous healing properties of these materials is observed early
      postimplantation with the delayed healing outcome being similar.

PMID- 27251972
TI  - The use of special stains in liver biopsy interpretation: Implications for the
      management of liver disease in Nigeria.
AB  - CONTEXT: The evaluation of a liver biopsy requires the use of stains other than
      routine hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) to highlight many important features.
      AIMS: Most Nigerian Histopathology Departments do not routinely perform special
      stains (personal communication by authors). This study aims to re-evaluate a set
      of liver biopsies which has been diagnosed solely on H and E stains by performing
      a standard set of special stains on them. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a
      retrospective analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The formalin fixed paraffin
      embedded blocks of liver biopsies reported in two histopathology laboratories
      between 2008 and 2013 were retrieved. These were stained with H and E and the
      following standard special stains for liver tissue histology - Perl's Prussian
      blue, reticulin, Sirius red, Shikata orcein, and periodic acid-Schiff with
      diastase. The stained slides were re-analyzed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: No
      formal statistical analysis was performed, but results are summarized and
      tabulated by summary statistics, where appropriate. RESULTS: Seventy-four liver
      biopsy paraffin blocks were received in the laboratories. Fifty-three (71.6%)
      were suitable for analysis out of which 51 (68.9%) had their clinical details
      retrievable. In 29 cases (56.9%), Perl's stain was positive for iron pigment
      within the hepatocytes with 17 (58.6%) of these being Grade 1, 7 (24.1%) Grade 2,
      and 5 (17.2%) Grade 3. Shikata orcein revealed hepatitis B viral surface antigen
      in 15 (29.4%) of the cases while copper-associated protein was demonstrable in 6
      (11.8%) of the cases. The discovery of stainable iron implies some degree of
      disturbance of iron metabolism, and a Grade 3 stainable iron requires
      investigation for genetic hemochromatosis. The demonstration of copper-associated
      proteins suggests biliary disease in a noncirrhotic liver which also requires
      further investigation. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the need to routinely
      perform special stains in reporting liver biopsies to fully investigate and
      manage patients and their relatives.

PMID- 27251973
TI  - Various scoring systems for predicting mortality in Intensive Care Unit.
AB  - CONTEXT: Various scoring systems have been developed to predict mortality and
      morbidity in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but different data has been reported so
      far. AIMS: This retrospective clinical study aims to evaluate predictability of
      Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), APACHE IV,
      Simplified Acute Physiology Score III (SAPS III) scoring systems regarding with
      mortality. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Sixteen bed surgical-medical ICU in university
      hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 487 patients older than 18
      years treated in ICU for at least 24 h. Age, gender, body weight, initial
      diagnosis, clinic of referral, intubation, comorbidities, APACHE II, APACHE IV,
      Glasgow coma scale, SAPS III scores, length of hospitalization before referral to
      ICU, length of stay in ICU, mechanical ventilation were recorded. RESULTS: Most
      of the patients (54.6%) were consulted from operating room. The most frequent
      diagnosis was acute respiratory failure. Total mortality rate was 26%. Mortality
      rate was higher in patients admitted from wards other than surgery (48%) (P <
      0.005). In the presence of comorbidities, mortality rate was higher with
      comorbidities than without (P < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated a
      significant positive relationship between length of stay in ICU, length of
      mechanical ventilation and high mortality risk in patients referred from
      emergency service (P < 0.05). Accuracy rates of predicting mortality were 81%,
      79%, and 81% for APACHE II, APACHE IV, and SAPS III, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      The investigated scoring systems are similar in sensitivity and specificity
      mortality prediction whereas the accuracy was higher for SAPS III and APACHE II
      than APACHE III in our patient population.

PMID- 27251974
TI  - Evaluation of gingival crevicular fluid transforming growth factor-beta1 level
      after treatment of intrabony periodontal defects with enamel matrix derivatives
      and autogenous bone graft: A randomized controlled clinical trial.
AB  - AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of enamel matrix derivatives
      (EMD) either alone or combined with autogenous bone graft (ABG) applied to
      intrabony defects in chronic periodontitis patients on clinical/radiographic
      parameters and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) transforming growth factor-beta1
      (TGF-beta1) level and to compare with open flap debridement (OFD). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 30 deep intrabony defects in 12 patients were randomly
      treated with EMD + ABG (combination group), EMD alone (EMD group), or OFD
      (control group). Clinical parameters, including plaque index, gingival index,
      bleeding on probing, probing depth, relative attachment level, and recession were
      recorded at baseline and 6 months postsurgery. Intrabony defect fill percentage
      was calculated on the standardized radiographs. TGF-beta1 level was evaluated in
      GCF just before surgery and 7, 14, 30, 90, 180 days after surgery using enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: All treatment procedures led to significant
      improvements at 6 months (P < 0.01). Gain in attachment level (P < 0.01) and
      radiographic defect fill (P < 0.05) of the combination and EMD groups were found
      to be significantly higher than those of the control group, while the use of EMD
      either with ABG or alone was observed to produce significantly less recession
      than the OFD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest no clinical and
      radiographic differences between the combination and EMD groups whereas GCF TGF
      beta1 level demonstrates an increase during the healing phase and is positively
      affected from EMD.

PMID- 27251975
TI  - Bilateral concomitant intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor
      injection: Experience in a Nigerian tertiary private eye care facility.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the indication and safety profile of same-session
      bilateral intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti
      VEGF). METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of all the patients that
      received same-session bilateral intravitreal anti-VEGF in Eye Foundation
      Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, from March 2013 to March 2015. Data retrieved from the
      patients' medical records includes demographics, indications for injections,
      complications, and systemic comorbidities. RESULTS: During the study period, a
      total of 442 injections were performed on 126 eyes of 63 patients (M:F ratio;
      1.4:1) whose mean age was 55.7 +/- 15.6 standard deviation years. The modal age
      group was 51-70 years. All the patients received injection Bevacizumab (Avastin;
      Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA-1.25 mg). The most common
      primary indication for initiating bilateral intravitreal therapy was diabetic
      macular edema 23 (36.5%). Mean follow-up period was 40.6 days (range: 1-364
      days). A combined diabetes mellitus and hypertension accounted for most of the
      systemic comorbidities 28 (44.4%). Subconjunctival hemorrhage was the only
      complication seen in these patients with 6 (9.5%) occurring intraoperatively and
      9 (14.3%) postoperatively. There was no association between intraoperative
      complication and age (P = 0.66) or gender (P = 0.96). Furthermore, there exist no
      association between postoperative complication and age (P = 0.49) or gender (P =
      0.99). CONCLUSIONS: No major systemic or ocular adverse events were noted. Given
      that there are potentially serious complications following anti-VEGF injection,
      further study with a larger number of patients will be necessary to definitively
      prove the safety of this treatment modality.

PMID- 27251976
TI  - Riedel's thyroiditis in a black African: A case report and review of literature.
AB  - Riedel's thyroiditis is a rare cause of the enlargement of the thyroid gland. The
      etiology is not fully known. There has been no report of Riedel thyroiditis in
      our country. We report a case of a 61-year-old man with the disease as well as
      review the literature. We present the case of 61-year-old carpenter seen in our
      clinic with 21/2 years history of painless anterior neck swelling associated with
      hoarseness of voice. He had multiple hard nodules on the left lobe of the thyroid
      gland with multiple cervical lymph nodes enlargement. No feature of
      hypothyroidism or thyroiditis. Clinical diagnosis of malignant goiter was made
      although Fine-needle aspiration for cytology did not suggest malignancy. He had
      surgery, findings included nonresectable hard multinodular left thyroid lobe from
      which a wedge biopsy was taken, Histology of the specimen revealed Riedel's
      thyroiditis. He was managed with oral Prednisolone and Tamoxifen with remarkable
      improvement in his clinical symptoms. Riedel's thyroiditis is a rare disease. It
      can easily mimic malignant goiter hence proper histological diagnosis will be
      necessary to differentiate. Review of medical literature showed that Riedel
      thyroiditis has not been reported in a black African patient inhabiting the sub
      Sahara Africa. This was a report of Riedel thyroiditis in a black Nigerian
      patient that was successfully managed on oral glucocorticoid, tamoxifen and L
      thyroxine.

PMID- 27251977
TI  - Simultaneous oroantral communication closure, sinus-lifting, and particulate bone
      grafting and immediate dental implant perforation.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to introduce an alternative technique for the treatment
      of oroantral communication (OAC). Closure of OAC, reconstruction of the posterior
      maxilla by sinus-lifting procedure with a particulate xenograft, and implant
      insertion were performed in the same operation. A lateral antral approach was
      used in the sinus elevations. The sinus membranes were elevated gently around the
      perforation area, and then a barrier membrane was used to close the perforation.
      Care was taken not to extend the perforation. Next, the maxillary sinus was
      filled with a particulate xenograft, and an implant was inserted simultaneously.
      Forty-seven and 40 months of clinical and radiographic follows-up revealed
      healthy and functional implants in the teeth area.

PMID- 27251978
TI  - Tension pneumoventricle: A report of two cases.
AB  - Pneumocephalus is often a complication of head trauma and cranial surgeries.
      Massive intraventricular pneumocephalus is an uncommon entity. We report the
      cases of two patients presenting same day with a clinical diagnosis of open head
      injury following separate road traffic accidents whose computed tomography (CT)
      brain images confirm skull base and vault fractures with massive pneumocephalus
      and tension pneumoventricles. CT scan remains invaluable in proper evaluation of
      head injury, and its complications for early and appropriate intervention toward
      reducing morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 27251979
TI  - Concomitant gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and bilateral ototoxicity.
AB  - Co-occurrence of aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity is rare,
      possibly as a result of divergent mechanisms of tissue damage despite
      similarities in the anatomy of the inner ear and the proximal renal tubular
      epithelium. We present the case of a 63-year-old hypertensive woman who developed
      nonoliguric acute exacerbation of chronic renal failure and sudden onset of
      sensorineural deafness after receiving daily injections of gentamicin. Coexisting
      ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity from aminoglycosides can occur, though rare.
      Adverse effects of aminoglycosides are better prevented by a careful exercise of
      discretion by prescribers.

PMID- 27251980
TI  - Endoprosthetic replacement of distal femoral tumors in Nigeria: A case series.
AB  - In this observational study, three consecutive patients who were treated for
      distal femur tumours using endoprosthetic replacement between June 2013 and June
      2014 were studied. The patients were within the ages of 28-47 years at the time
      of surgery. All three patients had modular endoprosthesis fixation and were
      evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) Scoring System.
      Numerical values from 0 to 5 points were assigned for each of the following 6
      categories: pain, function, emotional acceptance, use of supports, walking
      ability and gait. These values were added and the functional score was presented
      as a percentage of the maximum possible score. The results for each patient were
      graded according to the following scale: Excellent - 75-100%; good - 70-74%;
      moderate - 60-69%; fair - 50-59% and poor - <50%. Of the 3 patients evaluated, 2
      had a diagnosis of Giant Cell Tumour (GCT) of the distal femur; the third patient
      was diagnosed to have plasmacytoma. All underwent wide local resection with
      modular endoprosthetic distal femur reconstruction. The MSTS functional scores
      calculated were 70%, 78%, and 52% respectively. Complications noted included
      wound dehiscence in two patients and thrombosis of the Pulmonary artery needing
      an arterial embolectomy in one of these two patients. The same patient also had a
      post-operative loss of motor and sensory function below the level of the ankle.

PMID- 27251981
TI  - Utilizing Nontraditional Data Sources for Near Real-Time Estimation of
      Transmission Dynamics During the 2015-2016 Colombian Zika Virus Disease Outbreak.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 40 countries in Central and South America have
      experienced local vector-born transmission of Zika virus, resulting in nearly
      300,000 total reported cases of Zika virus disease to date. Of the cases that
      have sought care thus far in the region, more than 70,000 have been reported out
      of Colombia. OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we use nontraditional digital disease
      surveillance data via HealthMap and Google Trends to develop near real-time
      estimates for the basic (R) and observed (Robs) reproductive numbers associated
      with Zika virus disease in Colombia. We then validate our results against
      traditional health care-based disease surveillance data. METHODS: Cumulative
      reported case counts of Zika virus disease in Colombia were acquired via the
      HealthMap digital disease surveillance system. Linear smoothing was conducted to
      adjust the shape of the HealthMap cumulative case curve using Google search data.
      Traditional surveillance data on Zika virus disease were obtained from weekly
      Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) epidemiological bulletin publications. The
      Incidence Decay and Exponential Adjustment (IDEA) model was used to estimate R0
      and Robs for both data sources. RESULTS: Using the digital (smoothed HealthMap)
      data, we estimated a mean R0 of 2.56 (range 1.42-3.83) and a mean Robs of 1.80
      (range 1.42-2.30). The traditional (INS) data yielded a mean R0 of 4.82 (range
      2.34-8.32) and a mean Robs of 2.34 (range 1.60-3.31). CONCLUSIONS: Although
      modeling using the traditional (INS) data yielded higher R estimates than the
      digital (smoothed HealthMap) data, modeled ranges for Robs were comparable across
      both data sources. As a result, the narrow range of possible case projections
      generated by the traditional (INS) data was largely encompassed by the wider
      range produced by the digital (smoothed HealthMap) data. Thus, in the absence of
      traditional surveillance data, digital surveillance data can yield similar
      estimates for key transmission parameters and should be utilized in other Zika
      virus-affected countries to assess outbreak dynamics in near real time.

PMID- 27251984
TI  - Effects of three pro-nuclei (3PN) proportion incidence on clinical outcomes of
      patients with lower retrieved oocytes in the fresh cleavage-stage embryo transfer
      (ET) cycles.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the three pro-nuclei (3PN) incidence on clinical outcomes of
      patients with lower retrieved oocytes in the fresh cleavage-stage embryo transfer
      (ET) cycles. METHODS: This study included 1200 fresh cleavage-stage ET cycles
      from January 2013 to June 2015. The patients were divided into 3PN = 0% (773
      cycles) and 3PN > 0% (427 cycles) group. Main outcomes compared were
      fertilization, cleavage, normal fertilization, good quality embryo, implantation,
      clinical pregnancy, and early abortion rate. RESULTS: We observed that there was
      no significant difference in female's age, the number of retrieved oocytes, the
      number of transferred embryos, the number of good quality embryos, endometrial
      thickness, infertile time, basal serum follicle-stimulating hormone, and E2 value
      between two groups (p > 0.05). The fertilization (89.43 versus 83.90%, p < 0.001)
      and cleavage (98.34 versus 97.19%, p = 0.048) rates were significantly higher in
      3PN > 0% than 3PN = 0% group. However, the normal fertilization (70.05 versus
      50.67%, p < 0.001), good quality embryos (37.11 versus 26.47%, p < 0.001), and
      clinical pregnancy (49.81 versus 43.79%, p = 0.046) rates were significantly
      higher in 3PN = 0% than 3PN > 0% group. The implantation (35.88 versus 33.78%, p
      = 0.333) and early abortion (8.83 versus 10.70%, p = 0.474) rates were not
      significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSION: 3PN incidence might make
      a negative effect on clinical outcomes for patients with lower retrieved oocytes
      in the fresh cleavage-stage ET cycles.

PMID- 27251982
TI  - 4D printing smart biomedical scaffolds with novel soybean oil epoxidized
      acrylate.
AB  - Photocurable, biocompatible liquid resins are highly desired for 3D
      stereolithography based bioprinting. Here we solidified a novel renewable soybean
      oil epoxidized acrylate, using a 3D laser printing technique, into smart and
      highly biocompatible scaffolds capable of supporting growth of multipotent human
      bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Porous scaffolds were readily
      fabricated by simply adjusting the printer infill density; superficial structures
      of the polymerized soybean oil epoxidized acrylate were significantly affected by
      laser frequency and printing speed. Shape memory tests confirmed that the
      scaffold fixed a temporary shape at -18  degrees C and fully recovered its
      original shape at human body temperature (37  degrees C), which indicated the
      great potential for 4D printing applications. Cytotoxicity analysis proved that
      the printed scaffolds had significant higher hMSC adhesion and proliferation than
      traditional polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), and had no statistical
      difference from poly lactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL). This research
      is believed to significantly advance the development of biomedical scaffolds with
      renewable plant oils and advanced 3D fabrication techniques.

PMID- 27251985
TI  - The preventive effect of linalool on acute and chronic UVB-mediated skin
      carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice.
AB  - In this study, we evaluated the role of linalool in acute ultraviolet-B (UVB; 280
      320 nm) radiation-induced inflammation and chronic UVB-mediated
      photocarcinogenesis in mouse skin. Acute UVB-irradiation (180 mJ cm(-2)) causes
      hyperplasia, edema formation, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant depletion, and
      overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in
      mouse skin. Topical or intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatment of linalool prevented
      acute UVB-induced hyperplasia, edema formation, lipid peroxidation, and
      antioxidant depletion in mouse skin. Further, linalool treatment prevented UVB
      induced overexpression of COX-2 and ODC in mouse skin. In the chronic study, mice
      were subjected to UVB-exposure thrice weekly for 30 weeks. Chronic UVB-exposure
      induced tumor incidence and expression of proliferative markers such as NF
      kappaB, TNF-alpha, IL-6, COX-2, VEGF, TGF-beta1, Bcl-2 and mutated p53 in mouse
      skin. Treatment with linalool before each UVB-exposure significantly prevented
      the expression of these proliferative markers and subsequently decreased the
      tumor incidence in mice skin. Histopathological studies confirmed the development
      of dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the chronic UVB-exposed mouse
      skin; and this was prevented by both topical and i.p. linalool treatment.
      Therefore, linalool may be considered as a photochemopreventive agent against UVB
      radiation induced skin carcinogenesis.

PMID- 27251986
TI  - A method for measuring rotation of a thermal carbon nanomotor using centrifugal
      effect.
AB  - A thermal nanomotor is relatively easy to fabricate and regulate as it contains
      just a few or even no accessory devices. Since the double-wall carbon nanotube
      (CNT)-based rotary nanomotor was established in a thermostat, assessment of the
      rotation of the rotor (inner tube) in the stator (outer tube) of the nanomotor
      has been critical, but remains challenging due to two factors: the small size of
      the rotor (only a few nanometers) and the high rotational frequency ("1 GHz). To
      measure the rotation of the nanomotor, in the present study, a probe test method
      is proposed. Briefly, the rotor is connected to an end-tube (CNT) through a
      graphene (GN) nanoribbon. As the CNT-probe is on the trajectory of the end-tube
      which rotates with the rotor, it will collide with the end-tube. The sharp
      fluctuation indicating the probe tip deflection can be observed and recorded. As
      a curly GN by hydrogenation is adopted for connecting the rotor and the end-tube,
      collision between the end-tube and the probe tip occurs only when the centrifugal
      force is higher than a threshold which can be considered as the rotational
      frequency of the rotor being measured by the present method.

PMID- 27251987
TI  - Exploring the optimal pre-sintering temperature on compressive strength and anti
      fatigue property of graded zirconia-based glass/zirconia structure.
AB  - To explore the optimal pre-sintering temperature for graded glass/zirconia
      material, glass/zirconia specimens were prepared and pre-sintered at 900, 1,000
      and 1,100 degrees C respectively, glass infiltration and densification at 1,450
      degrees C. Monolith Y-TZP specimens were sintered at 1,450 degrees C.
      Nanoindentation was used to test Young's modulus and Hardness. Compressive
      strength test and cycling fatigue test were conducted. Nanoindentation test
      showed graded change of Young's modulus in glass/zirconia structure. The
      compressive strength and the number of cycles to failure of specimens pre
      sintered at 1,000 degrees C were significantly higher than those of Y-TZP and the
      specimens pre-sintered at 900 and 1,000 degrees C (p<0.05). It is concluded that
      when the pre-sintering temperature is set at 1,000 degrees C, the graded
      glass/zirconia structure exhibits the most optimal compressive strength and anti
      fatigue property. 

PMID- 27251988
TI  - Adhesion of different resin cements to enamel and dentin.
AB  - The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the shear bond strength (SBS)
      of five different resin cements to human enamel and dentin under different
      storage conditions. Five resin cements and their dedicated systems were tested.
      Teeth were embedded, ground flat to expose enamel or dentin and polished with
      sandpaper. Adhesive systems were applied according to the
      manufacturers'instructions. V2A steel cylinders with were silicated, coated, and
      cemented onto the teeth. Specimens were stored at three different conditions and
      subsequently thermocycled. SBS was measured. Significant differences were
      observed between the tested resin cements depending on the tooth surface.
      Different storage conditions influenced the bond strength, independent of the
      tooth surface, in all test cements. The bond strength of all experimental
      materials to enamel is higher than that to dentin surfaces. Furthermore, the
      adhesiveness decreases after wetness (hydro-) and hydrothermal stress, regardless
      of the tooth surface. 

PMID- 27251989
TI  - Optical properties of supra-nano spherical filled resin composites compared to
      nanofilled, nano-hybrid and micro-hybrid composites.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate and compare the optical properties of supra-nano
      spherical filled resin composites and the nanofilled, nano-hybrid and microhybrid
      composites using the Kubelka-Munk Theory. Diffuse reflectance of samples (Shade
      A2) was measured against white and black backgrounds, using a spectroradiometer,
      using a viewing booth with D65 illuminant and d/0o geometry. S and K coefficients
      and T were calculated using Kubelka-Munk's equations. The spectral behavior of S,
      K and T was similar for all dental resin composites analyzed (VAF close to 100%),
      even though they were, generally, statistically different (p<=0.05). The K-M T
      values overestimate the real value of Transmittance of the resin composites.
      Supra-nano spherical filled resin composites show the highest scattering and
      Transmittance when compared with the others materials, probably due to the shape
      and size of the filler. Such difference should be taken into consideration in a
      clinical situation to reproduce natural esthetic restorations. 

PMID- 27251990
TI  - Effect of thermocycling on the durability of etch-and-rinse and self-etch
      adhesives on dentin.
AB  - The objective was to compare bond strengths of adhesives with/without
      thermocycling and to analyze the micromorphology of resindentin interfaces. Flat
      dentin surfaces were prepared and divided into eight groups to bond with four
      etch-and-rinse adhesives (Optibond FL, Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, Optibond
      Solo Plus, and Single Bond 2) and four self-etch adhesives (Clearfil SE Bond,
      Adper SE Plus, Clearfil S(3) Bond and Adper Easy Bond). Specimens were further
      divided into two subgroups subjected for with/without thermocycling and then
      subjected to both micro-tensile test and resin-dentin interface evaluation. The
      results revealed that there were significant differences in bond strength between
      the groups with and without thermocycling for all etch-and-rinse groups and for
      the Adper Easy Bond self-etch group (p<0.01). Clearfil SE Bond demonstrated
      highly durable bond strengths. Furthermore, more silver ion uptake was observed
      at the resin-dentin interfaces for all etch-and-rinse adhesives and Adper SE Plus
      and Adper Easy Bond after thermocycling. 

PMID- 27251991
TI  - Stress relieving behaviour of flowable composite liners: A finite element
      analysis.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the consequences of using flowable
      composite as a liner beneath class I resin composite restorations on
      polymerization shrinkage stress and occlusal force. Models of class I resin
      composite restorations were generated. A control model received no flowable
      composite liner. Thirteen test models received different flowable composite
      liners with varying elastic modulus. Finite element analysis was used. The
      polymerization shrinkage of the resin composite and an occlusal force were
      simulated in the models. The stress and strain energy density in each model were
      investigated. The results demonstrated that all flowable composite linings were
      able to reduce polymerization shrinkage stress and occlusal force in enamel,
      dentin, the hybrid layer, and the adhesive layer to various degrees in tooth
      restoration systems. Therefore, additional techniques may be applied to reduce
      the remaining stress and to ensure the long-term success of restorations. 

PMID- 27251992
TI  - Comparison of the surface roughness of feldspathic porcelain polished with a
      novel alumina-zirconia paste or diamond paste.
AB  - This study compared the surface roughness of feldspathic porcelain polished with
      newly developed alumina-zirconia pastes or diamond paste. Porcelain discs were
      prepared and polished with sandpaper using a polishing-machine. The surface
      roughness (Ra) of each sample was measured using a profilometer. The samples were
      randomly divided into 6 groups (n=10). The control group was polished with
      diamond paste (DP), and the five remaining groups were polished with the newly
      developed alumina-zirconia paste with the following ratios of
      glycerin:alumina:zirconia by weight: 1:0.5:0.5 (Z0.5), 1:0.5:0.75 (Z0.75),
      1:0.5:1 (Z1), 1:0.5:1.5 (Z1.5), and 1:0.5:2 (Z2). The specimens were polished for
      120 s. The Ra values were determined again and the surface morphology of the
      porcelain samples was analyzed using SEM. The Ra values decreased as the amount
      of zirconia in the polishing paste increased, except for the Z2 group. The
      surface roughness as observed by SEM showed a correlation with the Ra values. 

PMID- 27251993
TI  - Bond performance of "Touch and Cure" adhesives on resin core systems.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare the micro-tensile bond strength (uTBS)
      of three resin core composites to dentin and to examine the bonded interface of
      the composites. One experimental TDK-03(TD) and, two commercial, DC core Automix
      One (DC) and Unifil core EM(UN) were used. Flat dentin surfaces of human molars
      were exposed using #600 SiC paper and bonded with the respective adhesive of each
      system. After bonding, the composites were built up on the surfaces and cured
      under two conditions: "light condition" or "dark condition". uTBSs (MPa) in the
      light condition were: TD; 60.02+/-17.08, DC; 38.21+/-13.70, and UN; 29.50+/-9.71;
      in the dark condition: TD; 54.62+/-17.11, DC; 8.40+/-4.81, and UN; 9.47+/-6.56.
      Dark curing negatively affected the bond strength of the two commercial resin
      core materials. The experimental material was not affected by the curing
      conditions. 

PMID- 27251994
TI  - Synthesis, biocompatibility and mechanical properties of ZrO2-Al2O3 ceramics
      composites.
AB  - This study evaluated cell viability, microhardness and flexural strength of two
      ceramic composites systems (ZA and AZ), pure alumina and zirconia. There were
      prepared homogeneous mixtures of 78wt%Al2O3+20wt%3Y-TZP+2wt%Al2O3w (AZ) and
      80wt%3YTZP+18wt%Al2O3+2wt%Al2O3w (ZA), as well as 3Y-TZP (Z), pure Al2O3 (A) and
      commercial monolithic 3Y-TZP (Zc). Also mouse fibroblast cells 3T3-L1 and a MTT
      test was carried out at 24, 48 and 72 h. The surfaces were observed with SEM and
      the microhardness and three-point flexural strength values were estimated. The
      absolute microhardness values were: A>AZ>Z>Zc>ZA. Flexural strength of Zc, Z, and
      ZA were around double than AZ and A. All groups showed high biocompatibility
      trough cell viability values at 24, 48 and 72 h. Factors like grain shape, grain
      size and homogeneous or heterogeneous grain distributions may play an important
      role in physical, mechanical and biological properties of the ceramic composites.

PMID- 27251995
TI  - In vitro assessment of a calcium-fluoroaluminosilicate glass-based desensitizer
      for the prevention of root surface demineralization.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of a calcium
      fluoroaluminosilicate glass-based desensitizer (Nanoseal) to protect against root
      demineralization in vitro. Nanoseal was applied to human root dentin, which was
      immersed in acidic buffer for 72 h, or exposed to pH cycling by immersing in
      distilled water or mineralizing solution for 24 h intermediately during 48 h-acid
      attack. Demineralization was evaluated by MU-CT, and mineral loss (ML) and lesion
      depth (LD) were determined from mineral density profiles. ML and LD in all
      treatment groups were significantly smaller compared with control. The Nanoseal
      treated group with pH cycling using mineralizing solution had the lowest ML and
      LD. Analysis using an EPMA demonstrated calcium and phosphorous were incorporated
      into the superficial layer of specimens in the Nanoseal-treated groups,
      suggesting Nanoseal modified the dentin surface, making it resistant to
      demineralization. Application of Nanoseal is an effective method for protecting
      root from demineralization. 

PMID- 27251996
TI  - Bonding of flowable resin composite restorations to class 1 occlusal cavities
      with and without cyclic load stress.
AB  - To examine the bonding of flowable resin composite restorations (F-restoration)
      to class 1 occlusal cavities with and without cyclic load stress, compared with
      that of a universal resin composite restoration (U-restoration). Two flowable
      composites and one universal composite (control) were applied with an adhesive
      system to 42 standardized class 1 occlusal cavities. The restored specimens were
      subjected to cyclic load stress and no stress modes. The microtensile bond
      strength (MU-TBS) of the dentin floor was measured. The U-restoration did not
      show pretesting failure. The F-restorations exhibited pretesting failure,
      regardless of the stress mode. The MU-TBS was not significantly different among
      the three restorations, regardless of the stress mode. The cyclic load stress did
      not influence the MU-TBS of the F-restorations; however, it significantly reduced
      MU-TBS in the U-restoration. The bonding reliability of the F-restorations was
      inferior to that of the U-restoration, for both stress modes. 

PMID- 27251997
TI  - Mechanical properties, volumetric shrinkage and depth of cure of short fiber
      reinforced resin composite.
AB  - The mechanical properties, volumetric shrinkage and depth of cure of a short
      fiber-reinforced resin composite (SFRC) were investigated in this study and
      compared to both a bulk fill resin composite (BFRC) and conventional
      glass/ceramic-filled resin composite (CGRC). Fracture toughness, flexural
      properties, volumetric shrinkage and depth of cure of the SFRC, BFRC and CGRC
      were measured. SFRC had significantly higher fracture toughness than BFRCs and
      CGRCs. The flexural properties of SFRC were comparable with BFRCs and CGRCs. SFRC
      showed significantly lower volumetric shrinkage than the other tested resin
      composites. The depth of cure of the SFRC was similar to BFRCs and higher than
      CGRCs. The data from this laboratory investigation suggests that SFRC exhibits
      improvements in fracture toughness, volumetric shrinkage and depth of cure when
      compared with CGRC, but depth of cure of SFRC was similar to BFRC. 

PMID- 27251998
TI  - Effect of thermal cyclic stress on acid resistance of resin-infiltrated incipient
      enamel lesions in vitro.
AB  - This study aimed to examine the effect of thermal cycling on gap formation at the
      interface between infiltrated resin (ICON((r))) and enamel lesion and on the
      durability of anti-demineralization efficacy to predict the future performance.
      SS-OCT technique was examined to determine whether it has the potential to detect
      the gap. Bovine enamel lesions were prepared, and the infiltrated resin was
      applied to the lesion. Resin-infiltrated lesion specimens were thermal cycled
      10,000 cycles and further demineralized in pH 4.5 buffer for 7 days. Released Ca
      (mg/cm(2)) was quantified by Ca electrode. The SS-OCT technique was applied to
      detect the gap, and SEM observation was performed to determine the presence of
      the gap. There was no significant difference in the amount of Ca release before
      and after the thermal cycling, suggesting long-lasting anti-demineralization
      efficacy of the resin. SS-OCT and SEM observations indicated no apparent gap
      formation after the thermal cycling. 

PMID- 27251999
TI  - Assessment of occlusal fissure depth and sealant penetration using optical
      coherence tomography.
AB  - Swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) is an interferometric imaging
      technique. This study aimed to assess SS-OCT as a diagnostic tool for the
      evaluation of occlusal fissure depth and sealant penetration into fissure.
      Seventy investigation sites of occlusal fissures without visible evidence of
      caries were categorized into four groups (smooth, shallow, intermediate, and deep
      fissures). Categorization utilized two methods: 1) visually, using a computer
      screen, and 2) using SS-OCT images. After sealant placement, penetration was
      observed in SS-OCT. The results obtained from SS-OCT and visual inspections were
      compared with those of confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The diagnostic
      power of SS-OCT was higher than that of visual inspection for fissure depth.
      Additionally, clear cross-sectional images of sealant penetration into fissures
      were observed with SS-OCT. SS-OCT can be used to evaluate fissure depth and
      monitor sealant penetration. 

PMID- 27252000
TI  - The pH effect of solvent in silanization on fluoride released and mechanical
      properties of heat-cured acrylic resin containing fluoride-releasing filler.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an acidic-adjusted pH of solvent in
      silanization on the amount of fluoride released and mechanical properties of heat
      cured acrylic resin containing a silanized fluoride-releasing filler. The
      experimental groups were divided into 4 groups; non-silanized, acidic-adjusted
      pH, non-adjusted pH, and no filler as control. For fluoride measurement, each
      specimen was placed in deionized water which was changed every day for 7 days,
      every week for 7 weeks and measured. The flexural strength and flexural modulus
      were evaluated after aging for 48 h, 1, and 2 months. Two-way ANOVA indicated
      significant differences among groups, storage times, and its interaction in
      fluoride measurement and flexural modulus. For flexural strength, there was
      significant difference only among groups. Acidic-adjusted pH of solvent in
      silanization enhanced the amount of fluoride released from acrylic resin, while
      non-adjusted pH of solvent exhibited better flexural strength of acrylic resin. 

PMID- 27252001
TI  - A comparative study of marginal fit of copings prepared with various techniques
      on different implant abutments.
AB  - This study evaluated fabrication techniques of recently introduced all-ceramic
      copings' marginal adaptation on two different implant abutments with different
      finish lines. Five different copings were prepared (Casted chrome-cobalt metal
      coping, Zirkonzahn, Cercon, In Ceram Alumina and IPS e.max Press) on two
      cementable implant abutments with two marginal designs. Ten samples for each
      coping group were prepared (totally 100 samples). Copings were cemented to
      implant abutments and marginal gap measurements were done from 24 points with
      stereomicroscope and the datas were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test before
      cementation. Cercon copings showed the lowest marginal fit scores and metal
      copings showed the highest scores. After cementation, all marginal gap values
      have been increased. All marginal gap values obtained from crown copings can be
      considered in clinically acceptable limits (<120 um) except metal copings after
      cementation on abutment with 135 degrees shoulder group (123 um). 

PMID- 27252002
TI  - Bone healing capabilities of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-9
      (rhBMP-9) with a chitosan or collagen carrier in rat calvarial defects.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the effects of recombinant human BMP-9
      (rhBMP-9) with chitosan sponge (ChiS) or absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) on bone
      formation in rat calvarial defects. The defects were treated by one of the
      following implantations: ChiS, rhBMP-9/ChiS, ACS, rhBMP-9/ACS and no
      implantation. The animals were euthanized at 8 weeks for histological evaluation.
      The percentage of defect closure (DC) in the rhBMP-9/ACS group was significantly
      greater than that in the ACS group. The rhBMP-9/ACS group demonstrated the
      highest level of DC among all the groups. The newly formed bone area (NBA) and
      NBA/total area in the ChiS-implanted groups and in the rhBMP-9/ACS group were
      significantly greater compared with those in the ACS group. It can be concluded
      that rhBMP-9/ACS has a potential to induce bone formation in rat calvarial
      defects. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of bone
      formation induced by rhBMP-9. 

PMID- 27252003
TI  - Shear bond strengths of an indirect composite layering material to a
      tribochemically silica-coated zirconia framework material.
AB  - This study evaluated shear bond strengths of a layering indirect composite
      material to a zirconia framework material treated with tribochemical silica
      coating. Zirconia disks were divided into two groups: ZR-PRE (airborne-particle
      abrasion) and ZR-PLU (tribochemical silica coating). Indirect composite was
      bonded to zirconia treated with one of the following primers: Clearfil Ceramic
      Primer (CCP), Clearfil Mega Bond Primer with Clearfil Porcelain Bond Activator
      (MGP+Act), ESPE-Sil (SIL), Estenia Opaque Primer, MR. Bond, Super-Bond PZ Primer
      Liquid A with Liquid B (PZA+PZB), and Super-Bond PZ Primer Liquid B (PZB), or no
      treatment. Shear bond testing was performed at 0 and 20,000 thermocycles. Post
      thermocycling shear bond strengths of ZR-PLU were higher than those of ZR-PRE in
      CCP, MGP+Act, SIL, PZA+PZB, and PZB groups. Application of silane yielded better
      durable bond strengths of a layering indirect composite material to a
      tribochemically silica-coated zirconia framework material. 

PMID- 27252004
TI  - Bone augmentation around a dental implant using demineralized bone sheet
      containing biologically active substances.
AB  - This study was designed to evaluate the volume of alveolar bone augmentation
      after immediate implant placement using demineralized bone. We examined the
      collagen matrix of demineralized bone and biologically active substances
      contained therein. Rat maxillary first molars were extracted, and the animals
      were divided into five groups as follows: tooth extraction only, implant into the
      mesial root socket, implant and other root sockets covered with demineralized
      bone sheet, implant and other root sockets filled with demineralized bone powder
      under the sheet, and implant and other root sockets covered with demineralized
      bone sheet from which proteins were extracted. We ascertained whether
      biologically active substances are contained in extracted proteins. Biologically
      active substances were detected in extracted proteins. Conditions using
      demineralized bone sheet with biologically active substances significantly
      augmented the height of the alveolar bone. Such resorbable membranes containing
      biologically active substances hold promise as clinical agents for bone
      augmentation upon implantation. 

PMID- 27252005
TI  - Effect of an experimental adhesive resin containing multi-ion releasing fillers
      on direct pulp-capping.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate pulpal healing and reparative dentin
      formation after 14 and 28 days in exposed rat pulp directly capped with an
      experimentally developed all-in-one adhesive containing surface reaction-type pre
      reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler. The four experimental groups and the
      control group were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Steel
      Dwass post-hoc test to compare the histopathological score. The Mann-Whitney U
      test was used to compare the histopathological score at 14 and 28 days for each
      observation item. All experimental adhesives containing S-PRG fillers developed
      for direct pulp capping showed no pulpal inflammation. After 14 days, the
      experimental adhesives containing S-PRG fillers and the control group formed
      tertiary dentin around the exposed pulp. After 28 days, the experimental
      adhesives containing 13 and 27 wt% of S-PRG fillers formed dentin bridge equal to
      the control. 

PMID- 27252006
TI  - Shear bond strength and microleakage of a self-etching adhesive for fissure
      sealing after different types of aging.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate shear bond strength (SBS) and microleakage
      of a self-etching adhesive (Adper Prompt L-Pop) in comparison to acid etching
      prior fissure sealing. Each procedure was tested with 3 aging procedures (1-day
      water storage, 3-month water storage and 1-day water storage/5,000*
      thermocycling). SBS was determined according to ISO standard 29022. Additional 30
      third molars were utilized for the microleakage analyses. Data were analyzed
      using Mann-Whitney-U-Test and multiple linear regression models. The SBS of the
      self-etching adhesive were significantly lower (14.9, 11.9, and 13.0 MPa) than
      those of conventional fissure sealing (19.1, 18.2, and 15.6 MPa). Multiple linear
      regression models predicted that material and alteration significantly influenced
      SBS. The microleakage revealed no difference between both groups (1.3% vs. 1.2%).
      It can be concluded that the selfetching adhesive might be a pre-treatment
      alternative for fissure sealing in terms of the easier and shorter clinical
      workflow. 

PMID- 27252007
TI  - Fracture resistance of palatal cusps defective premolars restored with
      polyethylene fiber and composite resin.
AB  - The aim of the study was to compare the fracture resistance of the palatal cusps
      of defective and endodontically treated premolars after restoration with various
      restorative techniques. Fifty premolars were assigned to five groups. The first
      group comprised intact teeth as control (G1), while the other experimental groups
      (G2, G3, G4 and G5) comprised endodontically-treated teeth, whose palatal cusps
      were cut and reduced the buccal cusps by 2 mm. G2, composite resin onlay with
      buccal cusp coverage (CR). G3, CR and fiber post. G4, CR and polyethylene fiber.
      G5, CR, fiber post and polyethylene fiber. Fracture resistance was tested. The
      data were recorded in Newton and submitted to ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests.
      Statistically significant difference was found between the mean fracture
      resistances of the groups. Polyethylene fiber reinforced composite restorations
      strengthened the fracture resistance of palatal cusps defective and
      endodontically treated premolars. 

PMID- 27252008
TI  - Depth of cure of contemporary bulk-fill resin-based composites.
AB  - This study evaluated the depth of cure (DOC) of packable and flowable bulk-fill
      resin-based composites (RBCs) including PRG (prereacted glass ionomer) and short
      fiber materials. The materials were placed in a black split-mold with a 7 mm deep
      recess and cured at 700 mW/cm(2) for 20 s using a LED curing light. DOC was
      assessed using the ISO scraping and Knoops hardness tests. Data (n=5) were
      computed and analyzed using one-way ANOVA/Scheffe's post hoc test (p<0.05). ISO
      DOC ranged from 3.66 to 2.54 mm while DOC based on hardness testing ranged from 3
      to 1.5 mm. For all materials, a decrease in hardness was observed with increasing
      depths. The DOC of bulk-fill RBCs was product dependent and greater than standard
      composites. At 4 mm depth, none of the bulk-fill RBCs had a depth: top hardness
      ratio of 0.8 and above. 

PMID- 27252009
TI  - Antimicrobial effect of titanium dioxide after ultraviolet irradiation against
      periodontal pathogen.
AB  - We focused on the antimicrobial effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) after stopping
      ultraviolet (UV) irradiation as an adjunctive treatment for peri-implantitis in
      this study. The aim was to determine the continuous photocatalytic effects of
      TiO2 after UV irradiation and its antimicrobial activity against periodontal
      pathogen. The continuous photocatalytic effects of TiO2 after UV irradiation were
      determined by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy using TiO2 particles of
      various sizes with various UV irradiation times. In addition, antimicrobial
      activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis was investigated by quantitation of
      colony-forming units (CFUs). The results showed that the ESR signal ratio for the
      UV-irradiated TiO2 was significantly higher than that of the non-irradiated TiO2.
      UV-irradiated TiO2 significantly reduced the number of P. gingivalis when
      compared with non-irradiated controls. These results suggest that TiO2 has a
      continuous photocatalytic effect even after stopping UV irradiation and that it
      showed antimicrobial activity against periodontal pathogen. 

PMID- 27252010
TI  - Effect of new light curing units on microleakage and microhardness of resin
      sealants.
AB  - To determine new developed light curing units with shorter curing times effects
      on microleakage and microhardness values for resin fissure sealants. Resin filled
      sealant (UltraSeal-XT), resin unfilled sealant (Delton Type-II) and ormocer-based
      sealant (Admira-Seal) were light cured with a quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH), two
      LED light and a high power LED. Two hundred and forty extracted human molars were
      randomly allocated into four groups according to used light-curing unit and three
      subgroups were formed for three different fissure sealant materials. Specimens
      were immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin for 24 h, sectioned and examined under a
      stereomicroscope, and scored for marginal microleakage. Knoop hardness number
      (KHN) readings were measured after 48 h. Statistical analyses of test were found
      in significant difference both microleakage and microhardness values between the
      various light curing units. The time saving approaches in the curing light were
      determined higher microhardness, although it was found in higher microleakage. 

PMID- 27252011
TI  - Influence of different composite materials and cavity preparation designs on the
      fracture resistance of mesio-occluso-distal inlay restoration.
AB  - The aim of the study to evaluate the fracture resistance of a computer-aided
      design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and three indirect composite
      materials for three different mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) inlay cavity designs. A
      total of 120 mandibular third molar were divided into three groups: (G1) non
      proximal box, (G2) 2-mm proximal box, and (G3) 4-mm proximal box. Each cavity
      design received four composite materials: Estenia, Epricord (Kuraray, Japan),
      Tescera (Bisco, USA), and Cerasmart CAD/CAM blocks (GC, USA). The specimens were
      subjected to a compressive load at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The data was
      analyzed using the two-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test
      (p<0.05). Estenia exhibited significantly higher fracture strength than Epricord
      and Cerasmart in G1. In G2 and G3, there was no significant difference among the
      four materials. Using a non-proximal box design for the cavity can improve the
      fracture resistance of the inlay restoration. 

PMID- 27252012
TI  - Prospects for the therapeutic application of sulfated polysaccharides of brown
      algae in diseases of the cardiovascular system: review.
AB  - CONTEXT: Fucoidans are water-soluble, highly sulfated, branched homo- and hetero
      polysaccharides derived from the fibrillar cell walls and intercellular spaces of
      brown seaweeds of the class Phaeophyceae. Fucoidans possess mimetic properties of
      the natural ligands of protein receptors and regulate functions of biological
      systems via key signaling molecules. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to
      collect and combine all available scientific literature about the potential use
      of the fucoidans for diseases of cardiovascular system. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      The review has been compiled using references from major databases such as Web of
      Science, PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Springer and Google Scholar (up to September
      2015). After obtaining all reports from database (a total number is about 580),
      the papers were carefully analyzed in order to find data related to the topic of
      this review (129 references). RESULTS: An exhaustive survey of literature
      revealed that fucoidans possess a broad spectrum of biological activity,
      including anti-coagulant, hypolipidemic, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory,
      immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, anti-adhesive and anti-hypertensive properties.
      Numerous investigations of fucoidans in diseases of the cardiovascular system
      mainly focus on pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects. Fucoidans also possess pro
      angiogenic and pro-vasculogenic properties. CONCLUSION: A great number of
      investigations in the past years have demonstrated that fucoidans has great
      potential for in-depth investigation of their effects on cardiovascular system.
      Through this review, the authors hope to attract the attention of researchers to
      use fucoidan as mimetic of natural ligand receptor protein with the view of
      developing new formulations with an improved therapeutic value.

PMID- 27252014
TI  - Prediction of individual implant bone levels and the existence of implant
      "phenotypes".
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To cluster implants placed in patients of a private practice and
      identify possible implant "phenotypes" and predictors of individual implant mean
      bone levels (IIMBL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and radiographical variables
      were collected from 72 implant-treated patients with 237 implants and a mean 7.4
      +/- 3.5 years of function. We clustered implants using the k-means method guided
      by multidimensional unfolding. For predicting IIMBL, we used principal component
      analysis (PCA) as a variable reduction method for an ensemble selection (ES) and
      a support vector machines models (SVMs). Network analysis investigated variable
      interactions. RESULTS: We identified a cluster of implants susceptible to peri
      implantitis (96% of the implants in the cluster were affected by peri
      implantitis) and two overlapping clusters of implants resistant to peri
      implantitis. The cluster susceptible to peri-implantitis showed a mean IIMBL of
      5.2 mm and included implants placed mainly in the lower front jaw and in mouths
      having a mean of eight teeth. PCA extracted the parameters such as number of
      teeth, full-mouth plaque scores, implant surface, periodontitis severity, age and
      diabetes as significant in explaining the data variability. ES and SVMs showed
      good results in predicting IIMBL (root-mean-squared error of 0.133 and 0.149, 10
      fold cross-validation error of 0.147 and 0.150, respectively). Network analysis
      revealed limited interdependencies of variables among peri-implantitis-affected
      and non-affected implants and supported the hypothesis of the existence of
      distinct implant "phenotypes." CONCLUSION: Two implant "phenotypes" were
      identified, one with susceptibility and another with resistance to peri
      implantitis. Prediction of IIMBL could be achieved by using six variables.

PMID- 27252015
TI  - Overview of the molecular defense systems used by sea urchin embryos to cope with
      UV radiation.
AB  - The sea urchin embryo is a well-recognized developmental biology model and its
      use in toxicological studies has been widely appreciated. Many studies have
      focused on the evaluation of the effects of chemical stressors and their mixture
      in marine ecosystems using sea urchin embryos. These are well equipped with
      defense genes used to cope with chemical stressors. Recently, ultraviolet
      radiation (UVR), particularly UVB (280-315 nm), received more attention as a
      physical stressor. Mainly in the Polar Regions, but also at temperate latitudes,
      the penetration of UVB into the oceans increases as a consequence of the
      reduction of the Earth's ozone layer. In general, UVR induces oxidative stress in
      marine organisms affecting molecular targets such as DNA, proteins, and lipids.
      Depending on the UVR dose, developing sea urchin embryos show morphological
      perturbations affecting mainly the skeleton formation and patterning.
      Nevertheless, embryos are able to protect themselves against excessive UVR, using
      mechanisms acting at different levels: transcriptional, translational and post
      translational. In this review, we recommend the sea urchin embryo as a suitable
      model for testing physical stressors such as UVR and summarize the mechanisms
      adopted to deal with UVR. Moreover, we review UV-induced apoptotic events and the
      combined effects of UVR and other stressors.

PMID- 27252013
TI  - ZBTB7A mutations in acute myeloid leukaemia with t(8;21) translocation.
AB  - The t(8;21) translocation is one of the most frequent cytogenetic abnormalities
      in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and results in the RUNX1/RUNX1T1 rearrangement.
      Despite the causative role of the RUNX1/RUNX1T1 fusion gene in leukaemia
      initiation, additional genetic lesions are required for disease development. Here
      we identify recurring ZBTB7A mutations in 23% (13/56) of AML t(8;21) patients,
      including missense and truncating mutations resulting in alteration or loss of
      the C-terminal zinc-finger domain of ZBTB7A. The transcription factor ZBTB7A is
      important for haematopoietic lineage fate decisions and for regulation of
      glycolysis. On a functional level, we show that ZBTB7A mutations disrupt the
      transcriptional repressor potential and the anti-proliferative effect of ZBTB7A.
      The specific association of ZBTB7A mutations with t(8;21) rearranged AML points
      towards leukaemogenic cooperativity between mutant ZBTB7A and the RUNX1/RUNX1T1
      fusion.

PMID- 27252016
TI  - Laser-resistance sensitivity to substrate pit size of multilayer coatings.
AB  - Nanosecond laser-resistance to dielectric multilayer coatings on substrate pits
      was examined with respect to the electric-field (E-field) enhancement and
      mechanical properties. The laser-induced damage sensitivity to the shape of the
      substrate pits has not been directly investigated through experiments, thus
      preventing clear understanding of the damage mechanism of substrate pits. We
      performed a systematic and comparative study to reveal the effects of the E-field
      distributions and localized stress concentration on the damage behaviour of
      coatings on substrates with pits. To obtain reliable results, substrate pits with
      different geometries were fabricated using a 520-nm femtosecond laser-processing
      platform. By using the finite element method, the E-field distribution and
      localized stress of the pitted region were well simulated. The 1064-nm damage
      morphologies of the coated pit were directly compared with simulated E-field
      intensity profiles and stress distributions. To enable further understanding, a
      simplified geometrical model was established, and the damage mechanism was
      introduced.

PMID- 27252017
TI  - The influence of body size on the intermittent locomotion of a pelagic schooling
      fish.
AB  - There is a potential trade-off between grouping and the optimizing of the
      energetic efficiency of individual locomotion. Although intermittent locomotion,
      e.g. glide and upward swimming (GAU), can reduce the cost of locomotion at the
      individual level, the link between the optimization of individual intermittent
      locomotion and the behavioural synchronization in a group, especially among
      members with different sizes, is unknown. Here, we continuously monitored the
      schooling behaviour of a negatively buoyant fish, Pacific bluefin tuna (N = 10;
      21.0 ~ 24.5 cm), for 24 h in an open-sea net cage using accelerometry. All the
      fish repeated GAU during the recording periods. Although the GAU synchrony was
      maintained at high levels (overall mean = 0.62 for the cross-correlation
      coefficient of the GAU timings), larger fish glided for a longer duration per
      glide and more frequently than smaller fish. Similar-sized pairs showed
      significantly higher GAU synchrony than differently sized pairs. Our
      accelerometry results and the simulation based on hydrodynamic theory indicated
      that the advantage of intermittent locomotion in energy savings may not be fully
      optimized for smaller animals in a group when faced with the maintenance of group
      cohesion, suggesting that size assortative shoaling would be advantageous.

PMID- 27252018
TI  - Can you teach an old parrot new tricks? Cognitive development in wild kaka
      (Nestor meridionalis).
AB  - Despite recent efforts to characterize innovative individuals within a species,
      we still know very little about the ontogeny of innovation ability. A number of
      studies have found that innovation rates are correlated with personality traits,
      such as neophilia and exploration. Juvenile birds are frequently more neophilic
      and explorative, yet few studies have found evidence of age-related differences
      in innovative problem-solving success. Here, we show consistently higher
      innovation efficiency in juveniles of a wild, omnivorous parrot species across a
      variety of tasks and contexts. We tested 104 kaka (Nestor meridionalis), ranging
      in age from four months to 13 years. Twenty-four individuals participated in all
      three of our problem-solving tasks, two of which involved a familiar feeder and
      one an entirely novel apparatus. Juveniles were the most efficient problem
      solvers in all three tasks. By contrast, the adults' success was context
      dependent and limited to the novel apparatus, which did not require modification
      of a pre-learned behavioural response. This suggests greater behavioural
      flexibility in the juvenile birds, who also showed higher persistence and
      exploratory diversity than adults. These traits may enable young kaka to discover
      efficient foraging techniques, which are then maintained throughout adulthood.

PMID- 27252019
TI  - Facultative asexual reproduction and genetic diversity of populations in the
      humivorous termite Cavitermes tuberosus.
AB  - Termite colonies are typically founded by a pair of sexually reproducing
      dispersers, which can sometimes be replaced by some of their offspring. Some
      Reticulitermes and Embiratermes species routinely practice asexual queen
      succession (AQS): the queen is replaced by neotenic daughters produced by
      parthenogenesis, which mate with the primary king. Here, to cast light on the
      evolution of AQS, we investigated another candidate species, Cavitermes tuberosus
      (Termitinae). Of 95 nests, 39 contained a primary queen and 28 contained neotenic
      females (2-667 individuals), usually with the primary king. Microsatellite
      analyses confirmed that colonies were initiated by single pairs after large
      dispersal flights. More than 80% of the neotenic females were of exclusively
      maternal origin and completely homozygous, suggesting automictic parthenogenesis
      with gamete duplication. Conversely, workers, soldiers, and most alates and
      primary reproductives were produced sexually. AQS often occurs late, after
      colonies have reached maturity, whereas early AQS in other species may boost the
      young colony's growth rate. We suggest additional benefits of AQS in C.
      tuberosus, related with a smaller size, lesser stability and higher mobility of
      colonies. Our data add to the phylogenetical dispersion and diversity of
      modalities of AQS in termites, supporting a multiple evolutionary origin of this
      process.

PMID- 27252020
TI  - Hierarchical dynamics of informational patterns and decision-making.
AB  - Traditional studies on the interaction of cognitive functions in healthy and
      disordered brains have used the analyses of the connectivity of several
      specialized brain networks-the functional connectome. However, emerging evidence
      suggests that both brain networks and functional spontaneous brain-wide network
      communication are intrinsically dynamic. In the light of studies investigating
      the cooperation between different cognitive functions, we consider here the
      dynamics of hierarchical networks in cognitive space. We show, using an example
      of behavioural decision-making based on sequential episodic memory, how the
      description of metastable pattern dynamics underlying basic cognitive processes
      helps to understand and predict complex processes like sequential episodic memory
      recall and competition among decision strategies. The mathematical images of the
      discussed phenomena in the phase space of the corresponding cognitive model are
      hierarchical heteroclinic networks. One of the most important features of such
      networks is the robustness of their dynamics. Different kinds of instabilities of
      these dynamics can be related to 'dynamical signatures' of creativity and
      different psychiatric disorders. The suggested approach can also be useful for
      the understanding of the dynamical processes that are the basis of consciousness.

PMID- 27252021
TI  - Active dispersal in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) during the 'lost
      years'.
AB  - Highly migratory marine species can travel long distances and across entire ocean
      basins to reach foraging and breeding grounds, yet gaps persist in our knowledge
      of oceanic dispersal and habitat use. This is especially true for sea turtles,
      whose complex life history and lengthy pelagic stage present unique conservation
      challenges. Few studies have explored how these young at-sea turtles navigate
      their environment, but advancements in satellite technology and numerical models
      have shown that active and passive movements are used in relation to open ocean
      features. Here, we provide the first study, to the best of our knowledge, to
      simultaneously combine a high-resolution physical forcing ocean circulation model
      with long-term multi-year tracking data of young, trans-oceanic North Pacific
      loggerhead sea turtles during their 'lost years' at sea. From 2010 to 2014, we
      compare simulated trajectories of passive transport with empirical data of 1-3
      year old turtles released off Japan (29.7-37.5 straight carapace length cm).
      After several years, the at-sea distribution of simulated current-driven
      trajectories significantly differed from that of the observed turtle tracks.
      These results underscore current theories on active dispersal by young oceanic
      stage sea turtles and give further weight to hypotheses of juvenile foraging
      strategies for this species. Such information can also provide critical
      geographical information for spatially explicit conservation approaches to this
      endangered population.

PMID- 27252022
TI  - Invasion of two tick-borne diseases across New England: harnessing human
      surveillance data to capture underlying ecological invasion processes.
AB  - Modelling the spatial spread of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens maintained in
      enzootic transmission cycles remains a major challenge. The best available spatio
      temporal data on pathogen spread often take the form of human disease
      surveillance data. By applying a classic ecological approach-occupancy modelling
      to an epidemiological question of disease spread, we used surveillance data to
      examine the latent ecological invasion of tick-borne pathogens. Over the last
      half-century, previously undescribed tick-borne pathogens including the agents of
      Lyme disease and human babesiosis have rapidly spread across the northeast United
      States. Despite their epidemiological importance, the mechanisms of tick-borne
      pathogen invasion and drivers underlying the distinct invasion trajectories of
      the co-vectored pathogens remain unresolved. Our approach allowed us to estimate
      the unobserved ecological processes underlying pathogen spread while accounting
      for imperfect detection of human cases. Our model predicts that tick-borne
      diseases spread in a diffusion-like manner with occasional long-distance
      dispersal and that babesiosis spread exhibits strong dependence on Lyme disease.

PMID- 27252024
TI  - Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel series of glycosylated
      platinum(iv) complexes as antitumor agents.
AB  - A new series of glycosylated Pt(iv) complexes were designed, synthesized and
      evaluated for antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. The incorporation of
      glycosyl groups to the Pt(iv) system has much influence on the antitumor
      abilities. Four lead compounds with activities comparable or even superior to
      cisplatin and oxaliplatin are screened out. These Pt(iv) complexes could be
      reduced to release Pt(ii) complexes and cause the death of tumour cells. The
      apoptosis-inducing properties of these compounds are similar to cisplatin. The
      accumulation of the glycosylated Pt(iv) complexes in cells and DNA is higher than
      cisplatin and oxaliplatin. The in vivo assay demonstrates that the tested
      compounds inhibit the growth of HepG2 tumors with low toxicity. 

PMID- 27252023
TI  - Transmission and pathogenicity of novel reassortants derived from Eurasian avian
      like and 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza viruses in mice and guinea pigs.
AB  - Given the present extensive co-circulation in pigs of Eurasian avian-like (EA)
      swine H1N1 and 2009 pandemic (pdm/09) H1N1 viruses, reassortment between them is
      highly plausible but largely uncharacterized. Here, experimentally co-infected
      pigs with a representative EA virus and a pdm/09 virus yielded 55 novel
      reassortant viruses that could be categorized into 17 genotypes from Gt1 to Gt17
      based on segment segregation. Majority of novel reassortants were isolated from
      the lower respiratory tract. Most of reassortant viruses were more pathogenic and
      contagious than the parental EA viruses in mice and guinea pigs. The most
      transmissible reassortant genotypes demonstrated in guinea pigs (Gt2, Gt3, Gt7,
      Gt10 and Gt13) were also the most lethal in mice. Notably, nearly all these
      highly virulent reassortants (all except Gt13) were characterized with possession
      of EA H1 and full complement of pdm/09 ribonucleoprotein genes. Compositionally,
      we demonstrated that EA H1-222G contributed to virulence by its ability to bind
      avian-type sialic acid receptors, and that pdm/09 RNP conferred the most robust
      polymerase activity to reassortants. The present study revealed high reassortment
      compatibility between EA and pdm/09 viruses in pigs, which could give rise to
      progeny reassortant viruses with enhanced virulence and transmissibility in mice
      and guinea pig models.

PMID- 27252025
TI  - Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy of S. mutans biofilms attached to relevant
      dental materials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial Photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has demonstrated efficacy
      in situations where conventional antibiotic therapies can be challenged such as
      biofilms, gram-negative bacteria, and antimicrobial resistant organisms. Surface
      characteristics can affect biofilm adherence and integrity and so may modify the
      effectiveness of aPDT. This study investigates the killing efficacy of aPDT on S.
      mutans biofilms grown on relevant dental substrata, examining the killing
      efficacy and specifically the effects of aPDT on the biofilm matrix architecture.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: S. mutans (NCTC 10449) was grown in 48 hours biofilms on
      different substrata, specifically glass, titanium, and denture acrylic. During
      aPDT assays, the biofilms were treated with a purpurin based sensitizer ([25
      ug/ml] in DMSO) for 30 minutes, then exposed to a 664 nm diode laser at light
      doses of 15, 30, and 45 J/cm2 . Colony forming unit assays were performed to
      determine survival following treatment. Controls for comparison in survival
      assays consisted of (No light/No PS; No light/PS; and No light/DMSO). MAIR-IR
      spectroscopy analysis was performed to investigate aPDT effects on biofilm
      composition before and after jet impingement. RESULTS: Survival was greatly
      reduced in the biofilm cultures following the aPDT assays. All light doses
      achieved a greater then 3-log inactivation on 48 hours biofilms grown on polished
      denture acrylic. The higher light doses (45 and 30 J) achieved greater than 3-log
      inactivation in 48 hours biofilms grown on glass. The higher light doses (30 and
      45 J/cm2 ) produced a 2-log inactivation in 48 hours biofilms grown on titanium.
      Multiple attenuated internal reflection infrared (MAIR-IR) spectroscopy data
      demonstrates enhanced loss of exopolysaccharide (EPS) and Amide in the aPDT
      treated biofilms following jet impingement. CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial PDT
      experiments using a purpurin based sensitizer and laser light doses of 15, 30,
      and 45 J/cm2 , against S. mutans biofilm grown on different surfaces, show the
      effectiveness of this therapy. In CFU survival assays, a dose response to the
      laser is evident. While considerable disinfection was achieved on all surfaces
      compared to the controls, not all surfaces could be disinfected equally. MAIR-IR
      spectroscopy showed that aPDT groups lost more EPS and Amide versus controls,
      suggesting aPDT induced biofilm embrittlement, which was revealed by jet
      impingement. With demonstrated efficacy against various microbes and on different
      substrata, antimicrobial aPDT shows potential for clinical application in biofilm
      mediated diseases such as peri-implantitis and periodontitis. Lasers Surg. Med.
      48:995-1005, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27252026
TI  - Ac-LPFFD-Th: A Trehalose-Conjugated Peptidomimetic as a Strong Suppressor of
      Amyloid-beta Oligomer Formation and Cytotoxicity.
AB  - The inhibition of amyloid formation is a promising therapeutic approach for the
      treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Peptide-based inhibitors, which have
      been widely investigated, are generally derived from original amyloid sequences.
      Most interestingly, trehalose, a nonreducing disaccharide of alpha-glucose, is
      effective in preventing the aggregation of numerous proteins. We have determined
      that the development of hybrid compounds could provide new molecules with
      improved properties that might synergically increase the potency of their single
      moieties. In this work, the ability of Ac-LPFFD-Th, a C-terminally trehalose
      conjugated derivative, to slow down the Abeta aggregation process was
      investigated by means of different biophysical techniques, including thioflavin T
      fluorescence, dynamic light scattering, ESI-MS, and NMR spectroscopy. Moreover,
      we demonstrate that Ac-LPFFD-Th modifies the aggregation features of Abeta and
      protects neurons from Abeta oligomers' toxic insult.

PMID- 27252027
TI  - Ketamine alone or combined with midazolam or dexmedetomidine does not affect
      anxiety-like behaviours and memory in adult Wistar rats.
AB  - Ketamine administration has been associated with controversial behavioural
      impairments and psychotic episodes. Even though ketamine alone and in combination
      with midazolam or dexmedetomidine are frequently used in laboratory animals, the
      side-effects of such protocols are not well known. Therefore, our aim was to
      evaluate the effects of ketamine alone and in combination with midazolam or
      dexmedetomidine on emotional reactivity, as well as the effects on learning and
      memory in adult rats at least 48 h after anaesthesia. The evaluation of the
      potential influence of 100 mg/kg ketamine administered alone and in combination
      with midazolam (5 mg/kg), or dexmedetomidine (0.25 mg/kg) on spatial learning and
      recognition memory was studied in adult Wistar rats using the radial maze as well
      as object recognition and location tests. The influence of these combinations on
      emotional reactivity was investigated using the new exploration test and the
      elevated plus maze. Results showed that ketamine alone or in combination with
      midazolam or dexmedetomidine affected neither spatial and recognition memory, nor
      emotional reactivity. These results reinforce the safe clinical use of ketamine
      and its combinations in rats in a research context since the administration of
      these anaesthetic combinations did not produce significant changes with regard to
      spatial and recognition memory or emotional reactivity. Furthermore, these
      results indicate that the quality of scientific data produced in adult rat
      neurobehavioural research is not jeopardized by the use of these anaesthetic
      protocols.

PMID- 27252028
TI  - The stripe rust fungal effector PEC6 suppresses pattern-triggered immunity in a
      host species-independent manner and interacts with adenosine kinases.
AB  - We identified a wheat stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) effector candidate
      (PEC6) with pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) suppression function and its
      corresponding host target. PEC6 compromised PTI host species-independently. In
      Nicotiana benthamiana, it hampers reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and
      callose deposition induced by Pseudomonas fluorescens. In Arabidopsis, plants
      expressing PEC6 were more susceptible to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto)
      DC3000 DeltaAvrPto/DeltaAvrPtoB. In wheat, PEC6-suppression of P. fluorescens
      elicited PTI was revealed by the fact that it allowed activation of effector
      triggered immunity by Pto DC3000. Knocking down of PEC6 expression by virus
      mediated host-induced gene silencing decreased the number of rust pustules,
      uncovering PEC6 as an important pathogenicity factor. PEC6, overexpressed in
      plant cells without its signal peptide, was localized to the nucleus and
      cytoplasm. A yeast two-hybrid assay showed that PEC6 interacts with both wheat
      and Arabidopsis adenosine kinases (ADKs). Knocking down wheat ADK expression by
      virus-induced gene silencing reduced leaf growth and enhanced the number of rust
      pustules, indicating that ADK is important in plant development and defence. ADK
      plays essential roles in regulating metabolism, cytokinin interconversion and
      methyl transfer reactions, and our data propose a model where PEC6 may affect one
      of these processes by targeting ADK to favour fungal growth.

PMID- 27252029
TI  - High lethality and minimal variation after acute self-poisoning with carbamate
      insecticides in Sri Lanka - implications for global suicide prevention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Highly hazardous organophosphorus (OP) insecticides are responsible
      for most pesticide poisoning deaths. As they are removed from agricultural
      practice, they are often replaced by carbamate insecticides of perceived lower
      toxicity. However, relatively little is known about poisoning with these
      insecticides. METHODS: We prospectively studied 1288 patients self-poisoned with
      carbamate insecticides admitted to six Sri Lankan hospitals. Clinical outcomes
      were recorded for each patient and plasma carbamate concentration measured in a
      sample to confirm the carbamate ingested. FINDINGS: Patients had ingested 3%
      carbofuran powder (719), carbosulfan EC25 liquid (25% w/v, 389), or fenobucarb
      EC50 liquid (50% w/v, 127) formulations, carbamate insecticides of WHO Toxicity
      Classes Ib, II, and II, respectively. Intubation and ventilation was required for
      183 (14.2%) patients while 71 (5.5%) died. Compared with carbofuran, poisoning
      with carbosulfan or fenobucarb was associated with significantly higher risk of
      death [carbofuran 2.2%; carbosulfan 11.1%, OR 5.5 (95% CI 3.0-9.8); fenobucarb
      6.3%, OR 3.0 (1.2-7.1)] and intubation [carbofuran 6.1%; carbosulfan 27.0%, OR
      5.7 (3.9-8.3); fenobucarb 18.9%, OR 3.6 (2.1-6.1)]. The clinical presentation and
      cause of death did not differ markedly between carbamates. Median time to death
      was similar: carbofuran 42.3 h (IQR 5.5-67.3), carbosulfan 21.3 h (11.5-71.3),
      and fenobucarb 25.3 h (17.3-72.1) (p = 0.99); no patients showed delayed onset of
      toxicity akin to the intermediate syndrome seen after OP insecticide poisoning.
      For survivors, median duration of intubation was 67.8 h (IQR 27.5-118.8) with no
      difference in duration between carbamates. Reduced GCS at presentation was
      associated with worse outcome although some patients with carbosulfan died after
      presentation with normal GCS. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find carbamate insecticide
      self-poisoning to vary markedly according to the carbamate ingested although the
      case fatality varied according to the concentration and formulation of the
      insecticide. Carbamate poisoning did not appear to be much less toxic than
      poisoning with some liquid OP insecticide formulations, e.g., chlorpyrifos EC40,
      that we have previously noted in these same hospitals (Lancet 2005, 366:1452
      1459; QJM 2006, 99:513-522). Replacement of WHO Class II Toxicity OP insecticides
      in agriculture with high-strength liquid carbamate formulations may not
      substantially reduce case fatality after pesticide poisoning and, therefore,
      global suicide rates.

PMID- 27252030
TI  - Development of infant and toddler sleep patterns: real-world data from a mobile
      application.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the development of infant and toddler
      sleep patterns. Data were collected on 841 children (aged from birth to 36
      months) via a free, publicly available, commercially sponsored iPhone app.
      Analyses were conducted on caregiver recordings of 156 989 sleep sessions across
      a 19-month period. Detailed visualizations of the development of sleep across the
      first 3 years of life are presented. In the first 3 months, sleep sessions
      primarily lasted less than 3.5 h throughout the day. Between 3 and 7 months old,
      sleep consolidated into two naps of about 1.5 h in length and a night-time sleep
      session of about 10.5 h. Across age groups, a negative relationship was observed
      between the start of bedtime and the length of the night-time sleep session (i.e.
      later bedtime is associated with a shorter night-time sleep period). The length
      of daytime sleep sessions (naps) varied with age, decreasing between 1 and 5
      months old, and then increasing monotonically through 28 months. Morning wake
      time was observed to be invariant in children aged 5-36 months. Sleep patterns
      are ever-changing across the first few years with wide individual variability.
      Sleep patterns start to develop more clearly at 5-6 months, when longer night
      time sleep duration begins and sleep consolidation occurs. Daytime sleep patterns
      appeared to become more consistent and consolidated later in age than night-time
      sleep. Finally, there is greater variability in bedtimes than wake times, with
      bedtimes having a greater influence on night-time sleep duration.

PMID- 27252031
TI  - Myxoid cutaneous tumors: a review.
AB  - Unified by the common finding of myxoid background, the group of myxoid cutaneous
      tumors comprises many entities with different lineages, immunohistochemical
      profiles, underlying genetic abnormalities and biologic behaviors. These tumors
      may have significant histopathologic overlap causing diagnostic difficulty.
      Careful attention to subtle histopathologic features is key to accurate
      diagnosis. Immunohistochemical stains and molecular tests are valuable in
      selected cases. This review discusses selected myxoid tumors and myxoid variants
      of cutaneous tumors and focuses on key pathologic features and an effective
      strategy for the use of ancillary tests. 

PMID- 27252032
TI  - The psychosocial experiences of breast cancer amongst Black, South Asian and
      White survivors: do differences exist between ethnic groups?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Very little UK-based research has examined breast cancer-related
      experiences of Black and Minority Ethnic populations, and we do not know whether
      the psychosocial impact of diagnosis and treatment in this group is any different
      to that of White women. Therefore, this study examined similarities and
      differences amongst Black, South Asian and White breast cancer survivors.
      METHODS: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted; 173 breast cancer
      survivors (80 White, 53 South Asian and 40 Black) completed a questionnaire,
      which assessed psychological functioning, social support, body image and beliefs
      about cancer. RESULTS: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were reported between
      White and South Asian participants: compared with White women, South Asian
      participants reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, poorer quality of
      life and held higher levels of internal and fatalistic beliefs pertaining to
      cancer. Black and South Asian women reported higher levels of body image concerns
      than White women, and held stronger beliefs that God was in control of their
      cancer. South Asian women turned to religion as a source of support more than
      Black and White women. CONCLUSION: This study enhances current understanding of
      the experience and impact of breast cancer amongst Black and South Asian women,
      and demonstrates similarities and differences between the ethnic groups. The
      findings highlight implications for healthcare professionals, particularly in
      relation to providing culturally sensitive care and support to their patients.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27252033
TI  - Shared structuring resources across domains: double task effects from linguistic
      processing on the structural integration of pitch sequences.
AB  - Many studies have reported evidence suggesting that resources involved in
      linguistic structural processing might be domain-general by demonstrating
      interference from simultaneously presented non-linguistic stimuli on the
      processing of sentences (Slevc, Rosenberg, & Patel, 2009 ). However, the
      complexity of the analysed linguistic processes often precludes the
      interpretation of such interference as being based on structural-rather than more
      general-processing resources (Perruchet & Poulin-Charronnat, 2013 ). We therefore
      used linguistic structure as a source of interference for another structural
      processing task, by asking participants to read sentences while processing
      experimentally manipulated pitch sequences. Half of the sentences contained a
      segment with either an "out-of-context" sentential violation or a "garden path"
      unexpectancy. Furthermore, the pitch sequences contained a cluster shift, which
      did or did not align with the sentential unexpectancies. A two-tone recognition
      task followed each pitch sequence, providing an index of the strength with which
      this structural boundary was processed. When a "garden path" unexpectancy
      (requiring structural reintegration) accompanied the cluster shift, the
      structural boundary induced by this shift was processed more shallowly. No such
      effect occurred with non-reintegratable "out-of-context" sentential violations.
      Furthermore, the discussed interference effect can be isolated from general pitch
      recognition performance, supporting the interpretation of such interference as
      being based on overlapping structural processing resources (Kljajevic, 2010 ;
      Patel, 2003 ).

PMID- 27252034
TI  - Down Syndrome: Changing Cardiac Phenotype?

PMID- 27252035
TI  - Trends in Congenital Heart Defects in Infants With Down Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As a result of antenatal screening, abortion of fetuses with Down
      syndrome has become increasingly common. Little is known about the cardiovascular
      phenotype in infants with Down syndrome born today. METHODS: Population-based
      cohort study based on national health registers including 2588 infants with Down
      syndrome, live-born in Sweden from 1992 to 2012. Risk ratios for congenital heart
      defects were calculated per 3-year period, adjusted for maternal age, parity,
      BMI, smoking, diabetes and hypertensive disease, and infant gender. RESULTS: Any
      congenital heart defect was diagnosed in 54% of infants with Down syndrome.
      Overall, year of birth was not associated with risk of any congenital heart
      defect. However, the risk of complex congenital heart defects decreased over
      time. Compared with 1992 to 1994, the risk in 2010 to 2012 was reduced by almost
      40% (adjusted risk ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.48-0.79). In contrast,
      risks for isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD) or atrial septal defect showed
      significant increases during latter years. Overall, the 3 most common diagnoses
      were atrioventricular septal defect, VSD, or atrial septal defect, accounting for
      42%, 22%, and 16% of congenital heart defects, respectively. Although
      atrioventricular septal defect was far more common than VSD in 1992 to 1994, they
      were equally common in 2010 to 2012. CONCLUSIONS: Complex congenital heart
      defects have become less common in infants diagnosed with Down syndrome. This
      phenotypic shift could be a result of selective abortion of fetuses with Down
      syndrome, or due to general improvements in antenatal diagnostics of complex
      congenital heart defects.

PMID- 27252036
TI  - A 10-Month-Old With Intermittent Hypotonia and Paralysis.
AB  - A 10-month-old boy presented with a 1-day history of flaccid quadriplegia and
      dysconjugate gaze. His history was remarkable for stereotyped episodes of flaccid
      quadriplegia or hemiplegia, oculomotor abnormalities, and limb or neck posturing,
      beginning in the first days of life and becoming more frequent and more prolonged
      over time. The patient was healthy and developmentally normal between episodes.
      Results of extensive laboratory evaluations, including EEG and brain imaging
      studies, were negative. The patient's history, diagnostic evaluation, and final
      diagnosis are reviewed. This case illustrates the importance of a fundamental
      understanding of neurologic localization in pediatric care and a focused
      diagnostic approach to an infant with paroxysmal neurologic signs.

PMID- 27252038
TI  - Freud and the human connectome.

PMID- 27252037
TI  - Uncovering phonological and orthographic selectivity across the reading network
      using fMRI-RA.
AB  - Reading has been shown to rely on a dorsal brain circuit involving the
      temporoparietal cortex (TPC) for grapheme-to-phoneme conversion of novel words
      (Pugh et al., 2001), and a ventral stream involving left occipitotemporal cortex
      (OTC) (in particular in the so-called "visual word form area", VWFA) for visual
      identification of familiar words. In addition, portions of the inferior frontal
      cortex (IFC) have been posited to be an output of the dorsal reading pathway
      involved in phonology. While this dorsal versus ventral dichotomy for
      phonological and orthographic processing of words is widely accepted, it is not
      known if these brain areas are actually strictly sensitive to orthographic or
      phonological information. Using an fMRI rapid adaptation technique we probed the
      selectivity of the TPC, OTC, and IFC to orthographic and phonological features
      during single word reading. We found in two independent experiments using
      different task conditions in adult normal readers, that the TPC is exclusively
      sensitive to phonology and the VWFA in the OTC is exclusively sensitive to
      orthography. The dorsal IFC (BA 44), however, showed orthographic but not
      phonological selectivity. These results support the theory that reading involves
      a specific phonological-based temporoparietal region and a specific orthographic
      based ventral occipitotemporal region. The dorsal IFC, however, was not sensitive
      to phonological processing, suggesting a more complex role for this region. 

PMID- 27252039
TI  - Ca2+ Signaling and Cell Death Induced by Protriptyline in HepG2 Human Hepatoma
      Cells.
AB  - The effect of protriptyline on Ca2+ physiology in human hepatoma is unclear. This
      study explored the effect of protriptyline on [Ca2+ ]i and cytotoxicity in HepG2
      human hepatoma cells. Protriptyline (50-150 MUM) evoked [Ca2+ ]i rises. The Ca2+
      entry was inhibited by removal of Ca2+ . Protriptyline-induced Ca2+ entry was
      confirmed by Mn2+ -induced quench of fura-2 fluorescence. Except nifedipine,
      econazole, SKF96365, GF109203X, and phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate did not
      inhibit Ca2+ entry. Treatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor
      2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ) inhibited 40% of protriptyline-induced
      response. Treatment with protriptyline abolished BHQ-induced response. Inhibition
      of phospholipase C (PLC) suppressed protriptyline-evoked response by 70%. At 20
      40 MUM, protriptyline killed cells which was not reversed by the Ca2+ chelator
      1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethyl ester
      (BAPTA/AM). Together, in HepG2 cells, protriptyline induced [Ca2+ ]i rises that
      involved Ca2+ entry through nifedipine-sensitive Ca2+ channels and PLC-dependent
      Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum. Protriptyline induced Ca2+ -independent
      cell death.

PMID- 27252040
TI  - The efficacy of lenalidomide combination therapy in heavily pretreated non
      Hodgkin lymphoma patients: an Italian observational, multicenter, retrospective
      study.

PMID- 27252041
TI  - Elevated CO2 and temperature increase soil C losses from a soybean-maize
      ecosystem.
AB  - Warming temperatures and increasing CO2 are likely to have large effects on the
      amount of carbon stored in soil, but predictions of these effects are poorly
      constrained. We elevated temperature (canopy: +2.8  degrees C; soil growing
      season: +1.8  degrees C; soil fallow: +2.3  degrees C) for 3 years within the 9th
      11th years of an elevated CO2 (+200 ppm) experiment on a maize-soybean
      agroecosystem, measured respiration by roots and soil microbes, and then used a
      process-based ecosystem model (DayCent) to simulate the decadal effects of
      warming and CO2 enrichment on soil C. Both heating and elevated CO2 increased
      respiration from soil microbes by ~20%, but heating reduced respiration from
      roots and rhizosphere by ~25%. The effects were additive, with no heat * CO2
      interactions. Particulate organic matter and total soil C declined over time in
      all treatments and were lower in elevated CO2 plots than in ambient plots, but
      did not differ between heat treatments. We speculate that these declines indicate
      a priming effect, with increased C inputs under elevated CO2 fueling a loss of
      old soil carbon. Model simulations of heated plots agreed with our observations
      and predicted loss of ~15% of soil organic C after 100 years of heating, but
      simulations of elevated CO2 failed to predict the observed C losses and instead
      predicted a ~4% gain in soil organic C under any heating conditions. Despite
      model uncertainty, our empirical results suggest that combined, elevated CO2 and
      temperature will lead to long-term declines in the amount of carbon stored in
      agricultural soils.

PMID- 27252042
TI  - Large spin-filtering effect in Ti-doped defective zigzag graphene nanoribbon.
AB  - Through first-principles calculations using the nonequilibrium Green's function
      formalism together with density functional theory, we study the conductance of
      double-vacancy zigzag graphene nanoribbons doped with four transition metal atoms
      Ti, V, Cr and Fe. We show that Ti doping induces large spin-filtering with an
      efficiency in excess of 90% for bias voltages below 0.5 V, while the other metal
      adatoms do not induce large spin filtering. This is despite the fact that the Ti
      dopant possesses small spin moment, while large moments reside on V, Cr and Fe
      dopants. Our analysis shows that the suppression of transmission in the spin-down
      channel in the Ti-doped graphene nanoribbon, thus the large spin filtering
      efficiency, is due to transmission anti-resonance arising from destructive
      quantum interference. These findings suggest that the decoration of graphene with
      titanium, and possibly other transition metals, can act as effective spin filters
      for nanospintronic applications. 

PMID- 27252044
TI  - Review of anthraquinone applications for pest management and agricultural crop
      protection.
AB  - We have reviewed published anthraquinone applications for international pest
      management and agricultural crop protection from 1943 to 2016. Anthraquinone (AQ)
      is commonly found in dyes, pigments and many plants and organisms. Avian
      repellent research with AQ began in the 1940s. In the context of pest management,
      AQ is currently used as a chemical repellent, perch deterrent, insecticide and
      feeding deterrent in many wild birds, and in some mammals, insects and fishes.
      Criteria for evaluation of effective chemical repellents include efficacy,
      potential for wildlife hazards, phytotoxicity and environmental persistence. As a
      biopesticide, AQ often meets these criteria of efficacy for the non-lethal
      management of agricultural depredation caused by wildlife. We summarize published
      applications of AQ for the protection of newly planted and maturing crops from
      pest birds. Conventional applications of AQ-based repellents include preplant
      seed treatments [e.g. corn (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), sunflower
      (Helianthus annuus L.), wheat (Triticum spp.), millet (Panicum spp.), sorghum
      (Sorghum bicolor L.), pelletized feed and forest tree species] and foliar
      applications for rice, sunflower, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), turf, sugar beets
      (Beta vulgaris L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), sweet corn and nursery, fruit and
      nut crops. In addition to agricultural repellent applications, AQ has also been
      used to treat toxicants for the protection of non-target birds. Few studies have
      demonstrated AQ repellency in mammals, including wild boar (Sus scrofa, L.),
      thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, Mitchill), black
      tailed prairie dogs (Cyomys ludovicainus, Ord.), common voles (Microtus arvalis,
      Pallas), house mice (Mus musculus, L.), Tristram's jirds (Meriones tristrami,
      Thomas) and black rats (Rattus rattus L.). Natural sources of AQ and its
      derivatives have also been identified as insecticides and insect repellents. As a
      natural or synthetic biopesticide, AQ is a promising candidate for many contexts
      of non-lethal and insecticidal pest management. Published 2016. This article is a
      U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. 

PMID- 27252043
TI  - A Schisandra-Derived Compound Schizandronic Acid Inhibits Entry of Pan-HCV
      Genotypes into Human Hepatocytes.
AB  - Despite recent progress in the development of hepatitis C virus (HCV) inhibitors,
      cost-effective antiviral drugs, especially among the patients receiving liver
      transplantations, are still awaited. Schisandra is a traditional medicinal herb
      used to treat a range of liver disorders including hepatitis for thousands of
      years in China. To isolate the bioactive compounds of schisandra for the
      treatment of HCV infection, we screened a schisandra-extracts library and
      identified a tetracyclic triterpenoid, schizandronic acid (SZA), as a novel HCV
      entry inhibitor. Our findings suggested that SZA potently inhibited pan-HCV
      genotype entry into hepatoma cells and primary human hepatocytes without
      interfering virus binding on cell surface or internalization. However, virion
      cell fusion process was impaired in the presence of SZA, along with the increased
      host membrane fluidity. We also found that SZA inhibited the spread of HCV to the
      neighboring cells, and combinations of SZA with interferon or telaprevir resulted
      in additive synergistic effect against HCV. Additionally, SZA diminished the
      establishment of HCV infection in vivo. The SZA target is different from
      conventional direct-acting antiviral agents, therefore, SZA is a potential
      therapeutic compound for the development of effective HCV entry inhibitors,
      especially for patients who need to prevent HCV reinfection during the course of
      liver transplantations.

PMID- 27252045
TI  - Four decades without diagnosis: Sheehan's syndrome, a retrospective analysis.
AB  - AIM: Sheehan's syndrome (SS) remains a frequent cause of hypopituitarism in
      undeveloped and developing countries, but due to improvements in obstetric care,
      it is rare in developed countries. We aimed to share the results of a
      retrospective study analyzing the demographic, clinical, imaging, and hormonal
      characteristics of a large group of patients with SS, and also increase awareness
      of this syndrome especially in developed countries. METHODS: The medical records
      of 124 patients with SS patients who were followed up in the Endocrinology
      Department of Dicle University between 1995 and 2015 were assessed
      retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean period of diagnostic delay was 20.37 +/- 8.34
      years on average. 5.7% of patients with SS were literate; 62% of patients
      delivered at home. Anemia was identified in 64.5% of SS patients. Mean blood
      sodium levels were 129.8 +/- 11.3 mEq/L. The mean urine densities were 1013 +/-
      6.5. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were found in 44 (35.4%) and 71 (57.2%)
      patients, respectively, According to pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      analyses, 92 (74.2%) patients with SS had completely empty sella, 29 (23.3%) had
      partially empty sella, and 1 patient had microadenoma, and 2 had normal pituitary
      MRI results. CONCLUSIONS: Improved obstetric care and effective interventions for
      postpartum hemorrhage have limited the prevalence of SS in developed countries.
      However, in developing countries like Turkey, SS due to postpartum bleeding
      remains common. Thus, physician's awareness of the symptoms of SS is urgently
      required to avoid the associated morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 27252048
TI  - Tri-layer wrinkling as a mechanism for anchoring center initiation in the
      developing cerebellum.
AB  - During cerebellar development, anchoring centers form at the base of each fissure
      and remain fixed in place while the rest of the cerebellum grows outward.
      Cerebellar foliation has been extensively studied; yet, the mechanisms that
      control anchoring center initiation and position remain insufficiently
      understood. Here we show that a tri-layer model can predict surface wrinkling as
      a potential mechanism to explain anchoring center initiation and position.
      Motivated by the cerebellar microstructure, we model the developing cerebellum as
      a tri-layer system with an external molecular layer and an internal granular
      layer of similar stiffness and a significantly softer intermediate Purkinje cell
      layer. Including a weak intermediate layer proves key to predicting surface
      morphogenesis, even at low stiffness contrasts between the top and bottom layers.
      The proposed tri-layer model provides insight into the hierarchical formation of
      anchoring centers and establishes an essential missing link between gene
      expression and evolution of shape. 

PMID- 27252046
TI  - Absolute protein quantification of the yeast chaperome under conditions of heat
      shock.
AB  - Chaperones are fundamental to regulating the heat shock response, mediating
      protein recovery from thermal-induced misfolding and aggregation. Using the
      QconCAT strategy and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) for absolute protein
      quantification, we have determined copy per cell values for 49 key chaperones in
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae under conditions of normal growth and heat shock. This
      work extends a previous chemostat quantification study by including up to five Q
      peptides per protein to improve confidence in protein quantification. In contrast
      to the global proteome profile of S. cerevisiae in response to heat shock, which
      remains largely unchanged as determined by label-free quantification, many of the
      chaperones are upregulated with an average two-fold increase in protein
      abundance. Interestingly, eight of the significantly upregulated chaperones are
      direct gene targets of heat shock transcription factor-1. By performing absolute
      quantification of chaperones under heat stress for the first time, we were able
      to evaluate the individual protein-level response. Furthermore, this SRM data was
      used to calibrate label-free quantification values for the proteome in absolute
      terms, thus improving relative quantification between the two conditions. This
      study significantly enhances the largely transcriptomic data available in the
      field and illustrates a more nuanced response at the protein level.

PMID- 27252047
TI  - Eyes wide shut: Transcranial alternating current stimulation drives alpha rhythm
      in a state dependent manner.
AB  - Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is used to modulate brain
      oscillations to measure changes in cognitive function. It is only since recently
      that brain activity in human subjects during tACS can be investigated. The
      present study aims to investigate the phase relationship between the external
      tACS signal and concurrent brain activity. Subjects were stimulated with tACS at
      individual alpha frequency during eyes open and eyes closed resting states.
      Electrodes were placed at Cz and Oz, which should affect parieto-occipital areas
      most strongly. Source space magnetoencephalography (MEG) data were used to
      estimate phase coherence between tACS and brain activity. Phase coherence was
      significantly increased in areas in the occipital pole in eyes open resting state
      only. The lag between tACS and brain responses showed considerable inter
      individual variability. In conclusion, tACS at individual alpha frequency
      entrains brain activity in visual cortices. Interestingly, this effect is state
      dependent and is clearly observed with eyes open but only to a lesser extent with
      eyes closed.

PMID- 27252049
TI  - The genetics of speciation: Insights from Fisher's geometric model.
AB  - Research in speciation genetics has uncovered many robust patterns in intrinsic
      reproductive isolation, and fitness landscape models have been useful in
      interpreting these patterns. Here, we examine fitness landscapes based on
      Fisher's geometric model. Such landscapes are analogous to models of optimizing
      selection acting on quantitative traits, and have been widely used to study
      adaptation and the distribution of mutational effects. We show that, with a few
      modifications, Fisher's model can generate all of the major findings of
      introgression studies (including "speciation genes" with strong deleterious
      effects, complex epistasis and asymmetry), and the major patterns in overall
      hybrid fitnesses (including Haldane's Rule, the speciation clock, heterosis,
      hybrid breakdown, and male-female asymmetry in the F1). We compare our approach
      to alternative modeling frameworks that assign fitnesses to genotypes by
      identifying combinations of incompatible alleles. In some cases, the predictions
      are importantly different. For example, Fisher's model can explain conflicting
      empirical results about the rate at which incompatibilities accumulate with
      genetic divergence. In other cases, the predictions are identical. For example,
      the quality of reproductive isolation is little affected by the manner in which
      populations diverge.

PMID- 27252051
TI  - School Pharmacists and Methods of Analysis in Health Science: Pharmaceutical
      Health Science for the Protection of Children's Health.

PMID- 27252050
TI  - Fluorescently Sensing of DNA Triplex Assembly Using an Isoquinoline Alkaloid as
      Selector, Stabilizer, Inducer, and Switch-On Emitter.
AB  - DNA triplex assembly has attracted a variety of interest in the regulation of
      genetic expression, drug screening, molecular switches, and sensors. However,
      these achievements are essentially dependent on the formation and stability of
      the triplex assembly. Herein, the recognition of DNA triplex assembly with
      various isoquinoline alkaloids was investigated. We found that natural
      chelerythrine (CHE) exhibits the highest selectivity in recognizing the triplex
      structure. The DNA triplex stability is substantially increased upon CHE binding,
      as opposed to the invariance in the stability of the duplex counterpart. CHE also
      favors the assembly of the triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO) with its duplex
      counterpart. The triplex binding switches CHE to a strong fluorescent emitter,
      which suggests CHE as a useful probe in following triplex assembly. As a unique
      triplex selector, inducer, and emitter, CHE successfully reports the wide pH- and
      metal-ion-dependent tunability of the triplex nanoswitch in a label-free manner. 

PMID- 27252052
TI  - Management for School Environmental Health in Japan.
AB  - Some acts such as the Basic Environment Act are aimed at managing environmental
      health for a productive living environment in Japan. School is not only a place
      where lessons for a better future are taught but also an environment in which
      children spend many hours of their day. Therefore, activities involving regular
      checks are important to maintain and improve the school environment. Article 5 of
      the School Health and Safety Act states that schools must make plans and carry
      out regular checks on school environmental health. Article 6 prescribes that the
      Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology establish a
      "school environmental health standard". This standard involves metrics on the
      classroom environment (quality of air, illumination, and noise levels), quality
      of drinking/pool water and so on, and their standard values and evaluation
      methods. Article 23 prescribes that each school except colleges/universities have
      a school pharmacist. The school pharmacist plays an important role in maintaining
      and improving the school's environmental health. However, the current actions
      taken are not adequate. Therefore, prospects for future activities will be
      discussed based on the current situations and problems.

PMID- 27252053
TI  - School Pharmacist/School Environmental Hygienic Activities at School Site.
AB  - The "School Health and Safety Act" was enforced in April 2009 in Japan, and
      "school environmental health standards" were established by the Minister of
      Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. In Article 24 of the
      Enforcement Regulations, the duties of the school pharmacist have been clarified;
      school pharmacists have charged with promoting health activities in schools and
      carrying out complete and regular checks based on the "school environmental
      health standards" in order to protect the health of students and staff. In
      supported of this, the school pharmacist group of Japan Pharmaceutical
      Association has created and distributed digital video discs (DVDs) on "check
      methods of school environmental health standards" as support material. We use the
      DVD to ensure the basic issues that school pharmacists deal with, such as
      objectives, criteria, and methods for each item to be checked, advice, and post
      measures. We conduct various workshops and classes, and set up Q&A committees so
      that inquiries from members are answered with the help of such activities. In
      addition, school pharmacists try to improve the knowledge of the school staff on
      environmental hygiene during their in-service training. They also conduct "drug
      abuse prevention classes" at school and seek to improve knowledge and recognition
      of drugs, including "dangerous drugs".

PMID- 27252054
TI  - School Pharmacist and "Methods of Analysis in Health Science".
AB  - The major duty of a school pharmacist is to serve as an expert in analysis.
      School pharmacists must perform regular and thorough assessments based on school
      environmental health standards. The objectives of the "environmental" component
      of the pharmacy education model core curriculum include performing analyses
      corresponding to the regularly checked items of the school environmental health
      standards. Students of the School of Pharmacy should cultivate their expertise in
      environmental analysis and environmental health, through practices such as sample
      collection, analysis operation, and evaluation of test results. As analysis
      experts, school pharmacists must know the principles and characteristics of
      analytical methods. The "Methods of Analysis in Health Science" published by the
      Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, provides comprehensive information on regular
      items to be cheked in the school environmental health standards, and school
      pharmacists should use this as a guide in their activities.

PMID- 27252055
TI  - Current Indoor Air Quality in Japan.
AB  - People spend more than two thirds of their daily time indoors. Hence, maintaining
      a healthy indoor environment is indispensable for the prevention of building
      related illness. In Japan, guidelines for indoor air quality have been
      established for 13 volatile/semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs/SVOCs). These
      guidelines are now under revision by the Committee on Sick House Syndrome: Indoor
      Air Pollution. In order to gain information on the current indoor air pollutants
      and their levels, we carried out a nation-wide survey of VOCs and aldehydes in
      indoor residential air during 2012-2013. In this review, I concisely summarized
      the current indoor air quality of Japan.

PMID- 27252056
TI  - Exposure Measurements in Japan Environment and Children's Study.
AB  - The Japan Ministry of the Environment is conducting a large-scale birth cohort
      study called the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), which involves
      100000 mother-child pairs. Mothers are enrolled during pregnancy, and their
      children are followed up and studied until they reach the age of 13 years. The
      JECS started recruiting mothers in January 2011 and completed the registration of
      more than 103000 mothers in March 2014. The National Institute for Environmental
      Studies takes the lead in the study programming and implementation in cooperation
      with the National Centre for Child Health and Development and 15 Regional Centres
      that reach out to the study participants. In the study, the effects of
      environmental factors on children's health and development are investigated. The
      environment in this study is defined not only as air, soil, water, and indoor
      environments but also as various chemical substances, physical conditions,
      socioeconomic factors, psychological conditions, lifestyles and community
      situations. Mothers' and children's exposures to these environmental factors are
      measured through chemical analyses of biospecimens collected during pregnancy and
      after birth, questionnaires and computer modelling. The homes of the randomly
      selected participants (5000) are visited to measure the concentrations of
      volatile organic compounds, nitrogen and sulphuric oxides and particulate matter.
      Vacuum dust samples are also collected for chemical analysis. All these data will
      be combined with the information collected by the dwelling unit observation to
      assess the exposure of children aged 1.5 and 3 years.

PMID- 27252057
TI  - Mechanisms and Pharmacological Strategy Targeting Dysfunction of Endoplasmic
      Reticulum.

PMID- 27252058
TI  - Regulation of Unfolded Protein Response via Protein S-nitrosylation.
AB  - Nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal function in neurotransmission, vasodilation,
      proliferation, and apoptosis in various types of cells via protein S
      nitrosylation. Previously we demonstrated that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI)
      is S-nitrosylated in brains manifesting sporadic neurodegenerative diseases. This
      modification results in dysfunction of its enzymatic activity and consequently
      the accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER). The aim of this study was to clarify the detailed function of NO on
      unfolded protein response (UPR) branches. We here found that the ER stress sensor
      IRE1alpha is S-nitrosylated. Interestingly, NO specifically abrogates
      ribonuclease activity, but not oligomerization or autophosphorylation of
      IRE1alpha. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that Cys 931 and Cys951 in IRE1 are
      targets for S-nitrosylation. These mutants expressing in IRE1alpha knockout MEF
      showed a resistant role to the inhibition of nuclease activity by NO. Thus, we
      elucidated the effects of S-nitrosylation on ER stress sensors that mediate the
      UPR, and thus contribute to cell death pathways.

PMID- 27252059
TI  - Physiological Roles of Ubiquitin Ligases Related to the Endoplasmic Reticulum.
AB  - Studies on endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD), in which
      unfolded proteins accumulated in the ER are selectively transported to the
      cytosol for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, have been focused on
      molecular mechanisms in yeast. In human, disruption of the ER quality control
      system causes various diseases, such as neurodegenerative disease, lifestyle
      disease, and cancer. However, there are many ERAD genes with unknown
      physiological and pathological functions. We identified the novel ubiquitin
      ligase HRD1 involved in ERAD. HRD1 is expressed in brain neurons and protects
      against ER stress-induced apoptosis. In familial Parkinson's disease,
      accumulation of Parkin-associated endothelin receptor-like receptor (Pael-R), a
      substrate of ubiquitin ligase Parkin involved in ERAD, causes ER stress and
      apoptosis. We demonstrated that HRD1 promotes ubiquitination and degradation of
      Pael-R and suppresses ER stress and apoptosis induced by Pael-R. Amyloid
      precursor protein (APP) is processed into amyloid beta (Abeta) in Alzheimer's
      disease. We found that HRD1 promotes APP ubiquitination and degradation,
      resulting in decreased generation of Abeta. Furthermore, suppression of HRD1
      expression causes APP accumulation and Abeta generation associated with ER stress
      and apoptosis. Interestingly, HRD1 protein levels significantly decreased in the
      cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease patients, possibly because of its
      insolubilization. We demonstrated that HRD1 protein was insolubilized by
      oxidative stress, resulting in the accumulation of HRD1 into the aggresome. In
      conclusion, oxidative stress-induced HRD1 insolubilization might be involved in a
      vicious cycle of increased Abeta production and Abeta-induced oxidative stress in
      Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.

PMID- 27252060
TI  - ER Stress-induced Aberrant Neuronal Maturation and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
AB  - Neurodevelopmental disorders, which include autism spectrum disorder, are
      congenital impairments in the growth and development of the central nervous
      system. They are mainly accentuated during infancy and childhood. Autism spectrum
      disorder may be caused by environmental factors, genomic imprinting of chromosome
      15q11-q13 regions, and gene defects such as those in genes encoding neurexin and
      neuroligin, which are involved in synaptogenesis and synaptic signaling. However,
      regardless of the many reports on neurodevelopmental disorders, the pathogenic
      mechanism and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders remain unclear.
      Conversely, it has been reported that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is
      involved in neurodegenerative diseases. ER stress is increased by environmental
      factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking. Here we show the recent results
      on ER stress-induced neurodevelopmental disorders. ER stress led to a decrease in
      the mRNA levels of the proneural factors Hes1/5 and Pax6, which maintain an
      undifferentiated state of the neural cells. This stress also led to a decrease in
      nestin expression and an increase in beta-III tubulin expression. In addition,
      dendrite length was shortened by ER stress in microtubule-associated protein-2
      (MAP-2) positive cells. However, the ubiquitin ligase HRD1 expression was
      increased by ER stress. By suppressing HRD1 expression, the ER stress-induced
      decrease in nestin and MAP-2 expression and increase in beta-III tubulin returned
      to control levels. Therefore, we suggest that ER stress induces abnormalities in
      neuronal differentiation and maturation via HRD1 expression. These results
      suggest that targeting ER stress may facilitate quicker approaches toward the
      prevention and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders.

PMID- 27252061
TI  - Pathogenic Mechanism of Diabetes Development Due to Dysfunction of Unfolded
      Protein Response.
AB  - The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle in which newly synthesized
      secretory and membrane proteins are folded and assembled. Various stresses cause
      the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER, resulting in ER
      dysfunction. This condition is termed ER stress. To cope with ER stress, cells
      activate a signaling pathway termed the unfolded protein response (UPR).
      Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that the UPR plays a pivotal role in
      pancreatic beta cells. Pancreatic beta cells producing a large amount of insulin
      are highly sensitive when the UPR is impaired. In mammalian cells, three
      principal ER stress sensors, PERK, IRE1, and ATF6, initiate the UPR. Activated
      PERK attenuates protein translation through eIF2alpha phosphorylation to cope
      with the ER stress. PERK KO mice develop diabetes by 2-4 weeks of age due to
      progressive beta-cell loss. IRE1alpha noncanonically splices the XBP1 mRNA,
      leading to the upregulation of the ERAD components and ER molecular chaperones.
      This pathway is constitutively activated in pancreatic beta cells. To clarify the
      physiological role of the IRE1alpha pathway in beta cells, we generated
      pancreatic-beta-cell-specific IRE1alpha-conditional KO (cKO) mice and IRE1alpha
      cKO insulinoma cell lines. Here, we show that IRE1alpha is required for the
      upregulation of insulin-folding enzymes in pancreatic beta cells to balance
      insulin-folding enzymes with insulin.

PMID- 27252062
TI  - The Mechanisms and Pharmacological Strategy for Treatment of ER Stress-induced
      Metabolic Syndrome.
AB  - Obesity is one of the major risk factors of metabolic syndrome, such as
      hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Leptin exerts an anti-obesity effect
      through the Ob-Rb leptin receptor, which is mainly expressed on hypothalamic
      neuronal cells. Recent evidence indicated that one of the mechanisms of obesity
      may be the development of leptin resistance. In the present review, we discuss
      the mechanisms of leptin resistance in obesity, focusing on endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) stress. We previously found that flurbiprofen is a candidate drug for
      attenuating ER stress and the subsequent development of leptin resistance. We
      will discuss a possible pharmacological strategy for treating obesity by
      ameliorating ER stress.

PMID- 27252063
TI  - Application of Unfolded Protein Response for Production of Biologics.
AB  - Improvements in the productivity of established mammalian cell lines used for
      biopharmaceutical production are desirable to increase product yields. Chinese
      hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the workhorse used for more than 60% of industrial
      therapeutic antibody production. Glycoprotein secretion by CHO cells requires
      intracellular processes including transcription, translation, glycosylation, and
      secretion. Within these intracellular steps, post-translational processes are
      rate limiting for production in high-producer cell lines. This review focuses on
      unfolded protein response-based engineering of CHO cells and details our recent
      progress in using overexpression of activating transcription factor 4 to promote
      recombinant protein production.

PMID- 27252064
TI  - Syntheses and Reactions of Chalcogen-containing Heterocycles.
AB  - The advances in my laboratory for the past 20-25 years concerning the chemistry
      of chalcogen-containing heterocycles are reviewed. The intramolecular cyclization
      of the chalcogenols (-TeH, -SeH, -SH) into a triple bond or appropriate leaving
      group produced various chalcogen-containing heterocycles. The reactions of the
      obtained products were examined: the reactions of 1-benzo- and 2-benzopyrylium
      salts containing a tellurium or selenium element with several nucleophiles,
      including alkoxides, amines, the cyanide ion, an active methyl compound
      (acetone), Grignard reagents, copper reagents, and tin reagents, along with
      hydrogenation and hydrolysis reactions, provided corresponding chromes or
      isochromes having various functional groups at the 2- or 1-C position.
      Isothiocyanate and isoselenocyanate were used as chalcogen sources for the
      preparation of five- or six-membered heterocycles. In addition, double
      intramolecular cyclization, ring-expansion reactions, electrophilic cyclization
      and iodocyclization were also carried out.

PMID- 27252065
TI  - Induction of Aneuploidy, Centrosome Abnormality, Multipolar Spindle, and
      Multipolar Division in Cultured Mammalian Cells Exposed to an Arsenic Metabolite,
      Dimethylarsinate.
AB  - Toxicological studies of arsenic compounds were conducted in cultured mammalian
      cells to investigate the effects of glutathione (GSH) depletion. Dimethylarsinate
      DMA(V) was not cytotoxic in cells depleted of GSH, but was found to be cytotoxic
      when GSH was present outside the cells. The results suggested that a reactive
      form of DMA(V) was generated through interaction with GSH. Dimethylarsine iodide
      DMI(III) was used as a model compound of DMA(III), and the biological effects
      were investigated. DMI(III) was about 10000 times more toxic to the cells than
      DMA(V). Chromosome structural aberrations and numerical changes, such as
      aneuploidy, were induced by DMI(III). DMA(V) induced multiple foci of the
      centrosome protein, gamma-tubulin, which were colocalized with multipolar
      spindles in mitotic cells. The multiple foci coalesced into a single dot on
      disruption of the microtubules (MT). However, reorganization of the MT caused
      multiple foci of gamma-tubulin, suggesting that the induction of centrosome
      abnormalities by DMA(V) required intact MT. Inhibition of the MT-dependent motor,
      kinesin, prevented formation of multiple foci of gamma-tubulin, which pointed to
      the involvement of the MT-dependent mitotic motor, kinesin, in the maintenance of
      centrosome abnormalities. DMI(III) caused abnormal cytokinesis (multipolar
      division). In addition, DMI(III) caused morphological transformation in Syrian
      hamster embryo cells. Consideration of the overall process following the
      centrosome abnormalities caused by DMA(V) suggested a mode of cytotoxicity in
      which the mitotic centrosome is a critical target.

PMID- 27252066
TI  - Reaction Development on pi- and sigma-Conjugated Bonds and Creation of Innovative
      Functions.
AB  - Monocarba-closo-dodecaborate (1; [closo-CB11H12](-), or C1-carborane anion) is a
      symmetrical, stable anionic cluster, which possesses low nucleophilicity/basicity
      and exhibits three-dimensional aromaticity. In contrast to the rich applications
      of C2-carborane molecules (C2B10H12), the chemistry of the C1-carborane anion as
      a platform for functional molecules has not been thoroughly studied thus far due
      to the lack of its efficient functionalization. In particular, no efficient
      general methods are available for the introduction of aryl and sp(2)/sp-carbon
      groups at the carbon vertex of the C1-carborane anion. The unique electronic
      structure and potential applications of the C1-carborane anion prompted us to
      investigate methods to functionalize it. We developed a general, efficient C-C
      cross-coupling reaction of 1 under palladium catalysis which yields a variety of
      1-C-functionalized C1-carborane derivatives. The use of copper(I) or lithium
      species as a transmetalating partner facilitated the cross-coupling process of
      the sterically hindered C1-carborane anion. The potential application of 1-C
      arylated C1-carborane anion derivatives thus obtained were explored, some of
      which showed potential as pharmacophores and ionic liquid crystal behavior.
      Furthermore, conjugation between sigma- and pi-aromatic moieties in 1-C-arylated
      monocarba-closo-dodecaborate anion derivatives was identified by means of kinetic
      experimental studies combined with theoretical calculations.

PMID- 27252067
TI  - Animal Models for Elucidation of the Mechanisms of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
      Induced by Sleep and Dietary Habits.
AB  - Numerous changes in human lifestyle in modern life increase the risk of disease.
      Especially, modern sleep and dietary habits are crucial factors affecting
      lifestyle disease. In terms of sleep, decreases in total sleep time and in rapid
      eye movement sleep time have been observed in attention-deficit/hyperactivity
      disorder (ADHD) patients. From a dietary perspective, mastication during eating
      has several good effects on systemic, mental, and physical functions of the body.
      However, few animal experiments have addressed the influence of this decline in
      sleep duration or of long-term powdered diet feeding on parameters reflecting
      systemic health. In our studies, we examined both the influence of intermittent
      sleep deprivation (SD) treatment and long-term powdered diet feeding on emotional
      behavior in mice, and focused on the mechanisms underlying these impaired
      behaviors. Our findings were as follows: SD treatment induced hypernoradrenergic
      and hypodopaminergic states within the frontal cortex. Furthermore, hyperactivity
      and an explosive number of jumps were observed. Both the hypernoradrenergic state
      and the jumps were improved by treatment with ADHD therapeutic drugs. On the
      other hand, long-term powdered diet feeding increased social interaction
      behaviors. The feeding affected the dopaminergic function of the frontal cortex.
      In addition, the long-term powdered diet fed mice presented systemic illness
      signs, such as elevations of blood glucose, and hypertension. This review,
      describing the SD mice and long-term powdered diet fed mice can be a useful model
      for elucidation of the mechanism of neuropsychiatric disorders or the discovery
      of new therapeutic targets in combatting effects of the modern lifestyle.

PMID- 27252068
TI  - Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analyses of Drug-Drug Interactions between
      Iguratimod and Warfarin.
AB  - Iguratimod (IGU), a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug launched in September
      2012, has been reported to carry a risk of severe hemorrhages through a suspected
      interaction with warfarin (WF) in the all-case surveillance and early
      postmarketing-phase vigilance. To elucidate possible mechanisms of adverse
      interaction between IGU and WF, we analyzed the effects of IGU on the
      pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of WF in rats. IGU was orally administered
      to male Wistar rats once daily for 5 d at 10 or 30 mg/kg in combination with WF
      at an oral dose of 0.25 mg/kg. Coadministration of IGU 30 mg/kg enhanced the
      anticoagulant activity of WF; prolonged blood coagulation time (prothrombin time
      and activated partial thromboplastin time) and decreased levels of vitamin K (VK)
      dependent blood coagulation factors (II, VII, IX, and X) were observed. On the
      other hand, the pharmacokinetic parameters of WF including maximum plasma
      concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to
      24 h (AUC0-24 h) were not affected by the combination with IGU. IGU alone did not
      change blood coagulation time at doses up to 100 mg/kg, while VK-dependent blood
      coagulation factors decreased slightly at 30 and 100 mg/kg. These results suggest
      that the pharmacodynamic effect of IGU on VK-dependent blood coagulation factors
      is involved in the mechanism of drug-drug interaction of IGU with WF.

PMID- 27252069
TI  - An Approach for Safe Medication Assistance in Nursing Homes: A Workshop to
      Identify Problems of and Plan Measures for Care Workers.
AB  - We conducted a workshop that aimed to clarify problems with care workers
      supporting medication use in nursing homes, to propose measures for solving these
      problems, and to raise awareness of these problems among care workers. Eighteen
      care workers from different fee-based elderly nursing homes were enrolled in the
      workshop, and divided into four groups. The participants in these groups
      identified the issues based on their experiences regarding medication-related
      incidents, and discussed related problems and viable measures using the KJ
      method. The issues identified by each group were "dropping a medication", "wrong
      resident", "refusal to take medication", and "confusion". To resolve these
      problems, the participants recommended: "conducting study sessions or testing of
      manuals and medication knowledge", "strengthening monitoring systems", "enhancing
      information sharing", etc. The involvement of pharmacists was hardly mentioned,
      despite the workshop being designed for "medication assistance". A post-workshop
      questionnaire revealed that 88.9% of the participants acknowledged an increased
      awareness of safe assistance in the use of medication. A follow-up questionnaire,
      distributed approximately seven months after the workshop, revealed that 82.4% of
      participants applied the experience and knowledge they learned at the workshop to
      their work. The workshop seemed to raise awareness and lead to preventive
      measures for safe medication assistance. Communication between care workers and
      other health care professionals, such as pharmacists, is important to designing
      and implementing safe medical care in nursing homes.

PMID- 27252070
TI  - Pharmaceutical Approach for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Syndrome: A
      Case Study.
AB  - Since 2012, Matsudo City Hospital has increased the number of pharmacists
      stationed in the ward on weekday mornings at the emergency care center, the
      intensive care unit (ICU) and the high care unit (HCU). Multidisciplinary joint
      meetings and joint conferences are conducted in the emergency care center, and
      patient and drug information is shared. A 20-year-old man was transferred to our
      hospital after a traffic accident. He was diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage
      and brain contusion. He exhibited violent movement and intense restlessness. He
      was sedated with a continuous intravenous infusion of 5 mg/h midazolam and 20
      MUg/h fentanyl, with intubation. Propofol was also used intermittently. The
      midazolam infusion was concluded on day 5 of hospitalization. However, his
      restlessness recurred so an intravenous drip infusion of 150 mg/h haloperidol was
      administered. On the 7th day, he developed a high-grade fever, muscle rigidity,
      perspiration, and leukocytosis, and malignant syndrome or malignant hyperthermia
      was suspected. For malignant syndrome treatment, he received an intravenous drip
      infusion of 60 mg dantrolene, followed by the combined oral administration of 100
      mg/d dantrolene and 7.5 mg/d bromocriptine. Considering various pharmacological
      effects, we selected an intravenous drip infusion of 25 mg hydroxyzine
      hydrochloride as the drug to alleviate restlessness. The patient's course
      continued without recurrence of malignant syndrome; his symptoms improved because
      of pharmaceutical care with an awareness of patient benefits through clinical and
      laboratory findings, consultation with the attending physician, presentation of
      information on causative and therapeutic drugs, and coordinated planning of a
      prescription design.

PMID- 27252071
TI  - Proteolysis in plasmid DNA stable maintenance in bacterial cells.
AB  - Plasmids, as extrachromosomal genetic elements, need to work out strategies that
      promote independent replication and stable maintenance in host bacterial cells.
      Their maintenance depends on constant formation and dissociation of nucleoprotein
      complexes formed on plasmid DNA. Plasmid replication initiation proteins (Rep)
      form specific complexes on direct repeats (iterons) localized within the plasmid
      replication origin. Formation of these complexes along with a strict control of
      Rep protein cellular concentration, quaternary structure, and activity, is
      essential for plasmid maintenance. Another important mechanism for maintenance of
      low-copy-number plasmids are the toxin-antitoxin (TA) post-segregational killing
      (psk) systems, which prevent plasmid loss from the bacterial cell population. In
      this mini review we discuss the importance of nucleoprotein complex processing by
      energy-dependent host proteases in plasmid DNA replication and plasmid type II
      toxin-antitoxin psk systems, and draw attention to the elusive role of DNA in
      this process.

PMID- 27252072
TI  - An Internet-Based Intervention to Promote Alcohol-Related Attitudinal and
      Behavioral Change Among Adolescents: Protocol of a Cluster Randomized Controlled
      Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Underage drinking is a prevalent risk behavior and common public
      health problem. Research shows that alcohol abuse not only affects the quality of
      life of drinkers themselves. The problems resulting from underage drinking pose
      substantial costs to society as well. The proposed study will address underage
      drinking with the use of an Internet campaign, which is a cost-effective way of
      tackling the problem. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to test the
      effectiveness of an online quiz competition in changing adolescents' alcohol
      related attitudes and behavior and to explore the feasibility of using Internet
      viral marketing to reach a significant number of adolescents. METHODS: The study
      will constitute a cluster randomized controlled trial for 20 secondary schools
      (6720 Grade 7-9 students). Schools will be randomized to intervention or control
      arm with equal likelihood. Students in intervention schools will be invited to
      take part in the Internet campaign, whereas those in control schools will receive
      relevant promotional leaflets. RESULTS: Alcohol-related attitude and behavior
      will be the primary outcome measures. The results of the proposed study will
      provide evidence on the efficacy of an Internet intervention in modifying
      adolescents' attitudes and behavior and guide further investigation into the
      prevention of and intervention in such risk behaviors as underage drinking. The
      project was funded July 2015, enrollment started September 2015, and results are
      expected July 2017. CONCLUSIONS: With the Internet increasingly being recognized
      as a practical and cost-effective platform for health information delivery, the
      proposed Internet-based intervention is expected to be more effective in altering
      adolescents' alcohol-related attitudes and behaviors than traditional health
      promotion. CLINICALTRIAL: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02450344;
      https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02450344 (Archived by WebCite at
      http://www.webcitation.org/6heB2zMBD).

PMID- 27252073
TI  - Magnetic targeted drug delivery carriers encapsulated with pH-sensitive polymer:
      synthesis, characterization and in vitro doxorubicin release studies.
AB  - Targeted and efficient delivery of drug to tumor is one of the crucial issues in
      cancer therapy. In this work, we have successfully designed and prepared the pH
      sensitive magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as targeted anticancer drug carriers, in
      which the MNPs were coated by poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and the obtained PAA@MNPs
      exhibited a size within 100 nm, good stability, and superparamagnetic
      responsibility (Ms 45.97 emu/g). Doxorubicin (DOX) can be successfully loaded
      onto MNPs via electrostatic interaction, and the drug loading content and loading
      efficiency are 26.4 and 88.1%, respectively. Moreover, the release studies showed
      that the drug-loaded carriers (MNPs-DOX) had excellent pH sensitivity, 75.6% of
      the loaded DOX was released at pH 4.0 within 48 h. Importantly, MTT assays in
      HUVEC and MCF-7 cells demonstrated that MNPs-DOX exhibited high anti-tumor
      activity, while the PAA@MNPs were practically nontoxic. Thus, our results
      revealed that PAA@MNPs would be a competitive candidate for biomedical
      application and MNPs-DOX could be used in targeted cancer therapy.

PMID- 27252074
TI  - The Chinese Herbal Mixture Tien-Hsien Liquid Augments the Anticancer Immunity in
      Tumor Cell-Vaccinated Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Chinese herbal mixture, Tien-Hsien liquid (THL), has been used as
      an anticancer dietary supplement for more than 20 years. Our previous studies
      have shown that THL can modulate immune responseand inhibit tumor growth. In this
      study, we further evaluated the effect of THL on anticancer immune response in
      mice vaccinated with gamma-ray-irradiated tumor cells. METHODS: The antitumor
      effect of THL was determined in mice vaccinated with low-tumorigenic CT-26-low
      colon cancer cells or gamma-ray-irradiated high-tumorigenic CT-26-high colon
      cancer cells. The number of natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocytes in the
      spleen was analyzed by flow cytometry. The tumor-killing activities of NK cells
      and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were analyzed by flow cytometry using YAC-1
      and CT-26-high cells, respectively, as target cells. The levels of IFN-gamma, IL
      2, and TNF-alpha were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: THL suppressed the growth of
      CT-26-high tumor in mice previously vaccinated with low-tumorigenic CT-26-low
      cells or gamma-irradiated CT-26-high cells. THL increased the populations of NK
      cells and CD4+ T lymphocytes in the spleen and enhanced the tumor-killing
      activities of NK cells and CTL in mice vaccinated with gamma-irradiated CT-26
      high cells. THL increased the production of IFN-gamma, IL-2, and TNF-alpha in
      mice vaccinated with gamma-irradiated CT-26-high cells. CONCLUSION: THL can
      enhance the antitumor immune responses in mice vaccinated with killed tumor
      cells. These results suggest that THL may be used as a complementary medicine for
      cancer patients previously treated with killed tumor cell vaccines, radiotherapy,
      or chemotherapy.

PMID- 27252075
TI  - Use of Mindfulness Sitting Meditation in Chinese American Women in Treatment of
      Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Very few studies have been conducted to examine the prevalence,
      frequency, perceived effectiveness, and possible influencing factors of use of
      meditation in patients with cancer. OBJECTIVES: To examine use of mindfulness
      sitting medication (MSM) in Chinese American women in treatment of cancer, its
      relationship to specific symptom distress, and possible influencing factors of
      MSM. METHODS: Volunteer participants were recruited through the American Cancer
      Society support groups. The participants completed a demographic data form, a
      researcher-developed criteria and checklist for MSM, and the Memorial Symptom
      Assessment Scale-Short Form. RESULTS: Eighty-nine Chinese American women with a
      mean age of 58 years completed the questionnaires. Twenty-one patients (24%)
      reported the use of MSM during active treatment of cancer. Patients who had
      higher education, better income, better English proficiency, and health insurance
      were more likely to use MSM. Patients who had more symptom distress also reported
      to use more MSM. Most patients (20/21) who used meditation considered it
      effective. After controlling other variables, better English proficiency, breast
      cancer, and higher symptom distress predicted the use of MSM in Chinese American
      women in treatment of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: About 24% of Chinese American women
      used MSM in the treatment of cancer and most of them considered it effective.
      Symptom distress and English proficiency levels predicted the use of MSM.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Given the effectiveness of MSM, oncology nurses could
      recommend using MSM in Chinese American women in treatment of cancer, especially
      for patients who had higher symptom distress.

PMID- 27252076
TI  - Protective Effect of Aerobic Physical Activity on Sleep Behavior in Breast Cancer
      Survivors.
AB  - HYPOTHESES: Sleep disorders are associated with an increased risk of cancer,
      including breast cancer (BC). Physical activity (PA) can produce beneficial
      effects on sleep. STUDY DESIGN: We designed a randomized controlled trial to test
      the effect of 3 months of physical activity on sleep and circadian rhythm
      activity level evaluated by actigraphy. METHODS: 40 BC women, aged 35-70 years,
      were randomized into an intervention (IG) and a control group (CG). IG performed
      a 3 month of aerobic exercise. At baseline and after 3 months, the following
      parameters were evaluated both for IG and CG: anthropometric and body composition
      measurements, energy expenditure and motion level; sleep parameters (Actual Sleep
      Time-AST, Actual Wake Time-AWT, Sleep Efficiency-SE, Sleep Latency-SL, Mean
      Activity Score-MAS, Movement and Fragmentation Index-MFI and Immobility Time-IT)
      and activity level circadian rhythm using the Actigraph Actiwatch. RESULTS: The
      CG showed a deterioration of sleep, whereas the IG showed a stable pattern. In
      the CG the SE, AST and IT decreased and the AWT, SL, MAS and MFI increased. In
      the IG, the SE, IT, AWT, SL, and MAS showed no changes and AST and MFI showed a
      less pronounced change in the IG than in the CG. The rhythmometric analysis
      revealed a significant circadian rhythm in two groups. After 3 months of PA, IG
      showed reduced fat mass %, while CG had improved weight and BMI. CONCLUSION:
      Physical activity may be beneficial against sleep disruption. Indeed, PA
      prevented sleep worsening in IG. PA can represent an integrative intervention
      therapy able to modify sleep behaviour.

PMID- 27252077
TI  - A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial to Study the Impact of a Nutrition
      Sensitive Intervention on Adult Women With Cancer Cachexia Undergoing Palliative
      Care in India.
AB  - PURPOSE: Advanced cancer patients with disease progression develop cachexia.
      Nevertheless, cancer patients at nutritional risk have shown improved body weight
      and quality of life with oral nutritional supplements. METHOD: This was a
      randomized controlled trial in adult female cancer patients (n = 63) attending
      palliative clinics, with symptoms of cachexia. Eligible patients were randomly
      distributed into control (n = 33) and intervention (n = 30) groups. Both groups
      were provided with nutritional and physical activity counseling, but the
      intervention group received an additional 100 g of Improved Atta (IAtta) for 6
      months daily consumption. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of IAtta
      (with counseling) in enhancing the health status of cachexic patients.
      Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, physical activity level and quality
      of life parameters were assessed at baseline, after 3 months, and at the end of 6
      months. RESULTS: Patients in the control group (n = 15) had significantly
      decreased body weight ( P = .003), mid-upper-arm circumference ( P = .002), and
      body fat ( P = .002) by the end of intervention. A trend of body weight gain in
      the intervention group (n = 17; P = .08) and significant increase of body fat ( P
      = .002) was observed; moreover, patients reported a significant improvement in
      fatigue ( P = .002) and appetite scores ( P = .006) under quality-of-life domains
      at the end of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Embedding a nutrition-sensitive
      intervention ( IAtta ) within Indian palliative care therapy may improve quality
      of life and stabilize body weight in cancer cachexia patients.

PMID- 27252079
TI  - Multiplexed Cassegrain Reflector Antenna for Simultaneous Generation of Three
      Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) Modes.
AB  - A multiplexed Cassegrain reflector antenna with a 2 * 2 open-ended rectangular
      waveguide (OERW) matrix feed and an orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode mux is
      proposed for the simultaneous generation of three OAM modes (l = 0, +/-1). The
      OAM mode mux (OMM) was designed using sequential combinations of quadrature
      hybrids, crossovers, and phase shifters to multiplex and demultiplex three OAM
      modes at the same time. The 2 * 2 OERW matrix feed and the OMM were separately
      measured and their performances were verified according to proposed theories. A
      near-field antenna measurement for a multiplexed Cassegrain reflector antenna was
      conducted to obtain the far-field magnitude and phase patterns around polar
      elevation angle theta and azimuthal angle phi, thus confirming that our antenna
      can produce three OAM modes simultaneously. We also measured the communication
      link characteristics of two identical multiplexed antennas. The measurement
      results show that the channel isolation of three OAM modes is more than 12.7 [dB]
      and 17 [dB] for fixed and compensated receiver positions, respectively,
      indicating that the proposed antenna system can be used for independent
      communication links with the same frequency and polarisation.

PMID- 27252078
TI  - Prevalence of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Men Aged 65-74 Years in a Metropolitan
      Area in North-East Spain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A declining prevalence of AAA and a shift in the distribution towards
      the older population have been observed during the last decade in Europe. The aim
      was to estimate the current screening prevalence of AAA in men aged 65-74 years
      in a metropolitan area in north-east Spain and to identify associated risk
      factors. METHODS: A cross sectional prevalence study in men registered in
      L'Hospitalet Primary Healthcare Services (Barcelona, Spain) was performed. There
      were 619 randomly selected subjects (expected prevalence of aneurysm, 5%;
      accuracy of estimation, +/-2%; loss to follow up, 30%). Exclusion criteria were
      life expectancy <1 year, limited quality of life, previous diagnosis of AAA,
      prior aorto-femoral surgery, and non-Caucasian. The following were measured:
      internal diameter of the infrarenal abdominal aorta using ultrasound,
      cardiovascular risk factors, personal (heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular
      disease) and family history (AAA), physical examination, and blood tests. We
      estimated the prevalence and 95% confidence interval of AAA, and used logistic
      regression analysis to identify risk factors for AAA. RESULTS: Among the 651
      individuals included in the analysis the prevalence of aneurysm was 2.30% (95%
      CI, 1.30-3.77%). In the regression analysis, AAA was associated with smoking (0
      10, 11-20, or >20 cigarettes/day), diagnosis of myocardial infarction, and being
      taller than the median (165 cm). CONCLUSIONS: The current screening prevalence of
      AAA among men aged 65-74 years in a metropolitan area in north-east Spain is
      similar to that in northern Europe. Smoking, myocardial infarction, and height
      were associated with the presence of AAA.

PMID- 27252080
TI  - Vasorelaxant mode of action of dichloromethane-soluble extract from Agastache
      mexicana and its main bioactive compounds.
AB  - CONTEXT: Agastache mexicana (Kunth) Lint & Epling (Lamiaceae) is a plant used in
      Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension, anxiety and so
      on. OBJECTIVE: To determine the vasorelaxant effect and functional mode of action
      of dichloromethane-soluble extract from A. mexicana (DEAm) and isolate the
      constituents responsible for the pharmacological activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of A. mexicana (225.6 g) by
      successive maceration with hexane, dichloromethane and methanol (three times for
      72 h at room temperature), respectively. DEAm (0.01-1000 MUg/mL), fractions (at
      174.27 MUg/mL), acacetin and ursolic acid (UA) (0.5-500 MUM) were evaluated to
      determine their vasorelaxant effect on ex vivo rat aorta ring model. In vivo UA
      antihypertensive action was determined on spontaneously hypertensive rats.
      RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: DEAm induced a significant vasorelaxant effect in
      concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent manners (EC50 = 174.276 +/-
      5.98 MUg/mL) by a calcium channel blockade and potassium channel opening. Bio
      guided fractionation allowed to isolate acacetin (112 mg), UA (2.830 g),
      acacetin/oleanolic acid (OA) (M1) (155 mg) and acacetin/OA/UA (M2) (1.382 g)
      mixtures, which also showed significant vasodilation. UA significantly diminished
      diastolic (80 mmHg) and systolic blood pressure (120 mmHg), but heart rate was
      not modified. CONCLUSION: DEAm produced significant vasorelaxant action by
      myogenic control cation. The presence of acacetin, OA and UA into the extract was
      substantial for the relaxant activity of DEAm. In vivo antihypertensive action of
      UA corroborates the use of A. mexicana as an antihypertensive agent on Mexican
      folk medicine.

PMID- 27252081
TI  - Interfaces between mitochondrial dynamics and disease.
AB  - In the cellular context, mitochondria display a number of dynamic behaviors
      including fusion, division (or fission), directed transport, and targeted
      destruction (mitophagy). The relevance of these processes to human diseases has
      been intensively studied over the last several years, and emphasize the
      importance of mitochondrial dynamics to the central nervous system. Intriguingly,
      a common theme is that these behaviors do not function in isolation, but
      influence one another either directly or indirectly. Here, we review the dynamic
      properties of mitochondria and summarize their relationships to human diseases.

PMID- 27252082
TI  - Sequential morphometric evaluation at UnicCa(r) and DCD(r) implant surfaces. An
      experimental study in the dog.
AB  - AIM: To study tissue components adjacent to implants with nanotechnologically
      modified surfaces at different periods of healing. MATERIAL & METHODS: In 12
      beagle dogs, two different implant systems with different surface configurations
      were randomly installed in the edentulous premolar regions of the mandible. One
      surface was first acid-etched and subsequently, nanotechnologically modified with
      calcium ions (UnicCa(r) ), while the other was first sandblasted and acid-etched,
      and then additionally treated with a nanometer calcium phosphate deposition
      (discrete crystalline deposition; DCD(r) ). The implants were fully submerged;
      surgeries and sacrifices were planned to harvest biopsies after 1, 2, 4 and 8
      weeks of healing (n = 6 per period). A morphometric evaluation of percentages of
      new and old bone, bone debris/particles and clot, new soft tissues (provisional
      matrix and immature marrow), mature bone marrow and vessels was performed in the
      spongiosa compartment adjacent to the implant surface up to a distance of about
      0.4 mm from the surface. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of healing, the soft tissues were
      represented by 41.0% at the UnicCa(r) and 37.9% at the DCD(r) surfaces, in both
      cases mainly being composed of provisional matrix. These percentages decreased
      over time, being composed of greater amounts of immature bone marrow, and
      disappeared after 8 weeks. New bone increased progressively between 1 and 8 weeks
      of healing from 9.7 +/- 6.3% to 70.0 +/- 8.4% and from 8.2 +/- 3.5% to 67.0 +/-
      6.1% at the UnicCa(r) and DCD(r) surfaces, respectively. Pristine bone was
      progressively resorbed. CONCLUSIONS: Throughout the periods of healing observed,
      the formation of a provisional matrix followed by the formation of new bone and
      marrow was revealed in a similar fashion as for other modified surface
      configurations.

PMID- 27252083
TI  - Generation of mice with longer and better preserved telomeres in the absence of
      genetic manipulations.
AB  - Although telomere length is genetically determined, mouse embryonic stem (ES)
      cells with telomeres of twice the normal size have been generated. Here, we use
      such ES cells with 'hyper-long' telomeres, which also express green fluorescent
      protein (GFP), to generate chimaeric mice containing cells with both hyper-long
      and normal telomeres. We show that chimaeric mice contain GFP-positive cells in
      all mouse tissues, display normal tissue histology and normal survival. Both
      hyper-long and normal telomeres shorten with age, but GFP-positive cells retain
      longer telomeres as mice age. Chimaeric mice with hyper-long telomeres also
      accumulate fewer cells with short telomeres and less DNA damage with age, and
      express lower levels of p53. In highly renewing compartments, such as the blood,
      cells with hyper-long telomeres are longitudinally maintained or enriched with
      age. We further show that wound-healing rates in the skin are increased in
      chimaeric mice. Our work demonstrates that mice with functional, longer and
      better preserved telomeres can be generated without the need for genetic
      manipulations, such as TERT overexpression.

PMID- 27252085
TI  - Residual beta activity of particulate (234)Th as a novel proxy for tracking
      sediment resuspension in the ocean.
AB  - Sediment resuspension occurs in the global ocean, which greatly affects material
      exchange between the sediment and the overlying seawater. The behaviours of
      carbon, nutrients, heavy metals, and other pollutants at the sediment-seawater
      boundary will further link to climate change, eutrophication, and marine
      pollution. Residual beta activity of particulate (234)Th (RAP234) is used as a
      novel proxy to track sediment resuspension in different marine environments,
      including the western Arctic Ocean, the South China Sea, and the Southern Ocean.
      Sediment resuspension identified by high activity of RAP234 is supported by
      different lines of evidence including seawater turbidity, residence time of total
      (234)Th, Goldschmidt's classification, and ratio of RAP234 to particulate organic
      carbon. A conceptual model is proposed to elucidate the mechanism for RAP234 with
      dominant contributions from (234)Th-(238)U and (212)Bi-(228)Th. The 'slope
      assumption' for RAP234 indicated increasing intensity of sediment resuspension
      from spring to autumn under the influence of the East Asian monsoon system.
      RAP234 can shed new light on (234)Th-based particle dynamics and should benefit
      the interpretation of historical (234)Th-(238)U database. RAP234 resembles
      lithophile elements and has broad implications for investigating particle
      dynamics in the estuary-shelf-slope-ocean continuum and linkage of the atmosphere
      ocean-sediment system.

PMID- 27252084
TI  - Tomato 26S Proteasome subunit RPT4a regulates ToLCNDV transcription and activates
      hypersensitive response in tomato.
AB  - Involvement of 26S proteasomal subunits in plant pathogen-interactions, and the
      roles of each subunit in independently modulating the activity of many intra- and
      inter-cellular regulators controlling physiological and defense responses of a
      plant were well reported. In this regard, we aimed to functionally characterize a
      Solanum lycopersicum 26S proteasomal subunit RPT4a (SlRPT4) gene, which was
      differentially expressed after Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV)
      infection in tolerant cultivar H-88-78-1. Molecular analysis revealed that SlRPT4
      protein has an active ATPase activity. SlRPT4 could specifically bind to the stem
      loop structure of intergenic region (IR), present in both DNA-A and DNA-B
      molecule of the bipartite viral genome. Lack of secondary structure in
      replication-associated gene fragment prevented formation of DNA-protein complex
      suggesting that binding of SlRPT4 with DNA is secondary structure specific.
      Interestingly, binding of SlRPT4 to IR inhibited the function of RNA Pol-II and
      subsequently reduced the bi-directional transcription of ToLCNDV genome. Virus
      induced gene silencing of SlRPT4 gene incited conversion of tolerant attributes
      of cultivar H-88-78-1 into susceptibility. Furthermore, transient overexpression
      of SlRPT4 resulted in activation of programmed cell death and antioxidant enzymes
      system. Overall, present study highlights non-proteolytic function of SlRPT4 and
      their participation in defense pathway against virus infection in tomato.

PMID- 27252086
TI  - The histology of skin treated with a picosecond alexandrite laser and a
      fractional lens array.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment of acne scars and wrinkles with a
      picosecond Alexandrite laser was recently FDA cleared. In 2014 we presented our
      initial histologic findings with this device on in vivo and ex vivo skin. This
      current study expands on the 2014 pilot study with an investigation of different
      energy settings using histology and the confocal microscope to describe the
      changes observed in the skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a 755 nm picosecond
      Alexandrite laser with a fractional optic with three different energy settings to
      treat in vivo. After treatment, the patients and skin samples were also evaluated
      with a confocal microscope followed by biopsies which were evaluated
      histologically. RESULTS: Histology revealed unique intra-epidermal cavities. The
      number, density, and the size of these cavities were dependent on the melanin
      index and delivered energy when evaluated with histopathology and the confocal
      microscope. These localized zones of injury appear to form microscopic epidermal
      injury zones which are exfoliated over a 3-week period. CONCLUSIONS: These intra
      epidermal cavities result from areas of laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB).
      This injury is most consistent with a localized plasma formation in the epidermis
      initiated by the melanin absorption of the high energy picosecond light. It
      appears that treatments with this device and optic result in improvements in
      dyspigmentation and acne scars with new collagen, elastic tissue, and mucin. The
      production of this LIOB could directly stimulate an epidermal repair mechanism
      that results in these clinical findings. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:646-652, 2016. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27252087
TI  - Mass Spectrometric Observation of Doubly Charged Alkaline-Earth Argon Ions.
AB  - Doubly charged diatomic ions MAr(2+) where M=Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba have been observed
      by mass spectrometry with an inductively coupled plasma ion source. Abundance
      ratios are quite high, 0.1 % for MgAr(2+) , 0.4 % for CaAr(2+) , 0.2 % for
      SrAr(2+) and 0.1 % for BaAr(2+) relative to the corresponding doubly charged
      atomic ions M(2+) . It is assumed that these molecular ions are formed through
      reactions of the doubly charged metal ions with neutral argon atoms within the
      ion source. Bond dissociation energies (D0 ) were calculated and agree well with
      previously published values. The abundance ratios MAr(+) /M(+) and MAr(2+) /M(2+)
      generally follow the predicted bond dissociation energies with the exception of
      MgAr(2+) . Mg(2+) should form the strongest bond with Ar [D0 (MgAr(2+) )=124 to
      130 kJ mol(-1) ] but its relative abundance is similar to that of the weakest
      bound BaAr(2+) (D0 =34 to 42 kJ mol(-1) ). The relative abundances of the various
      MAr(2+) ions are higher than those expected from an argon plasma at T=6000 K,
      indicating that collisions during ion extraction reduce the abundance of the
      MAr(2+) ions relative to the composition in the source. The corresponding singly
      charged MAr(+) ions are also observed but occur at about three orders of
      magnitude lower intensity than MAr(2+) . 

PMID- 27252088
TI  - A novel glucuronosyltransferase has an unprecedented ability to catalyse
      continuous two-step glucuronosylation of glycyrrhetinic acid to yield
      glycyrrhizin.
AB  - Glycyrrhizin is an important bioactive compound that is used clinically to treat
      chronic hepatitis and is also used as a sweetener world-wide. However, the key
      UDP-dependent glucuronosyltransferases (UGATs) involved in the biosynthesis of
      glycyrrhizin remain unknown. To discover unknown UGATs, we fully annotated
      potential UGATs from Glycyrrhiza uralensis using deep transcriptome sequencing.
      The catalytic functions of candidate UGATs were determined by an in vitro enzyme
      assay. Systematically screening 434 potential UGATs, we unexpectedly found one
      unique GuUGAT that was able to catalyse the glucuronosylation of glycyrrhetinic
      acid to directly yield glycyrrhizin via continuous two-step glucuronosylation.
      Expression analysis further confirmed the key role of GuUGAT in the biosynthesis
      of glycyrrhizin. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that Gln-352 may be important
      for the initial step of glucuronosylation, and His-22, Trp-370, Glu-375 and Gln
      392 may be important residues for the second step of glucuronosylation. Notably,
      the ability of GuUGAT to catalyse a continuous two-step glucuronosylation
      reaction was determined to be unprecedented among known glycosyltransferases of
      bioactive plant natural products. Our findings increase the understanding of
      traditional glycosyltransferases and pave the way for the complete biosynthesis
      of glycyrrhizin.

PMID- 27252089
TI  - General anesthetics and cytotoxicity: possible implications for brain health.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The search for agents that bring about faster induction and quicker
      recovery in the operating room have yielded numerous anesthetics whose mechanisms
      of action and potential toxic side effects remain unknown, especially in the
      young and aging brain. OBJECTIVE: Taking advantage of our clinical and basic
      science expertise, here we subject the reader to an interesting perspective vis-a
      vis the current applications of general anesthetics, and present evidence for
      their neurotoxic effects on the developing and elderly brains. RESULTS: Recent
      studies have called into question the safety of general anesthetics, especially
      with regards to potentially significant detrimental impacts on the developing
      brains of young children, and cognitive decline in the elderly - often following
      multiple episodes of anesthesia. Despite accumulating evidence from animal
      studies demonstrating that general anesthesia leads to neurodegeneration and
      cognitive impairment, to date a clear consensus on the impact of anesthetics in
      humans remains elusive. Because a direct impact of anesthetics on human neuronal
      networks is often difficult to deduce experimentally, most laboratories have
      resorted to animal models - albeit with limited success in translating these
      findings back to the clinic. Moreover, the precise mechanisms that lead to
      potential cognitive, learning, and memory decline in young and elderly patients
      also remain to be fully defined. CONCLUSIONS: This review will focus primarily on
      the cytotoxic effects of anesthetics, and offer some practical resolutions that
      may attenuate their long-term harm. An urgent need for studies on animal models
      and an increased focus on highly controlled prospective epidemiological studies
      is also reinforced.

PMID- 27252090
TI  - Comparison of a single-channel EEG sleep study to polysomnography.
AB  - An accurate home sleep study to assess electroencephalography (EEG)-based sleep
      stages and EEG power would be advantageous for both clinical and research
      purposes, such as for longitudinal studies measuring changes in sleep stages over
      time. The purpose of this study was to compare sleep scoring of a single-channel
      EEG recorded simultaneously on the forehead against attended polysomnography.
      Participants were recruited from both a clinical sleep centre and a longitudinal
      research study investigating cognitively normal ageing and Alzheimer's disease.
      Analysis for overall epoch-by-epoch agreement found strong and substantial
      agreement between the single-channel EEG compared to polysomnography (kappa =
      0.67). Slow wave activity in the frontal regions was also similar when comparing
      the single-channel EEG device to polysomnography. As expected, Stage N1 showed
      poor agreement (sensitivity 0.2) due to lack of occipital electrodes. Other sleep
      parameters, such as sleep latency and rapid eye movement (REM) onset latency, had
      decreased agreement. Participants with disrupted sleep consolidation, such as
      from obstructive sleep apnea, also had poor agreement. We suspect that
      disagreement in sleep parameters between the single-channel EEG and
      polysomnography is due partially to altered waveform morphology and/or poorer
      signal quality in the single-channel derivation. Our results show that single
      channel EEG provides comparable results to polysomnography in assessing REM,
      combined Stages N2 and N3 sleep and several other parameters, including frontal
      slow wave activity. The data establish that single-channel EEG can be a useful
      research tool.

PMID- 27252092
TI  - Tales of Antigen Evasion from CAR Therapy.
AB  - Both T cells bearing chimeric antigen receptors and tumor-specific antibodies can
      successfully target some malignancies, but antigen escape can lead to relapse.
      Two articles in this issue of Cancer Immunology Research explore what effective
      countermeasures may prevent it. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(6); 473-473. (c)2016
      AACRSee articles by Zah et al., p. 498, and Rufener et al., p. 509.

PMID- 27252091
TI  - The diagnostic and prognostic value of SALL4 in hepatoblastoma.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the expression of spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4),
      a regulator of embryonal development, in three epithelial components of
      hepatoblastoma (HB) and the relationship between SALL4 expression levels and
      patients' clinicopathological features. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 115
      specimens from 79 patients with HB were selected for immunostaining of SALL4.
      Nuclear staining was semi-quantified using the immunoreactive score (IS; range: 0
      12). SALL4 expression was seen in all embryonal components (mean IS = 8.58) and
      in 41% of fetal components (mean IS = 0.78). No SALL4 expression was seen in
      either small cell undifferentiated or mesenchymal components of HB. Neither
      chemotherapy nor metastasis altered SALL4 expression significantly. High SALL4
      expression levels were associated significantly with decreased overall survival
      (OS) (P = 0.004), event-free survival (EFS) (P = 0.003) and the presence of
      metastasis (P = 0.049) on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis identified
      SALL4 as an independent prognostic predictor for OS (P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS:
      SALL4 is useful for subtyping HB, and high SALL4 expression is associated with
      decreased survival in HB.

PMID- 27252093
TI  - IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-ENDOMETRIAL MINERALIZATION IN A DOG.
AB  - A 9-year-old intact female mixed breed dog was presented for mammary gland tumor
      surgery, and preoperative radiographs showed a tubular soft tissue opacity mass
      with multifocal mineralization in the caudoventral abdominal cavity. Subsequent
      ultrasonography demonstrated uterine dilation with echogenic fluid and
      endometrial acoustic shadowing consistent with mineralization. Resection of
      mammary gland tumors and ovariohysterectomy were performed. Pyometra was
      diagnosed on cytologic examination of uterine fluid. Histopathology of the
      uterine tissue confirmed a diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia with
      uterine mineralization.

PMID- 27252094
TI  - Event-related potentials reveal the development of stable face representations
      from natural variability.
AB  - Natural variability between instances of unfamiliar faces can make it difficult
      to reconcile two images as the same person. Yet for familiar faces, effortless
      recognition occurs even with considerable variability between images. To explore
      how stable face representations develop, we employed incidental learning in the
      form of a face sorting task. In each trial, multiple images of two facial
      identities were sorted into two corresponding piles. Following the sort,
      participants showed evidence of having learnt the faces performing more
      accurately on a matching task with seen than with unseen identities. Furthermore,
      ventral temporal event-related potentials were more negative in the N250 time
      range for previously seen than for previously unseen identities. These effects
      appear to demonstrate some degree of abstraction, rather than simple picture
      learning, as the neurophysiological and behavioural effects were observed with
      novel images of the previously seen identities. The results provide evidence of
      the development of facial representations, allowing a window onto natural
      mechanisms of face learning.

PMID- 27252097
TI  - Preparing a Paper for Publication: Help Us Help You Make It Happen.

PMID- 27252095
TI  - Ontogenetic scaling of fore limb and hind limb joint posture and limb bone cross
      sectional geometry in vervets and baboons.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Previous studies suggest that the postures habitually adopted by an
      animal influence the mechanical loading of its long bones. Relatively extended
      limb postures in larger animals should preferentially reduce anteroposterior (A
      P) relative to mediolateral (M-L) bending of the limb bones and therefore
      decrease A-P/M-L rigidity. We test this hypothesis by examining growth-related
      changes in limb bone structure in two primate taxa that differ in ontogenetic
      patterns of joint posture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Knee and elbow angles of adult
      and immature vervets (Chlorocebus aethiops, n = 16) were compared to published
      data for baboons (Papio hamadryas ursinus, n = 33, Patel et al., ). Ontogenetic
      changes in ratios of A-P/M-L bending rigidity in the femur and humerus were
      compared in skeletal samples (C. aethiops, n = 28; P. cynocephalus, n = 39). Size
      changes were assessed with linear regression, and age group differences tested
      with ANOVA. RESULTS: Only the knee of baboons shows significant postural change,
      becoming more extended with age and mass. A-P/M-L bending rigidity of the femur
      decreases during ontogeny in immature and adult female baboons only. Trends in
      the humerus are less marked. Adult male baboons have higher A-P/M-L bending
      rigidity of the femur than females. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesized relationship
      between more extended joints and reduced A-P/M-L bending rigidity is supported by
      our results for immature and adult female baboon hind limbs, and the lack of
      significant age changes in either parameter in forelimbs and vervets. Adult males
      of both species depart from general ontogenetic trends, possibly due to socially
      mediated behavioral differences between sexes. Am J Phys Anthropol 161:72-83,
      2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27252098
TI  - Tissue Oxygenation Monitoring as a Guide for Trauma Resuscitation.
AB  - Hypoperfusion is the most common event preceding the onset of multiple organ
      dysfunction syndrome during trauma resuscitation. Detecting subtle changes in
      perfusion is crucial to ensure adequate tissue oxygenation and perfusion.
      Traditional methods of detecting physiological changes include measurements of
      blood pressure, heart rate, urine output, serum levels of lactate, mixed venous
      oxygen saturation, and central venous oxygen saturation. Continuous noninvasive
      monitoring of tissue oxygen saturation in muscle has the potential to indicate
      severity of shock, detect occult hypoperfusion, guide resuscitation, and be
      predictive of the need for interventions to prevent multiple organ dysfunction
      syndrome. Tissue oxygen saturation is being used in emergency departments, trauma
      rooms, operating rooms, and emergency medical services. Tissue oxygen saturation
      technology is just as effective as mixed venous oxygen saturation, central venous
      oxygen saturation, serum lactate, and Stewart approach with strong ion gap, yet
      tissue oxygen saturation assessment is also a direct, noninvasive
      microcirculatory measurement of oxygen saturation. 

PMID- 27252099
TI  - Comparison of Head Elevation Protocols Following Femoral Artery Sheath Removal
      After Coronary Angiography.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare 2 standard protocols for head elevation following removal
      of a femoral artery sheath after coronary angiography and their effects on
      bleeding complications and reported levels of back pain. One protocol involved
      flat supine bed rest; the other allowed progressive head elevation. METHODS: A
      prospective comparative study of 80 adult patients undergoing coronary
      angiography via the femoral approach. The Numeric Rating Scale was used as the
      measure of reported pain. RESULTS: No bleeding complications occurred in either
      group. Both groups had very low mean pain scores. Repeated-measures analysis
      demonstrated that the experience of pain differed significantly over time by
      location (F5,70 = 3.864, P = .004), with a notable decrease in pain scores more
      than 1 hour after sheath removal at the location that used the progressive head
      elevation protocol. Patients' satisfaction scores after discharge did not differ
      significantly between the 2 groups. Patients with a history of chronic back pain
      had consistently higher pain scores, but those pain scores did not differ
      significantly by location (or protocol). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that using a
      progressive head-elevation protocol within the first 3 hours after diagnostic
      angiography is not associated with an increased risk of bleeding complications at
      the access site and warrants further exploration in the mitigation of back pain
      associated with prolonged supine bed rest.

PMID- 27252100
TI  - Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Primer for Critical Care Nurses.
AB  - Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a rare, autosomal dominant genetic
      disease that causes abnormal growth of blood vessels and, subsequently, life
      threatening arteriovenous malformations in vital organs. Epistaxis may be one of
      the initial clues that a patient has more serious, generalized arteriovenous
      malformations. Recommended treatment involves careful evaluation to determine the
      severity and risk of spontaneous rupture of the malformations and the management
      of various signs and symptoms. The disease remains undiagnosed in many patients,
      and health care providers may miss the diagnosis until catastrophic events happen
      in multiple family members. Prompt recognition of hereditary hemorrhagic
      telangiectasia and early intervention can halt the dangerous course of the
      disease. Critical care nurses can assist with early diagnosis within families
      with this genetic disease, thus preventing early death and disability. 

PMID- 27252101
TI  - Fresh Whole Blood Transfusion: Military and Civilian Implications.
AB  - Uncontrolled hemorrhage and exsanguination are the leading cause of preventable
      death, and resuscitative therapy is a critical component for survival. In various
      combinations, fresh whole blood, blood components, colloids, and crystalloids
      have all been staples of trauma care. The use of fresh whole blood is a well
      established military practice that has saved the lives of thousands of American
      and coalition military personnel. Civilian use of fresh whole blood is far less
      established owing to the wide availability of individual blood components.
      However, this highly tailored blood supply is vulnerable to both natural and man
      made disasters. In the event of such disruption, such as a major hurricane, it
      may be necessary for civilian hospitals to rapidly enact a fresh whole blood
      program. Therefore, the aim of this article is to review the current use of blood
      therapy for trauma resuscitation, the US military's approach to fresh whole
      blood, and how maintaining a civilian capacity for fresh whole blood collection
      in the event of future man-made and natural disasters is key to promoting
      survival from trauma. 

PMID- 27252103
TI  - Critical Care Nurses Cannot "Phone It In".

PMID- 27252102
TI  - Parent Advocacy Group for Events of Resuscitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The presence of patients' families during resuscitation has been an
      important practice issue. An American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
      practice alert "Family Presence During Resuscitation and Invasive Procedures"
      supports family members of patients undergoing resuscitation being given the
      option of bedside presence. Parent Advocacy Group for Events of Resuscitation
      (PAGER) is an interdisciplinary collaborative in the pediatric intensive care
      unit. OBJECTIVES: To ensure that patients' families are provided the option of
      being with their child during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. METHODS:
      Resuscitation data were collected for 12 months by using the AACN practice alert
      audit tool. The Family Nurse Caring Belief Scale was administered to 150
      pediatric intensive care unit nurses. PAGER nurses received crisis education.
      RESULTS: Pediatric intensive care unit nurses were supportive of providing the
      option of family presence during resuscitation. Family Nurse Caring Belief Scale
      data revealed areas for improvement in family caring practices. PAGER was
      implemented with positive outcomes for 2 families. CONCLUSIONS: PAGER has
      improved the care of families whose children experience cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation and should be implemented in pediatric critical care units. PAGER
      nurses are prepared to serve as role models in providing family-sensitive care
      during crisis.

PMID- 27252104
TI  - Best Practices in Caring for Patients Infected With Clostridium difficile.

PMID- 27252105
TI  - I Am a Critical Care Nurse.

PMID- 27252106
TI  - Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis After Influenza Vaccination: A Case Report.
AB  - Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of
      the central nervous system that has been associated with influenza immunization,
      but only a few cases related to vaccination for influenza have been reported.
      Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis developed in a 42-year-old woman within 3
      weeks of receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine. She had 80% recovery after 3
      months of treatment with methylprednisolone. Although cases of acute disseminated
      encephalomyelitis after vaccination for influenza are rare, enough of them have
      occurred that critical care nurses should be aware of the possibility. Early
      treatment can prevent serious residual signs and symptoms; therefore, correct and
      quick diagnosis is important. Medical history obtained from patients with central
      nervous system problems should include history of recent vaccinations. 

PMID- 27252107
TI  - Obtaining Accurate Noninvasive Blood Pressure Measurements in Adults.

PMID- 27252108
TI  - Solid-Organ Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Liver Transplant: A Case Report.
AB  - Solid-organ transplant graft-versus-host disease (SOT-GVHD) is a rare
      complication of organ transplant that is associated with high mortality. The
      initial signs and symptoms are vague, so this disease is easily confused with
      other posttransplant complications. A case of SOT-GVHD occurred after orthotopic
      liver transplant for liver failure due to hepatitis C in a patient in a Veterans
      Affairs intensive care unit. The patient had dehydration, acute kidney injuries,
      rashes, diarrhea, and pancytopenia. Results of skin biopsy, bone marrow biopsy,
      and cytogenetic studies were consistent with SOT-GVHD. Despite supportive care
      including antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal therapy, high-dose steroids,
      antithymoglobulin and neupogen, the patient died of overwhelming sepsis. Owing to
      the rarity of SOT-GVHD, no evidence-based guidelines or recommendations for
      treatment exist. Treatment includes high-dose corticosteroids and antibiotic,
      antifungal, and antiviral prophylaxis. Treatment of liver transplant-related GVHD
      with anti-tumor necrosis factor a agents has been successful. 

PMID- 27252109
TI  - Lipopeptides from a novel Bacillus methylotrophicus 39b strain suppress
      Agrobacterium crown gall tumours on tomato plants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to characterise the antibacterial activity of a novel
      Bacillus methylotrophicus strain named 39b against tumourigenic Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens C58 and B6 strains. It also aims to identify the compound that is
      responsible for its activity and to evaluate its efficiency to control crown gall
      disease in tomato plants. RESULTS: B. methylotrophicus strain 39b was found to
      stop the growth of phytopathogenic A. tumefaciens strains in in vitro
      experiments. Lipopeptides - surfactins, iturins and fengycins - were detected
      under various isoforms by mass spectrometry analysis of the methanolic extract.
      The active principle acting against Agrobacterium strains was isolated from TLC
      plates and identified by mass spectrometry as surfactin. The strain was effective
      in reducing the weight and the number of galls induced by A. tumefaciens strains
      on tomato plants. Total inhibition of gall formation was observed using the
      antibacterial compounds. CONCLUSION: B. methylotrophicus strain 39b exhibited
      antibacterial activity against phytopathogenic A. tumefaciens C58 and B6 both in
      vitro and in vivo. Lipopeptides are the main compounds that confer the biocontrol
      ability. This strain has the potential to be developed as a biological control
      agent for crown gall disease. (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27252110
TI  - Risk Factors and Utility of a Risk-Based Algorithm for Monitoring
      Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Adenovirus Infections in Pediatric
      Recipients after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
AB  - Infectious complications, particularly viral infections, remain a significant
      cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell
      transplantation (alloHCT). Only a handful of studies in children have analyzed
      the risks for and impact of viremia on alloHCT-related outcomes. We conducted a
      retrospective study of 140 pediatric patients undergoing alloHCT to investigate
      the incidence of and risk factors for cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus (ADV),
      and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viremia and viral disease after alloHCT.
      Furthermore, we assessed the impact of viremia on days of hospitalization and
      develop an algorithm for routine monitoring of viremia. Patients were monitored
      before alloHCT and then weekly for 180 days after alloHCT. Patients were
      considered to have viremia if CMV were > 600 copies/mL, EBV were > 1000
      copies/mL, or ADV were > 1000 copies/mL on 2 consecutive PCRs. The overall
      incidences of viremia and viral disease in all patients from day 0 to +180 after
      alloHCT were 41.4% (n = 58) and 17% (n = 24), respectively. The overall survival
      for patients with viremia and viral disease was significantly lower compared with
      those without viremia (58% versus 74.2%, P = .03) and viral disease (48.2% versus
      71.2%, P = .024). We identified that pretransplantation CMV risk status, pre
      alloHCT viremia, and use of alemtuzumab were associated with the risk of post
      alloHCT viremia. The average hospitalization days in patients with CMV risk (P =
      .011), viremia (P = .024), and viral disease (P = .002) were significantly
      higher. The algorithm developed from our data can potentially reduce viral PCR
      testing by 50% and is being studied prospectively at our center. Improved
      preventative treatment strategies for children at risk of viremia after alloHCT
      are needed.

PMID- 27252111
TI  - Ameliorative Effect of Quercetin on Neurochemical and Behavioral Deficits in
      Rotenone Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease: Modulating Autophagy (Quercetin on
      Experimental Parkinson's Disease).
AB  - Autophagy is necessary for neuronal homeostasis and its dysfunction has been
      implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) as it can exacerbate endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) stress and ER stress-induced apoptosis. Quercetin is a flavonoid known for
      its neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. The present study investigated the
      protective, autophagy-modulating effects of quercetin in the rotenone rat model
      of PD. Rotenone was intraperitoneally injected at dose of 2 ml/kg/day for 4
      weeks. Simultaneous intraperitoneal injection of quercetin was given at a dose of
      50 mg/kg/day also for 4 weeks. Neurobehavioral changes were studied.
      Oxidative/antioxidant status, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Beclin-1, and
      dopamine levels were assessed. DNA fragmentation and histopathological changes
      were evaluated. This research work revealed that quercetin significantly
      attenuated rotenone-induced behavioral impairment, augmented autophagy,
      ameliorated ER stress- induced apoptosis with attenuated oxidative stress. From
      the current study, quercetin can act as an autophagy enhancer in PD rat model and
      modulates the microenvironment that leads to neuronal death. 

PMID- 27252113
TI  - Land-use contrasts reveal instability of subsoil organic carbon.
AB  - Subsoils contain large amounts of organic carbon which is generally believed to
      be highly stable when compared with surface soils. We investigated subsurface
      organic carbon storage and dynamics by analysing organic carbon concentrations,
      fractions and isotopic values in 78 samples from 12 sites under different land
      uses and climates in eastern Australia. Despite radiocarbon ages of several
      millennia in subsoils, contrasting native systems with agriculturally managed
      systems revealed that subsurface organic carbon is reactive on decadal timeframes
      to land-use change, which leads to large losses of young carbon down the entire
      soil profile. Our results indicate that organic carbon storage in soils is input
      driven down the whole profile, challenging the concept of subsoils as a
      repository of stable organic carbon.

PMID- 27252114
TI  - Hidden Nanobubbles in Undersaturated Liquids.
AB  - Here, we propose theoretically the existence of a new type of nanobubble in
      undersaturated liquids. These nanobubbles have a concave vapor-liquid interface
      featured with a negative curvature rather than a positive curvature for
      nanobubbles in supersaturated liquids, so that they often hide inside of the
      substrate textures and it might not be easy to characterize them through atomic
      force microscopy (AFM) measurements. However, these hidden nanobubbles are still
      stabilized by the contact line pinning effect and stay at the thermodynamically
      metastable state. We further demonstrate that similar to the nanobubbles in
      supersaturated liquids the contact angle of the hidden nanobubbles is more
      sensitive to the nanobubble size rather than the substrate chemistry, and their
      curvature radius is dependent on the chemical potential but independent of the
      base radius. Finally, we show several potential situations for the appearance of
      the hidden nanobubbles.

PMID- 27252112
TI  - Defense pattern of Chinese cork oak across latitudinal gradients: influences of
      ontogeny, herbivory, climate and soil nutrients.
AB  - Knowledge of latitudinal patterns in plant defense and herbivory is crucial for
      understanding the mechanisms that govern ecosystem functioning and for predicting
      their responses to climate change. Using a widely distributed species in East
      Asia, Quercus variabilis, we aim to reveal defense patterns of trees with respect
      to ontogeny along latitudinal gradients. Six leaf chemical (total phenolics and
      total condensed tannin concentrations) and physical (cellulose, hemicellulose,
      lignin and dry mass concentration) defensive traits as well as leaf herbivory (%
      leaf area loss) were investigated in natural Chinese cork oak (Q. variabilis)
      forests across two ontogenetic stages (juvenile and mature trees) along a ~14
      degrees -latitudinal gradient. Our results showed that juveniles had higher
      herbivory values and a higher concentration of leaf chemical defense substances
      compared with mature trees across the latitudinal gradient. In addition, chemical
      defense and herbivory in both ontogenetic stages decreased with increasing
      latitude, which supports the latitudinal herbivory-defense hypothesis and optimal
      defense theory. The identified trade-offs between chemical and physical defense
      were primarily determined by environmental variation associated with the
      latitudinal gradient, with the climatic factors (annual precipitation, minimum
      temperature of the coldest month) largely contributing to the latitudinal defense
      pattern in both juvenile and mature oak trees.

PMID- 27252115
TI  - The role and significance of endomorphin-1 and MU-opioid receptor in rats with
      endometriosis.
AB  - Endomorphin-1 (EM-1) was reported to have very high affinity and selectivity for
      MU-opioid receptor (MOR). However, it remained unclear whether EM-1 and MOR were
      involved in the pathologies of endometriosis resulting in reduced fertility. In
      this study, RT-PCR, radioimmunoassay, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot were
      used, respectively. The results showed that the immune positive cells of EM-1 in
      hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovaries were significantly increased in
      endometriosis model rats, accompanied by the increase of plasma level of EM-1 and
      the decrease of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH),
      estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P). Interestingly, EM-1 was negatively
      correlated with FSH and LH (p < 0.05). More importantly, Naloxone (MOR
      antagonist) can significantly reduce the levels of EM-1 in serum, hypothalamus,
      pituitary, and ovaries, while increased the levels of FSH and LH. In conclusion,
      our results suggested that EM-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of the
      endometriosis-associated infertility by regulating hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian
      axis, and Naloxone may be a new alternative drug for the treatment of
      endometriosis.

PMID- 27252116
TI  - Characteristics and outcomes of lymphoblastic lymphoma - the University of Miami
      experience.

PMID- 27252117
TI  - The protective potential of metformin against acetaminophen-induced
      hepatotoxicity in BALB/C mice.
AB  - CONTEXT: Acetaminophen overdose is regarded to a common cause of acute liver
      failure. The hepatotoxicity leads to mitochondrial oxidative stress and
      subsequent necrotic hepatocellular death. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the
      protective effect of metformin on acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress,
      inflammation and subsequent hepatotoxicity in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male
      BALB/c mice were orally administered to acetaminophen (250 mg/kg/d) for a 7-day
      period. The mice received metformin (100 and 200 mg/kg/d, p.o.) for 21 days. To
      evaluate acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress, liver tissue level of
      malodialdehyde (MDA), end product of membrane lipid peroxidation, and activities
      of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were measured. Histological
      analysis and measurement of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were performed. Moreover,
      tissue concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), along with, C-reactive protein (CRP) were
      assessed. RESULTS: Acetaminophen caused focal hepatocyte necrosis, inflammation
      and fatty degeneration, as well as increased tissue levels of AST, ALT, ALP and
      MDA, and also decreased GSH and SOD activities. Moreover, IL-6, TNF-alpha and CRP
      levels were increased following acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. Metformin (200
      mg/kg/d) significantly normalized MDA, SOD and GSH levels (p < 0.001), and
      exerted a hepatoprotective effect by significant decreasing ALT, AST and ALP
      concentrations (p < 0.001). The tissue levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and CRP were
      markedly decreased by 21-day treatment with metformin (200 mg/kg/d) (p < 0.001).
      DISCUSSION: The results suggest metformin protects hepatocytes against acute
      acetaminophen toxicity. Metformin is indicated to diminish oxidative stress,
      proinflammatory cytokines, and hepatocyte necrosis.

PMID- 27252118
TI  - Conjugated Polymer-Based Hybrid Materials for Turn-On Detection of CO2 in Plant
      Photosynthesis.
AB  - Detection of carbon dioxide (CO2) is of fundamental importance in diverse
      applications ranging from environmental analysis to agricultural production. In
      this work, a hybrid probe based on guanidinium-pendent oligofluorene (G-OF) and
      water-soluble conjugated polythiophene (PTP) has been developed for the turn on
      detection of CO2 with low background signal, taking advantage of the efficient
      fluorescence quenching of the tight aggregate of G-OF/PTP. In the presence of
      CO2, the electrostatic repulsion between G-OF and PTP can be effectively enhanced
      through protonation of the side chains, leading to the disaggregation and thus
      the "turn-on" fluorescence. The strategy allows for the light-up visible
      detection of CO2 with high sensitivity. Importantly, this system is capable of
      sensitively monitoring the concentration changes of CO2 in the process of the
      photosynthesis, which represents a concept to monitor the photosynthesis based on
      water-soluble conjugated polymers.

PMID- 27252119
TI  - Prognostic significance of hematological profiles in melanoma patients.
AB  - Cancer-related inflammation may play an important role in disease progression and
      patient outcome, and could be easily monitored through indirect parameters
      routinely evaluated at diagnosis. Here, we investigated if peripheral blood cells
      and the ratios of neutrophils to lymphocytes (NLR) and of lymphocytes to
      monocytes (LMR) as surrogate markers of cancer related inflammation are
      associated with disease progression and survival of melanoma patients at any
      stage of the disease. Records of 1,182 melanoma patients included in an
      Institutional tumor registry in the period 2000-2010, were reviewed. Among them,
      584 patients with a cutaneous or unknown primary melanoma and available pre
      operative blood tests were analyzed. Survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier
      method, and analyzed using Log-rank test, Cox regression and multivariate Cox
      proportional hazard models. We found that patients presenting with distant
      metastases had higher leukocytes, neutrophils and monocytes, and lower
      lymphocytes compared to Stage I-III patients. Furthermore, at a single-patient
      level, hematological profiles changed on disease progression from regional to
      distant metastatic, with significantly increased circulating leukocytes,
      neutrophils and monocytes, and decreased lymphocytes. Peripheral blood cell
      counts were not associated with survival of patients with a localized or
      regionally metastasized melanoma. Instead, in Stage IV patients, leukocytes (p =
      0.001), neutrophils (p = 0.0002), monocytes (p = 0.002), NLR (p < 0.0001) and LMR
      (p = 0.005) were all significantly associated with survival, independently of
      other known prognostic factors. These results suggest that cellular components of
      peripheral blood do count for survival of patients with advanced melanoma.

PMID- 27252120
TI  - Backfilling-Free Strategy for Biopatterning on Intrinsically Dual-Functionalized
      Poly[2-Aminoethyl Methacrylate-co-Oligo(Ethylene Glycol) Methacrylate] Films.
AB  - We demonstrated protein and cellular patterning with a soft lithography technique
      using poly[2-aminoethyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate]
      films on gold surfaces without employing a backfilling process. The backfilling
      process plays an important role in successfully generating biopatterns; however,
      it has potential disadvantages in several interesting research and technical
      applications. To overcome the issue, a copolymer system having highly reactive
      functional groups and bioinert properties was introduced through a surface
      initiated controlled radical polymerization with 2-aminoethyl methacrylate
      hydrochloride (AMA) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA). The prepared
      poly(AMA-co-OEGMA) film was fully characterized, and among the films having
      different thicknesses, the 35 nm-thick biotinylated, poly(AMA-co-OEGMA) film
      exhibited an optimum performance, such as the lowest nonspecific adsorption and
      the highest specific binding capability toward proteins. 

PMID- 27252121
TI  - High performance CCD camera system for digitalisation of 2D DIGE gels.
AB  - An essential step in 2D DIGE-based analysis of differential proteome profiles is
      the accurate and sensitive digitalisation of 2D DIGE gels. The performance
      progress of commercially available charge-coupled device (CCD) camera-based
      systems combined with light emitting diodes (LED) opens up a new possibility for
      this type of digitalisation. Here, we assessed the performance of a CCD camera
      system (Intas Advanced 2D Imager) as alternative to a traditionally employed,
      high-end laser scanner system (Typhoon 9400) for digitalisation of differential
      protein profiles from three different environmental bacteria. Overall, the
      performance of the CCD camera system was comparable to the laser scanner, as
      evident from very similar protein abundance changes (irrespective of spot
      position and volume), as well as from linear range and limit of detection.

PMID- 27252123
TI  - Amphiphilic calixresorcinarene associates as effective solubilizing agents for
      hydrophobic organic acids: construction of nano-aggregates.
AB  - Here we represent the first example of the formation of mixed nanoscale
      associates, constructed from amphiphilic calixresorcinarenes and hydrophobic
      carboxylic acids including drugs. The amidoamino-calixresorcinarene self
      associates effectively solubilize hydrophobic carboxylic acids - drugs such as
      naproxen, ibuprofen, ursodeoxycholic acid and aliphatic dodecanoic acid - with
      the formation of the mixed aggregates with the macrocycle/substrate stoichiometry
      from 1/1 to 1/7. The ionization of organic acids and the peripheral nitrogen
      atoms of the macrocycles with the subsequent inclusion of hydrophobic acids into
      the macrocycle self-associates is the driving force of solubilization. In some
      cases, this leads to the co-assembly of the macrocycle polydisperse associates
      into supramolecular monodisperse nanoparticles with the diameter of about 100 nm.
      The efficiency of drug loading into the nanoparticles is up to 45% and depends on
      the structure of organic acid. The dissociation of the mixed aggregates and
      release of organic acid are attained by decreasing pH. 

PMID- 27252122
TI  - R-loop: an emerging regulator of chromatin dynamics.
AB  - The dynamic structure of chromatin, which exists in two conformational states:
      heterochromatin and euchromatin, alters the accessibility of the DNA to
      regulatory factors during transcription, replication, recombination, and DNA
      damage repair. Chemical modifications of histones and DNA, as well as adenosine
      triphospahate-dependent nucleosome remodeling, have been the major focus of
      research on chromatin dynamics over the past two decades. However, recent studies
      using a DNA-RNA hybrid-specific antibody and next-generation sequencing
      approaches have revealed that the formation of R-loops, one of the most common
      non-canonical DNA structures, is an emerging regulator of chromatin states. This
      review focuses on recent insights into the interplay between R-loop formation and
      the epigenetic modifications of chromatin in normal and disease states. 

PMID- 27252124
TI  - Post-exposure antiviral treatment of norovirus infections effectively protects
      against diarrhea and reduces virus shedding in the stool in a mortality mouse
      model.
AB  - Noroviruses are a leading cause of gastroenteritis across the world in all age
      groups and are linked to increased hospitalization and mortality in children, the
      elderly and immunocompromised. The development of specific antiviral treatment
      for norovirus gastroenteritis is urgently needed. We explored in a mouse model
      whether an inhibitor of norovirus replication could be used therapeutically post
      murine norovirus (MNV)-infection of mice. Using the MNV, we previously discovered
      that the viral polymerase inhibitor 2'-C-methylcytidine (2CMC) is able to protect
      against diarrhea and mortality in mice when used prophylactically and to block
      the transmission of MNV between mice. Here, we investigated whether 2CMC could be
      used therapeutically, starting treatment between 12 h and 3 days post-infection
      with 2CMC. Post-exposure treatment of MNV-infected mice with 2CMC was efficient
      up to 2 days after infection, preventing norovirus-induced diarrhea, delaying and
      reducing MNV shedding in stool of treated mice. Rehydration of 2CMC-treated
      animals did not result in a further improvement of the disease evolution compared
      to antiviral treatment only. The presence of MNV antigens and inflammation in the
      small intestine of infected mice inversely correlated with the effectiveness of
      delayed antiviral treatment. Anti-MNV IgGs were detected in re-challenged mice 10
      weeks after the first contact, these protected the mice from re-infection. We
      here demonstrate the benefit of antiviral treatment in ongoing norovirus
      infections.

PMID- 27252125
TI  - Backpack palsy: A rare complication of backpack use in children and young adults 
      A new case report.
AB  - Backpack palsy is a well-recognised, albeit rare, complication of carrying
      backpacks. Although it has been mostly described in cadets during strenuous
      training, sporadic cases of brachial nerve impairment have been reported in
      children and young adults. Here we reported the case of a 15-year-old girl who
      presented with a left-side brachial palsy with axonal denervation of C5C7 motor
      roots following a school challenge for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Her symptoms
      began soon after starting the challenge and included weakness of shoulder
      abduction and elevation, as well as forearm, wrist and fingers extension. After 6
      months of physiotherapy her motor function was completely restored. Backpack
      palsy can sometimes present in children and young adults. This disorder should be
      taken in consideration when planning for daily, as well as more challenging,
      physical activities in these age groups. 

PMID- 27252127
TI  - Associations Between Substance Use in Commission of Sexual Crimes and Offense
      Characteristics Among Youth: Mitigating Effects of Substance Use Treatment.
AB  - The small extant research base on substance use and youth sexual offending has
      very few descriptive details. Furthermore, research has yet to test associations
      between the use of substances in the commission of sexual crimes and offense
      related characteristics and how substance use treatment can mitigate these
      effects. In a sample of residentially housed youth adjudicated of a sexual crime
      ( N = 332), prevalence patterns are broken down by type of substance use
      behavior. Sequential regression models are run to test the associations between
      substance use prior to a sexual crime and number of victims, sexual deviance, and
      non-sexual criminality. Substance use treatment is tested as a mitigating factor
      in these relationships. Results reveal high levels of family substance use, and
      high rates of alcohol, marijuana, and other substance use. There were
      associations between substance use prior to sexual criminality and sexual
      deviance and non-sexual criminality. Substance use treatment reduced the effects
      of substance use on non-sexual criminality. Research and treatment implications
      are offered.

PMID- 27252126
TI  - Adverse reaction after hyaluronan injection for minimally invasive papilla volume
      augmentation. A report on two cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To report two cases of adverse reaction after mucosal hyaluronan (HY)
      injection around implant-supported crowns, with the aim to augment the missing
      interdental papilla. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two patients with single, non
      neighbouring, implants in the anterior maxilla, who were treated within the
      frames of a randomized controlled clinical trial testing the effectiveness of HY
      gel injection to reconstruct missing papilla volume at single implants, presented
      an adverse reaction. Injection of HY was performed bilaterally using a 3-step
      technique: (i) creation of a reservoir in the mucosa directly above the
      mucogingival junction, (ii) injection into the attached gingiva/mucosa below the
      missing papilla, and (iii) injection 2-3 mm apically to the papilla tip. The
      whole-injection session was repeated once after approximately 4 weeks. RESULTS:
      Both patients presented with swelling and extreme tenderness with a burning
      sensation on the lip next to the injection area, after the second injection
      session. In one of the cases, a net-like skin discoloration (livedo reticularis)
      was also noted. The symptoms lasted for up to 7 days, and in both cases, symptoms
      resolved without any signs of skin or mucosal necrosis or any permanent damage.
      CONCLUSION: Most likely, water attraction over time by the highly hygroscopic HY,
      exerted progressively an external vascular compression and at least partial
      occlusion of neighbouring blood vessels. An infection or an allergic reaction
      seems unlikely, since all symptoms gradually disappeared within a week
      irrespective use of antimicrobials, while an allergic reaction most likely would
      not have been restricted to one side.

PMID- 27252129
TI  - Winning at Go: The Conundrum of Computational Mind.

PMID- 27252128
TI  - Advances in electroanalysis, sensing and monitoring in molten salts.
AB  - Microelectrodes have a number of advantages over macroelectrodes for quantitative
      electroanalysis and monitoring, including reduced iR drop, a high signal-to-noise
      ratio and reduced sensitivity to convection. Their use in molten salts has been
      generally precluded by the combined materials challenges of stresses associated
      with thermal cycling and physical and corrosive chemical degradation at the
      relatively high temperatures involved. We have shown that microfabrication,
      employing high precision photolithographic patterning in combination with the
      controlled deposition of materials, can be used to successfully address these
      challenges. The resulting molten salt compatible microelectrodes (MSMs) enable
      prolonged quantitative microelectrode measurements in molten salts (MSs). This
      paper reports the fabrication of novel MSM disc electrodes, chosen because they
      have an established ambient analytical response. It includes a detailed set of
      electrochemical characterisation studies which demonstrate both their enhanced
      capability over macroelectrodes and over commercial glass pulled microelectrodes,
      and their ability to extract quantitative electroanalytical information from MS
      systems. MSM measurements are then used to demonstrate their potential for
      shedding new light on the fundamental properties of, and processes in, MSs, such
      as mass transport, charge transfer reaction rates and the selective
      plating/stripping and alloying reactions of liquid Bi and other metals; this will
      underpin the development of enhanced MS industrial processes, including
      pyrochemical spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. 

PMID- 27252131
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27252130
TI  - Talin: a mechanosensitive molecule in health and disease.
AB  - Talin is a ubiquitous, large focal adhesion protein that links intracellular
      networks with the extracellular matrix (ECM) via its connection with the actin
      cytoskeleton and membrane integrins. It is one of a handful molecules that can
      expose new recognition sites when undergoing force-induced mechanical unfolding,
      and it can bind and recruit cytoskeletal proteins that are involved in
      mechanotransduction. Talin has attracted great interest in the field of
      mechanobiology because of its plasticity in undergoing conformational changes
      under force stimulation as well as its cellular localization that bridges the
      cytoskeleton with the ECM. In addition to these roles in healthy cells, the
      dysregulation of talin activators can lead to disease states in which aberrant
      integrin activation and mechanotransduction precipitate changes in cell
      spreading, migration, and survival. New data have implicated a role for talin in
      diseases that are highly regulated by mechanical cues. In this review, we present
      the current understanding of talin structure, its relationship to binding
      partners, and its role in disease states.-Haining, A. W. M., Lieberthal, T. J.,
      del Rio Hernandez, A. Talin: a mechanosensitive molecule in health and disease.

PMID- 27252132
TI  - Reporting postoperative morbidity and mortality by hospital and surgeon: a new
      era in accountability.

PMID- 27252133
TI  - Evolution of the Bi-National Colorectal Cancer Audit: history, governance and
      future directions.

PMID- 27252134
TI  - The 2015 Asia Pacific Federation of Coloproctogy Congress: bringing colorectal
      surgeons and stomal therapists together to the world's most liveable city.

PMID- 27252135
TI  - Medicine in small doses.

PMID- 27252136
TI  - 25, 50 & 75 years ago.

PMID- 27252137
TI  - Publons.com: credit where credit is due.

PMID- 27252138
TI  - Response to Re: No weak days? Impact of day in the week on surgical mortality.

PMID- 27252139
TI  - Re: No weak days? Impact of day in the week on surgical mortality.

PMID- 27252140
TI  - Folded superficial temporal artery flap for repair of penetrated nasal defects.

PMID- 27252141
TI  - Ectopic liver, choristoma and hepar succenturiatum.

PMID- 27252142
TI  - Re: Surgical dilemma: loss of open surgical skills to minimally invasive surgery.

PMID- 27252143
TI  - The Spirit and Intent of Motivational Interviewing.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe an educational program to improve inpatient psychiatric
      nursing staff communication skills to better provide patient-centered care
      throughout patient hospitalization. DESIGN AND METHODS: Delivered and evaluated
      an educational program to increase inpatient staff knowledge and use of
      communication skills during patient encounters. CONCLUSIONS: Emphasizing the
      spirit and intent of motivational interviewing in a training program results in a
      translation of the newly obtained knowledge into nursing practice, as evidenced
      by observed use of motivational interviewing skills during which patient
      encounters to strengthen the therapeutic alliance. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:
      Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners can provide an important role of
      coaching/mentorship for inpatient psychiatric nursing staff to further develop
      communication skills that are meaningful, patient-centered, and may lead to
      improved treatment adherence.

PMID- 27252145
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27252144
TI  - Development of nap neurophysiology: preliminary insights into sleep regulation in
      early childhood.
AB  - Although all young children nap, the neurophysiological features and associated
      developmental trajectories of daytime sleep remain largely unknown. Longitudinal
      studies of napping physiology are fundamental to understanding sleep regulation
      during early childhood, a sensitive period in brain and behaviour development and
      a time when children transition from a biphasic to a monophasic sleep-wakefulness
      pattern. We investigated daytime sleep in eight healthy children with sleep
      electroencephalography (EEG) assessments at three longitudinal points: 2 years
      (2.5-3.0 years), 3 years (3.5-4.0 years) and 5 years (5.5-6.0 years). At each
      age, we measured nap EEG during three randomized conditions: after 4 h (morning
      nap), 7 h (afternoon nap) and 10 h (evening nap) duration of prior wakefulness.
      Developmental changes in sleep were most prevalent in the afternoon nap (e.g.
      decrease in sleep duration by 30 min from 2 to 3 years and by 20 min from 3 to 5
      years). In contrast, nap sleep architecture (% of sleep stages) remained
      unchanged across age. Maturational changes in non-rapid eye movement sleep EEG
      power were pronounced in the slow wave activity (SWA, 0.75-4.5 Hz), theta (4.75
      7.75 Hz) and sigma (10-15 Hz) frequency ranges. These findings indicate that the
      primary marker of sleep depth, SWA, is less apparent in daytime naps as children
      mature. Moreover, our fundamental data provide insight into associations between
      sleep regulation and functional modifications in the central nervous system
      during early childhood.

PMID- 27252147
TI  - From natural to biomimetic: The superhydrophobicity and the contact time.
AB  - The superhydrophobicities and the contact time of lotus leaf and reed leaf were
      investigated. The results indicated that both lotus leaf and reed leaf have good
      superhydrophobic properties, and the water contact time was 12.7 and 14.7 ms on
      the surface of lotus leaf and reed leaf, respectively. Surface structure plays a
      key role in the different contacting times. Homogeneous distribution of papillae
      on the surface of lotus leaf was more helpful to reduce the contact time than
      anisotropic groove-shape on the surface of reed leaf. Based on the bionics
      coupling theory, the bionics sample possessing similar lotus-leaf-like surface
      structure on the aluminum alloy was designed and fabricated successfully. The
      water contact angle was about 153 +/- 2 degrees , sliding angle less than 5
      degrees , and the water contact time was 13.4 ms on the surface of bionics
      sample, which presented excellent superhydrophobic property, and achieved the aim
      of bionic design. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:712-720, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 27252148
TI  - Interactive effects of temperature and drought on cassava growth and toxicity:
      implications for food security?
AB  - Cassava is an important dietary component for over 1 billion people, and its
      ability to yield under drought has led to it being promoted as an important crop
      for food security under climate change. Despite its known photosynthetic
      plasticity in response to temperature, little is known about how temperature
      affects plant toxicity or about interactions between temperature and drought,
      which is important because cassava tissues contain high levels of toxic
      cyanogenic glucosides, a major health and food safety concern. In a controlled
      glasshouse experiment, plants were grown at 2 daytime temperatures (23  degrees C
      and 34  degrees C), and either well-watered or subject to a 1 month drought prior
      to harvest at 6 months. The objective was to determine the separate and
      interactive effects of temperature and drought on growth and toxicity. Both
      temperature and drought affected cassava physiology and chemistry. While
      temperature alone drove differences in plant height and above-ground biomass,
      drought and temperature * drought interactions most affected tuber yield, as well
      as foliar and tuber chemistry, including C : N, nitrogen and cyanide potential
      (CNp; total cyanide released from cyanogenic glucosides). Conditions that most
      stimulated growth and yield (well-watered * high temperature) effected a
      reduction in tuber toxicity, whereas drought inhibited growth and yield, and was
      associated with increased foliar and tuber toxicity. The magnitude of drought
      effects on tuber yield and toxicity were greater at high temperature; thus,
      increases in tuber CNp were not merely a consequence of reduced tuber biomass.
      Findings confirm that cassava is adaptable to forecast temperature increases,
      particularly in areas of adequate or increasing rainfall; however, in regions
      forecast for increased incidence of drought, the effects of drought on both food
      quality (tuber toxicity) and yield are a greater threat to future food security
      and indicate an increasing necessity for processing of cassava to reduce
      toxicity.

PMID- 27252149
TI  - Treatment of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and tufted angioma.
AB  - This meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of current treatment modalities
      for kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and tufted angioma. A systematic review was
      performed using PubMed (Medline), Web of Science and Embase for clinical studies.
      The outcome was measured by pooled response rate with 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs), together with heterogeneity, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and
      publication bias. Fifteen studies with 244 participants were included in this
      analysis. Vincristine therapy exhibited a relatively higher response rate (0.72;
      95%CI, 0.64-0.79) compared with other therapies including systemic corticosteroid
      (0.27; 95%CI, 0.17-0.36), interferon (0.36; 95%CI, 0.24-0.48), radiotherapy
      (0.49; 95%CI, 0.26-0.73), embolization (0.66; 95%CI, 0.48-0.83),
      aspirin/ticlopidine (0.42; 95%CI, 0.06-0.78) and sirolimus (0.57; 95%CI, 0.00
      0.10), in treating KHE/TA. Subgroup analysis indicated that the efficacy of
      systemic corticosteroids therapy was age-related. The pooled response rate was
      0.15 (95%CI, 0.08-0.23) for participants 3.5 months of age and older compared
      with 0.35 (95% CI, 0.26-0.44) for participants less than 3.5 months. Regarding
      side effects, systemic corticosteroids treatment was 0.32 (95%CI, 0.15-0.50),
      vincristine modality was 0.16 (95%CI, 0.08-0.24) and interferon therapy was 0.28
      (95%CI, 0.13-0.43). In conclusion, as one of the first reviews evaluating the
      effect of common therapies in the treatment of KHE/TA, our meta-analysis
      displayed that vincristine was more effective. Thus, vincristine was the most
      effective, providing evidence supporting the use of vincristine as a first-line
      therapy for KHE/TA.

PMID- 27252151
TI  - Biocomposite macroporous cryogels as potential carrier scaffolds for bone active
      agents augmenting bone regeneration.
AB  - Osteoinduction can be enhanced by combining scaffolds with bone morphogenic
      protein-2 (BMP-2). However, BMP's are known to also cause bone resorption. This
      can be controlled using bisphosphonates like zoledronic acid (ZA). In this study,
      we produced two different scaffolds containing silk-fibroin, chitosan, agarose
      and hydroxyapatite (HA) with and without bioactive glass. The aims of the study
      were to fabricate, physico-chemically characterize and evaluate the carrier
      properties of the scaffolds for recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) and ZA.
      Scaffolds were characterized using various methods to confirm their composition.
      During cell-material interactions, both scaffolds exhibited gradual but sustained
      proliferation of both C2C12 and MSCs for a period of 6weeks with augmentative
      effects on their phenotype indicated by elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase
      (ALP) cuing towards osteogenic differentiation. In-vitro effects of rhBMP-2 and
      ZA contained within both the scaffolds was assessed on MC3T3 preosteoblast cells
      and the results show a significant increase in the ALP activity of the cells
      seeded on scaffolds with rhBMP-2. Further, the scaffold with both HA and
      bioactive glass was considered for the animal study. In-vitro, this scaffold
      released nearly 25% rhBMP-2 in 21-days and the addition of ZA did not affect the
      release. In the animal study, the scaffolds were combined with rhBMP-2 and ZA,
      rhBMP-2 or implanted alone in an ectopic muscle pouch model. Significantly higher
      bone formation was observed in the scaffold loaded with both rhBMP-2 and ZA as
      seen from micro-computed tomography, histomorphometry and energy dispersive X-ray
      spectroscopy.

PMID- 27252150
TI  - Prognostic value of health-related quality of life for death risk stratification
      in patients with unresectable glioblastoma.
AB  - Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. Baseline health
      related quality of life (HRQoL) is a major subject of concern for these patients.
      We aimed to assess the independent prognostic value of HRQoL in unresectable
      glioblastoma (UGB) patients for death risk stratification. One hundred and thirty
      four patients with UGB were enrolled from the TEMAVIR trial. HRQoL was evaluated
      at baseline using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and BN20 brain cancer module. Clinical and
      HRQoL parameters were evaluated in univariable and multivariable Cox analysis as
      prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Performance assessment and internal
      validation of the final model were evaluated with Harrel's C-index, calibration
      plot, and bootstrap sample procedure. Two OS independent predictors were
      identified: future uncertainty and sensitivity deficit. The final model exhibited
      good calibration and acceptable discrimination (C statistic = 0.63). The internal
      validity of the model was verified with robust uncertainties around the hazard
      ratio. The prognostic score identified three groups of patients with distinctly
      different risk profiles with median OS estimated at 16.2, 9.2, and 4.5 months. We
      demonstrated the additional prognostic value of HRQoL in UGB for death risk
      stratification and provided a score that may help to guide clinical management
      and stratification in future clinical trials.

PMID- 27252153
TI  - Strong hydrophobic interaction between graphene oxide and supported lipid
      bilayers revealed by AFM.
AB  - Understanding the interaction between graphene oxide (GO) and lipid membranes is
      of great importance for its various applications in biotechnology. Here, we
      investigated the interaction between GO and charged supported lipid bilayers
      (SLBs) by in situ atomic force microscope (AFM) imaging. It was found that GO
      could peel off a single layer of positively charged SLBs and deposited on the
      hydrophobic part of the remaining sublayer. Then free lipid molecules would
      assemble on GO surface and formed 1.5 bilayers in a lipid-GO-lipid manner. For
      negatively charged lipid bilayers, however, GO deposited to the SLBs only when
      its concentration was very high. These results indicate that, in addition to
      electrostatic interaction, the hydrophobic interaction plays an important role
      when GO sheets deposit onto the charged lipid bilayers, and should be helpful to
      understand possible cytotoxicity and antibiosis of graphene-related
      nanomaterials. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:721-726, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc. 

PMID- 27252152
TI  - Blood mercury levels and fish consumption in pregnancy: Risks and benefits for
      birth outcomes in a prospective observational birth cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To avoid exposure to mercury, government advice on fish consumption
      during pregnancy includes information on fish species to avoid and to limit,
      while encouraging consumption of least two portions of fish per week. Some women
      may, however, chose to avoid fish completely during pregnancy despite potential
      benefits to the fetus. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to evaluate the effects of blood
      mercury levels in pregnant women on birth outcomes in the UK, and to compare
      outcomes in those who ate fish with those who did not. METHODS: Pregnant women
      were enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).
      Whole blood samples for singleton pregnancies with a live birth were analysed for
      Hg by inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry
      (n=4044). Fish intake was determined by a food frequency questionnaire during
      pregnancy. Data collected on the infants included anthropometric variables and
      gestational age at delivery. Regression models were adjusted for covariates using
      SPSS v23. RESULTS: There were no significant associations of maternal blood Hg
      level with birthweight, head circumference or crown-heel length in adjusted
      linear regression models. Similarly, there were no increased odds of low
      birthweight or preterm delivery in adjusted logistic regression models. When the
      models were repeated after stratification into fish-eaters and there were no
      associations except for a negative association with birthweight in non-fish
      eaters (unstandardised B coefficient -58.4 (95% confidence interval -113.8, -3.0)
      g, p=0.039). CONCLUSION: Moderate mercury levels in pregnancy were not associated
      with anthropometric variables, or on the odds of low birthweight or preterm
      birth. Fish consumption may have a protective effect on birthweight. Consumption
      of fish in line with government guidelines during pregnancy should be encouraged.

PMID- 27252154
TI  - H2O2 generated from mitochondrial electron transport chain in thoracic
      perivascular adipose tissue is crucial for modulation of vascular smooth muscle
      contraction.
AB  - The perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) releases a variety of factors that affect
      vascular function. PVAT in the thoracic aorta shares characteristics with the
      brown adipose tissue, including a large amount of mitochondria. PVAT-derived
      factors influence both endothelial and smooth muscle function via several
      signaling mechanisms including the release/generation of reactive nitrogen and
      oxygen species. Considering the importance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on
      vascular function and that mitochondria are an important source of ROS, we
      hypothesized that mitochondria-derived ROS in the PVAT modulates vascular
      reactivity. Vascular reactivity to norephinephrine (NE) was evaluated in thoracic
      aortic rings, with or without endothelium and/or PVAT, from male Wistar rats.
      Mitochondrial uncoupling, as well as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) removal, increased
      the contraction in vessels surrounded by PVAT. PVAT stimulated with NE exhibited
      increased protein expression, determined by Western blot analysis, of manganese
      superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and decreased protein expression of catalase.
      Ultimately, NE increased superoxide anion (O2(-)) generation in PVAT via
      increases in intracellular calcium. These results clearly demonstrate that
      mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC) in PVAT contributes to modulation
      of aortic muscle contraction by generating higher amounts of O2(-) that is, in
      turn, dismutated to hydrogen peroxide, which then acts as a pivotal signaling
      molecule regulating vascular smooth muscle contraction.

PMID- 27252155
TI  - Gain or non-loss: The message matching effect of regulatory focus on moral
      judgements of other-orientation lies.
AB  - Previous studies found that individuals with promotion focus are more likely to
      be persuaded by messages framed in terms of gain-related words; individuals with
      prevention focus are more likely to be persuaded by messages framed in terms of
      loss-related words. This is known as the message matching effect of regulatory
      focus. The present study extended this effect into the field of moral judgement
      of other-orientation lies. Two experiments were conducted, revealing that (a)
      individuals with promotion focus judged gain-framed other-orientation lies to be
      more moral, while individuals with prevention focus judged non-loss-framed other
      orientation lies to be more moral; and (b) the subjective processing fluency had
      a partial mediating role in the message matching effect. Theoretical implications
      and future research directions were discussed.

PMID- 27252156
TI  - D-serine transporter in Staphylococcus saprophyticus identified.
AB  - Among staphylococci Staphylococcus saprophyticus is the only species that is
      typically uropathogenic and an important cause of urinary tract infections in
      young women. The amino acid D-serine occurs in relatively high concentrations in
      human urine and has a bacteriostatic or toxic effect on many bacteria. In
      uropathogenic Escherichia coli and S. saprophyticus, the amino acid regulates the
      expression of virulence factors and can be used as a nutrient. The ability of
      uropathogens to respond to or to metabolize D-serine has been suggested as a
      factor that enables colonization of the urinary tract. Until now nothing is known
      about D-serine transport in S. saprophyticus We generated mutants of putative
      transporter genes in S. saprophyticus 7108 that show homology to the D-serine
      transporter cycA of E. coli and tested them in a D-serine depletion assay to
      analyze the D-serine uptake rate of the cells. The mutant of SPP1070 showed a
      strong decrease in D-serine uptake. Therefore, SSP1070 was identified as a major
      D-serine transporter in S. saprophyticus 7108 and was named D-serine transporter
      A (DstA). D-serine caused a prolonged lag phase of S. saprophyticus in a
      chemically defined medium. This negative effect was dependent on the presence of
      DstA.

PMID- 27252157
TI  - Molecular dissection of blaKPC-2-bearing plasmids evolving in Klebsiella
      pneumoniae isolated at one teaching hospital in Shanghai, China.
AB  - The presence of carbapenemase gene blaKPC-2 in a wide variety of plasmids,
      especially conjugative plasmids, is key to the rapid, worldwide spread of
      carbapenemase enzymes. Thirty-eight, non-duplicated, carbapenem-resistant,
      clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were collected, all carrying blaKPC-2
      bearing plasmids. Relaxase analysis was used to classify these plasmids; 8 and 30
      plasmids belonged to the MOBP3 and MOBF12 subfamilies, respectively. Phylogenetic
      analysis revealed two genetic subclades in the MOBF12 subfamily and suggested
      that these subclades might not have originated from the same ancestor. Crossing
      PCR, used to sequence fully the type IV secretion system (T4SS, essential
      structures for conjugative plasmids) of the MOBF12 plasmids, found that T4SSs
      were distinctively different in certain functional genes, e.g. traS and traG. In
      conclusion, this study delineated the evolution of blaKPC-2-bearing plasmids at
      Huashan Hospital, Shanghai, China. The plasmids bearing blaKPC-2 were diverse and
      the MOBF12 plasmids were dominant in clinical K. pneumoniae isolates.

PMID- 27252158
TI  - Homeostasis - the Walter B. Cannon's Legacy - Applied to the Metabolic Syndrome
      and the Scientific Enterprise.

PMID- 27252159
TI  - Physiology in Perspective: Physiological Transitions During Our Lifespan.

PMID- 27252161
TI  - Aromatase: Contributions to Physiology and Disease in Women and Men.
AB  - Aromatase (estrogen synthetase; EC 1.14.14.1) catalyzes the demethylation of
      androgens' carbon 19, producing phenolic 18-carbon estrogens. Aromatase is most
      widely known for its roles in reproduction and reproductive system diseases, and
      as a target for inhibitor therapy in estrogen-sensitive diseases including
      cancer, endometriosis, and leiomyoma (141, 143). However, all tissues contain
      estrogen receptor-expressing cells, the majority of genes have a complete or
      partial estrogen response element that regulates their expression (61), and there
      are plentiful nonreceptor effects of estrogens (79); therefore, the effect of
      aromatase through the provision of estrogen is almost universal in terms of
      health and disease. This review will provide a brief but comprehensive overview
      of the enzyme, its role in steroidogenesis, the problems that arise with its
      functional mutations and mishaps, the roles in human physiology of aromatase and
      its product estrogens, its current clinical roles, and the effects of aromatase
      inhibitors. While much of the story is that of the consequences of the formation
      of its product estrogens, we also will address alternative enzymatic roles of
      aromatase as a demethylase or nonenzymatic actions of this versatile molecule.
      Although this short review is meant to be thorough, it is by no means exhaustive;
      rather, it is meant to reflect the cutting-edge, exciting properties and
      possibilities of this ancient enzyme and its products.

PMID- 27252160
TI  - The VCD Mouse Model of Menopause and Perimenopause for the Study of Sex
      Differences in Cardiovascular Disease and the Metabolic Syndrome.
AB  - In females, menopause, the cessation of menstrual cycling, is associated with an
      increase in risk for several diseases such as cardiovascular disease,
      osteoporosis, diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, and ovarian cancer. The majority
      of women enter menopause via a gradual reduction of ovarian function over several
      years (perimenopause) and retain residual ovarian tissue. The VCD mouse model of
      menopause (ovarian failure in rodents) is a follicle-deplete, ovary-intact animal
      that more closely approximates the natural human progression through
      perimenopause and into the postmenopausal stage of life. In this review, we
      present the physiological parameters of how to use the VCD model and explore the
      VCD model and its application into the study of postmenopausal disease
      mechanisms, focusing on recent murine studies of diabetic kidney disease, the
      metabolic syndrome, and hypertension.

PMID- 27252162
TI  - Transcriptional Dysregulation of Adipose Tissue Autophagy in Obesity.
AB  - There is growing interest in understanding how dysregulated autophagy may
      contribute to pathogenesis of disease. Most frequently, disease states are
      associated with diminished autophagy, mostly attributed to genetic variation in
      autophagy genes and/or to dysfunctional posttranscriptional mechanisms. In human
      adipose tissue (AT), in obesity, expression of autophagy genes is upregulated and
      autophagy is likely activated, associating with adipose dysfunction. This review
      explores the emerging role of transcriptional mechanisms regulating AT autophagy
      in obesity.

PMID- 27252163
TI  - Linking Gut Microbiota and Inflammation to Obesity and Insulin Resistance.
AB  - Obesity and insulin resistance are the major predisposing factors to
      comorbidities, such as Type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,
      cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and several types of cancer. The
      prevalence of obesity is still increasing worldwide and now affects a large
      number of individuals. Here, we review the role of the gut microbiota in the
      pathophysiology of insulin resistance/obesity. The human intestine is colonized
      by ~100 trillion bacteria, which constitute the gut microbiota. Studies have
      shown that lean and overweight rodents and humans may present differences in the
      composition of their intestinal flora. Over the past 10 years, data from
      different sources have established a causal link between the intestinal
      microbiota and obesity/insulin resistance. It is important to emphasize that diet
      induced obesity promotes insulin resistance by mechanisms independent and
      dependent on gut microbiota. In this review, we present several mechanisms that
      contribute to explaining the link between intestinal flora and insulin
      resistance/obesity. The LPS from intestinal flora bacteria can induce a chronic
      subclinical inflammatory process and obesity, leading to insulin resistance
      through activation of TLR4. The reduction in circulating SCFA may also have an
      essential role in the installation of reduced insulin sensitivity and obesity.
      Other mechanisms include effects of bile acids, branched-chain amino acids
      (BCAA), and some other lesser-known factors. In the near future, this area should
      open new therapeutic avenues for obesity/insulin resistance and its
      comorbidities.

PMID- 27252165
TI  - Residual Force Enhancement Following Eccentric Contractions: A New Mechanism
      Involving Titin.
AB  - Eccentric muscle properties are not well characterized by the current paradigm of
      the molecular mechanism of contraction: the cross-bridge theory. Findings of
      force contributions by passive structural elements a decade ago paved the way for
      a new theory. Here, we present experimental evidence and theoretical support for
      the idea that the structural protein titin contributes to active force
      production, thereby explaining many of the unresolved properties of eccentric
      muscle contraction.

PMID- 27252164
TI  - Viewing Extrinsic Proteotoxic Stress Through the Lens of Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Proteotoxicity refers to toxic stress caused by misfolded proteins of extrinsic
      or intrinsic origin and plays an integral role in the pathogenesis of
      cardiovascular diseases. Herein, we provide an overview of the current
      understanding of mechanisms underlying proteotoxicity and its contribution in the
      pathogenesis of amyloid cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 27252166
TI  - Why is UEFA carrying out injury studies?

PMID- 27252167
TI  - UEFA making vital contribution to football medicine.

PMID- 27252168
TI  - Can off-field 'brains' provide a competitive advantage in professional football?

PMID- 27252169
TI  - Distinct TLR-mediated cytokine production and immunoglobulin secretion in human
      newborn naive B cells.
AB  - Neonatal innate immunity is distinct from that of adults, which may contribute to
      increased susceptibility to infection and limit vaccine responses. B cells play
      critical roles in protection from infection and detect PAMPs via TLRs, that, when
      co-activated with CD40, can drive B-cell proliferation and Ab production. We
      characterized the expression of TLRs in circulating B cells from newborns and
      adults, and evaluated TLR- and CD40-mediated naive B-cell class-switch
      recombination (CSR) and cytokine production. Gene expression levels of most TLRs
      was similar between newborn and adult B cells, except that newborn naive B cells
      expressed more TLR9 than adult naive B cells. Neonatal naive B cells demonstrated
      impaired TLR2- and TLR7- but enhanced TLR9-mediated cytokine production.
      Significantly fewer newborn naive B cells underwent CSR to produce IgG, an
      impairment also noted with IL-21 stimulation. Additionally, co-stimulation via
      CD40 and TLRs induced greater cytokine production in adult B cells. Thus, while
      newborn naive B cells demonstrate adult-level expression of TLRs and CD40, the
      responses to stimulation of these receptors are distinct. Relatively high
      expression of TLR9 and impaired CD40-mediated Ig secretion contributes to
      distinct innate and adaptive immunity of human newborns and may inform novel
      approaches to early-life immunization.

PMID- 27252170
TI  - Myeloid cell-specific inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase type I knockout mice
      impair bacteria clearance in a murine peritonitis model.
AB  - Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling has been implicated in the
      anti-inflammatory response in a mouse model of endotoxemia and sepsis. The
      present study focused on the role of inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase type I
      (Inpp4a), which dephosphorylates PtdIns(3,4)P2 to PtdIns(3)P, in bacterial
      infections. We prepared myeloid cell-specific Inpp4a-conditional knockout mice.
      Macrophages from these mice showed increased Akt phosphorylation and reduced
      production of inflammatory cytokines in response to LPS or Escherichia coli in
      vitro The Inpp4a knockout mice survived for a shorter time than wild type mice
      after i.p. infection with E. coli, with less production of inflammatory
      cytokines. Additionally, E. coli clearance from blood and lung was significantly
      impaired in the knockout mice. A likely mechanism is that the Inpp4a-catalyzed
      dephosphorylation of PtdIns(3,4)P2 down-regulates Akt pathways, which, in turn,
      increases the production of inflammatory mediators. This mechanism at least fits
      the decreased E. coli clearance and short survival in the Inpp4a knockout mice.

PMID- 27252172
TI  - Erratum for the Research Article: "Lentiviral hematopoietic stem cell gene
      therapy for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency" by S. S. De Ravin, X. Wu,
      S. Moir, S. Anaya-O'Brien, N. Kwatemaa, P. Littel, N. Theobald, U. Choi, L. Su,
      M. Marquesen, D. Hilligoss, J. Lee, C. M. Buckner, K. A. Zarember, G. O'Connor,
      D. McVicar, D. Kuhns, R. E. Throm, S. Zhou, L. D. Notarangelo, I. C. Hanson, M.
      J. Cowan, E. Kang, C. Hadigan, M. Meagher, J. T. Gray, B. P. Sorrentino, H. L.
      Malech.

PMID- 27252171
TI  - Trehalose diester glycolipids are superior to the monoesters in binding to
      Mincle, activation of macrophages in vitro and adjuvant activity in vivo.
AB  - The T-cell adjuvanticity of mycobacterial cord factor trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate
      (TDM) is well established. The identification of the C-type lectin Mincle on
      innate immune cells as the receptor for TDM and its synthetic analogue trehalose
      6,6'-dibehenate (TDB) has raised interest in development of synthetic Mincle
      ligands as novel adjuvants. Trehalose mono- (TMXs) and diesters (TDXs) with
      symmetrically shortened acyl chains [denoted by X: arachidate (A), stearate (S),
      palmitate (P), and myristate (M)] were tested. Upon stimulation of murine
      macrophages, G-CSF secretion and NO production were strongly augmented by all
      TDXs tested, in a wide concentration range. In contrast, the TMXs triggered
      macrophage activation only at high concentrations. Macrophage activation by all
      TDXs required Mincle, but was independent of MyD88. The superior capacity of TDXs
      for activating macrophages was paralleled by direct binding of TDXs, but not of
      TMXs, to a Mincle-Fc fusion protein. Insertion of a short polyethylene glycol
      between the sugar and acyl chain in TDS reduced Mincle-binding and macrophage
      activation. Immunization of mice with cationic liposomes containing the analogues
      demonstrated the superior adjuvant activity of trehalose diesters. Overall,
      immune activation in vitro and in vivo by trehalose esters of simple fatty acids
      requires two acyl chains of length and involves Mincle.

PMID- 27252173
TI  - What does research reproducibility mean?
AB  - The language and conceptual framework of "research reproducibility" are
      nonstandard and unsettled across the sciences. In this Perspective, we review an
      array of explicit and implicit definitions of reproducibility and related
      terminology, and discuss how to avoid potential misunderstandings when these
      terms are used as a surrogate for "truth."

PMID- 27252174
TI  - Phase 1 trial of vocimagene amiretrorepvec and 5-fluorocytosine for recurrent
      high-grade glioma.
AB  - Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec) is an investigational nonlytic, retroviral
      replicating vector (RRV) that delivers a yeast cytosine deaminase, which converts
      subsequently administered courses of the investigational prodrug Toca FC
      (extended-release 5-fluorocytosine) into the antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil. Forty
      five subjects with recurrent or progressive high-grade glioma were treated. The
      end points of this phase 1, open-label, ascending dose, multicenter trial
      included safety, efficacy, and molecular profiling; survival was compared to a
      matching subgroup from an external control. Overall survival for recurrent high
      grade glioma was 13.6 months (95% confidence interval, 10.8 to 20.0) and was
      statistically improved relative to an external control (hazard ratio, 0.45; P =
      0.003). Tumor samples from subjects surviving more than 52 weeks after Toca 511
      delivery disproportionately displayed a survival-related mRNA expression
      signature, identifying a potential molecular signature that may correlate with
      treatment-related survival rather than being prognostic. Toca 511 and Toca FC
      show excellent tolerability, with RRV persisting in the tumor and RRV control
      systemically. The favorable assessment of Toca 511 and Toca FC supports
      confirmation in a randomized phase 2/3 trial (NCT02414165).

PMID- 27252176
TI  - Direct measurement of T cell receptor affinity and sequence from naive antiviral
      T cells.
AB  - T cells recognize and kill a myriad of pathogen-infected or cancer cells using a
      diverse set of T cell receptors (TCRs). The affinity of TCR to cognate antigen is
      of high interest in adoptive T cell transfer immunotherapy and antigen-specific T
      cell repertoire immune profiling because it is widely known to correlate with
      downstream T cell responses. We introduce the in situ TCR affinity and sequence
      test (iTAST) for simultaneous measurement of TCR affinity and sequence from
      single primary CD8(+) T cells in human blood. We demonstrate that the repertoire
      of primary antigen-specific T cells from pathogen-inexperienced individuals has a
      surprisingly broad affinity range of 1000-fold composed of diverse TCR sequences.
      Within this range, samples from older individuals contained a reduced frequency
      of high-affinity T cells compared to young individuals, demonstrating an age
      related effect of T cell attrition that could cause holes in the repertoire.
      iTAST should enable the rapid selection of high-affinity TCRs ex vivo for
      adoptive immunotherapy and measurement of T cell response for immune monitoring
      applications.

PMID- 27252178
TI  - Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Infections.

PMID- 27252179
TI  - Acquired and Congenital Hemolytic Anemia.

PMID- 27252180
TI  - Preventing Infections in Children with Cancer.

PMID- 27252181
TI  - Case 1: A 7-Year-Old with 1 Month of Ear Pain and 1 Day of Facial Weakness.

PMID- 27252177
TI  - Microbiota and pathogen 'pas de deux': setting up and breaking down barriers to
      intestinal infection.
AB  - The gut microbiota plays essential roles in human health and disease. In this
      review, we focus on the role of the intestinal microbiota in promoting resistance
      to infection by bacterial pathogens as well as how pathogens overcome this
      barrier. We discuss how the resident microbiota restricts growth and colonization
      of invading pathogens by limiting availability of nutrients and through
      generation of a hostile environment. Additionally, we examine how microbiota
      derived signaling molecules interfere with bacterial virulence. In turn, we
      discuss how pathogens exploit non-competitive metabolites to replicate in vivo as
      well as to precisely control virulence and cause disease. This bacterial two step
      of creating and overcoming challenges important in preventing and establishing
      infection highlights the complexities of elucidating interactions between the
      commensal bacteria and pathogens. Better understanding of microbiota-pathogen
      interplay will have significant implications for developing novel therapeutics to
      treat infectious diseases.

PMID- 27252182
TI  - Case 2: Fever and Seizures in a 10-month-old Girl from Nigeria.

PMID- 27252184
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27252183
TI  - Case 3: Recurrent Vomiting and 60-lb Weight Loss in a 17-year-old Girl.

PMID- 27252185
TI  - In Brief: Antifungal Drugs.

PMID- 27252175
TI  - A genomic approach to therapeutic target validation identifies a glucose-lowering
      GLP1R variant protective for coronary heart disease.
AB  - Regulatory authorities have indicated that new drugs to treat type 2 diabetes
      (T2D) should not be associated with an unacceptable increase in cardiovascular
      risk. Human genetics may be able to guide development of antidiabetic therapies
      by predicting cardiovascular and other health endpoints. We therefore
      investigated the association of variants in six genes that encode drug targets
      for obesity or T2D with a range of metabolic traits in up to 11,806 individuals
      by targeted exome sequencing and follow-up in 39,979 individuals by targeted
      genotyping, with additional in silico follow-up in consortia. We used these data
      to first compare associations of variants in genes encoding drug targets with the
      effects of pharmacological manipulation of those targets in clinical trials. We
      then tested the association of those variants with disease outcomes, including
      coronary heart disease, to predict cardiovascular safety of these agents. A low
      frequency missense variant (Ala316Thr; rs10305492) in the gene encoding glucagon
      like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R), the target of GLP1R agonists, was associated
      with lower fasting glucose and T2D risk, consistent with GLP1R agonist therapies.
      The minor allele was also associated with protection against heart disease, thus
      providing evidence that GLP1R agonists are not likely to be associated with an
      unacceptable increase in cardiovascular risk. Our results provide an encouraging
      signal that these agents may be associated with benefit, a question currently
      being addressed in randomized controlled trials. Genetic variants associated with
      metabolic traits and multiple disease outcomes can be used to validate
      therapeutic targets at an early stage in the drug development process.

PMID- 27252186
TI  - Visual Diagnosis: Cough and Lip Slough: The Search for a Unifying Diagnosis.

PMID- 27252188
TI  - Hormones as Mediators of Phenotypic and Genetic Integration: an Evolutionary
      Genetics Approach.
AB  - Evolutionary endocrinology represents a synthesis between comparative
      endocrinology and evolutionary genetics. This synthesis can be viewed through the
      breeder's equation, a cornerstone of quantitative genetics that, in its
      univariate form, states that a population's evolutionary response is the product
      of the heritability of a trait and selection on that trait (R = h(2)S). Under
      this framework, evolutionary endocrinologists have begun to quantify the
      heritability of, and the strength of selection on, a variety of hormonal
      phenotypes. With specific reference to our work on testosterone and
      corticosterone in birds and lizards, we review these studies while emphasizing
      the challenges of applying this framework to hormonal phenotypes that are
      inherently plastic and mediate adaptive responses to environmental variation.
      Next, we consider the untapped potential of evolutionary endocrinology as a
      framework for exploring multivariate versions of the breeder's equation, with
      emphasis on the role of hormones in structuring phenotypic and genetic
      correlations. As an extension of the familiar concepts of phenotypic integration
      and hormonal pleiotropy, we illustrate how the hormonal milieu of an individual
      acts as a local environment for the expression of genes and phenotypes, thereby
      influencing the quantitative genetic architecture of multivariate phenotypes. We
      emphasize that hormones are more than mechanistic links in the translation of
      genotype to phenotype: by virtue of their pleiotropic effects on gene expression,
      hormones structure the underlying genetic variances and covariances that
      determine a population's evolutionary response to selection.

PMID- 27252187
TI  - The Emerging Role of FOXL2 in Regulating the Transcriptional Activation Function
      of Estrogen Receptor beta: An Insight Into Ovarian Folliculogenesis.
AB  - Germline mutations of the fork-head transcriptional factor forkhead box L2
      (FOXL2) predispose embryos to autosomal-dominant blepharophimosis-ptosis
      epicanthus inversus syndrome with primary ovarian insufficiency in female
      patients, but the mechanisms of FOXL2 in ovarian follicular development remain
      elusive. Estrogens produced by ovarian granulosa cells and estrogen receptor (ER)
      alpha and ERbeta play fundamental roles in ovarian pathophysiology, and a
      previous study revealed that ERalpha and ERbeta physically interact with FOXL2.
      However, the underlying functions of these interactions have not been
      investigated. Herein, we report an ERbeta-specific repressive function of FOXL2.
      Histological examination demonstrated that FOXL2 expression tends to be intense
      during early follicular development. Immunoprecipitation revealed that ERbeta and
      FOXL2 interact in a ligand-independent manner. In vitro pull-down assays revealed
      a direct interaction between FOXL2 and the activation function (AF)-1/2 domain of
      ERbeta. The expression of FOXL2 represses the ligand-dependent transcriptional
      activation of ERbeta, but FOXL2 does not influence the ligand-dependent
      transcriptional activation of ERalpha. Consistent with these results, RNA
      interference-mediated depletion of FOXL2 stimulates the expression of the ERbeta
      downstream gene p450 aromatase. The convergence between FOXL2 functions and
      ERbeta-mediated transcription in the ovary suggests the putative mechanism of
      FOXL2 in early-phase follicular development, which may be partially attributed to
      the regulation of ERbeta-dependent gene expression.

PMID- 27252189
TI  - Gonads and the evolution of hormonal phenotypes.
AB  - Hormones are dynamic signaling molecules that influence gene activity and
      phenotype, and they are thus thought to play a central role in phenotypic
      evolution. In vertebrates, many fitness-related traits are mediated by the
      hormone testosterone (T), but the mechanisms by which T levels evolve are
      unclear. Here, we summarize a series of studies that advance our understanding of
      these mechanisms by comparing males from two subspecies of dark-eyed junco (Junco
      hyemalis) that differ in aggression, body size, and ornamentation. We first
      review our research demonstrating population differences in the time-course of T
      production, as well as findings that point to the gonad as a major source of this
      variation. In a common garden, the subspecies do not differ in pituitary output
      of luteinizing hormone, but males from the more androgenized subspecies have
      greater gonadal gene expression for specific steroidogenic enzymes, and they may
      be less sensitive to feedback along the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.
      Furthermore, we present new data from a common garden study demonstrating that
      the populations do not differ in gonadal sensitivity to gonadotropin-inhibitory
      hormone (i.e., GnIH receptor mRNA abundance), but the more androgenized
      subspecies expresses less gonadal mRNA for glucocorticoid receptor and
      mineralocorticoid receptor, suggesting altered cross-talk between the hypothalamo
      pituitary-gonadal and -adrenal axes as another mechanism by which these
      subspecies have diverged in T production. These findings highlight the diversity
      of mechanisms that may generate functional variation in T and influence hormone
      mediated phenotypic evolution.

PMID- 27252191
TI  - Transcriptional Profiling of Metabolic Transitions during Development and
      Diapause Preparation in the Copepod Calanus finmarchicus.
AB  - Calanus finmarchicus, like many other copepods in the family Calanidae, can enter
      into a facultative diapause during the last juvenile phase (fifth copepodid, C5)
      to enable survival during unfavorable periods. Diapause is essential to the
      persistence of Calanus populations and profoundly impacts energy flow within
      oceanic ecosystems, yet regulation of diapause is not understood in these
      animals. Transcriptional profiling has begun to provide insight into metabolic
      changes occurring as C. finmarchicus prepares for and enters into diapause or
      skips diapause to prepare for the terminal molt. In particular, components of the
      glycolysis, pentose phosphate and lipid synthesis pathways are upregulated early
      in the C5 stage when lipid stores are low. Currently, our ability to identify
      metabolic patterns is limited by the incomplete functional annotation of the C.
      finmarchicus transcriptome. Such limitations are widespread among studies of non
      model organisms and addressing them should be a priority for future research. In
      addition, integrating the results across multiple emerging complementary
      transcriptomic studies will provide a more complete picture of copepod physiology
      than isolated studies. Ultimately, identifying molecular markers of copepod
      physiology could enable robust identification of animals preparing to enter into
      diapause and ultimately lead to a greatly improved understanding of diapause
      regulation.

PMID- 27252190
TI  - Relationships between Endocrine Traits and Life Histories in Wild Animals:
      Insights, Problems, and Potential Pitfalls.
AB  - The endocrine mechanisms causing variation and plasticity in life history traits
      (e.g., development time, mass at birth/hatching, rate of postnatal growth, age or
      size at sexual maturity, litter or clutch size, annual survival, and lifespan) or
      fitness (annual or lifetime reproductive success) have recently garnered
      considerable interest. We review three issues facing studies that quantify
      relationships between endocrine traits and life histories or measures of fitness
      and describe possible solutions using insights from evolutionary ecology. We
      focus in particular on the steroid hormones glucocorticoids that are involved in
      the vertebrate neuroendocrine stress response. First, context-dependent
      associations between endocrine traits and life histories or fitness are
      widespread, and therefore, it is important to quantify how intrinsic or extrinsic
      factors modify these relationships. Second, studies in evolutionary endocrinology
      may aspire to quantify patterns of natural selection on endocrine traits, but
      this may not tell us how they influence fitness. Studies that also identify the
      actual targets of selection that the endocrine traits are influencing will be
      very useful. Third, environmental or intrinsic factors can cause co-variance
      between endocrine traits and life histories or fitness. This is problematic for
      interpreting the potential evolutionary consequences of selection on endocrine
      traits, but it can also produce divergent answers for relationships between
      endocrine traits and life histories or fitness depending upon whether the data
      are analyzed in an among- or within-year framework. Future long-term studies
      following uniquely marked individuals over their lifetime (longitudinal
      individual-based approach) in combination with experimental manipulations of the
      endocrine traits or environmental factors influencing both endocrine traits and
      life histories or fitness may help to produce new insights in evolutionary
      endocrinology despite these issues. This is an ambitious endeavor, and we briefly
      review some of the key issues facing such long-term studies and experimental
      manipulations of endocrine traits.

PMID- 27252192
TI  - New Lessons from an Old Fish: What Antarctic Icefishes May Reveal about the
      Functions of Oxygen-Binding Proteins.
AB  - The loss of expression of the oxygen-binding protein hemoglobin (Hb) in the
      family Channichthyidae (suborder Notothenioidei) of Antarctic fishes is
      considered a disaptation that has persisted because of the unusual conditions
      prevailing in the Southern Ocean during the evolution of the family. The loss of
      expression of the intracellular oxygen-binding protein myoglobin (Mb) in heart
      ventricles is more of a conundrum because it occurred at four points during the
      radiation of the family, suggesting weakened selective pressure maintaining
      expression of the protein. Yet, studies have shown that when present, Mb enhances
      function. Here, I discuss potential reasons for weakened selective pressure
      maintaining Mb expression in light of the multiple functions proposed for Mb.
      Additionally, I discuss results from recent studies exploring the possibility
      that the loss of Hb and Mb may be advantageous because it reduces the production
      of reactive oxygen species, levels of oxidized proteins, and the energetic costs
      associated with replacing oxidatively damaged proteins.

PMID- 27252194
TI  - Biological Impacts of Thermal Extremes: Mechanisms and Costs of Functional
      Responses Matter.
AB  - Thermal performance curves enable physiological constraints to be incorporated in
      predictions of biological responses to shifts in mean temperature. But do thermal
      performance curves adequately capture the biological impacts of thermal extremes?
      Organisms incur physiological damage during exposure to extremes, and also mount
      active compensatory responses leading to acclimatization, both of which alter
      thermal performance curves and determine the impact that current and future
      extremes have on organismal performance and fitness. Thus, these sub-lethal
      responses to extreme temperatures potentially shape evolution of thermal
      performance curves. We applied a quantitative genetic model and found that
      beneficial acclimatization and cumulative damage alter the extent to which
      thermal performance curves evolve in response to thermal extremes. The impacts of
      extremes on the evolution of thermal performance curves are reduced if extremes
      cause substantial mortality or otherwise reduce fitness differences among
      individuals. Further empirical research will be required to understand how
      responses to extremes aggregate through time and vary across life stages and
      processes. Such research will enable incorporating passive and active responses
      to sub-lethal stress when predicting the impacts of thermal extremes.

PMID- 27252195
TI  - Migration, Prospecting, Dispersal? What Host Movement Matters for Infectious
      Agent Circulation?
AB  - Spatial disease ecology is emerging as a new field that requires the integration
      of complementary approaches to address how the distribution and movements of
      hosts and parasites may condition the dynamics of their interactions. In this
      context, migration, the seasonal movement of animals to different zones of their
      distribution, is assumed to play a key role in the broad scale circulation of
      parasites and pathogens. Nevertheless, migration is not the only type of host
      movement that can influence the spatial ecology, evolution, and epidemiology of
      infectious diseases. Dispersal, the movement of individuals between the location
      where they were born or bred to a location where they breed, has attracted
      attention as another important type of movement for the spatial dynamics of
      infectious diseases. Host dispersal has notably been identified as a key factor
      for the evolution of host-parasite interactions as it implies gene flow among
      local host populations and thus can alter patterns of coevolution with infectious
      agents across spatial scales. However, not all movements between host populations
      lead to dispersal per se. One type of host movement that has been neglected, but
      that may also play a role in parasite spread is prospecting, i.e., movements
      targeted at selecting and securing new habitat for future breeding. Prospecting
      movements, which have been studied in detail in certain social species, could
      result in the dispersal of infectious agents among different host populations
      without necessarily involving host dispersal. In this article, we outline how
      these various types of host movements might influence the circulation of
      infectious disease agents and discuss methodological approaches that could be
      used to assess their importance. We specifically focus on examples from work on
      colonial seabirds, ticks, and tick-borne infectious agents. These are convenient
      biological models because they are strongly spatially structured and involve
      relatively simple communities of interacting species. Overall, this review
      emphasizes that explicit consideration of the behavioral and population ecology
      of hosts and parasites is required to disentangle the relative roles of different
      types of movement for the spread of infectious diseases.

PMID- 27252193
TI  - Hormones and the Evolution of Complex Traits: Insights from Artificial Selection
      on Behavior.
AB  - Although behavior may often be a fairly direct target of natural or sexual
      selection, it cannot evolve without changes in subordinate traits that cause or
      permit its expression. In principle, changes in endocrine function could be a
      common mechanism underlying behavioral evolution because they are well positioned
      to mediate integrated responses to behavioral selection. More specifically,
      hormones can influence both motivational (e.g., brain) and performance (e.g.,
      muscles) components of behavior simultaneously and in a coordinated fashion. If
      the endocrine system is often "used" as a general mechanism to effect responses
      to selection, then correlated responses in other aspects of behavior, life
      history, and organismal performance (e.g., locomotor abilities) should commonly
      occur because any cell with appropriate receptors could be affected. Ways in
      which behavior coadapts with other aspects of the phenotype can be studied
      directly through artificial selection and experimental evolution. Several studies
      have targeted rodent behavior for selective breeding and reported changes in
      other aspects of behavior, life history, and lower-level effectors of these
      organismal traits, including endocrine function. One example involves selection
      for high levels of voluntary wheel running, one aspect of physical activity, in
      four replicate High Runner (HR) lines of mice. Circulating levels of several
      hormones (including insulin, testosterone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine) have been
      characterized, three of which-corticosterone, leptin, and adiponectin-differ
      between HR and control lines, depending on sex, age, and generation. Potential
      changes in circulating levels of other behaviorally and metabolically relevant
      hormones, as well as in other components of the endocrine system (e.g.,
      receptors), have yet to be examined. Overall, results to date identify promising
      avenues for further studies on the endocrine basis of activity levels.

PMID- 27252196
TI  - Endocrine Proxies Can Simplify Endocrine Complexity to Enable Evolutionary
      Prediction.
AB  - It is well understood that much of evolutionary change is mediated through the
      endocrine system with growing interest to identify how this occurs. This however,
      causes a conflict of sorts. To understand endocrine mechanism, a focus on detail
      is required. In contrast, to understand evolutionary change, reduction to a few
      key traits is essential. Endocrine proxies, measurable traits that accurately
      reflect specific hormonal titers or the timing of specific hormonal events, can
      reduce endocrine complexity to a few traits that enable predictions of how the
      endocrine system regulates evolutionary change. In the tobacco hornworm (Manduca
      sexta, Sphingidae), three endocrine proxies, measured on 5470 individuals, were
      used to test explicit predictions of how the endocrine system regulates the
      response to 10 generations of simultaneous selection on body size and development
      time. The critical weight (CW) reflects the variation in the cessation of
      juvenile hormone (JH) secretion in the last larval instar, the interval to
      cessation of growth (ICG) reflects the variation in prothoracicotropic hormone
      and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Growth rate (GR) reflects the nutrient signaling
      pathways, primarily the insulin and TOR This is a standard identity similar to
      DNA signaling pathways. These three endocrine proxies explained 99% and 93% of
      the variation in body size and development time, respectively, following the 10
      generations of simultaneous selection. When the two focal traits, body size and
      development time, were selected in the same direction, both to either increase or
      both to decrease, the response to selection was determined primarily by the CW
      and the ICG, proxies for the developmental hormones JH and 20E, and constrained
      by GR. In contrast, when the two focal traits were selected in opposite
      directions, one to increase and the other to decrease, the response to selection
      was determined primarily by the insulin and TOR signaling pathways as measured by
      their proxy, GR, and constrained by the CW and the ICG. Thus, the use of
      endocrine proxies may be a powerful tool to reduce endocrine complexity to enable
      explicit and testable predictions how the endocrine system can enable or
      constrain evolutionary change.

PMID- 27252197
TI  - Introduction to the Symposium: Beyond the Mean: Biological Impacts of Changing
      Patterns of Temperature Variation.

PMID- 27252198
TI  - Studying Genital Coevolution to Understand Intromittent Organ Morphology.
AB  - Male intromittent organs are exceedingly diverse, yet we know comparatively
      little about female genital diversity. However, the most direct mechanical
      interaction between males and females occurs during copulation, and therefore,
      genital coevolution is expected to be widespread. This means that diversification
      of male structures must influence diversity of female genital features and vice
      versa. As we expand our understanding of coevolutionary interactions between the
      sexes, we need to expand our knowledge of three basic areas: First, we need
      quantitative data, on morphological variation of female genitalia. Second, we
      need to study the mechanics of copulatory interactions, and third, we need to use
      this understanding to determine which features of genital morphology are under
      selection, and how their variable morphology and function may affect fitness.
      Though studying coevolution is certainly difficult, this knowledge is crucial to
      our understanding of diversity in morphology of the male intromittent organ.

PMID- 27252199
TI  - Morphological characteristics regulating phallic glans engorgement in the
      American alligator.
AB  - The distal part of the crocodilian phallus consists of a bulbous glans containing
      well-developed vascular tissues that can inflate before or during sexual
      activity, enlarging and elaborating the glans into a complex, though still
      functionally undefined, copulatory structure. An enlarged glans putatively
      interacts with the female cloaca and may change the shape of her reproductive
      tract to facilitate insemination and increase the probability of fertilization.
      Here, we investigated the cellular-level properties of the glans and other
      inflatable phallic tissues associated with the sperm-conducting sulcus
      spermaticus in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Using
      histochemical staining, we visualized and defined collagen and elastin fiber
      densities and orientations in these tissues. Extracellular matrix architectures
      provided insights about phallic glans material properties and how they may affect
      tissue strength and flexibility during inflation and in response to copulatory
      forces. We also investigated the potential sources of fluids that induce
      inflation in alligator phalli. Combining serial sectioning and three-dimensional
      reconstruction, we identified a pair of supracrucal plexus vascular bodies at the
      proximal end of the alligator phallus that extend distally adjacent to ventro
      medial sulcus tissues. Together, our gross and histological examination of the
      American alligator phallic glans suggests that its tissues are arranged in a
      manner that would allow vascular inflation to expand the glans to a specific and
      repeatable shape, and potentially release secretory products into the female
      reproductive tract. Both elements could play roles in postcopulatory sexual
      selection, by mechanically and/or chemically affecting female reproductive
      physiology.

PMID- 27252200
TI  - Diverse Distributions of Extraocular Opsins in Crustaceans, Cephalopods, and
      Fish.
AB  - Non-visual and extraocular photoreceptors are common among animals, but current
      understanding linking molecular pathways to physiological function of these
      receptors is lacking. Opsin diversity in extraocular tissues suggests that many
      putative extraocular photoreceptors utilize the "visual" phototransduction
      pathway-the same phototransduction pathway as photoreceptors within the retina
      dedicated to light detection for image sensing. Here, we provide a brief overview
      of the current understanding of non-visual and extraocular photoreceptors, and
      contribute a synopsis of several novel putative extraocular photoreceptors that
      use both visual and non-visual phototransduction pathways. Crayfish, cephalopods,
      and flat fish express opsins in diverse tissues, suggesting the presence of
      extraocular photoreceptors. In most cases, we find that these animals use the
      same phototransduction pathway that is utilized in the retinas for image
      formation. However, we also find the presence of non-visual phototransduction
      components in the skin of flounders. Our evidence suggests that extraocular
      photoreceptors may employ a number of phototransduction pathways that do not
      appear to correlate with purpose or location of the photoreceptor.

PMID- 27252201
TI  - Life in the Frequency Domain: the Biological Impacts of Changes in Climate
      Variability at Multiple Time Scales.
AB  - Over the last few decades, biologists have made substantial progress in
      understanding relationships between changing climates and organism performance.
      Much of this work has focused on temperature because it is the best kept of
      climatic records, in many locations it is predicted to keep rising into the
      future, and it has profound effects on the physiology, performance, and ecology
      of organisms, especially ectothermic organisms which make up the vast majority of
      life on Earth. Nevertheless, much of the existing literature on temperature
      organism interactions relies on mean temperatures. In reality, most organisms do
      not directly experience mean temperatures; rather, they experience variation in
      temperature over many time scales, from seconds to years. We propose to shift the
      focus more directly on patterns of temperature variation, rather than on means
      per se, and present a framework both for analyzing temporal patterns of
      temperature variation and for incorporating those patterns into predictions about
      organismal biology. In particular, we advocate using the Fourier transform to
      decompose temperature time series into their component sinusoids, thus allowing
      transformations between the time and frequency domains. This approach provides
      (1) standardized ways of visualizing the contributions that different frequencies
      make to total temporal variation; (2) the ability to assess how patterns of
      temperature variation have changed over the past half century and may change into
      the future; and (3) clear approaches to manipulating temporal time series to ask
      "what if" questions about the potential effects of future climates. We first
      summarize global patterns of change in temperature variation over the past 40
      years; we find meaningful changes in variation at the half day to yearly times
      scales. We then demonstrate the utility of the Fourier framework by exploring how
      power added to different frequencies alters the overall incidence of long-term
      waves of high and low temperatures, and find that power added to the lowest
      frequencies greatly increases the probability of long-term heat and cold waves.
      Finally, we review what is known about the time scales over which organismal
      thermal performance curves change in response to variation in the thermal
      environment. We conclude that integrating information characterizing both the
      frequency spectra of temperature time series and the time scales of resulting
      physiological change offers a powerful new avenue for relating climate, and
      climate change, to the future performance of ectothermic organisms.

PMID- 27252202
TI  - Ecological Immunology through the Lens of Exercise Immunology: New Perspective on
      the Links between Physical Activity and Immune Function and Disease
      Susceptibility in Wild Animals.
AB  - Locomotion and other physical activities by free-living animals may influence
      immune function and disease susceptibility. This influence may be a consequence
      of energetic trade-offs or other mechanisms that are often, but not always,
      inseparably linked to an animal's life history (e.g., flight and migration).
      Ecological immunology has mainly focused on these life-history trade-offs,
      overlooking the possible effects of physical activity per se on immune function
      and disease susceptibility. In this review, we explore the field of exercise
      immunology, which examines the impact of exercise on immune function and disease
      susceptibility in humans, with the aim of presenting new perspectives that might
      be transferable to ecological immunology. First, we explore key concepts in
      exercise immunology that could be extended to animals. Next, we investigate the
      concept "exercise" in animals, and propose the use of "physical activity"
      instead. We briefly discuss methods used in animals to quantify physical activity
      in terms of energy expenditure and summarize several examples of animals engaging
      in physical activity. Then, we highlight potential consequences of physical
      activity on immune function and disease susceptibility in animals, together with
      an overview of animal studies that examine these links. Finally, we explore and
      discuss the potential for incorporating perspectives from exercise immunology
      into ecological immunology. Such integration could help advance our understanding
      of human and animal health and contribute new ideas to budding "One Health"
      initiatives.

PMID- 27252203
TI  - The Landscape of Evolution: Reconciling Structural and Dynamic Properties of
      Metabolic Networks in Adaptive Diversifications.
AB  - The network of the interactions among genes, proteins, and metabolites delineates
      a range of potential phenotypic diversifications in a lineage, and realized
      phenotypic changes are the result of differences in the dynamics of the
      expression of the elements and interactions in this deterministic network.
      Regulatory mechanisms, such as hormones, mediate the relationship between the
      structural and dynamic properties of networks by determining how and when the
      elements are expressed and form a functional unit or state. Changes in regulatory
      mechanisms lead to variable expression of functional states of a network within
      and among generations. Functional properties of network elements, and the
      magnitude and direction of evolutionary change they determine, depend on their
      location within a network. Here, we examine the relationship between network
      structure and the dynamic mechanisms that regulate flux through a metabolic
      network. We review the mechanisms that control metabolic flux in enzymatic
      reactions and examine structural properties of the network locations that are
      targets of flux control. We aim to establish a predictive framework to test the
      contributions of structural and dynamic properties of deterministic networks to
      evolutionary diversifications.

PMID- 27252204
TI  - Ontogenetic Allometry in Shape and Flexibility Underlies Life History Patterns of
      Labrid Cleaning Behavior.
AB  - Body shape plays a crucial role in the movement of organisms. In the aquatic
      environment, the shape of the body, fins, and the underlying axial skeleton
      reflect the ability of organisms to propel and maneuver through water.
      Ontogenetic changes in body shape and flexibility of the axial skeleton may
      coincide with shifts in ecology (e.g., changes in habitat or feeding mode). We
      use the evolution of cleaning behavior in the Labridae (wrasses and parrotfishes)
      as a case study. Cleaner fishes are species that remove and consume ectoparasites
      from other organisms. In many cases, cleaning involves a high degree of
      maneuverability, as cleaners on the hunt for parasites may continuously dart
      around the body of their clients. In labrids, at least 58 species are known to
      clean. Over two-thirds of these species, however, clean predominately as
      juveniles, exhibiting an ontogenetic shift away from cleaning as they enter
      adulthood. Using a phylogenetic comparative framework, we examined features of
      the axial skeleton, overall body shape, and pectoral fin shape in 31 species of
      labrids spread across four major clades to assess how scaling patterns in these
      systems are associated with the ontogeny of cleaning behavior. We find that
      across wrasses, the ontogeny of body shape shows evolutionary concordance with
      the degree of flexibility across the vertebral column. A key driver of this
      relationship is that species that shift away from cleaning over ontogeny show
      stronger positive allometry for body depth and vertebral moment of inertia than
      other taxa. Species that clean throughout their life histories show a more
      elongate body and vertebral column, and tend to maintain the combination of these
      characteristics over ontogeny. Cleaning behavior in labrid fishes is thus an
      excellent model with which to investigate morphological patterns as they relate
      to evolution, development, and ecology.

PMID- 27252205
TI  - Transcriptional Profiling of Banana Shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis with
      Differing Levels of Viral Load.
AB  - Viral pathogens are of serious concern to the culture of penaeid shrimps
      worldwide. However, little is known about the molecular response of shrimp to
      viral infection. Selective breeding has been suggested as an effective long-term
      strategy to manage viral disease, though more information on gene function is
      needed to help inform breeding programs. The study of cultured banana shrimp
      (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis) infected with hepatopancreatic parvo-like virus
      (HPV) provides a unique opportunity to explore the host response to viral
      infection independent of challenge testing. To gain insight into the genetic
      mechanisms underlying resistance to high levels of HPV, we examined
      hepatopancreas tissue from six full-sib groups of banana shrimp with differing
      levels of HPV infection for differences in gene expression. A total of 404
      differentially expressed genes were identified with 180 being over-expressed and
      224 under-expressed among high-HPV full-sib groups. Based on homology analysis, a
      large proportion of these genes were associated with processes reported to be
      involved in the immune response of crustaceans, including pattern recognition
      proteins, antimicrobial peptides, components of the prophenoloxidase system, and
      antiviral activity. The results indicate shrimp from high-HPV full-sib groups
      appear to have a lower presence of important immune response elements, yet
      possess upregulated putative antiviral pathways. Within the differentially
      expressed genes, over 4000 sequence variants were identified to be exclusive to
      either the high- or low-HPV full-sib groups. To our knowledge, this is the first
      report of differential expression analysis using RNA-Seq to explore differences
      in viral load among high- and low-HPV full-sib groups of cultured shrimp. This
      research has provided additional insight into our understanding of the mechanisms
      involved in the response of this shrimp species to a naturally occurring viral
      pathogen. Sequence variants identified in this study offer an exceptional
      resource for mining gene-associated markers of HPV resistance.

PMID- 27252206
TI  - The Distribution and Abundance of Parasites in Aquatic Ecosystems in a Changing
      Climate: More than Just Temperature.
AB  - SynopsisEvaluation of the potential response of parasites of aquatic organisms to
      climate change illustrates the complexity of host-parasite relationships and the
      difficulty of making accurate predictions for these biological systems. In recent
      years, trematodes have proven to be a useful model to evaluate potential effects
      of climate change on host-parasite systems. In the first part of this article, I
      review and summarize results from the recent use of trematodes and specifically
      their early life cycle stages in testing effects of temperature and other climate
      driven variables on life history traits and host-parasite interactions. However,
      metazoan parasites in aquatic systems respond directly to changes in temperature
      and also to changes in other climate-driven abiotic parameters that are mediated
      directly on the parasite or indirectly through changes in the distribution and
      abundance of their hosts. In addition, though most research to date has focused
      on the effects of temperature, it is imperative to explore effects of
      precipitation, eutrophication, acidification, water levels and flow rates,
      habitat loss and fragmentation, extreme weather, and other forms of anthropogenic
      interference on the distribution of both hosts and parasites, as these biotic and
      abiotic factors and stressors do not operate independently of climate. In the
      second part of this article, the effects of some of these factors derived from
      our own field studies, as well as other investigations both in the laboratory and
      the field, on the distribution, abundance, and community structure of parasites
      in aquatic ecosystems will be reviewed and discussed.

PMID- 27252207
TI  - Migratory monarchs wintering in California experience low infection risk compared
      to monarchs breeding year-round on non-native milkweed.
AB  - Long-distance migration can lower infection risk for animal populations by
      removing infected individuals during strenuous journeys, spatially separating
      susceptible age classes, or allowing migrants to periodically escape from
      contaminated habitats. Many seasonal migrations are changing due to human
      activities including climate change and habitat alteration. Moreover, for some
      migratory populations, sedentary behaviors are becoming more common as migrants
      abandon or shorten their journeys in response to supplemental feeding or warming
      temperatures. Exploring the consequences of reduced movement for host-parasite
      interactions is needed to predict future responses of animal pathogens to
      anthropogenic change. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) and their specialist
      protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) provide a model system for
      examining how long-distance migration affects infectious disease processes in a
      rapidly changing world. Annual monarch migration from eastern North America to
      Mexico is known to reduce protozoan infection prevalence, and more recent work
      suggests that monarchs that forego migration to breed year-round on non-native
      milkweeds in the southeastern and south central Unites States face extremely high
      risk of infection. Here, we examined the prevalence of OE infection from 2013 to
      2016 in western North America, and compared monarchs exhibiting migratory
      behavior (overwintering annually along the California coast) with those that
      exhibit year-round breeding. Data from field collections and a joint citizen
      science program of Monarch Health and Monarch Alert showed that infection
      frequency was over nine times higher for monarchs sampled in gardens with year
      round milkweed as compared to migratory monarchs sampled at overwintering sites.
      Results here underscore the importance of animal migrations for lowering
      infection risk and motivate future studies of pathogen transmission in migratory
      species affected by environmental change.

PMID- 27252208
TI  - Species Distribution Modeling of Deep Pelagic Eels.
AB  - The ocean's midwaters (the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones) make up the
      largest living space on the planet, but are undersampled and relatively poorly
      understood. The true distribution of many midwater species, let alone the abiotic
      factors most important in determining that distribution, is not well known.
      Because collecting specimens and data from the deep ocean is expensive and
      logistically difficult, it would be useful to be able to predict where species of
      interest are likely to occur so that sampling effort can be concentrated in
      appropriate areas. The distribution of two representative midwater fishes, the
      gulper eel Eurypharynx pelecanoides and the bobtail eel Cyema atrum (Teleostei:
      Saccopharyngiformes), were modeled with MaxEnt software to examine the viability
      of species distribution modeling (SDM) for globally distributed midwater fishes
      using currently available environmental data from the ocean surface and bottom.
      These species were chosen because they are relatively abundant, easily
      recognized, and unlikely to have been misidentified in database records, and are
      true midwater fishes, not known to undertake significant vertical diurnal
      migration. Models for both species show a generally worldwide distribution with
      some exceptions, including the Southern Ocean and Bering Sea. Variable
      contributions show that surface and bottom environmental variables correlate with
      species presence. Both species are more likely to be found in areas with low
      levels of silicate. SDM is a promising method for better understanding the
      ecology of midwater organisms.

PMID- 27252209
TI  - Distribution of RPTLN Genes Across Reptilia: Hypothesized Role for RPTLN in the
      Evolution of SVMPs.
AB  - We report the cloning, full-length sequencing, and broad distribution of reptile
      specific RPTLN genes across a number of Anapsida (Testudines), Diapsida
      (Serpentes, Sauria), and Archosauria (Crocodylia) taxa. The remarkable structural
      conservation of RPTLN genes in species that had a common ancestor more than 250
      million years ago, their low transcriptional level, and the lack of evidence for
      RPTLN translation in any reptile organ investigated, suggest for this ancient
      gene family a yet elusive function as long noncoding RNAs. The high conservation
      in extant snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) of the signal peptide sequence
      coded for by RPTLN genes strongly suggests that this region may have played a key
      role in the recruitment and restricted expression of SVMP genes in the venom
      gland of Caenophidian snakes, some 60-50 Mya. More recently, 23-16 Mya, the
      neofunctionalization of an RPTLN copy in the venom gland of snakes of the genera
      Macrovipera and Daboia marked the beginning of the evolutionary history of a new
      family of disintegrins, the alpha1beta1-collagen binding antagonists, short
      RTS/KTS disintegrins. This evolutionary scenario predicts that venom gland RPTLN
      and SVMP genes may share tissue-specific regulatory elements. Future genomic
      studies should support or refute this hypothesis.

PMID- 27252211
TI  - Diet Drives the Collective Migrations and Affects the Immunity of Mormon Crickets
      and Locusts: A Comparison of These Potential Superspreaders of Disease.
AB  - Differential transmission of disease among individuals within a population or
      among species in a community can result in superspreaders, relatively rare
      individuals responsible for a large proportion of transmission events. Migrating
      Mormon crickets and nymphal locusts readily engage in cannibalistic attacks and
      necrophagy. Typically multiple individuals consume a cadaver, which fosters the
      spread of disease. Cannibalistic attacks result in aligned, coordinated movement
      of individuals in massive bands that march daily for weeks at a time. Coordinated
      movement reduces contact frequency, which not only reduces cannibalism but the
      risk of disease transmission. When crowded, Mormon crickets and locusts elevate
      their constitutive immunity, which further reduces the risk of disease
      transmission. Bands of Mormon crickets show a variety of macronutrient dietary
      deficiencies that determine whether they will be more susceptible to pathogenic
      bacteria or fungi. In some migratory bands, Mormon crickets seek carbohydrates
      and have less anti-bacterial activity. A lipid transport protein that functions
      in both fuelling migration and anti-bacterial activity may cause a trade-off
      between the two activities when carbohydrates are limited. In other migratory
      bands, Mormon crickets prefer protein over carbohydrates, indicating protein
      deficiency. In these bands, the generalized immunity of Mormon crickets, measured
      as phenoloxidase, is compromised, and the insects are more susceptible to
      Beauveria bassiana fungal infection. In locusts, a high protein diet resulted in
      greater susceptibility to another entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum,
      whereas in Mormon crickets, both phenoloxidase titers and immunity to M acridum
      increased with adult age. Color changes associated with death by either of these
      fungi diminishes cannibalism, but bands may cull infected or encounter cadavers
      too quickly to effectively reduce fungal transmission. As long as the insects
      show no signs of infection that ward off their conspecifics, then infected Mormon
      crickets and locusts in migratory bands could be superspreaders of disease.
      However, the diseases that they are most likely to harbor and amplify may depend
      on the dietary deficiencies exhibited by members of the band.

PMID- 27252210
TI  - Hampered performance of migratory swans: intra- and inter-seasonal effects of
      avian influenza virus.
AB  - The extent to which animal migrations shape parasite transmission networks is
      critically dependent on a migrant's ability to tolerate infection and migrate
      successfully. Yet, sub-lethal effects of parasites can be intensified through
      periods of increased physiological stress. Long-distance migrants may, therefore,
      be especially susceptible to negative effects of parasitic infection. Although a
      handful of studies have investigated the short-term, transmission-relevant
      behaviors of wild birds infected with low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses
      (LPAIV), the ecological consequences of LPAIV for the hosts themselves remain
      largely unknown. Here, we assessed the potential effects of naturally-acquired
      LPAIV infections in Bewick's swans, a long-distance migratory species that
      experiences relatively low incidence of LPAIV infection during early winter. We
      monitored both foraging and movement behavior in the winter of infection, as well
      as subsequent breeding behavior and inter-annual resighting probability over 3
      years. Incorporating data on infection history we hypothesized that any effects
      would be most apparent in naive individuals experiencing their first LPAIV
      infection. Indeed, significant effects of infection were only seen in birds that
      were infected but lacked antibodies indicative of prior infection. Swans that
      were infected but had survived a previous infection were indistinguishable from
      uninfected birds in each of the ecological performance metrics. Despite showing
      reduced foraging rates, individuals in the naive-infected category had similar
      accumulated body stores to re-infected and uninfected individuals prior to
      departure on spring migration, possibly as a result of having higher scaled mass
      at the time of infection. And yet individuals in the naive-infected category were
      unlikely to be resighted 1 year after infection, with 6 out of 7 individuals that
      never resighted again compared to 20 out of 63 uninfected individuals and 5 out
      of 12 individuals in the re-infected category. Collectively, our findings
      indicate that acute and superficially harmless infection with LPAIV may have
      indirect effects on individual performance and recruitment in migratory Bewick's
      swans. Our results also highlight the potential for infection history to play an
      important role in shaping ecological constraints throughout the annual cycle.

PMID- 27252212
TI  - Evolutionary Endocrinology of Hormonal Rhythms: Juvenile Hormone Titer Circadian
      Polymorphism in Gryllus firmus.
AB  - Daily rhythms for hormonal traits are likely widespread and important aspects of
      organismal (e.g., life history) adaptation. Yet they remain substantially
      understudied, especially with respect to variable rhythms within species. The
      cricket, Gryllus firmus, exhibits a genetically polymorphic circadian rhythm for
      the blood titer of the key hormone, juvenile hormone (JH). Gryllus firmus is also
      wing-polymorphic, consisting of a dispersing morph that delays reproduction and a
      flightless morph with substantially enhanced egg production. JH circadian
      phenotype strongly covaries with morph type: The blood JH titer is strongly
      rhythmic in multiple populations artificially-selected for the dispersing morph
      (LW(f) = long wings with functional flight muscles) and is essentially arrhythmic
      in populations selected for the SW (short-winged) morph. Association between JH
      titer cycle and LW(f) morph is also found in natural populations of G. firmus and
      in several related species in the field. This is one of the very few studies of
      endocrine titer variation in natural populations of an insect. The morph-specific
      cycle is underlain by a circadian rhythm in hormone biosynthesis, which in turn
      is underlain by a rhythm in a brain neuropeptide regulator of JH biosynthesis.
      The morph-specific JH titer circadian cycle is also strongly correlated with a
      morph-specific daily rhythm in global gene expression. This is currently the only
      example of a genetically-variable hormone circadian rhythm in both the laboratory
      and field that is strongly associated with an ecologically important
      polymorphism. The extensive information on the underlying causes of the morph
      specific JH titer rhythm, coupled with the strong association between the JH
      circadian rhythm and wing polymorphism makes this system in G. firmus an
      exceptional experimental model to investigate the mechanisms underlying circadian
      hormonal adaptations. Genetic polymorphism for the JH titer circadian rhythm in
      G. firmus is discussed in context of circadian rhythms for endocrine traits
      reported for vertebrates and insects. Consequences of the failure to identify
      endocrine circadian rhythms on the accuracy of estimation of quantitative-genetic
      parameters, such as heritability and correlations between hormonal and fitness
      related traits, are also discussed.

PMID- 27252213
TI  - Next-Generation Sequencing and the Crustacean Immune System: The Need for
      Alternatives in Immune Gene Annotation.
AB  - Next-generation sequencing has been a huge benefit to investigators studying non
      model species. High-throughput gene expression studies, which were once
      restricted to animals with extensive genomic resources, can now be applied to any
      species. Transcriptomic studies using RNA-Seq can discover hundreds of thousands
      of transcripts from any species of interest. The power and limitation of these
      techniques is the sheer size of the dataset that is acquired. Parsing these large
      datasets is becoming easier as more bioinformatic tools are available for
      biologists without extensive computer programming expertise. Gene annotation and
      physiological pathway tools such as Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes
      and Genomes (KEGG) Orthology enable the application of the vast amount of
      information acquired from model organisms to non-model species. While noble in
      nature, utilization of these tools can inadvertently misrepresent transcriptomic
      data from non-model species via annotation omission. Annotation followed by
      molecular pathway analysis highlights pathways that are disproportionately
      affected by disease, stress, or the physiological condition being examined.
      Problems occur when gene annotation procedures only recognizes a subset, often
      50% or less, of the genes differently expressed from a non-model organisms.
      Annotated transcripts normally belong to highly conserved metabolic or regulatory
      genes that likely have a secondary or tertiary role, if any at all, in immunity.
      They appear to be disproportionately affected simply because conserved genes are
      most easily annotated. Evolutionarily induced specialization of physiological
      pathways is a driving force of adaptive evolution, but it results in genes that
      have diverged sufficiently to prevent their identification and annotation through
      conventional gene or protein databases. The purpose of this manuscript is to
      highlight some of the challenges faced when annotating crustacean immune genes by
      using an American lobster (Homarus americanus) transcriptome as an example.
      Immune genes have evolved rapidly over time, facilitating speciation and adaption
      to highly divergent ecological niches. Complete and proper annotation of immune
      genes from invertebrates has been challenging. Modulation of the crustacean
      immune system occurs in a variety of physiological responses including biotic and
      abiotic stressors, molting and reproduction. A simple method for the
      identification of a greater number of potential immune genes is proposed, along
      with a short introductory primer on crustacean immune response. The intended
      audience is not the advanced bioinformatic user, but those investigating
      physiological responses who require rudimentary understanding of crustacean
      immunological principles, but where immune gene regulation is not their primary
      interest.

PMID- 27252214
TI  - The Baculum was Gained and Lost Multiple Times during Mammalian Evolution.
AB  - The rapid evolution of male genitalia is a nearly ubiquitous pattern across
      sexually reproducing organisms, likely driven by the evolutionary pressures of
      male-male competition, male-female interactions, and perhaps pleiotropic effects
      of selection. The penis of many mammalian species contains a baculum, a bone that
      displays astonishing morphological diversity. The evolution of baculum size and
      shape does not consistently correlate with any aspects of mating system,
      hindering our understanding of the evolutionary processes affecting it. One
      potential explanation for the lack of consistent comparative results is that the
      baculum is not actually a homologous structure. If the baculum of different
      groups evolved independently, then the assumption of homology inherent in
      comparative studies is violated. Here, we specifically test this hypothesis by
      modeling the presence/absence of bacula of 954 mammalian species across a well
      established phylogeny and show that the baculum evolved a minimum of nine times,
      and was lost a minimum of ten times. Three different forms of bootstrapping show
      our results are robust to species sampling. Furthermore, groups with a baculum
      show evidence of higher rates of diversification. Our study offers an explanation
      for the inconsistent results in the literature, and provides insight into the
      evolution of this remarkable structure.

PMID- 27252215
TI  - Intromittent Organ Morphology and Biomechanics: Defining the Physical Challenges
      of Copulation.
AB  - Intromittent organs-structures that place gametes into a mate for internal
      fertilization-evolved many times within the animal kingdom, and are remarkable
      for their extravagant morphological diversity. Some taxa build intromittent
      organs from tissues with reproductive system antecedents, but others copulate
      with modified fins, tentacles, or legs: anatomically, these structures can
      include combinations of stiff tissues, extensible tissues, and muscle. Their
      mechanical behavior during copulation is also diverse: males in some taxa
      reorient or protrude genital tissues, others inflate them and change their shape,
      while still other taxa combine these strategies. For these animals, the ability
      to ready an intromittent organ for copulation and physically interact with a
      mate's genital tissues is critical to reproductive success, and may be tied to
      aspects of postcopulatory selection such as sperm competition and sexual
      conflict. But we know little about their mechanical behavior during copulation.
      This review surveys mechanical strategies that animals may use for intromittent
      organ function during intromission and copulation, and discusses how they may
      perform when their tissues experience stresses in tension, compression, bending,
      torsion, or shear.

PMID- 27252216
TI  - Beyond the Eye: Molecular Evolution of Extraocular Photoreception.
AB  - The molecular mechanisms used by biological systems to detect light are diverse,
      with at least 10 classes of photosensor proteins and additional photosensitive
      domains characterized. At least six of these protein classes-Type I microbial
      opsins, Type II animal opsins, cryptochromes, gustatory-related receptors (GRRs),
      transient receptor potential A1 ion channels, and euglenoid photoactivated
      adenylyl cylases-can be considered as playing a role in extraocular systems
      (e.g., expressed outside of the eye in organisms with a visual system). These six
      classes of extraocular photosensor proteins consist of four broad groups: (1)
      seven transmembrane proteins, (2) cryptochromes, (3) ion channels, and (4)
      adenylyl cyclases. The light-driven functions of these extraocular photoreceptors
      are diverse, ranging from circadian entrainment to phototactic behavior. There
      are surprising similarities in structural motifs, with at least three independent
      families-the GRRs and Types I and II opsins-evolving a seven transmembrane
      helical tertiary structure for light sensing. When considering all of the
      photosensitive proteins, particularly those in microbial lineages, an image of
      evolutionary flexibility is emerging, with examples of fusion proteins from
      multiple types of photosensors and photosensitive domains shared among diverse
      arrays of proteins. In general, large questions remain for most of these
      photosensor proteins about exactly how the protein evolved light sensitivity, how
      light interacts with the protein, and how the photosensitive protein is
      transducing the signal.

PMID- 27252217
TI  - Applying the Power of Transcriptomics: Understanding Male Sexual Development in
      Decapod Crustacea.
AB  - The decapod Crustacea are the most species-rich order of the Crustacea and
      include some of the most charismatic and highly valued commercial species. Thus
      the decapods draw a significant research interest in relation to aquaculture, as
      well as gaining a broader understanding of these species' biology. However, the
      diverse physiology of the group considered with the lack of a model species have
      presented an obstacle for comparative analyses. In reflection of this, the recent
      integration of comparative transcriptomics has rapidly advanced our understanding
      of key regulatory pathways and developmental phenomena, an example being our
      understanding of sexual development. We discuss our work in the Eastern spiny
      lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi, in the context of what is currently known about
      male sexual development in the decapods, highlighting the importance of
      transcriptomic techniques in achieving our recent advancements. We describe the
      progression made in our understanding of male sexual differentiation and
      maturation, as mediated by the insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (IAG),
      integrating the role of regulatory binding proteins (IGFBPs), a tyrosine kinase
      insulin receptor (TKIR), as well as the upstream effect of neuroendocrine
      hormones (GIH and MIH). We then consider the less well understood mechanism of
      male sex determination, with an emphasis on what we believe to be the key
      regulatory factors, the Dsx- and mab-3-related transcription factors (Dmrts).
      Finally, we discuss the function of the antennal gland (AnG) in sexual
      development, relating to the emergence of male-biased upregulation in the AnG in
      later sexual maturation and the sexually dimorphic expression of two key genes Sv
      TKIR and Sv-Dmrt1 We then present the AnG as a case study to illustrate how
      comparative transcriptomic techniques can be applied to guide preliminary
      analyses, like the hypothesis that the AnG may function in pheromone
      biosynthesis. In summary, we describe the power of transcriptomics in
      facilitating the progress made in our understanding of male sexual development,
      as illustrated by the commercial decapod species, S. verreauxi Considering future
      directions, we suggest that the integration of multiple omics-based techniques
      offers the most powerful tool to ensure we continue to piece together the biology
      of the important group of decapod Crustacea.

PMID- 27252218
TI  - Photoreception in Phytoplankton.
AB  - In many species of phytoplankton, simple photoreceptors monitor ambient lighting.
      Photoreceptors provide a number of selective advantages including the ability to
      assess the time of day for circadian rhythms, seasonal changes, and the detection
      of excessive light intensities and harmful UV light. Photoreceptors also serve as
      depth gauges in the water column for behaviors such as diurnal vertical
      migration. Photoreceptors can be organized together with screening pigment into
      visible eyespots. In a wide variety of motile phytoplankton, including
      Chlamydomonas, Volvox, Euglena, and Kryptoperidinium, eyespots are light
      sensitive organelles residing within the cell. Eyespots are composed of
      photoreceptor proteins and typically red to orange carotenoid screening pigments.
      This association of photosensory pigment with screening pigment allows for
      detection of light directionality, needed for light-guided behaviors such as
      positive and negative phototaxis. In Chlamydomonas, the eyespot is located in the
      chloroplast and Chlamydomonas expresses a number of photosensory pigments
      including the microbial channelrhodopsins (ChR1 and ChR2). Dinoflagellates are
      unicellular protists that are ecologically important constituents of the
      phytoplankton. They display a great deal of diversity in morphology, nutritional
      modes and symbioses, and can be photosynthetic or heterotrophic, feeding on
      smaller phytoplankton. Dinoflagellates, such as Kryptoperidinium foliaceum, have
      eyespots that are used for light-mediated tasks including phototaxis.
      Dinoflagellates belonging to the family Warnowiaceae have a more elaborate eye.
      Their eye-organelle, called an ocelloid, is a large, elaborate structure
      consisting of a focusing lens, highly ordered retinal membranes, and a shield of
      dark pigment. This complex eye-organelle is similar to multicellular camera eyes,
      such as our own. Unraveling the molecular makeup, structure and function of
      dinoflagellate eyes, as well as light-guided behaviors in phytoplankton can
      inform us about the selective forces that drove evolution in the important steps
      from light detection to vision. We show here that the evolution from simple
      photoreception to vision seems to have independently followed identical paths and
      principles in phytoplankton and animals, significantly strengthening our
      understanding of this important biological process.

PMID- 27252219
TI  - Thermal Change and the Dynamics of Multi-Host Parasite Life Cycles in Aquatic
      Ecosystems.
AB  - Altered thermal regimes associated with climate change are impacting
      significantly on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the
      Earth's natural ecosystems, with important implications for the biology of
      aquatic organisms. As well as impacting the biology of individual species,
      changing thermal regimes have the capacity to mediate ecological interactions
      between species, and the potential for climate change to impact host-parasite
      interactions in aquatic ecosystems is now well recognized. Predicting what will
      happen to the prevalence and intensity of infection of parasites with multiple
      hosts in their life cycles is especially challenging because the addition of each
      additional host dramatically increases the potential permutations of response. In
      this short review, we provide an overview of the diverse routes by which altered
      thermal regimes can impact the dynamics of multi-host parasite life cycles in
      aquatic ecosystems. In addition, we examine how experimentally amenable host
      parasite systems are being used to determine the consequences of changing
      environmental temperatures for these different types of mechanism. Our
      overarching aim is to examine the potential of changing thermal regimes to alter
      not only the biology of hosts and parasites, but also the biology of interactions
      between hosts and parasites. We also hope to illustrate the complexity that is
      likely to be involved in making predictions about the dynamics of infection by
      multi-host parasites in thermally challenged aquatic ecosystems.

PMID- 27252220
TI  - Do Hormones, Telomere Lengths, and Oxidative Stress form an Integrated Phenotype?
      A Case Study in Free-Living Tree Swallows.
AB  - Synopsis All organisms must anticipate and balance energetic demands and
      available resources in order to maximize fitness. As hormones coordinate many
      interactions between an organism's internal condition and the external
      environment, they may be key in mediating the allocation of resources to meet
      these demands. However, given that individuals differ considerably in how they
      react to changes in energetic demand, we asked whether variations in endocrine
      traits also correspond with life history variation. We tested whether natural
      variation in glucocorticoid hormone levels, oxidative stress measurements, and
      condition related to reproductive effort in a free-living songbird, the tree
      swallow, Tachycineta bicolor We then tested whether any of these traits predicted
      the probability of a particular individual's return to the local population in
      the following two years, an indicator of survival in this philopatric species. We
      found that males and females with longer telomeres had lighter nestlings.
      Moreover, individuals with lower plasma antioxidant capacity and higher reactive
      oxygen metabolites (i.e., greater oxidative stress) were less likely to return to
      the population. However, none of these traits were related to glucocorticoid
      levels. Our findings suggest a trade-off between reproduction and survival, with
      individuals with shorter telomeres having heavier nestlings but potentially
      paying a cost in terms of higher oxidative stress and lower survival.
      Interestingly, the evidence of this trade-off was unrelated to natural variation
      in glucocorticoids.

PMID- 27252221
TI  - Evolution and Function of the Insulin and Insulin-like Signaling Network in
      Ectothermic Reptiles: Some Answers and More Questions.
AB  - The insulin and insulin-like signaling (IIS) molecular network regulates cellular
      growth and division, and influences organismal metabolism, growth and
      development, reproduction, and lifespan. As a group, reptiles have incredible
      diversity in the complex life history traits that have been associated with the
      IIS network, yet the research on the IIS network in ectothermic reptiles is
      sparse. Here, we review the IIS network and synthesize what is known about the
      function and evolution of the IIS network in ectothermic reptiles. The primary
      hormones of this network-the insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGFs) likely
      function in reproduction in ectothermic reptiles, but the precise mechanisms are
      unclear, and likely range from influencing mating and ovulation to maternal
      investment in embryonic development. In general, plasma levels of IGF1 increase
      with food intake in ectothermic reptiles, but the magnitude of the response to
      food varies across species or populations and the ages of animals. Long-term
      temperature treatments as well as thermal stress can alter expression of genes
      within the IIS network. Although relatively little work has been done on IGF2 in
      ectothermic reptiles, IGF2 is consistently expressed at higher levels than IGF1
      in juvenile ectothermic reptiles. Furthermore, in contrast to mammals that have
      genetic imprinting that silences the maternal IGF2 allele, in reptiles IGF2 is bi
      allelically expressed (based on findings in chickens, a snake, and a lizard).
      Evolutionary analyses indicate some members of the IIS network are rapidly
      evolving across reptile species, including IGF1, insulin (INS), and their
      receptors. In particular, IGF1 displays extensive nucleotide variation across
      lizards and snakes, which suggests that its functional role may vary across this
      group. In addition, genetic variation across families and populations in the
      response of the IIS network to environmental conditions illustrates that
      components of this network may be evolving in natural populations. The diversity
      in reproductive physiology, metabolic plasticity, and lifespan among reptiles
      makes the study of the IIS network in this group a potentially rich avenue for
      insight into the evolution and function of this network. The field would benefit
      from future studies that discern the respective functions of IGF1 and IGF2 and
      how these functions vary across taxa, perfecting additional assays for measuring
      IIS components, and determining the role of IIS in different tissues.

PMID- 27252223
TI  - Endocrine Control of Exaggerated Trait Growth in Rhinoceros Beetles.
AB  - Juvenile hormone (JH) is a key insect growth regulator frequently involved in
      modulating phenotypically plastic traits such as caste determination in eusocial
      species, wing polymorphisms in aphids, and mandible size in stag beetles. The jaw
      morphology of stag beetles is sexually-dimorphic and condition-dependent; males
      have larger jaws than females and those developing under optimum conditions are
      larger in overall body size and have disproportionately larger jaws than males
      raised under poor conditions. We have previously shown that large males have
      higher JH titers than small males during development, and ectopic application of
      fenoxycarb (JH analog) to small males can induce mandibular growth similar to
      that of larger males. What remains unknown is whether JH regulates condition
      dependent trait growth in other insects with extreme sexually selected
      structures. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that JH mediates the
      condition-dependent expression of the elaborate horns of the Asian rhinoceros
      beetle, Trypoxylus dichotomus. The sexually dimorphic head horn of this beetle is
      sensitive to nutritional state during larval development. Like stag beetles, male
      rhinoceros beetles receiving copious food produce disproportionately large horns
      for their body size compared with males under restricted diets. We show that JH
      titers are correlated with body size during the late feeding and early prepupal
      periods, but this correlation disappears by the late prepupal period, the period
      of maximum horn growth. While ectopic application of fenoxycarb during the third
      larval instar significantly delayed pupation, it had no effect on adult horn size
      relative to body size. Fenoxycarb application to late prepupae also had at most a
      marginal effect on relative horn size. We discuss our results in context of other
      endocrine signals of condition-dependent trait exaggeration and suggest that
      different beetle lineages may have co-opted different physiological signaling
      mechanisms to achieve heightened nutrient-sensitive weapon growth.

PMID- 27252222
TI  - A Bird's Eye View of Influenza A Virus Transmission: Challenges with
      Characterizing Both Sides of a Co-Evolutionary Dynamic.
AB  - In nature, wild birds and influenza A viruses (IAV) are continually co-evolving,
      locked into a back-and-forth of resistance and conquest that has approached a
      stable equilibrium over time. This co-evolutionary relationship between bird host
      and IAV may appear stable at the organismal level, but is highly dynamic at the
      molecular level manifesting in a constant trade-off between transmissibility and
      virulence of the virus. Characterizing both sides of the host-virus dynamic has
      presented a challenge for ecologists and virologists alike, despite the potential
      for this approach to provide insights into which conditions destabilize the
      equilibrium state resulting in outbreaks or mortality of hosts in extreme cases.
      The use of different methods that are either host-centric or virus-centric has
      made it difficult to reconcile the disparate fields of host ecology and virology
      for investigating and ultimately predicting wild bird-mediated transmission of
      IAV. This review distills some of the key lessons learned from virological and
      ecological studies and explores the promises and pitfalls of both approaches.
      Ultimately, reconciling ecological and virological approaches hinges on
      integrating scales for measuring host-virus interactions. We argue that prospects
      for finding common scales for measuring wild bird-influenza dynamics are
      improving due to advances in genomic sequencing, host-tracking technology and
      remote sensing data, with the unit of time (months, year, or seasons) providing a
      starting point for crossover.

PMID- 27252224
TI  - Suchian Feeding Success at the Interface of Ontogeny and Macroevolution.
AB  - There have been a number of attempts to explain how crocodylian bite-force
      performance covaries with cranial form and diet. However, the mechanics and
      morphologies of crocodylian jaws have thus far remained incongruent with data on
      their performance and evolution. For example, it is largely assumed that the
      functional anatomy and performance of adults tightly fits the adult niche. At
      odds with this precept are groups with resource-dependent growth, whose juvenile
      stages undergo shifts in mass, morphology, and resource usage to overcome strong
      selection related to issues of small body size, as compared to adults.
      Crocodylians are an example of such a group. As living suchians, they also have a
      long and fossil-rich evolutionary history, characterized by analogous increases
      in body size, diversifications in rostrodental form, and shifts in diet. Here we
      use biomechanical and evolutionary modeling techniques to study the development
      and evolution of the suchian feeding apparatus and to formally assess the impact
      of potential ontogenetic-evolutionary parallels on clade dynamics. We show that
      patterns of ontogenetic and evolutionary bite-force changes exhibit inverted
      patterns of heterochrony, indicating that early ontogenetic trends are
      established as macroevolutionary patterns within Neosuchia, prior to the origin
      of Eusuchia. Although selection can act on any life-history stage, our findings
      suggest that selection on neonates and juveniles, in particular, can contribute
      to functionally important morphologies that aid individual and clade success
      without being strongly tied to their adult niche.

PMID- 27252225
TI  - Modeling vector-borne disease risk in migratory animals under climate change.
AB  - Recent theory suggests that animals that migrate to breed at higher latitudes may
      benefit from reduced pressure from natural enemies, including pathogens
      ("migratory escape"), and that migration itself weeds out infected individuals
      and lowers infection prevalence ("migratory culling"). The distribution and
      activity period of arthropod disease vectors in temperate regions is expected to
      respond rapidly to climate change, which could reduce the potential for migratory
      escape. However, climate change could have the opposite effect of reducing
      transmission if differential responses in the phenology and distribution of
      migrants and disease vectors reduce their overlap in space and time. Here we
      outline a simple modeling framework for exploring the influence of climate change
      on vector-borne disease dynamics in a migratory host. We investigate two
      scenarios under which pathogen transmission dynamics might be mediated by climate
      change: (1) vectors respond more rapidly than migrants to advancing phenology at
      temperate breeding sites, causing peak susceptible host density and vector
      emergence to diverge ("migratory mismatch") and (2) reduced migratory propensity
      allows increased nonbreeding survival of infected hosts and larger breeding-site
      epidemics (loss of migratory culling, here referred to as "sedentary
      amplification"). Our results highlight the need for continued surveillance of
      climate-induced changes to migratory behavior and vector activity to predict
      pathogen prevalence and its impacts on migratory animals.

PMID- 27252226
TI  - Pulmonary Hypertensive Crisis on Induction of Anesthesia.
AB  - Anesthesia for lung transplantation remains one of the highest risk surgeries in
      the domain of the cardiothoracic anesthesiologist. End-stage lung disease,
      pulmonary hypertension, and right heart dysfunction as well as other comorbid
      disease factors predispose the patient to cardiovascular, respiratory and
      metabolic dysfunction during general anesthesia. Perhaps the highest risk phase
      of surgery in the patient with severe pulmonary hypertension is during the
      induction of anesthesia when the removal of intrinsic sympathetic tone and onset
      of positive pressure ventilation can decompensate a severely compromised
      cardiovascular system. Severe hypotension, cardiac arrest, and death have been
      reported previously. Here we present 2 high-risk patients for lung
      transplantation, their anesthetic induction course, and outcomes. We offer
      suggestions for the safe management of anesthetic induction to mitigate against
      hemodynamic and respiratory complications.

PMID- 27252227
TI  - Fabrication and evaluation of electrohydrodynamic jet 3D printed
      polycaprolactone/chitosan cell carriers using human embryonic stem cell-derived
      fibroblasts.
AB  - Biological function of adherent cells depends on the cell-cell and cell-matrix
      interactions in three-dimensional space. To understand the behavior of cells in
      3D environment and their interactions with neighboring cells and matrix requires
      3D culture systems. Here, we present a novel 3D cell carrier scaffold that
      provides an environment for routine 3D cell growth in vitro We have developed
      thin, mechanically stable electrohydrodynamic jet (E-jet) 3D printed
      polycaprolactone and polycaprolactone/Chitosan macroporous scaffolds with precise
      fiber orientation for basic 3D cell culture application. We have evaluated the
      application of this technology by growing human embryonic stem cell-derived
      fibroblasts within these 3D scaffolds. Assessment of cell viability and
      proliferation of cells seeded on polycaprolactone and polycaprolactone/Chitosan
      3D-scaffolds show that the human embryonic stem cell-derived fibroblasts could
      adhere and proliferate on the scaffolds over time. Further, using confocal
      microscopy we demonstrate the ability to use fluorescence-labelled cells that
      could be microscopically monitored in real-time. Hence, these 3D printed
      polycaprolactone and polycaprolactone/Chitosan scaffolds could be used as a cell
      carrier for in vitro 3D cell culture-, bioreactor- and tissue engineering-related
      applications in the future.

PMID- 27252229
TI  - Aortic coarctation associated with thrombosis mimicking interrupted arch.

PMID- 27252228
TI  - Epileptiform activity and spreading depolarization in the blood-brain barrier
      disrupted peri-infarct hippocampus are associated with impaired GABAergic
      inhibition and synaptic plasticity.
AB  - Peri-infarct opening of the blood-brain barrier may be associated with spreading
      depolarizations, seizures, and epileptogenesis as well as cognitive dysfunction.
      We aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying neural network pathophysiology
      in the blood-brain barrier-dysfunctional hippocampus. Photothrombotic stroke
      within the rat neocortex was associated with increased intracranial pressure,
      vasogenic edema, and peri-ischemic blood-brain barrier dysfunction that included
      the ipsilateral hippocampus. Intrahippocampal recordings revealed electrographic
      seizures within the first week in two-thirds of animals, accompanied by a
      reduction in gamma and increase in theta frequency bands. Synaptic interactions
      were studied in parasagittal hippocampal slices at 24 h and seven days post
      stroke. Field potential recordings in CA1 and CA3 uncovered multiple population
      spikes, epileptiform episodes, and spreading depolarizations at 24 h. Input
      output analysis revealed that fEPSP-spike coupling was significantly enhanced at
      seven days. In addition, CA1 feedback and feedforward inhibition were diminished.
      Slices generating epileptiform activity at seven days revealed impaired
      bidirectional long-term plasticity following high and low-frequency stimulation
      protocols. Microarray and PCR data confirmed changes in expression of astrocyte
      related genes and suggested downregulation in expression of GABAA-receptor
      subunits. We conclude that blood-brain barrier dysfunction in the peri-infarct
      hippocampus is associated with early disinhibition, hyperexcitability, and
      abnormal synaptic plasticity.

PMID- 27252230
TI  - Emphysematous aortitis leading to esophagopleural fistula.
AB  - Emphysematous aortitis is a form of septic aortitis. It is a rare disease with a
      high mortality rate, necessitating prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment. We
      present the computed tomography features of emphysematous aortitis leading to
      esophageal rupture and esophageal-pleural fistula in a 76-year-old female with
      rheumatoid arthritis.

PMID- 27252231
TI  - Dendriform pulmonary ossification in a patient with mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
AB  - Dendriform pulmonary ossification is a chronic process characterized by the
      presence of heterotopic bone within the interstitium and alveolar walls. It
      usually occurs in the setting of chronic inflammation. We report an unusual case
      of a 54-year-old man with a history of relapsing Hodgkin lymphoma who was
      diagnosed with concomitant mucoepidermoid pulmonary carcinoma and dendriform
      ossifications. The radiological features were initially misinterpreted as post
      radiation pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis. The diagnosis was finally
      established after considering both the radiological and pathological findings.
      Dendriform pulmonary ossification is an under-recognized disease that should be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of lung chronic diseases. 

PMID- 27252232
TI  - Idelalisib in the management of lymphoma.
AB  - Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway as an anticancer
      therapeutic strategy was realized with the approval of the orally bioavailable
      small molecule PI3Kdelta inhibitor idelalisib. In this focused review, we
      highlight the rationale for targeting the pathway in lymphomas, provide a brief
      summary of the preclinical data, and describe the clinical experience with this
      agent in patients with lymphoma. We describe some of the idiosyncratic toxicities
      of this agent, some of the mechanisms of resistance, and some of the ongoing
      combination strategies.

PMID- 27252234
TI  - Phenotype and immune function of lymph node and peripheral blood CLL cells are
      linked to transendothelial migration.
AB  - Several lines of evidence suggest that homing of tumor cells to lymphoid tissue
      contributes to disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Here,
      we demonstrate that lymph node (LN)-derived CLL cells possess a distinct
      phenotype, and exhibit enhanced capacity for T-cell activation and superior
      immune synapse formation when compared with paired peripheral blood (PB) samples.
      LN-derived CLL cells manifest a proliferative, CXCR4(dim)CD5(bright) phenotype
      compared with those in the PB and higher expression of T-cell activation
      molecules including CD80, CD86, and HLA-D-related (DR). In addition, LN-CLL cells
      have higher expression of alpha4beta1 (CD49d) which, as well as being a co
      stimulatory molecule, is required for CLL cells to undergo transendothelial
      migration (TEM) and enter the proliferation centers of the LNs. Using an in vitro
      system that models circulation and TEM, we showed that the small population of
      CLL cells that migrate are CXCR4(dim)CD5(bright) with higher CD49d, CD80, CD86,
      and HLA-DR compared with those that remain circulating; a phenotype strikingly
      similar to LN-derived CLL cells. Furthermore, sorted CD49d(hi) CLL cells showed
      an enhanced capacity to activate T cells compared with CD49d(lo) subpopulations
      from the same patient. Thus, although PB-CLL cells have a reduced capacity to
      form immune synapses and activate CD4(+) T cells, this was not the case for LN
      CLL cells or those with the propensity to undergo TEM. Taken together, our study
      suggests that CLL cell immunologic function is not only modulated by
      microenvironmental interactions but is also a feature of a subpopulation of PB
      CLL cells that are primed for lymphoid tissue homing and interaction with T
      cells.

PMID- 27252233
TI  - Limiting prothrombin activation to meizothrombin is compatible with survival but
      significantly alters hemostasis in mice.
AB  - Thrombin-mediated proteolysis is central to hemostatic function but also plays a
      prominent role in multiple disease processes. The proteolytic conversion of fII
      to alpha-thrombin (fIIa) by the prothrombinase complex occurs through 2 parallel
      pathways: (1) the inactive intermediate, prethrombin; or (2) the proteolytically
      active intermediate, meizothrombin (fIIa(MZ)). FIIa(MZ) has distinct catalytic
      properties relative to fIIa, including diminished fibrinogen cleavage and
      increased protein C activation. Thus, fII activation may differentially influence
      hemostasis and disease depending on the pathway of activation. To determine the
      in vivo physiologic and pathologic consequences of restricting thrombin
      generation to fIIa(MZ), mutations were introduced into the endogenous fII gene,
      resulting in expression of prothrombin carrying 3 amino acid substitutions
      (R157A, R268A, and K281A) to limit activation events to yield only fIIa(MZ)
      Homozygous fII(MZ) mice are viable, express fII levels comparable with fII(WT)
      mice, and have reproductive success. Although in vitro studies revealed delayed
      generation of fIIa(MZ) enzyme activity, platelet aggregation by fII(MZ) is
      similar to fII(WT) Consistent with prior analyses of human fIIa(MZ), significant
      prolongation of clotting times was observed for fII(MZ) plasma. Adult fII(MZ)
      animals displayed significantly compromised hemostasis in tail bleeding assays,
      but did not demonstrate overt bleeding. More notably, fII(MZ) mice had 2
      significant phenotypic advantages over fII(WT) animals: protection from occlusive
      thrombosis after arterial injury and markedly diminished metastatic potential in
      a setting of experimental tumor metastasis to the lung. Thus, these novel animals
      will provide a valuable tool to assess the role of both fIIa and fIIa(MZ) in
      vivo.

PMID- 27252235
TI  - Public Opinion Regarding Financial Incentives to Engage in Advance Care Planning
      and Complete Advance Directives.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently
      instituted physician reimbursements for advance care planning (ACP) discussions
      with patients. AIM: To measure public support for similar programs. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional online and in-person surveys. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: English-speaking
      adults recruited at public parks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July to
      August 2013 and online through survey sampling international Web-based
      recruitment platform in July 2015. Participants indicated support for 6 programs
      designed to increase advance directive (AD) completion or ACP discussion using 5
      point Likert scales. Participants also indicated how much money (US$0-US$1000)
      was appropriate to incentivize such behaviors, compared to smoking cessation or
      colonoscopy screening. RESULTS: We recruited 883 participants: 503 online and 380
      in-person. The status quo of no systematic approach to motivate AD completion was
      supported by 67.0% of participants (63.9%-70.1%). The most popular programs were
      paying patients to complete ADs (58.0%; 54.5%-61.2%) and requiring patients to
      complete ADs or declination forms for health insurance (54.1%; 50.8%-57.4%).
      Participants more commonly supported paying patients to complete ADs than paying
      physicians whose patients complete ADs (22.6%; 19.8%-25.4%) or paying physicians
      who document ACP discussions (19.1%; 16.5%-21.7%; both P < .001). Participants
      supported smaller payments for AD completion and ACP than for obtaining screening
      colonoscopies or stopping smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Americans view payments for AD
      completion or ACP more skeptically than for other health behaviors and prefer
      that such payments go to patients rather than physicians. The current CMS policy
      of reimbursing physicians for ACP conversations with patients was the least
      preferred of the programs evaluated.

PMID- 27252237
TI  - Sixty seconds on . . . Tamiflu.

PMID- 27252236
TI  - TransRate: reference-free quality assessment of de novo transcriptome assemblies.
AB  - TransRate is a tool for reference-free quality assessment of de novo
      transcriptome assemblies. Using only the sequenced reads and the assembly as
      input, we show that multiple common artifacts of de novo transcriptome assembly
      can be readily detected. These include chimeras, structural errors, incomplete
      assembly, and base errors. TransRate evaluates these errors to produce a
      diagnostic quality score for each contig, and these contig scores are integrated
      to evaluate whole assemblies. Thus, TransRate can be used for de novo assembly
      filtering and optimization as well as comparison of assemblies generated using
      different methods from the same input reads. Applying the method to a data set of
      155 published de novo transcriptome assemblies, we deconstruct the contribution
      that assembly method, read length, read quantity, and read quality make to the
      accuracy of de novo transcriptome assemblies and reveal that variance in the
      quality of the input data explains 43% of the variance in the quality of
      published de novo transcriptome assemblies. Because TransRate is reference-free,
      it is suitable for assessment of assemblies of all types of RNA, including
      assemblies of long noncoding RNA, rRNA, mRNA, and mixed RNA samples.

PMID- 27252238
TI  - Prognostic value of body mass index and change in body weight in postoperative
      outcomes of lung cancer surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Nutritional status is associated with an effect on oncological
      outcomes. However, the effect of nutritional status on postoperative survival in
      lung cancer has not been well studied. We retrospectively analysed and evaluated
      the effect of preoperative body mass index (BMI) and changes in body weight on
      postoperative outcomes of lung cancer surgery. METHODS: A total of 1311 patients
      with non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent surgery between January 2001 and
      December 2011 were included in this study. Preoperative body weight at 4-12 weeks
      prior to surgery was obtained in 737 patients and the ratio of change in body
      weight was calculated. RESULTS: The patients were classified into four groups as
      follows: underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (BMI from >=18.5 to <25),
      overweight (BMI from >=25 to <30) and obese (BMI >= 30). Postoperative survival
      curves of the BMI groups showed that the underweight group had a poorer prognosis
      than the other groups, especially for disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.03).
      Univariate and adjusted survival analyses using Cox's proportional hazards
      regression model showed that low BMI was a significantly poor prognostic factor
      in overall survival (OS) (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively) and DFS (P < 0.01
      and P < 0.01, respectively). Among the BMI groups, the underweight group had a
      significant worse prognosis than the other groups for DFS in univariate and
      adjusted analyses (P = 0.04 and P < 0.01, respectively). With regard to changes
      in body weight, patients with a body weight loss of 3.7% or greater had a
      significantly poorer prognosis for OS and DFS in univariate analysis and for DFS
      in adjusted analyses compared with the other patients. Regarding short-term
      outcomes, the weight loss group had a significantly longer postoperative hospital
      stay than the non-weight loss group (P = 0.02) and postoperative 90-day mortality
      was significantly lower in the normal weight group than in the underweight group
      (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Low BMI and significant body weight loss before surgery
      have a negative effect on surgical outcomes for patients with non-small-cell lung
      cancer.

PMID- 27252239
TI  - Impact of donor age on cardiac transplantation outcomes and on cardiac function.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although the impact of older donors on heart transplant outcomes has
      been previously published, the survival results are conflicting. We herein
      analyse the impact of older donors on transplant survival and myocardial
      function. METHODS: The records of the patients who underwent heart transplant at
      Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas from November 2012 until March 2015
      were reviewed and the data were extracted. The heart recipients were divided into
      two groups based on donors age; 50 years of age was the division point. The two
      groups were compared with regard to the following transplant outcomes: in
      hospital and 1-year survival, severe (3R) rejection, primary graft dysfunction,
      myocardial performance as reflected by the inotropic score, left ventricular
      ejection fraction, intensive care unit and overall length of stay. RESULTS:
      Anoxia was more common cause of death in younger donors (43.9%), whereas
      intracranial bleeding was more frequent in older donors (48.1%, P = 0.016). The
      in-hospital survival and 1-year survival were the same between the two groups.
      Additionally, cardiac transplantation from older donors was not associated with
      higher incidence of graft dysfunction, higher inotropic support score, longer
      intensive care unit and total hospital length of stay or more frequent severe
      rejection episodes. The left ventricular ejection fraction was similar between
      the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Heart transplant from older donors is not associated
      with lower in-hospital and mid-term survival if donors are carefully selected;
      furthermore, the graft function is comparable. The use of hearts from donors
      older than 50 years of age can be expanded beyond critically ill recipients in
      carefully selected recipients.

PMID- 27252240
TI  - Transcatheter CoreValve implantation for aortic regurgitation in a Jehovah's
      witness with prior aortic dissection.
AB  - Indications for transcatheter valve implantation have been extended to treat
      native valve aortic regurgitation in case of disproportionate risk for open
      surgery. Transcatheter aortic valves are also an attractive alternative in
      patients who refuse blood transfusions. We report the successful off-label
      implantation of a self-expandable transcatheter valve in a Jehovah's Witness with
      prior replacement of the ascending aorta for Type A dissection, residual severe
      aortic regurgitation and refractory heart failure.

PMID- 27252241
TI  - Does positron emission tomography/computed tomography aid the diagnosis of
      prosthetic valve infective endocarditis?
AB  - A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The
      question addressed was whether (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) aids the diagnosis of prosthetic valve
      endocarditis (PVE)? A total of 107 publications were found using the reported
      search, of which 6 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.
      The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied,
      study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. The
      reported outcome of all studies was a final diagnosis of confirmed endocarditis
      on follow-up. All the six studies were non-randomized, single-centre,
      observational studies and thus represented level 3 evidence. The diagnostic
      capability of PET/CT for PVE was compared with that of the modified Duke Criteria
      and echocardiography, and reported in terms of sensitivity, specificity and
      positive and negative predictive values. All studies demonstrated an increased
      sensitivity for the diagnosis of PVE when PET/CT was combined with the modified
      Duke Criteria on admission. A higher SUVmax on PET was found to be significantly
      associated with a confirmed diagnosis of endocarditis and an additional
      diagnostic benefit of PET/CT angiography over conventional PET/non-enhanced CT is
      reported due to improved anatomical resolution. However, PET/CT was found to be
      unreliable in the early postoperative period due to its inability to distinguish
      between infection and residual postoperative inflammatory changes. PET/CT was
      also found to be poor at diagnosing cases of native valve endocarditis. We
      conclude that PET/CT aids in the diagnosis of PVE when combined with the modified
      Duke Criteria on admission by increasing the diagnostic sensitivity. The
      diagnostic ability of PET/CT can be potentiated by the use of PET/CTA; however,
      its use may be unreliable in the early postoperative period or in native valve
      endocarditis.

PMID- 27252242
TI  - Controversial 999 pilot ambulance trust chief executive resigns.

PMID- 27252243
TI  - Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - We evaluated the differences in major markers of cardiovascular (CV) risk between
      inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and controls by a systematic review and a meta
      analysis. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for literature
      comparing CV risk markers in IBDs and controls. The overall mean carotid intima
      media thickness (CIMT), flow-mediated dilation (FMD%), and carotid-femoral pulse
      wave velocity (cfPWV) difference between patients with IBDs and control groups
      were calculated. Twenty-eight studies were included in the meta-analysis,
      including 16 studies with data on CIMT, 7 studies reporting FMD%, and 9 studies
      on cfPWV. Compared to controls, patients with IBDs showed significantly higher
      CIMT (standardized mean difference [ SMD]: 0.534 mm; 95% confidence interval
      [CI], 0.230 to 0.838; P = .001), significantly lower FMD% ( SMD, -0.721%; 95% CI,
      -1.020 to -0.421; P < .0001), and significantly increased cfPWV ( SMD, 0.849; 95%
      CI, 0.589 to 1.110; P < .0001). When analyzing subgroups with ulcerative colitis
      and Crohn disease (CD), all results were still significant except CIMT in CD. Our
      findings support the current evidence for an elevated CV burden in patients with
      IBD and support the clinical utility of markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in
      the management of these patients.

PMID- 27252244
TI  - Arterial Access in Patients With De Novo Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing
      Coronary Angiography.
AB  - Bleeding is a major limitation of antithrombotic therapy among invasively managed
      patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACSs).
      Randomized clinical trials have generally failed to favor either the femoral or
      the radial arterial approach for coronary angiography or intervention in NSTE
      ACS. In 561 hospitalized patients with a new diagnosis of NSTE-ACS referred for
      coronary angiography, 364 and 197 patients underwent the femoral and the radial
      approach, respectively. Femoral and radial access did not differ in bleeding
      complications in the first 72 hours (8 of 364 or 2.2% vs 8 of 197 or 4.1%, P =
      .21), duration of hospitalization (4.67 +/- 5.02 vs 4.51 +/- 4.81, P = .28) nor
      in-hospital mortality (0.8% vs 0.5%, P = .67). Contrast volume was higher for
      femoral versus radial cases (204 +/- 119 vs 168 +/- 104, P < .001). In patients
      with de novo NSTE-ACS without prior cardiac bypass, radial and femoral arterial
      access did not differ in instances of bleeding within the first 72 hours
      postoperatively, length of hospital stay, or in-hospital mortality. Less contrast
      was used in radial cases, which may represent an advantage for patients with
      renal insufficiency.

PMID- 27252245
TI  - Telehealth for patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease: pragmatic
      randomised controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE:  To assess whether non-clinical staff can effectively manage people at
      high risk of cardiovascular disease using digital health technologies. DESIGN: 
      Pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. SETTING:  42 general
      practices in three areas of England. PARTICIPANTS:  Between 3 December 2012 and
      23 July 2013 we recruited 641 adults aged 40 to 74 years with a 10 year
      cardiovascular disease risk of 20% or more, no previous cardiovascular event, at
      least one modifiable risk factor (systolic blood pressure >=140 mm Hg, body mass
      index >=30, current smoker), and access to a telephone, the internet, and email.
      Participants were individually allocated to intervention (n=325) or control
      (n=316) groups using automated randomisation stratified by site, minimised by
      practice and baseline risk score. INTERVENTIONS:  Intervention was the
      Healthlines service (alongside usual care), comprising regular telephone calls
      from trained lay health advisors following scripts generated by interactive
      software. Advisors facilitated self management by supporting participants to use
      online resources to reduce risk factors, and sought to optimise drug use, improve
      treatment adherence, and encourage healthier lifestyles. The control group
      comprised usual care alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:  The primary outcome was the
      proportion of participants responding to treatment, defined as maintaining or
      reducing their cardiovascular risk after 12 months. Outcomes were collected six
      and 12 months after randomisation and analysed masked. Participants were not
      masked. RESULTS:  50% (148/295) of participants in the intervention group
      responded to treatment compared with 43% (124/291) in the control group (adjusted
      odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 1.9; number needed to treat=13); a
      difference possibly due to chance (P=0.08). The intervention was associated with
      reductions in blood pressure (difference in mean systolic -2.7 mm Hg (95%
      confidence interval -4.7 to -0.6 mm Hg), mean diastolic -2.8 (-4.0 to -1.6 mm
      Hg); weight -1.0 kg (-1.8 to -0.3 kg), and body mass index -0.4 ( -0.6 to -0.1)
      but not cholesterol -0.1 (-0.2 to 0.0), smoking status (adjusted odds ratio 0.4,
      0.2 to 1.0), or overall cardiovascular risk as a continuous measure (-0.4, -1.2
      to 0.3)). The intervention was associated with improvements in diet, physical
      activity, drug adherence, and satisfaction with access to care, treatment
      received, and care coordination. One serious related adverse event occurred, when
      a participant was admitted to hospital with low blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: 
      This evidence based telehealth approach was associated with small clinical
      benefits for a minority of people with high cardiovascular risk, and there was no
      overall improvement in average risk. The Healthlines service was, however,
      associated with improvements in some risk behaviours, and in perceptions of
      support and access to care.Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN
      27508731.

PMID- 27252247
TI  - A failed welfare state.

PMID- 27252246
TI  - GLP-1 Agonists in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the use of GLP-1 agonists in patients with type 1 diabetes
      mellitus (T1DM). DATA SOURCES: A search using the MEDLINE database, EMBASE, and
      Cochrane Database was performed through March 2016 using the search terms
      glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, incretin, liraglutide, exenatide,
      albiglutide, dulaglutide, type 1 diabetes mellitus STUDY SELECTION AND DATA
      EXTRACTION: All English-language trials that examined glycemic end points using
      GLP-1 agonists in humans with T1DM were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 9
      clinical trials examining the use of GLP-1 agonists in T1DM were identified. On
      average, hemoglobin A1C (A1C) was lower than baseline, with a maximal lowering of
      0.6%. This effect was not significant when tested against a control group, with a
      relative decrease in A1C of 0.1% to 0.2%. In all trials examined, reported
      hypoglycemia was low, demonstrating no difference when compared with insulin
      monotherapy. Weight loss was seen in all trials, with a maximum weight loss of
      6.4 kg over 24 weeks. Gastrointestinal adverse effects are potentially limiting,
      with a significant number of patients in trials reporting nausea. CONCLUSION: The
      use of GLP-1 agonists should be considered in T1DM patients who are overweight or
      obese and not at glycemic goals despite aggressive insulin therapy; however,
      tolerability of these agents is a potential concern. Liraglutide has the
      strongest evidence for use and would be the agent of choice for use in overweight
      or obese adult patients with uncontrolled T1DM.

PMID- 27252248
TI  - Association of Eating Behavior With Nutritional Status and Body Composition in
      Primary School-Aged Children.
AB  - Problematic eating behaviors during childhood may lead to positive energy balance
      and obesity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association of eating
      behaviors with nutritional status and body composition in Malaysian children aged
      7 to 12 years. A total of 1782 primary schoolchildren were randomly recruited
      from 6 regions in Malaysia. The multidimensional Children's Eating Behaviour
      Questionnaire (CEBQ) was reported by parents to determine the 8 different
      dimensions of eating styles among children. Body mass index (BMI), BMI-for-age Z
      score, waist circumference, and body fat percentage were assessed. Linear
      regression analyses revealed that both food responsiveness and desire to drink
      subscales were positively associated with a child's body adiposity, whereas
      satiety responsiveness, slowness in eating, and emotional undereating subscales
      were negatively associated with adiposity (all P < .05). A multidimensional
      eating style approach based on the CEBQ is needed to promote healthy eating
      behaviors in order to prevent excessive weight gain and obesity problems among
      Malaysian children.

PMID- 27252250
TI  - Protective effects of 1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on cultured neural cells
      exposed to catalytic iron.
AB  - Recent studies have postulated a role for vitamin D and its receptor on cerebral
      function, and anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects
      have been described; vitamin D can inhibit proinflammatory cytokines and nitric
      oxide synthesis during various neurodegenerative insults, and may be considered
      as a potential drug for the treatment of these disorders. In addition, iron is
      crucial for neuronal development and neurotransmitter production in the brain,
      but its accumulation as catalytic form (Fe(3+)) impairs brain function and causes
      the dysregulation of iron metabolism leading to tissue damage due to the
      formation of toxic free radicals (ROS). This research was planned to study the
      role of vitamin D to prevent iron damage in neuroblastoma BE(2)M17 cells.
      Mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration, including cell viability, ROS
      production, and the most common intracellular pathways were studied. Pretreatment
      with calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D) reduced cellular injury induced by
      exposure to catalytic iron. 

PMID- 27252251
TI  - Effect of dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation on the muscle transcriptome in older
      adults.
AB  - Dietary fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA supplementation can increase muscle mass,
      reduce oxygen demand during physical activity, and improve physical function
      (muscle strength and power, and endurance) in people. The results from several
      studies conducted in animals suggest that the anabolic and performance-enhancing
      effects of n-3 PUFA are at least in part transcriptionally regulated. The effect
      of n-3 PUFA therapy on the muscle transcriptome in people is unknown. In this
      study, we used muscle biopsy samples collected during a recently completed
      randomized controlled trial that found that n-3 PUFA therapy increased muscle
      mass and function in older adults to provide a comprehensive assessment of the
      effect of n-3 PUFA therapy on the skeletal muscle gene expression profile in
      these people. Using the microarray technique, we found that several pathways
      involved in regulating mitochondrial function and extracellular matrix
      organization were increased and pathways related to calpain- and ubiquitin
      mediated proteolysis and inhibition of the key anabolic regulator mTOR were
      decreased by n-3 PUFA therapy. However, the effect of n-3 PUFA therapy on the
      expression of individual genes involved in regulating mitochondrial function and
      muscle growth, assessed by quantitative RT-PCR, was very small. These data
      suggest that n-3 PUFA therapy results in small but coordinated changes in the
      muscle transcriptome that may help explain the n-3 PUFA-induced improvements in
      muscle mass and function. 

PMID- 27252253
TI  - Stephanie de Giorgio: Hates arrogance and knuckle cracking.

PMID- 27252252
TI  - Limiting collagen turnover via collagenase-resistance attenuates right
      ventricular dysfunction and fibrosis in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
AB  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe form of pulmonary hypertension
      in which right ventricular (RV) afterload is increased and death typically occurs
      due to decompensated RV hypertrophy and failure. Collagen accumulation has been
      implicated in pulmonary artery remodeling, but how it affects RV performance
      remains unclear. Here, we sought to identify the role of collagen turnover,
      defined as the balance between collagen synthesis and degradation, in RV
      structure and function in PAH To do so, we exposed mutant (Col1a1(R/R)) mice, in
      which collagen type I degradation is impaired such that collagen turnover is
      reduced, and wild-type (Col1a1(+/+)) littermates to 14 days of chronic hypoxia
      combined with SUGEN treatment (HySu) to recapitulate characteristics of clinical
      PAH RV structure and function were measured by echocardiography, RV
      catheterization, and histology. Despite comparable increases in RV systolic
      pressure (Col1a1(+/+): 46 +/- 2 mmHg; Col1a1(R/R): 47 +/- 3 mmHg), the impaired
      collagen degradation in Col1a1(R/R) mice resulted in no RV collagen accumulation,
      limited RV hypertrophy, and maintained right ventricular-pulmonary vascular
      coupling with HySu exposure. The preservation of cardiac function in the mutant
      mice indicates a beneficial role of limited collagen turnover via impaired
      degradation in RV remodeling in response to chronic pressure overload. Our
      results suggest novel treatments that reduce collagen turnover may offer a new
      therapeutic strategy for PAH patients. 

PMID- 27252254
TI  - From autoantibody research to standardized diagnostic assays in the management of
      human diseases - report of the 12th Dresden Symposium on Autoantibodies.
AB  - Testing for autoantibodies (AABs) is becoming more and more relevant, not only
      for diagnosing autoimmune diseases (AIDs) but also for the differentiation of
      defined AID subtypes with different clinical manifestations, course and prognosis
      as well as the very early diagnosis for adequate management in the context of
      personalized medicine. A major challenge to improve diagnostic accuracy is to
      harmonize or even standardize AAB analyses. This review presents the results of
      the 12th Dresden Symposium on Autoantibodies that focused on several aspects of
      improving autoimmune diagnostics. Topics that are addressed include the
      International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP) and the International Autoantibody
      Standardization (IAS) initiatives, the optimization of diagnostic algorithms, the
      description and evaluation of novel disease-specific AABs as well as the
      development and introduction of novel assays into routine diagnostics. This
      review also highlights important developments of recent years, most notably the
      improvement in diagnosing and predicting the course of rheumatoid arthritis,
      systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, and of autoimmune
      neurological, gastrointestinal and liver diseases; the potential diagnostic role
      of anti-DFS70 antibodies and tumor-associated AABs. Furthermore, some hot topics
      in autoimmunity regarding disease pathogenesis and management are described. 

PMID- 27252255
TI  - Report on the second International Consensus on ANA Pattern (ICAP) workshop in
      Dresden 2015.
AB  - The second meeting for the International Consensus on Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
      Pattern (ICAP) was held on 22 September 2015, one day prior to the opening of the
      12th Dresden Symposium on Autoantibodies in Dresden, Germany. The ultimate goal
      of ICAP is to promote harmonization and understanding of autoantibody
      nomenclature, and thereby optimizing ANA usage in patient care. The newly
      developed ICAP website www.ANApatterns.org was introduced to the more than 50
      participants. This was followed by several presentations and discussions focusing
      on key issues including the two-tier classification of ANA patterns into
      competent-level versus expert-level, the consideration of how to report composite
      versus mixed ANA patterns, and the necessity for developing a consensus on how
      ANA results should be reported. The need to establish on-line training modules to
      help users gain competency in identifying ANA patterns was discussed as a future
      addition to the website. To advance the ICAP goal of promoting wider
      international participation, it was agreed that there should be a consolidated
      plan to translate consensus documents into other languages by recruiting help
      from members of the respective communities. 

PMID- 27252256
TI  - Toward new criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus-a standpoint.
AB  - While clearly different in their aims and means, classification and diagnosis
      both try to accurately label the disease patients are suffering from. For
      systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), this is complicated by the multi-organ nature
      of the disease and by our incomplete understanding of its pathophysiology.
      Hallmarks of SLE are the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and multiple
      immune-mediated organ symptoms that are largely independent. In an attempt to
      overcome limitations of the current sets of SLE classification criteria, a new
      four-phase approach is being developed, which is jointly supported by the
      European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the American College of
      Rheumatology (ACR). This review attempts to delineate the performance of the
      current sets of criteria, the reasons for the decision for classification, and
      not diagnostic, criteria, and to provide a background of the current approach
      taken. 

PMID- 27252258
TI  - Autoantibodies, complement and type I interferon as biomarkers for personalized
      medicine in SLE.
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be a mysterious disease, presenting with
      extremely divergent clinical phenotypes. Already, biomarkers are very helpful
      tools for diagnosis, assessment and monitoring of disease activity, differential
      diagnosis of clinical manifestations, prediction of the disease course and
      stratified therapy, and they hold the key to personalized medicine in SLE. We
      summarize the clinical information that can only be supplied by autoantibodies,
      complement components and interferon biomarkers in this diverse disease. 

PMID- 27252257
TI  - Multiparametric detection of autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous disease with respect to
      disease manifestations, disease progression and treatment response. Therefore,
      strategies to identify biomarkers that help distinguishing SLE subgroups are a
      major focus of biomarker research. We reasoned that a multiparametric
      autoantibody profiling approach combined with data mining tools could be applied
      to identify SLE patient clusters. We used a bead-based array containing 86
      antigens including diverse nuclear and immune defense pathway proteins. Sixty
      four autoantibodies were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in SLE (n = 69)
      compared to healthy controls (HC, n = 59). Using binary cut-off thresholds (95%
      quantile of HC), hierarchical clustering of SLE patients yields five clusters,
      which differ qualitatively and in their total number of autoantibodies. In two
      patient clusters the overall accumulated autoantibody reactivity of all antigens
      tested was 31% and 48%, respectively. We observed a positive association between
      the autoantibody signature present in these two patient clusters and the clinical
      manifestation of glomerulonephritis (GLMN). In addition, groups of autoantibodies
      directed against distinct intracellular compartments and/or biological motifs
      characterize the different SLE subgroups. Our findings highlight the relevant
      potential of multiparametric autoantibody detection and may contribute to a
      deeper understanding of the clinical and serological diversity of SLE. 

PMID- 27252259
TI  - Advances in the treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease with clinical
      manifestations of differing severity which may present with skin manifestations
      as primary sign of the disease (cutaneous lupus erythematosus, CLE) or as part of
      a disease spectrum (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE). To date, no drugs are
      approved specifically for the treatment of CLE and only single agents have been
      applied in randomized controlled trials. Therefore, topical and systemic agents
      are used "off-label", primarily based on open-label studies, case series,
      retrospective analyses, and expert opinions. In contrast, several agents, such as
      hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and belimumab,
      are approved for the treatment of SLE. Recent approaches in the understanding of
      the molecular pathogenesis of LE enabled the development of further new agents,
      which target molecules such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interferon (IFN). Only
      single trials, however, applied these new agents in patients with cutaneous
      involvement of the disease and/or included endpoints which evaluated the efficacy
      of these agents on skin manifestations. This article provides an updated review
      on new and recent approaches in the treatment of CLE. 

PMID- 27252260
TI  - Preventing the development of SLE: identifying risk factors and proposing
      pathways for clinical care.
AB  - Although challenging, developing evidence-based approaches to an early and
      accurate diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus is a key approach to
      preventing disease and lupus-associated morbidity and mortality. Advances in our
      understanding of preclinical and incomplete lupus erythematosus have enabled the
      identification of risk factors that may predict disease and the development of
      potential strategies aimed at primary prevention. Emerging data support the
      notion that there is a temporal disease progression from initial asymptomatic
      autoimmunity (preclinical lupus) through early clinical features of the disease
      (incomplete lupus erythematosus) to finally becoming fully classifiable systemic
      lupus erythematosus (complete lupus erythematosus). Here, we review the
      demographic, clinical, biomarker as well as genetic and environmental features
      that are reported to increase the risk of disease progression. Based on these
      risk factors, we propose a clinical care pathway for patients with early disease.
      We envisage that such a pathway, through early identification of disease, may
      improve patient outcomes, while reducing health care costs. 

PMID- 27252261
TI  - B-cell subsets, signaling and their roles in secretion of autoantibodies.
AB  - B cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In
      patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the percentages of plasmablasts
      and IgD(-)CD27(-) double-negative memory B cells in peripheral blood are
      significantly increased, while IgD(+)CD27(+) IgM memory B cells are significantly
      decreased compared to healthy donors. The phenotypic change is significantly
      associated with disease activity and concentration of autoantibodies. Treatment
      of B-cell depletion using rituximab results in the reconstitution of peripheral B
      cells in SLE patients with subsequent improvement in disease activity. Numerous
      studies have described abnormalities in B-cell receptor (BCR)-mediated signaling
      in B cells of SLE patients. Since differences in BCR signaling are considered to
      dictate the survival or death of naive and memory B cells, aberrant BCR signal
      can lead to abnormality of B-cell subsets in SLE patients. Although Syk and Btk
      function as key molecules in BCR signaling, their pathological role in SLE
      remains unclear. We found that Syk and Btk do not only transduce activation
      signal through BCR, but also mediate crosstalk between BCR and Toll-like receptor
      (TLR) as well as BCR and JAK-STAT pathways in human B cells in vitro. In
      addition, pronounced Syk and Btk phosphorylation was observed in B cells of
      patients with active SLE compared to those of healthy individuals. The results
      suggest the involvement of Syk and Btk activation in abnormalities of BCR
      mediated signaling and B-cell phenotypes during the pathological process of SLE
      and that Syk, Btk and JAK are potential therapeutic targets in SLE. 

PMID- 27252262
TI  - Organ involvement other than lupus nephritis in childhood-onset systemic lupus
      erythematosus.
AB  - In this review we critically analyze pulmonary, gastrointestinal and cardiac
      manifestations of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). Clinical
      manifestations of these organ systems may be the initial manifestation of cSLE;
      frequently occur with very active cSLE; and are potential life-threatening
      manifestations often presenting to the emergency department and requiring
      admission to the intensive care unit. Early recognition and treatment of the
      pulmonary, gastrointestinal and cardiac manifestations of cSLE will result in
      improved prognosis and better outcomes. 

PMID- 27252263
TI  - International multi-center evaluation of a novel chemiluminescence assay for the
      detection of anti-dsDNA antibodies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Anti-double stranded desoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA) antibodies
      are considered fairly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their
      quantification is useful for the clinical management of SLE patients. We assessed
      the diagnostic performance of the QUANTA Flash dsDNA chemiluminescent immunoassay
      (CIA) in comparison to an ELISA, using patients from five participating
      countries. The main focus was to evaluate the correlation between anti-dsDNA
      antibody results from the CIA and global SLE disease activity, as measured by the
      SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of
      1431 samples (SLE, n = 843; disease controls, n = 588) from five countries
      (Canada, USA, Portugal, Sweden and Spain) were tested with QUANTA Flash dsDNA
      (Inova Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, USA). Data obtained with the QUANTA Lite dsDNA
      SC ELISA (Inova Diagnostics) were available for samples from three sites (Canada,
      USA and Sweden, n = 566). The SLEDAI-2K scores were available for 805 SLE
      patients and a cut-off of > 4 was used to define active disease. RESULTS: QUANTA
      Flash dsDNA had a sensitivity of 54.3% for the diagnosis of SLE, combined with
      89.8% specificity. Anti-dsDNA antibody levels were significantly higher (p <
      0.0001) in active SLE (SLEDAI-2K > 4; n = 232; median value 83.0 IU/mL) versus
      the inactive patients (n = 573; median value 22.3 IU/mL), and the SLEDAI-2K
      scoring correlated with their dsDNA antibody levels (Spearman's rho = 0.44, p <
      0.0001). Similar but less pronounced findings were also found for the ELISA, in
      relation to disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: The QUANTA Flash dsDNA assay showed
      good clinical performance in a large international multi-center study.
      Additionally, the strong correlation between anti-dsDNA antibody results and
      SLEDAI-2K scores supported the potential utility of QUANTA Flash dsDNA for
      monitoring disease activity.

PMID- 27252264
TI  - Anti-C1q in systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - C1q is the first component of the classical complement pathway. Both clinically
      validated in-house ELISA assays as well as commercial ELISA kits are used for
      detection of anti-C1q antibodies. Anti-C1q autoantibodies can be detected in a
      wide range of autoimmune diseases and are highly sensitive for hypocomplementemic
      uticarial vasculitis. In SLE, anti-C1q are strongly associated with proliferative
      lupus nephritis, and their absence carries a negative predictive value for
      development of lupus nephritis of close to 100%. Anti-C1q in combination with
      anti-dsDNA and low complement has the strongest serological association with
      renal involvement. The anti-C1q titers correlate with global disease activity
      scores in patients with renal involvement, and higher titers seem to precede
      renal flares. After the successful treatment of a renal flare, anti-C1q has the
      tendency to decrease or even become undetectable. The main obstacle to the
      inclusion of anti-C1q in the classification criteria and clinical management of
      SLE is the lack of standardized laboratory assays. 

PMID- 27252265
TI  - Complement levels and anti-C1q autoantibodies in patients with neuropsychiatric
      systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to analyse serum levels of anti-C1q,
      C1q circulating immune complexes (CIC), complement activation and complement
      components in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients during the first
      central nervous system neuropsychiatric (NP) event and to define the possible
      association between these results and clinical and laboratory characteristics.
      METHODS: A total of 280 patients suspected of having NP involvement due to SLE
      were recruited in the Leiden NPSLE-clinic. All SLE patients were classified
      according to the ACR 1982 revised criteria for the classification of SLE. The
      clinical disease activity was measured by the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000
      (SLEDAI-2K) and NP diagnoses were classified according to the 1999 ACR case
      definitions for NPSLE. We measured in serum of all patients anti-C1q and C1q CIC
      levels, the activation capacity of complement (CH50 and AP50) and different
      complement components (C1q, C3, C4). RESULTS: In 92 patients the symptoms were
      attributed to SLE. NPSLE patients consisted of 63 patients with focal NPSLE and
      34 patients with diffuse NPSLE. Anti-C1q antibodies were significantly higher and
      CH50, AP50 and C3 were significantly lower in NPSLE patients compared with SLE
      patients without NPSLE. This association was specially marked for diffuse NPSLE
      while no differences were found for focal NPSLE. After using potential
      predictors, decreased C4 remained significantly associated with focal NPSLE, but
      only when antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) were included in the model. C3 and
      AP50 were independently associated with diffuse NPSLE. When SLEDAI-2K was
      included in the model these two associations were lost. When individual NPSLE
      syndromes were analysed, psychosis and cognitive dysfunction showed significantly
      lower values of complement activation capacity and all complement components. No
      significant associations were seen for other individual NPSLE syndromes.
      CONCLUSION: The associations between diffuse NPSLE and anti-C1q, C3/AP50 and
      focal NPSLE and C4 may be explained by disease activity and the presence of aPL,
      respectively. The role of complement activation and complement components in
      lupus psychosis and cognitive dysfunction merits further research.

PMID- 27252266
TI  - Clinical and serological associations of autoantibodies to the Ku70/Ku80
      heterodimer determined by a novel chemiluminescent immunoassay.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autoantibodies targeting Ku, an abundant nuclear protein with DNA
      helicase activity, have been reported in patients with systemic autoimmune
      rheumatic diseases. Little is known about the clinical associations of anti-Ku
      antibodies, especially when novel diagnostic technologies are used. The objective
      of the present study was to analyse the prevalence of anti-Ku antibodies in
      different medical conditions using a novel chemiluminescent immunoassay. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Serum samples from adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
      (SLE, n=305), systemic sclerosis (SSc, n=70) and autoimmune myositis patients
      (AIM, n=109) were the primary focus of the study. Results were compared with
      disease controls (rheumatoid arthritis, RA, n=30; infectious diseases, n=17) and
      healthy individuals (n=167). In addition, samples submitted for routine
      autoantibody testing from patients referred to a rheumatology clinic (n=1078)
      were studied. All samples were tested for anti-Ku antibodies by QUANTA Flash Ku
      chemiluminescent immunoassay (research use only, Inova Diagnostics, San Diego,
      USA) using full length recombinant human Ku. SLE patient samples were also tested
      for other autoantibodies. Clinical data of anti-Ku antibody positive patients
      (high titres) were obtained by retrospective chart review. RESULTS AND FINDINGS:
      In the disease cohorts, 30/305 (9.8%) SLE, 3/70 (4.3%) systemic sclerosis and
      4/109 (3.7%) autoimmune myositis (AIM) patients were positive, respectively. The
      four positive AIM patients had an overlap myositis syndrome that included two
      patients with SLE. The three systemic sclerosis (SSc) positive samples had
      diagnoses of SSc/SLE overlap, diffuse cutaneous SSc, and early edematous phase
      SSc. In the control cohorts, 2/170 (1.2%) healthy individuals (all low titre),
      0/30 (0.0%) (RA) and 0/17 (0.0%) infectious disease patients were positive. The
      area under the curve values were: 0.75 for SLE vs. controls, 0.68 for SSc vs.
      controls and 0.37 for AIM vs. CONTROLS: In the rheumatology clinic referral
      cohort, 12/1078 (1.1%) were positive for anti-Ku antibodies, nine showing low and
      three high titres. The diagnoses of the three high positive anti-Ku positive
      patients were: probable SLE, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and ANA
      positive RA. CONCLUSION: Anti-Ku antibodies detected by chemiluminescent
      immunoassay are most prevalent in SLE. When found in AIM and SSc, they were
      associated with overlap syndrome and early SSc.

PMID- 27252267
TI  - Development and multi-center evaluation of a novel immunoadsorption method for
      anti-DFS70 antibodies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) represent a hallmark in the diagnosis of
      ANA-associated rheumatic diseases (AARD). However, anti-DFS70 antibodies are
      present in a higher portion of the healthy individuals (HI) than in patients with
      AARD. Consequently, we developed a novel, highly specific indirect
      immunofluorescence (IIF) method that blocks anti-DFS70 antibodies from binding to
      HEp-2 cells and to evaluate the method in a multi-center study. METHODS: A total
      of 18 samples from systemic lupus erythematosus patients (SLE, n = 7) and HI (n =
      11) were used for the initial development of the immunoadsorption method. For the
      multi-center evaluation, samples with a dense fine speckled (DFS) pattern (n =
      99) were collected at three different sites based on their established IIF
      screening procedure at the respective laboratories. Additionally, four
      characterized samples with established clinically relevant IIF patterns
      (centromere, nucleolar, speckled, homogeneous) were blended in five different
      ratios (10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%) with a sample positive for anti-DFS70
      antibodies, which by itself showed a dense fine speckled (DFS) IIF pattern. All
      samples were tested by IIF with NOVA Lite HEp-2 ANA and NOVA Lite HEp-2 Select on
      the NOVA View(r) instrument, and also tested by QUANTA Flash DFS70
      chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA) for confirmation of anti-DFS70 antibodies
      (Inova Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, USA). RESULTS: For the development of the
      immunoadsorption method, only 1/7 ANA-positive samples from SLE patients, but
      8/10 ANA-positive samples from healthy individuals turned negative using the
      immunoadsorption. Subsequently, 73/99 (73.7%) of the DFS pattern samples were
      positive by CIA for anti-DFS70 antibodies showing a strong quantitative
      Spearman's correlation (rho = 0.57 (95% CI, 0.39-0.71, p < 0.0001)) between light
      intensity units (LIU) measured by NOVA View and CIA. Intensities measured with
      NOVA Lite HEp-2 and NOVA Lite HEp-2 Select demonstrated significantly lower
      intensity values after inhibition with DFS70 antigen (p < 0.0001). When samples
      were processed to mimic samples with mixed patterns (DFS + clinically relevant
      pattern), the new immunoadsorption method demonstrated that all clinically
      relevant patterns remained unchanged whereas the LIUs from NOVA View analysis
      significantly decreased after inhibition (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The data
      showed that the NOVA Lite HEp-2 Select kit effectively inhibits anti-DFS70
      antibody binding to its cellular target antigen.

PMID- 27252268
TI  - Anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I epitope specificity: from experimental models to
      diagnostic tools.
AB  - Beta-2 glycoprotein I (beta2GPI) is the main antigenic target for anti
      phospholipid antibodies (aPL), the serological markers of anti-phospholipid
      syndrome (APS). Conformational changes of the molecule seem to be essential for
      exposing the cryptic epitope for aPL binding and to trigger pathogenic pathways.
      There is increasing evidence that a conformational epitope located in the Domain
      I (DI) of the molecule is the main epitope targeted by human autoantibodies. The
      pathogenic role of the DI epitope has been recently supported by in vivo models
      and by immuno-histopathological findings in APS patients. Antibodies targeting
      beta2GPI-DI are more frequently detected in patients with full-blown APS compared
      to asymptomatic aPL carriers or patients with infectious diseases who have
      antibodies directed against the whole molecule. Anti-DI antibodies are positively
      correlated with medium to high titres of aPL, with the presence of lupus
      anticoagulant and thrombotic and pregnancy manifestations, enabling
      identification of patients at higher risk of clinical events. However, some APS
      patients develop antibodies reacting against beta2GPI epitopes other than DI,
      suggesting that other anti-beta2GPI antibody subsets may be clinically relevant.
      Although preliminary results suggest that anti-DI antibodies can be detected by
      different assays in a comparable manner, further prospective studies are needed
      to support their use in the clinical setting and their predictive value. 

PMID- 27252269
TI  - Autoantibodies to domain 1 of beta 2 glycoprotein I determined using a novel
      chemiluminescence immunoassay demonstrate association with thrombosis in patients
      with antiphospholipid syndrome.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Antibodies to the domain 1 of beta 2 glycoprotein I (beta2GPI-D1)
      have been suggested as a risk marker for thrombosis in patients with the
      antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the
      clinical utility of a novel chemiluminescence assay for the detection of anti
      beta2GPI-D1 antibodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sera collected from patients with
      primary or secondary APS (n = 106; 72 with and 34 without history of thrombosis)
      and controls (n = 272) were tested for anti-beta2GPI-D1 IgG by chemiluminescence
      assay (QUANTA Flash) and by two anti-beta2GPI IgG assays (QUANTA Lite and QUANTA
      Flash beta2GPI IgG). RESULTS: Anti-beta2GPI-D1 IgG titers were significantly
      higher in patients with thrombosis (P = 0.0032) than those without. At the cut
      off of 20 units, which yielded a 99.5% specificity, 24 of 72 (34.9%) patients
      with thrombosis and four of 34 (11.8%) without thrombosis were anti-beta2GPI-D1
      IgG positive (odds ratio, OR = 4.0). By further optimizing the cut-off
      specifically for correlation with thrombosis, 20.8% of the patients with
      thrombosis and 2.9% of the patients without thrombosis were positive (OR = 8.7).
      The ORs were significantly lower for antibodies to the full-length beta2GPI by
      either the chemiluminescence assay or ELISA. Using the anti-beta2GPI
      chemiluminescence assay, the OR was 2.3 (recommended cut-off of 20 CU) or 4.1
      (optimal cut-off 164.6 CU). Using the anti-beta2GPI ELISA, the OR was 2.7
      (recommended cut-off of 20 units) or 3.7 (optimal cut-off 7.6 units). CONCLUSION:
      These data indicate that anti-beta2GPI-D1 IgG are present more frequently and in
      higher titers in APS patients with thrombotic complications than in those
      without.The novel beta2GPI-D1 chemiluminescence assay appears to be superior to
      full-length beta2GPI assays for the risk assessment of thrombotic events in APS
      patients.

PMID- 27252270
TI  - Diagnostic ANCA algorithms in daily clinical practice: evidence, experience, and
      effectiveness.
AB  - Detection of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) for ANCA-associated
      vasculitides (AAV) is based on indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on ethanol-fixed
      neutrophils and reactivity toward myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3).
      According to the international consensus for ANCA testing, presence of ANCA
      should at least be screened for by IIF and, if positive, followed by antigen
      specific immunoassays. Optimally, all samples are analyzed by both IIF and
      quantitative antigen-specific immunoassays. Since the establishment of this
      consensus many new technologies have become available and this has challenged the
      positioning of IIF in the testing algorithm for AAV. In the current paper, we
      summarize the novelties in ANCA diagnostics and discuss the possible implications
      of these developments for the different ANCA algorithms that are currently
      applied in routine diagnostic laboratories. Possible consequences of replacing
      ANCA assays by novel methods are illustrated by our data obtained in daily
      clinical practice. Eventually, it is questioned if there is a need to change the
      consensus, and if so, whether IIF can be discarded completely, or be used as a
      confirmation assay instead of a screening assay. Both alternative options require
      that ANCA requests for AAV can be separated from ANCA requests for
      gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 27252271
TI  - Clinical significance and new detection system of autoantibodies in myositis with
      interstitial lung disease.
AB  - Anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) and anti-melanoma differentiation-associated
      gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies are closely associated with interstitial lung disease in
      polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Anti-ARS-positive patients develop common
      clinical characteristics termed anti-synthetase syndrome and share a common
      clinical course, in which they respond well to initial treatment with
      glucocorticoids but in which disease tends to recur when glucocorticoids are
      tapered. Anti-MDA5 antibody is associated with rapidly progressive interstitial
      lung disease and poor prognosis, particularly in Asia. Therefore, intensive
      immunosuppressive therapy is required for anti-MDA5-positive patients from the
      early phase of the disease. New enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to detect anti
      ARS and anti-MDA5 antibodies have recently been established and are suggested to
      be efficient and useful. These assays are expected to be widely applied in daily
      practice. 

PMID- 27252272
TI  - Sweet but dangerous - the role of immunoglobulin G glycosylation in autoimmunity
      and inflammation.
AB  - Glycosylation is well-known to modulate the functional capabilities of
      immunoglobulin G (IgG)-mediated cellular and humoral responses. Indeed, highly
      sialylated and desialylated IgG is endowed with anti- and pro-inflammatory
      activities, respectively, whereas fully deglycosylated IgG is a rather lame duck,
      with no effector function besides toxin neutralization. Recently, several studies
      revealed the impact of different glycosylation patterns on the Fc part and Fab
      fragment of IgG in several autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we provide a synoptic
      update summarizing the most important aspects of antibody glycosylation, and the
      current progress in this field. We also discuss the therapeutic options generated
      by the modification of the glycosylation of IgG in a potential treatment for
      chronic inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 27252273
TI  - Reactive oxygen homeostasis - the balance for preventing autoimmunity.
AB  - Being mainly known for their role in the antimicrobial defense and collateral
      damage they cause in tissues as agents of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen
      species were considered "the bad guys" for decades. However, in the last years it
      was shown that the absence of reactive oxygen species can lead to the development
      of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Animal models of lupus, arthritis and
      psoriasis revealed reactive oxygen species-deficiency as a potent driver of
      pathogenesis. On the contrary, in chronic stages oxidative stress can still
      contribute to progression of inflammation. It seems that a neatly adjusted redox
      balance is necessary to sustain an immune state that both prevents the
      development of overt autoimmunity and attenuates chronic stages of disease. 

PMID- 27252274
TI  - GPs charged with manslaughter of 12 year old boy are acquitted.

PMID- 27252276
TI  - Molecular picture of cobalamin C/D defects before and after newborn screening
      era.
AB  - Objective Birth prevalence of Cobalamin (Cbl) C or D defects in Portugal is an
      estimated 1:85,000, one of the highest worldwide. We compared the
      genotype/phenotype of patients identified with CblC or CblD before and after the
      implementation of expanded newborn screening. Methods Twenty-five Portuguese
      CblC/D patients, 14 symptomatic and 11 identified through screening, were
      diagnosed using gas chromatography or tandem mass spectrometry. Molecular
      characterization was performed through the study of MMACHC and MMADHC genes.
      Results The most common MMACHC mutation, c.271dupA, was present in 100% of MMACHC
      alleles of all CblC screened patients, in contrast with the 61% identified before
      expanded newborn screening. All studied cases (except one, who presented a CblD
      deficiency) presented a CblC defect. More CblC late-onset patients were diagnosed
      before the introduction of newborn screening than in the post newborn screening
      era, probably because some early onset patients died without a definitive
      diagnosis. Conclusion The molecular data found in this cohort contribute to the
      improvement of screening and diagnosis of Cbl defects and would enable a
      confirmatory diagnosis of these patients, reducing the need for complex, costly,
      laborious, and time-consuming biochemical/enzymatic tests.

PMID- 27252277
TI  - When Is It Appropriate to Use Arginine in Critical Illness?
AB  - In health, arginine is considered a nonessential amino acid but can become an
      essential amino acid (ie, conditionally essential amino acid) during periods of
      metabolic or traumatic stress as endogenous arginine supply is inadequate to meet
      physiologic demands. Arginine depletion in critical illness is associated with
      impairments in microcirculatory blood flow, impaired wound healing, and T-cell
      dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to (1) describe arginine metabolism
      and role in health and critical illness, (2) describe the relationship between
      arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine, and (3) review studies of supplemental
      arginine in critically ill patients. 

PMID- 27252278
TI  - Physiological Aspects of Female Fertility: Role of the Environment, Modern
      Lifestyle, and Genetics.
AB  - Across the Western World there is an increasing trend to postpone childbearing.
      Consequently, the negative influence of age on oocyte quality may lead to a
      difficulty in conceiving for many couples. Furthermore, lifestyle factors may
      exacerbate a couple's difficulty in conceiving due mainly to the metabolic
      influence of obesity; however, the negative impacts of low peripheral body fat,
      excessive exercise, the increasing prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases,
      and smoking all have significant negative effects on fertility. Other factors
      that impede conception are the perceived increasing prevalence of the polycystic
      ovary syndrome, which is further exacerbated by obesity, and the presence of
      uterine fibroids and endometriosis (a progressive pelvic inflammatory disorder)
      which are more prevalent in older women. A tendency for an earlier sexual debut
      and to have more sexual partners has led to an increase in sexually transmitted
      diseases. In addition, there are several genetic influences that may limit the
      number of oocytes within the ovary; consequently, by postponing attempts at
      childbearing, a limitation of oocyte number may become evident, whereas in
      previous generations with earlier conception this potentially reduced
      reproductive life span did not manifest in infertility. Environmental influences
      on reproduction are under increasing scrutiny. Although firm evidence is lacking
      however, dioxin exposure may be linked to endometriosis, phthalate exposure may
      influence ovarian reserve, and bisphenol A may interfere with oocyte development
      and maturation. However, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is recognized to lead to
      ovarian damage and predispose the woman to ovarian failure.

PMID- 27252279
TI  - TRPV4: Molecular Conductor of a Diverse Orchestra.
AB  - Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) is a calcium-permeable
      nonselective cation channel, originally described in 2000 by research teams led
      by Schultz (Nat Cell Biol 2: 695-702, 2000) and Liedtke (Cell 103: 525-535,
      2000). TRPV4 is now recognized as being a polymodal ionotropic receptor that is
      activated by a disparate array of stimuli, ranging from hypotonicity to heat and
      acidic pH. Importantly, this ion channel is constitutively expressed and capable
      of spontaneous activity in the absence of agonist stimulation, which suggests
      that it serves important physiological functions, as does its widespread
      dissemination throughout the body and its capacity to interact with other
      proteins. Not surprisingly, therefore, it has emerged more recently that TRPV4
      fulfills a great number of important physiological roles and that various disease
      states are attributable to the absence, or abnormal functioning, of this ion
      channel. Here, we review the known characteristics of this ion channel's
      structure, localization and function, including its activators, and examine its
      functional importance in health and disease.

PMID- 27252280
TI  - Public Space, Public Waste, and the Right to the City.
AB  - I draw on my experiences as an organizer with a waste-pickers collective, Kagad
      Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat in Pune, India, to reflect on the power dynamics
      in control of public space. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), a public body,
      has used public resources to facilitate and enable accumulation by private
      companies, who have not been able to produce what they had committed to in the
      processing of waste. The waste pickers, in alliance with affected village-based
      land agitation committees, have mobilized against the dumping that is ruining
      their way of life, environments, and health, and are fighting for their own
      integration into waste value chains. The article uses the frame of David
      Harvey's(1) "right to the city"; a key part of the mobilizing work with waste
      pickers has been Freirean conscientization methods to spread awareness of the
      economic importance, to the city and to the planet, of waste recycling. 

PMID- 27252281
TI  - The Informal Economy: Recent Trends, Future Directions.
AB  - Informal employment represents more than half of nonagricultural employment in
      most developing regions, contributes to the overall economy, and provides
      pathways to reduction of poverty and inequality. Support to the informal economy
      should include the expansion of occupational health and safety to include
      informal workers, based on an analysis of their work places and work risks. The
      paper presents main schools of thought and argues for a holistic understanding of
      the different segments of the informal work force and for policies and
      interventions tailored to the needs and constraints of these different segments.
      The paper recommends a policy approach which seeks to extend social protection,
      including occupational health and safety services, to informal workers, and to
      increase the productivity of informal enterprises and informal workers through an
      enabling environment and support services. The paper calls for a new paradigm of
      a hybrid economy which would value and integrate the informal economy alongside
      the formal economies. 

PMID- 27252282
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27252291
TI  - Last Exit to Differentiation: Histone Variants as Signposts.

PMID- 27252293
TI  - What the Nucellus Can Tell Us.

PMID- 27252294
TI  - Bringing Climate Change into the Life Science Classroom: Essentials, Impacts on
      Life, and Addressing Misconceptions.

PMID- 27252292
TI  - Phytochrome Signaling Is Mediated by PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR in the
      Liverwort Marchantia polymorpha.
AB  - Phytochromes are red light (R) and far-red light (FR) receptors that play
      important roles in many aspects of plant growth and development. Phytochromes
      mainly function in the nucleus and regulate sets of genes by inhibiting
      negatively acting basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors named PHYTOCHROME
      INTERACTING FACTORs (PIFs) in Arabidopsis thaliana Although R/FR photoreversible
      responses and phytochrome genes are well documented in diverse lineages of
      plants, the extent to which phytochrome signaling is mediated by gene regulation
      beyond angiosperms remains largely unclear. Here, we show that the liverwort
      Marchantia polymorpha, an emerging model basal land plant, has only one
      phytochrome gene, Mp-PHY, and only one PIF gene, Mp-PIF These genes mediate
      typical low fluence responses, which are reversibly elicited by R and FR, and
      regulate gene expression. Mp-phy is light-stable and translocates into the
      nucleus upon irradiation with either R or FR, demonstrating that the single
      phytochrome Mp-phy exhibits combined biochemical and cell-biological
      characteristics of type I and type II phytochromes. Mp-phy photoreversibly
      regulates gemma germination and downstream gene expression by interacting with Mp
      PIF and targeting it for degradation in an R-dependent manner. Our findings
      suggest that the molecular mechanisms for light-dependent transcriptional
      regulation mediated by PIF transcription factors were established early in land
      plant evolution.

PMID- 27252295
TI  - Exploring the MACH Model's Potential as a Metacognitive Tool to Help
      Undergraduate Students Monitor Their Explanations of Biological Mechanisms.
AB  - When undergraduate biology students learn to explain biological mechanisms, they
      face many challenges and may overestimate their understanding of living systems.
      Previously, we developed the MACH model of four components used by expert
      biologists to explain mechanisms: Methods, Analogies, Context, and How. This
      study explores the implementation of the model in an undergraduate biology
      classroom as an educational tool to address some of the known challenges. To find
      out how well students' written explanations represent components of the MACH
      model before and after they were taught about it and why students think the MACH
      model was useful, we conducted an exploratory multiple case study with four
      interview participants. We characterize how two students explained biological
      mechanisms before and after a teaching intervention that used the MACH
      components. Inductive analysis of written explanations and interviews showed that
      MACH acted as an effective metacognitive tool for all four students by helping
      them to monitor their understanding, communicate explanations, and identify
      explanatory gaps. Further research, though, is needed to more fully substantiate
      the general usefulness of MACH for promoting students' metacognition about their
      understanding of biological mechanisms. 

PMID- 27252296
TI  - Early Engagement in Course-Based Research Increases Graduation Rates and
      Completion of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Degrees.
AB  - National efforts to transform undergraduate biology education call for research
      experiences to be an integral component of learning for all students. Course
      based undergraduate research experiences, or CUREs, have been championed for
      engaging students in research at a scale that is not possible through
      apprenticeships in faculty research laboratories. Yet there are few if any
      studies that examine the long-term effects of participating in CUREs on desired
      student outcomes, such as graduating from college and completing a science,
      technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) major. One CURE program, the
      Freshman Research Initiative (FRI), has engaged thousands of first-year
      undergraduates over the past decade. Using propensity score-matching to control
      for student-level differences, we tested the effect of participating in FRI on
      students' probability of graduating with a STEM degree, probability of graduating
      within 6 yr, and grade point average (GPA) at graduation. Students who completed
      all three semesters of FRI were significantly more likely than their non-FRI
      peers to earn a STEM degree and graduate within 6 yr. FRI had no significant
      effect on students' GPAs at graduation. The effects were similar for diverse
      students. These results provide the most robust and best-controlled evidence to
      date to support calls for early involvement of undergraduates in research. 

PMID- 27252297
TI  - Multilevel Assessment of Middle School Students' Interest in the Health Sciences:
      Development and Validation of a New Measurement Tool.
AB  - Using the context of a 2-wk instructional unit focused on eye and vision health,
      we developed and validated a multilevel measure of middle school students'
      interest in science and health careers. This survey contained three subscales
      positioned differently with respect to curricular content. Interest in Vision
      Care was most related, but less transferrable to other contexts. Interest in
      Science was most general, and Interest in Healthcare was positioned between the
      two. We found that, with two exceptions, items fitted well with validity
      expectations and were stable across a 2-wk intervention. Further, measures of
      interest in science, health, and vision-care careers were shown to be reliable
      and valid. We found that ease of facilitating change across the intervention was
      generally greater in subscales closely related to the curricular context but that
      the average magnitude of change in Interest in Healthcare and Interest in Science
      was not significantly different. We discuss use of these measures in informing
      instructional efforts and advise that changes in students' perceptions of how
      science and healthcare relate should be considered in longitudinal analyses. 

PMID- 27252298
TI  - Improved Student Learning through a Faculty Learning Community: How Faculty
      Collaboration Transformed a Large-Enrollment Course from Lecture to Student
      Centered.
AB  - Undergraduate introductory biology courses are changing based on our growing
      understanding of how students learn and rapid scientific advancement in the
      biological sciences. At Iowa State University, faculty instructors are
      transforming a second-semester large-enrollment introductory biology course to
      include active learning within the lecture setting. To support this change, we
      set up a faculty learning community (FLC) in which instructors develop new
      pedagogies, adapt active-learning strategies to large courses, discuss challenges
      and progress, critique and revise classroom interventions, and share materials.
      We present data on how the collaborative work of the FLC led to increased
      implementation of active-learning strategies and a concurrent improvement in
      student learning. Interestingly, student learning gains correlate with the
      percentage of classroom time spent in active-learning modes. Furthermore, student
      attitudes toward learning biology are weakly positively correlated with these
      learning gains. At our institution, the FLC framework serves as an agent of
      iterative emergent change, resulting in the creation of a more student-centered
      course that better supports learning. 

PMID- 27252299
TI  - Cognitive Difficulty and Format of Exams Predicts Gender and Socioeconomic Gaps
      in Exam Performance of Students in Introductory Biology Courses.
AB  - Recent reform efforts in undergraduate biology have recommended transforming
      course exams to test at more cognitively challenging levels, which may mean
      including more cognitively challenging and more constructed-response questions on
      assessments. However, changing the characteristics of exams could result in bias
      against historically underserved groups. In this study, we examined whether and
      to what extent the characteristics of instructor-generated tests impact the exam
      performance of male and female and middle/high- and low-socioeconomic status
      (SES) students enrolled in introductory biology courses. We collected exam scores
      for 4810 students from 87 unique exams taken across 3 yr of the introductory
      biology series at a large research university. We determined the median Bloom's
      level and the percentage of constructed-response questions for each exam. Despite
      controlling for prior academic ability in our models, we found that males and
      middle/high-SES students were disproportionately favored as the Bloom's level of
      exams increased. Additionally, middle/high-SES students were favored as the
      proportion of constructed-response questions on exams increased. Given that we
      controlled for prior academic ability, our findings do not likely reflect
      differences in academic ability level. We discuss possible explanations for our
      findings and how they might impact how we assess our students. 

PMID- 27252300
TI  - Development of a Lac Operon Concept Inventory (LOCI).
AB  - Concept inventories (CIs) are valuable tools for educators that assess student
      achievement and identify misconceptions held by students. Results of student
      responses can be used to adjust or develop new instructional methods for a given
      topic. The regulation of gene expression in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes is an
      important concept in genetics and one that is particularly challenging for
      undergraduate students. As part of a larger study examining instructional methods
      related to gene regulation, the authors developed a 12-item CI assessing student
      knowledge of the lac operon. Using an established protocol, the authors wrote
      open-ended questions and conducted in-class testing with undergraduate
      microbiology and genetics students to discover common errors made by students
      about the lac operon and to determine aspects of item validity. Using these
      results, we constructed a 12-item multiple-choice lac operon CI called the Lac
      Operon Concept Inventory (LOCI), The LOCI was reviewed by two experts in the
      field for content validity. The LOCI underwent item analysis and was assessed for
      reliability with a sample of undergraduate genetics students (n = 115). The data
      obtained were found to be valid and reliable (coefficient alpha = 0.994) with
      adequate discriminatory power and item difficulty. 

PMID- 27252301
TI  - Opening Doors to Inclusion and Engagement.

PMID- 27252302
TI  - President's Message: Transcultural Nursing Certification: Credentials Matter.

PMID- 27252303
TI  - The Migrant Crisis and Social Justice.

PMID- 27252305
TI  - Mutational Evidence for the Critical Role of CBF Transcription Factors in Cold
      Acclimation in Arabidopsis.
AB  - The three tandemly arranged CBF genes, CBF1, CBF2, and CBF3, are involved in cold
      acclimation. Due to the lack of stable loss-of-function Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis
      thaliana) mutants deficient in all three CBF genes, it is still unclear whether
      the CBF genes are essential for freezing tolerance and whether they may have
      other functions besides cold acclimation. In this study, we used the CRISPR/Cas9
      system to generate cbf single, double, and triple mutants. Compared to the wild
      type, the cbf triple mutants are extremely sensitive to freezing after cold
      acclimation, demonstrating that the three CBF genes are essential for cold
      acclimation. Our results show that the three CBF genes also contribute to basal
      freezing tolerance. Unexpectedly, we found that the cbf triple mutants are
      defective in seedling development and salt stress tolerance. Transcript profiling
      revealed that the CBF genes regulate 414 cold-responsive (COR) genes, of which
      346 are CBF-activated genes and 68 are CBF-repressed genes. The analysis
      suggested that CBF proteins are extensively involved in the regulation of
      carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, cell wall modification, and gene
      transcription. Interestingly, like the triple mutants, cbf2 cbf3 double mutants
      are more sensitive to freezing after cold acclimation compared to the wild type,
      but cbf1 cbf3 double mutants are more resistant, suggesting that CBF2 is more
      important than CBF1 and CBF3 in cold acclimation-dependent freezing tolerance.
      Our results not only demonstrate that the three CBF genes together are required
      for cold acclimation and freezing tolerance, but also reveal that they are
      important for salt tolerance and seedling development.

PMID- 27252307
TI  - Using Random Forest Models to Identify Correlates of a Diabetic Peripheral
      Neuropathy Diagnosis from Electronic Health Record Data.
AB  - Objective: To identify variables correlated with a diagnosis of diabetic
      peripheral neuropathy (DPN) using random forest modeling applied to electronic
      health records. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Humedica de-identified
      electronic health records database. Subjects: Subjects >= 18 years old with type
      2 diabetes from January 1, 2008-September 30, 2013 having continuous data for 1
      year pre- and postindex with DPN (n = 35,050) and without DPN (n = 288,328) were
      identified. Methods: Demographic, clinical, and health care resource utilization
      variables (e.g., inpatient and outpatient encounters, medications, and
      procedures) were input into a random forest model to identify the most important
      correlates of a DPN diagnosis. Random forest modeling is a computationally
      extensive, robust data mining technique that accommodates large sets of variables
      to identify associated factors using an ensemble of classifications trees.
      Accuracy of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic
      curves (ROC). Results: The final random forest model consisted of the following
      variables (importance) associated with a DPN diagnosis: Charlson Comorbidity
      Index score (100%), age (37.1%), number of pre-index procedures and services
      (29.7%), number of pre-index outpatient prescriptions (24.2%), number of pre
      index outpatient visits (18.3%), number of pre-index laboratory visits (16.9%),
      number of pre-index outpatient office visits (12.1%), number of inpatient
      prescriptions (5.9%), and number of pain-related medication prescriptions (4.4%).
      ROC analysis confirmed model performance, with an area under the curve of 0.824
      and accuracy of 89.6% (95% confidence interval 89.4%, 89.8%). Conclusions: Random
      forest modeling can determine likelihood of a DPN diagnosis. Further validation
      of the random forest model may help facilitate earlier diagnosis and enhance
      management strategies.

PMID- 27252306
TI  - Chloroplast-Specific in Vivo Ca2+ Imaging Using Yellow Cameleon Fluorescent
      Protein Sensors Reveals Organelle-Autonomous Ca2+ Signatures in the Stroma.
AB  - In eukaryotes, subcellular compartments such as mitochondria, the endoplasmic
      reticulum, lysosomes, and vacuoles have the capacity for Ca(2+) transport across
      their membranes to modulate the activity of compartmentalized enzymes or to
      convey specific cellular signaling events. In plants, it has been suggested that
      chloroplasts also display Ca(2+) regulation. So far, monitoring of stromal Ca(2+)
      dynamics in vivo has exclusively relied on using the luminescent Ca(2+) probe
      aequorin. However, this technique is limited in resolution and can only provide a
      readout averaged over chloroplast populations from different cells and tissues.
      Here, we present a toolkit of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Ca(2+) sensor
      lines expressing plastid-targeted FRET-based Yellow Cameleon (YC) sensors. We
      demonstrate that the probes reliably report in vivo Ca(2+) dynamics in the stroma
      of root plastids in response to extracellular ATP and of leaf mesophyll and guard
      cell chloroplasts during light-to-low-intensity blue light illumination
      transition. Applying YC sensing of stromal Ca(2+) dynamics to single
      chloroplasts, we confirm findings of gradual, sustained stromal Ca(2+) increases
      at the tissue level after light-to-low-intensity blue light illumination
      transitions, but monitor transient Ca(2+) spiking as a distinct and previously
      unknown component of stromal Ca(2+) signatures. Spiking was dependent on the
      availability of cytosolic Ca(2+) but not synchronized between the chloroplasts of
      a cell. In contrast, the gradual sustained Ca(2+) increase occurred independent
      of cytosolic Ca(2+), suggesting intraorganellar Ca(2+) release. We demonstrate
      the capacity of the YC sensor toolkit to identify novel, fundamental facets of
      chloroplast Ca(2+) dynamics and to refine the understanding of plastidial Ca(2+)
      regulation.

PMID- 27252308
TI  - Association Between Carbohydrate Nutrition and Successful Aging Over 10 Years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We prospectively examined the relationship between dietary glycemic
      index (GI) and glycemic load (GL), carbohydrate, sugars, and fiber intake
      (including fruits, vegetable of breads/cereals fiber) with successful aging
      (determined through a multidomain approach). METHODS: A total of 1,609 adults
      aged 49 years and older who were free of cancer, coronary artery disease, and
      stroke at baseline were followed for 10 years. Dietary data were collected using
      a semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Successful aging status was
      determined through interviewer-administered questionnaire at each visit and was
      defined as the absence of disability, depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment,
      respiratory symptoms, and chronic diseases (eg, cancer and coronary artery
      disease). RESULTS: In all, 249 (15.5%) participants had aged successfully 10
      years later. Dietary GI, GL, and carbohydrate intake were not significantly
      associated with successful aging. However, participants in the highest versus
      lowest (reference group) quartile of total fiber intake had greater odds of aging
      successfully than suboptimal aging, multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.79
      (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-2.84). Those who remained consistently below
      the median in consumption of fiber from breads/cereal and fruit compared with the
      rest of cohort were less likely to age successfully, OR 0.53 (95% CI 0.34-0.84)
      and OR 0.64 (95% CI 0.44-0.95), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of dietary
      fiber from breads/cereals and fruits independently influenced the likelihood of
      aging successfully over 10 years. These findings suggest that increasing intake
      of fiber-rich foods could be a successful strategy in reaching old age disease
      free and fully functional.

PMID- 27252309
TI  - Sexual Function and Mortality in Older Men: The Concord Health and Ageing in Men
      Project.
AB  - Background : The longitudinal association between progressive temporal change in
      sexual (dys)function and mortality in older men. Methods : Community-dwelling men
      aged 70 years and older from the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project were
      assessed at baseline (2005-2007, n = 1,705), 2-years follow-up (n = 1,367), and 5
      years follow-up (n = 958). Self-reported sexual function (erectile function and
      sexual activity) using standardized questions were analyzed by generalized
      estimating equations to examine the longitudinal prediction of mortality
      according to change in sexual function across three time-points. Results : Men
      reported to have erectile dysfunction increased from 64% to 80%, and to be
      sexually inactive increased from 56% to 59% over the course follow-up. In
      univariate analyses, erectile dysfunction (hazard ratio: 2.02, 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: 1.45-2.81) or having no sexual activity (hazard ratio: 2.31, 95%
      CI: 1.82-2.93) at baseline predicted increased mortality over the subsequent 7
      years. Models adjusted for multivariate and major reproductive hormones had
      negligible impact on mortality prediction, but neither statistically
      significantly predicted mortality after adjusting for depression. Similarly,
      change in erectile dysfunction over time was associated with mortality over 7
      years in univariate (odds ratio: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.34-2.14) and multivariate
      analysis, including hormones, but not after adjusting for depression (odds ratio:
      1.24, 95% CI: 0.95-1.62). Change in sexual activity was associated with mortality
      over 7 years in univariate analysis (odds ratio: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.33-4.20) but not
      after adjusting for age (odds ratio: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.79-2.64). Conclusions : Our
      analyses suggest sexual dysfunction was not an independent risk factor of, but
      rather may be a biomarker for, all-cause mortality in older men.

PMID- 27252310
TI  - A tennis lesson: sharp practice in the science behind the Sharapova case.

PMID- 27252311
TI  - Improving multidisciplinary severe sepsis management using the Sepsis Six.

PMID- 27252312
TI  - A reflection on our day-to-day clinical practice: can we increase the
      predictability of pulmonary embolism (PE) by combining D-dimer with other
      biochemical variables and CXR findings?

PMID- 27252313
TI  - The role of palliative medicine in the acute medical admitting unit.

PMID- 27252314
TI  - When routine 7-day ambulatory ECG monitoring should be advocated in patients with
      ischaemic stroke.

PMID- 27252315
TI  - More discussions needed about resuscitation? DNAR orders in a district general
      hospital.

PMID- 27252316
TI  - Improving the documentation of pleural procedures: the impact of a new
      standardised pleural procedure pro forma.

PMID- 27252317
TI  - Good results of chronic HCV management in a single centre prison population.

PMID- 27252318
TI  - Which palliative care patients are most likely to benefit from parenteral
      nutrition? A retrospective service evaluation.

PMID- 27252319
TI  - Occlusion of uncommon anatomic variant of thalamic blood supply (so-called artery
      of Percheron) presenting as bilateral thalamic infarcts.

PMID- 27252320
TI  - Standardising the management of alcohol withdrawal at an NHS district general
      hospital.

PMID- 27252321
TI  - Advanced care planning in the elderly, are we doing it?

PMID- 27252322
TI  - Lumbar puncture: low-cost interventions improve efficiency and patient
      experience.

PMID- 27252323
TI  - Assessment of excision of basal cell carcinoma: did GPs really 'underperform'?

PMID- 27252324
TI  - Adequacy of fluid balance chart documentation on wards.

PMID- 27252325
TI  - A retrospective study of quality of care of patients with decompensated liver
      cirrhosis in the first 24 hours of admission to a local district general hospital
      in the UK.

PMID- 27252326
TI  - Paraneoplastic myositis: case report and review of literature.

PMID- 27252327
TI  - A rare case of Erdheim-Chester disease.

PMID- 27252328
TI  - An audit to establish the role of the gastroenterologist in patients who are
      diagnosed with acute severe colitis and go onto have a colectomy at Great Western
      Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GWH).

PMID- 27252329
TI  - Use of information technology and education improved screening for cognitive
      impairment in the over 65s.

PMID- 27252330
TI  - A case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

PMID- 27252331
TI  - Faecal calprotectin - the Crohn's disease activity predictor of the future.

PMID- 27252332
TI  - The study of cytoskeletal regulators on cell motility using Dictyostelium
      discoideum as a model organism with a view to human application in Marfan's
      syndrome and valvular diseases.

PMID- 27252333
TI  - Acute hospital at home: a new age.

PMID- 27252334
TI  - Definition and delivery of an aortopathy bundle of care (ABC): a tool for
      improving diagnosis and management of Marfan syndrome and related conditions.

PMID- 27252335
TI  - Evaluation of the Aintree Stroke Alert System (SAS) - an elite multidisciplinary
      'brain attack' team.

PMID- 27252336
TI  - How long do patients with chronic disease expect to live? A systematic review of
      the literature.

PMID- 27252337
TI  - A community integrated respiratory team can improve patient care, quality of life
      and reduce hospital stays.

PMID- 27252338
TI  - Efficacy and relapse rates of different Isotretinoin dosages in treating acne
      vulgaris: systemic review.

PMID- 27252339
TI  - A critical appraisal on whether a traumatic pneumothorax should be managed
      conservatively.

PMID- 27252340
TI  - Side rooms on the medical assessment unit - safety versus privacy and dignity.

PMID- 27252341
TI  - Improving 7-day working: face-to-face handover.

PMID- 27252342
TI  - Clinical manifestations of prune belly syndrome.

PMID- 27252343
TI  - Type-1 diabetes revisited and lessons learned.

PMID- 27252344
TI  - Use of the age-adjusted D-dimer as a screening tool for pulmonary thromboembolic
      disease in an older inpatient population.

PMID- 27252345
TI  - Do patients with neutropenic sepsis need granulocyte stimulating factor (GCSF)?

PMID- 27252346
TI  - Cause of long-term mortality among diabetics undergoing percutaneous coronary
      intervention.

PMID- 27252347
TI  - Association between bibliometric parameters, reporting and methodological quality
      of randomised controlled trials in vascular and endovascular surgery.
AB  - Purpose We aimed to investigate association between bibliometric parameters,
      reporting and methodological quality of vascular and endovascular surgery
      randomised controlled trials. Methods The most recent 75 and oldest 75 randomised
      controlled trials published in leading journals over a 10-year period were
      identified. The reporting quality was analysed using the CONSORT statement, and
      methodological quality with the Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist. We
      used exploratory univariate and multivariable linear regression analysis to
      investigate associations. Findings Bibliometric parameters such as type of
      journal, study design reported in title, number of pages; external funding,
      industry sponsoring and number of citations are associated with reporting
      quality. Moreover, parameters such as type of journal, subject area and study
      design reported in title are associated with methodological quality. Conclusions
      The bibliometric parameters of randomised controlled trials may be independent
      predictors for their reporting and methodological quality. Moreover, the
      reporting quality of randomised controlled trials is associated with their
      methodological quality and vice versa.

PMID- 27252348
TI  - Region- and Layer-Specific Activation of the Higher Order Auditory Cortex Te2
      after Remote Retrieval of Fear or Appetitive Memories.
AB  - The auditory cortex is involved in encoding sounds which have acquired an
      emotional-motivational charge. However, the neural circuitry engaged by emotional
      memory processes in the auditory cortex is poorly understood. In this study, we
      investigated the layers and regions that are recruited in the higher order
      auditory cortex Te2 by a tone previously paired to either fear or appetitive
      stimuli in rats. By tracking the protein coded by the immediate early gene
      zif268, we found that fear memory retrieval engages layers II-III in most regions
      of Te2. These results were neither due to an enhanced fear state nor to fear
      evoked motor responses, as they were absent in animals retrieving an olfactory
      fear memory. These layers were also activated by appetitive auditory memory
      retrieval. Strikingly, layer IV was recruited by fear, but not appetitive
      memories, whereas layer V activity was related to the behavioral responses
      displayed to the CS. In addition to revealing the layers and regions that are
      recruited in the Te2 by either fear or appetitive remote memories, our study also
      shows that the neural circuitry within the Te2 that processes and stores
      emotional memories varies on the basis of the affective motivational charge of
      tones.

PMID- 27252349
TI  - Ultrasound Enhances the Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in
      Astrocyte Through Activation of TrkB-Akt and Calcium-CaMK Signaling Pathways.
AB  - Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) stimulation has been shown to increase
      the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in astrocytes of an in
      vitro model and rat brains of an in vivo model; however, their molecular
      mechanisms are still not well clarified. Here, we investigated the underlying
      mechanisms of BDNF enhancement by LIPUS in rat cerebral cortex astrocytes. After
      LIPUS stimulation in astrocytes, the protein and mRNA expressions were measured
      by western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. The concentration of intracellular
      calcium was determined spectrophotometrically. The results showed that LIPUS
      enhanced the phosphorylation of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) and Akt but
      had no effect on Erk1/2 phosphorylation. Additionally, LIPUS increased the
      intracellular concentration of calcium and enhanced the protein levels of
      calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) II and CaMKIV. LIPUS also activated the
      phosphorylation of NF-kappaB-p65 but did not promote the activation of cAMP
      response element-binding protein (CREB). Taken together, our results suggest that
      LIPUS stimulation upregulates BDNF production in astrocytes through the
      activation of NF-kappaB via the TrkB/PI3K/Akt and calcium/CaMK signaling
      pathways. BDNF has emerged as a major molecular player in the regulation of
      neural circuit development and function. Therefore, LIPUS stimulation may play a
      crucial and beneficial role in neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID- 27252352
TI  - Expression of Serotonin2C Receptors in Pyramidal and GABAergic Neurons of Rat
      Prefrontal Cortex: A Comparison with Striatum.
AB  - The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is enriched in several serotonin receptors, including
      5-HT1A-R, 5-HT2A-R, and 5-HT3-R. These receptors modulate PFC activity due to
      their expression in large neuronal populations (5-HT1A-R, 5-HT2A-R) or in
      selected GABAergic populations (5-HT3-R). They are also relevant for
      antidepressant and antipsychotic drug action. Less is known about the
      localization of 5-HT2C-R, for which atypical antipsychotics show high affinity.
      Here, we report on the cellular distribution of 5-HT2C-R in rat PFC and striatum,
      using double in situ hybridization histochemistry. In PFC, 5-HT2C-R are expressed
      in pyramidal (VGLUT1-positive) and GABAergic (GAD-positive) neurons, including
      parvalbumin-positive neurons. There is a marked dorso-ventral gradient in the
      proportion of VGLUT1-positive cells expressing 5-HT2C-R (9% in the cingulate
      cortex, 61% in the tenia tecta and 66% in the piriform cortex), less marked for
      GABAergic neurons (13-27%). There is also a laminar gradient, with more cells
      expressing 5-HT2C-R in deep (V-VI) than in intermediate (II-III) layers. In
      common with 5-HT3-R, layer I GABAergic cells express 5-HT2C-R. The proportion of
      5-HT2C-R-expressing striatal neurons was 23% (dorsolateral caudate-putamen), 37%
      (ventromedial caudate-putamen), 53% (nucleus accumbens-core), and 49% (nucleus
      accumbens-shell). These results help to better understand the serotonergic
      modulation of PFC-based networks, including basal ganglia circuits, and atypical
      antipsychotic drug action.

PMID- 27252351
TI  - Coding of Object Size and Object Category in Human Visual Cortex.
AB  - A salient aspect of objects is their real-world size. Large objects tend to be
      fixed in the world and can act as navigational barriers and landmarks, whereas
      small objects tend to be moveable and manipulable. Previous work has identified
      regions of visual cortex that respond differentially to large versus small
      objects, but the role of size in organizing representations of object categories
      has not been fully explored. To address this issue, we scanned subjects while
      they viewed large and small objects drawn from 20 categories, with retinotopic
      extent equated across size classes. Univariate analyses replicated previous
      results showing a greater response to large than small objects in scene
      responsive regions and the converse effect in the left occipitotemporal sulcus.
      Critically, multivariate analyses revealed organization-by-size both within and
      across functional regions, as evidenced by activation patterns that were more
      similar for object categories of the same size than for object categories of
      different size. This effect was observed in both scene- and object-responsive
      regions and across high-level visual cortex as a whole, but not in early visual
      cortex. We hypothesize that real-world size is an important dimension for object
      category organization because of the many ecologically significant differences
      between large and small objects.

PMID- 27252350
TI  - Stereoscopically Observing Manipulative Actions.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of stereopsis to
      the processing of observed manipulative actions. To this end, we first combined
      the factors "stimulus type" (action, static control, and dynamic control),
      "stereopsis" (present, absent) and "viewpoint" (frontal, lateral) into a single
      design. Four sites in premotor, retro-insular (2) and parietal cortex operated
      specifically when actions were viewed stereoscopically and frontally. A second
      experiment clarified that the stereo-action-specific regions were driven by
      actions moving out of the frontoparallel plane, an effect amplified by frontal
      viewing in premotor cortex. Analysis of single voxels and their discriminatory
      power showed that the representation of action in the stereo-action-specific
      areas was more accurate when stereopsis was active. Further analyses showed that
      the 4 stereo-action-specific sites form a closed network converging onto the
      premotor node, which connects to parietal and occipitotemporal regions outside
      the network. Several of the specific sites are known to process vestibular
      signals, suggesting that the network combines observed actions in peripersonal
      space with gravitational signals. These findings have wider implications for the
      function of premotor cortex and the role of stereopsis in human behavior.

PMID- 27252353
TI  - Response Patterns of GABAergic Neurons in the Anterior Piriform Cortex of Awake
      Mice.
AB  - Local inhibition by gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-containing neurons is of
      vital importance for the operation of sensory cortices. However, the
      physiological response patterns of cortical GABAergic neurons are poorly
      understood, especially in the awake condition. Here, we utilized the recently
      developed optical tagging technique to specifically record GABAergic neurons in
      the anterior piriform cortex (aPC) in awake mice. The identified aPC GABAergic
      neurons were stimulated with robotic delivery of 32 distinct odorants, which
      covered a broad range of functional groups. We found that aPC GABAergic neurons
      could be divided into 4 types based on their response patterns. Type I, type II,
      and type III neurons displayed broad excitatory responses to test odorants with
      different dynamics. Type I neurons were constantly activated during odorant
      stimulation, whereas type II neurons were only transiently activated at the onset
      of odorant delivery. In addition, type III neurons displayed transient excitatory
      responses both at the onset and termination of odorant presentation.
      Interestingly, type IV neurons were broadly inhibited by most of the odorants.
      Taken together, aPC GABAergic neurons adopt different strategies to affect the
      cortical circuitry. Our results will allow for better understanding of the role
      of cortical GABAergic interneurons in sensory information processing.

PMID- 27252354
TI  - Inhibition of G9a/GLP Complex Promotes Long-Term Potentiation and Synaptic
      Tagging/Capture in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons.
AB  - Epigenetic regulations play an important role in regulating the learning and
      memory processes. G9a/G9a-like protein (GLP) lysine dimethyltransferase complex
      controls a prominent histone H3 lysine9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) that results in
      transcriptional silencing of the chromatin. Here, we report that the inhibition
      of G9a/GLP complex by either of the substrate competitive inhibitors UNC 0638 or
      BIX 01294 reinforces protein synthesis-independent long-term potentiation (early
      LTP) to protein synthesis-dependent long-term potentiation (late-LTP). The
      reinforcement effect was observed if the inhibitors were present during the
      induction of early-LTP and in addition when G9a/GLP complex inhibition was
      carried out by priming of synapses within an interval of 30 min before or after
      the induction of early-LTP. Surprisingly, the reinforced LTP by G9a/GLP complex
      inhibition was able to associate with a weak plasticity event from nearby
      independent synaptic populations, resulting in synaptic tagging/capture (STC). We
      have identified brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a critical plasticity
      protein that maintains G9a/GLP complex inhibition-mediated LTP facilitation and
      its STC. Our study reveals an epigenetic mechanism for promoting plasticity and
      associativity by G9a/GLP complex inhibition, and it may engender a promising
      epigenetic target for enhancing memory in neural networks.

PMID- 27252355
TI  - Investigating Mixture Interactions of Astringent Stimuli Using the Isobole
      Approach.
AB  - Astringents (alum, malic acid, tannic acid) representing 3 broad classes
      (multivalent salts, organic acids, and polyphenols) were characterized alone, and
      as 2- and 3-component mixtures using isoboles. In experiment 1, participants
      rated 7 attributes ("astringency," the sub-qualities "drying," "roughing," and
      "puckering," and the side tastes "bitterness," "sourness," and "sweetness") using
      direct scaling. Quality specific power functions were calculated for each
      stimulus. In experiment 2, the same participants characterized 2- and 3-component
      mixtures. Multiple factor analysis (MFA) and hierarchical clustering on attribute
      ratings across stimuli indicate "astringency" is highly related to "bitterness"
      as well as "puckering," and the subqualities "drying" and "roughing" are somewhat
      redundant. Moreover, power functions were used to calculate indices of
      interaction (I) for each attribute/mixture combination. For "astringency," there
      was evidence of antagonism, regardless of the type of mixture. Conversely, for
      subqualities, the pattern of interaction depended on the mixture type.
      Alum/tannic acid and tannic acid/malic acid mixtures showed evidence of synergy
      for "drying" and "roughing"; alum/malic acid mixtures showed evidence of
      antagonism for "drying," "roughing," and "puckering." Collectively, these data
      clarify some semantic ambiguity regarding astringency and its subqualities, as
      well as the nature of interactions of among different types of astringents.
      Present data are not inconsistent with the idea that astringency arises from
      multiple mechanisms, although it remains to be determined whether the synergy
      observed here might reflect simultaneous activation of these multiple mechanisms.

PMID- 27252356
TI  - Purification and Preparation of Rebaudioside A from Steviol Glycosides Using One
      Dimensional Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography.
AB  - A method for purifying and preparing rebaudioside A (RA) from steviol glycosides
      at preparative scale was developed with resin based on hydrophilic interaction
      liquid chromatography (HILIC). In pure water and acetone-water system, the
      adsorption capacity and selectivity of five anion resins for RA, rebaudioside C
      (RC) and stevioside (ST) were examined and discussed. Strongly basic IRA458 with
      the quaternary amine group was chosen as the resin used for separating and
      preparing RA. The hydroxide form of IRA458 (IRA458-OH) showed the best results in
      terms of the adsorption behaviors for RA, RC and ST. The retentions of RA, RC and
      ST on IRA458-OH resin at high concentration of acetone solution followed HILIC
      mode, in which retention is probably based on surface adsorption of the resin.
      Under optimized chromatographic conditions, the pooled purity and yield of RA
      were up to 98.18 and 98.62%, the relative standard deviations (n = 3) for these
      two parameters were 1.2 and 5.7%, respectively. The present method has the
      characteristics of simple, low cost, high purity and high yield. The study will
      be a promising tool for RA industrialized production and also provides a possible
      mode for purifying and preparing polar components from their analogs. 

PMID- 27252357
TI  - Exosomes secreted by mesenchymal stem cells promote endothelial cell angiogenesis
      by transferring miR-125a.
AB  - Angiogenesis plays crucial roles in various physiological processes including
      wound healing and tissue repair. It requires a tight interaction between
      endothelial cells and their surrounding environment. Mesenchymal stem cells
      (MSCs), one of the non-endothelial cell types present in the perivascular
      environment, have been shown to secret exosomes to modulate intercellular
      communications between MSCs and their target cells. In this study, we initially
      isolated exosomes secreted by human adipose-derived MSCs (adMSC-Exo) and examined
      their roles in angiogenesis. We found that adMSC-Exo could be taken up by
      endothelial cells and significantly promote angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo
      Further study showed that miR-125a was enriched in adMSC-Exo, and repressed the
      expression of the angiogenic inhibitor delta-like 4 (DLL4) by targeting its 3'
      untranslated region. Additionally, adMSC-Exo and its exosomal transferred miR
      125a could repress DLL4 expression and modulate endothelial cell angiogenesis
      through promoting formation of endothelial tip cells. In conclusion, our study
      indicates that adMSC-Exo can transfer miR-125a to endothelial cells and promote
      angiogenesis by repressing DLL4. adMSC-Exo, as a pro-angiogenic factor, might be
      a promising candidate for therapeutical tissue repair.

PMID- 27252358
TI  - The endocytic activity of the flagellar pocket in Trypanosoma brucei is regulated
      by an adjacent phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase.

PMID- 27252359
TI  - Additive Prognostic Value of Echocardiographic Global Longitudinal and Global
      Circumferential Strain to Electrocardiographic Criteria in Patients With Heart
      Failure Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Response to cardiac resynchronization therapy is most favorable in
      patients with heart failure with QRS duration >=150 ms and left bundle branch
      block and less predictable in those with QRS width 120 to 149 ms or non-left
      bundle branch block. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 205 patients with heart
      failure referred for cardiac resynchronization therapy with QRS >=120 ms and
      ejection fraction <=35%. We tested the hypothesis that contractile function using
      speckle-tracking echocardiographic global circumferential strain (GCS) from 2
      short-axis views and global longitudinal strain (GLS) from 3 apical views add
      prognostic value to electrocardiographic criteria. There were 112 patients (55%)
      with GLS >-9% and 136 patients (66%) with GCS >-9%. During 4 years, 81 patients
      reached the combined primary end point (death, circulatory support, or
      transplant) and 120 reached the secondary end point (heart failure
      hospitalization or death). Both GLS >-9% and GCS >-9% were associated with
      increased risk of unfavorable events as follows: for the primary end point
      (hazard ratio=2.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.88-4.49; P<0.001) and (hazard
      ratio=3.73; 95% confidence interval, 2.39-5.82; P<0.001) for the secondary end
      point (hazard ratio=2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-3.05; P<0.001) and
      (hazard ratio=3.25; 95% confidence interval, 2.23-4.75; P<0.001). In a
      prespecified subgroup of 120 patients with QRS 120 to 149 ms or non-left bundle
      branch block, significant associations of baseline GLS and GCS and outcomes
      remained: P=0.014 and P=0.002 for the primary end point and P=0.049 and P=0.001
      for the secondary end point. Global strain measures had additive prognostic value
      to routine clinical or electrocardiographic parameters (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Baseline GCS and GLS were significantly associated with long-term outcome after
      cardiac resynchronization therapy and had additive prognostic value to routine
      clinical and electrocardiographic selection criteria for cardiac
      resynchronization therapy.

PMID- 27252360
TI  - Echocardiographic Predictors of Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in
      2016: Can Quantitative Global Parameters Succeed Where Segmental Parameters of
      Dyssynchrony Have Fallen Short?

PMID- 27252361
TI  - Protein Regulation in Signal Transduction.
AB  - SUMMARYCells must respond to a diverse, complex, and ever-changing mix of
      signals, using a fairly limited set of parts. Changes in protein level, protein
      localization, protein activity, and protein-protein interactions are critical
      aspects of signal transduction, allowing cells to respond highly specifically to
      a nearly limitless set of cues and also to vary the sensitivity, duration, and
      dynamics of the response. Signal-dependent changes in levels of gene expression
      and protein synthesis play an important role in regulation of protein levels,
      whereas posttranslational modifications of proteins regulate their degradation,
      localization, and functional interactions. Protein ubiquitylation, for example,
      can direct proteins to the proteasome for degradation or provide a signal that
      regulates their interactions and/or location within the cell. Similarly, protein
      phosphorylation by specific kinases is a key mechanism for augmenting protein
      activity and relaying signals to other proteins that possess domains that
      recognize the phosphorylated residues. 

PMID- 27252365
TI  - A Rare Decade Where Magic Could Happen.

PMID- 27252362
TI  - Bone Morphogenetic Proteins.
AB  - Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), originally identified as osteoinductive
      components in extracts derived from bone, are now known to play important roles
      in a wide array of processes during formation and maintenance of various organs
      including bone, cartilage, muscle, kidney, and blood vessels. BMPs and the
      related "growth and differentiation factors" (GDFs) are members of the
      transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) family, and transduce their signals
      through type I and type II serine-threonine kinase receptors and their
      intracellular downstream effectors, including Smad proteins. Furthermore, BMP
      signals are finely tuned by various agonists and antagonists. Because
      deregulation of the BMP activity at multiple steps in signal transduction is
      linked to a wide variety of human diseases, therapeutic use of activators and
      inhibitors of BMP signaling will provide potential avenues for the treatment of
      the human disorders that are caused by hypo- and hyperactivation of BMP signals,
      respectively. 

PMID- 27252367
TI  - Biology of stress in poultry with emphasis on glucocorticoids and the heterophil
      to lymphocyte ratio.
AB  - The biology of stress in chickens is reviewed. Not only is stress associated with
      depressed production, but animal welfare influences consumer acceptance of
      poultry and eggs. The reciprocal of well-being is stress. The hypothalamo
      pituitary-adrenocortical axis in poultry consists of the neuropeptides,
      corticotropin releasing hormone, and arginine vasotocin that are released from
      the median eminence; the polypeptide hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
      secreted by the anterior pituitary gland; and the glucocorticoid hormone,
      corticosterone (CORT), synthesized by the adrenocortical cells. Many, but not
      all, stresses in chickens increase circulating concentrations of CORT.
      Circulating concentrations levels of CORT (both basal and in response to
      stressors) show marked differences in the literature, suggesting further
      attention is needed to ensure assays are validated for CORT in chicken plasma and
      other sources - excreta and feathers. As glucocorticoids influence the
      heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, it is not surprising that the H:L is shifted
      with stress. It is recommended that close attention needs to be placed on the
      validity of assays including cross-laboratory standards. In addition, there is a
      strong case for determining multiple parameters of stress. 

PMID- 27252366
TI  - Quantitative genetic analysis of causal relationships among feather pecking,
      feather eating, and general locomotor activity in laying hens using structural
      equation models.
AB  - The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between feather
      pecking (FP) and feather eating (FE) as well as general locomotor activity (GLA)
      using structural equation models, which allow that one trait can be treated as an
      explanatory variable of another trait. This provides an opportunity to infer
      putative causal links among the traits. For the analysis, 897 F2-hens set up from
      2 lines divergently selected for high and low FP were available. The FP
      observations were Box-Cox transformed, and FE and GLA observations were log and
      square root transformed, respectively. The estimated heritabilities of FE, GLA,
      and FP were 0.36, 0.29, and 0.20, respectively. The genetic correlation between
      FP and FE (GLA) was 0.17 (0.04). A high genetic correlation of 0.47 was estimated
      between FE and GLA. The recursive effect from FE to FP was [Formula: see text],
      and from GLA to FP [Formula: see text] These results imply that an increase of FE
      leads to an increased FP behavior and that an increase in GLA results in a higher
      FP value. Furthermore, the study showed that the genetic correlation among the
      traits is mainly caused by indirect effects. 

PMID- 27252368
TI  - Survey of the prevalence of Salmonella species on laying hen farms in Kosovo.
AB  - A survey on the prevalence of Salmonella (S) species was carried out on 39 layer
      farms in Kosovo between April and September 2012. In total 367 samples,
      comprising feces, dust, eggs, and internal organs from dead birds, were
      investigated using bacteriological culture methods. Additionally, data on the
      location of the farm, the total number of birds on the farm, age of birds, and
      laying performance were collected. Salmonella were isolated from 38 samples
      obtained from 19 (49%) farms. The most common serovar identified was Salmonella
      enteritidis, found on 18 farms. The most common S. enteritidis phage type was
      PT29 followed by PT6, PT7, PT21, PT13a, PT8, PT14b, and PT4. One S. enteritidis
      isolate was not typable. Six farms had more than one phage type. Furthermore,
      serovar S. Bovismorbificans also was found in samples from 3 farms. Flock size or
      production stage was not associated with the probability of isolating Salmonella.
      The only flock factor found to be significantly associated was percent hen/day
      production: It was 2.8 times more likely to isolate Salmonella from flocks with
      production above 80% hen/day production compared to flocks producing at a lower
      level. Analysis of antimicrobial resistance patterns of 30 isolates revealed that
      all isolates were sensitive to gentamicin, ampicillin, sulphamethoxazole
      trimethoprim, and oxytetracycline, and 29 (97%) were sensitive to ciprofloxacin.
      All isolates showed intermediate resistance or were resistant to minocycline and
      cloxacillin. Twenty-six isolates (86%) had intermediate resistance to amoxicillin
      and 27 isolates (90%) were fully resistant to streptomycin. The present survey
      revealed a high prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis in layer flocks in Kosovo,
      indicating that table eggs have to be suspected as an important source of human
      salmone-llosis. 

PMID- 27252364
TI  - Voltage-Gated Na+ Channels: Not Just for Conduction.
AB  - Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), composed of a pore-forming alpha subunit
      and up to two associated beta subunits, are critical for the initiation of the
      action potential (AP) in excitable tissues. Building on the monumental discovery
      and description of sodium current in 1952, intrepid researchers described the
      voltage-dependent gating mechanism, selectivity of the channel, and general
      structure of the VGSC channel. Recently, crystal structures of bacterial VGSC
      alpha subunits have confirmed many of these studies and provided new insights
      into VGSC function. VGSC beta subunits, first cloned in 1992, modulate sodium
      current but also have nonconducting roles as cell-adhesion molecules and function
      in neurite outgrowth and neuronal pathfinding. Mutations in VGSC alpha and beta
      genes are associated with diseases caused by dysfunction of excitable tissues
      such as epilepsy. Because of the multigenic and drug-resistant nature of some of
      these diseases, induced pluripotent stem cells and other novel approaches are
      being used to screen for new drugs and further understand how mutations in VGSC
      genes contribute to pathophysiology.

PMID- 27252369
TI  - Combined effects of Laminaria japonica and transglutaminase on physicochemical
      and sensory characteristics of semi-dried chicken sausages.
AB  - The effects of Laminaria japonica, Transglutaminase (TGase) and their
      combinations were investigated based on the physicochemical properties, textural
      properties, and sensory characteristics of semi-dried chicken sausages. The
      moisture content, ash content, and water activity of the semi-dried chicken
      sausage containing a combination of Laminaria japonica and TGase were higher than
      the control (P < 0.05). The semi-dried chicken sausage with 1.0% Laminaria
      japonica and 1.0% TGase (T3) had less cooking loss compared to the control and
      other treatments (P < 0.05). The protein content and fat content, pH of batters
      and sausages, springiness, and cohesiveness of the semi-dried chicken sausages
      were not significantly different between the control and treatments with a
      combination of Laminaria japonica and TGase (P > 0.05). Among the sensory traits,
      color score was highest in the control and in the treatment with 2.0% TGase (T5)
      (P < 0.05). The flavor score was highest in the control, while the treatments
      with 1.0% Laminaria japonica combined with 1.0% TGase (T3) had the highest
      tenderness and juiciness scores (P < 0.05). The results of this study show that
      the combination of Laminaria japonica and TGase successfully improved textural
      properties and sensory characteristics of the semi-dried chicken sausages, and
      the combination of 1.0% Laminaria japonica and 1.0% TGase improved quality of the
      semi-dried chicken sausages the most. 

PMID- 27252370
TI  - Interactions between canola meal and flaxseed oil in the diets of White Lohmann
      hens on fatty acid profile and sensory characteristics of table eggs.
AB  - The current study was designed to assess the fatty acid composition and sensory
      attributes of eggs procured from hens consuming diets containing canola meal (CM)
      and/or flax oil (FO). A total of 96 group-caged White Lohmann hens received 1 of
      4 isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets for a period of 4 weeks. Diets were
      arranged in a 2 * 2 factorial design, containing 24% canola meal, 7.5% flax oil,
      both, or neither (control). All yolk fatty acids were affected by flax oil
      inclusion, with the exception of stearic acid (SA) and docosapentaenoic acid
      (DPA). Only SA was affected by CM inclusion. Additionally, significant
      interactions between CM and FO were observed for linoleic acid (LA) and total
      omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), with DPA approaching significance (P
      = 0.069). Trained panelists (n = 8) evaluated 7 aroma ('egg', 'creamy',
      'buttery', 'salty', 'sweet', 'barny', and 'oceanic') and 6 flavor ('egg',
      'creamy', 'buttery', 'salty', 'brothy', and 'oceanic') attributes of cooked egg
      product. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in aroma attributes were found
      between eggs from different dietary treatments. However, egg, creamy, buttery,
      and oceanic flavors were significantly different between the dietary treatments
      (P < 0.05). While oceanic flavor significantly increased with inclusion of FO,
      egg and creamy flavors showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05). Although CM
      addition alone did not result in significant sensory changes, the pairing of CM
      and FO resulted in even greater sensory changes than using FO alone, specifically
      with regard to egg flavor. Results from partial least squares analyses showed a
      strong association between oceanic flavor and omega-3 PUFA. Oppositely, egg,
      creamy, and buttery flavors were more correlated with the presence of omega-6
      PUFA and palmitic acid. This experiment provides evidence that the interaction
      between CM and FO in the White Lohmann hen diet results in sensory changes of
      cooked eggs associated in part with changes in yolk fatty acid content. 

PMID- 27252363
TI  - Regulation of the Bioavailability of TGF-beta and TGF-beta-Related Proteins.
AB  - The bioavailability of members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)
      family is controlled by a number of mechanisms. Bona fide TGF-beta is sequestered
      into the matrix in a latent state and must be activated before it can bind to its
      receptors. Here, we review the molecules and mechanisms that regulate the
      bioavailability of TGF-beta and compare these mechanisms with those used to
      regulate other TGF-beta family members. We also assess the physiological
      significance of various latent TGF-beta activators, as well as other
      extracellular modulators of TGF-beta family signaling, by examining the available
      in vivo data from knockout mouse models and other biological systems.

PMID- 27252371
TI  - The efficacy of dietary xylanase and phytase in broiler chickens fed expeller
      extracted camelina meal.
AB  - A study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary phytase (PHY) and
      xylanase (XYL) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, and intestinal
      characteristics in broilers fed corn-soybean meal-based diets with added expeller
      extracted camelina meal (CM). The corn-soybean meal-based diets without or with
      CM was formulated to contain 2.9 or 2.7 g/kg non phytate phosphorus,
      respectively. A total of 384 male Ross 708 broilers were allocated to 8 dietary
      treatments in a randomized complete block design with 6 replicates per treatment,
      from 7 to 21 d post hatching. The experiment consisted of a 2 * 2 * 2 factorial
      arrangement of treatments with 2 dietary CM levels (zero or 100 g/kg), 2 dietary
      levels of XYL (zero or 800 unit/kg), and 2 dietary levels of PHY (zero or 4,000
      unit/kg). Chromic oxide was included in the diets as an indigestible marker.
      Growth was measured throughout the experiment and excreta were collected on d 18
      to 21 post hatching for measurement of nutrient and energy retention. On d 21
      post hatching, broilers were euthanized by CO2 asphyxiation, ileal digesta was
      collected for nutrient and energy digestibility measurements, and the left tibia
      was removed for bone ash measurement. Furthermore, duodenal digesta was collected
      and a segment of the mid jejunum was excised for viscosity and morphology
      measurement, respectively. Broilers fed 100 g/kg CM diets showed lower (P <
      0.001) BW gain and G:F than those fed zero g/kg CM diets for 7 to 14 d and 7 to
      21 d post hatching periods, respectively. Phytase supplementation improved (P <
      0.05) all the growth parameters measured regardless of CM addition. Phytase
      supplementation resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in jejunum villus height but
      there was no impact of CM or XYL. Additionally, duodenal digesta viscosity
      increased (P < 0.001) with added CM. Tibia ash and weight increased (P < 0.001)
      with PHY supplementation. There was a CM * PHY interaction (P < 0.05) on
      percentage tibia ash, with greater PHY effect in zero g/kg CM diets compared with
      100 g/kg CM diets. Phytase supplementation increased (P < 0.05) ileal DM, N,
      energy, P, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility. In diets with 100
      g/kg CM, addition of PHY had a greater effect (CM * PHY; P < 0.05) on ileal P
      digestibility compared with diet without CM. There was a CM * PHY interaction (P
      < 0.05) for ileal digestible energy (IDE) in which PHY increased the IDE in birds
      fed CM supplemented diets. Both ileal digestibility and retentions of DM, N,
      energy, and IDE, AME, and AMEn were decreased (P < 0.05) by CM supplementation.
      Retention of ether extract and NDF decreased (P < 0.05) with CM supplementation.
      Nitrogen retention, AME, and AMEn decreased (CM * XYL; P < 0.05) with XYL
      supplementation in zero g/kg CM diets. There were CM * XYL interactions (P <
      0.01) for P and Ca retentions in which XYL increased retentions in 100 g/kg CM
      diets. In conclusion, PHY was efficacious at improving P digestibility and
      retention of birds fed low P corn-soy based diets without or with CM. However,
      regardless of CM addition, XYL did not improve nutrient utilization and growth
      performance of broiler chickens. The present data also show that the mechanism
      underlying the detrimental effects of CM inclusion on nutrient utilization is not
      mediated through gut morphology and goblet cell density. The data also show that
      the villus height increase occurring with PHY addition might be a contributor to
      the improvements in ileal DM, N, and energy digestibility obtained with PHY
      supplementation.

PMID- 27252372
TI  - Peach skin powder inhibits oxidation in cooked turkey meat.
AB  - The objective of this study was to measure the antioxidant activity of peach skin
      and test the antioxidant effect of peach skin powder on cooked ground turkey meat
      during 12 d of refrigerated storage. Antioxidant activity of 3 cultivars of
      peaches grown in South Carolina was first evaluated by 3 antioxidant assays. The
      peach variety O'Henry showed the greatest antioxidant effect and therefore was
      used for further study. Two levels of peach skin powder (0.5%, 1%) and 0.01%
      butylated hydroxylanisole (BHA) were applied to ground turkey meat. Oxidation of
      cooked turkey meat was measured by detection of hexanal using gas chromatography
      mass spectrometry. Results indicated that all levels of peach skin powder used in
      this study had an antioxidant effect on ground turkey with a greater effect at
      the higher concentration. O'Henry peach skin powder was as effective as BHA in
      preventing oxidation at the levels tested. 

PMID- 27252373
TI  - Inactivation of Salmonella enteritidis on shell eggs by coating with
      phytochemicals.
AB  - Salmonella enteritidis (SE) is a major foodborne pathogen that causes human
      infections largely by consumption of contaminated eggs. The external surface of
      eggs becomes contaminated with SE from multiple sources, highlighting the need
      for effective egg surface disinfection methods. This study investigated the
      efficacy of three GRAS-status, phytochemicals, namely carvacrol (CR), eugenol
      (EG), and beta-resorcylic acid (BR) applied as pectin or gum arabic based coating
      for reducing SE on shell eggs. White-shelled eggs, spot inoculated with a 5
      strain mixture of nalidixic acid (NA) resistant SE (8.0 log CFU/mL) were coated
      with pectin or gum arabic solution containing each phytochemical (0.0, 0.25, 0.5,
      or 0.75%), and stored at 4 degrees C for 7 days. SE on eggs was enumerated on
      days 0, 1, 3, and 7 of storage. Approximately 4.0 log CFU/egg of SE was recovered
      from inoculated and pectin or gum arabic coated eggs on day 0. All coating
      treatments containing CR and EG, and BR at 0.75% reduced SE to undetectable
      levels on day 3 (P < 0.05). Results suggest that the aforementioned
      phytochemicals could effectively be used as a coating to reduce SE on shell eggs,
      but detailed studies on the sensory and quality attributes of coated eggs need to
      be conducted before recommending their use. 

PMID- 27252374
TI  - The immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D in chickens is dose-dependent and
      influenced by calcium and phosphorus levels.
AB  - Vitamin D requirement is estimated to be higher than recommended values for the
      first two weeks of a broiler chicken's life, and is heavily dependent on the
      concentrations of Ca and P in the diet. There are data indicating the beneficial
      effect of higher vitamin D levels on performance and overall health of the
      chickens. However, data on the role of higher vitamin D levels on the innate
      immune response of chickens are limited. Therefore, in the current study, we
      examined the effect of higher doses of vitamin D supplementation on the innate
      immune response in broiler chickens receiving optimal or calcium (Ca) and
      phosphorus (P) deficient diets. Three hundred Ross-308 male broiler chicks were
      randomly allocated into 60 cages with 5 birds per cage in a 3 * 2 factorial
      design with three levels of vitamin D and two levels of Ca/P with each
      experimental diet fed to 10 cages (10 replicates). Quantitative reverse
      transcription PCR (n = 5) was used to assess Toll-like receptor (TLR2b and 4),
      cytokine/chemokine (IL-12, IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL-4, IL-13, IL-18, CxCLi2) and
      cathelicidin (CATH1, CATHB1, CATH3) transcription levels in peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs), spleen, and bursa of Fabricius. Vitamin D
      supplementation of the Ca and P deficient diet considerably augmented
      transcription of TLR2b, TLR4, CATH1, and CATHB1 and predominantly Th2 cytokines
      in spleen. Supplementation of the control diet with vitamin D downregulated TLR4
      transcription, and dose-dependently increased CATH1, CATHB1, Th1, and Th2
      cytokine transcription (Th2>Th1). All diets downregulated CATH3 transcription. In
      conclusion, vitamin D or its derivative 25-OH-D3 both have a robust
      immunomodulatory property with a more favorable Th2 response, while at the same
      time enhancing observed Th2 cytokine responses under both optimal and lower Ca
      and P inclusion levels in the diets of broiler chickens.

PMID- 27252375
TI  - The G1 Cyclin-dependent Kinase CRK1 in Trypanosoma brucei Regulates Anterograde
      Protein Transport by Phosphorylating the COPII Subunit Sec31.
AB  - Transport of secretory proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi is
      mediated by the coat protein II (COPII) complex comprising a Sec23-Sec24
      heterodimer and a Sec13-Sec31 heterotetramer. The mechanisms underlying COPII
      mediated protein trafficking have been well defined, but the extent of regulation
      of this secretory machinery by cellular signaling pathways remains poorly
      understood. Here, we report that CRK1, a G1 cyclin-dependent kinase in
      Trypanosoma brucei, regulates anterograde protein trafficking by phosphorylating
      Sec31. Depletion of CRK1 abolished anterograde transport of the secretory protein
      and disrupted the localization of multiple Golgi proteins, reminiscent of Sec31
      depletion. CRK1 phosphorylates Sec31 at multiple serine/threonine sites, and
      mutation of these phosphosites to alanine recapitulates the protein trafficking
      defects caused by Sec31 depletion. Mutation of these CRK1 phosphosites to
      aspartate restored Sec31 function. Taken together, these results uncover a novel
      function of CRK1 in anterograde protein trafficking and elucidate the mechanistic
      role of CRK1 in protein trafficking through regulation of the COPII subunit
      Sec31.

PMID- 27252376
TI  - Light-harvesting Complexes (LHCs) Cluster Spontaneously in Membrane Environment
      Leading to Shortening of Their Excited State Lifetimes.
AB  - The light reactions of photosynthesis, which include light-harvesting and charge
      separation, take place in the amphiphilic environment of the thylakoid membrane.
      The light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) is the main responsible for light
      absorption in plants and green algae and is involved in photoprotective
      mechanisms that regulate the amount of excited states in the membrane. The dual
      function of LHCII has been extensively studied in detergent micelles, but recent
      results have indicated that the properties of this complex differ in a lipid
      environment. In this work we checked these suggestions by studying LHCII in
      liposomes. By combining bulk and single molecule measurements, we monitored the
      fluorescence characteristics of liposomes containing single complexes up to
      densely packed proteoliposomes. We show that the natural lipid environment per se
      does not alter the properties of LHCII, which for single complexes remain very
      similar to that in detergent. However, we show that LHCII has the strong tendency
      to cluster in the membrane and that protein interactions and the extent of
      crowding modulate the lifetimes of the excited state in the membrane. Finally,
      the presence of LHCII monomers at low concentrations of complexes per liposome is
      discussed.

PMID- 27252377
TI  - Dynamin-related Protein 1 Inhibition Mitigates Bisphenol A-mediated Alterations
      in Mitochondrial Dynamics and Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation.
AB  - The regulatory dynamics of mitochondria comprises well orchestrated distribution
      and mitochondrial turnover to maintain the mitochondrial circuitry and
      homeostasis inside the cells. Several pieces of evidence suggested impaired
      mitochondrial dynamics and its association with the pathogenesis of
      neurodegenerative disorders. We found that chronic exposure of synthetic
      xenoestrogen bisphenol A (BPA), a component of consumer plastic products,
      impaired autophagy-mediated mitochondrial turnover, leading to increased
      oxidative stress, mitochondrial fragmentation, and apoptosis in hippocampal
      neural stem cells (NSCs). It also inhibited hippocampal derived NSC proliferation
      and differentiation, as evident by the decreased number of BrdU- and beta-III
      tubulin-positive cells. All these effects were reversed by the inhibition of
      oxidative stress using N-acetyl cysteine. BPA up-regulated the levels of Drp-1
      (dynamin-related protein 1) and enhanced its mitochondrial translocation, with no
      effect on Fis-1, Mfn-1, Mfn-2, and Opa-1 in vitro and in the hippocampus.
      Moreover, transmission electron microscopy studies suggested increased
      mitochondrial fission and accumulation of fragmented mitochondria and decreased
      elongated mitochondria in the hippocampus of the rat brain. Impaired
      mitochondrial dynamics by BPA resulted in increased reactive oxygen species and
      malondialdehyde levels, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP
      decline. Pharmacological (Mdivi-1) and genetic (Drp-1siRNA) inhibition of Drp-1
      reversed BPA-induced mitochondrial dysfunctions, fragmentation, and apoptosis.
      Interestingly, BPA-mediated inhibitory effects on NSC proliferation and neuronal
      differentiations were also mitigated by Drp-1 inhibition. On the other hand, Drp
      1 inhibition blocked BPA-mediated Drp-1 translocation, leading to decreased
      apoptosis of NSC. Overall, our studies implicate Drp-1 as a potential therapeutic
      target against BPA-mediated impaired mitochondrial dynamics and neurodegeneration
      in the hippocampus.

PMID- 27252378
TI  - Identification of a Noroxomaritidine Reductase with Amaryllidaceae Alkaloid
      Biosynthesis Related Activities.
AB  - Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are a large group of plant natural products with over
      300 documented structures and diverse biological activities. Several groups of
      Amaryllidaceae alkaloids including the hemanthamine- and crinine-type alkaloids
      show promise as anticancer agents. Two reduction reactions are required for the
      production of these compounds: the reduction of norcraugsodine to norbelladine
      and the reduction of noroxomaritidine to normaritidine, with the enantiomer of
      noroxomaritidine dictating whether the derivatives will be the crinine-type or
      hemanthamine-type. It is also possible for the carbon-carbon double bond of
      noroxomaritidine to be reduced, forming the precursor for maritinamine or
      elwesine depending on the enantiomer reduced to an oxomaritinamine product. In
      this study, a short chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase that co-expresses with
      the previously discovered norbelladine 4'-O-methyltransferase from Narcissus sp.
      and Galanthus spp. was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli Biochemical
      analyses and x-ray crystallography indicates that this protein functions as a
      noroxomaritidine reductase that forms oxomaritinamine from noroxomaritidine
      through a carbon-carbon double bond reduction. The enzyme also reduces
      norcraugsodine to norbelladine with a 400-fold lower specific activity. These
      studies identify a missing step in the biosynthesis of this pharmacologically
      important class of plant natural products.

PMID- 27252379
TI  - Solution Structures of Complement C2 and Its C4 Complexes Propose Pathway
      specific Mechanisms for Control and Activation of the Complement Proconvertases.
AB  - The lectin (LP) and classical (CP) pathways are two of the three main activation
      cascades of the complement system. These pathways start with recognition of
      different pathogen- or danger-associated molecular patterns and include identical
      steps of proteolytic activation of complement component C4, formation of the C3
      proconvertase C4b2, followed by cleavage of complement component C2 within C4b2
      resulting in the C3 convertase C4b2a. Here, we describe the solution structures
      of the two central complexes of the pathways, C3 proconvertase and C3 convertase,
      as well as the unbound zymogen C2 obtained by small angle x-ray scattering
      analysis. We analyzed both native and enzymatically deglycosylated C4b2 and C2
      and showed that the resulting structural models were independent of the glycans.
      The small angle x-ray scattering-derived models suggest a different activation
      mode for the CP/LP C3 proconvertase as compared with that established for the
      alternative pathway proconvertase C3bB. This is likely due to the rather
      different structural and functional properties of the proteases activating the
      proconvertases. The solution structure of a stabilized form of the active CP/LP
      C3 convertase C4b2a is strikingly similar to the crystal structure of the
      alternative pathway C3 convertase C3bBb, which is in accordance with their
      identical functions in cleaving the complement proteins C3 and C5.

PMID- 27252380
TI  - 1,2-Propanediol Dehydration in Roseburia inulinivorans: STRUCTURAL BASIS FOR
      SUBSTRATE AND ENANTIOMER SELECTIVITY.
AB  - Glycyl radical enzymes (GREs) represent a diverse superfamily of enzymes that
      utilize a radical mechanism to catalyze difficult, but often essential, chemical
      reactions. In this work we present the first biochemical and structural data for
      a GRE-type diol dehydratase from the organism Roseburia inulinivorans (RiDD).
      Despite high sequence (48% identity) and structural similarity to the GRE-type
      glycerol dehydratase from Clostridium butyricum, we demonstrate that the RiDD is
      in fact a diol dehydratase. In addition, the RiDD will utilize both (S)-1,2
      propanediol and (R)-1,2-propanediol as a substrate, with an observed preference
      for the S enantiomer. Based on the new structural information we developed and
      successfully tested a hypothesis that explains the functional differences we
      observe.

PMID- 27252381
TI  - Phosphorylation Interferes with Maturation of Amyloid-beta Fibrillar Structure in
      the N Terminus.
AB  - Neurodegeneration is characterized by the ubiquitous presence of modifications in
      protein deposits. Despite their potential significance in the initiation and
      progression of neurodegenerative diseases, the effects of posttranslational
      modifications on the molecular properties of protein aggregates are largely
      unknown. Here, we study the Alzheimer disease-related amyloid-beta (Abeta)
      peptide and investigate how phosphorylation at serine 8 affects the structure of
      Abeta aggregates. Serine 8 is shown to be located in a region of high
      conformational flexibility in monomeric Abeta, which upon phosphorylation
      undergoes changes in local conformational dynamics. Using hydrogen-deuterium
      exchange NMR and fluorescence quenching techniques, we demonstrate that Abeta
      phosphorylation at serine 8 causes structural changes in the N-terminal region of
      Abeta aggregates in favor of less compact conformations. Structural changes
      induced by serine 8 phosphorylation can provide a mechanistic link between
      phosphorylation and other biological events that involve the N-terminal region of
      Abeta aggregates. Our data therefore support an important role of
      posttranslational modifications in the structural polymorphism of amyloid
      aggregates and their modulatory effect on neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27252383
TI  - CCN6 regulates mitochondrial function.
AB  - Despite established links of CCN6, or Wnt induced signaling protein-3 (WISP3),
      with progressive pseudo rheumatoid dysplasia, functional characterization of CCN6
      remains incomplete. In light of the documented negative correlation between
      accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and CCN6 expression, we
      investigated whether CCN6 regulates ROS accumulation through its influence on
      mitochondrial function. We found that CCN6 localizes to mitochondria, and
      depletion of CCN6 in the chondrocyte cell line C-28/I2 by using siRNA results in
      altered mitochondrial electron transport and respiration. Enhanced electron
      transport chain (ETC) activity of CCN6-depleted cells was reflected by increased
      mitochondrial ROS levels in association with augmented mitochondrial ATP
      synthesis, mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca(2+) Additionally, CCN6
      depleted cells display ROS-dependent PGC1alpha (also known as PPARGC1A)
      induction, which correlates with increased mitochondrial mass and volume density,
      together with altered mitochondrial morphology. Interestingly, transcription
      factor Nrf2 (also known as NFE2L2) repressed CCN6 expression. Taken together, our
      results suggest that CCN6 acts as a molecular brake, which is appropriately
      balanced by Nrf2, in regulating mitochondrial function.

PMID- 27252382
TI  - TFEB at a glance.
AB  - The transcription factor EB (TFEB) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of
      basic cellular processes, such as lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy. The
      subcellular localization and activity of TFEB are regulated by mechanistic target
      of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated phosphorylation, which occurs at the lysosomal
      surface. Phosphorylated TFEB is retained in the cytoplasm, whereas
      dephosphorylated TFEB translocates to the nucleus to induce the transcription of
      target genes. Thus, a lysosome-to-nucleus signaling pathway regulates cellular
      energy metabolism through TFEB. Recently, in vivo studies have revealed that TFEB
      is also involved in physiological processes, such as lipid catabolism. TFEB has
      attracted a lot of attention owing to its ability to induce the intracellular
      clearance of pathogenic factors in a variety of murine models of disease, such as
      Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, suggesting that novel therapeutic strategies could
      be based on the modulation of TFEB activity. In this Cell Science at a Glance
      article and accompanying poster, we present an overview of the latest research on
      TFEB function and its implication in human diseases.

PMID- 27252384
TI  - Organelle size control - increasing vacuole content activates SNAREs to augment
      organelle volume through homotypic fusion.
AB  - Cells control the size of their compartments relative to cell volume, but there
      is also size control within each organelle. Yeast vacuoles neither burst nor do
      they collapse into a ruffled morphology, indicating that the volume of the
      organellar envelope is adjusted to the amount of content. It is poorly understood
      how this adjustment is achieved. We show that the accumulating content of yeast
      vacuoles activates fusion of other vacuoles, thus increasing the volume-to
      surface ratio. Synthesis of the dominant compound stored inside vacuoles,
      polyphosphate, stimulates binding of the chaperone Sec18/NSF to vacuolar SNAREs,
      which activates them and triggers fusion. SNAREs can only be activated by
      lumenal, not cytosolic, polyphosphate (polyP). Control of lumenal polyP over
      SNARE activation in the cytosol requires the cytosolic cyclin-dependent kinase
      Pho80-Pho85 and the R-SNARE Nyv1. These results suggest that cells can adapt the
      volume of vacuoles to their content through feedback from the vacuole lumen to
      the SNAREs on the cytosolic surface of the organelle.

PMID- 27252385
TI  - Endosomal assembly and transport of heteromeric septin complexes promote septin
      cytoskeleton formation.
AB  - Septins are conserved cytoskeletal structures functioning in a variety of
      biological processes including cytokinesis and cell polarity. A wealth of
      information exists on the heterooligomeric architecture of septins and their
      subcellular localization at distinct sites. However, the precise mechanisms of
      their subcellular assembly and their intracellular transport are unknown. Here,
      we demonstrate that endosomal transport of septins along microtubules is crucial
      for formation of higher-order structures in the fungus Ustilago maydis
      Importantly, endosomal septin transport is dependent on each individual septin
      providing strong evidence that septin heteromeric complexes are assembled on
      endosomes. Furthermore, endosomal trafficking of all four septin mRNAs is
      required for endosomal localization of their translation products. Based on these
      results, we propose that local translation promotes the assembly of newly
      synthesized septins in heteromeric structures on the surface of endosomes. This
      is important for the long-distance transport of septins and the efficient
      formation of the septin cytoskeleton.

PMID- 27252386
TI  - Substrate specificity and mapping of residues critical for transport in the high
      affinity glutathione transporter Hgt1p.
AB  - The high-affinity glutathione transporter Hgt1p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      belongs to a relatively new and structurally uncharacterized oligopeptide
      transporter (OPT) family. To understand the structural features required for
      interaction with Hgt1p, a quantitative investigation of substrate specificity of
      Hgt1p was carried out. Hgt1p showed a higher affinity for reduced glutathione
      (GSH), whereas it transported oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and other glutathione
      conjugates with lower affinity. To identify the residues of Hgt1p critical for
      substrate binding and translocation, all amino acid residues of the 13 predicted
      transmembrane domains (TMDs) have been subjected to mutagenesis. Functional
      evaluation of these 269 mutants by growth and biochemical assay followed by
      kinetic analysis of the severely defective mutants including previous mutagenic
      studies on this transporter have led to the identification of N124 (TMD1), V185
      (TMD3), Q222, G225 and Y226 (TMD4), P292 (TMD5), Y374 (TMD6), L429 (TMD7) and
      F523 and Q526 (TMD9) as critical for substrate binding with at least 3-fold
      increase in Km upon mutagenesis to alanine. In addition residues Y226 and Y374
      appeared to be important for differential substrate specificity. An ab initio
      model of Hgt1p was built and refined using these mutagenic data that yielded a
      helical arrangement that includes TMD3, TMD4, TMD5, TMD6, TMD7, TMD9 and TMD13 as
      pore-lining helices with the functionally important residues in a channel-facing
      orientation. Taken together the results of this study provides the first
      mechanistic insights into glutathione transport by a eukaryotic high-affinity
      glutathione transporter.

PMID- 27252387
TI  - Discovery, characterization and in vivo activity of pyocin SD2, a protein
      antibiotic from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - Increasing rates of antibiotic resistance among Gram-negative pathogens such as
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa means alternative approaches to antibiotic development are
      urgently required. Pyocins, produced by P. aeruginosa for intraspecies
      competition, are highly potent protein antibiotics known to actively translocate
      across the outer membrane of P. aeruginosa. Understanding and exploiting the
      mechanisms by which pyocins target, penetrate and kill P. aeruginosa is a
      promising approach to antibiotic development. In this work we show the
      therapeutic potential of a newly identified tRNase pyocin, pyocin SD2, by
      demonstrating its activity in vivo in a murine model of P. aeruginosa lung
      infection. In addition, we propose a mechanism of cell targeting and
      translocation for pyocin SD2 across the P. aeruginosa outer membrane. Pyocin SD2
      is concentrated at the cell surface, via binding to the common polysaccharide
      antigen (CPA) of P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS), from where it can
      efficiently locate its outer membrane receptor FpvAI. This strategy of utilizing
      both the CPA and a protein receptor for cell targeting is common among pyocins as
      we show that pyocins S2, S5 and SD3 also bind to the CPA. Additional data
      indicate a key role for an unstructured N-terminal region of pyocin SD2 in the
      subsequent translocation of the pyocin into the cell. These results greatly
      improve our understanding of how pyocins target and translocate across the outer
      membrane of P. aeruginosa. This knowledge could be useful for the development of
      novel anti-pseudomonal therapeutics and will also support the development of
      pyocin SD2 as a therapeutic in its own right.

PMID- 27252389
TI  - Obesity, hypertension and aldosterone: is leptin the link?
AB  - Obesity is a serious health hazard with rapidly increasing prevalence in the
      United States. In 2014, the World Health Organization estimated that nearly 2
      billion people worldwide were overweight with an estimated 600 million of these
      obese. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular
      disease and hypertension. Data from the Framingham Heart study suggest that
      approximately 78% of the risk for hypertension in men and 65% in women is related
      to excess body weight, a relationship that is further supported by studies
      showing increases in blood pressure with weight gain and decreases with weight
      loss. However, the exact mechanism by which excess body fat induces hypertension
      remains poorly understood. Several clinical studies have demonstrated elevated
      plasma aldosterone levels in obese individuals, especially those with visceral
      adiposity, with decreased aldosterone levels measured in concert with reduced
      blood pressure following weight loss. Since aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid
      hormone that regulates blood volume and pressure, serum aldosterone levels may
      link obesity and hypertension. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which obesity
      induces aldosterone production is unclear. A recent study by Belin de Chantemele
      and coworkers suggests that one adipose-released factor, leptin, is a direct
      agonist for aldosterone secretion; other adipose-related factors may also
      contribute to elevated aldosterone levels in obesity, such as very low-density
      lipoprotein (VLDL), the levels of which are elevated in obesity and which also
      directly stimulates aldosterone biosynthesis. This focused review explores the
      possible roles of leptin and VLDL in modulating aldosterone secretion to underlie
      obesity-associated hypertension.

PMID- 27252388
TI  - Role of Adiponectin in Coronary Heart Disease Risk: A Mendelian Randomization
      Study.
AB  - RATIONALE: Hypoadiponectinemia correlates with several coronary heart disease
      (CHD) risk factors. However, it is unknown whether adiponectin is causally
      implicated in CHD pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the causal
      effect of adiponectin on CHD risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: We undertook a Mendelian
      randomization study using data from genome-wide association studies consortia. We
      used the ADIPOGen consortium to identify genetic variants that could be used as
      instrumental variables for the effect of adiponectin. Data on the association of
      these genetic variants with CHD risk were obtained from CARDIoGRAM (22 233 CHD
      cases and 64 762 controls of European ancestry) and from CARDIoGRAMplusC4D
      Metabochip (63 746 cases and 130 681 controls; ~ 91% of European ancestry)
      consortia. Data on the association of genetic variants with adiponectin levels
      and with CHD were combined to estimate the influence of blood adiponectin on CHD
      risk. In the conservative approach (restricted to using variants within the
      adiponectin gene as instrumental variables), each 1 U increase in log blood
      adiponectin concentration was associated with an odds ratio for CHD of 0.83 (95%
      confidence interval, 0.68-1.01) in CARDIoGRAM and 0.97 (95% confidence interval,
      0.84-1.12) in CARDIoGRAMplusC4D Metabochip. Findings from the liberal approach
      (including variants in any locus across the genome) indicated a protective effect
      of adiponectin that was attenuated to the null after adjustment for known CHD
      predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings do not support a causal role of
      adiponectin levels in CHD pathogenesis.

PMID- 27252395
TI  - The Prehistory of Antibiotic Resistance.
AB  - Antibiotic resistance is a global problem that is reaching crisis levels. The
      global collection of resistance genes in clinical and environmental samples is
      the antibiotic "resistome," and is subject to the selective pressure of human
      activity. The origin of many modern resistance genes in pathogens is likely
      environmental bacteria, including antibiotic producing organisms that have
      existed for millennia. Recent work has uncovered resistance in ancient
      permafrost, isolated caves, and in human specimens preserved for hundreds of
      years. Together with bioinformatic analyses on modern-day sequences, these
      studies predict an ancient origin of resistance that long precedes the use of
      antibiotics in the clinic. Understanding the history of antibiotic resistance is
      important in predicting its future evolution.

PMID- 27252398
TI  - Colonization Dynamics of Subcortical Insects on Forest Sites With Relatively
      Stressed and Unstressed Loblolly Pine Trees.
AB  - Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is the most important commercial tree species in
      the southeastern United States. Since the 1950s, there have been reports of
      loblolly pines showing reduced growth and increased mortality, particularly in
      central Alabama and western Georgia, United States; the phenomenon is termed as
      southern pine decline (SPD). Recently, the role of rhizophagous (root-feeding)
      insects in loblolly pine health within the context of SPD has come under greater
      scrutiny. We investigated the impacts of subcortical insects, particularly
      rhizophagous weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), on loblolly pine health in
      northeastern Georgia. We created plots-representing a gradient of increased
      relative tree stress-from ungirdled trees, ungirdled trees baited with ethanol
      and turpentine (ungirdled-baited), and girdled trees. In total, 10,795
      subcortical insects from four families (Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionidae,
      and Siricidae) and >82 species were trapped in two years. Almost half of the
      insects trapped (46% of individuals and 11% of species) were nonnative to North
      America. Insect captures in plots with girdled trees were 61 and 187% greater
      than those with ungirdled-baited and ungirdled trees, respectively. Tree
      treatment impacted captures of native, but not nonnative insects. Relative
      feeding area by the rhizophagous weevils Hylobius pales (Herbst) and Pachylobius
      picivorus (Germar) on pine twigs placed in pitfall traps was 1, 17, and 82% in
      plots with ungirdled, ungirdled-baited, and girdled trees, respectively. Hence,
      there was a strong association of native subcortical insects, especially
      rhizophagous weevils, with relatively highly stressed trees, confirming that they
      are secondary instead of primary pine colonizers.

PMID- 27252397
TI  - Aminoglycosides: An Overview.
AB  - Aminoglycosides are natural or semisynthetic antibiotics derived from
      actinomycetes. They were among the first antibiotics to be introduced for routine
      clinical use and several examples have been approved for use in humans. They
      found widespread use as first-line agents in the early days of antimicrobial
      chemotherapy, but were eventually replaced in the 1980s with cephalosporins,
      carbapenems, and fluoroquinolones. Aminoglycosides synergize with a variety of
      other antibacterial classes, which, in combination with the continued increase in
      the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the potential to improve the safety
      and efficacy of the class through optimized dosing regimens, has led to a renewed
      interest in these broad-spectrum and rapidly bactericidal antibacterials.

PMID- 27252396
TI  - Genome Stability Requires p53.
AB  - It is now clear that functional p53 is critical to protect the genome from
      alterations that lead to tumorigenesis. However, with the myriad of cellular
      stresses and pathways linked to p53 activation, much remains unknown about how
      p53 maintains genome stability and the proteins involved. The current
      understanding of the multiple ways p53 contributes to genome stability and how
      two of its negative regulators, Mdm2 and Mdmx, induce genome instability will be
      described.

PMID- 27252399
TI  - Integration of new alternative reference strain genome sequences into the
      Saccharomyces genome database.
AB  - The Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD; http://www.yeastgenome.org/) is the
      authoritative community resource for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae reference
      genome sequence and its annotation. To provide a wider scope of genetic and
      phenotypic variation in yeast, the genome sequences and their corresponding
      annotations from 11 alternative S. cerevisiae reference strains have been
      integrated into SGD. Genomic and protein sequence information for genes from
      these strains are now available on the Sequence and Protein tab of the
      corresponding Locus Summary pages. We illustrate how these genome sequences can
      be utilized to aid our understanding of strain-specific functional and phenotypic
      differences.Database URL: www.yeastgenome.org. 

PMID- 27252400
TI  - An Overview of the Mechanism of Action of the Monoclonal Antibody Vedolizumab.
AB  - Vedolizumab is a novel therapeutic monoclonal antibody recently approved for the
      treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
      in adults who have failed at least one conventional therapy. An integrin
      antagonist, vedolizumab binds to the alpha4beta7 integrin which is expressed
      specifically by a subset of gastrointestinal-homing T lymphocytes. The binding of
      alpha4beta7 integrin to mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 expressed on
      the surface of mucosal endothelial cells is a crucial component of the gut
      selective homing mechanism for lymphocytes.In contrast, other monoclonal
      antibodies approved for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as
      tumour necrosis factor alpha antagonists and the integrin antagonist natalizumab,
      act systemically or on multiple targets to reduce inflammation.The unique gut
      selectivity of vedolizumab may contribute to the favourable benefit-risk profile
      observed in vedolizumab clinical trials. In this review, we summarise data from
      the preclinical development of vedolizumab and describe the current understanding
      of the mechanism of action as it relates to other biological therapies for
      inflammatory bowel disease.

PMID- 27252402
TI  - Sex and gender differences in chronic kidney disease: progression to end-stage
      renal disease and haemodialysis.
AB  - Sex and gender differences are of fundamental importance in most diseases,
      including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Men and women with CKD differ with regard
      to the underlying pathophysiology of the disease and its complications, present
      different symptoms and signs, respond differently to therapy and tolerate/cope
      with the disease differently. Yet an approach using gender in the prevention and
      treatment of CKD, implementation of clinical practice guidelines and in research
      has been largely neglected. The present review highlights some sex- and gender
      specific evidence in the field of CKD, starting with a critical appraisal of the
      lack of inclusion of women in randomized clinical trials in nephrology, and
      thereafter revisits sex/gender differences in kidney pathophysiology, kidney
      disease progression, outcomes and management of haemodialysis care. In each case
      we critically consider whether apparent discrepancies are likely to be explained
      by biological or psycho-socioeconomic factors. In some cases (a few), these
      findings have resulted in the discovery of disease pathways and/or therapeutic
      opportunities for improvement. In most cases, they have been reported as merely
      anecdotal findings. The aim of the present review is to expose some of the
      stimulating hypotheses arising from these observations as a preamble for stricter
      approaches using gender for the prevention and treatment of CKD and its
      complications.

PMID- 27252403
TI  - Bacterial pathogen gene regulation: a DNA-structure-centred view of a protein
      dominated domain.
AB  - The mechanisms used by bacterial pathogens to regulate the expression of their
      genes, especially their virulence genes, have been the subject of intense
      investigation for several decades. Whole genome sequencing projects, together
      with more targeted studies, have identified hundreds of DNA-binding proteins that
      contribute to the patterns of gene expression observed during infection as well
      as providing important insights into the nature of the gene products whose
      expression is being controlled by these proteins. Themes that have emerged
      include the importance of horizontal gene transfer to the evolution of pathogens,
      the need to impose regulatory discipline upon these imported genes and the
      important roles played by factors normally associated with the organization of
      genome architecture as regulatory principles in the control of virulence gene
      expression. Among these architectural elements is the structure of DNA itself,
      its variable nature at a topological rather than just at a base-sequence level
      and its ability to play an active (as well as a passive) part in the gene
      regulation process.

PMID- 27252404
TI  - Mitochondrial [dys]function; culprit in pre-eclampsia?
AB  - Mitochondria are extensively identified for their bioenergetic capacities;
      however, recently these metabolic hubs are increasingly being appreciated as
      critical regulators of numerous cellular signalling systems. Mitochondrial
      reactive oxygen species have evolved as a mode of cross-talk between
      mitochondrial function and physiological systems, to sustain equipoise and foster
      adaption to cellular stress. Redox signalling mediated by exaggerated
      mitochondrial-ROS (reactive oxygen species) has been incriminated in a plethora
      of disease pathologies. Excessive production of mitochondrial ROS is
      intrinsically linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, mitochondrial
      dysfunction is a key facilitator of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and
      metabolism. These are key pathogenic intermediaries of pre-eclampsia, hence we
      hypothesize that mitochondrial dysfunction is a pathogenic mediator of oxidative
      stress in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. We hypothesize that mitochondrial
      targeted antioxidants may restrain production of ROS-mediated deleterious redox
      signalling pathways. If our hypothesis proves correct, therapeutic strategies
      directly targeting mitochondrial superoxide scavenging should be actively pursued
      as they may alleviate maternal vascular dysfunction and dramatically improve
      maternal and fetal health worldwide.

PMID- 27252401
TI  - miRNAs in NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity and psychiatric disorders.
AB  - The identification and functional delineation of miRNAs (a class of small non
      coding RNAs) have added a new layer of complexity to our understanding of the
      molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity. Genome-wide association
      studies in conjunction with investigations in cellular and animal models,
      moreover, provide evidence that miRNAs are involved in psychiatric disorders. In
      the present review, we examine the current knowledge about the roles played by
      miRNAs in NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity and
      psychiatric disorders.

PMID- 27252405
TI  - Adiponectin promotes VEGF-C-dependent lymphangiogenesis by inhibiting miR-27b
      through a CaMKII/AMPK/p38 signaling pathway in human chondrosarcoma cells.
AB  - Chondrosarcoma is the second most frequently occurring type of bone malignancy
      characterized by distant metastatic propensity. Vascular endothelial growth
      factor-C (VEGF-C) is the major lymphangiogenic factor, and makes crucial
      contributions to tumour lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. Adiponectin
      is a protein hormone secreted predominantly by differentiated adipocytes. In
      recent years, adiponectin has also been indicated as facilitating tumorigenesis,
      angiogenesis and metastasis. However, the effect of adiponectin on VEGF-C
      regulation and lymphangiogenesis in chondrosarcoma has remained largely a
      mystery. In the present study, we have shown a clinical correlation between
      adiponectin and VEGF-C, as well as tumour stage, in human chondrosarcoma tissues.
      We further demonstrated that adiponectin promoted VEGF-C expression and secretion
      in human chondrosarcoma cells. The conditioned medium from adiponectin-treated
      cells significantly induced tube formation and migration of human lymphatic
      endothelial cells. In addition, adiponectin knock down inhibited
      lymphangiogenesis in vitro and in vivo We also found that adiponectin-induced
      VEGF-C is mediated by the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), AMP
      activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p38 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the
      expression of miR-27b was negatively regulated by adiponectin via the CaMKII,
      AMPK and p38 cascade. The present study is the first to describe the mechanism of
      adiponectin-promoted lymphangiogenesis by up-regulating VEGF-C expression in
      chondrosarcomas. Thus, adiponectin could serve as a therapeutic target in
      chondrosarcoma metastasis and lymphangiogenesis.

PMID- 27252407
TI  - Ant Foraging As an Indicator of Tropical Dry Forest Restoration.
AB  - Variation in foraging behavior may indicate differences in food availability and
      allow assessment of restoration actions. Ants are prominent bioindicators used in
      assessing ecological responses to disturbance. However, behavioral data have been
      poorly incorporated as an index. The foraging performance of red harvester ants
      was quantified in order to evaluate the success of a restoration ecology
      experiment in the tropical dry forest of Sierra de Huautla, Morelos, in central
      Mexico. Foraging performance by granivorous, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, ants was
      diminished after 6 and 8 years of cattle grazing and wood harvest were excluded
      as part of a restoration experiment in a highly degraded biome. Despite investing
      more time in foraging, ant colonies in exclusion plots showed lower foraging
      success and acquired less seed biomass than colonies in control plots. In line
      with the predictions of optimal foraging theory, in restored plots where ant
      foraging performance was poor, ants harvested a higher diversity of seeds.
      Reduced foraging success and increased harvest of non-preferred foods in
      exclusion plots were likely due to the growth of herbaceous vegetation, which
      impedes travel by foragers. Moreover, by 8 years of exclusion, 37% of nests in
      exclusion plots had disappeared compared to 0% of nests in control plots. Ants'
      foraging success and behavior were sensitive to changes in habitat quality due to
      the plant successional process triggered by a restoration intervention. This
      study spotlights on the utility of animal foraging behavior in the evaluation of
      habitat restoration programs.

PMID- 27252406
TI  - Immune dysfunction in patients with obstructive jaundice before and after
      endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
AB  - This prospective observational study investigated monocyte cytokine responses to
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in patients with obstructive jaundice (OJ) before and
      after endoscopic biliary drainage. Dendritic cell (DC) subsets and their
      expression of co-stimulatory molecules were also studied. Forty patients with OJ
      and ten non-jaundiced patients with normal gastroscopy findings were recruited.
      Ten healthy volunteers provided control blood samples for immunological assays.
      Patients with OJ had blood and duodenal mucosa sampled at the time of endoscopic
      retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and further blood sampled during the
      recovery phase. Monocyte cytokine responses to LPS, DC subsets and co-stimulatory
      molecule expression were compared with controls. Duodenal morphology and occludin
      expression were also assessed. Monocytes obtained before ERCP from jaundiced
      patients demonstrated reduced cytokine responses to endotoxin compared with
      controls (IL-1beta: 2678 compared with 4631 pg/ml, P=0.04 and IL-6: 3442 compared
      with 6157 pg/ml, P=0.002). Monocytes from patients with malignancy had poorer
      responses to endotoxin than from those with benign OJ (IL-1beta: 2025 compared
      with 3332 pg/ml, P=0.001). After ERCP, the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by
      monocytes obtained from jaundiced patients increased (IL-1beta: 2150 compared
      with 2520 pg/ml, P=0.03 and IL-6: 2488 compared with 3250 pg/ml, P=0.01).
      Occludin expression (85 compared with 95%, P=0.004) and mean duodenal villus
      height (334 compared with 404 MUm, P=0.03) were lower in jaundiced patients.
      Before biliary drainage, patients with OJ had a higher percentage of myeloid
      dendritic cells (mDCs) and greater mDC expression of CD40 (P=0.04) and CD86
      (P=0.04). Monocytes from patients with OJ had lower proinflammatory cytokine
      secretion in response to LPS, an effect reversed following biliary drainage.

PMID- 27252408
TI  - Diel Rhythms in Monochamus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Production of and Response
      to a Male-Produced Aggregation Pheromone.
AB  - Recent research has shown that several species in the genus Monochamus, including
      Monochamus scutellatus scutellatus (Say) and Monochamus notatus (Drury), a close
      congener, are attracted to an aggregation pheromone, monochamol, but only M. s.
      scutellatus produces it. Investigations were conducted to determine if there is a
      diel rhythm in production of monochamol or response to monochamol + host
      attractants in field trials by M. s. scutellatus and M. notatus to prevent cross
      attraction with each other. Volatiles were collected from males and females of M.
      s. scutellatus and M. notatus every 8 h and analyzed by coupled gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. Traps baited with monochamol and the host
      volatiles alpha-pinene and ethanol were checked every 8 h in field tests. Only
      male M. s. scutellatus produced the pheromone, and did so in similar quantities
      during each 8-h time interval assessed, suggesting there is no diel rhythm in
      pheromone production. In field tests conducted in early to mid-July,
      significantly more M. s. scutellatus were captured during morning hours, and
      significantly more M. notatus were caught during afternoon or early evening
      hours, suggesting temporal partitioning of flight or in their response to the
      pheromone lures when both species are present. A temporal switch occurred later
      in the seasonal flight period (mid-August) when densities of M. s. scutellatus
      were low; all M. notatus and only one M. s. scutellatus were caught during
      morning hours. This suggests a temporal separation in mate location behavior when
      both species are abundant and using the same host to avoid interspecific mating.

PMID- 27252410
TI  - Transient focal leukoencephalopathy with cerebral oedema as a presentation of
      cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

PMID- 27252409
TI  - The Thermal Breadth of Nylanderia fulva (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Is Narrower
      Than That of Solenopsis invicta at Three Thermal Ramping Rates: 1.0, 0.12, and
      0.06 degrees C min-1.
AB  - Determining the upper (CTmax) and lower (CTmin) critical thermal limits of
      invasive ants provides insight into how temperature could shape their
      distribution, seasonality, and daily activity. Understanding the potential
      distribution of invasive ants is imperative to improving quarantine and
      management efforts. Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) (tawny crazy ant) and Solenopsis
      invicta (Buren) (red imported fire ant) are invasive ants that are established
      throughout the southeastern United States. Recent studies have found that body
      size and thermal ramping rate can affect the estimation of critical thermal
      limits. However, the effects of both variables and their interactions on the
      thermal limits of N. fulva and S. invicta have not previously been described.
      Thus, we evaluated the impacts of body size and ramping rate on the critical
      thermal limits of N. fulva and S. invicta Overall, N. fulva had a narrower
      thermal breadth than S. invicta (Nf CTmin = 7.3 degrees C and Nf CTmax = 41.3
      degrees C vs. Si CTmin = 4.1 degrees C and Si CTmax = 45.3 degrees C). For both
      species, slower ramping rates resulted in lower CTmax values and ants with
      smaller head capsules had a narrower thermal breadth than ants with larger head
      capsules. These data improve our understanding of the critical thermal limits of
      both species and could be useful for developing predictive models that estimate
      the future spread of these invasive ants in nonnative ranges.

PMID- 27252411
TI  - Clinicopathological case: rapid cognitive decline in an older man.

PMID- 27252413
TI  - Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - The outcomes for patients with previously treated advanced stage non-small lung
      cancer (NSCLC) are very poor, with a modest benefit from chemotherapy over best
      supportive care. Immunotherapy offers a novel approach for the treatment of these
      patients, with two anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) checkpoint inhibitors,
      nivolumab and pembrolizumab, recently approved by the FDA based on large
      randomized clinical trials showing increased overall survival compared with
      standard second-line docetaxel. Although only a subset of patients benefit from
      these drugs, the treatment is usually well tolerated and the responses are often
      durable, with an unprecedented number of survivors 3 years after starting the
      therapy. The next steps should be the identification of reliable predictors for
      benefit from immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors and the pursuit of well
      designed combination therapies. In this article, we review the rationale for the
      use of checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC, the data from phase I and randomized
      clinical trials, and future directions. Clin Cancer Res; 22(15); 3713-7. (c)2016
      AACR.

PMID- 27252412
TI  - GTL001, A Therapeutic Vaccine for Women Infected with Human Papillomavirus 16 or
      18 and Normal Cervical Cytology: Results of a Phase I Clinical Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: Women infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) with normal cytology to
      mild abnormalities currently have no treatment options other than watchful
      waiting or surgery if high-grade cervical lesions or cancer develop. A
      therapeutic vaccine would offer the possibility of preventing high-grade lesions
      in HPV-infected women. GTL001 is a therapeutic vaccine composed of recombinant
      HPV16 and HPV18 E7 proteins fused to catalytically inactive Bordetella pertussis
      CyaA. This study examined the tolerability and immunogenicity of GTL001 in women
      infected with HPV16 or HPV18 with normal cytology. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: This was
      a phase I trial (EudraCT No. 2010-018629-21). In an open-label part, subjects
      received two intradermal vaccinations 6 weeks apart of 100 or 600 MUg GTL001 +
      topical 5% imiquimod cream at the injection site. In a double-blind part,
      subjects were randomized 2:1:1 to two vaccinations 6 weeks apart of 600 MUg
      GTL001 + imiquimod, 600 MUg GTL001 + placebo cream, or placebo + imiquimod.
      RESULTS: Forty-seven women were included. No dropouts, treatment-related serious
      adverse events, or dose-limiting toxicities occurred. Local reactions were
      transient and mostly mild or moderate. HPV16/18 viral load decreased the most in
      the 600 MUg GTL001 + imiquimod group. In post hoc analyses, the 600 MUg GTL001 +
      imiquimod group had the highest rates of initial and sustained HPV16/18
      clearance. Imiquimod increased antigen-specific T-cell response rates but not
      rates of solicited reactions. All subjects seroconverted to CyaA. CONCLUSIONS:
      For women infected with HPV16 or HPV18 with normal cervical cytology, GTL001 was
      immunogenic and had acceptable safety profile. Clin Cancer Res; 22(13); 3238-48.
      (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27252414
TI  - Cancer Tills the Premetastatic Field: Mechanistic Basis and Clinical
      Implications.
AB  - A growing body of work has shown that cancer metastasis is not a random
      spontaneous event; rather, it is the culmination of a cascade of priming steps
      through which a subpopulation of the tumor cells acquires invasive traits while
      readying a permissive environment, termed the "premetastatic niche," in which
      distant metastases can occur. Signals from the primary tumor mobilize and adapt
      immune cells as well as directly communicating with distant niche cells to induce
      a broad spectrum of adaptations in target organs, including the induction of
      angiogenesis, inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and metabolic
      reprogramming. Together, these interactions facilitate the formation of a
      premetastatic niche composed of a variable mix of resident and recruited immune
      cells, endothelial cells, and stromal cells connected through a complex signaling
      network that we are only beginning to understand. Here, we summarize the latest
      findings on how cancer induces and guides the formation of this premetastatic
      niche as well as potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets that may
      lead to a better understanding and effective treatment of metastatic disease.
      Clin Cancer Res; 22(15); 3725-33. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27252415
TI  - Image Analysis-based Assessment of PD-L1 and Tumor-Associated Immune Cells
      Density Supports Distinct Intratumoral Microenvironment Groups in Non-small Cell
      Lung Carcinoma Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the correlation between immunohistochemical PD-L1
      expression and tumor-associated immune cells (TAICs) density in non-small cell
      lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and correlated them with clinicopathologic variables.
      EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Tumor tissue specimens from 254 stage I-III NSCLCs [146
      adenocarcinomas; 108 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs)] were examined. PD-L1
      expression in malignant cells and macrophages and the density of TAICs expressing
      CD3, CD4, CD8, CD57, granzyme B, CD45RO, PD-1, FOXP3, and CD68 were evaluated
      using immunohistochemistry and image analysis. RESULTS: Malignant cells PD-L1 H
      score > 5 was detected in 23% of adenocarcinomas and 31% of SCCs, and no
      significant differences were detected comparing both histologies; the median H
      score in macrophages was significantly higher in SCC than in adenocarcinoma (P <
      0.001). In adenocarcinoma, high malignant cells PD-L1 expression and high TAIC
      density correlated with solid histology, smoking history, and airflow limitation.
      Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high CD57-positive cell density
      correlated with better recurrence-free survival (RFS; P = 0.0236; HR, 0.457) and
      overall survival (OS; P = 0.0261; HR, 0.481) rates for SCC. High CD68-positive
      cell density in intratumoral compartment correlated with better RFS (P = 0.0436;
      HR, 0.553) for adenocarcinoma. The combination of low CD4/CD8/C68-positive cell
      density and PD-L1 H-score >5 in malignant cells identified small subset of
      adenocarcinomas with worse outcomes (RFS: P = 0.036; HR, 4.299; OS: P = 0.00034;
      HR, 5.632). CONCLUSIONS: We detected different PD-L1 expression and TAIC density
      patterns in NSCLC. Distinct groups of tumor microenvironment correlated with
      NSCLC clinicopathologic features, including outcome. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24);
      6278-89. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27252416
TI  - Heterogeneous Mechanisms of Primary and Acquired Resistance to Third-Generation
      EGFR Inhibitors.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify novel mechanisms of resistance to third-generation EGFR
      inhibitors in patients with lung adenocarcinoma that progressed under therapy
      with either AZD9291 or rociletinib (CO-1686). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We analyzed
      tumor biopsies from seven patients obtained before, during, and/or after
      treatment with AZD9291 or rociletinib (CO-1686). Targeted sequencing and FISH
      analyses were performed, and the relevance of candidate genes was functionally
      assessed in in vitro models. RESULTS: We found recurrent amplification of either
      MET or ERBB2 in tumors that were resistant or developed resistance to third
      generation EGFR inhibitors and show that ERBB2 and MET activation can confer
      resistance to these compounds. Furthermore, we identified a KRASG12S mutation in
      a patient with acquired resistance to AZD9291 as a potential driver of acquired
      resistance. Finally, we show that dual inhibition of EGFR/MEK might be a viable
      strategy to overcome resistance in EGFR-mutant cells expressing mutant KRAS
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that heterogeneous mechanisms of resistance can
      drive primary and acquired resistance to third-generation EGFR inhibitors and
      provide a rationale for potential combination strategies. Clin Cancer Res;
      22(19); 4837-47. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27252417
TI  - Cross-Stratification and Differential Risk by Breast Cancer Index and Recurrence
      Score in Women with Hormone Receptor-Positive Lymph Node-Negative Early-Stage
      Breast Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Previous results from the TransATAC study demonstrated that both the
      Breast Cancer Index (BCI) and the OncotypeDX Recurrence Score (RS) added
      significant prognostic information to clinicopathologic factors over a 10-year
      period. Here, we examined cross-stratification between BCI and RS to directly
      compare their prognostic accuracy at the individual patient level. EXPERIMENTAL
      DESIGN: A total of 665 patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and lymph
      node-negative disease were included in this retrospective analysis. BCI and RS
      risk groups were determined using predefined clinical cut-off points. Kaplan
      Meier estimates of 10-year risk of distant recurrence (DR) and log-rank tests
      were used to examine cross-stratification between BCI and RS. RESULTS: As
      previously reported, both RS and BCI were significantly prognostic in years 0 to
      10. BCI provided significant additional prognostic information to the Clinical
      Treatment Score (CTS) plus RS (DeltaLR-chi2 = 11.09; P < 0.001), whereas no
      additional prognostic information was provided by RS to CTS plus BCI (DeltaLR
      chi2 = 2.22; P = 0.1). Restratification by BCI of the low and intermediate RS
      risk groups led to subgroups with significantly different DR rates (P < 0.001 and
      P = 0.003, respectively). In contrast, restratified subgroups created by RS of
      BCI risk groups did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective
      analysis, BCI demonstrated increased prognostic accuracy versus RS. Notably, BCI
      identified subsets of RS low and RS intermediate risk patients with significant
      and clinically relevant rates of DR. These results indicate that additional
      subsets of women with HR+, lymph node-negative breast cancer identified by BCI
      may be suitable candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy or extended endocrine
      therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 22(20); 5043-8. (c)2016 AACRSee related commentary by
      Brufsky and Davidson, p. 4963.

PMID- 27252418
TI  - High CDK6 Protects Cells from Fulvestrant-Mediated Apoptosis and is a Predictor
      of Resistance to Fulvestrant in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast
      Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Resistance to endocrine therapy in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)
      breast cancer remains a major clinical problem. Recently, the CDK4/6 inhibitor
      palbociclib combined with letrozole or fulvestrant was approved for treatment of
      ER+ advanced breast cancer. However, the role of CDK4/6 in endocrine resistance
      and their potential as predictive biomarkers of endocrine treatment response
      remains undefined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We investigated the specific role of
      increased CDK6 expression in fulvestrant-resistant cells by gene knockdown and
      treatment with palbociclib, and evaluated the effect in cell proliferation,
      apoptosis, and kinase activity. Furthermore, we evaluated CDK6 expression in
      metastatic samples from breast cancer patients treated or not with fulvestrant.
      RESULTS: We found increased expression of CDK6 in two fulvestrant-resistant cell
      models versus sensitive cells. Reduction of CDK6 expression impaired fulvestrant
      resistant cell growth and induced apoptosis. Treatment with palbociclib
      resensitized fulvestrant-resistant cells to fulvestrant through alteration of
      retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation. High CDK6 levels in metastatic samples
      from two independent cohorts of breast cancer patients treated with fulvestrant
      (N = 45 and 46) correlated significantly with shorter progression-free survival
      (PFS) on fulvestrant treatment (P = 0.0006 and 0.018), whereas no association was
      observed in patients receiving other first- or second-/third-line endocrine
      treatments (N = 68, P = 0.135 and 0.511, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      indicate that upregulation of CDK6 may be an important mechanism in overcoming
      fulvestrant-mediated growth inhibition in breast cancer cells. Patients with
      advanced ER+ breast cancer exhibiting high CDK6 expression in the metastatic
      lesions show shorter PFS upon fulvestrant treatment and thus may benefit from the
      addition of CDK4/6 inhibitors in their therapeutic regimens. Clin Cancer Res;
      22(22); 5514-26. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27252419
TI  - Rituximab in the Treatment of Jo1 Antibody-associated Antisynthetase Syndrome:
      Anti-Ro52 Positivity as a Marker for Severity and Treatment Response.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Rituximab (RTX) has been used successfully for the treatment of severe
      Jo1 antibody-associated antisynthetase syndrome. The aim of this retrospective
      study was to evaluate the effect of RTX in severe Jo1 antisynthetase syndrome and
      determine predictive factors for response. METHODS: There were 61 patients with
      Jo1 antisynthetase syndrome identified; 18 of these received RTX. One patient was
      lost to followup. The remaining 17 patients and 30 out of 43 patients who were
      treated with conventional immunosuppressive (IS) drugs were followed for a mean
      of 35 months and 84 months, respectively. RESULTS: Polymyositis/dermatomyositis
      (95%) and interstitial lung disease (ILD; 66%) were the dominant clinical
      manifestations. Detection of anti-Ro52 antibodies (43%) was significantly
      associated with acute-onset ILD (p = 0.016) with O2 dependency, and patients with
      high concentrations of anti-Ro52 (20%) had the highest risk (p = 0.0005). Sixteen
      out of 18 patients (89%) showed a fast and marked response to RTX. Among those
      patients who were highly positive for anti-Ro52, response to RTX was seen in 7
      out of 7 cases (100%), but no response to cyclophosphamide (n = 4), cyclosporine
      A (n = 3), azathioprine (n = 9), methotrexate (n = 5), or leflunomide (n = 2) was
      observed. One patient treated with RTX died of pneumonia. CONCLUSION: RTX is
      effective in the treatment of severe forms of Jo1 antisynthetase syndrome. In our
      retrospective study, the presence of high anti-Ro52 antibody concentrations
      predicts severe acute-onset ILD and nonresponse to IS drugs. In contrast to
      conventional IS, RTX is equally effective in patients with Jo1 antisynthetase
      syndrome, independent of their anti-Ro52 antibody status.

PMID- 27252420
TI  - Costs in Relation to Disability, Disease Activity, and Health-related Quality of
      Life in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Observational Data from Southern Sweden.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare how costs relate to disability, disease activity, and
      health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS:
      Antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-treated patients with RA in southern Sweden
      (n = 2341) were monitored 2005-2010. Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), 28
      joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28), and EQ-5D scores were linked to register
      derived costs of antirheumatic drugs (excluding anti-TNF agents), patient care,
      and work loss from 30 days before to 30 days after each visit (n = 13,289).
      Associations of HAQ/DAS28/EQ-5D to healthcare (patient care and drugs) and work
      loss costs (patients < 65 yrs) were studied in separate regression models,
      comparing standardized beta coefficients by nonparametric bootstrapping to assess
      which measure best reflects costs. Analyses were conducted based on both
      individual means (linear regression, comparing between-patient associations) and
      by generalized estimating equations (GEE), using all observations to also account
      for within-patient associations of HAQ/DAS28/EQ-5D to costs. RESULTS: Regardless
      of the methodology (linear or GEE regression), HAQ was most closely related to
      both cost types, while work loss costs were also more closely associated with EQ
      5D than DAS28. The results of the linear models for healthcare costs were
      standardized beta = 0.21 (95% CI 0.15-0.27), 0.16 (0.11-0.21), and -0.15 (-0.21
      to -0.10) for HAQ/DAS28/EQ-5D, respectively (p < 0.05 for HAQ vs DAS28/EQ-5D).
      For work loss costs, the results were standardized beta = 0.43 (95% CI 0.39
      0.48), 0.27 (0.23-0.32), and -0.34 (-0.38 to -0.29) for HAQ/DAS28/EQ-5D,
      respectively (p < 0.05 for HAQ vs DAS28/EQ-5D and for EQ-5D vs DAS28).
      CONCLUSION: Overall, HAQ disability is a better marker of RA costs than DAS28 or
      EQ-5D HRQOL.

PMID- 27252421
TI  - Plasma miR-26a as a Diagnostic Biomarker Regulates Cytokine Expression in
      Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify specific microRNA (miRNA) for systemic juvenile
      idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and to determine the involvement of these miRNA in
      regulating the expression of cytokines. METHODS: Microarray profiling was
      performed to identify differentially expressed miRNA in sJIA plasma. Levels of
      candidate miRNA and mRNA were assessed by real-time PCR, and cytokines were
      measured by ELISA. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to validate the direct
      interaction between miR-26a and interleukin 6 (IL-6). RESULTS: Forty-eight miRNA
      were differentially expressed in the plasma of patients with sJIA compared with
      healthy controls (HC). Five miRNA were selected for further validation. The
      expression level of miR-26a was exclusively elevated in the plasma of patients
      with sJIA as compared with 4 rheumatic diseases and 2 subtypes of JIA
      (oligoarticular and polyarticular). The levels of IL-6, IL-1beta, and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha in the plasma of patients with sJIA were increased, and
      only IL-6 presented a positive correlation with miR-26a (r = 0.539, p < 0.0001).
      After stimulation with IL-6, miR-26a expression was upregulated in THP-1 cells,
      while the supernatant level of IL-6 was downregulated by transfection of miR-26a
      mimics. Consistently, direct target relationship between miR-26a and IL-6 was
      confirmed. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that miR-26a is expressed
      specifically and highly in sJIA plasma and suggests that miR-26a may regulate the
      levels of cytokines in sJIA. Our findings highlight miR-26a as a potential
      biomarker for the diagnosis as well as differential diagnosis of sJIA.

PMID- 27252422
TI  - Telomere Length and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Telomeres protect against chromosomal end damage and shorten with each
      cell division; their length may be a marker of cardiovascular and overall
      biological aging. We examined the hypothesis that reduced telomere length is
      associated with increased coronary atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
      METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in 145 patients with RA and 87
      control subjects frequency-matched for age, race, and sex. Coronary artery
      calcium score was determined by noncontrast cardiac computed tomography. Telomere
      length was measured from whole blood DNA, using real-time quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction and expressed as telomeric product to a single-copy gene product
      ratio (T/S ratio). Associations between telomere length, coronary artery calcium
      score, and 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) were assessed with Spearman
      correlation, proportional odds logistic regression, and linear regression,
      adjusting for age, race, and sex. RESULTS: Telomere length was significantly
      inversely correlated with age in patients with RA (rho = -0.37, p < 0.001) and
      control subjects (rho = -0.39, p = 0.001). Among patients with RA, for every
      interquartile range (IQR) decrease in telomere length (T/S ratio), the odds of
      higher coronary artery calcium score increased by 38% (95% CI: 4-60) after
      adjusting for age, race, and sex (p adjusted = 0.03). Telomere length was not
      associated with DAS28 (p adjusted = 0.17). Telomere length was not significantly
      different in patients with RA [median (IQR): 1.02 units (0.9-1.11)] compared to
      control subjects [1.05 units (0.95-1.17); p = 0.10]. CONCLUSION: Telomere length
      is inversely associated with coronary artery calcium score, independent of age,
      race, and sex in patients with RA.

PMID- 27252423
TI  - Perivascular Cells in Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis Overexpress Activated
      ADAM12 and Are Involved in Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation and Development of
      Fibrosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Microvascular damage is pivotal in the pathogenesis of systemic
      sclerosis (SSc), preceding fibrosis, and whose trigger is not still fully
      understood. Perivascular progenitor cells, with profibrotic activity and
      function, are identified by the expression of the isoform 12 of ADAM (ADAM12) and
      this molecule may be upregulated by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta).
      The goal of this work was to evaluate whether pericytes in the skin of patients
      with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) expressed ADAM12, suggesting their potential
      contribution to the fibrotic process, and whether TGF-beta might modulate this
      molecule. METHODS: After ethical approval, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and
      fibroblasts (FB) were isolated from bone marrow and skin samples collected from
      20 patients with dcSSc. ADAM12 expression was investigated in the skin and in
      isolated MSC and FB treated with TGF-beta by immunofluorescence, quantitative
      real-time PCR, and western blot. Further, we silenced ADAM12 expression in both
      dcSSc-MSC and -FB to confirm the TGF-beta modulation. RESULTS: Pericytes and FB
      of dcSSc skin showed an increased expression of ADAM12 when compared with healthy
      control skin. TGF-beta in vitro treatment induced a significant increase of
      ADAM12 in both SSc-MSC and -FB, with the higher levels observed in dcSSc cells.
      After ADAM12 silencing, the TGF-beta ability to upregulate alpha-smooth muscle
      actin in both SSc-MSC and SSc-FB was inhibited. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest
      that in SSc, pericytes that transdifferentiate toward activated FB are present in
      the vascular tree, and TGF-beta, while increasing ADAM12 expression, may modulate
      this transdifferentiation.

PMID- 27252424
TI  - Visual Complications in Patients with Biopsy-proven Giant Cell Arteritis: A
      Population-based Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with
      biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) with visual complications, and to
      evaluate the incidence rate of visual complications in GCA compared to the
      background population. METHODS: Data from 840 patients with GCA in the county of
      Skane, Sweden, diagnosed between 1997 and 2010, were used for this analysis.
      Cases with visual complications were identified from a diagnosis registry and
      confirmed by a review of medical records. The rate of visual complications in
      patients with GCA was compared with an age- and sex-matched reference population.
      RESULTS: There were 85 patients (10%) who developed >= 1 visual complication
      after the onset of GCA. Of the patients, 18 (21%) developed unilateral or
      bilateral complete visual loss. The mean age at diagnosis was 78 years (+/- 7.3);
      69% were women. Compared with patients without visual complications, those with
      visual complication had lower C-reactive protein levels at diagnosis and were
      less likely to have headache, fever, and palpable abnormal temporal artery. The
      use of beta-adrenergic inhibitors was associated with visual complications. The
      incidence of visual complications among patients with GCA was 20.9/1000 person
      years of followup compared to 6.9/1000 person-years in the reference population,
      resulting in a rate ratio of 3.0 (95% CI 2.3-3.8). CONCLUSION: Ten percent of
      patients with GCA developed visual complications, a rate substantially higher
      than that of the general population. Patients with GCA who had visual
      complications had lower inflammatory responses and were more likely to have been
      treated with beta-adrenergic inhibitors compared with patients without visual
      complications.

PMID- 27252425
TI  - Comorbidities in Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated
      Vasculitis versus the General Population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consultation rates of selected comorbidities in
      patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV)
      compared with the general population in southern Sweden. METHODS: We used data
      from a population-based cohort of patients with AAV diagnosed between 1998 and
      2010 in Southern Sweden (701,000 inhabitants). For each patient we identified 4
      reference subjects randomly sampled from the general population and matched for
      year of birth, sex, area of residence, and index year. Using the population-based
      Skane Healthcare Register, we identified relevant diagnostic codes, registered
      between 1998 and 2011, for selected comorbidities assigned after the date of
      diagnosis of AAV or the index date for the reference subjects. We calculated rate
      ratios for comorbidities (AAV:reference subjects). RESULTS: There were 186
      patients with AAV (95 women, mean age 64.5 yrs) and 744 reference persons
      included in the analysis. The highest rate ratios (AAV:reference) were obtained
      for osteoporosis (4.6, 95% CI 3.0-7.0), followed by venous thromboembolism (4.0,
      95% CI 1.9-8.3), thyroid diseases (2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.3), and diabetes mellitus
      (2.0, 95% CI 1.3-2.9). For ischemic heart disease, the rate ratio of 1.5 (95% CI
      1.0-2.3) did not reach statistical significance. No statistically significant
      differences were found for cerebrovascular accidents. CONCLUSION: AAV is
      associated with increased consultation rates of several comorbidities including
      osteoporosis and thromboembolic and endocrine disorders. Comorbid conditions
      should be taken into consideration when planning and providing care for patients
      with AAV.

PMID- 27252426
TI  - The Effect of Reduced or Withdrawn Etanercept-methotrexate Therapy on Patient
      reported Outcomes in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: An analysis of a clinical trial to assess the effects of treatment
      reduction and withdrawal on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in patients with
      early, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who achieved 28-joint Disease
      Activity Score (DAS28) low disease activity (LDA) or remission with etanercept
      (ETN) plus methotrexate (MTX) therapy. METHODS: During treatment induction,
      patients received open-label ETN 50 mg weekly plus MTX for 52 weeks. In the
      reduced-treatment phase, patients with DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
      <= 3.2 at Week 39 and DAS28-ESR < 2.6 at Week 52 in the open-label phase were
      randomized to double-blind treatment with ETN 25 mg plus MTX, MTX, or placebo
      (PBO) for 39 weeks (weeks 0-39). In the third phase, patients who achieved DAS28
      remission (DAS28-ESR < 2.6) or LDA (2.6 <= DAS28-ESR <= 3.2) at Week 39 in the
      double-blind phase had all treatment withdrawn and were observed for an
      additional 26 weeks (weeks 39-65). RESULTS: Of the 306 patients enrolled, 193
      were randomized in the double-blind phase and 131 participated in the treatment
      withdrawal phase. After reduction or withdrawal of ETN 50 mg/MTX, patients
      reduced to ETN 25 mg/MTX experienced slight, nonsignificant declines in the
      majority of PRO measures, whereas switching to PBO or MTX alone caused
      significant declines. Presenteeism and activity impairment scores were
      significantly better in the ETN reduced-dose group versus MTX monotherapy and PBO
      at Week 39 (p <= 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with early RA who achieved
      remission while receiving full-dose ETN/MTX, continuing combination therapy at a
      lower dose did not cause a significant worsening of PRO response, but switching
      to MTX alone or PBO did. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00913458.

PMID- 27252427
TI  - Correlates of Hip Cartilage Defects: A Cross-sectional Study in Older Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Knee cartilage defects are a key feature of osteoarthritis (OA) but
      correlates of hip defects remain unexplored. The aims of this cross-sectional
      study were to describe the correlates of hip cartilage defects. METHODS: The
      study included 194 subjects from the Tasmanian Older Adult Cohort who had right
      hip short-tau inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Hip cartilage
      defects were assessed and categorized as grade 0 = no defects, grade 1 = focal
      blistering or irregularities on cartilage or partial thickness defect, and grade
      2 = full thickness defect. Hip pain was determined by Western Ontario and
      McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Hip structural changes were
      measured on MRI, and hip radiographic OA (ROA) was assessed. Leg strength and
      physical activity were assessed using dynamometer and pedometers, respectively.
      Data were analyzed using log binomial and linear regression. RESULTS: Of 194
      subjects, 24% (n = 48) had no defects, 34% (n = 66) had grade 1, and 41% (n = 80)
      had grade 2. In multivariable analyses, any hip defects were associated with
      greater hip pain [prevalence ratio (PR) 1.20, 95% CI 1.02-1.35] and lower mean
      leg strength (men; mean ratio 0.83, 95% CI 0.67-0.98). Grade 1 defects were
      associated with hip bone marrow lesions (BML; PR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03-1.96) and high
      cartilage signal (men; PR 1.84, 95% CI 1.27-2.70), but not with hip pain or other
      structural findings. Grade 2 defects were associated with greater hip pain (PR
      1.40, 95% CI 1.09-1.80), hip BML (PR 1.45, 95% CI 1.15-1.85), hip effusion cross
      sectional area (PR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.30), hip ROA (men; PR 1.60, 95% CI 1.13
      2.25), and steps/day (PR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.99). CONCLUSION: Grade 2 defects in
      both sexes and grade 1 defects (mostly in men) are associated with clinical,
      demographic, and structural factors relevant for OA. Damage to the hip cartilage
      could be one of the major causes of rapid disease progression and pathophysiology
      of hip defects. The topic needs further study.

PMID- 27252428
TI  - Predictors of Loss of Remission and Disease Flares in Patients with Axial
      Spondyloarthritis Receiving Antitumor Necrosis Factor Treatment: A Retrospective
      Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate rate and predictive factors of
      loss of remission and disease flare in patients with axial spondyloarthritis
      (axSpA) receiving antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment. METHODS: In
      this retrospective multicenter study, patients with axSpA, according to the
      Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria, treated
      with adalimumab, etanercept, or infliximab with a minimum followup of 12 months
      and satisfying the ASAS partial remission criteria and/or Ankylosing Spondylitis
      Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) inactive disease were studied. Disease flare was
      defined as a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score > 4.5 or
      ASDAS score > 2.5 on at least 1 occasion. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four
      patients with axSpA were studied. After a median [interquartile range (IQR)]
      followup of 4 years (2-6), 37 patients (21.2%) experienced a loss of remission
      and 28 (16.1% of the whole study group) a disease flare. Median (IQR) duration of
      remission in patients who lost this status was 1 year (0.625-2). Higher median
      erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values,
      continuous nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and an ASDAS-CRP >=
      0.8 during the remission period were significantly associated with both loss of
      remission and disease flare. At the multivariate analysis, continuous NSAID
      intake (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.4-11.74, p = 0.010) and ESR > 15 (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.23
      6.82, p = 0.015) were the only factors predictive of disease reactivation.
      CONCLUSION: In this study, loss of remission and disease flares occurred,
      respectively, in about 21% and 16% of the patients with axSpA who achieved a
      state of remission while receiving anti-TNF therapy. Residual disease activity
      was associated with disease reactivation.

PMID- 27252429
TI  - Trends in Emergency Department Visits and Charges for Gout in the United States
      between 2006 and 2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine temporal trends in the rate of gout emergency department
      (ED) visits and charges in the United States between 2006 and 2012. METHODS: A
      serial cross-sectional analysis of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample.
      RESULTS: The rate of ED visits for gout in adults overall increased from 75.0 to
      85.4 per 100,000 persons over the study period (14% increase, p < 0.001), and
      increased 29% for those aged 45-54 years. Nationwide ED charges increased from
      $156 million to $281 million (80% increase, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Between 2006
      and 2012, the rate of gout ED visits increased among US adults, most notably in
      those aged 45-54 years.

PMID- 27252430
TI  - The Effect of the Presence of Fibromyalgia on Common Clinical Disease Activity
      Indices in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: A Cross-sectional Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the presence of fibromyalgia (FM) on common
      clinical disease activity indices in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
      METHODS: Seventy-three consecutive outpatients with PsA (mean age 51.7 yrs; 42
      females, 57.5%) were enrolled in a prospective cross-sectional study. FM was
      determined according to American College of Rheumatism criteria (2010 and 1990).
      All patients underwent clinical evaluation of disease activity and completed the
      Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease
      Activity Index (BASDAI), the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and the Leeds
      Enthesitis Index (LEI). Disease activity was evaluated using the Composite
      Psoriatic Disease Activity Index (CPDAI), minimal disease activity (MDA), and the
      Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) scores. RESULTS: The
      overall prevalence of FM was 17.8% (13 patients), and all but 1 were women (12
      patients, 92.3%, p = 0.005). CPDAI and DAPSA scores were significantly higher in
      patients with coexisting PsA and FM (9.23 +/- 1.92 and 27.53 +/- 19.23,
      respectively) than in patients with PsA only (4.25 +/- 3.14 and 12.82 +/- 12.71,
      respectively; p < 0.001 and p = 0.003). None of the patients with FM + PsA met
      the criteria for MDA, whereas 26 PsA-only patients did (43.3%, p = 0.003). HAQ,
      BASDAI, and LEI scores were significantly worse in patients with PsA and
      associated FM. CONCLUSION: Coexisting FM is related to worse scores on all tested
      measures in patients with PsA. Its influence should be taken into consideration
      in the treatment algorithm to avoid unnecessary upgrading of treatment.

PMID- 27252431
TI  - Differences in Clinical Features and Mortality between Childhood-onset and Adult
      onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Prospective Single-center Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical features and mortality between childhood-onset
      systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) and adult-onset SLE (aSLE) in a prospective
      single-center cohort. METHODS: A total of 1112 patients with SLE (133 cSLE and
      979 aSLE) were enrolled and followed from 1998 to 2012. The 2 groups were
      compared regarding American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria
      for SLE, autoantibodies, disease activity measured by the Adjusted Mean SLE
      Disease Activity Index (AMS), damage measured by the Systemic Lupus International
      Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index (SDI), and medication. The standardized
      mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated. Predictors of mortality in SLE were
      evaluated using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: After a mean followup of
      7.6 years, patients with cSLE had a higher number of cumulative ACR criteria and
      a higher AMS (p < 0.001 each), but there was no difference in SDI (p = 0.797).
      Immunosuppressants were used more frequently by patients with cSLE (p < 0.001).
      The SMR of cSLE was 18.8 (95% CI 8.6-35.6), significantly higher than that of
      aSLE (2.9, 95% CI 2.1-3.9). We found cSLE to be an independent predictor of
      mortality (HR 3.6, p = 0.008). Moreover, presence of hemolytic anemia (7.2, p =
      0.034) and antiphospholipid antibody (aPL; 3.8, p = 0.041) increased the
      magnitude of risk of early mortality more in the patients with cSLE than in those
      with aSLE. CONCLUSION: The clinical course of cSLE as measured by number of
      clinical manifestations and disease activity is worse than that of aSLE. Also,
      cSLE patients with hemolytic anemia and aPL are at greater risk of death than
      patients with aSLE who have those features.

PMID- 27252432
TI  - Intra-Articular, Single-Shot Hylan G-F 20 Hyaluronic Acid Injection Compared with
      Corticosteroid in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled
      Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of knee osteoarthritis with hyaluronic acid or
      corticosteroid injection has been widely used. The purpose of this study was to
      compare the efficacy of hyaluronic acid (hylan G-F 20) with triamcinolone
      acetonide as a single intra-articular injection for knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:
      This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.
      Participants with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis were recruited. They were
      randomized to receive a single-shot, intra-articular injection of either 6 mL of
      hylan G-F 20 or 6 mL of a solution comprising 1 mL of 40-mg triamcinolone
      acetonide and 5 mL of 1% lidocaine with epinephrine. The primary outcomes were
      knee pain severity, knee function, and range of motion at 6 months. Ninety-nine
      patients were assessed before injection and underwent a 6-month follow-up.
      Patients and evaluators were blinded. Multilevel regression models were used to
      estimate differences between the groups. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up,
      compared with patients who took hylan G-F 20, patients who took triamcinolone
      acetonide had similar improvement in knee pain, knee function, and range of
      motion. The difference in mean outcome scores between groups was, with regard to
      knee pain, a visual analog scale (VAS) score of 3 points (95% confidence interval
      [95% CI], -6 to 11 points); with regard to knee function, a modified Western
      Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score of 0 points
      (95% CI, -8 to 6 points); and, with regard to range of motion, flexion of -1
      degrees  (95% CI, -5 degrees  to 2 degrees ) and extension of 0 degrees  (95% CI,
      -0.5 degrees  to 0.5 degrees ). However, patients who took triamcinolone
      acetonide had better pain improvement from 24 hours until 1 week after injection;
      the mean difference between groups with regard to the VAS score was 12 points
      (95% CI, 5 to 20 points; p = 0.002) at 24 hours and 9 points (95% CI, 1 to 15
      points; p = 0.018) at 1 week. At 2 weeks after injection, patients who took
      triamcinolone acetonide also had better knee functional improvement; the mean
      difference between groups for the modified WOMAC score was 6 points (95% CI, 0.7
      to 12 points; p = 0.03). Both groups had improvement in pain, knee function, and
      range of motion during the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Triamcinolone acetonide provided similar improvement in knee pain, function, and
      range of motion compared with hylan G-F 20 at the 6-month follow-up, with better
      pain control in the first week and better knee functional improvement in the
      second week. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors
      for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 27252433
TI  - Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Malunions of the Proximal Part of the Humerus
      (Type-4 Fracture Sequelae).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of fracture sequelae of the proximal part of the
      humerus in combination with posttraumatic arthritis is challenging. The reported
      results of treatment with anatomic shoulder arthroplasty are disappointing. The
      aim of this multicenter study was to analyze the clinical and radiographic
      results of reverse shoulder arthroplasty for treatment of posttraumatic sequelae
      of the proximal part of the humerus with malunion of the tuberosities. METHODS:
      This was a retrospective, multicenter study of 42 patients (42 shoulders) with
      the diagnosis of posttraumatic sequelae of the proximal part of the humerus with
      malunions of the tuberosities who were treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty
      between 2000 and 2010. The mean age at the time of arthroplasty was 68 years
      (range, 27 to 83 years; median, 70 years). The dominant side was treated in 24
      cases. The mean clinical and radiographic follow-up was 4 years (range, 2 to 13
      years; median, 3.5 years). The Constant score including subgroups, shoulder
      flexion, rotation motion, and radiographs of the affected shoulders were analyzed
      before the surgical procedure and at the time of the latest follow-up. Patients
      categorized their postoperative results as very good, good, satisfactory, or
      unsatisfactory. RESULTS: The mean Constant score increased from 19.7 points
      (range, 0 to 52 points) preoperatively to 54.9 points (range, 21 to 83 points)
      postoperatively (p < 0.0001). All of the subgroups of the Constant score also
      increased, as did active shoulder flexion and external rotation (all p < 0.0001).
      In one case, loosening of the humeral and glenoid components occurred. Scapular
      notching was present in 22 shoulders (52%) and was grade 1 in 12 cases, grade 2
      in 4 cases, grade 3 in 2 cases, and grade 4 in 4 cases. Complications occurred in
      4 patients (9.5%). Eighteen patients (43%) rated their result as very good, 19
      (45%) rated their result as good, 4 (10%) rated their result as satisfactory, and
      one (2%) rated the result as unsatisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Reverse shoulder
      arthroplasty is a viable treatment option for type-4 proximal humeral fracture
      sequelae that cannot otherwise be treated with anatomic shoulder replacement.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a
      complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 27252435
TI  - Anatomic Hip Center Decreases Aseptic Loosening Rates After Total Hip
      Arthroplasty with Cement in Patients with Crowe Type-II Dysplasia: A Concise
      Follow-up Report at a Mean of Thirty-six Years.
AB  - We previously reported the two to twenty-two-year results of 145 total hip
      arthroplasties (THAs) with cement performed from 1969 to 1980 in 117 patients
      with Crowe type-II dysplasia. The purpose of the present study was to update the
      long-term effects of a nonanatomic hip center on component loosening and aseptic
      revision in this cohort. Forty-nine patients (sixty hips) were alive at a mean of
      thirty-six years. The overall cumulative incidence of aseptic revision at thirty
      five years was 32% for acetabular cups and 21% for femoral stems. Acetabular
      loosening was less likely with a hip center placed within the true acetabular
      region (TAR), <15 mm superior to the approximate femoral head center (AFHC), <35
      mm superior to the interteardrop line (ITL), or within zone 1. Femoral loosening
      and revision were less likely with the hip center placed <35 mm superior to the
      ITL and within zone 1. An anatomic hip center was associated with significantly
      lower loosening and aseptic revision rates for both acetabular and femoral
      components. The current study supports the placement of acetabular components in
      an anatomic position to promote long-term durability after THA with cement. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete
      description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 27252434
TI  - Safety of Osseointegrated Implants for Transfemoral Amputees: A Two-Center
      Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osseointegrated implants are an alternative for prosthetic attachment
      for individuals unable to wear a socket following an amputation. The concept of
      an integrated metal implant communicating with the external environment raises
      substantial concern about the risk of ascending infection. We report on the
      safety of press-fit osseointegrated implants currently used in Australia and the
      Netherlands. METHODS: We prospectively recorded all adverse events in all
      patients with transfemoral amputation who were managed with an osseointegration
      implant system between 2009 and 2013 at two centers. The procedure was performed
      in two stages. A customized porous-coated implant was placed in the first stage,
      and a stoma was created in the second. Adverse events were categorized according
      to type (infection or "other") and severity. Infections were classified according
      to four grades of severity based on clinical and radiographic findings: (1) low
      grade soft-tissue infection, (2) high-grade soft-tissue infection, (3) bone
      infection, and (4) septic implant failure. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients (ninety
      one implants), twenty-five to eighty-one years of age, were included in the study
      and followed for a median of thirty-four months (range, twenty-four to seventy
      one months). Thirty-one patients had an uneventful course with no complications;
      twenty-nine developed infection (all grade 1 or 2); and twenty-six did not
      develop infection but had one or more other complications requiring intervention,
      including stoma hypergranulation (seventeen patients), soft-tissue redundancy
      (fourteen), proximal femoral fracture (three), inadequate osseointegration
      leading to implant replacement (one), implant breakage (two), and breakage of the
      pin used as a fail-safe mechanism (twenty-five). CONCLUSIONS: Mild infection and
      irritation of the soft tissue in the skin-penetration area are common in
      transfemoral amputees who have an osseointegrated implant. These complications
      were successfully managed with simple measures. Severe infections resulting in
      septic implant loosening are rare. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See
      Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 27252436
TI  - A Validated Preclinical Animal Model for Primary Bone Tumor Research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the introduction of 21st-century surgical and neoadjuvant
      treatment modalities, survival of patients with osteosarcoma (OS) has not
      improved in two decades. Advances will depend in part on the development of
      clinically relevant and reliable animal models. This report describes the
      engineering and validation of a humanized tissue-engineered bone organ (hTEBO)
      for preclinical research on primary bone tumors in order to minimize false
      positive and false-negative results due to interspecies differences in current
      xenograft models. METHODS: Pelvic bone and marrow fragments were harvested from
      patients during reaming of the acetabulum during hip arthroplasty. HTEBOs were
      engineered by embedding fragments in a fibrin matrix containing bone
      morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and implanted into NOD-scid mice. After 10 weeks
      of subcutaneous growth, one group of hTEBOs was harvested to analyze the degree
      of humanization. A second group was injected with human luciferase-labeled OS
      (Luc-SAOS-2) cells. Tumor growth was followed in vivo with bioluminescence
      imaging. After 5 weeks, the OS tumors were harvested and analyzed. They were also
      compared with tumors created via intratibial injection. RESULTS: After 10 weeks
      of in vivo growth, a new bone organ containing human bone matrix as well as
      viable and functional human hematopoietic cells developed. Five weeks after
      injection of Luc-SAOS-2 cells into this humanized bone microenvironment,
      spontaneous metastatic spread to the lung was evident. Relevant prognostic
      markers such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and periostin were
      found to be positive in OS tumors grown within the humanized microenvironment but
      not in tumors created in murine tibial bones. Hypoxia-inducible transcription
      factor-2alpha (HIF-2alpha) was detected only in the humanized OS. CONCLUSIONS: We
      report an in vivo model that contains human bone matrix and marrow components in
      one organ. BMP-7 made it possible to maintain viable mesenchymal and
      hematopoietic stem cells and created a bone microenvironment mimicking human
      physiology. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This novel platform enables preclinical research
      on primary bone tumors in order to test new treatment options.

PMID- 27252437
TI  - Corrective Surgery for Congenital Scoliosis Associated with Split Cord
      Malformation: It May Be Safe to Leave Diastematomyelia Untreated in Patients with
      Intact or Stable Neurological Status.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of congenital scoliosis associated with split cord
      malformation (SCM) raises the issue of how to best manage such patients to avoid
      neurological deficit while achieving a satisfactory correction. METHODS: This
      prospective clinical study was performed at our center from March 2000 through
      June 2013. We enrolled a total of 214 patients (61 male and 153 female) with
      congenital scoliosis associated with SCM who were undergoing spinal correction
      surgery. The mean age at surgery was 14.1 years. The inclusion criteria were
      congenital scoliosis with confirmed SCM; status as neurologically intact or
      stable over the preceding 2 years; and no neurological deterioration as evidenced
      on traction, side-bending, or fulcrum-bending radiographs. Patients with unstable
      neurological status or for whom vertebral column resection surgery was planned
      were excluded. All patients underwent scoliosis surgery without prophylactic
      detethering. RESULTS: On the basis of the Pang classification, 73 patients were
      in the type-I SCM group, and 141 were in the type-II SCM group. The groups did
      not differ significantly with respect to preoperative characteristics, operative
      time, blood loss, or number of levels fused. The mean follow-up was 37 months
      (range, 24 to 108 months). The rate of scoliosis correction was lower in the type
      I group than in the type-II group (p < 0.05). In the type-I group, the correction
      rate was 48.9% at 1 week postoperatively and 42.2% at the last follow-up. In the
      type-II group, the correction rate was 54.7% at 1 week postoperatively and 47.9%
      at the last follow-up. Eleven (5.1%) of the patients experienced transient
      neurological complications, with no significant difference between the groups (p
      = 0.415). No patient experienced permanent neurological deficit during surgery or
      follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with congenital scoliosis associated with SCM,
      regardless of type, can safely and effectively undergo spinal deformity
      correction and achieve spinal balance without neurological intervention. For such
      patients with intact or stable neurological status, prophylactic detethering
      prior to scoliosis surgery may not be necessary. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic
      Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of
      evidence.

PMID- 27252438
TI  - Biomechanical Assessment of the Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee: A Secondary
      Restraint in Simulated Tests of the Pivot Shift and of Anterior Stability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Injury to the lateral capsular tissues of the knee may accompany
      rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). A distinct lateral structure,
      the anterolateral ligament, has been identified, and reconstruction strategies
      for this tissue in combination with ACL reconstruction have been proposed.
      However, the biomechanical function of the anterolateral ligament is not well
      understood. Thus, this study had two research questions: (1) What is the
      contribution of the anterolateral ligament to knee stability in the ACL-sectioned
      knee? (2) Does the anterolateral ligament bear increased load in the absence of
      the ACL? METHODS: Twelve cadaveric knees from donors who were a mean (and
      standard deviation) of 43 +/- 15 years old at the time of death were loaded using
      a robotic manipulator to simulate clinical tests of the pivot shift and anterior
      stability. Motions were recorded with the ACL intact, with the ACL sectioned, and
      with both the ACL and anterolateral ligament sectioned. In situ loads borne by
      the ACL and anterolateral ligament in the ACL-intact knee and borne by the
      anterolateral ligament in the ACL-sectioned knee were determined. RESULTS:
      Sectioning the anterolateral ligament in the ACL-sectioned knee led to mean
      increases of 2 to 3 mm in anterior tibial translation in both anterior stability
      and simulated pivot-shift tests. In the ACL-intact knee, the load borne by the
      anterolateral ligament was a mean of <=10.2 N in response to anterior loads and
      <17 N in response to the simulated pivot shift. In the ACL-sectioned knee, the
      load borne by the anterolateral ligament increased on average to <55% of the load
      normally borne by the ACL in the intact knee. However, in the ACL-sectioned knee,
      the anterolateral ligament engaged only after the tibia translated beyond the
      physiologic limits of motion of the ACL-intact knee. CONCLUSIONS: The
      anterolateral ligament is a secondary stabilizer compared with the ACL for the
      simulated Lachman, anterior drawer, and pivot shift examinations. CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: Since the anterolateral ligament engages only during pathologic ranges
      of tibial translation, there is a limited need for anatomical reconstruction of
      the anterolateral ligament in a well-functioning ACL-reconstructed knee.

PMID- 27252439
TI  - Posterior Fixation of APC-2 Pelvic Ring Injuries Decreases Rates of Anterior
      Plate Failure and Malunion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biomechanical studies suggest that augmenting anterior fixation of
      the pelvic ring with posterior fixation increases stability. Prior clinical
      studies have assessed radiographic outcomes following plate fixation of the
      symphysis. However, to our knowledge, none have directly compared the
      radiographic and clinical outcomes of anterior plate fixation alone with the
      outcomes of such plate fixation with the addition of posterior percutaneous screw
      fixation in the treatment of a partially disrupted hemipelvis. We attempted to
      determine whether use of an anterior symphyseal plate alone is adequate to
      control sagittal and coronal plane rotation and prevent malunion of an
      anteroposterior compression type-2 (APC-2) pelvic ring injury. METHODS: The
      records of all skeletally mature patients with a traumatic pelvic disruption
      treated from 2004 to 2014 with an anterior symphyseal plate with or without a
      posterior iliosacral screw were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with an APC-2
      pelvic ring injury evidenced by computed tomography (CT) were included in the
      study and divided into 2 groups: (1) fixation of the symphysis with an anterior
      3.5-mm 6-hole plate alone and (2) the same anterior fixation supplemented
      posteriorly with a percutaneous partially threaded 7.0 or 7.3-mm iliosacral
      screw. Postoperative CT scans were reviewed to assess the reduction of the pelvic
      ring and the position of all implants. The patients were followed for a minimum
      of 6 months or until the fixation failed. Examined data included demographic
      factors, type of and time to fixation failure, and presence of malunion.
      Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were completed. RESULTS: One
      hundred and thirty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Ninety-two (69%)
      underwent combined anterior and posterior fixation, and 42 (31%) had anterior
      fixation alone. The average age and duration of follow-up were 38 years and 7.2
      months, respectively. Anterior plate fixation failed in 5 patients (5%) in the
      combined-fixation group and in 17 patients (40%) in the anterior-only group (p <
      0.0001). Malunion was identified in 1 patient (1%) in the combined group and in
      15 (36%) in the anterior-only cohort (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      indicated that use of an anterior plate and a supplemental posterior screw for
      fixation of APC-2 pelvic ring injuries significantly decreases the rate of
      anterior plate failure and malunion compared with use of an anterior plate alone.
      The potential for selection and detection bias introduced by our study design
      limited the strength of this conclusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level
      III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of
      evidence.

PMID- 27252440
TI  - Acetabular Remodeling and Role of Osteotomy After Closed Reduction of
      Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to evaluate acetabular remodeling
      after closed reduction of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and to
      delineate the role of osteotomy. METHODS: Eighty-four hips with DDH treated with
      closed reduction and followed until the patient was 8 years of age or older were
      included in this study. The mean age at closed reduction was 14.0 months (range,
      3 to 30 months) and that at the latest follow-up visit was 12.7 years (range, 8.0
      to 24.7 years). Osteotomy was performed in 26 hips (31%) during the follow-up
      period, at an average age of 2.8 years (range, 2.0 to 5.8 years). The acetabular
      index (AI) and center-edge angle (CEA) were measured, and osteonecrosis was
      graded. The treatment outcome was evaluated as satisfactory (Severin grade I or
      II) or unsatisfactory (III or IV). We retrospectively analyzed the associations
      among radiographic parameters, performance of osteotomy, grade of osteonecrosis,
      and final outcome. RESULTS: A satisfactory outcome was observed in 67 (80%) of
      the 84 hips. An osteotomy was not performed in 30 of 34 hips with an AI of <32
      degrees  and a CEA of >14 degrees  at the age of 3 years, and 28 (93%) of these
      30 hips showed a satisfactory outcome. Of the 33 hips with an AI of >=32 degrees 
      and a CEA of <=14 degrees  at the age of 3 years, the 20 that had undergone an
      osteotomy showed a higher proportion of satisfactory outcomes than the 13 hips
      that had not (p = 0.01). Three of the 4 hips that showed an unsatisfactory
      outcome following an osteotomy had an AI of >=34 degrees  at 1 year post
      osteotomy. Grade-II, III, or IV osteonecrosis, according to the Bucholz-Ogden
      classification, developed in 10 of the 84 hips, and these 10 hips had a higher
      proportion of unsatisfactory outcomes than did those that developed no or grade-I
      osteonecrosis (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Hips with DDH showing poor acetabular
      remodeling after closed reduction may benefit from osteotomy. The AI and CEA at
      the age of 3 years can serve as one of the guidelines for osteotomy. Continued
      surveillance for acetabular remodeling is required even after osteotomy. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete
      description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 27252441
TI  - Glenoid Dysplasia: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management.
AB  - ?Subtle forms of glenoid dysplasia may be more common than previously thought and
      likely predispose some patients to symptomatic posterior shoulder instability.
      Severe glenoid dysplasia is a rare condition with characteristic radiographic
      findings involving the posteroinferior aspect of the glenoid that often remains
      asymptomatic.?Instability symptoms related to glenoid dysplasia may develop over
      time with increased activities or trauma. Physical therapy focusing on rotator
      cuff strengthening and proprioceptive control should be the initial
      management.?Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic arthrograms are
      useful for detecting subtle glenoid dysplasia by revealing the presence of an
      abnormally thickened or hypertrophic posterior part of the labrum, increased
      capsular volume, glenoid retroversion, and posteroinferior glenoid
      deficiency.?Open and arthroscopic labral repair and capsulorrhaphy procedures
      have been described for symptomatic posterior shoulder instability. Glenoid
      retroversion of >10 degrees  may be a risk factor for failure following soft
      tissue-only procedures for symptomatic glenoid dysplasia.?Osseous procedures are
      categorized as either glenoid reorientation (osteotomy) or glenoid augmentation
      (bone graft), and no predictable results have been demonstrated for any surgical
      strategy. Glenoid osteotomies have been described for increased retroversion,
      with successful results, although others have noted substantial complications and
      poor outcomes.?In severe glenoid dysplasia, the combination of bone deficiency
      and retroversion makes glenoid osteotomy extremely challenging. Bone grafts
      placed in a lateralized position to create a blocking effect may increase the
      risk of the development of arthritis, while newer techniques that place the graft
      in a congruent position may decrease this risk. 

PMID- 27252442
TI  - Alternative Reimbursement Models: Bundled Payment and Beyond: AOA Critical
      Issues.
AB  - The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative was begun in January
      2013 by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through its
      Innovation Center authority, which was created by the U.S. Patient Protection and
      Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The BPCI program seeks to improve health-care
      delivery and to ultimately reduce costs by allowing providers to enter into
      prenegotiated payment arrangements that include financial and performance
      accountability for a clinical episode in which a risk-and-reward calculus must be
      determined. BPCI is a contemporary 3-year experiment designed to test the
      applicability of episode-based payment models as a viable strategy to transform
      the CMS payment methodology while improving health outcomes. A summary of the 4
      models being evaluated in the BPCI initiative is presented in addition to the
      awardee types and the number of awardees in each model. Data from one of the BPCI
      designated pilot sites demonstrate that strategies do exist for successful
      implementation of an alternative payment model by keeping patients first while
      simultaneously improving coordination, alignment of care, and quality and
      reducing cost. Providers will need to embrace change and their areas of
      opportunity to gain a competitive advantage. Health-care providers, including
      orthopaedic surgeons, health-care professionals at post-acute care institutions,
      and product suppliers, all have a role in determining the strategies for success.
      Open dialogue between CMS and awardees should be encouraged to arrive at a
      solution that provides opportunity for gainsharing, as this program continues to
      gain traction and to evolve. 

PMID- 27252443
TI  - Musculoskeletal Workforce Needs: Are Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners
      the Solution? AOA Critical Issues.
AB  - Growth estimates and demographic shifts of the population of the United States
      foreshadow a future heightened demand for musculoskeletal care. Although many
      articles have discussed this growing demand on the musculoskeletal workforce, few
      address the inevitable need for more musculoskeletal care providers. As we are
      unable to increase the number of orthopaedic surgeons because of restrictions on
      graduate medical education slots, physician assistants (PAs) and nurse
      practitioners (NPs) represent one potential solution to the impending
      musculoskeletal care supply shortage. This American Orthopaedic Association (AOA)
      symposium report investigates models for advanced practice provider integration,
      considers key issues affecting PAs and NPs, and proposes guidelines to help to
      assess the logistical and educational possibilities of further incorporating NPs
      and PAs into the orthopaedic workforce in order to address future musculoskeletal
      care needs. 

PMID- 27252444
TI  - Utilizing Health-Care Resources Wisely: Understanding the Efficacy of Our
      Interventions: Commentary on an article by Nattapol Tammachote, MD, MSc, et al.:
      "Intra-Articular, Single-Shot Hylan G-F 20 Hyaluronic Acid Injection Compared
      with Corticosteroid in Knee Osteoarthritis. A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled
      Trial".

PMID- 27252445
TI  - One Step Forward, But a Need for Caution: Commentary on an article by Munjed Al
      Muderis, MB ChB, FRACS, FAOrthA, et al.: "Safety of Osseointegrated Implants for
      Transfemoral Amputees. A Two-Center Prospective Cohort Study".

PMID- 27252446
TI  - MicroRNA in alcoholic hepatitis: implications for pathophysiology and treatment.

PMID- 27252447
TI  - Anti-inflammatory treatment of acute coronary syndromes: the need for precision
      medicine.

PMID- 27252448
TI  - Systemic inflammation and arrhythmic risk: lessons from rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immuno-mediated disease primarily
      affecting the joints, characterized by persistent high-grade systemic
      inflammation. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are significantly increased
      in RA, with >50% of premature deaths attributable to cardiovascular disease. In
      particular, RA patients were twice as likely to experience sudden cardiac death
      compared with non-RA subjects, pointing to an increased propensity to develop
      malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Indeed, ventricular repolarization (QT
      interval) abnormalities and cardiovascular autonomic nervous system dysfunction,
      representing two well-recognized risk factors for life-threatening ventricular
      arrhythmias in the general population, are commonly observed in RA. Moreover,
      large population-based studies seem to indicate that also the prevalence of
      atrial fibrillation is significantly higher in RA subjects than in the general
      population, thus suggesting that these patients are characterized by an abnormal
      diffuse myocardial electrical instability. Although the underlying mechanisms
      accounting for the pro-arrhythmogenic substrate in RA are probably intricate, the
      leading role seems to be played by chronic systemic inflammatory activation, able
      to promote arrhythmias both indirectly, by accelerating the development of
      ischaemic heart disease and congestive heart failure, and directly, by affecting
      cardiac electrophysiology. In this integrated mechanistic view, lowering the
      inflammatory burden through an increasingly tight control of disease activity may
      represent the most effective intervention to reduce arrhythmic risk in these
      patients. Intriguingly, these considerations could be more generally applicable
      to all the diseases characterized by chronic systemic inflammation, and could
      help elucidate the link between low-grade chronic inflammation and arrhythmic
      risk in the general population.

PMID- 27252449
TI  - Prelude to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: subclinical progression of antecedent
      myocardial ischaemia prior to symptom onset.

PMID- 27252450
TI  - Positive emotions and Takotsubo syndrome: 'happy heart' or 'Diagoras' syndrome?

PMID- 27252452
TI  - Antithrombotic therapy in heart failure patients with and without atrial
      fibrillation: update and future challenges.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) often coexist, and patients with
      AF and HF have a higher risk of thromboembolic events and overall mortality
      compared with those with AF without HF. Additionally, the prevalence of AF
      increases with the severity of HF. The use of vitamin K antagonists is more
      unstable in patients with concomitant AF and HF, which is an independent risk
      factor for reduced time under therapeutic range. More recently, non-vitamin K
      antagonists oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have emerged as therapeutic alternatives
      for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular AF, as they have been shown
      to be at least as efficacious and safe, with less intracranial bleeding events,
      compared with vitamin K antagonists. The subgroup analyses of the NOAC trials in
      patients with AF and HF show that the efficacy and safety of these agents are
      likely to be similar to those observed in patients with AF and no HF. However,
      many gaps in evidence exist, since HF has not been consistently defined nor used
      as an endpoint in these trials. In patients with HF and sinus rhythm, the risk of
      stroke and other thrombotic events is high, and the use of warfarin has not, to
      date, been shown to confer outcome benefit. The benefit of the NOAC, rivaroxaban,
      is being investigated in HF without AF in the ongoing COMMANDER-HF trial. This
      review aims to provide an insightful perspective on the use of antithrombotic
      treatments in patients with both AF and HF, and in patients with HF and sinus
      rhythm, with particular attention to the NOACs, and provides background for
      therapeutic, outcome and trial improvement.

PMID- 27252451
TI  - Machine learning for prediction of all-cause mortality in patients with suspected
      coronary artery disease: a 5-year multicentre prospective registry analysis.
AB  - Aims: Traditional prognostic risk assessment in patients undergoing non-invasive
      imaging is based upon a limited selection of clinical and imaging findings.
      Machine learning (ML) can consider a greater number and complexity of variables.
      Therefore, we investigated the feasibility and accuracy of ML to predict 5-year
      all-cause mortality (ACM) in patients undergoing coronary computed tomographic
      angiography (CCTA), and compared the performance to existing clinical or CCTA
      metrics. Methods and results: The analysis included 10 030 patients with
      suspected coronary artery disease and 5-year follow-up from the COronary CT
      Angiography EvaluatioN For Clinical Outcomes: An InteRnational Multicenter
      registry. All patients underwent CCTA as their standard of care. Twenty-five
      clinical and 44 CCTA parameters were evaluated, including segment stenosis score
      (SSS), segment involvement score (SIS), modified Duke index (DI), number of
      segments with non-calcified, mixed or calcified plaques, age, sex, gender,
      standard cardiovascular risk factors, and Framingham risk score (FRS). Machine
      learning involved automated feature selection by information gain ranking, model
      building with a boosted ensemble algorithm, and 10-fold stratified cross
      validation. Seven hundred and forty-five patients died during 5-year follow-up.
      Machine learning exhibited a higher area-under-curve compared with the FRS or
      CCTA severity scores alone (SSS, SIS, DI) for predicting all-cause mortality (ML:
      0.79 vs. FRS: 0.61, SSS: 0.64, SIS: 0.64, DI: 0.62; P< 0.001). Conclusions:
      Machine learning combining clinical and CCTA data was found to predict 5-year ACM
      significantly better than existing clinical or CCTA metrics alone.

PMID- 27252453
TI  - Evolutionary escalation: the bat-moth arms race.
AB  - Echolocation in bats and high-frequency hearing in their insect prey make bats
      and insects an ideal system for studying the sensory ecology and neuroethology of
      predator-prey interactions. Here, we review the evolutionary history of bats and
      eared insects, focusing on the insect order Lepidoptera, and consider the
      evidence for antipredator adaptations and predator counter-adaptations. Ears
      evolved in a remarkable number of body locations across insects, with the
      original selection pressure for ears differing between groups. Although cause and
      effect are difficult to determine, correlations between hearing and life history
      strategies in moths provide evidence for how these two variables influence each
      other. We consider life history variables such as size, sex, circadian and
      seasonal activity patterns, geographic range and the composition of sympatric bat
      communities. We also review hypotheses on the neural basis for anti-predator
      behaviours (such as evasive flight and sound production) in moths. It is assumed
      that these prey adaptations would select for counter-adaptations in predatory
      bats. We suggest two levels of support for classifying bat traits as counter
      adaptations: traits that allow bats to eat more eared prey than expected based on
      their availability in the environment provide a low level of support for counter
      adaptations, whereas traits that have no other plausible explanation for their
      origination and maintenance than capturing defended prey constitute a high level
      of support. Specific predator counter-adaptations include calling at frequencies
      outside the sensitivity range of most eared prey, changing the pattern and
      frequency of echolocation calls during prey pursuit, and quiet, or 'stealth',
      echolocation.

PMID- 27252454
TI  - Energetic cost determines voluntary movement speed only in familiar environments.
AB  - Locomotor performance is closely related to fitness. However, in many ecological
      contexts, animals do not move at their maximal locomotor capacity, but adopt a
      voluntary speed that is lower than maximal. It is important to understand the
      mechanisms that underlie voluntary speed, because these determine movement
      patterns of animals across natural environments. We show that voluntary speed is
      a stable trait in zebrafish (Danio rerio), but there were pronounced differences
      between individuals in maximal sustained speed, voluntary speed and metabolic
      cost of locomotion. We accept the hypothesis that voluntary speed scales
      positively with maximal sustained swimming performance (Ucrit), but only in
      unfamiliar environments (1st minute in an open-field arena versus 10th minute) at
      high temperature (30 degrees C). There was no significant effect of metabolic
      scope on Ucrit Contrary to expectation, we rejected the hypothesis that voluntary
      speed decreases with increasing metabolic cost of movement, except in familiar
      spatial (after 10 min of exploration) and thermal (24 degrees C but not 18 or 30
      degrees C) environments. The implications of these data are that the energetic
      costs of exploration and dispersal in novel environments are higher than those
      for movement within familiar home ranges.

PMID- 27252455
TI  - Intermittent hypoxia leads to functional reorganization of mitochondria and
      affects cellular bioenergetics in marine molluscs.
AB  - Fluctuations in oxygen (O2) concentrations represent a major challenge to aerobic
      organisms and can be extremely damaging to their mitochondria. Marine intertidal
      molluscs are well-adapted to frequent O2 fluctuations, yet it remains unknown how
      their mitochondrial functions are regulated to sustain energy metabolism and
      prevent cellular damage during hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R). We used metabolic
      control analysis to investigate the mechanisms of mitochondrial responses to H/R
      stress (18 h at <0.1% O2 followed by 1 h of reoxygenation) using hypoxia-tolerant
      intertidal clams Mercenaria mercenaria and hypoxia-sensitive subtidal scallops
      Argopecten irradians as models. We also assessed H/R-induced changes in cellular
      energy balance, oxidative damage and unfolded protein response to determine the
      potential links between mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular injury.
      Mitochondrial responses to H/R in scallops strongly resembled those in other
      hypoxia-sensitive organisms. Exposure to hypoxia followed by reoxygenation led to
      a strong decrease in the substrate oxidation (SOX) and phosphorylation (PHOS)
      capacities as well as partial depolarization of mitochondria of scallops.
      Elevated mRNA expression of a reactive oxygen species-sensitive enzyme aconitase
      and Lon protease (responsible for degradation of oxidized mitochondrial proteins)
      during H/R stress was consistent with elevated levels of oxidative stress in
      mitochondria of scallops. In hypoxia-tolerant clams, mitochondrial SOX capacity
      was enhanced during hypoxia and continued rising during the first hour of
      reoxygenation. In both species, the mitochondrial PHOS capacity was suppressed
      during hypoxia, likely to prevent ATP wastage by the reverse action of FO,F1
      ATPase. The PHOS capacity recovered after 1 h of reoxygenation in clams but not
      in scallops. Compared with scallops, clams showed a greater suppression of energy
      consuming processes (such as protein turnover and ion transport) during hypoxia,
      indicated by inactivation of the translation initiation factor EIF-2alpha,
      suppression of 26S proteasome activity and a dramatic decrease in the activity of
      Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. The steady-state levels of adenylates were preserved during
      H/R exposure and AMP-dependent protein kinase was not activated in either
      species, indicating that the H/R exposure did not lead to severe energy
      deficiency. Taken together, our findings suggest that mitochondrial
      reorganizations sustaining high oxidative phosphorylation flux during recovery,
      combined with the ability to suppress ATP-demanding cellular functions during
      hypoxia, may contribute to high resilience of clams to H/R stress and help
      maintain energy homeostasis during frequent H/R cycles in the intertidal zone.

PMID- 27252456
TI  - Effects of high temperatures on threatened estuarine fishes during periods of
      extreme drought.
AB  - Climate change and associated increases in water temperatures may impact
      physiological performance in ectotherms and exacerbate endangered species
      declines. We used an integrative approach to assess the impact of elevated water
      temperature on two fishes of immediate conservation concern in a large estuary
      system, the threatened longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) and endangered
      delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus). Abundances have reached record lows in
      California, USA, and these populations are at imminent risk of extirpation.
      California is currently impacted by a severe drought, resulting in high water
      temperatures, conditions that will become more common as a result of climate
      change. We exposed fish to environmentally relevant temperatures (14 degrees C
      and 20 degrees C) and used RNA sequencing to examine the transcriptome-wide
      responses to elevated water temperature in both species. Consistent with having a
      lower temperature tolerance, longfin smelt exhibited a pronounced cellular stress
      response, with an upregulation of heat shock proteins, after exposure to 20
      degrees C that was not observed in delta smelt. We detected an increase in
      metabolic rate in delta smelt at 20 degrees C and increased expression of genes
      involved in metabolic processes and protein synthesis, patterns not observed in
      longfin smelt. Through examination of responses across multiple levels of
      biological organization, and by linking these responses to habitat distributions
      in the wild, we demonstrate that longfin smelt may be more susceptible than delta
      smelt to increases in temperatures, and they have little room to tolerate future
      warming in California. Understanding the species-specific physiological responses
      of sensitive species to environmental stressors is crucial for conservation
      efforts and managing aquatic systems globally.

PMID- 27252457
TI  - Developmental changes of cognitive vocal control in monkeys.
AB  - The evolutionary origins of human language are obscured by the scarcity of
      essential linguistic characteristics in non-human primate communication systems.
      Volitional control of vocal utterances is one such indispensable feature of
      language. We investigated the ability of two monkeys to volitionally utter
      species-specific calls over many years. Both monkeys reliably vocalized on
      command during juvenile periods, but discontinued this controlled vocal behavior
      in adulthood. This emerging disability was confined to volitional vocal
      production, as the monkeys continued to vocalize spontaneously. In addition, they
      continued to use hand movements as instructed responses during adulthood. This
      greater vocal flexibility of monkeys early in ontogeny supports the neoteny
      hypothesis in human evolution. This suggests that linguistic capabilities were
      enabled via an expansion of the juvenile period during the development of humans.

PMID- 27252458
TI  - Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Brachyspira Species Isolated from Swine
      Herds in the United States.
AB  - Outbreaks of swine dysentery, caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and the
      recently discovered "Brachyspira hampsonii," have reoccurred in North American
      swine herds since the late 2000s. Additionally, multiple Brachyspira species have
      been increasingly isolated by North American diagnostic laboratories. In Europe,
      the reliance on antimicrobial therapy for control of swine dysentery has been
      followed by reports of antimicrobial resistance over time. The objectives of our
      study were to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility trends of four
      Brachyspira species originating from U.S. swine herds and to investigate their
      associations with the bacterial species, genotypes, and epidemiological origins
      of the isolates. We evaluated the susceptibility of B. hyodysenteriae, B.
      hampsonii, Brachyspira pilosicoli, and Brachyspira murdochii to tiamulin,
      valnemulin, doxycycline, lincomycin, and tylosin by broth microdilution and that
      to carbadox by agar dilution. In general, Brachyspira species showed high
      susceptibility to tiamulin, valnemulin, and carbadox, heterogeneous
      susceptibility to doxycycline, and low susceptibility to lincomycin and tylosin.
      A trend of decreasing antimicrobial susceptibility by species was observed (B.
      hampsonii > B. hyodysenteriae > B. murdochii > B. pilosicoli). In general,
      Brachyspira isolates from the United States were more susceptible to these
      antimicrobials than were isolates from other countries. Decreased antimicrobial
      susceptibility was associated with the genotype, stage of production, and
      production system from which the isolate originated, which highlights the roles
      of biosecurity and husbandry in disease prevention and control. Finally, this
      study also highlights the urgent need for Clinical and Laboratory Standards
      Institute-approved clinical breakpoints for Brachyspira species, to facilitate
      informed therapeutic and control strategies.

PMID- 27252459
TI  - Evaluation of the Whole-Blood Alere Q NAT Point-of-Care RNA Assay for HIV-1 Viral
      Load Monitoring in a Primary Health Care Setting in Mozambique.
AB  - Viral load testing is the WHO-recommended monitoring assay for patients on HIV
      antiretroviral therapy (ART). Point-of-care (POC) assays may help improve access
      to viral load testing in resource-limited settings. We compared the performance
      of the Alere Q NAT POC viral load technology (Alere Technologies, Jena, Germany),
      measuring total HIV RNA using finger prick capillary whole-blood samples
      collected in a periurban health center, with that of a laboratory-based plasma
      RNA test (Roche Cobas Ampliprep/Cobas TaqMan v2) conducted on matched venous
      blood samples. The whole-blood Alere Q NAT POC assay produced results with a bias
      of 0.8593 log copy/ml compared to the laboratory-based plasma assay. However, at
      above 10,000 copies/ml, the bias was 0.07 log copy/ml. Using the WHO-recommended
      threshold to determine ART failure of 1,000 copies/ml, the sensitivity and
      specificity of the whole-blood Alere Q NAT POC assay were 96.83% and 47.80%,
      respectively. A cutoff of 10,000 copies/ml of whole blood with the Alere Q NAT
      POC assay appears to be a better predictor of ART failure threshold (1,000
      copies/ml of plasma), with a sensitivity of 84.0% and specificity of 90.3%. The
      precision of the whole-blood Alere Q NAT POC assay was comparable to that
      observed with the laboratory technology (5.4% versus 7.5%) between detectable
      paired samples. HIV POC viral load testing is feasible at the primary health care
      level. Further research on the value of whole-blood viral load to monitor
      antiretroviral therapy is warranted.

PMID- 27252460
TI  - Performance of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass
      Spectrometry for Identification of Aspergillus, Scedosporium, and Fusarium spp.
      in the Australian Clinical Setting.
AB  - We developed an Australian database for the identification of Aspergillus,
      Scedosporium, and Fusarium species (n = 28) by matrix-assisted laser desorption
      ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In a challenge
      against 117 isolates, species identification significantly improved when the in
      house-built database was combined with the Bruker Filamentous Fungi Library
      compared with that for the Bruker library alone (Aspergillus, 93% versus 69%;
      Fusarium, 84% versus 42%; and Scedosporium, 94% versus 18%, respectively).

PMID- 27252461
TI  - Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Profile of Candida guilliermondii
      and Candida fermentati from a Multicenter Study in China.
AB  - With molecular sequencing as a gold standard, the Vitek MS, Bruker Biotyper MS,
      and Vitek-2 Compact systems correctly identified 92.7%, 97.0%, and 15.2% of 164
      Candida guillermondii isolates, respectively, and none of 8 C. fermentati
      isolates. All of the isolates showed high susceptibility to echinocandins, but
      some C. guilliermondii isolates showed low azole susceptibility.

PMID- 27252462
TI  - Prosthetic Vascular Graft Infections: Bacterial Cultures from Negative-Pressure
      Wound-Therapy Foams Do Not Improve Diagnostics.
AB  - We analyzed the diagnostic value of microorganisms cultured from negative
      pressure-wound-therapy (NPWT) foam samples compared to that of microorganisms
      cultured from deep tissue samples from patients with vascular graft infections.
      The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative
      predictive value (NPV) were 58%, 86%, 81%, and 66%, respectively. The diagnostic
      value of microbiological cultures from NPWT foams was poor.

PMID- 27252464
TI  - PCR-Based Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Culture-Negative Specimens:
      Novel Primers for Detection of Serotypes within Serogroup 18.
AB  - Six multiplex-compatible PCR primers were designed to distinguish Streptococcus
      pneumoniae serotypes within serogroup 18 from culturable/nonculturable
      pneumococcal specimens, with no cross-reactivity with other serotypes and
      respiratory organisms. These primers will aid in the generation of better data on
      vaccine/nonvaccine serotypes in invasive and carriage pneumococcal surveillance
      and contribute to future vaccine formulation and impact studies.

PMID- 27252463
TI  - Novel Method Based on Real-Time Cell Analysis for Drug Susceptibility Testing of
      Herpes Simplex Virus and Human Cytomegalovirus.
AB  - The plaque reduction assay (PRA) is the gold standard phenotypic method to
      determine herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)
      susceptibilities to antiviral drugs. However, this assay is subjective and labor
      intensive. Here, we describe a novel antiviral phenotypic method based on real
      time cell analysis (RTCA) that measures electronic impedance over time. The
      effective drug concentrations that reduced by 50% (EC50s) the cytopathic effects
      induced by HSV-1 and HCMV were evaluated by both methods. The EC50s of acyclovir
      and foscarnet against a reference wild-type (WT) HSV-1 strain in Vero cells were,
      respectively, 0.5 MUM and 32.6 MUM by PRA and 0.8 MUM and 93.6 MUM by RTCA. The
      EC50 ratios for acyclovir against several HSV-1 thymidine kinase (TK) mutants
      were 101.8*, 73.4*, 28.8*, and 35.4* (PRA) and 18.0*, 52.0*, 5.5*, and 87.8*
      (RTCA) compared to those for the WT. The EC50 ratios for acyclovir and foscarnet
      against the HSV-1 TK/DNA polymerase mutant were 182.8* and 9.7* (PRA) and >125.0*
      and 10.8* (RTCA) compared to the WT. The EC50s of ganciclovir and foscarnet
      against WT HCMV strain AD169 in fibroblasts were, respectively, 1.6 MUM and 27.8
      MUM by PRA and 5.0 MUM and 111.4 MUM by RTCA. The EC50 ratios of ganciclovir
      against the HCMV UL97 mutant were 3.8* (PRA) and 8.2* (RTCA) compared to those
      for the WT. The EC50 ratios of ganciclovir and foscarnet against the HCMV
      UL97/DNA polymerase mutant were 17.1* and 12.1* (PRA) and 14.7* and 4.6* (RTCA)
      compared to those for the WT. RTCA allows objective drug susceptibility testing
      of HSV and HCMV and could permit high-throughput screening of new antivirals.

PMID- 27252466
TI  - QuantiFERON-TB Gold Assay on Plasma for Confirmation of Presumed Tuberculosis
      Related Uveitis.
AB  - The QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay was used to measure interferon gamma levels in
      plasma from 4 patients with presumed tuberculosis-related uveitis before, during,
      and after antitubercular therapy. After treatment, all patients showed clinical
      improvement. The concentrations showed a reversion to an absence of interferon
      gamma in one case, decreased in two cases, and remained stable in one case. These
      results suggest that the QuantiFERON assay may be useful for tuberculosis-related
      uveitis diagnosis and follow-up.

PMID- 27252465
TI  - Phylogenetic Analysis of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) Isolates from
      Japan Reveals Emergence of CTX-M-14-Producing EAEC O25:H4 Clones Related to
      Sequence Type 131.
AB  - Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) causes acute or persistent diarrhea.
      The aggR gene is widely used as a marker for typical EAEC. The heterogeneity of
      EAEC is well known; however, there are few reports on the phylogenetic
      relationships of EAEC. Recently, CTX-M extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)
      producing EAEC strains have been reported worldwide. To characterize EAEC strains
      in Japan, we investigated the population structure of EAEC. A total of 167 aggR
      positive strains isolated from stool specimens from diarrheal patients in
      Kagoshima (139 strains) and Osaka (28 strains), Japan, between 1992 and 2010 were
      examined for the prevalence of EAEC virulence markers, the blaCTX-M gene, and the
      capacity to form biofilms. Multilocus sequence typing was also conducted. EAEC
      strains were widely distributed across four major E. coli phylogroups. Strains of
      O111:H21/clonal group 40 (CG40) (30 strains), O126:H27/CG200 (13 strains), and
      O86a:H27/CG3570 (11 strains) in phylogroup B1 are the historical EAEC clones in
      Japan, and they exhibited strong biofilm formation. Twenty-nine strains of EAEC
      O25:H4/CG131 were identified in phylogroup B2, 79% of which produced CTX-M-14.
      This clone has emerged since 2003. The clone harbored plasmid-encoded EAEC
      virulence genes but not chromosomal virulence genes and had lower biofilm-forming
      capacity than historical EAEC strains. This clone most likely emerged from a
      pandemic uropathogenic O25:H4/sequence type 131 clone by acquiring an EAEC
      virulence plasmid from canonical EAEC. Surveillance of the horizontal transfer of
      both virulence and ESBL genes among E. coli strains is important for preventing a
      worldwide increase in antimicrobial drug resistance.

PMID- 27252467
TI  - Biofortification of rice with the essential amino acid lysine: molecular
      characterization, nutritional evaluation, and field performance.
AB  - Rice (Oryza sativa L.), a major staple crop worldwide, has limited levels of the
      essential amino acid lysine. We previously produced engineered rice with
      increased lysine content by expressing bacterial aspartate kinase and
      dihydrodipicolinate synthase and inhibiting rice lysine ketoglutarate
      reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase activity. However, the grain quality, field
      performance, and integration patterns of the transgenes in these lysine-enriched
      lines remain unclear. In the present study, we selected several elite transgenic
      lines with endosperm-specific or constitutive regulation of the above key enzymes
      but lacking the selectable marker gene. All target transgenes were integrated
      into the intragenic region in the rice genome. Two pyramid transgenic lines (High
      Free Lysine; HFL1 and HFL2) with free lysine levels in seeds up to 25-fold that
      of wild type were obtained via a combination of the above two transgenic events.
      We observed a dramatic increase in total free amino acids and a slight increase
      in total protein content in both pyramid lines. Moreover, the general
      physicochemical properties were improved in pyramid transgenic rice, but the
      starch composition was not affected. Field trials indicated that the growth of
      HFL transgenic rice was normal, except for a slight difference in plant height
      and grain colour. Taken together, these findings will be useful for the potential
      commercialization of high-lysine transgenic rice.

PMID- 27252468
TI  - SLG controls grain size and leaf angle by modulating brassinosteroid homeostasis
      in rice.
AB  - Grain size and leaf angle are two important traits determining grain yield in
      rice. However, the mechanisms regulating the two traits remain largely unknown.
      Here, we characterized a rice gain-of-function mutant, slender grain Dominant
      (slg-D), which exhibited longer and narrower grains and larger leaf angles,
      similar to plants with elevated brassinosteroid (BR) levels or strengthened BR
      signaling. The increased cell length is responsible for the mutant phenotypes in
      slg-D We demonstrated that the phenotype of slg-D is caused by enhanced
      expression of SLG, a BAHD acyltransferase-like protein gene. SLG is
      preferentially expressed in young panicles and lamina joints, implying its role
      in controlling cell growth in those two tissues. slg-D was restored to wild type
      by treatment with brassinazole, an inhibitor of BR biosynthesis. Overexpression
      of SLG in d11-2 (deficient in BR synthesis) and d61-1 (deficient in BR signaling)
      did not change the existing phenotypes. The slg-D plants had elevated BR contents
      and, accordingly, expression of BR-related genes was changed in a manner similar
      to BR treatment. Moreover, SLG RNAi plants displayed mild BR-deficient phenotypes
      including shorter grains, smaller leaf angles, and compact semi-dwarf plant
      types. The in vitro biochemical assays and transgenic approaches collectively
      demonstrated that SLG functions as homomers. Taken together, we conclude that SLG
      is an important regulator in BR homeostasis and that manipulation of SLG
      expression to an optimal level may provide a way to develop an ideal plant type.

PMID- 27252469
TI  - Homologs of SCAR/WAVE complex components are required for epidermal cell
      morphogenesis in rice.
AB  - Filamentous actins (F-actins) play a vital role in epidermal cell morphogenesis.
      However, a limited number of studies have examined actin-dependent leaf epidermal
      cell morphogenesis events in rice. In this study, two recessive mutants were
      isolated: less pronounced lobe epidermal cell2-1 (lpl2-1) and lpl3-1, whose leaf
      and stem epidermis developed a smooth surface, with fewer serrated pavement cell
      (PC) lobes, and decreased papillae. The lpl2-1 also exhibited irregular stomata
      patterns, reduced plant height, and short panicles and roots. Molecular genetic
      studies demonstrated that LPL2 and LPL3 encode the PIROGI/Specifically Rac1
      associated protein 1 (PIR/SRA1)-like and NCK-associated protein 1 (NAP1)-like
      proteins, respectively, two components of the suppressor of cAMP receptor/Wiskott
      Aldrich syndrome protein-family verprolin-homologous protein (SCAR/WAVE)
      regulatory complex involved in actin nucleation and function. Epidermal cells
      exhibited abnormal arrangement of F-actins in both lpl2 and lpl3 expanding
      leaves. Moreover, the distorted trichomes of Arabidopsis pir could be partially
      restored by an overexpression of LPL2 A yeast two-hybrid assay revealed that LPL2
      can directly interact with LPL3 in vitro Collectively, the results indicate that
      LPL2 and LPL3 are two functionally conserved homologs of the SCAR/WAVE complex
      components, and that they play an important role in controlling epidermal cell
      morphogenesis in rice by organising F-actin.

PMID- 27252471
TI  - Myo-inositol phosphate synthase expression in the European eel (Anguilla
      anguilla) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): effect of seawater
      acclimation.
AB  - A single MIPS gene (Isyna1/Ino1) exists in eel and tilapia genomes with a single
      myo-d-inositol 3-phosphate synthase (MIPS) transcript identified in all eel
      tissues, although two MIPS spliced variants [termed MIPS(s) and MIPS(l)] are
      found in all tilapia tissues. The larger tilapia transcript [MIPS(l)] results
      from the inclusion of the 87-nucleotide intron between exons 5 and 6 in the
      genomic sequence. In most tilapia tissues, the MIPS(s) transcript exhibits much
      higher abundance (generally >10-fold) with the exception of white skeletal muscle
      and oocytes, in which the MIPS(l) transcript predominates. SW acclimation
      resulted in large (6- to 32-fold) increases in mRNA expression for both MIPS(s)
      and MIPS(l) in all tilapia tissues tested, whereas in the eel, changes in
      expression were limited to a more modest 2.5-fold increase and only in the
      kidney. Western blots identified a number of species- and tissue-specific
      immunoreactive MIPS proteins ranging from 40 to 67 kDa molecular weight. SW
      acclimation failed to affect the abundance of any immunoreactive protein in any
      tissue tested from the eel. However, a major 67-kDa immunoreactive protein
      (presumed to be MIPS) found in tilapia tissues exhibited 11- and 54-fold
      increases in expression in gill and fin samples from SW-acclimated fish.
      Immunohistochemical investigations revealed specific immunoreactivity in the
      gill, fin, skin, and intestine taken from only SW-acclimated tilapia.
      Immunofluorescence indicated that MIPS was expressed within gill chondrocytes and
      epithelial cells of the primary filaments, basal epithelial cell layers of the
      skin and fin, the cytosol of columnar intestinal epithelial and mucous cells, as
      well as unknown entero-endocrine-like cells.

PMID- 27252470
TI  - New antiepileptic drugs: focus on ezogabine, clobazam, and perampanel.
AB  - Ezogabine, clobazam, and perampanel are among the newest antiseizure drugs
      approved by the Food and Drug Administration between 2011 and 2012. Ezogabine and
      perampanel are approved for adjunctive treatment of partial epilepsy. Perampanel
      is also approved for adjunctive treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic
      seizures. Ezogabine and perampanel have novel mechanisms of action. Ezogabine
      binds to voltage-gated potassium channels and increases the M-current thereby
      causing membrane hyperpolarization. Perampanel is a selective, non-competitive 2
      amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl)propanoic acid receptor antagonist,
      which reduces neuronal excitation. Clobazam has been used worldwide since the
      1970s and is approved for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox
      Gastaut syndrome. Clobazam is the only 1,5-benzodiazepine currently in clinical
      use, which is less sedating than the commonly used 1,4-benzodiazepines. Phase III
      multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials demonstrated
      efficacy and good tolerability of these 3 new antiepileptic drugs. These drugs
      represent a welcome addition to the armamentarium of practitioners, but it
      remains to be seen how they will affect the landscape of pharmacoresistant
      epilepsy.

PMID- 27252472
TI  - Chronic intermittent hypoxia accelerates coronary microcirculatory dysfunction in
      insulin-resistant Goto-Kakizaki rats.
AB  - Chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) induces oxidative stress and inflammation,
      which impair vascular endothelial function. Long-term insulin resistance also
      leads to endothelial dysfunction. We determined, in vivo, whether the effects of
      chronic IH and insulin resistance on endothelial function augment each other.
      Male 12-wk-old Goto-Kakizaki (GK) and Wistar control rats were subjected to
      normoxia or chronic IH (90-s N2, 5% O2 at nadir, 90-s air, 20 cycles/h, 8 h/day)
      for 4 wk. Coronary endothelial function was assessed using microangiography with
      synchrotron radiation. Imaging was performed at baseline, during infusion of
      acetylcholine (ACh, 5 MUg.kg(-1).min(-1)) and then sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 5
      MUg.kg(-1).min(-1)), after blockade of both nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) with
      N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 50 mg/kg) and cyclooxygenase
      (COX, meclofenamate, 3 mg/kg), and during subsequent ACh. In GK rats, coronary
      vasodilatation in response to ACh and SNP was blunted compared with Wistar rats,
      and responses to ACh were abolished after blockade. In Wistar rats, IH blunted
      the ability of ACh or SNP to increase the number of visible vessels. In GK rats
      exposed to IH, neither ACh nor SNP were able to increase visible vessel number or
      caliber, and blockade resulted in marked vasoconstriction. Our findings indicate
      that IH augments the deleterious effects of insulin resistance on coronary
      endothelial function. They appear to increase the dependence of the coronary
      microcirculation on NO and/or vasodilator prostanoids, and greatly blunt the
      residual vasodilation in response to ACh after blockade of NOS/COX, presumably
      mediated by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors.

PMID- 27252473
TI  - Sexually dimorphic myeloid inflammatory and metabolic responses to diet-induced
      obesity.
AB  - It is well known in clinical and animal studies that women and men have different
      disease risk as well as different disease physiology. Women of reproductive age
      are protected from metabolic and cardiovascular disease compared with
      postmenopausal women and men. Most murine studies are skewed toward the use of
      male mice to study obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction because of similar
      protection in female mice. We have investigated dietary obesity in a mouse model
      and have directly compared inflammatory responses in males and females. In this
      review we will summarize what is known about sex differences in diet-induced
      inflammation and will summarize our data on this topic. It is clear that sex
      differences in high-fat diet-induced inflammatory activation are due to cell
      intrinsic differences in hematopoietic responses to obesogenic cues, but further
      research is needed to understand what leads to sexually dimorphic responses.

PMID- 27252474
TI  - Nax signaling evoked by an increase in [Na+] in CSF induces water intake via EET
      mediated TRPV4 activation.
AB  - Water-intake behavior is under the control of brain systems that sense body fluid
      conditions at sensory circumventricular organs (sCVOs); however, the underlying
      mechanisms have not yet been elucidated in detail. Nax is a sodium (Na(+)) level
      sensor in the brain, and the transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV)
      channels TRPV1 and TRPV4 have been proposed to function as osmosensors. We herein
      investigated voluntary water intake immediately induced after an
      intracerebroventricular administration of a hypertonic NaCl solution in TRPV1-,
      TRPV4-, Nax-, and their double-gene knockout (KO) mice. The induction of water
      intake by TRPV1-KO mice was normal, whereas intake by TRPV4-KO and Nax-KO mice
      was significantly less than that by WT mice. Water intake by Nax/TRPV4-double KO
      mice was similar to that by the respective single KO mice. When TRPV4 activity
      was blocked with a specific antagonist HC-067047, water intake by WT mice was
      significantly reduced, whereas intake by TRPV4-KO and Nax-KO mice was not.
      Similar results were obtained with the administration of miconazole, which
      inhibits the biosynthesis of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), endogenous
      agonists for TRPV4, from arachidonic acid (AA). Intracerebroventricular injection
      of hypertonic NaCl with AA or 5,6-EET restored water intake by Nax-KO mice to the
      wild-type level but not that by TRPV4-KO mice. These results suggest that the
      Na(+) signal generated in Nax-positive glial cells leads to the activation of
      TRPV4-positive neurons in sCVOs to stimulate water intake by using EETs as
      gliotransmitters. Intracerebroventricular injection of equiosmolar hypertonic
      sorbitol solution induced small but significant water intake equally in all the
      genotypes, suggesting the presence of an unknown osmosensor in the brain.

PMID- 27252476
TI  - Frontiers in heart failure: assessement, risk factors, and novel genetic and cell
      based therapies.

PMID- 27252477
TI  - CardioPulse Articles.

PMID- 27252475
TI  - Defining the Effectiveness of Antimalarial Chemotherapy: Investigation of the Lag
      in Parasite Clearance Following Drug Administration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The emergence of drug-resistant malaria highlights the need for new
      agents. A desired characteristic of candidate antimalarials is rapid killing of
      parasites. This is typically measured by the rate of exponential clearance of
      parasitemia following treatment. However, this clearance rate excludes the highly
      variable lag phase, when the parasitemia level may increase, remain constant, or
      decrease. Understanding factors determining this lag phase is important for drug
      development. METHODS: We assessed the kinetics of parasitemia in 112 volunteers
      infected with blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum and treated with 8 different
      antimalarials. The parasitemia level was measured by quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction. We analyzed the relationship between the timing of treatment in
      the parasite growth cycle, and whether the parasitemia level rose or fell in the
      first 12 or 24 hours after treatment. RESULTS: The timing of treatment in the
      parasite life cycle predicted whether subjects experienced rises or falls in
      parasitemia level after treatment. Antimalarials were unable to prevent rises in
      the parasitemia level in the first 12 hours. However, in the first 24 hours after
      treatment, fast-acting but not slow-acting drugs reduced the parasitemia level
      independent of when treatment was administered. CONCLUSIONS: The highly variable
      lag phase depends on the speed of action of an antimalarial and when in the
      periodic growth cycle it is administered.

PMID- 27252478
TI  - Extensive Cutaneous Larva Migrans with Eczematous Reaction on Atypical
      Localization.

PMID- 27252479
TI  - Approaches to Evaluate the Impact of Community-Based Delivery Strategies.

PMID- 27252480
TI  - Independent Evaluation of the Integrated Community Case Management of Childhood
      Illness Strategy in Malawi Using a National Evaluation Platform Design.

PMID- 27252481
TI  - Splenectomy or Partial Splenectomy Should be Preferred Treatment for Large
      Splenic Hydatid Cysts.

PMID- 27252482
TI  - Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) Parasitism and Climate Differentially
      Influence the Prevalence, Levels, and Overt Infections of Deformed Wing Virus in
      Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae).
AB  - The prevalence and loads of deformed wing virus (DWV) between honey bee (Apis
      mellifera L.) colonies from a tropical and a temperate environment were compared.
      The interaction between these environments and the mite Varroa destructor in
      relation to DWV prevalence, levels, and overt infections, was also analyzed. V.
      destructor rates were determined, and samples of mites, adult bees, brood
      parasitized with varroa mites and brood not infested by mites were analyzed. DWV
      was detected in 100% of the mites and its prevalence and loads in honey bees were
      significantly higher in colonies from the temperate climate than in colonies from
      the tropical climate. Significant interactions were found between climate and
      type of sample, with the highest levels of DWV found in varroa-parasitized brood
      from temperate climate colonies. Additionally, overt infections were observed
      only in the temperate climate. Varroa parasitism and DWV loads in bees from
      colonies with overt infections were significantly higher than in bees from
      colonies with covert infections. These results suggest that interactions between
      climate, V. destructor, and possibly other factors, may play a significant role
      in the prevalence and levels of DWV in honey bee colonies, as well as in the
      development of overt infections. Several hypotheses are discussed to explain
      these results. 

PMID- 27252483
TI  - Saproxylic Beetle Assemblage Selection as Determining Factor of Species
      Distributional Patterns: Implications for Conservation.
AB  - The knowledge of the distributional patterns of saproxylic beetles is essential
      for conservation biology due to the relevance of this fauna in the maintenance of
      ecological processes and the endangerment of species. The complex community of
      saproxylic beetles is shaped by different assemblages that are composed of
      species linked by the microhabitats they use. We evaluate how different the
      species distribution patterns that are obtained can be, depending on the analyzed
      assemblage and to what extent these can affect conservation decisions. Beetles
      were sampled using hollow emergence and window traps in three protected areas of
      the Iberian Peninsula. Species richness, composition, and diversity turnover were
      analyzed for each sampling method and showed high variation depending on the
      analyzed assemblage. Beta diversity was clearly higher among forests for the
      assemblage captured using window traps. This method collects flying insects from
      different tree microhabitats and its captures are influenced by the forest
      structuring. Within forests, the assemblages captured by hollow emergence traps,
      which collect the fauna linked to tree hollows, showed the largest turnover of
      species, as they are influenced by the characteristics of each cavity. Moreover,
      the selection of the forest showing the highest species richness strongly
      depended on the studied assemblage. This study demonstrates that differences in
      the studied assemblages (group of species co-occurring in the same habitat) can
      also lead to significant differences in the identified patterns of species
      distribution and diversity turnover. This fact will be necessary to take into
      consideration when making decisions about conservation and management. 

PMID- 27252484
TI  - ENDOCRINE TUMOURS: Imaging in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer:
      current evidence and future perspectives for a risk-adapted approach.
AB  - The clinical and epidemiological profiles of differentiated thyroid cancers
      (DTCs) have changed in the last three decades. Today's DTCs are more likely to be
      small, localized, asymptomatic papillary forms. Current practice is, though,
      moving toward more conservative approaches (e.g. lobectomy instead of total
      thyroidectomy, selective use of radioiodine). This evolution has been paralleled
      and partly driven by rapid technological advances in the field of diagnostic
      imaging. The challenge of contemporary DTCs follow-up is to tailor a risk-of
      recurrence-based management, taking into account the dynamic nature of these
      risks, which evolve over time, spontaneously and in response to treatments. This
      review provides a closer look at the evolving evidence-based views on the use and
      utility of imaging technology in the post-treatment staging and the short- and
      long-term surveillance of patients with DTCs. The studies considered range from
      cervical US with Doppler flow analysis to an expanding palette of increasingly
      sophisticated second-line studies (cross-sectional, functional, combined-modality
      approaches), which can be used to detect disease that has spread beyond the neck
      and, in some cases, shed light on its probable outcome. 

PMID- 27252485
TI  - A homozygous point mutation in the GH1 promoter (c.-223C>T) leads to reduced GH1
      expression in siblings with isolated GH deficiency (IGHD).
AB  - CONTEXT: Mutations in the GH1 promoter are a rare cause of isolated growth
      hormone deficiency (IGHD). OBJECTIVE: To identify the molecular aetiology of a
      family with IGHD. DESIGN: DNA sequencing, electromobility shift (EMSA) and
      luciferase reporter assays. SETTING: University Hospital. PATIENTS: Three
      siblings (2M) born to consanguineous parents presented with IGHD with normal
      pituitary on MRI. METHODS: The GH1 proximal promoter, locus control region, five
      exons and four introns as well as GHRHR gene were sequenced in genomic DNA by
      Sanger method. DNA-protein interaction was evaluated by EMSA in nuclear extracts
      of GH3 pituitary cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed in cells
      transiently transfected with plasmids containing four different combinations of
      GH1 allelic variants (AV). RESULTS: The patients harboured two homozygous
      variants (c.-185T>C and c.-223C>T) in the GH1 promoter within a highly conserved
      region and predicted binding sites for POU1F1/SP1 and SP1 respectively. The
      parents and brother were carriers and these variants were absent in 100 controls.
      EMSA demonstrated absent binding of GH3 nuclear extract to the c.-223C>T variant
      and normal binding of both POU1F1 protein and GH3 nuclear extract to the c.
      185T>C variant. In contrast to GH1 promoter with AV only at c.-185, the GH1
      promoter containing the AV only at c.-223 and at both positions drove
      significantly less expression of luciferase compared with the promoter containing
      either positions wild type in luciferase reporter assays. CONCLUSION: To our
      knowledge, c.-223C>T is the first homozygous point mutation in the GH1 promoter
      that leads to short stature due to IGHD.

PMID- 27252486
TI  - Endocrine and metabolic diurnal rhythms in young adult men born small vs
      appropriate for gestational age.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Sleep disturbances and alterations of diurnal endocrine rhythms are
      associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We previously showed
      that young men born small for gestational age (SGA) and with increased risk of
      T2D have elevated fat and decreased glucose oxidation rates during nighttime. In
      this study, we investigated whether SGA men have an altered diurnal profile of
      hormones, substrates and inflammatory markers implicated in T2D pathophysiology
      compared with matched individuals born appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
      METHODS: We collected hourly blood samples for 24 h, to measure levels of
      glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG), insulin, C-peptide, leptin,
      resistin, ghrelin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), incretins (GLP-1
      and GIP), and inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha and IL-6) in 13 young men born SGA
      and 11 young men born AGA. RESULTS: Repeated measurements analyses were used to
      analyze the diurnal variations and differences between groups. The SGA subjects
      had increased 24-h glucose (P=0.03), glucagon (P=0.03) and resistin (P=0.003)
      levels with no difference in diurnal rhythms compared with AGA controls. We found
      significant diurnal variations in levels of blood glucose, plasma TG, FFA,
      insulin, C-peptide, GLP-1, GIP, leptin, visfatin, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and PAI-1. The
      variation in FFA levels differed between the groups during the evening. Plasma
      ghrelin and glucagon levels did not display diurnal variations. CONCLUSIONS:
      Young men born SGA exhibit elevated 24-h blood glucose, and plasma glucagon and
      resistin levels with no major differences in diurnal rhythms of these or other
      key metabolic hormones, substrates or inflammatory markers implicated in the
      origin of adiposity and T2D.

PMID- 27252487
TI  - Quantification of paravalvular regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve
      implantation: improved accuracy means better standardization.

PMID- 27252489
TI  - Alternative pathways for angiotensin II production as an important determinant of
      kidney damage in endotoxemia.
AB  - Sepsis is an uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response against an infection and
      a major public health issue worldwide. This condition affects several organs,
      and, when caused by Gram-negative bacteria, kidneys are particularly damaged. Due
      to the importance of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in regulating renal function,
      in the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of endotoxemia over the
      renal RAS. Wistar rats were injected with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS) (4 mg/kg), mimicking the endotoxemia induced by Gram-negative bacteria.
      Three days after treatment, body mass, blood pressure, and plasma nitric oxide
      (NO) were reduced, indicating that endotoxemia triggered cardiovascular and
      metabolic consequences and that hypotension was maintained by NO-independent
      mechanisms. Regarding the effects in renal tissue, inducible NO synthase (iNOS)
      was diminished, but no changes in the renal level of NO were detected. RAS was
      also highly affected by endotoxemia, since renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme
      (ACE), and ACE2 activities were altered in renal tissue. Although these enzymes
      were modulated, only angiotensin (ANG) II was augmented in kidneys; ANG I and ANG
      1-7 levels were not influenced by LPS. Cathepsin G and chymase activities were
      increased in the endotoxemia group, suggesting alternative pathways for ANG II
      formation. Taken together, our data suggest the activation of noncanonical
      pathways for ANG II production and the presence of renal vasoconstriction and
      tissue damage in our animal model. In summary, the systemic administration of LPS
      affects renal RAS, what may contribute for several deleterious effects of
      endotoxemia over kidneys.

PMID- 27252488
TI  - Minor intron splicing is regulated by FUS and affected by ALS-associated FUS
      mutants.
AB  - Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is a ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein proposed
      to function in various RNA metabolic pathways, including transcription
      regulation, pre-mRNA splicing, RNA transport and microRNA processing. Mutations
      in the FUS gene were identified in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
      (ALS), but the pathomechanisms by which these mutations cause ALS are not known.
      Here, we show that FUS interacts with the minor spliceosome constituent U11
      snRNP, binds preferentially to minor introns and directly regulates their
      removal. Furthermore, a FUS knockout in neuroblastoma cells strongly disturbs the
      splicing of minor intron-containing mRNAs, among them mRNAs required for action
      potential transmission and for functional spinal motor units. Moreover, an ALS
      associated FUS mutant that forms cytoplasmic aggregates inhibits splicing of
      minor introns by trapping U11 and U12 snRNAs in these aggregates. Collectively,
      our findings suggest a possible pathomechanism for ALS in which mutated FUS
      inhibits correct splicing of minor introns in mRNAs encoding proteins required
      for motor neuron survival.

PMID- 27252490
TI  - Low-dose testosterone protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by
      increasing renal IL-10-to-TNF-alpha ratio and attenuating T-cell infiltration.
AB  - Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in male rats causes reductions in plasma
      testosterone, and infusion of testosterone 3 h postreperfusion is protective. We
      tested the hypotheses that acute high doses of testosterone promote renal injury
      after I/R, and that acute low-dose testosterone is protective by the following:
      1) increasing renal IL-10 and reducing TNF-alpha; 2) its effects on nitric oxide;
      and 3) reducing intrarenal T-cell infiltration. Rats were subjected to renal I/R,
      followed by intravenous infusion of vehicle or testosterone (20, 50, or 100
      MUg/kg) 3 h postreperfusion. Low-dose testosterone (20 MUg/kg) reduced plasma
      creatinine, increased nitrate/nitrite excretion, increased intrarenal IL-10, and
      reduced intrarenal TNF-alpha, whereas 50 MUg/kg testosterone failed to reduce
      plasma creatinine, increased IL-10, but failed to reduce TNF-alpha. A higher dose
      of testosterone (100 mg/kg) not only failed to reduce plasma creatinine, but
      significantly increased both IL-10 and TNF-alpha compared with other groups. Low
      dose nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (1 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)), given 2 days before
      I/R, prevented low-dose testosterone (20 MUg/kg) from protecting against I/R
      injury, and was associated with lack of increase in intrarenal IL-10. Intrarenal
      CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were significantly increased with I/R, but were
      attenuated with low-dose testosterone, as were effector T helper 17 cells. The
      present studies suggest that acute, low-dose testosterone is protective against
      I/R AKI in males due to its effects on inflammation by reducing renal T-cell
      infiltration and by shifting the balance to favor anti-inflammatory cytokine
      production rather than proinflammatory cytokines.

PMID- 27252493
TI  - Prospecting for Precision: Promises for Personalized Medicine.

PMID- 27252491
TI  - Late intervention with the small molecule BB3 mitigates postischemic kidney
      injury.
AB  - Ischemia-reperfusion-mediated acute kidney injury can necessitate renal
      replacement therapy and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We have
      identified BB3, a small molecule, which when first administered at 24 h after
      renal ischemia in rats, improved survival, augmented urine output, and reduced
      the increase in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Compared with control
      kidneys, the kidneys of BB3-treated animals exhibited reduced levels of kidney
      injury molecule-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and reduced
      tubular apoptosis and acute tubular necrosis but enhanced tubular regeneration.
      Consistent with its hepatocyte growth factor-like mode of action, BB3 treatment
      promoted phosphorylation of renal cMet and Akt and upregulated renal expression
      of the survival protein Bcl-2. These data suggest that the kidney is amenable to
      pharmacotherapy even 24 h after ischemia-reperfusion and that activation of the
      hepatocyte growth factor signaling pathway with the small molecule BB3 confers
      interventional benefits late into ischemia-reperfusion injury. These data formed,
      in part, the basis for the use of BB3 in a clinical trial in kidney recipients
      presenting with delayed graft function.

PMID- 27252494
TI  - Two Cases of Gouty Sacroiliitis Evaluated by Dual-energy Computed Tomography.

PMID- 27252492
TI  - Preconditioning mice with activators of AMPK ameliorates ischemic acute kidney
      injury in vivo.
AB  - This study had two objectives: 1) to determine whether preconditioning cultured
      proximal tubular cells (PTCs) with pharmacological activators of AMP-activated
      protein kinase (AMPK) protects these cells from apoptosis induced by metabolic
      stress in vitro and 2) to assess the effects of preconditioning mice with these
      agents on the severity of ischemic acute renal kidney injury (AKI) in vivo. We
      demonstrate that preconditioning PTCs with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta
      d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) or A-769662 reduces apoptosis of PTCs induced by
      subsequent stress. We also show that the reduction in cell death during metabolic
      stress associated with pretreatment by AMPK activators is associated with an
      increase in the cytosolic level of ATP, which is mediated by an increase in the
      rate of glycolysis. In addition, we provide evidence that the effect of AMPK
      activators on glycolysis is mediated, at least in part, by an increased uptake of
      glucose, and by the induction of hexokinase II (HK II) expression. Our data also
      show that the increased in HK II expression associated with preconditioning with
      AMPK activators is mediated by the activation (phosphorylation) of the cAMP
      response element binding protein (CREB). We also provide entirely novel evidence
      that that A-79662 is substantially more effective than AICAR in mediating these
      alterations in PTCs in vitro. Finally, we demonstrate that preconditioning mice
      with AICAR or A-769662 substantially reduces the severity of renal dysfunction
      and tubular injury in a model of ischemic AKI in vivo and that the efficacy of
      AICAR and A-768662 in ameliorating ischemic AKI in vivo is comparable.

PMID- 27252495
TI  - Ultrasonography: A Useful Tool for the Diagnosis of Chondrocalcinosis of the
      Sternoclavicular Joint.

PMID- 27252496
TI  - Alar and Transverse Ligament Calcification and Crown Dens.

PMID- 27252497
TI  - The Importance of Linking Primary and Secondary Electronic Medical Records.

PMID- 27252498
TI  - Dr. Takizawa, et al reply.

PMID- 27252499
TI  - Dr. Matteson and Ms. Crowson reply.

PMID- 27252500
TI  - Predictors of Biological Antirheumatic Drug Discontinuation in Patients with
      Rheumatoid Arthritis while in Remission.

PMID- 27252501
TI  - Dr. Yoshida, et al reply.

PMID- 27252502
TI  - Retinopathy in the Era of Routine Hydroxychloroquine Monitoring.

PMID- 27252503
TI  - HLA-B*40:01 Is Associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis in HLA-B27-positive
      Populations.

PMID- 27252504
TI  - Dr. Durcan, et al reply.

PMID- 27252505
TI  - MRI Protocol for the Assessment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis of the Wrist:
      Recommendations from the OMERACT MRI in JIA Working Group and Health-e-Child.

PMID- 27252506
TI  - Phenotypic Variability in Majeed Syndrome.

PMID- 27252507
TI  - Primary Sjogren Syndrome in a Child with a Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum
      Disorder.

PMID- 27252508
TI  - The optimal dosing of gemtuzumab ozagamicin: where to go from here?

PMID- 27252509
TI  - HOXA-activated early T-cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: predictor of
      poor outcome?

PMID- 27252510
TI  - Innovation in hematology. Perspectives: CML 2016.

PMID- 27252511
TI  - Bone marrow fibrosis in myelofibrosis: pathogenesis, prognosis and targeted
      strategies.
AB  - Bone marrow fibrosis is a central pathological feature and World Health
      Organization major diagnostic criterion of myelofibrosis. Although bone marrow
      fibrosis is seen in a variety of malignant and non-malignant disease states, the
      deposition of reticulin and collagen fibrosis in the bone marrow of patients with
      myelofibrosis is believed to be mediated by the myelofibrosis hematopoietic
      stem/progenitor cell, contributing to an impaired microenvironment favoring
      malignant over normal hematopoiesis. Increased expression of inflammatory
      cytokines, lysyl oxidase, transforming growth factor-beta, impaired megakaryocyte
      function, and aberrant JAK-STAT signaling have all been implicated in the
      pathogenesis of bone marrow fibrosis. A number of studies indicate that bone
      marrow fibrosis is an adverse prognostic variable in myeloproliferative
      neoplasms. However, modern myelofibrosis prognostication systems utilized in risk
      adapted treatment approaches do not include bone marrow fibrosis as a prognostic
      variable. The specific effect on bone marrow fibrosis of JAK2 inhibition, and
      other rationally based therapies currently being evaluated in myelofibrosis, has
      yet to be fully elucidated. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the
      only curative therapeutic approach that reliably results in resolution of bone
      marrow fibrosis in patients with myelofibrosis. Here we review the pathogenesis,
      biological consequences, and prognostic impact of bone marrow fibrosis. We
      discuss the rationale of various anti-fibrogenic treatment strategies targeting
      the clonal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell, aberrant signaling pathways,
      fibrogenic cytokines, and the tumor microenvironment.

PMID- 27252512
TI  - Wilms tumor 1 mutations in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) has long been implicated in acute myeloid leukemia. It has
      been described to be both overexpressed and mutated in different forms of acute
      myeloid leukemia, and overexpression has been reported to play a prognostic role
      in this disease. However, the precise mechanism through which WT1 may play a role
      in leukemogenesis has remained elusive. In recent years, new evidence has emerged
      that points towards a novel role of WT1 mutations in the deregulation of
      epigenetic programs in leukemic cells through its interaction with TET proteins.
      Herein we review the current status of the field and its therapeutic and
      prognostic implications in acute myeloid leukemia.

PMID- 27252513
TI  - How to select the best available related or unrelated donor of hematopoietic stem
      cells?
AB  - Recognition of HLA incompatibilities by the immune system represents a major
      barrier to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. HLA genotypically
      identical sibling donors are, therefore, the gold standard for transplantation
      purposes, but only 30% patients have such a donor. For the remaining 70% patients
      alternative sources of stem cells are a matched unrelated adult volunteer donor,
      a haploidentical donor or a cord blood unit. The definition of 'HLA matching'
      depends on the level of resolution and on which loci are tested. The development
      of HLA molecular typing technologies and the availability of more than 27 million
      donors in the international database has greatly facilitated unrelated donor
      searches. The gold standard is high resolution typing at the HLA-A, -B, -C, 
      DRB1, and -DQB1 loci (10/10 match). Single disparities for HLA-A, -B, - C, or 
      DRB1 are associated with increased risk of post-transplant complications, but
      less so in patients with advanced disease, and in those undergoing T-cell
      depleted allografting. HLA-DQB1 mismatches seem to be better tolerated and some
      HLA-C, -DRB1 and -DPB1 disparities are potentially less immunogenic. HLA typing
      by next-generation sequencing methods is likely to change matching algorithms by
      providing full sequence information on all HLA loci in a single step. In most
      European populations a 10/10 matched donor can be found for at least 50% of
      patients and an additional 20-30% patients may have a 9/10 matched donor. Genetic
      factors that help in identifying donors with less immunogenic mismatches are
      discussed. Haploidentical donors are increasingly used as an alternative source
      of stem cells for those patients lacking a matched unrelated donor.

PMID- 27252514
TI  - A milder clinical course for severe hemophilia B: a true or biased effect?

PMID- 27252515
TI  - Efficacy and safety of second-line ponatinib after failure of a single previous
      tyrosine kinase inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia patients in chronic phase.

PMID- 27252516
TI  - Comment on: Frequent CTLA4-CD28 gene fusion in diverse types of T-cell lymphoma,
      by Yoo et al.

PMID- 27252517
TI  - Author reply to Comment on: Frequent CTLA4-CD28 gene fusion in diverse types of T
      cell lymphoma, by Yoo et al.

PMID- 27252518
TI  - Retroperitoneal calcifying fibrous tumor mimicking an adrenal tumor.
AB  - Establishing the etiology of a retroperitoneal tumor may be difficult due to
      close proximity of multiple organs. Evaluation of retroperitoneal tumors often
      leads to surgery, many times to obtain a definitive diagnosis and rule out
      malignancy. Calcifying fibrous tumors (CFT) are very rare soft tissue tumors
      occurring most often in young patients. They are most often found arising in the
      thoracic cavity, mediastinum, abdominal cavity and extremities and usually have a
      benign clinical course. Macrocscopically, the tumors are well circumscribed and
      firm with a white-tan appearance. Histologically, CFT comprised a hypocellular
      proliferation of bland spindle cells, densely hyalinized collagen, chronic
      lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and dystrophic calcifications. Other
      considerations in the pathologic differential diagnosis include solitary fibrous
      tumor and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. 

PMID- 27252519
TI  - Blunt traumatic infrarenal aortic intimal flap progressing to pseudoaneurysm over
      3 months.
AB  - Blunt traumatic infrarenal aortic injuries are unusual, and the formation of a
      delayed pseudoaneurysm of the aorta is even more rare. In this report, a young
      woman developed a small intimal flap of the infrarenal aorta after a motor
      vehicle accident which progressed into a 3 cm pseudoaneurysm after 3 months.
      Operative repair was successful and the patient recovered. This case illustrates
      the importance of repeat imaging of small blunt aortic injuries since progression
      can occur. 

PMID- 27252520
TI  - Theatrical fire pursuant exploratory laparotomy.
AB  - Fire in the operating theater is a rare but potentially fatal complication. We
      report igniting an intraperitoneal fire while preforming an exploratory
      laparotomy for perforated viscus. Fortunately, the patient suffered no injuries
      as a result. 

PMID- 27252521
TI  - Editorial: An ATRA oddity: new questions revealed on retinoid synthesis in bone
      marrow cells.

PMID- 27252522
TI  - Editorial: "Invisible" MDSC in tumor-bearing individuals after antibody
      depletion: fact or fiction?

PMID- 27252523
TI  - E4BP4 is an insulin-induced stabilizer of nuclear SREBP-1c and promotes SREBP-1c
      mediated lipogenesis.
AB  - Upon food intake, insulin stimulates de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in hepatocytes via
      the AKT-mTORC1-sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c pathway. How
      insulin maintains the maximal SREBP-1c activities during the entire feeding state
      remains elusive. We previously reported that insulin induced b-ZIP transcription
      factor, E4-binding protein 4 (E4BP4), in hepatocytes. In the current study, we
      show that insulin injection increases hepatic E4bp4 expression by activating the
      AKT-mTORC1-SREBP-1c pathway in hepatocytes. E4bp4-deficient hepatocytes not only
      fail to maintain robust DNL but also become resistant to SREBP-1c-induced
      lipogenesis. In vivo, acute depletion of E4bp4 in the liver by adenoviral shRNA
      reduces the expression of lipogenic enzymes and results in reduced levels of
      serum triglycerides and cholesterol during the postprandial phase. In
      hepatocytes, E4BP4 interacts with nuclear SREBP-1c to preserve its acetylation,
      and subsequently protects it from ubiquitination-dependent degradation. In
      conclusion, the current studies uncover a novel positive feedback pathway
      mediated by E4BP4 to augment SREBP-1c-mediated DNL in the liver during the fed
      state.

PMID- 27252524
TI  - Single-Molecule Sequencing Reveals Complex Genome Variation of Hepatitis B Virus
      during 15 Years of Chronic Infection following Liver Transplantation.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is prevalent worldwide. The infectious agent, hepatitis
      B virus (HBV), replicates via an RNA intermediate and is error prone, leading to
      the rapid generation of closely related but not identical viral variants,
      including those that can escape host immune responses and antiviral treatments.
      The complexity of CHB can be further enhanced by the presence of HBV variants
      with large deletions in the genome generated via splicing (spHBV variants).
      Although spHBV variants are incapable of autonomous replication, their
      replication is rescued by wild-type HBV. spHBV variants have been shown to
      enhance wild-type virus replication, and their prevalence increases with liver
      disease progression. Single-molecule deep sequencing was performed on whole HBV
      genomes extracted from samples, including the liver explant, longitudinally
      collected from a subject with CHB over a 15-year period after liver
      transplantation. By employing novel bioinformatics methods, this analysis showed
      that the dynamics of the viral population across a period of changing treatment
      regimens was complex. The spHBV variants detected in the liver explant remained
      present posttransplantation, and a highly diverse novel spHBV population as well
      as variants with multiple deletions in the pre-S genes emerged. The
      identification of novel mutations outside the HBV reverse transcriptase gene that
      co-occurred with known drug resistance-associated mutations highlights the
      relevance of using full-genome deep sequencing and supports the hypothesis that
      drug resistance involves interactions across the full length of the HBV genome.
      IMPORTANCE: Single-molecule sequencing allowed the characterization, in
      unprecedented detail, of the evolution of HBV populations and offered unique
      insights into the dynamics of defective and spHBV variants following liver
      transplantation and complex treatment regimens. This analysis also showed the
      rapid adaptation of HBV populations to treatment regimens with evolving drug
      resistance phenotypes and evidence of purifying selection across the whole
      genome. Finally, the new open-source bioinformatics tools with the capacity to
      easily identify potential spliced variants from deep sequencing data are freely
      available.

PMID- 27252525
TI  - Nonstructural 3 Protein of Hepatitis C Virus Modulates the Tribbles Homolog 3/Akt
      Signaling Pathway for Persistent Viral Infection.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often causes chronic hepatitis, liver
      cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the mechanisms
      underlying HCV-induced liver pathogenesis are still not fully understood. By
      transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis, we recently identified host genes
      that were significantly differentially expressed in cell culture-grown HCV
      (HCVcc)-infected cells. Of these, tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) was selected for
      further characterization. TRIB3 was initially identified as a binding partner of
      protein kinase B (also known as Akt). TRIB3 blocks the phosphorylation of Akt and
      induces apoptosis under endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress conditions. HCV has
      been shown to enhance Akt phosphorylation for its own propagation. In the present
      study, we demonstrated that both mRNA and protein levels of TRIB3 were increased
      in the context of HCV replication. We further showed that promoter activity of
      TRIB3 was increased by HCV-induced ER stress. Silencing of TRIB3 resulted in
      increased RNA and protein levels of HCV, whereas overexpression of TRIB3
      decreased HCV replication. By employing an HCV pseudoparticle entry assay, we
      further showed that TRIB3 was a negative host factor involved in HCV entry. Both
      in vitro binding and immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that HCV NS3
      specifically interacted with TRIB3. Consequently, the association of TRIB3 and
      Akt was disrupted by HCV NS3, and thus, TRIB3-Akt signaling was impaired in HCV
      infected cells. Moreover, HCV modulated TRIB3 to promote extracellular signal
      regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, activator protein 1 (AP-1) activity, and
      cell migration. Collectively, these data indicate that HCV exploits the TRIB3-Akt
      signaling pathway to promote persistent viral infection and may contribute to HCV
      mediated pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE: TRIB3 is a pseudokinase protein that acts as
      an adaptor in signaling pathways for important cellular processes. So far, the
      functional involvement of TRIB3 in virus-infected cells has not yet been
      demonstrated. We showed that both mRNA and protein expression levels of TRIB3
      were increased in the context of HCV RNA replication. Gene silencing of TRIB3
      increased HCV RNA and protein levels, and thus, overexpression of TRIB3 decreased
      HCV replication. TRIB3 is known to promote apoptosis by negatively regulating the
      Akt signaling pathway under ER stress conditions. Most importantly, we
      demonstrated that the TRIB3-Akt signaling pathway was disrupted by NS3 in HCV
      infected cells. These data provide evidence that HCV modulates the TRIB3-Akt
      signaling pathway to establish persistent viral infection.

PMID- 27252527
TI  - Mutants at the 2-Fold Interface of Adeno-associated Virus Type 2 (AAV2)
      Structural Proteins Suggest a Role in Viral Transcription for AAV Capsids.
AB  - We previously reported that an amino acid substitution, Y704A, near the 2-fold
      interface of adeno-associated virus (AAV) was defective for transcription of the
      packaged genome (M. Salganik, F. Aydemir, H. J. Nam, R. McKenna, M. Agbandje
      McKenna, and N. Muzyczka, J Virol 88:1071-1079, 2013, doi:
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.02093-13). In this report, we have characterized
      the defect in 6 additional capsid mutants located in a region ~30 A in diameter
      on the surface of the AAV type 2 (AAV2) capsid near the 2-fold interface. These
      mutants, which are highly conserved among primate serotypes, displayed a severe
      defect (3 to 6 logs) in infectivity. All of the mutants accumulated significant
      levels of uncoated DNA in the nucleus, but none of the mutants were able to
      accumulate significant amounts of genomic mRNA postinfection. In addition, wild
      type (wt) capsids that were bound to the conformational antibody A20, which is
      known to bind the capsid surface in the region of the mutants, were also
      defective for transcription. In all cases, the mutant virus particles, as well as
      the antibody-bound wild-type capsids, were able to enter the cell, travel to the
      nucleus, uncoat, and synthesize a second strand but were unable to transcribe
      their genomes. Taken together, the phenotype of these mutants provides compelling
      evidence that the AAV capsid plays a role in the transcription of its genome, and
      the mutants map this functional region on the surface of the capsid near the 2
      fold interface. This appears to be the first example of a viral structural
      protein that is also involved in the transcription of the viral genome that it
      delivers to the nucleus. IMPORTANCE: Many viruses package enzymes within their
      capsids that assist in expressing their genomes postinfection, e.g.,
      retroviruses. A number of nonenveloped viruses, including AAV, carry proteases
      that are needed for capsid maturation or for capsid modification during
      infection. We describe here what appears to be the first example of a
      nonenveloped viral capsid that appears to have a role in promoting transcription.
      A total of six mutants at the AAV capsid 2-fold interface were shown to have a
      severe defect in expressing their genomes, and the defect was at the level of
      mRNA accumulation. This suggests that AAV capsids have a novel role in promoting
      the transcription of the genomes that they have packaged. Since wt virions could
      not complement the mutant viruses, and the mutant viruses did not effectively
      inhibit wt gene expression, our results suggest that the capsid exerts its effect
      on transcription in cis.

PMID- 27252526
TI  - Interaction between Nonstructural Proteins NS4B and NS5A Is Essential for Proper
      NS5A Localization and Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication.
AB  - The hepatitis C virus NS5A protein is tethered to cellular membranes via an
      amphipathic amino-terminal helix that is inserted in-plane into the outer
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived membrane leaflet. The charged face of the
      helix faces the cytoplasm and may contribute to interactions involved in
      replicase assembly and function. Using an aggressive charge flip mutagenesis
      strategy, we identified a number of essential residues for replication on the
      charged face of the NS5A anchor and identified a double charge face mutant that
      is lethal for RNA replication but generates suppressor mutations in the carboxy
      terminal helix of the NS4B protein. This suppressor restores RNA replication of
      the NS5A helix double flip mutant (D1979K/D1982K) and, interestingly, seems to
      function by restoring the proper localization of NS5A to the viral replicase.
      These data add to our understanding of the complex organization and assembly of
      the viral replicase via NS4B-NS5A interactions. IMPORTANCE: Information about the
      functional role of the cytosolic face of the NS5A anchoring helix remains
      obscure. In this study, we show that while the hydrophobic face of the NS5A
      anchor helix mediates membrane association, the polar cytosolic face of the helix
      plays a key role during hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication by mediating the
      interaction of NS5A with other HCV nonstructural proteins via NS4B. Such an
      interaction determines the subcellular localization of NS5A by engaging NS5A in
      the HCV replication process during the formation of a functional HCV replication
      complex. Thus, collectively, it can be stated that the findings in the present
      study provide further information about the interactions between the HCV
      nonstructural proteins during HCV RNA replication and provide a platform to gain
      more insights about the molecular architecture of HCV replication complexes.

PMID- 27252528
TI  - Mutagenesis of S-Adenosyl-l-Methionine-Binding Residues in Coronavirus nsp14 N7
      Methyltransferase Demonstrates Differing Requirements for Genome Translation and
      Resistance to Innate Immunity.
AB  - Eukaryotic mRNAs possess a methylated 5'-guanosine cap that is required for RNA
      stability, efficient translation, and protection from cell-intrinsic defenses.
      Many viruses use 5' caps or other mechanisms to mimic a cap structure to limit
      detection of viral RNAs by intracellular innate sensors and to direct efficient
      translation of viral proteins. The coronavirus (CoV) nonstructural protein 14
      (nsp14) is a multifunctional protein with N7-methyltransferase (N7-MTase)
      activity. The highly conserved S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)-binding residues of
      the DxG motif are required for nsp14 N7-MTase activity in vitro However, the
      requirement for CoV N7-MTase activity and the importance of the SAM-binding
      residues during viral replication have not been determined. Here, we engineered
      mutations in murine hepatitis virus (MHV) nsp14 N7-MTase at residues D330 and
      G332 and determined the effects of these mutations on viral replication,
      sensitivity to mutagen, inhibition by type I interferon (IFN), and translation
      efficiency. Virus encoding a G332A substitution in nsp14 displayed delayed
      replication kinetics and decreased peak titers relative to wild-type (WT) MHV. In
      addition, replication of nsp14 G332A virus was diminished following treatment of
      cells with IFN-beta, and nsp14 G332A genomes were translated less efficiently
      both in vitro and during viral infection. In contrast, substitution of alanine at
      MHV nsp14 D330 did not affect viral replication, sensitivity to mutagen, or
      inhibition by IFN-beta compared to WT MHV. Our results demonstrate that the
      conserved MHV N7-MTase SAM-binding-site residues are not required for MHV
      viability and suggest that the determinants of CoV N7-MTase activity differ in
      vitro and during virus infection. IMPORTANCE: Human coronaviruses, most notably
      severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome
      (MERS)-CoV, cause severe and lethal human disease. Since specific antiviral
      therapies are not available for the treatment of human coronavirus infections, it
      is essential to understand the functions of conserved CoV proteins in viral
      replication. Here, we show that substitution of alanine at G332 in the N7-MTase
      domain of nsp14 impairs viral replication, enhances sensitivity to the innate
      immune response, and reduces viral RNA translation efficiency. Our data support
      the idea that coronavirus RNA capping could be targeted for development of
      antiviral therapeutics.

PMID- 27252529
TI  - Time-Dependent Rate Phenomenon in Viruses.
AB  - Among the most fundamental questions in viral evolutionary biology are how fast
      viruses evolve and how evolutionary rates differ among viruses and fluctuate
      through time. Traditionally, viruses are loosely classed into two groups: slow
      evolving DNA viruses and fast-evolving RNA viruses. As viral evolutionary rate
      estimates become more available, it appears that the rates are negatively
      correlated with the measurement timescales and that the boundary between the
      rates of DNA and RNA viruses might not be as clear as previously thought. In this
      study, we collected 396 viral evolutionary rate estimates across almost all viral
      genome types and replication strategies, and we examined their rate dynamics. We
      showed that the time-dependent rate phenomenon exists across multiple levels of
      viral taxonomy, from the Baltimore classification viral groups to genera. We also
      showed that, by taking the rate decay dynamics into account, a clear division
      between the rates of DNA and RNA viruses as well as reverse-transcribing viruses
      could be recovered. Surprisingly, despite large differences in their biology, our
      analyses suggested that the rate decay speed is independent of viral types and
      thus might be useful for better estimation of the evolutionary time scale of any
      virus. To illustrate this, we used our model to reestimate the evolutionary
      timescales of extant lentiviruses, which were previously suggested to be very
      young by standard phylogenetic analyses. Our analyses suggested that these
      viruses are millions of years old, in agreement with paleovirological evidence,
      and therefore, for the first time, reconciled molecular analyses of ancient and
      extant viruses. IMPORTANCE: This work provides direct evidence that viral
      evolutionary rate estimates decay with their measurement timescales and that the
      rate decay speeds do not differ significantly among viruses despite the vast
      differences in their molecular features. After adjustment for the rate decay
      dynamics, the division between the rates of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), single
      stranded RNA (ssRNA), and ssDNA/reverse-transcribing viruses could be seen more
      clearly than before. Our results provide a guideline for further improvement of
      the molecular clock. As a demonstration of this, we used our model to reestimate
      the timescales of modern lentiviruses, which were previously thought to be very
      young, and concluded that they are millions of years old. This result matches the
      estimate from paleovirological analyses, thus bridging the gap between ancient
      and extant viral evolutionary studies.

PMID- 27252530
TI  - Ebola Virus Does Not Induce Stress Granule Formation during Infection and
      Sequesters Stress Granule Proteins within Viral Inclusions.
AB  - A hallmark of Ebola virus (EBOV) infection is the formation of viral inclusions
      in the cytoplasm of infected cells. These viral inclusions contain the EBOV
      nucleocapsids and are sites of viral replication and nucleocapsid maturation.
      Although there is growing evidence that viral inclusions create a protected
      environment that fosters EBOV replication, little is known about their role in
      the host response to infection. The cellular stress response is an effective
      antiviral strategy that leads to stress granule (SG) formation and translational
      arrest mediated by the phosphorylation of a translation initiation factor, the
      alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2alpha). Here, we show that
      selected SG proteins are sequestered within EBOV inclusions, where they form
      distinct granules that colocalize with viral RNA. These inclusion-bound (IB)
      granules are functionally and structurally different from canonical SGs.
      Formation of IB granules does not indicate translational arrest in the infected
      cells. We further show that EBOV does not induce formation of canonical SGs or
      eIF2alpha phosphorylation at any time postinfection but is unable to fully
      inhibit SG formation induced by different exogenous stressors, including sodium
      arsenite, heat, and hippuristanol. Despite the sequestration of SG marker
      proteins into IB granules, canonical SGs are unable to form within inclusions,
      which we propose might be mediated by a novel function of VP35, which disrupts SG
      formation. This function is independent of VP35's RNA binding activity. Further
      studies aim to reveal the mechanism for SG protein sequestration and precise
      function within inclusions. IMPORTANCE: Although progress has been made
      developing antiviral therapeutics and vaccines against the highly pathogenic
      Ebola virus (EBOV), the cellular mechanisms involved in EBOV infection are still
      largely unknown. To better understand these intracellular events, we investigated
      the cellular stress response, an antiviral pathway manipulated by many viruses.
      We show that EBOV does not induce formation of stress granules (SGs) in infected
      cells and is therefore unrestricted by their concomitant translational arrest. We
      identified SG proteins sequestered within viral inclusions, which did not impair
      protein translation. We further show that EBOV is unable to block SG formation
      triggered by exogenous stress early in infection. These findings provide insight
      into potential targets of therapeutic intervention. Additionally, we identified a
      novel function of the interferon antagonist VP35, which is able to disrupt SG
      formation.

PMID- 27252531
TI  - Using the E4orf6-Based E3 Ubiquitin Ligase as a Tool To Analyze the Evolution of
      Adenoviruses.
AB  - E4orf6 proteins from all human adenoviruses form Cullin-based ubiquitin ligase
      complexes that, in association with E1B55K, target cellular proteins for
      degradation. While most are assembled with Cul5, a few utilize Cul2. BC-box
      motifs enable all these E4orf6 proteins to assemble ligase complexes with
      Elongins B and C. We also identified a Cul2-box motif used for Cul2 selection in
      all Cul2-based complexes. With this information, we set out to determine if other
      adenoviruses also possess the ability to form the ligase complex and, if so, to
      predict their Cullin usage. Here we report that all adenoviruses known to encode
      an E4orf6-like protein (mastadenoviruses and atadenoviruses) maintain the
      potential to form the ligase complex. We could accurately predict Cullin usage
      for E4orf6 products of mastadenoviruses and all but one atadenovirus.
      Interestingly, in nonhuman primate adenoviruses, we found a clear segregation of
      Cullin binding, with Cul5 utilized by viruses infecting great apes and Cul2 by
      Old/New World monkey viruses, suggesting that a switch from Cul2 to Cul5 binding
      occurred during the period when great apes diverged from monkeys. Based on the
      analysis of Cullin selection, we also suggest that the majority of human
      adenoviruses, which exhibit a broader tropism for the eye and the respiratory
      tract, exhibit Cul5 specificity and resemble viruses infecting great apes,
      whereas those that infect the gastrointestinal tract may have originated from
      monkey viruses that share Cul2 specificity. Finally, aviadenoviruses also appear
      to contain E4orf6 genes that encode proteins with a conserved XCXC motif followed
      by, in most cases, a BC-box motif. IMPORTANCE: Two early adenoviral proteins,
      E4orf6 and E1B55K, form a ubiquitin ligase complex with cellular proteins to
      ubiquitinate specific substrates, leading to their degradation by the proteasome.
      In studies with representatives of each human adenovirus species, we (and others)
      previously discovered that some viruses use Cul2 to form the complex, while
      others use Cul5. In the present study, we expanded our analyses to all sequenced
      adenoviruses and found that E4orf6 genes from all mast- and atadenoviruses encode
      proteins containing the motifs necessary to form the ligase complex. We found a
      clear separation in Cullin specificity between adenoviruses of great apes and
      Old/New World monkeys, lending support for a monkey origin for human viruses of
      the Human mastadenovirus A, F, and G species. We also identified previously
      unrecognized E4orf6 genes in the aviadenoviruses that encode proteins containing
      motifs permitting formation of the ubiquitin ligase.

PMID- 27252532
TI  - Suppression of IRG-1 Reduces Inflammatory Cell Infiltration and Lung Injury in
      Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection by Reducing Production of Reactive Oxygen
      Species.
AB  - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a common cause of lower
      respiratory tract illness in infants and children. RSV is a negative-sense,
      single-strand RNA (ssRNA) virus that mainly infects airway epithelial cells.
      Accumulating evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is
      a major factor for pulmonary inflammation and tissue damage of RSV disease. We
      investigated immune-responsive gene-1 (IRG1) expression during RSV infection,
      since IRG1 has been shown to mediate innate immune response to intracellular
      bacterial pathogens by modulating ROS and itaconic acid production. We found that
      RSV infection induced IRG1 expression in human A549 cells and in the lung tissues
      of RSV-infected mice. RSV infection or IRG1 overexpression promoted ROS
      production. Accordingly, knockdown of IRG1 induction blocked RSV-induced ROS
      production and proinflammatory cytokine gene expression. Finally, we showed that
      suppression of IRG1 induction reduced immune cell infiltration and prevented lung
      injury in RSV-infected mice. These results therefore link IRG1 induction to ROS
      production and immune lung injury after RSV infection. IMPORTANCE: RSV infection
      is among the most common causes of childhood diseases. Recent studies identify
      ROS production as a factor contributing to RSV disease. We investigated the cause
      of ROS production and identified IRG1 as a critical factor linking ROS production
      to immune lung injury after RSV infection. We found that IRG1 was induced in A549
      alveolar epithelial cells and in mouse lungs after RSV infection. Importantly,
      suppression of IRG1 induction reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and lung
      injury in mice. This study links IRG1 induction to oxidative damage and RSV
      disease. It also uncovers a potential therapeutic target in reducing RSV-caused
      lung injury.

PMID- 27252533
TI  - Two Polypyrimidine Tracts in Intron 4 of the Major Immediate Early Gene Are
      Critical for Gene Expression Switching from IE1 to IE2 and for Replication of
      Human Cytomegalovirus.
AB  - The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate early (MIE) gene is essential
      for viral replication. The most abundant products encoded by the MIE gene include
      IE1 and IE2. Genes of IE1 and IE2 share the MIE promoter (MIEP), the first 3
      exons, and the first 2 introns. IE1 is expressed earlier than IE2 after CMV
      infection or MIE gene transfection. In this study, we identified 2 polypyrimidine
      (Py) tracts in intron 4 (between exons 4 and 5) that are responsible for
      transcriptional switching from IE1 to IE2. The first Py is important and the
      second one is essential for the splicing and expression of IE2. In searching for
      the mechanisms of MIE gene switching from IE1 to IE2, we found that the second Py
      was required for the IE2's fourth intron to bind to a splicing factor such as
      U2AF65, as determined by an RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay and a
      chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, while the first Py enhanced the
      binding of U2AF65 with the intron. An HCMV BACmid with the second Py mutated
      failed to produce any virus, while the HCMV with the first Py mutated replicated
      with a defective phenotype. Furthermore, we designed a small RNA (scRNAPy) that
      is complementary to the intron RNA covering the two Pys. The scRNAPy interfered
      with the interaction of U2AF65 with the intron and repressed the IE2 expression.
      Therefore, our studies implied that IE2 gene splicing might be an anti-CMV
      target. IMPORTANCE: CMV is a ubiquitous herpesvirus and a significant cause of
      disease and death in the immunocompromised and elderly. Insights into its gene
      regulation will provide clues in designing anti-CMV strategies. The MIE gene is
      one of the earliest genes of CMV and is essential for CMV replication. It is
      known that the MIE gene needs to be spliced to produce more than two proteins;
      however, how MIE gene splicing is regulated remains elusive. In the present
      studies, we identified two Pys in intron 4 and found that the first Py is
      important and the second is required for the splicing and expression of IE2. We
      further investigated the mechanisms of gene switching from IE1 to IE2 and found
      that the two Pys are responsible for U2AF65's binding with intron 4. Therefore,
      the Pys in intron 4 are the cis elements that determine the fate of IE2 splicing.
      Furthermore, we found that a small RNA that is complementary to intron 4
      repressed IE2 expression. Hence, we provide the first piece of evidence for a
      unique mechanism of MIE gene regulation at the splicing level.

PMID- 27252534
TI  - Identification and Characterization of Influenza Virus Entry Inhibitors through
      Dual Myxovirus High-Throughput Screening.
AB  - Influenza A virus (IAV) infections cause major morbidity and mortality,
      generating an urgent need for novel antiviral therapeutics. We recently
      established a dual myxovirus high-throughput screening protocol that combines a
      fully replication-competent IAV-WSN strain and a respiratory syncytial virus
      reporter strain for the simultaneous identification of IAV-specific,
      paramyxovirus-specific, and broad-spectrum inhibitors. In the present study, this
      protocol was applied to a screening campaign to assess a diverse chemical library
      with over 142,000 entries. Focusing on IAV-specific hits, we obtained a hit rate
      of 0.03% after cytotoxicity testing and counterscreening. Three chemically
      distinct hit classes with nanomolar potency and favorable cytotoxicity profiles
      were selected. Time-of-addition, minigenome, and viral entry studies demonstrated
      that these classes block hemagglutinin (HA)-mediated membrane fusion. Antiviral
      activity extends to an isolate from the 2009 pandemic and, in one case, another
      group 1 subtype. Target identification through biolayer interferometry confirmed
      binding of all hit compounds to HA. Resistance profiling revealed two distinct
      escape mechanisms: primary resistance, associated with reduced compound binding,
      and secondary resistance, associated with unaltered binding. Secondary resistance
      was mediated, unusually, through two different pairs of cooperative mutations,
      each combining a mutation eliminating the membrane-proximal stalk N-glycan with a
      membrane-distal change in HA1 or HA2. Chemical synthesis of an analog library
      combined with in silico docking extracted a docking pose for the hit classes.
      Chemical interrogation spotlights IAV HA as a major druggable target for small
      molecule inhibition. Our study identifies novel chemical scaffolds with high
      developmental potential, outlines diverse routes of IAV escape from entry
      inhibition, and establishes a path toward structure-aided lead development.
      IMPORTANCE: This study is one of the first to apply a fully replication-competent
      third-generation IAV reporter strain to a large-scale high-throughput screen
      (HTS) drug discovery campaign, allowing multicycle infection and screening in
      physiologically relevant human respiratory cells. A large number of potential
      druggable targets was thus chemically interrogated, but mechanistic
      characterization, positive target identification, and resistance profiling
      demonstrated that three chemically promising and structurally distinct hit
      classes selected for further analysis all block HA-mediated membrane fusion.
      Viral escape from inhibition could be achieved through primary and secondary
      resistance mechanisms. In silico docking predicted compound binding to a
      microdomain located at the membrane-distal site of the prefusion HA stalk that
      was also previously suggested as a target site for chemically unrelated HA
      inhibitors. This study identifies an unexpected chemodominance of the HA stalk
      microdomain for small-molecule inhibitors in IAV inhibitor screening campaigns
      and highlights a novel mechanism of cooperative resistance to IAV entry blockers.

PMID- 27252535
TI  - Vaccine-Elicited Mucosal and Systemic Antibody Responses Are Associated with
      Reduced Simian Immunodeficiency Viremia in Infant Rhesus Macaques.
AB  - Despite significant progress in reducing peripartum mother-to-child transmission
      (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with antiretroviral therapy (ART),
      continued access to ART throughout the breastfeeding period is still a limiting
      factor, and breast milk exposure to HIV accounts for up to 44% of MTCT. As
      abstinence from breastfeeding is not recommended, alternative means are needed to
      prevent MTCT of HIV. We have previously shown that oral vaccination at birth with
      live attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains expressing simian
      immunodeficiency virus (SIV) genes safely induces persistent SIV-specific
      cellular and humoral immune responses both systemically and at the oral and
      intestinal mucosa. Here, we tested the ability of oral M. tuberculosis vaccine
      strains expressing SIV Env and Gag proteins, followed by systemic heterologous
      (MVA-SIV Env/Gag/Pol) boosting, to protect neonatal macaques against oral SIV
      challenge. While vaccination did not protect infant macaques against oral SIV
      acquisition, a subset of immunized animals had significantly lower peak viremia
      which inversely correlated with prechallenge SIV Env-specific salivary and
      intestinal IgA responses and higher-avidity SIV Env-specific IgG in plasma. These
      controller animals also maintained CD4(+) T cell populations better and showed
      reduced tissue pathology compared to noncontroller animals. We show that infants
      vaccinated at birth can develop vaccine-induced SIV-specific IgA and IgG
      antibodies and cellular immune responses within weeks of life. Our data further
      suggest that affinity maturation of vaccine-induced plasma antibodies and
      induction of mucosal IgA responses at potential SIV entry sites are associated
      with better control of viral replication, thereby likely reducing SIV morbidity.
      IMPORTANCE: Despite significant progress in reducing peripartum MTCT of HIV with
      ART, continued access to ART throughout the breastfeeding period is still a
      limiting factor. Breast milk exposure to HIV accounts for up to 44% of MTCT.
      Alternative measures, in addition to ART, are needed to achieve the goal of an
      AIDS-free generation. Pediatric HIV vaccines constitute a core component of such
      efforts. The results of our pediatric vaccine study highlight the potential
      importance of vaccine-elicited mucosal Env-specific IgA responses in combination
      with high-avidity systemic Env-specific IgG in protection against oral SIV
      transmission and control of viral replication in infant macaques. The induction
      of potent mucosal IgA antibodies by our vaccine is remarkable considering the age
      dependent development of mucosal IgA responses postbirth. A deeper understanding
      of postnatal immune development may inform the design of improved vaccine
      strategies to enhance systemic and mucosal SIV/HIV antibody responses.

PMID- 27252536
TI  - Herpes Simplex Virus Capsid Localization to ESCRT-VPS4 Complexes in the Presence
      and Absence of the Large Tegument Protein UL36p.
AB  - UL36p (VP1/2) is the largest protein encoded by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)
      and resides in the innermost layer of tegument, the complex protein layer between
      the capsid and envelope. UL36p performs multiple functions in the HSV life cycle,
      including a critical but unknown role in capsid cytoplasmic envelopment. We
      tested whether UL36p is essential for envelopment because it is required to
      engage capsids with the cellular ESCRT/Vps4 apparatus. A green fluorescent
      protein (GFP)-fused form of the dominant negative ATPase Vps4-EQ was used to
      irreversibly tag ESCRT envelopment sites during infection by UL36p-expressing and
      UL36-null HSV strains. Using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron
      microscopy, we quantitated capsid/Vps4-EQ colocalization and examined the
      ultrastructure of the corresponding viral assembly intermediates. We found that
      loss of UL36p resulted in a two-thirds reduction in the efficiency of capsid/Vps4
      EQ association but that the remaining UL36p-null capsids were still able to
      engage the ESCRT envelopment apparatus. It appears that although UL36p helps to
      couple HSV capsids to the ESCRT pathway, this is likely not the sole reason for
      its absolute requirement for envelopment. IMPORTANCE: Envelopment of the HSV
      capsid is essential for the assembly of an infectious virion and requires the
      complex interplay of a large number of viral and cellular proteins. Critical to
      envelope assembly is the virally encoded protein UL36p, whose function is
      unknown. Here we test the hypothesis that UL36p is essential for the recruitment
      of cellular ESCRT complexes, which are also known to be required for envelopment.

PMID- 27252537
TI  - Phosphorylation of Human Metapneumovirus M2-1 Protein Upregulates Viral
      Replication and Pathogenesis.
AB  - Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a major causative agent of upper- and lower
      respiratory-tract infections in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised
      individuals worldwide. Like all pneumoviruses, hMPV encodes the zinc binding
      protein M2-1, which plays important regulatory roles in RNA synthesis. The M2-1
      protein is phosphorylated, but the specific role(s) of the phosphorylation in
      viral replication and pathogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we found that
      hMPV M2-1 is phosphorylated at amino acid residues S57 and S60. Subsequent
      mutagenesis found that phosphorylation is not essential for zinc binding activity
      and oligomerization, whereas inhibition of zinc binding activity abolished the
      phosphorylation and oligomerization of the M2-1 protein. Using a reverse genetics
      system, recombinant hMPVs (rhMPVs) lacking either one or both phosphorylation
      sites in the M2-1 protein were recovered. These recombinant viruses had a
      significant decrease in both genomic RNA replication and mRNA transcription. In
      addition, these recombinant viruses were highly attenuated in cell culture and
      cotton rats. Importantly, rhMPVs lacking phosphorylation in the M2-1 protein
      triggered high levels of neutralizing antibody and provided complete protection
      against challenge with wild-type hMPV. Collectively, these data demonstrated that
      phosphorylation of the M2-1 protein upregulates hMPV RNA synthesis, replication,
      and pathogenesis in vivo IMPORTANCE: The pneumoviruses include many important
      human and animal pathogens, such as human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV),
      hMPV, bovine RSV, and avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). Among these viruses, hRSV and
      hMPV are the leading causes of acute respiratory tract infection in infants and
      children. Currently, there is no antiviral or vaccine to combat these diseases.
      All known pneumoviruses encode a zinc binding protein, M2-1, which is a
      transcriptional antitermination factor. In this work, we found that
      phosphorylation of M2-1 is essential for virus replication and pathogenesis in
      vivo Recombinant hMPVs lacking phosphorylation in M2-1 exhibited limited
      replication in the upper and lower respiratory tract and triggered strong
      protective immunity in cotton rats. This work highlights the important role of M2
      1 phosphorylation in viral replication and that inhibition of M2-1
      phosphorylation may serve as a novel approach to develop live attenuated vaccines
      as well as antiviral drugs for pneumoviruses.

PMID- 27252538
TI  - Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1-Induced Overexpression of Activated Leukocyte
      Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM) Facilitates Trafficking of Infected Lymphocytes
      through the Blood-Brain Barrier.
AB  - Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of a slowly
      progressive neurodegenerative disease, HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical
      spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). This disease develops upon infiltration of HTLV-1
      infected lymphocytes into the central nervous system, mostly the thoracic spinal
      cord. The central nervous system is normally protected by a physiological
      structure called the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which consists primarily of a
      continuous endothelium with tight junctions. In this study, we investigated the
      role of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM/CD166), a member of the
      immunoglobulin superfamily, in the crossing of the BBB by HTLV-1-infected
      lymphocytes. We demonstrated that ALCAM is overexpressed on the surface of HTLV-1
      infected lymphocytes, both in chronically infected cell lines and in primary
      infected CD4(+) T lymphocytes. ALCAM overexpression results from the activation
      of the canonical NF-kappaB pathway by the viral transactivator Tax. In contrast,
      staining of spinal cord sections of HAM/TSP patients showed that ALCAM expression
      is not altered on the BBB endothelium in the context of HTLV-1 infection. ALCAM
      blockade or downregulation of ALCAM levels significantly reduced the migration of
      HTLV-1-infected lymphocytes across a monolayer of human BBB endothelial cells.
      This study suggests a potential role for ALCAM in HAM/TSP pathogenesis.
      IMPORTANCE: Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent
      of a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease, HTLV-1-associated
      myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). This disease is the
      consequence of the infiltration of HTLV-1-infected lymphocytes into the central
      nervous system (CNS), mostly the thoracic spinal cord. The CNS is normally
      protected by a physiological structure called the blood-brain barrier (BBB),
      which consists primarily of a continuous endothelium with tight junctions. The
      mechanism of migration of lymphocytes into the CNS is unclear. Here, we show that
      the viral transactivator Tax increases activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule
      (ALCAM/CD166) expression. This molecule facilitates the migration of lymphocytes
      across the BBB endothelium. Targeting this molecule could be of interest in
      preventing or reducing the development of HAM/TSP.

PMID- 27252545
TI  - A CO2-Free Synthetic Host-Odor Mixture That Attracts and Captures Triatomines:
      Effect of Emitted Odorant Ratios.
AB  - Triatomines, vectors of Chagas Disease, are hematophagous insects. Efforts have
      been made to develop synthetic attractants based on vertebrate odor-to lure them
      into traps. However, because those lures are not practical or have low capture
      efficiency, they are not in use in control programs. Therefore, more work is
      needed to reach a practical and efficient odor lure. Recently, a three-component,
      CO2-free, synthetic blend of vertebrate odor (consisting of ammonia, l-(+)-lactic
      acid, and hexanoic acid), known as Sweetscent (Biogents AG, Regensburg, Germany),
      was shown to attract and capture triatomines in the laboratory. In this study,
      using a trap olfactometer and an odor blend with constituents similar to those of
      Sweetscent (delivered from low-density polyethylene sachets) we found that the
      odorant ratios of the mixtures have a strong effect in the capture of
      triatomines. The blend with the most efficient combination of odorant ratios
      evoked ca. 81% capture in two relevant triatomine species. In the case of the
      most effective odor mixtures, we measured the odor mass emission for the three
      components of the mixture and therefore were able to estimate the odorant ratios
      emitted that were responsible for such a high capture performance. Thus, in those
      mixtures, pentanoic acid was the main component (ca. 65 %) followed by ammonia
      (ca. 28%) and, l(+)-lactic acid (ca. 7 %). Our results are encouraging as
      efficient, practical, and cheap odor baits to trap triatomines in the field would
      be within reach. The odor-delivery system used should be improved to increase
      stability of odor emission.

PMID- 27252540
TI  - Embryonic hematopoiesis in vertebrate somites gives rise to definitive
      hematopoietic stem cells.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) replenish all types of blood cells. It is
      debating whether HSCs in adults solely originate from the aorta-gonad-mesonephros
      (AGM) region, more specifically, the dorsal aorta, during embryogenesis. Here, we
      report that somite hematopoiesis, a previously unwitnessed hematopoiesis, can
      generate definitive HSCs (dHSCs) in zebrafish. By transgenic lineage tracing, we
      found that a subset of cells within the forming somites emigrate ventromedially
      and mix with lateral plate mesoderm-derived primitive hematopoietic cells before
      the blood circulation starts. These somite-derived hematopoietic precursors and
      stem cells (sHPSCs) subsequently enter the circulation and colonize the kidney of
      larvae and adults. RNA-seq analysis reveals that sHPSCs express hematopoietic
      genes with sustained expression of many muscle/skeletal genes. Embryonic sHPSCs
      transplanted into wild-type embryos expand during growth and survive for life
      time with differentiation into various hematopoietic lineages, indicating self
      renewal and multipotency features. Therefore, the embryonic origin of dHSCs in
      adults is not restricted to the AGM.

PMID- 27252539
TI  - Dengue Virus Subverts Host Innate Immunity by Targeting Adaptor Protein MAVS.
AB  - Dengue virus (DENV) is the most common mosquito-borne virus infecting humans and
      is currently a serious global health challenge. To establish infection in its
      host cells, DENV must subvert the production and/or antiviral effects of
      interferon (IFN). The aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms by which
      DENV suppresses IFN production. We determined that DENV NS4A interacts with
      mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS), which was previously found to
      activate NF-kappaB and IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), thus inducing type I IFN
      in the mitochondrion-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs). We
      further demonstrated that NS4A is associated with the N-terminal CARD-like (CL)
      domain and the C-terminal transmembrane (TM) domain of MAVS. This association
      prevented the binding of MAVS to RIG-I, resulting in the repression of RIG-I
      induced IRF3 activation and, consequently, the abrogation of IFN production.
      Collectively, our findings illustrate a new molecular mechanism by which DENV
      evades the host immune system and suggest new targets for anti-DENV strategies.
      IMPORTANCE: Type I interferon (IFN) constitutes the first line of host defense
      against invading viruses. To successfully establish infection, dengue virus
      (DENV) must counteract either the production or the function of IFN. The
      mechanism by which DENV suppresses IFN production is poorly understood and
      characterized. In this study, we demonstrate that the DENV NS4A protein plays an
      important role in suppressing interferon production through binding MAVS and
      disrupting the RIG-I-MAVS interaction in mitochondrion-associated endoplasmic
      reticulum membranes (MAMs). Our study reveals that MAVS is a novel host target of
      NS4A and provides a molecular mechanism for DENV evasion of the host innate
      immune response. These findings have important implications for understanding the
      pathogenesis of DENV and may provide new insights into using NS4A as a
      therapeutic and/or prevention target.

PMID- 27252546
TI  - The Critical Reader-Magnitude and Strength of Findings.

PMID- 27252547
TI  - The Vertical Drop Jump Is a Poor Screening Test for ACL Injuries: Letter to the
      Editor.

PMID- 27252548
TI  - The Vertical Drop Jump Is a Poor Screening Test for ACL Injuries: Response.

PMID- 27252549
TI  - Screening Tests for ACL Injury: Letter to the Editor.

PMID- 27252550
TI  - Screening Tests for ACL Injury: Response.

PMID- 27252551
TI  - Collegiate Rugby Has Lower Injury Incidence Than American Football: Letter to the
      Editor.

PMID- 27252552
TI  - Collegiate Rugby Has Lower Injury Incidence Than American Football: Response.

PMID- 27252553
TI  - Sex-Based Differences as a Predictor of Recovery Trajectories in Young Athletes
      After a Sports-Related Concussion: Letter to the Editor.

PMID- 27252554
TI  - Sex-Based Differences as a Predictor of Recovery Trajectories in Young Athletes
      After a Sports-Related Concussion: Response.

PMID- 27252555
TI  - A Message from the Editor.

PMID- 27252556
TI  - A Promise Fulfilled-Addressing the Nation's Opioid Crisis Collectively.

PMID- 27252557
TI  - NIS vs. Immunization Registry MMR Rates for Counties in Oregon.

PMID- 27252559
TI  - Assessing Clinical Research Capacity in Vietnam: A Framework for Strengthening
      Capability for Clinical Trials in Developing Countries.
AB  - Although improving health systems promises important benefits, most developing
      nations lack the resources to support nationally driven clinical research.
      Strengthened clinical research capacity can advance national health goals by
      supporting greater autonomy in aligning research with national priorities. From
      March through June 2010, we assessed six elements of clinical research capacity
      in Vietnam: research agenda; clinical investigators and biostatisticians; donors
      and sponsors; community involvement; scientific, ethical, safety, and quality
      oversight; and clinical research institutions. Assessments were drawn from
      interviews with investigators, Ministry of Health staff members, nongovernment
      organizations, and U.S. Mission staff members, and document review. Observations
      and recommendations were shared with collaborators. Reassessment in 2015 found
      growth in the number of clinical trials, improved regulation in human subjects
      protection and community engagement, and modest advances in research agenda
      setting. Training and investment in institutions remain challenging. A framework
      for assessing clinical research capacity can affirm strengths and weaknesses and
      guide the coordination of capacity-building efforts.

PMID- 27252558
TI  - Understanding Non-Completion of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Series: Parent
      Reported Reasons for Why Adolescents Might Not Receive Additional Doses, United
      States, 2012.
AB  - Completion rates of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series among U.S.
      adolescents are below public health targets. We explored parent-reported reasons
      for their children's non-completion of the HPV vaccine series using a nationally
      representative online survey of parents of children aged 9-17 years, fielded in
      October 2012. Among the 1,653 parents who responded, the proportion reporting
      that their child would definitely continue with the HPV vaccine series among
      those who had started the series ranged from 28% to 54%. The most common reason
      cited by parents for non-completion of the series was their child's fear of
      needles, followed by lack of awareness about additional doses and safety
      concerns. These findings demonstrate the need to encourage adoption of strategies
      addressing needle fears, utilize reminders for parents about subsequent doses,
      and emphasize recent HPV vaccine safety data in discussions with parents.

PMID- 27252560
TI  - Using Hospital Inpatient Discharge Data to Supplement Active Surveillance for
      Invasive Pneumococcal Disease: Is the Extract Worth the Exertion?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) surveillance systems monitor
      morbidity, mortality, and vaccine impact; accurate surveillance is important to
      detect changes in epidemiology. We evaluated completeness of IPD reporting in New
      Mexico by comparing data from the Hospital Inpatient Discharge Database (HIDD)
      and the New Mexico Active Bacterial Core Surveillance (ABCs) program. METHODS: We
      linked data from the HIDD and the ABCs program. We defined cases of IPD in the
      HIDD among New Mexico residents with hospitalizations during 2007-2009 as
      specific (320.1 or 038.2) or nonspecific (481, 320.2, or 041.2) using
      International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification
      (ICD-9-CM) codes. To validate if HIDD records that could not be matched to ABCs
      data were true IPD cases, we reviewed laboratory data and determined if
      Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) had been isolated from a sterile body
      site. RESULTS: We examined 732 HIDD records for cases that were not matched in
      the ABCs database; of such records, S. pneumoniae was isolated from a sterile
      body site in 10 HIDD records. CONCLUSION: ABCs data detected the majority of IPD
      cases in New Mexico. Laboratory and medical record review is essential when using
      HIDD data because ICD-9-CM coding alone does not ensure data accuracy. The
      addition of IPD cases to the ABCs program from the HIDD was minimally beneficial
      to active surveillance and reporting completeness in New Mexico. States that rely
      exclusively on passive reporting and that have access to HIDD data might use
      linkages of pneumococcal and IPD-specific ICD-9-CM-coded HIDD data to improve IPD
      surveillance and case ascertainment.

PMID- 27252561
TI  - Dependency on Smartphone Use and Its Association with Anxiety in Korea.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: South Korea has the highest rate of smartphone ownership worldwide,
      which is a potential concern given that smartphone dependency may have
      deleterious effects on health. We investigated the relationship between
      smartphone dependency and anxiety. METHODS: Participants included 1,236
      smartphone-using students (725 men and 511 women) from six universities in Suwon,
      South Korea. Participants completed measures of smartphone use, smartphone
      dependency, anxiety, and general characteristics (i.e., demographic, health
      related, and socioeconomic characteristics). To measure smartphone dependency and
      anxiety, we used questionnaires of Yang's test developed from Young's Internet
      Addiction Test and Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. We used multiple logistic
      regression to determine the association between smartphone dependency and anxiety
      after adjusting for relevant factors. RESULTS: On a scale from 25 to 100, with
      higher scores on the smartphone dependency test indicating greater dependency,
      women were significantly more dependent on smartphones than were men (mean
      smartphone dependency score: 50.7 vs. 56.0 for men and women, respectively,
      p<0.001). However, the amount of time spent using smartphones and the purpose of
      smartphone use affected smartphone dependency in both men and women.
      Particularly, when daily use time increased, smartphone dependency showed an
      increasing trend. Compared with times of use <2 hours vs. >=6 hours, men scored
      46.2 and 56.0 on the smartphone dependency test, while women scored 48.0 and
      60.4, respectively (p<0.001). Finally, for both men and women, increases in
      smartphone dependency were associated with increased anxiety scores. With each
      one-point increase in smartphone dependency score, the risk of abnormal anxiety
      in men and women increased by 10.1% and 9.2%, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION:
      Among this group of university students in South Korea, smartphone dependency
      appeared to be associated with increased anxiety. Standards for smartphone use
      might help prevent deleterious health effects.

PMID- 27252562
TI  - Performance of Self-Report to Establish Cancer Diagnoses in Disaster Responders
      and Survivors, World Trade Center Health Registry, New York, 2001-2007.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Large-scale disasters may disrupt health surveillance systems,
      depriving health officials and researchers of timely and accurate information
      needed to assess disaster-related health effects and leading to use of less
      reliable self-reports of health outcomes. In particular, ascertainment of cancer
      in a population is ordinarily obtained through linkage of self-reported data with
      regional cancer registries, but exclusive reliance on these sources following a
      disaster may result in lengthy delays or loss of critical data. To assess the
      impact of such reliance, we validated self-reported cancer in a cohort of 59,340
      responders and survivors of the World Trade Center disaster against data from 11
      state cancer registries (SCRs). METHODS: We focused on residents of the 11 states
      with SCRs and on cancers diagnosed from September 11, 2001, to the date of their
      last survey participation. Medical records were also sought in a subset of 595
      self-reported cancer patients who were not recorded in an SCR. RESULTS: Overall
      sensitivity and specificity of self-reported cancer were 83.9% (95% confidence
      interval [CI] 81.9, 85.9) and 98.5% (95% CI 98.4, 98.6), respectively. Site
      specific sensitivities were highest for pancreatic (90.9%) and testicular (82.4%)
      cancers and multiple myeloma (84.6%). Compared with enrollees with true-positive
      reports, enrollees with false-negative reports were more likely to be non
      Hispanic black (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.8, 95% CI 1.2, 2.9) or Asian
      (aOR=2.2, 95% CI 1.2, 4.1). Among the 595 cases not recorded in an SCR, 13 of 62
      (21%) cases confirmed through medical records were reportable to SCRs.
      CONCLUSION: Self-report of cancer had relatively high sensitivity among adults
      exposed to the World Trade Center disaster, suggesting that self-reports of other
      disaster-related conditions less amenable to external validation may also be
      reasonably valid.

PMID- 27252563
TI  - Barriers to Treatment Among New York City Residents with Chronic Hepatitis C
      Virus Infection, 2014.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: New, highly effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) medications recently
      changed the landscape of HCV treatment. Access to treatment, however, is limited.
      The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducted an enhanced
      surveillance project to better understand the reasons patients are not treated
      for HCV. METHODS: In June 2014, we randomly selected 300 adults who were reported
      through routine surveillance as having a positive HCV ribonucleic acid test
      result and who had seen a medical provider since June 2012. We collected
      information on demographics, treatment, and barriers to treatment from these 300
      patients and their providers by telephone, fax, mail, and medical record review.
      RESULTS: Of 179 providers, 74 (41%) cited co-occurring conditions and 50 (28%)
      cited patients not keeping follow-up or referral appointments with specialists as
      common barriers to treatment. Forty providers (22%) reported that they do not
      prescribe HCV medications and instead refer patients to specialists for
      treatment. Of 89 patients citing barriers to treatment, 30 (34%) cited co
      occurring conditions, 26 (29%) cited concerns about side effects, 21 (24%)
      indicated not feeling sick, 15 (17%) cited waiting for a better treatment
      regimen, and 12 (13%) cited medication costs or insurance issues. Only 11
      providers and 10 patients denied any barriers to treatment. CONCLUSION:
      Increasing the number of New York City residents with HCV infection who are
      treated and cured will require programs to increase provider capacity, change
      provider behavior in treating patients with substance use and medical conditions,
      improve patient awareness of new medications, provide patient navigation and care
      coordination support through treatment, and initiate advocacy and policy work.

PMID- 27252564
TI  - County Health Factors Associated with Avoidable Deaths from Cardiovascular
      Disease in the United States, 2006-2010.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Many cardiovascular deaths can be avoided through primary prevention
      to address cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors or better access to quality
      medical care. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between
      four county-level health factors and rates of avoidable death from CVD during
      2006-2010. METHODS: We defined avoidable deaths from CVD as deaths among U.S.
      residents younger than 75 years of age caused by the following underlying
      conditions, using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision,
      Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes: ischemic heart disease (I20-I25),
      chronic rheumatic heart disease (I05-I09), hypertensive disease (I10-I15), or
      cerebrovascular disease (I60-I69). We stratified county-level death rates by race
      (non-Hispanic white or non-Hispanic black) and age-standardized them to the 2000
      U.S. standard population. We used County Health Rankings data to rank county
      level z scores corresponding to four health factors: health behavior, clinical
      care, social and economic factors, and physical environment. We used Poisson rate
      ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to compare rates of avoidable
      death from CVD by health-factor quartile. RESULTS: In a comparison of worst
      ranked and best-ranked counties, social and economic factors had the strongest
      association with rates of avoidable death per 100,000 population from CVD for the
      total population (RR=1.49; 95% CI 1.39, 1.60) and for each racial/ethnic group
      (non-Hispanic white: RR=1.37; 95% CI 1.29, 1.45; non-Hispanic black: RR=1.54; 95%
      CI 1.42, 1.67). Among the non-Hispanic white population, health behaviors had the
      next strongest association, followed by clinical care. Among the non-Hispanic
      black population, we observed a significant association with clinical care and
      physical environment in a comparison of worst-ranked and best-ranked counties.
      CONCLUSION: Social and economic factors have the strongest association with rates
      of avoidable death from CVD by county, which reinforces the importance of social
      and economic interventions to address geographic disparities in avoidable deaths
      from CVD.

PMID- 27252565
TI  - A Review of State Licensing Regulations to Determine Alignment with Best
      Practices to Prevent Human Norovirus Infections in Child-Care Centers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Close, frequent contact between children and care providers in child
      care centers presents many opportunities to spread human noroviruses. We compared
      state licensing regulations for child-care centers with national guidelines
      written to prevent human noroviruses. METHODS: We reviewed child-care licensing
      regulations for all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in effect in June
      2015 to determine if these regulations fully, partially, or did not address 14
      prevention practices in four topic areas: (1) hand hygiene, (2) exclusion of ill
      people, (3) environmental sanitation, and (4) diapering. RESULTS: Approximately
      two-thirds (8.9) of the 14 practices across all state regulations were partially
      or fully addressed, with few (2.6) fully addressed. Practices related to
      exclusion of ill people and diapering were fully addressed most often, while
      practices related to hand hygiene and environmental sanitation were fully
      addressed least often. CONCLUSION: Regulations based on guidelines for best
      practices are one way to prevent the spread of human noroviruses in child-care
      facilities, if the regulations are enforced. Our findings show that, in mid-2015,
      many state child-care regulations did not fully address these guidelines,
      suggesting the need to review these regulations to be sure they are based on best
      practices.

PMID- 27252566
TI  - Social Media's Initial Reaction to Information and Misinformation on Ebola,
      August 2014: Facts and Rumors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We analyzed misinformation about Ebola circulating on Twitter and Sina
      Weibo, the leading Chinese microblog platform, at the outset of the global
      response to the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic to help public health agencies develop
      their social media communication strategies. METHODS: We retrieved Twitter and
      Sina Weibo data created within 24 hours of the World Health Organization
      announcement of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (Batch 1 from
      August 8, 2014, 06:50:00 Greenwich Mean Time [GMT] to August 9, 2014, 06:49:59
      GMT) and seven days later (Batch 2 from August 15, 2014, 06:50:00 GMT to August
      16, 2014, 06:49:59 GMT). We obtained and analyzed a 1% random sample of tweets
      containing the keyword Ebola. We retrieved all Sina Weibo posts with Chinese
      keywords for Ebola for analysis. We analyzed changes in frequencies of keywords,
      hashtags, and Web links using relative risk (RR) and c(2) feature selection
      algorithm. We identified misinformation by manual coding and categorizing
      randomly selected sub-datasets. RESULTS: We identified two speculative treatments
      (i.e., bathing in or drinking saltwater and ingestion of Nano Silver, an
      experimental drug) in our analysis of changes in frequencies of keywords and
      hashtags. Saltwater was speculated to be protective against Ebola in Batch 1
      tweets but their mentions decreased in Batch 2 (RR=0.11 for "salt" and RR=0.14
      for "water"). Nano Silver mentions were higher in Batch 2 than in Batch 1
      (RR=10.5). In our manually coded samples, Ebola-related misinformation
      constituted about 2% of Twitter and Sina Weibo content. A range of 36%-58% of the
      posts were news about the Ebola outbreak and 19%-24% of the posts were health
      information and responses to misinformation in both batches. In Batch 2, 43% of
      Chinese microblogs focused on the Chinese government sending medical assistance
      to Guinea. CONCLUSION: Misinformation about Ebola was circulated at a very low
      level globally in social media in either batch. Qualitative and quantitative
      analyses of social media posts can provide relevant information to public health
      agencies during emergency responses.

PMID- 27252567
TI  - Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Washington State: Estimated Coverage and
      Missed Opportunities, 2006-2013.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes almost all cervical cancer in women
      and contributes to vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal, and penile cancer morbidity and
      mortality. Although vaccines effective in preventing up to nine types of HPV are
      available, vaccination rates are low nationally. We assessed HPV vaccination
      coverage by age, sex, and county using Washington State Immunization Information
      System data. METHODS: We calculated on-time dose coverage by county and statewide
      among adolescents aged 11-12 years and assessed coverage by age 18 years. We
      calculated missed opportunities as the number of visits at which doses of other
      adolescent vaccines were administered without administration of the first dose of
      HPV vaccine (HPV1). RESULTS: In 2013, HPV vaccination coverage estimates with
      one, two, and three doses (HPV1-3) for adolescents aged 11-12 years were 48.5%,
      32.4%, and 18.3% among girls and 31.2%, 17.1%, and 8.1% among boys. The three
      dose HPV vaccine coverage estimate increased to 40.1% among girls by age 18 but
      was unchanged for boys. Coverage estimates varied by age, sex, and county. One
      third of eligible unvaccinated girls and two of five eligible boys aged 11-17
      years had at least one missed opportunity to receive HPV1. CONCLUSION: Despite a
      recommendation to vaccinate adolescents aged 11-12 years, HPV vaccination is
      often delayed and coverage levels among all age groups are below national target
      levels. Improved understanding of the variability of HPV vaccination coverage
      rates by age, sex, and county can inform targeted interventions statewide.

PMID- 27252568
TI  - Utility of Keywords from Chest Radiograph Reports for Pneumonia Surveillance
      Among Hospitalized Patients with Influenza: The CDC Influenza Hospitalization
      Surveillance Network, 2008-2009.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Transcripts from admission chest radiographs could aid in
      identification of pneumonia cases for public health surveillance. We assessed the
      reliability of radiographic data abstraction and performance of radiographic key
      terms to identify pneumonia in patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed
      influenza virus infection. METHODS: We used data on patients hospitalized with
      laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infection from October 2008 through December
      2009 from 10 geographically diverse U.S. study sites participating in the
      Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET). Radiographic key
      terms (i.e., bronchopneumonia, consolidation, infiltrate, airspace density, and
      pleural effusion) were abstracted from final impressions of chest radiograph
      reports. We assessed the reliability of radiographic data abstraction by
      examining the percent agreement and Cohen's k statistic between clinicians and
      surveillance staff members. Using a composite reference standard for presence or
      absence of pneumonia based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth
      Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes and discharge summary data, we
      calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and percent
      agreement for individual and combined radiographic key terms. RESULTS: For each
      radiographic key term, the percent agreement between clinicians and surveillance
      staff members ranged from 89.4% to 98.6% and Cohen's k ranged from 0.46
      (moderate) to 0.84 (almost perfect). The combination of bronchopneumonia or
      consolidation or infiltrate or airspace density terms had sensitivity of 66.5%,
      specificity of 89.2%, PPV of 80.4%, and percent agreement of 80.1%. Adding
      pleural effusion did not result in significant changes in sensitivity,
      specificity, PPV, or percent agreement. CONCLUSION: Radiographic key terms
      abstracted by surveillance staff members from final impressions of chest
      radiograph reports had moderate to almost perfect reliability and could be used
      to identify pneumonia among patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed
      influenza virus infection. This method can inform pneumonia surveillance and aid
      in public health response.

PMID- 27252570
TI  - Quarantine and Liability in the Context of Ebola.

PMID- 27252569
TI  - The Impact of Benzodiazepine Use on Mortality Among Polysubstance Users in
      Vancouver, Canada.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Illicit drug use is a well-established risk factor for increased
      morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the impact of
      benzodiazepine use on mortality among populations of polysubstance users. This
      study aimed to identify the effect of benzodiazepine use on mortality among a
      prospective cohort of people in Canada who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS: A cohort
      of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, was prospectively followed from May 1996 through
      November 2013. Data on participants were linked to the provincial vital
      statistics registry to ascertain mortality rates and causes of death.
      Multivariable extended Cox regression with time-dependent variables was used to
      investigate the relationship between benzodiazepine use and time to all-cause
      mortality. RESULTS: During the study period, 2,802 participants were followed for
      a median of 67 months (interquartile range: 25-107). In total, 527 (18.8%)
      participants died, for an incidence density of mortality of 2.9 (95% confidence
      interval [CI] 2.7, 3.2) deaths per 100 person-years. After adjusting for HIV
      infection and other potential confounders, benzodiazepine use was independently
      associated with increased all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.86, 95%
      CI 1.38, 2.51) and had a higher risk for mortality than all other traditional
      substances of abuse among this population. Results were consistent when non
      overdose mortality was considered. CONCLUSION: In this setting, benzodiazepine
      use was more strongly associated with mortality than any other substance of
      abuse. Greater recognition of the safety concerns related to benzodiazepines and
      strategies to prevent diversion to illicit use are needed.

PMID- 27252573
TI  - A Mismatch Between the Educational Pipeline and Public Health Workforce: Can It
      Be Reconciled?

PMID- 27252574
TI  - Dan Vaughn's Legacy.

PMID- 27252575
TI  - Trigger point dry needling: the data do not support broad applicability or robust
      effect.

PMID- 27252576
TI  - Rebuttal to letter to the editor.

PMID- 27252577
TI  - EMG activity of selected rotator cuff musculature during grade III distraction
      and posterior glide glenohumeral mobilization: results of a pilot trial comparing
      painful and non-painful shoulders.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this pilot study were to investigate rotator cuff
      activity that may be present during grade III distraction and posterior glide
      mobilization of the glenohumeral (GH) joint, as well as to examine any
      differences in response between painful and non-painful shoulders utilizing these
      techniques. METHODS: EMG data were collected using Delsys EMGworks((r)) software
      and Trigno((r)) mini-wireless electrodes for the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and
      upper trapezius musculature during grade III GH distraction and posterior glide
      mobilization. A total of 20 shoulders (10 painful, 10 non-painful) were recruited
      from a sample of convenience. Submaximal voluntary dynamic contraction against
      gravity was used as reference for each of the three selected muscles.
      Participants underwent two trials of each mobilization, and the mean results for
      each group were assessed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation)
      and effect size. RESULTS: Both the painful and non-painful groups exhibited
      considerable levels of rotator cuff activity during each test parameter, with the
      painful group consistently generating higher supraspinatus and infraspinatus RMS
      and peak force activity. Analysis of the peak combined rotator cuff activity
      during distraction (d = 0.58) and posterior glides (d = 0.64) suggests moderate
      to-high practical significance of the results. DISCUSSION: GH distraction and
      posterior glide mobilizations have traditionally been thought of as passive
      treatment procedures. The results of this pilot study indicate that the
      supraspinatus and infraspinatus are significantly active during these techniques.
      Findings suggest that during these techniques, the total infra/supraspinatus EMG
      activity approaches the level produced while raising the arm against gravity.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.

PMID- 27252578
TI  - The effects of neurodynamic straight leg raise treatment duration on range of hip
      flexion and protective muscle activity at P1.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, single blind, same subject crossover trial. OBJECTIVES:
      To compare the effects of two neurodynamic treatment doses on range of hip
      flexion (ROM HF) and electromyographic (EMG) activity of semitendinosus, at first
      onset of pain (P1). METHODS: A total of 26 healthy participants without low back
      or leg pain received each treatment in a random order with at least 48 hours
      between sessions. Baseline ROM HF and EMG magnitude of semitendinosus at P1 were
      collected. Subjects then received either 361 or 362 minutes of oscillating end of
      range (grade IVz) straight leg raise (SLR) neurodynamic treatment and were re
      assessed for baseline measures. RESULTS: There was no significant difference
      between groups in EMG magnitude (P50.190) and ROM HF (P50.739) at P1. There was
      also no significant difference within groups in EMG magnitude at P1 (P50.182);
      however, there was a significant improvement in ROM HF at P1 in both groups
      compared to baseline readings (P50.000), with increases of 6.7u and 5.1u for the
      361- and 362-minute groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that 362
      minutes of oscillating grade IVz SLR neurodynamic treatment has no additional
      benefit over 361 minute, on ROM HF or EMG magnitude of semitendinosus at P1.
      Using an oscillating SLR treatment may, however, help to increase pain-free ROM
      HF, although further studies are necessary to confirm this.

PMID- 27252579
TI  - The relationship between Quebec Task Force Classification and outcome in patients
      with low back pain treated through mechanical diagnosis and therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between the Quebec Task Force
      Classification (QTFC) system and outcome in patients with non-specific low back
      pain (LBP). METHODS: Forty-nine patients who were treated in outpatient physical
      therapy clinics of Catholic Health System (CHS) of Western New York (WNY) were
      classified according to the QTFC at the initial examination by physical
      therapists (PTs) with training in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT). The
      patient's perceived level of function was assessed with the Focus On Therapeutic
      Outcomes (FOTO) tool at the initial examination, 2 weeks following the initiation
      of physical therapy and again at discharge. RESULTS: A linear regression model
      between acuity and change in FOTO score was performed and demonstrated
      statistical significance (P<0.05) as the more favorable outcome was found with
      the more acute patients. Spearman correlations between change in FOTO score and
      QTFC, duration of treatment and acuity of condition, and number of visits and
      change in FOTO score were not found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS:
      The patients treated in this study demonstrated functional improvement in an
      average of eight visits, indicating efficacious care. Future research is needed
      to determine prioritized intervention strategies for designated LBP
      classifications.

PMID- 27252580
TI  - A novel way of functional retraining of cervical motor control in a water polo
      player with combined cervicogenic and tension type headaches.
AB  - This case report introduces an innovative and novel way of functionally
      retraining the sport specific cervical function in a 13-year-old elite water polo
      player with a combined tension type headache and cervicogenic headache. After an
      evidence based assessment and manipulative physical therapy management regime,
      consisting of manual mobilization and exercise focused on retraining the deep
      cervical flexors and sub-occipital extensors, the patient was left with
      persistent residual complaints inhibiting competitive level sport participation.
      Re-assessment and subsequent retraining of a specific provocative functional task
      was facilitated by using the Cervical Trainer(TM). Using a wireless sensor worn
      on the head, this device registers three-dimensional movement and displays this
      on a computer screen, providing direct feedback on movement performance. After a
      6-week period of training sessions, the residual complaints subsided and her
      score on the Headache Impact Test-6 questionnaire improved from 51 to 36
      signifying no impact of her headache on daily life activities. 

PMID- 27252581
TI  - Manual physical therapy combined with high-intensity functional rehabilitation
      for severe lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries: a case series.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Severe lower extremity trauma accounts for large healthcare costs and
      often results in elective amputation and poor long-term outcomes. The purpose of
      this case series is to describe an orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT)
      approach combined with a return to run (RTR) clinical pathway consisting of high
      intensity functional rehabilitation with a custom energy-storing orthosis.
      METHODS: Three consecutive male patients, aged 21-23 years, with severe lower
      extremity musculoskeletal injuries were treated with a combined intervention that
      included a mean (SD) of 12 (2.1) OMPT sessions and 24 (8.7) functional
      rehabilitation sessions over a mean of 6 weeks (1.0). Additional training with a
      custom energy-storing orthosis consisted of a mean of 15 (1.2) additional
      sessions over 4 weeks. Patient self-report outcome measures and a variety of
      physical performance tests captured change in function. RESULTS: Baseline lower
      extremity functional scale (LEFS) and foot and ankle ability measure activities
      of daily living subscale (FAAM-ADL) scores indicated severe disability. All
      patients exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in at least
      one self-report outcome or physical performance test without a brace. Two of
      three patients exceeded the MCID for at least two physical performance tests
      after training with and utilizing a custom energy-storing orthosis. DISCUSSION:
      Clinically meaningful changes in self-reported function or physical performance
      were observed in all patients. A multi-modal approach, including manual therapy
      and functional exercise, may address the entire spectrum of impairments in
      patients with severe lower extremity trauma, resulting in improvements in both
      braced and un-braced function.

PMID- 27252583
TI  - Plant Quality Improvement and Nutrigenomics.

PMID- 27252582
TI  - Multiplanar lumbopelvic control in patients with low back pain: is multiplanar
      assessment better than single plane assessment in discriminating between patients
      and healthy controls?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Patients with low back pain (LBP) commonly have lumbopelvic control
      deficits. Lumbopelvic assessment during sagittal motion is incorporated into
      commonly used clinical examination algorithms for Treatment Based Classification.
      The purpose of this study was to investigate whether combined assessment of
      lumbopelvic control during sagittal and frontal plane motion discriminates
      between people with and without LBP better than single plane assessment alone.
      METHODS: Nineteen patients with LBP and 18 healthy control participants
      volunteered for this study. The active straight leg raise (ASLR) and active hip
      abduction (AHAbd) tests were used to assess lumbopelvic control during sagittal
      and frontal plane motion, respectively. The tests were scored as positive or
      negative using published scoring criteria. Contingency tables were created for
      each test alone and for the combined tests (both positive/both negative) with
      presence/absence of LBP as the reference standard to calculate accuracy
      statistics of sensitivity (sn), specificity (sp), likelihood (+LR and -LR), and
      diagnostic odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: Active straight leg raise and AHAbd tests
      alone had sn of 0.63, 0.74, respectively, sp of 0.61, 0.50, respectively, and OR
      of 2.7, 2.8, respectively. The combined tests had sn = 0.89, sp = 0.60, and OR =
      12.0. Forty percent of patients with LBP had control deficits in both planes of
      motion. DISCUSSION: The AHAbd and ALSR tests appear to have greater diagnostic
      discrimination when used in combination than when used independently. A
      percentage of patients with LBP had control deficits in both planes, while others
      demonstrated uniplanar deficits only. These findings highlight the importance of
      multiplanar assessment in patients with LBP.

PMID- 27252585
TI  - Molecular Approaches to Understand Nutritional Potential of Coarse Cereals.
AB  - Coarse grains are important group of crops that constitutes staple food for large
      population residing primarily in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world.
      Coarse grains are designated as nutri-cereals as they are rich in essential amino
      acids, minerals and vitamins. In spite of having several nutritional virtues in
      coarse grain as mentioned above, there is still scope for improvement in quality
      parameters such as cooking qualities, modulation of nutritional constituents and
      reduction or elimination of anti-nutritional factors. Besides its use in
      traditional cooking, coarse grains have been used mainly in the weaning food
      preparation and other malted food production. Improvement in quality parameters
      will certainly increase consumer's preference for coarse grains and increase
      their demand. The overall genetic gain in quality traits of economic importance
      in the cultivated varieties will enhance their industrial value and
      simultaneously increase income of farmers growing these varieties. The urgent
      step for improvement of quality traits in coarse grains requires a detailed
      understanding of molecular mechanisms responsible for varied level of different
      nutritional contents in different genotypes of these crops. In this review we
      have discussed the progresses made in understanding of coarse grain biology with
      various omics tool coupled with modern breeding approaches and the current status
      with regard to our effort towards dissecting traits related to improvement of
      quality and nutritional constituents of grains. 

PMID- 27252586
TI  - The Contribution of Buckwheat Genetic Resources to Health and Dietary Diversity.
AB  - Despite several reports on the beneficial effects of buckwheat in prevention of
      human diseases, little attention has been devoted to the variability of
      biochemical and physiological traits in different buckwheat genetic resources.
      This review describes the biochemical evaluation of buckwheat genetic resources
      and the identification of elite genotypes for plant breeding and exploitation.
      The various types of bioactive compounds present in different varieties provide
      basic background information needed for the efficient production of buckwheat
      foods with added value. In this review, we will provide an integrated view of the
      biochemistry of bioactive compounds of buckwheat plants of different origin,
      especially of fagopyrin, proteins and amino acids, as well as of other phenolic
      compounds including rutin and chlorogenic acid. In addition to the genetic
      background, the effect of different growth conditions is discussed. The health
      effects of fagopyrin, phenolic acids, specific proteins and rutin are also
      presented. 

PMID- 27252584
TI  - Ascribing Functions to Genes: Journey Towards Genetic Improvement of Rice Via
      Functional Genomics.
AB  - Rice, one of the most important cereal crops for mankind, feeds more than half
      the world population. Rice has been heralded as a model cereal owing to its small
      genome size, amenability to easy transformation, high synteny to other cereal
      crops and availability of complete genome sequence. Moreover, sequence wealth in
      rice is getting more refined and precise due to resequencing efforts. This
      humungous resource of sequence data has confronted research fraternity with a
      herculean challenge as well as an excellent opportunity to functionally validate
      expressed as well as regulatory portions of the genome. This will not only help
      us in understanding the genetic basis of plant architecture and physiology but
      would also steer us towards developing improved cultivars. No single technique
      can achieve such a mammoth task. Functional genomics through its diverse tools
      viz. loss and gain of function mutants, multifarious omics strategies like
      transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and phenomics provide us with the
      necessary handle. A paradigm shift in technological advances in functional
      genomics strategies has been instrumental in generating considerable amount of
      information w.r.t functionality of rice genome. We now have several databases and
      online resources for functionally validated genes but despite that we are far
      from reaching the desired milestone of functionally characterizing each and every
      rice gene. There is an urgent need for a common platform, for information already
      available in rice, and collaborative efforts between researchers in a concerted
      manner as well as healthy public-private partnership, for genetic improvement of
      rice crop better able to handle the pressures of climate change and exponentially
      increasing population. 

PMID- 27252587
TI  - Salinity Tolerance Mechanism of Economic Halophytes From Physiological to
      Molecular Hierarchy for Improving Food Quality.
AB  - Soil salinity is becoming the key constraints factor to agricultural production.
      Therefore, the plant especially the crops possessing capacities of salt tolerance
      will be of great economic significance. The adaptation or tolerance of plant to
      salinity stress involves a series of physiological, metabolic and molecular
      mechanisms. Halophytes are the kind of organisms which acquire special salt
      tolerance mechanisms to respond to the salt tress and ensure normal growth and
      development under saline conditions in their lengthy evolutionary adaptation, so
      understanding how halophytes respond to salinity stress will provide us with
      methods and tactics to foster and develop salt resistant varieties of crops. The
      strategies in physiological and molecular level adopted by halophytes are various
      including the changes in photosynthetic and transpiration rate, the sequestration
      of Na+ to extracellular or vacuole, the regulation of stomata aperture and
      stomatal density, the accumulation and synthesis of the phytohormones as well as
      the relevant gene expression underlying these physiological traits, such as the
      stress signal transduction, the regulation of the transcription factors, the
      activation and expression of the transporter genes, the activation or inhibition
      of the synthetases and so on. This review focuses on the research advances of the
      regulating mechanisms in halophytes from physiological to molecular, which render
      the halophytes tolerance and adaption to salinity stress. 

PMID- 27252588
TI  - Transport of Calcium Ions into Mitochondria.
AB  - To uptake calcium ions of mitochondria is of significant functional connotation
      for cells, because calcium ions in mitochondria are involved in energy
      production, regulatory signals transfer, and mitochondrial permeability
      transition pore opening and even programmed cell death of apoptosis, further
      playing more roles in plant productivity and quality. Cytoplasmic calcium ions
      access into outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) from voltage dependent anion
      selective channel (VDAC) and were absorbed into inner mitochondrial membrane
      (IMM) by mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), rapid mitochondrial calcium
      uptake (RaM) or mitochondrial ryanodine receptor (mRyR). Although both
      mitochondria and the mechanisms of calcium transport have been extensively
      studied, but there are still long-standing or even new challenges. Here we review
      the history and recent discoveries of the mitochondria calcium ions channel
      complex involved calcium assimilation, and discuss the role of calcium ions into
      mitochondria. 

PMID- 27252589
TI  - Improving Nutritional Quality of Plant Proteins Through Genetic Engineering.
AB  - Humans and animals are unable to synthesize essential amino acids such as branch
      chain amino acids methionine (Met), lysine (Lys) and tryptophan (Trp). Therefore,
      these amino acids need to be supplied through the diets. Several essential amino
      acids are deficient or completely lacking among crops used for human food and
      animal feed. For example, soybean is deficient in Met; Lys and Trp are lacking in
      maize. In this mini review, we will first summarize the roles of essential amino
      acids in animal nutrition. Next, we will address the question: "What are the
      amino acids deficient in various plants and their biosynthesis pathways?" And:
      "What approaches are being used to improve the availability of essential amino
      acids in plants?" The potential targets for metabolic engineering will also be
      discussed, including what has already been done and what remains to be tested. 

PMID- 27252590
TI  - Vegetable Oil: Nutritional and Industrial Perspective.
AB  - Oils of plant origin have been predominantly used for food-based applications.
      Plant oils not only represent a non-polluting renewable resource but also provide
      a wide diversity in fatty acids (FAs) composition with diverse applications.
      Besides being edible, they are now increasingly being used in industrial
      applications such as paints, lubricants, soaps, biofuels etc. In addition, plants
      can be engineered to produce fatty acids which are nutritionally beneficial to
      human health. Thus these oils have potential to 1) substitute ever increasing
      demand of non -renewable petroleum sources for industrial application and 2) also
      spare the marine life by providing an alternative source to nutritionally and
      medically important long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids or 'Fish oil'. The
      biochemical pathways producing storage oils in plants have been extensively
      characterized, but the factors regulating fatty acid synthesis and controlling
      total oil content in oilseed crops are still poorly understood. Thus
      understanding of plant lipid metabolism is fundamental to its manipulation and
      increased production. This review on oils discusses fatty acids of nutritional
      and industrial importance, and approaches for achieving future designer vegetable
      oil for both edible and non-edible uses. The review will discuss the success and
      bottlenecks in efficient production of novel FAs in non-native plants using
      genetic engineering as a tool. 

PMID- 27252591
TI  - Soybean Seed Development: Fatty Acid and Phytohormone Metabolism and Their
      Interactions.
AB  - Vegetable oil utilization is determined by its fatty acid composition. In soybean
      and other grain crops, during the seed development oil accumulation is important
      trait for value in food or industrial applications. Seed development is
      relatively short and sensitive to unfavorable abiotic conditions. These stresses
      can lead to a numerous undesirable qualitative as well as quantitative changes in
      fatty acid production. Fatty acid manipulation which targets a higher content of
      a specific single fatty acid for food or industrial application has gained more
      attention. Despite several successes in modifying the ratio of endogenous fatty
      acids in most domesticated oilseed crops, numerous obstacles in FA manipulation
      of seed maturation are yet to be overcome. Remarkably, connections with plant
      hormones have not been well studied despite their critical roles in the
      regulation and promotion of a plethora of processes in plant growth and
      development. While activities of phytohormones during the reproductive phase have
      been partially clarified in seed physiology, the biological role of plant
      hormones in oil accumulation during seed development has not been investigated.
      In this review seed development and numerous effects of abiotic stresses are
      discussed. After describing fatty acid and phytohormone metabolism and their
      interactions, we postulate that the endogenous plant hormones play important
      roles in fatty acid production in soybean seeds. 

PMID- 27252592
TI  - Nutrigenomics and its Impact on Life Style Associated Metabolic Diseases.
AB  - Post-human genome revelation observes the emergence of 'Nutigenomics' as one of
      the exciting scientific advancement influencing mankind around the world. Food or
      more precisely 'nutrition' has the major impact in defining the cause-response
      interaction between nutrient (diet) and human health. In addition to substantial
      understanding of nutrition-human-health interaction, bases of 'nutrigenomic'
      development foster on advent in transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics and
      metabolomics as well as insight into food as health supplement. Interaction of
      selected nutrient with associated genes in specific organ or tissue necessary to
      comprehend that how individual's genetic makeup (DNA transcribed into mRNA and
      then to proteins) respond to particular nutrient. It provided new opportunities
      to incorporate natural bioactive compounds into food for specific group of people
      with similar genotype. As inception of diabetes associated with change in gene
      expression of, not limited to, protein kinase B, insulin receptor, duodenal
      homeobox and glucokinase, thus, targeting such proteins by modifying or improving
      the nutritional availability or uptake may help to devise novel food,
      supplements, or nutraceuticals. In this article, various aspects of R&D in
      nutrigenomics are reviewed to ascertain its impact on human health, especially
      with life-style associated diseases. 

PMID- 27252594
TI  - Liver cancer with concomitant TP53 and CTNNB1 mutations: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the spectrum of molecular alterations found in hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC), somatic mutations in the WNT/beta-catenin pathway and the
      p53/cell cycle control pathway are among the most frequent ones. It has been
      suggested that both mutations occur in a mutually exclusive manner and they are
      used as molecular classifiers in HCC classification proposals. CASE PRESENTATION:
      Here, we report the case of a treatment-naive mixed
      hepatocellular/cholangiocellular carcinoma (HCC/CCC) with morphological and
      genetic intratumor heterogeneity. Within the predominant part of the tumor with
      hepatocellular differentiation, a p.D32V mutation in exon 3 of the CTNNB1 gene
      occurred concomitantly with a TP53 intron 7/exon 8 splice site mutation.
      CONCLUSION: Intratumor heterogeneity challenges the concept of CTNNB1 and TP53
      gene mutations being mutually exclusive molecular classifiers in HCC, which has
      implications for HCC classification approaches.

PMID- 27252593
TI  - A Comprehensive Review on the Genetic Regulation of Cisplatin-induced
      Nephrotoxicity.
AB  - Cisplatin (CDDP) is a well-known antineoplastic drug which has been extensively
      utilized over the last decades in the treatment of numerous kinds of tumors.
      However, CDDP induces a wide range of toxicities in a dose-dependent manner,
      among which nephrotoxicity is of particular importance. Still, the mechanism of
      CDDP-induced renal damage is not completely understood; moreover, the knowledge
      about the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the nephrotoxic response is still
      unknown. miRNAs are known to interact with the representative members of a
      diverse range of regulatory pathways (including postnatal development,
      proliferation, inflammation and fibrosis) and pathological conditions, including
      kidney diseases: polycystic kidney diseases (PKDs), diabetic nephropathy (DN),
      kidney cancer, and drug-induced kidney injury. In this review, we shed light on
      the following important aspects: (i) information on genes/proteins and their
      interactions with previously known pathways engaged with CDDP-induced
      nephrotoxicity, (ii) information on newly discovered biomarkers, especially,
      miRNAs for detecting CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity and (iii) information to improve
      our understanding on CDDP. This information will not only help the researchers
      belonging to nephrotoxicity field, but also supply an indisputable help for
      oncologists to better understand and manage the side effects induced by CDDP
      during cancer treatment. Moreover, we provide up-to-date information about
      different in vivo and in vitro models that have been utilized over the last
      decades to study CDDP-induced renal injury. Taken together, this review offers a
      comprehensive network on genes, miRNAs, pathways and animal models which will
      serve as a useful resource to understand the molecular mechanism of CDDP-induced
      nephrotoxicity. 

PMID- 27252596
TI  - Retraction Note: Psoriasin (S100A7) is a novel biomarker for lung squamous cell
      carcinoma in humans.
AB  - [This retracts the article DOI: 10.1186/s12935-014-0154-0.]. 

PMID- 27252595
TI  - Development and preliminary evaluation of the validity and reliability of a
      revised illness perception questionnaire for healthcare professionals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diverging perceptions between individual patients with somatic
      diseases and their healthcare professionals might cause problems in communication
      and decision-making. To date, no measurement tool is available to compare the
      illness perceptions between these two groups. The Revised Illness Perception
      Questionnaire (IPQ-R) is a validated, widely used instrument in many patient
      populations with somatic conditions. The aim of this study was to adapt the IPQ-R
      to a healthcare professional's version (IPQ-R HP) and to perform a preliminary
      evaluation of its validity and reliability. METHODS: After adaptation of the IPQ
      R HP, 17 doctors from 3 general hospitals and 9 head nurses from a university
      hospital evaluated the face and content validity of the IPQ-R HP. The results
      were quantified using the content validity index (CVI) and a modified kappa index
      (k*). For the reliability measurements a group of nurses from 4 nursing wards
      participated at 2 time points with an interval of 4 weeks. Internal consistency
      and test-retest reliability were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of the 38
      items demonstrated excellent content validity and four items showed good content
      validity. Four items had a sufficient k* and two items had a low CVI. The average
      CVI of the 7 dimensions ranged from 0.66 to 0.89. The Cronbach's alpha scores for
      the seven dimensions, intraclass coefficients and effect size estimates were
      acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary evaluation of the IPQ-R HP shows an
      acceptable to good validity and reliability. Further exploration of the
      psychometric properties of this questionnaire in a large cohort of healthcare
      professionals is warranted.

PMID- 27252597
TI  - Critical Appraisal of Evidence for Improving Gait Speed in People with Multiple
      Sclerosis: Dalfampridine Versus Gait Training.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research has not yet compared the treatment effects of dalfampridine
      with traditional rehabilitation of gait impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS).
      The purpose of this review was to critically appraise the evidence for
      dalfampridine and gait training for increasing gait speed in people with MS.
      METHODS: A systematic search of the research literature was conducted.
      Consideration was given to only randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic
      reviews, and meta-analyses. For selection of gait training studies, only studies
      involving task-specific gait training interventions and measuring treatment
      effects on gait speed were considered. RESULTS: Treatment effects on gait speed
      were extracted from four studies examining the efficacy of dalfampridine and six
      gait training RCTs. Overall mean increase in gait speed with dalfampridine was
      0.07 m/s (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.09 m/s) compared to 0.06 m/s (95%
      CI, 0.02-0.10 m/s) for gait training. Among dalfampridine responders (38% of
      participants in RCTs), the mean increase in gait speed was 0.16 m/s (95% CI, 0.13
      0.18 m/s). Mean increases for individual gait training interventions ranged from
      0.01 to 0.39 m/s; however, CIs were wide due to small sample sizes. CONCLUSIONS:
      Current evidence is insufficient to conclude whether dalfampridine or gait
      training is superior for improving gait speed in people with MS. These findings
      should be viewed cautiously due to differences in study populations and small
      sample sizes in gait training studies. Both treatment approaches provide only
      short-lived improvements. Head-to-head comparison trials and studies combining
      both treatment modalities are needed.

PMID- 27252598
TI  - Evaluation of a Fatigue Self-Management Program for People with Multiple
      Sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of
      multiple sclerosis (MS). The program "Minimise Fatigue, Maximise Life: Creating
      Balance with Multiple Sclerosis" (MFML) was created in New Zealand because of the
      lack of a fatigue management program for people with MS in that country. This
      program aims to empower individuals with MS to manage their own symptoms of
      fatigue. The objective of this study was to evaluate the MFML fatigue self
      management program. METHODS: Self-report questionnaires were used to measure
      impact of fatigue (5-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), self-efficacy (MS Self
      efficacy Scale), and quality of life (12-item Short Form Health Status Survey [SF
      12]) 1 month before (T1), at commencement of (T2) (to investigate the stability
      of questionnaire scores before the intervention), and at the end of (T3) the 6
      week group-based program. Increased self-efficacy and quality of life scores and
      a decrease in reported impact of fatigue were the anticipated primary outcomes,
      with participants acting as their own controls. RESULTS: Twenty-five women (aged
      37-63 years) participated. Stability of scores for all the questionnaires was
      evidenced between T1 and T2. After the intervention (T3), scores showed a
      significant improvement in self-efficacy and impact of fatigue, with large effect
      sizes, but no change in either the physical or mental component summary of the SF
      12. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small sample size, this study showed an organized
      approach to the management of fatigue for people living with MS, and its outcomes
      demonstrated benefits for participants.

PMID- 27252599
TI  - Examining the Relationship Between Family Caregivers' Emotional States and
      Ability to Empathize with Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common nontraumatic cause of
      disability affecting young adults in Canada. Caregivers of patients with MS are
      highly psychologically burdened. Empathy and helping behaviors are hallmarks of
      quality care, but when they are challenged, suboptimal patient care can result.
      We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of negative emotional states among primary
      caregivers of people with MS; the association between the caregiver's empathy
      related behavior and the physical and cognitive impairment of the person with MS;
      and the association between the caregiver's emotional status and his or her
      empathy-related behaviors. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional
      pilot study with family caregivers of noninstitutionalized individuals living
      with MS. We used univariate linear regression models for each potential
      predictor. The Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted to compare differences in
      caregiver empathic responses depending on Profile of Mood States subscale scores.
      RESULTS: Thirty percent of caregivers had elevated or very elevated mood scores,
      and such elevated scores were associated with greater functional impact of MS on
      the person with MS. Patient severity of cognitive impairment was not associated
      with caregiver mood scores. Caregiver mood state was not associated with empathy
      related behaviors. Empathy-related behaviors were less frequent when levels of
      anger and hostility were higher, but this association did not reach statistical
      significance. CONCLUSIONS: Given the elevated levels of fatigue, depression, and
      anger observed among caregivers in this study, clinicians need to be aware of the
      potential impact of caregiving and to assess the needs of caregivers.

PMID- 27252600
TI  - Development and Feasibility of an Evidence-Based Patient Education Program for
      Managing Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: The "Fatigue Management in MS" Program
      (FatiMa).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative
      disease of the central nervous system. Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom,
      often causing decreased quality of life, social withdrawal, and unemployment. We
      developed and studied the feasibility of a cognitive-behavioral group
      intervention to manage fatigue in MS. We aimed to integrate the concepts of
      cognitive-behavioral therapy and evidence-based patient information. METHODS: We
      conducted patient interviews and a focus group to assess patients' interest in
      and need for fatigue self-management training and developed the program
      accordingly. The program consists of six 90-minute modules, which were structured
      with the use of moderation cards, helping to guarantee treatment fidelity. The
      program was tested on three pilot groups (N = 16) in a rehabilitation center.
      Fatigue, depression, and coping self-efficacy were assessed at baseline and after
      the intervention. Acceptance and general satisfaction with the program were also
      evaluated. RESULTS: Patient interviews elicited different characteristics of
      fatigue, suggesting that patients had different requirements. The program was
      very acceptable to patients. Pre-post assessments of the pilot study showed
      significantly improved scores on the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (P = .013) but
      not on the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions and the 30-item
      Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results
      suggest that this program is a feasible cognitive-behavioral group training
      program that may improve coping self-efficacy and has the potential to
      subsequently reduce fatigue. The next step is evaluation of the program in a
      randomized controlled trial.

PMID- 27252601
TI  - Safety and Tolerability of Delayed-Release Dimethyl Fumarate Administered with
      Interferon Beta or Glatiramer Acetate in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF; also known as gastroresistant
      DMF) is indicated for relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this
      study was to explore the safety and tolerability of DMF when administered with
      interferon beta (IFNbeta) or glatiramer acetate (GA). METHODS: Patients with
      relapsing-remitting MS receiving established therapy with the same dose of
      IFNbeta or GA for at least 12 months continued their prescribed therapy for 2
      months (monotherapy period) and then received DMF 240 mg three times daily in
      addition to their prescribed MS therapy for 6 months (add-on therapy period).
      Safety and magnetic resonance imaging outcomes were monitored monthly. RESULTS:
      During the add-on therapy period, in the DMF+IFNbeta (n = 57) and DMF+GA (n = 47)
      groups, the overall incidence of adverse events was 95% and 100%, respectively;
      the most common adverse events were flushing, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In
      both groups, mean lymphocyte counts decreased but remained within normal limits,
      and hepatic transaminase levels increased transiently; no case met Hy's law
      criteria. There was no overall increased risk of infection. In both groups,
      gadolinium-enhancing lesion activity and new/enlarging T2 lesions decreased
      compared with the monotherapy period (exploratory endpoints). CONCLUSIONS: The
      safety profile of DMF taken with IFNbeta or GA was acceptable and consistent with
      the known safety profile of DMF monotherapy.

PMID- 27252602
TI  - Symptomatic Management of Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Tremor Among Participants
      in the NARCOMS Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tremor affects 25% to 58% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)
      and is associated with poor prognosis and increased disability. MS-related tremor
      is difficult to treat, and data regarding patient-reported characterization and
      response to treatment are limited. We describe the symptomatic treatment of
      tremor in 508 enrollees in the North American Research Committee on Multiple
      Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry who self-reported tremor. METHODS: From 777 surveys
      sent to NARCOMS participants who indicated mild or greater tremor using the
      Tremor and Coordination Scale, we compiled data regarding disability, tremor
      severity, symptomatic medication use, and reported response to medications.
      RESULTS: Symptomatic medications reported to reduce tremor were used by 238
      respondents (46.9%). Symptomatic medication use was associated with increased
      rates of unemployment and disability, and many other characteristics were similar
      between groups. Symptomatic drug use was more likely in participants reporting
      moderate (53.9%) or severe (51.3%) tremor than in those with mild (36.6%) or
      totally disabling (35.0%) tremor. This disparity held true across multiple tremor
      severity scores. The most commonly used drug classes were anticonvulsants (50.8%)
      and benzodiazepines (46.2%), with gabapentin and clonazepam used most often in
      their respective classes. CONCLUSIONS: Tremor in MS remains poorly treated; less
      than half of the participants reported benefit from symptomatic medications.
      Patients with moderate-to-severe tremor are more likely to report tremor benefit
      than are those with mild or disabling tremor. gamma-Aminobutyric acid-active
      medications were most commonly reported as beneficial.

PMID- 27252604
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 27252603
TI  - Analysis of Diagnoses Associated with Multiple Sclerosis-Related In-Hospital
      Mortality Using the Premier Hospital Database.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to compare mortality rates and related diagnoses in
      hospitalized patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), those with diabetes mellitus
      (DM), and the general hospitalized population (GHP). METHODS: Patients who died
      between 2007 and 2011 were identified in the US hospital-based Premier Healthcare
      Database. Demographic information was collected, mortality rates calculated, and
      principal diagnoses categorized. RESULTS: Of 55,152 unique patients with MS
      identified, 1518 died. Mean age at death was 10 years younger for the MS group
      (63.4 years) than for the DM (73.3 years) and GHP (73.1 years) groups. Age
      adjusted mortality rates, based on the 2000 US Standard Million Population, were
      1077, 1248, and 1133 per 100,000, respectively. Infection was the most common
      principal diagnosis at the hospital stay during which the patient died in the MS
      cohort (43.1% vs. 26.3% and 24.0% in the DM and GHP groups, respectively). Other
      common principal diagnoses in the MS group included pulmonary (17.5%) and
      cardiovascular (12.1%) disease. Septicemia/sepsis/septic shock was a secondary
      diagnosis for 50.7% of patients with MS versus 36.0% and 31.0% of patients in the
      DM and GHP cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MS had a shorter
      life span than patients with DM or the GHP and were more likely to have a
      principal diagnosis of infection at their final hospital stay. However, the
      database was limited to codes recorded in the hospital; diagnoses received
      outside the hospital were not captured.

PMID- 27252605
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - This is an epidemiologic study of the need for Health Services for burns in the
      northern part of Franche Comte (north-east of France) along year 2014 (114
      patients). Mean age was 26 years (8 month-81 years), one third of burns occurred
      in children below 15. Most burns take part in summer, around mealtime, in "school
      free" days, at home and are scalds. Their surface is low (4,81%) and they are
      usually partial thickness ones. Patients are consulted in Emergency Department in
      88,59% of the cases, and hospitalised thereafter in a Burns Unit (in Lyon more
      than Nancy or Metz) in 12,28%. 

PMID- 27252606
TI  - Development of an effective communication strategy for the prevention of burns in
      children: the PRIUS project.
AB  - This study has developed a learning kit for the prevention of domestic burns in
      childhood. The main objective was to trial an educational package for children
      (nursery and primary classes), for the prevention of burns, to be implemented
      through education in schools. The educational kit comprises posters, information
      leaflets, comic books, and pre and post education evaluation materials for school
      children, parents and teachers. Recipients of the preliminary study were the
      students of nine schools in the eight Italian cities where Burn Centers are
      located. In order to reach the target groups of children, it was necessary to
      identify the most effective communication strategy to convey the burn prevention
      message. For nursery school children, it was not possible to use tools with
      written texts alone, as they were not yet literate. Moreover, even for older
      children, it was necessary to find an attractive tool to catch their attention
      and interest, promoting the understanding and memorization of lessons learned.
      The most suitable means was found to be comic strips, allowing the messages to be
      conveyed through images as well as words. A total of 370 children (195 from
      nurseries and 175 from primary schools) participated in the trial of the
      educational kit. Overall, for every environment represented in the evaluation
      table, the ability to recognize the dangers among both the pre-school and primary
      school children increased significantly after the training activity. In
      conclusion, the educational kit has been positively assessed. 

PMID- 27252607
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - Mortality in burn patients is most often caused by infections, which are
      frequently bacterial. These patients are subject to loss of the cutaneous
      barrier, invasive devices and immunosuppression which are all contributing
      factors to the onset of infections. Unfortunately, it is not easy to distinguish
      general signs of infection from other symptoms associated with burn injuries,
      making diagnosis difficult. Since infection is a great threat in burns patients,
      its prevention is a fundamental part of the treatment process. Moreover, due to
      the anomalous pharmacokinetic characteristics of burns patients, it is also
      mandatory to adapt any antimicrobial regimen to the outcomes of regular patient
      blood tests and sampling. At a time when bacterial resistance is becoming an
      increasing concern, research on alternative treatment (e.g. inhibitors of
      virulence factors, antimicrobial peptides, polyphenols, immunotherap, and so on)
      is crucial. One of the more promising possibilities in this area seems to be
      phagotherapy. 

PMID- 27252608
TI  - Progress in burns research: a review of advances in burn pathophysiology.
AB  - Severe burns trigger a wide range of responses in the victim. Initial vascular
      changes are followed by hypermetabolic, inflammatory and immunologic changes. The
      prolonged hypermetabolic response is associated with an elevated resting rate of
      energy consumption, tissue wasting and altered substrate kinetics. There is
      increased blood glucose though insulin levels are above normal. The cortisol
      level is raised and, together with catecholamine, drives the metabolic response.
      The immune system is typically weakened. There is elevation in blood levels of a
      wide range of cytokines from activated cells. These agents drive a prolonged
      inflammatory response which can lead to tissue damage and multiple organ failure.
      Dynamic fluid resuscitation regimens have cut down mortality from shock in the
      early post-burn period. However, unbalanced activity of pro- and anti
      inflammatory cytokines can leave patients in an immuno-suppressed state that
      affects outcomes. So far, many treatments, such as propranolol, a cardio
      protector, and anabolic agents, such as oxandrolone and growth hormone, have been
      tried with mixed results. This review focuses on research that elucidated burn
      pathophysiology. Some clinical areas in which treatment centred on correcting
      altered physiology were also included. We have highlighted both the challenges
      and significant findings. Finally, this paper draws attention to the gaps between
      progress in basic research and clinical application and suggests areas where
      further research and funding could be focused. 

PMID- 27252609
TI  - Procalcitonin: a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of sepsis in burned
      patients.
AB  - The goal of this study was to analyse plasma procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations
      during infectious events of burns in ICU. We conducted a prospective,
      observational study in a 20-bed Burn Intensive Care Unit in Tunisia. A total of
      121 patients admitted to the Burn ICU were included in our study. Serum PCT was
      measured over the entire course of stay in patients with predictive signs of
      sepsis according to the Americain Burn Association Criteria for the presence of
      infection. Patients were assigned to two groups depending on the clinical course
      and outcome: Group A = non septic patients; Group B = septic patients. A PCT
      cutoff value of 0,69 ng/ml for sepsis prediction was associated with the optimal
      combination of sensitivity (89%), specificity (85%), positive predictive value
      (82%) and negative predictive value (88%). Serum procalcitonin levels can be used
      as an early indicator of septic complication in patients with severe burn
      injuries as well as in monitoring the response to antimicrobial therapy. 

PMID- 27252610
TI  - Treatment of nasal burns: analysis of 150 cases.
AB  - Nasal burns present a challenge for the plastic surgeon in terms of immediate
      management, choice of primary treatment and secondary reconstruction with the
      goals of good aesthetic and functional outcome. We present a retrospective
      analysis of the management of 150 patients with nasal burns treated in our center
      between July 2005 and July 2011. We rationalized our conservative and all
      surgical treatments of this subset of burns patients and organized them in a
      simple and structured way. The reconstructive options for most complex full
      thickness nasal injury is determined by the integrity of adjacent facial tissues
      which would always be preferred when available. Microsurgical free tissue
      transfer is dependent upon the fitness of the patient and the availability of
      unburned skin at the donor site. Secondary nasal reconstruction is based on an
      assessment of the residual functional and cosmetic problems. Airways narrowing
      from scar contracture or loss of support are managed using standard plastic
      surgical and rhinoplasty principles. Cosmetic refinements range from flap
      debulking to the importation of new tissue on to the nose. Our experience with
      this challenging group of patients has led us to develop a simple treatment
      algorithm for the management of nasal burns. 

PMID- 27252611
TI  - Epidemiology of pneumonia in a burn care unit: the influence of inhalation trauma
      on pneumonia and of pneumonia on burn mortality.
AB  - The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of burn
      patients developing pneumonia, as well as the predisposing factors and the
      mortality of these patients. Infectious complications present serious problems in
      severely burned patients. Pneumonia, in particular, is a major cause of morbidity
      and mortality in burn patients. Patients with inhalation injuries are exposed to
      a greater risk due to the possible development of infectious complications in the
      lower respiratory tract. During their stay in our Burn Care Unit, 22.9% of our
      burn patients developed pneumonia and 10.9 % of these patients died. Risk factors
      for the development of pneumonia in burn patients were found to be inhalation
      trauma, high ABSI score, the Baux and modified Baux index, and high ASA score
      (p<0.01). Age and gender showed no significant correlation to the incidence of
      pneumonia. In this study we were able to determine the incidence of pneumonia in
      burn patients, their mortality and the strong correlation of the presence of
      inhalation injury with the development of pneumonia. 

PMID- 27252612
TI  - Topical use of Rectogesic(r) and Emla(r) to improve cutaneous blood perfusion
      following thermal injury. A comparative experimental study.
AB  - Early post-burn ischemic necrosis of the skin is of particular interest in modern
      burn research. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that blood
      perfusion could be improved by the topical application of vasoactive substances.
      A sample of 55 wistar rats was used to investigate the effect of 0,4%
      nitroglycerin ointment (Rectogesic((r))) comparatively to no application and
      placebo. The beneficiary action of 5% prilocaine/lidocaine cream (EMLA((r))) in
      burn blood perfusion was also tested comparatively to Rectogesic((r)). Both
      preparations were tested respectively to non burned controls. Laser Doppler
      assessment of blood flow at 15, 30, 45, 60, 120 and 180 minutes after preparation
      application, demonstrated that the use of Rectogesic((r)) improved perfusion at
      all measurements compared to placebo and to no preparation application (p&0,05).
      There was no statistical significant difference in the effect of the two
      preparations. 

PMID- 27252613
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - The association of burns and epilepsy is frequent in Morocco. These burns, often
      recurring, mainly occur in young women living in rural areas. The accidents
      usually occur in the kitchen and involve falling onto stoves situated on the
      floor during an epileptic crisis. Such burns may occur during a first attack
      before epilepsy has been diagnosed although, more often than not, the patient's
      illness is already known but insufficiently treated and managed. Consequences of
      these burns, which are always deep, are often tragic considering the sequelae, in
      patients whose social reintegration is already marred by epilepsy. Treatment
      should focus on both burns and epilepsy. Preventive measures to keep the epilepsy
      in check and avoid these sufferers being left alone in proximity to heat sources
      should be put in place. 

PMID- 27252614
TI  - Suicidal behavior by burns among women in two bordering provinces in Iran.
AB  - The objective of the study was to describe epidemiologic features of suicidal
      behavior by burns among women in two bordering provinces in Iran. A prospective
      hospital-based study of all suicidal behaviors by burns among women was carried
      out in the Iranian provinces of Khorasan (which borders Afghanistan) and Ilam
      (which borders Iraq) in 2006. These two provinces suffered from war and economic
      instability with high rates of poverty and unemployment. Data were obtained from
      patients, family members, and/or significant others through interviews during the
      course of hospitalization. Of 181 hospitalized patients, 130 (71.8%) were female,
      representing a hospital separation rate of 5.4 per 100,000 person-year (P-Y). The
      rate of suicidal behavior involving burns among the rural population was higher
      than that in the urban population (6.3 vs. 4.7 per 100,000 P-Y, P = 0.09). The
      median age of the patients was 23 years old, with a mean (+/-SD) of 27.9 (+/
      14.3) years old. Approximately 68.5% of women were married. Quarrels with "a
      family member, spouse, a relative, or a friend" (marital plus other conflicts)
      was identified as the most common precipitating factor (88.5%) in attempting
      suicide. More than one third of women were abused (physically and/or verbally) by
      family members (i.e. spouse, father-in-law). Case fatality rate in this study was
      52.3% (68/130). Suicide by burns is still a socio-epidemiological problem in
      Iran, particularly among young, married women in rural areas. Social and economic
      conditions, as well as violence against women, play a major role in the high rate
      of suicide by burns. The findings of this study highlight the need for the
      implementation of a well-organized approach to reduce the rate of suicide by
      burns among the most vulnerable populations in Iran. 

PMID- 27252615
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27252616
TI  - MBC News.

PMID- 27252618
TI  - Amygdala and Emotion: The Bright Side of It.

PMID- 27252619
TI  - Measuring Neural Entrainment to Beat and Meter in Infants: Effects of Music
      Background.
AB  - Caregivers often engage in musical interactions with their infants. For example,
      parents across cultures sing lullabies and playsongs to their infants from birth.
      Behavioral studies indicate that infants not only extract beat information, but
      also group these beats into metrical hierarchies by as early as 6 months of age.
      However, it is not known how this is accomplished in the infant brain. An EEG
      frequency-tagging approach has been used successfully with adults to measure
      neural entrainment to auditory rhythms. The current study is the first to use
      this technique with infants in order to investigate how infants' brains encode
      rhythms. Furthermore, we examine how infant and parent music background is
      associated with individual differences in rhythm encoding. In Experiment 1, EEG
      was recorded while 7-month-old infants listened to an ambiguous rhythmic pattern
      that could be perceived to be in two different meters. In Experiment 2, EEG was
      recorded while 15-month-old infants listened to a rhythmic pattern with an
      unambiguous meter. In both age groups, information about music background (parent
      music training, infant music classes, hours of music listening) was collected.
      Both age groups showed clear EEG responses frequency-locked to the rhythms, at
      frequencies corresponding to both beat and meter. For the younger infants
      (Experiment 1), the amplitudes at duple meter frequencies were selectively
      enhanced for infants enrolled in music classes compared to those who had not
      engaged in such classes. For the older infants (Experiment 2), amplitudes at beat
      and meter frequencies were larger for infants with musically-trained compared to
      musically-untrained parents. These results suggest that the frequency-tagging
      method is sensitive to individual differences in beat and meter processing in
      infancy and could be used to track developmental changes. 

PMID- 27252620
TI  - Commentary: Lack of functional specialization of neurons in the mouse primary
      visual cortex that have expressed calretinin.

PMID- 27252617
TI  - Multi-Target Directed Donepezil-Like Ligands for Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - HIGHLIGHTS ASS234 is a MTDL compound containing a moiety from Donepezil and the
      propargyl group from the PF 9601N, a potent and selective MAO B inhibitor. This
      compound is the most advanced anti-Alzheimer agent for preclinical studies
      identified in our laboratory.Derived from ASS234 both multipotent donepezil
      indolyl (MTDL-1) and donepezil-pyridyl hybrids (MTDL-2) were designed and
      evaluated as inhibitors of AChE/BuChE and both MAO isoforms. MTDL-2 showed more
      high affinity toward the four enzymes than MTDL-1.MTDL-3 and MTDL-4, were
      designed containing the N-benzylpiperidinium moiety from Donepezil, a metal-
      chelating 8-hydroxyquinoline group and linked to a N-propargyl core and they were
      pharmacologically evaluated.The presence of the cyano group in MTDL-3, enhanced
      binding to AChE, BuChE and MAO A. It showed antioxidant behavior and it was able
      to strongly complex Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III).MTDL-4 showed higher affinity
      toward AChE, BuChE.MTDL-3 exhibited good brain penetration capacity (ADMET) and
      less toxicity than Donepezil. Memory deficits in scopolamine-lesioned animals
      were restored by MTDL-3.MTDL-3 particularly emerged as a ligand showing
      remarkable potential benefits for its use in AD therapy. Alzheimer's disease
      (AD), the most common form of adult onset dementia, is an age-related
      neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss, decline in
      language skills, and other cognitive impairments. Although its etiology is not
      completely known, several factors including deficits of acetylcholine, beta
      amyloid deposits, tau-protein phosphorylation, oxidative stress, and
      neuroinflammation are considered to play significant roles in the pathophysiology
      of this disease. For a long time, AD patients have been treated with
      acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil (Aricept(r)) but with limited
      therapeutic success. This might be due to the complex multifactorial nature of
      AD, a fact that has prompted the design of new Multi-Target-Directed Ligands
      (MTDL) based on the "one molecule, multiple targets" paradigm. Thus, in this
      context, different series of novel multifunctional molecules with antioxidant,
      anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory, and metal-chelating properties able to interact
      with multiple enzymes of therapeutic interest in AD pathology including
      acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and monoamine oxidases A and B have
      been designed and assessed biologically. This review describes the multiple
      targets, the design rationale and an in-house MTDL library, bearing the N
      benzylpiperidine motif present in donepezil, linked to different heterocyclic
      ring systems (indole, pyridine, or 8-hydroxyquinoline) with special emphasis on
      compound ASS234, an N-propargylindole derivative. The description of the in vitro
      biological properties of the compounds and discussion of the corresponding
      structure-activity-relationships allows us to highlight new issues for the
      identification of more efficient MTDL for use in AD therapy. 

PMID- 27252621
TI  - Coding Deficits in Noise-Induced Hidden Hearing Loss May Stem from Incomplete
      Repair of Ribbon Synapses in the Cochlea.
AB  - Recent evidence has shown that noise-induced damage to the synapse between inner
      hair cells (IHCs) and type I afferent auditory nerve fibers (ANFs) may occur in
      the absence of permanent threshold shift (PTS), and that synapses connecting IHCs
      with low spontaneous rate (SR) ANFs are disproportionately affected. Due to the
      functional importance of low-SR ANF units for temporal processing and signal
      coding in noisy backgrounds, deficits in cochlear coding associated with noise
      induced damage may result in significant difficulties with temporal processing
      and hearing in noise (i.e., "hidden hearing loss"). However, significant noise
      induced coding deficits have not been reported at the single unit level following
      the loss of low-SR units. We have found evidence to suggest that some aspects of
      neural coding are not significantly changed with the initial loss of low-SR ANFs,
      and that further coding deficits arise in association with the subsequent
      reestablishment of the synapses. This suggests that synaptopathy in hidden
      hearing loss may be the result of insufficient repair of disrupted synapses, and
      not simply due to the loss of low-SR units. These coding deficits include
      decreases in driven spike rate for intensity coding as well as several aspects of
      temporal coding: spike latency, peak-to-sustained spike ratio and the recovery of
      spike rate as a function of click-interval. 

PMID- 27252622
TI  - Evaluation of Gene Therapy as an Intervention Strategy to Treat Brain Injury from
      Stroke.
AB  - Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, with a lack of treatments
      available to prevent cell death, regenerate damaged cells and pathways, or
      promote neurogenesis. The extended period of hours to weeks over which tissue
      damage continues to occur makes this disorder a candidate for gene therapy. This
      review highlights the development of gene therapy in the area of stroke, with the
      evolution of viral administration, in experimental stroke models, from pre-injury
      to clinically relevant timeframes of hours to days post-stroke. The putative
      therapeutic proteins being examined include anti-apoptotic, pro-survival, anti
      inflammatory, and guidance proteins, targeting multiple pathways within the
      complex pathology, with promising results. The balance of findings from animal
      models suggests that gene therapy provides a viable translational platform for
      treatment of ischemic brain injury arising from stroke. 

PMID- 27252623
TI  - Reduced Glutamatergic Currents and Dendritic Branching of Layer 5 Pyramidal Cells
      Contribute to Medial Prefrontal Cortex Deactivation in a Rat Model of Neuropathic
      Pain.
AB  - Multiple studies have demonstrated that neuropathic pain is associated with major
      reorganization in multiple brain areas. In line with the strong emotional
      salience of chronic pain, involvement of the limbic system appears particularly
      important. Within the past few years, it has become clear that the functional
      deactivation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is critical for both the
      cognitive/emotional and the sensory components of pain. However, at the cellular
      level, details of this deactivation remain in large part unclear. Here we show
      that 1 week after a peripheral neuropathic injury (Spared Nerve Injury model)
      pyramidal cells in layer 5 (L5) of the rat medial PFC show responses to
      excitatory glutamatergic inputs that are reduced by about 50%, as well as reduced
      frequency of spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents. Additionally, these cells
      have reduced membrane capacitance and increased input resistance. All these
      findings are consistent with decreased dendritic length, thus we performed a
      detailed morphological analysis on a subset of the recorded neurons. We found
      that the apical dendrites proximal to the soma (excluding the tuft) are shorter
      and less complex in SNI animals, in agreement with the reduced capacitance and
      glutamatergic input. Finally, we used in vivo microdialysis to compare the basal
      concentrations of glutamate and GABA in the PFC of sham and SNI rats and found
      that ambient glutamate is decreased in SNI rats. Taken together, these data show
      that impaired glutamatergic transmission contributes to the functional
      deactivation of the mPFC in neuropathic pain. Additionally, the reduced branching
      of apical dendrites of L5 pyramidal neurons may underlay the gray matter
      reduction in chronic pain. 

PMID- 27252624
TI  - Alterations of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in the Hypoplastic Reeler
      Cerebellum.
AB  - A mutation of the reln gene gives rise to the Reeler mouse (reln (-/-))
      displaying an ataxic phenotype and cerebellar hypoplasia. We have characterized
      the neurochemistry of postnatal (P0-P60) reln (-/-) mouse cerebella with specific
      attention to the intervention of cell proliferation and apoptosis in the P0-P25
      interval. Homozygous reln (-/-) mice and age-matched controls were analyzed by
      immunofluorescence using primary antibodies against NeuN, calbindin, GFAP,
      vimentin, SMI32, and GAD67. Proliferation and apoptosis were detected after a
      single intraperitoneal BrdU injection and by the TUNEL assay with anti
      digoxigenin rhodamine-conjugated antibodies. Quantitative analysis with
      descriptive and predictive statistics was used to calculate cell densities
      (number/mm(2)) after fluorescent nuclear stain (TCD, total cell density),
      labeling with BrdU (PrCD, proliferating cell density), or TUNEL (ApoCD, apoptotic
      cell density). By this approach we first have shown that the temporal pattern of
      expression of neuronal/glial markers in postnatal cerebellum is not affected by
      the Reeler mutation. Then, we have demonstrated that the hypoplasia in the Reeler
      mouse cerebellum is consequent to reduction of cortical size and cellularity
      (TCD), and that TCD is, in turn, linked to quantitative differences in the extent
      of cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as derangements in their temporal
      trends during postnatal maturation. Finally, we have calculated that PrCD is the
      most important predictive factor to determine TCD in the cerebellar cortex of the
      mutants. These results support the notion that, beside the well-known
      consequences onto the migration of the cerebellar neurons, the lack of Reelin
      results in a measurable deficit in neural proliferation. 

PMID- 27252625
TI  - Combining TMS and tACS for Closed-Loop Phase-Dependent Modulation of
      Corticospinal Excitability: A Feasibility Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The corticospinal excitability indexed by motor evoked potentials
      (MEPs) following transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the sensorimotor
      cortex is characterized by large variability. The instantaneous phase of cortical
      oscillations at the time of the stimulation has been suggested as a possible
      source of this variability. To explore this hypothesis, a specific phase needs to
      be targeted by TMS pulses with high temporal precision. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
      this feasibility study was to introduce a methodology capable of exploring the
      effects of phase-dependent stimulation by the concurrent application of
      alternating current stimulation (tACS) and TMS. METHOD: We applied online
      calibration and closed-loop TMS to target four specific phases (0 degrees , 90
      degrees , 180 degrees  and 270 degrees ) of simultaneous 20 Hz tACS over the
      primary motor cortex (M1) of seven healthy subjects. RESULT: The integrated
      stimulation system was capable of hitting the target phase with high precision
      (SD +/- 2.05 ms, i.e., +/- 14.45 degrees ) inducing phase-dependent MEP
      modulation with a phase lag (CI95% = -40.37 degrees  to -99.61 degrees ) which
      was stable across subjects (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The combination of different
      neuromodulation techniques facilitates highly specific brain state-dependent
      stimulation, and may constitute a valuable tool for exploring the physiological
      and therapeutic effect of phase-dependent stimulation, e.g., in the context of
      neurorehabilitation.

PMID- 27252627
TI  - A New Defective Helper RNA to Produce Recombinant Sindbis Virus that Infects
      Neurons but does not Propagate.
AB  - Recombinant Sindbis viruses are important tools in neuroscience because they
      combine rapid and high transgene expression with a capacity to carry large
      transgenes. Currently, two packaging systems based on the defective helper (DH)
      RNAs DH(26S)5'SIN and DH-BB(tRNA;TE12) are available for generating recombinant
      Sindbis virus that is neurotropic (able to infect neurons and potentially other
      cells). Both systems produce a fraction of viral particles that can propagate
      beyond the primary infected neuron. When injected into mouse brain, viruses
      produced using these DH RNAs produce transgene expression at the injection site,
      but also elsewhere in the brain. Such ectopic labeling caused recombinant Sindbis
      viruses to be classified as anterograde viruses with limited retrograde spread,
      and can complicate the interpretation of neuroanatomical and other experiments.
      Here we describe a new DH RNA, DH-BB(5'SIN;TE12ORF), that can be used to produce
      virus that is both neurotropic and propagation-incompetent. We show in mice that
      DH-BB(5'SIN;TE12ORF)-packaged virus eliminates infection of cells outside the
      injection site. We also provide evidence that ectopically labeled cells observed
      in previous experiments with recombinant Sindbis virus resulted from secondary
      infection by propagation-competent virus, rather than from inefficient retrograde
      spread. Virus produced with our new packaging system retains all the advantages
      of previous recombinant Sindbis viruses, but minimizes the risks of confounding
      results with unwanted ectopic labeling. It should therefore be considered in
      future studies in which a neurotropic, recombinant Sindbis virus is needed. 

PMID- 27252626
TI  - Spontaneous Neuronal Activity in Developing Neocortical Networks: From Single
      Cells to Large-Scale Interactions.
AB  - Neuronal activity has been shown to be essential for the proper formation of
      neuronal circuits, affecting developmental processes like neurogenesis,
      migration, programmed cell death, cellular differentiation, formation of local
      and long-range axonal connections, synaptic plasticity or myelination.
      Accordingly, neocortical areas reveal distinct spontaneous and sensory-driven
      neuronal activity patterns already at early phases of development. At embryonic
      stages, when immature neurons start to develop voltage-dependent channels,
      spontaneous activity is highly synchronized within small neuronal networks and
      governed by electrical synaptic transmission. Subsequently, spontaneous activity
      patterns become more complex, involve larger networks and propagate over several
      neocortical areas. The developmental shift from local to large-scale network
      activity is accompanied by a gradual shift from electrical to chemical synaptic
      transmission with an initial excitatory action of chloride-gated channels
      activated by GABA, glycine and taurine. Transient neuronal populations in the
      subplate (SP) support temporary circuits that play an important role in tuning
      early neocortical activity and the formation of mature neuronal networks. Thus,
      early spontaneous activity patterns control the formation of developing networks
      in sensory cortices, and disturbances of these activity patterns may lead to long
      lasting neuronal deficits.

PMID- 27252628
TI  - Cortical Terminations of the Inferior Fronto-Occipital and Uncinate Fasciculi:
      Anatomical Stem-Based Virtual Dissection.
AB  - We combined the neuroanatomists' approach of defining a fascicle as all fibers
      passing through its compact stem with diffusion-weighted tractography to
      investigate the cortical terminations of two association tracts, the inferior
      fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF) and the uncinate fasciculus (UF), which have
      recently been implicated in the ventral language circuitry. The aim was to
      provide a detailed and quantitative description of their terminations in 60
      healthy subjects and to do so to apply an anatomical stem-based virtual
      dissection, mimicking classical post-mortem dissection, to extract with minimal a
      priori the IFOF and UF from tractography datasets. In both tracts, we
      consistently observed more extensive termination territories than their
      conventional definitions, within the middle and superior frontal, superior
      parietal and angular gyri for the IFOF and the middle frontal gyrus and superior,
      middle and inferior temporal gyri beyond the temporal pole for the UF. We
      revealed new insights regarding the internal organization of these tracts by
      investigating for the first time the frequency, distribution and hemispheric
      asymmetry of their terminations. Interestingly, we observed a dissociation
      between the lateral right-lateralized and medial left-lateralized fronto
      occipital branches of the IFOF. In the UF, we observed a rightward lateralization
      of the orbito-frontal and temporal branches. We revealed a more detailed map of
      the terminations of these fiber pathways that will enable greater specificity for
      correlating with diseased populations and other behavioral measures. The
      limitations of the diffusion tensor model in this study are also discussed. We
      conclude that anatomical stem-based virtual dissection with diffusion
      tractography is a fruitful method for studying the structural anatomy of the
      human white matter pathways. 

PMID- 27252629
TI  - Compensatory Recovery after Multisensory Stimulation in Hemianopic Patients:
      Behavioral and Neurophysiological Components.
AB  - Lateralized post-chiasmatic lesions of the primary visual pathway result in loss
      of visual perception in the field retinotopically corresponding to the damaged
      cortical area. However, patients with visual field defects have shown enhanced
      detection and localization of multisensory audio-visual pairs presented in the
      blind field. This preserved multisensory integrative ability (i.e., crossmodal
      blindsight) seems to be subserved by the spared retino-colliculo-dorsal pathway.
      According to this view, audio-visual integrative mechanisms could be used to
      increase the functionality of the spared circuit and, as a consequence, might
      represent an important tool for the rehabilitation of visual field defects. The
      present study tested this hypothesis, investigating whether exposure to
      systematic multisensory audio-visual stimulation could induce long-lasting
      improvements in the visual performance of patients with visual field defects. A
      group of 10 patients with chronic visual field defects were exposed to audio
      visual training for 4 h daily, over a period of 2 weeks. Behavioral, oculomotor
      and electroencephalography (EEG) measures were recorded during several visual
      tasks before and after audio-visual training. After audio-visual training,
      improvements in visual search abilities, visual detection, self-perceived
      disability in daily life activities and oculomotor parameters were found,
      suggesting the implementation of more effective visual exploration strategies. At
      the electrophysiological level, after training, patients showed a significant
      reduction of the P3 amplitude in response to stimuli presented in the intact
      field, reflecting a reduction in attentional resources allocated to the intact
      field, which might co-occur with a shift of spatial attention towards the blind
      field. More interestingly, both the behavioral improvements and the
      electrophysiological changes observed after training were found to be stable at a
      follow-up session (on average, 8 months after training), suggesting long-term
      effects of multisensory audio-visual training. These long-lasting effects seem to
      be subserved by the activation of the spared retino-colliculo-dorsal pathway,
      which promotes orienting responses towards the blind field, able to both
      compensate for the visual field loss and concurrently attenuate visual attention
      towards the intact field. These results add to previous findings the knowledge
      that audio-visual multisensory stimulation promote long-term plastic changes in
      hemianopics, resulting in stable and long-lasting ameliorations in behavioral and
      electrophysiological measures. 

PMID- 27252630
TI  - Commentary: Perceptual learning in autism: over-specificity and possible
      remedies.

PMID- 27252631
TI  - Single Neurons in the Insular Cortex of a Macaque Monkey Respond to Skin
      Brushing: Preliminary Data of the Possible Representation of Pleasant Touch.
AB  - Pleasant touch may serve as a foundation for affiliative behavior, providing a
      mechanism for the formation and maintenance of social bonds among conspecifics.
      In humans, this touch is usually referred to as the caress. Dynamic caressing
      performed on the hairy skin with a velocity of 1-10 cm/s is perceived as being
      pleasant and determines positive cardio-physiological effects. Furthermore,
      imaging human studies show that affiliative touch activates the posterior insular
      cortex (pIC). Recently, it was demonstrated that pleasant touch in monkeys (i.e.,
      sweeping in a grooming-like manner) is performed with velocities similar to those
      characteristics of human caress (9.31 cm/s), and causes similarly positive
      autonomic effects, if performed with velocity of 5 cm/s and 10 cm/s, but not
      lower or higher. Due to similarities between the human caress and non-human
      primate sweeping, we investigated for the first time whether single neurons of
      the perisylvian regions (secondary somatosensory cortex [SII] and pIC) of a
      rhesus monkey can process sweeping touch differently depending on the stimulus
      speed. We applied stimulation with two speeds: one that optimally induces
      positive cardio-physiological effects in the monkey who receives it, and includes
      the real speed of sweep (5-15 cm/s, sweep fast), and a non-optimal speed (1-5
      cm/s, sweep slow). The results show that single neurons of insular cortex
      differently encode the stimulus speed. In particular, even the majority of
      recorded somatosensory neurons (82.96%) did not discriminate the two speeds, a
      small set of neurons (16.59%) were modulated just during the sweep fast. These
      findings represent the first evidence that single neurons of the non-human
      primates insular cortex can code affiliative touch, highlighting the similarity
      between human and non-human primates' social touch systems. This study
      constitutes an important starting point to carry out deeper investigation on
      neuronal processing of pleasant sweeping in the central nervous system. 

PMID- 27252632
TI  - Neural Substrates of Semantic Prospection - Evidence from the Dementias.
AB  - The ability to envisage personally relevant events at a future time point
      represents an incredibly sophisticated cognitive endeavor and one that appears to
      be intimately linked to episodic memory integrity. Far less is known regarding
      the neurocognitive mechanisms underpinning the capacity to envisage non-personal
      future occurrences, known as semantic future thinking. Moreover the degree of
      overlap between the neural substrates supporting episodic and semantic forms of
      prospection remains unclear. To this end, we sought to investigate the capacity
      for episodic and semantic future thinking in Alzheimer's disease (n = 15) and
      disease-matched behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (n = 15),
      neurodegenerative disorders characterized by significant medial temporal lobe
      (MTL) and frontal pathology. Participants completed an assessment of past and
      future thinking across personal (episodic) and non-personal (semantic) domains,
      as part of a larger neuropsychological battery investigating episodic and
      semantic processing, and their performance was contrasted with 20 age- and
      education-matched healthy older Controls. Participants underwent whole-brain T1
      weighted structural imaging and voxel-based morphometry analysis was conducted to
      determine the relationship between gray matter integrity and episodic and
      semantic future thinking. Relative to Controls, both patient groups displayed
      marked future thinking impairments, extending across episodic and semantic
      domains. Analyses of covariance revealed that while episodic future thinking
      deficits could be explained solely in terms of episodic memory proficiency,
      semantic prospection deficits reflected the interplay between episodic and
      semantic processing. Distinct neural correlates emerged for each form of future
      simulation with differential involvement of prefrontal, lateral temporal, and
      medial temporal regions. Notably, the hippocampus was implicated irrespective of
      future thinking domain, with the suggestion of lateralization effects depending
      on the type of information being simulated. Whereas episodic future thinking
      related to right hippocampal integrity, semantic future thinking was found to
      relate to left hippocampal integrity. Our findings support previous observations
      of significant MTL involvement for semantic forms of prospection and point to
      distinct neurocognitive mechanisms which must be functional to support future
      oriented forms of thought across personal and non-personal contexts. 

PMID- 27252633
TI  - Reduced Functional Connectivity within the Mesocorticolimbic System in Substance
      Use Disorders: An fMRI Study of Puerto Rican Young Adults.
AB  - Studies of the mesocorticolimbic reward system (MCLS) and its relationship with
      impulsivity and substance use disorders (SUD) have largely focused on individuals
      from non-minority backgrounds. This represents a significant gap in the
      literature particularly for minority populations who are disproportionately
      affected by the consequences of SUD. Using resting-state functional MRI (fMRI),
      we examined the coherence of neural activity, or functional connectivity, within
      the brain's MCLS in 28 young adult Puerto Ricans (ages 25-27) who were part of a
      population-based cohort study. Half of the sample lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico;
      the other half lived in the South Bronx, New York. At each of the two sites, half
      of the sample had a history of a SUD. Relative to those without SUD, individuals
      with SUD had decreased connectivity between the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and
      several regions within the MCLS. This finding was true irrespective of study site
      (i.e., San Juan or South Bronx). Reduced connectivity within the MCLS was also
      associated with higher self-reported levels of impulsivity. Path analysis
      suggested a potential mechanism linking impulsivity, the MCLS, and SUD:
      impulsivity, potentially by chronically promoting reward seeking behaviors, may
      contribute to decreased MCLS connectivity, which in turn, may confer
      vulnerability for SUD. Expanding upon prior studies suggesting that alterations
      within the MCLS underlie SUD, our findings suggest that such alterations are also
      related to impulsivity and are present in a high-risk young minority population. 

PMID- 27252634
TI  - A Complex Story: Universal Preference vs. Individual Differences Shaping
      Aesthetic Response to Fractals Patterns.
AB  - Fractal patterns offer one way to represent the rough complexity of the natural
      world. Whilst they dominate many of our visual experiences in nature, little
      large-scale perceptual research has been done to explore how we respond
      aesthetically to these patterns. Previous research (Taylor et al., 2011) suggests
      that the fractal patterns with mid-range fractal dimensions (FDs) have universal
      aesthetic appeal. Perceptual and aesthetic responses to visual complexity have
      been more varied with findings suggesting both linear (Forsythe et al., 2011) and
      curvilinear (Berlyne, 1970) relationships. Individual differences have been found
      to account for many of the differences we see in aesthetic responses but some,
      such as culture, have received little attention within the fractal and complexity
      research fields. This two-study article aims to test preference responses to FD
      and visual complexity, using a large cohort (N = 443) of participants from around
      the world to allow universality claims to be tested. It explores the extent to
      which age, culture and gender can predict our preferences for fractally complex
      patterns. Following exploratory analysis that found strong correlations between
      FD and visual complexity, a series of linear mixed-effect models were implemented
      to explore if each of the individual variables could predict preference. The
      first tested a linear complexity model (likelihood of selecting the more complex
      image from the pair of images) and the second a mid-range FD model (likelihood of
      selecting an image within mid-range). Results show that individual differences
      can reliably predict preferences for complexity across culture, gender and age.
      However, in fitting with current findings the mid-range models show greater
      consistency in preference not mediated by gender, age or culture. This article
      supports the established theory that the mid-range fractal patterns appear to be
      a universal construct underlying preference but also highlights the fragility of
      universal claims by demonstrating individual differences in preference for the
      interrelated concept of visual complexity. This highlights a current stalemate in
      the field of empirical aesthetics. 

PMID- 27252635
TI  - Saccade Adaptation and Visual Uncertainty.
AB  - Visual uncertainty may affect saccade adaptation in two complementary ways.
      First, an ideal adaptor should take into account the reliability of visual
      information for determining the amount of correction, predicting that increasing
      visual uncertainty should decrease adaptation rates. We tested this by comparing
      observers' direction discrimination and adaptation rates in an intra-saccadic
      step paradigm. Second, clearly visible target steps may generate a slower
      adaptation rate since the error can be attributed to an external cause, instead
      of an internal change in the visuo-motor mapping that needs to be compensated. We
      tested this prediction by measuring saccade adaptation to different step sizes.
      Most remarkably, we found little correlation between estimates of visual
      uncertainty and adaptation rates and no slower adaptation rates with more visible
      step sizes. Additionally, we show that for low contrast targets backward steps
      are perceived as stationary after the saccade, but that adaptation rates are
      independent of contrast. We suggest that the saccadic system uses different
      position signals for adapting dysmetric saccades and for generating a trans
      saccadic stable visual percept, explaining that saccade adaptation is found to be
      independent of visual uncertainty. 

PMID- 27252636
TI  - Common Genetic Variant in VIT Is Associated with Human Brain Asymmetry.
AB  - Brain asymmetry varies across individuals. However, genetic factors contributing
      to this normal variation are largely unknown. Here we studied variation of
      cortical surface area asymmetry in a large sample of subjects. We performed
      principal component analysis (PCA) to capture correlated asymmetry variation
      across cortical regions. We found that caudal and rostral anterior cingulate
      together account for a substantial part of asymmetry variation among individuals.
      To find SNPs associated with this subset of brain asymmetry variation we
      performed a genome-wide association study followed by replication in an
      independent cohort. We identified one SNP (rs11691187) that had genome-wide
      significant association (P Combined = 2.40e-08). The rs11691187 is in the first
      intron of VIT. In a follow-up analysis, we found that VIT gene expression is
      associated with brain asymmetry in six donors of the Allen Human Brain Atlas.
      Based on these findings we suggest that VIT contributes to normal brain asymmetry
      variation. Our results can shed light on disorders associated with altered brain
      asymmetry. 

PMID- 27252637
TI  - Determining Optimal Feature-Combination for LDA Classification of Functional Near
      Infrared Spectroscopy Signals in Brain-Computer Interface Application.
AB  - In this study, we determine the optimal feature-combination for classification of
      functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signals with the best accuracies
      for development of a two-class brain-computer interface (BCI). Using a multi
      channel continuous-wave imaging system, mental arithmetic signals are acquired
      from the prefrontal cortex of seven healthy subjects. After removing
      physiological noises, six oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbO and HbR)
      features-mean, slope, variance, peak, skewness and kurtosis-are calculated. All
      possible 2- and 3-feature combinations of the calculated features are then used
      to classify mental arithmetic vs. rest using linear discriminant analysis (LDA).
      It is found that the combinations containing mean and peak values yielded
      significantly higher (p < 0.05) classification accuracies for both HbO and HbR
      than did all of the other combinations, across all of the subjects. These results
      demonstrate the feasibility of achieving high classification accuracies using
      mean and peak values of HbO and HbR as features for classification of mental
      arithmetic vs. rest for a two-class BCI. 

PMID- 27252638
TI  - The Functional Role of Neural Oscillations in Non-Verbal Emotional Communication.
AB  - Effective interpersonal communication depends on the ability to perceive and
      interpret nonverbal emotional expressions from multiple sensory modalities.
      Current theoretical models propose that visual and auditory emotion perception
      involves a network of brain regions including the primary sensory cortices, the
      superior temporal sulcus (STS), and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). However,
      relatively little is known about how the dynamic interplay between these regions
      gives rise to the perception of emotions. In recent years, there has been
      increasing recognition of the importance of neural oscillations in mediating
      neural communication within and between functional neural networks. Here we
      review studies investigating changes in oscillatory activity during the
      perception of visual, auditory, and audiovisual emotional expressions, and aim to
      characterize the functional role of neural oscillations in nonverbal emotion
      perception. Findings from the reviewed literature suggest that theta band
      oscillations most consistently differentiate between emotional and neutral
      expressions. While early theta synchronization appears to reflect the initial
      encoding of emotionally salient sensory information, later fronto-central theta
      synchronization may reflect the further integration of sensory information with
      internal representations. Additionally, gamma synchronization reflects
      facilitated sensory binding of emotional expressions within regions such as the
      OFC, STS, and, potentially, the amygdala. However, the evidence is more ambiguous
      when it comes to the role of oscillations within the alpha and beta frequencies,
      which vary as a function of modality (or modalities), presence or absence of
      predictive information, and attentional or task demands. Thus, the
      synchronization of neural oscillations within specific frequency bands mediates
      the rapid detection, integration, and evaluation of emotional expressions.
      Moreover, the functional coupling of oscillatory activity across multiples
      frequency bands supports a predictive coding model of multisensory emotion
      perception in which emotional facial and body expressions facilitate the
      processing of emotional vocalizations. 

PMID- 27252639
TI  - High Working Memory Load Impairs Language Processing during a Simulated Piloting
      Task: An ERP and Pupillometry Study.
AB  - Given the important amount of visual and auditory linguistic information that
      pilots have to process, operating an aircraft generates a high working-memory
      load (WML). In this context, the ability to focus attention on relevant
      information and to remain responsive to concurrent stimuli might be altered.
      Consequently, understanding the effects of WML on the processing of both
      linguistic targets and distractors is of particular interest in the study of
      pilot performance. In the present work, participants performed a simplified
      piloting task in which they had to follow one of three colored aircraft,
      according to specific written instructions (i.e., the written word for the color
      corresponding to the color of one of the aircraft) and to ignore either congruent
      or incongruent concurrent auditory distractors (i.e., a spoken name of color).
      The WML was manipulated with an n-back sub-task. Participants were instructed to
      apply the current written instruction in the low WML condition, and the 2-back
      written instruction in the high WML condition. Electrophysiological results
      revealed a major effect of WML at behavioral (i.e., decline of piloting
      performance), electrophysiological, and autonomic levels (i.e., greater pupil
      diameter). Increased WML consumed resources that could not be allocated to the
      processing of the linguistic stimuli, as indexed by lower P300/P600 amplitudes.
      Also, significantly, lower P600 responses were measured in incongruent vs.
      congruent trials in the low WML condition, showing a higher difficulty
      reorienting attention toward the written instruction, but this effect was
      canceled in the high WML condition. This suppression of interference in the high
      load condition is in line with the engagement/distraction trade-off model. We
      propose that P300/P600 components could be reliable indicators of WML and that
      they allow an estimation of its impact on the processing of linguistic stimuli. 

PMID- 27252640
TI  - Saccadic Adaptation in 10-41 Month-Old Children.
AB  - When saccade amplitude becomes systematically inaccurate, adaptation mechanisms
      gradually decrease or increase it until accurate saccade targeting is recovered.
      Adaptive shortening and adaptive lengthening of saccade amplitude rely on
      separate mechanisms in adults. When these adaptation mechanisms emerge during
      development is poorly known except that adaptive shortening processes are
      functional in children above 8 years of age. Yet, saccades in infants are
      consistently inaccurate (hypometric) as if adaptation mechanisms were not fully
      functional in early childhood. Here, we tested reactive saccade adaptation in 10
      41 month-old children compared to a group of 20-30 year-old adults. A visual
      target representing a cartoon character appeared at successive and unpredictable
      locations 10 degrees  apart on a computer screen. During the eye movement toward
      the target, it systematically stepped in the direction opposite to the saccade to
      induce an adaptive shortening of saccade amplitude (Experiment 1). In Experiment
      2, the target stepped in the same direction as the ongoing saccade to induce an
      adaptive lengthening of saccade amplitude. In both backward and forward
      adaptation experiments, saccade adaptation was compared to a control condition
      where there was no intrasaccadic target step. Analysis of baseline performance
      revealed both longer saccade reaction times and hypometric saccades in children
      compared to adults. In both experiments, children on average showed gradual
      changes in saccade amplitude consistent with the systematic intrasaccadic target
      steps. Moreover, the amount of amplitude change was similar between children and
      adults for both backward and forward adaptation. Finally, adaptation abilities in
      our child group were not related to age. Overall the results suggest that the
      neural mechanisms underlying reactive saccade adaptation are in place early
      during development. 

PMID- 27252642
TI  - Sustained Aftereffect of alpha-tACS Lasts Up to 70 min after Stimulation.
AB  - Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has been repeatedly
      demonstrated to increase power of endogenous brain oscillations in the range of
      the stimulated frequency after stimulation. In the alpha band this aftereffect
      has been shown to persist for at least 30 min. However, in most experiments the
      aftereffect exceeded the duration of the measurement. Thus, it remains unclear
      how the effect develops beyond these 30 min and when it decays. The current study
      aimed to extend existing findings by monitoring the physiological aftereffect of
      tACS in the alpha range for an extended period of 90 min post-stimulation. To
      this end participants received either 20 min of tACS or sham stimulation with
      intensities below their individual sensation threshold at the individual alpha
      frequency (IAF). Electroencephalogram (EEG) was acquired during 3 min before and
      90 min after stimulation. Subjects performed a visual vigilance task during the
      whole measurement. While the enhanced power in the individual alpha band did not
      return back to pre-stimulation baseline in the stimulation group, the difference
      between stimulation and sham diminishes after 70 min due to a natural alpha
      increase of the sham group. 

PMID- 27252641
TI  - Music Performance As an Experimental Approach to Hyperscanning Studies.
AB  - Humans are fundamentally social and tend to create emergent organizations when
      interacting with each other; from dyads to families, small groups, large groups,
      societies, and civilizations. The study of the neuronal substrate of human social
      behavior is currently gaining momentum in the young field of social neuroscience.
      Hyperscanning is a neuroimaging technique by which we can study two or more
      brains simultaneously while participants interact with each other. The aim of
      this article is to discuss several factors that we deem important in designing
      hyperscanning experiments. We first review hyperscanning studies performed by
      means of electroencephalography (EEG) that have been relying on a continuous
      interaction paradigm. Then, we provide arguments for favoring ecological
      paradigms, for studying the emotional component of social interactions and for
      performing longitudinal studies, the last two aspects being largely neglected so
      far in the hyperscanning literature despite their paramount importance in social
      sciences. Based on these premises, we argue that music performance is a suitable
      experimental setting for hyperscanning and that for such studies EEG is an
      appropriate choice as neuroimaging modality. 

PMID- 27252643
TI  - Synergy of AMPA and NMDA Receptor Currents in Dopaminergic Neurons: A Modeling
      Study.
AB  - Dopaminergic (DA) neurons display two modes of firing: low-frequency tonic and
      high-frequency bursts. The high frequency firing within the bursts is attributed
      to NMDA, but not AMPA receptor activation. In our models of the DA neuron, both
      biophysical and abstract, the NMDA receptor current can significantly increase
      their firing frequency, whereas the AMPA receptor current is not able to evoke
      high-frequency activity and usually suppresses firing. However, both currents are
      produced by glutamate receptors and, consequently, are often co-activated. Here
      we consider combined influence of AMPA and NMDA synaptic input in the models of
      the DA neuron. Different types of neuronal activity (resting state, low
      frequency, or high frequency firing) are observed depending on the conductance of
      the AMPAR and NMDAR currents. In two models, biophysical and reduced, we show
      that the firing frequency increases more effectively if both receptors are co
      activated for certain parameter values. In particular, in the more quantitative
      biophysical model, the maximal frequency is 40% greater than that with NMDAR
      alone. The dynamical mechanism of such frequency growth is explained in the
      framework of phase space evolution using the reduced model. In short, both the
      AMPAR and NMDAR currents flatten the voltage nullcline, providing the frequency
      increase, whereas only NMDA prevents complete unfolding of the nullcline,
      providing robust firing. Thus, we confirm a major role of the NMDAR in generating
      high-frequency firing and conclude that AMPAR activation further significantly
      increases the frequency. 

PMID- 27252644
TI  - Dependence of Nociceptive Detection Thresholds on Physiological Parameters and
      Capsaicin-Induced Neuroplasticity: A Computational Study.
AB  - Physiological properties of peripheral and central nociceptive subsystems can be
      altered over time due to medical interventions. The effective change for the
      whole nociceptive system can be reflected in changes of psychophysical
      characteristics, e.g., detection thresholds. However, it is challenging to
      separate contributions of distinct altered mechanisms with measurements of
      thresholds only. Here, we aim to understand how these alterations affect Adelta
      fiber-mediated nociceptive detection of electrocutaneous stimuli. First, with a
      neurophysiology-based model, we study the effects of single-model parameters on
      detection thresholds. Second, we derive an expression of model parameters
      determining the functional relationship between detection thresholds and the
      interpulse interval for double-pulse stimuli. Third, in a case study with topical
      capsaicin treatment, we translate neuroplasticity into plausible changes of model
      parameters. Model simulations qualitatively agree with changes in experimental
      detection thresholds. The simulations with individual forms of neuroplasticity
      confirm that nerve degeneration is the dominant mechanism for capsaicin-induced
      increases in detection thresholds. In addition, our study suggests that capsaicin
      induced central plasticity may last at least 1 month. 

PMID- 27252645
TI  - The Active and Periactive Zone Organization and the Functional Properties of
      Small and Large Synapses.
AB  - The arrival of an action potential (AP) at a synaptic terminal elicits highly
      synchronized quanta release. Repetitive APs produce successive synaptic vesicle
      (SV) fusions that require management of spent SV components in the presynaptic
      membrane with minimum disturbance of the secretory apparatus. To this end, the
      synaptic machinery is structured accordingly to the strength and the range of
      frequencies at which each particular synapse operates. This results in variations
      in the number and dimension of Active Zones (AZs), amount and distribution of
      SVs, and probably, in the primary endocytic mechanisms they use. Understanding
      better how these structural differences determine the functional response in each
      case has been a matter of long-term interest. Here we review the structural and
      functional properties of three distinct types of synapses: the neuromuscular
      junction (NMJ; a giant, highly reliable synapse that must exocytose a large
      number of quanta with each stimulus to guarantee excitation of the postsynaptic
      cell), the hippocampal excitatory small synapse (which most often has a single
      release site and a relatively small pool of vesicles), and the cerebellar mossy
      fiber-granule cell synapse (which possesses hundreds of release sites and is able
      to translocate, dock and prime vesicles at high speed). We will focus on how the
      release apparatus is organized in each case, the relative amount of vesicular
      membrane that needs to be accommodated within the periAZ upon stimulation, the
      different mechanisms for retrieving the excess of membrane and finally, how these
      factors may influence the functioning of the release sites. 

PMID- 27252646
TI  - The Shank3 Interaction Partner ProSAPiP1 Regulates Postsynaptic SPAR Levels and
      the Maturation of Dendritic Spines in Hippocampal Neurons.
AB  - The postsynaptic density or PSD is a submembranous compartment containing a wide
      array of proteins that contribute to both morphology and function of excitatory
      glutamatergic synapses. In this study, we have analyzed functional aspects of the
      Fezzin ProSAP-interacting protein 1 (ProSAPiP1), an interaction partner of the
      well-known PSD proteins Shank3 and SPAR. Using lentiviral-mediated overexpression
      and knockdown of ProSAPiP1, we found that this protein is dispensable for the
      formation of both pre- and postsynaptic specializations per se. We further show
      that ProSAPiP1 regulates SPAR levels at the PSD and the maturation of dendritic
      spines. In line with previous findings on the ProSAPiP1 homolog PSD-Zip70, we
      conclude that Fezzins essentially contribute to the maturation of excitatory
      spine synapses. 

PMID- 27252647
TI  - In Alzheimer's Disease, 6-Month Treatment with GLP-1 Analog Prevents Decline of
      Brain Glucose Metabolism: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical
      Trial.
AB  - In animal models, the incretin hormone GLP-1 affects Alzheimer's disease (AD). We
      hypothesized that treatment with GLP-1 or an analog of GLP-1 would prevent
      accumulation of Abeta and raise, or prevent decline of, glucose metabolism
      (CMRglc) in AD. In this 26-week trial, we randomized 38 patients with AD to
      treatment with the GLP-1 analog liraglutide (n = 18), or placebo (n = 20). We
      measured Abeta load in brain with tracer [(11)C]PIB (PIB), CMRglc with [(18)F]FDG
      (FDG), and cognition with the WMS-IV scale (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01469351). The
      PIB binding increased significantly in temporal lobe in placebo and treatment
      patients (both P = 0.04), and in occipital lobe in treatment patients (P = 0.04).
      Regional and global increases of PIB retention did not differ between the groups
      (P >= 0.38). In placebo treated patients CMRglc declined in all regions,
      significantly so by the following means in precuneus (P = 0.009, 3.2
      MUmol/hg/min, 95% CI: 5.45; 0.92), and in parietal (P = 0.04, 2.1 MUmol/hg/min,
      95% CI: 4.21; 0.081), temporal (P = 0.046, 1.54 MUmol/hg/min, 95% CI: 3.05;
      0.030), and occipital (P = 0.009, 2.10 MUmol/hg/min, 95% CI: 3.61; 0.59) lobes,
      and in cerebellum (P = 0.04, 1.54 MUmol/hg/min, 95% CI: 3.01; 0.064). In
      contrast, the GLP-1 analog treatment caused a numerical but insignificant
      increase of CMRglc after 6 months. Cognitive scores did not change. We conclude
      that the GLP-1 analog treatment prevented the decline of CMRglc that signifies
      cognitive impairment, synaptic dysfunction, and disease evolution. We draw no
      firm conclusions from the Abeta load or cognition measures, for which the study
      was underpowered. 

PMID- 27252649
TI  - Cortical Thickness Changes Correlate with Cognition Changes after Cognitive
      Training: Evidence from a Chinese Community Study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate whether changes in cortical thickness
      correlated with cognitive function changes in healthy older adults after
      receiving cognitive training interventions. Moreover, it also aimed to examine
      the differential impacts of a multi-domain and a single-domain cognitive training
      interventions. Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning was
      performed on participants 65-75 years of age using the Siemens 3.0 T Trio Tim
      with the Magnetization Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo (MPRAGE) sequence. The
      cortical thickness was determined using FreeSurfer Software. Cognitive
      functioning was evaluated using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of
      Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). There were significant group * time
      interaction effects on the left supramarginal, the left frontal pole cortical
      regions; and a marginal significant group * time interaction effects on
      visuospatial/constructional and delayed memory scores. In a multi-domain
      cognitive training group, a number of cortical region changes were significantly
      positively correlated with changes in attention, delayed memory, and the total
      score, but significantly negatively correlated with changes in immediate memory
      and language scores. In the single-domain cognitive training group, some cortical
      region changes were significantly positively associated with changes in immediate
      memory, delayed memory, and the total score, while they were significantly
      negatively associated with changes in visuospatial/constructional, language, and
      attention scores. Overall, multi-domain cognitive training offered more
      advantages in visuospatial/constructional, attention, and delayed memory
      abilities, while single-domain cognitive training benefited immediate memory
      ability more effectively. These findings suggest that healthy older adults
      benefit more from the multi-domain cognitive training than single-domain
      cognitive training. Cognitive training has impacted on cortical thickness changes
      in healthy elderly. 

PMID- 27252648
TI  - AMD Genetics in India: The Missing Links.
AB  - Age related macular degeneration is a disease which occurs in aged individuals.
      There are various changes that occur at the cellular, molecular and physiological
      level with advancing age (Samiec et al., 1988; Sharma K. et al., 2014). Drusen
      deposition between retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's membrane (BM) is
      one of the key features in AMD patients (Mullins et al., 2000; Hageman et al.,
      2001) similar to Abeta/tau aggregates in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The
      primary goal of this review is to discuss whether the various candidate genes and
      associated biomarkers, that are known to play an independent role in progression
      of AMD, exert deleterious effect on phenotype, alone or in combination, in Indian
      AMD patients from the same ethnic group and the significance of such research. A
      statistical model for probable interaction between genes could be derived from
      such analysis. Therefore, one can use multiple modalities to identify and enrol
      AMD patients based on established clinical criteria and examine the risk factors
      to determine if these genes are associated with risk factors, biomarkers or
      disease by Mendelian randomization. Similarly, there are large numbers of single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in human population. Even non
      synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) are believed to induce deleterious effects on the
      functionality of various proteins. The study of such snSNPs could provide a
      better genetic insight for diverse phenotypes of AMD patients, predicting
      significant risk factors for the disease in Indian population. Therefore, the
      prediction of biological effect of nsSNPs in the candidate genes and the
      associated grant applications in the subject are highly solicited.Therefore,
      genotyping and levels of protein expression of various genes would provide wider
      canvas in genetic complexity of AMD pathology which should be evaluated by valid
      statistical and bioinformatics' tools. Longitudinal follow up of Indian AMD
      patients to evaluate the temporal effect of SNPs and biomarkers on progression of
      disease would provide a unique strategy in the field. 

PMID- 27252650
TI  - Phytoestrogen Bakuchiol Exhibits In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-breast Cancer Effects
      by Inducing S Phase Arrest and Apoptosis.
AB  - Phytoestrogen has been proposed as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy,
      which has been demonstrated to promote a high risk of breast cancer. However, the
      effect of phytoestrogen on breast cancer development has not been fully
      understood. Bakuchiol is an active ingredient of a traditional Chinese herbal
      medicine Fructus Psoraleae, the dried ripe fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L.
      (Fabaceae). The in vitro and in vivo estrogenic activities and anti-breast cancer
      effects of bakuchiol have not been well-studied. We found that bakuchiol induced
      the GFP expression in transgenic medaka (Oryzias melastigma, Tg, Chg:GFP) dose
      dependently (0-1 MUg/ml), demonstrating its in vivo estrogenic activity. Low dose
      of bakuchiol (1 MUg/ml) induced the cell proliferation and ERalpha expression in
      MCF-7 cells, which could be blocked by the anti-estrogen ICI 182780, suggesting
      the in vitro estrogenic activity of bakuchiol. Our data indicated that high doses
      of bakuchiol (>2 MUg/ml) inhibited breast cancer cell growth, with a stronger
      anti-proliferative effect than resveratrol, a widely studied analog of bakuchiol.
      High doses of bakuchiol (4, 7, and 10 MUg/ml) were used for the further in vitro
      anti-breast cancer studies. Bakuchiol induced ERbeta expression and suppressed
      ERalpha expression in MCF-7 cells. It also induced S phase arrest in both MCF-7
      and MDA-MB-231 cells, which could be rescued by caffeine. Knock-down of p21 also
      marginally rescued S phase arrest in MCF-7 cells. The S phase arrest was
      accompanied by the upregulation of ATM, P-Cdc2 (Tyr15), Myt1, P-Wee1 (Ser642),
      p21 and Cyclin B1, suggesting that blocking of Cdc2 activation may play an
      important role in bakuchiol-induced S phase arrest. Furthermore, bakuchiol
      induced cell apoptosis and disturbed mitochondrial membrane potential in MCF-7
      cells. The bakuchiol-induced apoptosis was associated with increased expression
      of Caspase family and Bcl-2 family proteins, suggesting that bakuchiol may induce
      apoptosis via intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The in vivo anti-breast cancer effect
      of bakuchiol was further proved in zebrafish (Danio rerio, wild-type AB)
      xenografts. 0.5 MUg/ml of bakuchiol significantly reduced the MCF-7 cell mass in
      zebrafish xenografts. Overall, these results suggested the potential of using
      bakuchiol in HRT and breast cancer treatment. 

PMID- 27252651
TI  - Immuno-Positron Emission Tomography with Zirconium-89-Labeled Monoclonal
      Antibodies in Oncology: What Can We Learn from Initial Clinical Trials?
AB  - Selection of the right drug for the right patient is a promising approach to
      increase clinical benefit of targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
      Assessment of in vivo biodistribution and tumor targeting of mAbs to predict
      toxicity and efficacy is expected to guide individualized treatment and drug
      development. Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) using
      zirconium-89 ((89)Zr)-labeled monoclonal antibodies also known as (89)Zr-immuno
      PET, visualizes and quantifies uptake of radiolabeled mAbs. This technique
      provides a potential imaging biomarker to assess target expression, as well as
      tumor targeting of mAbs. In this review we summarize results from initial
      clinical trials with (89)Zr-immuno-PET in oncology and discuss technical aspects
      of trial design. In clinical trials with (89)Zr-immuno-PET two requirements
      should be met for each (89)Zr-labeled mAb to realize its full potential. One
      requirement is that the biodistribution of the (89)Zr-labeled mAb (imaging dose)
      reflects the biodistribution of the drug during treatment (therapeutic dose).
      Another requirement is that tumor uptake of (89)Zr-mAb on PET is primarily driven
      by specific, antigen-mediated, tumor targeting. Initial trials have contributed
      toward the development of (89)Zr-immuno-PET as an imaging biomarker by showing
      correlation between uptake of (89)Zr-labeled mAbs on PET and target expression
      levels in biopsies. These results indicate that (89)Zr-immuno-PET reflects
      specific, antigen-mediated binding. (89)Zr-immuno-PET was shown to predict
      toxicity of RIT, but thus far results indicating that toxicity of mAbs or mAb
      drug conjugate treatment can be predicted are lacking. So far, one study has
      shown that molecular imaging combined with early response assessment is able to
      predict response to treatment with the antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab
      emtansine, in patients with human epithelial growth factor-2 (HER2)-positive
      breast cancer. Future studies would benefit from a standardized criterion to
      define positive tumor uptake, possibly supported by quantitative analysis, and
      validated by linking imaging data with corresponding clinical outcome. Taken
      together, these results encourage further studies to develop (89)Zr-immuno-PET as
      a predictive imaging biomarker to guide individualized treatment, as well as for
      potential application in drug development. 

PMID- 27252652
TI  - Bioabsorbable Bypass Grafts Biofunctionalised with RGD Have Enhanced Biophysical
      Properties and Endothelialisation Tested In vivo.
AB  - Small diameter arterial bypass grafts are considered as unmet clinical need since
      the current grafts have poor patency of 25% within 5 years. We have developed a
      3D scaffold manufactured from natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers,
      poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(??-caprolactone)
      (PCL), respectively. Further to improve the biophysical properties as well as
      endothelialisation, the grafts were covalently conjugated with arginine-glycine
      aspartic acid (RGD) bioactive peptides. The biophysical properties as well as
      endothelialisation of PHBV/PCL and PCL 2 mm diameter bypass grafts were assessed
      with and without biofunctionalisation with RGD peptides in vitro and in vivo.
      Morphology of the grafts was assessed by scanning electron microscopy, whereas
      physico-mechanical properties were evaluated using a physiological circulating
      system equipped with a state of art ultrasound vascular wall tracking system.
      Endothelialisation of the grafts in vitro and in vivo were assessed using a cell
      viability assay and rat abdominal aorta replacement model, respectively. The
      biofunctionalisation with RGD bioactive peptides decreased mean fiber diameter
      and mean pore area in PHBV/PCL grafts; however, this was not the case for PCL
      grafts. Both PHBV/PCL and PCL grafts with RGD peptides had lower durability
      compared to those without; these durability values were similar to those of
      internal mammary artery. Modification of PHBV/PCL and PCL grafts with RGD
      peptides increased endothelial cell viability in vitro by a factor of eight and
      enhanced the formation of an endothelial cell monolayer in vivo 1 month
      postimplantation. In conclusion, PHBV/PCL small-caliber graft can be a suitable
      3D scaffold for the development of a tissue engineering arterial bypass graft. 

PMID- 27252654
TI  - Pelleted Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Better Protected from the
      Deleterious Effects of Arthroscopic Heat Shock.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The impact of arthroscopic temperature on joint tissues is poorly
      understood and it is not known how mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) respond to the
      effects of heat generated by the device during the process of arthroscopy
      assisted experimental cell-based therapy. In the present study, we isolated and
      phenotypically characterized human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs)
      from osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and evaluated the effect of arthroscopic heat
      on cells in suspension and pellet cultures. METHODS: Primary cultures of hBMMSCs
      were isolated from bone marrow aspirates of OA patients and cultured using DMEM
      supplemented with 10% FBS and characterized for their stemness. hBMMSCs (1 *
      10(6) cells) cultured as single cell suspensions or cell pellets were exposed to
      an illuminated arthroscope for 10, 20, or 30 min. This was followed by analysis
      of cellular proliferation and heat shock related gene expression. RESULTS:
      hBMMSCs were viable and exhibited population doubling, short spindle morphology,
      MSC related CD surface markers expression and tri-lineage differentiation into
      adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Chondrogenic and osteogenic
      differentiation increased collagen production and alkaline phosphatase activity.
      Exposure of hBMMSCs to an illuminated arthroscope for 10, 20, or 30 min for 72 h
      decreased metabolic activity of the cells in suspensions (63.27% at 30 min) and
      increased metabolic activity in cell pellets (62.86% at 10 min and 68.57% at 20
      min). hBMMSCs exposed to 37, 45, and 55 degrees C for 120 s demonstrated
      significant upregulation of BAX, P53, Cyclin A2, Cyclin E1, TNF-alpha, and HSP70
      in cell suspensions compared to cell pellets. CONCLUSIONS: hBMMSC cell pellets
      are better protected from temperature alterations compared to cell suspensions.
      Transplantation of hBMMSCs as pellets rather than as cell suspensions to the
      cartilage defect site would therefore support their viability and may aid
      enhanced cartilage regeneration.

PMID- 27252655
TI  - Cardiac Morphology and Function, and Blood Gas Transport in Aquaporin-1 Knockout
      Mice.
AB  - We have studied cardiac and respiratory functions of aquaporin-1-deficient mice
      by the Pressure-Volume-loop technique and by blood gas analysis. In addition, the
      morphological properties of the animals' hearts were analyzed. In anesthesia
      under maximal dobutamine stimulation, the mice exhibit a moderately elevated
      heart rate of < 600 min(-1) and an O2 consumption of ~0.6 ml/min/g, which is
      about twice the basal rate. In this state, which is similar to the resting state
      of the conscious animal, all cardiac functions including stroke volume and
      cardiac output exhibited resting values and were identical between deficient and
      wildtype animals. Likewise, pulmonary and peripheral exchange of O2 and CO2 were
      normal. In contrast, several morphological parameters of the heart tissue of
      deficient mice were altered: (1) left ventricular wall thickness was reduced by
      12%, (2) left ventricular mass, normalized to tibia length, was reduced by 10
      20%, (3) cardiac muscle fiber cross sectional area was decreased by 17%, and (4)
      capillary density was diminished by 10%. As the P-V-loop technique yielded normal
      end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular volumes, the deficient hearts are
      characterized by thin ventricular walls in combination with normal
      intraventricular volumes. The aquaporin-1-deficient heart thus seems to be at a
      disadvantage compared to the wild-type heart by a reduced left-ventricular wall
      thickness and an increased diffusion distance between blood capillaries and
      muscle mitochondria. While under the present quasi-resting conditions these
      morphological alterations have no consequences for cardiac function, we expect
      that the deficient hearts will show a reduced maximal cardiac output. 

PMID- 27252656
TI  - Metabolomic Analysis in Brain Research: Opportunities and Challenges.
AB  - Metabolism being a fundamental part of molecular physiology, elucidating the
      structure and regulation of metabolic pathways is crucial for obtaining a
      comprehensive perspective of cellular function and understanding the underlying
      mechanisms of its dysfunction(s). Therefore, quantifying an accurate metabolic
      network activity map under various physiological conditions is among the major
      objectives of systems biology in the context of many biological applications.
      Especially for CNS, metabolic network activity analysis can substantially enhance
      our knowledge about the complex structure of the mammalian brain and the
      mechanisms of neurological disorders, leading to the design of effective
      therapeutic treatments. Metabolomics has emerged as the high-throughput
      quantitative analysis of the concentration profile of small molecular weight
      metabolites, which act as reactants and products in metabolic reactions and as
      regulatory molecules of proteins participating in many biological processes.
      Thus, the metabolic profile provides a metabolic activity fingerprint, through
      the simultaneous analysis of tens to hundreds of molecules of pathophysiological
      and pharmacological interest. The application of metabolomics is at its
      standardization phase in general, and the challenges for paving a standardized
      procedure are even more pronounced in brain studies. In this review, we support
      the value of metabolomics in brain research. Moreover, we demonstrate the
      challenges of designing and setting up a reliable brain metabolomic study, which,
      among other parameters, has to take into consideration the sex differentiation
      and the complexity of brain physiology manifested in its regional variation. We
      finally propose ways to overcome these challenges and design a study that
      produces reproducible and consistent results. 

PMID- 27252657
TI  - Community Structure Reveals Biologically Functional Modules in MEF2C
      Transcriptional Regulatory Network.
AB  - Gene regulatory networks are useful to understand the activity behind the complex
      mechanisms in transcriptional regulation. A main goal in contemporary biology is
      using such networks to understand the systemic regulation of gene expression. In
      this work, we carried out a systematic study of a transcriptional regulatory
      network derived from a comprehensive selection of all potential transcription
      factor interactions downstream from MEF2C, a human transcription factor master
      regulator. By analyzing the connectivity structure of such network, we were able
      to find different biologically functional processes and specific biochemical
      pathways statistically enriched in communities of genes into the network, such
      processes are related to cell signaling, cell cycle and metabolism. In this way
      we further support the hypothesis that structural properties of biological
      networks encode an important part of their functional behavior in eukaryotic
      cells. 

PMID- 27252653
TI  - Specialized Functional Diversity and Interactions of the Na,K-ATPase.
AB  - Na,K-ATPase is a protein ubiquitously expressed in the plasma membrane of all
      animal cells and vitally essential for their functions. A specialized functional
      diversity of the Na,K-ATPase isozymes is provided by molecular heterogeneity,
      distinct subcellular localizations, and functional interactions with molecular
      environment. Studies over the last decades clearly demonstrated complex and
      isoform-specific reciprocal functional interactions between the Na,K-ATPase and
      neighboring proteins and lipids. These interactions are enabled by a spatially
      restricted ion homeostasis, direct protein-protein/lipid interactions, and
      protein kinase signaling pathways. In addition to its "classical" function in ion
      translocation, the Na,K-ATPase is now considered as one of the most important
      signaling molecules in neuronal, epithelial, skeletal, cardiac and vascular
      tissues. Accordingly, the Na,K-ATPase forms specialized sub-cellular
      multimolecular microdomains which act as receptors to circulating endogenous
      cardiotonic steroids (CTS) triggering a number of signaling pathways. Changes in
      these endogenous cardiotonic steroid levels and initiated signaling responses
      have significant adaptive values for tissues and whole organisms under numerous
      physiological and pathophysiological conditions. This review discusses recent
      progress in the studies of functional interactions between the Na,K-ATPase and
      molecular microenvironment, the Na,K-ATPase-dependent signaling pathways and
      their significance for diversity of cell function. 

PMID- 27252658
TI  - beta-Cyclodextrins Decrease Cholesterol Release and ABC-Associated Transporter
      Expression in Smooth Muscle Cells and Aortic Endothelial Cells.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that leads to an aberrant accumulation
      of cholesterol in vessel walls forming atherosclerotic plaques. During this
      process, the mechanism regulating complex cellular cholesterol pools defined as
      the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is altered as well as expression and
      functionality of transporters involved in this process, namely ABCA1, ABCG1, and
      SR-BI. Macrophages, arterial endothelial and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have been
      involved in the atherosclerotic plaque formation. As macrophages are widely
      described as the major cell type forming the foam cells by accumulating
      intracellular cholesterol, RCT alterations have been poorly studied at the
      arterial endothelial cell and SMC levels. Amongst the therapeutics tested to
      actively counteract cellular cholesterol accumulation, the methylated beta
      cyclodextrin, KLEPTOSE(r) CRYSMEbeta, has recently shown promising effects on
      decreasing the atherosclerotic plaque size in atherosclerotic mouse models.
      Therefore we investigated in vitro the RCT process occurring in SMCs and in
      arterial endothelial cells (ABAE) as well as the ability of some modified beta
      CDs with different methylation degree to modify RCT in these cells. To this aim,
      cells were incubated in the presence of different methylated beta-CDs, including
      KLEPTOSE(r) CRYSMEbeta. Both cell types were shown to express basal levels of
      ABCA1 and SR-BI whereas ABCG1 was solely found in ABAE. Upon CD treatments, the
      percentage of membrane-extracted cholesterol correlated to the methylation degree
      of the CDs independently of the lipid composition of the cell membranes.
      Decreasing the cellular cholesterol content with CDs led to reduce the expression
      levels of ABCA1 and ABCG1. In addition, the cholesterol efflux to ApoA-I and HDL
      particles was significantly decreased suggesting that cells forming the blood
      vessel wall are able to counteract the CD-induced loss of cholesterol. Taken
      together, our observations suggest that methylated beta-CDs can significantly
      reduce the cellular cholesterol content of cells forming atherosclerotic lesions
      and can subsequently modulate the expression of ABC transporters involved in RCT.
      The use of methylated beta-CDs would represent a valuable and efficient tool to
      interfere with atherosclerosis pathogenesis in patients, nonetheless their mode
      of action still needs further investigations to be fully understood and finely
      controlled at the cellular level. 

PMID- 27252660
TI  - In vivo Sarcomere Lengths and Sarcomere Elongations Are Not Uniform across an
      Intact Muscle.
AB  - Sarcomere lengths have been a crucial outcome measure for understanding and
      explaining basic muscle properties and muscle function. Sarcomere lengths for a
      given muscle are typically measured at a single spot, often in the mid-belly of
      the muscle, and at a given muscle length. It is then assumed implicitly that the
      sarcomere length measured at this single spot represents the sarcomere lengths at
      other locations within the muscle, and force-length, force-velocity, and power
      velocity properties of muscles are often implied based on these single sarcomere
      length measurements. Although, intuitively appealing, this assumption is yet to
      be supported by systematic evidence. The objective of this study was to measure
      sarcomere lengths at defined locations along and across an intact muscle, at
      different muscle lengths. Using second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging
      technique, sarcomere patterns in passive mouse tibialis anterior (TA) were imaged
      in a non-contact manner at five selected locations ("proximal," "distal,"
      "middle," "medial," and "lateral" TA sites) and at three different lengths
      encompassing the anatomical range of motion of the TA. We showed that sarcomere
      lengths varied substantially within small regions of the muscle and also for
      different sites across the entire TA. Also, sarcomere elongations with muscle
      lengthening were non-uniform across the muscle, with the highest sarcomere
      stretches occurring near the myotendinous junction. We conclude that muscle
      mechanics derived from sarcomere length measured from a small region of a muscle
      may not well-represent the sarcomere length and associated functional properties
      of the entire muscle. 

PMID- 27252659
TI  - Characterization of ATPase Activity of P2RX2 Cation Channel.
AB  - P2X purinergic receptors are plasma membrane ATP-dependent cation channels that
      are broadly distributed in the mammalian tissues. P2RX2 is a modulator of
      auditory sensory hair cell mechanotransduction and plays an important role in
      hair cell tolerance to noise. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time in
      vitro and in cochlear neuroepithelium, that P2RX2 possesses the ATPase activity.
      We observed that the P2RX2 V60L human deafness mutation alters its ability to
      bind ATP, while the G353R has no effect on ATP binding or hydrolysis. A non
      hydrolysable ATP assay using HEK293 cells suggests that ATP hydrolysis plays a
      significant role in the opening and gating of the P2RX2 ion channel. Moreover,
      the results of structural modeling of the molecule was in agreement with our
      experimental observations. These novel findings suggest the intrinsic ATPase
      activity of P2RX2 and provide molecular insights into the channel opening. 

PMID- 27252661
TI  - Pictorial Personality Traits Questionnaire for Children (PPTQ-C)-A New Measure of
      Children's Personality Traits.
AB  - In order to adjust personality measurements to children's developmental level, we
      constructed the Pictorial Personality Traits Questionnaire for Children (PPTQ-C).
      To validate the measure, we conducted a study with a total group of 1028 children
      aged between 7 and 13 years old. Structural validity was established through
      Exploratory Structural Equation Model (ESEM). Criterion validity was confirmed
      with a multitrait-multimethod analysis for which we introduced the children's
      self-assessment scores from the Big Five Questionnaire for Children. Despite some
      problems with reliability, one can conclude that the PPTQ-C can be a valid
      instrument for measuring personality traits, particularly in a group of young
      children (aged ~7-10 years). 

PMID- 27252662
TI  - Supervising and Controlling Unmanned Systems: A Multi-Phase Study with Subject
      Matter Experts.
AB  - Proliferation in the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) in civil and military
      operations has presented a multitude of human factors challenges; from how to
      bridge the gap between demand and availability of trained operators, to how to
      organize and present data in meaningful ways. Utilizing the Design Research
      Methodology (DRM), a series of closely related studies with subject matter
      experts (SMEs) demonstrate how the focus of research gradually shifted from "how
      many systems can a single operator control" to "how to distribute missions among
      operators and systems in an efficient way". The first set of studies aimed to
      explore the modal number, i.e., how many systems can a single operator supervise
      and control. It was found that an experienced operator can supervise up to 15
      UASs efficiently using moderate levels of automation, and control (mission and
      payload management) up to three systems. Once this limit was reached, a single
      operator's performance was compared to a team controlling the same number of
      systems. In general, teams led to better performances. Hence, shifting design
      efforts toward developing tools that support teamwork environments of multiple
      operators with multiple UASs (MOMU). In MOMU settings, when the tasks are similar
      or when areas of interest overlap, one operator seems to have an advantage over a
      team who needs to collaborate and coordinate. However, in all other cases, a team
      was advantageous over a single operator. Other findings and implications, as well
      as future directions for research are discussed. 

PMID- 27252663
TI  - Development of a Brief Multicultural Version of the Test of Mobile Phone
      Dependence (TMDbrief) Questionnaire.
AB  - The Test of Mobile Phone Dependence (TMD) questionnaire (Choliz, 2012) evaluates
      the main features of mobile phone dependence: tolerance, abstinence syndrome,
      impaired impulse control, associated problems, excessive use, etc. OBJECTIVE: The
      objective of this study was to develop a multicultural version of the TMD
      (TMDbrief) adapted to suit the novel communication tools of smartphones.
      PROCEDURE: In this study, the TMD was completed by 2,028 young respondents in six
      distinct world regions: Southern Europe, Northwest Europe, South-America,
      Mesoamerica, Pakistan, and India. RESULTS: Psychometric analysis of the
      reliability of the instrument and factor analysis were performed to adapt the
      TMDbrief for use in these regions. Differences among regions with respect to TMD
      Mobile Phone Dependence scores were obtained. CONCLUSION: A brief questionnaire
      for the evaluation of mobile phone addiction in cross-cultural studies was
      successfully developed.

PMID- 27252664
TI  - Emotional Effects on University Choice Behavior: The Influence of Experienced
      Narrators and Their Characteristics.
AB  - This study analyzes the influence that experienced users of university resources
      might have as narrative sources of information for other students in the process
      of choosing their schools. Informative videos about the benefits of studying at
      the university provide a reference model. In these videos, a group of young
      people present their views and explain their reasons for choosing the university
      in which they are pursuing their degrees; the various narrators detail all the
      resources available. This study investigates whether the individual identifiers
      of these narrators (e.g., gender, age, physical appearance, nonverbal gestures
      such as smiling, posture) influence perceptions of the credibility of the
      information they provide. Among a sample of 150 students in their last year of
      pre-university training, the results demonstrate that the students' ability to
      identify with the narrators provides information and arouses emotions that inform
      their perceptions of reliability and therefore their consumption choices. None of
      these predictors appear to serve as determinants that can be generalized, but if
      emotional attitudes in response to narratives about the topic (i.e., the
      university) are positive, then they prompt a change in attitude toward that
      reference topic too. 

PMID- 27252665
TI  - The Influence of Task-Irrelevant Flankers Depends on the Composition of Emotion
      Categories.
AB  - Face recognition usually takes place in a social context, where faces are
      surrounded by other stimuli. These can act as distracting flankers which impair
      recognition. Previous work has suggested that flankers expressing negative
      emotions distract more than positive ones. However, the various negative emotions
      differ in their relative impact and it is unclear whether all negative emotions
      are equally distracting. We investigated the impact of three negative (angry,
      fearful, sad) and one positive (happy) facial flanker conditions on target
      recognition in an emotion discrimination task. We examined the effect of the
      receiver's gender, and the impact of two different temporal delays between
      flanker and target onset, as stimulus onset asynchrony is assumed to affect
      distractor strength. Participants identified and rated the emotional intensity of
      target faces surrounded by either face (emotional and neutral) or non-face
      flankers. Target faces were presented either simultaneously with the flankers, or
      delayed by 300 ms. Contrary to our hypothesis, negative flankers did not exert
      stronger distraction effects than positive or neutral flankers. However, happy
      flankers reduced recognition performance. Results of a follow-up experiment with
      a balanced number of emotion categories (one positive, one negative and one
      neutral flanker condition) suggest that the distraction effect of emotional
      flankers depends on the composition of the emotion categories. Additionally,
      congruency effects were found to be valence-specific and overruled by threat
      stimuli. Females responded more quickly and rated targets in happy flankers as
      less intense. This indicates a gender difference in emotion processing, with
      greater sensitivity to facial flankers in women. Targets were rated as more
      intense when they were presented without a temporal delay, possibly due to a
      stronger flanker contrast. These three experiments show that an exceptional
      processing of threat-related flanker stimuli depends on emotion category
      composition, which should be considered a mediating factor when examining
      emotional context effects. 

PMID- 27252666
TI  - Drinking Motives As Mediators of the Associations between Reinforcement
      Sensitivity and Alcohol Misuse and Problems.
AB  - Alcohol may be used and misused for different reasons, i.e., to enhance positive
      affect and to cope with negative affect. These to pathways are thought to depend
      on two distinct and relatively stable neurobiological systems: the behavioral
      activation (BAS; i.e., fun seeking, drive, reward responsiveness) and behavioral
      inhibition (BIS) systems. This study investigates the associations of BAS and BIS
      sensitivity with risky single-occasion drinking and alcohol use disorder in a
      representative sample of 5362 young Swiss men. In order to better understand the
      contribution of more proximal motivational factors in the associations of BIS and
      BAS with alcohol outcomes, mediations via drinking motives (i.e., enhancement,
      social, coping, conformity) was also tested. Risky single-occasion drinking and
      alcohol use disorder were positively associated with fun seeking and negatively
      with reward responsiveness. Drive was negatively associated with risky single
      occasion drinking. BIS was positively associated with alcohol use disorder and
      negatively with risky single-occasion drinking. Positive associations of fun
      seeking with risky single-occasion drinking and alcohol use disorder were
      partially mediated mainly by enhancement motives. Negative association of drive
      with risky single-occasion drinking was partially mediated by conformity motives.
      The negative reward responsiveness-alcohol use disorder association was partially
      mediated, whereas the negative reward responsiveness-risky single-occasion
      drinking association was fully mediated, mainly by coping and enhancement
      motives. The positive BIS-alcohol use disorder association was fully mediated
      mainly by coping motives. Fun seeking constitutes a risk factor, whereas drive
      and reward responsiveness constitute protective factors against alcohol misuse
      and disorder. BIS constitutes a protective factor against risky single-occasion
      drinking and a risk factor for alcohol use disorder. The results of the mediation
      analysis suggest that prevention strategies targeting coping and enhancement
      motives may reduce the risk associated with high BIS and with high fun seeking,
      respectively. 

PMID- 27252667
TI  - Ready, Set, Go! Low Anticipatory Response during a Dyadic Task in Infants at High
      Familial Risk for Autism.
AB  - Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate a host of motor
      impairments that may share a common developmental basis with ASD core symptoms.
      School-age children with ASD exhibit particular difficulty with hand-eye
      coordination and appear to be less sensitive to visual feedback during motor
      learning. Sensorimotor deficits are observable as early as 6 months of age in
      children who later develop ASD; yet the interplay of early motor, visual and
      social skill development in ASD is not well understood. Integration of visual
      input with motor output is vital for the formation of internal models of action.
      Such integration is necessary not only to master a wide range of motor skills,
      but also to imitate and interpret the actions of others. Thus, closer examination
      of the early development of visual-motor deficits is of critical importance to
      ASD. In the present study of infants at high risk (HR) and low risk (LR) for ASD,
      we examined visual-motor coupling, or action anticipation, during a dynamic,
      interactive ball-rolling activity. We hypothesized that, compared to LR infants,
      HR infants would display decreased anticipatory response (perception-guided
      predictive action) to the approaching ball. We also examined visual attention
      before and during ball rolling to determine whether attention engagement
      contributed to differences in anticipation. Results showed that LR and HR infants
      demonstrated context appropriate looking behavior, both before and during the
      ball's trajectory toward them. However, HR infants were less likely to exhibit
      context appropriate anticipatory motor response to the approaching ball (moving
      their arm/hand to intercept the ball) than LR infants. This finding did not
      appear to be driven by differences in motor skill between risk groups at 6 months
      of age and was extended to show an atypical predictive relationship between
      anticipatory behavior at 6 months and preference for looking at faces compared to
      objects at age 14 months in the HR group. 

PMID- 27252668
TI  - Clarifying Associations between Childhood Adversity, Social Support, Behavioral
      Factors, and Mental Health, Health, and Well-Being in Adulthood: A Population
      Based Study.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that socio-demographic factors, childhood
      socioeconomic status (CSES), childhood traumatic experiences (CTEs), social
      support and behavioral factors are associated with health and well-being in
      adulthood. However, the relative importance of these factors for mental health,
      health, and well-being has not been studied. Moreover, the mechanisms by which
      CTEs affect mental health, health, and well-being in adulthood are not clear.
      Using data from a representative sample (n = 12,981) of the adult population in
      Tromso, Norway, this study examines (i) the relative contribution of structural
      conditions (gender, age, CSES, psychological abuse, physical abuse, and substance
      abuse distress) to social support and behavioral factors in adulthood; (ii) the
      relative contribution of socio-demographic factors, CSES, CTEs, social support,
      and behavioral factors to three multi-item instruments of mental health (SCL-10),
      health (EQ-5D), and subjective well-being (SWLS) in adulthood; (iii) the impact
      of CTEs on mental health, health, and well-being in adulthood, and; (iv) the
      mediating role of adult social support and behavioral factors in these
      associations. Instrumental support (24.16%, p < 0.001) explained most of the
      variation in mental health, while gender (21.32%, p < 0.001) explained most of
      the variation in health, and emotional support (23.34%, p < 0.001) explained most
      of the variation in well-being. Psychological abuse was relatively more important
      for mental health (12.13%), health (7.01%), and well-being (9.09%), as compared
      to physical abuse, and substance abuse distress. The subjective assessment of
      childhood financial conditions was relatively more important for mental health
      (6.02%), health (10.60%), and well-being (20.60%), as compared to mother's and
      father's education. CTEs were relatively more important for mental health, while,
      CSES was relatively more important for health and well-being. Respondents exposed
      to all three types of CTEs had a more than two-fold increased risk of being
      mentally unhealthy (RR Total Effect = 2.75, 95% CI: 2.19-3.10), an 89% increased
      risk of being unhealthy (RR Total Effect = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.47-1.99), and a 42%
      increased risk of having a low level of well-being in adulthood (RR Total Effect
      = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.29-1.52). Social support and behavioral factors mediate 11-18%
      (p < 0.01) of these effects. The study advances the theoretical understanding of
      how CTEs influence adult mental health, health, and well-being. 

PMID- 27252669
TI  - Chromatic Perceptual Learning but No Category Effects without Linguistic Input.
AB  - Perceptual learning involves an improvement in perceptual judgment with practice,
      which is often specific to stimulus or task factors. Perceptual learning has been
      shown on a range of visual tasks but very little research has explored chromatic
      perceptual learning. Here, we use two low level perceptual threshold tasks and a
      supra-threshold target detection task to assess chromatic perceptual learning and
      category effects. Experiment 1 investigates whether chromatic thresholds reduce
      as a result of training and at what level of analysis learning effects occur.
      Experiment 2 explores the effect of category training on chromatic thresholds,
      whether training of this nature is category specific and whether it can induce
      categorical responding. Experiment 3 investigates the effect of category training
      on a higher level, lateralized target detection task, previously found to be
      sensitive to category effects. The findings indicate that performance on a
      perceptual threshold task improves following training but improvements do not
      transfer across retinal location or hue. Therefore, chromatic perceptual learning
      is category specific and can occur at relatively early stages of visual analysis.
      Additionally, category training does not induce category effects on a low level
      perceptual threshold task, as indicated by comparable discrimination thresholds
      at the newly learned hue boundary and adjacent test points. However, category
      training does induce emerging category effects on a supra-threshold target
      detection task. Whilst chromatic perceptual learning is possible, learnt category
      effects appear to be a product of left hemisphere processing, and may require the
      input of higher level linguistic coding processes in order to manifest. 

PMID- 27252670
TI  - Implicit and Explicit Learning of a Sequential Postural Weight-Shifting Task in
      Young and Older Adults.
AB  - Sequence-specific postural motor learning in a target-directed weight-shifting
      task in 12 older and 12 young participants was assessed. In the implicit sequence
      learning condition participants performed a concurrent spatial cognitive task and
      in the two explicit conditions participants were required to discover the
      sequence order either with or without the concurrent cognitive task. Participants
      moved a cursor on the screen from the center location to one of the target
      locations projected in a semi-circle and back by shifting their center of
      pressure (CoP) on force plates. During the training the targets appeared in a
      simple fixed 5-target sequence. Plan-based control (i.e., direction of the CoP
      displacement in the first part of the target-directed movement) improved by
      anticipating the sequence order in the implicit condition but not in the explicit
      dual task condition. Only the young participants were able to use the explicit
      knowledge of the sequence structure to improve the directional error as indicated
      by a significant decrease in directional error over practice and an increase in
      directional error with sequence removal in the explicit single task condition.
      Time spent in the second part of the movement trajectory to stabilize the cursor
      on the target location improved over training in both the implicit and explicit
      sequence learning conditions, for both age groups. These results might indicate
      that an implicit motor learning method, which holds back explicit awareness of
      task relevant features, may be desirable for improving plan-based motor control
      in older adults. 

PMID- 27252671
TI  - Monitoring Alpha Oscillations and Pupil Dilation across a Performance-Intensity
      Function.
AB  - Listening to degraded speech can be challenging and requires a continuous
      investment of cognitive resources, which is more challenging for those with
      hearing loss. However, while alpha power (8-12 Hz) and pupil dilation have been
      suggested as objective correlates of listening effort, it is not clear whether
      they assess the same cognitive processes involved, or other sensory and/or
      neurophysiological mechanisms that are associated with the task. Therefore, the
      aim of this study is to compare alpha power and pupil dilation during a sentence
      recognition task in 15 randomized levels of noise (-7 to +7 dB SNR) using highly
      intelligible (16 channel vocoded) and moderately intelligible (6 channel vocoded)
      speech. Twenty young normal-hearing adults participated in the study, however,
      due to extraneous noise, data from only 16 (10 females, 6 males; aged 19-28
      years) was used in the Electroencephalography (EEG) analysis and 10 in the pupil
      analysis. Behavioral testing of perceived effort and speech performance was
      assessed at 3 fixed SNRs per participant and was comparable to sentence
      recognition performance assessed in the physiological test session for both 16-
      and 6-channel vocoded sentences. Results showed a significant interaction between
      channel vocoding for both the alpha power and the pupil size changes. While both
      measures significantly decreased with more positive SNRs for the 16-channel
      vocoding, this was not observed with the 6-channel vocoding. The results of this
      study suggest that these measures may encode different processes involved in
      speech perception, which show similar trends for highly intelligible speech, but
      diverge for more spectrally degraded speech. The results to date suggest that
      these objective correlates of listening effort, and the cognitive processes
      involved in listening effort, are not yet sufficiently well understood to be used
      within a clinical setting. 

PMID- 27252672
TI  - Multilevel Modeling and Policy Development: Guidelines and Applications to
      Medical Travel.
AB  - Medical travel has expanded rapidly in recent years, resulting in new markets and
      increased access to medical care. Whereas several studies investigated the
      motives of individuals seeking healthcare abroad, the conventional analytical
      approach is limited by substantial caveats. Classical techniques as found in the
      literature cannot provide sufficient insight due to the nested nature of data
      generated. The application of adequate analytical techniques, specifically
      multilevel modeling, is scarce to non-existent in the context of medical travel.
      This study introduces the guidelines for application of multilevel techniques in
      public health research by presenting an application of multilevel modeling in
      analyzing the decision-making patterns of potential medical travelers. Benefits
      and potential limitations are discussed. 

PMID- 27252673
TI  - Combat PTSD and Implicit Behavioral Tendencies for Positive Affective Stimuli: A
      Brief Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prior cognitive research in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has
      focused on automatic responses to negative affective stimuli, including
      attentional facilitation or disengagement and avoidance action tendencies. More
      recent research suggests PTSD may also relate to differences in reward
      processing, which has lead to theories of PTSD relating to approach-avoidance
      imbalances. The current pilot study assessed how combat-PTSD symptoms relate to
      automatic behavioral tendencies to both positive and negative affective stimuli.
      METHOD: Twenty male combat veterans completed the approach-avoidance task (AAT),
      Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and State-Trait
      Anger Expression Inventory-II. During the AAT, subjects pulled (approach) or
      pushed (avoid) a joystick in response to neutral, happy, disgust, and angry faces
      based on border color. Bias scores were calculated for each emotion type (avoid
      approach response latency differences). Main and interaction effects for
      psychological symptom severity and emotion type on bias score were assessed using
      linear mixed models. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between PTSD
      symptoms and emotion type, driven primarily by worse symptoms relating to a
      greater bias to avoid happy faces. Post hoc tests revealed that veterans with
      worse PTSD symptoms were slower to approach as well as quicker to avoid happy
      faces. Neither depressive nor anger symptoms related to avoid or approach
      tendencies of emotional stimuli. CONCLUSION: Posttraumatic stress disorder
      severity was associated with a bias for avoiding positive affective stimuli.
      These results provide further evidence that PTSD may relate to aberrant
      processing of positively valenced, or rewarding stimuli. Implicit responses to
      rewarding stimuli could be an important factor in PTSD pathology and treatment.
      Specifically, these findings have implications for recent endeavors in using
      computer-based interventions to influence automatic approach-avoidance
      tendencies.

PMID- 27252674
TI  - Goodbye or Identify: Detrimental Effects of Downsizing on Identification and
      Survivor Performance.
AB  - Research shows that after layoffs, employees often report decreased commitment
      and performance which has been coined the survivor syndrome. However, the
      mechanisms underlying this effect remain underexplored. The purpose of the paper
      is to show that reduced organizational identification can serve as an explanation
      for the survivor syndrome. We conducted a laboratory experiment, in which
      participants work as a group of employees for another participant who acts as
      employer. In the course of the experiment, the employer decides whether one of
      his or her employees should be laid off or not. Mediation analysis supports a
      social identity-based explanation for the emergence of the survivor syndrome:
      downsizing causes lower identification with the employer which in turn relates to
      lower performance of employees. 

PMID- 27252675
TI  - Predicting Children's Reading and Mathematics Achievement from Early Quantitative
      Knowledge and Domain-General Cognitive Abilities.
AB  - One hundred children (44 boys) participated in a 3-year longitudinal study of the
      development of basic quantitative competencies and the relation between these
      competencies and later mathematics and reading achievement. The children's
      preliteracy knowledge, intelligence, executive functions, and parental
      educational background were also assessed. The quantitative tasks assessed a
      broad range of symbolic and nonsymbolic knowledge and were administered four
      times across 2 years of preschool. Mathematics achievement was assessed at the
      end of each of 2 years of preschool, and mathematics and word reading achievement
      were assessed at the end of kindergarten. Our goals were to determine how domain
      general abilities contribute to growth in children's quantitative knowledge and
      to determine how domain-general and domain-specific abilities contribute to
      children's preschool mathematics achievement and kindergarten mathematics and
      reading achievement. We first identified four core quantitative competencies
      (e.g., knowledge of the cardinal value of number words) that predict later
      mathematics achievement. The domain-general abilities were then used to predict
      growth in these competencies across 2 years of preschool, and the combination of
      domain-general abilities, preliteracy skills, and core quantitative competencies
      were used to predict mathematics achievement across preschool and mathematics and
      word reading achievement at the end of kindergarten. Both intelligence and
      executive functions predicted growth in the four quantitative competencies,
      especially across the first year of preschool. A combination of domain-general
      and domain-specific competencies predicted preschoolers' mathematics achievement,
      with a trend for domain-specific skills to be more strongly related to
      achievement at the beginning of preschool than at the end of preschool. Preschool
      preliteracy skills, sensitivity to the relative quantities of collections of
      objects, and cardinal knowledge predicted reading and mathematics achievement at
      the end of kindergarten. Preliteracy skills were more strongly related to word
      reading, whereas sensitivity to relative quantity was more strongly related to
      mathematics achievement. The overall results indicate that a combination of
      domain-general and domain-specific abilities contribute to development of
      children's early mathematics and reading achievement. 

PMID- 27252676
TI  - Editorial: Evolutionary Theory: Fringe or Central to Psychological Science.

PMID- 27252677
TI  - Expertise and the Interaction between Different Perceptual-Cognitive Skills:
      Implications for Testing and Training.

PMID- 27252678
TI  - Sequence Effect in Parkinson's Disease Is Related to Motor Energetic Cost.
AB  - Bradykinesia is the most disabling motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). The
      sequence effect (SE), a feature of bradykinesia, refers to the rapid decrement in
      amplitude and speed of repetitive movements (e.g., gait, handwriting) and is a
      major cause of morbidity in PD. Previous research has revealed mixed results
      regarding the role of dopaminergic treatment in the SE. However, external cueing
      has been shown to improve it. In this study, we aimed to characterize the SE
      systematically and relate this phenomenon to the energetic cost of movement
      within the context of cost-benefit framework of motor control. We used a dynamic
      isometric motor task with auditory pacing to assess the SE in motor output during
      a 15-s task segment in PD patients and matched controls. All participants
      performed the task with both hands, and without and with visual feedback (VF).
      Patients were also tested in "on"- and "off"-dopaminergic states. Patients in the
      "off" state did not show higher SE compared to controls, partly due to large
      variance in their performance. However, patients in the "on" state and in the
      absence of VF showed significantly higher SE compared to controls. Patients
      expended higher total motor energy compared to controls in all conditions and
      regardless of their medication status. In this experimental situation, the SE in
      PD is associated with the cumulative energetic cost of movement. Dopaminergic
      treatment, critical for internal triggering of movement, fails to maintain the
      motor vigor across responses. The high motor cost may be related to failure to
      incorporate limbic/motivational cues into the motor plan. VF may facilitate
      performance by shifting the driving of movement from internal to external or,
      alternatively, by functioning as a motivational cue. 

PMID- 27252679
TI  - Resveratrol Ameliorates the Anxiety- and Depression-Like Behavior of Subclinical
      Hypothyroidism Rat: Possible Involvement of the HPT Axis, HPA Axis, and Wnt/beta
      Catenin Pathway.
AB  - Metabolic disease subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is closely associated with
      depression-like behavior both in human and animal studies, and our previous
      studies have identified the antidepressant effect of resveratrol (RES) in
      stressed rat model. The aim of this study was to investigate whether RES would
      manifest an antidepressant effect in SCH rat model and explore the possible
      mechanism. A SCH rat model was induced by hemi-thyroid electrocauterization,
      after which the model rats in the RES and LT4 groups received a daily
      intragastric injection of RES at the dose of 15 mg/kg or LT4 at the dose of 60
      MUg/kg for 16 days. The rats' plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones were
      measured. Behavioral performance and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)
      activity were evaluated. The protein expression levels of the Wnt/beta-catenin in
      the hippocampus were detected by western blot. The results showed that RES
      treatment downregulated the elevated plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone
      concentration and the hypothalamic mRNA expression of thyrotropin-releasing
      hormone in the SCH rats. RES-treated rats showed increased rearing frequency and
      distance in the open-field test, increased sucrose preference in the sucrose
      preference test, and decreased immobility in the forced swimming test compared
      with SCH rats. The ratio of the adrenal gland weight to body weight, the plasma
      corticosterone levels, and the hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing hormone mRNA
      expression were reduced in the RES-treated rats. Moreover, RES treatment
      upregulated the relative ratio of phosphorylated-GSK3beta (p-GSK3beta)/GSK3beta
      and protein levels of p-GSK3beta, cyclin D1, and c-myc, while downregulating the
      relative ratio of phosphorylated-beta-catenin (p-beta-catenin)/beta-catenin and
      expression of GSK3beta in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that RES exerts
      anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effect in SCH rats by downregulating
      hyperactivity of the HPA axis and regulating both the HPT axis and the Wnt/beta
      catenin pathway. 

PMID- 27252680
TI  - Silencing the Nucleocytoplasmic O-GlcNAc Transferase Reduces Proliferation,
      Adhesion, and Migration of Cancer and Fetal Human Colon Cell Lines.
AB  - The post-translational modification of proteins by O-linked beta-N
      acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is regulated by a unique couple of enzymes. O-GlcNAc
      transferase (OGT) transfers the GlcNAc residue from UDP-GlcNAc, the final product
      of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), whereas O-GlcNAcase (OGA) removes
      it. This study and others show that OGT and O-GlcNAcylation levels are increased
      in cancer cell lines. In that context, we studied the effect of OGT silencing in
      the colon cancer cell lines HT29 and HCT116 and the primary colon cell line
      CCD841CoN. Herein, we report that OGT silencing diminished proliferation, in
      vitro cell survival and adhesion of primary and cancer cell lines. SiOGT
      dramatically decreased HT29 and CCD841CoN migration, CCD841CoN harboring high
      capabilities of migration in Boyden chamber system when compared to HT29 and
      HCT116. The expression levels of actin and tubulin were unaffected by OGT
      knockdown but siOGT seemed to disorganize microfilament, microtubule, and
      vinculin networks in CCD841CoN. While cancer cell lines harbor higher levels of
      OGT and O-GlcNAcylation to fulfill their proliferative and migratory properties,
      in agreement with their higher consumption of HBP main substrates glucose and
      glutamine, our data demonstrate that OGT expression is not only necessary for the
      biological properties of cancer cell lines but also for normal cells. 

PMID- 27252682
TI  - Low Fermentation pH Is a Trigger to Alcohol Production, but a Killer to Chain
      Elongation.
AB  - Gasification of organic wastes coupled to syngas fermentation allows the recovery
      of carbon in the form of commodity chemicals, such as carboxylates and biofuels.
      Acetogenic bacteria ferment syngas to mainly two-carbon compounds, although a few
      strains can also synthesize four-, and six-carbon molecules. In general, longer
      carbon chain products have a higher biotechnological (and commercial) value due
      to their higher energy content and their lower water solubility. However, de-novo
      synthesis of medium-chain products from syngas is quite uncommon in acetogenic
      bacteria. An alternative to de-novo synthesis is bioproduction of short-chain
      products (C2 and C4), and their subsequent elongation to C4, C6, or C8 through
      reversed beta-oxidation metabolism. This two-step synergistic approach has been
      successfully applied for the production of up to C8 compounds, although the
      accumulation of alcohols in these mixed cultures remained below detection limits.
      The present work investigates the production of higher alcohols from syngas by
      open mixed cultures (OMC). A syngas-fermenting community was enriched from sludge
      of an anaerobic digester for a period of 109 days in a lab-scale reactor. At the
      end of this period, stable production of ethanol and butanol was obtained. C6
      compounds were only transiently produced at the beginning of the enrichment
      phase, during which Clostridium kluyveri, a bacterium able to carry out carbon
      chain elongation, was detected in the community. Further experiments showed pH as
      a critical parameter to maintain chain elongation activity in the co-culture.
      Production of C6 compounds was recovered by preventing fermentation pH to
      decrease below pH 4.5-5. Finally, experiments showed maximal production of C6
      compounds (0.8 g/L) and alcohols (1.7 g/L of ethanol, 1.1 g/L of butanol, and 0.6
      g/L of hexanol) at pH 4.8. In conclusion, low fermentation pH is critical for the
      production of alcohols, although detrimental to C. kluyveri. Fine control of
      fermentation pH to final values around 4.8 could allow sustained production of
      higher alcohols. 

PMID- 27252681
TI  - Francisella philomiragia Infection and Lethality in Mammalian Tissue Culture Cell
      Models, Galleria mellonella, and BALB/c Mice.
AB  - Francisella (F.) philomiragia is a Gram-negative bacterium with a preference for
      brackish environments that has been implicated in causing bacterial infections in
      near-drowning victims. The purpose of this study was to characterize the ability
      of F. philomiragia to infect cultured mammalian cells, a commonly used
      invertebrate model, and, finally, to characterize the ability of F. philomiragia
      to infect BALB/c mice via the pulmonary (intranasal) route of infection. This
      study shows that F. philomiragia infects J774A.1 murine macrophage cells, HepG2
      cells and A549 human Type II alveolar epithelial cells. However, replication
      rates vary depending on strain at 24 h. F. philomiragia infection after 24 h was
      found to be cytotoxic in human U937 macrophage-like cells and J774A.1 cells. This
      is in contrast to the findings that F. philomiragia was non-cytotoxic to human
      hepatocellular carcinoma cells, HepG2 cells and A549 cells. Differential
      cytotoxicity is a point for further study. Here, it was demonstrated that F.
      philomiragia grown in host-adapted conditions (BHI, pH 6.8) is sensitive to
      levofloxacin but shows increased resistance to the human cathelicidin LL-37 and
      murine cathelicidin mCRAMP when compared to related the Francisella species, F.
      tularensis subsp. novicida and F. tularensis subsp. LVS. Previous findings that
      LL-37 is strongly upregulated in A549 cells following F. tularensis subsp.
      novicida infection suggest that the level of antimicrobial peptide expression is
      not sufficient in cells to eradicate the intracellular bacteria. Finally, this
      study demonstrates that F. philomiragia is lethal in two in vivo models; Galleria
      mellonella via hemocoel injection, with a LD50 of 1.8 * 10(3), and BALB/c mice by
      intranasal infection, with a LD50 of 3.45 * 10(3). In conclusion, F. philomiragia
      may be a useful model organism to study the genus Francisella, particularly for
      those researchers with interest in studying microbial ecology or environmental
      strains of Francisella. Additionally, the Biosafety level 2 status of F.
      philomiragia makes it an attractive model for virulence and pathogenesis studies.

PMID- 27252683
TI  - The Geobacillus Pan-Genome: Implications for the Evolution of the Genus.
AB  - The genus Geobacillus is comprised of a diverse group of spore-forming Gram
      positive thermophilic bacterial species and is well known for both its ecological
      diversity and as a source of novel thermostable enzymes. Although the mechanisms
      underlying the thermophilicity of the organism and the thermostability of its
      macromolecules are reasonably well understood, relatively little is known of the
      evolutionary mechanisms, which underlie the structural and functional properties
      of members of this genus. In this study, we have compared 29 Geobacillus genomes,
      with a specific focus on the elements, which comprise the conserved core and
      flexible genomes. Based on comparisons of conserved core and flexible genomes, we
      present evidence of habitat delineation with specific Geobacillus genomes linked
      to specific niches. Our analysis revealed that Geobacillus and Anoxybacillus
      share a high proportion of genes. Moreover, the results strongly suggest that
      horizontal gene transfer is a major factor deriving the evolution of Geobacillus
      from Bacillus, with genetic contributions from other phylogenetically distant
      taxa. 

PMID- 27252684
TI  - Diversity of Pneumocystis jirovecii during Infection Revealed by Ultra-Deep
      Pyrosequencing.
AB  - Pneumocystis jirovecii is an uncultivable fungal pathogen responsible for
      Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised patients, the physiopathology
      of which is only partially understood. The diversity of the Pneumocystis strains
      associated with acute infection has mainly been studied by Sanger sequencing
      techniques precluding any identification of rare genetic events (< 20%
      frequency). We used next-generation sequencing to detect minority variants
      causing infection, and analyzed the complexity of the genomes of infection
      causing P. jirovecii. Ultra-deep pyrosequencing (UDPS) of PCR amplicons of two
      nuclear target region [internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and dihydrofolate
      reductase (DHFR)] and one mitochondrial DNA target region [the mitochondrial
      ribosomal RNA large subunit gene (mtLSU)] was performed on 31 samples from 25
      patients. UDPS revealed that almost all patients (n = 23/25, 92%) were infected
      with mixtures of strains. An analysis of repeated samples from six patients
      showed that the proportion of each variant change significantly (by up to 30%)
      over time on treatment in three of these patients. A comparison of mitochondrial
      and nuclear UDPS data revealed heteroplasmy in P. jirovecii. The recognition site
      for the homing endonuclease I-SceI was recovered from the mtLSU gene, whereas its
      two conserved motifs of the enzyme were not. This suggests that heteroplasmy may
      result from recombination induced by unidentified homing endonucleases. This
      study sheds new light on the biology of P. jirovecii during infection. PCP
      results from infection not with a single microorganism, but with a complex
      mixture of different genotypes, the proportions of which change over time due to
      intricate selection and reinfection mechanisms that may differ between patients,
      treatments, and predisposing diseases. 

PMID- 27252685
TI  - Bacterial Endophytes Isolated from Plants in Natural Oil Seep Soils with Chronic
      Hydrocarbon Contamination.
AB  - The bacterial endophytic communities of four plants growing abundantly in soils
      highly contaminated by hydrocarbons were analyzed through culturable and culture
      independent means. Given their tolerance to the high levels of petroleum
      contamination at our study site, we sought evidence that Achillea millefolium,
      Solidago canadensis, Trifolium aureum, and Dactylis glomerata support high levels
      of hydrocarbon degrading endophytes. A total of 190 isolates were isolated from
      four plant species. The isolates were identified by partial 16S rDNA sequence
      analysis, with class Actinobacteria as the dominant group in all species except
      S. canadensis, which was dominated by Gammaproteobacteria. Microbacterium
      foliorum and Plantibacter flavus were present in all the plants, with M. foliorum
      showing predominance in D. glomerata and both endophytic bacterial species
      dominated T. aureum. More than 50% of the isolates demonstrated degradative
      capabilities for octanol, toluene, naphthalene, kerosene, or motor oil based on
      sole carbon source growth screens involving the reduction of tetrazolium dye. P.
      flavus isolates from all the sampled plants showed growth on all the petroleum
      hydrocarbons (PHCs) substrates tested. Mineralization of toluene and naphthalene
      was confirmed using gas-chromatography. 16S based terminal restriction fragment
      length polymorphism analysis revealed significant differences between the
      endophytic bacterial communities showing them to be plant host specific at this
      site. To our knowledge, this is the first account of the degradation potential of
      bacterial endophytes in these commonly occurring pioneer plants that were not
      previously known as phytoremediating plants. 

PMID- 27252686
TI  - In Situ Microbial Community Succession on Mild Steel in Estuarine and Marine
      Environments: Exploring the Role of Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria.
AB  - Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a complex biogeochemical process
      involving interactions between microbes, metals, minerals, and their environment.
      We hypothesized that sediment-derived iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) would
      colonize and become numerically abundant on steel surfaces incubated in coastal
      marine environments. To test this, steel coupons were incubated on sediments over
      40 days, and samples were taken at regular intervals to examine microbial
      community succession. The experiments were conducted at two locations: (1) a
      brackish salt marsh stream and (2) a coastal marine bay. We analyzed DNA
      extracted from the MIC biofilms for bacterial diversity using high-throughput
      amplicon sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene, and two coupons from the coastal site
      were single cell sorted and screened for the SSU rRNA gene. We quantified
      communities of Zetaproteobacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), and total
      bacteria and archaea using qPCR analyses. Zetaproteobacteria and SRB were
      identified in the sequencing data and qPCR analyses for samples collected
      throughout the incubations and were also present in adjacent sediments. At the
      brackish site, the diversity of Zetaproteobacteria was lower on the steel
      compared to sediments, consistent with the expected enrichment of FeOB on steel.
      Their numbers increased rapidly over the first 10 days. At the marine site,
      Zetaproteobacteria and other known FeOB were not detected in sediments; however,
      the numbers of Zetaproteobacteria increased dramatically within 10 days on the
      steel surface, although their diversity was nearly clonal. Iron oxyhydroxide
      stalk biosignatures were observed on the steel and in earlier enrichment culture
      studies; this is evidence that the Zetaproteobacteria identified in the qPCR,
      pyrosequencing, and single cell data were likely FeOB. In the brackish
      environment, members of freshwater FeOB were also present, but were absent in the
      fully marine site. This work indicates there is a successional pattern in the
      colonization of steel surfaces with FeOB being early colonizers; over time the
      MIC community matures to include other members that may help accelerate
      corrosion. This work also shows there is a reservoir for Zetaproteobacteria in
      coastal sediment habitats, where they may influence the coastal iron cycle, and
      can rapidly colonize steel surfaces or other sources of Fe(II) when available. 

PMID- 27252687
TI  - Comparative Bioinformatics and Experimental Analysis of the Intergenic Regulatory
      Regions of Bacillus cereus hbl and nhe Enterotoxin Operons and the Impact of CodY
      on Virulence Heterogeneity.
AB  - Bacillus cereus is a food contaminant with greatly varying enteropathogenic
      potential. Almost all known strains harbor the genes for at least one of the
      three enterotoxins Nhe, Hbl, and CytK. While some strains show no cytotoxicity,
      others have caused outbreaks, in rare cases even with lethal outcome. The reason
      for these differences in cytotoxicity is unknown. To gain insight into the origin
      of enterotoxin expression heterogeneity in different strains, the architecture
      and role of 5' intergenic regions (5' IGRs) upstream of the nhe and hbl operons
      was investigated. In silico comparison of 142 strains of all seven phylogenetic
      groups of B. cereus sensu lato proved the presence of long 5' IGRs upstream of
      the nheABC and hblCDAB operons, which harbor recognition sites for several
      transcriptional regulators, including the virulence regulator PlcR, redox
      regulators ResD and Fnr, the nutrient-sensitive regulator CodY as well as the
      master regulator for biofilm formation SinR. By determining transcription start
      sites, unusually long 5' untranslated regions (5' UTRs) upstream of the nhe and
      hbl start codons were identified, which are not present upstream of cytK-1 and
      cytK-2. Promoter fusions lacking various parts of the nhe and hbl 5' UTR in B.
      cereus INRA C3 showed that the entire 331 bp 5' UTR of nhe is necessary for full
      promoter activity, while the presence of the complete 606 bp hbl 5' UTR lowers
      promoter activity. Repression was caused by a 268 bp sequence directly upstream
      of the hbl transcription start. Luciferase activity of reporter strains
      containing nhe and hbl 5' IGR lux fusions provided evidence that toxin gene
      transcription is upregulated by the depletion of free amino acids.
      Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that the branched-chain amino acid
      sensing regulator CodY binds to both nhe and hbl 5' UTR downstream of the
      promoter, potentially acting as a nutrient-responsive roadblock repressor of
      toxin gene transcription. PlcR binding sites are highly conserved among all B.
      cereus sensu lato strains, indicating that this regulator does not significantly
      contribute to the heterogeneity in virulence potentials. The CodY recognition
      sites are far less conserved, perhaps conferring varying strengths of CodY
      binding, which might modulate toxin synthesis in a strain-specific manner. 

PMID- 27252688
TI  - A Game of Russian Roulette for a Generalist Dinoflagellate Parasitoid: Host
      Susceptibility Is the Key to Success.
AB  - Marine microbial interactions involving eukaryotes and their parasites play an
      important role in shaping the structure of phytoplankton communities. These
      interactions may alter population densities of the main host, which in turn may
      have consequences for the other concurrent species. The effect generalist
      parasitoids exert on a community is strongly dependent on the degree of host
      specificity. Parvilucifera sinerae is a generalist parasitoid able to infect a
      wide range of dinoflagellates, including toxic-bloom-forming species. A density
      dependent chemical cue has been identified as the trigger for the activation of
      the infective stage. Together these traits make Parvilucifera-dinoflagellate
      hosts a good model to investigate the degree of specificity of a generalist
      parasitoid, and the potential effects that it could have at the community level.
      Here, we present for the first time, the strategy by which a generalist
      dinoflagellate parasitoid seeks out its host and determine whether it exhibits
      host preferences, highlighting key factors in determining infection. Our results
      demonstrate that in its infective stage, P. sinerae is able to sense potential
      hosts, but does not actively select among them. Instead, the parasitoids contact
      the host at random, governed by the encounter probability rate and once
      encountered, the chance to penetrate inside the host cell and develop the
      infection strongly depends on the degree of host susceptibility. As such, their
      strategy for persistence is more of a game of Russian roulette, where the chance
      of survival is dependent on the susceptibility of the host. Our study identifies
      P. sinerae as a potential key player in community ecology, where in mixed
      dinoflagellate communities consisting of hosts that are highly susceptible to
      infection, parasitoid preferences may mediate coexistence between host species,
      reducing the dominance of the superior competitor. Alternatively, it may increase
      competition, leading to species exclusion. If, however, highly susceptible hosts
      are absent from the community, the parasitoid population could suffer a dilution
      effect maintaining a lower parasitoid density. Therefore, both host community
      structure and host susceptibility will determine infectivity in the field. 

PMID- 27252689
TI  - Molecular Evidence for Metabolically Active Bacteria in the Atmosphere.
AB  - Bacterial metabolisms are responsible for critical chemical transformations in
      nearly all environments, including oceans, freshwater, and soil. Despite the
      ubiquity of bacteria in the atmosphere, little is known about the metabolic
      functioning of atmospheric bacterial communities. To gain a better understanding
      of the metabolism of bacterial communities in the atmosphere, we used a combined
      empirical and model-based approach to investigate the structure and composition
      of potentially active bacterial communities in air sampled at a high elevation
      research station. We found that the composition of the putatively active
      bacterial community (assayed via rRNA) differed significantly from the total
      bacterial community (assayed via rDNA). Rare taxa in the total (rDNA) community
      were disproportionately active relative to abundant taxa, and members of the
      order Rhodospirillales had the highest potential for activity. We developed
      theory to explore the effects of random sampling from the rRNA and rDNA
      communities on observed differences between the communities. We found that random
      sampling, particularly in cases where active taxa are rare in the rDNA community,
      will give rise to observed differences in community composition including the
      occurrence of "phantom taxa", taxa which are detected in the rRNA community but
      not the rDNA community. We show that the use of comparative rRNA/rDNA techniques
      can reveal the structure and composition of the metabolically active portion of
      bacterial communities. Our observations suggest that metabolically active
      bacteria exist in the atmosphere and that these communities may be involved in
      the cycling of organic compounds in the atmosphere. 

PMID- 27252690
TI  - Evaluation of Strategies to Separate Root-Associated Microbial Communities: A
      Crucial Choice in Rhizobiome Research.
AB  - Plants shape distinct, species-specific microbiomes in their rhizospheres. A main
      premise for evaluating microbial communities associated with root-soil
      compartments is their successful separation into the rhizosphere (soil-root
      interface), the rhizoplane (root surface), and the endosphere (inside roots). We
      evaluated different approaches (washing, sonication, and bleaching) regarding
      their efficiency to separate microbial cells associated with different root
      compartments of soil-grown rice using fluorescence microscopy and community
      fingerprinting of 16S rRNA genes. Vigorous washing detached 45% of the rhizoplane
      population compared to untreated roots. Additional sonication reduced rhizoplane
      attached microorganisms by up to 78% but caused various degrees of root tissue
      destruction at all sonication intensities tested. Treatment with sodium
      hypochlorite almost completely (98%) removed rhizoplane-associated microbial
      cells. Community fingerprinting revealed that microbial communities obtained from
      untreated, washed, and sonicated roots were not statistically distinguishable.
      Hypochlorite-treated roots harbored communities significantly different from all
      other samples, likely representing true endospheric populations. Applying these
      procedures to other root samples (bean and clover) revealed that treatment
      efficiencies were strongly affected by root morphological parameters such as root
      hair density and rigidity of epidermis. Our findings suggest that a careful
      evaluation of separation strategies prior to molecular community analysis is
      indispensable, especially when endophytes are the subject of interest. 

PMID- 27252691
TI  - Ecotoxicological Impact of the Bioherbicide Leptospermone on the Microbial
      Community of Two Arable Soils.
AB  - The ecotoxicological impact of leptospermone, a beta-triketone bioherbicide, on
      the bacterial community of two arable soils was investigated. Soil microcosms
      were exposed to 0 * (control), 1 * or 10 * recommended dose of leptospermone. The
      beta-triketone was moderately adsorbed to both soils (i.e.,: K fa ~ 1.2 and K oc
      ~ 140 mL g(-1)). Its dissipation was lower in sterilized than in unsterilized
      soils suggesting that it was mainly influenced by biotic factors. Within 45 days,
      leptospermone disappeared almost entirely from one of the two soils (i.e., DT50 <
      10 days), while 25% remained in the other. The composition of the microbial
      community assessed by qPCR targeting 11 microbial groups was found to be
      significantly modified in soil microcosms exposed to leptospermone.
      Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed a shift in the bacterial
      community structure and a significant impact of leptospermone on the diversity of
      the soil bacterial community. Changes in the composition, and in the alpha- and
      beta-diversity of microbial community were transient in the soil able to fully
      dissipate the leptospermone, but were persistent in the soil where beta-triketone
      remained. To conclude the bacterial community of the two soils was sensitive to
      leptospermone and its resilience was observed only when leptospermone was fully
      dissipated. 

PMID- 27252692
TI  - Systemic Concentrations of Short Chain Fatty Acids Are Elevated in Salmonellosis
      and Exacerbation of Familial Mediterranean Fever.
AB  - Gut microbiota-produced short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play an important role in
      the normal human metabolism and physiology. Although the gradients of SCFAs from
      the large intestine, where they are largely produced, to the peripheral blood as
      well as the main routes of SCFA metabolism by different organs are known well for
      the healthy state, there is a paucity of information regarding how these are
      affected in disease. In particular, how the inflammation caused by infection or
      autoinflammatory disease affect the concentration of SCFAs in the peripheral
      venous blood. In this work, we revealed that diseases caused either by infectious
      agents (two Salmonella enterica serovars, S. Enteritidis, and S. Typhimurium) or
      by the exacerbation of an autoinflammatory disease, familial Mediterranean fever
      (FMF), both result in a significantly elevated systemic concentration of SCFAs.
      In the case of salmonellosis the concentration of SCFAs in peripheral blood was
      significantly and consistently higher, from 5- to 20-fold, compared to control.
      In the case of FMF, however, a significant increase of SCFAs in the peripheral
      venous blood was detected only in the acute phase of the disease, with a lesser
      impact in remission. It seems counterintuitive that the dysbiotic conditions,
      with a reduced number of gut microorganisms, produce such an effect. This
      phenomenon, however, must be appraised within the context of how the inflammatory
      diseases affect the normal physiology. We discuss a number of factors that may
      contribute to the "leak" and persistence of gut-produced SCFAs into the systemic
      circulation in infectious and autoinflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 27252693
TI  - Metagenomic Reconstruction of Key Anaerobic Digestion Pathways in Municipal
      Sludge and Industrial Wastewater Biogas-Producing Systems.
AB  - Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a microbial process widely used to treat organic
      wastes. While the microbes involved in digestion of municipal sludge are
      increasingly well characterized, the taxonomic and functional compositions of AD
      digesters treating industrial wastewater have been understudied. This study
      examined metagenomes from a biogas-producing digester treating municipal sludge
      in Shek Wu Hui (SWH), Hong Kong and an industrial wastewater digester in
      Guangzhou (GZ), China, and compared their taxonomic composition and reconstructed
      biochemical pathways. Genes encoding carbohydrate metabolism and protein
      metabolism functions were overrepresented in GZ, while genes encoding functions
      related to fatty acids, lipids and isoprenoids were overrepresented in SWH,
      reflecting the plants' feedstocks. Mapping of genera to functions in each
      community indicated that both digesters had a high level of functional
      redundancy, and a more even distribution of genera in GZ suggested that it was
      more functionally stable. While fermentation in both samples was dominated by
      Clostridia, SWH had an overrepresentation of Proteobacteria, including syntrophic
      acetogens, reflecting its more complex substrate. Considering the growing
      importance of biogas as an alternative fuel source, a detailed mechanistic
      understanding of AD is important and this report will be a basis for further
      study of industrial wastewater AD. 

PMID- 27252694
TI  - Recent Reticulate Evolution in the Ecologically Dominant Lineage of
      Coccolithophores.
AB  - The coccolithophore family Noelaerhabdaceae contains a number of taxa that are
      very abundant in modern oceans, including the cosmopolitan bloom-forming
      Emiliania huxleyi. Introgressive hybridization has been suggested to account for
      incongruences between nuclear, mitochondrial and plastidial phylogenies of
      morphospecies within this lineage, but the number of species cultured to date
      remains rather limited. Here, we present the characterization of 5 new
      Noelaerhabdaceae culture strains isolated from samples collected in the south
      east Pacific Ocean. These were analyzed morphologically using scanning electron
      microscopy and phylogenetically by sequencing 5 marker genes (nuclear 18S and 28S
      rDNA, plastidial tufA, and mitochondrial cox1 and cox3 genes). Morphologically,
      one of these strains corresponded to Gephyrocapsa ericsonii and the four others
      to Reticulofenestra parvula. Ribosomal gene sequences were near identical between
      these new strains, but divergent from G. oceanica, G. muellerae, and E. huxleyi.
      In contrast to the clear distinction in ribosomal phylogenies, sequences from
      other genomic compartments clustered with those of E. huxleyi strains with which
      they share an ecological range (i.e., warm temperate to tropical waters). These
      data provide strong support for the hypothesis of past (and potentially ongoing)
      introgressive hybridization within this ecologically important lineage and for
      the transfer of R. parvula to Gephyrocapsa. These results have important
      implications for understanding the role of hybridization in speciation in vast
      ocean meta-populations of phytoplankton. 

PMID- 27252695
TI  - Innate Immune Responses in ALV-J Infected Chicks and Chickens with Hemangioma In
      Vivo.
AB  - Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) infection can cause tumors and
      immunosuppression. Since the precise mechanism of the innate immune response
      induced by ALV-J is unknown, we investigated the antiviral innate immune
      responses induced by ALV-J in chicks and chickens that had developed tumors.
      Spleen levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-1beta, and interferon-beta (IFN
      beta) were not significantly different between the infected chick groups and the
      control groups from 1 day post hatch to 7 days post hatch. However, IL-6, IL
      1beta, and IFN-beta protein levels in the three clinical samples with hemangiomas
      were dramatically increased compared to the healthy samples. In addition, the
      anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 increased sharply in two of three clinical
      samples. We also found a more than 20-fold up-regulation of ISG12-1 mRNA at 1 day
      post infection (d.p.i.) and a twofold up-regulation of ZC3HAV1 mRNA at 4 d.p.i.
      However, there were no statistical differences in ISG12-1 and ZC3HAV1 mRNA
      expression levels in the tumorigenesis phase. ALV-J infection induced a
      significant increase of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) at 1 d.p.i. and dramatically
      increased the mRNA levels of melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) in
      the tumorigenesis phase. Moreover, the protein levels of interferon regulatory
      factor 1 (IRF-1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)
      were decreased in chickens with tumors. These results suggest that ALV-J was
      primarily recognized by chicken TLR7 and MDA5 at early and late in vivo infection
      stages, respectively. ALV-J strain SCAU-HN06 did not induce any significant
      antiviral innate immune response in 1 week old chicks. However, interferon
      stimulated genes were not induced normally during the late phase of ALV-J
      infection due to a reduction of IRF1 and STAT1 expression. 

PMID- 27252696
TI  - Bacterial and Fungal Microbiota Changes Distinguish C. difficile Infection from
      Other Forms of Diarrhea: Results of a Prospective Inpatient Study.
AB  - This study sought to characterize the bacterial and fungal microbiota changes
      associated with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) among inpatients with
      diarrhea, in order to further explain the pathogenesis of this infection as well
      as to potentially guide new CDI therapies. Twenty-four inpatients with diarrhea
      were enrolled, 12 of whom had CDI. Each patient underwent stool testing for CDI
      prior to being treated with difficile-directed antibiotics, when appropriate.
      Clinical data was obtained from the medical record, while each stool sample
      underwent 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing for bacterial and fungal elements. An
      analysis of microbial community structures distinct to the CDI population was
      also performed. The results demonstrated no difference between the CDI and non
      CDI cohorts with respect to any previously reported CDI risk factors. Butyrogenic
      bacteria were enriched in both CDI and non-CDI patients. A previously unreported
      finding of increased numbers of Akkermansia muciniphila in CDI patients was
      observed, an organism which degrades mucin and which therefore may provide a
      selective advantage toward CDI. Fungal elements of the genus Penicillium were
      predominant in CDI; these organisms produce antibacterial chemicals which may
      resist recovery of healthy microbiota. The most frequent CDI microbial community
      networks involved Peptostreptococcaceae and Enterococcus, with decreased
      population density of Bacteroides. These results suggest that the development of
      CDI is associated with microbiota changes which are consistently associated with
      CDI in human subjects. These gut taxa contribute to the intestinal dysbiosis
      associated with C. difficile infection. 

PMID- 27252697
TI  - Biochemical Characterization of 3-Methyl-4-nitrophenol Degradation in
      Burkholderia sp. Strain SJ98.
AB  - Several strains have been reported to grow on 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (3M4NP), the
      primary breakdown product of the excessively used insecticide fenitrothion.
      However, the microbial degradation of 3M4NP at molecular and biochemical levels
      remains unknown. Here, methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (MBQ) and methylhydroquinone
      (MHQ), rather than catechol proposed previously, were identified as the
      intermediates before ring cleavage during 3M4NP degradation by Burkholderia sp.
      strain SJ98. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis indicated that the pnpABA1CDEF
      cluster involved in para-nitrophenol (PNP) and 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol (2C4NP)
      catabolism was also likely responsible for 3M4NP degradation in this strain.
      Purified PNP 4-monooxygenase (PnpA) is able to catalyze the monooxygenation of
      3M4NP to MBQ and exhibited an apparent K m value of 20.3 +/- 2.54 MUM for 3M4NP,
      and pnpA is absolutely necessary for the catabolism of 3M4NP by gene knock-out
      and complementation. PnpB, a 1,4-benzoquinone reductase catalyzes the reduction
      of MBQ to MHQ, and also found to enhance PnpA activity in vitro in the conversion
      of 3M4NP to MBQ. By sequential catalysis assays, PnpCD, PnpE, and PnpF were
      likely involved in the lower pathway of 3M4NP catabolism. Although NpcCD, NpcE,
      and NpcF are able to catalyze the sequential conversion of MHQ in vitro, these
      enzymes are unlikely involved in 3M4NP catabolism because their coding genes were
      not upregulated by 3M4NP induction in vivo. These results revealed that the
      enzymes involved in PNP and 2C4NP catabolism were also responsible for 3M4NP
      degradation in strain SJ98. This fills a gap in our understanding of the
      microbial degradation of 3M4NP at molecular and biochemical levels and also
      provides another example to illustrate the adaptive flexibility in microbial
      catabolism for structurally similar compounds. 

PMID- 27252698
TI  - The Effect of Helicobacter pylori Infection, Aging, and Consumption of Proton
      Pump Inhibitor on Fungal Colonization in the Stomach of Dyspeptic Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The importance of coinfection of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) and
      Candida albicans (C. albicans) in the development of gastric diseases is not
      known. In this study, the frequency of concurrent infection of H. pylori and C.
      albicans in dyspeptic patients was assessed while considering age, gender, and
      PPI consumption of patients. METHODS: Gastric biopsies were taken from 74 yeast
      positive dyspeptic patients and gastric disease, age, gender, and proton pump
      inhibitor (PPI) consumption of subjects were recorded. One antral biopsy was used
      for rapid urease test (RUT) and one for H. pylori and yeast cultivation and smear
      preparation. Bacterial isolates were identified according to spiral morphology
      and the biochemical characteristics. Yeast isolates were identified on Chromagar
      and by the Nested-PCR amplification of C. albicans-specific topoisomerase II
      gene. Twenty-seven biopsy smears were Gram-stained and examined by the light
      microscope for observing H. pylori and yeast cells. RESULTS: Fifty-four (73%) of
      patients were >40 year. Of 68 patients with PPI consumption record, 46 (67.6%)
      consumed PPI (p = 0). Comparison of patients in peptic ulcer group (12, 16.2%)
      with (6, 8.1%) or without (6, 8.1%) H. pylori or in gastritis group (62, 83.8%)
      with (25, 33.8%) or without (37, 50%) H. pylori showed no significant difference
      (p > 0.05). Of the 46 patients who consumed PPI, 13 (17.5%) were H. pylori
      positive and 33 (44.6%) H. pylori-negative (p = 0). Ten out of twenty-seven
      smears showed the occurrence of H. pylori cells, including three with yeast
      cells. Of the 17 H. pylori-negative smears, three showed the occurrence of yeast
      cells only. Yeasts stained Gram-positive or Gram-negative and appeared as single
      or budding cells. CONCLUSION: The older age and PPI consumption could favor
      fungal colonization in the human stomach. The occurrence of a considerable number
      of H. pylori-positive or H. pylori-negative patients with gastritis or peptic
      ulcer shows that co-infection of Candida and H. pylori or infection of yeast
      alone could be associated with dyspeptic diseases. The occurrence of yeast cells
      in gastric biopsies with different Gram's reactions indicates that fungi might
      change their cell wall components for establishing a persistent colonization in
      the stomach.

PMID- 27252699
TI  - Second Messenger Signaling in Bacillus subtilis: Accumulation of Cyclic di-AMP
      Inhibits Biofilm Formation.
AB  - The Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis produces the essential second
      messenger signaling nucleotide cyclic di-AMP. In B. subtilis and other bacteria,
      c-di-AMP has been implicated in diverse functions such as control of metabolism,
      cell division and cell wall synthesis, and potassium transport. To enhance our
      understanding of the multiple functions of this second messenger, we have studied
      the consequences of c-di-AMP accumulation at a global level by a transcriptome
      analysis. C-di-AMP accumulation affected the expression of about 700 genes, among
      them the two major operons required for biofilm formation. The expression of both
      operons was severely reduced both in the laboratory and a non-domesticated strain
      upon accumulation of c-di-AMP. In excellent agreement, the corresponding strain
      was unable to form complex colonies. In B. subtilis, the transcription factor
      SinR controls the expression of biofilm genes by binding to their promoter
      regions resulting in transcription repression. Inactivation of the sinR gene
      restored biofilm formation even at high intracellular c-di-AMP concentrations
      suggesting that the second messenger acts upstream of SinR in the signal
      transduction pathway. As c-di-AMP accumulation did not affect the intracellular
      levels of SinR, we conclude that the nucleotide affects the activity of SinR. 

PMID- 27252700
TI  - Toll-Like Receptor 2 Mediates In Vivo Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Effects of
      Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Modulates Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.
AB  - Mycobacteria display pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in human and experimental
      pathology. We show here that both effects are mediated by Toll-like receptor 2
      (Tlr2), by exploiting a previously characterized Tlr2 variant (Met82Ile). Tlr2
      82ile promoted self-specific proinflammatory polarization as well as expansion of
      ag-specific FoxP3(+) Tregs, while Tlr2 82met impairs the expansion of Tregs and
      reduces the production of IFN-gamma and IL-17 proinflammatory cytokines.
      Preferential dimerization with Tlr1 or Tlr6 could not explain these differences.
      In silico, we showed that Tlr2 variant Met82Ile modified the binding pocket for
      peptidoglycans and participated directly to a putative binding pocket for sugars
      and cadherins. The distinct pro- and anti-inflammatory actions impacted severity,
      extent of remission, and distribution of the lesions within the central nervous
      system of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Thus, Tlr2 has a janus
      function in vivo as mediator of the role of bacterial products in balancing pro-
      and anti-inflammatory immune responses. 

PMID- 27252701
TI  - CD1c-Related DCs that Express CD207/Langerin, but Are Distinguishable from
      Langerhans Cells, Are Consistently Present in Human Tonsils.
AB  - Several subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) are present in the oropharyngeal
      tonsillar tissues and are thought to behave as major actors in development and
      regulation of immunity by acting as a first line of recognition for airborne and
      alimentary antigens. We previously discovered in human adult tonsils infected
      with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a subset of DCs that expressed langerin/CD207, a
      lectin usually recognized as a hallmark of epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs). In
      the present study, we analyzed the content of several child and adult tonsils in
      order to characterize in more detail the phenotype of these tonsillar CD207
      expressing DCs (tCD207 DCs) and to compare it with that of other human DC
      subsets. We showed that all the human tonsils studied (n = 12) contained
      significant proportions of tCD207 DCs among tonsillar cells expressing HLA-DR.
      Moreover, the presence of tCD207 DCs in tonsils from young children free of EBV
      infection indicated that these cells could be established early in the tonsil
      independently of EBV infection. We also showed that tCD207 DCs, that were found
      mainly located within the tonsillar lymphoid stroma, were distinguishable from
      LCs by the level of expression of CD1a and EpCAM, and also from human
      inflammatory DCs by the lack of CD1a, CD206, and CD14 expression. Detailed
      analysis of cell surface DC markers showed that tCD207 DCs were unrelated to
      CD141(+) DCs or macrophages, but defined a subtype of tonsillar DCs closely
      related to myeloid resident CD1c DCs. Since it was established that blood CD1c
      myeloid DCs exhibit plasticity and are capable of expressing CD207 notably in the
      presence of inflammatory cytokines, it is tempting to speculate that CD207(+)
      CD1c(+) DCs may play a specific immune role. 

PMID- 27252702
TI  - Accessory Factors of Cytoplasmic Viral RNA Sensors Required for Antiviral Innate
      Immune Response.
AB  - Type I interferon (IFN) induces many antiviral factors in host cells. RIG-I-like
      receptors (RLRs) are cytoplasmic viral RNA sensors that trigger the signal to
      induce the innate immune response that includes type I IFN production. RIG-I and
      MDA5 are RLRs that form nucleoprotein filaments along viral double-stranded RNA,
      resulting in the activation of MAVS adaptor molecule. The MAVS protein forms a
      prion-like aggregation structure, leading to type I IFN production. RIG-I and
      MDA5 undergo post-translational modification. TRIM25 and Riplet ubiquitin ligases
      deliver a K63-linked polyubiquitin moiety to the RIG-I N-terminal caspase
      activation and recruitment domains (CARDs) and C-terminal region; the
      polyubiquitin chain then stabilizes the two-CARD tetramer structure required for
      MAVS assembly. MDA5 activation is regulated by phosphorylation. RIOK3 is a
      protein kinase that phosphorylates the MDA5 protein in a steady state, and
      PP1alpha/gamma dephosphorylate this protein, resulting in its activation. RIG-I
      and MDA5 require cytoplasmic RNA helicases for their efficient activation. LGP2,
      another RLR, is an RNA helicase involved in RLR signaling. This protein does not
      possess N-terminal CARDs and, thus, cannot trigger downstream signaling by
      itself. Recent studies have revealed that this protein modulates MDA5 filament
      formation, resulting in enhanced type I IFN production. Several other cytoplasmic
      RNA helicases are involved in RLR signaling. DDX3, DHX29, DHX36, and DDX60 RNA
      helicases have been reported to be involved in RLR-mediated type I IFN production
      after viral infection. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown.
      Future studies are required to reveal the role of RNA helicases in the RLR
      signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27252704
TI  - Relevance of HLA-DP/DQ and ICAM-1 SNPs among Ovarian Cancer Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies
      and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women. The high mortality rate
      is largely attributed to its diagnosis in advanced stages. Poor prognosis of
      ovarian cancer is usually due to the lack of specific or effective screening and
      diagnostic methods for identifying early-stage disease. AIM: Our study aimed to
      study the role of HLA-DP, HLA-DQ, and ICAM-1 SNPs in diagnosis and/or prognosis
      of ovarian tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The current study was conducted on 60
      patients with ovarian tumors (benign, borderline, and malignant) and 20 healthy
      volunteers. Genotyping of HLA-DP rs3077, HLA-DQ rs3920, and ICAM-1 rs1437 SNPs
      was done using 5' nuclease assay. RESULTS: We found significant association of
      HLA-DP rs3077 AA, HLA-DQ rs3920 GG, ICAM-1 rs1437 CC, and CT genotypes with
      increased risk of ovarian cancer (OR = 43.5, 6, 25, and 2.6, respectively). In
      addition, HLA-DQ rs3920 and ICAM-1 rs1437 alleles vary significantly among
      different types of ovarian cancer (P = 0.003 and 0.001, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: HLA-DP rs3077, HLA-DQ rs3920, and ICAM-1 rs1437 SNPs could help in
      the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer.

PMID- 27252703
TI  - Spatiotemporal Regulation of Hsp90-Ligand Complex Leads to Immune Activation.
AB  - Although heat shock proteins (HSPs) primarily play a pivotal role in the
      maintenance of cellular homeostasis while reducing extracellular as well as
      intracellular stresses, their role in immunologically relevant scenarios,
      including activation of innate immunity as danger signals, antitumor immunity,
      and autoimmune diseases, is now gaining much attention. The most prominent
      feature of HSPs is that they function both in their own and as an HSP-ligand
      complex. We here show as a unique feature of extracellular HSPs that they target
      chaperoned molecules into a particular endosomal compartment of dendritic cells,
      thereby inducing innate and adaptive immune responses via spatiotemporal
      regulation. 

PMID- 27252706
TI  - Commentary: Acute Hemorrhagic Leukoencephalitis (Weston-Hurst Syndrome) in a
      Patient with Relapse-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

PMID- 27252705
TI  - A Subset of Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Has Leukemia Cells Characterized
      by Chemokine Responsiveness and Altered Expression of Transcriptional as well as
      Angiogenic Regulators.
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive and heterogeneous bone marrow
      malignancy, the only curative treatment being intensive chemotherapy eventually
      in combination with allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Both the AML and their
      neighboring stromal cells show constitutive chemokine release, but chemokines
      seem to function as regulators of AML cell proliferation only for a subset of
      patients. Chemokine targeting is therefore considered not only for
      immunosuppression in allotransplanted patients but also as a possible
      antileukemic strategy in combination with intensive chemotherapy or as part of
      disease-stabilizing treatment at least for the subset of patients with chemokine
      responsive AML cells. In this study, we characterized more in detail the leukemia
      cell phenotype of the chemokine-responsive patients. We investigated primary AML
      cells derived from 79 unselected patients. Standardized in vitro suspension
      cultures were used to investigate AML cell proliferation, and global gene
      expression profiles were compared for chemokine responders and non-responders
      identified through the proliferation assays. CCL28-induced growth modulation was
      used as marker of chemokine responsiveness, and 38 patients were then classified
      as chemokine-responsive. The effects of exogenous CCL28 (growth
      inhibition/enhancement/no effect) thus differed among patients and was also
      dependent on the presence of exogenous hematopoietic growth factors as well as
      constitutive AML cell cytokine release. The effect of CCR1 inhibition in the
      presence of chemokine-secreting mesenchymal stem cells also differed among
      patients. Chemokine-responsive AML cells showed altered expression of genes
      important for (i) epigenetic transcriptional regulation, particularly lysine
      acetylation; (ii) helicase activity, especially DExD/H RNA helicases; and (iii)
      angioregulatory proteins important for integrin binding. Thus, chemokine
      responsiveness is part of a complex AML cell phenotype with regard to
      extracellular communication and transcriptional regulation. Chemokine targeting
      in chemokine-responsive patients may thereby alter AML cell trafficking and
      increase their susceptibility toward antileukemic treatment, e.g., conventional
      chemotherapy or targeting of other phenotypic characteristics of the chemokine
      responsive cells. 

PMID- 27252707
TI  - Spatial Self-Organization of Vegetation Subject to Climatic Stress-Insights from
      a System Dynamics-Individual-Based Hybrid Model.
AB  - In simulation models of populations or communities, individual plants have often
      been obfuscated in favor of aggregated vegetation. This simplification comes with
      a loss of biological detail and a smoothing out of the demographic noise
      engendered by stochastic individual-scale processes and heterogeneities, which is
      significant among others when studying the viability of small populations facing
      challenging fluctuating environmental conditions. This consideration has
      motivated the development of precise plant-centered models. The accuracy gained
      in the representation of plant biology has then, however, often been balanced by
      the disappearance in models of important plant-soil interactions (esp. water
      dynamics) due to the inability of most individual-based frameworks to simulate
      complex continuous processes. In this study, we used a hybrid modeling approach,
      namely integrated System Dynamics (SD)-Individual-based (IB), to illustrate the
      importance of individual plant dynamics to explain spatial self-organization of
      vegetation in arid environments. We analyzed the behavior of this model under
      different parameter sets either related to individual plant properties (such as
      seed dispersal distance and reproductive age) or the environment (such as
      intensity and yearly distribution of precipitation events). While the results of
      this work confirmed the prevailing theory on vegetation patterning, they also
      revealed the importance therein of plant-level processes that cannot be rendered
      by reaction-diffusion models. Initial spatial distribution of plants,
      reproductive age, and average seed dispersal distance, by impacting patch size
      and vegetation aggregation, affected pattern formation and population survival
      under climatic variations. Besides, changes in precipitation regime altered the
      demographic structure and spatial organization of vegetation patches by affecting
      plants differentially depending on their age and biomass. Water availability
      influenced non-linearly total biomass density. Remarkably, lower precipitation
      resulted in lower mean plant age yet higher mean individual biomass. Moreover,
      seasonal variations in rainfall greater than a threshold (here, +/-0.45 mm from
      the 1.3 mm baseline) decreased mean total biomass and generated limit cycles,
      which, in the case of large variations, were preceded by chaotic demographic and
      spatial behavior. In some cases, peculiar spatial patterns (e.g., rings) were
      also engendered. On a technical note, the shortcomings of the present model and
      the benefit of hybrid modeling for virtual investigations in plant science are
      discussed. 

PMID- 27252708
TI  - GintAMT3 - a Low-Affinity Ammonium Transporter of the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal
      Rhizophagus irregularis.
AB  - Nutrient acquisition and transfer are essential steps in the arbuscular
      mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, which is formed by the majority of land plants.
      Mineral nutrients are taken up by AM fungi from the soil and transferred to the
      plant partner. Within the cortical plant root cells the fungal hyphae form tree
      like structures (arbuscules) where the nutrients are released to the plant-fungal
      interface, i.e., to the periarbuscular space, before being taken up by the plant.
      In exchange, the AM fungi receive carbohydrates from the plant host. Besides the
      well-studied uptake of phosphorus (P), the uptake and transfer of nitrogen (N)
      plays a crucial role in this mutualistic interaction. In the AM fungus
      Rhizophagus irregularis (formerly called Glomus intraradices), two ammonium
      transporters (AMT) were previously described, namely GintAMT1 and GintAMT2. Here,
      we report the identification and characterization of a newly identified R.
      irregularis AMT, GintAMT3. Phylogenetic analyses revealed high sequence
      similarity to previously identified AM fungal AMTs and a clear separation from
      other fungal AMTs. Topological analysis indicated GintAMT3 to be a membrane bound
      pore forming protein, and GFP tagging showed it to be highly expressed in the
      intraradical mycelium of a fully established AM symbiosis. Expression of GintAMT3
      in yeast successfully complemented the yeast AMT triple deletion mutant (MATa
      ura3 mep1Delta mep2Delta::LEU2 mep3Delta::KanMX2). GintAMT3 is characterized as a
      low affinity transport system with an apparent Km of 1.8 mM and a V max of 240
      nmol(-1) min(-1) 10(8) cells(-1), which is regulated by substrate concentration
      and carbon supply. 

PMID- 27252709
TI  - Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs)
      Associated with Bolting and Flowering in Radish (Raphanus sativus L.).
AB  - The transition of vegetative growth to bolting and flowering is an important
      process in the life cycle of plants, which is determined by numerous genes
      forming an intricate network of bolting and flowering. However, no comprehensive
      identification and profiling of bolting and flowering-related genes have been
      carried out in radish. In this study, RNA-Seq technology was applied to analyze
      the differential gene expressions during the transition from vegetative stage to
      reproductive stage in radish. A total of 5922 differentially expressed genes
      (DEGs) including 779 up-regulated and 5143 down-regulated genes were isolated.
      Functional enrichment analysis suggested that some DEGs were involved in hormone
      signaling pathways and the transcriptional regulation of bolting and flowering.
      KEGG-based analysis identified 37 DEGs being involved in phytohormone signaling
      pathways. Moreover, 95 DEGs related to bolting and flowering were identified and
      integrated into various flowering pathways. Several critical genes including FT,
      CO, SOC1, FLC, and LFY were characterized and profiled by RT-qPCR analysis.
      Correlation analysis indicated that 24 miRNA-DEG pairs were involved in radish
      bolting and flowering. Finally, a miRNA-DEG-based schematic model of bolting and
      flowering regulatory network was proposed in radish. These outcomes provided
      significant insights into genetic control of radish bolting and flowering, and
      would facilitate unraveling molecular regulatory mechanism underlying bolting and
      flowering in root vegetable crops. 

PMID- 27252710
TI  - The Emerging Role of Protein Phosphorylation as a Critical Regulatory Mechanism
      Controlling Cellulose Biosynthesis.
AB  - Plant cell walls are extracellular matrices that surround plant cells and
      critically influence basic cellular processes, such as cell division and
      expansion. Cellulose is a major constituent of plant cell walls, and this
      paracrystalline polysaccharide is synthesized at the plasma membrane by a large
      protein complex known as the cellulose synthase complex (CSC). Recent efforts
      have identified numerous protein components of the CSC, but relatively little is
      known about regulation of cellulose biosynthesis. Numerous phosphoproteomic
      surveys have identified phosphorylation events in CSC associated proteins,
      suggesting that protein phosphorylation may represent an important regulatory
      control of CSC activity. In this review, we discuss the composition and dynamics
      of the CSC in vivo, the catalog of CSC phosphorylation sites that have been
      identified, the function of experimentally examined phosphorylation events, and
      potential kinases responsible for these phosphorylation events. Additionally, we
      discuss future directions in cellulose synthase kinase identification and
      functional analyses of CSC phosphorylation sites. 

PMID- 27252711
TI  - Oxidative Metabolism of Rye (Secale cereale L.) after Short Term Exposure to
      Aluminum: Uncovering the Glutathione-Ascorbate Redox Network.
AB  - One of the major limitations to plant growth and yield in acidic soils is the
      prevalence of soluble aluminum ions (Al(3+)) in the soil solution, which can
      irreversible damage the root apex cells. Nonetheless, many Al-tolerant species
      overcome Al toxicity and are well-adapted to acidic soils, being able to complete
      their life cycle under such stressful conditions. At this point, the complex
      physiological and biochemical processes inherent to Al tolerance remain unclear,
      especially in what concerns the behavior of antioxidant enzymes and stress
      indicators at early plant development. Since rye (Secale cereale L.), is
      considered the most Al-tolerant cereal, in this study we resort to seedlings of
      two genotypes with different Al sensitivities in order to evaluate their
      oxidative metabolism after short term Al exposure. Al-induced toxicity and
      antioxidant responses were dependent on rye genotype, organ and exposure period.
      Al affected biomass production and membrane integrity in roots and leaves of the
      sensitive (RioDeva) genotype. Catalase was the primary enzyme involved in H2O2
      detoxification in the tolerant (Beira) genotype, while in RioDeva this task was
      mainly performed by GPX and POX. Evaluation of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic
      components of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, as well the oxalate content,
      revealed that Beira genotype coped with Al stress by converting DHA into oxalate
      and tartarate, which posteriorly may bind to Al forming non-toxic chelates. In
      contrast, RioDeva genotype used a much more ineffective strategy which passed
      through ascorbate regeneration. So, remarkable differences between MDHAR and DHAR
      activities appear to be the key for a higher Al tolerance. 

PMID- 27252712
TI  - Global Transcriptional Analysis Reveals Unique and Shared Responses in
      Arabidopsis thaliana Exposed to Combined Drought and Pathogen Stress.
AB  - With frequent fluctuations in global climate, plants are exposed to co-occurring
      drought and pathogen infection and this combination adversely affects plant
      survival. In the past, some studies indicated that morpho-physiological responses
      of plants to the combined stress are different from the individual stressed
      plants. However, interaction of drought stressed plants with pathogen has not
      been widely studied at molecular level. Such studies are important to understand
      the defense pathways that operate as part of combined stress tolerance mechanism.
      In this study, Arabidopsis thaliana was exposed to individual drought stress,
      Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000) infection and their
      combination. Using Affymetrix WT gene 1.0 ST array, global transcriptome
      profiling of leaves under individual drought stress and pathogen infection was
      compared with their combination. The results obtained from pathway mapping (KAAS
      and MAPMAN) demonstrated the modulation in defense pathways in A. thaliana under
      drought and host pathogen Pst DC3000 infection. Further, our study revealed
      "tailored" responses under combined stress and the time of occurrence of each
      stress during their concurrence has shown differences in transcriptome profile.
      Our results from microarray and RT-qPCR revealed regulation of 20 novel genes
      uniquely during the stress interaction. This study indicates that plants exposed
      to concurrent drought and pathogen stress experience a new state of stress. Thus,
      under frequently changing climatic conditions, time of occurrence of each stress
      in the interaction defines the plant responses and should thus be studied
      explicitly. 

PMID- 27252713
TI  - Enhanced Nitrogen Availability in Karst Ecosystems by Oxalic Acid Release in the
      Rhizosphere.
AB  - In karst ecosystems, a high level of CaCO3 enhances the stabilization of soil
      organic matter (SOM) and causes nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) limitation in
      plants. Oxalic acid has been suggested to be involved in the nutrient-acquisition
      strategy of plants because its addition can temporarily relieve nutrient
      limitation. Therefore, understanding how oxalic acid drives N availability may
      help support successful vegetation restoration in the karst ecosystems of
      southwest China. We tested a model suggested by Clarholm et al. (2015) where
      oxalate reacts with Ca bridges in SOM, thus exposing previously protected areas
      to enzymatic attacks in a way that releases N for local uptake. We studied the
      effects of oxalic acid, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and beta-1,4-N
      acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) on potential N mineralization rates in rhizosphere
      soils of four plant species (two shrubs and two trees) in karst areas. The
      results showed that rhizosphere soils of shrubs grown on formerly deforested land
      had significantly lower oxalic acid concentrations and NAG activity than that of
      trees in a 200-year-old forest. The levels of MBC in rhizosphere soils of shrubs
      were significantly lower than those of trees in the growing season, but the
      measure of shrubs and trees were similar in the non-growing season; the potential
      N mineralization rates showed a reverse pattern. Positive relationships were
      found among oxalic acid, MBC, NAG activity, and potential N mineralization rates
      for both shrubs and trees. This indicated that oxalic acid, microbes, and NAG may
      enhance N availability for acquisition by plants. Path analysis showed that
      oxalic acid enhanced potential N mineralization rates indirectly through inducing
      microbes and NAG activities. We found that the exudation of oxalic acid clearly
      provides an important mechanism that allows plants to enhance nutrient
      acquisition in karst ecosystems. 

PMID- 27252715
TI  - Comparative Chloroplast Genome Analyses of Streptophyte Green Algae Uncover Major
      Structural Alterations in the Klebsormidiophyceae, Coleochaetophyceae and
      Zygnematophyceae.
AB  - The Streptophyta comprises all land plants and six main lineages of freshwater
      green algae: Mesostigmatophyceae, Chlorokybophyceae, Klebsormidiophyceae,
      Charophyceae, Coleochaetophyceae and Zygnematophyceae. Previous comparisons of
      the chloroplast genome from nine streptophyte algae (including four
      zygnematophyceans) revealed that, although land plant chloroplast DNAs (cpDNAs)
      inherited most of their highly conserved structural features from green algal
      ancestors, considerable cpDNA changes took place during the evolution of the
      Zygnematophyceae, the sister group of land plants. To gain deeper insights into
      the evolutionary dynamics of the chloroplast genome in streptophyte algae, we
      sequenced the cpDNAs of nine additional taxa: two klebsormidiophyceans (Entransia
      fimbriata and Klebsormidium sp. SAG 51.86), one coleocheatophycean (Coleochaete
      scutata) and six zygnematophyceans (Cylindrocystis brebissonii, Netrium digitus,
      Roya obtusa, Spirogyra maxima, Cosmarium botrytis and Closterium baillyanum). Our
      comparative analyses of these genomes with their streptophyte algal counterparts
      indicate that the large inverted repeat (IR) encoding the rDNA operon experienced
      loss or expansion/contraction in all three sampled classes and that genes were
      extensively shuffled in both the Klebsormidiophyceae and Zygnematophyceae. The
      klebsormidiophycean genomes boast greatly expanded IRs, with the Entransia 60,590
      bp IR being the largest known among green algae. The 206,025-bp Entransia cpDNA,
      which is one of the largest genome among streptophytes, encodes 118 standard
      genes, i.e., four additional genes compared to its Klebsormidium flaccidum
      homolog. We inferred that seven of the 21 group II introns usually found in land
      plants were already present in the common ancestor of the Klebsormidiophyceae and
      its sister lineages. At 107,236 bp and with 117 standard genes, the Coleochaete
      IR-less genome is both the smallest and most compact among the streptophyte algal
      cpDNAs analyzed thus far; it lacks eight genes relative to its Chaetosphaeridium
      globosum homolog, four of which represent unique events in the evolutionary
      scenario of gene losses we reconstructed for streptophyte algae. The 10 compared
      zygnematophycean cpDNAs display tremendous variations at all levels, except gene
      content. During zygnematophycean evolution, the IR disappeared a minimum of five
      times, the rDNA operon was broken at four distinct sites, group II introns were
      lost on at least 43 occasions, and putative foreign genes, mainly of phage/viral
      origin, were gained. 

PMID- 27252714
TI  - Insights into the Cyanobacterial Deg/HtrA Proteases.
AB  - Proteins are the main machinery for all living processes in a cell; they provide
      structural elements, regulate biochemical reactions as enzymes, and are the
      interface to the outside as receptors and transporters. Like any other machinery
      proteins have to be assembled correctly and need maintenance after damage, e.g.,
      caused by changes in environmental conditions, genetic mutations, and limitations
      in the availability of cofactors. Proteases and chaperones help in repair,
      assembly, and folding of damaged and misfolded protein complexes cost-effective,
      with low energy investment compared with neo-synthesis. Despite their importance
      for viability, the specific biological role of most proteases in vivo is largely
      unknown. Deg/HtrA proteases, a family of serine-type ATP-independent proteases,
      have been shown in higher plants to be involved in the degradation of the
      Photosystem II reaction center protein D1. The objective of this review is to
      highlight the structure and function of their cyanobacterial orthologs. Homology
      modeling was used to find specific features of the SynDeg/HtrA proteases of
      Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Based on the available data concerning their location
      and their physiological substrates we conclude that these Deg proteases not only
      have important housekeeping and chaperone functions within the cell, but also are
      needed for remodeling the cell exterior. 

PMID- 27252716
TI  - Within-Leaf Nitrogen Allocation in Adaptation to Low Nitrogen Supply in Maize
      during Grain-Filling Stage.
AB  - Nitrogen (N) plays a vital role in photosynthesis and crop productivity. Maize
      plants may be able to increase physiological N utilization efficiency (NUtE)
      under low-N stress by increasing photosynthetic rate (P n) per unit leaf N, that
      is, photosynthetic N-use efficiency (PNUE). In this study, we analyzed the
      relationship between PNUE and N allocation in maize ear-leaves during the grain
      filling stage under low N (no N application) and high N (180 kg N ha(-1)) in a 2
      year field experiment. Under low N, grain yield decreased while NUtE increased.
      Low-N treatment reduced the specific N content of ear leaves by 38% without
      significant influencing P n, thereby increasing PNUE by 54%. Under low-N stress,
      maize plants tended to invest relatively more N into bioenergetics to sustain
      electron transport. In contrast, N allocated to chlorophyll and light-harvesting
      proteins was reduced to control excess electron production. Soluble proteins were
      reduced to shrink the N storage reservoir. We conclude that optimization of N
      allocation within leaves is a key adaptive mechanism to maximize P n and crop
      productivity when N is limited during the grain-filling stage in maize under low
      N conditions. 

PMID- 27252717
TI  - Tetraploidy Enhances Boron-Excess Tolerance in Carrizo Citrange (Citrus sinensis
      L. Osb. * Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.).
AB  - Tetraploidy modifies root anatomy which may lead to differentiated capacity to
      uptake and transport mineral elements. This work provides insights into
      physiological and molecular characters involved in boron (B) toxicity responses
      in diploid (2x) and tetraploid (4x) plants of Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis
      L. Osb. * Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.), a widely used citrus rootstock. With B
      excess, 2x plants accumulated more B in leaves than 4x plants, which accounted
      for their higher B uptake and root-to-shoot transport rates. Ploidy did not
      modify the expression of membrane transporters NIP5 and BOR1 in roots. The
      cellular allocation of B excess differed between ploidy levels in the soluble
      fraction, which was lower in 4x leaves, while cell wall-linked B was similar in
      2x and 4x genotypes. This correlates with the increased damage and stunted growth
      recorded in the 2x plants. The 4x roots were found to have fewer root tips,
      shorter specific root length, longer diameter, thicker exodermis and earlier
      tissue maturation in root tips, where the Casparian strip was detected at a
      shorter distance from the root apex than in the 2x roots. The results presented
      herein suggest that the root anatomical characters of the 4x plants play a key
      role in their lower B uptake capacity and root-to-shoot transport. HIGHLIGHTS:
      Tetraploidy enhances B excess tolerance in citrange CarrizoExpression of NIP5 and
      BOR1 transporters and cell wall-bounded B are similar between ploidiesB tolerance
      is attributed to root anatomical modifications induced by genome duplicationThe
      rootstock 4x citrange carrizo may prevent citrus trees from B excess.

PMID- 27252718
TI  - Increasing Confidence of Proteomics Data Regarding the Identification of Stress
      Responsive Proteins in Crop Plants.

PMID- 27252720
TI  - Morphology, Structure, and Ontogeny of Trichomes of the Grape Genus (Vitis,
      Vitaceae).
AB  - Trichomes are widely distributed on surfaces of different organs in the grape
      genus Vitis and are of taxonomic utility. To explore the morphology, structure
      and ontogeny of Vitis trichomes, we investigated the diversity and distribution
      of trichomes in 34 species of Vitis. Two main types of trichomes in Vitis are
      documented: non-glandular and glandular. Within non-glandular trichomes, ribbon
      and simple trichomes are found on different vegetative plant organs. The
      morphology and ontogeny of these types of trichomes are further examined with
      light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of the
      glandular trichomes is explored with transmission electron microscopy. The ribbon
      trichomes are twisted, greatly elongated and unicellular, and this trichome type
      may be a morphological synapomorphy of Vitis and its closest tropical relative
      Ampelocissus and Pterisanthes in Vitaceae. The simple trichomes are documented in
      most species sampled in the genus. The glandular trichomes are multicellular, non
      vascularized and composed of both epidermis and subjacent layers. We show that
      prickles occurring along the stems and petioles of Vitis davidii are modified
      glandular trichomes. We observed that glandular trichomes of V. romanetii secrete
      mucilage and volatile substances which trap insectes on the glands. Transmission
      electron microscopy indicates that metabolic products accumulate in vacuoles, the
      cytoplasm and intercellular spaces. We infer that glandular trichomes and young
      prickles are involved in the secretion of these metabolic products and the
      intercellular spaces may be the places of temporary storage of these secretions. 

PMID- 27252719
TI  - Recent Advances in Genome Editing Using CRISPR/Cas9.
AB  - The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas9
      (CRISPR-associated nuclease 9) system is a versatile tool for genome engineering
      that uses a guide RNA (gRNA) to target Cas9 to a specific sequence. This simple
      RNA-guided genome-editing technology has become a revolutionary tool in biology
      and has many innovative applications in different fields. In this review, we
      briefly introduce the Cas9-mediated genome-editing method, summarize the recent
      advances in CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and discuss their implications for plant
      research. To date, targeted gene knockout using the Cas9/gRNA system has been
      established in many plant species, and the targeting efficiency and capacity of
      Cas9 has been improved by optimizing its expression and that of its gRNA. The
      CRISPR/Cas9 system can also be used for sequence-specific mutagenesis/integration
      and transcriptional control of target genes. We also discuss off-target effects
      and the constraint that the protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) puts on CRISPR/Cas9
      genome engineering. To address these problems, a number of bioinformatic tools
      are available to help design specific gRNAs, and new Cas9 variants and orthologs
      with high fidelity and alternative PAM specificities have been engineered. Owing
      to these recent efforts, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is becoming a revolutionary and
      flexible tool for genome engineering. Adoption of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology in
      plant research would enable the investigation of plant biology at an
      unprecedented depth and create innovative applications in precise crop breeding. 

PMID- 27252721
TI  - Timing of False Ring Formation in Pinus halepensis and Arbutus unedo in Southern
      Italy: Outlook from an Analysis of Xylogenesis and Tree-Ring Chronologies.
AB  - Mediterranean tree rings are characterized by intra-annual density fluctuations
      (IADFs) due to partly climate-driven cambial activity. IADFs are used as
      structural signals to gain information on relations between environmental
      conditions and eco-physiological processes during xylogenesis, with intra-annual
      resolution. To reach an unbiased synchronization of the IADF position within tree
      rings and seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions, it is necessary to
      know the timing of cambial activity and wood formation, which are species- and
      site-specific processes. We applied the microcoring technique to analyze
      xylogenesis in Pinus halepensis and Arbutus unedo. To the best of our knowledge,
      this is the first attempt to study xylogenesis in a hardwood species forming
      frequent IADFs. Both species co-occur at a site in southern Italy characterized
      by a Mediterranean climate. To facilitate tree-ring dating and identification of
      IADFs, we performed traditional dendroecological analysis. We analyzed
      xylogenesis during summer, which is considered a constraint for xylogenesis and a
      trigger for IADF formation. We followed the different phases of cell development
      in the current wood increment with the aim of evaluating whether and which type
      of IADFs were formed. We additionally analyzed the same phases again in September
      and in winter to verify the possible formation of IADFs in fall and whether cell
      production and differentiation was completed by the end of the calendar year.
      Both species formed the same type of IADFs (earlywood-like cells within
      latewood), due to temporary growth restoration triggered by rain events during
      the period of summer drought. At the end of the calendar year, no cells in the
      phases of enlargement and secondary cell wall deposition occurred. A. unedo was
      more sensitive than P. halepensis because IADFs were formed earlier in the season
      and were more frequent in the tree-ring series. The dendro-anatomical approach,
      combining analysis of tree-ring series and of xylogenesis, helped to detect the
      period of IADF formation in the two species. Results are discussed in functional
      terms, highlighting the environmental conditions triggering IADFs, and also in
      methodological terms, evaluating the applicability of xylogenesis analysis in
      Mediterranean woods, especially when the formation of IADFs is not uniform around
      the stem. 

PMID- 27252722
TI  - Different Growth Promoting Effects of Endophytic Bacteria on Invasive and Native
      Clonal Plants.
AB  - The role of the interactions between endophytes and alien plants has been unclear
      yet in plant invasion. We used a completely germ-free culture system to quantify
      the plant growth-promoting (PGP) effects of endophytic bacteria Bacillus sp. on
      aseptic seedlings of Wedelia trilobata and of its native clonal congener W.
      chinensis. The endophytic bacteria did not affect the growth of W. chinensis, but
      they significantly promoted the growth of W. trilobata. With the PGP effects of
      endophytic bacteria, relative change ratios of the clonal traits and the ramets'
      growth traits of W. trilobata were significantly greater than those of W.
      chinensis. Our results indicate that the growth-promoting effects of endophytes
      may differ between invasive and native clonal plants, and the endophytes of
      invasive plant may be host-specific to facilitate plant invasion. 

PMID- 27252723
TI  - Proteomic Dissection of Endosperm Starch Granule Associated Proteins Reveals a
      Network Coordinating Starch Biosynthesis and Amino Acid Metabolism and Glycolysis
      in Rice Endosperms.
AB  - Starch biosynthesis and starch granule packaging in cereal endosperms involve a
      coordinated action of starch biosynthesis enzymes and coordination with other
      metabolisms. Because directly binding to starch granules, starch granule
      associated proteins (SGAPs) are essential to understand the underlying
      mechanisms, however the information on SGAPs remains largely unknown. Here, we
      dissected developmentally changed SGAPs from developing rice endosperms from 10
      to 20 days after flowering (DAF). Starch granule packaging was not completed at
      10 DAF, and was finished in the central endosperm at 15 DAF and in the whole
      endosperm at 20 DAF. Proteomic analysis with two-dimensional differential in-gel
      electrophoresis and mass spectrometry revealed 115 developmentally changed SGAPs,
      representing 37 unique proteins. 65% of the unique proteins had isoforms. 39% of
      the identified SGAPs were involved in starch biosynthesis with main functions in
      polyglucan elongation and granule structure trimming. Almost all proteins
      involved in starch biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, glycolysis, protein
      folding, and PPDK pathways increased abundance as the endosperm developed, and
      were predicted in an interaction network. The network represents an important
      mechanism to orchestrate carbon partitioning among starch biosynthesis, amino
      acid biosynthesis and glycolysis for efficient starch and protein storage. These
      results provide novel insights into mechanisms of starch biosynthesis and its
      coordination with amino acid metabolisms and glycolysis in cereal endosperms. 

PMID- 27252724
TI  - ABA Suppresses Botrytis cinerea Elicited NO Production in Tomato to Influence
      H2O2 Generation and Increase Host Susceptibility.
AB  - Abscisic acid (ABA) production has emerged a susceptibility factor in plant
      pathogen interactions. This work examined the interaction of ABA with nitric
      oxide (NO) in tomato following challenge with the ABA-synthesizing pathogen,
      Botrytis cinerea. Trace gas detection using a quantum cascade laser detected NO
      production within minutes of challenge with B. cinerea whilst photoacoustic laser
      detection detected ethylene production - an established mediator of defense
      against this pathogen - occurring after 6 h. Application of the NO generation
      inhibitor N-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) suppressed both NO and
      ethylene production and resistance against B. cinerea. The tomato mutant sitiens
      fails to accumulate ABA, shows increased resistance to B. cinerea and we noted
      exhibited elevated NO and ethylene production. Exogenous application of L-NAME or
      ABA reduced NO production in sitiens and reduced resistance to B. cinerea.
      Increased resistance to B. cinerea in sitiens have previously been linked to
      increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation but this was reduced in both L
      NAME and ABA-treated sitiens. Taken together, our data suggests that ABA can
      decreases resistance to B. cinerea via reduction of NO production which also
      suppresses both ROS and ethylene production. 

PMID- 27252725
TI  - Molecular Cloning and Characterization of Four Genes Encoding Ethylene Receptors
      Associated with Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) Flowering.
AB  - Exogenous ethylene, or ethephon, has been widely used to induce pineapple
      flowering, but the molecular mechanism behind ethephon induction is still
      unclear. In this study, we cloned four genes encoding ethylene receptors
      (designated AcERS1a, AcERS1b, AcETR2a, and AcETR2b). The 5' flanking sequences of
      these four genes were also cloned by self-formed adaptor PCR and SiteFinding-PCR,
      and a group of putative cis-acting elements was identified. Phylogenetic tree
      analysis indicated that AcERS1a, AcERS1b, AcETR2a, and AcETR2b belonged to the
      plant ERS1s and ETR2/EIN4-like groups. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that
      AcETR2a and AcETR2b (subfamily 2) were more sensitive to ethylene treatment
      compared with AcERS1a and AcERS1b (subfamily 1). The relative expression of
      AcERS1b, AcETR2a, and AcETR2b was significantly increased during the earlier
      period of pineapple inflorescence formation, especially at 1-9 days after
      ethylene treatment (DAET), whereas AcERS1a expression changed less than these
      three genes. In situ hybridization results showed that bract primordia (BP) and
      flower primordia (FP) appeared at 9 and 21 DAET, respectively, and flowers were
      formed at 37 DAET. AcERS1a, AcERS1b, AcETR2a, and AcETR2b were mainly expressed
      in the shoot apex at 1-4 DAET; thereafter, with the appearance of BP and FP,
      higher expression of these genes was found in these new structures. Finally, at
      37 DAET, the expression of these genes was mainly focused in the flower but was
      also low in other structures. These findings indicate that these four ethylene
      receptor genes, especially AcERS1b, AcETR2a, and AcETR2b, play important roles
      during pineapple flowering induced by exogenous ethephon. 

PMID- 27252726
TI  - Emerging Insights on Brazilian Pepper Tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) Invasion:
      The Potential Role of Soil Microorganisms.
AB  - Invasive plant species constitute a major ecological and economic problem
      worldwide, often distorting trophic levels and ecosystem balance. Numerous
      studies implicate factors ranging from environmental plasticity, competition for
      nutrient and space, and allelopathy in the success of invasive species in
      general. The Brazilian Pepper tree (BP) was introduced to the United States in
      the 1800s and has since become a category one invasive plant in Florida. It has
      aggressively spread to about 3000 km(2) of terrestrial surface, fueled in part by
      the prevalence of the hybrid genotypes and environmental perturbations. It
      displays some of the well-established invasive mechanisms but there is a serious
      dearth of knowledge on the plant-microbe-soil interactions and whether the
      rhizobiome plays any roles in the displacement of native flora and the range
      expansion of BP. Several control measures, including chemical, mechanical, and
      biological antagonism have been used with limited success while restoration of
      natives in soils from which BP was removed has proved problematic partly due to a
      poorly understood phenomenon described as the "BP legacy effect." Emerging
      evidence suggests that allelopathy, selective recruitment of beneficial soil
      microbes, disruption of microbial community structure and alteration of nutrient
      cycling, exhibited by many other invasive plant species may also be involved in
      the case of BP. This brief review discusses the well-established BP invasion
      mechanisms and highlights the current understanding of the molecular, below
      ground processes. It also points out the gaps in studies on the potential role of
      microbial interactions in the success of BP invasion. These hitherto poorly
      studied mechanisms could further explain the aggressive spread of BP and could
      potentially contribute significantly to effective control measures and enable
      appropriate strategies for restoring native plants. The review advocates for the
      use of cutting-edge techniques in advancing the plant microbiome science.
      Ultimately, comparing metagenomic analyses of the rhizobiome of invasive plants
      grown in native and non-native soils could lead to a better understanding of the
      microbial determinants of biotic resistance, potentially empowering environmental
      managers with some predictive power of future trends of plant invasion. 

PMID- 27252727
TI  - Corrigendum: Melatonin: Current Status and Future Perspectives in Plant Science.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 1230 in vol. 6, PMID: 26793210.]. 

PMID- 27252728
TI  - Transcriptome Profiling of Buffalograss Challenged with the Leaf Spot Pathogen
      Curvularia inaequalis.
AB  - Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a low maintenance U. S. native turfgrass
      species with exceptional drought, heat, and cold tolerance. Leaf spot caused by
      Curvularia inaequalis negatively impacts buffalograss visual quality. Two leaf
      spot susceptible and two resistant buffalograss lines were challenged with C.
      inaequalis. Samples were collected from treated and untreated leaves when
      susceptible lines showed symptoms. Transcriptome sequencing was done and
      differentially expressed genes were identified. Approximately 27 million raw
      sequencing reads were produced per sample. More than 86% of the sequencing reads
      mapped to an existing buffalograss reference transcriptome. De novo assembly of
      unmapped reads was merged with the existing reference to produce a more complete
      transcriptome. There were 461 differentially expressed transcripts between the
      resistant and susceptible lines when challenged with the pathogen and 1552 in its
      absence. Previously characterized defense-related genes were identified among the
      differentially expressed transcripts. Twenty one resistant line transcripts were
      similar to genes regulating pattern triggered immunity and 20 transcripts were
      similar to genes regulating effector triggered immunity. There were also nine up
      regulated transcripts in resistance lines which showed potential to initiate
      systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and three transcripts encoding pathogenesis
      related proteins which are downstream products of SAR. This is the first study
      characterizing changes in the buffalograss transcriptome when challenged with C.
      inaequalis. 

PMID- 27252729
TI  - Use of Agrobacterium rhizogenes Strain 18r12v and Paromomycin Selection for
      Transformation of Brachypodium distachyon and Brachypodium sylvaticum.
AB  - The genetic transformation of monocot grasses is a resource intensive process,
      the quality and efficiency of which is dependent in part upon the method of DNA
      introduction, as well as the ability to effectively separate transformed from
      wildtype tissue. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Brachypodium has relied
      mainly on Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain AGL1. Currently the antibiotic
      hygromycin B has been the selective agent of choice for robust identification of
      transgenic calli in Brachypodium distachyon and Brachypodium sylvaticum but few
      other chemicals have been shown to work as well for selection of transgenic
      Brachypodium cells in tissue culture. This study demonstrates that Agrobacterium
      rhizogenes strain 18r12v and paromomycin selection can be successfully used for
      the efficient generation of transgenic B. distachyon and B. sylvaticum.
      Additionally we observed that the transformation rates were similar to or higher
      than those obtained with A. tumefaciens strain AGL1 and hygromycin selection. The
      A. rhizogenes strain 18r12v harboring the pARS1 binary vector and paromomycin
      selection is an effective means of generating transgenic Brachypodium plants.
      This novel approach will facilitate the transgenic complementation of T-DNA
      knockout mutants of B. distachyon which were created using hygromycin selection,
      as well as aid the implementation of more complex genome manipulation strategies
      which require multiple rounds of transformation. 

PMID- 27252730
TI  - Identification of Candidate Transcriptional Regulators of Epidermal Transfer Cell
      Development in Vicia faba Cotyledons.
AB  - Transfer cells (TCs) are anatomically-specialized cells formed at apoplasmic
      symplasmic bottlenecks in nutrient transport pathways in plants. TCs form
      invaginated wall ingrowths which provide a scaffold to amplify plasma membrane
      surface area and thus increase the density of nutrient transporters required to
      achieve enhanced nutrient flow across these bottlenecks. Despite their importance
      to nutrient transport in plants, little is known of the transcriptional
      regulation of wall ingrowth formation. Here, we used RNA-Seq to identify
      transcription factors putatively involved in regulating epidermal TC development
      in cotyledons of Vicia faba. Comparing cotyledons cultured for 0, 3, 9, and 24 h
      to induce trans-differentiation of epidermal TCs identified 43 transcription
      factors that showed either epidermal-specific or epidermal-enhanced expression,
      and 10 that showed epidermal-specific down regulation. Members of the WRKY and
      ethylene-responsive families were prominent in the cohort of transcription
      factors showing epidermal-specific or epidermal-enhanced expression, consistent
      with the initiation of TC development often representing a response to stress.
      Members of the MYB family were also prominent in these categories, including
      orthologs of MYB genes involved in localized secondary wall deposition in
      Arabidopsis thaliana. Among the group of transcription factors showing down
      regulation were various homeobox genes and members of the MADs-box and zinc
      finger families of poorly defined functions. Collectively, this study identified
      several transcription factors showing expression characteristics and orthologous
      functions that indicate likely participation in transcriptional regulation of
      epidermal TC development in V. faba cotyledons. 

PMID- 27252731
TI  - Promoting Roles of Melatonin in Adventitious Root Development of Solanum
      lycopersicum L. by Regulating Auxin and Nitric Oxide Signaling.
AB  - Melatonin (MT) plays integral roles in regulating several biological processes
      including plant growth, seed germination, flowering, senescence, and stress
      responses. This study investigated the effects of MT on adventitious root
      formation (ARF) of de-rooted tomato seedlings. Exogenous MT positively or
      negatively influenced ARF, which was dependent on the concentration of MT
      application. In the present experiment, 50 MUM MT showed the best effect on
      inducing ARF. Interestingly, exogenous MT promoted the accumulation of endogenous
      nitric oxide (NO) by down-regulating the expression of S-nitrosoglutathione
      reductase (GSNOR). To determine the interaction of MT and NO in ARF, MT synthesis
      inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine, NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5
      tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide potassium salt as well as GSNOR
      overexpression plants with low NO levels were used. The function of MT was
      removed by NO scavenger or GSNOR-overexpression plants. However, application of
      MT synthesis inhibitor did little to abolish the function of NO. These results
      indicate that NO, as a downstream signal, was involved in the MT-induced ARF.
      Concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid, as well as the
      expression of several genes related to the auxin signaling pathway (PIN1, PIN3,
      PIN7, IAA19, and IAA24), showed that MT influenced auxin transport and signal
      transduction as well as auxin accumulation through the NO signaling pathway.
      Collectively, these strongly suggest that elevated NO levels resulting from
      inhibited GSNOR activity and auxin signaling were involved in the MT-induced ARF
      in tomato plants. This can be applied in basic research and breeding. 

PMID- 27252732
TI  - Characterization of an Autophagy-Related Gene MdATG8i from Apple.
AB  - Nutrient deficiencies restrict apple (Malus sp.) tree growth and productivity in
      Northwest China. The process of autophagy, a conserved degradation pathway in
      eukaryotic cells, has important roles in nutrient-recycling and helps improve
      plant performance during periods of nutrient-starvation. Little is known about
      the functioning of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) in apple. In this study, one of
      the ATG8 gene family members MdATG8i was isolated from Malus domestica. MdATG8i
      has conserved putative tubulin binding sites and ATG7 interaction domains. A 1865
      bp promoter region cloned from apple genome DNA was predicated to have cis
      regulatory elements responsive to light, environmental stresses, and hormones.
      MdATG8i transcriptions were induced in response to leaf senescence, nitrogen
      depletion, and oxidative stress. At cellular level, MdATG8i protein was expressed
      in the nucleus and cytoplasm of onion epidermal cells. Yeast two-hybrid tests
      showed that MdATG8i could interact with MdATG7a and MdATG7b. In Arabidopsis, its
      heterologous expression was associated with enhanced vegetative growth, leaf
      senescence, and tolerance to nitrogen- and carbon-starvation. MdATG8i
      overexpressing "Orin" apple callus lines also displayed improved tolerance to
      nutrient-limited conditions. Our results demonstrate that MdATG8i protein could
      function in autophagy in a conserved way, as a positive regulator in the response
      to nutrient-starvation. 

PMID- 27252733
TI  - Cloning, Functional Characterization, and Catalytic Mechanism of a Bergaptol O
      Methyltransferase from Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn.
AB  - Coumarins are main active components of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn. Among them,
      methoxylated coumarin compound, such as bergapten, xanthotoxin, and
      isopimpinellin, has high officinal value and plays an important role in medicinal
      field. However, major issues associated with the biosynthesis mechanism of
      coumarins remain unsolved and no corresponding enzyme has been cloned from P.
      praeruptorum. In this study, a local BLASTN program was conducted to find the
      candidate genes from P. praeruptorum transcriptome database using the nucleotide
      sequence of Ammi majus bergaptol O-methyltransferase (AmBMT, GenBank accession
      No: AY443006) as a template. As a result, a 1335 bp full-length of cDNA sequence
      which contains an open reading frame of 1080 bp encoding a BMT polypeptide of 359
      amino acids was obtained. The recombinant protein was functionally expressed in
      Escherichia coli and displayed an observed activity to bergaptol. In vitro
      experiments show that the protein has narrow substrate specificity for bergaptol.
      Expression profile indicated that the cloned gene had a higher expression level
      in roots and can be induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Subcellular localization
      analysis showed that the BMT protein was located in cytoplasm in planta. Homology
      modeling and docking based site-directed mutagenesis have been employed to
      investigate the amino acid residues in BMT required for substrate binding and
      catalysis. Conservative amino acid substitutions at residue H264 affected BMT
      catalysis, whereas substitutions at residues F171, M175, D226, and L312 affected
      substrate binding. The systemic study summarized here will enlarge our knowledge
      on OMTs and provide useful information in investigating the coumarins
      biosynthesis mechanism in P. praeruptorum. 

PMID- 27252734
TI  - Elementary Vectors and Conformal Sums in Polyhedral Geometry and their Relevance
      for Metabolic Pathway Analysis.
AB  - A fundamental result in metabolic pathway analysis states that every flux mode
      can be decomposed into a sum of elementary modes. However, only a decomposition
      without cancelations is biochemically meaningful, since a reversible reaction
      cannot have different directions in the contributing elementary modes. This
      essential requirement has been largely overlooked by the metabolic pathway
      community. Indeed, every flux mode can be decomposed into elementary modes
      without cancelations. The result is an immediate consequence of a theorem by
      Rockafellar which states that every element of a linear subspace is a conformal
      sum (a sum without cancelations) of elementary vectors (support-minimal vectors).
      In this work, we extend the theorem, first to "subspace cones" and then to
      general polyhedral cones and polyhedra. Thereby, we refine Minkowski's and
      Caratheodory's theorems, two fundamental results in polyhedral geometry. We note
      that, in general, elementary vectors need not be support-minimal; in fact, they
      are conformally non-decomposable and form a unique minimal set of conformal
      generators. Our treatment is mathematically rigorous, but suitable for systems
      biologists, since we give self-contained proofs for our results and use concepts
      motivated by metabolic pathway analysis. In particular, we study cones defined by
      linear subspaces and nonnegativity conditions - like the flux cone - and use them
      to analyze general polyhedral cones and polyhedra. Finally, we review
      applications of elementary vectors and conformal sums in metabolic pathway
      analysis. 

PMID- 27252735
TI  - From the Editor-in-Chief.

PMID- 27252736
TI  - Algodystrophy: complex regional pain syndrome and incomplete forms.
AB  - The algodystrophy, also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), is a
      painful disease characterized by erythema, edema, functional impairment, sensory
      and vasomotor disturbance. The diagnosis of CRPS is based solely on clinical
      signs and symptoms, and for exclusion compared to other forms of chronic pain.
      There is not a specific diagnostic procedure; careful clinical evaluation and
      additional test should lead to an accurate diagnosis. There are similar forms of
      chronic pain known as bone marrow edema syndrome, in which is absent the history
      of trauma or triggering events and the skin dystrophic changes and vasomotor
      alterations. These incomplete forms are self-limited, and surgical treatment is
      generally not needed. It is still controversial, if these forms represent a
      distinct self-limiting entity or an incomplete variant of CRPS. In painful
      unexplained conditions such as frozen shoulder, post-operative stiff shoulder or
      painful knee prosthesis, the algodystrophy, especially in its incomplete forms,
      could represent the cause. 

PMID- 27252737
TI  - Hypercalcemia of advanced chronic liver disease: a forgotten clinical entity!
AB  - Hypercalcemia caused by advanced chronic liver disease (CLD) without hepatic
      neoplasia is uncommonly reported and poorly understood condition. We are
      reporting two cases of advanced CLD who developed hypercalcemia in the course of
      the disease. This diagnosis of exclusion was made only after meticulous ruling
      out of all causes of hypercalcemia. The unique feature of this type of
      hypercalcemia is its transient nature that may or may not require treatment. This
      clinical condition in patients with CLD should be kept in mind while evaluating
      the cause of hypercalcemia in them. 

PMID- 27252738
TI  - Differences in monthly variation, cause, and place of injury between femoral neck
      and trochanteric fractures: 6-year survey (2008-2013) in Kyoto prefecture, Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of femoral neck and trochanteric fractures reportedly
      differ by age and regionality. We investigated differences in monthly variations
      of the occurrence of femoral neck and trochanteric fractures as well as place and
      cause of injury in the Kyoto prefecture over a 6-year period. METHODS: Fracture
      type (neck or trochanteric fracture), age, sex, place of injury, and cause of
      injury were surveyed among patients aged >= 65 years with hip fractures that
      occurred between 2008 and 2013 who were treated in 1 of 13 participating
      hospitals (5 in an urban area and 8 in a rural area). The proportion of sick beds
      in the participating hospitals was 24.7% (4,151/16,781). Monthly variations in
      the number of patients were investigated in urban and rural areas in addition to
      the entire Kyoto prefecture. Place of injury was classified as indoors or
      outdoors, and cause of injury was categorized as simple fall, accident, or
      uncertain. RESULTS: There were 2,826 patients with neck fractures (mean age, 82.1
      years) and 3,305 patients with trochanteric fractures (mean age, 85.0 years).
      There were similarities in the monthly variation of the number of fractures in
      addition to the place and cause of injury between neck and trochanteric
      fractures. Indoors (approximately 74%) and simple falls (approximately 78%) were
      the primary place and cause of injury, respectively. The place of injury was not
      significantly different by fracture type with each age group. Significantly more
      patients with neck fracture had "uncertain" as the cause of injury than
      trochanteric fracture in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the
      present study, the injury pattern might not have a great effect on the
      susceptibility difference between neck and trochanteric fractures.

PMID- 27252739
TI  - Comparison of the effects of eldecalcitol with either raloxifene or
      bisphosphonate on serum tartrate resistant acid phosphatase-5b, a bone resorption
      marker, in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes whether concomitant raloxifene (RLX) or
      bisphosphonates (BP) plus eldecalcitol (ELD) has excessive suppressive effects on
      a bone resorption marker during the first 6 months of treatment in postmenopausal
      women in real-world setting. METHODS: 285 postmenopausal osteoporotic patients
      who had been treated with RLX or BP plus ELD were evaluated the bone resorption
      marker, serum tartrate resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), during the first
      6 months of treatment. RESULTS: In drug-naive group (not received osteoporosis
      medications before the administration, n=70), the concomitant RLX or BP with ELD
      significantly decreased levels of TRACP-5b without severe suppression. In vitamin
      D switch group [RLX or BP plus alfacalcidol (ALF) and then switched to RLX or BP
      plus ELD, n=215], the replacing ALF with ELD further and significantly decreased
      TRACP-5b and tertile analyses based on baseline values were significantly
      decreased far more in the highest, compared with the lowest tertile in the
      ELD+RLX and ELD+BP groups. CONCLUSION: ELD combined with RLX or BP administered
      for 6 months to postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who were drug-naive or who
      had switched medications significantly reduced and maintained TRACP-5b values
      within the reference range.

PMID- 27252740
TI  - Use of MR-based trabecular bone microstructure analysis at the distal radius for
      osteoporosis diagnostics: a study in post-menopausal women with breast cancer and
      treated with aromatase inhibitor.
AB  - PURPOSE: Treatment with aromatase inhibitor (AI) is recommended for post
      menopausal women with hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. However, AI
      therapy is known to induce bone loss leading to osteoporosis with an increased
      risk for fragility fractures. The purpose of this study was to investigate
      whether changes of magnetic resonance (MR)-based trabecular bone microstructure
      parameters as advanced imaging biomarker can already be detected in subjects with
      AI intake but still without evidence for osteoporosis according to dual energy X
      ray absorptiometry (DXA)-based bone mineral density (BMD) measurements as current
      clinical gold standard. METHODS: Twenty-one postmenopausal women (62+/-6 years of
      age) with hormone-receptor positive breast cancer, ongoing treatment with
      aromatase inhibitor for 23+/-15 months, and no evidence for osteoporosis (current
      DXA T-score greater than -2.5) were recruited for this study. Eight young,
      healthy women (24+/-2 years of age) were included as controls. All subjects
      underwent 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the distal radius to assess
      the trabecular bone microstructure. RESULTS: Trabecular bone microstructure
      parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) different between subjects with AI
      intake and controls, including apparent bone fraction (0.42+/-0.03 vs. 0.42+/
      0.05), trabecular number (1.95+/-0.10 mm(-1) vs 1.89+/-0.15 mm(-1)), trabecular
      separation (0.30+/-0.03 mm vs 0.31+/-0.06 mm), trabecular thickness (0.21+/-0.01
      mm vs 0.22+/-0.02 mm), and fractal dimension (1.70+/-0.02 vs. 1.70+/-0.03).
      CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the initial deterioration of trabecular
      bone microstructure as measured by MRI and BMD loss as measured by DXA occur not
      sequentially but rather simultaneously. Thus, the use of MR-based trabecular bone
      microstructure assessment is limited as early diagnostic biomarker in this
      clinical setting.

PMID- 27252741
TI  - Clodronate news of efficacy in osteoporosis.
AB  - Clodronate belongs to Bisphosphonates family and it has been studied especially
      for osteoporosis treatment, Paget's disease, osteolytic metastases, hypercalcemia
      malignancy and some childhood skeletal diseases. Besides the osteoporosis
      treatment, it has been successfully used for treating tumoral osteolysis and for
      bone localization of multiple myeloma, hypercalcemia malignancy, primary
      hyperparathyroidism, Paget's disease and algodystrophy. Filipponi study showed a
      statistically significant reduction of the incidence of vertebral fractures after
      4 years of treatment with clodronate, intravenously administered at a dose of 200
      mg every three weeks. Frediani study, published in 2003 on BONE, proved the
      clodronate efficacy in the prevention of fractures caused by glucocorticoid
      induced osteoporosis (GIO). Clodronate doses of 800 mg/day per os and 100 mg
      i.m./week are substantially equivalent, because the oral absorption is about
      1,9%. A higher efficacy on BMD was documented in various works, especially in
      cohorts of patients with a greater fracture risk, using higher doses (1600 mg per
      os). This has led to the hypothesis of using clodronate 200 mg i.m. formulation.
      Clodronate is an osteoporosis drug that can be assumed in different doses (100 mg
      i.m./week, clodronate 200 mg i.m. every 2 weeks) considering the risk band,
      identified by algorithms (FRAX o DeFRA), by BMD and by the presence of at least
      one risk factor. That means that it is possible to envisage a differentiated use
      of clodronate adapting the doses to the fracture risk and to the severity of pain
      symptoms, thus promoting a greater adherence to the therapy. To conclude
      clodronate is helpful in reducing fracture risk, is safe, well tolerated, and has
      a good rate cost/effectiveness in patients with fracture risk over 7% established
      with FRAX. 

PMID- 27252742
TI  - Hyaluronan viscosupplementation: state of the art and insight into the novel
      cooperative hybrid complexes based on high and low molecular weight HA of
      potential interest in osteoarthritis treatment.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) represents a group of chronic, painful, disabling conditions
      affecting synovial joints. It is characterized by degeneration of articular
      cartilage, alterations of peri-articular and subchondral bone, low-grade synovial
      inflammation (synovitis). Despite OA is commonly described as a non-inflammatory
      disease, it is known that its progression and the subsequent increment of
      symptoms correlate to the production of inflammatory factors that induce the
      secretion of enzymes responsible for cartilage degradation. In clinical practice,
      to alleviate pain and stiffness, not only during acute phases but also as
      maintenance therapy, intra-articular injections of corticosteroids or similar
      drugs are used, besides it is well diffused the viscosupplementation procedure
      based on hyaluronan gel. There are many different products containing high
      molecular weight linear HA or cross-linked derivatives, however the novelty in
      the field consist in the hybrid cooperative complexes derived from high and low
      molecular weight HA through a patented processing. This technique permit to
      double the amount of HA delivered to the injured site without increasing the
      injected volume, beside in vitro assay on human chondrocytes suggested hybrid
      complexes as effective in the modulation of several inflammatory cytokines in
      joints. 

PMID- 27252743
TI  - Atraumatic intracapsular neck of femur fractures after prolonged bisphosphonate
      treatment: a new atypical variant?
AB  - We present 2 cases of elderly females presenting with atraumatic, near-vertical
      (Pauwells grade 3), intracapsular neck of femur fractures. Following diagnosis of
      osteoporosis on DEXA scans, they had received alendronic acid for 7 and 10 years
      respectively. Routine blood tests and serum estimations of calcium, vitamin-D and
      thyroid-stimulating hormone, done at admission, were within the normal ranges.
      These patients were managed with a hemiarthroplasty and a dynamic hip screw (DHS)
      respectively, following discontinuation of bisphosphonates. We present these 2
      cases in light of emerging evidence that associates long-term bisphosphonate use
      with atypical low energy femoral fractures. Only subtrochanteric/diaphyseal
      fractures have been reported to date. We present a new variant of atypical
      femoral neck fractures in metaphyseal bone related to prolonged bisphosphonate
      therapy. 

PMID- 27252744
TI  - Surgical prevention of femoral neck fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients. A
      literature review.
AB  - Fragility fractures of the femur are one of the major causes of morbidity and
      mortality worldwide. The incidence of new contralateral hip fractures in elderly
      osteoporotic patients ranges from 7 to 12% within 2 years after the first
      fracture. Secondary prevention can be divided in: pharmacological therapy based
      on the prescription of anti-osteoporotic drugs with different mechanism of action
      and non-pharmacological therapy which is based on modification of environmental
      risk factors, on a healthy diet with daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D
      and calcium and on the use of hip protectors. Recently a new form of prevention
      is becoming achievable: surgical prevention; the rationale of surgical
      reinforcement is the need to increase the resistance of the femoral neck to the
      compression and distraction forces acting on it. In this paper we analyse all the
      experimental and "on the market" device available for the surgical prevention of
      femoral neck fracture. 

PMID- 27252745
TI  - Immobilization induced hypercalcemia.
AB  - Immobilization hypercalcemia is an uncommon diagnosis associated with increased
      bone remodeling disorders and conditions associated with limited movement such as
      medullar lesions or vascular events. Diagnosis requires an extensive evaluation
      to rule out other causes of hypercalcemia. This is a report of a woman with
      prolonged immobilization who presented with severe hypercalcemia. This case
      contributes to identification of severe hypercalcemia as a result of immobility
      and the description of bone metabolism during this state. 

PMID- 27252746
TI  - Detection of melorheostosis in a young lady with upper limb pain on Three Phase
      Bone Scintigram/SPECT-CT.
AB  - Melorheostosis is a benign, noninheritable bone dysplasia characterized by its
      classic radiographic features of dense, flowing hyperostosis. It frequently
      affects one limb, usually the lower extremity and rarely the axial skeleton. A 26
      year-old lady with obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome and scalp dandruff
      presented with a long standing history of upper extremity pain and inability to
      adduct the arm completely. A Tc-99m MDP whole body and SPECT/CT scan performed
      for suspected fibrous dysplasia showed increased radiotracer uptake in densely
      sclerotic humeral and radial melorheostosis. This case highlighted the role of
      SPECT/CT imaging in this rare condition. 

PMID- 27252747
TI  - An unusual case of hypercalcemia in a patient of concomitant hypoparathyroidism
      and celiac disease.
AB  - Milk alkali syndrome has shown resurgence with increase in use of (prescription
      or non prescription) calcium supplements. Cases of iatrogenic vitamin D
      intoxication has also increased due to increasing use of high doses of injectable
      vitamin D formulations by physicians, surgeons, orthopaedicians, gynecologists
      and other specialties inadvertently. Here, we present an unusual case of a 17
      year-old boy who presented with iatrogenic hypercalcemia as a result of
      combination of milk alkali syndrome with vitamin D intoxication despite being a
      case of hypoparathyroidism and concomitantly suffering from celiac disease. 

PMID- 27252748
TI  - Ossification of the cervical ligamentum flavum and osseous brown tumor: late
      manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism misdiagnosed in a case of
      parathyroid carcinoma.
AB  - Parathyroid carcinoma represents an extremely rare neoplasm with diverse clinical
      manifestations. Herein we aimed at presenting an unique case of a young patient
      with late manifestations of parathyroid cancer and reviewing the relevant
      literature. A 45-year-old male patient presented in the Outpatient Clinic with an
      episode of nephrolithiasis. His personal medical history includes: recurrent
      episodes of nephrolithiasis, laminectomy in the cervical spine due to
      ossification of the cervical ligamentum flavum and surgical resection of a giant
      cell tumor of the brain. Laboratory testing revealed findings of primary
      hyperparathyroidism (serum calcium 16,0 mmol/l phosphorus 1,46 mg/dl and
      parathyroid hormone/PTH 8560 pg/ml). Neck ultrasound and technetium-99 m
      sestamibi scan were performed showing a parathyroid tumor. Due to the
      persistently high serum calcium and PTH levels, the high alkaline phosphatase
      levels (440 IU/L) and the late manifestations of HPT, surgical excision of the
      tumor was performed. The tumor was identified as parathyroid carcinoma.
      Immediately after surgery serum calcium and phosphorus levels were normalized.
      The patient is on a regular follow-up program with no signs of recurrence or
      metastasis one year after the excision. We describe the coexistence of rare late
      manifestations of HPT, which had not been adequately investigated at their onset
      in this young patient. Therefore, increased awareness is needed in order to
      recognize and further investigate signs or symptoms of HPT. 

PMID- 27252749
TI  - Atypical femoral fractures bilaterally in a patient receiving bisphosphonate: a
      case report.
AB  - Atypical femoral fractures are often associated with prolonged bisphosphonate
      use. The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) has set the
      diagnosis criteria for atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures
      by classifying them according to their major and minor criteria. Prolonged
      bisphosphonate use is correlated with AFF, but the pathogenetic mechanism that
      causes this kind of fracture has not been defined yet. We describe simultaneous
      bilaterally femoral fractures in a 76-year-old woman. 

PMID- 27252750
TI  - Asymmetrical bone loss in a patient with poliomyelitis: an indication for anti
      osteoporotic therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poliomyelitis survivors suffer from post-myelitic complications
      including osteoporosis that are often overlooked. METHODS: We report a case of a
      49-year-old lady with history of poliomyelitis with resultant flaccid paralysis
      of the involved limb. RESULTS: The bone mineral density revealed asymmetrical
      severe osteoporosis in the poliomyelitic limb. Given the risk of falls and
      fractures, she was commenced on oral bisphosphonate therapy. CONCLUSION:
      Poliomyelitis is an important acquired risk factor for regional osteoporosis.
      This condition should be detected and treated in this cohort of patients who are
      clearly at higher risk of fractures.

PMID- 27252751
TI  - Jaw tumor in primary hyperparathyroidism is not always a brown tumor.
AB  - Primary hyperparthyrodism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disease. It results from
      an inappropriate parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion relative to serum ionized
      calcium level. Clinical manifestation of severe PHPT include bone disease called
      osteitis fibrosa cystica which reflects an increase osteoclastic resorption and
      osteoblastic activity. This high bone turnover is responsible of the occurrence
      of osteoclastomas, also named "brown tumors" (1). Rarely, PHPT may occur in
      inherited forms with association to fibrous jaw tumor that are unrelated to
      hyperparathyroidism. In this uncommon disease: hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPT
      JT) syndrome, parathyroid tumor is frequently malignant and usually associated
      with nonendocrine malignancies (2). We report a case of a HPT-JT syndrome to
      focus on the differential diagnosis with brown tumors. 

PMID- 27252752
TI  - Efficacy of a specific rehabilitation protocol in postural control of a young
      woman with multiple fragility vertebral fractures: a case report.
AB  - The fragility vertebral fractures have a considerable impact on an individual's
      health-related quality of life due to pain, limitations in activity, social
      participation, altered mood and balance impairment. Physiotherapy interventions
      may have an important role in improving quality of life, balance and reducing the
      fracture risk in people with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. In literature
      there are only a few studies that examine exercise interventions in osteoporotic
      populations with vertebral fracture and few studies that examine the effects on
      balance with instrumental measurements. In this paper we present a case of a
      woman with fragility vertebral fractures and a related balance impairment and the
      effects of a specific rehabilitation program using both clinical evaluations that
      instrumental measurements. 

PMID- 27252753
TI  - Effect of Fluoride, Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate and Casein
      Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Fluoride on Enamel Surface
      Microhardness After Microabrasion: An in Vitro Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effect of applying casein
      phosphopeptide- amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) paste, casein
      phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (CPP-ACPF) paste and sodium
      fluoride gel on surface microhardness of enamel after microabrasion. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Thirty freshly extracted human premolars were selected. All samples
      were subjected to hardness indentations made with the Vickers hardness machine
      and the average value was recorded as the initial surface microhardness. The
      specimens were then randomly divided into three groups (n=10) of CPP-ACPF,
      fluoride and CPPACP. The teeth were micro-abraded with Opalustre. Microhardness
      test was performed to assess the post-abrasion hardness. Three remineralization
      modalities were performed on samples of each group. The enamel surface
      microhardness measurements were performed. To compare the difference between
      groups, the rehardening and softening values were defined. One-way ANOVA and
      Tukey's post hoc test at a significance level of 5% were used for statistical
      analysis. RESULTS: The mean microhardness value (MMV) had a significant decrease
      after microabrasion from baseline. The MMV had a significant increase after
      remineralization in all groups. The MMV of CPP-ACPF group was significantly more
      than that of fluoride group (P=0.027). The rehardening value of fluoride group
      was significantly more than that of other groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: All the
      remineralizing agents were effective for rehardening the enamel after
      microabrasion. The CPP-ACP and CPP-ACPF pastes are effective, but to a lesser
      extent than neutral sodium fluoride gel in remineralizing enamel surface.
      Incorporation of fluoride to CPP-ACP formulation does not provide any additional
      remineralizing potential.

PMID- 27252754
TI  - Effect of Adhesive Application on Sealant Success: A Clinical Study of Fifth and
      Seventh Generation Adhesive Systems.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of fifth and seventh
      generation bonding agent on sealant success. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four
      school children aged six to nine years received sealants in four permanent molars
      in a split mouth design, such that each patient received sealant in the first
      permanent molar with fifth generation bonding agent in one arch and seventh
      generation bonding agent in the other arch; contra-lateral molars were sealed
      with sealant alone. The evaluation was carried out at baseline, three months, six
      months and 12 months, according to the criteria by Feigal et al, in 2000. Chi-
      square test was used to analyze data at P<0.05 level of significance. RESULTS:
      Statistically significant differences were found for sealant retention between
      fifth generation and sealant group, and fifth generation and seventh generation
      groups; whereas, no significant difference was found for sealant retention
      between seventh generation and sealant group at three, six and 12 months.
      CONCLUSION: As separate etch and rinse steps are not required for seventh
      generation bonding agents, and almost similar results were obtained for both
      sealant and seventh generation groups, it can be concluded that application of
      sealant along with a seventh generation bonding agent may enhance sealant success
      and can be used for caries prevention in preventive programs.

PMID- 27252755
TI  - Effect of Different Obturation Materials on Residual Antimicrobial Activity of 2%
      Chlorhexidine in Dentin at Different Time Intervals: An Ex Vivo Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gutta percha/AH26
      and Resilon/RealSeal SE on residual antimicrobial activity of chlorhexidine (CHX)
      in human root dentin and suggest the best filling material when CHX is used as
      final irrigant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and forty-four single-rooted
      human teeth were selected for this study. Canals were instrumented to the apical
      size #35. Smear layer was removed using 5.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA and then 108
      teeth were irrigated with 2% CHX and randomly divided into three groups of gutta
      percha/AH26, Resilon/RealSeal SE and positive controls. Each group was divided
      into three subgroups for different time intervals (one, three and six weeks).
      Thirty-six teeth, as negative controls, were irrigated with saline and obturated
      with gutta percha/AH26 and Resilon/RealSeal SE. Dentin powder was prepared at the
      afore-mentioned intervals. After exposure to Enterococcus faecalis for 24 hours,
      colony forming units (CFUs) were counted and residual antimicrobial activity was
      calculated. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis test and one-way
      ANOVA. The significance level was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: The antimicrobial
      activity of CHX gradually decreased in a time-dependent manner but it maintained
      over 95% of its antimicrobial activity after six weeks. Moreover,
      Resilon/RealSeal SE significantly decreased the antimicrobial activity of CHX in
      comparison with gutta-percha/AH26 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: After a final irrigation
      with CHX, gutta-percha/AH26 is a better choice for root canal obturation.

PMID- 27252756
TI  - Comparative Evaluation of Commercially Available Freeze Dried Powdered Probiotics
      on Mutans Streptococci Count: A Randomized, Double Blind, Clinical Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Probiotic approaches are being considered to eliminate pathogenic
      microorganisms and are an alternative and promising way to combat infections by
      using harmless bacteria to displace pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the effectiveness of commercially available freeze dried
      powdered probiotics on mutans streptococci count among 12-15 year-old Indian
      schoolchildren. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in two phases of
      in-vitro (phase I) and in-vivo (phase II) study, which was a double blind,
      randomized and placebo controlled clinical trial. A total of 33 schoolchildren
      between 12-15 years were included in the study. They were randomly allocated to
      three groups. Group A included 11 children using freeze dried Lactobacillus
      acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium
      lactis. Group B included 11 children using freeze dried lactic acid bacillus
      only. Group C included 11 children using placebo powder. The study was conducted
      over a period of three weeks and examination and sampling of the subjects were
      done on days 0 (baseline), seven, 14 and 21. RESULTS: For both the intervention
      groups A and B, statistically significant reduction (P<0.05) in salivary mutans
      streptococci counts was recorded up to the second week. CONCLUSION: Oral
      administration of probiotics showed a short-term effect on reduction of mutans
      streptococci count and showed a preventive role in caries development.

PMID- 27252757
TI  - Effects of Length and Inclination of Implants on Terminal Abutment Teeth and
      Implants in Mandibular CL1 Removable Partial Denture Assessed by Three
      Dimensional Finite Element Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the effects of length and inclination of
      implants on stress distribution in an implant and terminal abutment teeth in an
      implant assisted-removable partial denture (RPD) using three-dimensional (3D)
      finite element analysis (FEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study, a
      3D finite element model of a partially dentate mandible with a distal extension
      RPD (DERPD) and dental implants was designed to analyze stress distribution in
      bone around terminal abutment teeth (first premolar) and implants with different
      lengths (7 and 10 mm) and angles (0 degrees , 10 degrees  and 15 degrees ).
      RESULTS: Stress in the periodontal ligament (PDL) of the first premolar teeth
      ranged between 0.133 MPa in 10mm implants with 15 degrees  angle and 0.248 MPa in
      7mm implants with 0 degrees  angle. The minimum stress was noted in implants with
      10mm length with 0 degrees  angle (19.33 MPa) while maximum stress (25.78 MPa)
      was found in implants with 10mm length and 15 degrees  angle. In implants with 7
      mm length, with an increase in implant angle, the stress on implants gradually
      increased. In implants with 10 mm length, increasing the implant angle gradually
      increased the stress on implants. CONCLUSION: Not only the length of implant but
      also the angle of implantation are important to minimize stress on implants. The
      results showed that vertical implant placement results in lower stress on
      implants and by increasing the angle, distribution of stress gradually increases.

PMID- 27252758
TI  - Effect of Saliva Contamination on Microleakage Beneath Bonded Brackets: A
      Comparison Between Two Moisture-Tolerant Bonding Systems.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of saliva contamination on
      the metallic bracket microleakage bonded with two moisture-tolerant bonding
      systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety freshly extracted premolar teeth were
      randomly divided into six groups of 15 with the following treatments: G1
      (control): After acid etching, Assure primer and Assure adhesive were applied to
      non-contaminated enamel surfaces. G2 (contaminated after etching): The etched
      enamel surface was exposed to saliva, then Assure primer and Assure adhesive were
      applied. G3 (contaminated after priming): Saliva contamination was done after
      application of Assure primer. The exact same procedures were applied to groups G4
      to G6 except that TIMP primer and Transbond Plus adhesive system were used. To
      measure the microleakage score, the teeth were stained with 2% methylene blue for
      24 hours, sectioned and examined under a stereomicroscope at *16 magnification.
      Data analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: In dry
      conditions, Assure and TMIP were not significantly different in terms of
      microleakage scores. All contaminated groups exhibited higher microleakage score
      at the enamel/adhesive interface compared to the bracket/adhesive interface (P<
      0.01). In wet conditions, Assure groups showed higher microleakage at the enamel
      adhesive interface compared to the TMIP groups (P<0.05). At the bracket-adhesive
      interface, the microleakage scores were not significantly different in saliva
      contaminated groups compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: Saliva contamination
      caused greater microleakage at the enamel-adhesive interface compared to the
      adhesive-bracket interface.

PMID- 27252759
TI  - Relationship of the Gonial Angle and Inferior Alveolar Canal Course Using Cone
      Beam Computed Tomography.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Accurate localization of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) is
      extremely important in some dental treatments. Anatomical variation of the canal
      means that it can be difficult to locate. The purpose of this study was to assess
      the relationship of the gonial angle (GA) size and IAC position using cone beam
      computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study, 61 dry
      adult human hemi-mandibles were used. The CBCT scans were taken of all samples
      and GA was measured on all CBCT scans. The samples were divided into two groups
      of low angle (<=125 degrees ) and high angle (>125 degrees ). The canal
      dimensions, length and course were evaluated. On the sagittal view, the IAC path
      was classified as type A, B or C. On the axial view, canal course was defined as
      A1 or A2 according to the mental foramen angle. RESULTS: The average GA size was
      121.8+/-7.05 degrees  at the right side and 123.8+/-6.32 degrees  at the left
      side. On the sagittal view, there was a significant correlation between the GA
      size and the canal course (P=0.04). In the high-angle group, type A was dominant;
      whereas in the low-angle group, type B was more common. On the axial view of IAC
      course, type A1 was more common (73.43%). CONCLUSION: The results showed that GA
      size was associated with IAC course. In cases with a larger GA, the canal runs in
      a more straightforward path, and at the same level as the mental foramen.

PMID- 27252760
TI  - Treatment of Intrabony Defects by DFDBA Alone or in Combination with PRP: A Split
      Mouth Randomized Clinical and Three-Dimensional Radiographic Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to demineralized
      freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) in order to improve the clinical and
      radiographic results obtained in treatment of deep periodontal intrabony defects
      has yet to be fully elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This double blind, split
      mouth randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 12 patients with two
      comparable bilateral intrabony defects. Each pair of defects was randomly treated
      with DFDBA+PRP (test) or DFDBA alone (control). Clinical attachment level (CAL),
      intrabony defect depth (IDD), distance from the stent to the alveolar crest and
      pocket depth (PD) as well as radiographic parameters including the radiographic
      defect depth, width and angulation were measured at baseline and six months post
      operatively. The paired t-test was used to compare the pre and post-treatment
      values and the unpaired t-test compared the test and control groups. RESULTS: The
      mean reductions in PD and CAL were 4.5 +/-1.3 mm and 3.6+/-1.6 mm in sites
      treated with DFDBA+ PRP, respectively (P<0.01); these reductions were 4.1+/-1.4
      mm and 3.5+/-1.3 mm, respectively in DFDBA group (P<0.01). Radiographic
      evaluation revealed 2.5+/-1.1 mm reduction in the radiographic defect depth in
      the test and 2.1+/-1.2 mm in the control sites. The defect angulation increased
      at both sites. Statistically, there were no significant differences between the
      two treatment modalities (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study showed that both
      treatments resulted in significant PD reduction, CAL gain and IDD reduction.
      Also, PRP failed to enhance the results obtained by DFDBA.

PMID- 27252761
TI  - Accuracy of Implant Position Transfer and Surface Detail Reproduction with
      Different Impression Materials and Techniques.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of implant
      position transfer and surface detail reproduction using two impression techniques
      and materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A metal model with two implants and three
      grooves of 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mm in depth on the flat superior surface of a die
      was fabricated. Ten regular-body polyether (PE) and 10 regular-body polyvinyl
      siloxane (PVS) impressions with square and conical transfer copings using open
      tray and closed tray techniques were made for each group. Impressions were poured
      with type IV stone, and linear and angular displacements of the replica heads
      were evaluated using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). Also, accurate
      reproduction of the grooves was evaluated by a video measuring machine (VMM).
      These measurements were compared with the measurements calculated on the
      reference model that served as control, and the data were analyzed with two-way
      ANOVA and t-test at P= 0.05. RESULTS: There was less linear displacement for PVS
      and less angular displacement for PE in closed-tray technique, and less linear
      displacement for PE in open tray technique (P<0.001). Also, the open tray
      technique showed less angular displacement with the use of PVS impression
      material. Detail reproduction accuracy was the same in all the groups (P>0.05).
      CONCLUSION: The open tray technique was more accurate using PE, and also both
      closed tray and open tray techniques had acceptable results with the use of PVS.
      The choice of impression material and technique made no significant difference in
      surface detail reproduction.

PMID- 27252762
TI  - A Case of Successful Retreatment of a Maxillary Lateral Incisor with a
      Supernumerary Root.
AB  - Knowledge about the morphology of the root canal system is a pre-requisite for
      achieving a successful outcome in root canal treatment. In this report, a patient
      with a maxillary lateral incisor which had previously undergone orthograde
      endodontic retreatment for two times is discussed. The tooth had been
      misdiagnosed with a palatal groove or a root fracture, its prognosis had been
      determined to be poor and extraction was advised by a practitioner. During our
      evaluation, an unrecognized supernumerary root and root canal were detected and
      the tooth was maintained successfully with orthograde endodontic retreatment. The
      use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnification were of
      significance in the treatment process of this case. 

PMID- 27252763
TI  - The Role of Lead Exposure on Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder in
      Children: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most
      common behavioral disorders in children effecting the families and society. This
      systematic review examined the literature on the role of lead exposure in
      children with ADHD? ?symptoms. Articles were analytically compared, focusing on
      the methodology used to assess exposure and? ?adverse effects? ?on children with
      ADHD.  METHOD: Using the search strategy from six databases (Pub Med, PsycINFO,
      Web of Science, SID, IRAN Medex, IRAN DOC), hand searching in key journals, list
      of references of selected articles and gray literature, without time and language
      limitation, articles up to May 2014 were entered into this review. In this
      review, 1,387 articles were acquired at the primary search. Study selection and
      quality assessment processes were done based on Cochrane library guidelines.
      After assessing the quality and inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 articles
      were selected and entered into the data synthesis. RESULTS: Blood Lead level
      (BLL) of less than 10ug/dL in children has been attributed to at least one type
      of ADHD i.e., Combined / Inattentive / Hyperactive-Impulsive. The results of this
      study revealed that in 16 out of the 18 studies, a significant association was
      found between BLL and one of the types of ADHD. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings
      of this study, even the BLL of less than the action level of 10ug/dL, chosen by
      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), may affect children with ADHD..

PMID- 27252764
TI  - Transition to Psychosis: Evaluation of the First-Degree Relatives of Patients
      with Schizophrenia .
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia and other psychoses have devastating personal and social
      impacts and many efforts have been devoted to study prodromal syndromes for
      psychosis in order to achieve earlier detection and interventions. However, only
      few studies have been performed in developing countries on this subject, and
      there is a dearth of evidence in the Iranian population. In this study, we
      focused on conversion rate to psychosis and changes in prodromal symptoms in a
      group of first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia and to compare the
      conversion rate in those with and without prodromal symptoms as assessed by the
      Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS) and Scale of Prodromal
      Symptoms (SOPS). METHOD: Participants were the first-degree relatives of
      hospitalized patients with schizophrenia at Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran, Iran. At
      baseline, a trained psychiatrist interviewed the participants using the SIPS and
      the SOPS and assigned them to high- or low-risk groups either based on the
      presence of prodromal criteria or seeking mental health services. After 12
      months, the same examiner re-evaluated the participants in order to determine the
      changes in their symptoms and identify the probable transitions to psychosis.
      RESULTS: One hundred participants, 50 participants within each of high- or low
      risk groups, were recruited at baseline. Eight participants dropped out of the
      study. At the follow-up, the rate of transition to full psychosis among high-risk
      group was 13% (95% CI [0.029, 0.23]), whereas none of the low-risk participants
      developed psychosis. None of the high-risk participants demonstrated attenuation
      in their prodromal states after a one-year follow-up. In contrast, of the 50 low
      risk participants, three experienced prodromal symptoms for psychosis during this
      period. High-risk participant's illustrated higher severity in almost all of the
      SOPS items compared to the low-risk participants at both baseline and follow-up
      evaluations. CONCLUSION: Prodromal syndrome for psychosis based on the SIPS and
      the SOPS was a predictive factor for transition to psychosis after a 12-month
      period in a group of first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia
      admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Iran. Conducting further studies on this at
      risk population is highly recommended in order to provide practical methods for
      early screening and therapeutic interventions..

PMID- 27252765
TI  - Investigation of Mental Health in Patients with Medically Unexplained Physical
      Symptoms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Medically unexplained symptoms are physical symptoms, which cannot be
      explained by organic causes. This study aimed to investigate mental health in
      patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms.  METHOD: One hundred
      outpatients who were admitted to the Electro Diagnosis Clinic of Imam Khomeini
      hospital, Ahvaz/Iran, participated in this study. Data were collected using
      physical examination, paraclinical examinations, and SCL-90-R, and analyzed
      through multivariate analysis of variance  (MANOVA), Chi-square test and Fisher's
      exact test.  RESULTS: The findings revealed significant differences between
      clients with medically explained and unexplained symptoms in obsessive compulsive
      and somatization (p<0.05). Differences in depression, anxiety, phobia, psychosis,
      aggression and paranoia were not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The present
      study suggested an association between some psychological problems and somatic
      symptoms. Therefore, screening for psychological impairments can improve clinical
      outcomes..

PMID- 27252766
TI  - Effectiveness of Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Symptoms of Premenstrual
      Syndrome (PMS) .
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Standards of care and treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) vary.
      Non-drug psychosocial intervention therapy is recommended for women with any kind
      of discomfort or distress caused by PMS. The current study examined the
      effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioral therapy on the symptoms of PMS at a
      girls' dormitory of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences. METHOD: In
      this quasi-experimental study, 32 female students with PMS who were majoring in
      nursing and midwifery and residing in the dormitory were selected using the
      convenience sampling method and were assigned to experimental and control groups.
      The Standardized Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool was used as the research
      tool. Eight sessions of cognitive-behavioral group therapy were held for the
      students Results: There was a significant difference in psychological symptoms
      before and after cognitive-behavioral therapy (p=0.012). Furthermore, cognitive
      behavioral therapy was effective on social interferences caused by PMS symptoms
      (p=0.012). CONCLUSION: Group cognitive-behavioral therapy effectively alleviates
      PMS symptoms in female college students..

PMID- 27252767
TI  - Iranian Version of Manchester Driving Behavior Questionnaire (MDBQ): Psychometric
      Properties.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Since the study of driving behavior is of great importance, we
      conducted this research to investigate the psychometric properties and the
      factorial structure of the Manchester Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) in
      Iranian drivers. METHOD: This cross - sectional research was performed on a
      sample of 800 drivers (of category D and C) aged 23- 75 who were referred to Imam
      Sajjad Centre for drug Addiction Diagnosis. Manchester Driver Behavior
      Questionnaire (DBQ), a demographic questionnaire, were conducted to the sample.
      To analyze data, we used factor analysis, internal consistency
      (Cronbach's'alpha), split half, and test-retest using SPSS18 Software. RESULTS:
      As a result of reliability analysis and exploratory factor analysis by principal
      component and Varimax rotation, we extracted six factors (willful violations,
      unintentional errors, advertent errors, deliberate mistakes, unintentional
      violation, and unintentional mistakes, respectively). The factors reliability
      ranged from 0.65 to 0.75. The test-retest correlations of the DBQ and split- half
      reliability were 0.56 and 0.77, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results revealed
      that the Persian version of the DBQ in category D and C drivers is a valid and
      reliable tool to assess driving behaviors in Iranian drivers..

PMID- 27252768
TI  - The Association between Dairy Intake, Simple Sugars and Body Mass Index with
      Expression and Extent of Anger in Female Students .
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A significant increase in violence in the world and its impact on
      public health and society can be an important reason to offer solutions to reduce
      or control anger. Studies have shown that specific food groups may be effective
      in controlling mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and anger. The
      purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between food intake and
      Body Mass Index on state-trait anger expression in female students of Shahid
      Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.  METHOD: In this cross-sectional study,
      114 female students were randomly selected from dormitories of Shahid Beheshti
      University of Medical Sciences. Body height and weight were measured using the
      scale and stadiometer, respectively. The required data for evaluating the
      relationship between state-trait anger expression and food consumption groups
      were collected using State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2  (STAXI-2) and Food
      Frequency questionnaires. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant negative
      correlation between consumption of dairy product and trait anger (angry
      reaction), (P = 0.015). This association remained significant after adjustment of
      confounding factors. No significant correlations were found between other food
      groups as well as BMI and state-trait anger expression. CONCLUSION: The higher
      intake of dairy products reduced state-trait anger expression. This result is
      consistent with the findings of many studies on the effect of dairy consumption
      on mental disorders. Therefore, consumption of dairy products can be a solution
      for reducing anger..

PMID- 27252769
TI  - Late Recovery from Stuttering: The Role of Hand Dominancy, Fine Motor and
      Inhibition Control.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There are controversial reports about factors that affect recovery
      from stuttering. In the present study, the effect of hand dominancy, fine motor
      and inhibition control on late recovery from stuttering was investigated among a
      group of Kurdish-Persian children who stuttered in Iran. METHOD: Twenty-two
      Kurdish-Persian children aged 7-14 years who stuttered were followed for 6 years.
      Based on the evaluation of three experienced speech therapists and parental
      judgments, these children were classified into recovered or persistent groups.
      Data about fine motor control of hand and inhibition control were obtained, using
      Purdue Pegboard and Victoria Strop Color Word Tests, respectively. Risk factors
      including sex, age, and family history of stuttering, handedness, inhibitory
      control and fine motor control of hand were compared between the groups and
      modeled to predict recovery from stuttering using logistic regression. RESULTS:
      From the 22 participants, 5 (22.7%) recovered from stuttering. The recovered and
      persistent groups did not show significant differences in the interference
      effect. By dividing the scores of the Purdue Pegboard tests to the right and left
      hand, we created a new Handedness Index (HI). HI was significantly higher in the
      recovered group. The score of right hand was higher than the left in the
      recovered group, but no difference was found between the two hands in the
      persistent group. Among the investigated risk factors, only HI could predict the
      recovery from or persistency of stuttering with 94% sensitivity and 84%
      specificity. CONCLUSION: Handedness Index can predict the recovery from
      stuttering significantly among children who stutter..

PMID- 27252770
TI  - Evaluating Autonomic Parameters: The Role of Sleep Duration in Emotional
      Responses to Music .
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It has been recognized that sleep has an important effect on emotion
      processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of previous night
      sleep duration on autonomic responses to musical stimuli in different emotional
      contexts. METHOD: A frequency based measure of GSR, PR and ECG signals were
      examined in 35 healthy students in three groups of oversleeping, lack of sleep
      and normal sleep.  RESULTS: The results of this study revealed that regardless of
      the emotional context of the musical stimuli (happy, relax, fear, and sadness),
      there was an increase in the maximum power of GSR, ECG and PR during the music
      time compared to the rest time in all the three groups. In addition, the higher
      value of these measures was achieved while the participants listened to relaxing
      music. Statistical analysis of the extracted features between each pair of
      emotional states revealed that the most significant differences were attained for
      ECG signals. These differences were more obvious in the participants with normal
      sleeping (p<10-18). The higher value of the indices has been shown, comparing
      long sleep duration with the normal one. CONCLUSION: There was a strong relation
      between emotion and sleep duration, and this association can be observed by means
      of the ECG signals..

PMID- 27252771
TI  - Escitalopram in Preschool-Age Children Diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive
      Disorder: A Case Report .

PMID- 27252772
TI  - Identification of donor splice sites using support vector machine: a
      computational approach based on positional, compositional and dependency
      features.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Identification of splice sites is essential for annotation of genes.
      Though existing approaches have achieved an acceptable level of accuracy, still
      there is a need for further improvement. Besides, most of the approaches are
      species-specific and hence it is required to develop approaches compatible across
      species. RESULTS: Each splice site sequence was transformed into a numeric vector
      of length 49, out of which four were positional, four were dependency and 41 were
      compositional features. Using the transformed vectors as input, prediction was
      made through support vector machine. Using balanced training set, the proposed
      approach achieved area under ROC curve (AUC-ROC) of 96.05, 96.96, 96.95, 96.24 %
      and area under PR curve (AUC-PR) of 97.64, 97.89, 97.91, 97.90 %, while tested on
      human, cattle, fish and worm datasets respectively. On the other hand, AUC-ROC of
      97.21, 97.45, 97.41, 98.06 % and AUC-PR of 93.24, 93.34, 93.38, 92.29 % were
      obtained, while imbalanced training datasets were used. The proposed approach was
      found comparable with state-of-art splice site prediction approaches, while
      compared using the bench mark NN269 dataset and other datasets. CONCLUSIONS: The
      proposed approach achieved consistent accuracy across different species as well
      as found comparable with the existing approaches. Thus, we believe that the
      proposed approach can be used as a complementary method to the existing methods
      for the prediction of splice sites. A web server named as 'HSplice' has also been
      developed based on the proposed approach for easy prediction of 5' splice sites
      by the users and is freely available at http://cabgrid.res.in:8080/HSplice.

PMID- 27252773
TI  - Efficacy of extra-peritoneal pelvic packing in hemodynamically unstable pelvic
      fractures, a Propensity Score Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An option for emergency control of pelvic hemorrhage is Extra
      peritoneal Pelvic Packing (EPP), which addresses the retroperitoneal source of
      exsanguination in pelvic fractures. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the
      efficacy of early EPP in reducing mortality due to hemorrhage from pelvic
      fractures, and to evaluate the impact of packing on transfusion requirements
      within the first 24 h and ICU length of stay (ICU-LOS). All data pertaining
      trauma patients admitted from October 2002 and December 2103 with hemodynamic
      instability and pelvic fractures were selected from the Hospital Trauma Registry.
      Patients with severe brain injury and bleeding from extra-pelvic sources were
      excluded. Patient population was divided into two groups: EPP group, including
      patients admitted from 2009 to 2013, with EPP as part of the treatment algorithm,
      and NO-EPP group, from 2002 to 2008, without EPP as atherapeutic option.
      Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on allpatients. Twenty-five
      patients of each group with similar features were matched using Propensity Score
      Analysis (PSA). RESULTS: Six hundred eighty out of 4659 major trauma (14.6 %)
      presented a pelvic fracture. In 78 hemodynamically unstable patients (30 in EPP
      group,48 in NO-EPP group) the major source of bleeding was the pelvis. Among
      patients selected by PSA early mortality was significantly reduced in EPP group
      (20 vs 52 %, p = .03) compared to NO-EPP, notwithstanding similar hemodynamic
      impairment. No difference was observed in transfusion requirements and ICU-LOS.
      CONCLUSIONS: The EPP is a safe and quick procedure, able to improve hemodynamic
      stabilization and to reduce acute mortality due to hemorrhage in patients with
      pelvic fracture, in combination with optimized transfusion protocol. EPP may be
      useful as a bridge for time-consuming procedures, such as angio-embolization.

PMID- 27252775
TI  - Syrian refugees in Lebanon: the search for universal health coverage.
AB  - The crisis in Syria has forced more than 4 million people to find refuge outside
      Syria. In Lebanon, in 2015, the refugee population represented 30 % of the total
      population. International health assistance has been provided to refugee
      populations in Lebanon. However, the current humanitarian system has also
      contributed to increase fragmentation of the Lebanese health system. Ensuring
      universal health coverage to vulnerable Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian refugees
      will require in Lebanon to redistribute the key functions and responsibilities of
      the Ministry of Health and its partners to generate more coherence and
      efficiency. 

PMID- 27252774
TI  - Gastrodia and Uncaria (tianma gouteng) water extract exerts antioxidative and
      antiapoptotic effects against cerebral ischemia in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastrodia and Uncaria decoction (tianma gouteng yin) is commonly used
      in Chinese medicine to treat cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the neuroprotective effects of a water extract (GUW) of Gastrodia
      elata (tianma; GE) and Uncaria rhynchophylla (gouteng; UR) against ischemic
      insult using oxygen-glucose-deprived neuronal differentiated PC12 cells and rats
      subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). METHODS: GUW was prepared
      by boiling raw GE and UR in water, followed by the lyophilization of the
      resulting extract. Neuronal differentiated PC12 cells were subjected to oxygen
      glucose deprivation with or without GUW. The neuroprotective effects of GUW were
      compared with those of the corresponding GE and UR extracts to tease apart the
      effects of the different herbs. The synergistic effect of GE and UR in GUW was
      measured using a modified version of Burgi's formulae. The neuroprotective
      mechanisms via Nrf2 and anti-apoptotic pathways were investigated using real time
      PCR and enzyme activity assays. The neuroprotective effects of GUW were studied
      in vivo using a rat MCAO model. Neurofunctional outcome and brain infarct volume
      we assessed. H&E staining, cresyl violet staining and immunohistochemistry were
      performed to assess the histological outcome. RESULTS: The results of lactate
      dehydrogenase assay showed that GUW protected cells in a concentration-dependent
      manner (P < 0.001). Moreover, the neuroprotective effects of GUW were greater
      than those of GE + UR (P = 0.018). Burgi's formula showed that the herbs in GUW
      acted synergistically to protect cells from ischemic injury. GUW significantly
      upregulated Bcl-2 expression (P = 0.0130) and reduced caspase-3 activity by 60 %
      (P < 0.001). GUW upregulated Nrf-2 expression (P = 0.0066) and the antioxidant
      response element pathway genes. The infarct volume was reduced by 55 % at day 7
      of reperfusion (P < 0.001), and significant improvements were observed in the
      neurological deficit score and beam-walking test at 7 days (P < 0.001). H&E and
      cresyl violet staining revealed higher tissue integrity in the GUW treatment
      group compared with MCAO rats. CONCLUSION: GUW modulated the antioxidant system
      and antiapoptotic genes in oxygen-glucose deprived neuronal differentiated PC12
      cells and MCAO sprague-dawley rats.

PMID- 27252776
TI  - Natural curcuminoids encapsulated in layered double hydroxides: a novel
      antimicrobial nanohybrid.
AB  - Currently, there is an increased scientific interest to discover plant based drug
      formulations with improved therapeutic potential. Among the cornucopia of
      traditional medicinal plants, Curcuma longa rhizomes have been used as a powerful
      antibacterial and antifungal agent. However, its practical applications are
      limited due to its instability under thermal and UV radiation and its low
      bioavailability and the extensive procedures needed for isolation. This study
      focuses on exploring the potential of nanotechnology-based approaches to
      stabilize the natural curcuminoids, the major active components in turmeric
      without the need for its isolation, and to evaluate the release characteristics,
      stability and antimicrobial activity of the resulting nanohybrids. Natural
      curcuminoids were selectively encapsulated into nanolayers present in Mg-Al
      layered double hydroxides (LDHs) using a method that avoids any isolation of the
      curcuminoids. The products were characterized using solid state techniques, while
      thermal and photo-stability were studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
      and UV exposure data. The morphological features were studied using scanning
      electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Drug
      release characteristics of the nanohybrid were quantitatively monitored under pH
      3 and 5, and therapeutic potentials were assessed by using distinctive kinetic
      models. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of curcuminoids-LDH was tested
      against three bacterial and two fungal species. Powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier
      transform infra-red spectroscopy, SEM and TEM data confirmed the successful and
      selective encapsulation of curcuminoids in the LDH, while the TGA and UV exposure
      data suggested the stabilization of curcuminoids within the LDH matrix. The LDH
      demonstrated a slow and a sustained release of the curcuminoids in an acidic
      medium, while it was active against the three bacteria and two fungal species
      used in this study, suggesting its potential applications in pharmaceutical
      industry.Graphical abstractSynthesis of Curcuminoid-LDH by coprecipitation method
      and the slow release process of curcuminoids from LDH matrix. 

PMID- 27252777
TI  - Kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic studies on biosorption of chromium(VI) by
      using activated carbon from leaves of Ficus nitida.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Kinetics, thermodynamics and equilibrium of the removal of
      chromium(VI) ions from aqueous solutions by using chemically activated leaves of
      Ficus nitida were investigated. Adsorption runs were performed as a function of
      pH, mass of biosorbent, contact time, initial concentration of chromium(VI) ions
      and temperature. RESULTS: The optimum conditions for maximum removal of
      chromium(VI) ion from aqueous solutions (about 99 %) were found to be 0.80 g of
      chemically activated leaves of F. nitida, 25 min, 50.0 mg/L of initial
      concentration of chromium(VI). Values of thermodynamic activation parameters
      proved that the biosorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. Results were
      analyzed by using Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models. CONCLUSIONS: Results of
      the study showed that the chemically activated leaves of F. nitida can be used as
      low cost, ecofriendly and effective sorbent for the removal of chromium(VI) from
      aqueous solutions.Graphical abstractFicus nitida is an efficient bio-sorbent used
      for removal of Cr(VI) ion.

PMID- 27252778
TI  - Problem Management Plus (PM+) in the treatment of common mental disorders in
      women affected by gender-based violence and urban adversity in Kenya; study
      protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women affected by adversity, including gender-based violence, are at
      increased risk for developing common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety
      and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The World Health Organization (WHO) has
      developed Problem Management Plus (PM+), a 5-session, individual psychological
      intervention program, that can be delivered by non-specialist counsellors that
      addresses common mental disorders in people affected by adversity. The objectives
      of this study are to evaluate effectiveness of PM+ among women who have been
      affected by adversity, including gender-based violence, and to perform a process
      evaluation. METHODS: Informed by community consultations, the PM+ manual has been
      translated and adapted to the local context. A randomized controlled trial will
      be carried out in the catchment areas of three local health care facilities in
      Dagoretti Sub County, Nairobi. After informed consent, females with high
      psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12 (score >2) and functional
      impairment (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 score >16) will be randomised
      to PM+ (n = 247) or enhanced treatment as usual (n = 247). Post-treatment and 3
      months post-treatment follow-up assessments include psychological distress,
      functional disability, PTSD symptoms, perceived problems for which the person
      seeks help, health care use and health costs. For evaluating the process of
      implementing PM+ within local communities in Nairobi 20 key informant interviews
      will be carried out in participants, PM+ providers, decision makers, clinical
      staff. DISCUSSION: If PM+ is proven effective, it will be rolled out to other low
      and middle income areas and other populations for further adaptation and testing.
      Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry,
      ACTRN12616000032459. Registered prospectively on January 18, 2016.

PMID- 27252779
TI  - DNA microarray of global transcription factor mutant reveals membrane-related
      proteins involved in n-butanol tolerance in Escherichia coli.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli has been explored as a platform host strain for
      biofuels production such as butanol. However, the severe toxicity of butanol is
      considered to be one major limitation for butanol production from E. coli. The
      goal of this study is therefore to construct butanol-tolerant E. coli strains and
      clarify the tolerance mechanisms. RESULTS: A recombinant E. coli strain harboring
      sigma(70) mutation capable of tolerating 2 % (v/v) butanol was isolated by the
      global transcription machinery engineering (gTME) approach. DNA microarrays were
      employed to assess the transcriptome profile of butanol-tolerant strain B8.
      Compared with the wild-type strain, 329 differentially expressed genes (197 up
      regulated and 132 down-regulated) (p < 0.05; FC >= 2) were identified. These
      genes are involved in carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, two-component
      signal transduction system, oxidative stress response, lipid and cell envelope
      biogenesis and efflux pump. CONCLUSIONS: Several membrane-related proteins were
      proved to be involved in butanol tolerance of E. coli. Two down-regulated genes,
      yibT and yghW, were identified to be capable of affecting butanol tolerance by
      regulating membrane fatty acid composition. Another down-regulated gene ybjC
      encodes a predicted inner membrane protein. In addition, a number of up-regulated
      genes, such as gcl and glcF, contribute to supplement metabolic intermediates for
      glyoxylate and TCA cycles to enhance energy supply. Our results could serve as a
      practical strategy for the construction of platform E. coli strains as biofuel
      producer.

PMID- 27252780
TI  - A novel and simple approach to the good process performance of methane recovery
      from lignocellulosic biomass alone.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Solid-state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) has been increasingly used
      for lignocellulosic biomass treatment. However, the separate reactor required for
      pretreatment prior digestion, poor treatment capacity, and process stability
      inhibit further development of the SS-AD. In this study, a novel method called SS
      AD with simultaneous urea treatment and soil addition was proposed. The process
      performance of methane yield from rape straw was investigated by adopting the
      method. RESULTS: The results show that the process performance of methane yield
      from rape straw using the method was better. The level of daily methane yield and
      the process stability were improved. The time required for reaching steady state
      was 6 days shorter than that of the common method (SS-AD and urea pretreatment),
      and the methane content in a stable-state level was 77.5-80.1 %. The total
      methane yield [409.6 L/kg volatile solids (VS)] was the maximal after using the
      method, which was 22.6 and 76.8 % higher than those of SS-AD with urea
      pretreatment and SS-AD with simultaneous urea treatment, respectively. In
      addition, the carbon dioxide content was reduced significantly. Degradation of
      feedstock was high; the highest reductions of VS, cellulose, and hemicellulose
      were 57.1, 61.4, and 65.8 %, respectively, which were in accordance with the
      maximal methane yield. SEM images also indicate that the biodegradation degree of
      rape straw in SS-AD was in line with methane yield. CONCLUSIONS: The process
      performance of SS-AD of lignocellulosic biomass (rape straw) with simultaneous
      urea treatment and soil addition was better. This simplified, low cost, and
      efficient method has good practicability, which can try to be used for other
      types of lignocellulosic biomass.

PMID- 27252781
TI  - A marker chromosome in post-transplant bone marrow.
AB  - Detection of small supernumerary marker chromosomes in karyotype analysis
      represents a diagnostic challenge. While such markers are usually detected during
      cytogenetic studies of constitutional chromosome abnormalities, they have also
      been found in specimens submitted from patients with acquired malignancies. We
      report here the detection of a marker chromosome in a bone marrow specimen from a
      patient who received a bone marrow transplantation. We discuss the importance of
      proper characterization and interpretation of marker chromosomes in clinical
      practice. 

PMID- 27252783
TI  - Changes of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine distribution during myeloid and lymphoid
      differentiation of CD34+ cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell renewal and differentiation are regulated
      through epigenetic processes. The conversion of 5-methylcytosine into 5
      hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) by ten-eleven-translocation enzymes provides new
      insights into the epigenetic regulation of gene expression during development.
      Here, we studied the potential gene regulatory role of 5hmC during human
      hematopoiesis. RESULTS: We used reduced representation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
      profiling (RRHP) to characterize 5hmC distribution in CD34+ cells, CD4+ T cells,
      CD19+ B cells, CD14+ monocytes and granulocytes. In all analyzed blood cell
      types, the presence of 5hmC at gene bodies correlates positively with gene
      expression, and highest 5hmC levels are found around transcription start sites of
      highly expressed genes. In CD34+ cells, 5hmC primes for the expression of genes
      regulating myeloid and lymphoid lineage commitment. Throughout blood cell
      differentiation, intragenic 5hmC is maintained at genes that are highly expressed
      and required for acquisition of the mature blood cell phenotype. Moreover, in
      CD34+ cells, the presence of 5hmC at enhancers associates with increased binding
      of RUNX1 and FLI1, transcription factors essential for hematopoiesis.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a comprehensive genome-wide overview of 5hmC
      distribution in human hematopoietic cells and new insights into the epigenetic
      regulation of gene expression during human hematopoiesis.

PMID- 27252782
TI  - Inheritance of the CENP-A chromatin domain is spatially and temporally
      constrained at human centromeres.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chromatin containing the histone variant CENP-A (CEN chromatin)
      exists as an essential domain at every centromere and heritably marks the
      location of kinetochore assembly. The size of the CEN chromatin domain on alpha
      satellite DNA in humans has been shown to vary according to underlying array
      size. However, the average amount of CENP-A reported at human centromeres is
      largely consistent, implying the genomic extent of CENP-A chromatin domains more
      likely reflects variations in the number of CENP-A subdomains and/or the density
      of CENP-A nucleosomes within individual subdomains. Defining the organizational
      and spatial properties of CEN chromatin would provide insight into centromere
      inheritance via CENP-A loading in G1 and the dynamics of its distribution between
      mother and daughter strands during replication. RESULTS: Using a multi-color
      protein strategy to detect distinct pools of CENP-A over several cell cycles, we
      show that nascent CENP-A is equally distributed to sister centromeres. CENP-A
      distribution is independent of previous or subsequent cell cycles in that
      centromeres showing disproportionately distributed CENP-A in one cycle can
      equally divide CENP-A nucleosomes in the next cycle. Furthermore, we show using
      extended chromatin fibers that maintenance of the CENP-A chromatin domain is
      achieved by a cycle-specific oscillating pattern of new CENP-A nucleosomes next
      to existing CENP-A nucleosomes over multiple cell cycles. Finally, we demonstrate
      that the size of the CENP-A domain does not change throughout the cell cycle and
      is spatially fixed to a similar location within a given alpha satellite DNA
      array. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that most human chromosomes share similar
      patterns of CENP-A loading and distribution and that centromere inheritance is
      achieved through specific placement of new CENP-A near existing CENP-A as
      assembly occurs each cell cycle. The loading pattern fixes the location and size
      of the CENP-A domain on individual chromosomes. These results suggest that
      spatial and temporal dynamics of CENP-A are important for maintaining centromere
      identity and genome stability.

PMID- 27252784
TI  - Abnormal X chromosome inactivation and sex-specific gene dysregulation after
      ablation of FBXL10.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Almost all CpG-rich promoters in the mammalian genome are bound by
      the multidomain FBXL10 protein (also known as KDM2B, JHDM1B, CXXC2, and NDY1).
      FBXL10 is expressed as two isoforms: FBXL10-1, a longer form that contains an N
      terminal histone demethylase domain with C-terminal F-box, CXXC, PHD, RING, and
      leucine-rich repeat domains, and FBXL10-2, a shorter form that initiates at an
      alternative internal exon and which lacks the histone demethylase domain but
      retains all other annotated domains. Selective deletion of Fbxl10-1 had been
      reported to produce a low penetrance and variable phenotype; most of the mutant
      animals were essentially normal. We constructed mutant mouse strains that were
      either null for Fbxl10-2 but wild type for Fbxl10-1 or null for both Fbxl10-1 and
      Fbxl10-2. RESULTS: Deletion of Fbxl10-2 (in a manner that does not perturb
      expression of Fbxl10-1) produced a phenotype very different from the Fbxl10-1
      mutant, with craniofacial abnormalities, neural tube defects, and increased
      lethality, especially in females. Mutants that lacked both FBXL10-1 and FBXL10-2
      showed embryonic lethality and even more extreme sexual dimorphism, with more
      severe gene dysregulation in mutant female embryos. X-linked genes were most
      severely dysregulated, and there was marked overexpression of Xist in mutant
      females although genes that encode factors that bind to Xist RNA were globally
      downregulated in mutant female as compared to male embryos. CONCLUSIONS: FBXL10
      is the first factor shown to be required both for the normal expression and
      function of the Xist gene and for normal expression of proteins that associate
      with Xist RNA; it is proposed that FBXL10 coordinates the expression of Xist RNA
      with proteins that associate with this RNA. The function of FBXL10 is largely
      independent of the histone demethylase activity of the long form of the protein.

PMID- 27252785
TI  - Serotype epidemiology and multidrug resistance patterns of Salmonella enterica
      infecting humans in Italy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Salmonella enterica is the zoonotic agent most frequently responsible
      for foodborne infections in humans worldwide. In this work the presence of S.
      enterica was investigated in 734 unique enteropathogenic isolates collected from
      human patients between 2011 and 2012. RESULTS: All Salmonella spp. isolates were
      subjected to serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Isolates
      displaying phenotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles different from
      the reference strains were genotipically characterized. Several plasmid-embedded
      resistance determinants were identified and characterized. Non-typhoidal
      serotypes were most frequently diagnosed; monophasic Salmonella typhimurium 1,4
      [5],12:i- and S. typhimurium represented the most prevalent serovars. Five
      isolates displayed phenotypes with extremely reduced susceptibility to
      antimicrobials: we detected multidrug resistance elements belonging to Ambler
      class A and class C in two non-typhoidal S. enterica serovars, i.e. Rissen and
      monophasic S. typhimurium 1,4 [5],12:i-, and in one typhoidal serovar, i.e.,
      Paratyphi B. These resistance determinants have been so far almost exclusively
      associated with non-Salmonella members of the Enterobacteriaceae family.
      Alarmingly, two colistin resistant Salmonella enteritidis were also found.
      CONCLUSIONS: This work draws the attention to the still low, but rising,
      percentage of multidrug resistant Salmonella isolates infecting humans in Italy.
      Our results suggest that prompt monitoring of Salmonella serovar dissemination
      and resistance to antimicrobials is highly required.

PMID- 27252786
TI  - Optimized cultivation of Campylobacter concisus from gut mucosal biopsies in
      inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Campylobacter concisus is a commensal of the human oral flora that
      has been linked to prolonged diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It
      has been detected more often from intestinal biopsies in patients with IBD
      compared to healthy controls using PCR-based techniques, whereas the number of C.
      concisus culture-positive biopsies in previous studies has been very limited.
      Determining the rate of viable isolates present in the gut mucosa is of great
      importance when evaluating the role in different disease presentations. We
      therefore investigated a novel two-step cultivation procedure combining anaerobic
      and microaerobic incubation from several gut mucosal sites to improve isolate
      yield, and compared this to PCR results, from IBD patients and healthy controls.
      RESULTS: Cultivation with the novel two-step procedure yielded a higher rate of
      C. concisus isolates from mucosal biopsies than previously reported by other
      methods. From 52 IBD patients, 52/245 (21 %) biopsies were culture positive for
      C. concisus, while 121/245 (49 %) of biopsies were PCR positive. For 26 healthy
      controls, the numbers were 23/182 (13 %) and 66/182 (36 %), respectively (p <
      0.001). The rate of cultivation and PCR detection was higher for IBD patients
      compared to healthy controls (p = 0.021, p = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with IBD had a higher prevalence of C. concisus than healthy controls,
      by both cultivation and PCR detection. We found a higher rate of C. concisus
      isolates from gut mucosal biopsies in both IBD patients and healthy controls than
      in preceding studies, indicating that colonization of C. concisus in the
      gastrointestinal tract is more extensive than previously assumed.

PMID- 27252787
TI  - Lixisenatide improves glycemic outcomes of Japanese patients with type 2
      diabetes: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The GetGoal-L-Asia and -S trials were multi-center trials conducted
      in 4 and 16 countries, respectively including Japan that evaluated the efficacy
      and safety of lixisenatide add-on treatment vs. placebo among patients with type
      2 diabetes. The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy and safety of
      lixisenatide add-on treatment among Japanese patient groups. METHODS: All
      Japanese intent-to-treat patients with baseline and endpoint HbA1c measurements
      were included in the meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses were carried out for
      patients with low (<8 %) and high (>=8 %) baseline HbA1c levels, low (<25
      kg/m(2)) and high (>=25 kg/m(2)) baseline body mass index (BMI), short (<10
      years) and long (>=10 years) durations of diabetes, and for those <65 and >=65
      years of age. RESULTS: The overall study population of Japanese type 2 diabetes
      patients included 143 patients (mean age: 59.0 years; 35 % female) treated with
      lixisenatide and 136 patients treated with placebo (mean age: 57.8 years; 32 %
      female). Among the subgroups, lixisenatide treatment vs. placebo was associated
      with greater change in HbA1c (Low HbA1c -0.80 %, p < 0.0001; High HbA1c -1.19 %,
      p < 0.0001; low BMI -0.88 %, p < 0.0001; high BMI -1.28 %, p < 0.0001; short
      diabetes duration -1.28 %, p < 0.0001; long diabetes duration -0.93 %, p <
      0.0001; <65 years: -1.00 %, p < 0.0001; >=65 years -1.24 %, p < 0.0001).
      Additionally, among the subgroups, lixisenatide treatment vs. placebo was
      associated with greater change in post-prandial glucose. CONCLUSIONS: For
      Japanese type 2 diabetes patients lixisenatide may be an efficacious and safe add
      on therapy leading to improved glycemic outcomes. GetGoal-L-Asia NCT01169779
      GetGoal-S NCT00713830.

PMID- 27252788
TI  - Implications of using whole genome sequencing to test unselected populations for
      high risk breast cancer genes: a modelling study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The decision to test for high risk breast cancer gene mutations is
      traditionally based on risk scores derived from age, family and personal cancer
      history. Next generation sequencing technologies such as whole genome sequencing
      (WGS) make wider population testing more feasible. In the UK's 100,000 Genomes
      Project, mutations in 16 genes including BRCA1 and BRCA2 are to be actively
      sought regardless of clinical presentation. The implications of deploying this
      approach at scale for patients and clinical services are unclear. In this study
      we aimed to model the effect of using WGS to test an unselected UK population for
      high risk BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants to inform the debate around approaches to
      secondary genomic findings. METHODS: We modelled the test performance of WGS for
      identifying pathogenic BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in an unselected hypothetical
      population of 100,000 UK women, using published literature to derive model input
      parameters. We calculated analytic and clinical validity, described potential
      health outcomes and highlighted current areas of uncertainty. We also performed a
      sensitivity analysis in which we re-ran the model 100,000 times to investigate
      the effect of varying input parameters. RESULTS: In our models WGS was predicted
      to identify correctly 93 pathogenic BRCA1 mutations and 151 BRCA2 mutations in
      120 and 200 women respectively, resulting in an analytic sensitivity of 75.5-77.5
      %. Of 244 women with identified pathogenic mutations, we estimated that 132
      (range 121-198) would develop breast cancer, so could potentially be helped by
      intervention. We also predicted that breast cancer would occur in 41 women (range
      36-62) incorrectly identified with no pathogenic mutations and in 12,460 women
      without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. There was considerable uncertainty about the
      penetrance of mutations in people without a family history of disease and the
      appropriate threshold of absolute disease risk for clinical action, which impacts
      on judgements about the clinical utility of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This
      simple model demonstrates the need for robust processes to support the testing
      for secondary genomic findings in unselected populations that acknowledge levels
      of uncertainty about the clinical validity and clinical utility of testing
      positive for a cancer risk gene.

PMID- 27252789
TI  - Acute Prevertebral Calcific Tendinitis.
AB  - We present a case of neck pain in a middle-aged woman, initially attributed to a
      retropharyngeal infection and treated with urgent intubation. With the help of
      computed tomography, the diagnosis was later revised to acute prevertebral
      calcific tendinitis, a self-limiting condition caused by abnormal calcium
      hydroxyapatite deposition in the longus colli muscles. It is critical to
      differentiate between these two disease entities due to dramatic differences in
      management. A discussion of acute prevertebral calcific tendinitis and its
      imaging findings is provided below. 

PMID- 27252791
TI  - Unusual Pulmonary Arterial Filling Defect caused by Systemic to Pulmonary Shunt
      in the Setting of Chronic Lung Disease Demonstrated by Dynamic 4D CTA.
AB  - Even though pulmonary embolism is by far the most common cause of filling defect
      in the pulmonary arterial system, other less common etiologies should be
      considered especially in the setting of atypical clinical scenario or unusual
      imaging findings. Unusual pattern of filling defect in the pulmonary artery in
      the setting of chronic inflammatory/fibrotic parenchymal lung disease should
      raise the concern for systemic to pulmonary artery shunt. This diagnosis is
      typically made by conventional angiography. Dynamic 4D CT angiography however can
      be a safe, noninvasive and effective alternative tool for making such a
      diagnosis. It has the added value of multiplanar reconstruction capabilities and
      providing detailed anatomy which can be vital for interventional radiologists
      when planning their approach for possible intervention. We present 2 cases of
      such shunts, and illustrate the demonstration of these shunts by using dynamic 4D
      CT angiography. 

PMID- 27252790
TI  - Rosai-Dorfman Disease Isolated to the Thoracic Epidural Spine.
AB  - Rosai-Dorfman disease is a rare benign histiocytic disease that infrequently
      presents in the spine. We report a case of Rosai-Dorfman disease isolated to the
      epidural thoracic spine in a 26-year-old male. To our knowledge, this is the 15th
      reported case of isolated spinal disease and only the fourth case of isolated
      thoracic epidural disease. Given its rarity as well as non-specific symptoms and
      imaging findings, Rosai-Dorfman disease is often not considered and misdiagnosed
      on imaging studies. To help improve awareness of Rosai-Dorfman spinal disease, we
      review the literature and discuss the epidemiology, clinical presentation,
      imaging features, and treatment considerations for this condition. 

PMID- 27252792
TI  - Aberrant systemic arterial supply to normal lung arising from the proper hepatic
      artery discovered during transarterial chemoembolization.
AB  - We report a rare case of dual arterial supply to an otherwise normal lung
      discovered incidentally during initial angiography performed with the intent of
      chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition to normal hepatic
      arterial supply, the proper hepatic artery provided systemic arterial supply to
      the lower lobe of the left lung. Subsequent chest computed tomography angiography
      demonstrated a normal tracheobronchial tree and normal pulmonary arterial supply
      to the lung. Although other anatomic variants have been reported, there are no
      other reported cases of systemic arterial supply from the proper hepatic artery
      to the lung. Identifying systemic arterial supply to the lung during angiography
      is important while performing transcatheter chemoembolization or
      radioembolization in the liver in order to minimize non-target embolization of
      the lung. 

PMID- 27252793
TI  - Idiopathic Arterial Calcification of Infancy: Case Report.
AB  - Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy is a rare autosomal recessive
      disease, characterized by deposition of calcium along the internal elastic
      membrane of arteries, accompanied by fibrous thickening of the intima which
      causes luminal narrowing. Here we are reporting a case of idiopathic arterial
      calcification of infancy in a Saudi female newborn of non-consanguineous pregnant
      woman who had polyhydramnios. The newborn baby had severe respiratory distress,
      systemic hypertension and persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn. She was
      admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she was ventilated and proper
      treatment was provided. Molecular genetic testing was positive for mutations of
      ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase1 gene which is reported in 80%
      of cases of Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy. The baby died at about
      5 month of age because of myocardial ischemia and cardiorespiratory arrest.
      Idiopathic Arterial Calcification of Infancy should be considered in any newborn
      who presented with persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn, severe systemic
      hypertension and echogenic vessels on any radiological study. Calcifications of
      large and medium-sized arteries are important diagnostic finding. 

PMID- 27252794
TI  - Visualizing the quality of partially accruing data for use in decision making.
AB  - Secondary use of clinical health data for near real-time public health
      surveillance presents challenges surrounding its utility due to data quality
      issues. Data used for real-time surveillance must be timely, accurate and
      complete if it is to be useful; if incomplete data are used for surveillance,
      understanding the structure of the incompleteness is necessary. Such data are
      commonly aggregated due to privacy concerns. The Distribute project was a near
      real-time influenza-like-illness (ILI) surveillance system that relied on
      aggregated secondary clinical health data. The goal of this work is to
      disseminate the data quality tools developed to gain insight into the data
      quality problems associated with these data. These tools apply in general to any
      system where aggregate data are accrued over time and were created through the
      end-user-as-developer paradigm. Each tool was developed during the exploratory
      analysis to gain insight into structural aspects of data quality. Our key finding
      is that data quality of partially accruing data must be studied in the context of
      accrual lag-the difference between the time an event occurs and the time data for
      that event are received, i.e. the time at which data become available to the
      surveillance system. Our visualization methods therefore revolve around
      visualizing dimensions of data quality affected by accrual lag, in particular the
      tradeoff between timeliness and completion, and the effects of accrual lag on
      accuracy. Accounting for accrual lag in partially accruing data is necessary to
      avoid misleading or biased conclusions about trends in indicator values and data
      quality. 

PMID- 27252795
TI  - Characterizing the Access of Clinical Decision Support Offered by Immunization
      Information System in Minnesota.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Healthy People 2020 aims to improve population health by increasing
      immunization rates to decrease vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Amongst
      the many strategies, role of immunization information systems (IIS) are
      recognized by studies and taskforce reports. IIS are unique in their offering of
      clinical decision support for immunizations (CDSi) which are utilized by
      healthcare providers. Federal initiatives such as Meaningful Use (MU) and
      Affordable Care Act (ACA) aim to improve immunization rates through use of
      technology and expanding access to immunization services respectively. MU, the
      Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive program includes use of IIS CDSi
      functionality as part of Stage 3. It is essential to understand access and use
      patterns of IIS CDSi, so as to utilize it better to improve immunization
      services. OBJECTIVES: To understand the utilization of clinical decision support
      for immunizations (CDSi) offered by immunization information system in Minnesota
      and to analyze the variability of its use across providers and EHR
      implementations. METHODS: IIS in Minnesota (Minnesota Immunization Information
      Connection: MIIC) offers CDSi that is accessed through EHRs and branded as
      Alternate Access (AA). Data from MIIC and technical documents were reviewed to
      create details on organizations which implemented AA functionality. Data on EHR
      adoption in clinics and local health departments was obtained from Minnesota
      eHealth assessment reports. Data on access were tracked from January 2015 through
      mid-October 2015 through weekly specialized reports to track the queries by
      organization, volume and day of the week. Data were analyzed, findings were
      synthesized and reviewed with subject matter experts. RESULTS: Currently 25
      healthcare systems/organizations which represent 599 individual provider sites
      have implemented the AA functionality. Analysis of their EHR platform pointed to
      two EHRs (Epic and PH-Doc) as dominant products in Minnesota for private and
      public providers respectively. Use of this function was even across study time
      period. The query volume correlated to size of the organization, with the
      exception of an outlier organization with huge query count. Query was able to
      successfully locate a single matching record for 59% of searches, could not find
      a record for 5% and 31% resulted in blank/error and the match rates varied across
      health systems. CONCLUSION: High EHR adoption offers a great opportunity to
      promote use of IIS CDSi at point of care. Analysis did not track use at
      individual clinic level and how the queries were being generated. Additional
      research is needed to understand the provider level use of this CDSi and other
      organizational and technical factors which influence access to IIS. This is
      essential for IIS as they execute projects to improve population-level
      immunization rates, plan provider outreach and prioritize their system
      enhancements to meet federal requirements.

PMID- 27252796
TI  - Foreword to the CLER National Report of Findings 2016.

PMID- 27252797
TI  - Introduction to the CLER National Report of Findings 2016.

PMID- 27252798
TI  - The Overview of the CLER Program: CLER National Report of Findings 2016.

PMID- 27252799
TI  - The Methodology for the CLER National Report of Findings 2016.

PMID- 27252800
TI  - The Overarching Themes from the CLER National Report of Findings 2016.

PMID- 27252801
TI  - Challenges and Opportunities in the Six Focus Areas: CLER National Report of
      Findings 2016.

PMID- 27252802
TI  - Detailed Findings from the CLER National Report of Findings 2016.

PMID- 27252804
TI  - Appendices.

PMID- 27252803
TI  - Lessons Learned and Future Directions: CLER National Report of Findings 2016.

PMID- 27252805
TI  - Microbial and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile among Clinical Samples of
      Patients with Acute Leukemia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Preventing and starting early treatment of infections in patients
      whose immunity system is weak due to malignancies like leukemia can reduce
      mortality. This study aimed to determine microbial and antibiotic resistance
      patterns in clinical samples of patients with acute leukemia to start early
      treatment before the results of clinical tests are known. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
      In this cross-sectional study, the clinical samples of all patients hospitalized
      with the diagnosis of acute leukemia were cultured and their antibiogram was
      evaluated. Then, the data were analyzed by SPSS 18 based on the objectives of the
      study. RESULTS: Of a total of 2,366 samples, 18.95% were reported to be positive
      blood samples, 22.96% were reported to be urine samples and 36% wound samples. E.
      coli was the most common bacteria isolated from the blood and urine cultures (34%
      in blood, 32% in urine culture) while Staphylococcus Aureus was the most common
      in the wound culture (35%). The highest level of sensitivity in the organisms
      with positive blood culture was to Ciprofloxacin, while in positive urine and
      wound culture was to Imipenem. The highest resistance in blood, urine and wound
      culture was to Cotrimoxazole. CONCLUSION: According to results obtained from this
      study, it is necessary to conduct appropriate studies on this issue in specific
      conditions in our country. The findings of this study can be used in clinics for
      more accurate diagnosis, more effective treatment before the results of clinical
      tests are known and also for prevention of infection in cancer patients.

PMID- 27252806
TI  - JAK2V617F Allele Burden Measurement in Peripheral Blood of Iranian Patients with
      Myeloproliferative Neoplasms and Effect of Hydroxyurea on JAK2V617F Allele
      Burden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal malignant diseases
      that represent a group of conditions including polycythemia vera (PV), essential
      thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The aim of this study was
      to evaluate possible correlations between JAK2V617F allele burden and
      clinicohematologic characteristics in Iranian patients with MPNs. We also aimed
      at determining the correlation between JAK2V617F allele burden and use of cyto
      reductive treatment (hydroxyurea). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed ARMS-PCR
      for all MPNs samples and subsequently performed real-time quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for JAK2V617F allele burden measurement using DNA from
      peripheral blood leukocytes. RESULTS: Two distinct groups of patients were
      examined at a single time point: group A (n=40; 20 PV, 20 ET) was examined at the
      time of diagnosis; group B (n=85; 40 PV, 30 ET and 15 PMF) while under treatment
      with hydroxyurea (HU). The median allele burden of the JAK2 V617F was 72% for PV
      and 49% for ET patients at the time of diagnosis (p=0.01). For patients with HU
      treatment, we determined the median JAK2V617F allele burden to be 43%, 40%, and
      46.5 % in PV, ET and PMF patients; respectively. HU-treated PV patients had a
      significant lower %JAK2V617F than PV patients at the time of diagnosis (43% vs.
      72%, p=0.005). In ET group, the relationship between the JAK2 V617F allele burden
      and leukocyte count was significant (p=0.02 and p=0.01 in untreated and treated
      patients, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that patients with PV
      have a higher JAK2V617F allele burden. Moreover, our study demonstrated that the
      JAK2V617F allele burden correlates with clinical features in ET group. We also
      showed hydroxyurea can affect the JAK2V617F allele burden in PV patients.

PMID- 27252807
TI  - The Relationship between Self-esteem and Quality of Life of Patients with
      Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura at Isfahan's Sayed Al-Shohada Hospital, Iran,
      in 2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a chronic disease which
      is accompanied with hopelessness and loss of the sense of well-being due to its
      symptoms and treatment. It also affects patients' sense of social and spiritual
      well-being. This disorder decreases patients' self-esteem and their quality of
      life by changing their mental image and self-confidence. This study was performed
      to find the relationship between self-esteem and quality of life of patients with
      ITP. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive-analytical study on 64 patients
      with ITP who referred to Isfahan's Sayed Al-Shohada Hospital, Iran. In this
      study, patients with ITP were selected randomly using a random number chart. The
      data collection tools consisted of the World Health Organization Quality of Life
      (WHOQOL)-BREF and Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory (CSEI). Data were analyzed
      using SPSS and chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests and the Pearson and Spearman's
      rank correlation coefficients. RESULTS: In total, 64 patients completed the
      questionnaires. RESULTS showed that 32% of subjects were over 36 years of age and
      59% were women. In addition, 29.7% of ITP patients had low self-esteem and
      quality of life. Chi-square test showed a significant relationship between self
      esteem and quality of life of patients with ITP. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the
      present study showed that considerable attention must be paid to self-esteem, as
      one of the most important factors influencing the promotion of quality of life.
      Therefore, it is suggested that patient's self-esteem be improved by the
      implementation of educational and psychological programs in order to decrease the
      consequences of poor quality of life.

PMID- 27252808
TI  - Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Use in a Large Iranian Hospital: Comparison
      with American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Clinical Practice Guideline.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factors (GCSF) is high-cost agents
      commonly recommended for primary and secondary prophylaxis of chemotherapy
      induced neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. GCSFs have been shown to be
      beneficial in some patient subgroups, although they are probably overused in
      clinical settings. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines
      summarize current data on the appropriate use of CSFs. The aim of this study was
      to assess and audit the use of GCSF in a tertiary care center according to the
      recommendation of ASCO guideline. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective
      observational study from November 2014 to June 2015 was performed on all patients
      prescribed with filgrastim in the large teaching hospital (Isfahan, Iran). Data
      was collected on demographics, indication, dosing regimen and duration of
      treatment, the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) and patient outcome. RESULTS: 91
      patients were recorded over the period of the study. 63.7% of prescription
      complied with the ASCO guideline. Febrile neutropenia post
      chemotherapy/radiotherapy was the most common appropriate indication (29.3%)
      followed by primary prophylaxis (25.8%). Fourteen (32%) patients showed ANC
      recovery in 1-3 days and 16 (37%) within 4-7 days. Ten patients (23%) showed no
      recovery. The overall mortality was 8 (8.8%) patients. CONCLUSION: This study
      revealed that at least one-third of prescribed GCSF was not in accordance with
      ASCO guideline. Considering the high cost of GCSF in our country and limitation
      of our resources, we proposed cost-effectiveness studies on GCSF treatment and
      also the development of a national guideline for optimizing GCSF use.

PMID- 27252809
TI  - Clinical Manifestations of beta-Thalassemia Major in Two Different Altitudes;
      Bushehr and Shahrekord.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with beta-thalassemia major (TM) develop iron overload
      through increased iron absorption and transfusional therapy and it's the most
      important complication of TM. Thalassemia is common in coastal regions and lands
      with low altitudes. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of high and
      low altitude on serum ferritin and treatment requirement in two groups of beta
      thalassemia major (TM) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients were divided into
      two groups, the first group (No: 50) living at sea level (in the port of Bushehr,
      Iran) and the second group (No: 40) living at the altitude of 2061 m (in the city
      of Shahrekord, Iran). All patient's clinical history, blood transfusion and
      laboratory tests including complete blood count and hemoglobin electrophoresis
      were reviewed. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in ferritin levels,
      transfusion period and diabetes incidence of the two cities patients (P>0.05).
      Patient's cardiac function and liver condition were significantly better in
      patients of Bushehr (P<0.05). Patients under 20 years in Bushehr were less
      splenectomized in comparison with Shahrekord (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our result
      showed that some of clinical manifestations of patients in low altitude such as
      cardiac and liver condition were better. But it did not affect ferritin level
      probably due to transfusion and chelating therapy. Totally patients of Bushehr
      had better conditions and had longer survivals.

PMID- 27252810
TI  - In Vitro Effects of Propranolol on T Helper Type 1 Cytokine Profile in Human
      Leukemic T Cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cytokines are a large group of proteins play a key role in
      inflammation. Down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines has beneficial effect
      on heart function. Propranolol, as a non selective beta-adrenergic blocker, has
      been extensively used for treatment of many cardiovascular problems such as
      arrhythmias and heart malfunction. In addition anti-inflammatory effects of
      propranolol have been revealed. In this study the propranolol effect on T helper
      type 1 cytokine profile in human leukemic T cells has been assessed in vitro.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human leukemic T cells (Molt-4 and Jurkat) were cultured
      in complete RPMI medium. The cells were then incubated with different
      concentrations of propranolol (0.03- 30 uM) in the presence or absence of PHA (10
      ug/ml) for 48 hours. The supernatants of cell culture media were collected and
      used for cytokines assay. RESULTS: Propranolol significantly decreased the T
      helper type 1 cytokine profile [Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interferon- gamma (IFN
      gamma)] production in PHA stimulated Molt-4 and Jurkat cells, after 48 hour of
      incubation time, dose-dependently compared to untreated control cells.
      CONCLUSION: Our data showed a dose dependent inhibitory effect of propranolol on
      the IL-2 and IFN-gamma production in human leukemic Molt-4 and Jurkat cells. The
      anti- inflammatory effect of propranolol reported by other investigators may be
      in part due to its suppressive effect on production of inflammatory cytokines
      such as IL-2 and IFN-gamma. So, propranolol along with its chronic long-term
      usage in cardiovascular problems may have potential implication in treatment of
      inflammatory-based disorders.

PMID- 27252811
TI  - Bilateral Maxillary, Sphenoid Sinuses and Lumbosacral Spinal Cord Extramedullary
      Relapse of CML Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant.
AB  - Isolated extramedullary relapse of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) after
      allogeneic stem cell transplant is rare. There is a case report of a child who
      developed a granulocytic sarcoma of the maxillary and sphenoid sinuses and
      lumbosacral spinal cord mass 18 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplant
      for CML. He was presented with per orbital edema and neurological deficit of
      lower extremities and a mass lesion was found on spinal cord imaging. No evidence
      of hematologic relapse was identified at that time by bone marrow histology or
      cytogenetic. The patient died 1 month later with a picture of pneumonia, left
      ventricular dysfunction and a cardiopulmonary arrest on a presumed underlying
      sepsis with infectious etiology. Granulocytic sarcoma should be considered in the
      differential diagnosis of mass lesions presenting after allogeneic bone marrow
      transplantation for CML, even if there is no evidence of bone marrow involvement.

PMID- 27252812
TI  - A Case of Multiple Myeloma Following Bladder Cancer.
AB  - Second primary malignancy following multiple myeloma (MM) was reported several
      years ago. There are also rare reports of cases with synchronous MM and other
      malignancies. To our knowledge, only one case of MM following bladder cancer has
      been reported in the literature. Here, we report the second case occurred three
      months after diagnosis of bladder cancer. 

PMID- 27252813
TI  - Approach to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer in New Drugs Area.
AB  - Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are associated with aggressive course,
      higher rates of visceral and central nervous system metastases and lower survival
      rate than hormone receptor positive. Once metastasis has occurred, a median
      survival was approximately one year. Currently, chemotherapy in TNBC is similar
      to other HER2- negative breast cancers but in the near future, it will
      revolutionize. TNBCs are quite heterogeneous based on biomarkers and genetic
      variations. The series of new drugs have been tried; in this article, platinum,
      anti-epigenetic drugs, PARP inhibitors, epidermal growth factor receptor
      inhibitor, Src family kinase inhibitor, anti androgen, glycoprotein Non
      metastatic melanoma B (gpNMB) antibody, LHRH conjugated to cytotoxic drugs and
      inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway will be explained. What is the optimal
      therapy for TNBC patients? It is still not clear but it seems that the road map
      according to biological and genetic markers is taking shape. 

PMID- 27252815
TI  - The Diagnostic Role of Magnetic Resonance Enterography as a Complementary Test to
      Colonoscopy in Active Crohn's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND According to recent studies comparing magnetic resonance enterography
      (MRE) with ileocolonoscopy for assessing inflammation of small bowel and colonic
      segments in adults with active Crohn's disease (CD), we aimed to compare the
      accuracy of these two diagnostic methods in Iranian population. METHODS During
      2013-2014 a follow-up study was done on 30 patients with active CD in a
      gastroenterology clinic affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. MRE
      and ileocolonoscopy were performed for all the patients. All statistical analyses
      were performed using SPSS (version 18) and p-value<0.05 was considered as
      statistically significant. RESULTS Of the 30 patients with active CD, 11(36.7%)
      were men and 19 (63.3%) were women with mean age of 37.30+/-13.66 years (range:
      19-67 years). MRE had sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 90% with positive
      predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 71.43 and 78.26,
      respectively for localizing sigmoid lesions and ileum had sensitivity and
      specificity of 84.21 and 45.45 with PPV and NPV of 72.73 and 62.50, respectively.
      CONCLUSION While moderate sensitivity and high specificity of MRE in localizing
      colonic lesions makes it an appropriate confirmatory test after colonoscopy, the
      reported high sensitivity and moderate specificity of MRE versus colonoscopy in
      detecting ileal lesions makes it a suitable screening test for ileal lesions.
      Finally we can conclude that MRE can be an important complementary test to
      colonoscopy in detecting active disease. 

PMID- 27252814
TI  - Pathological and Clinical Correlation between Celiac Disease and Helicobacter
      Pylori Infection; a Review of Controversial Reports.
AB  - There are overwhelming reports and descriptions about celiac associated
      disorders. Although there is a clear genetic association between celiac disease
      (CD) and some gastrointestinal disorders, there are controversial reports
      claiming an association between CD and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.
      Different studies indicated the possible association between lymphocytic
      gastritis and both CD and H. pylori infection, although this evidence is not
      consistently accepted. Also it was shown that an increase in intraepithelial
      lymphocytes count is associated with both H. pylori infection and celiac disease.
      Therefore the following questions may raise: how far is this infection actually
      related to CD?, which are the underlying patho-mechanisms for these associations?
      what are the clinical implications? what is the management? and what would be the
      role of gluten free diet in treating these conditions? PubMed (PubMed Central),
      Ovid, ISI of web knowledge, and Google scholar were searched for full text
      articles published between 1985 and 2015. The associated keywords were used, and
      papers described particularly the impact of pathological and clinical correlation
      between CD and H. pylori infection were identified. In this review we tried to
      answer the above questions and discussed some of the recent developments in the
      pathological and clinical aspects of CD and H. pylori infection. 

PMID- 27252816
TI  - Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of Pancreas; A Case Series and Review Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND Information regarding solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the
      pancreas is limited in Iran. We aimed to review the clinicocytopathological
      features and follow-up of patients with SPN of pancreas who were diagnosed in a
      single center in Iran. METHODS Seven patients with SPN of the pancreas were
      diagnosed during January 2010 to March 2015 at the Digestive Disease Research
      Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The patients were reviewed
      prospectively. RESULTS Six out of the 7 patients were female and the mean age of
      all the patients was 29.4 years ranging from 15 to 61 years. The most common
      clinical presentation was nonspecific abdominal pain (N=6). The tumors were
      located mostly in head and neck of the pancreas. SPN was diagnosed in all
      patients by fine needle aspiration through endosonography (EUS-FNA). All patients
      underwent surgery. Histological findings of surgical tissues were consistent with
      EUS-FNA. The postoperative follow-up period of about 14 months was uneventful.
      CONCLUSION SPN of the pancreas is a rare pancreatic tumor which affects primarily
      young women. EUS-guided FNA could play an important role in preoperative
      diagnosis of SPN of the pancreas. 

PMID- 27252817
TI  - An Accessible and Pragmatic Experimental Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver
      Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND There is no convenient cheap pragmatic experimental model for
      Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)/Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH).
      OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to create a pragmatic model of NAFLD/NASH. METHODS
      Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat, high sugar homemade diet ad libitum for
      seven weeks. The high-fat, high sugar diet included 59% of energy derived from
      fat, 30% from carbohydrates, and 11% from protein. Serum levels of fasting
      glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, liver enzymes, insulin, and hepatic tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene expression were determined. Hepatic
      histology was examined by H&E stain. RESULTS Rats fed the high-fat, high sugar
      diet developed hepatic steatosis, and a moderate inflammation, which was
      associated with increased serum levels of liver enzymes, glucose, insulin,
      triglyceride, cholesterol, and hepatic TNF-alpha gene expression. CONCLUSION This
      rat model resembles the key features of human NAFLD/NASH and provides a simple
      pragmatic experimental model for elucidating the disease prevention and
      treatment.

PMID- 27252818
TI  - Nonadherence to Medication in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Rate and Reasons.
AB  - BACKGROUND This study is the first study to evaluate the nonadherence rate and
      reasons of same patient with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Iran. METHODS
      During 9 months, 500 patients with IBD were enrolled in the study. Patients were
      interviewed about their nonadherence behaviors. Factor analysis was used to
      analyze the collected answers. RESULTS The overall rate of nonadherence was 33.3%
      (27.6% intentional nonadherence and 5.7% unintentional nonadherence). 33.6% of
      the patients had at least one relapse after discontinuing treatment. The most
      frequent reason for intentional nonadherence was discontinuing the treatment
      after recovering from symptoms (42.7%). The most frequent reason for
      unintentional nonadherence was forgetfulness (5.2%). 19.8% of the patients did
      not visit their gastroenterologist on time and they purchased drugs from the
      drugstore. These patients reported that their clinics were too far and difficult
      to access. There was no significant relationship between nonadherence and
      demographic variables. CONCLUSION Multiple reasons are suggested as factors of
      medication nonadherence and they seem to be different among different
      populations. Determining these possible reasons, could lead to finding suitable
      strategies to overcome or reduce them. 

PMID- 27252819
TI  - Inverse Association of Plasma Level of Glutathione Peroxidase with Liver Fibrosis
      in Chronic Hepatitis B: Potential Role of Iron.
AB  - BACKGROUND Oxidative stress has a major pathogenic role for liver damage
      following chronic hepatitis B. Glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) is necessary in
      oxidative state mechanism that is generally down-regulated by Hepatitis B virus
      (HBV) infection. On the other hand, disorders of iron homeostasis have been found
      out in HBV infected patients. Therefore, the objective of this study was to
      assess the interplay of Gpx and serum iron on clinical and virological features
      of patients with chronic HBV infection. METHODS One hundred and fifty adult,
      treatment-naive, patients with chronic hepatitis B were randomly designated from
      an ongoing cohort of patients with HBV. Plasma Gpx1 concentration and HBV DNA
      quantity were measured. Liver stiffness was measured by transient elastography.
      RESULTS Serum iron had a positive association with HBV DNA count in the total
      population. Serum iron was not associated with liver stiffness. However, HBV DNA
      was significantly associated with liver stiffness only in male patients. Serum
      Gpx was inversely associated with liver stiffness. Serum iron and Gpx had
      indirect effects on liver stiffness via HBV DNA count. We observed dissimilar
      effects of serum iron on HBV DNA and Gpx on liver stiffness in male and female
      patients. CONCLUSION We identified interplay of serum iron and Gpx1 in relation
      to level of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Our results
      propose that oxidative stress and serum iron are differentially implicated in the
      progression of chronic hepatitis B in male and female patients. 

PMID- 27252820
TI  - The Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome In Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; A
      Population-Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND Some evidence, not in large study populations, suggests that
      nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) share
      common interactions. We aimed to determine the prevalence of NAFLD and MetS in a
      large population registered to Kavar Cohort Study center. We also assessed the
      role of each component of MetS in NAFLD existence. METHODS Data were obtained
      from 3415 volunteers who called and refereed to our center. Complete
      anthropometric and laboratory measurement and abdominal ultrasonography was done
      for these individuals to screen NAFLD and its grade. A questionnaire was also
      used to obtain information on demographical and medical history and alcohol
      consumption. MetS was defined in all participants based on the National
      Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (2001) (NCEP/ATP-III) and
      criteria for clinical diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in Iranian adults (CCDMIA).
      RESULTS Among the refereed individuals, 2980 peoples were aged >=18 years with
      male to women ratio of 1:2.45. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasound in 32.9% and
      27.4% of men and women, respectively. MetS was detected in 65.9 and 64.6 of the
      patients with NAFLD (based on NCEP/ATP-III) and in 30.1% and 73.7% (based on
      CCDMIA) of men and women, respectively. There were no significant differences
      between two gender in none of the components (p>0.05). Although, OR for
      hyperglycemia and abdominal obesity were approximately high in CCDMIA criteria
      (0.9613 and 1.2082, respectively), the differences were not statistically
      significant. CONCLUSION NAFLD was associated with MetS. However, it was not
      possible to determine whether NAFLD predating the development of MetS. 

PMID- 27252821
TI  - Fever,Weight Loss and Early Satiety due to Gastric Inflammatory Myofibroblastic
      Tumor; Case Report and Literature Review.
AB  - Gastric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare tumor with and
      unpredictable prognosis usually find in young adults. We present an 18-yearold
      man with gastric IMT. He complained of epigastric pain, intermittent fever and
      night sweating associated with weight loss since two years ago. Physical
      examination showed anemic and cachestic features with mild abdominal tenderness
      in palpitation as well as an abdominal mass in epigastrium. Abdominal CT scan
      revealed a huge mass that was arising from the stomach. Upper endoscopy revealed
      a submucosal lesion in fundus of stomach of approximately 8cm. Endoscopic
      ultrasound showed a large sub-mucosal non homogenous fundal mass with areas of
      calcification. The patient underwent laparoscopic partial gastrectomy.
      Histopathologyand immunohistochemistryevaluation revealed an IMT. 

PMID- 27252822
TI  - Juvenile Hemochromatosis in Iran: A Case Report with 5-Year Follow-up after
      Treatment.
AB  - Juvenile hemochromatosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that typically
      occurs in the first to third decades of life. Its symptoms are more acute and
      severe than classic hemochromatosis. We describe a 27-year-old man who was
      referred to the gastrointestinal clinic with a probable diagnosis of fatty liver
      and was finally diagnosed as having juvenile hemochromatosis. A review of the
      scientific literature reveals that recently only three siblings suffering from
      the disease have been reported in Iran. 

PMID- 27252823
TI  - Is occult Hepatitis B virus infection with detectable anti-HBs infectious or not?

PMID- 27252824
TI  - An Uncommon Cause of Splenomegaly.

PMID- 27252825
TI  - A designed DNA binding motif that recognizes extended sites and spans two
      adjacent major grooves.
AB  - We report the rational design of a DNA-binding peptide construct composed of the
      DNA-contacting regions of two transcription factors (GCN4 and GAGA) linked
      through an AT-hook DNA anchor. The resulting chimera, which represents a new, non
      natural DNA binding motif, binds with high affinity and selectivity to a long
      composite sequence of 13 base pairs (TCAT-AATT-GAGAG).

PMID- 27252826
TI  - Exogenous H2S modulates mitochondrial fusion-fission to inhibit vascular smooth
      muscle cell proliferation in a hyperglycemic state.
AB  - AIM: Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation in response to
      hyperglycemia is an important process in the development of arterial vessel
      hyperplasia. The shape change of mitochondria is dynamic and closely related to
      fission and fusion. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was confirmed to have anti-oxidative,
      anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects. However, little it is known
      about its effects on mitochondrial morphology induced by hyperglycemia. The aim
      of the study is to demonstrate that H2S inhibits VSMC proliferation through
      regulating mitochondrial fission. METHODS AND RESULTS: We observe lower H2S
      levels as well as higher proliferative protein expression levels for
      proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1 and higher mitochondrial
      fusion-fission protein expression levels for dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp 1) in
      human kidney arteries and in db/db mouse aorta. Exogenous H2S (100 MUM NaHS)
      inhibits vascular smooth muscle cells of human pulmonary aorta(HPASMC)
      proliferation and migration in response to high glucose using the BrdU and
      scratch wound repair assays, decreases proliferative protein (PCNA and cyclin D1)
      expression, and reduces ROS production in the cytoplasm and mitochondria. When
      HPASMCs proliferate with a high glucose treatment, the mitochondria become small
      spheres with a short rod-shaped structure, whereas NaHS, a mitochondrial division
      inhibitor and siDrp prevent VSMC proliferation and maintain mitochondria as
      stationary and randomly dispersed with fixed structures. CONCLUSION: Exogenous
      H2S aids in inhibiting mitochondrial fragmentation and affects proliferation in
      db/db mice and HPASMCs by decreasing Drp 1 expression.

PMID- 27252827
TI  - Paeoniflorin protects diabetic mice against myocardial ischemic injury via the
      transient receptor potential vanilloid 1/calcitonin gene-related peptide pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus has multiple complications including neuropathy and
      increases cardiovascular events. Paeoniflorin (PF), a monoterpene glycoside,
      plays an essential role in neuroprotection and ischemic heart disease. In this
      study, we aimed to investigate the hypothesis that PF protects mice with diabetes
      mellitus against myocardial ischemic injury, and determine its associated
      mechanisms. RESULTS: Myocardial infarction (MI) was generated in the
      streptozotocin-mediated diabetic mice, which were pretreated with either vehicle
      or PF, respectively. Myocardial infarct size, myocardial enzyme, cardiac
      function, circulating calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) concentration,
      histological analysis and the expression of associated molecules were determined
      and compared among different experimental groups. Compared to diabetic hearts
      pretreated with vehicle, hearts pretreated with PF exhibited less tissue damage
      and better CGRP concentration in serum when subjected to myocardial ischemia.
      Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1) gene knockout attenuated PF
      mediated cardioprotection. Moreover, a specific Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent
      protein kinase (CaMK) inhibitor, KN-93, increased tissue damage and decreased
      CGRP activity in serum. Meanwhile, pretreated with PF increased the
      phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). CONCLUSIONS:
      Taken together, these findings demonstrate that PF protects diabetic mice against
      MI at least partially via the TRPV1/CaMK/CREB/CGRP signaling pathway.

PMID- 27252828
TI  - Match injuries in amateur Rugby Union: a prospective cohort study - FICS Biennial
      Symposium Second Prize Research Award.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The majority of Rugby Union (rugby) players participate at the
      amateur level. Knowledge of player characteristics and injury risks is
      predominantly ascertained from studies on professional or junior athletes in
      rugby. The objectives of the current study are to: (1) describe the health
      related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical characteristics of a cohort of
      amateur rugby players; (2) describe the incidence, severity and mechanism of
      match injuries in amateur rugby, and; (3) explore factors associated with rates
      of match injury in this population. METHODS: Participants (n = 125) from one
      amateur men's rugby club were followed in a one-season (2012) prospective cohort
      study. Match injury and match time exposure data were collected. A participant
      match exposure log was maintained. Baseline variables collected include:
      participant's age, playing experience, position of play, the SF-36v2 health
      survey, height and weight. Injury incidence rates (IIRs) per 1000 match-hours
      exposure were calculated. Injury sub-groups were compared by calculating rate
      ratios of two IIRs. Poisson mixed-effects generalised linear modelling was used
      to explore relationships between IIRs and baseline predictors. RESULTS: A total
      of 129 injuries occurred during a combined period of 2465 match-hours of
      exposure. The overall IIR was 52.3 (43.7-62.2) /1000 match-hours exposure.
      Moderate-severe injuries (>1 week time-loss from play) comprised 36 % of all
      injuries. Tackling was the most common mechanism of injury, the head/face was the
      most common body region of injury and sprain/ligament injuries were the most
      common injury type. Fewer years of rugby participation, lower BMI and lower SF
      36v2 mental component summary score were associated with higher IIR in amateur
      rugby. Age, player position i.e., backs versus forwards and SF-36v2 physical
      component summary score were not associated with injury incidence. CONCLUSION:
      Amateur rugby players report similar HRQoL as the general population. We found
      amateur players had a higher rate of injury and lower injury severity than
      previous amateur studies, but location, type, and mechanism were similar. In this
      study pre-season HRQoL and BMI were weakly associated with higher injury rate
      when controlling for other factors; a finding that should be interpreted with
      caution and clarified with future research.

PMID- 27252829
TI  - A simple method to predict body temperature of small reptiles from environmental
      temperature.
AB  - To study behavioral thermoregulation, it is useful to use thermal sensors and
      physical models to collect environmental temperatures that are used to predict
      organism body temperature. Many techniques involve expensive or numerous types of
      sensors (cast copper models, or temperature, humidity, radiation, and wind speed
      sensors) to collect the microhabitat data necessary to predict body temperatures.
      Expense and diversity of requisite sensors can limit sampling resolution and
      accessibility of these methods. We compare body temperature predictions of small
      lizards from iButtons, DS18B20 sensors, and simple copper models, in both
      laboratory and natural conditions. Our aim was to develop an inexpensive yet
      accurate method for body temperature prediction. Either method was applicable
      given appropriate parameterization of the heat transfer equation used. The
      simplest and cheapest method was DS18B20 sensors attached to a small recording
      computer. There was little if any deficit in precision or accuracy compared to
      other published methods. We show how the heat transfer equation can be
      parameterized, and it can also be used to predict body temperature from
      historically collected data, allowing strong comparisons between current and
      previous environmental temperatures using the most modern techniques. Our simple
      method uses very cheap sensors and loggers to extensively sample habitat
      temperature, improving our understanding of microhabitat structure and thermal
      variability with respect to small ectotherms. While our method was quite precise,
      we feel any potential loss in accuracy is offset by the increase in sample
      resolution, important as it is increasingly apparent that, particularly for small
      ectotherms, habitat thermal heterogeneity is the strongest influence on transient
      body temperature.

PMID- 27252830
TI  - Phylogenetic assemblage structure of North American trees is more strongly shaped
      by glacial-interglacial climate variability in gymnosperms than in angiosperms.
AB  - How fast does biodiversity respond to climate change? The relationship of past
      and current climate with phylogenetic assemblage structure helps us to understand
      this question. Studies of angiosperm tree diversity in North America have already
      suggested effects of current water-energy balance and tropical niche
      conservatism. However, the role of glacial-interglacial climate variability
      remains to be determined, and little is known about any of these relationships
      for gymnosperms. Moreover, phylogenetic endemism, the concentration of unique
      lineages in restricted ranges, may also be related to glacial-interglacial
      climate variability and needs more attention. We used a refined phylogeny of both
      angiosperms and gymnosperms to map phylogenetic diversity, clustering and
      endemism of North American trees in 100-km grid cells, and climate change
      velocity since Last Glacial Maximum together with postglacial accessibility to
      recolonization to quantify glacial-interglacial climate variability. We found:
      (1) Current climate is the dominant factor explaining the overall patterns, with
      more clustered angiosperm assemblages toward lower temperature, consistent with
      tropical niche conservatism. (2) Long-term climate stability is associated with
      higher angiosperm endemism, while higher postglacial accessibility is linked to
      to more phylogenetic clustering and endemism in gymnosperms. (3) Factors linked
      to glacial-interglacial climate change have stronger effects on gymnosperms than
      on angiosperms. These results suggest that paleoclimate legacies supplement
      current climate in shaping phylogenetic patterns in North American trees, and
      especially so for gymnosperms. 

PMID- 27252831
TI  - Adcyap1 polymorphism covaries with breeding latitude in a Nearctic migratory
      songbird, the Wilson's warbler (Cardellina pusilla).
AB  - Understanding the genetic background of complex behavioral traits, showing
      multigenic control and extensive environmental effects, is a challenging task.
      Among such traits, migration is known to show a large additive genetic component.
      Yet, the identification of specific genes or gene regions explaining phenotypic
      variance in migratory behavior has received less attention. Migration ultimately
      depends on seasonal cycles, and polymorphism at phenological candidate genes may
      underlie variation in timing of migration or other aspects of migratory behavior.
      In this study of a Nearctic-Neotropical migratory songbird, the Wilson's warbler
      (Cardellina pusilla), we investigated the association between polymorphism at two
      phenological candidate genes, Clock and Adcyap1, and two aspects of the migratory
      phenotype, timing of spring migration through a stopover site and inferred
      latitude of the breeding destination. The breeding destination of migrating
      individuals was identified using feather deuterium ratio (delta (2)H), which
      reliably reflects breeding latitude throughout the species' western breeding
      range. Ninety-eight percent of the individuals were homozygous at Clock, and the
      rare heterozygotes did not deviate from homozygous migration phenology. Adcyap1
      was highly polymorphic, and allele size was not significantly associated with
      migration date. However, Adcyap1 allele size significantly positively predicted
      the inferred breeding latitude of males but not of females. Moreover, we found a
      strong positive association between inferred breeding latitude and Adcyap1 allele
      size in long-distance migrating birds from the northern sector of the breeding
      range (western Canada), while this was not the case in short-distance migrating
      birds from the southern sector of the breeding range (coastal California). Our
      findings support previous evidence for a role of Adcyap1 in shaping the avian
      migratory phenotype, while highlighting that patterns of phenological candidate
      gene-phenotype associations may be complex, significantly varying between
      geographically distinct populations and even between the sexes.

PMID- 27252832
TI  - Structural (UV) and carotenoid-based plumage coloration - signals for parental
      investment?
AB  - Parental care increases parental fitness through improved offspring condition and
      survival but comes at a cost for the caretaker(s). To increase life-time fitness,
      caring parents are, therefore, expected to adjust their reproductive investment
      to current environmental conditions and parental capacities. The latter is
      thought to be signaled via ornamental traits of the bearer. We here investigated
      whether pre- and/or posthatching investment of blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
      parents was related to ornamental plumage traits (UV crown coloration and
      carotenoid-based plumage coloration) expressed by either the individual itself
      (i.e. "good parent hypothesis") or its partner (i.e. "differential allocation
      hypothesis"). Our results show that neither prehatching (that is clutch size and
      offspring begging intensity) nor posthatching parental investment (provisioning
      rate, offspring body condition at fledging) was related to an individual's UV
      crown coloration or to that of its partner. Similar observations were made for
      carotenoid-based plumage coloration, except for a consistent positive
      relationship between offspring begging intensity and maternal carotenoid-based
      plumage coloration. This sex-specific pattern likely reflects a maternal effect
      mediated via maternally derived egg substances, given that the relationship
      persisted when offspring were cross-fostered. This suggests that females adjust
      their offspring's phenotype toward own phenotype, which may facilitate in
      particular mother-offspring co-adaptation. Overall, our results contribute to the
      current state of evidence that structural or pigment-based plumage coloration of
      blue tits are inconsistently correlated with central life-history traits. 

PMID- 27252833
TI  - Nuclear introgression without mitochondrial introgression in two turtle species
      exhibiting sex-specific trophic differentiation.
AB  - Despite the presence of reproductive barriers between species, interspecific gene
      introgression has been documented in a range of natural systems. Comparing
      patterns of genetic introgression in biparental versus matrilineal markers can
      potentially reveal sex-specific barriers to interspecific gene flow.
      Hybridization has been documented in the freshwater turtles Graptemys geographica
      and G. pseudogeographica, whose ranges are largely sympatric. Morphological
      differentiation between the species is restricted to females, with female G.
      geographica possessing large heads and jaws compared to the narrow heads of G.
      pseudogeographica females. If hybrid females are morphologically intermediate,
      they may be less successful at exploiting parental feeding niches, thereby
      limiting the introgression of maternally inherited, but not biparental, molecular
      markers. We paired sequence data with stable isotope analysis and examined sex
      specific genetic introgression and trophic differentiation in sympatric
      populations of G. geographica and G. pseudogeographica. We observed introgression
      from G. pseudogeographica into G. geographica at three nuclear loci, but not at
      the mitochondrial locus. Analysis of ?(15)N and ?(13)C was consistent with
      species differences in trophic positioning in females, but not males. These
      results suggest that ecological divergence in females may reduce the opportunity
      for gene flow in this system. 

PMID- 27252834
TI  - A trait-based approach reveals the feeding selectivity of a small endangered
      Mediterranean fish.
AB  - Functional traits are growing in popularity in modern ecology, but feeding
      studies remain primarily rooted in a taxonomic-based perspective. However,
      consumers do not have any reason to select their prey using a taxonomic
      criterion, and prey assemblages are variable in space and time, which makes taxon
      based studies assemblage-specific. To illustrate the benefits of the trait-based
      approach to assessing food choice, we studied the feeding ecology of the
      endangered freshwater fish Barbus meridionalis. We hypothesized that B.
      meridionalis is a selective predator which food choice depends on several prey
      morphological and behavioral traits, and thus, its top-down pressure may lead to
      changes in the functional composition of in-stream macroinvertebrate communities.
      Feeding selectivity was inferred by comparing taxonomic and functional
      composition (13 traits) between ingested and free-living potential prey using the
      Jacob's electivity index. Our results showed that the fish diet was influenced by
      10 of the 13 traits tested. Barbus meridionalis preferred prey with a potential
      size of 5-10 mm, with a medium-high drift tendency, and that drift during
      daylight. Potential prey with no body flexibility, conical shape, concealment
      traits (presence of nets and/or cases, or patterned coloration), and high
      aggregation tendency had a low predation risk. Similarly, surface swimmers and
      interstitial taxa were low vulnerable to predation. Feeding selectivity altered
      the functional composition of the macroinvertebrate communities. Fish absence
      favored taxa with weak aggregation tendency, weak flexibility, and a relatively
      large size (10-20 mm of potential size). Besides, predatory invertebrates may
      increase in fish absence. In conclusion, our study shows that the incorporation
      of the trait-based approach in diet studies is a promising avenue to improve our
      mechanistic understanding of predator-prey interactions and to help predict the
      ecological outcomes of predator invasions and extinctions.

PMID- 27252835
TI  - Long-term demographic decline and late glacial divergence in a Californian
      paleoendemic: Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia).
AB  - Mediterranean ecosystems comprise a high proportion of endemic taxa whose
      response to climate change will depend on their evolutionary origins. In the
      California flora, relatively little attention has been given to the evolutionary
      history of paleoendemics from a molecular perspective, yet they number among some
      of the world's most iconic plant species. Here, we address questions of
      demographic change in Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia) that is restricted
      to a narrow belt of groves in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We ask whether the
      current distribution is a result of northward colonization since the last glacial
      maximum (LGM), restriction of a broader range in the recent past (LGM) or
      independent colonizations in the deeper past. Genetic diversity at eleven
      microsatellite loci decreased with increasing latitude, but partial regressions
      suggested this was a function of smaller population sizes in the north. Disjunct
      populations north of the Kings River were divergent from those south of the Kings
      River that formed a single cluster in Bayesian assignment tests. Demographic
      inferences supported a demographic contraction just prior to the LGM as the most
      likely scenario for the current disjunct range of the species. This contraction
      appeared to be superimposed upon a long-term decline in giant sequoia over the
      last 2 million years, associated with increasing aridity due to the Mediterranean
      climate. Overall, low genetic diversity, together with competition in an
      environment to which giant sequoia is likely already poorly adapted, will pose
      major constraints on its success in the face of increasing aridity. 

PMID- 27252836
TI  - Strong paleoclimatic legacies in current plant functional diversity patterns
      across Europe.
AB  - Numerous studies indicate that environmental changes during the late Quaternary
      have elicited long-term disequilibria between species diversity and environment.
      Despite its importance for ecosystem functioning, the importance of historical
      environmental conditions as determinants of FD (functional diversity) remains
      largely unstudied. We quantified the geographic distributions of plant FD
      (richness and dispersion) across Europe using distribution and functional trait
      information for 2702 plant species. We then compared the importance of historical
      and contemporary factors to determine the relevance of past conditions as
      predictors of current plant FD in Europe. For this, we compared the strength of
      the relationships between FD with temperature and precipitation stability since
      the LGM (Last Glacial Maximum), accessibility to LGM refugia, and contemporary
      environmental conditions (climate, productivity, soil, topography, and land use).
      Functional richness and dispersion exhibited geographic patterns with strong
      associations to the environmental history of the region. The effect size of
      accessibility to LGM refugia and climate stability since the LGM was comparable
      to that of the contemporary predictors. Both functional richness and dispersion
      increased with temperature stability since the LGM and accessibility to LGM
      refugia. Functional richness' geographic pattern was primarily associated with
      accessibility to LGM refugia growing degree-days, land use heterogeneity,
      diversity of soil types, and absolute minimum winter temperature. Functional
      dispersion's geographic pattern was primarily associated with accessibility to
      LGM refugia growing degree-days and absolute minimum winter temperature. The high
      explained variance and model support of historical predictors are consistent with
      the idea that long-term variability in environmental conditions supplements
      contemporary factors in shaping FD patterns at continental scales. Given the
      importance of FD for ecosystem functioning, future climate change may elicit not
      just short-term shifts in ecosystem functioning, but also long-term functional
      disequilibria. 

PMID- 27252837
TI  - Extinct Beringian wolf morphotype found in the continental U.S. has implications
      for wolf migration and evolution.
AB  - Pleistocene diversity was much higher than today, for example there were three
      distinct wolf morphotypes (dire, gray, Beringian) in North America versus one
      today (gray). Previous fossil evidence suggested that these three groups
      overlapped ecologically, but split the landscape geographically. The Natural Trap
      Cave (NTC) fossil site in Wyoming, USA is an ideally placed late Pleistocene site
      to study the geographical movement of species from northern to middle North
      America before, during, and after the last glacial maximum. Until now, it has
      been unclear what type of wolf was present at NTC. We analyzed morphometrics of
      three wolf groups (dire, extant North American gray, Alaskan Beringian) to
      determine which wolves were present at NTC and what this indicates about wolf
      diversity and migration in Pleistocene North America. Results show NTC wolves
      group with Alaskan Beringian wolves. This provides the first morphological
      evidence for Beringian wolves in mid-continental North America. Their location at
      NTC and their radiocarbon ages suggest that they followed a temporary channel
      through the glaciers. Results suggest high levels of competition and diversity in
      Pleistocene North American wolves. The presence of mid-continental Beringian
      morphotypes adds important data for untangling the history of immigration and
      evolution of Canis in North America. 

PMID- 27252838
TI  - Erratum: Loss of genetic integrity and biological invasions result from stocking
      and introductions of Barbus barbus: insights from rivers in England.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1906.]. 

PMID- 27252839
TI  - Current concepts in the pathogenesis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary
      hypertension.
AB  - Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterized by
      fibrotic obstruction of the proximal pulmonary arteries, and it is believed to
      result from incomplete thrombus resolution after acute pulmonary embolism. While
      treatment for this condition with surgery and medical therapy has improved
      outcomes, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CTEPH is
      incomplete. Numerous risk factors have been associated with the development of
      CTEPH, including but not limited to acquired thrombophilias and chronic
      inflammatory states. A minority of patients with CTEPH have an abnormal fibrin
      structure that may delay thrombus resolution. Recently, examination of resected
      scar material in patients with CTEPH has suggested that deficient angiogenesis
      may play a role in thrombus nonresolution, and there is increasing interest in
      factors that drive intravascular scar formation. An additional challenge in CTEPH
      research is understanding the etiology and implications of the small-vessel
      disease present in many patients. Future work will likely be directed at
      understanding the pathways important to disease pathogenesis through further
      examinations of resected tissue material, continued work on animal models, and
      genomic approaches to identify alterations in gene expression or gene variants
      that may distinguish CTEPH from other forms of pulmonary hypertension. 

PMID- 27252840
TI  - Echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function predict mortality in
      acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pilot study.
AB  - Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
      contributes to increased mortality. Our aim is to identify reproducible
      transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) parameters of RV dysfunction that can be
      used to predict outcomes in ARDS. We performed a retrospective single-center
      cohort pilot study measuring tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE),
      Tei index, RV-fractional area change (RV-FAC), pulmonary artery systolic pressure
      (PASP), and septal shift, reevaluated by an independent blinded cardiologist
      (JK). Thirty-eight patients were included. Patients were divided on the basis of
      30-day survival. Thirty-day mortality was 47%. Survivors were younger than
      nonsurvivors. Survivors had a higher pH, PaO2?FiO2 ratio, and TAPSE. Acute
      Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Simplified Acute
      Physiology Score II (SAPS II), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)
      scores were lower in survivors. TAPSE has the strongest association with
      increased 30-day mortality from date of TTE. Accordingly, TAPSE has a strong
      positive correlation with PaO2?FiO2 ratios, and Tei index has a strong negative
      correlation with PaO2?FiO2 ratios. Septal shift was associated with lower
      PaO2?FiO2 ratios. Decrease in TAPSE, increase in Tei index, and septal shift were
      seen in the severe ARDS group. In multivariate logistic regression models, TAPSE
      maintained a significant association with mortality independent of age, pH,
      PaO2?FiO2 ratios, positive end expiratory pressure, PCO2, serum bicarbonate,
      plateau pressures, driving pressures, APACHE II, SAPS II, and SOFA scores. In
      conclusion, TAPSE and other TTE parameters should be used as novel predictive
      indicators for RV dysfunction in ARDS. These parameters can be used as surrogate
      noninvasive RV hemodynamic measurements to be manipulated to improve mortality in
      patients with ARDS and contributory RV dysfunction. 

PMID- 27252841
TI  - Sildenafil in heart failure with reactive pulmonary hypertension (Sildenafil HF)
      clinical trial (rationale and design).
AB  - In this article, we present the rationale and design of the Sildenafil HF trial
      (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02304705). We will randomize patients with
      heart failure and reactive pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary capillary wedge
      pressure > 15 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance > 3 Wood units) into two
      groups: the treatment group receiving sildenafil 20 mg 3 times a day and a
      matching placebo group. The duration of intervention will be 3 months. The
      primary outcome is 6-minute walk distance. Key features of this trial include (1)
      that reactive pulmonary hypertension is an inclusion criterion, (2) that patients
      will be enrolled regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction, and (3) that
      clinical stability in the 3 months preceding enrollment is not required. 

PMID- 27252842
TI  - Effects of bosentan on peripheral endothelial function in patients with pulmonary
      arterial hypertension or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
AB  - Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) have been shown to improve the prognosis
      of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the effect of
      the oral dual ERA bosentan on peripheral endothelial dysfunction (PED), as
      assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), in patients with pulmonary
      hypertension is not well characterized. We investigated the effect of bosentan on
      PED in patients with PAH or inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary
      hypertension (CTEPH). A total of 18 patients with PAH and 8 with CTEPH were
      treated with bosentan. All patients underwent FMD assessment before and after 3
      months of bosentan treatment. Whereas FMD increased from 6.01% +/- 2.42% at
      baseline to 8.07% +/- 3.18% after 3 months (P < 0.0001) in patients with PAH,
      those with CTEPH showed no change in FMD after bosentan therapy. In addition, FMD
      at baseline showed no correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.09)
      or plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels (r = -0.23) in patients with PAH.
      Bosentan treatment ameliorated PED in patients with PAH but not in those with
      inoperable CTEPH. In addition, FMD did not correlate with PAH severity. 

PMID- 27252843
TI  - Severity of pulmonary hypertension and obesity are not associated with worse
      functional outcomes after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.
AB  - Predictors of functional outcomes in patients with chronic thromboembolic
      pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE)
      are important to identify preoperatively. We hypothesized that baseline severity
      of pulmonary hypertension and obesity would not be associated with 6-month
      functional outcomes after PTE. Clinical and hemodynamic data were collected on
      consecutive patients undergoing PTE from 2008 to 2014. Patients were stratified
      according to baseline pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and body mass index
      (BMI). Six-minute walk distance (6MWD), New York Heart Association functional
      class (FC), and echocardiography were assessed in each group at baseline and 6
      months after PTE. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate for associations
      between functional outcomes and baseline PVR and BMI. Forty-two patients
      underwent PTE and had 6-month follow up data. In comparisons of patients with
      high and low baseline PVR, the baseline characteristics, distribution of disease,
      6MWD, and FC were similar. Postoperative hemodynamics for both groups were
      similar. At 6 months, both groups achieved improvements in FC, and there were no
      between-group differences in the change in 6MWD or FC. In comparisons of obese
      and nonobese patients, perioperative and FC improvement were similar; however,
      obese patients achieved a greater improvement in 6MWD than nonobese patients (P =
      0.04). In conclusion, our data suggest that baseline severity of CTEPH and
      obesity were not associated with worse functional outcome. Further studies are
      needed to confirm these results, as these findings could have implications for
      patient selection for PTE. 

PMID- 27252844
TI  - Diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension from magnetic resonance imaging-based
      computational models and decision tree analysis.
AB  - Accurately identifying patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) using
      noninvasive methods is challenging, and right heart catheterization (RHC) is the
      gold standard. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as an
      alternative to echocardiography and RHC in the assessment of cardiac function and
      pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with suspected PH. The aim of this study was
      to assess whether machine learning using computational modeling techniques and
      image-based metrics of PH can improve the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in PH.
      Seventy-two patients with suspected PH attending a referral center underwent RHC
      and MRI within 48 hours. Fifty-seven patients were diagnosed with PH, and 15 had
      no PH. A number of functional and structural cardiac and cardiovascular markers
      derived from 2 mathematical models and also solely from MRI of the main pulmonary
      artery and heart were integrated into a classification algorithm to investigate
      the diagnostic utility of the combination of the individual markers. A
      physiological marker based on the quantification of wave reflection in the
      pulmonary artery was shown to perform best individually, but optimal diagnostic
      performance was found by the combination of several image-based markers.
      Classifier results, validated using leave-one-out cross validation, demonstrated
      that combining computation-derived metrics reflecting hemodynamic changes in the
      pulmonary vasculature with measurement of right ventricular morphology and
      function, in a decision support algorithm, provides a method to noninvasively
      diagnose PH with high accuracy (92%). The high diagnostic accuracy of these MRI
      based model parameters may reduce the need for RHC in patients with suspected PH.

PMID- 27252845
TI  - Socioeconomic status affects pulmonary hypertension disease severity at time of
      first evaluation.
AB  - A low socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked to disproportionate access to
      health care in many diseases, leading to worse disease severity at initial
      presentation. There is a paucity of these data in the pulmonary hypertension
      (PHTN) population. We studied the association of SES, as measured by zip code
      based median annual household income, with World Health Organization functional
      class (WHO-FC) at time of first evaluation in PHTN patients. All patients
      evaluated at our center with a right heart catheterization revealing a mean
      pulmonary artery pressure of >=25 mmHg within 12 months of initial evaluation
      were considered for the study. Demographics, WHO-FC, and zip codes were obtained
      from retrospective chart analysis. The 2010 US census was used to obtain zip code
      based annual median income. The income groups were divided into quartiles.
      Patients were categorized by their WHO-FC and zip code-derived median income.
      Similar analyses were conducted for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
      patients. Survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Data were analyzed
      in SAS, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. There were 228 PHTN patients (70
      [30.7%] male, 158 [69.3%] female). As median income decreased, the FC at
      presentation increased, signifying higher disease severity (Spearman correlation:
      r = -0.161, P < 0.0515). This association between median income groups and WHO-FC
      at initial evaluation was significant (chi(2) test: P < 0.0168). There were 116
      PAH patients (32 [27.6%] male, 84 [72.4%] female). There was again a negative
      relationship between income and initial FC (Spearman correlation: r = -0.0307, P
      < 0.0007). A lower SES was associated with worse disease, as measured by WHO-FC. 

PMID- 27252846
TI  - Reactive oxygen species-associated molecular signature predicts survival in
      patients with sepsis.
AB  - Sepsis-related multiple organ dysfunction syndrome is a leading cause of death in
      intensive care units. There is overwhelming evidence that oxidative stress plays
      a significant role in the pathogenesis of sepsis-associated multiple organ
      failure; however, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated biomarkers and/or
      diagnostics that define mortality or predict survival in sepsis are lacking. Lung
      or peripheral blood gene expression analysis has gained increasing recognition as
      a potential prognostic and/or diagnostic tool. The objective of this study was to
      identify ROS-associated biomarkers predictive of survival in patients with
      sepsis. In-silico analyses of expression profiles allowed the identification of a
      21-gene ROS-associated molecular signature that predicts survival in sepsis
      patients. Importantly, this signature performed well in a validation cohort
      consisting of sepsis patients aggregated from distinct patient populations
      recruited from different sites. Our signature outperforms randomly generated
      signatures of the same signature gene size. Our findings further validate the
      critical role of ROSs in the pathogenesis of sepsis and provide a novel gene
      signature that predicts survival in sepsis patients. These results also highlight
      the utility of peripheral blood molecular signatures as biomarkers for predicting
      mortality risk in patients with sepsis, which could facilitate the development of
      personalized therapies. 

PMID- 27252847
TI  - Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 downregulates peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor gamma to promote hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell
      proliferation.
AB  - Hypoxia stimulates pulmonary hypertension (PH), in part by increasing the
      proliferation of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) via
      sustained activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal
      regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK 1/2), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB);
      elevated expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4); and downregulation of peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) levels. However, the upstream
      mediators that control these responses remain largely unknown. We hypothesized
      that proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) plays a critical role in the mechanism
      of hypoxia-induced HPASMC proliferation. To test this hypothesis, HPASMCs were
      exposed to normoxia or hypoxia (1% O2) for 72 hours. Hypoxia activated Pyk2
      (detected as Tyr402 phosphorylation), and inhibition of Pyk2 with small
      interfering RNA (siRNA) or tyrphostin A9 attenuated hypoxia-induced HPASMC
      proliferation. Pyk2 inhibition attenuated ERK 1/2 activation as early as 24 hours
      after the onset of hypoxia, suggesting a proximal role for Pyk2 in this response.
      Pyk2 inhibition also attenuated hypoxia-induced NF-kappaB activation, reduced
      HPASMC PPARgamma messenger RNA levels and activity, and increased NF-kappaB
      mediated Nox4 levels. The siRNA-mediated PPARgamma knockdown enhanced Pyk2
      activation, whereas PPARgamma overexpression reduced Pyk2 activation in HPASMCs,
      confirming a reciprocal relationship between Pyk2 and PPARgamma. Pyk2 depletion
      also attenuated hypoxia-induced NF-kappaB p65 activation and reduced PPARgamma
      protein levels in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. These in vitro
      findings suggest that Pyk2 plays a central role in the proliferative phenotype of
      pulmonary vascular wall cells under hypoxic conditions. Coupled with recent
      reports that hypoxia-induced PH is attenuated in Pyk2 knockout mice, these
      findings suggest that Pyk2 may represent a novel therapeutic target in PH. 

PMID- 27252848
TI  - Antagonism of the thromboxane-prostanoid receptor is cardioprotective against
      right ventricular pressure overload.
AB  - Right ventricular (RV) failure is the primary cause of death in pulmonary
      arterial hypertension (PAH) and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality
      in other forms of pulmonary hypertension. There are no approved therapies
      directed at preserving RV function. F-series and E-series isoprostanes are
      increased in heart failure and PAH, correlate to the severity of disease, and can
      signal through the thromboxane-prostanoid (TP) receptor, with effects from
      vasoconstriction to fibrosis. The goal of these studies was to determine whether
      blockade of the TP receptor with the antagonist CPI211 was beneficial
      therapeutically in PAH-induced RV dysfunction. Mice with RV dysfunction due to
      pressure overload by pulmonary artery banding (PAB) were given vehicle or CPI211.
      Two weeks after PAB, CPI211-treated mice were protected from fibrosis with
      pressure overload. Gene expression arrays and immunoblotting, quantitative
      histology and morphometry, and flow cytometric analysis were used to determine
      the mechanism of CPI211 protection. TP receptor inhibition caused a near
      normalization of fibrotic area, prevented cellular hypertrophy while allowing
      increased RV mass, increased expression of antifibrotic thrombospondin-4, and
      blocked induction of the profibrotic transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)
      pathway. A thromboxane synthase inhibitor or low-dose aspirin failed to replicate
      these results, which suggests that a ligand other than thromboxane mediates
      fibrosis through the TP receptor after pressure overload. This study suggests
      that TP receptor antagonism may improve RV adaptation in situations of pressure
      overload by decreasing fibrosis and TGF-beta signaling. 

PMID- 27252849
TI  - Plasma 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosanoids are predictors of survival in pulmonary
      arterial hypertension.
AB  - This study aimed to characterize alterations in select eicosanoids in
      experimental and human pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and to assess their
      potential utility as predictors of outcome. Using liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry, we performed targeted lipidomic analyses of the lungs and right
      ventricles (RVs) of chronically hypoxic rats and plasma of consecutive PAH
      patients and healthy controls. In rat lungs, chronic hypoxia was associated with
      significantly decreased lung prostacyclin (PGI2)/thromboxane B2 (TXB2) ratio and
      elevated lung 8-hydroxyeicosanoid (HETE) acid concentrations. RV eicosanoids did
      not exhibit any changes with chronic hypoxia. PAH treatment-naive patients had
      significantly increased plasma concentrations of TXB2 and 5-, 8-, 12-, and 15
      HETE. The PGI2/TXB2 ratio was lower in PAH patients than in controls, especially
      in the treatment-naive cohort (median: 2.1, 0.3, and 1.3 in controls, treatment
      naive, and treated patients, respectively, P = 0.001). Survival was significantly
      worse in PAH patients with 12-HETEhigh (>=57 pg/mL) and 15-HETEhigh (>=256 pg/mL)
      in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.8 [95% confidence
      interval (CI): 1.1-7.3], P = 0.04 and HR: 4.3 [95% CI: 1.6-11.8], P = 0.004,
      respectively; adjustment was performed with the REVEAL [Registry to Evaluate
      Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management] risk score). We demonstrate
      significant alterations in eicosanoid pathways in experimental and human PAH. We
      found that 12- and 15-HETE were independent predictors of survival in human PAH,
      even after adjusting for the REVEAL score, suggesting their potential role as
      novel biomarkers. 

PMID- 27252850
TI  - Nonmuscle myosin light chain kinase activity modulates radiation-induced lung
      injury.
AB  - Radiotherapy as a primary treatment for thoracic malignancies induces deleterious
      effects, such as acute or subacute radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). Although
      the molecular etiology of RILI is controversial and likely multifactorial, a
      potentially important cellular target is the lung endothelial cytoskeleton that
      regulates paracellular gap formation and the influx of macromolecules and fluid
      to the alveolar space. Here we investigate the central role of a key endothelial
      cytoskeletal regulatory protein, the nonmuscle isoform of myosin light chain
      kinase (nmMLCK), in an established murine RILI model. Our results indicate that
      thoracic irradiation significantly augmented nmMLCK protein expression and
      enzymatic activity in murine lungs. Furthermore, genetically engineered mice
      harboring a deletion of the nmMLCK gene (nmMLCK(-/-) mice) exhibited protection
      from RILI, as assessed by attenuated vascular leakage and leukocyte infiltration.
      In addition, irradiated wild-type mice treated with two distinct MLCK enzymatic
      inhibitors, ML-7 and PIK (peptide inhibitor of kinase), also demonstrated
      attenuated RILI. Taken together, these data suggests a key role for nmMLCK in
      vascular barrier regulation in RILI and warrants further examination of RILI
      strategies that target nmMLCK. 

PMID- 27252851
TI  - Pulmonary artery denervation for treatment of a patient with pulmonary
      hypertension secondary to left heart disease.
AB  - Pulmonary hypertension (PH) predicts poor outcome in patients with left heart
      disease. A 62-year-old man was referred for heart failure associated with
      ischemic cardiomyopathy. He received a diagnosis of combined postcapillary and
      precapillary PH secondary to left heart disease on the basis of hemodynamic
      parameters. After the pulmonary artery denervation procedure was performed,
      hemodynamic parameters were markedly improved, which resulted in a significant
      increase in functional capacity. 

PMID- 27252852
TI  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension in primary amyloidosis.
AB  - Amyloidosis involves extravascular deposition of fibrillar proteins within
      tissues and organs. Primary light chain amyloidosis represents the most common
      form of systemic amyloidosis involving deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin
      light chains. Although pulmonary amyloid deposition is common in primary
      amyloidosis, clinically significant pulmonary amyloidosis is uncommon, and
      elevated pulmonary artery pressures are rarely observed in the absence of other
      underlying etiologies for pulmonary hypertension, such as elevated filling
      pressures secondary to cardiac amyloid. In this case report, we present a patient
      with primary light chain amyloidosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension in the
      setting of pulmonary vascular and right ventricular myocardial amyloid
      deposition. 

PMID- 27252853
TI  - The basal bodies of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
AB  - The unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, is a biflagellated cell
      that can swim or glide. C. reinhardtii cells are amenable to genetic,
      biochemical, proteomic, and microscopic analysis of its basal bodies. The basal
      bodies contain triplet microtubules and a well-ordered transition zone. Both the
      mother and daughter basal bodies assemble flagella. Many of the proteins found in
      other basal body-containing organisms are present in the Chlamydomonas genome,
      and mutants in these genes affect the assembly of basal bodies. Electron
      microscopic analysis shows that basal body duplication is site-specific and this
      may be important for the proper duplication and spatial organization of these
      organelles. Chlamydomonas is an excellent model for the study of basal bodies as
      well as the transition zone. 

PMID- 27252854
TI  - Acute mountain sickness among tourists visiting the high-altitude city of Lhasa
      at 3658 m above sea level: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traveling to Tibet implies a risk for developing acute mountain
      sickness (AMS), and the size of this problem is likely increasing due to the
      rising number of tourists. No previous study on AMS has been conducted among the
      general tourist population in Tibet. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate
      the prevalence and determinants of AMS in a large tourist population visiting
      Lhasa. METHODS: A sample of 2385 tourists was recruited from seven randomly
      selected hotels in Lhasa between June and October 2010. Within three days of
      their first arrival, the participants filled in a questionnaire based on the Lake
      Louise Scoring System (LLSS) about AMS-related symptoms and potential
      contributing factors. AMS was defined as the presence of headache and a
      cumulative Lake Louise Score >=4. After estimating the prevalence of AMS, a Log
      Binomial Model was applied to analyse the relationship between AMS and selected
      risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of AMS was 36.7 % (95 % CI: 34.6-38.7 %)
      and was not dependent on tourists' country of origin. Among the participants who
      developed AMS, 47.6 % reported that they experienced symptoms within the first 12
      h after arriving in Lhasa, and 79.0 % reported that they had to reduce their
      activity level. A poor or average health condition (adjusted PR 1.63, 95 % CI
      1.38-1.93), an age below 55 years (adjusted PR 1.29, 95 % CI 1.04-1.60), a rapid
      ascent to Lhasa (adjusted PR 1.17, 95 % CI 1.02-1.34) were independent AMS risk
      factors, while smoking (adjusted PR 0.75, 95 % CI 0.59-0.96) and pre-exposure to
      high altitude (adjusted PR 0.71, 95 % CI 0.60-0.84) reduced the risk of AMS.
      CONCLUSIONS: AMS is commonly experienced by tourists visiting Lhasa Tibet, and
      often affects their activities. The tourists' country of origin did not seem to
      affect their risk of AMS, and their age was inversely related to AMS. Subjects
      planning to visit a high-altitude area should be prepared for experiencing AMS
      related problems, and consider preventive measures such as pre-exposure or a
      gradual ascent to high altitudes.

PMID- 27252855
TI  - Identification of functional metabolic biomarkers from lung cancer patient serum
      using PEP technology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reprogrammed metabolism is a new hallmark of cancer. In many types of
      cancer, most of the genes in the glycolytic pathway are overexpressed, reflecting
      an essential shift of metabolism during cancer development. The reprogrammed
      metabolism contributes to cancer development in multiple ways, from supplying the
      elevated energy requirement to creating a microenvironment suitable for tumor
      growth and suppressing the human immune surveillance system. METHOD: In this
      study, a functional proteomics top-down approach was used to systematically
      monitor metabolic enzyme activities in resolved serum proteins produced by a
      modified 2-D gel separation and subsequent Protein Elution Plate, a method
      collectively called PEP. RESULTS: We found that the enrichment of low abundance
      proteins with a bead based product called AlbuVoidTM(,) is important to increase
      the number of observable features and to increase the level of signal achievable
      from the assay used. From our methods, significant metabolic enzyme activities
      were detected in both normal and lung cancer patient sera in many fractions after
      the elution of the 2-D gel separated proteins to the Protein Elution Plate (PEP).
      Eighteen fractions with the most dramatic metabolic enzyme activity difference
      between the normal and lung cancer patient sera were submitted for mass
      spectrometry protein identification. Proteins from the glycolytic metabolic
      pathway, such as GAPDH along with other proteins not previously annotated to the
      glycolytic pathway were identified. Further verification with commercially
      purified GAPDH showed that the addition of purified GAPDH to the metabolic enzyme
      assay system employed enhanced the enzyme activity, demonstrating that proteins
      identified from the PEP technology and mass spectrometry could be further
      verified with biological assay. CONCLUSION: This study identified several
      potential functional enzyme biomarkers from lung cancer patient serum, it
      provides an alternative and complementary approach to sequence annotation for the
      discovery of biomarkers in human diseases.

PMID- 27252856
TI  - Flexible characterization of animal movement pattern using net squared
      displacement and a latent state model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Characterizing the movement patterns of animals is an important step
      in understanding their ecology. Various methods have been developed for
      classifying animal movement at both coarse (e.g., migratory vs. sedentary
      behavior) and fine (e.g., resting vs. foraging) scales. A popular approach for
      classifying movements at coarse resolutions involves fitting time series of net
      squared displacement (NSD) to models representing different conceptualizations of
      coarse movement strategies (i.e., migration, nomadism, sedentarism, etc.).
      However, the performance of this method in classifying actual (as opposed to
      simulated) animal movements has been mixed. Here, we develop a more flexible
      method that uses the same NSD input, but relies on an underlying discrete latent
      state model. Using simulated data, we first assess how well patterns in the
      number of transitions between modes of movement and the duration of time spent in
      a mode classify movement strategies. We then apply our approach to elucidate
      variability in the movement strategies of eight giant tortoises (Chelonoidis sp.)
      using a multi-year (2009-2014) GPS dataset from three different Galapagos
      Islands. RESULTS: With respect to patterns of time spent and the number of
      transitions between modes, our approach out-performed previous efforts to
      distinguish among migration, dispersal, and sedentary behavior. We documented
      marked inter-individual variation in giant tortoise movement strategies, with
      behaviors indicating migration, dispersal, nomadism and sedentarism, as well as
      hybrid behaviors such as "exploratory residence". CONCLUSIONS: Distilling complex
      animal movement into discrete modes remains a fundamental challenge in movement
      ecology, a problem made more complex by the ever-longer duration, ever-finer
      resolution, and gap-ridden trajectories recorded by GPS devices. By clustering
      into modes, we derived information on the time spent within one mode and the
      number of transitions between modes which enabled finer differentiation of
      movement strategies over previous methods. Ultimately, the techniques developed
      here address limitations of previous approaches and provide greater insights with
      respect to characterization of movement strategies across scales by more fully
      utilizing long-term GPS telemetry datasets.

PMID- 27252857
TI  - Difficulties in emotion regulation in patients with eating disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A defining characteristic of eating disorders (EDs) is difficulty
      with emotion regulation (ER). Previous research indicates that ED subtypes
      demonstrate differing ER difficulties. Specifically, individuals with Anorexia
      Nervosa (AN) or Bulimia Nervosa (BN) show greater impairment in their ability to
      regulate emotions in areas such as achieving goals while upset, reacting
      impulsively to distress, and effectively using coping strategies, as compared to
      those with Binge Eating Disorder (BED). However, limited research includes the
      diagnostic category of Eating Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). The aim
      of this study was to better understand ER difficulties for all ED diagnoses,
      especially EDNOS. It was hypothesized that patients with EDs will demonstrate
      similar ER difficulties as psychiatric patients without EDs and that patients
      with EDNOS will be similar in their total level of ER difficulties but will
      differ in their specific types of difficulties in ER as compared to patients with
      other EDs. METHODS: Participants included 404 adults presenting to an inpatient
      psychiatric hospital. Psychiatric diagnoses, including EDs, were determined using
      the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders. Differences in specific and
      overall difficulties with ER were examined across psychiatric patients using the
      multidimensional Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. RESULTS: Results of
      this study indicate that individuals with EDs have greater ER difficulties in
      most domains of ER and that those with BED and EDNOS demonstrate the most
      significant differences in ER as compared to psychiatric patients without EDs.
      Additionally, it was found that ED subtypes typically did not differ in terms of
      specific difficulties in ER. One exception emerged indicating that individuals
      with BED demonstrated significantly greater difficulty on the Limited Access to
      Emotion Regulation Strategies subscale as compared to those with EDNOS.
      CONCLUSIONS: Researchers were able to clarify difficulties in ER across ED
      diagnoses. Results highlight the importance of providing ER skills training for
      patients with EDs, particularly those with BED and EDNOS, and give insight into
      the specific areas of ER that may be important for these patients to focus on
      throughout recovery.

PMID- 27252858
TI  - A case of adrenal Cushing's syndrome with bilateral adrenal masses.
AB  - A functional lesion in corticotrophin (ACTH)-independent Cushing's syndrome is
      difficult to distinguish from lesions of bilateral adrenal masses. Methods for
      distinguishing these lesions include adrenal venous sampling and (131)I-6beta
      iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol ((131)I-NP-59) scintigraphy. We present a case of a
      29-year-old Han Chinese female patient with a history of hypercholesterolaemia
      and polycystic ovary syndrome. She presented with a 6month history of an 8kg body
      weight gain and gradual rounding of the face. Serial examinations revealed loss
      of circadian rhythm of cortisol, elevated urinary free-cortisol level and
      undetectable ACTH level (<5pg/mL). No suppression was observed in both the low-
      and high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests. Adrenal computed tomography
      revealed bilateral adrenal masses. Adrenal venous sampling was performed, and the
      right-to-left lateralisation ratio was 14.29. The finding from adrenal
      scintigraphy with NP-59 was consistent with right adrenal adenoma. The patient
      underwent laparoscopic right adrenalectomy, and the pathology report showed
      adrenocortical adenoma. Her postoperative cortisol level was 3.2MUg/dL, and her
      Cushingoid appearance improved. In sum, both adrenal venous sampling and (131)I
      NP-59 scintigraphy are good diagnostic methods for Cushing's syndrome presenting
      with bilateral adrenal masses. LEARNING POINTS: The clinical presentation of
      Cushing' syndrome includes symptoms and signs of fat redistribution and protein
      wasting features.The diagnosis of patients with ACTH-independent Cushing's
      syndrome with bilateral adrenal masses is challenging for localisation of the
      lesion.Both adrenal venous sampling and (131)I-NP-59 scintigraphy are good
      methods to use in these patients with Cushing's syndrome presenting with
      bilateral adrenal masses.

PMID- 27252859
TI  - Diabetic foot complicated by vertebral osteomyelitis and epidural abscess.
AB  - Vertebral osteomyelitis (or spondylodiscitis) is steadily increasing in Western
      countries and often results from hematogenous seeding, direct inoculation during
      spinal surgery, or contiguous spread from an infection in the adjacent soft
      tissue. We present the case of a 67-year-old white patient with type 2 diabetes
      who went to Hospital for high fever, back pain, and worsening of known infected
      ulcers in the left foot. Despite intravenous antibiotic treatment and surgical
      debridement of the foot infection, high fever and lower back pain continued. Bone
      biopsy and two consecutive blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus
      aureus. A spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, revealing
      serious osteomyelitis in L4 and L5 complicated by an epidural abscess. Contiguous
      or other distant focuses of infection were not identified. In this case, diabetic
      foot could be considered as a primary distant focus for vertebral osteomyelitis.
      Clinicians should consider vertebral osteomyelitis as a 'possible' diagnosis in
      patients with type 2 diabetes complicated by foot infection that is associated
      with fever and lower back pain. LEARNING POINTS: Vertebral osteomyelitis is
      increasing in Western countries, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes.The
      primary focus of infection is the genitourinary tract followed by skin, soft
      tissue, endocarditis, bursitis, septic arthritis, and intravascular
      access.Diabetic foot could be a rare primary focus of infection for vertebral
      osteomyelitis, and, however, vertebral osteomyelitis could be a serious, albeit
      rare, complication of diabetic foot.Clinicians should keep in mind the many
      potential complications of diabetic foot ulcerations and consider vertebral
      osteomyelitis as a "possible" diagnosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and foot
      ulcers associated with nonspecific symptoms such as lower back pain.Early
      diagnosis and correct management of vertebral osteomyelitis are crucial to
      improve clinical outcomes.

PMID- 27252860
TI  - Combined treatment with sitagliptin and vitamin D in a patient with latent
      autoimmune diabetes in adults.
AB  - Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a relatively new type of diabetes
      with a clinical phenotype of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and an immunological milieu
      characterized by high titers of islet autoantibodies, resembling the
      immunological profile of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Herein, we report a case of a
      young male, diagnosed with LADA based on both clinical presentation and positive
      anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-abs), which were normalized
      after combined treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4)
      (sitagliptin) and cholecalciferol. LEARNING POINTS: Anti-glutamic acid
      decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-abs) titers in young patients being previously
      diagnosed as type 2 diabetes (T2D) may help establish the diagnosis of latent
      autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).Sitagliptin administration in patients with
      LADA might prolong the insulin-free period.Vitamin D administration in patients
      with LADA might have a protective effect on the progression of the disease.

PMID- 27252861
TI  - Is radioiodine administration in patients with papillary thyroid multifocal
      microcarcinoma unnecessary?
AB  - Radioiodine (RAI) has played a crucial role in differentiated thyroid cancer
      treatment for more than 60years. However, the use of RAI administration in
      patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (even multifocal) is now being
      widely discussed and often not recommended. In accordance with European
      consensus, and contrary to the American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, we
      recently performed RAI thyroid remnant ablation in a patient with differentiated
      papillary multifocal microcarcinoma. The post-therapeutic whole-body scan and
      SPECT/CT revealed the real and unexpected extent of disease, with metastases to
      upper mediastinal lymph nodes. This finding led to the patient's upstaging from
      stage I to stage IVa according to the American Joint Committee on
      Cancer/International Union Against Cancer criteria. LEARNING POINTS: (131)I is a
      combined beta-gamma emitter, thus allowing not only residual thyroid tissue
      ablation but also metastatic tissue imaging.RAI remnant ablation omission also
      means post-treatment whole-body scan omission, which may lead to disease
      underestimation, due to incorrect nodal and metastatic staging.RAI should be
      considered also in "low-risk" patients, especially when the lymph node
      involvement is not reliably documented.Lower administered RAI activity (30mCi,
      1.1GBq) may be a workable compromise in low-risk patients, not indicated for RAI
      remnant ablation according to ATA guidelines.

PMID- 27252862
TI  - Thyroid lipomatosis in a 36-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis and a
      kidney transplant.
AB  - Thyroid lipomatosis is a rare disease, as a total of 20 cases have been described
      in the literature. It is characterized by diffuse infiltration of the stroma by
      mature adipose tissue and by progressive growth that produces different degrees
      of compressive symptoms. Our aim is to present the case of a 36-year-old woman
      who consulted because of dyspnea caused by a multinodular goiter. She underwent
      surgery with the presumptive diagnosis of a malignant neoplasia, but the
      pathological examination of the surgical specimen established the diagnosis of
      thyroid lipomatosis. LEARNING POINTS: Thyroid lipomatosis is a rare, benign
      disease characterized by diffuse infiltration of the stroma by mature adipose
      tissue.The pathophysiology of diffuse proliferation of adipose tissue in the
      thyroid gland is unclear.Thyroid lipomatosis is clinically manifested by a
      progressive enlargement of the thyroid that can involve the airway and/or upper
      gastrointestinal tract, producing dyspnea, dysphagia, and changes in the
      voice.Given the rapid growth of the lesion, the two main differential diagnoses
      are anaplastic carcinoma and thyroid lymphoma.Imaging studies may suggest a
      differential diagnosis, but a definitive diagnosis generally requires
      histopathological confirmation after a thyroidectomy.

PMID- 27252863
TI  - The McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome: a rare cause of curable diabetes.
AB  - McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome (MWS) is a rare consequence of severe dehydration
      and electrolyte depletion due to mucinous diarrhoea secondary to a rectosigmoid
      villous adenoma. Reported cases of MWS commonly describe hypersecretion of
      mucinous diarrhoea in association with dehydration, hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia,
      hypochloraemia and pre-renal azotemia. Hyperglycaemia and diabetes are rarely
      reported manifestations of MWS. Herein we describe the case of a 59-year-old
      woman who presented with new-onset diabetes and severe electrolyte derangement
      due to a giant rectal villous adenoma. Subsequent endoscopic resection of the
      tumour cured her diabetes and normalised electrolytes. This case describes a rare
      cause of 'curable diabetes' and indicates hyperaldosteronism and/or whole-body
      potassium stores as important regulators of insulin secretion and glucose
      homeostasis. LEARNING POINTS: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome (MWS) is typically
      characterised by the triad of pre-renal failure, electrolyte derangement and
      chronic diarrhoea resulting from a secretory colonic neoplasm.Hyperglycaemia and
      new-onset diabetes are rare clinical manifestations of MWS.Hyperaldosteronism
      and/or hypokalaemia may worsen glucose tolerance in MWS.Aggressive replacement of
      fluid and electrolytes is the mainstay of acute management, with definitive
      treatment and complete reversal of the metabolic abnormalities being achieved by
      endoscopic or surgical resection of the neoplasm.

PMID- 27252864
TI  - Spontaneous resolution of avascular necrosis of femoral heads following cure of
      Cushing's syndrome.
AB  - Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a rare presenting feature of endogenous
      hypercortisolism. If left untreated, complete collapse of the femoral head may
      ensue, necessitating hip replacement in up to 70% of patients. The majority of
      the described patients with AVN due to endogenous hypercortisolaemia required
      surgical intervention. A 36-year-old female, investigated for right leg pain,
      reported rapid weight gain, bruising and secondary amenorrhoea. She had abdominal
      adiposity with violaceous striae, facial plethora and hirsutism, atrophic skin,
      ecchymosis and proximal myopathy. Investigations confirmed cortisol excess
      (cortisol following low-dose 48h dexamethasone suppression test 807nmol/L; 24h
      urinary free cortisol 1443nmol (normal<290nmol)). Adrenocorticotrophic hormone
      (ACTH) was <5.0pg/mL. CT demonstrated subtle left adrenal gland hypertrophy.
      Hypercortisolaemia persisted after left adrenalectomy. Histology revealed primary
      pigmented micronodular adrenal disease. Post-operatively, right leg pain worsened
      and left leg pain developed, affecting mobility. MRI showed bilateral femoral
      head AVN. She underwent right adrenalectomy and steroid replacement was
      commenced. Four months after surgery, leg pain had resolved and mobility was
      normal. Repeat MRI showed marked improvement of radiological abnormalities in
      both femoral heads, consistent with spontaneous healing of AVN. We report a case
      of Cushing's syndrome due to primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease,
      presenting with symptomatic AVN of both hips. This was managed conservatively
      from an orthopaedic perspective. Following cure of hypercortisolaemia, the
      patient experienced excellent recovery and remains symptom free 4 years after
      adrenalectomy. This is the first report of a favourable outcome over long-term
      follow-up of a patient with bilateral AVN of the hip, which reversed with
      treatment of endogenous hypercortisolaemia. LEARNING POINTS: AVN of femoral head
      can be a presenting feature of hypercortisolism, both endogenous and
      exogenous.Rarely, treatment of hypercortisolaemia can reverse AVN without the
      need for orthopaedic intervention.Primary pigmented nodular adrenal disease is a
      rare cause of ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome.

PMID- 27252865
TI  - Turner syndrome: don't forget the vulva.
AB  - Turner syndrome (TS) has been linked to a number of autoimmune conditions,
      including lichen sclerosus (LS), at an estimated prevalence of 17%. LS is a known
      precursor to vulvar cancer. We present a case of vulvar cancer in a 44-year-old
      woman, who had previously complained of pruritus in the area, a known symptom of
      LS. Histology confirmed a squamous cell carcinoma with underlying LS. Vulvar
      assessment for the presence of LS should be undertaken regularly as part of the
      routine assessments proposed for adult TS women. If LS is identified, then the
      patient should be warned of the increased risk of vulvar cancer progression and
      should be monitored closely for signs of the condition. LEARNING POINTS: Patients
      with TS are at increased risk of developing LS.LS is a known precursor to vulvar
      cancer.TS women with LS may be at risk of developing vulvar cancer and should be
      offered annual vulvar screening and also be aware of signs and symptoms of early
      vulvar cancer.

PMID- 27252866
TI  - A thymic neuroendocrine tumour in a young female: a rare cause of relapsing and
      remitting Cushing's syndrome.
AB  - We present a case of a young female patient with a rare cause of relapsing and
      remitting Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic ACTH secretion from a thymic
      neuroendocrine tumour. A 34-year-old female presented with a constellation of
      symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, including facial swelling, muscle weakness and
      cognitive impairment. We use the terms 'relapsing and remitting' in this case
      report, given the unpredictable time course of symptoms, which led to a delay of
      2 years before the correct diagnosis of hypercortisolaemia. Diagnostic workup
      confirmed ectopic ACTH secretion, and a thymic mass was seen on mediastinal
      imaging. The patient subsequently underwent thymectomy with complete resolution
      of her symptoms. Several case series have documented the association of Cushing's
      syndrome with thymic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), although to our knowledge
      there are a few published cases of patients with relapsing and remitting
      symptoms. This case is also notable for the absence of features of the MEN-1
      syndrome, along with the female gender of our patient and her history of non
      smoking. LEARNING POINTS: Ectopic corticotrophin (ACTH) secretion should always
      be considered in the diagnostic workup of young patients with Cushing's
      syndromeThere is a small but growing body of literature describing the
      correlation between ectopic ACTH secretion and thymic neuroendocrine tumours
      (NETs)The possibility of a MEN-1 syndrome should be considered in all patients
      with thymic NETs, and we note the observational association with male gender and
      cigarette smoking in this cohortAn exception to these associations is the finding
      of relatively high incidence of thymic NETs among female non-smoking MEN-1
      patients in the Japanese compared with Western populationsThe relapsing and
      remitting course of our patient's symptoms is noteworthy, given the paucity of
      this finding among other published cases.

PMID- 27252867
TI  - Pancreas-protective effect of rituximab for acute-onset type 1 diabetes in the
      honeymoon period: a case report.
AB  - A randomized controlled study of rituximab demonstrated that the drug protects
      pancreatic function in patients with acute-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus
      (AOT1DM). However, the mechanism of this protective effect is poorly understood.
      We examined the effects of rituximab in two patients with AOT1DM in the honeymoon
      period and the mechanism of these effects. Case 1 was a 40-year-old man and Case
      2 was a 45-year-old man, both diagnosed with AOT1DM. Various tests indicated
      intact capacity for endogenous insulin secretion and that they were in the
      honeymoon phase of AOT1DM. Treatment with rituximab protected against pancreatic
      beta-cell damage and maintained somewhat the endogenous insulin secretion. In
      Case 2, HbA1c level was maintained below 6.5% up to 24 months after treatment.
      However, in Case 1, the patient showed a gradual increase in HbA1c level starting
      around 9 months but fell at 12 months to >9.0% and required an insulin dose about
      twice greater than that of Case 2. High spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) levels were
      recorded in the two patients before rituximab administration and after the
      treatment, the levels were further increased in Case 1, but decreased in Case 2.
      Both patients require continuous careful follow-up for glycemic control, insulin
      secretion capacity, and adverse reactions in the future. Although the clinical
      relevance of high Syk levels in AOT1DM patients remains unclear, the difference
      in the change in Syk level between the two patients may explain the different
      clinical courses. LEARNING POINTS: We described the pancreas-protective effect of
      rituximab in two patients with acute-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus in the
      honeymoon period and investigated the possible mechanism of action.The present
      study demonstrated that treatment with rituximab maintained endogenous insulin
      secretion capacity for 2 years in the two patients.The phosphorylated-spleen
      tyrosine kinase (p-Syk) data suggest that the differences in HbA1c level and the
      required insulin dose between the two patients could be due to reactivation or
      nonreactivation of beta-cells.

PMID- 27252868
TI  - Primary ovarian insufficiency: different approaches in three cases and a review
      of literature.
AB  - Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is the condition of intermittent or permanent
      gonadal insufficiency that occurs in women before the age of 40. We describe
      three cases of POI referred to the outpatient endocrinology clinic of a
      university hospital. The three patients met diagnostic criteria for POI and were
      managed by specific approaches tailored to individualized goals. In the first
      case, the main concern was fertility and the reproductive prognosis. The second
      patient was a carrier of a common genetic cause of POI: premutation of the FMR1
      gene. The third case was a patient diagnosed with a POI and established
      osteoporosis, a common complication of estrogen deprivation. This study reports
      the treatment and follow-up of these cases, with an emphasis on relevant aspects
      of individualized management, alongside a brief literature review. LEARNING
      POINTS: A diagnosis of POI should be considered in patients presenting with
      amenorrhea or irregular menses and high serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
      levels before age 40 years.Patients with POI without an established cause,
      especially in familial cases, should be tested for FMR1
      mutations.Estrogen/progestin replacement therapy is indicated since diagnosis
      until at least the estimated age of menopause, and is the cornerstone for
      maintaining the good health of breast and urogenital tract and for primary or
      secondary osteoporosis prevention in POI.Fertility should be managed through an
      individualized approach based on patient possibilities, such as egg or embryo
      donation and ovarian cryopreservation; pregnancy can occur spontaneously in a
      minority of cases.Women with POI should be carefully monitored for cardiovascular
      risk factors.

PMID- 27252869
TI  - Article 1: Supervision, Performance Assessment, and Recognition Strategy (SPARS) 
      a multipronged intervention strategy for strengthening medicines management in
      Uganda: method presentation and facility performance at baseline.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uganda introduced a multipronged intervention, the supervision,
      performance assessment, and recognition strategy (SPARS), to improve medicines
      management (MM) in public and not-for-profit health facilities. This paper, the
      first in a series, describes the SPARS intervention and reports on the MM
      situation in Uganda before SPARS (baseline). METHODS: To build MM capacity at
      health facilities, health workers were trained as MM supervisors to visit health
      facilities, assess MM performance, and use the findings to provide support and
      standardize MM practices. Performance is assessed based on 25 MM indicators
      covering five domains: dispensing quality (7 indicators), prescribing quality
      (5), stock management (4), storage management (5) and ordering and reporting (4).
      From the end of 2010 to 2013, MM supervisors assessed baseline MM performance of
      1384 government (85 %) and private not-for-profit facilities at all levels of
      care in about half of Uganda's districts. RESULTS: The overall MM baseline median
      score was 10.3 out of a maximum of 25 with inter-quartile range (IQR) of 8.7
      11.7. Facility domain scores (out of a maximum of 5) were as follows: storage
      management, median score of 2.9 (IQR 2.3-3.4); stock management 2.3 (IQR 2.0
      2.8), ordering and reporting 2.2 (IQR 1.3-2.5), and dispensing quality 2.1 (IQR
      1.7-2.7). Performance in prescribing quality was 0.9 (IQR 0.4-1.4). Significant
      regional differences were found: overall scores were highest in the Northern
      region (10.7; IQR 9.2-12.4) and lowest in the Eastern region (9.6; (IQR 7.8-11.2)
      (p < 0.001). Overall scores did not differ by facility ownership; however,
      government facilities scored lower in dispensing and storage and higher in
      ordering and reporting. Hospitals scored higher overall and in domains other than
      prescribing and stock management. Districts classified a priori as having high
      capacity for implementing SPARS had higher scores at baseline compared to lower
      capacity districts. CONCLUSION: Assessing and building national capacity in MM is
      needed in both private not-for-profit and government facilities at all levels of
      care. The indicator-based, multipronged SPARS assessment has been described here,
      while the strategy's impact has yet to be documented.

PMID- 27252870
TI  - A study of attitudes, beliefs and organisational barriers related to safe
      emergency oxygen therapy for patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease) in clinical practice and research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients can be harmed by receiving too little or too much oxygen.
      There is ongoing disagreement about the use of oxygen in medical emergencies.
      METHODS: This was a mixed methods study (survey, telephone interviews and focus
      groups) involving patients, the public and healthcare professionals (HCPs).
      RESULTS: 62 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 65
      members of the public, 68 ambulance crew members, 22 doctors, 22 nurses and 10
      hospital managers took part. For five factual questions about oxygen therapy, the
      average score for correct answers was 28% for patients with COPD, 33% for the
      general public and 75% for HCPs. The HCPs had an average score of 66% for five
      technical questions. Patients (79%) and members of the public (68%) were more
      likely than HCPs (36%) to believe that oxygen was beneficial in most medical
      emergencies and less likely to have concerns that it might harm some people (35%,
      25% and 68%). All groups had complex attitudes about research into oxygen use in
      medical emergencies. Many participants would not wish for themselves or their
      loved ones to have their oxygen therapy determined by a randomised protocol,
      especially if informed consent was not possible in an emergency situation.
      CONCLUSIONS: We have found low levels of factual knowledge about oxygen use among
      patients with COPD and the general public and many false beliefs about the
      potential benefits and harms of using oxygen. HCPs had a higher level of factual
      knowledge. All groups had complex attitudes towards research into emergency
      oxygen use.

PMID- 27252871
TI  - Direct costs in impaired glucose regulation: results from the population-based
      Heinz Nixdorf Recall study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: For the first time, this population-based study sought to analyze
      healthcare utilization and associated costs in people with normal fasting
      glycemia (NFG), impaired fasting glycemia (IFG), as well as previously undetected
      diabetes and previously diagnosed diabetes linking data from the prospective
      German Heinz Nixdorf Recall (HNR) study with individual claims data from German
      statutory health insurances. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 1709
      participants of the HNR 5-year follow-up (mean age (SD) 64.9 (7.5) years, 44.5%
      men) were included in the study. Age-standardized and sex-standardized healthcare
      utilization and associated costs (reported as ? for the year 2008, perspective of
      the statutory health insurance) were stratified by diabetes stage defined by the
      participants' self-report and fasting plasma glucose values. Cost ratios (CRs)
      were estimated using two-part regression models, adjusting for age, sex,
      sociodemographic variables and comorbidity. RESULTS: The mean total direct
      healthcare costs for previously diagnosed diabetes, previously undetected
      diabetes, IFG, and NFG were ?2761 (95% CI 2378 to 3268), ?2210 (1483 to 4279),
      ?2035 (1732 to 2486) and ?1810 (1634 to 2035), respectively. Corresponding age
      adjusted and sex-adjusted CRs were 1.53 (1.30 to 1.80), 1.16 (0.91 to 1.47), and
      1.09 (0.95 to 1.25) (reference: NFG). Inpatient, outpatient and medication costs
      varied in order between people with IFG and those with previously undetected
      diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides claims-based detailed cost data in well
      defined glucose metabolism subgroups. CRs of individuals with IFG and previously
      undetected diabetes were surprisingly low. Data are important for the model-based
      evaluation of screening programs and interventions that are aimed either to
      prevent diabetes onset or to improve diabetes therapy as well.

PMID- 27252872
TI  - Higher fasting plasma glucose is associated with striatal and hippocampal shape
      differences: the 2sweet project.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated associations between higher normal
      fasting plasma glucose levels (NFG) (<6.1 mmol/L), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and
      hippocampal atrophy and other cerebral abnormalities. Little is known about the
      association between plasma glucose and the striatum despite sensorimotor deficits
      being implicated in T2D. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between
      plasma glucose levels and striatal and hippocampal morphology using vertex-based
      shape analysis. DESIGN: A population-based, cross-sectional study. SETTING:
      Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 287 cognitively healthy
      individuals (mean age 63 years, 132 female, 273 Caucasian) with (n=261) or
      without T2D (n=26), selected from 2551 participants taking part in the
      Personality & Total Health (PATH) Through Life study by availability of glucose
      data, MRI scan, and absence of gross brain abnormalities and cognitive
      impairment. OUTCOME MEASURES: Fasting plasma glucose was measured at first
      assessment, and MRI images were collected 8 years later. Shape differences
      indicating outward and inward deformation at the hippocampus and the striatum
      were examined with FMRIB Software Library-Integrated Registration and
      Segmentation Toolbox (FSL-FIRST) after controlling for sociodemographic and
      health variables. RESULTS: Higher plasma glucose was associated with shape
      differences indicating inward deformation, particularly at the caudate and
      putamen, among participants with NFG after controlling for age, sex, body mass
      index (BMI), hypertension, smoking and depressive symptoms. Those with T2D showed
      shape differences indicating inward deformation at the right hippocampus and
      bilateral striatum, but outward deformation at the left hippocampus, compared
      with participants with NFG. CONCLUSIONS: These findings further emphasize the
      importance of early monitoring and management of plasma glucose levels, even
      within the normal range, as a risk factor for cerebral atrophy.

PMID- 27252873
TI  - Diabetes hinders community-acquired pneumonia outcomes in hospitalized patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM)
      in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and its impact
      on hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND
      METHODS: We carried out a retrospective, nationwide register analysis of CAP in
      adult patients admitted to Portuguese hospitals between 2009 and 2012. Anonymous
      data from 157 291 adult patients with CAP were extracted from the National
      Hospital Discharge Database and we performed a DM-conditioned analysis stratified
      by age, sex and year of hospitalization. RESULTS: The 74 175 CAP episodes that
      matched the inclusion criteria showed a high burden of DM that tended to increase
      over time, from 23.7% in 2009 to 28.1% in 2012. Interestingly, patients with CAP
      had high DM prevalence in the context of the national DM prevalence. Episodes of
      CAP in patients with DM had on average 0.8 days longer hospital stay as compared
      to patients without DM (p<0.0001), totaling a surplus of 15 370 days of stay
      attributable to DM in 19 212 admissions. In-hospital mortality was also
      significantly higher in patients with CAP who have DM (15.2%) versus those who
      have DM (13.5%) (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis revealed that DM prevalence
      was significantly increased within CAP hospital admissions, reinforcing other
      studies' findings that suggest that DM is a risk factor for CAP. Since patients
      with CAP who have DM have longer hospitalization time and higher mortality rates,
      these results hold informative value for patient guidance and healthcare
      strategies.

PMID- 27252874
TI  - Use of an electronic health record to identify prevalent and incident
      cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes according to treatment strategy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing use of electronic health records (EHRs) in clinical
      practice offers the potential to investigate cardiovascular outcomes over time in
      patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). OBJECTIVE: To develop a methodology for
      identifying prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with
      T2D who are candidates for therapeutic intensification of glucose-lowering
      therapy. METHODS: Patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >=7% (53 mmol/mol)
      while receiving 1-2 oral diabetes medications (ODMs) were identified from an EHR
      (2005-2011) and grouped according to intensification with insulin (INS) (n=372),
      a different class of ODM (n=833), a glucagon-like peptide receptor 1 agonist (GLP
      1RA) (n=59), or no additional therapy (NAT) (n=2017). Baseline prevalence of CVD
      was defined by documented International Classification of Diseases Ninth Edition
      (ICD-9) codes for coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, or other CVD
      with first HbA1c >=7% (53 mmol/mol). Incident CVD was defined as a new ICD-9 code
      different from existing codes over 4 years of follow-up. ICD-9 codes were
      validated by a chart review in a subset of patients. RESULTS: Sensitivity of ICD
      9 codes for CVD ranged from 0.83 to 0.89 and specificity from 0.90 to 0.96.
      Baseline prevalent (INS vs ODM vs GLP-1RA vs NAT: 65% vs 39% vs 54% vs 59%,
      p<0.001) and incident CVD (Kaplan-Meier estimates: 58%, 31%, 52%, and 54%,
      p=0.002) were greater in INS group after controlling for differences in baseline
      HbA1c (9.2+/-2.0% vs 8.3+/-1.2% vs 8.2+/-1.3% vs 7.7+/-1.1% (77 vs 67 vs 66 vs 61
      mmol/mol), p<0.001) and creatinine (1.15+/-0.96 vs 1.10+/-0.36 vs 1.01+/-0.35 vs
      1.07+/-0.45 mg/dL, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An EHR can be an effective method for
      identifying prevalent and incident CVD in patients with T2D.

PMID- 27252875
TI  - Age-associated and breed-associated variations in haematological and biochemical
      variables in young labrador retriever and miniature schnauzer dogs.
AB  - Breed, sex and age effects on haematological and biochemical variables were
      investigated in 24 labrador retriever and 25 miniature schnauzer dogs during the
      first year of life. Blood samples were taken regularly between weeks 8 and 52.
      White blood cell and red blood cell counts, haemoglobin concentration,
      haematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin
      concentration, platelet count as well as total protein, albumin, calcium,
      phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate
      aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, total cholesterol, triglycerides,
      creatine and urea were evaluated. For all haematological and biochemical
      parameters, there were significant effects of age on test results. Statistically
      significant effects for breed and the breed*age interaction on test results were
      observed for most of the parameters with the exception of haemoglobin. Variations
      in test results illustrate growth related alterations in body tissue and
      metabolism leading to dynamic and marked changes in haematological and
      biochemical parameters, which have to be considered for the interpretation of
      clinical data obtained from dogs in the first year of life. 

PMID- 27252876
TI  - Observed change in peak oxygen consumption after aortic valve replacement and its
      predictors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the change in peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) and determine
      its outcome predictors after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis
      (AS). METHODS: Patients with AS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
      who were referred for single AVR had cardiopulmonary exercise testing prior to
      and 9 months post-AVR. Predictors of outcome for pVO2 were determined by
      multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses. A significant change in
      pVO2 was defined as a relative change that was more than twice the coefficient of
      repeatability by test-retest (>10%). RESULTS: The pre-AVR characteristics of the
      37 study patients included the following: median age (range) 72 (46-83) years,
      aortic valve area index (AVAI) 0.41 (SD 0.11) cm(2)/m(2), mean gradient (MG) 49.1
      (SD 15.3) mm Hg and New York Heart Association (NYHA)>=II 27 (73%). Pre-AVR and
      post-AVR mean pVO2 was 18.5 and 18.4 mL/kg/m(2) (87% of the predicted),
      respectively, but the change from pre-AVR was heterogeneous. The relative change
      in pVO2 was positively associated with the preoperative MG (beta=0.50, p=0.001)
      and negatively associated with brain natriuretic peptide > upper level of normal
      according to age and gender (beta=-0.40, p=0.009). A relative increase in pVO2
      exceeding 10% was found in 9 (24%), predicted by lower pre-AVR AVAI (OR 0.18; 95%
      CI 0.04 to 0.82, p=0.027) and lower peak O2 pulse (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99,
      p=0.045). Decreases in pVO2 exceeding 10% were found in 11 (30%) and predicted by
      lower MG (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.86 to 0.99, p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Change in pVO2 was
      heterogeneous. Predictors of favourable and unfavourable outcomes for pVO2 were
      identified.

PMID- 27252877
TI  - Switching between thienopyridines in patients with acute myocardial infarction
      and quality of care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In acute coronary syndromes, switching between thienopyridines is
      frequent. The aims of the study were to assess the association between switching
      practices and quality of care. METHODS: Registry study performed in 213 French
      public university, public non-academic and private hospitals. All consecutive
      patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction (MI; <48 hours) between
      1/10/2010 and 30/11/2010 were eligible. Clinical and biological data were
      recorded up to 12 months follow-up. RESULTS: Among 4101 patients receiving
      thienopyridines, a switch was performed in 868 (21.2%): 678 (16.5%) from
      clopidogrel to prasugrel and 190 (4.6%) from prasugrel to clopidogrel. Predictors
      of switch were ST segment elevation MI presentation, admission to a cardiology
      unit, previous percutaneous coronary intervention, younger age, body weight >60
      kg, no history of stroke, cardiac arrest, anaemia or renal dysfunction. In
      patients with a switch, eligibility for prasugrel was >82% and appropriate use of
      a switch was 86% from clopidogrel to prasugrel and 20% from prasugrel to
      clopidogrel. Quality indicators scored higher in the group with a switch and also
      in centres where the switch rate was higher. CONCLUSIONS: As applied in the
      French Registry on Acute ST-elevation and non ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction
      (FAST-MI) registry, switching from one P2Y12 inhibitor to another led to a more
      appropriate prescription and was associated with higher scores on indicators of
      quality of care.

PMID- 27252879
TI  - Congenital heart disease and the cost of mortality.

PMID- 27252878
TI  - Health utility indexes in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have been associated with lower health
      utilities (HUs) compared with the general population. Given the prognostic
      improvements after ACS with the implementation of coronary angiography (eg,
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)), contemporary HU values derived from
      patient-reported outcomes are needed. METHODS: We analysed data of 1882 patients
      with ACS 1 year after coronary angiography in a Swiss prospective cohort. We used
      the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D) and visual analogue scale
      (VAS) to derive HU indexes. We estimated the effects of clinical factors on HU
      using a linear regression model and compared the observed HU with the average
      values of individuals of the same sex and age in the general population. RESULTS:
      Mean EQ-5D HU 1-year after coronary angiography for ACS was 0.82 (+/-0.16) and
      mean VAS was 0.77 (+/-0.18); 40.9% of participants exhibited the highest utility
      values. Compared with population controls, the mean EQ-5D HU was similar
      (expected mean 0.82, p=0.58) in patients with ACS, but the mean VAS was slightly
      lower (expected mean 0.79, p<0.001). Patients with ACS who are younger than 60
      years had lower HU than the general population (<0.001). In patients with ACS,
      significant differences were found according to the gender, education and
      employment status, diabetes, obesity, heart failure, recurrent ischaemic or
      incident bleeding event and participation in cardiac rehabilitation (p<0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: At 1 year, patients with ACS with coronary angiography had HU
      indexes similar to a control population. Subgroup analyses based on patients'
      characteristics and further disease-specific instruments could provide better
      sensitivity for detecting smaller variations in health-related quality of life.

PMID- 27252880
TI  - Conventional hemodialysis is associated with greater bone loss than nocturnal
      hemodialysis: a retrospective observational study of a convenience cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Compared with the general population, end-stage renal disease
      patients are at increased risk for bone loss and fractures. Nocturnal
      hemodialysis offers superior calcium-phosphate control and improved uremic
      clearance compared with conventional hemodialysis. Rates of bone loss by type of
      hemodialysis are unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine whether there
      are differences in bone loss between frequent nocturnal hemodialysis and
      conventional hemodialysis. DESIGN: This is a retrospective observational study.
      SETTING: Participants were selected from two teaching hospitals in downtown
      Toronto. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 88 participants on dialysis for at
      least 6 months (52 patients on conventional hemodialysis and 36 patients
      converted from conventional hemodialysis to nocturnal hemodialysis). Patients on
      peritoneal dialysis and with previous renal transplants were excluded.
      MEASUREMENTS: We obtained demographic variables and biochemical data by a chart
      review. We examined changes in bone mineral density at the hip (femoral neck,
      total hip) and spine (L1 to L4) measured at baseline and about 1 year in the two
      groups. METHODS: We used Student's t test for evaluation of between-group mean
      differences in demographic and biochemical parameters. We used linear regression
      models adjusted for baseline age, weight, dialysis vintage, markers of mineral
      metabolism (serum phosphate, serum calcium, and parathyroid hormone), and
      baseline bone mineral density at the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine to
      determine the annualized percent change by hemodialysis type. RESULTS:
      Conventional hemodialysis subjects were older than nocturnal hemodialysis
      subjects (66 +/- 9 vs 43 +/- 10 years; p < 0.0001) with no significant
      differences in weight, dialysis vintage, serum phosphate, or parathyroid hormone
      between the two groups at baseline. In a period over 1 year, conventional
      hemodialysis compared to nocturnal hemodialysis subjects had significantly
      greater bone mineral density losses at all sites (1.6 % loss at the lumbar spine
      (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.2-3.1), 1.3 % loss at the femoral neck (95 % CI
      0.1-2.5), and 1.1 % loss at the total hip (95 % CI 0.1-2.6). LIMITATIONS: Some
      limitations to this study are the lack of medication administration history,
      short duration (~1 year), and small sample sizes. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first
      study comparing bone density between hemodialysis modalities. Our study
      demonstrates that bone loss is less in nocturnal hemodialysis compared to that in
      conventional hemodialysis which may result in less fractures. Larger
      observational studies are ultimately needed to confirm preliminary findings from
      our study.

PMID- 27252881
TI  - Hepatic macrophages in liver fibrosis: pathogenesis and potential therapeutic
      targets.
AB  - Hepatic macrophages account for the largest non-parenchymal cell population in
      the liver. Recent studies have found that hepatic macrophages have different
      functions in different stages of experimental liver fibrosis. Some studies found
      that there are different types of hepatic macrophages in the liver, although
      others have suggested that hepatic macrophages could switch to different
      phenotypes in different environments. Many studies demonstrated that while
      hepatic macrophages promoted fibrosis through the recruitment of proinflammatory
      immune cells, and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in
      the early stages, these also promoted the resolution of hepatic fibrosis through
      the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases in the late stages. This article will
      review the current role played by hepatic macrophages in liver fibrosis and the
      potential therapeutic targets that modulate hepatic macrophages. 

PMID- 27252882
TI  - Multicentre prospective survey of SeHCAT provision and practice in the UK.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A clinical diagnosis of bile acid malabsorption (BAM) can be confirmed
      using SeHCAT (tauroselcholic ((75)selenium) acid), a radiolabelled synthetic bile
      acid. However, while BAM can be the cause of chronic diarrhoea, it is often
      overlooked as a potential diagnosis. Therefore, we investigated the use of SeHCAT
      for diagnosis of BAM in UK hospitals. DESIGN: A multicentre survey was conducted
      capturing centre and patient-level information detailing patient care-pathways,
      clinical history, SeHCAT results, treatment with bile acid sequestrants (BAS),
      and follow-up in clinics. Eligible data from 38 centres and 1036 patients were
      entered into a validated management system. RESULTS: SeHCAT protocol varied
      between centres, with no standardised patient positioning, and differing referral
      systems. Surveyed patients had a mean age of 50 years and predominantly women
      (65%). The mean SeHCAT retention score for all patients was 19% (95% CI 17.8% to
      20.3%). However, this differed with suspected BAM type: type 1: 9% (95% CI 6.3%
      to 11.4%), type 2: 21% (95% CI 19.2% to 23.0%) and type 3: 22% (95% CI 19.6% to
      24.2%). Centre-defined 'abnormal' and 'borderline' results represented over 50%
      of the survey population. BAS treatment was prescribed to only 73% of patients
      with abnormal results. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified a lack of consistent cut
      off/threshold values, with differing centre criteria for defining an 'abnormal'
      SeHCAT result. BAS prescription was not related in a simple way to the SeHCAT
      result, nor to the centre-defined result, highlighting a lack of clear patient
      care-pathways. There is a clear need for a future diagnostic accuracy study and a
      better understanding of optimal management pathways.

PMID- 27252883
TI  - Variety and phosphate fertilizer dose effect on nutrient composition, in vitro
      digestibility and feeding value of cowpea haulm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.]) is a legume cultivated throughout
      most tropical countries and is valued as food and feed for human and livestock
      respectively. The search for an improved cowpea variety has been on-going with
      the aim of improving traits such as grain yield, drought and pest resistance. But
      no information exist on the feeding value of these improved varieties. Phosphate
      (P) fertilizer application is recommended to augment grain yield in grain legumes
      but data on the effect of P fertilizer on haulm quality is limited. RESULTS: Two
      separate experiments were conducted to determine the effect of P fertilizer dose
      on the nutritive value of haulms from different cowpea varieties (V). In
      experiment 1, effect of three P doses (30, 60 and 90 kg P2O5/ha) on in vitro gas
      production (IVGP) characteristics, concentrations of digestible organic matter
      (DOM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber
      (NDF) of haulms from five cowpea varieties (Zaayura-SARC 4-75, Songotra-IT97K-499
      35, Hewale-IT93K-192-4, IT99K 573-1-1 and Asomdwe-IT94K-410-2) were investigated
      using the 3 (P) x 5 (V) factorial treatment arrangements in a completely
      randomized design. In experiment 2, the effects of two P doses (30 and 90 kg
      P2O5/ha) and two varieties (Zaayura-SARC 4-75 and Hewale-IT93K-192-4) on the
      voluntary feed intake, live weight, haematology and carcass characteristics of
      Djallonke lambs were also assessed using a 2(P) x 2(V) factorial treatment
      arrangement. The V x P interaction significantly affected CP, NDF and ADF with CP
      concentration increasing with increase in P doses in Zaayura-SARC 4-75 and
      Asomdwe-IT94K-410-2. Whilst an increase (P < 0.05) in NDF was observed in
      Songotra-IT97K-499-35and Asomdwe-IT94K-410-2 as P doses increased, the other V
      only increased from P dose 30 to 60 kg/ha and declined at P dose 90 kg/ha. The
      ADF decreased (P < 0.05) with increase in P dose for all V with the exception of
      Songotra-IT97K-499-35. There was a significant V effect on DOM with the highest
      reported in Zaayura-SARC 4-75 (43.44 %). Daily DM intake, carcass length and
      blood urea nitrogen of the lambs were significantly affected by the V x P
      interaction. There was a significant V effect on globulin and P effect on live
      weight at slaughter, dressed weight, chuck, leg, loin, rib and flank and liver
      and lungs. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that nutrient concentrations of cowpea
      haulms were positively influenced by different P dose and varieties with
      favorable effects on growth, haematology and carcass composition of lambs.
      Varieties Zaayura-SARC 4-75 and Hewale-IT93K-192-4 at P dose at 90 kg/ha are
      recommended to enhance growth performance and carcass yield of Djallonke lambs.

PMID- 27252884
TI  - Investigation of enhanced hemocompatibility and tissue compatibility associated
      with multi-functional coating based on hyaluronic acid and Type IV collagen.
AB  - The biocompatibility of cardiovascular devices has always been considered crucial
      for their clinical efficacy. Therefore, a biofunctional coating composed of Type
      IV collagen (CoIV) and hyaluronan (HA) was previously fabricated onto the
      titanium (Ti) substrate for the application of promoting vascular smooth muscle
      cell contractile phenotype and improving surface endothelialization. However, the
      anti-inflammation property, blood compatibility and in vivo tissue compatibility
      of the HA/CoIV coating, as paramount consideration of cardiovascular materials
      surface coating, have not been investigated. Thus, in this study, the three
      crucial properties of the HA/CoIV coating were tested. The platelet
      adhesion/activation test and the dynamic whole blood experiment implied that the
      HA/CoIV coating had better blood compatibility compared with Ti substrate and
      pure CoIV coating. The macrophage adhesion/activation and inflammatory cytokine
      release (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1) results indicated that
      the HA/CoIV coating could significantly improve the anti-inflammation property of
      the Ti substrate. The in vivo implantation of SD rats for 3 weeks' results
      demonstrated that the HA/CoIV coating caused milder tissue response. All these
      results suggested that the multi-functional HA/CoIV coating possessed good
      biocompatibility. This research is anticipated to be potentially applied for the
      surface modification of cardiovascular stents. 

PMID- 27252885
TI  - Degradation characteristics, cell viability and host tissue responses of PDLLA
      based scaffold with PRGD and beta-TCP nanoparticles incorporation.
AB  - This study is aimed to evaluate the degradation characteristics, cell viability
      and host tissue responses of PDLLA/PRGD/beta-TCP (PRT) composite nerve scaffold,
      which was fabricated by poly(d, l-lactic acid) (PDLLA), RGD peptide(Gly-Arg-Gly
      Asp-Tyr, GRGDY, abbreviated as RGD) modified poly-{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic
      acid)-alt-(l-lysine)]}(PRGD) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP). The
      scaffolds' in vitro degradation behaviors were investigated in detail by
      analysing changes in weight loss, pH and morphology. Then, the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2
      thiazolyl) -2,5-diphenyl-2 -H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell live/dead
      assay were carried out to assess their cell viability. Moreover, in vivo
      degradation patterns and host inflammation responses were monitored by
      subcutaneous implantation of PRT scaffold in rats. Our data showed that, among
      the tested scaffolds, the PRT scaffold had the best buffering capacity (pH = 6.1
      6.3) and fastest degradation rate (12.4%, 8 weeks) during in vitro study, which
      was contributed by the incorporation of beta-TCP nanoparticles. After in vitro
      and in vivo degradation, the high porosity structure of PRT could be observed
      using scanning electron microscopy. Meanwhile, the PRT scaffold could
      significantly promote cell survival. In the PRT scaffold implantation region,
      less inflammatory cells (especially for neutrophil and lymphocyte) could be
      detected. These results indicated that the PRT composite scaffold had a good
      biodegradable property; it could improve cells survival and reduced the adverse
      host tissue inflammation responses. 

PMID- 27252886
TI  - Sirolimus-loaded CaP coating on Co-Cr alloy for drug-eluting stent.
AB  - To achieve polymer-free and controllable drug-eluting system, there have been
      many efforts to modify the surface composition and topography of metal stent.
      Recently, calcium phosphate is commonly applied to metallic implants as a coating
      material for fast fixation and firm-implant bone attachment on the account of its
      demonstrated bioactive and osteoconductive properties. In the present study, the
      release of sirolimus could be controllable because of immobilization of sirolimus
      during the process of biomimetic CaP coating forming. A completely new concept is
      the drug carrier of biomimetic CaP coating with sirolimus for an absorbable drug
      eluting system, which in turn can serve as a drug reservoir. We here describe the
      characteristic, mechanisms and drug release in vitro of new drug-eluting system
      in comparison to conventional system equivalent. Nano-structured calcium
      phosphate (CaP) coating was formed on the cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy
      substrate. By immersing coated sample in solution with sirolimus (rapamycin), the
      sirolimus could be immobilized in the newly formed CaP layer. The morphology,
      composition and formation process of the coating were studied with scanning
      electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that a uniform CaP coating
      incorporated with sirolimus was observed on Co-Cr alloy. 

PMID- 27252887
TI  - Biomedical titanium alloys with Young's moduli close to that of cortical bone.
AB  - Biomedical titanium alloys with Young's moduli close to that of cortical bone,
      i.e., low Young's modulus titanium alloys, are receiving extensive attentions
      because of their potential in preventing stress shielding, which usually leads to
      bone resorption and poor bone remodeling, when implants made of their alloys are
      used. They are generally beta-type titanium alloys composed of non-toxic and
      allergy-free elements such as Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr referred to as TNTZ, which is
      highly expected to be used as a biomaterial for implants replacing failed hard
      tissue. Furthermore, to satisfy the demands from both patients and surgeons,
      i.e., a low Young's modulus of the whole implant and a high Young's modulus of
      the deformed part of implant, titanium alloys with changeable Young's modulus,
      which are also beta-type titanium alloys, for instance Ti-12Cr, have been
      developed. In this review article, by focusing on TNTZ and Ti-12Cr, the
      biological and mechanical properties of the titanium alloys with low Young's
      modulus and changeable Young's modulus are described. In addition, the titanium
      alloys with shape memory and superelastic properties were briefly addressed.
      Surface modifications for tailoring the biological and anti-wear/corrosion
      performances of the alloys have also been briefly introduced. 

PMID- 27252889
TI  - Scientific collaboration: a social network analysis based on literature of animal
      derived regenerative implantable medical devices.
AB  - The collaboration network of English publications on animal-derived regenerative
      implantable medical devices based on tissue engineering technology and its
      evolving processes and current states were mapped in this paper. A total of 10
      159 English papers published before 1 January 2015 were obtained in eight
      databases. Social network analysis was conducted on these papers by utilizing
      UCINET software and Statistical Analysis Software for Informatics researched and
      developed by Peking University. The collaboration network has evolved from
      scattered formation to single-core dominated, and then to a core-edge one;
      collaboration has become more frequent and wider; network density and centrality
      have decreased; USA, UK and China are the top three countries with Wake Forest
      University, Harvard University and Tufts University being the top three
      contributing institutions cooperated mostly during the period between 2010 and
      2014; plenty of edge institutes exist. In conclusion, more collaboration among
      different institutions and countries is needed; Edge institutions and developing
      countries should expand their scope of collaboration. 

PMID- 27252888
TI  - Calcium phosphate nanoparticles-based systems for siRNA delivery.
AB  - Despite the enormous therapeutic potential of siRNA as a treatment strategy, the
      delivery is still a problem due to unfavorable biodistribution profiles and poor
      intracellular bioavailability. Calcium phosphate (CaP) co-precipitate has been
      used for nearly 40 years for in vitro transfection due to its non-toxic nature
      and simplicity of preparation. The surface charge of CaP will be tuned into
      positive by surface modification, which is important for siRNA loading and
      crossing cell membrane without enzymatic degradation. The new siRNA carrier
      system will also promote the siRNA escape from lysosome to achieve siRNA
      sustained delivery and high-efficiency silence. In this review, we focus on the
      current research activity in the development of CaP nanoparticles for siRNA
      delivery. These nanoparticles are mainly classified into lipid coated, polymer
      coated and various other types for discussion. 

PMID- 27252890
TI  - Therapeutic implications of autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by the
      presence of autoantibodies. Their value for diagnostic/prognostic purposes has
      been well established. In contrast, their role in established disease and their
      associations with disease activity is less clear. Moreover, as evidence is
      accumulating that these autoantibodies are causally involved in certain key
      aspects of the disease, such as the initiation and perpetuation of joint
      inflammation or join destruction, autoantibodies in RA can no longer be regarded
      as mere epiphenomena, but are integral elements of the pathophysiology of RA. 

PMID- 27252891
TI  - Leucocyte subset-specific type 1 interferon signatures in SLE and other immune
      mediated diseases.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Type 1 interferons (IFN-1) are implicated in the pathogenesis of
      systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but most studies have only reported the
      effect of IFN-1 on mixed cell populations. We aimed to define modules of IFN-1
      associated genes in purified leucocyte populations and use these as a basis for a
      detailed comparative analysis. METHODS: CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, monocytes and
      neutrophils were purified from patients with SLE, other immune-mediated diseases
      and healthy volunteers and gene expression then determined by microarray. Modules
      of IFN-1-associated genes were defined using weighted gene coexpression network
      analysis. The composition and expression of these modules was analysed. RESULTS:
      1150 of 1288 IFN-1-associated genes were specific to myeloid subsets, compared
      with 11 genes unique to T cells. IFN-1 genes were more highly expressed in
      myeloid subsets compared with T cells. A subset of neutrophil samples from
      healthy volunteers (HV) and conditions not classically associated with IFN-1
      signatures displayed increased IFN-1 gene expression, whereas upregulation of IFN
      1-associated genes in T cells was restricted to SLE. CONCLUSIONS: Given the broad
      upregulation of IFN-1 genes in neutrophils including in some HV, investigators
      reporting IFN-1 signatures on the basis of whole blood samples should be cautious
      about interpreting this as evidence of bona fide IFN-1-mediated pathology.
      Instead, specific upregulation of IFN-1-associated genes in T cells may be a
      useful biomarker and a further mechanism by which elevated IFN-1 contributes to
      autoimmunity in SLE.

PMID- 27252892
TI  - Practice what you preach? An exploratory multilevel study on rheumatoid arthritis
      guideline adherence by rheumatologists.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess variation in and determinants of rheumatologist guideline
      adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in daily practice. METHODS:
      In this retrospective observational study, guideline adherence in the first year
      of treatment was assessed for 7 predefined parameters on diagnostics, treatment
      and follow-up in all adult patients with RA with a first outpatient clinic visit
      at the study centre, from September 2009 to March 2011. Variation in guideline
      adherence was assessed on parameter and rheumatologist level. Determinants for
      guideline adherence were assessed in patients (demographic characteristics,
      rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (aCCP)
      positivity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, erosive disease, comorbidity and the
      number of available disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment
      options) and rheumatologists (demographic and practice characteristics, guideline
      knowledge and agreement, outcome expectancy, cognitive bias, thinking style,
      numeracy and personality). RESULTS: A total of 994 visits in 137 patients with RA
      were reviewed. Variation in guideline adherence among parameters was present
      (adherence between 21% and 72%), with referral to the physician assistant as
      lowest scoring and referral to a specialised nurse as highest scoring parameter.
      Variation in guideline adherence among rheumatologists was also present
      (adherence between 22% and 100%). Patient sex, the number of DMARD options,
      presence of erosions, comorbidity, RF/aCCP positivity, type of patient and the
      rheumatologists' scientific education status were associated with adherence to 1
      or more guideline parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Guideline adherence varied
      considerably among the guideline parameters and rheumatologists, showing that
      there is room for improvement. Guideline adherence in our sample was related to
      several patient and rheumatologist determinants.

PMID- 27252893
TI  - Malignancy rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyse malignancy rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
      treated with tocilizumab. METHODS: Patients who received tocilizumab or
      placebo+methotrexate/disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in the double-blind
      phases of 5-phase three trials or who received at least 1 dose of tocilizumab in
      the long-term extension studies were analysed up to the 2 May 2012 cut-off date.
      Malignancies were monitored throughout the studies, analysed and adjudicated as
      malignant by medical review. Risk was compared with that in the general
      population using standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) based on data from the
      Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results SEER (US general population) and
      GLOBOCAN (non-US general population) databases. RESULTS: In total, 4009 patients
      in the tocilizumab all-exposure population were included. Mean treatment duration
      was 4.0 years (mean 5.1 (range 0.0-6.8); total observation time was 16 120.1
      patient-years (PY). The adjudicated malignancy rate (95% CI) was 1.26/100 PY
      (1.09 to 1.44) and remained constant over time. The SIR (95% CI) for all
      malignancies combined, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, was 1.36 (1.01 to
      1.80) for US and 1.81 (1.44 to 2.23) for non-US populations, driven primarily by
      higher rates in lung and bronchus (US/non-US) malignancies and prostate cancer
      and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (non-US), in contrast to those for the general
      populations; these higher rates are in line with those expected in patients with
      RA or in the geographic regions studied. CONCLUSIONS: Malignancy rates remained
      stable with long-term tocilizumab treatment, and malignancy types and rates were
      consistent with those expected in patients with RA.

PMID- 27252894
TI  - Translation of clinical problems in osteoarthritis into pathophysiological
      research goals.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) accounts for more disability among the elderly than any other
      disease and is associated with an increased mortality rate. The prevalence in
      Europe will rise in the future since this continent has a strongly ageing
      population and an obesity epidemic; obesity and age both being major risk factors
      for OA. No adequate therapeutic options, besides joint replacement, are
      available, although they are greatly needed and should be acquired by adequate
      research investments. However, the perspective on OA from a researcher's point of
      view is not always aligned with the perspective of a patient with OA. Researchers
      base their views on OA mainly on abnormalities in structure and function while
      patients consider OA as a collection of symptoms. In this viewpoint paper, we
      discuss the possibility of translating the most important clinical problems into
      pathophysiological research goals to facilitate the translation from bench to
      bedside and vice versa. This viewpoint is the outcome of a dialogue within the
      'European League Against Rheumatism study group on OA' and People with
      Arthritis/Rheumatism across Europe (PARE) representatives. 

PMID- 27252895
TI  - Identifying flares in rheumatoid arthritis: reliability and construct validation
      of the OMERACT RA Flare Core Domain Set.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability of concurrent flare identification using 3
      methods (patient, rheumatologist and Disease Activity Score (DAS)28 criteria),
      and construct validity of candidate items representing the Outcome Measures in
      Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) RA Flare Core Domain Set. METHODS:
      Candidate flare questions and legacy measures were administered at consecutive
      visits to Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH) patients between November 2011
      and November 2014. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) core set indicators
      were recorded. Concordance to identify flares was assessed using the agreement
      coefficient. Construct validity of flare questions was examined: convergent
      (Spearman's r); discriminant (mean differences between flaring/non-flaring
      patients); and consequential (proportions with prior treatment reductions and
      intended therapeutic change postflare). RESULTS: The 849 patients were 75%
      female, 81% white, 42% were in remission/low disease activity (R/LDA), and 16-32%
      were flaring at the second visit. Agreement of flare status was low-strong
      (kappa's 0.17-0.88) and inversely related to RA disease activity level. Flare
      domains correlated highly (r's>=0.70) with each other, patient global (r's>=0.66)
      and corresponding measures (r's 0.49-0.92); and moderately highly with MD and
      patient-reported joint counts (r's 0.29-0.62). When MD/patients agreed the
      patient was flaring, mean flare domain between-group differences were 2.1-3.0;
      36% had treatment reductions prior to flare, with escalation planned in 61%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Flares are common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are often
      preceded by treatment reductions. Patient/MD/DAS agreement of flare status is
      highest in patients worsening from R/LDA. OMERACT RA flare questions can
      discriminate between patients with/without flare and have strong evidence of
      construct and consequential validity. Ongoing work will identify optimal scoring
      and cut points to identify RA flares.

PMID- 27252896
TI  - Bakers' cyst and tibiofemoral abnormalities are more distinctive MRI features of
      symptomatic osteoarthritis than patellofemoral abnormalities.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate which structural MR abnormalities discriminate
      symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA), taking co-occurrence of abnormalities in
      all compartments into account. METHODS: The Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity
      (NEO) study is a population-based cohort aged 45-65 years. In 1285 participants
      (median age 56 years, 55% women, median body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m(2)), MRI of
      the right knee were obtained. Structural abnormalities (osteophytes, cartilage
      loss, bone marrow lesions (BMLs), subchondral cysts, meniscal abnormalities,
      effusion, Baker's cyst) at 9 patellofemoral and tibiofemoral locations were
      scored following the knee OA scoring system. Symptomatic OA in the imaged knee
      was defined following the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Logistic
      ridge regression analyses were used to investigate which structural abnormalities
      discriminate best between individuals with and without symptomatic OA, crude and
      adjusted for age, sex and BMI. RESULTS: Symptomatic knee OA was present in 177
      individuals. Structural MR abnormalities were highly frequent both in individuals
      with OA and in those without. Baker's cysts showed the highest adjusted
      regression coefficient (0.293) for presence of symptomatic OA, followed by
      osteophytes and BMLs in the medial tibiofemoral compartment (0.185-0.279),
      osteophytes in the medial trochlear facet (0.262) and effusion (0.197).
      CONCLUSIONS: Baker's cysts discriminate best between individuals with and without
      symptomatic knee OA. Structural MR abnormalities, especially in the medial side
      of the tibiofemoral joint and effusion, add further in discriminating symptomatic
      OA. Baker's cysts may present as a target for treatment.

PMID- 27252897
TI  - ADA2 deficiency: case report of a new phenotype and novel mutation in two
      sisters.
AB  - The objective of this paper is to: describe the phenotype compound heterozygote
      for mutations in CECR1 in two children. We describe the clinical and
      immunological phenotype, including the assessment of ADA2 activity, cytokine
      expression, interferon-stimulated and neutrophil-stimulated gene signatures, and
      the results of CECR1 sequencing. The first patient presented with intermittent
      fever, cutaneous vasculitis, myalgia and muscle inflammation on MRI leading to a
      provisional diagnosis of periarteritis nodosa. Subsequently, two cerebral lacunar
      lesions were identified following a brain stroke. Clinical features improved on
      anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy. The first patient's sister demonstrated
      early-onset, long-lasting anaemia with mild biological inflammation; at the ages
      of 3 and 5 years, she had presented 2 acute, transient neurological events with
      lacunar lesions on MRI. CECR1 sequencing identified both sisters to be compound
      heterozygous for a p.Tyr453Cys mutation and a previously undescribed deletion of
      exon 7. ADA2 activity was reduced by 50%. Neutrophil-stimulated genes were not
      overexpressed, but interferon-stimulated genes were. The expression of a panel of
      other cytokine transcripts was not significantly altered. In conclusion,
      searching for CECR1 mutation or assessing ADA2 activity should be considered in
      patients with an atypical presentation of inflammatory disease. 

PMID- 27252898
TI  - Performance of matrices developed to identify patients with early rheumatoid
      arthritis with rapid radiographic progression despite methotrexate therapy: an
      external validation study based on the ESPOIR cohort data.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Use of prediction matrices of risk or rapid radiographic
      progression (RRP) for early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical practice could
      help to better rationalise the first line of treatment. Before use, they must be
      validated in populations that have not participated in their construction. The
      main objective is to use the ESPOIR cohort to validate the performance of 3
      matrices (ASPIRE, BEST and SONORA) to predict patients at high risk of RRP at 1
      year of disease despite initial treatment with methotrexate (MTX). METHODS: We
      selected from the ESPOIR cohort 370 patients receiving MTX or leflunomide (LEF)
      for >=3 months within the first year of follow-up. Patients were assessed
      clinically every 6 months, and structural damage progression seen on radiography
      was measured by the van der Heijde-modified Sharp score (vSHS) at 1 year. RRP was
      defined as an increase in the vSHS>=5 points during the first year. RESULTS: At 1
      year, the mean vSHS score was 1.7+/-5.0 and 46 patients had RRP. The ASPIRE
      matrix had only moderate validity in the ESPOIR population, with area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) <0.7. The AUC for the BEST and
      SONORA matrices were 0.73 and 0.76. Presence of rheumatoid factor (RF)-or anti
      citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and initial structural damage were
      always predictive of RRP at 1 year. Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28)
      and C reactive protein (ASPIRE threshold) were not associated with RRP.
      CONCLUSIONS: Matrices to identify patients at risk of RRP tested in the ESPOIR
      cohort seem to perform moderately. There is no matrix that shows clearly superior
      performance.

PMID- 27252899
TI  - Applications of species accumulation curves in large-scale biological data
      analysis.
AB  - The species accumulation curve, or collector's curve, of a population gives the
      expected number of observed species or distinct classes as a function of sampling
      effort. Species accumulation curves allow researchers to assess and compare
      diversity across populations or to evaluate the benefits of additional sampling.
      Traditional applications have focused on ecological populations but emerging
      large-scale applications, for example in DNA sequencing, are orders of magnitude
      larger and present new challenges. We developed a method to estimate accumulation
      curves for predicting the complexity of DNA sequencing libraries. This method
      uses rational function approximations to a classical non-parametric empirical
      Bayes estimator due to Good and Toulmin [Biometrika, 1956, 43, 45-63]. Here we
      demonstrate how the same approach can be highly effective in other large-scale
      applications involving biological data sets. These include estimating microbial
      species richness, immune repertoire size, and k-mer diversity for genome assembly
      applications. We show how the method can be modified to address populations
      containing an effectively infinite number of species where saturation cannot
      practically be attained. We also introduce a flexible suite of tools implemented
      as an R package that make these methods broadly accessible.

PMID- 27252901
TI  - The Relationship Between Patients' Anthropometric Characteristics and Depth of
      Spinal Needle Insertion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many surgeries are performed under spinal anesthesia. Inexperienced
      practitioners may find it difficult to obtain subarachnoid access. OBJECTIVES:
      This study aimed to examine the relationship between patients' anthropometric
      characteristics and depth of spinal needle insertion to the subarachnoid cavity.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: 385 patients with ASA class I - II, aged 18 - 65 years and
      undergoing elective surgery of the lower abdomen and extremities under spinal
      anesthesia, were selected for this cross-sectional study. The patients'
      demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), and anthropometric
      characteristics (height, weight, waist circumference, and arm circumference) were
      recorded. Linear regression and t-student tests were used to study the
      relationship between anthropometric characteristics and BMI, and depth of needle
      insertion. RESULTS: Of the 385 patients studied, 88 were female and 297 were
      male. There was a strong correlation between the depth of needle insertion and
      BMI (24.9 +/- 3.9), and between depth and weight/height ratio (r = 0.95 and r =
      0.92, respectively). There was no significant correlation between depth of needle
      insertion and weight, height, gender, or arm circumference, when considered
      separately. The statistical predicting models showed that the following
      relationship was observed between the needle depth and the weight/height ratio:
      A: needle depth = 0.69 + (10.1 * weight/height); B: needle depth = 0.56 + (0.18 *
      BMI). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that there is a strong
      relationship between depth of needle insertion and BMI, and between depth and the
      weight/height ratio; appropriate depths can be determined according to the
      equations obtained.

PMID- 27252900
TI  - Notochord Cells in Intervertebral Disc Development and Degeneration.
AB  - The intervertebral disc is a complex structure responsible for flexibility, multi
      axial motion, and load transmission throughout the spine. Importantly,
      degeneration of the intervertebral disc is thought to be an initiating factor for
      back pain. Due to a lack of understanding of the pathways that govern disc
      degeneration, there are currently no disease-modifying treatments to delay or
      prevent degenerative disc disease. This review presents an overview of our
      current understanding of the developmental processes that regulate intervertebral
      disc formation, with particular emphasis on the role of the notochord and
      notochord-derived cells in disc homeostasis and how their loss can result in
      degeneration. We then describe the role of small animal models in understanding
      the development of the disc and their use to interrogate disc degeneration and
      associated pathologies. Finally, we highlight essential development pathways that
      are associated with disc degeneration and/or implicated in the reparative
      response of the tissue that might serve as targets for future therapeutic
      approaches.

PMID- 27252903
TI  - Effective Bolus Dose of Sufentanil to Attenuate Cardiovascular Responses in
      Laryngoscopic Double-Lumen Endobronchial Intubation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sufentanil is a potent opioid analgesic frequently used in clinical
      anesthesia. Double-lumen endobronchial intubation induces profound cardiovascular
      responses in comparison with ordinary endotracheal intubation because of the
      larger tube diameter and direct irritation of the carina. OBJECTIVES: The purpose
      of this study was to determine the effective bolus dose of sufentanil to
      attenuate hemodynamic changes in response to laryngoscopic double-lumen
      endobronchial intubation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 72 patients
      aged 18 - 65 years and with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical
      status of 1 or 2 to one of four sufentanil dose groups: NS, S0.1, S0.2, or S0.3.
      The respective doses for the groups were as follows: normal saline, 0.1 mcg/kg of
      sufentanil, 0.2 mcg/kg of sufentanil, and 0.3 mcg/kg of sufentanil. Blood
      pressure and heart rate were recorded during the pre-anesthesia period at
      baseline, pre-intubation, immediate post-intubation, and every minute during 5
      minutes after intubation. RESULTS: Baseline mean arterial pressures in the NS,
      S0.1, S0.2, and S0.3 groups were 89.8 +/- 12.1, 89.2 +/- 10.9, 88.8 +/- 13.6, and
      90.7 +/- 11.1, respectively. At immediate post-intubation, the mean arterial
      pressures in the NS, S0.1, S0.2, and S0.3 groups were 129.7 +/- 14.7, 120.7 +/-
      14.2, 120.8 +/- 17.2, and 96.7 +/- 10.4, respectively. At immediate post
      intubation, the mean arterial pressure in the NS, S0.1, and S0.2 groups
      significantly increased from baseline (P < 0.001), but the S0.3 group showed no
      difference. In the time point comparison at immediate post- intubation, the S0.3
      group had a significantly lower mean arterial pressure than did the NS, S0.1, and
      S0.2 groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that 0.3 mcg/kg of sufentanil
      attenuates cardiovascular responses to double-lumen endobronchial intubation
      without adverse effects.

PMID- 27252902
TI  - Novel Treatment of Radicular Pain With a Multi-Mechanistic Combination Topical
      Agent: A Case Series and Literature Review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pharmacologic treatment of radicular pain with oral medications is
      limited by adverse effects and concern for dependence. While topical formulations
      have been explored in pain research, there is no published literature evaluating
      the efficacy in radicular pain. We present the first three cases of radicular
      pain successfully treated with a topical formulation of diclofenac, ibuprofen,
      baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, bupivacaine, gabapentin, and pentoxifylline (T7). CASE
      PRESENTATION: Case series evaluating T7 for treatment of radicular pain in a
      single, outpatient pain center. Pain was rated on the numeric rating scale (NRS)
      on initial evaluation and follow up after a trial of T7. One to two grams of T7
      was applied to the affected area 3 - 4 times daily in addition to the patient's
      baseline pharmacologic management. Three patients with median age of 50 (range,
      39 to 65) and diagnosis of cervical and/or lumbosacral radicular pain
      participated. Two of the three had chronic radicular pain despite use of
      analgesic agents, spinal injections and failed spinal surgery syndrome. Each
      reported subjective improvement in radicular pain, function and sleep. There was
      an average decrease in NRS score consistent with 30% - 40% global improvement in
      symptoms, clinically significant based on the minimal clinically important
      difference for radicular pain. T7 was well tolerated without adverse reactions.
      Surgery was prevented or delayed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first
      report of the successful treatment of radicular pain with a topical agent. This
      highlights the need for randomized, prospective study of both single and
      compounded topical agents for treatment of radicular pain.

PMID- 27252904
TI  - Comparison of the Effects of Subcutaneous Versus Continuous Infusion of Heparin
      on Key Inflammatory Parameters Following Sepsis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sepsis is the result of the interaction between inflammatory
      mediators and coagulation pathway. Unfractionated heparin may play a role as an
      anti-inflammatory agent beyond its anticoagulatory effect in sepsis. As a result,
      it may cause reduction in organ failure rate in patients with sepsis due to its
      impact on both inflammatory and coagulation process. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of heparin in sepsis. Plasma
      plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) as an inflammatory mediator and urinary
      necoutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a marker of kidney injury
      were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized controlled
      trial was conducted in a 32-bed intensive care unit. Thirty patients with sepsis
      were randomized to receive heparin infusion of 500 units/hour or 5000 units of
      heparin three times a day, subcutaneously. The plasma level of PAI-1 and urinary
      level of NGAL were determined at day 0, 2 and 7. RESULTS: The infusion group had
      a lower plasma PAI-1 level compared to the subcutaneous group at day 7 (11.3 +/-
      1.6 vs. 16.5 +/- 4.2; P = 0.003). The urinary NGAL level was lower in the
      infusion group at day 2 (131.3 +/- 11.9 vs. 151.2 +/- 20.6; P = 0.014); however,
      at day 7 the NGAL level was decreased in the subcutaneous group as much as the
      infusion group and there was no significant difference between the two groups.
      There was no significant difference in the acute physiology and chronic health
      evaluation (APACHE) II and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores
      between the two groups at day 0, 2 and 7. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose heparin infusion
      compared to subcutaneous heparin can decrease the plasma PAI-1 and urinary NGAL
      levels more rapidly. It can be related to anti-inflammatory effects of heparin,
      which may be more prominent in infusion route.

PMID- 27252905
TI  - Predictors of Difficult Intubation Among Malay Patients in Indonesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Failure to maintain an adequate airway can lead to brain damage and
      death. To reduce the risk of difficulty in maintaining an airway during general
      anesthesia, there are several known predictors of difficult intubation. People
      with a Malay background have different craniofacial structures in comparison with
      other individuals. Therefore, different predictors should be used for patients of
      Malay race. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the ability to
      predict difficult visualization of the larynx (DVL) in Malay patients based on
      several predictors, such as the modified Mallampati test (MMT), thyromental
      distance (TMD), and hyomental distance ratio (HMDR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This
      cross-sectional study included 277 consecutive patients requiring general
      anesthesia. All subjects were evaluated using the MMT, TMD, and HMDR, and the cut
      off points for the airway predictors were Mallampati III and IV, < 6.5 cm, and <
      1.2, respectively. During direct laryngoscopy, the laryngeal view was graded
      using the Cormack-Lehane (CL) classification. CL grades III and IV were
      considered difficult visualization. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity,
      and specificity for each predictor were calculated both as sole and combined
      predictors. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent
      predictors of DVL. RESULTS: Difficulty in visualizing the larynx was found in 28
      (10.1%) patients. The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity for the three airway
      predictors were as follows: MMT: 0.614, 10.7%, and 99.2%; HMDR: 0.743, 64.2%, and
      74%; and TMD: 0.827, 82.1%, and 64.7%. The combination providing the best
      prediction in our study involved the MMT, HMDR, and TMD with an AUC, sensitivity,
      and specificity of 0.835, 60.7%, and 88.8%, respectively. Logistic regression
      analysis showed that the MMT, HMDR, and TMD were independent predictors of DVL.
      CONCLUSIONS: The TMD, with a cut-off point of 65 mm, had superior diagnostic
      value compared with the HMDR and Mallampati score. Therefore, the TMD could be
      used in Malay patients to predict the difficulty of larynx visualization during
      laryngoscopy.

PMID- 27252906
TI  - The Lateral Position Improved Airway Patency in Anesthetized Patient With Burn
      Induced Cervico-Mento-Sternal Scar Contracture.
AB  - A 78-year-old woman with burn-induced cervico-mento-sternal scar contracture was
      scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During inhalational induction of
      sevoflurane, her airway patency deteriorated. The right lateral position and
      assist ventilation using a breathing bag dramatically improved her airway
      patency. 

PMID- 27252907
TI  - Is the Pressure Control Mode for Pediatric Anesthesia Machines Really Required?

PMID- 27252908
TI  - Evaluating Persistent Postoperative Pain in One Tertiary Hospital: Incidence,
      Quality of Life, Associated Factors, and Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persistent postoperative pain (PPP) is defined as persistent pain
      after surgery of greater than three months' duration. OBJECTIVES: Identify the
      incidence of PPP in our hospital and its associated factors; evaluate quality of
      life (QoL) and treatment of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted an
      observational prospective study in adults proposed to various types of surgery
      using the brief pain inventory short form preoperatively (T0), one day after
      surgery, and three months later (T3). If the patient had pain at T3 and other
      causes of pain were excluded, they were considered to have PPP, and the McGill
      Pain Questionnaire Short Form was applied. QoL was measured with the EuroQol 5
      dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D). RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five patients
      completed the study. The incidence of PPP was 28%, and the affected patients
      presented lower QoL. The majority referred to a moderate to severe level of
      interference in their general activity. Cholecystectomies were less associated
      with PPP, and total knee/hip replacements were more associated with it.
      Preoperative pain, preoperative benzodiazepines or antidepressants, and more
      severe acute postoperative pain were associated with the development of PPP. Half
      of the patients with PPP were under treatment, and they refer a mean symptomatic
      relief of 69%. CONCLUSIONS: This study, apart from attempting to better
      characterize the problem of PPP, emphasizes the lack of its treatment.

PMID- 27252910
TI  - Prevalence of Urogenital Mycoplasmas in Iran and Their Effects on Fertility
      Potential: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Urogenital mycoplasmas are potentially pathogenic species causing
      genitourinary tract infections that may be initially asymptomatic but can
      progress and lead to severe complications and threaten reproductive health.
      However, the overall prevalence rate of this bacterium and its probable impacts
      on fertility potential have yet to be determined. METHODS: We searched both
      English and Persian electronic databases using key words such as "Mycoplasma,"
      "Ureaplasma," "M. hominis," "M. genitalium," "U. urealyticum," "U. parvum,"
      "prevalence," and "Iran". Finally, after some exclusion, 29 studies from
      different regions of Iran were included in our study, and a meta-analysis was
      performed on collected data. RESULTS: Urogenital mycoplasmas prevalence for women
      and men was high and ranged from 2%-40.5% and 2%-44.3%, respectively. The pooled
      prevalence in the male population was 11.1% (95% CI, 7.4%-16.4%) and in female
      was 12.8% (95% CI, 9.8%-16.5%). The prevalence of these bacteria was
      significantly higher in infertile men compared with that in fertile men. A high
      level of heterogeneity was observed for both men (I(2) = 92.4%; P<0.001) and
      women (I(2) = 93.3%; P<0.001). Some evidence for publication bias was observed in
      both men [Egger's test (two-tailed P=0.0007), and Begg's test (two-tailed
      P=0.0151)] and women [Egger's test (two-tailed P=0.0006), and Begg's test (two
      tailed P=0.0086)] analysis. CONCLUSION: Since urogenital mycoplasmas may play a
      role in male infertility, screening strategies, particularly for asymptomatic
      individuals, and treatment of infected ones, which can reduce consequent
      complications, looks to be necessary.

PMID- 27252909
TI  - Cap-Independent Translational Control of Carcinogenesis.
AB  - Translational regulation has been shown to play an important role in cancer and
      tumor progression. Despite this fact, the role of translational control in cancer
      is an understudied and under appreciated field, most likely due to the
      technological hurdles and paucity of methods available to establish that changes
      in protein levels are due to translational regulation. Tumors are subjected to
      many adverse stress conditions such as hypoxia or starvation. Under stress
      conditions, translation is globally downregulated through several different
      pathways in order to conserve energy and nutrients. Many of the proteins that are
      synthesized during stress in order to cope with the stress use a non-canonical or
      cap-independent mechanism of initiation. Tumor cells have utilized these
      alternative mechanisms of translation initiation to promote survival during tumor
      progression. This review will specifically discuss the role of cap-independent
      translation initiation, which relies on an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) to
      recruit the ribosomal subunits internally to the messenger RNA. We will provide
      an overview of the role of IRES-mediated translation in cancer by discussing the
      types of genes that use IRESs and the conditions under which these mechanisms of
      initiation are used. We will specifically focus on three well-studied examples:
      Apaf-1, p53, and c-Jun, where IRES-mediated translation has been demonstrated to
      play an important role in tumorigenesis or tumor progression. 

PMID- 27252911
TI  - Economic Evaluation of Health Services Costs During Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1)
      Pdm09 Infection in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women in Spain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The healthcare and socio-economic burden resulting from influenza A
      (H1N1) pdm09 in Spain was considerable. Our aim was to estimate and compare the
      management (resource utilization) and economic healthcare impact in an at-risk
      group of unvaccinated pregnant women with an unvaccinated group of non-pregnant
      woman of childbearing age (15-44 yr old). METHODS: We addressed this question
      with a longitudinal, observational, multicentre study. Inputs were the
      requirements in managing both groups of women. Outcome measures were healthcare
      costs. Direct healthcare (including medical utilisation, prescriptions of
      antivirals, medication, diagnostic tests, and hospitalisation) costs and indirect
      (productivity loss) costs were considered. Unit of cost was attributed to the
      frequency of health service resources utilisation. The mean cost per patient was
      calculated in this group of women. RESULTS: We found that the influenza clinical
      pattern was worse in non-pregnant women as they had a high medical risk of 20.4%
      versus 6.1% of pregnant women. Non-pregnant required more antipyretics and
      antibiotics, and needed more health service resource utilisation (338 medical
      visits in non-pregnant women vs. 42 in pregnant women). The total cost of non
      pregnant women was higher (?4,689.4/non-pregnant and ?2,945.07/pregnant).
      CONCLUSIONS: Cost per (H1N1) pdm09 was lower for pregnant women, probably due to
      more preventive measures adopted for their protection in Spain. The highest costs
      were incurred by hospitalisations/day and work absenteeism for non-pregnant than
      for pregnant women. These data will allow better future pandemic influenza
      planning.

PMID- 27252912
TI  - Predictive Role of Serum Tumor Markers in Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is complicated and time
      consuming currently. There was association of PTB with serum tumor markers. In
      this study we aimed to evaluate the predictive role of serum CA125, CA199 and CEA
      as diagnostic tools for PTB. METHODS: This study was designed as a case-control
      study with 565 subjects who visited the Yijishan Hospital from Jun to Dec in
      2014.This case-control study matched as for age and sex with 113 cases and 452
      controls. Serum CA125, CA199 and CEA levels were detected by
      electrochemiluminescence instrument. The area under the curve (AUC) of the
      receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to evaluate the
      diagnostic value on PTB. RESULTS: Serum levels of CA125, CA199 and CEA in PTB
      patients were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.001). There
      was no significantly different of three tumor markers between initial treatment
      group and retreatment group. The logistic regression analysis showed that CA125
      was an impact factor to PTB. The ROC analysis revealed that AUC of CA125 was
      0.966 (95%CI: 0.951-0.981), the sensitivity, specificity in serum and cut-off
      were 95.6%, 85.0% and 10.30 U/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: The serum CA125 has
      potential good diagnostic performance for PTB.

PMID- 27252913
TI  - Risk Factors for Primary Pulmonary TB in Almaty Region, Kazakhstan: A Matched
      Case-Control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examined the association between incident pulmonary
      tuberculosis (TB) and social and behavioral characteristics in Almaty Oblast,
      Kazakhstan from 2012 to 2013. METHODS: We used a matched case-control design to
      estimate the role of factors for acquiring pulmonary TB. Totally 324 individuals
      were recruited from Sep 2012 to Mar 2013. Participants included 110 TB index
      cases with newly detected pulmonary TB. Each case was matched with one household
      and one community control. A total of 107 household and 107 community controls
      were included to the study. Adjusted odds ratios measuring associations between
      TB and risk factors were calculated by using a conditional multiple logistic
      regression analysis. RESULTS: TB cases were more likely to be younger, recent
      smokers and have diabetes, when compared to household controls. Between TB cases
      and community controls, TB was significantly associated with age, non-married
      family status, living in a rented home, recent smoker, and having diabetes.
      Comparing TB cases with community controls, we found that foreign birth was
      marginally associated with incident TB case status. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      confirm the role of modifiable risk factors for TB in Kazakhstan; highlighting
      the importance of developing interventions addressing social determinants and
      proximate risk factors for high TB burden regions.

PMID- 27252914
TI  - Construct Validity of Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and General Health
      Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) in Patients with Drug Addiction and Diabetes, and
      Normal Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given that validity is the baseline of psychological assessments,
      there is a need to provide evidence-based data for construct validity of such
      scales to advance the clinicians for evaluating psychiatric morbidity in
      psychiatric and psychosomatic setting. METHODS: This comparative cross-sectional
      study aimed to investigate the construct validity of the Malaysian version of the
      GHQ-28 and the SCL-90-R. The sample comprised 660 individuals including
      diabetics, drug dependents, and normal population. The research scales were
      administered to the participants. Convergent and discriminant validity of both
      scales were investigated by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using AMOS. The
      Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized to obtain the relationship between
      the two scales. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the GHQ-28 and SCL-90-R were
      highly acceptable, and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the convergent
      validity of both scales. The results of this study revealed that the construct
      validity of GHQ-28 was acceptable, whereas discriminant validity of SCL-90-R was
      not adequate. According to Pearson correlation coefficient the relationships
      between three common subscales of the GHQ-28 and SCL-90-R were significantly
      positive; somatization (r=0.671, P<0.01), Anxiety (r=0.728, P<0.01), and
      Depression (r=0.660, P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study replicated the construct
      of the Malaysian version of GHQ-28, yet failed to support the nine-factor
      structure of the SCL-90-R. Therefore, multidimensionality of the SCL-90-R as
      clinical purposes is questionable, and it may be a better unitary measure for
      assessing and screening mental disorders. Further research need to be carried out
      to prove this finding.

PMID- 27252915
TI  - Association of the -243A>G, +61450C>A Polymorphisms of the Glutamate
      Decarboxylase 2 (GAD2) Gene with Obesity and Insulin Level in North Indian
      Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity associated with type 2 diabetes, and hypertension increased
      mortality and morbidity. Glutamate decarboxylase 2 (GAD2) gene is associated with
      obesity and it regulate food intake and insulin level. We investigated the
      association of GAD-2gene -243A>G (rs2236418) and +61450C>A (rs992990)
      polymorphisms with obesity and related phenotypes. METHODS: Insulin, glucose and
      lipid levels were estimated using standard protocols. All subjects were genotyped
      (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: The -243A>G polymorphism of the GAD-2 gene was
      significantly associated with higher risk of obesity (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: GAD-2
      gene polymorphisms influence obesity and related phenotype in complex manner,
      probably by regulating the food intake, insulin and body weight.

PMID- 27252916
TI  - Application of Predictive Nursing Reduces Psychiatric Complications in ICU
      Patients after Neurosurgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate the effects of clinical application of
      perioperative predictive nursing on reducing psychiatric complications in
      Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients after neurosurgery. METHODS: A total of 129
      patients who underwent neurosurgery and received intensive care were enrolled in
      our study from February 2013 to February 2014. These patients were divided into
      two groups: the experimental group (n=68) receiving predictive nursing before and
      after operation, and the control group (n=61) with general nursing. Clinical data
      including length of ICU stay, duration of the patients' psychiatric symptoms,
      form and incidence of adverse events, and patient satisfaction ratings were
      recorded, and their differences between the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS:
      The duration of psychiatric symptoms and the length of ICU stay for patients in
      the experimental group were significantly shorter than those in the control group
      (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events and psychiatric symptoms, such as
      sensory and intuition disturbance, thought disturbance, emotional disorder, and
      consciousness disorder, in the experimental group was significantly lower than
      that in the control group (P<0.05). Patient satisfaction ratings were
      significantly higher in the experimental group than those in the control group
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Application of predictive nursing on ICU patients who
      undergo neurosurgery could effectively reduce the incidence of psychiatric
      symptoms as well as other adverse events. Our study provided clinical evidences
      to encourage predictive nursing in routine settings for patients in critical
      conditions.

PMID- 27252917
TI  - Factors Associated with Physical Activity among Macedonian Adolescents in
      Albanian Ethnic Community.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of
      demographic, psychological, social and environmental factors with physical
      activity and to determine whether indicators of physical activity differ by
      gender among Macedonian adolescents from Albanian ethnic community from 11 to 14
      yr (N = 886). METHODS: Research were conducted in 2014 in several primary schools
      randomly selected from Tetovo and Gostivar region of the R. Macedonia. Students
      completed a questionnaire which examined their level of participation in physical
      activity and sedentary behavior along with a number of potential correlates.
      Hierarchical regression was used to explore the relationship between hypothesised
      factors and physical activity. RESULTS: The boys unlike the girls showed
      significantly higher levels of physical activity (P=0.001). Respondents of both
      genders who perceive greater benefits from the physical activity (P=0.010). They
      have more confidence in their abilities (P=0.001), enjoy more in the physical
      activities (P=0.016), perceive greater social support from friends (P=0.008) and
      parents (P=0.001) and have higher levels of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results indicate the importance of developing a national plan and program to
      promote physical activity in order to help young people to change unhealthy
      lifestyle habits and increase the physical activity, thus improving their health.

PMID- 27252918
TI  - Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation in Urinary Tract
      Infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic
      susceptibility pattern as well as the phenotypic and genotypic biofilm formation
      ability of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with urinary tract
      infection (UTI). METHODS: A total of 39 isolates of S. aureus were collected from
      patients with UTI. The antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolates were
      determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion. We used the Modified Congo red agar
      (MCRA) and Microtiter plate methods to assess the ability of biofilm formation.
      All isolates were examined for determination of biofilm related genes, icaA,
      fnbA, clfA and bap using PCR method. RESULTS: Linezolid,
      quinupristin/dalfopristin and chloramphenicol were the most effective agents
      against S. aureus isolates. Overall, 69.2% of S. aureus isolates were biofilm
      producers. Resistance to four antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin (71.4% vs.
      28.6%, P=0.001), tetracycline (57.7% vs. 42.3%, P=0.028), erythromycin and
      ciprofloxacin (56% vs. 44%, P=0.017) was higher among biofilm producers than non
      biofilm producers. The icaA, fnbA and clfA genes were present in all S. aureus
      isolates. However, bap gene was not detected in any of the isolates. CONCLUSION:
      Our findings reinforce the role of biofilm formation in resistance to
      antimicrobial agents. Trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole and doxycycline may be used as
      an effective treatment for UTI caused by biofilm producers S. aureus. Our results
      suggest that biofilm formation is not dependent to just icaA, fnbA, clfA and bap
      genes harbor in S. aureus strains.

PMID- 27252919
TI  - Technical Efficiency of Hospitals in Tehran, Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nowadays, restriction on access and optimum use of resources is the
      main challenge of development in all organizations. Therefore, the aim of this
      study was to determine the technical efficiency and its factors, influencing
      hospitals of Tehran. METHODS: This research was a descriptive-analytical and
      retrospective study conducted in 2014-2015. Fifty two hospitals with public,
      private, and social security ownership type were selected for this study. The
      required data was collected by a researcher-made check list in 3 sections of
      background data, inputs and outputs. The data was analyzed by DEAP 1.0.2, and
      STATA-13 technique. RESULTS: Seventeen (31/48) of hospitals had the efficiency
      score of 1 as the highest technical efficiency. The highest average score of
      efficiency was related to social security hospitals as 84.32, and then the public
      and private hospitals with the average of 84.29 and 79.64 respectively. Tobit
      regression results showed that the size, type of practice, and ownership of
      hospitals were effective on the degree of their technical efficiency. However,
      there was no significant correlation between teaching / non-teaching hospitals
      with technical efficiency. CONCLUSION: Establishment of competition system among
      hospitals, constitution of medium size hospitals and allocation of budget to
      hospitals based on national accreditation system are recommended.

PMID- 27252920
TI  - Epidemiologic Pattern of Fatal Traffic Injuries among Iranian Drivers; 2004-2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to their specific nature, such as high incidence, high intensity
      and direct involvement of all members of society, traffic injuries are of
      particular importance. Through a mega data, this study investigated the
      epidemiological aspects and depict current situation of road traffic injuries in
      Iran. METHODS: Using legal medicine and traffic police data, deaths from road
      traffic injuries in men were predicted through determining the most appropriate
      model for death using time series statistical models; and then most important
      human factors associated with it in a period of 6 yr in Iran was analyzed using
      multi-nominal regression model. RESULTS: The frequency of deaths from traffic
      injuries in the last seven years was 172,834 cases and the number of deaths at
      the accident scene was 42798 cases, of which 24.24% (41,971 cases) were recorded
      by the Traffic Police experts. Death rate from traffic injuries has been declined
      from 38 cases per 100,000 people in 2004 to 31 cases per 100,000 people between
      2009 and 2010. Fatigue and sleepiness (AOR=10.36, 95% CI: 8.41-13.3) was the most
      significant human risk factors for death outcome in the urban and suburban
      traffic injuries. According to the predictions, the death rate is about 16488 (CI
      95%, 8531-24364) for the year 2012. CONCLUSION: Despite all measures to prevent
      such injuries, even fatal injuries have still a high incidence. Intervention in
      the human risk factors field would be more effective due to their important roles
      in traffic injuries in Iran.

PMID- 27252921
TI  - Observable Effects of Atmospheric Pollution on Outpatient and Inpatient Morbidity
      in Bulgaria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of Europe's most well-developed industrial regions is found in
      the Republic of Bulgaria. The industrialization of the region has a big impact on
      air pollution. Thermal power plant "Maritza East" (the largest of its kind in
      southeastern Europe), the army training range, machine manufacturers, household
      heating and high volume of automobile traffic are all major sources of pollution
      in the region. METHODS: A five year study (2009-2013) followed yearly
      concentrations of principal atmospheric pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, dust,
      nitrogen dioxide, lead aerosols and hydrogen sulfide, and the way in which those
      levels had an effect on morbidity (outpatient and inpatient medical care) in the
      area. Statistical processing of data has been completed to represent and analyze
      the collected data in nonparametric and alternative format. RESULTS: Atmospheric
      pollution affects human health directly through pathological changes in the human
      organism. The registered outpatient care provided for the period 2009-2013 is
      highest for diseases of the cardiovascular system (11.85%), the respiratory
      system (17.34%) and the genitourinary system (9.76%). The registered rate of
      hospitalization for the same period is for diseases of the digestive system
      (11.90%), the cardiovascular system (11.85%), respiratory system (10.86%) and the
      genitourinary system (8.88%). CONCLUSION: The observed period shows a decrease in
      average yearly concentrations of the principal atmospheric pollutants in the
      industrial region (Bulgaria) and reflects a decrease in morbidity based on
      outpatient care and an increase in morbidity by inpatient care (hospitalization).
      Our findings should be corroborated in future longitudinal studies.

PMID- 27252922
TI  - The First Serological Study of Coxiella burnetii among Pregnant Women in Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. There is
      no information about this disease in pregnant women in Iran. The aim of this
      study was to investigate the seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection among
      pregnant women in southwestern (Ahvaz) and northern (Parsabad) Iran and further
      to comparison its prevalence in normal and abnormal pregnancies. METHODS: A total
      of 400 samples were collected randomly from pregnant women who referred to
      diagnostic laboratories of Ahvaz and Parsabad in 2014. An indirect ELISA kit,
      designed in Veterinary Faculty, was used to detect the specific antibodies
      against phase II humanC. burnetii in serum samples. RESULTS: The overall
      prevalence of C. burnetii in sera from pregnant women was 29.3% (95% confidence
      interval (CI): 25-34%). The prevalence of C. burnetii infection was significantly
      different in Ahvaz and Parsabad with, respectively, 22 (95% CI: 16-28%) and 36.5%
      (95% CI: 30-43%). Total prevalence of C. burnetii infection in serum was
      significantly higher in women with abnormal pregnancy history (39.8%) compared
      with normal pregnancies (23.8%). Furthermore, maternal age had significant
      association with seropositivity and the prevalence increased with maternal age.
      This could be due to higher probability of encountering C. burnetii in older
      women. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated ahigh seroprevalence of C.
      burnetii infection among pregnant women in Iran for the first time.
      Seropositivity was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal age.
      The pregnant women who experienced abnormal pregnancy had higher seroprevalence
      of C. burnetii compared to women with normal pregnancy.

PMID- 27252923
TI  - Intraventricular Hemorrhage in a Term Neonate: Manifestation of Protein S
      Deficiency- A Case Report.
AB  - Protein S (PS) is an antithrombotic plasma protein that plays essential roles in
      limiting thrombus formation in the anticoagulant system. Protein S deficiency is
      related with recurrent thrombosis. Here, the authors report a case of a term
      neonate with severe PS deficiency in year 2015, Imam Hospital, Tehran, Iran, that
      had seizures and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) since the age of 3 days. Nine
      month follow-up did not show any developmental problems and MRI showed no
      hemorrhage. 

PMID- 27252924
TI  - Are the Public Health Centers Real Threats to Private Clinics in Korea?

PMID- 27252925
TI  - Determinants of Consanguinity and Inbreeding Coefficient F in Dir Lower District,
      North-West Pakistan: A Multivariate Approach.

PMID- 27252926
TI  - Drug Induced Autoimmune Hepatitis by Amoxicillin-Clavulanate.

PMID- 27252927
TI  - Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect of Jichuanjian on Cathartic Colon.

PMID- 27252928
TI  - Package of Office Exercise Training as a New Idea for Office Workers.

PMID- 27252930
TI  - Climate Change and its Impact on Food and Nutrition Security in Pakistan.

PMID- 27252929
TI  - Towards Better Understanding of OHRQoL in Edentulous Patients.

PMID- 27252931
TI  - A Letter to the Editor Titled "Breast Cancer among Pakistani Women" in the Iran
      J. Public Health (Vol. 44, No. 4, Apr 2015, pp. 586-587).

PMID- 27252932
TI  - The Prevalence of Yersinia Yop-Specific Iga Antibodies in Iranian Healthy Blood
      Donors and Evaluation of Blood Culture of Seropositive Donors.

PMID- 27252933
TI  - Patient Satisfaction with Community Pharmacies in Tehran, Iran; Part I.

PMID- 27252934
TI  - Association of some psychosocial factors with anthropometric measures in
      nationally representative sample of Iranian adolescents: the CASPIAN-III study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During the last two decades, adolescent obesity has increased in
      western countries. In Iran-as a developing country- the prevalence of obesity is
      raised among youngsters as well. This study conducted to identify an association
      of adolescents' loneliness, self-confidence and relationship with others in home
      and school environment with their weight status. METHODS: In this cross-sectional
      national survey, 5682 students aged 10-18 years from urban and rural districts of
      27 provinces of Iran were selected via stratified multi-stage sampling method.
      Data on psychological problems of students was gathered through a questionnaire.
      Height, weight, and waist circumferences were measured according to standard
      protocols. Body mass index (BMI) and waist- to-height ratio was calculated.
      RESULTS: Boys which did not have best friends, spend time with their friends
      after school or get acceptance from them, had higher BMI than others. Only girls
      who did not spend time with their friends had higher BMI (19.48 +/- 4.28) vs.
      (19.09 +/- 3.92) and WC (71.04 +/- 21.29) vs. (69.15 +/- 17.43) than others, P <
      0.05. In both sexes, adolescents who had sense of pressure about doing homework
      or had difficulties in relationship with their parents had higher BMI and WC
      values. Girls who reported being victim of violent behaviors (being bullied), had
      lower BMI compared to others. Risk of being overweight and obese, but not
      abdominal obese was statistically higher in adolescents not having close friends
      (OR = 1.81, CI: 1.11-2.95). Lack of self-confidence increased only the risk of
      obesity in teens (OR = 1033, CI: 1.09-1.64). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest
      that strategies for prevention of overweight and obesity in adolescent should be
      taking into account a deeper knowledge of psychosocial issues due to be able to
      design more effective programs for treating overweight teens.

PMID- 27252935
TI  - Long-term Outcomes of Childhood Onset Nephrotic Syndrome.
AB  - There are limited studies on long-term outcomes of childhood onset nephrotic
      syndrome (NS). A majority of children with NS have steroid-sensitive nephrotic
      syndrome (SSNS). Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is associated with a
      high risk of developing end-stage renal disease. Biomarkers and analysis of
      genetic mutations may provide new information for prognosis in SRNS. Frequently
      relapsing and steroid-dependent NS is associated with long-term complications,
      including dyslipidemia, cataracts, osteoporosis and fractures, obesity, impaired
      growth, and infertility. Long-term complications of SSNS are likely to be under
      recognized. There remain many gaps in our knowledge of long-term outcomes of
      childhood NS, and further study is indicated. 

PMID- 27252936
TI  - The BULT Method for Pediatric Minilaparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Infants: Technique
      and Results.
AB  - We reviewed retrospectively the results of transperitoneal minilaparoscopic
      pyeloplasty in children younger than 2 years. The surgical technique utilized as
      well as the retrograde placement of the stent is described in detail. Twenty-four
      consecutive children with a mean age of 7.9 months (range 1-23), a mean weight of
      7.4 kg (range 4-12), and a mean follow-up of 18 months (range 3-59) are included.
      Preoperative grade of dilatation was 3.8 (SFU scale) and postoperatively improved
      to 1.5. The AP diameter of the pelvis decreased from a mean of 28-9 mm. In 83% of
      cases, there was complete resolution of hydronephrosis (grades 0-2) and the rest
      showed improvement. There was one conversion to open surgery in a child with a
      horseshoe kidney. There was one omental prolapse though a port site in a child in
      whom an inappropriate drain was used. There were no stent-related complications
      and no reinterventions for persistent or recurrent obstruction. Given these
      outcomes, low complication rate and excellent cosmetic results, we recommend
      transperitoneal minilaparoscopy with a double J stent and a perirenal drain for
      infants requiring pyeloplasty. 

PMID- 27252938
TI  - Bayesian Inference on Predictors of Sex of the Baby.
AB  - It is well known that the sex ratio at birth is a biological constant, being
      about 106 boys to 100 girls. However couples have always wanted to know and
      decide in advance the sex of a newborn. For example, a large number of papers
      appeared connecting biometrical variables, such as length of follicular phase in
      the woman menstrual cycle or timing of intercourse acts to the sex of new baby.
      In this paper, we propose a Bayesian model to validate some of these theories by
      using an independent database. Results show that we could not show an effect of
      the follicular length on the sex of the baby. We also obtain a slightly larger
      probability, although not significant, of conceiving a female just after the
      mucus peak day. 

PMID- 27252937
TI  - Thinking, Walking, Talking: Integratory Motor and Cognitive Brain Function.
AB  - In this article, we argue that motor and cognitive processes are functionally
      related and most likely share a similar evolutionary history. This is supported
      by clinical and neural data showing that some brain regions integrate both motor
      and cognitive functions. In addition, we also argue that cognitive processes
      coincide with complex motor output. Further, we also review data that support the
      converse notion that motor processes can contribute to cognitive function, as
      found by many rehabilitation and aerobic exercise training programs. Support is
      provided for motor and cognitive processes possessing dynamic bidirectional
      influences on each other. 

PMID- 27252939
TI  - Biofilm Formation and Motility Depend on the Nature of the Acinetobacter
      baumannii Clinical Isolates.
AB  - Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen involved in various infections
      ranging from minor soft-tissue infections to more severe infections such as
      ventilator-associated pneumonia and bacteremia. The severity and the type of
      infections depend on the genetic and phenotypic variations of the strains. In
      this study, we compared the extent of biofilm formation and motility displayed by
      60 multidrug-resistant A. baumannii clinical strains isolated from blood and
      sputum samples from patients from Southern India. Our results showed that
      isolates from the sputum samples formed significantly more robust biofilm
      compared to the blood isolates. On the other hand, we observed that the blood
      isolates were more motile than the sputum isolates. To the best of our knowledge,
      this is the first study that systematically evaluated the correlation between
      these two phenotypic traits and the nature of the isolates. 

PMID- 27252940
TI  - Plant G-Proteins Come of Age: Breaking the Bond with Animal Models.
AB  - G-proteins are universal signal transducers mediating many cellular responses.
      Plant G-protein signaling has been modeled on the well-established animal
      paradigm but accumulated experimental evidence indicates that G-protein-dependent
      signaling in plants has taken a very different evolutionary path. Here we review
      the differences between plant and animal G-proteins reported over past two
      decades. Most importantly, while in animal systems the G-protein signaling cycle
      is activated by seven transmembrane-spanning G-protein coupled receptors, the
      existence of these type of receptors in plants is highly controversial. Instead
      plant G-proteins have been proven to be functionally associated with atypical
      receptors such as the Arabidopsis RGS1 and a number of receptor-like kinases. We
      propose that, instead of the GTP/GDP cycle used in animals, plant G-proteins are
      activated/de-activated by phosphorylation/de-phosphorylation. We discuss the need
      of a fresh new look at these signaling molecules and provide a hypothetical model
      that departs from the accepted animal paradigm. 

PMID- 27252941
TI  - The TRAPP Subunit Trs130p Interacts with the GAP Gyp6p to Mediate Ypt6p Dynamics
      at the Late Golgi.
AB  - Small GTPases of the Rab superfamily participate in virtually all vesicle
      mediated trafficking events. Cycling between an active GTP-bound form and an
      inactive GDP-bound form is accomplished in conjunction with guanine nucleotide
      exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), respectively. Rab
      cascades have been described in which an effector of an activated Rab is a GEF
      for a downstream Rab, thus ensuring activation of a pathway in an ordered
      fashion. Much less is known concerning crosstalk between GEFs and GAPs although
      regulation between these factors could also contribute to the overall physiology
      of a cell. Here we demonstrate that a subunit of the TRAPP II multisubunit
      tethering factor, a Rab GEF, participates in the recruitment of Gyp6p, a GAP for
      the GTPase Ypt6p, to Golgi membranes. The extreme carboxy-terminal portion of the
      TRAPP II subunit Trs130p is required for the interaction between TRAPP II and
      Gyp6p. We further demonstrate that TRAPP II mutants, but not a TRAPP III mutant,
      display a defect in Gyp6p interaction. A consequence of this defective
      interaction is the enhanced localization of Ypt6p at late Golgi membranes.
      Although a ypt31/32 mutant also resulted in an enhanced localization of Gyp6p at
      the late Golgi, the effect was not as dramatic as that seen for TRAPP II mutants,
      nor was Ypt31/32 detected in the same TRAPP II purification that detected Gyp6p.
      We propose that the interaction between TRAPP II and Gyp6p represents a parallel
      mechanism in addition to that mediated by Ypt31/32 for the recruitment of a GAP
      to the appropriate membrane, and is a novel example of crosstalk between a Rab
      GAP and GEF. 

PMID- 27252942
TI  - The Current and Future Treatment of Brain Metastases.
AB  - Brain metastases are the most common intracranial malignancy, accounting for
      significant morbidity and mortality in oncology patients. The current treatment
      paradigm for brain metastasis depends on the patient's overall health status, the
      primary tumor pathology, and the number and location of brain lesions. Herein, we
      review the modern management options for these tumors, including surgical
      resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Recent operative advances, such as
      fluorescence, confocal microscopy, and brachytherapy, are highlighted. With an
      increased understanding of the pathophysiology of brain metastasis come increased
      future therapeutic options. Therapy targeted to specific tumor molecular
      pathways, such as those involved in blood-brain barrier transgression, cell-cell
      adhesion, and angiogenesis, are also reviewed. A personalized plan for each
      patient, based on molecular characterizations of the tumor that are used to
      better target radiotherapy and chemotherapy, is undoubtedly the future of brain
      metastasis treatment. 

PMID- 27252944
TI  - An Interplay among FIS, H-NS, and Guanosine Tetraphosphate Modulates
      Transcription of the Escherichia coli cspA Gene under Physiological Growth
      Conditions.
AB  - CspA, the most characterized member of the csp gene family of Escherichia coli,
      is highly expressed not only in response to cold stress, but also during the
      early phase of growth at 37 degrees C. Here, we investigate at molecular level
      the antagonistic role played by the nucleoid proteins FIS and H-NS in the
      regulation of cspA expression under non-stress conditions. By means of both
      probing experiments and immunological detection, we demonstrate in vitro the
      existence of binding sites for these proteins on the cspA regulatory region, in
      which FIS and H-NS bind simultaneously to form composite DNA-protein complexes.
      While the in vitro promoter activity of cspA is stimulated by FIS and repressed
      by H-NS, a compensatory effect is observed when both proteins are added in the
      transcription assay. Consistently with these findings, inactivation of fis and
      hns genes reversely affect the in vivo amount of cspA mRNA. In addition, by means
      of strains expressing a high level of the alarmone guanosine tetraphosphate
      ((p)ppGpp) and in vitro transcription assays, we show that the cspA promoter is
      sensitive to (p)ppGpp inhibition. The (p)ppGpp-mediated expression of fis and hns
      genes is also analyzed, thus clarifying some aspects of the regulatory loop
      governing cspA transcription. 

PMID- 27252943
TI  - Dehydration and Cognition in Geriatrics: A Hydromolecular Hypothesis.
AB  - Dehydration is one of the ten most frequent diagnoses responsible for the
      hospital admission of elderly in the United States. It is associated with
      increased mortality, morbidity and an estimated cost of 1.14 billion per year
      (Xiao et al., 2004; Schlanger et al., 2010; Pretorius et al., 2013; Frangeskou et
      al., 2015). Older individuals are predisposed to dehydration encephalopathy as a
      result of decreased total body water (TBW) and diminished sensation of thirst. We
      hypothesize that thirst blunting in older individuals is the result of a
      defective microRNA-6842-3p failing to silence the expression of the vesicular
      GABA transporters (VGAT) and alpha 7 cholinergic nicotinic receptors in the
      subfornical organ (SFO) of the hypothalamus. We hypothesize further that
      resultant dehydration facilitates protein misfolding and aggregation,
      predisposing to neurocognitive disorders. We completed a search of predicted
      microRNA targets, utilizing the public domain tool miRDB and found that microRNA
      6842-3p modulates the SLC6A1 and CHRNA7 genes both of which were previously
      hypothesized to inhibit the thirst sensation by their action on SFO. The primary
      aim of this article is to answer two questions: Can prevention and correction of
      dehydration in elderly lower age-related cognitive deterioration? Can exosomal
      miR-6842 in the peripheral blood predict dehydration encephalopathy in elderly? 

PMID- 27252945
TI  - Altered Expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on Peripheral CD14+ Blood Monocytes in
      Children with Urinary Tract Infection.
AB  - Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common bacterial infection,
      after otitis media, in infants and children. The mechanisms of disease
      susceptibility and the role of immunity in the pathogenesis of UTI in children
      have been evaluated. In recent years, Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) have been
      recognized as specific components of the innate immune system constituting
      important mediators in host immune recognition. The aim of the present study was
      to determine TauLR2 and TLR4 expression during the acute phase of UTI in infants
      and children by measuring the CD14/TLR2 and CD14/TLR4 expression on monocytes. We
      also attempted to compare the TLRs expression with the immunological status of
      the patients to healthy children. The study group consisted of 60 children (36
      females and 24 males) and the control group included 60 age-matched pediatric
      subjects (27 females and 33 males). In our study, no antibody deficiency was
      found either in the children with UTI or in healthy subjects. There might be a
      connection between low IgA, IgG, and IgG subclasses serum levels and UTI as there
      was a statistically significant difference between patients and healthy children.
      A higher expression of CD14/TLR2 was revealed in patients (90,07%) compared to
      controls (85,48%) as well as CD14/TLR4 in patients (90,53%) compared to controls
      (87,25%) (statistically significant difference, p < 0,05). The results of this
      study could provide new understanding of UTIs' pathogenesis in children. 

PMID- 27252946
TI  - Free flap transfer for complex regional pain syndrome type II.
AB  - A patient with complex regional pain syndrome type II was successfully treated
      using free anterolateral thigh flap transfer with digital nerve coaptation to the
      cutaneous nerve of the flap. Release of the scarred tissue and soft tissue
      coverage with targeted sensory nerve coaptation were useful in relieving severe
      pain. 

PMID- 27252947
TI  - Volar dislocation of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint with acute repair of the
      ulnar collateral ligament.
AB  - Volar dislocations of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint are uncommon and can be
      associated with rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). We report a case
      where a volar thumb dislocation was successfully closed reduced, but instability
      required open repair of the UCL. Early motion protocol helped achieve favorable
      results. 

PMID- 27252948
TI  - The bilobed flap for popliteal defect reconstruction.
AB  - Bilobed flaps were first introduced to close small nasal defects. We
      reconstructed a defect of the popliteal fossa using a random-pattern bilobed
      flap. We recommend the use of random-pattern bilobed flaps as a reliable
      technique for covering defects of the popliteal fossa. 

PMID- 27252949
TI  - Angiofibrolipoma of the tendon sheath.
AB  - We present a rare case of benign tumor of the hand. 

PMID- 27252950
TI  - Reconstruction after resection of malignant parapharyngeal space tumor.
AB  - Primary malignant tumor of the parapharyngeal space (PPS) is rare. After surgical
      resection, primary closure could be considered if the oropharynx mucosa remains.
      This report describes two patients who underwent reconstruction by free tissue
      transfer after the resection of PPS tumors. This report was presented at the 56th
      annual meeting of the Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 4
      April, 2013. 

PMID- 27252951
TI  - Rapidly enlarging cutaneous nodules on a full-thickness skin graft following an
      excision of a squamous cell carcinoma - a diagnostic clue for multiple myeloma.
AB  - Cutaneous extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMPs) are rare plasma cell neoplasms of
      the skin occurring in 2-4% of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We describe a
      man diagnosed with IgA lambda MM (Stage III) after rapidly enlarging cutaneous
      nodules developed in the surgical site of recently excised skin malignancies.
      Cutaneous EMP must be considered for expanding cutaneous nodules at sites of
      surgery or trauma. 

PMID- 27252952
TI  - Endoscopic-assisted infraorbital nerve release.
AB  - Endoscopic-assisted techniques in plastic and craniofacial surgeries are limited.
      We present a patient with infraorbital nerve entrapment following traumatic
      facial injury that failed conservative management. Compression of the nerve was
      treated with an endoscopic-assisted nerve release of the surrounding soft tissue
      with a circumferential foraminal osteotomy. 

PMID- 27252953
TI  - Acrometastasis to metacarpal bone disclosing an occult lung cancer.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an occulting metastatic lung cancer
      diagnosed by a painful mass at right hand. Under early diagnosis and meticulous
      treatment, this patient has been painless without local recurrence and had full
      hand function for 3 years. 

PMID- 27252954
TI  - Occult moyamoya disease causing fulminant infarction after septorhinoplasty.
AB  - Moyamoya disease is an extremely rare cerebrovascular condition that predisposes
      affected patients to stroke in association with progressive stenosis of the
      intracranial internal carotid arteries and their proximal branches. To our
      knowledge, this is the first report of a lethal complication due to moyamoya
      disease after septorhinoplasty. A 25-year-old female Caucasian patient presented
      to our outpatient clinic with impaired nasal breathing for septorhinoplasty.
      Regrettably the patient died 6 days postoperatively due to progressive infarct
      series affecting all major cerebral vessels. Despite a thorough knowledge of
      possible local complications after septorhinoplasty, it is of utmost importance
      to consider rare general complications like moyamoya disease. Although cerebral
      infarctions are very rare in young people, it is crucial to identify and
      correctly interpret underlying typical symptoms. 

PMID- 27252955
TI  - Flail extremity resulting from constriction band syndrome: Neurovascular
      implications and surgical management.
AB  - PURPOSE: Constriction band syndrome afflicting in utero development can lead to
      devastating and possibly fatal outcomes. A lack of consensus regarding
      noninvasive testing and surgical modalities is likely secondary to the continued
      poorly understood pathology. Methods : We provide a case report of a 6-month-old
      boy who presented with a functional, nonsensate upper limb after surgical release
      of midhumeral banding at 3 months of age. RESULTS: Exploration revealed intact,
      albeit atrophic, peripheral nerves with brachial artery disruption above the
      elbow. Sural nerve grafting was performed and 2-year follow-up demonstrated
      return of protective sensation in the median nerve distribution with minimal
      motor return. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that nerves present distal to
      the original soft tissue insult oppose the idea of failure of nerve formation.
      Early nerve grafting at the time of initial Z-plasty release may serve to improve
      long-term functional outcomes.

PMID- 27252956
TI  - Simultaneous closed rupture of flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor
      digitorum profundus tendons in the middle finger: a case report.
AB  - A 20-year-old man suffered a closed rupture of both flexor tendons in the middle
      finger while playing rugby. Primary repair of the flexor digitorum profundus and
      excision of the flexor digitorum superficialis was performed. At follow up he
      reported a Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of 0 and unrestricted
      return to activities. 

PMID- 27252957
TI  - A unique physeal injury of the distal phalanx.
AB  - An unusual Salter-Harris Type 1 fracture variant of the distal phalanx of the
      index finger is described. The epiphysis was dislocated, sitting dorsally over
      the middle phalanx head with the articular surface facing dorsal. Reduction could
      only be achieved through an open procedure. The reduction was stable without
      supplemental fixation. 

PMID- 27252958
TI  - A novel use for suture button suspension: reconstruction of the dorsal ulnar
      ligament to treat thumb metacarpal dislocation.
AB  - There are numerous treatment algorithms that have been developed to treat thumb
      carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis. A newer treatment option for these patients is
      CMC stabilization using suture button suspensionplasty. The authors of this case
      report have extensive experience with the suture-button suspensionplasty using
      the Mini TightRope CMC technique (Arthrex). We present a novel usage of the
      suture-button suspensionplasty to reconstruct the dorsal ulnar ligament (in
      contrast to the usual reconstruction of the volar beak ligament) to treat a
      patient with persistent thumb metacarpal dislocation at the CMC joint. Two
      separate patients are presented. One patient demonstrates volar beak ligament
      instability, and the other demonstrates dorsal ulnar ligament instability. Both
      patients' demographics and operative indications are described. The operative
      technique for the novel usage of the suture-button suspensionplasty is described.
      Operative results of the dorsal ulnar ligament reconstruction are reviewed. After
      suture-button suspension of the thumb metacarpal to the trapezium, the dorsal
      ulnar ligament has been reconstructed. The patient demonstrated stability of the
      thumb CMC joint without dorsal or radial dislocation. The authors of this case
      report present a novel usage of the suture-button suspensionplasty to treat a
      patient with proximal thumb metacarpal dislocation at the trapezial-metacarpal
      interface. This method, in contrast to the referenced method of volar beak
      ligament reconstruction, allows reconstruction of the dorsal ulnar ligament. This
      allows stabilization of the joint by preventing dorsal and radial dislocation of
      the metacarpal. 

PMID- 27252959
TI  - Correction of thumb angulations after physiolysis of delta phalanges in a child
      with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome: a case report.
AB  - Resection of the midzone of the continuous epiphysis of a delta phalanx
      (physiolysis) and its replacement by a free-fat graft from local tissue was
      performed to improve severe radial angulation of the both thumbs in a 22-month
      old child with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome. Fifty-two months after surgery,
      satisfactory results were obtained for pinch function, appearance, and
      radiographic findings. Previous reports have indicated that corrective osteotomy
      of the thumbs in Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome has an associated risk of incomplete
      correction and >30% of recurrence, because severe preoperative deformities of the
      delta phalanx make angulatory osteotomies difficult. Additionally, physiolysis is
      a less invasive procedure than corrective osteotomy and offers a reduced risk of
      incomplete or excess correction, physeal injury, or osteonecrosis in younger
      children. Therefore, physiolysis appears to be useful as an initial means of
      correcting severe thumb angulations secondary to a delta phalanx. We reported a
      case in which the physiolysis of the delta phalanx significantly improved severe
      angular deformities of the thumbs in association with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome. 

PMID- 27252960
TI  - Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, a rare but locally aggressive tumor on finger:
      clinical and aeromedical considerations.
AB  - Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slow growing, locally
      infiltrative tumor of intermediate malignancy. It is mostly found on the trunk
      and head, rarely on hands. The course of evaluation and treatment of a young
      pilot with DFSP on left middle finger is reported. The clinical issues and
      aeromedical considerations of this rare tumor is discussed. 

PMID- 27252961
TI  - Osteoid osteoma of the lunatum mimicking Kienbock's disease.
AB  - Hands, especially lunatum, are involved very rarely with osteoid osteoma. This
      report presents an osteoid osteoma of the lunatum, which was previously
      misdiagnosed as Kienbock's disease and had undergone surgery. Magnetic resonance
      imaging may lead the clinician to misdiagnose because of the excessive bone edema
      around the carpus. The operation should be planned according to radiography and
      computed tomography findings. 

PMID- 27252962
TI  - Neglected lunate dislocation presenting as carpal tunnel syndrome.
AB  - Most of carpal tunnel syndrome cases are idiopathic, and secondary causes are so
      rare that can be easily missed. We present a patient with neglected undiagnosed
      lunate dislocation compressing on median nerve causing its signs and symptoms. 

PMID- 27252963
TI  - Combined therapy of NPWT and bipedicled flap as an alternative approach for giant
      abdominal wall defect with significant visceral edema: report of a case.
AB  - Open abdomen management is commonly used for the critically injured patients to
      avoid abdominal compartment syndrome. But it usually continues for days to weeks
      and finally results in abdominal wall defect that is too wide to close at once.
      This article presents an alternative approach to close the giant abdominal wall
      defect by using the combination of bipedicled flaps with the components
      separation technique and V.A.C.(r) system. 

PMID- 27252964
TI  - Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by vascular nerve impairment treated with open
      release of the carpal tunnel.
AB  - We present a patient suffering from classical unilateral symptoms of carpal
      tunnel syndrome, where the results of electrophysiological examinations were
      negative. Ultrasound showed at pulsatile median artery that led to direct
      mechanical impact on the median nerve. The patient was successfully treated with
      open release of the carpal tunnel. 

PMID- 27252965
TI  - Localized lipomatosis of the perineum in a 58-year-old male patient - case
      report.
AB  - Lipomatosis of the perineum is an extremely rare condition. We report a localized
      hypertrophy of adipose tissue of the perineum in a 58-year-old man. The cause of
      enlargement could not be revealed. Nonetheless, preoperative workup and exclusion
      of possible malign tumors is essential. 

PMID- 27252966
TI  - Anteromedial thigh perforator flap to cover the inguinal region in a crossover
      femorofemoral bypass.
AB  - We report the case of a 48-year-old male with an exposition of a femorofemoral
      crossover bypass in the inguinal region and superficial femoral occlusion. This
      was successfully treated using an anteromedial thigh (AMT) pedicled flap based on
      the perforator vessel of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral
      artery. Our report focuses on: i) considering the AMT flap as a safe and easy
      option to cover the inguinal region in cases of bypass exposure; ii) describing
      the attachment of this flap to the deep femoral artery in a patient with
      superficial femoral occlusion, in spite of some literature controversy. 

PMID- 27252967
TI  - A case of combined soft tissue and intraosseous venous malformation of the thumb
      treated with sclerotherapy using a bone marrow aspiration needle.
AB  - Vascular malformations of bone are complex lesions that can cause deformity and
      pain. A combined soft tissue and intraosseous venous malformation of the left
      thumb in a girl was treated with two sessions of ethanol sclerotherapy using a
      bone marrow aspiration needle under fluoroscopic guidance. 

PMID- 27252968
TI  - Avascular necrosis of the distal pole of the scaphoid.
AB  - Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the scaphoid predominantly occurs in the proximal
      pole. Review of the literature revealed only six cases and all are suspect due to
      the lack of either MRI investigation or investigation of bleeding preoperatively.
      We report four new cases and one of them appears to be a real distal pole AVN of
      the scaphoid in the literature. 

PMID- 27252969
TI  - New option for surgical treatment of the trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis: a
      case report.
AB  - We present the case of a 71-year-old, left-handed woman with left thumb
      carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthritis. The patient had no pain and could use the
      hand actively in daily life with a new option of surgical treatment, a
      vascularized pedicled third CMC joint transfer to the thumb CMC joint. 

PMID- 27252970
TI  - A Japanese family with popliteal pterygium syndrome.
AB  - We investigated a family in which the mother and a daughter suffered from
      popliteal pterygium syndrome (PPS). Mutation in the interferon regulatory factor
      6 (IRF6) gene was detected in the mother and daughter. This is the second report
      of a family case with mutation in the IRF6 gene in Japanese patients with PPS. 

PMID- 27252972
TI  - The surgical treatment of familial cylindromatosis through subgaleal scalp
      excision.
AB  - We treated a 65-year-old woman with familial cylindromatosis, with cylindromas
      covering the entire scalp. Subgaleal tumor excision and split skin grafting was
      performed. The graft take was deemed to be excellent, with almost 100% coverage
      2.5 weeks after operation, no complications and a satisfying esthetic result. 

PMID- 27252971
TI  - Symmetrical peripheral gangrene caused by septic shock.
AB  - We report three cases of symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) caused by septic
      shock. Most of sepsis survivors with SPG require amputation of the affected
      extremities. To preserve the length of the thumb and fingers, we performed
      surgical amputation and used flaps to cover the amputated peripheral extremities.

PMID- 27252973
TI  - Thrombosed vascular malformation within the flexor tendon sheath of the index
      finger in the palm.
AB  - Vascular malformations are relatively infrequent among benign lesions of the
      hand. We report the case of an arteriovenous malformation in a 48-year-old white
      woman presenting a mass in her left hand without any symptoms. The diagnosis was
      confirmed by histopathology and the lesion completely removed by surgery. 

PMID- 27252974
TI  - Two case reports with literature review of the EEC syndrome: Clinical
      presentation and management.
AB  - We report on siblings who suffer from EEC syndrome and show our experiences of
      the "Basel concept" of cleft lip/palate repair based on the early, one-stage
      closure of all components. It is performed in the age of 3-4 months to provide
      early normal conditions for anatomy and muscle function. 

PMID- 27252975
TI  - Restoration of oral competence in double free flap reconstructions of massive
      lower facial defects with fascia lata slings - Case series and review of the
      literature.
AB  - Restoration of adequate oral competence is especially challenging in double free
      flap reconstructions of massive head and neck defects resulting from composite
      resections. Our report illustrates that oral competence in double free flap
      reconstructions of extensive oromandibular defects can be successfully restored
      with tensor fascia lata suspension slings. 

PMID- 27252976
TI  - Use of a pedicled fillet foot flap for knee preservation in severe lower
      extremity trauma: A case report and literature review.
AB  - We report the sequential use of a pedicled fillet foot flap in a clinical case of
      complex bilateral lower extremity trauma to achieve stable wound closure,
      maximizing length preservation and gait rehabilitation. In addition, we perform a
      literature review of the use of fillet foot flaps in lower extremity trauma. 

PMID- 27252977
TI  - Reconstruction of a subtotally amputated auricle with a very narrow inferior
      pedicle.
AB  - In our case study, the left ear of a 57-year-old male patient was subtotally
      amputated due to an iron-plate cutting accident. Only a 5-mm inferior skin
      pedicle connected the amputated ear to the lobule. The ear was reattached with
      primary suture without microsurgery. The reattached ear healed uneventfully. 

PMID- 27252978
TI  - Episode of massive pulmonary embolism after bilateral breast augmentation.
AB  - Pulmonary embolism is a rare postsurgical complication, even more so following
      breast augmentation. Herein we present a case of a 23-year-old woman who survived
      an episode of massive pulmonary embolism after breast implant surgery. Current
      literature about this subject is very scarce. 

PMID- 27252979
TI  - "More than skin deep": Recurrent primary hand abscesses in a warehouse operative.
AB  - A 25-year-old male right-hand dominant warehouse operator presented with two hand
      infections within 12 weeks both requiring surgical drainage and antimicrobial
      therapy. Subsequent testing confirmed Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive
      Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-SA). This case highlights the need for prompt
      multidisciplinary management of hand infections to consider, diagnose and manage
      atypical infections. 

PMID- 27252980
TI  - Intestinal obstruction following harvest of VRAM-flap for reconstruction of a
      large perineal defect.
AB  - A patient with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the rectum was operated with
      abdominoperineal resection and perineal reconstruction with a vertical rectus
      abdominis musculocutaneous flap. Six days postoperatively, there was herniation
      of the small bowel, between the anterior and posterior rectus sheaths, to a
      subcutaneous location. 

PMID- 27252981
TI  - A dataset for assessing temporal changes in gene expression during the aging
      process of adult Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - A Drosophila melanogaster genome-wide transcriptome dataset is available for
      studies on temporal patterns of gene expression. Gene expression was measured
      using two-dye color oligonucleotide arrays derived from Version 2 of the
      Drosophila Genomics Resource Center. A total of 15,158 oligonucleotide probes
      corresponded to a high proportion of the coding genes in the genome. The source
      of the flies was a highly genetically heterogeneous population maintained in an
      overlapping generation population regime. This regime was designed to maintain
      life history traits so that they were similar to those found in natural
      populations. Flies collected for the cohorts were obtained in a short period of
      time in a carefully controlled manner before virgin females and males were
      allowed to mate. Mated females were introduced into two large population cages in
      unusually high numbers (approximately 12,000 per cage) for a Drosophila
      laboratory longevity study. Samples were taken weekly from each cohort for 11
      weeks; only a small proportion of surviving flies were present at the last two
      collection time points and thus they were exceptionally old compared to those
      collected in early-to-midlife samples. The data set is useful for studies of
      temporal patterns of gene expression as flies age. The very large size of each
      cohort, and relatively frequent incidence of temporal samples, allows for a fine
      scale study of gene expression from young to very old flies. 

PMID- 27252982
TI  - Sagittal balance is more than just alignment: why PJK remains an unresolved
      problem.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The durability of adult spinal deformity surgery remains problematic.
      Revision rates above 20 % have been reported, with a range of causes including
      wound infection, nonunion and adjacent level pathology. While some of these
      complications have been amenable to changes in patient selection or surgical
      technique, Proximal Junctional Kyphosis (PJK) remains an unresolved challenge.
      This study examines the contributions of non-mechanical factors to the incidence
      of postoperative sagittal imbalance and PJK after adult deformity surgery.
      METHODS: We reviewed a consecutive series of adult spinal deformity patients who
      required revision for PJK from 2013 to 2015 and examined in their medical records
      in detail. RESULTS: Neurologic disorders were identified in 22 (76 %) of the 29
      PJK cases reviewed in this series. Neurologic disorders included Parkinson's
      disease (1), prior stroke (5), metabolic encephalopathy (2), seizure disorder
      (1), cervical myelopathy (7), thoracic myelopathy (1), diabetic neuropathy (5)
      and other neuropathy (4). Other potential comorbidities affecting standing
      balance included untreated cataracts (9), glaucoma (1) and polymyositis (1).
      Eight patients were documented to have frequent falls, with twelve cases having a
      fall right before symptoms related to the PJK were noted. CONCLUSION: PJK is an
      important contributing factor to the substantial and unsustainable rate of
      revision surgery following adult deformity correction. Multiple efforts to avoid
      PJK via alterations in surgical technique have been largely unsuccessful. This
      study suggests that non-mechanical neuromuscular co-morbidities play an important
      role in post-operative sagittal imbalance and PJK. Recognizing the multi
      factorial etiology of PJK may lead to more successful strategies to avoid PJK and
      improve surgical outcomes.

PMID- 27252983
TI  - Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders journal: a new, cutting-edge frontier in spine
      publishing.

PMID- 27252984
TI  - Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS): a multifactorial cascade concept for
      pathogenesis and embryonic origin.
AB  - This paper formulates a novel multifactorial Cascade Concept for the pathogenesis
      of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This Concept stems from the
      longitudinal findings of Clark et al. (J Bone Miner Res 29(8):1729-36, 2014) who
      identified leptin body composition factors at 10 years of age associated with a
      scoliosis deformity found at 15 years. We interpret these findings in the light
      of some concepts for AIS pathogenesis. In particular, we speculate that the
      leptin body composition effect is linked to central nervous system development
      and the initiation of the asynchronous neuro-osseous growth mechanism that
      involves the creation of a neuraxis tether of relative anterior vertebral
      overgrowth. The latter mechanism in combination with age and gender-related
      anatomical variants of vertebral backward tilt (dorsal shear concept), human
      upright posture, adolescent growth factors, Hueter-Volkmann effect in vertebrae
      and vertebral bone mass abnormalities, lead to AIS, possibly both initiation and
      progression of scoliosis curvatures. Being multifactorial, while the Cascade
      Concept cannot be tested for all its components, some components should be
      testable by the method of numerical simulation. Clark et al. (J Bone Miner Res
      29(8):1729-36, 2014) also suggested the origin of scoliosis was in the embryonic
      stages of life from cell types, including adipocytes and osteoblasts, derived
      from the same progenitor cells, and myoblasts from mesodermal somites. The
      involvement of cell types from different developmental origins suggests a process
      acting in embryonic life at a similar time, probably environmental, as previously
      proposed from anthropometric studies. As a Complex disease, AIS will involve
      genetic, environmental and life style factors operating in development and
      growth; this possibility needs evaluating in epidemiological studies. 

PMID- 27252986
TI  - Brivaracetam: new compound approved for the treatment of epilepsy.
AB  - Brivaracetam was approved in the E.U. and U.S. at the beginning of 2016 for the
      adjunctive treatment of focal epilepsies in patients over 16 years of age. This
      compound is a novel high-affinity synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) ligand,
      with a selectivity for this protein that is 10- to 30-fold higher than that shown
      by levetiracetam. Preclinical studies show that brivaracetam might have a
      stronger anticonvulsant effect and distributes in the brain more quickly, when
      compared to levetiracetam. The agent has linear and simple pharmacokinetics and a
      low interaction potential. Six double-blind placebo-controlled studies have
      assessed doses from 5 to 200 mg/day. Significant efficacy has been observed from
      doses of 50 mg/day, but there was not a clear dose-effect relationship. Short
      term tolerability was excellent with all doses. Adverse events significantly
      associated with brivaracetam were dizziness, somnolence, fatigue and
      irritability. An excellent tolerability profile has been found after
      administration of a formulation for intravenous use. 

PMID- 27252985
TI  - Is lumbar facet joint tropism developmental or secondary to degeneration? An
      international, large-scale multicenter study by the AOSpine Asia Pacific Research
      Collaboration Consortium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Facet joint tropism is asymmetry in orientation of the bilateral
      facets. Some studies have shown that tropism may increase the risk of disc
      degeneration and herniations, as well as degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). It
      remains controversial whether tropism is a pre-existing developmental phenomena
      or secondary to progressive remodeling of the joint structure due to degenerative
      changes. As such, the following study addressed the occurrence of tropism of the
      lower lumbar spine (i.e. L3-S1) in a degenerative spondylolisthesis patient
      model. METHODS: An international, multi-center cross-sectional study that
      consisted of 349 patients with single level DS recruited from 33 spine institutes
      in the Asia Pacific region was performed. Axial MRI/CT from L3-S1 were utilized
      to assess left and right facet joint sagittal angulation in relation to the
      coronal plane. The angulation difference between the bilateral facets was
      obtained. Tropism was noted if there was 8 degrees  or greater angulation
      difference between the facet joints. Tropism was noted at levels of DS and
      compared to immediate adjacent and distal non-DS levels, if applicable, to the
      index level. Age, sex-type and body mass index (BMI) were also noted and assessed
      in relation to tropism. RESULTS: Of the 349 subjects, there were 63.0 % females,
      the mean age was 61.8 years and the mean BMI was 25.6 kg/m(2). Overall, 9.7, 76.5
      and 13.8 % had L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 DS, respectively. Tropism was present in
      47.1, 50.6 and 31.3 % of L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 of levels with DS, respectively.
      Tropism involved 33.3 to 50.0 % and 33.3 to 58.8 % of the immediate adjacent and
      most distal non-DS levels from the DS level, respectively. Patient demographics
      were not found to be significantly related to tropism at any level (p > 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is one of the largest studies
      conducted, in particular in an Asian population, addressing facet joint tropism.
      Although levels with DS were noted to have tropism, immediate adjacent and distal
      levels with no DS also exhibited tropism, and were not related to age and other
      patient demographics. This study suggests that facet joint tropism or perhaps
      subsets of facet joint orientation may have a pre-disposed orientation that may
      be developmental in origin or a combination with secondary changes due to
      degenerative/slip effects. The presence of tropism should be noted in all imaging
      assessments, which may have implications in treatment decision-making,
      prognostication of disease progression, and predictive modeling. Having a deeper
      understanding of such concepts may further elaborate on the precision phenotyping
      of the facets and their role in more personalized spine care. Additional
      prospective and controlled studies are needed to further validate the findings.

PMID- 27252988
TI  - Memantine and donepezil: a fixed drug combination for the treatment of moderate
      to severe Alzheimer's dementia.
AB  - Donepezil (and other cholinesterase inhibitors [ChEIs]) and memantine are the
      mainstays of treatment in Alzheimer's dementia, addressing respectively, the
      cholinergic and glutamatergic dysregulation which underlies or results from its
      pathophysiology. To alleviate the pill burden and swallowing difficulties
      associated with the condition, a fixed drug combination of extended-release
      memantine and donepezil was developed. This combination was shown to be both
      bioequivalent to the components administered separately and could be administered
      sprinkled over soft food. The mode of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy
      and safety and tolerability of the combination are discussed together with the
      wider, often conflicting trial literature of combination versus monotherapy with
      memantine and ChEIs, their meta-analyses and treatment guidelines. 

PMID- 27252987
TI  - Lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination for cystic fibrosis patients homozygous for
      Phe508del-CFTR.
AB  - Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening inherited disease caused by the loss or
      dysfunction of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel activity
      resulting from mutations in the CFTR gene. Phe508del is the most prevalent
      mutation, with approximately 90% of all CF patients carrying it on at least one
      allele. Over the past two or three decades, significant progress has been made in
      understanding the pathogenesis of CF, and in the development of effective CF
      therapies. The approval of Orkambi(r) (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) marks another
      milestone in CF therapeutics development, which, with the advent of personalized
      medicine, could potentially revolutionize CF care and management. This article
      reviews the rationale, progress and future direction in the development of
      lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination to treat CF patients homozygous for the
      Phe508del-CFTR mutation.

PMID- 27252989
TI  - Venetoclax: Bcl-2 inhibition for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
AB  - Venetoclax (ABT-199) is a small-molecule selective oral inhibitor of the
      antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 that promotes programmed cell death of chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells regulating the release of proapoptotic factors,
      such as Smac/Diablo, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and cytochrome c. In April
      2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to
      venetoclax for patients diagnosed with CLL with 17p deletion, as detected by an
      FDA-approved test, who have received at least one prior therapy. This review will
      focus on the mechanism of action, preclinical studies and clinical development of
      venetoclax both as a monotherapy and in combination with other drugs for CLL in
      the current milieu of therapy dominated by novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors such
      as ibrutinib and idelalisib. 

PMID- 27252990
TI  - European Association of Urology--31st Annual Congress (March 11-15, 2016--Munich,
      Germany).
AB  - The 31st Annual European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress held in Munich,
      Germany, was a platform for expert urological specialists from all over the world
      to find a unique space to share their evidence-based knowledge during state-of
      the art lectures, presentations and courses. This report covers selected
      presentations covering cancer-related presentations. 

PMID- 27252992
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27252991
TI  - Genomic imprinting defect in Zfp57 mutant iPS cell lines.
AB  - ZFP57 maintains genomic imprinting in mouse embryos and ES cells. To test its
      roles during iPS reprogramming,we derived iPS clones by utilizing retroviral
      infection to express reprogramming factors in mouse MEF cells. After analyzing
      four imprinted regions, we found that parentally derived DNA methylation imprint
      was largely maintained in the iPS clones with Zfp57 but missing in those without
      maternal or zygotic Zfp57. Intriguingly, DNA methylation imprint was lost at the
      Peg1 and Peg3 but retained at the Snrpn and Dlk1-Dio3 imprinted regions in the
      iPS clones without zygotic Zfp57. This finding will be pursued in future studies.

PMID- 27252993
TI  - [Diagnosis and treatment guideline on drug-induced liver injury].

PMID- 27253039
TI  - The clinical utility of molecular genetic cancer profiling.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Next-Generation-Sequencing (NGS) has enabled gene mutation
      profiling - cataloguing sequence variants and modifications in clinical assays
      encompassing tens to thousands of genes in tumors and in germlines. The clinical
      benefit of applying multi-gene NGS to diverse applications in various
      malignancies remains to be demonstrated. AREAS COVERED: Applications of gene
      mutation profiling in oncology include screening cancer-prone families,
      classification of malignancies, treatment selection, and monitoring the response
      to treatment of solid tumors (the 'liquid biopsy'). Google Scholar was used to
      search PubMed for the period 2011-2016 using combinations of the following search
      terms: 'clinical utility', NGS, 'molecular diagnostics'. Expert commentary:
      Clinical studies are in progress pairing mutation profiling with streamlined new
      trial designs to speed identification of promising drug-target combinations and
      to see if genotype-informed treatment selection will improve outcome across a
      spectrum of histologies. The analytical advantages and falling cost of NGS make
      focused gene panels likely to become the dominant modality in molecular
      diagnostic testing even if trials eventually discourage use of large panels to
      test all malignancies.

PMID- 27253040
TI  - Simultaneous Selective-Area and Vapor-Liquid-Solid Growth of InP Nanowire Arrays.
AB  - Selective-area epitaxy is highly successful in producing application-ready size
      homogeneous arrays of III-V nanowires without the need to use metal catalysts.
      Previous works have demonstrated excellent control of nanowire properties but the
      growth mechanisms remain rather unclear. Herein, we report a detailed growth
      study revealing that fundamental growth mechanisms of pure wurtzite InP ?111?A
      nanowires can indeed differ significantly from the simple picture of a facet
      limited selective-area growth process. A dual growth regime with and without
      metallic droplet is found to coexist under the same growth conditions for
      different diameter nanowires. Incubation times and highly nonmonotonous growth
      rate behaviors are revealed and explained within a dedicated kinetic model.

PMID- 27253059
TI  - Mechanism of B-box 2 domain-mediated higher-order assembly of the retroviral
      restriction factor TRIM5alpha.
AB  - Restriction factors and pattern recognition receptors are important components of
      intrinsic cellular defenses against viral infection. Mammalian TRIM5alpha
      proteins are restriction factors and receptors that target the capsid cores of
      retroviruses and activate ubiquitin-dependent antiviral responses upon capsid
      recognition. Here, we report crystallographic and functional studies of the
      TRIM5alpha B-box 2 domain, which mediates higher-order assembly of TRIM5
      proteins. The B-box can form both dimers and trimers, and the trimers can link
      multiple TRIM5alpha proteins into a hexagonal net that matches the lattice
      arrangement of capsid subunits and enables avid capsid binding. Two modes of
      conformational flexibility allow TRIM5alpha to accommodate the variable curvature
      of retroviral capsids. B-box mediated interactions also modulate TRIM5alpha's E3
      ubiquitin ligase activity, by stereochemically restricting how the N-terminal
      RING domain can dimerize. Overall, these studies define important molecular
      details of cellular recognition of retroviruses, and how recognition links to
      downstream processes to disable the virus.

PMID- 27253060
TI  - Complexin induces a conformational change at the membrane-proximal C-terminal end
      of the SNARE complex.
AB  - Complexin regulates spontaneous and activates Ca(2+)-triggered neurotransmitter
      release, yet the molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Here we performed single
      molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments and uncovered two
      conformations of complexin-1 bound to the ternary SNARE complex. In the cis
      conformation, complexin-1 induces a conformational change at the membrane
      proximal C-terminal end of the ternary SNARE complex that specifically depends on
      the N-terminal, accessory, and central domains of complexin-1. The complexin-1
      induced conformation of the ternary SNARE complex may be related to a
      conformation that is juxtaposing the synaptic vesicle and plasma membranes. In
      the trans conformation, complexin-1 can simultaneously interact with a ternary
      SNARE complex via the central domain and a binary SNARE complex consisting of
      syntaxin-1A and SNAP-25A via the accessory domain. The cis conformation may be
      involved in activation of synchronous neurotransmitter release, whereas both
      conformations may be involved in regulating spontaneous release.

PMID- 27253061
TI  - CELF RNA binding proteins promote axon regeneration in C. elegans and mammals
      through alternative splicing of Syntaxins.
AB  - Axon injury triggers dramatic changes in gene expression. While transcriptional
      regulation of injury-induced gene expression is widely studied, less is known
      about the roles of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) in post-transcriptional regulation
      during axon regeneration. In C. elegans the CELF (CUGBP and Etr-3 Like Factor)
      family RBP UNC-75 is required for axon regeneration. Using crosslinking
      immunoprecipitation coupled with deep sequencing (CLIP-seq) we identify a set of
      genes involved in synaptic transmission as mRNA targets of UNC-75. In particular,
      we show that UNC-75 regulates alternative splicing of two mRNA isoforms of the
      SNARE Syntaxin/unc-64. In C. elegans mutants lacking unc-75 or its targets,
      regenerating axons form growth cones, yet are deficient in extension. Extending
      these findings to mammalian axon regeneration, we show that mouse Celf2
      expression is upregulated after peripheral nerve injury and that Celf2 mutant
      mice are defective in axon regeneration. Further, mRNAs for several Syntaxins
      show CELF2 dependent regulation. Our data delineate a post-transcriptional
      regulatory pathway with a conserved role in regenerative axon extension.

PMID- 27253062
TI  - Testing the Munch hypothesis of long distance phloem transport in plants.
AB  - Long distance transport in plants occurs in sieve tubes of the phloem. The
      pressure flow hypothesis introduced by Ernst Munch in 1930 describes a mechanism
      of osmotically generated pressure differentials that are supposed to drive the
      movement of sugars and other solutes in the phloem, but this hypothesis has long
      faced major challenges. The key issue is whether the conductance of sieve tubes,
      including sieve plate pores, is sufficient to allow pressure flow. We show that
      with increasing distance between source and sink, sieve tube conductivity and
      turgor increases dramatically in Ipomoea nil. Our results provide strong support
      for the Munch hypothesis, while providing new tools for the investigation of one
      of the least understood plant tissues.

PMID- 27253063
TI  - ELKS controls the pool of readily releasable vesicles at excitatory synapses
      through its N-terminal coiled-coil domains.
AB  - In a presynaptic nerve terminal, synaptic strength is determined by the pool of
      readily releasable vesicles (RRP) and the probability of release (P) of each RRP
      vesicle. These parameters are controlled at the active zone and vary across
      synapses, but how such synapse specific control is achieved is not understood.
      ELKS proteins are enriched at vertebrate active zones and enhance P at inhibitory
      hippocampal synapses, but ELKS functions at excitatory synapses are not known.
      Studying conditional knockout mice for ELKS, we find that ELKS enhances the RRP
      at excitatory synapses without affecting P. Surprisingly, ELKS C-terminal
      sequences, which interact with RIM, are dispensable for RRP enhancement. Instead,
      the N-terminal ELKS coiled-coil domains that bind to Liprin-alpha and Bassoon are
      necessary to control RRP. Thus, ELKS removal has differential, synapse-specific
      effects on RRP and P, and our findings establish important roles for ELKS N
      terminal domains in synaptic vesicle priming.

PMID- 27253064
TI  - MiniCORVET is a Vps8-containing early endosomal tether in Drosophila.
AB  - Yeast studies identified two heterohexameric tethering complexes, which consist
      of 4 shared (Vps11, Vps16, Vps18 and Vps33) and 2 specific subunits: Vps3 and
      Vps8 (CORVET) versus Vps39 and Vps41 (HOPS). CORVET is an early and HOPS is a
      late endosomal tether. The function of HOPS is well known in animal cells, while
      CORVET is poorly characterized. Here we show that Drosophila Vps8 is highly
      expressed in hemocytes and nephrocytes, and localizes to early endosomes despite
      the lack of a clear Vps3 homolog. We find that Vps8 forms a complex and acts
      together with Vps16A, Dor/Vps18 and Car/Vps33A, and loss of any of these proteins
      leads to fragmentation of endosomes. Surprisingly, Vps11 deletion causes
      enlargement of endosomes, similar to loss of the HOPS-specific subunits Vps39 and
      Lt/Vps41. We thus identify a 4 subunit-containing miniCORVET complex as an
      unconventional early endosomal tether in Drosophila.

PMID- 27253065
TI  - Kinetics of initiating polypeptide elongation in an IRES-dependent system.
AB  - The intergenic IRES of Cricket Paralysis Virus (CrPV-IRES) forms a tight complex
      with 80S ribosomes capable of initiating the cell-free synthesis of complete
      proteins in the absence of initiation factors. Such synthesis raises the question
      of what effect the necessary IRES dissociation from the tRNA binding sites, and
      ultimately from all of the ribosome, has on the rates of initial peptide
      elongation steps as nascent peptide is formed. Here we report the first results
      measuring rates of reaction for the initial cycles of IRES-dependent elongation.
      Our results demonstrate that 1) the first two cycles of elongation proceed much
      more slowly than subsequent cycles, 2) these reduced rates arise from slow pseudo
      translocation and translocation steps, and 3) the retarding effect of ribosome
      bound IRES on protein synthesis is largely overcome following translocation of
      tripeptidyl-tRNA. Our results also provide a straightforward approach to detailed
      mechanistic characterization of many aspects of eukaryotic polypeptide
      elongation.

PMID- 27253066
TI  - Multi-step coordination of telomerase recruitment in fission yeast through two
      coupled telomere-telomerase interfaces.
AB  - Tightly controlled recruitment of telomerase, a low-abundance enzyme, to
      telomeres is essential for regulated telomere synthesis. Recent studies in human
      cells revealed that a patch of amino acids in the shelterin component TPP1,
      called the TEL-patch, is essential for recruiting telomerase to telomeres.
      However, how TEL-patch-telomerase interaction integrates into the overall
      orchestration of telomerase regulation at telomeres is unclear. In fission yeast,
      Tel1(ATM)/Rad3(ATR)-mediated phosphorylation of shelterin component Ccq1 during
      late S phase is involved in telomerase recruitment through promoting the binding
      of Ccq1 to a telomerase accessory protein Est1. Here, we identify the TEL-patch
      in Tpz1(TPP1), mutations of which lead to decreased telomeric association of
      telomerase, similar to the phosphorylation-defective Ccq1. Furthermore, we find
      that telomerase action at telomeres requires formation and resolution of an
      intermediate state, in which the cell cycle-dependent Ccq1-Est1 interaction is
      coupled to the TEL-patch-Trt1 interaction, to achieve temporally regulated
      telomerase elongation of telomeres.

PMID- 27253067
TI  - Exercise promotes the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
      through the action of the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate.
AB  - Exercise induces beneficial responses in the brain, which is accompanied by an
      increase in BDNF, a trophic factor associated with cognitive improvement and the
      alleviation of depression and anxiety. However, the exact mechanisms whereby
      physical exercise produces an induction in brain Bdnf gene expression are not
      well understood. While pharmacological doses of HDAC inhibitors exert positive
      effects on Bdnf gene transcription, the inhibitors represent small molecules that
      do not occur in vivo. Here, we report that an endogenous molecule released after
      exercise is capable of inducing key promoters of the Mus musculus Bdnf gene. The
      metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate, which increases after prolonged exercise,
      induces the activities of Bdnf promoters, particularly promoter I, which is
      activity-dependent. We have discovered that the action of beta-hydroxybutyrate is
      specifically upon HDAC2 and HDAC3, which act upon selective Bdnf promoters.
      Moreover, the effects upon hippocampal Bdnf expression were observed after direct
      ventricular application of beta-hydroxybutyrate. Electrophysiological
      measurements indicate that beta-hydroxybutyrate causes an increase in
      neurotransmitter release, which is dependent upon the TrkB receptor. These
      results reveal an endogenous mechanism to explain how physical exercise leads to
      the induction of BDNF.

PMID- 27253070
TI  - Review Article: Influenza Transmission on Aircraft: A Systematic Literature
      Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Air travel is associated with the spread of influenza through
      infected passengers and potentially through in-flight transmission. Contact
      tracing after exposure to influenza is not performed systematically. We performed
      a systematic literature review to evaluate the evidence for influenza
      transmission aboard aircraft. METHODS: Using PubMed and EMBASE databases, we
      identified and critically appraised identified records to assess the evidence of
      such transmission to passengers seated in close proximity to the index cases. We
      also developed a bias assessment tool to evaluate the quality of evidence
      provided in the retrieved studies. RESULTS: We identified 14 peer-reviewed
      publications describing contact tracing of passengers after possible exposure to
      influenza virus aboard an aircraft. Contact tracing during the initial phase of
      the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic was described in 11 publications. The studies
      describe the follow-up of 2,165 (51%) of 4,252 traceable passengers. Altogether,
      163 secondary cases were identified resulting in an overall secondary attack rate
      among traced passengers of 7.5%. Of these secondary cases, 68 (42%) were seated
      within two rows of the index case. CONCLUSION: We found an overall moderate
      quality of evidence for transmission of influenza virus aboard an aircraft. The
      major limiting factor was the comparability of the studies. A majority of
      secondary cases was identified at a greater distance than two rows from the index
      case. A standardized approach for initiating, conducting, and reporting contact
      tracing could help to increase the evidence base for better assessing influenza
      transmission aboard aircraft.

PMID- 27253069
TI  - A mitofusin-dependent docking ring complex triggers mitochondrial fusion in
      vitro.
AB  - Fusion of mitochondrial outer membranes is crucial for proper organelle function
      and involves large GTPases called mitofusins. The discrete steps that allow
      mitochondria to attach to one another and merge their outer membranes are
      unknown. By combining an in vitro mitochondrial fusion assay with electron cryo
      tomography (cryo-ET), we visualize the junction between attached mitochondria
      isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and observe complexes that mediate this
      attachment. We find that cycles of GTP hydrolysis induce progressive formation of
      a docking ring structure around extended areas of contact. Further GTP hydrolysis
      triggers local outer membrane fusion at the periphery of the contact region.
      These findings unravel key features of mitofusin-dependent fusion of outer
      membranes and constitute an important advance in our understanding of how
      mitochondria connect and merge.

PMID- 27253068
TI  - Primate TRIM5 proteins form hexagonal nets on HIV-1 capsids.
AB  - TRIM5 proteins are restriction factors that block retroviral infections by
      binding viral capsids and preventing reverse transcription. Capsid recognition is
      mediated by C-terminal domains on TRIM5alpha (SPRY) or TRIMCyp (cyclophilin A),
      which interact weakly with capsids. Efficient capsid recognition also requires
      the conserved N-terminal tripartite motifs (TRIM), which mediate oligomerization
      and create avidity effects. To characterize how TRIM5 proteins recognize viral
      capsids, we developed methods for isolating native recombinant TRIM5 proteins and
      purifying stable HIV-1 capsids. Biochemical and EM analyses revealed that TRIM5
      proteins assembled into hexagonal nets, both alone and on capsid surfaces. These
      nets comprised open hexameric rings, with the SPRY domains centered on the edges
      and the B-box and RING domains at the vertices. Thus, the principles of hexagonal
      TRIM5 assembly and capsid pattern recognition are conserved across primates,
      allowing TRIM5 assemblies to maintain the conformational plasticity necessary to
      recognize divergent and pleomorphic retroviral capsids.

PMID- 27253072
TI  - Invisibly Disabled.

PMID- 27253071
TI  - Traumatic Brain Injury Imaging in the Second Near-Infrared Window with a
      Molecular Fluorophore.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability
      worldwide. A bright, renal-excreted, and biocompatible near-infrared II
      fluorophore for in vivo imaging of TBI is designed. A transient hypoperfusion in
      the injured cerebral region, followed by fluorophore leakage, is observed. NIR-II
      fluorophores can provide noninvasive assessment of TBI. 

PMID- 27253073
TI  - Features of Prolonged Grief Symptoms in Chinese and Swiss Bereaved Parents.
AB  - This study investigates clinical expressions of prolonged grief in samples of 32
      Chinese and 33 Swiss bereaved parents, according to the proposed International
      Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision model of prolonged grief disorder
      (PGD). Sex differences and predictors (cultural attitudes, sense of coherence,
      and posttraumatic growth) of PGD were analyzed. In result, after controlling for
      sociodemographic and loss-related sample differences, both samples showed similar
      PGD symptom profiles, with Swiss parents exhibiting more severe grief-related
      preoccupation and Chinese parents exhibiting some accessory symptoms and
      functional impairment to a greater extent. Multivariate analyses revealed for the
      Chinese sample primary predictions of PGD by life satisfaction, general health
      and one's world view (social cynicism) and for the Swiss sample by female sex,
      sense of coherence, and life satisfaction. The findings substantiate the basic
      appropriateness of the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision
      PGD in distinct cultural groups and may contribute to a better understanding of
      grief expression and its potential predictors across different cultures.

PMID- 27253074
TI  - Audiologic Outcomes in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The focus of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, type, and
      severity of hearing impairment in patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and
      to compare these characteristics with patient demographics and other otologic
      factors. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of the AudGen Database. SETTING:
      Tertiary academic referral center. PATIENTS: Pediatric patients in AudGenDB with
      a diagnosis EDS. INTERVENTIONS: Appropriate audiologic, otologic, and demographic
      data were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: One hundred forty one patients met
      inclusion criteria. Data for each patient were selected based on their first
      encounter by age with available audiometric data or their first encounter with a
      type of hearing loss documented. The patients were then stratified by type and
      severity of hearing loss, and available otologic issues were documented. RESULTS:
      One hundred nine patients had normal hearing. Thirty two patients had hearing
      loss, with 19 bilateral, and 13 unilateral. Of the 51 individual ears, 25 had
      conductive, 23 had sensorineural, and 3 had mixed hearing loss. Audiometric
      configuration was primarily flat in nature. The hearing loss severity was
      significantly correlated with age, but not influenced by the type of loss.
      CONCLUSION: Hearing loss is prevalent in patients with EDS. The hearing loss is
      equally of conductive and sensorineural origin, with a predisposition to be
      bilateral. Further evaluation of the underlying pathology of hearing loss in
      these patients is warranted to aid otolaryngologists and audiologists in
      diagnosis and management.

PMID- 27253075
TI  - Ossiculoplasty on Isolated Malleus Fractures: A Human Temporal Bone Study Using
      Laser Doppler Vibrometry.
AB  - HYPOTHESIS: In the literature several surgical methods have been reported that
      aim to improve hearing in patients with isolated malleus fractures; however, it
      is still not clear which method gives the best results. BACKGROUND: In this
      study, laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) was used to compare the outcome of
      different surgical methods on malleus fractures in fresh frozen human temporal
      bones. METHODS: Fractured malleus shafts of defrosted human temporal bones were
      repaired with bone cement, with a malleus prosthesis from cortical bone, or with
      a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) from cortical bone, and LDV
      measurements were obtained for analysis. RESULTS: The best result was achieved
      with the bone cement only, applied directly at the site of the fracture. The
      malleus prosthesis and the PORP gave similar results. CONCLUSION: All three
      surgical methods gave good results, but when the distal end of the fractured
      malleus can be attached close to the proximal end, the technique using only
      cement tends to be the best option. If the parts are too far apart, a malleus
      prosthesis or a PORP would be good options.

PMID- 27253077
TI  - Journals and CPD.
AB  - One of the significant tools for supporting continuing professional development
      (CPD) is the Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI) owned publication the
      Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine. Other journals, for example the
      Journal of Biological Photography, The British Journal of Photography, British
      Medical Journal and specialist journals associated with specific areas of
      medicine, education and illustration, are also helpful. The aim of this paper is
      to look at journals and CPD together with activities to help you engage with
      current literature, practice and research. If you look at the examples of CPD
      activities suggested by both IMI and the Health Professions Council (HPC) one of
      the recurring themes is the role of journals ( Table 1 ). Journals, alongside
      conferences, regional and national meetings, are key means of dissemination of
      research and support for professional development. [Table: see text]. 

PMID- 27253076
TI  - FleQ, a Transcriptional Activator, Is Required for Biofilm Formation In Vitro But
      Does Not Alter Virulence in a Cholesteatomas Model.
AB  - HYPOTHESIS: Bacterial biofilm formation within cholesteatomas is responsible for
      increased persistence and tissue destruction and Pseudomonas aeruginosa deficient
      in biofilm formation (PAO1 DeltafleQ) are less virulent than the parent bacteria.
      BACKGROUND: Infected aural cholesteatomas have been demonstrated to be more
      destructive than uninfected cholesteatomas and infections are more persistent.
      The chronicity and persistence of infections within cholesteatomas may be because
      of the presence of biofilm formation. METHODS: Twenty-seven mutant strains of
      PAO1 were screened for surface adherence. These strains were also screened for
      static biofilm formation. The biofilms were quantified by staining with crystal
      violet. Aural cholesteatomas were then induced in Mongolian gerbils by ligation
      of the ear canal. At the time of ligation, the ear canals were inoculated with
      wild-type PAO1 and a biofilm deficient PAO1 DeltafleQ strain of P. aeruginosa. A
      7 weeks course of ciprofloxacin (20 mg/kg/day) was started on postoperative day
      7. Eight weeks after induction of cholesteatomas, the cholesteatoma size, levels
      of bone destruction, and levels of bone remodeling were evaluated using microCT
      imaging. RESULTS: PAO1 DeltafleQ was identified as a poorly adherent and
      deficient biofilm forming mutant strain of P. aeruginosa. Infected cholesteatomas
      had more growth, bone destruction and bone remodeling than uninfected
      cholesteatomas. However, there was no difference observed between cholesteatomas
      infected with PAO1 (biofilm competent strain) and PAO1 DeltafleQ (biofilm
      deficient strain). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the biofilm phenotype is not
      an important virulence factor in cholesteatomas infected with P. aeruginosa.

PMID- 27253078
TI  - Narratives in Two Languages: Storytelling of Bilingual Cantonese-English
      Preschoolers.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare narratives generated by 4-year-old
      and 5-year-old children who were bilingual in English and Cantonese. METHOD: The
      sample included 47 children (23 who were 4 years old and 24 who were 5 years old)
      living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who spoke both Cantonese and English. The
      participants spoke and heard predominantly Cantonese in the home. Participants
      generated a story in English and Cantonese by using a wordless picture book;
      language order was counterbalanced. Data were transcribed and coded for story
      grammar, morphosyntactic quality, mean length of utterance in words, and the
      number of different words. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance
      revealed higher story grammar scores in English than in Cantonese, but no other
      significant main effects of language were observed. Analyses also revealed that
      older children had higher story grammar, mean length of utterance in words, and
      morphosyntactic quality scores than younger children in both languages.
      Hierarchical regressions indicated that Cantonese story grammar predicted English
      story grammar and Cantonese microstructure predicted English microstructure.
      However, no correlation was observed between Cantonese and English
      morphosyntactic quality. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have implications
      for speech-language pathologists who collect narratives in Cantonese and English
      from bilingual preschoolers. The results suggest that there is a possible
      transfer in narrative abilities between the two languages.

PMID- 27253080
TI  - Rational synthesis of carbon-coated hollow Ge nanocrystals with enhanced lithium
      storage properties.
AB  - High-capacity anode materials based on alloy-type group IV elements always have
      large volume expansion during lithiation when they are used in lithium-ion
      batteries. Designing hollow structures is a well-established strategy to
      accommodate the volume change because of sufficient internal void space. Here we
      report a facile template-free route to prepare hollow Ge nanospheres without
      using any templates through a quasi-microemulsion method. Ge nanocrystals are
      preferably self-assembled along the interface of liquid vesicles between water
      and tetrahydrofuran, and well-defined hollow architectures of ~50 nm in diameter
      are formed. Both the wall thickness and hollow interiors can be easily tuned.
      After subsequent carbon coating via pyrolysis of acetylene, the as-formed Ge@C
      nanocomposite with hollow interiors exhibits a highly reversible capacity of
      about 920 mA h g(-1) at 200 mA g(-1) over 50 cycles, and excellent rate
      capability. The small size and the high structural integrity of hollow Ge@C
      structures contribute to the superior lithium-storage performances. 

PMID- 27253081
TI  - Privacy Practices of Health Social Networking Sites: Implications for Privacy and
      Data Security in Online Cancer Communities.
AB  - While online communities for social support continue to grow, little is known
      about the state of privacy practices of health social networking sites. This
      article reports on a structured content analysis of privacy policies and
      disclosure practices for 25 online ovarian cancer communities. All of the health
      social networking sites in the study sample provided privacy statements to users,
      yet privacy practices varied considerably across the sites. The majority of sites
      informed users that personal information was collected about participants and
      shared with third parties (96%, n = 24). Furthermore, more than half of the sites
      (56%, n = 14) stated that cookies technology was used to track user behaviors.
      Despite these disclosures, only 36% (n = 9) offered opt-out choices for sharing
      data with third parties. In addition, very few of the sites (28%, n = 7) allowed
      individuals to delete their personal information. Discussions about specific
      security measures used to protect personal information were largely missing.
      Implications for privacy, confidentiality, consumer choice, and data safety in
      online environments are discussed. Overall, nurses and other health professionals
      can utilize these findings to encourage individuals seeking online support and
      participating in social networking sites to build awareness of privacy risks to
      better protect their personal health information in the digital age. 

PMID- 27253082
TI  - Acetate Salts as Nonhalogen Additives To Improve Perovskite Film Morphology for
      High-Efficiency Solar Cells.
AB  - A two-step method has been popularly adopted to fabricate a perovskite film of
      planar heterojunction organo-lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However,
      this method often generates uncontrollable film morphology with poor coverage.
      Herein, we report a facile method to improve perovskite film morphology by
      incorporating a small amount of acetate (CH3COO(-), Ac(-)) salts (NH4Ac, NaAc) as
      nonhalogen additives in CH3NH3I solution used for immersing PbI2 film, resulting
      in improved CH3NH3PbI3 film morphology. Under the optimized NH4Ac additive
      concentration of 10 wt %, the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) reaches
      17.02%, which is enhanced by ~23.2% relative to that of the pristine device
      without additive, whereas the NaAc additive does not lead to an efficiency
      enhancement despite the improvement of the CH3NH3PbI3 film morphology. SEM study
      reveals that NH4Ac and NaAc additives can both effectively improve perovskite
      film morphology by increasing the surface coverage via diminishing pinholes. The
      improvement on CH3NH3PbI3 film morphology is beneficial for increasing the
      optical absorption of perovskite film and improving the interfacial contact at
      the perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD interface, leading to the increase of short-circuit
      current and consequently efficiency enhancement of the PSC device for NH4Ac
      additive only. 

PMID- 27253079
TI  - Ion channel regulation by beta-secretase BACE1 - enzymatic and non-enzymatic
      effects beyond Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) has become infamous for its pivotal role
      in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consequently, BACE1 represents a
      prime target in drug development. Despite its detrimental involvement in AD, it
      should be quite obvious that BACE1 is not primarily present in the brain to drive
      mental decline. In fact, additional functions have been identified. In this
      review, we focus on the regulation of ion channels, specifically voltage-gated
      sodium and KCNQ potassium channels, by BACE1. These studies provide evidence for
      a highly unexpected feature in the functional repertoire of BACE1. Although
      capable of cleaving accessory channel subunits, BACE1 exerts many of its
      physiologically significant effects through direct, non-enzymatic interactions
      with main channel subunits. We discuss how the underlying mechanisms can be
      conceived and develop scenarios how the regulation of ion conductances by BACE1
      might shape electric activity in the intact and diseased brain and heart.

PMID- 27253083
TI  - Light Field Imaging Based Accurate Image Specular Highlight Removal.
AB  - Specular reflection removal is indispensable to many computer vision tasks.
      However, most existing methods fail or degrade in complex real scenarios for
      their individual drawbacks. Benefiting from the light field imaging technology,
      this paper proposes a novel and accurate approach to remove specularity and
      improve image quality. We first capture images with specularity by the light
      field camera (Lytro ILLUM). After accurately estimating the image depth, a simple
      and concise threshold strategy is adopted to cluster the specular pixels into
      "unsaturated" and "saturated" category. Finally, a color variance analysis of
      multiple views and a local color refinement are individually conducted on the two
      categories to recover diffuse color information. Experimental evaluation by
      comparison with existed methods based on our light field dataset together with
      Stanford light field archive verifies the effectiveness of our proposed
      algorithm. 

PMID- 27253084
TI  - Operative Management of Adult Spinal Deformity Results in Significant Increases
      in QALYs Gained Compared to Nonoperative Management: Analysis of 479 Patients
      With Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospective multicenter adult spinal
      deformity (ASD) database. OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality-adjusted life years
      (QALYs) between operative and nonoperative treatments for ASD patients. SUMMARY
      OF BACKGROUND DATA: Operative management of ASD repeatedly demonstrates
      improvements in HRQOL over nonoperative treatment. However, little is reported
      regarding QALY improvements after surgical correction of ASD. METHODS: Inclusion
      criteria: >=18 years, ASD. Health utility values were calculated from SF6D scores
      and used to calculate QALYs at minimum 2 years from the baseline utility value as
      well as at 1, 2, and 3 years for the available patients. A 1:1 propensity score
      matching using six baseline variables was conducted to account for the nonrandom
      distribution of operative and nonoperative treatments. RESULTS: Four hundred
      seventy-nine patients were included (OP:258, 70.7%, NONOP:221, 47.1%). One
      hundred fifty-one (OP:90, NONOP:61) had complete 1, 2, and 3 year data available
      for QALY trending. Unmatched results are not listed in the abstract. Mean
      baseline utility scores were statistically similar between the matched groups
      (OP: 0.609 +/- 0.093, NONOP: 0.600 +/- 0.091, P = 0.6401) and at 2 year min
      postop mean OP QALY was greater than NONOP (1.377 +/- 0.345 vs. 1.256 +/- 0.286,
      respectively, P < 0.01). For the subanalysis cohort, mean OP QALYs at 1, 2, and 3
      years postoperative were all significantly greater than NONOP, P < 0.03 for all
      (1 yr: 0.651 +/- 0.089 vs. 0.61 +/- 0.079, 2 yr: 1.29 +/- 0.157 vs. 1.189 +/-
      0.141, and 3 yr: 1.903 +/- 0.235 vs. 1.749 +/- 0.198, respectively). Matched OP
      had a larger QALYs gained (from baseline) at 2 year minimum postoperative (0.112
      +/- 0.243 vs. 0.008 +/- 0.195, P < 0.01). For subanalysis of patients with
      complete 1 to 3 years data, OP had a significantly larger QALYs gained at 1, 2,
      and 3 years compared with NONOP: 1 year (0.073 +/- 0.121 vs. 0.029 +/- 0.082, P =
      0.0447), 2 years (0.167 +/- 0.232 vs. 0.036 +/- 0.173, P = 0.0030), and 3years
      (0.238 +/- 0.379 vs. 0.059 +/- 0.258, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The operative
      treatment of adult spinal deformity results in significantly greater mean QALYs
      and QALYs gained at minimum 2 years postop as well as at the 1-, 2-, and 3-year
      time points compared with nonoperative management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 27253085
TI  - Xenon Combined with Therapeutic Hypothermia Is Not Neuroprotective after Severe
      Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is standard treatment following
      perinatal asphyxia in newborn infants. Experimentally, TH is neuroprotective
      after moderate hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in seven-day-old (P7) rats. However, TH is
      not neuroprotective after severe HI. After a moderate HI insult in newborn brain
      injury models, the anesthetic gas xenon (Xe) doubles TH neuroprotection. The aim
      of this study was to examine whether combining Xe and TH is neuroprotective as
      applied in a P7 rat model of severe HI. DESIGN/METHODS: 120 P7 rat pups underwent
      a severe HI insult; unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia (8% O2
      for 150min at experimental normothermia (NT-37: Trectal 37 degrees C). Surviving
      pups were randomised to immediate NT-37 for 5h (n = 36), immediate TH-32: Trectal
      32 degrees C for 5h (n = 25) or immediate TH-32 plus 50% inhaled Xe for 5h (n =
      24). Pups were sacrificed after one week of survival. Relative area loss of the
      ligated hemisphere was measured, and neurons in the subventricular zone of this
      injured hemisphere were counted, to quantify brain damage. RESULTS: Following the
      HI insult, median (interquartile range, IQR) hemispheric brain area loss was
      similar in all groups: 63.5% (55.5-75.0) for NT-37 group, 65.0% (57.0-65.0) for
      TH-32 group, and 66.5% (59.0-72.0) for TH-32+Xe50% group (not significant).
      Correspondingly, there was no difference in neuronal cell count (NeuN marker) in
      the subventricular zone across the three treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate
      therapeutic hypothermia with or without additional 50% inhaled Xe, does not
      provide neuroprotection one week after severe HI brain injury in the P7 neonatal
      rat. This model aims to mimic the clinical situation in severely asphyxiated
      neonates and treatment these newborns remains an ongoing challenge.

PMID- 27253086
TI  - Cigarette Smoke Extract-Exposed Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      Regulates Leukocyte Function for Pulmonary Persistence.
AB  - Cigarette smoke (CS) predisposes exposed individuals to respiratory infections
      not only by suppressing immune response but also by enhancing the virulence of
      pathogenic bacteria. As per our observations, in methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus strain USA300, CS extract (CSE) potentiates biofilm
      formation via the down-regulation of quorum-sensing regulon accessory gene
      regulator. Because accessory gene regulator is a global regulator of the
      staphylococcal virulome, in the present study we sought to identify the effects
      of CS exposure on staphylococcal gene expression using RNAseq. Comparative
      analysis of RNAseq profiles revealed the up-regulation of important virulence
      genes encoding surface adhesins (fibronectin- and fibrinogen-binding proteins A
      and B and clumping factor B) and proteins involved in immune evasion, such as
      staphylocoagulase, staphylococcal protein A, and nuclease. In concurrence with
      the RNAseq data, we observed: (1) significant up-regulation of the ability of CSE
      exposed USA300 to evade phagocytosis by macrophages and neutrophils, a known
      function of staphylococcal protein A; and (2) twofold higher (P < 0.001) number
      of CSE-exposed USA300 escaping neutrophil extracellular trap-mediated killing by
      neutrophils as a result of CS-mediated induction of nuclease. Importantly, in
      three different mouse strains, C57BL6/J, Balb/C, and A/J, we observed
      significantly higher pulmonary bacterial burden in animals infected with CSE
      exposed USA300 as compared with medium-exposed control USA300. Taken together,
      these observations indicate that bioactive chemicals in CS induce hypervirulence
      by augmenting the ability of USA300 to evade bactericidal functions of
      leukocytes, such as phagocytosis and neutrophil extracellular trap-mediated
      killing.

PMID- 27253087
TI  - Prophylaxis in von Willebrand Disease: Coming of Age?
AB  - Although in most cases von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a mild disorder, a
      subgroup of patients experience frequent bleeding. In contrast to severe
      hemophilia in which prophylaxis is the accepted standard of care, this is less
      frequently used in VWD. Most type 1 VWD patients can be adequately managed with
      episodic desmopressin and tranexamic acid. In patients with more severe disease,
      especially those with type 3 VWD, joint bleeds, epistaxis, menorrhagia, and
      gastrointestinal bleeding are problematic and usually require treatment with von
      Willebrand factor/factor VIII (VWF/FVIII) concentrate. While in the past these
      patients were managed with on-demand VWF/FVIII concentrate, several recent
      reports have demonstrated the value of prophylactic treatment. Despite some
      uncertainties about the economic impact of treatment of severe VWD, prophylaxis
      with VWF concentrate should now be considered as the standard of care for the
      more severe end of the spectrum of affected individuals. The recent introduction
      of recombinant VWF concentrate is likely to improve the acceptability of
      prophylaxis in VWD. 

PMID- 27253088
TI  - Severe Thrombotic Complications in Congenital Afibrinogenemia: A
      Pathophysiological and Management Dilemma.
AB  - Congenital afibrinogenemia (CA) is a disease characterized by a complex
      pathophysiology, involving both the procoagulant and fibrinolytic systems, as
      well as platelet activity. Although hemorrhagic diathesis represents the most
      frequent clinical presentation of this disorder, severe thrombotic events can
      occur. It is not yet clear if these events are strictly related to the disease
      itself or to the fibrinogen replacement therapy. Different hypotheses on the
      pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed. It is well known that
      fibrinogen/fibrin has a role in the downregulation of thrombin generation in
      plasma. In the absence of circulating fibrinogen, this "antithrombin" activity is
      missing and plasma thrombin levels rise; this excess of thrombin could promote
      clotting of the infused fibrinogen, initiating the thrombotic process.
      Furthermore, the observation of impaired plasmin generation in the plasma of CA
      patients has raised the hypothesis of a fibrinolytic system deficiency. We report
      the case of a CA male patient who at the age of 36 years experienced an arterial
      thrombosis in his left lower limb. Despite an aggressive medical treatment with
      low-molecular-weight heparin, fibrinolytic and antiplatelet agents, the arterial
      thrombosis progressed to the obstruction of the whole left arterial district and
      the patient underwent the amputation of the left lower limb. This case
      demonstrates the complexity of pathophysiology and clinical management of a "so
      called" bleeding disorder as CA. 

PMID- 27253089
TI  - The electrostatic co-assembly in non-stoichiometric aqueous mixtures of
      copolymers composed of one neutral water-soluble and one polyelectrolyte (either
      positively or negatively charged) block: a dissipative particle dynamics study.
AB  - The electrostatic co-assembly in non-stoichiometric aqueous mixtures of diblock
      copolymers composed of a neutral water-soluble block and an either positively or
      negatively charged polyelectrolyte (PE) block has been studied by dissipative
      particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. The employed DPD variant includes explicit
      electrostatics and enables the investigation of the role of small ions in the co
      assembly. The properties of core-shell associates containing insoluble
      interpolyelectrolyte complex cores and protective neutral shells were
      investigated as functions of the ratio of positive-to-negative charges in the
      system. This ratio was varied by increasing the number of positively charged PE
      chains of the same length as those of negatively charged chains, and by changing
      the PE length and charge density. The simulation results show that the associates
      formed in non-stoichiometric mixtures differ from those formed in stoichiometric
      mixtures: their association numbers are lower, their cores are charged and a
      fraction of excess chains remain free in the non-associated state. The study
      demonstrates the important role of the compatibility of the counterions with the
      polymer blocks. It simultaneously emphasizes the necessity of including the
      electrostatic interaction of all the charged species in the DPD computational
      scheme. 

PMID- 27253136
TI  - Trypanosoma cruzi: Time for International Recognition as a Foodborne Parasite.

PMID- 27253137
TI  - Sensitive and Quantitative Detection of C-Reaction Protein Based on
      Immunofluorescent Nanospheres Coupled with Lateral Flow Test Strip.
AB  - Sensitive and quantitative detection of protein biomarkers with a point-of-care
      (POC) assay is significant for early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of
      diseases. In this paper, a quantitative lateral flow assay with high sensitivity
      for protein biomarkers was established by utilizing fluorescent nanospheres (FNs)
      as reporters. Each fluorescent nanosphere (FN) contains 332 +/- 8 CdSe/ZnS
      quantum dots (QDs), leading to its superstrong luminescence, 380-fold higher than
      that of one QD. Then a detection limit of 27.8 pM C-reaction protein (CRP) could
      be achieved with an immunofluorescent nanosphere (IFN)-based lateral flow test
      strip. The assay was 257-fold more sensitive than that with a conventional Au
      based lateral flow test strip for CRP detection. Besides, the fluorescence
      intensity of FNs and bioactivity of IFNs were stable during 6 months of storage.
      Hence, the assay owns good reproducibility (intra-assay variability of 5.3% and
      interassay variability of 6.6%). Furthermore, other cancer biomarkers (PSA, CEA,
      AFP) showed negative results by this method, validating the excellent specificity
      of the method. Then the assay was successfully applied to quantitatively detect
      CRP in peripheral blood plasma samples from lung cancer and breast cancer
      patients, and healthy people, facilitating the diagnosis of lung cancer. It holds
      a good prospect of POC protein biomarker detection.

PMID- 27253138
TI  - Engineering Gram Selectivity of Mixed-Charge Gold Nanoparticles by Tuning the
      Balance of Surface Charges.
AB  - Nanoparticles covered with ligand shells comprising both positively and
      negatively charged ligands exhibit Gram-selective antibacterial action controlled
      by a single experimental parameter, namely the proportion of [+] and [-] ligands
      tethered onto these particles. Gram selectivity is attributed to the interplay
      between polyvalent electrostatic and non-covalent interactions that work in
      unison to disrupt the bacterial cell wall. The [+/-] nanoparticles are effective
      in low doses, are non-toxic to mammalian cells, and are tolerated well in mice.
      These results constitute the first example of rational engineering of Gram
      selectivity at the (macro)molecular level.

PMID- 27253139
TI  - Self-perceived need for dental treatment and related factors. A cross-sectional
      population-based study.
AB  - This study compared adolescents' self-perceived need for orthodontic treatment
      with the normative need for such treatment and investigated associations between
      socioeconomic and demographic variables and self-perceptions of dental
      malocclusion. This cross-sectional study involved 1015 schoolchildren aged 12-15
      years in Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil. The following data were collected using a
      questionnaire and an orthodontic examination card: demographic and identifying
      data, socioeconomic data, educational levels of family, household income,
      economic classification criteria, and self-reported skin color behavioral data,
      and oral health data. Normative occlusal condition was examined using the Angle
      classification and Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Data were analyzed using the chi
      squared test (to analyze differences in the frequency distribuition of
      qualitative variables) and Poisson regression (to stimate associations between
      the perceived need of orthodontic treatment and study covariates), with a 5%
      significance level. Schoolchildren's self-perceived need for orthodontic
      treatment was associated with sex (p = 0.022) and the normative need for
      treatment (p = 0.004). Among socioeconomic, demographic, and oral health
      variables, only sex [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.15; 95% confidence interval
      (95%CI) = 1.04-1.28; p = 0.009] and the normative need for orthodontic treatment
      (PR = 1.19; 95%CI = 1.08-1.32; p < 0.001) were associated with the perception of
      malocclusion, with female adolescents reporting a greater need for orthodontic
      treatment. Female adolescents seems to be more sensitive to oral health problems.
      The results suggest that the DAI score might reflect a self-perceived need for
      orthodontic treatment and the Angle classification might overestimate the
      orthodontic treatment need. 

PMID- 27253140
TI  - Low-intensity laser phototherapy enhances the proliferation of dental pulp stem
      cells under nutritional deficiency.
AB  - Dental trauma in immature permanent teeth can damage pulp vascularization, which
      leads to necrosis and cessation of apexogenesis. Studies on tissue engineering
      using stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) have yielded
      promising results. Laser phototherapy (LPT) is able to influence the
      proliferation and differentiation of these cells, which could improve tissue
      engineering. SHEDs (eighth passage) were seeded into 96-well culture plates (103
      cells/well) and were grown in culture medium supplemented with 15% defined fetal
      bovine serum (FBS) for 12 h. After determining the appropriate nutrition
      deficiency status (5% FBS), the cells were assigned into four groups: 1) G1 - 15%
      FBS (positive control); 2) G2 - 5% FBS (negative control); 3) G3 - 5% FBS+LPT 3
      J/cm2; and 4) G4 - 5% FBS+LPT 5 J/cm2. For the LPT groups, two laser irradiations
      at 6 h intervals were performed using a continuous wave InGaAlP diode laser (660
      nm, with a spot size of 0.028 cm2, 10 mW) in punctual and contact mode. Cell
      viability was assessed via an MTT reduction assay immediately after the second
      laser irradiation (0 h) and 24, 48, and 72 h later. We found that G3 and G4
      presented a significantly higher cell growth rate when compared with G2 (p <
      0.01). Moreover, G4 exhibited a similar cell growth rate as G1 throughout the
      entire experiment (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that LPT with 5 J/cm2 can
      enhance the growth of SHEDs during situations of nutritional deficiency.
      Therefore, LPT could be a valuable adjunct treatment in tissue engineering when
      using stem cells derived from the dental pulp of primary teeth.

PMID- 27253141
TI  - Prosthetic abutment influences bone biomechanical behavior of immediately loaded
      implants.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the type of prosthetic abutment
      associated to different implant connection on bone biomechanical behavior of
      immediately and delayed loaded implants. Computed tomography-based finite element
      models comprising a mandible with a single molar implant were created with
      different types of prosthetic abutment (UCLA or conical), implant connection
      (external hexagon, EH or internal hexagon, IH), and occlusal loading (axial or
      oblique), for both immediately and delayed loaded implants. Analysis of variance
      at 95%CI was used to evaluate the peak maximum principal stress and strain in
      bone after applying a 100 N occlusal load. The results showed that the type of
      prosthetic abutment influences bone stress/strain in only immediately loaded
      implants. Attachment of conical abutments to IH implants exhibited the best
      biomechanical behavior, with optimal distribution and dissipation of the load in
      peri-implant bone. 

PMID- 27253142
TI  - Validation of cone-beam computed tomography as a predictor of osteoporosis using
      the Klemetti classification.
AB  - This study aimed at evaluating the validity of cone-beam computed tomography
      (CBCT) for assessing mandibular bone quality using the Klemetti classification.
      The morphology of the endosteal mandibular cortex of 30 (60 hemi-mandibles)
      postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 and 80 years was evaluated based on
      the Klemetti classification in panoramic radiographs used as reference images.
      Afterwards, panoramic reconstruction and cross-sectional slices of CBCT
      examinations of these patients were analyzed and categorized according to the
      same classification. All the images were assessed by two oral radiologists. The
      McNemar-Bowker test compared the agreement between the CBCT images and the
      reference images. No differences were found between the diagnostic results based
      on panoramic radiography and panoramic reconstruction. However, the mean scores
      for the cross-sectional evaluation were higher, and the results, statistically
      different from the others. Based on the disagreement found between the panoramic
      radiographs and the CBCT cross-sectional slices, the Klemetti classification is
      not an adequate means of assessing bone quality with CBCT. On the other hand, the
      higher values found for the cross-sectional slices could be associated with
      better visibility on the CBCT images. 

PMID- 27253143
TI  - Maternal care influence on children's caries prevalence in southern Brazil.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the influence of specific maternal-factors on
      caries prevalence in offspring. This cross sectional study was conducted in
      Pelotas, Brazil nested in a cohort of adolescent mothers with children aged 24-42
      months. A questionnaire was administered to collect information in relationship
      to socio-economic, demographic, and behavioral maternal variables. The outcome
      (children's dental caries prevalence - dmfs > 0) was collected from clinical
      examinations. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. A total of 538
      mother/child dyads were evaluated and 15.1% of the children exhibited caries.
      Adjusted multivariate analysis showed children from mothers living without
      partners (p < 0.027) had more caries than those living with partners. Maternal
      perception of a child's oral health was associated to occurrence of caries,
      particularly when mothers classified their child as poor and these children had a
      higher level of caries. In addition, mothers accurately evaluated their child's
      teeth when associated with caries occurrence. Maternal oral health care practices
      were associated with children's caries prevalence. Our results demonstrated
      mothers accurately evaluated the oral health of their offspring. 

PMID- 27253144
TI  - Effect of new innovative restorative carbomised glass cement on intrapulpal
      temperature rise: an ex-vivo study.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the temperature changes that occurred in the pulp
      chamber when using GCP Glass Carbomer Fill (GCP) and two different resin-modified
      glass-ionomer (RGI) restorative materials at different dentin thicknesses. A
      standardized Class I occlusal cavity with 1 mm or 2 mm dentin thickness was
      prepared in the extracted human molar teeth. RGI and GCP fills were placed in the
      cavities and cured with two different light-curing units. This study included a
      total of 120 samples, with 20 samples in each group. The pulp microcirculation
      method was used for measuring the intrapulpal temperature changes. Statistical
      analysis was performed using the two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD multiple comparison
      tests. Statistically significant differences were observed between 1 mm and 2 mm
      dentin thicknesses (p < 0.001). The GCP groups (both 1 mm and 2 mm dentin
      thicknesses) exhibited higher temperatures than the other groups (p < 0.001), and
      Fuji II LC and Photac Fil Quick Aplicap showed similar values (p > 0.05). The
      highest temperature changes were observed with 1 mm dentin thickness. While RGI
      materials in both dentin thicknesses did not cause temperature changes that were
      harmful to the pulp, GCP CarboLED LCU caused the highest intrapulpal temperature
      rise, and these values were borderline harmful to the dental pulp. 

PMID- 27253145
TI  - Thickness and nanomechanical properties of protective layer formed by TiF4
      varnish on enamel after erosion.
AB  - The layer formed by fluoride compounds on tooth surface is important to protect
      the underlying enamel from erosion. However, there is no investigation into the
      properties of protective layer formed by NaF and TiF4 varnishes on eroded enamel.
      This study aimed to evaluate the thickness, topography, nanohardness, and elastic
      modulus of the protective layer formed by NaF and TiF4 varnishes on enamel after
      erosion using nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Human enamel
      specimens were sorted into control, NaF, and TiF4 varnish groups (n = 10). The
      initial nanohardness and elastic modulus values were obtained and varnishes were
      applied to the enamel and submitted to erosive challenge (10 cycles: 5 s cola
      drink/5 s artificial saliva). Thereafter, nanohardness and elastic modulus were
      measured. Both topography and thickness were evaluated by AFM. The data were
      subjected to ANOVA, Tukey's test and Student's t test (alpha = 0.05). After
      erosion, TiF4 showed a thicker protective layer compared to the NaF group and
      nanohardness and elastic modulus values were significantly lower than those of
      the control group. It was not possible to measure nanohardness and elastic
      modulus in the NaF group due to the thin protective layer formed. AFM showed
      globular deposits, which completely covered the eroded surface in the TiF4 group.
      After erosive challenge, the protective layer formed by TiF4 varnish showed
      significant properties and it was thicker than the layer formed by NaF varnish. 

PMID- 27253146
TI  - Clinical outcome of root caries restorations using ART and rotary techniques in
      institutionalized elders.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of root caries
      restorations after a six-month period using two methods, a conventional technique
      with rotary instruments and an atraumatic restorative technique (ART), in an
      institutionalized elderly population in the city of Bogota, Colombia. Root caries
      represents a multifactorial, progressive, chronic lesion with softened, irregular
      and darkened tissue involving the radicular surface; it is highly prevalent in
      the elderly, especially in those who are physically or cognitively impaired. A
      quasi-experimental, double-blind, longitudinal study was carried out after
      cluster randomization of the sample. Two different experienced dentists,
      previously trained, performed the restorations using each technique. After six
      months, two new investigators performed a blind evaluation of the condition of
      the restorations. The results showed a significantly higher rate of success
      (92.9%) using the conventional technique (p < 0.03). However, we concluded that
      ART may have been the preferred technique in the study population because 81% of
      those restorations survived or were successful during the observation period. 

PMID- 27253147
TI  - Mineral metabolism: progress in the face of complexity.

PMID- 27253149
TI  - Glucose time series complexity as a predictor of type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Complexity analysis of glucose profile may provide valuable
      information about the gluco-regulatory system. We hypothesized that a complexity
      metric (detrended fluctuation analysis, DFA) may have a prognostic value for the
      development of type 2 diabetes in patients at risk. METHODS: A total of 206
      patients with any of the following risk factors (1) essential hypertension, (2)
      obesity or (3) a first-degree relative with a diagnosis of diabetes were included
      in a survival analysis study for a diagnosis of new onset type 2 diabetes. At
      inclusion, a glucometry by means of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System was
      performed, and DFA was calculated for a 24-h glucose time series. Patients were
      then followed up every 6 months, controlling for the development of diabetes.
      RESULTS: In a median follow-up of 18 months, there were 18 new cases of diabetes
      (58.5 cases/1000 patient-years). DFA was a significant predictor for the
      development of diabetes, with ten events in the highest quartile versus one in
      the lowest (log-rank test chi2 = 9, df = 1, p = 0.003), even after adjusting for
      other relevant clinical and biochemical variables. In a Cox model, the risk of
      diabetes development increased 2.8 times for every 0.1 DFA units. In a
      multivariate analysis, only fasting glucose, HbA1c and DFA emerged as significant
      factors. CONCLUSIONS: Detrended fluctuation analysis significantly performed as a
      harbinger of type 2 diabetes development in a high-risk population. Complexity
      analysis may help in targeting patients who could be candidates for intensified
      treatment. Copyright (c) 2016 The Authors. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and
      Reviews Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27253150
TI  - Superconductivity and Charge Density Wave in ZrTe3-xSex.
AB  - Charge density wave (CDW), the periodic modulation of the electronic charge
      density, will open a gap on the Fermi surface that commonly leads to decreased or
      vanishing conductivity. On the other hand superconductivity, a commonly believed
      competing order, features a Fermi surface gap that results in infinite
      conductivity. Here we report that superconductivity emerges upon Se doping in CDW
      conductor ZrTe3 when the long range CDW order is gradually suppressed.
      Superconducting critical temperature Tc(x) in ZrTe3-xSex (0 <= x <= 0.1)
      increases up to 4 K plateau for 0.04 <= x <= 0.07. Further increase in Se content
      results in diminishing Tc and filametary superconductivity. The CDW modes from
      Raman spectra are observed in x = 0.04 and 0.1 crystals, where signature of ZrTe3
      CDW order in resistivity vanishes. The electronic-scattering for high Tc crystals
      is dominated by local CDW fluctuations at high temperatures, the resistivity is
      linear up to highest measured T = 300 K and contributes to substantial in-plane
      anisotropy.

PMID- 27253151
TI  - (+) RNA virus replication compartments: a safe home for (most) viral replication.
AB  - This review describes recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms by
      which (+) RNA viruses establish their replication niche.

PMID- 27253152
TI  - Helical tomotherapy for bilateral breast cancer: Clinical experience.
AB  - We report our initial clinical experience with using Helical tomotherapy to
      irradiate the bilateral breasts/chest-wall and regional nodes. METHODS: The
      records of patients who received bilateral irradiation of the breast/chest-wall
      and regional nodes with tomotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical
      outcomes for tumor and normal tissues were assessed. RESULTS: From August 2011 to
      January 2016, nine women were identified; median age 52 years (range 37-74), mean
      follow up was 10.3 months (range 0.3-34). In two patients, tomotherapy
      represented re-irradiation to one side. All received regional nodal irradiation.
      The average lung V20 was 29% (range 25-35), average lung V5 was 66% (range 51
      75). Average heart mean dose was 20 Gy (range 13-28). NORMAL TISSUE OUTCOMES:
      Acute toxicity during radiation included dysphagia (5/9), fatigue (4/9), nausea
      and weight loss (1/9) and skin desquamation (9/9). Two patients were lost to long
      follow-up and one patient recently completed treatment. Longer-term toxicity
      included: pneumonitis (1/6), elevated liver function tests (1/6) and sternal
      osteonecrosis (1/6; in patient with prior sternal surgery). CONCLUSIONS: Despite
      the small numbers of patients and relatively short follow-up, significant
      clinical toxicities were observed. Given the rarity of this situation and
      relatively high rate of complications in this small series, considerable care
      should be taken in minimizing dose to normal structures. Longer follow up with
      larger numbers of patients will be needed to establish safe dosimetric parameters
      for bilateral breasts/chest wall and nodal irradiation with tomotherapy.

PMID- 27253153
TI  - Breast cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: A case-control study.
AB  - Breast cancer is frequently associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE may
      result in significant morbidity, a substantial economic burden and even leads to
      patients' death. Risk factor identification and management of VTE in breast
      cancer patients remains poorly studied. We evaluated breast cancer patients'
      baseline and treatment characteristics in predicting VTE occurrence as well as
      its prognosis. We conducted a case-control study of all breast cancer patients
      with a VTE diagnosed between January 2007 and December 2011 at the Instituto
      Nacional de Cancer (INCA) in Brazil. Two hundred and twenty five patients
      developed VTE and were compared with 225 controls, in the 5-year study period.
      The bulk of the thrombotic events were unilateral (94.2%) VTEs of the lower
      extremity (78.7%), largely proximally located (78%). VTE occurred more often
      within the first 3 years after the diagnosis of cancer (66.2%), being more common
      in the first 6 months (21.8%). Significant predictors of developing VTE were age
      50 years and over (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.16-2.95), PS equal to or above 3 (OR 2.01,
      95% CI: 1.24-3.26), and the presence of a CVC (OR 2.56, 95% CI: 1.42-4.62). This
      large retrospective analysis of VTE in breast cancer patients confirms that most
      events occur early in the treatment course. The incidence of VTE was associated
      with patients' age, PS, and the presence of CVC. Prospective studies are needed
      to evaluate outpatient thromboprophylaxis for selected groups of patients. 

PMID- 27253154
TI  - Microfluidic nanoprecipitation systems for preparing pure drug or polymeric drug
      loaded nanoparticles: an overview.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This review gives an overview of the different microfluidic setups
      used to produce either pure drug or drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles. AREA
      COVERED: We propose a description of the different fluidic principles reported in
      the literature, explaining their respective design and configuration in parallel
      with the technical challenges related to the nanoprecipitation of the polymer, in
      relation with the results obtained, e.g., particle size, distribution and
      productivity. EXPERT OPINION: This review is mostly intended for a broad
      readership and provides key tools regarding the choice of microfluidic setups,
      tailored to given specifications. We discuss the specificities and geometries of
      the microfluidic devices intended to nanoprecipitation, advantages, drawbacks and
      limitations.

PMID- 27253155
TI  - Alcohol attitudes, motives, norms, and personality traits longitudinally classify
      nondrinkers, moderate drinkers, and binge drinkers using discriminant function
      analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Binge drinking is commonly defined in the literature as consuming
      at least 5 drinks for males and 4 drinks for females. These quantities correspond
      to approximately a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, the level of
      intoxication making it illegal to drive in the United States. METHODS: The study
      scrutinized the longitudinal classification of three drinker types using male
      (n=155) and female (n=351) college students. Measures of personality (sensation
      seeking, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and
      openness), alcohol attitudes, alcohol motivations (social, coping, enhancement,
      and conformity), and alcohol social norms (typical students, friends, closest
      friends, and parents) were administered at Time 1. Drinker type (nondrinkers,
      moderate drinkers, or binge drinkers) was assessed one month later. RESULTS:
      Discriminant function analyses revealed that the set of measures statistically
      distinguished among the three drinker types. The first function was significant
      and yielded high loadings for attitudes, social motives, enhancement motives,
      coping motives, closest friend norms, and friend norms for both genders. Model
      classification accuracy was 73% for the male and 67% female samples. Multivariate
      analysis of variance (MANOVA) compared mean differences in a 2 (gender: males or
      females)*3 (drinker type: nondrinkers, moderate drinkers, or binge drinkers)
      design. Measures systematically differing across all pairwise comparisons of the
      three drinker types, starting from the strongest effect (eta-squared), were as
      follows: alcohol attitudes, social motives, enhancement motives, closest friend
      norms, friend norms, coping motives, sensation seeking, and extraversion.
      CONCLUSIONS: Attitude, motivation, and norm variables tended to be more important
      than personality in distinguishing drinker types. Considering the malleability of
      attitudes and belief motivations, the risk variables of alcohol attitudes, social
      motives, and enhancement motives identified in this research warrant
      consideration in prevention and campaign efforts targeting problematic drinking.

PMID- 27253157
TI  - Structure and Stability of Carbohydrate-Lipid Interactions. Methylmannose
      Polysaccharide-Fatty Acid Complexes.
AB  - We report a detailed study of the structure and stability of carbohydrate-lipid
      interactions. Complexes of a methylmannose polysaccharide (MMP) derivative and
      fatty acids (FAs) served as model systems. The dependence of solution affinities
      and gas-phase dissociation activation energies (Ea ) on FA length indicates a
      dominant role of carbohydrate-lipid interactions in stabilizing (MMP+FA)
      complexes. Solution (1) H NMR results reveal weak interactions between MMP methyl
      groups and FA acyl chain; MD simulations suggest the complexes are disordered.
      The contribution of FA methylene groups to the Ea is similar to that of heats of
      transfer of n-alkanes from the gas phase to polar solvents, thus suggesting that
      MMP binds lipids through dipole-induced dipole interactions. The MD results point
      to hydrophobic interactions and H-bonds with the FA carboxyl group. Comparison of
      collision cross sections of deprotonated (MMP+FA) ions with MD structures
      suggests that the gaseous complexes are disordered.

PMID- 27253156
TI  - Maternal AP determinants in the Drosophila oocyte and embryo.
AB  - An animal embryo cannot initiate its journey of forming a new life on its own. It
      must rely on maternally provided resources and inputs to kick-start its
      developmental process. In Drosophila, the initial polarities of the embryo along
      both the anterior-posterior (AP) and dorsal-ventral (DV) axes are also specified
      by maternal determinants. Over the past several decades, genetic and molecular
      studies have identified and characterized such determinants, as well as the
      zygotic genetic regulatory networks that control patterning in the early embryo.
      Extensive studies of oogenesis have also led to a detailed knowledge of the
      cellular and molecular interactions that control the formation of a mature egg.
      Despite these efforts, oogenesis and embryogenesis have been studied largely as
      separate problems, except for qualitative aspects with regard to maternal
      regulation of the asymmetric localization of maternal determinants. Can oogenesis
      and embryogenesis be viewed from a unified perspective at a quantitative level,
      and can that improve our understanding of how robust embryonic patterning is
      achieved? Here, we discuss the basic knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms
      controlling oogenesis and embryonic patterning along the AP axis. We explore
      properties of the maternal Bicoid gradient in relation to embryo size in search
      for a unified framework for robust AP patterning. WIREs Dev Biol 2016, 5:562-581.
      doi: 10.1002/wdev.235 For further resources related to this article, please visit
      the WIREs website.

PMID- 27253170
TI  - Relation Between Solvent Quality and Phase Behavior of Ternary Mixtures of
      Polymers and Two Solvents that Exhibit Cononsolvency.
AB  - The phase boundaries of polymer solutions in mixed solvents can be extremely
      complex due to the many competing van der Waals and associative interactions that
      can arise in these ubiquitous and technologically important complex fluids. The
      present paper focuses specific attention on ternary solutions of polymers (B)
      dissolved in a mixture of two solvents (A, C) that competitively associate with
      the polymer. We are particularly concerned with explaining the origin of the
      peculiar phenomenon of cononsolvency in mixed solvents, where a mixture of two
      individually good solvents behaves effectively as a poor solvent. Our
      computations are based on a recently developed generalization of Flory-Huggins
      theory that incorporates the competitive solvation of a polymer by two
      associating solvents. On the basis of this framework, we evaluate the limit of
      polymer phase stability (spinodal curves) and the second osmotic virial
      coefficient [Formula: see text] as a function of temperature and the composition
      of the pure solvent mixture that is maintained in osmotic equilibrium with the
      ternary solution. The calculations provide new insights into the miscibility
      patterns of ternary A/B/C polymer solutions exhibiting cononsolvency.

PMID- 27253171
TI  - Sorafenib in metastatic uveal melanoma: efficacy, toxicity and health-related
      quality of life in a multicentre phase II study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyse efficacy, safety, and health
      related quality of life (HRQoL) for sorafenib treatment in patients with
      metastatic uveal melanoma. METHODS: A multicentre, single-arm phase II trial was
      conducted. The primary objective was to determine the non-progression rate
      (RECIST) at 24 weeks for patients receiving sorafenib at a dose of 800 mg per
      day. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall
      survival (OS), toxicity, and HRQoL. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were included.
      Ten patients showed non-progression at 24 weeks (31.2%) without objective tumour
      responses. The estimated 24-week PFS was 31.2% (95% CI: 14.8%-47.6%) and the
      estimated 24-week OS was 62.5% (95% CI: 45.4%-79.6%). Ten patients (34.3%) had at
      least one grade 3 or 4 adverse reaction and 12 patients (41.4%) required dose
      modifications due to toxicity. At 24 weeks, no patient had an improvement in
      global HRQoL and 87.5% experienced a permanent increase in physical fatigue.
      CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib demonstrated non-progression at 24 weeks in 31.2% of
      patients. However, 41.4% of patients required dose modifications due to toxicity
      and no improvement in HRQoL was demonstrated.

PMID- 27253173
TI  - Conisation as a marker of persistent human papilloma virus infection and risk of
      breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may increase breast cancer (BC)
      risk. METHODS: To examine this, we used nationwide medical registries to identify
      all Danish women who underwent conisation to remove HPV-associated cervical
      precancerous lesions (n=87 782) from 1978 to 2013. We computed the absolute risk
      of BC and standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%
      CIs) for breast cancer, based on national breast cancer incidence rates. RESULTS:
      Conisation was associated with slightly increased BC incidence (SIR=1.1, 95%
      CI=1.0-1.1), and an absolute BC risk of 7.7% (95% CI=7.3-8.1%) in 35.9 years of
      follow-up. BC risk was elevated throughout follow-up, especially in the first 5
      years (<1 year: SIR=1.2, 95% CI=0.92-1.5; 1-5 years: SIR=1.2, 95% CI=1.1-1.3; ?5
      years: SIR=1.1, 95% CI=1.0-1.1). Women who underwent conisation and had
      autoimmune disease had elevated BC risk after 5 years of follow-up (SIR=1.4, 95%
      CI=1.0-1.8). CONCLUSIONS: BC risk is slightly elevated in women with persistent
      HPV infection, possibly due to detection bias.

PMID- 27253172
TI  - Contemporary accuracy of death certificates for coding prostate cancer as a cause
      of death: Is reliance on death certification good enough? A comparison with
      blinded review by an independent cause of death evaluation committee.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate cause of death assignment is crucial for prostate cancer
      epidemiology and trials reporting prostate cancer-specific mortality outcomes.
      METHODS: We compared death certificate information with independent cause of
      death evaluation by an expert committee within a prostate cancer trial (2002
      2015). RESULTS: Of 1236 deaths assessed, expert committee evaluation attributed
      523 (42%) to prostate cancer, agreeing with death certificate cause of death in
      1134 cases (92%, 95% CI: 90%, 93%). The sensitivity of death certificates in
      identifying prostate cancer deaths as classified by the committee was 91% (95%
      CI: 89%, 94%); specificity was 92% (95% CI: 90%, 94%). Sensitivity and
      specificity were lower where death occurred within 1 year of diagnosis, and where
      there was another primary cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: UK death certificates
      accurately identify cause of death in men with prostate cancer, supporting their
      use in routine statistics. Possible differential misattribution by trial arm
      supports independent evaluation in randomised trials.

PMID- 27253174
TI  - Improvement of cisplatin-related renal dysfunction by synthetic ghrelin: a
      prospective randomised phase II trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid peptide predominantly produced by the
      stomach, exerts powerful renal protective effects by increasing levels of insulin
      like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects
      of ghrelin on the incidence of renal dysfunction in patients receiving cisplatin
      based chemotherapy. METHODS: Forty patients with oesophageal cancer receiving
      cisplatin-based chemotherapy were assigned to either the ghrelin group (n=20),
      which received ghrelin (0.5 MUg kg(-1) h(-1)) for 5 days, or a placebo group
      (n=20). The primary endpoint was serum creatinine. Secondary endpoints were serum
      cystatin C, chemotherapy-related adverse events, changes in serum ghrelin-related
      hormone levels, correlation between markers of renal injury and hormone
      concentrations, and effects on the second cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Blood
      acyl ghrelin, total ghrelin, and IGF-1 concentrations on day 4 were significantly
      higher in the ghrelin group. The renal dysfunction, serum creatinine and cystatin
      C levels, dose reduction, and delay in the initiation of the second cycle of
      chemotherapy were lower in the ghrelin group than in the control group. Serum
      creatinine levels were significantly correlated with serum IGF-1 levels.
      CONCLUSION: Continuous synthetic ghrelin administration during cisplatin-based
      chemotherapy attenuated renal dysfunction and harmful effects on subsequent
      chemotherapy, possibly by increasing IGF-1 levels.

PMID- 27253175
TI  - Expression signature distinguishing two tumour transcriptome classes associated
      with progression-free survival among rare histological types of epithelial
      ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mechanisms of recurrence have been under-studied in rare
      histologies of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) (endometrioid, clear
      cell, mucinous, and low-grade serous). We hypothesised the existence of an
      expression signature predictive of outcome in the rarer histologies. METHODS: In
      split discovery and validation analysis of 131 Mayo Clinic EOC cases, we used
      clustering to determine clinically relevant transcriptome classes using
      microarray gene expression measurements. The signature was validated in 967 EOC
      tumours (91 rare histological subtypes) with recurrence information. RESULTS: We
      found two validated transcriptome classes associated with progression-free
      survival (PFS) in the Mayo Clinic EOC cases (P=8.24 * 10(-3)). This signature was
      further validated in the public expression data sets involving the rare EOC
      histologies, where these two classes were also predictive of PFS (P=1.43 * 10(
      3)). In contrast, the signatures were not predictive of PFS in the high-grade
      serous EOC cases. Moreover, genes upregulated in Class-1 (with better outcome)
      were showed enrichment in steroid hormone biosynthesis (false discovery rate,
      FDR=0.005%) and WNT signalling pathway (FDR=1.46%); genes upregulated in Class-2
      were enriched in cell cycle (FDR=0.86%) and toll-like receptor pathways
      (FDR=2.37%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide important biological insights
      into the rarer EOC histologies that may aid in the development of targeted
      treatment options for the rarer histologies.

PMID- 27253176
TI  - Association between prediagnostic glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and
      meningioma, and reverse causality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although meningioma is a benign tumour, it may cause significant
      morbidity. Obesity and diabetes are positively associated with meningioma. To
      evaluate the potential effects of obesity-related prediagnostic glucose,
      triglycerides and cholesterol on meningioma and of prediagnostic meningioma on
      these biomarkers, we conducted a cohort study. METHODS: We identified 41 355
      individuals in the Apolipoprotein MOrtality RISk cohort with values for these
      biomarkers within 15 years before meningioma diagnosis, death, migration or the
      end of follow-up. We then estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and their interactions
      with time and age using Cox regression. RESULTS: Meningioma was diagnosed in 181
      women and 115 men whose median follow-up time was 7 years. Fasting serum glucose
      level was inversely related to meningioma among women (Ptrend=0.0006) but not men
      (Ptrend=0.24). Prediagnostic diabetes was inversely related to meningioma in both
      sexes combined (HR=0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29-0.71), as was serum
      cholesterol within the year before diagnosis (HR=0.50, 95% CI 0.34-0.72).
      CONCLUSIONS: Paradoxically, hyperglycaemia is inversely associated with
      meningioma in women. This finding does not necessarily negate the positive role
      of obesity or diabetes in meningioma development; rather, it may indicate that
      their effects depend on the stage of development. Furthermore, the prediagnostic
      tumour may reduce serum cholesterol levels.

PMID- 27253178
TI  - Association of vitamin D status with incidence of enterotoxigenic,
      enteropathogenic and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli diarrhoea in children of
      urban Bangladesh.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between vitamin D status and diarrhoeal
      episodes by enterotoxigenic (ETEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enteroaggregative
      (EAEC) E. coli in underweight and normal-weight children aged 6-24 months in
      urban Bangladesh. METHODS: Cohorts of 446 normal-weight and 466 underweight
      children were tested separately for ETEC, EPEC and EAEC from diarrhoeal stool
      samples collected during 5 months of follow-up while considering vitamin D status
      at enrolment as the exposure. Cox proportional hazards models with unordered
      failure events of the same type were used to determine diarrhoeal risk factors
      after adjusting for sociodemographic and concurrent micronutrient status.
      RESULTS: Vitamin D status was not independently associated with the risk of
      incidence of ETEC, EPEC and EAEC diarrhoea in underweight children, but moderate
      to-severe retinol deficiency was associated with reduced risk for EPEC diarrhoea
      upon adjustment. Among normal-weight children, insufficient vitamin D status and
      moderate-to-severe retinol deficiency were independently associated with 44% and
      38% reduced risk of incidence of EAEC diarrhoea, respectively. These children
      were at higher risk of ETEC diarrhoea with vitamin D deficiency status when
      adjusted for micronutrient status only. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates for
      the first time that normal-weight children with insufficient vitamin D status
      have a reduced risk of EAEC diarrhoea than children with sufficient status.
      Moderate-to-severe deficiency of serum retinol is associated with reduced risk of
      EPEC and EAEC diarrhoea in underweight and normal-weight children.

PMID- 27253177
TI  - Risk of venous thromboembolism in people with lung cancer: a cohort study using
      linked UK healthcare data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potentially preventable cause of
      death in people with lung cancer. Identification of those most at risk and high
      risk periods may provide the opportunity for better targeted intervention.
      METHODS: We conducted a cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research
      Datalink linked to Hospital Episode Statistics and Cancer Registry data. Our
      cohort comprises 10 598 people with lung cancer diagnosed between 1997 and 2006
      with follow-up continuing to the end of 2010. Cox regression analysis was
      performed to determine which demographic, tumour and treatment-related factors
      (time-varying effects of chemotherapy and surgery) independently affected VTE
      risk. We also determined the effect of a VTE diagnosis on the survival of people
      with lung cancer. RESULTS: People with lung cancer had an overall VTE incidence
      of 39.2 per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI), 35.4-43.5), though
      rates varied depending on the patient group and treatment course. Independent
      factors associated with increased VTE risk were metastatic disease (hazard ratio
      (HR)=1.9, CI 1.2-3.0 vs local disease); adenocarcinoma subtype (HR=2.0, CI 1.5
      2.7, vs squamous cell; chemotherapy administration (HR=2.1, CI 1.4-3.0 vs outside
      chemotherapy courses); and diagnosis via emergency hospital admission (HR=1.7, CI
      1.2-2.3 vs other routes to diagnosis). Patients with VTE had an approximately 50%
      higher risk of mortality than those without VTE. CONCLUSIONS: People with lung
      cancer have especially high risk of VTE if they have advanced disease,
      adenocarcinoma or are undergoing chemotherapy. The presence of VTE is an
      independent risk factor for death.

PMID- 27253179
TI  - Identification of putative Z-ring-associated proteins, involved in cell division
      in human pathogenic bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
AB  - Cell division in bacteria is initiated by FtsZ, which forms a Z ring at the
      middle of the cell, between the nucleoids. The Z ring is stabilized by Z ring
      associated proteins (Zaps), which crosslink the FtsZ filaments and provide
      strength. The deletion of Zaps leads to the elongation phenotype with an abnormal
      Z ring. The components of cell division in Helicobacter pylori are similar to
      other gram negative bacteria except for the absence of few components including
      Zaps. Here, we used HHsearch to identify homologs of the missing cell division
      proteins and got potential hits for ZapA and ZapB, as well as for few other cell
      division proteins. We further validated the function of the putative ZapA homolog
      by genetic complementation, immuno-colocalization and biochemical analysis.

PMID- 27253180
TI  - Cinnamon extract reduces VEGF expression via suppressing HIF-1alpha gene
      expression and inhibits tumor growth in mice.
AB  - Although many anti-VEGF agents are available for cancer treatment, side effects
      of these agents limit their application for cancer treatment and prevention. Here
      we studied the potential use of a diet-based agent as an inhibitor for VEGF
      production. Using a VEGF reporter assay, our data showed that an extract from
      cinnamon (CE) was a potent inhibitor of VEGF production in human cancer cells and
      suggested inhibition might be mediated through the suppression of HIF-1alpha gene
      expression and protein synthesis. Furthermore, CE treatment was found to inhibit
      expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 and AKT, which are key factors in the
      regulation of HIF-1alpha expression, and significantly reduce angiogenesis
      potential of cancer cells by migration assay. Consistent with these results, we
      observed significant suppression of VEGF expression, blood vessel formation, and
      tumor growth in a human ovarian tumor model in mice treated with CE.
      Cinnamaldehyde, a major component in cinnamon, was identified as one active
      component in CE that inhibits VEGF expression. Taken together, our findings
      provide a novel mechanism underlying anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor actions of CE
      and support the potential use of CE in cancer prevention and treatment. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253181
TI  - Clinical epidemiology of acute hepatitis C in South America.
AB  - There is scarce data pertaining to acute hepatitis C (aHC) infection in South
      America. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and evolution of aHC in a
      South American cohort. A retrospective survey was conducted at 13 hepatology
      units. All patients >=16 years old with aHC diagnosis were included. Demographic,
      clinical and outcome information were registered in a standardized ad hoc
      questionnaire. Sixty-four patients were included. The majority were middle-aged
      (median age: 46 years) and female (65.6%); most of them were symptomatic at
      diagnosis (79.6%). HCV-1 was the most prevalent genotype (69.2%). Five patients
      had liver failure: three cases of severe acute hepatitis, one case of fulminant
      hepatitis and one case of acute-on-chronic liver failure. Nosocomial exposure was
      the most prevalent risk factor. Evolution was assessed in 46 patients. In the
      untreated cohort, spontaneous resolution occurred in 45.8% and was associated
      with higher values of AST/ALT and with the absence of intermittent HCV RNA
      viremia (P = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.01, respectively). In the treated cohort,
      sustained virological response was associated with nosocomial transmission and
      early treatment initiation (P = 0.04 each). The prevalence of nosocomial
      transmission in this South-American cohort of aHC stresses the importance of
      following universal precautions to prevent HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 89:276
      283, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253182
TI  - Educating Mental Health Clinicians About Sensory Modulation to Enhance Clinical
      Practice in a Youth Acute Inpatient Mental Health Unit: A Feasibility Study.
AB  - There is an emergence of literature describing effective sensory modulation (SM)
      interventions to de-escalate violence and aggression among mental health
      inpatients. However, the evidence is limited to adult settings, with the effect
      of SM in youth acute settings unknown. Yet, before SM may be used as a de
      escalation intervention in youth acute settings, multidisciplinary staff need to
      be educated about and supported in the clinical application of SM. In the current
      study, an online SM education package was developed to assist mental health staff
      understand SM. This was blended with action learning sets (ALS), small group
      experiential opportunities consisting staff and consumers to learn about SM
      resources, and the support of SM trained nurses. The aims of the study were to
      evaluate the effectiveness of this SM education intervention in (a) transferring
      knowledge of SM to staff, and (b) translating this knowledge into practice in a
      youth acute inpatient mental health unit. A mixed methods research design with an
      11-item pre- and post-education questionnaire was used along with three-month
      follow-up focus groups. The SM education improved understanding about SM (all 11
      items p <= 0.004, r >= 0.47). Three-months after SM education, four themes
      evident in the focus group data emerged about the practice and process of SM; (1)
      translating of learning into practice, (2) SM in practice, (3) perceptions of SM
      benefits, and (4) limitations of SM. A blended SM education process enhanced
      clinical practice in the unit, yet participants were mindful of limitations of SM
      in situations of distress or escalating agitation. 

PMID- 27253183
TI  - How a Nanostructure's Shape Affects its Lifetime in the Environment: Comparing a
      Silver Nanocube to a Nanoparticle When Dispersed in Aqueous Media.
AB  - Herein, we detail how the morphology of a nanomaterial affects its environmental
      lifetime in aquatic ecosystems. In particular, we focus on the cube and particle
      nanostructures of Ag and age them in various aquatic mediums including synthetic
      hard water, pond water, and seawater. Our results show that in the synthetic hard
      water and pond water cases, there was little difference in the rate of
      morphological changes as determined by UV-vis spectroscopy. However, when these
      samples were analyzed with transmission electron microscopy, radically different
      mechanisms in the loss of their original nanostructures were observed.
      Specifically, for the nanocube we observed that the corners of the cubes had
      become more rounded, whereas the aged nanoparticles formed large aggregates. Most
      interestingly, when the seawater samples were analyzed, the nanocubes showed a
      substantially higher stability in maintaining the nano length scale in comparison
      to nanoparticles overtime. Moreover, high-resolution transmission electron
      microscopy analysis allowed us to determine that Ag+ ions diffused away from both
      the edge and from the faces of the cube, whereas the nanoparticle rapidly
      aggregated under the harsh seawater conditions.

PMID- 27253185
TI  - Ultralong Persistent Room Temperature Phosphorescence of Metal Coordination
      Polymers Exhibiting Reversible pH-Responsive Emission.
AB  - Ultra-long-persistent room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials have
      attracted much attention and present various applications in illumination,
      displays, and the bioimaging field; however, the persistent RTP is generally from
      the inorganic phosphor materials to date. Herein, we show that the metal
      coordination polymers (CPs) could be new types of emerging long-lived RTP
      materials for potential sensor applications. First, two kinds of Cd-based CPs,
      Cd(m-BDC)(H2O) (1) and Cd(m-BDC)(BIM) (2) (m-BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid;
      BIM = benzimidazole), were obtained through a hydrothermal process, and the
      samples were found to exhibit two-dimensional layered structures, which are
      stabilized by interlayer C-H...pi interaction and pi...pi interaction,
      respectively. The CPs show unexpected second-time-scale ultra-long-persistent RTP
      after the removal of UV excitation, and this persistent emission can be detected
      easily on a time scale of 0-10 s. The CPs also feature a tunable luminescence
      decay lifetime by adjusting their coordination situation and packing fashion of
      ligands. Theoretical calculation further indicates that the introduction of the
      second ligand could highly influence the electronic structure and intermolecular
      electron transfer toward tailoring the RTP of the CP materials. Moreover, CP 2
      exhibits well-defined pH- and temperature-dependent phosphorescence responses.
      Therefore, this work provides a facile way to develop new type of CPs with steady
      state and dynamic tuning of the RTP properties from both experimental and
      theoretical perspectives, which have potential applications in the areas of
      displays, pH/temperature sensors, and phosphorescence logic gates. On account of
      suitable incorporation of inorganic and organic building blocks, it can be
      expected that the ultra-long-persistent RTP CPs can be extended to other similar
      systems due to the highly tunable structures and facile synthesis routes. 

PMID- 27253184
TI  - Can Targeted Intervention Mitigate Early Emotional and Behavioral Problems?:
      Generating Robust Evidence within Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - This study examined the impact of a targeted Irish early intervention program on
      children's emotional and behavioral development using multiple methods to test
      the robustness of the results. Data on 164 Preparing for Life participants who
      were randomly assigned into an intervention group, involving home visits from
      pregnancy onwards, or a control group, was used to test the impact of the
      intervention on Child Behavior Checklist scores at 24-months. Using inverse
      probability weighting to account for differential attrition, permutation testing
      to address small sample size, and quantile regression to characterize the
      distributional impact of the intervention, we found that the few treatment
      effects were largely concentrated among boys most at risk of developing emotional
      and behavioral problems. The average treatment effect identified a 13% reduction
      in the likelihood of falling into the borderline clinical threshold for Total
      Problems. The interaction and subgroup analysis found that this main effect was
      driven by boys. The distributional analysis identified a 10-point reduction in
      the Externalizing Problems score for boys at the 90th percentile. No effects were
      observed for girls or for the continuous measures of Total, Internalizing, and
      Externalizing problems. These findings suggest that the impact of this prenatally
      commencing home visiting program may be limited to boys experiencing the most
      difficulties. Further adoption of the statistical methods applied here may help
      to improve the internal validity of randomized controlled trials and contribute
      to the field of evaluation science more generally. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN
      Registry ISRCTN04631728.

PMID- 27253186
TI  - Clinical case report: a rare cause of acute kidney failure - tissue is the issue.
AB  - A patient was admitted to the medical emergency department by his family
      physician. His complaints were weakness and fatigue for more than one week. Four
      days before admission, he went to his general practitioner for these complaints
      and also for painful elbows. His physician prescribed diclofenac and
      esomeprazole. Upon presentation, he had high systolic/diastolic blood pressure
      (>180/>90 mm Hg, measured repeatedly), and otherwise normal parameters. He had
      gained 6.5 kg in body weight. Clinical examination was normal, except for very
      mild bilateral malleolar edema. Routine blood tests showed a strongly elevated
      serum creatinine, hyperkalemia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. Haptoglobin
      levels were normal. Urinalysis showed a normal sediment, urine and blood cultures
      remained sterile. Ophthalmoscopy was completely normal, as was a routine chest X
      ray. Renal ultrasound demonstrated kidneys with a diameter of 13 cm. Due to
      uncontrollable hypertension, our patient was hospitalized at the intensive care
      department where intravenous nifedipine was started, with good instantaneous
      control of blood pressure. Because of increasing potassium levels acute
      hemodialysis was started within 24 h after admission. Differential diagnosis
      consisted of diclofenac- or esomeprazole-induced interstitial nephritis or
      rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. A renal biopsy was performed within 72 h
      after admission. The kidney biopsy showed an overwhelming inflammatory cell
      infiltrate consisting of a monoclonal lymphocytic cell population. However, the
      numerous mitotic figures, polyploidy, and prominent nucleoli present, were
      indicative of a lymphoma. Additional stainings confirmed a non-Hodgkin diffuse
      large-cell B-cell lymphoma. Treatment with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide,
      doxorubicine, vincristine, and prednisolone) was initiated with very good
      clinical and biochemical response, yet only mild recovery of kidney function.
      Occasionally the kidney is involved as an extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
      localization. However, a primary presentation of acute kidney failure due to
      lymphoma localization is extremely rare. Our case demonstrates that early renal
      biopsy is indispensable for fast and adequate diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 27253188
TI  - A phenotype of IGFBP-3 knockout mice revealed by dextran sulfate-induced colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) bioactivity has been
      shown to be attenuated by insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3),
      one of six IGF-binding proteins. While prior work revealed no major phenotype
      associated with IGFBP-3 knockout mice, we explored the possibility that a
      phenotype could be revealed under specific conditions of gastrointestinal stress.
      METHODS: The dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) murine model of ulcerative colitis was
      used for this study. RESULTS: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3
      knockout mice had significantly reduced colitis on exposure to DSS as measured by
      lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (P < 0.0001), TNF-alpha (P =
      0.0035), and IL-1beta (P = 0.0112), reduced weight loss (P < 0.0001), reduced
      myeloperoxidase activity (P = 0.0025), and maintenance of colorectal length (P <
      0.05), all relative to wild-type mice exposed to DSS. IGFBP-3 knockout mice also
      exhibited increased colon epithelial cell proliferation (P < 0.0001) following
      DSS exposure. Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry showed greater IGF-1
      receptor activation in colon epithelial cells of IGFBP-3 knockout mice compared
      with control mice following DSS exposure. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that
      IGFBP-3 influences severity of DSS-induced colitis. The observations suggest that
      in the absence of IGFBP-3, enhanced IGF bioactivity leads to increased epithelial
      proliferation and mucosal barrier repair, thereby lessening inflammation.

PMID- 27253187
TI  - Correlation Analysis between Polysomnography Diagnostic Indices and Heart Rate
      Variability Parameters among Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea
      Syndrome.
AB  - Heart rate variability (HRV) can reflect the changes in the autonomic nervous
      system (ANS) that are affected by apnea or hypopnea events among patients with
      obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). To evaluate the possibility of
      using HRV to screen for OSAHS, we investigated the relationship between HRV and
      polysomnography (PSG) diagnostic indices using electrocardiography (ECG) and PSG
      data from 25 patients with OSAHS and 27 healthy participants. We evaluated the
      relationship between various PSG diagnostic indices (including the apnea hypopnea
      index [AHI], micro-arousal index [MI], oxygen desaturation index [ODI]) and heart
      rate variability (HRV) parameters using Spearman's correlation analysis.
      Moreover, we used multiple linear regression analyses to construct linear models
      for the AHI, MI, and ODI. In our analysis, the AHI was significantly associated
      with relative powers of very low frequency (VLF [%]) (r = 0.641, P = 0.001),
      relative powers of high frequency (HF [%]) (r = -0.586, P = 0.002), ratio between
      low frequency and high frequency powers (LF/HF) (r = 0.545, P = 0.049),
      normalized powers of low frequency (LF [n.u.]) (r = 0.506, P = 0.004), and
      normalized powers of high frequency (HF [n.u.]) (r = -0.506, P = 0.010) among
      patients with OSAHS. The MI was significantly related to standard deviation of RR
      intervals (SDNN) (r = 0.550, P = 0.031), VLF [%] (r = 0.626, P = 0.001), HF [%]
      (r = -0.632, P = 0.001), LF/HF (r = 0.591, P = 0.011), LF [n.u.] (r = 0.553, P =
      0.004), HF [n.u.] (r = -0.553, P = 0.004), and absolute powers of very low
      frequency (VLF [abs]) (r = 0.525, P = 0.007) among patients with OSAHS. The ODI
      was significantly correlated with VLF [%] (r = 0.617, P = 0.001), HF [%] (r = 
      0.574, P = 0.003), LF [n.u.] (r = 0.510, P = 0.012), and HF [n.u.] (r = -0.510, P
      = 0.012) among patients with OSAHS. The linear models for the PSG diagnostic
      indices were AHI = -38.357+1.318VLF [%], MI = -13.389+11.297LF/HF+0.266SDNN, and
      ODI = -55.588+1.715VLF [%]. However, the PSG diagnostic indices were not related
      to the HRV parameters among healthy participants. Our analysis suggests that HRV
      parameters are powerful tools to screen for OSAHS patients in place of PSG
      monitoring. 

PMID- 27253190
TI  - A general risk-based adaptive management scheme incorporating the Bayesian
      Network Relative Risk Model with the South River, Virginia, as case study.
AB  - Adaptive management has been presented as a method for the remediation,
      restoration, and protection of ecological systems. Recent reviews have found that
      the implementation of adaptive management has been unsuccessful in many
      instances. We present a modification of the model first formulated by Wyant and
      colleagues that puts ecological risk assessment into a central role in the
      adaptive management process. This construction has 3 overarching segments. Public
      engagement and governance determine the goals of society by identifying endpoints
      and specifying constraints such as costs. The research, engineering, risk
      assessment, and management section contains the decision loop estimating risk,
      evaluating options, specifying the monitoring program, and incorporating the data
      to re-evaluate risk. The 3rd component is the recognition that risk and public
      engagement can be altered by various externalities such as climate change,
      economics, technological developments, and population growth. We use the South
      River, Virginia, USA, study area and our previous research to illustrate each of
      these components. In our example, we use the Bayesian Network Relative Risk Model
      to estimate risks, evaluate remediation options, and provide lists of monitoring
      priorities. The research, engineering, risk assessment, and management loop also
      provides a structure in which data and the records of what worked and what did
      not, the learning process, can be stored. The learning process is a central part
      of adaptive management. We conclude that risk assessment can and should become an
      integral part of the adaptive management process. Integr Environ Assess Manag
      2017;13:115-126. (c) 2016 SETAC.

PMID- 27253191
TI  - Association of type 2 diabetes susceptibility loci with peripheral nerve function
      in a Chinese population with diabetes.
AB  - AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have suggested a possible relationship
      between type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility loci and diabetic complications.
      The present study aimed to investigate the associations between type 2 diabetes
      mellitus loci with peripheral nerve function in a Chinese population with type 2
      diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,900 type 2 diabetes
      mellitus patients were recruited in the study. We selected ten single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) from ten type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility genes
      previously confirmed in Chinese patients. Genotyping was carried out by using a
      MassARRAY Compact Analyzer. Peripheral nerve function was evaluated by nerve
      conduction studies in all participants. The composite Z-scores for nerve
      conduction parameters including conduction velocity (CV), amplitude and latency
      were calculated, respectively. RESULTS: Rs5219 of KCNJ11 (E23K, G->A) was
      identified to be associated with all the parameters obtained from nerve
      conduction studies (Z-score of CV: beta = 0.113, P = 0.01; Z-score of amplitude:
      beta = 0.133, P = 0.01; Z-score of latency: beta = -0.116, P = 0.01) after
      adjustment for covariates including age, duration and glycated hemoglobin.
      Specifically, each copy of the A allele was related to better outcomes. CDKAL1
      rs7756992 and TCF7L2 rs7903146 correlated with the composite Z-score of amplitude
      (P = 0.028 and P = 0.016, respectively), but not CV (P = 0.393 and P = 0.281,
      respectively) or latency (P = 0.286 and P = 0.273, respectively). There were no
      significant associations between the other seven SNPs and peripheral nerve
      function. CONCLUSIONS: Rs5219 at KCNJ11 (E23K) was associated with peripheral
      nerve function in a Chinese population with type 2 diabetes mellitus, suggesting
      shared genetic factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic polyneuropathy
      in this population.

PMID- 27253192
TI  - Anti-infective Surface Coatings: Design and Therapeutic Promise against Device
      Associated Infections.

PMID- 27253194
TI  - Peak expiratory flow in healthy, young, non-active subjects in seated, supine,
      and prone postures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the PEFs in healthy, young, non-active subjects in seated,
      supine, and prone postures. METHODS: A total of 30 healthy volunteers (15 male,
      mean age 22.7 years, non-smokers, sedentary) underwent a physical examination,
      spirometry to confirm normal pulmonary function, and PEF using the Mini-Wright
      Peak Flow Meter while wearing a nose clip. PEF measurements were repeated three
      times in each of three positions (seated, prone, and supine) in random order and
      differed by less than 20 L/min for a given position. Paired Student's t-tests
      were used to analyze the results, and the significance level was set at 5%.
      RESULTS: The PEF values obtained when the study participants were in a seated
      position (481.0 +/- 115.1 L/min) were higher than those obtained when
      participants were in prone (453.7 +/- 112.1 L/min) or supine (453.2 +/- 114.3
      L/min) positions (p < 0.05). No significant difference in PEF values was observed
      between the prone and supine positions. CONCLUSION: Body posture affects PEF in
      healthy, young, non-active subjects. PEFs are higher when subjects are in a
      seated position compared to prone or supine positions, but no difference in PEF
      is observed between the prone and supine positions.

PMID- 27253193
TI  - Identification of Changes in Gene expression of rats after Sensory and Motor
      Nerves Injury.
AB  - Wallerian degeneration is a sequence of events in the distal stump of axotomized
      nerves. Despite large numbers of researches concentrating on WD, the biological
      mechanism still remains unclear. Hence we constructed a rat model with both motor
      and sensory nerves injury and then conducted a RNA-seq analysis. Here the rats
      were divided into the 4 following groups: normal motor nerves (NMN), injured
      motor nerves (IMN), normal sensory nerves (NSN) and injured sensory nerves (ISN).
      The transcriptomes of rats were sequenced by the Illumina HiSeq. The
      differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of 4 combinations including NMN vs. IMN,
      NSN vs. ISN, NMN vs. NSN and IMN vs. ISN were identified respectively. For the
      above 4 combinations, we identified 1666, 1514, 95 and 17 DEGs. We found that NMN
      vs. IMN shared the most common genes with NSN vs. ISN indicating common
      mechanisms between motor nerves injury and sensory nerves injury. At last, we
      performed an enrichment analysis and observed that the DEGs of NMN vs IMN and NSN
      vs. ISN were significantly associated with binding and activity, immune response,
      biosynthesis, metabolism and development. We hope our study may shed light on the
      molecular mechanisms of nerves degeneration and regeneration during WD.

PMID- 27253195
TI  - Complexes of carborane acids linked by strong hydrogen bonds: acidity scales.
AB  - Carborane acids, currently known as the strongest acis, are analyzed and compared
      with other species classified as superacids as well as with selected mineral
      acids and carbocations. Calculations (B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level) on these
      moieties as well as on their conjugate bases were performed to evaluate
      corresponding proton affinities. In addition, the complexes of these species with
      the CHB11F11(-) anion and the complexes of the conjugate bases with the
      trimethylammonium cation were analyzed. The scales, based on spectroscopic
      results, DFT energies and on the topological QTAIM (Quantum Theory of Atoms in
      Molecules) parameters, are introduced and discussed to order the acidity of the
      species analyzed here. The properties of the bond critical points corresponding
      to the intermolecular contacts are discussed. The majority of the results show
      that HCHB11F11 carborane acid is the strongest in agreement with the previous
      experimental studies of Reed and coworkers. Very often the abovementioned acidity
      scales show that carborane acids are able to protonate hydrocarbons. 

PMID- 27253197
TI  - Non-equilibrium thermodynamics and collective vibrational modes of liquid water
      in an inhomogeneous electric field.
AB  - In this experiment liquid water is subject to an inhomogeneous electric field
      (?(2)Ea~ 10(10) V m(2)) using a high voltage (20 kV) point-plane electrode
      system. Using interferometry it was found that the application of a strong
      electric field gradient to water generates local changes in the refractive index
      of the liquid, polarizes the surface and creates a downward moving electro
      convective jet. A maximum temperature difference of 1  degrees C is measured in
      the immediate vicinity of the point electrode. Raman spectroscopy performed on
      water reveals an enhancement of the vibrational collective modes (3250 cm(-1)) as
      well as an increase in the local mode (3490 cm(-1)) energy. This bimodal
      enhancement indicates that the spectral changes are not due to temperature
      changes. The intense field gradient thus establishes an excited subpopulation of
      vibrational oscillators far from thermal equilibrium. Delocalization of the
      collective vibrational mode spatially expands this excited population beyond the
      microscale. Hindered rotational freedom due to electric field pinning of
      molecular dipoles retards the heat flow and generates a chemical potential
      gradient. These changes are responsible for the observed changes in the
      refractive index and temperature. It is demonstrated that polar liquids can thus
      support local non-equilibrium thermodynamic transient states critical to
      biochemical and environmental processes. 

PMID- 27253196
TI  - Acceptability of Parental Financial Incentives and Quasi-Mandatory Interventions
      for Preschool Vaccinations: Triangulation of Findings from Three Linked Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood vaccinations are a core component of public health
      programmes globally. Recent measles outbreaks in the UK and USA have prompted
      debates about new ways to increase uptake of childhood vaccinations. Parental
      financial incentives and quasi-mandatory interventions (e.g. restricting entry to
      educational settings to fully vaccinated children) have been successfully used to
      increase uptake of childhood vaccinations in developing countries, but there is
      limited evidence of effectiveness in developed countries. Even if confirmed to be
      effective, widespread implementation of these interventions is dependent on
      acceptability to parents, professionals and other stakeholders. METHODS: We
      conducted a systematic review (n = 11 studies included), a qualitative study with
      parents (n = 91) and relevant professionals (n = 24), and an on-line survey with
      embedded discrete choice experiment with parents (n = 521) exploring
      acceptability of parental financial incentives and quasi-mandatory interventions
      for preschool vaccinations. Here we use Triangulation Protocol to synthesise
      findings from the three studies. RESULTS: There was a consistent recognition that
      incentives and quasi-mandatory interventions could be effective, particularly in
      more disadvantaged groups. Universal incentives were consistently preferred to
      targeted ones, but relative preferences for quasi-mandatory interventions and
      universal incentives varied between studies. The qualitative work revealed a
      consistent belief that financial incentives were not considered an appropriate
      motivation for vaccinating children. The costs of financial incentive
      interventions appeared particularly salient and there were consistent concerns in
      the qualitative work that incentives did not represent the best use of resources
      for promoting preschool vaccinations. Various suggestions for improving delivery
      of the current UK vaccination programme as an alternative to incentives and quasi
      mandates were made. CONCLUSIONS: Parental financial incentives and quasi
      mandatory interventions for increasing uptake of preschool vaccinations do not
      currently attract widespread enthusiastic support in the UK; but some potential
      benefits of these approaches are recognised.

PMID- 27253198
TI  - The Anatomy of the Global Football Player Transfer Network: Club Functionalities
      versus Network Properties.
AB  - Professional association football is a game of talent. The success of a
      professional club hinges largely on its ability of assembling the best team.
      Building on a dataset of player transfer records among more than 400 clubs in 24
      world-wide top class leagues from 2011 to 2015, this study aims to relate a
      club's success to its activities in the player transfer market from a network
      perspective. We confirm that modern professional football is indeed a money game,
      in which larger investment spent on the acquisition of talented players generally
      yields better team performance. However, further investigation shows that
      professional football clubs can actually play different strategies in surviving
      or even excelling this game, and the success of strategies is strongly associated
      to their network properties in the football player transfer network. 

PMID- 27253199
TI  - Decay Rate of Correlated Real-Space Delocalization Measures: Insights into
      Chemical Bonding and Mott Transitions from Hydrogen Chains.
AB  - We study in this contribution the spatial decay rate of real-space localization
      and delocalization indices in correlated systems. To that end, we examine Hubbard
      and quantum chemical models of simple cyclic hydrogen chains, showing that all
      descriptors of delocalization converge quickly toward the infinite chain limits.
      It is then shown that the localization index may be understood as a
      generalization of the standard order parameter in Mott insulator transitions and
      that the origin of the enigmatic sigmoidal profile of delocalization indices in
      chemical bond-breaking processes lies in the nonlinear mapping between intersite
      distances and correlation parameters. Although the long-range asymptotic decay of
      delocalization indices is exponential, we show that as the correlation parameter
      decreases quantum mechanical interference sets in and a switch to an oscillating
      pattern, related to core chemical concepts such as resonance or mesomerism,
      appears. 

PMID- 27253200
TI  - Development of operating mode distributions for different types of roadways under
      different congestion levels for vehicle emission assessment using MOVES.
AB  - The Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) quantifies emissions as a function
      of vehicle modal activities. Hence, the vehicle operating mode distribution is
      the most vital input for running MOVES at the project level. The preparation of
      operating mode distributions requires significant efforts with respect to data
      collection and processing. This study is to develop operating mode distributions
      for both freeway and arterial facilities under different traffic conditions. For
      this purpose, in this study, we (1) collected/processed geographic information
      system (GIS) data, (2) developed a model of CO2 emissions and congestion from
      observations, (3) implemented the model to evaluate potential emission changes
      from a hypothetical roadway accident scenario. This study presents a framework by
      which practitioners can assess emission levels in the development of different
      strategies for traffic management and congestion mitigation. IMPLICATIONS: This
      paper prepared the primary input, that is, the operating mode ID distribution,
      required for running MOVES and developed models for estimating emissions for
      different types of roadways under different congestion levels. The results of
      this study will provide transportation planners or environmental analysts with
      the methods for qualitatively assessing the air quality impacts of different
      transportation operation and demand management strategies.

PMID- 27253201
TI  - Morphological and Molecular Identification of the New Species, Trichodina
      pseudoheterodentata sp. n. (Ciliophora, Mobilida, Trichodinidae) from the Channel
      Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in Chongqing China.
AB  - It is difficult to differentiate similar trichodinids solely based on
      morphological examination, thus other identification methods, such as molecular
      identification, are necessary for identification. One mobilid ciliate named
      Trichodina pseudoheterodentata sp. n. was isolated from the gills of channel
      catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in Chongqing, China. In the present study, its SSU
      rDNA was sequenced for the first time. Based on the results from both
      morphological identification and SSU rDNA sequencing, the new species was
      identified and compared with similar species. The morphological analysis revealed
      that T. pseudoheterodentata is a large Trichodina species (cell diameter 73.0
      82.5 MUm) and possesses robust denticles with broad blades and well-developed
      blade connections. Characterization of its primary and secondary SSU rDNA
      structures indicated that T. pseudoheterodentata was distinctly different from
      congeneric species in H12, H15, E10_1, and V4 regions. Phylogenetic analysis
      revealed that the genetic distances among the new species and similar species
      reached interspecific levels, furthermore, the phylogenetic study also validated
      the identification of T. pseudoheterodentata and its placement in the genus
      Trichodina.

PMID- 27253203
TI  - Intermolecular Interactions of a Chiral Amine Borane Adduct Revealed by VCD
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - Amine boranes feature strong hydrogen bonding acceptor and donor moieties in
      close proximity, leading, for instance, to dihydrogen bonding driven self
      aggregation. In this work, the infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism
      (VCD) spectra of the bulky bis(alpha-phenylethyl)amine borane 1 in chloroform and
      acetonitrile solution are reported. By comparison with calculated spectra, the
      VCD spectral features observed in chloroform solution can clearly be associated
      with the presence of monomeric species. A shift of the conformational preferences
      occurs when changing the solvent to acetonitrile, which can only be deduced from
      the VCD spectral signatures but not from the IR spectrum. Using variable
      temperature IR and VCD spectroscopy, the dihydrogen bonded dimeric species is
      characterized experimentally at -50  degrees C and theoretically by means of
      density functional theory calculations. 

PMID- 27253202
TI  - Aligning organizational priorities with ARC to improve youth mental health
      service outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Availability, Responsiveness, and Continuity (ARC) organizational
      intervention is designed to improve community-based youth mental health services
      by aligning organizational priorities with 5 principles of effective service
      organizations (i.e., mission driven, results oriented, improvement directed,
      relationship centered, participation based). This study assessed the effect of
      the ARC intervention on youth outcomes and the mediating role of organizational
      priorities as a mechanism linking the ARC intervention to outcomes. METHOD:
      Fourteen community-based mental health agencies in a midwestern metropolis along
      with 475 clinicians and 605 youth (ages 5-18) served by those agencies were
      randomly assigned to the 3-year ARC intervention or control condition. The
      agencies' priorities were measured with the ARC Principles Questionnaire (APQ)
      completed by clinicians at the end of the intervention. Youth outcomes were
      measured as total problems in psychosocial functioning described by their
      caregivers using the Shortform Assessment for Children (SAC) at 6 monthly
      intervals. RESULTS: The rate of improvement in youths' psychosocial functioning
      in agencies assigned to the ARC condition was 1.6 times the rate of improvement
      in agencies assigned to the control condition, creating a standardized difference
      in functioning of d = .23 between the 2 groups at the 6-month follow-up. The
      effect on youth outcomes was fully mediated by the alignment of organizational
      priorities described in the 5 ARC principles (d = .21). CONCLUSION: The ARC
      organizational intervention improves youth outcomes by aligning organizational
      priorities with the 5 ARC principles. The findings suggest that organizational
      priorities explain why some community mental health agencies are more effective
      than others. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253204
TI  - Physical Activity, Sensation Seeking, and Aggression as Injury Risk Factors in
      Young Swiss Men: A Population-Based Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study investigates the relationships between physical activity
      (PA), sports participation and sensation seeking or aggression and injury risk in
      young men. METHODS: A representative cohort study was conducted with 4686
      conscripts for the Swiss army. Risk factors assessed at baseline were PA, the
      frequency of sports participation, sensation seeking, and aggression. The number
      of injuries during the past 12 months was reported 16 months after baseline.
      Exposure to moderate-tovigorous physical activity (MVPA) was estimated based on
      baseline PA. RESULTS: Among conscripts, 48.5% reported at least 1 injury for the
      past 12 months. After accounting for exposure to MVPA, the most inactive
      individuals (reference group) had the highest injury risk and those with high
      levels of PA and weekly sports participation the lowest (Poisson regression
      analysis: incidence rate ratio = 0.14 [0.12-0.16]). Independent of activity
      level, sensation seeking increased cumulative injury incidence significantly
      (Logistic regression analysis [injured vs. not injured]: odds ratio = 1.29 [1.02
      1.63]) and incidence rates marginally. Aggression was marginally associated only
      with cumulative injury incidence and only in those participating in daily sports.
      CONCLUSIONS: When accounting for exposure to PA, being inactive is a strong
      injury risk factor in young men, whereas the roles of the personality variables
      are less clear.

PMID- 27253205
TI  - Zika Virus, Microcephaly, and Ocular Findings.

PMID- 27253206
TI  - Family Interactions and Developmental Risk Associated With Early Cognitive Delay:
      Influences on Children's Behavioral Competence.
AB  - Family interactions can be important contributors to the development of child
      psychopathology, yet the mechanisms of influence are understudied, particularly
      for populations at risk. This prospective longitudinal study addresses
      differences in whole family interactions in 194 families of young children with
      and without early-identified developmental risk associated with cognitive delay.
      The influence of family interactions on children's later externalizing behaviors,
      internalizing behaviors, and social skills was examined, and developmental risk
      was tested as a potential moderator of these relations. Results indicated that
      the presence of cognitive developmental risk was linked to higher levels of
      family control than in families of typically developing children, but groups did
      not differ on dimensions of cohesion, warmth, organization, or conflict. Observed
      cohesion and organization were associated with better social skills for all
      children, regardless of risk status. Significant interactions emerged, indicating
      that higher levels of conflict and control were associated with higher levels of
      behavior problems, but only for families of typically developing children. These
      findings underscore the importance of family-level assessment in understanding
      the development of children's behavior and suggest the need for deeper analysis
      of the nuances of family process over time.

PMID- 27253207
TI  - Fluorescence Methods for Probing G-Quadruplex Structure in Single- and Double
      Stranded DNA.
AB  - Interest in exploring G-quadruplex (G4) structures in nucleic acids is growing as
      it becomes more widely recognized that these structures have many interesting
      biological roles and chemical properties. Probing the G4-forming potential of DNA
      with dimethyl sulfate, polymerase stop assays, or nuclease digestion are three
      commonly used techniques that usually employ radio-isotopic labels for
      visualization. However, as fluorescent labeling methods have grown in popularity
      and versatility, many laboratories have moved away from the routine use of radio
      isotopic methods. We have adapted traditional procedures for structural analysis
      of G4-forming DNA sequences by using fluorescent labels and capillary
      electrophoresis and demonstrate their application to well-studied G4 structures,
      including c-MYC PU27 G4. The three fluorescent assays described here allow
      interrogation of G4 structures in double- and single-stranded DNA substrates,
      using either chemical or enzymatic cleavage. When combined, these techniques can
      provide valuable information for the investigation of G4 topology and structure,
      as well as visualizing any structural effects caused by interaction of
      quadruplexes with the complementary C-rich DNA strand.

PMID- 27253208
TI  - Influence of Perspective of Action Observation Training on Residual Limb Control
      in Naive Prosthesis Usage.
AB  - Prior work in amputees and partial limb immobilization have shown improved neural
      and behavioral outcomes in using their residual limb with prosthesis when
      undergoing observation-based training with a prosthesis-using actor compared to
      an intact limb. It was posited that these improvements are due to an alignment of
      user with the actor. It may be affected by visual angles that allow emphasis of
      critical joint actions which may promote behavioral changes. The purpose of this
      study was to examine how viewing perspective of observation-based training
      effects prosthesis adaptation in naive device users. Twenty nonamputated
      prosthesis users learned how to use an upper extremity prosthetic device while
      viewing a training video from either a sagittal or coronal perspective. These
      views were chosen as they place visual emphasis on different aspects of task
      performance to the device. The authors found that perspective of actions has a
      significant role in adaptation of the residual limb while using upper limb
      prostheses. Perspectives that demonstrate elbow adaptations to prosthesis usage
      may enhance the functional motor outcomes of action observation therapy. This
      work has potential implications on how prosthetic device operation is conveyed to
      persons adapting to prostheses through action observation based therapy.

PMID- 27253210
TI  - Inflammatory cytokines influence measures of white matter integrity in Bipolar
      Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bipolar Disorder (BD) is associated with elevated biomarkers of cell
      mediated immune activation and inflammation and with signs of widespread
      disruption of white matter (WM) integrity in adult life. Consistent findings in
      animal models link WM damage in inflammatory diseases of the brain and serum
      levels of cytokines. METHODS: With an exploratory approach, we tested the effects
      of 22 serum analytes, including pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and
      neurotrophic/hematopoietic factors, on DTI measures of WM microstructure in a
      sample of 31 patients with a major depressive episode in course of BD. We used
      whole brain tract-based spatial statistics in the WM skeleton with threshold-free
      cluster enhancement of DTI measures of WM microstructure: axial (AD), radial
      (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA). RESULTS: The
      inflammation-related cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-8, IFN-gamma and IL-10, and the
      growth factors IGFBP2 and PDGF-BB, shared the same significant associations with
      lower FA, and higher MD and RD, in large overlapping networks of WM fibers mostly
      located in the anterior part of the brain and including corpus callosum,
      cingulum, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi, inferior fronto-occipital
      fasciculi, uncinate, forceps, corona radiata, thalamic radiation, internal
      capsule. CONCLUSIONS: Higher RD is thought to signify increased space between
      fibers, suggesting demyelination or dysmyelination. The pattern of higher RD and
      MD with lower FA suggests that inflammation-related cytokine and growth factor
      levels inversely associate with integrity of myelin sheaths. The activated
      inflammatory response system might contribute to BD pathophysiology by hampering
      structural connectivity in critical cortico-limbic networks.

PMID- 27253209
TI  - Predicting Allosteric Effects from Orthosteric Binding in Hsp90-Ligand
      Interactions: Implications for Fragment-Based Drug Design.
AB  - A key question in mapping dynamics of protein-ligand interactions is to
      distinguish changes at binding sites from those associated with long range
      conformational changes upon binding at distal sites. This assumes a greater
      challenge when considering the interactions of low affinity ligands (dissociation
      constants, KD, in the MUM range or lower). Amide hydrogen deuterium Exchange mass
      spectrometry (HDXMS) is a robust method that can provide both structural insights
      and dynamics information on both high affinity and transient protein-ligand
      interactions. In this study, an application of HDXMS for probing the dynamics of
      low affinity ligands to proteins is described using the N-terminal ATPase domain
      of Hsp90. Comparison of Hsp90 dynamics between high affinity natural inhibitors
      (KD ~ nM) and fragment compounds reveal that HDXMS is highly sensitive in mapping
      the interactions of both high and low affinity ligands. HDXMS reports on changes
      that reflect both orthosteric effects and allosteric changes accompanying
      binding. Orthosteric sites can be identified by overlaying HDXMS onto structural
      information of protein-ligand complexes. Regions distal to orthosteric sites
      indicate long range conformational changes with implications for allostery.
      HDXMS, thus finds powerful utility as a high throughput method for compound
      library screening to identify binding sites and describe allostery with important
      implications for fragment-based ligand discovery (FBLD).

PMID- 27253211
TI  - Significantly improved neurocognitive function in major depressive disorders 6
      weeks after ECT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive side effects may occur after electroconvulsive treatment
      (ECT) in depressive disorder patients. Previous studies have been limited by
      small numbers of cognitive functions assessed. The present study reports the
      first results from a prospective project monitoring cognitive effects of ECT
      using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and subjective report of
      everyday cognitive function. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with major depressive
      disorder were assessed with the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB).
      Subjective cognitive complaints were described with the Everyday Memory
      Questionnaire (EMQ). Severity of depression symptoms were assessed with the
      Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). These assessments were
      performed prior to and 6 weeks after non-standardized ECT. RESULTS: Compared to
      baseline, the mean depression severity level was nearly halved and there were
      significant improvements in mean levels of Speed of Processing,
      Attention/Vigilance, and Visual Learning 6 weeks after ECT. The other cognitive
      domains were not altered from baseline. There was no significant change in
      subjective cognitive complaints. At baseline, there were several significant
      correlations between the MADRS and MCCB scores. There was no strong association
      between the EMQ and MCCB scores at either assessment point, but the post-ECT EMQ
      score was significantly correlated with depression severity. LIMITATIONS: Major
      limitations were low N and lack of uniform ECT procedure. CONCLUSIONS: There was
      significant improvement in Speed of Processing, Attention/Vigilance, and Visual
      Learning 6 weeks after ECT. Cognitive tests scores were related to severity of
      depression, but not to subjective memory complaints.

PMID- 27253212
TI  - Psychometric validation of the 16 Item Quick Inventory of Depressive
      Symptomatology Self-Report Version (QIDS-SR16) in military veterans with PTSD.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS
      SR16) is one example of a screening tool for depression, which has been utilized
      extensively following validation in a number of clinical populations. Despite the
      strengths of the QIDS-SR16, it has not been validated in military veterans, a
      particularly unique population considering their exposure to trauma and high rate
      of psychiatric comorbidities. The current report describes a psychometric
      validation of the QIDS-SR16 in a sample of United States military veterans
      diagnosed with military-related PTSD. METHODS: Participants (n=240) were
      administered the QIDS-SR16 and one of two gold-standard semi-structured
      interviews to establish diagnosis of a current Major Depressive Episode (MDE).
      The ability to discriminate between individuals with and without a current MDE
      using the QIDS-SR16 was tested with a stepwise logistic regression. Additionally,
      an optimal cutoff score for the QIDS-SR16 was established. RESULTS: The QIDS-SR16
      was able to reliabily discriminate between individuals with and without a current
      MDE. The optimal cutoff score of the QIDS-SR16 for a current MDE was 13, with a
      sensitivity of 77.55% and specificity of 56.25%. LIMITATIONS: Limitations of this
      study included underrepresentation of some racial/ethnic groups, the inability to
      disentangle the potential influence of trauma type and gender on results, and the
      use of two diagnostic interviews to diagnose current MDE. DISCUSSION: The QIDS
      SR16 can be effectively utilized in military veterans with comorbid PTSD.
      However, the calculated cutoff score for this population was higher than the
      cutoff score for the general population. This could result from the overlap
      between PTSD and MDE symptoms.

PMID- 27253214
TI  - The long-term outcomes of an effectiveness trial of group versus individual
      psychoeducation for bipolar disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this effectiveness trial we compared the long-term effects on
      hospitalizations of group psychoeducation (GP) versus individual psychoeducation
      (IP) for a heterogeneous sample of patients with BD recruited from general
      clinical settings. METHODS: Eighty-five patients with BD were randomized to
      receive 10 weekly sessions of GP followed by 8 booster-sessions over the next two
      years, or three sessions of IP. Time to first admission over the course of GP was
      the primary outcome measure, with additional outcomes examining the use of
      psychiatric services over about 8 years. RESULTS: Patients allocated to GP had
      longer survival time compared to IP over 27 months (p<0.05). There were also
      group differences in survival time over 8 years, but treatment allocation alone
      was no longer a significant predictor of survival time (p=0.07). There was an
      interaction between group (GP/IP) and harmful substance use (HSU), such that GP
      cases with comorbid HSU had the shortest survival time, whilst GP cases without
      HSU survived the longest (p=0.02). Also, GP cases had a small but significant
      reduction in hospital use compared with IP (p=0.04). LIMITATIONS: We did not have
      a 'pure' treatment as usual group. Wide confidence intervals for some of the odds
      ratios suggest that the findings need to be treated with some caution.
      Insufficient sample size for more detailed subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: GP is
      superior to IP in delaying hospitalizations in a clinically representative
      population. However, GP did not prevent or delay admissions in BD patients with
      HSU.

PMID- 27253213
TI  - Mood and motor activity in euthymic bipolar disorder with sleep disturbance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aims of this observational study of patients with euthymic
      bipolar disorder and sleep disturbance were to 1) compare characteristics related
      to mood and sleep between two groups with stable and unstable rest-activity
      cycles and 2) detect between-group differences in motor activity patterns.
      METHODS: 43 patients wore an actigraph for 6-8 days while reporting daily mood
      and sleep. Patients were defined as having an unstable rest-activity cycle if
      their diurnal active period duration presented variation above 2h from the mean
      during one week: 22 patients had stable and 21 unstable rest-activity cycles.
      Mood variability was defined as at least moderate symptoms and a change across
      two levels on a 7-point mood scale during one week. RESULTS: Patients with
      unstable rest-activity cycles were younger (37 vs. 48 years, p=0.01) and
      displayed more mood variability (p=0.02). Ten of 11 patients diagnosed with
      delayed sleep phase disorder were in the unstable group (p<0.01), and the
      unstable group had later and more variable get-up-times and bedtimes. In
      actigraphy recordings, the mean activity counts per minute did not differ between
      groups, but the minute-to-minute variability was elevated (p=0.04) and increased
      relative to the overall variability (p=0.03). LIMITATIONS: A relatively small
      study sample and a 1-week study period prevent exploration of long-term clinical
      implications of results. CONCLUSIONS: A subgroup of euthymic patients with
      bipolar disorder displayed unstable rest-activity cycles combined with mood
      variability and motor activity patterns that resemble findings in affective
      episodes.

PMID- 27253215
TI  - The relationship of self-compassion and depression: Cross-lagged panel analyses
      in depressed patients after outpatient therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous cross-sectional studies suggest that self-compassion and
      depressive symptoms are consistently negatively associated. Although it is often
      implicitly assumed that (a lack of) self-compassion precedes depressive symptoms,
      so far no study has tested whether (lack of) self-compassion is a cause or a
      consequence of depressive symptoms, or both. METHOD: To examine such reciprocal
      effects, we used data of 125 depressed outpatients after a time limited cognitive
      behavioral psychotherapy. We assessed self-compassion and depressive symptoms via
      self-report measures and the presence of a major depressive episode directly
      after therapy, as well as 6 and 12 months later. RESULTS: Cross-lagged panel
      analyses indicated that (lack of) self-compassion significantly predicted
      subsequent depressive symptoms while controlling for autoregressive effects,
      whereas depressive symptoms did not predict subsequent levels of self-compassion.
      This was also the case for the relationship between self-compassion and the
      presence of a major depressive episode. The same patterns also occurred when we
      separately tested the reciprocal effects for two composite sub-measures of either
      positive or negative facets of self-compassion. LIMITATIONS: Causality cannot be
      inferred from our results. Depressive symptoms and self-compassion could still be
      causally unrelated, and a third variable could account for their negative
      association. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the notions that (a lack of)
      self-compassion could serve as a vulnerability factor for depression and that
      cultivating self-compassion may deserve a focus in depression prevention programs
      or treatments.

PMID- 27253216
TI  - Cognitive effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in depression:
      Results from the SELECT-TDCS trial and insights for further clinical trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction treatment remains an unmet clinical need in
      major depressive disorder (MDD). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
      may improve cognitive symptoms in MDD. Our aim was to investigate the cognitive
      effects of tDCS in the Sertraline vs. Electric Current Therapy for Treating
      Depression Clinical Study (SELECT-TDCS). We also explored whether tDCS could have
      mood-independent cognitive effects. METHODS: One hundred twenty MDD patients aged
      from 18 to 65 years received 12 sessions of active/sham tDCS (2mA for 30min) and
      real/placebo 50mg/d sertraline over 6 weeks in a factorial trial. We analyzed
      whether changes in performance of neuropsychological tests (Trail Making, Digit
      Span, Stroop Task, Mini-Mental Status Exam and Montreal Cognitive Assessment)
      occurred over time, according to treatment group and depression improvement.
      Exploratory analyses were carried out to verify the influence of clinical and
      demographic variables on the outcomes. RESULTS: Cognitive improvement was showed
      in most tests used, although they occurred regardless of intervention type and
      depression improvement. Further exploratory analyses revealed that clinical
      response and education level could have mediated pro-cognitive tDCS effects on
      some of the tests used. LIMITATIONS: The neuropsychological battery used might
      not have been sensitive to detect tDCS-induced effects on cognition. Lack of
      simultaneous cognitive training during application may have also limited its
      cognitive effects. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of beneficial or deleterious
      cognitive effects of tDCS as a treatment for depression. We discussed clinical
      trial design considerations for further tDCS studies assessing cognitive effects,
      including sample and outcomes considerations.

PMID- 27253217
TI  - Quality of life in youth with bipolar disorder and unaffected offspring of
      parents with bipolar disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There have been few studies investigating quality of life (QoL) in
      pediatric bipolar disorder (BD) patients and none comparing it with that observed
      in unaffected offspring of parents with BD and healthy controls. METHODS: The
      self-report Youth Quality of Life Instrument-Research version (YQoL-R) was
      administered in 26 pediatric BD patients, 17 unaffected offspring of parents with
      BD, and 24 individuals with no history of DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric disorders.
      All diagnoses were determined through interviews based on the Kiddie Schedule for
      Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and
      Lifetime Version. RESULTS: There were statistical differences among the groups
      for all YQoL-R domains. Pairwise comparisons showed that perceived QoL was
      significantly worse in the BD group than in the unaffected offspring and healthy
      subjects, a difference that persisted even when only euthymic subjects were
      analyzed. There were no significant differences between the unaffected offspring
      and healthy subjects for any YQoL-R domain. LIMITATIONS: Our sample was small.
      There was no QoL report from subjects parents nor data about family environment
      or BD parents' mood state. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for studies to
      investigate in greater detail the relationship between QoL and psychological
      resilience, particularly in the unaffected offspring of parents with BD.

PMID- 27253218
TI  - The ebb and flow of the wish to live and the wish to die among suicidal military
      personnel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relative balance between the wish to live and the wish to die
      (i.e., suicidal ambivalence) is a robust predictor of suicidal behavior and may
      be a mechanism underlying the effectiveness of treatments that reduce suicidal
      behaviors. To date, however, few studies have explored possible mechanisms of
      action in these treatments. METHOD: Active duty Soldiers (N=152) with a recent
      suicide attempt and/or active suicide ideation were randomized to receive brief
      cognitive behavioral therapy (BCBT) or treatment as usual (TAU). The Suicide
      Attempt Self-Injury Inventory (Linehan et al., 2006a) was used to assess the
      incidence of suicide attempts during the 2-year follow-up. The wish to live and
      the wish to die were assessed with items 1 and 2, respectively, of the Beck Scale
      for Suicide Ideation (Beck and Steer, 1991). RESULTS: Across both treatments, the
      wish to live was significantly weaker among patients who attempted suicide but
      the wish to die was stronger only among patients who attempted suicide in TAU.
      Among nonattempters, the wish to die stabilized the wish to live, but among
      attempters the wish to live and the wish to die were not associated with each
      other. In BCBT the wish to live destabilized the wish to die among nonattempters.
      LIMITATIONS: Self-report methodology, predominantly male sample. CONCLUSIONS: The
      emergence of suicidal behavior is driven primarily by the absence of the wish to
      live. BCBT is associated with a unique coupling of an ambivalent wish to live and
      wish to die, which may suggest an underlying mechanism of action.

PMID- 27253219
TI  - Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examines
      the efficacy of physical exercise as treatment for unipolar depression, both as
      an independent intervention and as an adjunct intervention to antidepressant
      medication. METHODS: We searched PsycINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Sports
      Discus for articles published until November 2014. Effect sizes were computed
      with random effects models. The main outcome was reduction in depressive symptoms
      or remission. RESULTS: A total of 23 RCTs and 977 participants were included.
      Physical exercise had a moderate to large significant effect on depression
      compared to control conditions (g=-0.68), but the effect was small and not
      significant at follow-up (g=-0.22). Exercise compared to no intervention yielded
      a large and significant effect size (g=-1.24), and exercise had a moderate and
      significant effect compared to usual care (g=-0.48). The effects of exercise when
      compared to psychological treatments or antidepressant medication were small and
      not significant (g=-0.22 and g=-0.08, respectively). Exercise as an adjunct to
      antidepressant medication yielded a moderate effect (g=-0.50) that trended toward
      significance. LIMITATIONS: Use of the arms with the largest clinical effect
      instead of largest dose may have overestimated the effect of exercise.
      CONCLUSIONS: Physical exercise is an effective intervention for depression. It
      also could be a viable adjunct treatment in combination with antidepressants.

PMID- 27253221
TI  - Sexual activity after dysvascular lower extremity amputation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of sexual activity
      among individuals experiencing their first dysvascular lower extremity
      amputation. DESIGN: A prospective cohort was recruited from 4 Veterans Affairs
      Medical Centers. Of 198 potential participants who met inclusion criteria, 113
      (57%) agreed to participate within 7 days of amputation (baseline) and 6 weeks, 4
      months, and 12 months post-amputation; 105 completed the sexual activity items at
      baseline. Measures included self-reported frequency of sexual activity; desire
      for more or less sexual activity; importance of sexual activity to satisfaction
      with life; Patient Health Questionnaire-9; Locomotor Capability Index-5; pain
      intensity/frequency; quality of life. RESULTS: Depending on the time period post
      amputation, 11%-24% reported engaging in any sexual activity, although a majority
      indicated that sexual activity is very important to their satisfaction with life.
      Frequency of sexual activity increased between 6 weeks and 4 and 12 months post
      amputation. In univariate analyses, older age was associated with decreased
      sexual activity at all time points; at 4 and 12 months, greater mobility was
      associated with increased sexual activity. In multivariable models, mobility was
      associated with sexual activity at 4 and 12 months; age and race remained
      associated with sexual activity at 4 and 12 months, respectively. At all time
      points, frequency and importance of sexual activity were significantly associated
      with one another. CONCLUSIONS: Although a minority of individuals engaged in any
      sexual activity during the study period, it remained an important factor in
      overall satisfaction with life. Younger age and improved mobility were associated
      with increased sexual activity. Rehabilitation specialists are encouraged to
      address sexuality and, if relevant, incorporate it into rehabilitation goals.
      (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253220
TI  - Development of Sulfonamide Photoaffinity Inhibitors for Probing Cellular gamma
      Secretase.
AB  - gamma-Secretase is a multiprotein complex that catalyzes intramembrane
      proteolysis associated with Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Here, we have
      developed potent sulfonamide clickable photoaffinity probes that target gamma
      secretase in vitro and in cells by incorporating various photoreactive groups and
      walking the clickable alkyne handle to different positions around the molecule.
      We found that benzophenone is preferred over diazirine as a photoreactive group
      within the sulfonamide scaffold for labeling gamma-secretase. Intriguingly, the
      placement of the alkyne at different positions has little effect on probe potency
      but has a significant impact on the efficiency of labeling of gamma-secretase.
      Moreover, the optimized clickable photoprobe, 163-BP3, was utilized as a cellular
      probe to effectively assess the target engagement of inhibitors with gamma
      secretase in primary neuronal cells. In addition, biotinylated 163-BP3 probes
      were developed and used to capture the native gamma-secretase complex in the 3
      [(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPSO)
      solubilized state. Taken together, these next generation clickable and
      biotinylated sulfonamide probes offer new tools to study gamma-secretase in
      biochemical and cellular systems. Finally, the data provide insights into
      structural features of the sulfonamide inhibitor binding site in relation to the
      active site and into the design of clickable photoaffinity probes.

PMID- 27253222
TI  - Parental reflective functioning and the neural correlates of processing infant
      affective cues.
AB  - Parental reflective functioning refers to the capacity for a parent to understand
      their own and their infant's mental states, and how these mental states relate to
      behavior. Higher levels of parental reflective functioning may be associated with
      greater sensitivity to infant emotional signals in fostering adaptive and
      responsive caregiving. We investigated this hypothesis by examining associations
      between parental reflective functioning and neural correlates of infant face and
      cry perception using event-related potentials (ERPs) in a sample of recent
      mothers. We found both early and late ERPs were associated with different
      components of reflective functioning. These findings suggest that parental
      reflective functioning may be associated with the neural correlates of infant cue
      perception and further support the value of enhancing reflective functioning as a
      mechanism in parenting intervention programs.

PMID- 27253223
TI  - Suppression of alpha-Amylase inactivation in the presence of ethanol: Application
      of a two-step model.
AB  - A number of years ago we reported a two-step inactivation mechanism for alpha
      amylase (enzyme) on the basis of theoretical and experimental studies in aqueous
      solutions. In the first step the metal (Ca2+ ) ion dissociates reversibly from
      the enzyme followed by an irreversible thermal inactivation of the apoenzyme. In
      this study we report inactivation of the enzyme in the presence of ethanol-water
      solutions. We noticed that as the concentration of ethanol in the aqueous
      solution is increased, the thermal inactivation of the enzyme is suppressed with
      almost no inactivation (in 1 h, 30 degrees C) when 50% alcohol is present in the
      solution. These results are explained by the two-step inactivation model. (c)
      2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1271-1275,
      2016.

PMID- 27253226
TI  - Phonological awareness intervention and attention efficiency in children at risk:
      evidence of effectiveness on visual attention.
AB  - Using a pretest and posttest comparison group design, this 20 weeks study
      investigated the effects of a phonological awareness training program (PATP) on
      attention efficiency (AE) in 57 children (age = 5 to 6 years) at risk. The
      experimental group received the PATP (EG; n=30). We obtained pretest and posttest
      measures of phonological awareness and AE. The ANOVA showed significant
      interaction effects of the PATP and time on phonological awareness and AE. For
      both groups, posttest AE score means were higher than pretest score means.
      Pretest measures showed that the AE score mean for the EG was lower than that for
      the Control Group (CG; n=31); whereas posttest data showed no between group
      differences. Contrast analysis showed that the EG gained a greater level of
      phonological awareness ability and AE over CG. Our results indicate that
      children's attention efficiency not only improved as they developed, but also
      increased by means of a PATP. 

PMID- 27253225
TI  - Questionnaire validation - PEACH on Brazilian Portuguese.
AB  - PURPOSE: Translate, adapt and validate the Parent's Evaluation of Aural/Oral
      Performance of Children questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese, as well as
      analyzing the interaction between parents/caregivers and children. METHODS: After
      translated, back translated and adapted this questionnaire was administered to 13
      parents or guardians of children with moderate to severe hearing loss that were
      treated in the ambulatory of audiology of the Institution. Parents should fill
      out the diary, answering the questionnaire, giving as many examples of observed
      behaviors for each question and return for follow-up after a week for an
      interview with the evaluator or child's therapist. RESULTS: Data are presented in
      frequency and percentage. We used chi-square test with a 5% significance level
      (p). Two questions were culturally adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. The
      questionnaires were answered by mothers most of the time (69.2%). CONCLUSIONS:
      The questionnaire was translated and adapted respecting the cultural aspects of
      the Brazilian population. It was observed that, for some questions, it is
      necessary care when analyzing the answers that parents provide, taking into
      consideration the child's age and linguistic content that is required for the
      observed behavior, avoiding erroneous interpretations made on the quality of
      amplification and the use of hearing aids or CI due to this. The questionnaire is
      of great importance since it measures the performance of children in their daily
      life situations.

PMID- 27253224
TI  - Addition of Anti-Angiogenetic Therapy with Bevacizumab to Chemo- and Radiotherapy
      for Leptomeningeal Metastases in Primary Brain Tumors.
AB  - Leptomeningeal dissemination of a primary brain tumor is a condition which is
      challenging to treat, as it often occurs in rather late disease stages in highly
      pretreated patients. Its prognosis is dismal and there is still no accepted
      standard of care. We report here a good clinical effect with a partial response
      in three out of nine patients and a stable disease with improvement on symptoms
      in two more patients following systemic anti-angiogenic treatment with
      bevacizumab (BEV) alone or in combination with chemo- and/or radiotherapy in a
      series of patients with leptomeningeal dissemination from primary brain tumors
      (diffuse astrocytoma WHO degrees II, anaplastic astrocytoma WHO degrees III,
      anaplastic oligodendroglioma WHO degrees III, primitive neuroectodermal tumor and
      glioblastoma, both WHO degrees IV). This translated into effective symptom
      control in five out of nine patients, but only moderate progression-free and
      overall survival times were reached. Partial responses as assessed by RANO
      criteria were observed in three patients (each one with anaplastic
      oligodendroglioma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor and glioblastoma). In these
      patients progression-free survival (PFS) intervals of 17, 10 and 20 weeks were
      achieved. In three patients (each one with diffuse astrocytoma, anaplastic
      astrocytoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor) stable disease was observed with
      PFS of 13, 30 and 8 weeks. Another three patients (all with glioblastoma) were
      primary non-responders and deteriorated rapidly with PFS of 3 to 4 weeks. No
      severe adverse events were seen. These experiences suggest that the combination
      of BEV with more conventional therapy schemes with chemo- and/or radiotherapy may
      be a palliative treatment option for patients with leptomeningeal dissemination
      of brain tumors. 

PMID- 27253227
TI  - ROC curve of the Pediatric Voice Related Quality-of-Life Survey (P-VRQOL).
AB  - To verify the efficiency and to determine the cutoff values that discriminate
      children/adolescents with and without vocal complaints, as well as the measures
      of sensibility, specificity and efficiency of the Brazilian Pediatric Voice
      Related Quality-of-Life Survey (P-VRQOL). The participants included 230 parents
      of children/adolescents of both genders, aged between 2 years and 18 years, with
      and without vocal complaints that responded the validated Brazilian version of P
      VRQOL. The three scores (total, physical and social-emotional) were analyzed by
      the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC curve). The cutoff values, ROC
      curve and the measures of specificity, sensibility and efficiency varied as the
      score investigated - total, physical or social-emotional. The total score
      demonstrated excellent discrimination (efficiency=0.936; specificity=0.991; and
      sensibility=0.881); the social-emotional score was a reasonable indicator
      (efficiency=0.794; specificity=0.604; and sensibility=0.983) and the physical
      score was an excellent sorter (efficiency=0.918; specificity=0.946; and
      sensibility=0.890). The cutoff values and area under curve were: total score-
      cutoff=96.25 and AUC=0.98; physical score- cutoff=91.68 and AUC=0.97; social
      emotional score cutoff=96.87 and AUC=0.79. The P-VRQOL is an excellent sorter to
      discriminate children/adolescents with and without vocal complaints. The
      perception of parents about the presence of vocal problem allows the judge of
      lower quality of life in 98% of the cases, especially, in P-VRQOL physical
      domain. 

PMID- 27253229
TI  - Associations Between Fish Consumption and Contaminant Biomarkers With
      Cardiovascular Conditions Among Older Male Anglers in Wisconsin.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine fish consumption habits and
      contaminant exposures associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes among older
      male anglers. METHODS: One hundred fifty-four men aged 50 years and older living
      and fishing in Wisconsin completed a detailed survey and provided hair and blood
      samples. Associations between fish consumption and body burdens of several
      contaminants, with self-reported cardiovascular outcomes, were evaluated.
      RESULTS: Consuming fish species with higher methyl mercury content was positively
      associated with odds of angina, coronary heart disease (CHD), or heart attack,
      while consuming fattier species was negatively associated with high blood
      pressure or high cholesterol. Total mercury in blood was associated with 27%
      higher odds of heart attack, and certain classes of polychlorinated biphenyls
      were positively associated with CHD. CONCLUSION: Total mercury exposures may
      affect cardiovascular outcomes. Educational interventions promoting consumption
      of fish low in methyl mercury among older male anglers are needed.

PMID- 27253228
TI  - Fatigued, but Not Frail: Perceived Fatigability as a Marker of Impending Decline
      in Mobility-Intact Older Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate perceived fatigability as a predictor of meaningful
      functional decline in non-mobility-limited older adults. DESIGN: Longitudinal
      analysis of data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). SETTING:
      National Institute on Aging, Clinical Research Unit, Baltimore, Maryland.
      PARTICIPANTS: Men and women aged 60 to 89 participating in the BLSA with
      concurrent perceived fatigability and functional assessments and follow-up
      functional assessment within 1 to 3 years (N = 540). MEASUREMENTS: Perceived
      fatigability was ascertained using the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
      after 5 minutes of treadmill walking at 1.5 miles per hour. Functional
      assessments included usual and fast gait speed, the Health, Aging and Body
      Composition physical performance battery (HABC PPB) and reported walking ability.
      Reported tiredness and energy level were examined as complementary predictors.
      Covariates included age, age squared, race, follow-up time, and baseline
      function. Meaningful decline was defined as 0.05 m/s per year for usual gait
      speed, 0.07 m/s per year for fast gait speed, 0.12 points/year for HABC PPB, and
      1 point for walking ability index. RESULTS: Over a mean 2.1 years, 20-31% of
      participants declined across functional assessments. Fatigability was associated
      with a 13-19% greater likelihood of meaningful decline in all measures (P = .002-
      .02) per 1-unit RPE increase. After considering tiredness and energy level
      separately, findings were essentially unchanged, and neither was associated with
      gait speed or physical performance decline. In contrast, each separately
      predicted decline in reported walking ability independent of fatigability (P =
      .03 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Routine assessment of fatigability
      may help identify older persons vulnerable to greater-than-expected functional
      decline.

PMID- 27253230
TI  - Fish Consumption, Levels of Nutrients and Contaminants, and Endocrine-Related
      Health Outcomes Among Older Male Anglers in Wisconsin.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine associations between endocrine
      disorders, fish consumption habits, and biomarkers of contaminants and nutrients
      METHODS: : Male anglers aged at least 50 years living in Wisconsin (n = 154)
      completed a questionnaire and provided biological samples. Adjusted logistic
      regression models were used to evaluate risk factors for endocrine outcomes.
      RESULTS: Nineteen percent of anglers reported either pre-diabetes or diabetes,
      while 4.6% reported thyroid disease. There were few associations between
      endocrine disease and fish consumption, fish meal source, or species, aside from
      a notable increase in diabetes risk with lake trout consumption. Docosahexaenoic
      acid, certain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and perfluorinated compounds were
      associated with an increased risk of diabetes or pre-diabetes. PCBs were
      associated with a decreased risk of thyroid disease. CONCLUSION: Fish consumption
      patterns may affect risk for endocrine outcomes, but direction and magnitude of
      association may depend on the balance of the contaminants and nutrients in the
      individual diet.

PMID- 27253232
TI  - Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity and Cell Damage by Chemicals in a Human
      Pancreatic Beta Cell Line, 1.1B4.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Mechanisms of toxicity and cell damage were investigated in novel
      clonal human pancreatic beta cell line, 1.1B4, after exposure to streptozotocin,
      alloxan, ninhydrin, and hydrogen peroxide. METHODS: Viability, DNA damage,
      insulin secretion/content, [Ca]i, and glucokinase/hexokinase, mRNA expression
      were measured by MTT assay, comet assay, radioimmunoassay, fluorometric imaging
      plate reader, enzyme-coupled photometry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction,
      respectively. RESULTS: Chemicals significantly reduced 1.1B4 cell viability in a
      time/concentration-dependent manner. Chronic 18-hour exposure decreased cellular
      insulin, glucokinase, and hexokinase activities. Chemicals decreased
      transcription of INS, GCK, PCSK1, PCSK2, and GJA1 (involved in secretory
      function). Insulin release and [Ca]i responses to nutrients and membrane
      depolarizing agents were impaired. Streptozotocin and alloxan up-regulated
      transcription of genes, SOD1 and SOD2 (antioxidant enzymes). Ninhydrin and
      hydrogen peroxide up-regulated SOD2 transcription, whereas alloxan and hydrogen
      peroxide increased CAT transcription. Chemicals induced DNA damage, apoptosis,
      and increased caspase 3/7 activity. Streptozotocin and alloxan decreased
      transcription of BCL2 while increasing transcription of BAX. Chemicals did not
      affect transcription of HSPA4 and HSPA5 and nitrite production. CONCLUSIONS:
      1.1B4 cells represent a useful model of human beta cells. Chemicals impaired
      1.1B4 cell secretory function and activated antioxidant defense and apoptotic
      pathways without activating endoplasmic reticulum stress response/nitrosative
      stress.

PMID- 27253231
TI  - A Randomized Comparative Study of 24- and 6-Hour Infusion of Nafamostat Mesilate
      for the Prevention of Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
      Pancreatitis: A Prospective Randomized Comparison Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although prolonged intravenous infusion (24 hours) of nafamostat
      mesilate is effective for the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis, it requires hospitalization and is
      expensive. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 24- versus 6-hour
      intravenous infusion of 20 mg nafamostat mesilate for the prevention of post-ERCP
      pancreatitis (PEP). METHODS: A total of 382 patients who underwent ERCP were
      randomly assigned into 2 groups: 24 hours or 6 hours. In both groups, nafamostat
      mesilate (20 mg) infusion was initiated up to an hour before ERCP and continued
      for either 24 or 6 hours. RESULTS: The overall incidence of pancreatitis was 2.4%
      (9/371). The rates of PEP following 24- and 6-hour infusion were 2.8% (5/179) and
      2.1% (4/192), respectively (P = 0.744). No significant difference was observed in
      the severity of pancreatitis between the groups. On multivariate analysis,
      increasing pancreatic duct cannulations (odds ratio, 1.685; 95% confidence
      interval, 1.036-2.741; P = 0.036) was identified as a statistically significant
      risk factor of PEP. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found in the incidence of PEP
      regardless of the duration of nafamostat mesilate infusion. Therefore, 6-hour
      infusion of 20 mg nafamostat mesilate may be useful for the prevention of PEP in
      an outpatient setting.

PMID- 27253233
TI  - Frequency of Tabagism and N34S and P55S Mutations of Serine Peptidase Inhibitor,
      Kazal Type 1 (SPINK1) and R254W Mutation of Chymotrypsin C (CTRC) in Patients
      With Chronic Pancreatitis and Controls.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between chronic
      pancreatitis and smoking or genetic mutations. METHODS: The study sample
      comprised 148 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 110 chronic alcoholic subjects
      without pancreatic disease, and 297 volunteer blood donors. RESULTS: Of the
      patients with chronic pancreatitis, 74% had alcoholic etiology and 26% had
      idiopathic pancreatitis. The frequency of smoking was 91.4% in patients with
      alcoholic pancreatitis, higher than 73.3% in alcoholic subjects without
      pancreatitis (P < 0.01). The difference in smoking frequency was not significant
      between the patients with idiopathic pancreatitis and blood donors. The N34S
      mutation of serine peptidase inhibitor, Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) was found in 2.7%
      of patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, in 5.3% of patients with
      idiopathic pancreatitis, and in 0.4% of blood donors (P = 0.02). The P55S
      mutation of SPINK1 was found in 2.7% of patients with alcoholic pancreatitis and
      in 0.7% of blood donors (P = 0.12). The R254W mutation of chymotrypsin C was
      found in 0.9% of patients with alcoholic pancreatitis, in 0.9% of chronic
      alcoholic subjects without pancreatitis, and in 0.4% of blood donors (P = 0.75).
      In all cases, the mutations were heterozygous. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and the N34S
      mutation of SPINK1 were positively correlated with chronic pancreatitis.

PMID- 27253234
TI  - Assessment of D-Dimers for the Early Prediction of Complications in Acute
      Pancreatitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by early
      microcirculation defects causing hypercoagulability. The purpose of this study
      was to evaluate the early predictive value of D-dimers in complicated AP.
      METHODS: This was a prospective single-center study conducted between September
      2010 and April 2012. All patients had AP for less than 48 hours duration at
      admission. The plasma D-dimer level was determined at admission and every 12
      hours over 3 days and compared to other validated severity criteria. RESULTS: Of
      71 patients admitted with AP, 36 (53.1%) developed complicated AP. A threshold D
      dimer level greater than 1474 ng/mL at 48 hours after pain onset was predictive
      of complications with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76. Combining D-dimers
      and C-reactive protein levels at 48 hours increased the prediction of
      complications (AUC of 0.83). At 36 hours, D-dimers greater than 1474 ng/mL
      predicted the occurrence of complications with an AUC of 0.75. CONCLUSIONS: D
      Dimer levels were predictive of complications of AP as early as 36 hours after
      the onset of pain. This simple and reproducible marker might be useful in
      clinical practice to improve the early management of complicated AP.

PMID- 27253235
TI  - Endocrine prevention of chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Fertility preservation has recently gained a worldwide
      interest among fertility specialists, oncologists, and all healthcare providers.
      Thus, the protection against iatrogenic infertility caused by chemotherapy
      assumes a high priority. Specifically, the issue of endocrine prevention of
      gonadotoxicity is still a controversial subject. RECENT FINDINGS: During the last
      year, many publications on this subject appeared, swinging the pendulum toward
      the beneficial role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) cotreatment
      for fertility preservation despite gonadotoxic chemotherapy. Here, we summarize
      the recent publications on fertility preservation and minimizing chemotherapy
      induced gonadotoxicity. SUMMARY: More than 10 recent meta-analyses have concluded
      that GnRHa is beneficial and may decrease the risk of premature ovarian failure
      and increase the pregnancy rate in survivors. Furthermore, two recent
      international meetings of experts have concluded that GnRHa is effective and
      should be offered to every young woman facing gonadotoxic chemotherapy.

PMID- 27253236
TI  - Updates in uterine fibroid tissue extraction.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Safety concerns regarding morcellation of presumed benign
      fibroid disease have led to an increase in recent research activity on this
      topic, as well as advances in surgical technique. RECENT FINDINGS: The prevalence
      of occult leiomyosarcoma is debated; however, estimates from a robust meta
      analysis suggest it may be in the range of 1 case per 1960-8300 fibroid
      surgeries. Advancing age is an important clinical risk factor for occult
      malignancy. The impact of tumor morcellation may vary by mode of tissue removal,
      though tissue fragmentation is consistently associated with poorer outcomes.
      Decision and cost analyses continue to support laparoscopic hysterectomy as a low
      morbidity and cost-effective approach. The increased scrutiny on fibroid
      procedures in the past few years may lead to changes in surgical approach;
      however, alternative tissue extraction options are evolving, including
      incorporation of contained morcellation. SUMMARY: Although the incidence of
      occult leiomyosarcoma is low, outcomes are poor and may be worsened by
      morcellation. By addressing risk factors for malignancy and incorporating
      evolving surgical techniques into practice, gynecologists can continue to offer
      patients a minimally invasive approach for fibroid management.

PMID- 27253237
TI  - Endometrial ablation: considerations and complications.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of the review is to update the reader on
      endometrial ablation as a treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding, including
      modifications to initial treatment guidelines and current data on long-term
      outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Endometrial ablation continues to be a successful
      treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding, with new indications potentially
      forthcoming. Patient selection is key, as certain patient groups are at increased
      risk for ablation failure and complications. SUMMARY: Gynecologists should
      continue to offer this treatment to appropriate patients with abnormal uterine
      bleeding, with adequate counseling regarding anticipated success rates, factors
      associated with failure, alternative treatments, and long-term consequences
      related to ablation.

PMID- 27253238
TI  - Management considerations for patients with uterine fibroids and concurrent
      venous thromboembolism.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose is to provide an update on management strategies
      for uterine fibroids in the setting of venous thromboembolism (VTE). RECENT
      FINDINGS: Uterine fibroids and VTE are independently associated with morbidity
      and increasing healthcare costs. Women with large uterine fibroids have a higher
      likelihood of VTE. Current strategies for stratifying patients with VTE take into
      account the nature of the VTE (i.e., truly provoked or unprovoked) and many
      patients may only require short-term anticoagulation. In those patients with risk
      factors for recurrent VTE, longer term anticoagulation may be required. SUMMARY:
      In women with large uterine fibroids, the likelihood of concurrent VTE increases.
      Peri and postoperative management should be determined based on patient-specific
      risk stratification, with the majority of patients requiring short-term
      anticoagulation. Further risk stratification may be required for patients with
      essentially an unprovoked VTE, and consultation with a thrombosis specialist is
      recommended.

PMID- 27253239
TI  - Comparative efficacy of biological agents in methotrexate-refractory rheumatoid
      arthritis patients: a Bayesian mixed treatment comparison.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Biological agents (biologics) targeting proinflammatory
      signaling have emerged as an important treatment option in rheumatoid arthritis
      (RA). Despite the clinical effectiveness of biologics for patients with RA who do
      not respond to 'traditional' disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs),
      there are concerns regarding their cost and long-term safety. In this study, we
      aimed to compare the efficacy of various biologics and traditional DMARDs in RA
      patients refractory to methotrexate (MTX). METHODS: Four DMARDs
      (hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, MTX, lef lunomide) and five anti-tumor
      necrosis factor drugs (adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab, inf liximab, and
      certolizumab) were selected. A systematic search of published studies was
      performed from inception through July 2013. Randomized trials of adults with MTX
      refractory RA comparing two or more of the selected medications were included.
      Among 7,938 titles identified, in total, 16 head-to-head trials were selected.
      Two reviewers independently abstracted the study data and assessed methodological
      quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias. Comparative efficacy was analyzed using
      a Bayesian mixed treatment comparison (MTC). RESULTS: In total, 9, 4, and 11
      studies were included for the outcome measures of the Health Assessment
      Questionnaire (HAQ), Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate
      (DAS28-ESR) < 2.6 (remission), and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 70
      response, respectively. The treatments with the highest efficacy for each outcome
      measure were certolizumab combined with MTX, golimumab combined with MTX, and
      certolizumab combined with MTX, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on MTC analysis,
      using data from published randomized controlled trials, certolizumab and
      golimumab combined with MTX showed the highest efficacy in the three outcome
      measures (HAQ, DAS28-ESR < 2.6, and ACR 70 response) in MTX-refractory RA
      patients.

PMID- 27253240
TI  - Paving the way for new agents; is standard chemotherapy part of the treatment
      paradigm for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the future?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: First and second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, represent a
      new, fully biologic and targeted approach to chronic lymphocytic leukemia and
      allowed to obtain high responses and acceptable tolerability even in elderly and
      high risk patients. On the other hand, prolonged experience with these agents has
      raised some questions on unexpected toxicities, response quality, treatment
      duration and onset of resistances. AREAS COVERED: This review analyzes the main
      published studies with the aim to discuss whether, in future, new agents could
      become a part of standard treatments or even replace the chemo-immunotherapy in
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Expert commentary: Despite different trials has
      been already published and many are still ongoing, follow up times are, at
      present, too short. A chemo-free approach surely represents a desirable goal for
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia, nevertheless longer observation is warranted to
      better define the correct use of targeted therapies.

PMID- 27253261
TI  - Ecocultural patterns of family engagement among low-income Latino families of
      preschool children.
AB  - For the 5 million low-income Latino children in the United States who are
      disproportionately impacted by the numerous risk factors associated with poverty,
      it is essential to identify proximal protective factors that mitigate these risks
      and bolster the academic and social skills that are foundational to a successful
      transition into formal schooling. Using ecocultural theory as a lens to guide
      this work, the present study: (a) described patterns of culture-contextualized
      family engagement among a low-income, Latino sample, and (b) examined relations
      between these patterns, family demographic factors, and children's language and
      social skills in preschool. Across Spanish and English language subsamples, we
      found evidence that there is heterogeneity in patterns of family engagement
      within and across language groups, such that different forms of family engagement
      defined the high engagement profiles in particular. We also found that
      demographic factors (such as child gender, family structure, and parental
      education and employment) predicted these patterns differentially across language
      groups, and that these patterns related to children's social and language skills
      in meaningful ways. Findings provide directions for future research, theory, and
      practice with this heterogeneous cultural group. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253263
TI  - Productive extension of semantic memory in school-aged children: Relations with
      reading comprehension and deployment of cognitive resources.
AB  - We investigated 7- to 10-year-old children's productive extension of semantic
      memory through self-generation of new factual knowledge derived through
      integration of separate yet related facts learned through instruction or through
      reading. In Experiment 1, an experimenter read the to-be-integrated facts.
      Children successfully learned and integrated the information and used it to
      further extend their semantic knowledge, as evidenced by high levels of correct
      responses in open-ended and forced-choice testing. In Experiment 2, on half of
      the trials, the to-be-integrated facts were read by an experimenter (as in
      Experiment 1) and on half of the trials, children read the facts themselves. Self
      generation performance was high in both conditions (experimenter- and self-read);
      in both conditions, self-generation of new semantic knowledge was related to an
      independent measure of children's reading comprehension. In Experiment 3, the way
      children deployed cognitive resources during reading was predictive of their
      subsequent recall of newly learned information derived through integration. These
      findings indicate self-generation of new semantic knowledge through integration
      in school-age children as well as relations between this productive means of
      extension of semantic memory and cognitive processes engaged during reading.
      (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253262
TI  - Ecodevelopmental trajectories of family functioning: Links with HIV/STI risk
      behaviors and STI among Black adolescents.
AB  - We examined the effects of family functioning trajectories on sexual risk
      behaviors and STI in adolescents. A sample of 850 predominantly (80%) Black
      adolescents from Michigan, United States, was assessed at baseline, 12, 24, and
      36 months postbaseline. Adolescents were from working-class families with a mean
      age of 14.9 years (SD = .64, Range = 13.9 to 16.9) at baseline. Participants
      completed measures of family functioning at each time point. At 36 months
      postbaseline, levels of sexual risk behaviors, including sex initiation,
      unprotected sex, and alcohol or drug use before last sexual intercourse, and STIs
      were assessed. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) yielded 4-class solutions for
      family conflict and parent support. Adolescents with high or increasing family
      conflict trajectories, and low or decreasing family support trajectories, were at
      relatively greater risk of sexual risk behaviors and STIs. Yet, the additional
      trajectories differ across outcomes highlighting the complexities of the role of
      family functioning on sexual risk behaviors and STIs over time. Multiple Group
      LCGA indicate some findings vary as a function of gender. (PsycINFO Database
      Record

PMID- 27253264
TI  - Personal and familial predictors of peer victimization trajectories from primary
      to secondary school.
AB  - Using a sample of 767 children (403 girls, 364 boys), this study aimed to (a)
      identify groups with distinct trajectories of peer victimization over a 6-year
      period from primary school through the transition to secondary school, and (b)
      examine the associated personal (i.e., aggression or internalizing problems) and
      familial (family status, socioeconomic status, the parent-child relationship)
      predictors. Peer victimization was assessed via self-reports from Grades 4
      through 9 (ages 10 through 15 years), aggression and internalizing problems were
      assessed in Grade 4 via peer nominations, and the parent-child relationship was
      assessed in Grade 7 (i.e., right after the transition to secondary school) via
      parent-reports. Growth Mixture modeling revealed 1 group (62%) who experienced
      little victimization in primary school and even less in secondary school, another
      group (31%) who was victimized in primary but not or much less in secondary
      school, and a third group (7%) who was chronically victimized in both school
      contexts. Boys were more likely than girls to follow any elevated victimization
      trajectory. Chronic victimization across primary and secondary school was
      predicted by nonintact family status and a combination of both internalizing
      problems and aggression compared with nonvictimized youth. In contrast,
      transitory victimization during primary but not in secondary school was predicted
      by aggression, but not internalizing problems. Support as well as conflict in the
      parent-child relationship also showed significant, albeit distinct associations
      with the different peer victimization trajectories. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253265
TI  - Environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) crop use 1996-2014: Impacts on
      pesticide use and carbon emissions.
AB  - This paper updates previous assessments of important environmental impacts
      associated with using crop biotechnology in global agriculture. It focuses on the
      environmental impacts associated with changes in pesticide use and greenhouse gas
      emissions arising from the use of GM crops since their first widespread
      commercial use in the mid 1990s. The adoption of GM insect resistant and
      herbicide tolerant technology has reduced pesticide spraying by 581.4 million kg
      (-8.2%) and, as a result, decreased the environmental impact associated with
      herbicide and insecticide use on these crops (as measured by the indicator, the
      Environmental Impact Quotient [EIQ]) by18.5%. The technology has also facilitated
      important cuts in fuel use and tillage changes, resulting in a significant
      reduction in the release of greenhouse gas emissions from the GM cropping area.
      In 2014, this was equivalent to removing nearly 10 million cars from the roads. 

PMID- 27253266
TI  - Necessity - the Mother of Invention.

PMID- 27253270
TI  - Nanotwinned Boron Suboxide (B6O): New Ground State of B6O.
AB  - Nanotwinned structures in superhard ceramics rhombohedral boron suboxide (R-B6O)
      have been examined using a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
      and quantum mechanics (QM). QM predicts negative relative energies to R-B6O for
      various twinned R-B6O (denoted as tau-B6O, 2tau-B6O, and 4tau-B6O), consistent
      with the recently predicted B6O structure with Cmcm space group (tau-B6O) which
      has an energy 1.1 meV/B6O lower than R-B6O. We report here TEM observations of
      this tau-B6O structure, confirming the QM predictions. QM studies under pure
      shear deformation and indentation conditions are used to determine the
      deformation mechanisms of the new tau-B6O phase which are compared to R-B6O and
      2tau-B6O. The lowest stress slip system of tau-B6O is (010)/?001? which
      transforms tau-B6O to R-B6O under pure shear deformation. However, under
      indentation conditions, the lowest stress slip system changes to (001)/?110?,
      leading to icosahedra disintegration and hence amorphous band formation.

PMID- 27253269
TI  - Are the Physical Activity Parenting Practices Reported by US and Canadian Parents
      Captured in Currently Published Instruments?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity
      parenting practices (PAPPs) parents report using with the PAPPs incorporated in
      the published literature. METHODS: PAPPs in the literature were identified by
      reviewing the content of 74 published PAPP measures obtained from current
      systematic reviews supplemented with a literature search. The types of PAPPs used
      by parents were identified by surveying a stratified sample of 134 Canadian and
      US parents of 5- to 12 year-old children. Items from the literature and parent
      responses were coded using the same coding scheme. Differences between the PAPPs
      emphasized by the parents and the literature were examined. RESULTS: Parents
      significantly emphasized different issues than what is measured in the literature
      (P < .001). Parents emphasized more control (13.6% vs. 6.9%), modeling and
      teaching (13.2% vs. 9.2%), and structural strategies (32.2% vs. 28.6%) and less
      autonomy support (11.8% vs. 14.0%), logistical support (9.9% vs. 12.8%), and
      responsiveness strategies (19.3% vs. 28.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity
      practices most often employed by parents are not the ones emphasized in current
      measures. The extent to which putting more emphasis on the areas identified by
      parents will increase the predictive validity of the measures warrants further
      examination.

PMID- 27253267
TI  - Oxidative stress during early pregnancy and birth outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Routine high-dose Fe supplementation in non-anaemic pregnant women may
      induce oxidative stress and eventually affect birth outcomes. The aim of the
      present study was to measure oxidative stress markers in pregnant women with
      low/normal and high Hb values in trimester 1 (Hb1) and to relate these to birth
      weight. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study where selected oxidative stress markers
      were analysed in both maternal (trimester 1; T1) and cord blood samples and
      correlated with birth weight. SETTING: A tertiary hospital in urban South India.
      SUBJECTS: One hundred women were chosen based on their Hb1 values (forty women
      with low/normal Hb1 (<110 g/l) and sixty women with high Hb1 (>=120 g/l)).
      RESULTS: In T1, women with high Hb1 values were found to have lower paraoxonase-1
      (PON-1) activity (424.7 (sd 163.7) v. 532.9 (sd 144.7) pmol p-nitrophenol
      formed/min per ml plasma, P=0.002) and higher lipid peroxides compared with women
      with low/normal Hb1. Routine supplementation of Fe to these women resulted in
      persistent lower PON-1 activity in cord blood (P=0.02) and directionally lower
      (P=0.142) birth weights. Furthermore, women with high Hb1 who delivered low-birth
      weight babies were observed to have lowest PON-1 activity in T1. No changes were
      observed in other markers (myeloperoxidase activity and total antioxidant
      levels). CONCLUSIONS: Routine Fe supplementation in pregnant women with high Hb1
      associated with increased oxidative stress, as reflected by low PON-1 activity in
      T1, could potentially lead to deleterious effects on birth weight.

PMID- 27253271
TI  - Toward Efficient Thick Active PTB7 Photovoltaic Layers Using Diphenyl Ether as a
      Solvent Additive.
AB  - The development of thick organic photovoltaics (OPV) could increase absorption in
      the active layer and ease manufacturing constraints in large-scale solar panel
      production. However, the efficiencies of most low-bandgap OPVs decrease
      substantially when the active layers exceed ~100 nm in thickness (because of low
      crystallinity and a short exciton diffusion length). Herein, we report the use of
      solvent additive diphenyl ether (DPE) that facilitates the fabrication of thick
      (180 nm) active layers and triples the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of
      conventional thienothiophene-co-benzodithiophene polymer (PTB7)-based OPVs from
      1.75 to 6.19%. These results demonstrate a PCE 20% higher than those of
      conventional (PTB7)-based OPV devices using 1,8-diiodooctane. Morphology studies
      reveal that DPE promotes the formation of nanofibrillar networks and ordered
      packing of PTB7 in the active layer that facilitate charge transport over longer
      distances. We further demonstrate that DPE improves the fill factor and
      photocurrent collection by enhancing the overall optical absorption, reducing the
      series resistance, and suppressing bimolecular recombination. 

PMID- 27253268
TI  - Adoption of Splenic Enhancement to Time and Trigger the Late Hepatic Arterial
      Phase During MDCT of the Liver: Proof of Concept and Clinical Feasibility.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the
      clinical feasibility of adopting splenic enhancement for timing and triggering
      the acquisition of late hepatic arterial phase images during multiphasic liver
      MDCT for assessment of hypervascular tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight
      patients (33 men, 15 women; median age, 59 years; chronic liver disease, 23
      patients; portal venous hypertension, 17 patients) with a total of 81
      hypervascular liver tumors underwent liver MDCT by random assignment to one of
      two scanning protocols. Scanning delay for the late hepatic arterial phase was
      determined by assessment of time-to-peak splenic enhancement (splenic-triggering
      protocol) or aortic enhancement (aortic-triggering protocol). Acquisition timing,
      vascular attenuation, liver attenuation and homogeneity, signal-to-noise ratio,
      tumor-to-liver contrast, and tumor-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio were
      compared. Two blinded independent observers used Likert scales to score timing
      adequacy (3-point scale), diagnostic confidence (5-point scale), and per lesion
      conspicuity (4-point scale) for hypervascular tumor detection. RESULTS: The
      splenic- and aortic-triggering protocols had significant differences in mean late
      hepatic arterial phase imaging timing (splenic, 36 +/- 6 seconds; aortic, 32 +/-
      3 seconds; p = 0.010). Images obtained with the splenic-triggering protocol had
      significantly better observer-based judgment of adequacy (splenic, 2.04; aortic,
      1.58; p = 0.002). Mean attenuation and signal-to-noise ratios from liver and
      portal vein were significantly higher with the splenic- than with the aortic
      triggering protocol (p < 0.0001). The splenic-triggering protocol was associated
      with significant improvement in homogeneity of liver attenuation (p < 0.0001).
      Although the splenic-triggering protocol was associated with significantly higher
      lesion conspicuity than was the aortic-triggering protocol (p = 0.022), there was
      no significant difference in tumor detection rate. CONCLUSION: Our results
      provide a clinical foundation for and proof of principle that the adoption of
      splenic enhancement renders an optimal temporal window for late hepatic arterial
      phase imaging during MDCT of the liver for assessment of hypervascular tumors.

PMID- 27253272
TI  - The early developments of preeclampsia drugs.

PMID- 27253321
TI  - 3p14p12 deletion syndrome: report of a new case providing further evidence of a
      clinically recognizable syndrome.

PMID- 27253320
TI  - Highly Repeatable Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization for Heteronuclear NMR
      Metabolomics.
AB  - At natural (13)C abundance, metabolomics based on heteronuclear NMR is limited by
      sensitivity. We have recently demonstrated how hyperpolarization by dissolution
      dynamic nuclear polarization (D-DNP) assisted by cross-polarization (CP) provides
      a reliable way of enhancing the sensitivity of heteronuclear NMR in dilute
      mixtures of metabolites. In this Technical Note, we evaluate the precision of
      this experimental approach, a critical point for applications to metabolomics.
      The higher the repeatability, the greater the likelihood that one can detect
      small biologically relevant differences between samples. The average
      repeatability of our state-of-the-art D-DNP NMR equipment for samples of
      metabolomic relevance (20 mg dry weight tomato extracts) is 3.6% for signals
      above the limit of quantification (LOQ) and 6.4% when all the signals above the
      limit of detection (LOD) are taken into account. This first report on the
      repeatability of D-DNP highlights the compatibility of the technique with the
      requirements of metabolomics and confirms its potential as an analytical tool for
      such applications.

PMID- 27253322
TI  - Interfacial rheometry of polymer at a water-oil interface by intra-pair
      magnetophoresis.
AB  - We describe an interfacial rheometry technique based on pairs of micrometer-sized
      magnetic particles at a fluid-fluid interface. The particles are repeatedly
      attracted and repelled by well-controlled magnetic dipole-dipole forces, so
      called interfacial rheometry by intra-pair magnetophoresis (IPM). From the forces
      (~pN), displacements (~MUm) and velocities (~MUm s(-1)) of the particles we are
      able to quantify the interfacial drag coefficient of particles within a few
      seconds and over very long timescales. The use of local dipole-dipole forces
      makes the system insensitive to fluid flow and suited for simultaneously
      recording many particles in parallel over a long period of time. We apply IPM to
      study the time-dependent adsorption of an oil-soluble amino-modified silicone
      polymer at a water-oil interface using carboxylated magnetic particles. At low
      polymer concentration the carboxylated particles remain on the water side of the
      water-oil interface, while at high polymer concentrations the particles transit
      into the oil phase. Both conditions show a drag coefficient that does not depend
      on time. However, at intermediate polymer concentrations data show an increase of
      the interfacial drag coefficient as a function of time, with an increase over
      more than three orders of magnitude (10(-7) to 10(-4) N s m(-1)), pointing to a
      strong polymer-polymer interaction at the interface. The time-dependence of the
      interfacial drag appears to be highly sensitive to the polymer concentration and
      to the ionic strength of the aqueous phase. We foresee that IPM will be a very
      convenient technique to study fluid-fluid interfaces for a broad range of
      materials systems. 

PMID- 27253319
TI  - Self-stigma, personality traits, and willingness to seek treatment in a community
      sample.
AB  - Stigma has received attention as a major barrier toward effective mental health
      service delivery, and previous research has demonstrated that the Five-Factor
      Model (FFM) domain of Openness to Experience is negatively correlated with
      stigmatized views of mental health. However, a lack of established relationships
      between personality and self-stigma, as well as how these concepts affect an
      individual's treatment-seeking intentions, has left a gap in the literature. To
      address this, our study recruited a low-income community sample and tested (a)
      the relationship between self-stigma of mental health treatment and the FFM, (b)
      the relationship between self-stigma and treatment-seeking intentions, and (c)
      the incremental validity of FFM personality beyond stigma in the prediction of
      treatment seeking. Results suggest that there is some incongruence with previous
      research on personality's relationship to stigma, personality does not act as an
      additive component in the prediction of the relationship between stigma and
      treatment seeking, and stigma is related only to the perceived need for mental
      health treatment but not to an individual's openness to seek that treatment. The
      discussion concludes with implications for the contextualization and treatment of
      stigma as a barrier for mental health treatment and a general synthesis of the
      personality trait profiles for those holding stigmatizing views of mental health.
      (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253325
TI  - Effects of Addition of Linseed and Marine Algae to the Diet on Adipose Tissue
      Development, Fatty Acid Profile, Lipogenic Gene Expression, and Meat Quality in
      Lambs.
AB  - This study examined the effect of linseed and algae on growth and carcass
      parameters, adipocyte cellularity, fatty acid profile and meat quality and gene
      expression in subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissues (AT) in lambs. After
      weaning, 33 lambs were fed three diets up to 26.7 +/- 0.3 kg: Control diet
      (barley and soybean); L diet (barley, soybean and 10% linseed) and L-A diet
      (barley, soybean, 5% linseed and 3.89% algae). Lambs fed L-A diet showed lower
      average daily gain and greater slaughter age compared to Control and L (P <
      0.001). Carcass traits were not affected by L and L-A diets, but a trend towards
      greater adipocyte diameter was observed in L and L-A in the subcutaneous AT (P =
      0.057). Adding either linseed or linseed and algae increased alpha-linolenic acid
      and eicosapentaenoic acid contents in both AT (P < 0.001); however,
      docosahexaenoic acid was increased by L-A (P < 0.001). The n-6/n-3 ratio
      decreased in L and L-A (P < 0.001). Algae had adverse effects on meat quality,
      with greater lipid oxidation and reduced ratings for odor and flavor. The
      expression of lipogenic genes was downregulated in the subcutaneous AT (P <
      0.05): acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACACA) in L and L-A and lipoprotein lipase (LPL)
      and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) in L-A. Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), fatty
      acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) and fatty acid elongase 5 (ELOVL5) were unaffected. In
      the subcutaneous AT, supplementing either L or L-A increased peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) and CAAT-enhancer binding protein
      alpha (CEBPA) (P < 0.05), although it had no effect on sterol regulatory element
      binding factor 1 (SREBF1). In the intramuscular AT, expression of ACACA, SCD,
      FADS1 and FADS2 decreased in L and L-A (P < 0.001) and LPL in L (P < 0.01), but
      PPARG, CEBPA and SREBF1 were unaffected. 

PMID- 27253324
TI  - Modeling and Re-Engineering of Azotobacter vinelandii Alginate Lyase to Enhance
      Its Catalytic Efficiency for Accelerating Biofilm Degradation.
AB  - Alginate is known to prevent elimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.
      Alginate lyase (AlgL) might therefore facilitate treatment of Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa-infected cystic fibrosis patients. However, the catalytic activity of
      wild-type AlgL is not sufficiently high. Therefore, molecular modeling and site
      directed mutagenesis of AlgL might assist in enzyme engineering for therapeutic
      development. AlgL, isolated from Azotobacter vinelandii, catalyzes
      depolymerization of alginate via a beta-elimination reaction. AlgL was modeled
      based on the crystal structure template of Sphingomonas AlgL species A1-III.
      Based on this computational analysis, AlgL was subjected to site-directed
      mutagenesis to improve its catalytic activity. The kcat/Km of the K194E mutant
      showed a nearly 5-fold increase against the acetylated alginate substrate, as
      compared to the wild-type. Double and triple mutants (K194E/K245D, K245D/K319A,
      K194E/K245D/E312D, and K194E/K245D/K319A) were also prepared. The most potent
      mutant was observed to be K194E/K245D/K319A, which has a 10-fold improved kcat
      value (against acetylated alginate) compared to the wild-type enzyme. The
      antibiofilm effect of both AlgL forms was identified in combination with
      piperacillin/tazobactam (PT) and the disruption effect was significantly higher
      in mutant AlgL combined with PT than wild-type AlgL. However, for both the wild
      type and K194E/K245D/K319A mutant, the use of the AlgL enzyme alone did not show
      significant antibiofilm effect. 

PMID- 27253323
TI  - Small RNA-Based Antiviral Defense in the Phytopathogenic Fungus Colletotrichum
      higginsianum.
AB  - Even though the fungal kingdom contains more than 3 million species, little is
      known about the biological roles of RNA silencing in fungi. The Colletotrichum
      genus comprises fungal species that are pathogenic for a wide range of crop
      species worldwide. To investigate the role of RNA silencing in the ascomycete
      fungus Colletotrichum higginsianum, knock-out mutants affecting genes for three
      RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR), two Dicer-like (DCL), and two Argonaute (AGO)
      proteins were generated by targeted gene replacement. No effects were observed on
      vegetative growth for any mutant strain when grown on complex or minimal media.
      However, Deltadcl1, Deltadcl1Deltadcl2 double mutant, and Deltaago1 strains
      showed severe defects in conidiation and conidia morphology. Total RNA
      transcripts and small RNA populations were analyzed in parental and mutant
      strains. The greatest effects on both RNA populations was observed in the
      Deltadcl1, Deltadcl1Deltadcl2, and Deltaago1 strains, in which a previously
      uncharacterized dsRNA mycovirus [termed Colletotrichum higginsianum non-segmented
      dsRNA virus 1 (ChNRV1)] was derepressed. Phylogenetic analyses clearly showed a
      close relationship between ChNRV1 and members of the segmented Partitiviridae
      family, despite the non-segmented nature of the genome. Immunoprecipitation of
      small RNAs associated with AGO1 showed abundant loading of 5'U-containing viral
      siRNA. C. higginsianum parental and Deltadcl1 mutant strains cured of ChNRV1
      revealed that the conidiation and spore morphology defects were primarily caused
      by ChNRV1. Based on these results, RNA silencing involving ChDCL1 and ChAGO1 in
      C. higginsianum is proposed to function as an antiviral mechanism.

PMID- 27253326
TI  - Second Language Ability and Emotional Prosody Perception.
AB  - The present study examines the effect of language experience on vocal emotion
      perception in a second language. Native speakers of French with varying levels of
      self-reported English ability were asked to identify emotions from vocal
      expressions produced by American actors in a forced-choice task, and to rate
      their pleasantness, power, alertness and intensity on continuous scales. Stimuli
      included emotionally expressive English speech (emotional prosody) and non
      linguistic vocalizations (affect bursts), and a baseline condition with Swiss
      French pseudo-speech. Results revealed effects of English ability on the
      recognition of emotions in English speech but not in non-linguistic
      vocalizations. Specifically, higher English ability was associated with less
      accurate identification of positive emotions, but not with the interpretation of
      negative emotions. Moreover, higher English ability was associated with lower
      ratings of pleasantness and power, again only for emotional prosody. This
      suggests that second language skills may sometimes interfere with emotion
      recognition from speech prosody, particularly for positive emotions. 

PMID- 27253328
TI  - Effect of dolomite decomposition under CO2 on its multicycle CO2 capture
      behaviour under calcium looping conditions.
AB  - One of the major drawbacks that hinder the industrial competitiveness of the
      calcium looping (CaL) process for CO2 capture is the high temperature (~930-950 
      degrees C) needed in practice to attain full calcination of limestone in a high
      CO2 partial pressure environment for short residence times as required. In this
      work, the multicycle CO2 capture performance of dolomite and limestone is
      analysed under realistic CaL conditions and using a reduced calcination
      temperature of 900  degrees C, which would serve to mitigate the energy penalty
      caused by integration of the CaL process into fossil fuel fired power plants. The
      results show that the fundamental mechanism of dolomite decomposition under CO2
      has a major influence on its superior performance compared to limestone. The
      inert MgO grains resulting from dolomite decomposition help preserve a
      nanocrystalline CaO structure wherein carbonation in the solid-state diffusion
      controlled phase is promoted. The major role played by the dolomite decomposition
      mechanism under CO2 is clearly demonstrated by the multicycle CaO conversion
      behaviour observed for samples decomposed at different preheating rates.
      Limestone decomposition at slow heating rates yields a highly crystalline and
      poorly reactive CaCO3 structure that requires long periods to fully decarbonate
      and shows a severely reduced capture capacity in subsequent cycles. On the other
      hand, the nascent CaCO3 produced after dolomite half-decomposition consists of
      nanosized crystals with a fast decarbonation kinetics regardless of the
      preheating rate, thus fully decomposing from the very first cycle at a reduced
      calcination temperature into a CaO skeleton with enhanced reactivity as compared
      to limestone derived CaO. 

PMID- 27253327
TI  - Evaluating Crop Area Mapping from MODIS Time-Series as an Assessment Tool for
      Zimbabwe's "Fast Track Land Reform Programme".
AB  - Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data forms the basis for
      numerous land use and land cover (LULC) mapping and analysis frameworks at
      regional scale. Compared to other satellite sensors, the spatial, temporal and
      spectral specifications of MODIS are considered as highly suitable for LULC
      classifications which support many different aspects of social, environmental and
      developmental research. The LULC mapping of this study was carried out in the
      context of the development of an evaluation approach for Zimbabwe's land reform
      program. Within the discourse about the success of this program, a lack of
      spatially explicit methods to produce objective data, such as on the extent of
      agricultural area, is apparent. We therefore assessed the suitability of moderate
      spatial and high temporal resolution imagery and phenological parameters to
      retrieve regional figures about the extent of cropland area in former freehold
      tenure in a series of 13 years from 2001-2013. Time-series data was processed
      with TIMESAT and was stratified according to agro-ecological potential zoning of
      Zimbabwe. Random Forest (RF) classifications were used to produce annual binary
      crop/non crop maps which were evaluated with high spatial resolution data from
      other satellite sensors. We assessed the cropland products in former freehold
      tenure in terms of classification accuracy, inter-annual comparability and
      heterogeneity. Although general LULC patterns were depicted in classification
      results and an overall accuracy of over 80% was achieved, user accuracies for
      rainfed agriculture were limited to below 65%. We conclude that phenological
      analysis has to be treated with caution when rainfed agriculture and grassland in
      semi-humid tropical regions have to be separated based on MODIS spectral data and
      phenological parameters. Because classification results significantly
      underestimate redistributed commercial farmland in Zimbabwe, we argue that the
      method cannot be used to produce spatial information on land-use which could be
      linked to tenure change. Hence capabilities of moderate resolution data are
      limited to assess Zimbabwe's land reform. To make use of the unquestionable
      potential of MODIS time-series analysis, we propose an analysis of plant
      productivity which allows to link annual growth and production of vegetation to
      ownership after Zimbabwe's land reform. 

PMID- 27253330
TI  - Development of Membrane-Based Desiccant Fiber for Vacuum Desiccant Cooling.
AB  - A novel hydrophobic membrane-based desiccant fiber (MDF) was developed by loading
      lithium chloride into hydrophobic hollow fiber membranes. The MDF thus made was
      then tested for vapor absorption under controlled conditions. Furthermore, an MDF
      pad, which was made by weaving MDF into a piece of garment, was built into a
      laboratory vacuum desiccant cooling (VDC) setup, which included the MDF pad as
      the desiccant layer and a cooling towel saturated with water as the water
      reservoir, to test the cooling effects at atmospheric pressure and vacuum of 25
      in. of Hg. Results indicate that MDF is suitable for applications such as in VDC.
      Mass and heat transfer of vapor absorption by MDF were also analyzed. 

PMID- 27253332
TI  - Development and Validation of the Sexual Contingent Self-Worth Scale.
AB  - Sexual contingent self-worth (CSW) refers to self-worth that is dependent on
      maintaining a sexual relationship, and has not been studied previously. This
      novel construct may have implications for sexual, relationship, and psychological
      well-being, because it could affect the cognitions, affect, and behaviors of
      individuals in sexual relationships. The purpose of this study was to develop the
      Sexual Contingent Self-Worth Scale and examine its reliability and validity in
      community samples. Two separate online studies (N = 329 and N = 282) included men
      and women who were in committed, sexually active relationships. The Sexual CSW
      Scale was adapted from a validated measure of relationship CSW. In Study 1,
      participants completed the Sexual CSW Scale, whereas in Study 2, participants
      also responded to standardized measures of related constructs. In addition,
      participants completed the Sexual CSW Scale again two weeks later in Study 2.
      Factor analysis yielded two subscales: (a) sexual CSW dependent on positive
      sexual events in the relationship and (b) sexual CSW dependent on negative sexual
      events. Results indicated good construct validity, incremental validity, internal
      consistency, and test-retest reliability for the Sexual CSW Scale. This research
      contributes to the fields of both CSW and sexuality by introducing a novel domain
      of CSW.

PMID- 27253331
TI  - Circulating Cell Free DNA as the Diagnostic Marker for Ovarian Cancer: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quantitative analyses of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are
      potential methods for the detection of ovarian cancer. Many studies have
      evaluated these approaches, but the results were too inconsistent to be
      conclusive. This study is the first to systematically evaluate the accuracy of
      circulating cfDNA for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer by conducting meta
      analysis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and the Chinese
      National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases systematically for relevant
      literatures up to December 10, 2015. All analyses were conducted using Meta
      DiSc1.4 and Stata 12.0 software. Sensitivity, specificity and other measures of
      accuracy of circulating cfDNA for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer were pooled.
      Meta-regression was performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS:
      This meta-analysis included a total of 9 studies, including 462 ovarian cancer
      patients and 407 controls. The summary estimates for quantitative analysis of
      circulating cfDNA in ovarian cancer screen were as follows: sensitivity, 0.70
      (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.65-0.74); specificity, 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-0.93);
      positive likelihood ratio, 6.60 (95% CI, 3.90-11.17); negative likelihood ratio,
      0.34 (95% CI, 0.25-0.47); diagnostic odds ratio, 26.05 (95% CI, 14.67-46.26); and
      area under the curve, 0.89 (95% CI, 0.83-0.95), respectively. There was no
      statistical significance for the evaluation of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS:
      Current evidence suggests that quantitative analysis of cfDNA has unsatisfactory
      sensitivity but acceptable specificity for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
      Further large-scale prospective studies are required to validate the potential
      applicability of using circulating cfDNA alone or in combination with
      conventional markers as diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer and explore
      potential factors that may influence the accuracy of ovarian cancer diagnosis.

PMID- 27253329
TI  - Non-degradative Ubiquitination of Protein Kinases.
AB  - Growing evidence supports other regulatory roles for protein ubiquitination in
      addition to serving as a tag for proteasomal degradation. In contrast to other
      common post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, little is known
      about how non-degradative ubiquitination modulates protein structure, dynamics,
      and function. Due to the wealth of knowledge concerning protein kinase structure
      and regulation, we examined kinase ubiquitination using ubiquitin remnant
      immunoaffinity enrichment and quantitative mass spectrometry to identify
      ubiquitinated kinases and the sites of ubiquitination in Jurkat and HEK293 cells.
      We find that, unlike phosphorylation, ubiquitination most commonly occurs in
      structured domains, and on the kinase domain, ubiquitination is concentrated in
      regions known to be important for regulating activity. We hypothesized that
      ubiquitination, like other post-translational modifications, may alter the
      conformational equilibrium of the modified protein. We chose one human kinase,
      ZAP-70, to simulate using molecular dynamics with and without a monoubiquitin
      modification. In Jurkat cells, ZAP-70 is ubiquitinated at several sites that are
      not sensitive to proteasome inhibition and thus may have other regulatory roles.
      Our simulations show that ubiquitination influences the conformational ensemble
      of ZAP-70 in a site-dependent manner. When monoubiquitinated at K377, near the C
      helix, the active conformation of the ZAP-70 C-helix is disrupted. In contrast,
      when monoubiquitinated at K476, near the kinase hinge region, an active-like ZAP
      70 C-helix conformation is stabilized. These results lead to testable hypotheses
      that ubiquitination directly modulates kinase activity, and that ubiquitination
      is likely to alter structure, dynamics, and function in other protein classes as
      well.

PMID- 27253333
TI  - Embodiment and aging in contemporary physiotherapy.
AB  - Contemporary discourses in the health sciences vary in their treatment of aging
      bodies and the mind-body relationship, yet our understanding of aging experiences
      and health care practices can be limited by an overreliance on biomedical or
      social constructionist approaches alone. This paper offers a conceptual
      exploration of embodiment as an innovative approach to enhance our understandings
      of aging bodies and health in physiotherapy practice. Embodiment attends to body
      and mind, nature and culture, structure and agency, while appreciating
      differences in aging bodies and health in aging. Conclusions consider embodiment
      in the practice and disciplinary discourse of contemporary physiotherapy,
      specifically, considering the ways embodied perspectives can support therapists
      in their health care practice and relationships with people with aging bodies. 

PMID- 27253334
TI  - Responsiveness of the Berg Balance Scale in patients early after stroke.
AB  - The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) has previously shown good measurement properties.
      However, its ability to detect important change in patients early after stroke is
      still unknown. The purpose of the present study was to determine the minimal
      important change (MIC) and its relation to the minimal detectable change (MDC)
      for BBS in patients early after stroke. This prospective follow-up study included
      patients within the first 2 weeks after onset of stroke. The BBS, Barthel Index,
      and Scandinavian Stroke Scale were obtained at inclusion and 1 month later. At
      the follow-up assessment, the Patient Global Impression of Change was obtained. A
      receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the cut-off
      value for the MIC. Fifty-two patients (mean age of 78.7, SD 8.5 years) were
      included. All measures showed a significant improvement from baseline to follow
      up. The ROC analysis identified a MIC of >=6 BBS points, while the MDC was 5.97
      BBS points at the 80% confidence level. This study shows that a change of 6 BBS
      point or more can be considered an important change for patients in the sub-acute
      phase after stroke, which also represents an 80% probability of exceeding the
      measurement error. A total of 80% of unchanged patients would display random
      fluctuations within the bounds of MDC80, while 20% of unchanged patients would
      exceed MDC80. 

PMID- 27253335
TI  - The effect of core stability and general exercise on abdominal muscle thickness
      in non-specific chronic low back pain using ultrasound imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a controversy regarding whether core stability exercise
      (CSE) is more effective than general exercise (GE) for chronic LBP. To compare
      different exercises regarding their effect on improving back strength and
      stability, performance of abdominal muscles is a useful index. Ultrasound imaging
      for measuring muscle thickness could be used to assess muscle performance.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare CSE and GE in chronic LBP using
      ultrasound imaging for measurement of thickness of the deep stabilizing and main
      global trunk muscles in non-specific chronic LBP. METHODS: Each program included
      16 training sessions three times a week. Using ultrasound imaging, four
      transabdominal muscle thickness were measured before and after the intervention.
      Disability and pain were measured as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: After the
      intervention on participants (n = 43), a significant increase in muscle thickness
      (hypertrophy) was seen only in right and left rectus abdominis in the GE group,
      but significant difference to the CSE group was only on the right side.
      Disability and pain reduced within the groups without a significant difference in
      the change between them. CONCLUSIONS: The present results provided evidence that
      only GE increased right and left rectus muscle thickness. The only significant
      difference between CSE and GE groups was the right rectus thickness. As rectus is
      a global muscle, the effect of GE on strength improvement (one side stronger than
      the other) may have a negative effect on motor control of lumbopelvic muscles and
      possibly increase the risk of back pain occurring or becoming worse, though this
      was not observed in the present study.

PMID- 27253336
TI  - Using simulation pedagogy to teach clinical education skills: A randomized trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Supervision of students is a key role of senior physiotherapy
      clinicians in teaching hospitals. The objective of this study was to test the
      effect of simulated learning environments (SLE) on educators' self-efficacy in
      student supervision skills. METHODS: A pilot prospective randomized controlled
      trial with concealed allocation was conducted. Clinical educators were randomized
      to intervention (SLE) or control groups. SLE participants completed two 3-hour
      workshops, which included simulated clinical teaching scenarios, and facilitated
      debrief. Standard Education (StEd) participants completed two online learning
      modules. Change in educator clinical supervision self-efficacy (SE) and student
      perceptions of supervisor skill were calculated. Between-group comparisons of SE
      change scores were analyzed with independent t-tests to account for potential
      baseline differences in education experience. RESULTS: Eighteen educators (n =
      18) were recruited (SLE [n = 10], StEd [n = 8]). Significant improvements in SE
      change scores were seen in SLE participants compared to control participants in
      three domains of self-efficacy: (1) talking to students about supervision and
      learning styles (p = 0.01); (2) adapting teaching styles for students' individual
      needs (p = 0.02); and (3) identifying strategies for future practice while
      supervising students (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study
      investigating SLE for teaching skills of clinical education. SLE improved
      educators' self-efficacy in three domains of clinical education. Sample size
      limited the interpretation of student ratings of educator supervision skills.
      Future studies using SLE would benefit from future large multicenter trials
      evaluating its effect on educators' teaching skills, student learning outcomes,
      and subsequent effects on patient care and health outcomes.

PMID- 27253337
TI  - Construct validity of the Modified Gait Efficacy Scale in older females.
AB  - There are few well-validated tools that focus on the assessment of walking
      confidence in older adults. The main objective of this study was to assess
      construct validity of the 10-item Modified Gait Efficacy Scale (mGES) as a
      measure of walking confidence in older adults. Twenty-four older females
      completed the mGES, the 16-item Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC-16)
      scale, and the Senior Fitness Test (SFT). Construct validity of the mGES was
      evaluated by quantifying relationships between the mGES and the ABC-16 and the
      SFT, and by examining the ability of the mGES to discriminate between known
      groups (no/lower fear of falling versus higher fear of falling). There was a
      strong correlation between mGES and the ABC-16 scale (rs = 0.85; p < 0.001). The
      mGES was significantly associated with SFT components that required lower
      extremity strength, stepping aerobic endurance, and walking agility and dynamic
      balance (rs = 0.45 to 0.61; p < 0.05). Relationships between the mGES and number
      of arm curls in 30 s, chair sit and reach test, and back scratch test were weak
      (rs = 0.13-0.25; p > 0.05). Mean mGES score was 91.5% in a no/lower fear of
      falling group, while it was 81.4% in a higher fear group (p = 0.22). There was a
      trend toward a significant difference in the unstandardized residuals derived
      from regression of ranked mGES scores on ranked covariate (age and 8 foot up and
      go) scores, between the no/lower versus higher fear of falling group (p = 0.095).
      These results support construct validity of the mGES as a measure of gait self
      efficacy in community-dwelling older females. 

PMID- 27253339
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27253338
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27253340
TI  - Surface Adsorption from the Exchange-Hole Dipole Moment Dispersion Model.
AB  - The accurate calculation of intermolecular interaction energies with density
      functional theory requires methods that include a treatment of long-range,
      nonlocal dispersion correlation. In this work, we explore the ability of the
      exchange-hole dipole moment (XDM) dispersion correction to model molecular
      surface adsorption. Adsorption energies are calculated for six small aromatic
      molecules (benzene, furan, pyridine, thiophene, thiophenol, and benzenediamine)
      and the four DNA nucleobases (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine) on the
      (111) surfaces of the three coinage metals (copper, silver, and gold). For
      benzene, where the experimental reference data is most precise, the mean absolute
      error in the computed absorption energies is 0.04 eV. For the other aromatic
      molecules, the computed binding energies are found to be within 0.09 eV of the
      available reference data, on average, which is well below the expected
      experimental uncertainties for temperature-programmed desorption measurements.
      Unlike other dispersion-corrected functionals, adequate performance does not
      require changes to the canonical XDM implementation, and the good performance of
      XDM is explained in terms of the behavior of the exchange hole. Additionally, the
      base functional employed (B86bPBE) is also optimal for molecular studies, making
      B86bPBE-XDM an excellent candidate for studying chemistry on material surfaces.
      Finally, the noncovalent interaction (NCI) plot technique is shown to detect
      adsorption effects in real space on the order of tenths of an eV. 

PMID- 27253350
TI  - Engineering Porous Organic Cage Crystals with Increased Acid Gas Resistance.
AB  - Both known and new CC3-based porous organic cages are prepared and exposed to
      acidic SO2 in vapor and liquid conditions. Distinct differences in the stability
      of the CC3 cages exist depending on the chirality of the diamine linkers used.
      The acid catalyzed CC3 degradation mechanism is probed via in situ IR and a
      degradation pathway is proposed and supported with computational results. CC3
      crystals synthesized with racemic mixtures of diaminocyclohexane exhibited
      enhanced stability compared to CC3-R and CC3-S. Confocal fluorescent microscope
      images reveal that the stability difference in CC3 species originates from an
      abundance of mesoporous grain boundaries in CC3-R and CC3-S, allowing facile
      access of aqueous SO2 throughout the crystal, promoting decomposition. These
      grain boundaries are absent from CC3 crystals made with racemic linkers. 

PMID- 27253351
TI  - Imaging in glaucoma care pathways in the UK.
AB  - Glaucoma is an incurable disease of the eye that affects 2% of over 40s in the
      United Kingdom and 5% of those over 80. The National Institute for Health and
      Care Excellence (NICE) estimates that the disease affects around 480,000 people
      in the United Kingdom, with over a million glaucoma-related hospital outpatient
      appointments each year. This paper aims to establish the care pathways for
      glaucoma across the United Kingdom and the perceived value of imaging. A
      questionnaire was distributed to members of the Ophthalmic Imaging Association to
      identify imaging protocols with glaucoma; results indicated that there was
      variation between hospitals. The perceived clinical value of imaging from staff
      involved in the pathway was also explored. 

PMID- 27253352
TI  - Cloning, expression and characterization of xylose isomerase from the marine
      bacterium Fulvimarina pelagi in Escherichia coli.
AB  - Production of a xylose isomerase (XI) with high tolerance to the inhibitors
      xylitol and calcium, and high activity at the low pH and temperature conditions
      characteristic of yeast fermentations, is desirable for a simultaneous
      isomerization/fermentation process for cellulosic ethanol production. A putative
      XI gene (xylA) from the marine bacterium Fulvimarina pelagi was identified by
      sequence analysis of the F. pelagi genome, and was PCR amplified, cloned, and
      expressed in Escherichia coli. The rXI was produced in shake flask and fed-batch
      fermentations using glucose as the growth substrate. The optimum pH for rXI was
      approximately 7, although activity was evident at pH as low as 5.5. The purified
      rXI had a molecular weight in 160 kDA, a Vmax of 0.142 U/mg purified rXI, and a
      KM for xylose in the range of 1.75-4.17 mM/L at pH 6.5 and a temperature of 35
      degrees C. The estimated calcium and xylitol KI values for rXI in cell-free
      extracts were 2,500 mg/L and >50 mM, respectively. The low KM of the F. pelagi
      xylose isomerase is consistent with the low nutrient conditions of the pelagic
      environment. These results indicate that Ca2+ and xylitol are not likely to be
      inhibitory in applications employing the rXI from F. pelagi to convert xylose to
      xylulose in fermentations of complex biomass hydrolysates. A higher Vmax at low
      pH (<6) and temperature (30 degrees C) would be preferable for use in biofuels
      production. (c) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog.,
      32:1230-1237, 2016.

PMID- 27253355
TI  - Acute Genitourinary Swelling and Erythema as Presenting Symptoms of Henoch
      Schonlein Purpura.
AB  - Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) may present in a variety of ways, most commonly
      with joint pain or the distinctive palpable purpura. Genitourinary manifestations
      of HSP are less common and may precede the classic signs and symptoms of HSP,
      making the diagnosis difficult. We report a case of a 19-month-old boy with
      penile and scrotal erythema and swelling at presentation who was later diagnosed
      with HSP. 

PMID- 27253353
TI  - Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Egyptian Patients With Opioid Use Disorders
      Attributed to Tramadol.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Opioid use disorders attributed to tramadol (OUD-T) is a public health
      problem in Egypt. The objective of this study was to assess the psychiatric
      comorbidity among patients with opioid use disorder attributed to tramadol.
      METHODS: This study included 100 patients with opioid use disorders attributed to
      tramadol (according to DSM-IV-TR) and 100 control persons (matched for age, sex,
      and education), who were recruited from Zagazig University Hospital, Egypt. The
      participants were interviewed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM
      disorders (SCID-I and SCID-II), Addiction Severity Index scale (patients), and
      urine screening for drugs. RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of the patients used
      tramadol only (pure tramadol group), whereas 76% of the patients used other
      substances in addition to tramadol (polysubstance group). Most (91%) of the
      patients had tramadol dependence. Forty-nine percent of the patients had
      psychiatric comorbidity, especially mood disorders (59.2%), whereas only 24% of
      the control persons had psychiatric comorbidity, especially anxiety disorders
      (83.3%). The most common personality disorders among patients were borderline
      (24%) and antisocial (22%), whereas in control persons, the most common
      personality disorders were obsessive compulsive personality disorder (8%) and the
      avoidant personality disorder (7%). Cluster B (76.6%) was the most common
      category among patients (compared with 25.8% in control persons), whereas cluster
      C (51.6%) was the most common category among control persons (compared with 15.6%
      in patients). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients were dependent on tramadol, and
      approximately 3 out of 4 used many substances. Almost half of the patients had
      psychiatric comorbidity, and approximately 3 out of 4 had cluster B personality
      disorders.

PMID- 27253354
TI  - Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered cytokine-induced killer cells overcome
      treatment resistance of pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and enhance
      survival.
AB  - Pre-emptive cancer immunotherapy by donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) using
      cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells may be beneficial to prevent relapse with a
      reduced risk of causing graft-versus-host-disease. CIK cells are a heterogeneous
      effector cell population including T cells (CD3(+) CD56(-) ), natural killer (NK)
      cells (CD3(-) CD56(+) ) and natural killer T (T-NK) cells (CD3(+) CD56(+) ) that
      exhibit non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytotoxicity and
      are generated by ex vivo expansion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the
      presence of interferon (IFN)-gamma, anti-CD3 antibody, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and
      interleukin-15 (IL-15). To facilitate selective target-cell recognition and
      enhance specific cytotoxicity against B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B
      ALL), we transduced CIK cells with a lentiviral vector encoding a chimeric
      antigen receptor (CAR) that carries a composite CD28-CD3zeta domain for signaling
      and a CD19-specific scFv antibody fragment for cell binding (CAR 63.28.z). In
      vitro analysis revealed high and specific cell killing activity of CD19-targeted
      CIK/63.28.z cells against otherwise CIK-resistant cancer cell lines and primary B
      ALL blasts, which was dependent on CD19 expression and CAR signaling. In a
      xenograft model in immunodeficient mice, treatment with CIK/63.28.z cells in
      contrast to therapy with unmodified CIK cells resulted in complete and durable
      molecular remissions of established primary pre-B-ALL. Our results demonstrate
      potent antileukemic activity of CAR-engineered CIK cells in vitro and in vivo,
      and suggest this strategy as a promising approach for adoptive immunotherapy of
      refractory pre-B-ALL.

PMID- 27253359
TI  - Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis.

PMID- 27253357
TI  - Altered Mental Status in a Child With an Unwitnessed Fall: A Case Report.
AB  - We report a case of altered mental status in a 5-year-old boy who presented to
      the emergency department after presumed head trauma. A computed tomography head
      was conducted and its findings were normal, and the boy was discharged home. He
      returned the next day with persistent altered mental status and was found to have
      an abnormal MR brain suggestive of embolic strokes. An echocardiogram revealed a
      large atrial mass that was later confirmed by pathology to be an atrial myxoma.
      This is a unique and, to our knowledge, unreported presentation of a known but
      rare disease process in a pediatric patient. 

PMID- 27253358
TI  - Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis.
AB  - Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a primarily pediatric, immune-mediated
      disease characterized by demyelination and polyfocal neurologic symptoms that
      typically occur after a preceding viral infection or recent immunization. This
      article presents the pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and magnetic resonance
      imaging characteristics of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. We also present
      evaluation and management strategies. 

PMID- 27253356
TI  - Treatment of Severe Hypervolemic Hyponatremia in a Child With Pneumonia.
AB  - A 21-month-old boy came to our attention because of pneumonia. His weight
      increased before presentation, and his blood test results showed hyponatremia
      (116 mEq/L), low plasma osmolarity (241 mOsm/L), and high urine osmolarity (435
      mOsm/L). He was treated with 0.9% sodium chloride solution and intravenous
      furosemide, and sodium levels rose up to 135 mEq/L in 36 hours. No standard
      treatment is available for severe hyponatremia in children. The use of vaptans in
      pediatric patients is described in literature, but it lacks evidence about safety
      and effectiveness. We suggest that furosemide administration plus salt
      replacement is effective in restoring normal values of plasma sodium
      concentration in severe euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia. 

PMID- 27253360
TI  - Abdominal Cerebrospinal Fluid Pseudocyst Diagnosed by Point-of-Care Ultrasound.
AB  - Abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst is an uncommon complication of
      ventriculoperitoneal shunt and is seen more commonly in the pediatric population.
      The diagnosis of an abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst is typically made by
      ultrasonography, which demonstrates a simple or loculated fluid collection in the
      abdomen. We present a case of abdominal pseudocyst diagnosed by point-of-care
      ultrasound. 

PMID- 27253363
TI  - Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Legal Briefs.

PMID- 27253362
TI  - A 5-Year-Old Boy With an Acute Onset of Emesis, and Throat and Chest Pain, After
      Taking a Drink.

PMID- 27253361
TI  - Essentials of PEM Fellowship Part 2: The Profession in Entrustable Professional
      Activities.
AB  - This article is the second in a 7-part series that aims to comprehensively
      describe the current state and future directions of pediatric emergency medicine
      (PEM) fellowship training from the essential requirements to considerations for
      successfully administering and managing a program to the careers that may be
      anticipated upon program completion. This article describes the development of
      PEM entrustable professional activities (EPAs) and the relationship of these EPAs
      with existing taxonomies of assessment and learning within PEM fellowship. It
      summarizes the field in concepts that can be taught and assessed, packaging the
      PEM subspecialty into EPAs. 

PMID- 27253364
TI  - ECGs in the ED.

PMID- 27253365
TI  - Zika Virus, Microcephaly, and Ocular Findings-Reply.

PMID- 27253366
TI  - Potentially Unsafe Activities and Living Conditions of Older Adults with
      Dementia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of dementia in the absence of a reported
      dementia diagnosis and whether potentially unsafe activities and living
      conditions vary as a function of dementia diagnosis status in a nationally
      representative sample of older adults. DESIGN: Observational cohort study.
      SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older
      enrolled in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 7,609). MEASUREMENTS:
      Participants were classified into four groups based on self-report of dementia
      diagnosis, proxy screening interview, and cognitive testing: probable dementia
      with reported dementia diagnosis (n = 457), probable dementia without reported
      dementia diagnosis (n = 581), possible dementia (n = 996), or no dementia (n =
      5,575). Potentially unsafe activities (driving, preparing hot meals, managing
      finances or medications, attending doctor visits alone) and living conditions
      (falls, living alone, and unmet needs) were examined according to dementia status
      subgroups in stratified analyses and multivariate models, adjusting for
      sociodemographic factors, medical comorbidities, and physical capacity. RESULTS:
      The prevalence of driving (22.9%), preparing hot meals (31.0%), managing finances
      (21.9%), managing medications (36.6%), and attending doctor visits alone (20.6%)
      was lowest in persons with probable dementia; however, but in persons with
      probable dementia, the covariate-adjusted rates of driving, preparing hot meals,
      managing finances, managing medications, and attending doctor visits alone were
      significantly higher in those without reported dementia diagnosis than in those
      with reported diagnosis (all odds ratios >=2.00, all P < .01). CONCLUSION: Older
      adults with probable dementia who are not aware of a dementia diagnosis are more
      likely to report engaging in potentially unsafe behaviors. Understanding the
      prevalence of potentially unsafe activities and living conditions can help
      clinicians focus safety screening and counseling in older adults with diagnosed
      or suspected dementia.

PMID- 27253368
TI  - Naphthalenediimide-alt-Fused Thiophene D-A Copolymers for the Application as
      Acceptor in All-Polymer Solar Cells.
AB  - Three n-type alternating D-A copolymers based on a naphthalenediimide (NDI)
      acceptor (A) unit and three different donor (D) units with varied electron
      donating strength including thiophene (P(NDI-T)), thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (P(NDI
      TT)), and thieno[3,2-b;4,5-b]dithiophene (P(NDI-TDT)), were synthesized, for the
      application as acceptor materials in all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs). The
      effect of the donor units of thiophene, thienothiophene (TT) and
      thienodithiophene (TDT) on the physicochemical and photovoltaic properties of the
      n-type D-A copolymers was systematically investigated. It was found that the
      absorption spectrum is red-shifted and the energy band gap (Eg ) is reduced for
      the NDI-based D-A copolymers with increasing number of thiophene rings in the
      thiophene or fused thiophene donor units. All-PSCs were fabricated with the
      medium band gap conjugated polymer J51 (Eg of ca 1.9 eV) as polymer donor and the
      n-type D-A copolymers as acceptor. The power conversion efficiency reached 2.59
      %, 3.70 % and 5.10 % for the all-PSCs with P(NDI-T), P(NDI-TT), and P(NDI-TDT) as
      acceptor, respectively. The results indicate that a larger conjugated fused
      molecular plane with more thiophene rings as donor units in the NDI-based D-A
      copolymers is beneficial to reduce the band gap, broaden the absorption and
      enhance the photovoltaic performance of n-type D-A copolymer acceptors.

PMID- 27253367
TI  - We Remember... Elders' Memories and Perceptions of Sleeping Sickness Control
      Interventions in West Nile, Uganda.
AB  - The traditional role of African elders and their connection with the community
      make them important stakeholders in community-based disease control programmes.
      We explored elders' memories related to interventions against sleeping sickness
      to assess whether or not past interventions created any trauma which might hamper
      future control operations. Using a qualitative research framework, we conducted
      and analysed twenty-four in-depth interviews with Lugbara elders from north
      western Uganda. Participants were selected from the villages inside and outside
      known historical sleeping sickness foci. Elders' memories ranged from
      examinations of lymph nodes conducted in colonial times to more recent active
      screening and treatment campaigns. Some negative memories dating from the 1990s
      were associated with diagnostic procedures, treatment duration and treatment side
      effects, and were combined with memories of negative impacts related to sleeping
      sickness epidemics particularly in HAT foci. More positive observations from the
      recent treatment campaigns were reported, especially improvements in treatment.
      Sleeping sickness interventions in our research area did not create any permanent
      traumatic memories, but memories remained flexible and open to change. This study
      however identified that details related to medical procedures can remain captured
      in a community's collective memory for decades. We recommend more emphasis on
      communication between disease control programme planners and communities using
      detailed and transparent information distribution, which is not one directional
      but rather a dialogue between both parties.

PMID- 27253370
TI  - The Small-RNA Profiles of Almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.) Reproductive Tissues in
      Response to Cold Stress.
AB  - Spring frost is an important environmental stress that threatens the production
      of Prunus trees. However, little information is available regarding molecular
      response of these plants to the frost stress. Using high throughput sequencing,
      this study was conducted to identify differentially expressed miRNAs, both the
      conserved and the non-conserved ones, in the reproductive tissues of almond
      tolerant H genotype under cold stress. Analysis of 50 to 58 million raw reads led
      to identification of 174 unique conserved and 59 novel microRNAs (miRNAs).
      Differential expression pattern analysis showed that 50 miRNA families were
      expressed differentially in one or both of almond reproductive tissues (anther
      and ovary). Out of these 50 miRNA families, 12 and 15 displayed up-regulation and
      down-regulation, respectively. The distribution of conserved miRNA families
      indicated that miR482f harbor the highest number of members. Confirmation of
      miRNAs expression patterns by quantitative real- time PCR (qPCR) was performed in
      cold tolerant (H genotype) alongside a sensitive variety (Sh12 genotype). Our
      analysis revealed differential expression for 9 miRNAs in anther and 3 miRNAs in
      ovary between these two varieties. Target prediction of miRNAs followed by
      differential expression analysis resulted in identification of 83 target genes,
      mostly transcription factors. This study comprehensively catalogued expressed
      miRNAs under different temperatures in two reproductive tissues (anther and
      ovary). Results of current study and the previous RNA-seq study, which was
      conducted in the same tissues by our group, provide a unique opportunity to
      understand the molecular basis of responses of almond to cold stress. The results
      can also enhance the possibility for gene manipulation to develop cold tolerant
      plants. 

PMID- 27253369
TI  - Measuring IgA Anti-beta2-Glycoprotein I and IgG/IgA Anti-Domain I Antibodies Adds
      Value to Current Serological Assays for the Antiphospholipid Syndrome.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Currently available clinical assays to detect antiphospholipid
      antibodies (aPL) test for IgG and IgM antibodies to cardiolipin (aCL) and beta2
      glycoprotein I (abeta2GPI). It has been suggested that testing for IgA aPL and
      for antibodies to Domain I (DI), which carries the key antigenic epitopes of
      beta2GPI, could add value to these current tests. We performed an observational,
      multicenter cohort study to evaluate the utility of IgG, IgM and IgA assays to
      each of CL, beta2GPI and DI in APS. METHODS: Serum from 230 patients with APS (n
      = 111), SLE but not APS (n = 119), and 200 healthy controls were tested for IgG,
      IgM and IgA aCL, abeta2GPI and aDI activity. Patients with APS were further
      classified into thrombotic or obstetric APS. Logistic regression and receiver
      operator characteristic analyses were employed to compare results from the nine
      different assays. RESULTS: All assays displayed good specificity for APS; IgG aCL
      and IgG abeta2GPI assays however, had the highest sensitivity. Testing positive
      for IgA abeta2GPI resulted in a higher hazard ratio for APS compared to IgM
      abeta2GPI. Positive IgG, IgM or IgA aDI were all associated with APS, and in
      subjects positive for aCL and/or abeta2GPI, the presence of aDI raised the hazard
      ratio for APS by 3-5 fold. IgG aCL, abeta2GPI, aDI and IgA aDI were associated
      with thrombotic but not obstetric complications in patients with APS. CONCLUSION:
      Measuring IgG aDI and IgA abeta2GPI and aDI may be useful in the management of
      patients with APS, particularly thrombotic APS.

PMID- 27253371
TI  - A sigmaE-Mediated Temperature Gauge Controls a Switch from LuxR-Mediated
      Virulence Gene Expression to Thermal Stress Adaptation in Vibrio alginolyticus.
AB  - In vibrios, the expression of virulence factors is often controlled by LuxR, the
      master quorum-sensing regulator. Here, we investigate the interplay between LuxR
      and sigmaE, an alternative sigma factor, during the control of virulence-related
      gene expression and adaptations to temperature elevations in the zoonotic
      pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus. An rpoE null V. alginolyticus mutant was unable to
      adapt to various stresses and was survival-deficient in fish. In wild type V.
      alginolyticus, the expression of LuxR-regulated virulence factors increased as
      the temperature was increased from 22 degrees C to 37 degrees C, but mutants
      lacking sigmaE did not respond to temperature, indicating that sigmaE is critical
      for the temperature-dependent upregulation of virulence genes. Further analyses
      revealed that sigmaE binds directly to -10 and -35 elements in the luxR promoter
      that drive its transcription. ChIP assays showed that sigmaE binds to the
      promoter regions of luxR, rpoH and rpoE at high temperatures (e.g., 30 degrees C
      and 37 degrees C). However, at higher temperatures (42 degrees C) that induce
      thermal stress, sigmaE binding to the luxR promoter decreased, while its binding
      to the rpoH and rpoE promoters was unchanged. Thus, the temperature-dependent
      binding of sigmaE to distinct promoters appears to underlie a sigmaE-controlled
      switch between the expression of virulence genes and adaptation to thermal
      stress. This study illustrates how a conserved temperature response mechanism
      integrates into quorum-sensing circuits to regulate both virulence and stress
      adaptation.

PMID- 27253372
TI  - A Cross Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Preputial and Penile Scrotal
      Abnormalities among Clients Undergoing Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in
      Soweto, South Africa.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Medical device use is currently approved for males without preputial
      or major penile scrotal abnormalities for voluntary medical male circumcision
      (VMMC). We determined the prevalence of preputial abnormalities at a busy VMMC
      centre in Soweto, South Africa. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional record review
      at a high-volume VMMC centre in South Africa. We collated pre-circumcision
      demographic and genital examination findings from clients 8 years and older who
      had undergone VMMC from 01 May 2013 to 30 April 2014. Logistic regression was
      used to determine factors associated with preputial abnormalities. FINDINGS:
      During the review period, 6861 circumcisions were conducted and 37.1% (n = 2543)
      were 8-13 year olds. Median age was 15 years (IQR: 12-23 years). Fifteen percent
      (n = 1030) had preputial abnormalities or major penile scrotal abnormalities. Age
      specific prevalence of preputial or major genital abnormalities were 27.3%, 10.6%
      and 6.0% in 8-13, 14-18 and > 18 year olds respectively. The odds of preputial or
      major penile scrotal abnormality were higher in younger clients aged 8-13 years
      (OR = 5.9; 95% CI = 4.8-7.1) and 14-18 years (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.5-2.4)
      compared to older clients above18 years and in those testing for HIV outside our
      clinic network (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.4-2.7). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of
      preputial and penile scrotal abnormalities observed suggests a need for VMMC
      sites to provide for both open surgical and devices methods in the provision of
      VMMC services. This is especially so among young male subjects presenting
      themselves for VMMC services at the various sites being developed in sub Saharan
      African countries.

PMID- 27253376
TI  - Effect of Interpersonal Interaction on Festinating Gait Rehabilitation in
      Patients with Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - Although human walking gait rhythms are generated by native individual gait
      dynamics, these gait dynamics change during interactions between humans. A
      typical phenomenon is synchronization of gait rhythms during cooperative walking.
      Our previous research revealed that fluctuation characteristics in stride
      interval of subjects with Parkinson's disease changed from random to 1/f
      fluctuation as fractal characteristics during cooperative walking with the gait
      assist system Walk-Mate, which emulates a human interaction using interactive
      rhythmic cues. Moreover, gait dynamics were relearned through Walk-Mate gait
      training. However, the system's clinical efficacy was unclear because the
      previous studies did not focus on specific gait rhythm disorder symptoms.
      Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of Walk-Mate on festinating
      gait among subjects with Parkinson's disease. Three within-subject experimental
      conditions were used: (1) preinteraction condition, (2) interaction condition,
      and (3) postinteraction condition. The only difference between conditions was the
      interactive rhythmic cues generated by Walk-Mate. Because subjects with
      festinating gait gradually and involuntarily decreased their stride interval, the
      regression slope of stride interval as an index of severity of preinteraction
      festinating gait was elevated. The regression slope in the interaction condition
      was more gradual than during the preinteraction condition, indicating that the
      interactive rhythmic cues contributed to relieving festinating gait and
      stabilizing gait dynamics. Moreover, the gradual regression slope was carried
      over to the postinteraction condition, indicating that subjects with festinating
      gait have the potential to relearn stable gait dynamics. These results suggest
      that disordered gait dynamics are clinically restored through interactive
      rhythmic cues and that Walk-Mate may have the potential to assist therapists in
      more effective rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry
      UMIN000012591.

PMID- 27253377
TI  - Particle Physics in High School: A Diagnose Study.
AB  - The science learning process improves when the contents are connected to
      students' lives. Particle physics has had a great impact in our society in the
      last years and has changed the theoretical picture about matter fundamental
      dynamics. Thus, we think that academic contents about matter components and
      interactions should be updated. With this study we aim to characterize the level
      of knowledge of high school students about this topic. We built a test with
      questions about classical atomic models, particle physics, recent discoveries,
      social implications and students opinions about it. Contrary to our first
      suspicion, students' answers show a high variability. They have new physics ideas
      and show a great interest towards modern concepts. We suggest including an
      updated view of this topic as part of the curriculum. 

PMID- 27253373
TI  - EGFR Signal-Network Reconstruction Demonstrates Metabolic Crosstalk in EMT.
AB  - Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important event during
      development and cancer metastasis. There is limited understanding of the
      metabolic alterations that give rise to and take place during EMT. Dysregulation
      of signalling pathways that impact metabolism, including epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR), are however a hallmark of EMT and metastasis. In this study, we
      report the investigation into EGFR signalling and metabolic crosstalk of EMT
      through constraint-based modelling and analysis of the breast epithelial EMT cell
      model D492 and its mesenchymal counterpart D492M. We built an EGFR signalling
      network for EMT based on stoichiometric coefficients and constrained the network
      with gene expression data to build epithelial (EGFR_E) and mesenchymal (EGFR_M)
      networks. Metabolic alterations arising from differential expression of EGFR
      genes was derived from a literature review of AKT regulated metabolic genes.
      Signaling flux differences between EGFR_E and EGFR_M models subsequently allowed
      metabolism in D492 and D492M cells to be assessed. Higher flux within AKT pathway
      in the D492 cells compared to D492M suggested higher glycolytic activity in D492
      that we confirmed experimentally through measurements of glucose uptake and
      lactate secretion rates. The signaling genes from the AKT, RAS/MAPK and CaM
      pathways were predicted to revert D492M to D492 phenotype. Follow-up analysis of
      EGFR signaling metabolic crosstalk in three additional breast epithelial cell
      lines highlighted variability in in vitro cell models of EMT. This study shows
      that the metabolic phenotype may be predicted by in silico analyses of gene
      expression data of EGFR signaling genes, but this phenomenon is cell-specific and
      does not follow a simple trend.

PMID- 27253378
TI  - Lipid-Albumin Nanoparticles (LAN) for Therapeutic Delivery of Antisense
      Oligonucleotide against HIF-1alpha.
AB  - Lipid-albumin nanoparticles (LAN) were synthesized for delivery of RX-0047, an
      antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) against the hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF
      1alpha) to solid tumor. These lipid nanoparticles (LNs) incorporated a human
      serum albumin-pentaethylenehexamine (HSA-PEHA) conjugate, which is cationic and
      can form electrostatic complexes with negatively charged oligonucleotides. The
      delivery efficiency of LAN-RX-0047 was investigated in KB cells and a KB murine
      xenograft model. When KB cells were treated with LAN-RX-0047, significant HIF
      1alpha downregulation and enhanced cellular uptake were observed compared to LN
      RX-0047. LN-RX-0047 and LAN-RX-0047 showed similar cytotoxicity against KB cells
      with IC50 values of 19.3 +/- 3.8 and 20.1 +/- 4.2 MUM, respectively. LAN-RX-0047
      was shown to be taken up by the cells via the macropinocytosis and caveolae
      mediated endocytosis pathways while LN-RX-0047 was taken up by cells via caveolae
      mediated endocytosis. In the KB xenograft tumor model, LAN-RX-0047 exhibited
      tumor suppressive activity and significantly reduced intratumoral HIF-1alpha
      expression compared to LN-RX-0047. Furthermore, LAN-RX-0047 greatly increased
      survival time of mice bearing KB-1 xenograft tumors at doses of either 3 mg/kg or
      16 mg/kg. These results indicated that LAN-RX-0047 is a highly effective vehicle
      for therapeutic delivery of antisense agents to tumor.

PMID- 27253380
TI  - Priority Setting and Influential Factors on Acceptance of Pharmaceutical
      Recommendations in Collaborative Medication Reviews in an Ambulatory Care Setting
      - Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (WestGem-Study).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication reviews are recognized services to increase quality of
      therapy and reduce medication risks. The selection of eligible patients with
      potential to receive a major benefit is based on assumptions rather than on
      factual data. Acceptance of interprofessional collaboration is crucial to
      increase the quality of medication therapy. OBJECTIVE: The research question was
      to identify and prioritize eligible patients for a medication review and to
      provide evidence-based criteria for patient selection. Acceptance of the
      prescribing general practitioner to implement pharmaceutical recommendations was
      measured and factors influencing physicians' acceptance were explored to obtain
      an impression on the extent of collaboration in medication review in an
      ambulatory care setting. METHODS: Based on data of a cluster-randomized
      controlled study (WestGem-study), the correlation between patient parameters and
      the individual performance in a medication review was calculated in a multiple
      logistic regression model. Physician's acceptance of the suggested intervention
      was assessed using feedback forms. Influential factors were analyzed. RESULTS:
      The number of drugs in use (p = 0.001), discrepancies between prescribed and used
      medicines (p = 0.014), the baseline Medication Appropriateness Index score
      (p<0.001) and the duration of the intervention (p = 0.006) could be identified as
      influential factors for a major benefit from a medication review, whereas
      morbidity (p>0.05) and a low kidney function (p>0.05) do not predetermine the
      outcome. Longitudinal patient care with repeated reviews showed higher
      interprofessional acceptance and superior patient benefit. A total of 54.9% of
      the recommendations in a medication review on drug therapy were accepted for
      implementation. CONCLUSIONS: The number of drugs in use and medication
      reconciliation could be a first rational step in patient selection for a
      medication review. Most elderly, multimorbid patients with polymedication
      experience a similar chance of receiving a benefit from a medication review.
      Longitudinal patient care should be preferred over confined medication reviews.
      The acceptance of medication reviews by physicians supports further
      implementation into health care systems. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN
      ISRCTN41595373.

PMID- 27253381
TI  - Program Bytes: Satellite Meetings, SIGs, and AKEs at ISMB 2016.

PMID- 27253379
TI  - Human Galectin-9 Is a Potent Mediator of HIV Transcription and Reactivation.
AB  - Identifying host immune determinants governing HIV transcription, latency and
      infectivity in vivo is critical to developing an HIV cure. Based on our recent
      finding that the host factor p21 regulates HIV transcription during
      antiretroviral therapy (ART), and published data demonstrating that the human
      carbohydrate-binding immunomodulatory protein galectin-9 regulates p21, we
      hypothesized that galectin-9 modulates HIV transcription. We report that the
      administration of a recombinant, stable form of galectin-9 (rGal-9) potently
      reverses HIV latency in vitro in the J-Lat HIV latency model. Furthermore, rGal-9
      reverses HIV latency ex vivo in primary CD4+ T cells from HIV-infected, ART
      suppressed individuals (p = 0.002), more potently than vorinostat (p = 0.02).
      rGal-9 co-administration with the latency reversal agent "JQ1", a bromodomain
      inhibitor, exhibits synergistic activity (p<0.05). rGal-9 signals through N
      linked oligosaccharides and O-linked hexasaccharides on the T cell surface,
      modulating the gene expression levels of key transcription initiation, promoter
      proximal-pausing, and chromatin remodeling factors that regulate HIV latency.
      Beyond latent viral reactivation, rGal-9 induces robust expression of the host
      antiviral deaminase APOBEC3G in vitro and ex vivo (FDR<0.006) and significantly
      reduces infectivity of progeny virus, decreasing the probability that the HIV
      reservoir will be replenished when latency is reversed therapeutically. Lastly,
      endogenous levels of soluble galectin-9 in the plasma of 72 HIV-infected ART
      suppressed individuals were associated with levels of HIV RNA in CD4+ T cells
      (p<0.02) and with the quantity and binding avidity of circulating anti-HIV
      antibodies (p<0.009), suggesting a role of galectin-9 in regulating HIV
      transcription and viral production in vivo during therapy. Our data suggest that
      galectin-9 and the host glycosylation machinery should be explored as foundations
      for novel HIV cure strategies.

PMID- 27253384
TI  - Synthesis and functionalization of monodisperse near-ultraviolet and visible
      excitable multifunctional Eu(3+), Bi(3+):REVO4 nanophosphors for bioimaging and
      biosensing applications.
AB  - Near-ultraviolet and visible excitable Eu- and Bi-doped NPs based on rare earth
      vanadates (REVO4, RE = Y, Gd) have been synthesized by a facile route from
      appropriate RE precursors, europium and bismuth nitrate, and sodium
      orthovanadate, by homogeneous precipitation in an ethylene glycol/water mixture
      at 120  degrees C. The NPs can be functionalized either by a one-pot synthesis
      with polyacrylic acid (PAA) or by a Layer-by-Layer approach with poly(allylamine
      hydrochloride) (PAH) and PAA. In the first case, the particle size can also be
      tuned by adjusting the amount of PAA. The Eu- Bi-doped REVO4 based nanophosphors
      show the typical red luminescence of Eu(iii), which can be excited through an
      energy transfer process from the vanadate anions, resulting in a much higher
      luminescence intensity in comparison to the direct excitation of the europium
      cations. The incorporation of Bi into the REVO4 structure shifts the original
      absorption band of the vanadate anions towards longer wavelengths, giving rise to
      nanophosphors with an excitation maximum at 342 nm, which can also be excited in
      the visible range. The suitability of such nanophosphors for bioimaging and
      biosensing applications, as well as their colloidal stability in different buffer
      media of biological interest, their cytotoxicity, their degradability at low pH,
      and their uptake by HeLa cells have been evaluated. Their suitability for
      bioimaging and biosensing applications is also demonstrated. 

PMID- 27253383
TI  - Freshwater Crayfish: A Potential Benthic-Zone Indicator of Nanosilver and Ionic
      Silver Pollution.
AB  - Nowadays, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are utilized in numerous applications,
      raising justified concerns about their release into the environment. This study
      demonstrates the potential to use freshwater crayfish as a benthic-zone indicator
      of nanosilver and ionic silver pollution. Crayfish were acclimated to 20 L
      aquaria filled with Hudson River water (HRW) and exposed for 14 days to widely
      used Creighton AgNPs and Ag(+) at doses of up to 360 MUg L(-1) to surpass
      regulated water concentrations. The uptake and distribution of Ag in over 650
      exoskeletons, gills, hepatopancreas and muscles samples were determined by
      inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) in conjunction
      with two complementary U.S. EPA-endorsed methods: the external calibration and
      the standard additions. Reflecting the environmental plasticity of the two
      investigated species, Orconectes virilis accumulated in a dose-dependent manner
      more Ag than Procambarus clarkii (on average 31% more Ag). Both species showed
      DNA damage and severe histological changes in the presence of Ag. However, Ag(+)
      generally led to higher Ag accumulations (28%) and was more toxic. By the harvest
      day, about 14 +/- 9% of the 360 MUg L(-1) of AgNP exposure in the HRW oxidized to
      Ag(+) and may have contributed to the observed toxicities and bioaccumulations.
      The hepatopancreas (1.5-17.4 MUg of Ag g(-1) of tissue) was identified as the
      best tissue-indicator of AgNP pollution, while the gills (4.5-22.0 MUg g(-1)) and
      hepatopancreas (2.5-16.7 MUg g(-1)) complementarily monitored the presence of
      Ag(+).

PMID- 27253385
TI  - Quality of Life and Mortality of Long-Term Colorectal Cancer Survivors in the
      Seattle Colorectal Cancer Family Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Because most colorectal cancer patients survive beyond five
      years, understanding quality of life among these long-term survivors is essential
      to providing comprehensive survivor care. We sought to identify personal
      characteristics associated with reported quality of life in colorectal cancer
      survivors, and sub-groups of survivors potentially vulnerable to very low quality
      of life. METHODS: We assessed quality of life using the Veterans RAND 12-item
      Health Survey within a population-based sample of 1,021 colorectal cancer
      survivors in the Seattle Colorectal Cancer Family Registry, approximately 5 years
      post-diagnosis. In this case-only study, mean physical component summary scores
      and mental component summary scores were examined with linear regression. To
      identify survivors with substantially reduced ability to complete daily tasks,
      logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for "very low" summary
      scores, defined as a score in the lowest decile of the reference US population.
      All cases were followed for vital status following QoL assessment, and mortality
      was analyzed with Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Lower mean
      physical component summary score was associated with older age, female sex,
      obesity, smoking, and diabetes or other co-morbidity; lower mean mental component
      summary score was associated with younger age and female sex. Higher odds of very
      low physical component summary score was associated with older age, obesity, less
      education, smoking, co-morbidities, and later stage at diagnosis; smoking was
      associated with higher odds of very low mental component summary score. A very
      low physical component score was associated with higher risk of mortality (hazard
      ratio (95% confidence interval): 3.97 (2.95-5.34)). CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that identifiable sub-groups of survivors are vulnerable to very low
      physical components of quality of life, decrements that may represent meaningful
      impairment in completing everyday tasks and are associated with higher risk of
      death.

PMID- 27253382
TI  - Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells (TREM)-2 Impairs Host Defense in
      Experimental Melioidosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM) -1 and TREM-2
      are key regulators of the inflammatory response that are involved in the
      clearance of invading pathogens. Melioidosis, caused by the "Tier 1" biothreat
      agent Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a common form of community-acquired sepsis in
      Southeast-Asia. TREM-1 has been suggested as a biomarker for sepsis and
      melioidosis. We aimed to characterize the expression and function of TREM-1 and
      TREM-2 in melioidosis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Wild-type, TREM-1/3 (Trem
      1/3-/-) and TREM-2 (Trem-2-/-) deficient mice were intranasally infected with
      live B. pseudomallei and killed after 24, and/or 72 h for the harvesting of
      lungs, liver, spleen, and blood. Additionally, survival studies were performed.
      Cellular functions were further analyzed by stimulation and/or infection of
      isolated cells. TREM-1 and TREM-2 expression was increased both in the lung and
      liver of B. pseudomallei-infected mice. Strikingly, Trem-2-/-, but not Trem-1/3-/
      , mice displayed a markedly improved host defense as reflected by a strong
      survival advantage together with decreased bacterial loads, less inflammation and
      reduced organ injury. Cellular responsiveness of TREM-2, but not TREM-1,
      deficient blood and bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDM) was diminished upon
      exposure to B. pseudomallei. Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of B.
      pseudomallei by BMDM and alveolar macrophages were TREM-1 and TREM-2-independent.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We found that TREM-2, and to a lesser extent TREM-1,
      plays a remarkable detrimental role in the host defense against a clinically
      relevant Gram-negative pathogen in mice: TREM-2 deficiency restricts the
      inflammatory response, thereby decreasing organ damage and mortality.

PMID- 27253386
TI  - Intention to Accept Pertussis Vaccination for Cocooning: A Qualitative Study of
      the Determinants.
AB  - CONTEXT: Several countries have reported a resurgence of pertussis in the last
      decades. This puts infants (especially <6 months) at risk of severe
      complications, because they are too young to be fully protected by vaccination.
      The global pertussis initiative has proposed pertussis vaccination of young
      infants' close contacts, in order to reduce pertussis transmission and the burden
      of the disease on infants. Our aim is to explore the perceived determinants
      (barriers and facilitators) of intention to accept vaccination among the possible
      target groups of pertussis vaccination for cocooning. Consideration of these
      determinants is necessary to optimise the uptake of the vaccination. METHODS: We
      conducted 13 focus groups and six individual semi-structured interviews with
      members of possible target groups for pertussis cocooning (i.e. parents,
      maternity assistants, midwives, and paediatric nurses) in the Netherlands. Here,
      both maternal pertussis vaccination as well as pertussis cocooning has not been
      implemented. The topic list was based on a literature review and a barrier
      framework. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and two researchers performed
      thematic content analysis. FINDINGS: The participants' risk perception, outcome
      expectations, general vaccination beliefs, moral norms, opinion of others,
      perceived autonomy, anticipated regret, decisional uncertainty, and perceived
      organisational barriers were all factors that influenced the intention to accept
      pertussis vaccination for cocooning. DISCUSSION: This study has identified nine
      perceived determinants that influence the intention to accept pertussis cocooning
      vaccination. We add the following determinants to the literature: perceived cost
      effectiveness (as a concept of outcome expectations), justice (as a concept of
      moral norms), anticipated regret, and decisional uncertainty. We recommend
      considering these determinants in vaccination programmes for pertussis cocooning
      vaccination. Experience, information and trust emerged as predominant themes
      within these determinants. These themes require particular attention in future
      research on vaccination acceptance, especially with regard to their role in use
      and implementation in policy and practice.

PMID- 27253387
TI  - Highly Thermally Conductive Composite Papers Prepared Based on the Thought of
      Bioinspired Engineering.
AB  - The rapid development of modern electronics and three-dimensional integration
      sets stringent requirements for efficient heat removal of thermal-management
      materials to ensure the long lifetime of the electronics. However, conventional
      polymer composites that have been used widely as thermal-management materials
      suffer from undesired thermal conductivity lower than 10 W m(-1) K(-1). In this
      work, we report a novel thermally conductive composite paper based on the thought
      of bioinspired engineering. The advantage of the bioinspired papers over
      conventional composites lies in that they possess a very high in-plane thermal
      conductivity up to 21.7 W m(-1) K(-1) along with good mechanical properties and
      high electrical insulation. We attribute the high thermal conductivity to the
      improved interfacial interaction between assembled components through the
      introduction of silver nanoparticles and the oriented structure based on boron
      nitride nanosheets and silicon carbide nanowires. This thought based on
      bioinspired engineering provides a creative opportunity for design and
      fabrication of novel thermally conductive materials, and this kind of composite
      paper has potential applications in powerful integrated microelectronics. 

PMID- 27253388
TI  - Quantification of Stereochemical Communication in Metal-Organic Assemblies.
AB  - The derivation and application of a statistical mechanical model to quantify
      stereochemical communication in metal-organic assemblies is reported. The factors
      affecting the stereochemical communication within and between the metal
      stereocenters of the assemblies were experimentally studied by optical
      spectroscopy and analyzed in terms of a free energy penalty per "incorrect" amine
      enantiomer incorporated, and a free energy of coupling between stereocenters.
      These intra- and inter-vertex coupling constants are used to track the degree of
      stereochemical communication across a range of metal-organic assemblies
      (employing different ligands, peripheral amines, and metals); temperature
      dependent equilibria between diastereomeric cages are also quantified. The model
      thus provides a unified understanding of the factors that shape the chirotopic
      void spaces enclosed by metal-organic container molecules.

PMID- 27253389
TI  - Assimilating to Hierarchical Culture: A Grounded Theory Study on Communication
      among Clinical Nurses.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to generate a substantive model that accounts for
      the explanatory social processes of communication in which nurses were engaged in
      clinical settings in Korea. Grounded theory methodology was used in this study. A
      total of 15 clinical nurses participated in the in-depth interviews.
      "Assimilating to the hierarchical culture" emerged as the basic social process of
      communication in which the participants engaged in their work environments. To
      adapt to the cultures of their assigned wards, the nurses learned to be silent
      and engaged in their assimilation into the established hierarchy. The process of
      assimilation consisted of three phases based on the major goals that nurses
      worked to achieve: getting to know about unspoken rules, persevering within the
      culture, and acting as senior nurse. Seven strategies and actions utilized to
      achieve the major tasks emerged as subcategories, including receiving strong
      disapproval, learning by observing, going silent, finding out what is acceptable,
      minimizing distress, taking advantages as senior nurse, and taking
      responsibilities as senior nurse. The findings identified how the pattern of
      communication in nursing organizations affected the way in which nurses were
      assimilated into organizational culture, from individual nurses' perspectives. In
      order to improve the rigid working atmosphere and culture in nursing
      organizations and increase members' satisfaction with work and quality of life,
      managers and staff nurses need training that focuses on effective communication
      and encouraging peer opinion-sharing within horizontal relationships. Moreover,
      organization-level support should be provided to create an environment that
      encourages free expression. 

PMID- 27253390
TI  - Structure and Sensilla of the Mouthparts of the Spotted Lanternfly Lycorma
      delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Fulgoridae), a Polyphagous Invasive
      Planthopper.
AB  - Mouthparts are among the most important sensory and feeding structures in insects
      and comparative morphological study may help explain differences in feeding
      behavior and diet breadth among species. The spotted lanternfly Lycorma
      delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Fulgoridae) is a polyphagous
      agricultural pest originating in China, recently established and becoming
      widespread in Korea, and more recently introduced into eastern North America. It
      causes severe economic damage by sucking phloem sap and the sugary excrement
      produced by nymphs and adults serves as a medium for sooty mold. To facilitate
      future study of feeding mechanisms in this insect, the fine-structural morphology
      of mouthparts focusing on the distribution of sensilla located on the labium in
      adult L. delicatula was observed using a scanning electron microscope. The
      mouthparts consist of a small cone-shaped labrum, a tubular labium and a stylet
      fascicle consisting of two inner interlocked maxillary stylets partially
      surrounded by two shorter mandibular stylets similar to those found in other
      hemipteran insects. The five-segmented labium is unusual (most other
      Fulgoromorpha have four segments) and is provided with several types of sensilla
      and cuticular processes situated on the apex of its distal labial segment. In
      general, nine types of sensilla were found on the mouthparts. Six types of
      sensilla and four types of cuticular processes are present on sensory fields of
      the labial apex. The proposed taxonomic and functional significance of the
      sensilla are discussed. Morphological similarities in the interlocking mechanism
      of the stylets suggest a relationship between Fulgoromorpha and Heteroptera. 

PMID- 27253391
TI  - Correction: Antigen-Specific Antibody Glycosylation Is Regulated via Vaccination.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005456.].

PMID- 27253395
TI  - Virtual Simulations as Preparation for Lab Exercises: Assessing Learning of Key
      Laboratory Skills in Microbiology and Improvement of Essential Non-Cognitive
      Skills.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate if a virtual laboratory simulation (vLAB) could be used
      to replace a face to face tutorial (demonstration) to prepare students for a
      laboratory exercise in microbiology. METHODS: A total of 189 students who were
      participating in an undergraduate biology course were randomly selected into a
      vLAB or demonstration condition. In the vLAB condition students could use a vLAB
      at home to 'practice' streaking out bacteria on agar plates in a virtual
      environment. In the demonstration condition students were given a live
      demonstration from a lab tutor showing them how to streak out bacteria on agar
      plates. All students were blindly assessed on their ability to perform the
      streaking technique in the physical lab, and were administered a pre and post
      test to determine their knowledge of microbiology, intrinsic motivation to study
      microbiology, and self-efficacy in the field of microbiology prior to, and after
      the experiment. RESULTS: The results showed that there were no significant
      differences between the two groups on their lab scores, and both groups had
      similar increases in knowledge of microbiology, intrinsic motivation to study
      microbiology, as well as self-efficacy in the field of microbiology. CONCLUSION:
      Our data show that vLABs function just as well as face to face tutorials in
      preparing students for a physical lab activity in microbiology. The results imply
      that vLABs could be used instead of face to face tutorials, and a combination of
      virtual and physical lab exercises could be the future of science education.

PMID- 27253396
TI  - Ultrasensitive Detection of Low-Abundance Protein Biomarkers by Mass Spectrometry
      Signal Amplification Assay.
AB  - A mass spectrometry signal amplification method is developed for the
      ultrasensitive and selective detection of low-abundance protein biomarkers by
      utilizing tag molecules on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). EpCAM and thrombin as
      model targets are captured by specific aptamers immobilized on the AuNPs. With
      laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF MS), the
      mass tag molecules are detected to represent the protein biomarkers. Benefiting
      from the MS signal amplification, the assay can achieve a limit of detection of
      100 aM. The method is further applied to detect thrombin in fetal bovine serum
      and EpCAM in cell lysates to demonstrate its selectivity and feasibility in
      complex biological samples. With the high sensitivity and specificity, the
      protocol shows great promise for providing a new route to single-cell analysis
      and early disease diagnosis.

PMID- 27253394
TI  - Intracellular Spread of Rabies Virus Is Reduced in the Paralytic Form of Canine
      Rabies Compared to the Furious Form.
AB  - Studies of the furious and paralytic forms of canine rabies at the early stage of
      disease have shown a more rapid viral colonization of the cerebral hemispheres in
      the furious form, as measured by viral antigen within neuronal cell bodies and
      viral RNA levels. Measurement of cellular processes separate from neuronal cell
      body provides a visual record of the spread of rabies virus which occurs across
      synapses. In this study, the amount of rabies viral antigen within cell processes
      was quantitatively assessed by image analysis in a cohort of naturally rabies
      infected non-vaccinated dogs (5 furious and 5 paralytic) that were sacrificed
      shortly after developing illness. Measurements were taken at different levels of
      the spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebrum. Results were compared to the amount of
      rabies viral antigen in neuronal cell bodies. Generally, the amount of rabies
      viral antigen in cell processes decreased in a rostral direction, following the
      pattern for the amount of rabies viral antigen in neuronal cell bodies and the
      percentage of involved cell bodies. However, there was a delay in cell process
      involvement following cell body involvement, consistent with replication
      occurring in the cell body region and subsequent transport out to cell processes.
      Greater amounts of antigen were seen in cell processes in dogs with the furious
      compared to paralytic form, at all anatomic levels examined. This difference was
      even evident when comparing (1) neurons with similar amounts of antigen, (2)
      similar percentages of involved neurons, and (3) anatomic levels that showed 100%
      positive neurons. These findings suggest that intracellular transport of the
      virus may be slower in the paralytic form, resulting in slower viral propagation.
      Possible mechanisms might involve host-specific differences in intracellular
      virus transport. The latter could be cytokine-mediated, since previous studies
      have documented greater inflammation in the paralytic form.

PMID- 27253393
TI  - Longitudinal Changes in White Matter Tract Integrity across the Adult Lifespan
      and Its Relation to Cortical Thinning.
AB  - A causal link between decreases in white matter (WM) integrity and cortical
      degeneration is assumed, but there is scarce knowledge on the relationship
      between these changes across the adult human lifespan. We investigated changes in
      thickness throughout the cortical mantle and WM tract integrity derived from T1
      and diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in 201 healthy
      adults aged 23-87 years over a mean interval of 3.6 years. Fractional anisotropy
      (FA), mean (MD), radial (RD) and axial (AD) diffusivity changes were calculated
      for forceps minor and major and eight major white matter tracts in each
      hemisphere by use of a novel automated longitudinal tractography constrained by
      underlying anatomy (TRACULA) approach. We hypothesized that increasing MD and
      decreasing FA across tracts would relate to cortical thinning, with some
      anatomical specificity. WM integrity decreased across tracts non-uniformly, with
      mean annual percentage decreases ranging from 0.20 in the Inferior Longitudinal
      Fasciculus to 0.65 in the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus. For most tracts,
      greater MD increases and FA decreases related to more cortical thinning, in areas
      in part overlapping with but also outside the projected tract endings. The
      findings indicate a combination of global and tract-specific relationships
      between WM integrity and cortical thinning. 

PMID- 27253392
TI  - Theoretical Insights into the Biophysics of Protein Bi-stability and Evolutionary
      Switches.
AB  - Deciphering the effects of nonsynonymous mutations on protein structure is
      central to many areas of biomedical research and is of fundamental importance to
      the study of molecular evolution. Much of the investigation of protein evolution
      has focused on mutations that leave a protein's folded structure essentially
      unchanged. However, to evolve novel folds of proteins, mutations that lead to
      large conformational modifications have to be involved. Unraveling the basic
      biophysics of such mutations is a challenge to theory, especially when only one
      or two amino acid substitutions cause a large-scale conformational switch. Among
      the few such mutational switches identified experimentally, the one between the
      GA all-alpha and GB alpha+beta folds is extensively characterized; but all-atom
      simulations using fully transferrable potentials have not been able to account
      for this striking switching behavior. Here we introduce an explicit-chain model
      that combines structure-based native biases for multiple alternative structures
      with a general physical atomic force field, and apply this construct to twelve
      mutants spanning the sequence variation between GA and GB. In agreement with
      experiment, we observe conformational switching from GA to GB upon a single L45Y
      substitution in the GA98 mutant. In line with the latent evolutionary potential
      concept, our model shows a gradual sequence-dependent change in fold preference
      in the mutants before this switch. Our analysis also indicates that a sharp GA/GB
      switch may arise from the orientation dependence of aromatic pi-interactions.
      These findings provide physical insights toward rationalizing, predicting and
      designing evolutionary conformational switches.

PMID- 27253398
TI  - Racial and Ethnic Differences in Electrocardiographic Features of Takotsubo
      Cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 27253401
TI  - Management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast: A Review.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast represents a disease
      process that continues to increase in incidence with treatment paradigms that
      continue to evolve. Greater access to long-term data from large observational
      studies addressing the natural history of the disease has contributed to changes
      in treatment paradigms and put into question traditional management strategies.
      OBSERVATIONS: While recent analyses have suggested that a more conservative
      approach to the management of DCIS without surgical intervention or radiation
      therapy may be advisable based on breast cancer mortality data, there is a lack
      of level 1 or prospective evidence to support the widespread adoption of these
      approaches. Currently, surgery remains the standard of care for the initial
      treatment of DCIS. Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) has consistently demonstrated
      a reduction in the risk of local recurrence following breast-conserving surgery
      (BCS), even in "low-risk" populations of patients. Invasive recurrences following
      BCS are associated with increases in breast cancer mortality. Questions that
      remain to be answered include (1) what constitutes an acceptable risk of local
      recurrence, (2) what are the costs associated with managing local recurrences
      compared with RT given initially after BCS (particularly in light of data
      supporting shorter courses of RT), and (3) what are the benefits of endocrine
      therapy on local recurrence, and do they justify the additional toxic effects and
      potential noncompliance with their long-term administration? CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Surgery and RT remain standard of care treatment options in the
      management of DCIS. Future studies are required to identify cohorts of patients
      in which RT can be safely omitted as well as to evaluate whether short-course RT
      alone may represent a better option than endocrine therapy with respect to
      compliance, toxic effects, cost and local control following BCS.

PMID- 27253397
TI  - Interleukin 1 Polymorphisms Contribute to Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Risk:
      A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We performed a meta-analysis to assess association between interleukin
      1 (IL-1) polymorphisms and the risk of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD).
      BACKGROUND: A series of studies have investigated the association between common
      single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-1 and IDD risk; however, the overall
      results are inconclusive. METHODS: Two independent investigators conducted a
      systematic search for relevant available studies. Allele frequencies were
      extracted from each study. The association between the IL-1alpha (+889C/T) or IL
      1beta (+3954C/T) polymorphism and IDD risk was measured by odds ratios (OR) with
      95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Five and six studies, respectively,
      were ultimately included in the meta-analysis for the IL-1alpha (+889C/T) and IL
      1beta (+3954C/T) polymorphism. The combined results showed that the IL-1alpha
      (+889C/T) polymorphism was significantly associated with increased susceptibility
      to IDD, particularly in Caucasians (TT versus CC: OR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.45, 6.04;
      Pheterogeneity = 0.82; TT versus CC/CT: OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.18, 4.47;
      Pheterogeneity = 0.20). In contrast, the IL-1beta (+3954C/T) polymorphism showed
      a trend towards increased risk in Caucasians but no association in Asians.
      CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggested that the IL-1alpha (+889C/T)
      polymorphism is significantly associated with risk of IDD, especially in
      Caucasian populations.

PMID- 27253399
TI  - Structural and Functional Characterization of Aerobactin Synthetase IucA from a
      Hypervirulent Pathotype of Klebsiella pneumoniae.
AB  - Iron is a vital mineral nutrient required by virtually all life forms to prosper;
      pathogenic bacteria are no exception. Despite the abundance of iron within the
      human host, highly regulated iron physiology can result in exceedingly low levels
      of iron bioavailable to prospective invading bacteria. To combat this scarcity of
      iron, many pathogenic bacteria have acquired specific and efficient iron
      acquisition systems, which allow them to thrive in iron-deficient host
      environments. One of the more prominent bacterial iron acquisition systems
      involves the synthesis, secretion, and reuptake of small-molecule iron chelators
      known as siderophores. Aerobactin, a citrate-hydroxamate siderophore originally
      isolated nearly 50 years ago, is produced by a number of pathogenic Gram-negative
      bacteria. Aerobactin has recently been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in
      mediating the enhanced virulence of a particularly invasive pathotype of
      Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP). Toward further understanding of this key virulence
      factor, we report the structural and functional characterization of aerobactin
      synthetase IucA from a strain of hvKP. The X-ray crystal structures of unliganded
      and ATP-bound forms of IucA were solved, forming the foundation of our structural
      analysis. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data suggest that, unlike its
      closest structurally characterized homologues, IucA adopts a tetrameric assembly
      in solution. Finally, we employed activity assays to investigate the substrate
      specificity and determine the apparent steady-state kinetic parameters of IucA.

PMID- 27253400
TI  - Finasteride Enhances the Generation of Human Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells by
      Up-Regulating the COX2/PGE2 Pathway.
AB  - Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been known to be a key factor in
      the regulation of the immune system under numerous conditions such as tumors,
      infections, autoimmune diseases, and transplantations. In contrast to the
      proposed deleterious role of MDSCs in tumors and infections, MDSCs with their
      suppressive function are now proved to have the beneficial potential of
      suppressing the autoimmune response and promoting tolerance to transplantation.
      Therefore, the expansion of MDSCs could be a promising therapeutic strategy for
      many diseases. In this study, we aimed to identify FDA-approved drugs that could
      aid in the expansion of functional MDSCs. We performed a high-throughput
      screening (HTS) of FDA-approved drugs based on the in vitro human MDSC
      differentiation system and identified finasteride (FIN) to have the best potency
      to aid the generation of human MDSCs. The FIN-induced MDSCs were quite similar to
      monocytic MDSCs with regard to their surface phenotype, morphology,
      immunosuppressive function, and related gene expression. Next, we aimed to
      determine the mechanism of action of FIN and found that FIN induced the expansion
      of MDSCs through up-regulation of the COX2/PGE2 pathway by enhancing the activity
      of COX2 promoter. In addition, the administration of indomethacin (IND), a COX2
      inhibitor, abrogated the effect of FIN. Based on these results, we suggested that
      FIN could find applications in the future in the expansion of MDSCs. Further
      development of FIN-like compounds could be a novel strategy for generating
      functional MDSCs for immunosuppressive therapies in various immune disorder
      conditions. 

PMID- 27253406
TI  - Raptor hunted by caspases.

PMID- 27253402
TI  - Commentary: Mitochondrial DNA damage and loss in diabetes.
AB  - This commentary discusses damage and loss of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in type 2
      diabetes mellitus from both the clinical and experimental perspectives.
      Increasingly, an array of studies in experimental models and patients suggests
      that the cellular stresses of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes damage mtDNA,
      leading to loss of mitochondrial genetic content. As such, mtDNA is emerging as
      both a valuable monitoring tool and translational preventive target for metabolic
      disease. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27253405
TI  - A transcription factor 7-like 1-lipocalin 2 axis in the differentiation of
      keratinocytes.

PMID- 27253403
TI  - TMEM2 inhibits hepatitis B virus infection in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells by
      activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.
AB  - We have previously observed the downregulation of TMEM2 in the liver tissue of
      patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and in HepG2.2.15 cells
      with HBV genomic DNA. In the present study, we investigated the role and
      mechanism of TMEM2 in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 during HBV infection HepG2 and
      HepG2.2.15. HepG2 shTMEM2 cells with stable TMEM2 knockdown and HepG2 TMEM2 and
      HepG2.2.15 TMEM2 cells with stable TMEM2 overexpression were established using
      lentivirus vectors. We observed reduced expression of TMEM2 in HBV-infected liver
      tissues and HepG2.2.15 cells. HBsAg, HBcAg, HBV DNA, and HBV cccDNA levels were
      significantly increased in HepG2 shTMEM2 cells but decreased in HepG2 TMEM2 and
      HepG2.2.15 TMEM2 cells compared with naive HepG2 cells. On the basis of the
      western blotting results, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway was inhibited in HepG2
      shTMEM2 cells but activated in HepG2 TMEM2 and HepG2.2.15 TMEM2 cells. In
      addition, reduced and increased expression of the antiviral proteins MxA and OAS1
      was observed in TMEM2-silenced cells (HepG2 shTMEM2 cells) and TMEM2
      overexpressing cells (HepG2 TMEM2 and HepG2.2.15 TMEM2 cells), respectively. The
      expression of Interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) was not affected by TMEM2.
      However, we found that overexpression and knockdown of TMEM2, respectively,
      promoted and inhibited importation of IRF9 into nuclei. The luciferase reporter
      assay showed that IRF9 nuclear translocation affected interferon-stimulated
      response element activities. In addition, the inhibitory effects of TMEM2 on HBV
      infection in HepG2 shTMEM2 cells was significantly enhanced by pre-treatment with
      interferon but significantly inhibited in HepG2.2.15 TMEM2 cells by pre-treatment
      with JAK1 inhibitor. TMEM2 inhibits HBV infection in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 by
      activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

PMID- 27253404
TI  - Proteolytic degradation and potential role of onconeural protein cdr2 in
      neurodegeneration.
AB  - Cerebellar degeneration-related protein 2 (cdr2) is expressed in the central
      nervous system, and its ectopic expression in tumor cells of patients with
      gynecological malignancies elicits immune responses by cdr2-specific
      autoantibodies and T lymphocytes, leading to neurological symptoms. However,
      little is known about the regulation and function of cdr2 in neurodegenerative
      diseases. Because we found that cdr2 is highly expressed in the midbrain, we
      investigated the role of cdr2 in experimental models of Parkinson's disease (PD).
      We found that cdr2 levels were significantly reduced after stereotaxic injection
      of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) into the striatum. cdr2 levels were also
      decreased in the brains of post-mortem PD patients. Using primary cultures of
      mesencephalic neurons and MN9D cells, we confirmed that MPP(+) reduces cdr2 in
      tyrosine hydroxylase-positive dopaminergic neuronal cells. The MPP(+)-induced
      decrease of cdr2 was primarily caused by calpain- and ubiquitin proteasome system
      mediated degradation, and cotreatment with pharmacological inhibitors of these
      enzymes or overexpression of calcium-binding protein rendered cells less
      vulnerable to MPP(+)-mediated cytotoxicity. Consequently, overexpression of cdr2
      rescued cells from MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity, whereas knockdown of cdr2
      accelerated toxicity. Collectively, our findings provide insights into the novel
      regulatory mechanism and potentially protective role of onconeural protein during
      dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27253410
TI  - Continuous exposure of pancreatic cancer cells to dietary bioactive agents does
      not induce drug resistance unlike chemotherapy.
AB  - The repeated treatment of cancer cells with chemo- or radiotherapy induces
      therapy resistance, but it was previously unknown whether the same effect occurs
      upon continuous exposure of cancer cells to diet-derived chemopreventive agents.
      We elucidated this interesting question in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma,
      which is a highly aggressive cancer entity with a marked resistance toward
      gemcitabine and other cytotoxic drugs. The isothiocyanate sulforaphane, present
      in cruciferous vegetables, and the polyphenol quercetin, present in many fruits
      and vegetables induced apoptosis and reduced viability in gemcitabine-sensitive
      BxPC-3 cells but not in non-malignant ductal pancreas cells and mesenchymal
      stromal cells. In turn, BxPC-3 cells were treated with increasing concentrations
      of gemcitabine, sulforaphane or quercetin for more than 1 year and the surviving
      subclones Bx-GEM, Bx-SF and Bx-Q were selected, respectively. While Bx-GEM cells
      acquired a total resistance, Bx-SF or Bx-Q cells largely kept their sensitivity
      as proved by MTT assay, annexin staining and FACS analysis. The evaluation of the
      self-renewal-, differentiation- and migration-potential by colony formation,
      differentiation or migration assays demonstrated that cancer stem cell features
      were enriched in gemcitabine-resistant cells, but decreased in sulforaphane- and
      quercetin-long time-treated cells. These results were confirmed by orthotopic
      xenotransplantation of cancer cells to the mouse pancreas, where Bx-GEM formed
      large, Bx-Q small and Bx-SF cells almost undetectable tumors. An mRNA expression
      profiling array and subsequent gene set enrichment analysis and qRT-PCR confirmed
      that tumor progression markers were enriched in Bx-GEM, but reduced in Bx-SF and
      Bx-Q cells. This study demonstrates that the continuous exposure of pancreatic
      cancer cells to sulforaphane or quercetin does not induce resistance in surviving
      cells but reduces tumorigenicity by inhibition of tumor progression markers.
      These results highlight that cancer cells may not adapt to the preventive and
      therapeutic effects of a regular fruit- and vegetable-based diet.

PMID- 27253417
TI  - Free-Standing Copper Nanowire Network Current Collector for Improving Lithium
      Anode Performance.
AB  - Lithium metal is one of the most attractive anode materials for next-generation
      lithium batteries due to its high specific capacity and low electrochemical
      potential. However, the poor cycling performance and serious safety hazards,
      caused by the growth of dendritic and mossy lithium, has long hindered the
      application of lithium metal based batteries. Herein, we reported a rational
      design of free-standing Cu nanowire (CuNW) network to suppress the growth of
      dendritic lithium via accommodating the lithium metal in three-dimensional (3D)
      nanostructures. We demonstrated that as high as 7.5 mA h cm(-2) of lithium can be
      plated into the free-standing copper nanowire (CuNW) current collector without
      the growth of dendritic lithium. The lithium metal anode based on the CuNW
      exhibited high Coulombic efficiency (average 98.6% during 200 cycles) and
      outstanding rate performance owing to the suppression of lithium dendrite growth
      and high conductivity of CuNW network. Our results demonstrate that the rational
      nanostructural design of current collector could be a promising strategy to
      improve the performance of lithium metal anode enabling its application in next
      generation lithium-metal based batteries.

PMID- 27253409
TI  - Toll-like receptor 4 modulates the cochlear immune response to acoustic injury.
AB  - Acoustic overstimulation traumatizes the cochlea, resulting in auditory
      dysfunction. As a consequence of acoustic injury, the immune system in the
      cochlea is activated, leading to the production of inflammatory mediators and the
      infiltration of immune cells. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for
      initiating these immune responses remain unclear. Here, we investigate the
      functional role of Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4), a cellular receptor that
      activates the innate immune system, in the regulation of cochlear responses to
      acoustic overstimulation. Using a Tlr4 knockout mouse model, we examined how Tlr4
      deficiency affects sensory cell pathogenesis, auditory dysfunction and cochlear
      immune activity. We demonstrate that Tlr4 knockout does not affect sensory cell
      viability under physiological conditions, but reduces the level of sensory cell
      damage and cochlear dysfunction after acoustic injury. Together, these findings
      suggest that Tlr4 promotes sensory cell degeneration and cochlear dysfunction
      after acoustic injury. Acoustic injury provokes a site-dependent inflammatory
      response in both the organ of Corti and the tissues of the lateral wall and
      basilar membrane. Tlr4 deficiency affects these inflammatory responses in a site
      dependent manner. In the organ of Corti, loss of Tlr4 function suppresses the
      production of interleukin 6 (Il6), a pro-inflammatory molecule, after acoustic
      injury. By contrast, the production of inflammatory mediators, including Il6,
      persists in the lateral wall and basilar membrane. In addition to immune
      molecules, Tlr4 knockout inhibits the expression of major histocompatibility
      complex class II, an antigen-presenting molecule, in macrophages, suggesting that
      Tlr4 participates in the antigen-presenting function of macrophages after
      acoustic trauma. Together, these results suggest that Tlr4 regulates multiple
      aspects of the immune response in the cochlea and contributes to cochlear
      pathogenesis after acoustic injury.

PMID- 27253411
TI  - Erianin induces G2/M-phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy via the ROS/JNK
      signaling pathway in human osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Erianin, a natural product derived from Dendrobium chrysotoxum, has exhibited
      potential antitumor activity in various malignancies, including hepatocarcinoma,
      melanoma, and promyelocytic leukemia. Here we explored the effects of erianin on
      osteosarcoma (OS) in vitro and in vivo and further elucidated the underlying
      molecule mechanisms. In this study, we found that erianin potently suppressed
      cell viability in various OS cell lines. Treatment with erianin induced G2/M
      phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy in OS cells. Further studies showed that
      erianin-induced apoptosis and autophagy was attributed to reactive oxygen species
      (ROS), as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, attenuated them. Moreover,
      we found that erianin induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal
      pathway, which was also blocked by NAC. Downregulation of JNK by its specific
      inhibitor SP600125 could attenuate apoptosis and autophagy induced by erianin.
      Finally, erianin in vivo markedly reduced the growth with little organ-related
      toxicity. In conclusion, erianin induced cell cycle G2/M-phase arrest, apoptosis,
      and autophagy via the ROS/JNK signaling pathway in human OS. In light of these
      results, erianin may be a promising agent for anticancer therapy against OS.

PMID- 27253407
TI  - Immune-system-dependent anti-tumor activity of a plant-derived polyphenol rich
      fraction in a melanoma mouse model.
AB  - Recent findings suggest that part of the anti-tumor effects of several
      chemotherapeutic agents require an intact immune system. This is in part due to
      the induction of immunogenic cell death. We have identified a gallotannin-rich
      fraction, obtained from Caesalpinia spinosa (P2Et) as an anti-tumor agent in both
      breast carcinoma and melanoma. Here, we report that P2Et treatment results in
      activation of caspase 3 and 9, mobilization of cytochrome c and externalization
      of annexin V in tumor cells, thus suggesting the induction of apoptosis. This was
      preceded by the onset of autophagy and the expression of immunogenic cell death
      markers. We further demonstrate that P2Et-treated tumor cells are highly
      immunogenic in vaccinated mice and induce immune system activation, clearly shown
      by the generation of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) producing tyrosine-related
      protein 2 antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Moreover, the tumor protective effects
      of P2Et treatment were abolished in immunodeficient mice, and partially lost
      after CD4 and CD8 depletion, indicating that P2Et's anti-tumor activity is highly
      dependent on immune system and at least in part of T cells. Altogether, these
      results support the hypothesis that the gallotannin-rich fraction P2Et's anti
      tumor effects are mediated to a great extent by the endogenous immune response
      following to the exposure to immunogenic dying tumor cells.

PMID- 27253408
TI  - Transglutaminase 2 has opposing roles in the regulation of cellular functions as
      well as cell growth and death.
AB  - Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is primarily known as the most ubiquitously expressed
      member of the transglutaminase family with Ca(2+)-dependent protein crosslinking
      activity; however, this enzyme exhibits multiple additional functions through
      GTPase, cell adhesion, protein disulfide isomerase, kinase, and scaffold
      activities and is associated with cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis.
      TG2 is found in the extracellular matrix, plasma membrane, cytosol, mitochondria,
      recycling endosomes, and nucleus, and its subcellular localization is an
      important determinant of its function. Depending upon the cell type and stimuli,
      TG2 changes its subcellular localization and biological activities, playing both
      anti- and pro-apoptotic roles. Increasing evidence indicates that the GTP-bound
      form of the enzyme (in its closed form) protects cells from apoptosis but that
      the transamidation activity of TG2 (in its open form) participates in both
      facilitating and inhibiting apoptosis. A difficulty in the study and
      understanding of this enigmatic protein is that opposing effects have been
      reported regarding its roles in the same physiological and/or pathological
      systems. These include neuroprotective or neurodegenerative effects, hepatic cell
      growth-promoting or hepatic cell death-inducing effects, exacerbating or having
      no effect on liver fibrosis, and anti- and pro-apoptotic effects on cancer cells.
      The reasons for these discrepancies have been ascribed to TG2's multifunctional
      activities, genetic variants, conformational changes induced by the immediate
      environment, and differences in the genetic background of the mice used in each
      of the experiments. In this article, we first report that TG2 has opposing roles
      like the protagonist in the novel Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, followed by a summary
      of the controversies reported, and finally discuss the possible reasons for these
      discrepancies.

PMID- 27253415
TI  - Endoplasmic reticulum stress eIF2alpha-ATF4 pathway-mediated cyclooxygenase-2
      induction regulates cadmium-induced autophagy in kidney.
AB  - The heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is nephrotoxic. Recent studies show that autophagy
      plays an essential role in Cd-induced kidney injury. However, the mechanisms of
      Cd-induced kidney injury accompanied by autophagy are still obscure. In the
      present study, we first confirmed that Cd induced kidney damage and dysfunction,
      along with autophagy, both in vivo and in vitro. Then, we observed that
      cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the eIF2alpha-ATF4 pathway of endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) stress were induced by Cd in both kidney tissues and cultured cells. Further
      studies showed that inhibition of COX-2 with celecoxib or RNA interference (RNAi)
      inhibited the Cd-induced autophagy in kidney cells. In addition, blocking ER
      stress with 4-phenylbutyrate or RNAi partially counteracted COX-2 overexpression
      and autophagy induced by Cd, which suggested that ER stress was required for Cd
      induced kidney autophagy. Significantly, our results showed that Cd activated
      ATF4 and induced its translocation to the nucleus. Knockdown of ATF4 inhibited Cd
      induced COX-2 overexpression. While COX-2 overexpression is involved in renal
      dysfunction, there is no prior report on the role of COX-2 in autophagy
      regulation. The results of the current study suggest a novel molecular mechanism
      that the ER stress eIF2alpha-ATF4 pathway-mediated COX-2 overexpression
      contributes to Cd-induced kidney autophagy and injury. The present study implies
      that COX-2 may be a potential target for therapy against Cd-induced
      nephrotoxicity.

PMID- 27253418
TI  - Subcutaneous versus sublingual immunotherapy.

PMID- 27253416
TI  - Guttiferone K impedes cell cycle re-entry of quiescent prostate cancer cells via
      stabilization of FBXW7 and subsequent c-MYC degradation.
AB  - Cell cycle re-entry by quiescent cancer cells is an important mechanism for
      cancer progression. While high levels of c-MYC expression are sufficient for cell
      cycle re-entry, the modality to block c-MYC expression, and subsequent cell cycle
      re-entry, is limited. Using reversible quiescence rendered by serum withdrawal or
      contact inhibition in PTEN(null)/p53(WT) (LNCaP) or PTEN(null)/p53(mut) (PC-3)
      prostate cancer cells, we have identified a compound that is able to impede cell
      cycle re-entry through c-MYC. Guttiferone K (GUTK) blocked resumption of DNA
      synthesis and preserved the cell cycle phase characteristics of quiescent cells
      after release from the quiescence. In vehicle-treated cells, there was a rapid
      increase in c-MYC protein levels upon release from the quiescence. However, this
      increase was inhibited in the presence of GUTK with an associated acceleration in
      c-MYC protein degradation. The inhibitory effect of GUTK on cell cycle re-entry
      was significantly reduced in cells overexpressing c-MYC. The protein level of
      FBXW7, a subunit of E3 ubiquitin ligase responsible for degradation of c-MYC, was
      reduced upon the release from the quiescence. In contrast, GUTK stabilized FBXW7
      protein levels during release from the quiescence. The critical role of FBXW7 was
      confirmed using siRNA knockdown, which impaired the inhibitory effect of GUTK on
      c-MYC protein levels and cell cycle re-entry. Administration of GUTK, either in
      vitro prior to transplantation or in vivo, suppressed the growth of quiescent
      prostate cancer cell xenografts. Furthermore, elevation of FBXW7 protein levels
      and reduction of c-MYC protein levels were found in the xenografts of GUTK
      treated compared with vehicle-treated mice. Hence, we have identified a compound
      that is capable of impeding cell cycle re-entry by quiescent PTEN(null)/p53(WT)
      and PTEN(null)/p53(mut) prostate cancer cells likely by promoting c-MYC protein
      degradation through stabilization of FBXW7. Its usage as a clinical modality to
      prevent prostate cancer progression should be further evaluated.

PMID- 27253412
TI  - Role of long non-coding RNA-RNCR3 in atherosclerosis-related vascular
      dysfunction.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is one of the most common vascular disorders. Endothelial cell
      (EC) dysfunction and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation contributes
      to the development of atherosclerosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been
      implicated in several biological processes and human diseases. Here we show that
      lncRNA-RNCR3 is expressed in ECs and VSMCs. RNCR3 expression is significantly
      upregulated in mouse and human aortic atherosclerotic lesions, and cultured ECs
      and VSMCs upon ox-LDL treatment in vitro. RNCR3 knockdown accelerates the
      development of atherosclerosis, aggravates hypercholesterolemia and inflammatory
      factor releases, and decreases EC and VSMC proliferation in vivo. RNCR3 knockdown
      also reduces the proliferation and migration, and accelerates apoptosis
      development of EC and VSMC in vitro. RNCR3 acts as a ceRNA, and forms a feedback
      loop with Kruppel-like factor 2 and miR-185-5p to regulate cell function. This
      study reveals that RNCR3 has an atheroprotective role in atherosclerosis, and its
      intervention is a promising strategy for treating atherosclerosis-related
      vascular dysfunction.

PMID- 27253414
TI  - A20 prevents chronic liver inflammation and cancer by protecting hepatocytes from
      death.
AB  - An important regulator of inflammatory signalling is the ubiquitin-editing
      protein A20 that acts as a break on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation,
      but also exerts important cytoprotective functions. A20 knockout mice are
      cachectic and die prematurely due to excessive multi-organ inflammation. To
      establish the importance of A20 in liver homeostasis and pathology, we developed
      a novel mouse line lacking A20 specifically in liver parenchymal cells. These
      mice spontaneously develop chronic liver inflammation but no fibrosis or
      hepatocellular carcinomas, illustrating an important role for A20 in normal liver
      tissue homeostasis. Hepatocyte-specific A20 knockout mice show sustained NF
      kappaB-dependent gene expression in the liver upon tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or
      lipopolysaccharide injection, as well as hepatocyte apoptosis and lethality upon
      challenge with sublethal doses of TNF, demonstrating an essential role for A20 in
      the protection of mice against acute liver failure. Finally, chronic liver
      inflammation and enhanced hepatocyte apoptosis in hepatocyte-specific A20
      knockout mice was associated with increased susceptibility to chemically or high
      fat-diet-induced hepatocellular carcinoma development. Together, these studies
      establish A20 as a crucial hepatoprotective factor.

PMID- 27253413
TI  - A ribosome-related signature in peripheral blood CLL B cells is linked to reduced
      survival following treatment.
AB  - We have used polysome profiling coupled to microarray analysis to examine the
      translatome of a panel of peripheral blood (PB) B cells isolated from 34 chronic
      lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients. We have identified a 'ribosome-related'
      signature in CLL patients with mRNAs encoding for ribosomal proteins and factors
      that modify ribosomal RNA, e.g. DKC1 (which encodes dyskerin, a pseudouridine
      synthase), showing reduced polysomal association and decreased expression of the
      corresponding proteins. Our data suggest a general impact of dyskerin
      dysregulation on the translational apparatus in CLL and importantly patients with
      low dyskerin levels have a significantly shorter period of overall survival
      following treatment. Thus, translational dysregulation of dyskerin could
      constitute a mechanism by which the CLL PB B cells acquire an aggressive
      phenotype and thus have a major role in oncogenesis.

PMID- 27253422
TI  - Spatial Distribution of Mycobacterium ulcerans in Buruli Ulcer Lesions:
      Implications for Laboratory Diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current laboratory diagnosis of Buruli ulcer (BU) is based on
      microscopic detection of acid fast bacilli, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR),
      histopathology or cultivation. Insertion sequence (IS) 2404 qPCR, the most
      sensitive method, is usually only available at reference laboratories. The only
      currently available point-of-care test, microscopic detection of acid fast
      bacilli (AFB), has limited sensitivity and specificity. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL
      FINDINGS: Here we analyzed AFB positive tissue samples (n = 83) for the presence,
      distribution and amount of AFB. AFB were nearly exclusively present in the
      subcutis with large extracellular clusters being most frequently (67%) found in
      plaque lesions. In ulcerative lesions small clusters and dispersed AFB were more
      common. Beside this, 151 swab samples from 37 BU patients were analyzed by IS2404
      qPCR and ZN staining in parallel. The amount of M. ulcerans DNA in extracts from
      swabs correlated well with the probability of finding AFB in direct smear
      microscopy, with 56.1% of the samples being positive in both methods and 43.9%
      being positive only in qPCR. By analyzing three swabs per patient instead of one,
      the probability to have at least one positive swab increased from 80.2% to 97.1%
      for qPCR and from 45% to 66.1% for AFB smear examination. CONCLUSION /
      SIGNIFICANCE: Our data show that M. ulcerans bacteria are primarily located in
      the subcutis of BU lesions, making the retrieval of the deep subcutis mandatory
      for examination of tissue samples for AFB. When laboratory diagnosis is based on
      the recommended less invasive collection of swab samples, analysis of three swabs
      from different areas of ulcerative lesions instead of one increases the
      sensitivity of both qPCR and of smear microscopy substantially.

PMID- 27253421
TI  - ACVR1B rs2854464 Is Associated with Sprint/Power Athletic Status in a Large
      Cohort of Europeans but Not Brazilians.
AB  - Skeletal muscle strength and mass, major contributors to sprint/power athletic
      performance, are influenced by genetics. However, to date, only a handful of
      genetic variants have been associated with sprint/power performance. The ACVR1B A
      allele (rs rs2854464) has previously been associated with increased muscle
      strength in non-athletic cohort. However, no follow-up and/or replications
      studies have since been conducted. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to
      compare the genotype distribution of ACVR1B rs2854464 between endurance athletes
      (E), sprint/power (S/P) athletes, mixed athletes (M), and non-athletic control
      participants in 1672 athletes (endurance athletes, n = 482; sprint/power
      athletes, n = 578; mixed athletes, n = 498) and 1089 controls (C) of both
      European Caucasians (Italian, Polish and Russians) and Brazilians. We have also
      compared the genotype distribution according to the athlete's level of
      competition (elite vs. sub-elite). DNA extraction and genotyping were performed
      using various methods. Fisher's exact test (adjusted for multiple comparisons)
      was used to test whether the genotype distribution of rs2854464 (AA, AG and GG)
      differs between groups. The A allele was overrepresented in S/P athletes compared
      with C in the Caucasian sample (adjusted p = 0.048), whereas there were no
      differences in genotype distribution between E athletes and C, in neither the
      Brazilian nor the Caucasian samples (adjusted p > 0.05). When comparing all
      Caucasian athletes regardless of their sporting discipline to C, we found that
      the A allele was overrepresented in athletes compared to C (adjusted p = 0.024).
      This association was even more pronounced when only elite-level athletes were
      considered (adjusted p = 0.00017). In conclusion, in a relatively large cohort of
      athletes from Europe and South America we have shown that the ACVR1B rs2854464 A
      allele is associated with sprint/power performance in Caucasians but not in
      Brazilian athletes. This reinforces the notion that phenotype-genotype
      associations may be ethnicity-dependent. 

PMID- 27253419
TI  - 14-3-3gamma Prevents Centrosome Amplification and Neoplastic Progression.
AB  - More than 80% of malignant tumors show centrosome amplification and clustering.
      Centrosome amplification results from aberrations in the centrosome duplication
      cycle, which is strictly coordinated with DNA-replication-cycle. However, the
      relationship between cell-cycle regulators and centrosome duplicating factors is
      not well understood. This report demonstrates that 14-3-3gamma localizes to the
      centrosome and 14-3-3gamma loss leads to centrosome amplification. Loss of 14-3
      3gamma results in the phosphorylation of NPM1 at Thr-199, causing early centriole
      disjunction and centrosome hyper-duplication. The centrosome amplification led to
      aneuploidy and increased tumor formation in mice. Importantly, an increase in
      passage of the 14-3-3gamma-knockdown cells led to an increase in the number of
      cells containing clustered centrosomes leading to the generation of pseudo
      bipolar spindles. The increase in pseudo-bipolar spindles was reversed and an
      increase in the number of multi-polar spindles was observed upon expression of a
      constitutively active 14-3-3-binding-defective-mutant of cdc25C (S216A) in the 14
      3-3gamma knockdown cells. The increase in multi-polar spindle formation was
      associated with decreased cell viability and a decrease in tumor growth. Our
      findings uncover the molecular basis of regulation of centrosome duplication by
      14-3-3gamma and inhibition of tumor growth by premature activation of the mitotic
      program and the disruption of centrosome clustering.

PMID- 27253424
TI  - Interstimulus Intervals and Sensory Modality Modulate the Impact of a Cognitive
      Task on Postural Control.
AB  - The present literature not only reveals the use of a wide variety of cognitive
      tasks but variability in their interaction with postural control. The question
      then arises, as to, whether postural control is sensitive to specific features of
      a cognitive task. The present experiment assessed the impact of cognitive tasks
      with interstimulus intervals (ISI) of varied duration and sensory modality on
      postural control in young adults. Seventeen participants (23.71 +/- 1.99 years
      old) were instructed to stand on a force platform while concurrently performing
      cognitive tasks with ISIs of two and 5 s. The tasks were presented both,
      auditorily and visually. The visual tasks consisted of counting the total
      occurrence of a single digit. The auditory tasks consisted of counting the total
      occurrence of a single letter. Performing the cognitive tasks with an ISI of 2 s
      resulted only in an increase in the anteroposterior mean power frequency.
      Presenting the tasks visually also significantly reduced area of 95% confidence
      ellipse and AP and mediolateral sway variability. These results may suggest that
      ISIs can modify postural performance by altering the allocation of attentional
      focus. Also, presenting tasks using a visual sensory modality appears to yield
      lower postural sway.

PMID- 27253423
TI  - Quantitative Assessment of Rectal Cancer Response to Neoadjuvant Combined
      Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: Comparison of Three Methods of Positioning
      Region of Interest for ADC Measurements at Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging.
AB  - Purpose To determine the impact of three different methods of region of interest
      (ROI) positioning for apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements on the
      assessment of complete response (CR) to neoadjuvant combined chemotherapy and
      radiation therapy (CRT) in patients with rectal cancer. Materials and Methods
      Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study; all patients
      gave written informed consent. ADCs were measured by two radiologists using three
      circular ROIs (three-ROIs), single-section (SS), and whole-tumor volume (WTV)
      methods in 62 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer on pre- and post-CRT
      images. Interobserver variability was analyzed by calculating intraclass
      correlation coefficient (ICC). Descriptive statistics and areas under the
      receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated to evaluate
      performance in determining CR from pre- and post-CRT ADCs and ADC change.
      Histopathologic tumor regression grade was the reference standard. Results SS and
      WTV methods yielded higher AUCs than did the three-ROIs method when determining
      CR from post-CRT ADC (0.874 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.778, 0.970] and
      0.886 [95% CI: 0.781, 0.990] vs 0.731 [95% CI: 0.583, 0.878], respectively; P =
      .033 and P = .003) and numeric change (0.892 [95% CI: 0.812, 0.972] and 0.897
      [95% CI: 0.801, 0.994] vs 0.740 [95% CI: 0.591, 0.890], respectively; P = .048
      and P = .0021). Respective accuracies of SS, WTV, and three-ROIs methods were 79%
      (49 of 62), 77% (48 of 62), and 61% (38 of 62) for post-CRT, 79% (49 of 62), 86%
      (53 of 62), and 60% (37 of 62) for numeric ADC change, and 77% (48 of 62), 84%
      (52 of 62), and 57% (35 of 62) for percentage ADC change (ADC cut-offs: 1.21,
      1.30, and 1.05 * 10-3 mm2/sec, 0.33, 0.45, and 0.27 * 10-3 mm2/sec increases, and
      40%, 54%, and 27% increases, respectively). Post-CRT and ADC change measurements
      achieved negative predictive values of 96% (44 of 46) to 100% (39 of 39).
      Intraobserver agreement was highest for WTV-derived ADCs (ICC, 0.742 [95% CI:
      0.316, 0.892] to 0.891 [95% CI: 0.615, 0.956]) and higher for all pretreatment
      than posttreatment measurements (ICC, 0.761 [95% CI: 0.209, 0.930] and 0.648 [95%
      CI: 0.164, 0.895] for three-ROIs method, 0.608 [95% CI: 0.287, 0.844] and 0.582
      [95% CI: 0.176, 0.870] for SS method, 0.891 [95% CI: 0.615, 0.956] and 0.742 for
      WTV method [95% CI: 0.316, 0.892]). Conclusion Tumor ADCs are highly dependent on
      the ROI positioning method used. Larger area measurements yield greater accuracy
      in response assessment. Post-CRT ADCs and values of ADC changes accurately
      identify noncomplete responders. WTV measurement of percentage ADC change
      provides the best results. (c) RSNA, 2016 An earlier incorrect version of this
      article appeared online. This article was corrected on September 19, 2016.

PMID- 27253425
TI  - Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: A state-of-the-art review.
AB  - Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders are a series of diseases that include
      eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic gastritis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis,
      eosinophilic enteritis, and eosinophilic colitis. Among these disorders,
      eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an uncommon and heterogeneous disease
      characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract in the
      absence of secondary causes, presenting with a variety of gastrointestinal
      manifestations. Up to now, epidemiology and pathophysiology of eosinophilic
      gastroenteritis are still unclear. Based on clinical manifestations and depth of
      eosinophilic infiltration into the gastrointestinal tract wall, eosinophilic
      gastroenteritis is classified into three different patterns including
      predominantly mucosal pattern, predominantly muscular pattern, and predominantly
      serosal pattern. For diagnosing eosinophilic gastroenteritis, it is necessary for
      clinicians to have a high degree of clinical suspicion. In addition to the
      gastrointestinal symptoms, other evidences such as laboratory results,
      radiological findings and endoscopy can also provide important diagnostic
      evidences for eosinophilic gastroenteritis. And these indirect pieces of
      information together with histological results will lead to a definitive
      diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis. To avoid specific allergen, dietary
      treatments can be considered as initial treatment strategy before drug treatment.
      Corticosteroids are the main medication for eosinophilic gastroenteritis and have
      a dramatic therapeutic efficacy. Yet other medications need to further verify
      their effects in clinical practice, and surgery should be avoided as far as
      possible.

PMID- 27253426
TI  - Psychometric properties of the Valued Living Questionnaire Adapted to Dementia
      Caregiving.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Caring for a relative with dementia is associated with physical and
      emotional health problems in caregivers. There are no studies analysing the role
      of personal values in the caregiver stress process. This study aims to analyse
      the psychometric properties of the Valued Living Questionnaire Adapted to
      Caregiving (VLQAC), and to explore the relationship between personal values and
      stressors, coping strategies and caregiver distress. METHOD: A total of 253
      individual interviews with caregivers of relatives with dementia were conducted,
      and the following variables were assessed: personal values, stressors, cognitive
      fusion, emotional acceptance, depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life. An
      exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical regression analyses were carried
      out. RESULTS: Two factors were obtained, Commitment to Own Values and Commitment
      to Family Values which explain 43.42% of variance, with reliability coefficients
      (Cronbach's alpha) of .76 and .61, respectively. Personal values had a
      significant effect on emotional distress (depression and anxiety) and
      satisfaction with life, even when controlling for socio-demographic variables,
      stressors and coping strategies. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the personal
      values construct of dementia caregivers is two-dimensional. The personal values
      of the caregivers play an important role in accounting for distress and
      satisfaction with life in this population.

PMID- 27253427
TI  - Perceived Control and Hedonic Tone Dynamics During Performance in Elite Shooters.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the individuals' dynamics of
      perceived control and hedonic tone over time, with respect to the 4 performance
      states as conceptualized within the multiaction plan (MAP) model. We expected to
      find idiosyncratic and differentiated trends over time in the scores of perceived
      control and hedonic tone, typified by fluctuations among 2 optimal and 2
      suboptimal types of processing during performance. METHOD: Ten elite-level
      shooters participated in the study. They were asked to identify the most
      relevant, idiosyncratic core component of their shooting action and perform 120
      shots distanced 10 m from the target. Subjective accounts of perceived control
      and hedonic tone of the core component of action were assessed prior to and after
      each shot. We used a probabilistic approach to derive the 4 performance
      categories according to 2 * 2 interactions of perceived control and performance
      and hedonic tone and performance. RESULTS: Logistic ordinal regression analysis
      enabled the identification of 4 idiosyncratic performance types for each athlete
      with respect to perceived control and hedonic tone intensity scores. Within- and
      between-individual differences in intensity bandwidth and probability levels were
      apparent across the 4 performance types. Changes among 4 types of processing were
      also observed during performance. CONCLUSION: Consistent with the MAP model
      conceptualization, the findings provided support for the different patterns of
      perceived control and hedonic tone intensity scores during performance. The
      results suggest applied arguments for using action- and emotion-centered
      strategies to help athletes in reaching and sustaining optimal performance
      states.

PMID- 27253428
TI  - Automatic effects of illness schema activation on behavioral manifestations of
      illness.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Relatively little research has directly evaluated the schematic nature
      of illness representations proposed by the common sense model of illness. Four
      studies tested the hypothesis that illness schema activation leads directly and
      automatically to behavioral manifestations of illness. METHOD: Study 1 was a
      survey (N = 970) that evaluated the proposition that the mental representation of
      common cold symptom experience includes functional deviation from the usual
      prototypical self. Studies 2 and 3 were experiments that tested effects of cold
      schema activation using a subliminal priming paradigm on walking speed (Study 2,
      N = 53) and free recall in a memory task (Study 3, N = 30). Study 4 (N = 65) used
      a 2 (cold prime vs. control) * 2 (alternate self vs. control) experimental design
      to investigate attenuation of the effect of the cold prime on free recall.
      RESULTS: Study 1 confirmed the multifactorial nature of functional self
      deviations representing the common cold symptomology. Studies 2 and 3 showed that
      participants primed with the common cold schema walked more slowly and performed
      worse on a memory recall task relative to controls in whom the schema was not
      activated. These effects were automatic in the sense that participants were not
      aware of the prime or of this influence. In Study 4, priming an alternative self
      identity overcame the deleterious effect of automatic common cold schema
      activation on free recall in a memory task. CONCLUSIONS: Subliminal activation of
      a schematic representation of illness automatically activates behavioral
      manifestations of illness. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253429
TI  - Is daytime napping associated with inflammation in adolescents?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Daytime napping has been associated with poor health outcomes in
      adults. It is not known whether daytime napping is similarly linked to adverse
      health in adolescents, although many report napping. The present study evaluated
      associations between daytime napping and 2 markers of increased inflammation,
      high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (IL-6), in healthy high
      school students. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-four Black and White high school
      students completed a week of actigraph and diary measures of sleep and napping
      and provided a fasting blood sample. Napping measures were the proportion of days
      napped and the average minutes napped across 1 week during the school year.
      RESULTS: Linear regressions adjusted for age, sex, race, average nocturnal sleep
      duration, time between sleep protocol and blood draw, and body mass index
      percentile demonstrated that proportion of days napped measured by actigraphy,
      B(SE) = .41(.19), p < .05, across the full week was positively associated with IL
      6. Higher proportions of school days napped between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., B(SE) =
      .40(.20), p < .05, and between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., B(SE) = .57(.28), p < .05,
      were associated with increased IL-6. No associations emerged between average
      actigraphy-assessed nap duration and either study outcome. Diary-reported napping
      was unrelated to either study outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Actigraphy-assessed napping
      and IL-6 are associated but the direction of the relationship remains to be
      determined. Overall, napping is an important factor to consider to better
      understand the relationship between short sleep and cardiovascular health in
      adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253430
TI  - In Vivo Self-Powered Wireless Cardiac Monitoring via Implantable Triboelectric
      Nanogenerator.
AB  - Harvesting biomechanical energy in vivo is an important route in obtaining
      sustainable electric energy for powering implantable medical devices. Here, we
      demonstrate an innovative implantable triboelectric nanogenerator (iTENG) for in
      vivo biomechanical energy harvesting. Driven by the heartbeat of adult swine, the
      output voltage and the corresponding current were improved by factors of 3.5 and
      25, respectively, compared with the reported in vivo output performance of
      biomechanical energy conversion devices. In addition, the in vivo evaluation of
      the iTENG was demonstrated for over 72 h of implantation, during which the iTENG
      generated electricity continuously in the active animal. Due to its excellent in
      vivo performance, a self-powered wireless transmission system was fabricated for
      real-time wireless cardiac monitoring. Given its outstanding in vivo output and
      stability, iTENG can be applied not only to power implantable medical devices but
      also possibly to fabricate a self-powered, wireless healthcare monitoring system.

PMID- 27253431
TI  - MicroRNA-219-5p Inhibits Morphine-Induced Apoptosis by Targeting Key Cell Cycle
      Regulator WEE1.
AB  - BACKGROUND To identify the effects of microRNA (miR)-219-5p on morphine-induced
      apoptosis by targeting WEE1. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty Balb/C mice (Toll-like
      receptor 9, TLR9 knockout) were randomly allocated to the experimental and
      control groups (20 in each group). The baseline miR-219-5p expression was
      detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). After morphine was injected
      at 6 h on the 2nd and 6th days, experimental and control groups received miR-219
      5p mimics or miRNA-negative control (NC), respectively, compound injection.
      Tissues and cells were later obtained from subjects in each group separately
      after mice were killed. TUNEL assay was used to investigate apoptosis in both
      groups. RAW264.7 cells were treated with miR-219-5p mimics and controls,
      respectively. After 24 h, 10 MUM of morphine was added at 24 h. Cell apoptosis
      was assessed by flow cytometer. The WEE1 and Phospho-cdc2 (Tyr15) expressions
      were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS MiR-219-5p expression in the
      experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group
      (P<0.05). Mice injected with miR-219-5p mimic experienced an evident increase in
      apoptosis rate compared with the control group (P<0.05). The miR-219-5p NC group
      and the morphine group both presented an elevated apoptosis rate compared with
      the blank control group (both, P<0.05). The apoptosis rate in the miR-219-5p
      mimic group was 10.06%, remarkably lower than in the miR-219-5p NC group and
      blank control group (both P<0.05). WEE1 and Tyr15 protein expressions in the miR
      219-5p NC group and morphine group were obviously stronger than those in the
      blank control group (all P<0.05). In the miR-219-5p mimic group, WEE1 and Tyr15
      protein expressions were significantly lower compared with those in the miR-219
      5p NC group and morphine group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Morphine significantly
      downregulated the expression of miRNA-219-5p, which targets WEE1 to suppress
      Tyr15 expressions and activate Cdc2, thus inhibiting the morphine-induced
      macrophage apoptosis. 

PMID- 27253432
TI  - Zika Virus, Microcephaly, and Ocular Findings-Reply.

PMID- 27253433
TI  - Effect of Electrode Belt and Body Positions on Regional Pulmonary Ventilation-
      and Perfusion-Related Impedance Changes Measured by Electric Impedance
      Tomography.
AB  - Ventilator-induced or ventilator-associated lung injury (VILI/VALI) is common and
      there is an increasing demand for a tool that can optimize ventilator settings.
      Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) can detect changes in impedance caused by
      pulmonary ventilation and perfusion, but the effect of changes in the position of
      the body and in the placing of the electrode belt on the impedance signal have
      not to our knowledge been thoroughly evaluated. We therefore studied ventilation
      related and perfusion-related changes in impedance during spontaneous breathing
      in 10 healthy subjects in five different body positions and with the electrode
      belt placed at three different thoracic positions using a 32-electrode EIT
      system. We found differences between regions of interest that could be attributed
      to changes in the position of the body, and differences in impedance amplitudes
      when the position of the electrode belt was changed. Ventilation-related changes
      in impedance could therefore be related to changes in the position of both the
      body and the electrode belt. Perfusion-related changes in impedance were probably
      related to the interference of major vessels. While these findings give us some
      insight into the sources of variation in impedance signals as a result of changes
      in the positions of both the body and the electrode belt, further studies on the
      origin of the perfusion-related impedance signal are needed to improve EIT
      further as a tool for the monitoring of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion. 

PMID- 27253434
TI  - Optical and Physicochemical Properties of Brown Carbon Aerosol: Light Scattering,
      FTIR Extinction Spectroscopy, and Hygroscopic Growth.
AB  - A great deal of attention has been paid to brown carbon aerosol in the
      troposphere because it can both scatter and absorb solar radiation, thus
      affecting the Earth's climate. However, knowledge of the optical and chemical
      properties of brown carbon aerosol is still limited. In this study, we have
      investigated different aspects of the optical properties of brown carbon aerosol
      that have not been previously explored. These properties include extinction
      spectroscopy in the mid-infrared region and light scattering at two different
      visible wavelengths, 532 and 402 nm. A proxy for atmospheric brown carbon aerosol
      was formed from the aqueous reaction of ammonium sulfate with methylglyoxal. The
      different optical properties were measured as a function of reaction time for a
      period of up to 19 days. UV/vis absorption experiments of bulk solutions showed
      that the optical absorption of aqueous brown carbon solution significantly
      increases as a function of reaction time in the spectral range from 200 to 700
      nm. The analysis of the light scattering data, however, showed no significant
      differences between ammonium sulfate and brown carbon aerosol particles in the
      measured scattering phase functions, linear polarization profiles, or the derived
      real parts of the refractive indices at either 532 or 402 nm, even for the
      longest reaction times with greatest visible extinction. The light scattering
      experiments are relatively insensitive to the imaginary part of the refractive
      index, and it was only possible to place an upper limit of k <= 0.01 on the
      imaginary index values. These results suggest that after the reaction with
      methylglyoxal the single scattering albedo of ammonium sulfate aerosol is
      significantly reduced but that the light scattering properties including the
      scattering asymmetry parameter, which is a measure of the relative amount of
      forward-to-backward scattering, remain essentially unchanged from that of
      unprocessed ammonium sulfate. The optical extinction properties in the mid-IR
      range (800 to 7000 cm(-1)) also showed no significant changes in either the real
      or the imaginary parts of the refractive indices for brown carbon aerosol
      particles when compared to ammonium sulfate. Therefore, changes in the optical
      properties of ammonium sulfate in the mid-IR spectral range due to reaction with
      methylglyoxal appear to be insignificant. In addition to these measurements, we
      have characterized additional physicochemical properties of the brown carbon
      aerosol particles including hygroscopic growth using a tandem-differential
      mobility analyzer. Compared to ammonium sulfate, brown carbon aerosol particles
      are found to have lower deliquescence relative humidity (DRH), efflorescence
      relative humidity (ERH), and hygroscopic growth at the same relative humidities.
      Overall, our study provides new details of the optical and physicochemical
      properties of a class of secondary organic aerosol which may have important
      implications for atmospheric chemistry and climate. 

PMID- 27253435
TI  - Changes in Policy Maker Attitudes Toward Active Living Communities Issues in
      Hawaii, 2007-2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity and lack of physical activity are major public health
      problems in the United States. Well-designed, active living communities (ALCs)
      can help support physically active lifestyles. This study assessed attitudes of
      Hawaii decision makers in 2007 and 2013 to determine if priorities toward ALCs
      changed. METHODS: Elected and appointed state and county officials were mailed
      surveys both years. Respondents rated the importance of 23 specified problems,
      which included 1 obesity variable and 5 ALC variables. RESULTS: The survey was
      completed by 126 (70.4%) respondents in 2007 and 117 (60.9%) in 2013. Among the
      specific problems, only obesity increased in rank from 14th to ninth place. Three
      variables fell more than 2 places: increasing traffic (fifth to seventh place),
      poorly planned development and sprawl (seventh to 11th place) and pedestrian
      safety (12th to 17th place). The other 2 stayed relatively the same: lack of
      pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, and crosswalks (16th to 15th place) and lack of
      recreational activities (22nd to 23rd place). CONCLUSIONS: Across years, obesity
      concerns have increased but do not appear to be tied to increases in concern for
      ALC variables. More education for policymakers on the link between obesity,
      physical activity, and the built environment is necessary.

PMID- 27253437
TI  - Allostery: An Overview of Its History, Concepts, Methods, and Applications.
AB  - The concept of allostery has evolved in the past century. In this Editorial, we
      briefly overview the history of allostery, from the pre-allostery nomenclature
      era starting with the Bohr effect (1904) to the birth of allostery by Monod and
      Jacob (1961). We describe the evolution of the allostery concept, from a
      conformational change in a two-state model (1965, 1966) to dynamic allostery in
      the ensemble model (1999); from multi-subunit (1965) proteins to all proteins
      (2004). We highlight the current available methods to study allostery and their
      applications in studies of conformational mechanisms, disease, and allosteric
      drug discovery. We outline the challenges and future directions that we foresee.
      Altogether, this Editorial narrates the history of this fundamental concept in
      the life sciences, its significance, methodologies to detect and predict it, and
      its application in a broad range of living systems.

PMID- 27253438
TI  - Blood parasites of penguins: a critical review.
AB  - Blood parasites are considered some of the most significant pathogens for the
      conservation of penguins, due to the considerable morbidity and mortality they
      have been shown to produce in captive and wild populations of these birds.
      Parasites known to occur in the blood of penguins include haemosporidian
      protozoans (Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, Haemoproteus), piroplamid protozoans
      (Babesia), kinetoplastid protozoans (Trypanosoma), spirochete bacteria (Borrelia)
      and nematode microfilariae. This review provides a critical and comprehensive
      assessment of the current knowledge on these parasites, providing an overview of
      their biology, host and geographic distribution, epidemiology, pathology and
      implications for public health and conservation.

PMID- 27253439
TI  - Iron-modulated pseudocyst formation in Tritrichomonas foetus.
AB  - Iron is an essential element for the survival of trichomonads during host
      parasite interaction. The availability of this metal modulates several metabolic
      pathways of the parasites and regulates the expression of virulence factors such
      as adhesins and proteolytic enzymes. In this study, we investigated the effect of
      iron depletion on the morphology and life cycle of Tritrichomonas foetus.
      Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that depletion of
      iron from the culture medium (named TYM-DIP inducer medium) induces morphological
      transformation of typical pear-shaped trophozoites into spherical and non-motile
      pseudocysts. Remarkably, inoculation of pseudocysts into an iron-rich medium
      (standard TYM medium), or addition of FeSO4 to a TYM-DIP inducer medium reverted
      the morphological transformation process and typical trophozoites were recovered.
      These results show that pseudocysts are viable forms of the parasite and
      highlight the role of iron as a modulator of the parasite phenotype. Although
      iron is required for the survival of T. foetus, iron depletion does not cause a
      cellular collapse of pseudocysts, but instead induces phenotypic alterations,
      probably in order to allow the parasite to survive conditions of nutritional
      stress. Together, these findings support previous studies that suggest
      pseudocysts are a resistance form in the life cycle of T. foetus and enable new
      approaches to understanding the multifactorial role of iron in the cell biology
      of this protozoan parasite.

PMID- 27253436
TI  - Selection for Protein Kinetic Stability Connects Denaturation Temperatures to
      Organismal Temperatures and Provides Clues to Archaean Life.
AB  - The relationship between the denaturation temperatures of proteins (Tm values)
      and the living temperatures of their host organisms (environmental temperatures:
      TENV values) is poorly understood. Since different proteins in the same organism
      may show widely different Tm's, no simple universal relationship between Tm and
      TENV should hold, other than Tm>=TENV. Yet, when analyzing a set of homologous
      proteins from different hosts, Tm's are oftentimes found to correlate with TENV's
      but this correlation is shifted upward on the Tm axis. Supporting this trend, we
      recently reported Tm's for resurrected Precambrian thioredoxins that mirror a
      proposed environmental cooling over long geological time, while remaining a
      shocking ~50 degrees C above the proposed ancestral ocean temperatures. Here, we
      show that natural selection for protein kinetic stability (denaturation rate) can
      produce a Tm<->TENV correlation with a large upward shift in Tm. A model for
      protein stability evolution suggests a link between the Tm shift and the in vivo
      lifetime of a protein and, more specifically, allows us to estimate ancestral
      environmental temperatures from experimental denaturation rates for resurrected
      Precambrian thioredoxins. The TENV values thus obtained match the proposed
      ancestral ocean cooling, support comparatively high Archaean temperatures, and
      are consistent with a recent proposal for the environmental temperature (above 75
      degrees C) that hosted the last universal common ancestor. More generally, this
      work provides a framework for understanding how features of protein stability
      reflect the environmental temperatures of the host organisms. 

PMID- 27253441
TI  - The Added Value of Family Material in the Discovery of Multiple Sclerosis Genes.
AB  - A mutation in a nuclear receptor (NR1H3) gene was detected in a familial,
      progressive form of multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Further analyses showed a
      significant association between a common NR1H3 variant in PPMS patients and loss
      of function for the encoded protein.

PMID- 27253440
TI  - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and assessment of maxillary and mandibular arc
      measurements.
AB  - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) comprise a range of physical differences
      and neurologic deficits from prenatal alcohol exposure. Previous studies suggest
      that relative maxillary growth deficiency can accompany FASD. Using the Fetal
      Alcohol Syndrome Epidemiologic Research (FASER) database, we investigated how
      maxillary and mandibular arcs and the ratio between them differ between FASD and
      non-FASD individuals. First, we established normative values for maxillary and
      mandibular arcs and maxillary-to-mandibular arc ratio. In our control group (545
      males, 436 females), mean maxillary and mandibular arcs for males/females were
      24.98/24.52 cm and 25.91/25.35 cm, respectively. The ratio was 0.9643 and 0.9676
      for males and females, respectively. We then evaluated the effect of
      microcephaly, short stature, and low weight (<10th centile), individually on arcs
      in controls. Generally, arcs were reduced significantly but the ratio did not
      differ. We compared our controls to 138 male and 135 female FASD cases. We noted
      a significant difference in arcs in male and female groups, but not the ratio. We
      compared non-FAS controls with reduced growth parameters to similar cases with
      FASD. We did not find a significant difference in arc or ratio measurements.
      Therefore, we conclude the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on maxillary and
      mandibular arc measurements is primarily on overall facial growth and less on
      asymmetric growth of the maxilla relative to the mandible, at least using this
      technique. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253442
TI  - Dynein's Life in the Slow Lane.
AB  - Dynein synthesized in neuronal cell bodies is conveyed into the axon by slow
      transport, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this issue, Twelvetrees et
      al. (2016) propose a model where dynein is transported by direct-but transient
      interactions with kinesin.

PMID- 27253443
TI  - Melanopsin: The Tale of the Tail.
AB  - In this issue of Neuron, Mure et al. (2016) demonstrate that two mechanisms
      phosphorylation of a C-terminal intracellular region, and mechanism involving the
      whole of the C terminus-oppositely shape the kinetics and sensitivity of the
      nonvisual photoreceptor melanopsin.

PMID- 27253444
TI  - The Variable Strength of Electrical Synapses.
AB  - In contrast to chemical synapses, less is known regarding the determinants of the
      strength of electrical synapses. New evidence from Szoboszlay et al. (2016) shows
      that the number of gap junctions is the dominant factor underlying the strength
      of electrical coupling between cerebellar interneurons.

PMID- 27253445
TI  - Cholinergic Coercion of Synaptic States for Motivational Memories.
AB  - Acetylcholine is critical for learning, yet the relationship between cholinergic
      signaling, plasticity, and behavior remains elusive. In this issue of Neuron, Lee
      et al. (2016) and Jiang et al. (2016) investigate how cholinergic signaling in
      the amygdala and nucleus accumbens influences synaptic plasticity and learning.

PMID- 27253446
TI  - Neuroscience Training for the 21st Century.
AB  - The field of neuroscience is enjoying a rapid expansion in scope, coupled with a
      remarkable broadening of conceptual approaches, scientific tools, and clinical
      applications. This growth poses new challenges for academic training programs as
      they prepare young neuroscientists for a more complex, competitive, and diverse
      career landscape. Multiple stakeholders, including academia, federal funding
      agencies, industry, scientific societies, private foundations, and other public
      and private sector contributors, need to be actively engaged in supporting this
      broad training effort. A renewed commitment to a more forward-looking, flexible
      yet integrative training vision offers opportunities for a bright future for
      young neuroscientists as they assume the role of vanguard of the enterprise that
      enriches our understanding of the brain.

PMID- 27253447
TI  - Decision Making and Sequential Sampling from Memory.
AB  - Decisions take time, and as a rule more difficult decisions take more time. But
      this only raises the question of what consumes the time. For decisions informed
      by a sequence of samples of evidence, the answer is straightforward: more samples
      are available with more time. Indeed, the speed and accuracy of such decisions
      are explained by the accumulation of evidence to a threshold or bound. However,
      the same framework seems to apply to decisions that are not obviously informed by
      sequences of evidence samples. Here, we proffer the hypothesis that the
      sequential character of such tasks involves retrieval of evidence from memory. We
      explore this hypothesis by focusing on value-based decisions and argue that
      mnemonic processes can account for regularities in choice and decision time. We
      speculate on the neural mechanisms that link sampling of evidence from memory to
      circuits that represent the accumulated evidence bearing on a choice. We propose
      that memory processes may contribute to a wider class of decisions that conform
      to the regularities of choice-reaction time predicted by the sequential sampling
      framework.

PMID- 27253449
TI  - M4 Muscarinic Receptor Signaling Ameliorates Striatal Plasticity Deficits in
      Models of L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia.

PMID- 27253448
TI  - Nuclear Receptor NR1H3 in Familial Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease characterized by myelin loss
      and neuronal dysfunction. Despite the aggregation observed in some families,
      pathogenic mutations have remained elusive. In this study, we describe the
      identification of NR1H3 p.Arg415Gln in seven MS patients from two multi-incident
      families presenting severe and progressive disease, with an average age at onset
      of 34 years. Additionally, association analysis of common variants in NR1H3
      identified rs2279238 conferring a 1.35-fold increased risk of developing
      progressive MS. The p.Arg415Gln position is highly conserved in orthologs and
      paralogs, and disrupts NR1H3 heterodimerization and transcriptional activation of
      target genes. Protein expression analysis revealed that mutant NR1H3 (LXRA)
      alters gene expression profiles, suggesting a disruption in transcriptional
      regulation as one of the mechanisms underlying MS pathogenesis. Our study
      indicates that pharmacological activation of LXRA or its targets may lead to
      effective treatments for the highly debilitating and currently untreatable
      progressive phase of MS.

PMID- 27253450
TI  - High Expression of HULC Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Osteosarcoma
      Patients.
AB  - Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone cancer in childhood. OS is an
      aggressive disease, and metastatic patients evolve with very poor clinical
      outcomes. Genetically, OSs are extremely complex tumors, and the related
      metastatic process is not well understood in terms of the biology of the disease.
      In this context, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as an important
      class of gene expression regulators that play key roles in the invasion and
      metastasis of several human tumors. Here, we evaluated the expression of HULC,
      which is an lncRNA that is associated with the tumor metastatic process, and
      assessed its potential role as a prognostic marker in OS. HULC expression was
      evaluated in primary OS samples using real-time RT-PCR. HULC expression status
      was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and its
      association with survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The HULC
      expression level was not significantly associated with the clinicopathological
      characteristics of the OS patients. However, our data demonstrated that higher
      levels of expression of HULC were associated with lower survival rates in OS
      patients, both in terms of overall and event-free survival. Elevated HULC
      expression was associated with poor clinical outcomes among the OS patients,
      which suggests that HULC could be a potential prognostic biomarker in OS. 

PMID- 27253451
TI  - Erythrocyte intracellular Mg(2+) concentration as an index of recognition and
      memory.
AB  - Magnesium (Mg(2+)) plays an important role in the neural system, and yet scarcely
      any research has quantitatively analyzed the link between endogenous Mg(2+) level
      and memory. Using our original technique, we measured erythrocyte intracellular
      ionized Mg(2+) concentration (RBC [Mg(2+)]i), which linearly correlated to
      recognition and spatial memory in normal aging rats. In the brain, RBC [Mg(2+)]i
      significantly correlated to hippocampus extracellular fluid Mg(2+) concentration,
      and further correlated to hippocampal synapse density. Elevation of Mg(2+) intake
      in aged rats demonstrated an association between RBC [Mg(2+)]i increase and
      memory recovery. The therapeutic effect of Mg(2+) administration was inversely
      correlated to individual basal RBC [Mg(2+)]i. In summary, we provide a method to
      measure RBC [Mg(2+)]i, an ideal indicator of body Mg(2+) level. RBC [Mg(2+)]i
      represents rodent memory performance in our study, and might further serve as a
      potential biomarker for clinical differential diagnosis and precise treatment of
      Mg(2+)-deficiency-associated memory decline during aging.

PMID- 27253452
TI  - The visual development of hand-centered receptive fields in a neural network
      model of the primate visual system trained with experimentally recorded human
      gaze changes.
AB  - Neurons have been found in the primate brain that respond to objects in specific
      locations in hand-centered coordinates. A key theoretical challenge is to explain
      how such hand-centered neuronal responses may develop through visual experience.
      In this paper we show how hand-centered visual receptive fields can develop using
      an artificial neural network model, VisNet, of the primate visual system when
      driven by gaze changes recorded from human test subjects as they completed a
      jigsaw. A camera mounted on the head captured images of the hand and jigsaw,
      while eye movements were recorded using an eye-tracking device. This combination
      of data allowed us to reconstruct the retinal images seen as humans undertook the
      jigsaw task. These retinal images were then fed into the neural network model
      during self-organization of its synaptic connectivity using a biologically
      plausible trace learning rule. A trace learning mechanism encourages neurons in
      the model to learn to respond to input images that tend to occur in close
      temporal proximity. In the data recorded from human subjects, we found that the
      participant's gaze often shifted through a sequence of locations around a fixed
      spatial configuration of the hand and one of the jigsaw pieces. In this case,
      trace learning should bind these retinal images together onto the same subset of
      output neurons. The simulation results consequently confirmed that some cells
      learned to respond selectively to the hand and a jigsaw piece in a fixed spatial
      configuration across different retinal views.

PMID- 27253453
TI  - Oxygen Nanocarrier for Combined Cancer Therapy: Oxygen-Boosted ATP-Responsive
      Chemotherapy with Amplified ROS Lethality.
AB  - Oxygen nanocarrier (A/D-ONC) with a polymeric core entrapping hemoglobin and a
      cationic lipid shell absorbing a DOX-intercalating DNA duplex is developed. After
      endocytosis oxygenated A/D-ONC donates O2 to cancer cells that acts
      therapeutically by: (1) increasing intracellular ATP content that promotes DOX
      release, thereby converting ATP to the trigger of detrimental chemotherapy; (2)
      by synchronously increasing the ROS amount to amplify the lethality to cancer
      cells.

PMID- 27253455
TI  - [Use of private motor vehicle transportation for taking children to school in Sao
      Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil, 1997-2012].
AB  - Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil, showed an increase from 1997 to 2007 in the
      use of private motor vehicles for taking children to school, with potential harm
      to their health. The aim of this study was to extend the analysis of this trend
      until 2012 and discuss possible strategies to increase the proportion of children
      who walk, cycle, or use public transportation to get to school. Analysis of the
      data from the Mobility Survey of 2012 indicate not only the continuation but also
      an accelerated increase in the use of private motorized transportation for
      schoolchildren aged 6 to 11 years. The effect of initiatives to promote walking
      will only be properly understood with adequate monitoring of daily commuting to
      school and the evaluation of their impact on the population's health. A package
      of policies and programs specifically targeted to the promotion and protection of
      walking, cycling, and use of public transport by schoolchildren is indispensable
      for guaranteeing their right to travel safely, independently, and actively in Sao
      Paulo Metropolitan Area. 

PMID- 27253454
TI  - Patent foramen ovale in adults with sickle cell disease and stroke.

PMID- 27253456
TI  - [Why reconsider the recommendation of breast cancer screening?].
AB  - The aim of this article was to discuss the recommendation of mammogram screening
      for breast cancer and its technical basis. The first part discusses criteria for
      the decision, which should be consistent with high-quality scientific evidence.
      The second part discusses over-diagnosis (the greatest harm of screening) and its
      meaning in questioning the natural history of disease model. The third part
      summarizes studies on the efficacy, effectiveness, and harms of screening,
      showing that the latter (especially over-diagnosis and false-positives) are
      significant, shedding doubt on the balance between harms and benefits. In
      conclusion, the recommendation of mammogram screening at any age should be
      reconsidered by Brazilian health authorities. 

PMID- 27253457
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27253458
TI  - Diabetes education in primary care: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a structured group education
      program administered by a primary care nurse in patients with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus. The sample included 137 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,
      randomized into two groups: intervention (5-week educational course and
      reinforcements every 4 months for one year) and control (with no structured
      diabetes mellitus education) with an evaluation of metabolic control, weight,
      blood pressure, distress scores, and knowledge on diabetes. There were no
      differences between the two groups in HbA1c at 4, 8, or 12 months when compared
      to baseline values. An increase in HbA1c was observed in the control group after
      adjusting for baseline HbA1c and insulin dose (p = 0.044 between groups).
      Knowledge scores and diabetes-related distress improved after the intervention. A
      structured educational program administered to type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
      seen at a primary care unit improved the knowledge and distress associated with
      the disease. The results also suggest the prevention of an increase in HbA1c. 

PMID- 27253459
TI  - Incentives and barriers to HIV testing in men who have sex with men in a
      metropolitan area in Brazil.
AB  - This study aimed to identify incentives and barriers to HIV testing in men who
      have sex with men (MSM). This was a cross-sectional study of MSM who had lived at
      least three months in greater metropolitan Fortaleza, Ceara State, Brazil, 2010.
      The study recruited 391 men >= 18 years of age who reported sexual relations with
      men in the previous six months, using Respondent Driven Sampling. Personal
      network and socio-demographic data were collected and HIV testing was offered,
      analyzed with RDSAT 6.0 and Stata 11.0. The majority were young (40.3%), had 5 to
      11 years of schooling (57.3%), were single (85.1%), had low income (37.6%), and
      58.1% had tested for HIV some time in life. Incentive to test: certainty of not
      being infected (34.1%) and the exposure to national campaign Fique Sabendo [Know
      your Status] (34%). Barriers: trust in partner(s) (21%) and fear of
      discrimination if tested positive (20.3%). Policies should be developed to ensure
      test confidentiality and communication campaigns focusing on information gaps and
      encouragement for testing. 

PMID- 27253460
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27253462
TI  - Solar Thermal Energy Storage in a Photochromic Macrocycle.
AB  - The conversion and efficient storage of solar energy is recognized to hold
      significant potential with regard to future energy solutions. Molecular solar
      thermal batteries based on photochromic systems exemplify one possible technology
      able to harness and apply this potential. Herein is described the synthesis of a
      macrocycle based on a dimer of the dihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene (DHA/VHF)
      photo/thermal couple. By taking advantage of conformational strain, this DHA-DHA
      macrocycle presents an improved ability to absorb and store incident light energy
      in chemical bonds (VHF-VHF). A stepwise energy release over two sequential ring
      closing reactions (VHF->DHA) combines the advantages of an initially fast
      discharge, hypothetically addressing immediate energy consumption needs, followed
      by a slow process for consistent, long-term use. This exemplifies another step
      forward in the molecular engineering and design of functional organic materials
      towards solar thermal energy storage and release. 

PMID- 27253461
TI  - MGMT Promoter Methylation and BRAF V600E Mutations Are Helpful Markers to
      Discriminate Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma from Giant Cell Glioblastoma.
AB  - Giant Cell Glioblastoma (gcGBM) and Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) are rare
      astroglial tumors of the central nervous system. Although they share certain
      histomorphological and immunohistochemical features, they are characterized by
      different clinical behavior and prognosis. Nevertheless, few cases remain
      uncertain, as their histomorphological hallmarks and immunophenotypes do
      correspond to the typical pattern neither of gcGBM nor PXA. Therefore, in
      addition to the routinely used diagnostic histochemical and immunohistochemical
      markers like Gomori, p53 and CD34, we analyzed if genetic variations like MGMT
      promoter methylation, mutations in the IDH1/2 genes, or BRAF mutations, which are
      actually used as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive molecular markers in
      anaplastic glial tumors, could be helpful in the differential diagnostic of both
      tumor entities. We analyzed 34 gcGBM and 20 PXA for genetic variations in the
      above-named genes and found distinct distributions between both groups. MGMT
      promoter hypermethylation was observed in 3 out of 20 PXA compared to 14 out of
      34 gcGBM (15% vs. 41.2%, p-value 0.09). BRAF V600E mutations were detected in 50%
      of the PXA but not in any of the gcGBM (50% vs. 0%, p-value < 0.001). IDH1 R132
      and IDH R172 mutations were not present in any of the PXA and gcGBM cases. Our
      data indicate, that in addition to the histological and immunohistochemical
      evaluation, investigation of MGMT promoter methylation and in particular BRAF
      V600E mutations represent reliable additional tools to sustain differentiation of
      gcGBM from PXA on a molecular basis. Based on these data specific BRAF kinase
      inhibitors could represent a promising agent in the therapy of PXA and their use
      should be emphasized. 

PMID- 27253463
TI  - EZH2 suppresses the nucleotide excision repair in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by
      silencing XPA gene.
AB  - The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is involved in a number of fundamental
      pathological processes of cancer. However, its role in DNA repair pathway is
      still unclear. Here, we have identified XPA as a novel target gene of EZH2 via a
      DNA repair pathway PCR array. XPA plays a pivot role in nucleotide excision
      repair (NER). The expression of XPA was significantly increased by EZH2 specific
      inhibitor GSK126 or lentiviral shEZH2 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) CNE and
      8F cell lines. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that EZH2
      catalyzes H3K27 trimethylation at the XPA promoters. Furthermore, we validated
      the negative correlation of EZH2 and XPA in a NPC tissue microarray by
      immunohistochemistry staining. We also found that high expression of EZH2 was
      positively correlated with advanced T, N, and AJCC stage of NPC; and low
      expression of XPA was positively correlated with advanced T and N stage. In NPC
      cell lines, increased XPA expression by EZH2 inhibition resulted in a more rapid
      removal of UVC induced 6-4PP- and CPD-DNA adducts, as well as enhanced efficiency
      of DNA repair after UVC irradiation as detected by the Comet assay and
      immunofluorescence staining of gammaH2Ax. Consistently, increased cell clonogenic
      survival, decreased apoptosis, and necrosis after UVC irradiation, and increased
      resistance to DNA damaging agent cisplatin was also observed in EZH2 inhibited
      cells. These results illustrate that EZH2 may promote carcinogenesis and cancer
      development of NPC by transcriptional repression of XPA gene and inactivation of
      NER pathway. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253464
TI  - Cartilage-Specific and Cre-Dependent Nkx3.2 Overexpression In Vivo Causes
      Skeletal Dwarfism by Delaying Cartilage Hypertrophy.
AB  - Nkx3.2, the vertebrate homologue of Drosophila bagpipe, has been implicated as
      playing a role in chondrogenic differentiation. In brief, Nkx3.2 is initially
      expressed in chondrocyte precursor cells and later during cartilage maturation,
      its expression is diminished in hypertrophic chondrocytes. In addition to Nkx3.2
      expression analyses, previous studies using ex vivo chick embryo cultures and in
      vitro cell cultures have suggested that Nkx3.2 can suppress chondrocyte
      hypertrophy. However, it has never been demonstrated that Nkx3.2 functions in
      regulating chondrocyte hypertrophy during cartilage development in vivo. Here, we
      show that cartilage-specific and Cre-dependent Nkx3.2 overexpression in mice
      results in significant postnatal dwarfism in endochondral skeletons, while
      intramembranous bones remain unaltered. Further, we observed significant delays
      in cartilage hypertrophy in conditional transgenic ciTg-Nkx3.2 mice. Together,
      these findings confirm that Nkx3.2 is capable of controlling hypertrophic
      maturation of cartilage in vivo, and this regulation plays a significant role in
      endochondral ossification and longitudinal bone growth. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 78
      90, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253465
TI  - Can Nonvalidated Lower GI Bleeding Predictive Scores be Evaluated by Receiver
      Operator Characteristics?

PMID- 27253466
TI  - Novel Indications for Surgical Resection of Metachronous Lung Metastases From
      Pancreatic Cancer After Curative Resection.
AB  - Few reports exist regarding surgical resection of metachronous lung metastases
      (MLM) from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) after curative resection. To
      elucidate the indications for surgical resection of MLM and long-term survival,
      we analyzed Japanese case reports of MLM from PDA. Between 1983 and 2014, 17
      Japanese case reports concerning surgical resection of MLM from PDA were
      published. We determined long-term survival in 16 patients (considering the
      published data of 15 patients and 1 of our own) by using a questionnaire survey
      and analyzing the relationships between background factors and long-term
      survival. In 16 patients with long-term survival, 4 patients were still alive
      without recurrence. The remaining 12 patients died of disease after recurrence.
      The median survival after the initial lobectomy was 37 months and the 3- and 5
      year survival for all patients after lobectomy was 50% and 41%, respectively.
      Fourteen patients had a disease-free interval after initial resection of the
      primary pancreatic tumor of >20 months. These patients had a longer median
      survival period after lobectomy (46 vs. 25.5 mo, P=0.19). Seven patients had MLM
      of <16 mm. These patients had a statistically longer overall survival after
      lobectomy (83 vs. 16 mo, P=0.04). Three of 4 patients with primary stage I tumors
      were still alive without recurrence. We found that the conventional criteria for
      surgical resection of MLM from PDA (first disease-free interval of >20 mo with no
      other metastatic lesions) were appropriate. In addition, it is possible that MLM
      of <16 mm or primary stage I tumors are novel criteria.

PMID- 27253475
TI  - Why were alternating-current-driven electrochemiluminescence properties from
      Ru(bpy)3(2+) dramatically improved by the addition of titanium dioxide
      nanoparticles?
AB  - Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is a phenomenon in which light is emitted from the
      excited state of a redox-active material generated by electrochemical reactions.
      Among light-emitting devices, ECL devices have various advantages in terms of
      structure and ease of fabrication, and therefore, they are expected to be next
      generation emitting devices. In this study, we introduced rutile-type titanium
      dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) in a Ru(ii)-complex-based electrolyte to improve
      the emission properties of an alternating current (AC)-driven ECL device. The
      properties of the ECL device with TiO2 NPs were greatly improved (emission
      luminescence, 165 cd m(-2); half-life time, 1000 s) compared to a previously
      reported AC-driven ECL device without nanoparticles. To determine how TiO2 NPs
      helped in achieving high emission luminescence and long-term stability, we
      measured the optical and electrochemical properties of the Ru(bpy)3(2+)-based ECL
      solution in detail. The PL intensity of Ru(bpy)3(2+) was increased by adding TiO2
      NPs, which indicated that the suppression of non-radiative quenching of the
      complex's excited states could improve the ECL intensity. With respect to the
      enhanced stability, electron transfers between Ru(bpy)3(2+) and TiO2 were
      suggested by detailed electrochemical measurements. These electron transfers
      occurred from the reduced Ru(bpy)3(2+) species to the TiO2, and subsequently,
      from the TiO2 to the oxidized Ru(bpy)3(2+) species. Such electron transfers are
      thought to improve the balance of the redox reactions in the ECL device, leading
      to long-term stability. 

PMID- 27253476
TI  - Sustainable hydrogen production from bio-oil model compounds (meta-xylene) and
      mixtures (1-butanol, meta-xylene and furfural).
AB  - In the present work m-xylene and an equimolecular mixture of m-xylene, 1-butanol
      and furfural, all of them bio-oil model compounds, were studied in steam
      reforming (SR) conditions. Three different nickel catalysts, which showed to be
      active in 1-butanol SR (Ni/Al2O3, Ni/CeO2-Al2O3 and Ni/La2O3-Al2O3), were tested
      and compared with thermodynamic equilibrium values. Tests were carried out at
      temperatures from 800 to 600 degrees C at atmospheric pressure with a steam to
      carbon ratio (S/C) of 5.0. Despite the different bio-oils fed, the amount of
      moles going through the catalytic bed was kept constant in order to obtain
      comparable results. After their use, catalysts were characterized by different
      techniques and those values were correlated with the activity results. All
      catalysts were deactivated during the SR of the mixture, mainly by coking. The
      highest hydrogen yields were obtained with Ni/Al2O3 and Ni/CeO2-Al2O3 catalysts
      in the SR of m-xylene and SR of the mixture, respectively. 

PMID- 27253477
TI  - Accelerated acidification by inoculation with a microbial consortia in a complex
      open environment.
AB  - Bioaugmentation using microbial consortia is helpful in some anaerobic digestion
      (AD) systems, but accelerated acidification to produce methane has not been
      performed effectively with corn stalks and cow dung. In this study, the
      thermophilic microbial consortia MC1 was inoculated into a complex open
      environment (unsterilized and sterilized systems) to evaluate the feasibility of
      bioaugmentation to improve acidification efficiency. The results indicated that
      MC1 itself degraded lignocellulose efficiently, and accumulated more organic
      acids within 3days. Similar trends were also observed in the unsterilized system,
      where the hemicellulose degradation rate and organic acid concentrations
      increased significantly by two-fold and 20.1% (P<0.05), respectively, and clearly
      reduced the loss of product. Microbial composition did not change obviously after
      inoculating MC1, but the abundance of members of MC1, such as Bacillus and
      Clostridium, increased clearly on day 3. Finally, the acidogenic fluid improved
      methane yield significantly (P<0.05) via bioaugmentation. 

PMID- 27253478
TI  - Valorization of Rhizoclonium sp. algae via pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis.
AB  - The valorization of Rhizoclonium sp. algae through pyrolysis for obtaining bio
      oils is studied in this work. The reaction is carried out at 400 degrees C, at
      high contact time. The bio-oil has a practical yield of 35% and is rich in
      phytol. Besides, it is simpler than the corresponding to lignocellulosic biomass
      due to the absence of phenolic compounds. This property leads to a bio-oil
      relatively stable to storage. In addition, heterogeneous catalysts (Al-Fe/MCM-41,
      SBA-15 and Cu/SBA-15), in contact with algae during pyrolysis, are analyzed. The
      general trend is that the catalysts decrease the concentration of fatty alcohols
      and other high molecular weight products, since their mild acidity sites promote
      degradation reactions. Thus, the amount of light products increases upon the use
      of the catalysts. Particularly, acetol concentration in the bio-oils obtained
      from the catalytic pyrolysis with SBA-15 and Cu/SBA-15 is notably high. 

PMID- 27253479
TI  - New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1: structure, inhibitors and detection of
      producers.
AB  - Since its discovery in 2008, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producing
      Enterobacteriaceae have disseminated globally, facilitated predominantly by gut
      colonization and the spread of plasmids carrying the bla NDM-1 gene. With few
      effective antibiotics against NDM-1 producers, and resistance developing to those
      which remain, there is an urgent need to develop new treatments. To date, most
      drug design in this area has been focused on developing an NDM-1 inhibitor and
      has been aided by the wealth of structural and mechanistic information available
      from high resolution x-ray crystallography and molecular modeling. This review
      aims to summarize current knowledge regarding the detection of NDM-1 producers,
      the mechanism of action of NDM-1 and to highlight recent attempts toward the
      development of clinically useful inhibitors.

PMID- 27253480
TI  - Photochemistry of rose bengal in water and acetonitrile: a comprehensive kinetic
      analysis.
AB  - The photophysical and photochemical properties of rose bengal (RB) in degassed
      aqueous and acetonitrile solutions were studied using steady-state and transient
      absorption spectroscopies. This comprehensive investigation provides detailed
      information about the kinetics and the optical properties of all intermediates
      involved: the triplet excited state and the oxidized and reduced forms of RB. A
      full kinetic description is used to control the concentrations of these
      intermediates by changing the initial experimental conditions. 

PMID- 27253481
TI  - Prospective Evaluation of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Injured Patients With
      and Without Orthopaedic Injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study purposes were to prospectively evaluate occurrence of
      posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms at hospital admission and 6 months later in
      patients with orthopaedic injury; to explore differences in PTS symptoms in those
      with and without orthopaedic injury; and to determine whether PTS symptoms are
      influenced by orthopaedic injury type. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal
      observational study. SETTING: Level 1 Trauma Center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Two
      hundred fifty-nine participants admitted for at least 24 hours. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS: The Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Screen (PC
      PTSD) measured PTSD symptoms during hospitalization. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian
      Version (PCL-C) measured PTS symptoms at 6 months. RESULTS: In orthopaedic
      patients, 28% had PTS at 6 months, compared with 34% of nonorthopaedic patients.
      Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to determine the influence of pain, physical
      and mental function, depression, and work status. At 6 months, if the pain score
      was 5 or higher, the odds of PTS symptoms increased to 8.38 (3.55, 19.8) (P <
      0.0001). Those scoring below average in physical function were significantly more
      likely to have PTS symptoms [OR = 7.60 (2.99, 19.32), P < 0.0001]. The same held
      true for mental functioning and PTS [OR = 11.4 (4.16, 30.9), P < 0.0001].
      Participants who screened positive for depression had a 38.9 (14.5, 104) greater
      odds (P < 0.0001). Participants who did not return to work after injury at 6
      months were significantly more likely to have PTS [OR = 16.5 (1.87, 146), P =
      0.012]. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD is common in patients after injury, including those
      with orthopaedic trauma. At 6 months, pain of 5 or greater, poor physical and
      mental function, depression, and/or not returning to work seem to be predictive
      of PTSD. Orthopaedic surgeons should identify and refer for PTSD treatment given
      the high incidence postinjury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level I. See
      Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 27253482
TI  - Do 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels Correlate With Fracture Complications?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D
      [25(OH)D] levels and the likelihood of postoperative complications and fracture
      reoperation rate in orthopaedic trauma patients receiving vitamin D and calcium
      supplementation. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Level I trauma
      center, Midwestern United States. PATIENTS: All orthopaedic trauma patients-18
      years or older-over a 20-month period were included with available initial and
      repeat 25(OH)D serum levels. In total, 201 patients met inclusion criteria.
      INTERVENTION: All patients received 1000 IU of vitamin D3 and 1500 mg of calcium
      daily. Vitamin D deficient and insufficient patients also received 50,000 IU of
      ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) weekly until 25(OH)D levels normalized or fractures
      healed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: fracture complications and 25(OH)D levels.
      RESULTS: Fifteen patients experienced postoperative healing complications. There
      was no significant difference between initial (P = 0.92) or repeat (P = 0.91)
      25(OH)D levels between patients with and without fracture healing complications.
      Twenty-eight patients required repeat orthopaedic surgery. There was no
      significant difference between initial (P = 0.62) or repeat (P = 0.18) 25(OH)D
      levels between patients who did or did not require repeat orthopaedic surgery.
      There was no significant difference between initial (P = 0.66) or repeat (P =
      0.89) 25(OH)D levels between patients who did or did not require nonorthopaedic
      surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25(OH)D levels did not significantly affect the
      likelihood of fracture healing complications requiring surgery or any
      nonorthopaedic injury-related surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.
      See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 27253483
TI  - Molecular characterization of hepatitis B virus in blood donors from Burkina
      Faso: Prevalence of quasi-subgenotype A3, genotype E, and mixed infections.
AB  - Burkina Faso is a highly endemic area for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) which remains a
      major challenge for blood safety with >13% of candidate blood donors being
      chronically infected. However, little is known about the molecular epidemiology
      of the viral strains currently circulating. In this study, 99 HBV strains from
      HBsAg positive candidate blood donors in Ougadougou were genetically
      characterized by sequencing the pre-S/S region of the viral genome. Phylogenetic
      analyses revealed a 25% prevalence of HBV quasi-subgenotype A3 (A3QS ) co
      circulating with the confirmed dominant HBV genotype E (72%). HBV/A3QS sequences
      formed a sub-cluster closely related to West-African sequences previously
      characterized, and showed a low intra-group genetic diversity (0.75%) suggesting
      a relatively recent spreading of HBV/A3QS strains in Burkina Faso. Low genetic
      diversity of genotype E strains compared to A3QS was confirmed. Mixed infections
      with the two genotypes were identified in 3% of the donors tested and contributed
      to artifacts during PCR amplification of the viral genome leading to erroneous
      apparent intergenotype recombinant sequences. While the co-circulation of two HBV
      genotypes in a restricted area may favor the emergence of intergenotype
      recombinant variants, strictly controlled molecular experimental procedures
      should be used to accurately characterize HBV circulating recombinant forms. J.
      Med. Virol. 88:2145-2156, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253484
TI  - Update on biphasic anaphylaxis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Biphasic anaphylaxis is a well documented complication of
      anaphylaxis, but it has been inconsistently defined in the literature. Analysis
      of contemporary studies of biphasic anaphylaxis based on modern definitions is
      needed. RECENT FINDINGS: The rate of biphasic reactions in contemporary
      literature ranges from 0.4 to 14.7% depending on the study population.
      Observational studies have reported risk factors associated with the development
      of biphasic reactions; however, findings have been inconsistent and of
      questionable generalizability. Although life-threatening biphasic reactions are
      rare, up to 50% of biphasic reactions will require treatment with epinephrine.
      Early epinephrine administration may have a role in prevention of biphasic
      reactions, but the role of steroids needs further investigation. The optimal
      duration of observation is yet to be determined. SUMMARY: Given the relative
      rarity of life-threatening biphasic anaphylaxis and the new context of the
      NIAID/FAAN standardized definition, further research regarding biphasic
      anaphylaxis is needed to better elucidate the care model for anaphylaxis patients
      with a focus on: prevention of biphasic reactions; identification of patients at
      increased risk of a biphasic reaction; determination of appropriate observation
      strategies for anaphylaxis patients; and patient education and preparation for
      management of potential biphasic reactions.

PMID- 27253485
TI  - Management of rhinosinusitis: an evidence based approach.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The most recent recommendations for the management of both
      acute (ARS) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) based on the strongest data
      available for each treatment modality are summarized in this review. The clinical
      relationships between CRS and its comorbidities are also discussed. RECENT
      FINDINGS: The most promising advances in rhinosinusitis management involve the
      use of mAbs (anti-IgE, anti-IL-5, anti-IL-4Ralpha) in trials of CRS with nasal
      polyposis. Otherwise, the mainstays of treatment for both ARS and CRS have
      largely remained the same over the past several years. SUMMARY: The treatment of
      ARS primarily involves symptomatic control with intranasal corticosteroids and
      nasal saline irrigation; antibiotics should be reserved for the patients who are
      believed to have bacterial rhinosinusitis. Treating CRS effectively involves
      using intranasal corticosteroids and irrigation, systemic corticosteroids, and
      potentially systemic antibiotics. Biologics (mAbs) have shown benefit in clinical
      studies. Providers should also be aware of concomitant disease processes that may
      afflict patients with CRS.

PMID- 27253486
TI  - Emerging evidence of the role of gut microbiota in the development of allergic
      diseases.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose is to review recent studies examining the role of
      gut microbiota in allergic diseases and asthma. RECENT FINDINGS: Work in
      experimental models gives further evidence that a disturbed gut microbiota
      influences the propensity to develop allergic manifestations, and that changing
      the gut microbiota by dietary means (high fiber/acetate or prebiotics) in
      pregnancy may reduce the risk of allergic airways disease and food allergy in the
      offspring, respectively. The gut microbiome in established allergic disease and
      prior to disease onset has also been assessed in clinical trials. One study
      demonstrated a strong association between high abundance of Faecalibacterium
      prausnitzii and decreased levels of butyrate and propionate, and established
      eczema. Lower relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae appears to be implicated in
      food sensitization and to precede the development of atopic eczema. Decreased
      relative abundance of Lachnospira, Veillonella, Faecalibacterium, and Rothia in
      early infancy was reported to be associated with increased asthma risk.
      Inoculation of germ-free mice with these genera decreased airway inflammation in
      their offspring thereby proposing a causal role of bacteria in preventing
      allergic airways disease. SUMMARY: Gut microbiome research is an actively
      developing field. Although candidate bacterial taxa have been reported it still
      remains unclear which bacteria (or other microbes), in which numbers and
      combinations, and when during the gut colonization process may prevent allergic
      diseases and asthma. There is still a call for standardized approaches that will
      enable direct comparison of different studies.

PMID- 27253489
TI  - Highly Stable Lyophilized Homogeneous Bead-Based Immunoassays for On-Site
      Detection of Bio Warfare Agents from Complex Matrices.
AB  - This study shows the development of dry, highly stable immunoassays for the
      detection of bio warfare agents in complex matrices. Thermal stability was
      achieved by the lyophilization of the complete, homogeneous, bead-based
      immunoassay in a special stabilizing buffer, resulting in a ready-to-use, simple
      assay, which exhibited long shelf and high-temperature endurance (up to 1 week at
      100  degrees C). The developed methodology was successfully implemented for the
      preservation of time-resolved fluorescence, Alexa-fluorophores, and horse radish
      peroxidase-based bead assays, enabling multiplexed detection. The multiplexed
      assay was successfully implemented for the detection of Bacillus anthracis,
      botulinum B, and tularemia in complex matrices.

PMID- 27253491
TI  - Exploring U.S. Social Work Students' Sexual Attitudes and Abortion Viewpoints.
AB  - Social workers frequently engage with sexual and reproductive health topics, yet
      a notable paucity of social work research exists regarding abortion. Informed by
      overlapping theoretical frameworks of human rights and reproductive justice, this
      study examined a large, nationwide survey of social work students in the United
      States (N = 504). Linear regressions indicated that students' endorsements of
      permissive sexual attitudes and support for birth control are inversely
      associated with holding anti-choice abortion views. Moreover, distinct
      relationships were found among sociodemographic characteristics and abortion
      attitudes and knowledge, suggesting that social work education efforts regarding
      contentious reproductive and sexual health topics should also focus on nuances of
      cultural competence and diversity, as well as general human rights principles and
      professional ethics.

PMID- 27253492
TI  - Rh-catalysed [5 + 1] cycloaddition of allenylcyclopropanes and CO: reaction
      development and application to the formal synthesis of (-)-galanthamine.
AB  - A Rh-catalysed [5 + 1] cycloaddition of allenylcyclopropanes and CO has been
      developed to synthesize functionalized 2-methylidene-3,4-cyclohexenones. The
      scope of this methodology has been investigated, showing that various functional
      groups can be tolerated. Both di- and tri-substituted allenylcyclopropanes can be
      applied to this cycloaddition and the [5 + 1] cycloadducts with the E
      configuration were obtained as the major products. In addition, the present [5 +
      1] cycloaddition reaction has been utilized as a key step in the formal synthesis
      of the natural product (-)-galanthamine. 

PMID- 27253487
TI  - New advances in invasive aspergillosis immunobiology leading the way towards
      personalized therapeutic approaches.
AB  - Invasive aspergillosis (IA) remains a devastating disease in immune compromised
      patients despite significant advances in our understanding of fungal virulence
      and host defense mechanisms. In this review, we summarize important research
      advances in the fight against IA with particular focus on early events in the
      interactions between Aspergillus fumigatus and the host that occur in the
      respiratory tract. Advances in understanding mechanisms of immune effector cell
      recruitment, antifungal effector mechanisms, and how the dynamic host-fungal
      interaction alters the local microenvironment to effect outcomes are highlighted.
      These advances illustrate exciting new therapeutic opportunities, but also
      emphasize the importance of understanding each unique fungus-host interaction for
      improving patient outcomes.

PMID- 27253493
TI  - Conjugation to Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers and Pulmonary Delivery Reduce Cardiac
      Accumulation and Enhance Antitumor Activity of Doxorubicin in Lung Metastasis.
AB  - Lung is one of the most common sites to which almost all other primary tumors
      metastasize. The major challenges in the chemotherapy of lung metastases include
      the low drug concentration found in the tumors and high systemic toxicity upon
      systemic administration. In this study, we combine local lung delivery and the
      use of nanocarrier-based systems for improving pharmacokinetics and
      biodistribution of the therapeutics to fight lung metastases. We investigate the
      impact of the conjugation of doxorubicin (DOX) to carboxyl-terminated
      poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (PAMAM) through a bond that allows for intracellular
      triggered release, and the effect of pulmonary delivery of the dendrimer-DOX
      conjugate in decreasing tumor burden in a lung metastasis model. The results show
      a dramatic increase in efficacy of DOX treatment of the melanoma (B16-F10) lung
      metastasis mouse model upon pulmonary administration of the drug, as indicated by
      decreased tumor burden (lung weight) and increased survival rates of the animals
      (male C57BL/6) when compared to iv delivery. Conjugation of DOX further increased
      the therapeutic efficacy upon lung delivery as indicated by the smaller number of
      nodules observed in the lungs when compared to free DOX. These results are in
      agreement with the biodistribution characteristics of the DOX upon pulmonary
      delivery, which showed a longer lung accumulation/retention compared to iv
      administration. The distribution of DOX to the heart tissue is also significantly
      decreased upon pulmonary administration, and further decreased upon conjugation.
      The results show, therefore, that pulmonary administration of DOX combined to
      conjugation to PAMAM dendrimer through an intracellular labile bond is a
      potential strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and decrease systemic
      toxicity of DOX.

PMID- 27253494
TI  - "Balancing" the Block Davidson-Liu Algorithm.
AB  - We describe a simple modification ("balancing") of the block Davidson-Liu
      eigenvalue algorithm which allows the norms of the Krylov search directions to
      decrease naturally as convergence is approached. In the context of integral
      direct configuration interaction singles and time-dependent density functional
      theory, this provides for efficient utilization of density-based screening. Tests
      within the TeraChem GPGPU code exhibit speedups of ~2* on systems with up to 1500
      atoms, with negligible loss in accuracy. 

PMID- 27253488
TI  - Butyrate regulates the expression of inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines in
      human acute leukemic cells during apoptosis.
AB  - Butyrate is a histone deacetylase inhibitor implicated in many studies as a
      potential therapy for various forms of cancer. High concentrations of butyrate
      (>1.5mM) have been shown to activate apoptosis in several cancer cell lines
      including prostate, breast, and leukemia. Butyrate is also known to influence
      multiple signaling pathways that are mediators of cytokine production. The
      purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of high concentrations of
      butyrate on the cancer microenvironment vis-a-vis apoptosis, cellular migration,
      and capacity to modulate cytokine expression in cancer cells. The results
      indicate that high concentrations of butyrate induced a 2-fold activation of
      caspase-3 and reduced cell viability by 60% in U937 leukemia cells. Within 24h,
      butyrate significantly decreased the levels of chemokines CCL2 and CCL5 in HL-60
      and U937 cells, and decreased CCL5 in THP-1 leukemia cells. Differential effects
      were observed in treatments with valproic acid for CCL2 and CCL5 indicating
      butyrate-specificity. Many of the biological effects examined in this study are
      linked to activation of the AKT and MAPK signaling pathways; therefore, we
      investigated whether butyrate alters the levels of phosphorylated forms of these
      signaling proteins and how it correlated with the expression of chemokines. The
      results show that butyrate may partially regulate CCL5 production via p38 MAPK.
      The decrease in p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT levels correlated with the decrease in CCL2
      production. These data suggest that while promoting apoptosis, butyrate has the
      potential to influence the cancer microenvironment by inducing differential
      expression of cytokines.

PMID- 27253495
TI  - Rhizobium strains differ considerably in outer membrane permeability and
      polymyxin B resistance.
AB  - Six rhizobium (Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. Trifolii TA1, Sinorhizobium meliloti
      1021, Mesorhizobium huakuii IFO 15243(T), Ochrobactrum lupini LUP 21(T),
      Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 and B. elkanii USDA 76) and two Escherichia coli
      strains (E. coli ATCC 25922 and E. coli HB 101) were compared in respect to
      polymyxin B and EDTA resistance, as well as bacterial outer membrane (OM)
      permeability to a fluorescent hydrophobic agent (N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine - NPN).
      TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) and a microbial test demonstrated that all
      the rhizobia were much more resistant to polymyxin B in comparison with E. coli
      strains. EDTA and polymyxin B enhance permeability of B. japonicum and O. lupini
      OM. Other rhizobia incorporated NPN independently of the presence of membrane
      deteriorating agents; however, the level of fluorescence (measured as NPN
      absorption) was strain dependent. 

PMID- 27253496
TI  - Effective and complex stimulation of the biodegradation system of fungus Cerrena
      unicolor by rapeseed meal fermentation.
AB  - The effect of supplementation of medium with rapeseed meal (RM) on production of
      biotechnologically important enzymes was investigated in submerged cultures of
      the white rot fungus Cerrena unicolor. The addition of RM (3.5% w/v) distinctly
      stimulated the activities of laccase, chitinase, and beta-glucosidase. As
      compared to the control, the activities of chitinase, beta-glucosidase, and
      laccase in the RM supplemented cultures were up to 4.1, 8.4, and 3.9 times
      higher, respectively. The results of the spectrophotometric and
      spectrofluorometric measurements were additionally confirmed by zymographic
      analysis of the samples. The level of sugars and phenolic compounds as well as
      the antioxidative ability of fungal preparations were also determined. The
      results obtained indicate that the submerged liquid fermentation of rapeseed meal
      can be proposed as an inexpensive and very effective method for biotechnological
      production of chitinase, beta-glucosidase, and laccase by C. unicolor. 

PMID- 27253497
TI  - School psychology recruitment research characteristics and implications for
      increasing racial and ethnic diversity.
AB  - Shortages of school psychologists and the underrepresentation of minorities in
      school psychology represent longstanding concerns. Scholars recommend that one
      way to address both issues is to recruit individuals from racially and ethnically
      diverse backgrounds into school psychology. The purpose of this study was to
      explore the characteristics and minority focused findings of school psychology
      recruitment studies conducted from 1994 to 2014. Using an electronic search that
      included specified databases, subject terms and study inclusion criteria along
      with a manual search of 10 school psychology focused journals, the review yielded
      10 published, peer-reviewed recruitment studies focused primarily on school
      psychology over the 20-year span. Two researchers coded these 10 studies using a
      rigorous coding process that included a high level of inter rater reliability.
      Results suggest that the studies utilized varied methodologies, primarily sampled
      undergraduate populations, and mostly included White participants. Five studies
      focused on minority populations specifically. These studies indicate that
      programs should actively recruit minority undergraduates and offer financial
      support to attract minority candidates. Implications suggest a need for more
      recruitment research focused on minority populations and the implementation and
      evaluation of minority recruitment models. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253498
TI  - Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic assessment of fluticasone furoate +
      vilanterol for the treatment of asthma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of long
      acting beta2-agonists and mostly inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) shape the
      efficacy and safety of these agents in the treatment of asthma. In fact, the PK
      and PD characteristics of the drug largely determine the degree of pulmonary
      targeting Areas covered. In this review, we summarize the PK and PD properties of
      inhaled fluticasone furoate (FF) and vilanterol trifenatate (VI) and their fixed
      dose combination (FDC) for the treatment of asthma Expert opinion. It is
      difficult to interpret the data that we have described because the preclinical
      and clinical development of FF/VI FDC was not really based on solid information
      on quantitative PK/PD approach. Unfortunately, for both FF and VI we only know
      concentrations in systemic blood, a compartment that is downstream of both target
      and non-target respiratory tissue. This lack of information does not allow us to
      understand the temporal relationship between the delivered dose and the drug
      concentration at the sites of action within the lungs. In addition, all studies
      performed with FF and VI did not address the fundamental issue that asthma can
      significantly alter lung deposition, absorption and also clearance of inhaled
      medicines.

PMID- 27253508
TI  - Colour imaging in the monitoring and documentation of choroidal naevi. Are
      Optomap colour images adequate for this purpose?
AB  - An audit project to evaluate and compare three different imaging systems used to
      photograph choroidal naevi and to determine whether the Optos Optomap((r)) can be
      used as the only colour image capture system for monitoring and documenting
      choroidal naevi. A further aim was to assess whether existing protocols could be
      improved to accurately document position and appearance of choroidal naevi.
      Twenty patients with choroidal naevi were photographed on three different colour
      image capture systems. Colour images were taken on the Optomap((r)) wide field
      P200MA camera; the Zeiss FF450plus((r)) mydriatic camera and the Topcon TRC
      NW6S((r)). All images were reviewed retrospectively by a medical retina
      consultant (SD) who completed a questionnaire to determine the most effective
      photographic system(s) in demonstrating the location of the naevi and the
      features of the condition. The Optomap((r)) was the most effective in pinpointing
      the location of the naevus and the Zeiss FF450plus mydriatic camera best captured
      the features of the naevus. The non-mydriatic camera was rated the least
      satisfactory for both tasks. The location of the naevus on the retina should
      determine the choice of modality. If it is possible to photograph the lesion and
      include the optic disc or central macula, then the mydriatic camera is considered
      the best modality for recording both the position and features of the pathology.
      However, if it is not possible, because of the location, to include both the disc
      or central macula with the lesion in the same frame, then the Optomap((r)) should
      be used to photograph the naevus to record its position and ideally a colour
      image on the mydriatic camera should also be taken to record the appearance of
      the lesion. 

PMID- 27253509
TI  - Targeting hypoxia to overcome radiation resistance in head & neck cancers: real
      challenge or clinical fairytale?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tumor hypoxia is a major cause for failure of therapy in patients
      with inoperable head and neck cancers. AREAS COVERED: Various anti-hypoxic
      treatment strategies (e.g. hyperbaric oxygenation, hypoxic cell sensitizers) have
      been tested in clinical trials in head and neck cancer over the past 30 years and
      have shown modest improvements in combination with radiotherapy in meta-analyses.
      Anemia worsens tumor hypoxia, but anemia correction had no significant effect.
      New approaches (e.g. anti-HIF-directed molecular therapies) have just entered
      early clinical studies and data are lacking. Expert commentary: A new attractive
      and promising approach derives from recent advances in imaging and radiotherapy
      delivery. Progress in imaging of hypoxia (e.g. by positron emission tomography)
      can select patients for specific therapies and may, in particular, facilitate
      anti-hypoxia-directed radiotherapy which has become feasible with advanced
      radiotherapy techniques (IMRT with 'dose-painting'). The combination of both
      methods may offer a powerful tool for effective targeting of hypoxia in the near
      future.

PMID- 27253510
TI  - Global Biodiversity Loss by Freshwater Consumption and Eutrophication from Swiss
      Food Consumption.
AB  - We investigated water-related resource use, emissions and ecosystem impacts of
      food consumed in Switzerland. To do so, we coupled LCA methodologies on
      freshwater consumption, freshwater eutrophication and the consequent local and
      global biodiversity impacts with Swiss customs data and multiregional input
      output analysis. Most of the resource use, emissions and impacts occur outside
      the national boundaries which illustrates the extent of environmental outsourcing
      facilitated by international trade. Countries that are severely affected by Swiss
      food consumption include Spain, the United States and Ecuador. Cocoa, coffee, and
      almonds stood out as products with high impacts. By identifying spatial hotspots
      and impactful products, awareness of policy-makers as well as individual
      consumers can be raised and efforts of detailed assessments can be streamlined.
      However, political and economic constraints and the resistance by individual
      consumers limit the high potential of changes in diets and trade relations to
      decrease the environmental impacts of food.

PMID- 27253511
TI  - Cognitive Tests and Determining Fitness to Drive in Dementia: A Systematic
      Review.
AB  - Evidence has shown that although all individuals with dementia will eventually
      need to stop driving, most can continue to drive safely early in the disease.
      Fitness to drive needs to be monitored, and the use of cognitive testing to
      determine driver safety has been suggested. This review is the first to examine
      cognitive test results pertaining only to individuals with dementia. The aim was
      to examine the relationship between cognitive tests and driving to determine
      whether a cognitive assessment can be implemented as a tool to examine driver
      safety. A systematic review of 28 studies investigating the relationship between
      cognitive functioning and driving in individuals with dementia was conducted. The
      results of this review demonstrated a lack of consistency in the findings, with
      some studies showing a relationship between cognitive testing and driving
      performance for individuals with dementia, whereas others did not. Results
      relating to individual cognitive tests and measures confined to a single
      cognitive domain were variable and not consistently associated with driving
      performance. Studies consistently found that composite batteries predicted
      driving performance. The findings from this review support the use of composite
      batteries comprising multiple individual tests from different cognitive domains
      in predicting driving performance for individuals with dementia. Scores on
      individual tests or tests of a single cognitive domain did not predict driver
      safety. The composite batteries that researchers have examined are not clinically
      usable because they lack the ability to discriminate sufficiently between safe
      and unsafe drivers. Researchers need to develop a reliable, valid composite
      battery that can correctly determine driver safety in individuals with dementia.

PMID- 27253513
TI  - Treatment of Regional Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer-Evidence in Favor of Radiation
      Therapy.

PMID- 27253512
TI  - 6-Substituted 2-Aminopurine-2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-Triphosphates that Trace
      Cytosine Methylation.
AB  - Gene expression is extensively regulated by the occurrence and distribution of
      the epigenetic marker 2'-deoxy 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in genomic DNA. Because of
      its effects on tumorigenesis there is an important link to human health. In
      addition, detection of 5mC can serve as an outstanding biomarker for diagnostics
      as well as for disease therapy. Our previous studies have already shown that, by
      processing O(6) -alkylated 2'-deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP) analogues, DNA
      polymerases are able to sense the presence of a single 5mC unit in a template.
      Here we present the synthesis and evaluation of an extended toolbox of 6
      substituted 2-aminopurine-2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates modified at
      position 6 with various functionalities. We found that sensing of 5-methylation
      by this class of nucleotides is more general, not being restricted to O(6) -alkyl
      modification of dGTP but also applying to other functionalities.

PMID- 27253515
TI  - Failure Modes during Low-Voltage Electrowetting.
AB  - Low-voltage electrowetting devices allow significant contact angle changes below
      a 50 V bias; however, operation under prolonged cycling and failure modes have
      not yet been sufficiently elucidated. In this work, the failure modes and
      performance degradation of Cytop (23-210 nm)/aluminum oxide (15-44 nm) bilayers
      have been investigated. Contact angle and leakage current were measured during
      stepped voltage measurements up to failure, showing three electrowetting response
      regimes: ideal Young-Lippmann behavior, contact angle saturation, and dielectric
      breakdown. The onset of ionic conduction in aluminum oxide and the resulting
      breakdown control when the layer would ultimately fail, but the thickness of the
      Cytop layer determined the achievable contact angle versus voltage
      characteristics. Cyclic electrowetting measurements studied the repeatability of
      contact angle change using an applied voltage above or below the voltage drop
      needed for polymer breakdown (VT). Results show repeatable electrowetting below
      VT and a rapidly diminishing contact angle response above VT. The leakage current
      and injected charge cannot be used to comprehensively assess the stability of the
      system during operation. The contact potential difference measured with a Kelvin
      probe provides an alternative means of assessing the extent of the damage. 

PMID- 27253514
TI  - Fecal Immunochemical Tests Combined With Other Stool Tests for Colorectal Cancer
      and Advanced Adenoma Detection: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Despite moderate to high detection rates of fecal immunochemical
      tests (FITs) of colorectal cancer (CRC), detection of adenomas remains limited.
      Further stool tests exist, which are not used in routine practice, such as DNA or
      RNA markers and protein markers. We aimed at systematically investigating and
      summarizing evidence for diagnostic performance of combinations of FIT with other
      stool tests compared with FIT alone in early detection of CRC and its precursors.
      METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies that evaluated FITs in combination
      with other stool tests and compared measures of diagnostic accuracy with and
      without additional stool tests. PubMed and Web of Science were searched from
      inception to May 2015. Reference lists of eligible studies were also screened.
      Two reviewers extracted data independently. RESULTS: Some of the reports on DNA,
      RNA, or tissue tests, including tests based on DNA mutations, methylation, and
      integrity in selected genes as well as microRNA expression, showed some
      improvements of diagnostic test accuracy. In contrast, so far assessed stool
      protein markers did generally not lead to substantial improvements in performance
      of FIT when added to the latter. Many marker combinations were reported only in
      one study each, and few studies were conducted in a true screening setting.
      CONCLUSIONS: Several stool markers show potential to improve performance of FITs.
      However, the results require confirmation in further studies, which should also
      evaluate the costs and cost-effectiveness of combined screening strategies.

PMID- 27253516
TI  - Intermolecular Hybridization Creating Nanopore Orbital in a Supramolecular
      Hydrocarbon Sheet.
AB  - Molecular orbital engineering is a key ingredient for the design of organic
      devices. Intermolecular hybridization promises efficient charge carrier transport
      but usually requires dense packing for significant wave function overlap. Here we
      use scanning tunneling spectroscopy to spatially resolve the electronic structure
      of a surface-confined nanoporous supramolecular sheet of a prototypical
      hydrocarbon compound featuring terminal alkyne (-CCH) groups. Surprisingly,
      localized nanopore orbitals are observed, with their electron density centered in
      the cavities surrounded by the functional moieties. Density functional theory
      calculations reveal that these new electronic states originate from the
      intermolecular hybridization of six in-plane pi-orbitals of the carbon-carbon
      triple bonds, exhibiting significant electronic splitting and an energy downshift
      of approximately 1 eV. Importantly, these nanopore states are distinct from
      previously reported interfacial states. We unravel the underlying connection
      between the formation of nanopore orbital and geometric arrangements of
      functional groups, thus demonstrating the generality of applying related orbital
      engineering concepts in various types of porous organic structures.

PMID- 27253517
TI  - Patient experiences of training and transition to home haemodialysis: A mixed
      methods study.
AB  - AIM: This study aims to describe patients' perspectives on the transition to home
      haemodialysis. METHODS: Up to three sequential semi-structured interviews were
      conducted with 20 patients during the transition to home haemodialysis at an
      Australian renal unit. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Participants
      completed a satisfaction questionnaire after commencing home haemodialysis.
      RESULTS: We identified six themes: persevering despite trepidations (diminishing
      intimidation of machinery, acquiescing to fatal risks, reconciling fears of
      cannulation, dispelling concerns of neglect and tolerating necessary
      concessions); optimizing the learning pathway (practising problem solving,
      learning from mistakes, grasping technical complexity, minimizing cognitive
      overload and progressing at own pace); developing confidence (believing in own
      abilities, adapting to independence, depending on caregiver partnership and faith
      in crisis support); interrupted transition momentum (lacking individual
      attention, language barriers, installation delays, interfering illness and
      complications and acclimatizing to new conditions); noticing immediate gains
      (reclaiming lifestyle normality, satisfying self-sufficiency, personalizing
      treatment regime and thriving in a positive environment); and depleting resources
      and energy (exhaustion with gruelling routine, confronting medicalization of the
      home, draining financial reserves and imposing family burden). Fewer than 30% of
      respondents indicated low satisfaction with staff availability domains, staff
      interpersonal domains or technical domains. CONCLUSION: Home haemodialysis
      training fosters confidence in patients; however, many patients experience stress
      because of medical isolation, treatment responsibilities, family impositions and
      financial difficulties. Addressing patient's on-going psychosocial concerns may
      alleviate burdens on patients and their families during the transition to home
      haemodialysis.

PMID- 27253518
TI  - CD44 Splice Variant v8-10 as a Marker of Serous Ovarian Cancer Prognosis.
AB  - CD44 is a transmembrane hyaluronic acid receptor gene that encodes over 100
      different tissue-specific protein isoforms. The most ubiquitous, CD44 standard,
      has been used as a cancer stem cell marker in ovarian and other cancers.
      Expression of the epithelial CD44 variant containing exons v8-10 (CD44v8-10) has
      been associated with more chemoresistant and metastatic tumors in
      gastrointestinal and breast cancers, but its role in ovarian cancer is unknown;
      we therefore investigated its use as a prognostic marker in this disease. The
      gene expression profiles of 254 tumor samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas
      RNAseqV2 were analyzed for the presence of CD44 isoforms. A trend for longer
      survival was observed in patients with high expression of CD44 isoforms that
      include exons v8-10. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of tumors for presence of
      CD44v8-10 was performed on an independent cohort of 210 patients with high-grade
      serous ovarian cancer using a tumor tissue microarray. Patient stratification
      based on software analysis of staining revealed a statistically significant
      increase in survival in patients with the highest levels of transmembrane protein
      expression (top 10 or 20%) compared to those with the lowest expression (bottom
      10 and 20%) (p = 0.0181, p = 0.0262 respectively). Expression of CD44v8-10 in
      primary ovarian cancer cell lines was correlated with a predominantly epithelial
      phenotype characterized by high expression of epithelial markers and low
      expression of mesenchymal markers by qPCR, Western blot, and IHC. Conversely,
      detection of proteolytically cleaved and soluble extracellular domain of CD44v8
      10 in patient ascites samples was correlated with significantly worse prognosis
      (p<0.05). Therefore, presence of transmembrane CD44v8-10 on the surface of
      primary tumor cells may be a marker of a highly epithelial tumor with better
      prognosis while enzymatic cleavage of CD44v8-10, as detected by presence of the
      soluble extracellular domain in ascites fluid, may be indicative of a more
      metastatic disease and worse prognosis. 

PMID- 27253519
TI  - Progress in understanding the safety and efficacy of Janus kinase inhibitors for
      treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has improved considerably
      following the advent of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
      However, these drugs require special storage and transportation. Janus kinase
      (JAK) inhibitors are oral synthetic DMARDs that inhibit the non-receptor tyrosine
      kinase family Janus kinase. Recently, many JAK inhibitors are being developed as
      new therapies for patients with RA. AREAS COVERED: In this article, we mainly
      review the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors currently under investigation.
      Tofacitinib has already been approved in 43 countries except in the EU. Results
      of three JAK inhibitors (baricitinib, decernotinib, and peficitinib) in phase III
      are consistent with that of tofacitinib. Tofacitinib and baricitinib were
      partially effective in patients who had an inadequate response to biological
      DMARDs. Expert commentary: JAK kinase inhibitors provide a new therapeutic
      approach for rheumatoid arthritis. Meanwhile, further studies are needed to
      determine their risk-benefit ratio and the most appropriate patients suitable for
      such therapy.

PMID- 27253520
TI  - Ordered PdCu-Based Nanoparticles as Bifunctional Oxygen-Reduction and Ethanol
      Oxidation Electrocatalysts.
AB  - The development of superior non-platinum electrocatalysts for enhancing the
      electrocatalytic activity and stability for the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR)
      and liquid fuel oxidation reaction is very important for the commercialization of
      fuel cells, but still a great challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a new colloidal
      chemistry technique for making structurally ordered PdCu-based nanoparticles
      (NPs) with composition control from PdCu to PdCuNi and PtCuCo. Under the dual
      tuning on the composition and intermetallic phase, the ordered PdCuCo NPs exhibit
      better activity and much enhanced stability for ORR and ethanol-oxidation
      reaction (EOR) than those of disordered PdCuM NPs, the commercial Pt/C and Pd/C
      catalysts. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the
      improved ORR activity on the PdCuM NPs stems from the catalytically active hollow
      sites arising from the ligand effect and the compressive strain on the Pd surface
      owing to the smaller atomic size of Cu, Co, and Ni.

PMID- 27253521
TI  - Splenectomy is not indicated in living donor liver transplantation.
AB  - Simultaneous splenectomy (SPX) is preferentially performed in living donor liver
      transplantation (LDLT) to modulate portal flow; increase postoperative platelet
      count, especially among those with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; and
      modulate the immunologic status in ABO-incompatible cases. The negative effects
      of the procedure, however, are not well established. Records of 395 LDLTs
      performed at our institution, including 169 (42.8%) patients with simultaneous
      SPX and 226 (57.2%) patients with spleen preservation, were reviewed with special
      reference to the simultaneous SPX cases. The most common indication for SPX was
      HCV-related disease (n = 114), followed by low preoperative platelet count (n =
      52), and other reasons (n = 3). Simultaneous splenectomy did not increase the
      platelet count in the early postoperative period, but the incidence of
      reoperation for postoperative hemorrhage was increased, mainly at the SPX site,
      within the first week. In addition, the operative time, intraoperative blood
      loss, and incidence of lethal infectious disease were significantly higher in the
      SPX group, whereas the incidence of small-for-size syndrome was comparable
      between groups. Finally, SPX was an independent predictor for both postoperative
      hemorrhage (odds ratio [OR] = 2.451; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.285-4.815;
      P = 0.006) and lethal infectious complication (OR = 3.748; 95% CI = 1.148-14.001;
      P = 0.03). In conclusion, on the basis of the present findings, we do not
      recommend simultaneous SPX in LDLT. Liver Transplantation 22 1526-1535 2016
      AASLD.

PMID- 27253522
TI  - Predictive value of the composition of the vaginal microbiota in bacterial
      vaginosis, a dynamic study to identify recurrence-related flora.
AB  - Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a highly prevalent disease in women, and increases
      the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. It has been given wide attention because
      of the high recurrence rate. Traditional diagnostic methods based on microscope
      providing limited information on the vaginal microbiota increase the difficulty
      in tracing the development of the disease in bacteria resistance condition. In
      this study, we used deep-sequencing technology to observe dynamic variation of
      the vaginal microbiota at three major time points during treatment, at D0 (before
      treatment), D7 (stop using the antibiotics) and D30 (the 30-day follow-up visit).
      Sixty-five patients with BV were enrolled (48 were cured and 17 were not cured),
      and their bacterial composition of the vaginal microbiota was compared.
      Interestingly, we identified 9 patients might be recurrence. We also introduced a
      new measurement point of D7, although its microbiota were significantly inhabited
      by antibiotic and hard to be observed by traditional method. The vaginal
      microbiota in deep-sequencing-view present a strong correlation to the final
      outcome. Thus, coupled with detailed individual bioinformatics analysis and deep
      sequencing technology, we may illustrate a more accurate map of vaginal microbial
      to BV patients, which provide a new opportunity to reduce the rate of recurrence
      of BV.

PMID- 27253523
TI  - Short- and Longterm Glycemic Control of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
      Using Different Insulin Preparations.
AB  - The chemical induction of diabetes with STZ has gained popularity because of the
      relative ease of rendering normal animals diabetic. Insulin substitution is
      required in STZ-rats in long-term studies to avoid ketoacidosis and consequently
      loss of animals. Aim of the present studies was to test different insulin
      preparations and different ways of administration in their ability to reduce
      blood glucose in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Single dosing of the long-acting
      insulin analogue glargine was able to dose-dependently reduce blood glucose over
      4 h towards normoglycemia in STZ-treated rats. However, this effect was not
      sustained until 8 h post injection. A more sustained glucose-lowering effect was
      achieved using insulin-releasing implants. In STZ-rats, 1 insulin implant
      moderately lowered blood glucose levels 10 days after implantation, while 2
      implants induced normoglycemia over the whole day. According to the glucose
      lowering effect 1 as well as 2 insulin implants significantly reduced HbA1c
      measured after 26 days of implantation. In line with the improved glucose
      homeostasis due to the implants, urinary glucose excretion was also blunted in
      STZ-treated rats with 2 implants. Since diabetic nephropathy is one of the
      complications of longterm diabetes, renal function was characterized in the STZ
      rat model. Increases in creatinine clearance and urinary albumin excretion
      resemble early signs of diabetic nephropathy. These functional abnormalities of
      the kidney could clearly be corrected with insulin-releasing implants 27 days
      after implantation. The data show that diabetic STZ-rats respond to exogenous
      insulin with regard to glucose levels as well as kidney parameters and a suitable
      dose of insulin implants for glucose control was established. This animal model
      together with the insulin dosing regimen is suitable to address diabetes-induced
      early diabetic nephropathy and also to study combination therapies with insulin
      for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. 

PMID- 27253524
TI  - Correction: A Historical Overview of the Classification, Evolution, and
      Dispersion of Leishmania Parasites and Sandflies.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004349.].

PMID- 27253525
TI  - Treatment of Oral Candidiasis Using Photodithazine(r)- Mediated Photodynamic
      Therapy In Vivo.
AB  - This study evaluated the effectiveness of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy
      (aPDT) in the treatment of oral candidiasis in a murine model using
      Photodithazine(r) (PDZ). This model of oral candidiasis was developed to allow
      the monitoring of the infection and the establishment of the aPDT treatment. Six
      week-old female mice were immunosuppressed and inoculated with C. albicans to
      induce oral candidiasis. PDZ-mediated aPDT and nystatin treatment were carried
      out for 5 consecutive days with one application per day. The macroscopic
      evaluation of oral lesions was performed. After each treatment, the tongue was
      swabbed to recover C. albicans cells. Viable colonies were quantified and the
      number of CFU/ml determined. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours and 7 days
      after treatment and the tongues were surgically removed for histological analysis
      and analysis of inflammatory cytokines expression (IL-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6) by
      RT-qPCR. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA. PDZ-mediated aPDT was as effective
      as Nystatin (NYS group) in the inactivation of C. albicans, reducing 3 and 3.2
      logs10 respectively, 24 h after treatment (p<0.05). Animals underwent PDZ
      mediated aPDT showed complete remission of oral lesions, while animals treated
      with NYS presented partial remission of oral lesions in both periods assessed.
      Histological evaluation revealed mild inflammatory infiltrate in the groups
      treated with aPDT and NYS in both periods assessed. The aPDT induced the TNF
      alpha expression when compared with the control (P-L-) (p<0.05), 24 h and 7 days
      after treatment. In summary, the murine model developed here was able to mimic
      the infection and PDZ-mediated aPDT was effective to treat mice with oral
      candidiasis. 

PMID- 27253526
TI  - Effect of a Brown Rice Based Vegan Diet and Conventional Diabetic Diet on
      Glycemic Control of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical
      Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Several intervention studies have suggested that vegetarian or vegan
      diets have clinical benefits, particularly in terms of glycemic control, in
      patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, no randomized controlled trial has
      been conducted in Asians who more commonly depend on plant-based foods, as
      compared to Western populations. Here, we aimed to compare the effect of a vegan
      diet and conventional diabetic diet on glycemic control among Korean individuals.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants diagnosed with T2D were randomly assigned to
      follow either a vegan diet (excluding animal-based food including fish; n = 46)
      or a conventional diet recommended by the Korean Diabetes Association 2011 (n =
      47) for 12 weeks. HbA1c levels were measured at weeks 0, 4, and 12, and the
      primary study endpoint was the change in HbA1c levels over 12 weeks. RESULTS: The
      mean HbA1c levels at weeks 0, 4, and 12 were 7.7%, 7.2%, and 7.1% in the vegan
      group, and 7.4%, 7.2%, and 7.2% in the conventional group, respectively. Although
      both groups showed significant reductions in HbA1C levels, the reductions were
      larger in the vegan group than in the conventional group (-0.5% vs. -0.2%; p-for
      interaction = 0.017). When only considering participants with high compliance,
      the difference in HbA1c level reduction between the groups was found to be larger
      (-0.9% vs. -0.3%). The beneficial effect of vegan diets was noted even after
      adjusting for changes in total energy intake or waist circumference over the 12
      weeks. CONCLUSION: Both diets led to reductions in HbA1c levels; however,
      glycemic control was better with the vegan diet than with the conventional diet.
      Thus, the dietary guidelines for patients with T2D should include a vegan diet
      for the better management and treatment. However, further studies are needed to
      evaluate the long-term effects of a vegan diet, and to identify potential
      explanations of the underlying mechanisms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRiS KCT0001771.

PMID- 27253527
TI  - Public Service by a Selfish Gene: A Domesticated Transposase Antagonizes Polycomb
      Function.

PMID- 27253528
TI  - Cyclical DNA Methylation and Histone Changes Are Induced by LPS to Activate COX-2
      in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells.
AB  - Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces release of inflammatory mediators both
      in immune and epithelial cells. We investigated whether changes of epigenetic
      marks, including selected histone modification and DNA methylation, may drive or
      accompany the activation of COX-2 gene in HT-29 human intestinal epithelial cells
      upon exposure to LPS. Here we describe cyclical histone acetylation (H3),
      methylation (H3K4, H3K9, H3K27) and DNA methylation changes occurring at COX-2
      gene promoter overtime after LPS stimulation. Histone K27 methylation changes are
      carried out by the H3 demethylase JMJD3 and are essential for COX-2 induction by
      LPS. The changes of the histone code are associated with cyclical methylation
      signatures at the promoter and gene body of COX-2 gene. 

PMID- 27253583
TI  - Comparative Analyses between Skeletal Muscle miRNAomes from Large White and Min
      Pigs Revealed MicroRNAs Associated with Postnatal Muscle Hypertrophy.
AB  - The molecular mechanism regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) that underlies postnatal
      hypertrophy of skeletal muscle is complex and remains unclear. Here, the
      miRNAomes of longissimus dorsi muscle collected at five postnatal stages (60,
      120, 150, 180, and 210 days after birth) from Large White (commercial breed) and
      Min pigs (indigenous breed of China) were analyzed by Illumina sequencing. We
      identified 734 miRNAs comprising 308 annotated miRNAs and 426 novel miRNAs, of
      which 307 could be considered pig-specific. Comparative analysis between two
      breeds suggested that 60 and 120 days after birth were important stages for
      skeletal muscle hypertrophy and intramuscular fat accumulation. A total of 263
      miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between two breeds at one or
      more developmental stages. In addition, the differentially expressed miRNAs
      between every two adjacent developmental stages in each breed were determined.
      Notably, ssc-miR-204 was significantly more highly expressed in Min pig skeletal
      muscle at all postnatal stages compared with its expression in Large White pig
      skeletal muscle. Based on gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses of its
      predicted target genes, we concluded that ssc-miR-204 may exert an impact on
      postnatal hypertrophy of skeletal muscle by regulating myoblast proliferation.
      The results of this study will help in elucidating the mechanism underlying
      postnatal hypertrophy of skeletal muscle modulated by miRNAs, which could provide
      valuable information for improvement of pork quality and human myopathy. 

PMID- 27253584
TI  - Why the resistance to statistical innovations? A comment on Sharpe (2013).
AB  - Sharpe's (2013) article considered reasons for the apparent resistance of
      substantive researchers to the adoption of newer statistical methods recommended
      by quantitative methodologists, and possible ways to reduce that resistance,
      focusing on improved communication. The important point that Sharpe missed,
      however, is that because research methods vary radically from one subarea of
      psychology to another, a particular statistical innovation may be much better
      suited to some subareas than others. Although there may be some psychological or
      logistical explanations that account for resistance to innovation in general, to
      fully understand the resistance to any particular innovation, it is necessary to
      consider how that innovation impacts specific subareas of psychology. In this
      comment, I focus on the movement to replace null hypothesis significance testing
      (NHST) with reports of effect sizes and/or confidence intervals, and consider its
      possible impact on research in which only the direction of the effect is
      meaningful, and there is no basis for predicting specific effect sizes (and very
      large samples are rarely used). There are numerous examples of these studies in
      social psychology, for instance, such as those that deal with priming effects. I
      use a study in support of terror management theory as my main example. I conclude
      that the degree to which statistical reformers have overgeneralized their
      criticisms of NHST, and have failed to tailor their recommendations to different
      types of research, may explain some of the resistance to abandoning NHST.
      Finally, I offer suggestions for improved communication to supplement those
      presented by Sharpe. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253585
TI  - Initial management and outcomes after superficial thrombophlebitis: The
      Cardiovascular Research Network Venous Thromboembolism study.
AB  - Although superficial thrombophlebitis (SVTE) is generally considered a benign,
      self-limited disease, accumulating evidence suggests that it often leads to more
      serious forms of venous thromboembolism. We reviewed the medical charts of 329
      subjects with SVTE from the Cardiovascular Research Network Venous
      Thromboembolism cohort study to collect information on the acute treatment of
      SVTE and subsequent diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis within 1 year. All
      participants received care within Kaiser Permanente Northern California, a large,
      integrated healthcare delivery system. Fourteen (4.3%) subjects with SVTE
      received anticoagulants, 148 (45.0%) were recommended antiplatelet agents or
      nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and in 167 (50.8%) there was no documented
      antithrombotic therapy. In the year after SVTE diagnosis, 19 (5.8%) patients had
      a subsequent diagnosis of a deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. In
      conclusion, clinically significant venous thrombosis within a year after SVTE was
      uncommon in our study despite infrequent use of antithrombotic therapy. Journal
      of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:432-434. (c) 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 27253586
TI  - Avoiding contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans in patients with shellfish
      allergies.

PMID- 27253587
TI  - Real-Time Imaging of Single HIV-1 Disassembly with Multicolor Viral Particles.
AB  - Viral disassembly is poorly understood and related to the infection mechanism.
      However, directly observing the process in living cells remains technically
      challenging. In this study, the genome RNA, capsid, and matrix protein of the HIV
      1 virus were labeled with a Ru(II) complex ([Ru(phen)2(dppz)](2+)), the TC
      FlAsH/ReAsH system, and EGFP/ECFP, respectively. Using the multicolored virus and
      single-particle imaging, we were able to track the sequential disassembly process
      of single HIV-1 virus particles in live host cells. Approximately 0.1% of viral
      particles were observed to undergo a sequential disassembly process at 60-120 min
      post infection. The timing and efficiency of the disassembly were influenced by
      the cellular factor CypA and reverse transcription. The findings facilitate a
      better understanding of the processes governing the HIV-1 lifecycle. The
      multicolor labeling protocol developed in this study may find many applications
      involving virus-host-cell interactions.

PMID- 27253588
TI  - Interleukin 6 modulates PPARalpha and PGC-1alpha and is involved in high-fat diet
      induced cardiac lipotoxicity in mouse.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) may be involved in regulation of cardiac lipid
      metabolism and mitochondrial function through its influence on peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). In this study we evaluated the impact
      of the physiological level of IL-6 on the expression of PPARalpha and PGC-1alpha
      in the heart and the effect of lack of this cytokine on high-fat diet (HFD)
      induced lipotoxicity. METHODS: Male C57BL6/J wild type (WT) and IL-6 knock-out
      (IL-6KO) mice were used. 20 animals of each genotype were fed with HFD for 15
      18weeks. Cardiac function was assessed using echocardiography and cardiomyocyte
      ultrastructure was examined using electron microscopy. QT-PCR and Western
      blotting were applied to estimate the expression of PPARalpha and PGC-1alpha at
      the transcriptional and protein levels. RESULTS: At baseline WT and IL-6KO mice
      had similar size and function of the left ventricle. HFD induced similar left
      ventricular hypertrophic response in both groups without causing heart failure,
      but only WT animals had increased resting ejection fraction of the LV.
      Ultrastructure of HFD groups showed markers of lipotoxicity, that were more
      pronounced in IL-6KO group. In basal conditions IL-6KO animals had lower
      PPARalpha and similar PGC-1alpha expression as compared to WT. HFD induced
      downregulation of both PPARalpha and PGC-1alpha in WT animals, while in IL-6KO
      mice this effect was constrained. CONCLUSION: IL-6 is involved in basal
      regulation of PPARalpha and PGC-1alpha expression in cardiomyocytes. The lack of
      this cytokine promotes high-fat diet induced lipotoxicity but without overt
      manifestations of cardiac failure.

PMID- 27253589
TI  - Organizational culture of a private hospital.
AB  - Objective To assess the values and practices that characterize the organizational
      culture of a private hospital in the state of Sao Paulo in the perspective of
      nursing professionals. Methods Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study.
      Data collection was conducted between January and March 2013 using the Brazilian
      Instrument for Assessing Organizational Culture. Twenty-one nurses and sixty-two
      nursing aides and technicians participated in the study. The responses of the
      participants were coded into numerical categories, generating an electronic
      database to be analyzed by means of the software Statistical Package for the
      Social Sciences. Results Scores of cooperative professionalism values (3.24);
      hierarchical strictness values (2.83); individual professionalism values (2.69);
      well-being values (2.71); external integration practices (3.73); reward and
      training practices (2.56); and relationship promotion practices (2.83).
      Conclusion In the perception of workers, despite the existence of hierarchical
      strictness there is cooperation at work and the institution pursues customer
      satisfaction and good interpersonal relationships. 

PMID- 27253590
TI  - Difficulties and challenges in reviewing ethical aspects of research in Brazil.
AB  - Objective To reflect on the problems faced by researchers from different areas,
      especially of Humanities and Social Sciences, when submitting research projects
      for evaluation by the research ethics committees in Brazil. Method A theoretical
      and reflective study based on international literature and the critical analysis
      of the authors. Results Although Resolution 466/2012, which addresses human
      research, contains some innovations, issues related to the research participants
      remain obscure and the project evaluation process is time-consuming. Conclusion
      The difficulties faced by researchers, especially in the fields of Humanities and
      Social Sciences, must be transposed to ensure that the ethical guidelines are
      applicable, in terms of principles and procedures, to the different research
      traditions. Appropriate human research standards must be managed by a system with
      a satisfactory operational capacity, according to the specificities of the
      different areas of knowledge. 

PMID- 27253591
TI  - Representations of nurses and individuals in psychological distress in the
      photographic exhibit USAnatomy, by Steven Klein.
AB  - Objectives To analyze the representations of the nurse and individual in mental
      suffering portrayed in the photographic work by Steven Klein, in the USAnatomy
      exhibit held at the Museum of Sculpture (Museu da escultura) in Sao Paulo, in
      2011. Methods Qualitative study carried out in 2012. Three photographs were
      submitted to iconographic analysis. The interpretation of the findings was based
      on theoretical frameworks of Foucault and Bourdieu on power relations. Results
      The nurse is represented as a sensual, insensitive person, with the power to
      control and torture while the person in psychological distress is represented as
      dirty, imprisoned and subjected to an asymmetrical relationship of power with the
      nurse. Final considerations Relationships of submission and symbolic dominance,
      in which the person in psychological distress has their body molded by discipline
      imposed by the nurse. Stereotypes of the image of the nurse oppose the ideology
      of the profession, which is to ensure the integrity of those being cared for. 

PMID- 27253592
TI  - Factors associated with the deaths of men poisoned by carbamato ("chumbinho").
AB  - Objective To determine the factors associated with death in poisoning victims by
      carbamate ("Chumbinho"). Method Retrospective study, epidemiological case-control
      based on poisoning reporting forms, a poison control center located in the
      metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. We used 24 notification forms of poisoning
      in men aged 20 to 59 years with poisoning by carbamate history from 2005 to 2009.
      The records were randomly selected, respecting the ratio 1:3 (a case to three
      controls). The age range was 23-58 years, average 43.83 years. Results The most
      frequent symptoms were myosis (OR=1.0; 95% CI: 0.27 to 3.69 p=1.0.), drooling
      (OR=0.83; 95% CI. 0.22 to 3.12 p=0.78), and dyspnea (OR=0.66; 95% CI: 0:14-3.03
      p=0.59). Conclusion The deaths were associated with drooling, miosis and dyspnea
      and a strong association with pulmonary rales, bronchospasm and pulmonary
      snoring. 

PMID- 27253593
TI  - Nursing interventions and outcomes classifications in patients with wounds: cross
      mapping.
AB  - Objective Cross-mapping of terms referring to nursing interventions and outcomes
      in the medical records of patients with wounds compared to nursing interventions
      and nursing outcomes classifications. Method An observational retrospective study
      based on cross-mapping. The sample consisted of 81 outpatients treated in a
      university hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Data was collected from medical records
      between May and July of 2013. The analysis was done in four steps: search for
      phrases used to describe interventions and outcomes; setting the frequency of
      occurrence of phrases; grouping synonyms; comparison of terms with taxonomies.
      Results 13 interventions were mapped and the most frequent was "Care with wounds"
      (47.23%). Also, 6 results were mapped and the priority was "Wound healing:
      secondary intention" (45%). Conclusions The use of cross-mapping of terms
      referring to interventions and nursing outcomes in patients with wounds suggested
      additions to the taxonomies for adaptation to outpatient care. 

PMID- 27253594
TI  - Quality of life of undergraduate nursing students.
AB  - Objective The aim of this paper is to analyse the quality of life (QOL) of
      undergraduate nursing students. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study with
      206 students conducted in July 2013, in the city of Picos/PI, Brazil. Data were
      collected using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal
      Wallis tests were used to analyse the data with a significance level of 5%.
      Results The domains with the best average scores were Physical (69.4) and Social
      Relations (74.3), and the domains with the worst average scores were
      Psychological (68.5) and Environment (54.2). For the overall assessment, the
      average was 66.6+10.8. A statistical significance was observed when crossing QOL
      with number of children (p = 0.029), where students without children performed
      better. Conclusion These results allow the early detection of difficulties
      experienced by nursing students and may support strategies that benefit the
      search for solutions to conflicts that affect QOL. 

PMID- 27253595
TI  - Leadership in nursing and patient satisfaction in hospital context.
AB  - Objectives to know the quality of the leadership relationship from the
      perspective of a chief nurse and nurse, patient satisfaction, the relationship
      between the quality of the relationship perceived for both and patient
      satisfaction. Methods a quantitative, transverse and correlational approach. Non
      probabilistic convenience sample consists of 15 chief nurses, 342 nurses, 273
      patients. Data collected at the Central Lisbon Hospital Center, between January
      and March 2013, through the LMX-7, CLMX-7 and SUCEH21 scales. Statistical
      analysis was performed through SPSS (r) Statistics 19. Results the chief nurse
      considers the quality of the leadership relationship good, the nurses consider it
      satisfactory, patients are considered to be satisfied with nursing care; there is
      a statistically significant correlation between the quality of the leadership
      relationship from the perspective of chief nurses and patient satisfaction, there
      is no statistically significant correlation between the quality of the leadership
      relationship in the nurse's perspective and satisfaction. Conclusion the chief
      nurse has a major role in patient satisfaction. 

PMID- 27253596
TI  - Cases of violence involving transvestites and transsexuals in a northeastern
      Brazilian city.
AB  - Objective To analyze cases of violence against transvestites and transsexuals
      based on their sociodemographic profile. Method Cross-sectional, descriptive
      research performed in Cajazeiras / Paraiba, consisting of 16 transvestites and
      transsexuals. Data collection took place in April 2014 and was analyzed
      descriptively. Results The typology of violence that victimized transvestites and
      transsexuals were: verbal (91.96%), psychological (58.33%) and physical (33.33%),
      often between 24 hours and six months preceding the survey. Regarding the
      spatiality: the street, school and health services were all scenarios of
      aggression. With respect to the offending agent, the findings point towards
      neighbors, family members and health professionals. All forms of violence
      happened between agents and spaces of aggression. Conclusions Violence among this
      population, silence around the situations of abuse became more pronounced as did
      its invisibility in the social and institutional context, reflecting the
      inhibition of human rights and concealment of reality. 

PMID- 27253597
TI  - Reasons and consequences of low adherence to standard precautions by the nursing
      team.
AB  - Standard precautions (SP) are recommendations to prevent infection and protect
      health care workers during the provision of care, however, still exists low
      adherence to these recommendations. Objective To analyze the reasons and
      consequences of low adherence to standard precautions by the nursing staff.
      Method integrative literature review, search in seven databases, from 2005 to
      2014. Results 30 articles were selected for analysis. The reasons for low
      adherence evidenced relate to deficient practices of lifelong learning, risk
      behaviors of workers, inadequate provision of equipment and protective equipment
      and inadequate working conditions. The consequences are accidents and
      occupational diseases. There are few intervention studies, which merely provide
      guidance to professionals. Conclusions The low adhesion to standard precautions
      is linked to individual aspects of workers, employers and educational
      institutions. Intervention strategies carried out have shown little efficient by
      only focusing on the worker. 

PMID- 27253598
TI  - Contribution of structured therapeutic play in a nursing care model for
      hospitalised children.
AB  - Objective To analyse how therapeutic play structured in a nursing care model
      contributes to the care of hospitalised children. Method This is a qualitative
      study based on convergent care research (CCR). Seven children participated in the
      study. Data were collected in September and October of 2014 by means of
      interviews with open-end questions and participant observation of therapeutic and
      dramatic play sessions and/or instructional play sessions based on the stages
      "Welcoming/Playing/Concluding" of the nursing model Care with Play. Data were
      analysed according to the analysis and interpretation stages of the CCR. Results
      The following three categories emerged: Meanings attributed by the child to
      hospitalisation and its influence on nursing care; Perception of the therapeutic
      procedures through therapeutic play, and Importance of the family in care. Final
      considerations It is concluded that the application of therapeutic play
      structured in the care model contributes to systematic and specialised nursing
      care. 

PMID- 27253599
TI  - Contributions of the sandwich doctoral program to methodological approaches: an
      experience report.
AB  - Objective To share our experience on theoretical and methodological insights we
      have gained as researchers working together during the Sandwich Doctoral Program.
      Method This is a descriptive experience report. Results We have incorporated
      restoration thinking into a study on patient safety culture and will enhance
      knowledge translation by applying principles of deliberative dialogue to increase
      the uptake and implementation of research results. Conclusion Incorporating new
      approaches in Brazilian nursing research plays a key role in achieving
      international participation and visibility in different areas of nursing
      knowledge. 

PMID- 27253600
TI  - Genesis of home care in Brazil at the start of the twentieth century.
AB  - Objective to discuss the conditions that enabled home care at the beginning of
      the twentieth century. Method study of the genealogic inspiration on home care.
      The empirical material consisted of legal documents on the subject that were
      published in the Official Journal. The documents were studied using analytical
      tools, such as Power, Discipline and Biopolitics, which were inspired in
      Foucault. Results two analytical categories were established, "home inspection:
      visiting nurses and tuberculosis" and "records: political and economic
      apparatus". Final considerations tuberculosis, the new profession of visiting
      nurses, inspection records and the detailed analysis of the cities grant home
      care a nature of surveillance, inspection and control to conduct the behaviour of
      individuals. 

PMID- 27253601
TI  - Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric
      hospital.
AB  - Objectives To describe the characteristics of the nursing work environment,
      safety attitudes, quality of care, measured by the nursing staff of the pediatric
      units, as well as to analyze the evolution of quality of care and hospital
      indicators. Methods Descriptive study with 136 nursing professionals at a
      paediatric hospital, conducted through personal and professional characterization
      form, Nursing Work Index - Revised, Safety Attitudes Questionnaire - Short Form
      2006 and quality indicators. Results The professionals perceive the environment
      as favourable to professional practice, and consider good quality care that is
      also observed by reducing the incidence of adverse events and decreased length of
      stay. The domain job satisfaction was considered favourable to patient safety.
      Conclusions The work environment is favourable to nursing practice, the
      professionals nursing approve the quality of care and the indicators tended
      reducing adverse events and length of stay. 

PMID- 27253602
TI  - Hypertensive patients in primary health care: access, connection and care
      involved in spontaneous demands.
AB  - Objective To assess the impacts of inclusion of care for spontaneous demands in
      the treatment of hypertensive patients in primary health care. Methods Third
      generation qualitative assessment survey conducted with 16 workers in a Primary
      Care Health Unit (PHCU) of the city of Fortaleza, state of Ceara, in the period
      between July and September of 2015. To collect data, systematic field observation
      and semi-structured interviews were used, and the stages of thematic content
      analysis were adopted for data analysis. Results Participants revealed that
      access, connection and care are fundamental to the treatment of hypertension.
      However, they said that the introduction of free access for spontaneous demands
      compromised the flow of care in the hypertension programs. Conclusion A dichotomy
      between the practice of care recommended by health policies and the one existing
      in the reality of PHCUs was shown, causing evident losses to the care of
      hypertensive patients in primary care. 

PMID- 27253603
TI  - Laminated Graphene Films for Flexible Transparent Thin Film Encapsulation.
AB  - We introduce a simple, inexpensive, and large-area flexible transparent
      lamination encapsulation method that uses graphene films with
      polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) buffer on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate.
      The number of stacked graphene layers (nG) was increased from 2 to 6, and 6
      layered graphene-encapsulation showed high impermeability to moisture and air.
      The graphene-encapsulated polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) had stable
      operating characteristics, and the operational lifetime of encapsulated PLEDs
      increased as nG increased. Calcium oxidation test data confirmed the improved
      impermeability of graphene-encapsulation with increased nG. As a practical
      application, we demonstrated large-area flexible organic light emitting diodes
      (FOLEDs) and transparent FOLEDs that were encapsulated by our polymer/graphene
      encapsulant. 

PMID- 27253605
TI  - Investigation of the bipolar effect in the thermoelectric material CaMg2Bi2 using
      a first-principles study.
AB  - The bipolar effect in relatively narrow band-gap thermoelectric (TE) compounds is
      a negative process deteriorating the TE properties particularly at higher
      temperatures. In this work, we investigate the TE performance of the compound
      CaMg2Bi2 using the first-principles calculation and semi-classical Boltzmann
      transport theory in combination with our experimental data. It is revealed that
      this compound exhibits a remarkable bipolar effect and temperature-dependent
      carrier concentration. The bipolar effect imposes remarkable influence on all the
      electron-transport related TE parameters. An effective carrier concentration neff
      as a function of temperature is proposed to account for the bipolar effect
      induced carrier excitations. The as-evaluated TE parameters then show good
      consistency with measured results. This work may shed light on our understanding
      of the bipolar effect in TE compounds. 

PMID- 27253604
TI  - Stepwise Evolution of Coral Biomineralization Revealed with Genome-Wide
      Proteomics and Transcriptomics.
AB  - Despite the importance of stony corals in many research fields related to global
      issues, such as marine ecology, climate change, paleoclimatogy, and metazoan
      evolution, very little is known about the evolutionary origin of coral skeleton
      formation. In order to investigate the evolution of coral biomineralization, we
      have identified skeletal organic matrix proteins (SOMPs) in the skeletal proteome
      of the scleractinian coral, Acropora digitifera, for which large genomic and
      transcriptomic datasets are available. Scrupulous gene annotation was conducted
      based on comparisons of functional domain structures among metazoans. We found
      that SOMPs include not only coral-specific proteins, but also protein families
      that are widely conserved among cnidarians and other metazoans. We also
      identified several conserved transmembrane proteins in the skeletal proteome.
      Gene expression analysis revealed that expression of these conserved genes
      continues throughout development. Therefore, these genes are involved not only
      skeleton formation, but also in basic cellular functions, such as cell-cell
      interaction and signaling. On the other hand, genes encoding coral-specific
      proteins, including extracellular matrix domain-containing proteins, galaxins,
      and acidic proteins, were prominently expressed in post-settlement stages,
      indicating their role in skeleton formation. Taken together, the process of coral
      skeleton formation is hypothesized as: 1) formation of initial extracellular
      matrix between epithelial cells and substrate, employing pre-existing
      transmembrane proteins; 2) additional extracellular matrix formation using novel
      proteins that have emerged by domain shuffling and rapid molecular evolution and;
      3) calcification controlled by coral-specific SOMPs. 

PMID- 27253606
TI  - Current indications for pegging in the anophthalmic socket: are there any?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To highlight the development, problems, and current status of
      coupling porous orbital implants to the overlying prosthetic eye. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Although increasing the risk of complications, pegging significantly
      contributes to prosthesis motility and satisfies the cosmetic expectations of
      some patients. Patients should be counseled regarding the increased risks in
      approximately one-third of individuals and that complications can occur even 10
      years following implantation. SUMMARY: Although implant peg placement has
      declined dramatically over the past decade, a precise and meticulous technique
      under intravenous anesthesia in the appropriately selected patient can be a
      successful outpatient procedure. Fortunately, most problems are of a minor
      nature, and over 85% of patients are able to retain their pegs following proper
      management and timely intervention. Additional visits to the ophthalmic plastic
      surgeon or ocularist are required that may not be necessary if a peg had not been
      placed.

PMID- 27253607
TI  - Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with Jones tube: a history and update.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Current opinions and trends in the management of upper
      lacrimal obstruction include design variations on the original Lester Jones tube
      and updated awareness and management of the problems associated with the tubes.
      This article includes a brief review of the fascinating history of the
      development of the Jones tube, which sets the perspective for the current
      scientific dialog. RECENT FINDINGS: First, many design modifications have been
      proposed to reduce the risk of tube migration and extrusion, with no consensus on
      the best tube. Second, the issue of retrograde airflow through the Jones tube
      with the use of continuous positive airway pressure is an increasingly common and
      challenging problem. Third, bacterial biofilms on the surface of the Jones tube
      can play a role in recalcitrant infections. Jones tubes can be cleaned or
      replaced in the office setting with topical anesthesia. SUMMARY:
      Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) with placement of a Jones tube remains
      the gold standard for management of upper lacrimal obstruction. This article
      provides an updated perspective on issues with extrusion or migration of the
      tube, bothersome retrograde airflow with the use of a continuous positive airway
      pressure device, and management of crusting and possible infectious biofilms on
      the tube.

PMID- 27253608
TI  - Obstacle Crossing Differences Between Blind and Blindfolded Subjects After Haptic
      Exploration.
AB  - Little is known about the ability of blind people to cross obstacles after they
      have explored haptically their size and position. Long-term absence of vision may
      affect spatial cognition in the blind while their extensive experience with the
      use of haptic information for guidance may lead to compensation strategies. Seven
      blind and 7 sighted participants (with vision available and blindfolded) walked
      along a flat pathway and crossed an obstacle after a haptic exploration. Blind
      and blindfolded subjects used different strategies to cross the obstacle. After
      the first 20 trials the blindfolded subjects reduced the distance between the
      foot and the obstacle at the toe-off instant, while the blind behaved as the
      subjects with full vision. Blind and blindfolded participants showed larger foot
      clearance than participants with vision. At foot landing the hip was more behind
      the foot in the blindfolded condition, while there were no differences between
      the blind and the vision conditions. For several parameters of the obstacle
      crossing task, blind people were more similar to subjects with full vision
      indicating that the blind subjects were able to compensate for the lack of
      vision.

PMID- 27253609
TI  - Corrigendum: Universal lineshapes at the crossover between weak and strong
      critical coupling in Fano-resonant coupled oscillators.

PMID- 27253610
TI  - Quantitative Fundus Autofluorescence in Early and Intermediate Age-Related
      Macular Degeneration.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Increased lipofuscin accumulation is assumed to be an important
      factor in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), although
      direct evidence for this hypothesis is missing. OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively
      investigate lipofuscin-associated fundus autofluorescence (AF) in patients with
      early and intermediate AMD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective,
      single-center, case-control study was conducted from August 1, 2014, to October
      31, 2015, at a university referral center. Participants included 40 patients aged
      65 years or younger and 108 individuals without eye disease serving as controls.
      All participants underwent quantitative fundus AF (qAF) imaging with a modified
      scanning laser ophthalmoscope equipped with an internal fluorescent reference.
      Mean qAF values of an 8-segment circular ring centered on the fovea (qAF8) were
      measured and compared between patients and controls. For subgroup analysis,
      drusen were categorized as soft drusen, cuticular drusen, and/or reticular
      pseudodrusen (RPD). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The qAF8 levels. RESULTS: In the
      40 patients with AMD, mean (SD) age was 54.8 (5.6) years, and 32 (80%) were
      women. None of the investigated patients had qAF8 values above the 95% prediction
      interval (PI) of the 108 controls. In the soft drusen (28 [70%]) and cuticular
      drusen (8 [20%]) groups, qAF8 levels within the 95% PI were noted in 22 patients
      (79%; 95% CI, 60% to 90%) and 7 patients (88%; 95% CI, 51% to 99%) respectively.
      The qAF8 values in the RPD group (4 [10%]) were below the 95% PI in 3 patients
      (75%; 95% CI, 29% to 97%). Compared with the controls, statistical analysis
      revealed lower qAF8 values in the overall AMD cohort after adjusting for age
      (difference, -19.9% [95% CI, -25.6% to -12.7%], P < .001) as well as in all
      subgroups (soft drusen, -17.1% [95% CI, -24.1% to -9.5%], P < .001; cuticular
      drusen, -19.6% [95% CI, -30.3% to -7.2%], P = .003; and RPD, -34.5% [95% CI, 
      47.1% to -21.3%]; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The qAF8 measurements in
      this sample showed no increased lipofuscin-related fundus AF in patients with
      early and intermediate AMD. Lower qAF levels in certain subgroups may point to
      subnormal lipofuscin levels in the retinal pigment epithelium or, alternatively,
      limitations to detection of true retinal pigment epithelial lipofuscin content.
      The results of this study might expand the understanding of the pathogenesis of
      AMD and may have an effect on upcoming treatment trials that aim to modify
      lipofuscin accumulation.

PMID- 27253612
TI  - Improved resiliency and well-being among military personnel in a Swedish Naval
      Force after a counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia.
AB  - The aim of this study was to explore: (1) how the psychological health of the
      members of the first European Union Naval Force (ME01) was affected by
      international deployment off the coast of Somalia; and (2) if and how
      organizational and personal factors (e.g., type of personnel category, previous
      experiences, and resilience) affected their psychological health and well-being
      post-deployment. The study had an exploratory longitudinal design, where the
      participants were assessed both before and after deployment (i.e., T1 and T2).
      The participants (n = 129, 120 men, 9 women) were equally distributed between
      officers (n = 68; 64 men, 4 women) and sailors (n = 61; 56 men, 5 women). The
      members' average age was 31 years, ranging from 20 to 61. For the majority (78%)
      ME01 was their first international deployment and officers were, in general, more
      experienced than sailors. The overall results showed that the members' reported a
      positive experience with improved resilience and well-being (e.g., sense of
      coherence). However, the result also showed that type of personnel category
      (i.e., officer or sailor) affected their psychological health. Why and how these
      differences among military personnel arise is discussed, but deserves further
      attention. 

PMID- 27253611
TI  - Enzymatic Process for High-Yield Turanose Production and Its Potential Property
      as an Adipogenesis Regulator.
AB  - Turanose is a sucrose isomer naturally existing in honey and a promising
      functional sweetener due to its low glycemic response. In this study, the
      extrinsic fructose effect on turanose productivity was examined in Neisseria
      amylosucrase reaction. Turanose was produced, by increasing the amount of
      extrinsic fructose as a reaction modulator, with high concentration of sucrose
      substrate, which resulted in 73.7% of production yield. In physiological
      functionality test, lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in the presence of
      high amounts of pure glucose was attenuated by turanose substitution in a dose
      dependent manner. Turanose treatments at concentrations representing 50%, 75%,
      and 100% of total glucose concentration in cell media significantly reduced lipid
      accumulation by 18%, 35%, and 72%, respectively, as compared to controls. This
      result suggested that turanose had a positive role in controlling adipogenesis,
      and enzymatic process of turanose production has a potential to develop a
      functional food ingredient for controlling obesity and related chronic diseases. 

PMID- 27253613
TI  - Genome Editing with Engineered Nucleases in Economically Important Animals and
      Plants: State of the Art in the Research Pipeline.
AB  - After induced mutagenesis and transgenesis, genome editing is the next step in
      the development of breeding techniques. Genome editing using site-directed
      nucleases - including meganucleases, zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription
      activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the CRISPR/Cas9 system - is based
      on the mechanism of double strand breaks. The nuclease is directed to cleave the
      DNA at a specific place of the genome which is then repaired by natural repair
      mechanisms. Changes are introduced during the repair that are either accidental
      or can be targeted if a DNA template with the desirable sequence is provided.
      These techniques allow making virtually any change to the genome including
      specific DNA sequence changes, gene insertion, replacements or deletions with
      unprecedented precision and specificity while being less laborious and more
      straightforward compared to traditional breeding techniques or transgenesis.
      Therefore, the research in this field is developing quickly and, apart from model
      species, multiple studies have focused on economically important species and
      agronomically important traits that were the key subjects of this review. In
      plants, studies have been undertaken on disease resistance, herbicide tolerance,
      nutrient metabolism and nutritional value. In animals, the studies have mainly
      focused on disease resistance, meat production and allergenicity of milk.
      However, none of the promising studies has led to commercialization despite
      several patent applications. The uncertain legal status of genome-editing methods
      is one of the reasons for poor commercial development, as it is not clear whether
      the products would fall under the GMO regulation. We believe this issue should be
      clarified soon in order to allow promising methods to reach their full potential.

PMID- 27253614
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27253615
TI  - Visualization of electrical field of electrode using voltage-controlled
      fluorescence release.
AB  - In this study we propose an approach to directly visualize electrical current
      distribution at the electrode-electrolyte interface of a biopotential electrode.
      High-speed fluorescent microscopic images are acquired when an electric potential
      is applied across the interface to trigger the release of fluorescent material
      from the surface of the electrode. These images are analyzed computationally to
      obtain the distribution of the electric field from the fluorescent intensity of
      each pixel. Our approach allows direct observation of microscopic electrical
      current distribution around the electrode. Experiments are conducted to validate
      the feasibility of the fluorescent imaging method.

PMID- 27253616
TI  - Dynamic frequency feature selection based approach for classification of motor
      imageries.
AB  - Electroencephalography (EEG) is one of the most popular techniques to record the
      brain activities such as motor imagery, which is of low signal-to-noise ratio and
      could lead to high classification error. Therefore, selection of the most
      discriminative features could be crucial to improve the classification
      performance. However, the traditional feature selection methods employed in brain
      computer interface (BCI) field (e.g. Mutual Information-based Best Individual
      Feature (MIBIF), Mutual Information-based Rough Set Reduction (MIRSR) and cross
      validation) mainly focus on the overall performance on all the trials in the
      training set, and thus may have very poor performance on some specific samples,
      which is not acceptable. To address this problem, a novel sequential forward
      feature selection approach called Dynamic Frequency Feature Selection (DFFS) is
      proposed in this paper. The DFFS method emphasized the importance of the samples
      that got misclassified while only pursuing high overall classification
      performance. In the DFFS based classification scheme, the EEG data was first
      transformed to frequency domain using Wavelet Packet Decomposition (WPD), which
      is then employed as the candidate set for further discriminatory feature
      selection. The features are selected one by one in a boosting manner. After one
      feature being selected, the importance of the correctly classified samples based
      on the feature will be decreased, which is equivalent to increasing the
      importance of the misclassified samples. Therefore, a complement feature to the
      current features could be selected in the next run. The selected features are
      then fed to a classifier trained by random forest algorithm. Finally, a time
      series voting-based method is utilized to improve the classification performance.
      Comparisons between the DFFS-based approach and state-of-art methods on BCI
      competition IV data set 2b have been conducted, which have shown the superiority
      of the proposed algorithm.

PMID- 27253617
TI  - Automated screening system for retinal health using bi-dimensional empirical mode
      decomposition and integrated index.
AB  - Posterior Segment Eye Diseases (PSED) namely Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), glaucoma
      and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are the prime causes of vision loss
      globally. Vision loss can be prevented, if these diseases are detected at an
      early stage. Structural abnormalities such as changes in cup-to-disc ratio, Hard
      Exudates (HE), drusen, Microaneurysms (MA), Cotton Wool Spots (CWS), Haemorrhages
      (HA), Geographic Atrophy (GA) and Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) in PSED can
      be identified by manual examination of fundus images by clinicians. However,
      manual screening is labour-intensive, tiresome and time consuming. Hence, there
      is a need to automate the eye screening. In this work Bi-dimensional Empirical
      Mode Decomposition (BEMD) technique is used to decompose fundus images into 2D
      Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs) to capture variations in the pixels due to
      morphological changes. Further, various entropy namely Renyi, Fuzzy, Shannon,
      Vajda, Kapur and Yager and energy features are extracted from IMFs. These
      extracted features are ranked using Chernoff Bound and Bhattacharyya Distance
      (CBBD), Kullback-Leibler Divergence (KLD), Fuzzy-minimum Redundancy Maximum
      Relevance (FmRMR), Wilcoxon, Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (ROC) and t
      test methods. Further, these ranked features are fed to Support Vector Machine
      (SVM) classifier to classify normal and abnormal (DR, AMD and glaucoma) classes.
      The performance of the proposed eye screening system is evaluated using 800
      (Normal=400 and Abnormal=400) digital fundus images and 10-fold cross validation
      method. Our proposed system automatically identifies normal and abnormal classes
      with an average accuracy of 88.63%, sensitivity of 86.25% and specificity of 91%
      using 17 optimal features ranked using CBBD and SVM-Radial Basis Function (RBF)
      classifier. Moreover, a novel Retinal Risk Index (RRI) is developed using two
      significant features to distinguish two classes using single number. Such a
      system helps to reduce eye screening time in polyclinics or community-based mass
      screening. They will refer the patients to main hospitals only if the diagnosis
      belong to the abnormal class. Hence, the main hospitals will not be unnecessarily
      crowded and doctors can devote their time for other urgent cases.

PMID- 27253618
TI  - Finite element analysis of left ventricle during cardiac cycles in
      viscoelasticity.
AB  - To investigate the effect of myocardial viscoeslasticity on heart function, this
      paper presents a finite element model based on a hyper-viscoelastic model for the
      passive myocardium and Hill's three-element model for the active contraction. The
      hyper-viscoelastic model considers the myocardium microstructure, while the
      active model is phenomenologically based on the combination of Hill's equation
      for the steady tetanized contraction and the specific time-length-force property
      of the myocardial muscle. To validate the finite element model, the end-diastole
      strains and the end-systole strain predicted by the model are compared with the
      experimental values in the literature. It is found that the proposed model not
      only can estimate well the pumping function of the heart, but also predicts the
      transverse shear strains. The finite element model is also applied to analyze the
      influence of viscoelasticity on the residual stresses in the myocardium.

PMID- 27253619
TI  - A computational approach to mortality prediction of alcohol use disorder
      inpatients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health information technologies can assist clinicians in the
      Intensive Care Unit (ICU) by providing additional analysis of patient stability.
      However, because patient diagnoses can be confounded by chronic alcohol use, the
      predictive value of existing systems is suboptimal. Through the use of Electronic
      Health Records (EHR), we have developed computer software called AutoTriage to
      generate accurate predictions through multi-dimensional analysis of clinical
      variables. We analyze the performance of AutoTriage on the Alcohol Use Disorder
      (AUD) subpopulation in this study, and build on results we reported for
      AutoTriage performance on the general population in previous work. METHODS: AUD
      related ICD-9 codes were used to obtain a patient population from MIMIC III ICU
      dataset for a retrospective study. Patient mortality risk score is generated
      through analysis of eight EHR-based clinical variables. The score is determined
      by combining weighted subscores, each of which are obtained from singlets,
      doublets or triplets of one or more of the eight continuous-valued clinical
      variable inputs. A temporally updating risk score is computed with a continuously
      revised 12-hour mortality prediction. RESULTS: Among AUD patients, in a non
      overlapping test set, AutoTriage outperforms existing systems with an Area Under
      Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) value of 0.934 for 12-h mortality
      prediction. At a sensitivity of 90%, AutoTriage achieves a specificity of 80%,
      positive predictive value of 40%, negative predictive value of 89%, and an Odds
      Ratio of 36. CONCLUSIONS: For mortality prediction, AutoTriage demonstrates
      improvements in both the accuracy and the Odds Ratio over current systems among
      the AUD patient population.

PMID- 27253620
TI  - Association and Diffusion of Li(+) in Carboxymethylcellulose Solutions for
      Environmentally Friendly Li-ion Batteries.
AB  - Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) has been proposed as a polymeric binder for
      electrodes in environmentally friendly Li-ion batteries. Its physical properties
      and interaction with Li(+) ions in water are interesting not only from the point
      of view of electrode preparation-processability in water is one of the main
      reasons for its environmental friendliness-but also for its possible application
      in aqueous Li-ion batteries. We combine molecular dynamics simulations and
      variable-time pulsed field gradient spin-echo (PFGSE) NMR spectroscopy to
      investigate Li(+) transport in CMC-based solutions. Both the simulations and
      experimental results show that, at concentrations at which Li-CMC has a gel-like
      consistency, the Li(+) diffusion coefficient is still very close to that in
      water. These Li(+) ions interact preferentially with the carboxylate groups of
      CMC, giving rise to a rich variety of coordination patterns. However, the
      diffusion of Li(+) in these systems is essentially unrestricted, with a fast,
      nanosecond-scale exchange of the ions between CMC and the aqueous environment.

PMID- 27253621
TI  - Attentional cueing induces false memory.
AB  - The fluency of stimulus processing significantly contributes to recognition
      memory judgments. We investigated the effect of processing fluency induced by
      attentional cueing on recognition judgments. Participants performed a
      Remember/Know recognition test, while their spatial attention was manipulated in
      the test session. Stimulus location was either predicted (congruent condition) or
      unpredicted (incongruent condition) using an arrow cue. The results revealed that
      familiarity-based false recognition increased in the incongruent condition
      wherein the participants may have attributed part of the perceived disfluency to
      the attentional cue, and they may have overestimated the fluency for the
      stimulus, leading to increased false recognition. However, in the congruent
      condition, the participants may have attributed some parts of the perceived
      fluency to the attentional cue and underestimated the fluency for the stimulus,
      leading to decreased false recognition. In sum, stimulus-irrelevant attentional
      cueing induces unintentional processing about the source of fluency and biases
      recognition memory.

PMID- 27253622
TI  - Subcutaneously Administered Self-Cleaving Hydrogel-Octreotide Conjugates Provide
      Very Long-Acting Octreotide.
AB  - We developed a long-acting drug-delivery system that supports subcutaneous
      administration of the peptidic somatostatin agonist octreotide-a blockbuster drug
      used to treat acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumors. The current once-a-month
      polymer-encapsulated octreotide, Sandostatin LAR, requires a painful intragluteal
      injection through a large needle by a health-care professional. To overcome such
      shortcomings, Tetra-PEG hydrogel microspheres were covalently attached to the
      alpha-amine of d-Phe(1) or the epsilon-amine of Lys(5) of octreotide by a self
      cleaving beta-eliminative linker; upon subcutaneous injection in the rat using a
      small-bore needle, octreotide was slowly released. The released drug from the
      epsilon-octreotide conjugate showed a remarkably long serum half-life that
      exceeded two months. The alpha-octreotide conjugate had a half-life of ~2 weeks,
      and showed an excellent correlation of in vitro and in vivo drug release.
      Pharmacokinetic models indicate these microspheres should support once-weekly to
      once-monthly self-administered subcutaneous dosing in humans. The hydrogel
      octreotide conjugate shows the favorable pharmacokinetics of Sandostatin LAR
      without its drawbacks.

PMID- 27253623
TI  - Discovery of the first small-molecule CsrA-RNA interaction inhibitors using
      biophysical screening technologies.
AB  - AIM: CsrA is a global post-transcriptional regulator protein affecting mRNA
      translation and/or stability. Widespread among bacteria, it is essential for
      their full virulence and thus represents a promising anti-infective drug target.
      Therefore, we aimed at the discovery of CsrA-RNA interaction inhibitors. Results
      & methodology: We followed two strategies: a screening of small molecules (A) and
      an RNA ligand-based approach (B). Using surface plasmon resonance-based binding
      and fluorescence polarization-based competition assays, (A) yielded seven small
      molecule inhibitors, among them MM14 (IC50 of 4 uM). (B) resulted in RNA-based
      inhibitor GGARNA (IC50 of 113 uM). CONCLUSION: The first small-molecule
      inhibitors of the CsrA-RNA interaction were discovered exhibiting micromolar
      affinities. These hits represent tools to investigate the effects of CsrA-RNA
      interaction inhibition on bacterial virulence.

PMID- 27253624
TI  - Correlation between anti-JC-virus and anti-cytomegalovirus, -Epstein-Barr virus
      and -measles/-rubella/-varicella-zoster-virus antibodies.
AB  - Anti-JCV antibody status is used for PML-risk-stratification in MS patients
      before and during Natalizumab therapy. JCV antibodies can be detected in around
      60% of MS patients, however, only a small proportion actually develop PML. As
      anti-viral antibodies tend to occur unspecifically, the aim of this study was to
      correlate JCV antibody status and index with other common anti-viral antibodies.
      A total of 123 samples of MS-patients were tested for anti-JCV antibodies by JCV
      Stratify-ELISA at Unilabs, Denmark. The same samples were analyzed for measles,
      rubella, varicella zoster, EBV, and CMV IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA, or
      chemiluminescence-microparticle immunoassay. For all antibody-titers correlations
      were calculated and group comparisons of JCV-positive and -negative patients were
      performed. Fifty-three patients (43.1%) were JCV negative and 70 (56.9%)
      positive. CMV-IgM antibodies were detected in six patients. Otherwise no IgM
      antibodies were detected. IgG antibodies against measles, rubella, varicella
      zoster, and EBV were detected in >=97% of patients and 47 samples (38.2%) tested
      positive for CMV-IgG. There was no significant correlation between any of the
      antibody titers including JCV index, however, a significantly higher prevalence
      (P = 0.003) of CMV-IgG in JCV positive compared to JCV negative patients, whereas
      no difference was detected for measles, rubella, varicella zoster, and EBV IgG.
      In conclusion, the JCV antibody response in MS patients seems to be largely
      independent of any other anti-viral immunity. The only coincidence was found with
      CMV IgG antibodies which might point towards some immunological cross-reactivity
      in anti-viral immune response or other mechanisms leading to combined viral
      infections such as shared transmission. J. Med. Virol. 89:3-9, 2017. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253625
TI  - Exposure of Somatic Cells to Cytoplasm Extracts of Porcine Oocytes Induces Stem
      Cell-Like Colony Formation and Alters Expression of Pluripotency and Chromatin
      Modifying Genes.
AB  - Cell permeabilization followed by exposure to cytoplasmic extracts of oocytes has
      been proposed as an alternative to transduction of transcription factors for
      inducing pluripotency in cultured somatic cells. The main goal in this study was
      to investigate the effect of treating porcine fibroblast cells with cytoplasmic
      extracts of GV-stage oocyte (OEx) followed by inhibition of histone deacetylases
      with Scriptaid (Scrip) on the formation of stem cell-like colonies and expression
      of genes encoding pluripotency and chromatin-modifying enzymes. Stem cell-like
      colonies start developing ~2 weeks after treatment in cells exposed to OEx or OEx
      + Scrip. The number of cell colonies at the first day of appearance and 48 hours
      later was also similar between OEx and OEx + Scrip treatments. Transcripts for
      Nanog, Rex1, and c-Myc genes were detected in most cell samples that were
      analyzed on different days after OEx treatment. However, Sox2 transcripts were
      not detected and only a small proportion of samples had detectable levels of Oct4
      mRNA after OEx treatment. A similar pattern of transcripts for pluripotency genes
      was observed in cells treated with OEx alone or OEx + Scrip. Transcript levels
      for Dnmt1 and Ezh2 were reduced at Day 3 after treatment in cells exposed to OEx.
      These findings revealed that: (a) exposure to OEx can induce a partial
      reprogramming of fibroblast cells toward pluripotency, characterized by colony
      formation and activation of pluripotency genes; and (b) inhibition of histone
      deacetylases does not improve the reprogramming effect of OEx treatment.

PMID- 27253626
TI  - Phenotypes of Aging Postovulatory Oocytes After Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer in
      Mice.
AB  - Oocytes rapidly lose their developmental potential after ovulation, termed
      postovulatory oocyte aging, and often exhibit characteristic phenotypes, such as
      cytofragmentation, abnormal spindle shapes, and chromosome misalignments. Here,
      we reconstructed mouse oocytes using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to
      reveal the effect of somatic cell-derived nuclei on oocyte physiology during
      aging. Normal oocytes started undergoing cytofragmentation 24 hours after oocyte
      collection; however, this occurred earlier in SCNT oocytes and was more severe at
      48 hours, suggesting that the transferred somatic cell nuclei affected oocyte
      physiology. We found no difference in the status of acetylated alpha-tubulin (Ac
      Tub) and alpha-tubulin (Tub) between normal and SCNT aging oocytes, but unlike
      normal oocytes, aging SCNT oocytes did not have astral microtubules.
      Interestingly, aging SCNT oocytes displayed more severely scattered chromosomes
      or irregularly shaped spindles. Observations of the microfilaments showed that,
      in normal oocytes, there was a clear actin ring beneath the plasma membrane and
      condensed microfilaments around the spindle (the actin cap) at 0 hours, and the
      actin filaments started degenerating at 1 hour, becoming completely disrupted and
      distributed to the cytoplasm at 24 hours. By contrast, in SCNT oocytes, an actin
      cap formed around the transplanted nuclei within 1 hour of SCNT, which was still
      present at 24 hours. Thus, SCNT oocytes age in a similar but distinct way,
      suggesting that they not only contain nuclei with abnormal epigenetics but are
      also physiologically different.

PMID- 27253627
TI  - Improvement of Chicken Primordial Germ Cell Maintenance In Vitro by Blockade of
      the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Endogenous Activity.
AB  - Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the undifferentiated progenitors of gametes.
      Germline competent PGCs can be developed as a cell-based system for genetic
      modification in chickens, which provides a valuable tool for transgenic
      technology with both research and industrial applications. This implies
      manipulation of PGCs, which, in recent years, encouraged a lot of research
      focused on the study of PGCs and the way of improving their culture. The aryl
      hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that
      besides mediating toxic responses to environmental contaminants plays pivotal
      physiological roles in various biological processes. Since a novel compound that
      acts as an antagonist of this receptor has been reported to promote expansion of
      hematopoietic stem cells, we conducted the present study with the aim of
      determining whether addition of an established AHR antagonist to the standard
      culture medium used nowadays for in vitro chicken PGCs culture improves ex vivo
      expansion. We have found that addition of alpha-naphthoflavone in culture medium
      promotes the amplification of undifferentiated cells and that this effect is
      exerted by the blockade of AHR action. Our results constitute the first report of
      the successful use of a readily available AHR antagonist to improve avian PGCs
      expansion, and they further extend the knowledge of the effects of AHR modulation
      in undifferentiated cells.

PMID- 27253628
TI  - Effects of Activin in Embryoid Bodies Expressing Fibroblast Growth Factor 5.
AB  - Nodal/activin signaling is indispensable for embryonic development. We examined
      what activin does to the embryoid bodies (EBs) produced from mouse embryonic stem
      cells (mESCs) expressing an epiblast marker. The EBs were produced by culturing
      mESCs by the hanging drop method for 24 hours. The resulting EBs were transferred
      onto gelatin-coated dishes and allowed to further differentiate. The 24-hour EBs
      showed a stronger expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)5 and Brachyury
      (specific to the epiblast) in comparison with mESCs. Treating the transferred EBs
      with activin A maintained transcript levels of FGF5 and Oct4, while inhibiting
      definitive endoderm differentiation. The activin A treatment reversed the
      endoderm differentiation induced by retinoic acid (RA), while the inhibition of
      nodal/activin signaling promoted RA-induced endoderm differentiation. Inhibition
      of nodal/activin signaling in EBs, including epiblast-like cells, promotes
      differentiation into the endoderm, facilitating the transition from the
      pluripotent state to specification of the endoderm.

PMID- 27253629
TI  - Cell Synchronization by Rapamycin Improves the Developmental Competence of
      Porcine SCNT Embryos.
AB  - The cell cycle stage of donor cells influences the success of somatic cell
      nuclear transfer (SCNT). This study investigated the effects of rapamycin
      treatment on synchronization of porcine fibroblasts in comparison with control
      and serum-starved cells, SCNT donor cell viability, and SCNT-derived embryo
      development. Porcine fibroblasts were treated with 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 MUM
      rapamycin for 1 or 3 days. The proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase was
      significantly higher among cells treated with 1 MUM rapamycin for 3 days (D3-1R)
      than among control and serum-starved cells (p < 0.05). In comparison with control
      cells, rapamycin-treated cells exhibited reduced proliferation, similar to serum
      starved cells. The viability (as assessed by the MTT assay) of D3-1R-treated
      cells was good, similar to control cells, showing their quality was maintained.
      To confirm nutrient regulation by rapamycin treatment, we checked the transcript
      levels of nutrient transporter genes (SLC2A2, SLC2A4, SLC6A14, and SLC7A1). These
      levels were significantly lower in D3-1R-treated cells than in control cells (p <
      0.01). We performed SCNT with D3-1R-treated cells (SCNT(D3-1R)) to confirm the
      effect of cell cycle synchronization by rapamycin treatment. Although SCNT(D3-1R)
      embryos did not have an increased fusion rate, their cleavage and blastocyst
      formation rates were significantly higher than those of control embryos (p <
      0.05). Regarding embryo quality, the numbers of total and apoptotic cells per
      blastocyst were increased and decreased, respectively, in SCNT(D3-1R)
      blastocysts. The mRNA levels of developmental (CDX2 and CDH1) and proapoptotic
      (FAS and CASP3) genes were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in
      SCNT(D3-1R) blastocysts than in control blastocysts (p < 0.05). These results
      demonstrate that rapamycin treatment affects the cell cycle synchronization of
      donor cells and enhances the developmental potential of porcine SCNT embryos.

PMID- 27253630
TI  - Human Rabies - Wyoming and Utah, 2015.
AB  - In September 2015, a Wyoming woman was admitted to a local hospital with a 5-day
      history of progressive weakness, ataxia, dysarthria, and dysphagia. Because of
      respiratory failure, she was transferred to a referral hospital in Utah, where
      she developed progressive encephalitis. On day 8 of hospitalization, the
      patient's family told clinicians they recalled that, 1 month before admission,
      the woman had found a bat on her neck upon waking, but had not sought medical
      care. The patient's husband subsequently had contacted county invasive species
      authorities about the incident, but he was not advised to seek health care for
      evaluation of his wife's risk for rabies. On October 2, CDC confirmed the patient
      was infected with a rabies virus variant that was enzootic to the silver-haired
      bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). The patient died on October 3. Public
      understanding of rabies risk from bat contact needs to be improved; cooperation
      among public health and other agencies can aid in referring persons with possible
      bat exposure for assessment of rabies risk. 

PMID- 27253631
TI  - A novel miR-203-DNMT3b-ABCG2 regulatory pathway predisposing colorectal cancer
      development.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide.
      The majority of studies to date focused on genetic mutations and epigenetic
      changes that drive the CRC carcinogenesis process. Xenobiotic transporters play
      an important role in safeguarding our body from external toxic substances. These
      transporters lining the gastrointestinal tract protect us from dietary
      carcinogens. This study aimed to investigate the downregulation of an efflux
      transporter ABCG2 in CRC versus normal colon mucosa, so as to shed light on its
      relevance to CRC initiation and progression. We found that ABCG2 expression is at
      least 50-fold lower in adenomatous polyps and colon carcinoma specimens obtained
      from CRC patients than in their matched pair of adjacent normal colon mucosa. The
      underlying mechanism(s) for ABCG2 under-expression in CRC is currently not known.
      To this end, aberrant promoter methylation of ABCG2 has been reported to cause
      its repression in a few cancer types including renal carcinoma and multiple
      myeloma. In this study, miR-203 was found to be downregulated in all polyps and
      CRC specimens, relative to adjacent normal colon mucosa. We demonstrated that the
      de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3b is a direct target of miR-203. Importantly,
      by relieving the repression on DNMT3b, the lower expression of miR-203 in CRC
      caused ABCG2 promoter methylation and remarkable lower ABCG2 expression in colon
      cancer cell lines and the patient CRC specimens. The restoration of ABCG2
      function via modulating this new microRNA-methylation mechanism in precancerous
      cells may represent an attractive strategy to delay the carcinogenesis process.
      (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253632
TI  - Effect of ethyleneoxide groups of anionic surfactants on lipase activity.
AB  - The use of enzymes in laundry and dish detergent products is growing. Such
      tendency implies dedicated studies to understand surfactant-enzyme interactions.
      The interactions between surfactants and enzymes and their impact on the
      catalytic efficiency represent a central problem and were here evaluated using
      circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering, and enzyme activity determinations.
      This work focuses on this key issue by evaluating the role of the ethyleneoxide
      (EO) groups of anionic surfactants on the structure and activity of a commercial
      lipase, and by focusing on the protein/surfactant interactions at a molecular
      level. The conformational changes and enzymatic activity of the protein were
      evaluated in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS also denoted as SLE0 S)
      and of sodium lauryl ether sulfate with two EO units (SLE2 S). The results
      strongly suggest that the presence of EO units in the surfactant polar headgroup
      determines the stability and the activity of the enzyme. While SDS promotes
      enzyme denaturation and consequent loss of activity, SLE2 S preserves the enzyme
      structure and activity. The data further highlights that the electrostatic
      interactions among the protein groups are changed by the presence of the adsorbed
      anionic surfactants being such absorption mainly driven by hydrophobic
      interactions. (c) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol.
      Prog., 32:1276-1282, 2016.

PMID- 27253634
TI  - Cost of hospitalisation for non-communicable diseases in India: are we pro-poor?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure due to hospitalisation
      from NCDs and its impact on households in India. METHODS: The study analysed
      nationwide representative data collected by the National Sample Survey
      Organisation in 2014 that reported health service utilisation and healthcare
      related OOP expenditure by income quintiles and by type of health facility
      (public or private). The recall period for inpatient hospitalisation expenditure
      was 365 days. Consumption expenditure was collected for a recall period of 1
      month. OOP expenditure amounting to >10% of annual consumption expenditure was
      termed as catastrophic. Weighted analysis was performed. RESULTS: The median
      expenditure per episode of hospitalisation due to NCDs was USD 149 - this was ~3
      times higher among the richest quintile compared to poorest quintile. There was a
      significantly higher prevalence of catastrophic expenditure among the poorest
      quintile, more so for cancers (85%), psychiatric and neurological disorders (63%)
      and injuries (63%). Mean private-sector OOP hospitalisation expenditure was
      nearly five times higher than that in the public sector. Medicines accounted for
      40% and 27% of public- and private-sector OOP hospitalisation expenditure,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Strengthening of public health facilities is required
      at community level for the prevention, control and management of NCDs. Promotion
      of generic medicines, better availability of essential drugs and possible
      subsidisation for the poorest quintile will be measures to consider to reduce OOP
      expenditure in public-sector facilities.

PMID- 27253633
TI  - Low Lean Mass Predicts Incident Fractures Independently From FRAX: a Prospective
      Cohort Study of Recent Retirees.
AB  - Whether low muscle mass predisposes to fracture is still poorly understood. In
      the diagnosis of sarcopenia, different thresholds for low lean mass have been
      proposed but comparative data for these criteria against hard outcomes such as
      fractures are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of low lean
      mass according to different thresholds used in operational definitions of
      sarcopenia and their association with 3-year fracture incidence in a cohort of
      healthy 63- to 67-year-old community dwellers. In a longitudinal analysis of 913
      participants (mean age 65.0 +/- 1.4 years) enrolled in the Geneva Retirees Cohort
      (GERICO) study, lean mass was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA),
      and low trauma clinical fracture incidence was recorded over a 3-year period.
      Prevalence of low lean mass ranged from 3.5% to 20.2% according to the threshold
      applied. During a follow-up of 3.4 +/- 0.9 years, 40 (4.4%) participants
      sustained at least one low trauma fracture. After multivariate adjustment
      including Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) probability with femoral neck bone
      mineral density (BMD), low lean mass, as defined by Baumgartner thresholds, was
      associated with higher fracture risk (odds ratio [OR], 2.32; 95% CI, 1.04 to
      5.18; p = 0.040). It also added significant predictive value beyond FRAX
      (likelihood ratio test for nested models, 4.28; p < 0.039). No significant
      association was found for other definition thresholds. The coexistence of
      sarcopenia and a T-score <-2.5 at spine or hip was associated with a 3.39-fold
      (95% CI, 1.54 to 7.46; p = 0.002) increase in low trauma fracture risk. In
      conclusion, low lean mass, as defined by the Baumgartner thresholds, is a
      predictor of incident fractures in a large cohort of healthy 65-year-old
      community dwellers, independently of FRAX probability. The increased risk is
      related to the threshold for low lean mass selected. These findings suggest that
      identification of sarcopenia should be considered in fracture risk assessment
      beyond usual risk factors. (c) 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral
      Research.

PMID- 27253635
TI  - Flexible Roles for American Indian Elders in Community-Based Participatory
      Research.
AB  - Community-based participatory research builds partnerships between communities
      and academic researchers to engage in research design, decision making, data
      collection, and dissemination of health promotion initiatives. Community-based
      participatory projects often have formal agreements or defined roles for
      community and academic partners. Our project (November 2012-November 2014) was
      designed to document life narratives of urban American Indian elders as a
      foundation for developing a resilience-based health promotion curriculum for
      urban American Indian adolescents aged 12 to 18. We used a flexible method for
      engaging community partners that honored the individual strengths of elders,
      encouraged them to describe how they wanted to contribute to the project, and
      provided multiple ways for elders to engage with university partners. We invited
      elders to participate in one or more of the following roles: as members of
      consensus panels to develop interview questions, as members of a community
      advisory board, or as participants in individual qualitative interviews. The
      flexibility of roles gave elders the opportunity to serve as advisors, co
      developers, interviewees, or reviewers during 2 years of curriculum development.
      Engaging American Indian elders in the research process acknowledged the multiple
      layers of expertise they had as traditional leaders in the community while
      promoting trust in and ownership of the project. This flexible technique can be
      used by other communities that may not be comfortable with structured processes
      of engagement.

PMID- 27253636
TI  - Community Interagency Connections for Immigrant Worker Health Interventions, King
      County, Washington State, 2012-2013.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cross-sector community partnerships are a potentially powerful
      strategy to address population health problems, including health disparities. US
      immigrants - commonly employed in low-wage jobs that pose high risks to their
      health - experience such disparities because of hazardous exposures in the
      workplace. Hazardous exposures contribute to chronic health problems and
      complicate disease management. Moreover, prevention strategies such as worksite
      wellness programs are not effective for low-wage immigrant groups. The purpose of
      this article was to describe an innovative application of social network analysis
      to characterize interagency connections and knowledge needed to design and
      deliver a comprehensive community-based chronic disease prevention program for
      immigrant workers. METHODS: Using iterative sample expansion, we identified 42
      agencies representing diverse community sectors (service agencies, faith-based
      organizations, unions, nonprofits, government agencies) pertinent to the health
      of Chinese immigrant workers. To capture data on shared information, resources,
      and services as well as organizational characteristics, we jointly interviewed 2
      representatives from each agency. We used social network analysis to describe
      interagency network structure and the positions of agencies within the networks.
      RESULTS: Agency interconnections were established primarily for information
      sharing. In the overall interagency network, a few service-oriented agencies held
      central or gatekeeper positions. Strong interconnectedness occurred predominately
      across service, public, and nonprofit sectors. The Chinese and Pan-Asian service
      sectors showed the strongest interconnectedness. CONCLUSION: Network analysis
      yields critical understanding of community structural links and assets needed to
      inform decisions about actual and potential community collaborations. Alternative
      intervention strategies may be needed to address health disparities among
      immigrant workers.

PMID- 27253637
TI  - Trends in Early Childhood Obesity in a Large Urban School District in the
      Southwestern United States, 2007-2014.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although recent studies indicate that rates of childhood obesity
      and severe obesity may be declining, few studies have reported prevalence trends
      in early childhood or differences in trends across sociodemographic groups. The
      primary aim of this study was to report trends in prevalence of early childhood
      obesity and severe obesity 2007 through 2014 in a diverse, metropolitan school
      district in the southwestern United States and determine whether these trends
      vary by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and disability status. METHODS: We
      analyzed height, weight and demographic data from 43,113 kindergarteners enrolled
      in a large, urban school district in the southwestern United States for 7 school
      years. Adjusted odds of obesity and severe obesity were calculated to assess
      changes in prevalence for non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, and American Indian
      students; free or reduced-price lunch participants and nonparticipants; and
      students with and without disabilities. To test for differences in obesity
      trends, interaction terms were added to the logistic regressions between school
      year and sex, race/ethnicity, free or reduced-price lunch participation, and
      disability status. RESULTS: The adjusted prevalence of both obesity (from 13.1%
      in 2007-2008 to 12.0% in 2013-20014) and severe obesity (from 2.4% in 2007-2008
      to 1.2% in 2013-2014) declined overall. We found no significant interactions
      between the adjusted prevalence of obesity over time and any of the
      sociodemographic subgroups. Obesity prevalence declined more among American
      Indian students than among Hispanic or non-Hispanic white students. CONCLUSION:
      In this district, from 2007 through 2014, severe obesity decreased and obesity
      did not increase, overall and across all sociodemographic subpopulations for
      kindergarten students.

PMID- 27253638
TI  - Sustained Release of Cx43 Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides from Coated Collagen
      Scaffolds Promotes Wound Healing.
AB  - Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting the mRNA of the gap junction protein
      Cx43 promote tissue repair in a variety of different wounds. Delivery of the
      antisense drug has most often been achieved by a thermoreversible hydrogel,
      Pluronic F-127, which is very effective in the short term but does not allow for
      sustained delivery over several days. For chronic wounds that take a long time to
      heal, repeated dosing with the drug may be desirable but is not always compatible
      with conventional treatments such as the weekly changing of compression bandages
      on venous leg ulcers. Here the coating of collagen scaffolds with antisense
      oligonucleotides is investigated and a way to provide protection of the
      oligodeoxynucleotide drug is found in conjunction with sustained release over a 7
      d period. This approach significantly reduces the normal foreign body reaction to
      the scaffold, which induces an increase of Cx43 protein and an inhibition of
      healing. As a result of the antisense integration into the scaffold, inflammation
      is reduced with the rate of wound healing and contracture is significantly
      improved. This coated scaffold approach may be very useful for treating venous
      leg ulcers and also for providing a sustained release of any other types of
      oligonucleotide drugs that are being developed.

PMID- 27253639
TI  - Palladium-Zeolite nanofiber as an effective recyclable catalyst membrane for
      water treatment.
AB  - Zeolite is an exciting natural material due to its unique capability of ammonium
      nitrogen (NH3N) adsorption in water. In this study, multifunctional hybrid
      composites of zeolite/palladium (Ze/Pd) on polymer nanofiber membranes were
      fabricated and explored for sustainable contaminant removal. SEM and XRD
      demonstrated that zeolite and palladium nanoparticles were uniformly distributed
      and deposited on the nanofibers. NH3N recovery rate was increased from 23 to 92%
      when palladium coated zeolite was embedded on the nanofiber. Multifunctional
      nanofibers of Ze/Pd membranes were able to adsorb NH3N on the zeolites placed on
      the surface of fibers and palladium catalysts were capable of selective oxidation
      of NH3N to N2 gas. The cycling of NH3N adsorption-oxidation, high flux,
      hydrophilicity, and flexibility of the membrane makes it a strong candidate for
      water treatment.

PMID- 27253651
TI  - Ventricular Tachycardia: A Rare Commotio Cordis Presentation.
AB  - Commotio cordis is a rare event caused by an unfortunately timed blunt anterior
      chest wall impact that most commonly presents in young male adolescents and is
      the second leading cause of death in young athletes. The most common initial
      presenting dysrhythmias are ventricular fibrillation and asystole, although other
      rare dysrhythmias have been reported-predominantly in animal models. To our
      knowledge, this is the first telemetry-confirmed case of commotio cordis with a
      presenting cardiac rhythm of ventricular tachycardia. While prompt recognition of
      commotio cordis and early cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation (if
      applicable) are still the treatment in these cases, our case offers potential
      insight into the underlying commotio cordis process.

PMID- 27253652
TI  - Predicting Flow in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Are Holidays Lighter?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether patient volume in an
      urban pediatric emergency department (ED) can be predicted based on holidays and
      thus aid in staffing and resource allocation. METHODS: Log-in dates and times
      were obtained for all patients seen in an urban pediatric ED between July 1,
      2006, and June 30, 2013. Visits were coded for the day of the week, tour (ie,
      shift), and season and whether they occurred on a holiday or nonholiday.
      Comparisons between the median number of patient visits on holidays versus
      nonholidays by day of the week, tour, and season were performed. Additional
      comparisons on 5 Monday holidays as well as New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and
      Christmas Day were also performed. Data were presented as medians with
      interquartile ranges. Group comparisons were performed via using Mann-Whitney U
      tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests (alpha = 0.05, 2 tailed). RESULTS: There were
      223,677 total patient visits, with a mean yearly census of 31,954. The median
      daily volume was 85, peaking on Mondays (median, 99). The summer season
      demonstrated the fewest number of patient visits (median, 74) relative to the
      other seasons (medians, 89-91). Compared with nonholidays, there were fewer
      patient visits on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day and in the late afternoon and
      evening on other individual holidays. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer patient visits on
      Thanksgiving and Christmas Days, as well as during the late afternoon/evening on
      several other holidays, point to the possibility of small adjustments to staffing
      in ways that can more efficiently balance demand with available resources.

PMID- 27253653
TI  - Pediatric Airway Management and Prehospital Patient Safety: Results of a National
      Delphi Survey by the Children's Safety Initiative-Emergency Medical Services for
      Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine what aspects of
      prehospital pediatric airway management may contribute to patient safety events.
      METHODS: We conducted a 3-phase Delphi survey in prehospital professionals across
      the United States to identify potential contributors to patient safety events.
      Respondents ranked how likely factors were to contribute on a 9-point Likert-type
      scale and were allowed to elaborate through open-ended questions. Analysis was
      conducted using a mixed-methods approach, including Likert-type responses and
      open-ended questions which were analyzed for specific themes. RESULTS: All 3
      phases of the survey were completed by 492 participants; 50.8% of respondents
      were paramedics, 22% were emergency medical technician-basics/first responders,
      and 11.4% were physicians. Seventy-five percent identified lack of experience
      with advanced airway management, and 44% identified medical decision making
      regarding airway interventions as highly likely to lead to safety events. Within
      the domain of technical skills, advanced airway management was ranked in the top
      3 contributors to safety events by 71% of participants, and bag-mask ventilation
      by 18%. Qualitative analysis of questions within the domains of equipment and
      technical skills identified endotracheal intubation as the top contributor to
      safety events, with bag-mask ventilation second. In the domains of assessment and
      decision making, respiratory assessment and knowing when to perform an advanced
      airway were ranked most highly. CONCLUSIONS: This national Delphi survey
      identified lack of experience with pediatric airway management and challenges in
      decision making in advanced airway management as high risk for safety events,
      with endotracheal intubation as the most likely of these.

PMID- 27253654
TI  - Outcomes After Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Interventions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate outcomes after pediatric out-of
      hospital cardiopulmonary interventions (CPIs) by emergency medical services
      (EMS). METHODS: Children (age, <=18 years) who received CPI by EMS from 2001 to
      2008 were identified from the Utah Department of Health. Cardiopulmonary
      intervention was defined as oxygenation, ventilation or CPR, and transport to a
      hospital by EMS. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses evaluated
      associations between potential predictors and outcomes (death and new neurologic
      dysfunction). RESULTS: A total of 464 patients (58% male) received EMS attention.
      For the 71% patients (327) who were alive on EMS arrival, 63% (205) received CPI
      without CPR. Of note, 6% (12) of these patients died after arrival to the
      hospital and new neurologic dysfunction was diagnosed in 6% (13). Among the 12
      patients who died, 50% (6) were younger than 1 year.On multivariable regression
      analysis, factors associated with increased risk of death before and in-hospital
      are the following: age younger than 1 year (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.17-0.39), shorter EMS transport time (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89
      0.99), and longer EMS dispatch time (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08-1.40). Factors
      associated with increased risk of new neurologic dysfunction are the following:
      lack of pulse (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.53), requiring CPR (OR, 6.15; 95% CI,
      1.48-25.6), and CPR duration (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05-1.37). CONCLUSIONS: Age
      younger than 1 year, shorter transport time, and longer dispatch time were
      associated with increased risk of death. Being pulseless upon discovery and
      receiving CPR were associated with new neurologic dysfunction. Maximizing EMS
      transport interventions for patients younger than 1 year requiring CPI may
      improve patient outcomes.

PMID- 27253655
TI  - Methemoglobinemia Following Monolinuron Ingestion: A Case Report in a Child.
AB  - CASE: We describe a case report of a 2-year-old boy presenting to the emergency
      department with cyanosis and agitation. There was no suggestive history of
      poisoning but parents reported the presence of an aquarium at the family dinner
      the night before, with an aquarium cleaner beside it. Physical examination at
      admission revealed central cyanosis without signs of respiratory distress. Oxygen
      saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2) was at 80% in room air. Plasma level
      of methemoglobin was measured at 11.8%. After 6 hours, methemoglobin decreased
      spontaneously to 5% and pulse oximetry saturation reached 98% in room air.
      Consciousness, weakness, and behavior were concomitantly improved. Because of
      rapid and spontaneous improvement, no specific treatment such as methylene blue
      was administered. A mass spectrometry toxicological analysis was performed in a
      blood sample taken the day of admission. Screening procedure of pesticides based
      on liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry identified monolinuron, a
      phenylurea herbicide. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend considering acquired
      methemoglobinemia after ingestion of industrial products and drugs in children
      with cyanosis, mental status alteration, and without respiratory distress
      symptoms.

PMID- 27253656
TI  - Trauma Arrest and Spinal Injury in a 3-Year-Old Girl.
AB  - Management of an acutely injured pediatric patient with multiple traumas is a
      common challenge facing clinicians in pediatric emergency care. Blunt trauma is
      more common in the pediatric population with motor vehicle accidents being the
      most common cause of injury. Spinal injury, especially in young children, is only
      seen in 1% to 2% of cases and can be lethal. It is incumbent upon clinicians to
      be able to meet the challenges of patient management including airway management,
      providing hemodynamic support, and addressing potentially reversible causes of
      arrest while recognizing presenting symptoms of spinal injury. This case presents
      a child in trauma arrest after a motor vehicle crash requiring advanced
      interventions, diagnostics, and support. Her clinical course is described and
      reveals a complete distraction of the cervical and thoracic spine. This case
      illustrates pathology and management along with the importance of proper
      management and interventions by pediatric emergency clinicians to manage the
      patient and attempt to maximize the patient's outcome.

PMID- 27253657
TI  - Are We Adequately Treating Pain in Children Who Present to US Emergency
      Departments?: Factors That Contribute to Pain Treatment in Pediatric Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There are no recent national data on analgesic use for pain treatment
      in children. Our objective was to determine if there is adequate pain treatment
      for children in US emergency departments (EDs) and determine predictors of
      nonopioid and opioid analgesic administration. METHODS: Children younger than 18
      years with the diagnosis of extremity fracture, appendicitis, or urinary tract
      stones were obtained from the National Health Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
      (NHAMCS) (2006-2010) and analyzed using logistic regression for complex samples.
      There were 2 analyses: (1) those who received analgesics versus those who did
      not; and (2) of those who received analgesics, opioid versus nonopioid analgesic
      use. RESULTS: There were 1341 records analyzed representing 4.5 million ED
      visits. Those who received analgesics were more likely to be older than age of 3
      years (P = 0.05), be discharged from the hospital (odds ratio [OR], 1.72; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.94), arrive between noon and midnight (OR,
      0.1.85; CI, 1.12-3.03), and have a higher pain rating (P < 0.01). Children who
      received opioid analgesics were more likely to live outside the Northeast (P =
      0.04), require admission (OR, 2.95; CI, 1.09-7.98), have a higher acuity triage
      level (OR, 1.79; CI, 1.04-3.06), have higher pain scores (P < 0.01), and have
      private insurance (OR, 1.75; CI, 1.06-2.94). CONCLUSIONS: There is still a lot of
      room for improvement of pediatric pain control in US EDs. We aim to apply this
      information toward direct physician and nursing education interventions,
      including the recognition of age appropriate pain cues, and parental information
      and guidance to improve pediatric pain treatment in US EDs.

PMID- 27253658
TI  - Assessment of the Abuse Potential of the Orexin Receptor Antagonist, Suvorexant,
      Compared With Zolpidem in a Randomized Crossover Study.
AB  - Suvorexant is a dual orexin receptor antagonist approved in the United States and
      Japan for the treatment of insomnia at a maximum dose of 20 mg. This randomized
      double-blind crossover study evaluated the abuse potential of suvorexant in 36
      healthy recreational polydrug users with a history of sedative and psychedelic
      drug use. Single doses of suvorexant (40, 80, and 150 mg: 2-7.5 * maximum dose),
      zolpidem (15 and 30 mg: 1.5-3 * maximum dose), and placebo were administered,
      with a 10-day washout between treatments. Subjective and objective measures,
      including visual analog scales (VASs), Addiction Research Center Inventory, and
      cognitive/psychomotor tests, were evaluated for 24-hour postdose. Suvorexant had
      significantly greater peak effects on "drug liking" VAS (primary endpoint) than
      placebo. Although effects of suvorexant on abuse potential measures were
      generally similar to zolpidem, they remained constant across doses, whereas
      zolpidem often had greater effects at higher doses. Suvorexant (all doses) had
      significantly fewer effects than zolpidem 30 mg on secondary measures, such as
      "high" VAS, Bowdle VAS, and Addiction Research Center Inventory morphine
      benzedrine group. The overall incidence of abuse-related adverse events, such as
      euphoric mood and hallucination, was numerically lower with suvorexant than
      zolpidem. In agreement with its classification as a schedule IV drug, suvorexant
      demonstrated abuse potential, compared with placebo. The abuse potential was
      similar to zolpidem using certain measures, but with a reduced incidence of abuse
      related adverse events. Although this suggests that the overall abuse liability
      of suvorexant may be lower than zolpidem, the actual abuse rates will be assessed
      with the postmarketing experience. 

PMID- 27253660
TI  - A New Formulation of Oral Viscous Budesonide in Treating Paediatric Eosinophilic
      Oesophagitis: A Pilot Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Oral viscous budesonide is a recent therapeutic option for
      eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) compared with dietary restriction and inhaled
      steroids. This single-centre, open-label, not blinded study aims to evaluate the
      efficacy and safety of a new, preprepared oral viscous budesonide suspension
      (PVB) in children and adolescents with EoE. METHODS: We treated 36 children with
      PVB (29 boys; median age 12 years) with EoE diagnosed according to European
      Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition guidelines.
      Patients <150 and >150 cm height received 2 and 4 mg PVB daily, respectively, for
      12 weeks. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed at baseline, after 12
      weeks of therapy and 24 weeks after the end of therapy. Baseline and post
      treatment scores were calculated for symptoms, endoscopy, and histology. Serum
      cortisol was performed at baseline, 12, and 36 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of PVB
      trial, endoscopy showed macroscopic remission in 32 patients (88.9%), whereas at
      histology median pre- and post-treatment peak eosinophil count/high power field
      (HPF) markedly decreased from 42.2 (range: 15-100) to 2.9 (range: 0-30);
      moreover, mean symptom and histology scores impressively improved compared with
      baseline (P < 0.01). At 24 weeks after the end of PVB therapy, endoscopy showed
      oesophageal relapse in 21 patients (58.3%), whereas 15 (41.7%) were still in
      remission. Seven children (19.4%) with positive multichannel intraluminal
      impedance-pH were treated also with proton pump inhibitors. No significant
      difference between pre-/post-treatment morning cortisol levels occurred.
      CONCLUSIONS: The new PVB suspension presented in the present study is effective
      and safe for treating children with proven EoE. Larger placebo-controlled
      clinical trials would provide more information about dosing, efficacy, and long
      term safety of this formulation, specifically designed for the oesophagus.

PMID- 27253661
TI  - Pediatric Crohn Disease Clinical Outcome Assessments and Biomarkers: Current
      State and Path Forward for Global Collaboration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is a pressing need for drug development in pediatric Crohn
      disease (CD). Our aim was to provide strategic approaches toward harmonization of
      current thinking about clinical outcome assessments (COAs) and biomarkers to
      facilitate drug development in pediatric CD. METHODS: Scientists from the United
      States Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, Health Canada,
      and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency of Japan had monthly
      teleconferences from January 2014 through May 2015. A literature review was
      conducted to assess the measurement properties of all existing COA tools and to
      evaluate the current landscape of biomarkers used in pediatric CD. Based on the
      findings of literature review, we reached the consensus on the strategic
      approaches for evaluating outcomes in pediatric CD trials. RESULTS: The pediatric
      Crohn's Disease Activity Index, Crohn's Disease Activity Index, and Harvey
      Bradshaw's index were used in pediatric CD clinical studies. But they lack
      adequate measurement properties (validity, reliability, and ability to detect
      change of the treatment) that are required to support approval of products
      intended to treat pediatric CD. Biomarkers (ie, fecal lactoferrin,
      osteoprotegerin, and calprotectin) have shown some promise for their potential as
      noninvasive surrogate endpoints in CD. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of well-defined and
      reliable COAs presents a hurdle for global drug development in pediatric CD. It
      is essential to develop well-defined and reliable COAs that can measure
      meaningful clinical benefit for patients in terms of how they feel, function, and
      survive. Development of noninvasive biomarkers as reliable surrogate endpoints
      needs to be further explored.

PMID- 27253662
TI  - Deficiency in Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1: A Novel
      Cause of IPEX-Like Syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Early-onset inflammatory bowel diseases can result from a wide
      spectrum of rare mendelian disorders. Early molecular diagnosis is crucial in
      defining treatment and in improving life expectancy. Herein we aimed at defining
      the mechanism of an immunodeficiency-polyendrocrinopathy and enteropathy-X-linked
      (IPEX)-like disease combined with a severe immunodeficiency in 2 siblings born
      from distantly related parents. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was performed on
      blood-extracted genomic DNA from the 2 affected children and their parents on the
      genomic platform of Institut IMAGINE. Candidate gene mutation was identified
      using the in-house software PolyWeb and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Protein
      expression was determined by western blot. Flow cytometry was used to assess
      consequences of the mutation on lymphocyte phenotype and nuclear factor-kappa B
      (NF-kappaB) activation at diagnosis and after treatment by hematopoietic stem
      cell transplantation. RESULTS: We identified a homozygous missense mutation in
      mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation 1 gene (MALT1), which
      precluded protein expression. In keeping with the known function of MALT1, NF
      kappaB-dependent lymphocyte activation was severely impaired. Moreover, there was
      a drastic reduction in Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) regulatory T cells accounting for
      the IPEX-like phenotype. Following identification of the mutation, both children
      received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which permitted full clinical
      recovery. Immunological workup at 6 and 12 months after transplantation showed
      normal NF-kappaB activation and correction of regulatory T cells frequency.
      CONCLUSIONS: Along with FOXP3, interleukin 2 receptor alpha chain (IL2RA), and
      cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein 4 precursor (CTLA-4) mutations, MALT1 deficiency
      should now be considered as a possible cause of IPEX-like syndrome associated
      with immunodeficiency that can be cured by hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation.

PMID- 27253663
TI  - Aeroallergens in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Significant Triggers or Noise in the
      System?

PMID- 27253665
TI  - Testicular Receptor-4: Novel Regulator of Glucocorticoid Resistance.
AB  - CONTEXT: Glucocorticoids are powerful steroid hormones that regulate development,
      metabolism, and immune response. However, glucocorticoid unresponsiveness or
      resistance is observed in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune, and
      lymphoproliferative diseases and significantly limits their efficacy. OBJECTIVE:
      In Cushing's disease, although some glucocorticoid-mediated suppression of
      pituitary-derived ACTH is seen, corticotroph tumors exhibit relative resistance
      to glucocorticoid action. We previously demonstrated that testicular orphan
      receptor 4 (TR4) binds to the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) promoter to induce
      corticotroph tumor POMC expression and ACTH secretion, and we hypothesized that
      TR4 may interact with glucocorticoid signaling to modulate POMC expression and
      action. RESULTS: Here we demonstrate that TR4 abrogates glucocorticoid receptor
      (GR)- or dexamethasone-mediated POMC and activator protein-1 transrepression in
      both murine and human pituitary corticotroph tumor cells. Co-immunoprecipitation
      studies indicate that TR4 and GR interact directly with each other, resulting in
      TR4-mediated disruption of GR binding to the POMC promoter. CONCLUSION: These
      results demonstrate that TR4 binds GR to play an important role in glucocorticoid
      directed corticotroph tumor POMC regulation in addition to modulating
      glucocorticoid actions on other GR targets. Characterization of this pathway may
      offer important insights into glucocorticoid resistance and may identify a novel
      approach for the treatment of Cushing's disease and the glucocorticoid-resistant
      states.

PMID- 27253664
TI  - Rapid Proteasomal Degradation of Mutant Proteins Is the Primary Mechanism Leading
      to Tumorigenesis in Patients With Missense AIP Mutations.
AB  - CONTEXT: The pathogenic effect of mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor
      interacting protein (AIP) gene (AIPmuts) in pituitary adenomas is incompletely
      understood. We have identified the primary mechanism of loss of function for
      missense AIPmuts. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to analyze the mechanism/speed of
      protein turnover of wild-type and missense AIP variants, correlating protein half
      life with clinical parameters. DESIGN AND SETTING: Half-life and protein-protein
      interaction experiments and cross-sectional analysis of AIPmut positive patients'
      data were performed in a clinical academic research institution. PATIENTS: Data
      were obtained from our cohort of pituitary adenoma patients and literature
      reported cases. INTERVENTIONS: Protein turnover of endogenous AIP in two cell
      lines and fifteen AIP variants overexpressed in HEK293 cells was analyzed via
      cycloheximide chase and proteasome inhibition. Glutathione-S-transferase pull
      down and quantitative mass spectrometry identified proteins involved in AIP
      degradation; results were confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and gene knockdown.
      Relevant clinical data was collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Half-life of wild
      type and mutant AIP proteins and its correlation with clinical parameters.
      RESULTS: Endogenous AIP half-life was similar in HEK293 and lymphoblastoid cells
      (43.5 and 32.7 h). AIP variants were divided into stable proteins (median, 77.7
      h; interquartile range [IQR], 60.7-92.9 h), and those with short (median, 27 h;
      IQR, 21.6-28.7 h) or very short (median, 7.7 h; IQR, 5.6-10.5 h) half-life;
      proteasomal inhibition rescued the rapid degradation of mutant proteins. The
      experimental half-life significantly correlated with age at diagnosis of
      acromegaly/gigantism (r = 0.411; P = .002). The FBXO3-containing SKP1-CUL1-F-box
      protein complex was identified as the E3 ubiquitin-ligase recognizing AIP.
      CONCLUSIONS: AIP is a stable protein, driven to ubiquitination by the SKP1-CUL1-F
      box protein complex. Enhanced proteasomal degradation is a novel pathogenic
      mechanism for AIPmuts, with direct implications for the phenotype.

PMID- 27253666
TI  - Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated With Coronary Artery Calcification
      Development: A Longitudinal Study.
AB  - CONTEXT: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with coronary
      artery calcification (CAC) in cross-sectional studies. However, whether NAFLD
      itself affects CAC development or progression remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This
      study investigated the longitudinal association between NAFLD and CAC score.
      DESIGN AND SETTING: This study is a longitudinal cohort study performed in a
      healthcare center. PARTICIPANTS: Among 1732 subjects who underwent serial CAC
      evaluation, we evaluated 846 subjects with NAFLD and 886 subjects without NAFLD,
      as diagnosed via ultrasonography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CAC score was compared
      at baseline and follow-up. In subjects without calcification (CAC score = 0) at
      baseline, any incidental calcification (CAC score >0) at follow-up was defined as
      development of CAC. In subjects with CAC (CAC score > 0) at baseline, confirmed
      CAC aggravation was defined as progression. Logistic regression analysis was
      performed. RESULTS: More subjects with NAFLD than without showed CAC development
      or progression (48.8 vs 38.4%; P < .001). The impact of NAFLD on a change in CAC
      score significantly differed according to the CAC score at baseline. In subjects
      without calcification at baseline, NAFLD significantly affected the development
      of calcification (odds ratio, 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.21; P = .045)
      after adjusting for traditional metabolic risk factors. However, in subjects with
      baseline CAC, NAFLD did not significantly affect progression (P = .734).
      Additionally, the severity of NAFLD was important. The severity of NAFLD was dose
      dependently associated with the development of CAC (P for trend = .043).
      CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD plays a role in the early development of CAC, but not the
      progression. Ultrasonographic severity of NAFLD is dose-dependently associated
      with CAC development in subjects with a CAC score of 0 at baseline, independent
      of traditional risk factors.

PMID- 27253667
TI  - Complex Genomic Rearrangement Within the GNAS Region Associated With Familial
      Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type 1b.
AB  - CONTEXT: Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1b (PHP-1b) results from methylation
      defects at the G protein stimulatory alpha subunit (GNAS) exon A/B-differentially
      methylated region (DMR). Although microduplications in the GNAS region were
      recently identified in two PHP-1b patients, genetic information on these patients
      remained fragmentary. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 20-year-old Japanese male and his
      mother presented with hypocalcemia and elevated blood levels of intact PTH. The
      proband had a maternal uncle who was previously diagnosed with PHP-1b.
      Methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, array
      based comparative genomic hybridization, pyrosequencing, fluorescence in situ
      hybridization, and whole-genome sequencing were performed for this family. The
      proband, mother, and uncle carried maternally derived approximately 133-kb
      duplication-triplication-duplication rearrangements at 20q13.32 involving NESP55,
      NESPAS, XLalphas, and exon A/B-DMR but not STX16 or the Gsalpha coding region.
      These individuals exhibited partial methylation defects of NESP55-, NESPAS-, and
      XLalphas-DMRs, which were ascribable to the increased copy numbers of these
      regions retaining the maternally derived methylation pattern and loss of
      methylation of exon A/B-DMR, which was inexplicable by the copy-number
      alterations. Fusion junctions of the rearrangement resided within non-repeat
      sequences and were accompanied by short-templated insertions. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results indicate that maternally derived copy-number gains in the GNAS region
      mediated by nonhomologous end-joining and/or by break-induced replication can
      underlie autosomal dominant PHP-1b. These rearrangements likely affect
      methylation of exon A/B-DMR by disconnecting or disrupting its cis-acting
      regulator(s). This study provides a novel example of human disorders resulting
      from functional disturbance in the cis-regulatory machinery of DNA methylation.

PMID- 27253670
TI  - Is H Atom Abstraction Important in the Reaction of Cl with 1-Alkenes?
AB  - The relative yields of products of the reaction of Cl atoms with 1-alkenes (C4
      C9) were determined to see whether H atom abstraction is an important channel and
      if it is to identify the preferred position of abstraction. The presence of all
      the possible positional isomers of long chain alkenones and alkenols among the
      products, along with chloroketones and chloroalcohols, confirms the occurrence of
      H atom abstraction. A consistent pattern of distribution of abstraction products
      is observed with oxidation at C4 (next to allyl) being the lowest and that at CH2
      groups away from the double bond being the highest. This contradicts with the
      higher stability of allyl (C3) radical. For a better understanding of the
      relative reactivity, ab initio calculations at MP2/6-311+G (d,p) level of theory
      are carried out in the case of 1-heptene. The total rate coefficient, calculated
      using conventional transition state theory, was found to be in good agreement
      with the experimental value at room temperature. The preferred position of Cl
      atom addition is predicted to be the terminal carbon atom, which matches with the
      experimental observation, whereas the rate coefficients calculated for individual
      channels of H atom abstraction do not explain the observed pattern of products.
      The distribution of abstraction products except at C4 is found to be better
      explained by reported structure activity relationship, developed from
      experimental rate coefficient data. This implies the reactions to be kinetically
      dictated and emphasizes the importance of secondary reactions. 

PMID- 27253672
TI  - Rhodium-Catalyzed ortho-Amidations in the Preparation of Thiadiazine 1-Oxides.
AB  - Rhodium-catalyzed ortho-amidations of sulfoximines lead to key intermediates for
      the preparation of thiadiazine 1-oxides. Following a straightforward protocol, a
      variety of synthetically valuable compounds can be obtained, thus circumventing
      common multistep approaches towards potentially bioactive products. 

PMID- 27253668
TI  - A Longitudinal Follow-up of Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type 1.
AB  - CONTEXT: Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS1) is a childhood-onset
      monogenic disease defined by the presence of two of the three major components:
      hypoparathyroidism, primary adrenocortical insufficiency, and chronic
      mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC). Information on longitudinal follow-up of APS1 is
      sparse. OBJECTIVE: To describe the phenotypes of APS1 and correlate the clinical
      features with autoantibody profiles and autoimmune regulator (AIRE) mutations
      during extended follow-up (1996-2016). PATIENTS: All known Norwegian patients
      with APS1. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients from 34 families were identified. The
      majority presented with one of the major disease components during childhood.
      Enamel hypoplasia, hypoparathyroidism, and CMC were the most frequent components.
      With age, most patients presented three to five disease manifestations, although
      some had milder phenotypes diagnosed in adulthood. Fifteen of the patients died
      during follow-up (median age at death, 34 years) or were deceased siblings with a
      high probability of undisclosed APS1. All except three had interferon-omega)
      autoantibodies, and all had organ-specific autoantibodies. The most common AIRE
      mutation was c.967_979del13, found in homozygosity in 15 patients. A mild
      phenotype was associated with the splice mutation c.879+1G>A. Primary
      adrenocortical insufficiency and type 1 diabetes were associated with protective
      human leucocyte antigen genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple presumable autoimmune
      manifestations, in particular hypoparathyroidism, CMC, and enamel hypoplasia,
      should prompt further diagnostic workup using autoantibody analyses (eg,
      interferon-omega) and AIRE sequencing to reveal APS1, even in adults. Treatment
      is complicated, and mortality is high. Structured follow-up should be performed
      in a specialized center.

PMID- 27253669
TI  - Weight Loss and Lowering Androgens Predict Improvements in Health-Related Quality
      of Life in Women With PCOS.
AB  - CONTEXT: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with reduced health
      related quality of life (HRQOL) and increased prevalence of depressive and
      anxiety disorders. The impact of PCOS-specific treatments on these co-morbidities
      is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of weight loss and decreasing
      hyperandrogenism on HRQOL and mood and anxiety disorders in women with PCOS.
      DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled
      trial (OWL-PCOS) of preconception treatment conducted at two academic centers in
      women (age, 18-40 years; body mass index, 27-42 kg/m(2)) with PCOS defined by
      Rotterdam criteria. INTERVENTION: Continuous oral contraceptive pill (OCP) or
      intensive lifestyle intervention or the combination (Combined) for 16 weeks. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Changes in HRQOL assessed by PCOSQ and SF-36 and prevalence
      of depression and anxiety disorder assessed by PRIME-MD PHQ. RESULTS: The lowest
      scores were noted on the general health domain of the SF-36 and the weight and
      infertility domains on the PCOSQ. All three interventions resulted in significant
      improvement in the general health score on the SF-36. Both the OCP and Combined
      groups showed improvements in all domains of the PCOSQ (P < .01) compared to
      baseline scores. The Combined group had significant improvements in the weight,
      body hair, and infertility domains compared to a single treatment group (P <
      .05). In a linear regression model, change in weight correlated with improvements
      in the weight domain (P < .001) and physical well-being (P < .02), change in T
      correlated with improvements in the hair domain (P < .001), and change in both
      weight and T correlated with the infertility (P < .001) and menstrual domains (P
      < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Both weight loss and OCP use result in significant
      improvements in several physical and mental domains related to quality of life,
      depressive symptoms, and anxiety disorders, and combined therapies offer further
      benefits in overweight/obese women with PCOS.

PMID- 27253673
TI  - Cs2CO3 as a source of carbonyl and ethereal oxygen in a Cu-catalysed cascade
      synthesis of benzofuran [3,2-c] quinolin-6[5-H]ones.
AB  - The simultaneous construction of C-C, C-O, and C-N bonds utilizing Cs2CO3 as a
      source of both carbonyl (CO) and ethereal oxygen and a cascade synthesis of
      benzofuro[3,2-c]quinolin-6(5H)-one have been achieved using a combination of
      Cu(OAc)2 and Ag2CO3. A plausible mechanism has been proposed for this
      unprecedented transformation. 

PMID- 27253676
TI  - Does the circadian clock drift when pilots fly multiple transpacific flights with
      1- to 2-day layovers?
AB  - On trips with multiple transmeridian flights, pilots experience successive non-24
      h day/night cycles with circadian and sleep disruption. One study across a 9-day
      sequence of transpacific flights (no in-flight sleep, 1-day layovers between
      flights) reported an average period in the core body temperature rhythm of 24.6 h
      (circadian drift). Consequently, pilots were sometimes flying through the
      circadian performance nadir and had to readapt to home base time at the end of
      the trip. The present study examined circadian drift in trip patterns with longer
      flights and in-flight sleep. Thirty-nine B747-400 pilots (19 captains, 20 first
      officers, mean age = 55.5 years) were monitored on 9- to 13-day trips with
      multiple return flights between East Coast USA and Japan (in 4-pilot crews) and
      between Japan and Hawaii (in 3-pilot crews), with 1-day layovers between each
      flight. Measures included total in-flight sleep (actigraphy, log books) and top
      of descent (TOD) measures of sleepiness (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale), fatigue
      (Samn-Perelli Crew Status Check) and psychomotor vigilance task (PVT)
      performance. Circadian rhythms of individual pilots were not monitored. To detect
      circadian drift, mixed-model analysis of variance examined whether for a given
      flight, total in-flight sleep and TOD measures varied according to when the
      flight occurred in the trip sequence. In addition, sleep propensity curves for
      pre-trip and post-trip days were examined (Chi-square periodogram analyses).
      Limited data suggest that total in-flight sleep of relief crew at landing may
      have decreased across successive East Coast USA-Japan (flights 1, 3, 5 or 7;
      median arrival 03:45 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). However, PVT response speed at
      TOD was faster on East Coast USA-Japan flights later in the trip. On these
      flights, circadian drift would result in flights later in the trip landing closer
      to the evening wake maintenance zone, when sleep is difficult and PVT response
      speeds are fastest. On Japan-East Coast USA flights (flights 2, 4, 6 or 8; median
      arrival time 14:52 EDT), PVT response speeds were slower on flight 8 than on
      flight 2. Circadian drift would move these arrivals progressively earlier in the
      SCN pacemaker cycle, where PVT response speeds are slower. Across the five post
      trip days, 12 pilots (Group A) immediately resumed their pre-trip sleep pattern
      of a single nocturnal sleep episode; 9 pilots (Group B) had a daytime nap on most
      days that moved progressively earlier until it merged with nocturnal sleep and 17
      pilots (Group C) had nocturnal sleep and intermittent naps. Chi-square
      periodogram analyses of the sleep propensity curves for each group across
      baseline and post-trip days suggest full adaptation to EDT from post-trip day 1
      (dominant period = 24 h). However, in Groups B and C, the patterns of split sleep
      post-trip compared to pre-trip suggest that this may be misleading. We conclude
      that the trends in total in-flight sleep and significant changes in PVT
      performance speed at TOD provide preliminary evidence for circadian drift, as do
      persistent patterns of split sleep post-trip. However, new measures to track
      circadian rhythms in individual pilots are needed to confirm these findings.

PMID- 27253677
TI  - Formation of supramolecular assemblies and liquid crystals by purine nucleobases
      and cyanuric acid in water: implications for the possible origins of RNA.
AB  - The free nucleobases and mononucleotides of RNA do not form Watson-Crick base
      pairs in water, a fact that presents several challenges for the prebiotic
      synthesis of RNA. 2,6-Diaminopurine and adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP) are
      shown to form supramolecular assemblies with cyanuric acid in water. These
      assemblies and their propensity to form liquid crystals suggest a possible means
      by which non-covalent structures might have originally selected the shape of the
      Watson-Crick base pairs. 

PMID- 27253678
TI  - N-Acetyl glycals are tight-binding and environmentally insensitive inhibitors of
      hexosaminidases.
AB  - Mono-, di- and trisaccharide derivatives of 1,2-unsaturated N-acetyl-d-glucal
      have been synthesized and shown to function as tight-binding inhibitors/slow
      substrates of representative hexosaminidases. Turnover is slow and not observed
      in the thioamide analogue, allowing determination of the 3-dimensional structure
      of the complex. Inhibition is insensitive to pH and to mutation of key catalytic
      residues, consistent with the uncharged character of the inhibitor. These
      properties could render this inhibitor class less prone to development of
      resistance. 

PMID- 27253679
TI  - Benzylpiperidine-Linked Diarylthiazoles as Potential Anti-Alzheimer's Agents:
      Synthesis and Biological Evaluation.
AB  - A novel series of hybrid molecules were designed and synthesized by fusing the
      pharmacophoric features of cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil and diarylthiazole
      as potential multitarget-directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer's
      disease (AD). The compounds showed significant in vitro anticholinesterase (anti
      ChE) activity, the most potent compound (44) among them showing the highest
      activity (IC50 value of 0.30 +/- 0.01 MUM) for AChE and (1.84 +/- 0.03 MUM) for
      BuChE. Compound 44 showed mixed inhibition of AChE in the enzyme kinetic studies.
      Some compounds exhibited moderate to high inhibition of AChE-induced Abeta1-42
      aggregation and noticeable in vitro antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.
      Compound 44 showed significant in vivo anti-ChE and antioxidant activities.
      Furthermore, compound 44 demonstrated in vivo neuroprotection by decreasing
      Abeta1-42-induced toxicity by attenuating abnormal levels of Abeta1-42, p-Tau,
      cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP proteins. Compound 44 exhibited good oral
      absorption and was well tolerated up to 2000 mg/kg, po, dose without showing
      toxic effects.

PMID- 27253680
TI  - The role of visual representations in college students' understanding of
      mathematical notation.
AB  - Developing understanding of fractions involves connections between nonsymbolic
      visual representations and symbolic representations. Initially, teachers
      introduce fraction concepts with visual representations before moving to symbolic
      representations. Once the focus is shifted to symbolic representations, the
      connections between visual representations and symbolic notation are considered
      to be less useful, and students are rarely asked to connect symbolic notation
      back to visual representations. In 2 experiments, we ask whether visual
      representations affect understanding of symbolic notation for adults who
      understand symbolic notation. In a conceptual fraction comparison task (e.g.,
      Which is larger, 5 / a or 8 / a?), participants were given comparisons paired
      with accurate, helpful visual representations, misleading visual representations,
      or no visual representations. The results show that even college students perform
      significantly better when accurate visuals are provided over misleading or no
      visuals. Further, eye-tracking data suggest that these visual representations may
      affect performance even when only briefly looked at. Implications for theories of
      fraction understanding and education are discussed.

PMID- 27253684
TI  - Web focus.
AB  - This regular feature highlights websites with information on clinical subjects.

PMID- 27253690
TI  - Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of oxycodone and naltrexone for
      the treatment of chronic lower back pain.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common and difficult illness to
      manage. Some individuals with CLBP have pain processing disorders and are also at
      risk for opioid abuse, misuse; addiction and diversion. Guidelines have been
      published to guide management; neuromodulation, exercise, mindfulness-based
      stress reduction and cognitive behavior therapies among other non-pharmacological
      reduce the pain of CLBP with minimal toxicity. Pharmacological management
      includes acetaminophen, NSAIDs and antidepressants, mainly duloxetine. Abuse
      deterrent opioids have been developed which have been shown to reduce pain and
      opioid abuse risk. ALO-02 is a tamper-resistant sustained release opioid
      consisting of extended release oxycodone and sequestered naltrexone. Pivotal
      studies of ALO-02 have centered on patients with CLBP. AREAS COVERED: This
      manuscript will review CLBP, the pivotal analgesic and clinical abuse potential
      studies of ALO-02. The opinion will cover whether opioids should be used for
      CLBP, when they should be used and opioid choices. EXPERT OPINION: ALO-02 is one
      of several opioids which can be considered in the management of CLBP. The outcome
      to a trial of opioids should be function rather than analgesia. Most analgesic
      trials for CLBP have had analgesia as the primary outcome and function has not
      been vigorously studied as an outcome. Opioids should be considered as a trial
      only when other non-opioid analgesics have failed to improve analgesia and
      function. Universal precautions should be routinely part of phase III analgesic
      trial particularly for chronic non-malignant pain.

PMID- 27253691
TI  - Atomic force microscopy observation and characterization of single virions and
      virus-like particles by nano-indentation.
AB  - Structure and function of viruses are intimately related, and one of the goals in
      virology is to elucidate the mechanisms behind this relation. A variety of
      research endeavours is focused on studying these mechanisms and a relatively new
      technique in this field is Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Using AFM virions and
      virus-like particles can be imaged and manipulated at the single particle level.
      Here we review recent AFM nano-indentations studies unveiling for instance the
      mechanics of capsid-genome interactions, morphological changes that drive viral
      maturation, capsid stabilizing factors and viral uncoating. We show that in an
      increasing amount of literature a clear link between mechanics and infectivity is
      observed, which not only provides us with new fundamental insights into virology,
      but also provides ways to improve virus-like particles for applications in
      nanomedicine and nanotechnology.

PMID- 27253692
TI  - Developing immunotherapeutic strategies to target brain tumors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recent years have seen rapid growth in cancer treatments that
      enhance the anti-tumor activities of the immune system. Collectively known as
      immunotherapy, modulation of the immune system has shown success treating some
      hematological malignancies, but has yet to be successfully applied to the
      treatment of patients with brain tumors. AREAS COVERED: This review highlights
      mechanistic insights from murine studies and compiled recent clinical trial data,
      focusing on the most aggressive brain tumor, glioblastoma (GBM). The field has
      recently accumulated a critical mass of data, and we discuss past treatment
      failures in the context of newly developed approaches now entering clinical
      trials. This article provides an overview of the immunotherapeutic armamentarium
      currently in development for the treatment of patients with GBM, who are in dire
      need of safe and effective therapies. Expert commentary: Themes that emerge
      include the importance of mitigating the effects of an immunosuppressive tumor
      microenvironment and the potential for innate immune cell activation to enhance
      cytotoxic anti-tumor activity. Consideration of these studies as a collective may
      inform the design of new immunotherapies, as well as the immune monitoring
      protocols for patients participating in clinical trials.

PMID- 27253693
TI  - Health and Climate-Relevant Pollutant Concentrations from a Carbon-Finance
      Approved Cookstove Intervention in Rural India.
AB  - Efforts to introduce more efficient stoves increasingly leverage carbon-finance
      to scale up dissemination of interventions. We conducted a randomized
      intervention study to evaluate a Clean Development Mechanism approved stove
      replacement impact on fuelwood usage, and climate and health-relevant air
      pollutants. We randomly assigned 187 households to either receive the
      intervention or to continue using traditional stoves. Measurements of fine
      particulate matter (PM2.5) and absorbance were conducted in cooking areas,
      village center and at upwind background site. There were minor and overlapping
      seasonal differences (post- minus preintervention change) between control and
      intervention groups for median (95% CI) fuel use (-0.60 (-1.02, -0.22) vs -0.52 (
      1.07, 0.00) kg day(-1)), and 24 h absorbance (35 (18, 60) vs 36 (22, 50) * 10(-6)
      m(-1)); for 24 h PM2.5, there was a higher (139 (61,229) vs 73(-6, 156) MUg m(
      3))) increase in control compared to intervention homes between the two seasons.
      Forty percent of the intervention homes continued using traditional stoves. For
      intervention homes, absorbance-to-mass ratios suggest a higher proportion of
      black carbon in PM2.5 emitted from intervention compared with traditional stoves.
      Absent of field-based evaluation, stove interventions may be pursued that fail to
      realize expected carbon reductions or anticipated health and climate cobenefits. 

PMID- 27253694
TI  - Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2016.
AB  - The number of cancer survivors continues to increase because of both advances in
      early detection and treatment and the aging and growth of the population. For the
      public health community to better serve these survivors, the American Cancer
      Society and the National Cancer Institute collaborate to estimate the number of
      current and future cancer survivors using data from the Surveillance,
      Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registries. In addition, current treatment
      patterns for the most prevalent cancer types are presented based on information
      in the National Cancer Data Base and treatment-related side effects are briefly
      described. More than 15.5 million Americans with a history of cancer were alive
      on January 1, 2016, and this number is projected to reach more than 20 million by
      January 1, 2026. The 3 most prevalent cancers are prostate (3,306,760), colon and
      rectum (724,690), and melanoma (614,460) among males and breast (3,560,570),
      uterine corpus (757,190), and colon and rectum (727,350) among females. More than
      one-half (56%) of survivors were diagnosed within the past 10 years, and almost
      one-half (47%) are aged 70 years or older. People with a history of cancer have
      unique medical and psychosocial needs that require proactive assessment and
      management by primary care providers. Although there are a growing number of
      tools that can assist patients, caregivers, and clinicians in navigating the
      various phases of cancer survivorship, further evidence-based resources are
      needed to optimize care. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:271-289. (c) 2016 American
      Cancer Society.

PMID- 27253696
TI  - Ionotropic Receptors Identified within the Tentacle of the Freshwater Snail
      Biomphalaria glabrata, an Intermediate Host of Schistosoma mansoni.
AB  - Biomphalaria glabrata (B. glabrata) is an air-breathing aquatic mollusc found in
      freshwater habitats across the Western Hemisphere. It is most well-known for its
      recognized capacity to act as a major intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni,
      the human blood fluke parasite. Ionotropic receptors (IRs), a variant family of
      the ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluR), have an evolutionary ancient function
      in detecting odors to initiate chemosensory signaling. In this study, we applied
      an array of methods towards the goal of identifying IR-like family members in B.
      glabrata, ultimately revealing two types, the iGluR and IR. Sequence alignment
      showed that three ligand-binding residues are conserved in most Biomphalaria
      iGluR sequences, while the IRs did exhibit a variable pattern, lacking some or
      all known glutamate-interactingresidues, supporting their distinct classification
      from the iGluRs. We show that B. glabrata contains 7 putative IRs, some of which
      are expressed within its chemosensory organs. To further investigate a role for
      the more ancient IR25a type in chemoreception, we tested its spatial distribution
      pattern within the snail cephalic tentacle by in situ hybridization. The presence
      of IR25a within presumptive sensory neurons supports a role for this receptor in
      olfactory processing, contributing to our understanding of the molecular pathways
      that are involved in Biomphalaria olfactory processing. 

PMID- 27253695
TI  - Depletion of Histone Demethylase Jarid1A Resulting in Histone Hyperacetylation
      and Radiation Sensitivity Does Not Affect DNA Double-Strand Break Repair.
AB  - Histone demethylases have recently gained interest as potential targets in cancer
      treatment and several histone demethylases have been implicated in the DNA damage
      response. We investigated the effects of siRNA-mediated depletion of histone
      demethylase Jarid1A (KDM5A, RBP2), which demethylates transcription activating
      tri- and dimethylated lysine 4 at histone H3 (H3K4me3/me2), on growth
      characteristics and cellular response to radiation in several cancer cell lines.
      In unirradiated cells Jarid1A depletion lead to histone hyperacetylation while
      not affecting cell growth. In irradiated cells, depletion of Jarid1A
      significantly increased cellular radiosensitivity. Unexpectedly, the
      hyperacetylation phenotype did not lead to disturbed accumulation of DNA damage
      response and repair factors 53BP1, BRCA1, or Rad51 at damage sites, nor did it
      influence resolution of radiation-induced foci or rejoining of reporter
      constructs. We conclude that the radiation sensitivity observed following
      depletion of Jarid1A is not caused by a deficiency in repair of DNA double-strand
      breaks. 

PMID- 27253698
TI  - Major Depression in Canada: What Has Changed over the Past 10 Years?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Major depressive episodes (MDE) make an important contribution to
      disease burden in Canada. The epidemiology of MDE in the national population has
      been examined in 2 mental health surveys, one conducted in 2002 and the other in
      2012. Our objective was to compare selected variables from the 2 surveys to
      determine whether changes have occurred in the prevalence, treatment, and impact
      of MDE. METHOD: The World Health Organization World Mental Health Composite
      International Diagnostic Interview was used in both surveys and the MDE module
      (which was not modified) was scored using the same algorithm. Some variables
      assessing impact and management of MDE were also identical in the 2 surveys. The
      analysis was based on frequency estimates and associated 95% confidence
      intervals. RESULTS: The annual prevalence of MDE was 4.7% (95% CI 4.3% to 5.1%)
      in 2012, nearly identical to 4.8% (95% CI 4.5% to 5.1%) in 2002. Receipt of
      potentially adequate treatment (defined as taking an antidepressant or 6 or more
      visits to a health professional for mental health reasons) increased from 41.3%
      in 2002 to 52.2% in 2012, mostly due to an increase in respondents reporting 6 or
      more visits. Use of second generation antipsychotics also increased. There was no
      evidence of diminishing prevalence or impact (as assessed by symptoms of
      distress). CONCLUSIONS: There appears to have been an increase in receipt of
      treatment for people with MDE and a changing pattern of management. However, it
      was not possible to confirm that the impact of MDE is diminishing as a result.

PMID- 27253697
TI  - A Review of 20 Years of Research on Overdiagnosis and Underdiagnosis in the Rhode
      Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) Project.
AB  - The Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS)
      project represents an integration of research methodology into a community-based
      outpatient practice affiliated with an academic medical centre. The MIDAS project
      is the largest clinical epidemiological study using semi-structured interviews to
      assess a wide range of psychiatric disorders in a general clinical outpatient
      practice. In an early report from the MIDAS project, we found that across
      diagnostic categories clinicians using unstandardized, unstructured clinical
      interviews underrecognized diagnostic comorbidity, compared with the results of
      semi-structured interviews. Moreover, we found that the patients often wanted
      treatment for symptoms of disorders that were diagnosed as comorbid, rather than
      principal, conditions. This highlighted the importance, from the patient's
      perspective, of conducting thorough diagnostic interviews to diagnose disorders
      that are not related to the patient's chief complaint because patients often
      desire treatment for these additional diagnoses. While several of the initial
      papers from the MIDAS project identified problems with the detection of comorbid
      disorders in clinical practice, regarding the diagnosis of bipolar disorder we
      observed the emergence of an opposite phenomenon-clinician overdiagnosis. The
      results from the MIDAS project, along with other studies of diagnosis in routine
      clinical practice, have brought to the forefront the problem with diagnosis in
      routine clinical practice. An important question is what do these findings
      suggest about the community standard of care in making psychiatric diagnoses, and
      whether and how the standard of care should be changed? The implications are
      discussed.

PMID- 27253699
TI  - Career Interests of Canadian Psychiatry Residents: What Makes Residents Choose a
      Research Career?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Training future clinician-researchers remains a challenge faced by
      Canadian psychiatry departments. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence
      of residents interested in pursuing research and other career options as part of
      their practice, and to identify the factors associated with interest in research.
      METHOD: Data from a national online survey of 207 Canadian psychiatry residents
      from a total of 853 (24.3% response rate) were examined. The main outcome was
      interest in research as part of residents' future psychiatrist practice.
      Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify demographic and
      vocational variables associated with research interest. RESULTS: Interest in
      research decreases by 76% between the first and fifth year of psychiatry
      residency (OR 0.76 per year, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.97). Training in a department with
      a residency research track did not correlate with increased research interest
      (chi2 = 0.007, df = 1, P = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Exposing and engaging psychiatry
      residents in research as early as possible in residency training appears key to
      promoting future research interest. Psychiatry residency programs and research
      tracks could consider emphasizing research training initiatives and protected
      research time early in residency.

PMID- 27253700
TI  - Investigating Possible Reciprocal Relations Between Depressive and Problem
      Gambling Symptoms in Emerging Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous cross-sectional research has shown that depression and
      problem gambling co-occur. Longitudinal research, however, allows for a better
      determination of directionality, as behavioural changes in gambling involvement
      can be more reliably studied over time. Our study assesses symptoms of depression
      and problem gambling across 4 waves and addresses whether their relation is
      directional (with one reliably preceding the other), bidirectional, or
      pathoplastic. METHOD: As part of the Manitoba Longitudinal Study of Young Adults,
      prospective data were collected on Canadian young adults' (Wave 1: n = 679, 51.8%
      female, aged 18 to 20 years) depressive symptoms, involvement in gambling, and
      risky gambling behaviour. Recruitment and the first cycle of data collection
      (Wave 1) took place in fall 2007. Three additional waves of data collection then
      occurred in 12- to 18-month intervals: fall 2008, spring 2010, and spring 2011.
      The Problem Gambling Severity Index and the Composite International Diagnostic
      Interview-Short Form were administered through telephone interview at each wave.
      RESULTS: Bivariate growth curves showed that depressive and problem gambling
      symptoms were positively correlated at Wave 1, Wave 2, and Wave 4. Neither
      disorder was found to be a risk factor for the other, and depression and problem
      gambling were not pathoplastically related (that is, increases in one did not
      result in increases in the other over time, and vice versa). CONCLUSIONS: While
      depression and problem gambling are related, their co-occurrence may be better
      explained not by depressive- or gambling-related risk, but by the presence of a
      common underlying factor (such as substance abuse).

PMID- 27253701
TI  - A Longitudinal Study of the Temporal Relation Between Problem Gambling and Mental
      and Substance Use Disorders Among Young Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Relatively little is known about the temporal relation between at-risk
      gambling or problem gambling (PG) and mental and substance use disorders (SUDs)
      in young adulthood. Our study aimed to examine whether past-year, at-risk, or PG
      is associated with incident mental disorders and SUDs (that is, depression,
      generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD], or alcohol
      dependence) and illegal drug use, and whether past-year mental disorders and SUDs
      and illegal drug use is associated with incident at-risk or PG. METHOD: Data for
      this longitudinal study were drawn from the Manitoba Longitudinal Study of Young
      Adults (MLSYA). Respondents aged 18 to 20 years in 2007 were followed
      prospectively for 5 years. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses, at-risk or PG
      was associated with increased odds of depression, OCD, alcohol dependence, and
      illegal drug use. In longitudinal analysis at-risk or PG at cycle 1 was
      associated with incident major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and
      illegal drug use in the follow-up period. Only illegal drug use at cycle 1 was
      associated with incident at-risk or PG during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: At-risk or
      PG was associated with more new onset mental disorders and SUDs (depression,
      alcohol dependence, and illegal drug use), compared with the reverse (illegal
      drug use was the only association with new onset at-risk or PG). Preventing at
      risk or PG from developing early in adulthood may correspond with decreases in
      new onset mental disorders and SUDs later in adulthood.

PMID- 27253702
TI  - Forty-Five Years of Civil Litigation Against Canadian Psychiatrists: An Empirical
      Pilot Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To extract the themes pertaining to prudent psychiatric practice from
      written court judgments in Canada. METHODS: We searched the medical and legal
      literature for cases involving civil litigation against Canadian psychiatrist and
      reviewed all available written judgments. We completed a thematic analysis of the
      civil actions against psychiatrists as conveyed by those written court judgments.
      We classified the cases according to the disposal status and the essential
      lessons from the decisions on standard of care and practice by Canadian
      psychiatrists. RESULTS: Forty such cases were identified as involving
      psychiatrists over a 45-year period. A subgroup included those dealing with
      limitation periods and disclosure applications. Thirty of the 40 cases (75%) were
      decided in favour of the defendant psychiatrists, including 2 dismissed for
      running over the limitation period. The cases that actually went to trial suggest
      that documentation and obtaining second opinions are protective against claims of
      negligence. Inpatient cases resulting in successful litigation against
      psychiatrists involved fatal outcomes, but not all fatal outcomes led to
      successful litigation. CONCLUSIONS: The key lessons from these cases are the
      importance and relevance of regular best clinical practices, such as
      documentation, obtaining second opinions, following guidelines, and balancing
      competencies in the expert and manager or advocate roles. Incorporating these
      practices should allay concerns about litigation against psychiatrists.

PMID- 27253704
TI  - Acadian Mental Health: A Review of Published Literature.

PMID- 27253703
TI  - Mental Health Service Use Among Children and Youth in Ontario: Population-Based
      Trends Over Time.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little is known about mental health service use among Canadian
      children and youth. Our objective was to examine temporal trends in mental health
      service use across different sectors of the health care system among children and
      youth living in Ontario. METHODS: We conducted a population-based, repeated
      annual cross-sectional study of mental health service use, including mental
      health- and addictions-related emergency department (ED) visits, psychiatric
      hospitalizations, and mental health-related outpatient physician visits using
      linked health administrative databases. Subjects included Ontario residents
      between 10 and 24 years of age. We tested temporal trends between 2006 and 2011
      using linear regression models. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2011, the relative
      increase in rates of mental health-related ED visits and hospitalizations were
      32.5% and 53.7%, respectively. The absolute increase in anxiety disorders, the
      most common reason for ED visits, was 2.2 per 1000 population (P < 0.001) while
      mood and affective disorders, the most common reason for hospitalizations, showed
      an increase of 0.6 per 1000 population (P < 0.01). The overall relative increase
      in rates of outpatient visits was 15.8%, with the largest absolute increase found
      among family physician visits (28.7 per 1000 population, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      Mental health care use for children and youth is increasing over time in all
      sectors, but appears to be increasing at a greater rate in the acute care sector.
      Further research is required to understand whether the observed differences
      reflect difficulty with access to outpatient care.

PMID- 27253706
TI  - Efficacy of the Quorum Sensing Inhibitor FS10 Alone and in Combination with
      Tigecycline in an Animal Model of Staphylococcal Infected Wound.
AB  - In staphylococci, quorum sensing regulates both biofilm formation and toxin
      production, moreover it has been demonstrated to be inhibited by RNAIII
      inhibiting peptide (RIP). Aim our study was to evaluate the in vitro activity and
      its in vivo efficacy of the combined administration of FS10, a novel RIP
      derivative, and tigecycline in an animal model of methicillin-resistant (MR) and
      methicillin-sensitive (MS) Staphylococcus aureus wound infection. Using a 1.x2 cm
      template, one full thickness wound was established through the panniculus
      carnosus on the back subcutaneous tissue of each animal. Infection was determined
      by inoculation of 5x107 CFU/ml of bacteria, that produced an abscess within 24 h,
      after this, treatment was initiated. The study included, for each strain, a
      control group without infection, a control infected group that did not receive
      any treatment and a control infected group with drug-free foam dressing, and
      three infected groups treated, respectively, with: FS10-soaked foam dressing
      (containing 20 MUg FS10), daily intraperitoneal tigecycline (7 mg/Kg), FS10
      soaked foam dressing (containing 20 MUg FS10) and daily intraperitoneal
      injections of tigecycline (7 mg/Kg). The main outcome measures were quantitative
      culture and histological examination of tissue repair. The highest inhibition of
      infection was achieved in the group that received FS10-soaked and parenteral
      tigecycline reducing the bacterial load from 107 CFU/ml to about 103 CFU/g for
      MSSA and to about 104 CFU/g for MRSA. The group treated with FS10-soaked foam
      dressing associated with parenteral tigecycline showed, histologically, better
      overall healing with epithelialization and collagen scores significantly higher
      than those of the other groups in both strains. In conclusion, the combined use
      of topical FS10 with i.p. tigecycline induced positive interaction in vivo,
      resulting in an enhanced therapeutic benefit versus staphylococcal infections in
      murine wound models. 

PMID- 27253707
TI  - Toll-Like Receptor Signalling Is Not Involved in Platelet Response to
      Streptococcus pneumoniae In Vitro or In Vivo.
AB  - Streptococcus (S.) pneumoniae strains vary considerably in their ability to cause
      invasive disease in humans, which is at least in part determined by the capsular
      serotype. Platelets have been implicated as sentinel cells in the circulation for
      host defence. One of their utensils for this function is the expression of Toll
      like receptors (TLRs). We here aimed to investigate platelet response to S.
      pneumoniae and a role for TLRs herein. Platelets were stimulated using four
      serotypes of S. pneumonia including an unencapsulated mutant strain. In vitro
      aggregation and flow cytometry assays were performed using blood of healthy
      volunteers, or blood of TLR knock out and WT mice. For in vivo pneumonia
      experiments, platelet specific Myd88 knockout (Plt-Myd88-/-) mice were used. We
      found that platelet aggregation was induced by unencapsulated S. pneumoniae only.
      Whole blood incubation with all S. pneumoniae serotypes tested resulted in
      platelet degranulation and platelet-leukocyte complex formation. Platelet
      activation was TLR independent, as responses were not inhibited by TLR blocking
      antibodies, not induced by TLR agonists and were equally induced in wild-type and
      Tlr2-/-, Tlr4-/-, Tlr2/4-/-, Tlr9-/- and Myd88-/- blood. Plt-Myd88-/- and control
      mice displayed no differences in bacterial clearance or immune response to
      pneumonia by unencapsulated S. pneumoniae. In conclusion, S. pneumoniae activates
      platelets through a TLR-independent mechanism that is impeded by the bacterial
      capsule. Additionally, platelet MyD88-dependent TLR signalling is not involved in
      host defence to unencapsulated S. pneumoniae in vivo. 

PMID- 27253708
TI  - In Vivo MRI Measurement of Spinal Cord Displacement in the Thoracolumbar Region
      of Asymptomatic Subjects with Unilateral and Sham Straight Leg Raise Tests.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Normal displacement of the conus medullaris with unilateral and
      bilateral SLR has been quantified and the "principle of linear dependence" has
      been described. PURPOSE: Explore whether previously recorded movements of conus
      medullaris with SLRs are i) primarily due to transmission of tensile forces
      transmitted through the neural tissues during SLR or ii) the result of reciprocal
      movements between vertebrae and nerves. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled radiologic
      study. METHODS: Ten asymptomatic volunteers were scanned with a 1.5T magnetic
      resonance (MR) scanner using T2 weighted spc 3D scanning sequences and a device
      that permits greater ranges of SLR. Displacement of the conus medullaris during
      the unilateral and sham SLR was quantified reliably with a randomized procedure.
      Conus displacement in response to unilateral and sham SLRs was quantified and the
      results compared. RESULTS: The conus displaced caudally in the spinal canal by
      3.54+/-0.87 mm (mean+/-SD) with unilateral (p<=.001) and proximally by 0.32+/-1.6
      mm with sham SLR (p<=.542). Pearson correlations were higher than 0.99 for both
      intra- and inter-observer reliability and the observed power was 1 for unilateral
      SLRs and 0.054 and 0.149 for left and right sham SLR respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Four relevant points emerge from the presented data: i) reciprocal movements
      between the spinal cord and the surrounding vertebrae are likely to occur during
      SLR in asymptomatic subjects, ii) conus medullaris displacement in the vertebral
      canal with SLR is primarily due to transmission of tensile forces through the
      neural tissues, iii) when tensile forces are transmitted through the neural
      system as in the clinical SLR, the magnitude of conus medullaris displacement
      prevails over the amount of bone adjustment.

PMID- 27253710
TI  - Population targeting amid complex mental health programming: Are California's
      Full Service Partnerships reaching underserved children?
AB  - California's Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) created Full Service Partnership
      programs (FSPs) targeting socially and economically vulnerable children with
      mental illness who are underserved by counties' public mental health treatment
      system. To determine whether FSPs reach a distinctive group of children, this
      study compares indicators of FSP-targeted underservice for FSP entrants (n =
      15,598) versus everyone treated in the counties' public mental health systems (n
      = 282,178) and for FSP entrants versus entrants in the most intensive Medicaid
      delivered program in California, Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS, n =
      11,993). Results identify that, despite first encountering mental health services
      systems at earlier ages, FSP clients had fewer months of treatment and were less
      likely to have been treated in the prior 6 months, except for crisis care, as
      compared to all other children served, after considering clinical severity and
      indicators of service need. FSP entrants also had more substance abuse and trauma
      related problems. Although less seriously ill than TBS served children, FSP
      served children were significantly underserved. The results indicate that, amid
      overlapping policies and programs, carving out and reaching a distinctly
      underserved population can be achieved in practice, and that specialized
      programs, such as the FSP program, which target underserved children, have the
      potential to augment a system's ability to reach the underserved. (PsycINFO
      Database Record

PMID- 27253709
TI  - A Complex Structural Variation on Chromosome 27 Leads to the Ectopic Expression
      of HOXB8 and the Muffs and Beard Phenotype in Chickens.
AB  - Muffs and beard (Mb) is a phenotype in chickens where groups of elongated
      feathers gather from both sides of the face (muffs) and below the beak (beard).
      It is an autosomal, incomplete dominant phenotype encoded by the Muffs and beard
      (Mb) locus. Here we use genome-wide association (GWA) analysis, linkage analysis,
      Identity-by-Descent (IBD) mapping, array-CGH, genome re-sequencing and expression
      analysis to show that the Mb allele causing the Mb phenotype is a derived allele
      where a complex structural variation (SV) on GGA27 leads to an altered expression
      of the gene HOXB8. This Mb allele was shown to be completely associated with the
      Mb phenotype in nine other independent Mb chicken breeds. The Mb allele differs
      from the wild-type mb allele by three duplications, one in tandem and two that
      are translocated to that of the tandem repeat around 1.70 Mb on GGA27. The
      duplications contain total seven annotated genes and their expression was tested
      during distinct stages of Mb morphogenesis. A continuous high ectopic expression
      of HOXB8 was found in the facial skin of Mb chickens, strongly suggesting that
      HOXB8 directs this regional feather-development. In conclusion, our results
      provide an interesting example of how genomic structural rearrangements alter the
      regulation of genes leading to novel phenotypes. Further, it again illustrates
      the value of utilizing derived phenotypes in domestic animals to dissect the
      genetic basis of developmental traits, herein providing novel insights into the
      likely role of HOXB8 in feather development and differentiation.

PMID- 27253711
TI  - The moderating role of cultural affiliation in the link between emotional
      closeness to grandparents and adolescent adjustment difficulties and prosocial
      behavior.
AB  - A growing body of research has shown the positive contribution of grandparents to
      adolescents' well-being. However, studies often overlook the cultural context in
      which this relationship is embedded. The current study examined whether emotional
      closeness to the grandparent identified by the adolescents as their closest
      grandparent varied among Arab and Jewish adolescents and whether cultural
      affiliation serves as a moderator in the association between emotional closeness
      to grandparents and adolescent adjustment difficulties and prosocial behaviors.
      The study was based on a sample of 2,751 Jewish and Arab secondary school
      students (aged 12-18) from Israel who completed a structured questionnaire. Among
      the whole sample, greater emotional closeness to the closest grandparent was
      associated with reduced emotional symptoms, reduced hyperactivity, and increased
      prosocial behaviors. While there were lower levels of emotional closeness to the
      closest grandparents among Arab adolescents, emotional closeness to grandparents
      was found to be more strongly associated with reduced emotional symptoms and
      increased prosocial behavior among Arab adolescents than among Jewish
      adolescents. These findings emphasize the importance of considering culture when
      examining intergenerational relationships in the family and their contribution to
      grandchildren's well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253712
TI  - A Mechanistic Model of Intermittent Gastric Emptying and Glucose-Insulin Dynamics
      following a Meal Containing Milk Components.
AB  - To support decision-making around diet selection choices to manage glycemia
      following a meal, a novel mechanistic model of intermittent gastric emptying and
      plasma glucose-insulin dynamics was developed. Model development was guided by
      postprandial timecourses of plasma glucose, insulin and the gastric emptying
      marker acetaminophen in infant calves fed meals of 2 or 4 L milk replacer.
      Assigning a fast, slow or zero first-order gastric emptying rate to each interval
      between plasma samples fit acetaminophen curves with prediction errors equal to
      9% of the mean observed acetaminophen concentration. Those gastric emptying
      parameters were applied to glucose appearance in conjunction with minimal models
      of glucose disposal and insulin dynamics to describe postprandial glycemia and
      insulinemia. The final model contains 20 parameters, 8 of which can be obtained
      by direct measurement and 12 by fitting to observations. The minimal model of
      intestinal glucose delivery contains 2 gastric emptying parameters and a third
      parameter describing the time lag between emptying and appearance of glucose in
      plasma. Sensitivity analysis of the aggregate model revealed that gastric
      emptying rate influences area under the plasma insulin curve but has little
      effect on area under the plasma glucose curve. This result indicates that
      pancreatic responsiveness is influenced by gastric emptying rate as a consequence
      of the quasi-exponential relationship between plasma glucose concentration and
      pancreatic insulin release. The fitted aggregate model was able to reproduce the
      multiple postprandial rises and falls in plasma glucose concentration observed in
      calves consuming a normal-sized meal containing milk components. 

PMID- 27253714
TI  - ZNC opens a new chapter focussing on the emerging field of natural and natural
      like compounds.

PMID- 27253713
TI  - Enhanced Th2 cell differentiation and function in the absence of Nox2.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), whom inherit
      abnormal function of NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2), suffer from hyperinflammatory
      responses in lung as well as bacterial and fungal infection. There have been
      studies to reveal the function of Nox2 in hyperinflammatory diseases, especially
      in asthma, but the exact role of Nox2 in asthma is still unclear and
      controversial. Therefore, we attempted to clarify the exact role of Nox2 in
      asthma, using various experimental asthma models. METHODS: Asthma phenotypes were
      analyzed in response to various allergen-induced experimental asthma using Nox2
      deficient mice and recombinase gene-activating-1-deficient mice. To understand
      the underlying mechanisms of exaggerated Th2 effector functions, we investigated
      the degree of T-cell activation, levels of activation-induced cell death (AICD),
      and regulatory T (Treg)-cell differentiation in Nox2-deficient T cells. RESULTS:
      Asthma phenotypes were increased through enhanced Th2 differentiation and
      function in Nox2-null mice regardless of dose and route of various allergens.
      Nox2-deficient T cells also showed hyperactivation, reduced AICD, and diminished
      Treg-cell differentiation through increased AKT phosphorylation (T308/S473) and
      enhanced mitochondrial ROS production. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that
      Nox2 deficiency results in exaggerated experimental asthma, which is caused by
      enhanced Th2 effector function in a T-cell-intrinsic manner.

PMID- 27253715
TI  - An Evolved RNA Recognition Motif That Suppresses HIV-1 Tat/TAR-Dependent
      Transcription.
AB  - Potent and selective recognition and modulation of disease-relevant RNAs remain a
      daunting challenge. We previously examined the utility of the U1A N-terminal RNA
      recognition motif as a scaffold for tailoring new RNA hairpin recognition and
      showed that as few as one or two mutations can result in moderate affinity (low
      MUM dissociation constant) for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) trans
      activation response element (TAR) RNA, an RNA hairpin controlling transcription
      of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genome. Here, we use yeast display and
      saturation mutagenesis of established RNA-binding regions in U1A to identify new
      synthetic proteins that potently and selectively bind TAR RNA. Our best candidate
      has truly altered, not simply broadened, RNA-binding selectivity; it binds TAR
      with subnanomolar affinity (apparent dissociation constant of ~0.5 nM) but does
      not appreciably bind the original U1A RNA target (U1hpII). It specifically
      recognizes the TAR RNA hairpin in the context of the HIV-1 5'-untranslated
      region, inhibits the interaction between TAR RNA and an HIV trans-activator of
      transcription (Tat)-derived peptide, and suppresses Tat/TAR-dependent
      transcription. Proteins described in this work are among the tightest TAR RNA
      binding reagents-small molecule, nucleic acid, or protein-reported to date and
      thus have potential utility as therapeutics and basic research tools. Moreover,
      our findings demonstrate how a naturally occurring RNA recognition motif can be
      dramatically resurfaced through mutation, leading to potent and selective
      recognition-and modulation-of disease-relevant RNA.

PMID- 27253716
TI  - Radiolead (210)Pb and (210)Po/(210)Pb activity ratios in calcium supplements and
      the assessment of their possible dose to consumers.
AB  - This paper presents the results of pioneer study of the most popular calcium
      supplements as a potential additional source of radiolead (210)Pb in human diet.
      The analyzed calcium pharmaceutics contained organic or inorganic calcium
      compounds; some came from natural sources as mussels' shells, fish extracts, or
      sedimentary rocks. The idea was to investigate the naturally occurring (210)Pb
      activity in different calcium supplements and calculate the annual effective
      radiation dose from radiolead (210)Pb decay in consumed calcium supplement. The
      results showed (210)Pb concentrations in natural origin calcium supplements
      (especially sedimentary rocks) were significantly higher. The highest (210)Pb
      activity concentrations were determined in mineral tablets made from dolomite -
      2.97 +/- 0.18 mBq g(-1), while the lowest was observed in organic calcium
      compounds - both calcium lactate - 0.08 +/- 0.01 and 0.13 +/- 0.01 mBq g(-1). The
      highest annual radiation dose from (210)Pb taken with 1 tablet of calcium
      supplement per day was calculated for soluble calcium lactate sample - 1.19 +/-
      0.03 uSv year(-1), while the highest annual radiation dose from (210)Pb taken
      daily with 1 g of pure Ca for dolomite - 5.57 +/- 0.34 uSv year(-1). 

PMID- 27253717
TI  - Fiber loss in diabetic polyneuropathy.

PMID- 27253718
TI  - The Effect of Nitrogen Deposition on Plant Performance and Community Structure:
      Is It Life Stage Specific?
AB  - Nitrogen (N) deposition is a key global change factor that is increasing and
      affecting the structure and function of many ecosystems. To determine the
      influence of N deposition on specific systems, however, it is crucial to
      understand the temporal and spatial patterns of deposition as well as the
      response to that deposition. Response of the receiving plant communities may
      depend on the life stage-specific performance of individual species. We focus on
      the California oak savanna because N deposition to this system is complex
      characterized by hotspots on the landscape and seasonal pulses. In a greenhouse
      experiment, we investigated the relative influence of N deposition on plant
      performance during early growth, peak biomass, and senescent life stages across
      different soil types, light, and community compositions. To represent the
      community we used three grass species-a native, naturalized exotic, and invasive
      exotic. At early growth and peak biomass stages performance was measured as
      height, and shoot and root biomass, and at the senescent stage as seed
      production. Simulated N deposition 1) increased shoot biomass and height of the
      native and, even more so, the naturalized exotic during early growth, 2)
      positively affected root biomass in all species during peak biomass, and 3) had
      no influence on seed production at the senescent stage. Alone, N deposition was
      not a strong driver of plant performance; however, small differences in
      performance among species in response to N deposition could affect community
      composition in future years. In particular, if there is a pulse of N deposition
      during the early growth stage, the naturalized exotic may have a competitive
      advantage that could result in its spread. Including spatial and temporal
      heterogeneity in a complex, manipulative experiment provides a clearer picture of
      not only where N management efforts should be targeted on the landscape, but also
      when. 

PMID- 27253719
TI  - Metal-Organic Coordination Networks: Prussian Blue and Its Synergy with Pt
      Nanoparticles to Enhance Oxygen Reduction Kinetics.
AB  - Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the cornerstone in the electrochemical energy
      conversion devices such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. It remains a great
      challenge to develop the ORR electrocatalysts with fast kinetics and high
      durability. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel metal-organic coordination
      networks material, prussian blue crystalline nanograins mosaicked within
      amorphous membrane (PB CNG-M-AM). Such unique PB CNG-M-AM is designed to enhance
      the electrocatalysis of Pt toward the ORR by the electrostatic self-assembly.
      Thus, obtained Pt-PB/C catalysts form numerous Pt-PB-gas three-phase boundaries
      and present rather high intrinsic activity, four-electron selectivity and
      superior stability. Moreover, a completely new synergetic mechanism between PB
      and Pt is discovered, which delicately alters the ORR route and significantly
      enhances the ORR kinetics. This work provides not only a new strategy and
      mechanism for developing highly efficient ORR electrocatalysts, but also an
      alternative way to utilize metal-organic coordination networks materials. 

PMID- 27253720
TI  - Confined Water in Amyloid-Competent Oligomers of the Prion Protein.
AB  - Conformational switching of the prion protein into the abnormal form involves the
      formation of (obligatory) molten-oligomers that mature into ordered amyloid
      fibrils. The role of water in directing the course of amyloid formation remains
      poorly understood. Here, we show that the mobility of the water molecules within
      the on-pathway oligomers is highly retarded. The water relaxation time within the
      oligomers was estimated to be ~1 ns which is about three orders of magnitude
      slower than the bulk water and resembles the characteristics of (trapped) nano
      confined water. We propose that the coalescence of these obligatory oligomers
      containing trapped water is entropically favored because of the release of
      ordered water molecules in the bulk milieu and results in the sequestration of
      favorable inter-chain amyloid contacts via nucleated conformational conversion.
      The dynamic role of water in protein aggregation will have much broader
      implications in a variety of protein misfolding diseases. 

PMID- 27253721
TI  - Immune-mediated mechanisms of atherosclerosis and implications for the clinic.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A large body of evidence supports the inflammatory hypothesis of
      atherosclerosis, and both innate and adaptive immune responses play important
      roles in all disease stages. Areas covered: Here, we review our understanding of
      the role of the immune response in atherosclerosis, focusing on the pathways
      currently amenable to therapeutic modulation. We also discuss the advantages or
      undesirable effects that may be foreseen from targeting the immune response in
      patients at high cardiovascular risk, suggesting new avenues for research. Expert
      commentary: There is an extraordinary opportunity to directly test the
      inflammatory hypothesis of atherosclerosis in the clinic using currently
      available therapeutics. However, a more balanced interpretation of the
      experimental and translational data is needed, which may help address and
      identify in more detail the appropriate settings where an immune pathway can be
      targeted with minimal risk.

PMID- 27253722
TI  - Study of the Vapor Phase Over Fusarium Fungi Cultured on Various Substrates.
AB  - The compositions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by Fusarium fungi
      (F. langsethiae, F. sibiricum, F. poae, and F. sporotrichioides) grown on two
      nutritive substrates: potato sucrose agar (PSA) and autoclaved wheat kernels (WK)
      were investigated. The culturing of fungi and study of their VOC emissions were
      performed in chromatographic vials at room temperature (23 - 24  degrees C) and
      the VOCs were sampled by a solid-phase microextraction on a 85 MUm
      carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane fiber. GC/MS was performed using a 60-m HP-5
      capillary column. Components of the VOC mixture were identified by electron
      impact mass spectra and chromatographic retention indices (RIs). The most
      abundant components of the VOC mixture emitted by Fusarium fungi are EtOH, AcOH,
      (i) BuOH, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, 2-methylbutan-1-ol, ethyl 3-methylbutanoate,
      terpenes with M 136, sesquiterpenes with M 204 (a total of about 25), and
      trichodiene. It was found that the strains grown on PSA emit a wider spectrum and
      larger amount of VOCs compared with those grown on wheat kernels. F. langsethiae
      strain is the most active VOC producer on both substrates. The use of SPME and
      GC/MS also offers the potential for differentiation of fungal species and
      strains. 

PMID- 27253723
TI  - Alexithymia, not autism, is associated with impaired interoception.
AB  - It has been proposed that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with
      difficulties perceiving the internal state of one's body (i.e., impaired
      interoception), causing the socio-emotional deficits which are a diagnostic
      feature of the condition. However, research indicates that alexithymia -
      characterized by difficulties in recognizing emotions from internal bodily
      sensations - is also linked to atypical interoception. Elevated rates of
      alexithymia in the autistic population have been shown to underpin several socio
      emotional impairments thought to be symptomatic of ASD, raising the possibility
      that interoceptive difficulties in ASD are also due to co-occurring alexithymia.
      Following this line of inquiry, the present study examined the relative impact of
      alexithymia and autism on interoceptive accuracy (IA). Across two experiments, it
      was found that alexithymia, not autism, was associated with atypical
      interoception. Results indicate that interoceptive impairments should not be
      considered a feature of ASD, but instead due to co-occurring alexithymia.

PMID- 27253725
TI  - Aggregation of Heterogeneously Charged Colloids.
AB  - Patchy colloids are attractive as programmable building blocks for metamaterials.
      Inverse patchy colloids, in which a charged surface is decorated with patches of
      the opposite charge, are additionally noteworthy as models for heterogeneously
      charged biological materials such as proteins. We study the phases and
      aggregation behavior of a single charged patch in an oppositely charged colloid
      with a single-site model. This single-patch inverse patchy colloid model shows a
      large number of phases when varying patch size. For large patch sizes we find
      ferroelectric crystals, while small patch sizes produce cross-linked gels.
      Intermediate values produce monodisperse clusters and unusual worm structures
      that preserve finite ratios of area to volume. The polarization observed at large
      patch sizes is robust under extreme disorder in patch size and shape. We examine
      phase-temperature dependence and coexistence curves and find that large patch
      sizes produce polarized liquids, in contrast to mean-field predictions. Finally,
      we introduce small numbers of unpatched charged colloids. These can either
      suppress or encourage aggregation depending on their concentration and the size
      of the patches on the patched colloids. These effects can be exploited to control
      aggregation and to measure effective patch size.

PMID- 27253724
TI  - Neural mechanisms of goal-contingent task disengagement: Response-irrelevant
      stimuli activate the default mode network.
AB  - As we experience the world, we must decide not only when and how to act based on
      input from the environment, but also when to avoid responding in situations where
      acting could lead to a detrimental outcome. The ability to regulate behavior in
      this way requires flexible cognitive control, as the same stimulus may call for a
      response in one context but not in another. In this sense, explicit non
      responding can be characterized as an active, goal-directed cognitive process.
      Little is known about the mechanisms by which a currently active goal state
      modulates information processing to support the avoidance of undesired
      responding. In the present study, participants executed or withheld responses to
      a color target based whether its color matched that of a cue at the beginning of
      each trial. Behavioral and neural responses to task-irrelevant stimuli appearing
      as distractors were examined as a function of their relationship to the currently
      response-relevant color indicated by the cue. We observed a robust pattern in
      which stimuli possessing the currently response-irrelevant feature activate the
      default mode network (DMN), which was associated with a behavioral cost on trials
      in which this stimulus competed with a response-relevant target. Our findings
      reveal a role for the DMN in goal-directed cognitive control, facilitating active
      disengagement based on contextually-specific task demands.

PMID- 27253726
TI  - Determination of Interfacial Charge-Transfer Rate Constants in Perovskite Solar
      Cells.
AB  - A simple protocol to study the dynamics of charge transfer to selective contacts
      in perovskite solar cells, based on time-resolved laser spectroscopy studies, in
      which the effect of bimolecular electron-hole recombination has been eliminated,
      is proposed. Through the proposed procedure, the interfacial charge-transfer rate
      constants from methylammonium lead iodide perovskite to different contact
      materials can be determined. Hole transfer is faster for CuSCN (rate constant
      0.20 ns(-1) ) than that for 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis-(N,N-di-4-methoxyphenylamino)-9,9'
      spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD; 0.06 ns(-1) ), and electron transfer is faster for
      mesoporous (0.11 ns(-1) ) than that for compact (0.02 ns(-1) ) TiO2 layers.
      Despite more rapid charge separation, the photovoltaic performance of CuSCN cells
      is worse than that of spiro-OMeTAD cells; this is explained by faster charge
      recombination in CuSCN cells, as revealed by impedance spectroscopy. The proposed
      direction of studies should be one of the key strategies to explore efficient
      hole-selective contacts as an alternative to spiro-OMeTAD.

PMID- 27253727
TI  - Triple quantum filtered spectroscopy of homonuclear three spin-1/2 systems
      employing isotropic mixing.
AB  - We report the design and performance evaluation of novel pulse sequences for
      triple quantum filtered spectroscopy in homonuclear three spin-1/2 systems,
      employing isotropic mixing (IM) to excite triple quantum coherence (TQC). Our
      approach involves the generation of combination single quantum coherences (cSQC)
      from antisymmetric longitudinal or transverse magnetization components employing
      isotropic mixing (IM). cSQC's are then converted to TQC by a selective 180
      degrees  pulse on one of the spins. As IM ideally causes magnetization to evolve
      under the influence of the spin coupling Hamiltonian alone, TQC is generated at a
      faster rate compared to sequences involving free precession. This is expected to
      be significant when the spins have large relaxation rates. Our approach is
      demonstrated experimentally by TQC filtered 1D spectroscopy on a (1)H AX2 system
      (propargyl bromide in the presence of a paramagnetic additive), as well as a
      (31)P linear AMX system (ATP in agar gel). The performance of the IM-based
      sequences for TQC excitation are compared against the standard three pulse
      sequence (Ernst et al., 1987) and an AX2 spin pattern recognition sequence
      (Levitt and Ernst, 1983). The latter reaches the unitary bound on TQC preparation
      efficiency starting from thermal equilibrium in AX2 systems, not considering
      relaxation. It is shown that in systems where spins relax rapidly, the new IM
      based sequences indeed perform significantly better than the above two known TQC
      excitation sequences, the sensitivity enhancement being especially pronounced in
      the case of the proton system investigated. An overview of the differences in
      relaxation behavior is presented for the different approaches. Applications are
      envisaged to Overhauser DNP experiments and to in vivo NMR.

PMID- 27253729
TI  - Synthetic Glycosphingolipids for Live-Cell Labeling.
AB  - Glycosphingolipids are an important component of cell membranes that are involved
      in many biological processes. Fluorescently labeled glycosphingolipids are
      frequently used to gain insight into their localization. However, the attachment
      of a fluorophore to the glycan part or-more commonly-to the lipid part of
      glycosphingolipids is known to alter the biophysical properties and can perturb
      the biological function of the probe. Presented here is the synthesis of novel
      glycosphingolipid probes with mono- and disaccharide head groups and ceramide
      moieties containing fatty acids of varying chain length (C4 to C20). These
      glycosphingolipids bear an azide or an alkyne group as chemical reporter to which
      a fluorophore can be attached through a bioorthogonal ligation reaction. The
      fluorescent tag and any linker connected to it can be chosen in a flexible
      manner. We demonstrate the suitability of the probes by selective visualization
      of the plasma membrane of living cells by confocal microscopy techniques. Whereas
      the derivatives with the shorter fatty acids can be directly applied to HEK 293T
      cells, the hydrophobic glycosphingolipids with longer fatty acids can be
      delivered to cells using fusogenic liposomes. 

PMID- 27253728
TI  - Drug Use on Mont Blanc: A Study Using Automated Urine Collection.
AB  - Mont Blanc, the summit of Western Europe, is a popular but demanding high
      altitude ascent. Drug use is thought to be widespread among climbers attempting
      this summit, not only to prevent altitude illnesses, but also to boost physical
      and/or psychological capacities. This practice may be unsafe in this remote
      alpine environment. However, robust data on medication during the ascent of Mont
      Blanc are lacking. Individual urine samples from male climbers using urinals in
      mountain refuges on access routes to Mont Blanc (Gouter and Cosmiques mountain
      huts) were blindly and anonymously collected using a hidden automatic sampler.
      Urine samples were screened for a wide range of drugs, including diuretics,
      glucocorticoids, stimulants, hypnotics and phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5)
      inhibitors. Out of 430 samples analyzed from both huts, 35.8% contained at least
      one drug. Diuretics (22.7%) and hypnotics (12.9%) were the most frequently
      detected drugs, while glucocorticoids (3.5%) and stimulants (3.1%) were less
      commonly detected. None of the samples contained PDE-5 inhibitors. Two substances
      were predominant: the diuretic acetazolamide (20.6%) and the hypnotic zolpidem
      (8.4%). Thirty three samples were found positive for at least two substances, the
      most frequent combination being acetazolamide and a hypnotic (2.1%). Based on a
      novel sampling technique, we demonstrate that about one third of the urine
      samples collected from a random sample of male climbers contained one or several
      drugs, suggesting frequent drug use amongst climbers ascending Mont Blanc. Our
      data suggest that medication primarily aims at mitigating the symptoms of
      altitude illnesses, rather than enhancing performance. In this hazardous
      environment, the relatively high prevalence of hypnotics must be highlighted,
      since these molecules may alter vigilance. 

PMID- 27253730
TI  - Construction of a genetic linkage map and QTL analysis in bambara groundnut.
AB  - Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) is an indigenous underutilized
      legume that has the potential to improve food security in semi-arid Africa. So
      far, there are a lack of reports of controlled breeding populations that could be
      used for variety development and genetic studies. We report here the construction
      of the first genetic linkage map of bambara groundnut using a F3 population
      derived from a "narrow" cross between two domesticated landraces (Tiga Nicuru and
      DipC) with marked divergence in phenotypic traits. The map consists of 238 DArT
      array and SSR based markers in 21 linkage groups with a total genetic distance of
      608.3 cM. In addition, phenotypic traits were evaluated for a quantitative trait
      loci (QTL) analysis over two generations. A total of 36 significant QTLs were
      detected for 19 traits. The phenotypic effect explained by a single QTL ranged
      from 11.6% to 49.9%. Two stable QTLs were mapped for internode length and growth
      habit. The identified QTLs could be useful for marker-assisted selection in
      bambara groundnut breeding programmes. 

PMID- 27253731
TI  - Cell culture-adaptive mutations of NS5A affect replication of hepatitis C virus
      differentially depending on the viral genotypes.
AB  - Most of HCV RNAs require cell culture-adaptive mutations for efficient
      replication in cell culture and a number of such mutations have been described
      including a well-known S2204I substitution mutation in NS5A protein. In contrast,
      the replication of genotype 2a JFH1 RNA in cell culture does not require any cell
      culture-adaptive mutation. Rather, the presence of S2204I mutation impaired the
      JFH1 RNA replication. In this study, we examined the effect of reversions and
      substitutions of NS5A cell culture-adaptive mutations on virus replication in
      different genotypic backgrounds after either placing genotype 1a NS5A in the
      genotype 2a JFH1 or vice versa. The results from this investigation suggest that
      the S2204I mutation affects HCV RNA replication differentially depending on the
      viral genotypes but that the effect was not simply explained by the genotypic
      background. Perhaps, the effect of the S2204I mutation on HCV replication
      reflects both intra- and intergenic interactions of NS5A protein. J. Med. Virol.
      89:146-152, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253732
TI  - Pharmacogenomic incidental findings in 308 families: The NIH Undiagnosed Diseases
      Program experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: Using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip and exome sequence data
      from individuals participating in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
      Undiagnosed Diseases Program (UDP), we evaluated the number and therapeutic
      informativeness of incidental pharmacogenetic variants. METHODS: Pharmacogenomics
      Knowledgebase (PharmGKB) annotated sequence variants were identified in 1,101
      individuals. Medication records of participants were used to identify individuals
      prescribed medications with a genetic variant that might alter efficacy. RESULTS:
      A total of 395 sequence variants, including 19 PharmGKB 1A and 1B variants, were
      identified in SNP chip sequence data, and 388 variants, including 21 PharmGKB 1A
      and 1B variants, were identified in the exome sequence data. Nine participants
      had incidental pharmacogenetic variants associated with altered efficacy of a
      prescribed medication. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small size of the NIH UDP patient
      cohort, we identified pharmacogenetic incidental findings potentially useful for
      guiding therapy. Consequently, groups conducting clinical genomic studies might
      consider reporting of pharmacogenetic incidental findings.Genet Med 18 12, 1303
      1307.

PMID- 27253733
TI  - Results from an external proficiency testing program: 11 years of molecular
      genetics testing for myotonic dystrophy type 1.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the performance of laboratories
      offering assessment for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) using external
      proficiency testing samples. DM1, a dominant disorder, has a prevalence of
      1:20,000 due to the expansion of CTG trinucleotide repeats in the DMPK gene.
      METHODS: External proficiency testing administered by the College of American
      Pathologists/American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics distributes three
      samples twice yearly. Responses from 2003 through the first distribution of 2013
      were analyzed after stratification by location (United States/international).
      Both the repeat sizes (analytic validity) and clinical interpretations were
      assessed. RESULTS: Over the 21 distributions, 45 US and 29 international
      laboratories participated. Analytic sensitivity for detecting and reporting
      expanded repeats (>=50) was 99.2% (382/385 challenges) and 97.1% (133/137
      challenges), respectively. Analytic specificity (to within two repeats of the
      consensus) was 99.2% (1,790/1,805 alleles) and 98.6% (702/712 alleles),
      respectively. Clinical interpretations were correct for 99.3% (450/453) and 98.2%
      (224/228) of positive challenges and in 99.9% (936/937) and 99.6% (455/457) of
      negative challenges, respectively. Of four incorrect interpretations made in the
      United States, two were probably due to sample mix-up. CONCLUSION: This review of
      laboratory performance regarding laboratory-developed genetic tests indicates
      very high performance for both the analytic and interpretative challenges for
      DM1.Genet Med 18 12, 1290-1294.

PMID- 27253734
TI  - What are people willing to pay for whole-genome sequencing information, and who
      decides what they receive?
AB  - PURPOSE: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) can be used as a powerful diagnostic tool
      as well as for screening, but it may lead to anxiety, unnecessary testing, and
      overtreatment. Current guidelines suggest reporting clinically actionable
      secondary findings when diagnostic testing is performed. We examined preferences
      for receiving WGS results. METHODS: A US nationally representative survey (n =
      410 adults) was used to rank preferences for who decides (an expert panel, your
      doctor, you) which WGS results are reported. We estimated the value of
      information about variants with varying levels of clinical usefulness by using
      willingness to pay contingent valuation questions. RESULTS: The results were as
      follows: 43% preferred to decide themselves what information is included in the
      WGS report. 38% (95% confidence interval (CI): 33-43%) would not pay for
      actionable variants, and 3% (95% CI: 1-5%) would pay more than $1,000. 55% (95%
      CI: 50-60%) would not pay for variants for which medical treatment is currently
      unclear, and 7% (95% CI: 5-9%) would pay more than $400. CONCLUSION: Most people
      prefer to decide what WGS results are reported. Despite valuing actionable
      information more, some respondents perceive that genetic information could
      negatively impact them. Preference heterogeneity for WGS information should be
      considered in the development of policies, particularly to integrate patient
      preferences with personalized medicine and shared decision making.Genet Med 18
      12, 1295-1302.

PMID- 27253736
TI  - Radical Changes in Lewis Acid Catalysis: Matching Metal and Substrate.
AB  - Whereas the stereochemical rigidity of the coordination sphere of boxmi/Cu(II)
      catalysts is key to achieving high enantioselectivity in the electrophilic
      alkylation of beta-ketoesters, this pathway is outperformed by a radical process
      for the corresponding catalytic transformation of oxindoles, giving rise to
      racemic products. For the corresponding Zn(II) catalysts, the selectivity in the
      latter process is outstanding despite the greater plasticity of the coordination
      shell. This reaction was thus developed into a highly useful synthetic method,
      which enabled the conversion of wide range of substrates with high yields and
      enantioselectivities.

PMID- 27253735
TI  - "Missing Tooth" Multidomain Peptide Nanofibers for Delivery of Small Molecule
      Drugs.
AB  - The clinical administration of many small molecule hydrophobic drugs is
      challenged by the insolubility of these drugs under physiological conditions.
      Because of this, the development of biocompatible scaffolds capable of
      effectively delivering hydrophobic drug molecules is of particular interest.
      Multidomain peptides (MDPs) provide biocompatible hydrogel scaffolds that are
      injectable and space-conforming, allowing for in situ delivery of a variety of
      drugs. Here we demonstrate that through manipulation of peptide primary sequence,
      a molecular cavity can be incorporated into the hydrophobic core of these peptide
      nanofibers allowing for encapsulation and delivery of small molecule drugs with
      poor water solubility. Using SN-38, daunorubicin, diflunisal, etodolac,
      levofloxacin, and norfloxacin, we demonstrate drug encapsulation and release from
      multidomain peptide fibers. Steady-state fluorescence and drug release studies
      show that hydrogels loaded with SN-38, diflunisal, and etodolac exhibit prolonged
      drug release profiles due to intrafibrillar drug encapsulation. This study
      establishes multidomain peptides as promising carriers for localized in situ
      delivery of small molecule drugs with poor water solubility.

PMID- 27253737
TI  - Treatment of Regional Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer-Not Recommended for All
      Patients With 1 to 3 Positive Auxiliary Nodes.

PMID- 27253738
TI  - PREVALENCE OF BACTERIAL RESISTANCE IN HOSPITALIZED CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS IN SOUTHERN
      BRAZIL: A NEW CHALLENGE.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: An increased frequency of infections by multiresistant
      bacteria has been described in hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the bacterial resistance profile in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: This
      is a retrospective observational study. We assessed the antimicrobial
      susceptibility of 5,839 bacterial isolates from patients with and without
      cirrhosis. Regarding the multidrug resistance, we evaluated 4,505 bacterial
      isolates from 2,180 patients. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-one patients had
      cirrhosis (mean age 57.6 +/- 11 years; 61.8% were male, 47.8% of cases associated
      with hepatitis C virus). Of the isolates of patients with and without cirrhosis,
      174/464 (37.5%) and 1,783/4,041 (44.1%) were multiresistant, respectively (p =
      0.007). E. coli was the most common multiresistant bacteria in both groups.
      Approximately 20% of E. coli and Klebsiella sp. isolates were ESBL-producers and
      44% of S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant in cirrhotic patients. In
      cirrhotic patients admitted to the emergency department, hospital ward, and
      intensive care unit, 28.3%, 50% and 40% had multiresistant isolates,
      respectively. In patients with and without cirrhosis, 36.2% and 33.5% of isolates
      were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The
      empirical treatment of infections in hospitalized patients using broad-spectrum
      antibiotics should consider the observed pattern of bacterial resistance.

PMID- 27253739
TI  - IMPACT OF THE PEGYLATED-INTERFERON AND RIBAVIRIN THERAPY ON THE TREATMENT-RELATED
      MORTALITY OF PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS DUE TO HEPATITIS C VIRUS.
AB  - Although the protease inhibitors have revolutionized the therapy of chronic
      hepatitis C (CHC), the concomitant use of pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) and
      ribavirin (RBV) is associated to a high rate of adverse effects. In this study,
      we evaluated the consequences of PEG-IFN and RBV and their relationship with
      mortality in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Medical records of CHC who
      underwent treatment with PEG-IFN and RBV in a public hospital in Brazil were
      evaluated. All the patients with cirrhosis were selected, and their clinical and
      laboratory characteristics, response to treatment, side effects and mortality
      were evaluated. RESULTS: From the 1,059 patients with CHC, 257 cirrhotic patients
      were evaluated. Of these, 45 (17.5%) achieved sustained viral response (SVR).
      Early discontinuation of therapy occurred in 105 (40.8%) patients, of which 39
      (15.2%) were due to serious adverse effects. The mortality rate among the 257
      cirrhotic patients was 4.3%, occurring in 06/242 (2.4%) of the Child-A, and in
      05/15 (33.3%) of the Child-B patients. In conclusion, the treatment of patients
      with cirrhosis due to HCV with PEG-IFN and RBV shows a low SVR rate and a high
      mortality, especially in patients with liver dysfunction.

PMID- 27253741
TI  - ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF CHLOROPHYLLIN AGAINST DIFFERENT LARVAL STAGES OF
      Fasciola gigantica.
AB  - Fasciolosis is a food borne zoonosis, caused by the digenetic trematode Fasciola.
      Freshwater lymnaeid snails are the intermediate host of the trematodes.
      Chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll and its formulations
      obtained from freeze dried cow urine (FCU) had their toxicity tested against
      redia and cercaria larvae of F. gigantica. The larvicidal activity of
      chlorophyllin and its formulations were found to depend on both, time and
      concentration used against the larvae. Toxicity of chlorophyllin + FCU (1:1
      ratio) in sunlight against redia larva (8 h LC50: 0.03 mg/mL) was more pronounced
      than using just chlorophyllin (8 h LC50: 0.06 mg/mL). Toxicity of chlorophyllin +
      FCU in sunlight against redia (8 h LC50: 0.03 mg/mL) was higher than against
      cercaria (8 h LC50: 0.06 mg/mL). The larvicidal activity of chlorophyllin in
      sunlight (redia/cercaria larvae: 8 h LC50: 0.06 mg/mL) was more pronounced than
      under laboratory conditions (redia: 8 h LC50: 22.21 mg/mL/, cercaria 8 h LC50:
      96.21 mg/mL). Toxicity of FCU against both larvae was lower than that of
      chlorophyllin and chlorophyllin + FCU. Chlorophyllin and its formulations + FCU
      were 357.4 to 1603.5 times more effective against redia/cercaria larvae in
      sunlight than under laboratory conditions. The present study has shown that
      chlorophyllin formulations may be used as potent larvicides against fasciolosis. 

PMID- 27253740
TI  - Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato GENOTYPES IN DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK AND HUMANS IN
      GOLESTAN PROVINCE, IRAN.
AB  - Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a globally parasitic zoonosis caused by larval
      stages of Echinococcus granulosus. This study investigated E. granulosus
      genotypes isolated from livestock and humans in the Golestan province, northern
      Iran, southeast of the Caspian sea, using partial sequencing data of the
      cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1)
      mitochondrial genes. Seventy E. granulosus isolates were collected from animals
      in slaughterhouses: 18 isolates from sheep, 40 from cattle, nine from camels, two
      from buffaloes and one from a goat, along with four human isolates (formalin
      fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues) from CE patients of provincial hospitals. All
      isolates were successfully analysed by PCR amplification and sequencing. The
      sequence analysis found four E. granulosus genotypes among the 74 CE isolates: G1
      (78.3%), G2 (2.7%), G3 (15%) and G6 (4%). The G1-G3 complex genotype was found in
      all of the sheep, goat, cattle and buffalo isolates. Among the nine camel
      isolates, the frequency of G1-G3 and G6 genotypes were 66.7% and 33.3%,
      respectively. All four human CE isolates belonged to E. granulosus sensu stricto.
      This study reports the first occurrence of the G2 genotype in cattle from Iran
      and confirms the previously reported G3 genotype in camels in the same country. 

PMID- 27253742
TI  - EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HONEYBEE STING CASES IN THE STATE OF CEARA, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL.
AB  - In the American continent, honeybee envenomation is a public health problem due
      to the high incidence and severity of the cases. Despite its medical importance,
      there is a lack of epidemiological studies on this topic in Brazil, especially
      referring to the Northeastern states. The present study has aimed to describe the
      epidemiological features of honeybee envenomation cases in the state of the
      Ceara, Northeastern Brazil, from 2007 to 2013. Data were collected from the
      Injury Notification Information System database of the Health Department of
      Ceara. A total of 1,307 cases were analyzed. Cases were shown to be distributed
      in all the months of the studied years, reaching higher frequencies in August.
      The majority of cases occurred in urban areas and involved men aged between 20
      and 29 years. Victims were mainly stung on the head and torso, and they received
      medical assistance predominantly within 3 hours after being stung. Local
      manifestations were more frequent than systemic ones. Most cases were classified
      as mild and progressed to cure. The high number of honeybee sting cases shows
      that Ceara may be an important risk area for such injuries. Moreover, the current
      study provides data for the development of strategies to promote control and
      prevention of bee stings in this area. 

PMID- 27253743
TI  - PERFORMANCE OF CONVENTIONAL PCRs BASED ON PRIMERS DIRECTED TO NUCLEAR AND
      MITOCHONDRIAL GENES FOR THE DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF Leishmania spp.
AB  - In visceral leishmaniasis, the detection of the agent is of paramount importance
      to identify reservoirs of infection. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic attributes
      of PCRs based on primers directed to cytochrome-B (cytB), cytochrome-oxidase
      subunit II (coxII), cytochrome-C (cytC), and the minicircle-kDNA. Although PCRs
      directed to cytB, coxII, cytC were able to detect different species of
      Leishmania, and the nucleotide sequence of their amplicons allowed the
      unequivocal differentiation of species, the analytical and diagnostic sensitivity
      of these PCRs were much lower than the analytical and diagnostic sensitivity of
      the kDNA-PCR. Among the 73 seropositive animals, the asymptomatic dogs had spleen
      and bone marrow samples collected and tested; only two animals were positive by
      PCRs based on cytB, coxII, and cytC, whereas 18 were positive by the kDNA-PCR.
      Considering the kDNA-PCR results, six dogs had positive spleen and bone marrow
      samples, eight dogs had positive bone marrow results but negative results in
      spleen samples and, in four dogs, the reverse situation occurred. We concluded
      that PCRs based on cytB, coxII, and cytC can be useful tools to identify
      Leishmania species when used in combination with automated sequencing. The
      discordance between the results of the kDNA-PCR in bone marrow and spleen samples
      may indicate that conventional PCR lacks sensitivity for the detection of
      infected dogs. Thus, primers based on the kDNA should be preferred for the
      screening of infected dogs. 

PMID- 27253744
TI  - PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED TO INTESTINAL PARASITE
      INFECTIONS AMONG PATIENTS WITH GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS IN NAHAVAND, WESTERN
      IRAN.
AB  - We studied the prevalence of intestinal parasites (IPs), their risk factors and
      associated symptoms among patients with gastrointestinal disorders. A total of
      1,301 participants aged 22 days-90 years were enrolled in this study. We used a
      structured questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic and stool examination to
      investigate intestinal parasite infections. Data analysis was performed using
      SPSS16. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites (IPs) was 32.2%
      (419/1,301). Three hundred and fifty nine cases/1,301 (27.6%) were infected with
      a single parasite and 60/1,301 cases (4.6%) presented polyparasitism. The most
      common IP was Blastocystis sp. 350/1,301 (26.9%), followed by Entamoeba coli
      38/1,301 (2.92%), Giardia lamblia 30/1,301 (2.3%) and Cryptosporidium spp.
      17/1,301 (1.3%). Regarding the socio-demographic variables, educational status (p
      = 0.001), contact with domestic animals and soil (p = 0.02), age above 15 years
      (p = 0.001) and seasons (p = 0.001) were significantly associated to intestinal
      parasitic infections. Concerning clinical characteristics, the presence of IPs
      was significantly associated to diarrhea (OR = 1.57; CI 95% = 1.24-1.98; p <
      0.001) and dysentery (OR = 1.94; CI 95% = 1.03-3.66; p < 0.04). Our findings
      suggest that IPs are one of the main causal agents of gastrointestinal disorders.
      Improving the knowledge on local risk factors such as poverty, low level of
      education, poor sanitation, contact with soil and contact with domestic animal is
      warranted. 

PMID- 27253745
TI  - EVALUATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF LEVAMISOLE HYDROCHLORIDE ON THIRD-STAGE
      LARVAE OF Lagochilascaris minor IN EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED MICE.
AB  - Lagochilascariosis, a disease caused by Lagochilascaris minor, affects the neck,
      sinuses, tonsils, lungs, the sacral region, dental alveoli, eyeballs and the
      central nervous system of humans. A cycle of autoinfection may occur in human
      host tissues characterized by the presence of eggs, larvae and adult worms. This
      peculiarity of the cycle hinders therapy, since there are no drugs that exhibit
      ovicidal, larvicidal and vermicidal activity. Given these facts, we studied the
      action of levamisole hydrochloride on third-stage larvae in the migration phase
      (G1) and on encysted larvae (G3) of L. minor. To this end, 87 inbred mice of the
      C57BL/6 strain were divided into test groups comprising 67 animals (G1-37; G3-30)
      and a control group (G2-10; G4-10) with 20 animals. Each animal was inoculated
      orally with 2,000 infective eggs of the parasite. The animals of the test groups
      were treated individually with a single oral dose of levamisole hydrochloride at
      a concentration of 0.075 mg. The drug was administered either 30 minutes prior to
      the parasite inoculation (G1 animals) or 120 days after the inoculation (G3
      animals). The mice in the control groups were not treated with the drug. After
      the time required for the migration and the encysting of L. minor larvae, all the
      animals were euthanized and their tissues examined. The data were analyzed using
      the Student's unpaired t-test and the Levene test. The groups showed no
      statistically significant difference. Levamisole hydrochloride was ineffective on
      third-stage larvae of L. minor. These findings explain the massive expulsion of
      live adult worms, as well as the use of long treatment schemes, owing to the
      persistence of larvae and eggs in human parasitic lesions. 

PMID- 27253746
TI  - EVALUATION OF SUBLETHAL EFFECTS OF Ipomoea cairica LINN. EXTRACT ON LIFE HISTORY
      TRAITS OF DENGUE VECTORS.
AB  - Plant derived insecticides have considerable potential for mosquito control
      because these products are safer than conventional insecticides. This study aimed
      to investigate sublethal activities of Ipomoea carica or railway creeper crude
      acethonilic extract against life history trait of dengue vectors, Aedes
      albopictus and Aedes aegypti. The late third instar larvae of Ae. albopictus and
      Ae. aegypti were exposed to a sublethal dose at LC50 and larvae that survived
      were further cultured. Overall, Ipomea cairica crude extracts affected the whole
      life history of both Aedes species. The study demonstrated significantly lower
      egg production (fecundity) and eggs hatchability (fertility) in Ae. albopictus.
      The sublethal dose of crude extracts reduced significantly the width of larval
      head capsule and the wing length of both sexes in both Aedes species. The
      significance of sublethal effects of I. cairica against Aedes mosquitoes was an
      additional hallmark to demonstrate further activity of this plant despite its
      direct toxicity to the larvae. The reduced reproductive capacity as well as
      morphological and physiological anomalies are some of the effects that make I.
      cairica a potential candidate to be used as a new plant-based insecticide to
      control dengue vectors. 

PMID- 27253747
TI  - THE PROCESS OF Leishmania INFECTION - DISEASE AND NEW PERSPECTIVES OF
      PALEOPARASITOLOGY.
AB  - Species of the genus Leishmania (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) are causative
      agents of leishmaniasis, a complex disease with variable clinical spectrum and
      epidemiological diversity, constituting, in some countries, a serious public
      health problem. The origin and evolution of leishmaniasis has been under
      discussion regarding some clinical and parasitological aspects. After the
      introduction of paleoparasitology, molecular methods and immunodiagnostic
      techniques have been applied allowing the recovery of parasite remains, as well
      as the diagnosis of past infections in humans and other hosts. The dating of
      archaeological samples has allowed the parasitological analysis in time and
      space. This manuscript presents the state of the art of leishmaniasis and
      prospects related to paleoparasitology studies and their contribution to the
      evolutionary and phylogenetic clarification of parasites belonging to the genus
      Leishmania, and the leishmaniasis caused by them. 

PMID- 27253748
TI  - OCULAR SYPHILIS IN A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT.
AB  - We present a case of ocular syphilis after a renal transplantation involving
      progressive vision loss without clinically identifiable ocular disease.
      Electroretinography showed signs of ischemia, especially in the internal retina.
      A serological test was positive for syphilis. Lumbar puncture revealed
      lymphocytic meningitis and a positive serologic test for syphilis in the
      cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was treated with penicillin, and had a quick
      vision improvement. In the case of transplant recipients, clinicians should
      always consider the diagnosis of ocular syphilis in cases with unexplained visual
      acuity decrement, as this condition may cause serious complications if not
      treated. 

PMID- 27253749
TI  - BIOFILM FORMATION OF Vibrio cholerae ON STAINLESS STEEL USED IN FOOD PROCESSING.
AB  - Vibrio cholerae represents a significant threat to human health in developing
      countries. This pathogen forms biofilms which favors its attachment to surfaces
      and its survival and transmission by water or food. This work evaluated the in
      vitro biofilm formation of V. cholerae isolated from clinical and environmental
      sources on stainless steel of the type used in food processing by using the
      environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Results showed no cell
      adhesion at 4 h and scarce surface colonization at 24 h. Biofilms from the
      environmental strain were observed at 48 h with high cellular aggregations
      embedded in Vibrio exopolysaccharide (VPS), while less confluence and VPS
      production with microcolonies of elongated cells were observed in biofilms
      produced by the clinical strain. At 96 h the biofilms of the environmental strain
      were released from the surface leaving coccoid cells and residual structures,
      whereas biofilms of the clinical strain formed highly organized structures such
      as channels, mushroom-like and pillars. This is the first study that has shown
      the in vitro ability of V. cholerae to colonize and form biofilms on stainless
      steel used in food processing. 

PMID- 27253750
TI  - Real-Time Structural and Electrical Characterization of Metal-Insulator
      Transition in Strain-Modulated Single-Phase VO2 Wires with Controlled Diameters.
AB  - Single-crystal VO2 wires have gained tremendous popularity for enabling the study
      of the fundamental properties of the metal-insulator transition (MIT); however,
      it remains tricky to precisely measure the intrinsic properties of the
      transitional phases with controlled wire-growth properties, such as diameter.
      Here, we report a facile method for growing VO2 wires with controlled diameters
      by separating the formation of the liquidus V2O5 seed droplets from the evolution
      of the VO2 wire using oxygen gas. The kinetic analyses suggest that the growth
      proceeds via the VS (vapor-solid) mechanism, whereas the droplet determines the
      size and the location of the wire. In situ Raman spectroscopy combined with
      analyses of the electrical properties of an individual wire allowed us to
      construct a diameter-temperature phase diagram from three initial phases (i.e.,
      M1, T, and M2), which were created by misfit stress from the substrate and were
      preserved at room temperature. We also correlated this relation with resistivity
      diameter and activation energy-diameter relations supported by theoretical
      modeling. These carefully designed approaches enabled us to elucidate the details
      of the phase transitions over a wide range of stress conditions, offering an
      opportunity to quantify relevant thermodynamic and electronic parameters
      (including resistivities, activation energies, and energy barriers of the key
      insulating phases) and to explain the intriguing behaviors of the T phase during
      the MIT.

PMID- 27253752
TI  - New boron based salts for lithium-ion batteries using conjugated ligands.
AB  - A new anion design concept, based on combining a boron atom as the central atom
      and conjugated systems as ligands, is presented as a route for finding
      alternative Li-salts for lithium-ion batteries. The properties of a wide range of
      novel anions designed in this way have been evaluated by DFT calculations
      focusing on three different fundamental success factors/measures: the strength of
      the cation-anion interaction, ultimately determining both the solubility and the
      ionic conductivity, the oxidation limit, determining their possible use vs. high
      voltage cathodes, and the reduction stability, revealing a possible role of the
      anion in the SEI-formation at the anode. For a few anions superior properties vs.
      today's existing or suggested anions are predicted, especially the very low
      cation-anion interaction strengths are promising features. The design route
      itself is shown to be versatile in determining the correlation between different
      choices of ligands and the resulting overall properties - where the most striking
      feature is the decreased lithium cation interaction energy upon using the (1Z,3Z)
      buta-1,3-diene-1,2,3,4-tetracarbonitrile ligands. This also opens avenues for the
      further design of novel anions beyond those with a boron central atom. 

PMID- 27253751
TI  - Interstitial Fluid Glucose Is Not Just a Shifted-in-Time but a Distorted Mirror
      of Blood Glucose: Insight from an In Silico Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glucose sensors measure glucose concentration in the interstitial
      fluid (ISF), remote from blood. ISF glucose is well known to be "delayed" with
      respect to blood glucose (BG). However, ISF glucose is not simply a shifted-in
      time version of BG but exhibits a more complex pattern. METHODS: To gain insight
      into this problem, one can use linear systems theory. However, this may lose a
      more clinical readership, thus we use simulation and two case studies to convey
      our thinking in an easier way. In particular, we consider BG concentration
      measured after meal and exercise in 12 healthy volunteers, whereas ISF glucose is
      simulated using a well-accepted model of blood-ISF glucose kinetics, which
      permits calculation of the equilibration time, a parameter characterizing the
      system. Two metrics are defined: blood and ISF glucose difference at each time
      point and time to reach the same glucose value in blood and ISF. RESULTS: The
      simulation performed and the two metrics show that the relationship between blood
      ISF glucose profiles is more complex than a pure shift in time and that the
      pattern depends on both equilibration time and BG. CONCLUSIONS: In this in silico
      study, we have illustrated, with simple case studies, the meaning of the of ISF
      glucose with respect to BG. Understanding that ISF glucose is not just a shifted
      in-time version but a distorted mirror of BG is important for a correct use of
      continuous glucose monitoring for diabetes management.

PMID- 27253753
TI  - Reduced expression of the DNA glycosylase gene MUTYH is associated with an
      increased number of somatic mutations via a reduction in the DNA repair capacity
      in prostate adenocarcinoma.
AB  - 8-Hydroxyguanine (8OHG), a major oxidative DNA lesion, is known to accumulate in
      prostate cancer; however, the status of one of its repair enzymes, MUTYH, in
      prostate cancer remains to be elucidated. In this study, we showed that the
      expression levels of MUTYH mRNA and protein were significantly lower in prostate
      cancer than in non-cancerous prostatic tissue by examining two independent,
      publicly available databases and by performing an immunohistochemical analysis of
      prostate cancer specimens obtained at our hospital, respectively. About two
      thirds of the prostate cancers exhibited a reduced MUTYH expression. When the
      effect of reduced MUTYH expression in prostate adenocarcinoma on the somatic
      mutation load was examined using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)
      database, the numbers of total somatic mutations and somatic G:C to T:A mutations
      were significantly higher in the reduced MUTYH expression group than in the other
      group (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0013, respectively). To determine the reason why
      reduced MUTYH expression leads to somatic mutation loads in prostate
      adenocarcinoma, we compared the DNA repair capacities between PC-3 prostatic cell
      line derived clones with different MUTYH expression levels. Both the capacities
      to cleave DNA containing adenine:8OHG mispairs and to suppress mutations caused
      by 8OHG were significantly lower in prostatic cell lines with lower MUTYH
      expression than in prostatic cell lines with higher MUTYH expression. These
      results suggested that reduced MUTYH expression is associated with somatic
      mutation loads via a reduction in DNA repair capacity in prostate adenocarcinoma.
      (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253754
TI  - Cigarette Smoking Among Urban American Indian Adults - Hennepin and Ramsey
      Counties, Minnesota, 2011.
AB  - In 2013, it was estimated that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among American
      Indians was 36.5%, the highest of all racial/ethnic groups in the continental
      United States (1). Among American Indians, considerable cultural and geographic
      variation in cigarette smoking exists. Smoking prevalence among American Indians
      is lowest in the Southwest and highest in the Upper Midwest/Northern Plains (2).
      Little information is available about tobacco use among urban American Indians,
      who might not have ever lived on a reservation or be enrolled in or affiliated
      with a tribe. In Minnesota, a significant proportion of American Indians reside
      in urban areas. Among Minnesota's residents who identify as American Indian alone
      or in combination with another race, 30% live in Hennepin County and Ramsey
      County, which encompass Minneapolis and St. Paul, respectively (collectively
      known as the Twin Cities). The predominant tribes (Ojibwe [Chippewa] and
      Dakota/Lakota/Nakota [Sioux]) traditionally have used locally grown tobacco
      (Nicotiana rustica), red willow, and other plants for religious ceremonies,
      although nonceremonial tobacco is often substituted for traditional plants. To
      assess prevalence of cigarette smoking among this population, it is important to
      distinguish ceremonial tobacco use (smoked or used in other ways) from
      nonceremonial tobacco use. To obtain estimates of cigarette smoking prevalence
      among American Indians in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, the American Indian Adult
      Tobacco Survey was administered to 964 American Indian residents in 2011, using
      respondent-driven sampling. Among all participants, 59% were current smokers, 19%
      were former smokers, and 22% had never smoked. Approximately 40% of employed
      participants reported that someone smoked in their workplace area during the
      preceding week. High prevalences of cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke
      exposure among urban American Indians in Minnesota underscores the need for a
      comprehensive and culturally appropriate approach to reducing nonceremonial
      tobacco use. 

PMID- 27253755
TI  - An extractive membrane biofilm reactor as alternative technology for the
      treatment of methyl tert-butyl ether contaminated water.
AB  - Among the strategies developed for contaminated groundwater bioremediation, those
      based on the use of bacteria adhering to inert supports and establishing biofilms
      have gained great importance in this field. Extractive membrane biofilm reactor
      (EMBFR) technology offers productive solutions for the removal of volatile and
      semi-volatile compounds. EMBFR technology is based on the use of extractive
      semipermeable membranes through which contaminants migrate to the biological
      compartment in which microorganisms with pollutant biotransformation and/or
      mineralization capacities can grow, forming an active biofilm on the membrane
      surface. The objective of this study was to assess the use of three bacterial
      strains (Paenibacillus sp. SH7 CECT 8558, Agrobacterium sp. MS2 CECT 8557, and
      Rhodococcus ruber EE6 CECT 8612), as inoculum in a lab-scale EMBFR running for 28
      days under aerobic conditions to eliminate methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from
      water samples. Three different hydraulic retention times (1, 6, and 12 h) were
      employed. MTBE degradation values were determined daily by a gas GC-MS technique,
      as well as suspended bacterial growth. The biofilm established by the bacterial
      strains on the semipermeable membrane was detected by Field-Emission Scanning
      Electron Microscopy (FESEM) at the end of each experiment. The acute toxicity of
      the treated effluents and biomedium was determined by Microtox(c) assay (EC50
      ).The results achieved from the MTBE degradation, biofilm formation, and toxicity
      analysis indicated that bacterial strains MS2 and EE6 were the best options as
      selective inoculum, although further research is needed, particularly with regard
      to their possible use as a mixed culture. (c) 2016 American Institute of Chemical
      Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1238-1245, 2016.

PMID- 27253756
TI  - Protein-protein structure prediction by scoring molecular dynamics trajectories
      of putative poses.
AB  - The prediction of protein-protein interactions and their structural configuration
      remains a largely unsolved problem. Most of the algorithms aimed at finding the
      native conformation of a protein complex starting from the structure of its
      monomers are based on searching the structure corresponding to the global minimum
      of a suitable scoring function. However, protein complexes are often highly
      flexible, with mobile side chains and transient contacts due to thermal
      fluctuations. Flexibility can be neglected if one aims at finding quickly the
      approximate structure of the native complex, but may play a role in structure
      refinement, and in discriminating solutions characterized by similar scores. We
      here benchmark the capability of some state-of-the-art scoring functions (BACH
      SixthSense, PIE/PISA and Rosetta) in discriminating finite-temperature ensembles
      of structures corresponding to the native state and to non-native configurations.
      We produce the ensembles by running thousands of molecular dynamics simulations
      in explicit solvent starting from poses generated by rigid docking and optimized
      in vacuum. We find that while Rosetta outperformed the other two scoring
      functions in scoring the structures in vacuum, BACH-SixthSense and PIE/PISA
      perform better in distinguishing near-native ensembles of structures generated by
      molecular dynamics in explicit solvent. Proteins 2016; 84:1312-1320. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253757
TI  - Thymol-based submicron emulsions exhibit antifungal activity against Fusarium
      graminearum and inhibit Fusarium head blight in wheat.
AB  - AIMS: Fusarium graminearum is a very destructive fungal pathogen that leads to
      Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat, a disease which costs growers millions of
      dollars annually both in crop losses and in remediation efforts. Current
      countermeasures include the deployment of wheat varieties with some resistance to
      FHB in conjunction with timed fungicide treatments. In this article, we introduce
      a fungicide based on thymol, a naturally occurring plant phenolic derived from
      essential oils. To overcome the hydrophobicity of thymol, the thymol active was
      incorporated into a low-surfactant submicron emulsion with and without a carrier
      oil. METHODS AND RESULTS: The minimum fungicidal concentration of F. graminearum
      was found to be both 0.02% for thymol emulsions with and without an oil
      component. Time-to-kill experiments showed that thymol emulsions were able to
      inactivate F. graminearum in as little as 10 s at concentrations above 0.06%.
      Spraying the thymol emulsions (~0.1% range) on the wheat variety Bobwhite
      demonstrated significant reductions in FHB infection rate (number of infected
      spikelets). However, with 0.5% thymol, the wheat heads exhibited premature
      senescence. Transmission and scanning electron micrographs suggest that the
      mechanism of antifungal action is membrane mediated, as conidia exposed to thymol
      showed complete organelle disorganization and evidence of lipid emulsification.
      CONCLUSION: The collective experimental data suggest that thymol emulsions may be
      an effective naturally derived alternative to the current thymol treatments, and
      chemical fungicides in ameliorating FHB. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:
      This is the first thymol-derived nanoemulsion particles resuspended into water
      and not DMSO, exhibiting the same antibacterial/antifungal activity as previously
      described thymol and thyme oil treatments. This drastically reduces the
      environmental footprint thymol will leave if utilized as a fungicide treatment on
      field crops.

PMID- 27253758
TI  - Scanning the Horizon.

PMID- 27253759
TI  - Corrigendum: Stiffness in vortex-like structures due to chirality-domains within
      a coupled helical rare-earth superlattice.

PMID- 27253760
TI  - Microperimetry Features of Geographic Atrophy Identified With En Face Optical
      Coherence Tomography.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Progressive geographic atrophy (GA) of the retinal pigment epithelium
      leads to loss of central vision. To identify GA in age-related macular
      degeneration and assess treatment, correlation of function observed on
      microperimetry with structure observed on optical coherence tomographic (OCT)
      images may be of value. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the microperimetric function
      of GA as identified from en face OCT imaging. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
      In a case-series study, 20 patients (22 eyes) entered the study at the University
      of Padova according to preplanned conditions. From March 1 to July 30, 2014, en
      face OCT images were obtained at the outer retinal layer and choroidal layer
      levels. The microperimetry sensitivity map was superimposed on the en face OCT
      images, which had been used to measure GA areas. Relative and dense scotoma rates
      were calculated in the GA areas. After data collection, the study eyes were
      divided into 3 groups according to the macular residual mean sensitivity. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Retinal sensitivity measured by microperimetry within
      areas of GA identified by en face OCT images. RESULTS: Twenty patients (5 men and
      15 women) were included in the study, with a mean (SD) age of 79.5 (7.0) years
      (range, 69-98 years). Macular residual mean retinal sensitivity was less than 5
      dB in 7 eyes (group 1), 5 to 10 dB in 9 eyes (group 2), and greater than 10 dB in
      6 eyes (group 3). Mean (SD) GA area differed among the groups at the outer
      retinal (13.13 [5.03] mm2 [range, 5.75-21.04 mm2] in group 1; 7.80 [3.25] mm2
      [range, 3.31-13.52 mm2] in group 2; and 3.94 [2.35] mm2 [range, 1.46-7.90 mm2] in
      group 3; P = .001) and choroidal (11.83 [5.55] mm2 [range, 4.55-22.14 mm2] in
      group 1; 7.00 [4.29] mm2 [range, 0.90-13.83 mm2] in group 2; and 3.27 [2.29] mm2
      [range, 0.91-7.23 mm2] in group 3; P = .007) layer levels. Mean (SD) GA area
      imaged at the outer retinal layer level was significantly larger than that imaged
      at the choroidal level in group 3 (difference, 0.67 mm2; 95% CI, 0.31-1.03 mm2; P
      = .005), but not in groups 1 or 2. Mean (SD) rate of relative scotoma was
      significantly higher in the GA area imaged at the outer retinal layer level than
      at the choroidal level in group 3 (47.70% [31.30%] [range, 13.60%-100%] vs 34.00%
      [37.30%] [range, 0%-100%]; difference, 13.74%; 95% CI, 3.84%-23.63%; P = .02),
      but not in groups 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In the early stage of GA,
      when retinal sensitivity is relatively good, these data suggest that the GA area
      imaged on en face OCT at the outer retinal level correctly detects the wide
      functional degenerative involvement of the photoreceptors. These findings provide
      novel data that correlate function and structure, which may be of value when
      assessing treatments that might prevent or reduce the rate of growth of GA.

PMID- 27253761
TI  - A comparison of self-reported quality of life for an Australian haemodialysis and
      haemodiafiltration cohort.
AB  - AIMS: Haemodiafiltration (HDF) has been widely studied for evidence of superior
      outcomes in comparison with conventional haemodialysis (HD), and there is
      increasing interest in determining if HDF confers any benefit in relation to
      quality of life. Studies have been conducted with randomized incident patients;
      however, little is known regarding HDF and quality of life for prevalent
      patients. This study examined and compared self-reported quality of life at two
      time points, 12 months apart in a cohort of satellite HD and HDF patients, using
      a disease specific questionnaire to determine if HDF conferred an advantage.
      METHODS: A longitudinal study with a linear mixed-effect model measuring quality
      of life in a cohort of 171 patients (HD, n = 85, HDF, n = 86) in seven South
      Australian satellite dialysis centres. RESULTS: Factors associated with
      significant reduction across the Kidney Disease Quality Of LifeTM domains
      measured were younger age (- 20 to - 29) and comorbid diabetes (- 4.8 to - 11.1).
      HDF was not associated with moderation of this reduction at either time point (P
      > 0.05). Baseline physical functioning was reported as very low (median 33.9) and
      further reduced at time point two. In addition, dialysing for more than 12 h per
      week in a satellite dialysis unit was associated with reduced quality of life in
      relation to the burden of kidney disease (- 13.69). CONCLUSION: This study has
      demonstrated that younger age and comorbid diabetes were responsible for a
      statistically significant reduction in quality of life, and HDF did not confer
      any advantage.

PMID- 27253762
TI  - A Highly Photostable Hyperbranched Polyglycerol-Based NIR Fluorescence
      Nanoplatform for Mitochondria-Specific Cell Imaging.
AB  - Considering the critical role of mitochondria in the life and death of cells, non
      invasive long-term tracking of mitochondria has attracted considerable interest.
      However, a high-performance mitochondria-specific labeling probe with high
      photostability is still lacking. Herein a highly photostable hyperbranched
      polyglycerol (hPG)-based near-infrared (NIR) quantum dots (QDs) nanoplatform is
      reported for mitochondria-specific cell imaging. Comprising NIR Zn-Cu-In-S/ZnS
      QDs as extremely photostable fluorescent labels and alkyl chain (C12
      )/triphenylphosphonium (TPP)-functionalized hPG derivatives as protective shell,
      the tailored QDs@hPG-C12 /TPP nanoprobe with a hydrodynamic diameter of about 65
      nm exhibits NIR fluorescence, excellent biocompatibility, good stability, and
      mitochondria-targeted ability. Cell uptake experiments demonstrate that QDs@hPG
      C12 /TPP displays a significantly enhanced uptake in HeLa cells compared to
      nontargeted QDs@hPG-C12 . Further co-localization study indicates that the probe
      selectively targets mitochondria. Importantly, compared with commercial deep-red
      mitochondria dyes, QDs@hPG-C12 /TPP possesses superior photostability under
      continuous laser irradiation, indicating great potential for long-term
      mitochondria labeling and tracking. Moreover, drug-loaded QDs@hPG-C12 /TPP
      display an enhanced tumor cell killing efficacy compared to nontargeted drugs.
      This work could open the door to the construction of organelle-targeted
      multifunctional nanoplatforms for precise diagnosis and high-efficient tumor
      therapy.

PMID- 27253763
TI  - Age-Related Differences in Sleep Architecture and Electroencephalogram in
      Adolescents in the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in
      Adolescence Sample.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: To investigate age-related differences in polysomnographic and
      sleep electroencephalographic (EEG) measures, considering sex, pubertal stage,
      ethnicity, and scalp topography in a large group of adolescents in the National
      Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA). METHODS:
      Following an adaptation/clinical screening night, 141 healthy adolescents (12-21
      y, 64 girls) had polysomnographic recordings, from which sleep staging and EEG
      measures were derived. The setting was the SRI International Human Sleep
      Laboratory and University of Pittsburgh Pediatric Sleep Laboratory. RESULTS:
      Older age was associated with a lower percentage of N3 sleep, accompanied by
      higher percentages of N2, N1, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Older boys
      compared with younger boys had more frequent awakenings and wakefulness after
      sleep onset, effects that were absent in girls. Delta (0.3-4 Hz) EEG power in
      nonrapid eye movement NREM sleep was lower in older than younger adolescents at
      all electrode sites, with steeper slopes of decline over the occipital scalp. EEG
      power in higher frequency bands was also lower in older adolescents than younger
      adolescents, with equal effects across electrodes. Percent delta power in the
      first NREM period was similar across age. African Americans had lower EEG power
      across frequency bands (delta to sigma) compared with Caucasians. Finally,
      replacing age with pubertal status in the models showed similar relationships.
      CONCLUSIONS: Substantial differences in sleep architecture and EEG were evident
      across adolescence in this large group, with sex modifying some relationships.
      Establishment and follow-up of this cohort allows the investigation of sleep EEG
      brain structural relationships and the effect of behaviors, such as alcohol and
      substance use, on sleep EEG maturation.

PMID- 27253764
TI  - Upper Airway Vibration Perception in School-Aged Children with Obstructive Sleep
      Apnea.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Children with the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have impaired
      upper airway two-point discrimination compared to controls. In addition, blunted
      vibration threshold detection (VT) in the palate has been recognized in adults
      with OSA, but has not been studied in children. Both findings are indicative of a
      defect in the afferent limb of the upper airway dilator reflex that could prevent
      upper airway dilation secondary to airway loading, resulting in airway collapse.
      We hypothesized that children with OSA have impaired palate VT compared to
      controls, and that this improves after OSA treatment. METHODS: Case-control
      study. Children with OSA and healthy non-snoring controls underwent
      polysomnography and palate VT measurements. Children with OSA were retested after
      adenotonsillectomy. RESULTS: 29 children with OSA (median [interquartile range]
      age = 9.5 [7.5-12.6] years, obstructive apnea-hypopnea index [OAHI] = 11.3 [5.7
      19.5] events/h, BMI z = 1.8 [1.3-2.1]) and 32 controls (age = 11.2 [9.3-13.5]
      years, P = 0.1; OAHI = 0.5 [0.1-0.7] events/h, P < 0.001; BMI z = 1 [0.3-1.7], P
      = 0.004) were tested. OSA palate VT (1.0 [0.8-1.5] vibration units) was similar
      to that of controls (1 [0.8-1.3], P = 0.37). 20 children with OSA were retested
      4.4 (3.2-7.1) months after treatment. OAHI decreased from 13.1 (5.8-19) to 0.6
      (0.2-2.5) events per hour (P < 0.001) postoperatively, but palate VT did not
      change (before = 1 [0.7-1.5], after = 1.2 [0.8-1.4], P = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS:
      Children with OSA and controls have similar palate VT. Unlike in adults, palate
      VT does not seem to be affected by childhood OSA.

PMID- 27253765
TI  - Familial Kleine-Levin Syndrome: A Specific Entity?
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare, mostly sporadic
      disorder, characterized by intermittent episodes of hypersomnia plus cognitive
      and behavior disorders. Although its cause is unknown, multiplex families have
      been described. We contrasted the clinical and biological features of familial
      versus sporadic KLS. METHODS: Two samples of patients with KLS from the United
      States and France (n = 260) were studied using clinical interviews and human
      leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping. A multiplex family contained two or more
      first- or second-degree affected relatives (familial cases). RESULTS: Twenty-one
      patients from 10 multiplex families (siblings: n = 12, including two pairs of
      monozygotic twins; parent-child: n = 4; cousins: n = 2; uncle-nephews: n = 3) and
      239 patients with sporadic KLS were identified, yielding to 4% multiplex families
      and 8% familial cases. The simplex and multiplex families did not differ for
      autoimmune, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. Age, sex ratio, ethnicity,
      HLA typing, karyotyping, disease course, frequency, and duration of KLS episodes
      did not differ between groups. Episodes were less frequent in familial versus
      sporadic KLS (2.3 +/- 1.8/y versus 3.8 +/- 3.7/y, P = 0.004). Menses triggered
      more frequently KLS onset in the nine girls with familial KLS (relative risk, RR
      = 4.12, P = 0.03), but not subsequent episodes. Familial cases had less
      disinhibited speech (RR = 3.44, P = 0.049), less combined hypophagia/hyperphagia
      (RR = 4.38, P = 0.006), more abrupt termination of episodes (RR = 1.45, P = 0.04)
      and less postepisode insomnia (RR = 2.16, P = 0.008). There was similar HLA DQB1
      distribution in familial versus sporadic cases and no abnormal karyotypes.
      CONCLUSION: Familial KLS is mostly present in the same generation, and is
      clinically similar to but slightly less severe than sporadic KLS.

PMID- 27253766
TI  - Cryptic Restlessness and Sleepwalking.

PMID- 27253767
TI  - The Social Patterning of Sleep in African Americans: Associations of
      Socioeconomic Position and Neighborhood Characteristics with Sleep in the Jackson
      Heart Study.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: We investigated cross-sectional associations of individual
      level socioeconomic position (SEP) and neighborhood characteristics (social
      cohesion, violence, problems, disadvantage) with sleep duration and sleep quality
      in 5,301 African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study. METHODS: All measures were
      self-reported. Sleep duration was assessed as hours of sleep; sleep quality was
      reported as poor (1) to excellent (5). SEP was measured by categorized years of
      education and income. Multinomial logistic and linear regression models were fit
      to examine the associations of SEP and neighborhood characteristics (modeled
      dichotomously and tertiles) with sleep duration (short vs. normal, long vs.
      normal) and continuous sleep duration and quality after adjustment for
      demographics and risk factors. RESULTS: The mean sleep duration was 6.4 +/- 1.5
      hours, 54% had a short (<= 6 h) sleep duration, 5% reported long (>= 9 h) sleep
      duration, and 24% reported fair to poor sleep quality. Lower education was
      associated with greater odds of long sleep (odds ratio [OR] = 2.19, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] = 1.42, 3.38) and poorer sleep quality (beta = -0.17,
      95% CI = -0.27, -0.07) compared to higher education after adjustment for
      demographics and risk factors. Findings were similar for income. High
      neighborhood violence was associated with shorter sleep duration (-9.82 minutes,
      95% CI = -16.98, -2.66) and poorer sleep quality (beta = -0.11, 95% CI = -0.20,
      0.00) after adjustment for demographics and risk factors. Results were similar
      for neighborhood problems. In secondary analyses adjusted for depressive symptoms
      in a subset of participants, most associations were attenuated and only
      associations of low SEP with higher odds of long sleep and higher neighborhood
      violence with poorer sleep quality remained statistically significant.
      CONCLUSIONS: Social and environmental characteristics are associated with sleep
      duration and quality in African Americans. Depressive symptoms may explain at
      least part of this association.

PMID- 27253768
TI  - Sleep Restriction Impairs Vocabulary Learning when Adolescents Cram for Exams:
      The Need for Sleep Study.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: The ability to recall facts is improved when learning takes
      place at spaced intervals, or when sleep follows shortly after learning. However,
      many students cram for exams and trade sleep for other activities. The aim of
      this study was to examine the interaction of study spacing and time in bed (TIB)
      for sleep on vocabulary learning in adolescents. METHODS: In the Need for Sleep
      Study, which used a parallel-group design, 56 adolescents aged 15-19 years were
      randomly assigned to a week of either 5 h or 9 h of TIB for sleep each night as
      part of a 14-day protocol conducted at a boarding school. During the sleep
      manipulation period, participants studied 40 Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
      type English words using digital flashcards. Word pairs were presented over 4
      consecutive days (spaced items), or all at once during single study sessions
      (massed items), with total study time kept constant across conditions. Recall
      performance was examined 0 h, 24 h, and 120 h after all items were studied.
      RESULTS: For all retention intervals examined, recall of massed items was
      impaired by a greater amount in adolescents exposed to sleep restriction. In
      contrast, cued recall performance on spaced items was similar between sleep
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: Spaced learning conferred strong protection against the
      effects of sleep restriction on recall performance, whereas students who had
      insufficient sleep were more likely to forget items studied over short time
      intervals. These findings in adolescents demonstrate the importance of combining
      good study habits and good sleep habits to optimize learning outcomes.

PMID- 27253769
TI  - Automatic Video Analysis for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: We investigated the diagnostic accuracy for the identification
      of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its severity of a noninvasive technology
      based on image processing (SleepWise). METHODS: This is an observational,
      prospective study to evaluate the degree of agreement between polysomnography
      (PSG) and SleepWise. We recruited 56 consecutive subjects with suspected OSA who
      were referred as outpatients to the Sleep Unit of the Hospital Universitari
      Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP) from January 2013 to January 2014. All patients
      underwent laboratory PSG and image processing with SleepWise simultaneously the
      same night. Both PSG and SleepWise analyses were carried independently and
      blindly. RESULTS: We analyzed 50 of the 56 patients recruited. OSA was diagnosed
      through PSG in a total of 44 patients (88%) with a median apnea-hypopnea index
      (AHI) of 25.35 (24.9). According to SleepWise, 45 patients (90%) met the criteria
      for a diagnosis of OSA, with a median AHI of 22.8 (22.03). An analysis of the
      ability of PSG and SleepWise to classify patients by severity on the basis of
      their AHI shows that the two diagnostic systems distribute the different groups
      similarly. According to PSG, 23 patients (46%) had a diagnosis of severe OSA, 11
      patients (22%) moderate OSA, and 10 patients (20%) mild OSA. According to
      SleepWise, 20, 13, and 12 patients (40%, 26%, and 24%, respectively) had a
      diagnosis of severe, moderate, and mild OSA respectively. For OSA diagnosis,
      SleepWise was found to have sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 83% in
      relation to PSG. The positive predictive value was 97% and the negative
      predictive value was 100%. The Bland-Altman plot comparing the mean AHI values
      obtained through PSG and SleepWise shows very good agreement between the two
      diagnostic techniques, with a bias of -3.85, a standard error of 12.18, and a
      confidence interval of -0.39 to -7.31. CONCLUSIONS: SleepWise was reasonably
      accurate for noninvasive and automatic diagnosis of OSA in outpatients. SleepWise
      determined the severity of OSA with high reliability. The current study including
      simultaneous laboratory PSG and SleepWise processing image is proposed as a
      reasonable validation standard.

PMID- 27253770
TI  - Exposure to Blue Light Increases Subsequent Functional Activation of the
      Prefrontal Cortex During Performance of a Working Memory Task.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Prolonged exposure to blue wavelength light has been shown to
      have an alerting effect, and enhances performance on cognitive tasks. A small
      number of studies have also shown that relatively short exposure to blue light
      leads to changes in functional brain responses during the period of exposure. The
      extent to which blue light continues to affect brain functioning during a
      cognitively challenging task after cessation of longer periods of exposure (i.e.,
      roughly 30 minutes or longer), however, has not been fully investigated. METHODS:
      A total of 35 healthy participants (18 female) were exposed to either blue (469
      nm) (n = 17) or amber (578 nm) (n = 18) wavelength light for 30 minutes in a
      darkened room, followed immediately by functional magnetic resonance imaging
      (fMRI) while undergoing a working memory task (N-back task). RESULTS:
      Participants in the blue light condition were faster in their responses on the N
      back task and showed increased activation in the dorsolateral (DLPFC) and
      ventrolateral (VLPFC) prefrontal cortex compared to those in the amber control
      light condition. Furthermore, greater activation within the VLPFC was correlated
      with faster N-back response times. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to
      suggest that a relatively brief, single exposure to blue light has a subsequent
      beneficial effect on working memory performance, even after cessation of
      exposure, and leads to temporarily persisting functional brain changes within
      prefrontal brain regions associated with executive functions. These findings may
      have broader implication for using blue-enriched light in a variety of work
      settings where alertness and quick decision-making are important.

PMID- 27253771
TI  - Erratum: Strain-Engineered Graphene Grown on Hexagonal Boron Nitride by Molecular
      Beam Epitaxy.

PMID- 27253774
TI  - Estimating Gait Stability: Asymmetrical Loading Effects Measured Using Margin of
      Stability and Local Dynamic Stability.
AB  - Changes to intersegmental locomotor control patterns may affect body stability.
      Our study aimed to (a) characterize upper body dynamic stability in response to
      the unilateral addition of mass to the lower extremity and (b) evaluate the
      efficacy of 2 different stability measures commonly used in the literature to
      detect resulting symmetrical step pattern modifications across the weighted
      segments (spatial) and between epochs of the gait cycle (temporal). Young adults
      walked on a treadmill while unloaded or with weights applied unilaterally to
      their foot, shank, or thigh. Both margin of stability and local dynamic stability
      (LDS) estimates detected similar trends of distal segment weighting resulting in
      more unstable upper body movement compared to proximal weighting; however only
      LDS detected anteroposterior changes in upper body stability over time.

PMID- 27253772
TI  - Pharmacogenetics and interstitial lung disease.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is comprised of a
      heterogeneous group of disorders with highly variable natural histories and
      response to therapies. Pharmacogenetics focuses on the variability in drug
      response because of the presence of genetic factors that influence drug
      metabolism or disease activity. In this article, we review relevant drug-specific
      and disease-specific polymorphisms that may influence therapeutic response, and
      then highlight a recently identified drug-gene interaction in patients with
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). RECENT FINDINGS: The emergence of high
      throughput genomic technology has allowed for identification of gene
      polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to specific disease states,
      including IPF and several connective tissue diseases known to cause ILD. IPF risk
      loci span a diverse group of genes, while most associated with connective tissue
      disease are critical to immune signaling. A recent pharmacogenetic analysis of
      patients enrolled in an IPF clinical trial identified a variant within TOLLIP to
      be associated with differential response to N-acetylcysteine therapy. SUMMARY:
      Though few pharmacogenetic investigations have been conducted in patients with
      ILD to date, ample opportunities for pharmacogenetic exploration exist in this
      patient population. Such exploration will advance our understanding of specific
      ILDs and help usher in an era of personalized medicine.

PMID- 27253773
TI  - QSAR-Driven Discovery of Novel Chemical Scaffolds Active against Schistosoma
      mansoni.
AB  - Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people
      worldwide. Thioredoxin glutathione reductase of Schistosoma mansoni (SmTGR) is a
      validated drug target that plays a crucial role in the redox homeostasis of the
      parasite. We report the discovery of new chemical scaffolds against S. mansoni
      using a combi-QSAR approach followed by virtual screening of a commercial
      database and confirmation of top ranking compounds by in vitro experimental
      evaluation with automated imaging of schistosomula and adult worms. We
      constructed 2D and 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models
      using a series of oxadiazoles-2-oxides reported in the literature as SmTGR
      inhibitors and combined the best models in a consensus QSAR model. This model was
      used for a virtual screening of Hit2Lead set of ChemBridge database and allowed
      the identification of ten new potential SmTGR inhibitors. Further experimental
      testing on both shistosomula and adult worms showed that 4-nitro-3,5-bis(1-nitro
      1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole (LabMol-17) and 3-nitro-4-{[(4-nitro-1,2,5-oxadiazol
      3-yl)oxy]methyl}-1,2,5-oxadiazole (LabMol-19), two compounds representing new
      chemical scaffolds, have high activity in both systems. These compounds will be
      the subjects for additional testing and, if necessary, modification to serve as
      new schistosomicidal agents.

PMID- 27253817
TI  - Central Corneal Thickness in Aphakic Children With Microcornea-Microphthalmia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the central corneal thickness (CCT) in eyes with microcornea
      and aphakia and without glaucoma, compare it with normal controls, and correlate
      it with the measured intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: The study was conducted
      on 62 eyes of 31 aphakic children with microcornea. Controls (20 children) were
      selected from age-matched children presenting for routine refraction. Detailed
      anterior-segment and fundus examinations were conducted. The CCT and the axial
      length were measured. Medical records of the study patients were reviewed for the
      stability of the ocular parameters over time to exclude glaucoma. RESULTS: The
      mean+/-SD age of the study patients and controls were 4.0 (+/-3.1, 1.0 to 12.0)
      and 3.1 (+/-2.7, 0.6 to 12.0) years, respectively. The mean+/-SD CCT, the corneal
      diameter, the measured IOP, the cup/disc ratio, and the axial length of the study
      patients and the controls were 667.01+/-72.90 MUm, 8.9+/-0.8 mm, 10.9+/-5.7 mm
      Hg, 0.1+/-0.1, 20.35+/-2.90 mm and 545.22+/-28.14 MUm, 11.7+/-0.5 mm, 5.3+/-1.8
      mm Hg, 0.1+/-0.1, and N/A, respectively. The difference between the study eyes
      and the controls in the CCT and the measured IOP was statistically significant
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aphakic eyes with microcornea have thicker CCTs and
      greater measured IOPs than normal eyes. Hence, the measurement of CCT is
      recommended in the assessment of aphakic eyes with microcornea for possible
      glaucoma. The measured IOP, although a reliable parameter, in isolation does not
      provide a diagnosis of glaucoma and must be viewed in conjunction with other
      patient findings, such as the cup/disc ratio, the progression of which over time
      must be considered for a more solid diagnosis.

PMID- 27253829
TI  - CYP2D6 function moderates the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 3,4
      methylene-dioxymethamphetamine in a controlled study in healthy individuals.
AB  - The role of genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome (CYP) 2D6 involved in the
      metabolism of 3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is unclear.
      Effects of genetic variants in CYP2D6 on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic
      effects of MDMA were characterized in 139 healthy individuals (70 men, 69 women)
      in a pooled analysis of eight double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover studies.
      In CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, the maximum concentrations (Cmax) of MDMA and its
      active metabolite 3,4-methylene-dioxyamphetamine were +15 and +50% higher,
      respectively, compared with extensive metabolizers and the Cmax of the inactive
      metabolite 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine was 50-70% lower. Blood pressure
      and subjective drug effects increased more rapidly after MDMA administration in
      poor metabolizers than in extensive metabolizers. In conclusion, the disposition
      of MDMA and its effects in humans are altered by polymorphic CYP2D6 activity, but
      the effects are small because of the autoinhibition of CYP2D6.

PMID- 27253830
TI  - Design, synthesis, molecular modeling and biological evaluation of novel 1H
      pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives as potential anticancer agents.
AB  - In trying to develop new anticancer agents, a series of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4
      b]pyridine derivatives was designed and synthesized. Fifteen compounds were
      evaluated in vitro for their anti-proliferative activity against HePG-2, MCF-7,
      HCT-116, and PC-3 cell lines. Additionally, DNA binding affinity of the
      synthesized derivatives was investigated as a potential mechanism for the
      anticancer activity using DNA/methyl green assay and association constants assay.
      Compounds 19, 20, 21, 24 and 25 exhibited good activity against the four cancer
      cells comparable to that of doxorubicin. Interestingly, DNA binding assay results
      were in agreement with that of the cytotoxicity assays where the most potent
      anticancer compounds showed good DNA binding affinity comparable to that of
      doxorubicin and daunorubicin. Furthermore, a molecular docking of the tested
      compounds was carried out to investigate their binding pattern with the
      prospective target, DNA (PDB-code: 152d).

PMID- 27253831
TI  - The Prevalence of Exfoliation Syndrome in an Iranian Population Aged 45-69 Years.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and some of
      its related factors in an Iranian population aged 45-69 years. METHODS: In the
      first phase of the Shahroud Eye Cohort Study, 5190 people in 300 clusters from
      Shahroud city in the northeast of Iran participated in the study. The second
      phase of the study was conducted 5 years later in 2014. Vision testing,
      refraction, slit lamp examination, and fundus examination were performed for all
      participants. In this study, XFS was determined by an ophthalmologist using slit
      lamp biomicroscopy. RESULTS: Of the 5190 first phase study participants, 4737
      participated in the second phase (response rate 91.3%). In this study, the
      prevalence of XFS was 0.46% (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.24-0.68%) and the
      prevalence of bilateral XFS was 0.20% (95% CI 0.07-0.33%). XFS prevalence in men
      was 0.74% (95% CI 0.28-1.20%) and in women 0.26% (95% CI 0.07-0.45%). In a
      multivariable-adjusted logistic regression model, age, sex, diabetes, smoking
      status, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were entered into the model as
      covariables, where older age (odds ratio, OR, 1.18, 95% CI 1.08-1.28) was the
      only variable that remained significantly associated with XFS prevalence.
      CONCLUSION: The prevalence of XFS in this study was very low. Similar to other
      studies, age was a factor associated with this syndrome.

PMID- 27253832
TI  - Maximal Strength Training Improves Surfboard Sprint and Endurance Paddling
      Performance in Competitive and Recreational Surfers.
AB  - Coyne, JOC, Tran, TT, Secomb, JL, Lundgren, LE, Farley, ORL, Newton, RU, and
      Sheppard, JM. Maximal strength training improves surfboard sprint and endurance
      paddling performance in competitive and recreational surfers. J Strength Cond Res
      31(1): 244-253, 2017-Upper-body (UB) strength has very high correlations with
      faster surfboard paddling speeds. However, there is no research examining the
      effects of improving UB strength has on surfboard paddling ability. This study
      aimed to determine the influence that improvements in UB closed-kinetic chain
      maximal strength have on surfboard paddling in both competitive and recreational
      surfers. Seventeen competitive and recreational male surfers (29.7 +/- 7.7 years,
      177.4 +/- 7.4 cm, 76.7 +/- 9.9 kg) participated in a repeated-measures, parallel
      control study design. Anthropometry; 5-, 10-, and 15-m sprint; and 400-m
      endurance surfboard paddling tests along with pull-up and dip 1 repetition
      maximum strength tests were assessed pre- and postintervention. Subjects in the
      training group performed 5 weeks of maximal strength training in the pull-up and
      dip. Differences between the training and control groups were examined
      postintervention. The training group increased their speed over the 5-, 10-, and
      15-m sprint, whereas the control group became slower (d = 0.71, 0.51, and 0.4,
      respectively). The training group also displayed faster endurance paddling
      performance compared with the control group (d = 0.72). Short-term exposure to
      maximal strength training elicits improvements in paddling performance measures.
      However, the magnitude of performance increases seems to be dependent on initial
      strength levels with differential responses between strong and weaker athletes.
      Although a longer maximal strength training period may have produced more
      significant paddling improvements in stronger subjects, practitioners are
      unlikely to have any more than 5 weeks in an uninterrupted block with competitive
      surfing athletes. This study reveals that a "threshold" level of maximal strength
      that if possessed, short-term maximal strength training may only provide little
      improvement in paddling performance.

PMID- 27253833
TI  - Manuscript Clarification.

PMID- 27253835
TI  - Effects of a Six-Week Hip Thrust vs. Front Squat Resistance Training Program on
      Performance in Adolescent Males: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - Contreras, B, Vigotsky, AD, Schoenfeld, BJ, Beardsley, C, McMaster, DT, Reyneke,
      JHT, and Cronin, JB. Effects of a six-week hip thrust vs. front squat resistance
      training program on performance in adolescent males: A randomized controlled
      trial. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 999-1008, 2017-The barbell hip thrust may be an
      effective exercise for increasing horizontal force production and may thereby
      enhance performance in athletic movements requiring a horizontal force vector,
      such as horizontal jumping and sprint running. The ergogenic ability of the squat
      is well known. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 6-week
      front squat and hip thrust programs in adolescent male athletes. Vertical jump
      height, horizontal jump distance, 10- and 20-m sprint times, and isometric
      midthigh pull peak force were among the measured performance variables, in
      addition to front squat and hip thrust 3 repetition maximum (3RM) strength.
      Magnitude-based effect sizes revealed potentially beneficial effects for the
      front squat in both front squat 3RM strength and vertical jump height when
      compared with the hip thrust. No clear benefit for one intervention was observed
      for horizontal jump performance. Potentially beneficial effects were observed for
      the hip thrust compared with the front squat in 10- and 20-m sprint times. The
      hip thrust was likely superior for improving normalized isometric midthigh pull
      strength and very likely superior for improving hip thrust 3RM and isometric
      midthigh pull strength. These results support the force vector theory.

PMID- 27253836
TI  - Influence of Strength Level on the Rest Interval Required During an Upper-Body
      Power Training Session.
AB  - Hernandez Davo, JL, Botella Ruiz, J, and Sabido, R. Influence of strength level
      on the rest interval required during an upper-body power training session. J
      Strength Cond Res 31(2): 339-347, 2017-The present study aimed to investigate the
      influence of subjects' strength level on both the ability to maintain power
      output performance and the physiological and perceived exertion responses during
      a power training session when different rest intervals (RI) are used. Thirty
      eight (18 men and 20 women) subjects were divided into a stronger or weaker group
      based on their ability to produce peak power output. Testing was performed using
      the same protocol (5 sets of 8 repetitions with 40% of 1 repetition maximum) in
      the bench press throw exercise, but differing the RI between sets (1, 2, and 3
      minutes). During the sessions, mechanical (peak power), physiological ([La]) and
      perceptual (RPE) variables were measured. In addition, delayed onset muscular
      soreness (DOMS) 24 and 48 hours after the training session was reported. Both
      stronger and weaker (men and women) groups showed significant impairments in
      mechanical, physiological, and perceptual data when resting 1 minute.
      Nevertheless, although stronger groups were able to sustain power output over the
      sets when using the 2-minute RI, weaker groups needed at least 3 minutes to
      maintain power output performance. Therefore, strength level heavily influences
      the rest interval required during a power training session and should be taken
      into account when prescribing such training sessions.

PMID- 27253837
TI  - Arterial Stiffness and Autonomic Modulation After Free-Weight Resistance
      Exercises in Resistance Trained Individuals.
AB  - Kingsley, JD, Mayo, X, Tai, YL, and Fennell, C. Arterial stiffness and autonomic
      modulation after free-weight resistance exercises in resistance trained
      individuals. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3373-3380, 2016-We investigated the
      effects of an acute bout of free-weight, whole-body resistance exercise
      consisting of the squat, bench press, and deadlift on arterial stiffness and
      cardiac autonomic modulation in 16 (aged 23 +/- 3 years; mean +/- SD) resistance
      trained individuals. Arterial stiffness, autonomic modulation, and baroreflex
      sensitivity (BRS) were assessed at rest and after 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 75%
      1-repetition maximum on each exercise with 2 minutes of rest between sets and
      exercises. Arterial stiffness was analyzed using carotid-femoral pulse wave
      velocity (cf-PWV). Linear heart rate variability (log transformed [ln] absolute
      and normalized units [nu] of low-frequency [LF] and high-frequency [HF] power)
      and nonlinear heart rate complexity (Sample Entropy [SampEn], Lempel-Ziv Entropy
      [LZEn]) were measured to determine autonomic modulation. BRS was measured by the
      sequence method. A 2 * 2 repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used
      to analyze time (rest, recovery) across condition (acute resistance exercise,
      control). There were significant increases in cf-PWV (p = 0.05), heart rate (p =
      0.0001), normalized LF (LFnu; p = 0.001), and the LF/HF ratio (p = 0.0001).
      Interactions were also noted for ln HF (p = 0.006), HFnu (p = 0.0001), SampEn (p
      = 0.001), LZEn (p = 0.005), and BRS (p = 0.0001) such that they significantly
      decreased during recovery from the resistance exercise compared with rest and the
      control. There was no effect on ln total power, or ln LF. These data suggest that
      a bout of resistance exercise using free-weights increases arterial stiffness and
      reduces vagal activity and BRS in comparison with a control session. Vagal tone
      may not be fully recovered up to 30 minutes after a resistance exercise bout.

PMID- 27253838
TI  - Impact of Prescribed Exercise on Physical Activity Compensation in Young Adults.
AB  - Liguori, G, Schuna, JM Jr, Tucker, J, and Fountaine, CM. Impact of prescribed
      exercise on physical activity compensation in young adults. J Strength Cond Res
      31(2): 503-508, 2017-Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets present a
      unique subpopulation because they are required to participate in regular physical
      activity (PA). This study describes PA patterns of cadets and attempts to
      identify evidence of nonexercise PA compensation (activitystat) as a result of
      prescribed PA (pPA) by comparing differences between training and nontraining
      days for (a) autonomous PA among cadets and (b) PA between cadets and noncadets.
      Participants included 84 university students (33 cadets and 51 noncadets) who
      each wore an accelerometer for 5 consecutive days to estimate moderate and
      vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A 2*2 mixed model analysis of variance was
      used to examine within- and between-group differences in MVPA on training and
      nontraining days. This analysis was repeated after removing the cadet's pPA.
      Cadets had lower-body fat than noncadets (p = 0.044), but all other
      characteristics were similar. Overall, moderate PA (MPA) and vigorous PA (VPA)
      were significantly greater among cadets (p = 0.048 and p < 0.001), because of
      greater weekend MPA (p = 0.021) and greater weekday VPA (p < 0.001). Cadets
      accumulated more MVPA on training days than nontraining days (p < 0.001) and
      accumulated more MVPA than noncadets on training days (p = 0.004). However, after
      accounting for pPA, cadet MVPA did not differ between training and nontraining
      days (within 1.2A +/- 18.4 min.d) and was similar between cadets and noncadets
      (within 1.5A +/- 5.9 min.d). These results suggest that cadets were significantly
      more active than noncadets due mainly to pPA. When controlling for pPA, cadets
      were similarly active across all days, and were as active as noncadets,
      indicating no evidence of activitystat in this population.

PMID- 27253839
TI  - Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigations on Optical Activities of
      Mobius Aromatic and Mobius Antiaromatic Hexaphyrin Phosphorus Complexes.
AB  - Intrinsically chiral Mobius aromatic [28]hexaphyrin monophosphorus(V) and Mobius
      antiaromatic [30]hexaphyrin bisphosphorus(V) complexes have been optically
      resolved and their absolute configurations (ACs) were determined by combined
      experimental and theoretical investigations on their circular dichroisms (CDs).
      First elutes in chiral HPLC exhibited strong positive Cotton effects (CEs) at the
      B-band, characteristic for the ML configurations in their Mobius strips. Weak CEs
      at the Q-band, if attainable, complemented their AC assignment. The whole CD
      pattern and intensity were well reproduced by time-dependent approximate coupled
      cluster theory using model systems that omit five outward meso-aryl substituents
      (inward-meso-retained model), providing a solid basis for AC assignment. The cost
      efficient TD-DFT method with appropriate functionals for fully substituted
      (nontruncated) complexes well reproduced CEs around the B-band (but less
      satisfactory at the Q-band), also allows the rapid AC estimation for their Mobius
      strips. Observed difference in CDs between aromatic and antiaromatic hexaphyrins
      were better interpreted by their shifts in energy levels and altered interactions
      of relevant molecular orbitals, rather than small differences in Mobius
      geometries nor aromatic/antiaromatic character, despite the correlations recently
      claimed in planar pi-systems. 

PMID- 27253840
TI  - Effects of Combat and Military Training on End-of-Life Care.

PMID- 27253841
TI  - Intravenous lipid emulsions in the critically ill: an update.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Purpose of the review is to summarize recent research
      addressing the role of intravenous lipid emulsions (IVLEs) in the critically ill.
      RECENT FINDINGS: Soybean oil-based IVLEs, which are high in the omega-6
      polyunsaturated fatty acids, have been largely used in parenteral nutrition over
      the last several decades. However, it is now generally accepted that the higher
      content of phytosterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids in soybean oil IVLE may
      adversely affect the immunological and inflammatory status of the critically ill.
      In the last few years, alternative IVLEs with lower soybean oil content have been
      associated with important improvements in clinical outcomes, such as mortality,
      mechanical ventilation days, and ICU length of stay. Olive oil and fish oil IVLEs
      have been reported to reduce the incidence of infections, with no clear benefits
      in other clinical outcomes. Despite the promising results with these new
      parenteral nutrition strategies, the optimum composition, dosage and indication
      for alternative IVLEs still remain controversial. Nevertheless, according to
      current knowledge alternative IVLEs may be associated with improved clinical
      outcomes and should be considered in critically ill patients requiring parenteral
      nutrition. SUMMARY: There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that improved
      clinical outcomes can be achieved with selective use of alternative IVLEs in
      parenteral nutrition regimens for the critically ill. More high quality trials
      are needed, to better evaluate the efficacy of alternative IVLEs.

PMID- 27253842
TI  - Postoperative bleeding and coagulation disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: New data have been made available in the field of haemostasis
      and thrombosis. Some long-awaited answers to important questions have been
      published, and some debates have benefited from an updated perspective. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Two important domains are addressed in this update: massive bleeding
      (1/1/1 ratios and fibrinogen concentrates) and the management of direct oral
      anticoagulants (monitoring and antidotes). Both are highly controversial topics.
      Higher plasma/platelets/red blood cells units ratios are now partly supported by
      a new study in trauma. Several studies show that preemptive doses of fibrinogen
      do not appear to bring any benefit. Monitoring of direct oral anticoagulants is
      now possible, and it has to be recommended in some circumstances. Specific
      antidotes are being developed, but there are still more questions than answers.
      SUMMARY: These new data should help anaesthesiologists and intensivists to better
      understand and manage massively bleeding patients or direct oral anticoagulants
      treated patients.

PMID- 27253843
TI  - Postoperative hemodynamic instability and monitoring.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of the review is to identify the recently
      validated minimally invasive or noninvasive monitoring devices used to both
      monitor and guide resuscitation in the critically ill patients. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Recent advances in noninvasive measures of blood pressure, blood flow, and
      vascular tone have been validated and complement existing minimally invasive and
      invasive monitoring techniques. These monitoring approaches should be used within
      the context of a focused physical examination and static vital sign analysis.
      When available, measurement of urinary output is often included. All studies show
      that minimally invasive and noninvasive measure of arterial pressure and cardiac
      output are possible and often remain as accurate as invasive measures. The
      noninvasive techniques degrade in severe circulatory failure and the use of
      vasopressor therapy. Importantly, these output parameters form the treatment
      goals for many goal-directed therapies protocols. SUMMARY: When coupled with a
      focused physical examination and functional hemodynamic monitoring analyses,
      these measures become even more specific at defining volume responsiveness and
      vasomotor tone and can be used to drive resuscitation strategies.

PMID- 27253844
TI  - Oldies but goodies: The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)
      Operational Linescan System (OLS) data can be used with the data obtained before
      the year 2012.

PMID- 27253845
TI  - Monothiocarbamates Strongly Inhibit Carbonic Anhydrases in Vitro and Possess
      Intraocular Pressure Lowering Activity in an Animal Model of Glaucoma.
AB  - A series of monothiocarbamates (MTCs) were prepared from primary/secondary amines
      and COS as potential carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors, using the
      dithiocarbamates, the xanthates, and the trithiocarbonates as lead compounds. The
      MTCs effectively inhibited the pharmacologically relevant human (h) hCAs isoforms
      I, II, IX, and XII in vitro and showed KIs spanning between the low and medium
      nanomolar range. By means of a computational study, the MTC moiety binding mode
      on the CAs was explained. Furthermore, a selection of MTCs were evaluated in a
      normotensive glaucoma rabbit model for their intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering
      effects and showed interesting activity.

PMID- 27253846
TI  - Satisficing in split-second decision making is characterized by strategic cue
      discounting.
AB  - Much of our real-life decision making is bounded by uncertain information,
      limitations in cognitive resources, and a lack of time to allocate to the
      decision process. It is thought that humans overcome these limitations through
      satisficing, fast but "good-enough" heuristic decision making that prioritizes
      some sources of information (cues) while ignoring others. However, the decision
      making strategies we adopt under uncertainty and time pressure, for example
      during emergencies that demand split-second choices, are presently unknown. To
      characterize these decision strategies quantitatively, the present study examined
      how people solve a novel multicue probabilistic classification task under varying
      time pressure, by tracking shifts in decision strategies using variational
      Bayesian inference. We found that under low time pressure, participants correctly
      weighted and integrated all available cues to arrive at near-optimal decisions.
      With increasingly demanding, subsecond time pressures, however, participants
      systematically discounted a subset of the cue information by dropping the least
      informative cue(s) from their decision making process. Thus, the human cognitive
      apparatus copes with uncertainty and severe time pressure by adopting a "drop-the
      worst" cue decision making strategy that minimizes cognitive time and effort
      investment while preserving the consideration of the most diagnostic cue
      information, thus maintaining "good-enough" accuracy. This advance in our
      understanding of satisficing strategies could form the basis of predicting human
      choices in high time pressure scenarios. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253848
TI  - Is formamide a geochemically plausible prebiotic solvent?
AB  - From a geochemical perspective, significant amounts of pure formamide (HCONH2)
      would have likely been rare on the early Earth. There may have been mixed
      formamide-water solutions, but even in the presence of catalyst, solutions with
      >20 weight% water in formamide would not have produced significant amounts of
      prebiotic compounds. It might be feasible to produce relatively pure formamide by
      a rare occurrence of freezing formamide/water mixtures at temperatures lower than
      formamide's freezing point (2.55  degrees C) but greater than the freezing point
      of water. Because of the high density of formamide ice it would have sunk and
      accumulated at the bottom of the solution. If the remaining water froze on the
      surface of this ice, and was then removed by a sublimation-ablation process, a
      small amount of pure formamide ice might have been produced. In addition a recent
      report suggested that ~85 weight% formamide could be prepared by a geochemical
      type of fractional distillation process, offering another possible route for
      prebiotic formamide production. 

PMID- 27253847
TI  - The LysR-type transcriptional regulator, CidR, regulates stationary phase cell
      death in Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - The Staphylococcus aureus LysR-type transcriptional regulator, CidR, activates
      the expression of two operons including cidABC and alsSD that display pro- and
      anti-death functions, respectively. Although several investigations have focused
      on the functions of different genes associated with these operons, the collective
      role of the CidR regulon in staphylococcal physiology is not clearly understood.
      Here we reveal that the primary role of this regulon is to limit acetate
      dependent potentiation of cell death in staphylococcal populations. Although both
      CidB and CidC promote acetate generation and cell death, the CidR-dependent co
      activation of CidA and AlsSD counters the effects of CidBC by redirecting
      intracellular carbon flux towards acetoin formation. From a mechanistic
      standpoint, we demonstrate that CidB is necessary for full activation of CidC,
      whereas CidA limits the abundance of CidC in the cell.

PMID- 27253849
TI  - Biology and management of clear cell sarcoma: state of the art and future
      perspectives.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is an aggressive tumor, typically
      developing in tendons or aponeuroses. The outcome of this orphan disease is poor,
      with 5-year and 10-year survival rates of localized CCS around 60-70% and 40-50%.
      Once the disease has metastasized, it is usually fatal due to its chemotherapy
      resistant nature. Systemic treatment options are poorly standardized and the use
      of chemotherapy is based on weak scientific evidence. AREAS COVERED: In this
      review, we systematically discuss the current scientific evidence for the
      systemic treatment of CCS, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immunotherapy
      and MET inhibitors. Expert commentary: Recent insights in the biology of CCS have
      identified new potential therapeutic targets, which should be tested in
      prospective clinical trials. Whenever possible, patients with metastatic CCS
      should be included in clinical trials with good biological rationale. Innovative
      trial methodology and new regulatory mechanisms are required to provide patients
      with uncommon cancers with active drugs.

PMID- 27253850
TI  - Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase behaviour of an ionic liquid and
      its control by supramolecular host-guest interactions.
AB  - Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase behaviour of an imidazolium
      based ionic liquid is reported, which can be controlled by concentration, the
      choice of cation, anion and solvent, and by supramolecular host-guest complex
      formation. Molecular dynamics simulations provide insight into the molecular
      basis of this LCST phenomenon. This thermo-responsive system has potential
      applications in cloud point extraction processes. 

PMID- 27253862
TI  - Pupil dilation during recognition memory: Isolating unexpected recognition from
      judgment uncertainty.
AB  - Optimally discriminating familiar from novel stimuli demands a decision-making
      process informed by prior expectations. Here we demonstrate that pupillary
      dilation (PD) responses during recognition memory decisions are modulated by
      expectations, and more specifically, that pupil dilation increases for unexpected
      compared to expected recognition. Furthermore, multi-level modeling demonstrated
      that the time course of the dilation during each individual trial contains
      separable early and late dilation components, with the early amplitude capturing
      unexpected recognition, and the later trailing slope reflecting general judgment
      uncertainty or effort. This is the first demonstration that the early dilation
      response during recognition is dependent upon observer expectations and that
      separate recognition expectation and judgment uncertainty components are present
      in the dilation time course of every trial. The findings provide novel insights
      into adaptive memory-linked orienting mechanisms as well as the general cognitive
      underpinnings of the pupillary index of autonomic nervous system activity.

PMID- 27253863
TI  - Object formation in visual working memory: Evidence from object-based attention.
AB  - We report on how visual working memory (VWM) forms intact perceptual
      representations of visual objects using sub-object elements. Specifically, when
      objects were divided into fragments and sequentially encoded into VWM, the
      fragments were involuntarily integrated into objects in VWM, as evidenced by the
      occurrence of both positive and negative object-based attention effects: In
      Experiment 1, when subjects' attention was cued to a location occupied by the VWM
      object, the target presented at the location of that object was perceived as
      occurring earlier than that presented at the location of a different object. In
      Experiment 2, responses to a target were significantly slower when a distractor
      was presented at the same location as the cued object (Experiment 2). These
      results suggest that object fragments can be integrated into objects within VWM
      in a manner similar to that of visual perception.

PMID- 27253864
TI  - The implications of genetic variation for the pharmacokinetics and
      pharmacodynamics of aromatase inhibitors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and remains a
      serious public health concern worldwide. Third-generation aromatase inhibitors
      (AIs) are widely used in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive
      breast cancer. However, there is marked interindividual variability in terms of
      the efficacy and incidence of adverse events following treatment with AIs.
      Pharmacogenetics has the potential to predict clinical outcomes based on
      patients' genetic information, paving the way towards personalized treatment.
      AREAS COVERED: This article reviews pharmacogenetic studies of AIs, including
      pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects, highlighting those studies where the
      efficacy and adverse events of AIs have been examined using both candidate gene
      and genome-wide approaches. EXPERT OPINION: Pharmacogenetics is a promising
      approach to develop personalized medicine with AIs. However, the application of
      pharmacogenetics to predict therapeutic efficacy and adverse events in breast
      cancer patients is still far from implementation in routine clinical practice.
      Large, comprehensive, multicenter studies that simultaneously evaluate multiple
      genes and pathways, including rare variants, are warranted in order to produce
      reliable and informative results. The ultimate aim is to develop clinically
      relevant guidelines for breast cancer therapy.

PMID- 27253865
TI  - Effect of Ionic Liquids on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Viability, Behavior, and
      Histology; Correlation between Toxicity and Ionic Liquid Aggregation.
AB  - The effect of 11 common amidinium, imidazolium, and phosphonium based ionic
      liquids (ILs) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO)
      was investigated with specific emphasis on the effect of anion and cation chain
      length and aggregation of phosphonium based ILs. Viability and behavioral
      alteration in the locomotor activity and place preference, after IL treatment of
      5 days postfertilization larvae, was recorded. Behavior and histological damage
      evaluation was performed for adult fish in order to get insight into the long
      term effects of two potential biomass-dissolving ILs, [DBNH][OAc] and
      [P4441][OAc]. To get an understanding of how IL aggregation is linked to the
      toxicity of ILs, median effective concentrations (EC50) and critical micelle
      concentrations (CMC) were determined. The long-chain ILs were significantly more
      toxic than the short-chain ones, and the anion chain length was shown to be less
      significant than the cation chain length when assessing the impact of ILs on the
      viability of the organisms. Furthermore, most of the ILs were as monomers when
      the EC50 was reached. In addition, the ILs used in the long-term tests showed no
      significant effect on the zebrafish behavior, breeding, or histology, within the
      used concentration range.

PMID- 27253866
TI  - Childhood cancer survivorship research in minority populations: A position paper
      from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
AB  - By the middle of this century, racial/ethnic minority populations will
      collectively constitute 50% of the US population. This temporal shift in the
      racial/ethnic composition of the US population demands a close look at the
      race/ethnicity-specific burden of morbidity and premature mortality among
      survivors of childhood cancer. To optimize targeted long-term follow-up care, it
      is essential to understand whether the burden of morbidity borne by survivors of
      childhood cancer differs by race/ethnicity. This is challenging because the
      number of minority participants is often limited in current childhood cancer
      survivorship research, resulting in a paucity of race/ethnicity-specific
      recommendations and/or interventions. Although the overall childhood cancer
      incidence increased between 1973 and 2003, the mortality rate declined; however,
      these changes did not differ appreciably by race/ethnicity. The authors
      speculated that any racial/ethnic differences in outcome are likely to be
      multifactorial, and drew on data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study to
      illustrate the various contributors (socioeconomic characteristics, health
      behaviors, and comorbidities) that could explain any observed differences in key
      treatment-related complications. Finally, the authors outlined challenges in
      conducting race/ethnicity-specific childhood cancer survivorship research,
      demonstrating that there are limited absolute numbers of children who are
      diagnosed and survive cancer in any one racial/ethnic minority population,
      thereby precluding a rigorous evaluation of adverse events among specific primary
      cancer diagnoses and treatment exposure groups. Cancer 2016;122:2426-2439. (c)
      2016 American Cancer Society.

PMID- 27253868
TI  - No age deficits in the ability to use attention to improve visual working memory.
AB  - Maintenance of information in mind to the moment-to-moment cognition is
      accomplished by working memory (WM). WM capacity is reduced in old age, but the
      nature of this decline is yet not clear. The current study examined the
      hypothesis that the decline in visual WM performance with age is related to a
      reduced ability to use attention to control the contents of WM. Young (M = 26
      years) and old (M = 71 years) adults performed a color reproduction task in which
      the precise color of a set of dots had to be maintained in mind over a brief
      interval and later reproduced using a continuous color wheel. Attention was
      manipulated by presenting a spatial cue before the onset of the memory array (a
      precue) or during the maintenance phase (retro-cue). The cue indicated with 100%
      certainty the item to be tested at the end of the trial. A precue allows the
      selective encoding of only the relevant item to WM, whereas a retro-cue allows WM
      contents to be updated by refreshing the relevant (cued) item and removing
      nonrelevant (noncued) items. Aging was associated with a lower capacity in the
      baseline (no-cue) condition. Precues and (to a smaller extent) retro-cues
      improved WM performance (in terms of probability of recall and memory precision).
      Critically, the benefits of cueing were of similar magnitude in young and older
      adults showing that the ability to use attention to selectively encode and update
      the contents of WM is preserved with aging. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253867
TI  - Early selection versus late correction: Age-related differences in controlling
      working memory contents.
AB  - We examined whether a reduced ability to ignore irrelevant information is
      responsible for the age-related decline of working memory (WM) functions. By
      means of event-related brain potentials, we will show that filtering is not out
      of service in older adults but shifted to a later processing stage. Participants
      performed a visual short-term memory task (change-detection task) in which
      targets were presented along with distractors. To allow early selection, a cue
      was presented in advance of each display, indicating where the targets were to
      appear. Despite this relatively easy selection criterion, older adults' filtering
      was delayed as indicated by the amplitude pattern of the contralateral delay
      activity. Importantly, WM-equated younger adults did not show a delay indicating
      that the delay is specific to older adults and not a general phenomenon that
      comes with low WM capacity. Moreover, the analysis of early visual potentials
      revealed qualitatively different perceptual/attentional processing between the
      age groups. Young adults exhibited stronger distractor sensitivity that in turn
      facilitated filtering. Older adults, in contrast, seemed to initially store
      distractors and to suppress them after the fact. These early selection versus
      late-correction modes suggest an age-related shift in the strategy to control the
      contents of WM. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27253869
TI  - Crowdsourcing Vector Surveillance: Using Community Knowledge and Experiences to
      Predict Densities and Distribution of Outdoor-Biting Mosquitoes in Rural
      Tanzania.
AB  - Lack of reliable techniques for large-scale monitoring of disease-transmitting
      mosquitoes is a major public health challenge, especially where advanced geo
      information systems are not regularly applicable. We tested an innovative crowd
      sourcing approach, which relies simply on knowledge and experiences of residents
      to rapidly predict areas where disease-transmitting mosquitoes are most abundant.
      Guided by community-based resource persons, we mapped boundaries and major
      physical features in three rural Tanzanian villages. We then selected 60
      community members, taught them basic map-reading skills, and offered them gridded
      maps of their own villages (grid size: 200m*200m) so they could identify
      locations where they believed mosquitoes were most abundant, by ranking the grids
      from one (highest density) to five (lowest density). The ranks were interpolated
      in ArcGIS-10 (ESRI-USA) using inverse distance weighting (IDW) method, and re
      classified to depict areas people believed had high, medium and low mosquito
      densities. Finally, we used odor-baited mosquito traps to compare and verify
      actual outdoor mosquito densities in the same areas. We repeated this process for
      12 months, each time with a different group of 60 residents. All entomological
      surveys depicted similar geographical stratification of mosquito densities in
      areas classified by community members as having high, medium and low vector
      abundance. These similarities were observed when all mosquito species were
      combined, and also when only malaria vectors were considered. Of the 12,412
      mosquitoes caught, 60.9% (7,555) were from areas considered by community members
      as having high mosquito densities, 28% (3,470) from medium density areas, and
      11.2% (1,387) from low density areas. This study provides evidence that we can
      rely on community knowledge and experiences to identify areas where mosquitoes
      are most abundant or least abundant, even without entomological surveys. This
      crowd-sourcing method could be further refined and validated to improve community
      based planning of mosquito control operations at low-cost. 

PMID- 27253870
TI  - A Polymorphism in RNF213 Is a Susceptibility Gene for Intracranial
      Atherosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) and moyamoya
      disease (MMD) are prevalent in Asians. We hypothesized that the Ring Finger
      protein 213 gene polymorphism (RNF213), a susceptibility locus for MMD in East
      Asians, is also a susceptibility gene for ICAS in patients whose diagnosis had
      been confirmed by conventional angiography (absence of basal collaterals) and
      high-resolution MRI (HR-MRI, presence of plaque). METHODS: We analyzed 532
      consecutive patients with ischemic events in the middle cerebral artery (MCA)
      distribution and relevant stenotic lesion on the distal internal carotid artery
      or proximal MCA, but no demonstrable carotid or cardiac embolism sources.
      Additional angiography was performed on 370 (69.5%) patients and HR-MRI on 283
      (53.2%) patients. RESULTS: Based on angiographic and HR-MRI findings, 234
      patients were diagnosed with ICAS and 288 with MMD. The RNF213 variant was
      observed in 50 (21.4%) ICAS patients and in 119 (69.1%) MMD patients. The variant
      was observed in 25.2% of patients with HR-MRI-confirmed ICAS. Similarly, 15.8% of
      ICAS patients in whom MMD was excluded by angiography had this variant. Among the
      ICAS patients, RNF213 variant carriers were younger and more likely to have a
      family history of MMD than non-carriers were. Multivariate testing showed that
      only the age of ICAS onset was independently associated with the RNF213 variant
      (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.944-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: RNF213 is a susceptibility
      gene not only for MMD but also for ICAS in East Asians. Further studies are
      needed on RNF213 variants in ICAS patients outside East Asian populations.

PMID- 27253871
TI  - Surveying the new Allergic and hypersensitivity conditions chapter of the
      International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11.

PMID- 27253873
TI  - Adipogenesis and aldosterone: a study in lean tryptophan-depleted rats.
AB  - Next to epithelial tissues, mineralocorticoid receptors are also expressed in
      adipose tissue and are involved in the process of adipogenesis. Mineralocorticoid
      receptors in adipose tissue are likely to be activated mainly by glucocorticoids.
      The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the processes
      related to adipogenesis are modified under the conditions associated with high
      circulating aldosterone. We have made advantage of a model of depression based on
      tryptophan depletion in which we have previously demonstrated that the elevation
      of serum aldosterone precedes that of corticosterone. Sixty adult female Sprague
      Dawley rats were fed either a low tryptophan diet or control diet for 4
      (elevation of aldosterone only), 7 and 14 days (broader neuroendocrine
      activation) respectively. Gene expression of several adipogenic factors, CD31,
      interleukin-6, adiponectin, resistin and leptin were evaluated. Levels of mRNAs
      coding for adipogenic, angiogenic and inflammatory factors in adipose tissue were
      elevated at 4 and 7 days of tryptophan depletion. Additionally, gene expression
      of aldosterone sensing 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 and
      mineralocorticoid receptors were elevated. All changes disappeared at 14 days of
      tryptophan depletion. Synchronously an increase of adipose tissue mass was
      observed. Although direct evidence is not provided, observed changes in gene
      expression may be related to the action of aldosterone on mineralocorticoid
      receptors. Our findings represent the first data on any changes in gene
      expression in adipose tissue in animal models of depression. 

PMID- 27253872
TI  - Genome Assembly of the Fungus Cochliobolus miyabeanus, and Transcriptome Analysis
      during Early Stages of Infection on American Wildrice (Zizania palustris L.).
AB  - The fungus Cochliobolus miyabeanus causes severe leaf spot disease on rice (Oryza
      sativa) and two North American specialty crops, American wildrice (Zizania
      palustris) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Despite the importance of C.
      miyabeanus as a disease-causing agent in wildrice, little is known about either
      the mechanisms of pathogenicity or host defense responses. To start bridging
      these gaps, the genome of C. miyabeanus strain TG12bL2 was shotgun sequenced
      using Illumina technology. The genome assembly consists of 31.79 Mbp in 2,378
      scaffolds with an N50 = 74,921. It contains 11,000 predicted genes of which 94.5%
      were annotated. Approximately 10% of total gene number is expected to be
      secreted. The C. miyabeanus genome is rich in carbohydrate active enzymes, and
      harbors 187 small secreted peptides (SSPs) and some fungal effector homologs.
      Detoxification systems were represented by a variety of enzymes that could offer
      protection against plant defense compounds. The non-ribosomal peptide synthetases
      and polyketide synthases (PKS) present were common to other Cochliobolus species.
      Additionally, the fungal transcriptome was analyzed at 48 hours after inoculation
      in planta. A total of 10,674 genes were found to be expressed, some of which are
      known to be involved in pathogenicity or response to host defenses including
      hydrophobins, cutinase, cell wall degrading enzymes, enzymes related to reactive
      oxygen species scavenging, PKS, detoxification systems, SSPs, and a known fungal
      effector. This work will facilitate future research on C. miyabeanus pathogen
      associated molecular patterns and effectors, and in the identification of their
      corresponding wildrice defense mechanisms. 

PMID- 27253874
TI  - Site-Specific Turn-On Fluorescent Labeling of DNA-Interacting Protein Using
      Oligodeoxynucleotides That Modify Lysines To Produce 5,6-Dimethoxy 3
      Methyleneisoindolin-1-one.
AB  - We have developed oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) that modify primary amines to
      produce 5,6-dimethoxy 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-one. Compared to the oxygen
      isosteric fluorophore, 4,5-dimethoxyphthalimide, this methyleneisoindolinone was
      more stable and exhibited an 85 nm blue-shifted fluorescent emission (lambdamax
      at 425 nm) with an intensity comparable to that of the phthalimide. Reaction of
      the DNA-binding domain of Escherichia coli DnaA protein with an ODN containing
      its binding sequence efficiently afforded a modified fluorescent protein at a
      specific lysine residue in the proximity of the ODN. A full-length DnaA protein
      was also successfully fluorescently labeled. These results demonstrate the
      potential utility of the ODNs developed in this study for the fluorescent
      labeling of DNA-interacting protein at the lysine residue of interest.

PMID- 27253875
TI  - Correction: Hydrophobicity of Antifungal beta-Peptides Is Associated with Their
      Cytotoxic Effect on In Vitro Human Colon Caco-2 and Liver HepG2 Cells.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149271.].

PMID- 27253876
TI  - Insertion and Deletion Mismatches Distant from the Target Position Improve Gene
      Correction with a Tailed Duplex.
AB  - A 5'-tailed duplex (TD) DNA corrects a base-substitution mutation. In this study,
      the effects of insertion and deletion (indel) mismatches distant from the target
      position on the gene correction were examined. Three target plasmid DNAs with and
      without indel mismatches ~330 bases distant from the correction target position
      were prepared, and introduced into HeLa cells together with the TD. The indel
      mismatches improved the gene correction efficiency and specificity without
      sequence conversions at the indel mismatch site. These results suggested that the
      gene correction efficiency and specificity are increased when an appropriate
      second mismatch is introduced into the TD fragment. 

PMID- 27253877
TI  - The Spreading of Social Energy: How Exposure to Positive and Negative Social News
      Affects Behavior.
AB  - Social news, unlike video games or TV programs, conveys real-life interactions.
      Theoretically, social news in which people help or harm each other and violate
      rules should influence both prosocial and violation behaviors. In two
      experiments, we demonstrated the spreading effects of social news in a social
      interaction context emphasizing social conventions and a nonsocial interaction
      context emphasizing moral norms. Across the two studies, the results showed that
      positive social news increased cooperation (decreased defection) but had no
      effect on cheating, whereas negative social news increased cheating but with no
      change in cooperation (or defection). We conclude that there is a spreading
      impact of positive social news in the conventional norm domain and of negative
      social news in the moral norm domain. 

PMID- 27253879
TI  - Does the scientific underpinning of regulatory tools to estimate bioavailability
      of nickel in freshwaters matter? The European-wide environmental quality standard
      for nickel.
AB  - A bioavailability-based environmental quality standard (EQS) was established for
      nickel in freshwaters under the European Union's Water Framework Directive.
      Bioavailability correction based on pH, water hardness, and dissolved organic
      carbon is a demonstrable improvement on existing hardness-based quality
      standards, which may be underprotective in high-hardness waters. The present
      study compares several simplified bioavailability tools developed to implement
      the Ni EQS (biomet, M-BAT, and PNECPro) against the full bioavailability
      normalization procedure on which the EQS was based. Generally, all tools
      correctly distinguished sensitive waters from insensitive waters, although with
      varying degrees of accuracy compared with full normalization. Biomet and M-BAT
      predictions were consistent with, but less accurate than, full bioavailability
      normalization results, whereas PNECpro results were generally more conservative.
      The comparisons revealed important differences in tools in development, which
      results in differences in the predictions. Importantly, the models used for the
      development of PNECpro use a different ecotoxicity dataset, and a different
      bioavailability normalization approach using fewer biotic ligand models (BLMs)
      than that used for the derivation of the Ni EQS. The failure to include all of
      the available toxicity data, and all of the appropriate NiBLMs, has led to some
      significant differences between the predictions provided by PNECpro and those
      calculated using the process agreed to in Europe under the Water Framework
      Directive and other chemicals management programs (such as REACH). These
      considerable differences mean that PNECpro does not reflect the behavior, fate,
      and ecotoxicity of nickel, and raises concerns about its applicability for
      checking compliance against the Ni EQS. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2397-2404.
      (c) 2016 SETAC.

PMID- 27253878
TI  - Identification of Multiple Proteins Coupling Transcriptional Gene Silencing to
      Genome Stability in Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - Eukaryotic genomes are regulated by epigenetic marks that act to modulate
      transcriptional control as well as to regulate DNA replication and repair. In
      Arabidopsis thaliana, mutation of the ATXR5 and ATXR6 histone methyltransferases
      causes reduction in histone H3 lysine 27 monomethylation, transcriptional
      upregulation of transposons, and a genome instability defect in which there is an
      accumulation of excess DNA corresponding to pericentromeric heterochromatin. We
      designed a forward genetic screen to identify suppressors of the atxr5/6
      phenotype that uncovered loss-of-function mutations in two components of the TREX
      2 complex (AtTHP1, AtSAC3B), a SUMO-interacting E3 ubiquitin ligase (AtSTUbL2)
      and a methyl-binding domain protein (AtMBD9). Additionally, using a reverse
      genetic approach, we show that a mutation in a plant homolog of the tumor
      suppressor gene BRCA1 enhances the atxr5/6 phenotype. Through characterization of
      these mutations, our results suggest models for the production atxr5 atxr6
      induced extra DNA involving conflicts between the replicative and transcriptional
      processes in the cell, and suggest that the atxr5 atxr6 transcriptional defects
      may be the cause of the genome instability defects in the mutants. These findings
      highlight the critical intersection of transcriptional silencing and DNA
      replication in the maintenance of genome stability of heterochromatin.

PMID- 27253880
TI  - Activated Microporous Carbon Derived from Almond Shells for High Energy Density
      Asymmetric Supercapacitors.
AB  - Via the activation treatment of carbonized almond shells with HNO3 and KOH,
      activated microporous carbon (AMC-3 and AMC-2) was successfully synthesized.
      These two AMC electrodes demonstrate remarkable electrochemical behaviors such as
      high rate capability, high specific capacitance, and excellent cycle stability
      when serving as electrodes for supercapacitors. More importantly, through the use
      of a Zn-Ni-Co ternary oxide (ZNCO) positive electrode and the AMC negative
      electrode, asymmetric supercapacitors (ASC) were assembled that deliver superior
      energy density (53.3 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 1126.1 W kg(-1) for ASC-2
      and 53.6 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 1124.5 W kg(-1) for ASC-3) and excellent
      stability (82.7% and 83.4% specific capacitance retention for ZNCO//AMC ASC-2 and
      ZNCO//AMC ASC-3, respectively, after 5000 cycles). Through these two methods, low
      cost, renewable, and environmentally friendly electrode materials can be provided
      for high energy density supercapacitors. 

PMID- 27253881
TI  - Plasmodium falciparum Hep1 Is Required to Prevent the Self Aggregation of PfHsp70
      3.
AB  - The majority of mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus and need to be
      imported from the cytosol into the mitochondria, and molecular chaperones play a
      key role in the efficient translocation and proper folding of these proteins in
      the matrix. One such molecular chaperone is the eukaryotic mitochondrial heat
      shock protein 70 (Hsp70); however, it is prone to self-aggregation and requires
      the presence of an essential zinc-finger protein, Hsp70-escort protein 1 (Hep1),
      to maintain its structure and function. PfHsp70-3, the only Hsp70 predicted to
      localize in the mitochondria of P. falciparum, may also rely on a Hep1 orthologue
      to prevent self-aggregation. In this study, we identified a putative Hep1
      orthologue in P. falciparum and co-expression of PfHsp70-3 and PfHep1 enhanced
      the solubility of PfHsp70-3. PfHep1 suppressed the thermally induced aggregation
      of PfHsp70-3 but not the aggregation of malate dehydrogenase or citrate synthase,
      thus showing specificity for PfHsp70-3. Zinc ions were indeed essential for
      maintaining the function of PfHep1, as EDTA chelation abrogated its abilities to
      suppress the aggregation of PfHsp70-3. Soluble and functional PfHsp70-3, acquired
      by co-expression with PfHep-1, will facilitate the biochemical characterisation
      of this particular Hsp70 protein and its evaluation as a drug target for the
      treatment of malaria. 

PMID- 27253882
TI  - Is the assessment of submucosal invasion still useful in the management of early
      rectal cancer? A study of 91 consecutive patients.
AB  - AIM: The only studies on the prognosis of T1 tumours are old and investigate
      colic and rectal cancers. Very few studies use Kikuchi's classification (of
      dividing submucosa into three strata) to evaluate the depth of the submucosal
      invasion. This study aimed to assess the pathological risk factors for lymph node
      metastasis (LNM), and the pathological and oncological results of patients with
      early rectal cancer (ERC, pT1 tumour). METHOD: Between 2000 and 2014, 91
      consecutive patients undergoing surgery [primary total mesorectal excision (TME)
      or local excision (LE) alone, or LE followed by TME] for ERC were included.
      RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent LE, 22 underwent LE followed by TME and 51
      underwent primary total TME. After TME (n = 73), 16 (23%) patients had LNM. The
      LNM rate was 15% for Sm1 tumours, 14% for Sm2 tumours and 30% for Sm3 tumours. In
      multivariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.027) and high tumour
      budding (P = 0.037) were the only independent factors predictive of LNM. The
      depth of submucosal invasion was not associated with an increased risk of LNM.
      After a mean follow up of 56 +/- 46 months, 5-year overall survival, specific
      survival and disease-free survival were, respectively, 82%, 93% and 75%. No
      significant difference of survival was found according to the depth of submucosal
      invasion or to the surgical management. CONCLUSION: Histological features seem to
      be stronger risk factors for LNM than depth of submucosal invasion. Considering
      the LNM rate, TME should be discussed after LE in terms of one of these
      pathological criteria.

PMID- 27253883
TI  - Biomarkers in sarcoidosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Numerous biomarkers have been evaluated for the diagnosis,
      assessment of disease activity, prognosis, and response to treatment in
      sarcoidosis. In this report, we discuss the clinical and research utility of
      several biomarkers used to evaluate sarcoidosis. Areas covered: The sarcoidosis
      biomarkers discussed include serologic tests, imaging studies, identification of
      inflammatory cells and genetic analyses. Literature was obtained from medical
      databases including PubMed and Web of Science. Expert commentary: Most of the
      biomarkers examined in sarcoidosis are not adequately specific or sensitive to be
      used in isolation to make clinical decisions. However, several sarcoidosis
      biomarkers have an important role in the clinical management of sarcoidosis when
      they are coupled with clinical data including the results of other biomarkers.

PMID- 27253884
TI  - Multi-Drug-Loaded Microcapsules with Controlled Release for Management of
      Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disease of the nervous system, and is
      currently managed through commercial tablets that do not sufficiently enable
      controlled, sustained release capabilities. It is hypothesized that a drug
      delivery system that provides controlled and sustained release of PD drugs would
      afford better management of PD. Hollow microcapsules composed of poly-l-lactide
      (PLLA) and poly (caprolactone) (PCL) are prepared through a modified double
      emulsion technique. They are loaded with three PD drugs, i.e., levodopa (LD),
      carbidopa (CD), and entacapone (ENT), at a ratio of 4:1:8, similar to commercial
      PD tablets. LD and CD are localized in both the hollow cavity and PLLA/PCL shell,
      while ENT is localized in the PLLA/PCL shell. Release kinetics of hydrophobic ENT
      is observed to be relatively slow as compared to the other hydrophilic drugs. It
      is further hypothesized that encapsulating ENT into PCL as a surface coating onto
      these microcapsules can aid in accelerating its release. Now, these spray-coated
      hollow microcapsules exhibit similar release kinetics, according to Higuchi's
      rate, for all three drugs. The results suggest that multiple drug encapsulation
      of LD, CD, and ENT in gastric floating microcapsules could be further developed
      for in vivo evaluation for the management of PD. 

PMID- 27253885
TI  - Monitoring and predicting the risk of violence in residential facilities. No
      difference between patients with history or with no history of violence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most people with mental disorders are not violent. However, the lack
      of specific studies in this area and recent radical changes in Italy, including
      the closure of six Forensic Mental Hospitals, has prompted a more detailed
      investigation of patients with aggressive behaviour. AIMS: To compare socio
      demographic, clinical and treatment-related characteristics of long-term
      inpatients with a lifetime history of serious violence with controls; to identify
      predictors of verbal and physical aggressive behaviour during 1-year follow-up.
      METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, patients living in Residential Facilities
      (RFs) with a lifetime history of serious violence were assessed with a large set
      of standardized instruments and compared to patients with no violent history.
      Patients were evaluated bi-monthly with MOAS in order to monitor any aggressive
      behaviour. RESULTS: The sample included 139 inpatients, 82 violent and 57 control
      subjects; most patients were male. The bi-monthly monitoring during the 1-year
      follow-up did not show any statistically significant differences in aggressive
      behaviour rates between the two groups. The subscale explaining most of the MOAS
      total score was aggression against objects, although verbal aggression was the
      most common pattern. Furthermore, verbal aggression was significantly associated
      with aggression against objects and physical aggression. CONCLUSIONS: Patients
      with a history of violence in RFs, where treatment and clinical supervision are
      available, do not show higher rates of aggressiveness compared to patients with
      no lifetime history of violence. Since verbal aggression is associated with more
      severe forms of aggression, prompt intervention is warranted to reduce the risk
      of escalation.

PMID- 27253886
TI  - Study of Pyridine-Mediated Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Methanol at High
      CO2 Pressure.
AB  - The recently proposed highly efficient route of pyridine-catalyzed CO2 reduction
      to methanol was explored on platinum electrodes at high CO2 pressure. At 55 bar
      (5.5 MPa) of CO2 , the bulk electrolysis in both potentiostatic and galvanostatic
      regimes resulted in methanol production with Faradaic yields of up to 10 % for
      the first 5-10 C cm(-2) of charge passed. For longer electrolysis, the methanol
      concentration failed to increase proportionally and was limited to sub-ppm levels
      irrespective of biasing conditions and pyridine concentration. This limitation
      cannot be removed by electrode reactivation and/or pre-electrolysis and appears
      to be an inherent feature of the reduction process. In agreement with bulk
      electrolysis findings, the CV analysis supported by simulation indicated that
      hydrogen evolution is still the dominant electrode reaction in pyridine
      containing electrolyte solution, even with an excess CO2 concentration in the
      solution. No prominent contribution from either a direct or coupled CO2 reduction
      was found. The results obtained suggest that the reduction of CO2 to methanol is
      a transient process that is largely decoupled from the electrode charge transfer.

PMID- 27253888
TI  - Autoregressive linear least square single scanning electron microscope image
      signal-to-noise ratio estimation.
AB  - A technique based on linear Least Squares Regression (LSR) model is applied to
      estimate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of scanning electron microscope (SEM)
      images. In order to test the accuracy of this technique on SNR estimation, a
      number of SEM images are initially corrupted with white noise. The
      autocorrelation function (ACF) of the original and the corrupted SEM images are
      formed to serve as the reference point to estimate the SNR value of the corrupted
      image. The LSR technique is then compared with the previous three existing
      techniques known as nearest neighbourhood, first-order interpolation, and the
      combination of both nearest neighborhood and first-order interpolation. The
      actual and the estimated SNR values of all these techniques are then calculated
      for comparison purpose. It is shown that the LSR technique is able to attain the
      highest accuracy compared to the other three existing techniques as the absolute
      difference between the actual and the estimated SNR value is relatively small.
      SCANNING 38:771-782, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253887
TI  - Recombinant L-Asparaginase from Zymomonas mobilis: A Potential New Antileukemic
      Agent Produced in Escherichia coli.
AB  - L-asparaginase is an enzyme used as a chemotherapeutic agent, mainly for treating
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In this study, the gene of L-asparaginase from
      Zymomonas mobilis was cloned in pET vectors, fused to a histidine tag, and had
      its codons optimized. The L-asparaginase was expressed extracellularly and
      intracellularly (cytoplasmically) in Escherichia coli in far larger quantities
      than obtained from the microorganism of origin, and sufficient for initial
      cytotoxicity tests on leukemic cells. The in silico analysis of the protein from
      Z. mobilis indicated the presence of a signal peptide in the sequence, as well as
      high identity to other sequences of L-asparaginases with antileukemic activity.
      The protein was expressed in a bioreactor with a complex culture medium, yielding
      0.13 IU/mL extracellular L-asparaginase and 3.6 IU/mL intracellular L
      asparaginase after 4 h of induction with IPTG. The cytotoxicity results suggest
      that recombinant L-asparaginase from Z. mobilis expressed extracellularly in
      E.coli has a cytotoxic and cytostatic effect on leukemic cells. 

PMID- 27253889
TI  - The Ubiquity of Chronic Illness.
AB  - This is a review of five different books dealing with some aspect of what might
      be termed a "chronic illness" - Alzheimer's disease, lupus, addiction, erectile
      dysfunction, and leprosy. The array of different subjects examined in these books
      points to the negotiable limits of this hugely open category. What exactly
      constitutes an "illness"? Why not use a less biomedical term instead:
      "disturbance", "problem", or simply "condition"? And how are we to understand
      "chronic" - simply as the flipside of "acute" or "curable"?

PMID- 27253890
TI  - Lack of Genetic Interaction between Tbx18 and Tbx2/Tbx20 in Mouse Epicardial
      Development.
AB  - The epicardium, the outermost layer of the heart, is an essential source of cells
      and signals for the formation of the cardiac fibrous skeleton and the coronary
      vasculature, and for the maturation of the myocardium during embryonic
      development. The molecular factors that control epicardial mobilization and
      differentiation, and direct the epicardial-myocardial cross-talk are, however,
      insufficiently understood. The T-box transcription factor gene Tbx18 is
      specifically expressed in the epicardium of vertebrate embryos. Loss of Tbx18 is
      dispensable for epicardial development, but may influence coronary vessel
      maturation. In contrast, over-expression of an activator version of TBX18
      severely impairs epicardial development by premature differentiation of
      epicardial cells into SMCs indicating a potential redundancy of Tbx18 with other
      repressors of the T-box gene family. Here, we show that Tbx2 and Tbx20 are co
      expressed with Tbx18 at different stages of epicardial development. Using a
      conditional gene targeting approach we find that neither the epicardial loss of
      Tbx2 nor the combined loss of Tbx2 and Tbx18 affects epicardial development.
      Similarly, we observed that the heterozygous loss of Tbx20 with and without
      additional loss of Tbx18 does not impact on epicardial integrity and mobilization
      in mouse embryos. Thus, Tbx18 does not function redundantly with Tbx2 or Tbx20 in
      epicardial development. 

PMID- 27253891
TI  - Three decades after Baby Doe: how neonatologists and bioethicists conceptualize
      the Best Interests Standard.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine how neonatologists and
      bioethicists conceptualize and apply the Best Interests Standard (BIS). STUDY
      DESIGN: Members of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities and the
      American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine were
      surveyed to determine how they conceptualized the BIS and ranked the
      appropriateness of forgoing life-sustaining therapy (LST). RESULTS:
      Neonatologists' median response supported an infant-specific BIS
      conceptualization that linked the infant's and family's interests. They did not
      support allowing limitations on the family's obligations. Ethicists' supported a
      conceptualization that linked the infant's and family's interests and limitations
      on the family's obligations, a less infant-specific conceptualization. Ethicists
      were less or equally likely to agree with forgoing LST in seven of eight cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: Ethicists endorsed a conceptualization of the BIS that includes the
      effects on the family and rejected an infant-specific one. Neonatologists split
      between these two and rejected limiting the family's obligations. Critical
      appraisal of the BIS is needed in neonatal ethics.

PMID- 27253892
TI  - Trial of labor after cesarean in the low-risk obstetric population: a
      retrospective nationwide cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of adverse maternal
      outcomes associated with trial of labor (TOL) after cesarean during subsequent
      pregnancies in the low-risk population. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a
      retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and ICD-9
      diagnostic and procedure codes from the years 2003 to 2011. A cohort of low-risk
      pregnant women with a history of previous cesarean delivery were identified and
      separated into two groups: TOL and no TOL. Logistic regression analysis was used
      to calculate odds ratios (ORs) comparing adverse maternal outcomes between these
      two groups. RESULTS: Out of 7 290 474 registered deliveries, there were 685 137
      low-risk women who met inclusion criteria. Of these women, 144 066 (21.0%)
      underwent a TOL, with rates remaining steady over the course of our study. The
      TOL group was at increased risk of overall morbidity (OR 1.74, 95% confidence
      interval (CI), 1.66-1.79), most notably uterine rupture (OR 22.52, 95% CI, 19.35
      26.20, P<0.01). A secondary analysis showed no apparent correlation between TOL
      and concomitant adverse maternal outcomes in cases of uterine rupture.
      CONCLUSION: Although these outcomes remain rare, low-risk women undergoing a TOL
      remain at increased risk of adverse maternal events as compared with those who
      chose elective repeat cesarean delivery.

PMID- 27253893
TI  - Mode of delivery and antenatal steroids and their association with survival and
      severe intraventricular hemorrhage in very low birth weight infants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether CS delivery and receipt of antenatal steroids
      (ANS) in vertex-presenting singletons with a gestational age (GA) between 24 and
      30 weeks is associated with improved survival and improved severe
      intraventricular hemorrhage (sIVH)-free survival. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter
      cohort, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Vertex-presenting
      singletons newborns with GA 24 to 30 weeks, birth weight between 500 and 1500 g,
      without major congenital malformations, born between 2001 and 2011 at Neocosur
      centers were included. RESULTS: Four thousand three hundred and eighty-six
      infants fulfilled inclusion criteria: 45.8% were delivered vaginally and 54.2% by
      cesarean section (CS). Newborns delivered vaginally received less ANS, had lower
      GA, Apgar scores and a lower incidence of survival and sIVH-free survival
      (P<0.001). Newborns with better survival were those with ANS, independent of mode
      of delivery. At 24 to 25 weeks GA, increased survival and sIVH-free survival were
      associated with ANS and CS delivery, compared with those who received ANS and
      delivered vaginally. CONCLUSIONS: Among vertex-presenting singletons with GA 24
      to 30 weeks, better survival and IVH-free survival were associated with ANS,
      independent of mode of delivery. In infants at 24 to 25 weeks gestation the
      combination of ANS/CS was associated with improvement in both outcomes.

PMID- 27253894
TI  - The effect of pasteurization on trace elements in donor breast milk.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Premature infants often receive pasteurized donor human milk when
      mothers are unable to provide their own milk. This study aims to establish the
      effect of the pasteurization process on a range of trace elements in donor milk.
      STUDY DESIGN: Breast milk was collected from 16 mothers donating to the milk bank
      at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Samples were divided into pre- and
      post-pasteurization aliquots and were Holder pasteurized. Inductively coupled
      plasma mass spectrometry was used to analyze the trace elements zinc (Zn), copper
      (Cu), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), iodine (I), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo) and
      bromine (Br). Differences in trace elements pre- and post-pasteurization were
      analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the trace
      elements tested pre- and post-pasteurization, except for Fe (P<0.05). The median
      (interquartile range, 25 to 75%; MUg l(-1)) of trace elements for pre- and post-
      pasteurization aliquots were-Zn: 1639 (888-4508), 1743 (878-4143), Cu: 360 (258
      571), 367 (253-531), Se: 12.34 (11.73-17.60), 12.62 (11.94-16.64), Mn: (1.48
      (1.01-1.75), 1.49 (1.11-1.75), I (153 (94-189), 158 (93-183), Fe (211 (171-277),
      194 (153-253), Mo (1.46 (0.37-2.99), 1.42 (0.29-3.73) and Br (1066 (834-1443),
      989 (902-1396). CONCLUSIONS: Pasteurization had minimal effect on several trace
      elements in donor breast milk but high levels of inter-donor variability of trace
      elements were observed. The observed decrease in the iron content of pasteurized
      donor milk is, however, unlikely to be clinically relevant.

PMID- 27253895
TI  - Wound complications in obese women after cesarean: a comparison of staples versus
      subcuticular suture.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare wound complications between staples versus subcuticular
      suture for skin closure in obese women (body mass index (BMI)?30 kg m(-2)) after
      cesarean delivery (CD). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study
      to compare wound complications between staples and subcuticular suture closure in
      women, with a prepregnancy BMI?30 kg m(-2) after CD between 2006 and 2011 at an
      inner-city teaching hospital. Wound complication was defined as a composite of
      wound disruption (hematoma or seroma) or infection diagnosed up to 6 weeks
      postpartum. Variables collected include age, parity, prior CDs, prior abdominal
      surgeries, incision type, chorioamnionitis, maternal comorbidities (hypertension,
      diabetes) and gestational age. RESULTS: Of the 1147 women included in the study,
      women with staple closure were older and had higher BMIs (40.6+/-9.3 versus
      36.1+/-5.4) and were more likely to be multiparous, have a prior CD, diabetes and
      hypertension compared with women with subcuticular suture. The overall occurrence
      of wound complications was 15.5% (178/1147). Women with staples had higher wound
      complications compared with sutures (22.0% versus 9.7%) with a 2.27 unadjusted
      relative risk (RR) (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7 to 3.0) and 1.78 adjusted
      RR (95% CI, 1.27 to 2.49) after controlling for confounders in the final
      analysis, including vertical skin incisions. CONCLUSIONS: In obese women, skin
      closure with staples at the time of CD is associated with a higher rate of wound
      complications compared with subcuticular suture. Skin closure with subcuticular
      suture over staples should be considered in obese women undergoing a CD
      regardless of skin incision type.

PMID- 27253896
TI  - Controlled n-Type Doping of Carbon Nanotube Transistors by an Organorhodium
      Dimer.
AB  - Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) transistors are among the most developed
      nanoelectronic devices for high-performance computing applications. While p-type
      SWCNT transistors are easily achieved through adventitious adsorption of
      atmospheric oxygen, n-type SWCNT transistors require extrinsic doping schemes.
      Existing n-type doping strategies for SWCNT transistors suffer from one or more
      issues including environmental instability, limited carrier concentration
      modulation, undesirable threshold voltage control, and/or poor morphology. In
      particular, commonly employed benzyl viologen n-type doping layers possess large
      thicknesses, which preclude top-gate transistor designs that underlie high
      density integrated circuit layouts. To overcome these limitations, we report here
      the controlled n-type doping of SWCNT thin-film transistors with a solution
      processed pentamethylrhodocene dimer. The charge transport properties of
      organorhodium-treated SWCNT thin films show consistent n-type behavior when
      characterized in both Hall effect and thin-film transistor geometries. Due to the
      molecular-scale thickness of the organorhodium adlayer, large-area arrays of top
      gated, n-type SWCNT transistors are fabricated with high yield. This work will
      thus facilitate ongoing efforts to realize high-density SWCNT integrated
      circuits.

PMID- 27253897
TI  - Correcting for H2O interference using a RAD7 electrostatic collection-based
      silicon detector.
AB  - The effect of water molecules on the electrostatic collection of 218Po ions onto
      the surface of silicon detectors (neutralization) is evaluated through the
      comparison with a scintillation cell (ZnS), not affected by air humidity. A radon
      monitor (RAD7, Durridge Company) was connected to a stainless steel radon
      chamber, equipped with the scintillation cell. Radon gas, extracted from an
      acidified RaCl2 source, was injected into the chamber and the amount of water
      molecules in the system was alternatively lowered or increased (from 0.00075 to
      0.014 g of water in RAD7) by connecting the chamber to a desiccant or to a
      bubbling water bottle. The relative efficiency of the silicon detector with
      respect to the scintillation cell decreases with the growth of water molecules
      inside RAD7. This dependence, with a fixed i) electrostatic chamber geometry and
      ii) nominal high voltage, diverges during the humidification or the drying phase
      because it is in turn influenced by the length of interaction of polonium atoms
      with water molecules, which impacts on the size of 218Po clusters and thus on the
      neutralization process. For water contents higher that 0.01 g in RAD7, this
      effect is greatly enhanced. Temperature in the investigated range (18.5-35.6 
      degrees C) does not affect the efficiency of electrostatic collection-based
      silicon detectors. Based on these experiments, admitting a certain error on the
      efficiency (from 1.8 to 7.5%, depending on the water content), proper corrections
      were developed to adjust soil radon readings, when a desiccant is removed. This
      operation is necessary if recent Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (NAPLs) leakage has
      occurred in the subsoil to avoid the sorption and possible later release of radon
      by Drierite, with related partition between the solid and liquid phases (water
      and NAPL).

PMID- 27253898
TI  - Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Silylation of Cyclopropyl C-H Bonds.
AB  - Hydrosilyl ethers, generated in situ by the dehydrogenative silylation of
      cyclopropylmethanols with diethylsilane, undergo asymmetric, intramolecular
      silylation of cyclopropyl C-H bonds in high yields and with high enantiomeric
      excesses in the presence of a rhodium catalyst derived from a rhodium precursor
      and the bisphosphine (S)-DTBM-SEGPHOS. The resulting enantioenriched oxasilolanes
      are suitable substrates for the Tamao-Fleming oxidation to form cyclopropanols
      with conservation of the ee value from the C-H silylation. Preliminary
      mechanistic data suggest that C-H cleavage is likely to be the turnover-limiting
      and enantioselectivity-determining step.

PMID- 27253899
TI  - Access to childbirth care by adolescents and young people in the Northeastern
      region of Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors that interfere with the access of adolescents
      and young people to childbirth care for in the Northeast region of Brazil.
      METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 3,014 adolescents and young people admitted
      to the selected maternity wards to give birth in the Northeast region of Brazil.
      The sample design was probabilistic, in two stages: the first corresponded to the
      health establishments and the second to women who had recently given birth and
      their babies. The data was collected by means of interviews and consulting the
      hospital records, from pre-tested electronic form. Descriptive statistics were
      used for the univariate analysis, Pearson's Chi-square test for the bivariate
      analysis and multiple logistic regressions for the multivariate analysis.
      Sociodemographic variables, obstetrical history, and birth care were analyzed.
      RESULTS: Half of the adolescents and young people interviewed had not been given
      guidance on the location that they should go to when in labor, and among those
      who had, 23.5% did not give birth in the indicated health service. Furthermore,
      one third (33.3%) had to travel in search of assisted birth, and the majority
      (66.7%) of the postpartum women came to maternity by their own means. In the
      bivariate analysis, the variables marital status, paid work, health insurance,
      number of previous pregnancies, parity, city location, and type of health
      establishment showed a significant association (p < 0.20) with inadequate access
      to childbirth care. The multivariate analysis showed that married adolescents and
      young people (p < 0.015), with no health insurance (p < 0.002) and from the
      countryside (p < 0.001) were more likely to have inadequate access to childbirth
      care. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents and young women, married, without health
      insurance, and from the countryside are more likely to have inadequate access to
      birth care. The articulation between outpatient care and birth care can improve
      this access and, consequently, minimize the maternal and fetal risks that arise
      from a lack of systematic hospitalization planning.

PMID- 27253900
TI  - Exposure to psychosocial risk factors in the context of work: a systematic
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scientific literature about the effects of exposure to
      psychosocial risk factors in work contexts. METHODS: A systematic review was
      performed using the terms "psychosocial factors" AND "COPSOQ" in the databases
      PubMed, Medline, and Scopus. The period analyzed was from January 1, 2004 to June
      30, 2012. We have included articles that used the Copenhagen Psychosocial
      Questionnaire (COPSOQ) as a measuring instrument of the psychosocial factors and
      the presentation of quantitative or qualitative results. German articles,
      psychometric studies or studies that did not analyze individual or work factors
      were excluded. RESULTS: We included 22 articles in the analysis. Individual
      factors, such as gender, age, and socioeconomic status, were analyzed along with
      work-related factors such as labor demands, work organization and content, social
      relationships and leadership, work-individual interface, workplace values,
      justice and respect, personality, health and well-being, and offensive behaviors.
      We analyzed the sample type and the applied experimental designs. Some population
      groups, such as young people and migrants, are more vulnerable. The deteriorated
      working psychosocial environment is associated with physical health indicators
      and weak mental health. This environment is also a risk factor for the
      development of moderate to severe clinical conditions, predicting absenteeism or
      intention of leaving the job. CONCLUSIONS: The literature shows the contribution
      of exposure to psychosocial risk factors in work environments and their impact on
      mental health and well-being of workers. It allows the design of practical
      interventions in the work context to be based on scientific evidences.
      Investigations in specific populations, such as industry, and studies with more
      robust designs are lacking.

PMID- 27253901
TI  - Safety and efficacy of fenproporex for obesity treatment: a systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of
      fenproporex for treating obesity. METHODS: MEDLINE, LILACS and Cochrane
      Controlled Trials Register were searched as well as references cited by articles
      and relevant documents. Two authors independently assessed the studies for
      inclusion and regarding risk of bias, collected data, and accuracy. Eligible
      studies were all those placebo-controlled that provided data on the efficacy and
      safety of Fenproporex to treat obesity. RESULTS: Only four controlled studies met
      the inclusion criteria. One randomized, placebo-controlled trial on Fenproporex
      was found on electronic databases. Three placebo-controlled studies (in non
      indexed journals) were identified by hand-searching. Patients with cardiovascular
      and other comorbidities were excluded in all studies. Trials lasted from 40 to
      364 days and doses ranged from 20 to 33.6 mg/d. All controlled studies found that
      weight loss among Fenproporex-treated patients was greater than that produced by
      the placebo, but drug effect was modest. Fenproporex produced additional weight
      reductions of 4.7 kg (one year), 3.8 kg (six months) and 1.55 kg (two months) in
      average, in relation to diet and exercise only (three trials). Insomnia,
      irritability, and anxiety were the most frequently reported side effects in the
      four studies. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of randomized, placebo-controlled
      trials on Fenproporex and those identified here present major methodological
      flaws. These studies suggest that Fenproporex is modestly effective in promoting
      weight loss. Nonetheless, they failed to provide evidence that it reduces obesity
      associated morbidity and mortality. Data from these studies are insufficient to
      determine the risk-benefit profile of Fenproporex. Abuse potential and
      amphetamine-like adverse effects are causes for concern.

PMID- 27253902
TI  - Hospitalization due to drug use did not change after a decade of the Psychiatric
      Reform.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the psychiatric hospitalization rates due to
      use of psychoactive substances and average time of hospitalization suffered any
      changes after the first decade of effective implementation of the psychiatric
      reform in Brazil. METHODS: This article examines the evolution of
      hospitalizations due to disorders arising from the use of alcohol or other
      substances in the state of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, from 2000 to 2012.
      This is an ecological, time-series study, which uses data from admissions
      obtained by the Informatics Service of the Brazilian Unified Health System.
      Hospitalization rates by 100,000 inhabitants and average time of occupancy of
      beds were estimated. Coefficients of variation of these rates were estimated by
      Poisson Regression. RESULTS: The total and male hospitalization rates did not
      vary (p = 0.056 and p = 0.244, respectively). We observed an increase of 3.0% for
      the female sex (p = 0.049). We did not observe any significant variation for
      occupancy time of beds. CONCLUSIONS: The deployment of services triggered by the
      Brazilian psychiatric reform was not accompanied by a reduction of
      hospitalization rates or mean occupancy time of hospitalized patients during this
      first decade of implementation of the reform.

PMID- 27253903
TI  - Prevalence of hypertension among adolescents: systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of hypertension among adolescent Brazilian
      students. METHODS: A systematic review of school-based cross-sectional studies
      was conducted. The articles were searched in the databases MEDLINE, Embase,
      Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, Web of Science, CAPES thesis database and Trip Database.
      In addition, we examined the lists of references of relevant studies to identify
      potentially eligible articles. No restrictions regarding publication date,
      language, or status applied. The studies were selected by two independent
      evaluators, who also extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality
      following eight criteria related to sampling, measuring blood pressure, and
      presenting results. The meta-analysis was calculated using a random effects model
      and analyses were performed to investigate heterogeneity. RESULTS: We retrieved
      1,577 articles from the search and included 22 in the review. The included
      articles corresponded to 14,115 adolescents, 51.2% (n = 7,230) female. We
      observed a variety of techniques, equipment, and references used. The prevalence
      of hypertension was 8.0% (95%CI 5.0-11.0; I2 = 97.6%), 9.3% (95%CI 5.6-13.6; I2 =
      96.4%) in males and 6.5% (95%CI 4.2-9.1; I2 = 94.2%) in females. The meta
      regression failed to identify the causes of the heterogeneity among studies.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite the differences found in the methodologies of the included
      studies, the results of this systematic review indicate that hypertension is
      prevalent in the Brazilian adolescent school population. For future
      investigations, we suggest the standardization of techniques, equipment, and
      references, aiming at improving the methodological quality of the studies.

PMID- 27253904
TI  - Molecular Crowding Effects on Microgel-Tethered Oligonucleotide Probes.
AB  - Microgel tethering is a nontraditional method with which to bind oligonucleotide
      hybridization probes to a solid surface. Microgel-tethering physically positions
      the probes away from the underlying hard substrate and maintains them in a highly
      waterlike environment. This paper addresses the question of whether molecular
      crowding affects the performance of microgel-tethered molecular beacon probes.
      The density of probe-tethering sites is controlled experimentally using thin-film
      blends of biotin-terminated [PEG-B] and hydroxyl-terminated [PEG-OH]
      poly(ethylene glycol) from which microgels are synthesized and patterned by
      electron beam lithography. Fluorescence measurements indicate that the number of
      streptavidins, linear DNA probes, hairpin probes, and molecular beacon probes
      bound to the microgels increases linearly with increasing PEG-B/PEG-OH ratio. For
      a given tethering-site concentration, more linear probes can bind than structured
      probes. Crowding effects emerge during the hybridization of microgel-tethered
      molecular beacons but not during the hybridization of linear probes, as the
      tethering density increases. Crowding during hybridization is associated with
      conformational constraints imposed by the close proximity of closed and
      hybridized structured probes. The signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of hybridized
      beacons is highest and roughly constant for low tethering densities and decreases
      at the highest tethering densities. Despite differences between microgel
      tethering and traditional oligonucleotide surface-immobilization approaches,
      these results show that crowding defines an optimum tethering density for
      molecular beacon probes that is less than the maximum possible, which is
      consistent with previous studies involving various linear and structured
      oligonucleotide probes.

PMID- 27253905
TI  - Association of Facial Paralysis-Related Disability With Patient- and Observer
      Perceived Quality of Life.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The interaction between patient- and observer-perceived quality of
      life (QOL) and facial paralysis-related disability and the resulting effect of
      these interactions on social perception are incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE:
      To measure the associations between observer-perceived disability and QOL and
      patient-perceived disability and QOL in patients with facial paralysis. DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective study in an academic tertiary
      referral center included 84 naive observers who viewed static and dynamic images
      of faces with unilateral, House-Brackmann grades IV to VI facial paralysis (n =
      16) and demographically matched images of nonparalyzed control individuals (n =
      4). Data were collected from June 1 to August 1, 2014, and analyzed from August 2
      to December 1, 2014. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Observers rated the patient and
      control images in 6 clinically relevant domains. The patients self-reported their
      disability and QOL using validated tools, such as the Facial Clinimetric
      Evaluation Scale. Quality of life, severity of paralysis, and disability were
      measured on a 100-point visual analog scale. RESULTS: The 84 observers (59 women
      [70%] and 25 men [30%]) ranged in age from 20 to 68 years (mean [SD] age, 35.2
      [11.9]). Structural equation modeling showed that for each 1-point decrease in a
      patient's Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale score, the patient's visual analog
      scale QOL improved by 0.36 (SE, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.31-0.42) points. Similarly, from
      an observer perspective, as the perceived disability (-0.29 [SE, 0.04; 95% CI, 
      0.36 to -0.22]) and severity (-0.21 [SE, 0.03; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.14])
      decreased, the perceived QOL improved. Furthermore, attractive faces were viewed
      as having better QOL (disability, severity, and attractiveness regression
      coefficients, -0.29 [SE, 0.04; 95% CI, -0.36 to -0.22], -0.21 [SE, 0.03; 95% CI, 
      0.28 to -0.14], and 0.32 [SE, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.39], respectively). An
      inverse association was found between a paralyzed patient's self-reported QOL
      rating and the observers' perceived QOL. This association was complex and was
      mediated through perceived severity and disability. Observers judged the severity
      of paralyzed faces to be 3.61 (SE, 1.80; 95% CI, 0.09-7.14) points more severe
      when viewing dynamic rather than static images. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Observers were more likely to rate QOL lower owing to disability than were the
      patients with paralysis. This finding may be explained by previous literature
      reporting that disabled people adjust their values to accommodate their
      disability, thereby limiting the negative effect on their QOL. Given the
      importance of QOL on social interaction, the dissonance between observers and
      patients in this area has important implications for the socialization of
      patients with facial paralysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

PMID- 27253906
TI  - The imperiled fish fauna in the Nicaragua Canal zone.
AB  - Large-scale infrastructure projects commonly have large effects on the
      environment. The planned construction of the Nicaragua Canal will irreversibly
      alter the aquatic environment of Nicaragua in many ways. Two distinct drainage
      basins (San Juan and Punta Gorda) will be connected and numerous ecosystems will
      be altered. Considering the project's far-reaching environmental effects, too few
      studies on biodiversity have been performed to date. This limits provision of
      robust environmental impact assessments. We explored the geographic distribution
      of taxonomic and genetic diversity of freshwater fish species (Poecilia spp.,
      Amatitlania siquia, Hypsophrys nematopus, Brycon guatemalensis, and Roeboides
      bouchellei) across the Nicaragua Canal zone. We collected population samples in
      affected areas (San Juan, Punta Gorda, and Escondido drainage basins),
      investigated species composition of 2 drainage basins and performed genetic
      analyses (genetic diversity, analysis of molecular variance) based on
      mitochondrial cytb. Freshwater fish faunas differed substantially between
      drainage basins (Jaccard similarity = 0.33). Most populations from distinct
      drainage basins were genetically differentiated. Removing the geographic barrier
      between these basins will promote biotic homogenization and the loss of unique
      genetic diversity. We found species in areas where they were not known to exist,
      including an undescribed, highly distinct clade of live bearing fish (Poecilia).
      Our results indicate that the Nicaragua Canal likely will have strong impacts on
      Nicaragua's freshwater biodiversity. However, knowledge about the extent of these
      impacts is lacking, which highlights the need for more thorough investigations
      before the environment is altered irreversibly.

PMID- 27253907
TI  - A combined disc method with resazurin agar plate assay for early phenotypic
      screening of KPC, MBL and OXA-48 carbapenemases among Enterobacteriaceae.
AB  - AIM: To validate a combined disc method along with resazurin chromogenic agar for
      early screening and differentiation of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase,
      metallo-beta-lactamase and OXA-48 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: The combined disc test comprising of meropenem alone and
      with EDTA, phenylboronic acid or both EDTA and phenylboronic acid, and temocillin
      alone were evaluated with the resazurin chromogenic agar plate assay against a
      total of 86 molecularly confirmed Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates (11
      metallo-beta-lactamases, eight Kl. pneumoniae carbapenemases, 11 OXA-48, 32 AmpC
      and 15 extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase producers and nine co-producers of
      extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase and AmpC). The inhibition zone diameters were
      measured and interpreted at 7 h for the presence of carbapenemase. All
      carbapenemase producers were phenotypically distinguished by this assay with 100%
      sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: This early phenotypic method is very
      simple, inexpensive, and reliable in the detection and differentiation of
      carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. It could be exploited in any
      microbiological laboratory for diagnosis of these recalcitrant bacteria.
      SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This assay poses excellent performance in
      discrimination of Kl. pneumoniae carbapenemase, metallo-beta-lactamase and OXA-48
      carbapenemases within 7 h, which is much faster than conventional disc diffusion
      methods. The rapid detection could help clinicians screen patients, control
      infection and provide epidemiological surveillance.

PMID- 27253908
TI  - Advances in Transition-Metal-Catalysed Alkyne Hydroarylations.
AB  - We present herein a personal account of our achievements in the development of
      novel catalytic systems based on late-transition-metal complexes for the
      hydroarylation of alkynes. In particular, our targets were intermolecular
      hydroarylation reactions with arene or heteroarene substrates devoid of directing
      groups. We have shown that complexes of palladium, platinum or gold with N
      heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands can be particularly useful catalysts for this
      reaction; the NHC ligand imparts greater stability to the complex and renders the
      catalytic system more productive. Furthermore, we have identified promoters and
      reaction media that allow to significantly improve the catalytic activity under
      mild conditions, to control the reaction chemoselectivity and to steer it towards
      more complex products; thus making this reaction considerably more attractive for
      the synthetic chemist.

PMID- 27253910
TI  - Incidental Finding in a Man With Objective Tinnitus.

PMID- 27253909
TI  - Tracing the locality of prisoners and workers at the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang:
      First Emperor of China (259-210 BC).
AB  - The mausoleum complex of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC),
      is one of the most famous and important archaeological sites in China, yet
      questions remain as to how it was constructed and by whom. Here we present
      isotopic results of individuals from the Liyi (n = 146) and Shanren sites (n =
      14), both associated with the mausoleum complex. Those buried at Liyi represent
      the local workers/inhabitants of the Qin population, and the delta(13)C (-8.7 +/-
      1.5%) and delta(15)N (10.3 +/- 0.7%) values indicate that they consumed
      predominately millet and/or domestic animals fed millet. In contrast, the Shanren
      individuals were prisoners forced to construct the mausoleum (found buried
      haphazardly in a mass grave and some in iron leg shackles), and their delta(13)C
      (-15.4 +/- 2.9%) and delta(15)N (8.0 +/- 0.6%) results indicate a more mixed
      C3/C4 diet, with possibly less domestic animals and more wild game protein
      consumed. This pattern of decreased millet consumption is also characteristic of
      archaeological sites from southern China, and possible evidence the Shanren
      prisoners originated from this region (possibly the ancient Chu state located in
      modern day Hubei Province and parts of Hunan and Anhui Provinces). Further, this
      finding is in agreement with historical sources and is supported by previous
      ancient DNA evidence that the mausoleum workers had diverse origins, with many
      genetically related to southern Chinese groups.

PMID- 27253911
TI  - Differentiating between benign follicular nodules and follicular neoplasms in
      thyroid liquid-based cytology preparations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cytological morphology observed in liquid-based cytology (LBC)
      preparations is dissimilar to that of conventional preparations. The aim of this
      report is to clarify the cytological differences between benign follicular
      nodules (BFNs) and follicular neoplasms (FNs) in LBC preparations and identify
      novel diagnostic criteria for LBC preparations. METHODS: A retrospective review
      of LBC preparations from 38 BFN and 74 FN (57 follicular adenomas and 17
      follicular carcinomas) cases confirmed by histological examination was conducted.
      LBC samples were obtained from the washout fluid in aspiration needles, fixed
      with CytoRich-RED(TM) , and prepared using the SurePath(TM) method. RESULTS:
      Fibrin was observed in 43.2% of FNs and in 23.7% of BFNs. The incidences of
      intercellular spaces, distinct outer margin, and cytoplasmic process were
      significantly higher in BFNs (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively).
      Elongated microfollicles were seen in 55.4% of FNs and 10.5% of BFNs (P < 0.01).
      Membranous materials encircling the outer edge of the follicles were observed
      only in BFN cases (5.8%). There were no significant differences between
      follicular adenoma and carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Intercellular spaces, distinct
      outer margins of the follicular clusters, cytoplasmic process, and membranous
      materials constitute indicators of BFN in LBC preparations. Fibrin and elongated
      microfollicles point to FN. We believe that these findings will improve the
      diagnostic accuracy of thyroid LBC preparations. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:659
      664. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253912
TI  - Effects of continuous positive airway pressure on diaphragmatic kinetics and
      breathing pattern in healthy individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigate the changes in
      diaphragmatic kinetics, breathing pattern and work of breathing induced by 10
      cmH2 O of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). METHODS: We used sonography
      to study diaphragmatic kinetics and measured energy expenditure using indirect
      calorimetry in 50 healthy volunteers at 0 cmH2 O positive end expiratory pressure
      (ZEEP) and after application of 10 cmH2 O CPAP. In a subgroup of 14 subjects, the
      changes in thoracic and abdominal volumes and thoraco-abdominal asynchrony were
      recorded with inductive plethysmography, while accessory respiratory muscle
      activity was recorded with electromyography. RESULTS: Continuous positive airway
      pressure breathing induced acute lung hyperinflation of 600 mL above passive
      functional residual capacity. This hyperinflation induced changes in
      diaphragmatic kinetics and breathing pattern; diaphragmatic excursion, thickness
      and thickness ratio, tidal volume (Vt) and oxygen consumption (VO2) increased
      while respiratory rate decreased. The increase in Vt with CPAP was mainly due to
      rib cage contribution. Activation of the accessory inspiratory (scalene) and
      expiratory (transversus abdominis) muscles was recorded. The raised respiratory
      muscles workload induced an increase in VO2. CONCLUSION: In healthy volunteers,
      CPAP therapy leads to lung overdistention and recruitment of respiratory muscles.
      These mechanisms operate at a high energy cost.

PMID- 27253913
TI  - Electronic structure and optical properties of graphene/stanene heterobilayer.
AB  - The structural, electronic and optical properties of the graphene hybrid with
      stanene, the tin counterpart of graphene, are investigated by means of density
      functional calculation with the observation of band gap opening and enhanced
      visible light response. The lattice mismatch between graphene and stanene is
      taken into consideration and several stacking methods for model construction are
      proposed to study the possible effects. The Dirac feature can be observed in this
      bilayer system with relatively stronger interlayer interaction than weak van der
      Waals forces, which is ascribed to the unsaturated p orbital of stanene. Despite
      the mutual semi-metal nature of graphene and stanene, it is significant to note a
      band gap opening and the electrical neutrality of the bilayer. The combination of
      high carrier mobility of graphene and the excellent spin Hall effect of stanene
      is expected to coexist in the bilayer structure. In addition, we found that the
      stanene monolayer has a relatively lower work function than graphene and more
      importantly, it exhibits more pronounced optical absorption than graphene. The
      results indicate that a graphene/stanene heterobilayer will facilitate the
      performance of stanene related spintronic devices and is therefore a good
      candidate for photoelectronic devices. 

PMID- 27253914
TI  - Development of a simple assay system for protein-stabilizing efficiency based on
      hemoglobin protection against denaturation and measurement of the cooperative
      effect of mixing protein stabilizers.
AB  - We have elucidated the cooperative stabilization of proteins by sugars, amino
      acids, and other protein-stabilizing agents using a new and simple assay system.
      Our system determines the protein-stabilizing ability of various compounds by
      measuring their ability to protect hemoglobin from denaturation. Hemoglobin
      denaturation was readily measured by quantitative changes in its ultraviolet
      visible absorption spectrum. The efficiency of our assay was confirmed using
      various sugars such as trehalose and sucrose that are known to be good protein
      stabilizers. We have also found that mixtures of two different types of protein
      stabilizers resulted in a cooperative stabilizing effect on protein. 

PMID- 27253968
TI  - Long-term Follow-up of a Case of Gold Shunt Surgery for Refractory Silicone Oil
      induced Glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the first case of gold shunt surgery for treatment of silicone
      oil-induced refractory glaucoma in a tertiary care academic center, with 5-year
      follow-up. DESIGN: The study design is a case report. PARTICIPANTS: The
      participant was a patient who underwent gold shunt surgery. METHODS:
      Institutional Research Ethics Board approval for the study was obtained. A
      diabetic patient was referred for refractory glaucoma with a history of
      proliferative diabetic retinal detachment, and surgery with silicone oil. She was
      uncontrolled on maximal medical therapy and following informed consent, gold
      shunt surgery was performed. Ocular outcomes and number of medications were
      reviewed over a 5-year period. RESULTS: Following uncomplicated surgery,
      intraocular pressure was reduced from 41 to 14 mm Hg, and the number of
      medications was reduced from 4 to 1. Glaucomatous optic neuropathy remained
      stable. CONCLUSIONS: Gold shunt surgery in this challenging case of silicone oil
      refractory glaucoma provided long-term intraocular pressure control and reduced
      need for medication over a 5-year period.

PMID- 27253969
TI  - Evidence Supporting an Association Between Expression of Major Histocompatibility
      Complex II by Microglia and Optic Nerve Degeneration During Experimental
      Glaucoma.
AB  - AIM: We acquired age-matched and sex-matched Sprague-Dawley rats from 2
      independent breeding establishments. Serendipitously, we observed that
      constitutive, and bacterial toxin-induced, expression of major histocompatibility
      complex (MHC) class II RT1B chain in the uveal tract was much lower in one of the
      cohorts. Activated microglia are known to upregulate MHC II RT1B expression
      during optic nerve (ON) degeneration induced by raised intraocular pressure
      (IOP). We investigated whether, in a model of experimental glaucoma, microglial
      upregulation of MHC II RT1B was less efficacious and ON degeneration
      correspondingly less severe in the cohort of rats with low MHC II RT1B
      expression. METHODS: Experimental glaucoma was induced by lasering the trabecular
      meshwork using a standard protocol. After 2 weeks of elevated IOP, retinal
      ganglion cells (RGC) survival, ON degeneration, and microglial responses were
      determined in both cohorts of rats. RESULTS: Raised IOP-induced expression of MHC
      II RT1B by microglia was muted in the "Low" cohort compared with the "High"
      cohort. Axonal degeneration, RGC loss, and microgliosis were all significantly
      lower in the cohort of rats with low basal and induced expression of MHC II RT1B,
      despite both cohorts displaying IOP responses that were indistinguishable in
      terms of peak IOP and IOP exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of MHC II RT1B by
      activated microglia in the ON during experimental glaucoma was associated with
      more severe RGC degeneration. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of
      MHC II during experimental glaucoma.

PMID- 27253970
TI  - Investigation of the photophysical and photochemical properties of peripherally
      tetra-substituted water-soluble zwitterionic and cationic zinc(ii)
      phthalocyanines.
AB  - In this study, 4-{4-[N-((3-dimethylamino)propyl)amide]phenoxy}phthalonitrile ()
      and its zinc(ii) phthalocyanine derivative () were synthesized for the first
      time. 4-(N-((3-Dimethylamino)propyl)amide)phenoxy substituted zinc(ii)
      phthalocyanine () was converted to its water-soluble sulfobetaine (), betaine ()
      and N-oxide () containing zwitterionic and quaternized cationic () derivatives.
      All newly synthesized compounds () were characterized by the combination of UV
      vis, FT-IR, (1)H NMR, mass spectroscopy techniques and elemental analysis. The
      photophysical (fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes) and photochemical
      (singlet oxygen quantum yields) properties were investigated in DMSO for all the
      synthesized zinc(ii) phthalocyanines () and in both DMSO and aqueous solutions
      for zwitterionic and cationic phthalocyanines () for the specification of their
      capability as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The binding
      behavior of water soluble phthalocyanines () to the bovine serum albumin protein
      was also examined for the determination of their transportation ability in the
      blood stream. 

PMID- 27253971
TI  - Evidence for age-associated disinhibition of the wake drive provided by scoring
      principal components of the resting EEG spectrum in sleep-provoking conditions.
AB  - Age-associated changes in different bandwidths of the human
      electroencephalographic (EEG) spectrum are well documented, but their functional
      significance is poorly understood. This spectrum seems to represent summation of
      simultaneous influences of several sleep-wake regulatory processes. Scoring of
      its orthogonal (uncorrelated) principal components can help in separation of the
      brain signatures of these processes. In particular, the opposite age-associated
      changes were documented for scores on the two largest (1st and 2nd) principal
      components of the sleep EEG spectrum. A decrease of the first score and an
      increase of the second score can reflect, respectively, the weakening of the
      sleep drive and disinhibition of the opposing wake drive with age. In order to
      support the suggestion of age-associated disinhibition of the wake drive from the
      antagonistic influence of the sleep drive, we analyzed principal component scores
      of the resting EEG spectra obtained in sleep deprivation experiments with 81
      healthy young adults aged between 19 and 26 and 40 healthy older adults aged
      between 45 and 66 years. At the second day of the sleep deprivation experiments,
      frontal scores on the 1st principal component of the EEG spectrum demonstrated an
      age-associated reduction of response to eyes closed relaxation. Scores on the 2nd
      principal component were either initially increased during wakefulness or less
      responsive to such sleep-provoking conditions (frontal and occipital scores,
      respectively). These results are in line with the suggestion of disinhibition of
      the wake drive with age. They provide an explanation of why older adults are less
      vulnerable to sleep deprivation than young adults.

PMID- 27253972
TI  - Current and future pharmacotherapy for treating overactive bladder.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Drugs which prevent acetylcholine mediated involuntary detrusor
      contractions are the mainstay of overactive bladder(OAB) treatment but there are
      now several alternative therapeutic options available. AREAS COVERED: Current and
      future drug therapies for OAB are highlighted. These include novel antimuscarinic
      molecules (imidafenacin and tarafenacin); novel combination therapies with beta3
      adrenoceptor agonists or muscarinic agonists (tolenix) and a novel vaginal
      delivery method for oxybutynin. beta3-adrenoceptor agonists(beta3-AR) have been
      shown to be efficiacious in the management of OAB. The evidence supporting the
      first licensed beta3-AR agonist, mirabegron, is assessed, as well as other
      putative beta3-AR agonists in development such as solabegron, ritobegron,
      aryloxypropanolamine, TRK-380, and CL 316,243. The role of vaginal oestrogen is
      highlighted followed by a detailed analysis of botulinum-A toxin. EXPERT OPINION:
      Anticholinergics were the first OAB drug therapy on the market and have the
      largest dataset available. Despite obvious limitations, these are still first
      line medical therapy. There are a number of new OAB therapies under investigation
      and we await their contribution to the management armamentarium. Other novel
      drugs have been licenced and these are now vying for pole position in the
      treatment algorithm. One must exercise caution however until the long term
      effects of any new medicines are known.

PMID- 27253973
TI  - Biotic Resistance to an Alien Amphibian: Larval Competition between Japanese
      Frogs and Invasive Cane Toads.
AB  - Understanding negative effects of native species on introduced taxa may suggest
      novel ways to control the invasive species by enhancing such effects. Previous
      studies have reported that the larvae of invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina)
      are suppressed by competition with the larvae of native anurans in Australia, but
      not in North America. We conducted laboratory trials to measure the effect of
      exposure to the larvae of Japanese frogs (Microhyla ornata, Fejervarya
      sakishimensis, Rhacophorus owstoni) on rates of survival, growth and development
      of cane toad tadpoles in Ishigaki Island, in southern Japan. Survival rates were
      not affected by native species, but competition with Dicroglossids and
      Rhacophorids (but not Microhylids) strongly reduced rates of growth and
      development in the tadpoles of cane toads. Dicroglossid tadpoles also reduced the
      body condition to toad tadpoles in addition to effects on SVL and mass.
      Encouraging populations of native frogs in toad-invaded areas of Japan thus may
      help to reduce the numbers of invasive cane toads. 

PMID- 27253974
TI  - An Estimation of Mortality Risks among People Living with HIV in Karnataka State,
      India: Learnings from an Intensive HIV/AIDS Care and Support Programme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Indian context, limited attempts have been made to estimate the
      mortality risks among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We estimated the rates of
      mortality among PLHIV covered under an integrated HIV-prevention cum care and
      support programme implemented in Karnataka state, India, and attempted to
      identify the key programme components associated with the higher likelihood of
      their survival. METHODS: Retrospective programme data of 55,801 PLHIV registered
      with the Samastha programme implemented in Karnataka state during 2006-11 was
      used. Kaplan-Meier survival methods were used to estimate the ten years expected
      survival probabilities and Cox-proportional hazard model was used to examine the
      factors associated with risk of mortality among PLHIV. We also calculated
      mortality rates (per 1000 person-year) across selected demographic and clinical
      parameters. RESULTS: Of the total PLHIV registered with the programme, about nine
      percent died within the 5-years of programme period with an overall death rate of
      38 per 1000 person-years. The mortality rate was higher among males, aged 18 and
      above, among illiterates, and those residing in rural areas. While the presence
      of co-infections such as Tuberculosis leads to higher mortality rate, adherence
      to ART was significantly associated with reduction in overall death rate. Cox
      proportional hazard model revealed that increase in CD4 cell counts and exposure
      to intensive care and support programme for at least two years can bring
      significant reduction in risk of death among PLHIV [(hazard ratio: 0.234; CI:
      0.211-0.260) & (hazard ratio: 0.062; CI: 0.054-0.071), respectively] even after
      adjusting the effect of other socio-demographic, economic and health related
      confounders. CONCLUSION: Study confirms that while residing in rural areas and
      presence of co-infection significantly increases the mortality risk among PLHIV,
      adherence to ART and improvement in CD4 counts led to significant reduction in
      their mortality risk. Longer exposure to the intervention contributed
      significantly to reduce mortality among PLHIV.

PMID- 27253987
TI  - Improving the patient experience in the delivery of high quality surgical care
      and health outcomes.

PMID- 27253975
TI  - Bacteria with Phosphate Solubilizing Capacity Alter Mycorrhizal Fungal Growth
      Both Inside and Outside the Root and in the Presence of Native Microbial
      Communities.
AB  - Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphate solubilizing Pseudomonas
      bacteria (PSB) could potentially interact synergistically because PSB solubilize
      phosphate into a form that AMF can absorb and transport to the plant. However,
      very little is known about the interactions between these two groups of
      microorganisms and how they influence the growth of each other. We tested whether
      different strains of bacteria, that have the capacity to solubilize phosphate,
      are able to grow along AMF hyphae and differentially influence the growth of AMF
      both outside the roots of carrot in in vitro conditions and inside the roots of
      potato in the presence of a microbial community. We found strong effects of AMF
      on the growth of the different bacterial strains. Different bacterial strains
      also had very strong effects on the growth of AMF extraradical hyphae outside the
      roots of carrot and on colonization of potato roots by AMF. The differential
      effects on colonization occurred in the presence of a microbial community. Our
      results show that these two important groups of rhizosphere microorganisms indeed
      interact with each other. Such interactions could potentially lead to synergistic
      effects between the two groups but this could depend on whether the bacteria
      truly solubilize phosphate in the rhizosphere in the presence of microbial
      communities. 

PMID- 27253988
TI  - IgG4 but no IgG1 antibody production after intralymphatic immunotherapy with
      recombinant MAT-Feld1 in human.
AB  - Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) mediates protection against allergen exposure in part
      due to allergen-specific antibodies. While immunization typically stimulated IgG1
      and IgG2, AIT is often associated with production of IgG4. Here, twenty cat
      dander-sensitized patients were randomized to receive three injections of
      intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) with MAT-Feld1 adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide
      or just aluminum hydroxide (placebo) in a double-blind setting
      (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00718679). Whereas the clinical data, showing benefit of
      Mat-Feld1 ILIT was published in 2012 (Senti et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol, vol
      129(5):1290-1296), the current study investigated the cat allergen-specific
      antibody responses. Blood was drawn prior to ILIT, as well as 1, 3, and 12 months
      after first ILIT. The sera were analyzed to characterize all IgG subclasses and
      IgE antibody responses. ILIT with MAT-Feld1 elicited high levels of total IgG
      that were maintained for at least 12 months. Interestingly, a strong increase in
      IgG4 and some increase in IgG2 were observed throughout the study, while
      production of cat-specific IgG1 and IgG3 was not stimulated by MAT-Feld1 ILIT.
      The IgE levels remained constant.

PMID- 27253989
TI  - A Selective and Slowly Reversible Inhibitor of l-Type Amino Acid Transporter 1
      (LAT1) Potentiates Antiproliferative Drug Efficacy in Cancer Cells.
AB  - The l-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is a transmembrane protein carrying
      bulky and neutral amino acids into cells. LAT1 is overexpressed in several types
      of tumors, and its inhibition can result in reduced cancer cell growth. However,
      known LAT1 inhibitors lack selectivity over other transporters. In the present
      study, we designed and synthesized a novel selective LAT1 inhibitor (1), which
      inhibited the uptake of LAT1 substrate, l-leucin as well as cell growth. It also
      significantly potentiated the efficacy of bestatin and cisplatin even at low
      concentrations (25 MUM). Inhibition was slowly reversible, as the inhibitor was
      able to be detached from the cell surface and blood-brain barrier. Moreover, the
      inhibitor was metabolically stable and selective toward LAT1. Since the inhibitor
      was readily accumulated into the prostate after intraperitoneal injection to the
      healthy mice, this compound may be a promising agent or adjuvant especially for
      the treatment of prostate cancer.

PMID- 27253990
TI  - Correction: The Cotton WRKY Gene GhWRKY41 Positively Regulates Salt and Drought
      Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143022.].

PMID- 27253991
TI  - Assessing ecotoxicity of biomining effluents in stream ecosystems by in situ
      invertebrate bioassays: A case study in Talvivaara, Finland.
AB  - Mining of sulfide-rich pyritic ores produces acid mine drainage waters and has
      induced major ecological problems in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Biomining
      utilizes microbes to extract metals from the ore, and it has been suggested as a
      new sustainable way to produce metals. However, little is known of the potential
      ecotoxicological effects of biomining. In the present study, biomining impacts
      were assessed using survival and behavioral responses of aquatic
      macroinvertebrates at in situ exposures in streams. The authors used an impedance
      conversion technique to measure quantitatively in situ behavioral responses of
      larvae of the regionally common mayfly, Heptagenia dalecarlica, to discharges
      from the Talvivaara mine (Sotkamo, Northern Finland), which uses a biomining
      technique. Behavioral responses measured in 3 mine-impacted streams were compared
      with those measured in 3 reference streams. In addition, 3-d survival of the
      mayfly larvae and the oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus was measured in the
      study sites. Biomining impacts on stream water quality included increased
      concentrations of sulfur, sulfate, and metals, especially manganese, cadmium,
      zinc, sodium, and calcium. Survival of the invertebrates in the short term was
      not affected by the mine effluents. In contrast, apparent behavioral changes in
      mayfly larvae were detected, but these responses were not consistent among sites,
      which may reflect differing natural water chemistry of the study sites. Environ
      Toxicol Chem 2017;36:147-155. (c) 2016 SETAC.

PMID- 27253992
TI  - Role of the BrafV637E mutation in hepatocarcinogenesis induced by treatment with
      diethylnitrosamine in neonatal B6C3F1 mice.
AB  - The BrafV637E mutation is frequently reported in mouse hepatic tumors, depending
      on the mouse strain, and corresponds to the human BrafV600E mutation. In this
      study, we detected the BrafV637E mutation by whole-exome analysis in 4/4 hepatic
      tumors induced by neonatal treatment with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in male B6C3F1
      mice. We also detected the BrafV637E mutation in 54/63 (85.7%) hepatic lesions,
      including microscopic foci and grossly visible tumors, by PCR-direct sequencing.
      Although the mutation was detected in 5/7 (71.4%) hepatic tumors induced by
      neonatal DEN treatment followed by repeated CCl4 administration, it was not
      detected in 24 tumors induced by CCl4 treatment without DEN or in eight
      spontaneous lesions in B6C3F1 mice, suggesting that the mutation is induced by
      the genotoxic action of DEN. The DEN-induced tumors exhibited
      hyperphosphorylation of ERK1 and Akt, suggesting that the BrafV637E mutation
      might activate the MAPK and Akt pathways. Moreover, the DEN-induced tumors
      overexpressed mRNAs for the oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) markers such as
      p15Ink4b and p19Arf as well as pro-survival/pro-proliferative
      cytokines/chemokines such as complement C5/C5a, ICAM-1, IL-1 receptor antagonist
      and CXCL9, suggesting that the BrafV637E mutation influences the expression of
      genes involved in either OIS or cellular growth/survival. Liver-specific
      expression of mutated Braf under control of the albumin enhancer/promoter
      resulted in an enlarged liver that consisted entirely of small basophilic
      hepatocytes resembling DEN-induced preneoplastic hepatocytes with ERK1/Akt
      hyperphosphorylation and C5/C5a overexpression. These results indicate that the
      BrafV637E mutation induces hepatocytic changes in DEN-induced hepatic tumors. (c)
      2016 The Authors. Molecular Carcinogenesis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27253993
TI  - Family Presence during Resuscitation: A Qualitative Analysis from a National
      Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The themes of qualitative assessments that characterize the
      experience of family members offered the choice of observing cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation (CPR) of a loved one have not been formally identified. METHODS AND
      FINDINGS: In the context of a multicenter randomized clinical trial offering
      family members the choice of observing CPR of a patient with sudden cardiac
      arrest, a qualitative analysis, with a sequential explanatory design, was
      conducted. The aim of the study was to understand family members' experience
      during CPR. All participants were interviewed by phone at home three months after
      cardiac arrest. Saturation was reached after analysis of 30 interviews of a
      randomly selected sample of 75 family members included in the trial. Four themes
      were identified: 1- choosing to be actively involved in the resuscitation; 2-
      communication between the relative and the emergency care team; 3- perception of
      the reality of the death, promoting acceptance of the loss; 4- experience and
      reactions of the relatives who did or did not witness the CPR, describing their
      feelings. Twelve sub-themes further defining these four themes were identified.
      Transferability of our findings should take into account the country-specific
      medical system. CONCLUSIONS: Family presence can help to ameliorate the pain of
      the death, through the feeling of having helped to support the patient during the
      passage from life to death and of having participated in this important moment.
      Our results showed the central role of communication between the family and the
      emergency care team in facilitating the acceptance of the reality of death.

PMID- 27253994
TI  - Synthetic High-Density Lipoprotein (sHDL) Inhibits Steroid Production in HAC15
      Adrenal Cells.
AB  - High density lipoprotein (HDL) transported cholesterol represents one of the
      sources of substrate for adrenal steroid production. Synthetic HDL (sHDL)
      particles represent a new therapeutic option to reduce atherosclerotic plaque
      burden by increasing cholesterol efflux from macrophage cells. The effects of the
      sHDL particles on steroidogenic cells have not been explored. sHDL, specifically
      ETC-642, was studied in HAC15 adrenocortical cells. Cells were treated with sHDL,
      forskolin, 22R-hydroxycholesterol, or pregnenolone. Experiments included time and
      concentration response curves, followed by steroid assay. Quantitative real-time
      RT-PCR was used to study mRNA of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A
      reductase, lanosterol 14-alpha-methylase, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme,
      and steroid acute regulatory protein. Cholesterol assay was performed using cell
      culture media and cell lipid extracts from a dose response experiment. sHDL
      significantly inhibited production of cortisol. Inhibition occurred in a
      concentration- and time-dependent manner and in a concentration range of 3MUM
      50MUM. Forskolin (10MUM) stimulated cortisol production was also inhibited.
      Incubation with 22R-hydroxycholesterol (10MUM) and pregnenolone (10MUM) increased
      cortisol production, which was unaffected by sHDL treatment. sHDL increased
      transcript levels for the rate-limiting cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme, 3
      hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Extracellular cholesterol assayed
      in culture media showed a positive correlation with increasing concentration of
      sHDL, whereas intracellular cholesterol decreased after treatment with sHDL. The
      current study suggests that sHDL inhibits HAC15 adrenal cell steroid production
      by efflux of cholesterol, leading to an overall decrease in steroid production
      and an adaptive rise in adrenal cholesterol biosynthesis.

PMID- 27253995
TI  - Adult-Onset Deletion of beta-Catenin in (10kb)Dmp1-Expressing Cells Prevents
      Intermittent PTH-Induced Bone Gain.
AB  - beta-Catenin (betacat) is a major downstream signaling node in canonical Wingless
      related integration site (Wnt) signaling pathway, and its activity is crucial for
      canonical Wnt signal transduction. Wnt signaling has recently been implicated in
      the osteo-anabolic response to PTH, a potent calcium-regulating factor. We
      investigated whether betacat is essential for the anabolic action of intermittent
      PTH by generating male mice with adult-onset deletion of betacat in a
      subpopulation of bone cells (osteocytes and late-stage osteoblasts), treating
      them with an anabolic regimen of PTH, and measuring the skeletal responses. Male
      (10kb)Dmp1-CreERt2 transgenic mice that also harbored floxed loss-of-function
      betacat alleles (betacat(f/f)) were induced for Cre activity using tamoxifen,
      then injected daily with human PTH 1-34 (30 MUg/kg) or vehicle for 5 weeks. Mice
      in which betacat was deleted showed either total lack of bone mineral density
      (BMD) gain, or BMD loss, and did not respond to PTH treatment. However, bone mass
      measurements in the trabecular compartment of the femur and spine revealed PTH
      induced bone gain whether betacat was deleted or not. PTH-stimulated increases in
      periosteal and cancellous bone formation rates were not impaired by betacat
      deletion, but resorption markers and cortical porosity were significantly
      increased in induced mice, particularly induced mice treated with PTH. These
      results suggest that betacat is required for net-positive BMD effects of PTH
      therapy but that the anabolic effects per se of PTH treatment might not require
      osteocytic/osteoblastic betacat.

PMID- 27253996
TI  - Rescue of Isolated GH Deficiency Type II (IGHD II) via Pharmacologic Modulation
      of GH-1 Splicing.
AB  - Isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) type II, the autosomal dominant form of GHD, is
      mainly caused by mutations that affect splicing of GH-1. When misspliced RNA is
      translated, it produces a toxic 17.5-kDa GH isoform that reduces the accumulation
      and secretion of wild-type-human GH (wt-hGH). Usually, isolated GHD type II
      patients are treated with daily injections of recombinant human GH in order to
      maintain normal growth. However, this type of replacement therapy does not
      prevent toxic effects of the 17.5-kDa GH isoform on the pituitary gland, which
      can eventually lead to other hormonal deficiencies. Here, we tested the
      possibility to restore the constitutive splicing pattern of GH-1 by using
      butyrate, a drug that mainly acts as histone deacetylase inhibitor. To this aim,
      wt-hGH and/or different hGH-splice site mutants (GH-IVS3+2, GH-IVS3+6, and GH
      ISE+28) were transfected in rat pituitary cells expressing human GHRH receptor
      (GHRHR) (GC-GHRHR). Upon butyrate treatment, GC-GHRHR cells coexpressing wt-hGH
      and each of the mutants displayed increased GH transcript level, intracellular GH
      content, and GH secretion when compared with the corresponding untreated
      condition. The effect of butyrate was most likely mediated by the alternative
      splicing factor/splicing factor 2. Overexpression of alternative ASF/SF2 in the
      same experimental setting, indeed, promoted the amount of full-length transcripts
      thus increasing synthesis and secretion of the 22-kDa GH isoform. In conclusion,
      our results support the hypothesis that modulation of GH-1 splicing pattern to
      increase the 22-kDa GH isoform levels can be clinically beneficial and hence a
      crucial challenge in GHD research.

PMID- 27253997
TI  - Clock Gene Bmal1 Modulates Human Cartilage Gene Expression by Crosstalk With
      Sirt1.
AB  - The critical regulation of the peripheral circadian gene implicated in
      osteoarthritis (OA) has been recently recognized; however, the causative role and
      clinical potential of the peripheral circadian rhythm attributable to such
      effects remain elusive. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of a
      circadian gene Bmal1 in human cartilage and pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. In
      our present study, the mRNA and protein levels of circadian rhythm genes,
      including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase (NAD(+)) and sirtuin 1
      (Sirt1), in human knee articular cartilage were determined. In OA cartilage, the
      levels of both Bmal1 and NAD(+) decreased significantly, which resulted in the
      inhibition of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase activity and Sirt1
      expression. Furthermore, the knockdown of Bmal1 was sufficient to decrease the
      level of NAD(+) and aggravate OA-like gene expression changes under the
      stimulation of IL-1beta. The overexpression of Bmal1 relieved the alteration
      induced by IL-1beta, which was consistent with the effect of the inhibition of
      Rev-Erbalpha (known as NR1D1, nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group D). On the
      other hand, the transfection of Sirt1 small interfering RNA not only resulted in
      a reduction of the protein expression of Bmal1 and a moderate increase of period
      2 (per2) and Rev-Erbalpha but also further exacerbated the survival of cells and
      the expression of cartilage matrix-degrading enzymes induced by IL-1beta.
      Overexpression of Sirt1 restored the metabolic imbalance of chondrocytes caused
      by IL-1beta. These observations suggest that Bmal1 is a key clock gene to involve
      in cartilage homeostasis mediated through sirt1 and that manipulating circadian
      rhythm gene expression implicates an innovative strategy to develop novel
      therapeutic agents against cartilage diseases.

PMID- 27253999
TI  - Cardiac Tissue Injury and Remodeling Is Dependent Upon MR Regulation of
      Activation Pathways in Cardiac Tissue Macrophages.
AB  - Macrophage mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) signaling is an important mediator of
      cardiac tissue inflammation and fibrosis. The goal of the present study was to
      determine the cellular mechanisms of MR signaling in macrophages that promote
      cardiac tissue injury and remodeling. We sought to identify specific markers of
      MR signaling in isolated tissue macrophages (cardiac, aortic) vs splenic
      mononuclear cells from wild-type and myeloid MR-null mice given vehicle/salt or
      deoxycorticosterone (DOC)/salt for 8 weeks. Cardiac tissue fibrosis in response
      to 8 weeks of DOC/salt treatment was found in the hearts from wild-type but not
      myeloid MR-null mice. This was associated with an increased expression of the
      profibrotic markers TGF-beta1 and matrix metalloproteinase-12 and type 1
      inflammatory markers TNFalpha and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-9 in cardiac
      macrophages. Differential expression of immunomodulatory M2-like markers (eg,
      arginase-1, macrophage scavenger receptor 1) was dependent on the tissue location
      of wild-type and MR-null macrophages. Finally, intact MR signaling is required
      for the phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase in response to a
      proinflammatory stimulus in bone marrow monocytes/macrophages in culture. These
      data suggest that the activation of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase pathway in
      macrophages after a tissue injury and inflammatory stimuli in the DOC/salt model
      is MR dependent and regulates the transcription of downstream profibrotic
      factors, which may represent potential therapeutic targets in heart failure
      patients.

PMID- 27253998
TI  - Thyroid Hormone Receptor-beta (TRbeta) Mediates Runt-Related Transcription Factor
      2 (Runx2) Expression in Thyroid Cancer Cells: A Novel Signaling Pathway in
      Thyroid Cancer.
AB  - Dysregulation of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR)beta is common in human
      cancers. Restoration of functional TRbeta delays tumor progression in models of
      thyroid and breast cancers implicating TRbeta as a tumor suppressor. Conversely,
      aberrant expression of the runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) is
      established in the progression and metastasis of thyroid, breast, and other
      cancers. Silencing of Runx2 diminishes tumor invasive characteristics. With
      TRbeta as a tumor suppressor and Runx2 as a tumor promoter, a compelling question
      is whether there is a functional relationship between these regulatory factors in
      thyroid tumorigenesis. Here, we demonstrated that these proteins are reciprocally
      expressed in normal and malignant thyroid cells; TRbeta is high in normal cells,
      and Runx2 is high in malignant cells. T3 induced a time- and concentration
      dependent decrease in Runx2 expression. Silencing of TRbeta by small interfering
      RNA knockdown resulted in a corresponding increase in Runx2 and Runx2-regulated
      genes, indicating that TRbeta levels directly impact Runx2 expression and
      associated epithelial to mesenchymal transition molecules. TRbeta specifically
      bound to 3 putative thyroid hormone-response element motifs within the Runx2-P1
      promoter ((-)105/(+)133) as detected by EMSA and chromatin immunoprecipitation.
      TRbeta suppressed Runx2 transcriptional activities, thus confirming TRbeta
      regulation of Runx2 at functional thyroid hormone-response elements.
      Significantly, these findings indicate that a ratio of the tumor-suppressor
      TRbeta and tumor-promoting Runx2 may reflect tumor aggression and serve as
      biomarkers in biopsy tissues. The discovery of this TRbeta-Runx2 signaling
      supports the emerging role of TRbeta as a tumor suppressor and reveals a novel
      pathway for intervention.

PMID- 27254000
TI  - Morphology, Biochemistry, and Pathophysiology of MENX-Related Pheochromocytoma
      Recapitulate the Clinical Features.
AB  - Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) are tumors arising from neural crest-derived chromaffin
      cells. There are currently few animal models of PCC that recapitulate the key
      features of human tumors. Because such models may be useful for investigations of
      molecular pathomechanisms and development of novel therapeutic interventions, we
      characterized a spontaneous animal model (multiple endocrine neoplasia [MENX]
      rats) that develops endogenous PCCs with complete penetrance. Urine was
      longitudinally collected from wild-type (wt) and MENX-affected (mutant) rats and
      outputs of catecholamines and their O-methylated metabolites determined by mass
      spectrometry. Adrenal catecholamine contents, cellular ultrastructure, and
      expression of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, which converts
      norepinephrine to epinephrine, were also determined in wt and mutant rats. Blood
      pressure was longitudinally measured and end-organ pathology assessed. Compared
      with wt rats, mutant animals showed age-dependent increases in urinary outputs of
      norepinephrine (P = .0079) and normetanephrine (P = .0014) that correlated in
      time with development of tumor nodules, increases in blood pressure, and
      development of hypertension-related end-organ pathology. Development of tumor
      nodules, which lacked expression of N-methyltransferase, occurred on a background
      of adrenal medullary morphological and biochemical changes occurring as early as
      1 month of age and involving increased adrenal medullary concentrations of dense
      cored vesicles, tissue contents of both norepinephrine and epinephrine, and
      urinary outputs of metanephrine, the metabolite of epinephrine. Taken together,
      MENX-affected rats share several biochemical and pathophysiological features with
      PCC patients. This model thus provides a suitable platform to study the
      pathogenesis of PCC for preclinical translational studies aimed at the
      development of novel therapies for aggressive forms of human tumors.

PMID- 27254001
TI  - Glucocorticoids Inhibit CRH/AVP-Evoked Bursting Activity of Male Murine Anterior
      Pituitary Corticotrophs.
AB  - Corticotroph cells from the anterior pituitary are an integral component of the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which governs the neuroendocrine
      response to stress. Corticotrophs are electrically excitable and fire spontaneous
      single-spike action potentials and also display secretagogue-induced bursting
      behavior. The HPA axis function is dependent on effective negative feedback in
      which elevated plasma glucocorticoids result in inhibition at the level of both
      the pituitary and the hypothalamus. In this study, we have used an
      electrophysiological approach coupled with mathematical modeling to investigate
      the regulation of spontaneous and CRH/arginine vasopressin-induced activity of
      corticotrophs by glucocorticoids. We reveal that pretreatment of corticotrophs
      with 100 nM corticosterone (CORT; 90 and 150 min) reduces spontaneous activity
      and prevents a transition from spiking to bursting after CRH/arginine vasopressin
      stimulation. In addition, previous studies have identified a role for large
      conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium (BK) channels in the
      generation of secretagogue-induced bursting in corticotrophs. Using the dynamic
      clamp technique, we demonstrated that CRH-induced bursting can be switched to
      spiking by subtracting a fast BK current, whereas the addition of a fast BK
      current can induce bursting in CORT-treated cells. In addition, recordings from
      BK knockout mice (BK(-/-)) revealed that CORT can also inhibit excitability
      through BK-independent mechanisms to control spike frequency. Thus, we have
      established that glucocorticoids can modulate multiple properties of corticotroph
      electrical excitability through both BK-dependent and BK-independent mechanisms.

PMID- 27254002
TI  - Sex Differences in the Impact of Shift Work Schedules on Pathological Outcomes in
      an Animal Model of Ischemic Stroke.
AB  - Circadian clock desynchronization has been implicated in the pathophysiology of
      cardiovascular disease and related risk factors (eg, obesity, diabetes). Thus, we
      examined the extent to which circadian desynchronization exacerbates ischemic
      stroke outcomes and whether its detrimental effects on stroke severity and
      functional impairments are further modified by biological sex. Circadian
      entrainment of activity rhythms in all male and female rats was observed during
      exposure to a fixed light-dark (LD) 12:12 cycle but was severely disrupted when
      this LD cycle was routinely shifted (12 h advance/5 d) for approximately 7 weeks.
      In contrast to the regular estrous cycles in fixed LD animals, cyclicity was
      abolished and persistent estrus was evident in all shifted LD females. The
      disruption of estrous cyclicity in shifted LD females was associated with a
      significant increase in serum estradiol levels relative to that observed in fixed
      LD controls. Circadian rhythm disruption exacerbated stroke outcomes in both
      shifted LD male and female rats and further amplified sex differences in stroke
      impairments. In males, but not females, circadian disruption after exposure to
      the shifted LD cycle was marked by high rates of mortality. In surviving females,
      circadian desynchronization after exposure to shifted LD cycles produced
      significant increases in stroke-induced infarct volume and sensorimotor deficits
      with corresponding decreases in serum IGF-1 levels. These results suggest that
      circadian rhythm disruption associated with shift work schedules or the irregular
      nature of our everyday work and/or social environments may interact with other
      nonmodifiable risk factors such as biological sex to modulate the pathological
      effects of stroke.

PMID- 27254003
TI  - MCT8 Deficiency in Male Mice Mitigates the Phenotypic Abnormalities Associated
      With the Absence of a Functional Type 3 Deiodinase.
AB  - Mice deficient in the type 3 deiodinase (D3KO mice) manifest impaired clearance
      of thyroid hormone (TH), leading to elevated levels of TH action during
      development. This alteration causes reduced neonatal viability, growth
      retardation, and central hypothyroidism. Here we examined how these phenotypes
      are affected by a deficiency in the monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8), which
      is a major contributor to the transport of the active thyroid hormone, T3, into
      the cell. MCT8 deficiency eliminated the neonatal lethality of type 3 deiodinase
      (D3)-deficient mice and significantly ameliorated their growth retardation.
      Double-mutant newborn mice exhibited similar peripheral thyrotoxicosis and
      increased brain expression of T3-dependent genes as mice with D3 deficiency only.
      Later in neonatal life and adulthood, double-mutant mice manifested central and
      peripheral TH status similar to mice with single MCT8 deficiency, with low serum
      T4, elevated serum TSH and T3, and decreased T3-dependent gene expression in the
      hypothalamus. In double-mutant adult mice, both thyroid gland size and the
      hypothyroidism-induced rise in TSH were greater than those in mice with single D3
      deficiency but less than those in mice with MCT8 deficiency alone. Our results
      demonstrate that the marked phenotypic abnormalities observed in the D3-deficient
      mouse, including perinatal mortality, growth retardation, and central
      hypothyroidism in adult animals, require expression of MCT8, confirming the
      interdependent relationship between the TH transport into cells and the
      deiodination processes.

PMID- 27254004
TI  - Female Mice Lacking Estrogen Receptor-alpha in Hypothalamic Proopiomelanocortin
      (POMC) Neurons Display Enhanced Estrogenic Response on Cortical Bone Mass.
AB  - Estrogens are important regulators of bone mass and their effects are mainly
      mediated via estrogen receptor (ER)alpha. Central ERalpha exerts an inhibitory
      role on bone mass. ERalpha is highly expressed in the arcuate (ARC) and the
      ventromedial (VMN) nuclei in the hypothalamus. To test whether ERalpha in
      proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, located in ARC, is involved in the regulation
      of bone mass, we used mice lacking ERalpha expression specifically in POMC
      neurons (POMC-ERalpha(-/-)). Female POMC-ERalpha(-/-) and control mice were
      ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with vehicle or estradiol (0.5 MUg/d) for 6
      weeks. As expected, estradiol treatment increased the cortical bone thickness in
      femur, the cortical bone mechanical strength in tibia and the trabecular bone
      volume fraction in both femur and vertebrae in OVX control mice. Importantly, the
      estrogenic responses were substantially increased in OVX POMC-ERalpha(-/-) mice
      compared with the estrogenic responses in OVX control mice for cortical bone
      thickness (+126 +/- 34%, P < .01) and mechanical strength (+193 +/- 38%, P <
      .01). To test whether ERalpha in VMN is involved in the regulation of bone mass,
      ERalpha was silenced using an adeno-associated viral vector. Silencing of ERalpha
      in hypothalamic VMN resulted in unchanged bone mass. In conclusion, mice lacking
      ERalpha in POMC neurons display enhanced estrogenic response on cortical bone
      mass and mechanical strength. We propose that the balance between inhibitory
      effects of central ERalpha activity in hypothalamic POMC neurons in ARC and
      stimulatory peripheral ERalpha-mediated effects in bone determines cortical bone
      mass in female mice.

PMID- 27254005
TI  - Evidence for Ligand-Independent Activation of Hippocampal Estrogen Receptor-alpha
      by IGF-1 in Hippocampus of Ovariectomized Rats.
AB  - In the absence of ovarian estrogens, increased levels of estrogen receptor
      (ER)alpha in the hippocampus are associated with improvements in cognition. In
      vitro evidence indicates that under conditions of low estrogen, growth factors,
      including Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), can activate ERalpha and regulate
      ERalpha-mediated transcription through mechanisms that likely involve
      modification of phosphorylation sites on the receptor. The goal of the current
      work was to investigate a role for IGF-1 in ligand-independent activation of
      ERalpha in the hippocampus of female rats. Ovariectomized rats received a single
      intracerebroventricular infusion of IGF-1 and hippocampi were collected 1 or 24
      hours later. After 1 h, IGF-1 increased hippocampal levels of phosphorylated
      ERalpha at serine 118 (S118) as revealed by Western blotting.
      Coimmunoprecipitation revealed that at 1 hour after infusion, IGF-1 increased
      association between ERalpha and steroid receptor coactivator 1, a histone
      acetyltransferase that increases transcriptional activity of phosphorylated
      ERalpha. IGF-1 infusion increased levels of the ERalpha-regulated proteins
      ERalpha, choline acetyltransferase, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the
      hippocampus 24 hours after infusion. Results indicate that IGF-1 activates
      ERalpha in ligand-independent manner in the hippocampus via phosphorylation at
      S118 resulting in increased association of ERalpha with steroid receptor
      coactivator 1 and elevation of ER-regulated proteins. To our knowledge, these
      data are the first in vivo evidence of ligand-independent actions of ERalpha and
      provide a mechanism by which ERalpha can impact memory in the absence of ovarian
      estrogens.

PMID- 27254007
TI  - Scylla and Charybdis: The MCAT, USMLE, and Degrees of Freedom in Undergraduate
      Medical Education.
AB  - In recent years, medical educators have been making meaningful attempts to
      rethink how premedical students are prepared for medical school, and how medical
      students are prepared for residency. Among the many challenges to redesigning
      premedical and medical school curricula, one that stands out is the constraint
      imposed by our current methods of assessing aptitude, particularly our use of the
      Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and the United States Medical Licensing
      Examination (USMLE). For much of the past century, medical school and residency
      admissions committees have relied heavily on MCAT and USMLE scores to evaluate
      and rank candidates to their programs. These high-stakes exams determine to a
      large extent what is taught, and what is stressed, in preparation for and during
      medical school-despite the fact that scores have limited ability to predict
      future success in clinical medicine or biomedical research. Additionally,
      evidence indicates that students from disadvantaged and minority backgrounds do
      not fare as well on these exams and, as a result, may be disproportionately
      excluded from the medical profession. While medical school admissions committees
      have made limited incremental gains in holistic review, residency programs appear
      to be increasingly focused on USMLE Step scores and veering away from the spirit
      of holistic review. The authors propose that substantive change will remain slow
      in coming unless members of the medical education community radically rethink how
      we report scores from these exams, and how we use them in our selection of future
      medical students and residents.

PMID- 27254006
TI  - mTORC1 Signaling Contributes to Drinking But Not Blood Pressure Responses to
      Brain Angiotensin II.
AB  - Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a molecular node that
      couples extracellular cues to a wide range of cellular events controlling various
      physiological processes. Here, we identified mTORC1 signaling as a critical
      mediator of angiotensin II (Ang II) action in the brain. In neuronal GT1-7 cells,
      we show that Ang II stimulates neuronal mTORC1 signaling in an Ang II type 1
      receptor-dependent manner. In mice, a single intracerebroventricular (ICV)
      injection or chronic sc infusion of Ang II activated mTORC1 signaling in the
      subfornical organ, a critical brain region in cardiovascular control and fluid
      balance. Moreover, transgenic sRA mice with brain-specific overproduction of Ang
      II displayed increased mTORC1 signaling in the subfornical organ. To test the
      functional role of brain mTORC1 in mediating the action of Ang II, we examined
      the consequence of mTORC1 inhibition with rapamycin on Ang II-induced increase in
      water intake and arterial pressure. ICV pretreatment with rapamycin blocked ICV
      Ang II-mediated increases in the frequency, duration, and amount of water intake
      but did not interfere with the pressor response evoked by Ang II. In addition,
      ICV delivery of rapamycin significantly reduced polydipsia, but not hypertension,
      of sRA mice. These results demonstrate that mTORC1 is a novel downstream pathway
      of Ang II type 1 receptor signaling in the brain and selectively mediates the
      effect of Ang II on drinking behavior.

PMID- 27254009
TI  - Post-tenure Review at U.S. Medical Schools.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess post-tenure review policies at U.S. medical schools by
      examining how prevalent post-tenure review is, what models of post-tenure review
      are employed, and what outcomes result from post-tenure review processes. METHOD:
      In late 2014, a Web-based survey was sent to the associate dean for faculty
      affairs (or equivalent) at each U.S. medical school accredited by the Liaison
      Committee on Medical Education (N = 141). The survey addressed elements of post
      tenure review policies, including whether a policy was in place, the frequency of
      the review, and the review outcomes. Descriptive statistics were calculated.
      RESULTS: Of the 94 responding schools with a tenure system, 39 (41%) had an
      established post-tenure review policy. Although these policies showed great
      variability across schools in duration, having been in place from 1 to 50 years,
      12 (31%) were established within the last 5 years. The outcomes of post-tenure
      review also varied. Superior performance ratings generally resulted in notations
      in the faculty member's personnel file and notifications to school leadership.
      Conversely, when a faculty member received an unsatisfactory rating, a
      remediation or development plan was sometimes required. CONCLUSIONS: At least 40%
      of medical schools with a tenure system have post-tenure review, and it is
      becoming more common. These findings about the prevalence and use of post-tenure
      review across institutions can assist medical school leaders as they strive to
      shape policies to facilitate faculty engagement and productivity. They also can
      provide the foundation for future evaluative studies on the effectiveness,
      outcomes, and impact of post-tenure review.

PMID- 27254008
TI  - How Women in Biomedical PhD Programs Manage Gender Consciousness as They Persist
      Toward Academic Research Careers.
AB  - PURPOSE: Women remain underrepresented as biomedical faculty and are more likely
      than white and Asian men to lose interest in faculty careers in graduate school.
      However, some women maintain interest in academic research careers during PhD
      training and are the most likely candidates for faculty positions. This study
      explored how these women described and interpreted gender issues at early stages
      in their training. METHOD: Annual interviews from 2009 to 2014 with 22 female PhD
      students aspiring to research faculty careers were analyzed using an iterative,
      content analysis approach rooted in the interview data. Focusing on career
      intentions and experiences with gender, race, and ethnicity, authors arrived at
      11 themes which describe a range of gendered experiences and strategies. RESULTS:
      Of the 22 women, 19 (86%) acknowl edged systemic gender inequities in science
      and/or reported instances of bias, while 15 of them also said they had not yet
      experienced unequal treatment. All 22 described using at least one "gender
      explicit strategy," where they based decisions on gender or in response to
      perceived biases. "Gender-agnostic strategies" emerged for 12 (55%) who doubted
      that gender will affect their career. CONCLUSIONS: Findings show that women
      biomedical PhD students continue to face conditions that can lead to unequal
      treatment; gender biases continue to persist. Students displayed a range of
      perceptions and strategies in response to these conditions at this early training
      stage. Following these students over time will determine whether these or other
      strategies are required and sufficient to enable persistence toward academic
      careers.

PMID- 27254010
TI  - Systems-Oriented Workplace Learning Experiences for Early Learners: Three Models.
AB  - PURPOSE: Early workplace learning experiences may be effective for learning
      systems-based practice. This study explores systems-oriented workplace learning
      experiences (SOWLEs) for early learners to suggest a framework for their
      development. METHOD: The authors used a two-phase qualitative case study design.
      In Phase 1 (spring 2014), they prepared case write-ups based on transcribed
      interviews from 10 SOWLE leaders at the authors' institution and, through
      comparative analysis of cases, identified three SOWLE models. In Phase 2 (summer
      2014), studying seven 8-week SOWLE pilots, the authors used interview and
      observational data collected from the seven participating medical students, two
      pharmacy students, and site leaders to construct case write-ups of each pilot and
      to verify and elaborate the models. RESULTS: In Model 1, students performed
      specific patient care activities that addressed a system gap. Some site leaders
      helped students connect the activities to larger systems problems and potential
      improvements. In Model 2, students participated in predetermined systems
      improvement (SI) projects, gaining experience in the improvement process. Site
      leaders had experience in SI and often had significant roles in the projects. In
      Model 3, students worked with key stakeholders to develop a project and conduct a
      small test of change. They experienced most elements of an improvement cycle.
      Site leaders often had experience with SI and knew how to guide and support
      students' learning. CONCLUSIONS: Each model could offer systems-oriented learning
      opportunities provided that key elements are in place including site leaders
      facile in SI concepts and able to guide students in SOWLE activities.

PMID- 27254011
TI  - Professional Identity Formation and the Clinician-Scientist: A Paradigm for a
      Clinical Career Combining Two Distinct Disciplines.
AB  - The clinician-scientist role is critical to the future of health care, and in
      2010, the Carnegie Report on Educating Physicians focused attention on the
      professional identity of practicing clinicians. Although limited in number,
      published studies on the topic suggest that professional identity is likely a
      critical factor that determines career sustainability. In contrast to clinicians
      with a singular focus on clinical practice, clinician-scientists combine two
      major disciplines, clinical medicine and scientific research, to bridge discovery
      and clinical care. Despite its importance to advancing medical practice, the
      clinician-scientist career faced a variety of threats, which have been identified
      recently by the 2014 National Institutes of Health Physician Scientist Workforce.
      Yet, professional identity development in this career pathway is poorly
      understood. This Perspective focuses on the challenges to the clinician
      scientist's professional identity and its development. First, the authors
      identify the particular challenges that arise from the different cultures of
      clinical care and science and the implications for clinician-scientist
      professional identity formation. Next, the authors synthesize insights about
      professional identity development within a dual-discipline career and apply their
      analysis to a discussion about the implications for clinician-scientist identity
      formation. Although not purposely developed to address identity formation, the
      authors highlight those elements within clinician-scientist training and career
      development programs that may implicitly support identity development. Finally,
      the authors highlight a need to identify empirically the elements that compose
      and determine clinician-scientist professional identity and the processes that
      shape its formation and sustainability.

PMID- 27254012
TI  - A Mixed-Methods Investigation of the Motivations, Goals, and Aspirations of Male
      and Female Academic Medical Faculty.
AB  - PURPOSE: Understanding the goals and aspirations of the physician-scientist
      workforce can inform policies to promote retention. The authors explored gender
      differences therein, given women's increasing representation. METHOD: In 2010
      2011, the authors qualitatively analyzed interviews with 100 former recipients of
      National Institutes of Health career development awards and 28 of their mentors.
      They also compared survey responses of 1,267 clinician-investigators who received
      these awards from 2006 to 2009, using logistic regression to evaluate gender
      differences after adjusting for other characteristics. RESULTS: Interview
      participants described relatively consistent career goals, including scientific
      contribution and desire to positively affect lives through research, clinical
      care, and teaching. For many, the specific ways they sought to achieve and
      measure goal attainment evolved over time. Survey respondents endorsed a goal of
      publishing high-quality research with highest frequency (97.3%, no significant
      gender difference). Women were more likely to endorse the importance of balancing
      work and other activities (95.5% vs. 90.5%, P < .001). There were no significant
      gender differences in the importance of patient care (86.6%), teaching (71.6%),
      or publishing prolifically (64.9%). Men were more likely than women to consider
      salary (49.4% vs. 41.8%, P < .001), reputation (84.2% vs. 77.6%, P = .004), and
      leadership positions (38.9% vs. 34.3%, P = .03) important. CONCLUSIONS: In an
      elite research-oriented sample, gender differences in initial aspirations were
      generally limited. Gender differences in career outcomes in such groups are
      unlikely to exclusively result from different baseline aspirations. Goals appear
      to evolve in response to challenges experienced.

PMID- 27254013
TI  - Promoting the Development of Adaptive Expertise: Exploring a Simulation Model for
      Sharing a Diagnosis of Autism With Parents.
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore how a simulation model promoted the development of integrated
      competencies associated with adaptive expertise in senior health professions
      trainees as they learned to share a diagnosis of autism with parents. METHOD: A
      qualitative instrumental case study method was used at the University of Toronto
      in 2014 to explore what eight developmental pediatrics residents and two clinical
      psychology interns learned from participating in a simulation model designed to
      enable trainees to practice sharing a diagnosis of autism with parents. This
      model incorporated variability (three cases), active experimentation in a safe
      environment, and feedback from multiple perspectives (peers, faculty,
      standardized patients, and a parent). Field notes were collected, and
      semistructured interviews were conducted to explore what participants learned.
      Constant comparative analysis was used to identify themes iteratively. Team
      analysis continued until a stable thematic structure was developed and applied to
      the entire data set. RESULTS: Four themes were identified. Three themes described
      how participating in the simulation model changed residents' and interns'
      approaches to sharing a diagnosis of autism with parents from using a structured,
      scripted framework to share the diagnosis; to being flexible within the
      structured framework; and, finally, to being attentive and responsive to parents
      by adapting and creating new approaches for sharing the diagnosis. The fourth
      theme described how the multiple perspectives in the simulation model prompted
      learners to develop adaptive approaches. CONCLUSIONS: This simulation model
      helped residents and interns move beyond use of a structured, scripted
      communication framework toward development of adaptive expertise.

PMID- 27254014
TI  - The Predictive Validity of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners'
      COMLEX-USA Examinations With Regard to Outcomes on American Board of Family
      Medicine Examinations.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the predictive validity of the National Board of Osteopathic
      Medical Examiners' Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the
      United States of America (COMLEX-USA) series with regard to the American Board of
      Family Medicine's (ABFM's) In-Training Examination (ITE) and Maintenance of
      Certification for Family Physicians (MC-FP) Examination. METHOD: A repeated
      measures design was employed, using test scores across seven levels of training
      for 1,023 DOs who took the MC-FP for the first time between April 2012 and
      November 2014 and for whom the ABFM had ITE scores for each of their residency
      years. Pearson and disattenuated correlations were calculated; Fisher r to z
      transformation was performed; and sensitivity, specificity, and positive and
      negative predictive values for the COMLEX-USA Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE)
      with regard to the MC-FP were computed. RESULTS: The Pearson and disattenuated
      correlations ranged from 0.55 to 0.69 and from 0.61 to 0.80, respectively. For MC
      FP scores, only the correlation increase from the COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE to Level
      3 was statistically significant (for Pearson correlations: z = 2.41, P = .008;
      for disattenuated correlations: z = 3.16, P < .001). The sensitivity,
      specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the COMLEX-USA Level
      2-CE with the MC-FP were 0.90, 0.39, 0.96, and 0.19, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Evidence was found that the COMLEX-USA can assist family medicine residency
      program directors in predicting later resident performance on the ABFM's ITE and
      MC-FP, which is becoming increasingly important as graduate medical education
      accreditation moves toward a single aligned model.

PMID- 27254015
TI  - Priority Areas and Potential Solutions for Successful Integration and Sustainment
      of Health Systems Science in Undergraduate Medical Education.
AB  - Educators, policy makers, and health systems leaders are calling for significant
      reform of undergraduate medical education (UME) and graduate medical education
      (GME) programs to meet the evolving needs of the health care system. Nationally,
      several schools have initiated innovative curricula in both classroom and
      workplace learning experiences to promote education in health systems science
      (HSS), which includes topics such as value-based care, health system improvement,
      and population and public health. However, the successful implementation of HSS
      curricula across schools is challenged by issues of curriculum design,
      assessment, culture, and accreditation, among others. In this report of a working
      conference using thematic analysis of workshop recommendations and experiences
      from 11 U.S. medical schools, the authors describe seven priority areas for the
      successful integration and sustainment of HSS in educational programs, and
      associated challenges and potential solutions. In 2015, following regular HSS
      workgroup phone calls and an Accelerating Change in Medical Education consortium
      wide meeting, the authors identified the priority areas: partner with licensing,
      certifying, and accrediting bodies; develop comprehensive, standardized, and
      integrated curricula; develop, standardize, and align assessments; improve the
      UME to GME transition; enhance teachers' knowledge and skills, and incentives for
      teachers; demonstrate value added to the health system; and address the hidden
      curriculum. These priority areas and their potential solutions can be used by
      individual schools and HSS education collaboratives to further outline and
      delineate the steps needed to create, deliver, study, and sustain effective HSS
      curricula with an eye toward integration with the basic and clinical sciences
      curricula.

PMID- 27254016
TI  - Public Confidence in the Health Care System 1 Year After the Start of the Ebola
      Virus Disease Outbreak - Sierra Leone, July 2015.
AB  - Ensuring confidence in the health care system has been a challenge to Ebola virus
      disease (Ebola) response and recovery efforts in Sierra Leone (1). A national
      multistage cluster-sampled household survey to assess knowledge, attitudes, and
      practices (KAP) related to Sierra Leone's health care system was conducted in
      July 2015. Among 3,564 respondents, 93% were confident that a health care
      facility could treat suspected Ebola cases, and approximately 90% had confidence
      in the health system's ability to provide non-Ebola services, including
      immunizations, antenatal care, and maternity care. Respondents in districts with
      ongoing Ebola transmission ("active districts") and respondents with higher
      educational levels reported more confidence in the health care system than did
      respondents in nonactive districts and respondents with less education. Active
      districts were the focus of the Ebola response; these districts implemented
      intensified social mobilization and communication efforts, and established
      district response centers, Ebola-specific health care facilities, and ambulances.
      Greater infrastructure and response capacity might have resulted in higher
      confidence in the health care system in these areas. Respondents ranked Ebola and
      malaria as the country's most important health issues. Health system recovery
      efforts in Sierra Leone can build on existing public confidence in the health
      system. 

PMID- 27254017
TI  - Use of the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender Version and the Stable 2007 to
      assess dynamic sexual violence risk in a sample of treated sexual offenders.
AB  - The present study provides an examination of dynamic sexual violence risk
      featuring the Stable-2007 (Hanson, Harris, Scott, & Helmus, 2007) and the
      Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender version (VRS-SO; Wong, Olver, Nicholaichuk, &
      Gordon, 2003) in a Canadian sample of 180 federally incarcerated sexual offenders
      who attended a high-intensity sexual offender treatment program. Archival
      pretreatment and posttreatment ratings were completed on the VRS-SO and Stable
      2007, and recidivism data were obtained from official criminal records, with the
      sample being followed up approximately 10 years postrelease. VRS-SO pre- and
      posttreatment dynamic scores demonstrated significant predictive accuracy for
      sexual, nonsexual violent, any violent (including sexual), and general
      recidivism, while Stable-2007 pre- and posttreatment scores were significantly
      associated with the latter 3 outcomes; these associations were maintained after
      controlling for the Static-99R (Helmus, Thornton, Hanson, & Babchishin, 2012).
      Finally, significant pre-post differences, amounting to approximately three
      quarters of a standard deviation, were found on Stable-2007 and VRS-SO scores.
      VRS-SO change scores were significantly associated with reductions in nonsexual
      violent, any violent, and general recidivism (but not sexual recidivism) after
      controlling for baseline risk or pretreatment score, while Stable-2007 change
      scores did not significantly predict reductions in any recidivism outcomes.
      Applications of these tools within the context of dynamic sexual violence risk
      assessment incorporating the use of change information are discussed. (PsycINFO
      Database Record

PMID- 27254018
TI  - Development and validation of a multifactor mindfulness scale in youth: The
      Comprehensive Inventory of Mindfulness Experiences-Adolescents (CHIME-A).
AB  - Mindfulness-based interventions show consistent benefits in adults for a range of
      pathologies, but exploration of these approaches in youth is an emergent field,
      with limited measures of mindfulness for this population. This study aimed to
      investigate whether multifactor scales of mindfulness can be used in adolescents.
      A series of studies are presented assessing the performance of a recently
      developed adult measure, the Comprehensive Inventory of Mindfulness Experiences
      (CHIME) in 4 early adolescent samples. Study 1 was an investigation of how well
      the full adult measure (37 items) was understood by youth (N = 292). Study 2
      piloted a revision of items in child friendly language with a small group (N =
      48). The refined questionnaire for adolescents (CHIME-A) was then tested in Study
      3 in a larger sample (N = 461) and subjected to exploratory factor analysis and a
      range of external validity measures. Study 4 was a confirmatory factor analysis
      in a new sample (N = 498) with additional external validity measures. Study 5
      tested temporal stability (N = 120). Results supported an 8-factor 25-item
      measure of mindfulness in adolescents, with excellent model fit indices and sound
      internal consistency for the 8 subscales. Although the CFA supported an
      overarching factor, internal reliability of a combined total score was poor. The
      development of a multifactor measure represents a first step toward testing
      developmental models of mindfulness in young people. This in turn will aid
      construction of evidence based interventions that are not simply downward
      derivations of adult mindfulness programs. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27254019
TI  - Basic dimensions defining mania risk: A structural approach.
AB  - Mania is the core criterion for bipolar disorder, a chronic and severe
      psychiatric illness centrally associated with positive affective disturbance.
      Many self-report measures have been created to assess symptoms of, and risk for,
      mania but there are notable disparities in their length, scope, and content.
      Thus, the goal of this study was to determine the structure and correlates of a
      number of widely used "bipolar-relevant" (BR) measures (e.g., Hypomanic
      Personality Scale, Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale, General Behavior Inventory,
      Mood Disorder Questionnaire). Data from a community sample (Study 1, N = 329) and
      a student sample assessed at two time points (Study 2; Ns = 382 and 308,
      respectively) provided strong evidence that the BR measures were characterized by
      both (a) a well-defined common dimension when a single factor was extracted, and
      (b) a clear structure of Emotional Lability and Activated Positive Affect upon
      extracting two factors. The general factor showed a relatively nonspecific
      pattern of associations with personality and psychopathology. In contrast, the
      Emotional Lability factor showed its strongest relations with neuroticism and
      depressive symptoms, displaying comparatively weaker relations with measures of
      extraversion and positive emotionality. Conversely, although Activated Positive
      Affect also associated positively with depressive symptoms and with neuroticism
      in some instances, its strongest relations were with measures of extraversion and
      high arousal positive emotionality. These findings suggest that measures defining
      Emotional Lability seem to assess mood volatility to a greater extent, whereas
      measures defining the Activated Positive Affect factor capture an intense, high
      arousal form of positive emotionality. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27254020
TI  - Cognitive-Affective Verbal Learning Test: An integrated measure of affective and
      neutral words.
AB  - Despite growing affective-memory research, only 2 potential clinical measures
      have been published, each with limitations. We describe the development and
      piloting of an integrated memory measure for neutral and affectively valenced
      words, the Cognitive-Affective Verbal Learning Test (C-AVLT). The C-AVLT and mood
      self-report measures were administered to 124 healthy university students in
      Study 1, with readministration to 40 students after 1 week. In Study 2, the C
      AVLT and other neuropsychological measures of memory and emotion were
      administered to 61 patients referred for polysomnogram evaluation of obstructive
      sleep apnea (OSA). Study 1 supported the C-AVLT's internal and test-retest
      reliabilities, as well as concurrent validity, that is, the affective-bias scores
      but not performance scores correlated with self-reported mood. In Study 2,
      convergent, criterion (specifically cross-sectional concurrent validity), and
      incremental validity were supported with regard to both performance and affective
      bias scores within the OSA sample. We demonstrated the C-AVLT is a reliable and
      clinically useful measure of both memory and affective-processing bias in 2
      samples. Future clinical and research recommendations for the C-AVLT are
      discussed, including broadening normative data and criterion validity data in
      psychiatric and neurological samples. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27254023
TI  - Understanding and optimizing the addition of phytohormones in the culture of
      microalgae for lipid production.
AB  - Some studies have described the use of phytohormones in microalgal culture for
      the production of biodiesel or selected fatty acids. However, no study has
      determined the amount of phytohormones that maximizes lipid yield. We determined
      the optimal concentration of auxins and gibberellins (which is between 40 and 60
      MUM) in two strains (Scenedemus abundans and Chlorella ellipsoidea) suitable for
      biodiesel production. More than 3-fold increment was reached with S. abundans and
      near 7-fold increment with C. ellipsoidea. Furthermore, this work suggests that
      the improved growth of the microalgae in the presence of the phytohormones was
      due to a reduction in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells. An
      economic analysis showed that, due to its low cost, auxin offers a positive cost
      benefit balance and therefore could be used at large scale. (c) 2016 American
      Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1203-1211, 2016.

PMID- 27254021
TI  - Endogenous Mouse Dicer Is an Exclusively Cytoplasmic Protein.
AB  - Dicer is a large multi-domain protein responsible for the ultimate step of
      microRNA and short-interfering RNA biogenesis. In human and mouse cell lines,
      Dicer has been shown to be important in the nuclear clearance of dsRNA as well as
      the establishment of chromatin modifications. Here we set out to unambiguously
      define the cellular localization of Dicer in mice to understand if this is a
      conserved feature of mammalian Dicer in vivo. To this end, we utilized an
      endogenously epitope tagged Dicer knock-in mouse allele. From primary mouse cell
      lines and adult tissues, we determined with certainty by biochemical
      fractionation and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy that endogenous Dicer is
      exclusively cytoplasmic. We ruled out the possibility that a fraction of Dicer
      shuttles to and from the nucleus as well as that FGF or DNA damage signaling
      induce Dicer nuclear translocation. We also explored Dicer localization during
      the dynamic and developmental context of embryogenesis, where Dicer is
      ubiquitously expressed and strictly cytoplasmic in all three germ layers as well
      as extraembryonic tissues. Our data exclude a direct role for Dicer in the
      nuclear RNA processing in the mouse.

PMID- 27254022
TI  - Changing characteristics of livestock-associated meticillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus isolated from humans - emergence of a subclade transmitted
      without livestock exposure, the Netherlands, 2003 to 2014.
AB  - Since 2007, livestock-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA
      MRSA) has become the predominant MRSA clade isolated from humans in the
      Netherlands. To assess possible temporal changes, we molecularly characterised
      over 9,000 LA-MRSA isolates submitted from 2003 to 2014 to the Dutch MRSA
      surveillance. After an initial rapid increase with a peak in 2009 (n = 1,368),
      the total number of submitted LA-MRSA isolates has been slowly decreasing to 968
      in 2014 and over 80% of LA-MRSA belonged to one of three predominant MLVA/spa
      types. Next generation sequencing (n=118) showed that MT569/t034 isolates were
      genetically more diverse than MT398/t011 and MT572/t108. Concurrent with the
      decrease in LA-MRSA, fewer people reported having contact with livestock and this
      was most prominent for people carrying MT569/t034 LA-MRSA. The proportion of LA
      MRSA isolated from infection-related materials increased from 6% in 2009, to 13%
      in 2014 and most of these isolates originated from patients older than 50 years
      of age. Remarkably, 83% of these patients reported not having contact with
      livestock. The results reveal an ongoing change in the genotypic and
      epidemiological characteristics of Dutch LA-MRSA isolated from humans with the
      emergence of a LA-MRSA subclade independent of livestock exposure, suggesting LA
      MRSA starts to resemble non-LA-MRSA in terms of transmissibility and
      pathogenicity. 

PMID- 27254024
TI  - Correction: Substituent interference on supramolecular assembly in urea gelators:
      synthesis, structure prediction and NMR.
AB  - Correction for 'Substituent interference on supramolecular assembly in urea
      gelators: synthesis, structure prediction and NMR' by Francesca Piana et al.,
      Soft Matter, 2016, 12, 4034-4043. 

PMID- 27254025
TI  - Corkscrew Seals: Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) Infanticide and Cannibalism May
      Indicate the Cause of Spiral Lacerations in Seals.
AB  - Large numbers of dead seals with characteristic spiral lesions have been washing
      ashore around the North Atlantic over the past two decades. Interactions with
      ship propellers and shark predation have been suggested as the likely causal
      mechanisms. However, new evidence points towards a more likely candidate: grey
      seal predation. An adult male grey seal was observed and recorded catching,
      killing and eating five weaned grey seal pups over a period of one week on the
      Isle of May, Scotland. A further 9 carcasses found in the same area exhibited
      similar injuries. Post mortem analysis of lesions indicated the wound
      characteristics were similar to each other and in 12 of the 14 carcasses
      analysed, were indistinguishable from carcasses previously attributed to
      propeller interaction. We therefore propose that most of the seal carcasses
      displaying spiral lacerations in the UK are caused by grey seal predation. Cases
      in other locations should be re-evaluated using the scoring system presented here
      to identify whether grey seal predation is a major cause of mortality in phocid
      seals. 

PMID- 27254026
TI  - Effects of neoadjuvant chemo or chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal cancer on
      perioperative haemodynamics: A prospective cohort study within a randomised
      clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy might improve oncological outcome
      compared with chemotherapy after surgery for oesophagus or gastrooesophageal
      junction cancer. However, radiotherapy may induce cardiovascular side-effects
      that could increase the risk of perioperative adverse effects and postoperative
      morbidity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative
      haemodynamics in patients undergoing oesophagectomy following neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for cancer. DESIGN: A prospective single-centre
      cohort study within a randomised multi-centre trial. SETTING: A Swedish
      University Hospital from January 2009 to March 2013. PATIENTS: A total of 31
      patients (chemotherapy 17, chemoradiotherapy 14) included in a multi-centre trial
      randomising chemotherapy vs. chemoradiotherapy and operated at Karolinska
      University Hospital, Huddinge. INTERVENTIONS: Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil,
      either with or without concurrent radiotherapy (40 Gy), were given prior to
      surgery. Cardiac function was assessed with LiDCOplus (LiDCO Ltd, London, United
      Kingdom), echocardiography, troponin T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic
      peptide, before, during and after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary
      outcome was the interaction effect of the neoadjuvant treatment on stroke volume
      index during the perioperative period. Secondary outcomes were the interaction
      effects of oxygen delivery index, cardiac index, echocardiography and biochemical
      markers. RESULTS: The groups were matched regarding comorbidities, but patients
      in the chemoradiotherapy group were older (66 vs. 60 years P = 0.03).
      Haemodynamic values changed in a similar way in both groups during the study
      period. The chemoradiotherapy group had a lower cardiac index before surgery (2.9
      vs. 3.4 l min m, P = 0.03). On the third postoperative day, both groups displayed
      a hyperdynamic state compared with baseline, with no increase in troponin T, and
      a similar increase in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. CONCLUSION:
      Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal or gastrooesophageal junction
      cancer seems to induce only a marginal negative effect on cardiac function
      compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This difference did not remain when
      patients' haemodynamics were challenged by surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01362127.

PMID- 27254027
TI  - Reply to: survival after long-term isoflurane sedation in critically ill surgical
      patients.

PMID- 27254028
TI  - Immunogenicity and Safety of 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Compared
      With 7-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Among Healthy Infants in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immunogenicity and safety of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
      (PCV13) were compared with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in
      Chinese infants. METHODS: Healthy infants aged 2 months were randomized to a
      double-blind 3-dose infant series plus 1 toddler dose of PCV7 or PCV13 at 3, 4, 5
      and 12 months or open-label PCV13 at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months. Serotype-specific
      immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding and functionality were measured 1 month after the
      infant series and after the toddler dose. Local reactions, systemic events and
      adverse events were assessed postvaccination. RESULTS: For the 7 common
      serotypes, serotype-specific binding IgGs elicited by PCV13 were noninferior to
      PCV7 after the 3-dose infant series; functional antibodies were comparable. For
      the 6 additional serotypes, PCV13 recipients had significantly higher serotype
      specific IgGs and functional antibodies than PCV7 recipients after the infant
      series. The toddler dose boosted the immune response. Local reactions and
      systemic events were mild in severity and similar across groups. No new safety
      signals were identified. CONCLUSIONS: For the 7 common serotypes, serotype
      specific binding IgG after 2 different 3-dose regimens of PCV13 were noninferior
      to PCV7 responses. PCV13 recipients had significantly higher immune responses to
      the 6 additional serotypes. PCV13 is expected to provide pneumococcal disease
      protection comparable to PCV7 for the common serotypes and further protection
      against disease caused by the 6 additional serotypes. Safety of PCV7 and PCV13
      was comparable.

PMID- 27254029
TI  - Rhinovirus Infections and Associated Respiratory Morbidity in Infants: A
      Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Risk factors promoting rhinovirus (RV) infections are inadequately
      described in healthy populations, especially infants. OBJECTIVES: To determine
      the frequency of symptomatic and asymptomatic RV infections and identify possible
      risk factors from host and environment among otherwise healthy infants. METHODS:
      In a prospective birth cohort, respiratory health was assessed in 41 term-born
      infants by weekly telephonic interviews during the first year of life, and weekly
      nasal swabs were collected to determine RV prevalence. In a multilevel logistic
      regression model, associations between prevalence and respiratory symptoms during
      RV infections and host/environmental factors were determined. RESULTS: Twenty
      seven percent of nasal swabs in 41 infants tested positive for RVs. Risk factors
      for RV prevalence were autumn months [odds ratio (OR) = 1.71, P = 0.01, 95%
      confidence interval (CI): 1.13-2.61], outdoor temperatures between 5 and 10
      degrees C (OR = 2.33, P = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.41-3.86), older siblings (OR = 2.60, P
      = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.50-4.51) and childcare attendance (OR = 1.53, P = 0.07, 95%
      CI: 0.96-2.44). Fifty-one percent of RV-positive samples were asymptomatic.
      Respiratory symptoms during RV infections were less likely during the first 3
      months of life (OR = 0.34, P = 0.003, 95% CI: 0.17-0.69) and in infants with
      atopic mothers (OR = 0.44, P = 0.008, 95% CI: 0.24-0.80). Increased tidal volume
      (OR = 1.67, P = 0.03, 95% CI: 1.04-2.68) and outdoor temperatures between 2 and 5
      degrees C (OR = 2.79, P = 0.02, 95% CI: 1.17-6.61) were associated with more
      symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: RVs are highly prevalent during the first year of life,
      and most infections are asymptomatic. Frequency of RV infections is associated
      with environmental factors, while respiratory symptoms during RV infections are
      linked to host determinants like infant age, maternal atopy or premorbid lung
      function.

PMID- 27254030
TI  - A Systematic Review of the Effect of Rotavirus Vaccination on Diarrhea Outcomes
      Among Children Younger Than 5 Years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable diarrhea among
      children under 5 globally. Rotavirus vaccination has been shown to prevent severe
      rotavirus infections with varying efficacy and effectiveness by region. METHODS:
      We sought to generate updated region-specific estimates of rotavirus vaccine
      efficacy and effectiveness. We systematically reviewed published vaccine efficacy
      and effectiveness studies to assess the region-specific effect of rotavirus
      vaccination on select diarrheal morbidity and mortality outcomes in children
      under 5 years of age. We employed meta-analytic methods to generate pooled effect
      sizes by Millennium Development Goal region. RESULTS: Rotavirus vaccination was
      both efficacious and effective in preventing rotavirus diarrhea, severe rotavirus
      diarrhea and rotavirus hospitalizations among children under 5 across all regions
      represented by the 48 included studies. Efficacy against severe rotavirus
      diarrhea ranged from 90.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 82.3-95.0] in the
      developed region to 88.4% (95% CI: 67.1-95.9) in Eastern/Southeastern Asia, 79.6%
      (95% CI: 71.3-85.5) in Latin America and the Caribbean, 50.0% (95% CI: 34.4-61.9)
      in Southern Asia and 46.1% (95% CI: 29.1-59.1) in sub-Saharan Africa. Region
      specific effectiveness followed a similar pattern. There was also evidence of
      vaccine efficacy against severe diarrhea and diarrheal hospitalizations.
      CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the protective efficacy and effectiveness of
      rotavirus vaccination against rotavirus diarrheal outcomes among children under 5
      globally.

PMID- 27254031
TI  - Dyslipidemia, Diet and Physical Exercise in Children on Treatment With
      Antiretroviral Medication in El Salvador: A Cross-sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemias are common in HIV-infected children, especially if
      treated with protease inhibitors, but there are few data on how to treat
      dyslipidemias in this population. We estimated the dyslipidemia prevalence and
      its association with treatment, diet and physical exercise in children on
      antiretroviral treatment at the El Salvador reference center for pediatric HIV
      care (CENID). METHODS: Information was gathered regarding socio-demographic
      characteristics, treatment, diet and physical activity of 173 children aged 5-18
      years and receiving antiretroviral therapy. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, low
      density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), viral load and CD4
      T-lymphocytes were measured. Abnormal concentrations were defined as
      triglycerides >=130 mg/dL in 10- to 18-year olds and >=100 mg/dL in <10-year
      olds; total cholesterol >=200 mg/dL; LDL-C >=130 mg/dL and HDL-C <=35 mg/dL. We
      adjusted 4 different multivariate models to assess the independent association of
      each type of dyslipidemia with protease inhibitors, diet and physical exercise.
      RESULTS: Of the 173 children, 83 (48%) had hypertriglyceridemia and 25 (14.5%)
      hypercholesterolemia. High LDL-C concentrations were observed in 17 children
      (9.8%) and low HDL-C in 38 (22%). Treatment with protease inhibitors was
      significantly associated with hypertriglyceridemia [prevalence ratio (PR) 2.8;
      95% confidence interval (CI): 2.0-3.8] and hypercholesterolemia (PR 9.0; 95% CI:
      3.6-22.2). Higher adherence to a "high fat/sugar diet" was associated with
      hypercholesterolemia (PR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) and high LDL-C (PR 1.7; 95% CI:
      1.0-2.9). Compared with those exercising <3 times/week, children exercising >=7
      times were less likely to have low HDL-C (PR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.7).
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a healthy diet and exercise habits can
      contribute to controlling some aspects of the lipid profile in this population.

PMID- 27254032
TI  - Living Conditions as a Driving Factor in Persistent Methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus Colonization Among HIV-infected Youth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization has
      been linked to HIV-related sexual and social behaviors. MRSA risk factors may be
      different for HIV-infected children, adolescents and young adults. We
      investigated the association of MRSA colonization, persistent colonization and
      genotypes with potential risk factors among HIV-infected youth. METHODS: For this
      case-control study, patients 24 years of age or younger attending 2 HIV reference
      centers were recruited from February to August 2012 and followed for 1 year.
      Nasal swabs were collected at enrollment and every 3 months. MRSA clones were
      characterized by staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec typing, spa typing and
      multilocus sequence typing. We compared MRSA colonization and persistent
      colonization with patient demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS:
      Among 117 participants, MRSA colonization frequency (calculated for each
      collection based on the number of positive cultures per patient) was 12.8% at the
      first collection. The average MRSA colonization frequency was 10.4%. Our results
      showed 11.1% were persistent carriers (subjects with more than 1 positive culture
      in at least 3). Crowding was the only factor associated with MRSA colonization (P
      = 0.018). Persistent carriers had significantly higher (4.2 times) odds of living
      in a crowded household (95% confidence interval-1.1-16.2). We observed high
      genetic diversity among MRSA isolates, with t002/ST5 and t318/ST30 being the most
      frequent. CONCLUSIONS: MRSA colonization among HIV-infected youth is more closely
      related to living in a low-income or slum community than to HIV-related clinical
      factors. High genetic MRSA isolate diversity in our population suggests frequent
      transmission.

PMID- 27254033
TI  - Rotavirus Serum IgA Immune Response in Children Receiving Rotarix Coadministered
      With bOPV or IPV.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vaccine schedules including bivalent oral and inactivated poliovirus
      vaccines will replace trivalent oral poliovirus vaccines in 2016. METHODS: We
      evaluated rotavirus immunoglobulin A seroresponses when the second dose of
      Rotarix at 16 weeks was given concomitantly with inactivated or bivalent oral
      poliovirus vaccines. RESULTS: Rotavirus immunoglobulin A seroresponse rate at
      week 28 was 15% lower in recipients of bivalent oral poliovirus vaccines compared
      with inactivated poliovirus vaccines. CONCLUSION: Bivalent oral poliovirus
      vaccine decreases rotavirus IgA seroresponse rates when coadministered at 16
      weeks of age.

PMID- 27254034
TI  - Immunogenicity and Safety of Yellow Fever Vaccine (Stamaril) When Administered
      Concomitantly With a Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine Candidate in Healthy Toddlers at
      12-13 Months of Age in Colombia and Peru: A Randomized Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dengue and yellow fever (YF) viruses are closely related members of
      the Flaviviridae family. Given the inherent similarities between the YF vaccine
      and dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV) candidate, it is possible that the latter could
      interfere with the response to the licensed YF vaccine when coadministered.
      METHODS: In this randomized, observer-blind, controlled, phase III trial,
      conducted in Colombia and Peru, 787 toddlers were administered YF vaccine
      concomitantly with CYD-TDV (group 1) or placebo (group 2), followed by CYD-TDV
      after 6 and 12 months. YF and dengue neutralizing antibody titers were determined
      using a 50% plaque reduction neutralization test. Noninferiority was demonstrated
      if the lower limit of the 2-sided 95% confidence interval of the difference in
      seroconversion rates [(YF + CYD-TDV) - YF alone] was greater than -10%. The
      safety of both vaccines was also assessed. RESULTS: Concomitant administration of
      YF with either CYD-TDV or placebo yielded YF seroconversion rates of 100.0% and
      99.7%, respectively. The difference in YF seroconversion rates between the 2
      groups was 0.33% (95% confidence interval:0.98; 1.87), demonstrating that the
      immune response against YF administered concomitantly with CYD-TDV was
      noninferior to YF administered with placebo. After 2 injections of CYD-TDV, the
      percentage of participants with dengue titres >=10 (1/dil) for the 4 dengue
      serotypes were 91.2%-100% for group 1 and 97.2%-100% in group 2. There were no
      safety concerns during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant administration
      of YF vaccine with CYD-TDV has no relevant impact on the immunogenicity or safety
      profile of the YF vaccine.

PMID- 27254035
TI  - Nonactivated Protein C in the Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis: A Retrospective
      Analysis of Outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previously, we found that plasma protein C (PC) activity <=10%
      significantly increased the probability of the occurrence of death during
      neonatal sepsis. Accordingly, if the activity of plasma PC declined during the
      course of sepsis to <=10%, we administered a nonactivated PC zymogen to increase
      a PC activity. The aim of that retrospective analysis was to explore treatment
      effects of PC zymogen supplementation in septic infants, with plasma PC activity
      <=10%. METHODS: A database was used to locate 85 newborns treated with PC from
      among 458 analyzed infants with confirmed sepsis. RESULTS: The median birth
      weight and gestational age of treated infants were, respectively, 1010.0 g and 29
      weeks. In 47 infants, early-onset sepsis developed, whereas in 38 neonates, late
      onset sepsis was recognized. PC was given as a single dose of 200 IU/kg. Among
      458 septic patients, death occurred in 19 newborns (4.2%), exclusively in infants
      with plasma PC activity <=10%. In 15 infants, death occurred in the course of
      early-onset sepsis and 4 newborns died of late-onset sepsis (early-onset sepsis
      vs. late-onset sepsis; P = 0.036; chi with the Yates correction). CONCLUSIONS: An
      increased risk of death in septic neonates with plasma PC activity <=10% suggests
      the necessity for its evaluation and possibility of supplementation of PC
      zymogen.

PMID- 27254036
TI  - Handshake Stewardship: A Highly Effective Rounding-based Antimicrobial
      Optimization Service.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program is recommended
      as one solution to combat increasing antimicrobial resistance. Most antimicrobial
      stewardship programs use preauthorization or restrictive strategies recommended
      in national guidelines. We describe a unique, rounding-based strategy, handshake
      stewardship. Handshake stewardship is distinguished by: (1) lack of restriction
      and preauthorization, (2) review of all prescribed antimicrobials and (3) a
      rounding-based, in-person approach to feedback by a pharmacist-physician team.
      METHODS: We retrospectively measured antimicrobial use hospital-wide and by unit
      during preimplementation, planning, and postimplementation phases of the
      handshake stewardship approach to determine the efficacy of this strategy in
      decreasing use in a freestanding children's hospital. All antimicrobials
      prescribed on the inpatient services between October 2010 and September 2014 were
      included in the review. Monthly antimicrobial use (hospital-wide and by unit) was
      measured in days of therapy per 1000 patient days (DOT/1000 PD). RESULTS: Overall
      antimicrobial use decreased by 10.9% during the 4 years of the analysis (942 to
      839 DOT/1000 PD, P < 0.01), with an impact of 10.3% on antibacterials (750 to 673
      DOT/1000 PD, P < 0.01). Vancomycin use decreased by 25.7% (105 to 78 DOT/1000 PD,
      P < 0.01). Meropenem use decreased by 22.2% (45 to 35 DOT/1000 PD, P = 0.04)
      without a compensatory increase of other antipseudomonal agents. Decreased usage
      was observed both hospital-wide and on individual units for most agents.
      CONCLUSIONS: The handshake stewardship approach is an effective strategy for an
      antimicrobial stewardship program, as demonstrated by the widespread and
      significant decrease in antimicrobial use after implementation.

PMID- 27254037
TI  - Safety and Immunogenicity of M-M-RII (Combination Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine)
      in Clinical Trials of Healthy Children Conducted Between 1988 and 2009.
AB  - BACKGROUND: M-M-RII, a combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, was
      licensed in the United States in 1978 based on data from several clinical trials
      that demonstrated that the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine were
      comparable to the component monovalent vaccines and to the previous trivalent
      combination vaccine. METHODS: Safety and immunogenicity data from 23
      postlicensure clinical trials conducted with M-M-RII between 1988 and 2009 were
      summarized. A total of 12,901 children who received only a first dose, 920
      children who received a first and second dose and 400 children who received only
      a second dose were evaluated. RESULTS: The vaccine was generally well tolerated
      among children who received a first and/or second dose of M-M-RII. During the 28
      42-day follow-up after dose 1 and dose 2, the median rate of temperatures >=102
      degrees F (oral equivalent) was 24.8% and 13.0% and the median rate of
      measles/rubella-like rash was 3.2% and 0.5%, respectively. The median rate of
      injection-site reactions during the first 5 days postdose 1 and postdose 2 was
      17.3% and 42.7%, respectively. The seroconversion rates (enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay) after dose 1 were remarkably consistent from study to study
      between 1988 and 2009 (92.8%-100% for measles, 97.7%-100% for mumps and 92.8%
      100% for rubella). A trend test showed that there was no change in the
      immunogenicity of the vaccine over the 21-year period. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      of this analysis demonstrate that M-M-RII is well tolerated and immunogenic. The
      vaccine performed consistently over 21 years of evaluation in clinical trials.

PMID- 27254038
TI  - Use of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam in the Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa Bloodstream Infection in a Pediatric Leukemia Patient.
AB  - Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is of increasing concern in pediatric
      patients. Ceftolozane/tazobactam is a novel cephalosporin/beta-lactamase
      inhibitor combination with activity against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas;
      however, no data exist on its use in children. This report summarizes the
      treatment of a multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa bloodstream infection in a
      pediatric leukemia patient with ceftolozane/tazobactam and provides the first
      description of its pharmacokinetics in pediatrics.

PMID- 27254039
TI  - Subdural Empyema Caused by Neisseria meningitidis: A Case Report and Review of
      the Literature.
AB  - Subdural empyema complicating meningococcal meningitis is rare. We describe a
      case and 14 previously reported cases; all had persistent fever and 12 had
      seizures. Initial cerebrospinal fluid showed raised protein with low glucose
      values. Neuroimaging confirmed the diagnosis in all cases where undertaken. Ten
      children had neurosurgical intervention. Clinical outcome was available in 14
      cases; a full recovery was reported in 10 and 1 child died.

PMID- 27254041
TI  - Pediatricians as Adolescent Ambassadors.

PMID- 27254040
TI  - Association between Exposure to Smartphones and Ocular Health in Adolescents.
AB  - PURPOSE: Smartphone use has dramatically increased in recent years. Smartphones
      may have adverse health effects, particularly on the eyes, because users stare at
      the screen for a much longer time than they do with ordinary mobile phones. The
      objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between smartphone use
      and ocular symptoms among adolescents. METHODS: Information on smartphone use and
      ocular symptoms (blurring, redness, visual disturbance, secretion, inflammation,
      lacrimation and dryness) related to eye fatigue and strain from 715 adolescent
      subjects from three cities in Korea was obtained using a structured
      questionnaire. Ocular health was scored using number of ocular symptoms. Odds
      ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and p-values for ocular symptoms
      were calculated with binomial and multinomial logistic regression models.
      RESULTS: Higher prevalence rates for ocular symptoms were observed in groups with
      greater exposure to smartphones (p < 0.05). Longer daily smartphone use was
      associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (5-7
      symptoms out of 7 symptoms; p = 0.005). Excessive/intermittent use (>2 hours
      daily and <=2 hours continuously) and excessive/persistent use (>2 hours daily
      and >2 hours continuously) compared to shorter use (<2 hours daily) were
      associated with multiple ocular symptoms (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.09-4.39; OR 2.26, 95%
      CI 1.11-4.57, respectively). A higher lifetime exposure to smartphones was
      associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (OR 3.05,
      95% CI 1.51-6.19; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increasing exposure to smartphones can
      have a negative impact on ocular health in adolescents.

PMID- 27254042
TI  - Onset of Puberty in Relation to Obesity.

PMID- 27254043
TI  - Phenobarbital for Neonatal Seizures: A Time for Perusal.

PMID- 27254044
TI  - Age of Onset of Puberty in Apparently Healthy School Girls from Northern India.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the age of pubertal onset and menarche in school-going
      girls, and to assess the impact of obesity on pubertal timing. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional. SETTING: Seven schools across Delhi, India. PARTICIPANTS: 2010 school
      girls, aged 6-17 years. METHODS: Anthropometric measurement and pubertal staging
      was performed for all subjects. Menarche was recorded by status quo method. Body
      mass index was used to define overweight/obesity. Serum gonadotropins and serum
      estradiol were measured in every sixth participant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age at
      thelarche and menarche analyzed for entire cohort and stratified based on body
      mass index. RESULTS: Median (95% CI) ages of thelarche, pubarche and menarche
      were 10.8 (10.7-10.9) y, 11.0. y (10.8-11.2) y and 12.4 y (12.2-12.5) y.
      Overweight/obese girls showed six months earlier onset of thelarche and menarche
      than those with normal BMI (P<0.05). Serum gonadotropins did not vary
      significantly in overweight/obese subjects. CONCLUSION: The study provides the
      normative data for pubertal growth in Indian girls. Pubertal onset occurs earlier
      in overweight and obese girls.

PMID- 27254045
TI  - Serum Phenobarbitone Levels in Term and Near Term Neonates with Seizures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum phenobarbitone levels in neonates with seizures and
      to evaluate the effect of repeated loading dose on serum phenobarbitone levels.
      METHODS: In this prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care
      centre of Northern India during 2011- 2012, 99 neonates admitted with
      seizureswere included.Serum phenobarbitone levels in neonates with seizures at 20
      minutes and 12 hours after the first loading dose of phenobarbitone were
      measured. RESULTS: Serum phenobarbitone levels [mean (SD)] at 20 min and 12 hours
      was 27.3 (28.4) ug/mL and 23 (19.1) ug/mL, respectively (P=0.07). The mean serum
      phenobarbitone levels 12 hours after the loading dose, and proportion of neonates
      with toxic levels increased with each loading dose of intravenous phenobarbitone.
      CONCLUSION: Monitoring of serum level of phonobarbitone may not be essential
      because seizure control in neonates appears to be independent of whether serum
      level is subtherapeutic, therapeutic or toxic range.

PMID- 27254046
TI  - Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Extremely Low Birth Weight Children at Corrected
      Age of Two Years.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the neurodevelopmental, cognitive and behavioral function of
      extremely low birth weight babies (ELBW) till corrected age of two years.
      METHODS: 79 ELBW babies were enrolled and followed at 1 year (n=50), 18 months
      (n=47) and 2 years (n=36). Adverse composite outcome was defined as death or
      moderate-to-severe neurodevelopmental impairment (defined as either cerebral
      palsy or DQ score <70 or deafness or blindness). RESULTS: At 1 year, 24% were
      neurologically abnormal. At 18 months, average score (>85) was seen in 25 (54%)
      children in motor and 8 (17%) in mental development. Abnormal behavioral score
      (?12) was seen in 89% children. Adverse composite outcome was present in 28
      (35.4%) babies. CONCLUSIONS: ELBW neonates are at a high risk of
      neurodevelopmental and behavioral impairment.

PMID- 27254047
TI  - Lactose and Fructose Intolerance in Turkish Children with Chronic Abdominal Pain.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of lactose and fructose intolerance in
      children with chronic abdominal pain. METHODS: Hydrogen breath tests were done to
      detect lactose and fructose malabsorption in 86 children with chronic abdominal
      pain (44 irritable bowel syndrome, 24 functional abdominal pain and 17 functional
      abdominal pain syndrome as per Rome III criteria) presenting to a Pediatric
      Gastroentreology department. RESULTS: 14 (16.3%) of patients were diagnosed with
      lactose intolerance and 11 (12.8%) with fructose intolerance. CONCLUSION: Lactose
      and fructose intolerance in children can lead to chronic abdominal pain and
      symptoms improve with dietary modifications.

PMID- 27254048
TI  - Outbreaks of Hypoglycemic Encephalopathy in Muzaffarpur, India: Are These Caused
      by Toxins in Litchi Fruit?: The Point.

PMID- 27254049
TI  - Outbreaks of Hypoglycemic Encephalopathy in Muzaffarpur, India: Are These Caused
      by Toxins in Litchi Fruit?: The Counterpoint.

PMID- 27254050
TI  - Updated Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines 2015 Major Changes.

PMID- 27254051
TI  - Writing the Results.

PMID- 27254052
TI  - Tubercular Meningitis, A Tale of 50 Years.

PMID- 27254053
TI  - Systematic Review of Effectiveness of Varicella Vaccines: A Critical Appraisal:
      Evidence based Medicine Viewpoint.

PMID- 27254054
TI  - Systematic Review of Effectiveness of Varicella Vaccines: A Critical Appraisal:
      Immunization Experts Viewpoint.

PMID- 27254055
TI  - Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Intrathecal Methotrexate Therapy for Acute
      Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute toxic leukoencephalopathy following intrathecal methotrexate
      administration is well documented but intracranial haemorrhage is extremely rare.
      CASE CHARACTERISTICS: A 2-year-6 months old girl with acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia developed sudden onset neurological deterioration following intrathecal
      methotrexate. OBSERVATIONS: Computed tomography scan of brain demonstrated
      intraventricular and subarachnoid hemorrhage. OUTCOME: Child improved gradually
      on conservative management. Follow-up neuroimaging showed resolution of
      hemorrhage. MESSAGE: Intracranial haemorrhage is a rare but serious complication
      of intrathecal methotrexate.

PMID- 27254056
TI  - Infantile Bullous Pemphigoid Following Vaccination.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-vaccination infantile bullous pemphigod is a rare presentation.
      CASE CHARACTERISTICS: A 2-month-old girl presented with widespread bullae,
      erosions, necrotic and targetoid lesions over body and mucosae after vaccination.
      Histology and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) were consistent with bullous
      pemphigoid. INTERVENTION: Clinical remission with oral steroids and no recurrence
      with subsequent vaccination. MESSAGE: Continuation of vaccination may not be
      contraindicated in infants where bullous pemphigoid onset occurs after
      vaccination.

PMID- 27254057
TI  - Delayed Diagnosis of Dopa responsive Dystonia in Two Siblings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dopa responsive dystonia is characterized by progressive disabling
      dystonia, diurnal variation and a dramatic response to Levodopa. CASE
      CHARACTERISTICS: Two siblings presented with regression of motor milestones and
      hypertonia in lower limbs. History of diurnal variation was present in elder
      sibling. OUTCOME: Both responded dramatically to Levodopa. The genomic DNA
      analysis of elder sibling revealed a novel mutation. MESSAGE: A trial of Levodopa
      should be considered in a child with motor regression with diurnal variation, in
      the presence of extrapyramidal features.

PMID- 27254058
TI  - The Crying Child.

PMID- 27254059
TI  - Psychosocial Care and its Association with Severe Acute Malnutrition.
AB  - This cross-sectional study compared 120 children having severe acute malnutrition
      with 120 healthy children for exposure to 40 behaviors, by measuring psychosocial
      care based on Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME)
      inventory. The mean (SD) psychosocial care score of cases and controls
      significantly differed [18.2 (2.2) vs 23.5 (2.1); P<0.001]. A score of less than
      14 was significantly associated with severe acute malnutrition (OR 23.2; 95% CI
      8.2, 50). 

PMID- 27254060
TI  - Oxygen Saturation Index, A Noninvasive Tool for Monitoring Hypoxemic Respiratory
      Failure in Newborns.

PMID- 27254061
TI  - Association of Dietary Calcium Intake and Body Fat with Hypertension in Indian
      Adolescents.
AB  - To explore association of dietary calcium intake and body composition with blood
      pressure, 417 apparently healthy adolescents (218 boys) were studied for
      anthropometry, blood pressure, body composition and nutrient intakes using
      standard protocols. Blood pressure correlated negatively with dietary calcium (r=
      -0.120, P<0.01) and positively with body fat (r=0.56,P<0.001). Low dietary
      calcium intakes and high adiposity may increase risk of hypertension in Indian
      adolescents. 

PMID- 27254062
TI  - High Mobility Group Box 1 in Preterm Infants with Intraventricular Hemorrhage.
AB  - We studied the level of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1) in preterm infants with
      intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      (ELISA), the concentration of HMGB1 in cord blood obtained from 41 infants with
      IVH and 67 infants without IVH were measured. The cord blood concentration of
      HMGB1 in infants with IVH were significantly higher than those without IVH
      (P=0.041). Increased levels of HMGB1 might be associated with IVH in preterm
      infants. 

PMID- 27254063
TI  - Training Pediatric Emergency Medicine Specialists in India.

PMID- 27254064
TI  - Training Pediatric Emergency Medicine Specialists in India: Authors Reply.

PMID- 27254065
TI  - Kawasaki Disease in Jammu and Kashmir.

PMID- 27254066
TI  - Deep Vein Thrombosis Secondary to Early Onset Sepsis in a Neonate.

PMID- 27254067
TI  - Filtered Sunlight for Treatment of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia, A Rejoinder.

PMID- 27254068
TI  - Filtered Sunlight for Treatment of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: A
      Rejoinder,Authors Reply.

PMID- 27254069
TI  - Is Newborn Hearing Screening Worthwhile in India?

PMID- 27254070
TI  - Is Newborn Hearing Screening Worthwhile in India?: Authors Reply.

PMID- 27254071
TI  - Year of Mnemonics and Acronyms.

PMID- 27254072
TI  - Publication: Predatory Journals and Beall.

PMID- 27254073
TI  - "Chaplains for Wellbeing" in Primary Care: A Qualitative Investigation of Their
      Perceived Impact for Patients' Health and Wellbeing.
AB  - Although Health Chaplaincy services are well-established in hospitals in the
      United Kingdom and across the world, Primary Care Chaplaincy is still in its
      infancy and much less extensively developed. This study explored the impact the
      introduction of a Primary Care "Chaplains for Wellbeing" service had upon
      patients' experience and perceived health and well-being. Sixteen patients
      participated in one-one interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using
      interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Patients reported circumstances
      that had eroded perceived self-efficacy, self-identity, and security manifesting
      as existential displacement; summarized under the superordinate theme of "loss."
      "Loss" originated from a number of sources and was expressed as the loss of hope,
      self-confidence, self-efficacy, and sense of purpose and meaning. Chaplains used
      a wide range of strategies enabling patients to rebuild self-confidence and self
      esteem. Person-centered, dignified, and responsive care offered in a supportive
      environment enabled patients to adapt and cope with existential displacement.

PMID- 27254074
TI  - Erratum: (61)Ni synchrotron radiation-based Mossbauer spectroscopy of nickel
      based nanoparticles with hexagonal structure.

PMID- 27254075
TI  - Rapid remission of symptomatic brain metastases in melanoma by programmed-death
      receptor-1 inhibition.
AB  - Although ~40% of patients with metastatic melanoma develop brain metastases, the
      presence of brain metastases often precludes enrolment in clinical trials for
      advanced melanoma. However, the development of symptomatic brain metastases
      markedly increases mortality. The antiprogrammed-death-receptor-1 antibody
      pembrolizumab achieves extracranial metastases disease response rates of up to
      50%. Here, we report the rapid and sustained response of symptomatic multifocal
      brain metastases in a melanoma ipilimumab-pretreated patient under pembrolizumab,
      combined with high-dose dexamethasone therapy during the induction phase of
      therapy. Complete remission has been maintained for over 1 year of follow-up and
      has correlated with the response rate observed in the extracranial metastases.
      Radiological disease response was identified during the first follow-up visit in
      the absence of adjuvant radiotherapy. This report highlights the need for further
      clinical studies to specifically address the therapeutic potential of
      antiprogrammed-death-receptor-1 monotherapy in the management of untreated brain
      metastases in melanoma.

PMID- 27254076
TI  - Factors Influencing the Placebo Effect in Patients with Primary Open-Angle
      Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: An Analysis of Two Randomized Clinical Trials.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore factors related to the placebo effect in patients with
      primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OH). METHODS: This was
      a retrospective cohort study of patients with POAG and patients with OH who were
      treated with placebo. The patients' data were extracted from two randomized,
      double-masked, parallel, multicenter clinical trials (trial 1 and trial 2) in
      Japan. We explored the baseline factors that were associated with the intraocular
      pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of placebo ophthalmic solution after 4 weeks of
      instillation treatment at two time points by using multivariable models. The time
      points were Hour 0 (between 08:30 and 10:30 before instillation) and Hour 2
      (within 1.5 to 2.5 h after instillation and by 12:30) at the baseline date and
      after 4 weeks. The changes in IOP from baseline to 4 weeks at the two time points
      were evaluated for the IOP-lowering effect induced by placebo instillation.
      RESULTS: Of the 330 patients included in the two trials, 89 patients were
      eligible for the analysis. The results of the multivariable analysis for Hour 0
      indicated a high IOP at the baseline date (coefficient: 0.24, 95% confidence
      interval (CI): 0.02 to 0.46, P = 0.03), and the magnitude of the IOP fluctuation
      at the baseline date (coefficient: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.90, P = 0.001) was
      associated with the IOP-lowering effect after 4 weeks. With respect to Hour 2,
      the trial type was associated with the IOP-lowering effect (coefficient: -1.15,
      95% CI: -2.14 to -0.16, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A large fluctuation in IOP during
      the day is associated with the IOP-lowering effect induced by placebo in patients
      with POAG or OH. This finding would be helpful to researchers when designing
      studies related to glaucoma in the early stages of clinical development of drugs.

PMID- 27254077
TI  - P2X6 Knockout Mice Exhibit Normal Electrolyte Homeostasis.
AB  - ATP-mediated signaling is an important regulator of electrolyte transport in the
      kidney. The purinergic cation channel P2X6 has been previously localized to the
      distal convoluted tubule (DCT), a nephron segment important for Mg2+ and Na+
      reabsorption, but its role in ion transport remains unknown. In this study, P2x6
      knockout (P2x6-/-) mice were generated to investigate the role of P2X6 in renal
      electrolyte transport. The P2x6-/- animals displayed a normal phenotype and did
      not differ physiologically from wild type mice. Differences in serum
      concentration and 24-hrs urine excretion of Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were not
      detected between P2x6+/+, P2x6+/- and P2x6-/- mice. Quantitative PCR was applied
      to examine potential compensatory changes in renal expression levels of other P2x
      subunits and electrolyte transporters, including P2x1-5, P2x7, Trpm6, Ncc, Egf,
      Cldn16, Scnn1, Slc12a3, Slc41a1, Slc41a3, Cnnm2, Kcnj10 and Fxyd2. Additionally,
      protein levels of P2X2 and P2X4 were assessed in P2x6+/+ and P2x6-/- mouse
      kidneys. However, significant changes in expression were not detected.
      Furthermore, no compensatory changes in gene expression could be demonstrated in
      heart material isolated from P2x6-/- mice. Except for a significant (P<0.05)
      upregulation of P2x2 in the heart of P2x6-/- mice compared to the P2x6+/+ mice.
      Thus, our data suggests that purinergic signaling via P2X6 is not significantly
      involved in the regulation of renal electrolyte handling under normal
      physiological conditions. 

PMID- 27254078
TI  - Can Visual Illusions Be Used to Facilitate Sport Skill Learning?
AB  - Recently it has been reported that practicing putting with visual illusions that
      make the hole appear larger than it actually is leads to longer-lasting
      performance improvements. Interestingly, from a motor control and learning
      perspective, it may be possible to actually predict the opposite to occur, as
      facing a smaller appearing target should enforce performers to be more precise.
      To test this idea the authors invited participants to practice an aiming task
      (i.e., a marble-shooting task) with either a visual illusion that made the target
      appear larger or a visual illusion that made the target appear smaller. They
      applied a pre-post test design, included a control group training without any
      illusory effects and increased the amount of practice to 450 trials. In contrast
      to earlier reports, the results revealed that the group that trained with the
      visual illusion that made the target look smaller improved performance from pre-
      to posttest, whereas the group practicing with visual illusions that made the
      target appear larger did not show any improvements. Notably, also the control
      group improved from pre- to posttest. The authors conclude that more research is
      needed to improve our understanding of whether and how visual illusions may be
      useful training tools for sport skill learning.

PMID- 27254079
TI  - Observation of Charge Generation and Transfer during CVD Growth of Carbon
      Nanotubes.
AB  - Carbon nanotube (CNT) is believed to be the most promising material for next
      generation IC industries with the prerequisite of chirality specific growth. For
      various approaches to controlling the chiral indices of CNTs, the key is to
      deepen the understanding of the catalytic growth mechanism in chemical vapor
      deposition (CVD). Here we show our discovery that the as-grown CNTs are all
      negatively charged after Fe-catalyzed CVD process. The extra electrons come from
      the charge generation and transfer during the growth of CNTs, which indicates
      that an electrochemical process happens in the surface reaction step. We then
      designed an in situ measurement equipment, verifying that the CVD growth of CNTs
      can be regarded as a primary battery system. Furthermore, we found that the
      variation of the Fermi level in Fe catalysts have a significant impact on the
      chirality of CNTs when different external electric fields are applied. These
      findings not only provide a new perspective on the growth of CNTs but also open
      up new possibilities for controlling the growth of CNTs by electrochemical
      methods.

PMID- 27254080
TI  - Highly Ordered Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide Based Polymer
      Nanocomposites: Promise and Limits for Dynamic Impacts Demonstrated in Model
      Organic Coatings.
AB  - Graphene oxide (GO) dispersed in water has been combined with a mixture of
      aqueous polymer dispersions and melamine formaldehyde resin (MF). Stable low
      viscous fluids with no obvious signs of mesoscale ordering at 0.3 wt % yield
      transparent films with GO loadings up to one weight percent in the form of
      homogeneously aligned double strands, each comprising few individual layers of
      the carbon allotrope. While baking of the films at 160  degrees C results in
      minor thermal reduction of GO, in situ reduction with excess hydroxylamine (HA)
      in the presence of the polymer colloids yields stable dispersions in which
      amphiphilic graphene like flakes temporarily encapsulate gaseous reaction
      products. Depending on the parameters in the time-temperature domain, the hollow
      spheres may be transferred into solid material or disassemble during film
      formation, the latter case providing black, smooth, and transparent films with up
      to eight magnitudes increased electrical conductivity and an oxygen permeability
      30-fold higher compared to the neat polymer matrix. In contrast, GO reduces
      oxygen permeability by that factor, while water permeability stays unchanged.
      Thermo-mechanical measurements reveal matrix stiffening by the platelets as well
      as by HA, the latter via modifying the MF reactivity. Excellent stone chip
      resistance and ballistic impact tests demonstrate efficient energy dissipation
      and crack deflection provided by the laminate like morphology of GO based
      composite. On the contrary, the same material only provides moderate substrate
      protection in rain erosion tests. 

PMID- 27254081
TI  - Fn14: a new player in cancer-induced cachexia.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although cancer cachexia is a very significant condition that
      is present in up to 80% of cancer cases, the cause of the condition has remained
      a puzzle. Cancer cachexia is a condition which is mainly characterised by muscle
      wasting, mobilization of fat reserves, and overall metabolic disturbance. This
      review aims to highlight some of the recent findings in cancer cachexia research.
      RECENT RESEARCH: It has been recently demonstrated that the expression of a
      single receptor, fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14, on a tumour can initiate
      cachexia and that this can be completely ablated by treatment with an antibody
      against this receptor. Also recently described was the role of parathyroid
      hormone receptor-binding proteins in causing cachexia through a mechanism where
      white adipose tissue is replaced with brown adipose tissue. In parallel, work
      done in drosophila suggests that the impaired insulin signalling is a direct
      cause of cancer cachexia through the release of an insulin growth factor binding
      protein that inhibits insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 signalling.
      SUMMARY: Successful therapies are urgently needed to combat cancer cachexia in
      the clinic. Recent research is making progress toward discovering the underlying
      molecular causes of the condition, which could lead to new therapeutic approaches
      and in the future contribute to more positive clinical outcomes for cancer
      sufferers.

PMID- 27254083
TI  - Rejection sensitivity and depressive symptoms: Longitudinal actor-partner effects
      in adolescent romantic relationships.
AB  - The present study utilizes the actor-partner interdependence model to examine the
      longitudinal relationship between rejection sensitivity and one's own and one's
      partner's depressive symptoms. The sample included adolescent romantic couples
      from the U.S. (N = 198 adolescents; 50% girls; 90.2% Caucasian) whose rejection
      sensitivity at Time 1 and depressive symptoms approximately one year later (Time
      2) were assessed. Additionally, aggressive behaviors and maintenance behaviors
      that commonly associated with rejection sensitivity (e.g., self-silencing) are
      explored as mediators. Results indicate that boyfriends' rejection sensitivity at
      Time 1 predicted girlfriends' depressive symptoms at Time 2. Additionally, girls'
      rejection sensitivity predicted their own and their boyfriends' self-silencing.
      Developmental and clinical implications are discussed.

PMID- 27254084
TI  - Markers of cerebral small vessel disease and severity of depression in the
      general population.
AB  - The vascular depression hypothesis postulates that cerebral small vessel disease
      can cause or exacerbate depression in elderly persons. Numerous studies explored
      the association of imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease including
      white matter lesions (WMLs) and lacunar infarcts with depressive symptoms or
      disorders. However, cerebral microbleeds have not been tested in depression. In
      the current study, we aimed to explore the association of WMLs, lacunar infarcts
      and cerebral microbleeds with depression continuum in a large population-based
      sample, the Rotterdam Study. Study population consisted of 3799 participants
      (aged 45 or over) free of dementia. WML volumes, lacunar infarcts and cerebral
      microbleeds were measured with brain magnetic resonance imaging. Depressive
      symptoms, depressive disorders and co-morbid anxiety disorders were assessed with
      validated questionnaires and clinical interview. WML volumes and lacunar infarcts
      were associated with depressive symptoms and disorders. Cerebral microbleeds,
      especially in deep or infratentorial brain regions, were related to depressive
      disorders only. Our results indicate that WMLs and lacunar infarcts might be non
      specific vascular lesions seen in depressive symptoms and disorders. Association
      of cerebral microbleeds with more severe forms of depression may indicate
      impaired brain iron homeostasis or minor episodes of cerebrovascular
      extraversion, which may play a role in depression etiology.

PMID- 27254085
TI  - The effects of white matter disease on the accuracy of automated segmentation.
AB  - Automated segmentation of the brain is challenging in the presence of brain
      pathologies such as white matter hyperintensities (WMH). A late-life depression
      population was used to demonstrate the effect of WMH on brain segmentation and
      normalization. We used an automated algorithm to detect WMH, and either filled
      them with normal-appearing white-matter (NAWM) intensities or performed a multi
      spectral segmentation, and finally compared the standard approach to the WMH
      filling or multi-spectral segmentation approach using intra-class correlation
      coefficients (ICC). The presence of WMH affected segmentations for both
      approaches suggesting that studies investigating structural differences in
      populations with high WMH should account for WMH. We also investigated how
      functional data contrasts are affected using normalization between the standard
      compared to fill and multi-spectral approach. We found that the functional data
      was not affected. While replication with a larger sample is needed, this study
      shows that WMH can significantly affect the results of segmentation and these
      areas are not limited to those affected by WMH. It is clear that to study gray
      matter differences that some correction should be made to account for WMH. Future
      studies should investigate which methods for accounting for WMH are most
      effective.

PMID- 27254086
TI  - Antenatal depression, treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and
      neonatal brain structure: A propensity-matched cohort study.
AB  - The aim of this propensity-matched cohort study was to evaluate the impact of
      prenatal SSRI exposure and a history of maternal depression on neonatal brain
      volumes and white matter microstructure. SSRI-exposed neonates (n=27) were
      matched to children of mothers with no history of depression or SSRI use (n=54).
      Additionally, neonates of mothers with a history of depression, but no prenatal
      SSRI exposure (n=41), were matched to children of mothers with no history of
      depression or SSRI use (n=82). Structural magnetic resonance imaging and
      diffusion weighted imaging scans were acquired with a 3T Siemens Allegra scanner.
      Global tissue volumes were characterized using an automatic, atlas-moderated
      expectation maximization segmentation tool. Local differences in gray matter
      volumes were examined using deformation-based morphometry. Quantitative
      tractography was performed using an adaptation of the UNC-Utah NA-MIC DTI
      framework. SSRI-exposed neonates exhibited widespread changes in white matter
      microstructure compared to matched controls. Children exposed to a history of
      maternal depression but no SSRIs showed no significant differences in brain
      development compared to matched controls. No significant differences were found
      in global or regional tissue volumes. Additional research is needed to clarify
      whether SSRIs directly alter white matter development or whether this
      relationship is mediated by depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

PMID- 27254087
TI  - Substance Use and Misuse: Emerging Epidemiological Trends, New Definitions, and
      Innovative Treatment Targets.

PMID- 27254088
TI  - Epidemiology of Injection Drug Use: New Trends and Prominent Issues.
AB  - After more than 30 years of research, numerous studies have shown that injection
      drug use is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes such as drug
      overdoses, drug-related suicidal behaviours, comorbid psychiatric disorders,
      bloodborne pathogens and other infectious diseases, and traumas. This review
      explores new trends and prominent issues associated with injection drug use. The
      dynamic nature of injection drug use is underlined by examining its recent trends
      and changing patterns in Canada and other "high-income countries." Three research
      topics that could further contribute to the development of comprehensive
      prevention and intervention strategies aimed at people who inject drugs are also
      discussed: risk behaviours associated with the injection of prescription opioids,
      binge injection drug use, and mental health problems as determinants of injection
      risk behaviours.

PMID- 27254090
TI  - Mental Health Literacy: Past, Present, and Future.

PMID- 27254089
TI  - Alcohol Effects on Stress Pathways: Impact on Craving and Relapse Risk.
AB  - A significant amount of neurobiological research regarding the development of
      alcohol use disorders (AUDs) has focused on alcohol-related activation and long
      term alterations in the mesocortical dopaminergic reward pathways. However,
      alcohol does not only interact with brain reward systems. Many of its acute and
      chronic effects may be related to allostatic adaptations in hypothalamic and
      extrahypothalamic stress regulation pathways. For example, acute binge
      intoxication is associated with hypothalamically driven increases in blood
      cortisol, norepinephrine, and sex steroid metabolite levels. This may contribute
      to the development of mesocortical sensitization to alcohol. Furthermore, chronic
      alcohol exposure is associated with systemic dysregulation of the hypothalamic
      pituitary adrenal axis, sympathetic adrenal medullary system, and sex steroid
      systems. This dysregulation appears to manifest as neuroendocrine tolerance. In
      this review, we first summarize the literature suggesting that alcohol-induced
      alterations in these hypothalamic systems influence craving and contribute to the
      development of AUDs. We note that for women, the effects of alcohol on these
      neuroendocrine stress regulation systems may be influenced by the rhythmic
      variations of hormones and steroids across the menstrual cycle. Second, we
      discuss how changes in these systems may indicate progression of AUDs and
      increased risk of relapse in both sexes. Specifically, neuroendocrine tolerance
      may contribute to mesocortical sensitization, which in turn may lead to decreased
      prefrontal inhibitory control of the dopaminergic reward and hypothalamic stress
      systems. Thus, pharmacological strategies that counteract alcohol-associated
      changes in hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic stress regulation pathways may slow
      the development and progression of AUDs.

PMID- 27254091
TI  - Using Evolutionary Theory to Guide Mental Health Research.
AB  - Evolutionary approaches to medicine can shed light on the origins and etiology of
      disease. Such an approach may be especially useful in psychiatry, which
      frequently addresses conditions with heterogeneous presentation and unknown
      causes. We review several previous applications of evolutionary theory that
      highlight the ways in which psychiatric conditions may persist despite and
      because of natural selection. One lesson from the evolutionary approach is that
      some conditions currently classified as disorders (because they cause distress
      and impairment) may actually be caused by functioning adaptations operating
      "normally" (as designed by natural selection). Such conditions suggest an
      alternative illness model that may generate alternative intervention strategies.
      Thus, the evolutionary approach suggests that psychiatry should sometimes think
      differently about distress and impairment. The complexity of the human brain,
      including normal functioning and potential for dysfunctions, has developed over
      evolutionary time and has been shaped by natural selection. Understanding the
      evolutionary origins of psychiatric conditions is therefore a crucial component
      to a complete understanding of etiology.

PMID- 27254092
TI  - Identifying Trajectories of Borderline Personality Features in Adolescence:
      Antecedent and Interactive Risk Factors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine trajectories of adolescent borderline personality (BP)
      features in a normative-risk cohort (n = 566) of Canadian children assessed at
      ages 13, 14, 15, and 16 and childhood predictors of trajectory group membership
      assessed at ages 8, 10, 11, and 12. METHOD: Data were drawn from the McMaster
      Teen Study, an on-going study examining relations among bullying, mental health,
      and academic achievement. Participants and their parents completed a battery of
      mental health and peer relations questionnaires at each wave of the study.
      Academic competence was assessed at age 8 (Grade 3). Latent class growth
      analysis, analysis of variance, and logistic regression were used to analyze the
      data. RESULTS: Three distinct BP features trajectory groups were identified:
      elevated or rising, intermediate or stable, and low or stable. Parent- and child
      reported mental health symptoms, peer relations risk factors, and intra
      individual risk factors were significant predictors of elevated or rising and
      intermediate or stable trajectory groups. Child-reported attention-deficit
      hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and somatization symptoms uniquely predicted
      elevated or rising trajectory group membership, whereas parent-reported anxiety
      and child-reported ADHD symptoms uniquely predicted intermediate or stable
      trajectory group membership. Child-reported somatization symptoms was the only
      predictor to differentiate the intermediate or stable and elevated or rising
      trajectory groups (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.28). Associations between child
      reported reactive temperament and elevated BP features trajectory group
      membership were 10.23 times higher among children who were bullied, supporting a
      diathesis-stress pathway in the development of BP features for these youth.
      CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate the heterogeneous course of BP features in
      early adolescence and shed light on the potential prodromal course of later
      borderline personality disorder.

PMID- 27254093
TI  - Employer Best Practice Guidelines for the Return to Work of Workers on Mental
      Disorder-Related Disability Leave: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There has been an increasing number of employer best practice
      guidelines (BPGs) for the return to work (RTW) from mental disorder-related
      disability leave. This systematic review addresses 2 questions: 1) What is the
      quality of the development and recommendations of these BPGs? and 2) What are the
      areas of agreement and discrepancy among the identified guidelines related to the
      RTW from mental illness-related disability leave? METHOD: A systematic literature
      search was performed using publically available grey literature and best practice
      portals. It focused on the RTW of workers with medically certified disability
      leave related to mental disorders. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and
      Evaluation II (AGREE II) was used to assess the quality of the development and
      recommendations of these BPGs. RESULTS: A total of 58 unique documents were
      identified for screening. After screening, 5 BPGs were appraised using AGREE II;
      3 BPGs were included in the final set. There were no discrepancies among the 3,
      although they were from different countries. They all agreed there should be: 1)
      well-described organizational policies and procedures for the roles and
      responsibilities of all stakeholders, 2) a disability leave plan, and 3) work
      accommodations. In addition, one guideline suggested supervisor training and
      mental health literacy training for all staff. CONCLUSION: Although there were no
      discrepancies among the 3 BPGs, they emphasized different aspects of RTW and
      could be considered to be complementary. Together, they provide important
      guidance for those seeking to understand employer best practices for mental
      illness-related disability.

PMID- 27254096
TI  - The CaregiverVoice Survey: A Pilot Study Surveying Bereaved Caregivers To Measure
      the Caregiver and Patient Experience at End of Life.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To integrate patient and caregiver feedback into end-of-life (EOL)
      care improvement, we tested the feasibility of a standardized, common instrument
      to measure care experiences across multiple settings in the last three months of
      life. METHODS: We developed and tested a survey, called the CaregiverVoice
      survey, which combined two validated questionnaires, the FAMCARE-2 and VOICES-SF.
      A retrospective, observational design was used to survey bereaved caregivers of
      decedents who had received homecare services in Ontario, Canada. RESULTS: In
      total, 330 surveys were completed (overall response rate of 13%, regional rates
      ranged from 4% to 83%). There was less than 5% missing data. Most patients
      received care from multiple settings in the last three months of life, including
      60% for which a hospital stay was reported. The overall mean of the 19 FAMCARE-2
      items was 1.7 (SD 0.7), with 72% of ratings as 1 very satisfied to 2 satisfied.
      On VOICES-SF items, 6% of respondents rated "all end-of-life services" as fair or
      poor, 24% as good, and 70% as excellent or outstanding, with variation depending
      on care site rated. 13% of caregivers reported that pain management was fair or
      poor in the last week of life. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study provides preliminary
      evidence that it is feasible to capture the patient and caregiver experience at
      EOL using a comprehensive survey, though survey distribution method greatly
      affected response rates. The majority of responses rated care as excellent or
      very good, although several specific areas for improvement were identified.

PMID- 27254094
TI  - Early Intervention for Psychosis in Canada: What Is the State of Affairs?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Early intervention services (EIS) for psychosis have been developed in
      several countries, including Canada. There is some agreement about the program
      elements considered essential for improving the long-term outcomes for patients
      in the early phase of psychotic disorders. In the absence of national standards,
      the current state of EIS for psychosis in Canada needs to be examined in relation
      to expert recommendations currently available. METHOD: A detailed online
      benchmark survey was developed and administered to 11 Canadian academic EIS
      programs covering administrative, clinical, education, and research domains. In
      addition, an electronic database and Internet search was conducted to find
      existing guidelines for EIS. Survey results were then compared with the existing
      expert recommendations. RESULTS: Most of the surveyed programs offer similar
      services, in line with published expert recommendations (i.e., easy and rapid
      access, intensive follow-up through case management with emphasis on patient
      engagement and continuity of care, and a range of integrated evidence-based
      psychosocial interventions). However, differences are observed among programs in
      admission and discharge criteria, services for patients at ultra high risk (UHR)
      for psychosis, patient to clinician ratios, accessibility of services, and
      existence of specific inpatient units. These seem to diverge from expert
      recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Although Canadian programs are following most
      expert recommendations on clinical components of care, some programs lack
      administrative and organizational elements considered essential. Continued
      mentoring and networking of clinicians through organizations such as the Canadian
      Consortium for Early Intervention in Psychosis (CCEIP), as well as the
      development of a fidelity scale through further research, could possibly help
      programs attain and maintain the best standards of early intervention. However,
      simply making clinical guidelines available to care providers is not sufficient
      for changing practices; this will need to be accompanied by adequate funding and
      support from organizations and policy makers.

PMID- 27254097
TI  - Computational Studies on Cinchona Alkaloid-Catalyzed Asymmetric Organic
      Reactions.
AB  - Remarkable progress in the area of asymmetric organocatalysis has been achieved
      in the last decades. Cinchona alkaloids and their derivatives have emerged as
      powerful organocatalysts owing to their reactivities leading to high
      enantioselectivities. The widespread usage of cinchona alkaloids has been
      attributed to their nontoxicity, ease of use, stability, cost effectiveness,
      recyclability, and practical utilization in industry. The presence of tunable
      functional groups enables cinchona alkaloids to catalyze a broad range of
      reactions. Excellent experimental studies have extensively contributed to this
      field, and highly selective reactions were catalyzed by cinchona alkaloids and
      their derivatives. Computational modeling has helped elucidate the mechanistic
      aspects of cinchona alkaloid catalyzed reactions as well as the origins of the
      selectivity they induce. These studies have complemented experimental work for
      the design of more efficient catalysts. This Account presents recent
      computational studies on cinchona alkaloid catalyzed organic reactions and the
      theoretical rationalizations behind their effectiveness and ability to induce
      selectivity. Valuable efforts to investigate the mechanisms of reactions
      catalyzed by cinchona alkaloids and the key aspects of the catalytic activity of
      cinchona alkaloids in reactions ranging from pharmaceutical to industrial
      applications are summarized. Quantum mechanics, particularly density functional
      theory (DFT), and molecular mechanics, including ONIOM, were used to rationalize
      experimental findings by providing mechanistic insights into reaction mechanisms.
      B3LYP with modest basis sets has been used in most of the studies; nonetheless,
      the energetics have been corrected with higher basis sets as well as functionals
      parametrized to include dispersion M05-2X, M06-2X, and M06-L and functionals with
      dispersion corrections. Since cinchona alkaloids catalyze reactions by forming
      complexes with substrates via hydrogen bonds and long-range interactions, the use
      of split valence triple-zeta basis sets including diffuse and polarization
      functions on heavy atoms and polarization functions on hydrogens are recommended.
      Most of the studies have used the continuum-based models to mimic the condensed
      phase in which organocatalysts function; in some cases, explicit solvation was
      shown to yield better quantitative agreement with experimental findings. The
      conformational behavior of cinchona alkaloids is also highlighted as it is
      expected to shed light on the origin of selectivity and pave the way to a
      comprehensive understanding of the catalytic mechanism. The ultimate goal of this
      Account is to provide an up-to-date overlook on cinchona alkaloid catalyzed
      chemistry and provide insight for future studies in both experimental and
      theoretical fields.

PMID- 27254098
TI  - Single dose treatment of malaria - current status and perspectives.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite increased international efforts for control and ultimate
      elimination, malaria remains a major health problem. Currently, artemisinin-based
      combination therapies are the treatment of choice for uncomplicated malaria
      exhibiting high efficacy in clinical trial settings in sub-Saharan Africa.
      However, their administration over a three-day period is associated with
      important problems of treatment adherence resulting in markedly reduced
      effectiveness of currently recommended antimalarials under real world settings.
      AREAS COVERED: Antimalarial drug candidates and antimalarial drug combinations
      currently under advanced clinical development for the indication as single dose
      antimalarial therapy. Expert commentary: Several new drug candidates and
      combinations are currently undergoing pivotal proof-of-concept studies or
      clinical development programmes. The development of a single dose combination
      therapy would constitute a breakthrough in the control of malaria. Such an
      innovative treatment approach would simultaneously close the effectiveness gap of
      current three-day therapies and revolutionize population based interventions in
      the context of malaria elimination campaigns.

PMID- 27254099
TI  - Intolerance of Uncertainty: A Temporary Experimental Induction Procedure.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is a trans-diagnostic
      construct involved in anxiety and related disorders. Research focused on cross
      sectional reporting, manipulating attitudes toward objective and impersonal
      events or on treatments designed to reduce IU in clinical populations. The
      current paper presents an experimental procedure for laboratory manipulations of
      IU and tests mediation hypotheses following the Intolerance of Uncertainty Model.
      METHODS: On pre-test, undergraduate volunteers (Study 1, n = 43;68% women. Study
      2, n = 169;83.8% women) were asked to provide an idiosyncratic future negative
      life event. State-IU, Worry, Positive and Negative Affect were assessed after
      that a standardized procedure was used to identify event's potential negative
      consequences. The same variables were assessed on post-test, after that
      participants were asked to read-through increasing and decreasing IU statements.
      RESULTS: Temporary changes on IU were consistently reproduced in both studies.
      Participants receiving increasing IU instructions reported greater state-IU,
      Worry and Negative Affect than those receiving decreasing IU instructions.
      However, this latter condition was not different from a control one (Study 2).
      Both studies revealed significant indirect effects of IU induction instructions
      on Worry and Negative Affect through state-IU. LIMITATIONS: Both studies used
      undergraduate psychology students samples, younger than average population and
      predominantly female. Experimental manipulation and outcome measures belongs to
      the same semantic domain, uncertainty, potentially limiting generalizability.
      CONCLUSIONS: Results supported the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed IU
      manipulation for non-clinical sample. Findings parallel clinical research showing
      that state-IU preceded Worry and Negative Affect states.

PMID- 27254100
TI  - The Snow Must Go On: Ground Ice Encasement, Snow Compaction and Absence of Snow
      Differently Cause Soil Hypoxia, CO2 Accumulation and Tree Seedling Damage in
      Boreal Forest.
AB  - At high latitudes, the climate has warmed at twice the rate of the global average
      with most changes observed in autumn, winter and spring. Increasing winter
      temperatures and wide temperature fluctuations are leading to more frequent rain
      on-snow events and freeze-thaw cycles causing snow compaction and formation of
      ice layers in the snowpack, thus creating ice encasement (IE). By decreasing the
      snowpack insulation capacity and restricting soil-atmosphere gas exchange,
      modification of the snow properties may lead to colder soil but also to hypoxia
      and accumulation of trace gases in the subnivean environment. To test the effects
      of these overwintering conditions changes on plant winter survival and growth, we
      established a snow manipulation experiment in a coniferous forest in Northern
      Finland with Norway spruce and Scots pine seedlings. In addition to ambient
      conditions and prevention of IE, we applied three snow manipulation levels: IE
      created by artificial rain-on-snow events, snow compaction and complete snow
      removal. Snow removal led to deeper soil frost during winter, but no clear effect
      of IE or snow compaction done in early winter was observed on soil temperature.
      Hypoxia and accumulation of CO2 were highest in the IE plots but, more
      importantly, the duration of CO2 concentration above 5% was 17 days in IE plots
      compared to 0 days in ambient plots. IE was the most damaging winter condition
      for both species, decreasing the proportion of healthy seedlings by 47% for
      spruce and 76% for pine compared to ambient conditions. Seedlings in all three
      treatments tended to grow less than seedlings in ambient conditions but only IE
      had a significant effect on spruce growth. Our results demonstrate a negative
      impact of winter climate change on boreal forest regeneration and productivity.
      Changing snow conditions may thus partially mitigate the positive effect of
      increasing growing season temperatures on boreal forest productivity. 

PMID- 27254101
TI  - Cuboctahedron-based indium-organic frameworks for gas sorption and selective
      cation exchange.
AB  - [Me2NH2]3[In3(BTB)4].2DMF.2DMA.28H2O (InOF-9) is an anionic indium-organic
      framework based on nanosized cuboctahedrons, which is sustained by tetrahedral
      [In(COO)4] nodes and 3-connected tricarboxylates. Although InOF-9 is structurally
      unstable when exposed to air, it exhibits excellent gas sorption capacity through
      a supercritical carbon dioxide activation process and selectively encapsulates
      guest methylene blue cations. 

PMID- 27254102
TI  - A new sequence for shaped voxel spectroscopy in the human brain using 2D
      spatially selective excitation and parallel transmission.
AB  - Spatially selective excitation in two dimensions (2D-SSE) utilizing parallel
      transmission was applied as a means to acquire signal from voxels adapted to the
      anatomy of interest for in vivo (1) H MR spectroscopy. A novel method to select
      spectroscopy voxels with arbitrary shapes in two dimensions was investigated. An
      on-off scheme with an adiabatic slice selective inversion pulse preceding a 2D
      SSE pulse together with a segmented inward spiral excitation k-space trajectory
      enabled rapid free induction decay acquisitions. Performance of the sequence was
      evaluated in simulations, phantom experiments, and in vivo measurements at 3 T.
      High spatial fidelity of the excitation profile was achieved for different target
      shapes and with little off-resonance deterioration. Metabolite concentrations in
      human brain determined with the new sequence were quantified with Cramer-Rao
      lower bounds less than 20%. They were in the physiological range and did not
      deviate systematically from results acquired with a conventional SPECIAL
      sequence. In conclusion, a new approach for shaped voxel MRS in the human brain
      is presented, which complements existing sequences. Simulations show that 2D-SSE
      pulses yield reduced chemical shift artifact when compared with conventional
      localization methods. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27254103
TI  - Unexpected Fe-enriched compounds observed in Mg-Ce alloy: An atomic-scale STEM
      investigation.
AB  - This paper investigates into the unexpected nanosize Fe-enriched particles with
      defects incorporated, using EDS under STEM mode and atomic-resolution HAADF. The
      particle that locates between eutectic Mg12 Ce phase and alpha-Mg phase is
      identified as CeFe2 Si2 compound. Two types of defects are incorporated: Type-I
      defect is Ce-Si in a simple cubic lattice; Type-II defect is Ce in a FCC lattice.
      The interface between the defect-free CeFe2 Si2 and the defects is fully
      coherent. In addition, another two Ce/Fe/Si-enriched particles are observed,
      proving that the enrichment of Ce, Fe, and Si is not an accidental phenomenon.
      The observed formation of Ce/Fe/Si-enriched particles provides a possible
      explanation for the improvement in corrosion resistance and the purification
      effect induced by addition of rare earth elements into alloys. In addition, the
      present study demonstrates an advanced application of Cs-corrected HAADF by
      successfully directly imaging the dislocation and complex defects incorporated in
      the compound and by achieving a one-angstrom resolution. SCANNING 38:783-791,
      2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27254104
TI  - Special considerations in pregnant systemic sclerosis patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Evaluating the fertility and pregnancy outcomes in systemic
      sclerosis (SSc) women is challenging. Studies are still limited or subject to
      potential methodological biases. Areas covered: This work is a comprehensive
      review of the literature. We discuss the potential impact of SSc on women's
      pregnancy outcomes and the effects of pregnancy on SSc. We summarize the
      physiological changes during pregnancy and describe our experience. Expert
      commentary: Although the miscarriage rate does not appear increased in SSc, women
      are exposed to a higher risk of premature birth and intrauterine growth
      restriction compared with the general population. Early diffuse cutaneous SSc and
      use of corticosteroids are risk factors, whereas folic acid use prevents against
      premature birth. All SSc women wishing to conceive should be counselled during a
      preconception visit. Physiological changes arising during pregnancy may be the
      source of clinical problems in SSc women with organs with limited capacities.

PMID- 27254105
TI  - Correction: Evaluating Subcriticality during the Ebola Epidemic in West Africa.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140651.].

PMID- 27254106
TI  - Characterization of multiple nestin isoforms in the goldfish brain.
AB  - Nestin is an intermediate filament protein involved in neurogenesis in fish,
      mice, and humans. In this study we used rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR to
      isolate goldfish nestin (nes). PCR analysis and sequencing revealed three
      different nes transcripts of 4003, 2446, and 2126 nucleotides, which are
      predicted to generate proteins of 860, 274, and 344 amino acids in length.
      Sequence analysis suggests that these nes transcripts are likely a result of
      alternative splicing. We next applied a multiple-antigenic peptide strategy to
      generate a goldfish-specific nestin antibody. Western blotting with this antibody
      together with mass spectrometry verified the presence of major nestin protein
      isoforms with differing molecular weights (~70, 40 and 30kDa). We further
      examined expression patterns of these nestin protein isoforms in different parts
      of the goldfish brain and pituitary and found the telencephalon to express all
      three isoforms at a distinct level and abundance. We report that multiple nestin
      isoforms are present indicating another level of complexity for the regulation of
      intermediate filaments in comparison to mammals. Studying the differential roles
      and regulation of these nestins could lead to a better understanding of cellular
      remodeling during neurogenesis and the unparalleled regenerative abilities after
      damage in the teleost CNS.

PMID- 27254107
TI  - Reduced Graphene Oxide-GelMA Hybrid Hydrogels as Scaffolds for Cardiac Tissue
      Engineering.
AB  - Biomaterials currently used in cardiac tissue engineering have certain
      limitations, such as lack of electrical conductivity and appropriate mechanical
      properties, which are two parameters playing a key role in regulating cardiac
      cell behavior. Here, the myocardial tissue constructs are engineered based on
      reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-incorporated gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hybrid
      hydrogels. The incorporation of rGO into the GelMA matrix significantly enhances
      the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the material. Moreover,
      cells cultured on composite rGO-GelMA scaffolds exhibit better biological
      activities such as cell viability, proliferation, and maturation compared to ones
      cultured on GelMA hydrogels. Cardiomyocytes show stronger contractility and
      faster spontaneous beating rate on rGO-GelMA hydrogel sheets compared to those on
      pristine GelMA hydrogels, as well as GO-GelMA hydrogel sheets with similar
      mechanical property and particle concentration. Our strategy of integrating rGO
      within a biocompatible hydrogel is expected to be broadly applicable for future
      biomaterial designs to improve tissue engineering outcomes. The engineered
      cardiac tissue constructs using rGO incorporated hybrid hydrogels can potentially
      provide high-fidelity tissue models for drug studies and the investigations of
      cardiac tissue development and/or disease processes in vitro. 

PMID- 27254109
TI  - Combining Optimized Particle Morphology with a Niobium-Based Coating for Long
      Cycling-Life, High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Batteries.
AB  - Morphologically optimized LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 (LMNO-0) particles were treated with
      LiNbO3 to prepare a homogeneously coated material (LMNO-Nb) as cathode in
      batteries. Graphite/LMNO-Nb full cells present a twofold higher cycling life than
      cells assembled using uncoated LMNO-0 (graphite/LMNO-0 cell): Graphite/LMNO-0
      cells achieve 80 % of the initial capacity after more than 300 cycles whereas for
      graphite/LMNO-Nb cells this is the case for more than 600 cycles. Impedance
      spectroscopy measurements reveal significantly lower film and charge-transfer
      resistances for graphite/LMNO-Nb cells than for graphite/LMNO-0 cells during
      cycling. Reduced resistances suggest slower aging related to film thickening and
      increase of charge-transfer resistances when using LMNO-Nb cathodes. Tests at 45 
      degrees C confirm the good electrochemical performance of the investigated
      graphite/LMNO cells while the cycling stability of full cells is considerably
      lowered under these conditions.

PMID- 27254108
TI  - Low miR-187 expression promotes resistance to chemoradiation therapy in vitro and
      correlates with treatment failure in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has a poor prognosis and is increasing in
      incidence in many western populations. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT)
      followed by surgery is increasingly the standard of care for locally advanced
      EAC; however, resistance to treatment is a significant clinical problem. The
      identification of both novel biomarkers predicting response to treatment and
      novel therapeutic targets to enhance the efficacy of CRT are key to improving
      survival rates in EAC. In this study we performed global microRNA (miRNA)
      profiling of pre-treatment EAC biopsies and identified 67 miRNA significantly
      altered in patients who are resistant to CRT. One of these miRNA, miR-187, was
      significantly decreased in pre-treatment EAC tumors from patients having a poor
      response to neoadjuvant CRT, highlighting downregulation of miR-187 as a
      potential mechanism of treatment resistance in EAC. In vitro, miR-187 was
      demonstrated to play a functional role in modulating sensitivity to X-ray
      radiation and cisplatin in EAC and its dysregulation was demonstrated to be due
      to chromosomal alterations. In vitro, miR-187 altered expression of a diverse
      array of pathways, including the immune regulator complement component 3 (C3),
      serum levels of which we have previously demonstrated to predict patient response
      to CRT. In vivo, expression of C3 was significantly increased in tumors from
      patients having a poor response to CRT. This study highlights for the first time
      a role for miR-187 as a novel biomarker of response to CRT and a potential
      therapeutic target for enhancing the efficacy of CRT in EAC.

PMID- 27254110
TI  - The influence of obesity and body mass index on the outcome of laparoscopic
      colorectal surgery: a systematic literature review.
AB  - AIM: The relationship between obesity, body mass index (BMI) and laparoscopic
      colorectal resection is unclear. Our object was to assess systematically the
      available evidence to establish the influence of obesity and BMI on the outcome
      of laparoscopic colorectal resection. METHOD: A search of PubMed/Medline
      databases was performed in May 2015 to identify all studies investigating the
      impact of BMI and obesity on elective laparoscopic colorectal resection performed
      for benign or malignant bowel disease. Clinical end-points examined included
      operation time, conversion rate to open surgery, postoperative complications
      including anastomotic leakage, length of hospital stay, readmission rate,
      reoperation rate and mortality. For patients who underwent an operation for
      cancer, the harvested number of lymph nodes and long-term oncological data were
      also examined. RESULTS: Forty-five studies were analysed, the majority of which
      were level IV with only four level III (Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine
      2011) case-controlled studies. Thirty comparative studies containing 23 649
      patients including 17 895 non-obese and 5754 obese showed no significant
      differences between the two groups with respect to intra-operative blood loss,
      overall postoperative morbidity, anastomotic leakage, reoperation rate, mortality
      and the number of retrieved lymph nodes in patients operated on for malignancy.
      Most studies, including 15 non-comparative studies, reported a longer operation
      time in patients who underwent a laparoscopic procedure with the BMI being an
      independent predictor in multivariate analyses for the operation time.
      CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic colorectal resection is safe and technically and
      oncologically feasible in obese patients. These results, however, may vary
      outside of high volume centres of expertise.

PMID- 27254112
TI  - High-Temperature Monoclinic Cc Phase with Reduced c/a Ratio in Bi-based
      Perovskite Compound Bi2ZnTi1-xMnxO6.
AB  - Monoclinic phases with Cm, Pm, and Cc space groups are indispensable to
      understand the high performance of electromechanical properties at the
      morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) of lead-based perovskite oxides Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3
      (PZT), [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3]1-x-(PbTiO3)x (PMN-PT), and [Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3]1-x
      (PbTiO3)x (PZN-PT). Here, a nearly single monoclinic phase with space group Cc
      was observed in the Bi-based lead-free perovskite compound Bi2ZnTi1-xMnxO6 at x =
      0.4. This phase was the same as the low-temperature phase of the MPB composition
      of PZT but existed at a much higher temperature. Despite the reduced pseudo c/a
      ratio of 1.065, which is the same as that of PbTiO3 at room temperature, ionic
      model calculation based on the Rietveld refinement data indicated the
      polarization of Bi2ZnTi0.6Mn0.4O6 is 95.8 MUC/cm(2). The tilting and significant
      anisotropic distortion of the octahedron were found to cause the c/a ratio to
      reduce. Accordingly, the effective piezoelectric constant d33 of
      Bi2ZnTi0.6Mn0.4O6 thin film was found to be 12 pm/V. 

PMID- 27254113
TI  - Missing Data in Alcohol Clinical Trials with Binary Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Missing data are common in alcohol clinical trials for both
      continuous and binary end points. Approaches to handle missing data have been
      explored for continuous outcomes, yet no studies have compared missing data
      approaches for binary outcomes (e.g., abstinence, no heavy drinking days). This
      study compares approaches to modeling binary outcomes with missing data in the
      COMBINE study. METHODS: We included participants in the COMBINE study who had
      complete drinking data during treatment and who were assigned to active
      medication or placebo conditions (N = 1,146). Using simulation methods, missing
      data were introduced under common scenarios with varying sample sizes and amounts
      of missing data. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of
      naltrexone (vs. placebo) in predicting any drinking and any heavy drinking
      outcomes at the end of treatment using 4 analytic approaches: complete case
      analysis (CCA), last observation carried forward (LOCF), the worst case scenario
      (WCS) of missing equals any drinking or heavy drinking, and multiple imputation
      (MI). In separate analyses, these approaches were compared when drinking data
      were manually deleted for those participants who discontinued treatment but
      continued to provide drinking data. RESULTS: WCS produced the greatest amount of
      bias in treatment effect estimates. MI usually yielded less biased estimates than
      WCS and CCA in the simulated data and performed considerably better than LOCF
      when estimating treatment effects among individuals who discontinued treatment.
      CONCLUSIONS: Missing data can introduce bias in treatment effect estimates in
      alcohol clinical trials. Researchers should utilize modern missing data methods,
      including MI, and avoid WCS and CCA when analyzing binary alcohol clinical trial
      outcomes.

PMID- 27254114
TI  - The Association Between Anxiety Symptoms and Sleep in School-Aged Children: A
      Combined Insight From the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire and Actigraphy.
AB  - The current study assessed the association between anxiety symptoms and sleep in
      90 school-aged children, aged 6-12 years (Mage = 108 months, 52.2% male). The
      Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and 14 nights of actigraphy were
      used to assess sleep. Anxiety was assessed using the Spence Children's Anxiety
      Scale (SCAS). A significant association was found between parent-reported anxiety
      symptoms and current sleep problems (i.e., CSHQ total scores >= 41). An
      examination of SCAS subscales identified a specific association between
      generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms and increased parental sleep
      concerns, including sleep onset delay, sleep duration, and daytime sleepiness.
      Regarding actigraphy, whilst anxiety was not associated with average sleep
      variables, a relationship was identified between anxiety and the night-to-night
      variability of actigraphy-derived sleep schedules.

PMID- 27254111
TI  - Cognitive Impairments Induced by Concussive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Mouse
      Are Ameliorated by Treatment with Phenserine via Multiple Non-Cholinergic and
      Cholinergic Mechanisms.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI), often caused by a concussive impact to the head,
      affects an estimated 1.7 million Americans annually. With no approved drugs, its
      pharmacological treatment represents a significant and currently unmet medical
      need. In our prior development of the anti-cholinesterase compound phenserine for
      the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, we recognized that it also
      possesses non-cholinergic actions with clinical potential. Here, we demonstrate
      neuroprotective actions of phenserine in neuronal cultures challenged with
      oxidative stress and glutamate excitotoxicity, two insults of relevance to TBI.
      These actions translated into amelioration of spatial and visual memory
      impairments in a mouse model of closed head mild TBI (mTBI) two days following
      cessation of clinically translatable dosing with phenserine (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg
      BID x 5 days initiated post mTBI) in the absence of anti-cholinesterase activity.
      mTBI elevated levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), a marker
      of oxidative stress. Phenserine counteracted this by augmenting homeostatic
      mechanisms to mitigate oxidative stress, including superoxide dismutase [SOD] 1
      and 2, and glutathione peroxidase [GPx], the activity and protein levels of which
      were measured by specific assays. Microarray analysis of hippocampal gene
      expression established that large numbers of genes were exclusively regulated by
      each individual treatment with a substantial number of them co-regulated between
      groups. Molecular pathways associated with lipid peroxidation were found to be
      regulated by mTBI, and treatment of mTBI animals with phenserine effectively
      reversed injury-induced regulations in the 'Blalock Alzheimer's Disease Up'
      pathway. Together these data suggest that multiple phenserine-associated actions
      underpin this compound's ability to ameliorate cognitive deficits caused by mTBI,
      and support the further evaluation of the compound as a therapeutic for TBI. 

PMID- 27254115
TI  - Tropical amphibians in shifting thermal landscapes under land-use and climate
      change.
AB  - Land-cover and climate change are both expected to alter species distributions
      and contribute to future biodiversity loss. However, the combined effects of land
      cover and climate change on assemblages, especially at the landscape scale,
      remain understudied. Lowland tropical amphibians may be particularly susceptible
      to changes in land cover and climate warming because many species have narrow
      thermal safety margins resulting from air and body temperatures that are close to
      their critical thermal maxima (CTmax ). We examined how changing thermal
      landscapes may alter the area of thermally suitable habitat (TSH) for tropical
      amphibians. We measured microclimates in 6 land-cover types and CTmax of 16 frog
      species in lowland northeastern Costa Rica. We used a biophysical model to
      estimate core body temperatures of frogs exposed to habitat-specific
      microclimates while accounting for evaporative cooling and behavior. Thermally
      suitable habitat area was estimated as the portion of the landscape where species
      CTmax exceeded their habitat-specific maximum body temperatures. We projected
      changes in TSH area 80 years into the future as a function of land-cover change
      only, climate change only, and combinations of land-cover and climate-change
      scenarios representing low and moderate rates of change. Projected decreases in
      TSH area ranged from 16% under low emissions and reduced forest loss to 30% under
      moderate emissions and business-as-usual land-cover change. Under a moderate
      emissions scenario (A1B), climate change alone contributed to 1.7- to 4.5-fold
      greater losses in TSH area than land-cover change only, suggesting that future
      decreases in TSH from climate change may outpace structural habitat loss. Forest
      restricted species had lower mean CTmax than species that occurred in altered
      habitats, indicating that thermal tolerances will likely shape assemblages in
      changing thermal landscapes. In the face of ongoing land-cover and climate
      change, it will be critical to consider changing thermal landscapes in strategies
      to conserve ectotherm species.

PMID- 27254116
TI  - Weight-related stigma is a significant psychosocial stressor in developing
      countries: Evidence from Guatemala.
AB  - Weight-related stigma is established as a major psychosocial stressor and
      correlate of depression among people living with obesity in high-income
      countries. Anti-fat beliefs are rapidly globalizing. The goal of the study is to
      (1) examine how weight-related stigma, enacted as teasing, is evident among women
      from a lower-income country and (2) test if such weight-related stigma
      contributes to depressive symptoms. Modeling data for 12,074 reproductive-age
      women collected in the 2008-2009 Guatemala National Maternal-Infant Health
      Survey, we demonstrate that weight-related teasing is (1) experienced by those
      both underweight and overweight, and (2) a significant psychosocial stressor.
      Effects are comparable to other factors known to influence women's depressive
      risk in lower-income countries, such as living in poverty, experiencing food
      insecurity, or suffering sexual/domestic violence. That women's failure to meet
      local body norms-whether they are overweight or underweight-serves as such a
      strong source of psychological distress is particularly concerning in settings
      like Guatemala where high levels of over- and under-nutrition intersect at the
      household and community level. Current obesity-centric models of weight-related
      stigma, developed from studies in high-income countries, fail to recognize that
      being underweight may create similar forms of psychosocial distress in low-income
      countries.

PMID- 27254117
TI  - Accommodative Anomalies in a Sample of Black High School Students in South
      Africa.
AB  - PURPOSE: Accommodative anomalies cause asthenopia and affect student reading
      efficiency and academic performance. The aim of conducting this study was to
      determine the prevalence and distribution of accommodative anomalies
      (insufficiency, excess and infacility) in relation to demographic variables (sex,
      age, school grade level and study location). METHODS: Study participants
      comprised 1,211 children (481 male and 730 female), with age range 13-19 years.
      Visual functions evaluated included refractive error, accommodative amplitude,
      accuracy, facility and relative accommodation. RESULTS: A total of 242
      participants (20.2%) had accommodative anomalies. Prevalence estimates were;
      accommodative infacility 12.9% (95% confidence interval, CI, 10.9-14.7%),
      accommodative insufficiency 4.5% (95% CI 3.4-5.8%) and accommodative excess 2.8%
      (95% CI 1.9-3.8%). There were no significant differences based on sex, school
      grade level or study site, except in the prevalence of accommodative infacility,
      which was significantly higher in the younger grade level than the older
      (P=0.027). CONCLUSION: The study fills a gap in the literature in providing data
      on predominantly black South African students. The prevalence estimates for
      accommodative insufficiency and excess found in the sample studied are relatively
      low, while that of accommodative infacility is high. Accommodative anomalies were
      not markedly associated with demographic variables except for the prevalence of
      accommodative infacility, which was significantly higher in the younger grade
      level than the older. Identification and referral are important steps towards
      diagnosis and treatment of accommodative anomalies. Future studies on differences
      in prevalence of accommodative anomalies among different racial populations will
      be relevant.

PMID- 27254131
TI  - Carbon Monoxide: A Mild and Efficient Reducing Agent towards Atomically Precise
      Gold Nanoclusters.
AB  - In recent years, thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters (or thiolated Au NCs) with
      a core size below 2 nm have emerged as a new class of multifunctional
      nanoparticles because of their unique molecular-like properties and the potential
      to use these properties in many practical applications. A general synthesis of Au
      NCs may involve the use of a strong reducing agent (e.g., sodium borohydride
      (NaBH4 )), which often leads to the formation of mix-sized Au NCs if no delicate
      control is applied. To obtain atomically precise Au NCs, additional physical or
      chemical selection processes (e.g., high-resolution separation or size-focusing)
      are required, which are difficult to be scaled up or are limited to only
      thermodynamically stable products. By introducing a milder reducing agent -
      carbon monoxide (CO) - both stable and metastable thiolated Au NCs, including
      Au10-12 , Au15 , Au18 , Au25 , and Au29 , can be synthesized in a one-pot manner.
      In addition, CO reduction also enables the synthesis of a highly luminescent Au22
      (SG)18 NC. Furthermore, the intermediates of Au NC growth can be tracked in the
      CO-reduction system due to the mild and readily stoppable nature of CO reduction.
      Therefore, the use of CO reduction may bring new flexibilities in designing
      synthetic strategies and understanding the growth mechanism of atomically precise
      Au NCs, which could contribute to a better design of functional Au NCs, further
      paving their way towards practical applications in various fields.

PMID- 27254118
TI  - RNA-Seq reveals 10 novel promising candidate genes affecting milk protein
      concentration in the Chinese Holstein population.
AB  - Paired-end RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to explore the bovine transcriptome
      from the mammary tissue of 12 Chinese Holstein cows with 6 extremely high and 6
      low phenotypic values for milk protein percentage. We defined the differentially
      expressed transcripts between the two comparison groups, extremely high and low
      milk protein percentage during the peak lactation (HP vs LP) and during the non
      lactating period (HD vs LD), respectively. Within the differentially expressed
      genes (DEGs), we detected 157 at peak lactation and 497 in the non-lactating
      period with a highly significant correlation with milk protein concentration.
      Integrated interpretation of differential gene expression indicated that
      SERPINA1, CLU, CNTFR, ERBB2, NEDD4L, ANG, GALE, HSPA8, LPAR6 and CD14 are the
      most promising candidate genes affecting milk protein concentration. Similarly,
      LTF, FCGR3A, MEGF10, RRM2 and UBE2C are the most promising candidates that in the
      non-lactating period could help the mammary tissue prevent issues with
      inflammation and udder disorders. Putative genes will be valuable resources for
      designing better breeding strategies to optimize the content of milk protein and
      also to provide new insights into regulation of lactogenesis.

PMID- 27254132
TI  - Effectiveness of airway clearance techniques in children hospitalized with acute
      bronchiolitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of two airway clearance techniques
      (ACT's) in children <24 months hospitalized with mild to moderate bronchiolitis.
      DESIGN: One hundred and three children were randomly allocated to receive one 20
      min session daily, either assisted autogenic drainage (AAD), intrapulmonary
      percussive ventilation (IPV), or bouncing (B) (control group), ninety-three
      finished the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean time to recovery in days was our
      primary outcome measure. The impact of the treatment and the daily improvement
      was also assessed by a validated clinical and respiratory severity score (WANG
      score), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SaO2 ). RESULTS: Mean time to
      recovery was 4.5 +/- 1.9 days for the control group, 3.6 +/- 1.4 days, P < 0.05
      for the AAD group and 3.5 +/- 1.3 days, P = 0.03 for the IPV group. Wang scores
      improved significantly for both physiotherapy techniques compared to the control
      group. CONCLUSION: Both ACT's reduced significantly the length of hospital stay
      compared to no physiotherapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:225-231. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27254133
TI  - Carnitine dynamics and their effects on hyperammonemia in cirrhotic Japanese
      patients.
AB  - AIM: Supplementation with levocarnitine preparations has been reported to improve
      hepatic encephalopathy, but no detailed investigations have addressed the
      dynamics of carnitine or its supplementation indication in cirrhosis patients. We
      studied carnitine dynamics in cirrhotic patients by measuring serum and liver
      tissue carnitine levels and tested the effects of levocarnitine supplementation
      on concurrent hyperammonemia. METHODS: In a pilot cohort of seven patients with
      liver cirrhosis and five patients without cirrhosis, the serum and liver
      carnitine concentrations were measured. Then the serum carnitine fractions were
      analyzed in 70 liver cirrhosis patients. Among them, a levocarnitine preparation
      (1800 mg/day) was supplemented orally for 3 months in 27 patients with refractory
      hyperammonemia, and the effects were evaluated. RESULTS: A significant
      correlation was observed between serum and liver tissue carnitine concentrations
      (r = 0.69, P < 0.05). The serum total carnitine concentration was 68.4 +/- 4.7
      MUmol/L, the free carnitine concentration was 53.2 +/- 2.6 MUmol/L, and the
      acylcarnitine concentration was 13.2 +/- 1.1 MUmol/L in 70 cirrhotic patients
      (reference values are 45-91, 36-74, 6-23 MUmol/L, respectively). There was no
      correlation between blood ammonia and serum carnitine concentrations. The serum
      carnitine concentration rose with levocarnitine supplementation, reaching steady
      state after 1 month and, in parallel, refractory hyperammonemia was significantly
      improved. The cut-off level for a 20% decrease in blood ammonia was identified as
      62.0 MUmol/L total carnitine concentration by receiver-operating characteristic
      curve analysis, with an area under the curve of 0.69. CONCLUSION: Serum carnitine
      concentrations were within standard levels in the majority of liver cirrhosis
      patients. In patients with concurrent hyperammonemia, the levocarnitine
      supplementation reduced blood ammonia levels.

PMID- 27254134
TI  - End of Frustration: Catalytic Precision Polymerization with Highly Interacting
      Lewis Pairs.
AB  - Herein we report on the catalytic polymerization of diverse Michael-type monomers
      with high precision by using simple but highly active combinations of phosphorus
      containing Lewis bases and organoaluminum compounds. The interacting Lewis pair
      catalysts enable the control of molecular weight and microstructure of the
      produced polymers. The reactions show a linear Mn vs consumption plot thus
      proving a living type polymerization. The initiation has been investigated by end
      group analysis with ESI mass spectrometric analysis. With these main-group
      element Lewis acid base pairs, it is not only possible to polymerize sterically
      demanding, functionalized as well as heteroatom containing monomers but also, for
      the first time, to catalytically polymerize extended Michael systems, like 4
      vinylpyridine.

PMID- 27254135
TI  - Accelerated Aging in Bone Marrow Transplant Survivors.

PMID- 27254136
TI  - Influence of film structure on the dewetting kinetics of thin polymer films in
      the solvent annealing process.
AB  - On a non-wetting solid substrate, the solvent annealing process of a thin polymer
      film includes the swelling process and the dewetting process. Owing to
      difficulties in the in situ analysis of the two processes simultaneously, a
      quantitative study on the solvent annealing process of thin polymer films on the
      non-wetting solid substrate is extremely rare. In this paper, we design an
      experimental method by combining spectroscopic ellipsometry with optical
      microscopy to achieve the simultaneous in situ study. Using this method, we
      investigate the influence of the structure of swollen film on its dewetting
      kinetics during the solvent annealing process. The results show that for a thin
      PS film with low Mw (Mw = 4.1 kg mol(-1)), acetone molecules can form an
      ultrathin enriched layer between the PS film and the solid substrate during the
      swelling process. The presence of the acetone enriched layer accounts for the
      exponential kinetic behavior in the case of a thin PS film with low Mw. However,
      the acetone enriched layer is not observed in the case of a thin PS film with
      high Mw (Mw = 400 kg mol(-1)) and the slippage effect of polymer chains is valid
      during the dewetting process. 

PMID- 27254137
TI  - Short Enantioselective Total Syntheses of trans-Clerodane Diterpenoids:
      Convergent Fragment Coupling Using a trans-Decalin Tertiary Radical Generated
      from a Tertiary Alcohol Precursor.
AB  - The evolution of a convergent fragment-coupling strategy for the enantioselective
      total synthesis of trans-clerodane diterpenoids is described. The key bond
      construction is accomplished by 1,6-addition of a trans-decalin tertiary radical
      with 4-vinylfuran-2-one. The tertiary radical is optimally generated from the
      hemioxalate salt of the corresponding tertiary alcohol upon activation by visible
      light and an Ir(III) photoredox catalyst. The enantioselective total synthesis of
      trans-clerodane diterpenoid 1 reported here was accomplished in seven steps from
      3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone. The synthetic strategy described in this report allows
      a number of trans-clerodane diterpenoids to be synthesized in enantioselective
      fashion by synthetic sequences of 10 steps or less. This study illustrates a
      powerful tactic in organic synthesis in which a structurally complex target
      structure is disconnected at a quaternary carbon stereocenter to fragments of
      comparable complexity, which are united in the synthetic pathway by conjugate
      addition of a nucleophilic tertiary radical to a fragment harboring an electron
      deficient C-C double bond.

PMID- 27254138
TI  - Usefulness of an angioplasty balloon as selective bronchial blockade device after
      transbronchial cryobiopsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) is a technique in
      which frozen samples of lung are obtained using a probe inserted through a
      bronchoscope. We performed a retrospective study to assess the performance of the
      TBCB procedure complemented by segmental bronchial blockade using an angioplasty
      balloon, in terms of diagnostic yield and safety in diffuse parenchymal lung
      disease (DPLD). METHODS: Data from 100 patients with suspected DPLD (clinical and
      radiological findings), who underwent TBCB in our institution to establish a
      definitive diagnosis, were reviewed. In our institution, TBCB is monitored with
      fluoroscopy and performed under general anaesthesia by a multidisciplinary team
      (an anaesthesiologist, a pulmonologist and an interventional radiologist). In
      each patient, four samples were collected using a 2.4-mm distal diameter
      cryoprobe. To control bleeding, the biopsied segmental bronchus was blocked with
      a 6-mm diameter angioplasty balloon, inserted over a 0.035-inch angled
      hydrophilic guidewire. After the cryoextraction, the balloon was inflated for 3
      min intervals until bleeding stopped. RESULTS: Overall, 98% of samples had
      diagnostic value. In 85% of cases, DPLD was confirmed, while in 7%, cancer was
      diagnosed. Complications were observed in 16% of the patients: 13 patients
      developed moderate haemorrhage, and 3 developed pneumothorax. CONCLUSION:
      Transbronchial cryobiopsy had a high diagnostic yield for DPLD. Performing the
      procedure under fluoroscopy guidance and using angioplasty balloon for selective
      bronchial blockade achieved a low rate of iatrogenic complications directly
      associated with the technique.

PMID- 27254139
TI  - Enzymatic synthesis of novel oligosaccharides from N-acetylsucrosamine and
      melibiose using Aspergillus niger alpha-galactosidase, and properties of the
      products.
AB  - Two kinds of oligosaccharides, N-acetylraffinosamine (RafNAc) and N
      acetylplanteosamine (PlaNAc), were synthesized from N-acetylsucrosamine and
      melibiose using the transgalactosylation activity of Aspergillus niger alpha
      galactosidase. RafNAc and PlaNAc are novel trisaccharides in which d
      glucopyranose residues in raffinose (Raf) and planteose are replaced with N
      acetyl-d-glucosamine. These trisaccharides were more stable in acidic solution
      than Raf. RafNAc was hydrolyzed more rapidly than Raf by alpha-galactosidase of
      green coffee bean. In contrast, RafNAc was not hydrolyzed by Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae invertase, although Raf was hydrolyzed well by this enzyme. These
      results indicate that the physicochemical properties and steric structure of
      RafNAc differ considerably from those of Raf. 

PMID- 27254141
TI  - From pregnancy to childhood and adulthood: the trajectory of hypertension.

PMID- 27254140
TI  - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program data should no longer be used for
      epidemiological studies.

PMID- 27254142
TI  - Validation of noninvasive devices for central blood pressure assessment: a yet
      unresolved issue.

PMID- 27254143
TI  - Flavanol-rich cocoa at breakfast: the right remedy after a sleepless night to
      prevent negative effects on blood pressure and cognition?

PMID- 27254144
TI  - Blood pressure phenotypes in youth: advances in the application of central aortic
      pressure.

PMID- 27254145
TI  - Depression in hypertensive patients: the role of comorbidities.

PMID- 27254146
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27254147
TI  - Mechanisms underlying elevated SBP differ with adiposity in young adults: the
      Enigma study.

PMID- 27254148
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27254149
TI  - Blood pressure goals revisited.

PMID- 27254150
TI  - Food Neophobia in Wild Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Inhabiting a Changeable
      Environment-A Field Study.
AB  - Food neophobia is a reaction to novel food observed in many animal species,
      particularly omnivores, including Rattus norvegicus. A neophobic reaction is
      typically characterised by avoidance of novel food and the necessity to assess
      both its potential value and toxicity by the animal. It has been hypothesised
      that this reaction is not observed in rats inhabiting a changeable environment
      with a high level of variability with regard to food and food sources. This study
      was conducted in such changeable conditions and it aims to demonstrate the
      behaviour of wild rats R. norvegicus in their natural habitat. The rats were
      studied in a farm setting, and the experimental arena was demarcated by a
      specially constructed pen which was freely accessible to the rats. At regular
      intervals, the rats were given new flavour- and smell-altered foods, while their
      behaviour was video-recorded. The results obtained in the study seem to confirm
      the hypothesis that rats inhabiting a highly changeable environment do not
      exhibit food neophobia. The observed reaction to novel food may be connected with
      a reaction to a novel object to a larger extent than to food neophobia. The value
      of the results obtained lies primarily in the fact that the study was conducted
      in the animals' natural habitat, and that it investigated their spontaneous
      behaviours. 

PMID- 27254151
TI  - Population Estimation Using a 3D City Model: A Multi-Scale Country-Wide Study in
      the Netherlands.
AB  - The remote estimation of a region's population has for decades been a key
      application of geographic information science in demography. Most studies have
      used 2D data (maps, satellite imagery) to estimate population avoiding field
      surveys and questionnaires. As the availability of semantic 3D city models is
      constantly increasing, we investigate to what extent they can be used for the
      same purpose. Based on the assumption that housing space is a proxy for the
      number of its residents, we use two methods to estimate the population with 3D
      city models in two directions: (1) disaggregation (areal interpolation) to
      estimate the population of small administrative entities (e.g. neighbourhoods)
      from that of larger ones (e.g. municipalities); and (2) a statistical modelling
      approach to estimate the population of large entities from a sample composed of
      their smaller ones (e.g. one acquired by a government register). Starting from a
      complete Dutch census dataset at the neighbourhood level and a 3D model of all
      9.9 million buildings in the Netherlands, we compare the population estimates
      obtained by both methods with the actual population as reported in the census,
      and use it to evaluate the quality that can be achieved by estimations at
      different administrative levels. We also analyse how the volume-based estimation
      enabled by 3D city models fares in comparison to 2D methods using building
      footprints and floor areas, as well as how it is affected by different levels of
      semantic detail in a 3D city model. We conclude that 3D city models are useful
      for estimations of large areas (e.g. for a country), and that the 3D approach has
      clear advantages over the 2D approach. 

PMID- 27254152
TI  - Upper Airway Computed Tomography Measures and Receipt of Tracheotomy in Infants
      With Robin Sequence.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Airway management in infants with Robin sequence is challenging.
      Objective upper airway measures associated with severe airway compromise
      requiring tracheotomy are needed to guide decision making. OBJECTIVES: To define
      objective upper airway measures in infants with Robin sequence from craniofacial
      computed tomography (CT) and to identify those measures in Robin sequence
      associated with tracheotomy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A cohort study
      (2003 to 2014, over 1-year follow-up) of 37 infants with Robin sequence evaluated
      for surgical management and 37 selected age- and sex-matched controls without a
      craniofacial condition conducted in a pediatric institution's craniofacial
      center. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Define and compare CT-generated upper airway
      measures in these groups: infants with Robin sequence vs controls, and infants
      with Robin sequence with vs without tracheotomy. A negative difference signifies
      lower values for the Robin sequence and tracheotomy groups. Clinical data
      collected included age and height at time of CT scan, sex, tracheotomy presence,
      associated syndrome, and laboratory indicators of hypoventilation and hypoxemia.
      To evaluate interrater reliability, 2 raters performed each measurement in the
      Robin sequence group. RESULTS: In 74 infants, 17 of 28 measures were different
      between infants with Robin sequence and those in the control group. Tracheotomy
      was performed in 14 of 37 (38%) infants with Robin sequence. Infants with
      tracheotomy more commonly had associated syndromes (12 of 14 [86%] vs 11 of 23
      [48%]) and a history of hypoventilation and hypoxemia (13 of 14 [93%] vs 15 of 23
      [65%]). Five of the 11 measures associated with tracheotomy were reliable and
      simpler to measure with the following mean differences (95% CIs) between groups:
      tongue length, 0.87 (0.26 to 1.48); tongue position relative to palate, 0.83
      (0.22 to 1.45); mandibular total length, -0.8 (-1.42 to -0.19); gonial angle,
      0.71 (0.08 to 1.34); and inferior pogonial angle, 0.66 (0.02 to 1.29). Using a
      receiver operating characteristic analysis, a composite score of these 5 measures
      for predicting tracheotomy risk yielded an area under the curve of 0.83 and
      achieved 86% sensitivity and 74% specificity. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Computed
      tomography measures quantifying tongue position and mandibular configuration can
      identify infants with Robin sequence, and importantly, differentiate those who
      have severe upper airway compromise requiring tracheotomy. Following validation,
      these measures can be used for objective upper airway assessment and for
      expediting clinical decision-making in these challenging cases for which no such
      tools currently exist.

PMID- 27254153
TI  - Effects of aging and soil properties on zinc oxide nanoparticle availability and
      its ecotoxicological effects to the earthworm Eisenia andrei.
AB  - To assess the influence of soil properties and aging on the availability and
      toxicity of zinc (Zn) applied as nanoparticles (Zn oxide [ZnO]-NPs) or as Zn2+
      ions (Zn chloride [ZnCl2 ]), 3 natural soils were individually spiked with either
      ZnO-NPs or ZnCl2 and incubated for up to 6 mo. Available Zn concentrations in
      soil were measured by porewater extraction (ZnPW), whereas earthworms (Eisenia
      andrei) were exposed to study Zn bioavailability. Porewater extraction
      concentrations were lower when Zn was applied as NPs compared to the ionic form
      and decreased with increasing soil pH. For both Zn forms and Zn-PW values were
      affected by aging, but they varied among the tested soils, highlighting the
      influence of soil properties. Internal Zn concentration in the earthworms (ZnE)
      was highest for the soil with high organic carbon content (5.4%) and basic pH
      (7.6) spiked with Zn-NPs, but the same soil spiked with ZnCl2 showed the lowest
      increase in ZnE compared to the control. Survival, weight change, and
      reproduction of the earthworms were affected by both Zn forms; but differences in
      toxicity could not be explained by soil properties or aging. This shows that ZnO
      NPs and ZnCl2 behave differently in soils depending on soil properties and aging
      processes, but differences in earthworm toxicity remain unexplained. Environ
      Toxicol Chem 2017;36:137-146. (c) 2016 SETAC.

PMID- 27254154
TI  - Supramolecular Photochemistry as a Potential Synthetic Tool: Photocycloaddition.
AB  - Photochemistry, bearing significant applications in natural and man-made events
      such as photosynthesis, vision, photolithography, photodynamic therapy, etc., is
      yet to become a common tool during the synthesis of small molecules in a
      laboratory. Among other rationale, the inability to influence photochemical
      reactions with temperature, solvent, additives, etc., dissuades chemists from
      employing light-initiated reactions as a routine synthetic tool. This review
      highlights how diverse, highly organized structures such as solvent-free crystals
      and water-soluble host-guest assemblies can be employed to control and manipulate
      photoreactions and thereby serve as an efficient tool for chemists, including
      those interested in synthesis. The efficacy of the media in modifying the excited
      state behavior of organic molecules is illustrated with photocycloaddition in
      general and [2 + 2] photocycloaddition in particular, reactions widely employed
      in the synthesis of complex natural products as well as highly constrained
      molecules, as exemplars. The reaction media, highly pertinent in the context of
      green sustainable chemistry, include solvent-free crystals and solids such as
      silica, clay, and zeolite and water-soluble hosts that can solubilize and
      preorganize hydrophobic reactants in water. Since no other reagent would be more
      sustainable than light and no other medium greener than water, we believe that
      the supramolecular photochemistry expounded here has a momentous role as a
      synthetic tool in the future.

PMID- 27254155
TI  - Water as the Key to Proto-Aragonite Amorphous CaCO3.
AB  - Temperature and pH value can affect the short-range order of proto-structured and
      additive-free amorphous calcium carbonates (ACCs). Whereas a distinct change
      occurs in proto-vaterite (pv) ACC above 45  degrees C at pH 9.80, proto-calcite
      (pc) ACC (pH 8.75) is unaffected within the investigated range of temperatures (7
      65  degrees C). IR and NMR spectroscopic studies together with EXAFS analysis
      showed that the temperature-induced change is related to the formation of proto
      aragonite (pa) ACC. The data strongly suggest that the binding of water molecules
      induces dipole moments across the carbonate ions in pa-ACC as in aragonite, where
      the dipole moments are due to the symmetry of the crystal structure. Altogether,
      a (pseudo-)phase diagram of the CaCO3 polyamorphism in which water plays a key
      role can be formulated based on variables of state, such as the temperature, and
      solution parameters, such as the pH value.

PMID- 27254156
TI  - Intraoperative Visual Documentation Using Smart Mobile Devices: A Simple Solution
      for Facial Plastic Surgeons.

PMID- 27254157
TI  - Suppressing the Rayleigh-Plateau Instability in Field-Directed Colloidal
      Assembly.
AB  - Suspensions of superparamagnetic colloids that equilibrate in a toggled magnetic
      field undergo a Rayleigh-Plateau instability with a characteristic wavelength
      lambda = 600 MUm for the toggle frequency nu = 0.66 Hz. The instability is
      suppressed when the chamber length L in the field direction is less than 2lambda.
      The final size of the magnetic domains perpendicular to the field, D, follows a
      power law relation of D ~ L(0.71+/-0.07). These results demonstrate the
      structural differences of field-directed suspensions when confined to lengths
      scale set by the phase separation process and can potentially be used to create
      self-assembled colloidal crystals with well-defined size and shape.

PMID- 27254158
TI  - A Case of Carotid-Esophageal Fistula Masquerading as an Upper Gastrointestinal
      Bleed.

PMID- 27254159
TI  - Nucleophilic Nitration of Arynes by Sodium Nitrite and its Multicomponent
      Reaction Leading to Double-Functionalized Arenes.
AB  - An unusual nucleophilic nitration of arynes by NaNO2 in the presence of water has
      been developed, and the concept was further demonstrated to accomplish a double
      functionalization of arynes using a multicomponent reaction protocol to
      synthesize pharmaceutically important (2-nitrophenyl)methanol derivatives. Such
      substitution ortho to -NO2 is difficult by other means. The reaction conditions
      are mild and avoid the use of strong acids, expensive transition metal catalysts,
      and additives.

PMID- 27254169
TI  - Awareness of human papilloma virus and cervical cancer prevention among Greek
      female healthcare workers.
AB  - The incidence rate of cervical cancer varies by geographic region, with less
      developed regions showing the highest rates. All risk factors for cervical cancer
      are actually preventable if appropriate lifestyle changes are adopted. In
      addition, vaccines protecting against the majority of human papilloma virus (HPV)
      high-risk types have been developed. Even though cervical cancer is preventable,
      not all women are aware of this or how it can be prevented. Thus, it is essential
      for every nation to assess the level of knowledge among women of cervical cancer
      and HPV prevention. In this work, we assessed the level of awareness and
      attitudes of Greek female healthcare workers on cervical cancer and HPV
      prevention through the delivery of a validated questionnaire between March and
      June 2012 in three hospitals in Greece. Our results show that there exist gaps in
      the knowledge of women on this topic, especially in terms of the newest
      information on cervical cancer prevention through HPV testing and vaccination. In
      fact, only 80% of surveyed women knew about the existence of HPV testing. We
      propose that more information needs to be transmitted to Greek women and men on
      HPV testing and vaccination. Even though the incidence of cervical cancer is not
      extremely high in Greece, this number can easily change, especially in the face
      of the economic crisis and the increasing rates of migration, which can result in
      higher rates of HPV infection in the population if no measures for HPV prevention
      are implemented.

PMID- 27254231
TI  - Patient experience and quality of urologic cancer surgery in US hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Care interactions as perceived by patients and families are
      increasingly viewed as both an indicator and lever for high-value care. To
      promote patient-centeredness and motivate quality improvement, payers have begun
      tying reimbursement with related measures of patient experience. Accordingly, the
      authors sought to determine whether such data correlate with outcomes among
      patients undergoing surgery for genitourinary cancer. METHODS: The authors used
      the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare
      Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) data from 2009 through 2011. They identified
      hospital admissions for cancer-directed prostatectomy, nephrectomy, and
      cystectomy, and measured mortality, hospitalization length, discharge
      disposition, and complications. Mixed effects models were used to compare the
      likelihood of selected outcomes between the top and bottom tercile hospitals
      adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: Among a sample of
      46,988 encounters, the authors found small differences in patient age, race,
      income, comorbidity, cancer type, receipt of minimally invasive surgery, and
      procedure acuity according to HCAHPS tercile (P<.001). Hospital characteristics
      also varied with respect to ownership, teaching status, size, and location
      (P<.001). Compared with patients treated in low-performing hospitals, patients
      treated in high-performing hospitals less often faced prolonged hospitalization
      (odds ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.92) or nursing-sensitive
      complications (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.99). No
      difference was found with regard to inpatient mortality, other complications, and
      discharge disposition (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample and
      HCAHPS data, the authors found a limited association between patient experience
      and surgical outcomes. For urologic cancer surgery, patient experience may be
      optimally viewed as an independent quality domain rather than a mechanism with
      which to improve surgical outcomes. Cancer 2016;122:2571-8. (c) 2016 American
      Cancer Society.

PMID- 27254232
TI  - Contributing to Your Journal.

PMID- 27254233
TI  - How to Facilitate Change.

PMID- 27254234
TI  - LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF PSNCB.

PMID- 27254235
TI  - Vibration for Pain Reduction in a Plastic Surgery Clinic.
AB  - Patients can experience significant pain during routine procedures in the plastic
      surgery clinic. Methods for clinical pain reduction are often impractical, time
      consuming, or ineffective. Vibration is a safe, inexpensive, and highly
      applicable modality for pain reduction that can be readily utilized for a wide
      variety of procedures. This study evaluated the use of vibration as a viable pain
      reduction strategy in the clinical plastic surgery setting. Patients requiring at
      least 2 consecutive procedures that are considered painful were enrolled in the
      study. These included injections, staple removal, and suture removal. In the same
      patient, one half of the procedures were performed without vibration and the
      other half with vibration. After completing the procedures, the patients rated
      their pain with vibration and without vibration. The patient and the researcher
      also described the experience with a short questionnaire. Twenty-eight patients
      were enrolled in the study. Patients reported significantly less pain on the
      Numeric Rating Scale pain scale when vibration was used compared with the control
      group (p < .001). The average pain score was 3.46 without vibration and 1.93 with
      vibration, and vibration with injections resulted in the greatest improvement.
      Eighty-six percent of the patients claimed that vibration significantly reduced
      their pain. Vibration is an effective method of pain reduction. It significantly
      reduces the pain experienced by patients during minor office procedures. Given
      its practicality and ease of use, it is a welcome tool in the plastic surgery
      clinic. 

PMID- 27254236
TI  - An Overview of Fat Grafting.
AB  - The use of autologous fat grafting for a wide variety of clinical applications
      has increased dramatically over the past few decades. The article provides an
      overview of the technique, a historic background, and briefly explores some of
      the current ways in which fat grafting is being used in plastic surgery. 

PMID- 27254237
TI  - Can Probiotics Improve Your Surgical Outcomes?
AB  - Despite ongoing advances in medical technology, postoperative infections and
      infectious complications continue to be a significant cause of morbidity and
      mortality. Surgical trauma and prophylactic antibiotics disrupt the balance of
      the intestinal microbiota and barrier function of the gut, potentiating an
      enhanced inflammatory response and further immune system depression. With the
      increasing costs of health care and emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria,
      alternative approaches must be explored. Many clinical studies have demonstrated
      that the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or a combination of both (synbiotics) as
      a part of innovative strategies can improve outcomes of elective abdominal and
      gastrointestinal surgical procedures. It has been demonstrated that probiotics
      play a role in gut barrier improvement and immunomodulation. However, it is
      evident that additional research is needed including larger, multicenter,
      randomized controlled trials to validate the safety and efficacy of their use in
      surgical patients. The purpose of this article is to discuss background of
      probiotic use in abdominal/gastrointestinal surgery, risk and benefits, clinical
      relevance for health care providers, and further implications for research. 

PMID- 27254238
TI  - Promoting Health Literacy in the Nonsurgical Cosmetic Patient.
AB  - Significant numbers of adults, when presented with basic health care information,
      have been shown to struggle with their abilities to comprehend and integrate
      materials presented to them. This lack of perception underscores the essence of
      health literacy. Even though health literacy is a newer concept, its impact is
      gathering momentum, as politicians, health care providers, researchers, and the
      media become more aware of the extent this disparity is seen within the health
      care system and how it affects patient care. This article explores how nursing
      philosophy and knowledge development have the capacity to provide a solid
      infrastructure that may promote increased health literacy among patients within
      the nonsurgical cosmetic arena. 

PMID- 27254239
TI  - An Inquiry Into the Role of the Aesthetic Nurse: "Should Nurses Sell?".
AB  - I am a registered nurse, working for more than a decade. In the last few years, I
      decided to pursue my passion in the field of medical aesthetics. I invested in
      learning new skills through training and certification programs and was excited
      to attain employment in my chosen field. Yet, despite my qualifications, many
      employers were measuring my competency as an aesthetic nurse on the number of
      neuromodulators and dermal fillers I was able to inject or, to put it bluntly,
      able to sell. Many asked me to role-play exactly how and what I would say to
      "close the sale." These experiences caused me to reflect "Should nurses sell?"
      and "Is it ethical for nurses to sell?" In this article, I set out to explore
      these dilemmas and their implications on the role of the aesthetic nurse, using
      diverse perspectives in the current literature. 

PMID- 27254240
TI  - Congenital Hand Differences.
AB  - Congenital hand differences are frequently encountered by pediatric plastic
      surgeons. These anomalies may cause significant emotional and functional
      challenges for children. Pediatric plastic surgery nurses should have a basic
      understanding of common congenital hand differences and related treatment options
      to facilitate patient education and postoperative care. This article discusses
      clinical findings and management of 4 of the most common hand anomalies:
      syndactyly, polydactyly, thumb hypoplasia, and cleft hand. The goals of surgical
      treatment are to maximize hand function and aesthetics with minimal adverse
      outcomes. 

PMID- 27254241
TI  - Breast Rash After Breast Reduction: A Case Study.
AB  - Breast reduction surgery is one of the most common procedures done by plastic
      surgeons. Although not detrimental to the final outcome, allergic reaction can
      negatively impact the postoperative course. This case presentation paints the
      classic picture of allergic reaction after breast surgery, likely due to skin
      glue. The typical signs of intense pruritus and erythematous rash surrounding
      incisions bilaterally are present. The patient was treated with our institutional
      protocol with good results. Our protocol is presented and further questions
      posed. 

PMID- 27254242
TI  - Vibration for Pain Reduction in a Plastic Surgery Clinic.

PMID- 27254243
TI  - Congenital Hand Differences.

PMID- 27254244
TI  - Kinetic Growth of Ultralong Metastable Zincblende MnSe Nanowires Catalyzed by a
      Fast Ionic Conductor via a Solution-Solid-Solid Mechanism.
AB  - The metastable semiconductor phase allows for the exploration of unusual
      properties and functionalities of abnormal structures, although it is often
      difficult to prevent thermodynamic transformations to lower energy structures
      from higher, unfavored energy states. Here, we show for the first time the
      preparation of high-quality ultralong metastable zincblende (ZB)-MnSe nanowires
      with a four-coordinate structure via solution-solid-solid (SSS) growth in a mild
      solution-phase synthetic environment (120-220  degrees C) in the presence of a
      trace amount of Ag(I). The metastable ZB-MnSe nanowires are stabilized
      kinetically due to the catalysis of early formed body-centered cubic (bcc) fast
      ionic (superionic) Ag2Se nanocrystals from the Ag(I) source, and the ZB-MnSe
      nanowires grow epitaxially along the ?110? axis rather than the ?111? axis, as
      commonly observed for typical four-coordinate Grimm-Sommerfeld bonding solids.
      Our method provides a new route for the growth of metastable nanostructures.

PMID- 27254245
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of an A2BC type phthalocyanine and its visible
      light-responsive photocatalytic H2 production performance on graphitic carbon
      nitride.
AB  - A highly asymmetric A2BC type zinc phthalocyanine (Zn-di-PcNcTh) has been
      designed and synthesized. The Zn-di-PcNcTh used a pi electron rich thiophene ring
      in place of the benzenoid rings of phthalocyanine which acted as an electron
      donor, diphenylphenoxy substituents to retard aggregation and a carboxyl
      naphthalene unit as an electron acceptor. The asymmetric phthalocyanine shows a
      strongly split Q-band and wide spectral absorption in the visible/near-IR light
      region, which can extend the spectral response region of graphitic carbon nitride
      (g-C3N4) from ~450 nm to more than 800 nm. By using it as a sensitizer of 1.0 wt%
      Pt-loaded graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), the experimental results indicate
      that Zn-di-PcNcTh-Pt/g-C3N4 shows a H2 production efficiency of 249 MUmol h(-1)
      with an impressive turnover number (TON) of 9960.8 h(-1) under visible light
      (lambda>= 420 nm) irradiation, much higher than that of pristine Pt/g-C3N4. Owing
      to the introduction of a highly bathochromic shift of 3,4-dicyanothiophene and
      the valuable "push-pull" effect from the thiophene (electron donor) to the
      carboxyl-naphthalene (electron acceptor) unit, Zn-di-PcNcTh/g-C3N4 gives an
      extremely high apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 2.44%, 3.05%, and 1.53% under 700,
      730, and 800 nm monochromatic light irradiation, respectively, under optimized
      photocatalytic conditions. 

PMID- 27254246
TI  - Corrigendum: Intrinsic challenges in ancient microbiome reconstruction using 16S
      rRNA gene amplification.

PMID- 27254247
TI  - Reactive oxygen species acts as executor in radiation enhancement and autophagy
      inducing by AgNPs.
AB  - Malignant glioma is one of the most common intracranial tumor with a dismal
      prognosis. The radiosensitizing effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on glioma
      both in vitro and in vivo were demonstrated in the previous studies of our group.
      However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this present study, the
      use of antioxidants is employed for the regulating of reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) in U251 cells treated with various agents, and the results shows that ROS
      played an essential role in the autophagy inducing and radiosensitization effect
      of AgNPs. Moreover, the inhibition of protective autophagy with 3-MA is another
      way to increase ROS, resulting in the increasing of cell death and apoptosis.
      Taken together, understanding the relationship between the elevated ROS and
      autophagy and the effect of ROS should be useful to the clinical applications of
      AgNPs. These findings could potentially be exploited for new therapeutic
      strategies in glioma radiotherapy.

PMID- 27254248
TI  - Interim Guidance for Interpretation of Zika Virus Antibody Test Results.
AB  - Zika virus is a single-stranded RNA virus in the genus Flavivirus and is closely
      related to dengue, West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever viruses
      (1,2). Among flaviviruses, Zika and dengue virus share similar symptoms of
      infection, transmission cycles, and geographic distribution. Diagnostic testing
      for Zika virus infection can be accomplished using both molecular and serologic
      methods. For persons with suspected Zika virus disease, a positive real-time
      reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) result confirms Zika
      virus infection, but a negative rRT-PCR result does not exclude infection (3-7).
      In these cases, immunoglobulin (Ig) M and neutralizing antibody testing can
      identify additional recent Zika virus infections (6,7). However, Zika virus
      antibody test results can be difficult to interpret because of cross-reactivity
      with other flaviviruses, which can preclude identification of the specific
      infecting virus, especially when the person previously was infected with or
      vaccinated against a related flavivirus (8). This is important because the
      results of Zika and dengue virus testing will guide clinical management. Pregnant
      women with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection should be evaluated and
      managed for possible adverse pregnancy outcomes and be reported to the U.S. Zika
      Pregnancy Registry or the Puerto Rico Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System
      for clinical follow-up (9,10). All patients with clinically suspected dengue
      should have proper management to reduce the risk for hemorrhage and shock (11).
      If serologic testing indicates recent flavivirus infection that could be caused
      by either Zika or dengue virus, patients should be clinically managed for both
      infections because they might have been infected with either virus. 

PMID- 27254249
TI  - Uptake of inorganic and organic nutrient species during cultivation of a
      Chlorella isolate in anaerobically digested dairy waste.
AB  - A natural assemblage of microalgae from a facultative lagoon system treating
      municipal wastewater was enriched for growth in the effluents of an anaerobic
      digester processing dairy waste. A green microalga with close resemblance to
      Chlorella sp. was found to be dominant after multiple cycles of sub-culturing.
      Subsequently, the strain (designated as LLAI) was isolated and cultivated in 20*
      diluted digester effluents under various incident light intensities (255-1,100
      umoles m-2 s-1 ) to systematically assess growth and nutrient utilization. Our
      results showed that LLAI production increased with increasing incident light and
      a maximum productivity of 0.34 g L-1 d-1 was attained when the incident
      irradiance was 1,100 umoles m-2 s-1 . Lack of growth in the absence of light
      indicated that the cultures did not grow heterotrophically on the organic
      compounds present in the medium. However, the cultures were able to uptake
      organic N and P under phototrophic conditions and our calculations suggest that
      the carbon associated with these organic nutrients contributed significantly to
      the production of biomass. Overall, under high light conditions, LLAI cultures
      utilized half of the soluble organic nitrogen and >90% of the ammonium,
      orthophosphate, and dissolved organic phosphorus present in the diluted waste.
      Strain LLAI was also found to accumulate triacylglycerides (TAG) even before the
      onset of nutrient limitation and a lipid productivity of 37 mg-TAG L-1 d-1 was
      measured in cultures incubated at an incident irradiance of 1,100 umoles m-2 s-1
      . The results of this study suggest that microalgae isolates from natural
      environments are well-suited for nutrient remediation and biomass production from
      wastewater containing diverse inorganic and organic nutrient species. (c) 2016
      American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1336-1342, 2016.

PMID- 27254250
TI  - Boron Nitride Nanosheet-Veiled Gold Nanoparticles for Surface-Enhanced Raman
      Scattering.
AB  - Atomically thin boron nitride (BN) nanosheets have many properties desirable for
      surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). BN nanosheets have a strong surface
      adsorption capability toward airborne hydrocarbon and aromatic molecules. For
      maximized adsorption area and hence SERS sensitivity, atomically thin BN
      nanosheet-covered gold nanoparticles have been prepared for the first time. When
      placed on top of metal nanoparticles, atomically thin BN nanosheets closely
      follow their contours so that the plasmonic hot spots are retained. Electrically
      insulating BN nanosheets also act as a barrier layer to eliminate metal-induced
      disturbances in SERS. Moreover, the SERS substrates veiled by BN nanosheets show
      an outstanding reusability in the long term. As a result, the sensitivity,
      reproducibility, and reusability of SERS substrates can be greatly improved. We
      also demonstrate that large BN nanosheets produced by chemical vapor deposition
      can be used to scale up the proposed SERS substrate for practical applications. 

PMID- 27254251
TI  - Genomic determinants of cancer immunotherapy.
AB  - Cancer immunotherapies - including therapeutic vaccines, adoptive cell transfer,
      oncolytic viruses, and immune checkpoint blockade - yield durable responses in
      many cancer types, but understanding of predictors of response is incomplete.
      Genomic characterization of human cancers has already contributed to the success
      of targeted therapies; in cancer immunotherapy, identification of tumor-specific
      antigens through whole-exome sequencing may be key to designing individualized,
      highly immunogenic therapeutic vaccines. Additionally, pre-treatment tumor
      mutational and gene expression signatures can predict which patients are most
      likely to benefit from cancer immunotherapy. Continued work in harnessing
      genomic, transcriptomic, and immunological data from clinical cohorts of
      immunotherapy-treated patients will bring the promises of precision medicine to
      immuno-oncology.

PMID- 27254252
TI  - Influence of the interface on the optical activity of confined glucose films.
AB  - We report on the time evolution of the optical activity of a thinning liquid film
      containing glucose, and confined between two glass slides. This dynamics strongly
      depends on the presence of surfactant molecules. With sodium dodecyl sulfate
      (SDS), we evidence favorable interactions of sugar molecules with the sulfate
      group. As previously observed for a freely suspended soap film in the air (see
      Emile et al., 2013), this corresponds to an anchoring of glucose molecules at the
      interface. For glucose alone, we also highlight a molecular rearrangement that is
      not instantaneous and occurs after several minutes. This interfacial organization
      leads to an unusual giant optical activity that is different with or without SDS.
      Molecular simulations confirm the anchoring of the glucose molecules at the
      glass/liquid interface, and show a different molecular orientation in each case. 

PMID- 27254253
TI  - Influence of the mutable kinetic parameters on the adhesion and debonding of thin
      viscoelastic films.
AB  - Detachment of a surface from a viscoelastic layer, such as a film of glue,
      engenders bridges between the surfaces until separation. Such surface
      instabilities arising during contact and detachment of viscoelastic films with
      rigid contactors have been theoretically explored by linear stability analysis
      and nonlinear simulations. The contact instabilities of viscoelastic materials
      are found to manifest in either a 'critical' or a 'dominant' mode in which the
      former is preferred when the contactor is slowly brought near the film while the
      latter manifests when the film is 'hard-pressed' against it. The nonlinear
      analysis considers the movement of contactor during adhesion-debonding cycle,
      which uncovers that the kinetic parameters can overshadow the thermodynamically
      predicted area of contact, average force for pull-off, energy of contactor-film
      separation, and pathways of debonding. Three distinct pathways of debonding -
      peeling, catastrophic column collapse, and column coalescence, are found to
      manifest with the variation in the ratio of the elastic to viscous compliances of
      the viscoelastic film. The study also reveals that in the dominant mode of
      instability, a smaller length scale with a larger area contact between the
      contactor and film can develop patterns having aspect ratio ~10 times larger than
      the same obtained from elastic film. 

PMID- 27254254
TI  - Protein immobilization and fluorescence quenching on polydopamine thin films.
AB  - Mussel inspired polydopamine (PDA) film has attracted great interest as a
      versatile functional coating for biomolecule immobilization in various bio
      related devices. However, the details regarding the interaction between a protein
      and PDA film remain unclear. Particularly, there is very limited knowledge
      regarding the protein immobilization on PDA film, even though it is of essential
      importance in various fields. The situation is even more complicated if
      considering the fact that quite a number of approaches (e.g., different oxidizing
      reagent, buffer pH, grown time, grown media, etc.) have been developed to grow
      PDA films. In this work, protein attachment on PDA film was systematically
      investigated by using the real-time and label-free surface plasmon resonance
      (SPR) technique. The kinetics of protein-PDA interaction was explored and the
      influence of buffer pH and deposition media on the protein attachment was
      studied. Fluorescent protein microarray was further printed on PDA-coated glass
      slides for quantitative investigations and together with SPR data, the
      interesting fluorescence quenching phenomenon of PDA film was revealed. This work
      may deepen our understanding on the PDA-protein interaction and offer a valuable
      guide for efficient protein attachment on PDA film in various bio-related
      applications. 

PMID- 27254255
TI  - Hydrogenation of nitroarenes into aromatic amines over Ag@BCN colloidal
      catalysts.
AB  - The present work reports that two-dimension layered ternary boron carbon nitrogen
      nanosheets can serve as good carriers to support and disperse noble metal
      nanoparticles. The Ag@BCN colloids have thus been prepared by attaching Ag
      nanoparticles on the surfaces of BCN nanosheets. The detailed structures of the
      Ag@BCN samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron
      microscopy, atomic force microscope, infrared, and X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy. It is found that the surface NH groups of BCN nanosheets are
      beneficial for the attachment of Ag nanopaprticles. Compared with the
      conventional organic capping compounds, the two dimensional planar BCN nanosheets
      endow the attached nanoparticle with the high active surfaces. Moreover, the
      hydrogenation of nitroarenes into the corresponding aromatic amines can be highly
      achieved over Ag@BCN colloids by NaBH4. In particular, the apparent activation
      energy of the conversion reaction of p-nitroaniline to p-phenylenediamine was
      found to be 76.0kJ/mol over the Ag@BCN colloids with 3wt% Ag content. Our results
      may provide a new approach for the design noble metal based composites and find
      the practical application for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes. 

PMID- 27254256
TI  - The effects of pore structure on the behavior of water in lignite coal and
      activated carbon.
AB  - The effects of physical structure (pore structure) on behavior of water in
      lignite coal and activated carbon (AC) samples were investigated by using
      Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and low-temperature X-ray diffraction
      (XRD) techniques. AC samples with different pore structures were prepared at 800
      degrees C in steam and the results were compared with that of parent lignite
      coal. The DSC results confirmed the presence of two types of freezable water that
      freeze at -8 degrees C (free water) and -42 degrees C (freezable bound water). A
      shift in peak position of free water (FW) towards lower temperature was observed
      in AC samples compared to the lignite coal with decreasing water loading. The
      amount of free water (FW) increased with increasing gasification conversion. The
      amounts of free and freezable bound water (FBW) in AC samples were calculated and
      correlated to pore volume and average pore size. The amount of FW in AC samples
      is well correlated to the pore volume and average pore size of the samples, while
      an opposite trend was observed for FBW. The low-temperature XRD analysis
      confirmed the existence of non-freezable water (NFW) in coal and AC with the
      boundary between the freezable and non-freezable water (NFW) determined. 

PMID- 27254257
TI  - Monitoring the role of Mn and Fe in the As-removal efficiency of tetravalent
      manganese feroxyhyte nanoparticles from drinking water: An X-ray absorption
      spectroscopy study.
AB  - The implementation of amorphous tetravalent manganese feroxyhyte (TMFx)
      nanoparticles, prepared via co-precipitation synthesis, as an efficient As(V)
      removal material is investigated using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS)
      spectroscopy at the Fe-, Mn- and As-K-edges. The optimum synthesis conditions and
      chemical composition of the TMFx adsorbent were determined by the degree of
      polymerization in the adsorbents' microstructure. Under synthesis into mildly
      acidic conditions, the change in the polymerization of the metal-oxyhydroxyl
      chains (metal=Fe, Mn) provides more adsorption sites at edges and corner sites in
      the bonding environment of Fe and Mn, respectively, thereby enhancing As uptake.
      After exposure to As-polluted water, similar microstructural changes related to
      As-bidentate and monodentate geometries are generated: As(V) preferentially
      occupies the high energy adsorption sites ((2)C complexes) available in the Mn
      oxyhydroxyl groups and the low energy edge sites offered by Fe ((2)E complexes).
      It is revealed that optimum arsenic-removal by TMFx occurs into mildly acidic
      synthesis pH and for iron to manganese molar ratio equal to 3. 

PMID- 27254259
TI  - Letter to the editor: Specificity of Zika virus ELISA: interference with malaria.

PMID- 27254258
TI  - Buspirone reduces sexual risk-taking intent but not cocaine self-administration.
AB  - Impulsive sexual decision-making may underlie sexual risk-taking behavior that
      contributes to the disproportionately high prevalence of HIV infection among
      cocaine users. Delay-discounting procedures measure impulsive decision-making and
      may provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of sexual risk-taking
      behavior. The anxiolytic drug buspirone reduces delay discounting in rats and
      blunts the reinforcing effects of cocaine in some preclinical studies suggesting
      that it might have utility in the treatment of cocaine-use disorders. This study
      determined whether buspirone mitigates impulsive risky sexual decision-making in
      cocaine users on a sexual delay-discounting procedure. The effects of buspirone
      maintenance on the abuse-related and physiological effects of cocaine were also
      tested. Nine (N = 9) current cocaine users completed a repeated-measures,
      inpatient protocol in which sexual delay discounting was assessed after 3 days of
      maintenance on placebo and buspirone (30 mg/day) in counterbalanced order. The
      reinforcing, subject-rated, and physiological effects of placebo and intranasal
      cocaine (15 and 45 mg) were also assessed during buspirone and placebo
      maintenance. Buspirone increased the likelihood of condom use for hypothetical
      sexual partners that were categorized as most likely to have a sexually
      transmitted infection and least sexually desirable. Cocaine functioned as a
      reinforcer and increased positive subjective effects ratings, but buspirone
      maintenance did not impact these effects of cocaine. Buspirone was also safe and
      tolerable when combined with cocaine and may have blunted some its cardiovascular
      effects. The results from the sexual delay-discounting procedure indicate that
      buspirone may reduce preference for riskier sex in cocaine users. (PsycINFO
      Database Record

PMID- 27254260
TI  - Hip Strength in Patients with Quadriceps Strength Deficits after ACL
      Reconstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE: Quadriceps strength deficits persist for years after anterior cruciate
      ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and patients with these deficits often shift
      torque demands away from the knee extensors to the hip during functional tasks.
      However, it is not clear how quadriceps strength deficits may affect hip
      strength. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate differences in
      lower extremity strength in individuals with ACL reconstruction with differing
      levels of quadriceps strength asymmetry. METHODS: Isometric strength was recorded
      bilaterally in 135 participants (73 control and 62 with unilateral ACL
      reconstruction, time from surgery = 30.9 +/- 17.6 months) from the knee extensors
      and flexors, hip extensors and abductors, and hip internal and external rotator
      muscle groups. Symmetry indices (limb symmetry index (LSI)) were created based on
      quadriceps strength, and subjects with ACL reconstruction were subdivided (high
      quadriceps (LSI >= 90%), n = 37; low quadriceps (LSI < 85%), n = 18). Individual
      group (control vs high quadriceps vs low quadriceps) by limb
      (reconstructed/nondominant vs healthy/dominant) repeated-measures ANOVA was used
      to compare strength (%BW) for each of the six joint motions of interest (knee
      extensors/flexors, hip abductors/extensors/external, and internal rotators) while
      controlling for time from surgery. RESULTS: An interaction was observed for
      quadriceps strength (P < 0.001), and the reconstructed limb in the low quadriceps
      group was weaker than all other limbs. A main effect for group was observed with
      the low quadriceps group having greater hip extension (P = 0.007) strength in
      both limbs compared with the other groups. Knee flexion strength was weaker in
      the reconstructed limb of the high quadriceps group (P = 0.047) compared with all
      other groups and limbs. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with ACL reconstruction and
      involved limb quadriceps weakness have greater hip extension strength in both
      limbs compared with patients with bilateral strength symmetry and controls.

PMID- 27254261
TI  - Overuse Injuries of the Pediatric and Adolescent Throwing Athlete.
AB  - In the hypercompetitive environment of year round youth baseball, arm pain is
      commonplace. Although much research has been done about injuries in the overhead
      throwing athlete, the emphasis has been on the more elite levels, where athletes
      have reached full development. The anatomy of the skeletally immature athlete,
      including open physeal plates and increased tissue laxity, raises unique issues
      in the presentation and treatment of repetitive throwing injuries of the elbow
      and shoulder. With a focus on "little leaguers," this discussion evaluates five
      of the most common elbow and shoulder injuries-Little Leaguer's elbow, ulnar
      collateral ligament sprain or tear, osteochondritis dissecans/Panner's disease,
      Little Leaguer's shoulder, and multidirectional instability. In the
      developmentally distinct pediatric athlete, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and
      treatment may differ from that established for adults. Offering early diagnosis
      and treatment appropriate to a child's level of development will enable youth to
      not only continue to play sports but to also maintain full functionality as
      active adults.

PMID- 27254262
TI  - Sensorimotor Learning in a Computerized Athletic Training Battery.
AB  - Sensorimotor abilities are crucial for performance in athletic, military, and
      other occupational activities, and there is great interest in understanding
      learning in these skills. Here, behavioral performance was measured over three
      days as twenty-seven participants practiced multiple sessions on the Nike SPARQ
      Sensory Station (Nike, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon), a computerized visual and motor
      assessment battery. Wrist-worn actigraphy was recorded to monitor sleep-wake
      cycles. Significant learning was observed in tasks with high visuomotor control
      demands but not in tasks of visual sensitivity. Learning was primarily linear,
      with up to 60% improvement, but did not relate to sleep quality in this normal
      sleeping population. These results demonstrate differences in the rate and
      capacity for learning across perceptual and motor domains, indicating potential
      targets for sensorimotor training interventions.

PMID- 27254264
TI  - Alaska.

PMID- 27254263
TI  - Closing the Gap between Policy and Practice in Screening for Perinatal
      Depression: A Policy Analysis and Call for Action.
AB  - Although perinatal depression (PND) is one of the most common maternal
      morbidities, it is frequently undetected. Screening for early detection and
      intervention has the potential to prevent depressive symptoms from worsening. In
      the United States, five states have enacted legislation in relation to screening
      for PND, but a gap remains between policy and practice in providing continuum of
      care for mothers who may be suffering from depressive symptoms. From the
      perspective of policy formation, the reasons for this gap include a discrepancy
      between policy and practice goals, lack of regulations on capability building
      among perinatal care providers, and few pathways for establishing collaborations
      between medical providers and mental health professionals. The authors recommend
      involving social workers in the process to promote a better continuum of care
      after screening through comprehensive policy that explicitly states goals to
      effectively screen women in the perinatal period.

PMID- 27254266
TI  - Pituitary diseases and sleep disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients with pituitary diseases have decreased quality of
      life. Sleep disorders are prevalent among patients with pituitary diseases and
      contribute to decreased quality of life. RECENT FINDINGS: Patients previously
      treated for compression of the optic chiasm by surgery, and in some cases
      postoperative radiotherapy, suffer from sleep disorders. These are characterized
      by decreased sleep quality, delayed onset of sleep, and daytime sleepiness.
      Circumstantial evidence suggests that this may be caused by hypothalamic
      dysfunction. A challenging speculation is that previous compression of the optic
      chiasm compromised the function of the retinohypothalamic tract. Through this
      tract the eyes convey information on day-night cycles to the hypothalamic nuclei.
      Patients with acromegaly, even despite biochemical control, suffer frequently
      from obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with Cushing's disease suffer from
      fragmented sleep, sleep apnea, and snoring. Prolactinomas do not seem to affect
      sleep characteristics. The association between appropriately substituted
      pituitary insufficiency and sleep disorders is less clear. The effects of
      recombinant human growth hormone on sleep characteristics in adults are
      inconsistent. SUMMARY: Pituitary disorders are associated with different sleep
      disorders. Different studies point to irreversible changes in sleep-wake
      rhythmicity in patients treated previously for pituitary tumors with chiasm
      compression. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

PMID- 27254265
TI  - Heme Mobilization in Animals: A Metallolipid's Journey.
AB  - Heme is universally recognized as an essential and ubiquitous prosthetic group
      that enables proteins to carry out a diverse array of functions. All heme
      dependent processes, from protein hemylation to heme signaling, require the
      dynamic and rapid mobilization of heme to hemoproteins present in virtually every
      subcellular compartment. The cytotoxicity and hydrophobicity of heme necessitates
      that heme mobilization is carefully controlled at the cellular and systemic
      level. However, the molecules and mechanisms that mediate heme homeostasis are
      poorly understood. In this Account, we provide a heuristic paradigm with which to
      conceptualize heme trafficking and highlight the most recent developments in the
      mechanisms underlying heme trafficking. As an iron-containing tetrapyrrole, heme
      exhibits properties of both transition metals and lipids. Accordingly, we propose
      its transport and trafficking will reflect principles gleaned from the
      trafficking of both metals and lipids. Using this conceptual framework, we follow
      the flow of heme from the final step of heme synthesis in the mitochondria to
      hemoproteins present in various subcellular organelles. Further, given that many
      cells and animals that cannot make heme can assimilate it intact from nutritional
      sources, we propose that intercellular heme trafficking pathways must exist. This
      necessitates that heme be able to be imported and exported from cells, escorted
      between cells and organs, and regulated at the organismal level via a coordinated
      systemic process. In this Account, we highlight recently discovered heme
      transport and trafficking factors and provide the biochemical foundation for the
      cell and systems biology of heme. Altogether, we seek to reconceptualize heme
      from an exchange inert cofactor buried in hemoprotein active sites to an exchange
      labile and mobile metallonutrient.

PMID- 27254267
TI  - Type B insulin resistance syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical
      features, and management of type B insulin resistance syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Type B insulin resistance syndrome is a rare disorder caused by autoantibodies to
      the insulin receptor. This disorder is most frequently reported in middle-aged
      black women and is invariably associated with other autoimmune diseases.
      Typically, refractory transient hyperglycemia and extreme insulin resistance are
      the cardinal features, but hypoglycemia may also occur. Traditionally, the high
      reported mortality rate was typically attributed to the hypoglycemia. There is no
      well standardized treatment regimen. However, recent therapeutic advances with
      combination immunomodulatory therapy have led to significant reported
      improvements in hypoglycemia-associated mortality and durability of remission.
      SUMMARY: We review the literature on the pathophysiology and clinical features of
      type B insulin resistance syndrome and highlight the complexities and recent
      advances in the management of this disorder.

PMID- 27254268
TI  - Nucleic acid biomarkers of beta cell stress and death in type 1 diabetes.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to summarize recent advances in
      the development of nucleic acid-based biomarkers of type 1 diabetes (T1D). RECENT
      FINDINGS: Recent rodent and human studies have identified new roles for stress
      pathways intrinsic to the beta cell during the development of T1D. As such,
      methods to identify an authentic nucleic acid signature of beta cell stress
      and/or death may improve our ability to predict T1D at earlier timepoints,
      allowing for optimal timing of immunomodulatory interventions. To this end, both
      targeted and unbiased approaches have begun to identify changes in microRNA
      expression patterns in T1D. Moreover, a number of groups have developed distinct
      assays that quantitatively detect circulating unmethylated insulin DNA, which is
      thought to primarily emanate from dying beta cells. SUMMARY: Here we highlight
      unique blood and urine microRNA signatures identified in T1D cohorts, compare
      differences between first, second, and third-generation assays that detect
      circulating unmethylated insulin DNA, and review recent technological advances
      that have the capacity to improve T1D biomarker development.

PMID- 27254269
TI  - Molecular markers in pituitary tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes our current understanding of the
      mechanisms and factors involved in pituitary tumorigenesis. It provides a
      comprehensive review on the role of genetic mutations, epigenetics, oncogenes,
      tumor suppressor genes, cell cycle deregulation, and highlights recent findings
      of altered micro-RNA and long noncoding RNA expression in pituitary tumors.
      RECENT FINDINGS: This article provides a concise summary of our knowledge
      regarding oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and cell cycle deregulation in
      pituitary tumors. Additionally, it highlights new findings in epigenetics and
      altered micro-RNA and long noncoding RNA expression in pituitary tumors. SUMMARY:
      Improved understanding of the mechanism(s) and candidates implicated in pituitary
      tumorigenesis may result in the identification of new therapeutic targets in
      pituitary tumors.

PMID- 27254270
TI  - Management of candidemia in patients with Clostridium difficile infection.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with C. difficile infection (CDI) experience intestinal
      microflora changes that can promote the overgrowth and subsequent translocation
      of gut resident pathogens into the blood. Consistently, CDI due to PCR-ribotype
      027 strain, severe or relapsing CDI, and treatment with high-dosage vancomycin
      are independent risk factors for candidemia. AREAS COVERED: We review the role
      played by the gut microbiota during CDI and its treatment, as well as the
      clinical profile of CDI patients who are at risk of developing candidemia. Also,
      we discuss the management of these patients by focusing on pre-emptive strategies
      aimed at reducing the risk of candidemia, and on innovative anti-C. difficile
      therapies that may mitigate CDI-related effects such as the altered gut
      microbiota composition and prolonged intestinal mucosa damage. Expert commentary:
      A closer clinical and diagnostic monitoring of patients with CDI should help to
      limit the CDI-associated long-term consequences, including Candida infections,
      which worsen the outcome of hospitalized patients.

PMID- 27254271
TI  - Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted naphthalenes through a cascade reaction
      triggered by silyl acetal activation.
AB  - 1,2,3,4-Tetrasubstituted naphthalenes bearing four different substituents were
      synthesized in a regioselective manner through a fluoride-induced cascade
      reaction of lactol silyl ethers, which could be easily prepared from 4
      alkynylisocoumarins and ketene silyl acetal. 

PMID- 27254272
TI  - Interventions for cancer-related fatigue: a scoping review.
AB  - Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is common and can be distressing for some survivors.
      There is increasing interest in measuring levels of CRF, highlighting its impact
      on quality of life. This review describes the nature and scope of evidence
      relating to interventions for CRF. Scoping review methodology was used to
      identify studies, extract data, collate and summarise results. Data were collated
      according to cancer tumour streams, stage of illness and the types of trial
      interventions. A total of 447 trials and 37 systematic reviews met the inclusion
      criteria. Nine papers reported longitudinal results. Populations studied were
      predominantly of mixed cancer diagnoses and breast cancer. The most frequent
      interventions were exercise, pharmacological, psycho-education and mind-body
      interventions. Fatigue was identified as a primary outcome measure (OM) in 58% of
      studies, with 58 different fatigue measures reported. Emerging evidence exists
      for the effectiveness of fatigue interventions for some cancer types. More
      research on interventions with participants with the same cancer type and illness
      phase is needed. Measurement of severity and impact of CRF using fewer, robust
      OMs will permit comparisons across studies.

PMID- 27254273
TI  - Bridging the gap between regulatory acceptance and industry use of non-animal
      methods.
AB  - Collaboration between industry and regulators resulted in the development of a
      decision tree approach using in vitro or ex vivo assays to replace animal tests
      when determining the eye irritation potential of antimicrobial cleaning products
      (AMCPs) under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of
      Pesticide Programs' hazard classification and labeling system. A policy document
      issued by the EPA in 2013 and updated in 2015 describes the alternate testing
      framework that industry could apply to new registrations of AMCPs and, on a case
      by-case basis, to conventional pesticide products. Despite the collaborative
      effort, the availability of relevant non-animal methods, and the EPA's change in
      policy, only a limited number of AMCPs have been registered using the framework.
      Companies continue to conduct animal tests when registering AMCPs due to various
      challenges surrounding adoption of the new testing framework; however, recent
      discussions between industry, regulators, and other interested parties have
      identified ways these challenges may be overcome. In this article we explore how
      use of the alternate framework could be expanded through efforts such as
      increasing international harmonization, more proactively publicizing the
      framework, and enhancing the training of regulatory reviewers. Not only can these
      strategies help to increase use of the EPA alternate eye irritation framework,
      they can also be applied to facilitate the uptake of other alternative approaches
      to animal testing in the future.

PMID- 27254274
TI  - Deep brain stimulation for the treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Deep brain stimulation effectiveness is well recognized for
      different movement disorders including Parkinson's disease, dystonia and
      essential tremor, however several other diseases in this field may benefit from
      the technique although experience is sparse and evidences of benefit and risks
      are not established. AREAS COVERED: In this review, we explored available
      evidence for effectiveness and safety of DBS in selected hyperkinetic movement
      disorders, including tardive dyskinesia, Huntington's disease,
      neuroacanthocytosis, myoclonus-dystonia, Tourette syndrome, orthostatic and
      Holmes' tremor. Expert commentary: The data referenced and discussed showed
      potential effectiveness for DBS in these disabling and refractory diseases. On
      the other hand, these disorders are quite complex and multifaceted, often
      composed of different movement disorders, as well as other motor and non-motor
      symptoms. Therefore, the possible contribution of DBS in improving patients'
      quality of life should be weighted in a strictly individual basis, keeping in
      mind the progressive nature of most of these disorders, as well as risk/benefit
      ratio.

PMID- 27254275
TI  - Expert opinion: the therapeutic challenges faced by statin intolerance.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Statin intolerance is largely defined by muscle related symptoms,
      leading to intolerability and cessation. The nocebo effect coupled with the
      challenges of diagnosing statin myopathy undermines drug adherence that is
      critical for achieving the benefits of lipid-lowering and cardiovascular risk
      reduction. A temporal relationship should be made between the initiation of
      therapy and development of symptoms to aid in diagnosis. The mainstay of
      treatment is statin cessation or statin dose reduction and evaluation of
      alternative causes for muscle related symptoms. Most symptoms usually resolve
      within 2 weeks of discontinuing therapy. The patient can be re-challenged with
      the same statin at a lower dose or an alternative statin. Non-statin lipid
      lowering therapies offer an alternative to patients who cannot tolerate statins.
      AREAS COVERED: We discuss current guideline-focused management of patients with
      statin intolerance. EXPERT OPINION: When initiating statin therapy, attention to
      risk factors for statin intolerance is strongly recommended. Most patients will
      tolerate some degree of statin therapy; thus statin re-challenge is advisable. If
      alternative dosing regimens are not tolerated, non-statin medications are
      acceptable alternatives. To limit errors in the diagnosis of statin intolerance,
      improvements in clinician-patient communication about the side effects and
      benefits of statins should be attempted.

PMID- 27254276
TI  - Loss of tyrosine phosphorylation at Y406 abrogates the tumor suppressor functions
      of the thyroid hormone receptor beta.
AB  - We have recently identified that phosphorylation at tyrosine (Y)406 is critical
      for the tumor suppressor functions of the thyroid hormone receptor beta1 (TRbeta)
      in a breast cancer line. However, still unclear is whether the critical tumor
      suppressor role of phosphorylated Y406 of TRbeta is limited to only breast cancer
      cells or could be extended to other cell types. In the present studies, we
      addressed this question by stably expressing TRbeta, a mutated TRbeta oncogene
      (PV), or a TRbeta mutated at Y406 (TRbetaY406F) in rat PCCL3 thyroid follicular
      cells and evaluated their tumor characteristics in athymic mice with elevated
      thyroid stimulating hormone. PCCL3 cells stably expressing PV (PCCL3-PV),
      TRbetaY406F (PCCL3-TRbetaY406F), or vector only (PCCL3-Neo) developed tumors with
      sizes in the rank order of TRbetaY406F>PV = Neo, whereas PCCL3 cells expressing
      TRbeta (PCCL3-TRbeta) barely developed tumors. As evidenced by markedly elevated
      Ki67, cyclin D1, and p-Rb protein abundance, proliferative activity was high in
      PV and TRbetaY406F tumors, but low in TRbeta tumors. These results indicate that
      TRbeta acted as a tumor suppressor in PCCL3 cells, whereas TRbetaY406F and PV had
      lost tumor suppressor activity. Interestingly, TRbetaY406F tumors had very low
      necrotic areas with decreased TNFalpha-NFkappaB signaling to lower apoptotic
      activity. In contrast, PV tumors had prominent large necrotic areas, with no
      apparent changes in TNFalpha-NFkappaB signaling, indicating distinct oncogenic
      activities of mutant PV and TRbetaY406F. Thus, the present studies uncovered a
      novel mechanism by which TRbeta could function as a tumor suppressor through
      modulation of the TNFalpha-NFkappaB signaling. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27254277
TI  - Correction: Evidence for Reduced Drug Susceptibility without Emergence of Major
      Protease Mutations following Protease Inhibitor Monotherapy Failure in the SARA
      Trial.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137834.].

PMID- 27254278
TI  - A Single-Cell Assay for Time Lapse Studies of Exosome Secretion and Cell
      Behaviors.
AB  - To understand the inhomogeneity of cells in biological systems, there is a
      growing demand on the capability of characterizing the properties of individual
      single cells. Since single-cell studies require continuous monitoring of the cell
      behaviors, an effective single-cell assay that can support time lapsed studies in
      a high throughput manner is desired. Most currently available single-cell
      technologies cannot provide proper environments to sustain cell growth and,
      proliferation of single cells and convenient, noninvasive tests of single-cell
      behaviors from molecular markers. Here, a highly versatile single-cell assay is
      presented that can accommodate different cellular types, enable easy and
      efficient single-cell loading and culturing, and be suitable for the study of
      effects of in vitro environmental factors in combination with drug screening. One
      salient feature of the assay is the noninvasive collection and surveying of
      single-cell secretions at different time points, producing unprecedented insight
      of single-cell behaviors based on the biomarker signals from individual cells
      under given perturbations. Above all, the acquired information is quantitative,
      for example, measured by the number of exosomes each single-cell secretes for a
      given time period. Therefore, our single-cell assay provides a convenient, low
      cost, and enabling tool for quantitative, time lapsed studies of single-cell
      properties. 

PMID- 27254279
TI  - Perforation forces of the intact porcine anterior lens capsule.
AB  - During the first step of cataract surgery, the lens capsule is perforated and a
      circular hole is created with a sharp instrument, a procedure called
      capsulorhexis. To develop automated systems that can assist ophthalmologists
      during capsulorhexis, the forces required must be quantified. This study
      investigates perforation forces of the central anterior lens capsule in porcine
      eyes, which are used as a conservative model for the human eye. A micro
      mechanical characterisation method is presented that measures capsular bag
      perforation forces with a high precision positioning and high-resolution force
      sensing system. The force during perforation of the anterior lens capsule was
      measured with various sized needles and indentation speeds and is found to be 15
      35mN. A bio-mechanical model is identified that describes an exponential
      correlation between indentation force and depth, indicating strain hardening
      behaviour of the porcine anterior lens capsule.

PMID- 27254280
TI  - Optimization of process parameters for drilled hole quality characteristics
      during cortical bone drilling using Taguchi method.
AB  - Orthopaedic surgery involves drilling of bones to get them fixed at their
      original position. The drilling process used in orthopaedic surgery is most
      likely to the mechanical drilling process and there is all likelihood that it may
      harm the already damaged bone, the surrounding bone tissue and nerves, and the
      peril is not limited at that. It is very much feared that the recovery of that
      part may be impeded so that it may not be able to sustain life long. To achieve
      sustainable orthopaedic surgery, a surgeon must try to control the drilling
      damage at the time of bone drilling. The area around the holes decides the life
      of bone joint and so, the contiguous area of drilled hole must be intact and
      retain its properties even after drilling. This study mainly focuses on
      optimization of drilling parameters like rotational speed, feed rate and the type
      of tool at three levels each used by Taguchi optimization for surface roughness
      and material removal rate. The confirmation experiments were also carried out and
      results found with the confidence interval. Scanning electrode microscopy (SEM)
      images assisted in getting the micro level information of bone damage.

PMID- 27254281
TI  - Acid-resistant calcium silicate-based composite implants with high-strength as
      load-bearing bone graft substitutes and fracture fixation devices.
AB  - To achieve the excellent mechanical properties of biodegradable materials used
      for cortical bone graft substitutes and fracture fixation devices remains a
      challenge. To this end, the biomimetic calcium silicate/gelatin/chitosan
      oligosaccharide composite implants were developed, with an aim of achieving high
      strength, controlled degradation, and superior osteogenic activity. The work
      focused on the effect of gelatin on mechanical properties of the composites under
      four different kinds of mechanical stresses including compression, tensile,
      bending, and impact. The evaluation of in vitro degradability and fatigue at two
      simulated body fluid (SBF) of pH 7.4 and 5.0 was also performed, in which the pH
      5.0 condition simulated clinical conditions caused by bacterial induced local
      metabolic acidosis or tissue inflammation. In addition, human mesenchymal stem
      cells (hMSCs) were sued to examine osteogenic activity. Experimental results
      showed that the appropriate amount of gelatin positively contributed to failure
      enhancement in compressive and impact modes. The 10wt% gelatin-containing
      composite exhibits the maximum value of the compressive strength (166.1MPa),
      which is within the reported compressive strength for cortical bone. The
      stability of the bone implants was apparently affected by the in vitro fatigue,
      but not by the initial pH environments (7.4 or 5.0). The gelatin not only greatly
      enhanced the degradation of the composite when soaked in the dynamic SBF
      solution, but effectively promoted attachment, proliferation, differentiation,
      and formation of mineralization of hMSCs. The 10wt%-gelatin composite with high
      initial strength may be a potential implant candidate for cortical bone repair
      and fracture fixation applications.

PMID- 27254282
TI  - Optimization of Norbornadiene Compounds for Solar Thermal Storage by First
      Principles Calculations.
AB  - Molecular photoswitches capable of storing solar energy are interesting
      candidates for future renewable energy applications. Here, using quantum
      mechanical calculations, we carry out a systematic screening of crucial optical
      (solar spectrum match) and thermal (storage energy density) properties of 64 such
      compounds based on the norbornadiene-quadricyclane system. Whereas a substantial
      number of these molecules reach the theoretical maximum solar power conversion
      efficiency, this requires a strong red-shift of the absorption spectrum, which
      causes undesirable absorption by the photoisomer as well as reduced thermal
      stability. These compounds typically also have a large molecular mass, leading to
      low storage densities. By contrast, single-substituted systems achieve a good
      compromise between efficiency and storage density, while avoiding competing
      absorption by the photo-isomer. This establishes guiding principles for the
      future development of molecular solar thermal storage systems.

PMID- 27254283
TI  - Aprepitant, granisetron, and dexamethasone versus palonosetron and dexamethasone
      for prophylaxis of cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with upper
      gastrointestinal cancer: a randomized crossover phase II trial (KDOG 1002).
AB  - We conducted a randomized trial to compare the safety and effectiveness of
      aprepitant, granisetron, and dexamethasone (AGD) with those of palonosetron and
      dexamethasone (PD) in patients who received highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC).
      Patients with esophageal or gastric cancer who were scheduled to receive HEC
      including at least 60 mg/m of cisplatin as the first-line treatment were randomly
      assigned to receive AGD (oral aprepitant 125 mg on day 1 and 80 mg on days 2-3;
      intravenous granisetron 3 mg on day 1; intravenous dexamethasone 6.6 mg on day 1
      and oral dexamethasone 4 mg on days 2-3) or PD (intravenous palonosetron 0.75 mg
      on day 1; intravenous dexamethasone 13.2 mg on day 1 and oral dexamethasone 8 mg
      on days 2-3). The primary endpoint was a complete response during the overall
      study period (0-120 h after the start of chemotherapy) in the first cycle. Eighty
      five patients were enrolled, and 84 were eligible. The complete response rate did
      not differ between the treatment groups, but the proportion of patients with no
      vomiting was significantly higher in the AGD group than in the PD group (81.4 vs.
      58.5%; P=0.031). The results of a quality-of-life survey indicated that the
      proportion of patients with no or minimal impact on daily life in the vomiting
      domain was significantly higher in the AGD group (79.1 vs. 53.7%; P=0.020). The
      primary endpoint of complete response was not achieved, but AGD seems to be more
      effective than PD for the prevention of HEC-induced vomiting.

PMID- 27254284
TI  - Knockdown of GRP78 enhances cell death by cisplatin and radiotherapy in
      nasopharyngeal cells.
AB  - Radiotherapy and adjuvant cisplatin chemotherapy are the mainstream approaches in
      the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). These have been shown to
      effectively improve the outcome and reduce tumor recurrence. However,
      radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistance during the course of treatment has
      become more common recently, resulting in the failure of NPC therapy. Therefore,
      new therapeutic strategies or adjuvant drugs are urgently needed. The current
      study was designed to look for new treatment strategies or auxiliary drugs in the
      treatment of NPC. Two human NPC cell lines, HNE1 and HNE1/DDP, were used to
      examine the relationship between endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell resistance
      to ionizing radiation (IR) and cisplatin (DDP). Cell proliferation was assessed
      using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.
      Meanwhile, propidium iodide (PI) staining and PI/Annexin V staining were used to
      observe cell apoptosis. Finally, western blot was used to detect the endogenous
      expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and other apoptosis-related
      proteins. GRP78 small interference RNA was transfected using Lipofectamine 2000.
      Compared with HNE1/DDP, IR and DDP increased the cell apoptosis and inhibited the
      cell proliferation of HNE1. Inhibition of GRP78 can reverse IR and DDP resistance
      in NPC cells by PI/Annexin V staining. Knockdown of GRP78 upregulates the
      expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and downregulates the expression of
      antiapoptotic proteins. These results indicate that HNE1 is more sensitive to DDP
      and IR than HNE1/DDP. Knockdown GRP78 can reverse IR and DDP resistance in NPC
      cells. Inhibition of GRP78 gives us a new target to overcome resistance to
      radiotherapy and chemotherapy of NPC cells. Thus, this study should be further
      explored in vivo and assessed for possible clinical applications.

PMID- 27254285
TI  - Cytosine arabinoside and daunorubicin induction therapy in a patient with acute
      myeloid leukemia on chronic hemodialysis.
AB  - The combination of daunorubicin and cytarabine is the cornerstone of induction
      therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Little data are available on the
      optimal chemotherapy regimen for patients with AML and advanced renal failure,
      with some authors recommending administration of reduced daunorubicin doses. We
      report the case of a 54-year-old AML patient on chronic hemodialysis who was
      treated with a modified induction regimen with reduced-dose daunorubin.
      Daunorubicin levels were measured during the treatment schedule. Although
      daunorubicin terminal t1/2 appears to be unaffected in hemodialysis patients, the
      estimated 0-23 h area under the curve was comparable with that of patients
      receiving full-dose daunorubicin. Therefore, dose adjustment in this patient
      group may be prudent.

PMID- 27254286
TI  - Liver stiffness-based score in hepatoma risk assessment for chronic hepatitis C
      patients after successful antiviral therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) after successful
      antiviral therapy remain at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study
      was to determine whether liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was useful in HCC risk
      assessment and to develop a risk-score system for clinical use. METHODS: This
      retrospective study enrolled patients with CHC achieving sustained virological
      response (SVR) after interferon-based therapy with LSM at/after SVR
      determination. The demographics, clinical characteristics and HCC development
      were obtained from medical chart reviews. The diagnosis of HCC was based on
      recommended criteria. RESULTS: A total of 376 (M/F: 185/191, mean age: 54.1
      years) patients, including 278 with pretreatment liver biopsy specimens, with a
      median follow-up period of 7.6 years were enrolled. Twenty-one patients developed
      HCC. The 5- and 10-year cumulative HCC incidences were 1.4% and 7.8%,
      respectively. Multivariate analysis showed advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, diabetes
      and LSM were associated with HCC developments with odds ratio (OR) of 12.38, 2.80
      and 1.01, respectively. For LSM in HCC prediction, the performance and cut-off
      were 0.783 and 12 kilopascal (kPa), respectively. For 278 patients with
      pretreatment biopsy, a risk-score system (score 0-4) combining advanced
      fibrosis/cirrhosis, diabetes and LSM >12 kPa was developed. With the low-risk
      group as a reference, patients in intermediate- (OR: 12.57) and high-risk (OR:
      197.33) groups carried higher risk of HCC development. CONCLUSIONS: For patients
      with CHC achieving SVR, liver stiffness value at/after SVR determination was
      associated with HCC development independently. Patients with pretreatment
      advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, diabetes and LSM >12 kPa after SVR were at high risk
      of HCC development.

PMID- 27254287
TI  - Amino- and Sulfo-Bifunctionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks: One-Pot Tandem
      Catalysis and the Catalytic Sites.
AB  - New MIL-101 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) dually functionalized with amino and
      sulfo groups were fabricated by postsynthetic modification and used to catalyze
      one-pot deacetalization-Knoevenagel condensation. We proved that the MOFs take
      the zwitterionic form, with the catalytic acid site being the ammonium group
      rather than the sulfo one. The acid and base concentrations in the materials are
      correlated, and the ratio can be readily tuned to achieve optimal catalytic
      performance. 

PMID- 27254288
TI  - The Ankylosing Spondylitis-associated HLA-B*2705 presents a B*0702-restricted EBV
      epitope and sustains the clonal amplification of cytotoxic T cells in patients.
AB  - HLA-B*27 is strongly associated with an inflammatory autoimmune disorder, the
      Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and plays a protective role in viral infections. The
      two aspects might be linked. In this work, we compared in B*2705/B*07 positive
      patients with AS, the CD8+ T cell responses to two immunodominant EBV-derived
      epitopes restricted for either the HLA-B*27 (pEBNA3C) or the HLA-B*07 (pEBNA3A).
      We have unexpectedly found that the HLA-B*07-restricted EBNA3A peptide is
      presented by both the B*0702 and the B*2705 but not by the non AS-associated
      B*2709, that differs from the AS-associated B*2705 for a single amino acid in the
      peptide-binding groove (His116Asp). We then analysed 38 B*2705-positive/B*07
      negative (31 AS-patients and 7 healthy donors) and 8 B*2709-positive/B*07
      negative subjects. EBNA3A-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes were present in 55.3% of
      the HLA-B*2705 but in none of the B*2709 donors (p=0.0049). TCR beta-chain
      analysis identified common TCRBV and TCRBJ gene segments and shared CDR3beta
      sequences in pEBNA3A-responsive CTLs of B*2705 carriers, suggesting the existence
      of a shared TCR repertoire for recognition of the uncanonical B*2705/pEBNA3A
      complex. These data highlight the plasticity of the AS-associated HLA-B*2705,
      which presents peptides with suboptimal binding motifs, possibly contributing
      both to its enhanced capacity to protect against pathogens and to predispose to
      autoimmunity.

PMID- 27254290
TI  - UV-photodegradation of desipramine: Impact of concentration, pH and temperature
      on formation of products including their biodegradability and toxicity.
AB  - Desipramine (DMI) is a widely used tricyclic antidepressant, and it is the major
      metabolite of imipramine (IMI) and lofepramine (LMI); IMI and LMI are two of the
      most commonly used tricyclic antidepressants. If DMI enters the aquatic
      environment, it can be transformed by the environmental bacteria or UV radiation.
      Therefore, photolysis of DMI in water was performed using a simulated sunlight
      Xenon-lamp and a UV-lamp. Subsequently, the biodegradability of DMI and its photo
      transformation products (PTPs) formed during its UV photolysis was studied. The
      influence of variable conditions, such as initial DMI concentration, solution pH,
      and temperature, on DMI UV photolysis behavior was also studied. The degree of
      mineralization of DMI and its PTPs was monitored. A Shimadzu HPLC-UV apparatus
      was used to follow the kinetic profile of DMI during UV-irradiation; after that,
      ion-trap and high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with chromatography were
      used to monitor and identify the possible PTPs. The environmentally relevant
      properties and selected toxicity properties of DMI and the non-biodegradable PTPs
      were predicted using different QSAR models. DMI underwent UV photolysis with
      first-order kinetics. Quantum yields were very low. DOC values indicated that DMI
      formed new PTPs and was not completely mineralized. Analysis by means of high
      resolution mass spectrometry revealed that the photolysis of DMI followed three
      main photolysis pathways: isomerization, hydroxylation, and ring opening. The
      photolysis rate was inversely proportional to initial DMI concentration. The pH
      showed a significant impact on the photolysis rate of DMI, and on the PTPs in
      terms of both formation kinetics and mechanisms. Although temperature was
      expected to increase the photolysis rate, it showed a non-significant impact in
      this study. Results from biodegradation tests and QSAR analysis revealed that DMI
      and its PTPs are not readily biodegradable and that some PTPs may be human and/or
      eco-toxic, so they may pose a risk to the environment. 

PMID- 27254291
TI  - The Cooking and Pneumonia Study (CAPS) in Malawi: A Nested Pilot of Photovoice
      Participatory Research Methodology.
AB  - The Cooking and Pneumonia Study (CAPS) is a village-level randomised controlled
      trial of an advanced cookstove intervention to prevent pneumonia in children
      under the age of 5 in rural Malawi (www.capstudy.org). The trial offers a unique
      opportunity to gain understanding about the social and cultural factors that may
      facilitate sustained use of improved cookstoves. In January 2015, the use of
      Photovoice as a participatory research methodology was piloted at the CAPS
      Chikhwawa site. Photovoice is a photographic technique that allows communities
      (including women and marginalised groups) to share knowledge about their
      perspectives and priorities. Four households were given digital cameras and asked
      to collect images over 24-48 hours and were then interviewed on film about their
      selection. This resulted in over 400 images and a one hour long film that
      revealed community concerns and could be thematically analysed. The collection of
      interview data through film was useful for capturing discussion and was
      acceptable to participants. Photovoice is a feasible participatory research
      methodology that can play a valuable role in qualitative studies of improved
      cookstove adoption in challenging resource poor settings. 

PMID- 27254292
TI  - The Temporal Order of Changes in Physical Activity and Subjective Sleep in
      Depressed Versus Nondepressed Individuals: Findings From the MOOVD Study.
AB  - Epidemiological studies have shown an association between physical activity and
      sleep, but it is unclear what the temporal order of this association is and
      whether it differs for depressed patients and healthy controls. Using a multiple
      repeated observations design, 27 depressed and 27 pair-matched nondepressed
      participants completed daily measurements of subjective sleep quality and
      duration during 30 consecutive days while an accelerometer continuously
      registered their physical activity. Changes in sleep duration, not quality,
      predicted next-day changes in physical activity (B = -0.21, p < .001), but not
      the other way around. Significant heterogeneity between individuals was observed,
      but the effect was not different for depressed and nondepressed participants. The
      findings underline the strength of a multiple repeated observations design in
      observational sleep research.

PMID- 27254289
TI  - Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcoholic Hepatitis: A Systematic Review.
AB  - Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) occurs in about one-third of individuals reporting long
      term heavy alcohol use. It is associated with high short-term mortality, economic
      burden, and hospital resources utilization. We performed this systematic review
      to (i) describe clinical characteristics and genomics associated with the risk of
      AH; (ii) discuss role and limitations of liver biopsy and prognostic scoring
      systems; (iii) summarize evidence regarding the currently available therapies
      including liver transplantation; and (iv) outline emerging therapies with areas
      of unmet need. Literature search was performed for studies published in English
      language (January 1971 through March 2016). The following search engines were
      used: PubMed, Elsevier Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. For the treatment
      section, only randomized controlled studies were included for this review. A
      total of 138 studies (59 randomized, 22 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, 7
      surveys or guidelines, 7 population-based, and 43 prospective cohorts) were
      cited. There are over 325,000 annual admissions with AH contributing to about
      0.8% of all hospitalizations in the United States. Liver biopsy may be required
      in about 25 to 30% cases for uncertain clinical diagnosis. Corticosteroids with
      or without N-acetylcysteine remains the only available therapy for severe
      episodes. Data are emerging on the role of liver transplantation as salvage
      therapy for select patients. Abstinence remains the most important factor
      impacting long-term prognosis. Results from the ongoing clinical trials within
      the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-funded consortia are
      awaited for more effective and safer therapies. AH is a potentially lethal
      condition with a significant short-term mortality. A high index of suspicion is
      required. There remains an unmet need for noninvasive biomarkers for the
      diagnosis, and predicting prognosis and response to therapy.

PMID- 27254293
TI  - A systematic review of motivational values and conservation success in and around
      protected areas.
AB  - In conservation projects in and around protected areas (PAs), a suite of policy
      instruments are used to promote conservation behavior in local people. Few
      studies have related psychological research on motivational values to
      conservation in PAs. We conducted a systematic review of 120 peer-reviewed
      articles to assess the relative frequencies of policy instruments that aimed to
      foster intrinsic versus extrinsic motivations to conserve. We examined how the
      type of motivation engendered by the instrument (i.e., intrinsic or extrinsic
      motivation and based on the description of how the project was designed and
      implemented) influenced the ecological, economic, and social success of the
      project. We assessed the success of the project in only the case studies that
      included a quantitative or qualitative analysis of success. Projects designed to
      foster at least one intrinsically motivating instrument were 3 times more likely
      to meet socioeconomic or ecological goals. Although certain types of instruments
      such as payments or fines tended to be based on extrinsic motivators more often
      than education or monitoring programs, several successful projects involving
      payments or fines were linked to intrinsic motivation in the local community.
      Thus, our results suggest that rather than debating the relative merits of
      specific types of policy instruments, conservationists may have more success by
      focusing on how different motivators, suited to specific contexts, can better
      empower local communities to conserve. Broadly, our results suggest the current
      emphasis on social justice and well-being of local communities is a positive step
      toward protecting the world's remaining biodiversity.

PMID- 27254294
TI  - Treatment of seafood processing wastewater using upflow microbial fuel cell for
      power generation and identification of bacterial community in anodic biofilm.
AB  - Tubular upflow microbial fuel cell (MFC) utilizing sea food processing wastewater
      was evaluated for wastewater treatment efficiency and power generation. At an
      organic loading rate (OLR) of 0.6 g d(-1), the MFC accomplished total and soluble
      chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 83 and 95%, respectively. A maximum power
      density of 105 mW m(-2) (2.21 W m(-3)) was achieved at an OLR of 2.57 g d(-1).
      The predominant bacterial communities of anode biofilm were identified as RB1A
      (LC035455), RB1B (LC035456), RB1C (LC035457) and RB1E (LC035458). All the four
      strains belonged to genera Stenotrophomonas. The results of the study reaffirms
      that the seafood processing wastewater can be treated in an upflow MFC for
      simultaneous power generation and wastewater treatment. 

PMID- 27254301
TI  - Erratum: Reduced Graphene Oxide Thin Film on Conductive Substrates by Bipolar
      Electrochemistry.

PMID- 27254302
TI  - Isoform-specific targeting of ROCK proteins in immune cells.
AB  - Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1) and ROCK2 are activated by Rho GTPase and control
      cytoskeleton rearrangement through modulating the phosphorylation of their down
      stream effector molecules. Although these 2 isoforms share more than 90% homology
      within their kinase domain the question of whether ROCK proteins function
      identically in different cell types is not clear. By using both pharmacological
      inhibition and genetic knockdown approaches recent studies suggest that the ROCK2
      isoform plays an exclusive role in controlling of T-cell plasticity and
      macrophage polarization. Specifically, selective ROCK2 inhibition shifts the
      balance between pro-inflammatory and regulatory T-cell subsets via concurrent
      regulation of STAT3 and STAT5 phosphorylation, respectively. Furthermore, the
      administration of an orally available selective ROCK2 inhibitor effectively
      ameliorates clinical manifestations in experimental models of autoimmunity and
      chronic graft-vs.-host disease (cGVHD). Because ROCK2 inhibition results in the
      suppression of M2-type macrophages while favoring polarization of M1-type
      macrophages, ROCK2 inhibition can correct the macrophage imbalance seen during
      age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In summary, the exclusive role of ROCK2
      in immune system modulation argues for the development and testing of isoform
      specific ROCK2 inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

PMID- 27254303
TI  - Catalytic Radical Reduction in Aqueous Solution by a Ruthenium Hydride
      Intermediate.
AB  - Some manganese complexes can catalyze both antioxidant and pro-oxidant reactions,
      whereby the disparate reactivity modes are determined by the catalyst environment
      and afford distinct therapeutic effects. We recently reported the reduction of
      radicals in buffered aqueous solution catalyzed by a ruthenium complex with
      biologically relevant non-tertiary alcohols as terminal reductants. Mechanistic
      evidence is presented, indicating that this catalytic radical reduction is
      achieved by a Ru-hydride intermediate formed by beta-hydride elimination from a
      Ru-alkoxide species. A similar mechanism and Ru-hydride intermediate was
      previously reported to kill cancer cells with catalytic pro-oxidant effects.
      Therefore, our demonstration of catalytic antioxidant effects by the same type of
      intermediate reveals new potential therapeutic strategies and applications for
      catalytic systems that form Ru-hydride intermediates.

PMID- 27254304
TI  - Biomembranes from slaughterhouse blood erythrocytes as prolonged release systems
      for dexamethasone sodium phosphate.
AB  - The present study investigated preparation of bovine and porcine erythrocyte
      membranes from slaughterhouse blood as bio-derived materials for delivery of
      dexamethasone-sodium phosphate (DexP). The obtained biomembranes, i.e., ghosts
      were characterized in vitro in terms of morphological properties, loading
      parameters, and release behavior. For the last two, an UHPLC/-HESI-MS/MS based
      analytical procedure for absolute drug identification and quantification was
      developed. The results revealed that loading of DexP into both type of ghosts was
      directly proportional to the increase of drug concentration in the incubation
      medium, while incubation at 37 degrees C had statistically significant effect on
      loaded amount of DexP (P < 0.05). The encapsulation efficiency was about fivefold
      higher in porcine compared to bovine ghosts. Insight into ghosts' surface
      morphology by field emission-scanning electron microscopy and atomic force
      microscopy confirmed that besides inevitable effects of osmosis, DexP inclusion
      itself had no observable additional effect on the morphology of the ghosts
      carriers. DexP release profiles were dependent on erythrocyte ghost type and
      amount of residual hemoglobin. However, sustained DexP release was achieved and
      shown over 3 days from porcine ghosts and 5 days from bovine erythrocyte ghosts.
      (c) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1046
      1055, 2016.

PMID- 27254305
TI  - Up-front Targeted Therapy Prior to Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Treatment-Naive
      Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PMID- 27254306
TI  - Rational Design of Porous Conjugated Polymers and Roles of Residual Palladium for
      Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production.
AB  - Developing highly efficient photocatalyts for water splitting is one of the grand
      challenges in solar energy conversion. Here, we report the rational design and
      synthesis of porous conjugated polymer (PCP) that photocatalytically generates
      hydrogen from water splitting. The design mimics natural photosynthetics systems
      with conjugated polymer component to harvest photons and the transition metal
      part to facilitate catalytic activities. A series of PCPs have been synthesized
      with different light harvesting chromophores and transition metal binding
      bipyridyl (bpy) sites. The photocatalytic activity of these bpy-containing PCPs
      can be greatly enhanced due to the improved light absorption, better wettability,
      local ordering structure, and the improved charge separation process. The PCP
      made of strong and fully conjugated donor chromophore DBD (M4) shows the highest
      hydrogen production rate at ~33 MUmol/h. The results indicate that
      copolymerization between a strong electron donor and weak electron acceptor into
      the same polymer chain is a useful strategy for developing efficient
      photocatalysts. This study also reveals that the residual palladium in the PCP
      networks plays a key role for the catalytic performance. The hydrogen generation
      activity of PCP photocatalyst can be further enhanced to 164 MUmol/h with an
      apparent quantum yield of 1.8% at 350 nm by loading 2 wt % of extra platinum
      cocatalyst.

PMID- 27254307
TI  - WSe2 nanoribbons: new high-performance thermoelectric materials.
AB  - In this work, for the first time, we systematically investigate the ballistic
      transport properties of WSe2 nanoribbons using first-principles methods. Armchair
      nanoribbons with narrow ribbon width are mostly semiconductive but the zigzag
      nanoribbons are metallic. Surprisingly, an enhancement in thermoelectric
      performance is discovered moving from monolayers to nanoribbons, especially
      armchair ones. The maximum room-temperature thermoelectric figure of merit of 2.2
      for an armchair nanoribbon is discovered. This may be contributed to by the
      effects of the disordered edges, owing to the existence of dangling bonds at the
      ribbon edge. H-passivation has turned out to be an effective way to stabilize the
      edge atoms, which enhances the thermodynamic stability of the nanoribbons. In
      addition, after H-passivation, all of the armchair nanoribbons exhibit
      semiconductive properties with similar band gaps (~1.3 eV). Our work provides
      instructional theoretical evidence for the application of armchair WSe2
      nanoribbons as promising thermoelectric materials. The enhancement mechanism of
      the disordered edge effect can also encourage further exploration to achieve
      outstanding thermoelectric materials. 

PMID- 27254308
TI  - Proteomic profile of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with multiple sclerosis
      using two dimensional gel electrophoresis.

PMID- 27254309
TI  - The incidence rate and characteristics of clinically diagnosed defecatory
      disorders in the community.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Defecatory disorders (DD) are defined by clinical and objective
      features of impaired rectal evacuation. The epidemiology of DD in the population
      is unknown, partly because many constipated patients do not undergo anorectal
      tests. Our objectives were to estimate the incidence rate and clinical features
      of DD in the community. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients
      older than 16 years in Olmsted County, MN, who had constipation and underwent
      anorectal manometry from 1999 through 2008. Criteria for diagnosing DD were
      constipation for 6 months or longer and one of the following: (i) abnormal rectal
      balloon expulsion test; (ii) reduced or increased perineal descent; or (iii) two
      or more abnormal features with defecography or surface electromyography. KEY
      RESULTS: Of 11 112 constipated patients, 516 had undergone anorectal tests; 245
      of these (209 women, 36 men) had a DD. The mean (+/-SD) age at diagnosis was 44
      years (+/-18) among women and 49 years (+/-19) among men. The overall age- and
      sex-adjusted incidence rate per 100 000 person-years was 19.3 (95% CI: 16.8
      21.8). The age-adjusted incidence per 100 000 person-years was greater (p <
      0.0001) in women (31.8, 95% CI: 27.4-36.1) than in men (6.6, 95% CI: 4.4-8.9).
      Prior to the diagnosis of DD, nearly 30% of patients had irritable bowel syndrome
      (IBS), 48% had a psychiatric diagnosis, 18% had a history of abuse, and 21%
      reported urinary and/or fecal incontinence. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Among
      constipated patients, DD are fourfold more common in women than men and often
      associated with IBS and psychiatric diagnoses.

PMID- 27254310
TI  - Effect of D3 dopamine receptor on dopamine D4 receptor expression and function in
      renal proximal tubule cells from Wistar-Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive
      rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dopamine receptors induce natriuresis in kidney. Previous studies
      have shown interactions between different subtypes of dopamine receptors in renal
      proximal tubule (RPT) cells. We hypothesize that D3 receptors have an interaction
      with D4 receptors in RPT cells from normotensive rats (Wistar-Kyoto, WKY) and
      spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS: Immunoblotting and reverse
      transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to examine the
      expression of D3 and D4 receptors. Na-K-ATPase activity was used to measure the
      function of receptors. The distribution and colocalization of D3 and D4 receptors
      were detected by confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: D3
      receptor agonist PD128907 increased the mRNA and protein expression of D4
      receptors in RPT cells from WKY rats, but decreased that from SHRs. In the
      presence of PLC blocker (U73122, 10-mol/l) or PKC inhibitor 19 -31 (10-mol/l),
      the up-regulation of D3 receptor on D4 receptor was lost in WKY cells. Moreover,
      stimulation with PD128907 for 30 minutes decreased D4 receptor degradation in WKY
      cells, not in SHR cells. D3 and D4 receptors colocalized and co
      immunoprecipitated in RPT cells. PD128907 increased co-immunoprecipitation of D3
      and D4 receptors in WKY RPT cells, but not in SHR RPT cells. Pre-treatment with
      D3 receptor agonist also increases D4 receptor mediated inhibitory effect on Na-K
      ATPase activity in WKY cells, but not in SHR cells. CONCLUSION: Renal D3 receptor
      regulates the expression and function of D4 receptor in RPT cells via PLC /PKC
      signaling pathway, the loss of this interaction might be involved in the
      pathogenesis of hypertension.

PMID- 27254311
TI  - A high normal ankle-brachial index combined with a high pulse wave velocity is
      associated with cerebral microbleeds.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Arterial stiffness is associated with the pathogenesis of cerebral
      microbleeds (CMBs). The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is used to predict arterial
      stiffness. We hypothesized that the increase in ABI with age occurs as a result
      of increasing arterial stiffness and wave reflection, and is thus associated with
      target organ damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship
      between ABI, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and CMBs. METHODS: We
      recruited 990 cardiovascular disease-free and stroke-free participants [median
      age 53 (24-86) years, 531 were woman] who underwent brain MRI, ABI, and baPWV at
      a health checkup. RESULTS: The prevalence of CMBs was 4%. Both ABI (1.14 vs.
      1.10) and baPWV (17.29 vs. 14.68 m/s) were higher in participants with CMBs than
      those without. Cutoff values of ABI and baPWV for the presence of CMBs were 1.12
      and 16.07 m/s, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed
      that ABI at least 1.12 [odds ratio (OR) 2.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30
      5.37, P < 0.05] and baPWV at least 16.07 m/s (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.02-4.38, P <
      0.05) were independently associated with CMBs. Moreover, the combination of ABI
      at least 1.12 and baPWV at least 16.07 m/s was strongly associated with CMBs (OR
      5.26, 95% CI 1.93-16.92, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A high normal ABI, combined with
      a high baPWV, was strongly associated with CMBs in a screened Japanese cohort,
      suggesting a novel use for ABI as a predictor for target organ damage.

PMID- 27254312
TI  - Electrocardiographic left atrial abnormalities and risk of incident stroke in
      hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent findings in population-based studies suggest that abnormal P
      wave terminal force in lead V1 (PTFV1), a marker of left atrial abnormalities
      such as fibrosis, dilatation and elevated filling pressures, is associated with
      incident ischemic stroke, even in the absence of atrial fibrillation. However,
      whether PTFV1 predicts incident stroke in hypertensive patients during blood
      pressure lowering has not been examined. METHODS: Risk of incident stroke was
      examined in relation to abnormal PTFV1 on a baseline ECG in 7778 hypertensive
      patients with ECG left ventricular hypertrophy, no history of atrial
      fibrillation, in sinus rhythm on their baseline ECG with no incident atrial
      fibrillation during follow-up, who were randomly assigned to losartan-based or
      atenolol-based treatment. Results focused on the subset of patients between 55
      and 60 years old (n = 1879) because of a significant interaction between PTFV1
      and age in Cox analyses. Abnormal PTFV1 was defined by the presence of a negative
      terminal P wave in lead V1 with amplitude * duration >= 4000 MUV ms. RESULTS:
      During mean follow-up of 4.8 +/- 0.9 years, 364 patients (4.7%) of the overall
      study population and 45 patients (2.4%) in the subset of patients aged 60 years
      or less experienced a definite stroke. In the overall population, abnormal PTFV1
      was not a significant predictor of incident stroke [hazard ratio 1.12, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 0.91-1.38, P = 0.301], but there was a highly
      significant interaction of PTFV1 with age stratified at 60 (P = 0.009, hazard
      ratio 2.30, 95% CI 1.27-4.13, P = 0.006 for abnormal PTFV1 in the interaction
      model). Further analyses in the subset of patients aged 60 years or less revealed
      a higher incidence of stroke occurred in those with abnormal than normal baseline
      PTFV1: incidence rate per 1000 person-years, 7.8 (95% CI 5.2-11.4) vs 3.4 (95% CI
      2.2-5.2; P = 0.004); a greater than two-fold increased risk of incident stroke
      (hazard ratio 2.31, 95% CI 1.28-4.16, P = 0.005) in univariate Cox analysis; and
      in multivariable Cox regression models that adjusted for other significant
      predictors of incident stroke in this population (sex, history of stroke or
      transient ischemic attack, ischemic heart disease or diabetes, baseline
      creatinine and in-treatment SBP), that abnormal PTFV1 remained associated with a
      greater than two-fold increased risk of incident stroke (hazard ratio 2.06; 95%
      CI 1.14-3.74, P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Abnormal PTFV1, a marker of left atrial
      abnormality, was strongly associated with incident stroke in hypertensive
      patients, independent of in-treatment SBP and other predictors of incident
      stroke. This association, in the absence of detectable atrial fibrillation,
      suggests that an underlying atrial cardiopathy may cause left atrial thrombus
      formation and a subsequent stroke without intervening clinically recognized
      atrial fibrillation.

PMID- 27254313
TI  - Changes in albuminuria and cardiovascular risk under antihypertensive treatment:
      a systematic review and meta-regression analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased urine albumin excretion (UAE) is a well known predictor of
      cardiovascular events in patients with primary hypertension. Whether a reduction
      in UAE is associated to an improvement in cardiovascular risk is at present
      unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of
      available trials to investigate whether treatment-induced changes in UAE are
      related to cardiovascular outcome. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, ISIWeb of
      Science, Cochrane Database and Scopus for studies including hypertensive
      patients, which reported cardiovascular events and UAE at baseline and at end of
      follow-up. RESULTS: In trials reporting pairwise comparisons between
      antihypertensive treatment for cardiovascular outcome (16 randomized controlled
      trials and 48 580 patients, mean follow-up 45 months, 5867 cardiovascular events)
      after adjustment for differences in achieved blood pressure, a relationship
      between changes in albuminuria and risk was evident in the presence of a relevant
      between-arms difference in albuminuria [relative risks (RR) pooled 0.45,
      confidence interval (CI) 0.23-0.85] but not when no improvement in UAE was found
      between randomized arms (RR pooled 1.04, 95% CI 0.86-1.26, P for difference
      between subgroups <0.001). Meta-regression analysis showed a relationship between
      changes in albuminuria and risk after adjustment for blood pressure variation
      under treatment (adj. coeff. 0.005, 95% CI 0.0005-0.0096, P = 0.033, R 34.8%). In
      studies reporting changes in cardiovascular events on the basis of UAE variations
      (six trials and 36 325 patients, mean follow-up 60 months, 3741 cardiovascular
      events), the overall adjusted RR of total cardiovascular events was 0.51 (95% CI
      0.38-0.59, P = 0.000) for albuminuria regression/stable vs increase. CONCLUSION:
      Reduction in UAE under antihypertensive treatment is associated with reduced risk
      of clinical cardiovascular events. Our findings suggest that UAE changes may
      represent a valuable intermediate end point for cardiovascular events in primary
      hypertension.

PMID- 27254314
TI  - Thirty-Day Perioperative Outcomes in Pediatric Parotidectomy.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Limited information exists about the short-term morbidity of
      parotidectomy in children. This information is important when counseling parents
      and planning treatment for children with parotid masses. OBJECTIVE: To examine 30
      day perioperative outcomes after parotidectomy in the pediatric population.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective case series of 87 pediatric
      patients who underwent parotidectomy from January 1, 2008, to June 30, 2015,
      performed by 2 pediatric head and neck specialists in a tertiary care pediatric
      hospital. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Thirty-day perioperative complications,
      postoperative facial nerve function, reoperation rates, and readmission rates
      were the main outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures were operative time
      and length of stay. RESULTS: Ninety parotidectomies (71 superficial and 19 total)
      were performed in 87 patients (48 male and 39 female). Mean age at operation was
      8.3 years. Eighty-five of the cases (94%) were performed for benign disease. Mean
      operative time was 4.09 hours (range, 1.58-10.43 hours) and mean length of stay
      was 2.24 days (range, 0.97-4.33 days). Immediate postoperative facial weakness
      was observed in 32 cases (36%); 10 of these cases (31%) involved the upper branch
      and 29 (90%) involved the lower branch. Immediate postoperative paresis occurred
      more often after total parotidectomy vs superficial parotidectomy (11 of 19 [58%]
      vs 21 of 71 [30%]; P = .03) but was unrelated to the etiologic cause of the
      patients' parotid disease. Thirty of 32 cases (94%) of facial nerve weakness were
      transient, and the mean time to resolution was 61 days. Eleven complications
      (12%) other than facial nerve weakness occurred during the 30-day postoperative
      period. Three patients (3%) required a return to the operating room for hematoma
      or wound dehiscence. One patient (1%) required readmission in the 30-day
      postoperative period for contralateral parotitis. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: We
      observed a low rate of 30-day perioperative complications as a result of
      superficial or total parotidectomy for pediatric parotid disease. Major adverse
      events included return to the operating room and 1 wound infection. Only 1
      patient required readmission. Transient weakness of the facial nerve is
      relatively common, observed more often in the lower division, and can be expected
      to resolve in most patients by an average of 2 months.

PMID- 27254315
TI  - Accelerated MRI of the fetal heart using compressed sensing and metric optimized
      gating.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop and validate a method for accelerated time-resolved imaging
      of the fetal heart using a combination of compressed sensing (CS) and metric
      optimized gating (MOG). THEORY AND METHODS: Joint optimization of CS and MOG
      reconstructions was used to suppress competing artifact from random undersampling
      and ungated cardiac motion. Retrospectively and prospectively undersampled adult
      and fetal data were used to validate the proposed reconstruction algorithm
      qualitatively based on visual assessment, and quantitatively based on
      reconstruction error, blur, and MOG timing error. RESULTS: Excellent agreement
      was observed between the fully sampled and retrospectively undersampled
      reconstructions, up to an undersampling factor of four. Visually, differences
      between ECG and MOG reconstructions of adult data were negligible. This was
      consistent with quantitative comparisons of reconstruction error (RMSEECG  = 0.07
      0.13; RMSEMOG  = 0.08-0.13), and image blur (BECG  = 1.03-1.20; BMOG  = 1.03
      1.20). The calculated MOG timing error (2-42 ms) was comparable to the acquired
      temporal resolution (~60 ms). Quantitative evaluation of retrospectively
      undersampled (R = 2-8) fetal data (RMSEMOG  = 0.06-0.12; BMOG  = 1.04-1.27) was
      comparable to the adult volunteer results. CONCLUSION: CS-MOG for dynamic imaging
      of the fetal heart was developed and validated. Using CS-MOG, images were
      obtained up to four times faster than conventional acquisitions. Magn Reson Med
      77:2125-2135, 2017. (c) 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in
      Medicine.

PMID- 27254316
TI  - P120-Catenin Regulates Early Trafficking Stages of the N-Cadherin Precursor
      Complex.
AB  - It is well established that binding of p120 catenin to the cytoplasmic domain of
      surface cadherin prevents cadherin endocytosis and degradation, contributing to
      cell-cell adhesion. In the present work we show that p120 catenin bound to the N
      cadherin precursor, contributes to its anterograde movement from the endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) to the Golgi complex. In HeLa cells, depletion of p120 expression,
      or blocking its binding to N-cadherin, increased the accumulation of the
      precursor in the ER, while it decreased the localization of mature N-cadherin at
      intercellular junctions. Reconstitution experiments in p120-deficient SW48 cells
      with all three major isoforms of p120 (1, 3 and 4) had similar capacity to
      promote the processing of the N-cadherin precursor to the mature form, and its
      localization at cell-cell junctions. P120 catenin and protein tyrosine
      phosphatase PTP1B facilitated the recruitment of the N-ethylmaleimide sensitive
      factor (NSF), an ATPase involved in vesicular trafficking, to the N-cadherin
      precursor complex. Dominant negative NSF E329Q impaired N-cadherin trafficking,
      maturation and localization at cell-cell junctions. Our results uncover a new
      role for p120 catenin bound to the N-cadherin precursor ensuring its trafficking
      through the biosynthetic pathway towards the cell surface. 

PMID- 27254318
TI  - Perfluoroalkylation of Unactivated Alkenes with Acid Anhydrides as the
      Perfluoroalkyl Source.
AB  - An efficient perfluoroalkylation of unactivated alkenes with perfluoro acid
      anhydrides was developed. Copper salts play a crucial role as a catalyst to
      achieve allylic perfluoroalkylation with the in situ generated bis(perfluoroacyl)
      peroxides. Furthermore, carboperfluoroalkylation of alkene bearing an aromatic
      ring at an appropriate position on the carbon side chain was found to proceed
      under metal-free conditions to afford carbocycles or heterocycles bearing a
      perfluoroalkyl group. This method, which makes use of readily available
      perfluoroalkyl sources, offers a convenient and powerful tool for introducing a
      perfluoroalkyl group onto an sp(3) carbon to construct synthetically useful
      skeletons.

PMID- 27254319
TI  - Intraocular Teratoid Medulloepithelioma Presenting With a Completely
      Rhabdomyosarcomatous Distant Metastasis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Medulloepithelioma is the second most common primary neuroepithelial
      tumor of the eye. The full range of its morphologic expressions and appearances
      in metastases have not been fully explored. OBSERVATIONS: A patient in her 50s
      with glaucoma for decades had undergone multiple filtering surgical procedures,
      including the placement of a glaucoma drainage device. A paraspinal mass was
      discovered, and tumor and bone marrow biopsies disclosed rhabdomyosarcoma. This
      led to the discovery of a multicystic intraocular tumor. A metastatic
      rhabdomyosarcoma to the eye was considered unlikely because, to our knowledge,
      this event had never been reported. An enucleation was performed, and an
      intraocular tumor composed almost entirely of rhabdomyoblasts (desmin- and
      myogenin-positive) was discovered along with rare clusters of persistent
      neuroepithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: To our knowledge, this is the
      first case of a medulloepithelioma in which teratoid rhabdomyoblasts effaced all
      but trace amounts of neuroepithelium and generated a distant metastasis entirely
      composed of rhabdomyoblasts. The prolonged history and filtering procedures
      probably led to these 2 phenomena.

PMID- 27254317
TI  - Gut Microbiota Conversion of Dietary Ellagic Acid into Bioactive Phytoceutical
      Urolithin A Inhibits Heme Peroxidases.
AB  - Numerous studies signify that diets rich in phytochemicals offer many beneficial
      functions specifically during pathologic conditions, yet their effects are often
      not uniform due to inter-individual variation. The host indigenous gut microbiota
      and their modifications of dietary phytochemicals have emerged as factors that
      greatly influence the efficacy of phytoceutical-based intervention. Here, we
      investigated the biological activities of one such active microbial metabolite,
      Urolithin A (UA or 3,8-dihydroxybenzo[c]chromen-6-one), which is derived from the
      ellagic acid (EA). Our study demonstrates that UA potently inhibits heme
      peroxidases i.e. myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lactoperoxidase (LPO) when compared to
      the parent compound EA. In addition, chrome azurol S (CAS) assay suggests that
      EA, but not UA, is capable of binding to Fe3+, due to its catechol-like
      structure, although its modest heme peroxidase inhibitory activity is abrogated
      upon Fe3+-binding. Interestingly, UA-mediated MPO and LPO inhibition can be
      prevented by innate immune protein human NGAL or its murine ortholog lipocalin 2
      (Lcn2), implying the complex nature of host innate immunity-microbiota
      interactions. Spectral analysis indicates that UA inhibits heme peroxidase
      catalyzed reaction by reverting the peroxidase back to its inactive native state.
      In support of these in vitro results, UA significantly reduced phorbol myristate
      acetate (PMA)-induced superoxide generation in neutrophils, however, EA failed to
      block the superoxide generation. Treatment with UA significantly reduced PMA
      induced mouse ear edema and MPO activity compared to EA treated mice.
      Collectively, our results demonstrate that microbiota-mediated conversion of EA
      to UA is advantageous to both host and microbiota i.e. UA-mediated inhibition of
      pro-oxidant enzymes reduce tissue inflammation, mitigate non-specific killing of
      gut bacteria, and abrogate iron-binding property of EA, thus providing a
      competitive edge to the microbiota in acquiring limiting nutrient iron and thrive
      in the gut. 

PMID- 27254320
TI  - Aqueous Growth of Gold Clusters with Tunable Fluorescence Using Photochemically
      Modified Lipoic Acid-Based Ligands.
AB  - We report a one-phase aqueous growth of fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs)
      with tunable emission in the visible spectrum, using a ligand scaffold that is
      made of poly(ethylene glycol) segment appended with a metal coordinating lipoic
      acid at one end and a functional group at the other end. This synthetic scheme
      exploits the ability of the UV-induced photochemical transformation of LA-based
      ligands to provide DHLA and other thiol byproducts that exhibit great affinity to
      metal nanoparticles, obviating the need for chemical reduction of the dithiolane
      ring using classical reducing agents. The influence of various experimental
      conditions, including the photoirradiation time, gold precursor-to-ligand molar
      ratios, time of reaction, temperature, and the medium pH, on the growth of AuNCs
      has been systematically investigated. The photophysical properties, size, and
      structural characterization were carried out using UV-vis absorption and
      fluorescence spectroscopy, TEM, DOSY-NMR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
      The hydrodynamic size (RH) obtained by DOSY-NMR indicates that the size of these
      clusters follows the trend anticipated from the absorption and PL data, with
      RH(red) > RH(yellow) > RH(blue). The tunable emission and size of these gold
      nanoclusters combined with their high biocompatibility would make them greatly
      promising for potential use in imaging and sensing applications.

PMID- 27254375
TI  - Experience by children and adolescents of more than one type of maltreatment:
      Association of different classes of maltreatment profiles with clinical outcome
      variables.
AB  - Most victims of child abuse have experienced more than one type of maltreatment,
      yet there is a lack of understanding of the impact of specific combinations of
      types of maltreatment. This study aimed to identify meaningful classes of
      maltreatment profiles and to associate them with short-term clinical outcomes. A
      total of 358 German children and adolescents aged 4-17 with a known history of
      child maltreatment were included in the study. Through interviews and
      questionnaires, information was obtained from participants and their primary
      caregivers on history of maltreatment, sociodemographics, psychopathology, level
      of psychosocial functioning, and health-related quality of life. Types of abuse
      were categorized into six major groups: sexual abuse in general, sexual abuse
      with penetration, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to
      domestic violence. A latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to determine
      distinct multi-type maltreatment profiles, which were then assessed for their
      associations with the sociodemographic and clinical outcome variables. The LCA
      revealed that participants could be categorized into three meaningful classes
      according to history of maltreatment: (1) experience of multiple types of
      maltreatment excluding sexual abuse (63.1%), (2) experience of multiple types of
      maltreatment including sexual abuse (26.5%), and (3) experience of predominantly
      sexual abuse (10.3%). Members of Class 2 showed significantly worse short-term
      outcomes on psychopathology, level of functioning, and quality of life compared
      to the other classes. Three distinct profiles of multiple types of maltreatment
      were empirically identified in this sample. Exposure to multiple types of abuse
      was associated with poorer outcomes.

PMID- 27254376
TI  - Disposition of emergency department patients diagnosed with acute heart failure:
      an international emergency medicine perspective.
AB  - Many patients with acute heart failure are initially managed in emergency
      departments (EDs) worldwide. Although some require hospitalization for further
      management, it is likely that a sizeable proportion could be safely discharged
      either directly from the ED or after a more extended period of management in an
      observation-type unit. Identification of low-risk patients who are safe for such
      an approach to management continues to be a global unmet need. This is driven in
      part by a lack of clarity on postdischarge outcomes for lower risk patients and a
      nonexistent consensus on what may be acceptable event rates. The current paper
      reviews previous studies carried out on patients directly discharged from the ED,
      suggests a general disposition algorithm and focuses on discharge metrics, which
      are based on both evidence and expert opinion. In addition, we propose that the
      following variables be considered for future determination of acceptable event
      rates: (a) baseline characteristics and risk status of the patient; (b) access to
      follow-up;

PMID- 27254377
TI  - Chemotherapy: Response and Survival Data #99.

PMID- 27254379
TI  - Interleukin-33, friend and foe in type-2 immune responses.
AB  - IL-33 is the most recent addition to the IL-1 cytokine family, identified in 2005
      as the ligand of T1/ST2 and inducer of type-2 immune responses. IL-33 has been
      implicated in a wide range of disease settings, in anti-inflammatory responses
      and homeostasis, and thus signalling must be strictly regulated. Altered gene
      expression, post-translational modification, decoy receptor, and receptor
      signalling are all modulatory mechanisms used to control the IL-33 pathway.
      Understanding both the genetic and post-translational factors influencing IL-33
      activity will be critical for provision of safe effective treatment of type-2
      disorders.

PMID- 27254380
TI  - Childhood allergies and asthma: New insights on environmental exposures and local
      immunity at the lung barrier.
AB  - While certain bacteria and respiratory viruses promote local inflammation and
      disease onset, a more diverse colonization of the different species in the (gut)
      microbiome may be linked to more regulatory responses and protection against
      asthma and allergies. These processes are also influenced in part by food intake,
      both targeting the composition of the gut microbiome and influencing the immune
      system via metabolites. Early life environmental microbial exposure also
      contributes to protection against asthma and allergy and is linked with an early
      activation of the innate immune system and the development of regulatory immune
      responses. Although greater mechanistic insight is needed, it is tempting to
      speculate that part of the environmental effect can be explained by modulation of
      the microbiome composition at mucosal surfaces, epithelial barrier function
      and/or local immunity. A review of the latest studies is provided.

PMID- 27254381
TI  - The self-assembly of copolymers with one hydrophobic and one polyelectrolyte
      block in aqueous media: a dissipative particle dynamics study.
AB  - The reversible self-assembly of symmetrical block copolymers consisting of one
      hydrophobic block and one ionizable polyelectrolyte block of the same length has
      been studied in aqueous solutions by dissipative particle dynamics simulations.
      In addition to three standard dissipative particle dynamics forces (conservative
      soft repulsion, dissipative and stochastic forces), explicit interaction between
      smeared charges on ions and on ionized polymer beads described by the
      electrostatic potential with appropriately localized charges was taken into
      account. The self-assembly and properties of formed core-shell micelles were
      investigated as functions of the degree of ionization for systems differing in
      the hydrophobicity of the non-ionized polyelectrolyte block and in the
      compatibility of the polymer blocks. This study shows that micelles undergo
      massive dissociation with increasing degree of ionization. The simulation data
      compare well with the predictions of scaling theories for systems with soluble
      polyelectrolytes on a semi-quantitative level and broaden the knowledge of
      systems in poor solvents. 

PMID- 27254382
TI  - Tuning the Protein Corona of Hydrogel Nanoparticles: The Synthesis of Abiotic
      Protein and Peptide Affinity Reagents.
AB  - Nanomaterials, when introduced into a complex, protein-rich environment, rapidly
      acquire a protein corona. The type and amount of proteins that constitute the
      corona depend significantly on the synthetic identity of the nanomaterial. For
      example, hydrogel nanoparticles (NPs) such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPAm)
      have little affinity for plasma proteins; in contrast, carboxylated poly(styrene)
      NPs acquire a dense protein corona. This range of protein adsorption suggests
      that the protein corona might be "tuned" by controlling the chemical composition
      of the NP. In this Account, we demonstrate that small libraries of synthetic
      polymer NPs incorporating a diverse pool of functional monomers can be screened
      for candidates with high affinity and selectivity to targeted biomacromolecules.
      Through directed synthetic evolution of NP compositions, one can tailor the
      protein corona to create synthetic organic hydrogel polymer NPs with high
      affinity and specificity to peptide toxins, enzymes, and other functional
      proteins, as well as to specific domains of large proteins. In addition, many
      NIPAm NPs undergo a change in morphology as a function of temperature. This
      transformation often correlates with a significant change in NP-biomacromolecule
      affinity, resulting in a temperature-dependent protein corona. This temperature
      dependence has been used to develop NP hydrogels with autonomous affinity
      switching for the protection of proteins from thermal stress and as a method of
      biomacromolecule purification through a selective thermally induced catch and
      release. In addition to temperature, changes in pH or buffer can also alter a NP
      protein corona composition, a property that has been exploited for protein
      purification. Finally, synthetic polymer nanoparticles with low nanomolar
      affinity for a peptide toxin were shown to capture and neutralize the toxin in
      the bloodstream of living mice. While the development of synthetic polymer
      alternatives to protein affinity reagents is in its early stages, these recent
      successes using only small libraries of functional monomers are most encouraging.
      It is likely that by expanding the chemical diversity of functional hydrogels and
      other polymers, a much broader range of NP-biomacromolecule affinity pairs will
      result. Since these robust, nontoxic polymers are readily synthesized in the
      chemistry laboratory, we believe the results presented in this Account offer a
      promising future for the development of low cost alternatives to more traditional
      protein affinity reagents such as antibodies.

PMID- 27254383
TI  - A Facile Strategy to Fabricate Multishape Memory Polymers with Controllable
      Mechanical Properties.
AB  - A facile blending strategy to fabricate multishape memory polymers (SMPs) with
      only one sort of phase transition material has been reported. In this work,
      olefin block copolymer (OBC) and styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene
      (SEBS), which are both physically crosslinked, are blended with crystalline
      paraffin together. Due to the different interactions between polymer matrices and
      paraffin, the paraffin penetrated in OBC and SEBS exhibit separated melting
      transitions. It is quite interesting that merely paraffin distributed in OBC also
      shows two distinct melting transitions with enough OBC content in composites.
      Therefore, excellent quadruple shape memory effect can be achieved with a maximum
      of three melting transitions. Furthermore, through adjusting the polymer species
      and content, the mechanical and rheological properties can be conveniently tuned
      to a great extent. Compared with the reported strategies, this simple and
      controllable method sheds light on rapid design of multi-SMPs using inexpensive
      raw materials, which greatly paves the way for multi-SMPs from laboratory to
      factory. 

PMID- 27254384
TI  - Bacterial community dynamics in long-term operation of a pilot plant using
      aerobic granular sludge to treat pig slurry.
AB  - Aerobic granular sludge represents an interesting approach for simultaneous
      organic matter and nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment plants. However, the
      information about microbial communities in aerobic granular systems dealing with
      industrial wastewater like pig slurry is limited. Herein, bacterial diversity and
      dynamics were assessed in a pilot scale plant using aerobic granular sludge for
      organic matter and nitrogen elimination from swine slurry during more than 300
      days. Results indicated that bacterial composition evolved throughout the
      operational period from flocculent activated sludge, used as inoculum, to mature
      aerobic granules. Bacterial diversity increased at the beginning of the
      granulation process and then declined due to the application of transient organic
      matter and nitrogen loads. The operational conditions of the pilot plant and the
      degree of granulation determined the microbial community of the aerobic granules.
      Brachymonas, Zoogloea and Thauera were attributed with structural function as
      they are able to produce extracellular polymeric substances to maintain the
      granular structure. Nitrogen removal was justified by partial nitrification
      (Nitrosomonas) and denitrification (Thauera and Zoogloea), while Comamonas was
      identified as the main organic matter oxidizing bacteria. Overall, clear links
      between bacterial dynamics and composition with process performance were found
      and will help to predict their biological functions in wastewater ecosystems
      improving the future control of the process. (c) 2016 American Institute of
      Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1212-1221, 2016.

PMID- 27254385
TI  - A Value-Critical Choice Analysis of a Policy to Prevent Suicide in Veterans and
      Service Members.
AB  - A few years after the advent of the Global War on Terror, veteran and service
      member suicide emerged on the national forefront as a public health issue of
      significant concern. This social policy analysis applies a value-critical choice
      model to the military suicide prevention provisions mandated by Section 2 of
      Exec. Order No. 13625 (2012): Improving Access to Mental Health Services for
      Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. Results reveal that the suicide
      prevention provisions mandated by the order have not been fully and effectively
      implemented and the goal of reducing military suicide remains elusive.

PMID- 27254386
TI  - Corrigendum: Prognostic role of Gli1 expression in solid malignancies: a meta
      analysis.

PMID- 27254387
TI  - Cyano-decorated ligands: a powerful alternative to fluorination for tuning the
      photochemical properties of cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes.
AB  - A new cyclometalating ligand, featuring nitrile moieties to enhance the
      photophysical and consequently photocatalytic properties of bis-cyclometalated
      Ir(iii) complexes, was synthesized. Nitrile moieties were selected to replace
      expensive and environmentally problematic fluoride moieties commonly employed for
      synthetic tuning of chromophores. Two new chromophores bearing the new nitrile
      decorated ligand were synthesized with strong electron-donating and electron
      withdrawing ancillary ligands to probe extremes of the complexes' tunability.
      These complexes possessed rich and drastically different electrochemical and
      photophysical properties. One chromophore possessed a particularly long lifetime
      of approximately 8 MUs; it was also a remarkably efficient triplet emitter with a
      quantum yield of 63%. The complexes were finally assessed as photosensitizers of
      water reduction with Pt colloids, where both complexes produced hydrogen with
      optimized conditions reaching 2000 and 1400 turnovers. 

PMID- 27254388
TI  - A New Way to See a Bronchopleural Fistula.

PMID- 27254389
TI  - Sculpting infant soothability: the role of prenatal SSRI antidepressant exposure
      and neonatal SLC6A4 methylation status.
AB  - The role of prenatal Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) exposure and
      SLC6A4 promoter methylation status in shaping soothability at 3 and 6 months of
      age, for infants exposed to antidepressant medication prenatally (n = 46) and
      those not exposed (n = 69) was investigated. SSRI exposure status and duration of
      exposure (number of days) were examined along with neonatal methylation status at
      mean CpG 9,10 and via factor analysis across 10 CpG sites yielding PC1 (CpGs
      sites: 3,4,5,7) and PC2 (CpG 1,8). Analyses revealed interactions for methylation
      markers and SSRI exposure variables. A significant interaction between SSRI
      exposure and mean SLC6A4 methylation at CpG 9,10 and separately for PC1 emerged,
      controlling for multiple birth/medical and background covariates (e.g., Apgar
      scores, maternal education). Increased neonatal methylation status was associated
      with increased soothability changes from 3 to 6 months among infants prenatally
      exposed to SSRIs.

PMID- 27254390
TI  - Direct Measurement of the Electrical Abruptness of a Nanowire p-n Junction.
AB  - Electrostatic potential maps of GaAs nanowire, p-n junctions have been measured
      via off-axis electron holography and compared to results from in situ electrical
      probing, and secondary electron emission microscopy using scanning electron
      microscopy. The built-in potential and depletion length of an axial junction was
      found to be 1.5 +/- 0.1 V and 74 +/- 9 nm, respectively, to be compared with 1.53
      V and 64 nm of an abrupt junction of the same end point carrier concentrations.
      Associated with the switch from Te to Zn dopant precursor was a reduction in GaAs
      nanowire diameter 3 +/- 1 nm that occurred prior to the junction center (n = p)
      and was followed by a rapid increase in Zn doping. The delay in Zn incorporation
      is attributed to the time required for Zn to equilibrate within the Au catalyst.

PMID- 27254392
TI  - Dengue and other Aedes-borne viruses: a threat to Europe?

PMID- 27254391
TI  - Analytical Inverse Optimization in Two-Hand Prehensile Tasks.
AB  - The authors explored application of analytical inverse optimization (ANIO) method
      to the normal finger forces in unimanual and bimanual prehensile tasks with
      discrete and continuously changing constraints. The subjects held an instrumented
      handle vertically with one or two hands. The external torque and grip force
      changed across trials or within a trial continuously. Principal component
      analysis showed similar percentages of variance accounted for by the first two
      principal components across tasks and conditions. Compared to unimanual tasks,
      bimanual tasks showed significantly more frequent inability to find a cost
      function leading to a stable solution. In cases of stable solutions, similar
      second-order polynomials were computed as cost functions across tasks and
      condition. The bimanual tasks, however, showed significantly worse goodness-of
      fit index values. The authors show that ANIO can be used in tasks with slowly
      changing constraints making it an attractive tool to study optimality of
      performance in special populations. They also show that ANIO can fail in
      multifinger tasks, likely due to irreproducible behavior across trials, more
      likely to happen in bimanual tasks compared to unimanual tasks.

PMID- 27254393
TI  - Lag-length effect on repetition priming of famous and unfamiliar faces: evidence
      from N250r and N400.
AB  - Previous event-related potentials research has reliably identified two repetition
      priming components in faces, the N250r and the N400, which are believed to
      reflect, respectively, the accessing to the stored structural representations and
      the semantic retrieval. However, the effect of lags longer than immediate
      repetition and shorter than 3 min on the two components has not been described as
      yet, and the interaction between lag length and familiarity is unclear. The
      current experiment aims to address these issues. In this experiment, famous and
      unfamiliar faces were represented after short, medium, or long lags, and
      participants were required to decide whether each face was known or not. The data
      showed that the frontal N250r, rather than the temporal counterpart, persisted to
      the medium lag case for famous faces; for unfamiliar faces, no N250r was
      observed. The frontal N400 was more regulated by lag length than the
      centroparietal counterpart. These results suggest that the frontal N250r and the
      frontal N400 are affected by the lag length; moreover, the former is more
      sensitive to the pre-experimental familiarity of faces.

PMID- 27254394
TI  - Visual evoked potentials to an illusory change in brightness: the Craik-Cornsweet
      O'Brien effect.
AB  - Can brain electrical activity associated with the Craik-Cornsweet-O'Brien effect
      (CCOB) be identified in humans? Opposing luminance gradients met in the middle of
      a square image to create a luminance contrast-defined vertical border. The
      resulting rectangles on each side of the border were otherwise equiluminant, but
      appeared to differ in brightness, the CCOB effect. When the contrast gradients
      were swapped, the participants perceived darker and lighter rectangles trading
      places. This dynamic CCOB stimulus was reversed 1/s to elicit visual evoked
      potentials. The CCOB effect was absent in two control conditions. In one, the
      immediate contrast border, where the gradients met, was replaced by a dark
      vertical stripe; in the other, the outer segments of both rectangles, where the
      illusion would otherwise occur, were replaced by dark rectangles, leaving only
      the contrast-reversing gradients. Visual evoked potential components P1 and N2
      were present for the CCOB stimuli, but not the control stimuli. Results are
      consistent with functional MRI and single unit evidence, suggesting that the
      brightness of the CCOB effect becomes dissociated from the luminance falling on
      the eye early in visual processing. These results favor explanations of
      brightness induction invoking rapid, early amplification of very low spatial
      frequency information in the image to approximate natural scenes as opposed to a
      sluggish brightness adjustment spreading from the contrast border.

PMID- 27254395
TI  - Effect of photon induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) on bond strength to
      dentine of two root canal filling materials.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of photon induced
      photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) technique in combination with EDTA on bond
      strength of gutta-percha/AH Plus and Resilon/RealSeal SE root canal fillings to
      root dentine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty freshly extracted human maxillary
      anterior teeth with intact straight roots, were instrumented endodontically with
      rotating ProTaper instruments and randomly divided into two experimental groups.
      In group 1 (n = 20), root canals were rinsed for 1 minute with 2 ml of 17% EDTA.
      In group 2 (n = 20), Er:YAG laser, with a 14 mm long 400 MU diameter tapered PIPS
      tip, was used for 1 minute with 2 ml of 17% EDTA. The laser parameters used were:
      20 mJ per pulse, 15 Hz, 50 microsecond. In each experimental group, half of the
      root canals (n = 10) were obturated with gutta-percha/AH Plus and other half (n =
      10) with Resilon/RealSeal SE. A micropush-out test was performed on sectiond
      specimens of the filled roots using a universal testing machine and resistance to
      failure plus failure modes were determined. RESULTS: Both gutta-percha/AH Plus
      groups had higher bond strength to root dentin than the Resilon/RealSeal SE
      groups (P < 0.05). The smear layer removal protocol, with EDTA only or combining
      PIPS technique with EDTA, had no influence on bond strength of either gutta
      percha/AH Plus, or Resilon/RealSeal SE (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Within the
      limitations of this study, it was found that the application of the PIPS
      technique did not have an affect on the push-out bond strength of
      Resilon/RealSeal SE root canal filling to dentin nor on the gutta-percha/AH Plus.
      A significant difference in bond strength was noted between the two root canal
      filling materials. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:951-954, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27254396
TI  - Notes from the Field: Investigation of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission Associated
      with Injection Therapy for Chronic Pain - California, 2015.
AB  - On November 26, 2014, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) contacted
      CDC concerning a report from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
      (SBPHD) regarding acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a repeat blood
      donor. The patient, who was asymptomatic, was first alerted of the infection by
      the blood bank and had no traditional risk factors for HCV infection. The donor
      had a negative HCV nucleic acid test (NAT) 56 days before the first positive NAT
      test, and an investigation into the donor's health care exposures and other
      potential risk factors, including injection drug use, incarceration, and long
      term hemodialysis within this narrow exposure window, was conducted by SBPHD. 

PMID- 27254397
TI  - Wafer-Scale Nanopillars Derived from Block Copolymer Lithography for Surface
      Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.
AB  - We report a novel nanofabrication process via block copolymer lithography using
      solvent vapor annealing. The nanolithography process is facile and scalable,
      enabling fabrication of highly ordered periodic patterns over entire wafers as
      substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Direct silicon etching
      with high aspect ratio templated by the block copolymer mask is realized without
      any intermediate layer or external precursors. Uniquely, an atomic layer
      deposition (ALD)-assisted method is introduced to allow reversing of the
      morphology relative to the initial pattern. As a result, highly ordered silicon
      nanopillar arrays are fabricated with controlled aspect ratios. After
      metallization, the resulting nanopillar arrays are suitable for SERS
      applications. These structures readily exhibit an average SERS enhancement factor
      of above 10(8), SERS uniformities of 8.5% relative standard deviation across 4
      cm, and 6.5% relative standard deviation over 5 * 5 mm(2) surface area, as well
      as a very low SERS background. The as-prepared SERS substrate, with a good
      enhancement and large-area uniformity, is promising for practical SERS sensing
      applications. 

PMID- 27254398
TI  - Acoustic radiation force and torque exerted on a small viscoelastic particle in
      an ideal fluid.
AB  - We provide a detailed analysis on the acoustic radiation force and torque exerted
      on a homogeneous viscoelastic particle in the long-wave limit (i.e. the particle
      radius is much smaller than the incident wavelength) by an arbitrary wave. We
      assume that the particle behaves as a linear viscoelastic solid, which obeys the
      fractional Kelvin-Voigt model. Simple analytical expressions for the radiation
      force and torque are obtained. The developed theory is used to describe the
      interaction of acoustic waves (traveling and standing plane waves, and zero- and
      first-order Bessel beams) in the MHz-range with polymeric particles, namely
      lexan, low-density (LDPE) and high-density (HDPE) polyethylene. We found that
      particle absorption is chiefly the cause of the radiation force due to a
      traveling plane wave and zero-order Bessel beam when the frequency is smaller
      than 5MHz (HDPE), 3.9MHz (LDPE), and 0.9MHz (lexan). Whereas in a standing wave
      field, the radiation force is mildly changed due to dispersion inside the
      particle. We also show that the radiation torque caused by a first-order Bessel
      beam varies nearly quadratic with frequency. These findings may enable new
      possibilities of particle handling in acoustophoretic techniques.

PMID- 27254400
TI  - New approaches on the study of the psychometric properties of the STAI.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric
      properties of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI1). Previous studies have
      indicated different factor solutions. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of
      consensus about the best dimensional model of STAI scores. METHOD: The sample
      consisted of 417 participants, composed of 387 (29.71% male) healthy participants
      (comparison group: M=35.5 years; SD=8.40), and 30 (36.66% male) patient (clinical
      group M=35.8 years; SD=12.94). RESULTS: The internal consistency evaluated
      through Ordinal Alpha was good, 0.98 and 0.94 in the non-clinical and the
      clinical samples, respectively. Test-retest reliability (two weeks) for Total
      Score was 0.81 for the non-clinical subsample, and 0.93 for the clinical
      subsample. Confirmatory factor analyses supported both a four factor model and
      bifactor model. Also, STAI scores showed statistically significant correlations
      with Burns Anxiety Inventory (Burns-A) scores. Furthermore, results showed
      statistically significant differences in the mean scores of the STAI between the
      clinical and the non-clinical subsamples. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric
      properties of the STAI were adequate. The present study contributes to better
      understand the STAI structure through the comparison of new approaches in the
      study of the STAI internal structure. The results found may contribute in the
      efforts to improve the evaluation and identification of anxiety symptoms and
      disorders.

PMID- 27254399
TI  - Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of refractory
      epilepsy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an
      established non-invasive neurostimulation technique that is able to induce
      neuromodulatory effects outlasting the duration of the stimulation train. The
      cortical excitability disturbance in epilepsy provides a rationale for
      investigating the efficacy of low-frequency rTMS as a treatment for epilepsy
      patients. Sofar clinical trials in epilepsy patients have shown conflicting
      results ranging from ineffective to very effective. AREAS COVERED: This
      manuscript provides an overview of the performed studies, retrieved from a PubMed
      search, and a critical appraisal of their results. A number of conclusions are
      drawn and potential optimization strategies are discussed. Expert commentary:
      Although the therapeutic efficacy of rTMS in refractory epilepsy has not yet been
      established, the non-invasiveness of the technique warrants further investigation
      of rTMS as a treatment for epilepsy.

PMID- 27254401
TI  - Fluoxetine, topiramate, and combination of both to stabilize eating behavior
      before bariatric surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pharmacotherapy for the management of obesity is primarily aimed at
      weight loss, weight loss maintenance and risk reduction (reduction in body fat,
      risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the incidence of diabetes mellitus).
      Among drugs that have been evaluated for weight loss include antidepressants
      (fluoxetine) and antiepileptic (topiramate). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed
      eating behavior and weight loss in a sample of morbid obesity patients before
      bariatric surgery. The patients suffering eating disturbances symptoms were
      grouped into three groups: one group received 40 mg of flouxetine/day (Group A);
      another group received topiramate 200 mg/day (Group B); and the third group of
      patients were treated with fluoxetine 40 mg and 200 mg of topiramate/day (Group
      C). RESULTS: Patients treated with fluoxetine plus topiramate lost more weight at
      3 and 6 months before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the psychopharmaceutical
      drug (fluoxetine and topiramate) in morbid obese patients with eating disorders
      could represent a new approach to the management of eating behavior before
      bariatric surgery.

PMID- 27254402
TI  - Is it possible to achieve functional recovery in schizophrenia? A qualitative and
      quantitative analysis of psychiatrist&#180;s opinion.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Psychiatrist&#180;s opinion on functional recovery (FR) of patients
      with schizophrenia may modulate the therapeutic expectations and how to manage
      the disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to know the opinion of psychiatrists on
      FR, and to analyze the relationship between functioning and symptoms. METHODS: A
      qualitative and quantitative, descriptive and exploratory study. Two data
      collection techniques were used: a) a written survey consisting of 12 questions,
      directly, anonymously and confidentially answered by 132 psychiatrists; b) 5
      focus group discussions involving 42 psychiatrists. RESULTS: 69.8% of
      psychiatrists considered realistic to get FR in schizophrenia and another 30.1%
      chose an intermediate response. The clinical priority for the 94% is to optimize
      the functional outcome of their patients, but only 14.4% commonly use rating
      scales. 91.7 % believed that there are differences between typical and atypical
      antipsychotics in terms of FR, and 83.3% believed essential to implement
      psychosocial interventions to achieve this goal. According to psychiatrists, FR
      is a complex concept and a primary therapeutic goal. Negative and cognitive
      symptoms are the strongest predictors of poor functioning. The low functioning of
      a patient, even in symptomatic stability, usually requires a re-evaluation of
      treatment. CONCLUSION: For psychiatrists, FR is a useful concept and a clinical
      priority, although there are doubts about how to achieve it.

PMID- 27254403
TI  - Mechanism of action of guanfacine: a postsynaptic differential approach to the
      treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd).
AB  - The treatment of ADHD has focused on the use of psychostimulants drugs such as
      methylphenidate or amphetamine and derivatives, or not stimulants agents, such as
      atomoxetine. These agents act mainly on catecholaminergic presynaptic mechanisms.
      Recently the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved another not
      psychostimulant drug, guanfacine extended release (ER), as a new option to the
      treatment of ADHD, which acts at postsynaptic level. Guanfacine stimulates
      postsynaptic alfa-2A adrenergic receptors so it inhibits the production of cAMP
      and closes HCN channels enhancing the effectiveness of the signal of the
      pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), thus improving working memory
      and attention. In addition, stimulation of the alpha-2A receptors promotes growth
      and maturation of the dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons of the medial PFc,
      that are associated with brain function such as learning and memory. In contrast
      with psychostimulants or atomoxetine, guanfacine mimics noradrenaline stimulation
      of postsynaptic receptors alfa-2A on the PFC. 

PMID- 27254404
TI  - Impulsivity and executive function in borderline personality disorder.

PMID- 27254405
TI  - Between the sanitary complacency and the factitious disorder by proxy.

PMID- 27254407
TI  - Endotoxin hitchhiking on polymer nanoparticles.
AB  - The control of microbial infections is critical for the preparation of biological
      media including water to prevent lethal septic shock. Sepsis is one of the
      leading causes of death in the United States. More than half a million patients
      suffer from sepsis every year. Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are
      responsible for septic infection by the most common organisms i.e., Escherichia
      coli and Pseuodomonas aeruginosa. The bacterial cell membrane releases negatively
      charged endotoxins upon death and enzymatic destruction, which stimulate
      antigenic response in humans to gram-negative infections. Several methods
      including distillation, ethylene oxide treatment, filtration and irradiation have
      been employed to remove endotoxins from contaminated samples, however, the
      reduction efficiency remains low, and presents a challenge. Polymer nanoparticles
      can be used to overcome the current inability to effectively sequester endotoxins
      from water. This process is termed endotoxin hitchhiking. The binding of
      endotoxin on polymer nanoparticles via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions
      offers efficient removal from water. However, the effect of polymer nanoparticles
      and its surface areas has not been investigated for removal of endotoxins.
      Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) polymer was tested for its ability to
      effectively bind and remove endotoxins from water. By employing a simple one-step
      phase separation technique, we were able to synthesize PCL nanoparticles of 398.3
      +/- 95.13 nm size and a polydispersity index of 0.2. PCL nanoparticles showed
      ~78.8% endotoxin removal efficiency, the equivalent of 3.9 * 10(5) endotoxin
      units (EU) per ml. This is 8.34-fold more effective than that reported for
      commercially available membranes. Transmission electron microscopic images
      confirmed binding of multiple endotoxins to the nanoparticle surface. The concept
      of using nanoparticles may be applicable not only to eliminate gram-negative
      bacteria, but also for any gram-positive bacteria, fungi and parasites. 

PMID- 27254408
TI  - Hb Tianshui (HBB: C.119A > G) in Compound Heterozygosity with Hb S (HBB: C.20A >
      T) from Odisha, India.
AB  - We describe here a rare beta-globin gene variant, Hb Tianshui [beta39(C5)Glu
      >Arg; HBB: c.119A > G], detected during routine screening in Odisha, India. This
      is the second report of Hb Tianshui and the first to describe the cation exchange
      high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and DNA studies of two cases of
      this variant. Both cases had coinherited Hb S (HBB: c.20A > T) but none presented
      with typical symptoms of sickle cell disease. One of the cases was heterozygous
      for a common alpha-thalassemia (alpha-thal) allele (-alpha(3.7)) (rightward)
      (NG_000006.1: g.34164_37967del3804) and marginally raised Hb F percentage, while
      the other Hb S/Hb Tianshui case was completely benign and healthy. An atypical
      Asian Indian haplotype [+ - + - +] could be assigned to the Hb Tianshui variant.
      Hb Tianshui seems to mimic a few other Hb variants in cation exchange HPLC.
      However, we report two specific patterns in the chromatograms that are
      characteristic to Hb Tianshui. Combining an alkaline electrophoresis result with
      cation exchange HPLC at screening would be preferred to detect this rare variant,
      especially in regions with considerable frequency of Hb E [beta26(B8)Glu->Lys;
      HBB: c.79G > A] or Hb S. 

PMID- 27254409
TI  - Pharmacotherapy for comorbidities in chronic heart failure: a focus on hematinic
      deficiencies, diabetes mellitus and hyperkalemia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic heart failure (HF) is frequently accompanied by one or more
      comorbidities. The presence of comorbidities in chronic HF is strongly correlated
      to HF severity and impaired outcome. AREAS COVERED: This review will address
      several comorbidities with high prevalence and/or high impact in patients with
      chronic HF, including diabetes, anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and hyperkalemia.
      The background and subsequent pharmacotherapeutic options of these comorbidities
      will be discussed. For this review, a MEDLINE search was performed. EXPERT
      OPINION: Heart failure is increasingly considered a multimorbid syndrome,
      including metabolic derangements and chronic inflammation. Persistent metabolic
      derangements and low-grade inflammation might lead to progression of HF and the
      development of comorbidities. Although several comorbidity-specific drugs became
      available in the past decade, most of these therapies are studied in relatively
      small cohorts using surrogate end-points. Therefore, larger studies are needed to
      address whether treating these comorbidities will improve patient outcome in
      chronic HF.

PMID- 27254410
TI  - Correction: Cerebral Glioma Grading Using Bayesian Network with Features
      Extracted from Multiple Modalities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153369.].

PMID- 27254411
TI  - Stress and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: An Evolving Concept in Psychiatry.

PMID- 27254412
TI  - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Does the Gut Microbiome Hold the Key?
AB  - Gut bacteria strongly influence our metabolic, endocrine, immune, and both
      peripheral and central nervous systems. Microbiota do this directly and
      indirectly through their components, shed and secreted, ranging from fermented
      and digested dietary and host products to functionally active neurotransmitters
      including serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. Depression has been
      associated with enhanced levels of proinflammatory biomarkers and abnormal
      responses to stress. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears to be marked in
      addition by low cortisol responses, and these factors seem to predict and
      predispose individuals to develop PTSD after a traumatic event. Dysregulation of
      the immune system and of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis observed in PTSD
      may reflect prior trauma exposure, especially early in life. Early life,
      including the prenatal period, is a critical time in rodents, and may well be for
      humans, for the functional and structural development of the immune and nervous
      systems. These, in turn, are likely shaped and programmed by gut and possibly
      other bacteria. Recent experimental and clinical data converge on the hypothesis
      that imbalanced gut microbiota in early life may have long-lasting immune and
      other physiologic effects that make individuals more susceptible to develop PTSD
      after a traumatic event and contribute to the disorder. This suggests that it may
      be possible to target abnormalities in these systems by manipulation of certain
      gut bacterial communities directly through supplementation or indirectly by
      dietary and other novel approaches.

PMID- 27254414
TI  - Clinically Significant Differences among Canadian Mental Health Acts: 2016.

PMID- 27254413
TI  - Reframing the Teenage Wasteland: Adolescent Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis.
AB  - Human adolescence is arguably one of the most challenging periods of development.
      The young adult is exposed to a variety of stressors and environmental stimuli on
      a backdrop of significant physiological change and development, which is
      especially apparent in the brain. It is therefore unsurprising that many
      psychiatric disorders are first observable during this time. The human intestine
      is inhabited by trillions of microorganisms, and evidence from both preclinical
      and clinical research focusing on the established microbiota-gut-brain axis
      suggests that the etiology and pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders may be
      influenced by intestinal dysbiosis. Provocatively, many if not all of the
      challenges faced by the developing teen have a documented impact on these
      intestinal commensal microbiota. In this review, we briefly summarize what is
      known about the developing adolescent brain and intestinal microbiota, discuss
      recent research investigating the microbiota-gut-brain axis during puberty, and
      propose that pre- and probiotics may prove useful in both the prevention and
      treatment of psychiatric disorders specifically benefitting the young adult.

PMID- 27254415
TI  - Characterization of Disability in Canadians with Mental Disorders Using an
      Abbreviated Version of a DSM-5 Emerging Measure: The 12-Item WHO Disability
      Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0
      (WHODAS 2.0) is a disability scale included in Section 3 of the fifth edition of
      the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a possible
      replacement for the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). To assist
      Canadian psychiatrists with interpretation of the scale, we have conducted a
      descriptive analysis using data from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey
      Mental Health component (CCHS-MH). METHODS: The 2012 CCHS-MH was a cross
      sectional survey of the Canadian community (n = 23,757). The survey included an
      abbreviated 12-item version of the WHODAS 2.0. Mental disorder diagnoses were
      assessed for schizophrenia, other psychosis, major depressive episode (MDE),
      generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), bipolar I disorder, substance
      abuse/dependence, and alcohol abuse/dependence. RESULTS: Mean scores ranged from
      14.2 (95% CI, 14.1 to 14.3) for the overall community population to 23.1 (95% CI,
      19.5 to 26.7) for those with schizophrenia, with higher scores indicating greater
      disability. Furthermore, the difference in scores between those with lifetime and
      past-month episodes suggests that the scale is sensitive to changes occurring
      during the course of these disorders; for example, scores varied from 23.6 (95%
      CI, 22.2 to 25.1) for past-month MDE to 14.4 (95% CI, 14.2 to 14.7) in the
      lifetime MDE group without a past-year episode. CONCLUSION: This analysis
      suggests that the WHODAS 2.0 may be a suitable replacement for the GAF. As a
      disability measure, even though it is not a mental health-specific instrument,
      the 12-item WHODAS 2.0 appears to be sensitive to the impact of mental disorders
      and to changes over the time course of a mental disorder. However, the clinical
      utility of this measure requires additional assessment.

PMID- 27254417
TI  - The Association of Level of Internet Use with Suicidal Ideation and Suicide
      Attempts in South Korean Adolescents: A Focus on Family Structure and Household
      Economic Status.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the level of Internet addiction and
      suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in South Korean adolescents, focusing on
      the roles of family structure and household economic status. METHODS: Data from
      221 265 middle and high school students taken from the 2008-2010 Korea Youth Risk
      Behavior Web-based Survey were used in this study. To identify factors associated
      with suicidal ideation/attempts, multiple logistic regression analysis was
      performed. The level of Internet use was measured using the simplified Korean
      Internet Addiction Self-assessment Tool. RESULTS: Compared with mild users of the
      Internet, high-risk users and potential-risk users were more likely to report
      suicidal ideation (nonuser, odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]
      1.05 to 1.15; potential risk, OR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.36 to 1.63; high risk OR 1.94,
      95% CI 1.79 to 2.10) or attempts (nonuser, OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.42;
      potential risk, OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.38; high risk, OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.71 to
      2.14). The nonuser group also had a slightly higher risk of suicidal
      ideation/attempts compared with mild users. This association appeared to vary by
      perceived economic status and family structure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests
      that it is important to attend to adolescents who are at high risk for Internet
      addiction, especially when they do not have parents, have stepparents, or
      perceive their economic status as either very low or very high.

PMID- 27254416
TI  - Validation of the French Version of Conners' Parent Rating Scale Revised, Short
      Version: Factorial Structure and Reliability.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most frequent
      neurodevelopmental disorders. Its diagnosis requires reference questionnaires
      such as the Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS). Presently, in French-speaking
      countries, a few translations of the revised short CPRS have been put to use
      without previous formal validation. We sought here for the validation of a French
      version (Lausanne, Switzerland) of the revised short CPRS regarding construct
      validity, internal consistency, and item reliability in a sample of French
      schoolchildren. METHOD: The study involved 795 children and adolescents aged 9 to
      19 years from a single school. The factorial structure and item reliability were
      assessed with a confirmatory factor analysis for ordered categorical variables.
      The dimension internal consistency was assessed with Guttman's lambda 6
      coefficient. RESULTS: The results confirmed the original and strong 3-dimensional
      factorial structure (Oppositional, Cognitive Problems/Inattention, and
      Hyperactivity), showed satisfactory item reliability, and indicated a good
      dimension internal consistency (Guttman's lambda 6 coefficient: 0.87, 0.90, and
      0.82, respectively, to the 3 dimensions). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the Lausanne French
      version of the revised short CPRS may be considered validated regarding construct
      validity and item and dimension reliability; it can be now more confidently used
      in clinical practice.

PMID- 27254419
TI  - Fisetin inhibits cellular proliferation and induces mitochondria-dependent
      apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells.
AB  - The anticancer effects of fisetin, a dietary agent, are largely unknown against
      human gastric cancer. Herein, we investigated the mechanisms of fisetin-induced
      inhibition of growth and survival of human gastric carcinoma AGS and SNU-1 cells.
      Fisetin (25-100 MUM) caused significant decrease in the levels of G1 phase
      cyclins and CDKs, and increased the levels of p53 and its S15 phosphorylation in
      gastric cancer cells. We also observed that growth suppression and death of non
      neoplastic human intestinal FHs74int cells were minimally affected by fisetin.
      Fisetin strongly increased apoptotic cells and showed mitochondrial membrane
      depolarization in gastric cancer cells. DNA damage was observed as early as 3 h
      after fisetin treatment which was accompanied with gamma-H2A.X(S139)
      phosphorylation and cleavage of PARP. Fisetin-induced apoptosis was observed to
      be independent of p53. DCFDA and MitoSOX analyses showed an increase in
      mitochondrial ROS generation in time- and dose-dependent fashion. It also
      increased cellular nitrite and superoxide generation. Pre-treatment with N-acetyl
      cysteine (NAC) inhibited ROS generation and also caused protection from fisetin
      induced DNA damage. The formation of comets were observed in only fisetin treated
      cells which was blocked by NAC pre-treatment. Further investigation of the source
      of ROS, using mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) complex inhibitors, suggested
      that fisetin caused ROS generation specifically through complex I. Collectively,
      these results for the first time demonstrated that fisetin possesses anticancer
      potential through ROS production most likely via MRC complex I leading to
      apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma cells. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27254422
TI  - A flying start.
AB  - The A&E Department at Warrington is a busy one, dealing with 70,000 new attenders
      per year with major trauma accounting for up to 2 per cent of these ( 1 ).
      Accordingly, trauma management has a high profile. 

PMID- 27254420
TI  - The Longitudinal Effect of Emotion Regulation Strategies on Anxiety Levels in
      Children and Adolescents.
AB  - : There is growing evidence linking emotion dysregulation to anxiety. However,
      few studies have examined this relationship longitudinally or developmentally.
      Additionally, no studies have specifically examined the predictive relevance of
      the emotion regulation skills taught in mindfulness- and acceptance-based
      therapies. We explore whether specific emotion regulation processes
      differentially predict specific anxiety symptoms over time among children and
      adolescents. METHODS: Initial emotion non-awareness, nonacceptance, and
      difficulties with goal-directed behavior were assessed in a community sample (n =
      312, age range = 8-16, mean age = 11.68, 59% female, 69% Caucasian). Social
      anxiety, separation anxiety, and physical anxiety symptoms were assessed every 3
      months for 3 years. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the
      concurrent and longitudinal effects of emotion dysregulation assessed at baseline
      or 18 months on anxiety. RESULTS: After controlling for depression, age, and
      gender, all three processes concurrently predicted physical and social anxiety,
      and all but nonacceptance predicted separation anxiety. Only difficulties with
      goal-directed behavior, however, predicted longitudinal change in separation
      anxiety over time with covariates. Additionally, emotion non-awareness and
      difficulties with goal-directed behavior predicted subsequent changes in social
      anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Emotion dysregulation may serve as a potential risk factor
      for the development of anxiety symptoms among youth. It may be beneficial to
      target reductions in maladaptive strategies in prevention or intervention work.

PMID- 27254423
TI  - Environmental provisions for children in A&E.
AB  - The need to consider the effect of the hospital environment on the hospitalised
      child has been well established for over 30 years ( 1 ). While this has led to a
      more cheerful and appealing environment on paediatric wards, similar changes have
      not been reflected in AE departments ( 2 ), despite the fact that about three
      million children attend AE throughout the UK each year ( 3 ). 

PMID- 27254421
TI  - Clinical features and treatment outcomes of peripheral T-cell lymphoma in
      children. A current data report from Polish Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study
      Group (PPLLSG).
AB  - PURPOSE: Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are lymphoproliferative disorders
      derived from post-thymic cells, that occur extremely rarely in children. The
      optimal treatment of pediatric PTCL remains still unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Ten children with PTCL from 3 up to 18 years of age registered by the Polish
      Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group (PPLLSG) were retrospectively analyzed.
      All patients were treated with different regimens including protocols: for
      lymphoblastic lymphoma in 7 cases, for anaplastic large cell lymphoma in 1, CHOP
      in 1. Five of the 10 patients with PTCL were classified as stage II; 4 as stage
      III and 1 as stage IV due to extralymphatic organs (bone marrow) involvement.
      Four histological subtypes of PTCL were recognized: extranodal NK/T-cell
      lymphoma, nasal type (ENTNT), peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified
      (PTCL-NOS), subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPL), Sezary syndrome
      (SS). After first-line therapy 9 patients initially achieved complete remission,
      4 relapsed, 5 died. One patient achieved remission spontaneously. Three children
      (1 with stage IV and 2 in relapse) underwent high-dose chemotherapy with
      allogeneic bone marrow stem cell transplantation and all of them are alive and in
      CR. RESULTS: The cumulative probability of 5-year overall survival (OS) for our
      whole group was 63.9% (95%CI: 35.2-88.2%) with a median follow-up time of 48.4
      months (range 24-90+ months). The 5-year event free survival (EFS) was 81%. PTCLs
      are a heterogeneous and rare group of childhood NHLs. CONCLUSIONS: According to
      our experience the standard chemotherapy for precursor lymphomas seems to be a
      beneficial treatment option for children with PTCL. Allogeneic stem cell
      transplantation may improve the outcome in selected patients.

PMID- 27254424
TI  - Blood transfusions.

PMID- 27254425
TI  - Stabbing injuries.
AB  - Low velocity penetrating injuries commonly occur in the younger adult male. In a
      study of 80, 20-39 year olds in a Teeside hospital, 71 cases of penetrating
      injuries involved males. Within this group, four categories emerged; 20 stabbing
      injuries, four traumatic amputations and three gunshot wounds ( 1 ). From these
      figures it is necessary to clarify the meaning of the terms laceration and
      stabbing. 'Hie former is a tear to the flesh causing disruption of the skin
      structure, the latter is classified as a low velocity penetrating injury in which
      trauma is caused by a single blade, but may be multiple. This is compared with
      medium and high energy trauma associated with firearms, where tumble and
      fragmentation of bullets lead to secondary tissue trauma ( 2 ). 

PMID- 27254426
TI  - Methods: pain.
AB  - Pain is one of the most common reasons for patient attendance at A&E departments
      ( 1 ), and its management should be a high priority in patient care. In order to
      do this, an assessment of pain is vital in determining the patient's progress,
      the impact and efficacy of treatment, and in some cases, as a diagnostic tool ( 2
      ). 

PMID- 27254427
TI  - Provision of clean injecting equipment.
AB  - Providing clean needles and syringes to injecting drug users is one established
      strategy to prevent the spread of HIV and other blood borne infections ( 1 ). Our
      A&E department had been faced with problems from intravenous (IV) drug users
      requesting clean injecting equipment, and we wanted to know how other A&Es dealt
      with such requests, and whether they experienced similar problems. 

PMID- 27254428
TI  - Burns trauma: management and nursing care Chrissie Bosworth Bailliere Tindall
      220pp L19.95 1-873853-32-7 1873853327.
AB  - The management and nursing care of burn trauma is a specialised area that
      requires a wealth of knowledge and clinical skills from the members of a large
      multidisciplinary team. 

PMID- 27254430
TI  - New this month.
AB  - Critical Care Nursing: Science &Practice Sheila Adam and Sue Osborne Oxford
      Medical Publications 445pp ISBN a 19-263022-9. 

PMID- 27254431
TI  - The Royal Marsden NHS Trust manual of clinical nursing procedures (fourth
      edition) The Royal Marsden NHS Trust manual of clinical nursing procedures
      (fourth edition) Jane Mallett and Christopher Bailey (Editors) Blackwell Science
      662pp L15.99 0632-04068-8 0632040688.
AB  - Those who are familiar with earlier editions of this book will understand why it
      has become the definitive manual of clinical nursing procedures. It is because of
      its high quality, and common-sense approach, combined with a rigorous attention
      to detail. 

PMID- 27254432
TI  - Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Older Persons: Strategies for Assessment and
      Intervention Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Older Persons: Strategies for
      Assessment and Intervention Lorin Baumhover and S Colleen Beall Jessica Kingsley
      publishers 269pp L18.95 1-85302-405-8 1853024058.
AB  - The abuse of older people is an emotive issue and has been a focus for policy
      makers for some time now. This text, however, deals with issues of neglect and
      exploitation in detail, giving valuable guidance and sources of reference for
      care staff. 'Hie characteristics and recognition of all types of abuse are
      thoroughly explained, as well as the formal assessment process and documentation
      required. It then follows thera peufic intervention and effective discharge
      planning, culminating in an abuse prevention programme for staff working in long
      term- care. The training material is useful for all levels of staff. 

PMID- 27254433
TI  - Paracetamol overdoses Paracetamol overdoses Fagan E Wannan G Reducing paracetamol
      overdoses. British Medical Journal . 1996 . 313 , 1417 - 1418 .
AB  - Medicines containing paracetamol are the most common cause of intentional drug
      overdose in Britain with about 70,000 cases of paracetamol overdose each year.
      Fortunately, death from overdose is fare - about 200 cases - Against a safety
      record of 30 million packs containing paracetamol sold each year. 

PMID- 27254434
TI  - Air gun dangers.
AB  - The handgun debate in the UK has heard arguments about the use of air guns, which
      assumes small lead pellets have a limited tissue penetration and do not cause
      significant tissue damage unless a vital structure is directly hit. A study of
      air gun injuries in paediatric patients treated at the University of Louisville
      contradicts this belief. 

PMID- 27254436
TI  - Heparin plus aspirin for unstable angina.
AB  - Adding heparin to aspirin in the treatment of people with unstable angina reduces
      the risk of myocardial infarction or death, research suggests. A meta-analysis
      was undertaken of six randomised trials which compared aspirin alone with aspirin
      plus heparin. The overall summary relative risk of myocardial infarction or death
      during randomised treatment was 0.67 in those treated with aspirin plus heparin
      compared with those treated with heparin alone. The risk for recurrent ischaemic
      pain was 0.68, 0.82 for infarction or death two to 12 weeks post-randomisation,
      1.03 for revascularisation and 1.99 for major bleeding. 

PMID- 27254435
TI  - Teenager's risk taking behaviour.
AB  - Adolescents who use unhealthy methods to lose weight fire likely to engage in
      other unhealthy behaviours, researcher say. 

PMID- 27254438
TI  - Information wanted.

PMID- 27254439
TI  - Childhood accidents.

PMID- 27254440
TI  - Evaluation of the efficiency under current use of human fibrinogen concentrate in
      trauma patients with life-threatening hemorrhagic disorders.
AB  - The aim of the study was to assess the influence of fibrinogen concentrate on
      survival when it is used in trauma patients with life-threatening hemorrhagic
      disorders. Secondly, to evaluate when the fibrinogen concentrate administration
      maximizes its efficacy, and to describe what other concomitant treatment the
      patients received in order to control their life-threatening hemorrhage.
      Retrospective, observational, and multicenter study was carried out in three
      trauma areas between June 2012 and June 2014. The totality of trauma patients
      with a documented life-threatening hemorrhage who received a fibrinogen
      concentrate prescription was included in the study. Demographic and analytical
      data, admission diagnosis, treatment indication, fibrinogen concentrate dose,
      survival after 1 and 7 days, hospitalization time, and concomitant blood product
      treatment were collected. One hundred and twenty-three patients were finally
      included. The mean dose of fibrinogen concentrate administered was 2.87 g. The
      mean initial fibrinogen plasma level was 1.49 g/l, which rose to 2.26 g/l. The
      number of patients who survived after 24 h was 80.49%, and 69.11% after 7 days.
      Lower fibrinogen plasma levels are statistically associated with a higher
      probability of death after 7 days (P = 0.004). The most suitable threshold to
      recommend the fibrinogen concentrate administration has been found to be 1.5 g/dl
      (P = 0006, after 24 h; P = 0.032, after 7 days). Finally, the most common
      concomitant treatment was the erythrocytes concentrate. A statistically
      significant relationship between lower fibrinogen plasma levels and a higher
      probability of death after 7 days has been found. Our data support the threshold
      of 1.5 g/l as the recommended level to administer fibrinogen concentrate in
      trauma patients.

PMID- 27254441
TI  - Coagulation abnormalities identified by thromboelastometry in patients with
      severe sepsis: the relationship to endotoxemia and mortality.
AB  - The aim of this study was to monitor the development of coagulation abnormalities
      in patients with severe sepsis using thromboelastometry and to assess whether
      increased endotoxin activity was associated with a change in coagulation. Data
      collected on ICU admission, day 2, 3, and 4 were analysed in 61 patients.
      Thromboelastometry made it possible to identify patients with a normal (group 1),
      hypercoagulable (group 2), or hypocoagulable (group 3) pattern. The best accuracy
      of thromboelastometry parameters as potential indices of coagulation
      abnormalities was yielded by the clot formation time and maximum clot firmness.
      The mortality rate was low in group 1(16%) and the presence of abnormalities,
      indicating either a hyper or hypocoagulation pattern, was associated with
      significantly higher mortality (42 and 39% respectively; P = 0.05). In group 1,
      baseline endotoxin activity was low [0.22 endotoxin activity units (EAU), 0.15
      0.43] and did not change significantly during the observation period. In group 2,
      baseline endotoxin activity was elevated (0.52 EAU (0.39-0.62)) and remained high
      on day 2, 3, and 4. In group 3, baseline endotoxin activity was elevated (0.56
      EAU (0.28-0.80)) and similarly to group 2, remained high on day 2, 3, and 4. The
      presence of coagulation disorders indicates a high-risk subpopulation of
      critically ill patients as reflected in significantly higher mortality rates and
      increased endotoxin activity.

PMID- 27254442
TI  - The value and impact of anti-Xa activity monitoring for prophylactic dose
      adjustment of low-molecular-weight heparin during pregnancy: a retrospective
      study.
AB  - : Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is the anticoagulant drug class of choice
      for the prevention of thrombosis during pregnancy and often used for prevention
      of severe obstetrical complications, yet the optimal dosage is still a matter of
      debate. Although several studies have evaluated LMWH dose adjustment methods
      based on anti-Xa levels, no definitive conclusion as yet exists. This extensive
      retrospective study sought to address the rationale of regular anti-Xa activity
      monitoring in pregnant patients given LMWH prophylaxis. We evaluated pregnant
      patients receiving LMWH prophylaxis with three or more anti-Xa measurements. The
      initial LMWH dose was fixed and adjusted for obesity. The desired anti-Xa
      activity was 0.2-0.6 IU/ml and LMWH dose was increased for anti-Xa levels less
      than 0.3 IU/ml. Of the 173 enrolled women, 79% required LMWH dose adjustment
      (56%: one dose increase; 20%: two; 3%: three). In the vast majority of patients,
      LMWH dose was increased before substantial body weight gain. The number of dose
      adjustments positively correlated with BMI, though not with body weight gain.
      Based on our study findings, we recommend conducting LMWH dose adjustments based
      on anti-Xa levels, monitored regularly during pregnancy to keep the anti-Xa
      activity within the desired range.

PMID- 27254443
TI  - Active inductor based fully integrated CMOS transmit/ receive switch for 2.4 GHz
      RF transceiver.
AB  - Modern Radio Frequency (RF) transceivers cannot be imagined without high
      performance (Transmit/Receive) T/R switch. Available T/R switches suffer mainly
      due to the lack of good trade-off among the performance parameters, where high
      isolation and low insertion loss are very essential. In this study, a T/R switch
      with high isolation and low insertion loss performance has been designed by using
      Silterra 0.13um CMOS process for 2.4GHz ISM band RF transceivers. Transistor
      aspect ratio optimization, proper gate bias resistance, resistive body floating
      and active inductor-based parallel resonance techniques have been implemented to
      achieve better trade-off. The proposed T/R switch exhibits 0.85dB insertion loss
      and 45.17dB isolation in both transmit and receive modes. Moreover, it shows very
      competitive values of power handling capability (P1dB) and linearity (IIP3) which
      are 11.35dBm and 19.60dBm, respectively. Due to avoiding bulky inductor and
      capacitor, the proposed active inductor-based T/R switch became highly compact
      occupying only 0.003mm2 of silicon space; which will further trim down the total
      cost of the transceiver. Therefore, the proposed active inductor-based T/R switch
      in 0.13um CMOS process will be highly useful for the electronic industries where
      low-power, high-performance and compactness of devices are the crucial concerns. 

PMID- 27254444
TI  - Nematode larvae infecting Priacanthus arenatus Cuvier, 1829 (Pisces: Teleostei)
      in Brazil.
AB  - From July to December, 2013, thirty Priacanthus arenatus specimens commercialized
      in the cities of Niteroi and Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, were
      acquired. The fish were necropsied and filleted to investigate the presence of
      nematode larvae. Twenty fish (66.7%) out of the total were parasitized by
      nematode larvae. A total of 2024 larvae were collected; among them, 30 third
      instar larvae of Anisakis sp. showed prevalence (P) = 20%, mean abundance (MA) =
      1, and the mean intensity (MI) = 5, and infection sites (IS) = caecum, stomach,
      liver, and mesentery; and 1,994 third-instar larvae (1,757 encysted and 237 free)
      of Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum with P = 66.7%, MA = 66.5, and MI =
      99.7, and IS = spleen, caecum, stomach, liver, mesentery, and abdominal muscle.
      This is the first study to report H. deardorffoverstreetorum and Anisakis sp.
      larvae parasitizing P. arenatus. 

PMID- 27254445
TI  - In vitro antifungal activity of four chemotypes of Lippia alba (Verbenaceae)
      essential oils against Alternaria solani (Pleosporeaceae) isolates.
AB  - Several volatile natural compounds produced by plant secondary metabolism have
      been proven to present antimicrobial action, enabling their use in phytopathogen
      control. They also present low environmental impact when compared to conventional
      pesticides. Essential oils contain these compounds and can be found in several
      plant species, such as Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown (Verbenaceae). Essential
      oils of four chemotypes of L. alba, characterized by their major compounds,
      namely camphor, citral, linalool and camphor/1,8-cineole, were tested against the
      phytopathogen Alternaria solani Sorauer (Pleosporaceae), which causes early
      blight on tomatoes and is responsible for great economic losses regarding
      production. Essential oils antifungal action was tested in vitro using potato
      dextrose agar medium with essential oil concentrations at 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and
      2.0 uL mL-1. The chemotype that had the best performance was citral, showing
      significant inhibition compared to the others, starting at the 0.5 uL mL-1
      concentration. The essential oil belonging to the linalool chemotype was
      efficient starting at the 1.5 uL mL-1 concentration. Conversely, the camphor
      chemotype did not show any action against the phytopathogen. Moreover, the
      essential oils had no remarkable effect on tomato germination and growth. In
      conclusion, these essential oils presented fungicidal action against A. solani. 

PMID- 27254446
TI  - Development of Dichelops melacanthus and its egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi
      reared on Bt-soybean MON 87701 x MON 89788 and its near conventional isoline
      under different temperatures.
AB  - Dichelops melacanthus was studied under controlled conditions (60 +/- 10% RH and
      14/10 h L/D photoperiod), and three constant temperatures (19, 25, and 31 +/- 2 
      degrees C). Fresh pods of MON 87701 * MON 89788 soybeans and its near non-Bt
      isoline (A5547) were supplied to nymphs and adults. The biology of T. podisi was
      studied in the same controlled RH conditions, but only at the standard
      temperature of 25 +/- 2  degrees C. Overall, the development of D. melacanthus
      was better at higher temperatures, which accelerated the development of the stink
      bug without affecting adult biological parameters. No influence of Bt-soybeans on
      the biology of the pest was observed in any temperature studied, which shows that
      D. melacanthus is not affected by this transgenic soybean. The egg parasitoid T.
      podisi also was not harmed when it parasitized eggs of the pest fed with MON
      87701 * MON 89788 soybeans, with similar results to those obtained in non-Bt
      isogenic soybeans. Thus, this study demonstrates that D. melacanthus is favored
      at high temperatures (31 +/- 2  degrees C), and that neither did MON 87701 * MON
      89788 soybean pods affect the development of the pest nor its parasitoid T.
      podisi. 

PMID- 27254447
TI  - Branching, flowering and fruiting of Jatropha curcas treated with ethephon or
      benzyladenine and gibberellins.
AB  - Jatropha curcas L. has been identified for biofuel production but it presents
      limited commercial yields due to limited branching and a lack of yield
      uniformity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of single
      application of ethephon or a combination of 6-benzyladenine (BA) with gibberellic
      acid isomers A4 and A7 (GA4+7) on branch induction, flowering and fruit
      production in jatropha plants with and without leaves. Plants with and without
      leaves showed differences for growth and reproductive variables. For all
      variables except inflorescence set, there were no significant statistical
      interactions between the presence of leaves and plant growth regulators
      concentration. The total number of flowers per inflorescence was reduced as
      ethephon concentration was increased. As BA + GA4 +7 concentration increased,
      seed dry weight increased. Thus, ethephon and BA + GA4 +7 applications appeared
      to affect flowering and seed production to a greater extent than branching. The
      inability to discern significant treatment effects for most variables might have
      been due to the large variability within plant populations studied and thus
      resulting in an insufficient sample size. Therefore, data collected from this
      study were used for statistical estimations of sample sizes to provide a
      reference for future studies. 

PMID- 27254448
TI  - Mesothelin as a biomarker for ovarian carcinoma: a meta-analysis.
AB  - The objective of this work was to estimate the accuracy of mesothelin as a
      biomarker for ovarian cancer. A quantitative systematic review was performed. A
      comprehensive search of the Medline, LILACS, SCOPUS, Embase, Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials, Biomed Central, and ISI Web of Science databases
      was conducted from January 1990 to June 2015. For inclusion in this systematic
      review, the papers must have measured mesothelin levels in at least two
      histological diagnoses; ovarian cancer (borderline or ovarian tumor) vs. benign
      or normal ovarian tissue. For each study, 2 x 2 contingency tables were
      constructed. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds
      ratio. The verification bias was performed according to QUADAS-2. Statistical
      analysis was performed with the software Stata 11, Meta-DiSc(r) and RevMan 5.2.
      Twelve studies were analyzed, which included 1,561 women. The pooled sensitivity
      was 0.62 (CI 95% 0.58 - 0.66) and specificity was 0.94 (CI 95% 0.92 - 0.95). The
      DOR was 38.92 (CI 95% 17.82 - 84.99). Our systematic review shows that mesothelin
      cannot serve alone as a biomarker for the detection of ovarian cancer. 

PMID- 27254449
TI  - Metabolic responses of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) exposed to phenol
      and post-exposure recovery.
AB  - Metabolic adjustments were studied in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus exposed
      to 1.5 mg L-1 of phe nol (10% LC50) for four days and recovered for seven days.
      Lower triacylglycerol (TGA) stores and increased muscle fat free acids (FFA)
      suggest fat catabolism in muscle. Remarkable liver FFA decrease (-31%) suggests
      liver fat catabolism as well. Increased muscular ammonia levels and ASAT
      (aspartate aminotransferase) and decreased plasma aminoacids suggest higher
      muscular amino acid uptake. Constant levels of glucose and increased liver
      glycogen stores, associated with lower amino acids in plasma, indicate
      gluconeogenesis from amino acids. This is supported by higher hepatic ALAT and
      ASAT. Higher hepatic LDH followed by lower plasma lactate may indicate that
      plasma lactate was also used as gluconeogenic substrate. Biochemical alterations
      were exacerbated during the post-exposure recovery period. Reduction in muscle
      and plasma protein content indicate proteolysis. A higher rate of liver fat
      catabolism was resulted from a remarkable decrease in hepatic TGA (-58%).
      Catabolic preference for lipids was observed in order to supply such elevated
      energy demand. This study is the first insight about the metabolic profile of I.
      punctatus to cope with phenol plus its ability to recover, bringing attention to
      the biological consequences of environmental contamination. 

PMID- 27254450
TI  - Trade-off between reservoir yield and evaporation losses as a function of lake
      morphology in semi-arid Brazil.
AB  - This study investigates the relationships between yield and evaporation as a
      function of lake morphology in semi-arid Brazil. First, a new methodology was
      proposed to classify the morphology of 40 reservoirs in the Ceara State, with
      storage capacities ranging from approximately 5 to 4500 hm3. Then, Monte Carlo
      simulations were conducted to study the effect of reservoir morphology (including
      real and simplified conical forms) on the water storage process at different
      reliability levels. The reservoirs were categorized as convex (60.0%), slightly
      convex (27.5%) or linear (12.5%). When the conical approximation was used instead
      of the real lake form, a trade-off occurred between reservoir yield and
      evaporation losses, with different trends for the convex, slightly convex and
      linear reservoirs. Using the conical approximation, the water yield prediction
      errors reached approximately 5% of the mean annual inflow, which is negligible
      for large reservoirs. However, for smaller reservoirs, this error became
      important. Therefore, this paper presents a new procedure for correcting the
      yield-evaporation relationships that were obtained by assuming a conical
      approximation rather than the real reservoir morphology. The combination of this
      correction with the Regulation Triangle Diagram is useful for rapidly and
      objectively predicting reservoir yield and evaporation losses in semi-arid
      environments. 

PMID- 27254451
TI  - Probiotic level effects on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters,
      cecal microbiota, and immune response of broilers.
AB  - Probiotic effects on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, cecal
      microbiota, and immune response of broilers were studied. Two hundred one-day-old
      male chickens were allocated to one of five treatments (four replicates of 10
      birds per treatment): control, and the same control diet supplemented with
      0.005%, 0.01%, 0.015% and 0.02% probiotics. Probiotics in feed at 0.01% or higher
      levels of supplementation improved body weight gain (+12%) and feed conversion
      rate (-5%) compared with the control. There were no effects on carcass traits,
      but the relative weights of drumsticks and wings showed increasing and decreasing
      linear responses, respectively, to probiotic supplementation level. Blood plasma
      glucose and albumin contents linearly increased (from 167.1 to 200.5 mg dl-1, and
      from 1.70 to 3.25 g dl-1) with increasing probiotic supplementation.
      Triglycerides and cholesterol contents were lower in probiotic supplemented
      treatments (average contents 71.3 and 125.3 mg dl-1 vs. 92.6 and 149.9 mg dl-1 in
      the control). Probiotics decreased cecal Escherichia coli counts, but had no
      effects on immunity related organs or immune response. The linear trends, either
      positive or negative, observed in many of the parameters studied, suggest that
      more studies are needed to establish the optimal concentration of probiotics in
      broiler feed. 

PMID- 27254452
TI  - Bovine meat and bone meal is an economically viable alternative in quail feeding
      in the initial phase.
AB  - Quail egg production has experienced a steep rise in the last decade. Nutrition
      is the main factor affecting productive potential in the poultry industry, as
      appropriate nutritional management is necessary to ensure the maintenance of
      optimal physical conditions, growth and the production of high quality products.
      Meat and bone meal (MBM) has often been used in the poultry industry as an
      alternative and cost-effective source of protein in partial replacement of corn
      and soybean meal. However, there have been no studies to date that have
      investigated the effect of dietary MBM on the performance of quail or on the
      costs of production in the starter phase. This is particularly important
      considering that this phase is characterized by large investments by producers,
      without immediate economic return. In this study, we investigated whether partial
      replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by meat and bone meal (MBM) in the diet of
      Japanese quail during the starter phase is a viable alternative that would
      maintain or improve their productive and economic performance. Our results show
      that the inclusion of MBM in the diet of quail reduces feeding costs by up to 6%
      without impairing productive performance. 

PMID- 27254453
TI  - Assessment and kinetics of soil phosphatase in Brazilian Savanna systems.
AB  - The activity and kinetics of soil phosphatases are important indicators to
      evaluate soil quality in specific sites such as the Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna).
      This study aimed to determine the activity and kinetic parameters of soil
      phosphatase in Cerrado systems. Soil phosphatase activity was assessed in samples
      of native Cerrado (NC), no-tillage (NT), conventional tillage (CT) and pasture
      with Brachiaria brizantha (PBb) and evaluated with acetate buffer (AB), tris-HCl
      buffer (TB), modified universal buffer (MUB) and low MUB. The Michaelis-Menten
      equation and Eadie-Hofstee model were applied to obtain the kinetic parameters of
      soil phosphatase using different concentrations of p-nitrophenol phosphate (p
      NPP). MUB showed the lowest soil phosphatase activity in all soils whereas AB in
      NC and NT presented the highest. Low MUB decreased interferences in the
      assessment of soil phosphatase activity when compared to MUB, suggesting that
      organic acids interfere on the soil phosphatase activity. In NC and NT, soil
      phosphatase activity performed with TB was similar to AB and low MUB. Km values
      from the Michaels-Menten equation were higher in NC than in NT, which indicate a
      lower affinity of phosphatase activity for the substrate in NC. Vmax values were
      also higher in NC than in NT. The Eadie-Hofstee model suggests that NC had more
      phosphatase isoforms than NT. The study showed that buffer type is of fundamental
      importance when assessing soil phosphatase activity in Cerrado soils. 

PMID- 27254454
TI  - Interconnection between microstructure and microhardness of directionally
      solidified binary Al-6wt.%Cu and multicomponent Al-6wt.%Cu-8wt.%Si alloys.
AB  - An experimental study has been carried out to evaluate the microstructural and
      microhardness evolution on the directionally solidified binary Al-Cu and
      multicomponent Al-Cu-Si alloys and the influence of Si alloying. For this purpose
      specimens of Al-6wt.%Cu and Al-6wt.%Cu-8wt.%Si alloys were prepared and
      directionally solidified under transient conditions of heat extraction. A water
      cooled horizontal directional solidification device was applied. A comprehensive
      characterization is performed including experimental dendrite tip growth rates
      (VL) and cooling rates (TR) by measuring Vickers microhardness (HV), optical
      microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with microanalysis performed by
      energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The results show, for both studied
      alloys, the increasing of TR and VL reduced the primary dendrite arm spacing (l1)
      increasing the microhardness. Furthermore, the incorporation of Si in Al-6wt.%Cu
      alloy to form the Al-6wt.%Cu-8wt.%Si alloy influenced significantly the
      microstructure and consequently the microhardness but did not affect the primary
      dendritic growth law. An analysis on the formation of the columnar to equiaxed
      transition (CET) is also performed and the results show that the occurrence of
      CET is not sharp, i.e., the CET in both cases occurs in a zone rather than in a
      parallel plane to the chill wall, where both columnar and equiaxed grains are be
      able to exist. 

PMID- 27254455
TI  - Influence of Duroc breed inclusion into Polish Landrace maternal line on pork
      meat quality traits.
AB  - Crossbreeding with Duroc breed allows to improve meat quality, but no data is
      available regarding specific influence of Duroc breed on characteristics of meat
      in the case of crossbreeding with various breeds. The aim of the present research
      was to evaluate the effect of crossbreeding Polish Landrace dames with Duroc
      sires on quality features of meat in reference to Polish Landrace breed. The
      objects of the study were Longissimus dorsi lumborum pork muscles obtained from
      Polish Landrace breed and Polish Landrace x Duroc crossbreed animals. Sarcomere
      length measurements were conducted using microscopic method and basic chemical
      composition measurement was analyzed using spectrophotometric scanning. Texture
      analysis of meat samples, performed after thermal treatment was expressed by
      Warner-Bratzler shear force and color analysis was obtained using CIE L*a*b*
      color system. No differences in sarcomere length, shear force as well as
      components of color values between pork meat originated from Polish Landrace
      breed and Polish Landrace x Duroc crossbreed were observed. Analysis of basic
      chemical composition revealed higher fat and lower ash contents in the case of
      meat of Polish Landrace breed animals. It was concluded that the actual impact of
      breed on meat characteristics is possibly altered by other factors. It may be
      suggested that influence of basic chemical composition on color of meat is breed
      related. 

PMID- 27254456
TI  - Mercury bioaccumulation and isotopic relation between Trichiurus lepturus
      (Teleostei) and its preferred prey in coastal waters of southeastern Brazil.
AB  - The trophic transfer of total mercury (THg) and its bioaccumulation from prey
      species to the predator fish Trichiurus lepturus was analysed in coastal waters
      of southeastern Brazil to evaluate the trace element dynamic in this predator
      prey system. The isotopic (delta13C and delta15N) relation between this predator
      and its prey allowed inferences on prey assimilation and predator feeding habits.
      The THg increment varied from 4.5 to 19.5 times between prey and predator, with a
      biomagnification power of 0.59. The prey species could be divided into three
      groups regarding delta15N values: i) 13.6 to 13.20/00 (juvenile conspecifics,
      Pellona harroweri, and Peprilus paru); ii) 12.5 to 11.80/00 (Chirocentrodon
      bleekerianus, Lycengraulis grossidens, and Dorytheuthis plei); and iii) 10.50/00
      (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri). Based on delta13C values, the prey groups were: i) 
      15.30/00 (X. kroyeri); ii) -17.6 to -16.80/00 (C. bleekerianus, D. plei, P.
      harroweri, P. paru, and juvenile conspecifics); and iii) -18.70/00 (L.
      grossidens). The values of THg and delta15N highlighted juvenile conspecifics as
      the main via of this trace element and the most assimilated prey. The isotopic
      relation between predator and its prey species showed a feeding activity
      preferably coastal and pelagic. 

PMID- 27254457
TI  - Physiological behavior of bean's seeds and grains during storage.
AB  - Beans are one of the most used foods to meet the energy needs of the Brazilian
      diet, requiring farmers to use high seed physiological potential. The aim was to
      evaluate the physiological quality of beans stored for 360 days. Analyses were
      performed at 0, 30, 90, 180, 270, and 360 days after receiving the seeds (S1 and
      S2) and grains (G1 and G2) of BRS Splendor. Tests of germination, accelerated
      aging, cold, speed of germination, average length of shoots, and root were
      performed. The experimental design was completely randomized split-plot in time
      and the means were compared through Tukey test at 5% probability. Seed
      germination was not affected in S2, while the drop in S1 and G1 was significant.
      The vigor of grains from field 1 declined from 91 to 50% and from 93% to 76% by
      accelerated aging and cold, respectively, after 360 days. The germination speed
      tests performed showed a decreased during the experiment. The grains from field 1
      had lower physiological quality. The accelerated aging and cold tests, through
      the speed of germination parameter, showed decrease in the vigor of the Splendor
      BRS. The storage period influenced the physiological quality of the beans tested.

PMID- 27254458
TI  - Antioxidant activity of oils extracted from orange (Citrus sinensis) seeds.
AB  - Due to the increasing production of food in the world with consequent increase of
      the production of waste, the importance of developing researches for its use is
      noticed. Thus, the interest in vegetable oils with bioactive compounds, such as
      the ones extracted from fruit seeds, is growing. Therefore, the present study
      aims to characterize the oils extracted from seeds of Hamlin, Natal, Pera-rio and
      Valencia orange varieties (Citrus sinensis), as to the levels of total
      carotenoids, total phenolic compounds, tocopherols and phytosterols, as well as
      to determine their antioxidant activity. The orange seed oils presented important
      content of total carotenoids (19.01 mg/kg), total phenolic compounds (4.43 g/kg),
      alpha-tocopherol (135.65 mg/kg) and phytosterols (1304.2 mg/kg). The antioxidant
      activity ranged from 56.0% (Natal) to 70.2% (Pera-rio). According to the results
      it is possible to conclude that the orange seed oils can be used as specialty
      oils in diet, since they contain considerable amounts of bioactive compounds and
      antioxidants. 

PMID- 27254459
TI  - Electrochemically Produced Graphene for Microporous Layers in Fuel Cells.
AB  - The microporous layer (MPL) is a key cathodic component in proton exchange
      membrane fuel cells owing to its beneficial influence on two-phase mass transfer.
      However, its performance is highly dependent on material properties such as
      morphology, porous structure, and electrical resistance. To improve water
      management and performance, electrochemically exfoliated graphene (EGN)
      microsheets are considered as an alternative to the conventional carbon black
      (CB) MPLs. The EGN-based MPLs decrease the kinetic overpotential and the Ohmic
      potential loss, whereas the addition of CB to form a composite EGN+CB MPL
      improves the mass-transport limiting current density drastically. This is
      reflected by increases of approximately 30 and 70 % in peak power densities at
      100 % relative humidity (RH) compared with those for CB- and EGN-only MPLs,
      respectively. The composite EGN+CB MPL also retains the superior performance at a
      cathode RH of 20 %, whereas the CB MPL shows significant performance loss.

PMID- 27254460
TI  - Peptide-Catalyzed Stereoselective Conjugate Addition Reactions of Aldehydes to
      Maleimide.
AB  - The tripeptide H-dPro-Pro-Asn-NH2 is presented as a catalyst for asymmetric
      conjugate addition reactions of aldehydes to maleimide. The peptidic catalyst
      promotes the reaction between various aldehydes and unprotected maleimide with
      high stereoselectivities and yields. The obtained products were readily
      derivatized to the corresponding pyrrolidines, lactams, lactones, and peptide
      like compounds. (1) H NMR spectroscopic, crystallographic, and computational
      investigations provided insight into the conformational properties of H-dPro-Pro
      Asn-NH2 and revealed the importance of hydrogen bonding between the peptide and
      maleimide for catalyzing the stereoselective C-C bond formation.

PMID- 27254461
TI  - A method for detergent-free isolation of membrane proteins in their local lipid
      environment.
AB  - Despite the great importance of membrane proteins, structural and functional
      studies of these proteins present major challenges. A significant hurdle is the
      extraction of the functional protein from its natural lipid membrane.
      Traditionally achieved with detergents, purification procedures can be costly and
      time consuming. A critical flaw with detergent approaches is the removal of the
      protein from the native lipid environment required to maintain functionally
      stable protein. This protocol describes the preparation of styrene maleic acid
      (SMA) co-polymer to extract membrane proteins from prokaryotic and eukaryotic
      expression systems. Successful isolation of membrane proteins into SMA lipid
      particles (SMALPs) allows the proteins to remain with native lipid, surrounded by
      SMA. We detail procedures for obtaining 25 g of SMA (4 d); explain the
      preparation of protein-containing SMALPs using membranes isolated from
      Escherichia coli (2 d) and control protein-free SMALPS using E. coli polar lipid
      extract (1-2 h); investigate SMALP protein purity by SDS-PAGE analysis and
      estimate protein concentration (4 h); and detail biophysical methods such as
      circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and sedimentation velocity analytical
      ultracentrifugation (svAUC) to undertake initial structural studies to
      characterize SMALPs (~2 d). Together, these methods provide a practical tool kit
      for those wanting to use SMALPs to study membrane proteins.

PMID- 27254462
TI  - Orthotopic mouse liver transplantation to study liver biology and allograft
      tolerance.
AB  - Orthotopic liver transplantation in the mouse is a powerful research tool that
      has led to important mechanistic insights into the regulation of hepatic injury,
      liver immunopathology, and transplant tolerance. However, it is a technically
      demanding surgical procedure. Setup of the orthotopic liver transplantation model
      comprises three main stages: surgery on the donor mouse; back-table preparation
      of the liver graft; and transplant of the liver into the recipient mouse. In this
      protocol, we describe our procedure in stepwise detail to allow efficient
      completion of both the donor and recipient operations. The protocol can result in
      consistently high technical success rates when performed by personnel experienced
      in the protocol. The technique can be completed in ~2-3 h when performed by an
      individual who is well practiced in performing mouse transplantation in
      accordance with this protocol. We have achieved a perioperative survival rate
      close to 100%.

PMID- 27254464
TI  - Adsorption and conformational modification of fibronectin and fibrinogen adsorbed
      on hydroxyapatite. A QCM-D study.
AB  - Hydroxyapatite is a bioactive ceramic frequently used for bone
      engineering/replacement. One of the parameters that influence the biological
      response to implanted materials is the conformation of the first adsorbed protein
      layer. In this work, the adsorption and conformational changes of two fibroid
      serum proteins; fibronectin and fibrinogen adsorbed onto four different
      hydroxyapatite powders are studied with a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with
      Dissipation (QCM-D). Each of the calcined apatites adsorbs less protein than
      their corresponding synthesized samples. Adsorption on synthesized samples yields
      always an extended conformation whereas a reorganization of the layer is observed
      for the calcined samples. Fg acquires a "Side on" conformation in all the samples
      at the beginning of the experiment except for one of the synthesized samples
      where an "End-on" conformation is obtained during the whole experiment. The
      Extended conformation is the active conformation for Fn. This conformation is
      favored by apatites with large specific surface area (SSA) and on highly
      concentrated media. Apatite surface features should be considered in the
      selection or design of materials for bone regeneration, since it is possible to
      control the conformation mode of attachment of Fn and Fg by an appropriate
      selection of them. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:
      104A: 2585-2594, 2016.

PMID- 27254463
TI  - RecET direct cloning and Redalphabeta recombineering of biosynthetic gene
      clusters, large operons or single genes for heterologous expression.
AB  - Full-length RecE and RecT from Rac prophage mediate highly efficient linear
      linear homologous recombination that can be used to clone large DNA regions
      directly from genomic DNA into expression vectors, bypassing library construction
      and screening. Homologous recombination mediated by Redalphabeta from lambda
      phage has been widely used for recombinant DNA engineering. Here we present a
      protocol for direct cloning and engineering of biosynthetic gene clusters, large
      operons or single genes from genomic DNA using one Escherichia coli host that
      harbors both RecET and Redalphabeta systems. The pipeline uses standardized
      cassettes for horizontal gene transfer options, as well as vectors with different
      replication origins configured to minimize recombineering background through the
      use of selectively replicating templates or CcdB counterselection. These
      optimized reagents and protocols facilitate fast acquisition of transgenes from
      genomic DNA preparations, which are ready for heterologous expression within 1
      week.

PMID- 27254465
TI  - Control of Polymer Phase Separation by Roughness Transfer Printing for 2D
      Microlens Arrays.
AB  - Great efforts have been devoted to the control of phase separation between
      blended polymers in terms of the advantages for engineering functional
      topologies. A simple and straightforward pathway through roughness transfer
      printing (RTP) is proposed to realize the control of polymer phase separation.
      The additional roughness difference, which is introduced by trace agarose
      transferred from a hydrogel stamp, offers a great effect on the rate of
      nucleation and coalescence orientation of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
      protrusions grown from a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) network. Using a particular
      topography of agarose stamp and a proper growth time in toluene atmosphere, a 2D
      microlens array with high uniformity is obtained that shows great potential for
      optical applications. Moreover, the control of polymer phase separation was
      successfully extended to the collection and identification of fingerprints with a
      high degree of replication. 

PMID- 27254467
TI  - Pyruvate Occupancy in the Carboxyl Transferase Domain of Pyruvate Carboxylase
      Facilitates Product Release from the Biotin Carboxylase Domain through an
      Intermolecular Mechanism.
AB  - Protein structure, ligand binding, and catalytic turnover contributes to the
      governance of catalytic events occurring at spatially distinct domains in
      multifunctional enzymes. Coordination of these catalytic events partially rests
      on the ability of spatially discrete active sites to communicate with other
      allosteric and active sites on the same polypeptide chain (intramolecular) or on
      different polypeptide chains (intermolecular) within the holoenzyme. Often,
      communication results in long-range effects on substrate binding or product
      release. For example, pyruvate binding to the carboxyl transferase (CT) domain of
      pyruvate carboxylase (PC) increases the rate of product release in the biotin
      carboxylase (BC) domain. In order to address how CT domain ligand occupancy is
      "sensed" by other domains, we generated functional, mixed hybrid tetramers using
      the E218A (inactive BC domain) and T882S (low pyruvate binding, low activity)
      mutant forms of PC. The apparent Ka pyruvate for the pyruvate-stimulated release
      of Pi catalyzed by the T882S:E218A[1:1] hybrid tetramer was comparable to the
      wild-type enzyme and nearly 10-fold lower than that for the T882S homotetramer.
      In addition, the ratio of the rates of oxaloacetate formation to Pi release for
      the WT:T882S[1:1] and E218A:T882S[1:1] hybrid tetramer-catalyzed reactions was
      0.5 and 0.6, respectively, while the T882S homotetramer exhibited a near 1:1
      coupling of the two domains, suggesting that the mechanisms coordinating
      catalytic events is more complicated that we initially assumed. The results
      presented here are consistent with an intermolecular communication mechanism,
      where pyruvate binding to the CT domain is "sensed" by domains on a different
      polypeptide chain within the tetramer.

PMID- 27254468
TI  - Graphitic Carbon Nanocubes Derived from ZIF-8 for Photothermal Therapy.
AB  - Graphitic carbon nanocubes (GCNCs) were prepared by pyrolysis of ZIF-8 nanocubes.
      The GCNCs resemble the structure of N-doped graphite and exhibit a high
      photothermal conversion efficiency of 40.4%. In vitro tests demonstrate that the
      GCNCs are highly biocompatible and induce an effective photothermal therapy
      effect under 808 nm irradiation. Our study provides a facile strategy for
      preparing functional carbon nanomaterials of prescribed size, morphology, and
      porous structure for bioapplications. 

PMID- 27254466
TI  - Alcohol-Induced Developmental Origins of Adult-Onset Diseases.
AB  - Fetal alcohol exposure may impair growth, development, and function of multiple
      organ systems and is encompassed by the term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
      (FASD). Research has so far focused on the mechanisms, prevention, and diagnosis
      of FASD, while the risk for adult-onset chronic diseases in individuals exposed
      to alcohol in utero is not well explored. David Barker's hypothesis on
      Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) suggests that insults to the
      milieu of the developing fetus program it for adult development of chronic
      diseases. In the 25 years since the introduction of this hypothesis,
      epidemiological and animal model studies have made significant advancements in
      identifying in utero developmental origins of chronic adult-onset diseases
      affecting cardiovascular, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and psychobehavioral
      systems. Teratogen exposure is an established programming agent for adult
      diseases, and recent studies suggest that prenatal alcohol exposure correlates
      with adult onset of neurobehavioral deficits, cardiovascular disease, endocrine
      dysfunction, and nutrient homeostasis instability, warranting additional
      investigation of alcohol-induced DOHaD, as well as patient follow-up well into
      adulthood for affected individuals. In utero epigenetic alterations during
      critical periods of methylation are a key potential mechanism for programming and
      susceptibility of adult-onset chronic diseases, with imprinted genes affecting
      metabolism being critical targets. Additional studies in epidemiology, phenotypic
      characterization in response to timing, dose, and duration of exposure, as well
      as elucidation of mechanisms underlying FASD-DOHaD inter relation, are thus
      needed to clinically define chronic disease associated with prenatal alcohol
      exposure. These studies are critical to establish interventional strategies that
      decrease incidence of these adult-onset diseases and promote healthier aging
      among individuals affected with FASD.

PMID- 27254469
TI  - Bone scaffolds loaded with siRNA-Semaphorin4d for the treatment of osteoporosis
      related bone defects.
AB  - Osteoporosis is a prominent disorder affecting over 200 million people worldwide.
      Recently, semaphorins have been implicated in the cell-cell communication between
      osteoclasts and osteoblasts and have been associated with the progression of
      osteoporosis. Previously, we demonstrated that knockdown of semaphorin4d (Sema4d)
      using siRNA delivered with a bone-targeting system prevented bone loss in an
      osteoporotic animal model. Here, we used this bone-specific technology containing
      siRNA-Sema4d and fabricated a PLLA scaffold capable of enhancing bone repair
      following fracture. We investigated the ability of the implant to release siRNA
      Sema4d into the surrounding tissues over time and to influence new bone formation
      in a 3 mm femur osteoporotic defect model in ovariectomized rats. Delivery of the
      bone-targeting system released from PLLA scaffolds began 2 hours post
      implantation, peaked at 1 day, and was sustained over a 21 day period. MUCT
      analysis demonstrated a significantly higher bone volume/total volume bone
      mineral density and number of osteoblasts in the rats that were transplanted with
      scaffolds loaded with siRNA-Sema4d. These results confirm the specific role of
      Sema4d in bone remodeling and demonstrate that significant increases in the speed
      and quality of new bone formation occur when siRNA-Sema4d is delivered via a PLLA
      scaffold.

PMID- 27254471
TI  - Two-wheel drive-based DNA nanomachine and its sensing potential for highly
      sensitive analysis of cancer-related gene.
AB  - With the biological significance and important advances of nano-scale DNA
      devices, scientific activities have been directed toward developing molecular
      machinery. In this work, we present a novel two-wheel drive-based DNA nanomachine
      composed of one signaling recognition probe (SRP), one label-free recognition
      probe (LRP), and one driving primer (DP). Target DNA hybridization can activate
      LRP-based wheel driving by resorting to DP-mediated
      polymerization/nicking/displacement cycles. This in turn results in the
      accumulation of nicked strand 1 (NS1) that can initiate extended SRP-based wheel
      driving. As a result, the hairpin structure of SRP is stretched and pre-quenched
      fluorescence is restored. Meanwhile, lots of nicked strand 2 (NS2) are produced,
      which could hybridize perfectly with SRP and lead to further fluorescence
      amplification. It is worth noting that, because the nanomachine operation relies
      strongly on inputted target trigger, the unwanted background is completely
      eliminated. The detection limit of 1 pM and an excellent capability to recognize
      the single-base mutation were achieved. Significantly, the interrogating of
      target trigger extracted from cancer cells is already available, reflecting the
      potential for practical applications. As a proof-of-concept building, the unique
      analytical properties would significantly benefit the DNA nanomachines and reveal
      great promise in biochemical and biomedical studies.

PMID- 27254470
TI  - Re-assessing the enhanced permeability and retention effect in peripheral
      arterial disease using radiolabeled long circulating nanoparticles.
AB  - As peripheral arterial disease (PAD) results in muscle ischemia and
      neovascularization, it has been claimed that nanoparticles can passively
      accumulate in ischemic tissues through the enhanced permeability and retention
      (EPR) effect. At this time, a quantitative evaluation of the passive targeting
      capabilities of nanoparticles has not been reported in PAD. Using a murine model
      of hindlimb ischemia, we quantitatively assessed the passive targeting
      capabilities of (64)Cu-labeled PEGylated reduced graphene oxide - iron oxide
      nanoparticles ((64)Cu-RGO-IONP-PEG) through the EPR effect using positron
      emission tomography (PET) imaging. Serial laser Doppler imaging was performed to
      monitor changes in blood perfusion upon surgical induction of ischemia.
      Nanoparticle accumulation was assessed at 3, 10, and 17 days post-surgery and
      found to be highest at 3 days post-surgery, with the ischemic hindlimb displaying
      an accumulation of 14.7 +/- 0.5% injected dose per gram (%ID/g). Accumulation of
      (64)Cu-RGO-IONP-PEG was lowest at 17 days post-surgery, with the ischemic
      hindlimb displaying only 5.1 +/- 0.5%ID/g. Furthermore, nanoparticle accumulation
      was confirmed by photoacoustic imaging (PA). The combination of PET and serial
      Doppler imaging showed that nanoparticle accumulation in the ischemic hindlimb
      negatively correlated with blood perfusion. Thus, we quantitatively confirmed
      that (64)Cu-RGO-IONP-PEG passively accumulated in ischemic tissue via the EPR
      effect, which is reduced as the perfusion normalizes. As (64)Cu-RGO-IONP-PEG
      displayed substantial accumulation in the ischemic tissue, this nanoparticle
      platform may function as a future theranostic agent, providing both imaging and
      therapeutic applications.

PMID- 27254473
TI  - Long-term outcomes following percutaneous hepatic vein recanalization for Budd
      Chiari syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: A proportion of patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS)
      associated with stenosis or short occlusion of the hepatic vein (HV) or upper
      inferior vena cava (IVC) can be treated with recanalization by percutaneous
      venoplasty +/- HV stent insertion. We studied the long-term outcomes of this
      approach. METHODS: Single-centre retrospective analysis of patients referred for
      radiological assessment +/- intervention over a 27-year period. Of 155 BCS
      patients, 63 patients who underwent venoplasty were studied and compared to a
      previously reported series treated by TIPSS (n = 59). RESULTS: Patients treated
      with HV interventions (32 venoplasty alone, 31 endovascular stents): mean age,
      34.9 +/- 10.9; M:F ratio 27:36; median follow-up, 113.0 months; 62% of patients
      had >=1 haematological risk factor. Technical success was 100%, with symptom
      resolution in 73%. Cumulative secondary patency at 1, 5, 10 years was 92%, 79%,
      79% and 69%, 69%, 64% in the stenting and venoplasty groups respectively. Where
      long-term patency was not achieved, 10 patients required TIPSS, and 8 underwent
      surgery. Actuarial survival at 1, 5, 10 years was 97%, 89% and 85%. When compared
      to TIPSS, HV interventions resulted in similar patency and survival rates but
      significantly lower procedural complications (9.5% vs 27.1%) and hepatic
      encephalopathy (0% vs 18%). Patient age predicted survival following multivariate
      analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the stepwise approach to management of
      BCS, with very good outcomes from venoplasty combined with stenting when
      required. TIPSS should only be offered where HV interventions are not feasible or
      unsuccessful.

PMID- 27254472
TI  - Physiologic Frailty in Nonelderly Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Patients:
      Results From the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Study.
AB  - Importance: Frailty results in decreased physiological reserve and diminished
      resistance to stressors; approximately 10% of those in the elderly population
      (those >=65 years) are frail. High-intensity treatments and complications after
      hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) injure normal tissues and may increase
      the risk of frailty even among nongeriatric HCT patients. Objective: To determine
      the prevalence of frailty in young adult HCT patients (18- to 64-year-olds) and
      siblings; and the impact of frailty on subsequent mortality in HCT survivors.
      Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study, conducted in August 2015
      examined 998 HCT survivors, who underwent transplant procedures between 1974 and
      1998, who have survived at least 2 years after HCT, and 297 frequency-matched
      siblings. The study was performed at City of Hope or University of Minnesota with
      participants completing surveys at home or in the clinic. Hematopoietic cell
      transplantation survivors and siblings participating in the Bone Marrow
      Transplant Survivor Study (BMTSS) completed a frailty survey between February 13,
      1999 and June 15, 2005 (median time since HCT: 7.9 years); HCT survivors were
      followed for subsequent mortality (median: 10.3 years from survey). Main Outcomes
      and Measures: Prevalence and predictors of frailty; impact of frailty on
      subsequent mortality in HCT survivors. Frailty phenotype defined as exhibiting 3
      or more of the following characteristics: clinically underweight, exhaustion, low
      energy expenditure, slow walking speed, and muscle weakness. The national Death
      Index, Social Security Death Index and medical records were used for mortality
      assessment as of December 21, 2011. Results: The 998 HCT survivors were a mean
      (SD) of 42.5 (11.6) years of age, and the 297 matched siblings were 43.8 (10.9)
      years of age. The prevalence of frailty among young adult HCT patients exceeded
      8%. The HCT survivors were 8.4 times more likely to be frail than their siblings
      (95% CI, 2.0-34.5; P = .003). Among HCT recipients, allogeneic HCT recipients
      with chronic graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) were at increased risk of frailty
      compared with autologous HCT (OR,15.02; 95% CI, 6.6-34.3; P < .001); resolved
      chronic GvHD (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-6.9; P = .04). Cumulative incidence of
      subsequent all-cause mortality was 39.3% and 14.7% at 10 years for HCT recipients
      with and without frailty, respectively (P < .001). Frailty was associated with a
      2.76-fold (95% CI, 1.7-4.4; P < .001) increased risk of subsequent mortality
      after adjusting for relevant prognosticators. Conclusions and Relevance: The
      prevalence of frailty among young-adult HCT survivors approaches that seen in the
      elderly general population. Frail HCT survivors are at increased risk of
      subsequent mortality when compared with nonfrail survivors. This study identifies
      vulnerable populations needing close monitoring to anticipate and manage
      morbidity and prevent mortality.

PMID- 27254474
TI  - Exposure to Violence During Ferguson Protests: Mental Health Effects for Law
      Enforcement and Community Members.
AB  - There is little information available on the mental health effects of exposure to
      shared community violence such as the August 2014 violence that occurred in
      Ferguson, Missouri. This study sought to examine the relationship between
      proximity to community violence and mental health in both community members and
      police officers. We recruited 565 adults (community, n = 304, and police, n =
      261) exposed to the violence in Ferguson to complete measures of proximity to
      violence, posttraumatic stress, depression, and anger. Using structural equation
      modeling, we assessed aspects of proximity to violence-connectedness, direct
      exposure, fear from exposure, media exposure, reactions to media, and life
      interruption-as correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms,
      depression, and anger. The final model yielded (n = 432), chi(2) (d = 12) = 7.4,
      p = .830; comparative fit index = 1.0, root mean square error of approximation =
      0 [0, .04]. All aspects of proximity except direct exposure were associated with
      mental health outcomes. There was no moderation as a function of community versus
      police. Race moderated the relationship between life interruptions and negative
      outcomes; interruption was related to distress for White, but not Black community
      members. Based on group comparisons, community members reported more symptoms of
      PTSD and depression than law enforcement (etap (2) = .06 and .02, respectively).
      Black community members reported more PTSD and depression than White community
      members (etap (2) = .05 and .02, respectively). Overall, distress was high, and
      mental health interventions are likely indicated for some individuals exposed to
      the Ferguson events.

PMID- 27254475
TI  - Controlling the time evolution of mAb N-linked glycosylation, Part I:
      Microbioreactor experiments.
AB  - N-linked glycosylation is of key importance for the efficacy of many
      biotherapeutic proteins such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Media components
      and cell culture conditions have been shown to significantly affect N-linked
      glycosylation during the production of glycoproteins using mammalian cell fed
      batch cultures. These parameters inevitably change in modern industrial processes
      with concentrated feed additions and cell densities beyond 2 * 107 cells/mL. In
      order to control the time-dependent changes of protein glycosylation, an
      automated microbioreactor system was used to investigate the effects of culture
      pH, ammonia, galactose, and manganese chloride supplementation on nucleotide
      sugars as well as mAb N-linked glycosylation in a time-dependent way. Two
      different strategies comprising of a single shift of culture conditions as well
      as multiple media supplementations along the culture duration were applied to
      obtain changing and constant glycosylation profiles. The different feeding
      approaches enabled constant glycosylation patterns throughout the entire culture
      duration at different levels. By modulating the time evolution of the mAb glycan
      pattern, not only the endpoint but also the ratios between different
      glycosylation structures could be modified. (c) 2016 American Institute of
      Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1123-1134, 2016.

PMID- 27254476
TI  - Aromatic Side Chain Water-to-Lipid Transfer Free Energies Show a Depth Dependence
      across the Membrane Normal.
AB  - Quantitating and understanding the physical forces responsible for the
      interactions of biomolecules are fundamental to the biological sciences. This is
      especially challenging for membrane proteins because they are embedded within
      cellular bilayers that provide a unique medium in which hydrophobic sequences
      must fold. Knowledge of the energetics of protein-lipid interactions is thus
      vital to understand cellular processes involving membrane proteins. Here we used
      a host-guest mutational strategy to calculate the Gibbs free energy changes of
      water-to-lipid transfer for the aromatic side chains Trp, Tyr, and Phe as a
      function of depth in the membrane. This work reveals an energetic gradient in the
      transfer free energies for Trp and Tyr, where transfer was most favorable to the
      membrane interfacial region and comparatively less favorable into the bilayer
      center. The transfer energetics follows the concentration gradient of polar atoms
      across the bilayer normal that naturally occurs in biological membranes.
      Additional measurements revealed nearest-neighbor coupling in the data set are
      influenced by a network of aromatic side chains in the host protein. Taken
      together, these results show that aromatic side chains contribute significantly
      to membrane protein stability through either aromatic-aromatic interactions or
      placement at the membrane interface.

PMID- 27254478
TI  - NHC Nickel-Catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reactions of Aryl Boronate
      Esters with Perfluorobenzenes.
AB  - An efficient Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of perfluorinated arenes with
      aryl boronate esters using NHC nickel complexes as catalysts is described. The
      efficiencies of different boronate esters (p-tolyl-Beg, p-tolyl-Bneop, p-tolyl
      Bpin, p-tolyl-Bcat) and the corresponding boronic acid (p-tolyl-B(OH)2) in this
      type of cross-coupling reaction were evaluated (eg, ethyleneglycolato; neop,
      neopentylglycolato; pin, pinacolato; cat, catecholato). Aryl-Beg was shown to be
      the most reactive boronate ester among those studied. The use of CsF as an
      additive is essential for an efficient reaction of hexafluorobenzene with aryl
      neopentylglycolboronates.

PMID- 27254477
TI  - Calculating binding free energies of host-guest systems using the AMOEBA
      polarizable force field.
AB  - Molecular recognition is of paramount interest in many applications. Here we
      investigate a series of host-guest systems previously used in the SAMPL4 blind
      challenge by using molecular simulations and the AMOEBA polarizable force field.
      The free energy results computed by Bennett's acceptance ratio (BAR) method using
      the AMOEBA polarizable force field ranked favorably among the entries submitted
      to the SAMPL4 host-guest competition [Muddana, et al., J. Comput.-Aided Mol.
      Des., 2014, 28, 305-317]. In this work we conduct an in-depth analysis of the
      AMOEBA force field host-guest binding thermodynamics by using both BAR and the
      orthogonal space random walk (OSRW) methods. The binding entropy-enthalpy
      contributions are analyzed for each host-guest system. For systems of inordinate
      binding entropy-enthalpy values, we further examine the hydrogen bonding patterns
      and configurational entropy contribution. The binding mechanism of this series of
      host-guest systems varies from ligand to ligand, driven by enthalpy and/or
      entropy changes. Convergence of BAR and OSRW binding free energy methods is
      discussed. Ultimately, this work illustrates the value of molecular modelling and
      advanced force fields for the exploration and interpretation of binding
      thermodynamics.

PMID- 27254480
TI  - The Endoscopic Reference Score shows modest accuracy to predict histologic
      remission in adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between the severity of endoscopic signs scored
      according to the Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS) and histopathologic signs of
      eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has not been sufficiently explored. We aimed to
      determine if the EREFS system predicts histopathologic activity in EoE patients.
      METHODS: We included 69 patients with EoE (age 35 [IQR 29-48] years; 80% male)
      who, between 2006 and 2014, underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) during
      which high-quality endoscopic images were taken and esophageal biopsy specimens
      were obtained. Per EGD, three or more depersonalized images were scored by an
      expert endoscopist, and histopathologic signs were scored by a pathologist with
      gastrointestinal expertise; both in a blinded fashion. The predictive values of
      endoscopic signs for disease activity (peak eosinophil count) were calculated. In
      addition, we measured the utility of the EREFS in the follow-up of 35 EoE
      patients. KEY RESULTS: Individual endoscopic signs did not correspond to the peak
      eosinophil count or other histopathologic signs. Although the composite fibrotic
      signs score, inflammatory signs score, and total EREFS correlated weakly to
      moderately with the peak eosinophil count, none of these scores had both high
      positive and negative predictive values for histopathologic disease activity. In
      the follow-up of 35 patients, lower peak eosinophil counts were not associated
      with a decrease in endoscopic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: In adult
      patients with EoE, the EREFS system correlates with peak eosinophil counts, but
      their predictive value for disease activity is insufficient for clinical use.
      Therefore, biopsies remain indispensable for the assessment of disease activity.

PMID- 27254481
TI  - Association of Socioeconomic Status and Race/Ethnicity With Treatment and
      Survival in Patients With Medullary Thyroid Cancer.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a relatively rare neoplasm of the
      thyroid but accounts for 14% of thyroid cancer-related deaths. Female sex, young
      age, and stage at presentation have been found to predict survival and treatment.
      However, patterns of survival and treatment by socioeconomic status and
      race/ethnicity have not been fully described. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether
      socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity are associated with survival and
      treatment in patients with MTC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Data for 1647
      patients with MTC from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2011, in the
      Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program registry were
      examined. Data analysis was conducted from June 1, 2013, to July 31, 2014. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Differences in receipt of thyroidectomy and lymph node
      examination by race/ethnicity were examined using logistic regression models.
      Overall and disease-specific survival were examined by race/ethnicity using
      Kaplan-Meier survival curves and adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression
      models. RESULTS: Of the 1647 patients with MTC were 1192 white (72.4%), 139 black
      (8.4%), 222 Hispanic (13.5%), and 94 other races/ethnicities (5.7%). Of these,
      1539 (93.4%) underwent surgical treatment. There were no differences in receipt
      of thyroidectomy by race/ethnicity; however, black patients (adjusted odds ratio,
      0.61; 95% CI, 0.39-0.93) and female patients (adjusted odds ratio, 0.76; 95% CI,
      0.59-0.99) were less likely to undergo lymph node examination compared with non
      Hispanic white and male patients. Black patients had lower overall (adjusted
      hazard ratio, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.45-3.98) and disease-specific survival (adjusted
      hazard ratio, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.64-5.14) compared with non-Hispanic white patients.
      CONCLUSIONS AND REVELANCE: In this population-based study of patients with MTC,
      black patients were less likely to have lymph node examination following surgery.
      Furthermore, Hispanic and black patients had poorer overall and disease-specific
      survival compared with non-Hispanic white patients after accounting for clinical
      factors. Racial/ethnic disparities exist in the type of treatment as well as
      outcomes in patients with MTC.

PMID- 27254482
TI  - Error Sensitivity to Environmental Noise in Quantum Circuits for Chemical State
      Preparation.
AB  - Calculating molecular energies is likely to be one of the first useful
      applications to achieve quantum supremacy, performing faster on a quantum than a
      classical computer. However, if future quantum devices are to produce accurate
      calculations, errors due to environmental noise and algorithmic approximations
      need to be characterized and reduced. In this study, we use the high performance
      qHiPSTER software to investigate the effects of environmental noise on the
      preparation of quantum chemistry states. We simulated 18 16-qubit quantum
      circuits under environmental noise, each corresponding to a unitary coupled
      cluster state preparation of a different molecule or molecular configuration.
      Additionally, we analyze the nature of simple gate errors in noise-free circuits
      of up to 40 qubits. We find that, in most cases, the Jordan-Wigner (JW) encoding
      produces smaller errors under a noisy environment as compared to the Bravyi
      Kitaev (BK) encoding. For the JW encoding, pure dephasing noise is shown to
      produce substantially smaller errors than pure relaxation noise of the same
      magnitude. We report error trends in both molecular energy and electron particle
      number within a unitary coupled cluster state preparation scheme, against changes
      in nuclear charge, bond length, number of electrons, noise types, and noise
      magnitude. These trends may prove to be useful in making algorithmic and hardware
      related choices for quantum simulation of molecular energies. 

PMID- 27254484
TI  - Rapid Synthesis of Cobalt Nitride Nanowires: Highly Efficient and Low-Cost
      Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution.
AB  - Electrochemical splitting of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen is an important
      process for many energy storage and conversion devices. Developing efficient,
      durable, low-cost, and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution
      reaction (OER) is of great urgency. To achieve the rapid synthesis of transition
      metal nitride nanostructures and improve their electrocatalytic performance, a
      new strategy has been developed to convert cobalt oxide precursors into cobalt
      nitride nanowires through N2 radio frequency plasma treatment. This method
      requires significantly shorter reaction times (about 1 min) at room temperature
      compared to conventional high-temperature NH3 annealing which requires a few
      hours. The plasma treatment significantly enhances the OER activity, as evidenced
      by a low overpotential of 290 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) , a
      small Tafel slope, and long-term durability in an alkaline electrolyte.

PMID- 27254483
TI  - The recent fall in postperinatal mortality in New Zealand and the Safe Sleep
      programme.
AB  - AIM: Postneonatal mortality rates changed very little from 2000 until recently.
      There has been a decrease in mortality in New Zealand from 2009 to 2015. This
      study describes an infant Safe Sleep programme and postulates it is the cause for
      the recent decrease in deaths. METHODS: The Safe Sleep programme involved as
      follows: a focus on preventing accidental suffocation, a 'blitz' approach to SUDI
      education, the targeted provision of portable infant Safe Sleep devices (ISSD)
      and the development of Safe Sleep policy across all district health boards
      (DHBs). RESULTS: Participation in the education 'blitz' by health professionals
      exceeded one in 23 live births, distribution of Safe Sleep leaflets exceeded two
      for every live birth, and over 16 500 ISSDs have been distributed to vulnerable
      infants. Postperinatal mortality fell 29% from 2009 to 2015 (2.8 to 2.0/1000 live
      births). The fall has been greatest for Maori and in regions with the most
      intensive programmes. CONCLUSION: The recent fall in postperinatal mortality has
      not happened by chance. It is likely that the components of end-stage prevention
      strategy, a focus on preventing accidental suffocation, the education 'blitz',
      the targeted supply of ISSDs and strengthened health policy, have all contributed
      to varying degrees.

PMID- 27254479
TI  - Emerging roles for long noncoding RNAs in skeletal biology and disease.
AB  - Normal skeletal development requires tight coordination of transcriptional
      networks, signaling pathways, and biomechanical cues, and many of these pathways
      are dysregulated in pathological conditions affecting cartilage and bone.
      Recently, a significant role has been identified for long noncoding RNAs
      (lncRNAs) in developing and maintaining cellular phenotypes, and improvements in
      sequencing technologies have led to the identification of thousands of lncRNAs
      across diverse cell types, including the cells within cartilage and bone. It is
      clear that lncRNAs play critical roles in regulating gene expression. For
      example, they can function as epigenetic regulators in the nucleus via chromatin
      modulation to control gene transcription, or in the cytoplasm, where they can
      function as scaffolds for protein-binding partners or modulate the activity of
      other coding and noncoding RNAs. In this review, we discuss the growing list of
      lncRNAs involved in normal development and/or homeostasis of the skeletal system,
      the potential mechanisms by which these lncRNAs might function, and recent
      improvements in the methodologies available to study lncRNA functions in vitro
      and in vivo. Finally, we address the likely utility of lncRNAs as biomarkers and
      therapeutic targets for diseases of the skeletal system, including
      osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and in cancers of the skeletal system.

PMID- 27254485
TI  - Oral Anticoagulants: The Move Beyond Warfarin.

PMID- 27254486
TI  - The relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor, irisin and cognitive
      skills of endurance athletes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the cognitive performance of
      endurance athletes and its relation with circulating brain-derived neurotrophic
      factor (BDNF) and irisin levels. METHODS: 26 endurance athletes (14 elite
      orienteers (mean +/- SD: age = 26.33 +/- 4.08, body weight = 70.33 +/- 4.64, body
      height = 177.7 +/- 6.1), 12 pentathletes (mean +/- SD: age = 29.42 +/- 5.32, body
      weight = 74.77 +/- 6.59, body height = 180.8 +/- 3.8)) and ten sedentary (mean +/
      SD: age = 27.30 +/- 2.06, body weight = 76.65 +/- 12.50, body height = 176.9 +/-
      5.2) men at almost same ages and educational levels participated in this study.
      Cognitive functions were analyzed with mini-mental-state examination (MMSE) and
      Isaacs' Set Test of Verbal Fluency (IST) tests. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF
      1), BDNF and irisin levels were measured in the blood samples. RESULTS: The MSSE
      and IST scores of the endurance athletes were higher than that of the sedentary
      control group (P < 0.05). Serum IGF-1 levels were higher in the pentathletes
      (111.18 +/- 22.26 ng mL(-1)) than the orienteers (85.89 +/- 19.32 ng mL(-1)) (P <
      0.05). Plasma BDNF (2.78 +/- 0.81, 4.28 +/- 1.03, and 3.93 +/- 0.77 ng mL(-1) in
      the sedentary, orienteers and pentathletes, respectively) and irisin (3.25 +/-
      0.70, 6.16 +/- 0.99, and 6.58 +/- 1.09 ug mL(-1) in the sedentary, orienteers and
      pentathletes, respectively) concentrations of the endurance trained athletes were
      higher than that of the sedentary control group (P < 0.05). Positive correlation
      between the cognitive function test results and BDNF and irisin concentrations
      were observed (P < 0.05). There was also a positive correlation between the
      circulating irisin and BDNF concentrations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results
      suggested that irisin and BDNF levels positively correlated with cognition in the
      endurance trained athletes.

PMID- 27254488
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27254487
TI  - The assessment and measurement of adult life stress: Basic premises, operational
      principles, and design requirements.
AB  - Life stress is a central factor in the onset and course of a wide range of
      medical and psychiatric conditions. Determining the precise etiological and
      pathological consequences of stress, though, has been hindered by weaknesses in
      prevailing definitional and measurement practices. The purpose of the current
      paper is to evaluate the primary strategies for defining and measuring major and
      minor acute life events, chronic stressors, and daily hassles as informed by 3
      basic scientific premises. The first premise concerns the manner in which stress
      is conceptualized and operationally defined, and specifically we assert that
      stress measures must not conflate the stress exposure with the stress response.
      The second premise concerns how stress exposures are measured, and we provide
      guidelines for optimizing standardized and sensitive indicators of life stress.
      The third premise addresses the consequences of variations in the procedures for
      life event measurement with regard to the validity of the research designs
      employed. We show that life stress measures are susceptible to several sources of
      bias, and if these potential sources of bias are not controlled in the design of
      the research, spurious findings may result. Our goal is to provide a useful guide
      for researchers who consider life stress to be an important factor in their
      theoretical models of disease, wish to incorporate measures of life stress in
      their research, and seek to avoid the common pitfalls of past measurement
      practices. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27254526
TI  - Applying Judgment Analysis Theory and Methods to Obtain an Insight Into Clinical
      Judgments: Implementation and Findings With a Simulated Neonatal Intensive Care
      Unit Setup.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Clinicians who provide acute care are required to quickly identify
      and judge the illness severity of patients who experience deterioration in their
      clinical state. Accuracy of judgments can only be tested with respect to a valid
      reference, but in most health care areas, there is no such score. Judgment
      analysis theory and methods are presented and proposed as a framework to obtain
      insight into clinical judgments. A study in a simulated neonatal intensive care
      unit setup is described to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed
      methodology. METHODS: Sixteen participants from a neonatal intensive care unit
      department reviewed 31 clips of simulated cases. The participants were directed
      to use a 5-point scale to rate their personal interpretation regarding the
      illness severity of the simulated patient. Judgment analysis techniques were used
      to identify the judgment capabilities of the participants and to determine
      factors that influence those capabilities. RESULTS: Most participants interpreted
      the clinical signs information consistently, but interpretation varied remarkably
      between clinicians, providing possible explanation to the differences between the
      clinicians' judgments. Significant correlations were found between the doctors'
      years of medical experience and attributes of their judgments. CONCLUSIONS:
      Judgment analysis can be used to obtain insight into clinical judgments and to
      identify and quantify factors that affect clinicians' judgments. Judgment
      analysis can promote health care by enhancing clinical assessment teaching, by
      providing objective and personalized feedback to team members about their
      judgment performance, and by introducing a unified and objective method to study
      elements that affect clinical judgments.

PMID- 27254527
TI  - More Than One Way to Debrief: A Critical Review of Healthcare Simulation
      Debriefing Methods.
AB  - STATEMENT: Debriefing is a critical component in the process of learning through
      healthcare simulation. This critical review examines the timing, facilitation,
      conversational structures, and process elements used in healthcare simulation
      debriefing. Debriefing occurs either after (postevent) or during (within-event)
      the simulation. The debriefing conversation can be guided by either a facilitator
      (facilitator-guided) or the simulation participants themselves (self-guided).
      Postevent facilitator-guided debriefing may incorporate several conversational
      structures. These conversational structures break the debriefing discussion into
      a series of 3 or more phases to help organize the debriefing and ensure the
      conversation proceeds in an orderly manner. Debriefing process elements are an
      array of techniques to optimize reflective experience and maximize the impact of
      debriefing. These are divided here into the following 3 categories: essential
      elements, conversational techniques/educational strategies, and debriefing
      adjuncts. This review provides both novice and advanced simulation educators with
      an overview of various methods of conducting healthcare simulation debriefing.
      Future research will investigate which debriefing methods are best for which
      contexts and for whom, and also explore how lessons from simulation debriefing
      translate to debriefing in clinical practice.

PMID- 27254528
TI  - Response to "Unlike History, Should a Simulator Not Repeat Itself?" Simulation in
      Healthcare 2015; 10(6): 331-335.

PMID- 27254530
TI  - Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of azobenzene by low-valent nickel complexes: a
      route to 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles and 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazolines.
AB  - The one-pot synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles by the transfer
      hydrogenation of azobenzene, using benzylamine as a hydrogen donor, sequential
      rearrangement of hydrazobenzene to semidine and further condensation with N
      benzylideneamine is reported, catalyzed by 2 mol% of [Ni(COD)2] : dippe. The N2
      substitution on benzimidazole can be controlled by the selection of different
      azobenzenes and C2 substitution will only depend on the chosen benzylamine. The
      current methodology avoids the addition of external oxidants, which are needed in
      the classical benzimidazole synthesis. In addition, the byproduct, N
      benzylideneamine, obtained from dehydrogenation of benzylamine produced 2,4,5
      trisubstituted imidazolines by cyclization and C-H functionalization, and this
      route was optimized with the use of 2 mol% of [Ni(COD)2] : 2PPh3. 

PMID- 27254529
TI  - Endometrial Cancer Associated Symptoms: A Case-Control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The majority of women with endometrial cancer (EC) present at an
      early stage with an associated 5-year survival rate of >90%. High rates of early
      detection are attributed to warning symptoms; however, the prevalence of such
      symptoms has not been well defined. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted
      assessing the prevalence of symptoms in EC patients at a large cancer center
      compared with healthy controls. Controls included patients seen for an annual
      gynecologic care visit (AV) or for a gynecological problem-based visit (PV). A
      self-administered questionnaire was given to all participants addressing EC
      associated symptoms, at the time of initial clinic visit. Odds ratios (ORs) were
      used to compare prevalence of symptoms between EC cases and controls. Logistic
      regression was used to determine the impact of menopausal status and obesity on
      symptom prevalence. RESULTS: The cases (n = 75) were significantly older than the
      AV (n = 203) and PV (n = 151) controls (59.7 vs. 49.8 vs. 51.0 years, p < 0.01),
      had a higher body mass index (35.5 vs. 29.4 vs. 30.9 kg/m2, p < 0.01), and were
      more likely to be postmenopausal (76% vs. 53.7% vs. 52.0%, p < 0.01). The cases
      were more likely to report postmenopausal bleeding (OR = 32.99 and 5.83, p <
      0.01) and abnormal vaginal discharge (OR = 8.8 and 3.3, p < 0.01) compared with
      the AV and PV groups. Overall, 55.4% of cases reported abnormal vaginal
      discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of both postmenopausal bleeding and abnormal
      vaginal discharge were significantly higher in EC compared with controls. The
      presence of such symptoms should raise concern for malignant disease and prompt
      immediate gynecological evaluation.

PMID- 27254531
TI  - Effect of Bright Light Exposure on Depression and Agitation in Older Adults with
      Dementia.
AB  - This study examined the effects of bright light exposure on three measures of
      depression and four measures of agitation in persons with dementia residing in
      long-term care. Using a randomized controlled design, participants were randomly
      assigned to receive either bright light (n = 30) or low intensity light (n = 30)
      for eight weeks. Bright light exposure was associated with significant
      improvement in depression and agitation, while participants receiving low
      intensity light displayed higher levels of depression and agitation or no
      significant change. Findings support the use of bright light exposure to reduce
      depression and agitation in this population.

PMID- 27254532
TI  - Exome sequencing identifies a novel nonsense mutation of HOXD13 in a Chinese
      family with synpolydactyly.
AB  - Synpolydactyly (SPD) is an autosomal dominant limb malformation with a
      distinctive combination of syndactyly and polydactyly. SPD is clinically
      heterogeneous and could be genetically classified into three types. The clinical
      phenotype of SPD is complicated by its variable expressivity. In the present
      study, whole exome sequencing (WES) was used to identify the affected gene(s) in
      a Chinese family with atypical SPD phenotype. Our results showed that a novel
      heterogenous nonsense mutation (c.556C > T, p.R186X) in HOXD13 was associated
      with this SPD case. Due to variable expressivity, the diagnosis of a clinical
      heterogenous disease such as SPD is usually difficult. Our results also suggested
      that WES is an efficient tool to assist with these diagnoses.

PMID- 27254533
TI  - An Unexpected Postvitrectomy Course.

PMID- 27254534
TI  - Macroporous p-GaP Photocathodes Prepared by Anodic Etching and Atomic Layer
      Deposition Doping.
AB  - P-type macroporous gallium phosphide (GaP) photoelectrodes have been prepared by
      anodic etching of an undoped, intrinsically n-type GaP(100) wafer and followed by
      drive-in doping with Zn from conformal ZnO films prepared by atomic layer
      deposition (ALD). Specifically, 30 nm ALD ZnO films were coated on GaP
      macroporous films and then annealed at T = 650  degrees C for various times to
      diffuse Zn in GaP. Under 100 mW cm(-2) white light illumination, the resulting Zn
      doped macroporous GaP consistently exhibit strong cathodic photocurrent when
      measured in aqueous electrolyte containing methyl viologen. Wavelength-dependent
      photoresponse measurements of the Zn-doped macroporous GaP revealed enhanced
      collection efficiency at wavelengths longer than 460 nm, indicating that the ALD
      doping step rendered the entire material p-type and imparted the ability to
      sustain a strong internal electric field that preferentially drove photogenerated
      electrons to the GaP/electrolyte interface. Collectively, this work presents a
      doping strategy with a potentially high degree of controllability for high-aspect
      ratio III-V materials, where the ZnO ALD film is a practical dopant source for
      Zn. 

PMID- 27254535
TI  - Serotype/serogroup-specific antibiotic non-susceptibility of invasive and non
      invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae, Switzerland, 2004 to 2014.
AB  - Concurrent analysis of antibiotic resistance of colonising and invasive
      Streptococcus pneumoniae gives a more accurate picture than looking at either of
      them separately. Therefore, we analysed 2,129 non-invasive and 10,996 invasive
      pneumococcal isolates from Switzerland from 2004 to 2014, which spans the time
      before and after the introduction of the heptavalent (PCV7) and 13-valent (PCV13)
      conjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines. Serotype/serogroup information
      was linked with all antibiotic resistance profiles. During the study period, the
      proportion of non-susceptible non-invasive and invasive isolates significantly
      decreased for penicillin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin and
      trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). This was most apparent in non-invasive
      isolates from study subjects younger than five years (penicillin (p = 0.006),
      erythromycin (p = 0.01) and TMP-SMX (p = 0.002)). Resistant serotypes/serogroups
      included in PCV7 and/or PCV13 decreased and were replaced by non-PCV13 serotypes
      (6C and 15B/C). Serotype/serogroup-specific antibiotic resistance rates were
      comparable between invasive and non-invasive isolates. Adjusted odds ratios of
      serotype/serogroup-specific penicillin resistance were significantly higher in
      the west of Switzerland for serotype 6B (1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4
      4.8), 9V (3.4; 95% CI: 2.0-5.7), 14 (5.3; 95% CI: 3.8-7.5), 19A (2.2; 95% CI: 1.6
      3.1) and 19F (3.1; 95% CI: 2.1-4.6), probably due to variations in the antibiotic
      consumption. 

PMID- 27254536
TI  - Fracture risk calculation tool enhances dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan
      referral pathway in cirrhosis patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Liver cirrhosis is associated with osteoporosis leading to an
      increased risk of fractures. We aimed to establish whether a risk stratification
      strategy using a fracture risk calculation tool (FRAX) to determine which
      patients should receive a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan is
      effective in reducing scan rates without compromising sensitivity for detecting
      osteoporosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 252 patients with liver
      cirrhosis attending hepatoma surveillance clinics. Receiver operating
      characteristic analysis was performed to assess sensitivity and specificity at 10
      year fracture risk thresholds of 5, 10 and 15%. RESULTS: DXA scans were performed
      among 252 patients. Mean age was 61.6+/-10.2 years, of which 53.2% were male.
      Cirrhosis aetiology was largely a result of alcohol excess (n=33.3%), chronic
      hepatitis C virus infection (n=20.2%) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
      (n=15.9%). The majority of patients were in good prognostic groups (87.4% Child
      Pugh A, 11.3% Child-Pugh B, 1.3% Child-Pugh C). Osteoporosis was present in 19.0%
      of those who underwent DXA scanning. The optimum 10-year fracture risk threshold
      was found to be 10% using the FRAX tool. This retained a high sensitivity of
      95.8%, specificity 64.7%, and negative predictive value 98.5%. Introduction of a
      10% FRAX threshold would result in a reduction of the DXA scanning rate to 46.8%
      of the current rate. CONCLUSION: A risk stratification strategy for DXA scanning
      using a fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) and a 10-year fracture risk
      threshold of 10% leads to a significant reduction in scan rates without
      compromising osteoporosis detection rates.

PMID- 27254537
TI  - Method to assess the accuracy of scores in mortality prediction: more than
      receiver operating characteristic curve.

PMID- 27254538
TI  - In favour of early intervention for Budd-Chiari syndrome: another brick in the
      wall.

PMID- 27254539
TI  - Potential molecular aspects of Helicobacter pylori-related hyperplastic polyp
      development and progression.

PMID- 27254541
TI  - Remote MEG dipoles in focal cortical dysplasia at bottom of sulcus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the magnetoencephalography (MEG) single moving
      dipole (SMD) method could delineate the epileptic zone of focal cortical
      dysplasia (FCD) at the bottom of sulcus (FCDB). METHODS: We retrospectively
      analyzed 17 children (11 male; mean age 8.8 years, range 3-17 years) with FCD
      type II who underwent epilepsy surgery. We compared spatial congruence between
      the following: (1) MEG cluster and FCDB and (2) MEG cluster and FCD at the brain
      surface (FCDS). We measured the volume and depth of magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI)-visible lesions to investigate whether they affect spatial congruence
      between MEG cluster and MRI-visible lesion. RESULTS: Eight children had FCDB and
      the other nine children had FCDS. The volume of MRI-visible lesions for FCDB
      ranged from 1,632 to 4,707 mm(3) (mean +/- standard deviation [SD] 3,095 +/-
      1,211 mm(3) ). The depth of FCDB ranged from 19 to 33 mm (mean +/- SD 26 +/- 4
      mm). The volume of MRI-visible lesion for FCDS ranged from 2,375 to 57,331 mm(3)
      (15,470 +/- 18,455 mm(3) ). There was a tendency for a smaller volume of MRI
      visible lesion for FCDB, relative to FCDS(p = 0.079). In FCDB, six children
      showed clusters of MEG dipoles and two children showed scattered MEG dipoles for
      interictal spikes. The spatial congruence between the MEG result and FCDB was
      partially overlapping in four children and discordant in another four children.
      In FCDS, eight children had MEG cluster and one child had MEG scatter alone. The
      spatial congruence between MEG result and FCDS was overlapping in eight of nine
      children (fully two; partially six) and discordant in one of nine children.
      Fifteen children (88%; FCDB eight; FCDS seven) became seizure-free after
      resective surgery. MEG spike dipole resection ratio in the cluster ranged from 4
      100% (mean 67%) in 6 FCDB and 23-99% (mean 77%) in 8 FCDS. SIGNIFICANCE: The SMD
      method may drift MEG spike dipoles for FCDB. Lesionectomy can control seizures
      for four of eight patients in FCDB despite the remote MEG dipoles. The FCDB or
      FCDS partially overlapped with MEG cluster may have an extending/invisible
      epileptogenic zone consecutive to the MRI-visible lesion.

PMID- 27254542
TI  - Body Dissatisfaction and Its Correlates in 5- to 7-Year-Old Girls: A Social
      Learning Experiment.
AB  - There is limited research on cognitive risk factors for eating disorders among
      young girls despite accumulating evidence that body dissatisfaction and thin
      ideal internalization can begin to occur between 3 and 5 years of age. To improve
      upon the existing literature and significantly contribute to the prevention and
      intervention literature, the current study examined body dissatisfaction, thin
      ideal internalization, and self-objectification in girls between 5 and 7 years of
      age. The sample consisted of 151 mother-daughter dyads with 63 five-year-olds, 39
      six-year-olds, and 49 seven-year-olds. Girls were interviewed about their body
      dissatisfaction, thin-ideal, and self-objectification. In addition, all mothers
      and daughters participated in an individual and joint mirror experiment. Levels
      of body dissatisfaction were consistent across 5- to 7-year-olds. Thin-ideal
      internalization was higher among 5-year-olds than 6- and 7-year-olds. In
      contrast, self-objectification was higher among 6- and 7-year-olds than 5-year
      old girls. Mother's body dissatisfaction significantly and positively predicted
      daughter's body dissatisfaction during the joint mirror experiment. Similarly,
      mother's body satisfaction significantly and positively predicted daughter's body
      satisfaction. Results from this study suggest that girls model their mothers'
      self-body talk. In addition, girls will change their positive or negative body
      responses after being exposed to their mothers' response.

PMID- 27254544
TI  - Electrospinning Directly Synthesized Porous TiO2 Nanofibers Modified by Graphitic
      Carbon Nitride Sheets for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation Activity under
      Solar Light Irradiation.
AB  - We report a direct approach to the fabrication of a composite made of porous TiO2
      nanofibers (NFs) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) sheets, by means of an
      angled two-nozzle electrospinning combined with calcination process. Different wt
      % amounts of g-C3N4 particles in a polymer solution from one nozzle and TiO2
      precursors containing the same polymer solution from another nozzle were
      electrospun and deposited on the collector. Structural characterizations confirm
      a well-defined morphology of the TiO2/g-C3N4 composite in which the TiO2 NFs are
      uniformly attached on the g-C3N4 sheet. This proper attachment of TiO2 NFs on the
      g-C3N4 sheets occurred during calcination. The prepared composites showed the
      enhanced photocatalytic activity over the photodegradation of rhodamine B and
      reactive black 5 under natural sunlight. Here, the synergistic effect between the
      g-C3N4 sheets and the TiO2 NFs having anisotropic properties enhanced the
      photogenerated electron-hole pair separation and migration, which was confirmed
      by the measurement of photoluminescence spectra, cyclic voltammograms, and
      electrochemical impedance spectra. The direct synthesis approach that is
      established here for such kinds of sheetlike structure and porous NFs composites
      could provide new insights for the design of high-performance energy conversion
      catalysts.

PMID- 27254545
TI  - Hyperostosis Following Orbital Exenteration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe CT scan findings following orbital exenteration in 27
      patients and to identify the factors involved in the development of post
      exenteration hyperostosis. METHODS: Noncomparative case series. The authors
      reviewed the charts of 27 patients ranging in age from 33 to 99 years, who
      underwent unilateral exenteration at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh,
      Saudi Arabia and at the School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao
      Paulo, Brazil. Data regarding patient demographics, surgical procedure, clinical
      diagnosis, and preoperative and postoperative CT imaging of the orbits were
      obtained. The relationship between hyperostosis and postoperative time, gender,
      age, adjuvant radiotherapy, and cavity coverage was evaluated by multivariate
      stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Seventeen (73.9 %) orbits had
      postoperative orbital hyperostosis. No soft tissue masses were detected in the
      affected orbits except in 2 cases with tumor recurrence. The only factor
      associated with hyperostosis was immediate intraoperative socket rehabilitation
      (odds ratio = 0.13, 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.89). There was an 87.0% lower
      chance of hyperostosis in patients whose socket was covered with musculocutaneous
      flaps. Sequential CT scans showed that orbital hyperostosis followed a specific
      pattern. Initially, bone thickening appeared as either uniform or undulating endo
      osteal minimal thickening along the roof and then on the lateral and medial
      walls. More advanced hyperostosis had a laminated/lamellated appearance
      progressing to homogeneous and diffuse circumferential bone thickening. New bone
      formation and bone overgrowth were late findings. Hyperostosis extended to
      involve the adjacent facial bone, more obviously on the maxilla. Some patients
      had minimal thickening of the adjacent frontal and squamous temporal bone. Over
      pneumatization of the paranasal sinuses was evident in all cases of hyperostosis.
      CONCLUSIONS: Development of hyperostosis following exenteration is not rare.
      Radiologists and surgeons should be aware of the need to monitor the orbital
      healing process closely to avoid misdiagnoses of tumor recurrence/radionecrosis
      or infection. Obliteration of the orbital cavity with musculocutaneous flaps
      significantly reduces the chances of bone hyperostosis.

PMID- 27254543
TI  - Hepatoma-derived Growth Factor Predicts Disease Severity and Survival in
      Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
AB  - RATIONALE: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease, and
      pulmonary microvascular remodeling is an important contributor to PAH
      development. Therefore, we hypothesized that a circulating angiogenic factor
      could predict disease severity and survival. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the
      relationship of serum hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) with PAH disease
      severity and survival. METHODS: Using a newly developed enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay, we evaluated circulating HDGF levels in two independent PAH
      cohorts and two different characterized control cohorts. Clinical and laboratory
      data were also used to assess the value of HDGF as a PAH prognostic biomarker.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Serum HDGF levels were significantly elevated in
      two independent PAH cohorts. Importantly, serum HDGF levels were not elevated in
      a noncardiac chronic disease cohort. Further, patients with elevated HDGF had
      significantly lower exercise tolerance, worse New York Heart Association
      functional class, and higher levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.
      HDGF was a strong predictor of mortality, with an unadjusted hazard ratio of 4.5
      (95% confidence interval, 1.9-10.3; P = 0.003 by log-rank test). In multivariable
      Cox proportional hazards models, elevated HDGF levels predicted decreased
      survival after being adjusted for age, PAH subtype, invasive hemodynamics, and N
      terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated HDGF was associated
      with worse functional class, exertional intolerance, and increased mortality in
      PAH, suggesting HDGF as a potential biomarker for predicting mortality and as
      having possible diagnostic value for distinguishing PAH from non-PAH. HDGF may
      add additional value in PAH risk stratification in clinical trials and may
      represent a potential target for future PAH drug development.

PMID- 27254592
TI  - Gibbs-Thomson Effect in Planar Nanowires: Orientation and Doping Modulated
      Growth.
AB  - Epitaxy-enabled bottom-up synthesis of self-assembled planar nanowires via the
      vapor-liquid-solid mechanism is an emerging and promising approach toward large
      scale direct integration of nanowire-based devices without postgrowth alignment.
      Here, by examining large assemblies of indium tin oxide nanowires on yttria
      stabilized zirconia substrate, we demonstrate for the first time that the growth
      dynamics of planar nanowires follows a modified version of the Gibbs-Thomson
      mechanism, which has been known for the past decades to govern the correlations
      between thermodynamic supersaturation, growth speed, and nanowire morphology.
      Furthermore, the substrate orientation strongly influences the growth
      characteristics of epitaxial planar nanowires as opposed to impact at only the
      initial nucleation stage in the growth of vertical nanowires. The rich nanowire
      morphology can be described by a surface-energy-dependent growth model within the
      Gibbs-Thomson framework, which is further modulated by the tin doping
      concentration. Our experiments also reveal that the cutoff nanowire diameter
      depends on the substrate orientation and decreases with increasing tin doping
      concentration. These results enable a deeper understanding and control over the
      growth of planar nanowires, and the insights will help advance the fabrication of
      self-assembled nanowire devices.

PMID- 27254593
TI  - Transcriptome profiles of metamorphosis in the ornamented pygmy frog Microhyla
      fissipes clarify the functions of thyroid hormone receptors in metamorphosis.
AB  - Anuran metamorphosis is an excellent system in which to study postembryonic
      development. Studies on Xenopus (Mesobatrachia) show that thyroid hormone
      receptors (TRs) regulate metamorphosis in a ligand-dependent manner by
      coordinating the action of hundreds of genes. However, whether this mechanism is
      conserved among amphibians is still unknown. To understand the molecular
      mechanism of this universal phenomenon, we report the transcriptional profiles of
      the three key developmental stages in Microhyla fissipes (Neobatrachia):
      premetamorphosis (PM), metamorphic climax (MC) and completion of metamorphosis
      (CM). In total, 2,293 differentially expressed genes were identified from
      comparisons of transcriptomes, and these genes showed stage-specific expression
      patterns. Unexpectedly, we found that TRalpha was highly expressed in Xenopus
      laevis and Bufo gargarizans at premetamorphosis but showed low expression in M.
      fissipes. In contrast, TRbeta was highly expressed during metamorphosis in M.
      fissipes and X. laevis. This result may imply that TRbeta is essential for
      initiating metamorphosis, at least in M. fissipes. Thus, our work not only
      identifies genes that are likely to be involved in Neobatrachia metamorphosis but
      also clarifies the roles of unliganded TRalpha in regulating tadpole growth and
      timing of metamorphosis, which may be conserved in anurans, and the role of
      liganded TRbeta in launching metamorphosis.

PMID- 27254594
TI  - Phagonaute: A web-based interface for phage synteny browsing and protein function
      prediction.
AB  - Distant homology search tools are of great help to predict viral protein
      functions. However, due to the lack of profile databases dedicated to viruses,
      they can lack sensitivity. We constructed HMM profiles for more than 80,000
      proteins from both phages and archaeal viruses, and performed all pairwise
      comparisons with HHsearch program. The whole resulting database can be explored
      through a user-friendly "Phagonaute" interface to help predict functions. Results
      are displayed together with their genetic context, to strengthen inferences based
      on remote homology. Beyond function prediction, this tool permits detections of
      co-occurrences, often indicative of proteins completing a task together, and
      observation of conserved patterns across large evolutionary distances. As a test,
      Herpes simplex virus I was added to Phagonaute, and 25% of its proteome matched
      to bacterial or archaeal viral protein counterparts. Phagonaute should therefore
      help virologists in their quest for protein functions and evolutionary
      relationships.

PMID- 27254595
TI  - Localization of latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) on mitotic chromosomes.
AB  - In latent infection of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), viral gene
      expression is extremely limited and copy numbers of viral genomes remain
      constant. Latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) is known to have a role in
      maintaining viral genome copy numbers in growing cells. Several studies have
      shown that LANA is localized in particular regions on mitotic chromosomes, such
      as centromeres/pericentromeres. We independently examined the distinct
      localization of LANA on mitotic chromosomes during mitosis, using super
      resolution laser confocal microscopy and correlative fluorescence microscopy
      electron microscopy (FM-EM) analyses. We found that the majority of LANA were not
      localized at particular regions such as telomeres/peritelomeres,
      centromeres/pericentromeres, and cohesion sites, but at the bodies of condensed
      chromosomes. Thus, LANA may undergo various interactions with the host factors on
      the condensed chromosomes in order to tether the viral genome to mitotic
      chromosomes and realize faithful viral genome segregation during cell division.

PMID- 27254596
TI  - Rapid induction and persistence of paracrine-induced cellular antiviral states
      arrest viral infection spread in A549 cells.
AB  - The virus/host interaction is a complex interplay between pro- and anti-viral
      factors that ultimately determines the spread or halt of virus infections in
      tissues. This interplay develops over multiple rounds of infection. The purpose
      of this study was to determine how cellular-level processes combine to impact the
      spatial spread of infection. We measured the kinetics of virus replication (VSV),
      antiviral paracrine signal upregulation and secretion, spatial spread of virus
      and paracrine antiviral signaling, and inhibition of virus production in
      antiviral-exposed A549 human lung epithelial cells. We found that initially
      infected cells released antiviral signals 4-to-7h following production of virus.
      However, the subsequent rapid dissemination of signal and fast induction of a
      robust and persistent antiviral state ultimately led to a suppression of
      infection spread. This work shows how cellular responses to infection and
      activation of antiviral responses can integrate to ultimately control infection
      spread across host cell populations.

PMID- 27254599
TI  - Revealing stiffening and brittling of chronic myelogenous leukemia hematopoietic
      primary cells through their temporal response to shear stress.
AB  - Cancer cell transformation is often accompanied by a modification of their
      viscoelastic properties. When capturing the stress-to-strain response of primary
      chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells, from two data sets of CD34+
      hematopoietic cells isolated from healthy and leukemic bone marrows, we show that
      the mean shear relaxation modulus increases upon cancer transformation. This
      stiffening of the cells comes along with local rupture events, detected as
      reinforced sharp local maxima of this modulus, suggesting that these cancer cells
      respond to a local mechanical stress by a cascade of local brittle failure
      events.

PMID- 27254598
TI  - The potential use of cell-free-circulating-tumor DNA as a biomarker for prostate
      cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We are yet to identify an accurate, precise and non-invasive
      biomarker for the detection of prostate cancer. It would undoubtedly be useful to
      have a reliable and cost-effective biomarker to inform clinical practice, in
      order to make a non-invasive diagnosis and to predict risk of progression to
      aggressive prostate cancer. Since the detection of cell-free-circulating-tumor
      DNA in the body fluids of prostate cancer patients, a number of studies have been
      conducted to assess diagnostic and/or prognostic information. AREAS COVERED: In
      this literature review we evaluate the utility of cell-free-circulating-tumor-DNA
      for the development of a diagnostic and/or prognostic tool for prostate cancer.
      In addition, we identify potential areas for future research. Results from both
      quantitative and qualitative studies are presented. Expert commentary: Evidence
      for the suitability of a panel of DNA methylation markers for the non-invasive
      diagnosis of prostate cancer is strong. This panel would likely include the
      assessment of methylation status in gene promoter regions within the EDNR, GSTP1
      and MDR genes. TIMP3 and APC show potential as diagnostic markers and should be
      further researched. Similarly, quantitation of cell-free-circulating-tumor-DNA in
      blood and urine requires further investigation.

PMID- 27254600
TI  - Health and the body: The Ingram Collection at the Royal College of General
      Practitioners (RCGP), London, UK. (3 March to 29 May 2016).
AB  - A new Ingram Collection exhibition, Health and the Body, opened for a period of
      two months at the Royal College of General Practitioners in London. The
      exhibition showcased paintings and sculptures by artists such as Eduardo
      Paolozzi, Barbara Hepworth, Geoffrey Clarke and Leon Underwood the artworks
      explored representations of the human body, and observed how these intersected
      with the history of general medical practice. 

PMID- 27254601
TI  - Control of Integrated Task Sequences Shapes Components of Reaching.
AB  - Reaching toward an object usually consists of a sequence of elemental actions.
      Using a reaching task sequence, the authors investigated how task elements of
      that sequence affected feedforward and feedback components of the reaching phase
      of the movement. Nine right-handed adults performed, with their dominant and
      nondominant hands, 4 tasks of different complexities: a simple reaching task; a
      reach-to-grasp task; a reach-to-grasp and lift object task; and a reach-to-grasp,
      lift, and place object task. Results showed that in the reach-to-grasp and lift
      object task more time was allocated to the feedforward component of the reach
      phase, while latency between the task elements decreased. We also found between
      hand differences, supporting previous findings of increased efficiency of
      processing planning-related information in the preferred hand. The presence of
      task-related modifications supports the concept of contextual effects when
      planning a movement.

PMID- 27254621
TI  - ["Inflammaging" - aging as consequence of inflammation].

PMID- 27254622
TI  - [Acute aortic syndrome].
AB  - Acute aortic syndrome is the common denominator for acute events to the aortic
      wall and encompasses dissection of the aorta, intramural hematoma, formation of
      aortic ulcers and trauma to the aorta with an annual incidence of up to 35
      cases/100.000 between 65 and 75 years of age. Both, inflammation and/or
      microtrauma at the level of the aortic media layer, and a genetic disposition are
      promoting elements of AAS, while the extent and anatomic involvement of the
      ascending aorta call for either surgical resection/repair in the proximal part of
      the aorta, or an endovascular solution for pathologies in the distal aorta; in
      all cases of dissection (regardless of location) reconstruction/realignment has
      been proven to portend better long-term outcomes (in addition to medical
      management of blood pressure). 

PMID- 27254623
TI  - [Nutrition in dementia].
AB  - Older people suffering from dementia are at increased risk of malnutrition due to
      various nutritional problems, and the question arises which interventions are
      effective in maintaining adequate nutritional intake and nutritional status in
      the course of the disease. In an international expert group, initiated by the
      European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), 26 evidence-based
      recommendations for nutritional care of older persons with dementia have been
      developed, covering the topics of screening and assessment of malnutrition,
      strategies to support oral nutrition, oral supplementation and artificial
      nutrition. This article is a short version of the guideline. 

PMID- 27254624
TI  - [Treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma].

PMID- 27254625
TI  - [Health care of refugees - A short review with focus on infectious diseases].
AB  - Few guidelines for health care of refugees exist in Germany. Screening as a part
      of initial health checks as well as general organisation of early health care for
      refugees is very heterogenous across different regions. Current experience will
      be relevant to develop integrated health care models. Prevention and care of
      infectious diseases are an important part of early health care for refugees, even
      if non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions should also be
      considered in every effort to design early health care models. We are presenting
      a pragmatic review of current evidence for prevention and care of tuberculosis,
      HIV, chronic viral hepatitis and other infectious diseases. More evidence is
      needed to assess morbidity and efficacy of early health care interventions and
      integrated care models in refugees. 

PMID- 27254626
TI  - [Coagulation disorders in the intensive care unit - what is new?].
AB  - The phase III non-vitamin K dependent oral anticoagulants (NOAC) studies and
      recently published real world data on the use of dabigatran and rivaroxaban have
      shown that the bleeding profile in particular of intracranial and other life
      threatening bleeding of NOAC is more favourable than that of warfarin. In case of
      a bleeding complication in a patient treated with a NOAC the recently updated
      EHRA practical guide offers management strategies. Idarucizumab, the specific
      antidot for dabigatran is approved to reverse the anticoagulant effect of
      dabigatran-treated patients who have serious bleeding and require an urgent
      procedure. Andexanet alfa, a specific antidot for direct and indirect factor Xa
      inhibitors will be available in the future. The frequency of thrombocytopenia in
      ICU patients is high whereas the heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) only
      counts for a small minority of patients with thrombocytopenia. To avoid an
      overdiagnosis of HIT a reliable and complete clinical and laboratory workup has
      to be performed. New immunoassays have been developed to provide results within a
      short period of time. These tests appear to have improved diagnostic accuracy
      compared with ELISAs in patients with suspected HIT and may reduce misdiagnosis
      and overtreatment. Acquired haemophilia (AH) is a rare and often life threatening
      bleeding disorder caused by autoantibodies against factor VIII. Susoctocog alfa
      is a B-domain deleted recombinant factor VIII porcine sequence that has recently
      been approved to treat severe bleeding in patients with AH. Susoctocog alfa
      offers the ability to effectively titrate and monitor dosing based on factor VIII
      activity levels. 

PMID- 27254627
TI  - [The new 2015 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in
      patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation].
AB  - In 2015 the European Society of Cardiology published a new version of the
      guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST
      segment elevation. The current communication addresses some of the most important
      updates: introduction of the 1-hour diagnostic algorithm with high-sensitivity
      troponin assays, specified time lines for the invasive strategy, new
      recommendations for catheter intervention and peri-interventional antithrombotic
      therapy as well as new aspects of secondary prevention. 

PMID- 27254628
TI  - [Primary and secondary arterial hypertension - update 2016].
AB  - In patients with hypertension without diabetes and with an increased risk of
      cardiovascular complications a blood pressure of below 130 mmHg should be
      targeted. Hypertensive patients with an age above 80 years should be treated in
      the same way as younger hypertensive patients if they are otherwise healthy and
      functionally independent. On the other hand frail elderly patients could have an
      increased morbidity and mortality with intensive blood pressure control. In
      patients with resistant hypertension spironolactone was the most effective drug
      when given in addition to their baseline drugs (ACE-inhibitor/angiotensin
      receptor antagonist, calcium channel blocker and thiazide diuretic). 

PMID- 27254629
TI  - [Treatment of refractory asthma with antibodies].
AB  - Current guidelines of the global initiative for asthma (GINA) recommend the
      addition of biologics in step 5 of the stepwise asthma treatment approach. This
      review gives an overview on the effects and the clinical role of antibodies
      targeting immunoglobulin E, IgE (Omalizumab), Interleukin-5, IL-5 (Mepolizumab,
      Reslizumab) or the IL-5 receptor (Benralizumab). In addition, potential future
      treatment options of refractory asthma with antibodies (for instance Dupilumab)
      are discussed. 

PMID- 27254630
TI  - [Immune system and rheumatic diseases in the elderly].
AB  - Impairments of the immune system play an important role in all immun-mediated
      rheumatic diseases. Recently, the following news were reported: . Early aging of
      the immune system with thymus insufficiency has now been reported for both
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis, without prethymic
      lack of progenitors at least in rheumatoid arthritis.. . For giant cell
      arteritis, the most frequent vasculitis in the elderly, an increased expression
      of IL-17A in temporal artery biopsies coincides with good prognosis and reponse
      to glucocorticoids.. . Concerning immunosenescence in systemic lupus
      erythematosus, BAFF appears to have an important role for relapses after B-cell
      depletion.. For the future it can be anticipated that the use of unified
      classification criteria for rheumatic diseases (as with the new 2012 EULAR / ACR
      classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica) will ensure better
      comparability of immunological studies also in the elderly. 

PMID- 27254631
TI  - [Acute-on-chronic liver failure - new Definition of a complex clinical picture].
AB  - Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by a sudden onset of
      decompensation in patients with preexisting liver disease followed by subsequent
      organ failure and high short-term mortality. ACLF is extremely heterogeneous in
      terms of predisposing stage of liver disease, precipitating events, and the
      course of organ failure and has been defined differently by different medical
      associations in the East and in the West. A recent consensus working definition
      is the basis for further research in order to understand underlying
      pathophysiological mechanisms, to establish diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers,
      and to implement risk-adapted treatment strategies. 

PMID- 27254632
TI  - [35-year old woman with fever and sudden leg pain].

PMID- 27254633
TI  - [Borderline leprosy as a rare differential diagnosis].
AB  - History and clinical findings | A 42-year-old migrant from Brazil presented with
      persistent sensory disturbances, skin discolorations and local alopecia in the
      upper limbs. Decisive for the presentation in our Tropical Medicine Clinic were
      new occurrences of severe pain and redness and swelling in the area of the
      lesions that had already been assessed by a number of medical specialists without
      a clear diagnosis could be made. Investigations and diagnosis | The histological
      analysis of skin biopsies showed perivascular, perineural, periadnexial
      lymphocytic and granulomatous dermatitis. In a direct microbiological preparation
      individual acid fast bacilli could be detected (Ziehl-Neelsen stain). The
      electroneurographical examination demonstrated a sensitive peripheral-neurogenic
      damage with emphasis on the right median nerve and the left ulnar and radial
      nerves. Thermography revealed an increased heating or cooling threshold. The
      serological investigation by ELISA for IgM antibodies against the phenolic
      glycolipid (PGL-1) was positive (titer 1 : 1200). In summary, the diagnosis of
      borderline leprosy (infection with Mycobacterium leprae) with transition to
      multibacillary leprosy (according to WHO) and leprosy reaction type 1 was made.
      Treatment and course | We initiated an oral antimycobacterial therapy (multidrug
      therapy, MDT) with rifampin, clofazimine and dapsone for 12 months (WHO regimen
      for multibacillary leprosy). Leprosy reaction type 1 was treated with
      prednisolone and by increasing the dose of clofazimine. Analgesic therapy on
      demand was carried out with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen). MDT
      and successful management of leprosy reaction lead to a rapid improvement of
      symptoms. Conclusions | Leprosy is an infectious disease occurring only rarely in
      Germany (average incidence of 1-2 cases per year) that is diagnosed almost
      exclusively among migrants. Main symptoms comprise non-itchy, reddish, touch
      insensitive skin lesions or nerve deficits. The diagnosis is based primarily on
      the clinical presentation, supplemented by pathogen detection, histology,
      neurophysiological findings and serology. Standard therapy is a combination of
      rifampin, clofazimine and dapsone (WHO scheme) for at least 6 months. 

PMID- 27254634
TI  - Associations of the Novel Polymorphisms of Periostin and Platelet-Derived Growth
      Factor Receptor-Like Genes with Egg Production Traits in Local Chinese Dagu Hens.
AB  - The periostin (POSTN) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like (PDGFRL)
      genes are implicated in regulation of hen ovarian development. In the present
      study, these genes were explored as possible molecular markers associated with
      egg production, egg weight and body weight in Chinese Dagu hens. Samples were
      analyzed using the PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method,
      followed by sequencing analysis, and three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) were identified within the candidate genes. Among them, an A/T
      transversion at base position 2727 in intron 2 of POSTN gene was found to be
      polymorphic and named SNP A2727T; and two transitions, G/A at position 6761 and
      A/G at base 6839 in exon 2 of PDGFRL gene were detected and named SNPs G6761A and
      A6839G, respectively. For the SNP A2727T, a total of 360 Dagu hens were
      classified as AA and AB genotypes, allele A was found present at a higher
      frequency. Moreover, the AA genotype was significantly correlated with higher hen
      housed egg production (HHEP) at 43, 57, and 66 weeks (wks) of age and with a
      higher egg weight (EW) at 30 wks (P < 0.05). For the two linked SNPs (G6761A and
      A6839G) in the PDGFRL fragment, the hens were typed into TT, TC and CC genotypes,
      with the T allele shown to be dominant. The TT genotype was correlated with
      higher HHEP at 57 and 66 wks of age; genotype CC associated with the highest body
      weight and EW at 30 and 43 wks (P < 0.05), while it was correlated with the
      lowest HHEP at 57 and 66 wks of age (P < 0.05). Furthermore, five haplotypes were
      reconstructed based on these SNPs, with the AATT haplotype associated with the
      highest HHEP at 43 to 66 wks of age and higher EW at 30 wks (P < 0.05).
      Collectively, these SNPs identified in this study might be used as a potential
      molecular marker favorable to genetic improvement of egg productivity in chicken
      breeding.

PMID- 27254635
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 27254636
TI  - A Review of Organ Transplantation: Heart, Lung, Kidney, Liver, and Simultaneous
      Liver-Kidney.
AB  - Heart, lung, kidney, liver, and simultaneous liver-kidney transplants share many
      features. They all follow the same 7-step process, the same 3 immunosuppressant
      medications, and the same reason for organ transplantation. Organs are
      transplanted because of organ failure. The similarities end there. Each organ has
      its unique causes for failure. Each organ also has its own set of criteria that
      must be met prior to transplantation. Simultaneous liver-kidney transplant
      criteria vary per transplant center but are similar in nature. Both the criteria
      required and the 7-step process are described by the United Network of Organ
      Sharing, which is a private, nonprofit organization, under contract with the US
      Department of Health and Human Services. Its function is to increase the number
      of transplants, improve survival rates after transplantation, promote safe
      transplant practices, and endorse efficiency. The purpose of this article is to
      review the reasons transplant is needed, specifically heart, lung, kidney, liver,
      and simultaneous liver-kidney, and a brief overview of the transplant process
      including criteria used, contraindications, and medications prescribed. 

PMID- 27254637
TI  - The Path From Heart Failure to Cardiac Transplant.
AB  - Heart failure is a progressive and fatal disease impacting millions of American
      each year. Divided into stages, heart failure presents with progressive symptoms
      requiring a wide range of medical treatments. Treatments include diet and
      lifestyle changes, medications, electrical therapies (defibrillator and/or
      cardiac resynchronization therapy), as well as mechanical circulatory support.
      Cardiac transplant is the gold standard treatment of heart failure, although the
      availability of donors limits the utility of a cardiac transplant. This article
      outlines heart failure treatments and the indications, contraindications, and
      pretransplant evaluation for a cardiac transplant. Information on the allocation
      of donor hearts and donor characteristics is also included for the reader. 

PMID- 27254638
TI  - Cardiac Transplant Postoperative Management and Care.
AB  - Heart failure impacts a multitude of individuals each year. Treatment is based on
      the progression of the disease and severity of symptoms. Cardiac transplant is
      the gold standard treatment of advanced heart failure, although the availability
      of organs limits the number of transplants received each year. Postoperative care
      and monitoring for cardiac transplant is complex and requires specialized nurses
      and providers at transplant centers for successful outcomes. This article
      outlines cardiac transplant from preoperative care through transplant, as well as
      posttransplant monitoring and care including discharge. Special attention is
      focused on management in the intensive care unit setting and potential
      complications that can occur in the immediate postoperative period. Interventions
      for potential complications are also highlighted. 

PMID- 27254639
TI  - Immunosuppression in Solid-Organ Transplantation: Essentials and Practical Tips.
AB  - A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for successful management of
      patients with solid-organ transplant. Transplant nursing encompasses care and
      support of transplant recipients as well as caregivers and organ donors through
      all phases of transplantation, from pretransplant evaluation to posttransplant
      recovery and maintenance. The field of solid-organ transplantation has advanced
      rapidly, and new treatments continue to emerge. Nurses who are responsible for
      the care of transplant recipients should have a knowledge base in transplant
      immunology and pharmacology. This review discusses mechanism of action,
      indication, side effects, and drug interactions of commonly used
      immunosuppressive medications in solid-organ transplantation. Nonoral routes of
      drug administration, therapeutic drug monitoring, and patient monitoring
      strategies are also included as practical tips for bedside nurses who are
      responsible for delivery of direct patient care and education of patients and
      their caregivers. This review focuses on the following medications: antithymocyte
      globulins, basiliximab, alemtuzumab, corticosteroids, tacrolimus, cyclosporine,
      azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium, sirolimus, everolimus,
      belatacept, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab. 

PMID- 27254640
TI  - CRRT Regional Anticoagulation Using Citrate in the Liver Failure and Liver
      Transplant Population.
AB  - Regional citrate for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) use in patients
      with liver failure or post-liver transplant has been considered a
      contraindication because of the risk of citrate toxicity development. Regional
      citrate has the benefit of decreased bleeding risks over systemic
      anticoagulation; therefore, it is of great benefit to the coagulopathic and
      surgical populations. This article analyzes current empiric data and compares
      with a case study specifically related to liver failure, liver transplant, and
      CRRT use. We found that the use of a total serum to ionized calcium ratio was
      much more reliable in measuring liver function than liver enzyme figures. This
      when paired with a citrate-reduction guideline based on serum to ionized calcium
      ratios provided effective, early management of citrate toxicity. Using new
      measurements to calculate liver metabolism of citrate and using a new citrate
      reducing guideline allow the bedside practitioner to use regional citrate
      anticoagulation in patients with liver failure and liver transplant who require
      CRRT. 

PMID- 27254641
TI  - Postoperative Care of a Liver Transplant Recipient Using a Classification System:
      Type A (Stable) Versus Type B (Unstable).
AB  - Liver transplantation has become an effective and valuable option for patients
      with end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver failure, an
      acute or chronic condition, results in impaired bile production and excretion,
      clotting factor production, protein synthesis, and regulation of metabolism and
      glucose. Some acute conditions of liver disease have the potential to recover if
      the liver heals on its own. However, chronic conditions, such as cirrhosis, often
      lead to irreversible disease and require liver transplantation. In this
      publication, we review the pathophysiology of liver failure, examine common
      conditions that ultimately lead to liver transplantation, and discuss the
      postoperative management of patients who are either hemodynamically stable (type
      A) or unstable (type B). 

PMID- 27254642
TI  - Pharmacologic Strategies to Prevent Blood Loss and Transfusion in Orthotopic
      Liver Transplantation.
AB  - Patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation are at risk of both life
      threatening blood loss and thrombosis due to preexisting liver dysfunction and
      major intra- and postoperative coagulopathy. Traditional laboratory markers of
      hemostasis and coagulopathy are often inadequate to describe the alterations.
      Whole blood global viscoelastic tests, thromboelastography, and
      thromboelastometry may provide more complete pictures of the hematologic
      derangements and allow for more targeted therapy to prevent blood loss and
      massive transfusion. Antifibrinolytic medications such as aprotinin, tranexamic
      acid, and [Latin Small Letter Open E]-aminocaproic acid have been used
      successfully to reduce blood loss and the need for transfusion, although most
      published data are from small prospective trials or larger retrospective cohorts.
      Recombinant factor VIIa has not been shown to improve outcomes. Although
      transfusion needs have been associated with adverse outcomes, no studied
      medications for prevention of blood loss and transfusion have been associated
      with improved mortality or graft survival post-liver transplant. 

PMID- 27254643
TI  - Pediatric Liver Transplantation: Unique Concerns for the Critical Care Team.
AB  - Liver transplantation originated in children more than 50 years ago, and these
      youngest patients, while comprising the minority of liver transplant recipients
      nationwide, can have some of the best and most rewarding outcomes. The
      indications for liver transplantation in children are generally more diverse than
      those seen in adult patients. This diversity in underlying cause of disease
      brings with it increased complexity for all who care for these patients.
      Children, still being completely dependent on others for survival, also require a
      care team that is able and ready to work with parents and family in addition to
      the patient at the center of the process. In this review, we aim to discuss
      diagnoses of particular uniqueness or importance to pediatric liver
      transplantation. We also discuss the evaluation of a pediatric patient for liver
      transplant, the system for allocating them a new liver, and also touch on
      postoperative concerns that are unique to the pediatric population. 

PMID- 27254644
TI  - Looking Outside: Summer Camp for Children Who Have Undergone a Solid-Organ
      Transplant.
AB  - A high-quality critical care team is an essential component of any successful
      organ transplant program. From pretransplant care to the crucial postoperative
      period, its importance cannot be discounted. However, because of the focused
      nature of work in an intensive care unit (ICU), all too often members of the ICU
      team are not able to see and appreciate the ultimate fruits of their labor. These
      are factors that can contribute to the high rates of burnout and turnover among
      ICU teams. This article presents the concept of a summer camp for children who
      have received a solid-organ transplant. We discuss a vehicle by which ICU staff
      as well as other members of a patient's care team can gain a better appreciation
      of the full nature of both medical and, perhaps more importantly in this
      situation, nonmedical goals and outcomes in pediatric transplantation. We review
      our institutional experience running a summer camp for these children, discuss
      some of the important points in making such a camp successful, and discuss
      potential benefits to the campers as well as those taking care of them. 

PMID- 27254645
TI  - What Is Being Done to Increase Organ Donation?
AB  - The need for organs greatly outnumbers the amount of organs donated for
      transplantation. This is true for all countries around the world. Many
      organizations globally have been created to solve this problem. Spain has been
      very successful with its drive to increase organ donation. Educational campaigns
      are a great tool being utilized by all countries and the medical communities to
      promote a positive perception of organ donation. These campaigns include using
      the television industry, raising money for travel expenses, and education
      seminars. This article looks at the different groups and programs aimed at
      increasing organ donation. 

PMID- 27254646
TI  - Letter to the Editor.

PMID- 27254647
TI  - Diacylglycerol acyl transferase: A pathogenicity related gene in Colletotrichum
      gloeosporioides.
AB  - To gain more insight into the molecular mechanisms of Colletotrichum
      gloeosporioides pathogenesis, restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI)
      mutagenesis identified the mutants of C. gloeosporioides impaired in
      pathogenicity. Transformants screened for defects in pathogenicity using detached
      leaves and fruits. Of the 20 REMI transformants tested, two mutants (H4 and H7)
      showed reduced pathogenicity on leaves of apple, kiwi, mango, peach, and fruits
      of guava, apple, and capsicum. One tagged gene from the genome sequence of mutant
      H4 was recovered by inverse PCR. Sequence analysis of the tagged site in mutant
      H4 revealed insertion in diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene which encodes
      diacylglycerol acyltransferase enzyme, catalyzing the steps involved in the
      biosynthesis of triacylglycerol, an important component of biological membranes
      and source of energy. Therefore, tagging of diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene
      in mutant H4 resulted in reduced pathogenicity, indicating possible role of this
      gene in pathogenicity of C. gloeosporioides.

PMID- 27254648
TI  - The Importance of Role Models in Research.

PMID- 27254649
TI  - Notes from the Field: Increase in Neisseria meningitidis-Associated Urethritis
      Among Men at Two Sentinel Clinics - Columbus, Ohio, and Oakland County, Michigan,
      2015.
AB  - Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) urogenital infections, although less common than
      infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), have been associated with
      urethritis, cervicitis, proctitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Nm can appear
      similar to Ng on Gram stain analysis (gram-negative intracellular diplococci) (1
      5). Because Nm colonizes the nasopharynx, men who receive oral sex (fellatio) can
      acquire urethral Nm infections (1,3,5). This report describes an increase in Nm
      associated urethritis in men attending sexual health clinics in Columbus, Ohio,
      and Oakland County, Michigan. 

PMID- 27254650
TI  - The catalytic effect of water, water dimers and water trimers on H2S + (3)O2
      formation by the HO2 + HS reaction under tropospheric conditions.
AB  - In this article, the reaction mechanisms of H2S + (3)O2 formation by the HO2 + HS
      reaction without and with catalyst X (X = H2O, (H2O)2 and (H2O)3) have been
      investigated theoretically at the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df,2pd)//B3LYP/6
      311+G(2df,2p) level of theory, coupled with rate constant calculations by using
      conventional transition state theory. Our results show that in the presence of
      catalyst X (X = H2O, (H2O)2 and (H2O)3) into the channel of H2S + (3)O2
      formation, the reactions between the SH radical and HO2(H2O)n (n = 1-3) complexes
      are more favorable than the corresponding reactions of the HO2 radical with
      HS(H2O)n (n = 1-3) complexes due to the lower barrier of the former reactions and
      the higher concentrations of HO2(H2O)n (n = 1-3) complexes. Meanwhile, the
      catalytic effect of water, water dimers and water trimers is mainly taken from
      the contribution of a single water vapor molecule, since the total effective rate
      constant of HO2H2O + HS and H2OHO2 + HS reactions was, respectively, larger by 7
      9 and 9-12 orders of magnitude than that of SH + HO2(H2O)2 and SH + HO2(H2O)3
      reactions. Besides, the enhancement factor of water vapor is only 0.37% at 240 K,
      while at high temperatures, such as 425 K, the positive water vapor effect is
      enhanced up to 38.00%, indicating that at high temperatures the positive water
      effect is obvious under atmospheric conditions. Overall, these results show how
      water and water clusters catalyze the gas phase reactions under atmospheric
      conditions. 

PMID- 27254651
TI  - A masked negative self-esteem? Implicit and explicit self-esteem in patients with
      Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
AB  - The mask model of narcissism states that the narcissistic traits of patients with
      NPD are the result of a compensatory reaction to underlying ego fragility. This
      model assumes that high explicit self-esteem masks low implicit self-esteem.
      However, research on narcissism has predominantly focused on non-clinical
      participants and data derived from patients diagnosed with Narcissistic
      Personality Disorder (NPD) remain scarce. Therefore, the goal of the present
      study was to test the mask model hypothesis of narcissism among patients with
      NPD. Male patients with NPD were compared to patients with other PD's and healthy
      participants on implicit and explicit self-esteem. NPD patients did not differ in
      levels of explicit and implicit self-esteem compared to both the psychiatric and
      the healthy control group. Overall, the current study found no evidence in
      support of the mask model of narcissism among a clinical group. This implicates
      that it might not be relevant for clinicians to focus treatment of NPD on an
      underlying negative self-esteem.

PMID- 27254652
TI  - Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over supplementary motor
      area in patients with schizophrenia with obsessive-compulsive-symptoms: A pilot
      study.
AB  - In patients with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) are
      associated with lower rates of quality of life and polypharmacy. No previous
      controlled studies have tested the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic
      stimulation (rTMS) on the treatment of OCS in this population. The present study
      examined the therapeutic effects of rTMS applied to the supplementary motor area
      (1Hz, 20min, 20 sessions) on OCS and general symptoms in patients with
      schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and whether this intervention can
      produce changes in plasma levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). A
      double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Active and sham rTMS were
      delivered to 12 patients (6 on each group). Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale
      (Y-BOCS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, as well as BDNF
      levels, were assessed before, after, and 4 weeks after treatment. rTMS did not
      significantly change the outcomes after treatment and on the follow-up (Y-BOCS:
      Wald's X(2)=3.172; p=0.205; BPRS: X(2)=1.629; p=0.443; BDNF: X(2)=2.930;
      p=0.231). There seemed to be a trend towards improvement of BPRS scores 4 weeks
      after rTMS treatment comparing with sham (Cohen's d=0.875, with 32.9% statistical
      power). No side effects were reported. Future studies with larger sample sizes
      are needed.

PMID- 27254656
TI  - Is Obesity in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Associated With Larger Curves and
      Worse Surgical Outcomes?
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter retrospective study of preoperative characteristics
      and surgical outcomes in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). OBJECTIVE: To
      determine the effect of obesity on (i) curve magnitude at first presentation to
      an orthopedic surgeon, and (ii) surgical outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:
      Clinical findings for scoliosis may be less apparent in overweight adolescents.
      The effect of obesity on curve magnitude at presentation to an orthopedic surgeon
      has not been studied. It is unclear whether obesity is associated with worse
      surgical outcomes in AIS. METHODS: Demographic, radiographic, perioperative, and
      complications data were collected on AIS patients who had undergone posterior
      spinal fusion (PSF). Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to
      compare healthy-weight (HW) [body mass index percentile for age (BMI%) <= 84],
      overweight (OW; BMI% >= 85), and obese (OB; BMI% >= 95) adolescents. RESULTS: We
      analyzed 588 patients (454 HW, 134 OW, and 71 OB). In comparison with the HW
      adolescents, major curve magnitude at presentation to orthopedics was larger in
      the OW adolescents (49.3 degrees  vs. 43.9 degrees ) (P < 0.0001) and OB
      adolescents (50.4 degrees  vs. 43.9 degrees ) (P = 0.001). The OW and OB groups
      had increased preoperative major curve magnitude [(59.1 degrees  vs. 55.4 degrees
      ) (P = 0.001); (59.9 degrees  vs. 55.4 degrees ) (P = 0.001)], preoperative minor
      curve magnitude [(42.2 degrees  vs. 37.2 degrees ) (P < 0.0001); (43.0 degrees 
      vs. 37.2 degrees ) (P = 0.001)], preoperative thoracic kyphosis [(30.8 degrees 
      vs. 25.7 degrees ) (P < 0.0001); (33.7 degrees  vs. 25.7 degrees ) (P < 0.0001)],
      and surgical time [(307 vs. 276 mins) (P = 0.009); (320 vs. 276 mins) (P =
      0.005)] than the HW group.Subgroup analysis of the patients with a minimum 2-year
      follow-up (n = 245) showed a trend towards a higher complication rate in the OB
      group (47.8% vs. 28.3%) (P = 0.054). The OB group had significantly more
      superficial infections than the HW group (13.0% vs. 1.6%) (P = 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: OW patients with AIS have a larger curve magnitude at presentation to
      an orthopedic surgeon. OW patients who undergo PSF for AIS have increased
      surgical times. OB patients may be at higher risk of postoperative complications.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 27254657
TI  - Use of S2-Alar-iliac Screws Associated With Less Complications Than Iliac Screws
      in Adult Lumbosacropelvic Fixation.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical and
      radiographic outcomes between the S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) and the iliac screw (IS)
      techniques in the adult population and clarify the clinical strength of S2AI
      screws. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: S2AI screws have been described as an
      alternative method for lumbosacropelvic fixation in place of ISs. The S2AI
      technique has several advantages with lower prominence, increased ability to
      directly connect to proximal instrumentation, less extensive dissection of
      tissue, and enhanced biomechanical strength over the IS technique. However, the
      clinical significance of these advantages remains unclear. METHODS: A single
      center retrospective review of patients who underwent lumbosacropelvic fixation
      yielded 25 IS group patients and 65 S2AI group patients. Baseline demographic
      information, postoperative complications, pain and functional outcomes, and screw
      related outcomes were collected. RESULTS: The S2AI group had lower rates of
      reoperation (8.8% vs. 48.0%, P < 0.001), surgical site infection (SSI) (1.5% vs.
      44.0%, P < 0.001), wound dehiscence (1.5% vs. 36.0%, P < 0.001), and symptomatic
      screw prominence (0.0% vs. 12.0%, P = 0.02) than the IS group, whereas rates of
      L5-S1 pseudarthrosis, proximal junctional failure, and sacroiliac joint pain were
      similar in both groups. Statistically significant pain relief and functional
      recovery were achieved in both groups without any significant intergroup
      differences. On multivariate analyses, age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, P = 0.004]
      and S2AI instrumentation (OR = 0.08, P < 0.001) were protective of reoperation,
      whereas diabetes mellitus (OR = 10.9, P = 0.03) and preoperative diagnosis of
      tumor (OR = 12.3, P = 0.04) were associated with SSI, and S2AI instrumentation
      (OR = 0.09, P < 0.001) was protective of SSI. CONCLUSION: The use of the S2AI
      technique over the IS technique was an independent predictor of preventing
      reoperation and SSI, while achieving similar clinical and functional outcomes.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 27254658
TI  - Frequency and Risk Factors for Additional Lesions in the Axial Spine in Subjects
      With Chordoma: Indications for Screening.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the
      frequency and clinical significance of additional lesions in the axial spine in
      subjects with chordoma and to assess the need for screening. SUMMARY OF
      BACKGROUND DATA: Chordomas are rare tumors that may be multicentric or
      metastasize and affect several bones in the axial spine. The incidence of
      multiple lesions in the axial spine is unknown. Understanding the incidence rate
      of multiple lesions in the spine in subjects with chordomas will help guide
      utilization of total spine screening imaging. METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective review of medical records of 42 subjects with histologically
      confirmed chordomas who had complete imaging of the axial spine. Lesions with
      imaging characteristics suggestive of chordomas/notochordal remnants were
      identified. Data on age at diagnosis, sex, size (in maximal dimension), type of
      chordoma (conventional, chondroid, or dedifferentiated), and whether pulmonary
      metastases were present were recorded. Binomial two-sample tests of proportions
      were used to compare proportions. Logistic regression was used to assess
      predictors of additional lesions. RESULTS: Forty-two subjects (57.1% male) were
      identified. The proportion of subjects with additional lesions in the axial spine
      was 16.7% (7/42). Age, sex, size, and subtype of chordoma were not significant
      predictors of having additional lesions (P > 0.05 for each variable). However,
      having pulmonary metastases was a significant predictor of having additional
      lesions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Approximately 17% of subjects with chordomas had
      additional lesions in the axial spine. It is unclear whether these represent
      metastases, synchronous primary chordomas or notochordal remnant tissue.
      Screening imaging of the axial spine may reveal additional lesions in particular
      in subjects with pulmonary metastases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 27254659
TI  - Impact of chronic administration of anabolic androgenic steroids and taurine on
      blood pressure in rats.
AB  - Supraphysiological administration of anabolic androgenic steroids has been linked
      to increased blood pressure. The widely distributed amino acid taurine seems to
      be an effective depressor agent in drug-induced hypertension. The purpose of this
      study was to assess the impact of chronic high dose administration of nandrolone
      decanoate (DECA) and taurine on blood pressure in rats and to verify the
      potentially involved mechanisms. The study was conducted in 4 groups of 8 adult
      male Wistar rats, aged 14 weeks, treated for 12 weeks with: DECA (A group);
      vehicle (C group); taurine (T group), or with both drugs (AT group). Systolic
      blood pressure (SBP) was measured at the beginning of the study (SBP1), 2 (SBP2)
      and 3 months (SBP3) later. Plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity
      and plasma end products of nitric oxide metabolism (NOx) were also determined.
      SBP3 and SBP2 were significantly increased compared to SBP1 only in the A group
      (P<0.002 for both). SBP2, SBP3 and ACE activity showed a statistically
      significant increase in the A vs C (P<0.005), andvs AT groups (P<0.05), while NOx
      was significantly decreased in the A and AT groups vs controls (P=0.01). ACE
      activity was strongly correlated with SBP3 in the A group (r=0.71, P=0.04). These
      findings suggest that oral supplementation of taurine may prevent the increase in
      SBP induced by DECA, an effect potentially mediated by angiotensin-converting
      enzyme. 

PMID- 27254660
TI  - Pharmacovigilance of patients with multiple myeloma being treated with bortezomib
      and/or thalidomide.
AB  - In order to evaluate the main adverse effects of drug protocols using bortezomib
      and/or thalidomide for the treatment of multiple myeloma, we conducted a
      prospective study. Data were collected through interviews, clinical observation,
      and from hospital records. A total of 59 patients were included. There was a
      predominance of females, 36 (61%) vs 23 (39%) males, and of whites, 49 (83.1%) vs
      10 (16.9%) blacks. Age ranged from 40 to 94 years, with a median of 65 years
      (SD=11.6). Regarding staging at diagnosis, 27 (45.7%) patients were in stage III
      A, with 12 (20.3%) patients having serum creatinine >=2 mg/dL. The main adverse
      effects in the bortezomib treatment group (n=40) were: neutropenia (42.5%),
      diarrhea (47.5%), and peripheral neuropathy in 60% of cases, with no difference
      between the iv (n=26) and sc (n=14) administration routes (P=0.343). In the group
      treated with thalidomide (n=19), 31.6% had neutropenia, 47.4% constipation, and
      68.4% peripheral neuropathy. Neutropenia was associated with the use of
      alkylating agents (P=0.038). Of the 3 patients who received bortezomib in
      combination with thalidomide, only 1 presented peripheral neuropathy (33.3%).
      Peripheral neuropathy was the main adverse effect of the protocols that used
      bortezomib or thalidomide, with a higher risk of neutropenia in those using
      alkylating agents. Improving the identification of adverse effects is critical in
      multiple myeloma patient care, as the patient shows improvements during
      treatment, and requires a rational and safe use of medicines. 

PMID- 27254661
TI  - Long-term efficacy of endovascular vs open surgical repair for complicated type-B
      aortic dissection: a single-center retrospective study and meta-analysis.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the long-term survival and risk factors of
      traditional open surgical repair (OSR) vs thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair
      (TEVAR) for complicated type-B aortic dissection (TBAD). A total of 118
      inpatients (45 OSR vs 73 TEVAR) with TBAD were enrolled from January 2004 to
      January 2015. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards analysis were
      performed to identify the long-term survival rate and independent predictors of
      survival, respectively. Meta-analysis was used to further explore the long-term
      efficacy of OSR and TEVAR in the eight included studies using Review Manager 5.2
      software. An overall 10-year survival rate of 41.9% was found, and it was similar
      in the two groups (56.7% OSR vs 26.1% TEVAR; log-rank P=0.953). The risk factors
      of long-term survival were refractory hypertension (OR=11.1; 95%CI=1.428-86.372;
      P=0.021] and preoperative aortic diameter >55 mm (OR=4.5; 95%CI=1.842-11.346;
      P=0.001). Long-term survival rate did not differ significantly between OSR and
      TEVAR (hazard ratio=0.87; 95%CI=0.52-1.47; P=0.61). Compared with OSR, TEVAR did
      not show long-term advantages for patients with TBAD. Refractory hypertension and
      total aortic diameter >55 mm can be used to predict the long-term survival of
      TBAD in the Chinese Han population. 

PMID- 27254662
TI  - Prevalence of genital human papillomavirus among rural and urban populations in
      southern Yunnan province, China.
AB  - This study was designed to investigate and compare the HPV prevalence, genotypes
      distribution and associated risk factors in rural and urban women living in
      Xishuang Banna district, in the province of Yunnan. A total of 177 and 190 women
      from rural and urban areas were engaged, respectively. HPV DNA was amplified
      using the L1 consensus primers system (MY09/11 and GP5/6) and HPV GenoArray test
      was conducted for genotyping. Proportions were compared by chi-square test, and
      logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors. A total of 54 women were
      positive for HPV DNA. Among rural women, 23 women were positive for HPV
      infection, of which 21 showed a single infection and 2 had a multiple infection.
      HPV-16 (10/23) was the most prevalent genotype followed by HPV-52 (5/23), and HPV
      58 (5/23). Urban women had a higher infection rate for overall HPV (31/54) and
      for multiple genotype infection (8/31). HPV-52 (9/31) was the most prevalent
      genotype followed by HPV-39 (7/31) and HPV-68 (5/31). The age-specific HPV
      prevalence was also different between rural and urban women. In urban area, women
      with age <35 years had the highest HPV prevalence, which declined thereafter as
      age advanced. However, in rural women the highest HPV prevalence was observed in
      an older age group (>56 years). Ethnicity, smoking and parity were significantly
      associated with HPV infection among urban women. Our study demonstrates that HPV
      prevalence and genotype distribution varies among women from rural and urban
      areas in the south of Yunnan. 

PMID- 27254663
TI  - Intramyocardial implantation of differentiated rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem
      cells enhanced by TGF-beta1 improves cardiac function in heart failure rats.
AB  - The present study tested the hypotheses that i) transforming growth factor beta 1
      (TGF-beta1) enhances differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
      (MSCs) towards the cardiomyogenic phenotype and ii) intramyocardial implantation
      of the TGF-beta1-treated MSCs improves cardiac function in heart failure rats.
      MSCs were treated with different concentrations of TGF-beta1 for 72 h, and then
      morphological characteristics, surface antigens and mRNA expression of several
      transcription factors were assessed. Intramyocardial implantation of these TGF
      beta1-treated MSCs to infarcted heart was also investigated. MSCs were initially
      spindle-shaped with irregular processes. On day 28 after TGF-beta1 treatment,
      MSCs showed fusiform shape, orientating parallel with one another, and were
      connected with adjoining cells forming myotube-like structures.
      Immunofluorescence revealed the expression of cardiomyocyte-specific proteins,
      alpha-sarcomeric actin and troponin T, in these cells. The mRNA expression of
      GATA4 and Nkx2.5 genes was slightly increased on day 7, enhanced on day 14 and
      decreased on day 28 while alpha-MHC gene was not expressed on day 7, but
      expressed slightly on day 14 and enhanced on day 28. Transmission electron
      microscopy showed that the induced cells had myofilaments, z line-like
      substances, desmosomes, and gap junctions, in contrast with control cells.
      Furthermore, intramyocardial implantation of TGF-beta1-treated MSCs to infarcted
      heart reduced scar area and increased the number of muscle cells. This structure
      regeneration was concomitant with the improvement of cardiac function, evidenced
      by decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, increased left ventricular
      systolic pressure and increased maximal positive pressure development rate. Taken
      together, these results indicate that intramyocardial implantation of
      differentiated MSCs enhanced by TGF-beta1 improved cardiac function in heart
      failure rats. 

PMID- 27254665
TI  - Surgical Outcomes of Synchronous Multiple Primary Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers.
AB  - The prognostic indicators for synchronous multiple primary non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) vary across reports. In present study, the prognostic factors for
      the patients with synchronous multiple primary NSCLC were analyzed in a large
      cohort. A total of 285 patients with synchronous multiple primary NSCLC who
      underwent radical surgical resection and with complete follow-up information were
      included in this study. The Kaplan-Meier method were used for survival analysis,
      Cox proportional hazards regression models were used for risk factors evaluation.
      Among them, 94 (33.0%) patients had bilateral tumors and 51 (17.9%) had multiple
      (>=3) tumors. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS)
      rate was 58.7% and 77.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified parameters
      conferring shorter OS including male gender, symptomatic disease, negative family
      history, large maximal tumor size, not all adenocarcinomas, advanced highest T
      stage, and lymph node involvement. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender
      (p = 0.020), symptomatic disease (p = 0.017), and lymph node involvement (p <
      0.001) were independent adverse prognosticators. For patients with multiple
      adenocarcinomas, the 5-year DFS and OS rate was 59.6% and 82.4%, respectively.
      The subtypes other than lepidic predominant (p < 0.001) and lymph node
      involvement (p = 0.002) were the independent unfavorable prognosticators. In
      conclusion, we identified independent prognosticators which will provide the
      valuable clues for postoperative management of patients with synchronous multiple
      primary NSCLC.

PMID- 27254666
TI  - Photo-reduction of CO2 Using a Rhenium Complex Covalently Supported on a
      Graphene/TiO2 Composite.
AB  - One of the promising solutions for decreasing atmospheric CO2 is artificial
      photosynthesis, in which CO2 can be photoconverted into solar fuels. In this
      study, a rhenium complex Re(PyBn)(CO)3 Cl (PyBn=1-(2-picolyl)-4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3
      triazole) was covalently grafted onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide
      (rGO). This was further combined with TiO2 to fabricate a novel catalyst
      composite TiO2 -rGO-Re(PyBn)(CO)3 Cl for CO2 photo-reduction. This hybrid
      composite demonstrated high selectivity conversion of CO2 into CO under xenon
      lamp irradiation. Compared with the unsupported homogeneous catalyst
      Re(PyBn)(CO)3 Cl, the covalent immobilized catalyst composite TiO2 -rGO
      Re(PyBn)(CO)3 Cl enhanced the turnover number six times and significantly
      improved catalyst stability. During the process of CO2 photo-reduction,
      intermediate species with lifetimes longer than hundreds of microseconds were
      observed and the formation of CO products was revealed using timeresolved
      infrared spectroscopy. A plausible mechanism for CO2 photo-reduction by the TiO2 
      rGO-Re(PyBn)(CO)3 Cl catalyst composite has been suggested. The obtained results
      have implications for the future design of efficient catalyst composites for CO2
      photo-conversion.

PMID- 27254667
TI  - Cavitands as Reaction Vessels and Blocking Groups for Selective Reactions in
      Water.
AB  - The majority of reactions currently performed in the chemical industry take place
      in organic solvents, compounds that are generally derived from petrochemicals. To
      promote chemical processes in water, we examined the use of synthetic, deep water
      soluble cavitands in the Staudinger reduction of long-chain aliphatic diazides
      (C8 , C10 , and C12 ). The diazide substrates are taken up by the cavitand in D2
      O in folded, dynamic conformations. The reduction of one azide group to an amine
      gives a complex in which the substrate is fixed in an unsymmetrical conformation,
      with the amine terminal exposed and the azide terminal deep and inaccessible
      within the cavitand. Accordingly, the reduction of the second azide group is
      inhibited, even with excess phosphine, and good yields of the monofunctionalized
      products are obtained. In contrast, the reduction of the free diazides in bulk
      solution yields diamine products.

PMID- 27254664
TI  - NMNAT2:HSP90 Complex Mediates Proteostasis in Proteinopathies.
AB  - Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2 (NMNAT2) is neuroprotective in
      numerous preclinical models of neurodegeneration. Here, we show that brain nmnat2
      mRNA levels correlate positively with global cognitive function and negatively
      with AD pathology. In AD brains, NMNAT2 mRNA and protein levels are reduced.
      NMNAT2 shifts its solubility and colocalizes with aggregated Tau in AD brains,
      similar to chaperones, which aid in the clearance or refolding of misfolded
      proteins. Investigating the mechanism of this observation, we discover a novel
      chaperone function of NMNAT2, independent from its enzymatic activity. NMNAT2
      complexes with heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) to refold aggregated protein
      substrates. NMNAT2's refoldase activity requires a unique C-terminal ATP site,
      activated in the presence of HSP90. Furthermore, deleting NMNAT2 function
      increases the vulnerability of cortical neurons to proteotoxic stress and
      excitotoxicity. Interestingly, NMNAT2 acts as a chaperone to reduce proteotoxic
      stress, while its enzymatic activity protects neurons from excitotoxicity. Taken
      together, our data indicate that NMNAT2 exerts its chaperone or enzymatic
      function in a context-dependent manner to maintain neuronal health.

PMID- 27254668
TI  - Evolution-Based Functional Decomposition of Proteins.
AB  - The essential biological properties of proteins-folding, biochemical activities,
      and the capacity to adapt-arise from the global pattern of interactions between
      amino acid residues. The statistical coupling analysis (SCA) is an approach to
      defining this pattern that involves the study of amino acid coevolution in an
      ensemble of sequences comprising a protein family. This approach indicates a
      functional architecture within proteins in which the basic units are coupled
      networks of amino acids termed sectors. This evolution-based decomposition has
      potential for new understandings of the structural basis for protein function. To
      facilitate its usage, we present here the principles and practice of the SCA and
      introduce new methods for sector analysis in a python-based software package
      (pySCA). We show that the pattern of amino acid interactions within sectors is
      linked to the divergence of functional lineages in a multiple sequence alignment
      a model for how sector properties might be differentially tuned in members of a
      protein family. This work provides new tools for studying proteins and for
      generally testing the concept of sectors as the principal units of function and
      adaptive variation.

PMID- 27254725
TI  - Priorities for Improving Hearing Health Care for Adults: A Report From the
      National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

PMID- 27254726
TI  - How Different Molecular Architectures Influence the Dynamics of H-Bonded
      Structures in Glass-Forming Monohydroxy Alcohols.
AB  - Primary alcohols have been an active area of research since the beginning of the
      20th century. The main problem in studying monohydroxy alcohols is the molecular
      origin of the slower Debye relaxation, whereas the faster process, recognized as
      structural relaxation, remains much less investigated. This is because in many
      primary alcohols the structural process is strongly overlapped by the dominating
      Debye relaxation. Additionally, there is still no answer for many fundamental
      questions concerning the origin of the molecular characteristic properties of
      these materials. One of them is the role of molecular architecture in the
      formation of hydrogen-bonded structures and its potential connection to the
      relaxation dynamics of Debye and structural relaxation processes. In this
      article, we present the results of ambient and high-pressure dielectric studies
      of monohydroxy alcohols with similar chemical structures but different carbon
      chain lengths (2-ethyl-1-butanol and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol) and positions of the OH-
      group (2-methyl-2-hexanol and 2-methyl-3-hexanol). New data are compared with
      previously collected results for 5-methyl-2-hexanol. We note that differences in
      molecular architecture have a significant influence on the formation of hydrogen
      bonded structures, which is reflected in the behavior of the Debye and structural
      relaxation processes. Intriguingly, studying the relaxation dynamics in
      monohydroxy alcohols at high pressures of up to p = 1700 MPa delivers a
      fundamental bridge to understand the potential connection between molecular
      conformation and its response to the characteristic properties of these
      materials.

PMID- 27254727
TI  - Efficient Ceria-Platinum Inverse Catalyst for Partial Oxidation of Methanol.
AB  - Ceria-platinum-based bilayered thin films deposited by magnetron sputtering were
      developed and tested in regard to their catalytic activity for methanol oxidation
      by employing a temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) technique. The composition
      and structure of the samples were characterized by X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both conventional
      (oxide-supported metal nanoparticles [NPs]) and inverse configurations (metal
      with oxide overlayer) were analyzed to uncover the structural dependence of
      activity and selectivity of these catalysts with respect to different pathways of
      methanol oxidation. We clearly demonstrate that the amount of cerium oxide
      (ceria) loading has a profound influence on methanol oxidation reaction
      characteristics. Adding a noncontinuous adlayer of ceria greatly enhances the
      catalytic performance of platinum (Pt) in favor of partial oxidation of methanol
      (POM), gaining an order of magnitude in the absolute yield of hydrogen. Moreover,
      the undesired by-production of carbon monoxide (CO) is strongly suppressed,
      making the ceria-platinum inverse catalyst a great candidate for clean hydrogen
      production. It is suggested that the methanol oxidation process is facilitated by
      the synergistic effect between both components of the inverse catalyst (involving
      oxygen from ceria and providing a reaction site on the adjacent Pt surface) as
      well as by the fact that the ability of ceria to exchange oxygen (i.e., to alter
      the oxidation state of Ce between 3+ and 4+) during the reaction is inversely
      proportional to its thickness. The increased redox capability of the
      discontinuous ceria adlayer shifts the preferred reaction pathway from
      dehydrogenation of hydroxymethyl intermediate to CO in favor of its oxidation to
      formate.

PMID- 27254728
TI  - Origin of Spectral Features and Acid-Base Properties of 3,7-Dihydroxyflavone and
      Its Monofunctional Derivatives in the Ground and Excited States.
AB  - Comprehensive spectral investigations of 3,7-dihydroxyflavone and its two
      derivatives, which each contain a methyl-blocked hydroxyl group, reveal complex
      radiation absorption in the 300-450 nm range and emission in the 370-650 nm
      range. The absorption and fluorescence characteristics of these compounds depend
      on the pH/H0 of the water/methanol media, which is caused by the existence of the
      compounds in various protolytic (cationic, neutral, anionic) and tautomeric
      forms. Combined analysis of steady-state, time-dependent and fluorescence decay
      spectral data enabled the identification of the emitting species, determination
      of their lifetimes with respect to radiative and nonradiative deactivation
      processes, fluorescence quantum yields, protolytic and tautomeric abilities under
      various conditions, and acidic dissociation constants of the cationic, neutral,
      and anionic forms of the compounds. Results of calculations carried out at the
      DFT and TD DFT levels of theory generally confirmed the experimental findings
      concerning tautomeric/protolytic transformations and equilibria. Computational
      methods also provided insight into possible tautomerization pathways.
      Electronically excited molecules are generally much more susceptible to
      tautomerization and acidic dissociation than ground-state ones. 3,7
      Dihydroxyflavone exhibits distinguishable features among the compounds
      investigated and can be considered as potential spectral indicator of properties
      (polarity, hydrophobicity, hydrogen-bonding ability) and acidity/basicity of
      liquid environments. 

PMID- 27254729
TI  - Autochthonous dengue outbreak in Nimes, South of France, July to September 2015.
AB  - In August and September 2015, seven locally acquired cases of dengue virus type 1
      (DENV-1) were detected in Nimes, south of France, where Aedes albopictus has been
      established since 2011. Epidemiological and entomological investigations allowed
      to steer vector control measures to contain transmission. An imported case from
      French Polynesia with onset fever on 4 July was identified as primary case. This
      outbreak occurred from 8 August to 11 September in a 300 m radius area. Six
      sprayings to control mosquitos were performed in the affected area. We describe
      the first considerable dengue outbreak in mainland France where only sporadic
      cases of autochthonous dengue were recorded previously (2010, 2013 and 2014). The
      69 day-period between the primary case and the last autochthonous case suggests
      multiple episodes of mosquito infections. The absence of notification of
      autochthonous cases during the month following the primary case's symptoms onset
      could be explained by the occurrence of inapparent illness. Recurrence of cases
      every year since 2013, the size of the 2015 outbreak and continuing expansion of
      areas with presence of Ae. albopictus highlight the threat of arboviral diseases
      in parts of Europe. Thus, European guidelines should be assessed and adjusted to
      the current context. 

PMID- 27254730
TI  - Tough and Thermosensitive Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Graphene Oxide Hydrogels
      with Macroscopically Oriented Liquid Crystalline Structures.
AB  - Bulk graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite materials with macroscopically oriented GO
      liquid crystalline (LC) structures exhibit interesting anisotropic properties,
      but their facile preparations remain challenging. This work reports for the first
      time the facile preparation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)/GO
      nanocomposite hydrogels with macroscopically oriented LC structures with the
      assistance of a flow field induced by vacuum degassing and the in situ
      polymerization accelerated by GO. The hydrogel prepared with a GO concentration
      of 5.0 mg mL(-1) exhibits macroscopically aligned LC structures, which endow the
      gels with anisotropic optical, mechanical properties, and dimensional changes
      during the phase transition. The hydrogels show dramatically enhanced tensile
      mechanical properties and phase transition rates. The oriented LC structures are
      not damaged during the phase transition of the PNIPAM/GO hydrogels, and hence
      their LC behavior undergoes reversible change. Moreover, highly oriented LC
      structures can also be formed when the gels are elongated, even for the gels
      which do not have macroscopically oriented LC structures. Very impressively, the
      oriented LC structures in the hydrogels can be permanently maintained by drying
      the gel samples elongated to and then kept at a constant tensile strain. The
      thermosensitive nature of PNIPAM and the angle-dependent nature of the
      macroscopically aligned GO LC structures allow the practical applications of the
      PNIPAM/GO hydrogels as optical switches, soft sensors, and actuators and so on. 

PMID- 27254731
TI  - Principal components analysis and the reported low intrinsic dimensionality of
      gene expression microarray data.
AB  - Principal components analysis (PCA) is a common unsupervised method for the
      analysis of gene expression microarray data, providing information on the overall
      structure of the analyzed dataset. In the recent years, it has been applied to
      very large datasets involving many different tissues and cell types, in order to
      create a low dimensional global map of human gene expression. Here, we reevaluate
      this approach and show that the linear intrinsic dimensionality of this global
      map is higher than previously reported. Furthermore, we analyze in which cases
      PCA fails to detect biologically relevant information and point the reader to
      methods that overcome these limitations. Our results refine the current
      understanding of the overall structure of gene expression spaces and show that
      PCA critically depends on the effect size of the biological signal as well as on
      the fraction of samples containing this signal.

PMID- 27254732
TI  - Chirality and catalysis with aromatic N-fused heterobicyclic carbenes.
AB  - The benzoannulation of the most common families of aromatic NHCs, imidazol-2
      ylidenes and 1,2,4-triazol-3-ylidenes, results in heterobicyclic imidazo[1,5
      a]pyridin-3-ylidenes ('s) and [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-ylidenes ('s),
      characterized by a bridged N atom. These are versatile platforms that offer
      multiple possibilities for the modulation of the steric and electronic properties
      of the carbene ligand and/or organocatalyst, and offer also diverse opportunities
      for the introduction of several types of chiralities. In this paper the different
      families of chiral and carbenes and their application in asymmetric catalysis
      will be discussed. 

PMID- 27254744
TI  - Simulations of Pore Formation in Lipid Membranes: Reaction Coordinates,
      Convergence, Hysteresis, and Finite-Size Effects.
AB  - Transmembrane pores play an important role in various biophysical processes such
      as membrane permeation, membrane fusion, and antimicrobial peptide activity. In
      principal, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide an accurate model
      of pore formation in lipid membranes. However, the free energy landscape of
      transmembrane pore formation remains poorly understood, partly because potential
      of mean force (PMF) calculations of pore formation strongly depend on the choice
      of the reaction coordinate. In this study, we used umbrella sampling to compute
      PMFs for pore formation using three different reaction coordinates, namely, (i) a
      coordinate that steers the lipids in the lateral direction away from the pore
      center, (ii) the distance of a single lipid phosphate group from the membrane
      center, and (iii) the average water density inside a membrane-spanning cylinder.
      Our results show that while the three reaction coordinates efficiently form pores
      in membranes, they suffer from strong hysteresis between pore-opening and pore
      closing simulations, suggesting that they do not restrain the systems close to
      the transition state for pore formation. The two reaction coordinates that act
      via restraining the lipids lead to more pronounced hysteresis compared with the
      coordinate acting on the water molecules. By comparing PMFs computed from
      membranes with different numbers of lipids, we observed significant artifacts
      from the periodic boundary conditions in small simulation systems. Further
      analysis suggests that the formation and disruption of a continuous hydrogen
      bonding network across the membrane corresponds to the transition state for pore
      formation. Our study provides molecular insights into the critical steps of
      transmembrane pore formation, and it may guide the development of efficient
      reaction coordinates for pore formation. 

PMID- 27254743
TI  - Effects of supplemental calcium and vitamin D on the APC/beta-catenin pathway in
      the normal colorectal mucosa of colorectal adenoma patients.
AB  - APC/beta-catenin pathway malfunction is a common and early event in colorectal
      carcinogenesis. To assess calcium and vitamin D effects on the APC/beta-catenin
      pathway in the normal-appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma
      patients, nested within a larger randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled,
      partial 2 * 2 factorial chemoprevention clinical trial of supplemental calcium
      (1200 mg daily) and vitamin D (1000 IU daily), alone and in combination versus
      placebo, we assessed APC, beta-catenin, and E-cadherin expression in colon crypts
      in normal-appearing rectal mucosa biopsies from 104 participants at baseline and
      1-yr follow up using standardized, automated immunohistochemistry and
      quantitative image analysis. For vitamin D versus no vitamin D, the ratio of APC
      expression to beta-catenin expression in the upper 40% (differentiation zone) of
      crypts (APC/beta-catenin score) increased by 28% (P = 0.02), for calcium versus
      no calcium it increased by 1% (P = 0.88), and for vitamin D + calcium versus
      calcium by 35% (P = 0.01). Total E-cadherin expression increased by 7% (P = 0.35)
      for vitamin D versus no vitamin D, 8% (P = 0.31) for calcium versus no calcium,
      and 12% (P = 0.21) for vitamin D + calcium versus calcium. These results support
      (i) that vitamin D, alone or in combination with calcium, may modify APC, beta
      catenin, and E-cadherin expression in humans in directions hypothesized to reduce
      risk for colorectal neoplasms; (ii) vitamin D as a potential chemopreventive
      agent against colorectal neoplasms; and (iii) the potential of APC, beta-catenin,
      and E-cadherin expression as treatable, pre-neoplastic risk biomarkers for
      colorectal neoplasms. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27254745
TI  - The bivalve Glycymeris pilosa as a multidecadal environmental archive for the
      Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas.
AB  - We evaluated the potential of Glycymeris pilosa as an environmental indicator for
      the Mediterranean region by applying sclerochronological techniques on a sample
      set collected from Pasman Channel in the middle Adriatic Sea. Maximal longevity
      of analyzed shells was 69 years. Growth increments in acetate peels of the hinge
      region had clear boundaries, and there was a strongly synchronous signal in
      growth-increment width among individuals. The final, replicated chronology
      spanned 1969 to 2013. Shell growth negatively correlated with local summer sea
      temperatures and positively with November precipitation. High correlation between
      shell growth and circulation patterns in the northern Ionian was also observed,
      with slower growth occurring during cyclonic regimes. Given its broad
      distribution in the region and the ability to crossdate, generate annually
      resolved chronologies, and of a length that substantially overlaps with
      observational records, G. pilosa has considerable potential to test hypotheses
      relating to environmental variability and biological response in the
      Mediterranean. 

PMID- 27254746
TI  - Activity and MeCP2-dependent regulation of nNOS levels in enteric neurons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurological disorder characterized by
      severe cognitive impairment, motor dyspraxia, and seizures. Rett syndrome arises
      predominantly from mutations in MECP2, the gene coding for methyl-CpG-binding
      protein 2 (MeCP2). MeCP2 is an important mediator of synaptic development and is
      essential in regulating homeostatic synaptic plasticity (HSP) in the brain. In
      addition to demonstrating central nervous system impairment, RTT patients also
      suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility. We hypothesize that this is due to
      a similar impairment of plasticity-dependent synaptic function in the enteric
      nervous system (ENS). We recently reported that MeCP2 is expressed in the ENS,
      providing evidence that neuronal dysfunction may mediate the GI pathology.
      METHODS: Baseline measures of MeCP2-KO vs wild-type (WT) GI neuronal nitric oxide
      synthase (nNOS) were assessed in tissue samples and in vitro. Experiments were
      carried out to measure nNOS in baseline vs activated plasticity states in vitro.
      Functional in vivo studies were carried out to determine whether MeCP2-KO mice
      reproduced the RTT GI hypomotility. KEY RESULTS: Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2-KO
      mice reproduced the GI hypomotility seen in RTT. MeCP2-KO GI tissue demonstrated
      elevated nNOS levels. Cultured WT enteric neurons showed upregulation of nNOS
      following moderate, prolonged stimulation by hyperkalemia; neurons from MeCP2-KO
      mice failed to show this nNOS upregulation. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: MeCP2 is
      required for proper GI motility and normal nNOS levels. Neuronal nitric oxide
      synthase imbalances could mediate the GI dysmotility seen in RTT. Disruption of
      MeCP2-dependent HSP may be the basis for aberrant nNOS levels and hence GI
      dysmotility in MeCP2-KO and RTT.

PMID- 27254747
TI  - Mortality and survival patterns of people living with HIV-2.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: People living with HIV-2 infected usually initiate
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) at an advanced period in the course of their
      infection after a long asymptomatic period characterized by high CD4 cell count
      and thus at a relatively advanced age. In the new international context of early
      and universal ART initiation, the aim was to review survival patterns among HIV-2
      infected patients, either on ART or not. RECENT FINDINGS: Very few reports were
      published on mortality in people living with HIV-2 during the last 5 years.
      People living with HIV-2 experience high mortality rates although lower than
      people living with HIV-1 before ART initiation. They seem to survive longer
      regardless of the conditions of ART use. Mortality is associated with late
      presentation, male sex, CD4 cell count less than 500 cell/MUl, high plasma viral
      load, hemoglobin rate less than 8 g/dl and body mass index less than 18 kg/m.
      SUMMARY: People living with HIV-2 initiate ART later than HIV-1 and HIV duals,
      resulting in higher disease progression and mortality rate. The clinical
      management of HIV-2 infected patients should now include early diagnosis and
      treatment initiation as per international guidelines. Further research needs to
      explore the 'what to start' question and document specific causes of death in
      people living with HIV-2 and enrolled in care in Africa.

PMID- 27254748
TI  - Trends in life expectancy of HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy across
      the globe: comparisons with general population.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Improved virological and immunological outcomes and reduced
      toxicity of antiretroviral combination therapy (ART) raise the hope that life
      expectancy of HIV-positive persons on ART will approach that of the general
      population. We systematically review the literature and summarize published
      estimates of life expectancy of HIV-positive populations on ART. We compare their
      life expectancy with the life expectancy of the general or, in sub-Saharan
      Africa, HIV-negative populations, by time period and gender. RECENT FINDINGS: Ten
      relevant studies were published from 2006 to 2015. Three studies were from
      Canada, two from European countries, three from sub-Saharan Africa and two were
      multicountry studies. Life expectancy increased over time in all studies and
      regions. Expressed as the percentage of life expectancy in the HIV-negative or
      general population, estimated life expectancy at age 20 years in HIV-positive
      people on ART ranged from 60.3% (95% CI 58.0-62.6%) in Rwanda (2008-2011) to
      89.1% (95% CI 84.7-93.6%) in Canada (2008-2012). The percentage of life
      expectancy in the HIV-negative or general population achieved was higher in HIV
      positive women than in HIV-positive men in all countries, except for Canada
      wherein the opposite was the case. SUMMARY: Life expectancy in HIV-positive
      people on ART has improved worldwide in recent years, but important gaps remain
      compared with the general and HIV-negative population, and between regions and
      genders.

PMID- 27254750
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of Pazopanib Therapy Prior to Planned Nephrectomy in
      Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cancer.
AB  - Importance: The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with metastatic
      renal cancer in the era of targeted therapy is uncertain. Objective: To establish
      the safety and efficacy of upfront pazopanib therapy prior to cytoreductive
      nephrectomy in previously untreated patients with metastatic clear cell renal
      cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: Single-arm phase 2 study of 104
      previously untreated patients with metastatic clear cell renal cancer recruited
      between June 2008 and October 2012 at cancer treatment centers with access to
      nephrectomy services. The minimum follow-up was 30 months. Interventions:
      Patients received 12 to 14 weeks of preoperative pazopanib therapy prior to
      planned cytoreductive nephrectomy and continued pazopanib therapy after surgery.
      Treatment was stopped at disease progression. Main Outcomes and Measures: The
      primary end point was clinical benefit (using Response Evaluation Criteria in
      Solid Tumors, version 1.1) prior to surgery (at 12-14 weeks). Secondary end
      points included surgical complications, progression-free survival (PFS), overall
      survival (OS), and biomarker analysis. Results: Of 104 patients recruited, 100
      patients were assessable for clinical benefit prior to planned nephrectomy; 80 of
      104 (76.9%) were men; median [interquartile range] age, 64 [56-71] years).
      Overall, 84 of 100 (84% [95% CI, 75%-91%]) gained clinical benefit before planned
      nephrectomy. The median reduction in the size of the primary tumor was 14.4%
      (interquartile range, 1.4%-21.1%). No patients were unable to undergo surgery as
      a result of local progression of disease. Nephrectomy was performed in 63 (61%)
      of patients; 14 (22%) reported surgical complications. The 2 most common reasons
      for not undergoing surgery were progression of disease (n = 13) and patient
      choice (n = 9). There was 1 postoperative surgical death. The median PFS and OS
      for the whole cohort were 7.1 (95% CI, 6.0-9.2) and 22.7 (95% CI, 14.3-not
      estimable) months, respectively. Patients with MSKCC poor-risk disease or
      progressive disease prior to surgery had a poor outcome (median OS, 5.7 [95% CI,
      2.6-10.8] and 3.9 [95% CI, 0.5-9.1] months, respectively). Surgical complications
      were observed in 14 (22%) of the nephrectomies. Biomarker analysis from
      sequential tissue samples revealed a decrease in CD8 expression (20.00 vs 13.75;
      P = .05) and significant reduction in expression of von Hippel-Lindau tumor
      suppressor (100 vs 40; P < .001) and C-MET (300 vs 100; P < .001) and increased
      programmed cell death ligand 1 expression (0 vs 1.5; P < .001) in the immune
      component. No on-treatment biomarker correlated with response. Conclusions and
      Relevance: Nephrectomy after upfront pazopanib therapy could be performed safely
      and was associated with good outcomes in patients with intermediate-risk
      metastatic clear cell renal cancer.

PMID- 27254749
TI  - Reducing rates of preventable HIV/AIDS-associated mortality among people living
      with HIV who inject drugs.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era has seen
      substantial reductions in mortality among people living with HIV. However, HIV
      positive people who inject drugs (PWIDs) continue to experience high rates of
      suboptimal HIV-related outcomes. We review recent findings regarding factors
      contributing to premature and preventable mortality among HIV-positive PWID, and
      describe the promise of interventions to improve survival in this group. RECENT
      FINDINGS: The current leading causes of death among HIV-positive PWID are
      HIV/AIDS-related causes, overdose, and liver-related causes, including infection
      with hepatitis C virus. Elevated mortality levels in this population are driven
      by social-structural barriers to ART access and adherence, particularly
      criminalization and stigmatization of drug use. In contexts where opioid
      substitution therapy and ART adherence support programs are widely accessible,
      evidence highlights comparable levels of survival among HIV-positive PWID and
      people living with HIV who do not inject drugs. SUMMARY: The life-saving benefits
      of ART can be realized among HIV-positive PWID when it is paired with strategies
      that address barriers to evidence-based medical care. Joint administration of ART
      and opioid substitution therapy, as well as repeal of punitive laws that
      criminalize drug users, are urgently needed to reduce HIV and injection-related
      mortality among PWID.

PMID- 27254751
TI  - Design of an enzyme cocktail consisting of different fungal platforms for
      efficient hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse: Optimization and synergism studies.
AB  - Lignocellulosic materials represent a very important and promising source of
      renewable biomass. In order to turn them into fermentable sugars, synergism among
      the different enzymes that carry out bioconversion of these materials is one of
      the main factors that should be considered. Experimental mixture design was
      performed to optimize the proportion of enzymes produced by native strains of
      Trichoderma harzianum IOC 3844, Penicillium funiculosum ATCC 11797, and
      Aspergillus niger ATCC 1004, resulting in a proportion of 15, 50, and 35%,
      respectively. This mixture was able to hydrolyze 25 g/L of pretreated sugarcane
      bagasse with 91% of yield after 48 h of enzymatic reaction. Synergism along the
      hydrolysis process, besides the influence of lignin, hemicellulose, and solids
      loading, were also studied. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Central
      Composite Rotatable Design was used to optimize solids and protein loadings to
      increase glucose release and enzymatic hydrolysis yield. The optimum solid and
      protein loadings established with RSM were 196 g/L and 24 mg/g cellulose,
      respectively, and under these conditions (94.1 +/- 8) g/L of glucose were
      obtained, corresponding to a hydrolysis yield of 64%. (c) 2016 American Institute
      of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1222-1229, 2016.

PMID- 27254752
TI  - Easy and Fast Western Blotting by Thin-Film Direct Coating with Suction.
AB  - Thin-film direct coating (TDC) has been successfully used in Western blotting
      (WB). In this study, the advanced technique of TDC with suction (TDCS) was
      developed to reduce the consumption amount of antibody by a factor of up to 10(4)
      in comparison with the amount consumed by the conventional WB using the capillary
      tube without any need of special micromachining processes. The operation time for
      completely finishing a high-quality WB can be reduced from 3 h in conventional WB
      to about 5 min or even less by TDCS. In addition, the signal-to-noise ratio of
      the immunoblotting by TDCS can be markedly increased. TDCS WB showed a high
      linearity within a 6-log2 dynamic range for detecting 90-6000 ng of purified
      recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (GST) proteins and could particularly
      detect extrinsic GST proteins added in crude Escherichia coli or 293T cell
      lysates. Moreover, a protein mixture containing bovine serum albumin, GST, and
      ubiquitin could be specifically probed in parallel with their corresponding
      antibodies through multichannel TDCS WB. This simple and innovative TDCS WB
      offers various potential applications in simultaneously finishing multiple
      antibody-antigen screenings in a fast and single experiment.

PMID- 27254753
TI  - CRSI Bronze Medals: P. S. Mukherjee, D. B. Ramachary, T. Govindaraju, and R.
      Gupta / SwarnaJayanti Fellowships: S. Ghosh and C. M. Reddy / Albrecht Kossel
      Prize: J. Buchner / DECHEMA Early-Career Researcher Prize: T. A. M. Gulder /
      Mattauch-Herzog Prize: K. Pagel / Honorary Doctorates: F. Schuth and T. J. Marks
      / Karl Max von Bauernfeind Medal: C. W. Kohlpaintner.

PMID- 27254754
TI  - Dopamine pathway imbalance in mice lacking Magel2, a Prader-Willi syndrome
      candidate gene.
AB  - The etiology of abnormal eating behaviors, including binge-eating disorder, is
      poorly understood. The neural circuits modulating the activities of the
      neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin are proposed to be dysfunctional in
      individuals suffering from eating disorders. Prader-Willi syndrome is a
      neurodevelopmental disorder that causes extreme food seeking and binge-eating
      behaviors together with reduced satiety. One of the genes implicated in Prader
      Willi syndrome, Magel2, is highly expressed in the regions of the brain that
      control appetite. Our objective was to examine behaviors relevant to feeding and
      the neural circuits controlling feeding in a mouse model of Prader-Willi syndrome
      that lacks expression of the Magel2 gene. We performed behavioral tests related
      to dopaminergic function, measuring cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion, binge
      eating, and saccharin-induced anhedonia in Magel2-deficient mice. Next, we
      analyzed dopaminergic neurons in various brain regions and compared these
      findings between genotypes. Finally, we examined biochemical markers in the brain
      under standard diet, high-fat diet, and withdrawal from a high-fat diet
      conditions. We identified abnormal behaviors and biomarkers reflecting
      dopaminergic dysfunction in mice lacking Magel2. Our results provide a biological
      framework for clinical studies of dopaminergic function in children with Prader
      Willi syndrome, and may also provide insight into binge-eating disorders that
      occur in the general population. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27254755
TI  - Wire-guided intraduodenal ultrasonography using a catheter probe in the
      differential diagnosis of enlarged ampullary lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: It can be difficult to identify the cause of an enlarged
      ampulla of Vater (AOV). This study evaluated the accuracy of wire-guided
      intraduodenal ultrasonography (US) for the differential diagnosis of an enlarged
      AOV during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Thirty-four patients with enlarged AOVs of unknown cause identified on
      imaging studies or endoscopic observations underwent wire-guided intraduodenal US
      using a catheter probe. RESULTS: The final diagnoses were malignant or
      premalignant tumors in 10 patients (29.4%), stones in nine patients (26.5%),
      inflammation in 14 patients (41.2%), and cyst in one patient (2.9%). The overall
      diagnostic accuracy of intraduodenal US for enlarged AOVs was 91.2%. The
      diagnostic accuracies of stones, inflammation, and AOV tumors were 100.0%, 94.1%,
      and 91.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Wire-guided intraduodenal US using a
      catheter probe is readily applicable during ERCP and may be useful in the
      differential diagnosis of enlarged ampullary lesions.

PMID- 27254756
TI  - Parathyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy in Hypoparathyroidism: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - This study investigated the effect of human parathyroid hormone replacement
      therapy on specific disease-related outcomes in patients with hypoparathyroidism.
      Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched until
      January 13, 2015 for randomized trials using the following search terms:
      hypoparathyroidism, parathyroid hormone/PTH, and hormone replacement therapy.
      Five randomized controlled trials (n=245) that investigated effect of either PTH
      (1-34) (3 trials) or PTH (1-84) (2 trials) on serum calcium, phosphate, 1, 25
      dihydroxyvitamin D, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels, and urine level of calcium were
      included in the meta-analysis. Both PTH (1-34) and PTH (1-84) therapies were not
      associated with change in serum calcium level compared with calcitriol/placebo.
      The level of 24-h urine calcium excretion had a significant decrease in PTH (1
      34)-treated group compared placebo/calcitriol (control) group (p<=0.012). PTH (1
      34) did not change serum phosphate (p=0.053). PTH (1-84) did not change level of
      24-h urine calcium excretion compared with control (p>=0.214) but it did decrease
      the levels of serum phosphorous (p=0.000). Both PTH-replacement therapies were
      not associated with change in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D level compared with
      control (p>=0.606), but were associated with a significant decrease in serum 25
      dihydroxyvitamin D levels (p<=0.04). In conclusion, although the number of
      randomized trial is limited, our meta-analysis suggests that PTH (1-34)
      replacement therapy may maintain the serum calcium levels in the normal range by
      reducing the levels of urine calcium excretion, and both replacement therapies
      may maintain 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D serum levels by reducing serum level of 25
      dihydroxyvitamin D. 

PMID- 27254757
TI  - Characterization of extracellular polymeric substances of Bacillus
      amyloliquefaciens SQR9 induced by root exudates of cucumber.
AB  - Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium
      (PGPRs) that forms biofilm on the roots of plants and protects them from a
      variety of pathogens. In this study, we reported the effect of root exudates
      produced by cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) at different developmental stages on
      the biochemical composition of the biofilm matrix of SQR9. The results showed
      that the amino acids present in the root exudates of cucumber were responsible
      for triggering biofilm formation of SQR9. In addition, when root exudates
      harvested at different growth phases of cucumber were used as carbon sources for
      biofilm formation, the resulting biofilm matrixes differed both quantitatively
      and qualitatively. The biofilm matrix was mostly composed of amino groups
      observed by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) hence the proteins formed
      the major component of the resulting extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).
      The potential use of amino acid-based dietary supplements to control biofilm
      formation in the plants may be a viable option to improve agricultural
      productivity by recruiting beneficial association with PGPRs in the manufacture
      of bio fertilizers or bio controls.

PMID- 27254758
TI  - Native American men-women, lesbians, two-spirits: Contemporary and historical
      perspectives.
AB  - People living in the role of the "other" sex in Native American cultures, often
      entering into same-sex relationships, have been subject to various
      anthropological, historical, and psychological analyses and interpretations. Most
      recently, there has been a shift to an indigenist/decolonial interdisciplinary
      focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Native people. This
      article gives a discussion of approaches to the subject, with a focus on female
      gender variability. An overview is given of the latter, complemented by a
      discussion of the identities and concerns of contemporary Native lesbians, many
      of whom identify as "two-spirit," a term that alludes to the dual, spiritually
      powerful nature traditionally attributed in a number of Native American cultures
      to individuals who combine the feminine and masculine. 

PMID- 27254759
TI  - Blessed by the Holy People.
AB  - Men-women and women-men have a long tradition in Dine (Navajo) culture where they
      were, and sometimes still are, held in high esteem. Their supernatural prototypes
      figure prominently in parts of the Dine Origin Story. It is in this cosmological
      worldview and tradition of acceptance that Carrie, a multi-dualistic spirit, grew
      up to be a female-bodied man supported and respected by his/her family and
      community. He/she has worked in various professions defined as "masculine" in
      Dine and Western contexts, such as fire fighter, heavy equipment operator, truck
      driver, and building contractor. In addition, Carrie is a keeper of Dine
      traditions, and has also been active educating Native and Non-Native audiences on
      2SpiritLesbianGayBiTransIntersexQueer issues. 

PMID- 27254760
TI  - Lesbian landscape.
AB  - In this article about first love, the author discusses her coming of age as a
      lesbian who is also tribally affiliated. 

PMID- 27254761
TI  - "I'm in this world for a reason": Resilience and recovery among American Indian
      and Alaska Native two-spirit women.
AB  - American Indian and Alaska Native sexual minority (two-spirit) women are
      vulnerable to substance misuse and mental health challenges due to multiple
      minority oppressed status and exposure to stress and trauma. Yet, these women
      find pathways toward healing and wellness. We conducted a qualitative data
      analysis of interviews derived from a national health study and gained an
      understanding of 11 two-spirit women's resilience and recovery patterns. Emergent
      from the data, a braided resiliency framework was developed which elucidates
      multilayered abilities, processes, and resources involved in their resiliency. We
      recommend that resilience-promoting strategies be incorporated into substance
      misuse and mental health interventions. 

PMID- 27254762
TI  - Detecting Two-Spirit erotics: The fiction of Carole laFavor.
AB  - This article examines the life and novels of Carole laFavor, arguing for her
      importance to and influence in Two-Spirit studies. Along with being a writer,
      laFavor was a powerful voice for social justice and Indigenous health sovereignty
      in Minnesota and the nation. Her two novels, Along the Journey River and Evil
      Dead Center, which both focus on Anishinaabe lesbian detective protagonist Renee
      LaRoche, are the first lesbian detective fiction published by a Native author.
      Renee's embrace of a specifically Two-Spirit erotics anchors her to family and
      brings her tribal community a powerful healing when she employs her skills to
      protect her people from instances of racism, abuse, and injustice. This article,
      then, reads these novels as the first of an emerging genre of texts that claim an
      overtly Two-Spirit erotic as well as vital precursors to the present embrace of
      sovereign erotics in Indigenous studies. 

PMID- 27254763
TI  - Ojibwe lesbian visual AIDS: On the Red Road with Carole laFavor, Her Giveaway
      (1988), and Native LGBTQ2 film history.
AB  - After a century of suppression across the Silent, Classic, and New Hollywood
      eras, Native Lesbian/Gay media began to proliferate in the post-AIDS 1980s and
      into the second millennium. Her Giveaway: A Spiritual Journey with AIDS (1988) is
      a key tribal health AIDS video that exemplified a new contemporary media
      combination of visual, erotic, and theological sovereignty. The video's central
      Red Road narrative by the lesbian, Ojibwe, and AIDS/HIV+ spokesperson Carole
      laFavor emphasizes Native American traditional healing methods involving the
      medicine wheel and a reclamation of Native lesbian/gay identity. 

PMID- 27254764
TI  - Ancestors of two-spirits: Historical depictions of Native North American gender
      crossing women through critical discourse analysis.
AB  - Letters written by Christian men of European origin during the sixteenth
      nineteenth centuries contain brief descriptions of gender-crossing individuals
      among indigenous Americans. Although now considered ethnocentrically biased
      because of the etic positioning of their authors, these historical sources are
      invaluable because they offer a glimpse of the ancestors of modern-day two
      spirits. An application of critical discourse analysis to three depictions of
      gender-crossing females from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries demonstrates
      that such women were favorably portrayed. These results differ dramatically from
      those obtained from my similar analysis of depictions of gender-crossing males.
      It also became evident that the three descriptions of gender-crossing women were
      not based on actual observations, but only on hearsay, which makes their use as
      primary sources questionable. 

PMID- 27254765
TI  - Female-partnered women conceiving kinship: Does sharing a sperm donor mean we are
      family?
AB  - This qualitative study explored how 36 initially female-partnered mothers defined
      their own, and their children's, relationships with families who share their
      unknown sperm donor (i.e., "linked" families). Shared genetics among children
      were sometimes sufficient to describe relationships among linked families as
      familial, especially from the children's perspectives. Most women described their
      own relationships with linked families as significant but not necessarily in
      traditional family terms. Family terms were sometimes seen as undermining ties to
      siblings and genetically unrelated mothers. As shared experiences have come to
      define "chosen family," definitions of significant relationships must expand to
      include those defined by shared genetics alone. 

PMID- 27254767
TI  - The Chloroplast Genome of Euglena mutabilis-Cluster Arrangement, Intron Analysis,
      and Intrageneric Trends.
AB  - A comparative analysis of the chloroplast genome of Euglena mutabilis underlined
      a high diversity in the evolution of plastids in euglenids. Gene clusters in more
      derived Euglenales increased in complexity with only a few, but remarkable
      changes in the genus Euglena. Euglena mutabilis differed from other Euglena
      species in a mirror-inverted arrangement of 12 from 15 identified clusters,
      making it very likely that the emergence at the base of the genus Euglena, which
      has been considered a long branch artifact, is truly a probable position. This
      was corroborated by many similarities in gene arrangement and orientation with
      Strombomonas and Monomorphina, rendering the genome organization of E. mutabilis
      in certain clusters as plesiomorphic feature. By RNA analysis exact exon-intron
      boundaries and the type of the 77 introns identified were mostly determined
      unambiguously. A detailed intron study of psbC pointed at two important issues:
      First, the number of introns varied even between species, and no trend from few
      to many introns could be observed. Second, mat1 was localized in Eutreptiales
      exclusively in intron 1, and mat2 was not identified. With the emergence of
      Euglenaceae in most species, a new intron containing mat2 inserted in front of
      the previous intron 1 and thereby became intron 2 with mat1.

PMID- 27254769
TI  - Improved optical properties of silica/UV-cured polymer composite films made of
      hollow silica nanoparticles with a hierarchical structure for light diffuser film
      applications.
AB  - This study successfully improved the optical properties of silica/UV-cured
      polymer composite films made of hollow silica nanoparticles having a hierarchical
      structure. The particles were synthesized by an inorganic particle method, which
      involves two steps of sol-gel silica coating around the template and acid
      dissolution removal of the template. The pH of the acid was varied to achieve
      different hierarchical structures of the particles. The morphologies and surface
      properties of the obtained particles were characterized before dispersing in a UV
      curable acrylate monomer solution to prepare dispersions for fabricating light
      diffuser films. The optical properties and the light diffusing ability of the
      fabricated films were studied. The results revealed that the increased pH of the
      acid provides the particles with a thinner shell, a larger hollow interior and a
      higher specific surface area. Moreover, the films with these particles exhibit a
      better light diffusing ability and a higher diffuse transmittance value when
      compared to those without particles. Therefore, the composite films can be used
      as light diffuser films, which is an essential part of optical diffusers in the
      back-light unit of LCDs. In addition, utilizing the hierarchical particles
      probably reduces the number of back-light units in the LCDs leading to energy
      savings and subsequently lightweight LCDs. 

PMID- 27254768
TI  - Pro-osteoclastic in vitro effect of Polyethylene-like nanoparticles: Involvement
      in the pathogenesis of implant aseptic loosening.
AB  - Polyethylene micro-sized wear particles released from orthopedic implants promote
      inflammation and osteolysis; however, less is known about the bioactivity of
      polyethylene nanosized wear particles released from the last generation of
      polymer-bearing surfaces. We aim to assess the internalization of fluorescent
      polyethylene-like nanoparticles by both human macrophages and osteoclasts and
      also, to determine their effects in osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Human
      macrophages and osteoclasts were incubated with several ratios of fluorescent
      polyethylene-like nanoparticles between 1 and 72 h, and 4 h, 2, 4, 6, and 9 days,
      respectively. The internalization of nanoparticles was quantified by flow
      cytometry and followed by both confocal and video time-lapse microscopy.
      Osteoclast differentiation and activity was semiquantified by tartrate-resistant
      acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, TRAP mRNA relative expression, and pit
      resorption assay, respectively. Macrophages, osteoclast precursors and mature
      osteoclasts internalized nanoparticles in a dose- and time-dependent manner and
      maintained their resorptive activity. In addition, nanoparticles significantly
      increased the osteoclastogenesis as shown by upregulation of the TRAP expressing
      cell number. We conclude that polyethylene-like nanosized wear particles promote
      osteoclast differentiation without alteration of bone resorptive activity of
      mature osteoclasts and they could be considered as important actors in
      periprosthetic osteolysis of the last new generation of polymer-bearing surfaces.
      (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2649-2657,
      2016.

PMID- 27254770
TI  - Soil pollution at outdoor shooting ranges: Health effects, bioavailability and
      best management practices.
AB  - The total lead (Pb) concentrations of the surface soil, sub surface soil,
      vegetation and surface waters of outdoor shooting ranges are extremely high and
      above regulatory limits. Lead is dangerous at high concentrations and can cause a
      variety of serious health problems. Shooters and range workers are exposed to
      lead dust and can even take Pb dust home to their families while some animals
      around the shooting range can ingest the Pb bullets. The toxicity of Pb depends
      on its bioavailability which has been determined to be influenced greatly by the
      geochemical properties of each site. The bioavailability of Pb in shooting ranges
      has been found to be higher than other metal contaminated soils probably because
      of its very low residual Pb (<1%). Despite being an immobile element in the soil,
      migration of Pb within shooting ranges and offsite has been reported in
      literature. Best management practices to reduce mobility of Pb in shooting ranges
      involve an integrated Pb management program which has been described in the
      paper. The adoption of the non-toxic "green bullet" which has been developed to
      replace Pb bullets may reduce or prevent environmental pollution at shooting
      ranges. However, the contaminated soil resulting from decades of operation of
      several shooting ranges still needs to be restored to its natural state. 

PMID- 27254771
TI  - Magnetic Trapping of Bacteria at Low Magnetic Fields.
AB  - A suspension of non-magnetic entities in a ferrofluid is referred to as an
      inverse ferrofluid. Current research to trap non-magnetic entities in an inverse
      ferrofluid focuses on using large permanent magnets to generate high magnetic
      field gradients, which seriously limits Lab-on-a-Chip applications. On the other
      hand, in this work, trapping of non-magnetic entities, e.g., bacteria in a
      uniform external magnetic field was studied with a novel chip design. An inverse
      ferrofluid flows in a channel and a non-magnetic island is placed in the middle
      of this channel. The magnetic field was distorted by this island due to the
      magnetic susceptibility difference between this island and the surrounding
      ferrofluid, resulting in magnetic forces applied on the non-magnetic entities.
      Both the ferromagnetic particles and the non-magnetic entities, e.g., bacteria
      were attracted towards the island, and subsequently accumulate in different
      regions. The alignment of the ferrimagnetic particles and optical transparency of
      the ferrofluid was greatly enhanced by the bacteria at low applied magnetic
      fields. This work is applicable to lab-on-a-chip based detection and trapping of
      non-magnetic entities bacteria and cells.

PMID- 27254772
TI  - The impact of endohedral atoms on the electronic and optical properties of
      Au25(SR)18 and Au38(SR)24.
AB  - An understanding of the rational modification of the optical properties of gold
      nanoparticles allows us to explore their versatility as molecular-sized
      materials. We show from theoretical relativistic calculations that such
      properties can be tuned efficiently by varying the architecture of the central
      core from endohedral to hollow structures in thiolate-protected clusters derived
      from two prototypical gold clusters, namely, Au25(SR)18 and Au38(SR)24. Our
      results estimate the feasible variation of the absorption spectrum driven by the
      modification of frontier levels due to the removal of the endohedral atom,
      leading to smaller gaps between occupied and low-lying unoccupied levels. This
      reveals a characteristic consequence for hollow counterparts given by a red-shift
      in energy of the optical properties. Hence, the formation of hollow derivatives
      can be a useful strategy for the fine-tuning of such properties. Future work will
      extend this observation to larger clusters, and allow gleaning knowledge of the
      electronic and optical properties in the case of higher order multilayer core
      nanoparticles.

PMID- 27254773
TI  - Weight loss experiences and willingness to intervention with pharmacotherapy
      among obese and very obese Danish people.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a growing issue with increasing impact on healthcare
      budgets, yet very little is known about weight loss experiences of people with
      body mass index (BMI)>=30kg/m(2) and their willingness to try and pay for weight
      loss interventions (WLI). The objective of this survey was to gather knowledge
      about weight loss experiences among obese and severely obese people. METHODS:
      1,003 Danish people >18 years of age with BMI>=30 who wanted to lose weight
      completed an online survey. Data included demographics, experience with WLI,
      awareness of anti-obesity medication (AOM), and willingness to try and pay for
      WLI including AOM. RESULTS: Respondents had been trying to lose weight for
      several years (medium [25% percentile;75% percentile]);5.1[2.0;10.3] years (BMI
      30-35) and 10.0 [5.0;20.0] (very obese (BMI>35) with co-morbidities (OWC). The
      desired weight loss was 20.0 [15.0;25.0] kg (BMI 30-35) and 35.0 [28.0;47.5] kg
      (OWC). Independent of educational level and gender, health concern was the main
      incentive for weight loss. Several WLI had been tried repeatedly, yet 60% of
      respondents with BMI 30-35 and 50% of the OWC were unaware of AOM. Among those
      who had tried AOM, side effects and lack of effectiveness were the main reasons
      to stop. 50-73% were willing to try AOM dependent on expected weight loss.
      Willingness to try and pay for new AOM was strongest for the OWC. CONCLUSION:
      Respondents had made repeated attempts for up to a decade to lose weight, yet
      remained far from their ideal weight. They had spent a substantial amount of
      money on WLI, had limited information of AOM, and indicated a desire for
      increased professional support.

PMID- 27254774
TI  - ADAMTS5 deficiency protects against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in obesity.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Increased prevalence of obesity is paralleled by an increase
      in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We previously found that the expression
      of ADAMTS5 (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin type 1
      motifs; member 5) is enhanced in expanding adipose tissue. However, no
      information is available on a potential role in liver pathology. We studied the
      effect of ADAMTS5 deficiency on NASH in mice. METHODS: Wild-type (Adamts5+/+ )
      and deficient (Adamts5-/- ) mice were kept on a standard- or high-fat diet (HFD)
      for 15 weeks. Alternatively, steatohepatitis was induced with methionine/choline
      deficient (MCD) diet. RESULTS: HFD feeding resulted in comparable body weights
      for both genotypes, but Adamts5-/- mice had approximately 40% lower liver weight
      (P = 0.0004). In the Adamts5-/- mice, the HFD as well as the MCD diet
      consistently induced less NASH with less fibrosis. The deteriorating effect of
      ADAMTS5 on the liver during diet-induced obesity may be due, at least in part, to
      proteolytic cleavage of the matrix components syndecan-1 and versican, thereby
      enhancing hepatic triglyceride clearance from the circulation. Plasma lipid
      levels were elevated in obese Adamts5-/- mice. There was no clear effect of
      ADAMTS5 deficiency on glycaemia or glucose tolerance, whereas insulin sensitivity
      was somewhat improved. Furthermore, Adamts5-/- mice were protected from hepatic
      mitochondrial dysfunction, as indicated by increased mitochondrial respiratory
      chain complex activity, higher ATP levels and higher expression of antioxidant
      enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: Absence of ADAMTS5 preserves liver integrity in a diet
      induced obesity model. Selective targeting of ADAMTS5 could provide a new
      therapeutic strategy for treatment/prevention of NASH.

PMID- 27254776
TI  - 14-Vertex Heteroboranes with 14 Skeletal Electron Pairs: An Experimental and
      Computational Study.
AB  - Three isomers of [(Cp*Ru)2 C2 B10 H12 ], the first examples of 14-vertex
      heteroboranes containing 14-skeletal electron pairs, have been synthesized by the
      direct electrophilic insertion of a {Cp*Ru(+) } fragment into the anion [4-Cp*
      4,1,6-RuC2 B10 H12 ](-) . All three compounds have the same unique polyhedral
      structure having an approximate Cs symmetry and featuring a four-atom trapezoidal
      face. X-ray diffraction studies could confidently identify only one of the two
      cage C atoms in each structure. The other C atom position has been established by
      a combination of i) best fitting of computed and experimental (11) B and (1) H
      NMR chemical shifts, and ii) consideration of the lowest computed energy for
      series of isomers studied by DFT calculations. In all three isomers, one cage C
      atom occupies a degree-4 vertex on the short parallel edge of the trapezium.

PMID- 27254775
TI  - Desmoglein 3 regulates membrane trafficking of cadherins, an implication in cell
      cell adhesion.
AB  - E-cadherin mediated cell-cell adhesion plays a critical role in epithelial cell
      polarization and morphogenesis. Our recent studies suggest that the desmosomal
      cadherin, desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) cross talks with E-cadherin and regulates its
      adhesive function in differentiating keratinocytes. However, the underlying
      mechanism remains not fully elucidated. Since E-cadherin trafficking has been
      recognized to be a central determinant in cell-cell adhesion and homeostasis we
      hypothesize that Dsg3 may play a role in regulating E-cadherin trafficking and
      hence the cell-cell adhesion. Here we investigated this hypothesis in cells with
      loss of Dsg3 function through RNAi mediated Dsg3 knockdown or the stable
      expression of the truncated mutant Dsg3DeltaC. Our results showed that loss of
      Dsg3 resulted in compromised cell-cell adhesion and reduction of adherens
      junction and desmosome protein expression as well as the cortical F-actin
      formation. As a consequence, cells failed to polarize but instead displayed
      aberrant cell flattening. Furthermore, retardation of E-cadherin internalization
      and recycling was consistently observed in these cells during the process of
      calcium induced junction assembling. In contrast, enhanced cadherin endocytosis
      was detected in cells with overexpression of Dsg3 compared to control cells.
      Importantly, this altered cadherin trafficking was found to be coincided with the
      reduced expression and activity of Rab proteins, including Rab5, Rab7 and Rab11
      which are known to be involved in E-cadherin trafficking. Taken together, our
      findings suggest that Dsg3 functions as a key in cell-cell adhesion through at
      least a mechanism of regulating E-cadherin membrane trafficking.

PMID- 27254777
TI  - Autoimmune hepatitis and long-term disease course in children in Turkey, a single
      center experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to determine clinic and laboratory
      features, treatment protocols, treatment responses, and long term follow-up of
      children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in a region of Turkey followed at Ege
      University. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 47 children with AIH between
      1998 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed for clinical profiles, treatment
      response, relapse rate, and long-term side effects. RESULTS: The median age of
      the children was 10+/-4.1 years (55.3% females). A total of 29 patients presented
      with chronic hepatitis (61.7%). According to the autoantibody profiles, 40
      (85.1%) and seven (14.9%) cases were classified as type 1 and type 2,
      respectively. Presentation with acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis was
      significantly higher in type 1 disease. Laboratory findings at presentation was
      found similar among races as well as AIH types (P>0.05). The prednisolone was
      used for remission induction in 37 patients; 86.4% (n: 32) achieved a complete
      response, 2.7% (n: 1) achieved a partial response, and four patients (10.8%)
      showed no response. Maintenance was attained by low-dose steroid plus thiopurine
      and relapse in steroid responders (n: 32) was 9.4% (n: 3) at 8, 12, and 48
      months. A total of 36% (n: 24) had neither acute nor chronic treatment side
      effects. Bone marrow suppression was observed in five patients and hyperglycemia
      was observed in one patient (10.6 and 2.1%), respectively. CONCLUSION: AIH type 1
      prevails in children in a region of Turkey during the second decade of life. Low
      dose corticosteroids combined with azathioprine are found.

PMID- 27254778
TI  - Inverted intramucosal carcinoma in the sigmoid colon.

PMID- 27254779
TI  - Effects of extremely low-frequency magnetotherapy on proliferation of human
      dermal fibroblasts.
AB  - Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) applied in
      magnetotherapy have frequency lower than 100 Hz and magnetic field intensity
      ranging from 0.1 to 20 mT. For many years, the use of magnetotherapy in clinics
      has been increasing because of its beneficial effects in many processes, e.g.,
      skin diseases, inflammation and bone disorders. However, the understanding of the
      microscopic mechanisms governing such processes is still lacking and the results
      of the studies on the effects of ELF-EMFs are controversial because effects
      derive from different conditions and from intrinsic responsiveness of different
      cell types.In the present study, we studied the biological effects of 1.5 h
      exposure of human dermal fibroblasts to EMFs with frequencies of 5 and 50 Hz and
      intensity between 0.25 and 1.6 mT. Our data showed that the magnetic treatment
      did not produce changes in cell viability, but gave evidence of a sizeable
      decrease in proliferation at 24 h after treatment. In addition,
      immunofluorescence experiments displayed an increase in tubulin expression that
      could foreshadow changes in cell motility or morphology. The decrease in
      proliferation with unchanged viability and increase in tubulin expression could
      be consistent with the triggering of a transdifferentiation process after the
      exposure to ELF-EMFs. 

PMID- 27254780
TI  - QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Prevalence*(,)(?) of Hypertension Treatment(S) Among
      Adults Aged >=18 Years with Hypertension,( ) by Sex and Race/Ethnicity - National
      Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2011-2014.
AB  - During 2011-2014, 74.6% of adults aged >=18 years with hypertension reported
      taking antihypertensive medication. Overall, a smaller percentage of non-Hispanic
      Asian adults (63.8%) with hypertension reported taking antihypertensive
      medication compared with non-Hispanic white (75.8%), non-Hispanic black (77.3%),
      and Hispanic (70.7%) adults with hypertension. This pattern was found for both
      men and women with one exception: the difference between non-Hispanic Asian men
      and Hispanic men was not significant. A larger percentage of non-Hispanic white,
      non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic women reported taking antihypertensive
      medication than did their male counterparts. 

PMID- 27254781
TI  - Amino-Functionalized Layered Crystalline Zirconium Phosphonates: Synthesis,
      Crystal Structure, and Spectroscopic Characterization.
AB  - Two new layered zirconium phosphonates functionalized with amino groups were
      synthesized starting from aminomethylphosphonic acid in the presence of different
      mineralizers, and their structures were solved from powder X-ray diffraction
      data. Their topologies are unprecedented in zirconium phosphonate chemistry: the
      first, of formula ZrH[F3(O3PCH2NH2)], prepared in the presence of hydrofluoric
      acid, features uncommon ZrO2F4 units and a remarkable thermal stability; the
      second, of formula Zr2H2[(C2O4)3(O3PCH2NH2)2].2H2O, prepared in the presence of
      oxalic acid, is based on ZrO7 units with oxalate anions coordinated to the metal
      atom, which were never observed before in any zirconium phosphonate. In addition,
      the structure of another compound based on (2-aminoethyl)phosphonic acid is
      reported, which was the object of a previously published study. This compound has
      layered alpha-type structure with -NH3(+) groups located in the interlayer space.
      All of the reported compounds were further characterized by means of vibrational
      spectroscopy, which provided important information on fine structural details
      that cannot be deduced from the powder X-ray diffraction data. 

PMID- 27254782
TI  - N-Benzylpiperidine Derivatives as alpha7 Nicotinic Receptor Antagonists.
AB  - A series of multitarget directed propargylamines, as well as other differently
      susbstituted piperidines have been screened as potential modulators of neuronal
      nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Most of them showed antagonist
      actions on alpha7 nAChRs. Especially, compounds 13, 26, and 38 displayed
      submicromolar IC50 values on homomeric alpha7 nAChRs, whereas they were less
      effective on heteromeric alpha3beta4 and alpha4beta2 nAChRs (up to 20-fold higher
      IC50 values in the case of 13). Antagonism was concentration dependent and
      noncompetitive, suggesting that these compounds behave as negative allosteric
      modulators of nAChRs. Upon the study of a series of less complex derivatives, the
      N-benzylpiperidine motif, common to these compounds, was found to be the main
      pharmacophoric group. Thus, 2-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-ethylamine (48) showed an
      inhibitory potency comparable to the one of the previous compounds and also a
      clear preference for alpha7 nAChRs. In a neuroblastoma cell line, representative
      compounds 13 and 48 also inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner,
      cytosolic Ca(2+) signals mediated by nAChRs. Finally, compounds 38 and 13
      inhibited 5-HT3A serotonin receptors whereas they had no effect on alpha1 glycine
      receptors. Given the multifactorial nature of many pathologies in which nAChRs
      are involved, these piperidine antagonists could have a therapeutic potential in
      cases where cholinergic activity has to be negatively modulated.

PMID- 27254783
TI  - Transcriptomic and Physiological Responses of the Green Microalga Chlamydomonas
      reinhardtii during Short-Term Exposure to Subnanomolar Methylmercury
      Concentrations.
AB  - The effects of short-term exposure to subnanomolar methyl-mercury (MeHg)
      concentrations, representative of contaminated environments, on the microalga
      Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were assessed using both physiological end points and
      gene expression analysis. MeHg bioaccumulated and induced significant increase of
      the photosynthesis efficiency, while the algal growth, oxidative stress, and
      chlorophyll fluorescence were unaffected. At the molecular level, MeHg
      significantly dysregulated the expression of genes involved in motility, energy
      metabolism, lipid metabolism, metal transport, and antioxidant enzymes. Data
      suggest that the cells were able to cope with subnanomolar MeHg exposure, but
      this tolerance resulted in a significant cost to the cell energy and reserve
      metabolism as well as ample changes in the nutrition and motility of C.
      reinhardtii. The present results allowed gaining new insights on the effects and
      uptake mechanisms of MeHg at subnanomolar concentrations in aquatic primary
      producers.

PMID- 27254784
TI  - Endothelial Monocyte-Activating Polypeptide II Mediates Macrophage Migration in
      the Development of Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Disease of Prematurity.
AB  - Myeloid cells are key factors in the progression of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
      (BPD) pathogenesis. Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP II)
      mediates myeloid cell trafficking. The origin and physiological mechanism by
      which EMAP II affects pathogenesis in BPD is unknown. The objective was to
      determine the functional consequences of elevated EMAP II levels in the
      pathogenesis of murine BPD and to investigate EMAP II neutralization as a
      therapeutic strategy. Three neonatal mouse models were used: (1) BPD (hyperoxia),
      (2) EMAP II delivery, and (3) BPD with neutralizing EMAP II antibody treatments.
      Chemokinic function of EMAP II and its neutralization were assessed by migration
      in vitro and in vivo. We determined the location of EMAP II by
      immunohistochemistry, pulmonary proinflammatory and chemotactic gene expression
      by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, lung outcome by
      pulmonary function testing and histological analysis, and right ventricular
      hypertrophy by Fulton's Index. In BPD, EMAP II initially is a bronchial club-cell
      specific protein-derived factor that later is expressed in galectin-3+
      macrophages as BPD progresses. Continuous elevated expression corroborates with
      baboon and human BPD. Prolonged elevation of EMAP II levels recruits galectin-3+
      macrophages, which is followed by an inflammatory state that resembles a severe
      BPD phenotype characterized by decreased pulmonary compliance, arrested alveolar
      development, and signs of pulmonary hypertension. In vivo pharmacological EMAP II
      inhibition suppressed proinflammatory genes Tnfa, Il6, and Il1b and chemotactic
      genes Ccl2 and Ccl9 and reversed the severe BPD phenotype. EMAP II is sufficient
      to induce macrophage recruitment, worsens BPD progression, and represents a
      targetable mechanism of BPD development.

PMID- 27254785
TI  - Distal Stereocontrol Using Guanidinylated Peptides as Multifunctional Ligands:
      Desymmetrization of Diarylmethanes via Ullman Cross-Coupling.
AB  - We report the development of a new class of guanidine-containing peptides as
      multifunctional ligands for transition-metal catalysis and its application in the
      remote desymmetrization of diarylmethanes via copper-catalyzed Ullman cross
      coupling. Through design of these peptides, high levels of enantioinduction and
      good isolated yields were achieved in the long-range asymmetric cross-coupling
      (up to 93:7 er and 76% yield) between aryl bromides and malonates. Our
      mechanistic studies suggest that distal stereocontrol is achieved through a Cs
      bridged interaction between the Lewis-basic C-terminal carboxylate of the
      peptides with the distal arene of the substrate.

PMID- 27254786
TI  - Novel porous gold-palladium nanoalloy network-supported graphene as an advanced
      catalyst for non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensing.
AB  - In an effort to develop electrocatalysts associated with effective design,
      testing, and fabrication, novel porous gold-palladium nanoalloy network-supported
      graphene (AuPd@GR) nanohybrids were successfully synthesized via electroless
      deposition followed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for the first
      time. The AuPd@GR nanohybrids were obtained as a continuous, porous, transparent,
      bendable, and ultrathin film with good assembly of the AuPd nanoalloy particles
      (<10nm) within the GR. The AuPd@GR nanohybrids exhibited excellent catalytic
      activity towards H2O2 detection with a wide detection range (5MUM-11.5mM), high
      sensitivity (186.86MUAmM(-1)cm(-2)), low limit of detection (1MUM), fast response
      (3s), and long-term working stability (2500s). Furthermore, the AuPd@GR
      nanohybrids demonstrated outstanding durability, along with negligible
      interference from ascorbic acid, dopamine, uric acid, urea, potassium ions,
      chloride ions, and glucose. These findings open a new pathway to fabricate
      electrocatalysts for application in high performance electrochemical sensors and
      bioelectronics. 

PMID- 27254787
TI  - Nonenzymatic all-solid-state coated wire electrode for acetylcholine
      determination in vitro.
AB  - A nonenzymatic all-solid-state coated wire acetylcholine electrode was
      investigated. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate)
      (PEDOT/PSS) as conducting polymer was coated on one end of a gold wire (0.5mm in
      diameter). The acetylcholine selective membrane containing heptakis(2,3,6-tri
      Omicron-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin as an ionophore covered the conducting polymer
      layer. The electrode could work stably in a pH range of 6.5-8.5 and a temperature
      range of 15-40 degrees C. It covered an acetylcholine concentration range of 10(
      5)-10(-1)M with a slope of 54.04+/-1.70mV/decade, while detection limit was
      5.69+/-1.06uM. The selectivity, dynamic response, reproducibility and stability
      were evaluated. The electrode could work properly in the rat brain homogenate to
      detect different concentrations of acetylcholine. 

PMID- 27254788
TI  - Time Course of Tactile Gating in a Reach-to-Grasp and Lift Task.
AB  - Humans' sensory systems are bombarded by myriad events every moment of our lives.
      Thus, it is crucial for sensory systems to choose and process critical sensory
      events deemed important for a given task and, indeed, those that affect survival.
      Tactile gating is well known, and defined as a reduced ability to detect and
      discriminate tactile events before and during movement. Also, different locations
      of the effector exhibit different magnitudes of sensitivity changes. The authors
      examined that time course of tactile gating in a reaching and grasping movement
      to characterize its behavior. Tactile stimulators were attached to the right and
      left mid-forearms and the right index finger and fifth digit. When participants
      performed reach-to-grasp and lift targets, tactile acuity decreased at the right
      forearm before movement onset (F. L. Colino, G. Buckingham, D. T. Cheng, P. van
      Donkelaar, & G. Binsted, 2014 ). However, tactile sensitivity at the right index
      finger decreased by nearly 20% contrary to expectations. This result reflecting
      that there may be an additional source acting to reduce inhibition related to
      tactile gating. Additionally, sensitivity improved as movement end approached.
      Collectively, the present results indicate that predictive and postdictive
      mechanisms strongly influence tactile gating.

PMID- 27254789
TI  - New Understanding of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Through Quantitative
      Autofluorescence.

PMID- 27254790
TI  - An antiarrhythmic agent as a promising lead compound for targeting the hEAG1 ion
      channel in cancer therapy: insights from molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - Experimental evidence suggests that hERG and hEAG potassium channels may serve as
      important cancer therapy targets because either of the channel blockade or
      inactivation by different methods leads to inhibition of cancer cells growth and
      proliferation. However, there is no known hEAG specific blocker, and hERG
      blockade leads to adverse cardiac side effects, although it is currently used in
      treating certain types of arrhythmias. There have been some attempts to explain
      the channels blockade by clofilium, an antiarrhythmic agent, and the results lead
      to different possible binding modes. This study investigates for the first time
      the potential of using clofilium as a lead compound for finding a novel cancer
      therapy agent which may target ion channels. The implied findings from a
      comparative assessment of literature studies were verified using molecular
      dynamics simulations. The results indicate a particular structural difference
      between the two channels that could provide a novel and realistic way of using
      clofilium analogs which may target the hEAG1 ion channel in cancer therapy.

PMID- 27254791
TI  - Training for the future.

PMID- 27254792
TI  - Emergence of family medicine in Ethiopia [corrected]: an international
      collaborative education model.
AB  - Family Medicine (FM) is a new specialty in Ethiopia. The first seven family
      physicians graduated in February 2016 from the inaugural residency programme at
      Addis Ababa University. Cooperation amongst Ethiopian and expatriate decision
      makers and physicians was needed to begin the programme. Intentional replacement
      of expatriates with Ethiopian family physicians has begun. Barriers include lack
      of understanding of FM and the human and financial resources needed for scaling
      up the programme. Regular programme review with resident physician involvement
      has allowed the FM training programme to adapt and fit the Ethiopian context.
      Further successes will result from ongoing support and advocacy from the Federal
      Ministry of Health and other Ethiopian, African, and international primary care
      organisations.

PMID- 27254795
TI  - Unsaturated amino acids derived from isoleucine trigger early membrane effects on
      plant cells.
AB  - Unsaturated amino acids (UnsAA) have been shown to affect the activity of various
      biological processes. However, their mode of action has been investigated poorly
      thus far. We show in this work that 2-amino-3-methyl-4-pentenoic acid (C2) and 2
      amino-3-methyl-4-pentynoic acid (C3) structurally derived from isoleucine (Ile)
      exhibited a multisite action on plant cells. For one, C2 and C3 induced early
      modifications at the plasma membrane level, as shown by the hyperpolarization
      monitored by microelectrode implantation in the pulvinar cells of Mimosa pudica,
      indicating that these compounds are able to modify ionic fluxes. In particular,
      proton (H(+)) fluxes were modified, as shown by the pH rise monitored in the
      bathing medium of pulvinar tissues. A component of this effect may be linked to
      the inhibitory effect observed on the proton pumping and the vanadate-sensitive
      activity of the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase monitored in plasma membrane vesicles
      (PMVs) purified from pulvinar tissues of M. pudica and leaf tissues of Beta
      vulgaris. This effect may explain, in part, the inhibitory effect of the
      compounds on the uptake capacity of sucrose and valine by B. vulgaris leaf
      tissues. In contrast, an unexpected action was observed in cell reactions,
      implicating ion fluxes and water movement. Indeed, the osmocontractile reactions
      of pulvini induced either by a mechanical shock in M. pudica or by dark and light
      signals in Cassia fasciculata were increased, indicating that, compared to Ile,
      these compounds may modify in a specific way the plasma membrane permeability to
      water and ions. 

PMID- 27254797
TI  - Probing Rubber Cross-Linking Generation of Industrial Polymer Networks at
      Nanometer Scale.
AB  - We present improved analyses of rheometric torque measurements as well as (1)H
      double-quantum (DQ) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) buildup data on polymer
      networks of industrial compounds. This latter DQ NMR analysis allows finding the
      distribution of an orientation order parameter (Dres) resulting from the
      noncomplete averaging of proton dipole-dipole couplings within the cross-linked
      polymer chains. We investigate the influence of the formulation (filler and
      vulcanization systems) as well as the process (curing temperature) ending to the
      final polymer network. We show that DQ NMR follows the generation of the polymer
      network during the vulcanization process from a heterogeneous network to a very
      homogeneous one. The time variations of microscopic Dres and macroscopic
      rheometric torques present power-law behaviors above a threshold time scale with
      characteristic exponents of the percolation theory. We observe also a very good
      linear correlation between the kinetics of Dres and rheometric data routinely
      performed in industry. All these observations confirm the description of the
      polymer network generation as a critical phenomenon. On the basis of all these
      results, we believe that DQ NMR could become a valuable tool for investigating in
      situ the cross-linking of industrial polymer networks at the nanometer scale.

PMID- 27254796
TI  - Genome-wide identification of blood DNA methylation patterns associated with
      early-onset hepatocellular carcinoma development in hepatitis B carriers.
AB  - The etiology of early-onset hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among hepatitis B
      virus (HBV) carriers remains unclear. DNA methylation levels in peripheral
      leukocytes have been associated with different environmental exposures and immune
      or inflammatory response. We aimed to identify methylation signatures of
      peripheral leukocytes that could track hepatitis B progression to HCC, especially
      for early-onset HCC. We first performed an epigenome-wide association analysis on
      48 matched case-control pairs in a nested case-control study within a 22-yr
      follow-up cohort of HBV carriers. Through this analysis we found that progression
      to early-onset HCC involved methylation variable positions across the genome, in
      which a substantial proportion displayed significant variation due to HBV viral
      load, chronic hepatitis status, and/or leukocyte subtype composition, and these
      associations were significantly enriched among genes in immune pathways.
      Methylation at probes cg00300879, cg06872964, and cg07080864, that are located
      within the proximal promoter of CNKSR1, IFI44L, and PENK, respectively, was
      validated by bisulfite pyrosequencing and findings were replicated in a case
      sibling study of early-onset HCC (134 cases vs. 174 sibling controls).
      Furthermore, a high methylation score, constructed using the three probes, was
      predictive for the risk of early-onset HCC in two datasets (adjusted-odds ratios
      = 0.21-0.32, P <= 0.0206). This association was also observed for late-onset HCC
      (adjusted-odds ratio = 0.42-0.47, P <= 0.0194) in a nested case-control study
      (120 cases vs. 178 controls). In prospective analysis, change in the score was
      detected 5-9 yr before HCC onset. Blood-based methylation profiling provides new
      insights into the complexity of virus-host interaction underlying HBV-related
      HCC, holding promise for the disease risk management. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27254798
TI  - Small Molecule Restores Itaconate Sensitivity in Salmonella enterica: A Potential
      New Approach to Treating Bacterial Infections.
AB  - In the context of increasing global antibiotic resistance, the need for
      alternative therapeutic targets is great. Although new antibiotics and resistance
      inhibitors provide temporary solutions, they are bound to become obsolete. In
      this work, we propose a new approach, coined "bacterio-modulation" that aims to
      restore macrophage potency towards bacterial strains that are able to survive in
      phagolysosomes. One key defense in the macrophage's arsenal is itaconate, an
      endogenous molecule with antimicrobial activity. Some intracellular pathogens
      have evolved to produce itaconate-degrading enzymes, which are required for
      intracellular proliferation and to promote pathogenicity. We herein present the
      first molecule able to resensitize Salmonella enterica to itaconate.

PMID- 27254799
TI  - Concussion and Psychiatric Outcome in Adults and Children.

PMID- 27254800
TI  - A Systematic Review of Psychiatric, Psychological, and Behavioural Outcomes
      following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding longer-term psychiatric, psychological, and
      behavioural outcomes (for example, anxiety, mood disorders, depression, and
      attention disorders) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in children and
      adolescents has not been previously synthesized. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a
      systematic review of the available evidence examining psychiatric, psychological,
      and behavioural outcomes following mTBI in children and adolescents. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Nine electronic databases were systematically searched from 1980 to
      August 2014. Studies selected met the following criteria: original data; study
      design was a randomized controlled trial, quasi-experimental design, cohort or
      historical cohort study, case-control study, or cross-sectional study; exposure
      included mTBI (including concussion); population included children and
      adolescents (<19 years) at the time of mTBI, as well as a comparison group (for
      example, healthy children, children with orthopaedic injuries); and included
      psychiatric, psychological, or behavioural outcomes (for example, anxiety, mood
      disorders, depression, attention disorders). Two authors independently assessed
      the quality and level of evidence with the Downs and Black (DB) criteria and
      Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) model, respectively, for each
      manuscript. RESULTS: Of 9472 studies identified in the initial search, 30 were
      included and scored. Heterogeneity in methodology and injury definition precluded
      meta-analyses. The median methodological quality for all 30 studies, based on the
      DB criteria, was 15/33 (range 6 to 19). The highest level of evidence
      demonstrated by all reviewed studies was level 2b based on OCEBM criteria, with
      the majority (28/30 studies) classified at this level. Based on the literature
      included in this systematic review, psychological and psychiatric problems in
      children with a history of mTBI were found to be more prevalent when mTBI is
      associated with hospitalization, when assessment occurs earlier in the recovery
      period (that is, resolves over time), when there are multiple previous mTBIs, in
      individuals with preexisting psychiatric illness, when outcomes are based on
      retrospective recall, and when the comparison group is noninjured healthy
      children (as opposed to children with injuries not involving the head).
      CONCLUSIONS: Overall, few rigorous prospective studies have examined
      psychological, behavioural, and psychiatric outcomes following mTBI. In the
      absence of true reports of preinjury problems and when ideally comparing mild TBI
      to non-TBI injured controls, there is little evidence to suggest that
      psychological, behavioural, and/or psychiatric problems persist beyond the acute
      and subacute period following an mTBI in children and adolescents.

PMID- 27254801
TI  - Knowing What We Don't Know: Long-Term Psychiatric Outcomes following Adult
      Concussion in Sports.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Amidst a growing concern regarding concussion in sports, there is an
      emerging link between sport concussion and mental health outcomes. This review
      summarizes the current literature addressing long-term psychiatric sequelae
      associated with sport concussion in adults. METHOD: Several databases were
      searched using a broad list of keywords for each of concussion, sports, and
      mental health, with a resultant 311 studies for initial review. After limiting
      studies based on duplication, appropriateness of data, and relevance, 21 studies
      remained pertaining to depression, anxiety, substance use, and behavioural
      changes, including those highlighting chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
      RESULTS: Most studies identified suggested an increased prevalence of depressive
      symptoms related to concussion history. A conference abstract and qualitative
      study suggested increasing anxiety related to concussion history; however, a PhD
      dissertation found no relationship. In reviewing substance use, several studies
      mentioned use in athletes suspected of having concussion histories, although no
      link was established, while another noted undiagnosed concussion as leading to
      current substance misuse. Regarding behavioural changes, all studies identified
      occurrences of behaviour and/or cognitive changes in participants, with 2 studies
      suggesting a link with concussion history. With respect to CTE, concerns with
      mood, behaviour, cognition, and substance use were consistently highlighted,
      suggesting relations to previous sport concussion; however, the notion of
      different CTE subtypes and clear aetiology behind concussion severity or
      frequency was not consistently elucidated. CONCLUSION: There appears to be a
      growing body of evidence supporting the presence of long-term psychiatric and
      psychological sequelae following sport concussion in adults.

PMID- 27254802
TI  - No Mental Health without Oral Health.
AB  - The poor physical health faced by people with mental illness has been the subject
      of growing attention, but there has been less focus on the issue of oral health
      even though it is an important part of physical health. This article discusses
      the two-way association between oral and mental health. In one direction, the
      prospect of dental treatment can lead to anxiety and phobia. In the other, many
      psychiatric disorders, such as severe mental illness, affective disorders, and
      eating disorders, are associated with dental disease: These include erosion,
      caries, and periodontitis. Left untreated, dental diseases can lead to teeth loss
      such that people with severe mental illness have 2.7 times the likelihood of
      losing all their teeth, compared with the general population. Possible
      interventions include oral health assessments using standard checklists that can
      be completed by nondental personnel, help with oral hygiene, management of
      iatrogenic dry mouth, and early dental referral.

PMID- 27254803
TI  - Apgar Scores Are Associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom
      Severity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adverse events during pregnancy and delivery have been linked to
      attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous studies have
      investigated Apgar scores, which assess the physical condition of newborns, in
      relation to the risk of developing ADHD. We propose to go one step further and
      examine if Apgar scores are associated with ADHD symptom severity in children
      already diagnosed with ADHD. METHOD: ADHD symptoms severity, while off
      medication, was compared in 2 groups of children with ADHD: those with low (<=6,
      n = 52) and those with higher (>=7, n = 400) Apgar scores sequentially recruited
      from the ADHD clinic. RESULTS: Children with low Apgar at 1 minute after birth
      had more severe symptoms as assessed by the externalizing scale of the Child
      Behaviour Checklist, the Conners' Global Index for Parents, and the DSM-IV
      hyperactivity symptoms count (P = 0.02, <0.01, <0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION:
      Low 1-minute Apgar scores are associated with a significant increase in ADHD
      symptom severity. These findings underline the importance of appropriate
      pregnancy and perinatal care.

PMID- 27254804
TI  - Dopamine 2 Receptor Genes Are Associated with Raised Blood Glucose in
      Schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes is commonly found in schizophrenia and is an important
      contributor to mortality and morbidity in this condition. Dopamine has been
      implicated in the aetiology of both diabetes and schizophrenia. It is possible
      that both disorders share a common genetic susceptibility. METHODS: In a cross
      sectional study, we examined 2 dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) single-nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with schizophrenia (C939 T, rs6275 and
      C957 T, rs6277) along with fasting blood glucose and body mass index (BMI) in 207
      antipsychotic-treated patients with schizophrenia. All participants met DSM-IV
      criteria for schizophrenia, and those with other psychiatric disorders were
      excluded. Analysis of covariance was used to compare fasting glucose results by
      DRD2 genotypes, after controlling for known confounds. For significant
      associations, follow-up Bonferroni post hoc tests examined differences in fasting
      glucose levels between genotypes. Specific comparisons were also made using
      analysis of variance and chi-square (Fisher's exact test). RESULTS: The 2 DRD2
      risk genotypes were associated with significant increases in blood glucose, after
      controlling for BMI, age, sex, dosage and type of antipsychotic medication,
      number of hospitalisations, and negative symptoms (rs6275, F(2, 182) = 5.901, P =
      0.003; rs6277 SNP, F(2, 178) = 3.483, P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: These findings
      support the involvement of DRD2 not only in schizophrenia but also in elevated
      levels of blood glucose commonly found in antipsychotic-treated patients with
      schizophrenia. Our data support the notion that diabetes may not merely be a
      comorbid condition but could be fundamentally associated with the pathogenesis of
      schizophrenia itself.

PMID- 27254806
TI  - Potential for Drug-Drug Interactions with Adjunctive Tramadol Use in Treatment of
      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

PMID- 27254805
TI  - Racial Discrimination, Cultural Resilience, and Stress.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Racial discrimination is a social determinant of health for First
      Nations people. Cultural resilience has been regarded as a potentially positive
      resource for social outcomes. Using a compensatory model of resilience, this
      study sought to determine if cultural resilience (compensatory factor)
      neutralized or offset the detrimental effect of racial discrimination (social
      risk factor) on stress (outcome). METHODS: Data were collected from October 2012
      to February 2013 (N = 340) from adult members of the Kettle and Stony Point First
      Nation community in Ontario, Canada. The outcome was perceived stress; risk
      factor, racial discrimination; and compensatory factor, cultural resilience.
      Control variables included individual (education, sociability) and family
      (marital status, socioeconomic status) resilience resources and demographics (age
      and gender). The model was tested using sequential regression. RESULTS: The risk
      factor, racial discrimination, increased stress across steps of the sequential
      model, while cultural resilience had an opposite modest effect on stress levels.
      In the final model with all variables, age and gender were significant, with the
      former having a negative effect on stress and women reporting higher levels of
      stress than males. Education, marital status, and socioeconomic status (household
      income) were not significant in the model. The model had R(2) = 0.21 and adjusted
      R(2) = 0.18 and semipartial correlation (squared) of 0.04 and 0.01 for racial
      discrimination and cultural resilience, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study,
      cultural resilience compensated for the detrimental effect of racial
      discrimination on stress in a modest manner. These findings may support the
      development of programs and services fostering First Nations culture, pending
      further study.

PMID- 27254807
TI  - Dual-Polymer Drops, Contact Lens Comfort, and Lid Wiper Epitheliopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study compared a new contact lens rewetting drop containing both
      carboxymethylcellulose and hyaluronic acid (CMC-HA) with a standard drop
      containing carboxymethylcellulose only (CMC). Symptoms of discomfort typical in
      lens wear and lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) were assessed over a 3-month period
      in a diverse sample of contact lens wearers. METHODS: Adapted daily-wear contact
      lens subjects using hydrogel, silicone hydrogel, or rigid gas permeable lenses
      were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-masked, parallel-group, 90
      day study conducted at 15 clinical sites. Subjects were randomized 2:1 to CMC-HA
      (n = 244) or CMC alone (n = 121) with dosage at least four times per day, along
      with their habitual lens care system. At baseline and at days 7, 30, 60, and 90,
      subject-completed questionnaires, bulbar conjunctival staining, LWE, contact lens
      distance visual acuity (CLDVA), and standard safety measures were assessed.
      RESULTS: At day 90, CMC-HA performed significantly better than CMC in ocular
      symptoms including dryness throughout the day (p = 0.006), and burning/stinging
      throughout the day (p = 0.02) and at the end of the day (p < 0.001). CMC-HA also
      performed numerically better for dryness at the end of day (p = 0.06). LWE
      staining was improved in the CMC-HA group at day 90 whereas it increased slightly
      in the CMC alone group, with a significant between-group difference (p = 0.009).
      CMC-HA also demonstrated greater reduction in conjunctival staining compared with
      CMC alone at day 90 (p = 0.08). No differences in CLDVA, contact lens wear time,
      acceptability, and product use were observed, and safety outcomes were similar
      between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of HA to a standard CMC rewetting drop
      improves clinical performance. In this comparison of rewetting drop efficacy in
      contact lens wearers, LWE was a useful clinical sign for differentiating clinical
      performance.

PMID- 27254808
TI  - Demographic Factors Affect Ocular Comfort Ratings During Contact Lens Wear.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine if rating of ocular comfort during soft contact lens wear
      is affected by demographic factors. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of ocular
      comfort ratings during soft contact lens wear extracted from 44 nonrandomized
      similar clinical trials (n = 986). Subjects wore one of seven daily wear silicone
      hydrogels (SiHy) in combination with one of nine lens care products (LCP), and
      two daily disposables lenses. The effects on comfort rating of demographic
      factors were examined after adjusting for lens and LCP effects using general
      linear model. RESULTS: Males reported lower comfort on insertion than females
      (7.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 8.1 +/- 1.6, p = 0.001). Over 45 years old had higher comfort
      ratings than those between 26 and 45 or <26 years old at insertion (8.7 +/- 1.3
      vs. 8.1 +/- 1.6 vs. 7.8 +/- 1.6, p < 0.001), during the day (8.6 +/- 1.2 vs. 8.0
      +/- 1.6 vs. 8.2 +/- 1.2, p < 0.001), and end of day (7.7 +/- 1.6 vs. 6.8 +/- 2.0
      vs. 7.0 +/- 1.6, p < 0.001). Neophytes reported lower comfort on insertion (7.3
      +/- 1.6 vs. 8.2 +/- 1.5, p < 0.001) and during day (8.0 +/- 1.3 vs. 8.3 +/- 1.3,
      p = 0.020) than experienced wearers. Participants with Rx >=-3.50D had higher
      comfort ratings than those with <=-3.50D on insertion (8.3 +/- 1.4 vs. 7.8 +/-
      1.6, p < 0.001), during the day (8.4 +/- 1.3 vs. 8.1 +/- 1.3, p = 0.010), and end
      of day (7.2 +/- 1.7 vs. 6.9 +/- 1.8, p = 0.046). Comfort during the day was
      different between participants of different ethnic origin (p = 0.024) with Asians
      reporting the lowest (8.1 +/- 1.3). CONCLUSIONS: Demographic factors such as age,
      gender, lens wear experience, ethnicity, and refractive status can influence the
      rating of ocular comfort in clinical studies. The confounding effects of such
      demographic factors can be controlled by implementing randomization and
      appropriate multivariable statistical analysis.

PMID- 27254809
TI  - Microbial Contamination of Contact Lens Storage Cases During Daily Wear Use.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate contact lens (CL) storage case contamination when used with
      four different CL care solutions during daily wear of three different CL
      materials. METHODS: A parallel, prospective, bilateral, randomized clinical trial
      (n = 38) was conducted. Subjects were randomly assigned to use one of three CL
      materials (etafilcon A, senofilcon A, or galyfilcon A) on a daily wear basis.
      Subsequently, each subject randomly used one of four different CL care solutions
      (Biotrue, OPTI-FREE PureMoist, RevitaLens OcuTec, and CLEAR CARE) for 2 weeks,
      along with their respective storage cases. After every 2-week period, their
      storage cases were collected and the right and left wells of each storage case
      were randomized for two procedures: (1) microbial enumeration by swabbing the
      storage case surface and (2) evaluation of biofilm formation (multipurpose
      solution cases only) using a crystal violet staining assay. RESULTS: More than
      80% of storage cases were contaminated when used in conjunction with the four CL
      care solutions, irrespective of the CL material worn. Storage cases maintained
      with CLEAR CARE (mean Log colony forming units (CFU)/well +/- SD, 2.0 +/- 1.0)
      revealed significantly (p < 0.001) greater levels of contamination, compared to
      those maintained with Biotrue (1.3 +/- 0.8) and RevitaLens OcuTec (1.2 +/- 0.8).
      Predominantly, storage cases were contaminated with Gram-positive bacteria
      (>=80%). There were significant differences (p = 0.013) for the levels of Gram
      negative bacteria recovered from the storage cases maintained with different CL
      care solutions. Storage cases maintained with OPTI-FREE PureMoist (0.526 +/-
      0.629) showed significantly higher biofilm formation (p = 0.028) compared to
      those maintained with Biotrue (0.263 +/- 0.197). CONCLUSIONS: Levels of
      contamination ranged from 0 to 6.4 Log CFU/storage case well, which varied
      significantly (p < 0.001) between different CL care solutions, and storage case
      contamination was not modulated by CL materials.

PMID- 27254810
TI  - Developing a Very Low Vision Orientation and Mobility Test Battery (O&M-VLV).
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the feasibility of an assessment of vision
      related orientation and mobility (O&M) tasks in persons with severe vision loss.
      These tasks may be used for future low vision rehabilitation clinical assessments
      or as outcome measures in vision restoration trials. METHODS: Forty legally blind
      persons (mean visual acuity logMAR 2.3, or hand movements) with advanced
      retinitis pigmentosa participated in the Orientation & Mobility-Very Low Vision
      (O&M-VLV) subtests from the Low Vision Assessment of Daily Activities (LoVADA)
      protocol. Four categories of tasks were evaluated: route travel in three indoor
      hospital environments, a room orientation task (the "cafe"), a visual exploration
      task (the "gallery"), and a modified version of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test,
      which assesses re-orientation and route travel. Spatial cognition was assessed
      using the Stuart Tactile Maps test. Visual acuity and visual fields were
      measured. RESULTS: A generalized linear regression model showed that a number of
      measures in the O&M-VLV tasks were related to residual visual function. The
      percentage of preferred walking speed without an aid on three travel routes was
      associated with visual field (p < 0.01 for all routes) whereas the number of
      contacts with obstacles during route travel was associated with acuity (p =
      0.001). TUG-LV task time was associated with acuity (p = 0.003), as was the cafe
      time and distance traveled (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively). The gallery
      score was the only measure that was significantly associated with both residual
      acuity and fields (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The O&M
      VLV was designed to capture key elements of O&M performance in persons with
      severe vision loss, which is a population not often studied previously.
      Performance on these tasks was associated with both binocular visual acuity and
      visual field. This new protocol includes assessments of orientation, which may be
      of benefit in vision restoration clinical trials.

PMID- 27254811
TI  - Treatment Zone Decentration During Orthokeratology on Eyes with Corneal Toricity.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the magnitude of treatment zone decentration between eyes
      with minimally toric corneas (<=1.50 DC, LoTor group) and eyes with moderately
      toric corneas (1.50 to 3.50 DC, HiTor group) after a single overnight wear of
      spherical orthokeratology lenses. METHODS: In the LoTor group, 21 participants (9
      M, 12 F, 20-40 years) were fitted using a conventional fitting approach based on
      the flat corneal meridian. In the HiTor group, 12 participants (5 M, 7 F, 19-45
      years) were fitted using the conventional fitting method in one eye (HiTor group
      I) and the other eye was fitted with a lens with slightly deeper sagittal height
      (HiTor group II). In all groups, BE spherical orthokeratology trial contact
      lenses (Boston XO) were used and corneal topography data (Medmont E300) were
      obtained at baseline and after a single overnight wear. The magnitude of
      treatment zone decentration relative to vertex normal was determined from corneal
      topography refractive power difference maps. Treatment zone parameters including
      magnitude and direction of decentration were analyzed and related to baseline
      corneal parameters. RESULTS: After a single overnight wear, the mean magnitude of
      treatment zone decentration was 0.48 +/- 0.20 mm in the LoTor group, 1.06 +/-
      0.57 mm in HiTor group I, and 0.95 +/- 0.44 mm in HiTor group II. Treatment zone
      decentration in the LoTor group was significantly different from HiTor group I (p
      < 0.001), both fitted using a conventional fitting method. Treatment zone
      decentration was not significantly different between HiTor group I and II (p =
      0.606). The magnitude of treatment zone decentration was positively correlated
      with the amount of baseline corneal toricity (LoTor and HiTor group I combined, p
      = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with higher amounts of corneal toricity give rise to
      increased amounts of treatment zone decentration in overnight orthokeratology.

PMID- 27254812
TI  - The role of three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound parameters measured on hCG
      day in the prediction of pregnancy during in vitro fertilization treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of ultrasound for the assessment of
      endometrial receptivity during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer
      (ET). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Only those patients in their first IVF cycle,
      followed a standard long gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist long
      ovarian stimulation regimen, and had 2 highest scoring embryos transferred on day
      3 were included in the study. A 3D ultrasound examination was performed on the
      day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection to determine endometrial
      thickness, endometrial pattern, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic
      velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of endometrial
      spiral arteries, endometrial volume, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI)
      and vasculariztion flow index (VFI) of endometrial and subendometrial region.
      Analyses were carried on between pregnant and non-pregnant groups, and
      miscarriage and ongoing pregnant groups. RESULTS: 435 patients were included in
      the study, in which 235 (58.8%) got clinical pregnancy, and 49 suffered
      miscarriage. Patients in both pregnant group and non-pregnant group, and
      miscarriage and ongoing pregnant group did not show significant difference in
      endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, endometrial pattern, uterine PI, RI,
      S/D, endometrial and subendometrial VI, FI and VFI. In relative thin endometrium
      group, pregnant patients had similar endometrial thickness, endometrial volume,
      endometrial pattern, uterine PI, RI, S/D, endometrial and subendometrial VI, FI
      and VFI with non-pregnant patients. CONCLUSION: 3D PDUS parameters of endometrium
      measured on hCG day were not good predictors of pregnancy in IVF treatment,
      neither good predictors of ongoing pregnancy.

PMID- 27254813
TI  - Modelling climate change impacts on viticultural yield, phenology and stress
      conditions in Europe.
AB  - Viticulture is a key socio-economic sector in Europe. Owing to the strong
      sensitivity of grapevines to atmospheric factors, climate change may represent an
      important challenge for this sector. This study analyses viticultural
      suitability, yield, phenology, and water and nitrogen stress indices in Europe,
      for present climates (1980-2005) and future (2041-2070) climate change scenarios
      (RCP4.5 and 8.5). The STICS crop model is coupled with climate, soil and terrain
      databases, also taking into account CO2 physiological effects, and simulations
      are validated against observational data sets. A clear agreement between
      simulated and observed phenology, leaf area index, yield and water and nitrogen
      stress indices, including the spatial differences throughout Europe, is shown.
      The projected changes highlight an extension of the climatic suitability for
      grapevines up to 55 degrees N, which may represent the emergence of new
      winemaking regions. Despite strong regional heterogeneity, mean phenological
      timings (budburst, flowering, veraison and harvest) are projected to undergo
      significant advancements (e.g. budburst/harvest can be >1 month earlier), with
      implications also in the corresponding phenophase intervals. Enhanced dryness
      throughout Europe is also projected, with severe water stress over several
      regions in southern regions (e.g. southern Iberia and Italy), locally reducing
      yield and leaf area. Increased atmospheric CO2 partially offsets dryness effects,
      promoting yield and leaf area index increases in central/northern Europe. Future
      biomass changes may lead to modifications in nitrogen demands, with higher stress
      in northern/central Europe and weaker stress in southern Europe. These findings
      are critical decision support systems for stakeholders from the European
      winemaking sector.

PMID- 27254814
TI  - Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy Study of Hydrous Species in
      Soda Lime Silica Float Glass.
AB  - It is generally accepted that the mechanical properties of soda lime silica (SLS)
      glass can be affected by the interaction between sodium ions and hydrous species
      (silanol groups and water molecules) in its surface region. While the amount of
      these hydrous species can be estimated from hydrogen profiles and infrared
      spectroscopy, their chemical environment in the glass network is still not well
      understood. This work employed vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG)
      spectroscopy to investigate the chemical environment of hydrous species in the
      surface region of SLS float glass. SLS float glass shows sharp peaks in the OH
      stretching vibration region in SFG spectra, while the OH stretch peaks of glasses
      that do not have leachable sodium ions and the OH peaks of water molecules in
      condensed phases are normally broad due to fast hydrogen bonding dynamics. The
      hydrous species responsible for the sharp SFG peaks for the SLS float glass were
      found to be thermodynamically more stable than physisorbed water molecules, did
      not exchange with D2O, and were associated with the sodium concentration gradient
      in the dealkalized subsurface region. These results suggested that the hydrous
      species reside in static solvation shells defined by the silicate network with
      relatively slow hydrogen bonding dynamics, compared to physisorbed water layers
      on top of the glass surface. A putative radial distribution of the hydrous
      species within the SLS glass network was estimated based on the OH SFG spectral
      features, which could be compared with theoretical distributions calculated from
      computational simulations.

PMID- 27254815
TI  - Hydrosilane-B(C6F5)3 adducts as activators in zirconocene catalyzed ethylene
      polymerization.
AB  - Hydrosilane-B(C6F5)3 adducts were found to activate zirconocene dihalides and
      generate ternary catalytic systems possessing moderate to high activity in
      ethylene polymerization to high density polyethylene (HDPE). The activation
      efficacy of the adducts increased with increasing hydride donor ability and
      decreased with steric crowding of the particular hydrosilane used. NMR
      investigation of the HSiEt3/B(C6F5)3/Cp*2ZrF2 system (Cp* = eta(5)-C5Me5)
      revealed the formation of a stable intermediate [Cp*2ZrF(FSiEt3
      kappaF)](+)[HB(C6F5)3](-), whereas a crucial role of the [HB(C6F5)3](-) anion as
      a hydride donor for generation of an active cationic zirconium hydride center was
      elucidated. 

PMID- 27254816
TI  - The role of vitamin K in vascular calcification of patients with chronic kidney
      disease.
AB  - Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prone to vascular calcification.
      Pathogenetic mechanisms of vascular calcifications have been broadly studied and
      discussed such as the role of hyperphosphatemia, hypercalcemia, parathormone, and
      vitamin D. In recent years, new insights have been gained pointing to vitamin K
      as a main actor. It has been discovered that vitamin K is an essential cofactor
      for the activation of matrix Gla protein (MGP), a calcification inhibitor in the
      vessel wall. Patients with CKD often suffer from vitamin K deficiency, resulting
      in low active MGP and eventually a lack of inhibition of vascular calcification.
      Vitamin K supplementation and switching warfarin to new oral anticoagulants are
      potential treatments. In addition, MGP may have a role as a non-invasive
      biomarker for vascular calcification.

PMID- 27254817
TI  - Revealing hot executive function in children with motor coordination problems:
      What's the go?
AB  - Recent research suggests that children with Developmental Coordination Disorder
      (DCD) often show deficits in executive functioning (EF) and, more specifically,
      the ability to use inhibitory control in 'hot', emotionally rewarding contexts.
      This study optimized the assessment of sensitivity of children with DCD to
      emotionally significant stimuli by using easily discriminable emotional
      expressions in a go/no-go task. Thirty-six children (12 with DCD), aged 7
      12years, completed an emotional go/no-go task in which neutral facial expressions
      were paired with either happy or sad ones. Each expression was used as both, a go
      and no-go target in different runs of the task. There were no group differences
      in omission errors; however, the DCD group made significantly more commission
      errors to happy no-go faces. The particular pattern of performance in DCD
      confirms earlier reports of (hot) EF deficits. Specifically, a problem of
      inhibitory control appears to underlie the atypical pattern of performance seen
      in DCD on both cold and hot EF tasks. Disrupted coupling between cognitive
      control and emotion processing networks, such as fronto-parietal and fronto
      striatal networks, may contribute to reduced inhibitory control in DCD. The
      implications for a broader theoretical account of DCD are discussed, as are
      implications for intervention.

PMID- 27254818
TI  - Generation of stable Chinese hamster ovary pools yielding antibody titers of up
      to 7.6 g/L using the piggyBac transposon system.
AB  - Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells remain the default production host for many
      biopharmaceutical drugs, particularly monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Production of
      gram and kilogram quantities of protein typically requires the generation of
      stable CHO clones. Unfortunately, this process takes several months,
      significantly slowing down the drug discovery and development process. Therefore,
      improved technologies are needed to accelerate biopharmaceutical drug discovery
      and final drug substance manufacturing. In this study, we describe the generation
      of stable CHO pools using the piggyBac transposon system. We evaluated the system
      using four model antibody molecules (3 mAbs and 1 bispecific Ab). Stable CHO
      pools were isolated in 7-12 days. Using a simple 16-day fed-batch process, we
      measured titers ranging from 2.3 to 7.6 g/L for the four model antibodies. This
      represented a 4- to 12-fold increase relative to the controls. Additionally, we
      isolated stable CHO clones. We found that the stable CHO clones isolated from the
      piggyBac transposon pools yielded titers two to threefold higher relative to the
      control clones. Taken together, these results suggest that stable CHO pool and
      clone generation can be significantly improved by using the piggyBac transposon
      system. (c) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog.,
      32:1301-1307, 2016.

PMID- 27254819
TI  - DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 11 (DCAF11) mediates degradation of Stem-loop
      binding protein at the end of S phase.
AB  - In eukaryotes, bulk histone expression occurs in the S phase of the cell cycle.
      This highly conserved system is crucial for genomic stability and proper gene
      expression. In metazoans, Stem-loop binding protein (SLBP), which binds to 3'
      ends of canonical histone mRNAs, is a key factor in histone biosynthesis. SLBP is
      mainly expressed in S phase and this is a major mechanism to limit bulk histone
      production to the S phase. At the end of S phase, SLBP is rapidly degraded by
      proteasome, depending on two phosphorylations on Thr 60 and Thr 61. Previously,
      we showed that SLBP fragment (aa 51-108) fused to GST, is sufficient to mimic the
      late S phase (S/G2) degradation of SLBP. Here, using this fusion protein as bait,
      we performed pull-down experiments and found that DCAF11, which is a substrate
      receptor of CRL4 complexes, binds to the phosphorylated SLBP fragment. We further
      confirmed the interaction of full-length SLBP with DCAF11 and Cul4A by co
      immunoprecipitation experiments. We also showed that DCAF11 cannot bind to the
      Thr61/Ala mutant SLBP, which is not degraded at the end of S phase. Using ectopic
      expression and siRNA experiments, we demonstrated that SLBP expression is
      inversely correlated with DCAF11 levels, consistent with the model that DCAF11
      mediates SLBP degradation. Finally, we found that ectopic expression of the S/G2
      stable mutant SLBP (Thr61/Ala) is significantly more toxic to the cells, in
      comparison to wild type SLBP. Overall, we concluded that CRL4-DCAF11 mediates the
      degradation of SLBP at the end of S phase and this degradation is essential for
      the viability of cells. 

PMID- 27254820
TI  - Allocating responsibility for environmental risks: A comparative analysis of
      examples from water governance.
AB  - The focus of the present study is on the allocation of responsibilities for
      addressing environmental risks in transboundary water governance. Effective
      environmental management in transboundary situations requires coordinated and
      cooperative action among diverse individuals and organizations. Currently, little
      insight exists on how to foster collective action such that individuals and
      organizations take the responsibility to address transboundary environmental
      risks. On the basis of 4 cases of transboundary water governance, it will be
      shown how certain allocation principles are more likely to encourage cooperative
      action. The main lesson from these case studies is that the allocation of
      responsibilities should be seen as a risk distribution problem, including
      considerations of effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness. Integr Environ Assess
      Manag 2017;13:371-375. (c) 2016 SETAC.

PMID- 27254822
TI  - Enhanced Intrinsic Catalytic Activity of lambda-MnO2 by Electrochemical Tuning
      and Oxygen Vacancy Generation.
AB  - Chemically prepared lambda-MnO2 has not been intensively studied as a material
      for metal-air batteries, fuel cells, or supercapacitors because of their
      relatively poor electrochemical properties compared to alpha- and delta-MnO2 .
      Herein, through the electrochemical removal of lithium from LiMn2 O4 , highly
      crystalline lambda-MnO2 was prepared as an efficient electrocatalyst for the
      oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The ORR activity of the material was further
      improved by introducing oxygen vacancies (OVs) that could be achieved by
      increasing the calcination temperature during LiMn2 O4 synthesis; a concentration
      of oxygen vacancies in LiMn2 O4 could be characterized by its voltage profile as
      the cathode in a lithiun-metal half-cell. lambda-MnO2-z prepared with the highest
      OV exhibited the highest diffusion-limited ORR current (5.5 mA cm(-2) ) among a
      series of lambda-MnO2-z electrocatalysts. Furthermore, the number of transferred
      electrons (n) involved in the ORR was >3.8, indicating a dominant quasi-4
      electron pathway. Interestingly, the catalytic performances of the samples were
      not a function of their surface areas, and instead depended on the concentration
      of OVs, indicating enhancement in the intrinsic catalytic activity of lambda-MnO2
      by the generation of OVs. This study demonstrates that differences in the
      electrochemical behavior of lambda-MnO2 depend on the preparation method and
      provides a mechanism for a unique catalytic behavior of cubic lambda-MnO2 .

PMID- 27254821
TI  - Cotesia vestalis teratocytes express a diversity of genes and exhibit novel
      immune functions in parasitism.
AB  - Some endoparasitoid wasps lay eggs that produce cells called teratocytes. In this
      study, we sequenced and analyzed the transcriptome of teratocytes from the
      solitary endoparasitoid Cotesia vestalis (Braconidae), which parasitizes larval
      stage Plutella xylostella (Plutellidae). Results identified many teratocyte
      transcripts with potential functions in affecting host immune defenses, growth or
      metabolism. Characterization of teratocyte-secreted venom-like protein 8 (TSVP-8)
      indicated it inhibits melanization of host hemolymph in vitro, while two
      predicted anti-microbial peptides (CvT-def 1 and 3) inhibited the growth of
      bacteria. Results also showed the parasitized hosts lacking teratocytes
      experienced higher mortality after immune challenge by pathogens than hosts with
      teratocytes. Taken together, these findings indicate that C. vestalis teratocytes
      secrete products that alter host immune functions while also producing anti
      microbial peptides with functions that help protect the host from infection by
      other organisms.

PMID- 27254823
TI  - Child and Adolescent Development in Latin America: Introduction to the Special
      Issue.

PMID- 27254824
TI  - Childhood Poverty and Cognitive Development in Latin America in the 21st Century.
AB  - For at least eight decades, researchers have analyzed the association between
      childhood poverty and cognitive development in different societies worldwide, but
      few of such studies have been carried out in Latin America. The aim of the
      present paper is to systematically review the empirical studies that have
      analyzed the associations between poverty and cognitive development in children
      under 18 years of age from Latin American and Caribbean countries between 2000
      and 2015. This analysis takes into consideration the country where the work was
      conducted, the experimental and analytical design, sample size and composition,
      cognitive and poverty paradigms implemented, levels of analysis, and the
      inclusion of mediation analyses. Through these, we identify common patterns in
      the negative impact of poverty that have been repeatedly verified in the
      literature in other continents; we also call attention to a set of issues
      regarding sample, design, paradigms, impact, and mediation analyses that should
      be considered in future studies in the region. 

PMID- 27254825
TI  - School Readiness Research in Latin America: Findings and Challenges.
AB  - Educational results in Latin America (LA) are well below those of developed
      countries. One factor that influences how well children do at school is school
      readiness. In this article, we review studies conducted in LA on the readiness
      skills of preschool children. We begin by discussing contextual factors that
      affect what is expected of children upon school entry, and we examine critical
      aspects of children's developmental contexts in LA. We then review local research
      on the level and determinants of three readiness skills of preschoolers in LA.
      Few studies allow comparisons between LA and other regions, but some results
      suggest that the oral language of children in LA before school entry is lower
      than in developed countries. These entry-level differences do not seem large
      enough to explain the poor educational results obtained by children in LA. We
      conclude regarding research needed to explain educational results and to inform
      educational policies. 

PMID- 27254826
TI  - Adolescent Peer Relations and Socioemotional Development in Latin America:
      Translating International Theory into Local Research.
AB  - Peer relations constitute a main developmental context for adolescents. Peers
      offer an instance for identity definition and set the norms of acceptable and
      valued characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes, representing a societal model
      that allows and restrains avenues for adolescents' socioemotional development.
      The present article departs from these considerations to review research on
      adolescents' peer relations in Latin America from a socioemotional perspective.
      First, approaches to adolescence are discussed, with a main focus on attachment
      and identity theories, based on a bioecological framework. Then, a review of
      research in Latin America on friendships, school climate, and intergroup
      relations is presented. The discussion addresses the tension between theories and
      evidence generated in developed societies and highlights the particularities of
      Latin American youth, stressing the need for collecting local data. 

PMID- 27254827
TI  - Computational Tracking of Mental Health in Youth: Latin American Contributions to
      a Low-Cost and Effective Solution for Early Psychiatric Diagnosis.
AB  - The early onset of mental disorders can lead to serious cognitive damage, and
      timely interventions are needed in order to prevent them. In patients of low
      socioeconomic status, as is common in Latin America, it can be hard to identify
      children at risk. Here, we briefly introduce the problem by reviewing the scarce
      epidemiological data from Latin America regarding the onset of mental disorders,
      and discussing the difficulties associated with early diagnosis. Then we present
      computational psychiatry, a new field to which we and other Latin American
      researchers have contributed methods particularly relevant for the quantitative
      investigation of psychopathologies manifested during childhood. We focus on new
      technologies that help to identify mental disease and provide prodromal
      evaluation, so as to promote early differential diagnosis and intervention. To
      conclude, we discuss the application of these methods to clinical and educational
      practice. A comprehensive and quantitative characterization of verbal behavior in
      children, from hospitals and laboratories to homes and schools, may lead to more
      effective pedagogical and medical intervention. 

PMID- 27254828
TI  - Reading Comprehension in Latin America: Difficulties and Possible Interventions.
AB  - Reading comprehension (RC) is below the international standard in many countries
      of Latin America (LA). Here we review factors that might be associated with
      failure in RC of the first language in LA. Then we present interventions
      reporting beneficial impact on RC in typically developing students from English
      speaking countries and discuss their possible applicability in LA. We conclude
      that research-based pedagogical interventions are currently available to promote
      RC at school and may be suitable to implement in LA in order to improve RC. 

PMID- 27254829
TI  - What Do We Know About the Development of Creativity in South America?
AB  - We review recent research about the development of creativity in South America
      focusing on studies of individual differences in creativity and educational and
      developmental studies of children and adolescents' creativity. Most South
      American researchers are influenced by mainstream psychometric approaches,
      although computational and cultural approaches are also considered. Two main
      areas of inquiry are: (a) the relationship between creativity and other
      constructs, and (b) the structural and cultural inhibitors of creativity in
      school. Studies conducted beyond the school shed light on the role resilience has
      in fostering creativity. The lack of studies testing interventions aimed at
      promoting creativity is concerning. There is also a surprising lack of
      observational studies related to the pedagogy of creativity. Last but not least,
      there is a need to advance research on other factors, in addition to the
      educational ones, that may play a role in fostering creativity in South America. 

PMID- 27254830
TI  - Research on Child and Adolescent Development and Public Policy in Latin America.
AB  - This commentary discusses the implication of child and adolescent development
      research for public policy in Latin America. As illustrated by the articles in
      this special issue, even though the research of child and adolescent development
      in Latin America is making significant progress, still more research is needed.
      Developmental research in the region faces the challenge of uncovering the
      mechanisms that affect child development in a context of high levels of poverty
      and inequality. In addition, researchers in the region should be particularly
      careful in using appropriate and rigorous methods, improving the design and
      adaptation of instruments that measure child and adolescent development,
      developing longitudinal datasets, and looking for causal evidence. Children and
      adolescents in Latin America will benefit from a further expansion of
      developmental research. Research in child and adolescent development using data
      from Latin America can advise policy makers and help improve the design and
      evaluation of interventions and public policies that promote child and adolescent
      well-being in the region. 

PMID- 27254831
TI  - Synthesis of Two-Dimensional Materials for Capacitive Energy Storage.
AB  - The unique properties and great variety of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials
      make them highly attractive for energy storage applications. Here, an insight
      into the progress made towards the application of 2D nanomaterials for capacitive
      energy storage is provided. Synthesis methods, and electrochemical performance of
      various classes of 2D nanomaterials, particularly based on graphene, transition
      metal oxides, dichalcogenides, and carbides, are presented. The factors that
      directly influence capacitive performance are discussed throughout the text and
      include nanosheet composition, morphology and texture, electrode architecture,
      and device configuration. Recent progress in the fabrication of 2D-nanomaterials
      based microsupercapacitors and flexible and free-standing supercapacitors is
      presented. The main electrode manufacturing techniques with emphasis on
      scalability and cost-effectiveness are discussed, and include laser scribing,
      printing, and roll-to-roll manufacture. Various issues that prevent the use of
      the full energy-storage potential of 2D nanomaterials and how they have been
      tackled are discussed, and include nanosheet aggregation and the low electrical
      conductivity of some 2D nanomaterials. Particularly, the design of hybrid and
      hierarchical 2D and 3D structures based on 2D nanomaterials is presented. Other
      challenges and opportunities are discussed and include: control of nanosheets
      size and thickness, chemical and electrochemical instability, and scale-up of
      electrode films. 

PMID- 27254832
TI  - Alteration of the Nonsystemic Behavior of the Pesticide Ferbam on Tea Leaves by
      Engineered Gold Nanoparticles.
AB  - A model system consisting of a nonsystemic pesticide (ferbam), engineered gold
      nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a plant tissue (tea leaves) was investigated using
      surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Ferbam has no ability by itself to
      penetrate into tea leaves. When AuNPs were placed with ferbam onto the surface of
      tea leaves, however, the SERS signal of the ferbam-AuNPs complex was observed
      inside of the tea leaves. Within 1 h, the ferbam-AuNPs complex rapidly penetrated
      into the leaf to a depth of approximately 190 MUm, about (1)/3 to (1)/2 of the
      leaf's thickness. The rate of penetration was dependent on the size of AuNPs,
      with 30 nm AuNPs-ferbam penetrating more rapidly when compared with complexes
      made with the 50 and 69 nm AuNPs. These results clearly demonstrated an
      alteration of the nonsystemic behavior of ferbam in the combined presence with
      AuNPs. This finding might lead to the development of some new pesticide
      formulations. Conversely, new toxicity issues may arise as the behaviors and fate
      of pesticides are altered significantly upon interaction with engineered NPs in
      the pesticide formulation or environment.

PMID- 27254833
TI  - Small-angle scattering and 3D structure interpretation.
AB  - This review focuses on advances in the application of solution small-angle
      scattering (SAS) in structural analysis of biomolecules and the complexes they
      form. Examples highlighted illustrate the unique contribution of SAS, using both
      X-rays and neutrons, in hybrid or integrative modelling methods. The increased
      information content when neutron scattering with contrast variation is used is a
      particular focus. Finally, progress toward an agreed reporting framework, the
      development of open data and model archives, and the importance of these
      initiatives is covered.

PMID- 27254834
TI  - An unsuspected cause of abdominal pain and fever: lost gallstone-related
      perisplenic abscess.

PMID- 27254835
TI  - Zika Virus, Microcephaly, and Ocular Findings.

PMID- 27254836
TI  - Foot Rollover Temporal Parameters During Straight-Ahead and Side-Cut Walking in
      Obese and Nonobese Postmenopausal Women.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare the temporal foot rollover data between
      straight-ahead and side-cut walking and to establish a reference dataset for
      obese and nonobese postmenopausal women. Pressure data were collected using the
      two-step protocol. The initial, final, and duration of contact of 10 foot areas
      were measured, as 5 instants and 4 phases. Significant temporal foot rollover
      differences were found during walking with and without directional changes;
      however, most of these differences were common for obese and nonobese
      subjects.The trailing limb during the side-cut task anticipated the initial and
      final contact of the lateral forefoot and increased midfoot and toes duration,
      suggesting a greater role of these areas in the initial break and in foot
      stability. The leading limb throughout the side-cut task exhibited longer
      duration of the heel, midfoot, and stance phase probably due to an increase in
      the stride length of the trailing limb and leaning of the trunk toward the inner
      side of the turn. Additionally, obese women revealed a later final contact and
      longer contact duration of some metatarsal areas suggesting that the greater
      inertia of these subjects demands more time to stabilize and prepare the foot for
      the next step. Please provide 3 to 5 keywords for the article.

PMID- 27254837
TI  - Incidence and mortality of gynaecological cancers: Secular trends in urban
      Shanghai, China over 40 years.
AB  - AIM: Appraisal of cancer trends is essential for future cancer control, but
      relevant studies in China are scarce due to a lack of long-term data. With 40
      years of cancer registry data, we sought to evaluate secular time trends in
      incidence and mortality of gynaecological cancers in an urban Chinese population.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on incidence and mortality of invasive cervical,
      uterine and ovarian cancer were collected by the Shanghai Cancer Registry. Age
      standardised incidence and mortality rates were calculated for women aged 20-84
      in urban Shanghai between 1973 and 2012. Age-period-cohort Poisson regression
      models were used to evaluate age, period and cohort effects. Overall linear
      trends, interpreted as the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), were
      derived from the net drift in age-drift models. RESULTS: Overall, cervical cancer
      incidence and mortality substantially decreased (EAPC = -4.5% and -5.5%,
      respectively); however, an upward trend was apparent among younger women (age
      <60). Uterine cancer incidence increased slightly (EAPC = 1.8%), while mortality
      decreased over time (EAPC = -2.4%). Ovarian cancer incidence and mortality both
      increased, although the increase in incidence (EAPC = 1.8%) was larger than
      mortality (EAPC = 0.6%). While cohort effects were most evident for cervical
      cancer incidence and mortality, significant age, period, and cohort effects were
      found for all three gynaecological cancers evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: These secular
      trends in incidence and mortality of gynaecological cancers in Shanghai likely
      reflect changing risk factor profiles and improved cancer prognosis over time,
      and suggest new priorities and call for additional efforts for gynaecological
      cancer prevention and control for women in China.

PMID- 27254839
TI  - Marijuana Use in Youth from Bench to Bedside to Longitudinal Outlook.

PMID- 27254838
TI  - Second St. Gallen European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer
      Gastrointestinal Cancer Conference: consensus recommendations on controversial
      issues in the primary treatment of rectal cancer.
AB  - Primary treatment of rectal cancer was the focus of the second St. Gallen
      European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)
      Gastrointestinal Cancer Conference. In the context of the conference, a
      multidisciplinary international expert panel discussed and voted on controversial
      issues which could not be easily answered using published evidence. Main topics
      included optimal pretherapeutic imaging, indication and type of neoadjuvant
      treatment, and the treatment strategies in advanced tumours. Here we report the
      key recommendations and summarise the related evidence. The treatment strategy
      for localised rectal cancer varies from local excision in early tumours to
      neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) in combination with extended surgery in
      locally advanced disease. Optimal pretherapeutic staging is a key to any
      treatment decision. The panel recommended magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or MRI
      + endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) as mandatory staging modalities, except for
      early T1 cancers with an option for local excision, where EUS in addition to MRI
      was considered to be most important because of its superior near-field
      resolution. Primary surgery with total mesorectal excision was recommended by
      most panellists for some early tumours with limited risk of recurrence (i.e. cT1
      2 or cT3a N0 with clear mesorectal fascia on MRI and clearly above the levator
      muscles), whereas all other stages were considered for multimodal treatment. The
      consensus panel recommended long-course RCT over short-course radiotherapy for
      most clinical situations where neoadjuvant treatment is indicated, with the
      exception of T3a/b N0 tumours where short-course radiotherapy or even no
      neoadjuvant therapy were regarded to be an option. In patients with potentially
      resectable tumours and synchronous liver metastases, most panel members did not
      see an indication to start with classical fluoropyrimidine-based RCT but rather
      favoured preoperative short-course radiotherapy with systemic combination
      chemotherapy or alternatively a liver-first resection approach in resectable
      metastases, which both allow optimal systemic therapy for the metastatic disease.
      In general, proper patient selection and discussion in an experienced
      multidisciplinary team was considered as crucial component of care.

PMID- 27254840
TI  - Cannabis Use in Adolescence and Young Adulthood: A Review of Findings from the
      Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study.
AB  - The Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study (VAHCS) is a long-term Australian
      cohort study that has documented cannabis use in young Australians from the mid
      teens to the mid-30s. The study findings have described the natural history of
      early cannabis use, remission, and escalation and the social and mental health
      consequences of different patterns of use. The adverse consequences of cannabis
      use are most clear-cut in heavy early adolescent users. These consequences
      include educational failure, persisting mental health problems, and progression
      to other substance use. For later onset and occasional users, the risks are lower
      and appear to entail modest elevations in risk for other drug use compared with
      never users. With growing evidence of health consequences, there is a strong case
      for actions around early heavy adolescent users. Prevention of early use,
      identification and treatment of early heavy users, and harm reduction through
      diversion of early heavy users away from the custodial justice system into health
      care are all priority responses.

PMID- 27254842
TI  - The "Vulnerability" of Psychiatric Research Participants: Why This Research
      Ethics Concept Needs to Be Revisited.

PMID- 27254841
TI  - What Can Rats Tell Us about Adolescent Cannabis Exposure? Insights from
      Preclinical Research.
AB  - Marijuana is the most widely used drug of abuse among adolescents. Adolescence is
      a vulnerable period for brain development, during which time various
      neurotransmitter systems such as the glutamatergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic, and
      endocannabinoid systems undergo extensive reorganization to support the
      maturation of the central nervous system (CNS). ?-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),
      the psychoactive component of marijuana, acts as a partial agonist of CB1
      cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs). CB1Rs are abundant in the CNS and are central
      components of the neurodevelopmental changes that occur during adolescence. Thus,
      overactivation of CB1Rs by cannabinoid exposure during adolescence has the
      ability to dramatically alter brain maturation, leading to persistent and
      enduring changes in adult cerebral function. Increasing preclinical evidence
      lends support to clinical evidence suggesting that chronic adolescent marijuana
      exposure may be associated with a higher risk for neuropsychiatric diseases,
      including schizophrenia. In this review, we present a broad overview of current
      neurobiological evidence regarding the long-term consequences of adolescent
      cannabinoid exposure on adult neuropsychiatric-like disorders.

PMID- 27254843
TI  - Ethno-Racial Variation in Recovery From Severe Mental Illness: A Qualitative
      Comparison.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Purpose-driven studies examining the relationship between ethnicity,
      culture, and recovery are absent from the empirical literature. As such, the
      overall aim of this study was to examine ethno-racial variations in recovery
      perspectives. Specific objectives consist of comparing and contrasting ethno
      racial variations in 1) definitions of recovery, 2) barriers to recovery, and 3)
      facilitators of recovery. METHODS: We recruited people with severe mental illness
      from 2 broad ethno-racial groups (Caribbean-Canadian and Euro-Canadian) to
      partake in a qualitative interview on recovery (n = 47). Participants were asked
      to give their own definitions of recovery, as well as self-perceived barriers and
      facilitators. Interview transcripts were then subjected to thematic analysis. We
      compared and contrasted the distribution and salience of emerging themes between
      the Euro-Canadian and Caribbean-Canadian participants. RESULTS: Recovery was
      consistently defined as a gradual process involving progress in key life domains
      including employment, social engagement, and community participation by both
      groups. This was underpinned by a growing future orientation. Stigma, financial
      strain, and psychiatric hospitalization were considered major barriers to
      recovery in both groups. Participants from both groups generally considered
      stated definitions of recovery to be simultaneous facilitators of recovery
      employment and social engagement being the most frequently mentioned. God and
      religion were key facilitators for the Caribbean-Canadian group but not for Euro
      Canadians. CONCLUSIONS: Definitions, barriers, and facilitators to recovery were
      generally shared among our sample, regardless of ethno-racial status, with the
      exception of God and religion.

PMID- 27254844
TI  - Military Occupational Outcomes in Canadian Armed Forces Personnel with and
      without Deployment-Related Mental Disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Mental disorders are common in military organizations, and these
      frequently lead to functional impairments that can interfere with duties and lead
      to costly attrition. In Canada, the military mental health system has received
      heavy investment to improve occupational outcomes. We investigated military
      occupational outcomes of diagnosed mental disorders in a cohort of 30,513
      personnel who deployed on the Afghanistan mission. METHODS: Cohort members were
      military personnel who deployed on the Afghanistan mission from 2001 to 2008.
      Mental disorder diagnoses and their attribution to the Afghanistan mission were
      ascertained via medical records in a stratified random sample (n = 2014). Career
      limiting medical conditions (that is, condition-associated restrictions that
      reliably lead to medically related attrition) were determined using
      administrative data. Outcomes were assessed from first Afghanistan-related
      deployment return. RESULTS: At 5 years of follow-up, the Kaplan-Meier estimated
      cumulative fraction with career-limiting medical conditions was 40.9% (95%
      confidence interval [CI] 35.5 to 46.4) among individuals with Afghanistan service
      related mental disorders (ARMD), 23.6% (CI 15.5 to 31.8) with other mental
      disorders, and 11.1% (CI 8.9 to 13.3) without mental disorders. The adjusted Cox
      regression hazard ratios for career-limiting medical condition risk were 4.89 (CI
      3.85 to 6.23) among individuals with ARMD and 2.31 (CI 1.48 to 3.60) with other
      mental disorders, relative to those without mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS:
      Notwithstanding the Canadian military's mental health system investments, mental
      disorders (particularly ARMD) still led to a high risk of adverse military
      occupational outcomes. Such investments have intrinsic value but may not
      translate into reduced medically related attrition without improvements in
      prevention and treatment effectiveness.

PMID- 27254845
TI  - Rates of Mental Illness and Addiction among High-Cost Users of Medical Services
      in Ontario.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantify the burden of mental illness and addiction among high
      costing users of medical services (HCUs) using population-level data from
      Ontario, and compare to a referent group of nonusers. METHOD: We conducted a
      population-level cohort study using health administrative data from fiscal year
      2011-2012 for all Ontarians with valid health insurance as of April 1, 2011 (N =
      10,909,351). Individuals were grouped based on medical costs for hospital,
      emergency, home, complex continuing, and rehabilitation care in 2011-2012: top
      1%, top 2% to 5%, top 6% to 50%, bottom 50%, and a zero-cost nonuser group. The
      rate of diagnosed psychotic, major mood, and substance use disorders in each
      group was compared to the zero-cost referent group with adjusted odds ratios
      (AORs) for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. A sensitivity analysis included
      anxiety and other disorders. RESULTS: Mental illness and addiction rates
      increased across cost groups affecting 17.0% of the top 1% of users versus 5.7%
      of the zero-cost group (AOR, 3.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.59 to 3.81).
      This finding was most pronounced for psychotic disorders (3.7% vs. 0.7%; AOR,
      5.07; 95% CI, 4.77 to 5.38) and persisted for mood disorders (10.0% vs. 3.3%;
      AOR, 3.52; 95% CI, 3.39 to 3.66) and substance use disorders (7.0% vs. 2.3%; AOR,
      3.82; 95% CI, 3.66 to 3.99). When anxiety and other disorders were included, the
      rate of mental illness was 39.3% in the top 1% compared to 21.3% (AOR, 2.39; 95%
      CI, 2.34 to 2.45). CONCLUSIONS: A high burden of mental illness and addiction
      among HCUs warrants its consideration in the design and delivery of services
      targeting HCUs.

PMID- 27254849
TI  - Parental Perception of Neighborhood Safety and Children's Physical Activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We examined the relationship between parents' perception of
      neighborhood safety and children's physical activity and use of recreation
      facilities in a US nationally representative sample of fifth grade children.
      METHODS: We used data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten
      cohort, fifth grade sample (N = 9827). Multivariate logistic and linear
      regression models were used to examine associations between parents' perception
      of neighborhood safety for outside play and number of days children engage in
      physical activity, as well as children's use of recreational facilities for
      physical activity. RESULTS: Children who used recreational facilities engaged in
      physical activity on more days of the week compared with children who did not use
      a facility (3.3 days vs. 3.8 days, P < .0001). Children from neighborhoods
      perceived as unsafe by parents engaged in almost 1 less day per week in physical
      activity (beta = -.89, P < .0001). Children from neighborhoods perceived as
      unsafe were less likely to use recreational facilities compared with children
      from neighborhoods perceived as safe (odds ratio = 0.72, P < .0001). Children
      from less affluent families across rural and urban areas had half the odds of
      using recreational facilities compared with children from the wealthiest families
      living in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: Parents' perception of neighborhood safety
      for outside play can deter or promote children's physical activity and use of
      recreational facilities. Children from less affluent families are less likely to
      use facilities than children from wealthy families, regardless of place of
      residence.

PMID- 27254846
TI  - Psychosocial Interventions in Reducing Cannabis Use in Early Phase Psychosis: A
      Canadian Survey of Treatments Offered.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cannabis use in people with early phase psychosis (EPP) can have a
      significant impact on long-term outcomes. The purpose of this investigation was
      to describe current cannabis use treatment practices in English-speaking early
      intervention services (EISs) in Canada and determine if their services are
      informed by available evidence. METHOD: Thirty-five Canadian English-speaking
      EISs for psychosis were approached to complete a survey through email, facsimile,
      or online in order to collect information regarding their current cannabis use
      treatment practices. RESULTS: Data were acquired from 27 of the 35 (78%) programs
      approached. Only 12% of EISs offered formal services that targeted cannabis use,
      whereas the majority (63%) of EISs offered informal services for all substance
      use, not specifically cannabis. In programs with informal services, individual
      patient psychoeducation (86%) was slightly more common than individual
      motivational interviewing (MI) (76%) followed by group patient psychoeducation
      (52%) and information handouts (52%). Thirty-seven percent of EISs offered formal
      services for substance use, and compared to programs with informal services, more
      MI, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and family services were offered, with
      individual treatment modalities more common than groups. No EISs used contingency
      management, even though it has some preliminary evidence in chronic populations.
      Evidence-based service implementation barriers included appropriate training and
      administrative support. CONCLUSIONS: While most English-speaking Canadian EIS
      programs offer individual MI and psychoeducation, which is in line with the
      available literature, there is room for improvement in cannabis treatment
      services based on current evidence for both people with EPP and their families.

PMID- 27254850
TI  - The Stress-Metabolic Syndrome Relationship in Adolescents: An Examination of the
      Moderating Potential of Physical Activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of psychosocial stress in the development of obesity and
      metabolic syndrome is receiving increased attention and has led to examination of
      whether physical activity may moderate the stress-metabolic syndrome
      relationship. The current study examined relationships among physical activity,
      stress, and metabolic syndrome in adolescents. METHODS: Participants (N = 126; 57
      girls, 69 boys) were assessed for anthropometry, psychosocial stress, physical
      activity, and metabolic syndrome variables; t tests were used to examine sex
      differences, and regression analysis was used to assess relationships among
      variables controlling for sex and maturity status. RESULTS: Mean body mass index
      approached the 75th percentile for both sexes. Typical sex differences were
      observed for systolic blood pressure, time spent in moderate and vigorous
      physical activity, and perceived stress. Although stress was not associated with
      MetS (beta = -.001, P = .82), a modest, positive relationship was observed with
      BMI (beta = .20, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Strong relationships between physical
      activity and stress with MetS or BMI were not found in this sample. Results may
      be partially explained by overall good physical health status of the
      participants. Additional research in groups exhibiting varying degrees of health
      is needed.

PMID- 27254851
TI  - Objectively Assessed Physical Activity and Associated Factors Among Adults in
      Peri-Urban and Rural Eastern Uganda: A Population-based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data on physical inactivity, a known risk factor for noncommunicable
      diseases and its correlates in sub-Saharan Africa are almost absent. We assessed
      physical activity patterns and associated factors among adults. METHODS: A
      populationbased study of 1208 adults was conducted in the Iganga-Mayuge Health
      and Demographic Surveillance Site, Uganda. Physical activity was assessed using a
      pedometer for 7 days. Physical inactivity was defined as a daily average of <
      7500 steps while sedentary behavior was defined as a daily average of < 5000
      steps. Logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with
      physical inactivity and sedentary behavior. RESULTS: Of the 1208 participants,
      18.8% were sedentary (10.6% of men; 26.9% of women, P < .001), 37.6% were
      physically inactive (28.5% of men; 46.6% of women, P < .001). Factors associated
      with sedentary behavior were being female, >= 65 years, peri-urban residence,
      being a domestic worker, formal employment and lower primary education. Factors
      associated with physical inactivity were being female, 55 to 64 years, >= 65
      years, peri-urban residence, overweight and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary
      behavior and physical inactivity were prevalent among the adult population.
      Targeted physical activity promotion interventions are needed.

PMID- 27254852
TI  - Erratum to "Extracting Information From Previous Full-Dose CT Scan for Knowledge
      Based Bayesian Reconstruction of Current Low-Dose CT Images".
AB  - Advertisement, IEEE. 

PMID- 27254853
TI  - Leisure-Time and Occupational Physical Activity in Early and Late Adulthood in
      Relation to Later Life Physical Functioning.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) has beneficial effects on older age physical
      functioning, but longitudinal studies with follow-ups extending up to decades are
      few. We investigated the association between leisure-time PA (LTPA) and
      occupational PA (OPA) from early to late adulthood in relation to later life
      performance-based physical functioning. METHODS: The study involved 1260 people
      aged 60 to 79 years who took part in assessments of physical functioning (Short
      Physical Performance Battery [SPPB] test, 10-m maximal walking test, and grip
      strength test). Participants' data on earlier life LTPA/OPA (age range 25 to 74
      years) were received from the previous studies (average follow-up 13.4 years).
      Logistic, linear, and censored regression models were used to assess the
      associations between LTPA/OPA earlier in life and subsequent physical
      functioning. RESULTS: A high level of LTPA earlier in life was associated with a
      lower risk of having difficulties on the SPPB test (odds ratio [OR]: 0.37; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.58) and especially on the chair rise test (OR:
      0.42; 95% CI, 0.27-0.64) in old age. Heavy manual work predicted difficulties on
      SPPB (OR: 1.91; 95% CI, 1.22-2.98) and the chair rise test (OR: 1.75; 95% CI,
      1.14-2.69) and poorer walking speed (beta = .10, P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: This
      study highlights the importance of LTPA on later life functioning, but also
      indicates the inverse effects that may be caused by heavy manual work.

PMID- 27254855
TI  - Drowsiness Detection by Bayesian-Copula Discriminant Classifier Based on EEG
      Signals During Daytime Short Nap.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Daytime short nap involves individual physiological states including
      alertness and drowsiness. In order to have a better understanding of the
      periodical rhymes of physiological states and then promote a good
      interpretability of alertness, the aim of this study is to detect drowsiness
      during daytime short nap. METHODS: A method of Bayesian-copula discriminant
      classifier (BCDC) was introduced to detect individual drowsiness based on the
      physiological features extracted from electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. As an
      extension of traditional Bayesian decision theory, the BCDC method tries to
      construct the class-conditional probability density functions by exploiting the
      theory of copula and kernel density estimation. RESULTS: The proposed BCDC method
      was validated with experimental dataset and compared with other traditional
      methods for drowsiness detection. The obtained results showed that our method
      outperformed other methods in terms of three evaluation criteria. CONCLUSION: Our
      proposed method is effective to detect drowsiness with superior performance.
      Additionally, the BCDC method is relatively robust to different parameter
      settings on the group-level dataset. SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed method is likely
      to be a useful tool to improve the correctness of the estimated class-conditional
      probability density functions. Since features are extracted from spontaneous EEG
      recordings, the results of this study can be further generalized to other
      experimental environment to detect vigilance level or driver drowsiness.

PMID- 27254858
TI  - An Efficient Multilinear Optimization Framework for Hypergraph Matching.
AB  - Hypergraph matching has recently become a popular approach for solving
      correspondence problems in computer vision as it allows the use of higher-order
      geometric information. Hypergraph matching can be formulated as a third-order
      optimization problem subject to assignment constraints which turns out to be NP
      hard. In recent work, we have proposed an algorithm for hypergraph matching which
      first lifts the third-order problem to a fourth-order problem and then solves the
      fourth-order problem via optimization of the corresponding multilinear form. This
      leads to a tensor block coordinate ascent scheme which has the guarantee of
      providing monotonic ascent in the original matching score function and leads to
      state-of-the-art performance both in terms of achieved matching score and
      accuracy. In this paper we show that the lifting step to a fourth-order problem
      can be avoided yielding a third-order scheme with the same guarantees and
      performance but being two times faster. Moreover, we introduce a homotopy type
      method which further improves the performance.

PMID- 27254856
TI  - Evaluation of Six Registration Methods for the Human Abdomen on Clinically
      Acquired CT.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This work evaluates current 3-D image registration tools on clinically
      acquired abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans. METHODS: Thirteen abdominal
      organs were manually labeled on a set of 100 CT images, and the 100 labeled
      images (i.e., atlases) were pairwise registered based on intensity information
      with six registration tools (FSL, ANTS-CC, ANTS-QUICK-MI, IRTK, NIFTYREG, and
      DEEDS). The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean surface distance, and
      Hausdorff distance were calculated on the registered organs individually.
      Permutation tests and indifference-zone ranking were performed to examine the
      statistical and practical significance, respectively. RESULTS: The results
      suggest that DEEDS yielded the best registration performance. However, due to the
      overall low DSC values, and substantial portion of low-performing outliers, great
      care must be taken when image registration is used for local interpretation of
      abdominal CT. CONCLUSION: There is substantial room for improvement in image
      registration for abdominal CT. SIGNIFICANCE: All data and source code are
      available so that innovations in registration can be directly compared with the
      current generation of tools without excessive duplication of effort.

PMID- 27254857
TI  - Characterization of a Honeycomb-Like Scaffold With Dielectrophoresis-Based
      Patterning for Tissue Engineering.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Seeding and patterning of cells with an engineered scaffold is a
      critical process in artificial tissue construction and regeneration. To date,
      many engineered scaffolds exhibit simple intrinsic designs, which fail to mimic
      the geometrical complexity of native tissues. In this study, a novel scaffold
      that can automatically seed cells into multilayer honeycomb patterns for bone
      tissue engineering application was designed and examined. METHODS: The scaffold
      incorporated dielectrophoresis for noncontact manipulation of cells and intrinsic
      honeycomb architectures were integrated in each scaffold layer. When a voltage
      was supplied to the stacked scaffold layers, three-dimensional electric fields
      were generated, thereby manipulating cells to form into honeycomb-like cellular
      patterns for subsequent culture. RESULTS: The biocompatibility of the scaffold
      material was confirmed through the cell viability test. Experiments were
      conducted to evaluate the cell viability during DEP patterning at different
      voltage amplitudes, frequencies, and manipulating time. Three different mammalian
      cells were examined and the effects of the cell size and the cell concentration
      on the resultant cellular patterns were evaluated. CONCLUSION: Results showed
      that the proposed scaffold structure was able to construct multilayer honeycomb
      cellular patterns in a manner similar to the natural tissue. SIGNIFICANCE: This
      honeycomb-like scaffold and the dielectrophoresis-based patterning technique
      examined in this study could provide the field with a promising tool to enhance
      seeding and patterning of a wide range of cells for the development of high
      quality artificial tissues.

PMID- 27254859
TI  - Modeling 4D Human-Object Interactions for Joint Event Segmentation, Recognition,
      and Object Localization.
AB  - In this paper, we present a 4D human-object interaction (4DHOI) model for solving
      three vision tasks jointly: i) event segmentation from a video sequence, ii)
      event recognition and parsing, and iii) contextual object localization. The 4DHOI
      model represents the geometric, temporal, and semantic relations in daily events
      involving human-object interactions. In 3D space, the interactions of human poses
      and contextual objects are modeled by semantic co-occurrence and geometric
      compatibility. On the time axis, the interactions are represented as a sequence
      of atomic event transitions with coherent objects. The 4DHOI model is a
      hierarchical spatial-temporal graph representation which can be used for
      inferring scene functionality and object affordance. The graph structures and
      parameters are learned using an ordered expectation maximization algorithm which
      mines the spatial-temporal structures of events from RGB-D video samples. Given
      an input RGB-D video, the inference is performed by a dynamic programming beam
      search algorithm which simultaneously carries out event segmentation,
      recognition, and object localization. We collected a large multiview RGB-D event
      dataset which contains 3,815 video sequences and 383,036 RGB-D frames captured by
      three RGB-D cameras. The experimental results on three challenging datasets
      demonstrate the strength of the proposed method.

PMID- 27254860
TI  - Learning Category-Specific Deformable 3D Models for Object Reconstruction.
AB  - We address the problem of fully automatic object localization and reconstruction
      from a single image. This is both a very challenging and very important problem
      which has, until recently, received limited attention due to difficulties in
      segmenting objects and predicting their poses. Here we leverage recent advances
      in learning convolutional networks for object detection and segmentation and
      introduce a complementary network for the task of camera viewpoint prediction.
      These predictors are very powerful, but still not perfect given the stringent
      requirements of shape reconstruction. Our main contribution is a new class of
      deformable 3D models that can be robustly fitted to images based on noisy pose
      and silhouette estimates computed upstream and that can be learned directly from
      2D annotations available in object detection datasets. Our models capture top
      down information about the main global modes of shape variation within a class
      providing a "low-frequency" shape. In order to capture fine instance-specific
      shape details, we fuse it with a high-frequency component recovered from shading
      cues. A comprehensive quantitative analysis and ablation study on the PASCAL 3D+
      dataset validates the approach as we show fully automatic reconstructions on
      PASCAL VOC as well as large improvements on the task of viewpoint prediction.

PMID- 27254861
TI  - An Air-Coupled Multiple Moving Membrane Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer With
      Inverse Biasing Functionality.
AB  - A novel air-coupled multiple moving membrane-capacitive micromachined ultrasonic
      transducer ( [Formula: see text]-CMUT) with individually biased deflectable
      plates has been developed. Unlike the conventional capacitive micromachined
      ultrasonic transducer, this device cell structure includes an additional
      deflectable plate that is suspended underneath the transducer top plate. This
      added flexible plate contributes to the device signal transmission and reception.
      It is demonstrated that due to the presence of this added moving plate, the
      transducer is capable of operating under inverse bias condition, where the
      driving voltage is sandwiched between two grounded electrodes. COMSOL
      electromechanical simulations were conducted to investigate the influence of the
      transducer additional moving plate. A set of three individuals and an array of
      [Formula: see text]-CMUT transducers were fabricated using a sacrificial
      technique and with resonant frequencies ranging from 0.8 to 2.1 MHz. Electrical,
      optical, and pitch-catch acoustic measurements were performed to characterize the
      transducers properties under inverse bias condition. The experimental results are
      shown to be in good agreement with the simulation results for all of the
      fabricated transducers. It is shown that these transducers are fully functional
      under both normal and inverse bias conditions without any degradation in the
      transducer performance.

PMID- 27254862
TI  - Tissue Attenuation Estimation by Mean Frequency Downshift and Bandwidth
      Limitation.
AB  - Attenuation of ultrasound in tissue can be estimated from the propagating pulse
      center frequency downshift. This method assumes that the envelope of the emitted
      pulse can be approximated by a Gaussian function and that the attenuation
      linearly depends on frequency. The resulting downshift of the mean frequency
      depends not only on attenuation but also on pulse bandwidth and propagation
      distance. This kind of approach is valid for narrowband pulses and shallow
      penetration depth. However, for short pulses and deep penetration, the frequency
      downshift is rather large and the received spectra are modified by the limited
      bandwidth of the receiving system. In this paper, the modified formula modeling
      the mean frequency of backscattered echoes is presented. The equation takes into
      account the limitation of the bandwidth due to bandpass filtration of the
      received echoes. This approach was applied to simulate the variation of the mean
      frequency of the pulse propagating for both weakly and strongly attenuating media
      and for narrowband and wideband pulses. The behavior of both the standard and
      modified estimates of attenuation has been validated using RF data from a tissue
      mimicking phantom. The ultrasound attenuation of the phantom, determined with a
      corrected equation, was close to its true value, while the result obtained using
      the original formula was lower by as much as 50% at a depth of 8 cm.

PMID- 27254863
TI  - SAW Characteristics of AlN/SiO2/3C-SiC Layered Structure With Embedded
      Electrodes.
AB  - A layered structure of aluminum nitride (AlN)/silicon dioxide (SiO2)/cubic
      silicon carbide with embedded electrodes, which enables the growth of high
      quality AlN thin films, is proposed and studied. The phase velocity, coupling
      factor, and temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of surface acoustic waves
      in the proposed structure have been investigated using the finite-element method.
      The simulation results show that a high velocity of 5485 m/s and a large
      effective coupling factor ( K2<sup/>) of 1.45% can be simultaneously obtained for
      the first mode. The dramatic enhanced K2 of 10.5% is also obtainable on the
      proposed structure employing Sc0.4Al0.6N thin film. Besides, the excellent zero
      TCF is also achieved without deteriorating the coupling factor by adding an
      amorphous SiO2 overlay.

PMID- 27254864
TI  - High-Temperature Dielectrics in BNT-BT-Based Solid Solution.
AB  - Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-BaTiO3 (BNT-BT)-based ternary solid solutions were investigated
      for high-temperature capacitor applications. Through a comprehensive
      investigation of the (1 - x )(0.92Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.08BaTiO3)- x NaNbO3 [(1 - x
      )(BNT-BT)- x NN, x = 0 -0.45] system, 0.85(BNT-BT)-0.15NN was selected as the
      parent matrix due to its relatively high permittivity (>1800) and favorable
      energy-storage density (0.56 J/cm3 at 7 kV/mm). The effect of bismuth
      substitution on the dielectric properties of the matrix was further
      characterized. The introduction of bismuth greatly broadened the operational
      temperature range of 0.85(BNT-BT)-0.15Na1-3yBiyNbO3 ceramics to over 327  degrees
      C for a +/-15% tolerance. The dc resistivities were of the order of 108 -
      [Formula: see text] magnitude from room temperature to 300  degrees C. An
      activation energy of 1.1-1.2 eV in 200-350  degrees C was obtained from dc
      resistivity data, suggesting that the conduction process in this temperature
      range may be associated with oxygen vacancy migration. Furthermore, the energy
      storage properties were largely improved by the addition of bismuth. When the
      substitution of Bi over Na achieved was up to 7%, the energy-storage density and
      efficiency reached 0.62 J/cm3 and 88% at 7 kV/mm, respectively. These results
      confirm that a BNT-BT-based solid solution is a promising candidate for lead-free
      high-temperature capacitor applications.

PMID- 27254865
TI  - Large Deformation Multiresolution Diffeomorphic Metric Mapping for
      Multiresolution Cortical Surfaces: A Coarse-to-Fine Approach.
AB  - Brain surface registration is an important tool for characterizing cortical
      anatomical variations and understanding their roles in normal cortical
      development and psychiatric diseases. However, surface registration remains
      challenging due to complicated cortical anatomy and its large differences across
      individuals. In this paper, we propose a fast coarse-to-fine algorithm for
      surface registration by adapting the large diffeomorphic deformation metric
      mapping (LDDMM) framework for surface mapping and show improvements in speed and
      accuracy via a multiresolution analysis of surface meshes and the construction of
      multiresolution diffeomorphic transformations. The proposed method constructs a
      family of multiresolution meshes that are used as natural sparse priors of the
      cortical morphology. At varying resolutions, these meshes act as anchor points
      where the parameterization of multiresolution deformation vector fields can be
      supported, allowing the construction of a bundle of multiresolution deformation
      fields, each originating from a different resolution. Using a coarse-to-fine
      approach, we show a potential reduction in computation cost along with
      improvements in sulcal alignment when compared with LDDMM surface mapping.

PMID- 27254866
TI  - Demosaicing Based on Directional Difference Regression and Efficient Regression
      Priors.
AB  - Color demosaicing is a key image processing step aiming to reconstruct the
      missing pixels from a recorded raw image. On the one hand, numerous interpolation
      methods focusing on spatial-spectral correlations have been proved very
      efficient, whereas they yield a poor image quality and strong visible artifacts.
      On the other hand, optimization strategies, such as learned simultaneous sparse
      coding and sparsity and adaptive principal component analysis-based algorithms,
      were shown to greatly improve image quality compared with that delivered by
      interpolation methods, but unfortunately are computationally heavy. In this
      paper, we propose efficient regression priors as a novel, fast post-processing
      algorithm that learns the regression priors offline from training data. We also
      propose an independent efficient demosaicing algorithm based on directional
      difference regression, and introduce its enhanced version based on fused
      regression. We achieve an image quality comparable to that of the state-of-the
      art methods for three benchmarks, while being order(s) of magnitude faster.

PMID- 27254867
TI  - Noise Power Spectrum Measurements in Digital Imaging With Gain Nonuniformity
      Correction.
AB  - The noise power spectrum (NPS) of an image sensor provides the spectral noise
      properties needed to evaluate sensor performance. Hence, measuring an accurate
      NPS is important. However, the fixed pattern noise from the sensor's nonuniform
      gain inflates the NPS, which is measured from images acquired by the sensor.
      Detrending the low-frequency fixed pattern is traditionally used to accurately
      measure NPS. However, detrending methods cannot remove high-frequency fixed
      patterns. In order to efficiently correct the fixed pattern noise, a gain
      correction technique based on the gain map can be used. The gain map is generated
      using the average of uniformly illuminated images without any objects. Increasing
      the number of images n for averaging can reduce the remaining photon noise in the
      gain map and yield accurate NPS values. However, for practical finite n , the
      photon noise also significantly inflates NPS. In this paper, a nonuniform-gain
      image formation model is proposed and the performance of the gain correction is
      theoretically analyzed in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). It is shown
      that the SNR is O(?n) . An NPS measurement algorithm based on the gain map is
      then proposed for any given n . Under a weak nonuniform gain assumption, another
      measurement algorithm based on the image difference is also proposed. For real
      radiography image detectors, the proposed algorithms are compared with
      traditional detrending and subtraction methods, and it is shown that as few as
      two images ( n=1 ) can provide an accurate NPS because of the compensation
      constant (1+1/n) .

PMID- 27254868
TI  - Compression of 3D Point Clouds Using a Region-Adaptive Hierarchical Transform.
AB  - In free-viewpoint video, there is a recent trend to represent scene objects as
      solids rather than using multiple depth maps. Point clouds have been used in
      computer graphics for a long time, and with the recent possibility of real-time
      capturing and rendering, point clouds have been favored over meshes in order to
      save computation. Each point in the cloud is associated with its 3D position and
      its color. We devise a method to compress the colors in point clouds, which is
      based on a hierarchical transform and arithmetic coding. The transform is a
      hierarchical sub-band transform that resembles an adaptive variation of a Haar
      wavelet. The arithmetic encoding of the coefficients assumes Laplace
      distributions, one per sub-band. The Laplace parameter for each distribution is
      transmitted to the decoder using a custom method. The geometry of the point cloud
      is encoded using the well-established octtree scanning. Results show that the
      proposed solution performs comparably with the current state-of-the-art, while
      being much more computationally efficient. We believe this paper represents the
      state of the art in intra-frame compression of point clouds for real-time 3D
      video.

PMID- 27254869
TI  - Interactive High-Relief Reconstruction for Organic and Double-Sided Objects from
      a Photo.
AB  - We introduce an interactive user-driven method to reconstruct high-relief 3D
      geometry from a single photo. Particularly, we consider two novel but challenging
      reconstruction issues: i) common non-rigid objects whose shapes are organic
      rather than polyhedral/symmetric, and ii) double-sided structures, where front
      and back sides of some curvy object parts are revealed simultaneously on image.
      To address these issues, we develop a three-stage computational pipeline. First,
      we construct a 2.5D model from the input image by user-driven segmentation,
      automatic layering, and region completion, handling three common types of
      occlusion. Second, users can interactively mark-up slope and curvature cues on
      the image to guide our constrained optimization model to inflate and lift up the
      image layers. We provide real-time preview of the inflated geometry to allow
      interactive editing. Third, we stitch and optimize the inflated layers to produce
      a high-relief 3D model. Compared to previous work, we can generate high-relief
      geometry with large viewing angles, handle complex organic objects with multiple
      occluded regions and varying shape profiles, and reconstruct objects with double
      sided structures. Lastly, we demonstrate the applicability of our method on a
      wide variety of input images with human, animals, flowers, etc.

PMID- 27254870
TI  - A Parametric Simulation of Neuronal Noise From Microelectrode Recordings.
AB  - In this paper we present an efficient model of microelectrode recordings (MER)
      from the subthalamic nucleus acquired during deep brain stimulation (DBS)
      surgery. The model shows how changes in the "noise" relate to the neuronal spike
      time statistics. A top-down approach is used with analysis-by-synthesis of the
      MER power spectra. The model is built around a sum of filtered point processes
      consisting of thousands of neurons and including extracellular filtering. The
      quality of the model is demonstrated through comparisons to recordings from eight
      individuals (both hemispheres in six) who have undergone DBS implantation for the
      treatment of Parkinson's disease. The simulated recordings were compared using
      their voltage amplitude distributions, power spectral density estimates and phase
      synchrony while varying only one free parameter (the shape of the inter-spike
      interval distribution). Through this simple model, we show that the noise present
      in a DBS MER contains properties that match that of patient recordings when a
      Weibull distribution with shape parameter of 0.8 is used for the inter-spike
      interval.

PMID- 27254871
TI  - An Online Brain-Computer Interface Based on SSVEPs Measured From Non-Hair-Bearing
      Areas.
AB  - Steady state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain-computer interface (BCI)
      has gained a lot of attention due to its robustness and high information transfer
      rate (ITR). However, transitioning well-controlled laboratory-oriented BCI
      demonstrations to real-world applications poses severe challenges for this
      exciting field. For instance, conducting BCI experiments usually requires skilled
      technicians to abrade the area of skin underneath each electrode and apply an
      electrolytic gel or paste to acquire high-quality SSVEPs from hair-covered areas.
      Our previous proof-of-concept study has proposed an alternative approach that
      employed electroencephalographic signals collected from easily accessible non
      hair-bearing areas including neck, behind the ears, and face to realize an SSVEP
      based BCI. The study results showed that, with proper electrode placements and
      advanced signal-processing algorithms, the SSVEPs measured from non-hair-bearing
      areas in off-line SSVEP experiments could achieve comparable SNR to that obtained
      from the hair-bearing occipital areas. This study extended the previous work to
      systematically investigate the costs and benefits of non-hair SSVEPs.
      Furthermore, this study developed and evaluated an online BCI system based solely
      on non-hair EEG signals. A 12-target identification task was employed to
      quantitatively assess the performance of the online SSVEP-based BCI system. All
      subjects successfully completed the tasks using non-hair SSVEPs with 84.08 +/-
      15.60% averaged accuracy and 30.21 +/- 10.61 bits/min averaged ITR. The empirical
      results of this study demonstrated the practicality of implementing an SSVEP
      based BCI based on signals from non-hair-bearing areas, significantly improving
      the feasibility and practicality of real-world BCIs.

PMID- 27254872
TI  - Two-Photon Imaging of DiO-Labelled Meissner Corpuscle in Living Mouse's
      Fingertip.
AB  - Meissner corpuscles are the fast adapting type I (FA-I) mechanoreceptor that
      locates at the dermal papillae of skin. The Meissner corpuscle is well known for
      its complex structure, consisting of spiral axons, lamellar cells, and a collagen
      capsule. Fluorescent microscopy has become a convenient method for observing the
      Meissner corpuscle and its inner structure. This method requires preparing
      samples with fingertip cross-sections and performing antibody staining before
      observation. Various kinds of microscopy can be used for observation, such as
      confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), or scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM). Although the anatomical shape, distribution, and components of
      Meissner corpuscle are recognized, they have been mostly determined from
      observations of fixed tissues. Therefore, knowledge of mechanical transduction is
      limited by the lack of in vivo experiments and individual differences among
      samples. In this study, we propose a novel less invasive imaging method that
      incorporates a staining technique with lipophilic carbocyanine [Formula: see
      text] and two-photon microscopy. This combination allows us to repetitively
      observe the Meissner corpuscle in a living mouse.

PMID- 27254873
TI  - Visual Recognition by Learning From Web Data via Weakly Supervised Domain
      Generalization.
AB  - In this paper, a weakly supervised domain generalization (WSDG) method is
      proposed for real-world visual recognition tasks, in which we train classifiers
      by using Web data (e.g., Web images and Web videos) with noisy labels. In
      particular, two challenging problems need to be solved when learning robust
      classifiers, in which the first issue is to cope with the label noise of training
      Web data from the source domain, while the second issue is to enhance the
      generalization capability of learned classifiers to an arbitrary target domain.
      In order to handle the first problem, the training samples within each category
      are partitioned into clusters, where we use one bag to denote each cluster and
      instances to denote the samples in each cluster. Then, we identify a proportion
      of good training samples in each bag and train robust classifiers by using the
      good training samples, which leads to a multi-instance learning (MIL) problem. In
      order to handle the second problem, we assume that the training samples possibly
      form a set of hidden domains, with each hidden domain associated with a
      distinctive data distribution. Then, for each category and each hidden latent
      domain, we propose to learn one classifier by extending our MIL formulation,
      which leads to our WSDG approach. In the testing stage, our approach can obtain
      better generalization capability by effectively integrating multiple classifiers
      from different latent domains in each category. Moreover, our WSDG approach is
      further extended to utilize additional textual descriptions associated with Web
      data as privileged information (PI), although testing data do not have such PI.
      Extensive experiments on three benchmark data sets indicate that our newly
      proposed methods are effective for real-world visual recognition tasks by
      learning from Web data.

PMID- 27254874
TI  - Automated Analysis and Quantification of Human Mobility Using a Depth Sensor.
AB  - Analysis and quantification of human motion to support clinicians in the decision
      making process is the desired outcome for many clinical-based approaches.
      However, generating statistical models that are free from human interpretation
      and yet representative is a difficult task. In this paper, we propose a framework
      that automatically recognizes and evaluates human mobility impairments using the
      Microsoft Kinect One depth sensor. The framework is composed of two parts. First,
      it recognizes motions, such as sit-to-stand or walking 4 m, using abstract
      feature representation techniques and machine learning. Second, evaluation of the
      motion sequence in the temporal domain by comparing the test participant with a
      statistical mobility model, generated from tracking movements of healthy people.
      To complement the framework, we propose an automatic method to enable a fairer,
      unbiased approach to label motion capture data. Finally, we demonstrate the
      ability of the framework to recognize and provide clinically relevant feedback to
      highlight mobility concerns, hence providing a route toward stratified
      rehabilitation pathways and clinician-led interventions.

PMID- 27254875
TI  - Discovery and Clinical Decision Support for Personalized Healthcare.
AB  - With the advent of electronic health records, more data are continuously
      collected for individual patients, and more data are available for review from
      past patients. Despite this, it has not yet been possible to successfully use
      this data to systematically build clinical decision support systems that can
      produce personalized clinical recommendations to assist clinicians in providing
      individualized healthcare. In this paper, we present a novel approach, discovery
      engine (DE), that discovers which patient characteristics are most relevant for
      predicting the correct diagnosis and/or recommending the best treatment regimen
      for each patient. We demonstrate the performance of DE in two clinical settings:
      diagnosis of breast cancer as well as a personalized recommendation for a
      specific chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer patients. For each distinct
      clinical recommendation, different patient features are relevant; DE can discover
      these different relevant features and use them to recommend personalized clinical
      decisions. The DE approach achieves a 16.6% improvement over existing state-of
      the-art recommendation algorithms regarding kappa coefficients for recommending
      the personalized chemotherapy regimens. For diagnostic predictions, the DE
      approach achieves a 2.18% and 4.20% improvement over existing state-of-the-art
      prediction algorithms regarding prediction error rate and false positive rate,
      respectively. We also demonstrate that the performance of our approach is robust
      against missing information and that the relevant features discovered by DE are
      confirmed by clinical references.

PMID- 27254876
TI  - Distribution-Based Cluster Structure Selection.
AB  - The objective of cluster structure ensemble is to find a unified cluster
      structure from multiple cluster structures obtained from different datasets.
      Unfortunately, not all the cluster structures contribute to the unified cluster
      structure. This paper investigates the problem of how to select the suitable
      cluster structures in the ensemble which will be summarized to a more
      representative cluster structure. Specifically, the cluster structure is first
      represented by a mixture of Gaussian distributions, the parameters of which are
      estimated using the expectation-maximization algorithm. Then, several
      distribution-based distance functions are designed to evaluate the similarity
      between two cluster structures. Based on the similarity comparison results, we
      propose a new approach, which is referred to as the distribution-based cluster
      structure ensemble (DCSE) framework, to find the most representative unified
      cluster structure. We then design a new technique, the distribution-based cluster
      structure selection strategy (DCSSS), to select a subset of cluster structures.
      Finally, we propose using a distribution-based normalized hypergraph cut
      algorithm to generate the final result. In our experiments, a nonparametric test
      is adopted to evaluate the difference between DCSE and its competitors. We adopt
      20 real-world datasets obtained from the University of California, Irvine and
      knowledge extraction based on evolutionary learning repositories, and a number of
      cancer gene expression profiles to evaluate the performance of the proposed
      methods. The experimental results show that: 1) DCSE works well on the real-world
      datasets and 2) DCSE based on DCSSS can further improve the performance of the
      algorithm.

PMID- 27254877
TI  - Deriving and Analyzing Analytical Structures of a Class of Typical Interval Type
      2 TS Fuzzy Controllers.
AB  - A conventional controller's explicit input-output mathematical relationship, also
      known as its analytical structure, is always available for analysis and design of
      a control system. In contrast, virtually all type-2 (T2) fuzzy controllers are
      treated as black-box controllers in the literature in that their analytical
      structures are unknown, which inhibits precise and comprehensive understanding
      and analysis. In this regard, a long-standing fundamental issue remains
      unresolved: how a T2 fuzzy set's footprint of uncertainty, a key element
      differentiating a T2 controller from a type-1 (T1) controller, affects a
      controller's analytical structure. In this paper, we describe an innovative
      technique for deriving analytical structures of a class of typical interval T2
      (IT2) TS fuzzy controllers. This technique makes it possible to analyze the
      analytical structures of the controllers to reveal the role of footprints of
      uncertainty in shaping the structures. Specifically, we have mathematically
      proven that under certain conditions, the larger the footprints, the more the IT2
      controllers resemble linear or piecewise linear controllers. When the footprints
      are at their maximum, the IT2 controllers actually become linear or piecewise
      linear controllers. That is to say the smaller the footprints, the more nonlinear
      the controllers. The most nonlinear IT2 controllers are attained at zero
      footprints, at which point they become T1 controllers. This finding implies that
      sometimes if strong nonlinearity is most important and desired, one should
      consider using a smaller footprint or even just a T1 fuzzy controller. This paper
      exemplifies the importance and value of the analytical structure approach for
      comprehensive analysis of T2 fuzzy controllers.

PMID- 27254878
TI  - Group-Based Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers for Distributed Linear
      Classification.
AB  - The alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm has been widely
      employed for distributed machine learning tasks. However, it suffers from several
      limitations, e.g., a relative low convergence speed, and an expensive time cost.
      To this end, in this paper, a novel method, namely the group-based ADMM (GADMM),
      is proposed for distributed linear classification. In particular, to accelerate
      the convergence speed and improve global consensus, a group layer is first
      utilized in GADMM to divide all the slave nodes into several groups. Then, all
      the local variables (from the slave nodes) are gathered in the group layer to
      generate different group variables. Finally, by using a weighted average method,
      the group variables are coordinated to update the global variable (from the
      master node) until the solution of the global problem is reached. According to
      the theoretical analysis, we found that: 1) GADMM can mathematically converge at
      the rate , where is the number of outer iterations and 2) by using the grouping
      methods, GADMM can improve the convergence speed compared with the distributed
      ADMM framework without grouping methods. Moreover, we systematically evaluate
      GADMM on four publicly available LIBSVM datasets. Compared with disADMM and
      stochastic dual coordinate ascent with alternating direction method of
      multipliers-ADMM, for distributed classification, GADMM is able to reduce the
      number of outer iterations, which leads to faster convergence speed and better
      global consensus. In particular, the statistical significance test has been
      experimentally conducted and the results validate that GADMM can significantly
      save up to 30% of the total time cost (with less than 0.6% accuracy loss)
      compared with disADMM on large-scale datasets, e.g., webspam and epsilon.

PMID- 27254879
TI  - [Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers].

PMID- 27254880
TI  - [Update on Evidence-Based Review for the Management of Cutaneous Melanoma].

PMID- 27254881
TI  - [Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma--The Frontline for
      Pathophysiology. Diagnosis and Therapy].

PMID- 27254882
TI  - [Cutaneous Lymphoma--Update on the Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment].

PMID- 27254883
TI  - THE RESEARCH IMPERATIVE AND THE IOM FUTURE OF NURSING: STRENGTHENING NURSING'S
      CONTRIBUTIONS TO LEADING CHANGE AND ADVANCING HEALTH.

PMID- 27254884
TI  - QUALITY AND SAFETY COMPETENCIES IN NURSING EDUCATION: STATE OF THE SCIENCE.

PMID- 27254886
TI  - RESEARCH METHODS FOR COMPLEXITY: FROM THE TRADITIONAL TO THE UNIQUE.

PMID- 27254885
TI  - AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF RESEARCH ON NURSING HANDOFFS IN ACUTE CARE SETTINGS.

PMID- 27254887
TI  - THE "SO WHAT" FACTOR IN A TIME OF HEALTHCARE REFORM: CONDUCTING RESEARCH & EBP
      PROJECTS THAT IMPACT HEALTHCARE QUALITY, COST AND PATIENT OUTCOMES.

PMID- 27254888
TI  - TRANSLATION TEAM APPROACH: PSYCHOMETRICS OF A VIETNAMESE PAP TESTING SURVEY.

PMID- 27254889
TI  - Risk vs benefits of paracetamol.

PMID- 27254890
TI  - Optimising the management of bipolar disorder.
AB  - NICE recommends that when adults present in primary care with depression, they
      should be asked about previous periods of overactivity or disinhibited behaviour.
      If this behaviour lasted for four or more days referral for a specialist mental
      health assessment should be considered. Although depressive episodes are not
      necessary for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, they are common and dominate the
      lifetime pattern of the condition: 50% of the time is spent in a euthymic (well)
      state, 38% in a depressed and 12% in a manic state. If there have only been
      depressive symptoms, it is not possible to exclude bipolar disorder. A diagnosis
      of bipolar disorder is supported by diagnostic criteria and usually confirmed by
      a psychiatrist. If the GP suspects mania or severe depression, or if patients are
      a danger to themselves or others, an urgent referral should be made for a
      specialist mental health assessment. If a manic episode has been present during
      the history the diagnosis is bipolar I disorder, while a hypomanic episode is
      indicative of bipolar disorder. The patient's care plan should include current
      health status, social situation, social support, co-ordination arrangements with
      secondary care, details of early warning signs, and the patient's preferred
      course of action in the event of a clinical relapse. Physical health checks
      should focus on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and respiratory disease
      given the heightened risk for these illnesses in bipolar disorder.

PMID- 27254891
TI  - Depression in young people often goes undetected.
AB  - Major (unipolar) depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in
      children and adolescents, with an estimated one year prevalence of 4-5% in mid
      late adolescence. Depression is probably the single most important risk factor
      for teenage suicide, the second to third leading cause of death in this age group
      and a forerunner of adult depressive disorder. Half of those with lifelong
      recurrent depression started to develop their symptoms before the age of 15
      years. Family history is a well established risk factor and children born to
      depressed parents face three to four times increased rates of depression. Both
      genetic and environmental factors contribute to this risk. Adolescent girls are
      more vulnerable to depression in a ratio of 2:1. However, prepubertal depression
      has an equal sex ratio and is thought to be more strongly related to family
      dysfunction. Low mood is the predominant feature and depressed children might
      also have various unexplained physical symptoms, eating disorders, school refusal
      or substance misuse. Two thirds of adolescents with depression are thought to
      have at least one comorbid psychiatric disorder, most commonly the range of
      anxiety disorders, disruptive behavioural disorders and substance misuse
      problems. NICE highlights the importance of active listening and conversational
      techniques in order to screen for mood disorders effectively. The key questions
      used for screening are from the PHQ-2.

PMID- 27254892
TI  - Improving outcomes in diabetes in pregnancy.
AB  - One in 250 pregnancies in the UK involves diabetes. The majority of cases (87.5%)
      are gestational diabetes, 7.5% are type 1 and 5% are type 2 diabetes. Diabetes in
      pregnancy is associated with a five fold increase in risk of stillbirth and a two
      fold increased risk of congenital defects compared with the general maternity
      population. Fasting blood glucose levels above 5.3 mmol/L can directly affect
      organogenesis, particularly of the fetal heart and spine. Hyperglycaemia can
      cause placental failure and stillbirth and for this reason early delivery is
      recommended. For women with pre-existing diabetes good blood glucose control
      prior to conception can minimise pregnancy risks towards levels approaching that
      of women without diabetes. The recommended glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) target
      in preparation for pregnancy is 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) if this can be safely
      achieved. Women with an HbA(1c) 86 mmol/mol should be strongly advised against
      pregnancy. In normal pregnancy, the increased insulin resistance mediated by
      placental hormone secretion is compensated by increased maternal insulin
      secretion to maintain euglycaemia. Gestational diabetes arises from an inability
      to meet these increased insulin requirements adequately. Lifestyle modification
      with input from a specialist diabetes dietician is key to the management of
      gestational diabetes. Women with gestational diabetes have a significant lifetime
      risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hence diabetes screening must be undertaken
      on an annual basis in primary care.

PMID- 27254893
TI  - CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS. 1915.

PMID- 27254894
TI  - Conditions in infants.

PMID- 27254895
TI  - Plan for the unpredictable.

PMID- 27254896
TI  - Home dialysis gets the spotlight--will it help?

PMID- 27254897
TI  - Medicaid changes coming in 2016.

PMID- 27254898
TI  - Patterns, causes, and effects of hyperkalemia.

PMID- 27254899
TI  - Potassium homeostasis in chronic kidney disease.
AB  - Adaptive increases in renal and gastrointestinal excretion of K+ help to prevent
      hyperkalemia in patients with CKD as long as the GFR remains > 15-20 mL/min. Once
      the GFR falls below these values, the impact of factors known to adversely affect
      K+ homeostasis is significantly magnified. Impaired renal K+ excretion can be the
      result of conditions that severely limit distal Na+ delivery, decreased
      mineralocorticoid levels or activity, or a distal tubular defect (Table 2). In
      clinical practice, hyperkalemia is usually the result of a combination of factors
      superimposed on renal dysfunction.

PMID- 27254900
TI  - Clinical and electrophysiological consequences of hyperkalemia.

PMID- 27254901
TI  - Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Hyperkalemia and worsening renal
      function as challenges to implementation (guidelines vs real-world).

PMID- 27254902
TI  - Arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in hemodialysis patients. Temporal profile,
      electrolyte abnormalities, and potential targeted therapies.

PMID- 27254903
TI  - Current and future potassium binders.

PMID- 27254904
TI  - In search of a dialysis unit. An innovative approach in addressing patient
      placement challenges.

PMID- 27254905
TI  - NKF program offers nutritional fundamentals and complex challenges for the RD.

PMID- 27254906
TI  - NFK 2016 Spring Clinical Meetings. Social work program stresses interventions.

PMID- 27254907
TI  - DaVita seeing success with STI approach.

PMID- 27254908
TI  - How to improve living donation.

PMID- 27254909
TI  - [Effects of Chemical Fertilizers and Organic Fertilizer on Yield of Ligusticum
      chuanxiong Rhizome].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of different N, P, K and organic fertilizer (OF)
      on yield of Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome, in order to provide the theoretical
      foundation for the establishment of standardization cultivation techniques.
      METHODS: The field plot experiments used Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome which
      planted in Pengshan as material, and were studied by the four factors and five
      levels with quadratic regression rotation-orthogonal combination design.
      According to the data obtained, a function model which could predict the
      fertilization and yield of Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome accurately was
      established. RESULTS: The model analysis showed that the yields of Ligusticum
      chuanxiong rhizome were significantly influenced by the N, P, K and OF
      applications. Among these factors, the order of increase rates by the fertilizers
      was K > OF > N > P; The effect of interaction between N and K, N and OF, K and OF
      on the yield of Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome were significantly different. High
      levels of N and P, N and organic fertilizer, K and organic fertilizer were
      conducive to improve the yield of Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome. The results
      showed that the optimal fertilizer application rates of N was 148.20 - 172.28
      kg/hm2, P was 511.92 - 599.40 kg/hm2, K was 249.70 - 282.37 kg/hm2, and OF was
      940.00 - 1 104.00 kg/hm2. CONCLUSION: N, P, K and OF obviously affect the yield
      of Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome. K and OF can significantly increase the yield
      of Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome. Thus it is suggested that properly high mount
      of K and OF and appropriate increasing N are two favorable factors for
      cultivating Ligusticum chuanxiong.

PMID- 27254910
TI  - [Phenotypic Trait Variation, Correlation and Path Analysis of Clerodendranthus
      spicatus].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the phenotypic trait variation range of
      Clerodendranthus spicatus, and to look for phenotypic traits closely related with
      its yield and quality, in order to provide reference for its breeding. METHODS:
      Randomly labelled plants of Clerodendranthus spicatus, observed its phenotypic
      traits and analyzed by variation, principal component, correlation and path
      analysis. RESULTS: 13 phenotypic traits in the 15 germplasms of Clerodendranthus
      spicatus had great variations, the variations mainly distributed in yield, growth
      and genetic characteristics. Correlation and path analysis showed that, the plant
      dry weight had an extremely significantly positive correlation with fresh weight,
      and a positive correlation with stem height, stem diameter and root diameter.
      Plant fresh weight had a majorly direct contribution to the plant dry weight,
      stem height, stem diameter and root diameter also had a direct contribution to
      the plant dry weight. The other characters, including root length, branches, the
      number of leaf nodes, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight/dry
      weight ratio, rosmarinic acid content and ursolic acid content all had a
      negatively direct contribution to the plant dry weight. Rosmarinic acid content
      had a positive correlation with fresh weight, and a significantly positive
      correlation with fresh weight/dry weight ratio. Fresh weight had a majorly direct
      contribution to the rosmarinic acid content, stem height and stem diameter also
      had a direct contribution to the plant rosmarinic acid content. The other
      characters, including root length, root diameter, branches, the number of leaf
      nodes, leaf length, leaf width, dry weight, fresh weight/dry weight ratio, and
      ursolic acid content all had a negatively direct contribution to the rosmarinic
      acid content. CONCLUSION: The phenotypic traits of Clerodendranthus spicatus had
      rich variations on yield, growth and genetic characteristics. When choosing good
      germplasm, plant fresh weight, stem height, stem diameter and plant fresh
      weight/dry weight ratio having promoting effects on the plant dry weight and
      rosmarinic acid content should be considered comprehensively, and plant with
      vigorous growth, tall stem and more leaves can be choosed firstly.

PMID- 27254911
TI  - [Comparative Study on Photosynthetic Characteristics and Medicinal Ingredients in
      Different Months of Inula nervosa].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the photosynthetic characteristics and medicinal
      ingredients in different months in order to provide a theoretical basis for
      cultivation and harvest of Inula nervosa. METHODS: The photosynthetic
      characteristics was measured by using LI-6400 and morphological characteristics
      were compared in different months, and the contents of total flavonoids and total
      phenols were determined by UV spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Net photosynthetic rate
      of Inula nervosa was the highest in June, which showed a single peak curve, and
      the average of daily change reached to 8.50 MUmol/(m2 x s). Light response curve
      data showed the ability of using the strongest light was in June. Chlorophyll
      fluorescence parameters values also displayed that, openness of reflect center
      and photochemical efficiency of leaves' photosystem II were the highest, which
      also had the fastest rate of electron transfer in June. Morphological indicators
      showed that the single leaf area and leaf area of Inula nervosa were
      significantly higher in June than those in other months. The content of total
      phenols were much higher than that of total flavonoids in Inula nervosa. And the
      medicinal ingredient content of the underground part was higher than that in the
      aerial part. CONCLUSION: The best harvest time of underground part of Inula
      nervosa should be after autumn, when the weight and active ingredients are
      accumulated to a considerable level.

PMID- 27254912
TI  - [Highly Frequent Regeneration System Establishment of Lycium ruthenicum].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid regeneration system of Lycium ruthenicum in order
      to produce large-scale commodity seedlings. METHODS: Cotyledon, hypocotyl and
      radicle of Lycium ruthenicum seedlings were used as explants to produce plantlets
      by depending on MS basal medium mixed with the different kinds and different
      concentration of hormones. RESULTS: The desirable hormone composition for the
      inducement was MS + 6-BA 1.0 mg/L + NAA 0.5 mg/L, and the callus induction rate
      was as high as 100%, the optimum medium for the buds sprouting and regeneration
      was that of MS + 6-BA 0.5 mg/L + NAA 0.5 mg/L, with a propagation coefficient of
      7.73, and the suitable medium for the roots induction was 1/2MS + IBA 1.0 mg/L,
      90% of the regenerated plantlets transferred to an open field survive and grow
      well. CONCLUSION: The callus can be induced by cotyledon, hypocotyls and radicle
      of Lycium ruthenicum seedlings, and hypocotyls is the best explants for callus
      induced. The formulations suitable for callus induction, differentiation, bud
      proliferation and rooting are screened out to establish the rapid regeneration
      system for Lycium ruthenicum.

PMID- 27254913
TI  - [Chemical Constituents from Periplaneta americana].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in Periplaneta americana. METHODS:
      The chemical constituents were separated and purified by chromatographic methods
      after solvent extraction and identified by spectroscopic analyses. RESULTS: Ten
      compounds were isolated from Periplaneta americana and identified as following: 8
      hydroxy-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2 (1H)-one (1), cyclo-( L-Phe-L-Pro) (2), cyclo-(Pro
      Ile) (3), cyclo-(L-Pro-D-Leu) (4), brevianamide F (5), cyclo-(Ile-Ala) (6), cyclo
      ( L-Val-L-Pro) (7), cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Tyr) (8), cyclo-(Trp-Val)-dipeptide (9), and (
      )-(1S, 3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (10).
      CONCLUSION: Compounds 2 - 9 are isolated from Periplaneta americana for the first
      time.

PMID- 27254914
TI  - [Species, Damage and Community Structure of Weeds in Scrophularia ningpoensis
      Fields in Nanchuan, Chongqing].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the damage and community structure of weeds in
      Scrophularia ningpoensis fields in Nanchuan, Chongqing. METHODS: From 2013 to
      2014, an investigation was carried out by inverted W-9 point sampling method to
      study the weed species. RESULTS: 96 weed species belonged to 75 genera of 30
      families were observed, including 18 species of Asteraceae weeds (accounted for
      18.75%), 10 species of Poaceae weeds (accounted for 10.42%). Moreover, there were
      57 species of annual weeds (accounted for 59.38%) and 39 species of perennial
      weeds (accounted for 40.63%). The overall abundance of Erigeron annuus, Digitaria
      adscendens, Torilis scabra, Polygonum nepalense, Ranunculus japonicas, Stellaria
      media and Commelina communis were relatively higher than that of the others.
      CONCLUSION: The difference of weed species and community structure might result
      from the physical and chemical characteristics of soil, moisture content,
      cropping system, tillage type, environmental and climatic conditions, crop
      distribution and weed control.

PMID- 27254915
TI  - [Effects of Crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and Processed Atractylodis Rhizoma on AQP1
      - AQP5 and Hemorheology in Healthy Rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the different effects of crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and
      processed Atractylodis Rhizoma in healthy rats, in order to prove the traditional
      theory that the crude Atractylodis Rhizoma has dry effects and the dry effects
      can be weaken by processing. METHODS: Health rats had been orally administered
      with pure water, crude Atractylodis Rhizoma, processed Atractylodis Rhizoma and
      atropine. The concentration of AQP1 and AQP5 in submaxillary gland were measured
      by ELISA. Their index of submaxillary gland, hemorheology and moisture content of
      intestine were also measured. RESULTS: There were obvious differences of
      concentration of AQP1 and AQP5 in submaxillary gland, index of submaxillary
      gland, hemorheology and moisture content of intestine between the rats which had
      been orally administered crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and the rats administered
      processed Rhizoma Atractylodes. CONCLUSIONS: The dry effects of Atractylodis
      Rhizoma works on rats' moisture content of intestine, index of submaxillary gland
      and hemorheology. The dry effects can be weaken by processing.

PMID- 27254916
TI  - [UPLC Fingerprints of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix and Its Vinegar-Processed
      Slices].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the qualities of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix from
      different original plants and its vinegar-processed slices. METHODS: UPLC
      fingerprints of Euphoria ebracteolata, Euphoria fischeriana and vinegar-processed
      slices of Euphoria ebracteolata were established on a Waters ODS column (100 mm x
      2.1 mm, 1.8 MUm), using jolkinolide B as the reference substance. A mixture of
      acetonitrile and water was used as the mobile phase in a gradient elution mode,
      with the flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, the column temperature at 30 degrees C and the
      UV detector at 210 nm. The UPLC analysis time was no more than 20 min. RESULTS:
      The qualities of Euphoria ebracteolata and its vinegar-processed slices were
      stable with similarities over 0.90, respectively. However, the fingerprints of
      the slices and their original crude drugs exhibited obvious difference on both
      number and the relative peak area of the common peaks. Meanwhile the similarities
      of the fingerprints of Euphoria fischeriana and Euphoria ebracteolata were less
      than 0.72, indicating significant difference of these two plants. CONCLUSION: The
      developed method is available for quality control of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae
      Radix and mechanism exploration of its vinegar-processed slices.

PMID- 27254917
TI  - [Application of Cocktail Probe Drugs for Detecting Influences of Raw and
      Processed Phellodendri Cortex on Cytochrome P450 Isoforms].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To research and compare the influences of raw and processed
      Phellodendri Cortex on the cytochrome P450 four isoforms by Cocktail probe drugs,
      and to explore the processing principle of Phellodendri Cortex. METHODS: SD rats
      were randomly divided into raw group,processed with rice-wine group, processed
      with salt-water group and blank control group, which were given raw decoction,
      processed with rice-wine decoction, processed with salt-water decoction (3.24
      g/kg) and normal saline respectively for one week, then given the mixture of four
      probe drugs on the 8th day, and soon after the blood samples were obtained
      through the orbits at a series of time-points. HPLC method was used to determine
      the concentrations of probe drugs in rat plasma, and pharmacokinetic parameters
      were estimated by DAS3.0. The effect of raw and processed Phellodendri Cortex on
      cytochrome P450 were judged indirectly by the pharmacokinetic parameters.
      RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the t1/2 significantly increased
      of theophylline in raw and processed with salt-water group. The CL/F
      significantly decreased and AUC(0-t) AUC(0-infinity). significantly increased of
      theophylline in raw and processed with rice-wine groups. The t(1/2) AUC(0
      infinity) and AUC(0-infinity) significantly decreased and CL/F significantly
      increased of dapsone in raw, processed with rice-wine and processed with salt
      water group. The AUC(0-t) significantly increased of chlorzoxazone in raw and
      processed with salt-water group. The t(1/2), AUC(0-infinity). and AUC(0-t)
      significantly decreased and CL/F significantly increased of chlorzoxazone in
      processed with rice-wine group. The AUC(0-t), significantly decreased of
      tolbutamide in raw, processed with rice-wine and processed with salt-water
      groups. CONCLUSION: The raw Phellodendri Cortex can inhibit CYP1A2, induce CYP3
      A4 and also is need to make a further research work on CYP2C9 and CYP2E1.
      Meanwhile, it also can change the activities of cytochrome P450 after processed
      with rice-wine and salt-water. The Phellodendri Cortex processed with rice-wine
      can reduce the inhibitory effect of CYP1A2 and enhance induction of CYP3A4, it
      provides reference and basis to make an interpretation about Phellodendri Cortex
      processed with rice-wine.

PMID- 27254918
TI  - [GPC Fingerprint Chromatograms of Aloe vera Leaf Gel Polysaccharides].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) fingerprint
      chromatograms of polysaccharides in Aloe vera leaf gel from the same habitat
      (Beijing) and different habitats for evaluating the quality of Aloe vera leaf gel
      products commercially available and testing common adulterated substances.
      METHODS: The samples were prepared by water-extraction and alcohol-precipitation
      method. GPC separation was performed on a Shodex SUGAR KS-805 (300 mm x 8.0 mm, 7
      MUm) column and a Shodex SUGAR KS-803 (300 mm x 8.0 mm, 6 MUm) column at the
      temperature of 60 degrees C by eluting with 0.1 mol/L NaNO3 (containing 0.2 per
      thousand NaN) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, the chromatographic effluent was
      detected by refractive index detector (RID) at the temperature of 50 degrees C.
      RESULTS: The common pattern of GPC fingerprint chromatograms was established and
      four common peaks were demarcated. The similarities of samples from the same
      habitat (Beijing) and different habitats were over 0.9. Taking the GPC
      fingerprint chromatograms for the qualified model, three commercially available
      aloe products were evaluated to be made of Aloe vera by the different
      manufacturing processes and four common adulterated substances of aloe
      polysaccharides were identified effectively. CONCLUSION: The method is simple and
      accurate with a good reproducibility, and it can be used for the identification
      and quality evaluation of Aloe vera leaf gel products.

PMID- 27254919
TI  - [Antitumor Chemical Entities of Cordyceps taii Mycelia Powder from Guizhou].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To seperate and identify the chemicals from the antitumor fraction of
      Cordyceps taii mycelia powder. METHODS: The mycelia of Cordyceps taii were
      prepared by the submerged fermentation technique. Chemical entities in the
      antitumor fraction of Cordyceps taii were isolated and purified by using
      different column chromatographies (silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and MCI), and semi
      preparative HPLC method. Theirs chemical structures were then identified by
      different spectrum techniques such as EI, ESI and 1D/2D-NMR, etc. The cytotoxic
      activity was investigated by the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. RESULTS: Six
      compounds, such as 5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol (1),
      ergosterol (2), adenine nucleoside (3), helvolic acid (4), deacetylcytochalasin C
      (5) and zygosporin D (6), were identified. The IC50 value of compound 2 against
      human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was 5.99 MUmol/L, which was less than the
      half value of cisplatin, and had lower cytotoxicity to normal cells in comparison
      with cisplatin. CONCLUSION: Six compounds have been isolated from the antitumor
      fraction of Cordyceps taii mycelia powder,of which compounds 1, 5 and 6 are
      isolated from Cordyceps taii for the first time. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 have
      cytotoxic activities against cancer cells, and should be the main antitumor
      compounds of Cordyceps taii.

PMID- 27254920
TI  - [Sesquiterpenes of Chloranthus serratus Root].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study sesquiterpenes from the root of Chloranthus serratus.
      METHODS: The sesquiterpenes of Chloranthus serratus were isolated and purified by
      various chromatographic techniques, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and
      preparative HPLC. The structures of these isolated compounds were identified by
      spectroscopic analysis. RESULTS: Ten sesquiterpenes were isolated and identified
      as follows: 1beta, 8beta-dihydroxy-eudesman-4 (15), 7 (11) -dien-8alpha, 12-olide
      (I), curcolonol (II), 4beta, 8beta-dihydroxy-5alpha (H) -eudesm-7 (11) -en-8, 12
      olide (III), 1beta, 8,beta-dihydroxy-eudesman-3, 7 (11) -dien-8alpha, 12-olide
      (IV), multistalactone E (V), zedoarofuran (VI), 8beta,9alpha-dihydroxylindan
      4(5), 7(11) -dien-8alpha,12-olide(VII), serralactone A (VIII), 8-epi-ivangustin
      (IX), and chloranthalactone E (X ). CONCLUSION: Compounds I, II, IV - VII, IX and
      X are isolated from Chloranthus serratus for the first time.

PMID- 27254921
TI  - [Chemical Constituents of Citrus medica Fruit].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Citrus medica fruit. METHODS:
      The fruit of Citrus medica was extracted with 95% EtOH, and the compounds were
      separated and purified by silica gel, RP-18 and Sephadex LH-20 column
      chromatography. The structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis.
      RESULTS: A total of 16 compounds were isolated and identified, including methyl
      ferulic acid (1), dihydro-N-caffeoyltyramine (2) acacetin (3), beta-ecdysterone
      (4), (-)-balanophonin (5), p-methoxy cinnamic acid (6), umbelliferone (7),
      ferulic acid (8), pyrocatechualdehyde (9), diosmetin (10), 4-methoxy salicylic
      acid (1), beta-amyrin acetate (12), epigallocatechin (13), betulinic acid (14),
      lupeol (15) and nicotinamide (16). CONCLUSION: All the compounds are isolated
      from the fruit of Citrus medica for the first time.

PMID- 27254923
TI  - [Chemical Compositions from Stems and Branches of Sorbaria arborea].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents from the stems and branches
      of Sorbaria arborea. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and
      purified by silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column
      chromatography and recrystallization. Their structures were identified by
      physicochemical properties and spectra analysis. RESULTS: Ten compounds were
      isolated and identified as ursolic acid (1), cucurbitacin F (2), (-) -epicatechin
      (3), daucosterol (4), arbutin (5), 3-O-beta-anthemisol (6), 2,6-dimethoxy-p
      hydroquinone-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), lupeol (8), betulin (9) and lup-20
      (29) -en-3beta, 30-diol (10). CONCLUSION: All the compounds are isolated from
      this plant for the first time, and compounds 1, 6 - 8 and 10 are obtained from
      Sorbaria genus for the first time.

PMID- 27254922
TI  - [Chemical Constituents from Drypetes hainanensis Stems and Leaves].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the stems and leaves in
      Drypetes hainanensis. METHODS: The constituents were isolated and purified by
      various chromatography, and the structures were identified by extensive spectral
      analysis. RESULTS: Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as
      syringaresinol-4-O-glycoside (1), koaburaside (2), abietin (3) syringin (4),
      kelampayoside A (5), 7,7'-bis-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-8,8'
      dihydroxymethyl-tetrahydrofuran-4-O-beta-glucopyranoside (6), amentoflavone (7),
      3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8),1,4-di-O-methyl-myo-inositol
      (9), glycerol (10) and succinic acid (11). CONCLUSION: All the compounds are
      isolated from this plant for the first time.

PMID- 27254924
TI  - [Chemical Constituents from Camellia oleifera Stem].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of stem of Camellia oleifera.
      METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column
      chromatography on silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and MPLC. Their structures were
      elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and special analysis.
      RESULTS: Seven compounds were isolated from the stem of Camellia oleifera, whose
      structures were elucidated as (-) -pinoresinol (1), (-) -medioresinol (2),
      skullcapflavone II (3), betulinic acid (4), ursolic acid (5), 3-O-beta-D
      glucopyranosyl- (1 --> 2) -beta-D-xylopyransoyl-(1 --> 3) -[beta-D-glucopyranosyl
      (1 --> 2)] -beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-22alpha-angeloyloxyolean-12-ene
      15alpha,16alpha,28-triol (6) and oleanolic acid (7). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 6
      are isolated from this plant for the first time, and compounds 1 - 3 are isolated
      from this genus for the first time.

PMID- 27254925
TI  - [Comparative Analysis of Content of Four Alkaloids in Fritillaria hupehensis and
      Fritillaria ebeiensis var. purpurea].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish an assay method for simultaneous determination of
      peimine, peiminine, peimissine and hupehenine and to make a comparative analysis
      of the content of four alkaloids in Fritillaria hupehensis and Fritillaria
      ebeiensis var. purpurea for the first time. METHODS: A Unitary C18 column(250 mm
      x 4.6 mm, 5 MUm) was chosen with acetonitrile-water (containing 0.05%
      diethylamine) as mobile phase in a gradient program. The column temperature was
      35 degrees C and the flow-rate was 1.0 mL/min. RESULTS: There was high content of
      peiminine and the content of peimissine was inferior to peiminine in Fritillaria
      hupehensis. Relatively speaking, peimine and hupehenine were much lower than the
      other two ingredients. Fritillaria ebeiensis var. purpurea also contained high
      levels of peiminine, the minimum content of peimine and equivalent content of
      peimissine comparing with Fritillaria hupehensis. In addition, it didn't contain
      hupehenine in Fritillaria ebeiensis var. purpurea. CONCLUSION: This method is
      simple and fast, and it has good separation, reproducibility and reliable
      results. Also, it can be used as basis for the quality evaluation of Fritillaria
      hupehensis and Fritillaria ebeiensis var. purpurea.

PMID- 27254926
TI  - [Polyketone Reaction in Biosynthetic Pathways of 2, 3, 5, 4'-Tetrahydroxy
      Stilhene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside in Polygonum multiflorum by Biocatalysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: 2, 3, 5, 4'-Tetrahydroxy stilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (THSG), the
      active ingredient of Polygonum multiflorum, its polyketone reaction in the
      biosynthesis pathways was studied by biocatalysis method. METHODS: The substrates
      4-coumaroyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA were catalyzed in vitro by the crude enzyme
      extracted from Polygonum multiflorum callus, then the products were verified by
      HPLC and LC-MS methods. And the crude enzyme was analyzed by ammonium sulfate
      precipitation method and SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: HPLC chromatogram showed the same
      retention time of both the product and resveratrol standards; LC-MS spectra
      showed that the m/z of product was 227, which was consistent with resveratrol
      standards under the mode of negative ion; Ammonium sulfate (AS) precipitation
      method showed AS of 40% - 70% had catalytic activity,and 50% - 60% was the
      optimum; SDS-PAGE showed protein bands were obviously different among different
      AS concentration between 20% - 80%, the protein band of 42 kDa was found in AS of
      50% - 60%, which had the same molecular weight with stilbene synthase.
      CONCLUSION: The product of polyketone reaction in the biosynthesis of THSG is
      resveratrol rather than THSG, so it is speculated that THSG is the conversion
      product of resveratrol instead of the direct product of the polyketone reaction.

PMID- 27254927
TI  - [Effect of Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule on Myocardial Fibrosis in Diabetic Rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule on myocardial
      fibrosis in diabetic rats with fluctuated blood glucose and the possible
      mechanisms implicated. METHODS: Following induction of diabetes with
      intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), rats were administered with
      insulin or glucose at different time during a day to induce blood glucose
      fluctuation. After treatment with Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule for six weeks, rats
      were sacrificed and the hearts were collected for the determination of cardiac
      mass index. Cardiac levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), type I and type III
      collagens and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were assayed by ELISA.
      Levels of Smad3 phosphorylation and protein expression of matrix
      metalloproteinase-2 ( MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2
      (TIMP-2) were determined by Western blot analysis. Total antioxidant capacity and
      malondialdehyde (MDA) content in cardiac tissues were measured colorimetrically.
      RESULTS: Treatment with Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule for six weeks significantly
      reduced cardiac mass index and cardiac levels of type I and type III collagens (P
      < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Levels of Ang II, TGF-beta1 and Smad3 phosphorylation in
      cardiac tissues were also decreased markedly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).
      Supplementation with Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule resulted in an evident up
      regulation of MMP-2 protein and down-regulation of TIMP-2 protein expression in
      cardiac tissues (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In addition, Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule
      significantly enhanced total antioxidant capacity in diabetic rats, while cardiac
      content of MDA was decreased markedly( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Danzhi
      Jiangtang Capsule significantly ameliorated myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats
      with fluctuated blood glucose, which might be derived from enhancement of
      antioxidant capacity, suppression of RAS and TGF-beta1/Smad3 signaling pathway
      and regulation of MMP-2/TIMP-2 protein expression.

PMID- 27254928
TI  - [Pharmacokinetic Study on Brucine in Different Administration Methods of Liposome
      in Rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the pharmacokinetic differences of brucine in rats after
      different administration methods of brucine liposome. METHODS: To determine
      brucine in rat plasma at different points in time by HPLC after oral
      administration, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection and intravenous
      injection of brucine liposome, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters were
      calculated and analyzed by DAS 3.0. RESULTS: Compared with other groups, AUC(0 -
      > t) of subcutaneous injection were higher, C(max) were lower and MRT(0 --> 1),
      were significantly improved. The pharmacokinetics parameters and absolute
      bioavailability of brucine show that bioavailability in rats after different
      administration methods of brucine liposome is subcutaneous injection >
      intramuscular injection > oral administration.

PMID- 27254929
TI  - [Anti-proliferation Effect of Taraxacum mongolicum Extract in HepG2 Cells and Its
      Mechanism].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-proliferation effect of Taraxacum mongolicum extract
      in HepG2 cells and its mechanism. METHODS: The total proteins of HepG2 cells
      treated with Taraxacum mongolicum extract were. extracted and mitochondria
      mediated apoptosis-related proteins (Survivin, Mcl-1, BCL-xL, BCL-2, Smac, BAX,
      Bad, Cytochrome c and Caspase-3/7/9) were detected by Western blot. RESULTS:
      Taraxacum mongolicum extract obviously inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells
      and the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (Survivin, BCL-xL and BCL-2),
      increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Smac and Caspase-3/7/9), and
      promoted the release of Cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytoplasm in HepG2
      cells. The effects were in a dose-independent mode. CONCLUSION: Taraxacum
      mongolicum extract can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells and the anti
      proliferation mechanism is related to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.

PMID- 27254930
TI  - [Anti-hypertensive Effect of Total Flavonoids of Cydonia oblonga Leaves and Its
      Mechanism Based on Anti-inflammatory Function].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-hypertensive effect of total flavonoids of Cydonia
      oblonga leaves in spontaneously hypertensive rats, then to preliminarily
      investigate the mechanism of action based on anti-inflammatory function. METHODS:
      Spontaneously hypertensive rats were divided into six groups as spontaneously
      hypertensive control group (SHR), captopril group (25 mg/kg), Eucommia ulmoides
      group (30 mg/kg), total flavonoids of Cydonia oblonga leaves low (40 mg/kg),
      middle (80 mg/kg) and high dose (160 mg/kg) groups. Eight Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats
      were given distilled water as the control. The drugs were given by intragastric
      administration for 16 weeks, then the contents of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF
      alpha and CRP in rats serum were detected. The weight and the blood pressure of
      rats were measured at 0 min and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 weeks after drug
      administrated. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the contents of IL-1beta, IL
      6, TNF-alpha and CRP were increased and IL-10 was decreased; Compared with SHR
      group, the contents of IL-1beta,IL-6, TNF-alpha and CRP were decreased in total
      flavonoids of Cydonia oblonga leaves groups. CONCLUSION: Total flavonoids of
      Cydonia oblonga leaves show an anti-hypertensive activity in spontaneously
      hypertensive rats and the mechanism is related to the function of anti
      inflammatory.

PMID- 27254931
TI  - [Mechanism of Musk and Borneol on Inflammatory of Cerebral Ischemia and
      Reperfusion Injury at Different Time Points of Acute Phase in Rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of Musk and Borneol on cerebral ischemia
      and reperfusion injury at different time points of acute phase in rats. METHODS:
      180 rats were divided into seven groups including sham, ischemia-reperfusion
      after 24 h and 72 h model group, Musk 50 and 25 mg/kg groups, Borneol 50 and 25
      mg/kg groups, and Xingnaojing 10 mL/kg group. Ischemia-reperfusion model was made
      after administration of each drug. The neurologic impairment scores at different
      time points after ischemia and reperfusion was evaluated, activities of
      cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) in brain tissue were
      determined, and the expression of CysLT2 protein and mRNA in hippocampus were
      explored. RESULTS: Musk and Borneol significantly improved the neurologic
      impairment scores of ischemia-reperfusion injury rats, improved the pathological
      morphology of rats brain tissue, reduced the activities of COX-2 and 5-LOX in
      brain homogenates,and inhibited the expression of CysLT2 protein in hippocampus.
      CONCLUSION: Musk and Borneol have protective effect on inflammatory injury of
      acute injury in ischemia-reperfusion injury rats, the mechanism is related to
      inhibition the activity of COX-2 and 5-LOX in brain.

PMID- 27254932
TI  - [Nasal Mucosa Absorption of Scutellariae Radix Extract in Rats and Its Two
      Preparations Phospholipid Complex and Submicron Emulsion].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the nasal mucosa absorption of Scutellariae Radix extract in
      rats and its two preparations phospholipid complex and submicron emulsion, and to
      evaluate the rationality of Scutellariae Radix extract modification technology
      and preparation form. METHODS: According to the nasal absorption method, the
      absorption amount of Scutellariae Radix extract, phospholipid complex and
      submicron emulsion were determined. RESULTS: The absorption amount of
      Scutellariae Radix extract, phospholipid complex and submicron emulsion under the
      experimental conditions was improved in turn in 2 h and the absorption amount of
      submicron emulsion increased significantly. The absorption characteristics were
      passive diffusion. CONCLUSION: The modification methods and preparation form of
      Scutellariae Radix extract were scientific and reasonable.

PMID- 27254933
TI  - [Identification of Volatile Chemical Constituents from Hui Formula "Ha Hei Lili"
      by GC-MS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The volatile components of the Hui formula "Ha Hei Lili" were
      extracted by steam distillation extraction (SD) and supercritical CO2 fluid
      extraction, and the structures were analyzed and identified by GC-MS. METHODS:
      The GC-MS conditions were set as follows: Rxi-5Sil MS quartz capillary column (30
      m x 0.25 mm, 0.25 MUm), the initial temperature of 50 degrees C to keep 1 min, to
      10 degrees C/min heating to 120 degrees C, maintained 3 min, then to 3 degrees
      C/min heating to 200 degrees C, maintained 3 min, and then to 5 degreesC/min
      heating to 290 degrees C, maintained until completion of analysis; helium as the
      carrier gas, column flow rate 1.0 ml/min, split ratio 25: 1, inlet temperature
      250 degrees C, EI ionization source 70 eV, ion source temperature 230 degrees C,
      scan range of m/z 35 - 500. RESULTS: Yield of volatile oil were 0.21% and 5.44%
      extracted by SD and SFE methods, respectively; and for SD method, 36 kinds of
      compounds were identified, accounted for 87.02% of total mass of volatile oil;
      for SFE method, 38 kinds of constituents were identified, accounted for 97.47% of
      total mass of volatile oil. CONCLUSION: The type of constituents contained in the
      volatile oil extracted by SD and SFE methods are totally different; and GC-MS can
      be used to identify the structures and relative content of volatile components,
      the results of this study can provide an experimental basis for development and
      utilization of Hui formula "Ha Hei Lili".

PMID- 27254934
TI  - [HPLC Fingerprint of QingGuangAn and Determination of the Main Components].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish an HPLC fingerprint of ethanol extract of QingGuangAn,
      and to determine the contents of paeoniflorin and calycosin-7-glucosid. METHODS:
      HPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent 1260 Infinity LC system and carried out
      at 35 degrees C on a column of GRACE Alltima C18 (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 MUm). A
      binary gradient elution system was composed of acetonitrile (phase A) and water
      solution (phase B). Detection was performed at the wavelength of 254 nm, the
      mobile flow rate was 0.8 mL/min. A matrix including 20 variations (characteristic
      peaks area) and 10 samples was constructed for similarity evaluation. RESULTS:
      The results showed that the collected samples had a good similarity. A
      specificity fingerprint was produced and 20 characteristic peaks were designated.
      The content of paeoniflorin and calycosin-7-glucosid was 0.368 and 0.049 mg/g,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: It is a reliable, available and quick method for
      quality control of QingGuangAn,which provides some reference for the comparison
      of different extracting methods of QingGuangAn and the differences of
      pharmacodynamic.

PMID- 27254935
TI  - [Mechanism of COPD].

PMID- 27254936
TI  - [Concept and management of COPD, from past to future].
AB  - Our understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has changed
      dramatically over the past two decades, especially since the first launching of
      GOLD document in 2001. The first GOLD workshop reports showed the global strategy
      for the diagnosis, management and prevention of COPD at that time. Its goal was
      to increase awareness of COPD, and a nihilistic attitude toward COPD occupied a
      dominant position due to the disappointment with available treatment options.
      Thereafter, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments' options have
      steadily progressed, while the 'COPD' notion has moved from an airflow limitation
      centric view to a complex and heterogeneous disease, which leads inevitably to
      the need for personalizing the assessment and treatment of patients with COPD.

PMID- 27254937
TI  - [Outline of JRS COPD guideline Ed. 4].
AB  - JRS COPD guideline Edition 4 updated current concept for clinical management of
      COPD in Japan. Minor but substantial changes were added to the definition and
      subtype of the disease. In pharmacological treatment, single use of LAMA or LABA
      is equally the first choice. If it is not enough, those combination are
      recommended. A-D classification that was presented in GOLD report 2011 was not
      adopted. In non-pharmacological treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation is steadily
      effective and essential. In terms of survival prognosis, at least, the concept of
      physical activity is important. Those improvement and maintenance were newly
      added to the objectives of the clinical management of COPD.

PMID- 27254939
TI  - [Etiological and exacerbation factors for COPD. Air pollution].
AB  - Recently, it has been found that the number of patients with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD) who do not have a history of smoking is higher than
      expected, and a number of factors affect the development of COPD. Although
      adequate evidence for the relation of ambient air pollution, including the
      presence of particulate matter (PM2.5), with the development of COPD is lacking,
      higher mortality from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases has been reported
      among patients exposed to air pollution for a long time. In addition, several
      reports have pointed out the possibility that acute exacerbation of COPD can be
      caused by short-term exposure to air pollution. Tobacco smoke is the main cause
      of highly concentrated PM2.5 indoors, and second hand smoke is related with the
      development of COPD and the high mortality from COPD. In developing countries,
      biomass fuel combustion contributes to COPD, especially among housewives who do
      not smoke.

PMID- 27254938
TI  - [Recent progress in genetic background of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD)].
AB  - A genetic contribution to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is
      estimated. However, candidate gene studies on COPD and related phenotypes have
      not been well replicated. Research on the genetic pathologic background of COPD
      using genome-wide association studies (GWASs) has progressed in recent years. The
      novel candidate genes including CHRNA3/5 (cholinergic nicotine receptor alpha
      3/5), IREB2 (iron regulatory binding protein 2), HHIP (hedgehog-interacting
      protein), and FAM13A (family with sequence similarity 13, member A) are
      identified in multiple populations. However, their pathological roles remain
      poorly understood. The nicotine dependency, pulmonary development, and
      pulmonary/systemic inflammatory diathesis may be involved in genetic background
      of COPD.

PMID- 27254940
TI  - [Etiological and exacerbation factors for COPD. Respiratory tract infections].
AB  - Respiratory tract infections are important events in the pathophysiology of COPD,
      and are known as one of the risk factors for COPD onset. More importantly, they
      are the most common risk factor of COPD exacerbations. As microorganisms for the
      causes of infections, both virus and bacteria are representative. Since
      exacerbations increase the decline in lung function, deterioration in health
      status and risk of death in COPD, prevention of exacerbations via appropriate
      long-term management, including smoking cessation, influenza and pneumococcal
      vaccinations, and pharmacotherapy, is very important. However, if exacerbations
      occur, early intervention with antibiotics, bronchodilators, and systemic
      corticosteroids administration should be considered to minimize poor outcomes.

PMID- 27254941
TI  - [Etiological and exacerbation factors for COPD. Body weight loss].
AB  - Hunger or malnutrition is not only a historical issue but also a current problem
      worldwide. Biological responses to hunger are evolutionary prepared in our body,
      including energy generation by degradation of body proteins. Extreme weight loss
      (malnutrition) can cause air space enlargement in human and rodents. However, the
      changes in rodents could be reversible, since refeeding could repair the
      pathology. On the other hand, weight loss is a common feature in patients with
      more severe COPD. Complex factors, such as increased energy consumption,
      decreased food uptake by low grade inflammation, socio-economic factors and so
      on, are involved in weight loss. Weight loss in patients with COPD also increases
      the risk of exacerbation, hospitalization, and death.

PMID- 27254942
TI  - [Diagnosis and examination for COPD; medical interview/physical finding/ blood
      examination].
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is common disease. To diagnose COPD,
      pulmonary function test is required, however, usual physical examination and
      medical interview are both crucial. From both of them, we can acquire very
      important information and also this information will tell us much rather than
      pulmonary function test or images. In this article, we would like to summarize
      recent update about these topics. We focused on history taking from patients,
      examination of physical finding, and some possible biomarkers from blood
      examination. All of them may represent several important information of each
      patients, such as severity of disease, risk of future events, and also prognosis.
      For all physicians, it is necessary to evaluate these things.

PMID- 27254943
TI  - [Diagnosis and examination for COPD. Pulmonary function tests].
AB  - Pulmonary function tests are essential for the diagnosis and management of COPD.
      It is important to understand the inspection method of tests and the
      interpretation of test results. The presence of a post-bronchodilator
      FEV1/FVC<0.70 confirms the presence of persistent airflow limitation and the
      diagnosis of COPD. On the other hand, the classification of severity of airflow
      limitation in COPD is based on %FEV1. In COPD patients, as airflow limitation
      worsens gas trapping and static hyperinflation occurs. These changes can be
      documented by lung volume measurement as increases in functional residual
      capacity, residual volume and total lung capacity. Measurement of diffusing
      capacity (DLco) provides information on the functional impact of emphysema in
      COPD.

PMID- 27254944
TI  - [Diagnosis and examination for COPD. Imaging].
AB  - COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease with various comorbidities. Pulmonary
      emphysema and airway remodeling are two major pathological abnormalities in COPD,
      and these components can be quantified with imaging techniques such as chest
      computer assisted tomography (CT). Using CT images, we can evaluate local and
      regional information in the lung that cannot be obtained by other clinical
      indices such as pulmonary function tests. Furthermore, the alteration in
      pulmonary vasculature and chest wall including skeletal muscles and bones can be
      also evaluated in chest CT images. Recently, regional lung volume assessment
      using nonrigid image registration techniques or oxygenated oxygen-enhanced MR
      imaging are developed as functional imaging techniques to evaluate regional
      oxygenation or ventilation.

PMID- 27254945
TI  - [Distinguishing asthma from COPD].
AB  - Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are major public health
      burdens. Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, airway narrowing with
      reversibility, and hyperresponsiveness of airways. COPD has been associated with
      smoking and exposure to environmental fumes, which typically characterized by
      persistent airflow limitation and chronic inflammation of the airways. These
      differences are most apparent when young non-smoker with asthma and older smokers
      with COPD are compared. However, it would be difficult to differentiate asthma
      from COPD, especially in elderly who currently smoke or have a significant
      history of smoking. Furthermore, some patients exhibit characteristics of both
      diseases, this may represent a phenotype known as asthma-COPD overlap syndrome
      (ACOS). Therefore, the precise understanding of these diseases is important.

PMID- 27254946
TI  - [Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS)].
AB  - Asthma and COPD, once regarded as distinct disease entities, often overlaps
      especially in the elderly and smokers. GINA/GOLD joint document 2014 has proposed
      a clinical entity of ACOS (asthma-COPD overlap syndrome) characterized by
      irreversible airflow limitation with clinical features of both asthma and COPD,
      although evidences for definite diagnosis and treatment are limited. ACOS
      includes several different phenotypes such as severe asthma with airway
      remodeling, incomplete airflow reversibility as a consequence of childhood asthma
      and smoking, eosinophilic phenotype of COPD, and so on. Considering the
      therapeutic modalities currently available for asthma and COPD, it is important
      to identify the patients who respond well to inhaled corticosteroids.

PMID- 27254947
TI  - [Smoking cessation for COPD].
AB  - Smoking cessation is the most effective intervention to prevent the annual
      decline in lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
      All primary healthcare providers should routinely ask all patients whether
      tobacco use is active or not, and advise tobacco users to stop smoking. In Japan
      a treatment of nicotine addiction with varenicline or nicotine patch has been
      started under health insurance coverage since 2006. About half of the patients
      taking varenicline could stop smoking. Education on the health risks of smoking
      in schools for younger ages is essential for prevention of COPD.

PMID- 27254948
TI  - [Pulmonary rehabilitation].
AB  - Pulmonary rehabilitation commenced in Japan in 1957. However, the development of
      pulmonary rehabilitation took a long time due to the lack of the necessary health
      and medical services. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive intervention
      based on a thorough patient assessment followed by patient-tailored therapies
      that include, but are not limited to, exercise training, education, and behavior
      change, designed to improve the physical and psychological condition of people
      with chronic respiratory disease and to promote the long-term adherence to health
      enhancing behaviors. The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation include a decrease
      in breathlessness and an improvement in exercise tolerance. It is important that
      the gains in exercise tolerance lead to an increase in daily physical activity.

PMID- 27254949
TI  - [Home oxygen therapy and noninvasive ventilation for stable COPD].
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common underlying
      disease of home oxygen therapy (HOT) and long-term noninvasive ventilation (NIV)
      in Japan. Although both have been increasingly used for stable COPD in clinical
      practice, there are numerous questions to be resolved with regard to the
      indication of these therapies. Here we briefly reviewed current indication and
      available evidence of HOT and long-term NIV for stable COPD. We also outline
      research agenda that should be investigated in future studies.

PMID- 27254950
TI  - [Nutrition management for COPD].
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory reaction
      of the lung and of the whole body, and pulmonary cachexia often occurs during the
      advanced stage. The effects of nutritional support upon the management of under
      nutrition in COPD remain controversial. However, a study of the effects of
      nutritional supplement therapy upon such patients with COPD has recently been
      published. The present report comprises a review of recent articles about the
      nutritional support of patients with COPD, especially those with cachexia, and a
      discussion about the roles of nutritional supplement therapy, focusing on
      exercise and treatment with ghrelin and vitamin D in the management of COPD.

PMID- 27254951
TI  - [Bronchoscopic treatments for COPD].
AB  - Several non-surgical and minimally invasive bronchoscopic interventions, such as
      bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) techniques, have been developed to
      treat patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). BLVR has
      been studied for treatment in severe COPD patients with emphysema. BLVR with one
      way endobronchial valves is reported to be effective for patients with a
      heterogeneous emphysema distribution and without inter-lobar collateral
      ventilation. For the patients with collateral ventilation, and for the patients
      with homogeneous emphysema, BLVR with lung volume reduction coil has shown
      promising results. Targeted lung denervation(TLD) is a novel bronchoscopic
      intervention based on ablation of parasympathetic nerves surrounding the main
      bronchi. TLD seems to be effective for COPD with chronic bronchitis phenotype.
      This review gives a general overview of BLVR with one-way valve and lung volume
      reduction coil, and TLD.

PMID- 27254952
TI  - [Role of bronchodilators in therapy for COPD-mechanisms of LABA and LAMA on
      airway smooth muscle].
AB  - Long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonists (LABAs) and anticholinergics
      (LAMAs) are widely used clinically as therpy for COPD. Clinical reports have
      demonstrated that LABAs (salmeterol, formoterol, indacaterol, olodaterol,
      vilanterol) and LAMAs (tiotropium, glycopyrronium, umeclidinium, aclidinium) are
      useful to improving symptoms and lung function, and to reducing exacerbation and
      hospitarization. LABAs expect salmeterol are strong partial agonists, and LAMAs
      are non-specific antagonists. Ca2+ dynamics and Ca2+ sensitization contribute to
      relaxation of airway smooth muscle in these bronchodilators. LABAs act on
      orthosteric and allosteric sites on the beta2-adrenergic receptors. In contrast,
      LAMAs act not only on orthosteric site on the muscarinic receptors, but also
      allosteric site on the beta2-adrenergic receptors, leading to enhancing beta2
      adrenergic action. Allosteric GPCR modulation is involved in the synergistic
      effects between LABAs and LAMAs.

PMID- 27254953
TI  - [LAMA/LABA fixed dose combination for treatment of COPD].
AB  - Several new fixed-dose combination bronchodilators have been launched in the
      world, and 3 different types are now available in Japan. Assessing their efficacy
      relative to each other has not been performed yet. In the present manuscript,
      characteristics of glycopyrronium/indacaterol, umeclidinium/vilanterol and
      tiotropium/olodaterol were reviewed. In particular, changes in trough and peak
      forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), St George's Respiratory
      Questionnaire (SGRQ) total scores, and transitional dyspnea index (TDI) focal
      scores were reviewed in these bronchodilators.

PMID- 27254954
TI  - [Role of ICS/LABA on COPD treatment].
AB  - In the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchodilators
      such as long acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and long acting beta
      agonist(LABA) play key roles for improving respiratory function and symptoms, and
      reducing risk of exacerbation. However, inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), a key
      medicine for bronchial asthma, is limitedly used in COPD treatment. Japanese
      Respiratory Society recommends to use ICS for severe COPD patients who have been
      frequently exacerbated, because previous clinical studies indicated that ICS
      reduces exacerbation in moderate to severe COPD patients. Asthma sometimes
      overlaps with COPD, and symptoms of those patients are not well controlled by the
      bronchodilation therapy alone. Therefore, ICS/LABA or ICS/LAMA should be
      prescribed to those overlapped patients. Concentration of exhaled nitrogen oxide
      and percentage of peripheral eosinophil may be good biomarkers for discriminating
      the COPD patients who have good response to ICS treatment.

PMID- 27254955
TI  - [Effects of mucolytic agents and macrolides in the treatment of COPD].
AB  - Mucolytic agents and macrolides have been used in the treatment of patients with
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These drugs improve symptoms, such
      as sputum, and quality of life in COPD patients and reduce the frequency of COPD
      exacerbation. Mucolytic agents have various biological effects, such as reduction
      of mucin production, improvement of goblet cell hyperplasia and mucociliary
      transport, reduction of airway inflammation, and anti-oxidant and anti-viral
      effects. Similarly, in addition to antimicrobial effects, macrolides have
      biological effects, including reduction of mucin production and airway
      inflammation induced by airway infection, improvement of mucociliary transport,
      and anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects. These biological effects may be
      associated with clinical benefits of mucolvtic agents and macrolides in the
      treatment of COPD patients.

PMID- 27254956
TI  - [Pneumococcal vaccine and influenza vaccine for prevention of exacerbation in
      patients with COPD].
AB  - Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are frequently
      exposed to infectious agents including influenza virus and Streptococcus
      pneumoniae. These infectious agents cause pneumonia and exacerbation of COPD.
      Prevention as well as anti-microbial treatments is critical for COPD.
      International guideline recommends that all COPD patients should be vaccinated
      against influenza virus. While pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for older and
      severe cases at present. Recently additive effect of pneumococcal vaccine and
      influenza vaccine are shown.

PMID- 27254957
TI  - [Improvement of physical activity in patients with COPD].
AB  - Physical activity (PA) is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal
      muscles that results in energy expenditure beyond resting energy expenditure.
      Physical activity is an important clinical parameter closely related to morbidity
      and mortality in COPD. A self-report questionnaire is often subject to recall
      bias, correlates only poorly with objectively qualified PA, and does not provide
      an accurate estimate of free-living energy expenditure. In contrast, tri-axial
      accelerometers generate objective data in terms of quantifying steps or body
      movements performed over a period of a time. Low-intensity and home-based
      pulmonary rehabilitation with the feedback from using pedometer was effective in
      improving PA, and the improvements of physiological factors were correlated with
      increased walking time in stable elderly patients with COPD.

PMID- 27254958
TI  - [Comorbidities with COPD].
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder
      and age-related disorder associated with increased prevalence of comorbid
      diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, and pulmonary complications such as
      lung cancer. We described here the clinical significance of comorbid diseases
      with COPD and briefly review the mechanism in the production of comorbid
      diseases.

PMID- 27254959
TI  - [Management of older adults with COPD].
AB  - In older adults, the clinical condition of COPD is complicated and treatment
      often becomes difficult, because of existence of multimorbidity, such as
      nutritional deficiencies, thinness, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, cardiovascular
      disease, depression and cognitive impairment. Consideration based on each of
      coexistence is needed in the management of older adults with COPD. In end period
      of COPD, sleep disorder, depressive state and decline of ADL are often shown, in
      addition to the respiratory symptoms, such as dyspnea, cough and sputum.
      Financial strain for the nursing cost and medical equipment cost tend to become
      big year by year, utilization of social resources (i.e. application of
      respiratory disabilities and an insurance of the elderly care) is need to be
      considered.

PMID- 27254960
TI  - [Lessons from the Hokkaido COPD cohort study].
AB  - Hokkaido COPD cohort study is a carefully-designed, well-conducted, prospective
      observational 10 year-long study, which ended early in 2015. We have obtained a
      number of clinically-relevant novel findings, some of which are as follows.
      Severity of emphysema was highly varied even in those individuals whose airflow
      limitation is comparable. The annual change in forced expiratory volume in 1
      second (FEV1) over 5 years was also widely varied with normal distribution among
      the subjects under appropriate treatment. Some patients maintained their
      pulmonary function for a long time, and others showed a rapid decline. Emphysema
      severity, but not pulmonary function, was independently associated with such an
      inter-subject variation in the annual decline in FEV1. When we explored any
      biomarkers for predicting the FEV1 decline, a lower leptin/adiponectin ratio
      alone emerged as an explanatory parameter for the rapid decline, and this was
      also confirmed in an independent Danish cohort study of different ethnicity.
      Monitoring of quality of life (QOL), using SGRQ scores, also provided interesting
      observations. The annual change in total score reflected that of FEV1 decline
      during the follow-up period. However, activity component in QOL deteriorated in
      almost all the subjects, while symptom component rather improved in many of the
      patients under appropriate treatment.

PMID- 27254961
TI  - [alpha1-Antitrypsin deficiency].
AB  - alpha1-Antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is the commonest genetic risk factor for
      developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 2015, AATD has been
      categorized as one of intractable diseases called "Nanbyo" in Japan. The
      prevalence of AATD is extremely low in Japanese compared with Caucasians in North
      America and Europe. According to recent nationwide epidemiological survey, the
      prevalence of AATD in Japan was estimated to be 24 patients with a 95% confidence
      interval. The mutation PI*S(iiyama) is commonly found in the Japanese patients
      with AATD, whereas PI*Z is the most frequent mutation associated with severe
      deficiency in Caucasians. The availability of AAT augmentation therapy in Japan
      is expected. This paper reviews the diagnosis and treatment in AATD.

PMID- 27254962
TI  - Nurses' Week 2016: Culture of Safety--It Starts With You.

PMID- 27254963
TI  - Nephrology Nursing and Education.
AB  - Professional nephrology nurses are responsible for their ongoing education and
      competency in their area of practice. ANNA has an additional opportunity for
      education for nephrology nurses at the 47th National Symposium to be held May 1
      4, 2016, in Louisville, Kentucky. The Janel Parker Memorial Opening Session
      keynote speaker for the meeting will be Suzanne Miyamoto, PhD, RN, Senior
      Director of Government Affairs and Health Policy with the American Association of
      Colleges of Nursing. Her topic will be "Are We Practicing to the Fullest Extent?
      Licensure, Certification, and Education?" This session will help address
      educational competence in nephrology nursing.

PMID- 27254964
TI  - Professional Development: It Is Our Responsibility.

PMID- 27254966
TI  - Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: Comparison of Preventative Therapies.
AB  - Contrast medium is used daily for diagnostic and interventional procdures as a
      means to visualize blood vessels. The administration of contrast dye, however,
      can lead to an acute reduction in kidney function. This complication can impact
      length of hospital stay, risk of dialysis, and increased hospital mortality.
      Common preventative measures include N-acetylcysteine and intravenous hydration.
      The evidence reviewed revealed hydration to be the more effective treatment to
      reduce the risk of acute kidney injury.

PMID- 27254965
TI  - Relationship Between Age and Pre-End Stage Renal Disease Care in Elderly Patients
      Treated with Maintenance Hemodialysis.
AB  - Receipt of pre-end stage renal disease (ESRD) clinical care can improve outcomes
      for patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis (HD). This study addressed age
      related variations in receipt of a composite of recommended care to include
      nephrologist and dietician care, and use of an arteriovenous fistula at first
      outpatient maintenance HD. Less than 2% of patients treated with maintenance HD
      received all three forms of pre-ESRD care, and 63.3% received none of the three
      elements of care. The mean number of pre-ESRD care elements received by the
      oldest group (80 years and older) did not differ from the youngest group (less
      than 55 years), but was less than the 55 to 66 and 67 to 79 years groups;
      adjusted ratios of 0.93 (0.92 to 0.94; p < 0.001) and 0.94 (0.92 to 0.95; p <
      0.001), respectively. A major effort is needed to ensure comprehensive pre-ESRD
      care for all patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially for
      the youngest and oldest patient groups, who were less likely to receive
      recommended pre-ESRD care.

PMID- 27254967
TI  - Perceptions of Culture of Safety in Hemodialysis Centers.
AB  - Staff members, physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants from a
      sample of hemodialysis facilities in Network 6 (North Carolina, South Carolina,
      and Georgia) and Network 11 (Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and
      Wisconsin) completed a 10-item assessment with modified questions from the
      Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture, with an emphasis on safety culture
      related to vascular access infections. A composite score was constructed, which
      was the average of the percent-positive scores of the items. Overall, scores were
      high, indicating a positive patient safety culture. Composite scores varied by
      role type, with nurses, patient care technicians, and other technicians reporting
      the lowest composite scores. Network 6 participants reported higher scores on two
      of the survey items. Fewer staff within a facility were associated with higher
      composite scores.

PMID- 27254968
TI  - A Comparison of Temporal Patterns of Fatigue in Patients on Hemodialysis.
AB  - This qualitative study describes the temporal patterns of fatigue found as part
      of a larger study designed to elicit a description of the experience and self
      management of fatigue for patients on hemodialysis. Two patterns of fatigue were
      identified. The first pattern, continuous fatigue, was characterized by
      participants who experienced fatigue at all times, which was their normal,
      baseline feeling. Within this group, two subgroups were identified. The second
      pattern of fatigue, post-dialysis fatigue only, was characterized by participants
      who experienced fatigue only after their hemodialysis session. This study is
      unique because it expands our knowledge about hemodialysis and fatigue by
      describing the patterns that fatigue follows over time from one hemodialysis
      session to the next. Insight into these phenomena could help ameliorate fatigue
      and allow nurses to tailor interventions for patients on hemodialysis.

PMID- 27254969
TI  - Kidney Transplantation in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

PMID- 27254970
TI  - Hemodialysis Catheter Care: Identifying Best Cleansing Agents.
AB  - In an attempt to create a standardized resource for cleansing both non-tunneled
      and tunneled hemodialysis catheters, it was discovered that all disinfectants are
      not compatible with all catheters. This article describes the process used to
      identify best practices for hemodialysis catheter care and steps taken to
      standardize practice throughout a hospital network. Standardized evidence-based
      practice preserves the integrity of catheters while allowing nurses to provide
      quality care to patients.

PMID- 27254971
TI  - Intimidating Behavior Among Healthcare Workers Is Still Jeopardizing Medication
      Safety.

PMID- 27254972
TI  - The Huddle: It's Not Just for Football Anymore.
AB  - Huddles are a wonderful team-building tool to enhance team function and
      efficiency. The Institute of Medicine (2011) report, The Future of Nursing-
      Leading Change, Advancing Health, identifies the need for collaborative
      healthcare teams. This is based on 14 years of research and evidence. Creating a
      team culture is identified as being essential to delivering high-quality patient
      care. Huddles are easy to complete and don't cost anything but a few minutes that
      are well worth their while! It's not often we get an opportunity to do so much
      with so little. So, 1, 2, 3, Hut; let's all go Huddle!

PMID- 27254973
TI  - Brilliant, Absolutely Brilliant: Reading to Dogs.

PMID- 27254974
TI  - Using Therapeutic Toys to Facilitate Venipuncture Procedure in Preschool
      Children.
AB  - Intravenous access procedures in children are considered to be one of the most
      stressful because it is invasive, and the use of needles generates anxiety,
      insecurity, and fear. Playful strategies using dolls and even the materials used
      for venipuncture can assist children in understanding, accepting, and coping with
      the procedure. Field research was developed on the applicability of the
      therapeutic toy in the preparation of preschool children for venipuncture
      procedure based on the protocol developed by Martins, Ribeiro, Borba, and Silva
      (2001) and Kiche and Almeida (2009). The study was done in a private hospital in
      Greater Sao Paulo, Brazil, with 10 children ages 3 to 6 years. Data were gathered
      through observation and questionnaires completed by the children's adult
      guardians. Before the activity, the children showed fearful facial expressions,
      used monosyllabic responses, and avoided looking at the health care professional.
      After the strategy of using therapeutic toy dolls and puppets, 40% of the
      children calmly accepted the venipuncture procedure, and 100% showed a change to
      their initial negative reaction, became more communicative and cooperative, and
      participated and interacted with researchers, even after the end of the activity
      and procedure. The strategy of therapeutic toys helps make an unfamiliar
      environment, strangers, and a procedure characterized as painful and difficult
      less stressful. Pediatric nurses are in a good position to use this resource to
      offer more humanized care to children.

PMID- 27254975
TI  - Sibling Experiences: Living with Young Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
AB  - Like other young people, those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an impact
      on siblings in both positive and negative ways. Research indicates positive
      attributes include maturity and responsibility; positive self-concept; less
      quarrelling and competition; admiration for the person with ASD; and satisfactory
      sibling relationships. Negative attributes include fear of frightening or violent
      behavior, decreased sibling intimacy, and social and emotional difficulties.
      However, most research relies on information from parents/teachers, rather than
      from siblings. Therefore, this qualitative descriptive study explored experiences
      of 11 brothers and 11 sisters living with a young person with ASD through
      audiorecorded semi-structured interviews. Analysis revealed the overall theme was
      contradiction. Participants recognized difficulties (decreased parental
      attention, extra responsibility, bothersome behaviors, communication
      difficulties) and positive aspects (became empathetic, loved and appreciated the
      child, realized the experience was life-changing) of living with a young person
      with ASD. Younger siblings frequently reflected on childhood experiences, wished
      they could play together, and mentioned what the young person could do.
      Adolescent siblings learned life lessons from the experience, talked about life
      changes when ASD was diagnosed, and seemed introspective and protective toward
      the young person with ASD. Male siblings often wished they played more often
      while growing up with the young person, and frequently mentioned the
      child/adolescent's aggressive behaviors; female siblings focused on relationship
      and communication difficulties of the young person ASD. Interventions to help
      siblings provide positive behavioral support, engage in developmentally
      appropriate play, and communicate reciprocally are warranted. Nurses can help
      parents understand siblings' perceptions and can encourage parents to support
      siblings.

PMID- 27254977
TI  - Measuring Perception: Purpose and Methods.

PMID- 27254976
TI  - Development of a Pediatric Fall Risk And Injury Reduction Program.
AB  - Fall prevention programs that include reliable, valid, and clinically tested
      screening tools have demonstrated more positive effects for adult and geriatric
      populations than those not including such assessment. In contrast, because
      falling is a natural part of growth and development for pediatric patients,
      progression toward effective prevention programs for this population has proven
      to be a challenge; a significant impediment is the lack of definition regarding
      what constitutes a reportable fall. This project explored pediatric health care
      providers' perceptions of patient falls in order to define a reportable pediatric
      fall and inform development of a prevention program. A concept analysis of
      defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences of pediatric falls from
      literature formed the basis for a set of questions; a convenience sample of 28
      pediatric health care providers in an acute care hospital in New England
      participated in six moderated focus groups. Constant comparison method was used
      to code the qualitative data and develop themes. Participants unanimously agreed
      on several points; as expected, their years of experience in pediatric practice
      provided valuable insight. Three major themes emerged: patient characteristics,
      caregiver characteristics, and environmental characteristics. Based on factors
      identified by staff, a screening tool was adopted and integrated into the
      electronic medical record. Staff were actively engaged in developing definitions,
      selecting tools, and identifying next steps toward a comprehensive fall reduction
      program for their patients. As a result, they have embraced changes and advocated
      successfully for endorsement by the organization.

PMID- 27254978
TI  - Mentoring Practice and Mentoring Benefit 1: Welcoming and Belonging--An Overview
      and Application to Practice Using Mentoring Activities.

PMID- 27254979
TI  - Promoting Children's Health-Related Quality of Life.
AB  - Pediatric health care practitioners have the ability to impact a child's HRQoL.
      Children's HRQoL is well documented in the literature as an important matter for
      children receiving health care, with research to support its significance in
      their lives. Children and adolescents have much to teach practitioners, and
      listening to their perspectives of health care experiences has a direct effect on
      the clinician's ability to improve their HRQoL. Pediatric practitioners focused
      on providing high-quality patient care must incorporate the goal to positively
      influence children's HRQoL.

PMID- 27254980
TI  - KIDS CARE: A Behavioral Model To Strengthen Patient and Family Partnerships.
AB  - Patient- and Family-Centered Care is a core value of The Children's Hospital of
      Philadelphia (CHOP). Satisfaction/ experience data are closely tracked to assist
      in determining if hospital staff are partnering effectively with patients and
      families. When opportunities for improvement were identified within the Nursing
      Department, an existing institutional model, KIDS CARE, was used to promote
      change. KIDS CARE was developed to teach and reinforce respectful behaviors for
      nurses initiating partnerships with patients and families. The Patient
      Satisfaction Committee partnered with the Family Advisory Council and Shared
      Governance Council to revise this model to help achieve the goals of improving
      quality of care. Next steps involved educating patients, families, and staff
      using innovative multimodal strategies. By engaging in this renewed commitment to
      Patient- and Family-Centered Care, systems and structures were developed to keep
      KIDS CARE relevant and make strides toward improved outcomes for patients and
      families.

PMID- 27254981
TI  - Children's Specialized Hospital and GetWellNetwork Collaborate to Improve Patient
      Education and Outcomes Using an Innovative Approach.
AB  - Patient education in a pediatric setting is unique. There are different patient
      ages, degrees of learning, and diagnoses to take into account when educating
      children and their families. A new and innovative trend in practice called
      Interactive Patient Care (IPC) integrates technology into care processes to
      advance pediatric nursing education and patient and family satisfaction.
      Children's Specialized Hospital is the first pediatric rehabilitation hospital to
      develop and implement this type of program using an IPC platform from the
      GetWellNetwork. With the implementation of the GetWellNetwork, Children's
      Specialized Hospital has achieved positive results in patient satisfaction,
      health care utilization, quality, and safety measures.

PMID- 27254983
TI  - ALP SEEKS IMPROVEMENTS TO WORKERS' PROTECTIONS.

PMID- 27254982
TI  - Excessive Hunger and Weight Loss In a Healthy Teen.

PMID- 27254984
TI  - The Lost Souls: How Australia's Asylum Seeker Policy is Damaging Children.

PMID- 27254985
TI  - IMPROVING CARDIOVASCULAR NURSE-LED HEALTH SERVICES.

PMID- 27254986
TI  - WALK THE TIGHTROPE IN SAFETY AND IN HEALTH.

PMID- 27254987
TI  - WORKING LIFE: ROSE MCRCOHAN.

PMID- 27254989
TI  - DIABETES, OLDER PEOPLE AND EXERCISE: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEALTH PROMOTION
      PROGRAMS.

PMID- 27254988
TI  - PREGNANCY, CROHN'S DISEASE AND AZATHIOPRINE: A CASE STUDY AND LITERATURE REVIEW.

PMID- 27254990
TI  - GENERAL PRACTICE NURSE DIABETES CARE: WHAT DO PATIENTS EXPERIENCE?

PMID- 27254991
TI  - INSULIN THERAPY AT PRIMARY SCHOOL.

PMID- 27254992
TI  - SIMULATED PATIENTS ENHANCE DISCHARGE PROCESSES FOR PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES.

PMID- 27254993
TI  - MANAGING DIABETES AND MENTAL ILLNESS.

PMID- 27254994
TI  - AN INNOVATIVE ONLINE SELF-MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION FOR YOUNGER ADULTS WITH TYPE 1
      DIABETES.

PMID- 27254995
TI  - FACTORS INFLUENCING BREASTFEEDING WOMEN LIVING WITH TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES.

PMID- 27254996
TI  - DIABETES HEALTH AT THE BEDSIDE: WHAT CAN YOU DO?

PMID- 27254997
TI  - DABETES NURSE PRACTITIONER: CONVERTING PRACTICE INTO VALUE.

PMID- 27254998
TI  - DIABETES AND MENTAL HEALTH: A HOLISTIC APPROACH IS NEEDED.

PMID- 27254999
TI  - THE WOMEN'S WELLNESS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES PROGRAM.

PMID- 27255000
TI  - PERSON-CENTRED CARE IN DIABETES: A MUST HAVE.

PMID- 27255001
TI  - IMPROVING ACCESS AND SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES COMMENCING
      INJECTABLE THERAPY.

PMID- 27255002
TI  - ENS DESERVE RECOGNITION.

PMID- 27255003
TI  - ACCEPTING A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW.

PMID- 27255004
TI  - AGED CARE WORKFORCE REPUTATION.

PMID- 27255005
TI  - CUTS TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

PMID- 27255006
TI  - THE AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR.

PMID- 27255007
TI  - A Winning Strategy: The ADA's Health Policy Institute.

PMID- 27255009
TI  - Hey, Did You Hear Tommy Retired?

PMID- 27255010
TI  - A Case for Orthodontic Involvement in Temporomandibular Disorders.

PMID- 27255012
TI  - Principle and Practice in Ethics and Morality--Part Two.

PMID- 27255011
TI  - It Follows: A Q & A on "What Works".

PMID- 27255013
TI  - By and For Our Members: The 2016 MDA President's Interview.

PMID- 27255014
TI  - What is this Prescription Monitoring Program About? Read on and Pay Attention!

PMID- 27255015
TI  - The Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP): The How and Why You Should Do It
      Today.

PMID- 27255016
TI  - [On organizing the 38th annual meeting of the Japanese Society for Clinical
      Toxicology].

PMID- 27255017
TI  - [Dangerous marine animals. Food poisonings due to marine biotoxins of fishes].

PMID- 27255018
TI  - [Risk assessment of rescue helicopter or ambulance transport of patients
      ingesting hazardous volatile materials].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In cases of transport by rescue helicopter or ambulance of patients
      having ingested hazardous substances, medical personnel may be at a certain risk
      of inhaling the substances. However, few reports have addressed such risk of
      causing secondary casualties. PURPOSE: This simulation study aimed to assess the
      risk of inhalation of hydrogen sulfide and chlo-opicrin in the cabin of a
      helicopter or an ambulance transporting a patient who has ingested calcium
      polysulfide or chloropicrin, which were previously reported to cause secondary
      casualties. METHOD: Concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and chloropicrin were
      assessed on the following as-umptions :The patient ingested 100 mL of the
      causative or original chemical. All chemical substances reacted with the gastric
      juice or were thoroughly vomited and evaporated uniformly within the cabin space
      of the helicopter or ambulance. Environmental conditions were 20 *degrees at 1
      atmosphere of pres-ure in a 5 m3 cabin volume in the helicopter and a 13.5 m3
      cabin volume in the ambulance. RESULTS: In the case of calcium polysulfide
      ingestion which produced hydrogen sulfide, its concen-ration reached 774 ppm in
      the helicopter and 287 ppm in the ambulance. For chloropicrin ingestion, the
      concentrations were 4,824 ppm and 1,787 ppm, respectively. DISCUSSION: The
      simulated concentration of hydrogen sulfide was more than 500 ppm in the heli
      opter, which may lead to respiratory paralysis and death. The simulated
      concentration of chloropicrin was more than 300 ppm, which has a risk of death
      within 10 minutes. Currently, as far as Japanese laws are concerned, there are no
      restrictions requiring pretransport assessment or setting criteria for
      transporting patients who might have ingested hazardous substances that could
      cause secondary casu-lties when vomited. CONCLUSION: When patients who might have
      ingested hazardous chemicals are transported, it is important to recognize the
      risk of causing secondary casualties by vomiting the chemicals.

PMID- 27255019
TI  - [Venomous stings: Especially jellyfish stinging cases].

PMID- 27255020
TI  - [The current situation of aggravated intoxication with "kiken" drugs (law-evading
      drugs)].
AB  - The intoxication caused by "kiken" drugs (law-evading drugs), such as synthetic
      cannabinoids, cathinones, and methoxetamine, has recently increased in Japan. We
      retrospectively examined the characteristics of patients poisoned with the
      "kiken" drugs. We included patients who presented at the emergency department at
      the Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital from January 2011 to December 2014.
      Eighteen patients admitted between January 2011 and December 2013 were included
      in the early period group and 10 patients admitted between January and December
      2014 were categorized into the late period group. The number of the patients
      transported to our emergency department between 2011 and 2014 increased annually.
      Patients were mainly admitted between May and October 2014; no patients were
      admitted after November 2014. The patients' age, history of previous mental
      disease, habitual use, Triage DOA results, serum creatinine values on admission,
      and respiratory management differed significantly between the groups. However,
      the median serum creatinine values of both groups on admission were within the
      normal level. Patients poisoned with the "kiken" drugs showed more severe
      symptoms, higher rate of habitual use, and higher average age. The annual
      increase in the number of the patients observed thus far is expected to decrease
      in the future. Maintenance of the law and expansion of medical institutions that
      treat patients addicted to the "kiken" drugs are warranted.

PMID- 27255021
TI  - [Bowel obstruction-induced cholinergic crisis with progressive respiratory
      failure following distigmine bromide treatment].
AB  - A 54-year-old female experienced rapid respiratory failure while being
      transported in an ambulance to our emergency department for evaluation and
      management of constipation and abdominal pain. The patient was on treatment with
      distigmine bromide for postoperative urination disorder and magnesium oxide for
      constipation. Increased salivary secretions, diminished respiratory excursion,
      type 2 respiratory failure (PaCO2 : 65 mmHg), low serum cholinesterase, and
      hypermagnesemia were detected. Imaging studies revealed that the patient had
      bilateral aspiration pneumonia, fecal impaction in the rectum, and a distended
      colon causing ileus. The patient was mechanically ventilated and was weaned off
      the ventilator on day 3. Therapeutic drug monitoring after discharge revealed
      that the serum level of distigmine bromide on admission was markedly elevated
      (377.8 ng/mL vs. the normal therapeutic level of 5-10 ng/mL). Distigmine bromide
      induced a cholinergic crisis with a resultant increase in airway secretions and
      respiratory failure. In this particular case, orally administered distigmine
      bromide was excessively absorbed because of prolonged intestinal transit time
      secondary to fecal impaction and sluggish bowel movement; this caused a
      cholinergic crisis and hypermagnesemia contributing to respiratory failure.
      Clinicians should be aware that bowel obstruction in a patient treated with
      distigmine bromide can increase the risk of a cholinergic crisis.

PMID- 27255022
TI  - [Acute valproic acid overdose causing only somnolence and stagger despite the
      extreme hyperammonemia: A case report].

PMID- 27255023
TI  - [Three cases of acute serotonin syndrome due to psilocybin mushroom poisoning].

PMID- 27255024
TI  - [Dealing with poisoning patients with borderline personality disorder].

PMID- 27255025
TI  - [Sodium bicarbonate].

PMID- 27255026
TI  - [Lung injury and safety measures for household waterproofing sprays].

PMID- 27255027
TI  - [Practical analysis of toxic substances useful for clinical toxicology: From
      sample preparation to screening. Typical extraction method for biological
      samples].

PMID- 27255028
TI  - [APAMT 2015].

PMID- 27255029
TI  - [Investigation of acute poisoning of cosmetics based on JPIC inquiries].

PMID- 27255030
TI  - [Changes of the mitochondrial DNA copy number and the antioxidant system in the
      PBMC of hepatocellular carcinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the changes of the copy
      numbers of mtDNA in peripheral blood mono-nucle- ar cell(PBMC) and the disordered
      of antioxidant capacity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS: The
      Ficoll Hypaque method was used to isolate the PBMC from blood specimens. The ND1
      gene of the mitochondrial was amplified by real-time PCR; meantime beta-actin was
      served as a quantitative standard marker; the difference of mtDNA copy number in
      PBMC was compared between HCC and healthy control group. The level of reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) in PBMC was determined by flow cytometry. The change of
      total antioxidant capacity (T- AOC) of plasma was detected by the biochemistry
      examination. RESULTS: The copy numbers of ND1 gene in PBMC of HCC was 73% that of
      the healthy control group,which suggested a decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA
      in HCC. The levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC was (417. 82 +/- 110.62) and (301.82 +/-
      75.54) in control group, which showed that the levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC were
      significant higher than that in control group (P < 0.01).Plasma T-AOC in HCC was
      (1.30 +/- 0.85), and (3.20 +/- 1.62) in control. The T-AOC of plasma of HCC was
      significantly lower than in control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There was a
      certain relationship between the decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA and the
      disordered antioxidant capacity in hepatocellular carcinoma, which may be
      associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 27255031
TI  - [The effect of cold air and dust weather on the content of IL-6,8- iso-PGF2alpha
      and 11-DH-TXB2 in urine].

PMID- 27255032
TI  - [Effect of hydrogen sulfide on oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress
      in diabetic cardiomyopathy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on oxidative
      stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in a rat model of diabetic
      cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into
      control group, diabetes group and treatment group( n = 10). Intraperitoneal
      injection of streptozotocin was utilized to establish a rat model of DCM. The
      rats with DCM in treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with NaHS
      solution. After treated for 12 weeks, the hearts isolated from rats were perfused
      on a langendorff apparatus. The ventricular hemodynamic parameters were measured.
      The ultrastructures of myocardium were observed using electron microscopy. The
      content of malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD)
      and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in myocardial tissue were determined by
      spectrophotometry. The expressions of C/EBP homologous protein( CHOP), glucose
      regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and Caspase 12 at mRNA level in myocardium were
      detected using RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the cardiac function
      and myocardial ultrastructure were damaged obviously in diabetic rats. In
      myocardial tissue, the content of MDA was increased, while the activities of SOD
      and GSH-Px were decreased. CHOP, GRP78 and Caspase 12 mRNA expressions were
      increased significantly. Compared with diabetes group, cardiac function and
      myocardial ultrastructure damage were improved in treatment group. The content of
      MDA was decreased, while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were increased
      significantly. The mRNA levels of CHOP, GRP78 and Caspase 12 were increased.
      CONCLUSION: H2S can protect myocardium in diabetic rats, maybe it is related to
      reduce oxidative stress damage and inhibition of the ERS-induced apoptosis
      pathway.

PMID- 27255033
TI  - [Expression and significance of Nrf2/ARE pathway ralated factors in the HepG2
      cell model of steatosis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore a new method of establishing HepG2 cell model of steatosis
      and observe the expression and significance of nuclear factor erythroid-2p45
      related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidative response element (ARE) pathway related
      factors in HepG2 cells of steatosis. METHODS: HepG2 cells were induced with DMEM
      containing 25% fetal bovine serum, 0.1% MCT/LCT Fat Emulsion and 0.1 mmol/L free
      fatty acid (FFA) at different stages and the control group cells were cultured
      with normal DMEM medium. After the cell models were successfully established,
      lipid droplets in cytoplasm were observed with Oil Red 0 staining, and the
      triglyceride (TG) accumulation in HepG2 cells were tested by biochemical assay.
      Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration were detected by flow
      cytometry. Nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malonyldialdehyde(MDA)
      and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) were tested by biological reagent kit, while
      the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2p45-related factor 2(Nrf2),
      heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1(NQO1) were analyzed
      by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with that in the control group, red
      cytoplasmic lipid droplets were visible in model group; TG,ROS, NO, MDA
      concentration (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and
      NQO1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01)were significantly higher in model group, while SOD, GSH
      Px concentration reduced significantly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The in vitro cell
      model of steatosis and oxidative stress was successfully established. The
      activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway related factors maybe relevant to the overreaction
      of oxidative stress in HepG2 cells of steatosis.

PMID- 27255034
TI  - [Effects of rapamycin on amyloid beta-protein induced impairments of working
      memory and synaptic plasticity in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the effects of rapamycin on Abeta1-42
      induced deficits in working memory and synaptic plasticity. METHODS: After
      bilateral hippocampal injection of Abeta1-42 and rapamycinin rats, spontaneous
      alternation in Y-maze and in vivo hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) of
      rats were recorded. All data were analized by two-way repeated measures analysis
      of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: (Hippocampal injection of Abeta1-42 alone impaired
      working memory of rats; (2) Rapamycin did not affect working memory of rats, but
      alleviated Abeta1-42-induced working memory deficits, compared with Abeta1-42
      alone group; (Abeta1-42 remarkably suppressed in vivo hippocampal LTP of fEPSPs
      in the CA1 region; (4) Pretreatment with rapamycin prevented Abeta1-42-induced
      suppression of LTP. CONCLUSION: These data indicates that rapamycin could protect
      against Abeta1-42-induced impairments in working memory and synaptic plasticity
      in rats.

PMID- 27255035
TI  - [The expression of Calbindin and Parvalbumin in auditory pathway of kit gene
      mutated C57BL/6J mouse].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the expressions of Calbindin(CB) and Parvalbumin (PV), the
      two calcium-binding protein, in auditory pathway in mice of wild type C57BL/6J
      and kit+/kitW- 2Bao, a kit gene mutant. METHODS: Six mutated kit gene kit+/kitW-
      2Bao mice and 6 wild type C57BL/6J (B6) mice were anaesthetized i. p. with
      chloral hydrate. After the mice were fixed by heart perfusion, the brains were
      removed and coronal sections were cut with a freezing microtome. RESULTS: We
      found that wild type mice had significant expressions of PV on ventral cochlear
      nucleus, anterior part (AVCN), ventral cochlear nucleus, posterior part (PVCN),
      inferior colliculus (IC) and auditory cortex (AC). CB was expressed in wild type
      mice on PVCN and nucleus of the trapezoid body (Tz). The mutant of kit gene
      induced the less expression of PV on PVCN, IC and AC (P < 0.01), but increased
      the expression of Tz (P < 0.01). CB could not be observed on PVCN in mutant mice,
      and the expression of AC was increased( P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CB and PV has
      differential expression level in auditory pathway. Since mutated kit gene can
      affect expression of PV on PVCN, IC, Tz and AC, as well as CB on PVCN and AC, it
      suggests that the mutation of kit gene can affect the advanced function of
      central nervous system in auditory pathway.

PMID- 27255036
TI  - [The effect of hypoxia on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells two pore domain
      potassium channels TASK-1 and the regulation of non-receptor tyrosine kinases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the human pulmonary artery
      smooth muscle cells two pore domain potassium channels TASK-1 and the regulation
      of non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src in this process. METHODS: The cultured
      human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMCs) were divided into: normal
      group, hypoxia 30 minute group, hypoxia 6 hours group and hypoxia 48 hour group,
      and hypoxia 48 hour + PP2 group, hypoxia 48 hour + PP3 group, hypoxia 48 hour +
      bpV group. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle, RT-PCR and Western
      blot technique were carried out to detect the expression changes of TASK-1 mRNA
      and protein in different groups. RESULTS: (1) Cell Cycle Show: Compared with
      normal control group, with prolonged hypoxia, the percentages of hPASMCs in S
      phases of cell cycle were increased. While compared with hypoxia 48 hour group,
      the percentages of hypoxia 48 hour + PP2 group hPASMCs in S phases of cell cycle
      were decreased. The expression of TASK-1 mRNA on hPASMCs in acute hypoxia 6 hour
      group was increased, while the expression of TASK-1 protein on hPASMCs in the
      acute and chronic hypoxia group was decreased, and the expression of TASK-1 mRNA
      on hPASMCs in the chronic hypoxia group was decreased; After pre-incubation of a
      potent and selective inhibitor of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases PP2,
      the expression of TASK-1 mRNA and protein in hypoxia 48 hour group was increased,
      however after pre-incubation of the inhibitor of the Src family of protein
      tyrosine phosphatase bpV, the expression of TASK-1 protein in hypoxia 48 hour
      group was decreased. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia promotes human pulmonary artery smooth
      muscle cell proliferation, and non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src may participate
      in the expression of two pore domain potassium channels TASK-1 regulated by
      hypoxia. Therefore, we hypothesized that TASK-1 channels and c-Src participatein
      the acute and chronic hypoxic human pulmonary vasoconstriction.

PMID- 27255037
TI  - [Effects of glycyrrhizic acid beverage on exercise performance of fe- male
      undergraduates with moderate endurance training and its mechanism].

PMID- 27255038
TI  - [The effects of sacral nerve root electrostimulation on the colon function and
      its mechanisms in a rat model of spinal cord injury].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of sacral nerve root electrostimulation (SNS) on
      the colon function and its mechanisms in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI).
      METHODS: One hundred and four Wistar rats were divided into three groups: A, B
      and C. A group ( n = 24) was divided into three subgroups (n = 8) for studying
      the bioelectricity: Normal group (NG), SCI group (SCI) and SCI group with
      SNS(SNS); B group( n = 24) was divided into three subgroups( n = 8) for studying
      the colon motility: NG, SCI and SNS. C group( n = 56) were divided into three
      groups for studying the change of morphology and neurotransmitters(SP and VIP):
      NG (n = 8), SCI (n = 24), and SNS (n = 24) . In SCI and SNS, included of three
      subgroups: 24, 48, 72 h after spinal cord injury (n = 8). RESULTS: In SCI group,
      the activity of bioelectricity in proximal and distal colon was reduced; the
      colon motility was lessened, and colon mucosa appeared different degree of
      damage; cell-cell connections between intestinal epithelial cells were destroyed.
      The expressions of substance P(SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in
      colon were decreased obviously. SNS was found to activate the bioelectricity,
      promote the colon motility, improve the intestinal mucosal, and increase the
      expressions of SP and VIP. Conclusion: SNS can activate the peristalsis,
      rehabilitate the motility of denervated colon, protection of the intestinal
      mechanical barrier between intestinal epithelial cells and tight junction,
      rebuild the colon function through activating the bioelectricity and increase the
      expressions of SP and VIP.

PMID- 27255039
TI  - [Protective effects of silybin . ursodeoxycholic acid evaporated co- precipitate
      on CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice].

PMID- 27255040
TI  - [The application of in vivo multi-channel recording methods in the studies of the
      affective pain in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To record the electrical activities of Antirior cingulate cortex (ACC)
      neurons by in vivo multi-channel recording methods using the model of complete
      freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced conditioned place avoidance (C-CPA), which has
      been set up in our previous studies. METHODS: The electrode was self-made and the
      CPA responses were recorded by in vivo multi-channel recording method. RESULTS:
      (1) The electrical activities of ACC neurons could be successfully recorded by
      the self-made electrode. (2) Before or after the injection of CFA, rats were
      respectively conditioned to the different place. The firing rates of ACC neurons
      in the CFA-paired place vs that in the non-CFA-paired place was (0.853 +/- 1.377)
      imp/s vs (0.221 +/- 0.971) imp/s (P < 0.05, n = 26). (3) The CPA responses in the
      CFA-paired place vs that in the non-CFA-paired place were (303.55 +/- 61.77)s vs
      (140.32 +/- 33.52)s(P < 0.05, n = 6). CONCLUSION: The firing rates of rACC
      (rostral Anterior Cingulate Cortex) neurons were involved in the occurrence of
      the affective pain.

PMID- 27255041
TI  - [Construction of T vectors based on Xcm I recognition site and optimization of
      PCR fragments for ligation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To construct T vectors based on Xcm I recognition site and optimize
      the PCR fragments for its ligation. METHODS: We firstly cloned the human histone
      H4 cDNA containing one Xcm I recognition site at both its 5' and 3' end into
      pCDNA 3.0 vector and then generated T vector with pCDNA 3.0 backbone by cutting
      the recombinant plasmid with Xcm I. To increase the ligation efficiency, the
      primers were firstly phosphorylated before DNA fragments amplification and then
      the PCR products were treated with Taq DNA polymerase and dATP after PCR
      amplification. Two DNA fragments with the length of 312 bp and 1 329 bp were
      ligated to it and the ligation mixture was transformed into E. coli DH5alpha
      competent cells and the positive rates of the transformants were evaluated by PCR
      and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Our results showed that the T
      vector produced by our method could ligate to the target DNA fragments with high
      efficiency. Besides, the phosphorylation state of the primers used for PCR
      amplification is also an important factor determining the cloning efficiency.
      What's more, as for longer DNA fragments, retreatment with Taq DNA polymerase and
      dATP after PCR amplification and purification could improve the ligation
      efficiency significantly. CONCLUSION: Our protocol may overcome the dependence on
      blue/white screening to get positive clones and provide a potent way to generate
      T vectors and ligate them to the target PCR fragment.

PMID- 27255042
TI  - [Effect of total flavonoids of astragalus on endoplasmic reticulum chaperone,
      calumenin and connecxin 43 in suckling mouse myocardium with myocarditis caused
      by coxsackievirus B3].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of total flavonoids of astragalus on the
      expression of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, calumenin and connecxin 43 (CX43)
      in suckling mouse myocardium with myocarditis caused by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3).
      METHODS: The primary culture of suckling mouse myocardium cells were randomly
      divided into control group, CVB3 infected group and total flavonoids of
      astragalus group. Firstly, to confirm the identity of the suckling mouse
      myocardium, alpha-SMA was monitored by immunohistochemistry method. Then the
      protein expression changes of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone-glucose regulatory
      protein 78 ( GRP78), calumenin and CX43 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS:
      (1) Compared with that of the control group, the GRP78 expression level in CVB3
      infected group was improved, the expression levels of calumenin and CX43 were all
      reduced. (2) Compared with that of CVB3 infected group, GRP78 expression level
      was decreased, and the expression levels of calumenin and CX43 were increased in
      total flavonoids of astragalus group. CONCLUSION: CVB3 infection may cause
      endoplasmic reticulum stress of rat myocardium cells by increasing the expression
      of GRP78 and decreasing the expression of calumenin and CX43. On the other hand,
      total flavonoids of astragalus can reduce the expression of GRP78 and increase
      the expression of calumenin and CX43.The results of this experiment may be
      closely related to the effects of anti-arrhythmia with viral myocarditis caused
      by CVB3.

PMID- 27255043
TI  - [The influence of the aerobic endurance training on the skeletal muscular
      mitochondria function and PI3K-Akt protein expression].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase--protein kinase
      B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway in the pro- tective effect of aerobic endurance
      training on the skeletal muscular mitochondria. METHODS: Thirty-six rats were
      randomly divided into three groups( n = 12): control group, aerobic endurance
      training group and one-time exhaustive group. After the intervention, the
      quadriceps femoris muscle sample was obtained to detect the mitochondrial
      membrane potential( MMP), the activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and cy-
      tochrome coxidase (COX), and the protein levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt. RESULTS:
      Compared with the control group, the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential,
      the activities of succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome coxidase, and the
      protein levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt were all significantly decreased in the one
      time exhaustive group (P < 0.05). However, all the above was partially reversed
      in the endurance training group (P < 0.05), and there was no obvious difference
      with the control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Aerobic endurance training plays
      an important role in the protective effect on the skeletal muscular mitochondria,
      the mechanism may be related to activation PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

PMID- 27255044
TI  - [Studies on external auditory canal injury in rabbits under simulated 50
      mnitrogen-oxygen saturation diving and protective effect of compound aluminium
      acetate solution].

PMID- 27255045
TI  - [The effects of graphene quantum dots on hematopoietic system in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on hematopoietic
      system in rats. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three
      groups (n = 10): control group, high dose group (10 mg/kg . d), low dose group (5
      mg/kg . d), The rats in experimental group were intravenous injected with GQDs
      for 28 days and those in control group were injected with normal saline at the
      same volume. Routine blood and the function of liver and kidney were detected by
      instrument analysis. The cycle and apoptosis of bone marrow mononuclear cells
      (BMCs) were detected by FCM. The other three only healthy male SD rat bone marrow
      mononuclear cells (BMCs) were cultured by joining GQDs for 24 h, 48 h,72 h in
      vitro, the proliferation was assayed by CCK-8, the content of granulocyte
      macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) from cultural supernatants were
      detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The amount of red blood cell and concentration of
      hemoglobin from experimental group were increased significantly compared with
      those of control groups (P < 0.05), the concentration of triglyceride and high
      density lipoprotein were decreased. DNA synthesis period was prolonged (P <
      0.01), there was no significant difference in apoptosis. BMCs were promoted
      proliferation clearly after using GQDs for 72 h (P < 0.05). The content of GM-CSF
      was increased (P < 0.01) . CONCLUSION: GQDs may promote hematopoietic function in
      rats.

PMID- 27255046
TI  - [Dynamic changes of TGF-alpha and TGF-beta1 in rats with liver cirrhosis induced
      by multiple pathogenic factors].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the dynamic changes of transforming growth factor-alpha
      (TGF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) of liver cirrhosis
      induced by multiple pathogenic factors in rats. METHODS: Animals in the cirrhosis
      group were fed a mixture of maize flour, lard, cholesterol and alcohol plus
      subcutaneously injection with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), the CCl4(0.5 ml/100 g
      . w) was injected at the first day of experiment and the 40% CCl4oil solution
      (0.3 ml /100 g . w) was injected at an interval of three days. The thirty-six
      male SD rats were randomly divided into liver cirrhosis group of the 4th, 6th and
      8 th week, and normal control group of the 4th, 6th and 8th week. The contents of
      alanine transferase (ALT), endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and
      homocysteine (Hcy) in plasma were evaluated. Histopathological changes of the
      liver were observed under microscope with the staining of HE. The expressions of
      TGF-alpha and TGF-beta1 were analyzed by the method of immunohistochemistry.
      RESULTS: Compared with the corresponding normal control group, the levels of ALT,
      endotoxin, TNF-alpha and Hcy in plasma were gradually significantly increased in
      liver cirrhosis group of the 4th, 6th and 8th week (P < 0.05); the expression of
      TGF-alpha in the liver tissues was significantly increased at the 4th week (P <
      0.05); the expression of TGF-beta1 in the liver tissues was gradually
      significantly increased in every model group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the
      formation process of cirrhosis, the expression of TGF-alpha was increased in
      liver of cirrhosis group at the 4th week, and later it was suppressed; the
      expression of TGF-beta1 was continuously increased. The characteristic dynamic
      changes of TGF-alpha and TGF-beta1 might be related to sustained endotoxemia, the
      high level of TNF-alpha and hyperhomocysteinemia.

PMID- 27255047
TI  - [Effects 'of beta3 adrenoceptors on the contractility of rat thoracic aorta
      smooth muscle and the mechanism].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of beta3adrenoceptors (beta3-AR) activation on
      rat thoracic aorta smooth muscle contractility and the possible related
      mechanism. METHODS: The endothelium removed thoracic aorta was pre-contracted
      with 30 mmol/L KCl physiological saline solution (PSS). Then the tension of the
      thoracic aorta was recorded in presence of BRL37344 (BRL) to determine the action
      of beta3-AR. The tension of the thoracic aorta was also recorded in the presence
      of Propranolol (PRA), SR59230A (SR), L-NNA, H-89 and Iberiotoxin (IBTX)
      respectively to reveal the underling mechanism of beta3-AR activation on rat
      vascular smooth muscle. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to confirm the existence
      and the distribution of beta3-AR in rat thoracic aorta. RESULTS: The results
      showed that: (1) The thoracic aorta was relaxed by beta3-AR activation, with a
      relaxation percentage of (10.59 +/- 0.79). (2) beta3-AR was expressed in both
      endothelial and smooth muscle layer in thoracic aorta sections of rats. (3) PRA
      did not block the effect of BRL on the thoracic aorta. The relaxation actions of
      BRL could be antagonized by pre-incubating the thoracic aorta with SR. (4) L-NNA
      (a NOS inhibitor) and H-89 (a PKA inhibitor) reversed the relaxation effect of
      BRL on vascular smooth muscle. (5) The effect of BRL was decreased after
      application of Ibriotoxin (IBTX), a large conductance calcium dependent potassium
      channel blocker. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that activation of beta3-AR
      led to relaxation of thoracic aorta smooth muscle. The relaxation action of beta3
      AR on smooth muscle of rat thoracic aorta was related to activation of NOS and
      PKA signaling pathway. Large conductance Ca2+-K+ channels were involved in the
      relaxation action of beta3-AR activation on rat thoracic aorta smooth muscle.

PMID- 27255048
TI  - [Effect of matrine on cell apoptosis and proliferation and the apoptosis related
      proteins of human medulloblastoma D341 cells in vitro].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the apoptosis and proliferation effect of matrine on
      human medulloblastoma cell line D341 in vitro and the effect of the expression of
      the related caspase 3 and caspase 9 proteins. METHODS: The D341 cells were
      cultivated successfully in vitro. Then the cells were divided into 5 groups
      according to the concentration of matrine (0.5 mg/mI group, 1.0 mg/ml group, 1.5
      mg/ml group, 2.0 mg/ml group and the control group was 0 mg/ml). All the
      experiments were repeated three times. The cell morphologic and structure change
      was observed with the optical microscope and the transmission electron
      microscope. The proliferation of D341 cell was analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8
      assay. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The
      expression of Caspase3 and Caspase9 was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: With
      the effect of matrine, the proliferation inhibition rate gradually increased with
      drug concentrations increasing, and there was a significant difference (P <
      0.01). The inhibitory effect of matrine on cell proliferation was different with
      the different treatment time, there was a significant difference between the 24 h
      to 72 h groups (P < 0.01). The apoptotic rate increased with matrine
      concentrations increasing. There were significant differences between the group
      of 0.5 mg/mI or 1.0 mg/mI to the group of 1.5 mg/mI or 2.0 mg/mI (P < 0.05). The
      apoptotic rate increased with the prolonged treatment time. There were
      significant differences between the group of 24 h or 48 h to the group of 72 h (
      P < 0.05). With the increase of matrine concentration, the expression of Caspase
      3 and Caspase 9 increased (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Matrine induces the apoptosis,
      and inhibits the proliferation of human medulloblastoma D341 cells in vitro by up
      regulation of the expression level of Caspase3, Caspase9.

PMID- 27255049
TI  - [Effect of nano-SiO2 exposure on spatial learning and memory and LTP of
      hippocampal dentate gyrus in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of nano-SiO2 on spatial learning and memory.
      METHODS: Twenty-four male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group
      (C group), low dose group (L group) and high dose group (H group). The rats were
      intragastrically administrated with nanometer particles at 25 and 100 mg/kg body
      weight every day for 4 weeks. After exposure, the ability of learning and memory
      of rats was tested by Morris water maze, and electrophysiological brain
      stereotactic method was used to test long-tear potentiation (LTP) in dentate
      gyrus (DG) of the rats. RESULTS: The increase rate of body weight in H group was
      reduced significantly compared with C group ( P < 0.05). In the space exploration
      experiment of Morris water maze test, the escape latency of H group was longer
      than that of C group (P < 0.05). The rats of H group spent less time in finding
      the target quadrant (P < 0.05) . The rate of LP induction of H group was
      significantly lower than that of C group (P < 0.05). After high fre quency
      stimulation (HFS), The changes of amplitude of population spike (PS) of L group
      and H group were lower than those of C group significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
      CONCLUSION: Nano-SiO2may result in impairment of spatial learning and memory
      ability by reducing the rate of LTP induction and the increase of PS in
      hippocampus.

PMID- 27255050
TI  - [Association of CKMM gene A/G polymorphism and athletic performance of
      uyghurnationality].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Discusses the distributive characters of the Creatine Kinase MM (CKMM)
      gene A/G Polymorphism in XinjiangUyghur, One hundred and fourtheen athletes and
      441 general population of Uyghur were involved in the study. METHODS: Polymerase
      chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used. RESULTS: (1)
      The CKMM gene A/G frequency in Uyghur general population was(AA, AG and GG)
      0.497, 0.392 and 0.111, the result test by Hardy-Weinberg (H-W) equilibrium and
      x2 = 2.72, P = 0.1, df = 2, indicated that the control group had representative.
      (2) AA, AG and GG genotype frequency of power-oriented athlete respectively was
      0.442,0.302 and 0.256, frequency of GG genotype and G allele was higher than the
      control group, there were significant differences compared to thecontrol( P <
      0.05, df = 2); (3) A/G genotype frequency of Endurance-oriented athletere
      spectively was 0.571, 0.400 and 0.029, there were nosignificant differences
      compared to the controls ( P > 0. 05, df = 2). (4) A/G genotype frequency of
      Uyghur soccer athletes respectively was0.472, 0.361 and 0.167, G allele was
      higher than the Endurance-oriented athlete and lower than the power-oriented
      athletes. and no significant differences compared to the controls( P > 0.05, df =
      2). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the CKMM gene GG genotype and G
      alleleare represented in power-oriented athletes, but don't find A/G polymorphism
      correlation with endurance and the football sport performance.

PMID- 27255051
TI  - [Effect of carnitin on skeletal muscle mitochondria H+-K+-ATPase enzyme activity
      after different intensity exercise intervention in rats].

PMID- 27255052
TI  - [The dynamic expression changes of myocardium p-p38MAPK, NF-kappaB and COX-2 in
      rats after an exhausted exercise].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the dynamic expression changes of p38 mitogen-activated
      protein kinase (p38MAPK), nucler facter kappa B (NF-kappaB) and cyclooxygenase-2
      (COX-2) in myocardial tissue after an exhausted exercise and study the impact of
      p38MAPK, NF-kappaB and COX-2 on its myocardial damage. METHODS: Sixty Wister male
      rats were randomly divided into the control group (n = 10) and the exhausted
      exercise group (n = 50). Then the exhausted exercise group was further divided
      into 5 subgroups, namely 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h after an exhausted exercise (n
      = 10). The myocardial injury animal model was set up by using an exhausted
      swimming exercise and the expression of p-p38MAPK, NF-kappaB and COX-2 were
      examined by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the
      expression of p-p38MAPK were increased significantly (P < 0.01) in all the groups
      and the 3 h group was the highest( P < 0.01); The expression of NF-kappaB were
      increased significantly (P < 0.05) in all the groups but 0 h P > 0.05) and the 6h
      group was increased significantly compared with the other groups( P < 0.05); The
      expression of COX-2 were increased significantly( P < 0.05) in all the groups but
      0 h and the 24 h groups was increased significantly compared with the other
      groups(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: p38MAPK was activated in an acute exhausted
      exercise, p-p38MAPK may play an important role in modulating NF-kappaB and COX-2
      expression and mediating the exhausted exercise induced myocardial damage.

PMID- 27255053
TI  - [EEG characteristics of medial prefrontal cortex in rats with morphine dependent
      place preference under shuttling condition].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between EEG characteristics of medial
      prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and drug-seeking behavior of rats with morphine
      dependent place preference under shuttling condition. METHODS: Forty rats were
      randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): morphine PL group, NS PL group,
      morphine IL group and NS IL group. After embeding the electrode in prelimbic (PL)
      or infralimbic (IL) cortex of each group by brain stereotaxic operation, the
      model of morphine dependent conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats was
      established. The differences of EEG wave percentage in mPFC were telemetered and
      analyzed when rats shuttled before and after the model. RESULTS: After the model,
      the withdrawal symptoms were evident in morphine PL and IL group, and the
      activity time and distance in white box were increased obviously. Compared with
      control group, after the model, the EEG in morphine PL group showed that: when
      the rats shuttled to white box, 8 wave decreased obviously, P wave increased
      obviously. When the rats shuttled to black box, brain waves showed opposite
      changes. The EEG in morphine IL group showed that: when the rats shuttled to
      white box, a wave increased obviously, P and a wave decreased obviously. When the
      rats shuttled to black box, the brain wave had no significant differences
      compared with control group. CONCLUSION: The EEG changes are different in PL and
      IL cortex of morphine CPP rats under shuttling condition, and the EEG changes are
      also different when rats shuttling to white or black box. There is possibly
      different mechanism, when different drug-seeking environmental cues caused EEG
      changes in different regions of mPFC.

PMID- 27255054
TI  - Investment case concepts in leprosy elimination: A systematic review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Leprosy continues to be a global public health problem, but draws
      less attention because 'prevalence based elimination' has been misinterpreted as
      eradication. The ongoing transmission of M. leprae has renewed interest in
      complete elimination. The aim of our study is to review systematically the
      literature regarding the elimination of leprosy, and to assess this information
      on its applicability for defining a Leprosy Elimination Investment Case (LEIC)
      based on Eradication Investment Case guidelines. METHODOLOGY: A literature search
      was conducted using the MeSH subheadings and synonyms of leprosy. A total of 1007
      articles were considered and 112 were included in the final selection. The search
      focused on the literature covering leprosy elimination and its public health
      aspects. The LEIC framework was adapted from an existing "Guide to Preparing an
      Eradication Investment Case". RESULTS: The LEIC framework provided 11 topics
      under which information was synthesized from the literature. The fields were
      categorised under sections: 1) Proposed investment; 2) Rationale for investing;
      3) Issues to consider when moving from control to eradication; 4) Management and
      governance. Scanty quantitative data are available for developing a LEIC,
      particularly regarding disease burden, and new interventions that could
      contribute to elimination are not yet applied routinely. DISCUSSION: For
      monitoring global elimination, it is necessary to measure disease burden
      comprehensively, and contact centered preventive interventions should be part of
      a global elimination strategy. The biological and technical feasibility of
      elimination is not certain and advanced microbiological and operational research
      is necessary to understand transmission better. The current WHO road map for
      leprosy elimination is too vague and needs further structuring through a
      thoroughly prepared LEIC.

PMID- 27255055
TI  - How to improve early case detection in low endemic areas with pockets of leprosy:
      a study of newly detected leprosy patients in Guizhou Province, People's Republic
      of China.
AB  - Although leprosy in China is controlled at a low endemic level, the number of new
      cases in Guizhou province has shown no significant decrease over the past 20
      years. Guizhou remains the province with the second highest prevalence in China.
      The authors conducted a study in which the characteristics of newly detected
      leprosy cases, found between 2008 and 2012 in Guizhou, were analysed. These cases
      represented people from pocket areas of leprosy in a generally low endemic
      environment. The purpose of the study was to understand characters of newly
      detected cases, strong points and weakness of routine detection approaches for
      improving the effectiveness of early case detection in the future. The analysis
      considered data that was collected from a 'Leprosy Management Information' report
      system and also from annual statistical reports of leprosy that reflect the
      situation throughout the province. 1274 new patients were detected in Guizhou
      from 2008 to 2012. That number included 58 (4.6%) children (0-14 years old). The
      average age of patients at diagnosis was 42.6 +/- 16.5 years. The proportion of
      people with WHO Grade 2 disability (WHO DG2) among new patients was 35.7% and the
      proportion of people with Grade 1 disability (DG1) constituted 10.1%. The average
      delay before diagnosis after the onset of symptoms of leprosy was 41.7 +/- 49.8
      months. Suspect survey was a major method by which most cases were detected.
      Trough this method 790 (62.0%) new patients were detected. It was also in this
      group that the highest proportion of people with WHO DG2 359 of 790 (45.4%) was
      reported. Self- reporting, diagnosis at a general skin clinic, household contact
      examination, and spot surveys accounted for 13.0%, 11.8%, 11.5% and 1.7% of other
      cases detected respectively. It was generally found that cases detected through
      household contact examinations were earlier cases (delay to diagnosis < 24 months
      = 70.7%). It was also recorded that fewer of these had WHO DG2 (12.9%). The
      proportion of men with WHO DG2 was higher than that of females (38.2% compared
      with 28.8%). The proportion of Han Chinese new cases with WHO DG2 was
      significantly higher than that of the main minority group (41.5% compared with
      29.2%). The proportion of new cases among the main minority group who self
      reported (50%) was significantly higher than those detected through other
      detection approaches. Detecting leprosy early in low endemic situations where
      pockets persist was difficult to achieve. The authors suggest that if more early
      patients are to be detected earlier, the quality of suspect surveys and household
      contact examination should be improved. Professional training and supervision
      might affect that result. Greater emphasis should be given to the role of general
      skin clinics as surveillance sites and advocacy for new health policy that will
      enhance the detection leprosy should be sustained.

PMID- 27255056
TI  - Leprosy in Brazilian counties bordering Paraguay: Mato Grosso do Sul State, 2001
      2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, the dry border shared with
      Paraguay is a territory marked by facilities in the flow of goods, services and
      people, bringing difficulties for surveillance of communicable diseases. PURPOSE:
      The purpose of this study is to characterise leprosy epidemiologically in dry
      border municipalities of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil with contiguous urban areas
      with neighbouring Paraguayan counties, in the period 2001-2011. METHODS: This is
      an exploratory descriptive investigation that includes the four dry border
      municipalities of Mato Grosso do Sul (Coronel Sapucaia, Paranhos, Ponta Pora, and
      Sete Quedas) in Brazil whose urban areas are contiguous with Paraguay. Data
      comprised the period 2001-2011. RESULTS: The rates of leprosy detection and
      prevalence oscillated along the study period, increasing in the last 2 years
      investigated. The detection rate was 3.3/10,000 in 2011, up from 1.7/10,000 in
      2009. Prevalence was 5.3/10,000 in 2011, up from 2.5/10,000 in 2009. The
      Virchowian disease form was predominant in 8 of the 11 years investigated. Most
      patients were male, with limited formal education (44.2% with less than 4 years
      of study). CONCLUSION: In the border of Brazil, most (greater than 70%) of the
      cases detected were classified as multibacillary. The higher coefficient found in
      Brazilian municipalities was the Virchowian clinical form, which can influence
      the operational classification in multibacillary. The predominance of the
      Virchowian clinical form, larger number of patients in rural areas and children
      under 15 years of age provides new information on the manifestations of the
      disease in the border territories. The study revealed that municipalities with
      contiguous cross-border urban areas with Paraguay have unique epidemiological
      features that need to be addressed by policies focusing leprosy as a public
      health priority.

PMID- 27255057
TI  - Children and adolescents' attitude towards having leprosy in a high endemic
      district of India.

PMID- 27255058
TI  - The association between neuropathic pain and disability grades in leprosy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To detect neuropathic pain in people who have had leprosy and
      correlate this association with the WHO Degree of Physical Disability
      classification (DPD-WHO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected from medical
      records, interviews and physical examinations of patients treated in 2013 in a
      regional referral service that attends 102 municipals. Clinical and general data,
      the DPD-WHO classification and the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire (DN4)
      were utilised to determine the profile and to diagnose neuropathic pain. RESULTS:
      Of 84 treated patients, 37 (44.1%) had leprosy-related pain at the time of the
      interview. The mean age was 53 years, 51.4% were women; 75.7% had multibacillary
      disease and 72.9% had some kind of reactional episode. Of the 37 patients with
      pain, 22 (59.5%) had neuropathic pain and 15 (40.5%) had nociceptive pain. The
      most frequently reported symptoms related to neuropathic pain, apart from
      numbness (64.9%), were tingling and touch hypoesthesia (56.8%). Of 22 patients
      with neuropathic pain, 20 had some physical disability; 14 (63.6%) had Grade I
      disability, six (27.2%) Grade II, and two (9.3%) Grade zero disability. An
      association was found between neuropathic pain and degree of disability (P-value
      < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Of the patients who reported pain related to leprosy, 59.5%
      had neuropathic pain. The DN4 seems to be suitable for determining the presence
      of neuropathic pain in leprosy. There is an association between the degree of
      disability and neuropathic pain, i.e. patients with neuropathic pain tend to have
      a physical disability too.

PMID- 27255059
TI  - Correlation between clinical tests and electroneuromyography for the diagnosis of
      leprosy neuropathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In leprosy, sensory function of nerves is evaluated with
      monofilaments test and the motor function with voluntary muscle test, however
      electroneuromyography is considered as the gold-standard tool. OBJECTIVES: This
      study aimed: i) to evaluate the correlation between clinical tests and
      electroneuromyography for the diagnosis of leprosy neuropathy; and ii) to
      identify the prevalence of leprosy neuropathy and the most compromised peripheral
      nerves in leprosy. METHODS: We analysed the data from a nested case-control study
      that identified 166 patients diagnosed with leprosy neuropathy confirmed by
      electromyography. This study was designed for an analysis of correlation between
      the diagnostic tests. RESULTS: The most prevalent type of the neural damage was
      the sensory and motor multiple mononeuropathy, observed in 62 (37.3%) cases. The
      highest prevalence was the ulnar nerve in 67 (40.3%) cases. Agreement specified
      by nerves was moderate, ranging from k = 0.58 in the deep peroneal nerve to k =
      0.41 in the posterior tibial nerve). Overall agreement between the clinical tests
      and electroneuromyography was very poor. Monofilaments test with k = 0.02 (95% CI
      0.00-0.12) and voluntary muscle test with 0.16 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.28, P = 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: There is a low to moderate correlation between clinical tests
      (monofilaments and voluntary muscle tests) and the electroneuromyography
      examination. The most prevalent type of neural impairment was the sensory and
      motor multiple mononeuropathy, and the most affected nerve was the ulnar.

PMID- 27255060
TI  - Prospective analytical study of assessment of off loading by Total Contact Cast
      in treatment of non healing plantar ulcers in anaesthetic foot.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic planter ulcer, also known as trophic ulcer, shows no tendency
      towards healing. It is usually seen in sensory deficient foot. The clinical
      result of a sensory, motor or autonomic loss of a nerve function is frequently
      the same--ulceration, although the exact cause may vary. The treatment principle
      involves dressing and avoiding pressure on the ulcerated site called 'offloading'
      and patient education for prevention. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the outcome
      of non-healing planter ulcers in an anaesthetic foot treated with offloading,
      total contact casting (TCC), in terms of rate and duration of healing and
      percentage of ulcers healed based on improvement of Wagner's grading with respect
      to the clinical profile of the patient. METHOD: Detailed examination of the
      patients was done, and neuropathic foot confirmed. Surgical debridement of the
      ulcer was done to take off all the necrotic tissues, periwound callus, and
      infected material down to viable tissues. Once the ulcer became clean, a total
      contact cast was applied with a walking iron for ambulation. TCC was renewed
      every 2 weeks and rate of healing was assessed. RESULT: 80% of the cases healed
      within 8 weeks, healing defined by complete re-epithelisation of wound. Average
      duration of healing of an ulcer was 6.73 +/-1.92 weeks. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:
      Small sample size and the lack of control subjects for comparison. CONCLUSION:
      Offloading with total contact casts is believed to be the gold standard method
      with better and faster healing rates.

PMID- 27255061
TI  - Association of viable Mycobacterium leprae with Type 1 reaction in leprosy.
AB  - The working hypothesis is that, viable Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) play a
      crucial role in the precipitation of Type 1 reaction (T1R) in leprosy. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: A total of 165 new multibacillary patients were studied. To
      demonstrate presence of viable M. leprae in reactional lesion (T1R+), three tests
      were used concurrently viz. growth in the mouse foot pad (MFP),
      immunohistochemical detection of M. leprae secretory protein Ag85, and 16s rRNA-
      using in situ RT-PCR. Mirror biopsies and non reactional lesions served as
      controls (T1R-). FINDINGS: A significantly higher proportion of lesion biopsy
      homogenates obtained at onset, from T1R(+) cases have shown unequivocal growth in
      MFP, proving the presence of viable bacteria, as compared to T1R(-) (P < 0.005).
      In contrast, few Mirror biopsies were positive in both T1R(+) and T1R(-). With
      respect to Ag85, while the overall positivity was higher in T1R(+) (74%), however
      the intensity of staining (Grade 2+) was disproportionately higher in T1R(+) BT
      BB lesions 11/20 (55%). In the rebiopsies obtained during a repeat episode of
      T1R, Ag 85 as well as 16s rRNA, positivity (62% & 100%) was higher in T1R(+). It
      is inferred therefore 'viable' bacteria are an essential component in T1R and
      difference in the quality of bacilli, not the quantity or the ratio of dead to
      viable play a role in the precipitation of T1R. In conclusion, the findings show
      that 'metabolically active' M. leprae is a component/prerequisite and the
      secretory protein Ag 85, might be the trigger for precipitation of T1R.

PMID- 27255062
TI  - Mutation at codon 442 in the rpoB gene of Mycobacterium leprae does not confer
      resistance to rifampicin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rifampicin is the major drug in the treatment of leprosy. The
      rifampicin resistance of Mycobacterium leprae results from a mutation in the rpoB
      gene, encoding the beta subunit of RNA polymerase. As M. leprae is a non
      cultivable organism observation of its growth using mouse food-pad (MFP) is the
      only Gold Standard assay used for confirmation of "in-vivo" drug resistance.
      OBJECTIVE: Any mutation at molecular level has to be verified by MFP assay for
      final confirmation of drug resistance in leprosy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the
      present study, M. leprae strains showing a mutation only at codon 442 Gln-His and
      along with mutation either at codon 424 Val-Gly or at 438 Gln-Val within the
      Rifampicin Resistance Determining Region (RRDR) confirmed by DNA sequencing and
      by high resolution melting (HRM) analysis were subjected for its growth in MFP.
      RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The M. leprae strain having the new mutation at codon 442
      Gln-His was found to be sensitive to all the three drugs and strains having
      additional mutations at 424 Val-Gly and 438 Gln-Val were conferring resistance
      with Multi drug therapy (MDT) in MFP. These results indicate that MFP is the gold
      standard method for confirming the mutations detected by molecular techniques.

PMID- 27255063
TI  - Autochthonous borderline tuberculoid leprosy in a man from Florida.
AB  - Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a chronic contagious granulomatous disease
      principally affecting the skin and peripheral nervous system, caused by
      Mycobacterium leprae. In this report, we present a case of autochthonous leprosy
      in a man from Florida as the first human case reported from this region. Authors
      believe dermatologists need to be aware of the possibility of autochthonous
      transmission of leprosy in the Eastern-Southern United States, and should
      consider leprosy in any patient with atypical skin lesions, even when a history
      of contact with armadillo is missing.

PMID- 27255064
TI  - The story of a deformed leprous foot.
AB  - Eccrine syringofibroadenoma (ESFA) is a rare adnexal tumour of eccrine ductal
      proliferation. A 50 year old treated case of leprosy presented with a chronic non
      healing ulcer of 5 years duration on the deformity laden right foot. Multiple
      verrucous papules and plaques were seen surrounding the ulcer which showed
      histopathological findings consistent with ESFA. Although ESFA constitutes a rare
      association with leprosy, considering the load of treated cases in our country
      and elsewhere, it may represent an under-reported entity which requires more
      attention in the post elimination era.

PMID- 27255065
TI  - Tuberculosis and leprosy infections in the Marshallese population of Arkansas,
      USA.
AB  - The cross-immunity between tuberculosis and leprosy is unknown. The aim of this
      pilot study was to evaluate the occurrence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M.
      leprae infection in Marshallese adult volunteers in Springdale, Arkansas, U.S.A.,
      a population that experiences high rates of leprosy and tuberculosis. We used
      immunodiagnostic testing for tuberculosis and leprosy infection and found
      significant prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (19.0%), and asymptomatic
      Mycobacterium leprae infection (22.2%). We found a negative association between
      presence of antibodies to Mycobacterium leprae and a positive interferon-gamma
      release assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, prevalence odds ratio =
      0.1 (95% CI = 0.0, 0.9). Although these findings require confirmation on a larger
      scale, they are supportive of the existence of cross-immunity.

PMID- 27255066
TI  - Validation of the Leprosy Type 1 Reaction Severity Scale in Ethiopia.

PMID- 27255067
TI  - Management of chronic neuritis with a combination regimen of lower doses
      prednisolone and methotrexate: a brief report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recommended fixed duration prednisolone regimen was not found
      effective in the treatment of chronic neuritis. Alternate effective treatment was
      being sought to reduce the deformity in the field of leprosy. OBJECTIVE: We
      wished to see whether a prolonged course of prednisolone and methotrexate could
      be of any help for them. METHODOLOGY: In 2012-2014, an open pilot clinical study
      was undertaken where three chronic neuritic patients were treated with lower
      doses prednisolone and methotrexate for 12 months and a follow up period was
      delivered for 12 months. The study was undertaken in one of the outdoor clinics
      of the university. RESULTS: Complete and permanent remission of neuritis was
      achieved with appreciable functional recovery. Few mild self-limiting side
      effects from prednisolone were observed and there was no side-effects from
      methotrexate. CONCLUSION: Prolonged course of prednisolone and methotrexate was
      found safe and effective in treating chronic neuritis.

PMID- 27255068
TI  - Bone marrow evaluation in leprosy: clinical implications.

PMID- 27255069
TI  - Cultural practice and beliefs hampering the treatment of leprosy--an area of
      concern.

PMID- 27255070
TI  - Dr. H. Srinivasan (1929-2015).

PMID- 27255071
TI  - Thomas Herald Rea, MD (1929-2016).

PMID- 27255072
TI  - Symposium on emerging needs in leprosy research in the post elimination era: The
      Leprosy Mission Trust India.

PMID- 27255073
TI  - Metabolic Risk Profile and Cancer in Korean Men and Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes
      mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Associations between metabolic syndrome and
      several types of cancer have recently been documented. METHODS: We analyzed the
      sample cohort data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2002,
      with a follow-up period extending to 2013. The cohort data included 99 565
      individuals who participated in the health examination program and whose data
      were therefore present in the cohort database. The metabolic risk profile of each
      participant was assessed based on obesity, high serum glucose and total
      cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. The occurrence of cancer was
      identified using Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Hazard ratios
      (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional
      hazards models, adjusting for age group, smoking status, alcohol intake, and
      regular exercise. RESULTS: A total of 5937 cases of cancer occurred during a mean
      follow-up period of 10.4 years. In men with a high-risk metabolic profile, the
      risk of colon cancer was elevated (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.71). In women, a
      high-risk metabolic profile was associated with a significantly increased risk of
      gallbladder and biliary tract cancer (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.24 to 3.42). Non
      significantly increased risks were observed in men for pharynx, larynx, rectum,
      and kidney cancer, and in women for colon, liver, breast, and ovarian cancer.
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study support the previously suggested
      association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of several cancers. A high
      risk metabolic profile may be an important risk factor for colon cancer in Korean
      men and gallbladder and biliary tract cancer in Korean women.

PMID- 27255074
TI  - Blood Triglycerides Levels and Dietary Carbohydrate Indices in Healthy Koreans.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have obtained conflicting findings regarding
      possible associations between indices measuring carbohydrate intake and
      dyslipidemia, which is an established risk factor of coronary heart disease. In
      the present study, we examined cross-sectional associations between carbohydrate
      indices, including the dietary glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), total
      amount of carbohydrates, and the percentage of energy from carbohydrates, and a
      range of blood lipid parameters. METHODS: This study included 1530 participants
      (554 men and 976 women) from 246 families within the Healthy Twin Study. We
      analyzed the associations using a generalized linear mixed model to control for
      familial relationships. RESULTS: Levels of the Apo B were inversely associated
      with dietary GI, GL, and the amount of carbohydrate intake for men, but these
      relationships were not significant when fat-adjusted values of the carbohydrate
      indices were used. Triglyceride levels were positively associated with dietary GI
      and GL in women, and this pattern was more notable in overweight participants
      (body mass index [BMI] >=25 kg/m(2)). However, total, low-density lipoprotein and
      high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were not significantly related with
      carbohydrate intake overall. CONCLUSIONS: Of the blood lipid parameters we
      investigated, only triglyceride levels were positively related with dietary
      carbohydrate indices among women participants in the Healthy Twin Study, with an
      interactive role observed for BMI. However, these associations were not observed
      in men, suggesting that the association between blood lipid levels and
      carbohydrate intake depends on the type of lipid, specific carbohydrate indices,
      gender, and BMI.

PMID- 27255075
TI  - Risk Factors for Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight Among Pregnant Indian Women:
      A Hospital-based Prospective Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to study the maternal risk factors
      for preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) with a special emphasis on
      assessing the proportions of maternal genitourinary and periodontal infections
      among Indian women and their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
      METHODS: A hospital-based prospective study comprising 790 pregnant women
      visiting the obstetrics clinic for a routine antenatal check-up was undertaken.
      Once recruited, all study participants underwent clinical and microbiological
      investigations for genitourinary infections followed by a dental check-up for the
      presence of periodontitis. The study participants were followed up until their
      delivery to record the pregnancy outcomes. Infectious and non-infectious risk
      factors for PTB and LBW were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox
      regression analysis. Independent risk factors for PTB and LBW were reported in
      terms of adjusted relative risk (ARR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI).
      RESULTS: Rates of PTB and LBW in the study population were 7.6% and 11.4%,
      respectively. Previous preterm delivery (ARR, 5.37; 95% CI, 1.5 to 19.1),
      periodontitis (ARR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.9), Oligohydramnios (ARR, 5.23; 95%
      CI, 2.4 to 11.5), presence of Nugent's intermediate vaginal flora (ARR, 2.75; 95%
      CI, 1.4 to 5.1), gestational diabetes mellitus (ARR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.0 to 8.3),
      and maternal height <1.50 m (ARR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.1) were risk factors for
      PTB, while periodontitis (ARR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.6 to 6.9), gestational
      hypertension (ARR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.3 to 10.8), maternal height <1.50 m (ARR,
      2.66; 95% CI, 1.3 to 5.1) and genital infection during later stages of pregnancy
      (ARR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.2 to 6.1) were independent risk factors for LBW.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings underscore the need to consider screening for
      potential genitourinary and periodontal infections during routine antenatal care
      in developing countries.

PMID- 27255076
TI  - Depressive Symptoms on the Geriatric Depression Scale and Suicide Deaths in Older
      Middle-aged Men: A Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Prospective evaluations of the associations between depressive
      symptoms and suicide deaths have been mainly performed in high-risk populations,
      such as individuals with psychiatric disorders or histories of self-harm. The
      purpose of this study was to prospectively examine whether more severe depressive
      symptoms assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were associated with
      a greater risk of death from suicide in a general-risk population. METHODS: A
      total of 113 478 men from the Korean Veterans Health Study (mean age, 58.9 years)
      who participated in a postal survey in 2004 were followed up for suicide
      mortality until 2010. RESULTS: Over 6.4 years of follow-up, 400 men died by
      suicide (56.7 deaths per 100 000 person-years). More severe depressive symptoms
      were associated with greater risk of suicide death (p for trend <0.001). The
      unadjusted hazard ratios (HRs) in comparison to the absence of depression were
      2.18 for mild depression, 2.13 for moderate depression, 3.33 for severe
      depression, and 3.67 for extreme depression. After adjusting for potential
      confounders, men with a potential depressive disorder had an approximate 90%
      higher mortality from suicide (adjusted HR, 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      1.38 to 2.68; p<0.001) than men without depression. Each five-point increase in
      the GDS score was associated with a higher risk of death by suicide (adjusted HR,
      1.22; p<0.001). The value of the area under the receiver operating
      characteristics curve of GDS scores for suicide deaths was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.58 to
      0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms assessed using the GDS were found to be a
      strong independent predictor of future suicide. However, the estimate of relative
      risk was weaker than would be expected based on retrospective psychological
      autopsy studies.

PMID- 27255077
TI  - SUSHI: an exquisite recipe for fully documented, reproducible and reusable NGS
      data analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Next generation sequencing (NGS) produces massive datasets consisting
      of billions of reads and up to thousands of samples. Subsequent bioinformatic
      analysis is typically done with the help of open source tools, where each
      application performs a single step towards the final result. This situation
      leaves the bioinformaticians with the tasks to combine the tools, manage the data
      files and meta-information, document the analysis, and ensure reproducibility.
      RESULTS: We present SUSHI, an agile data analysis framework that relieves
      bioinformaticians from the administrative challenges of their data analysis.
      SUSHI lets users build reproducible data analysis workflows from individual
      applications and manages the input data, the parameters, meta-information with
      user-driven semantics, and the job scripts. As distinguishing features, SUSHI
      provides an expert command line interface as well as a convenient web interface
      to run bioinformatics tools. SUSHI datasets are self-contained and self
      documented on the file system. This makes them fully reproducible and ready to be
      shared. With the associated meta-information being formatted as plain text
      tables, the datasets can be readily further analyzed and interpreted outside
      SUSHI. CONCLUSION: SUSHI provides an exquisite recipe for analysing NGS data. By
      following the SUSHI recipe, SUSHI makes data analysis straightforward and takes
      care of documentation and administration tasks. Thus, the user can fully dedicate
      his time to the analysis itself. SUSHI is suitable for use by bioinformaticians
      as well as life science researchers. It is targeted for, but by no means
      constrained to, NGS data analysis. Our SUSHI instance is in productive use and
      has served as data analysis interface for more than 1000 data analysis projects.
      SUSHI source code as well as a demo server are freely available.

PMID- 27255078
TI  - Articular cartilage generation applying PEG-LA-DM/PEGDM copolymer hydrogels.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Injuries to the human native cartilage tissue are particularly
      problematic because cartilage has little to no ability to heal or regenerate
      itself. Employing a tissue engineering strategy that combines suitable cell
      sources and biomimetic hydrogels could be a promising alternative to achieve
      cartilage regeneration. However, the weak mechanical properties may be the major
      drawback to use fully degradable hydrogels. Besides, most of the fully degradable
      hydrogels degrade too fast to permit enough extracellular matrix (ECM) production
      for neocartilage formation. In this study, we demonstrated the feasibility of
      neocartilage regeneration using swine articular chondrocytes photoencapsualted
      into poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDM) copolymer hydrogels composed
      of different degradation profiles: degradable (PEG-LA-DM) and nondegradable
      (PEGDM) macromers in molar ratios of 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, 80/20, and 90/10.
      METHODS: Articular chondrocytes were isolated enzymatically from juvenile
      Yorkshire swine cartilage. 6 * 10(7) cells cells were added to each milliliter of
      macromer/photoinitiator (I2959) solution. Nonpolymerized gel containing the cells
      (100 MUL) was placed in cylindrical molds (4.5 mm diameter * 6.5 mm in height).
      The macromer/photoinitiator/chondrocyte solutions were polymerized using
      ultraviolet (365 nm) light at 10 mW/cm(2) for 10 mins. Also, an articular
      cartilaginous ring model was used to examine the capacity of the engineered
      cartilage to integrate with native cartilage. Samples in the pilot study were
      collected at 6 weeks. Samples in the long-term experimental groups (60/40 and
      70/30) were implanted into nude mice subcutaneously and harvested at 6, 12 and 18
      weeks. Additionally, cylindrical constructs that were not implanted used as time
      zero controls. All of the harvested specimens were examined grossly and analyzed
      histologically and biochemically. RESULTS: Histologically, the neocartilage
      formed in the photochemically crosslinked gels resembled native articular
      cartilage with chondrocytes in lacunae and surrounded by new ECM. Increases in
      total DNA, glycosaminoglycan, and hydroxyproline were observed over the time
      periods studied. The neocartilage integrated with existing native cartilage.
      CONCLUSIONS: Articular cartilage generation was achieved using swine articular
      chondrocytes photoencapsulated in copolymer PEGDM hydrogels, and the neocartilage
      tissue had the ability to integrate with existing adjacent native cartilage.

PMID- 27255080
TI  - Effectiveness of a medication-adherence tool: study protocol for a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research shows that more than half of the people taking medication
      for a chronic condition are non-adherent. Nonadherence hinders disease control
      with a burden on patient quality of life and healthcare systems. We developed a
      tool that provides insight into nonadherence risks and barriers for medication
      adherence including an intervention strategy to overcome those barriers. This
      study aims to assess the effectiveness of using this adherence tool in starters
      with cardiovascular or oral blood glucose-lowering medication to improve
      medication-adherence. METHODS/DESIGN: In a cluster-randomized controlled trial 25
      pharmacies in the Netherlands will be randomized to the intervention or control
      arm. Patients registered in a general practice participating in a collaborative
      can be included when they start cardiovascular or oral blood glucose-lowering
      medication prescribed by their general practitioner. Participants complete an
      assessment consisting of measuring nonadherence risk and potential barriers to
      adherence. For patients with an increased nonadherence risk, a graphic barrier
      profile is created, showing to what extent eight cognitive, emotional, or
      practical barriers are present. All patients will fill in the medication
      adherence assessment twice: between 1 and 2 weeks after the start of the
      medication and after 8 months. The intervention strategy consists of discussing
      this barrier profile to overcome barriers. Pharmacists and assistants of the
      intervention pharmacies are trained in discussing the profile and to offer a
      tailored intervention to overcome barriers. In the control arm, patients receive
      care as usual. The primary outcome is medication-adherence of patients with a
      high risk of nonadherence at 8 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes include the
      difference in the percentage of patients with an increased nonadherence risk
      between intervention and control group after 8 months, the predictive values of
      the baseline questionnaire in the control group in relation to medication
      adherence after 8 months, medication-adherence after 1 year follow-up, and
      barriers and facilitators in the implementation of the tool. DISCUSSION: This
      manuscript presents the protocol for a cluster-randomized clinical trial on the
      use of an adherence tool to improve medication-adherence. This study will provide
      insight into the effectiveness of the tool in starters with cardiovascular or
      oral blood glucose-lowering medication in improvement of medication-adherence.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Netherlands National Trial Register, NTR5186 . Registered
      on 18 May 2015.

PMID- 27255079
TI  - The Probiotics in Pregnancy Study (PiP Study): rationale and design of a double
      blind randomised controlled trial to improve maternal health during pregnancy and
      prevent infant eczema and allergy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Worldwide there is increasing interest in the manipulation of human
      gut microbiota by the use of probiotic supplements to modify or prevent a range
      of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Probiotic interventions
      administered during pregnancy and breastfeeding offer a unique opportunity to
      influence a range of important maternal and infant outcomes. The aim of the
      Probiotics in Pregnancy Study (PiP Study) is to assess if supplementation by the
      probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 administered to women from early
      pregnancy and while breastfeeding can reduce the rates of infant eczema and
      atopic sensitisation at 1 year, and maternal gestational diabetes mellitus,
      bacterial vaginosis and Group B Streptococcal vaginal colonisation before birth,
      and depression and anxiety postpartum. METHODS/DESIGN: The PiP Study is a two
      centre, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial in Wellington and
      Auckland, New Zealand. Four hundred pregnant women expecting infants at high risk
      of allergic disease will be enrolled in the study at 14-16 weeks gestation and
      randomised to receive either Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (6 * 10(9) colony
      forming units per day (cfu/day)) or placebo until delivery and then continuing
      until 6 months post-partum, if breastfeeding. Primary infant outcomes are the
      development and severity of eczema and atopic sensitisation in the first year of
      life. Secondary outcomes are diagnosis of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus,
      presence of bacterial vaginosis and vaginal carriage of Group B Streptococcus (at
      35-37 weeks gestation). Other outcome measures include maternal weight gain,
      maternal postpartum depression and anxiety, infant birth weight, preterm birth,
      and rate of caesarean sections. A range of samples including maternal and infant
      faecal samples, maternal blood samples, cord blood and infant cord tissue
      samples, breast milk, infant skin swabs and infant buccal swabs will be collected
      for the investigation of the mechanisms of probiotic action. DISCUSSION: The
      study will investigate if mother-only supplementation with Lactobacillus
      rhamnosus HN001 in pregnancy and while breastfeeding can reduce rates of eczema
      and atopic sensitisation in infants by 1 year, and reduce maternal rates of
      gestational diabetes mellitus, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal carriage of Group B
      Streptococcus before birth and maternal depression and anxiety postpartum. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration:
      ACTRN12612000196842. Date Registered: 15/02/12.

PMID- 27255081
TI  - Septochoanal polyp with osseous metaplasia: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polyps originating from the posterior septum with choanal extension,
      also known as "septochoanal polyps," are uncommon, and septochoanal polyps with
      central calcification are extremely rare. We report the second case of
      septochoanal polyps with central calcification in the English literature. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old Thai woman presented with a progressive left-side
      nasal obstruction. An examination of her nose revealed an irregular lobulated
      mass, yellow in color, with a smooth surface that arose from her posterior nasal
      septum and extended down to her nasopharynx. Computed tomography revealed a large
      choanal mass with a central ossified structure. A punch biopsy was performed and
      microscopic examination showed an inflammatory polyp. The mass was removed using
      an endoscopic surgery technique, and the histology of this lesion confirmed a
      typical presentation of choanal polyps. CONCLUSIONS: Although septochoanal polyps
      with osseous metaplasia are known to be very rare, physicians should be aware of
      them and include them in the differential diagnosis of choanal mass with central
      calcification lesions.

PMID- 27255082
TI  - The global network antenatal corticosteroids trial: impact on stillbirth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antenatal corticosteroids are commonly used to reduce neonatal
      mortality, but most research to date has been in high-resource settings and few
      studies have evaluated its impact on stillbirth. In the Antenatal Corticosteroids
      Trial (ACT), a multi-country trial to assess impact of a multi-faceted
      intervention including antenatal corticosteroids to reduce neonatal mortality
      associated with preterm birth, we found an overall increase in 28-day neonatal
      mortality and stillbirth associated with the intervention. METHODS: The ACT was a
      cluster-randomized trial conducted in 102 clusters across 7 research sites in 6
      countries (India [2 sites], Pakistan, Zambia, Kenya, Guatemala and Argentina),
      comparing an intervention to train birth attendants at all levels of the health
      system to identify women at risk of preterm birth, administer corticosteroids and
      refer women at risk. Because of inadequate gestational age dating, the <5(th)
      percentile birth weight was used as a proxy for preterm birth. A pre-specified
      secondary outcome of the trial was stillbirth. RESULTS: After adjusting for the
      pre-trial imbalance in stillbirth rates, the ACT intervention was associated with
      a non-significant increased risk of stillbirth (aRR 1.08, 95 % CI, 0.99-1.17, p
      0.073). Additionally, the stillbirth rate was higher in the term births (1.20 95
      % CI 1.06-1.37, 0.004) and among those with signs of maceration (RR 1.18 (1.04
      1.35), p = 0.013) in the intervention vs. control clusters. Differences in
      obstetric care favored the control clusters and maternal infection was likely
      more common in the intervention clusters. CONCLUSIONS: In this pragmatic trial,
      limited data were available to identify the causes of the increase in stillbirths
      in the intervention clusters. A higher rate of stillbirth in the intervention
      clusters prior to the trial, differences in obstetric care and an increase in
      maternal infection are potential explanations for the observed increase in
      stillbirths in the intervention clusters during the trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01084096).

PMID- 27255084
TI  - The status of the Notes in the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes:
      proposal to emend General Consideration 6.
AB  - The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes contains 48 Notes to the
      General Considerations, the Principles, the Rules and the Recommendations.
      However, the formal status of these Notes is not defined in the Code. Therefore,
      we here propose an emendation of General Consideration 6 stating that the Notes
      are intended to clarify the preceding text and are an integral part of that text.

PMID- 27255083
TI  - Role of the ion channel, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V
      member 1 (TRPV1), in allergic asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma prevalence has increased world-wide especially in children;
      thus there is a need to develop new therapies that are safe and effective
      especially for patients with severe/refractory asthma. CD4(+) T cells are thought
      to play a central role in disease pathogenesis and associated symptoms. Recently,
      TRPV1 has been demonstrated to regulate the activation and inflammatory
      properties of CD4(+) cells. The aim of these experiments was to demonstrate the
      importance of CD4(+) T cells and the role of TRPV1 in an asthma model using a
      clinically ready TRPV1 inhibitor (XEN-D0501) and genetically modified (GM)
      animals. METHODS: Mice (wild type, CD4 (-/-) or TRPV1 (-/-)) and rats were
      sensitised with antigen (HDM or OVA) and subsequently topically challenged with
      the same antigen. Key features associated with an allergic asthma type phenotype
      were measured: lung function (airway hyperreactivity [AHR] and late asthmatic
      response [LAR]), allergic status (IgE levels) and airway inflammation. RESULTS:
      CD4(+) T cells play a central role in both disease model systems with all the
      asthma-like features attenuated. Targeting TRPV1 using either GM mice or a
      pharmacological inhibitor tended to decrease IgE levels, airway inflammation and
      lung function changes. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests the involvement of TRPV1 in
      allergic asthma and thus we feel this target merits further investigation.

PMID- 27255085
TI  - Egyptian prosecutors investigate the death of a girl during female genital
      mutilation.

PMID- 27255087
TI  - Clinical Management of ADHD in a Family Medicine Residency Program: Comparison
      with AAP Guidelines.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common
      neurobehavioral disorder. Research has shown that even with the growing incidence
      of children diagnosed as having ADHD, physicians may find providing optimal care
      to these patients challenging. Our objective was to contrast existing clinical
      management of ADHD in a family medicine setting with published American Academy
      of Pediatrics guidelines and review the literature pertinent to differences.
      METHODS: A report was generated for all visits with "ADHD" or "ADD" (attention
      deficit disorder) as a current or past medical problem that had been addressed at
      the family medicine clinic from July 2012 to June 2014. A total of 60 pediatric
      patients were identified. A retrospective chart review of clinical practice and
      management patterns for these patients was completed using a standardized data
      collection form based on the 2011 ADHD treatment guidelines set by the American
      Academy of Pediatrics. RESULTS: Fifty-seven (95%) patients had documentation of
      at least one core symptom of ADHD, and 27 (45%) patients had documentation of
      these symptoms in more than one setting (clinic/school/home). Only 30 (50%)
      patients were assessed at the initial ADHD visit for coexisting conditions.
      Coexisting conditions were found to be present in 20 (33.3%) patients. Of these
      20 patients, coexisting conditions were not addressed during the visit in 12
      (60%) patients before drug therapy for ADHD was initially prescribed. Behavioral
      therapy was initiated as first-line monotherapy in one of the nine preschool-age
      patients (4-5 years old). Fifty-two (86.7%) patients received a preferred initial
      medication as identified by guidelines, and 41 (78.8%) of those patients received
      an appropriate initial dose. Fifty-one (85%) patients were assessed for
      improvement of symptoms, and 39 (65%) were assessed for adverse events. Of 62
      documented medication adjustments, 54 (87.1%) adjustments coincided with current
      practice guidelines. Sixteen (26.7%) patients were referred to mental health
      specialists. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective review identified areas of strength
      and weakness for attending physicians and medical residents in the diagnosis,
      evaluation, and treatment of children with ADHD. A significant need was
      identified for more physician-focused education on the evaluation of coexisting
      conditions and long-term management associated with ADHD therapy. Further
      training in the initiation of behavioral therapy as a first-line treatment above
      drug therapy and proper medication selection in children aged 4 to 5 years also
      are recommended.

PMID- 27255088
TI  - Scorpion Envenomation in Pregnancy.
AB  - Scorpion envenomation affects more than 1 million people every year and
      represents an important public health problem worldwide. The effects of
      envenomation range from localized pain and paresthesias to overactivation of the
      sympathetic nervous system, leading to neurotoxicity and even death. Of the
      individuals affected by scorpion envenomation, certain populations, such as young
      children and older adults, are at high risk for severe disease. Substantial
      literature exists on the management of envenomation in children; however, scant
      literature exists that addresses the same phenomenon in pregnant women. This
      review serves to identify the effects of scorpion envenomation on pregnant women
      and the treatment options available to them. After thorough review of the
      treatment modalities that are used to treat scorpion envenomation, we developed a
      treatment algorithm that may help guide the management of pregnant women who
      present with scorpion envenomation. 

PMID- 27255086
TI  - RAB2A controls MT1-MMP endocytic and E-cadherin polarized Golgi trafficking to
      promote invasive breast cancer programs.
AB  - The mechanisms of tumor cell dissemination and the contribution of membrane
      trafficking in this process are poorly understood. Through a functional siRNA
      screening of human RAB GTPases, we found that RAB2A, a protein essential for ER
      to-Golgi transport, is critical in promoting proteolytic activity and 3D
      invasiveness of breast cancer (BC) cell lines. Remarkably, RAB2A is amplified and
      elevated in human BC and is a powerful and independent predictor of disease
      recurrence in BC patients. Mechanistically, RAB2A acts at two independent
      trafficking steps. Firstly, by interacting with VPS39, a key component of the
      late endosomal HOPS complex, it controls post-endocytic trafficking of membrane
      bound MT1-MMP, an essential metalloprotease for matrix remodeling and invasion.
      Secondly, it further regulates Golgi transport of E-cadherin, ultimately
      controlling junctional stability, cell compaction, and tumor invasiveness. Thus,
      RAB2A is a novel trafficking determinant essential for regulation of a
      mesenchymal invasive program of BC dissemination.

PMID- 27255089
TI  - Making of a Successful Early Mobilization Program for a Medical Intensive Care
      Unit.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To provide a guideline for intensive care unit (ICU) early
      mobilization program development and implementation and to describe the patient
      characteristics and endpoints for those who participated in our hospital's early
      mobilization program. METHODS: An ICU early mobilization program was developed
      with five guiding principles: analgesia/sedation optimization, sedation
      minimization, protocol of progressive mobility, physical therapy and occupational
      therapy recruitment, and nursing education. This program began in April 2014, and
      the initial 32 patients who ambulated while receiving mechanical ventilation were
      retrospectively assessed and their characteristics described. RESULTS: After
      program implementation, more than 50 mechanically ventilated patients ambulated
      in the first year following early mobilization initiation. Patients with an FiO2
      as high as 1.0 and on nonconventional modes of mechanical ventilation
      successfully ambulated without adverse events. The mean ambulation distance was
      102 +/- 152 f. and usually required three ICU staff members with 5 to 10 minutes
      of preparation before ambulation. After implementation, a retrospective analysis
      revealed a decrease in the average length of ICU stay, from 4.8 to 4.1 days.
      CONCLUSIONS: Addressing analgesia and sedation practices, along with instituting
      a progressive mobility protocol and recruiting physical and occupational therapy,
      may serve as a guide to the creation of a successful early mobilization program.
      This study provides additional supportive evidence that early mobilization in the
      ICU is safe and effective.

PMID- 27255090
TI  - Cardiovascular Health Status in Baby Boomers with Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the cardiovascular health
      status of baby boomers with diabetes mellitus (DM) in comparison to the same-age
      population with DM 10 years previously. METHODS: The study was conducted in baby
      boomers with DM using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
      Survey (NHANES) 2009-2012 compared with NHANES 1999-2002. Cardiovascular health
      metrics were derived from the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7. The
      primary outcome was the comparison of the proportion of individuals with each
      characteristic, including healthy diet, healthy weight, not smoking, exercising
      regularly, and maintaining an optimal level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C),
      cholesterol, and blood pressure. RESULTS: Current baby boomers with DM (NHANES
      2009-2012) had more obesity (70.9% vs 58.8%; P = 0.009) and a lower proportion of
      ideal physical activity (20.9% vs 31.7%; P = 0.01) than people of the same age 10
      years ago; fewer than 1% adhere to an ideal healthy diet. Current baby boomers
      more often had ideal cholesterol (59.4% vs 47.2; P = 0.01) and reached an ideal
      HbA1C (51.0% vs 43.4%; P = 0.047). Blood pressure control, adherence to ideal
      diet, and smoking rates were not significantly different from 10 years ago. In
      logistic regression analyses controlling for likely confounders, baby boomers
      persisted in having more obesity and exercising less often, and reaching an ideal
      cholesterol level more often (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although improving in
      cholesterol and HbA1C, baby boomers demonstrated worsening in several key
      cardiovascular health indicators, particularly obesity and physical activity.

PMID- 27255091
TI  - Positive Predictive Value of a Single Assessment of Estimated GFR in the
      Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The positive predictive value (PPV) of a single assessment of
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the diagnosis of chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) is not known. Our objective was to determine the PPV of a single
      assessment of eGFR among adults with at least one eGFR <60 mL/min in their
      lifetime, using the Distributed Area Research and Therapeutics Network CKD
      natural history dataset. METHODS: In all, 47,104 adults who were cared for by 113
      practices in the United States were included. Proportions of patients in eGFR
      categories at baseline were calculated using the following categories: <15
      mL/min, 15 to 29.99 mL/min, 30 to 44.99 mL/min, and 45 to 59.99 mL/min.
      Comparisons were then made between the baseline and the endpoint to identify
      patients who had a follow-up eGFR that remained at <60 mL/min. The proportions of
      patients in each eGFR category were compared baseline to endpoint using cross
      tabulations. To test the proposed cutpoint, the proportions of patients who had
      an eGFR that remained at <60 mL/min were measured, using the cutpoints that
      included the highest cumulative proportion of patients. The sensitivity and
      specificity of that cutpoint were calculated. RESULTS: A cutpoint of <45 mL/min
      was identified, yielding a PPV of 93% with a sensitivity of 28% and a specificity
      of 94%. CONCLUSIONS: A valid cutpoint to screen for CKD was identified. This
      cutpoint may prove important to early screening for CKD while reducing the burden
      on the healthcare system and patients suspected of having CKD.

PMID- 27255093
TI  - Commentary on "Therapeutic Error Calls Among Older Adults Reported to a Regional
      Poison Control Center in Alabama".

PMID- 27255092
TI  - Therapeutic Error Calls Among Older Adults Reported to a Regional Poison Control
      Center in Alabama.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although Americans aged 65 years and older account for only 13.0% of
      the population, they consume one-third of all prescription medications each year.
      Increased life expectancy, age-related deterioration in health, and polypharmacy
      lead to a significant risk of potential medication errors. National Poison Data
      System studies have evaluated the older adult population and their interaction
      with poison centers; however, descriptive studies using regional poison center
      data to evaluate older adult-related medication errors, specifically in Alabama,
      have not been conducted. Our study assessed therapeutic errors in patients aged
      65 years and older to evaluate the need for potential interventions by
      pharmacists and preventive education to reduce errors reported to the Regional
      Poison Control Center (RPCC) at Children's of Alabama. METHODS: A four-year
      retrospective analysis was conducted by gathering call-specific data from the
      RPCC toxiCALL database. Calls were included if they were made to the RPCC between
      January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013, involved patients aged 65 years and older,
      and were coded as unintentional therapeutic errors. Analysis of call data was
      conducted using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's EpiInfo version
      7.0.9.7. RESULTS: A total of 1699 calls were evaluated for patient demographics
      (sex, age), call data (month, year, shift, caller site), reason for therapeutic
      error, clinical effects, medical outcome, management site, and reported substance
      details. Nearly 40.0% of the therapeutic errors were caused by patients taking or
      being given the same medication twice. Five of the 15 reasons for therapeutic
      errors accounted for nearly 82.0% of all calls reported. The reasons included
      taking or being given the same medication twice (37.3%), taking or being given
      the wrong medication (14.6%), using an incorrect dosing route (13.1%), other
      incorrect dosing errors (9.9%), and taking doses too close together (7.5%). The
      top individual substance involved in a therapeutic error was reported verbatim by
      callers as Spiriva inhalation capsules (10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic error
      calls represent a significant and increasing proportion of calls made by older
      adults to the RPCC. The frequent interactions between healthcare providers and
      patients create opportunities to prospectively prevent medication problems in
      older adult patients. Healthcare providers, specifically pharmacists, should
      encourage clients to always read the label on medications and should counsel
      patients carefully when dispensing a product that is not an oral preparation. In
      addition, although national drug take-back days are conducted biennially,
      patients should be encouraged to dispose of old medications and expired over-the
      counter medications. The RPCC toll-free telephone number (800-222-1222) may be
      displayed to educate patients on its 24-hour/day availability. Current data will
      be used to implement programs for pharmacist interventions and to create
      appropriate educational material.

PMID- 27255094
TI  - Predictor of 90-Day Readmission Rate for Hepatic Encephalopathy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to identify clinical parameters
      associated with readmissions within 90 days in patients with hepatic
      encephalopathy (HE). METHODS: We reviewed electronic medical records of patients
      admitted between January 1, 2010 and September 30, 2013 at University Medical
      Center, Lubbock, Texas. Inclusion criteria were admission to the hospital with
      diagnosis of HE in patients older than 18 years. We compared the patients with
      readmission within 90 days with patients with no readmission using routine
      clinical data. RESULTS: A total of 140 admissions met inclusion criteria; 35%
      were white, 59.3% were Hispanic, and their mean age was 55.6 +/- 10.5 years. The
      median admission Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 15.5 (4-38).
      Univariate analysis demonstrated that a history of diabetes mellitus, a history
      of hypertension, prior transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement, a
      history of prior HE, and the use of lactulose posthospitalization were associated
      with increased readmission rates and the presence of gastrointestinal bleeding
      was associated with decreased readmission rates (P < 0.05 for each factor).
      Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that history of hypertension (P =
      0.02) predicted an increased readmission rate. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      demonstrates that hypertension increased the risk of readmission in patients with
      HE. More intensive interventions in these patients may decrease readmission rates
      and improve outcomes.

PMID- 27255095
TI  - Commentary on "Predictor of 90-Day Readmission Rate for Hepatic Encephalopathy".

PMID- 27255096
TI  - PPACA and Low-Income People Living with HIV: 2014 Qualified Health Plan
      Enrollment in a Medicaid Nonexpansion State.
AB  - People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired
      immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) often are uninsured or underinsured, and they
      may benefit from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148) and
      its improved access to medical care. Safety net programs, such as AIDS Drug
      Assistance Programs (ADAP) funded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which
      serve low-income people living with HIV, are incorporating Patient Protection and
      Affordable Care Act Marketplace-qualified health plans (QHPs) and helping to fund
      patients' participation. This changing landscape differs from state to state, and
      one main element contributing to the differing situations is whether a state
      elected to expand Medicaid. This review examines QHP enrollment of ADAP clients
      in Virginia, a Medicaid nonexpansion state, and explores some issues that affect
      people living with HIV in other Medicaid nonexpansion states. Virginia is a
      leader in the shift of ADAP healthcare delivery from direct medication provision
      to purchasing QHPs. Virginia ADAP clients accounted for approximately 2% of ADAP
      clients nationally, but they represent 17% of ADAP clients enrolled in QHPs
      nationwide. Ensuring good HIV care of the ADAP population is important to each
      patient's personal longevity, the public health, and the efficient use of
      healthcare dollars. As healthcare delivery models shift, the effects on patients
      and health outcomes achieved should be monitored, particularly for chronic
      diseases such as HIV.

PMID- 27255097
TI  - Improving Interdisciplinary Provider Communication Through a Unified Paging
      System.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Interdisciplinary communication at a Veterans Affairs (VA) academic
      teaching hospital is largely dependent on alphanumeric paging, which has
      limitations as a result of one-way communication and lack of reliable physician
      identification. Adverse patient outcomes related to difficulty contacting the
      correct consulting provider in a timely manner have been reported. METHODS: House
      officers were surveyed on the level of satisfaction with the current VA
      communication system and the rate of perceived adverse patient outcomes caused by
      potential delays within this system. Respondents were then asked to identify the
      ideal paging system. These results were used to develop and deploy a new Web
      site. A postimplementation survey was repeated 1 year later. This study was
      conducted as a quality improvement project. RESULTS: House officer satisfaction
      with the preintervention system was 3%. The majority used more than four
      modalities to identify consultants, with 59% stating that word of mouth was a
      typical source. The preferred mode of paging was the university hospital paging
      system, a Web-based program that is used at the partnering academic institution.
      Following integration of VA consulting services within the university hospital
      paging system, the level of satisfaction improved to 87%. Significant decreases
      were seen in perceived adverse patient outcomes (from 16% to 2%), delays in
      patient care (from 90% to 16%), and extended hospitalizations (from 46% to 4%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates significant improvement in physician
      satisfaction with a newly implemented paging system that was associated with a
      decreased perceived number of adverse patient events and delays in care.

PMID- 27255098
TI  - Was This Readmission Preventable? Qualitative Study of Patient and Provider
      Perceptions of Readmissions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Readmissions are a costly, burdensome, and potentially preventable
      occurrence in the healthcare system. With the renewed national focus on the cost
      and quality of health care, readmissions have become a major target for
      improvement; however, in general, the viewpoints of patients and healthcare
      providers have not been considered in these discussions. We aimed to compare
      provider and patient perspectives on the preventability of hospital readmissions.
      We also aimed to compare the factors that patients and providers perceive as
      contributing to readmissions. METHODS: We conducted descriptive statistics of
      readmissions using provider chart reviews (N = 213) on all readmissions to the
      University of North Carolina hospitalist service during a 6-month span. We also
      performed a qualitative analysis of those provider chart reviews, in addition to
      interviews with those readmitted patients (n = 23). We compared the percentage of
      providers versus patients who believed the readmission was preventable, and we
      explored the factors to which each group attributed the readmission. RESULTS:
      Providers stated that 30% of the readmissions were preventable, compared with
      only 13% of patients. Key contributing factors differed between providers and
      patients. Providers cited medical problems in 45% of readmissions, pain (24%),
      follow-up problems (22%), substance abuse (20%), and nonadherence (17%). Patients
      believed nothing could have been done to prevent them in 35% of readmissions, but
      they also cited medical problems (35%), incomplete diagnosis or treatment (22%),
      medication issues (17%), and system concerns (13%) as contributing to
      readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that patients and providers view
      the issue of readmissions differently and highlight potential areas for
      improvement.

PMID- 27255099
TI  - Root adaptations to soils with low fertility and aluminium toxicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plants depend on their root systems to acquire the water and
      nutrients necessary for their survival in nature, and for their yield and
      nutritional quality in agriculture. Root systems are complex and a variety of
      root phenes have been identified as contributors to adaptation to soils with low
      fertility and aluminium (Al) toxicity. Phenotypic characterization of root
      adaptations to infertile soils is enabling plant breeders to develop improved
      cultivars that not only yield more, but also contribute to yield stability and
      nutritional security in the face of climate variability. SCOPE: In this review
      the adaptive responses of root systems to soils with low fertility and Al
      toxicity are described. After a brief introduction, the purpose and focus of the
      review are outlined. This is followed by a description of the adaptive responses
      of roots to low supply of mineral nutrients [with an emphasis on low availability
      of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and on toxic levels of Al]. We describe
      progress in developing germplasm adapted to soils with low fertility or Al
      toxicity using selected examples from ongoing breeding programmes on food (maize,
      common bean) and forage/feed (Brachiaria spp.) crops. A number of root
      architectural, morphological, anatomical and metabolic phenes contribute to the
      superior performance and yield on soils with low fertility and Al toxicity. Major
      advances have been made in identifying root phenes in improving adaptation to low
      N (maize), low P (common bean) or high Al [maize, common bean, species and
      hybrids of brachiariagrass, bulbous canarygrass (Phalaris aquatica) and lucerne
      (Medicago sativa)]. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced root phenotyping tools will allow
      dissection of root responses into specific root phenes that will aid both
      conventional and molecular breeders to develop superior cultivars. These new
      cultivars will play a key role in sustainable intensification of crop-livestock
      systems, particularly in smallholder systems of the tropics. Development of these
      new cultivars adapted to soils with low fertility and Al toxicity is needed to
      improve global food and nutritional security and environmental sustainability.

PMID- 27255101
TI  - Occipitocervical dissociation-incidence, evaluation, and treatment.
AB  - Traumatic occipitocervical dissociation (OCD) results from ligamentous injury to
      the craniocervical junction and is associated with a high rate of mortality and
      significant neurologic morbidity. The diagnosis is frequently missed on initial
      lateral cervical spinal radiographs mainly due to inadequate visualization of
      radiological landmarks and low degree of suspicion. Widespread availability of
      multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the spine and development of better
      diagnostic radiological criteria has allowed timely diagnosis and good clinical
      outcome following posterior occipitocervical fusion and instrumentation for a
      pathology that was once considered uniformly fatal. The present paper reviews the
      clinical features, diagnosis, and management of OCD in light of most recent
      literature. 

PMID- 27255100
TI  - Optimal Imaging Strategies for Rectal Cancer Staging and Ongoing Management.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Imaging determines the optimal treatment for rectal cancer
      patients. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) overcomes many of the
      known limitations of previous methods. When performed in accordance with the
      recommended standards, MRI enables accurate staging of both early and advanced
      rectal cancer, accurate response assessment, the delineation of recurrent disease
      and planning surgical treatment in a safe and effective manner. Tumour-related
      high-risk features with known adverse outcomes can be preoperatively identified
      and treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Further, MRI post-treatment
      tumour response assessment using TRG grading system also predicts the likely
      survival outcomes and in the future will be used to modify treatment further by
      stratification into good and poor responders. There is a paucity of literature
      with validated outcome data concerning use of diffusion-weighted imaging and
      positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), and in the absence
      of any validated methods and outcome data, their use in the initial assessment
      and restaging after treatment is limited to research protocols. Combination MRI
      and CT is essential for distant spread assessment and recurrent disease, and
      currently PET-CT is sometimes used in the workup of patients with recurrent and
      metastatic disease.

PMID- 27255102
TI  - Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for detection of Francisella
      tularensis on screen-printed gold electrode array.
AB  - An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for the rapid detection of the
      Francisella tularensis pathogen using whole antibodies or antibody fragments as
      capture biomolecule is described. A sandwich immunoassay was used with either
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or the whole inactivated bacterial cell (LVS) as a
      target, while Ru(bpy)3 (2+)-encapsulated silicate nanoparticles were linked to
      the secondary antibody and used as ECL labels. The assay was performed in a
      fluidic chip housed in a custom-built black box incorporating electronics, optics
      and fluidics. The obtained limit of detection for LPS was 0.4 ng/mL, while for
      the LVS it was 70 and 45 bacteria/mL when the capturing molecule was the whole
      antibody and the antibody F(ab) fragment, respectively. 

PMID- 27255103
TI  - Ultra-sensitive film sensor based on Al2O3-Au nanoparticles supported on PDDA
      functionalized graphene for the determination of acetaminophen.
AB  - An electrochemical sensor of acetaminophen based on poly(diallyldimethylammonium
      chloride) (PDDA)-functionalized reduced graphene-loaded Al2O3-Au nanoparticles
      coated onto glassy carbon electrode (Al2O3-Au/PDDA/reduced graphene oxide
      (rGO)/glass carbon electrode (GCE)) were prepared by layer self-assembly
      technique. The as-prepared electrode-modified materials were characterized by
      scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic performances of Al2O3-Au/PDDA/rGO
      modified glassy carbon electrode toward the acetaminophen were investigated by
      cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The modified electrodes of
      graphene oxide (GO)/GCE, PDDA/rGO/GCE, and Al2O3-Au/PDDA/rGO/GCE were constructed
      for comparison and learning the catalytic mechanism. The research showed Al2O3
      Au/PDDA/rGO/GCE having good electrochemical performance, attributing to the
      synergetic effect that comes from the special nanocomposite structure and
      physicochemical properties of Al2O3-Au nanoparticles and graphene. A low
      detection limit of 6 nM (S/N = 3) and a wide linear detection range from 0.02 to
      200 MUM (R (2) = 0.9970) was obtained. The preparation of sensor was successfully
      applied for the detection of acetaminophen in commercial pharmaceutical pills.
      Graphical abstract Schematic diagram of synthesis of Al2O3-Au/PDDA/rGO/GCE. 

PMID- 27255105
TI  - An analytical approach for the non-invasive selection of consolidants in rubber
      artworks.
AB  - The effectiveness of five polymeric materials for the long-term conservation and
      restoration of rubber artworks was evaluated by accelerated photo-oxidative
      degradation studies. Two different ethylene vinyl-acetate resins, generally used
      in industry and uncommon in conservation field, a new water-based polyurethane,
      and two ethylene butyl-acrylate resins were assessed for the consolidation of
      rubber. By monitoring their degradation along time with LED imaging coupled to
      statistics and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the polymeric
      materials with the best properties that ensure the protection and security of the
      artwork were identified. The degradation was performed in solar box simulating
      the light exposure in a museum, under controlled temperature at no more than 35 
      degrees C in order to exclude the thermal effects that could influence the ageing
      of polymers. The mechanical stress of the treated samples was also investigated.
      The spectroscopic analyses, the chromatic changes study, and the mechanical
      degradation were used as indicators of the consolidant stability, allowing the
      evaluation of the materials selected for the consolidation and conservation of
      rubber. The ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers resulted the most stable and
      suitable for the conservation of rubber artworks. Lastly, the conservation
      treatment identified in this research was employed for the restoration of the
      contemporary artwork "Presagi di Birnam" made with bicycle inner tubes by the
      artist Carol Rama. 

PMID- 27255104
TI  - Cyclometalated iridium(III) chelates-a new exceptional class of the
      electrochemiluminescent luminophores.
AB  - Recent development of the phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium(III) chelates has
      enabled, due to their advantageous electrochemical and photo-physical properties,
      important breakthroughs in many photonic applications. This particular class of
      5d(6) ion complexes has attracted increasing interest because of their potential
      application in electroluminescence devices with a nearly 100 % internal quantum
      efficiency for the conversion of electric energy to photons. Similar to
      electroluminescence, the cyclometalated iridium(III) chelates have been
      successfully applied in the electricity-to-light conversion by means of the
      electrochemiluminescence (ECL) processes. The already reported ECL systems
      utilizing the title compounds exhibit extremely large ECL efficiencies that allow
      one to envisage many potential application for them, especially in further
      development of ECL-based analytical techniques. This review, based on recently
      published papers, focuses on the ECL properties of this very exciting class of
      organometallic luminophores. The reported work, describing results from
      fundamental as well as application-oriented investigations, will be surveyed and
      briefly discussed. Graphical abstract Depending on the chemical nature of the
      cyclometalated irdium(III) chelate different colours of the emitted light can be
      produced during electrochemical excitation. 

PMID- 27255106
TI  - Stachybotrys mycotoxins: from culture extracts to dust samples.
AB  - The filamentous fungus Stachybotrys chartarum is known for its toxic metabolites
      and has been associated with serious health problems, including mycotoxicosis,
      among occupants of contaminated buildings. Here, we present results from a case
      study, where an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for known and tentatively
      identified compounds characterized via UHPLC-quadruple time-of-flight (QTOF)
      screening of fungal culture extracts, wall scrapings and reference standards. The
      UHPLC-MS/MS method was able to identify 12 Stachybotrys metabolites, of which
      four could be quantified based on authentic standards and a further six estimated
      based on similarity to authentic standards. Samples collected from walls
      contaminated by S. chartarum in a water-damaged building showed that the two
      known chemotypes, S and A, coexisted. More importantly, a link between mycotoxin
      concentrations found on contaminated surfaces and in settled dust was made. One
      dust sample, collected from a water-damaged room, contained 10 pg/cm(2)
      macrocyclic trichothecenes (roridin E). For the first time, more than one
      spirocyclic drimane was detected in dust. Spirocyclic drimanes were detected in
      all 11 analysed dust samples and in total amounted to 600 pg/cm(2) in the water
      damaged room and 340 pg/cm(2) in rooms adjacent to the water-damaged area. Their
      wide distribution in detectable amounts in dust suggested they could be good
      candidates for exposure biomarkers. Graphical abstract Stachybotrys growing on a
      gypsum board, and some of the compounds it produces. 

PMID- 27255107
TI  - WHO recommends eight week abstinence or safer sex after return from Zika areas.

PMID- 27255109
TI  - Cryptic Species in Proechimys goeldii (Rodentia, Echimyidae)? A Case of Molecular
      and Chromosomal Differentiation in Allopatric Populations.
AB  - The spiny rats of the genus Proechimys have a wide distribution in the Amazon,
      covering all areas of endemism of this region. We analyzed the karyotype and
      cytochrome b (Cyt b) sequences in Proechimys goeldii from 6 localities
      representing 3 interfluves of the eastern Amazon. A clear separation of P.
      goeldii into 2 monophyletic clades was observed, both chromosomally and based on
      Cyt b sequences: cytotype A (2n = 26x2640;/27x2642;, NF = 42) for samples from
      the Tapajos-Xingu interfluve and cytotype B (2n = 24x2640;/25x2642;, NF = 42) for
      samples from the Xingu-Tocantins interfluve and east of the Tocantins River. The
      karyotypes differ in a pericentric inversion and a centric fusion/fission and an
      average nucleotide divergence of 6.1%, suggesting cryptic species. Meiotic
      analysis confirmed the presence of a XX/XY1Y2 multiple sex chromosome
      determination system for both karyotypes. The karyotypes also vary from the
      literature (2n = 24, NF = 42, XX/XY). The autosome translocated to the X
      chromosome is different both in size and morphology to P. cf. longicaudatus,
      which also has a multiple sex chromosome determination system (2n =
      14x2640;/15x2640;x2642;/16x2640;/17x2642;, NF = 14). The Xingu River is a barrier
      that separates populations of P. goeldii, thus maintaining their allopatric
      nature and providing an explanation for the molecular and cytogenetic patterns
      observed for the Xingu River but not the Tocantins River. 

PMID- 27255108
TI  - Genotypic and phenotypic detection of capsular polysaccharide and biofilm
      formation in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine milk collected from
      Brazilian dairy farms.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that frequently causes mastitis in bovine
      herds worldwide. This pathogen produces several virulence factors, including cell
      associated adhesins, toxic and cytolytic exoproteins, and capsular
      polysaccharides. The aim of the present study was to test for the presence of
      genes involved in capsular polysaccharide production and biofilm formation in S.
      aureus isolated from bovine mastitis samples collected from 119 dairy herds
      located in three different Brazilian regions, as well as to assay the production
      of capsular polysaccharides and biofilm, in vitro. The detection of the cap,
      icaAD, and bap genes was performed using PCR. The detection and quantification of
      capsular polysaccharide production was performed using ELISA assays. The ability
      of the isolates to form a biofilm was examined using the polystyrene surface of
      microtiter plates. All 159 S. aureus isolates investigated harboured the cap
      gene: 80 % carried the cap5 gene and 20 % carried the cap8 gene. Sixty-nine
      percent of the isolates expressed capsular polysaccharide (CP) in vitro, 58 %
      expressed CP5 and 11 % expressed CP8. All of the isolates harboured the icaA and
      icaD genes, and 95.6 % of the isolates carried the bap gene. Of the 159 isolates
      analysed, 97.5 % were biofilm producers. A significant association between the
      capsular genotype and phenotype and the amount of biofilm formation was detected:
      cap5/CP5 isolates tended to form more biofilm and to produce a thinner CP layer
      than cap8/CP8 isolates. The results indicate a high potential for pathogenicity
      among S. aureus isolated from bovine milk collected from three different regions
      in Brazil.

PMID- 27255110
TI  - Decreased S100B expression in chronic liver diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic innervation in liver diseases is not fully understood.
      We here evaluated S100B expression as a marker of hepatic nerves in patients with
      various chronic liver diseases, topographically and semi-quantitatively. METHODS:
      Liver specimens were obtained from 70 subjects (three controls, and 32 chronic
      hepatitis B, 14 chronic hepatitis C, 14 liver cirrhosis, and seven hepatocellular
      carcinoma patients). The hepatic nerve density was calculated based on
      immunohistochemical staining of S100B protein in the portal tracts and hepatic
      lobules. S100B mRNA levels were semi-quantitatively assessed as the
      S100B/glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA ratio. RESULTS: The
      densities of the hepatic nerves in portal tracts of chronic liver diseases were
      not significantly different from those of normal controls but the hepatic nerve
      densities in lobular areas of liver cirrhosis were significantly decreased (p =
      0.025). Compared to the control, the S100B/GAPDH mRNA ratio was significantly
      decreased in chronic liver diseases (p = 0.006) and most decreased in chronic
      hepatitis C patients (p = 0.023). In chronic liver diseases, The S100B/GAPDH mRNA
      ratio tended to decrease as the fibrosis score > 0 (p = 0.453) but the overall
      correlation between the S100B/GAPDH mRNA ratio and fibrosis score was not
      statistically significant (r = 0.061, p = 0.657). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic
      innervation is decreased in cirrhotic regenerating nodules compared to the
      control group and seems to decrease in early stages of fibrosis progression.
      Further studies are needed to clarify the association between changes of hepatic
      innervation and chronic liver disease progression.

PMID- 27255111
TI  - Why we need intravenous antiplatelet agents.
AB  - Oral ADP-receptor antagonists combined with aspirin are the standard for dual
      antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
      However, the oral route of administration of ADP-receptor antagonists leaves them
      vulnerable to unpredictable and often inadequate platelet inhibition at the time
      of PCI, while their prolonged effects often lead to the decision not to load them
      prior to PCI. Intravenous antiplatelet agents, including glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
      inhibitors (GPI) and cangrelor, a reversible P2Y12 inhibitor, address these
      shortcomings. In June 2015, the US FDA approved cangrelor for the prevention of
      thrombotic events associated with coronary stenting. This review examines the
      current state of peri-PCI DAPT and demonstrates that the selective use of GPIs
      and intravenous ADP-antagonist agents reduces the risk of periprocedural
      thrombosis.

PMID- 27255112
TI  - Redox Signaling and Bioenergetics Influence Lung Cancer Cell Line Sensitivity to
      the Isoflavone ME-344.
AB  - ME-344 [(3R,4S)-3,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-7-ol] is
      a second-generation derivative natural product isoflavone presently under
      clinical development. ME-344 effects were compared in lung cancer cell lines that
      are either intrinsically sensitive or resistant to the drug and in primary
      immortalized human lung embryonic fibroblasts (IHLEF). Cytotoxicity at low
      micromolar concentrations occurred only in sensitive cell lines, causing redox
      stress, decreased mitochondrial ATP production, and subsequent disruption of
      mitochondrial function. In a dose-dependent manner the drug caused instantaneous
      and pronounced inhibition of oxygen consumption rates (OCR) in drug-sensitive
      cells (quantitatively significantly less in drug-resistant cells). This was
      consistent with targeting of mitochondria by ME-344, with specific effects on the
      respiratory chain (resistance correlated with higher glycolytic indexes). OCR
      inhibition did not occur in primary IHLEF. ME-344 increased extracellular
      acidification rates in drug-resistant cells (significantly less in drug-sensitive
      cells), implying that ME-344 targets mitochondrial proton pumps. Only in drug
      sensitive cells did ME-344 dose-dependently increase the intracellular generation
      of reactive oxygen species and cause oxidation of total (mainly glutathione) and
      protein thiols and the concomitant immediate increases in NADPH levels. We
      conclude that ME-344 causes complex, redox-specific, and mitochondria-targeted
      effects in lung cancer cells, which differ in extent from normal cells, correlate
      with drug sensitivity, and provide indications of a beneficial in vitro
      therapeutic index.

PMID- 27255113
TI  - Chiral Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Urinary Excretion of Bupropion and Metabolites
      in Healthy Volunteers.
AB  - Bupropion, widely used as an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid, undergoes
      complex metabolism to yield numerous metabolites with unique disposition, effect,
      and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in humans. The stereoselective plasma and
      urinary pharmacokinetics of bupropion and its metabolites were evaluated to
      understand their potential contributions to bupropion effects. Healthy human
      volunteers (n = 15) were administered a single oral dose of racemic bupropion
      (100 mg), which was followed by collection of plasma and urine samples and
      determination of bupropion and metabolite concentrations using novel liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assays. Time-dependent, elimination rate
      limited, stereoselective pharmacokinetics were observed for all bupropion
      metabolites. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity
      ratios were on average approximately 65, 6, 6, and 4 and Cmax ratios were
      approximately 35, 6, 3, and 0.5 for (2R,3R)-/(2S,3S)-hydroxybupropion, R-/S
      bupropion, (1S,2R)-/(1R,2S)-erythrohydrobupropion, and (1R,2R)-/(1S,2S)
      threohydrobupropion, respectively. The R-/S-bupropion and (1R,2R)-/(1S,2S)
      threohydrobupropion ratios are likely indicative of higher presystemic metabolism
      of S- versus R-bupropion by carbonyl reductases. Interestingly, the apparent
      renal clearance of (2S,3S)-hydroxybupropion was almost 10-fold higher than that
      of (2R,3R)-hydroxybupropion. The prediction of steady-state pharmacokinetics
      demonstrated differential stereospecific accumulation [partial area under the
      plasma concentration-time curve after the final simulated bupropion dose (300-312
      hours) from 185 to 37,447 nM?h] and elimination [terminal half-life of
      approximately 7-46 hours] of bupropion metabolites, which may explain observed
      stereoselective differences in bupropion effect and DDI risk with CYP2D6 at
      steady state. Further elucidation of bupropion and metabolite disposition
      suggests that bupropion is not a reliable in vivo marker of CYP2B6 activity. In
      summary, to our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report to provide
      novel insight into mechanisms underlying bupropion disposition by detailing the
      stereoselective pharmacokinetics of individual bupropion metabolites, which will
      enhance clinical understanding of bupropion's effects and DDIs with CYP2D6.

PMID- 27255114
TI  - Transcatheter closure of PFO as secondary prevention of cryptogenic stroke.
AB  - This article covers the main unsolved issues regarding the potential role that
      the patent foramen ovale (PFO) plays in the genesis of so-called cryptogenic
      stroke. Some brief notions of the anatomy and epidemiology of the PFO are
      outlined. Subsequently, the results of the three trials on secondary prevention
      (medical therapy vs. transcatheter closure) in patients with PFO and a history of
      cryptogenic stroke are presented. The conflicting results of numerous meta
      analyses derived from the three randomized controlled trials are discussed.
      Official scientific guidelines dispute an alleged superior efficacy of
      transcatheter PFO occlusion in comparison with antithrombotic therapy alone
      (anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents), except for selected cases of patients
      with documented PFO and a concomitant clinical-instrumental picture of deep
      venous thrombosis. Nevertheless, considering recent doubts about the presumptive
      thrombogenic and arrhythmogenic potential of PFO occlusion, which concerns only
      one of the septal occluders previously used, further in-depth investigations are
      warranted, centered on the use of newer dedicated devices to be tested in
      comparison with antithrombotic regimens alone.

PMID- 27255115
TI  - [Computed tomography in patients with chronic stable angina : Fractional flow
      reserve measurement].
AB  - Coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) has been established for the non
      invasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Previous studies
      demonstrated the high diagnostic accuracy of cCTA, particularly for ruling out
      CAD. As a known limitation of cCTA a large number of visually significant
      coronary stenoses are found to be hemodynamically not relevant by invasive
      fractional flow reserve (FFR). CT-based FFR (CT-FFR) builds on recent advances in
      computational fluid dynamics and image simulation techniques. Along with CT
      myocardial perfusion imaging, CT-FFR is a promising approach towards a more
      accurate estimation of the hemodynamic relevance of coronary artery stenoses. CT
      FFR is derived from regular CT datasets without additional image acquisitions,
      contrast material, or medication. Two CT-FFR techniques can be differentiated.
      The initial method requires external use of supercomputers and has gained
      approval for clinical use in the USA. Furthermore, a prototype-software has been
      introduced which is less computationally demanding via integration of reduced
      order models for on-site calculation of CT-FFR. The present article reviews these
      methods in the context of available study results and meta-analyses. Furthermore,
      limitations and future concepts of CT-FFR are discussed.

PMID- 27255116
TI  - Results of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis : Single-center
      experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated our early and late outcomes after pericardiectomy in
      patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed 31 patients who underwent pericardiectomy for CP from
      1997 to 2015. Their mean age was 49.2 +/- 18.5 years and 74.2 % of them were
      male. The vast majority had severe functional impairment (NYHA class III-IV) with
      a mean duration of symptoms of 14.2 +/- 10.1 months. RESULTS: Early mortality was
      9.7 %: n = 3; multiorgan failure (MOF) in 1, respiratory failure in 1, and left
      heart failure in 1. Preoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure over 60 mmHg
      (p = 0.038, odds ratio [OR] = 0.12) and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome
      (p = 0.005, OR = 13.5) were significant predictors of early mortality in
      univariate analysis. Mean follow-up time was 57.8 +/- 61.9 months (4-216 months).
      Late mortality was 6.8 % (2/28 patients) and the cause was MOF secondary to end
      stage right heart failure. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, actuarial (including early
      mortality) and event-free survival rates were 83.9 and 51.1 % at 216 months,
      respectively. At the end of follow-up, the majority of patients (23/26, 92.9 %)
      were in good functional status (NYHA class I-II). There were fewer patients under
      diuretic therapy in the postoperative than in the preoperative period; however,
      the difference was not statistically significant (12/31 vs. 4/26, p = 0.76).
      There was no significant difference between the preoperative and follow-up
      tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values (15.5 +/- 2.2 and 16.6 +/- 2.2
      mm, respectively, p = 0.088). Left ventricular systolic function was preserved in
      all patients postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Although early mortality after
      pericardiectomy remains high, the procedure provides significant improvement in
      functional status in the long term.

PMID- 27255117
TI  - [Coronary microvascular dysfunction : Clinical aspects, diagnosis and therapy].
AB  - Just as in epicardial coronary stenosis, coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD)
      also leads to an imbalance of myocardial oxygen supply and demand. The
      dysfunction is located at the level of the coronary microcirculation with vessel
      diameters < 500 um and structural as well as functional alterations have been
      described. The underlying mechanisms are diverse, frequently overlap and are
      still incompletely understood. Among others, conditions such as chronic
      inflammation, estrogen deficiency and a genetic familial predisposition have been
      reported. A common and often underdiagnosed clinical manifestation of CMD is
      found in patients who have symptoms of angina pectoris but no obstructive
      epicardial coronary artery disease or myocardial disease. The CMD can be
      diagnosed using non-invasive procedures, such as the combination of coronary
      computed tomography (CT) angiography and cardiac stress magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) or coronary CT and positron emission tomography (PET). In addition,
      invasive coronary vasomotor assessment is also suitable. Very little evidence is
      available regarding the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment of CMD. The
      current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines on the management of
      stable coronary artery disease from 2013 recommend using acetylsalicylic acid
      (ASS) and a statin as well as beta blockers and/or calcium channel blockers.
      Patients with CMD have an elevated risk for coronary events and death of
      approximately 1.7 % per year. Moreover, there is an increased morbidity with
      frequent presentations in practices and emergency admissions. Clinical research
      efforts should aim at a better characterization of the underlying mechanisms of
      CMD in order to develop targeted treatment approaches. 

PMID- 27255118
TI  - Packaging colour research by tobacco companies: the pack as a product
      characteristic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tobacco companies use colour on cigarette packaging and labelling to
      communicate brand imagery, diminish health concerns, and as a replacement for
      prohibited descriptive words ('light' and 'mild') to make misleading claims about
      reduced risks. METHODS: We analysed previously secret tobacco industry documents
      to identify additional ways in which cigarette companies tested and manipulated
      pack colours to affect consumers' perceptions of the cigarettes' flavour and
      strength. RESULTS: Cigarette companies' approach to package design is based on
      'sensation transference' in which consumers transfer sensations they derive from
      the packaging to the product itself. Companies manipulate consumers' perceptions
      of the taste and strength of cigarettes by changing the colour of the packaging.
      For example, even without changes to the tobacco blends, flavourings or
      additives, consumers perceive the taste of cigarettes in packages with red and
      darker colours to be fuller flavoured and stronger, and cigarettes in packs with
      more white and lighter colours are perceived to taste lighter and be less
      harmful. CONCLUSIONS: Companies use pack colours to manipulate consumers'
      perceptions of the taste, strength and health impacts of the cigarettes inside
      the packs, thereby altering their characteristics and effectively creating new
      products. In countries that do not require standardised packaging, regulators
      should consider colour equivalently to other changes in cigarette characteristics
      (eg, physical characteristics, ingredients, additives and flavourings) when
      making determinations about whether or not to permit new products on the market.

PMID- 27255119
TI  - Variations of toxic and carcinogenic constituents in nasvai: call for systematic
      research and regulation.

PMID- 27255120
TI  - Methods for the detection of reactive oxygen species employed in the
      identification of plant photosensitizers.
AB  - Over the past ten years, alternative methods for the rapid screening of PSs have
      been developed. In the present work, a study was undertaken to correlate the
      phototoxicity of plant extracts on either prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, with
      the total oxidation status (TOS) as well as with their ability to produce 1O2.
      Results demonstrated that the extracts containing PSs that were active either on
      eukaryotic cells or bacteria increased their TOS after illumination, and that
      there was a certain degree of positive correlation between the extract phototoxic
      efficacy and TOS levels. The production of 1O2 by the illuminated extracts was
      indirectly measured by the use of the fluorescence of "singlet oxygen sensor
      green", which is a method that has proved highly sensitive for such measurement.
      1O2 was detectable only upon illumination of the most active extracts. In
      addition, the oxidation of tryptophan and was employed as a method capable of
      measuring ROS generated by both type I and II ROS reactions. However, it turned
      out to be not sensitive enough to detect the species generated by plant extracts.
      Results demonstrated that the TOS method, initially developed to measure the
      oxidant status in plasma, can be readily applied to plant extracts. Unlike the
      method used to detect 1O2, the method employed for the detection of TOS proved to
      be accurate, since all the extracts that displayed a high phototoxic activity on
      either prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, presented high TOS levels after
      illumination.

PMID- 27255121
TI  - Pharmacokinetic Characterization and Bioavailability of Strawberry Anthocyanins
      Relative to Meal Intake.
AB  - Plasma strawberry anthocyanins were characterized in overweight (BMI: 26 +/- 2
      kg/m(2)) adults (n = 14) on the basis of meal timing. At each visit, subjects
      ingested three study drinks: two control and one strawberry drink. A strawberry
      drink was given at either 2 h before the breakfast meal (BM), with the meal (WM),
      or 2 h after the meal (AM), and control drinks were given at the alternative time
      points. Plasma anthocyanins and their metabolic conjugates were assessed hourly
      for 10 h using a triple-quadrupole liquid chromatography mass spectrometer.
      Maximum concentrations (Cmax), area under the curve (AUC), and bioavailability of
      pelargonidin-based anthocyanins determined from the main conjugated metabolite
      (pelargonidin glucuronide) were greater when a strawberry drink was consumed 2 h
      before the meal (BM) compared to consumption WM or AM (p < 0.05). Our results
      indicate that the timing of strawberry consumption relative to a meal impacts
      anthocyanin pharmacokinetic variables. 

PMID- 27255122
TI  - CO2 leaking from sub-seabed storage: Responses of two marine bacteria strains.
AB  - Carbon capture and storage (CCS) in stable geological locations is one of the
      options to mitigate the negative effects of global warming produced by the
      increase in CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. A CO2 leak is one of the risks
      associated with this strategy. Marine bacteria attached to the sediment may be
      affected by an acidification event. Responses of two marine strains (Roseobacter
      sp. CECT 7117 and Pseudomonas litoralis CECT 7670) were assessed under different
      scenarios using a range of pH values (7.8, 7, 6.5, 6, and 5.5) to mimic a CO2
      leak. A CO2 injection system was used to simulate an escape from a stable sub
      seabed. Growth rate (MU), cell number, inhibition of Relative Inhibitory Effect
      (RI CO2) and inhibited population were analysed as endpoints. P. litoralis showed
      more sensitivity to high CO2 concentrations than Roseobacter sp. Our results
      highlight the diversity and resistance in marine bacteria and their capacity to
      adapt under a stressful CO2 leakage. 

PMID- 27255123
TI  - Adverse effects of the SSRI antidepressant sertraline on early life stages of
      marine invertebrates.
AB  - Widespread contamination of coastal environments by emerging compounds includes
      low concentrations of pharmaceuticals. These pollutants are not currently
      incorporated in monitoring programs despite their effects on non-target organisms
      are very little documented. Among the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
      (SSRI) antidepressants, sertraline (SRT) is one of the most prescribed globally.
      In this work, earlier life stages of Amphibalanus amphitrite, Brachionus
      plicatilis and Mytilus galloprovincialis were exposed to environmental
      concentrations of SRT in order to study both sub-lethal and lethal responses in
      24/48 h-tests. Low concentrations of SRT altered significantly swimming behavior
      in A. amphitrite and B. plicatilis giving 48 h-EC50 (MUg/L) of 113.88 and 282.23,
      respectively whereas higher values were observed for mortality and
      immobilization. EC50 embryotoxicity with M. galloprovincialis was 206.80 MUg/L.
      This work add new data about SRT ecotoxicity on marine invertebrates and confirms
      the applicability of behavioral endpoints to evaluate the environmental impact of
      antidepressants in marine organisms.

PMID- 27255124
TI  - Plant species effects on soil nutrients and chemistry in arid ecological zones.
AB  - The presence of vegetation strongly influences ecosystem function by controlling
      the distribution and transformation of nutrients across the landscape. The
      magnitude of vegetation effects on soil chemistry is largely dependent on the
      plant species and the background soil chemical properties of the site, but has
      not been well quantified along vegetation transects in the Great Basin. We
      studied the effects of plant canopy cover on soil chemistry within five different
      ecological zones, subalpine, montane, pinyon-juniper, sage/Mojave transition, and
      desert shrub, in the Great Basin of Nevada all with similar underlying geology.
      Although plant species differed in their effects on soil chemistry, the desert
      shrubs Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Atriplex spp., Coleogyne ramosissima, and Larrea
      tridentata typically exerted the most influence on soil chemistry, especially
      amounts of K(+) and total nitrogen, beneath their canopies. However, the extent
      to which vegetation affected soil nutrient status in any given location was not
      only highly dependent on the species present, and presumably the nutrient
      requirements and cycling patterns of the plant species, but also on the
      background soil characteristics (e.g., parent material, weathering rates,
      leaching) where plant species occurred. The results of this study indicate that
      the presence or absence of a plant species, especially desert shrubs, could
      significantly alter soil chemistry and subsequently ecosystem biogeochemistry and
      function.

PMID- 27255125
TI  - Intraoperative radiotherapy in elderly patients with breast cancer: Is there a
      clinical applicability? Review of the current evidence.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Screening and adjuvant postoperative therapies have increased
      survival amongst women with breast cancer, but these tools are seldom applied in
      elderly patients. Higher rates of local recurrence occur in those elderly
      patients who avoid radiotherapy. TARGIT-A and ELIOT trials has been reported to
      not to be inferior to external beam RT in suitable subgroups of patients. The
      TARGIT-Elderly trial has been launched in order to confirm the efficacy of
      intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in a well selected group of elderly patients
      who are more likely to decline radiation treatment. OBJECTIVES: Current evidence
      of the medical literature on the clinical reliability and applicability of
      intraoperative radiotherapy amongst older women diagnosed with early breast
      cancer is after summarized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature databases were
      searched up to June 2015. Terms used to retrieve articles were 'breast cancer',
      'elderly', 'intraoperative radiotherapy', 'IORT' and 'IOERT'. RESULTS: Elderly
      patients with pT1N0 tumours are regarded to be suitable for IORT according to
      ASTRO and GEC-ESTRO recommendations, respectively. DISCUSSION: In the light of
      the medical literature we can assume that patients benefit from postoperative
      radiation therapy, but we still do not know who can be spared from it. These
      issues emphasize the urgent need to develop and support clinical trials for this
      older population of breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Whether radiotherapy is
      beneficial in elderly still remains a matter of debate. IORT along with BCS in a
      selected subgroup of patients (>70years, pT1N0 tumours) could represent a valid
      option for a better local control.

PMID- 27255126
TI  - Physiopathology and clinical considerations of laparoscopic surgery in the
      elderly.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The marked improvements in medical technology and healthcare, lead an
      increasing number of elderly patients to take advantage of even complex surgical.
      Recently, laparoscopic surgery has been accepted as a minimally invasive
      treatment to reduce the morbidity after conventional surgery, and a number of
      studies have demonstrated the feasibility of laparoscopy with significant
      advantages also in the elderly. On the other side, the laparoscopic procedure has
      some drawbacks, including prolonged operation time and impact of carbon dioxide
      pneumoperitoneum on circulatory and respiratory dynamics. This paper will review
      the physiopathological implications of laparoscopy, as well as the current
      literature concerning the most common laparoscopic procedures that are
      increasingly performed in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic
      review of the current literature was performed using the search engines EMBASE
      and PubMed to identify all studies reporting the physiopathological implications
      of laparoscopy in the elderly. The MeSH search terms used were "laparoscopy in
      the elderly", "physiopathology of laparoscopy", and "pneumoperitoneum". Multiple
      combinations of the keywords and MeSH terms were used with particular reference
      to elderly patients. RESULTS: Although laparoscopy is minimally invasive in its
      dissection techniques, the increased physiologic demands present particular
      challenges among elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy and its safety in the
      elderly patients remains a challenge and the evaluation of this approach is
      therefore mandatory. Although many studies have demonstrated the applicability
      and advantages of the laparoscopy also in the geriatric population, with low
      rates of morbidity and mortality, in elderly patients undergoing general surgical
      procedures the physiologic demands of laparoscopy should be carefully considered.

PMID- 27255127
TI  - Spirometry in elderly laryngectomized patients: A feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laryngeal cancer is the second most common respiratory neoplasm after
      lung cancer. Laryngectomy is a well established treatment for larynx cancers
      which involve relevant anatomic alterations. Spirometry is an essential
      investigation tool for diagnosis and severity of respiratory diseases, difficult
      to perform in laryngectomees. METHODS: 43 consecutive laryngectomized patients
      were enrolled from July 2014 to March 2015. Patients fulfilling inclusion
      criteria underwent spirometry at baseline assessment and after two days. During
      the examination, the spirometer was placed directly on the stoma of the patient,
      through mouthpiece "Spirometry Filter 74". RESULTS: At baseline, 26 eligible
      laryngectomees correctly performed the spirometry test with mouthpiece adhering
      to the stoma; 4 patients refused to perform the second spirometry after 2 days.
      The feasibility of spirometry examination in these patients was 100% despite
      difficulties in the execution of the test. The Pearson coefficient of
      reproducibility for FEV1, FVC and Tiffeneau Index was, respectively, 0.98, 0.94
      and 0.77. DISCUSSION: Spirometry in laryngectomee patients is a feasible
      procedure for assessment of respiratory function; despite technical difficulties
      in the execution of the test, our results underline the reproducibility and
      repeatability of the spirometry. In conclusion, when performed within dedicated
      respiratory pathophysiology unit, spirometry is a reliable tool in the assessment
      and follow up of laryngectomees.

PMID- 27255128
TI  - Surgeon's clinical valuation and accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute
      appendicitis: A comparison with intraoperative evaluation. Five years experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen in
      adolescents, with an overall incidence of 7%. Two such tools are used to diagnose
      acute appendicitis: ultrasound and Computer Tomography imaging. End point of this
      study was to verify the accuracy of ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis of acute
      appendicitis with respect to intraoperative observations and the respective
      clinical and laboratory findings in young and in the elderly. METHODS: We
      considered all the appendectomies for acute appendicitis performed between 1
      January 2010 and 1 January 2015. We evaluated clinical symptoms, laboratory
      findings, ultrasound findings, intraoperative signs, and anatomical and
      pathological findings. In the study we compared the ultrasound and intraoperative
      findings and then compared these with the respective clinical and laboratory
      data. RESULTS: In a comparison of diagnostic accuracy, the difference between
      clinical and ultrasound examinations was not significant. The differences between
      the diagnostic accuracy of clinical and laboratory findings and between
      ultrasound and laboratory investigations were statistically significant.
      CONCLUSION: We defined white blood cells and C protein levels as non-diagnostic
      of the type of acute inflammation but rather as indicators of the severity of the
      inflammatory process. We also agree with the authors who proposed the
      incorporation of ultrasonography into routine practice in the diagnosis of acute
      appendicitis, but only and exclusively to support other diagnostic procedures and
      preferably within emergency departments. A thorough clinical examination of
      patients with suspected acute appendicitis is still the best diagnostic procedure
      available to us.

PMID- 27255129
TI  - The thyroid disease in the elderly: Our experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The number of elderly people in Italy is growing, so it is
      important to study the presentation of diseases in these subjects. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We selected 1362 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for different
      thyroid diseases from January 2008 to December 2014. The patients weredivided
      into two groups, according to the age. The patients aged 65 years and over were
      included in the group A, and the patients under the age of 65 years were included
      in the group B. DISCUSSION: Thyroid diseases in the elderly often present with
      atypical symptoms which are very similar to symptoms of the aging process. In
      elderly hypothyroidism occurs frequently sub-clinically and hyperthyroidism is
      often presented with cardiovascular symptoms. In our study we evaluated the
      differences in incidence of thyroid diseases in the elderly and in the younger
      groups of patients. CONCLUSION: The data analyzed in this study showed that in
      the elderly we have a reduced secretion and metabolization of thyroid hormones.
      The symptomatology in the elderly is nonspecific and can create a delay in the
      correct diagnosis.

PMID- 27255130
TI  - Hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury: A systematic review of literature and the
      role of current drugs and biomarkers.
AB  - Hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is not only a pathophysiological
      process involving the liver, but also a complex systemic process affecting
      multiple tissues and organs. Hepatic IRI can seriously impair liver function,
      even producing irreversible damage, which causes a cascade of multiple organ
      dysfunction. Many factors, including anaerobic metabolism, mitochondrial damage,
      oxidative stress and secretion of ROS, intracellular Ca(2+) overload, cytokines
      and chemokines produced by KCs and neutrophils, and NO, are involved in the
      regulation of hepatic IRI processes. Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) can be an
      important mediator of early leukocyte recruitment and target in acute and chronic
      liver injury associated to ischemia. MMPs and neutrophil gelatinase-associated
      lipocalin (NGAL) could be used as markers of I-R injury severity stages. This
      review explores the relationship between factors and inflammatory pathways that
      characterize hepatic IRI, MMPs and current pharmacological approaches to this
      disease. 

PMID- 27255131
TI  - Pre-surgical bronchoscopic treatment for typical endobronchial carcinoids.
AB  - Carcinoids are tumors that originate from diffuse neuroendocrine system cells
      (APUD cells) and represent 1-2% of all pulmonary tumors. Although surgical
      resection remains the mainstay of treatment, bronchoscopic radical resection of
      typical carcinoids in selected cases exhibiting endoluminal growth and small
      implant base has also been explored. Bronchoscopic removal of endobronchial
      lesions may also reduce the risk of post-obstructive infections and improve
      pulmonary function, allowing the patient to undergo surgery in better clinical
      and respiratory state. In this paper we have evaluated the impact on surgical
      planning and outcome of preoperative bronchoscopic resection in treatment of
      endobronchial typical carcinoids. Our observations further support the role of
      bronchoscopic treatment before surgery in endobronchial typical carcinoids. 

PMID- 27255132
TI  - Diagnostic value of computed tomography colonography (CTC) after incomplete
      optical colonoscopy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the role of computed tomography colonography
      (CTC) in patients who previously underwent incomplete optical colonoscopy (OC).
      We analyzed the impact of colonic lesions in intestinal segments not studied by
      OC and extracolonic findings in these patients. METHODS: Between January 2014 and
      May 2015, 61 patients with a history of abdominal pain and incomplete OC
      examination were studied by CTC. CTCs were performed by 320-row CT scan in both
      the supine and the prone position, without intravenous administration of contrast
      medium. In all patients both colonic findings and extracolonic findings were
      evaluated. RESULTS: Among the study group, 24 CTC examinations were negative for
      both colonic and extracolonic findings while 6 examinations revealed the presence
      of both colonic and extracolonic findings. In 24 patients CTC depicted colonic
      anomalies without extracolonic ones, while in 7 patients it showed extracolonic
      findings without colonic ones. DISCUSSION: CTC is a noninvasive imaging technique
      with the advantages of high diagnostic performance, rapid data acquisition,
      minimal patient discomfort, lack of need for sedation, and virtually no recovery
      time. CTC accurately allows the evaluation of the nonvisualized part of the colon
      after incomplete OC and has the distinct advantage to detect clinically important
      extracolonic findings in patients with incomplete OC potentially explaining the
      patient's symptoms and conditioning their therapeutic management. CONCLUSION: CTC
      accurately allows the assessment of both colonic and extracolonic pathologies
      representing a useful diagnostic tool in patients for whom complete OC is not
      achievable.

PMID- 27255133
TI  - Laparoscopic single site (LESS) and classic video-laparoscopic cholecystectomy in
      the elderly: A single centre experience.
AB  - Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold-standard surgical method used to
      treat gallbladder diseases. Recently Laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS)
      has gained greater interest and diffusion for the surgical treatment of several
      pathologies. In elderly patients, just few randomized controlled trials are
      present in the literature that confirm the clinical advantages of LESS compared
      with the classic laparoscopic procedures. We present in this paper the
      preliminary results of this randomized prospective study regarding the
      feasibility and safety of LESS cholecystectomy versus classic laparoscopic
      technique. We demonstrated that LESS technique compared with traditional
      technique show some advantages like: acceptable operative times, lower post
      operative discomfort and sometimes reduction added complications. In addition we
      also demonstrate that fewer incisions and less scarring which mean less pain, and
      fewer parietal complications are related to this surgical procedure. In
      conclusion in the elderly LESS cholecystectomy technique is to be considered a
      suitable alternative to traditional three-port cholecystectomy. 

PMID- 27255134
TI  - Short-course radiotherapy in elderly women with breast cancer: Comparison by age,
      comorbidity index and toxicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy amongst elderly women. It
      represents the main cause of mortality for those women and it is steadily
      increasing. The primary therapeutic approach remains surgery, as in other age
      groups. The role of radiotherapy following surgery is still debated. The use of
      hypofractionated schedules is challenging the standard fractionation and has now
      been considered an advantageous option within this subgroup of patients. Results
      from randomized controlled trials have not been shown to be inferior to standard
      fractionation in terms of local recurrence, disease-free survival and overall
      survival. Acute and late side effects were not increased by hypofractionated
      regimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 60 elderly women treated by hypofractionated
      radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery were stratified by age.
      Comorbidities associated compliance and toxicity correlation to age were the
      first endpoints of the study. Comorbidity associated compliance was calculated by
      Cumulative Illness Rating Scale Geriatric. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 15
      months overall survival was 100%, without severe late toxicity. No statistical
      significant differences were found between Cumulative Illness Rating Scale
      Geriatric, systemic therapy and toxicity. CONCLUSION: In our experience
      hypofractioned regimens seem to be safe and reliable in the elderly setting,
      although longer follow up is needed.

PMID- 27255135
TI  - Homeostasis, singularities, and networks.
AB  - Homeostasis occurs in a biological or chemical system when some output variable
      remains approximately constant as an input parameter [Formula: see text] varies
      over some interval. We discuss two main aspects of homeostasis, both related to
      the effect of coordinate changes on the input-output map. The first is a
      reformulation of homeostasis in the context of singularity theory, achieved by
      replacing 'approximately constant over an interval' by 'zero derivative of the
      output with respect to the input at a point'. Unfolding theory then classifies
      all small perturbations of the input-output function. In particular, the 'chair'
      singularity, which is especially important in applications, is discussed in
      detail. Its normal form and universal unfolding [Formula: see text] is derived
      and the region of approximate homeostasis is deduced. The results are motivated
      by data on thermoregulation in two species of opossum and the spiny rat. We give
      a formula for finding chair points in mathematical models by implicit
      differentiation and apply it to a model of lateral inhibition. The second asks
      when homeostasis is invariant under appropriate coordinate changes. This is false
      in general, but for network dynamics there is a natural class of coordinate
      changes: those that preserve the network structure. We characterize those nodes
      of a given network for which homeostasis is invariant under such changes. This
      characterization is determined combinatorially by the network topology.

PMID- 27255137
TI  - Metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for methionine production by
      removing feedback inhibition and increasing NADPH level.
AB  - Relieving the feedback inhibition of key enzymes in a metabolic pathway is
      frequently the first step of producer-strain construction by genetic engineering.
      However, the strict feedback regulation exercised by microorganisms in methionine
      biosynthesis often makes it difficult to produce methionine at a high level. In
      this study, Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 was metabolically engineered
      for methionine production. First, the metD gene encoding the methionine uptake
      system was deleted to achieve extracellular accumulation of methionine. Then,
      random mutagenesis was performed to remove feedback inhibition by metabolic end
      products. The resulting strain C. glutamicum ENM-16 was further engineered to
      block or decrease competitive branch pathways by deleting the thrB gene and
      changing the start codon of the dapA gene, followed by point mutations of lysC
      (C932T) and pyc (G1A, C1372T) to increase methionine precursor supply. To enrich
      the NADPH pool, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate
      dehydrogenase in the pentose phosphate pathway were mutated to reduce their
      sensitivity to inhibition by intracellular metabolites. The resultant strain C.
      glutamicum LY-5 produced 6.85 +/- 0.23 g methionine l(-1) with substrate-specific
      yield (Y P/S) of 0.08 mol per mol of glucose after 72 h fed-batch fermentation.
      The strategies described here will be useful for construction of methionine
      engineering strains. 

PMID- 27255136
TI  - Clinical Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Compared with
      Marijuana in Emergency Department Patients with Acute Drug Overdose.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are heterogeneous
      compounds originally intended as probes of the endogenous cannabinoid system or
      as potential therapeutic agents. We assessed the clinical toxicity associated
      with recent SCRA use in a large cohort of drug overdose patients. METHODS: This
      subgroup analysis of a large (n = 3739) drug overdose cohort study involved
      consecutive ED patients at two urban teaching hospitals collected between 2009
      and 2013. Clinical characteristics of patients with the exposure to SCRAs (SRCA
      subgroup) were compared with those from patients who smoked traditional
      cannabinoids (marijuana subgroup). Data included demographics, exposure details,
      vital signs, mental status, and basic chemistries gathered as part of routine
      clinical care. Study outcomes included altered mental status and cardiotoxicity.
      RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients reported exposure to any cannabinoid, of whom 17
      reported SCRAs (17 cases, 70 controls, mean age 38.9 years, 77 % males, 31 %
      Hispanic). There were no significant differences between SRCA and marijuana with
      respect to demographics (age, gender, and race/ethnicity), exposure history
      (suicidality, misuse, and intent), vital signs, or serum chemistries. Mental
      status varied between SRCA and marijuana, with agitation significantly more
      likely in SCRA subgroup (OR = 3.8, CI = 1.2-11.9). Cardiotoxicity was more
      pronounced in the SCRA subgroup with dysrhythmia significantly more likely (OR =
      9.2, CI = 1.0-108). CONCLUSIONS: In the first clinical study comparing the
      adverse effects of SCRA overdose vs. marijuana controls in an ED population, we
      found that SCRA overdoses had significantly pronounced neurotoxicity and
      cardiotoxicity compared with marijuana.

PMID- 27255138
TI  - Hyphomonas pacifica sp. nov., isolated from deep sea of the Pacific Ocean.
AB  - Three Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, oval- to pear-shaped bacterial
      strains (T16B2(T), T24B3, and C76AD) were isolated from petroleum-degrading
      microbial communities through an enrichment of sediments and seawater samples
      from the Pacific Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis showed strains T16B2(T), T24B3, and
      C76AD to form a robust clade together with Hyphomonas atlanticus 22II1-22F38(T)
      and Hyphomonas beringensis 25B14_1(T) (16S rRNA identity >=99.6 %). Genomic
      average nucleotide identity and DNA-DNA hybridization estimate values between
      strain T16B2(T) and nine type strains of the genus Hyphomonas are in the range of
      82.9-88.2 and 18.3-33.6 %, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids in
      strains T16B2(T), T24B3, and C76AD are C16:0, C17:0, C18:1 omega7c-methyl, and
      summed feature 8 (C18:1 omega6c/omega7c). The DNA G+C content of strain T16B2(T)
      is 58.5 %. The predominant respiratory quinone of strain T16B2(T) is Q-11. Polar
      lipids comprise three unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified phospholipid,
      and two polar lipids. Combined phenotypic and genotypic data show strains
      T16B2(T), T24B3, and C76AD to represent a novel species of the genus Hyphomonas,
      for which the name Hyphomonas pacifica sp. nov. is proposed, with type strain
      T16B2(T) (=LMG 27911(T) = MCCC 1A04387(T)). 

PMID- 27255139
TI  - Investigation of genes involved in nisin production in Enterococcus spp. strains
      isolated from raw goat milk.
AB  - Different strains of Lactococcus lactis are capable of producing the bacteriocin
      nisin. However, genetic transfer mechanisms allow the natural occurrence of genes
      involved in nisin production in members of other bacterial genera, such as
      Enterococcus spp. In a previous study, nisA was identified in eight enterococci
      capable of producing antimicrobial substances. The aim of this study was to
      verify the presence of genes involved in nisin production in Enterococcus spp.
      strains, as well as nisin expression. The nisA genes from eight Enterococcus spp.
      strains were sequenced and the translated amino acid sequences were compared to
      nisin amino-acid sequences previously described in databases. Although containing
      nisin structural and maturation related genes, the enterococci strains tested in
      the present study did not present the immunity related genes (nisFEG and nisI).
      The translated sequences of nisA showed some point mutations, identical to those
      presented by Lactococcus strains isolated from goat milk. All enterococci were
      inhibited by nisin, indicating the absence of immunity and thus that nisin cannot
      be expressed. This study demonstrated for the first time the natural occurrence
      of nisin structural genes in Enterococcus strains and highlights the importance
      of providing evidence of a link between the presence of bacteriocin genes and
      their expression. 

PMID- 27255140
TI  - Identification of Cryptic Novel alpha-Galactosidase A Gene Mutations: Abnormal
      mRNA Splicing and Large Deletions.
AB  - Anderson-Fabry (FD) disease is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a
      deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A (GLA), a lysosomal enzyme. Many male FD
      patients display a classic FD phenotype; however, some female patients have
      neither reduced leukocyte GLA enzyme activity level nor FD symptoms. Thus, GLA
      gene analysis is especially important for diagnosing suspected FD in female
      subjects. In this study, we revealed 4 novel GLA gene mutations in 5 independent
      families using GLA cDNA analysis and multiplex ligation-dependent probe
      amplification (MLPA) analysis. These distinct mutations included a large deletion
      mutation from intron 1 to exon 5 (c.195-471_c.691del5.5k, corresponding to
      g.8508_g.14069del5.5k), an insertion mutation of splicing enhancer sequence in
      intron 4 (c.639+329_c.639+330ins113, corresponding to g.12627_g.12628ins113), an
      insertion mutation of retrotransposon L1 in exon 4 (c.634_c.635, corresponding to
      g.12293_g.12294), and a non-SNP deep intronic point mutation in intron 3
      (c.547+395G>C, corresponding to g.11727G>C). It is difficult to detect these
      mutations with direct sequencing of only the exonic element. When exonic
      mutations are not found in the GLA gene from suspected FD patients, GLA cDNA and
      MLPA analyses should be performed to detect large deletion/insertion and intronic
      mutations including transcription abnormalities.

PMID- 27255141
TI  - Binuclear Cells in the Lactating Mammary Gland: New Insights on an Old Concept?
AB  - In a recent paper (Rios et al. Nat Commun. 7:11400, 2016), it was reported that
      polyploid cells are frequent in lactating mammary tissues. This phenomenon was
      observed in mammary tissue sampled from five separate mammalian species.
      According to that report, these binucleated cells occur late in pregnancy and
      early in lactation. Unfortunately, this paper did not mention a number of earlier
      observations and findings that remain pertinent to this day (Banerjee et al. Life
      sciences Pt 2: Biochemistry, general and molecular biology. 10(15):867-77, 1971;
      Banerjee MR, Wagner JE. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 49(2):480-7, 1972). In
      these classical experiments, the authors demonstrated in vivo that DNA synthesis
      continued without commensurate cell division during late pregnancy and lactation,
      and that this DNA synthesis was imperative for functional differentiation of the
      mammary epithelium. Later studies showed that DNA synthesis was indispensable to
      the induction of milk protein production in explant cultures of mammary tissue
      from unprimed, nulliparous mice. This dependence on DNA synthesis in mammary
      explant cultures stimulated by lactogenic hormones was found to be dispensable
      following a single pregnancy. The absolute requirement for DNA synthesis in
      nulliparous mouse mammary explants stimulated to synthesize milk protein in vitro
      has remained unexplained, as has the need for DNA synthesis prior to the onset of
      lactation. From a historical perspective, it is more likely that binuclear
      secretory cells in the lactating mammary gland are a consequence of the DNA
      synthesis requirement for lactation, rather than an essential element.

PMID- 27255142
TI  - Epidemiology of Nonfatal Injuries Among Schoolchildren.
AB  - Nonfatal injuries are considered as one of the major public health hazards
      affecting schoolchildren, and the majority of these injuries occur at school or
      in the home. A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 3 months,
      March-May 2015. The participants were 4,355 Jordanian schoolchildren in Grades 7
      12. The Pearson chi(2) test was computed, and the odds ratio was used to
      determine the magnitude of various risk factors for nonfatal injuries among
      schoolchildren. The overall incidence of nonfatal injury was 33.9%. The group
      most likely to sustain nonfatal injuries was boys, aged 12-15, in Grade 7, whose
      parents had a low level of education or a high family income. Injury prevention
      in schools and at homes is a cornerstone for protection or reducing the incidence
      of injuries. School nurses have a duty to follow up and examine the accident
      reports and evaluate whether safety policies are applied and are effective in
      different school settings. Furthermore, health and education authorities should
      develop a national program for preventing injuries. 

PMID- 27255143
TI  - Comments on "Altered lipid peroxidation markers are related to post-traumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD) and not trauma itself in earthquake survivors".

PMID- 27255144
TI  - Higher mortality rates amongst emergency patients admitted to hospital at
      weekends reflect a lower probability of admission.
AB  - Objective Patients admitted as emergencies to hospitals at the weekend have
      higher death rates than patients admitted on weekdays. This may be because the
      restricted service availability at weekends leads to selection of patients with
      greater average severity of illness. We examined volumes and rates of hospital
      admissions and deaths across the week for patients presenting to emergency
      services through two routes: (a) hospital Accident and Emergency departments,
      which are open throughout the week; and (b) services in the community, for which
      availability is more restricted at weekends. Method Retrospective observational
      study of all 140 non-specialist acute hospital Trusts in England analyzing
      12,670,788 Accident and Emergency attendances and 4,656,586 emergency admissions
      (940,859 direct admissions from primary care and 3,715,727 admissions through
      Accident and Emergency) between April 2013 and February 2014.Emergency
      attendances and admissions to hospital and deaths in any hospital within 30 days
      of attendance or admission were compared for weekdays and weekends. Results
      Similar numbers of patients attended Accident and Emergency on weekends and
      weekdays. There were similar numbers of deaths amongst patients attending
      Accident and Emergency on weekend days compared with weekdays (378.0 vs. 388.3).
      Attending Accident and Emergency at the weekend was not associated with a
      significantly higher probability of death (risk-adjusted OR: 1.010).
      Proportionately fewer patients who attended Accident and Emergency at weekend
      were admitted to hospital (27.5% vs. 30.0%) and it is only amongst the subset of
      patients attending Accident and Emergency who were selected for admission to
      hospital that the probability of dying was significantly higher at the weekend
      (risk-adjusted OR: 1.054). The average volume of direct admissions from services
      in the community was 61% lower on weekend days compared to weekdays (1317 vs.
      3404). There were fewer deaths following direct admission on weekend days than
      weekdays (35.9 vs. 80.8). The mortality rate was significantly higher at weekends
      amongst direct admissions (risk-adjusted OR: 1.212) due to the proportionately
      greater reduction in admissions relative to deaths. Conclusions There are fewer
      deaths following hospital admission at weekends. Higher mortality rates at
      weekends are found only amongst the subset of patients who are admitted. The
      reduced availability of primary care services and the higher Accident and
      Emergency admission threshold at weekends mean fewer and sicker patients are
      admitted at weekends than during the week. Extending services in hospitals and in
      the community at weekends may increase the number of emergency admissions and
      therefore lower mortality, but may not reduce the absolute number of deaths.

PMID- 27255146
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma reduces the oxidative damage determined by a skeletal muscle
      contusion in rats.
AB  - Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has received increasing attention and is widely used
      in clinical practice in order to stimulate human tissue healing. Contusions are
      very common injuries observed in sports and affect the function of the
      musculoskeletal system. This study investigated the effects of PRP on the
      oxidative damage determined by a contusion induced in gastrocnemius muscle of
      rats. PRP was injected intramuscularly immediately after injury and every 48 h,
      and the biochemical analysis was performed 1, 3, 5, or 7 days after the contusion
      onset in order to evaluate the changes characteristics of the healing process.
      The contusion increased the levels of oxidative stress markers such as
      thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and oxidized dichlorofluorescein both in
      skeletal muscle tissue and erythrocytes preparations, and PRP treatment
      significantly reduced these oxidative damage markers. Furthermore, the contusion
      decreased the cellular viability in the site of the lesion and PRP was effective
      in diminishing this effect. Moreover, PRP increased the levels of enzymatic
      antioxidants superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the injured muscle,
      and also the non-protein thiols (-SH) group levels in erythrocytes. In conclusion
      PRP, in the form that was used in this study, was able to modulate the oxidative
      damage determined by a classical skeletal muscle injury possibly by reducing the
      impairment of myocytes mitochondrial function and improving their endogenous
      antioxidant defense systems.

PMID- 27255145
TI  - Improving the Medication Reconciliation Discharge Prescription Documentation of
      Rationale for New or Changed Medications at the Niagara Health System.

PMID- 27255148
TI  - Molecular dynamics simulations and CD spectroscopy reveal hydration-induced
      unfolding of the intrinsically disordered LEA proteins COR15A and COR15B from
      Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - The LEA (late embryogenesis abundant) proteins COR15A and COR15B from Arabidopsis
      thaliana are intrinsically disordered under fully hydrated conditions, but obtain
      alpha-helical structure during dehydration, which is reversible upon rehydration.
      To understand this unusual structural transition, both proteins were investigated
      by circular dichroism (CD) and molecular dynamics (MD) approaches. MD simulations
      showed unfolding of the proteins in water, in agreement with CD data obtained
      with both HIS-tagged and untagged recombinant proteins. Mainly intramolecular
      hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) formed by the protein backbone were replaced by H-bonds
      with water molecules. As COR15 proteins function in vivo as protectants in leaves
      partially dehydrated by freezing, unfolding was further assessed under crowded
      conditions. Glycerol reduced (40%) or prevented (100%) unfolding during MD
      simulations, in agreement with CD spectroscopy results. H-bonding analysis
      indicated that preferential exclusion of glycerol from the protein backbone
      increased stability of the folded state. 

PMID- 27255147
TI  - 17beta-Estradiol Reverses Leptin-Inducing Ovarian Cancer Cell Migration by the
      PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Accumulating evidence suggests that leptin is expressed at higher levels in obese
      women and stimulates cell migration in epithelial cancers. However, the biology
      of ovarian cancer is different from others, mainly due to the production of
      estrogens because of the involvement of ovarian tissue, which is the main source
      of estrogens; as a result, the levels are at least 100- to 1000-fold higher than
      normal circulating levels. Thus, ovarian cancer tissues are exposed to 17beta
      estradiol, which promotes ovarian cancer cell migration and may modulate the
      effect of other hormones. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of
      17beta-estradiol (1 nmol/L) with leptin (1-40 ng/mL) at physiological levels, on
      the migration of OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells, and the expression
      levels and activity of metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9. Here, we found that
      leptin stimulated ovarian cancer cell line migration, which is mediated via the
      expression and activity of MMP-9 in the OVCAR-3 but not in the SKOV-3 cells.
      After the administration of 17beta-estradiol and leptin, we observed antagonistic
      effects of 17beta-estradiol on leptin-induced OVCAR-3 cell migration and MMP-9
      expression and activity. Moreover, the antagonistic effect of 17beta-estradiol on
      leptin-induced cancer cell migration was reversed by pretreatment of the cells
      with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway inhibitor. Taken together,
      our results, for the first time, show that in ovarian cancer cells ObR+/ER+,
      17beta-estradiol has an antagonistic effect on leptin-induced cell migration as
      well as MMP-9 expression and activity, which is mediated by the PI3K pathway.

PMID- 27255149
TI  - Pertussis Antibody Concentrations in Infants Born Prematurely to Mothers
      Vaccinated in Pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Maternal antenatal pertussis-containing vaccination is
      recommended for the prevention of neonatal pertussis, but the ability of maternal
      vaccination to protect premature infants is unknown. We hypothesized that that
      infants born prematurely to antenatally vaccinated women would have higher
      pertussis antibody concentrations than those born to unvaccinated women. METHODS:
      Mothers had been offered a combined tetanus, diphtheria, 5-component acellular
      pertussis, inactivated polio vaccine from 28 weeks' gestation as part of their
      routine antenatal care. Premature infants of vaccinated and unvaccinated mothers
      enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
      schedules had antibody concentrations (pertussis toxin, filamentous
      hemoagglutinin [FHA], and fimbriae 2 and 3) measured at 2 months (before primary
      vaccination), 5 months (1 month after primary vaccination), and 12 months of age.
      RESULTS: Mothers of 31 (19%) of 160 premature infants had received combined
      tetanus, diphtheria, 5-component acellular pertussis, inactivated polio vaccine
      in pregnancy. Compared with infants of unvaccinated mothers, those born to
      vaccinated mothers had significantly higher antibody concentrations at 2 months
      for all measured vaccine antigens (P < .001). The number of days between maternal
      vaccination and delivery and immunoglobulin G concentration at 2 months of age
      was positively correlated for pertussis toxin (P = .011) and FHA (P = .001).
      After primary immunization, infants of vaccinated mothers had significantly lower
      antibody concentrations for FHA (P = .003) compared with infants of unvaccinated
      mothers; these differences had resolved by 12 months of age. CONCLUSIONS:
      Maternal vaccination administered early in the third trimester may provide
      protection for infants born prematurely.

PMID- 27255150
TI  - Congenital Trismus From Brainstem Dysgenesis: Case Report and Review of
      Literature.
AB  - Trismus refers to any condition inducing limited mouth opening and may present as
      a result of acquired or congenital pathology. We present the case of a newborn
      who presented with severe, congenital trismus due to brainstem dysgenesis. We
      describe the course of his investigations, and a multidisciplinary approach to
      the management of his care and follow-up. To our knowledge, this is one of the
      earliest reported cases of congenital trismus attributable to brainstem
      dysgenesis. A literature review was conducted to provide an overview of the
      differential pathogenesis as it presents in congenital cases and discuss the
      complexity of managing congenital trismus due to brainstem dysgenesis in a
      neonate and infant.

PMID- 27255151
TI  - Two-Step Process for ED UTI Screening in Febrile Young Children: Reducing
      Catheterization Rates.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urinary tract infection (UTI) screening in febrile
      young children can be painful and time consuming. We implemented a screening
      protocol for UTI in a high-volume pediatric emergency department (ED) to reduce
      urethral catheterization, limiting catheterization to children with positive
      screens from urine bag specimens. METHODS: This quality-improvement initiative
      was implemented using 3 Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, beginning with a small test of
      the proposed change in 1 ED area. To ensure appropriate patients received timely
      screening, care teams discussed patient risk factors and created patient
      specific, appropriate procedures. The intervention was extended to the entire ED
      after providing education. Finally, visual cues were added into the electronic
      health record, and nursing scripts were developed to enlist family participation.
      A time-series design was used to study the impact of the 6-month intervention by
      using a p-chart to determine special cause variation. The primary outcome measure
      for the study was defined as the catheterization rate in febrile children ages 6
      to 24 months. RESULTS: The ED reduced catheterization rates among febrile young
      children from 63% to <30% over a 6-month period with sustained results. More than
      350 patients were spared catheterization without prolonging ED length of stay.
      Additionally, there was no change in the revisit rate or missed UTIs among those
      followed within the hospital's network. CONCLUSIONS: A 2-step less-invasive
      process for screening febrile young children for UTI can be instituted in a high
      volume ED without increasing length of stay or missing cases of UTI.

PMID- 27255152
TI  - The association of serum long-chain n-3 PUFA and hair mercury with exercise
      cardiac power in men.
AB  - Long-chain n-3 PUFA from fish and exercise capacity are associated with CVD risk.
      Fish, especially large and old predatory fish, may contain Hg, which may
      attenuate the inverse association of long-chain n-3 PUFA with CVD. However, the
      associations of long-chain n-3 PUFA or Hg exposure with exercise capacity are not
      well known. We aimed to evaluate the associations of serum long-chain n-3 PUFA
      EPA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and DHA and hair Hg with exercise cardiac power
      (ECP, a ratio of VO2max:maximal systolic blood pressure (SBP) during an exercise
      test), a measure for exercise capacity. For this, data from the population-based
      Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study were analysed cross-sectionally
      in order to determine the associations between serum long-chain n-3 PUFA, hair Hg
      and ECP in 1672 men without CVD, aged 42-60 years. After multivariate
      adjustments, serum total long-chain n-3 PUFA concentration was associated with
      higher ECP and VO2max (P trend across quartiles=0.04 and P trend=0.02,
      respectively), but not with maximal SBP (P trend=0.69). Associations were
      generally similar when EPA, DPA and DHA were evaluated individually. Hair Hg was
      not associated with ECP, VO2max or maximal SBP. However, the associations of
      total long-chain n-3 PUFA (P interaction=0.03) and EPA (P interaction=0.02) with
      higher VO2max were stronger among men with lower hair Hg. Higher serum long-chain
      n-3 PUFA concentration, mainly a marker for fish consumption in this study
      population, was associated with higher ECP and VO2max in middle-aged men from
      eastern Finland.

PMID- 27255153
TI  - Adhesive organ regeneration in Macrostomum lignano.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Flatworms possess pluripotent stem cells that can give rise to all
      cell types, which allows them to restore lost body parts after injury or
      amputation. This makes flatworms excellent model systems for studying
      regeneration. In this study, we present the adhesive organs of a marine flatworm
      as a simple model system for organ regeneration. Macrostomum lignano has
      approximately 130 adhesive organs at the ventral side of its tail plate. One
      adhesive organ consists of three interacting cells: one adhesive gland cell, one
      releasing gland cell, and one modified epidermal cell, called an anchor cell.
      However, no specific markers for these cell types were available to study the
      regeneration of adhesive organs. RESULTS: We tested 15 commercially available
      lectins for their ability to label adhesive organs and found one lectin (peanut
      agglutinin) to be specific to adhesive gland cells. We visualized the morphology
      of regenerating adhesive organs using lectin- and antibody staining as well as
      transmission electron microscopy. Our findings indicate that the two gland cells
      differentiate earlier than the connected anchor cells. Using EdU/lectin staining
      of partially amputated adhesive organs, we showed that their regeneration can
      proceed in two ways. First, adhesive gland cell bodies are able to survive
      partial amputation and reconnect with newly formed anchor cells. Second, adhesive
      gland cell bodies are cleared away, and the entire adhesive organ is build anew.
      CONCLUSION: Our results provide the first insights into adhesive organ
      regeneration and describe ten new markers for differentiated cells and tissues in
      M. lignano. The position of adhesive organ cells within the blastema and their
      chronological differentiation have been shown for the first time. M. lignano can
      regenerate adhesive organs de novo but also replace individual anchor cells in an
      injured organ. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of organogenesis
      in flatworms and enable further molecular investigations of cell-fate decisions
      during regeneration.

PMID- 27255154
TI  - A rare case of IgG4-related disease: a gastric mass, associated with regional
      lymphadenopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly recognized disorder,
      characterized by massive IgG4+ lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration, storiform
      fibrosis, causing enlargement, nodules or thickening of the various organs,
      simultaneously or metachronously. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is
      very rare and can be presented as a diffuse wall thickening or polyp or mass-like
      lesion. Up to now, there have been reported only a few cases of isolated gastric
      IgG4-RD. CASE PRESENTATION: We present an unusual case of IgG4-RD of the stomach
      with involvement of the regional lymph nodes, clinically manifested as a gastric
      cancer with related pyloric stenosis. The patient underwent distal gastrectomy,
      omentectomy and lymph node dissection. The postoperative serum IgG4 level was
      increased. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical study. CONCLUSIONS:
      In the most of the reported cases there was not sufficient data about the
      regional lymph nodal status, although the majority of the patients had been
      operated with presumptive diagnosis of gastric neoplasm. Our case is rare and
      valuable because it presents a gastric IgG4-related lesion larger than all
      previously reported in literature, and IgG4-related lymphadenopathy, confirmed
      histologically, which contributes to better knowledge of the disease.

PMID- 27255155
TI  - Determinants of stillbirths in Ghana: does quality of antenatal care matter?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Each year, over two million babies die before they are born. Like
      maternal deaths, the great majority of these stillbirths occur in developing
      countries, with about a third of all cases worldwide in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
      Few studies have, however, examined the determinants of stillbirths in SSA. In
      addition, the emphases on promoting deliveries by skilled birth attendants and/or
      in health facilities to prevent maternal deaths, though important, may have
      undermined efforts to provide good quality antenatal care (ANC), which may have
      an additional role in preventing stillbirths. This study examines the factors
      associated with stillbirths in Ghana, focusing on the role of ANC quality.
      METHODS: Data are from the Ghana Maternal Health Survey (N = 4,868)-a national
      survey of women of reproductive age. The main analysis includes women who had a
      pregnancy ending in a live birth or stillbirth in the five years preceding the
      survey and who received ANC at least once. ANC quality is measured by an index
      based on receipt (or otherwise) of nine antenatal services during the last
      pregnancy, including education about pregnancy complications; with receipt of at
      least of eight services classified as higher quality ANC. Stillbirths refer to
      babies born dead at seven or more months of pregnancy. Analytic techniques
      include multilevel logistic regression, with moderation and mediation analysis to
      examine conditional and intervening effects respectively. RESULTS: Higher quality
      ANC decreases the odds of a stillbirth by almost half after accounting for other
      factors, including the type of delivery provider and facility. Educating pregnant
      women about pregnancy complications contributes significantly to this difference
      by ANC quality. The type of delivery facility and provider account for a small
      proportion (14 %) of the ANC quality effect on stillbirths and a larger
      proportion of the rural/urban difference (27 %) in stillbirths. Completing the
      recommended four antenatal visits decreases the odds of a stillbirth. Having a
      pregnancy complication, a multiple gestation, a past stillbirth, or a sister who
      died from pregnancy complications increases the odds of a stillbirth.
      CONCLUSIONS: Good quality ANC can improve birth outcomes in two ways: directly
      through preventative measures, and indirectly through promoting deliveries in
      health facilities where complications can be better managed. Targeted programs
      and policies to increase ANC quality, including adequately educating women on
      pregnancy complications, will help improve birth outcomes in Ghana, and in SSA as
      a whole.

PMID- 27255156
TI  - Task-specific ankle robotics gait training after stroke: a randomized pilot
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An unsettled question in the use of robotics for post-stroke gait
      rehabilitation is whether task-specific locomotor training is more effective than
      targeting individual joint impairments to improve walking function. The paretic
      ankle is implicated in gait instability and fall risk, but is difficult to
      therapeutically isolate and refractory to recovery. We hypothesize that in
      chronic stroke, treadmill-integrated ankle robotics training is more effective to
      improve gait function than robotics focused on paretic ankle impairments.
      FINDINGS: Participants with chronic hemiparetic gait were randomized to either
      six weeks of treadmill-integrated ankle robotics (n = 14) or dose-matched seated
      ankle robotics (n = 12) videogame training. Selected gait measures were collected
      at baseline, post-training, and six-week retention. Friedman, and Wilcoxon Sign
      Rank and Fisher's exact tests evaluated within and between group differences
      across time, respectively. Six weeks post-training, treadmill robotics proved
      more effective than seated robotics to increase walking velocity, paretic single
      support, paretic push-off impulse, and active dorsiflexion range of motion.
      Treadmill robotics durably improved gait dorsiflexion swing angle leading 6/7
      initially requiring ankle braces to self-discarded them, while their unassisted
      paretic heel-first contacts increased from 44 % to 99.6 %, versus no change in
      assistive device usage (0/9) following seated robotics. CONCLUSIONS: Treadmill
      integrated, but not seated ankle robotics training, durably improves gait
      biomechanics, reversing foot drop, restoring walking propulsion, and establishing
      safer foot landing in chronic stroke that may reduce reliance on assistive
      devices. These findings support a task-specific approach integrating adaptive
      ankle robotics with locomotor training to optimize mobility recovery. CLINICAL
      TRIAL IDENTIFIER: NCT01337960.
      https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01337960?term=NCT01337960&rank=1.

PMID- 27255157
TI  - Dabrafenib in an elderly patient with metastatic melanoma and BRAF V600R
      mutation: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 50 % of malignant melanomas harbor activating point
      mutations in the BRAF gene. Typically, these mutations result in the substitution
      of the amino acid valine at codon 600 of the gene, and 90-95 % of mutations are
      either BRAF (V600E) or BRAF (V600K). Specific BRAF inhibitors such as dabrafenib
      and vemurafenib are the mainstays of treatment in patients with metastatic BRAF
      mutant malignant melanomas. The third most common BRAF mutation is V600R, which
      also leads to increased BRAF signaling. Although evidence exists about the
      activity of dabrafenib and vemurafenib in patients with the BRAF (V600R)
      mutation, these patients have been systematically excluded from recent trials
      with targeted therapies. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report the positive results
      in terms of survival and quality of life obtained with dabrafenib in an 80-year
      old Caucasian male patient with a Charlson Comorbidity Index of 8 diagnosed with
      metastatic malignant melanoma harboring the BRAF (V600R) mutation. Our patient
      was treated with dabrafenib for 7 months with minimal toxicity. We also report
      exploratory analyses of circulating tumor DNA during targeted treatment.
      Interestingly, the mutation was not detected after starting treatment and became
      detectable before radiological disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Our report
      suggests that (1) a relevant benefit can be obtained with a BRAF inhibitor in
      real-world patients with a malignant melanoma harboring a BRAF (V600R) mutation,
      and that (2) circulating tumor DNA detection might be of help in assessing tumor
      burden in everyday clinical practice. The results reported here should encourage
      the inclusion of patients with BRAF (V600R)-mutated malignant melanomas in future
      prospective clinical trials with BRAF inhibitors.

PMID- 27255158
TI  - Serum zinc concentrations and depression in persons with Human Immunodeficiency
      Virus infection: The positive living with HIV (POLH) study.
AB  - Low levels of serum zinc concentrations and depression are common in persons
      infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Low levels of serum zinc
      concentrations may increase risk of depression in general population. However,
      research on the role of zinc in depression among HIV- infected person is limited.
      We assessed the association between serum zinc concentrations and depression in
      HIV-infected persons. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 311 HIV
      positive people (177 men and 134 women) aged 18-60 years residing in Kathmandu,
      Nepal. The atomic absorption method was used to measure serum zinc concentrations
      and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-Ia method was used to measure depression,
      with cut off score 20 or higher consistent with clinically significant
      depression. Relationships were assessed using multiple linear and logistic
      regression analyses. Serum zinc concentrations were significantly inversely
      associated with depression in all participants and in men but not in women.
      Participants with the highest tertile of serum zinc concentrations had a
      significantly decreased risk of depression in men but not in women. Serum zinc
      concentrations were inversely associated with depressive symptoms scores in HIV
      infected men. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the role of zinc
      in depression among persons infected with HIV.

PMID- 27255159
TI  - Flexible endoscopic Zenker's diverticulotomy toolbox.

PMID- 27255160
TI  - An analysis of the origin of an early medieval group of individuals from Grodek
      based on the analysis of stable oxygen isotopes.
AB  - In the early Middle Ages, the region of the Cherven Towns, which is now located
      on both sides of the Polish-Ukrainian border, was fiercely contested by Slavs in
      the process of forming their early states. The main objective of the present
      study was to investigate the homogeneity of an early medieval population
      uncovered in that region, in the town of Grodek on the Bug River, by screening
      for non-local individuals. The origin of the studied skeletons was ascertained
      using analysis of oxygen isotopes in the phosphates isolated from bone tissue. In
      this paper, the isotope ratios obtained for samples collected from 62 human
      skeletons were compared to the background delta(18)O (in precipitation water)
      from the regions of Krakow (south-eastern Poland), Lviv (western Ukraine), Brest
      (western Belarus), and Grodek, as well as to the ratios determined for the
      animals coexisting with the studied population. Proportions of oxygen isotopes
      obtained for all the studied individuals were found to be similar to those for
      the precipitation water and animals, which indicates the absence of bone
      fragments of individuals originating in other regions. 

PMID- 27255161
TI  - A protein interaction map for cell-cell adhesion regulators identifies DUSP23 as
      a novel phosphatase for beta-catenin.
AB  - Cell-cell adhesion is central to morphogenesis and maintenance of epithelial cell
      state. We previously identified 27 candidate cell-cell adhesion regulatory
      proteins (CCARPs) whose down-regulation disrupts epithelial cell-cell adhesion
      during collective migration. Using a protein interaction mapping strategy, we
      found that 18 CCARPs link to core components of adherens junctions or desmosomes.
      We further mapped linkages between the CCARPs and other known cell-cell adhesion
      proteins, including hits from recent screens uncovering novel components of E
      cadherin adhesions. Mechanistic studies of one novel CCARP which links to
      multiple cell-cell adhesion proteins, the phosphatase DUSP23, revealed that it
      promotes dephosphorylation of beta-catenin at Tyr 142 and enhances the
      interaction between alpha- and beta-catenin. DUSP23 knockdown specifically
      diminished adhesion to E-cadherin without altering adhesion to fibronectin matrix
      proteins. Furthermore, DUSP23 knockdown produced "zipper-like" cell-cell
      adhesions, caused defects in transmission of polarization cues, and reduced
      coordination during collective migration. Thus, this study identifies multiple
      novel connections between proteins that regulate cell-cell interactions and
      provides evidence for a previously unrecognized role for DUSP23 in regulating E
      cadherin adherens junctions through promoting the dephosphorylation of beta
      catenin.

PMID- 27255162
TI  - Genomic profiling of malignant phyllodes tumors reveals aberrations in FGFR1 and
      PI-3 kinase/RAS signaling pathways and provides insights into intratumoral
      heterogeneity.
AB  - Malignant phyllodes tumors of the breast are poorly understood rare neoplasms
      with potential for aggressive behavior. Few efficacious treatment options exist
      for progressed or metastatic disease. The molecular features of malignant
      phyllodes tumors are poorly defined, and a deeper understanding of the genetics
      of these tumors may shed light on pathogenesis and progression and potentially
      identify novel treatment approaches. We sequenced 510 cancer-related genes in 10
      malignant phyllodes tumors, including 5 tumors with liposarcomatous
      differentiation and 1 with myxoid chondrosarcoma-like differentiation.
      Intratumoral heterogeneity was assessed by sequencing two separate areas in 7
      tumors, including non-heterologous and heterologous components of tumors with
      heterologous differentiation. Activating hotspot mutations in FGFR1 were
      identified in 2 tumors. Additional recurrently mutated genes included TERT
      promoter (6/10), TP53 (4/10), PIK3CA (3/10), MED12 (3/10), SETD2 (2/10) and KMT2D
      (2/10). Together, genomic aberrations in FGFR/EGFR PI-3 kinase and RAS pathways
      were identified in 8 (80%) tumors and included mutually exclusive and potentially
      actionable activating FGFR1, PIK3CA and BRAF V600E mutations, inactivating TSC2
      mutation, EGFR amplification and PTEN loss. Seven (70%) malignant phyllodes
      tumors harbored TERT aberrations (six promoter mutations, one amplification). For
      comparison, TERT promoter mutations were identified by Sanger sequencing in 33%
      borderline (n=12) and no (0%, n=8) benign phyllodes tumors (P=0.391 and P=0.013
      vs malignant tumors, respectively). Genetic features specific to liposarcoma,
      including CDK4/MDM2 amplification, were not identified. Copy number analysis
      revealed intratumoral heterogeneity and evidence for divergent tumor evolution in
      malignant phyllodes tumors with and without heterologous differentiation. Tumors
      with liposarcomatous differentiation revealed more chromosomal aberrations in non
      heterologous components compared with liposarcomatous components. EGFR
      amplification was heterogeneous and present only in the non-heterologous
      component of one tumor with liposarcomatous differentiation. The results identify
      novel pathways involved in the pathogenesis of malignant phyllodes tumors, which
      significantly increase our understanding of tumor biology and have potential
      clinical impact.

PMID- 27255163
TI  - Pattern classification of endocervical adenocarcinoma: reproducibility and review
      of criteria.
AB  - Previously, our international team proposed a three-tiered pattern classification
      (Pattern Classification) system for endocervical adenocarcinoma of the usual type
      that correlates with nodal disease and recurrence. Pattern Classification-A
      tumors have well-demarcated glands lacking destructive stromal invasion or
      lymphovascular invasion, Pattern Classification-B tumors show localized, limited
      destructive invasion arising from A-type glands, and Pattern Classification-C
      tumors have diffuse destructive stromal invasion, significant (filling a 4 *
      field) confluence, or solid architecture. Twenty-four cases of Pattern
      Classification-A, 22 Pattern Classification-B, and 38 Pattern Classification-C
      from the tumor set used in the original description were chosen using the
      reference diagnosis originally established. One H&E slide per case was reviewed
      by seven gynecologic pathologists, four from the original study. Kappa statistics
      were prepared, and cases with discrepancies reviewed. We found a majority
      agreement with reference diagnosis in 81% of cases, with complete or near
      complete (six of seven) agreement in 50%. Overall concordance was 74%. Overall
      kappa (agreement among pathologists) was 0.488 (moderate agreement). Pattern
      Classification-B has lowest kappa, and agreement was not improved by combining
      B+C. Six of seven reviewers had substantial agreement by weighted kappas (>0.6),
      with one reviewer accounting for the majority of cases under or overcalled by two
      tiers. Confluence filling a 4 * field, labyrinthine glands, or solid architecture
      accounted for undercalling other reference diagnosis-C cases. Missing a few
      individually infiltrative cells was the most common cause of undercalling
      reference diagnosis-B. Small foci of inflamed, loose or desmoplastic stroma
      lacking infiltrative tumor cells in reference diagnosis-A appeared to account for
      those cases up-graded to Pattern Classification-B. In summary, an overall
      concordance of 74% indicates that the criteria can be reproducibly applied by
      gynecologic pathologists. Further refinement of criteria should allow use of this
      powerful classification system to delineate which cervical adenocarcinomas can be
      safely treated conservatively.

PMID- 27255165
TI  - Significance of myelodysplastic syndrome-associated somatic variants in the
      evaluation of patients with pancytopenia and idiopathic cytopenias of
      undetermined significance.
AB  - In this study, we set out to evaluate the frequency of mutations in 20
      myelodysplastic syndrome-associated genes in 53 individuals with pancytopenia in
      which bone marrow evaluation failed to meet standard criteria for a diagnosis of
      myelodysplastic syndrome. These idiopathic pancytopenia cases were associated
      with no specific cause for their pancytopenia (n=28), aplastic anemia (n=13),
      pancytopenia attributable to liver disease (n=4), pancytopenia associated with
      autoimmune disease (n=4), and pancytopenia attributed to drug effect (n=4). We
      also selected 38 bone marrow aspirates from patients presenting with pancytopenia
      and meeting criteria for a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (n=21) or acute
      myeloid leukemia (n=17) as malignant comparison cases. Targeted sequencing of the
      20 genes was performed on all cases. The idiopathic pancytopenia group had a
      lower average age (46 vs 66 years, P<0.0001) and a lower number of mutations per
      case that were statistically significant (0.81 vs 1.18, P=0.045). The frequency
      of cases with at least one mutation was higher for cases with a diagnosable
      myeloid neoplasm (68 vs 38%, P=0.012). Except for mutations in U2AF1, which was
      mutated in 5 of the 38 malignant cases (13.2%) and in none of the idiopathic
      pancytopenia cases (P=0.011), the frequency of mutations in the genes evaluated
      was not significantly different between idiopathic pancytopenia and malignant
      cases. Median and mean clinical follow-up for the idiopathic pancytopenia group
      was available for 444 and 739 days, respectively. Over this time frame, none of
      the idiopathic pancytopenia patients was diagnosed with a myelodysplastic
      syndrome or an acute myeloid leukemia. These findings provide further evidence
      that identification of mutations in several genes associated with myelodysplastic
      syndromes should not be used alone to support a diagnosis of a myelodysplastic
      syndrome.

PMID- 27255164
TI  - Genomewide copy number analysis of Mullerian adenosarcoma identified chromosomal
      instability in the aggressive subgroup.
AB  - Mullerian adenosarcomas are malignant gynecologic neoplasms. Advanced staging and
      sarcomatous overgrowth predict poor prognosis. Because the genomic landscape
      remains poorly understood, we conducted this study to characterize the genomewide
      copy number variations in adenosarcomas. Sixteen tumors, including eight with and
      eight without sarcomatous overgrowth, were subjected to a molecular inversion
      probe array analysis. Copy number variations, particularly losses, were
      significantly higher in cases with sarcomatous overgrowth. Frequent gains of
      chromosomal 12q were noted, often involving cancer-associated genes CDK4 (six
      cases), MDM2, CPM, YEATS4, DDIT3, GLI1 (five each), HMGA2 and STAT6 (four),
      without association with sarcomatous overgrowth status. The most frequent losses
      involved chromosomes 13q (five cases), 9p, 16q and 17q (four cases each) and were
      almost limited to cases with sarcomatous overgrowth. MDM2 and CDK4 amplification,
      as well as losses of RB1 (observed in two cases) and CDKN2A/B (one case), was
      verified by FISH. By immunohistochemistry, all MDM2/CDK4-coamplified cases were
      confirmed to overexpress both encoded proteins, whereas all four cases with (plus
      an additional four without) gain of HMGA2 overexpressed the HMGA2 protein. Both
      cases with RB1 loss were negative for the immunostaining of the encoded protein.
      Chromothripsis-like copy number profiles involving chromosome 12 or 14 were
      observed in three fatal cases, all of which harbored sarcomatous overgrowth. With
      whole chromosome painting and deconvolution fluorescent microscopy, dividing
      tumor cells in all three cases were shown to have scattered extrachromosomal
      materials derived from chromosomes involved by chromothripsis, suggesting that
      this phenomenon may serve as visual evidence for chromothripsis in paraffin
      tissue. In conclusion, we identified frequent chromosome 12q amplifications,
      including loci containing potential pharmacological targets. Global chromosomal
      instability and chromothripsis were more frequent in cases with sarcomatous
      overgrowth. To our knowledge, this is the first time that evidence of
      chromothripsis has been demonstrated in paraffin-embedded clinical tissues and in
      adenosarcomas.

PMID- 27255166
TI  - [Long-term prognosis of idiopathic chronic adult hydrocephalus: I. The University
      Hospital Marques de Valdecilla diagnostic and therapeutic protocol].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite the existence of published guidelines for more than a
      decade, there is still a substantial variation in the management of idiopathic
      normal pressure hydrocephalus due to its diagnostic and therapeutic complexity.
      DEVELOPMENT: The diagnostic and therapeutic protocol for the management of
      idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in use at the Department of Neurosurgery
      of the University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla is presented. The diagnostic
      process includes neuropsychological testing, phase contrast cine MRI, urodynamic
      evaluation, continuous intracranial pressure monitoring, cerebrospinal fluid
      hydrodynamics by means of lumbar infusion testing, and intra-abdominal pressure
      measurement. A patient is considered a surgical candidate if any of the following
      criteria is met: mean intracranial pressure >15mmHg, or B-waves present in >10%
      of overnight recording; pressure-volume index <15ml, or resistance to
      cerebrospinal fluid outflow (ROUT) >4.5mmHg/ml/min in bolus infusion test; ROUT
      >12mmHg/ml/min, intracranial pressure >22mmHg, or high amplitude B-waves in the
      steady-state of the continuous rate infusion test; or a clinical response to high
      volume cerebrospinal fluid withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a
      diagnostic and therapeutic protocol for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
      management could improve various aspects of patient care. It could reduce
      variability in clinical practice, optimise the use of health resources, and help
      in identifying scientific uncertainty areas, in order to direct research efforts
      in a more appropriate way.

PMID- 27255167
TI  - The RooPfs study to assess whether improved housing provides additional
      protection against clinical malaria over current best practice in The Gambia:
      study protocol for a randomized controlled study and ancillary studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In malaria-endemic areas, residents of modern houses have less
      malaria than those living in traditional houses. This study will determine if
      modern housing provides incremental protection against clinical malaria over the
      current best practice of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and prompt
      treatment in The Gambia, determine the incremental cost-effectiveness of the
      interventions, and analyze the housing market in The Gambia. METHODS/DESIGN: A
      two-armed, household, cluster-randomized, controlled study will be conducted to
      assess whether improved housing and LLINs combine to provide better protection
      against clinical malaria in children than LLINs alone in The Gambia. The unit of
      randomization will be the household, defined as a house and its occupants. A
      total of 800 households will be enrolled and will receive LLINs, and 400 will
      receive improved housing before clinical follow-up. One child aged 6 months to 13
      years will be enrolled from each household and followed for clinical malaria
      using active case detection to estimate malaria incidence for two malaria
      transmission seasons. Episodes of clinical malaria will be the primary endpoint.
      Study children will be surveyed at the end of each transmission season to
      estimate the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection, parasite density, and
      the prevalence of anemia. Exposure to malaria parasites will be assessed using
      light traps, followed by detection of Anopheles gambiae species and sporozoite
      infection. Ancillary economic and social science studies will undertake a cost
      effectiveness analysis and use qualitative and participatory methods to explore
      the acceptability of the housing modifications and to design strategies for
      scaling-up housing interventions. DISCUSSION: The study is the first of its kind
      to measure the efficacy of housing on reducing clinical malaria, assess the
      incremental cost-effectiveness of improved housing, and identify mechanisms for
      scaling up housing interventions. Trial findings will help inform policy makers
      on improved housing for malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN02622179 . Registered on 23 September 2014.

PMID- 27255168
TI  - Diastolic orthostatic hypertension and cardiovascular prognosis in type 2
      diabetes: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with type 2 diabetes, the prognostic impact of an
      orthostatic rise in blood pressure is not known. Therefore, the aim of this study
      was to determine the prognostic implications of the diastolic orthostatic blood
      pressure response in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes. We also evaluated
      associations between different orthostatic blood pressure responses and markers
      of subclinical cardiovascular organ damage. METHODS: Office blood pressures were
      measured in the sitting and in the standing position in 749 patients with type 2
      diabetes who participated in the CARDIPP study (Cardiovascular Risk factors in
      Patients with Diabetes-a Prospective study in Primary care). Diastolic
      orthostatic hypertension was defined as a rise of diastolic blood pressure >=10
      mmHg and diastolic orthostatic hypotension was defined as a drop of diastolic
      blood pressure >=10 mmHg. Recruitment took place between the years 2005-2008, and
      patients were followed until any of the primary outcome events (cardiovascular
      death or hospitalization for either myocardial infarction or stroke) occurred or
      until December 31st, 2014. Measurements of aortic pulse wave velocity and of
      carotid intima-media thickness were performed at base-line. RESULTS: Diastolic
      orthostatic hypertension was found in 140 patients (18.7 %) and was associated
      with significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events (crude hazard ratio
      compared with patients with normal systolic and diastolic orthostatic blood
      pressure response: 0.450, 95 % C.I. 0.206-0.987, P = 0.046). Diastolic
      orthostatic hypotension was found in 31 patients (4.1 %) and was associated with
      higher values for aortic pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness,
      compared with patients with normal systolic and diastolic orthostatic blood
      pressure response. CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic orthostatic hypertension is common in
      patients with type 2 diabetes, and may be a novel marker for decreased
      cardiovascular risk in these patients.

PMID- 27255169
TI  - A screen for constituents of motor control and decision making in Drosophila
      reveals visual distance-estimation neurons.
AB  - Climbing over chasms larger than step size is vital to fruit flies, since
      foraging and mating are achieved while walking. Flies avoid futile climbing
      attempts by processing parallax-motion vision to estimate gap width. To identify
      neuronal substrates of climbing control, we screened a large collection of fly
      lines with temporarily inactivated neuronal populations in a novel high
      throughput assay described here. The observed climbing phenotypes were
      classified; lines in each group are reported. Selected lines were further
      analysed by high-resolution video cinematography. One striking class of flies
      attempts to climb chasms of unsurmountable width; expression analysis guided us
      to C2 optic-lobe interneurons. Inactivation of C2 or the closely related C3
      neurons with highly specific intersectional driver lines consistently reproduced
      hyperactive climbing whereas strong or weak artificial depolarization of C2/C3
      neurons strongly or mildly decreased climbing frequency. Contrast-manipulation
      experiments support our conclusion that C2/C3 neurons are part of the distance
      evaluation system.

PMID- 27255170
TI  - Triple-site pacing for cardiac resynchronization in permanent atrial fibrillation
      - Acute phase results from a prospective observational study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Multi-site pacing is emerging as a new method for improving
      response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), but has been little studied,
      especially in patients with atrial fibrillation. We aimed to assess the effects
      of triple-site (Tri-V) vs. biventricular (Bi-V) pacing on hemodynamics and QRS
      duration. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients with
      permanent atrial fibrillation and ejection fraction <40% undergoing CRT
      implantation (n=40). One right ventricular (RV) lead was implanted in the apex
      and another in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) septal wall. A left
      ventricular (LV) lead was implanted in a conventional venous epicardial position.
      Cardiac output (using the FloTracTM VigileoTM system), mean QRS and ejection
      fraction were calculated. RESULTS: Mean cardiac output was 4.81+/-0.97 l/min with
      Tri-V, 4.68+/-0.94 l/min with RVOT septal and LV pacing, and 4.68+/-0.94 l/min
      with RV apical and LV pacing (p<0.001 for Tri-V vs. both BiV). Mean pre
      implantation QRS was 170+/-25 ms, 123+/-18 ms with Tri-V, 141+/-25 ms with RVOT
      septal pacing and LV pacing and 145+/-19 with RV apical and LV pacing (p<0.001
      for Tri-V vs. both BiV and pre-implantation). Mean ejection fraction was
      significantly higher with Tri-V (30+/-11%) vs. Bi-V pacing (28+/-12% with RVOT
      septal and LV pacing and 28+/-11 with RV apical and LV pacing) and pre
      implantation (25+/-8%). CONCLUSION: Tri-V pacing produced higher cardiac output
      and shorter QRS duration than Bi-V pacing. This may have a significant impact on
      the future of CRT.

PMID- 27255171
TI  - External validation of the ProACS score for risk stratification of patients with
      acute coronary syndromes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The ProACS risk score is an early and simple risk stratification
      score developed for all-cause in-hospital mortality in acute coronary syndromes
      (ACS) from a Portuguese nationwide ACS registry. Our center only recently
      participated in the registry and was not included in the cohort used for
      developing the score. Our objective was to perform an external validation of this
      risk score for short- and long-term follow-up. METHODS: Consecutive patients
      admitted to our center with ACS were included. Demographic and admission
      characteristics, as well as treatment and outcome data were collected. The ProACS
      risk score variables are age (>=72 years), systolic blood pressure (<=116 mmHg),
      Killip class (2/3 or 4) and ST-segment elevation. We calculated ProACS, Global
      Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and Canada Acute Coronary Syndrome risk
      score (C-ACS) risk scores for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 3170 patients
      were included, with a mean age of 64+/-13 years, 62% with ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction. All-cause in-hospital mortality was 5.7% and 10.3% at one
      year follow-up. The ProACS risk score showed good discriminative ability for all
      considered outcomes (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve
      >0.75) and a good fit, similar to C-ACS, but lower than the GRACE risk score and
      slightly lower than in the original development cohort. The ProACS risk score
      provided good differentiation between patients at low, intermediate and high
      mortality risk in both short- and long-term follow-up (p<0.001 for all
      comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: The ProACS score is valid in external cohorts for risk
      stratification for ACS. It can be applied very early, at the first medical
      contact, but should subsequently be complemented by the GRACE risk score.

PMID- 27255172
TI  - Cardiac device infection: Review based in the experience of a single center.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The incidence of cardiac implantable electronic device infections
      has increased significantly over the years and they are associated with
      significant morbidity and mortality. The epidemiology in the Central region of
      Portugal is not known. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To characterize cardiac implantable
      electronic device infections through a retrospective study of 3158 patients
      admitted to our center between January 2008 and September 2014 and to review the
      subject in the light of the current state of the art. RESULTS: The infection rate
      was 1.48% (pacemakers 1.21%, cardiac defibrillator/resynchronization devices
      5.40%). The study population consisted of 47 patients with a mean age of 65+/-19
      years, predominantly male (72.3%). Infections were mainly of pacemakers, the main
      device implanted in our population (n=2954), and most occurred late after first
      implantation. Clinically, most patients presented with fever and local
      inflammation. Blood cultures identified mainly Gram-positive microorganisms.
      Empiric antibiotic therapy with vancomycin was instituted in all patients,
      associated with gentamicin in 57%. The device was extracted in the majority of
      cases (72%). During follow-up (32+/-22 months) eight patients died (17%), seven
      of cardiovascular cause (15%), and seven were readmitted with device infection
      (15%). CONCLUSIONS: Our rate of infection was low, similar to other published
      series, with a higher rate in cardiac defibrillator/resynchronization devices.
      After standard treatment with antibiotic therapy and device extraction, the
      prognosis was good.

PMID- 27255173
TI  - Cardiotoxicity in anthracycline therapy: Prevention strategies.
AB  - The increasing use of anthracyclines, together with the longer survival of cancer
      patients, means the toxic effects of these drugs need to be monitored. In order
      to detect, prevent or mitigate anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy, it is
      essential that all patients undergo a rigorous initial cardiovascular assessment,
      followed by close monitoring. Several clinical trials have shown the
      cardioprotective effect of non-pharmacological measures such as exercise, healthy
      lifestyles, control of risk factors and treatment of comorbidities; a
      cardioprotective effect has also been observed with pharmacological measures such
      as beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor
      antagonists, statins, dexrazoxane and liposomal formulations. However, there are
      currently no guidelines for managing prevention in these patients. In this review
      the authors discuss the state of the art of the assessment, monitoring, and,
      above all, the prevention of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. 

PMID- 27255174
TI  - The arterial baroreflex effectiveness index in risk stratification of chronic
      heart failure patients who are candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Baroreflex function is an independent marker of prognosis in heart
      failure (HF). However, little is known about its relation to response to cardiac
      resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study is to assess arterial
      baroreflex function in HF patients who are candidates for CRT. METHODS: The study
      population consisted of 25 patients with indication for CRT, aged 65+/-10 years,
      NYHA functional class >=III in 52%, QRS width 159+/-15 ms, left ventricular
      ejection fraction (LVEF) 29+/-5%, left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV)
      150+/-48 ml, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) 357+/-270 pg/ml, and peak oxygen
      consumption (peak VO2) 18.4+/-5.0 ml/kg/min. An orthostatic tilt test was
      performed to assess the baroreflex effectiveness index (BEI) by the sequence
      method. This group was compared with 15 age-matched healthy individuals. RESULTS:
      HF patients showed a significantly depressed BEI during tilt (31+/-12% vs. 49+/
      18%, p=0.001). A lower BEI was associated with higher BNP (p=0.038), lower peak
      VO2 (p=0.048), and higher LVESV (p=0.031). By applying a cut-off value of 25% for
      BEI, two clusters of patients were identified: lower risk cluster (BEI >25%) QRS
      153 ms, LVESV 129 ml, BNP 146 pg/ml, peak VO2 19.0 ml/kg/min; and higher risk
      cluster (IEB <=25%) QRS 167 ms, LVESV 189 ml, BNP 590 pg/ml, peak VO2 16.2
      ml/kg/min. CONCLUSIONS: Candidates for CRT show depressed arterial baroreflex
      function. Lower BEI was observed in high-risk HF patients. Baroreflex function
      correlated closely with other clinical HF parameters. Therefore, BEI may improve
      risk stratification in HF patients undergoing CRT.

PMID- 27255175
TI  - Aortic embolization of an Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis due to sigmoid left
      ventricular hypertrophy: Case report.
AB  - Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is considered an alternative
      therapy in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Although a minimally
      invasive procedure, it is not free from complications, one of which is valve
      embolization at the time of TAVI. We present a case of embolization of a balloon
      expandable aortic valve due to sigmoid left ventricular hypertrophy and managed
      with a second valve without surgery. The embolized valve was repositioned in the
      aortic arch between the left common carotid artery and the brachiocephalic trunk.

PMID- 27255176
TI  - Development of hydroxy-based sphingosine kinase inhibitors and anti-inflammation
      in dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis in mice.
AB  - Sphingosine kinase (SphK)-catalyzed production of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)
      regulates cell growth, survival and proliferation as well as inflammatory status
      in animals. In recent study we reported the N'-(3-(benzyloxy)benzylidene)-3,4,5
      trihydroxybenzohydrazide scaffold as a potent SphK inhibitor. As a continuation
      of these efforts, 51 derivatives were synthesized and evaluated by SphK1/2
      inhibitory activities for structure-activity relationship (SAR) study. Among
      them, 33 was identified as the most potent SphK inhibitor. Potency of 33 was also
      observed to efficiently decrease SphK1/2 expression in human colorectal cancer
      cells (HCT116) and significantly inhibit dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced
      colitis as well as the decreased expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and
      cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in mouse models. Collectively, 33 was validated as an
      effective SphK inhibitor, which can be served as anti-inflammatory agent to
      probably treat inflammatory bowel diseases in human.

PMID- 27255177
TI  - Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a novel series of peripheral
      selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors-Part 2.
AB  - Peripherally selective inhibition of noradrenaline reuptake is a novel mechanism
      for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence to overcome adverse effects
      associated with central action. Herein, we describe our medicinal chemistry
      approach to discover peripheral-selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors to
      avert the risk of P-gp-mediated DDI at the blood-brain barrier. We observed that
      steric shielding of the hydrogen-bond acceptors and donors (HBA and HBD) of
      compound 1 reduced the multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) efflux ratio;
      however, the resulting compound 6, a methoxyacetamide derivative, was mainly
      metabolized by CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 in the in vitro phenotyping study, implying the
      risk of PK variability based on the genetic polymorphism of the CYPs. Replacement
      of the hydrogen atom with a deuterium atom in a strategic, metabolically hot spot
      led to compound 13, which was mainly metabolized by CYP3A4. To our knowledge,
      this study represents the first report of the effect of deuterium replacement for
      a major metabolic enzyme. The compound 13, N-{[(6S,7R)-7-(4-chloro-3
      fluorophenyl)-1,4-oxazepan-6-yl]methyl}-2-[(2H(3))methyloxy]acetamide
      hydrochloride, which exhibited peripheral NET selective inhibition at tested
      doses in rats, increased urethral resistance in a dose-dependent manner.

PMID- 27255178
TI  - Synthesis and biological activity of pyrazole analogues of the staurosporine
      aglycon K252c.
AB  - A derivative of the staurosporine aglycon (K252c), in which the lactam ring was
      replaced by a pyrazole moiety, was synthesized. The resulting
      indolopyrazolocarbazole (3) inhibited Pim isoforms 1-3 whereas it did not impair
      the activity of two known targets of K252c, protein kinase C isoforms alpha and
      gamma. Compound 3 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity toward human leukemia and
      colon carcinoma cell lines (K562 and HCT116), strongly suggesting that this new
      scaffold deserves further investigations for treatment of malignancies associated
      with Pim activity.

PMID- 27255179
TI  - Discovery of novel 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine derivatives
      as gamma-secretase modulators (Part 2).
AB  - gamma-Secretase modulators (GSMs), which lower pathogenic amyloid beta (Abeta)
      without affecting the production of total Abeta or Notch signal, have emerged as
      a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease (AD). A novel series of
      5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine derivatives was discovered and
      characterized as GSMs. Optimization of substituents at the 8-position of the core
      scaffold using ligand-lipophilicity efficiency (LLE) as a drug-likeness guideline
      led to identification of various types of high-LLE GSMs. Phenoxy compound (R)-17
      exhibited especially high LLE as well as potent in vivo Abeta42-lowering effect
      by single administration. Furthermore, multiple oral administration of (R)-17
      significantly reduced soluble and insoluble brain Abeta42, and ameliorated
      cognitive deficit in novel object recognition test (NORT) using Tg2576 mice as an
      AD model.

PMID- 27255180
TI  - Design, synthesis, and in vitro antiproliferative and kinase inhibitory effects
      of pyrimidinylpyrazole derivatives terminating with arylsulfonamido or cyclic
      sulfamide substituents.
AB  - A novel series of substituted pyrimidine compounds bearing N-phenylpyrazole and
      terminating with aryl and cyclic sulfonamido moiety were designed, synthesized,
      and evaluated in vitro as antiproliferative agents against a panel of 53 cell
      lines of different tissues at the NCI. Among them, compound 1d with p
      chlorobenzenesulfonamido terminal moiety, ethylene spacer, and 4-chloro-3
      methoxyphenyl ring at position 3 of the pyrazole nucleus showed the highest mean
      percentage inhibition value over the whole cancer cell line panel at 10 MUM
      concentration. It showed broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity over many cell
      lines of different cancer types. For instance, compound 1d inhibited the growth
      of HL-60 (TB), SR leukemia, and T-47D and MCF-7 breast cancer cell line by
      135.92%, 119.44%, 95.32%, and 82.03% at 10 MUM, respectively. And it inhibited
      the growth of COLO 205 colon, HT29 colon, BT-549 breast, and ACHN renal cancer
      cell lines by more than 80% at the same test concentration. However, testing
      compound 1d upon determining its IC50 against the most sensitive cell lines
      showed to good extent selectivity against HT29 colon cancer cell line than HL-60
      leukemia and MRC-5 lung fibroblasts (normal cells). Compound 1d was further
      tested against 12 kinases of different kinase families, and the highest
      inhibitory effect was exerted against RAF1, V600E-B-RAF, and V600K-B-RAF kinases.

PMID- 27255181
TI  - The first Danish family reported with an AQP5 mutation presenting diffuse non
      epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type, hyperhidrosis and
      frequent Corynebacterium infections: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An autosomal dominant form of diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar
      keratoderma, palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type, is caused by mutations in
      the AQP5 gene encoding the cell-membrane water channel protein aquaporin 5
      leading to defective epidermal-water-barrier function in the epidermis of the
      palms and soles. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the first Danish family diagnosed
      with diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type in which
      fourteen individuals are potentially affected. The proband, a 36-year-old male
      had since childhood been affected by pronounced hyperhidrosis of the palms and
      soles along with palmoplantar keratoderma. He reported a very distinctive feature
      of the disorder, aquagenic wrinkling, as he developed pronounced maceration of
      the skin with translucent white papules and a spongy appearance following
      exposure to water. The patient presented recurrent fungal infections, a wellknown
      feature of the condition, but also periodic worsening with pitted keratolysis and
      malodour due to bacterial infections. CONCLUSIONS: Palmoplantar keratoderma of
      Bothnian type, which may be associated with hyperhidrosis, is frequently
      complicated by fungal infections and may be complicated by Corynebacterium
      infections.

PMID- 27255182
TI  - Methionine-restricted diet inhibits growth of MCF10AT1-derived mammary tumors by
      increasing cell cycle inhibitors in athymic nude mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dietary methionine restriction (MR) improves healthspan in part by
      reducing adiposity and by increasing insulin sensitivity in rodent models. The
      purpose of this study was to determine whether MR inhibits tumor progression in
      breast cancer xenograft model and breast cancer cell lines. METHODS: Athymic nude
      mice were injected with MCF10AT1 cells in Matrigel(r) and fed a diet containing
      either 0.86 % methionine (control fed, CF), or 0.12 % methionine (MR) for 12
      weeks. Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured by UPLC, and proliferation
      and apoptosis were examined using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Cell Titer
      96(r) Aqueous One Solution Cell Proliferation assay. RESULTS: Mice on the MR diet
      had reduced body weight and decreased adiposity. They also had smaller tumors
      when compared to the mice bearing tumors on the CF diet. Plasma concentrations of
      the sulfur amino acids (methionine, cysteine, and taurine) were reduced, whereas
      ornithine, serine, and glutamate acid were increased in mice on the MR diet. MR
      mice exhibited decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis in cells that
      comprise the mammary glands and tumors of mice. Elevated expression of P21
      occurred in both MCF10AT1-derived tumor tissue and endogenously in mammary gland
      tissue of MR mice. Breast cancer cell lines MCF10A and MDA-MB-231 grown in
      methionine-restricted cysteine-depleted media for 24 h also up-regulated P21 and
      P27 gene expression, and MDA-MB-231 cells had decreased proliferation.
      CONCLUSION: MR hinders cancer progression by increasing cell cycle inhibitors
      that halt cell cycle progression. The application of MR in a clinical setting may
      provide a delay in the progression of cancer, which would provide more time for
      conventional cancer therapies to be effective.

PMID- 27255183
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of flexion-extension radiography for the detection of
      ligamentous cervical spine injury following a normal cervical spine computed
      tomography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Flexion-extension radiography (FER) has been utilised for the
      detection of ligamentous injury in patients who have been cleared of bony injury.
      Some studies call into question the diagnostic accuracy of FER, the high
      proportion of inadequate FER images and the adverse effects of prolonged cervical
      collar immobilisation although awaiting FER. METHODS: We conducted a two-part
      retrospective study of trauma patients presenting to a trauma centre between
      January 2007 and December 2014. A cross-sectional analytic study was used to
      determine diagnostic accuracy and a case-control design was used to compare
      characteristics and complications of those having FER with similar patients not
      having FER. Inclusion criteria were age >=16, blunt trauma mechanism, a normal
      computed tomography (CT) of the cervical spine and FER to assess for ligamentous
      injury. The reference standard was magnetic resonance imaging evidence of
      ligamentous disruption or a therapeutic intervention to treat ligamentous
      instability. RESULTS: There were 176 participants meeting inclusion criteria.
      Studies were considered inadequate in 168 participants (95.5%). There were zero
      true positives, four false positives, 168 true negatives and four false
      negatives: sensitivity 0% (0.0-60.2%), specificity 97.7 (94.2-99.4%), positive
      predictive value 0% (0.0-60.2%) and negative predictive value 97.7 (94.2-99.4%).
      Participants having FER remained in cervical collars and in hospital longer than
      control patients. Complications of cervical collar use were uncommon. CONCLUSION:
      FER does not contribute additional diagnostic accuracy for the detection of
      ligamentous injury to the cervical spine following a normal CT of the cervical
      spine. We recommend FER be removed from cervical spine clearance protocols.

PMID- 27255184
TI  - Reducing methane production by supplementation of Terminalia chebula RETZ.
      containing tannins and saponins.
AB  - This study investigates the effects of Terminalia chebula Retz. meal
      supplementation on rumen fermentation and methane (CH4 ) production by using an
      in vitro gas technique. The experimental design was a completely randomized
      design (CRD) and the dietary treatments were T. chebula supplementation at 0, 4,
      8, 12, 16 and 20 mg with 0.5 g of roughage and concentrate ratio at 60:40. The
      results revealed that cumulative gas production (96 h of incubation) were higher
      (P < 0.01) with T. chebula supplementation at 12, 16 and 20 mg than other
      treatments. However, in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) and in vitro
      organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) were not significantly different among
      treatments (P > 0.05). The NH3 -N concentrations tended to quadratically increase
      with increasing levels of T. chebula in the diet. In addition, total volatile
      fatty acids (VFA) and propionate concentrations were increased (P < 0.01), while
      acetate concentration, acetate-to-propionate ratio, CH4 production and protozoal
      populations were decreased (P < 0.01) when supplemented with T. chebula at 8, 12
      and 16 mg, respectively. Based on this study, it could be concluded that
      supplementation of T. chebula at 12 mg could improve rumen fermentation by
      reducing CH4 production and protozoa populations, thus improving in vitro gas
      production and VFA profiles. 

PMID- 27255185
TI  - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) origin and animal
      reservoir.
AB  - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel coronavirus
      discovered in 2012 and is responsible for acute respiratory syndrome in humans.
      Though not confirmed yet, multiple surveillance and phylogenetic studies suggest
      a bat origin. The disease is heavily endemic in dromedary camel populations of
      East Africa and the Middle East. It is unclear as to when the virus was
      introduced to dromedary camels, but data from studies that investigated stored
      dromedary camel sera and geographical distribution of involved dromedary camel
      populations suggested that the virus was present in dromedary camels several
      decades ago. Though bats and alpacas can serve as potential reservoirs for MERS
      CoV, dromedary camels seem to be the only animal host responsible for the spill
      over human infections. 

PMID- 27255186
TI  - Alpha fetoprotein antagonizes apoptosis induced by paclitaxel in hepatoma cells
      in vitro.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell resistance to the effects of paclitaxel has
      not been adequately addressed. In this study, we found that paclitaxel
      significantly inhibited the viability of HLE, Bel 7402 and L-02 cells in a dose-
      and time-dependent manner. HLE cells and L-02 cells resisted the cytotoxicity of
      paclitaxel when transfected with pcDNA3.1-afp vectors. However, Bel 7402 cell
      sensitivity to paclitaxel was increased when transfected with alpha fetoprotein
      (AFP)-siRNA. Bel 7402 cell resistance to paclitaxel was associated with the
      expression of the "stemness" markers CD44 and CD133. Paclitaxel significantly
      inhibited growth and promoted apoptosis in HLE cells and L-02 cells by inducing
      fragmentation of caspase-3 and inhibiting the expression of Ras and Survivin, but
      pcDNA3.1-afp vectors prevented these effects. However, paclitaxel could not
      significantly promote the cleavage of caspase-3 or suppress the expression of Ras
      and Survivin in Bel 7402 cells. Silenced expression of AFP may be synergistic
      with paclitaxel to restrain proliferation and induce apoptosis, enhance cleavage
      of caspase-3, and suppress the expression of Ras and Survivin. Taken together,
      AFP may be an important molecule acting against paclitaxel-inhibited
      proliferation and induced apoptosis in HCC cells via repressing the activity of
      caspase-3 and stimulating the expression of Ras and Survivin. Targeted inhibition
      of AFP expression after treatment with paclitaxel is an available strategy for
      the therapy of patients with HCC.

PMID- 27255187
TI  - Tissue deposition and toxicological effects of commercially significant rare
      earth oxide nanomaterials: Material and physical properties.
AB  - Rare earth oxide (REO) materials are found naturally in earth's crust and at the
      nanoscale these REO nanoparticles exhibit unique thermal, electrical, and
      physicochemical properties. REO nanoparticles are widely used in different
      industrial sectors for ceramics, glass polishing, metallurgy, lasers, and
      magnets. Recently, some of these REO nanoparticles have been identified for their
      potential application in medicine, including therapy, imaging, and diagnostics.
      Concurrent research into the REO nanomaterials' toxicities has also raised
      concern for their environmental impacts. The correlation of REO nanoparticles
      mediated toxicity with their physiochemical properties can help to design
      nanoparticles with minimal effect on the environment and living organisms. In
      vitro assay revealed toxicity toward Human squamous epithelial cell line (CCL30)
      and Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) at a concentration of 100
      uM and higher. In vivo results showed, with the exception of CeO2 and Gd2 O3 ,
      most of the naoparticles did not clear or had minimum clearance (10-20%) from the
      system. Elevated levels of alanine transferase were seen for animals given each
      different nanoparticle, however the increases were not significant for CeO2 and
      Dy2 O3 . Nephrotoxicity was only seen in case of Dy2 O3 and Gd2 O3 . Lastly,
      histological examination revealed presence of swollen hepatocytes which further
      confirms toxicity of the commercial REO nanomaterials. The in vivo toxicity is
      mainly due to excessive tissue deposition (70-90%) due to the commercial REO
      nanoparticles' poor physical properties (shape, stability, and extent of
      agglomeration). Therefore, optimization of nanoparticles physical properties is
      very important. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 904-917,
      2017.

PMID- 27255188
TI  - Direct microfabrication of oxide patterns by local electrodeposition of precisely
      positioned electrolyte: the case of Cu2O.
AB  - An efficient technique for writing 2D oxide patterns on conductive substrates is
      proposed and demonstrated in this paper. The technique concerns a novel concept
      for selective electrodeposition, in which a minimum quantity of liquid
      electrolyte, through an extrusion nozzle, is delivered and manipulated into the
      desired shape on the substrate, meanwhile being electrodeposited into the product
      by an applied voltage across the nozzle and substrate. Patterns of primarily Cu2O
      with 80~90% molar fraction are successfully fabricated on stainless steel
      substrates using this method. A key factor that allows the solid product to be
      primarily oxide Cu2O instead of metal Cu - the product predicted by the
      equilibrium Pourbaix diagram given the unusually large absolute deposition
      voltage used in this method, is the non-equilibrium condition involved in the
      process due to the short deposition time. Other factors including the motion of
      the extrusion nozzle relative to the substrate and the surface profile of the
      substrate that influence the electrodeposition performance are also discussed.

PMID- 27255189
TI  - Generation of open biomedical datasets through ontology-driven transformation and
      integration processes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biomedical research usually requires combining large volumes of data
      from multiple heterogeneous sources, which makes difficult the integrated
      exploitation of such data. The Semantic Web paradigm offers a natural
      technological space for data integration and exploitation by generating content
      readable by machines. Linked Open Data is a Semantic Web initiative that promotes
      the publication and sharing of data in machine readable semantic formats.
      METHODS: We present an approach for the transformation and integration of
      heterogeneous biomedical data with the objective of generating open biomedical
      datasets in Semantic Web formats. The transformation of the data is based on the
      mappings between the entities of the data schema and the ontological
      infrastructure that provides the meaning to the content. Our approach permits
      different types of mappings and includes the possibility of defining complex
      transformation patterns. Once the mappings are defined, they can be automatically
      applied to datasets to generate logically consistent content and the mappings can
      be reused in further transformation processes. RESULTS: The results of our
      research are (1) a common transformation and integration process for
      heterogeneous biomedical data; (2) the application of Linked Open Data principles
      to generate interoperable, open, biomedical datasets; (3) a software tool, called
      SWIT, that implements the approach. In this paper we also describe how we have
      applied SWIT in different biomedical scenarios and some lessons learned.
      CONCLUSIONS: We have presented an approach that is able to generate open
      biomedical repositories in Semantic Web formats. SWIT is able to apply the Linked
      Open Data principles in the generation of the datasets, so allowing for linking
      their content to external repositories and creating linked open datasets. SWIT
      datasets may contain data from multiple sources and schemas, thus becoming
      integrated datasets.

PMID- 27255190
TI  - Determinants of sleep disturbances in Rett syndrome: Novel findings in relation
      to genotype.
AB  - Rett syndrome is a rare but severe neurological disorder associated with a
      mutation in the methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. Sleep problems and
      epilepsy are two of many comorbidities associated with this disorder. This study
      investigated the prevalence and determinants of sleep problems in Rett syndrome
      using an international sample. Families with a child with a confirmed Rett
      syndrome diagnosis and a MECP2 mutation registered in the International Rett
      Syndrome Phenotype Database (InterRett) were invited to participate.
      Questionnaires were returned by 364/461 (78.9%) either in web-based or paper
      format. Families completed the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children and provided
      information on the presence, nature, and frequency of their child's sleep
      problems. Multivariate multinomial regression was used to investigate the
      relationships between selected sleep problems, age group, and genotype and linear
      regression for the relationships between sleep disturbance scales and a range of
      covariates. Night waking was the most prevalent sleep problem affecting over 80%
      with nearly half (48.3%) currently waking often at night. Initiating and
      maintaining sleep was most disturbed for younger children and those with a
      p.Arg294* mutation. Severe seizure activity was associated with poor sleep after
      adjusting for age group, mutation type, and mobility. We were surprised to find
      associations between the p.Arg294* mutation and some sleep disturbances given
      that other aspects of its phenotype are milder. These findings highlight the
      complexities of aberrant MECP2 function in Rett syndrome and explain some of the
      variation in manifestation of sleep disturbances. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27255192
TI  - [A reconsideration of Tui and the original model of Jueyin].
AB  - Revelation of the intrinsic characteristics of"tui"led to questioning of
      the"hypothesis that tui refers to Bancroftianfilariasis". The analysis of medical
      bamboo slips from the Han Dynasty unearthed in Wuwei proved that the disease
      referred to as"Tuo Xia Yang Shi(subscrotalmoistitch)"in these slips was most
      probably the one now known as Bancroftianfilariasis. The decipherment of numerous
      bamboo slips from the Chu State that are considered to date back to the period of
      Warring States revealed that the predecessor to Jue Yin disease was named"or or
      or or )D or A or C or F or H"; however, medical texts from Mawangdui and Mount
      Zhangjia refer to this disease as"tui(,>,)"and"tui()"respectively, whereas
      HuangdiNeijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) renames this disease
      as"tui(,,)", revealing that everything was rendered phonetically. 

PMID- 27255194
TI  - [Textual research on the fire needle and the fire needle therapy].
AB  - There are different names of the fire needle therapy in the Huang di nei jing
      (Inner Canon of Huangdi) such as Zu-zhen (), Cui-zhen (,), Fan-zhen (), Huo-cui
      (), Cui (,,), Cuici ,), Fan zhen jie ci (). It is claimed that the lance needle,
      the round sharp needle and the long needle recorded in this Classic are
      puncturing tools for the fire needle therapy. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang
      Zhongjing expanded the indications for the fire needle therapy and Huo-zhen ()
      firstly appeared in the Jin kui yu han jing(Classic of the Jade Box and Golden
      Chamber). The application of the fire needle therapy had been further expanded to
      a lot of internal and external disorders form the Wei-Jin-Southern and Northern
      Dynasties to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are more detailed records on the
      manipulation and the tools of the fire needle therapy during this period. In the
      1970s, Huo zhen liao fa () was proposed and still in use today. However the Bai
      zhen (plain needle) in ancient literature is equal to the filiform needle and
      should not be regarded as the former name of the fire needle. 

PMID- 27255195
TI  - [Classes of crude drugs and its distribution of producing area in the attached
      illustrations in Ben cao tu jing (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica)].
AB  - Ben cao tu jing (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica) is the earliest extant
      atlas book of materia medica in China, with 933 attached drawings. Among them,
      the largest portion, amounting to 670, are herbaceous plants, mostly commonly
      used, with definite marks of the origin producing areas, distributed across 149
      administrative divisions(prefectures and counties) of the Song Dynasty, most of
      them in Northern area which were distributed denser than those in Southern area.
      The densest ones were located in Southern Shanxi, Eastern Sichuan and Eastern
      Anhui. In the attached drawings, the frequency of highest occurrence appeared in
      this Classic are three prefectures, Chuzhou, Shizhou and Guangzhou. 

PMID- 27255191
TI  - A 3D in vitro model to explore the inter-conversion between epithelial and
      mesenchymal states during EMT and its reversion.
AB  - Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) are strongly implicated in cancer
      dissemination. Intermediate states, arising from inter-conversion between
      epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) states, are characterized by phenotypic
      heterogeneity combining E and M features and increased plasticity. Hybrid EMT
      states are highly relevant in metastatic contexts, but have been largely
      neglected, partially due to the lack of physiologically-relevant 3D platforms to
      study them. Here we propose a new in vitro model, combining mammary E cells with
      a bioengineered 3D matrix, to explore phenotypic and functional properties of
      cells in transition between E and M states. Optimized alginate-based 3D matrices
      provided adequate 3D microenvironments, where normal epithelial morphogenesis was
      recapitulated, with formation of acini-like structures, similar to those found in
      native mammary tissue. TGFbeta1-driven EMT in 3D could be successfully promoted,
      generating M-like cells. TGFbeta1 removal resulted in phenotypic switching to an
      intermediate state (RE cells), a hybrid cell population expressing both E and M
      markers at gene/protein levels. RE cells exhibited increased
      proliferative/clonogenic activity, as compared to M cells, being able to form
      large colonies containing cells with front-back polarity, suggesting a more
      aggressive phenotype. Our 3D model provides a powerful tool to investigate the
      role of the microenvironment on metastable EMT stages.

PMID- 27255196
TI  - [Zheng Meijian's Sha yu yi yu (Random Medical Talks in Leisure Time) and his new
      ideas on pulse-taking].
AB  - Zheng Meijian, a doctor of Xin'an district in the reign of Qianlong Emperor of
      the Qing Dynasty, left his manuscript Sha yu yi yu (Random Medical Talks in
      Leisure Time), and was handed down in his family for generations. Sha yu yi yu
      was published in the Anhui Yixue of Issue 20, 1959, with horizontal layout and
      punctuation. The book records Zheng Meijian's understanding for the medicine,
      especially his new ideas on the cunkou pulse, with its underlying corresponding
      relationship among cun-guan-chi and zang-fu which should be combined with
      meridian and collateral system, claiming that the pulse taken superficially was
      corresponding to fu, while that taken deeply, to zang. He classified the strength
      of the fingers in pulse-taking into 8 levels, and advocated flexible application
      of pulse-taking. All his opinions had an important reference value for
      theoretical research and clinical application of pulse-taking. 

PMID- 27255197
TI  - [Textual research on wei sheng (hygiene) and gong gong wei sheng (public
      health)].
AB  - Wei sheng, a verb-object word group existed since the ancient time, referring
      to"protection of life", and it was evolved as a single word which can be
      translated as"hygiene"in modern times with multiple implications
      like"cleanliness","sterilization", and"prevention of disease", etc. Gong gong wei
      sheng was isolated from"hygiene", which has become a new term. In the Republic of
      China, scholars had made preliminary studies on the translation of"hygiene"during
      which gong gong wei sheng, and"guo min wei sheng"(national hygiene) and"gong
      zhong wei sheng"(people's hygiene) appeared also. Though the term"public
      health"was defined by the WHO and gong gong wei sheng was defined by Chinese
      scholars with gradual improvement, yet, the implications of both terms are still
      imperfect. 

PMID- 27255198
TI  - [Early history of medicine and health career in Harbin].
AB  - Harbin, located in the northeast of China, was still an agricultural region
      dominated by traditional natural economy in the late 19th century. Harbin became
      the"Eurasia land bridge"and the transportation junction of the northeast railway
      network, along with the building of Mid-east railway in 1898, which sped up the
      development of the city. With the influx of foreign workers and capital, in the
      1930s, Harbin has become a city with 19 countries' consulates and nearly 100, 000
      people from more than 20 foreign countries. In this international multicultural
      city, the rapid introduction and spread of western medicine showed the great
      effect for the development of medicine and health career, ranking the top in
      China. 

PMID- 27255199
TI  - [Textual research on decipher of"prescriptions for treating children's head
      sore"from Zhi re bing yao lun (Essentials on Treatment of Febrile Diseases) in
      the Western Xia regime].
AB  - There were 3 prescriptions for treating children's head sore, inv6476-28, 29, 30
      preserved in Russia, included in the Zhi re bing yao lun (Essentials on Treatment
      of Febrile Diseases), a medical literature of the Western Xia regime. Based on
      the correlated relationship between the Tangut language and the Chinese
      characters, the 3 prescriptions were translated into Chinese, and then compared
      with Chinese medical documents. It could be seen that medical system in the
      Western Xia regime had an inseparable relationship with that of the Han
      nationality, while keeping the features of the northwestern nomadic nationalities
      at the same time. 

PMID- 27255200
TI  - [Research on the"Association of Han medicine of State of Manchuria"].
AB  - The"Association of Han medicine of State of Manchuria"was a puppet TCM academic
      society founded by the Puppet Manchukuo government, with well-organization system
      and widespread scope. During its period, though some efforts were made to
      promoting the TCM academic progress, improving the quality of TCM doctors,
      developing TCM clinic, education, academic research and administration, its
      essence was still a tool for the puppet government to controlling, transforming
      and utilizing TCM. 

PMID- 27255201
TI  - Erratum to: 'Ultra-precise detection of mutations by droplet-based amplification
      of circularized DNA'.

PMID- 27255202
TI  - Barbara Williams.

PMID- 27255203
TI  - Clinical characteristics of atrial fibrillation-related cardioembolic stroke in
      patients aged 80 years or older.
AB  - AIM: Atrial fibrillation (AF)-related cardioembolic stroke is a serious problem
      in the aging society. The present study examined the clinical characteristics and
      outcomes of AF-related cardioembolic stroke in patients aged >=80 years. METHODS:
      Between September 2011 and April 2014, consecutive patients with ischemic stroke
      and AF were retrospectively extracted from the multicenter database. Clinical
      characteristics were compared between patients aged >=80 years and <80 years.
      Multivariate cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios
      and 95% confidential intervals on 90-day mortality for age of >=80 years.
      RESULTS: A total of 253 patients aged >=80 years (87 men, 86.4 +/- 5.0 years) and
      196 patients aged <80 years (134 men, 70.4 +/- 7.1 years) were included. Patients
      aged >=80 years were more frequently female, and more likely to have higher
      premorbid modified Rankin Scale score (mRS), lower body mass index, previous
      history of stroke, prior antiplatelet therapy, congestive heart failure, and
      persistent AF. Patients aged >=80 years had higher initial National Institutes of
      Health Stroke Scale score and were more likely to have occlusion of the
      cervicocephalic arteries, but less likely to receive thrombolysis. Patients aged
      >=80 years had a higher mRS and mortality after 3 months. Age of >=80 years was a
      significant predictor of 90-day mortality after adjustment for sex (hazard ratio
      2.20, 95% confidential interval 1.25-4.09), but was no longer significant after
      further adjustment for other clinical characteristics and stroke severity.
      CONCLUSIONS: In AF-related cardioembolic stroke, patients aged >=80 years had
      different clinical characteristics and poorer outcome compared with patients aged
      <80 years. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 708-713.

PMID- 27255204
TI  - Characterisation of Exposure to Ultrafine Particles from Surgical Smoke by Use of
      a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Electrosurgery is a method based on a high frequency current used
      to cut tissue and coagulate small blood vessels during surgery. Surgical smoke is
      generated due to the heat created by electrosurgery. The carcinogenic potential
      of this smoke was assumed already in the 1980's and there has been a growing
      interest in the potential adverse health effects of exposure to the particles in
      surgical smoke. Surgical smoke is known to contain ultrafine particles (UFPs) but
      the knowledge about the exposure to UFPs produced by electrosurgery is however
      sparse. The aims of the study were therefore to characterise the exposure to UFPs
      in surgical smoke during different types of surgical procedures and on different
      job groups in the operating room, and to characterise the particle size
      distribution. METHODS: Personal exposure measurements were performed on main
      surgeon, assistant surgeon, surgical nurse, and anaesthetic nurse during five
      different surgical procedures [nephrectomy, breast reduction surgery,
      abdominoplasty, hip replacement surgery, and transurethral resection of the
      prostate (TURP)]. The measurements were performed with a Fast Mobility Particle
      Sizer (FMPS) to assess the exposure to UPFs and to characterize the particle size
      distribution. Possible predictors of exposure were investigated using Linear
      Mixed Effect Models. RESULTS: The exposure to UFPs was highest during
      abdominoplasty arithmetic mean (AM) 3900 particles cm(-3) and lowest during hip
      replacement surgeries AM 400 particles cm(-3). The different job groups had
      similar exposure during the same types of surgical procedures. The use of
      electrosurgery resulted in short term high peak exposure (highest maximum peak
      value 272 000 particles cm(-3)) to mainly UFPs. The size distribution of
      particles varied between the different types of surgical procedures, where
      nephrectomy, hip replacement surgery, and TURP produced UFPs with a dominating
      mode of 9nm while breast reduction surgery and abdominoplasty produced UFPs with
      a dominating mode of 70 and 81nm, respectively. Type of surgery was the strongest
      predictor of exposure. When only including breast reduction surgery in the
      analysis, the use of one or two ES pencils during surgery was a significant
      predictor of exposure. When only including hip replacement surgery, the operating
      room was a significant predictor of exposure. CONCLUSION: The use of
      electrosurgery resulted in short-term high peak exposures to mainly UFPs in
      surgical smoke. Type of surgery was the strongest predictor of exposure and the
      different types of surgical procedures produced different sized particles. The
      job groups had similar exposure. Compared to other occupational exposures to UFPs
      involving hot processes, the personal exposure levels for UFPs were low during
      the use of electrosurgery.

PMID- 27255205
TI  - Ethics dilemmas of early detection of obesity.
AB  - AIM: To discuss the ethics dilemmas of the early detection of overweight and
      obesity. METHODS: Analysis of the ethical aspects of early detection. RESULTS:
      The early detection of overweight and obesity entails a number of ethical
      dilemmas because it may both be helpful and harmful. It may help people to lead a
      healthier life and non-detection could be considered neglectful. It may, however,
      cause anxiety, interfere with people's integrity, focus only on individual causes
      and responsibilities, cause stigmatization and have adverse effects by inducing
      weight gain. CONCLUSIONS DOCUMENTATION OF MORE POSITIVE THAN NEGATIVE EFFECTS IS
      REQUIRED BEFORE EARLY DETECTION IS INTRODUCED.

PMID- 27255206
TI  - Richard Nesbit Evans.

PMID- 27255207
TI  - Mobile health solutions for the aging population: A systematic narrative
      analysis.
AB  - Introduction The ubiquitous nature of mobile technology coupled with the
      acceptance of mobile health (mHealth) among the elderly offers an opportunity to
      augment the existing medical workforce in long-term care. The objective of this
      review and narrative analysis is to identify and analyse facilitators and
      barriers to adoption of mHealth for the elderly. Methods Studies over the last
      year were identified in multiple database indices, and three reviewers examined
      abstracts ( k = 0.82) and analysed articles for themes which were tallied in
      affinity diagrams to identify frequency of occurrence in the literature (n = 36).
      Results The three facilitators mentioned most often were independence (18%),
      understanding (13%), and visibility (13%). The three barriers mentioned most
      often were complexity (21%), limited by users (12%) and ineffective (12%).
      Discussion and conclusions The reviewers concluded that the work done so far
      illustrates that mHealth enables a perception of independence. Future research
      should focus on the barriers of complexity of technology and improving existing
      medical literacy in order to facilitate further adoption.

PMID- 27255208
TI  - New Edges of RNA Adenosine Methylation Modifications.

PMID- 27255209
TI  - Photoelectrochemical water splitting enhanced by self-assembled metal nanopillars
      embedded in an oxide semiconductor photoelectrode.
AB  - Production of chemical fuels by direct solar energy conversion in a
      photoelectrochemical cell is of great practical interest for developing a
      sustainable energy system. Various nanoscale designs such as nanowires,
      nanotubes, heterostructures and nanocomposites have been explored to increase the
      energy conversion efficiency of photoelectrochemical water splitting. Here we
      demonstrate a self-organized nanocomposite material concept for enhancing the
      efficiency of photocarrier separation and electrochemical energy conversion.
      Mechanically robust photoelectrodes are formed by embedding self-assembled metal
      nanopillars in a semiconductor thin film, forming tubular Schottky junctions
      around each pillar. The photocarrier transport efficiency is strongly enhanced in
      the Schottky space charge regions while the pillars provide an efficient charge
      extraction path. Ir-doped SrTiO3 with embedded iridium metal nanopillars shows
      good operational stability in a water oxidation reaction and achieves over 80%
      utilization of photogenerated carriers under visible light in the 400- to 600-nm
      wavelength range.

PMID- 27255211
TI  - Value of transvaginal sonography after cervical cerclage.

PMID- 27255210
TI  - Rhodiola Inhibits Atrial Arrhythmogenesis in a Heart Failure Model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Rhodiola, a popular plant in Tibet, has been proven to decrease
      arrhythmia. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism and
      electrophysiological properties of rhodiola in the suppression of atrial
      fibrillation. METHODS: This study consisted of 3 groups as follows: Group 1:
      normal control rabbits (n = 5); Group 2: rabbits with heart failure (HF) created
      by coronary ligation and who received 2 weeks of water orally as a placebo (n =
      5); and Group 3: rabbits with HF who received 2 weeks of a rhodiola 270 mg/kg/day
      treatment orally (n = 5). The monophasic action potential, histology, and real
      time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of ionic channels and
      PI3K/AKT/eNOS were examined. RESULTS: Compared with the HF group, attenuated
      atrial fibrosis (35.4 +/- 17.4% vs. 16.9 +/- 8.4%, P = 0.05) and improved left
      ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (51.6 +/- 3.4% vs. 68.0 +/- 0.5%, P = 0.001)
      were observed in the rhodiola group. The rhodiola group had a shorter ERP (85.3
      +/- 6.8 vs. 94.3 +/- 1.2, P = 0.002), APD90 (89.3 +/- 1.5 vs. 112.7 +/- 0.7, P <
      0.001) in the left atrium (LA), and decreased AF inducibility (0.90 +/- 0.04 vs.
      0.42 +/- 0.04, P < 0.001) compared with the HF group. The mRNA expressions of
      Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Kv4.3, KvLQT1, Cav1.2, and SERCA2a in the HF LA were up-regulated
      after rhodiola treatment. The rhodiola-treated HF LA demonstrated higher mRNA
      expression of PI3K-AKT compared with the HF group. CONCLUSIONS: Rhodiola reversed
      LA electrical remodeling, attenuated atrial fibrosis and suppressed AF in rabbits
      with HF. The beneficial electrophysiological effect of rhodiola may be related to
      upregulation of Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Kv4.3, KvLQT1, Cav1.2, SERCA2a, and activation of
      PI3K/AKT signaling.

PMID- 27255212
TI  - A systematic review of randomised controlled trials in rheumatoid arthritis: the
      reporting and handling of missing data in composite outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most reported outcome measures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) trials
      are composite, whose components comprise single measures that are combined into
      one outcome. The aims of this review were to assess the range of missing data
      rates in primary composite outcomes and to document the current practice for
      handling and reporting missing data in published RA trials compared to the
      Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) recommendations. METHODS: A
      systematic search for randomised controlled trials was conducted for RA trials
      published between 2008 and 2013 in four rheumatology and four high impact general
      medical journals. RESULTS: A total of 51 trials with a composite primary outcome
      were identified, of which 38 (75 %) used the binary American College of
      Rheumatology responder index and 13 (25 %) used the Disease Activity Score for 28
      joints (DAS28). Forty-four trials (86 %) reported on an intention-to-treat
      analysis population, while 7 trials (14 %) analysed according to a modified
      intention-to-treat population. Missing data rates for the primary composite
      outcome ranged from 2-53 % and were above 30 % in 9 trials, 20-30 % in 11 trials,
      10-20 % in 18 trials and below 10 % in 13 trials. Thirty-eight trials (75 %) used
      non-responder imputation and 10 (20 %) used last observation carried forward to
      impute missing composite outcome data at the primary time point. The rate of
      dropout was on average 61 % times higher in the placebo group compared to the
      treatment group in the 34 placebo controlled trials (relative rate 1.61, 95 % CI:
      1.29, 2.02). Thirty-seven trials (73 %) did not report the use of sensitivity
      analyses to assess the handling of missing data in the primary analysis as
      recommended by CONSORT guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights an
      improvement in rheumatology trial practice since the revision of CONSORT
      guidelines, in terms of power calculation and participant's flow diagram.
      However, there is a need to improve the handling and reporting of missing
      composite outcome data and their components in RA trials. In particular,
      sensitivity analyses need to be more widely used in RA trials because imputation
      is widespread and generally uses single imputation methods, and in this area the
      missing data rates are commonly differentially higher in the placebo group.

PMID- 27255213
TI  - Local adaptations to a global health initiative: penalties for home births in
      Zambia.
AB  - Global health initiatives (GHIs) are implemented across a variety of geographies
      and cultures. Those targeting maternal health often prioritise increasing
      facility delivery rates. Pressure on local implementers to meet GHI goals may
      lead to unintended programme features that could negatively impact women. This
      study investigates penalties for home births imposed by traditional leaders on
      women during the implementation of Saving Mothers, Giving Life (SMGL) in Zambia.
      Forty focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted across four rural districts
      to assess community experiences of SMGL at the conclusion of its first year.
      Participants included women who recently delivered at home (3 FGDs/district),
      women who recently delivered in a health facility (3 FGDs/district), community
      health workers (2 FGDs/district) and local leaders (2 FGDs/district). Findings
      indicate that community leaders in some districts-independently of formal
      programme directive-used fines to penalise women who delivered at home rather
      than in a facility. Participants in nearly all focus groups reported hearing
      about the imposition of penalties following programme implementation. Some women
      reported experiencing penalties firsthand, including cash and livestock fines, or
      fees for child health cards that are typically free. Many women who delivered at
      home reported their intention to deliver in a facility in the future to avoid
      penalties. While communities largely supported the use of penalties to promote
      facility delivery, the penalties effectively introduced a new tax on poor rural
      women and may have deterred their utilization of postnatal and child health care
      services. The imposition of penalties is thus a punitive adaptation that can
      impose new financial burdens on vulnerable women and contribute to widening
      health, economic and gender inequities in communities. Health initiatives that
      aim to increase demand for health services should monitor local efforts to
      achieve programme targets in order to better understand their impact on
      communities and on overall programme goals. 

PMID- 27255214
TI  - Hierarchical Targeting Strategy for Enhanced Tumor Tissue Accumulation/Retention
      and Cellular Internalization.
AB  - Targeted delivery of therapeutic agents is an important way to improve the
      therapeutic index and reduce side effects. To design nanoparticles for targeted
      delivery, both enhanced tumor tissue accumulation/retention and enhanced cellular
      internalization should be considered simultaneously. So far, there have been very
      few nanoparticles with immutable structures that can achieve this goal
      efficiently. Hierarchical targeting, a novel targeting strategy based on stimuli
      responsiveness, shows good potential to enhance both tumor tissue
      accumulation/retention and cellular internalization. Here, the recent design and
      development of hierarchical targeting nanoplatforms, based on changeable particle
      sizes, switchable surface charges and activatable surface ligands, will be
      introduced. In general, the targeting moieties in these nanoplatforms are not
      activated during blood circulation for efficient tumor tissue accumulation, but
      re-activated by certain internal or external stimuli in the tumor
      microenvironment for enhanced cellular internalization. 

PMID- 27255215
TI  - The nine-year changes of the incidence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome
      in China: longitudinal comparisons of the two cross-sectional surveys in a newly
      formed urban community.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess the 9-year changes of the incidence and characteristics of
      metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Chinese community under the background of
      dramatically changed environment. METHODS: Two cross-sectional surveys of the
      general population were carried out in 2005 and 2014 in Dengmin and Hongnan
      villages of Fengcheng community, a newly formed urban community from rural area
      10 years ago. All permanent adult residents aged 18-80 without active malignant
      tumors and pregnancy were invited to attend the study. They participated in
      clinical examinations for anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Fasting
      blood samples were drawn for analysis of lipids and glucose. Presence of MetS was
      defined based on the IDF/AHA harmonized criteria. MetS z-score was calculated to
      evaluate the degree of total metabolic disorder. RESULTS: A total of 1042
      subjects in 2005 and 1053 subjects in 2014 were included in the final analysis.
      The participants were stratified by gender. The incidence of MetS was higher in
      2014 than 2005 in both genders (female, 48.28 vs 31.61 %; male, 41.12 vs 26.30 %;
      p value, both <0.001). Of the five MetS components, the FBG and TG levels were
      higher in 2014 than 2005 in both gender, however, the SBP and DBP values were
      even lower in 2014 than 2005. The differences of FBG, blood pressure and lipid
      levels between 2005 and 2014 still exist after ruling out recognized diabetic,
      hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects, individually. In MetS subjects, MetS z
      score showed the whole metabolic profile get worse in 2014 than 2005 in both sex
      (female, 1.97 +/- 2.53 vs 1.74 +/- 2.29; male, 2.51 +/- 2.79 vs 1.01 +/- 2.38.
      both P < 0.001). Using 3 abnormal components as a combination, we found the
      frequency of different kinds of combination also changed in MetS subjects. In
      female, the combination of WC + BP + HDL disorder decreased from 29.7 % (2005) to
      11.0 % (2014) and WC + FBG + BP disorder became the most popular phenotype (18.8
      %) in 2014. CONCLUSIONS: The dramatically changed environments have extensive
      influence on metabolic parameters of local residents. More targeted measures need
      to be taken to meet the serious challenges of metabolic diseases. Trial
      registration ChiCTR-ECS-14005052, http://www.chictr.org, Survey on Prevalence in
      East China for Metabolic Diseases and Risk Factors (SPECT-China).

PMID- 27255216
TI  - Flow cytometry may allow microscope-independent detection of holocentric
      chromosomes in plants.
AB  - Two chromosomal structures, known as monocentric and holocentric chromosomes,
      have evolved in eukaryotes. Acentric fragments of monocentric chromosomes are
      unequally distributed to daughter cells and/or lost, while holocentric fragments
      are inherited normally. In monocentric species, unequal distribution should
      generate chimeras of cells with different nuclear DNA content. We investigated
      whether such differences in monocentric species are detectable by flow cytometry
      (FCM) as (i) a decreased nuclear DNA content and (ii) an increased coefficient of
      variance (CV) of the G1 peak after gamma radiation-induced fragmentation. We
      compared 13 monocentric and 9 holocentric plant species. Unexpectedly,
      monocentrics and holocentrics did not differ with respect to parameters (i) and
      (ii) in their response to gamma irradiation. However, we found that the
      proportion of G2 nuclei was highly elevated in monocentrics after irradiation,
      while holocentrics were negligibly affected. Therefore, we hypothesize that DNA
      damaging agents induce cell cycle arrest leading to endopolyploidy only in
      monocentric and not (or to much lesser extent) in holocentric plants. While
      current microscope-dependent methods for holocentrism detection are unreliable
      for small and numerous chromosomes, which are common in holocentrics, FCM can use
      somatic nuclei. Thus, FCM may be a rapid and reliable method of high-throughput
      screening for holocentric candidates across plant phylogeny.

PMID- 27255218
TI  - Transcriptome profiling of the antiviral immune response in Atlantic cod
      macrophages.
AB  - A study was conducted to determine the transcriptome response of Atlantic cod
      (Gadus morhua) macrophages to the viral mimic, polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic
      acid (pIC), using a 20K Atlantic cod microarray platform and qPCR. We identified
      285 significantly up-regulated and 161 significantly down-regulated probes in cod
      macrophages 24 h after pIC stimulation. A subset of 26 microarray-identified
      transcripts was subjected to qPCR validation using samples treated with pIC or
      phosphate-buffered saline (control) over time (3, 6, 12, 24, 48 h), and 77% of
      them showed a significant response to pIC. The microarray and qPCR analyses in
      this study showed that pIC induced the expression of cod macrophage transcripts
      involved in RLR- and TLR-dependent pathogen recognition (e.g. tlr3, tlr7, mda5
      and lgp2), as well as signal transducers (e.g. stat1 and nfkbia) and
      transcription activators (e.g. irf7 and irf10) in the MyD88-independent and
      dependent signalling pathways. Several immune effectors (e.g. isg15s, viperin,
      herc4, mip2 and ccl13) were significantly up-regulated in pIC-stimulated cod
      macrophages. The expression of some transcripts (e.g. irf7, irf10, viperin) was
      significantly up-regulated by pIC as early as 12 h. All pIC-induced transcripts
      had peak expression at either 24 h (e.g. tlr7, irf7, mip2) or 48 h (e.g. tlr3,
      lgp2, stat1). This study suggests possible roles of both vertebrate-conserved
      (e.g. tlr3 as an up-regulated gene) and fish-specific (tlr22g as a down-regulated
      gene) receptors in dsRNA recognition, and the importance of conserved and
      potentially fish-specific interferon stimulated genes in cod macrophages.

PMID- 27255217
TI  - An autism-associated mutation in CaV1.3 channels has opposing effects on voltage-
      and Ca(2+)-dependent regulation.
AB  - CaV1.3 channels are a major class of L-type Ca(2+) channels which contribute to
      the rhythmicity of the heart and brain. In the brain, these channels are vital
      for excitation-transcription coupling, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal firing.
      Moreover, disruption of CaV1.3 function has been associated with several
      neurological disorders. Here, we focus on the de novo missense mutation A760G
      which has been linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To explore the role of
      this mutation in ASD pathogenesis, we examined the effects of A760G on CaV1.3
      channel gating and regulation. Introduction of the mutation severely diminished
      the Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation (CDI) of CaV1.3 channels, an important feedback
      system required for Ca(2+) homeostasis. This reduction in CDI was observed in two
      major channel splice variants, though to different extents. Using an allosteric
      model of channel gating, we found that the underlying mechanism of CDI reduction
      is likely due to enhanced channel opening within the Ca(2+)-inactivated mode.
      Remarkably, the A760G mutation also caused an opposite increase in voltage
      dependent inactivation (VDI), resulting in a multifaceted mechanism underlying
      ASD. When combined, these regulatory deficits appear to increase the
      intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, thus potentially disrupting neuronal
      development and synapse formation, ultimately leading to ASD.

PMID- 27255219
TI  - Characterization of a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor (MjKuPI) reveals the
      involvement of MjKuPI positive hemocytes in the immune responses of kuruma shrimp
      Marsupenaeus japonicus.
AB  - Serine proteases and their inhibitors play vital roles in biological processes.
      Serine protease inhibitors, including Kunitz-type protease inhibitors play
      important roles not only in physiological process (i.e. blood clotting and
      fibrinolysis) but also in immune responses. In this study, we characterized a
      Kunitz-type protease inhibitor, designated MjKuPI, from kuruma shrimp
      Marsupenaeus japonicus. An expression profile showed that MjKuPI was mainly
      expressed in hemocytes. Immunostaining revealed that some hemocytes expressed
      MjKuPI (MjKuPI(+) hemocytes) and others did not (MjKuPI(-) hemocytes). Injection
      of shrimp with Vibrio penaeicida and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) upregulated
      the mRNA level of MjKuPI, and a flow cytometry analysis revealed that the
      proportion of MjKuPI(+) hemocytes increased significantly 24 h after injection.
      Together, these results suggest that MjKuPI and MjKuPI(+) hemocytes have a role
      in the innate immune system of kuruma shrimp.

PMID- 27255220
TI  - Quality of documentation on antibiotic therapy in medical records: evaluation of
      combined interventions in a teaching hospital by repeated point prevalence
      survey.
AB  - This study aimed to improve the quality of documentation on antibiotic therapy in
      the computerized medical records of inpatients. A prospective, uncontrolled,
      interrupted time series (ITS) study was conducted by repeated point prevalence
      survey (PPS) to audit the quality of documentation on antibiotic therapy in the
      medical records before and after a combined intervention strategy (implementation
      of guidelines, distribution of educational materials, educational outreach
      visits, group educational interactive sessions) from the antimicrobial
      stewardship team (AST) in the academic teaching hospital (CHU) of Liege, Belgium.
      The primary outcome measure was the documentation rate on three quality
      indicators in the computerized medical records: (1) indication for treatment, (2)
      antibiotics prescribed, and (3) duration or review date. Segmented regression
      analysis was used to analyze the ITS. The medical records of 2306 patients
      receiving antibiotics for an infection (1177 in the pre-intervention period and
      1129 in the post-intervention period) were analyzed. A significant increase in
      mean percentages in the post-intervention period was observed as compared with
      the pre-intervention period for the three quality indicators (indication
      documented 83.4 +/- 10.4 % vs. 90.3 +/- 6.6 %, p = 0.0013; antibiotics documented
      87.9 +/- 9.0 % vs. 95.6 +/- 5.1 %, p < 0.0001; and duration or review date
      documented 31.9 +/- 15.4 % vs. 67.7 +/- 15.2 %, p < 0.0001). The study
      demonstrated the successful implementation of a combined intervention strategy
      from the AST. This strategy was associated with significant changes in the
      documentation rate in the computerized medical records for the three quality
      indicators. 

PMID- 27255221
TI  - Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility in Barcelona: penA, ponA,
      mtrR, and porB mutations and NG-MAST sequence types associated with decreased
      susceptibility to cephalosporins.
AB  - The aims of this study were to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of
      Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) in our area, to analyze the molecular mechanisms
      involved in cephalosporins resistance, and to undertake molecular typing of our
      NG strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the Etest. The
      genes penA, mtrR, penB, and ponA were studied. Molecular typing was performed by
      N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing. Of 329 strains analyzed in 2013,
      none showed high-level cephalosporin resistance, but 8.2 % had resistance to
      cefixime [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 0.125 MUg/mL] and 0.6 % to
      ceftriaxone (MIC > 0.125 MUg/mL). Azithromycin resistance was documented in 4.3 %
      and ciprofloxacin resistance in 49.2 %. Among 48 strains with an MIC >= 0.125
      MUg/mL to cefixime, 58.3 % showed the penA mosaic pattern XXXIV, 98 % a Leu ->
      Pro substitution at position 421 of the ponA gene, 100 % amino acid changes at
      positions 101 and 102 of the PorB1b porin, and 87.5 % of strains an adenine
      deletion in the promoter region of the MtrC-D-E efflux pump. A significant
      difference between strains with and without decreased cephalosporin
      susceptibility (MIC >= 0.125 MUg/mL) was observed for these four genes. Of the 48
      strains with an MIC >= 0.125 MUg/mL to cefixime, 43.8 % belonged to the genogroup
      G1407 and 27.1 % belonged to the genogroup G2400. A significant association of
      G1407 with decreased susceptibility (MIC >= 0.125 MUg/mL) and G2992 with
      susceptibility was found, and also between G1407 and mosaic pattern XXXIV and
      between G2400 and A501T substitution in penA. The NG resistance rate in our area
      is higher than the median of Europe. We have detected the emergence of G2400,
      which may be a source of antimicrobial resistance. 

PMID- 27255222
TI  - Efficient Microscale Basic Reverse Phase Peptide Fractionation for Global and
      Targeted Proteomics.
AB  - Analysis of small biological samples would benefit from an efficient microscale
      fractionation strategy that minimizes sample handling, transfer steps, and
      accompanying losses. Here we describe a microscale basic reverse phase liquid
      chromatographic (bRPLC) fractionation method that offers high reproducibility and
      efficiency for peptide mixtures from small (5-20 MUg) samples. We applied our
      platform to detect differentially expressed proteins from lung tumor cell lines
      that are sensitive (11-18) and resistant (11-18R) to the tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor erlotinib. Label-free analyses of 5-20 MUg samples yielded
      identifications of approximately 3,200 to 4,000 proteins with coefficients of
      variation of 1.9-8.9% in replicate analyses. iTRAQ analyses produced similar
      protein inventories. Label-free and iTRAQ analyses displayed high concordance in
      identifications of proteins differentially expressed in 11-18 and 11-18R cells.
      Micro-bRPLC fractionation of cell proteomes increased sensitivity by an average
      of 4.5-fold in targeted quantitation using parallel reaction monitoring for three
      representative receptor tyrosine kinases (EGFR, PDGFRA, and BMX), which are
      present at low abundance in 11-18 and 11-18R cells. These data illustrate the
      broad utility of micro-bRPLC fractionation for global and targeted proteomic
      analyses. Data are available through Proteome eXchange Accession PXD003604.

PMID- 27255223
TI  - The distance of visual targets affects the spatial magnitude and multifractal
      scaling of standing body sway in younger and older adults.
AB  - The spatial magnitude of standing body sway is greater during viewing of more
      distant targets and reduced when viewing nearby targets. Classical
      interpretations of this effect are based on the projective geometry of changes in
      visual stimulation that are brought about by body sway. Such explanations do not
      motivate predictions about the temporal dynamics of body sway. We asked whether
      the distance of visible targets would affect both the spatial magnitude and the
      multifractality of standing body sway. It has been suggested that the
      multifractality of movement may change with age. Separately, previous research
      has not addressed the effects of target distance on postural sway in older
      adults. For these reasons, we crossed our variation in target distance with
      variation in age. In an open-air setting, we measured standing body sway in
      younger and older adults while looking at visual targets that were placed at
      three distances. The distance of visual targets affected the spatial magnitude of
      body sway in younger adults, replicating past studies. Target distance also
      affected the spatial magnitude of sway in older adults, confirming that this
      relation persists despite other age-related changes. Target distance also
      affected the multifractality of body sway, but this effect was modulated by age.
      Finally, the width of the multifractal spectrum was greater for older adults than
      for younger adults, revealing that healthy aging can affect the multifractality
      of movement. These findings reveal similarities and differences between the
      spatial magnitude and the multifractality of human movement.

PMID- 27255224
TI  - [Thrombotic microangiopathy : Relevant new aspects for intensive care
      physicians].
AB  - Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a clinical syndrome that is characterized by
      hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury, known as atypical hemolytic
      syndrome (aHUS), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and shigatoxin
      associated HUS (STEC-HUS) among others. Several diseases, like malignoma,
      infections, malignant hypertension, or autoimmune disease can result in secondary
      TMAs. aHUS is caused by a hyperactivated complement system. Identification of the
      underlying causes of the TMA is the most important issue and directly associated
      with treatment success. In case of secondary TMAs, treatment of the actual
      disease is the most important step, while in case of complement-mediated HUS
      treatment of choice is plasma exchange or anticomplement agents. For the
      treatment of TTP, rapid initiation of plasma exchange or plasma infusion is the
      treatment of choice. Patients with STEC-HUS should solely receive supportive
      treatment. 

PMID- 27255225
TI  - [Thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit : Diagnosis, differential diagnosis,
      and treatment].
AB  - Thrombocytopenia is a frequent phenomenon in intensive care medicine. A variety
      of conditions can be responsible for low platelet counts. As platelets are part
      of the primary hemostatic system, bleeding is the most important complication of
      thrombocytopenia. Proper workup of the differential diagnosis to identify the
      cause of thrombocytopenia is essential because the various underlying disorders
      require different diagnostic and therapeutic management strategies. A low
      platelet count is a strong predictor of outcome in critically ill patients.This
      article summarizes the differential diagnosis and diagnostic workup of
      thrombocytopenia in the critically ill, describes the most important conditions,
      and gives an overview on therapeutic options and strategies. 

PMID- 27255226
TI  - [Hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients : Bedside integration of
      data].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients is a key issue in
      intensive care medicine. Indication and application of invasive hemodynamic
      monitoring is a highly complex matter and requires thorough professional
      education and training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review was performed.
      RESULTS: A pragmatic approach can be divided into several steps such as medical
      history, physical examination, imaging, and laboratory results, which support the
      primary working diagnosis and allow further clarification of the underlying
      pathophysiology. Invasive arterial blood pressure and cardiac output measurement
      as well as components of the functional hemodynamic monitoring help to assess
      fluid responsiveness and to guide volume loading, diuretic therapy as well as
      administration of vasoactive or positive inotrope substances. CONCLUSIONS: All
      information gathered through medical history, physical examination, imaging, and
      hemodynamic monitoring help to form an overall picture and should be reevaluated
      regularly and in individual cases very closely depending on the hemodynamic
      instability of the patient. Target values are strictly indicative and are not
      binding taking into account that each patient has its unique pathophysiological
      profile.

PMID- 27255227
TI  - [Pathoanatomical and clinical aspects of the placenta in preterm birth].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prematurely born children show a clearly elevated risk for perinatal
      morbidity, long-term pediatric morbidities and development of chronic diseases in
      adulthood compared to babies born at term. The pathoanatomical investigation of
      placentas from preterm births is useful for assessing the etiology, the risk of
      recurrence and the prognosis for the child. AIMS: The focus is on presenting the
      clinical and pathoanatomical characteristics of acute chorioamnionitis as a
      frequent cause of preterm induction of labor and pregnancy-induced hypertension,
      in particular preeclampsia as a frequent reason for elective cesarean section.
      Other lesions, sometimes of unclear etiology associated with preterm birth and
      substantially elevated risk of recurrence are reviewed. The clinical correlations
      and therapeutic options of the various diseases are discussed taking the risk of
      recurrence into consideration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Examination of placentas,
      association with the clinical course and a literature search. RESULTS AND
      DISCUSSION: Acute chorioamnionitis and omphalovasculitis can be histologically
      subdivided into different stages which correlate with the clinical severity and
      the prognosis for the newborn child. Chronic deciduitis, chronic
      chorioamnionitis, villitis of unknown etiology, massive perivillous fibrin
      deposition and chronic histiocytic intervillositis are entities of unclear
      etiology associated with recurrent abortion and preterm birth. Autoimmune
      diseases and thrombophilia are occasionally associated with these pathologically
      defined lesions. Pregnancy-associated hypertensive disease and particularly
      preeclampsia as the cause of intrauterine developmental delay and elective
      cesarean section often show characteristic pathoanatomical placental lesions,
      which can give indications for the severity and duration of the disease and the
      prognosis for the child. Early onset (<34 weeks of gestation) and late onset
      preeclampsia show clinical and morphological differences. Subsequent pregnancies
      are classified as being at risk and screening for preeclampsia should be
      clinically performed.

PMID- 27255228
TI  - [Grading of tumors in the tubular digestive tract : Esophagus, stomach, colon and
      rectum].
AB  - Grading of tumors located in the tubular digestive tract is an integral component
      of pathology assessment reports but is subordinate to the histological typing of
      tumors with respect to the prognostic significance. Tumor grading has not been
      shown to be an independent prognostic marker for most tumor entities in the
      gastrointestinal tract; however, it may be relevant for further routine treatment
      decision making in early Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) stage
      cancers in which the prognosis for patients is less dominated by advanced tumor
      spread. Owing to the more favorable prognosis of microsatellite instability in
      colorectal cancer, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that
      poorly differentiated tumors should be tested and graded as low grade (G1/G2)
      when microsatellite instability is detected. This recommendation has been
      integrated into the German S3 guidelines for colorectal cancers. Accordingly,
      microsatellite instability testing for grading purposes should become routine
      practice. 

PMID- 27255229
TI  - Transition from traditional to modern forest management shaped the spatial extent
      of cattle pasturing in Bialowieza Primeval Forest in the nineteenth and twentieth
      centuries.
AB  - Pasturing of livestock in forests has had profound consequences for Europe's
      landscapes. In Bialowieza Primeval Forest (BPF), cattle pasturing was a part of
      traditional forest use that ceased only in the second half of the twentieth
      century. We collected information on the institutional changes governing forest
      cattle pasturing and the changes in spatial extent of cattle presence in BPF in
      last two centuries and information on cattle numbers and their impact on forest
      regeneration. The spatial extent of cattle pasturing was highly variable, with
      the distribution of grazing areas frequently changing. Forest near villages
      (constituting less than 10 % of the area) was most often used for cattle grazing
      during continued longer time periods. Historical data showed that cattle have had
      a clear impact on forest regeneration. However, the frequent changes that
      occurred in the extent of cattle grazing indicate that their impact occurred
      locally, was smaller in other less intensively used areas, and in the forest as a
      whole.

PMID- 27255230
TI  - Multiple-factor classification of a human-modified forest landscape in the
      Hsuehshan Mountain Range, Taiwan.
AB  - Human actions drive landscape heterogeneity, yet most ecosystem classifications
      omit the role of human influence. This study explores land use history to inform
      a classification of forestland of the Tayal Mrqwang indigenous people of Taiwan.
      Our objectives were to determine the extent to which human action drives
      landscape heterogeneity. We used interviews, field sampling, and multivariate
      analysis to relate vegetation patterns to environmental gradients and human
      modification across 76 sites. We identified eleven forest classes. In total,
      around 70 % of plots were at lower elevations and had a history of shifting
      cultivation, terrace farming, and settlement that resulted in alder, laurel, oak,
      pine, and bamboo stands. Higher elevation mixed conifer forests were least
      disturbed. Arboriculture and selective harvesting were drivers of other
      conspicuous forest patterns. The findings show that past land uses play a key
      role in shaping forests, which is important to consider when setting targets to
      guide forest management.

PMID- 27255231
TI  - T11TS Treatment Augments Apoptosis of Glioma Associated Brain Endothelial Cells,
      Hint Toward Anti-Angiogenic Action in Glioma.
AB  - Malignant glioma continues to be a clinical challenge with an urgent need for
      developing curative therapeutic intervention. Apoptosis induction in tumor
      associated endothelial cells represent a central mechanism that counteracts
      angiogenesis in glioma and other solid tumors. We previously demonstrated that
      intraperitoneal administration of sheep erythrocyte membrane glycopeptide T11
      target structure (T11TS) in rodent glioma model inhibits PI3K/Akt pathway and
      Raf/MEK/ERK signaling in glioma-associated brain endothelial cells. In the
      present study, we investigated whether T11TS treatment influence apoptosis
      signaling in vivo in glioma-associated brain endothelial cells. Annexin-V/PI
      staining showed that T11TS treatment in glioma-induced rats increases apoptosis
      of glioma-associated endothelial cells within glioma milieu compared to brain
      endothelial cells in glioma induced and control groups. Flowcytometric JC-1 assay
      revealed that T11TS administration triggers loss of mitochondrial membrane
      potential in glioma-associated brain endothelial cells. Flowcytometry,
      immunoblotting, and in situ immunofluoresecnt imaging were employed to
      investigate the effect of T11TS on apoptotic regulatory proteins in brain
      endothelial cells. T11TS treatment-upmodulated expression of p53, Bax, Fas, FasL,
      and FADD in glioma associated endothelial cells and downregulated Bcl-2 protein.
      T11TS therapy induced cytochrome-c release into cytosol, activated caspase -9, 8,
      3, and cleaved Bid in glioma associated brain endothelial cells. The study
      demonstrates that T11TS induces apoptosis in glioma-associated brain endothelial
      cells via p53 accumulation and activation of intrinsic as well as Fas-dependent
      extrinsic pathway. The pro-apoptotic action of T11TS on glioma-associated
      endothelial cells provides crucial insight into how T11TS exerts its anti
      angiogenic function in glioma. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 526-539, 2017. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27255232
TI  - A concept analysis of women's vulnerability during pregnancy, birth and the
      postnatal period.
AB  - AIM: To report an analysis of the concept of vulnerability associated with
      pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. BACKGROUND: The concept of
      vulnerability during childbirth is complex and the term, 'to be vulnerable'
      frequently attains a vague application. Analysis about vulnerability is needed to
      guide policy, practice, education and research. Clarity around the concept has
      the potential to improve outcomes for women. DESIGN: Concept analysis. DATA
      SOURCES: Searches were conducted in CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, Psychinfo, MEDLINE,
      MIDIRS and ASSIA and limited to between January 2000 - June 2014. Data were
      collected over 12 months during 2014. METHODS: This concept analysis drew on
      Morse's qualitative methods. RESULTS: Vulnerability during pregnancy, birth and
      the postnatal period can be defined by three main attributes: (a) Threat; (b)
      Barrier; and (c) Repair. Key attributes have the potential to influence outcome
      for women. Inseparable sub-attributes such as mother and baby attachment, the
      woman's free will and choice added a level of complexity about the concept.
      CONCLUSION: This concept analysis has clarified how the term vulnerability is
      currently understood and used in relation to pregnancy, birth and the postnatal
      period. Vulnerability should be viewed as a complex phenomenon rather than a
      singular concept. A 'vulnerability journey plan' has the potential to identify
      how reparative interventions may develop the woman's capacity for resilience and
      influence the degree of vulnerability experienced. Methodology based around
      complex theory should be explored in future work about vulnerability.

PMID- 27255233
TI  - The value of serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2-binding
      protein as a predictive marker for hepatitis C virus-related complications after
      systemic chemotherapy.
AB  - Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2-binding protein (WFA(+)-M2BP)
      was developed recently as a predictive marker of progression to liver fibrosis
      and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients seropositive for hepatitis C virus
      (HCV). We retrospectively analyzed 16 HCV-seropositive patients who received
      systemic chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies to evaluate the usefulness of
      WFA(+)-M2BP for predicting HCV-related complications. These were defined as the
      onset of significant liver damage (LD) with increased HCV RNA levels, leading to
      interrupted or discontinued chemotherapy or the occurrence of HCC after
      chemotherapy. Baseline WFA(+)-M2BP levels were determined using preserved serum
      samples. The median level of WFA(+)-M2BP was 1.59 [cutoff index (C.O.I.) value
      range 0.38-6.66]. With a median follow-up of 623 days (range 120-2404), LD and
      HCC were observed in three and two patients, respectively. Detectable HCV RNA and
      WFA(+)-M2BP >=2.0 C.O.I. at baseline were identified as risk factors for these
      HCV-related complications (P = 0.034 and P = 0.005, respectively). The
      sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the
      WFA(+)-M2BP level (cutoff point: 2.0 C.O.I.) for the occurrence of HCV-related
      complications were 100.0, 81.8, 71.4, and 100.0 %, respectively. WFA(+)-M2BP may
      be a useful marker for the prediction of HCV-related complications in HCV
      seropositive patients following systemic chemotherapy. 

PMID- 27255235
TI  - Field Inter-Rater Reliability of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised.
AB  - Strong inter-rater reliability has been established for the Hare Psychopathy
      Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), specifically by examiners in research contexts.
      However, there is less support for inter-reliability in applied settings. This
      study examined archival data that included a sample of sex offenders ( n = 178)
      who entered federal custody between 1992 and 1998. The offenders were assessed
      using the PCL-R on two occasions. The first assessment occurred at Millhaven
      Institution, the intake unit for federally incarcerated offenders in the province
      of Ontario. The second assessment took place upon inmates' transfer to the
      Regional Treatment Center, which admits federal inmates with intense
      psychological and psychiatric needs. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs)
      were calculated for item, total, factor, and facet scores. The ICC absolute
      agreement for the PCL-R total and factor scores from raters across both settings
      was slightly better than what has been previously reported by Hare. Results of
      this study show that the reliability of PCL-R scores in field settings can be
      comparable to those in research settings. Authors conclude by highlighting the
      importance of training, consultation, considering different scores for a given
      item, following the guidelines of the manual in addition to considering measures
      that enhance neutrality and reliability of findings in the criminal justice
      system.

PMID- 27255236
TI  - The Influence of Age and Sexual Drive on the Predictive Validity of the Juvenile
      Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-Revised.
AB  - The Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-Revised (J-SOAP-II) is the most
      commonly used measure in the assessment of recidivism risk among juveniles who
      have committed sexual offenses (JSOs), but mixed support exists for its
      predictive validity. This study compared the predictive validity of the J-SOAP-II
      across two offender characteristics, age and sexual drive, in a sample of 156
      JSOs who had been discharged from a correctional facility or a residential
      treatment program. The J-SOAP-II appeared to be a better predictor of sexual
      recidivism for younger JSOs (14-16 years old) than for older ones (17-19 years
      old), with significant differences found for the Dynamic Summary Scale and Scale
      III (Intervention). In addition, several of the measure's scales significantly
      predicted sexual recidivism for JSOs with a clear pattern of sexualized behavior
      but not for those without such a pattern, indicating that the J-SOAP-II may have
      greater clinical utility for JSOs with heightened sexual drive. The implications
      of these findings are discussed.

PMID- 27255234
TI  - Histochemical examination of the effects of high-dose 1,25(OH)2D3 on bone
      remodeling in young growing rats.
AB  - Vitamin D has an anabolic effect on bone developmental processes and is involved
      in maintaining skeletal integrity. In recent years, pediatric cases of vitamin D
      intoxication have attracted attention. Therefore, the aim of this study was to
      investigate the influence of long-term administration of physiologically-high
      dose calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D3) on bone remodeling in young developing rats.
      Neonatal rats received once-daily subcutaneous injection of calcitriol (250 ng/kg
      body weight), or PBS only as a control, for 3 weeks. At 1, 2 and 4 weeks' post
      administration, rats were sacrificed and fixed by transcardial perfusion with 4 %
      paraformaldehyde, following which tibiae were extracted for histochemical
      analysis. Compared with the control group, the number of tartrate-resistant acid
      phosphatase- and Cathepsin K-positive osteoclasts were significantly increased,
      and the expression of alkaline phosphatase in osteoblasts was decreased in
      trabecular bone of rats administered high-dose 1,25(OH)2D3, leading to decreased
      trabecular bone volume. In addition, the expression of receptor activator of
      nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) was increased, while that of
      osteoprotegerin was weaker in osteoblasts in the experimental group compared with
      the control group. Moreover, there was weaker immunoreactivity for EphrinB2 in
      osteoclasts and EphB4 in osteoblasts of trabecular bone in the experimental group
      compared with the control group. These findings suggest that long-term use of
      physiologically-high dose calcitriol may result in bone loss through
      RANKL/RANK/osteoprotegerin and EphrinB2-EphB4 signaling pathways, and that these
      negative effects could continue after drug withdrawal. Therefore, optimal limits
      for vitamin D administration need to be established for children and adolescents.

PMID- 27255238
TI  - Phacoemulsification technology update.

PMID- 27255237
TI  - Evaluation of oxidative stress markers in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and
      additional antioxidant therapy: a review article.
AB  - PURPOSE: The hypoxia and reoxygenation cycles in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
      (OSAS) cause a change in the oxidative balance, leading to the formation of
      reactive oxygen species capable of reacting with other organic molecules
      impairing their functions. This study aimed to determine the best markers of
      oxidative stress in OSAS and what better antioxidant agent to be used to treat
      the disease. METHODS: Searches were conducted in three different databases
      (PubMed, LILACS, SCIELO), using as descriptors the terms obstructive sleep apnea,
      oxidative stress, and antioxidant therapy. A total of 120 articles were found but
      only those considered of interest to the research were selected. Thus, 10
      articles were included for further analysis regarding the biomarkers of oxidative
      stress in OSAS, and 6 articles to evaluate the antioxidant most often used for
      demonstration of efficacy. RESULTS: The thioredoxin, malondialdehyde, superoxide
      dysmutase, and reduced iron were the most commonly used biomarkers and showed a
      more consistent relationship between increased oxidative stress and OSAS. As
      antioxidant therapy, vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) presented interesting
      results as a reduction of oxidative stress, which may become an alternative to
      the complementary treatment of OSAS. CONCLUSIONS: This review's findings agree
      mostly to measure that the markers of oxidative stress in OSAS may be a
      contributing aspect to assessment and monitoring of patient, and the antioxidant
      therapy appears to be beneficial in the treatment of OSAS.

PMID- 27255239
TI  - Management of subluxated capsular bag-fixated intraocular lenses using a capsular
      anchor.
AB  - We describe the use of the capsular anchor (AssiAnchor) to manage a subluxated
      intraocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag. The anchor comprises 2 prongs that
      hold the anterior lens capsule and a central rod that is sutured to the scleral
      wall, enabling centration of the IOL-capsular bag complex. Six pseudophakic
      patients presenting with subluxated posterior chamber IOLs in the capsular bag
      were operated on using the device. The anchor was used successfully in all cases,
      although in 2 cases only 1 prong was placed under the capsulorhexis edge. In 1
      eye, 2 anchors were used 1 month apart following repeated traumatic zonular
      injury. The capsular bag holding the IOL remained centered and stable throughout
      the follow-up period. The anchoring device, which was originally designed to
      preserve the lens capsule and stabilize subluxated crystalline lenses, can also
      be used to treat subluxation of a capsular bag-fixated IOL. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE:
      Dr. Assia is the inventor of the AssiAnchor, has a licensed patent of the anchor,
      and is consultant to Hanita Lenses. Dr. Lapid-Gortzak is a consultant to and
      speaker for Alcon Surgical, Inc., Hanita Lenses, Orca Surgical, and Sanoculis
      Ltd.; a speaker for Santen; and a consultant to Icon. Drs. Ton and Naftali have
      no financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255240
TI  - Near-point string: Simple method to demonstrate anticipated near point for
      multifocal and accommodating intraocular lenses.
AB  - We present a technique that uses a near-point string to demonstrate the
      anticipated near point of multifocal and accommodating intraocular lenses (IOLs).
      Beads are placed on the string at distances corresponding to the near points for
      diffractive and accommodating IOLs. The string is held up to the patient's eye to
      demonstrate where each of the IOLs is likely to provide the best near vision.
      FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest
      in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255241
TI  - New regression formula for toric intraocular lens calculations.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the accuracy of 2 toric intraocular lens (IOL)
      calculators with or without a new regression formula. SETTING: Ein-Tal Eye
      Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel, and the Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western
      Australia, Australia. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: A new
      regression formula (Abulafia-Koch) was developed to calculate the estimated total
      corneal astigmatism based on standard keratometry measurements. The error in the
      predicted residual astigmatism was calculated by the Alcon and Holladay toric IOL
      calculators with and without adjustments by the Abulafia-Koch formula. These
      results were compared with those of the Barrett toric calculator. RESULTS: Data
      from 78 eyes were evaluated to validate the Abulafia-Koch formula. The centroid
      errors in predicted residual astigmatism were against-the-rule with the Alcon
      (0.55 diopter [D]) and Holladay (0.54 D) toric calculators and decreased to 0.05
      D (P < .001 [x-axis], P = .776 [y-axis]) and 0.04 D (P < .001 [x-axis], P = .726
      [y-axis]) with adjustments by the Abulafia-Koch formula. The Alcon and the
      Holladay toric calculators had a higher proportion of eyes within +/-0.50 D of
      the predicted residual astigmatism with the Abulafia-Koch formula (76.9% and
      78.2%, respectively) than without it (both 30.8%). There were no significant
      differences between the results of the Abulafia-Koch-modified Alcon and the
      Holladay toric calculators and those of the Barrett toric calculator. CONCLUSION:
      Adjustment of commercial toric IOL calculators by the Abulafia-Koch formula
      significantly improved the prediction of postoperative astigmatic outcome.
      FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Dr. Abulafia received a speaker's fee from Haag-Streit AG.
      Dr. Barrett has licensed the Barrett Toric Calculator to Haag-Streit AG. Dr. Koch
      is a consultant to Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., and
      Revision Optics, Inc. Dr. Hill is a paid consultant to Haag-Streit AG and Alcon
      Laboratories, Inc. None of the other authors has a financial or proprietary
      interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255242
TI  - Comparison of a new image-guided system versus partial coherence interferometry,
      Scheimpflug imaging, and optical low-coherence reflectometry devices: Keratometry
      and repeatability.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the repeatability of keratometry of the Verion image-guided
      system and to compare the keratometry (K) values with those of established
      biometric devices. SETTING: International Vision Correction Research Centre,
      Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
      DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: One randomly chosen eye of volunteers
      was examined with partial coherence interferometry (PCI) (IOLMaster 500), optical
      low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) (Lenstar LS 900), a Scheimpflug device
      (Pentacam HR), and the new image-guided system by the same examiner. None of the
      eyes had ocular pathology. Three consecutive measurements were performed with the
      image-guided system and 1 with the other devices. The flat, steep, and average
      corneal radii; steep axis; and white-to-white (WTW) distance were analyzed and
      compared. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three eyes of 123 volunteers (mean age 37.9
      years +/- 16.2 [SD]) had valid measurements for all examinations and were
      available for analysis. The image-guided system measured statistically
      significant smaller flat, steep, and average corneal radii than the Scheimpflug
      device, statistically significant larger flat and average corneal radii than the
      PCI device, and no statistically significant different values than the OLCR
      device. The measured steep axis did not differ significantly in any comparison.
      The WTW measurements were significantly higher than those of all other devices.
      The analysis of repeatability of the image-guided system showed high intraclass
      correlation coefficients (range 0.919 to 0.997). CONCLUSIONS: The new image
      guided system had high repeatability for K, steep axis, and WTW measurements. The
      WTW measurements with the image-guided system were significantly higher than
      those using the other devices. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a
      financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255243
TI  - Agreement of anterior ocular biometric measurements with a new optical biometer
      and a Scheimpflug tomographer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the agreement between a new optical biometer (AL-Scan) and
      an anterior-segment Scheimpflug tomographer (Pentacam HR). SETTING: Eye Hospital
      of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China. DESIGN: Prospective randomized
      comparative case series. METHODS: Three consecutive scans of the right eye of
      each subject were obtained using each device in a random order. The following
      common parameters were recorded: central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior
      chamber depth (ACD), aqueous depth, and keratometry (K) readings (steep, flat,
      and mean). Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated for the common
      device parameters. RESULTS: The study comprised 121 healthy subjects (57 men, 64
      women) with a mean age of 25.41 years +/- 6.86 (SD) (range 18 to 54 years). The
      mean difference in CCT was 1.61 MUm with LoA of -6.29 to 9.52 MUm. The mean
      difference in the aqueous depth and ACD was 0.02 mm with LoA of -0.10 to 0.14 mm
      and -0.09 to 0.14 mm, respectively. For the 2.4 mm K readings from the new
      biometer versus the standard K readings from the Scheimpflug tomographer, the
      mean difference for flat K, steep K, and mean K was 0.10 diopter (D), 0.05 D, and
      0.08 D, respectively. The LoA were -0.17 to 0.38 D, -0.29 to 0.39 D, and -0.19 to
      0.34 D, respectively. The CCT, ACD, and all K readings were assessed to be
      clinically interchangeable. CONCLUSION: There was good agreement between the 2
      devices for CCT, ACD, aqueous depth, and K readings. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None
      of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method
      mentioned.

PMID- 27255244
TI  - Comparative analysis of optical biometers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the level of agreement, repeatability, and correlation of 2
      optical biometers, the IOLMaster (based on partial coherence interferometry
      [PCI]) and Aladdin (based on optical low-coherence interferometry [OLCI]) in
      terms of axial length (AL), mean keratometry (K), anterior chamber depth (ACD),
      and corneal diameter. SETTING: Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,
      London, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective comparative case series. METHODS:
      Each participant had biometry with both biometers. The level of agreement between
      the biometers was calculated using the Bland-Altman method. Double-angle polar
      plots were used to display the astigmatism vectors. Internal consistency was
      computed with the Cronbach alpha coefficient of reliability, whereas the
      dispersion of probability distribution was assessed with the coefficient of
      variation (CoV). The intraoperator repeatability was analyzed using the
      intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC); the AL was evaluated in all eyes and
      the mean K and the ACD in a subset of eyes. RESULTS: The study comprised 215
      eyes; the ICC for the mean K and ACD was calculated in a subset of 54 eyes. There
      was a statistically significant difference between the 2 biometers in all
      measurements (P < .05). The level of agreement was high with both methods. The
      ICC and internal consistency were excellent with both biometers; the CoVs were
      low. CONCLUSIONS: The OLCI biometer provided good agreement and repeatability
      compared with the PCI biometer, the current gold standard in ocular biometry.
      Further comparative studies are necessary to clearly define the role of the OLCI
      biometer in predicting postoperative refractive outcomes. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES:
      Dr. Findl is a scientific advisor to Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. None of the other
      authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method
      mentioned.

PMID- 27255245
TI  - Evaluation of intraocular lens position during phacoemulsification using
      intraoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the position of intraocular lenses (IOLs) at the end of
      standard phacoemulsification with intraoperative spectral-domain optical
      coherence tomography (SD-OCT). SETTINGS: Department of Ophthalmology, Rudolf
      Foundation Hospital, Vienna, Austria. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS:
      Standard phacoemulsification with IOL implantation was performed. The Rescan 700
      SD-OCT system was used for intraoperative imaging. The anterior segment of the
      eye was scanned using SD-OCT at the end of the surgery. The distance from the IOL
      optic center and the IOL optic edge to the posterior capsule was measured
      postoperatively using graphic software. RESULTS: The study comprised 74 patients
      (101 eyes). The mean axial length was 23.97 mm (range 21.43 to 28.61 mm). The
      mean IOL power was 20.39 diopters (D) (range 6.5 to 27.5 D). Contact between the
      IOL and posterior capsule was absent in 88 cases (87.13%), and partial or full
      contact was present in 13 cases (12.87%). The mean distance between the IOL
      central optic and posterior capsule was 0.71 pixel (range 0.06 to 1.38 pixels) in
      99 cases (98.02%). In 42 cases (57.53%), partial contact between the IOL edges
      and the posterior capsule was noticed. The mean distance between the IOL edge and
      posterior capsule was 0.21 pixel (range 0.04 to 0.92 pixel). CONCLUSIONS:
      Intraoperative SD-OCT facilitated the imaging of IOL position during standard
      phacoemulsification. Contact between the IOL central optic and posterior capsule
      at the end of the surgery occurred rarely. Improved IOL design should be
      considered. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Drs. Binder and Glittenberg are consultants to
      Carl Zeiss Meditech AG. None of the other authors has a financial or proprietary
      interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255246
TI  - Relationship of corneal asphericity to intraocular lens power calculations after
      myopic laser in situ keratomileusis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine whether corneal asphericity affects underestimation in the
      SRK/T intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation after myopic laser in situ
      keratomileusis (LASIK) and to evaluate the predictability of IOL power
      underestimation using the asphericity. SETTING: Kitasato University, Kanagawa,
      and Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan. DESIGN: Retrospective case series.
      METHODS: The clinical records of eyes that had IOL implantation during cataract
      surgery after previous myopic LASIK between May 2008 and October 2014 were
      reviewed. For eyes with an available clinical history, the effect of manifest
      refraction spherical equivalent before LASIK, axial length, and the asphericity
      (Q value) on cataract surgery and the refractive error in the use of the SRK/T
      formula were examined using stepwise multiple regression analysis. Predictions
      with the resultant regression equation and significant factors were evaluated
      with Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Fifty-four eyes of 37 patients were included.
      The mean duration from LASIK to cataract surgery was 9.1 years +/- 3.5 (SD)
      (range 2 to 14 years). Multiple regression analysis using 22 eyes of 22 patients
      resulted in a significant factor, which was the Q value (P < .001, R(2) = 0.80).
      The refractive errors in 53 eyes were predicted with tolerances of 64.5% and
      87.0% within +/-0.5 diopter (D) and within +/-1.0 D, respectively. Bland-Altman
      analysis showed that 95% of the limitation range was 2.59 D. CONCLUSIONS: The
      corneal asphericity after myopic LASIK significantly correlated with the IOL
      power underestimation with use of the SRK/T formula. The refractive error could
      also be predicted well with the use of asphericity. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of
      the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method
      mentioned.

PMID- 27255247
TI  - Risk factors for early-onset corneal haze after photorefractive keratectomy in an
      Asian population: Outcomes from the Singapore Armed Forces Corneal Refractive
      Surgery Programme 2006 to 2013.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the incidence and risk factors for early corneal haze after
      myopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). SETTING: Tertiary eye center,
      Singapore. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: The refractive results and
      corneal haze severity 3 months after PRK were analyzed. Eyes were categorized
      into 4 groups based on haze severity. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression
      analysis adjusting for age, ethnicity, sex, use of intraoperative mitomycin-C
      (MMC), preoperative sphere, and preoperative cylinder was performed. RESULTS: The
      study reviewed data from 177 patients (347 eyes) with a mean age of 22.6 years +/
      4.1 (SD). The majority of the patients were Chinese (98.3%) and men (98.3%). The
      mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was -3.34 +/- 1.19 diopters (D). One
      hundred thirty-five eyes (38.9%) had PRK with MMC. Ten eyes (2.9%) had
      enhancement surgery. The overall efficacy index was 0.88 and the safety index was
      1.07. At 3 months, 187 eyes (53.9%) had no haze, 76 eyes (21.9%) had a haze grade
      of more than 0 and less than 1, 76 eyes (21.9%) had a haze grade of 1 or more and
      less than 2, and 8 eyes (2.3%) had grade 2 haze. Higher degrees of myopia (odds
      ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.63; P = .001) and
      astigmatism (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.09-2.24; P = .014) were associated with
      increased severity of corneal haze, whereas older age (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88
      0.99; P = .023) had a protective effect. CONCLUSION: Myopia and astigmatism were
      associated with increased severity of haze, and older age was protective against
      early corneal haze development after PRK in an Asian population. FINANCIAL
      DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any
      material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255248
TI  - Sixteen-year follow-up of hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of hyperopic laser in situ
      keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, St. Thomas'
      Hospital, London, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS:
      Hyperopic LASIK was performed using a mechanical microkeratome, an optical zone
      of 6.5 mm, and a blend zone of 1.5 mm. Simple hyperopia was treated. RESULTS: The
      mean patient age was 51.6 years (range 34 to 60 years). Preoperatively, the mean
      spherical equivalent (SE) was +3.74 diopters (D) (range +1.25 to +6.50 D). The
      mean attempted correction was +3.64 D (range +1.5 to +6.0 D). The mean follow-up
      was 16.5 years. The mean SE was +0.28 D (range -1.0 to +1.5 D) at 12 months,
      +0.84 D (range -0.75 to +3.35 D) at 5 years, and +1.74 D (range -0.75 to +4.13 D)
      at 16 years, representing an increase in hyperopia of +1.47 D +/- 1.43 (SD)
      between 1 year and 16 years (P < .0001) and of +1.13 +/- 0.8 D between 5 years
      and 16 years (P < .03). The uncorrected distance visual acuity improved at 16
      years (P < .0001); corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was unchanged (P <
      .2). The efficacy index was 0.5 and the safety index, 1.09. One eye (3%) lost 2
      lines of CDVA. Keratometry remained stable between 1 year and 16 years (P < 1.0).
      Four eyes (12%) had cataract surgery, and 2 (6%) had laser iridotomy. There was
      no ectasia. CONCLUSIONS: After hyperopic LASIK, an increase in hyperopia occurred
      between 1 and 5 years and 16 years. At 16 years, efficacy was limited but with no
      sight-threatening complications. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: Dr. Marshall was a
      consultant to Summit Technology, Inc. Dr. O'Brart holds a noncommercial research
      grant from Alcon Laboratories, Inc. None of the other authors has a financial or
      proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255249
TI  - Nanosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery: Endothelial cell study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) and morphology after
      cataract surgery using coaxial ultrasound (US) phacoemulsification or a recently
      introduced coaxial nanosecond laser technique. SETTING: Department of
      Ophthalmology, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria. DESIGN: Prospective
      cohort study. METHODS: Coaxial US phacoemulsification was performed in 1 eye (US
      group) and coaxial nanosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in the
      contralateral eye (laser group) of the same patient. Nuclear sclerosis was graded
      from nuclear opalescence (NO) 3, nuclear color (NC) 3 to NO4, NC4 using the Lens
      Opacities Classification System III. The central ECD, coefficient of variation
      (CoV) in cell size (objective measure of polymegethism), and percentage of
      hexagonal cells (an index of pleomorphism) were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighty-two
      eyes (41 patients) had uneventful surgery. The mean ECD was 2517 cells/mm(2) +/-
      137 (SD) preoperatively and 2287 +/- 155 cells/mm(2) at 2 years in the US group
      and 2521 +/- 233 cells/mm(2) and 2420 +/- 292 cells/mm(2), respectively, in the
      laser group (both P < .001). The mean CoV was 0.27 +/- 2.4 preoperatively and
      0.30 +/- 2.4 at 2 years in the US group and 0.27 +/- 2.8 and 0.27 +/- 2.0,
      respectively, in the laser group (both P < .001). The mean percentage of
      hexagonal cells was 42.3% +/- 3.6% preoperatively and 37.74% +/- 3.54% at 2 years
      in the US group and 42.8% +/- 3.2% and 43.00% +/- 2.68%, respectively, in the
      laser group (both P < .001). CONCLUSION: Nanosecond laser phacoemulsification had
      advantages over US phacoemulsification in terms of endothelial cell structure
      preservation. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: Dr. Kanellopoulos is consultant to Alcon
      Surgical, Inc., Allergan, Inc., Avedro, Inc., Keramed, Inc., Optovue, Inc., i
      Optics Corp., and Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. Neither of the other authors has a
      financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255250
TI  - Fourier analysis of videokeratography data: Clinical usefulness in grade I and
      subclinical keratoconus.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the contribution of Fourier analysis of videokeratographic
      data in the diagnosis of subclinical keratoconus and keratoconus. SETTING: Eye
      Institute of Thrace, Democritus University, Alexandroupolis, Greece. DESIGN:
      Observational case series. METHODS: The following Pentacam-derived parameters,
      resulting from Fourier decomposition of keratometric data, were evaluated for
      their diagnostic capacity using receiver operating curves: spherical component
      and eccentricity, maximum decentration, regular astigmatism in the center and in
      the periphery, mean astigmatism, irregularities, regular astigmatism in the
      center plus the irregularities, and total astigmatism. Logistic regression was
      performed to identify a combined diagnostic model. RESULTS: The study comprised
      80 keratoconus eyes, 55 eyes diagnosed with subclinical keratoconus, and 50
      normal eyes. Significant differences were detected in spherical eccentricity,
      maximum decentration, irregularities, regular astigmatism in the center and in
      the periphery, regular astigmatism in the center plus the irregularities, mean
      astigmatism, and total astigmatism parameters between the groups. Almost all
      parameters had high diagnostic ability in both study groups (area under the curve
      >90%). Among individual parameters, those with the highest predictive accuracy
      were the regular astigmatism in the center plus the irregularities (subclinical
      keratoconus 97.6%, keratoconus 98.8%) and the maximum decentration (subclinical
      keratoconus 91.4%, keratoconus 98.5%). Sufficient predictive accuracy
      (subclinical keratoconus 99.4, keratoconus 100%) was identified in a diagnostic
      model that combined the regular astigmatism in the center plus the irregularities
      and the maximum decentration. CONCLUSION: Fourier decomposition of keratometric
      data provided parameters with high accuracy in differentiating corneas with
      subclinical keratoconus from normal corneas and should be included to allow
      prompt diagnosis of keratoconus. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a
      financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255251
TI  - Epithelium-on corneal collagen crosslinking for management of advanced
      keratoconus.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the 1-year visual and keratometric results of epithelium-on
      corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for advanced keratoconus (median maximum
      keratometry [K] >=58.0 diopters [D]). SETTING: School of Ophthalmology and
      Optometry and Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China. DESIGN:
      Prospective case series. METHODS: Patients with bilateral progressive keratoconus
      had tetracaine-enhanced epithelium-on CXL. The worse eye had CXL, and the fellow
      eye was not treated. Results were reported 1, 3, 6, and 12 months
      postoperatively. The outcomes were compared with those in the fellow untreated
      eyes. RESULTS: Twenty-one eyes of 21 patients with a median age of 20.4 years
      (interquartile range [IQR], 9.5 years) were treated. A significant improvement in
      postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity was observed at 12 months (P =
      .002). Postoperative corrected distance visual acuity improved at 6 months and 12
      months (P <= .009) compared with baseline values. The maximum K decreased by 1.63
      D from the median preoperative maximum K of 62.7 D (IQR, 12.9 D) at 12 months (P
      < .001). The reduction in maximum K was higher after CXL than in untreated eyes
      at the end of 12 months (P = .001). Correlation analysis between the preoperative
      maximum K values and the change over 6 to 12 months between different studies
      showed a significant correlation (r = -0.764, P < .001; Spearman correlation).
      CONCLUSIONS: Epithelium-on CXL was an effective treatment for patients with
      advanced keratoconus. A higher preoperative maximum K value correlated with
      greater corneal flattening after CXL. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors
      has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255252
TI  - Impact of botulinum toxin-A on corneal curvature assessed with Scheimpflug and
      Placido systems.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of eyelid spasm treatment with botulinum toxin-A
      (BTX-A) on corneal curvature assessed with Scheimpflug (Pentacam) and Placido
      (Atlas) systems. SETTING: Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
      DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Patients with hemifacial
      spasm were evaluated. Steep keratometry (K) and corneal astigmatism (magnitudes
      and treatment-induced astigmatism) obtained with the Placido and Scheimpflug
      systems were evaluated before BTX-A application and after 15 days and 2, 3, and 4
      months. RESULTS: The study evaluated 48 eyes (24 affected and 24 normal
      contralateral eyes) of 24 patients. The mean steep K and astigmatism values
      obtained with the Placido system on the affected side before treatment were 46.91
      diopters (D) +/- 3.57 (SD) and 2.63 +/- 2.46 D, respectively. A significant
      decrease in steep K (45.14 +/- 1.20 D) and astigmatism (1.01 +/- 0.58 D) was
      observed 2 months (P = .003 and P = .0004, respectively) and 3 months (45.64 +/-
      1.77 D and 1.36 +/- 1.31 D, respectively) (P = .03 and P = .01, respectively)
      after treatment. The Scheimpflug system did not show significant changes in steep
      K measurements during the 4-month period. The mean astigmatism in the affected
      eye before treatment was 1.27 +/- 0.88 D. A significant reduction was observed at
      15 days (1.16 +/- 1.16 D) and at 4 months (0.91 +/- 0.59 D) (P = .02 and P = .03,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: The Placido system was more sensitive in detecting a
      temporary reduction in corneal curvature after eyelid-spasm treatment. FINANCIAL
      DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any
      material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255254
TI  - Intraocular pressure study using monitored forced-infusion system
      phacoemulsification technology.
AB  - PURPOSE: To optimize phacoemulsification efficiency by varying the intraocular
      pressure (IOP) using the Centurion Vision System, a monitored forced-infusion
      system. SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center Laboratories, University of Utah, Salt
      Lake City, Utah, USA. DESIGN: Laboratory investigation. METHODS: Porcine lenses
      were soaked in formalin and divided into 2.0 mm cubes; 0.9 mm balanced tips were
      used. Intraocular pressure levels were tested from 30 to 110 mm Hg at 10 mm Hg
      intervals. Vacuum was set at 500 mm Hg, aspiration at 35 mL/min, and torsional
      power at 60%. Efficiency (time to lens removal) and chatter (number of lens
      fragment repulsions from the tip) were measured. RESULTS: There was a linear
      relationship between efficiency and IOP. Increasing IOP led to an increase in
      efficiency (ie, to a decrease in time necessary to remove the lens fragment)
      (R(2) = .5769, P = .0176). Chatter correlated with IOP in the range of 30 to 50
      mm Hg (R(2) = .4506, P = .0448) and was minimal at higher IOPs. CONCLUSIONS:
      Increasing IOP in the monitored forced-infusion system improved efficiency.
      Chatter was also decreased or eliminated with increasing IOP. Additional studies
      will be required to understand the reasons for these findings. FINANCIAL
      DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any
      material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255253
TI  - Congenital cataract surgery without intraocular lens implantation in persistent
      fetal vasculature syndrome: Long-term clinical and functional results.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term clinical and functional outcomes after congenital
      cataract surgery in persistent fetal vasculature (PFV). SETTING: Department of
      Ophthalmology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany. DESIGN: Retrospective
      comparative case series. METHODS: The records of eyes with congenital cataract
      associated or not associated with PFV that had cataract surgery without
      intraocular lens (IOL) implantation within the first 18 months of life were
      reviewed. Long-term visual outcomes and clinical parameters, including aphakic
      glaucoma, posterior capsule opacification (PCO), vitreous and anterior segment
      hemorrhage, retinal detachment (RD), and fibrin reaction, were evaluated.
      RESULTS: Congenital cataract was associated with PFV in 19 eyes (19 children) and
      not associated in 69 eyes (40 children). Sixteen patients had isolated anterior
      PFV; 3 eyes were classified as combined anterior and posterior PFV. The mean
      follow-up was 53.21 months. Postoperative visual acuity improvement was recorded
      in 68.4% of PFV-associated cataract eyes with a corrected visual acuity up to
      20/100. Long-term visual outcomes in PFV-associated cataract eyes were
      significantly worse than in the 11 unilateral cataract eyes without additional
      PFV (P = .0067). The presence of PFV was strongly associated with a long-term
      increased risk for postoperative hemorrhage (P = .0001) and RD (P = .009) after
      primary cataract surgery and secondary IOL implantation. The prevalence of
      aphakic glaucoma, PCO, and fibrinous reaction was similar between PFV cataract
      eyes and controls. CONCLUSIONS: In most cases of PFV-associated congenital
      cataract, postoperative visual acuity improvement is possible. However,
      congenital cataract eyes associated with PFV have a long-term increased risk for
      postoperative hemorrhage and RD. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a
      financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255255
TI  - Qualitative and quantitative analyses of stroke dynamics and microfluidics of
      phacoemulsification probes operating in different modes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare phacoemulsification (phaco) tip movement, microfluidic
      dynamics, and tip-to-load interaction between longitudinal, torsional, and
      elliptical ultrasound (US) modalities. SETTING: Phacodynamics Laboratory, Clinica
      Oftalmologica, Pasteur, Santiago, Chile. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: All
      experiments were performed using a fluid-filled optical test chamber and phaco
      tips that were US power activated. Tip movement was evaluated using stroke
      tracing and stroboscopy imaging techniques. Qualitative and quantitative
      assessments of microfluidic behavior were performed using bead seeding and high
      speed shadowgraphy imaging combined with particle-image velocimetry and vector
      analysis. Material load interaction was measured using a rubber sphere that
      represented lens material. RESULTS: Longitudinal and torsional US tips showed
      precise forward-and-backward and side-to-side (lateral) movement, respectively.
      Elliptical US tips scribed a 2-dimensional ellipsoid path that slightly changed
      in shape and orientation plane at higher powers. Longitudinal and lateral
      components of tip motion were evident in elliptical mode. Regular fluid flow was
      observed with longitudinal mode (forward-directed flow away from the aspiration
      port) and torsional mode (steady backflow into the aspiration port). In
      elliptical mode, bead repulsion, erratic bursts of acoustic streaming, oblique
      backflow, and areas of multidirectional flow were observed. The longitudinal mode
      caused the material load to bounce against the tip, whereas the torsional mode
      maintained a consistent load attraction. In elliptical mode, the material load
      rotated slightly and bounced away from the tip in irregular intervals when
      attraction was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Tip movement, microfluidic behavior, and
      material load interaction were related within but varied across US modalities.
      The elliptical mode showed a movement pattern with longitudinal and lateral
      components and irregular microfluidic behaviors. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Dr.
      Zacharias received research funding from Alcon Laboratories, Inc. He has no
      financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255256
TI  - Assessing the in vitro optical quality of presbyopic solutions based on the axial
      modulation transfer function.
AB  - PURPOSE: To present a metric for assessing the in vitro optical quality of
      rotationally symmetrical optical elements based on volume calculation under the
      surface defined by the axial modulation transfer function (MTF). SETTING:
      University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: The
      metric volume under the axial MTF was used to assess the optical quality of 2
      rotationally symmetrical multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) within various
      defocus intervals (0.50 diopter [D], 0.75 D, and 1.00 D) and at various spatial
      frequency intervals (7.5 cycles per degree [cpd], 15.0 cpd, and 30.0 cpd).
      RESULTS: The far focus of the bifocal IOL yielded higher volume values at all
      spatial frequencies and defocus intervals than the trifocal IOL. The results for
      the near focus were similar for both IOLs. In addition, the trifocal IOL provided
      a distinct focus for intermediate vision. CONCLUSIONS: The volume under the axial
      MTF proved to be a useful tool for objective evaluation of multifocal IOLs.
      Moreover, it can be applied to evaluate the optical quality of every rotationally
      symmetrical IOL or optical element. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has
      a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255257
TI  - Bilateral cataract, crash risk, driving performance, and self-regulation
      practices among older drivers.
AB  - This comprehensive literature review summarizes published studies examining
      cataract and cataract surgery and driving outcomes to identify gaps in the
      literature that require further research. Six electronic databases were searched
      for articles published up to and including March 2015. Articles were reviewed if
      they included older drivers with cataract or drivers who had cataract surgery and
      at least 1 of the following driving outcomes: crash risk, driving self-regulation
      practices, and driving performance. There was consistent evidence that cataract
      negatively affects driving and that cataract surgery is beneficial to driving
      outcomes. Future research should examine the separate effects of first- and
      second-eye cataract surgery on crash risk, driving self-regulation, and driving
      performance. It should also determine how visual measures relate to driving
      performance among cataract patients so those most at risk for driving
      difficulties can be identified, advised, and possibly prioritized for surgery.
      FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any
      material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255258
TI  - Small-incision lenticule extraction in posterior polymorphic corneal dystrophy.
AB  - We present the case of a 37-year-old man with posterior polymorphic corneal
      dystrophy who had small-incision lenticule extraction surgery to correct myopic
      refractive errors. The subjective refraction was -2.62 in the right eye and -2.50
      -0.25 * 80 in the left eye. Slitlamp biomicroscopy revealed a band-like lesion in
      the corneal endothelium of the right eye. The endothelial cell count was 1745
      cells/mm(2) in the right eye and 2945 cells/mm(2) in the left eye. Small-incision
      lenticule extraction was performed to correct the myopic refractive errors in
      both eyes. Twelve months after surgery, the uncorrected distance visual acuity in
      both eyes was 20/20 and the posterior polymorphic corneal dystrophy lesion had
      not progressed. The case suggests that small-incision lenticule extraction
      surgery can be performed successfully and safely in patients with posterior
      polymorphic corneal dystrophy. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a
      financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PMID- 27255259
TI  - Is the corneal stromal demarcation line depth a true indicator of corneal
      collagen crosslinking efficacy?

PMID- 27255260
TI  - Lens exchange and trabecular microbypass stent surgery to treat secondary
      pigmentary glaucoma resulting from a 1-piece foldable intraocular lens in the
      sulcus.

PMID- 27255261
TI  - Complications of sutured versus sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lenses.

PMID- 27255262
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27255263
TI  - Muslim Spirituality, Religious Coping, and Reactions to Terrorism Among Pakistani
      University Students.
AB  - Pakistani Muslim university students (N = 207) displayed Personal Distress,
      Public Distress, and Personal Defeat Reactions to Terrorism. All three reactions
      predicted poorer mental health with Personal Defeat being especially disturbed in
      its adjustment implications. In line with the assumptions of coping theory,
      scores on the Negative Religious Coping Scale correlated positively with Personal
      Distress and with Personal Defeat. However, Positive Religious Coping, the
      spirituality of Muslim Experiential Religiousness, and the Intrinsic and
      Extrinsic Personal Religious Orientations exhibited positive rather than the
      expected negative linkages with Personal Distress and Public Distress. Muslim
      Experiential Religiousness moderated associations of Positive and Negative
      Religious Coping with Public Distress. When spirituality was high, these
      relationships were negative. When spirituality was low, they became positive.
      These data documented the negative impacts that terrorism can have on Pakistanis
      and suggested that Muslim religious commitments may have an important role to
      play in resisting those influences. 

PMID- 27255264
TI  - Persistent Renal Dysfunction After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients
      With Acute Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - We determined the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of persistent renal
      dysfunction (PRD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients
      with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Among 16 264 patients enrolled in a
      nationwide registry, we studied patients with AMI who had their estimated
      glomerular filtration rate at baseline and 1 month later (n = 3606). We used
      multivariate regression and propensity score (PS)-matched Cox proportional
      hazards to evaluate the association between PRD and outcomes. Persistent renal
      dysfunction occurred in 1333 (37%) patients. Significant PRD contributors
      included old age, low body mass index (BMI), hypertension, Killip class, and the
      extent of vessel disease. Persistent renal dysfunction was associated with an
      increased 1-year major adverse cardiac events (all-cause death, myocardial
      infarction, or revascularization) relative to no-PRD (entire cohort: 6.2% vs
      4.5%, hazard ratio[HR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-2.25, P = .003; PS
      matched cohort: 7.2% vs 4.9%, HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.08-2.58, P = .022). In
      conclusion, PRD occurred in approximately one-third of patients with AMI
      following PCI. It was associated with old age, hypertension, low BMI, initial
      hemodynamic instability, and extent of vessel disease and was a predictor of
      worse outcomes at 1 year.

PMID- 27255265
TI  - Implications of a History of Syncope in Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure.
AB  - We assessed the frequency and implications of a history of syncope of up to 1
      year prior to hospitalization with acute heart failure (AHF) between February and
      November 2012. Data were collected for 5005 patients hospitalized with AHF and
      analyzed and compared according to the absence/presence of a history of syncope
      (group 1 vs group 2). Prior syncope among patients with heart failure was 5.3%.
      Age, gender, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, bundle branch block, left
      ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and obstructed coronary vessels were
      comparable in the 2 groups. Group 2 patients were more likely to smoke or have
      diabetes mellitus, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Group 2 patients frequently
      required aggressive treatment and had more worse in-hospital and 1-year outcomes
      compared to group 1. After adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, and LVEF,
      multivariate regression analysis showed that history of syncope predicted in
      hospital mortality (odds ratio: 2.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.707-4.002).
      History of syncope during the year prior to the index admission with AHF is a
      marker of worse outcomes regardless of patient age and LVEF. Further studies are
      required to confirm this observation and its clinical implications.

PMID- 27255268
TI  - Attempting to Honor Beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses at the Edge of Viability in an
      Infant Born at 23 Weeks' Gestational Age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infants born at 23 weeks' gestation have a poor prognosis and require
      intensive care, including blood transfusions, to survive. Generally speaking, the
      decision to forgo life support is acceptable. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that
      life is sacred and want lifesaving interventions except for blood transfusions.
      Therefore, an ethical dilemma exists when a baby is born on the edge of viability
      to parents that are Jehovah's Witnesses. In this case, if parents and healthcare
      professionals disagree on the best interests of the child, the medical team
      should obtain a court order from the state to intervene. CASE REPORT: We present
      the case of an infant born at 23 weeks' gestation to parents who are Jehovah's
      Witnesses. The parents wanted full life-support, except for blood transfusions,
      to be given. The clinical team obtained a court order to transfuse the infant.
      The infant unfortunately died despite all efforts. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, it is
      nearly impossible to honor the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses to provide
      lifesaving treatments without blood transfusions for infants born at the border
      of viability. If the goal is to prolong life, the standard of care for a
      premature infant is for a doctor to obtain a court order to override the beliefs
      and wishes of Jehovah's Witness parents and transfuse blood products as medically
      indicated. Although bloodless techniques for high-risk surgeries are under
      development, care for premature infants at 23 weeks' gestation necessitates red
      cell transfusions.

PMID- 27255266
TI  - Evaluation of the "Pipeline" for Development of Medications for Cocaine Use
      Disorder: A Review of Translational Preclinical, Human Laboratory, and Clinical
      Trial Research.
AB  - Cocaine use disorder is a persistent public health problem for which no widely
      effective medications exist. Self-administration procedures, which have shown
      good predictive validity in estimating the abuse potential of drugs, have been
      used in rodent, nonhuman primate, and human laboratory studies to screen putative
      medications. This review assessed the effectiveness of the medications
      development process regarding pharmacotherapies for cocaine use disorder. The
      primary objective was to determine whether data from animal and human laboratory
      self-administration studies predicted the results of clinical trials. In
      addition, the concordance between laboratory studies in animals and humans was
      assessed. More than 100 blinded, randomized, fully placebo-controlled studies of
      putative medications for cocaine use disorder were identified. Of the 64 drugs
      tested in these trials, only 10 had been examined in both human and well
      controlled animal laboratory studies. Within all three stages, few studies had
      been conducted for each drug and when multiple studies had been conducted
      conclusions were sometimes contradictory. Overall, however, there was good
      concordance between animal and human laboratory results when the former assessed
      chronic drug treatment. Although only seven of the ten reviewed drugs showed
      fully concordant results across all three types of studies reviewed, the analysis
      revealed several subject-related, procedural, and environmental factors that
      differ between the laboratory and clinical trial settings that help explain the
      disagreement for other drugs. The review closes with several recommendations to
      enhance translation and communication across stages of the medications
      development process that will ultimately speed the progress toward effective
      pharmacotherapeutic strategies for cocaine use disorder.

PMID- 27255269
TI  - Patterns of User Engagement with Mobile- and Web-Delivered Self-Care
      Interventions for Adults with T2DM: A Review of the Literature.
AB  - Technology-delivered interventions can improve the health behaviors and clinical
      outcomes of persons with diabetes, but only if end users engage with these
      interventions. To summarize the current knowledge on engagement with technology
      based interventions, we conducted a review of recent mobile- and web-delivered
      intervention studies for adults with type 2 diabetes published from 2011 to 2015.
      Among 163 identified studies, 24 studies satisfied our inclusion criteria. There
      was substantial variation in how intervention engagement was reported across
      studies. Engagement rates were lower among interventions with a longer duration,
      and engagement decreased over time. In several studies, older age and lower
      health literacy were associated with less engagement, and more engagement was
      associated with intervention improvement in at least one outcome, including
      glycemic control. Future technology-based intervention studies should report on
      engagement, examine and report on associations between user characteristics and
      engagement, and aim to standardize how this is reported, particularly in longer
      trials.

PMID- 27255270
TI  - Tolerance to the Intestinal Microbiota Mediated by ROR(gammat)(+) Cells.
AB  - Harmless microbes colonizing the gut require the establishment of a well
      equilibrated symbiosis between this microbiota and its host. However, the immune
      system is primed to recognize both conserved microbial patterns and foreign
      antigens, and therefore developed strong tolerance mechanisms to prevent
      potential fatal immune reactivity to symbiotic microbes. The transcription factor
      RAR-related orphan-like gammat [ROR(gammat); encoded by Rorc] plays a key role in
      the gut for lymphoid tissue organogenesis, development of innate lymphoid cells
      type 3 (ILC3s) and proinflammatory type 17 T helper (Th17) cells. Surprisingly,
      recent research has revealed a contribution of ROR(gammat)-expressing cells in a
      variety of tolerance mechanisms in both the innate and adaptive immune system.

PMID- 27255272
TI  - Intending, hastening and causing death in non-treatment decisions: a physician
      interview study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore how physicians analyse their non-treatment decisions in light
      of the concepts of hastening, causing and intending the patient's death. METHODS:
      Sixteen Norwegian physicians from relevant specialties were interviewed and the
      results analysed by systematic text condensation, a qualitative analysis
      framework. RESULTS: The physicians' chief dilemma in non-treatment decisions was
      the attempt to achieve the proper balance for the level of treatment at life's
      end. Respondents framed their challenges in medical and not ethical terms. They
      treated the concepts of intending, hastening and causing the patient's death as
      alien to their practical deliberations and, for many, irrelevant to the moral
      appraisal of their end-of-life practices. CONCLUSIONS: The core concepts of
      traditional medico-ethical analyses of end-of-life decision-making do not map the
      practical terrain well. Research on physician intentions must be designed and
      interpreted in light of this.

PMID- 27255271
TI  - High-risk oral leukoplakia is associated with aberrant promoter methylation of
      multiple genes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early detection of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) is urgently
      needed to improve the prognosis and quality of life (QOL) of patients. Oral
      leukoplakias (OLs), known as the most common premalignant lesions in the oral
      cavity, often precede OSCCs. Especially, OLs with dysplasia are known to have a
      high risk of malignant transformation. Here, we searched for the promoter
      methylation characteristic of high-risk OLs. METHODS: To identify methylation
      silenced genes, a combined analysis of methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP)
      - CpG island (CGI) microarray analysis and expression microarray analysis after
      treatment with a demethylating agent was performed in two OSCC cell lines (Ca9-22
      and HSC-2). The methylation statuses of each gene were examined by methylation
      specific PCR. RESULTS: A total of 52 genes were identified as candidates for
      methylation-silenced genes in Ca9-22 or HSC-2. The promoter regions of 13 genes
      among the 15 genes randomly selected for further analysis were confirmed to be
      methylated in one or more of five cell lines. In OSCC tissues (n = 26), 8 of the
      13 genes, TSPYL5, EGFLAM, CLDN11, NKX2-3, RBP4, CMTM3, TRPC4, and MAP6, were
      methylated. In OL tissues (n = 24), seven of the eight genes, except for EGFLAM,
      were found to be methylated in their promoter regions. There were significantly
      greater numbers of methylated genes in OLs with dysplasia than in those without
      dysplasia (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: OLs at high risk for malignant
      transformation were associated with aberrant promoter methylation of multiple
      genes.

PMID- 27255267
TI  - Epilepsy, Antiepileptic Drugs, and Aggression: An Evidence-Based Review.
AB  - Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have many benefits but also many side effects,
      including aggression, agitation, and irritability, in some patients with
      epilepsy. This article offers a comprehensive summary of current understanding of
      aggressive behaviors in patients with epilepsy, including an evidence-based
      review of aggression during AED treatment. Aggression is seen in a minority of
      people with epilepsy. It is rarely seizure related but is interictal, sometimes
      occurring as part of complex psychiatric and behavioral comorbidities, and it is
      sometimes associated with AED treatment. We review the common neurotransmitter
      systems and brain regions implicated in both epilepsy and aggression, including
      the GABA, glutamate, serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline systems and the
      hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and temporal
      lobes. Few controlled clinical studies have used behavioral measures to
      specifically examine aggression with AEDs, and most evidence comes from adverse
      event reporting from clinical and observational studies. A systematic approach
      was used to identify relevant publications, and we present a comprehensive,
      evidence-based summary of available data surrounding aggression-related behaviors
      with each of the currently available AEDs in both adults and in
      children/adolescents with epilepsy. A psychiatric history and history of a
      propensity toward aggression/anger should routinely be sought from patients,
      family members, and carers; its presence does not preclude the use of any
      specific AEDs, but those most likely to be implicated in these behaviors should
      be used with caution in such cases.

PMID- 27255273
TI  - The implausibility of response shifts in dementia patients.
AB  - Dementia patients may express wishes that do not conform to or contradict earlier
      expressed preferences. Our understanding of the difference between their prior
      preferences and current wishes has important consequences for the way we deal
      with advance directives. Some bioethicists and gerontologists have argued that
      dementia patients change because they undergo a 'response shift'. In this paper
      we question this assumption. We will show that proponents of the response shift
      use the term imprecisely and that response shift is not the right model to
      explain what happens to dementia patients. We propose a different explanation for
      the changed wishes of dementia patients and conclude that advance directives of
      dementia patients cannot be simply put aside.

PMID- 27255274
TI  - Fatty acid and metabolomic profiling approaches differentiate heterotrophic and
      mixotrophic culture conditions in a microalgal food supplement 'Euglena'.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microalgae have been recognized as a good food source of natural
      biologically active ingredients. Among them, the green microalga Euglena is a
      very promising food and nutritional supplements, providing high value-added poly
      unsaturated fatty acids, paramylon and proteins. Different culture conditions
      could affect the chemical composition and food quality of microalgal cells.
      However, little information is available for distinguishing the different
      cellular changes especially the active ingredients including poly-saturated fatty
      acids and other metabolites under different culture conditions, such as light and
      dark. RESULTS: In this study, together with fatty acid profiling, we applied a
      gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics to differentiate
      hetrotrophic and mixotrophic culture conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests
      metabolomics can shed light on understanding metabolomic changes under different
      culture conditions and provides a theoretical basis for industrial applications
      of microalgae, as food with better high-quality active ingredients.

PMID- 27255276
TI  - Cardiovascular safety of methylphenidate among children and young people with
      attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): nationwide self controlled case
      series study.

PMID- 27255275
TI  - Trade and investment liberalization, food systems change and highly processed
      food consumption: a natural experiment contrasting the soft-drink markets of Peru
      and Bolivia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Free trade agreements (FTAs) can affect food environments and non
      communicable disease risks through altering the availability of highly-processed
      foods. Few studies have quantified such effects. Using a natural experiment this
      paper quantifies changes in Peru's soft-drink market before/after entry into the
      US-Peru FTA, compared with Bolivia, a county with no such agreement. METHODS:
      Difference-in-difference models were used to test for between country differences
      in the rate of per capita foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, soft-drink
      imports, the volumes of various soft-drinks sold, and the volumes of sugar from
      soft-drinks before/after FTA ratification (2006) and enforcement (2009). RESULTS:
      In Peru average per capita FDI-inflows rose from US$103.11 in the pre
      ratification period to US$269.79 post-ratification, with little change in
      Bolivia. This corresponded with a 122 % increase in Peruvian soft-drink
      production. There was a significant between-country difference in FDI-inflows pre
      /post-ratification (DID:1.07, 95 % CI:0.19-1.96; p = 0.01). Despite little
      difference in total per capita soft-drink sales volumes there was a significant
      between-country difference in per capita sugar from soft-drinks pre-/post
      enforcement (DID:-0.99, 95 % CI: -1.91-0.06; p = 0.03) with stagnated growth in
      Peru and continued growth in Bolivia. This resulted from stagnated sugar
      sweetened carbonates growth and increased bottled water, juice and sports &
      energy drinks growth in Peru, with continued carbonates growth in Bolivia. There
      was a significant between-country difference in per capita carbonates (DID: 
      1.44, 95 % CI: -2.52-0.36, p = 0.01) and bottled water (DID:0.63; 95 % CI: -0.01
      1.26; p = 0.04) sales volumes. CONCLUSIONS: The FTA may have resulted in
      increased FDI-inflows and soft-drink production and also contributed to the
      diversification of soft drinks produced and sold in Peru with some positive
      (stagnated carbonates and increased bottled water) and some negative (increased
      juice and sports & energy drinks) implications for nutrition. These changes were
      not evident in Bolivia. These results should be interpreted cautiously given the
      study design limitations.

PMID- 27255278
TI  - Erratum to: Towards exergaming commons: composing the exergame ontology for
      publishing open game data.

PMID- 27255277
TI  - Sorting it out: bedding particle size and nesting material processing method
      affect nest complexity.
AB  - As part of routine husbandry, an increasing number of laboratory mice receive
      nesting material in addition to standard bedding material in their cages. Nesting
      material improves health outcomes and physiological performance in mice that
      receive it. Providing usable nesting material uniformly and efficiently to
      various strains of mice remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to
      determine how bedding particle size, method of nesting material delivery, and
      processing of the nesting material before delivery affected nest building in mice
      of strong (BALB/cAnNCrl) and weak (C3H/HeNCrl) gathering abilities. Our data
      suggest that processing nesting material through a grinder in conjunction with
      bedding material, although convenient for provision of bedding with nesting
      material 'built-in', negatively affects the integrity of the nesting material and
      subsequent nest-building outcomes. We also found that C3H mice, previously
      thought to be poor nest builders, built similarly scored nests to those of BALB/c
      mice when provided with unprocessed nesting material. This was true even when
      nesting material was mixed into the bedding substrate. We also observed that when
      nesting material was mixed into the bedding substrate, mice of both strains would
      sort their bedding by particle size more often than if it were not mixed in. Our
      findings support the utility of the practice of distributing nesting material
      mixed in with bedding substrate, but not that of processing the nesting material
      with the bedding in order to mix them.

PMID- 27255279
TI  - Tobacco TTG2 regulates vegetative growth and seed production via the predominant
      role of ARF8 in cooperation with ARF17 and ARF19.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plant TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA (TTG) proteins regulate various
      developmental activities via the auxin signaling pathway. Recently, we elucidated
      the developmental role of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) NtTTG2 in association
      with 12 genes that putatively encode AUXIN RESPONSIVE FACTOR (ARF) proteins,
      including NtARF8, NtARF17, and NtARF19. Here we show that NtTTG2 regulates
      tobacco growth and development by involving the NtARF8, NtARF17, and NtARF19
      genes, with the NtARF8 gene playing a predominant contribution. RESULTS:
      Independent silencing of the NtARF8 gene more strongly repressed tobacco growth
      than silencing the NtARF17 or NtARF19 gene and more effectively eradicated the
      growth enhancement effect of NtTTG2 overexpression. In contrast, plant growth was
      not affected by silencing additional nine NtTTG2-regulated NtARF genes. In double
      and triple gene silencing combinations, silencing the NtARF8 gene was more
      effective than silencing the NtARF17 or NtARF19 gene to repress growth as well as
      nullify growth enhancement. Therefore, the NtARF8 predominantly cooperated with
      the NtARF17 and NtAFR19 of the NtTTG2 functional pathway. NtARF8 also contributed
      to NtTTG2-regulated seed production as concurrent NtTTG2 and NtARF8
      overexpression played a synergistic role in seed production quantity, whereas
      concurrent silencing of both genes caused more severe seed abortion than single
      gene silencing. In plant cells, the NtTTG2 protein facilitated the nuclear import
      of NtARF8 as well as increased its function as a transcription activator.
      CONCLUSIONS: NtARF8 is an integral component of the NtTTG2 functional pathway,
      which regulates tobacco growth and development.

PMID- 27255280
TI  - Pilot study evaluating a brief mindfulness intervention for those with chronic
      pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The burden of chronic pain is a major challenge, impacting the
      quality of life of patients. Intensive programmes of mindfulness-based therapy
      can help patients to cope with chronic pain but can be time consuming and require
      a trained specialist to implement. The self-management model of care is now
      integral to the care of patients with chronic pain; home-based interventions can
      be very acceptable, making a compelling argument for investigating brief, self
      management interventions. The aim of this study is two-fold: to assess the
      immediate effects of a brief self-help mindfulness intervention for coping with
      chronic pain and to assess the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomized
      controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of such an intervention.
      METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized controlled pilot study will be conducted to evaluate
      a brief mindfulness intervention for those with chronic pain. Ninety chronic pain
      patients who attend hospital outpatient clinics will be recruited and allocated
      randomly to either the control or treatment group on a 1:1 basis using the
      computer-generated list of random numbers. The treatment group receives
      mindfulness audios and the control group receives audios of readings from a non
      fiction book, all of which are 15 minutes in length. Immediate effects of the
      intervention are assessed with brief psychological measures immediately before
      and after audio use. Mindfulness, mood, health-related quality of life, pain
      catastrophizing and experience of the intervention are assessed with standardized
      measures, brief ratings and brief telephone follow-ups, at baseline and after one
      week and one month. Feasibility is assessed by estimation of effect sizes for
      outcomes, patient adherence and experience, and appraisal of resource allocation
      in provision of the intervention. DISCUSSION: This trial will assess whether a
      brief mindfulness-based intervention is effective for immediately reducing
      perceived distress and pain with the side effect of increasing relaxation in
      chronic pain patients and will determine the feasibility of conducting a
      definitive randomized controlled trial. Patient recruitment began in January 2015
      and is due to be completed in June 2016. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN61538090
      Registered 20 April 2015.

PMID- 27255281
TI  - Obesity Prevention and Weight Maintenance After Loss.
AB  - Obesity is one of the most prevalent medical diseases in pets. Outcomes are often
      disappointing; many animals either fail to reach target weight or regain weight.
      This article discusses managing obesity, focusing on prevention. It gives
      guidance on establishing monitoring programs that use regular body weight and
      condition assessments to identify animals at risk of inappropriate weight gain,
      enabling early intervention. Weight management in obese animals is a lifelong
      process. Regular weight and body condition monitoring are key to identifying
      animals that rebound early, while continuing to feed a therapeutic weight loss
      diet can help prevent it from happening. 

PMID- 27255282
TI  - N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antibodies encephalitis mimicking an
      autistic regression.
AB  - Expressive dysphasia and mutism are common clinical features in children and
      adults with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies (NMDAR-Ab) encephalitis, and
      are likely to result from NMDAR hypofunction. A prodromal loss of social and
      communication skills can typify that of an autistic regression, particularly when
      presenting under the age of 3 years. Here we describe two toddlers who presented
      with developmental regression, particularly of their social communication skills,
      mimicking an autistic regression, who were found to have NMDAR-Ab in the serum
      and cerebrospinal fluid. Although both patients had some other neurological
      features, they were subtle, which resulted in delayed diagnosis of NMDAR-Ab
      encephalitis. Importantly, immunotherapy was beneficial in both patients, with
      significant improvement of their language skills and behaviour.

PMID- 27255283
TI  - Gallstone Disease and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and
      Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Gallstone disease shares certain risk factors with cardiovascular
      disease, particularly metabolic risk factors. Patients with gallstone disease may
      be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Several recent studies exploring
      the effect of gallstone disease on cardiovascular disease outcomes demonstrated
      inconsistent results. DESIGN: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis
      of cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies that compared the risk of
      developing cardiovascular disease events in patients with gallstone disease
      versus non-gallstone disease controls. Data from each study were combined using
      the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to
      calculate the pooled hazard ratio, odd ratio, and 95% confidence interval.
      RESULTS: Data were extracted from six studies involving 176,734 cases and 803,714
      controls. The pooled hazard ratio of cardiovascular events in patients with
      gallstone disease was 1.28 (95% confidence interval: 1.23-1.33, I2 = 42%). The
      pooled odd ratio of cardiovascular events in patients with gallstone disease was
      1.82 (95% confidence interval: 1.47-2.24, I2 = 68%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular
      disease among patients with gallstone disease.

PMID- 27255284
TI  - Jean Forbes Trainer.

PMID- 27255287
TI  - Z-Score Reference Ranges for Angular M-Mode Displacement at 22-40 Weeks'
      Gestation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To construct Z-score reference ranges for fetal mitral and tricuspid
      annular plane systolic excursions (MAPSE and TAPSE), using angular M-mode (AM)
      and conventional M-mode (CM). METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional
      investigation was conducted on 261 normal singleton fetuses from 22 to 40 weeks'
      gestation. TAPSE and MAPSE were measured by AM and CM. Reference ranges of TAPSE
      and MAPSE derived from AM and CM were determined against gestational age (GA) and
      heart area (HA), using regression analyses of the mean and standard deviation.
      RESULTS: TAPSE and MAPSE showed positive correlations with GA and HA. A cubic
      regression was the best-fitted model for the mean of MAPSE and TAPSE based on HA,
      while a linear regression model was established for the mean based on GA. Z
      scores and 95% reference intervals for predicting MAPSE and TAPSE were
      established. Strong correlations were found between AM and CM, whereas CM
      underestimated AM (mean error: MAPSE 0.25 +/- 0.18 mm; TAPSE 0.35 +/- 0.2 mm).
      CONCLUSION: Normal data and the Z-scores of fetal MAPSE and TAPSE were provided
      against GA and HA, which can be useful for quantitative assessment of fetal
      cardiac dysfunction, particularly in cases of intrauterine growth restriction.

PMID- 27255286
TI  - The Road to Reproducibility in Animal Research.
AB  - Reproducibility of research findings is the hallmark of scientific advance.
      However, the recently noted lack of reproducibility and transparency of published
      research using animal models of human biology and disease has alarmed funders,
      scientists, and the public. Improved reporting of methodology and better use of
      statistical tools are needed to enhance the quality and utility of published
      research. Reporting guidelines like Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo
      Experiments (ARRIVE) have been devised to achieve these goals, but most
      biomedical research journals, including the JBMR, have not been able to obtain
      high compliance. Cooperative efforts among authors, reviewers and editors
      empowered by increased awareness of their responsibilities, and enabled by user
      friendly guidelines-are needed to solve this problem. (c) 2016 American Society
      for Bone and Mineral Research.

PMID- 27255285
TI  - Integrated omics approaches provide strategies for rapid erythromycin yield
      increase in Saccharopolyspora erythraea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Omics approaches have significantly increased our understanding of
      biological systems. However, they have had limited success in explaining the
      dramatically increased productivity of commercially important natural products by
      industrial high-producing strains, such as the erythromycin-producing
      actinomycete Saccharopolyspora erythraea. Further yield increase is of great
      importance but requires a better understanding of the underlying physiological
      processes. RESULTS: To reveal the mechanisms related to erythromycin yield
      increase, we have undertaken an integrated study of the genomic, transcriptomic,
      and proteomic differences between the wild type strain NRRL2338 (WT) and the
      industrial high-producing strain ABE1441 (HP) of S. erythraea at multiple time
      points of a simulated industrial bioprocess. 165 observed mutations lead to
      differences in gene expression profiles and protein abundance between the two
      strains, which were most prominent in the initial stages of erythromycin
      production. Enzymes involved in erythromycin biosynthesis, metabolism of branched
      chain amino acids and proteolysis were most strongly upregulated in the HP
      strain. Interestingly, genes related to TCA cycle and DNA-repair were
      downregulated. Additionally, comprehensive data analysis uncovered significant
      correlations in expression profiles of the erythromycin-biosynthetic genes, other
      biosynthetic gene clusters and previously unidentified putative regulatory genes.
      Based on this information, we demonstrated that overexpression of several genes
      involved in amino acid metabolism can contribute to increased yield of
      erythromycin, confirming the validity of our systems biology approach.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our comprehensive omics approach, carried out in industrially
      relevant conditions, enabled the identification of key pathways affecting
      erythromycin yield and suggests strategies for rapid increase in the production
      of secondary metabolites in industrial environment.

PMID- 27255288
TI  - The Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG) guidelines for gastric
      cancer staging and treatment: 2015.
AB  - This article reports the guidelines for gastric cancer staging and treatment
      developed by the GIRCG, and contains comprehensive indications for clinical
      management, including radiological, endoscopic, surgical, pathological, and
      oncological paths.

PMID- 27255290
TI  - Synthesis, structure elucidation, DNA-PK, PI3K, anti-platelet and anti-bacteria
      activity of linear 5, 6, and 10-substituted-2-morpholino-chromen-oxazine-dione
      and angular 3, 4, 6-substituted-8-morpholino-chromen-oxazine-2,10-dione.
AB  - Coumarin, a naturally occurring or synthesised phytochemical, displays a wide
      range of biological activities. However, chromen-2-ones fused with 1,3
      benzoxazine rings is not well documented and there is a gap in the literature
      which required engaging. The substituted-2-thioxo-chromen-oxazine linear
      compounds 14a-i and angular compounds 16a-e were synthesised from the reaction of
      hydroxy-substituted-chromene-carboxylic 10-13 with freshly prepared Ph3P(SCN)2. 2
      Morpholino-substituted-chromen-oxazine-4,8-dione and 8-morpholino-substituted
      chromen-oxazine-2,10-dione 15a-f and 17 were synthesised from the reaction of the
      corresponding oxazines 14 and 16 with morpholine. PI3K activity was observed for
      the hydroxy-substituted-chromene-carboxylic acid of which compound 13b showed
      moderate PI3Kgamma (IC50 = 5.56 MUM) and PI3Kalpha (IC50 = 14.7 MUM) activity.
      Additionally, 8-morpholino-chromen-oxazine-2,10-dione 17a showed isoform
      selective PI3Kdelta activity with IC50 = 5.08 MUM with non-DNA-PK >= 100 MUM.
      Consequently compound 17a can be considered as a selective PI3Kdelta inhibitor
      with non-DNA-PK at compound concentrations >=100 MUM.

PMID- 27255291
TI  - Right Atrial Dilatation, Determined by Echocardiography, and Correlation with
      Right Atrial Pressure, Determined with Cardiac Catheterization, in Children with
      Pulmonary Hypertension.

PMID- 27255289
TI  - Phase I study of orally administered S-1 in combination with epirubicin and
      oxaliplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors and chemotherapy-naive
      advanced or metastatic esophagogastric cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This phase I study investigated the safety and the maximum tolerated
      dose (MTD) of the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 when combined with epirubicin and
      oxaliplatin (EOS). METHODS: Patients aged >=18 years with advanced or metastatic
      solid tumors were enrolled in a 3 + 3 design with S-1 dose escalation (two
      planned cohorts) performed according to the occurrence of dose-limiting toxicity
      (DLT). On day 1 of each 21-day cycle, patients received epirubicin 50 mg/m2
      followed by oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 (maximum 8 cycles) and then S-1 [20 mg/m2
      (cohort 1) or 25 mg/m2 (cohort 2), twice daily]: first dose, evening of day 1;
      subsequent administration on days 2-14, twice daily; last dose, morning of day 15
      (unlimited number of S-1 cycles). After protocol amendment, enrollment in a third
      cohort was restricted to patients with chemotherapy-naive advanced or metastatic
      esophagogastric cancer. RESULTS: DLT was reported for two of the five patients in
      cohort 2, defining 20 mg/m2 twice daily as the MTD of S-1 combined with
      epirubicin and oxaliplatin in heavily pretreated patients. Thirteen patients with
      chemotherapy-naive advanced or metastatic esophagogastric cancer were
      subsequently enrolled and treated at an S-1 dose level of 25 mg/m2 twice daily;
      no DLTs were reported; median overall survival was 13.1 months. Of the 11
      evaluable patients, three (27 %) had partial responses and seven (64 %) had
      stable disease. The safety profile was in line with expectations. CONCLUSIONS:
      The promising activity of EOS (S-1 dose level, 25 mg/m2 twice daily) and
      acceptable safety profile support further clinical development of this
      combination for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic
      esophagogastric cancer.

PMID- 27255292
TI  - Decline of Systolic and Diastolic 2D Strain Rate During Follow-Up of HLHS
      Patients After Fontan Palliation.
AB  - Accurate assessment of ventricular function is particularly important in children
      with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) after completion of the total
      cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). For this purpose, two-dimensional speckle
      tracking (2DST) is a promising technique as it does not depend on the angle of
      insonation or the geometry of the ventricle. The objective of this study was to
      assess changes in systolic and diastolic right ventricular (RV) function within a
      5-year follow-up period of HLHS patients after TCPC using conventional and 2DST
      echocardiography. RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane
      systolic excursion (TAPSE), E/A, E/e' and 2DST parameters [global longitudinal
      peak systolic strain (GS) and strain rate (GSRs), global strain rate in early
      (GSRe) and late (GSRa) diastole] of 40 HLHS patients were compared at 1.6 and at
      5.1 years after TCPC. RVFAC, E/A, E/e' and GS did not change, whereas TAPSE (13.7
      +/- 3.2 vs. 10.5 +/- 2.4 mm/m(2), p < 0.001), GSRs (-1.56 +/- 0.28 vs. -1.35 +/-
      0.31 1/s, p < 0.001), GSRe (2.22 +/- 0.49 vs. 1.96 +/- 0.44 1/s, p = 0.004) and
      GSRa (1.19 +/- 0.39 vs. 0.92 +/- 0.39 1/s, p < 0.001) decreased significantly.
      Systolic and diastolic RV function parameters of HLHS patients decreased from 1.6
      to 5.1 years after TCPC in our patients. Changes in global strain rate parameters
      may be signaling early RV dysfunction that is not detectable by traditional
      echocardiography. Further study is needed to verify this and to determine whether
      these changes are clinically relevant. 

PMID- 27255293
TI  - Intrapericardial left-sided ectopic thyroid mass supplied by the left circumflex
      artery.
AB  - Intrapericardial left-sided ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare entity. We report a
      47-year old female patient with an intrapericardial mass mounting the left atrial
      wall. Two prominent vessels, both originating from the left circumflex artery
      (LCX), supplied the tumour. Owing to the compression of the left atrium and the
      left upper pulmonary vein, the patient was highly symptomatic with exertional
      dyspnoea and ventricular extrasystoles. Histopathological examination showed
      regressive thyroid adenoma with no signs of malignancy. Complete resection was
      feasible. The evaluation of thyroid hormone levels was not indicative for
      diagnosis. Postoperative hormone substitution appeared to be unnecessary.

PMID- 27255294
TI  - Benefits and medium-term outcome of the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless aortic
      prosthesis in cases of acute bacterial endocarditis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the ease of use and the
      advantages of Sorin Pericarbon Freedom (SPF) stentless valve in cases of acute
      bacterial endocarditis and to check the intermediate-term results after the
      implant of SPF with respect to resistance to infection, valve deterioration and
      durability. METHODS: Between June 2003 and February 2015, 26 patients with active
      aortic valve bacterial endocarditis underwent aortic valve replacement with SPF
      pericardial stentless aortic prosthesis. The mean age was 57 +/- 18 years; 73% of
      the patients were in preoperative NYHA class III and VI. Mean Logistic EuroSCORE
      was 14.2 +/- 12.7. Endocarditis occurred in 18 patients with native valves, and
      in 9 patients with prosthetic valves (4 mechanical aortic valve prostheses; 5
      aortic bioprostheses). Aortic root abscesses were observed in 16 cases (61.5%).
      Surgery was emergent in 3 cases (11.5%). Redo surgery was performed in 9 cases
      (35%). Cumulative follow-up was 126.8 patient-years (mean 4.9 +/- 3.3 years).
      RESULTS: Operative hospital mortality was 0% for all patients. Residual mean
      prosthetic gradient at discharge was 9.4 +/- 3.6 mmHg. Neither residual aortic
      incompetence nor residual abscess cavity was observed at discharge. Mean ejection
      fraction at discharge was 54 +/- 8% (Min; Max: 35%; 65%). A total of 4 patients
      died at follow-up, all for non-cardiac causes. One patient was lost to follow-up.
      Two patients (8%) underwent non-valve-related reoperation with 0% mortality.
      Residual mean gradient at follow-up was 7.2 +/- 2.1 mmHg. Three patients (17%)
      presented with mild/moderate aortic incompetence and 89% of patients were in NYHA
      Class I-II at follow-up. At 9 years, actuarial freedom from valve-related
      reoperation and from structural valve deterioration was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The
      SPF aortic prosthesis is a true pericardial stentless prosthesis suitable for the
      treatment of acute bacterial endocarditis. Intermediate-time results in terms of
      freedom from reoperation, structural valve deterioration and resistance to
      infections are satisfactory. Haemodynamic performances are excellent since a
      complete exclusion of aortic root abscesses is achieved without any reduction of
      the aortic annular diameter, usually due to marsupialization or patch closure of
      the infected cavities.

PMID- 27255296
TI  - Evaluation of apoptotic cell death on liver and kidney tissues following
      administration of levetiracetam during prenatal period.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Levetiracetam is a new generation antiepileptic drug used in treatment
      of patients with epilepsy and has adverse effects on different tissues. We aimed
      to evaluate the apoptotic effects of levetiracetam exposure during pregnancy on
      liver and kidney tissues of rat pups. METHODS: We analyzed the newborn rat pups
      exposed to levetiracetam during prenatal period. Fifteen pregnant female rats
      were divided into three groups. The group 1 and 2 rats were treated with
      different doses of levetiracetam (25 mg/kg/d and 50 mg/kg/d, respectively) from
      gestational days 1-22 during pregnancy. Group 3 (control group) was treated with
      the same volume of saline. Apoptosis was evaluated by the terminal
      deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. Liver
      and kidney tissues from rat pups were used for investigation. RESULTS: The
      percent of TUNEL positive apoptotic cells in group 1 were 22 and 17.5 for kidney
      and liver, respectively. The percent of TUNEL positive apoptotic cells in group 2
      were 20.9 and 20.9 for kidney and liver, respectively. The percent of TUNEL
      positive apoptotic cells in group 3 were 18.4 and 17.1, respectively, for kidney
      and liver. The apoptotic index was the same in kidney and liver tissues of all
      groups. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the prenatal exposure of
      levetiracetam has no apoptotic effects on liver and kidney of rat pups and, it
      has biosafety in pregnancy in terms of apoptosis. The first study evaluating the
      apoptotic effects on liver and kidney tissues following administration of
      levetiracetam during prenatal period.

PMID- 27255295
TI  - Association between SLC2A9 (GLUT9) gene polymorphisms and gout susceptibility: an
      updated meta-analysis.
AB  - The relationship between the SLC2A9 (solute carrier family 2, member 9) gene
      polymorphisms and gout was still inconsistent among the individual genetic
      association studies. Therefore, this present research was aimed to systematically
      evaluate the association between SLC2A9 gene polymorphisms and gout
      susceptibility. Relevant studies were enrolled by searching databases
      systematically. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs)
      were used to assess the associations. The heterogeneity between each of the
      studies was calculated by using the Q statistic methods, and Begg's funnel plot
      and Egger's tests were performed to evaluate publication bias. A total of 13
      studies investigated four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLC2A9 were
      included. In this study, we found that the allele C of rs3733591 was higher in
      patients than in controls in both all-pooled population [C vs. T: OR (95 % CI) =
      1.432 (1.213-1.691)] and Asians-pooled population [C vs. T: OR (95 % CI) = 1.583
      (1.365-1.835)]. The allele frequency C of s6449213 was lower in the gout patients
      than in controls in both all-pooled population and Caucasians-pooled population.
      Additionally, the allele frequency T of rs16890979 and the allele frequency C of
      rs1014290 were lower in gout patients than in controls. This study demonstrated
      that the genetic susceptibility for gout is associated with the SLC2A9 gene
      polymorphisms. Four of them except for the rs3733591 are protective SNPs in
      Caucasians, and rs16890979 and rs1014290 are protective SNPs in both Caucasians
      and Asians, while rs3733591 may be susceptibility SNP in Asians. 

PMID- 27255297
TI  - Proposal to modify the Note to Rule 61 of the International Code of Nomenclature
      of Prokaryotes.
AB  - In view of the current difficulty to make minor typographical or orthographic
      corrections to incorrectly formed names of taxa, we propose a change in the text
      of the Note to Rule 61 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes,
      to be applied retroactively from August 2009. The proposed change will enable the
      List Editors of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary
      Microbiology and others to correct minor errors without having to refer each case
      to the Judicial Commission of the International Committee for Systematics of
      Prokaryotes.

PMID- 27255298
TI  - [Food-induced anaphylaxis - data from the anaphylaxis registry].
AB  - Anaphylactic reactions due to food occur in the context of food allergy and,
      together with venom and drugs, are the most frequent elicitors of severe allergic
      reactions. In small children the most frequent elicitors of severe allergic
      reactions according to data from the anaphylaxis registry are hen's egg and milk,
      whereas in school children peanut and hazelnut are frequent elicitors of allergic
      reactions. Other frequent elicitors of anaphylactic reactions in childhood are
      wheat and soy. In adults the most frequent elicitors of severe allergic reactions
      due to food, based on data from the anaphylaxis registry, are wheat, soy, celery,
      shellfish and hazelnut. Rare elicitors of food-induced anaphylaxis in German
      speaking countries are mustard and cabbage. However, the panel of rare elicitors
      of food-induced anaphylaxis show regional differences. As of March 2015, 17 cases
      of fatal anaphylaxis were registered and among these seven were food-induced. Co
      factors can either trigger the elicitation of a severe allergic reaction or
      affect its severity. Among such co-factors are physical activity, the intake of
      certain drugs, and psychological stress. The data on the role of cofactors is
      sparse. The management of food-induced anaphylaxis includes acute management
      according to current guidelines, but also long-term management, which should
      include educational measures regarding treatment but also information about the
      food allergen in daily life. 

PMID- 27255299
TI  - [Dietary management of food allergies].
AB  - A therapeutic diet is only indicated if the diagnosis of food allergy is certain.
      In the case of an unproven suspicion everything should be done to confirm or
      disprove the diagnosis by diagnostic measures (patient history, diet history,
      food and symptom protocol etc.). In the case of proven food allergy there are
      different aims of nutritional therapy. Most importantly the patient should learn
      how to identify his eliciting agent in pre-packed and non-prepacked food and how
      to avoid it. The elimination diet should take into account the individual
      condition of the patient. In particular, if basic foods have to be eliminated
      from the diet, safe alternatives have to be determined to maintain a
      nutritionally balanced diet and to maintain a high quality of life. To ensure the
      nutritional adequacy of the diet, micro- and macronutrient intake should be
      analysed and improved, if necessary. For pollen-associated food allergy and
      certain chronic conditions it might be necessary to be aware of possible
      triggering factors as well as potential cross-reactions. Moreover, individual
      tolerance should be maintained during elimination diets and not jeopardized by
      voluntary and unnecessary self-denial of certain foods.An effective individual
      management of food allergies by the patient is considerably dependent on the
      quality of the nutritional education and therapy. 

PMID- 27255300
TI  - Evaluation of the impact of carotid artery bifurcation angle on hemodynamics by
      use of computational fluid dynamics: a simulation and volunteer study.
AB  - In this study, we evaluated the hemodynamics of carotid artery bifurcation with
      various geometries using simulated and volunteer models based on magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was analyzed by use
      of OpenFOAM. The velocity distribution, streamline, and wall shear stress (WSS)
      were evaluated in a simulated model with known bifurcation angles (30 degrees ,
      40 degrees , 50 degrees , 60 degrees , derived from patients' data) and in three
      dimensional (3D) healthy volunteer models. Separated flow was observed at the
      outer side of the bifurcation, and large bifurcation models represented upstream
      transfer of the point. Local WSS values at the outer bifurcation [both simulated
      (<30 Pa) and volunteer (<50 Pa) models] were lower than those in the inner region
      (>100 Pa). The bifurcation angle had a significant negative correlation with the
      WSS value (p<0.05). The results of this study show that the carotid artery
      bifurcation angle is related to the WSS value. This suggests that hemodynamic
      stress can be estimated based on the carotid artery geometry. The construction of
      a clinical database for estimation of developing atherosclerosis is warranted. 

PMID- 27255301
TI  - Using LC-MS Based Methods for Testing the Digestibility of a Nonpurified
      Transgenic Membrane Protein in Simulated Gastric Fluid.
AB  - The digestibility of a nonpurified transgenic membrane protein was determined in
      pepsin, as part of the food safety evaluation of its resistance to digestion and
      allergenic potential. Delta-6-desaturase from Saprolegnia diclina, a
      transmembrane protein expressed in safflower for the production of gamma
      linolenic acid in the seed, could not be obtained in a pure, native form as
      normally required for this assay. As a novel approach, the endoplasmic reticulum
      isolated from immature seeds was digested in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and
      the degradation of delta-6-desaturase was selectively followed by SDS-PAGE and
      targeted LC-MS/MS quantification using stable isotope-labeled peptides as
      internal standards. The digestion of delta-6-desaturase by SGF was shown to be
      both rapid and complete. Less than 10% of the initial amount of D6D remained
      intact after 30 s, and no fragments large enough (>3 kDa) to elicit a type I
      allergenic response remained after 60 min. 

PMID- 27255302
TI  - Long-term outcomes in radically treated synchronous vs. metachronous
      oligometastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radical treatment for oligometastatic non-small-cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) has a curative potential for selected patients. The present retrospective
      study was designed to examine the relevance of synchronous vs. metachronous
      manifestations as a potential prognostic factor when ablative treatments are
      performed in oligometastatic disease. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with
      radically treated oligometastatic NSCLC were identified, of whom 39 presented
      with synchronous and 36 with metachronous metastatic manifestations. For patients
      with synchronous metastases, an additional therapy of the thoracic locoregional
      disease with a curative intent (either surgery or radiochemotherapy) was
      required. All patients with metachronous metastases had a documented remission of
      the primary tumor. Ablative treatment of the complete extent of oligometastatic
      disease consisted (as a minimum requirement) of either complete surgical
      resection or definitive ablative stereotactic radiotherapy. A comparative
      survival analysis of two groups of patients with oligometastatic NSCLC
      (synchronous vs. metachronous) and a complementary analysis of prognostic factors
      for the whole group of patients (by means of Cox regression analysis) was
      performed. Endpoints were median overall and progression-free survival (OS, PFS,
      respectively). RESULTS: Of the 75 patients, 57 presented with a solitary
      metastasis, in only 7 patients metastastatic lesions were present in >=2 organs
      and 66 patients had a Karnofsky performance score (KPS) of 80 % or 90 %. The
      median follow-up was 54.0 months (95 % CI 28-81), the median OS 21.8 months (16.1
      27.6) and the median PFS 13.7 months (9.7-17.6). In univariable Cox regression
      analysis, no single clinical factor was significantly associated with OS. For PFS
      both 'metastatic involvement of >=2 organs vs. 1 organ' (hazard ratio (HR) 0.43,
      0.23-0.83, p = 0.012) and a 'KPS of 90 % vs. 70-80 %' (HR 4.32, 1.73-10.89, p =
      0.02) were significant prognostic factors as calculated by multivariable
      analysis. Comparing the cohorts with synchronous (n = 39) vs. metachronous
      oligometastases (n = 36), no differences in median OS and PFS were found. Both
      cohorts were well-balanced except for the KPS, which was significantly superior
      in patients with synchronous oligometastases. CONCLUSIONS: Radical treatment of
      oligometastatic NSCLC was associated with acceptable long-term survival rates in
      patients with good KPS and it was equally effective for synchronous and
      metachronous manifestations.

PMID- 27255303
TI  - Pulse Proteolysis and Precipitation for Target Identification.
AB  - In recent years, phenotypic screening has assumed a leading role in drug
      discovery efforts. However, development of new drugs from bioactive compounds
      obtained in screening campaigns requires identification of the cellular targets
      responsible for their biological activities. A new energetics-based method for
      target identification is presented: pulse proteolysis and precipitation for
      target identification (PePTID). In this method, proteins incubated with or
      without a ligand and submitted to a brief proteolytic pulse are directly analyzed
      and compared using a label-free semiquantitative mass spectrometry strategy,
      dispensing the SDS-PAGE readout and greatly improving the throughput. As a proof
      of-concept, we applied the PePTID method to identify ATP-binding proteins in
      Mycobacterium smegmatis, a model system for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the
      etiological agent of tuberculosis.

PMID- 27255304
TI  - Impact of traffic-related air pollution on the expression of Platanus orientalis
      pollen allergens.
AB  - Air pollutants and their interaction with environmental allergens have been
      considered as an important reason for the recent increase in the prevalence of
      allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the traffic pollution
      effect, as a stressor, on Platanus orientalis pollen allergens messenger RNA
      (mRNA) and protein expression. P. orientalis pollen grains were collected along
      main streets of heavy traffic and from unpolluted sites in Mashhad city, in
      northeast Iran. The pollen samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy.
      To assess the abundance of pollen allergens (Pla or 1, Pla or 2, and Pla or 3)
      from polluted and unpolluted sites, immunoblotting was performed. Moreover, the
      sequences encoding P. orientalis allergens were amplified using real-time PCR.
      Scanning electron microscopy showed a number of particles of 150-550 nm on the
      surface of pollen from polluted sites. Also, protein and gene expression levels
      of Pla or 1 and Pla or 3 were considerably greater in pollen samples from highly
      polluted areas than in pollen from unpolluted areas (p < 0.05). In contrast, no
      statically significant difference in Pla or 2 protein and mRNA expression level
      was found between samples from the two areas. We found greater expression of
      allergens involved in plant defense mechanisms (Pla or 1 and Pla or 3) in
      polluted sites than in unpolluted ones. The high expression of these proteins can
      lead to an increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases. These findings
      suggest the necessity of supporting public policies aimed at controlling traffic
      pollution to improve air quality and prevent the subsequent clinical outcomes and
      new cases of asthma.

PMID- 27255305
TI  - Routine transfusion of platelet concentrates effectively reduces reoperation rate
      for bleeding and pericardial effusion after elective operations for ascending
      aortic aneurysm.
AB  - Patients with ascending aortic aneurysm undergoing complex surgical procedures
      are at increased risk of early postoperative excessive blood loss. The aim of
      this study was to analyze safety and efficacy of routine transfusions of platelet
      (PLT) concentrates in reduction of hemorrhagic postoperative complications. The
      study involved 396 consecutive patients (289 males and 107 females) with the mean
      age of 55.9 +/- 13.6 years who underwent elective operations for aortic
      aneurysms. They were divided retrospectively into two groups, without (group A; n
      = 123) or with the routine use of PLTs (group B; n = 273). PLTs were transfused
      intraoperatively just after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass. Twelve patients
      in group A (9.8%) and 10 (3.7%) in group B required re-thoracotomy due to
      hemorrhage (p = 0.027). Routine transfusions of PLT concentrates reduced
      postoperative incidence of excessive pericardial effusion from 24.1% in group A
      to 2.1% in group B (p = 0.002). In a consequence, significantly less units (p <
      0.0001) of red blood concentrates and fresh frozen plasma were transfused in
      group B than in group A. The rates of other adverse events in the early
      postoperative period did not differ between groups. Patients with pericardial
      effusion required 6.3 +/- 2.7 additional days of hospitalization due to surgical
      re-intervention. Neither blood transfusion-related infections nor adverse
      reactions were noted. In conclusion, routine intraoperative transfusions of PLT
      concentrates in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms significantly reduced a
      need for re-intervention due to both early bleeding and late cardiac tamponade.

PMID- 27255306
TI  - Sexual Identity Mobility and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Analysis of
      Moderating Factors Among Sexual Minority Women.
AB  - Sexual minority identity (bisexual, lesbian) is a known risk factor for
      depression in women. This study examined a facet of minority stress prevalent
      among women-sexual identity mobility-as an identity-related contributor to higher
      levels of depressive symptoms. We used three waves of data from the Chicago
      Health and Life Experiences of Women study, a longitudinal study of sexual
      minority women (N = 306). Random effects OLS regression models were constructed
      to examine the effect of sexual identity changes on depressive symptoms. We found
      that 25.6 % of the sample reported a sexual identity change between Wave I and
      Wave II, and 24.9 % reported a sexual identity change between Waves II and III.
      Women who reported a change in sexual identity also reported more depressive
      symptoms subsequent to identity change. This effect was moderated by the number
      of years participants had reported their baseline identity and by whether the
      participant had initiated a romantic relationship with a male partner.

PMID- 27255308
TI  - Marsupials as models for understanding the role of chromosome rearrangements in
      evolution and disease.
AB  - Chromosome rearrangements have been implicated in diseases, such as cancer, and
      speciation, but it remains unclear whether rearrangements are causal or merely a
      consequence of these processes. Two marsupial families with very different rates
      of karyotype evolution provide excellent models in which to study the role of
      chromosome rearrangements in a disease and evolutionary context. The speciose
      family Dasyuridae displays remarkable karyotypic conservation, with all species
      examined to date possessing nearly identical karyotypes. Despite the seemingly
      high degree of chromosome stability within this family, they appear prone to
      developing tumours, including transmissible devil facial tumours. In contrast,
      chromosome rearrangements have been frequent in the evolution of the species-rich
      family Macropodidae, which displays a high level of karyotypic diversity. In
      particular, the genus Petrogale (rock-wallabies) displays an extraordinary level
      of chromosome rearrangement among species. For six parapatric Petrogale species,
      it appears that speciation has essentially been caught in the act, providing an
      opportunity to determine whether chromosomal rearrangements are a cause or
      consequence of speciation in this system. This review highlights the reasons that
      these two marsupial families are excellent models for testing hypotheses for
      hotspots of chromosome rearrangement and deciphering the role of chromosome
      rearrangements in disease and speciation.

PMID- 27255309
TI  - Diabetes treatment intensification and associated changes in HbA1c and body mass
      index: a cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To describe common type 2 diabetes treatment intensification
      regimens, patients' characteristics and changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
      and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: We constructed a national retrospective
      cohort of veterans initially treated for diabetes with either metformin or
      sulfonylurea from 2001 through 2008, using Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
      and Medicare data. Patients were followed through September, 2011 to identify
      common diabetes treatment intensification regimens. We evaluated changes in HbA1c
      and BMI post-intensification for metformin-based regimens. RESULTS: We identified
      323,857 veterans who initiated diabetes treatment. Of these, 55 % initiated
      metformin, 43 % sulfonylurea and 2 % other regimens. Fifty percent (N = 89,057)
      of metformin initiators remained on metformin monotherapy over a median follow-up
      58 months (interquartile range [IQR] 35, 74). Among 80,725 patients who
      intensified metformin monotherapy, the four most common regimens were addition of
      sulfonylurea (79 %), thiazolidinedione [TZD] (6 %), or insulin (8 %), and switch
      to insulin monotherapy (2 %). Across these regimens, median HbA1c values declined
      from a range of 7.0-7.8 % (53-62 mmol/mol) at intensification to 6.6-7.0 % (49-53
      mmol/mol) at 1 year, and remained stable up to 3 years afterwards. Median BMI
      ranged between 30.5 and 32 kg/m(2) at intensification and increased very modestly
      in those who intensified with oral regimens, but 1-2 kg/m(2) over 3 years among
      those who intensified with insulin-based regimens. CONCLUSIONS: By 1 year post
      intensification of metformin monotherapy, HbA1c declined in all four common
      intensification regimens, and remained close to 7 % in subsequent follow-up. BMI
      increased substantially for those on insulin-based regimens.

PMID- 27255307
TI  - A Review of the Status of Brain Structure Research in Transsexualism.
AB  - The present review focuses on the brain structure of male-to-female (MtF) and
      female-to-male (FtM) homosexual transsexuals before and after cross-sex hormone
      treatment as shown by in vivo neuroimaging techniques. Cortical thickness and
      diffusion tensor imaging studies suggest that the brain of MtFs presents complex
      mixtures of masculine, feminine, and demasculinized regions, while FtMs show
      feminine, masculine, and defeminized regions. Consequently, the specific brain
      phenotypes proposed for MtFs and FtMs differ from those of both heterosexual
      males and females. These phenotypes have theoretical implications for brain
      intersexuality, asymmetry, and body perception in transsexuals as well as for
      Blanchard's hypothesis on sexual orientation in homosexual MtFs. Falling within
      the aegis of the neurohormonal theory of sex differences, we hypothesize that
      cortical differences between homosexual MtFs and FtMs and male and female
      controls are due to differently timed cortical thinning in different regions for
      each group. Cross-sex hormone studies have reported marked effects of the
      treatment on MtF and FtM brains. Their results are used to discuss the early
      postmortem histological studies of the MtF brain.

PMID- 27255310
TI  - Effects of organic acids on the photosynthetic and antioxidant properties and
      accumulations of heavy metals of Melilotus officinalis grown in Cu tailing.
AB  - The effect of citric acid (CA), acetic acid (Ac), and ethylene diamine
      tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the photosynthetic and antioxidant properties and the
      accumulation of some heavy metals (HMs) of Melilotus officinalis seedling growing
      in Cu mine tailings for 25 days were studied. Results showed that the formation
      of photosynthesizing cells of M. officinalis was inhibited by EDTA at 2 mmol/kg.
      Photosynthetic pigment contents under EDTA of 2 mmol/kg were reduced by 26, 40,
      and 19 %, respectively, compared to the control. The proline contents in
      aboveground and underground parts increased as the level of EDTA was enhanced. CA
      and Ac enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD)
      in the aboveground parts and EDTA inhibited the activity of POD in the
      underground parts. The addition of CA promoted significantly the growth of M.
      officinalis, while the biomass decreased significantly under 2 mmol/kg EDTA. Cu
      contents in the aboveground parts treated with 0.5 and 2.0 mmol/kg EDTA reached
      175.50 and 265.17 MUg/g dry weight, respectively. Ac and EDTA treatments promoted
      Cd to translocate from root to aboveground parts. The result indicated that M.
      officinalis was a tolerant species of Cu tailing and can be used to remediate Cu
      contaminated environment, and rationally utilization of organic acids, especially
      EDTA, in the phytoremediation can improve the growth and metals accumulation of
      M. officinalis. 

PMID- 27255311
TI  - Toxicity of Cu (II) to the green alga Chlorella vulgaris: a perspective of
      photosynthesis and oxidant stress.
AB  - The toxic effects of Cu (II) on the freshwater green algae Chlorella vulgaris and
      its chloroplast were investigated by detecting the responses of photosynthesis
      and oxidant stress. The results showed that Cu (II) arrested the growth of C.
      vulgaris and presented in a concentration- and time-dependent trend and the
      SRichards 2 model fitted the inhibition curve best. The chlorophyll fluorescence
      parameters, including qP, Y (II), ETR, F v /F m , and F v /F 0, were stimulated
      at low concentration of Cu (II) but declined at high concentration, indicating
      the photosystem II (PSII) of C. vulgaris was destroyed by Cu (II). The
      chloroplasts were extracted, and the Hill reaction activity (HRA) of chloroplast
      was significantly decreased with the increasing Cu (II) concentration under both
      illuminating and dark condition, and faster decline speed was observed under dark
      condition. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and
      malondialdehyde (MDA) content were also significantly decreased at high
      concentration Cu (II), companied with a large number of reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) production. All these results indicated a severe oxidative stress on algal
      cells occurred as well as the effect on photosynthesis, thus inhibiting the
      growth of algae, which providing sights to evaluate the phytotoxicity of Cu (II).

PMID- 27255312
TI  - Water reclamation during drinking water treatments using polyamide nanofiltration
      membranes on a pilot scale.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the performances of polyamide
      nanofiltration membranes during water reclamation. The study was conducted using
      nanofiltration concentrates obtained from two different nanofiltration drinking
      water treatment plants placed in the northern part of Serbia (Kikinda and
      Zrenjanin). Used nanofiltration concentrates contained high concentrations of
      arsenic (45 and 451 MUg/L) and natural organic matter (43.1 and 224.40
      mgKMnO4/L). Performances of polyamide nanofiltration membranes during water
      reclamation were investigated under various fluxes and transmembrane pressures in
      order to obtain drinking water from nanofiltration concentrates and, therefore,
      reduce the amount of produced concentrates and minimize the waste that has to be
      discharged in the environment. Applied polyamide nanofiltration membranes showed
      better removal efficiency during water reclamation when the concentrate with
      higher content of arsenic and natural organic matter was used while the obtained
      permeates were in accordance with European regulations. This study showed that
      total concentrate yield can be reduced to ~5 % of the optimum flux value, in both
      experiments. The obtained result for concentrate yield under the optimum flux
      presents considerable amount of reclaimed drinking water and valuable reduced
      quantity of produced wastewater. 

PMID- 27255313
TI  - Effects of production conditions on yield and physicochemical properties of
      biochars produced from rice husk and oil palm empty fruit bunches.
AB  - Biochar is the bio-solid material produced by pyrolysis. The biochar properties
      are controlled by feedstock and pyrolysis variables. In this study, the impacts
      of these production variables on biochar yield and physicochemical properties
      including pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total organic carbon (TOC) content,
      surface area, and pore volume and size were investigated. Rice husk (RH) and oil
      palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) were used as biomass. The biochars were produced
      at temperature range of 300 to 700  degrees C, heating rate of 3 to 10  degrees
      C/min and retention time of 1 to 3 h. The pyrolysis conditions were optimized
      using response surface methodology (RSM) technique to maximize the values of the
      responses. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the results demonstrated that the data
      fitted well to the linear and quadratic equations. Temperature was found to be
      the most effective parameter on the responses followed by retention time and
      heating rate, sequentially. CEC, TOC, surface area, and pore characteristics were
      evaluated as biochar properties determining their sorption potential. The optimum
      conditions for the maximum values of the properties were temperatures of 700 and
      493.44  degrees C and time of 3 and 1 h for RH and EFB biochars, respectively.
      Heating rate at 3  degrees C/min was found to be the best rate for both biochars.
      The structure of EFB biomass was more sensitive to heating than rice husk. The
      biomass type and the production variables were demonstrated as the direct
      effective factors on biochar yield and physicochemical properties. 

PMID- 27255314
TI  - Cadmium (Cd) distribution and contamination in Chinese paddy soils on national
      scale.
AB  - Rice is a staple food by an increasing number of people in China. As more issues
      have arisen in China due to rice contaminated by cadmium (Cd), Cd contamination
      in arable soils has become a severe problem. In China, many studies have examined
      Cd contamination in arable soils on a national scale, but little studies have
      focused on the distribution of Cd in paddy fields. This study explored the
      spatial pattern of Cd in paddy soils in China, made a preliminary evaluation of
      the potential risk, and identified the most critically contaminated regions based
      on the domestic rough rice trade flow. The results showed that Cd concentrations
      in paddy soils in China ranged from 0.01 to 5.50 mg/kg, with a median value of
      0.23 mg/kg. On average, the highest Cd concentrations were in Hunan (0.73 mg/kg),
      Guangxi (0.70 mg/kg), and Sichuan (0.46 mg/kg) provinces. Cd concentrations in
      paddy soils in central and western regions were higher than those in eastern
      regions, especially the southeastern coastal regions. Of the administrative
      regions, Cd standard exceedance rate was 33.2 %, and the heavy pollution rate was
      8.6 %. Regarding to Cd of paddy soil, soil environmental quality was better in
      Northeast China Plain than in Yangtze River Basin and southeastern coastal
      region. Mining activities were the main anthropogenic pollution source of Cd in
      Chinese paddy soil. Based on rice trade, more of the Chinese population would be
      exposed to Cd through intake of rice produced in Hunan province. Certain regions
      that output rice, especially Hunan province, should be given priority in the
      management and control of Cd contamination in paddy soil. 

PMID- 27255315
TI  - Degradation of Direct Red 81 mediated by Fenton reactions: multivariate
      optimization, effect of chloride and sulfate, and acute ecotoxicity assessment.
AB  - The role of different operational parameters related to Fenton reactions (pH,
      concentration of Fe2+ and H2O2, and reaction time) and of Cl- and SO 4- was
      investigated in the degradation of the azo dye Direct Red 81, expressed in terms
      of its decolorization. The factorial design and Pareto's charts showed that only
      Fe2+ concentration and pH influence the decolorization under the conditions
      evaluated. So, only these parameters were optimized using the response surface
      model. Under the best experimental conditions (initial pH 2.5, 11 mg L-1 Fe2+, 78
      mg L-1 H2O2, and 20 min of reaction), 94 % of decolorization was achieved.
      However, even under the these conditions, but in the presence of Cl- and SO 4- ,
      a striking loss of efficiency was observed as the concentration of these ions was
      increased, due the formation of chloride- and sulfate-iron complexes and less
      reactive inorganic radicals (Cl2*- and SO4*-). The results show that the presence
      of Cl- is more deleterious, since sulfate-iron complexes are more reactive
      towards H2O2, and the SO4*- turns out to favor the degradation. On the other
      hand, the  negative effect of Cl- can be compensated by increasing the chloride
      concentration up to 300 mmol L-1. In addition, although a high degradation level
      has been obtained by monitoring the dye absorbance and by HPLC-UV, a low
      mineralization occurred, being generated degradation products of higher
      ecotoxicity to Vibrio fischeri, showing the need of subsequent studies to
      identify these compounds as well as the application of additional treatments
      aiming the complete mineralization of the dye.

PMID- 27255317
TI  - Trends and variations of pH and hardness in a typical semi-arid river in a
      monsoon climate region during 1985-2009.
AB  - The rapid growth of urbanization and industrialization, along with dramatic
      climate change, has strongly influenced hydrochemical characteristics in recent
      decades in China and thus could cause the variation of pH and general total
      hardness of a river. To explore such variations and their potential influencing
      factors in a river of the monsoon climate region, we analyzed a long-term
      monitoring dataset of pH, SO4 (2-), NOx, general total hardness (GH), Mg(2+),
      Ca(2+), and Cl(-) in surface water and groundwater in the Luan River basin from
      1985 to 2009. The nonparametric Seasonal Kendall trend test was used to test the
      long-term trends of pH and GH. Relationship between the affecting factors, pH and
      GH were discussed. Results showed that pH showed a decreasing trend and that GH
      had an increasing trend in the long-term. Seasonal variation of pH and GH was
      mainly due to the typical monsoon climate. Results of correlation analysis showed
      that the unit area usage amounts of chemical fertilizer, NO3 (-), and SO4 (2-)
      were negatively correlated with pH in groundwater. In addition, mining activity
      affected GH spatial variation. Acid deposition, drought, and increasing the use
      of chemical fertilizers would contribute to the acidification trend, and mining
      activities would affect the spatial variation of GH. Variations of precipitation
      and runoff in semi-arid monsoon climate areas had significant influences on the
      pH and GH. Our findings implied that human activities played a critical role in
      river acidification in the semi-arid monsoon climate region of northern China. 

PMID- 27255318
TI  - Molecular and phenotypic responses of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) early
      life stages to environmental concentrations of cadmium in sediment.
AB  - Japanese medaka embryos were exposed to environmental concentrations of cadmium
      (Cd) to investigate adverse and adaptive responses in fish early life stages.
      Embryos were exposed during their whole development by static sediment-contact to
      environmental Cd concentrations (2 and 20 MUg/g dry weight). Cd bioaccumulation,
      developmental defects, biochemical and biomolecular (qRT-PCR) responses were
      analyzed in embryos and hatchlings. A dose-dependent increase of Cd
      bioaccumulation and developmental defects was observed at hatching. Cd had clear
      impacts on heartbeat and cardiac morphogenesis and also induced to spinal
      deformities. The profile and the level of gene transcription were differentially
      modulated according to the Cd concentration, the duration of exposure and/or the
      developmental stage of fish. Pro-apoptotic bax and DNA repair rad51 transcripts
      were significantly repressed in embryos exposed to the highest Cd concentration.
      Repression of these genes was correlated to the increase of heart rate in 6-day
      old embryos. NADH-dehydrogenase nd5 gene transcription was inhibited in larvae at
      the lowest concentration suggesting mitochondrial respiratory chain impairment,
      in association with Cd-induced teratogenicity. Finally, wnt1 gene was
      overexpressed indicating putative deregulation of Wnt signaling pathway, and
      suggested to be implied in the occurrence of some spinal and cardiac deformities.
      Results of this study permitted to propose some promising markers at the
      transcriptional and phenotypical level, responding to environmental
      concentrations of Cd. The present work also highlights the usefulness of the
      modified version of the medaka embryo-larval assay with sediment-contact exposure
      (MELAc) to investigate the toxicity and the modes of action of sediment-bound
      pollutants. 

PMID- 27255316
TI  - Adsorptive amputation of hazardous azo dye Congo red from wastewater: a critical
      review.
AB  - Increasing amount of dyes in an ecosystem has propelled the search of various
      methods for dye removal. Amongst all the methods, adsorption occupies a prominent
      place in dye removal. Keeping this in mind, many adsorbents used for the removal
      of hazardous anionic azo dye Congo red (CR) from aqueous medium were reviewed by
      the authors. The main objectives behind this review article are to assemble the
      information on scattered adsorbents and enlighten the wide range of potentially
      effective adsorbents for CR removal. Thus, CR sorption by various adsorbents such
      as activated carbon, non-conventional low-cost materials, nanomaterials,
      composites and nanocomposites are surveyed and critically reviewed as well as
      their sorption capacities are also compared. This review also explores the grey
      areas of the adsorption performance of various adsorbents with reference to the
      effects of pH, contact time, initial dye concentration and adsorbent dosage. The
      equilibrium adsorption isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic data of different
      adsorbents used for CR removal were also analysed. It is evident from a
      literature survey of more than 290 published papers that nanoparticle and
      nanocomposite adsorbents have demonstrated outstanding adsorption capabilities
      for CR. Graphical abstract ?. 

PMID- 27255319
TI  - Solar-driven photocatalytic treatment of diclofenac using immobilized TiO2-based
      zeolite composites.
AB  - The study is aimed at evaluating the potential of immobilized TiO2-based zeolite
      composite for solar-driven photocatalytic water treatment. In that purpose, TiO2
      iron-exchanged zeolite (FeZ) composite was prepared using commercial Aeroxide
      TiO2 P25 and iron-exchanged zeolite of ZSM5 type, FeZ. The activity of TiO2-FeZ,
      immobilized on glass support, was evaluated under solar irradiation for removal
      of diclofenac (DCF) in water. TiO2-FeZ immobilized in a form of thin film was
      characterized for its morphology, structure, and composition using scanning
      electron microscopy/energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Diffuse
      reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was used to determine potential changes in band
      gaps of prepared TiO2-FeZ in comparison to pure TiO2. The influence of pH,
      concentration of hydrogen peroxide, FeZ wt% within the composite, and
      photocatalyst dosage on DCF removal and conversion efficiency by solar/TiO2
      FeZ/H2O2 process was investigated. TiO2-FeZ demonstrated higher photocatalytic
      activity than pure TiO2 under solar irradiation in acidic conditions and presence
      of H2O2. 

PMID- 27255320
TI  - Degradation of ethyl paraben by heat-activated persulfate oxidation: statistical
      evaluation of operating factors and transformation pathways.
AB  - A factorial design methodology was implemented to evaluate the importance of
      ethyl paraben (EP) concentration (500-1500 MUg/L), sodium persulfate
      concentration (400-500 mg/L), temperature (40-60  degrees C), reaction time (2-30
      min), water matrix (pure water or secondary treated wastewater), and initial
      solution pH (3-9) on EP removal by heat-activated persulfate oxidation. All
      individual effects, except the solution pH, were statistically significant and so
      were the second-order interactions of ethyl paraben concentration with
      temperature or the reaction time. The influence of the water matrix was crucial,
      and the efficiency of the process was lower in secondary treated wastewater due
      to the presence of natural organic matter and inorganic salts that compete with
      ethyl paraben for the reactive oxygen species. Liquid chromatography time-of
      flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) was employed to identify major
      transformation by-products (TBPs); 13 compounds were detected as TBPs of EP.
      Degradation occurred through (i) hydroxylation, (ii) dealkylation, and (iii)
      oligomerization reactions leading to TBPs with ether and biphenyl structures.
      Oligomerization reactions were found to be the dominant pathway during the first
      steps of the reaction. The toxicity of 500 MUg/L EP in secondary treated
      wastewater was tested against marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri; toxicity increased
      during the first minutes due to the production of several TBPs, but it
      consistently decreased thereafter.

PMID- 27255322
TI  - Evaluating levels and health risk of heavy metals in exposed workers from
      surgical instrument manufacturing industries of Sialkot, Pakistan.
AB  - The study aimed to monitor heavy metal (chromium, Cr; cadmium, Cd; nickel, Ni;
      copper, Cu; lead, Pb; iron, Fe; manganese, Mn; and zinc, Zn) footprints in
      biological matrices (urine, whole blood, saliva, and hair), as well as in indoor
      industrial dust samples, and their toxic effects on oxidative stress and health
      risks in exposed workers. Overall, blood, urine, and saliva samples exhibited
      significantly higher concentrations of toxic metals in exposed workers (Cr; blood
      16.30 MUg/L, urine 58.15 MUg/L, saliva 5.28 MUg/L) than the control samples (Cr;
      blood 5.48 MUg/L, urine 4.47 MUg/L, saliva 2.46 MUg/L). Indoor industrial dust
      samples also reported to have elevated heavy metal concentrations, as an example,
      Cr quantified with concentration of 299 mg/kg of dust, i.e., more than twice the
      level of Cr in household dust (136 mg/kg). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level
      presented significant positive correlation (p <= 0.01) with Cr, Zn, and Cd (Cr >
      Zn > Cd) which is an indication of heavy metal's associated raised oxidative
      stress in exposed workers. Elevated average daily intake (ADI) of heavy metals
      resulted in cumulative hazard quotient (HQ) range of 2.97-18.88 in workers of
      different surgical units; this is an alarming situation of health risk
      implications. Principal component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR)
      based pie charts represent that polishing and cutting sections exhibited highest
      metal inputs to the biological and environmental matrices than other sources.
      Heavy metal concentrations in biological matrices and dust samples showed a
      significant positive correlation between Cr in dust, urine, and saliva samples.
      Current study will help to generate comprehensive base line data of heavy metal
      status in biomatrices and dust from scientifically ignored industrial sector. Our
      findings can play vital role for health departments and industrial environmental
      management system (EMS) authorities in policy making and implementation. 

PMID- 27255323
TI  - Use of sugarcane filter cake and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization
      in the process of bioremediation of soil contaminated with diesel.
AB  - This study evaluated the use of sugarcane filter cake and nitrogen, phosphorus
      and potassium (NPK) fertilization in the bioremediation of a soil contaminated
      with diesel fuel using a completely randomized design. Five treatments
      (uncontaminated soil, T1; soil contaminated with diesel, T2; soil contaminated
      with diesel and treated with 15 % (wt) filter cake, T3; soil contaminated with
      diesel and treated with NPK fertilizer, T4; and soil contaminated with diesel and
      treated with 15 % (wt) filter cake and NPK fertilizer, T5) and four evaluation
      periods (1, 60, 120, and 180 days after the beginning of the experiment) were
      used according to a 4 * 5 factorial design to analyze CO2 release. The variables
      total organic carbon (TOC) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) remaining in
      the soil were analyzed using a 5 * 2 factorial design, with the same treatments
      described above and two evaluation periods (1 and 180 days after the beginning of
      the experiment). In T3 and T5, CO2 release was significantly higher, compared
      with the other treatments. Significant TPH removal was observed on day 180, when
      percent removal values were 61.9, 70.1, 68.2, and 75.9 in treatments T2, T3, T4,
      and T5, respectively, compared with the initial value (T1). 

PMID- 27255321
TI  - Heavy metal and trace elements in riparian vegetation and macrophytes associated
      with lacustrine systems in Northern Patagonia Andean Range.
AB  - Vegetation associated with lacustrine systems in Northern Patagonia was studied
      for heavy metal and trace element contents, regarding their elemental
      contribution to these aquatic ecosystems. The research focused on native species
      and exotic vascular plant Salix spp. potential for absorbing heavy metals and
      trace elements. The native species studied were riparian Amomyrtus luma,
      Austrocedrus chilensis, Chusquea culeou, Desfontainia fulgens, Escallonia rubra,
      Gaultheria mucronata, Lomatia hirsuta, Luma apiculata, Maytenus boaria,
      Myrceugenia exsucca, Nothofagus antarctica, Nothofagus dombeyi, Schinus
      patagonicus, and Weinmannia trichosperma, and macrophytes Hydrocotyle
      chamaemorus, Isoetes chubutiana, Galium sp., Myriophyllum quitense, Nitella sp.
      (algae), Potamogeton linguatus, Ranunculus sp., and Schoenoplectus californicus.
      Fresh leaves were analyzed as well as leaves decomposing within the aquatic
      bodies, collected from lakes Futalaufquen and Rivadavia (Los Alerces National
      Park), and lakes Moreno and Nahuel Huapi (Nahuel Huapi National Park). The
      elements studied were heavy metals Ag, As, Cd, Hg, and U, major elements Ca, K,
      and Fe, and trace elements Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Hf, Na, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn.
      Geochemical tracers La and Sm were also determined to evaluate contamination of
      the biological tissues by geological particulate (sediment, soil, dust) and to
      implement concentration corrections. 

PMID- 27255324
TI  - Adsorptive removal of naphthalene induced by structurally different Gemini
      surfactants in a soil-water system.
AB  - A new generation of surfactant, Gemini surfactants, have been synthesized and
      have attracted the attention of various industrial and academic research groups.
      This study focused on the use of symmetric and dissymmetric quaternary ammonium
      Gemini surfactants to immobilize naphthalene onto soil particles, and is used as
      an example of an innovative application to remove HOC in situ using the
      surfactant-enhanced sorption zone. The sorption capacity of modified soils by
      Gemini surfactant and natural soils was compared and the naphthalene sorption
      efficiency, in the absence and presence of Gemini surfactants with different
      alkyl chain lengths, was investigated in the soil-water system. The results have
      shown that the increased added Gemini surfactant formed admicelles at the
      interface of soil/water having superior capability to retard contaminant.
      Symmetric and dissymmetric Gemini surfactants have opposite effect on the aspect
      of removing of PAH attributing to their solubilization and sorption behavior in
      soil-water system. Compared with the natural soil, sorption of naphthalene by
      Gemini-modified soil is noticeably enhanced following the order of C12-2-16 < C12
      2-12 < C12-2-8. However, the symmetric Gemini surfactant C12-2-12 is the
      optimized one for in situ barrier remediation, which is not only has relative
      high retention ability but also low dosage. 

PMID- 27255326
TI  - Covalent versus Charge Transfer Modification of Graphene/Carbon-Nanotubes with
      Vitamin B1: Co/N/S-C Catalyst toward Excellent Oxygen Reduction.
AB  - High-performance nonprecious cathodic catalysts for oxygen reduction are highly
      demanded for low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).
      Here, we report a noble-meta- free, nitrogen and sulfur codoped
      graphene(G)/carbon-nanotube(CNT) material decorated with Co nanoparticles (NPs),
      which serve as catalytic sites for excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in
      basic and acidic media. Out of the cathodic catalysts synthesized by either
      covalent (cov) or charge transfer (CT) modification of graphen oxide (GO) with
      thiamine (Th: Vitamin B1), ThG/CNT/Co-cov shows more promising ORR properties
      than ThG/CNT/Co-CT. Catalyst ThG/CNT/Co-cov exhibits onset/halfwave potentials of
      0.95/0.86 V in 0.1 M KOH and 0.92/0.83 V in 0.1 M HClO4, which are comparable to
      those of commercial catalyst Pt/C (0.95/0.86 V). As compared to Pt/C, our
      catalyst shows higher current densities of 6.72 mA cm(-2) in basic medium and
      7.08 mA cm(-2) in acidic medium at 0.55 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode
      (RHE)). It also exhibits better catalytic stability and methanol tolerance. High
      catalytic efficiency and stability of ThG/CNT/Co-cov show a promising prospect of
      materialization of PEMFCs for clean energy production. 

PMID- 27255325
TI  - Suitability of passive sampling for the monitoring of pharmaceuticals in Finnish
      surface waters.
AB  - The occurrence of five pharmaceuticals, consisting of four anti-inflammatory and
      one antiepileptic drug, was studied by passive sampling and grab sampling in
      northern Lake Paijanne and River Vantaa. The passive sampling was performed by
      using Chemcatcher(r) sampler with a SDB-RPS Empore disk as a receiving phase. In
      Lake Paijanne, the sampling was conducted during summer 2013 at four locations
      near the discharge point of a wastewater treatment plant and in the years 2013
      and 2015 at four locations along River Vantaa. The samples were analyzed by
      liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the
      multiple reaction monitoring mode. The concentrations of carbamazepine,
      diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen in Lake Paijanne determined by
      passive sampling ranged between 1.4-2.9 ng L(-1), 15-35 ng L(-1), 13-31 ng L(-1),
      16-27 ng L(-1), and 3.3-32 ng L(-1), respectively. Similarly, the results in
      River Vantaa ranged between 1.2-40 ng L(-1), 15-65 ng L(-1), 13-33 ng L(-1), 16
      31 ng L(-1), and 3.3-6.4 ng L(-1). The results suggest that the Chemcatcher
      passive samplers are suitable for detecting pharmaceuticals in lake and river
      waters. 

PMID- 27255327
TI  - Protocol for a systematic review of the efficacy of epidermal grafting for wound
      healing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autologous skin grafting is an important modality for wound coverage;
      however, it can result in donor site morbidity. Epidermal grafting is an emerging
      option to overcome this challenge. Furthermore, it can be done in an outpatient
      setting with minimal or no pain. To date, the evidence on the efficacy of this
      technique for wound healing has yet to be outlined. We aim to synthesise the
      current evidence on epidermal grafting for wound healing to establish the
      efficacy of this technique. METHODS/DESIGN: We will conduct a comprehensive
      search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases (up to May 2016) to identify
      studies on epidermal grafting for wound healing. We will include any primary
      studies (excluding case reports or case series lesser than three patients) or
      systematic reviews of such studies to assess the outcome of epidermal grafting
      for wound healing either on its own or compared to other methods. The expected
      primary outcome measures are the efficacy of epidermal grafting for wound healing
      (measured by the proportion of wounds healed at 6 weeks) and the mean wound
      healing time (time for complete re-epithelialisation). Secondary outcome measures
      are the mean donor site-healing time, need for anaesthesia, costs associated with
      resource use, health-related quality of life, and proportion of patients with
      adverse event. Subgroup analysis will be performed for the proportions of wounds
      healed based on wound aetiology. DISCUSSION: This is a timely systematic review,
      and the finding of this systematic review is expected to guide research and
      clinical practice aimed at improving wound care. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION:
      PROSPERO CRD42016033051.

PMID- 27255328
TI  - Cross-National Variation in Glycemic Control and Diabetes-Related Distress Among
      East Asian Patients Using Insulin: Results from the MOSAIc Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Guidelines recommend insulin progression for patients with type 2
      diabetes (T2D) with inadequate glycemic control. The Multinational Observational
      Study Assessing Insulin use (MOSAIc [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01400971])
      study is a 2-year observational study, investigating factors that influence
      insulin progression in T2D patients. In this first of two reports, we describe
      baseline clinical and psychosocial characteristics of Chinese, Japanese, and
      South Korean patients who participated in MOSAIc. Insulin treatment, factors
      affecting progression, and outcomes will be reported separately. METHODS:
      Patients with T2D using insulin for >=3 months were eligible. Baseline
      demographic, clinical, and psychosocial data were collected from patients.
      Quality of life instruments, including the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), were
      used to assess patient's concerns about disease management, support, and
      emotional burden. The association between the DDS and the selected covariates was
      also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 373 patients in China, 157 in Japan, and 141
      in South Korea were enrolled from July 2011 to July 2013. Mean +/- standard
      deviation duration (years) of T2D differed across countries (China 11.4 +/- 7.5;
      Japan 13.8 +/- 8.7; South Korea 15.7 +/- 8.8; P < 0.0001). Japanese patients used
      more noninsulin anti-hyperglycemic agents than did Chinese or South Korean
      patients (P < 0.0001). Exclusive use of basal insulin was most common in Japan
      and South Korea compared with China, whereas approximately 66.8% of Chinese
      patients used mixed insulin. Covariates associated with the DDS were younger age
      [P = 0.044 (Japan)], higher incidence of monthly hypoglycemia [P = 0.036 [China];
      P = 0.021 (South Korea)], and male gender [P = 0.037 (South Korea)]. CONCLUSIONS:
      There were significant differences amongst East Asian patients with T2D treated
      with insulin, including in quality of life scores. Results from the MOSAIc
      longitudinal analyses will further investigate trends of insulin intensification
      and barriers to insulin progression. FUNDING: Eli Lilly and Company.

PMID- 27255329
TI  - Adapting HIV patient and program monitoring tools for chronic non-communicable
      diseases in Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a huge public
      health concern in developing countries. Many resource-poor countries facing this
      growing epidemic, however, lack systems for an organized and comprehensive
      response to NCDs. Lack of NCD national policy, strategies, treatment guidelines
      and surveillance and monitoring systems are features of health systems in many
      developing countries. Successfully responding to the problem requires a number of
      actions by the countries, including developing context-appropriate chronic care
      models and programs and standardization of patient and program monitoring tools.
      METHODS: In this cross-sectional qualitative study we assessed existing
      monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools used for NCD services in Ethiopia. Since
      HIV care and treatment program is the only large-scale chronic care program in
      the country, we explored the M&E tools being used in the program and analyzed how
      these tools might be adapted to support NCD services in the country. Document
      review and in-depth interviews were the main data collection methods used. The
      interviews were held with health workers and staff involved in data management
      purposively selected from four health facilities with high HIV and NCD patient
      load. Thematic analysis was employed to make sense of the data. RESULTS: Our
      findings indicate the apparent lack of information systems for NCD services,
      including the absence of standardized patient and program monitoring tools to
      support the services. We identified several HIV care and treatment patient and
      program monitoring tools currently being used to facilitate intake process,
      enrolment, follow up, cohort monitoring, appointment keeping, analysis and
      reporting. Analysis of how each tool being used for HIV patient and program
      monitoring can be adapted for supporting NCD services is presented. CONCLUSION:
      Given the similarity between HIV care and treatment and NCD services and the huge
      investment already made to implement standardized tools for HIV care and
      treatment program, adaptation and use of HIV patient and program monitoring tools
      for NCD services can improve NCD response in Ethiopia through structuring
      services, standardizing patient care and treatment, supporting evidence-based
      planning and providing information on effectiveness of interventions.

PMID- 27255330
TI  - Mass testing and treatment for malaria in low transmission areas in Amhara
      Region, Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In areas with ongoing malaria transmission, strategies to clear
      parasites from populations can reduce infection and transmission. The objective
      of this paper was to describe a malaria mass testing and treatment (MTAT)
      intervention implemented in six kebeles (villages) in Amhara Region, Ethiopia, at
      the beginning of the 2014 transmission season. METHODS: Intervention kebeles were
      selected based on incidence of passively detected Plasmodium falciparum and mixed
      (P. falciparum and P. vivax) malaria cases during the 2013 malaria transmission
      season. All households in intervention kebeles were targeted; consenting
      residents received a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and RDT-positive individuals
      received artemether-lumefantrine for P. falciparum/mixed infections or
      chloroquine for P. vivax. Data were collected on MTAT participation,
      sociodemographic characteristics, malaria risk factors, and RDT positivity.
      RESULTS: Of 9162 households targeted, 7974 (87.0 %) participated in the MTAT.
      Among the 35,389 residents of these households, 30,712 (86.8 %) received an RDT.
      RDT-positivity was 1.4 % (0.3 % P. vivax, 0.7 % P. falciparum, 0.3 % mixed),
      ranging from 0.3 to 5.1 % by kebele; 39.4 % of RDT-positive individuals were
      febrile, 28.5 % resided in the same household with another RDT-positive
      individual, 23.0 % were not protected by vector control interventions [mosquito
      net or indoor residual spray (IRS)], and 7.1 % had travel history. For
      individuals under 10 years of age, the odds of being RDT-positive was
      significantly higher for those with fever, recent use of anti-malarial drugs or
      residing in the same household with another RDT-positive individual; 59.0 % of
      RDT-positive individuals had at least one of these risk factors. For individuals
      10 years of age and older, the odds of being RDT positive was significantly
      higher for those with reported travel, fever, recent use of anti-malarial drugs,
      no use of vector control, and those residing in the same household as another RDT
      positive individual; 71.2 % of RDT-positive individuals had at least one of these
      risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In the Ethiopia setting, an MTAT intervention is
      operationally feasible and can be conducted with high coverage. RDT-positivity is
      low and varies widely by kebele. While several risk factors are significantly
      associated with RDT-positivity, there are still many RDT-positive individuals who
      do not have any of these risk factors. Strategies that target populations for
      testing and treatment based on these risk factors alone are likely to leave many
      infections undetected.

PMID- 27255331
TI  - Aspiration thrombectomy prior to percutaneous coronary intervention in ST
      elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trials of aspiration thrombectomy (AT) prior to primary percutaneous
      intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) have shown
      apparently inconsistent results and therefore generated uncertainty and
      controversy. To summarize the effects of AT prior to PCI versus conventional PCI
      in STEMI patients. METHODS: Searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL to June 2015
      and review of reference lists of previous reviews. We included randomized
      controlled trials (RCTs) comparing AT prior to PCI with conventional PCI alone.
      Pairs of reviewers independently screened eligible articles; extracted data; and
      assessed risk of bias. We used the GRADE approach to rate overall certainty of
      the evidence. RESULTS: Among 73 potential articles identified, 20 trials
      including 21,660 patients were eligible; data were complete for 20,866 patients.
      Moderate-certainty evidence suggested a non statistically significant decrease in
      overall mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.89, 95 % confidence interval, 0.78 to 1.01,
      risk difference (RD) 4/1,000 over 6 months), no impact on recurrent MI (RR 0.94,
      95 % CI, 0.79 to 1.12) or major bleeding (RR 1.02, 95 % CI, 0.78 to 1.35), and an
      increase in stroke (RR 1.56, 95 % CI, 1.09 to 2.24, RD 3/1,000 over 6 months).
      CONCLUSIONS: Moderate certainty evidence suggests aspiration thrombectomy is
      associated with a possible small decrease in mortality (4 less deaths/1000 over 6
      months) and a small increase in stroke (3 more strokes/1000 over 6 months).
      Because absolute effects are very small and closely balanced, thrombectomy prior
      to primary PCI should not be used as a routine strategy.

PMID- 27255332
TI  - Cardiac injury biomarkers in paediatric age: Are we there yet?
AB  - The aim of this article is to evaluate the clinical utility of cardiac injury
      biomarkers in paediatric age. In December 2015, a literature search was performed
      (PubMed access to MEDLINE citations; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/ ). The
      search strategy included the following medical subject headings and text terms
      for the key words: "cardiac injury biomarkers", "creatine kinase-MB",
      "myoglobin", "troponin", "children", "neonate/s", "newborn/s", "infant/s" and
      echocardiography. In the paediatric population, troponins show a good correlation
      with the extent of myocardial damage following cardiac surgery and cardiotoxic
      medication and can be used as predictors of subsequent cardiac recovery and
      mortality. Elevation of cardiac injury biomarkers may also have diagnostic value
      in cases when cardiac contusion or pericarditis is suspected. Cardiac injury
      biomarkers are very sensitive markers for the detection of myocardial injury and
      have been studied in healthy newborns, after tocolysis, intrauterine growth
      restriction, respiratory distress and asphyxia. The proportion of newborns with
      elevated troponin was higher than that in ill infants, children, and adolescents
      and in healthy adults, suggesting that myocardial injury, although clinically
      occult, is common in this young age group. Results suggest that significant
      elevation of cord troponin is an excellent early predictor of severity of hypoxic
      ischaemic encephalopathy and mortality in term infants. Cardiac biomarkers may
      also benefit centres without on-site echocardiography with evidence showing good
      correlation with echo-derived markers of myocardial function. Further studies are
      needed to better clarify the role of cardiac biomarkers in paediatric age and
      their correlation with echocardiographic parameters.

PMID- 27255333
TI  - The emergence of sarcoptic mange in Australian wildlife: an unresolved debate.
AB  - Due to its suspected increase in host range and subsequent global
      diversification, Sarcoptes scabiei has important implications at a global scale
      for wildlife conservation and animal and human health. The introduction of this
      pathogen into new locations and hosts has been shown to produce high morbidity
      and mortality, a situation observed recently in Australian and North American
      wildlife.Of the seven native animal species in Australia known to be infested by
      S. scabiei, the bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) suffers the greatest with
      significant population declines having been observed in New South Wales and
      Tasmania. The origins of sarcoptic mange in Australian native animals are poorly
      understood, with the most consistent conclusion being that mange was introduced
      by settlers and their dogs and subsequently becoming a major burden to native
      wildlife. Four studies exist addressing the origins of mange in Australia, but
      all Australian S. scabiei samples derive from only two of these studies. This
      review highlights this paucity of phylogenetic knowledge of S. scabiei within
      Australia, and suggests further research is needed to confidently determine the
      origin, or multiple origins, of this parasite.At the global scale, numerous
      genetic studies have attempted to reveal how the host species and host geographic
      location influence S. scabiei phylogenetics. This review includes an analysis of
      the global literature, revealing that inconsistent use of gene loci across
      studies significantly influences phylogenetic inference. Furthermore, by
      performing a contemporary analytical approach on existing data, it is apparent
      that (i) new S. scabiei samples, (ii) appropriate gene loci targets, and (iii)
      advanced phylogenetic approaches are necessary to more confidently comprehend the
      origins of mange in Australia. Advancing this field of research will aid in
      understanding the mechanisms of spillover for mange and other parasites globally.

PMID- 27255334
TI  - Can Technology Improve the Quality of Colonoscopy?
AB  - In order for screening colonoscopy to be an effective tool in reducing colon
      cancer incidence, exams must be performed in a high-quality manner. Quality
      metrics have been presented by gastroenterology societies and now include higher
      adenoma detection rate targets than in the past. In many cases, the quality of
      colonoscopy can often be improved with simple low-cost interventions such as
      improved procedure technique, implementing split-dose bowel prep, and monitoring
      individuals' performances. Emerging technology has expanded our field of view and
      image quality during colonoscopy. We will critically review several technological
      advances in the context of quality metrics and discuss if technology can really
      improve the quality of colonoscopy. 

PMID- 27255335
TI  - David Stanley Hinchcliff Cannon.

PMID- 27255336
TI  - Kernel machine score test for pathway analysis in the presence of semi-competing
      risks.
AB  - In cancer studies, patients often experience two different types of events: a non
      terminal event such as recurrence or metastasis, and a terminal event such as
      cancer-specific death. Identifying pathways and networks of genes associated with
      one or both of these events is an important step in understanding disease
      development and targeting new biological processes for potential intervention.
      These correlated outcomes are commonly dealt with by modeling progression-free
      survival, where the event time is the minimum between the times of recurrence and
      death. However, identifying pathways only associated with progression-free
      survival may miss out on pathways that affect time to recurrence but not death,
      or vice versa. We propose a combined testing procedure for a pathway's
      association with both the cause-specific hazard of recurrence and the marginal
      hazard of death. The dependency between the two outcomes is accounted for through
      perturbation resampling to approximate the test's null distribution, without any
      further assumption on the nature of the dependency. Even complex non-linear
      relationships between pathways and disease progression or death can be uncovered
      thanks to a flexible kernel machine framework. The superior statistical power of
      our approach is demonstrated in numerical studies and in a gene expression study
      of breast cancer.

PMID- 27255338
TI  - Cardiac Findings in the Fetus with Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation Are
      Associated with Adverse Outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess cardiac sequelae of fetal cerebral arteriovenous
      malformations (CAVMs) and evaluate any association with outcomes. METHODS: We
      retrospectively analyzed cardiac structure and function in fetuses with CAVMs who
      underwent fetal echocardiography (October 1999 to August 2015, n = 11), and
      compared them with normal controls. RESULTS: The median gestational age was 36
      weeks (range 18-38). Common abnormal findings included dilated superior vena cava
      (100%) and right atrium (82%), reduced middle cerebral artery pulsatility index
      (86%), tricuspid regurgitation (82%), and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction
      (64%). Hydrops was present in 1 fetus, who did not survive. The median
      cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) was 0.36 (0.29-0.45, n = 10); the median combined
      cardiac output indexed to estimated fetal weight (iCCO) was 565 ml/kg/min (379
      1,565, n = 7). Of the 11 fetuses, 1 patient elected for termination, and 5
      suffered neonatal demise. Comparing survivors (n = 5) and nonsurvivors (n = 6), a
      larger tricuspid valve (TV) z-score (p = 0.009) and RV dysfunction (p = 0.015)
      were associated with nonsurvival, and nonsurvivors had a higher iCCO than
      controls (990 vs. 550 ml/kg/min, p = 0.035). A larger difference between the TV
      and mitral valve z-scores (surrogate for RV dilation, p = 0.052), and CTR >0.38
      (p = 0.0762) tended towards nonsurvival. CONCLUSION: CAVMs impose volume load on
      the fetal circulation, mainly affecting right heart structures. Increased right
      heart dilation and dysfunction are associated with nonsurvival.

PMID- 27255337
TI  - Functional Genomic Analysis of the Impact of Camelina (Camelina sativa) Meal on
      Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Distal Intestine Gene Expression and Physiology.
AB  - The inclusion of plant meals in diets of farmed Atlantic salmon can elicit
      inflammatory responses in the distal intestine (DI). For the present work, fish
      were fed a standard fish meal (FM) diet or a diet with partial replacement of FM
      with solvent-extracted camelina meal (CM) (8, 16, or 24 % CM inclusion) during a
      16-week feeding trial. A significant decrease in growth performance was seen in
      fish fed all CM inclusion diets (Hixson et al. in Aquacult Nutr 22:615-630,
      2016). A 4x44K oligonucleotide microarray experiment was carried out and
      significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) and rank products (RP) methods were
      used to identify differentially expressed genes between the DIs of fish fed the
      24 % CM diet and those fed the FM diet. Twelve features representing six known
      transcripts and two unknowns were identified as CM responsive by both SAM and RP.
      The six known transcripts (including thioredoxin and ependymin), in addition to
      tgfb, mmp13, and GILT, were studied using qPCR with RNA templates from all four
      experimental diet groups. All six microarray-identified genes were confirmed to
      be CM responsive, as was tgfb and mmp13. Histopathological analyses identified
      signs of inflammation in the DI of salmon fed CM-containing diets, including
      lamina propria and sub-epithelial mucosa thickening, infiltration of eosinophilic
      granule cells, increased goblet cells and decreased enterocyte vacuolization. All
      of these were significantly altered in 24 % CM compared to all other diets, with
      the latter two also altered in 16 % CM compared with 8 % CM and control diet
      groups. Significant correlation was seen between histological parameters as well
      as between five of the qPCR analyzed genes and histological parameters. These
      molecular biomarkers of inflammation arising from long-term dietary CM exposure
      will be useful in the development of CM-containing diets that do not have
      deleterious effects on salmon growth or physiology. 

PMID- 27255340
TI  - US death rates rise slightly.

PMID- 27255339
TI  - The role of polyamines during exocarp formation in a russet mutant of
      'Dangshansuli' pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.).
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Differential genes of suberin, polyamine and transcription factors
      in transcriptome sequences and the contents of H 2 O 2 , spermidine, spermine,
      and putrescine changed significantly after treating with MGBG. Russeting is a
      commercially important process that restores the control of water loss through
      the skin via the formation of a waterproofing periderm just beneath the
      microcracked skin of pear primary fruit. A spontaneous russet skin mutant, the
      yellow-green 'Dangshansuli' pear, has been identified. To understand the role of
      polyamines in the formation of the russet skin of the mutant-type (MT) pear, it
      was treated with methylglyoxal-bis-(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) for 4 weeks after
      full bloom. One week later, differentially expressed genes among the wild-type
      (WT), MT, and MGBG-treated MT pears were screened, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was
      localized using CeCl3, and the contents of H2O2 and polyamine were measured. A
      total of 57,086,772, 61,240,014, and 67,919,420 successful reads were generated
      from the transcriptomes of WT, MT, and MGBG-treated MT, with average unigene
      lengths of 701, 720, and 735 bp, respectively. Differentially expressed genes
      involved in polyamine metabolism and suberin synthesis were screened in
      'Dangshansuli' and in the mutant libraries, and their relative expression was
      found to be significantly altered after treatment with MGBG, which was confirmed
      by real-time PCR. The expression patterns of differentially expressed
      transcription factors were identified and were found to be similar to those of
      the polyamine- and suberin-related genes. The results indicated that the H2O2
      generated during polyamine metabolism might contribute to russet formation on the
      exocarp of the mutant pear. Furthermore, the contents of H2O2, spermidine,
      spermine, and putrescine and H2O2 localization provided a comprehensive
      transcriptomic view of russet formation in the mutant pear.

PMID- 27255342
TI  - Hybridization and de-hybridization between the locally-excited (LE) state and the
      charge-transfer (CT) state: a combined experimental and theoretical study.
AB  - Excited state properties play a key role in the photoluminescence (PL) and
      electroluminescence (EL) performance of organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
      materials. The solvatochromic effects were observed in a series of triphenylamine
      (TPA)-phenanthroimidazole (PI) derivatives with the increase of solvent polarity,
      accompanied by the transformation of an excited state character from the locally
      excited (LE) state to the charge-transfer (CT) state in the emission spectra. The
      excited state properties were systematically investigated in these donor-acceptor
      systems using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). The
      hybridization and de-hybridization processes between LE and CT states were
      resolved with an increasing number of phenyls along horizontal and vertical
      directions, respectively. We provide a novel insight into the fine modulation of
      the excited-state characters and compositions in the donor-acceptor system for
      the new-generation, low-cost and high-efficiency fluorescent OLED materials. 

PMID- 27255341
TI  - Obesity and Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Review of the Literature.
AB  - Overweight and obesity are becoming a worldwide health problem associated with
      numerous co-morbidities. National costs of obesity and pelvic flor disorders have
      been rising since the 1950s across the world. Obesity is thought to have a very
      strong effect on pelvic floor disorders, and, considering the high prevalence of
      both problems worldwide, it is of utmost importance to evaluate the association
      between these pathologies as well as the impact of obesity on treatment efficacy.
      This review is based on a selection of reports in the literature (PubMed search),
      including guidelines and Cochrane reviews. Obesity seems to be a well-documented
      risk factor for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and is a predictor of
      exacerbation of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and overactive bladder (OAB).
      Weight loss is also associated with improvement or resolution of SUI and OAB. In
      the case of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), weight loss is associated with
      improvement in quality of life. Although obesity is associated with POP in
      general, the exact role of obesity in symptomatic POP remains uncertain. While
      outcomes of anti-incontinence surgery among obese women are similar to those in
      non-obese women, postoperative urge incontinence is more likely to occur. It
      seems that obesity is not a risk factor for postoperative complications or short
      term efficacy of POP surgical treatment. Long-term effects are still uncertain.
      Obesity is a strong risk factor for LUTS, but in most cases it does not affect
      efficacy of operative treatment. It may be associated with some post-operative
      complications. Weight loss in many cases allows avoiding surgical intervention. 

PMID- 27255343
TI  - Photo-induced in situ crosslinking of polymer brushes with dimethyl maleimide
      moieties for dynamically stimulating stem cell differentiation.
AB  - We designed photo-crosslinkable polymer brushes with dimethylmaleimide moieties,
      in order to demonstrate dynamic stimulation of cell differentiation in
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The polymer brushes were synthesized by surface
      initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization using
      dimethylmaleimide ethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate on a chain transfer
      agent-immobilized glass surface. The polymer brushes were crosslinked by
      photodimerization of the dimethylmaleimide moieties within polymer chains with
      stem cells present on the surface. In order to evaluate the effects of in situ
      photo-induced crosslinking of the polymer brushes on gene expression of stem
      cells, human bone marrow MSCs were cultured under static and dynamic culture
      conditions for 7 days. Expression of the osteocalcin (Ocn) gene in MSCs was used
      as an indicator of osteoblast differentiation under dynamic culture conditions.
      Structural conversion from non-crosslinked polymer brushes to crosslinked polymer
      brushes increased the expression of Ocn by 1.4-fold in the presence of adhered
      cells, compared with non-crosslinked polymer brushes under static culture
      conditions. These results suggest that MSCs recognized surface conversion from
      non-crosslinked to crosslinked structures, which resulted in altered
      differentiation lineages. Therefore, photo-crosslinkable surfaces with dimethyl
      maleimide moieties are potential novel materials for dynamically stimulating MSC
      differentiation.

PMID- 27255345
TI  - Directional anisotropy, finite size effect and elastic properties of hexagonal
      boron nitride.
AB  - Classical molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to analyze the
      elastic and mechanical properties of two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron nitride
      (h-BN) using a Tersoff-type interatomic empirical potential. We present a
      systematic study of h-BN for various system sizes. Young's modulus and Poisson's
      ratio are found to be anisotropic for finite sheets whereas they are isotropic
      for the infinite sheet. Both of them increase with system size in accordance with
      a power law. It is concluded from the computed values of elastic constants that h
      BN sheets, finite or infinite, satisfy Born's criterion for mechanical stability.
      Due to the the strong in-plane sp2 bonds and the small mass of boron and nitrogen
      atoms, h-BN possesses high longitudinal and shear velocities. The variation of
      bending rigidity with system size is calculated using the Foppl-von Karman
      approach by coupling the in-plane bending and out-of-plane stretching modes of
      the 2D h-BN.

PMID- 27255344
TI  - Rhizorhabdus dicambivorans sp. nov., a dicamba-degrading bacterium isolated from
      compost.
AB  - Strain Ndbn-20T, a Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming bacterium, was
      isolated from compost of plant litter. The strain was able to degrade dicamba.
      Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that Ndbn
      20Trepresented a member of the family Sphingomonadaceae of the
      Alphaproteobacteria and showed high sequence similarities to Rhizorhabdusargentea
      SP1T (98.8 %), Sphingomonaswittichii RW1T (97.9 %), Sphingomonasstarnbergensis
      382T (97.7 %) and Sphingomonashistidinilytica UM2T (97.7 %). However, the strain
      showed low DNA sequence relatedness with R. argentea SP1T (45.6+/-1.9 %), S.
      wittichii RW1T (33.5+/-2.3 %), S.histidinilytica UM2T (39.4+/-3.6 %) and S.
      starnbergensis382T (42.1+/-4.1 %). Ndbn-20T possessed Q-10 as the predominant
      ubiquinone, spermidine as the major polyamine, and summed feature 8 (comprising
      C18 : 1omega7c/C18 : 1omega6c), summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1omega7c/C16 :
      1omega6c), C17 : 1omega6c, C16 : 0 and C14 : 02-OH as the major fatty acids (>5 %
      of the total). The profile of polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, glycolipid, sphingoglycolipid,
      phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content
      was 65.4 mol%. Based on a polyphasic taxonomic analysis, strain Ndbn-20T is
      proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Rhizorhabdus, with the
      proposed name of Rhizorhabdus dicambivorans sp. nov. The type strain is Ndbn-20T
      (=CCTCC AB 2016143=KACC 18661).

PMID- 27255346
TI  - Absence of galectin-3 promotes neuroprotection in retinal ganglion cells after
      optic nerve injury.
AB  - A trauma to the mature central nervous system (CNS) often leads to persistent
      deficits, due to the inability of axons to regenerate after being injured.
      Increasing evidence suggests that pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes can
      present a major obstacle to promoting neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells
      and consequently succeed in axonal regeneration. This study evaluated the effect
      of the absence of galectin-3 (Gal-3) on retinal ganglion cells (RGC) survival and
      axonal regeneration/degeneration after optic nerve crush injury. Two weeks after
      crush there was a 2.6 fold increase in the rate of cell survival in Gal-3-/- mice
      (1283+/-79.15) compared to WT animals (495.4+/-53.96). However, no regeneration
      was observed in the Gal-3-/- mice two weeks after lesion. Furthermore, axonal
      degeneration presented a particular pattern on those mice; Electron Microscopy
      (EM) analysis showed incomplete axon degeneration while the WT mice presented an
      advanced stage of degeneration. This suggests that the removal of the nerve
      fibers in the Gal 3-/- mice could be deficient and this would cause a delay in
      the process of Wallerian degeneration once there is a decrease in the number of
      macrophages/microglia in the nerve. This study demonstrates how the absence of
      Gal-3 can affect RGC survival and optic nerve regeneration/degeneration after
      lesion. Our results suggest that the absence of Gal-3 plays an important role in
      the survival of RGC and thus can be a potential target for therapeutic
      intervention in RGC neuroprotection.

PMID- 27255347
TI  - Explaining frailty by lifestyle.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the effects of lifestyle factors on frailty can
      be adequately addressed by asking a single self-report question. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional study. SETTING: A sample of Dutch citizens completed the web-based
      questionnaire "Seniorenbarometer". PARTICIPANTS: 610 persons aged 50 years and
      older. MEASUREMENTS: Seven lifestyle factors were assessed: smoking, use of
      alcohol, intake of vegetables, intake of fruit, having breakfast, exercise, and
      teeth brushing. The single self-report question of lifestyle was: "Overall, how
      healthy would you say your lifestyle is?" Frailty was measured by the Tilburg
      Frailty Indicator. RESULTS: Age was positively associated with a healthy
      lifestyle (less smoking, more intake of vegetables, fruit and eating breakfast).
      The lifestyle factors did not improve the prediction of total, physical,
      psychological, and social frailty, after controlling for the single self-report
      question. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that one general self-report lifestyle
      question, rather than a list of specific lifestyle factors, suffices for
      predicting frailty.

PMID- 27255348
TI  - Challenging the motor control of walking: Gait variability during slower and
      faster pace walking conditions in younger and older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gait variability is a measure of motor control of gait. Little is
      known about age-related changes in the motor control of gait (gait variability)
      during challenging walking conditions, such as slower and faster pace walking.
      OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of challenging
      walking conditions (slower and faster speeds) on gait variability in younger and
      older adults. DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional, observational design.
      METHODS: Forty younger (mean age=26.6+/-6.0years) and 111 community-dwelling
      older adults (mean age=77.3+/-6.0years), independent in ambulation, were studied.
      Gait characteristics were collected using a computerized walkway (GaitMat IITM).
      Step length, step width, step time, swing time, stance time and double support
      time variability were derived as the standard deviation of all steps across the 4
      passes. RESULTS: Compared to younger, older adults had a significant change in
      their gait variability from usual to slower in step width (-0.006+/-0.003), step
      time (0.028+/-0.006), swing time (0.023+/-0.004), stance time (0.042+/-0.008),
      and double support time (0.024+/-0.005). Changes in gait variability from usual
      to faster were not significantly different between younger and older adults.
      LIMITATION: Gait variability was examined during self-selected over-ground
      walking, where subjects directed to walk "slower", "usual" and "faster".
      CONCLUSIONS: Walking slowly is more challenging to the motor control of gait and
      may be more sensitive to age-related declines in gait than usual and faster speed
      walks.

PMID- 27255349
TI  - Self-reported verbal abuse in 1300+ older women within a private, tertiary
      women's health clinic.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Several studies describe "elder abuse" among residents of nursing
      homes, but this issue is less well studied among independently functioning,
      community-based women. The current study was undertaken to report rates of self
      reported intimate partner violence - with a focus on verbal abuse - among older
      women within a private tertiary women's health clinic. METHODS: This study
      focused on women who completed a questionnaire on domestic abuse. RESULTS: A
      total of 1389 women with a median age of 55 years (range: 50, 90) are the focus
      of this report. Most 1102 (79%) were married. Within this group, 100 (7%) women
      reported verbal abuse within the last year. Rates of physical and sexual abuse
      were much lower with 9 women (1%) and 2 (<1%), respectively. In univariate
      analyses, being divorced, being an alcoholic, and having suffered prior abuse
      were associated with reported verbal abuse. In multivariate analyses, self
      reported alcoholism and physical abuse were independently associated with
      reported verbal abuse. CONCLUSION: This study found a notable rate of patient
      reported verbal abuse in older women within a private, tertiary women's health
      clinic. IMPLICATIONS: This observation should prompt healthcare providers to ask
      about intimate partner violence - and specifically verbal abuse - regardless of
      healthcare setting.

PMID- 27255350
TI  - How Much Surface Coating of Hydrophobic Azithromycin Is Sufficient to Prevent
      Moisture-Induced Decrease in Aerosolisation of Hygroscopic Amorphous Colistin
      Powder?
AB  - Aerosolisation performance of hygroscopic particles of colistin could be
      compromised at elevated humidity due to increased capillary forces. Co-spray
      drying colistin with a hydrophobic drug is known to provide a protective coating
      on the composite particle surfaces against moisture-induced reduction in
      aerosolisation performance; however, the effects of component ratio on surface
      coating quality and powder aerosolisation at elevated relative humidities are
      unknown. In this study, we have systematically examined the effects of mass ratio
      of hydrophobic azithromycin on surface coating quality and aerosolisation
      performance of the co-spray dried composite particles. Four combination
      formulations with varying drug ratios were prepared by co-spray drying drug
      solutions. Both of the drugs in each combination formulation had similar in vitro
      deposition profiles, suggesting that each composite particle comprises two drugs
      in the designed mass ratio, which is supported by X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS)
      data. XPS and ToF-SIMS measurements also revealed that 50% by weight (or 35% by
      molecular fraction) of azithromycin in the formulation provided a near complete
      coating of 96.5% (molar fraction) on the composite particle surface, which is
      sufficient to prevent moisture-induced reduction in fine particle fraction
      (FPF)recovered and FPFemitted. Higher azithromycin content did not increase
      coating coverage, while contents of azithromycin lower than 20% w/w did not
      totally prevent the negative effects of humidity on aerosolisation performance.
      This study has highlighted that a critical amount of azithromycin is required to
      sufficiently coat the colistin particles for short-term protection against
      moisture.

PMID- 27255351
TI  - [Current situation on fertility preservation in cancer patients in Spain: Level
      of knowledge, information, and professional involvement].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The estimated risks of infertility in childhood cancer due to
      radiation, chemotherapy and surgery are well known. The involvement of
      professionals and advances in the different methods of preservation are
      increasing. However, many patients do not receive information or perform any
      method of preservation. MATERIAL: Questionnaires to paediatric onco-haematology
      institutions throughout Spain. The questionnaire consisted of 22 questions
      assessing their usual practices and knowledge about fertility preservation.
      RESULTS: Fifty members of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Haematology and
      Oncology, representing 24 of 43 centres, responded. These represented 82% of
      centres that treated higher numbers of patients. The effect of treatment on
      fertility was known by 78% of those who responded, with 76% admitting not knowing
      any guideline on fertility in children or adolescents. As for the ideal time and
      place to inform the patient and/or family, only 14% thought it should be done in
      the same cancer diagnosis interview. In clinical practice, 12% of those surveyed
      never referred patients to Human Reproduction Units, another 12% only did so if
      the patients showed interest, and 38% only refer patients in puberty. Just over
      one-third (34%) of those referrals were going to receive highly gonadotoxic
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There are clear differences between pre-puberty and
      puberty patients. The frequency with which some method of fertility preservation
      is performed in patients is low. All respondents believe that the existence of
      national guidelines on the matter would be of interest.

PMID- 27255352
TI  - [Patient experience in emergency departments: What do children and adolescents
      think?]
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Improving patient experience must become a priority in paediatric
      emergency departments. This experience is often studied by surveying parents, and
      not children directly. The aim of this study was to assess the patient experience
      of children attended in a Paediatric Emergency Department (PED). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was conducted using a survey based on
      the Picker questionnaire on the patient experience. From January to May 2014,
      children 8-17 years seen in the Paediatric Emergency Department and admitted to
      the hospital were asked to complete the questionnaires anonymously, within
      24hours of admission. RESULTS: A total of 217 patients completed the survey. The
      responses showed the 19.4% had to wait longer than expected, with 46.2% saying
      that there was not enough for children of their age group to do while waiting to
      be seen. As regards care and treatment, 4.6% of participants said staff did not
      fully explain what they were doing, and 23% said that they were not given enough
      privacy when being examined. Overall, 99.1% of patients said that they were well
      treated. CONCLUSIONS: Overall patient experience in the PED was positive. Some
      aspects have to be improved (activities in the waiting room, and privacy during
      the examination).

PMID- 27255353
TI  - CORRELATIONS BETWEEN INTELLIGENCE, HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE AND HEIGHT: EVIDENCE FROM
      TWO SAMPLES IN SAUDI ARABIA.
AB  - This study was based on two independent studies which in total consisted of 1812
      school pupils aged 6-12 years in Saudi Arabia. Study I consisted of 1591 school
      pupils (609 boys and 982 girls) attending state schools, and Study II consisted
      of 211 boys with learning disabilities. Intelligence (measured using the Standard
      Progressive Matrices Plus for Study I and the Standard Progressive Matrices for
      Study II), head size and height were measured for the two samples. The results
      showed that intelligence was statistically significantly correlated with head
      circumference (r=0.350, p<0.001 for Study I and r=0.168, p<0.05 for Study II) and
      height (r=0.271, p<0.001 for Study I and r=0.178, p<0.05 for Study II).

PMID- 27255354
TI  - Association of Pentraxin 3 with Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays an important role in the
      inflammatory processes. Recently it has been reported to be involved in
      autoimmune diseases. Many studies have investigated the serum/plasma levels of
      PTX3 in autoimmune diseases, but the results are contradictory or inconclusive
      among those findings. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate
      whether serum/plasma levels of PTX3 were associated with autoimmune diseases by
      comparing the serum/plasma levels of PTX3 in the autoimmune diseases and healthy
      controls. METHODS: PubMed, ELSEVIER ScienceDirect and Cochrane Library databases
      (up to December 26, 2015) were used to obtain all relative published literatures.
      The study quality was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Pooled standard
      mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by random
      effect model analysis. RESULTS: A total of 20 studies including seven studies of
      systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), four studies of ankylosing spondylitis (AS),
      five studies of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), three studies of systemic sclerosis
      (SSc) and one study of multiple sclerosis (MS) were finally included in the meta
      analysis. The results revealed that the serum/plasma levels of PTX3 in autoimmune
      diseases were significantly higher than in normal controls (SMD = 0.496 ng/mL,
      95% CI = 0.107-0.886, p <0.001; I(2) = 91.9, p <0.001). The subgroup analysis
      showed that the serum/plasma levels of PTX3 in AS and SSc were higher than in
      healthy controls (pooled SMD = 0.926 ng/mL, 95% CI = 0.174-1.677, p <0.001, I(2)
      = 77.0, p = 0.013; pooled SMD = 0.546 ng/mL, 95% CI = 0.136-0.957, p <0.001; I(2)
      = 30.9, p = 0.299, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Serum/plasma levels of PTX3 in
      autoimmune diseases were higher than in normal controls.

PMID- 27255355
TI  - Does the Serum Metallothionein Level Reflect the Stage of Testicular Germ Cell
      Tumor?
AB  - Increased levels of metallothionein (MT) have recently been found in the blood
      serum of men with newly diagnosed testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). In light of
      previously published results, the aim of this study was to investigate the
      difference in serum MT levels among patients with different stages of TGCT and
      compare MT with commonly used markers (alpha-fetoprotein, beta-human chorionic
      gonadotropin and lactate dehydrogenase). The concentration of total MT was
      determined in the serum of 25 men with TGCT (seminoma or non-seminoma) by
      differential pulse voltammetry. Serum samples were obtained prior to
      chemotherapy, after two cycles of chemotherapy and 1 year after chemotherapy. A
      statistically significant difference in MT levels in patients with different
      stages of TGCT was observed in the serum of patients with non-seminoma obtained
      before chemotherapy. Although not significant, an increase in serum MT levels
      commensurate with the disease stage increase was also observed in patients with
      seminomatous TGCT. The results indicate that, in combination with the existing
      markers, MT could be useful for the identification of the histological type of
      tumor and stage of the disease before biopsy diagnosis.

PMID- 27255356
TI  - CD147 and matrix-metalloproteinase-2 expression in metastatic and non-metastatic
      uveal melanomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extracellular matrix remodelling regulated by matrix
      metalloproteinase (MMP) inducer (CD147) is a crucial process during tumor cell
      invasion and regulation of blood supply. In this study, we evaluated the
      correlation of CD147 and MMP-2 expression with major prognostic factors for uveal
      melanoma and the development of metastasis. METHODS: The expression of CD147 and
      MMP-2 was analyzed in 49 samples of uveal melanomas. Triple immunofluorescence
      stainings using markers against glial cells (GFAP), endothelial cells (CD34) and
      macrophages (CD68) were performed to further analyse the exact localisation of
      CD147 and MMP-2 positivity. In 28 cases clinical metastatic disease were found.
      The remaining 21 cases showed no signs of metastatic disease for an average
      follow-up of 10 years. Correlation analysis (Pearson correlation) was performed
      to analyse the association of CD147 and MMP-2 expression with known prognostic
      factors, vasculogenic mimicry (VM), the mature vasculature (von Willebrand
      Factor) and tumor induced angiogenesis (by means of Endoglin expression).
      RESULTS: CD147 and MMP-2 were expressed in 47 (96.0 %) of the uveal melanomas.
      CD147 up-regulation was significantly correlated with a higher MMP-2 expression.
      The overall expression analysis revealed no significant difference in the
      metastatic (p = 0.777) and non-metastatic subgroup (p = 0.585). No correlation of
      CD147 expression and any system of blood supply was evident. In the non
      metastatic sub-group a significant correlation of clustered CD147 positive cells
      with largest basal diameter (p = 0.039), height (p = 0.047) and TNM-stage (p =
      0.013) was evident. CONCLUSIONS: These data may indicate that CD147 regulates MMP
      2 expression in uveal melanoma cells.

PMID- 27255357
TI  - Response to letter to the editor, "Lung cancer stigma and patient-provider
      communication: A complex association".

PMID- 27255358
TI  - Structural determinants of hydration, mechanics and fluid flow in freeze-dried
      collagen scaffolds.
AB  - Freeze-dried scaffolds provide regeneration templates for a wide range of
      tissues, due to their flexibility in physical and biological properties. Control
      of structure is crucial for tuning such properties, and therefore scaffold
      functionality. However, the common approach of modeling these scaffolds as open
      cell foams does not fully account for their structural complexity. Here, the
      validity of the open-cell model is examined across a range of physical
      characteristics, rigorously linking morphology to hydration and mechanical
      properties. Collagen scaffolds with systematic changes in relative density were
      characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography
      and spherical indentation analyzed in a time-dependent poroelastic framework.
      Morphologically, all scaffolds were mid-way between the open- and closed-cell
      models, approaching the closed-cell model as relative density increased. Although
      pore size remained constant, transport pathway diameter decreased. Larger
      collagen fractions also produced greater volume swelling on hydration, although
      the change in pore diameter was constant, and relatively small at ~6%.
      Mechanically, the dry and hydrated scaffold moduli varied quadratically with
      relative density, as expected of open-cell materials. However, the increasing
      pore wall closure was found to determine the time-dependent nature of the
      hydrated scaffold response, with a decrease in permeability producing
      increasingly elastic rather than viscoelastic behavior. These results demonstrate
      that characterizing the deviation from the open-cell model is vital to gain a
      full understanding of scaffold biophysical properties, and provide a template for
      structural studies of other freeze-dried biomaterials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
      Freeze-dried collagen sponges are three-dimensional microporous scaffolds that
      have been used for a number of exploratory tissue engineering applications. The
      characterization of the structure-properties relationships of these scaffolds is
      necessary to understand their biophysical behavior in vivo. In this work, the
      relationship between morphology and physical properties in the dry and hydrated
      states was investigated across a range of solid concentrations in the scaffolds.
      The quantitative results provided can aid the design of scaffolds with a target
      trade-off between mechanical properties and structural features important for
      their biological activity.

PMID- 27255359
TI  - Extracorporeal shock wave therapy does not improve hypertensive nephropathy.
AB  - Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (SWT) has been shown to improve
      myocardial dysfunction, hind limb ischemia, erectile function, and to facilitate
      cell therapy and healing process. These therapeutic effects were mainly due to
      promoting angiogenesis. Since chronic kidney diseases are characterized by renal
      fibrosis and capillaries rarefaction, they may benefit from a proangiogenic
      treatment. The objective of our study was to determine whether SWT could
      ameliorate renal repair and favor angiogenesis in L-NAME-induced hypertensive
      nephropathy in rats. SWT was started when proteinuria exceeded 1 g/mmol of
      creatinine and 1 week after L-NAME removal. SWT consisted of implying 0.09
      mJ/mm(2) (400 shots), 3 times per week. After 4 weeks of SWT, blood pressure,
      renal function and urinary protein excretion did not differ between treated (LN +
      SWT) and untreated rats (LN). Histological lesions including glomerulosclerosis
      and arteriolosclerosis scores, tubular dilatation and interstitial fibrosis were
      similar in both groups. In addition, peritubular capillaries and eNOS, VEGF, VEGF
      R, SDF-1 gene expressions did not increase in SWT-treated compared to untreated
      animals. No procedural complications or adverse effects were observed in control
      (C + SWT) and hypertensive rats (LN + SWT). These results suggest that
      extracorporeal kidney shock wave therapy does not induce angiogenesis and does
      not improve renal function and structure, at least in the model of hypertensive
      nephropathy although the treatment is well tolerated. 

PMID- 27255360
TI  - Vascular flow reserve as a link between long-term blood pressure level and
      physical performance capacity in mammals.
AB  - Mean arterial pressure (MAP) is surprisingly similar across different species of
      mammals, and it is, in general, not known which factors determine the arterial
      pressure level. Mammals often have a pronounced capacity for sustained physical
      performance. This capacity depends on the vasculature having a flow reserve that
      comes into play as tissue metabolism increases. We hypothesize that microvascular
      properties allowing for a large vascular flow reserve is linked to the level of
      the arterial pressure.To study the interaction between network properties and
      network inlet pressure, we developed a generic and parsimonious computational
      model of a bifurcating microvascular network where diameter and growth of each
      vessel evolves in response to changes in biomechanical stresses. During a
      simulation, the network develops well-defined arterial and venous vessel
      characteristics. A change in endothelial function producing a high precapillary
      resistance and thus a high vascular flow reserve is associated with an increase
      in network inlet pressure. Assuming that network properties are independent of
      body mass, and that inlet pressure of the microvascular network is a proxy for
      arterial pressure, the study provides a conceptual explanation of why high
      performing animals tend to have a high MAP. 

PMID- 27255361
TI  - Use of anesthesia dramatically alters the oral glucose tolerance and insulin
      secretion in C57Bl/6 mice.
AB  - Evaluation of the impact of anesthesia on oral glucose tolerance in mice.
      Anesthesia is often used when performing OGTT in mice to avoid the stress of
      gavage and blood sampling, although anesthesia may influence gastrointestinal
      motility, blood glucose, and plasma insulin dynamics. C57Bl/6 mice were
      anesthetized using the following commonly used regimens: (1) hypnorm/midazolam
      repetitive or single injection; (2) ketamine/xylazine; (3) isoflurane; (4)
      pentobarbital; and (5) A saline injected, nonanesthetized group. Oral glucose was
      administered at time 0 min and blood glucose measured in the time frame -15 to
      +150 min. Plasma insulin concentration was measured at time 0 and 20 min. All
      four anesthetic regimens resulted in impaired glucose tolerance compared to
      saline/no anesthesia. (1) hypnorm/midazolam increased insulin concentrations and
      caused an altered glucose tolerance; (2) ketamine/xylazine lowered insulin
      responses and resulted in severe hyperglycemia throughout the experiment; (3)
      isoflurane did not only alter the insulin secretion but also resulted in severe
      hyperglycemia; (4) pentobarbital resulted in both increased insulin secretion and
      impaired glucose tolerance. All four anesthetic regimens altered the oral glucose
      tolerance, and we conclude that anesthesia should not be used when performing
      metabolic studies in mice. 

PMID- 27255362
TI  - What approaches to social prescribing work, for whom, and in what circumstances?
      A protocol for a realist review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of non-drug, non-health-service interventions has been
      proposed as a cost-effective alternative to help those with long-term conditions
      manage their illness and improve their health and well-being. Interventions
      typically involve accessing activities run by the third sector or community
      agencies and may also be described as non-medical referral, community referral or
      social prescribing. To be effective, patients need to be "transferred" from the
      primary care setting into the community and to maintain their participation in
      activities. However, it is not currently known how and why these approaches
      enable which people under what circumstances to reach community services that may
      benefit their health and well-being. METHODS: Database searches and extensive
      searching of grey sources will be carried out in an attempt to find evidence
      associated with referral and retention in social prescribing. After initial
      scoping searches, two main phases of searching will be conducted: (a) will focus
      on the identification of programme theories to illustrate how approaches to
      social prescribing work for different people and in different contexts and (b)
      will consist of targeted searches to locate evidence to refine these candidate
      theories into configurations of the contexts in which populations and the main
      mechanisms outcomes are achieved. Inclusion criteria will initially be broad in
      order to develop a clear picture of the ways in which social prescriptions might
      operate but may iteratively become more focused in response to initially
      identified evidence, for example, in terms of the population group. An expert
      advisory group consisting of professionals working in a range of organisations
      involved in social prescribing will be convened to check the approaches in the
      review and provide real-life experience of social prescribing. Findings from the
      review will be disseminated to commissioners, published in a peer-reviewed
      journal and used to help refine an intervention model for an outdoor nature-based
      group intervention. DISCUSSION: This realist review will explore why mechanisms
      of social prescribing work, for what groups of people and their impact on
      enrolment, attendance and adherence to programmes. The use of realist approaches
      to detail the social prescribing process is novel and will offer insights into
      effective transfer of patients. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO
      CRD42016039491.

PMID- 27255363
TI  - Sources of variation in plasma corticosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in the
      male northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): I. Seasonal patterns and effects
      of stress and adrenocorticotropic hormone.
AB  - The secretion of steroids from the adrenal gland is a classic endocrine response
      to perturbations that can affect homeostasis. During an acute stress response,
      glucocorticoids (GC), such as corticosterone (CORT), prepare the metabolic
      physiology and cognitive abilities of an animal in a manner that promotes
      survival during changing conditions. Although GC functions during stress are well
      established, much less is understood concerning how adrenal androgens, namely
      dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are influenced by stress. I conducted three field
      studies (one experimental and two descriptive) aimed at identifying how both CORT
      and DHEA secretion in free-living male northern cardinals (Cardinalis
      cardinalis), vary during acute stress; across different circulations (brachial
      vs. jugular); in response to ACTH challenge; and during the annual cycle. As
      predicted, restraint stress increased plasma CORT, but unexpectedly DHEA levels
      decreased, but the latter effect was only seen for blood sampled from the jugular
      vein, and not the brachial. The difference in DHEA between circulations may
      result from increased neural uptake of DHEA during stress. Injection with
      exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) increased CORT concentrations, but
      failed to alter DHEA levels, thus suggesting ACTH is not a direct regulator of
      DHEA. Monthly field sampling revealed distinct seasonal patterns to both initial
      and restraint stress CORT and DHEA levels with distinct differences in the
      steroid milieu between breeding and non-breeding seasons. These data suggest that
      the CORT response to stress remains relatively consistent, but DHEA secretion is
      largely independent of the response by CORT. Although CORT functions have been
      well-studied in wild animals, little research exists for the role of DHEA and
      their variable relationship sets the stage for future experimental research
      addressing steroid stress responses.

PMID- 27255364
TI  - Expression of insulin-like growth factors at mRNA levels during the metamorphic
      development of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus).
AB  - Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) are important regulators
      of vertebrate growth and development. This study characterized the mRNA
      expressions of igf-i and igf-ii during turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)
      metamorphosis to elucidate the possible regulatory role of the IGF system in
      flatfish metamorphosis. Results showed that the mRNA levels of igf-i
      significantly increased at the early-metamorphosis stage and then gradually
      decreased until metamorphosis was completed. By contrast, mRNA levels of igf-ii
      significantly increased at the pre-metamorphosis stage and then substantially
      decreased during metamorphosis. Meanwhile, the whole-body thyroxine (T4) levels
      varied during larval metamorphosis, and the highest value was observed in the
      climax-metamorphosis. The mRNA levels of igf-i significantly increased and
      decreased by T4 and thiourea (TU, inhibitor of endogenous thyroid hormone) during
      metamorphosis, respectively. Conversely, the mRNA levels of igf-ii remained
      unchanged. Furthermore, TU significantly inhibited the T4-induced mRNA up
      regulation of igf-i during metamorphosis. The whole-body thyroxine (T4) levels
      were significantly increased and decreased by T4 and TU during metamorphosis,
      respectively. These results suggested that igf-i and igf-ii may play different
      functional roles in larval development stages, and igf-i may have a crucial
      function in regulating the early metamorphic development of turbot. These
      findings may enhance our understanding of the potential roles of the IGF system
      to control flatfish metamorphosis and contribute to the improvement of broodstock
      management for larvae.

PMID- 27255365
TI  - Development of a homologous radioimmunoassay for red seabream follicle
      stimulating hormone and regulation of gonadotropins by GnRH in red seabream,
      Pagrus major.
AB  - Using a recombinant chimeric single-chain follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), we
      established a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for red seabream (Pagrus major) FSH (pmFSH)
      which became a powerful tool for studying reproductive physiology. We studied the
      profiles in plasma and pituitary concentrations of FSH and luteinizing hormone
      (LH) during sexual maturation. A pre-established RIA for red seabream LH was used
      for the LH measurements. The regulation of FSH and LH secretion from the
      pituitary was investigated using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa)
      in vivo and in vitro. Marked differences in plasma and pituitary FSH levels were
      observed between males and females; pituitary FSH content in males was much
      higher than that in females during all seasons, and plasma FSH levels in males
      were high during the spawning season, whereas those in females were unchanged. In
      contrast, plasma and pituitary levels of LH were elevated before and during the
      spawning season in males and females. Injecting or implanting (cholesterol
      pellet) a GnRHa into adult and juvenile red seabream resulted in significant
      increases in plasma LH concentrations; however, no significant change was
      observed in plasma FSH. Moreover, GnRHa stimulated only LH secretion in an in
      vitro experiment using dispersed pituitary cells. The discrete FSH and LH
      secretion profiles revealed suggest differential roles for the two gonadotropins
      during red seabream gametogenesis. In addition, the marked difference in
      pituitary FSH levels in males and females suggests the relative significance of
      FSH in male reproduction.

PMID- 27255366
TI  - Temperature-induced variation in yolk androgen and thyroid hormone levels in
      avian eggs.
AB  - Global warming has substantially changed the environment, but the mechanisms to
      cope with these changes in animals, including the role of maternal effects, are
      poorly understood. Maternal effects via hormones deposited in eggs, have
      important environment-dependent effects on offspring development and fitness:
      thus females are expected to adjust these hormones to the environment, such as
      the ambient temperature. Longer-term temperature variation could function as a
      cue, predicting chick rearing conditions to which yolk hormone levels are
      adjusted, while short-term temperature variation during egg formation may
      causally affect hormone transfer to eggs. We studied the effects of ambient
      temperature on yolk androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) and thyroid
      hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) in great tits (Parus major) using data
      from unmanipulated clutches from a wild population and from aviary birds (ad
      libitum food) exposed to different experimental temperature treatments during
      five years. Both in the wild and in captivity, longer-term pre-laying ambient
      temperature was not associated with clutch mean yolk hormone levels, while the
      way androstenedione and thyroxine levels varied across the laying sequence did
      associate with pre-laying temperature in the wild. Yolk testosterone levels were
      positively correlated with short-term temperature (during yolk formation) changes
      within clutches in both wild and captivity. We also report, for the first time in
      a wild bird, that yolk thyroxine levels correlated with a key environmental
      factor: thyroxine levels were negatively correlated with ambient temperature
      during egg formation. Thus, yolk hormone levels, especially testosterone, seem to
      be causally affected by ambient temperature. These short-term effects might
      reflect physiological changes in females with changes in ambient temperature. The
      adaptive value of the variation with ambient temperatures pre-laying or during
      egg formation should be studied with hormone manipulations in different thermal
      environments.

PMID- 27255367
TI  - Sources of variation in plasma corticosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in the
      male northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): II. Effects of urbanization, food
      supplementation and social stress.
AB  - Perturbations in an organism's environment can induce significant shifts in
      hormone secretory patterns. In this context, the glucocorticoid (GC) steroids
      secreted by the adrenal cortex have received much attention from ecologists and
      behaviorists due to their role in the vertebrate stress response. Adrenal GCs,
      such as corticosterone (CORT), are highly responsive to instability in
      environmental and social conditions. However, little is understood about how
      adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is influenced by changing conditions. We
      conducted field experiments to determine how circulating CORT and DHEA vary
      during restraint stress in the male northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis).
      Specifically, we examined how four different changes in the physical
      (urbanization and food availability) and social (territorial conflict, distress
      of a mate) environment affect CORT and DHEA levels. The majority of cardinals
      responded to restraint stress by increasing and decreasing CORT and DHEA,
      respectively, however this depended on sampling context. Cardinals sampled from
      urban habitats had both lower initial and restraint stress CORT concentrations,
      but a comparable DHEA pattern to those sampled from a forest. Supplementing food
      to territorial males did not alter circulating initial DHEA or CORT
      concentrations nor did it change the response to restraint stress when compared
      to unsupplemented controls. Exposing cardinals to varying durations of song
      playback, which mimics a territorial intrusion, did not affect CORT levels, but
      did attenuate the DHEA response to restraint stress. Examining a larger dataset
      of males captured before, after or at the same time as their female mate, allowed
      us to address how the stress of a captured mate affected the male's CORT and DHEA
      response. Males showed elevated initial and restraint CORT and DHEA when their
      female mate was captured first. Taken together, these data demonstrate that both
      CORT and DHEA secretion patterns depends on environmental, and particularly
      current social conditions.

PMID- 27255368
TI  - Effects of thyroid endocrine manipulation on sex-related gene expression and
      population sex ratios in Zebrafish.
AB  - Thyroid hormone reportedly induces masculinization of genetic females and
      goitrogen treatment delays testicular differentiation (ovary-to-testis
      transformation) in genetic males of Zebrafish. This study explored potential
      molecular mechanisms of these phenomena. Zebrafish were treated with thyroxine
      (T4, 2nM), goitrogen [methimazole (MZ), 0.15mM], MZ (0.15mM) and T4 (2nM) (rescue
      treatment), or reconstituted water (control) from 3 to 33days postfertilization
      (dpf) and maintained in control water until 45dpf. Whole fish were collected
      during early (25dpf) and late (45dpf) testicular differentiation for transcript
      abundance analysis of selected male (dmrt1, amh, ar) and female (cyp19a1a, esr1,
      esr2a, esr2b) sex-related genes by quantitative RT-PCR, and fold-changes relative
      to control values were determined. Additional fish were sampled at 45dpf for
      histological assessment of gonadal sex. The T4 and rescue treatments caused male
      biased populations, and T4 alone induced precocious puberty in ~50% of males.
      Male-biased sex ratios were accompanied by increased expression of amh and ar and
      reduced expression of cyp19a1a, esr1, esr2a, and esr2b at 25 and 45dpf and,
      unexpectedly, reduced expression of dmrt1 at 45dpf. Goitrogen exposure increased
      the proportion of individuals with ovaries (per previous studies interpreted as
      delay in testicular differentiation of genetic males), and at 25 and 45dpf
      reduced the expression of amh and ar and increased the expression of esr1 (only
      at 25dpf), esr2a, and esr2b. Notably, cyp19a1a transcript was reduced but via non
      thyroidal pathways (not restored by rescue treatment). In conclusion, the
      masculinizing activity of T4 at the population level may be due to its ability to
      inhibit female and stimulate male sex-related genes in larvae, while the
      inability of MZ to induce cyp19a1a, which is necessary for ovarian
      differentiation, may explain why its "feminizing" activity on gonadal sex is not
      permanent.

PMID- 27255369
TI  - Hyperoside reduces albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy at the early stage through
      ameliorating renal damage and podocyte injury.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major microvascular complications in
      diabetes. Podocyte injury such as slit diaphragm effacement is regarded as a
      determinant in the occurrence and development of albuminuria in DN. In this
      study, we examined the effect of hyperoside, an active flavonoid glycoside, on
      proteinuria and renal damage in a streptozotocin-induced DN mouse model at the
      early stage. The results showed that oral administration of hyperoside (30
      mg/kg/day for 4 weeks could significantly decrease urinary microalbumin excretion
      and glomerular hyperfiltration in DN mice, but did not affect the glucose and
      lipid metabolism. Periodic acid-Schiff staining and transmission electron
      microscopy showed that glomerular mesangial matrix expansion and podocyte process
      effacement in DN mice were significantly improved by hyperoside. Further
      investigations via immunofluorescence staining, real-time reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis showed that the decreased
      slit diaphragm protein nephrin and podocin mRNA expression and protein levels in
      DN mice were restored by hyperoside treatment. Collectively, these findings
      demonstrated that hyperoside could decrease albuminuria at the early stage of DN
      by ameliorating renal damage and podocyte injury. 

PMID- 27255371
TI  - Application of oleosin-flanked keratinocyte growth factor-2 expressed from
      Arabidopsis thaliana promotes hair follicle growth in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine an efficient expression strategy in Arabidopsis thaliana
      and to determine whether a dimeric oleosin fusion approach could achieve
      keratinocyte growth factor-2 (KGF2) expression and bioactivity. RESULTS: Higher
      recombinant protein accumulation was observed in the two dimeric oleosin
      constructs than in a single-oleosin-fused protein (O::KGR2) or KGF2 control.
      Highest expression was in O-O::KGF2-transgenic seeds. MTT assay in FGFR2 III b
      BaF3 cells revealed comparable levels of bioactivity due to O-O::KGF2 and
      O::KGR2, whereas O::KGF2-O had no effect on FGFR2 III b-BaF3 opithelial cell
      growth. The transgenic proteins had a pronounced stimulatory effect on hair
      follicle proliferation in C57BL/6 mice. CONCLUSION: A dimeric oleosin approach
      can be used to express KGF2 with the non-symmetrical O-O::KGF2 construct showing
      the highest expression and bioactivity.

PMID- 27255370
TI  - Towards sustainable partnerships in global health: the case of the CRONICAS
      Centre of Excellence in Chronic Diseases in Peru.
AB  - Human capital requires opportunities to develop and capacity to overcome
      challenges, together with an enabling environment that fosters critical and
      disruptive innovation. Exploring such features is necessary to establish the
      foundation of solid long-term partnerships. In this paper we describe the
      experience of the CRONICAS Centre of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, based at
      Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru, as a case study for fostering
      meaningful and sustainable partnerships for international collaborative research.
      The CRONICAS Centre of Excellence in Chronic Diseases was established in 2009
      with the following Mission: "We support the development of young researchers and
      collaboration with national and international institutions. Our motivation is to
      improve population's health through high quality research." The Centre's identity
      is embedded in its core values - generosity, innovation, integrity, and quality-
      and its trajectory is a result of various interactions between multiple
      individuals, collaborators, teams, and institutions, which together with the
      challenges confronted, enables us to make an objective assessment of the
      partnership we would like to pursue, nurture and support. We do not intend to
      provide a single example of a successful partnership, but in contrast, to
      highlight what can be translated into opportunities to be faced by research
      groups based in low- and middle-income countries, and how these encounters can
      provide a strong platform for fruitful and sustainable partnerships. In defiant
      contexts, partnerships require to be nurtured and sustained. Acknowledging that
      all partnerships are not and should not be the same, we also need to learn from
      the evolution of such relationships, its key successes, hurdles and failures to
      contribute to the promotion of a culture of global solidarity where mutual goals,
      mutual gains, as well as mutual responsibilities are the norm. In so doing, we
      will all contribute to instil a new culture where expectations, roles and
      interactions among individuals and their teams are horizontal, the true nature of
      partnerships.

PMID- 27255372
TI  - Application of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in whole blood in comparison to ethyl
      glucuronide in hair (hEtG) in driving aptitude assessment (DAA).
AB  - For driving aptitude assessment (DAA), the analysis of several alcohol biomarkers
      is essential for the detection of alcohol intake besides psycho-medical
      exploration. In Switzerland, EtG in hair (hEtG) is often the only direct marker
      for abstinence monitoring in DAA. Therefore, the suitability of
      phosphatidylethanol (PEth) was investigated as additional biomarker. PEth
      16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2 were determined by online-SPE-LC-MS/MS in 136 blood
      samples of persons undergoing DAA and compared to hEtG, determined in hair
      segments taken at the same time. With a PEth 16:0/18:1 threshold of 210 ng/mL for
      excessive alcohol consumption, all (n = 30) but one tested person also had hEtG
      values >=30 pg/mg. In 54 cases, results are not in contradiction to an abstinence
      as neither PEth (<20 ng/mL) nor hEtG (<7 pg/mg) was detected. In eight cases,
      both markers showed moderate consumption. Altogether, PEth and hEtG were in
      accordance in 68 % of the samples, although covering different time periods of
      alcohol consumption. With receiver operating characteristic analysis, PEth was
      evaluated to differentiate abstinence, moderate, and excessive alcohol
      consumption in accordance with hEtG limits. A PEth 16:0/18:1 threshold of 150
      ng/mL resulted in the best sensitivity (70.6 %) and specificity (98.8 %) for
      excessive consumption. Values between 20 and 150 ng/mL passed for moderate
      consumption, values <20 ng/mL passed for abstinence. As PEth mostly has a shorter
      detection window (2-4 weeks) than hEtG (up to 6 months depending on hair length),
      changes in drinking behavior can be detected earlier by PEth than by hEtG
      analysis alone. Therefore, PEth helps to improve the diagnostic information and
      is a valuable additional alcohol marker for DAA.

PMID- 27255373
TI  - Pharmacological treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia in Izhevsk, Russia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Russia.
      Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are important risk factors for CVD that are
      modifiable by pharmacological treatment and life-style changes. We aimed to
      characterize the extent of the problem in a typical Russian city by examining the
      prevalence, treatment and control rates of hypertension and hyperlipidemia and
      investigating whether the specific pharmacological regimes used were comparable
      with guidelines from a country with much lower CVD rates. METHODS: The Izhevsk
      Family Study II included a cross-sectional survey of a population sample of 1068
      men, aged 25-60 years conducted in Izhevsk, Russia (2008-2009). Blood pressure
      and total cholesterol were measured and self-reported medication use was recorded
      by a clinician. We compared drug treatments with the Russian and Canadian
      treatment guidelines for hypertension and hyperlipidemia. RESULTS: The prevalence
      of hypertension was 61 % (age-standardised prevalence 51 %), with 66 % of those
      with hypertension aware of their diagnosis and 50 % of those aware taking
      treatment. 17 % of those taking treatment achieved blood pressure control. The
      majority (59 %) of those taking treatment were not doing so regularly. Prevalence
      of hyperlipidemia was 45 % (age-standardised prevalence 40 %), however less than
      2 % of those with hyperlipidemia were taking any treatment. Types of lipid
      lowering and anti-hypertensive medications prescribed were broadly in line with
      Russian and Canadian guidelines. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension and
      hyperlipidemia is high in Izhevsk while the proportion of those treated and
      attaining treatment targets is very low. Prescribed medications were concurrent
      with those in Canada, but adherence is a major issue.

PMID- 27255374
TI  - Salvianolic Acid B Ameliorates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through
      Inhibiting TLR4/MyD88 Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Ischemic stroke can activate multiple transcription factors and cause
      inflammatory reactions, which involve pattern recognition receptors with
      immunostimulatory effects. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is one of the receptors
      related to innate immunity and several inflammatory reactions. The promising anti
      inflammatory activity of salvianolic acid B (SAB) had been previously reported,
      but its effect on ischemic stroke remains unknown. An oxygen-glucose deprivation
      and reoxygenation (OGD/R) model in vitro and a middle cerebral artery occlusion
      (MCAO) model in vivo were used in this paper, and the results showned that SAB
      remarkably increased the viabilities of PC12 cells and primary cortical neurons
      after OGD/R injury and notably prevented cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)
      injury. SAB also significantly ameliorated NeuN release from primary cortical
      neurons. Further research indicated that the neuroprotection of SAB was completed
      through inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/TRAF6 signaling pathway. The blocking of TLR4
      by SAB also restrained NF-kB transcriptional activity and pro-inflammatory
      cytokine responses (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha). These findings supply a new
      insight that will aid in clarifying the effect of SAB against cerebral I/R injury
      and provide the development of SAB as a potential candidate for treating ischemic
      stroke. 

PMID- 27255375
TI  - Formulation and evaluation of proniosomes containing lornoxicam.
AB  - Proniosomes are the new generation provesicular drug delivery system of non-ionic
      surfactant, lecithin and cholesterol which upon reconstitution get converted into
      niosomes. The objective of current study was to develop stable and sustain
      transdermal delivery system for lornoxicam. Lornoxicam-loaded topically applied
      proniosomal gel was formulated, optimized, and evaluated with the aim to deliver
      drug transdermally. Lornoxicam-loaded proniosomal gels were prepared that
      contained Lutrol F68 and lecithin as surfactants, cholesterol as a stabilizer,
      and minimal amount of ethanol and trace water. The resultant lornoxicam-loaded
      proniosomal gel were assessed for stability and the proniosomes-derived niosomes
      were characterized for morphology, size, zeta potential, and entrapment
      efficiency, which revealed that they were suitable for skin application. The
      coacervation phase separation technique was used in formulation of lornoxicam
      proniosomal gel and the gel was further assessed for in vitro permeation of
      lornoxicam through the freshly excised rat skin and the cumulative permeation
      amount of lornoxicam from proniosome, all exhibited significant increase as
      compared to 1.0 % lornoxicam-loaded pure gel. The optimized F5 batch had shown
      maximum entrapment efficiency up to 66.98 %. It has shown sustained drug release
      for more than 24 h. The skin permeability of proniosomal gel was found to be
      59.73 %. The SEM and zeta potential studies showed formation of good and stable
      vesicles. Thus, proniosomes proved to have better potential for transdermal
      delivery of lornoxicam over conventional gel formulations.

PMID- 27255376
TI  - Immunogenetic markers associated with a naturally acquired humoral immune
      response against an N-terminal antigen of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface
      protein 1 (PvMSP-1).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Humoral immune responses against proteins of asexual blood-stage
      malaria parasites have been associated with clinical immunity. However,
      variations in the antibody-driven responses may be associated with a genetic
      component of the human host. The objective of the present study was to evaluate
      the influence of co-stimulatory molecule gene polymorphisms of the immune system
      on the magnitude of the humoral immune response against a Plasmodium vivax
      vaccine candidate antigen. METHODS: Polymorphisms in the CD28, CTLA4, ICOS, CD40,
      CD86 and BLYS genes of 178 subjects infected with P. vivax in an endemic area of
      the Brazilian Amazon were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction
      fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The levels of IgM, total IgG and IgG
      subclasses specific for ICB2-5, i.e., the N-terminal portion of P. vivax
      merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP-1), were determined by enzyme-linked immuno
      assay. The associations between the polymorphisms and the antibody response were
      assessed by means of logistic regression models. RESULTS: After correcting for
      multiple testing, the IgG1 levels were significantly higher in individuals
      recessive for the single nucleotide polymorphism rs3116496 in CD28 (p = 0.00004).
      Furthermore, the interaction between CD28 rs35593994 and BLYS rs9514828 had an
      influence on the IgM levels (p = 0.0009). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present
      study support the hypothesis that polymorphisms in the genes of co-stimulatory
      components of the immune system can contribute to a natural antibody-driven
      response against P. vivax antigens.

PMID- 27255378
TI  - Effects of platelet-rich plasma on liver regeneration in CCl4-induced
      hepatotoxicity model.
AB  - Numerous bioactive growth factors and cytokines in platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
      have recently made it an attractive biomaterial for therapeutic purposes. These
      growth factors have the potential to regenerate the injured tissues. The aim of
      this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of PRP in hepatotoxic
      animal model. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by oral administration of 4
      mL/kg/week of CCl4 diluted 1:1 in corn oil for 10 weeks. To confirm the
      hepatotoxicity, 24 h after the last CCl4 administration, blood samples were
      collected via cardiac puncture to assess the serum levels of alanine
      aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin,
      total protein, and total bilirubin. Twenty-four hours after blood collection, the
      experimental animals received a single injection of PRP (1 mL) via the anterior
      mesenteric vein. One week later, all biochemical tests were performed again, and
      the rats were scarified and their livers were removed, prepared histologically,
      and stained. The stereological analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of
      PRP on histopathological features of CCl4-treated livers. The results were
      compared statistically with the corresponding control and CCl4+normal saline (NS)
      treated animals. A significant decrease in the number and volume of hepatocytes
      (p = 0.01), and also a reduction in the volume of sinusoids (p = 0.001) and
      connective tissue (p = 0.04), were observed in the PRP-treated animals compared
      with the CCl4+NS-treated ones. Our findings demonstrated that application of PRP
      had beneficial effects on CCl4-induced fibrosis; however, it had detrimental
      effects on the total number of hepatocytes and the volume of hepatocytes and
      sinusoidal spaces.

PMID- 27255377
TI  - The level of netrin-1 is decreased in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction resulting from inflammation has been
      recognized to contribute to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Netrin-1 is a new
      indicator of subclinical inflammation and it has a role in beta-cell apoptosis.
      This study evaluated the level of netrin-1 in newly diagnosed T2DM patients and
      explored whether netrin-1 is a reliable marker or a key factor in the development
      of T2DM. METHODS: Netrin-1 level was determined using a commercially available
      human enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The homeostasis model
      assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used as an index to measure
      insulin resistance. The sample consisted of 30 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM
      who had a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level ranging from 7.5 % (58 mmol/mol)
      to 10.5 % (91 mmol/mol). The control group consisted of 26 healthy individuals
      matched for age and body mass index. RESULTS: The netrin-1 level of T2DM patients
      was significantly lower than that of healthy controls (p < 0.01). Logistic
      regression analysis showed that the level of netrin-1 was negatively correlated
      with HOMA-IR, fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, fasting insulin
      and HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma netrin-1 levels were decreased in patients with
      newly diagnosed T2DM, and the levels of netrin-1 were negatively associated with
      IR and glucose homeostasis. Future studies on the precise mechanism will offer
      new insights into the prevention and treatment of T2DM.

PMID- 27255380
TI  - Pyrazinamide Induced Rat Cholestatic Liver Injury through Inhibition of FXR
      Regulatory Effect on Bile Acid Synthesis and Transport.
AB  - Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an indispensable first-line drug used for the treatment of
      tuberculosis which may cause serious hepatotoxicity; however, the mechanisms
      underlying these toxicities are poorly understood. Cholestasis plays an important
      role in drug-induced liver injury. Since there were no previous published works
      reported cholestasis and PZA hepatotoxicity relationship, this study aimed to
      identify whether PZA can induce liver injury with characterized evidences of
      cholestasis and to clarify expression changes of proteins related to both bile
      acid synthesis and transport in PZA-induced liver injury. PZA (2 g/kg) was
      administered for 7 consecutive days by oral gavage. Results showed there were 2
      fold elevation in both ALT and AST serum levels in PZA-treated rats. In addition,
      a 10-fold increment in serum total bile acid was observed after PZA
      administration. The mRNA and protein expressions of bile acid synthesis and
      transport parameters were markedly altered, in which FXR, Bsep, Mrp2, Mdr2,
      Ostalpha/beta, Oatp1a1, Oatp1b2, and Cyp8b1 were decreased (P < .05), while Mrp3,
      Ntcp, Oatp1a4, and Cyp7a1 were increased (P < .05). Moreover, treatment with the
      FXR agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) generated obvious reductions in serum ALT,
      AST, and TBA levels in PZA-treated rats. Those effects were due to
      transcriptional regulation of pre-mentioned target genes by OCA. Taken together,
      these results suggested that PZA-induced cholestatic liver injury was related to
      FXR inhibition, leading to the dysfunction in bile acid synthesis and transport.

PMID- 27255379
TI  - Statistical inference of a convergent antibody repertoire response to influenza
      vaccine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vaccines dramatically affect an individual's adaptive immune system
      and thus provide an excellent means to study human immunity. Upon vaccination,
      the B cells that express antibodies (Abs) that happen to bind the vaccine are
      stimulated to proliferate and undergo mutagenesis at their Ab locus. This process
      may alter the composition of B cell lineages within an individual, which are
      known collectively as the antibody repertoire (AbR). Antibodies are also highly
      expressed in whole blood, potentially enabling RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)
      technologies to query this diversity. Less is known about the diversity of AbR
      responses across individuals to a given vaccine and if individuals tend to yield
      a similar response to the same antigenic stimulus. METHODS: Here we implement a
      bioinformatic pipeline that extracts the AbR information from a time-series RNA
      seq dataset of five patients who were administered a seasonal trivalent influenza
      vaccine (TIV). We harness the detailed time-series nature of this dataset and use
      methods based in functional data analysis (FDA) to identify the Abs that respond
      to the vaccine. We then design and implement rigorous statistical tests in order
      to ask whether or not these patients exhibit a convergent AbR response to the
      same TIV. RESULTS: We find that high-resolution time-series data can be used to
      help identify the Abs that respond to an antigenic stimulus and that this
      response can exhibit a convergent nature across patients inoculated with the same
      vaccine. However, correlations in AbR diversity among individuals prior to
      inoculation can confound inference of a convergent signal unless it is taken into
      account. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a framework to identify the elements of an AbR
      that respond to an antigen. This information could be used to understand the
      diversity of different immune responses in different individuals, as well as to
      gauge the effectiveness of the immune response to a given stimulus within an
      individual. We also present a framework for testing a convergent hypothesis
      between AbRs; a hypothesis that is more difficult to test than previously
      appreciated. Our discovery of a convergent signal suggests that similar epitopes
      do select for antibodies with similar sequence characteristics.

PMID- 27255382
TI  - Editor's Highlight: Abrasion of Artificial Stones as a New Cause of an Ancient
      Disease. Physicochemical Features and Cellular Responses.
AB  - New outbursts of silicosis were recently reported among workers manufacturing an
      engineered material known as "artificial stone," composed by high percentages of
      quartz (up to 98%) agglomerated with pigments and polymeric resins. Dusts
      released by abrasion during artificial stone polishing were characterized for
      particle size, morphology, and elemental composition and studied for (1) ability
      to catalyze free radical generation in acellular tests, (2) membranolytic
      potential on human erythrocytes, (3) cytotoxic activity (lactate dehydrogenase
      release) on murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) and human bronchial epithelial
      (BEAS-2B) cell lines, (4) induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in
      BEAS-2B cells. Min-U-Sil 5 was used as reference quartz. Artificial stone dusts
      exhibited morphological features close to quartz, but contained larger amount of
      metal transition ions (mainly, Fe, Cu, and Ti), potentially responsible for the
      high reactivity in free radical generation observed. Opposite to Min-U-Sil 5,
      they were neither hemolytic nor cytotoxic on MH-S cells, a low cytotoxicity only
      being observed with BEAS-2B cells. The presence on the particle surface of
      residues of the resin accounts for this attenuated behavior, as hemolysis
      appeared and cytotoxicity increased after thermal degradation of the resin, when
      the free quartz surface was exposed. All dusts induced EMT with loss of E
      cadherin expression and increased the expression of mesenchymal proteins (alpha
      smooth muscle actin and vimentin). This may contribute to explain the development
      of fibrosis on workers exposed to artificial stone dusts.

PMID- 27255381
TI  - Mechanisms of Doxorubicin Toxicity in Pancreatic beta-Cells.
AB  - Exposure to chemotherapeutic agents has been linked to an increased risk of type
      2 diabetes (T2D), a disease characterized by both the peripheral insulin
      resistance and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from
      pancreatic beta-cells. Using the rat beta-cell line INS-1 832/13 and isolated
      mouse pancreatic islets, we investigated the effect of the chemotherapeutic drug
      doxorubicin (Adriamycin) on pancreatic beta-cell survival and function. Exposure
      of INS-1 832/13 cells to doxorubicin caused impairment of GSIS, cellular
      viability, an increase in cellular toxicity, as soon as 6 h post-exposure.
      Doxorubicin impaired plasma membrane electron transport (PMET), a pathway
      dependent on reduced equivalents NADH and NADPH, but failed to redox cycle in INS
      1 832/13 cells and with their lysates. Although NADPH/NADP(+ )content was
      unaffected, NADH/NAD(+ )content decreased at 4 h post-exposure to doxorubicin,
      and was followed by a reduction in ATP content. Previous studies have
      demonstrated that doxorubicin functions as a topoisomerase II inhibitor via
      induction of DNA cross-linking, resulting in apoptosis. Doxorubicin induced the
      expression of mRNA for mdm2, cyclin G1, and fas whereas downregulating p53, and
      increased the melting temperature of genomic DNA, consistent with DNA damage and
      induction of apoptosis. Doxorubicin also induced caspase-3 and -7 activity in INS
      1 832/13 cells and mouse islets; co-treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z
      VAD-FMK temporarily attenuated the doxorubicin-mediated loss of viability in INS
      1 832/13 cells. Together, these data suggest that DNA damage, not H2O2 produced
      via redox cycling, is a major mechanism of doxorubicin toxicity in pancreatic
      beta-cells.

PMID- 27255383
TI  - Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Prolong Cardiac Repolarization through
      Transcriptional Mechanisms.
AB  - Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are an emerging class of anticancer agents
      that modify gene expression by altering the acetylation status of lysine residues
      of histone proteins, thereby inducing transcription, cell cycle arrest,
      differentiation, and cell death or apoptosis of cancer cells. In the clinical
      setting, treatment with HDAC inhibitors has been associated with delayed cardiac
      repolarization and in rare instances a lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmia known
      as torsades de pointes. The mechanism(s) of HDAC inhibitor-induced effects on
      cardiac repolarization is unknown. We demonstrate that administration of
      structurally diverse HDAC inhibitors to dogs causes delayed but persistent
      increases in the heart rate corrected QT interval (QTc), an in vivo measure of
      cardiac repolarization, at timepoints far removed from the Tmax for parent drug
      and metabolites. Transcriptional profiling of ventricular myocardium from dogs
      treated with various HDAC inhibitors demonstrated effects on genes involved in
      protein trafficking, scaffolding and insertion of various ion channels into the
      cell membrane as well as genes for specific ion channel subunits involved in
      cardiac repolarization. Extensive in vitro ion channel profiling of various
      structural classes of HDAC inhibitors (and their major metabolites) by binding
      and acute patch clamp assays failed to show any consistent correlations with
      direct ion channel blockade. Drug-induced rescue of an intracellular trafficking
      deficient mutant potassium ion channel, hERG (G601S), and decreased maturation
      (glycosylation) of wild-type hERG expressed by CHO cells in vitro correlated with
      prolongation of QTc intervals observed in vivo The results suggest that HDAC
      inhibitor-induced prolongation of cardiac repolarization may be mediated in part
      by transcriptional changes of genes required for ion channel trafficking and
      localization to the sarcolemma. These data have broad implications for the
      development of these drug classes and suggest that the optimal time to assess
      potentially transcriptionally mediated physiologic effects will be delayed
      relative to an epigenetic drug's Tmax/Cmax.

PMID- 27255384
TI  - From the Cover: Disease-Induced Disparities in Formation of the Nanoparticle
      Biocorona and the Toxicological Consequences.
AB  - Nanoparticle (NP) association with macromolecules in a physiological environment
      forms a biocorona (BC), which alters NP distribution, activity, and toxicity.
      While BC formation is dependent on NP physicochemical properties, little
      information exists on the influence of the physiological environment. Obese
      individuals and those with cardiovascular disease exist with altered serum
      chemistry, which is expected to influence BC formation and NP toxicity. We
      hypothesize that a BC formed on NPs following incubation in hyperlipidemic serum
      will result in altered NP-BC protein content, cellular association, and toxicity
      compared to normal serum conditions. We utilized Fe3O4 NPs, which are being
      developed as MRI contrast and tumor targeting agents to test our hypothesis. We
      used rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) within a dynamic flow in vitro exposure
      system to more accurately depict the in vivo environment. A BC was formed on 20nm
      PVP-suspended Fe3O4 NPs following incubation in water, 10% normal or
      hyperlipidemic rat serum. Addition of BCs resulted in increased hydrodynamic size
      and decreased surface charge. More cholesterol associated with Fe3O4 NPs after
      incubation in hyperlipidemic as compared with normal serum. Using quantitative
      proteomics, we identified unique differences in BC protein components between the
      2 serum types. Under flow conditions, formation of a BC from both serum types
      reduced RAECs association of Fe3O4 NPs. Addition of BCs was found to exacerbate
      RAECs inflammatory gene responses to Fe3O4 NPs (Fe3O4-hyperlipidemic > Fe3O4
      normal > Fe3O4) including increased expression of IL-6, TNF-alpha, Cxcl-2, VCAM
      1, and ICAM-1. Overall, these findings demonstrate that disease-induced
      variations in physiological environments have a significant impact NP-BC
      formation, cellular association, and cell response.

PMID- 27255385
TI  - Generalized Concentration Addition Modeling Predicts Mixture Effects of
      Environmental PPARgamma Agonists.
AB  - The vast array of potential environmental toxicant combinations necessitates the
      development of efficient strategies for predicting toxic effects of mixtures.
      Current practices emphasize the use of concentration addition to predict joint
      effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in coexposures. Generalized
      concentration addition (GCA) is one such method for predicting joint effects of
      coexposures to chemicals and has the advantage of allowing for mixture components
      to have differences in efficacy (ie, dose-response curve maxima). Peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a nuclear receptor that
      plays a central role in regulating lipid homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and
      bone quality and is the target of an increasing number of environmental
      toxicants. Here, we tested the applicability of GCA in predicting mixture effects
      of therapeutic (rosiglitazone and nonthiazolidinedione partial agonist) and
      environmental PPARgamma ligands (phthalate compounds identified using EPA's
      ToxCast database). Transcriptional activation of human PPARgamma1 by individual
      compounds and mixtures was assessed using a peroxisome proliferator response
      element-driven luciferase reporter. Using individual dose-response parameters and
      GCA, we generated predictions of PPARgamma activation by the mixtures, and we
      compared these predictions with the empirical data. At high concentrations, GCA
      provided a better estimation of the experimental response compared with 3
      alternative models: toxic equivalency factor, effect summation and independent
      action. These alternatives provided reasonable fits to the data at low
      concentrations in this system. These experiments support the implementation of
      GCA in mixtures analysis with endocrine disrupting compounds and establish
      PPARgamma as an important target for further studies of chemical mixtures.

PMID- 27255386
TI  - From the Cover: Thirdhand Cigarette Smoke Causes Stress-Induced Mitochondrial
      Hyperfusion and Alters the Transcriptional Profile of Stem Cells.
AB  - Thirdhand cigarette smoke (THS) was recently recognized as an environmental
      health hazard; however, little is known about it effects on cells. Mitochondria
      are sensitive monitors of cell health and report on environmentally induced
      stress. We tested the effects of low levels of THS extracted from terry cloth on
      mitochondrial morphology and function using stem cells with well-defined
      mitochondria. Concentrations of THS that did not kill cells caused stress-induced
      mitochondrial hyperfusion (SIMH), which was characterized by changes in
      mitochondrial morphology indicative of fusion, increased mitochondrial membrane
      potential (MMP), increased ATP levels, increased superoxide production, and
      increased oxidation of mitochondrial proteins. SIMH was accompanied by a decrease
      in Fis1 expression, a gene responsible for mitochondrial fission, and a decrease
      in apoptosis-related genes, including Aifm2, Bbc3, and Bid There was also down
      regulation of Ucp2, Ucp4, and Ucp5, genes that decrease MMP thereby reducing
      oxidative phosphorylation, while promoting glycolysis. These effects, which
      collectively accompany SIMH, are a prosurvival mechanism to rescue damaged
      mitochondria and protect cells from apoptosis. Prolonged exposure to THS caused a
      reduction in MMP and decreased cell proliferation, which likely leads to
      apoptosis.

PMID- 27255387
TI  - Editor's Highlight: Characterization of Hepatotoxicity Mechanisms Triggered by
      Designer Cathinone Drugs (beta-Keto Amphetamines).
AB  - The use of cathinone designer drugs in recreational settings has been associated
      with severe toxic effects, including liver damage. The precise mechanisms by
      which cathinones induce hepatotoxicity and whether they act by common pathways
      remain to be elucidated. Herein, we assessed the toxicity of the cathinones
      methylone, pentedrone, 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and 4
      methylethcathinone (4-MEC) in primary rat hepatocytes (PRH) and HepaRG cells, and
      compared with that of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). MDPV and
      pentedrone were significantly more toxic than MDMA, while methylone was the least
      cytotoxic compound. Importantly, PRH revealed to be the most sensitive
      experimental model and was thus used to explore the mechanisms underlying the
      observed toxicity. All drugs elicited the formation of reactive oxygen and
      nitrogen species (ROS and RNS), but more markedly for methylone, pentedrone and 4
      MEC. GSH depletion was also a common effect at the highest concentration tested,
      whereas only MDPV and pentedrone caused a significant decrease in ATP levels. The
      antioxidants ascorbic acid or N-acetyl-L-cysteine partially attenuated the
      observed cell death. All cathinones triggered significant caspase activation and
      apoptosis, which was partially reversed by the caspase inhibitor Ac-LETD-CHO. In
      conclusion, the present data shows that (1) cathinones induce in vitro
      hepatotoxic effects that vary in magnitude among the different analogues, (2)
      oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play a role in cathinones-induced
      hepatic injury, and (3) apoptosis appears to be an important pathway of cell
      death elicited by these novel drugs.

PMID- 27255388
TI  - Deducing the symmetry of helical assemblies: Applications to membrane proteins.
AB  - Helical reconstruction represents a convenient and powerful approach for
      structure determination of macromolecules that assemble into helical arrays. In
      the case of membrane proteins, formation of tubular crystals with helical
      symmetry represents an attractive alternative, especially when their small size
      precludes the use of single-particle analysis. An essential first step for
      helical reconstruction is to characterize the helical symmetry. This process is
      often daunting, due to the complexity of helical diffraction and to the low
      signal-to-noise ratio in images of individual assemblies. Furthermore, the large
      diameters of the tubular crystals produced by membrane proteins exacerbates the
      innate ambiguities that, if not resolved, will produce incorrect structures. In
      this report, we describe a set of tools that can be used to eliminate ambiguities
      and to validate the choice of symmetry. The first approach increases the signal
      to-noise ratio along layer lines by incoherently summing data from multiple
      helical assemblies, thus producing several candidate indexing schemes. The second
      approach compares the layer lines from images with those from synthetic models
      built with the various candidate schemes. The third approach uses unit cell
      dimensions measured from collapsed tubes to distinguish between these candidate
      schemes. These approaches are illustrated with tubular crystals from a boron
      transporter from yeast, Bor1p, and a beta-barrel channel from the outer membrane
      of E. coli, OmpF.

PMID- 27255389
TI  - The Gut Microbiome and Obesity.
AB  - The gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria which play an important role
      in human metabolism. Animal and human studies have implicated distortion of the
      normal microbial balance in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Bacteria causing
      weight gain are thought to induce the expression of genes related to lipid and
      carbohydrate metabolism thereby leading to greater energy harvest from the diet.
      There is a large body of evidence demonstrating that alteration in the proportion
      of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes leads to the development of obesity, but this has
      been recently challenged. It is likely that the influence of gut microbiome on
      obesity is much more complex than simply an imbalance in the proportion of these
      phyla of bacteria. Modulation of the gut microbiome through diet, pre- and
      probiotics, antibiotics, surgery, and fecal transplantation has the potential to
      majorly impact the obesity epidemic.

PMID- 27255390
TI  - Intracortical inhibitory and excitatory circuits in subjects with minimal hepatic
      encephalopathy: a TMS study.
AB  - Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is the earliest form of hepatic
      encephalopathy (HE) and affects up to 80 % of patients with liver cirrhosis. By
      definition, MHE is characterized by psychomotor slowing and subtle cognitive
      deficits,  but obvious clinical manifestations are lacking. Given its covert
      nature, MHE is often underdiagnosed. This study was aimed at detecting
      neurophysiological changes, as assessed by means of transcranial magnetic
      stimulation (TMS), involved in the early pathogenesis of the HE. We investigated
      motor cortex excitability in 15 patients with MHE and in 15 age-matched age
      matched cirrhotic patients without MHE; the resting motor threshold, the short
      interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and the intracortical facilitation (ICF)
      were examined. Paired-pulse TMS revealed significant increased SICI and reduced
      ICF in the patients with MHE. These findings may reflect abnormalities in
      intrinsic brain activity and altered organization of functional connectivity
      networks. In particular, the results suggest a shift in the balance between
      intracortical inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms towards a net increase of
      inhibitory neurotransmission. Together with other neurophysiological (in
      particular EEG) and neuroimaging techniques, TMS may thus provide early markers
      of cerebral dysfunction in cirrhotic patients with MHE.

PMID- 27255391
TI  - Expression and actions of GnIH and its orthologs in vertebrates: Current status
      and advanced knowledge.
AB  - The physiology of reproduction is very complex and is regulated by multiple
      factors, including a number of hypothalamic neuropeptides. In last few decades,
      various neuropeptides have been discovered to be involved in stimulation or
      inhibition of reproduction. In 2000, Tsutsui and colleagues uncovered
      gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), a neuropeptide generating inhibitory
      drive to the reproductive axis, in the brain of Coturnix quail. Afterward, GnIH
      orthologs were discovered in other vertebrates from fish to mammals including
      human. In these vertebrates, all the discovered GnIH and its ortholgs have
      LPXRFamide (X=L or Q) sequence at C-terminus. GnIH orthologs of mammals and
      primates are also termed as RFamide-related peptide (RFRP)-1 and -3 that too have
      an LPXRFamide (X=L or Q) motif at their C-terminus. GnIH and its orthologs form a
      member of the RFamide peptide family. GnIH signals via its canonical G protein
      coupled receptor 147 (GPR147). Both GnIH and GPR147 are expressed in hypothalamus
      and other brain regions. Besides actions through the hypothalamic GnRH and
      kisspeptinergic neurons, GnIH-GPR147 signaling exerts inhibitory effect on the
      reproductive axis via pituitary gonadotropes and directly at gonadal level.
      Various factors including availability and quality of food, photoperiod,
      temperature, social interaction, various stresses and some diseases modulate GnIH
      GPR147 signaling. In this review, we have discussed expression and actions of
      GnIH and its orthologs in vertebrates. Special emphasis is given on the role of
      GnIH-GPR147 signaling pathway in the regulation of reproduction. We have also
      reviewed and discussed currently available literature on the participation of
      GnIH-GPR147 signaling pathway in the stress modulation of reproduction.

PMID- 27255392
TI  - Compressed sodium chloride as a fast-acting antimicrobial surface: results of a
      pilot study.
AB  - Antimicrobial surfaces are currently being studied as an aid to reduce
      transmission of pathogens leading to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
      Among the most harmful and costly pathogens that cause HAIs is meticillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Currently available and previously
      investigated antimicrobial surface technologies that are effective against MRSA
      (e.g. copper alloy surfaces) take 30min to several hours to achieve significant
      reduction. This article presents a new antimicrobial surface technology made of
      compressed sodium chloride that reduces MRSA 20-30 times faster than copper alloy
      surfaces. 

PMID- 27255394
TI  - Research misconduct and data fraud in clinical trials.

PMID- 27255395
TI  - Prevalence of data fraud.

PMID- 27255393
TI  - Risk factors of early recurrence within 6 months after esophagectomy following
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable advanced esophageal squamous cell
      carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is a standard
      treatment for resectable advanced esophageal cancer in Japan. However,
      approximately 10 % of patients with resectable advanced esophageal cancer
      experience recurrence within 6 months. METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight patients
      with resectable advanced esophageal cancer underwent NAC between October 2008 and
      July 2015 in Kumamoto University Hospital. Among them, 82 patients with
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), who underwent curative esophagectomy
      without adjuvant treatment, were eligible. Clinicopathological factors correlated
      with early recurrence were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of 82 patients, 14
      (17 %) recurred within 6 months after surgery. The logistic regression analysis
      suggested that CRP before NAC >= 0.5 mg/dl [hazard ratio (HR) 33.8, 95 %
      confidence interval (CI) 2.767-413.9; p = 0.006), presence of poorly
      differentiated SCC component (HR 138, 95 % CI 5.339-3576; p = 0.003), and
      pathological vessel invasion (HR 16.3, 95 % CI 1.960-136.1; p = 0.010) were
      candidates for independent risk factors of early recurrence. Patients with at
      least two factors frequently recurred (82 %). Of 14 patients with early
      recurrence, 13 (93 %) had a distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with
      resectable advanced esophageal cancer with at least two factors of CRP before NAC
      >= 0.5 mg/dl, presence of poorly differentiated SCC component, and pathological
      vessel invasion might be at high risk for early recurrence after esophagectomy
      following NAC. These patients might be considered for additional treatment and
      should be meticulously followed up after treatment.

PMID- 27255396
TI  - Renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation/TFE gene fusion:
      imaging findings in 21 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To characterize imaging features of renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
      associated with Xp11.2 translocation/TFE gene fusion. METHODS: Twenty-one
      patients with Xp11.2/TFE RCC were retrospectively evaluated. Tumour location,
      size, density, cystic or solid appearance, calcification, capsule sign,
      enhancement pattern and metastases were assessed. RESULTS: Fourteen women and
      seven men were identified with 12 being 25 years old or younger. Tumours were
      solitary and cystic-solid (76.2 %) masses with a capsule (76.2 %); 90.5 % were
      located in the medulla. Calcifications and lymph node metastases were each
      observed in 24 %. On unenhanced CT, tumour attenuation was greater than in normal
      renal parenchyma (85.7 %). Tumour enhancement was less than in normal renal
      cortex on all enhanced phases, greater than in normal renal medulla on cortical
      and medullary phases, but less than in normal renal medulla on delayed phase. On
      MR, the tumours were isointense on T1WI, heterogeneously hypointense on T2WI and
      slightly hyperintense on diffusion-weighted imaging. CONCLUSION: Xp11.2/TFE RCC
      usually occurs in young women. It is a cystic-solid, hyperdense mass with a
      capsule. It arises from the renal medulla with enhancement less than in the
      cortex but greater than in the medulla in all phases except the delayed phase,
      when it is lower than in the medulla. KEY POINTS: * Xp11.2/TFE RCC was more
      prevalent in young women. * On unenhanced CT, Xp11.2/TFE RCC attenuation was
      greater than in renal parenchyma. * Xp111/2TFE RCC arises primarily from the
      renal medulla. * Xp11.2/TFE RCC enhancement was less than in the cortex on all
      phases. * Enhancement was greater than in the medulla in arterial and
      corticomedullary phase.

PMID- 27255397
TI  - Outcome of hypovascular hepatic nodules with positive uptake of gadoxetic acid in
      patients with cirrhosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the longitudinal risk to patients with cirrhosis of
      hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developing from hypovascular hepatic
      nodules that show positive uptake of gadoxetic acid (hyperintensity) on
      hepatocyte phase images. METHODS: In 69 patients, we evaluated findings from
      serial follow-up examinations of 633 hepatic nodules that appeared hypovascular
      and hyperintense on initial gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
      (EOB-MRI) until the nodules demonstrated hypervascularity and were diagnosed as
      hypervascular HCC. Cox analyses were performed to identify risk factors for the
      development of hypervascular HCCs from the nodules. RESULTS: The median follow-up
      was 663 days (range, 110 to 1215 days). Hypervascular HCCs developed in six of
      the 633 nodules (0.9 %) in five of the 69 patients. The only independent risk
      factor, the nodule's initial maximum diameter of 10 mm or larger, demonstrated a
      hazard ratio of 1.25. The one-year risk of hypervascular HCC developing from a
      nodule was 0.44 %. The risk was significantly higher for nodules of larger
      diameter (1.31 %) than those smaller than 10 mm (0.10 %, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      Hypervascular HCC rarely develops from hypovascular, hyperintense hepatic
      nodules. We observed low risk even for nodules of 10 mm and larger diameter at
      initial examination. KEY POINTS: * Hypervascularization was rare on follow-up
      examination of hypovascular, hyperintense nodules * The risk of
      hypervascularization in a nodule increased with large size * Hypovascular,
      hyperintense nodules require neither treatment nor more intense follow-up.

PMID- 27255398
TI  - Ultrasound assessment of the posterior circumflex humeral artery in elite
      volleyball players: Aneurysm prevalence, anatomy, branching pattern and vessel
      characteristics.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of posterior circumflex humeral artery
      (PCHA) aneurysms and vessel characteristics of the PCHA and deep brachial artery
      (DBA) in elite volleyball players. METHODS: Two-hundred and eighty players
      underwent standardized ultrasound assessment of the dominant arm by a vascular
      technologist. Assessment included determination of PCHA aneurysms (defined as
      segmental vessel dilatation >=150 %), PCHA and DBA anatomy, branching pattern,
      vessel course and diameter. RESULTS: The PCHA and DBA were identified in 100 %
      and 93 % (260/280) of cases, respectively. The prevalence of PCHA aneurysms was
      4.6 % (13/280). All aneurysms were detected in proximal PCHA originating from the
      axillary artery (AA). The PCHA originated from the AA in 81 % of cases (228/280),
      and showed a curved course dorsally towards the humeral head in 93 % (211/228).
      The DBA originated from the AA in 73 % of cases (190/260), and showed a straight
      course parallel to the AA in 93 % (177/190). CONCLUSIONS: PCHA aneurysm
      prevalence in elite volleyball players is high and associated with a specific
      branching type: a PCHA that originates from the axillary artery. Radiologists
      should have a high index of suspicion for this vascular overuse injury. For the
      first time vessel characteristics and reference values are described to
      facilitate ultrasound assessment. KEY POINTS: * Prevalence of PCHA aneurysms is
      4.6 % among elite volleyball players. * All aneurysms are in proximal PCHA that
      originates directly from AA. * Vessel characteristics and reference values are
      described to facilitate US assessment. * Mean PCHA and DBA diameters can be used
      as reference values. * Radiologists need a high index of suspicion for this
      vascular overuse injury.

PMID- 27255400
TI  - Prediction of infarction development after endovascular stroke therapy with dual
      energy computed tomography.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: After intraarterial recanalisation (IAR), the haemorrhage and the
      blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption can be distinguished using dual-energy
      computed tomography (DECT). The aim of the present study was to investigate
      whether future infarction development can be predicted from DECT. METHODS: DECT
      scans of 20 patients showing 45 BBB disrupted areas after IAR were assessed and
      compared with follow-up examinations. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC)
      analyses using densities from the iodine map (IM) and virtual non-contrast (VNC)
      were performed. RESULTS: Future infarction areas are denser than future non
      infarction areas on IM series (23.44 +/- 24.86 vs. 5.77 +/- 2.77; p < 0.0001) and
      more hypodense on VNC series (29.71 +/- 3.33 vs. 35.33 +/- 3.50; p < 0.0001). ROC
      analyses for the IM series showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.99 (cut-off:
      <9.97 HU; p < 0.05; sensitivity 91.18 %; specificity 100.00 %; accuracy 0.93) for
      the prediction of future infarctions. The AUC for the prediction of haemorrhagic
      infarctions was 0.78 (cut-off >17.13 HU; p < 0.05; sensitivity 90.00 %;
      specificity 62.86 %; accuracy 0.69). The VNC series allowed prediction of
      infarction volume. CONCLUSIONS: Future infarction development after IAR can be
      reliably predicted with the IM series. The prediction of haemorrhages and of
      infarction size is less reliable. KEY POINTS: * The IM series (DECT) can predict
      future infarction development after IAR. * Later haemorrhages can be predicted
      using the IM and the BW series. * The volume of definable hypodense areas in VNC
      correlates with infarction volume.

PMID- 27255399
TI  - Subsolid pulmonary nodule morphology and associated patient characteristics in a
      routine clinical population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the presence and morphology of subsolid pulmonary
      nodules (SSNs) in a non-screening setting and relate them to clinical and patient
      characteristics. METHODS: A total of 16,890 reports of clinically obtained chest
      CT (06/2011 to 11/2014, single-centre) were searched describing an SSN. Subjects
      with a visually confirmed SSN and at least two thin-slice CTs were included.
      Nodule volumes were measured. Progression was defined as volume increase
      exceeding the software interscan variation. Nodule morphology, location, and
      patient characteristics were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifteen transient and 74
      persistent SSNs were included (median follow-up 19.6 [8.3-36.8] months). Subjects
      with an SSN were slightly older than those without (62 vs. 58 years; p = 0.01),
      but no gender predilection was found. SSNs were mostly located in the upper
      lobes. Women showed significantly more often persistent lesions than men (94 %
      vs. 69 %; p = 0.002). Part-solid lesions were larger (1638 vs. 383 mm3; p <
      0.001) and more often progressive (68 % vs. 38 %; p = 0.02), compared to pure
      ground-glass nodules. Progressive SSNs were rare under the age of 50 years.
      Logistic regression analysis did not identify additional nodule parameters of
      future progression, apart from part-solid nature. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      confirms previously reported characteristics of SSNs and associated factors in a
      European, routine clinical population. KEY POINTS: * SSNs in women are
      significantly more often persistent compared to men. * SSN persistence is not
      associated with age or prior malignancy. * The majority of (persistent) SSNs are
      located in the upper lung lobes. * A part-solid nature is associated with future
      nodule growth. * Progressive solitary SSNs are rare under the age of 50 years.

PMID- 27255401
TI  - Prediction of the treatment outcome using intravoxel incoherent motion and
      diffusional kurtosis imaging in nasal or sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic value of intravoxel incoherent motion
      (IVIM) and diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) parameters in nasal or sinonasal
      squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients to determine local control/failure.
      METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were evaluated. MR acquisition used single-shot
      spin-echo EPI with 12 b-values. Quantitative parameters (mean value, 25th, 50th
      and 75th percentiles) of IVIM (perfusion fraction f, pseudo-diffusion coefficient
      D*, and true-diffusion coefficient D), DKI (kurtosis value K, kurtosis corrected
      diffusion coefficient Dk) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were
      calculated. Parameter values at both the pretreatment and early-treatment period,
      and the percentage change between these two periods were obtained. RESULTS:
      Multivariate logistic regression analysis: the percentage changes of D (mean,
      25th, 50th, 75th), K (mean, 50th, 75th), Dk (mean, 25th, 50th), and ADC (mean,
      25th, 50th) were predictors of local control. ROC curve analysis: the parameter
      with the highest accuracy = the percentage change of D value with the histogram
      25th percentile (0.93 diagnostic accuracy). Multivariate Cox regression analyses:
      the percentage changes of D (mean, 25th, 50th), K (mean, 50th, 75th), Dk (mean,
      25th, 50th) and ADC (mean, 25th, 50th) are predictors. CONCLUSIONS: IVIM and DKI
      parameters, especially the D-value's histogram 25th percentile, are useful for
      predicting local control. KEY POINTS: * Noninvasive assessment of treatment
      outcome in SCC patients was achieved using IVIM/DKI. * Several IVIM and DKI
      parameters can predict the local control. * Especially, the D-value's histogram
      25th percentile has high diagnostic accuracy.

PMID- 27255402
TI  - The number of unrecognized myocardial infarction scars detected at DE-MRI
      increases during a 5-year follow-up.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In an elderly population, the prevalence of unrecognized myocardial
      infarction (UMI) scars found via late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac
      magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was more frequent than expected. This study
      investigated whether UMI scars detected with LGE-CMR at age 70 would be
      detectable at age 75 and whether the scar size changed over time. METHODS: From
      248 participants that underwent LGE-CMR at age 70, 185 subjects underwent a
      follow-up scan at age 75. A myocardial infarction (MI) scar was defined as late
      enhancement involving the subendocardium. RESULTS: In the 185 subjects that
      underwent follow-up, 42 subjects had a UMI scar at age 70 and 61 subjects had a
      UMI scar at age 75. Thirty-seven (88 %) of the 42 UMI scars seen at age 70 were
      seen in the same myocardial segment at age 75. The size of UMI scars did not
      differ between age 70 and 75. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of UMI scars detected
      at LGE-CMR increases with age. During a 5-year follow-up, 88 % (37/42) of the UMI
      scars were visible in the same myocardial segment, reassuring that UMI scars are
      a consistent finding. The size of UMI scars detected during LGE-CMR did not
      change over time. KEY POINTS: * UMI scars detected by LGE-CMR are frequent in
      elderly. * The prevalence of UMI scars detected with LGE-CMR increases with age.
      * UMI scar size does not change over time.

PMID- 27255403
TI  - Circulatory shear flow alters the viability and proliferation of circulating
      colon cancer cells.
AB  - During cancer metastasis, circulating tumor cells constantly experience
      hemodynamic shear stress in the circulation. Cellular responses to shear stress
      including cell viability and proliferation thus play critical roles in cancer
      metastasis. Here, we developed a microfluidic approach to establish a circulatory
      microenvironment and studied circulating human colon cancer HCT116 cells in
      response to a variety of magnitude of shear stress and circulating time. Our
      results showed that cell viability decreased with the increase of circulating
      time, but increased with the magnitude of wall shear stress. Proliferation of
      cells survived from circulation could be maintained when physiologically relevant
      wall shear stresses were applied. High wall shear stress (60.5 dyne/cm(2)),
      however, led to decreased cell proliferation at long circulating time (1 h). We
      further showed that the expression levels of beta-catenin and c-myc,
      proliferation regulators, were significantly enhanced by increasing wall shear
      stress. The presented study provides a new insight to the roles of circulatory
      shear stress in cellular responses of circulating tumor cells in a
      physiologically relevant model, and thus will be of interest for the study of
      cancer cell mechanosensing and cancer metastasis.

PMID- 27255404
TI  - Valproate-Associated Parkinsonism: A Critical Review of the Literature.
AB  - Valproate was first approved as an antiepileptic drug in 1962 and has since also
      become established as a mood stabiliser and as prophylaxis for migraine. In 1979,
      Lautin published the first description of a valproate-associated extrapyramidal
      syndrome. Many cases of valproate-associated parkinsonism have subsequently been
      published, but uncertainties remain concerning its prevalence, risk factors and
      prognosis. The aim of this paper is to provide a critical review of the existing
      literature on valproate-associated parkinsonism and to discuss possible
      mechanisms. Literature databases were searched systematically: we identified a
      total of 116 patients with valproate-associated parkinsonism published in case
      reports, case series and systematic analyses. Prevalence rates ranged widely,
      between 1.4 and 75 % of patients taking valproate. There was great heterogeneity
      with regard to clinical presentation, age of onset, valproate dose, concomitant
      conditions and imaging findings. In all patients apart from three, valproate
      plasma concentrations were within or even below the recommended reference range
      when the parkinsonism occurred. Parkinsonism was reversible in the majority of
      patients, although recovery was often prolonged and sometimes incomplete. A
      dopaminergic deficit was confirmed in three of six patients investigated with
      dopamine transporter imaging. Seven of 14 patients who were treated with
      dopaminergic medication had a good response. The quality of the evidence was
      assessed and probability of causation was examined using the Naranjo score, which
      ranged from 0 to 7 (median: 5.0). Several pathophysiological mechanisms,
      including altered gene expression and neurotransmitter signalling, enhanced
      neurodegeneration or unmasking subclinical dopaminergic degeneration, could
      theoretically lead to valproate-associated parkinsonism. Further studies are
      warranted to elucidate this entity and its underlying pathophysiology. 

PMID- 27255406
TI  - Retrieving orbital angular momentum distribution of light with plasmonic vortex
      lens.
AB  - We utilize a plasmonic vortex lens (PVL) to retrieve the orbital angular momentum
      (OAM) distribution of light. The OAM modes are coupled to the surface plasmon
      polaritons (SPPs) in the form of various Bessel functions respectively. By
      decomposing the interference pattern of SPPs into these Bessel functions, we can
      retrieve the relative amplitude and the relative phase of input OAM modes
      simultaneously. Our scheme shows advantage in integration and can measure hybrid
      OAM states by one measurement.

PMID- 27255405
TI  - Barriers to the Use of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in the Management of
      Schizophrenia.
AB  - Schizophrenia and related disorders remain major disabling conditions, mainly due
      to antipsychotic treatment resistance and to relapses related to antipsychotic
      nonadherence. Treatment nonadherence rates are consistently high in long-term
      patients, but also in first-episode patients with schizophrenia. Long-acting
      injectable antipsychotics (LAIAs) were mainly developed to improve adherence to
      treatment and to reduce the rate of relapse and rehospitalization in
      schizophrenia due to treatment discontinuation. There is favorable clinical
      evidence, in terms of both efficacy and treatment adherence, that could support
      higher LAIA prescription rates, especially in patients in early phases of
      psychotic disorders. Several factors could be hindering wider use of LAIAs,
      mainly associated with perceptions and attitudes of patients, clinicians, and
      health managers or policy makers. The main aims of this review are (i) to
      summarize the existing data on the efficacy and tolerability of LAIAs compared
      with oral formulations in the management of schizophrenia and related disorders,
      focusing on the novel, second-generation LAIA options; (ii) to analyze the
      barriers that exist to the more widespread use of these formulations; and (iii)
      to discuss possible approaches to overcoming these barriers.

PMID- 27255407
TI  - [Randomised clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new
      pediculicide made with saponified olive oil in the eradication of Pediculus
      humanus capitis].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a
      new pediculicide in the eradication of Pediculus humanus capitis infestation.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomised clinical trial was designed, in which children
      aged between 5 and 15 years diagnosed with pediculosis were selected. Treatment
      was administered on days 1 and 7 after selection, and they were evaluated in 4
      visits (day 2, 7, 9, and 14). The product under evaluation with saponified olive
      oil was Inex Pediculicide Soap(r), which was compared with Paranix(r), with a
      similar mechanism of action. The primary efficacy endpoint was the eradication of
      the parasite by day 14 (louse-free rate), using an intention to treat analysis.
      RESULTS: Six paediatricians from 5 Primary Health Care centres in the Community
      of Madrid (Spain) and one private clinic participated in the study. A total of 45
      children were included, of which 75.6% were girls (n=34). The mean age was 7.1
      years (95% CI 6.3-7.9). The large majority (80%) were middle class, and 82.2% had
      a history of previous pediculosis. The efficacy at 14 days was 76.2% (95% CI 52.8
      91.8) in the group treated with Inex Pediculicide Soap(r) group, and 79.2% (95%
      CI 57.9-92.9) in Paranix(r) group (NNT=33.3). No adverse effects were observed
      with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 products were effective and safe in the
      eradication therapy Pediculus humanus capitis, with no statistical differences.

PMID- 27255408
TI  - Outcome of heavily pretreated recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma after
      salvage resection: A monocentric retrospective analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goals of the present study were to analyze survival data of patients
      who received salvage surgery due to recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
      of the oral cavity with curative intent, and to investigate the feasibility of
      microvascular flap reconstruction in a heavily pretreated patient cohort.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 32 patients who received salvage surgery due to
      recurrent OSCC were included. The cohort was analyzed in regard to relevant
      clinical and pathological features. Survival was estimated by using Kaplan-Meier
      analysis and verified in a multivariate Cox regression model. RESULTS: All
      patients recovered well from surgery. The most common severe complication was
      free flap failure in 7 patients (24.1%). R0-resection was achieved in 16 patients
      (50%). Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the estimated overall
      survival and disease-free survival of all patients after 24 months were 37.8% and
      30.9%, respectively. Multivariate testing identified R1-resection was the only
      independent predictor of treatment failure. CONCLUSION: Salvage surgery is the
      only potential curative treatment option in recurrent OSCC. Microvascular
      reconstruction is feasible in heavily pretreated patients, but it is associated
      with a higher free flap failure rate. Recurrent OSCC in heavily pretreated
      patients shows different biological behavior. Further prospective clinical and
      molecular studies are needed to develop a better molecular understanding of
      recurrent OSCC and the best and safest individual therapeutic strategy.

PMID- 27255410
TI  - Engineering Paper-Based Sensors for Zika Virus.
AB  - The emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in Latin America and Southeast Asia
      has created an urgent need for new, simple, yet sensitive, diagnostic tests. We
      highlight recent work using paper-based sensors coupled with CRISPR/Cas9 to
      detect ZIKV RNA as a new approach to achieve rapid development and deployment of
      field-ready diagnostics for emerging infectious diseases.

PMID- 27255409
TI  - Identification of interleukin genes in Pogona vitticeps using a de novo
      transcriptome assembly from RNA-seq data.
AB  - Interleukins are a group of cytokines with complex immunomodulatory functions
      that are important for regulating immunity in vertebrate species. Reptiles and
      mammals last shared a common ancestor more than 350 million years ago, so it is
      not surprising that low sequence identity has prevented divergent interleukin
      genes from being identified in the central bearded dragon lizard, Pogona
      vitticeps, in its genome assembly. To determine the complete nucleotide sequences
      of key interleukin genes, we constructed full-length transcripts, using the
      Trinity platform, from short paired-end read RNA sequences from stimulated spleen
      cells. De novo transcript reconstruction and analysis allowed us to identify
      interleukin genes that are missing from the published P. vitticeps assembly.
      Identification of key cytokines in P. vitticeps will provide insight into the
      essential molecular mechanisms and evolution of interleukin gene families and
      allow for characterization of the immune response in a lizard for comparison with
      mammals.

PMID- 27255411
TI  - Dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging identifies early perfusion abnormalities
      in diabetes and hypertension: Insights from a multicenter registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To identify patients with early signs of myocardial perfusion
      reduction, a reference base for perfusion measures is needed. OBJECTIVE: To
      analyze perfusion parameters derived from dynamic computed tomography perfusion
      imaging (CTPI) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), and
      relationship with risk factors. METHODS: In this multicenter study, coronary CT
      angiography (cCTA) and dynamic CTPI were performed by second-generation dual
      source CT in patients suspected of CAD. Risk factors were collected from hospital
      records. Patients with visual perfusion defects on CTPI, previous coronary
      intervention, or missing risk factor details were excluded. This analysis
      included 98 patients (mean age +/- standard deviation [SD], 59.0 +/- 8.6yrs; 73
      male). Global measures of left ventricular myocardial blood flow (MBF),
      myocardial blood volume (MBV) and volume transfer constant (K(trans)) were
      calculated. RESULTS: Mean MBF was 139.3 +/- 31.4 mL/100 mL/min, MBV 19.1 +/- 2.7
      mL/100 mL, and Ktrans 85.0 +/- 17.5 mL/100 mL/min. No significant differences in
      perfusion parameters were found by gender or age category. Hypertension and
      diabetes mellitus resulted in lower perfusion parameters (hypertension vs
      normotension: MBV 18.5 +/- 3.0 vs 19.7 +/- 2.3 mL/100 mL and K(trans) 82.0 +/-
      18.0 vs 89.0 +/- 16.0, p < 0.05; diabetes vs no diabetes: MBF 128.5 +/- 31.5 vs
      144.0 +/- 30.5 mL/100 mL/min and MBV 17.9 +/- 2.4 vs 19.4 +/- 2.8 mL/100 mL, p <
      0.05). In patients with hyperlipidemia, MBF was higher (146.8 +/- 34.4 vs 130.7
      +/- 24.3 mL/100 mL/min, p < 0.05). Smoking and family history did not show
      perfusion parameter differences. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic CTPI identifies early
      perfusion disturbances in conditions like diabetes and hypertension. With further
      standardization, absolute perfusion measures may improve CAD risk stratification
      in patients without visual perfusion defects.

PMID- 27255412
TI  - Manifestations of Pediatric Intracranial Hypertension From the Intracranial
      Hypertension Registry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the presenting symptoms,
      demographics, and interventions in pediatric patients enrolled in the
      Intracranial Hypertension Registry. METHODS: We analyzed confirmed intracranial
      hypertension patients <=18 years at the time of initial diagnosis who were
      enrolled in the registry. RESULTS: A total of 203 patients met the criteria for
      inclusion; 142 (70%) were considered primary intracranial hypertension. Females
      made up 72.5% (103 of 142) and 75.8% (47 of 61) in the primary intracranial
      hypertension and secondary intracranial hypertension groups, respectively. There
      were no clinically significant differences in age, body mass index, or opening
      pressure between the primary intracranial hypertension and secondary intracranial
      hypertension groups. Symptoms most often reported were headache and blurred
      vision. Bilateral optic disc edema occurred in 89.3% of primary intracranial
      hypertension and 78.7% of secondary intracranial hypertension patients. When
      divided into pre- and postpubertal status, 32.5% of patients were classified
      prepubertal; 77.3% of these had primary intracranial hypertension. This resulted
      in a female to male ratio of 1:1.04 for prepubertal and 6:1 for postpubertal
      primary intracranial hypertension patients. The body mass index was significantly
      higher in the postpubertal primary intracranial hypertension group (P = 0.0014).
      There was no significant difference in opening pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The common
      symptoms of intracranial hypertension, including headache, optic disc edema, and
      vision changes, occurred with similar frequencies in our cohort to those reported
      in the literature. In separate subanalyses, we found significantly higher rates
      of obesity in postpubertal females with primary intracranial hypertension. The
      female-to-male ratios in the postpubertal primary intracranial hypertension and
      secondary intracranial hypertension groups were higher than reported in the
      literature.

PMID- 27255413
TI  - Recent Advances in Resting-State Electroencephalography Biomarkers for Autism
      Spectrum Disorder-A Review of Methodological and Clinical Challenges.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used for almost a century to
      identify seizure-related disorders in humans, typically through expert
      interpretation of multichannel recordings. Attempts have been made to quantify
      EEG through frequency analyses and graphic representations. These "traditional"
      quantitative EEG analysis methods were limited in their ability to analyze
      complex and multivariate data and have not been generally accepted in clinical
      settings. There has been growing interest in identification of novel EEG
      biomarkers to detect early risk of autism spectrum disorder, to identify
      clinically meaningful subgroups, and to monitor targeted intervention strategies.
      Most studies to date have, however, used quantitative EEG approaches, and little
      is known about the emerging multivariate analytical methods or the robustness of
      candidate biomarkers in the context of the variability of autism spectrum
      disorder. METHODS: Here, we present a targeted review of methodological and
      clinical challenges in the search for novel resting-state EEG biomarkers for
      autism spectrum disorder. RESULTS: Three primary novel methodologies are
      discussed: (1) modified multiscale entropy, (2) coherence analysis, and (3)
      recurrence quantification analysis. Results suggest that these methods may be
      able to classify resting-state EEG as "autism spectrum disorder" or "typically
      developing", but many signal processing questions remain unanswered. CONCLUSIONS:
      We suggest that the move to novel EEG analysis methods is akin to the progress in
      neuroimaging from visual inspection, through region-of-interest analysis, to
      whole-brain computational analysis. Novel resting-state EEG biomarkers will have
      to evaluate a range of potential demographic, clinical, and technical confounders
      including age, gender, intellectual ability, comorbidity, and medication, before
      these approaches can be translated into the clinical setting.

PMID- 27255414
TI  - Two-Dimensional Sonographic Evaluation of Endometrial Polyps - Parameters That
      Are Reassuring.
AB  - AIMS: To assess intra-endometrial lesions according to five two-dimensional
      sonographic parameters for predicting malignancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a
      retrospective analysis of stored digital images from consecutive pathological
      reports of patients with benign endometrial polyps and stage 1 endometrial
      carcinoma. Five sonographic parameters were evaluated: heterogeneous or complex
      echogenicity of the lesion, presence of a 'bright edge sign,' regular endometrial
      myometrial junction, the presence of a normal endometrium adjacent to the lesion,
      and detection of small intralesional cysts. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV,
      and NPV of these parameters were calculated, as well as combinations of pairs of
      parameters. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were eligible for the current study,
      26 with benign endometrial polyps and 53 with stage 1 endometrial carcinoma. The
      sonographic appearance of numerous small intralesional cysts (cystic formation)
      was highly related to benign polyp; the presence of a lesion with heterogeneous
      echogenicity had sensitivity and specificity for malignancy of 63.5 and 88.5%,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that asymptomatic endometrial lesions,
      which are homogenous, have bright edges, and small intralesional cysts are likely
      to be benign Determining these parameters during sonographic evaluation can
      assist in identifying patients who will benefit from a follow-up strategy instead
      of an unnecessary surgical intervention.

PMID- 27255415
TI  - Atomic and electronic structure of Lomer dislocations at CdTe bicrystal
      interface.
AB  - Extended defects are of considerable importance in determining the electronic
      properties of semiconductors, especially in photovoltaics (PVs), due to their
      effects on electron-hole recombination. We employ model systems to study the
      effects of dislocations in CdTe by constructing grain boundaries using wafer
      bonding. Atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) of a
      [1-10]/(110) 4.8 degrees  tilt grain boundary reveals that the interface is
      composed of three distinct types of Lomer dislocations. Geometrical phase
      analysis is used to map strain fields, while STEM and density functional theory
      (DFT) modeling determine the atomic structure at the interface. The electronic
      structure of the dislocation cores calculated using DFT shows significant mid-gap
      states and different charge-channeling tendencies. Cl-doping is shown to reduce
      the midgap states, while maintaining the charge separation effects. This report
      offers novel avenues for exploring grain boundary effects in CdTe-based solar
      cells by fabricating controlled bicrystal interfaces and systematic atomic-scale
      analysis.

PMID- 27255416
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of a TRAIL, IP-10 and CRP combination for discriminating
      bacterial and viral etiologies at the Emergency Department.

PMID- 27255417
TI  - In situ microscopic studies on the structures and phase behaviors of SF/PEG films
      using solid-state NMR and Raman imaging.
AB  - In order to overcome the drawbacks of silk fibroin (SF)-based materials, SF has
      been blended with some polymers. Before using the blend material, understanding
      of the structures and phase behaviors of the blend is thought to be essential. In
      this study, solid-state (13)C CP-MAS NMR and Raman imaging techniques were used
      to study the structures and phase behaviors of blends of SF with polyethylene
      glycol (PEG) at a molecular weight that varied from 2 to 20 kDa and a blend ratio
      of SF/PEG from 95/5 to 70/30 (w/w%) at the molecular and microscopic levels. It
      is found that the conformational transition of SF to the beta-sheet increased as
      the PEG content increased, while the amount of the formed beta-sheet conformers
      was decreased as the PEG molecular weight increased for a given content. It is
      also observed that SF was incompatible with PEG to some extent. The phase
      separation into "sea" and "island" domains took place in the SF/PEG blend films.
      SF was dominantly present in the "sea" domain, while PEG in the "island" domains.
      The conformation of SF in the interface between SF and PEG was changed to the
      beta-sheet, while that in the protein-rich domain remained in the random coil
      and/or helix conformation. These observations suggest that the specifically
      expected materials, for example, the silk-based microspheres or scaffold
      materials can be manufactured by controlling the molecular weight and content of
      PEG in the blend system. 

PMID- 27255418
TI  - Response to: 'Issues with anti-Gr1 antibody-mediated myeloid-derived suppressor
      cell depletion' by Xing et al.

PMID- 27255420
TI  - Phase-Transformation-Induced Extra Thermal Expansion Behavior of (SrxBa1
      x)TiO3/Cu Composite.
AB  - The properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs) can be optimized effectively
      through adjusting the type or the volume fraction of reinforcement. Generally,
      the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of MMCs can be reduced by increasing
      the volume fraction of the reinforcement with lower CTE than metal matrix.
      However, it is great challenge to fabricate low CTE MMCs with low reinforcement
      volume fraction because of the limitation of reinforcement CTEs. SrxBa1-xTiO3
      (SBT) powder presents negative thermal expansion behavior during the phase
      transformation from tetragonal to cubic phase. Here, we demonstrate that the
      phase transformation of SBT can be utilized to reduce and design the thermal
      expansion properties of SBT particle-reinforced Cu (SBT/Cu) composite, and
      ultralow CTE can be obtained in SBT/Cu composite. The X-ray diffraction analysis
      on heating indicates that the temperature range of phase transformation is
      extended greatly, therefore, the low CTE can be achieved within wide temperature
      range. Landau-Devonshire theory study on the phase transformation behaviors of
      SBT particles in the composite indicates that thermal mismatch stress
      significantly affects the Curie temperature of SBT particles and the CTE of the
      composite. The results given in the present study provide a new approach to
      design the MMCs with low CTE.

PMID- 27255421
TI  - Corrigendum: Radiocarbon constraints on the extent and evolution of the South
      Pacific glacial carbon pool.

PMID- 27255419
TI  - CXCL3 contributes to CD133(+) CSCs maintenance and forms a positive feedback
      regulation loop with CD133 in HCC via Erk1/2 phosphorylation.
AB  - Although the chemotactic cytokine CXCL3 is thought to play an important role in
      tumor initiation and invasion, little is known about its function in
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In our previous study, we found that Ikaros
      inhibited CD133 expression via the MAPK pathway in HCC. Here, we showed that
      Ikaros may indirectly down-regulate CXCL3 expression in HCC cells, which leads to
      better outcomes in patients with CD133(+) cancer stem cell (CSC) populations.
      CD133 overexpression induced CXCL3 expression, and silencing of CD133 down
      regulated CXCL3 in HCC cells. Knockdown of CXCL3 inhibited CD133(+) HCC CSCs'
      self-renewal and tumorigenesis. The serum CXCL3 level was higher in HCC patients'
      samples than that in healthy individual. HCC patients with higher CXCL3
      expression displayed a poor prognosis, and a high level of CXCL3 was
      significantly associated with vascular invasion and tumor capsule formation.
      Exogenous CXCL3 induced Erk1/2 and ETS1 phosphorylation and promoted CD133
      expression, indicating a positive feedback loop between CXCL3 and CD133 gene
      expression in HCC cells via Erk1/2 activation. Together, our findings indicated
      that CXCL3 might be a potent therapeutic target for HCC.

PMID- 27255422
TI  - Role of Chloride for a Simple, Non-Grignard Mg Electrolyte in Ether-Based
      Solvents.
AB  - Mg battery operates with Chevrel phase (Mo6S8, ~1.1 V vs Mg) cathodes that apply
      Grignard-based or derived electrolytes, which allow etching of the passivating
      oxide coating forms at the magnesium metal anode. Majority of Mg electrolytes
      studied to date are focused on developing new synthetic strategies to achieve a
      better reversible Mg deposition. While most of these electrolytes contain
      chloride as a component, and there is a lack of literature which investigates the
      fundamental role of chloride in Mg electrolytes. Further, ease of preparation and
      potential safety benefits have made simple design of magnesium electrolytes an
      attractive alternative to traditional air sensitive Grignard reagents-based
      electrolytes. Work presented here describes simple, non-Grignard magnesium
      electrolytes composed of magnesium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide mixed with
      magnesium chloride (Mg(TFSI)2-MgCl2) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and diglyme (G2)
      that can reversibly plate and strip magnesium. Based on this discovery, the
      effect of chloride in the electrolyte complex was investigated. Electrochemical
      properties at different initial mixing ratios of Mg(TFSI)2 and MgCl2 showed an
      increase of both current density and columbic efficiency for reversible Mg
      deposition as the fraction content of MgCl2 increased. A decrease in
      overpotential was observed for rechargeable Mg batteries with electrolytes with
      increasing MgCl2 concentration, evidenced by the coin cell performance. In this
      work, the fundamental understanding of the operation mechanisms of rechargeable
      Mg batteries with the role of chloride content from electrolyte could potentially
      bring rational design of simple Mg electrolytes for practical Mg battery. 

PMID- 27255423
TI  - A Clinical Review of Return-to-Play Considerations After Anterior Shoulder
      Dislocation.
AB  - CONTEXT: Shoulder dislocations are common in contact sports, yet guidelines
      regarding the best treatment strategy and time to return to play have not been
      clearly defined. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Electronic databases, including PubMed,
      MEDLINE, and Embase, were reviewed for the years 1980 through 2015. STUDY DESIGN:
      Clinical review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. RESULTS: Much has been published
      about return to play after anterior shoulder dislocation, but almost all is
      derived from expert opinion and clinical experience rather than from well
      designed studies. Recommendations vary and differ depending on age, sex, type of
      sport, position of the athlete, time in the sport's season, and associated
      pathology. Despite a lack of consensus and specific recommendations, there is
      agreement that before being allowed to return to sport, athletes should be pain
      free and demonstrate symmetric shoulder and bilateral scapular strength, with
      functional range of motion that allows sport-specific participation. Return to
      play usually occurs 2 to 3 weeks from the time of injury. Athletes with in-season
      shoulder instability returning to sport have demonstrated recurrence rates
      ranging from 37% to 90%. Increased bone loss, recurrent instability, and injury
      occurring near the end of season are all indications that may push surgeons and
      athletes toward earlier surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Most athletes are able
      to return to play within 2 to 3 weeks but there is a high risk of recurrent
      instability.

PMID- 27255425
TI  - Colin Deas Campbell.

PMID- 27255424
TI  - NHS England confirms it will not fund HIV prevention pill.

PMID- 27255426
TI  - Whole-genome resequencing of honeybee drones to detect genomic selection in a
      population managed for royal jelly.
AB  - Four main evolutionary lineages of A. mellifera have been described including
      eastern Europe (C) and western and northern Europe (M). Many apiculturists prefer
      bees from the C lineage due to their docility and high productivity. In France,
      the routine importation of bees from the C lineage has resulted in the widespread
      admixture of bees from the M lineage. The haplodiploid nature of the honeybee
      Apis mellifera, and its small genome size, permits affordable and extensive
      genomics studies. As a pilot study of a larger project to characterise French
      honeybee populations, we sequenced 60 drones sampled from two commercial
      populations managed for the production of honey and royal jelly. Results indicate
      a C lineage origin, whilst mitochondrial analysis suggests two drones originated
      from the O lineage. Analysis of heterozygous SNPs identified potential copy
      number variants near to genes encoding odorant binding proteins and several
      cytochrome P450 genes. Signatures of selection were detected using the hapFLK
      haplotype-based method, revealing several regions under putative selection for
      royal jelly production. The framework developed during this study will be applied
      to a broader sampling regime, allowing the genetic diversity of French honeybees
      to be characterised in detail.

PMID- 27255428
TI  - Ab initio calculations of mechanical properties of bcc W-Re-Os random alloys:
      effects of transmutation of W.
AB  - To examine the effect of neutron transmutation on tungsten as the first wall
      material of fusion reactors, the elastic properties of W1-x-y  Re x  Os y (0  ? 
      x, y  ?  6%) random alloys in body centered cubic (bcc) structure are
      investigated systematically using the all-electron exact muffin-tin orbitals
      (EMTO) method in combination with the coherent-potential approximation (CPA). The
      calculated lattice constant and elastic properties of pure W are consistent with
      available experiments. Both Os and Re additions reduce the lattice constant and
      increase the bulk modulus of W, with Os having the stronger effect. The
      polycrystalline shear modulus, Young's modulus and the Debye temperature increase
      (decrease) with the addition of Re (Os). Except for C 11, the other elastic
      parameters including C 12, C 44, Cauchy pressure, Poisson ratio, B/G, increase as
      a function of Re and Os concentration. The variations of the latter three
      parameters and the trend in the ratio of cleavage energy to shear modulus for the
      most dominant slip system indicate that the ductility of the alloy enhances with
      increasing Re and Os content. The calculated elastic anisotropy of bcc W slightly
      increases with the concentration of both alloying elements. The estimated melting
      temperatures of the W-Re-Os alloy suggest that Re or Os addition will reduce the
      melting temperature of pure W solid. The classical Labusch-Nabarro model for
      solid-solution hardening predicts larger strengthening effects in W1-y  Os y than
      in W1-x  Re x . A strong correlation between C' and the fcc-bcc structural energy
      difference for W1-x-y  Re x  Os y is revealed demonstrating that canonical band
      structure dictates the alloying effect on C'. The structural energy difference is
      exploited to estimate the alloying effect on the ideal tensile strength in the [0
      0 1] direction.

PMID- 27255427
TI  - Optical diffraction for measurements of nano-mechanical bending.
AB  - We explore and exploit diffraction effects that have been previously neglected
      when modelling optical measurement techniques for the bending of micro-mechanical
      transducers such as cantilevers for atomic force microscopy. The illumination of
      a cantilever edge causes an asymmetric diffraction pattern at the photo-detector
      affecting the calibration of the measured signal in the popular optical beam
      deflection technique (OBDT). The conditions that avoid such detection artefacts
      conflict with the use of smaller cantilevers. Embracing diffraction patterns as
      data yields a potent detection technique that decouples tilt and curvature and
      simultaneously relaxes the requirements on the illumination alignment and
      detector position through a measurable which is invariant to translation and
      rotation. We show analytical results, numerical simulations and physiologically
      relevant experimental data demonstrating the utility of the diffraction patterns.
      We offer experimental design guidelines and quantify possible sources of
      systematic error in OBDT. We demonstrate a new nanometre resolution detection
      method that can replace OBDT, where diffraction effects from finite sized or
      patterned cantilevers are exploited. Such effects are readily generalized to
      cantilever arrays, and allow transmission detection of mechanical curvature,
      enabling instrumentation with simpler geometry. We highlight the comparative
      advantages over OBDT by detecting molecular activity of antibiotic Vancomycin.

PMID- 27255429
TI  - The lower body muscle activation of intermediate to experienced kayakers when
      navigating white water.
AB  - In white-water kayaking, the legs play a vital part in turning, stabilising and
      bracing actions. To date, there has been no reported information on neuromuscular
      activation of the legs in an authentic white-water environment. The aim of the
      current study was to identify lower body muscle activation, using 'in-boat'
      electromyography (EMG), whilst navigating a white-water run. Ten experienced male
      kayakers (age 31.5 +/- 12.5 yr, intermediate to advanced experience) completed
      three successful runs of an international standard white-water course (grade 3
      rapids), targeting right and left sides of the course, in a zigzag formation.
      Surface EMG (sEMG) outputs were generated, bilaterally, for the rectus femoris
      (RF), vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius, expressed as a
      percentage of a dynamic maximal voluntary contraction (dMVC). Only RF showed
      significantly higher activation than any muscle on the left side of the body, and
      only on the left side of the course (P = .004; ETA(2) = 0.56). Other results
      showed no significant difference between muscle activation in the right and left
      legs during each run, nor when assessed at either the right or left side of the
      course (P > .05). These findings indicate that contralateral symmetry in lower
      limb muscle activation is evident during white-water kayaking. This symmetry may
      provide a stable base to allow more asymmetrical upper body and trunk movements
      to be fully optimised. Lower body symmetry development should be considered
      useful in targeted training programmes for white-water kayakers. 

PMID- 27255430
TI  - Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and frailty: A population-based, cross-sectional
      study of Mexican older adults.
AB  - AIM: Chronic diseases are frequent in older adults, particularly hypertension and
      diabetes. The relationship between frailty and these two conditions is still
      unclear. The aim of the present analyses was to explore the association between
      frailty with diabetes and hypertension in Mexican older adults. METHODS: Analyses
      of the Mexican Health and Nutrition Survey, a cross-sectional survey, are
      presented. Data on diabetes and hypertension were acquired along with associated
      conditions (time since diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, among others). A 36
      item frailty index was constructed and rescaled to z-values (individual scores
      minus population mean divided by one standard deviation). Multiple linear
      regression models were carried out, adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: From 7164
      older adults, 54.8% were women, and their mean age was 70.6 years with a mean
      frailty index score of 0.175. The prevalence of diabetes was of 22.2%, and 37.3%
      for hypertension. An independent association between diabetes, hypertension or
      both conditions (coefficients 0.28, 0.4 and 0.63, respectively, P < 0.001) with
      frailty was found. Having any diabetic complication was significantly associated
      with frailty with a coefficient of 0.55 (95% CI 0.45-0.65, P < 0.001) in the
      adjusted model. The number of years since diagnosis was also associated with
      frailty for both conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes and hypertension are
      associated with frailty. In addition, an incremental association was found when
      both conditions were present or with worse associated features (any complication,
      more time since diagnosis). Frailty should be of particular concern in
      populations with a high prevalence of these conditions. Geriatr Gerontol Int
      2017; 17: 925-930.

PMID- 27255431
TI  - Efficacy and safety of coadministration of sitagliptin with insulin glargine in
      type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the randomized present study was to compare the
      therapeutic efficacy and safety of a combination of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl
      peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor, plus insulin glargine (GL + sita) with that of
      premixed insulin aspart 30 (NOV) for type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients controlled
      with oral hypoglycemic drugs (HbA1c 7 %-9 %). METHODS: Sixty-five patients were
      randomized (1:  1) to the GL + sita (n = 33) and NOV (n = 32) groups and were
      treated with the combination regimen or premixed insulin twice a day for 16
      weeks. The primary endpoint was mean change in HbA1c. Secondary endpoints
      included fasting blood glucose, blood glucose profiles (seven time points), rate
      of achieving target HbA1c (<7 % or <=6.5 %), insulin dose, incidence of
      hypoglycemia, and body weight. RESULTS: After 16 weeks, there was no significant
      difference in HbA1c between the two groups, although more patients achieved HbA1c
      <7.0 % in the GL + sita group. There was a significant difference in body weight
      changes between the GL + sita and NOV groups (-0.45 vs 1.52 kg, respectively; P <
      0.001). Mean plasma glucose and the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion were
      significantly lower in the GL + sita than NOV group (P < 0.005), as was the
      incidence of symptomatic hypoglycemia (2.85 % vs. 13.3 %, respectively; P <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: The combination of GL + sita greatly improved HbA1c in T2D
      patients (HbA1c 7 %-9 %) with an efficacy that was equal to that of premixed
      insulin. Thus, GL + sita treatment is a viable option for patients who fail to
      achieve glycemic control using oral hypoglycemic drugs.

PMID- 27255432
TI  - Gating Modulation of the Tumor-Related Kv10.1 Channel by Mibefradil.
AB  - Several reports credit mibefradil with tumor suppressing properties arising from
      its known inhibition of Ca2+ currents. Given that mibefradil (Mb) is also known
      to inhibit K+ channels, we decided to study the interaction between this organic
      compound and the tumor-related Kv10.1 channel. Here we report that Mb modulates
      the gating of Kv10.1. Mb induces an apparent inactivation from both open and
      early closed states where the channels dwell at hyperpolarized potentials.
      Additionally, Mb accelerates the kinetics of current activation, in a manner that
      depends on initial conditions. Our observations suggest that Mb binds to the
      voltage sensor domain of Kv10.1 channels, thereby modifying the gating of the
      channels in a way that in some, but not all, aspects opposes to the gating
      effects exerted by divalent cations. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2019-2032, 2017. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27255433
TI  - Systematic Review of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Haptoglobin, Serum Amyloid A, and
      Fibrinogen versus Clinical Reference Standards for the Diagnosis of Bovine
      Respiratory Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a worldwide animal health concern
      especially in feedlot, dairy, and veal calves. One of the greatest challenges is
      the absence of a gold standard for achieving an accurate antemortem diagnosis.
      Various blood markers, including the acute-phase proteins (AAP), have been
      proposed as potential valuable tools for BRD diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To perform a
      systematic review of the literature to assess the accuracy of selected APP
      (haptoglobin [Hp], serum amyloid A [SAA], and fibrinogen [Fb]) as diagnostic
      tools for cattle with naturally occurring BRD when compared with clinical
      reference standards of diagnosis. METHODS: This review was performed with
      eligible studies selected from CAB Abstract and MEDLINE from 1946 to 2015, as
      well as the "gray literature." Methodological quality of included studies was
      assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool developed for diagnostic accuracy studies. The
      accuracy parameters sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) were obtained from the
      articles or through contact with the authors when not directly reported. RESULTS:
      A total of 314 studies were identified, from them, 23 met inclusion criteria as
      diagnostic studies for naturally occurring BRD. Quality of studies showed high
      risk of bias for case selection (70% of articles) and unclear risk of bias for
      index test (65%), reference standard (74%), and flow and timing (61%). There were
      high concerns regarding applicability for case selection (61% of studies) and
      reference standards used for defining BRD (48%). The concerns regarding index
      test application were low (83% of the studies). Only 4-8 studies could be
      included in the meta-analysis for each APP. No pooled estimates or pooled
      accuracy measurements were performed due to the low number of studies and
      multiple differences between studies, including reference standard definitions.
      CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: On the basis of these findings, it is not
      possible to make conclusions regarding the accuracy of APP for BRD diagnosis. The
      reporting of accuracy of APP for BRD detection is inconsistent among studies.
      Recommendations to improve capability for future meta-analyses in this area
      include reporting studies on diagnostic tests following the Standard for the
      Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD), as well as trying to
      standardize BRD definition across future studies.

PMID- 27255434
TI  - Effect of supplemented sericin on the development, cell number, cryosurvival and
      number of lipid droplets in cultured bovine embryos.
AB  - Sericin was investigated as an alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) for bovine
      embryo culture. In vitro matured oocytes were developed using 0.05%, 0.1% or
      0.15% sericin. The developmental rate, cryosurvival rate and blastulation time of
      these embryos were compared with those of embryos developed using 5% FBS. The
      number of lipid droplets was compared among the blastocysts developed using 5%
      FBS, using 0.05% sericin and in vivo. The rate of cleavage and blastocyst
      formation was similar among all groups. Blastulation occurred significantly
      earlier in the embryos developed using 5% FBS than in those developed using
      sericin at any concentration (P < 0.05). At 72 h after thawing, the cryosurvival
      rate of the blastocysts developed using 5% FBS and 0.05% sericin were
      significantly higher compared with those developed using 0.1% and 0.15% sericin
      (P < 0.05). The blastocysts developed using 0.05% sericin and in vivo produced a
      significantly fewer number of medium and large lipid droplets than those
      developed using 5% FBS. These results suggest that the blastocysts developed
      using 0.05% sericin show characteristics similar to those of the blastocysts
      developed in vivo and that the use of sericin as an alternative to FBS is
      feasible.

PMID- 27255435
TI  - Scandinavian SSAI clinical practice guideline on pre-hospital airway management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Scandinavian society of anaesthesiology and intensive care
      medicine task force on pre-hospital airway management was asked to formulate
      recommendations following standards for trustworthy clinical practice guidelines.
      METHODS: The literature was systematically reviewed and the grading of
      recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) system was applied
      to move from evidence to recommendations. RESULTS: We recommend that all
      emergency medical service (EMS) providers consider to: apply basic airway
      manoeuvres and airway adjuncts (good practice recommendation); turn unconscious
      non-trauma patients into the recovery position when advanced airway management is
      unavailable (good practice recommendation); turn unconscious trauma patients to
      the lateral trauma position while maintaining spinal alignment when advanced
      airway management is unavailable [strong recommendation, low quality of evidence
      (QoE)]. We suggest that intermediately trained providers use a supraglottic
      airway device (SAD) or basic airway manoeuvres on patients in cardiac arrest
      (weak recommendation, low QoE). We recommend that advanced trained providers
      consider using an SAD in selected indications or as a rescue device after failed
      endotracheal intubation (ETI) (good practice recommendation). We recommend that
      ETI should only be performed by advanced trained providers (strong
      recommendation, low QoE). We suggest that videolaryngoscopy is considered for ETI
      when direct laryngoscopy fails or is expected to be difficult (weak
      recommendation, low QoE). We suggest that advanced trained providers apply
      cricothyroidotomy in 'cannot intubate, cannot ventilate' situations (weak
      recommendation, low QoE). CONCLUSION: This guideline for pre-hospital airway
      management includes a combination of techniques applied in a stepwise fashion
      appropriate to patient clinical status and provider training.

PMID- 27255436
TI  - Conserved form and function of the germinal epithelium through 500 million years
      of vertebrate evolution.
AB  - The germinal epithelium, i.e., the site of germ cell production in males and
      females, has maintained a constant form and function throughout 500 million years
      of vertebrate evolution. The distinguishing characteristic of germinal epithelia
      among all vertebrates, males, and females, is the presence of germ cells among
      somatic epithelial cells. The somatic epithelial cells, Sertoli cells in males or
      follicle (granulosa) cells in females, encompass and isolate germ cells.
      Morphology of all vertebrate germinal epithelia conforms to the standard
      definition of an epithelium: epithelial cells are interconnected, border a body
      surface or lumen, are avascular and are supported by a basement membrane.
      Variation in morphology of gonads, which develop from the germinal epithelium, is
      correlated with the evolution of reproductive modes. In hagfishes, lampreys, and
      elasmobranchs, the germinal epithelia of males produce spermatocysts. A major
      rearrangement of testis morphology diagnoses osteichthyans: the spermatocysts are
      arranged in tubules or lobules. In protogynous (female to male) sex reversal in
      teleost fishes, female germinal epithelial cells (prefollicle cells) and oogonia
      transform into the first male somatic cells (Sertoli cells) and spermatogonia in
      the developing testis lobules. This common origin of cell types from the germinal
      epithelium in fishes with protogynous sex reversal supports the homology of
      Sertoli cells and follicle cells. Spermatogenesis in amphibians develops within
      spermatocysts in testis lobules. In amniotes vertebrates, the testis is composed
      of seminiferous tubules wherein spermatogenesis occurs radially. Emerging
      research indicates that some mammals do not have lifetime determinate fecundity.
      The fact emerged that germinal epithelia occur in the gonads of all vertebrates
      examined herein of both sexes and has the same form and function across all
      vertebrate taxa. Continued study of the form and function of the germinal
      epithelium in vertebrates will increasingly clarify our understanding of
      vertebrate reproduction. J. Morphol. 277:1014-1044, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27255437
TI  - Recommended responsibilities for management of MR safety.

PMID- 27255439
TI  - Asbestos and product defence science.

PMID- 27255438
TI  - Cognitive and emotional outcomes after prolonged education: a quasi-experiment on
      320 182 Swedish boys.
AB  - Background: Cognitive and socio-emotional abilities are powerful predictors of
      death and disease as well as of social and economic outcomes. Education is
      societies' main way of promoting these abilities, ideally so that inequalities by
      socioeconomic background are reduced. However, the extent to which education
      serves these cognitive, social-emotional and equality objectives is relatively
      unknown and intensively debated. Drawing on a Swedish school reform that was
      explicitly designed as a massive quasi-experiment, we assessed differential
      impact of education on intelligence and emotional control across childhood
      socioeconomic position. We also assessed initial differences in abilities by
      childhood socioeconomic position and how well childhood socioeconomic position
      and abilities predict all-cause mortality. Methods: The Swedish comprehensive
      school reform, rolled out during the 1950s, extended compulsory education from 8
      to 9 years in some municipalities whereas others were kept as controls for the
      sake of evaluation. We followed eight full cohorts of Swedish boys born between
      1951 and 1958, who lived in 1017 municipalities with known experimental status
      (344 336 boys) and whose childhood socioeconomic position was known (320 182
      boys). At conscription, intelligence was measured by four subtests and emotional
      control (calm and efficient responses in various situations) was rated by a
      military psychologist. Both measures were standardized to have a mean of 100 and
      standard deviation of 15. All-cause mortality was recorded until 49-56 years of
      age. Results: The reform had an average positive impact on intelligence of 0.75
      IQ units (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54, 0.97; P < 0.0005). The impact on
      emotional control was negative; -0.50 units (95% CI: -0.72, -0.28; P < 0.0005).
      Both effects differed by socioeconomic background so that the average IQ
      difference between sons of high non-manual and unqualified manual workers was
      reduced from 16.32 to 15.57 units and the difference in emotional control was
      reduced from 6.50 to 5.63 units. All-cause mortality was predicted by low
      childhood socioeconomic position [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.15 [95% CI: 1.11, 1.20],
      P < 0.0005], low intelligence [HR = 1.39 (95% CI: 1.34, 1.44), P < 0.0005] as
      well as low emotional control [HR = 1.61 (95% CI: 1.55, 1.67), P < 0.0005] in
      mutually adjusted models. Conclusions: Extending compulsory education promoted
      intelligence but lowered emotional control, and reduced disparities over social
      background in both. Emotional control was the strongest predictor of all-cause
      mortality. Our results are in line with the idea that education is important in
      our efforts to achieve healthy, competent and fair societies, but much more work
      is needed to understand the links between education and non-cognitive skills.

PMID- 27255440
TI  - Lessons from a decade of suicide surveillance in India: who, why and how?
AB  - Background: This paper investigates trends in suicide rate, the reasons for and
      means of suicide and the occupation of deceased, to prioritize suicide prevention
      activities in India and to highlight the limitations to data quality for
      surveillance. Methods: Data available in the public domain from the National
      Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB) were analysed from 2001 to 2010 at the national and
      sub-national levels, split by age groups and sex for ages 15 years and above.
      Results: The reported suicide rate was 14.9 and 15.4 suicides per 100 000
      population in 2001 and 2010, respectively. More developed states reported
      significantly higher suicide rates than the less developed (mean 20.5 versus
      8.16), but neither experienced large changes over time. Among males, the reported
      suicide rate changed slightly (17.8 to 19.5); it remained almost similar for
      females (11.9 to 11.1). Housewives accounted for the highest proportion of
      suicide deaths over the decade. Distribution of the reasons for suicide remained
      almost constant over time; most suicides (33.7%) were due to personal/social
      reasons, followed by health at 24.3% and unknown reasons at 16.4%; differences
      were observed between the more and less developed states. Marriage-related
      suicides were higher for females, and health reasons increased with increasing
      age. Nationally, poison/overdose with drugs/pesticides was the leading means of
      suicide through the decade, although the gap between this and hanging decreased
      over time. The state level data showed considerable heterogeneity in the quality
      of data across the indicators assessed. Conclusions: These data provide a range
      of information to identify vulnerable groups, to formulate appropriate suicide
      prevention strategies. Addressing the limitations in data quality would
      facilitate further utility of surveillance data to prevent suicides.

PMID- 27255441
TI  - Actinomadura montaniterrae sp. nov., isolated from mountain soil.
AB  - The taxonomic position of the mountain soil actinomycete, strain CYP1-1BT, was
      clarified by a polyphasic study. The strain produced a single spore, or
      occasionally a chain of spores, on aerial mycelium. Chemotaxonomic data supported
      the classification of CYP1-1BT as representing a member of the genus Actinomadura
      on the basis of the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid in the peptidoglycan;
      galactose, glucose, madurose and ribose as whole cell sugars; MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8)
      and MK-9(H4) as dominant menaquinones; C16 : 0, 10-methylated C18 : 0 and C18 :
      1omega9c as the major cellular fatty acids; and diphosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol manosides as
      the predominant phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was 74.3 mol%. On the basis of
      the combination of morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, CYP1-1BT was
      identified as representing a member of the genus Actinomadura. On the basis of
      the results of 16S rRNA gene analysis, CYP1-1BT, was shown to be closely related
      to Actinomadura nitritigenes DSM 44137T (98.9 %). Phenotypic, genotypic and DNA
      DNA hybridization data supported the hypothesis that CYP1-1BT represents a novel
      species of the genus Actinomadura for which the name Actinomadura montaniterrae
      sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CYP1-1BT (=JCM 16995T=KCTC 39784T=PCU
      349T=TISTR 2400T).

PMID- 27255442
TI  - Oxidative Inactivation of Liver Mitochondria in High Fructose Diet-Induced
      Metabolic Syndrome in Rats: Effect of Glycyrrhizin Treatment.
AB  - Metabolic syndrome is a serious health problem in the present world.
      Glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root, has
      been reported to ameliorate the primary complications and hepatocellular damage
      in rats with the syndrome. In this study, we have explored metabolic syndrome
      induced changes in liver mitochondrial function and effect of glycyrrhizin
      against the changes. Metabolic syndrome was induced in rats by high fructose
      (60%) diet for 6 weeks. The rats were then treated with glycyrrhizin (50 mg/kg
      body weight) by single intra-peritoneal injection. After 2 weeks of the
      treatment, the rats were sacrificed to collect liver tissue. Elevated
      mitochondrial ROS, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl, and decreased reduced
      glutathione content indicated oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome. Loss of
      mitochondrial inner membrane cardiolipin was observed. Mitochondrial complex I
      activity did not change but complex IV activity decreased significantly.
      Mitochondrial MTT reduction ability, membrane potential, phosphate utilisation
      and oxygen consumption decreased in metabolic syndrome. Reduced mitochondrial
      aconitase activity and increased aconitase carbonyl content suggested oxidative
      damage of the enzyme. Elevated Fe(2+) ion level in mitochondria might be
      associated with increased ROS generation in metabolic syndrome. Glycyrrhizin
      effectively attenuated mitochondrial oxidative stress and aconitase degradation,
      and improved electron transport chain activity. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27255443
TI  - RKIP expression of liver and kidney after arsenic exposure.
AB  - Arsenic is associated with cancers of kidney and liver. Raf kinase inhibitor
      protein (RKIP) has been identified as a member of a novel class of molecules that
      suppress the metastatic spread of tumors. In order to investigate the effect of
      arsenic to RKIP of liver and kidney, the expression of RKIP of liver and kidney
      with As (III) was explored in this study. Thirty male mice were chronically fed
      with 42.5 ppm, 85 ppm NaAsO2 and water for 180 days. The kidney and liver
      accumulation levels of As (III) in mice were determined by electro-thermal atomic
      absorption spectrometry. The method of RT-PCR, Western blotting analysis and
      immunohistochemistry were used to determine gene expression and protein
      expression of RKIP. The results showed that arsenic level was significantly
      increased in kidney and liver of As (III)-exposed mice as compared with control
      group. The gene expression and protein expression of RKIP was significantly
      decreased in kidney and liver of As (III)-exposed mice in comparison with these
      of control mice. These data suggested that RKIP decrease of liver and kidney with
      As (III) may be dangerous index in formation of cancer. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1079-1082, 2017.

PMID- 27255444
TI  - Interstitial 1q23.3q24.1 deletion in a patient with renal malformation,
      congenital heart disease, and mild intellectual disability.
AB  - Interstitial deletions including chromosome region 1q23.3q24.1 are rare. Only
      eight patients with molecularly characterized deletions have been reported to
      date. Their phenotype included intellectual disability/developmental delay,
      growth retardation, microcephaly, congenital heart disease, and renal
      malformations. We report on a female patient with mild developmental delay,
      congenital heart disease, and bilateral renal hypoplasia in whom an interstitial
      de novo deletion of approximately 2.7 Mb in 1q23.3q24.1 was detected by array
      CGH. This is the smallest deletion described in this region so far. Genotype
      phenotype comparison with previously published patients allowed us to propose
      LMX1A and RXRG as potential candidate genes for intellectual disability, PBX1 as
      a probable candidate gene for renal malformation, and enabled us to narrow down a
      chromosome region associated with microcephaly. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27255445
TI  - Discordant anomalies and karyotype in a monochorionic twin pregnancy: a call for
      comprehensive genetic evaluation.

PMID- 27255447
TI  - Conditioned breathing depression during neonatal life as a function of
      associating ethanol odor and the drug's intoxicating effects.
AB  - Fetal and neonatal ethanol-related alterations upon the respiratory system have
      been described in different mammals. Studies also indicate that perinates learn
      about the sensory attributes of ethanol and associate them with diverse
      physiological effects of the state of intoxication. The present study was
      conducted in rat neonates during a developmental stage equivalent to the third
      human gestational trimester. The major goal was to analyze the consequences of
      ethanol odor exposure, the state of intoxication, or the temporal contiguity
      between these factors upon breathing patterns. The main findings were as follows:
      (a) a conditioned breathing depression was observed following few trials defined
      by the association between ethanol odor and the state of intoxication and (b)
      sequential exposure to ethanol sensitizes the organism to the drug's respiratory
      depressant effects without affecting ethanol metabolism. These results indicate
      that early breathing disruptions caused by ethanol can be determined or modulated
      via learning processes. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 58:670
      686, 2016.

PMID- 27255446
TI  - [Choosing wisely together with the patient].
AB  - Within the framework of the Choosing wisely initiative of the German Society for
      Internal Medicine, all scientific societies associated with internal medicine
      were requested to highlight the unnecessary or underused medical tests or
      procedures out of the 60 defined examples, which are of immediate relevance
      within the doctor-patient interaction. Each of the 12 scientific internal
      medicine societies compiled and substantiated 2 recommendations. This resulted in
      a spectrum of important recommendations covering the entire field of internal
      medicine. In difficult situations these recommendations should contribute to
      developing and supporting the dialogue with patients on an evidence-based level. 

PMID- 27255448
TI  - The efficacy of simultaneous bilateral axillary brachial plexus block under the
      guidance of neurostimulator or ultrasound: a prospective study.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the risk of local anesthetic
      toxicity and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral axillary brachial plexus block
      performed under the guidance of ultrasound or a neurostimulator. METHODS: One
      hundred and twenty patients who were anesthetized with bilateral axillary plexus
      block simultaneously between February 2012 and March 2014 were enrolled in the
      study. The patients were anesthetized under the guidance of a neurostimulator
      (group N, n = 60) or ultrasound (group U, n = 60). The block performance time,
      procedure-related pain, adverse events, total and free plasma concentrations of
      ropivacaine, and other data were recorded. The comparison was analyzed
      statistically. RESULTS: The block performance time, and onset of the sensory and
      motor block, of group N was longer than that of group U (p < 0.001). The
      procedure-related pain of group N was more serious than that of group U (p <
      0.05). The patient satisfaction rate of group U was higher than that of group N
      (p < 0.05). The total plasma concentrations of ropivacaine in group N were
      comparable to those of group U, except for the value at 50 min after injection (p
      < 0.05). The free plasma concentrations of ropivacaine of group N at 5 min were
      significantly higher than that of group U (p < 0.001). No apparent serious
      adverse events were observed perioperatively in both groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Simultaneous bilateral axillary brachial plexus block guided by neurostimulator
      or ultrasound in bilateral distal upper extremity surgery seems to have a low
      risk of local anesthetic toxicity and to be effective. The ultrasound-guided
      block is superior in terms of providing the same degree of anesthesia with
      shorter duration, less pain, and faster onset of sensory and motor blockades,
      which is important in clinical practice.

PMID- 27255449
TI  - Sevoflurane anesthetic preconditioning protects the lung endothelial glycocalyx
      from ischemia reperfusion injury in an experimental lung autotransplant model.
AB  - PURPOSE: The glycocalyx is a glycoprotein-polysaccaride layer covering the
      endothelium luminal surface, and plays a key regulatory role in several
      endothelial functions. Lung ischemia reperfusion (IR) is a clinical entity that
      occurs in everyday thoracic surgery and causes glycocalix destruction and a
      florid local and systemic immune response. Moreover, sevoflurane is able to
      modulate the inflammatory response triggered by IR lung injury. In this study, we
      evaluated the protective effects of sevoflurane on the pulmonary endothelial
      glycocalyx in an in-vivo lung autotransplant model in pigs. METHODS: Sixteen
      Large White pigs underwent pneumonectomy plus lung autotransplant. They were
      divided into two groups depending on the hypnotic agent received (propofol or
      anesthetic preconditioning with sevoflurane). Glycocalyx components (syndecan-1
      and heparan sulphate), cathepsin B, chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-1, and MIP-2) and
      adhesion molecules (VCAM and ICAM-1) were measured at four different timepoints
      using porcine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. RESULTS:
      There were no differences between groups in weight or in surgical and one-lung
      ventilation time. Greater glycocalyx destruction and higher chemokine and
      adhesion molecule expression were observed in the group that did not receive
      sevoflurane. Heparan sulphate and serum syndecan levels were higher in the
      propofol group (P < 0.0001) after reperfusion, as was cathepsin B activity (P <
      0.015). MCP-1, MIP-1, MIP-2, VCAM, and ICAM-1 levels were also higher in the
      propofol group (P < 0.006). CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane preconditioning protects
      pulmonary glycocalyx and reduces expression of leukocyte chemokines in an in-vivo
      model of pulmonary IR.

PMID- 27255450
TI  - The isolation and the characterization of two polysaccharides from the branch
      bark of mulberry (Morus alba L.).
AB  - Two water-soluble polysaccharides termed MBBP-1 and MBBP-2 were isolated from the
      branches of the mulberry tree (Morus alba L.) using hot water extraction and
      purified on Anion-exchange DEAE52-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 column. MBBP-1 was
      shown to be composed of rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, mannose, glucose and
      galactose in the molar ratio of 4.53:2.49:4.38:4.67:17.85:5.88. MBBP-2 was
      composed of rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, mannose, glucose, galactose and
      galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 26.85:13.8:3.14:4.4:6.1:3.19:4.9. Their
      structural characteristics were further investigated by FI-IR spectroscopy, Smith
      degradation, methylation analysis and NMR spectroscopy. Based on the data
      obtained, MBBP-1 had a backbone mainly consisting of (1 -> 3)-linked glucose.
      MBBP-2 had a backbone mainly consisting of (1 -> 3)-linked rhamnose and (1 -> 2,
      4)-linked xylose. Antioxidant assays indicated that antioxidant activities of
      MBBP-2 were significantly stronger than those of MBBP-1, and this was likely in
      relation to the different content of 8.2 % galacturonic acid in MBBP-2. 

PMID- 27255451
TI  - Number of pegs influence focal stress distributions and micromotion in glenoid
      implants: a finite element study.
AB  - The present study was conducted to compare the stability of four commercially
      available implants by investigating the focal stress distributions and relative
      micromotion using finite element analysis. Variations in the numbers of pegs
      between the implant designs were tested. A load of 750 N was applied at three
      different glenoid positions (SA: superior-anterior; SP: superior-posterior; C:
      central) to mimic off-center and central loadings during activities of daily
      living. Focal stress distributions and relative micromotion were measured using
      Marc Mentat software. The results demonstrated that by increasing the number of
      pegs from two to five, the total focal stress volumes exceeding 5 MPa, reflecting
      the stress critical volume (SCV) as the threshold for occurrence of cement
      microfractures, decreased from 8.41 to 5.21 % in the SA position and from 9.59 to
      6.69 % in the SP position. However, in the C position, this change in peg number
      increased the SCV from 1.37 to 5.86 %. Meanwhile, micromotion appeared to remain
      within 19-25 um irrespective of the number of pegs used. In conclusion, four-peg
      glenoid implants provide the best configuration because they had lower SCV values
      compared with lesser-peg implants, preserved more bone stock, and reduced PMMA
      cement usage compared with five-peg implants.

PMID- 27255452
TI  - Mechanobiological simulations of peri-acetabular bone ingrowth: a comparative
      analysis of cell-phenotype specific and phenomenological algorithms.
AB  - Several mechanobiology algorithms have been employed to simulate bone ingrowth
      around porous coated implants. However, there is a scarcity of quantitative
      comparison between the efficacies of commonly used mechanoregulatory algorithms.
      The objectives of this study are: (1) to predict peri-acetabular bone ingrowth
      using cell-phenotype specific algorithm and to compare these predictions with
      those obtained using phenomenological algorithm and (2) to investigate the
      influences of cellular parameters on bone ingrowth. The variation in host bone
      material property and interfacial micromotion of the implanted pelvis were mapped
      onto the microscale model of implant-bone interface. An overall variation of 17
      88 % in peri-acetabular bone ingrowth was observed. Despite differences in
      predicted tissue differentiation patterns during the initial period, both the
      algorithms predicted similar spatial distribution of neo-tissue layer, after
      attainment of equilibrium. Results indicated that phenomenological algorithm,
      being computationally faster than the cell-phenotype specific algorithm, might be
      used to predict peri-prosthetic bone ingrowth. The cell-phenotype specific
      algorithm, however, was found to be useful in numerically investigating the
      influence of alterations in cellular activities on bone ingrowth, owing to
      biologically related factors. Amongst the host of cellular activities, matrix
      production rate of bone tissue was found to have predominant influence on peri
      acetabular bone ingrowth.

PMID- 27255454
TI  - Public perceptions of snakes and snakebite management: implications for
      conservation and human health in southern Nepal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Venomous snakebite and its effects are a source of fear for people
      living in southern Nepal. As a result, people have developed a negative attitude
      towards snakes, which can lead to human-snake conflicts that result in killing of
      snakes. Attempting to kill snakes increases the risk of snakebite, and actual
      killing of snakes contributes to loss of biodiversity. Currently, snake
      populations in southern Nepal are thought to be declining, but more research is
      needed to evaluate the conservation status of snakes. Therefore, we assessed
      attitudes, knowledge, and awareness of snakes and snakebite by Chitwan National
      Park's (CNP) buffer zone (BZ) inhabitants in an effort to better understand
      challenges to snake conservation and snakebite management. The results of this
      study have the potential to promote biodiversity conservation and increase human
      health in southern Nepal and beyond. METHODS: We carried out face-to-face
      interviews of 150 randomly selected CNP BZ inhabitants, adopting a cross
      sectional mixed research design and structured and semi-structured questionnaires
      from January-February 2013. RESULTS: Results indicated that 43 % of respondents
      disliked snakes, 49 % would exterminate all venomous snakes, and 86 % feared
      snakes. Farmers were the most negative and teachers were the most ambivalent
      towards snakes. Respondents were generally unable to identify different snake
      species, and were almost completely unaware of the need of conserve snakes and
      how to prevent snakebites. Belief in a snake god, and the ability of snakes to
      absorb poisonous gases from the atmosphere were among many superstitions that
      appeared to predispose negativity towards snakes of BZ residents. CONCLUSION:
      People with predisposed negativity towards snakes were not proponents of snake
      conservation. Fear, negativity, ambivalence towards, and ignorance about, snakes
      and the need for snake conservation were strong indicators of the propensity to
      harm or kill snakes. It seems that if wanton killing of snakes continues, local
      snake populations will decline, and rare and endangered snake species may even
      become locally extirpated. Moreover, inappropriate perception and knowledge about
      snakes and snakebites may put BZ people at increased risk of venomous snakebite.
      Therefore, intensive, pragmatic educational efforts focused on natural history
      and ecology of snakes and prevention of snakebite should be undertaken in
      communities and at schools and universities.

PMID- 27255455
TI  - Biodegradable Smart Nanogels: A New Platform for Targeting Drug Delivery and
      Biomedical Diagnostics.
AB  - Nanogels (or nanohydrogels) have been extensively investigated as one of the most
      promising nanoparticulate biomedical platforms owing to their advantageous
      properties that combine the characteristics of hydrogel systems with
      nanoparticles. Among them, smart nanogels that have the ability to respond to
      external stimuli, such as pH, redox, temperature, enzymes, light, magnetic field
      and so forth, are most attractive in the area of drug delivery. Besides, numerous
      multifunctionalized nanogels with high sensitivity and specificity were designed
      for diagnostic applications. In this feature article, we have reviewed and
      discussed the recent progress of biodegradable nanogels as smart nanocarriers of
      anticancer drugs and biomedical diagnostic agents for cancer.

PMID- 27255453
TI  - Gene expression profiling of midbrain dopamine neurons upon gestational nicotine
      exposure.
AB  - Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight, increased
      risk of stillbirth, conduct disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
      and neurocognitive deficits. Ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA) neurons in the
      mesocorticolimbic pathway were suggested to play a critical role in these
      pathological mechanisms induced by nicotine. Nicotine-mediated changes in genetic
      expression during pregnancy are of great interest for current researchers. We
      used patch clamp methods to identify and harvest DA and non-DA neurons separately
      and assayed them using oligonucleotide arrays to elucidate the alterations in
      gene expressions in these cells upon gestational nicotine exposure. Microarray
      analysis identified a set of 135 genes as significantly differentially expressed
      between DA and non-DA neurons. Some of the genes were found to be related to
      neurological disease pathways, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease
      and Huntington's disease. Significantly up-/down-regulated genes found in DA
      neurons were mostly related to G-protein-coupled protein receptor signaling and
      developmental processes. These alterations in gene expressions may explain,
      partially at least, the possible pathological mechanisms for the diseases induced
      by maternal smoking.

PMID- 27255456
TI  - Efficacy of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Tribulus terrestris on the Serum
      Glucose and Lipid Profile of Women With Diabetes Mellitus: A Double-Blind
      Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
AB  - AIM: Considering traditional use of Tribulus terrestris in diabetes and proven
      antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of T terrestris in animal
      studies, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the hydroalcoholic extract of T
      terrestris on the serum glucose and lipid profile of women with non-insulin
      dependent diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Ninety-eight women with diabetes mellitus
      type 2 were randomly allocated to receive the T terrestris (1000 mg/d) or placebo
      for 3 months. The patients were evaluated in terms of the fasting blood glucose,
      2-hour postprandial glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and lipid profile. RESULTS:
      Tribulus terrestris showed a significant blood glucose-lowering effect in
      diabetic women compared to placebo (P < .05). Also, the total cholesterol and low
      density lipoprotein of T terrestris group was significantly reduced compared with
      placebo, while no significant effect was observed in the triglyceride and high
      density lipoprotein levels. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed preliminary promising
      hypoglycemic effect of T terrestris in women with diabetes mellitus type 2.

PMID- 27255457
TI  - Disentangling the concept of "the complex older patient" in general practice: a
      qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rising life expectancy in the developed world leads to an
      increase in the number of older patients and the complexity of their complaints
      in general practice. Although interventions and support for general practitioners
      are available, implementation lags. Knowledge on what determines a complex older
      patient, the problems of which general practitioners encounter and the situations
      they actually need support for, is necessary for better implementation. METHODS:
      To provide support to general practitioners in their struggle with complex older
      patients, the aim of this research was to disentangle the concept of the complex
      older patient in general practice. A qualitative approach was used consisting of
      15 semi-structured interviews with general practitioners. The general
      practitioner was asked to prepare a case of a complex older patient out of their
      own practice that could be discussed during the interview. Transcripts of the
      interview were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of
      the interviews resulted in twelve themes that could be categorised into five
      factors that contribute to the complexity of cases of older patients. The five
      factors are: not being in charge, different views on necessary care, encountering
      the boundaries of medicine, limits to providing social care, ill-equipped.
      CONCLUSION: The factors that were found imply that a better organisational
      structure for elderly care and consulting elderly care physicians could support
      general practitioners in providing care for older complex patients. Furthermore,
      understanding the current concept of patient autonomy seems unjustified in cases
      of complex older patients.

PMID- 27255458
TI  - Correlation between outer retinal layer thickness and cone density in patients
      with resolved central serous chorioretinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to observe photoreceptors and outer retinal layer thickness by
      using an adaptive optics (AO) fundus camera and spectral domain optical coherence
      tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).
      METHODS: Twelve eyes of 12 patients with resolved CSC were studied. After
      subretinal fluid (SRF) had resolved, AO images of the macula were obtained by
      using the rtx1TM AO fundus camera (Imagine Eyes, France). Cones in the nasal and
      temporal areas of the macula, 0.5 mm from the foveal center, were counted. Outer
      retinal layer thickness was measured as the distance between the outer border of
      external limiting membrane (ELM) and the inner border of retinal pigment
      epithelium (RPE) at 0.5 mm from the foveal center. The first measurement was
      performed after resolution of the subretinal fluid and was defined as the
      baseline. Then, the second measurement was performed in the same location after
      12 months. RESULTS: In the eyes with resolved CSC, the mean logMAR values of
      visual acuity at baseline and 12 months were 0.16 and 0.01, respectively (p =
      0.0023). The mean cone densities at baseline and 12 months were 12,213 and 17,146
      cones/mm2, respectively. The mean cone densities at 12 months were significantly
      increased compared to baseline (p = 0.0014). The mean outer retinal layer
      thickness at baseline (53.5 MUm) was significantly thinner than that at 12 months
      (60.7 MUm) (p = 0.0013). The mean cone densities were significantly correlated
      with outer retinal layer thickness and logMAR visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS:
      Adaptive optics imaging revealed a gradual increase in the number of macular cone
      densities during 12 months in patients with resolved CSC, which was correlated
      with outer retinal layer thickness and visual acuity in a short term.

PMID- 27255459
TI  - Retinal vessel diameter in bilateral glaucoma suspects: comparison between the
      eye converted to glaucoma and the contralateral non-converted eye.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate retinal vessel diameter in patients classified as
      bilateral glaucoma suspects who showed unilateral glaucomatous conversion.
      METHODS: This retrospective study included 21 patients who had initially been
      diagnosed as bilateral glaucoma suspects but showed unilateral glaucomatous
      conversion during a follow-up period of more than 2 years. Conversion to glaucoma
      was determined either by documentation of a new retinal nerve fiber layer defect
      on red-free photography or a reproducible glaucomatous visual field defect. The
      central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular
      equivalent (CRVE) were measured from fundus photographs taken at baseline and at
      the point of glaucoma conversion. RESULTS: The mean CRAE of the converted eyes
      was significantly lower than that of the non-converted eyes at baseline (164.9 +/
      13.2 MUm vs 175.2 +/- 15.6 MUm; p = 0.001), but no significant difference was
      observed in the mean CRVE (p = 0.108). The mean CRAE of the converted eyes was
      also lower than in the non-converted eyes at the point of glaucoma conversion
      (158.6 +/- 13.5 MUm vs 168.0 +/- 17.2 MUm; p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: In bilateral
      glaucoma suspects, there was a significant inter-eye difference in CRAE at
      baseline between eyes that converted to glaucoma and those that did not. These
      findings suggest that measurement of retinal arteriolar diameter may help
      clinicians when evaluating the risk of conversion in glaucoma suspects.

PMID- 27255460
TI  - Evaluation of the retinal ganglion cell and choroidal thickness in young Turkish
      adults with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia.

PMID- 27255461
TI  - Outcome of 2 cc pure sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade for macular hole surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Isoexpansile concentrations of intraocular gases are typically used
      as tamponading agent in macular hole surgery. Using a small volume of the pure
      form of these gases may achieve the same result without increasing the incidence
      of postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
      anatomical and visual outcomes following macular hole surgery with 2 cc pure (100
      %) sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas tamponade. METHODS: A retrospective study of
      eyes with idiopathic macular holes that underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy
      with 2 cc pure SF6 gas tamponade. Macular hole surgery was performed alone or in
      combination with phacoemulsification in eyes with cataract. Preoperative and
      postoperative data including best corrected visual acuity recorded in LogMAR
      units, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and optical coherence tomography were analysed.
      Surgical complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Seventy six eyes of seventy
      five patients were analysed. A closure rate of 100 % was achieved with
      reoperation in 4 eyes. There was a significant improvement in best-corrected
      visual acuity from a mean of 0.65 LogMAR preoperatively to 0.36 at 6 months (p
      value 0.004). Forty five (59 %) eyes gained at least 2 lines on the Snellen
      visual acuity chart. Postoperative elevation in intraocular pressure (>=30 mmHg)
      was documented in 3 eyes (4 %). CONCLUSION: Macular hole surgery with 2 cc pure
      SF6 gas tamponade achieved a high success rate with a low incidence of
      complications. The smaller volume of gas required makes it a cheaper technique.

PMID- 27255462
TI  - Standardizing disease-specific quality of life measures across multiple chronic
      conditions: development and initial evaluation of the QOL Disease Impact Scale
      (QDIS(r)).
AB  - BACKGROUND: To document the development and evaluation of the Quality of life
      Disease Impact Scale (QDIS(r)), a measure that standardizes item content and
      scoring across chronic conditions and provides a summary, norm-based QOL impact
      score for each disease. METHODS: A bank of 49 disease impact items was
      constructed from previously-used descriptions of health impact to represent ten
      frequently-measured quality of life (QOL) content areas and operational
      definitions successfully utilized in generic QOL surveys. In contrast to health
      in general, all items were administered with attribution to a specific disease
      (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, angina, myocardial infarction, congestive
      heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, asthma, or COPD).
      Responses from 5418 adults were analyzed as five disease groups: arthritis,
      cardiovascular, CKD, diabetes, and respiratory. Unidimensionality, item parameter
      and scale-level invariance, reliability, validity and responsiveness to change
      during 9-month follow-up were evaluated by disease group and for all groups
      combined using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA), item response
      theory (IRT) and analysis of variance methods. QDIS was normed in an independent
      chronically ill US population sample (N = 4120). RESULTS: MGCFA confirmed a 1
      factor model, justifying a summary score estimated using equal parameters for
      each item across disease groups. In support of standardized IRT-based scoring,
      correlations were very high between disease-specific and standardized IRT item
      slopes (r = 0.88-0.96), thresholds (r = 0.93-0.99) and person-level scores (r >=
      0.99). Internal consistency, test-retest and person-level IRT reliability were
      consistently satisfactory across groups. In support of interpreting QDIS as a
      disease-specific measure, in comparison with generic measures, QDIS consistently
      discriminated markedly better across disease severity levels, correlated higher
      with other disease-specific measures in cross-sectional tests, and was more
      responsive in comparisons of groups with better, same or worse evaluations of
      disease-specific outcomes at the 9-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Standardization
      of content and scoring across diseases was shown to be justified psychometrically
      and enabled the first summary measure of disease-specific QOL impact normed in
      the chronically ill population. This disease-specific approach substantially
      improves discriminant validity and responsiveness over generic measures and
      provides a basis for better understanding the relative QOL impact of multiple
      chronic conditions in research and clinical practice.

PMID- 27255463
TI  - Partnered pharmacist charting on admission in the General Medical and Emergency
      Short-stay Unit - a cluster-randomised controlled trial in patients with complex
      medication regimens.
AB  - WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Patients admitted to general medical units and
      emergency short-stay units are often complex with multiple comorbidities,
      polypharmacy and at risk for drug-related problems associated with increased
      morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness
      of a partnered pharmacist charting model completed at the time of admission to
      prevent medication errors. METHODS: We conducted an unblinded cluster randomized
      controlled trial comparing partnered pharmacist charting to standard medical
      charting among patients admitted to general medical units and emergency short
      stay units with complex medication regimens or polypharmacy. This trial was
      conducted at an adult major referral hospital in metropolitan Melbourne,
      Australia, with an annual emergency department attendance of approximately 60 000
      patients. The evaluation included patients' medication charts written in the
      period of 16 March 2015 to 27 July 2015. Patients randomized to the intervention
      were managed using the partnered pharmacist charting model. The primary outcome
      variable was a medication error identified by an independent assessor within 24 h
      of admission, who was not part of the patient's admission process. RESULTS: Of
      the 473 patients who received standard medical staff charting during the study
      period, 372 (78.7%) had at least one medication error identified compared to 15
      patients (3.7%) on the partnered pharmacist charting arm (P < 0.001). The
      relative risk of an error with standard medical charting was 21.4 (95% CI: 13.0
      35.0) with a number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one error of 1.3 (95% CI:
      1.3-1.4), and the relative risk of a high or extreme risk error with standard
      medical charting was 150.9 (95% CI: 21.2-1072.9) with a NNT to prevent one high
      or extreme error of 2.7 (95% CI 2.4-3.1). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Partnering
      between medical staff and pharmacists to jointly chart initial medications on
      admission significantly reduced inpatient medication errors (including errors of
      high and extreme risk) among general medical and emergency short-stay patients
      with complex medication regimens or polypharmacy.

PMID- 27255464
TI  - Caring for frail older people in the last phase of life - the general
      practitioners' view.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frail older people are an increasingly important group in primary
      care due to demographic change. For these patients, a palliative care approach
      may be useful to sustain the quality of life in the last phase of their lives.
      While general practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the primary care for older
      patients, general palliative care is still in its infancy and little is known in
      Germany about caring for frail older people towards the end of life. This study
      aims to explore the tasks and challenges regarding the care for frail older
      patients in the last phase of life from the GPs' point of view, and the latter's
      perception of their own role and responsibilities. METHODS: Explorative
      qualitative study based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 GPs from
      urban and rural regions in Lower Saxony, Germany. Analysis was carried out
      according to the principles of Grounded Theory. RESULTS: The GPs' key commitment
      "caring for frail older patients until the end" as an integral part of primary
      care was worked out as a key category, flanked by central issues: "causal
      conditions and challenges," which include patients' preconditions and care needs
      as well as communication and cooperation aspects on the carers' level. "Barriers
      and facilitators within the health system" refers to prerequisites of the German
      healthcare system, such as high caseloads. Regarding "strategies to comply with
      this commitment", various self-developed strategies for the care of frail older
      people are presented, depending on the GPs' understanding of their professional
      role and individual circumstances. CONCLUSIONS: The GPs show a strong commitment
      to caring for the frail older patients until the end of life. However, it is a
      challenging and complex task that requires significant time, which can take GPs
      to their limits. There is a great need to improve patient-and family-centered
      proactive communication, as well as interprofessional cooperation. Strengthening
      the team approach in primary care could relieve the burden on GPs, especially in
      rural areas, while simultaneously improving end-of-life care for their patients.

PMID- 27255465
TI  - Timing of beta oscillatory synchronization and temporal prediction of upcoming
      stimuli.
AB  - Modulations of beta oscillatory power serve a predictive role, in preparation of
      future actions. It is well known that beta amplitude decreases prior to voluntary
      movements and expected tactile stimuli. Paradoxically, recent studies have
      reported a beta amplitude increase prior to expected visual and auditory stimuli.
      Moreover, it has been suggested that, in isochronic stimulus series, the rising
      beta slope is adjusted to the duration of the interstimulus interval. We
      investigated the characteristics of such timing related pre-stimulus beta power
      increases using visual stimulus sequences that were presented at three regular
      rates (0.61, 0.74 and 0.95Hz). EEG was recorded from twenty participants while
      they attended the sequences by performing a clock reading task. Time-frequency
      analyses showed a consistent pattern of beta modulation: the post-stimulus beta
      power decrease was followed by a steep increase. Contrary to recent views, we
      found that the peaks of beta power, for the three presentation rates, were
      reached at a similar latency post-stimulus, instead of a fixed interval preceding
      the next stimulus. This demonstrates that, at interstimulus intervals between 1
      2s, beta synchronization slopes are not modulated by timing mechanisms related to
      prediction of upcoming stimuli. We reconcile the discrepant results by proposing
      that when shorter interval durations are used, as in previous studies, beta
      resynchronization is interrupted by the presentation of a new stimulus, making it
      seem as if beta power peaks prior to upcoming stimuli. We emphasize caution with
      respect to the notion that the timing of beta synchronization is an expression of
      predictive timing. 

PMID- 27255466
TI  - Low vaccination coverage for seasonal influenza and pneumococcal disease among
      adults at-risk and health care workers in Ireland, 2013: The key role of GPs in
      recommending vaccination.
AB  - The World Health Organization (WHO), and European Agencies recommend influenza
      vaccination for individuals at-risk due to age (>=65 years), underlying diseases,
      pregnancy and for health care workers (HCWs) in Europe. Pneumococcal vaccine is
      recommended for those at-risk of pneumococcal disease. In Ireland, vaccination
      uptake among at-risk adults is not routinely available. In 2013, we conducted a
      national survey among Irish residents >=18 years of age, to estimate size and
      vaccination coverage of at-risk groups, and identify predictive factors for
      influenza vaccination. We used computer assisted telephone interviews to collect
      self-reported information on health, vaccination status, attitudes towards
      vaccination. We calculated prevalence and prevalence ratios (PR) using binomial
      regression. Overall, 1770 individuals participated. For influenza, among those
      aged 18-64 years, 22% (325/1485) [95%CI: 17%-20%] were at-risk; 28% [95%CI: 23%
      33%] were vaccinated. Among those aged >=65 years, 60% [95%CI: 54%-66%] were
      vaccinated. Influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs was 28% [95%CI: 21%-35%]. For
      pneumococcal disease, among those aged 18-64 years, 18% [95%CI: 16%-20%] were at
      risk; 16% [95%CI: 12%-21%] reported ever-vaccination; among those aged >=65
      years, 36% [95%CI: 30%-42%] reported ever-vaccination. Main reasons for not
      receiving influenza vaccine were perceptions of not being at-risk, or not
      thinking of it; and among HCWs thinking that vaccination was not necessary or
      they were not at-risk. At-risk individuals were more likely to be vaccinated if
      their doctor had recommended it (PR 3.2; [95%CI: 2.4%-4.4%]) or they had access
      to free medical care or free vaccination services (PR 2.0; [95%CI: 1.5%-2.8%]).
      Vaccination coverage for both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in at-risk
      individuals aged 18-64 years was very low. Influenza vaccination coverage among
      individuals >=65 years was moderate. Influenza vaccination status was associated
      with GP vaccination recommendation and free access to vaccination services.
      Doctors should identify and recommend vaccination to at-risk patients to improve
      uptake.

PMID- 27255467
TI  - Pigment patterns and photoprotection of anthocyanins in the young leaves of four
      dominant subtropical forest tree species in two successional stages under
      contrasting light conditions.
AB  - Light-driven subtropical forest succession is a dynamic process in which
      mesophytic climax communities replace heliophytic ones. Juvenile leaves
      (particularly mesophytic ones) are sensitive to high irradiances. To determine
      the photoprotection strategy that juvenile leaves use during subtropical forest
      succession, anthocyanin accumulation patterns were investigated in the young
      leaves of two mid-successional dominant trees (i.e., Schima superba and
      Castanopsis fissa) and two late-successional dominant trees (i.e., Cryptocarya
      concinna and Acmena acuminatissima) grown in 100% (FL) and 25% (LL) of full
      sunlight. All four tree species produced anthocyanins in their juvenile leaves
      when <50% of chlorophylls and carotenoids had developed. Higher anthocyanin
      concentrations accumulated in the young leaves grown in FL than in those grown in
      LL and in late-successional than in mid-successional trees. The juvenile leaves
      of late-successional trees were subjected to higher light-induced photoinhibition
      than those of mid-successional trees, despite of the fact that the leaves of late
      successional trees showed greater non-photochemical quenching than those of mid
      successional trees. Under LL conditions, photosystem II excitation pressure (1 -
      qP) was significantly higher in the juvenile leaves of late-successional trees
      than those of mid-successional trees. Under either FL or LL conditions,
      anthocyanin concentrations in juvenile leaves were negatively related to the
      light compensation point in mature leaves across species. However, anthocyanin
      concentrations were positively related to the antioxidant capacity of juvenile
      leaves. These results indicate that anthocyanin accumulation in the juvenile
      leaves of subtropical dominant trees during forest community succession is a
      flexible photoprotective response to ambient irradiances according to leaf
      sensitivity to light.

PMID- 27255470
TI  - Acidemia in neonates with a 5-minute Apgar score of 7 or greater - What are the
      outcomes?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Apgar score is universally used for fetal assessment at the time
      of birth, whereas, the collection of fetal cord blood gases is performed commonly
      in high-risk situations or in the setting of Apgar scores of <7, which is a less
      standardized approach. It has been well-established that neonatal acidemia at the
      time of delivery can result in significant neonatal morbidity and death. Because
      of this association, knowledge of the fetal acid-base status and detection of
      acidemia at the time of delivery can serve as a sensitive and useful component in
      the assessment of a neonate's risk. Umbilical cord blood gas analysis is an
      accurate and validated tool for the assessment of neonatal acidemia at the time
      of delivery. Because the collection of fetal cord blood gases is not a
      standardized practice, it is possible that, with such a varied approach, some
      cases of neonatal acidemia are not detected, particularly in the setting of
      reassuring Apgar scores. OBJECTIVE: In a setting of universally obtained cord
      blood gases, we sought to identify the rates of acidemia and associated factors
      in neonates with 5-minute Apgar scores of >=7. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective
      cohort study identified all term, singleton, nonanomolous neonates with 5-minute
      Apgar scores of >=7. The incidence of umbilical artery pH <=7.0 or <=7.1 and base
      excess <=-12 mmol/L or <=-10 mmol/L were examined overall and in association with
      obstetric complications and adverse neonatal outcomes. Chi-squared tests were
      used to compare proportions, and multivariable logistic regression was used to
      control for potential confounders. RESULTS: In this cohort, the incidence of an
      umbilical artery pH of <=7.0 was 0.5%, of a pH <=7.1 was 3.4%, of a base excess
      <=-12 mmol/L was 1.4%, and of <=-10 mmol/L was 4.0%. Rates of neonatal acidemia
      were greater in the setting of meconium (4.3% vs 3.2%; P<.001), placental
      abruption (13.2% vs 3.4%; P<.001), and cesarean deliveries (5.8% vs 2.8%;
      P<.001), despite normal 5-minute Apgar scores. Additionally, umbilical artery pH
      <=7.0 was associated with an increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome
      (adjusted odds ratio, 6.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.9-14.3) and neonatal
      intensive care unit admission (adjusted odds ratio, 10.8; 95% confidence
      interval, 6.8-17.4). Base excess of <=-12 mmol/L was also associated with an
      increased risk of neonatal sepsis (adjusted odds ratio, 4.7; 95% confidence
      interval, 1.9-12.1). Finally, when examined together, neonates with both a pH of
      <=7.0 and base excess of <=-12 mmol/L continued to demonstrate an increased risk
      of neonatal intensive care unit admission and respiratory distress syndrome, with
      adjusted odds ratios of 9.6 and 6.0, respectively. This risk persisted in
      neonates with a pH of <=7.1 and base excess of <=-10 mmol/L as well, with
      adjusted odds ratios of 4.5 and 1.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: Because neonates
      with reassuring Apgar scores have a residual risk of neonatal acidemia that is
      associated with higher rates of adverse outcomes, the potential utility of
      obtaining universal cord blood gases should be further investigated.

PMID- 27255469
TI  - The Bone Microenvironment: a Fertile Soil for Tumor Growth.
AB  - Bone metastatic disease remains a significant and frequent problem for cancer
      patients that can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately,
      despite decades of research, bone metastases remain incurable. Current studies
      have demonstrated that many properties and cell types within the bone and bone
      marrow microenvironment contribute to tumor-induced bone disease. Furthermore,
      they have pointed to the importance of understanding how tumor cells interact
      with their microenvironment in order to help improve both the development of new
      therapeutics and the prediction of response to therapy.

PMID- 27255471
TI  - Pregnant at work: time for prenatal care providers to act.
AB  - Fifty years ago, when a woman became pregnant, she was expected to stop working.
      Today, however, most women who work are the primary, sole, or co-breadwinner for
      their families, and their earnings during pregnancy are often essential to their
      families' economic well-being. Medical data about working during pregnancy are
      sparse but generally show that both low-risk and high-risk women can tolerate
      work-related duties well, although some work accommodations (eg, providing a
      chair for sitting, allowing snacks, or modifying the work schedule) may be
      necessary. However, some employers refuse to accommodate pregnant women who need
      adjustments. This can result in a woman being forced to make the choice between
      working without accommodations and losing her income and health insurance or even
      her job. Prenatal care providers can play an important role by implementing
      changes in their own practice, shaping public policy, and conducting research to
      increase protections for pregnant women and to ensure that they receive medically
      recommended accommodations while continuing to earn income for their growing
      families.

PMID- 27255468
TI  - Novel insights into redox system and the mechanism of redox regulation.
AB  - In view of the critical role of redox system in numerous physiological and
      pathophysiological processes, it is important to clearly understand the family
      members and regulatory mechanism of redox system. In this work, we will
      systematically review the current data detailing the reactive oxygen species
      (ROS), enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and redox sensitive transcription
      factors and we give a brief description of redox-mediated epigenetic and post
      translational regulation. We propose that the redox system functions as a "Redox
      Chain", consisting of "ROS-generating Enzyme Chain", "Combined Antioxidant Chain"
      and "Transcription Factor Chain". We suggest that an individualized assessment of
      the redox status in the body should be conducted for the redox intervention of a
      patient. The strategy of intervention is to maintain redox homeostasis via either
      facilitation of ROS signaling or enhancement of antioxidant defense. These
      findings provide valuable new insights into redox system and open up new paths
      for the control of redox-related disorders. 

PMID- 27255472
TI  - The effect of combined inositol supplementation on maternal metabolic profile in
      pregnancies complicated by metabolic syndrome and obesity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myoinositol and D-chiroinositol improve insulin resistance in women
      with obesity and gestational diabetes and in postmenopausal women with metabolic
      syndrome. We previously reported that offspring born to hypertensive dams lacking
      endothelial nitric oxide synthase and fed a high-fat diet develop metabolic-like
      syndrome phenotype. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the
      effect of a mixture of myoinositol/D-chiroinositol supplementation during
      pregnancy on the maternal metabolic profile in pregnancies complicated by the
      metabolic-like syndrome and obesity using a pregnant mouse model. STUDY DESIGN:
      Female heterozygous endothelial nitric oxide synthase(-/+) mice with moderate
      hypertension were placed on a high-fat diet for 4 weeks to induce a metabolic
      like syndrome phenotype. Similarly, wild-type C57BL/6 mice were placed on a high
      fat diet for 4 weeks to induce a murine obesity model. Mice were then bred with
      wild-type males. On gestational day 1, dams were randomly allocated to receive
      either a mixture of myoinositol/D-chiroinositol in water (7.2/0.18 mg/mL,
      respectively) or water as control (placebo). At term (gestational day 18),
      maternal weights, systolic blood pressure, and a glucose tolerance test were
      obtained. Dams were then killed; pups and placentas were weighed and maternal
      blood collected. Serum levels of metabolic biomarkers relevant to diabetes and
      obesity (ghrelin, gastric inhibitory peptide, glucagon-like peptide 1, glucagon,
      insulin, leptin, resistin) were measured by a multiplex enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. Analysis was done comparing metabolic-like syndrome
      myoinositol/D-chiroinositol-treated vs metabolic-like syndrome-nontreated mice
      and obese-myoinositol/D-chiroinositol-treated vs obese nontreated mice. RESULTS:
      Mean systolic blood pressure was lower in metabolic-like syndrome pregnant mice
      treated with myoinositol/D-chiroinositol compared with placebo (P = .04), whereas
      there was no difference in systolic blood pressure between treated and placebo
      treated obese pregnant mice. Pregnant metabolic-like syndrome mice treated with
      myoinositol/D-chiroinositol showed lower glucose values during the glucose
      tolerance test and in the area under the curve (myoinositol/D-chiroinositol:
      17512.5 +/- 3984.4 vs placebo: 29687.14 +/- 8258.7; P = .003), but no differences
      were seen in the obese pregnant mice. Leptin serum levels were lower in the
      metabolic-like syndrome-myoinositol/D-chiroinositol-treated mice compared with
      the placebo group (myoinositol/D-chiroinositol: 16985 +/- 976.4 pg/dL vs placebo:
      24181.9 +/- 3128.2 pg/dL, P = .045). No other differences were seen in any of the
      remaining serum metabolic biomarkers studied in metabolic-like syndrome and in
      obese pregnant mice. Maternal weight gain was not different in the pregnant
      metabolic-like syndrome dams, whereas it was lower in the obese myoinositol/D
      chiroinositol-treated dams compared with the placebo group (myoinositol/D
      chiroinositol: 10.9 +/- 0.5 g vs 12.6 +/- 0.6 g, P = .04). Fetal and placental
      weights did not differ between myoinositol/D-chiroinositol-treated and nontreated
      pregnant dams with metabolic-like syndrome and obesity. CONCLUSION: Combined
      inositol treatment during pregnancy improves blood pressure, glucose levels at
      the glucose tolerance test, and leptin levels in pregnant dams with metabolic
      like syndrome phenotype but not in obese pregnant dams. In addition, inositol
      treatment was associated with lower gestational weight gain in the obese but not
      in the metabolic-like syndrome pregnant dams.

PMID- 27255473
TI  - Association of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma single nucleotide polymorphisms
      with Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - PURPOSE: Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is a severe and chronic
      autoimmune disease of unknown origin. Inflammatory cytokines can play a pivotal
      role in the pathogenesis of JSLE, while their secretion is under genetic control.
      The current investigation was performed to analyse the associations of particular
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon
      gamma (IFN-gamma) genes in a case control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies of the polymorphic IL-2 (G/T at -330,
      rs2069762, and G/T at +166, rs2069763) and IFN-gamma (A/T at +874, rs2430561)
      genes were estimated in 59 patients with JSLE by contrast with 140 healthy
      controls using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers method.
      RESULTS: Results of the analysed data revealed a negative allelic association for
      JSLE in IL-2 -330/T (P=0.02), as well as a positive allelic association for IL-2 
      330/G (P=0.02). IL-2 GG genotype (-330) in the patient group was also
      significantly overrepresented (P<0.001), while IL-2 GT genotype (-330) was
      notably decreased in the patients with JSLE (P<0.001). Additionally, the
      frequency of IL-2 (-330, +166) GT haplotype was significantly higher in the
      patient group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: IL-2 cytokine gene polymorphisms could
      affect individual susceptibility to JSLE and can take on the role of possible
      genetic markers for vulnerability to JSLE.

PMID- 27255474
TI  - Effects of zinc supplementation in the prevention of respiratory tract infections
      and diarrheal disease in Colombian children: A 12-month randomised controlled
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Among the preventive strategies for lowering the incidence of upper
      respiratory tract infections (URTI) and acute diarrhoea episodes, two of the most
      common diseases in children, zinc supplementation has received special interest.
      However, there is a need for additional studies that determine the preventive
      effects of different doses of zinc on URTI and diarrhoeal disease episodes in
      children. METHODS: In a randomised, triple-blind clinical trial, we evaluated the
      efficacy of 12 months of daily zinc supplementation in the incidence of URTI and
      acute diarrhoea in a population of healthy children aged between 6 and 12 months
      living in Bogota, Colombia. The outcomes analysed were incidence of URTI, acute
      diarrhoeal disease episodes, and side effects of the interventions. RESULTS:
      Between 2010 and 2013, a total of 355 children underwent randomisation, with 174
      assigned to the zinc supplementation group and 181 to the control group. In the
      multivariate analyses, having been randomised to the non-supplemented control
      group (IRR 1.73, 95% CI 1.52-1.97, p<0.001), and nursery attendance (IRR 1.41,
      95% CI 1.07-1.87, p=0.016) were independently linked to the number of URTI.
      Likewise, having been randomised to the non-supplemented group (IRR 1.43, 95% CI
      1.20-1.71, p<0.001), and lower socioeconomic status (IRR 1.86, 95% CI 1.11-3.13,
      p=0.018) were independently associated to the number of diarrhoeal disease
      episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Daily supplementation of 5mg of zinc during 12 months
      significantly decreased the incidence of URTI and diarrhoeal disease episodes in
      a healthy population of children aged between 6 and 12 months.

PMID- 27255475
TI  - Mould and grass pollen allergy as risk factors for childhood asthma in Zaragoza,
      Spain.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Examine the prevalence of asthma and associated predictive factors in
      a group of 468 students. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional
      observational study in a randomly selected population of 468 children aged 10-12,
      in the city of Zaragoza. We used the ISAAC questionnaire on asthma completed by
      children under supervision of the investigators. We assessed the genetic risk
      (family history of asthma) and environmental risks. The risk for atopy was
      assessed by the presence of positive skin prick tests. RESULTS: 25.3% of the
      children had symptoms consistent with asthma in the city of Zaragoza. Among them
      33.1% reported a history of asthma in close relatives (OR=1.78, p<0.001). The
      history of hospitalisations for lower respiratory tract illness was strongly
      associated with the presence of asthma (OR=6.72, p<0.0001). Positive skin tests
      to Alternaria (OR=2.00, p<0.0001) and grass pollen (OR=1.76, p<0.001) were
      predictors of asthma. 63.6% of asthmatic children had presented clinical rhinitis
      in the previous 12 months, compared with 32% of non-asthmatics, and this
      difference was statistically significant (OR=3.89, p<0.0001). 47% of asthmatics
      presented with or previously had eczema, whereas only 26.9% of non-asthmatics
      presented with or previously had these types of lesions (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION:
      The following are predictors of asthma: History of hospital admissions for lower
      respiratory tract illness, presence of rhinitis and/or eczema, positive prick
      test for certain aeroallergens, especially Alternaria and grass pollen, and
      family history of asthma.

PMID- 27255476
TI  - Response to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in children with asthma, and
      children with recurrent respiratory infections, and healthy children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To analyse specific immune response to the 23-valent pneumococcal
      polysaccharide vaccine by measuring pneumococcal antibodies in children with
      asthma and with respiratory recurrent infection (RRI) as compared to healthy
      children. METHODS: The study included 60 children, divided into three groups: 20
      with asthma, 20 with RRI, and 20 healthy controls. Post-vaccination specific IgG
      antibodies against 10 pneumococcal serotypes (S1, S3, S4, S5, S6B, S9V, S14,
      S18C, S19F, and S23F) contained in the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide
      vaccine (PPV) were measured. A specific IgG concentration >=1.3MUg/mL was
      considered a protective response to the vaccine. For statistical analysis, levels
      of specific IgG antibodies against each of the 10 pneumococcal serotypes were
      compared across the three groups of children using the x(2) test. RESULTS: All of
      the children showed antipneumococcal antibody levels >1.3MUg/mL for over 70% of
      the serotypes, considered within the normal range of response. Average IgG
      antibody levels and percentages of children protected were statistically
      comparable among the three groups studied. CONCLUSION: The asthmatic children
      without RRI had pneumococcal antibody levels and percentages of serotype-specific
      protection to PPV comparable to those of healthy children. Asthmatic children
      with recurrent infections should be evaluated for specific antibody deficiency
      (SAD). Because asthma patients are at high risk for invasive pneumococcal
      infections, it would be worthwhile to explore systematic administration of PPV in
      children over the age of two years who have not received a pneumococcal conjugate
      vaccine, considering the positive response to PPV reported here.

PMID- 27255477
TI  - Association between two polymorphisms of histamine-metabolising enzymes and the
      severity of allergic rhinitis in a group of Mexican children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that polymorphisms of histamine metabolising
      enzymes can be a risk factor for developing histamine-involving diseases. The aim
      of the present study is to research the possible association between two
      functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): C314T in the Histamine-N
      Methyl Transferase gene and C2029G in the Diamine Oxidase gene, with the severity
      of allergic rhinitis and the number of allergic diseases, in a group of allergic
      Mexican children. METHODS: We studied 154 unrelated allergic children. SNPs were
      analysed by RT-PCR. The total serum IgE was measured by chemiluminescence and the
      serum histamine by ELISA. We used logistic regression analysis to determine OR.
      RESULTS: Patients carrying the mutant allele for any SNP had more risk to develop
      higher rhinitis severity or a bigger number of allergic diseases. Haplotype
      analysis revealed that this effect is synergistic. In patients carrying one or
      two mutant alleles, serum histamine levels were higher than those of patients
      carrying only wild alleles. Serum IgE levels were not associated with the
      presence of mutant alleles. CONCLUSION: The presence of these SNPs in patients
      with allergic rhinitis can lead to higher serum histamine, therefore to a higher
      risk of developing more severe symptoms or more associated allergic diseases,
      even if the serum IgE remains low.

PMID- 27255478
TI  - Development of a solitary koinobiont hyperparasitoid in different instars of its
      primary and secondary hosts.
AB  - Parasitoid wasps are excellent organisms for studying the allocation of host
      resources to different fitness functions such as adult body mass and development
      time. Koinobiont parasitoids attack hosts that continue feeding and growing
      during parasitism, whereas idiobiont parasitoids attack non-growing host stages
      or paralyzed hosts. Many adult female koinobionts attack a broad range of host
      stages and are therefore faced with a different set of dynamic challenges
      compared with idiobionts, where host resources are largely static. Thus far
      studies on solitary koinobionts have been almost exclusively based on primary
      parasitoids, yet it is known that many of these are in turn attacked by both
      koinobiont and idiobiont hyperparasitoids. Here we compare parasitism and
      development of a primary koinobiont hyperparasitoid, Mesochorus gemellus
      (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in larvae of the gregarious primary koinobiont
      parasitoid, Cotesia glomerata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) developing in the
      secondary herbivore host, Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). As far as we
      know this is the first study to examine development of a solitary primary
      hyperparasitoid in different stages of its secondary herbivore host. Pieris
      brassicae caterpillars were parasitized as L1 by C. glomerata and then these
      parasitized caterpillars were presented in separate cohorts to M. gemellus as L3,
      L4 or L5 instar P. brassicae. Different instars of the secondary hosts were used
      as proxies for different developmental stages of the primary host, C. glomerata.
      Larvae of C. glomerata in L5 P. brassicae were significantly longer than those in
      L3 and L4 caterpillars. Irrespective of secondary host instar, every parasitoid
      cluster was hyperparasitized by M. gemellus but all only produced male progeny.
      Male development time decreased with host stage attacked, whereas adult male body
      mass did not, which shows that M. gemellus is able to optimally exploit older
      host larvae in terms of adult size despite their decreasing mass during the pupal
      stage. Across a range of cocoon masses, hyperparasitoid adult male body mass was
      approximately 84% as large as primary parasitoids, revealing that M. gemellus is
      almost as efficient at exploiting host resources as secondary (pupal)
      hyperparasitoids.

PMID- 27255479
TI  - Prognostic value of preoperative NLR, dNLR, PLR and CRP in surgical renal cell
      carcinoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emerging evidences indicate that inflammation plays a crucial role in
      carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Inflammatory response biomarkers are
      recognized as promising prognostic factors for improving predictive accuracy in
      renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of
      preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to
      lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and serum C-reactive
      protein (CRP) in RCC. METHODS: 484 surgical RCC patients were enrolled from 2006
      to 2010 in this study. Receiver operating curve (ROC) was applied to assess the
      optimal cutoff levels for four biomarkers, and the prognostic values were
      determined by Kaplan-Meier curve, univariate and multivariate COX regression
      models. The predictive accuracy was evaluated by concordance index (c-index).
      RESULTS: The median follow-up duration after surgical resection was 36 months.
      The optimal cutoff levels were 2.78 for NLR, 2.05 for dNLR, 185 for PLR and 5.1
      for CRP by ROC curves analysis. Elevated NLR, dNLR, PLR and CRP were
      significantly correlated with worse overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis
      showed that elevated NLR was an independent risk factor for OS, and NLR was
      superior to dNLR, PLR and CRP based on hazard ratio (HR 2.10, 95 % CI 1.21-3.64,
      P = 0.008). Additionally, the nomogram could more effectively work in predicting
      OS (c-index: 0.749) in surgical RCC patients. CONCLUSION: Pre-operation NLR can
      be considered as a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with RCC who
      underwent surgical resection.

PMID- 27255480
TI  - Correlates of mobile screen media use among children aged 0-8: protocol for a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood is a crucial period for shaping healthy behaviours;
      however, it currently appears to be dominated by screen time. A large proportion
      of young children do not adhere to the screen time recommendations, with the use
      of mobile screen devices becoming more common than fixed screens. Existing
      systematic reviews on correlates of screen time have focused largely on the
      traditional fixed screen devices such as television. Reviews specially focused on
      mobile screen media are almost non-existent. This paper describes the protocol
      for conducting a systematic review of papers published between 2009 and 2015 to
      identify the correlates of mobile screen media use among children aged 0-8 years.
      METHODS: A systematic literature search of electronic databases will be carried
      out using different combinations of keywords for papers published in English
      between January 2009 and December 2015. Additionally, a manual search of
      reference lists and citations will also be conducted. Papers that have examined
      correlates of screen time among children aged 0-8 will be included in the review.
      Studies must include at least one type of mobile screen media (mobile phones,
      electronic tablets or handheld computers) to be eligible for inclusion. This
      study will identify correlates of mobile screen-viewing among children in five
      categories: (i) child biological and demographic correlates, (ii) behavioural
      correlates, (iii) family biological and demographic correlates, (iv) family
      structure-related correlates and (v) socio-cultural and environmental correlates.
      PRISMA statement will be used for ensuring transparency and scientific reporting
      of the results. DISCUSSION: This study will identify the correlates associated
      with increased mobile screen media use among young children through the
      systematic review of published peer-reviewed papers. This will contribute to
      addressing the knowledge gap in this area. The results will provide an evidence
      base to better understand correlates of mobile screen media use and potentially
      inform the development of recommendations to reduce screen time among those aged
      0-8 years. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015028028 .

PMID- 27255482
TI  - A Simulation Framework for Benchmarking EEG-Based Brain Connectivity Estimation
      Methodologies.
AB  - Due to its high temporal resolution, electroencephalography (EEG) is widely used
      to study functional and effective brain connectivity. Yet, there is currently a
      mismatch between the vastness of studies conducted and the degree to which the
      employed analyses are theoretically understood and empirically validated. We here
      provide a simulation framework that enables researchers to test their analysis
      pipelines on realistic pseudo-EEG data. We construct a minimal example of brain
      interaction, which we propose as a benchmark for assessing a methodology's
      general eligibility for EEG-based connectivity estimation. We envision that this
      benchmark be extended in a collaborative effort to validate methods in more
      complex scenarios. Quantitative metrics are defined to assess a method's
      performance in terms of source localization, connectivity detection and
      directionality estimation. All data and code needed for generating pseudo-EEG
      data, conducting source reconstruction and connectivity estimation using baseline
      methods from the literature, evaluating performance metrics, as well as plotting
      results, are made publicly available. While this article covers only EEG
      modeling, we will also provide a magnetoencephalography version of our framework
      online.

PMID- 27255481
TI  - Purifying selection shapes the coincident SNP distribution of primate coding
      sequences.
AB  - Genome-wide analysis has observed an excess of coincident single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (coSNPs) at human-chimpanzee orthologous positions, and suggested
      that this is due to cryptic variation in the mutation rate. While this phenomenon
      primarily corresponds with non-coding coSNPs, the situation in coding sequences
      remains unclear. Here we calculate the observed-to-expected ratio of coSNPs
      (coSNPO/E) to estimate the prevalence of human-chimpanzee coSNPs, and show that
      the excess of coSNPs is also present in coding regions. Intriguingly, coSNPO/E is
      much higher at zero-fold than at nonzero-fold degenerate sites; such a difference
      is due to an elevation of coSNPO/E at zero-fold degenerate sites, rather than a
      reduction at nonzero-fold degenerate ones. These trends are independent of
      chimpanzee subpopulation, population size, or sequencing techniques; and hold in
      broad generality across primates. We find that this discrepancy cannot fully
      explained by sequence contexts, shared ancestral polymorphisms, SNP density, and
      recombination rate, and that coSNPO/E in coding sequences is significantly
      influenced by purifying selection. We also show that selection and mutation rate
      affect coSNPO/E independently, and coSNPs tend to be less damaging and more
      correlated with human diseases than non-coSNPs. These suggest that coSNPs may
      represent a "signature" during primate protein evolution.

PMID- 27255483
TI  - Effect of sitting postures and shoulder position on the cervicocephalic
      kinesthesia in healthy young males.
AB  - Information about head orientation, position, and movement with respect to the
      trunk relies on the visual, vestibular, extensive muscular, and articular
      proprioceptive system of the neck. Various factors can affect proprioception
      since it is the function of afferent integration, and tuning of muscular and
      articular receptors. Pain, muscle fatigue, and joint position have been shown to
      affect proprioceptive capacity. Thus, it can be speculated that changes in body
      posture can alter the neck proprioception. This study was undertaken to
      investigate the effect of body posture on cervicocephalic kinesthetic sense in
      healthy subjects. Cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility was measured by the
      kinesthetic sensibility test in healthy young adults while in (a) habitual
      slouched sitting position with arms hanging by the side (SS), (b) habitual
      slouched sitting position with arms unloaded (supported) (SS-AS), and (c) upright
      sitting position with arms hanging by the side (US) during maximum and 30 degree
      right, left rotations, flexion, and extension. Thirty healthy male adults (mean
      age 27.83; SD 3.41) volunteered for this study. The least mean error was found
      for the SS-AS position (0.48; SD 0.24), followed by SS (0.60; SD 0.43) and US
      (0.96; SD 0.71), respectively. For all test conditions, there was significant
      difference in mean absolute error while head repositioning from maximum and 30
      degree rotation during SS and SS-AS positions (p < 0.05). In conclusion, body
      posture can affect the proprioception function of the neck. Supporting the upper
      extremities in such a way that their weight is unloaded, which leads to reduction
      in the tension between the neck and shoulder girdle, can improve cervicocephalic
      kinesthetic sense in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The findings of
      this study can be implemented in people who have to do repeated arm and neck
      movements, by using ergonomically effective chairs with proper arm supports. This
      might help in prevention and treatment of neck pain.

PMID- 27255484
TI  - The ERF11 Transcription Factor Promotes Internode Elongation by Activating
      Gibberellin Biosynthesis and Signaling.
AB  - The phytohormone gibberellin (GA) plays a key role in promoting stem elongation
      in plants. Previous studies show that GA activates its signaling pathway by
      inducing rapid degradation of DELLA proteins, GA signaling repressors. Using an
      activation-tagging screen in a reduced-GA mutant ga1-6 background, we identified
      AtERF11 to be a novel positive regulator of both GA biosynthesis and GA signaling
      for internode elongation. Overexpression of AtERF11 partially rescued the dwarf
      phenotype of ga1-6 AtERF11 is a member of the ERF (ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR)
      subfamily VIII-B-1a of ERF/AP2 transcription factors in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis
      thaliana). Overexpression of AtERF11 resulted in elevated bioactive GA levels by
      up-regulating expression of GA3ox1 and GA20ox genes. Hypocotyl elongation assays
      further showed that overexpression of AtERF11 conferred elevated GA response,
      whereas loss-of-function erf11 and erf11 erf4 mutants displayed reduced GA
      response. In addition, yeast two-hybrid, coimmunoprecipitation, and transient
      expression assays showed that AtERF11 enhances GA signaling by antagonizing the
      function of DELLA proteins via direct protein-protein interaction. Interestingly,
      AtERF11 overexpression also caused a reduction in the levels of another
      phytohormone ethylene in the growing stem, consistent with recent finding showing
      that AtERF11 represses transcription of ethylene biosynthesis ACS genes. The
      effect of AtERF11 on promoting GA biosynthesis gene expression is likely via its
      repressive function on ethylene biosynthesis. These results suggest that AtERF11
      plays a dual role in promoting internode elongation by inhibiting ethylene
      biosynthesis and activating GA biosynthesis and signaling pathways.

PMID- 27255485
TI  - Redox- and Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent Signaling into and out of the
      Photosynthesizing Chloroplast.
AB  - Photosynthesis is a high-rate redox metabolic process that is subjected to rapid
      changes in input parameters, particularly light. Rapid transients of photon
      capture, electron fluxes, and redox potentials during photosynthesis cause
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) to be released, including singlet oxygen,
      superoxide anion radicals, and hydrogen peroxide. Thus, the photosynthesizing
      chloroplast functions as a conditional source of important redox and ROS
      information, which is exploited to tune processes both inside the chloroplast
      and, following retrograde release or processing, in the cytosol and nucleus.
      Analyses of mutants and comparative transcriptome profiling have led to the
      identification of these processes and associated players and have allowed the
      specificity and generality of response patterns to be defined. The release of ROS
      and oxidation products, envelope permeabilization (for larger molecules), and
      metabolic interference with mitochondria and peroxisomes produce an intricate ROS
      and redox signature, which controls acclimation processes. This photosynthesis
      related ROS and redox information feeds into various pathways (e.g. the mitogen
      activated protein kinase and OXI1 signaling pathways) and controls processes such
      as gene expression and translation.

PMID- 27255487
TI  - Drug Safety Monitoring in Children: Performance of Signal Detection Algorithms
      and Impact of Age Stratification.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can
      be analyzed to yield additional drug safety evidence for the pediatric
      population. Signal detection algorithms (SDAs) are required for these analyses;
      however, the performance of SDAs in the pediatric population specifically is
      unknown. We tested the performance of two SDAs on pediatric data from the US FDA
      Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and investigated the impact of age
      stratification and age adjustment on the performance of SDAs. METHODS: We tested
      the performance of two established SDAs: the proportional reporting ratio (PRR)
      and the empirical Bayes geometric mean (EBGM) on a pediatric dataset from FAERS
      (2004-2012). We compared the performance of the SDAs with a published pediatric
      specific reference set by calculating diagnostic test-related statistics,
      including the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics.
      Impact of age stratification and age-adjustment on the performance of the SDAs
      was assessed. Age adjustment was performed by pooling (Mantel-Hanszel) stratum
      specific estimates. RESULTS: A total of 115,674 pediatric reports (patients aged
      0-18 years) comprising 893,587 drug-event combinations (DECs) were analysed.
      Crude values of the AUC were similar for both SDAs: 0.731 (PRR) and 0.745 (EBGM).
      Stratification unmasked four DECs, e.g., 'ibuprofen and thrombocytopenia'. Age
      adjustment did not improve performance. CONCLUSION: The performance of the two
      tested SDAs was similar in the pediatric population. Age adjustment does not
      improve performance and is therefore not recommended to be performed routinely.
      Stratification can reveal new associations, and therefore is recommended when
      either drug use is age-specific or when an age-specific risk is suspected.

PMID- 27255488
TI  - Genetic control and regulatory mechanisms of succinoglycan and curdlan
      biosynthesis in genus Agrobacterium.
AB  - Agrobacterium is a genus of gram-negative bacteria that can produce several
      typical exopolysaccharides with commercial uses in the food and pharmaceutical
      fields. In particular, succinoglycan and curdlan, due to their good quality in
      high yield, have been employed on an industrial scale comparatively early.
      Exopolysaccharide biosynthesis is a multiple-step process controlled by different
      functional genes, and various environmental factors cause changes in
      exopolysaccharide biosynthesis through regulatory mechanisms. In this mini
      review, we focus on the genetic control and regulatory mechanisms of
      succinoglycan and curdlan produced by Agrobacterium. Some key functional genes
      and regulatory mechanisms for exopolysaccharide biosynthesis are described,
      possessing a high potential for application in metabolic engineering to modify
      exopolysaccharide production and physicochemical properties. This review may
      contribute to the understanding of exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and
      exopolysaccharide modification by metabolic engineering methods in Agrobacterium.

PMID- 27255486
TI  - A Cotton Annexin Affects Fiber Elongation and Secondary Cell Wall Biosynthesis
      Associated with Ca2+ Influx, ROS Homeostasis, and Actin Filament Reorganization.
AB  - Annexins play pivotal roles in a variety of cellular processes as well as in
      fiber development; however, the functional mechanisms of their activities are
      unclear. Here, an annexin gene that is preferentially expressed in fibers,
      GhFAnnxA, was found to be significantly associated with various cotton (Gossypium
      hirsutum) fiber traits. Transgenic analysis demonstrated that GhFAnnxA affected
      cotton fiber elongation and was involved in secondary cell wall (SCW)
      biosynthesis. Functional studies demonstrated that GhFAnnxA may act as a Ca(2+)
      conductance regulator and that reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by Rbohs in
      a Ca(2+)-dependent manner may determine fiber elongation caused by elevated
      intracellular turgor and cell wall loosening. However, excessive hydrogen
      peroxide (H2O2) inhibited cotton fiber elongation in vitro. We speculate that a
      positive feedback loop involving ROS and Ca(2+) is regulated by GhCDPK1 and
      regulates fiber cell elongation. Furthermore, the convergence of actin filaments
      is altered by their interaction with GhFAnnxA, and this also may contribute to
      fiber elongation. Moreover, GhFAnnxA may affect SCW biosynthesis through changes
      in cell wall components caused by an increase in H2O2 levels. These results not
      only provide new insights into the signaling pathways of GhFAnnxA in fiber
      development but also clarify the role of ROS in fiber development.

PMID- 27255489
TI  - Identification and characterization of a novel (+)-gamma-lactamase from
      Microbacterium hydrocarbonoxydans.
AB  - 2-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one (gamma-lactam) is an important precursor of
      many carbocyclic nucleoside analogs and pharmaceuticals. (-)-gamma-Lactam has
      attracted much attention because of its role as an intermediate of antiviral
      drugs such as abacavir and carbovir. (+)-gamma-Lactamase can be used for the
      kinetic resolution of gamma-lactam to obtain (-)-gamma-lactam. In this study, a
      novel (+)-gamma-lactamase (Mh33H4-5540) was discovered from the gene library of
      Microbacterium hydrocarbonoxydans based on a colorimetric high-throughput
      screening method and it could be used to enantioselectively catalyze the
      bioresolution of racemic gamma-lactam with high enantiomeric excess (ee) (>99 %)
      and yield (>49 %). An unexpected finding was that Mh33H4-5540 was unrelated to
      other known gamma-lactamases (5.7, 4.8, 7.2, and 5.4 % similarities in amino
      sequence with (+)-gamma-lactamase from Comamonas acidovorans, Bradyrhizobium
      japonicum, Aeropyrum pernix, and Sulfolobus solfataricus, respectively) but
      rather related to isochorismatases. The homolog analysis of Mh33H4-5540 revealed
      that it was similar in structure with bacterial isochorismatases (an
      isochorismatase from Pseudomonas putida (PDB number 4H17) and a putative
      isochorismatase from Oleispira antarctica (PDB number 3LQY)). Thus, Mh33H4-5540
      represented another type of (+)-gamma-lactamase. Mh33H4-5540 was overexpressed in
      E. coli Rosetta (DE3), purified to homogeneity and functionally characterized.
      The enzyme displayed optimal activity at 25  degrees C and pH 8.0. The activity
      showed a 5.5-fold increase in the presence of 0.5 M Ni2+ or Co2+. Mh33H4-5540
      displayed much higher (+)-gamma-lactamase activity than any other biochemically
      characterized (+)-gamma-lactamases. Overall, we discovered a novel (+)-gamma
      lactamase Mh33H4-5540 which displayed the highest activity. It could be a
      promising candidate of biocatalyst for industrial applications of highly valuable
      chiral pharmaceutical chemicals.

PMID- 27255490
TI  - Gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensor for rapid visual detection of
      Leishmania-specific DNA amplification products.
AB  - Leishmaniasis is a disease, caused by Leishmania parasites, which infect humans
      and animals, posing a major social and economic burden worldwide. The need for
      accurate and sensitive disease diagnosis led to the widespread adoption of PCR
      amplification. Detection of the amplification products (i.e. gel electrophoresis)
      require time-consuming protocols performed by trained personnel, with high cost.
      Aim of the present study was the simplification of PCR product detection, using a
      nucleic acid lateral flow, combined with functionalized gold nanoparticles.
      Amplification reactions targeting kinetoplastid DNA of Leishmania spp were
      performed on canine blood samples and a positive signal was formed as a red test
      zone. The visual detection was completed in 20min. Extensive optimization enabled
      the detection of 100fmol of target DNA. Clinical samples of infected dog blood
      were analyzed with high specificity. Overall, the proposed lateral flow biosensor
      can be considered an appealing alternative platform for Leishmania-specific
      amplification products detection with low cost and attractive simplicity.

PMID- 27255491
TI  - Impact of Age at Diagnosis and Hypothalamic Involvement on Body Mass Index Z
      Score Change in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity risk is increased for pediatric central nervous system tumor
      survivors. Hypothalamic involvement (HI) by tumor or treatment increases the
      risk. In healthy children, body mass index (BMI) normally declines until
      adiposity rebound (AR). We hypothesized that HI and diagnosis before AR would
      lead to increased BMI at follow-up. METHODS: A chart review of 114 brain tumor
      survivors diagnosed between 2001-2011 at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
      extracted tumor location, treatment and BMI z-scores at diagnosis and 2-year
      follow-up. Children were categorized based on age at diagnosis relative to AR and
      presence/absence of HI. RESULTS: Children diagnosed pre-AR and post-AR with HI
      had higher BMI z-scores at 2-year follow-up (pre-AR: 1.6, post-AR: 1.3) than at
      diagnosis (0.5, 0.6). All groups without HI showed no increase in BMI z-score
      from diagnosis to 2-year follow-up (pre-AR: 0.7-0.6, during AR: 0.7-0.8, post-AR:
      0.7-0.8). The pre-AR and during-AR cohorts with HI had a higher BMI z-score at 2
      year follow-up relative to those without HI, while the post-AR group did not.
      CONCLUSION: Except for the post-AR group, patients with HI have increased BMI at
      2 years after diagnosis compared to those without HI. Diagnosis pre-AR is
      associated with greater follow-up BMI z-score.

PMID- 27255492
TI  - Cyclophosphamide versus mycophenolate mofetil in scleroderma interstitial lung
      disease (SSc-ILD) as induction therapy: a single-centre, retrospective analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized mainly by
      skin manifestations and involvement of various visceral organs, especially the
      lungs. Lung involvement is the leading cause of mortality in patients with
      scleroderma. There are data to suggest that cyclophosphamide (CYC) and
      mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) are effective in the management of scleroderma
      interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) but no head to head comparative data are
      available to date. METHODS: For the last 3 years, patients with SSc-ILD have been
      treated at our centre by protocol-based administration of intravenous CYC and
      MMF. Results of lung function tests (spirometry) were recorded at baseline, 3
      months and 6 months in every patient. The clinical records of patients with
      systemic sclerosis and significant ILD, who were not previously exposed to any
      immunosuppressant and were treated with MMF OR CYC, were reviewed. The efficacy
      of treatment was assessed by the change in forced vital capacity on spirometry.
      RESULTS: Of the total 57 patients included in the analysis, 34 were treated with
      MMF and 23 were treated with CYC. Mean duration of illness was 4.19 +/- 2.82
      years in the MMF and 6.04 +/- 5.96 years in the CYC group. After 6 months of
      therapy, FVC increased by 10.84 +/- 13.81 % in the CYC group and by 6.07 +/-
      11.92 % in the MMF group. This improvement from baseline was statistically
      significant in both groups (P < 0.01). The improvement was comparable with no
      statistically significant differences between groups (P = 0.373). There were no
      major adverse events reported in either arm. CONCLUSION: Both MMF and CYC were
      equally effective in stabilizing lung function in patients with scleroderma and
      ILD.

PMID- 27255493
TI  - Cryptococcal meningitis in a tertiary hospital in Pretoria, mortality and risk
      factors - A retrospective cohort study.
AB  - Aim This retrospective cohort study analyzes the impact of possible risk factors
      on the survival chance of patients with cryptococcal meningitis. These factors
      include the patient's socio-economic background, age, gender, presenting
      symptoms, comorbidities, laboratory findings and, in particular, non-adherence
      versus adherence to therapy. Methods Data were collected from all adult patients
      admitted to Kalafong Hospital with laboratory confirmed cryptococcal meningitis
      over a period of 24 months. We analyzed the data by the presentation of
      descriptive summary statistics, logistic regression was used to assess factors
      which showed association between outcome of measure and factor. Furthermore,
      multivariable logistic regression analysis using all the factors that showed
      significant association in the cross tabulation was applied to determine which
      factors had an impact on the patients' mortality risk. Results A total of 87
      patients were identified. All except one were HIV-positive, of which 55.2% were
      antiretroviral therapy naive. A history of previous tuberculosis was given by 25
      patients (28.7%) and 49 (56.3%) were on tuberculosis treatment at admission or
      started during their hospital stay. In-hospital mortality was 31%. Statistical
      analysis showed that antiretroviral therapy naive patients had 9.9 (CI 95% 1.2
      81.2, p < 0.0032) times greater odds of dying compared to those on antiretroviral
      therapy, with 17 from 48 patients (35.4%) dying compared with 1 out of 21
      patients (4.8%) on treatment. Defaulters had 14.7 (CI 95% 1.6-131.6, p < 0.016)
      times greater odds of dying, with 9 from 18 patients dying (50%), compared to the
      non-defaulters. In addition, patients who presented with nausea and vomiting had
      a 6.3 (95% CI 1.7-23.1, p < 0.005) times greater odds of dying (18/47, 38.3%);
      this remained significant when adjusted for antiretroviral therapy naive patients
      and defaulters. Conclusion Cryptococcal meningitis is still a common
      opportunistic infection in people living with HIV/AIDS resulting in
      hospitalization and a high mortality. Defaulting antiretroviral therapy and
      presentation with nausea and vomiting were associated with a significantly
      increased mortality risk.

PMID- 27255494
TI  - Can exercise affect the course of inflammatory bowel disease? Experimental and
      clinical evidence.
AB  - The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consisting of Crohn's disease (CD) and
      ulcerative colitis (UC) are defined as idiopathic, chronic and relapsing
      intestinal disorders occurring in genetically predisposed individuals exposed to
      environmental risk factors such as diet and microbiome changes. Since
      conventional drug therapy is expensive and not fully efficient, there is a need
      for alternative remedies that can improve the outcome in patients suffering from
      IBD. Whether exercise, which has been proposed as adjunct therapy in IBD, can be
      beneficial in patients with IBD remains an intriguing question. In this review,
      we provide an overview of the effects of exercise on human IBD and experimental
      colitis in animal models that mimic human disease, although the information on
      exercise in human IBD are sparse and poorly understood. Moderate exercise can
      exert a beneficial ameliorating effect on IBD and improve the healing of
      experimental animal colitis due to the activity of protective myokines such as
      irisin released from working skeletal muscles. CD patients with higher levels of
      exercise were significantly less likely to develop active disease at six months.
      Moreover, voluntary exercise has been shown to exert a positive effect on IBD
      patients' mood, weight maintenance and osteoporosis. On the other hand, depending
      on its intensity and duration, exercise can evoke transient mild systemic
      inflammation and enhances pro-inflammatory cytokine release, thereby exacerbating
      the gastrointestinal symptoms. We discuss recent advances in the mechanism of
      voluntary and strenuous exercise affecting the outcome of IBD in patients and
      experimental animal models. 

PMID- 27255495
TI  - Charles S Hirsch.

PMID- 27255496
TI  - BME staff are more likely to be bullied in most acute trusts, report finds.

PMID- 27255497
TI  - Effects of Playing a Serious Computer Game on Body Mass Index and Nutrition
      Knowledge in Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity and weight gain is a critical public health concern. Serious
      digital games are gaining popularity in the context of health interventions. They
      use persuasive and fun design features to engage users in health-related
      behaviors in a non-game context. As a young field, research about effectiveness
      and acceptability of such games for weight loss is sparse. OBJECTIVE: The goal of
      this study was to evaluate real-world play patterns of SpaPlay and its impact on
      body mass index (BMI) and nutritional knowledge. SpaPlay is a computer game
      designed to help women adopt healthier dietary and exercise behaviors, developed
      based on Self-Determination theory and the Player Experience of Need Satisfaction
      (PENS) model. Progress in the game is tied to real-life activities (e.g., eating
      a healthy snack, taking a flight of stairs). METHODS: We recruited 47 women to
      partake in a within-subject 90-day longitudinal study, with assessments taken at
      baseline, 1-, 2-, and 3- months. Women were on average, 29.8 years old (+/-7.3),
      highly educated (80.9% had BA or higher), 39% non-White, baseline BMI 26.98 (+/
      5.6), who reported at least contemplating making changes in their diet and
      exercise routine based on the Stages of Change Model. We computed 9 indices from
      game utilization data to evaluate game play. We used general linear models to
      examine inter-individual differences between levels of play, and multilevel
      models to assess temporal changes in BMI and nutritional knowledge. RESULTS:
      Patterns of game play were mixed. Participants who reported being in the
      preparation or action stages of behavior change exhibited more days of play and
      more play regularity compared to those who were in the contemplation stage.
      Additionally, women who reported playing video games 1-2 hours per session
      demonstrated more sparse game play. Brief activities, such as one-time actions
      related to physical activity or healthy food, were preferred over activities that
      require a longer commitment (e.g., taking stairs every day for a week). BMI
      decreased significantly (P<.001) from baseline to 3-month follow-up, yielding a
      large effect size of 1.28. Nutritional knowledge increased significantly (P<.001)
      from first to third month follow-ups, with an effect size of .86. The degree of
      change in both outcomes was related to game play, baseline readiness to change,
      and the extent of video game play in general. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates
      initial evidence of success for using a serious game as an intervention for
      health behavior change in real world settings. Our findings also highlight the
      need to understand not only game effectiveness but also inter-individual
      differences. Individualizing content and the intervention medium appears to be
      necessary for a more personalized and long-lasting impact.

PMID- 27255500
TI  - Erratum to: Far-infrared promotes burn wound healing by suppressing NLRP3
      inflammasome caused by enhanced autophagy.

PMID- 27255499
TI  - Plerixafor improves the endothelial health balance. The effect of diabetes
      analysed by polychromatic flow cytometry.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Diabetes damages the endothelium and reduces the
      availability of bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The
      mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and EPCs in response to G-CSF is
      impaired by diabetes, owing to CXCL12 dysregulation. We have previously shown
      that the CXCR4/CXCL12 disruptor plerixafor rescues HSC and EPC mobilization in
      diabetes. We herein explored the effects of plerixafor on HSCs, EPCs, and
      circulating endothelial cells (CECs) in patients with and without diabetes.
      METHODS: We re-analysed data gathered in the NCT02056210 trial, wherein patients
      with (n = 10) and without diabetes (n = 10) received plerixafor to test
      stem/progenitor cell mobilization. We applied a novel and very specific
      polychromatic flow cytometry (PFC) approach to identify and quantify HSCs, EPCs,
      and CECs. RESULTS: We found that 7-AAD(-)Syto16(+)CD34(+)CD45(dim) HSC levels
      determined by PFC strongly correlated to the traditional enumeration of CD34(+)
      cells, whereas 7-AAD(-)Syto16(+)CD34(+)CD45(neg)KDR(+) EPCs were unrelated to the
      traditional enumeration of CD34(+)KDR(+) cells. Using PFC, we confirmed that
      plerixafor induces rapid mobilization of HSCs and EPCs in both groups, with a
      marginally significant defect in patients with diabetes. Plerixafor reduced live
      (7-AAD(-)) and dead (7-AAD(+)) Syto16(+)CD34(bright)CD45(neg)CD146(+) CECs more
      in patients without than in those with diabetes. The EPC/CEC ratio, a measure of
      the vascular health balance, was increased by plerixafor, but less prominently in
      patients with that in those without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to
      rescuing defective mobilization associated with diabetes, plerixafor improves the
      balance between EPCs and CECs, but the latter effect is blunted in patients with
      diabetes.

PMID- 27255501
TI  - Effect of aerobic exercise intensity on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: a
      meta-analysis of head-to-head randomized trials.
AB  - AIMS: To conduct a meta-analysis of head-to-head trials comparing aerobic
      exercise training of different intensities on glycemic control in type 2
      diabetes. METHODS: Databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, were searched up to
      January 2016. Randomized trials of at least 12 weeks in duration that compared
      two exercise interventions of different intensities were identified. Two
      reviewers independently extracted data from eligible trials. Using fixed effect
      model, weighted mean differences (WMD) between different exercise intensities
      were calculated for changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and secondary
      outcomes, such as fasting glucose and fasting insulin. RESULTS: Eight studies
      with a total of 235 participants were eligible. The exercise interventions lasted
      from 12 weeks to 6 months. The prescribed exercise intensities varied among
      studies. Four studies utilized vigorous exercise intensities for short durations
      by performing interval training. Overall, higher-intensity exercise resulted in a
      greater reduction in HbA1c compared to lower-intensity exercise (WMD = -0.22 %;
      95 % confidence interval [-0.38, -0.06]; or -2.4 mmol/mol [-4.15, -0.66], I (2) =
      0). Adherence to exercise and proportion of dropouts did not differ within
      trials. No adverse events were reported in these small trials with selected
      inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Although our meta-analysis had a limited sample
      size, increasing exercise intensity safely accentuated reductions in HbA1c in
      some people with type 2 diabetes. Different approaches have been used to increase
      exercise intensity (i.e., some used interval training, whereas others used higher
      intensity continuous exercise). However, at this time, it is unclear which form,
      if any, leads to the most favorable results.

PMID- 27255502
TI  - Fetal MRI versus postnatal imaging in the MR-compatible incubator.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: One of the aims of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is to
      avoid postnatal scanning. However, clinicians sometimes wish to have postnatal
      confirmation of prenatal findings. This study's purpose was to check whether
      there was indeed the added value of neonatal MRI performed in the MR-compatible
      incubator (INC) after fetal examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Material consists
      of 25 neonates (14 girls) who underwent prenatal and postnatal MRI in a 1.5 T
      scanner, the latter in INC. Mean time of prenatal MRI was 30th gestational week,
      of postnatal MRI-16th day of life. RESULTS: In 14 cases (56 %) postnatal findings
      were the same as prenatal ones. In 11 (44 %) postnatal MRI showed some
      different/new/more precise results, in two the differences were attributed to
      other factors than the advantage of postnatal MRI over prenatal one. Altogether
      then postnatal results were partly discordant with prenatal ones in 9/25 cases
      (36 %). CONCLUSIONS: In most cases there was no added value of postnatal MRI as
      compared to prenatal one. This value lied in small details that could not have
      been noticed on prenatal MRI or required contrast medium administration to be
      noticed. On the other hand, MR examination performed with use of the dedicated
      neonatal coils in the MR-compatible incubator is a safe and reliable method of
      visualization of these small details with better spatial resolution thus helping
      to establish final diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis.

PMID- 27255503
TI  - Radiotherapy in the multidisciplinary treatment of liver cancer: a survey on
      behalf of the Italian Association of Radiation Oncology.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the results of the first Italian survey investigating the role
      of liver-directed radiotherapy in the multidisciplinary approach of primary and
      metastatic liver cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 21-item, two-section
      questionnaire was sent to all Italian radiotherapy centers on June 2014. The two
      sections aimed at: (1) evaluating the presence of a multidisciplinary liver tumor
      board and describing the role of radiation oncologists within the latter, (2)
      analyzing Radiotherapy treatment details and differences between centers.
      RESULTS: A total of 37 centers completed the survey. A multidisciplinary liver
      tumor board was available in most centers (73 %), with a radiation oncologist
      routinely attending the latter in the majority of cases (85 %). Most of the
      respondents considered liver-directed Radiotherapy as the third line choice when
      other therapies were not indicated or technically suitable. 18 centers reported
      the use of liver-directed radiotherapy. The majority of centers started liver
      irradiation after 2010. The most adopted motion management strategy was abdominal
      compression. The most adopted GTV-CTV expansion was 0 and 5 mm for metastases and
      hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively. Stereotactic body radiotherapy was the
      technique of choice; several treatment schedules were registered, being 45 Gy in
      three fractions the most reported fractionation scheme. Dose was prescribed at
      the PTV margin in most cases. CONCLUSION: Liver-directed radiotherapy represents
      a new field of interest which is currently adopted by 10 % of all Italian
      Centers. The technical equipment seems adequate. The variations observed in the
      treatment regimens reflect the lack of a well-established standard schedule.

PMID- 27255504
TI  - Sustained effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to reduce potentially
      inappropriate prescribing in older patients in primary care (OPTI-SCRIPT study).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is common in older people
      in primary care and can result in increased morbidity, adverse drug events and
      hospitalisations. We previously demonstrated the success of a multifaceted
      intervention in decreasing PIP in primary care in a cluster randomised controlled
      trial (RCT). OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether the improvement in PIP in
      the short term was sustained at 1-year follow-up. METHODS: A cluster RCT was
      conducted with 21 GP practices and 196 patients (aged >=70) with PIP in Irish
      primary care. Intervention participants received a complex multifaceted
      intervention incorporating academic detailing, medicine review with web-based
      pharmaceutical treatment algorithms that provide recommended alternative
      treatment options, and tailored patient information leaflets. Control practices
      delivered usual care and received simple, patient-level PIP feedback. Primary
      outcomes were the proportion of patients with PIP and the mean number of
      potentially inappropriate prescriptions at 1-year follow-up. Intention-to-treat
      analysis using random effects regression was used. RESULTS: All 21 GP practices
      and 186 (95 %) patients were followed up. We found that at 1-year follow-up, the
      significant reduction in the odds of PIP exposure achieved during the
      intervention was sustained after its discontinuation (adjusted OR 0.28, 95 % CI
      0.11 to 0.76, P = 0.01). Intervention participants had significantly lower odds
      of having a potentially inappropriate proton pump inhibitor compared to controls
      (adjusted OR 0.40, 95 % CI 0.17 to 0.94, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The significant
      reduction in the odds of PIP achieved during the intervention was sustained after
      its discontinuation. These results indicate that improvements in prescribing
      quality can be maintained over time. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current controlled
      trials ISRCTN41694007 .

PMID- 27255505
TI  - Combined assessment of clinical and patient factors on doctors' decisions to
      prescribe antibiotics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antibiotic overprescription is a worldwide problem. Decisions
      regarding antibiotic prescription for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are
      influenced by medical and non-medical factors. METHODS: In family medicine
      practices in Bialystok, Poland, family medicine residents directly observed
      consultations with patients with RTI symptoms. The observing residents completed
      a questionnaire including patient data, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, any
      prescribed antibiotic, and assessment of ten patient pressure factors. RESULTS:
      Of 1546 consultations of patients with RTIs, 54.26 % resulted in antibiotic
      prescription. Antibiotic prescription was strongly associated with rales (OR
      26.90, 95 % CI 9.00-80.40), tonsillar exudates (OR 13.03, 95 % CI 7.10-23.80),
      and wheezing (OR 14.72, 95 % CI 7.70-28.10). The likelihood of antibiotic
      prescription was increased by a >7-day disease duration (OR 3.94, 95 % CI 2.80
      5.50), purulent nasal discharge (OR 3.87, 95 % CI 2.40-6.10), starting self
      medication with antibiotics (OR 4.11, 95 % CI 2.30-7.30), and direct request for
      antibiotics (OR 1.87, 95 % CI 1.30-2.80). Direct request not to prescribe
      antibiotics decreased the likelihood of receiving antibiotics (OR 0.34, 95 % CI
      0.27-0.55). CONCLUSION: While clinical signs and symptoms principally impact
      prescribing decisions, patient factors also contribute. The most influential
      patient pressure factors were starting self-medication with antibiotics, and
      directly requesting antibiotic prescription or no antibiotic prescription.
      Interventions aiming to improve clinical sign and symptom interpretation and to
      help doctors resist direct patient pressure could be beneficial for reducing
      unnecessary antibiotic prescribing.

PMID- 27255507
TI  - Family history of diabetes predisposes to cardiovascular disease among patients
      with type 2 diabetes: What is the nature of the association?

PMID- 27255508
TI  - Changing needs of heart failure patients and their families during the illness
      trajectory: A challenge for health care.

PMID- 27255506
TI  - Forearm muscle oxidative capacity index predicts sport rock-climbing performance.
AB  - Rock-climbing performance is largely dependent on the endurance of the forearm
      flexors. Recently, it was reported that forearm flexor endurance in elite
      climbers is independent of the ability to regulate conduit artery (brachial)
      blood flow, suggesting that endurance is not primarily dependent on the ability
      of the brachial artery to deliver oxygen, but rather the ability of the muscle to
      perfuse and use oxygen, i.e., skeletal muscle oxidative capacity. PURPOSE: The
      aim of the study was to determine whether an index of oxidative capacity in the
      flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) predicts the best sport climbing red-point grade
      within the last 6 months. Participants consisted of 46 sport climbers with a
      range of abilities. METHODS: Using near-infrared spectroscopy, the oxidative
      capacity index of the FDP was assessed by calculating the half-time for tissue
      oxygen resaturation (O2HTR) following 3-5 min of ischemia. RESULTS: Linear
      regression, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and training experience, revealed a 1-s
      decrease in O2HTR was associated with an increase in red-point grade by 0.65 (95
      % CI 0.35-0.94, Adj R (2)  = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS: Considering a grade of 0.4
      separated the top four competitors in the 2015 International Federation Sport
      Climbing World Cup, this finding suggests that forearm flexor oxidative capacity
      index is an important determinant of rock-climbing performance.

PMID- 27255509
TI  - Nocardia shinanonensis sp. nov., isolated from a patient with endophthalmitis.
AB  - A nocardioform strain IFM 11456T was isolated from the aqueous humor from a
      patient with endophthalmitis and was characterized to its taxonomic position. IFM
      11456T contained arabinose, galactose and meso-diaminopimelic acid in whole-cell
      hydrolysates and mycolic acids that co-migrated with those from the type strain
      of Nocardiaasteroides. The acyl type of muramic acid was N-glycolyl. The
      diagnostic polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and
      two unidentified glycolipids and the predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4, omega
      cycl.). These characteristics are typical of members of the genus Nocardia.
      Results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that
      the isolate represented a novel species of the genus Nocardia and was most
      closely related to the type strains of Nocardia mikamii JCM 15508T (98.1 %) and
      Nocardiaaobensis IFM 0372T (98.1 %). However, analysis of partial gyrB sequences
      showed that strain IFM 11456T had 90.2 % similarity to Nocardia concava IFM 0354T
      and 90 % to Nocardianiigatensis IFM 0330T. The DNA-DNA relatedness values for
      strain IFM 11456T compared with N. mikamii JCM 15508T, N. aobensisIFM 0372T and
      N. concava IFM 0354T ranged from 24.4 to 39.9 %. Phenotypic characteristics that
      differentiated IFM 11456T from phylogenetically related species were growth at 45
      degrees C, utilization of citrate and growth with inositol as a sole carbon
      source. On the basis of this polyphasic study, the isolate represents a novel
      species within the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia shinanonensis sp.
      nov. is proposed. The type strain is IFM 11456T (=NBRC 109590T=TBRC 5149T).

PMID- 27255510
TI  - Impact of attenuation correction on clinical [(18)F]FDG brain PET in combined
      PET/MRI.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In PET/MRI, linear photon attenuation coefficients for attenuation
      correction (AC) cannot be directly derived, and cortical bone is, so far, usually
      not considered. This results in an underestimation of the average PET signal in
      PET/MRI. Recently introduced MR-AC methods predicting bone information from
      anatomic MRI or proton density-weighted zero-time imaging may solve this problem
      in the future. However, there is an ongoing debate if the current error is
      acceptable for clinical use and/or research. METHODS: We examined this feature
      for [(18)F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) brain PET in 13 patients with clinical signs
      of dementia or movement disorders who subsequently underwent PET/CT and PET/MRI
      on the same day. Multiple MR-AC approaches including a CT-derived AC were
      applied. RESULTS: The resulting PET data was compared to the CT-derived standard
      regarding the quantification error and its clinical impact. On a quantitative
      level, -11.9 to +2 % deviations from the CT-AC standard were found. These
      deviations, however, did not translate into a systematic diagnostic error. This,
      as overall patterns of hypometabolism (which are decisive for clinical
      diagnostics), remained largely unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a quantitative
      error by the omission of bone in MR-AC, clinical quality of brain [(18)F]FDG is
      not relevantly affected. Thus, brain [(18)F]FDG PET can already, even now with
      suboptimal MR-AC, be utilized for clinical routine purposes, even though the MR
      AC warrants improvement.

PMID- 27255511
TI  - The diagnostic value of component-resolved diagnostics in peanut allergy in
      children attending a Regional Paediatric Allergology Clinic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To date, diagnosing food allergies in children still presents a
      diagnostic dilemma, leading to uncertainty concerning the definite diagnosis of
      peanut allergy, as well as to the need for strict diets and the potential need
      for adrenalin auto-injectors. This uncertainty in particular is thought to
      contribute to a lower quality of life. In the diagnostic process double-blind
      food challenges are considered the gold standard, but they are time-consuming as
      well as potentially hazardous. Other diagnostic tests have been extensively
      studied and among these component-resolved diagnostics appeared to present a
      promising alternative: Ara h2, a peanut storage protein in previous studies
      showed to have a significant predictive value. METHODS: Sixty-two out of 72
      children, with suspected peanut allergy were analyzed using serum specific IgE
      and/or skin prick tests and specific IgE to several components of peanut (Ara h
      1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9). Subsequently, double-blind food challenges were performed. The
      correlation between the various diagnostic tests and the overall outcome of the
      double-blind food challenges were studied, in particular the severity of the
      reaction and the eliciting dose. RESULTS: The double-blind provocation with
      peanut was positive in 33 children (53 %). There was no relationship between the
      eliciting dose and the severity of the reaction. A statistically significant
      relationship was found between the skin prick test, specific IgE directed to
      peanut, Ara h 1, Ara h 2 or Ara h 6, and the outcome of the food challenge test,
      in terms of positive or negative (P < .001). However, we did not find any
      relationship between sensitisation to peanut extract or the different allergen
      components and the severity of the reaction or the eliciting dose. There was no
      correlation between IgE directed to Ara h 3, Ara h 8, Ara h 9 and the clinical
      outcome of the food challenge. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that component
      resolved diagnostics is not superior to specific IgE to peanut extract or to skin
      prick testing. At present, it cannot replace double-blind placebo-controlled food
      challenges for determination of the eliciting dose or the severity of the peanut
      allergy in our patient group.

PMID- 27255512
TI  - Rice panicle plasticity in Near Isogenic Lines carrying a QTL for larger panicle
      is genotype and environment dependent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Panicle architectural traits in rice (branching, rachis length,
      spikelet number) are established between panicle initiation and heading stages.
      They vary among genotypes and are prone to Genotype x Environment interactions.
      Together with panicle number, panicle architecture determines sink-based yield
      potential. Numerous studies analyzed genetic and environmental variation of plant
      morphology, but the plasticity of panicle structure is less well understood. This
      study addressed the response of rice panicle size and structure to limited light
      availability at plant level for near-isogenic lines (NILs) with IR64 or IRRI146
      backgrounds, carrying the QTL qTSN4 (syn. SPIKE) for large panicles. Full light
      and shading in the greenhouse and two population densities in the field were
      implemented. The image analysis tool P-TRAP was used to analyze the architecture
      of detached panicles. RESULTS: The qTSN4 increased total branch length, branching
      frequency and spikelet number per panicle in IRRI146 background in the field and
      greenhouse, and in IR64 background in the greenhouse, but not for IR64 in the
      field. In the field, however, qTSN4 reduced panicle number, neutralizing any
      potential yield gains from panicle size. Shading during panicle development
      reduced spikelet and branch number but qTSN4 mitigated partly this effect.
      Spikelet number over total branch length (spikelet density) was a stable
      allometry across genotypes and treatments with variation in spikelet number
      mainly due to the frequency of secondary branches. Spikelet number on the main
      tiller was correlated with stem growth rate during panicle development,
      indicating that effects on panicle size seemed related to resources available per
      tiller. CONCLUSIONS: The qTSN4 effects on panicle spikelet number appear as
      indirect and induced by upstream effects on pre-floral assimilate resources at
      tiller level, as they were (1) prone to G x E interactions, (2) non-specific with
      respect to panicle architectural traits, and (3) associated with pre-floral stem
      growth rate.

PMID- 27255513
TI  - Genome evolution in alpine oat-like grasses through homoploid hybridization and
      polyploidy.
AB  - Hybridization and polyploidization can radically impact genome organization from
      sequence level to chromosome structure. As a result, often in response to
      environmental change and species isolation, the development of novel traits can
      arise and will tend to result in the formation of homoploid or polyploid hybrid
      species. In this study we focus on evidence of hybridization and polyploidization
      by ascertaining the species parentage of the endemic alpine Helictotrichon
      parlatorei group. This group comprises five taxa; the diploids H. parlatorei,
      Helictotrichon setaceum subsp. setaceum and subsp. petzense, their putative
      hybrid Helictotrichon *krischae and the hexaploid Helictotrichon sempervirens.
      For molecular analyses, cloned nuclear Topoisomerase VI genes of H. sempervirens
      and H. *krischae were sequenced and compared with sequences of the diploids to
      estimate the evolutionary history in this group. In addition, detailed chromosome
      studies were carried out including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with
      5S and 45S ribosomal and satellite DNA probes, and fluorochrome staining with
      chromomycin and DAPI. Two distinct types of Topoisomerase VI sequences were
      identified. One of them (SET) occurs in both subspecies of H. setaceum, the other
      (PAR) in H. parlatorei. Both types were found in H. *krischae and H. sempervirens
      Karyotypes of H. parlatorei and H. setaceum could be distinguished by chromosomes
      with a clearly differentiated banding pattern of ribosomal DNAs. Both patterns
      occurred in the hybrid H. *krischae Hexaploid H. sempervirens shares karyotype
      features with diploid H. parlatorei, but lacks the expected chromosome
      characteristics of H. setaceum, possibly an example of beginning diploidization
      after polyploidization. The geographic origin of the putative parental species
      and their hybrids and the possible biogeographical spread through the Alps are
      discussed. 

PMID- 27255514
TI  - The structure of legume-rhizobium interaction networks and their response to tree
      invasions.
AB  - Establishing mutualistic interactions in novel environments is important for the
      successful establishment of some non-native plant species. These associations
      may, in turn, impact native species interaction networks as non-natives become
      dominant in their new environments. Using phylogenetic and ecological interaction
      network approaches we provide the first report of the structure of belowground
      legume-rhizobium interaction networks and how they change along a gradient of
      invasion (uninvaded, semi invaded and heavily invaded sites) by Australian Acacia
      species in South Africa's Cape Floristic Region. We found that native and
      invasive legumes interact with distinct rhizobial lineages, most likely due to
      phylogenetic uniqueness of native and invasive host plants. Moreover, legume
      rhizobium interaction networks are not nested, but significantly modular with
      high levels of specialization possibly as a result of legume-rhizobium co
      evolution. Although network topology remained constant across the invasion
      gradient, composition of bacterial communities associated with native legumes
      changed dramatically as acacias increasingly dominated the landscape. In stark
      contrast to aboveground interaction networks (e.g. pollination and seed
      dispersal) we show that invasive legumes do not infiltrate existing native legume
      rhizobium networks but rather form novel modules. This absence of mutualist
      overlap between native and invasive legumes suggests the importance of co
      invading rhizobium-acacia species complexes for Acacia invasion success, and
      argues against a ubiquitous role for the formation and evolutionary refinement of
      novel interactions. 

PMID- 27255515
TI  - Variability in the amount of homoeologous pairing among F1 hybrids.
AB  - Genes involved in the exclusive pairing of homologous chromosomes have been
      described in several polyploid species but little is known about the activity of
      these genes in diploids (which have only one dose of each homoeologous genome).
      Analysis of the meiotic behaviour of species, natural and artificial hybrids and
      polyploids of Glandularia suggests that, in allopolyploids where homoeologous
      genomes are in two doses, regulator genes prevent homoeologous pairing. The
      different meiotic phenotypes in diploid F1 hybrids between Glandularia pulchella
      and Glandularia incisa strongly suggest that these pairing regulator genes
      possess an incomplete penetrance when homoeologous genomes are in only one dose.
      Moreover, the meiotic analysis of natural and artificial F1 hybrids suggests that
      the genetic constitution of parental species influences the activity of pairing
      regulator genes and is mainly responsible for variability in the amount of
      homoeologous pairing observed in diploid hybrids. In Glandularia, the pairing
      regulator genes originated in South American diploid species. The cytogenetic
      characteristics of this genus make it a good model to analyse and explore in
      greater depth the activity of pairing regulator genes at different ploidy levels.

PMID- 27255516
TI  - The use of plant community attributes to detect habitat quality in coastal
      environments.
AB  - The monitoring of biodiversity has mainly focused on the species level. However,
      researchers and land managers are making increasing use of complementary
      assessment tools that address higher levels of biological organization, i.e.
      communities, habitats and ecosystems. Recently, a variety of frameworks have been
      proposed for assessing the conservation status of communities or ecosystems.
      Among the various criteria proposed, all the protocols suggest considering (i)
      spatial aspects (range and area), and (ii) qualitative aspects of specific
      structures and functions. However, changes to ecological function are difficult
      to quantify and many protocols end up by using qualitative criteria. The aim of
      this work was to test the efficacy of some plant community attributes for the
      detection of vegetation quality in sand dune plant communities. We chose plant
      community attributes that either help to distinguish a habitat from others
      (diagnostic components) or play a significant role in habitat function and
      persistence over time. We used a diachronic approach by contrasting up-to-date
      vegetation data with data from previous studies carried out within the same
      areas. Changes in species composition were detected through detrended
      correspondence analyses (detrended correspondence analyses), Multi-Response
      Permutation Procedures and Indicator Species Analysis, while structural changes
      were analyzed by comparing species richness, total species cover, ecological
      groups of species and growth forms through null models. Ecological groups such as
      native focal species and aliens, and growth forms proved their efficacy in
      discriminating between habitat types and in describing their changes over time.
      The approach used in this study may provide an instrument for the assessment of
      plant community quality that can be applied to other coastal ecosystems. 

PMID- 27255517
TI  - Neural Reactivity to Angry Faces Predicts Treatment Response in Pediatric
      Anxiety.
AB  - Although cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy are
      evidence-based treatments for pediatric anxiety, many youth with anxiety
      disorders fail to respond to these treatments. Given limitations of clinical
      measures in predicting treatment response, identifying neural predictors is
      timely. In this study, 35 anxious youth (ages 7-19 years) completed an emotional
      face-matching task during which the late positive potential (LPP), an event
      related potential (ERP) component that indexes sustained attention towards
      emotional stimuli, was measured. Following the ERP measurement, youth received
      CBT or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment, and the LPP was
      examined as a predictor of treatment response. Findings indicated that,
      accounting for pre-treatment anxiety severity, neural reactivity to emotional
      faces predicted anxiety severity post- CBT and SSRI treatment such that enhanced
      electrocortical response to angry faces was associated with better treatment
      response. An enhanced LPP to angry faces may predict treatment response insofar
      as it may reflect greater emotion dysregulation or less avoidance and/or enhanced
      engagement with environmental stimuli in general, including with treatment.

PMID- 27255518
TI  - Uncovering the composition of microbial community structure and metagenomics
      among three gut locations in pigs with distinct fatness.
AB  - Uncovering the phylogenetic composition of microbial community and the potential
      functional capacity of microbiome in different gut locations is of great
      importance to pig production. Here we performed a comparative analysis of gut
      microbiota and metagenomics among jejunum, ileum and cecum in pigs with distinct
      fatness. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed dramatic differences of microbial
      composition, diversity and species abundance between small intestine and cecum.
      Clostridium and SMB53 were enriched in the small intestine, while Prevotella,
      Treponema, Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium showed a higher abundance in the
      cecum. Functional capacity analysis of gut microbiome revealed that the
      microbiome of small intestine plays important roles in the metabolism of small
      molecule nutrients, while the microbiome of cecum has the stronger ability to
      degrade xylan, pectin and cellulose. We identified tens of fatness associated
      bacterial species including Escherichia spp. that showed a notable increase of
      relative abundance in all three gut locations of high fatness pigs. We further
      suggested that the potential pathogens, inflammation process, and microbial
      metabolism and nutrient sensing are involved in the high fatness of pigs. These
      results improve our knowledge about microbiota compositions in different gut
      locations, and give an insight into the effect of gut microbiota on porcine
      fatness.

PMID- 27255519
TI  - Antiosteoporotic effect of Petroselinum crispum, Ocimum basilicum and Cichorium
      intybus L. in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) is one of the serious side
      effects which have become the most common secondary osteoporosis. The purpose of
      this study is to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of parsley, basil and
      chicory on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in rats. METHODS: Fifty Female
      rats were divided into five groups and treated for 8 weeks as follow: group 1
      served as control; group (2) subcutaneously injected with 0.1 mg/kg b. wt.
      dexamethasone dissolved in saline; group 3 received similar dose of dexamethasone
      together with aqueous parsley extract in a dose of 2 g/kg b. wt.; group 4
      received similar dose of dexamethasone together with 400 mg/kg b. wt. aqueous
      basil extract and group 5 received similar dose of dexamethasone together with
      100 mg/kg b. wt. aqueous chicory extract. RESULTS: The dexamethasone group showed
      a significant decrease in serum E2, Ca, P levels and significant decrease in
      total BMD, BMC and a significant increase in serum PTH, ALP and ACP. Bone TBARs
      was significantly increased while GSH, antioxidant enzymes were significantly
      decreased. These changes were attenuated by parsley, basil and chicory extracts
      in the group 3, 4 and 5 respectively. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extracts of parsley,
      basil and chicory showed bone protection against glucocorticoid-induced in rats.
      From our results, we concluded that chicory has a potent protective effect more
      than parsley and basil due to containing flavonoids and inulin.

PMID- 27255520
TI  - The Diagnosis of Metastatic Axillary Lymph Nodes of Breast Cancer By Diffusion
      Weighted Imaging: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical
      significance of diffusion-weighted imaging in assessing the status of axillary
      lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: We searched the PubMed,
      Cochrane, and EMBASE databases, selected studies by inclusion and exclusion
      criteria, and assessed the quality of selected studies. We explored the source of
      heterogeneity; calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative
      likelihood ratios, and pretest probability. A summary receiver operating
      characteristic curve was performed. Student's t test was used to compare the
      different mean apparent diffusion coefficient values of different status lymph
      nodes. RESULTS: In selected 10 studies, a total of 801 patients and 2305 lymph
      nodes were included following inclusion criteria. All scores of the quality
      assessment of the included studies were greater than or equal to 10 points. The
      sensitivity was 0.89 (95 % CI 0.79-0.95), the specificity was 0.83 (95 % CI 0.71
      0.91), the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.86 (95 % CI 2.75-5.41)
      and 0.17 (95 % CI 0.09-0.32), the pretest probabilities were 53 and 54 %, the
      area under the curve were 0.93 (95 % CI 0.90-0.95), respectively. The mean
      apparent diffusion coefficient value of metastatic lymph nodes was significantly
      lower than that of nonmetastatic axillary lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Diffusion
      weighted imaging is a promising tool to discriminate between metastatic and
      nonmetastatic axillary lymph nodes. Combined with the mean apparent diffusion
      coefficient value, it can quantitatively diagnose lymph node metastases.
      Conducting large-scale, high-quality researches can improve the clinical
      significance of diffusion-weighted imaging to distinguish metastatic and
      nonmetastatic axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer and provide the
      evidence to assess the status of axillary lymph nodes.

PMID- 27255521
TI  - Unique Case of Pseudomembranous Aspergillus Tracheobronchitis: Tracheal
      Perforation and Horner's Syndrome.
AB  - Pseudomembranous aspergillus tracheobronchitis is an uncommon form of invasive
      pulmonary aspergillosis, and it is generally seen in immunocompromised patients.
      We report about a mildly immunocompromised case with pseudomembranous aspergillus
      tracheobronchitis, which caused tracheal perforation, and Horner's syndrome. A 44
      year-old female with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, complaining of fever and
      dyspnea, was admitted to the hospital. She was hospitalized with community
      acquired pneumonia and diabetic ketoacidosis. Insulin infusion and empirical
      antibiotics were firstly commenced. Bronchoscopy showed left vocal cord paralysis
      with extensive whitish exudative membranes covering the trachea and the main
      bronchi. Liposomal amphotericin B was added due to the probability of fungal
      etiology. Mucosal biopsy revealed aspergillus species. Second bronchoscopic
      examination demonstrated a large perforation in the tracheobronchial system.
      Despite all treatments, respiratory failure developed on the 25th day and the
      patient died within 2 days. Pseudomembranous aspergillus tracheobronchitis is
      fatal in about 78 % of all cases despite appropriate therapy. Early diagnosis and
      efficient antifungal therapy may improve the prognosis.

PMID- 27255524
TI  - Mechanical and neural function of triceps surae in elite racewalking.
AB  - Racewalking is a unique event combining mechanical elements of walking with
      speeds associated with running. It is currently unclear how racewalking technique
      impacts lower limb muscle-tendon function despite the relevance of this to muscle
      economy and overall performance. The present study examined triceps surae
      neuromechanics in 11 internationally competitive racewalkers (age 25 +/- 11 yr)
      walking and running on a treadmill at speeds between 4.5 and 13.8 km/h while
      triceps surae fascicle lengths, electromyography, and kinematic data were
      recorded. Cumulative muscle activity required to traverse a unit distance (CMAPD)
      was calculated for each muscle. Medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus fascicle
      lengths/velocities were determined using an automated tracking algorithm, and
      muscle-tendon unit lengths were determined. Running was associated with net
      shortening of muscle fascicles during stance, combined with substantial
      lengthening of the muscle-tendon unit, implying energy storage in the Achilles
      tendon. When the same participants racewalked at the same speed, the fascicles
      shortened (soleus) or lengthened (MG), coinciding with rapid shortening followed
      by a relatively small increase in muscle-tendon length during stance.
      Consequently, compared with running at the same speed, racewalking decreased the
      energy-saving role of the Achilles tendon. Moreover, CMAPD was generally highest
      in racewalking, implying that in individual muscles, the energy cost of
      racewalking was higher than running. Together these results suggest that
      racewalking is neurally and mechanically costly relative to running at a given
      speed. As racewalking events are typically between 10 and 50 km, neuromechanical
      inefficiencies that occur with each stride likely result in substantial energetic
      penalties.

PMID- 27255522
TI  - Rapid Assays for Specific Detection of Fungi of Scopulariopsis and Microascus
      Genera and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis Species.
AB  - PURPOSE: Fungi of Scopulariopsis and Microascus genera cause a wide range of
      infections, with S. brevicaulis being the most prevalent aetiological agent of
      mould onychomycosis. Proper identification of these pathogens requires
      sporulating culture, which considerably delays the diagnosis. So far, sequencing
      of rDNA regions of clinical isolates has produced ambiguous results due to the
      lack of reference sequences in publicly available databases. Thus, there is a
      clear need for the development of new molecular methods that would provide
      simple, rapid and highly specific identification of Scopulariopsis and Microascus
      species. The objective of this study was to develop simple and fast assays based
      on PCR and real-time PCR for specific detection of fungi from Scopulariopsis and
      Microascus genera, and separately, S. brevicaulis species. METHODS: On the basis
      of alignment of beta-tubulin gene sequences, Microascus/Scopulariopsis-specific
      primers were designed and S. brevicaulis-specific primers were reevaluated. DNA
      from cultured fungal isolates, extracted in a two-step procedure, was used in
      Microascus/Scopulariopsis-specific and S. brevicaulis-specific PCR and real-time
      PCR followed by electrophoresis or melting temperature analysis, respectively.
      RESULTS: The specificity of the assays was confirmed, as positive results were
      obtained only for Scopulariopsis spp. and Microascus spp. isolates tested in
      Microascus/Scopulariopsis-specific assay, and only for S. brevicaulis and S.
      koningii (syn. S. brevicaulis) isolates in a S. brevicaulis-specific assay,
      respectively, and no positive results were obtained neither for other moulds,
      dermatophytes, yeast-like fungi, nor for human DNA. CONCLUSIONS: The developed
      assays enable fast and unambiguous identification of Microascus spp. and
      Scopulariopsis spp. pathogens.

PMID- 27255523
TI  - Effects of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous
      training on endothelial function and cardiometabolic risk markers in obese
      adults.
AB  - We hypothesized that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) would be more
      effective than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) at improving
      endothelial function and maximum oxygen uptake (Vo2 max) in obese adults.
      Eighteen participants [35.1 +/- 8.1 (SD) yr; body mass index = 36.0 +/- 5.0
      kg/m(2)] were randomized to 8 wk (3 sessions/wk) of either HIIT [10 * 1 min, 90
      95% maximum heart rate (HRmax), 1-min active recovery] or MICT (30 min, 70-75%
      HRmax). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) increased after HIIT (5.13
      +/- 2.80% vs. 8.98 +/- 2.86%, P = 0.02) but not after MICT (5.23 +/- 2.82% vs.
      3.05 +/- 2.76%, P = 0.16). Resting artery diameter increased after MICT (3.68 +/-
      0.58 mm vs. 3.86 +/- 0.58 mm, P = 0.02) but not after HIIT (4.04 +/- 0.70 mm vs.
      4.09 +/- 0.70 mm; P = 0.63). There was a significant (P = 0.02) group * time
      interaction in low flow-mediated constriction (L-FMC) between MICT (0.63 +/-
      2.00% vs. -2.79 +/- 3.20%; P = 0.03) and HIIT (-1.04 +/- 4.09% vs. 1.74 +/-
      3.46%; P = 0.29). Vo2 max increased (P < 0.01) similarly after HIIT (2.19 +/-
      0.65 l/min vs. 2.64 +/- 0.88 l/min) and MICT (2.24 +/- 0.48 l/min vs. 2.55 +/-
      0.61 l/min). Biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and endothelial function were
      unchanged. HIIT and MICT produced different vascular adaptations in obese adults,
      with HIIT improving FMD and MICT increasing resting artery diameter and enhancing
      L-FMC. HIIT required 27.5% less total exercise time and ~25% less energy
      expenditure than MICT.

PMID- 27255525
TI  - Aerobic training prevents oxidative profile and improves nitric oxide and
      vascular reactivity in rats with cardiometabolic alteration.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death worldwide; therefore it is
      important to understand the natural history of the pathophysiologic process and
      develop strategies to halt its progression. Thus this study investigated the
      protective effect of aerobic training on pathophysiological mechanisms involved
      in subclinical cardiometabolic alterations in a model with constant exposure to a
      prejudicial agent. Male Wistar rats were divided into a control group (C), which
      received drinking water, fructose group (F), which was fed 10% fructose in
      drinking water for 10 wk, and control training (CT) and fructose training groups
      (FT), in which moderate aerobic training was added in the last 8 wk of the study.
      Insulin, triacylglycerol, and isoprostane were higher and superoxide dismutase
      (SOD) was lower in the F group. There was no difference in thoracic aorta
      histology, but a decreased vascularization was seen in the F group, avoided by
      training in left ventricle. Regarding vascular function, the F group exhibited
      increased vasoconstrictory reactivity to phenylephrine. The F group presented
      impaired vasodilation to acetylcholine. Regarding endothelial nitric oxide
      synthase (eNOS), the F group presented a lower expression, and phosphorylated
      eNOS was higher in the trained groups than in their respective control groups.
      This same pattern was observed for nitric oxide bioavailability, antioxidant
      protein expression in aorta, left ventricle, and muscle (catalase, SOD, and
      glutathione peroxidase), serum SOD activity, and muscle mass. These results
      suggest that exercise training enhanced the antioxidant pathway and, as a
      consequence, the eNOS pathway, preventing an impairment in vascular vasodilatory
      capacity.

PMID- 27255527
TI  - Leishmania DNA Replication Timing: A Stochastic Event?
AB  - For eukaryotic genomes, DNA synthesis initiates at multiple discrete regions
      known as replication origins in a dynamic yet regulated manner to ensure genomic
      stability. Two recent studies using different approaches reveal few Leishmania
      origins and that origin firing may proceed in a mainly stochastic manner.

PMID- 27255526
TI  - Cattle and Nematodes Under Global Change: Transmission Models as an Ally.
AB  - Nematode infections are an important economic constraint to cattle farming.
      Future risk levels and transmission dynamics will be affected by changes in
      climate and farm management. The prospect of altered parasite epidemiology in
      combination with anthelmintic resistance requires the adaptation of current
      control approaches. Mathematical models that simulate disease dynamics under
      changing climate and farm management can help to guide the optimization of
      helminth control strategies. Recent efforts have increasingly employed such
      models to assess the impact of predicted climate scenarios on future infection
      pressure for gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) in cattle, and to evaluate
      possible adaptive control measures. This review aims to consolidate progress in
      this field to facilitate further modeling and application.

PMID- 27255528
TI  - CONTRASTING CONCURRENT AND CHILDHOOD SOCIOECONOMIC PREDICTORS OF SELF-RATED
      HEALTH AMONG OLDER EUROPEAN MEN AND WOMEN.
AB  - This study aimed to assess the relative importance of childhood and adulthood
      socioeconomic position (SEP) on the self-rated health (SRH) of men and women aged
      50 or higher in Europe, controlling for a substantial number of mediators and
      health conditions. Data from Wave 2 (current data) and Wave 3 (retrospective
      material) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were
      combined (N=20,829) and logistic regression models applied; the analysis was
      carried out for males and females separately. The findings indicate that
      concurrent and past SEP, when considered separately, are both very significant
      predictors of SRH. When all factors were included in a comprehensive model most
      childhood and adult SEP variables retained their significance, implying that both
      types of socioeconomic circumstances have a strong and independent effect on SRH.
      However, the relative importance of several childhood indicators was reduced,
      signifying that their effect on SRH is mediated by adult SEP and, especially,
      educational attainment. Some childhood predictors, such as having experienced a
      period of hunger, remained very significant. Though these findings roughly hold
      for both sexes, the relative effects differentiate by sex. Current SEP is more
      important among women, with the exception of income and 'making ends meet in the
      household'. Childhood SEP indicators are more significant among men.

PMID- 27255529
TI  - Could we use a lower dose of rituximab to treat rheumatoid arthritis in clinical
      practice: pros and cons?
AB  - The CERERRA database provides evidence that low-dose rituximab performs as well
      as the conventional dose in the real world, thus highlighting the possible
      pharmacoeconomic impact. In clinical trials, it has been shown that rituximab 500
      mg twice, performs as well as 1 g twice, 2 weeks apart, in terms of the American
      College of Rheumatology (ACR)20 and ACR50, but not the ACR70. The choice should
      always be made after considering that the IMAGE trial has demonstrated similar
      radiographic progression after the first 6 months, but with less control, with
      low-dose rituximab in the first 6 months. A possible alternative can be
      hypothesized.

PMID- 27255530
TI  - [Bilateral retinal detachment].

PMID- 27255531
TI  - [Bilateral crystalline deposits in corneal stroma].

PMID- 27255533
TI  - Racial disparities in individual breast cancer outcomes by hormone-receptor
      subtype, area-level socio-economic status and healthcare resources.
AB  - The aim of the study is to determine the influence of area-level socio-economic
      status and healthcare access in addition to tumor hormone-receptor subtype on
      individual breast cancer stage, treatment, and mortality among Non-Hispanic (NH)
      Black, NH-White, and Hispanic US adults. Analysis was based on 456,217 breast
      cancer patients in the SEER database from 2000 to 2010. Multilevel and
      multivariable-adjusted logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis
      was conducted to account for clustering by SEER registry of diagnosis. NH-Black
      women had greater area-level access to healthcare resources compared with women
      of other races. For instance, the average numbers of oncology hospitals per
      million population in counties with NH-Black, NH-White, and Hispanic women were
      8.1, 7.7, and 5.0 respectively; average numbers of medical doctors per million in
      counties with NH-Black, NH-White, and Hispanic women were 100.7, 854.0, and 866.3
      respectively; and average number of Ob/Gyn in counties with NH-Black, NH-White,
      and Hispanic women was 155.6, 127.4, and 127.3, respectively (all p values
      <0.001). Regardless, NH-Black women (HR 1.39, 95 % CI 1.36-1.43) and Hispanic
      women (HR 1.05, 95 % CI 1.03-1.08) had significantly higher breast cancer
      mortality compared with NH-White women even after adjusting for hormone-receptor
      subtype, area-level socio-economic status, and area-level healthcare access. In
      addition, lower county-level socio-economic status and healthcare access measures
      were significantly and independently associated with stage at presentation,
      surgery, and radiation treatment as well as mortality after adjusting for age,
      race/ethnicity, and HR subtype. Although breast cancer HR subtype is a strong,
      important, and consistent predictor of breast cancer outcomes, we still observed
      significant and independent influences of area-level SES and HCA on breast cancer
      outcomes that deserve further study and may be critical to eliminating breast
      cancer outcome disparities.

PMID- 27255534
TI  - Therapeutic inhibition of breast cancer bone metastasis progression and lung
      colonization: breaking the vicious cycle by targeting alpha5beta1 integrin.
AB  - At diagnosis, 10 % of breast cancer patients already have locally advanced or
      metastatic disease; moreover, metastasis eventually develops in at least 40 % of
      early breast cancer patients. Osteolytic bone colonization occurs in 80-85 % of
      metastatic breast cancer patients and is thought to be an early step in
      metastatic progression. Thus, breast cancer displays a strong preference for
      metastasis to bone, and most metastatic breast cancer patients will experience
      its complications. Our prior research has shown that the alpha5beta1 integrin
      fibronectin receptor mediates both metastatic and angiogenic invasion. We
      invented a targeted peptide inhibitor of activated alpha5beta1, Ac-PHSCN-NH2
      (PHSCN), as a validated lead compound to impede both metastatic invasion and
      neovascularization. Systemic PHSCN monotherapy prevented disease progression for
      up to 14 months in Phase I clinical trial. Here, we report that the next
      generation construct, Ac-PhScN-NH2 (PhScN), which contains D-isomers of histidine
      (h) and cysteine (c), is greater than 100,000-fold more potent than PHSCN at
      blocking basement membrane invasion. Moreover, PhScN is also up to 10,000-fold
      more potent than PHSCN at inhibiting lung extravasation and colonization in
      athymic mice for both MDA-MB-231 metastatic and SUM149PT inflammatory breast
      cancer cells. Furthermore, we show that systemic treatment with 50 mg/kg PhScN
      monotherapy reduces established intratibial MDA-MB-231 bone colony progression by
      80 %. Thus, PhScN is a highly potent, well-tolerated inhibitor of both lung
      colonization and bone colony progression.

PMID- 27255532
TI  - The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB)
      International Consortium inaugural meeting report.
AB  - The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB)
      International Consortium is a novel, interdisciplinary initiative comprised of
      experts across many fields, including genomics, data analysis, engineering,
      public health, and architecture. The ultimate goal of the MetaSUB Consortium is
      to improve city utilization and planning through the detection, measurement, and
      design of metagenomics within urban environments. Although continual measures
      occur for temperature, air pressure, weather, and human activity, including
      longitudinal, cross-kingdom ecosystem dynamics can alter and improve the design
      of cities. The MetaSUB Consortium is aiding these efforts by developing and
      testing metagenomic methods and standards, including optimized methods for sample
      collection, DNA/RNA isolation, taxa characterization, and data visualization. The
      data produced by the consortium can aid city planners, public health officials,
      and architectural designers. In addition, the study will continue to lead to the
      discovery of new species, global maps of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) markers,
      and novel biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Finally, we note that engineered
      metagenomic ecosystems can help enable more responsive, safer, and quantified
      cities. 

PMID- 27255536
TI  - Validation of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale and the Relationship of Mind
      Wandering to Impairment in Adult ADHD.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigates excessive mind wandering (MW) in adult ADHD
      using a new scale: the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS). METHOD: Data from
      two studies of adult ADHD was used in assessing the psychometric properties of
      the MEWS. Case-control differences in MW, the association with ADHD symptoms, and
      the contribution to functional impairment were investigated. RESULTS: The MEWS
      functioned well as a brief measure of excessive MW in adult ADHD, showing good
      internal consistency (alpha > .9), and high sensitivity (.9) and specificity (.9)
      for the ADHD diagnosis, comparable with that of existing ADHD symptom rating
      scales. Elevated levels of MW were found in adults with ADHD, which contributed
      to impairment independently of core ADHD symptom dimensions. CONCLUSION: Findings
      suggest excessive MW is a common co-occurring feature of adult ADHD that has
      specific implications for the functional impairments experienced. The MEWS has
      potential utility as a screening tool in clinical practice to assist diagnostic
      assessment.

PMID- 27255535
TI  - Selective activity of deguelin identifies therapeutic targets for androgen
      receptor-positive breast cancer.
AB  - Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are aggressive malignancies with no
      effective targeted therapies. Recent gene expression profiling of these
      heterogeneous cancers and the classification of cell line models now allows for
      the identification of compounds with selective activities against molecular
      subtypes of TNBC. The natural product deguelin was found to have selective
      activity against MDA-MB-453 and SUM-185PE cell lines, which both model the
      luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtype of TNBC. Deguelin potently inhibited
      proliferation of these cells with GI50 values of 30 and 61 nM, in MDA-MB-453 and
      SUM-185PE cells, respectively. Deguelin had exceptionally high selectivity, 197
      to 566-fold, for these cell lines compared to cell lines representing other TNBC
      subtypes. Deguelin's mechanisms of action were investigated to determine how it
      produced these potent and selective effects. Our results show that deguelin has
      dual activities, inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, and decreasing androgen
      receptor levels and nuclear localization. Based on these data, we hypothesized
      that the combination of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and the antiandrogen
      enzalutamide would have efficacy in LAR models. Rapamycin and enzalutamide showed
      additive effects in MDA-MB-453 cells, and both drugs had potent antitumor
      efficacy in a LAR xenograft model. These results suggest that the combination of
      antiandrogens and mTOR inhibitors might be an effective strategy for the
      treatment of androgen receptor-expressing TNBC.

PMID- 27255537
TI  - Asymmetric epiphyseal closure of the femoral head as a potential cause of the
      primary cam lesion: a case report.
AB  - Cam-type femoroacetabular impingement is a pathologic condition caused by
      repetitive impact of the abnormal femur on a normal acetabular rim, resulting in
      damage to the articular cartilage. Excluding cases with known underlying
      diseases, the development of primary cam deformity is not well understood. Here,
      we describe a patient with cam-type femoroacetabular impingement exhibiting
      delayed epiphyseal closure at the site of the cam lesion. The authors believe
      that this may represent a cause of primary cam deformity, and hereby report the
      case with review of the literature. 

PMID- 27255538
TI  - Hypercortisolism due to a Pituitary Adenoma Associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann
      Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is an overgrowth syndrome with an
      increased risk of cancer. Most BWS patients show a molecular defect in the 11p15
      region that contains imprinted genes. BWS has been associated with malignant
      neoplasms during infancy. Descriptions of benign tumors, especially in adult
      patients, are rarer. METHODS/RESULTS: We report the case of a BWS patient with
      pituitary adenoma caused by loss of methylation (LOM) at ICR2 (locus
      CDKN1C/KCNQ1OT1). The patient was referred to an endocrinology unit for suspicion
      of Cushing's disease due to a history of macroglossia and hemihyperplasia.
      Biological tests led to the diagnosis of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism. MRI
      showed a microadenoma of the pituitary gland, confirming the diagnosis of
      Cushing's disease. DNA methylation analysis revealed LOM at ICR2 that was in a
      mosaic state in the patient's leukocytes, but was present in nearly all cells of
      the pituitary adenoma. The epigenetic defect was associated with a somatic USP8
      mutation in the adenoma. CONCLUSION: Pituitary adenoma rarely occurs in patients
      with BWS. However, BWS should be considered in cases of pituitary adenoma with
      minor and/or major signs of BWS. The association between ICR2 LOM and USP8
      mutation in the adenoma is questionable. (c) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID- 27255539
TI  - Reprint of: Microglial toll-like receptors and Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Microglial activation represents an important pathological hallmark of
      Alzheimer's disease (AD), and emerging data highlight the involvement of
      microglial toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the course of AD. TLRs have been
      observed to exert both beneficial and detrimental effects on AD-related
      pathologies, and transgenic animal models have provided direct and credible
      evidence for an association between TLRs and AD. Moreover, analyses of genetic
      polymorphisms have suggested interactions between genetic polymorphisms in TLRs
      and AD risk, further supporting the hypothesis that TLRs are involved in AD. In
      this review, we summarize the key evidence in this field. Future studies should
      focus on exploring the mechanisms underlying the potential roles of TLRs in AD. 

PMID- 27255540
TI  - The roles of RelA/(p)ppGpp in glucose-starvation induced adaptive response in the
      zoonotic Streptococcus suis.
AB  - The (p)ppGpp signal molecules play a central role in the stringent response (SR)
      to adapt to nutrient starvation in bacteria, yet the carbohydrate starvation
      induced adaptive response and the roles of SR in this response is not well
      characterized, especially in Gram-positives. Here, two (p)ppGpp synthetases RelA
      and RelQ are identified in Streptococcus suis, an important emerging zoonotic
      Gram-positive bacterium, while only RelA is functional under glucose starvation.
      To characterize the roles of RelA/(p)ppGpp in glucose starvation response in S.
      suis, the growth curves and transcriptional profiles were compared between the
      mutant strain DeltarelA [a (p)ppGpp(0) strain under glucose starvation] and its
      parental strain SC-19 [(p)ppGpp(+)]. The results showed great difference between
      SC-19 and DeltarelA on adaptive responses when suffering glucose starvation, and
      demonstrated that RelA/(p)ppGpp plays important roles in adaptation to glucose
      starvation. Besides the classic SR including inhibition of growth and related
      macromolecular synthesis, the extended adaptive response also includes inhibited
      glycolysis, and carbon catabolite repression (CCR)-mediated carbohydrate
      dependent metabolic switches. Collectively, the pheno- and genotypic
      characterization of the glucose starvation induced adaptive response in S. suis
      makes a great contribution to understanding better the mechanism of SR.

PMID- 27255541
TI  - Impact of sarcopenia on surgical site infection after restorative proctocolectomy
      for ulcerative colitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The coexistence of sarcopenia is associated with postoperative
      complications, including infection after abdominal surgery. We evaluated the
      association between sarcopenia and surgical site infection (SSI) after surgery
      for ulcerative colitis. METHODS: The subjects of this retrospective study were 69
      patients who underwent restorative proctocolectomy with perioperative abdominal
      computed tomography (CT). Sarcopenia was diagnosed by measuring the cross
      sectional area of the right and left psoas muscles as the total psoas muscle area
      on CT images. We assessed whether sarcopenia was associated with SSI and clinical
      factors, including nutritional and inflammatory markers. RESULTS: The lowest
      quartiles defined as sarcopenia in men and women were 567.4 and 355.8 mm2/m2,
      respectively. According to this classification, 12 men and 6 women had
      sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had a lower body mass index (p = 0.0004) and
      a higher C-reactive protein concentration (p = 0.05) than those without
      sarcopenia. SSIs were identified in 12 patients (17.3 %) and included six pelvic
      abscesses and seven wound infections. According to multivariate analysis,
      sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for SSI (odds ratio = 4.91, 95 %
      confidence interval 1.09-23.5, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is predictive of
      SSI after pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis.

PMID- 27255543
TI  - Epilepsy in pregnancy.

PMID- 27255542
TI  - Validity of linear measurements of the jaws using ultralow-dose MDCT and the
      iterative techniques of ASIR and MBIR.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the comparability of linear measurements of dental implant
      sites recorded from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images obtained
      using standard-dose filtered backprojection (FBP) technique with those from
      various ultralow doses combined with FBP, adaptive statistical iterative
      reconstruction (ASIR), and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR)
      techniques. The results of the study may contribute to MDCT dose optimization for
      dental implant site imaging. METHODS: MDCT scans of two cadavers were acquired
      using a standard reference protocol and four ultralow-dose test protocols (TP).
      The volume CT dose index of the different dose protocols ranged from a maximum of
      30.48-36.71 mGy to a minimum of 0.44-0.53 mGy. All scans were reconstructed using
      FBP, ASIR-50, ASIR-100, and MBIR, and either a bone or standard reconstruction
      kernel. Linear measurements were recorded from standardized images of the jaws by
      two examiners. Intra- and inter-examiner reliability of the measurements were
      analyzed using Cronbach's alpha and inter-item correlation. Agreement between the
      measurements obtained with the reference-dose/FBP protocol and each of the test
      protocols was determined with Bland-Altman plots and linear regression.
      Statistical significance was set at a P-value of 0.05. RESULTS: No systematic
      variation was found between the linear measurements obtained with the reference
      protocol and the other imaging protocols. The only exceptions were TP3/ASIR-50
      (bone kernel) and TP4/ASIR-100 (bone and standard kernels). The mean measurement
      differences between these three protocols and the reference protocol were within
      +/-0.1 mm, with the 95 % confidence interval limits being within the range of +/
      1.15 mm. CONCLUSIONS: A nearly 97.5 % reduction in dose did not significantly
      affect the height and width measurements of edentulous jaws regardless of the
      reconstruction algorithm used.

PMID- 27255544
TI  - Autism is underdiagnosed in prisoners.

PMID- 27255545
TI  - Unmasking Partial Seizure after Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant
      Depression: A Case Report.

PMID- 27255546
TI  - Influence of loading rate and modes on infiltration of treated wastewater in soil
      based constructed wetland.
AB  - Over the last 10 years soil-based constructed wetlands for discharge of treated
      wastewater (TWW) are commonly presented as a valuable option to provide tertiary
      treatment. The uncomplete knowledge in soil modifications and a lack of clear
      design practices laid the foundation of this work. The aim of this study was to
      determine optimal hydraulic loads and to observe the main critical parameters
      affecting treating performances and hydraulic loads acceptance. For this purpose,
      a soil rich in clay and backfill was chosen to perform column infiltration tests
      with TWW. Two loading rates and two loading modes were compared to study the
      influence of an intermittent feeding. Inlet and outlet waters were periodically
      analysed and columns were instrumented with balances, tensiometers, O2 and
      temperature probes. Soil physico-chemical characteristics were also taken into
      account to better understand the modification of the soil. One of the main
      expectations of tertiary treatment is to improve phosphate removal. A particular
      attention was thus given to phosphorus retention. The interest of an intermittent
      feeding in presence of a soil with high clay content was showed. This study
      highlighted that an intermittent feeding could make possible the use of a clay
      rich soil for water infiltration.

PMID- 27255547
TI  - Amino acid transporter B(0)AT1 (slc6a19) and ancillary protein: impact on
      function.
AB  - Amino acids play an important role in the metabolism of all organisms. Their
      epithelial re-absorption is due to specific transport proteins, such as B(0)AT1,
      a Na(+)-coupled neutral amino acid symporter belonging to the solute carrier 6
      family. Here, a recently cloned fish orthologue, from the intestine of Salmo
      salar, was electrophysiologically characterized with the two-electrode voltage
      clamp technique, in Xenopus laevis oocytes heterologously expressing the
      transporter. Substrate specificity, apparent affinities and the ionic dependence
      of the transport mechanism were determined in the presence of specific
      collectrin. Results demonstrated that like the human, but differently from sea
      bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) orthologue, salmon B(0)AT1 needs to be associated
      with partner proteins to be correctly expressed at the oocyte plasma membrane.
      Cloning of sea bass collectrin and comparison of membrane expression and
      functionality of the B(0)AT1 orthologue transporters allowed a deeper
      investigation on the role of their interactions. The parameters acquired by
      electrophysiological and immunolocalization experiments in the mammalian and fish
      transporters contributed to highlight the dynamic of relations and impacts on
      transport function of the ancillary proteins. The comparative characterization of
      the physiological parameters of amino acid transporters with auxiliary proteins
      can help the comprehension of the regulatory mechanism of essential nutrient
      absorption.

PMID- 27255548
TI  - Detection of cell surface calreticulin as a potential cancer biomarker using near
      infrared emitting gold nanoclusters.
AB  - Calreticulin (CRT) is a cytoplasmic calcium-binding protein. The aim of this
      study was to investigate CRT presence in cancer with the use of fluorescent gold
      nanoclusters (AuNCs) and to explore AuNC synthesis using mercaptosuccinic acid
      (MSA) as a coating agent. MSA-coated AuNCs conferred well-dispersed, bio-stable,
      water-soluble nanoparticles with bioconjugation capacity and 800-850 nm
      fluorescence after broad-band excitation. Cell-viability assay revealed good AuNC
      tolerability. A native CRT amino-terminus corresponding peptide sequence was
      synthesised and used to generate rabbit site-specific antibodies. Target
      specificity was demonstrated with antibody blocking in colorectal and breast
      cancer cell models; human umbilical vein endothelial cells served as controls. We
      demonstrated a novel route of AuNC/MSA manufacture and CRT presence on colonic
      and breast cancerous cell surface. AuNCs served as fluorescent bio-probes
      specifically recognising surface-bound CRT. These results are promising in terms
      of AuNC application in cancer theranostics and CRT use as surface biomarker in
      human cancer. 

PMID- 27255549
TI  - Diagnostic investigations of DKK-1 and PDCD5 expression levels as independent
      prognostic markers of human chondrosarcoma.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the expression levels of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) and
      programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) by using quantitative real-time PCR and
      immunohistochemistry in patients with chondrosarcoma. The DKK-1 mRNA levels were
      significantly higher in chondrosarcoma when compared with the corresponding
      nontumor tissues (mean +/- SD: 4.23 +/- 1.54; 1.54 +/- 0.87; P = 0.001). PDCD5
      mRNA levels were remarkably deceased in tumor tissues when compared with
      corresponding nontumor tissues (mean +/- SD: 1.94 +/- 0.73; 5.42 +/- 1.73; P =
      0.001). The high and moderate DKK-1 expressions were observed for 60% of
      chondrosarcoma samples in comparison with 27.5% of corresponding nontumor tissues
      (P  =  0.001). Moreover, low expression of PDCD5 was found in 67.5% of the tumor
      tissues when compared with the nontumor tissues (32.5%; P = 0.002). The results
      of this study showed that high DKK-1 expression levels were strongly related to
      MSTS stage (P = 0.011) and the advancement of histological grade (P < 0.001).
      Furthermore, the PDCD5 expression levels were correlated with histological grade
      (P < 0.001), MSTS stage (P = 0.016), and distant metastasis (P = 0.001). Kaplan
      Meier survival and log-rank survival showed that patients with high DKK-1 levels
      and low PDCD5 levels were correlated with shorter overall survival (log-rank test
      P < 0.001). PDCD5 levels, histological grade, and tumor stage were independent
      predictors of overall survival. In conclusion, DKK-1 and PDCD5 can be independent
      predictors of overall survival in patients suffering from chondrosarcoma. (c)
      2016 IUBMB Life, 68(7):597-601, 2016.

PMID- 27255550
TI  - Zika Virus Infection: An Emerging Disease the Dermatologist Must Know About.

PMID- 27255551
TI  - [Osteogenic tumors of bone].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteogenic tumors include malignant and benign tumors that produce
      tumor osteoid and/or bone tissue. Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone
      tumor, especially in children and young adults. OBJECTIVES: The entities with
      their characteristic morphological features are described to enable the reader to
      come to a diagnosis and differential diagnosis on the basis of patient age,
      history and predominant location of the tumor. METHODS: For this review we
      selectively used mainly large published patient cohorts. Our own and externally
      published data on widely accepted tumor criteria were also compared. RESULTS:
      Detection is the initial diagnostic step for an osseous lesion, and is determined
      by the sensitivity of the method applied. Plain X-ray films in two planes and CT
      are the basics in the radiological toolkit for osteogenic tumors. For evaluation
      of local tumor extension and biopsy planning MRI or scintigraphy should be
      combined. MRI as a stand-alone diagnostic tool is insufficient. For malignant
      bone tumors staging should be performed, applying a variable combination of
      thoracic CT, MRI, scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography (PET).
      Osteosarcoma, along with Ewing sarcoma and chondrosarcoma, are the most common
      malignant bone tumors; all sub-entities are significantly rarer. Among benign
      bone tumors, osteoid osteomas have the highest incidence, presenting with typical
      pain, location, and age predilection. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostics and treatment of
      malignant bone tumors should preferably be performed in specialized centers
      because of significant therapeutic implications for patients. In uncertain cases,
      a second opinion should always be obtained.

PMID- 27255552
TI  - Paternal under-nutrition programs metabolic syndrome in offspring which can be
      reversed by antioxidant/vitamin food fortification in fathers.
AB  - There is an ever increasing body of evidence that demonstrates that paternal over
      nutrition prior to conception programs impaired metabolic health in offspring.
      Here we examined whether paternal under-nutrition can also program impaired
      health in offspring and if any detrimental health outcomes in offspring could be
      prevented by micronutrient supplementation (vitamins and antioxidants). We
      discovered that restricting the food intake of male rodents reduced their body
      weight, fertility, increased sperm oxidative DNA lesions and reduced global sperm
      methylation. Under-nourished males then sired offspring with reduced postnatal
      weight and growth but somewhat paradoxically increased adiposity and
      dyslipidaemia, despite being fed standard chow. Paternal vitamin/antioxidant food
      fortification during under-nutrition not only normalised founder oxidative sperm
      DNA lesions but also prevented early growth restriction, fat accumulation and
      dyslipidaemia in offspring. This demonstrates that paternal under-nutrition
      reduces postnatal growth but increases the risk of obesity and metabolic disease
      in the next generation and that micronutrient supplementation during this period
      of under-nutrition is capable of restoring offspring metabolic health.

PMID- 27255553
TI  - Genistein regulates tumor microenvironment and exhibits anticancer effect in
      dimethyl hydrazine-induced experimental colon carcinogenesis.
AB  - Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality, worldwide. Cancer
      stem cells are attractive targets for therapeutic interventions since their
      abnormal growth may trigger tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence. Colon
      cancer in rats were induced with 1, 2-dimethyl hydrazine (DMH) and treated with
      genistein, an isoflavone rich in the soy food products, which also possesses
      various biological activities. Genistein treatment regulates enzymatic and non
      enzymatic anti-oxidants in the DMH-induced colonic tissue microenvironment.
      Alcian blue staining in colonic tissue reveals that mucin secretion was found to
      be depleted in DMH-induced group of animals. The alterations were normalized in
      the genistein-treated groups. Also, the mast cell population and collagen
      deposition were reduced as compared to induced group. Genistein treatment reduces
      the prognostic marker Argyrophilic nuclear organizer region (AgNOR) and
      proliferating cell nucleolar antigen (PCNA) in DMH-induced group of rats. DMH
      administration induces oxidative stress, whereas genistein activates nuclear
      factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and its downstream target
      hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1). Colonic stem cell marker protein CD133, CD44, and beta
      catenin expressions were found to be increased in DMH-induced group of animals as
      compared to control group of rats. Genistein treatment suppressed the expression
      of these stem cell markers suggesting rapid dysfunctional activation and
      proliferation of colonic stem cell-induced by DMH. The results of this study
      indicate that genistein administration in rats restored the colonic niche that
      was damaged by DMH and inhibits colon cancer progression. (c) 2016 BioFactors,
      42(6):623-637, 2016.

PMID- 27255554
TI  - Prognostic significance of synergistic hexokinase-2 and beta2-adrenergic receptor
      expression in human hepatocelluar carcinoma after curative resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hexokinase-2 (HK2) and Beta2-adrenergic receptor (Beta2AR) are
      overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and associated with poor
      prognosis. However, the synergistic effect of HK2 and Beta2AR in HCC prognosis is
      not elucidated. The present study aims to investigate the association between HK2
      and Beta2AR expressions in HCC tissues, and to evaluate the synergistic effect of
      HK2 and Beta2AR in HCC prognosis. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry of HK2 and
      Beta2AR was performed on 155 paraffin embedded HCC samples retrieved from the
      archives of pathology department. Corresponding clinical data and prognostic data
      were collected through searching medical record systems, death registration
      systems and interviews with patient families. Spearman correlation test was
      performed to evaluate the association between HK2 and Beta2AR expression. Kaplan
      Meier survival curves and Cox regressions were employed to evaluate HK2 and
      Beta2AR expression in HCC prognosis, respectively and synergistically. RESULTS:
      109 of 155 HCC patients reached the death point, the survival time of HCC
      patients was 46.23 +/- 31.01 months after curative surgical resections of HCC.
      Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that large tumor size (more than 5 cm)
      (hazard ratio (HR) = 8.42, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 3.81-18.59, P <
      0.0001), advanced TNM stage (III and IV stages) (HR = 2.09, 95%CI = 1.21-3.62, P
      < 0.001) and AFP more than 20 MUg/L (HR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.02-2.18, P = 0.0302)
      were predictors for poor prognosis. HK2 and Beta2AR positive expression was
      detected in 66 (42.58) and 122 (78.71 %) HCC samples respectively. In univariate
      analysis, HK2(+) (HR = 2.70, 95%CI = 1.76-4.15, P < 0.0001) and Beta2AR(+) (HR =
      4.61, 96%CI = 3.14-6.76, P < 0.0001) were associated with poor prognosis. In
      multivariate analysis, HK2(+) (P < 0.0001) and Beta2AR(+) (P < 0.0001) were also
      associated with poor prognosis. HK2(+)/Beta2AR(+) in HCC samples had poorer
      prognosis compared with HK2(-)/Beta2AR(-) in both univariate analysis (HR = 4.69,
      95%CI = 2.91-7.57, P < 0.0001) and multivariate analysis (P < 0.0001).
      HK2(+)/Beta2AR(+) in HCC samples had poorer prognosis compared with HK2(
      )/Beta2AR(+) in both univariate analysis (HR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.17-2.64, P =
      0.003) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: HK2 and Beta2AR play
      important roles in HCC progression. HK2 and Beta2AR expression in HCC is
      correlated positively. Beta2AR may increase HCC invasion and metastasis in
      collaboration with HK2. HK2 and Beta2AR can predict HCC prognosis both
      independently and synergistically.

PMID- 27255555
TI  - Strong association between glucocerebrosidase mutations and Parkinson's disease
      in Sweden.
AB  - Several genetic studies have demonstrated an association between mutations in
      glucocerebrosidase (GBA), originally implicated in Gaucher's disease, and an
      increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). We have investigated the possible
      involvement of genetic GBA variations in PD in the Swedish population. Three GBA
      variants, E326K, N370S, and L444P were screened in the largest Swedish Parkinson
      cohort reported to date; 1625 cases and 2025 control individuals. We found a
      significant association with high effect size of the rare variant L444P with PD
      (odds ratio 8.17; 95% confidence interval: 2.51-26.23; p-value = 0.0020) and a
      significant association of the common variant E326K (odds ratio 1.60; 95%
      confidence interval: 1.16-2.22; p-value = 0.026). The rare variant N370S showed a
      trend for association. Most L444P carriers (68%) were found to reside in northern
      Sweden, which is consistent with a higher prevalence of Gaucher's disease in this
      part of the country. Our findings support the role of GBA mutations as risk
      factors for PD and point to lysosomal dysfunction as a mechanism contributing to
      PD etiology.

PMID- 27255557
TI  - Flavobacterium verecundum sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater river.
AB  - Strain TTM-46T, isolated from a water sample taken from the Caohu River in
      Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells of TTM-46T
      were Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped,
      surrounded by a thick capsule and formedyellowish-green colored colonies. Growth
      occurred at 20-30  degrees C (optimum, 30  degrees C), at pH 6-8 (optimum, pH 7)
      and with 0-0.3 % NaCl (optimum, 0 % w/v). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16 S
      rRNA gene sequences showed that TTM-46T represented a member of the genus
      Flavobacterium and was most closely related to Flavobacterium columnare IFO
      15943T and Flavobacterium brevivitae TTM-43T with a sequence similarity of 96.9 %
      for both. TTM-46T contained iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1omega9c
      and/or 10-methyl C16 : 0), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and
      summed feature 3 (C16 : 1omega6c and/or C16 : 1omega7c) as the predominant fatty
      acids. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The polar lipid profile consisted
      of phosphatidylethanolamine, four uncharacterized aminophospholipids and five
      uncharacterized phospholipids. The major polyamine was homospermidine. The
      genomic DNA G+C content of TTM-46T was 39 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic
      inference and phenotypic data, TTM-46T was recognized as a representative of a
      novel species within the genus Flavobacterium. The name Flavobacterium verecundum
      sp. nov. is proposed, with TTM-46T (=BCRC 80914T=LMG 29005T=KCTC 42745T) as the
      type strain.

PMID- 27255556
TI  - Quantum mechanical effects in plasmonic structures with subnanometre gaps.
AB  - Metallic structures with nanogap features have proven highly effective as
      building blocks for plasmonic systems, as they can provide a wide tuning range of
      operating frequencies and large near-field enhancements. Recent work has shown
      that quantum mechanical effects such as electron tunnelling and nonlocal
      screening become important as the gap distances approach the subnanometre length
      scale. Such quantum effects challenge the classical picture of nanogap plasmons
      and have stimulated a number of theoretical and experimental studies. This review
      outlines the findings of many groups into quantum mechanical effects in nanogap
      plasmons, and discusses outstanding challenges and future directions.

PMID- 27255558
TI  - Explaining outcomes in major system change: a qualitative study of implementing
      centralised acute stroke services in two large metropolitan regions in England.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Implementing major system change in healthcare is not well
      understood. This gap may be addressed by analysing change in terms of
      interrelated components identified in the implementation literature, including
      decision to change, intervention selection, implementation approaches,
      implementation outcomes, and intervention outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a
      qualitative study of two cases of major system change: the centralisation of
      acute stroke services in Manchester and London, which were associated with
      significantly different implementation outcomes (fidelity to referral pathway)
      and intervention outcomes (provision of evidence-based care, patient mortality).
      We interviewed stakeholders at national, pan-regional, and service-levels (n =
      125) and analysed 653 documents. Using a framework developed for this study from
      the implementation science literature, we examined factors influencing
      implementation approaches; how these approaches interacted with the models
      selected to influence implementation outcomes; and their relationship to
      intervention outcomes. RESULTS: London and Manchester's differing implementation
      outcomes were influenced by the different service models selected and
      implementation approaches used. Fidelity to the referral pathway was higher in
      London, where a 'simpler', more inclusive model was used, implemented with a 'big
      bang' launch and 'hands-on' facilitation by stroke clinical networks. In
      contrast, a phased approach of a more complex pathway was used in Manchester, and
      the network acted more as a platform to share learning. Service development
      occurred more uniformly in London, where service specifications were linked to
      financial incentives, and achieving standards was a condition of service launch,
      in contrast to Manchester. 'Hands-on' network facilitation, in the form of
      dedicated project management support, contributed to achievement of these
      standards in London; such facilitation processes were less evident in Manchester.
      CONCLUSIONS: Using acute stroke service centralisation in London and Manchester
      as an example, interaction between model selected and implementation approaches
      significantly influenced fidelity to the model. The contrasting implementation
      outcomes may have affected differences in provision of evidence-based care and
      patient mortality. The framework used in this analysis may support planning and
      evaluating major system changes, but would benefit from application in different
      healthcare contexts.

PMID- 27255559
TI  - Pharmacoepidemiological safety studies in children: a systematic review.
AB  - PURPOSE: In order to identify challenges in pediatric pharmacoepidemiological
      safety studies, we assessed the characteristics of such (published) studies.
      METHODS: Relevant articles from inception to 2013 were retrieved from Embase and
      Medline. We sequentially screened titles, abstracts and full texts with
      independent validation. We systematically collected data regarding general
      information, study methods and results. RESULTS: Out of 4825 unique articles, 268
      full texts (5.6%) were retained; 147 (54.9%) pertained to drugs rather than
      vaccines. Considering the 268 studies, 202 (75.4%) concerned children and
      adolescents (2 to 11 years) and 14 (5.3%) included preterm newborns. Most studies
      originated from North America (154 [57.5%]) or Europe (92 [34.3%]). Only 47
      studies (17.5%) were privately funded. The majority (174 [64.9%]) were cohort
      studies. Out of 268 studies, 196 (73.1%) collected data retrospectively; paper
      medical charts were the most common data source for the exposures (85 [31.7%])
      and outcomes (122 [45.5%]). Only 3 (2.0%) drug-only studies investigated rarely
      used drugs. Considering all 268 studies, only 27 (10.1%) reported sample size or
      power calculation. Most (75 [51.0%]) drug-only studies corrected confounding by
      multivariate modeling unlike stratification in 66 (55.9%) vaccine-only studies.
      Considering 75 child-only studies without any statistically significant result,
      41 (54.7%) did not discuss lack of power. CONCLUSIONS: Although the field of
      pediatric pharmacoepidemiology is steadily developing evaluation seldom includes
      neonates, is mainly focused on few drug classes and safety outcomes and concerns
      mainly drug use in developed countries. Small study size is a specific challenge
      in pediatrics. Reporting should be improved. (c) 2016 The Authors.
      Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27255560
TI  - Dexamethasone as adjuvant for femoral nerve block following knee arthroplasty: a
      randomized, controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We examined the effect of the addition of dexamethasone to
      bupivacaine for femoral nerve blocks on the block duration and the quality of
      post-operative analgesia following total knee replacement surgery. METHODS: In
      total, 200 ASA I-III patients were randomly allocated to either the control group
      who received bupivacaine 0.5% or the dexamethasone group who received bupivacaine
      0.5% plus 8 mg dexamethasone for the femoral nerve block, followed by a
      continuous perineural bupivacaine infusion started at the time of block
      resolution. Patients were assessed for the duration of analgesia by the return of
      pinprick sensation and the 24-h morphine consumption as the primary outcomes of
      the study. A numerical rating scale from 0 to 10 was used to assess post
      operative pain at zero, 1/2, 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h. RESULTS: There was no
      difference between groups in either sensory or motor block onset; however, the
      duration of the block was significantly prolonged in the dexamethasone group,
      25.7 +/- 3 h, vs. 18.8 +/- 4 h in the control group P < 0.0001. The total
      morphine consumption was not different between groups, but the dexamethasone
      group consumed less morphine in the first 6 h post-operatively. The addition of
      dexamethasone improved pain control on the first post-operative day, but no
      difference in the pain score was detected on days 2 or 3. CONCLUSION: The
      addition of dexamethasone to bupivacaine for femoral nerve block prolonged the
      duration of analgesia, improved early post-operative pain following total knee
      arthroplasty.

PMID- 27255561
TI  - Applications of hierarchically structured porous materials from energy storage
      and conversion, catalysis, photocatalysis, adsorption, separation, and sensing to
      biomedicine.
AB  - Over the last decade, significant effort has been devoted to the applications of
      hierarchically structured porous materials owing to their outstanding properties
      such as high surface area, excellent accessibility to active sites, and enhanced
      mass transport and diffusion. The hierarchy of porosity, structural,
      morphological and component levels in these materials is key for their high
      performance in all kinds of applications. The introduction of hierarchical
      porosity into materials has led to a significant improvement in the performance
      of materials. Herein, recent progress in the applications of hierarchically
      structured porous materials from energy conversion and storage, catalysis,
      photocatalysis, adsorption, separation, and sensing to biomedicine is reviewed.
      Their potential future applications are also highlighted. We particularly dwell
      on the relationship between hierarchically porous structures and properties, with
      examples of each type of hierarchically structured porous material according to
      its chemical composition and physical characteristics. The present review aims to
      open up a new avenue to guide the readers to quickly obtain in-depth knowledge of
      applications of hierarchically porous materials and to have a good idea about
      selecting and designing suitable hierarchically porous materials for a specific
      application. In addition to focusing on the applications of hierarchically porous
      materials, this comprehensive review could stimulate researchers to synthesize
      new advanced hierarchically porous solids.

PMID- 27255562
TI  - Interaction Induced High Catalytic Activities of CoO Nanoparticles Grown on
      Nitrogen-Doped Hollow Graphene Microspheres for Oxygen Reduction and Evolution
      Reactions.
AB  - Nitrogen doped graphene hollow microspheres (NGHSs) have been used as the
      supports for the growth of the CoO nanoparticles. The nitrogen doped structure
      favors the nucleation and growth of the CoO nanoparticles and the CoO
      nanoparticles are mostly anchored on the quaternary nitrogen doped sites of the
      NGHSs with good monodispersity since the higher electron density of the
      quaternary nitrogen favors the nucleation and growth of the CoO nanoparticles
      through its coordination and electrostatic interactions with the Co(2+) ions. The
      resulting NGHSs supported CoO nanoparticles (CoO/NGHSs) are highly active for the
      oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with activity and stability higher than the Pt/C
      and for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with activity and stability
      comparable to the most efficient catalysts reported to date. This indicates that
      the CoO/NGHSs could be used as efficient bi-functional catalysts for ORR and OER.
      Systematic analysis shows that the superior catalytic activities of the CoO/NGHSs
      for ORR and OER mainly originate from the nitrogen doped structure of the NGHSs,
      the small size of the CoO nanoparticles, the higher specific and electroactive
      surface area of the CoO/NGHSs, the good electric conductivity of the CoO/NGHSs,
      the strong interaction between the CoO nanoparticles and the NGHSs, etc.

PMID- 27255563
TI  - Physalis alkekengi and Alhagi maurorum ameliorate the side effect of cisplatin
      induced nephrotoxicity.
AB  - Cisplatin is frequently being used for the treatment of different tumors,
      although the application of this agent is associated with nephrotoxicity. Here,
      we explored the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Physalis
      alkekengi and Alhagi maurorum; 400 mg kg(-1) per day P. alkekengi and 100 mg kg(
      1) per day A. maurorum were administered in rats, orally for 10 days after a
      single dose of 7 mg kg(-1) intraperitoneal cisplatin. The concentrations of
      creatinine, urea-nitrogen, and relative and absolute excretion of
      sodium/potassium were evaluated before/after therapy. Levels of malondialdehyde
      (MDA) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured to assess the
      oxidative stress induced by cisplatin. Moreover, tissues sections were used for
      histological analyses and evaluation of the degree of tissue damage. Cisplatin
      increased serum levels of creatinine and urea-nitrogen, relative/absolute
      excretion of sodium/potassium, and MDA, whereas decreased FRAP level.
      Interestingly, P. alkekengi or A. maurorum were able to reduce the level of the
      renal function markers as well as the levels of sodium/potassium. This effect was
      more pronounced by P. alkekengi. Moreover, cisplatin induced pathological damage
      in kidney, whereas treatment with these agents improved this condition. Our
      findings demonstrate the potential therapeutic impact of P. alkekengi and A.
      maurorum for improving cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, supporting further
      investigations on the novel potential clinical application of these agents for
      patients being treated with cisplatin to ameliorate cisplatin-induced
      nephrotoxicity.

PMID- 27255564
TI  - Total pregnancy loss after chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis: a cohort
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify maternal-, operator- and procedure-related variables that
      affect procedure-related pregnancy loss after transcervical (TC) and
      transabdominal (TA) chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis and to
      estimate the rates of spontaneous and procedure-related loss in comparable
      subgroups of women. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at
      the University Medical Center Groningen and the Academic Medical Center, The
      Netherlands. Databases of both centers were searched to identify singleton
      pregnancies that had undergone a combined test and/or anomaly scan at around 20
      weeks' gestation, or an invasive procedure (CVS and/or amniocentesis) between
      January 2001 and December 2011. Maternal characteristics, obstetric history,
      technical aspects of the invasive procedure, ultrasound examinations and fetal
      and neonatal outcomes were available for 29 201 cases. Women were categorized,
      according to the type of examination they had received, into the following five
      groups: first-trimester combined test (and 20-week anomaly scan); 20-week anomaly
      scan only; CVS; amniocentesis; amniocentesis after unsuccessful CVS. Rates of
      fetal loss were compared between groups. RESULTS: Variables significantly
      associated with a higher rate of fetal loss were, for CVS, repeat attempts during
      the procedure, use of TC cannula instead of biopsy forceps, gestational age at
      procedure >= 13 weeks and a pregnancy after assisted reproductive techniques,
      and, for amniocentesis, if indication was fetal anomaly or family history of
      anomalies and repeat attempts during the procedure. In women aged >= 36 years who
      did not undergo an invasive procedure, spontaneous fetal loss rate (FLR) after
      first-trimester combined test was 1.40%, whereas after CVS, FLR was 2.76% and
      2.43% for a TC and TA approach, respectively. The additional risk of fetal loss
      with TC-CVS was therefore 1.36% (1 : 74), which varied according to the
      instrument used (0.27% for forceps and 3.12% for cannula), and with TA-CVS was
      1.03% (1 : 97). In women aged >= 36 years who underwent a 20-week anomaly scan
      only, spontaneous FLR was 0.63%. In women who underwent amniocentesis solely
      because of advanced maternal age, FLR was 1.11%. The additional risk of fetal
      loss with amniocentesis was 0.48% (1 : 208). CONCLUSION: The total rate of
      procedure-related fetal loss after TA- and TC-CVS and amniocentesis appears lower
      than the risks on which women are currently counseled. There was a trend for a
      decrease in risk when the level of experience of the operator increased.
      Copyright (c) 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27255565
TI  - Erratum to: 'A cost and performance comparison of Public Private Partnership and
      public hospitals in Spain'.

PMID- 27255567
TI  - A multi-layer microchip for high-throughput single-cell gene expression
      profiling.
AB  - Microfluidics or Bio-MEMS technology offers significant advantages for performing
      high-throughput screens and sensitive assays. The ability to correlate single
      cell genetic information with cellular phenotypes is of great importance to
      biology and medicine because it holds the potential to gain insight into disease
      pathways that is unavailable from ensemble measurements. Previously, we reported
      two kinds of prototypes for integrated on-chip gene expression profiling at the
      single-cell level, and the throughput was designed to be 6. In this work, we
      present a five-layer microfluidic system for parallelized, rapid, quantitative
      analysis of RNA templates with low abundance at the single-cell level. The
      microchip contains two multiplexors and one partitioning valve group, and it
      leverages a matrix (6 * 8) of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-qPCR) units formed by a set of parallel microchannels concurrently
      controlled by elastomeric pneumatic valves, thereby enabling parallelized
      handling and processing of biomolecules in a simplified operation procedure. A
      comprehensive metallic nanofilm with passivation layer is used to run polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR) temperature cycles. To demonstrate the utility of the
      approach, artificial synthesized RNA templates (XenoRNA) and mRNA templates from
      single cells are employed to perform the 48-readout RT-qPCRs. The PCR products
      are imaged on a fluorescence microscope using a hydrolysis probe/primer set
      (TaqMan). Fluorescent intensities of passive reference dye and a fluorescein
      amidite reporter dye are acquired and measured at the end of PCR cycles.

PMID- 27255566
TI  - Evaluation of Aloe vera and synbiotic as antibiotic growth promoter substitutions
      on performance, gut morphology, immune responses and blood constitutes of broiler
      chickens.
AB  - This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation
      with Aloe vera (AV) powder and synbiotic as growth promoter agents on
      performance, gut morphology, immune responses, hematology and serum biochemistry
      in broilers. A total of 240-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly
      assigned to six treatments with four replicates. Birds were offered either a corn
      soybean meal basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg
      virginiamycin (VM), 1 g/kg synbiotic (Syn), 2.5 g/kg AV (AV1), 5.0 g/kg AV (AV2)
      or 7.5 g/kg AV (AV3). Chickens fed any of the diets, except diet AV1, exhibited
      better feed conversion ratios at the 14-28 day period and higher average daily
      gain and duodenal villus height/crypt depth ratio at 42 days than those fed the
      control diet. Synbiotic supplementation caused a marked increase in the serum
      antibody titer against infectious bursal disease and infectious bronchitis
      vaccines. Feeding diet AV3 significantly increased red blood cell count and
      hemoglobin concentration, and decreased serum triglyceride level compared to the
      control group. The results suggested that dietary inclusion of 5 and 7.5 g/kg AV,
      similar with synbiotic supplementation, can be applied as effective alternatives
      to in-feed antibiotics for broiler diets.

PMID- 27255568
TI  - Differential hypoxic response of human choroidal and retinal endothelial cells
      proposes tissue heterogeneity of ocular angiogenesis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To elaborate molecular differences between choroidal and retinal
      angiogenesis by generating and comparatively analysing human primary choroidal
      and retinal endothelial cell (CEC and REC) lines. METHODS: Human CEC and REC were
      isolated by positive selection and were cultured. Characterization was performed
      by immunostaining for endothelial cell (EC)-specific markers. Total RNA and
      protein were extracted from normoxic or hypoxic CEC and REC cultures.
      Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays were used to comparatively
      analyse 133 genes between CEC and REC, and the expression differences were
      calculated by DeltaDeltaCt method. A total of 57 angiogenesis-related protein
      expression differences were investigated by Western blot and proteome profiler
      and were calculated by densitometry. RESULTS: Primary human CEC and REC lines
      stained positively for all EC markers and demonstrated high purity with similar
      staining and morphology. Under normoxia, CEC showed significantly lower
      expression levels for cell proliferation and vessel maturation genes and higher
      expression levels for inflammation-related genes when compared to REC. In
      response to hypoxia, CEC and REC displayed differential regulation for a
      multitude of angiogenesis-related genes and proteins. Furthermore, within the
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, CEC showed preferential
      upregulation for vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) while REC
      upregulated placenta growth factor (PlGF) levels. CONCLUSION: Differential
      normoxic and hypoxic regulation of angiogenesis-related factors by CEC and REC
      outlines tissue heterogeneity of ocular angiogenesis and suggests that tissue
      specificity should be considered as a novel treatment modality for successfully
      overcoming choroidal and retinal angiogenic conditions in the clinic.

PMID- 27255569
TI  - Delayed intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with trophectoderm biopsy and
      preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) show increased aneuploidy rates but can
      lead to live births with single thawed euploid embryo transfer (STEET).
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the results of IVF with
      trophectoderm biopsy and preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) following
      delayed intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: Patients undergoing IVF
      with PGS and delayed ICSI were included in the study. Indications for delayed
      ICSI included absent or poor fertilization via standard insemination or more than
      50 % immature oocytes, noted post-cumulus stripping for standard ICSI procedure.
      Delayed ICSI was performed the day after retrieval due to absent or poor
      fertilization. The immature oocytes were kept in extended culture, and if
      demonstrated maturity, ICSI was performed. Primary outcome included fertilization
      rate and blastocyst stage formation, defined by the number of blastocysts for
      biopsy. Secondary outcome included aneuploidy rate and pregnancy outcomes
      following single thawed euploid embryo transfers (STEET). RESULTS: Sixteen
      patients with delayed ICSI were included in the study. Twelve were due to poor
      fertilization and four secondary to immature oocytes. A total of 219 oocytes were
      retrieved; ten were frozen upon patient request, 168 had standard insemination,
      and 13 had routine ICSI on the day of retrieval. A total of 129 oocytes underwent
      delayed ICSI. Sixty-three (49 %) fertilized, 19 (14.7 %) reached blastocysts for
      biopsy; fivw of which were chromosomally normal (26.3 %). Three patients
      underwent STEET of a delayed ICSI embryo; all three resulted in live births,
      including one embryo biopsied on day 8 of development. CONCLUSION: Fertilization
      failure or an excessive proportion of immature oocytes in an IVF cycle,
      necessitating delayed ICSI, showed equivalent fertilization and blast formation
      rates. With the implementation of trophectoderm biopsy and PGS, these embryos can
      lead to healthy live born babies.

PMID- 27255570
TI  - Can Coenzyme Q10 supplementation protect the ovarian reserve against oxidative
      damage?
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated antioxidant effects of CoQ10 supplementation on the
      prevention of OS-induced ovarian damage and to evaluate the protective effect of
      such supplementation against OS-related DNA damage. METHODS: Twenty-four adult
      female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (8 rats per
      group): group 1 (control): saline, ip, and orally; group 2 (cisplatin group):
      cisplatin, 4.5 mg/kg ip, two times with an interval of 7 days; and group 3
      (cisplatin + CoQ10 group): cisplatin, 4.5 mg/kg ip, two times with an interval of
      7 days, and 24 h before cisplatin, 150 mg/kg/day orally in 1 mL of saline daily
      for 14 days. Serum concentrations of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), number of AMH
      positive follicles, the assessment of the intensity of 8'OHdG immunoreactivity,
      the primordial, antral and atretic follicle counts in the ovary were assessed.
      RESULT(S): The mean serum AMH concentrations were 1.3 +/- 0.19, 0.16 +/- 0.03,
      and 0.27 +/- 0.20 ng/mL in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p < 0.01). Serum AMH
      levels were significantly higher in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.01
      and p = 0.01, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in
      AMH-positive follicle count between the groups (p < 0.01). Group 1 showed higher
      numbers of AMH-positive granulosa cells compared to group 2 (p = 0.01). A
      significant difference was found in the primordial, the atretic, and antral
      follicle counts between the three groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01,
      respectively). The atretic follicle count was significantly lower in the
      cisplatin plus CoQ10 group compared to the cisplatin group (p < 0.01). The antral
      follicle counts were significantly higher in the cisplatin plus CoQ10 group
      compared with the cisplatin group (p < 0.01). There was a statistically
      significant difference in the intensity of staining of the follicles that were
      positive for anti-8'OHdG between the groups (p = 0.02). Group 1 showed a
      significant lower intensity of staining of the follicles positive for anti-8'OHdG
      compared with group 2 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION(S): CoQ10 supplementation may
      protect ovarian reserve by counteracting both mitochondrial ovarian ageing and
      physiological programmed ovarian ageing although the certain effect of OS in
      female infertility is not clearly known.

PMID- 27255571
TI  - Combined inguinal hernia in the elderly. Portraying the progression of hernia
      disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Identification of a combined hernia is a common occurrence in the
      course of inguinal hernia repair. This type of protrusion disease seems to affect
      the elderly, in particular. Very few investigations have been carried out to
      ascertain the structural changes that occur in the groin affected by this
      clinical condition. METHOD: Analysis of intraoperative findings of combined
      inguinal hernias evidenced in the elderly, from the most recent 100 groin hernia
      repair procedures carried out by a single operator, represents the basis of the
      article. Protrusions that presumably represent the forerunner of this type of
      hernia were also analyzed: double ipsilateral inguinal hernias composed of a
      direct and an indirect protrusion. The gross anatomical, as well as histological,
      modifications occurring during the development of combined protrusions were also
      evaluated. RESULTS: Combined hernia was the most frequent protrusion in patients
      over 65 years, accounting for 36% of the total in this patient group. In the same
      patient cohort, double inguinal hernia further involves 22% of elderly subjects.
      Macroscopically, progressive disruption of the inguinal back wall and
      degenerative reabsorption of the inferior epigastric vessels were evidenced.
      Histologically, inflammatory infiltrate, significant nerve and vascular injuries,
      along with severe muscle degeneration were recognized. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      seem to confirm that inguinal hernia is an unremitting progressive disease caused
      by chronic compressive structural damage. Combined hernias represent a frequent
      clinical condition in the elderly consequent to long-term degenerative damage.
      Therapy of combined protrusions must consider the impact of visceral vector
      forces.

PMID- 27255572
TI  - Zygomatic fractures: Technical modifications for better aesthetic and functional
      results in older patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The zygomaticomaxillary complex, with its intrinsically prominent
      convexity, is highly vulnerable to injury. In this study, we evaluated a novel
      combined approach to the reduction and stabilization of frontozygomatic
      dislocated fractures without aesthetic damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten
      patients (mean age, 52 years) were referred for complex frontozygomatic
      dislocated fractures. Five patients underwent a transconjunctival approach
      without canthotomy in association with a transoral maxillary approach and lateral
      rim skin incision, also without canthotomy. The other five patients underwent a
      traditional subciliary incision at the lower eyelid and a vertical lateral
      incision at the lateral orbital margin. Orbital floor reconstruction was achieved
      using two to three fixation points and autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).
      During the 6-month follow-up, the patients were routinely evaluated using
      computed tomography. RESULTS: Treatment was successful in all cases; there were
      no problems at surgery or postoperatively. During follow-up, all patients had
      satisfactory facial symmetry, no noticeable scar, ectropion, or lower-eyelid
      drop, and no functional impairment. DISCUSSION: Aesthetic considerations are an
      important aspect of treatment planning in patients with orbitozygomatic
      fractures, because of the importance of the eye and lid areas to facial
      aesthetics. In our patients, good aesthetic results were achieved using a novel
      combined approach. In patients with a large orbital floor dislocation, the
      reconstructive titanium mesh can be covered by autologous PRF membranes to
      improve vascularization of the surgical site. By preventing aesthetic damage and
      functional impairment, our conservative approach is of particular utility in
      older individuals due to age-related tissue laxity.

PMID- 27255573
TI  - Submental flap as an alternative to microsurgical flap in intraoral post
      oncological reconstruction in the elderly.
AB  - Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (Scc) occur most commonly in
      middle-aged and elderly individuals. Free flaps are commonly used for
      reconstruction of extensive tumor resection defects in the oral cavity. Age alone
      is not an independent variable for increased risk in microvascular
      reconstruction; however operative time and ASA risk score correlated with medical
      complications but not with surgical complications. The submental island flap has
      proven to be a reliable alternative in reconstruction of composite oral cavity
      defects for its thinness, pliability and versatility in design, shared by the
      radial forearm free flap, and its advantageous donor site. The submental flap can
      be easily raised and involves shorter operative time and hospital stay compared
      to the free-flap procedure. It can be an excellent choice in patients with a high
      ASA risk score, moreover in elderly patients, where the potential complications
      linked to microsurgical procedures are avoided. 

PMID- 27255574
TI  - Development of Multifunctional Fluorescent-Magnetic Nanoprobes for Selective
      Capturing and Multicolor Imaging of Heterogeneous Circulating Tumor Cells.
AB  - Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are highly heterogeneous in nature due to
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is the major obstacle for CTC
      analysis via "liquid biopsy". This article reports the development of a new class
      of multifunctional fluorescent-magnetic multicolor nanoprobes for targeted
      capturing and accurate identification of heterogeneous CTC. A facile design
      approach for the synthesis and characterization of bioconjugated multifunctonal
      nanoprobes that exhibit excellent magnetic properties and emit very bright and
      photostable multicolor fluorescence at red, green, and blue under 380 nm
      excitation is reported. Experimental data presented show that the multifunctional
      multicolor nanoprobes can be used for targeted capture and multicolor
      fluorescence mapping of heterogeneous CTC and can distinguish targeted CTC from
      nontargeted cells. 

PMID- 27255575
TI  - Discontinuation of peri-operative gentamicin use for indwelling urinary catheter
      manipulation in orthopaedic surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gentamicin has historically been used prior to insertion and removal
      of indwelling urinary catheters (IDCs) around elective joint replacement surgery
      to prevent infection; however, this indication is not recognized in the
      Australian Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic and the paradigm for safe use of
      gentamicin has shifted. METHODS: The antimicrobial stewardship team of a 500 bed
      tertiary regional hospital performed a retrospective clinical study of gentamicin
      IDC prophylaxis around total hip and knee arthroplasties. Results were presented
      to the orthopaedic surgeons. A literature review identified no guidelines to
      support gentamicin prophylaxis and only a very low risk of bacteraemia associated
      with IDC insertion/removal in patients with established bacteriuria. Consensus
      was reached with the surgeons to discontinue this practice. Subsequent
      prospective data collection was commenced to determine effectiveness, with weekly
      feedback to the Department Head of Orthopaedics. RESULTS: Data from 137
      operations pre-intervention (6 months) were compared with 205 operations post
      intervention (12 months). The median patient age was 72 years in both groups.
      Following the intervention, reductions in gentamicin use were demonstrated for
      IDC insertion (59/137 (42%) to 4/205 (2%), P < 0.01) and removal (39/137 (28%) to
      6/205 (3%), P < 0.01). No gentamicin use was observed during the final 40 weeks
      of the post-intervention period. There were no significant differences between
      the groups for pre-operative bacteriuria, surgical site infections or acute
      kidney injury. CONCLUSION: A collaborative approach using quality improvement
      methodology can lead to an evidence-based reappraisal of established practice.
      Regular rolling audits and timely feedback were useful in sustaining change.

PMID- 27255576
TI  - Whole-exome sequencing implicates DGKH as a risk gene for panic disorder in the
      Faroese population.
AB  - The demographic history of the isolated population of the Faroe Islands may have
      induced enrichment of variants rarely seen in outbred European populations,
      including enrichment of risk variants for panic disorder (PD). PD is a common
      mental disorder, characterized by recurring and unprovoked panic attacks, and
      genetic factors have been estimated to explain around 40% of the risk. In this
      study the potential enrichment of PD risk variants was explored based on whole
      exome sequencing of 54 patients with PD and 211 control individuals from the
      Faroese population. No genome-wide significant associations were found, however
      several single variants and genes showed strong association with PD, where DGKH
      was found to be the strongest PD associated gene. Interestingly DGKH has
      previously demonstrated genome-wide significant association with bipolar disorder
      as well as evidence of association to other mental disorders. Additionally, we
      found an enrichment of PD risk variants in the Faroese population; variants with
      otherwise low frequency in more outbreed European populations. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27255577
TI  - Environmentally friendly power generator based on moving liquid dielectric and
      double layer effect.
AB  - An electrostatic power generator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy
      by utilising the principle of variable capacitance. This change in capacitance is
      usually achieved by varying the gap or overlap between two parallel metallic
      plates. This paper proposes a novel electrostatic micro power generator where the
      change in capacitance is achieved by the movement of an aqueous solution of NaCl.
      A significant change in capacitance is achieved due to the higher than air
      dielectric constant of water and the Helmholtz double layer capacitor formed by
      ion separation at the electrode interfaces. The proposed device has significant
      advantages over traditional electrostatic devices which include low bias voltage
      and low mechanical frequency of operation. This is critical if the proposed
      device is to have utility in harvesting power from the environment. A figure of
      merit exceeding 10000(10(8)MUW)/(mm(2)HzV(2)) which is two orders of magnitude
      greater than previous devices, is demonstrated for a prototype operating at a
      bias voltage of 1.2 V and a droplet frequency of 6 Hz. Concepts are presented for
      large scale power harvesting.

PMID- 27255578
TI  - Direct antiviral agents and risk for HCC early recurrence: Much ado about
      nothing.

PMID- 27255579
TI  - Reply to: "High volume plasma exchange in patients with acute liver failure".

PMID- 27255580
TI  - High volume plasma exchange in patients with acute liver failure.

PMID- 27255581
TI  - Reply to "Direct antiviral agents and risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      early recurrence: Much ado about nothing".

PMID- 27255582
TI  - Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after treatment with direct-acting
      antivirals: First, do no harm by withdrawing treatment.

PMID- 27255583
TI  - Effect of exercise on the development of new fatty liver and the resolution of
      existing fatty liver.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Guidelines about recommendations for amounts of
      exercise/physical activity are variable in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Our
      aim was to determine the amount of exercise that was associated with two
      outcomes: a) development of incident liver fat and b) resolution of baseline
      liver fat, at five-year follow-up. METHODS: In an occupational health screening
      program, weekly frequency of exercise was assessed using the validated Korean
      version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ
      SF). Liver fat was identified by ultrasonography (3.5MHz probe) at baseline and
      at five-year follow-up. Fully adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used
      to estimate hazard ratios (HRs and 95% confidence intervals [CI]) for incident
      fatty liver and resolution of fatty liver at follow-up. RESULTS: 233,676 men and
      women were studied between 2002 and 2014. 126,811 individuals were identified
      without fatty liver, and of these subjects, 29,014 subjects developed incident
      fatty liver during follow-up. At baseline, there were 42,536 individuals with
      liver fat and of these individuals, fatty liver resolved in 14,514, during follow
      up. After full adjustment, compared to no exercise, exercise was associated with
      benefit for both outcomes; for exercise ?5times per week for incident fatty
      liver: HR 0.86 (95% CI 0.80,0.92), p<0.001, and for resolution of fatty liver HR
      1.40 (95% CI 1.25,1.55), p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to vigorous exercise is
      beneficial in decreasing risk of development of new fatty liver or improving
      resolution of existing fatty liver during 5years of follow-up. LAY SUMMARY: The
      amount of exercise/physical activity to benefit fatty liver disease in non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease is not known. In a large study of free-living
      people, our aim was to determine the amount of exercise that was linked with a
      decrease in new fatty liver and also improvement of existing fatty liver over
      5years of follow-up. Compared to no exercise, exercise ?5times per week (lasting
      at least 10min on each occasion) was linked to a highly significantly benefit for
      both a decrease in new fatty liver and also improvement of existing fatty liver.

PMID- 27255584
TI  - Re: Pasquale Rescigno, David Lorente, Diletta Bianchini, et al. Prostate-specific
      Antigen Decline After 4 Weeks of Treatment with Abiraterone Acetate and Overall
      Survival in Patients with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer. Eur
      Urol 2016;70:724-31.

PMID- 27255585
TI  - Improving Survival for Metastatic Castrate-resistant Prostate Cancer: Will
      Combination Therapy Help Us To Move Forward?

PMID- 27255586
TI  - Cutaneous larva migrans in a temperate area.

PMID- 27255587
TI  - Phytochemical profiles and inhibitory effects of Tiger Milk mushroom (Lignosus
      rhinocerus) extract on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a rodent model of
      asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lignosus rhinocerus (L. rhinocerus), which is known locally as Tiger
      Milk mushroom, is traditionally used in the treatment of asthma by indigenous
      communities in Malaysia. However, to date, its efficacy on asthma has not been
      confirmed by scientific studies and there is also sparse information available on
      its active constituents. In this study, the volatile constituent of L. rhinocerus
      hot water extract was investigated using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC
      MS). The potential effects of L. rhinocerus extract for anti-asthmatic activity
      was further investigated on ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized asthmatic Sprague Dawley
      rats. METHODS: Sequential extraction using five solvents (petroleum ether,
      diethyl ether, hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) was conducted prior to GC-MS
      analysis. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the following four groups of
      five animals each: 1) normal rats, 2) sensitization plus OVA-challenged rats 3)
      sensitization plus OVA-challenged with L. rhinocerus treatment and 4)
      sensitization plus OVA-challenged with dexamethasone treatment. The levels of
      immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the serum and T-helper 2 cytokines, including
      interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), as
      well as eosinophil infiltration in the lungs, were investigated. RESULTS: GC-MS
      analysis revealed the presence of five main groups (alkane, fatty acids, benzene,
      phenol and dicarboxylic acid) with a total of 18 constituents. Linoleic acid
      (21.35 %), octadecane (11.82 %) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl elaidate (10.47 %) were
      present in high amounts. The extract significantly ameliorated the increase in
      total IgE in serum and IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 levels in BALF and also effectively
      suppressed eosinophils numbers in BALF while attenuating eosinophil infiltrations
      in the lungs. CONCLUSION: L. rhinocerus hot water extract has the potential to be
      used as an alternative for the treatment of acute asthma.

PMID- 27255588
TI  - Enhancing the early home learning environment through a brief group parenting
      intervention: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quality of the home learning environment has a significant
      influence on children's language and communication skills during the early years
      with children from disadvantaged families disproportionately affected. This paper
      describes the protocol and participant baseline characteristics of a community
      based effectiveness study. It evaluates the effects of 'smalltalk', a brief group
      parenting intervention (with or without home coaching) on the quality of the
      early childhood home learning environment. METHODS/DESIGN: The study comprises
      two cluster randomised controlled superiority trials (one for infants and one for
      toddlers) designed and conducted in parallel. In 20 local government areas (LGAs)
      in Victoria, Australia, six locations (clusters) were randomised to one of three
      conditions: standard care (control); smalltalk group-only program; or smalltalk
      plus (group program plus home coaching). Programs were delivered to parents
      experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage through two existing age-based services,
      the maternal and child health service (infant program, ages 6-12 months), and
      facilitated playgroups (toddler program, ages 12-36 months). Outcomes were
      assessed by parent report and direct observation at baseline (0 weeks), post
      intervention (12 weeks) and follow-up (32 weeks). Primary outcomes were parent
      verbal responsivity and home activities with child at 32 weeks. Secondary
      outcomes included parenting confidence, parent wellbeing and children's
      communication, socio-emotional and general development skills. Analyses will use
      intention-to-treat random effects ("multilevel") models to account for
      clustering. RECRUITMENT AND BASELINE DATA: Across the 20 LGAs, 986 parents of
      infants and 1200 parents of toddlers enrolled and completed baseline measures.
      Eighty four percent of families demonstrated one or more of the targeted risk
      factors for poor child development (low income; receives government benefits;
      single, socially isolated or young parent; culturally or linguistically diverse
      background). DISCUSSION: This study will provide unique data on the effectiveness
      of a brief group parenting intervention for enhancing the early home learning
      environment of young children from disadvantaged families. It will also provide
      evidence of the extent to which additional one-on-one support is required to
      achieve change and whether there are greater benefits when delivered in the 1st
      year of life or later. The program has been designed for scale-up across existing
      early childhood services if proven effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 8 September
      2011; ACTRN12611000965909 .

PMID- 27255589
TI  - Metatarsal head resurfacing arthroplasty in the treatment of hallux rigidus: is
      it reliable treatment option?
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study looks at the failure and complications arising secondary
      to resurfacing and hemi-arthroplasty done at the metatarsal head in patients with
      hallux rigidus. Our report includes a review of the relevant literature to verify
      the validity of our techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed metatarsal
      head resurfacing with hemi-arthroplasty using the HemiCap((r)), on 12 patients
      with hallux rigidus between the dates of March 2010 and October 2013. The mean
      follow-up period was 22.3 months (range 12-54). All patients were clinically and
      radiologically evaluated according to the American Orthopedics Foot and Ankle
      Society (AOFAS) functional scale and the Coughlin and Shurnas classification.
      RESULTS: The recorded mean AOFAS score showed an increase from the preoperative
      score of 49.2 +/- 13.1 to a postoperative follow-up score of 80.8 +/- 13.1 (p <
      0.001). Pain scores also showed an improvement from 16.5 +/- 7.1 points
      preoperatively to 32.5 +/- 6.9 points during the postoperative follow-up (p <
      0.001). The mean function score improved from 17.7 +/- 7.6 points preoperatively
      to 33.2 +/- 7.6 points during the final postoperative follow-up (p < 0.001).
      Furthermore, the mean range of motion improved from 16.3 +/- 4.8 degrees 
      preoperatively to 45.4 +/- 13.2 degrees  postoperatively (p < 0.001). Three
      patients (25 %) reported pain at rest. Surgical revision was done on these
      patients who have significant pain that limited their range of motion.
      CONCLUSION: Favorable outcomes were achieved by performing minimal bone resection
      which also helps maintain metatarso-phalangeal joint function through metatarsal
      head resurfacing arthroplasty. We expect the failure rates to decrease with the
      advancements of surgical techniques. Selecting the appropriate patient populous
      in the application of the technique is crucial in attaining successful clinical
      results.

PMID- 27255590
TI  - Safety, efficacy and repeatability of a novel house dust mite allergen challenge
      technique in the Fraunhofer allergen challenge chamber.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Efficacy testing of immunotherapy in field studies is often hampered
      by variation of airborne allergens. Standardized allergen exposure in challenge
      chamber settings might be an alternative. Therefore, we developed a universal
      technique to create an atmosphere loaded with allergen particles of adjustable
      size from aqueous solutions of licensed allergen extracts. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
      this study was to apply this technique and test the safety and efficacy of
      challenges with house dust mite (HDM) allergen in the Fraunhofer allergen
      challenge chamber. METHODS: Aerosol particles carrying HDM allergen were produced
      by spray-drying of an aqueous solution containing HDM allergen and lactose. In a
      monocenter, placebo-controlled, single-blind, dose-escalation pilot study, 18
      subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis and sensitization to HDM were exposed
      to HDM allergen for 4 h at either 250, 500, 1000 SQE/m3 or lactose alone (0
      SQE/m3 ) 7 days apart. The dose of 500 SQE/m3 was repeated to investigate
      reproducibility. Total nasal symptom score (TNSS) was the primary endpoint.
      RESULTS: Exposure to HDM increased TNSS (mean +/- SD) to 3.4 +/- 1.8, 3.3 +/-
      2.1, and 3.6 +/- 2.0 at 250, 500 and 1000 SQE/m3 , respectively, while lactose
      alone did not change TNSS (0.7 +/- 0.6). The results were reproducible at 500
      SQE/m3 . Pulmonary function and adverse event frequency did not change with
      escalation of allergen dose. CONCLUSION: This HDM allergen particle generation is
      safe, specific and reproducible and can therefore be used for efficacy testing of
      immunotherapy and for basic clinical research.

PMID- 27255592
TI  - Retraction Note: Changes in the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of
      albumin-associated spin-labeled stearic acid as a diagnostic parameter of
      colorectal cancer.

PMID- 27255591
TI  - Evaluating Quality and Adequacy of Gastrointestinal Samples Collected using
      Reusable or Disposable Forceps.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sample quality of gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies is of
      paramount importance for accurate histological diagnosis. Many veterinary
      practices use reusable forceps as a result of perceived decreased cost. With
      reusable forceps, it remains unknown whether sample quality declines with
      repeated use and becomes inferior to single-use forceps and is therefore more or
      less cost effective than single-use forceps. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The study
      hypothesis was that reusable forceps sample quality would deteriorate after
      repeated use as compared to single-use forceps. ANIMALS: Sixty-five dogs
      undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy for diagnostic investigations at the
      Hospital for Small Animals, Edinburgh University. METHOD: A prospective,
      pathologist-blinded study comparing single-use and reusable alligator standard
      cup biopsy forceps (Olympus 2.0 mm 1550 mm) with 5 randomized reusable forceps.
      Sample quality (stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon) was assessed by a single
      pathologist using the WSAVA guidelines. RESULTS: There was no difference in the
      adequacy, depth, villi number, or crush artifact in the 4 intestinal areas
      between forceps type with at least 10, and up to 15, repeated uses of the
      reusable forceps. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study demonstrates
      that reusable cup biopsy forceps provide equivalent biopsy quality after repeated
      uses to single-use forceps and are cost effective at 10-case use.

PMID- 27255593
TI  - Secukinumab: A Review in Ankylosing Spondylitis.
AB  - Secukinumab (Cosentyx((r))) is a fully human monoclonal antibody against the
      proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17A. It is the first drug in its class to be
      approved for use in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This
      article reviews the efficacy and tolerability of secukinumab in this indication
      and briefly summarizes its pharmacology. In ongoing phase III trials, 16 weeks'
      treatment with subcutaneous secukinumab 150 mg was effective in terms of
      improving the clinical signs and symptoms of disease and health-related quality
      of life in patients with AS, with these improvements maintained during longer
      term (up to 2 years) treatment. In subgroup analyses, secukinumab was effective
      both in tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor-naive patients and in patients
      intolerant of or refractory to TNF inhibitors. Secukinumab was generally well
      tolerated, with a tolerability profile consistent with that seen previously in
      patients with plaque psoriasis. In the absence of head-to-head trials, the
      position of secukinumab with respect to TNF inhibitors remains to be fully
      determined. Nevertheless, secukinumab is an effective and generally well
      tolerated treatment option for patients with AS. 

PMID- 27255594
TI  - Is there a link between dizziness and vision? A systematic review.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to
      investigate the link (if any) between vision and dizziness. METHODS: Medline,
      CINAHL, AMED, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library were searched with keywords
      chosen to find articles which investigated the causes of dizziness and considered
      vision as a possible trigger. Citation chaining of all included papers was
      performed in addition to the hand searching of all reference lists. Unpublished
      literature was identified using www.opengrey.eu. The review considered studies
      involving adults which link, measure or attempt to improve any aspect of vision
      in relation to dizziness. RESULTS: Nine thousand six hundred and eighty one
      possible references were found, and the abstracts were screened independently by
      two reviewers to determine if they should be included in the study. Thirteen
      papers were found which investigated whether dizziness was linked to an
      assessment of vision. Visual impairment measures were crude and typically self
      report, or Snellen visual acuity with little or no measurement details. Five
      studies found an independent link between dizziness and vision, five found a weak
      association (typically finding a link when univariate analyses were used, but not
      when multivariate analyses were used), and three found no association. Studies
      finding a strong link were usually cross-sectional with a large study population
      whereas those finding a weak association had relatively small numbers of
      participants. Studies which did not find an association used a broad definition
      of dizziness that included the term light-headedness, an unreliable Rosenbaum
      near visual acuity chart or an unusual categorisation of visual acuity.
      CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that dizziness (although likely not 'light
      headedness') is linked with poor vision although further studies using more
      appropriate measures of vision are recommended.

PMID- 27255595
TI  - The effect of middle turbinate resection on topical drug distribution into the
      paranasal sinuses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During sinus surgery, partial or complete resection of the middle
      turbinate (MT) is sometimes necessary because of polypoid changes or
      demineralization. Topical drug delivery to the paranasal sinuses is an integral
      component in managing chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with and without nasal
      polyposis. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the MT and MT
      resection in topical drug distribution into the sinuses via nebulization. We
      report on a novel technique of quantitatively evaluating the delivery of
      nebulized dye in cadavers. METHODS: Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed on 5
      fresh cadavers. Complementary colored dyes mixed with saline were successively
      nebulized using the following protocol: (1) fluorescein prior to MT resection;
      (2) brilliant green following partial MT resection; and (3) methylene blue
      following total MT resection. Photodocumentation of the sinuses was performed
      following each nebulization and standardized photoanalysis was performed.
      RESULTS: Successive nebulizations with fluorescein, brilliant green, and
      methylene blue produced a complementary staining pattern that provided an easy
      side-by-side analysis of the extent of mucosal staining. Dye delivery to the
      frontal and sphenoid sinuses significantly increased following partial resection
      of the MT (p = 0.013 and p = 0.0027, respectively) and complete resection of the
      MT (p = 0.027 and p = 0.027, respectively). Following complete MTR, dye delivery
      to the maxillary sinus significantly increased compared to baseline (MT intact)
      (p = 0.0027). CONCLUSION: Resection of the MT appears to have a significant
      effect on nebulized drug delivery into the frontal, maxillary, and sphenoid
      sinuses. Future prospective studies will help delineate the clinical relevance of
      this effect.

PMID- 27255596
TI  - Regulation of group 2 innate lymphoid cells.
AB  - Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) exert critical roles in type 2 immune
      responses, epithelial repair at mucosal tissues and metabolic homeostasis. ILC2
      rapidly provide large amounts of type 2 signature cytokines, thereby driving type
      2 immune responses such as the defense against helminths. However, if
      deregulated, ILC2 facilitate tissue fibrosis and trigger unwanted type 2
      immunopathologies such as allergies, asthma and atopic dermatitis. Therefore,
      ILC2 need to be tightly regulated and we are just beginning to understand which
      mediators activate or inhibit this rare but important cell population. In this
      review, we summarize current knowledge about positive and negative regulation of
      ILC2 and discuss its immunological consequences.

PMID- 27255597
TI  - Improved Accuracy of Automated Estimation of Cardiac Output Using Circulation
      Time in Patients with Heart Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung-to-finger circulation time of oxygenated blood during nocturnal
      periodic breathing in heart failure patients measured using polysomnography
      correlates negatively with cardiac function but possesses limited accuracy for
      cardiac output (CO) estimation. METHODS AND RESULTS: CO was recalculated from
      lung-to-finger circulation time using a multivariable linear model with
      information on age and average overnight heart rate in 25 patients who underwent
      evaluation of heart failure. The multivariable model decreased the percentage
      error to 22.3% relative to invasive CO measured during cardiac catheterization.
      CONCLUSIONS: This improved automated noninvasive CO estimation using multiple
      variables meets a recently proposed performance criterion for clinical
      acceptability of noninvasive CO estimation, and compares very favorably with
      other available methods.

PMID- 27255598
TI  - Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 (PARP-1) Inhibitors Reduce Reactive Gliosis and
      Improve Angiostatin Levels in Retina of Diabetic Rats.
AB  - Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a multifactorial disease characterized by reactive
      gliosis and disbalance of angiogenesis regulators, contributing to endothelial
      dysfunction and microvascular complications. This study was organized to
      elucidate whether poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) inhibition could
      attenuate diabetes-induced damage to macroglia and correct angiogenic disbalance
      in diabetic rat retina. After 8 weeks of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes,
      Wistar male rats were treated with PARP-1 inhibitors, nicotinamide (NAm) or 3
      aminobenzamide (3-AB) (100 and 30 mg/kg/daily i.p., respectively), for 14 days.
      After the 10-weeks experiment period, retinas were undergone an
      immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), while
      western blots were performed to evaluate effects of PAPR-1 inhibitors on the
      levels of PARP-1, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated proteins (PARs), GFAP, and angiostatin
      isoforms. Diabetes induced significant up-regulation and activation of retinal
      PARP-1, reactive gliosis development, and GFAP overexpression compared to non
      diabetic control. Moreover, extensive fragmentation of both PARP-1 and GFAP
      (hallmarks of apoptosis and macroglia reactivation, respectively) in diabetic
      retina was also observed. Levels of angiostatin isoforms were dramatically
      decreased in diabetic retina, sustaining aberrant pro-angiogenic condition. Both
      NAm and 3-AB markedly attenuated damage to macroglia, evidenced by down
      regulation of PARP-1, PARs and total GFAP compared to diabetic non-treated group.
      PARP-1-inhibitory therapy prevented formation of PARP-1 and GFAP cleavage-derived
      products. In retinas of anti-PARP-treated diabetic animals, partial restoration
      of angiostatin's levels was shown. Therefore, PARP-1 inhibitors counteract
      diabetes-induced injuries and manifest retinoprotective effects, including
      attenuation of reactive gliosis and improvement of angiogenic status, thus, such
      agents could be considered as promising candidates for DR management.

PMID- 27255599
TI  - Taurine Pretreatment Prevents Isoflurane-Induced Cognitive Impairment by
      Inhibiting ER Stress-Mediated Activation of Apoptosis Pathways in the Hippocampus
      in Aged Rats.
AB  - Isoflurane, a commonly used inhalation anesthetic, may induce neurocognitive
      deficits, especially in elderly patients after surgery. Recent study demonstrated
      that isoflurane caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and subsequent neuronal
      apoptosis in the brain, contributing to cognitive deficits. Taurine, a major
      intracellular free amino acid, has been shown to inhibit ER stress and neuronal
      apoptosis in several neurological disorders. Here, we examined whether taurine
      can prevent isoflurane-induced ER stress and cognitive impairment in aged rats.
      Thirty minutes prior to a 4-h 1.3 % isoflurane exposure, aged rats were treated
      with vehicle or taurine at low, middle and high doses. Aged rats without any
      treatment served as control. The brains were harvested 6 h after isoflurane
      exposure for molecular measurements, and behavioral study was performed 2 weeks
      later. Compared with control, isoflurane increased expression of hippocampal ER
      stress biomarkers including glucose-regulated protein 78, phosphorylated (P-)
      inositol-requiring enzyme 1, P-eukaryotic initiation factor 2-alpha (EIF2alpha),
      activating transcription factor 4 (ATF-4), cleaved ATF-6 and C/EBP homologous
      protein, along with activation of apoptosis pathways as indicated by decreased B
      cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)/BCL2-associated X protein, increased expressions of
      cytochrome-c and cleaved caspase-3. Taurine pretreatment dose-dependently
      inhibited isoflurane-induced increase in expression of ER stress biomarkers
      except for P-EIF2alpha and ATF-4, and reversed isoflurane-induced changes in
      apoptosis-related proteins. Moreover, isoflurane caused spatial working memory
      deficits in aged rats, which were prevented by taurine pretreatment. The results
      indicate that taurine pretreatment prevents anesthetic isoflurane-induced
      cognitive impairment by inhibiting ER stress-mediated activation of apoptosis
      pathways in the hippocampus in aged rats.

PMID- 27255600
TI  - Cognition Enhancing Activity of Sulforaphane Against Scopolamine Induced
      Cognitive Impairment in Zebra Fish (Danio rerio).
AB  - Several epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of large quantities
      of vegetables especially cruciferous vegetables (Broccoli and Brussels sprouts)
      can protect against chronic diseases. Sulforaphane, an isothiocynate found in
      cruciferous vegetables has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects in
      several experimental paradigms. This study was undertaken to examine the effect
      of sulforaphane on cognitive impairment in zebra fish model using a novel method
      of fear conditioning. Initially, the normal behaviour of zebra fishes was studied
      in light-dark tank for 10 min daily for 10 days. Fishes were then divided into
      seven groups of twelve in each. Group I served as normal, group II served as fear
      conditioned control, group III and group IV were sulforaphane (25 uM/L) and
      piracetam (200 mg/L) treated respectively. Group V served as scopolamine (400
      uM/L) induced memory impairment fishes. Group VI and VII were sulforaphane (25
      uM/L) and piracetam (200 mg/L) treated scopolamine induced memory impairment
      groups respectively. In normal behavioural analysis, fishes preferred to stay in
      dark compartment. The average number of entries into the dark and time spent in
      dark were significantly more. Fishes in group II to VII were individually
      subjected to fear conditioning passive avoidance task and evaluated for learned
      task memory. It was observed that the average number of entries into dark and
      time spent in dark were significantly decreased. After exposure to respective
      treatment fishes in group III to VII were subjected to cognitive evaluation.
      There was no significant difference in cognition of group III and IV fishes
      exposed to sulforaphane and piracetam alone respectively. Fishes exposed to
      scopolamine showed a significant cognitive impairment. Sulforaphane exposure
      prior to scopolamine significantly retained the memory of learned task. These
      findings suggest that sulforaphane might be a promising therapeutic agent for
      cognitive enhancement in Alzheimer's disease.

PMID- 27255601
TI  - Arecoline Induces Neurotoxicity to PC12 Cells: Involvement in ER Stress and
      Disturbance of Endogenous H2S Generation.
AB  - Arecoline is a major alkaloid of areca nut and has been effect on central nervous
      system. Although arecoline-induced neurotoxicity has been reported, the possible
      underlying neurotoxic mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Increasing
      evidences have shown that both excessive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and
      disturbance of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production are involved in the
      pathophysiology of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Here, the purpose of
      present study was to verify whether ER stress and the disturbance of endogenous
      H2S generation are also involved in arecoline-caused neurotoxicity. We found that
      treatment of PC12 cells with arecoline induced the down-regulation of cells
      viability and up-regulation of apoptosis and the activity of caspase-3,
      indicating the neurotoxic role of arecoline to PC12 cells. In addition, arecoline
      also increased the expression of Bax (pro-apoptotic protein) and attenuated the
      expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein) in PC12 cells. Simultaneously,
      arecoline caused excessive ER stress in PC12 cells, as evidenced by the up
      regulations of Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer binding
      protein homologous protein (CHOP), and Cleaved caspase-12 expressions. Notably,
      the level of H2S in the culture supernatant and the expressions of cystathionine
      beta-synthase and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (two major enzymes for
      endogenous H2S generation in PC12 cells) were also reduced by arecoline
      treatment. These results indicate that arecoline-caused neurotoxicity to PC12
      cells is involved in ER stress and disturbance of endogenous H2S generation and
      suggest that the modulation of ER stress and endogenous H2S generation may be
      potential therapeutic approach in treatment of arecoline-caused neurotoxicity. 

PMID- 27255602
TI  - RNA Interference Silencing of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3beta Inhibites Tau
      Phosphorylation in Mice with Alzheimer Disease.
AB  - To explore the effect of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta) silencing on
      Tau-5 phosphorylation in mice suffering Alzheimer disease (AD). GSK-3beta was
      firstly silenced in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells using special lentivirus
      (LV) and the content of Tau (A-12), p-Tau (Ser396) and p-Tau (PHF-6) proteins.
      GSK-3beta was also silenced in APP/PS1 mouse model of AD mice, which were divided
      into three groups (n = 10): AD, vehicle, and LV group. Ten C57 mice were used as
      control. The memory ability of mice was tested by square water maze, and the
      morphological changes of hippocampus and neuron death were analyzed by
      haematoxylin-eosin staining. Moreover, the levels of Tau and phosphorylated Tau
      (p-Tau) were detected by western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively.
      The lentivirus-mediated GSK-3beta silencing system was successfully developed and
      silencing GSK-3beta at the cellular level reduced Tau phosphorylation obviously.
      Moreover, GSK-3beta silence significantly improved the memory ability of AD mice
      in LV group compared with AD group (P < 0.05) according to the latency periods
      and error numbers. As for the hippocampus morphology and neuron death, no
      significant change was observed between LV group and normal control.
      Immunohistochemical detection and western blotting revealed that the levels of
      Tau and p-Tau were significantly down-regulated after GSK-3beta silence.
      Silencing GSK-3beta may have a positive effect on inhibiting the pathologic
      progression of AD through down-regulating the level of p-Tau. 

PMID- 27255604
TI  - Effects of aortic root motion on wall stress in the Marfan aorta before and after
      personalised aortic root support (PEARS) surgery.
AB  - Aortic root motion was previously identified as a risk factor for aortic
      dissection due to increased longitudinal stresses in the ascending aorta. The aim
      of this study was to investigate the effects of aortic root motion on wall stress
      and strain in the ascending aorta and evaluate changes before and after
      implantation of personalised external aortic root support (PEARS). Finite element
      (FE) models of the aortic root and thoracic aorta were developed using patient
      specific geometries reconstructed from pre- and post-PEARS cardiovascular
      magnetic resonance (CMR) images in three Marfan patients. The wall and PEARS
      materials were assumed to be isotropic, incompressible and linearly elastic. A
      static load on the inner wall corresponding to the patients' pulse pressure was
      applied. Cardiovascular MR cine images were used to quantify aortic root motion,
      which was imposed at the aortic root boundary of the FE model, with zero
      displacement constraints at the distal ends of the aortic branches and descending
      aorta. Measurements of the systolic downward motion of the aortic root revealed a
      significant reduction in the axial displacement in all three patients post-PEARS
      compared with its pre-PEARS counterparts. Higher longitudinal stresses were
      observed in the ascending aorta when compared with models without the root
      motion. Implantation of PEARS reduced the longitudinal stresses in the ascending
      aorta by up to 52%. In contrast, the circumferential stresses at the interface
      between the supported and unsupported aorta were increase by up to 82%. However,
      all peak stresses were less than half the known yield stress for the dilated
      thoracic aorta.

PMID- 27255603
TI  - Deletion of Brg1 causes abnormal hair cell planer polarity, hair cell anchorage,
      and scar formation in mouse cochlea.
AB  - Hair cells (HCs) are mechanosensors that play crucial roles in perceiving sound,
      acceleration, and fluid motion. The precise architecture of the auditory
      epithelium and its repair after HC loss is indispensable to the function of organ
      of Corti (OC). In this study, we showed that Brg1 was highly expressed in
      auditory HCs. Specific deletion of Brg1 in postnatal HCs resulted in rapid HC
      degeneration and profound deafness in mice. Further experiments showed that cell
      intrinsic polarity of HCs was abolished, docking of outer hair cells (OHCs) by
      Deiter's cells (DCs) failed, and scar formation in the reticular lamina was
      deficient. We demonstrated that Brg1 ablation disrupted the Galphai/Insc/LGN and
      aPKC asymmetric distributions, without overt effects on the core planer cell
      polarity (PCP) pathway. We also demonstrated that Brg1-deficient HCs underwent
      apoptosis, and that leakage in the reticular lamina caused by deficient scar
      formation shifted the mode of OHC death from apoptosis to necrosis. Together,
      these data demonstrated a requirement for Brg1 activity in HC development and
      suggested a role for Brg1 in the proper cellular structure formation of HCs.

PMID- 27255605
TI  - Optimizing nutrient channel spacing and revisiting TGF-beta in large engineered
      cartilage constructs.
AB  - Cartilage tissue engineering is a promising approach to treat osteoarthritis.
      However, current techniques produce tissues too small for clinical relevance.
      Increasingly close-packed channels have helped overcome nutrient transport
      limitations in centimeter-sized chondrocyte-agarose constructs, yet optimal
      channel spacings to recapitulate native cartilage compositional and mechanical
      properties in constructs this large have not been identified. Transient active
      TGF-beta treatment consistently reproduces native compressive Young's modulus
      (EY) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in constructs, but standard dosages of
      10ng/mL exacerbate matrix heterogeneity. To ultimately produce articular layer
      sized constructs, we must first optimize channel spacing and investigate the role
      of TGF-beta in the utility of channels. We cultured ?10mm constructs with 0, 12,
      19, or 27 nutrient channels (?1mm) for 6-8 weeks with 0, 1, or 10ng/mL TGF-beta;
      subsequently we analyzed them mechanically, biochemically, and histologically.
      Constructs with 12 or 19 channels grew the most favorably, reaching EY=344+/
      113kPa and GAG and collagen contents of 10.8+/-1.2% and 2.2+/-0.2% of construct
      wet weight, respectively. Constructs with 27 channels had significantly less
      deposited GAG than other groups. Channeled constructs given 1 or 10ng/mL TGF-beta
      developed similar properties. Without TGF-beta, constructs with 0 or 12 channels
      exhibited properties that were indistinguishable, and lower than TGF-beta
      supplemented constructs. Taken together, these results emphasize that nutrient
      channels are effective only in the presence of TGF-beta, and indicate that
      spacings equivalent to 12 channels in ?10mm constructs can be employed in
      articular-layer-sized constructs with reduced dosages of TGF-beta.

PMID- 27255606
TI  - Can a linear combination of gait principal component vectors identify hip OA
      stages?
AB  - Hip osteoarthritis (OA) has been shown to affect gait patterns of lower
      extremities. However, until now, no specific identifying gait characteristics for
      the various disease stages of hip OA have emerged. The present study addresses
      the following questions: (1) does a vector-based principal component analysis
      (PCA) discriminate between various disease stages? And, is this analysis more
      robust than using discrete gait variables? (2) Does the elimination of
      differences in walking speed affect the discriminatory robustness of a vector
      based PCA? De-identified data sets of forty-five unilateral hip OA patients with
      varying disease stages and twenty-three age-matched, healthy control subjects
      were obtained from an available repository. PCA was performed on trial matrices
      consisting of all external joint moments and sagittal joint angles of one full
      gait cycle. Group differences in sagittal angles, external moments and the linear
      combination of PC vectors were investigated using spatial parameter mapping
      (SPM), a statistical vector field test. Several individual gait variables (i.e.
      joint moments or angles) demonstrated differences between healthy and moderately
      and/or severely affected subjects. Only the hip adduction moment could
      discriminate between the healthy and the early-stage OA group. There was no
      variable that could distinguish between all OA disease stages. In contrast, the
      linear combination of PC vectors demonstrated significant group differences
      between all stages of osteoarthritis; furthermore, these group differences stayed
      significant when matched speeds were input to the model.

PMID- 27255607
TI  - The Design of the Internet's Architecture by the Internet Engineering Task Force
      (IETF) and Human Rights.
AB  - The debate on whether and how the Internet can protect and foster human rights
      has become a defining issue of our time. This debate often focuses on Internet
      governance from a regulatory perspective, underestimating the influence and power
      of the governance of the Internet's architecture. The technical decisions made by
      Internet Standard Developing Organisations (SDOs) that build and maintain the
      technical infrastructure of the Internet influences how information flows. They
      rearrange the shape of the technically mediated public sphere, including which
      rights it protects and which practices it enables. In this article, we contribute
      to the debate on SDOs' ethical responsibility to bring their work in line with
      human rights. We defend three theses. First, SDOs' work is inherently political.
      Second, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), one of the most influential
      SDOs, has a moral obligation to ensure its work is coherent with, and fosters,
      human rights. Third, the IETF should enable the actualisation of human rights
      through the protocols and standards it designs by implementing a responsibility
      by-design approach to engineering. We conclude by presenting some initial
      recommendations on how to ensure that work carried out by the IETF may enable
      human rights.

PMID- 27255608
TI  - Caregiving burden and gain among adult-child caregivers caring for parents with
      dementia in China: the partial mediating role of reciprocal filial piety.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The majority of the family caregivers are adult children in China.
      The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of reciprocal filial
      piety (RFP) between the care recipient's behavioral and psychological symptoms of
      dementia (BPSD) and the caregiver's burden or gain among adult-child caregivers
      caring for parents with dementia in China. METHODS: Using Kramer's caregiver
      adaptation model as the research framework, a cross-sectional survey collected
      data from 401 adult-child caregivers caring for parents with dementia from
      hospitals in China. RESULTS: Results of the regression analysis revealed that
      after adjusting for covariates, the regression coefficient between care
      recipient's BPSD and caregiver burden reduced from c = 1.01 to c' = 0.91 when
      controlling for RFP. Using the bootstrap approach, the estimated indirect effect
      through RFP between care recipient's BPSD and caregiver burden was 0.11 (95% CI:
      0.03, 0.20). The mediation proportion was 11%. The absolute value of the
      regression coefficient between care recipient's BPSD and caregiver gain reduced
      from c = -0.75 to c' = -0.63 when controlling for RFP. The bootstrapped estimate
      of the indirect effect through RFP between care recipient's BPSD and caregiver
      gain was -0.12 (95% CI: -0.18, -0.07). The mediation proportion was 12%.
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the effect of care recipient's BPSD on
      caregiver's burden/gain may be related to the level of RFP among adult-child
      caregivers in China.

PMID- 27255609
TI  - Cortisol during human fetal life: Characterization of a method for processing
      small quantities of newborn hair from 26 to 42 weeks gestation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fetal cortisol may be reflected in hair collected shortly after birth.
      The objective of this study was to determine the range of human fetal hair
      cortisol concentrations (HCC) in live-born neonates using an approach for
      processing small quantities of hair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hair was cut on the
      day of birth from neonates and their mothers, born between 26 and 42 weeks
      gestational age (GA). HCC was determined by enzyme immunoassay. Maternal
      sociodemographics and birth data were collected. T-tests, ANOVA, Pearson
      correlation, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test were used as appropriate. RESULTS:
      Ninety maternal and neonatal hair samples were cut from 79 term (T) and 11
      preterm (PT) delivered pregnancies. All samples weighed >=2.5 mg. Fetal HCC
      correlated with GA (r = .25, p = .02) and birth weight (r = .25, p = .03) and was
      lower in PT (4.3 +/- .3 LN pg/mg) than T (5.3 +/- .1, LN pg/mg, p < .001)
      neonates. No significant relationships were seen between fetal HCC and maternal
      characteristics or maternal HCC. Fetal HCC was significantly higher than maternal
      HCC. CONCLUSION: Fetal cortisol exposure was determined using this approach for
      processing small amounts of hair. Preterm neonates have significantly lower HCC
      than term neonates and fetal HCC is associated with GA at delivery and birth
      weight. Fetal HCC is significantly higher than maternal HCC cut on the same day.
      These data provide novel information on the intrauterine fetal cortisol
      environment.

PMID- 27255610
TI  - Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Regulates Epidermal Barrier Response and Desmosomal
      Structure.
AB  - Ca(2+) fluxes direct keratinocyte differentiation, cell-to-cell adhesion,
      migration, and epidermal barrier homeostasis. We previously showed that
      intracellular Ca(2+) stores constitute a major portion of the calcium gradient
      especially in the stratum granulosum. Loss of the calcium gradient triggers
      epidermal barrier homeostatic responses. In this report, using unfixed ex vivo
      epidermis and human epidermal equivalents we show that endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      Ca(2+) is released in response to barrier perturbation, and that this release
      constitutes the major shift in epidermal Ca(2+) seen after barrier perturbation.
      We find that ER Ca(2+) release correlates with a transient increase in
      extracellular Ca(2+). Lastly, we show that ER calcium release resulting from
      barrier perturbation triggers transient desmosomal remodeling, seen as an
      increase in extracellular space and a loss of the desmosomal intercellular
      midline. Topical application of thapsigargin, which inhibits the ER Ca(2+) ATPase
      activity without compromising barrier integrity, also leads to desmosomal
      remodeling and loss of the midline structure. These experiments establish the ER
      Ca(2+) store as a master regulator of the Ca(2+) gradient response to epidermal
      barrier perturbation, and suggest that ER Ca(2+) homeostasis also modulates
      normal desmosomal reorganization, both at rest and after acute barrier
      perturbation.

PMID- 27255612
TI  - How Regrouping Alerts in Computerized Physician Order Entry Layout Influences
      Physicians' Prescription Behavior: Results of a Crossover Randomized Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As demonstrated in several publications, low positive predictive
      value alerts in computerized physician order entry (CPOE) induce fatigue and may
      interrupt physicians unnecessarily during prescription of medication. Although it
      is difficult to increase the consideration of medical alerts by physician through
      an improvement of their predictive value, another approach consists to act on the
      way they are presented. The interruption management model inspired us to propose
      an alternative alert display strategy of regrouping the alerts in the screen
      layout, as a possible solution for reducing the interruption in physicians'
      workflow. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we compared 2 CPOE designs based on a
      particular alert presentation strategy: one design involved regrouping the alerts
      in a single place on the screen, and in the other, the alerts were located next
      to the triggering information. Our objective was to evaluate experimentally
      whether the new design led to fewer interruptions in workflow and if it affected
      alert handling. METHODS: The 2 CPOE designs were compared in a controlled
      crossover randomized trial. All interactions with the system and eye movements
      were stored for quantitative analysis. RESULTS: The study involved a group of 22
      users consisting of physicians and medical students who solved medical scenarios
      containing prescription tasks. Scenario completion time was shorter when the
      alerts were regrouped (mean 117.29 seconds, SD 36.68) than when disseminated on
      the screen (mean 145.58 seconds, SD 75.07; P=.045). Eye tracking revealed that
      physicians fixated longer on alerts in the classic design (mean 119.71 seconds,
      SD 76.77) than in the centralized alert design (mean 70.58 seconds, SD 33.53;
      P=.001). Visual switches between prescription and alert areas, indicating
      interruption, were reduced with centralized alerts (mean 41.29, SD 21.26)
      compared with the classic design (mean 57.81, SD 35.97; P=.04). Prescription
      behavior (ie, prescription changes after alerting), however, did not change
      significantly between the 2 strategies of display. The After-Scenario
      Questionnaire (ASQ) that was filled out after each scenario showed that overall
      satisfaction was significantly rated lower when alerts were regrouped (mean 4.37,
      SD 1.23) than when displayed next to the triggering information (mean 5.32, SD
      0.94; P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Centralization of alerts in a table might be a way to
      motivate physicians to manage alerts more actively, in a meaningful way, rather
      than just being interrupted by them. Our study could not provide clear
      recommendations yet, but provides objective data through a cognitive
      psychological approach. Future tests should work on standardized scenarios that
      would enable to not only measure physicians' behavior (visual fixations and
      handling of alerts) but also validate those actions using clinical criteria.

PMID- 27255611
TI  - Nutrient shortage triggers the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway via the GCN2-ATF4
      signalling pathway.
AB  - The hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) is a nutrient-sensing metabolic pathway
      that produces the activated amino sugar UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, a critical
      substrate for protein glycosylation. Despite its biological significance, little
      is known about the regulation of HBP flux during nutrient limitation. Here, we
      report that amino acid or glucose shortage increase GFAT1 production, the first
      and rate-limiting enzyme of the HBP. GFAT1 is a transcriptional target of the
      activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) induced by the GCN2-eIF2alpha signalling
      pathway. The increased production of GFAT1 stimulates HBP flux and results in an
      increase in O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine protein modifications. Taken
      together, these findings demonstrate that ATF4 provides a link between
      nutritional stress and the HBP for the regulation of the O-GlcNAcylation
      dependent cellular signalling.

PMID- 27255613
TI  - Corrigendum: Diverse human extracellular RNAs are widely detected in human
      plasma.

PMID- 27255614
TI  - Extra fees for uninsured services.

PMID- 27255615
TI  - [Frais accessoires].

PMID- 27255616
TI  - Social accountability: Nunavut perspective.

PMID- 27255617
TI  - Greener medical homes: Environmental responsibility in family medicine.

PMID- 27255618
TI  - Ecology of family physicians' research engagement.

PMID- 27255619
TI  - [Responsabilite sociale: Perspective du Nunavut].

PMID- 27255620
TI  - Update on the new 9-valent vaccine for human papillomavirus prevention.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To provide family physicians with information on the efficacy, safety,
      public health effects, and cost-effectiveness of the 9-valent human
      papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: Relevant publications in
      PubMed up to May 2015 were reviewed and analyzed. Most evidence cited is level I
      (randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses) or level II (cross-sectional,
      case-control, and epidemiologic studies). Government reports and recommendations
      are also referenced. MAIN MESSAGE: The 9-valent HPV vaccine, which protects
      against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, is safe and effective
      and will further reduce the incidence of HPV infection, as well as HPV-related
      cancers. It can also indirectly protect unvaccinated individuals through herd
      immunity. With an effective vaccination program, most cervical cancers can be
      prevented. Analyses show that the cost-effectiveness of the 9-valent HPV vaccine
      in female patients is comparable to the original quadrivalent HPV vaccine (which
      protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18) currently in use. However, the
      usefulness of vaccinating male patients with the 9-valent HPV vaccine needs
      further investigation. CONCLUSION: The 9-valent HPV vaccine offers more
      protection against HPV than the quadrivalent HPV vaccine does and is as safe.
      Analysis of cost-effectiveness favours its use, at least in adolescent girls.
      Therefore, physicians should recommend the 9-valent HPV vaccine to patients
      instead of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine.

PMID- 27255621
TI  - Acyclovir for herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.
AB  - QUESTION: Every year I see preschool children with gingivostomatitis. There seems
      to be quite a substantial burden of illness with this condition. Because it is
      caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, should I prescribe antiherpetic therapy
      with oral acyclovir? ANSWER: While most children with primary gingivostomatitis
      will be asymptomatic, some will experience considerable pain and discomfort and
      are at risk of dehydration. There are no large, well designed studies to clearly
      determine appropriate therapy for all children. Based on a single randomized
      study, treatment should be started only within the first 72 hours of symptom
      onset if substantial pain or dehydration are documented.

PMID- 27255622
TI  - Deep tissue infection of the perineum: Case report and literature review of
      Fournier gangrene.

PMID- 27255623
TI  - Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations: Interview with Dr Jean Pierre Arseneau.

PMID- 27255625
TI  - Pharmacologic management of COPD: Breadth of products for encouraging a breath of
      air.

PMID- 27255624
TI  - Is less more with isotretinoin and acne?

PMID- 27255626
TI  - What's sewn in.

PMID- 27255627
TI  - Beyond frozen ground: Climate change and health.

PMID- 27255629
TI  - [Les medecins d'urgence repondent aux besoins de la communaute].

PMID- 27255628
TI  - Feedback in family medicine training.

PMID- 27255630
TI  - Emergency physicians respond to community needs.

PMID- 27255631
TI  - [Des centres de medecine plus ecologiques: Responsabilite environnementale en
      medecine familiale].

PMID- 27255632
TI  - [L'ecologie de l'engagement des medecins de famille dans la recherche].

PMID- 27255633
TI  - [Prise en charge pharmacologique de la BPCO: Un eventail de produits pour
      insuffler une bouffee d'air].

PMID- 27255634
TI  - Providing continuity of care to a specific population: Attracting new family
      physicians.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors that influence newly licensed family physicians
      in their decision to provide continuity of care to a specific primary care
      population. DESIGN: Mixed-methods study that included a self-administered online
      questionnaire for family physicians followed by individual interviews. SETTING:
      Monteregie, the second-most populated region of Quebec, with rural and urban
      areas. PARTICIPANTS: All family physicians with 10 or fewer years of work
      experience who were practising in Monteregie were contacted (366 physicians). Of
      this group, 118 completed the online questionnaire (response rate of 32.2%). Of
      the respondents, 10 physicians with varied continuity of care profiles were
      selected for individual interviews. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The percentage of work
      time spent on continuity of care analyzed in conjunction with factors that
      support or present barriers to continuity of care at the contextual and
      organizational levels and for family physicians and patients. RESULTS: The main
      factors that facilitate continuity of care are the physician-patient
      relationship, interest in clinical continuity of care activities, positive role
      models, working alongside a nurse, and adequate access to resources, specifically
      mental health resources. The main barriers are the scope of administrative
      duties, interest in a comprehensive practice, a negative experience of continuity
      of care during training, a sense of inadequacy with respect to continuity of
      care, a heavy case load, and a lack of support in the first years of practice.
      CONCLUSION: Possible ways to encourage newly licensed family physicians to
      provide continuity of care to a specific population are offered. Areas for
      improvement include medical training, administrative support, and human
      resources.

PMID- 27255635
TI  - [Au-dela du gelisol Le changement climatique et la sante].

PMID- 27255636
TI  - [Retroaction efficace durant la residence en medecine familiale].

PMID- 27255637
TI  - Linoelaidic acid enhances adipogenic differentiation in adipose tissue-derived
      stromal cells through suppression of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in vitro.
AB  - Obesity has become a major health problem which is related with high-trans fatty
      acids diet. Adipogenic differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells
      (ADSCs) plays an important role in the development of adipose tissue. In order to
      determine the effect of trans fatty acids on adipogenic differentiation in ADSCs,
      cells were treated with linoelaidic acid, as well as linoleic acid and linolenic
      acid. We found that linoelaidic acid significantly increased the lipid droplet
      formation and triglyceride content compared with linoleic acid and linolenic
      acid. Linoelaidic acid also down-regulated the levels of beta-catenin in cells
      and inhibited the accumulation of beta-catenin in cell nuclei. Lithium chloride,
      an activator of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, antagonized the enhancement of
      linoelaidic acid on adipogenesis and up-regulated the levels of beta-catenin in
      ADSCs. These results indicated that linoelaidic acid could enhance the adipogenic
      differentiation in ADSCs in vitro, which is partly due to the suppression of
      Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.

PMID- 27255638
TI  - Reducing dietary intake of linoleic acid of mouse dams during lactation increases
      offspring brain n-3 LCPUFA content.
AB  - Omega (n-)3 and n-6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) accumulation
      in the infant brain after birth is strongly driven by dietary supply of n-3 and n
      6 LCPUFAs and their C18 precursors through breast milk or infant formula. n-3
      LCPUFA accretion is associated with positive effects on neurodevelopmental
      outcome whereas high n-6 LCPUFA accumulation is considered disadvantageous.
      Maternal diet is crucial for breast milk fatty acid composition. Unfortunately,
      global increases in linoleic acid (C18:2n-6; LA) intake have dramatically
      increased n-6 LCPUFA and reduced n-3 LCPUFA availability for breastfed infants.
      We investigated the effects of reducing maternal dietary LA, or increasing n-3
      LCPUFA, during lactation on milk and offspring brain fatty acids in mice.
      Offspring brain n-3 LCPUFA was higher following both interventions, although
      effects were mediated by different mechanisms. Because of competitive
      interactions between n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, lowering maternal LA intake may
      support neurodevelopment in breastfed infants.

PMID- 27255639
TI  - Astrocyte arachidonate and palmitate uptake and metabolism is differentially
      modulated by dibutyryl-cAMP treatment.
AB  - Astrocytes play a vital role in brain lipid metabolism; however the impact of the
      phenotypic shift in astrocytes to a reactive state on arachidonic acid metabolism
      is unknown. Therefore, we determined the impact of dibutyryl-cAMP (dBcAMP)
      treatment on radiolabeled arachidonic acid ([1-(14)C]20:4n-6) and palmitic acid
      ([1-(14)C]16:0) uptake and metabolism in primary cultured murine cortical
      astrocytes. In dBcAMP treated astrocytes, total [1-(14)C]20:4n-6 uptake was
      increased 1.9-fold compared to control, while total [1-(14)C]16:0 uptake was
      unaffected. Gene expression of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases (Acsl), acyl-CoA
      hydrolase (Acot7), fatty acid binding protein(s) (Fabp) and alpha-synuclein
      (Snca) were determined using qRT-PCR. dBcAMP treatment increased expression of
      Acsl3 (4.8-fold) and Acsl4 (1.3-fold), which preferentially use [1-(14)C]20:4n-6
      and are highly expressed in astrocytes, consistent with the increase in [1
      (14)C]20:4n-6 uptake. However, expression of Fabp5 and Fabp7 were significantly
      reduced by 25% and 45%, respectively. Acot7 (20%) was also reduced, suggesting
      dBcAMP treatment favors acyl-CoA formation. dBcAMP treatment enhanced [1
      (14)C]20:4n-6 (2.2-fold) and [1-(14)C]16:0 (1.6-fold) esterification into total
      phospholipids, but the greater esterification of [1-(14)C]20:4n-6 is consistent
      with the observed uptake through increased Acsl, but not Fabp expression.
      Although total [1-(14)C]16:0 uptake was not affected, there was a dramatic
      decrease in [1-(14)C]16:0 in the free fatty acid pool as esterification into the
      phospholipid pool was increased, which is consistent with the increase in Acsl3
      and Acsl4 expression. In summary, our data demonstrates that dBcAMP treatment
      increases [1-(14)C]20:4n-6 uptake in astrocytes and this increase appears to be
      due to increased expression of Acsl3 and Acsl4 coupled with a reduction in Acot7
      expression.

PMID- 27255640
TI  - The role of endogenous opioid peptides in the antinociceptive effect of 15
      deoxy(Delta12,14)-prostaglandin J2 in the temporomandibular joint.
AB  - We have previously demonstrated that peripheral administration of 15d-PGJ2 in the
      Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of rats can prevent nociceptor sensitization,
      mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma), and
      kappa- and delta- opioid receptors. However, the mechanism that underlies the
      signaling of PPAR-gamma (upon activation by 15d-PGJ2) to induce antinociception,
      and how the opioid receptors are activated via 15d-PGJ2 are not fully understood.
      This study demonstrates that peripheral antinociceptive effect of 15d-PGJ2 is
      mediated by PPAR-gamma expressed in the inflammatory cells of TMJ tissues. Once
      activated by 15d-PGJ2, PPAR-gamma induces the release of beta-endorphin and
      dynorphin, which activates kappa- and delta-opioid receptors in primary sensory
      neurons to induce the antinociceptive effect.

PMID- 27255641
TI  - Low immune cell ARA and high plasma 12-HETE and 17-HDHA in iron-deficient South
      African school children with allergy.
AB  - Allergy has been associated with altered fatty acid and inflammatory status. In
      this cross-sectional study of 321 rural iron deficient (ID) South African
      children (aged 6-11 years), a subsample (n=111) of children with parent-reported
      allergy data were divided into an allergic (n=30) and non-allergic (n=81) group
      and compared. PBMC arachidonic acid (ARA; P=0.010) and the PBMC ARA to dihomo
      gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) ratio (P=0.035) were lower in the allergic children.
      Plasma 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and 17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (17
      HDHA) were higher (P=0.040 and 0.020, respectively) in the allergic group. Thus,
      a fatty acid composition and lipid mediator levels indicative of increased
      release of ARA from PBMC membranes, increased inflammation as well as the
      resolving thereof, were associated with parent-reported allergy symptoms. This
      study used baseline data of an intervention study which was registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01092377.

PMID- 27255642
TI  - People with schizophrenia and depression have a low omega-3 index.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is higher in people with mental illness and is
      associated with a 30 year higher mortality rate in this population. Erythrocyte
      docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plus eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (omega-3 index)<=4%
      is a marker for increased mortality risk from CVD while >8% is protective. Omega
      3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are also important for brain function and may
      ameliorate symptoms of mental illness. We investigated the erythrocyte omega-3
      index in people with mental illness. One hundred and thirty adults aged 18-65
      years (32.6% male) with schizophrenia (n=14) and depression (n=116) provided
      blood samples and completed physiological assessments and questionnaires. Both
      populations had risk factors for metabolic syndrome and CVD. The average omega-3
      index was 3.95% (SD=1.06), compared to an estimated 5% in the Australian
      population. These data indicate an unfavourable omega-3 profile in people with
      mental illness that could contribute to higher CVD risk.

PMID- 27255643
TI  - MicroRNA-125b: association with disease activity and the treatment response of
      patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression by
      targeting mRNA. It was proved that some miRNAs are significantly deregulated in
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MicroRNA-125b negatively regulates expression of TNF
      alpha, which plays a crucial role in RA pathogenesis. The aim of this study was
      to determine the treatment outcome of patients with early RA based on the
      expression of circulating and cellular miR-125b. METHODS: Total RNA was isolated
      from the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 58 patients
      with early RA before and three months after treatment initiation and of 54 age-
      and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). The expression of miR-125b was measured by
      TaqMan quantitative PCR. The treatment responders were defined as patients
      achieving remission or low disease activity (28-joint count disease activity
      score (DAS28) <3.2). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and stepwise
      backward multivariable logistic regression analyses of miR-125b expression were
      used to predict the disease outcome at three and six months after initiation of
      treatment. RESULTS: The expression of miR-125b in the PBMCs and plasma of
      treatment-naive early RA patients was significantly lower than that of HC and
      increased significantly after three months of treatment, particularly in
      responders. However, only the cellular expression of miR-125b was inversely
      correlated with disease activity. MiR-125b expression in PBMCs was higher in
      responders than in non-responders after three months (p = 0.042). Using ROC
      analysis, the cellular expression of miR-125b, but not the disease activity at
      baseline, predicted the treatment response after three months of therapy (area
      under the curve 0.652 (95 % CI 0.510 to 0.793); p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: The
      expression of miR-125b in PBMCs of treatment-naive patients may present a novel
      biomarker for monitoring the treatment outcome during the early phase of RA.

PMID- 27255644
TI  - Hyponatremia at discharge as a predictor of 12-month clinical outcomes in
      hospital survivors after acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - Hyponatremia in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a well
      known predictor of poor prognosis. However, little is known about the clinical
      implication of sodium levels at discharge in hospital survivors after AMI. The
      study included 1290 consecutive patients (64 +/- 12 years; 877 men) who survived
      the index hospitalization after AMI. We determined the 12-month mortality rates
      of these patients. Patients who died during the 12-month follow-up had lower
      sodium levels at discharge than those who had survived (137 +/- 6 vs. 139 +/- 4
      mmol/L; P < 0.014). Hyponatremia at discharge, defined as a serum sodium level
      <=135 mmol/L, was present in 210 patients (16.3 %). In the Cox-proportional
      hazard model, hyponatremia at discharge (hazard ratio, 2.264; 95 % confidence
      interval, 1.119-4.579; P = 0.023) was an independent predictor of 12-month
      mortality. Moreover, hyponatremia at discharge had an incremental prognostic
      value over conventional risk factors (chi 2 = 7, P = 0.007), and conventional
      risk factors and log N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide combined (chi 2 =
      5, P = 0.021). In the subgroup analysis, the 12-month mortality of patients with
      hyponatremia at discharge was significantly higher than in those without,
      irrespective of age, Killip class, left ventricular ejection fraction,
      percutaneous coronary intervention at index hospitalization, and prescription of
      diuretics at discharge. Hyponatremia at discharge is an independent predictor of
      12-month mortality in hospital survivors after AMI.

PMID- 27255645
TI  - iMAPTM imaging of tumorous lesions surrounding the coronary arteries in a patient
      with an elevated serum level of immunoglobulin G4.
AB  - A 76-year-old woman with multiple coronary risk factors was admitted to our
      hospital because of episodes of new-onset chest pain that had begun 3 days
      previously. She underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for severe
      stenoses in the two high lateral (HL) branches. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
      revealed massive stenotic lesions in the HL branches and tumorous nonstenotic
      lesions in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and the left
      circumflex coronary artery (LCx). iMAPTM, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and
      coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) were performed. iMAP depicted
      fibrosis in the vessel (green areas) and nonfibrotic tissue change suggestive of
      inflammation outside the vessel (yellow/red areas). OCT revealed high-intensity
      homogenous intimal hyperplasia with superficial calcification, and CCTA showed
      massive periarterial soft lesions in the HL, LAD, and LCx. The serum IgG4 level
      was high at 252-427 mg/dL (8 measurements) (reference range, 4.8-105.0 mg/dL). We
      suspected IgG4-related coronary periarteritis on the basis of the comprehensive
      diagnostic criteria as a possible diagnosis. The clinical course was good after
      initial and subsequent PCIs for both the HL stenoses and the progressing LCx
      stenosis, and there was no recurrence of angina pectoris thereafter. Steroids
      were not administered because the massive lesions did not enlarge during the 16
      months of follow-up. iMAP was able to evaluate the tissue characteristics of
      tumorous lesions in the stenosed HL branches and the nonstenotic LAD and LCx in a
      patient with an elevated level of IgG4.

PMID- 27255647
TI  - Effect of Gaussian curvature modulus on the shape of deformed hollow spherical
      objects.
AB  - A popular description of soft membranes uses the surface curvature energy
      introduced by Helfrich, which includes a spontaneous curvature parameter. In this
      paper we show how the Helfrich formula can also be of interest for a wider class
      of spherical elastic surfaces, namely with shear elasticity, and likely to model
      other deformable hollow objects. The key point is that when a stress-free state
      with spherical symmetry exists before subsequent deformation, its
      straightforwardly determined curvature ("geometrical spontaneous curvature")
      differs most of the time from the Helfrich spontaneous curvature parameter that
      should be considered in order to have the model being correctly used. Using the
      geometrical curvature in a set of independent parameters unveils the role of the
      Gaussian curvature modulus, which appears to play on the shape of an elastic
      surface even though this latter is closed, contrary to what happens for surfaces
      without spontaneous curvature. In appendices, clues are given to apply this
      alternative and convenient formulation of the elastic surface model to the
      particular case of thin spherical shells of isotropic material (TSSIMs). 

PMID- 27255646
TI  - Latent pathogenicity of the G38S polymorphism of KCNE1 K+ channel modulator.
AB  - KCNE1 encodes a modulator of KCNQ1 and KCNH2 channels. Although KCNE1(G38S), a
      single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) causing a G38S substitution in KCNE1, is
      found frequently, whether and how this SNP causes long QT syndrome (LQTS) remains
      unclear. We evaluated rate-dependent repolarization dynamics using Holter
      electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess the pathogenicity of KCNE1(G38S). Forty-five
      patients exhibiting long QT intervals, as assessed by their baseline ECGs, and 16
      control subjects were enrolled. KCNE1(G38S) carriers were identified using genome
      sequencing. LQTS patients were classified into LQT1 or LQT2 using genetic
      analysis or epinephrine test. QT-RR relations were determined using 24-h Holter
      ECG recordings. Among the 15 patients (33.3 %) with KCNE1(G38S), four patients
      without any mutations or amino acid changes in other major cardiac ion channels
      were categorized as KCNE1(G38S) carriers. In the QT-RR regression lines, the QT
      RR slope was greater in the KCNE1(G38S) carriers and the LQT2 patients (0.215 +/-
      0.021 and 0.207 +/- 0.032, respectively) than in the LQT1 patients (0.163 +/-
      0.014, P < 0.05) and the control subjects (0.135 +/- 0.025, P < 0.001). The
      calculated QT intervals at an RR interval of 1200 ms were longer in the
      KCNE1(G38S) carriers and LQT1 and LQT2 patients than in the control subjects.
      Patients with KCNE1(G38S) had a rate-dependent repolarization abnormality similar
      to patients with LQT2 and, therefore, may have a potential risk to develop lethal
      arrhythmias.

PMID- 27255649
TI  - Paediatric life support courses for health centres in low and middle income
      countries.

PMID- 27255648
TI  - Economic cost analysis of malaria case management at the household level during
      the malaria elimination phase in The People's Republic of China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In China, malaria has been posing a significant economic burden on
      households. To evaluate malaria economic burden in terms of both direct and
      indirect costs has its meaning in improving the effectiveness of malaria
      elimination program in China. METHODS: A number of study sites (eight counties in
      five provinces) were selected from the malaria endemic area in China,
      representing the different levels of malaria incidence, risk classification,
      economic development. A number of households with malaria cases (n = 923) were
      surveyed during the May to December in 2012 to collect information on malaria
      economic burden. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the basic
      profiles of selected malaria cases in terms of their gender, age group,
      occupation and malaria type. The malaria economic costs were evaluated by direct
      and indirect costs. Comparisons were carried out by using the chi-square test (or
      Z-test) and the Mann-Whitney U test among malaria cases with reference to
      local/imported malaria patients, hospitalized/out patients, and treatment
      hospitals. RESULTS: The average cost of malaria per case was 1 691.23 CNY (direct
      cost was 735.41 CNY and indirect cost was 955.82 CNY), which accounted for 11.1 %
      of a household's total income. The average costs per case for local and imported
      malaria were 1 087.58 CNY and 4271.93 CNY, respectively. The average cost of a
      malaria patient being diagnosed and treated in a hospital at the county level or
      above (3 975.43 CNY) was 4.23 times higher than that of malaria patient being
      diagnosed and treated at a village or township hospital (938.80 CNY). CONCLUSION:
      This study found that malaria has been posing a significant economic burden on
      households in terms of direct and indirect costs. There is a need to improve the
      effectiveness of interventions in order to reduce the impact costs of malaria,
      especially of imported infections, in order to eliminate the disease in China.

PMID- 27255650
TI  - Disparities in time trends of cervical cancer mortality rates in Brazil.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to correct and describe cervical cancer mortality rates
      and trends by regions and age-groups in Brazil. It may help planning and
      implementing policies for cervical cancer control. METHODS: Data from 2003 to
      2012 were accessed through the centralized national mortality database.
      Correction of the age-specific mortality rates was done by proportional
      redistribution of ill-defined causes of death and deaths coded as 'uterine, part
      unspecified'. Annual percentage change (APC) was obtained by trend analysis
      (Joinpoint regression). RESULTS: In the 10-year period, cancer and ill-defined
      causes corresponded, respectively, to 18.9 and 10.8 % of all deaths (except
      injuries). The proportion of ill-defined causes was reduced by more than a half
      in the period. The age-standardized cervical cancer mortality rate was 7.2 per
      100,000 women-years after correction. The total increase in rates after
      corrections was 50.5 %. A significant decreasing trend in rates was observed at
      the national level (APC = -0.17, p < 0.001). North was the only region that did
      not show a decreasing significant trend (APC + 0.07, p = 0.28). Decreasing trends
      were restricted to age-groups over 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: A consistent decreasing
      trend of cervical cancer mortality rates in Brazil from 2003 to 2012 was
      observed, although this was not consistent in all regions and restricted to older
      age-groups. Quality of data needs to be improved. Cancer control policies may
      consider the differences in access to care and the characteristics of regions to
      improve their efficiency.

PMID- 27255652
TI  - FLT-PET/CT diagnosis of primary and metastatic nodal lesions of gastric cancer:
      comparison with FDG-PET/CT.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the diagnostic performance of (18)F-fluorothymidine (FLT)
      PET/CT of primary and metastatic nodal lesions of gastric cancer by comparing
      with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT. METHODS: The enrolled study
      population comprised 17 patients with 17 newly diagnosed gastric cancers who
      underwent surgery of the primary lesion and regional nodes after both FDG- and
      FLT-PET/CT scans. Visual detectability of the primary gastric lesions was
      correlated with pathological factors using the Fisher exact or Mann-Whitney U
      test. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detecting nodal lesions were
      compared between both PET/CT scans using the McNemar exact or chi (2) test.
      RESULTS: Fourteen of 17 (82.4%) primary cancers were visualized by both FDG- and
      FLT-PET/CT scans. Although FDG or FLT visibility was not significantly associated
      with tumor size (p = 0.16) or histological type (p = 1.00), the 3 nonvisible
      lesions were pathologically early (T1) cancers. The sensitivity, specificity, and
      accuracy for detecting nodal metastasis were 44.8% (13/29), 98.7% (164/166), and
      90.8% (177/195) for FDG-PET/CT, and 31.0% (9/29), 100% (166/166), and 89.7%
      (175/195) for FLT-PET/CT, respectively. No significant difference was found
      between the two scans in sensitivity (p = 0.13), specificity (p = 0.48), or
      accuracy (p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: FLT-PET/CT may have the same diagnostic value as
      FDG-PET/CT for detection of primary and nodal lesions of gastric cancer.

PMID- 27255653
TI  - Exposure Variation and Endocrine Disruption of the Male Reproductive System.
AB  - Exposure to endocrine disruptors varies geographically and temporally.
      Environmental levels of persistent organic pollutants have decreased after
      international regulation, whereas potential exposure to thousands of new
      chemicals has increased. The adverse effects of endocrine disruptors depend on
      susceptibility and timing of the exposure. Fetal and childhood exposures are
      often most harmful because of organizational and programming effects. In this
      review, we use the exposure to persistent organic pollutants such as
      polybrominated diphenyl ethers, dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls
      and differences in the incidence of reproductive disorders between Denmark and
      Finland as an example to highlight how exposure variation and variation in
      genetic susceptibility may influence the strength of the association between the
      exposure to endocrine disruptors and adverse effects. Understanding the causes
      and implications of interindividual differences in susceptibility to endocrine
      disruptors is crucial for the protection of normal development.

PMID- 27255651
TI  - Insights into the role of sulfated glycans in cancer cell adhesion and migration
      through use of branched peptide probe.
AB  - The tetra-branched peptide NT4 selectively binds to different human cancer cells
      and tissues. NT4 specifically binds to sulfated glycosaminoglycans on cancer cell
      membranes. Since sulfated glycosaminoglycans are involved in cancer cell
      interaction with the extracellular matrix, we evaluated the effect of NT4 on
      cancer cell adhesion and migration. We demonstrated here that the branched
      peptide NT4 binds sulfated glycosaminoglycans with high affinity and with
      preferential binding to heparan sulfate. NT4 inhibits cancer cell adhesion and
      migration on different proteins, without modifying cancer cell morphology or
      their ability to produce protrusions, but dramatically affecting the
      directionality and polarity of cell movement. Results obtained by taking
      advantage of the selective targeting of glycosaminoglycans chains by NT4, provide
      insights into the role of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in cancer cell adhesion
      and migration and suggest a determinant role of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in
      the control of cancer cell directional migration.

PMID- 27255654
TI  - Evaluation of degenerative disease of the lumbar spine: MR/MR myelography versus
      conventional myelography/post-myelography CT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To compare the use of magnetic resonance (MR)/MR myelography (MRM)
      with conventional myelography/post-myelography CT (convM) for detailed surgery
      planning in degenerative lumbar disease. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with
      suspected complex lumbar degenerative disease underwent MRM in addition to convM
      as preoperative workup. Surgery was planned based on convM-as usual at our
      department. Post hoc, surgical planning was repeated planned again-now based on
      MRM. Furthermore, the MRM-based planning was performed by six independent
      neurosurgeons (three groups) of different degrees of specialisation. RESULTS: In
      only 31 % of the patients, post hoc MRM-based planning resulted in the same
      surgical decision as originally performed, whereas in 69 % (n = 18) a different
      procedure was indicated. In patients with non-concurring convM- and MRM-based
      surgical plans, a less extended procedure was the result of MRM in six patients
      (23 %), a more extended one in five (19 %), and a related to side/level of
      decompression or nucleotomy different plan in six patients (23 %). In one patient
      (4 %), the MRM-based planning would have led to a completely different surgery
      compared to convM. Overall interobserver agreement on the MRM-based planning was
      substantial. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed planning of operative procedures for complex
      lumbar degenerative disease is highly dependent on the image modality used.

PMID- 27255655
TI  - Endoscope-assisted, minimally invasive evacuation of sub-acute/chronic epidural
      hematoma: Novelty or paradox of Theseus?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sub-acute/chronic epidural hematoma (EDH) may present with nagging
      symptoms of headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, etc. We attempted to offer a
      minimally invasive, single burr hole, endoscope-assisted evacuation of EDHs
      instead of a conventional craniotomy. METHODS: Seven patients with sub
      acute/chronic EDH (six supratentorial and one infratentorial) presented to us 3
      to 7 days after low-velocity road traffic accidents with complaints of headache
      and lethargy. The EDH volumes measured between 20 to 50 ml, and the patients were
      operated on using a single burr hole made through a small incision. We used 0-,
      30- and 70-degree, angulated, rigid, high-definition endoscopes to identify and
      evacuate the organized clots in the extradural space. Flexible catheters were
      used for suction and irrigation. After achieving hemostasis, the dura was hitched
      back to the burr hole site. The wound was closed over a negative suction drain.
      RESULTS: All patients had prompt recovery from symptoms. Postoperative CT scans
      showed complete or near complete evacuation of the hematomas. The hospital stay
      and analgesic requirements were minimal. There was no infective complication or
      conversion to conventional open surgery. The average time for surgery was 77.8
      min, and average blood loss was 328.5 ml. CONCLUSION: Endoscope-assisted
      evacuation of sub-acute/chronic EDH is a novel concept, which offers quick relief
      from symptoms in a minimally invasive fashion and a cosmetically acceptable way.
      None of the standard principles of surgery are hampered. It avoids extensive
      dissection of the temporalis or sub-occipital muscles. However, achieving
      hemostasis can be difficult. Further study and better equipment will validate the
      procedure.

PMID- 27255656
TI  - Detection of carotid artery stenosis using histological specimens: a comparison
      of CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, digital subtraction
      angiography and Doppler ultrasonography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is accepted as a primary modality to
      treat carotid stenosis. The accuracy of measuring carotid stenosis is important
      for indication of the CEA procedure. Different diagnostic tools have been
      developed and used in the past 2 decades for the diagnosis of carotid stenosis.
      Only a few studies, however, have focused on the comparison of different
      diagnostic tools to histological findings of carotid plaque. METHOD: Patients
      with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis were investigated primarily by
      computed tomography angiography (CTA). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA),
      Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were
      performed as well. Atherosclerotic plaque specimens were transversally cut into
      smaller segments and histologically processed. The slides were scanned and
      specimens showing maximal stenosis were determined; the minimal diameter and the
      diameter of the whole plaque were measured. High quality histological specimen
      and histological measurement was considered to be the prerequisite for inclusion
      into the analysis. The preoperative findings were compared with histological
      measurement. CTA and histological measurements were obtained from 152 patients.
      DSA measurements were available in 138 of these cases, MRA in 107 and DUS in 88.
      A comparison between preoperative and histological findings was performed. In
      addition, correlation coefficients were computed and tested. RESULTS: A
      significant correlation was found for each of the diagnostic procedures. The
      strongest correlation coefficient and the best allocation of stenosis into
      clinical significant groups (<50 %, 50-69 %, >=70 %) was observed for CTA. Mean
      differences in the whole cohort between preoperative and histological
      measurements were as follows: CTA underestimated histological measurement by 2.4
      % (based on European Carotid Surgery Trial [ECST] methodology) and 11.9 % (based
      on North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial [NASCET] methodology).
      DSA underestimated the histological measurement by 7 % (ECST) and 12.2 %
      (NASCET). MRA overestimated the histological measurement by 2.6 % (ECST) and
      underestimated by 0.6 % (NASCET). DUS overestimated the stenosis by 1.8 %.
      CONCLUSIONS: CTA yields the best accuracy in detection of carotid stenosis,
      provided that all axial slices of the stenosis are checked and carefully
      analysed. DSA underestimates moderate and mild ICA stenosis, whereas DUS
      overestimates high-grade ICA stenosis. For MRA, a relatively low correlation
      coefficient was observed with histological findings. We conclude that CTA-ecst
      technique is the most reliable technique for carotid stenosis measurement.

PMID- 27255657
TI  - Metformin Use Is Associated with Improved Survival in Patients Undergoing
      Resection for Pancreatic Cancer.
AB  - Preclinical evidence has demonstrated anti-tumorigenic effects of metformin. The
      effects of metformin following pancreatic cancer, however, remain undefined. We
      sought to assess the association between metformin use and survival using a
      large, nationally representative sample of patients undergoing surgery for
      pancreatic cancer. Patients undergoing a pancreatic resection between January 01,
      2010, and December 31, 2012, were identified using the Truven Health MarketScan
      database. Clinical data, including history of metformin use, as well as operative
      details and information on long-term outcomes were collected. Multivariable Cox
      proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of
      metformin use on overall survival (OS). A total of 3393 patients were identified.
      The mean age of patients was 54.2 years (SD = 9.1 years). Roughly one half of
      patients were female (n = 1735, 51.1 %); 49.1 % (n = 1665) presented with a
      Charlson comorbidity index of 3 or greater (CCI >=3); and 19.6 % (n = 664) had
      diabetes. At the time of surgery, 60.0 % (n = 2034) of patients underwent a
      pancreaticoduodenectomy, 35.7 % (n = 1212) a partial/distal pancreatectomy, while
      4.3 % (n = 147) had a total pancreatectomy. On pathology, 1057 (31.2 %) had lymph
      node metastasis. Metformin use was identified in 456 patients (13.4 %) and was
      more commonly administered among patients without locally advanced disease (14.3
      vs. 11.6 %, p = 0.038). While OS was comparable between patients within the first
      year of surgery (OS at 1 year 65.4 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 63.4-67.3 %]
      vs. 69.2 % [95 % CI 64.2-73.4 %]), patients who received metformin demonstrated
      an improved OS beginning at 18 months following surgery. On multivariable
      analysis adjusting for patient and clinicopathologic characteristics, metformin
      use was independently associated with a decreased risk of mortality (hazard ratio
      [HR] = 0.79, 95 % CI 0.67-0.93, p = 0.005). Metformin use was associated with an
      improved overall survival among patients undergoing pancreatic surgery for
      pancreatic cancer. Further work is necessary to better understand its role in
      modifying cancer-specific and overall health outcomes.

PMID- 27255658
TI  - The Likely Sites of Nodal Metastasis Differs According to the Tumor Extent in
      Distal Bile Duct Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the revised Japanese and Worldwide TNM classification of distal
      bile duct cancer, the lymph node status is defined as N0 or N1 without reference
      to the tumor location or extent, according to the presence/absence of metastasis
      to the regional lymph nodes. METHODS: Data of 94 patients with distal bile duct
      cancer who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy were reviewed retrospectively.
      In formalin-fixed specimens, we measured the longitudinal lengths from the
      papilla to the lower and upper margins of the tumor, in order to investigate the
      correlation of the tumor extent with the likely sites of nodal metastasis.
      RESULTS: The frequencies of metastasis to the posterior pancreaticoduodenal nodes
      (7.1 %) and superior mesenteric artery nodes (0.0 %) were significantly lower in
      the cases in which the length from the papilla to the lower margin of the tumor
      was >=30 mm. The frequencies of nodal metastasis to the common hepatic artery
      nodes (0.0 %) and hepatoduodenal ligament nodes (6.7 %) were significantly lower
      in the cases in which the length from the papilla to the upper margin was <40 mm.
      CONCLUSION: The likely sites of nodal metastasis differ according to the extent
      of the tumor in cases of bile duct cancer.

PMID- 27255659
TI  - Targeted lipid-polyaniline hybrid nanoparticles for photoacoustic imaging guided
      photothermal therapy of cancer.
AB  - Designing a targeted and versatile photothermal agent for the integration of
      precise diagnosis and effective photothermal treatment of tumors is desirable but
      remains a great challenge. In this study, folic acid ligand conjugated lipid
      coated polyaniline hybrid nanoparticles (FA-Lipid-PANI NPs) were successfully
      fabricated by a distinctive technology. The obtained hybrid FA-Lipid-PANI NPs
      with small size exhibited not only significant photoacoustic (PA) imaging
      signals, but also a remarkable photothermal effect for tumor treatment. With PA
      imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT), the tumor could be accurately positioned
      and thoroughly eradicated in vivo after intravenous injection of FA-Lipid-PANI
      NPs. These multifunctional nanoparticles could play an important role in
      simultaneously facilitating imaging and PTT to achieve better therapeutic
      efficacy. 

PMID- 27255660
TI  - Bone Mineral Density Is Negatively Associated With Arterial Stiffness in Men With
      Hypertension.
AB  - Hypertension (HTN) and osteoporosis are associated with the development and
      progress of atherosclerosis. However, little research has been conducted to
      examine the relationship between arterial stiffness and bone mineral density
      (BMD) in men with HTN. This cross-sectional study recruited 355 men with HTN and
      353 control patients without HTN. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and
      BMD measurements were performed. BMD was decreased and baPWV was elevated in
      patients with HTN compared with control patients (femoral neck [FN] BMD in the
      HTN and control groups were 0.662+/-0.195 g/cm2 and 0.713+/-0.204 g/cm2 ,
      respectively [P=.001], and baPWV in the HTN and control groups were 1403.3+/
      156.8 cm/s and 1354.8+/-136.0 cm/s, respectively [P<.001]). Multiple linear
      regression analysis demonstrated that FN BMD was negatively associated with
      increased baPWV in HTN. Reduced FN BMD may be an independent factor for baPWV in
      patients with HTN.

PMID- 27255661
TI  - Clinical Prognostic Factors and Survival Outcome Of Chronic Myelomonocytic
      Leukemia: Reviewing 3,686 Patients.

PMID- 27255662
TI  - Impact of Body Mass Index on the Prognosis of Japanese Patients With Non-Valvular
      Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - Obesity is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, obesity is
      associated with lower mortality in patients with established AF, a phenomenon
      known as the obesity paradox. Previous studies reported inconsistent results
      regarding effects of body weight on risk of cardiogenic embolism in patients with
      AF. To determine relation between body mass index (BMI) and prognosis among
      Japanese patients with nonvalvular AF (NVAF), a post hoc analysis was conducted
      using observational data in the J-RHYTHM Registry. Subjects were categorized as
      underweight (BMI <18.5), normal (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25.0 to 29.9), or
      obese (>=30 kg/m(2)). End points included thromboembolism, major hemorrhaging,
      all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality. Of the 7,406 patients with
      NVAF, 6,379 patients (70 +/- 10 years old; BMI, 23.6 +/- 3.9 kg/m(2)) having
      baseline BMI data constituted the study group. During the 2-year follow-up
      period, 111 patients had thromboembolism, 124 experienced major hemorrhage, and
      159 died. Multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model showed
      that none of the BMI categories were independent predictors of thromboembolism.
      However, being underweight was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality
      (hazard ratio [HR] 2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.62 to 3.69; p <0.001) and
      cardiovascular mortality (HR 3.00, 95% CI 1.52 to 5.91, p = 0.001) when normal
      weight was used as the reference. Additionally, being overweight was a predictor
      of lower all-cause mortality (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.95, p = 0.029). In
      conclusion, being underweight is associated with higher risks of all-cause and
      cardiovascular mortality compared with having a normal weight. Being overweight
      or obese is not associated with increased mortality among Japanese patients with
      NVAF. 

PMID- 27255663
TI  - IGF1R as a Key Target in High Risk, Metastatic Medulloblastoma.
AB  - Risk or presence of metastasis in medulloblastoma causes substantial treatment
      related morbidity and overall mortality. Through the comparison of cytokines and
      growth factors in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of metastatic medulloblastoma
      patients with factors also in conditioned media of metastatic MYC amplified
      medulloblastoma or leptomeningeal cells, we were led to explore the bioactivity
      of IGF1 in medulloblastoma by elevated CSF levels of IGF1, IGF-sequestering
      IGFBP3, IGFBP3-cleaving proteases (MMP and tPA), and protease modulators (TIMP1
      and PAI-1). IGF1 led not only to receptor phosphorylation but also accelerated
      migration/adhesion in MYC amplified medulloblastoma cells in the context of
      appropriate matrix or meningothelial cells. Clinical correlation suggests a peri
      /sub-meningothelial source of IGF-liberating proteases that could facilitate
      leptomeningeal metastasis. In parallel, studies of key factors responsible for
      cell autonomous growth in MYC amplified medulloblastoma prioritized IGF1R
      inhibitors. Together, our studies identify IGF1R as a high value target for
      clinical trials in high risk medulloblastoma.

PMID- 27255666
TI  - Spatial and temporal variability in the otolith chemistry of the Brazilian
      snapper Lutjanus alexandrei from estuarine and coastal environments.
AB  - Otolith chemistry of juvenile and adult individuals of the Brazilian snapper
      Lutjanus alexandrei was measured to assess the utility of natural markers for
      investigating individual movements. Individuals were collected over a 3-year
      period (2010-2012) along the north-eastern coast of Brazil from both estuarine
      (juvenile to sub-adult stages) and coastal (sub-adult to adult stages) areas. Six
      elements ((7) Li, (24) Mg, (55) Mn, (59) Co, (88) Sr and (137) Ba) were measured
      in sectioned otoliths of L. alexandrei using laser ablation inductively coupled
      plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). Edge composition analysis indicated that
      element:Ca ratios in the otoliths of juvenile and sub-adult L. alexandrei from
      estuaries were not significantly different among the three consecutive years
      (2010, 2011 and 2012), suggesting that physicochemical conditions within the
      nursery area investigated were temporally stable. Similarly, apart from two
      elements (Ba and Co), element:Ca ratios for larger L. alexandrei inhabiting
      coastal waters were also similar. In contrast, otolith chemistry of similar sized
      L. alexandrei from estuarine and coastal areas was significantly different (based
      on recently accreted material). Otolith Mn:Ca and Ba:Ca were both significantly
      higher for L. alexandrei collected in estuaries compared to fish from adjacent
      coastal reefs, while the opposite trend was observed for Sr:Ca. Given the
      pronounced differences in otolith chemistry between estuarine and coastal areas,
      element:Ca transects were constructed from the core to margin of the otoliths for
      adults (age 7+ years) collected on reefs to determine the timing of movement
      (ontogenetic migration) from estuarine to coastal areas. Based on observed
      patterns of decline for both Mn:Ca and Ba:Ca, it appears that L. alexandrei begin
      the move to more coastal habitats (i.e. lower element:Ca ratios) after age 2
      years. The patterns observed for this species highlight the importance of
      conserving connectivity between coastal habitats to maintain sustainable fish
      stocks exploited by artisanal fisheries. 

PMID- 27255665
TI  - The spectrum of ectopic thymomas.
AB  - Thymomas are rare tumors that usually manifest in the anterosuperior mediastinum.
      Occasionally, thymomas may also originate from ectopically dispersed thymic
      tissue and can arise in locations such as the neck, lung, or pleura or other
      locations in the thoracic cavity. The occurrence of thymomas in these ectopic
      locations can cause substantial diagnostic difficulty as the entity is almost
      never included in the differential diagnosis and its biphasic morphology can
      cause further complications during the diagnostic process. In this review, we
      summarize the clinical and pathological spectrum of ectopic thymomas and discuss
      the histogenesis, treatment, and prognosis of these extraordinary tumors. 

PMID- 27255664
TI  - Mechanisms, pools, and sites of spontaneous vesicle release at synapses of rod
      and cone photoreceptors.
AB  - Photoreceptors have depolarized resting potentials that stimulate calcium
      dependent release continuously from a large vesicle pool but neurons can also
      release vesicles without stimulation. We characterized the Ca(2+) dependence,
      vesicle pools, and release sites involved in spontaneous release at photoreceptor
      ribbon synapses. In whole-cell recordings from light-adapted horizontal cells
      (HCs) of tiger salamander retina, we detected miniature excitatory post-synaptic
      currents (mEPSCs) when no stimulation was applied to promote exocytosis. Blocking
      Ca(2+) influx by lowering extracellular Ca(2+) , by application of Cd(2+) and
      other agents reduced the frequency of mEPSCs but did not eliminate them,
      indicating that mEPSCs can occur independently of Ca(2+) . We also measured
      release presynaptically from rods and cones by examining quantal glutamate
      transporter anion currents. Presynaptic quantal event frequency was reduced by
      Cd(2+) or by increased intracellular Ca(2+) buffering in rods, but not in cones,
      that were voltage clamped at -70 mV. By inhibiting the vesicle cycle with
      bafilomycin, we found the frequency of mEPSCs declined more rapidly than the
      amplitude of evoked excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs) suggesting a
      possible separation between vesicle pools in evoked and spontaneous exocytosis.
      We mapped sites of Ca(2+) -independent release using total internal reflectance
      fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy to visualize fusion of individual vesicles loaded
      with dextran-conjugated pHrodo. Spontaneous release in rods occurred more
      frequently at non-ribbon sites than evoked release events. The function of Ca(2+)
      -independent spontaneous release at continuously active photoreceptor synapses
      remains unclear, but the low frequency of spontaneous quanta limits their impact
      on noise.

PMID- 27255667
TI  - The travesty of expensive insulin.

PMID- 27255668
TI  - Patients are being let down by lack of electronic health records, finds review.

PMID- 27255671
TI  - Proton pump inhibitor prescribing patterns in the UK: a primary care database
      study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and pattern of proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
      prescription and the practices employed to reduce PPI use in the UK general
      population. METHODS: The UK's Clinical Practice Research Database was used to
      identify individuals who were issued with >=1 PPI prescription during the period
      1990-2014. Point and period prevalence of PPI use were estimated annually.
      Additionally, new users of PPI therapy who had 5 years of follow-up data were
      included in a cohort analysis to describe patterns of cessation and duration of
      PPI use. RESULTS: Both the period and point prevalence of PPI use increased
      between 1990 and 2014 (period prevalence increased from 0.2 to 15.0% and point
      from 0.03 to 7.7%). A total of 596 334 new users of PPI therapy in the cohort
      study received 8 784 272 prescriptions. Of these, 26.7% used PPI therapy long
      term (>=1 year continuously), while 3.9% remained on PPI therapy for 5 years.
      Clear attempts to step down dose were identified in 39.9% of long-term users,
      while this was 47% in patients whose initial indication did not mandate long-term
      use. CONCLUSION: A considerable increase in PPI use was observed in UK general
      practice. Of long-term PPI users, 60% did not have an attempt to discontinue or
      step down. Considerable opportunities may therefore exist to reduce the cost and
      side effects of PPI use through improving adherence to recommended withdrawal
      strategies. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27255672
TI  - Tandem dissolution of UO3 in amide-based acidic ionic liquid and in situ
      electrodeposition of UO2 with regeneration of the ionic liquid: a closed cycle.
AB  - A closed cycle is demonstrated for the tandem dissolution and electroreduction of
      UO3 to UO2 with regeneration of the acidic ionic liquid. The dissolution is
      achieved by use of the acidic ionic liquid [DMAH][NTf2] in [EMIM][NTf2] serving
      as the diluent. A sequential dissolution, electroreduction, and regeneration
      cycle is presented. 

PMID- 27255669
TI  - Synthetic mixed-signal computation in living cells.
AB  - Living cells implement complex computations on the continuous environmental
      signals that they encounter. These computations involve both analogue- and
      digital-like processing of signals to give rise to complex developmental
      programs, context-dependent behaviours and homeostatic activities. In contrast to
      natural biological systems, synthetic biological systems have largely focused on
      either digital or analogue computation separately. Here we integrate analogue and
      digital computation to implement complex hybrid synthetic genetic programs in
      living cells. We present a framework for building comparator gene circuits to
      digitize analogue inputs based on different thresholds. We then demonstrate that
      comparators can be predictably composed together to build band-pass filters,
      ternary logic systems and multi-level analogue-to-digital converters. In
      addition, we interface these analogue-to-digital circuits with other digital gene
      circuits to enable concentration-dependent logic. We expect that this hybrid
      computational paradigm will enable new industrial, diagnostic and therapeutic
      applications with engineered cells.

PMID- 27255673
TI  - Relationship between [123 I]-FP-CIT SPECT and clinical progression in Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The demonstration of presynaptic dopaminergic deficiency on [123 I]
      FP-CIT SPECT imaging is a useful ancillary tool in the diagnosis of Parkinson's
      disease (PD). Whilst there is evidence of a cross-sectional relationship between
      the degree of dopaminergic deficiency and severity of bradykinesia and rigidity,
      longitudinal studies are rare. Moreover, the relationship between motor subtypes
      and their dopaminergic deficient state is not well characterized. AIM: Our
      primary aim was to assess the correlations between dopaminergic deficiency on
      baseline [123 I]-FP-CIT SPECT imaging with the progression of motor severity in
      patients classified by motor subtype, and the development of motor complications.
      Our secondary aim was to assess the correlation between UPDRS-III subscores and
      the time to onset of motor complications. METHODS: 42 PD patients with abnormal
      baseline [123 I]-FP-CIT SPECT scans and at least 3 years of clinical follow-up
      were classified by motor subtype: akinetic-rigid, tremor-dominant or mixed. UPDRS
      III scores at baseline and at 3-year follow-up, and time to onset of motor
      complications were recorded. RESULTS: [123 I]-FP-CIT uptake ratios were inversely
      correlated with UPDRS-III scores at 3 years only in akinetic-rigid patients (r=
      .51, P=.04). Time to onset of motor complications was inversely correlated with
      UPDRS-III subscores for bradykinesia and rigidity at baseline (r=-.52, P=.02) and
      at 3 years (r=-.54, P=.01). CONCLUSION: The degree of dopaminergic deficiency on
      baseline [123 I]-FP-CIT SPECT inversely correlates with motor severity at 3-year
      follow-up in akinetic-rigid patients only. Furthermore, UPDRS-III subscores for
      bradykinesia and rigidity at baseline show an inverse correlation with time to
      onset of motor complications across all PD subtypes.

PMID- 27255675
TI  - Carbon-Silicon Bond Formation in the Synthesis of Benzylic Silanes.
AB  - Sterically encumbered organosilanes can be difficult to synthesize with
      conventional, strongly basic reagents; the harsh reaction conditions are often
      low yielding and not suitable for many functional groups. As an alternative to
      the typical anionic strategies to construct silanes, the coupling of benzylic
      halides and arylhalosilanes with sonication has been identified as a high
      yielding and general strategy to access bulky and functionalized benzylic
      silanes. This new methodology provides a solution for the synthesis of families
      of bulky benzylic silanes for study in catalysis and other areas of chemical
      synthesis.

PMID- 27255674
TI  - Prescription of potentially inappropriate medication in Korean older adults based
      on 2012 Beers Criteria: a cross-sectional population based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A high number of elderly people with multiple comorbidities are
      exposed to the risk of polypharmacy and prescription of potentially inappropriate
      medication (PIM). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and
      patterns of PIM prescription in Korean older adults according to the 2012 Beers
      Criteria. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using data from the Korean
      Health Insurance Review and Assessment (KHIRA) database of outpatient
      prescription claims collected from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011. A total
      of 523,811 elderly subjects aged 65 years and older were included in the study,
      and several covariates related to the prescription of PIMs were obtained from the
      KHIRA database. These covariates were analyzed using Student's t test and the chi
      square test; furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to
      evaluate the risk factors associated with the prescription of PIMs. RESULTS: A
      total of 80.96 % subjects were prescribed at least one PIM independent of their
      diagnosis or condition according to the 2012 Beers Criteria. The most commonly
      prescribed medication class was first-generation antihistamines with
      anticholinergic properties (52.33 %). Pain medications (43.04 %) and
      benzodiazepines (42.53 %) were next in line. When considering subjects' diagnoses
      or conditions, subjects diagnosed with central nervous system conditions were
      most often prescribed PIMs. Female sex, severity of comorbidities, and
      polypharmacy were significant risk factors for PIM prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study confirmed that PIM prescription is common among elderly Koreans. A
      clinical decision support system should be developed to decrease the prevalence
      of PIM prescriptions.

PMID- 27255677
TI  - Brevitalea aridisoli, B. deliciosa and Arenimicrobium luteum, three novel species
      of Acidobacteria subdivision 4 (class Blastocatellia) isolated from savanna soil
      and description of the novel family Pyrinomonadaceae.
AB  - Three novel strains of the phylum Acidobacteria (Ac_11_E3T, Ac_12_G8T and
      Ac_16_C4T) were isolated from Namibian semiarid savanna soils by a high
      throughput cultivation approach using low-nutrient growth media. 16S rRNA gene
      sequence analysis placed all three strains in the order Blastocatellales of the
      class Blastocatellia (Acidobacteria subdivision 4). However, 16S rRNA gene
      sequence similarities to their closest relative Pyrinomonas methylaliphatogenes
      K22T were <=90 %. Cells of strains Ac_11_E3T, Ac_12_G8T and Ac_16_C4T were Gram
      staining-negative and non-motile and divided by binary fission. Ac_11_E3T and
      Ac_16_C4T formed white colonies, while those of Ac_12_G8T were orange-yellowish.
      All three strains were aerobic chemoorganoheterotrophic mesophiles with a broad
      pH range for growth. All strains used a very limited spectrum of carbon and
      energy sources for growth, with a preference for complex proteinaceous
      substrates. The major respiratory quinone was MK-8. The major shared fatty acid
      was iso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C contents of strains Ac_11_E3T, Ac_12_G8T and
      Ac_16_C4T were 55.9 mol%, 66.9 mol% and 54.7 mol%, respectively. Based on these
      characteristics, the two novel genera Brevitaleagen. nov. and Arenimicrobiumgen.
      nov. are proposed, harboring the novel species Brevitaleaaridisoli sp. nov.
      (Ac_11_E3T=DSM 27934T=LMG 28618T), Brevitalea deliciosa sp. nov. (Ac_16_C4T=DSM
      29892T=LMG 28995T) and Arenimicrobium luteum sp. nov. (Ac_12_G8T=DSM 26556T=LMG
      29166T), respectively. Since these novel genera are only distantly related to
      established families, we propose the novel family Pyrinomonadaceaefam. nov. that
      accommodates the proposed genera and the genus Pyrinomonas(Crowe et al., 2014).

PMID- 27255676
TI  - Direct repeat-mediated DNA deletion of the mating type MAT1-2 genes results in
      unidirectional mating type switching in Sclerotinia trifoliorum.
AB  - The necrotrophic fungal pathogen Sclerotinia trifoliorum exhibits ascospore
      dimorphism and unidirectional mating type switching - self-fertile strains
      derived from large ascospores produce both self-fertile (large-spores) and self
      sterile (small-spores) offsprings in a 4:4 ratio. The present study, comparing
      DNA sequences at MAT locus of both self-fertile and self-sterile strains, found
      four mating type genes (MAT1-1-1, MAT1-1-5, MAT1-2-1 and MAT1-2-4) in the self
      fertile strain. However, a 2891-bp region including the entire MAT1-2-1 and MAT1
      2-4 genes had been completely deleted from the MAT locus in the self-sterile
      strain. Meanwhile, two copies of a 146-bp direct repeat motif flanking the
      deleted region were found in the self-fertile strain, but only one copy of this
      146-bp motif (a part of the MAT1-1-1 gene) was present in the self-sterile
      strain. The two direct repeats were believed to be responsible for the deletion
      through homologous intra-molecular recombination in meiosis. Tetrad analyses
      showed that all small ascospore-derived strains lacked the missing DNA between
      the two direct repeats that was found in all large ascospore-derived strains. In
      addition, heterokaryons at the MAT locus were observed in field isolates as well
      as in laboratory derived isolates.

PMID- 27255678
TI  - Combined sunitinib and radiation therapy for preoperative treatment of soft
      tissue sarcoma: results of a phase I trial of the German interdisciplinary
      sarcoma group (GISG-03).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Experimental data demonstrated that concurrent anti-angiogenic
      treatment with sunitinib may improve the efficacy of radiation therapy (RT). Here
      we report the results of a phase I trial performed within the German
      Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG-03) of combined sunitinib and RT for
      neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS). METHODS: The
      primary endpoint of the study was to explore the recommended dose of sunitinib
      combined with RT for subsequent trials. Treatment response, postoperative
      complications after tumor resection and toxicity according to CTCAE 4.0 were
      secondary endpoints. The study used a 3 + 3 design. Patients received either 25
      mg (dose level 1) or 37.5 mg (dose level 2) sunitinib two weeks prior to and
      throughout RT (28 * 1.8 Gy). Surgery was scheduled 5-8 weeks after completion of
      neoadjuvant treatment. STUDY REGISTRATION: NCT01498835. RESULTS: Six patients
      were enrolled in dose level 1 and three patients in dose level 2. Median tumor
      size was 11 cm. Tumors were located in the retroperitoneum (4/9), lower leg (3/9)
      or trunk (2/9). At dose level 1, 1/6 patients developed dose limiting
      lymphopenia. At dose level 2, no patient developed dose limiting toxicity. Most
      frequent toxicities were hematological (8/9) and oral (5/9). Dose adjustments of
      sunitinib were necessary in 5/9 patients. All patients received full dose RT and
      underwent tumor resection (8/9 R0 and 1/9 R1). Local toxicity of RT did not
      exceed Grade 2. 2/9 patients had postoperative complications requiring re
      intervention. Treatment response according to RECIST was as follows: partial
      response 1/9, stable disease 7/9, and progressive disease 1/9. Pathological
      examination revealed >= 95 % tumor necrosis in 3/9 resected specimens.
      CONCLUSIONS: Combined sunitinib and RT was tolerable as neoadjuvant treatment for
      locally advanced STS patients regardless of tumor localization. The recommended
      sunitinib dose for subsequent trials is 37.5 mg.

PMID- 27255679
TI  - Utilizing dual energy CT to improve CT diagnosis of posterior fossa ischemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Evaluation of posterior fossa ischemia on conventional CT
      is limited. The goal of our study was to determine if virtual monochromatic CT
      increases the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of posterior infarcts
      relative to standard CT while using diffusion-weighted MRI as a reference
      standard. METHODS: Thirty consecutive subjects who meet the following inclusion
      criteria were retrospectively enrolled: (1) symptoms of posterior fossa stroke
      (e.g. vertigo, fainting, and dizziness), (2) unenhanced dual-energy CT of the
      head performed upon admission to the emergency department, and (3) MRI of the
      brain within 7 days following the CT. Eight of the 30 subjects were determined to
      have MRI diffusion-weighted imaging findings consistent with acute posterior
      fossa ischemia. Monochromatic energy reconstructions at 60, 80, 100, 120keV and
      the clinical CT were interpreted independently by two fellowship-trained
      neuroradiologists, who assessed the images for posterior fossa infarcts and for
      imaging quality. RESULTS: Reconstructions obtained at 80keV provided the best
      artifact reduction and overall maximization of image quality and were
      statistically significantly better than standard head CT (P<0.001). Sensitivity,
      specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were at
      least not less than standard CT, and there was a trend toward better values at
      100keV (P=0.096). CONCLUSION: Monoenergetic 80 or 100keV reconstructions may
      improve the detection of posterior fossa ischemia compared to conventional CT.
      However, if clinical suspicion for posterior fossa ischemia warrants, a brain MRI
      with diffusion-weighted imaging should still be obtained, even in the presence of
      a negative dual energy CT of the brain.

PMID- 27255680
TI  - HIV-associated vasculopathy: Potential pitfall for IV thrombolysis and indication
      for vessel wall imaging.

PMID- 27255681
TI  - Colorectal cancer treatment and survival over three decades at four major public
      hospitals in South Australia: trends by age and in the elderly.
AB  - Data from registries at four major public hospitals in South Australia indicate
      increased 5-year disease-specific survivals for colorectal cancer from 48% to 63%
      between 1980-1986 and 2005-2010. For 80+ year olds, the increase was smaller,
      from 47% to 52%. Risk of case fatality halved overall, adjusting for age, gender,
      stage, differentiation and sub-site. Patients aged 80+ years had a lower risk
      reduction of about a third (hazards ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence limits, 0.52
      0.92). Percentages having surgery and other specified treatments were lower for
      80+ year olds than younger cases, although increases in treatment intensity
      occurred in this age range during 1980-2010, as seen in younger ages, in
      accordance with guidelines. The study illustrates the important feedback clinical
      registries can provide to clinicians on care patterns and outcomes in their
      hospital settings. Feedback can be the subject of local deliberations on how to
      achieve the best outcomes, including in the elderly by considering the best trade
      offs between optimal cancer care and accommodations for co-morbidity and frailty.
      Clinical registry data can be used in comparative effectiveness research in local
      settings where there are sufficient case numbers. 

PMID- 27255682
TI  - Zika virus: oral health care and oral disease.

PMID- 27255683
TI  - Two New Highly Oxygenated Spirostanol Saponins from Paris polyphylla var.
      stenophylla.
AB  - Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. stenophylla
      led to the isolation of two new highly oxygenated spirostanol saponins, named
      paristenosides A (1) and B (2), together with seven known compounds. Their
      structures were established mainly on the base of NMR spectroscopic techniques
      and mass spectrometry, as well as chemical methods. In addition, the cytotoxicity
      of the two new saponins was tested. Two new highly oxygenated spirostanol
      saponins, paristenosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the rhizomes of
      Paris polyphylla var. stenophylla. Their structures were established mainly based
      on NMR spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry, as well as chemical
      methods. 

PMID- 27255685
TI  - Associations Between Social Support, Social Networks, and Financial Exploitation
      in Older Adults.
AB  - Social support and social networks are important correlates of elder
      mistreatment. This study tests hypothesized associations between perceived social
      support, social network size, and financial exploitation (FE). A population-based
      survey of 903 older adults (60+) in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
      found that lower perceived social support and larger social networks were
      simultaneously associated with higher risk for FE since age 60, controlling for
      known risk factors. The same associations were found for FE in the last 6 months.
      Older adults with larger social networks combined with lower perceived social
      support were most likely to report FE. When it comes to the role of social
      relationships and risk for FE, "more may not always be better." Encouragement to
      widen the social network by "making new friends" should be stressed less than
      making sure these new network members will truly be supportive of the older
      adult.

PMID- 27255686
TI  - A New Tool for Assessing Mobile Device Proficiency in Older Adults: The Mobile
      Device Proficiency Questionnaire.
AB  - Mobile device proficiency is increasingly required to participate in society.
      Unfortunately, there still exists a digital divide between younger and older
      adults, especially with respect to mobile devices (i.e., tablet computers and
      smartphones). Training is an important goal to ensure that older adults can reap
      the benefits of these devices. However, efficient/effective training depends on
      the ability to gauge current proficiency levels. We developed a new scale to
      accurately assess the mobile device proficiency of older adults: the Mobile
      Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ). We present and validate the MDPQ and a
      short 16-question version of the MDPQ (MDPQ-16). The MDPQ, its subscales, and the
      MDPQ-16 were found to be highly reliable and valid measures of mobile device
      proficiency in a large sample. We conclude that the MDPQ and MDPQ-16 may serve as
      useful tools for facilitating mobile device training of older adults and
      measuring mobile device proficiency for research purposes.

PMID- 27255687
TI  - Comparison of shape memory polymer foam versus bare metal coil treatments in an
      in vivo porcine sidewall aneurysm model.
AB  - The endovascular delivery of platinum alloy bare metal coils has been widely
      adapted to treat intracranial aneurysms. Despite the widespread clinical use of
      this technique, numerous suboptimal outcomes are possible. These may include
      chronic inflammation, low volume filling, coil compaction, and recanalization,
      all of which can lead to aneurysm recurrence, need for retreatment, and/or
      potential rupture. This study evaluates a treatment alternative in which
      polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam is used as an embolic aneurysm
      filler. The performance of this treatment method was compared to that of bare
      metal coils in a head-to-head in vivo study utilizing a porcine vein pouch
      aneurysm model. After 90 and 180 days post-treatment, gross and histological
      observations were used to assess aneurysm healing. At 90 days, the foam-treated
      aneurysms were at an advanced stage of healing compared to the coil-treated
      aneurysms and showed no signs of chronic inflammation. At 180 days, the foam
      treated aneurysms exhibited an 89-93% reduction in cross-sectional area; whereas
      coiled aneurysms displayed an 18-34% area reduction. The superior healing in the
      foam-treated aneurysms at earlier stages suggests that SMP foam may be a viable
      alternative to current treatment methods. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J
      Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1892-1905, 2017.

PMID- 27255688
TI  - Phase transformations during processing and in vitro degradation of porous
      calcium polyphosphates.
AB  - A 2-Step sinter/anneal treatment has been reported previously for forming porous
      CPP as biodegradable bone substitutes [9]. During the 2-Step annealing treatment,
      the heat treatment used strongly affected the rate of CPP degradation in vitro.
      In the present study, x-ray diffraction and (31)P solid state nuclear magnetic
      resonance were used to determine the phases that formed using different heat
      treating processes. The effect of in vitro degradation (in PBS at 37  degrees C,
      pH 7.1 or 4.5) was also studied. During CPP preparation, beta-CPP and gamma-CPP
      were identified in powders formed from a calcium monobasic monohydrate precursor
      after an initial calcining treatment (10 h at 500  degrees C). Melting of this
      CPP powder (at 1100  degrees C), quenching and grinding formed amorphous CPP
      powders. Annealing powders at 585  degrees C (Step-1) resulted in rapid sintering
      to form amorphous porous CPP. Continued annealing to 650  degrees C resulted in
      crystallization to form a multi-phase structure of beta-CPP primarily plus lesser
      amounts of alpha-CPP, calcium ultra-phosphates and retained amorphous CPP.
      Annealing above 720  degrees C and up to 950  degrees C transformed this to beta
      CPP phase. In vitro degradation of the 585  degrees C (Step-1 only) and 650 
      degrees C Step-2 annealed multi-phase samples occurred significantly faster than
      the beta-CPP samples formed by Step-2 annealing at or above 720  degrees C. This
      faster degradation was attributable to preferential degradation of
      thermodynamically less stable phases that formed in samples annealed at 650 
      degrees C (i.e. alpha-phase, ultra-phosphate and amorphous CPP). Degradation in
      lower pH solutions significantly increased degradation rates of the 585 and 650 
      degrees C annealed samples but had no significant effect on the beta-CPP samples.

PMID- 27255689
TI  - Terahertz radiation driven by two-color laser pulses at near-relativistic
      intensities: Competition between photoionization and wakefield effects.
AB  - We numerically investigate terahertz (THz) pulse generation by linearly
      polarized, two-color femtosecond laser pulses in highly-ionized argon. Major
      processes consist of tunneling photoionization and ponderomotive forces
      associated with transverse and longitudinal field excitations. By means of two
      dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we reveal the importance of
      photocurrent mechanisms besides transverse and longitudinal plasma waves for
      laser intensities >10(15) W/cm(2). We demonstrate the following. (i) With two
      color pulses, photoionization prevails in the generation of GV/m THz fields up to
      10(17) W/cm(2) laser intensities and suddenly loses efficiency near the
      relativistic threshold, as the outermost electron shell of ionized Ar atoms has
      been fully depleted. (ii) PIC results can be explained by a one-dimensional
      Maxwell-fluid model and its semi-analytical solutions, offering the first unified
      description of the main THz sources created in plasmas. (iii) The THz power
      emitted outside the plasma channel mostly originates from the transverse
      currents.

PMID- 27255690
TI  - Impact of anastomotic leak on recurrence and survival after colorectal cancer
      surgery: a BioGrid Australia analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence regarding the oncological impact of
      anastomotic leak following colorectal cancer surgery. This study aims to test the
      hypothesis that anastomotic leak is independently associated with local
      recurrence and overall and cancer-specific survival. METHODS: Analysis of
      prospectively collected data from multiple centres in Victoria between 1988 and
      2015 including all patients who underwent colon or rectal resection for cancer
      with anastomosis was presented. Overall and cancer-specific survival rates and
      rates of local recurrence were compared using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A
      total of 4892 patients were included, of which 2856 had completed 5-year follow
      up. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 4.0%. Cox regression analysis
      accounting for differences in age, sex, body mass index, American Society of
      Anesthesiologists score and tumour stage demonstrated that anastomotic leak was
      associated with significantly worse 5-year overall survival (chi 2 = 6.459, P =
      0.011) for colon cancer, but only if early deaths were included. There was no
      difference in 5-year colon cancer-specific survival (chi 2 = 0.582, P = 0.446) or
      local recurrence (chi 2 = 0.735, P = 0.391). For rectal cancer, there was no
      difference in 5-year overall survival (chi 2 = 0.266, P = 0.606), cancer-specific
      survival (chi 2 = 0.008, P = 0.928) or local recurrence (chi 2 = 2.192, P =
      0.139). CONCLUSION: Anastomotic leak may reduce 5-year overall survival in colon
      cancer patients but does not appear to influence the 5-year overall survival in
      rectal cancer patients. There was no effect on local recurrence or cancer
      specific survival.

PMID- 27255691
TI  - Cataract surgery in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the outcome after cataract surgery in patients with
      neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with intravitreal anti
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in routine clinical
      practice. METHODS: We extracted information about patients recorded in electronic
      databases managing anti-VEGF injections and cataract surgery. We compared Early
      Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity and frequency of
      anti-VEGF injections before and after cataract surgery. RESULTS: We identified 89
      eyes from 89 patients who had cataract surgery after being treated with a median
      of 10 (range 3-36) anti-VEGF injections for neovascular AMD. Visual acuity
      improved by a mean of 7.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.6-9.6] ETDRS letters in
      the first 6 months after cataract surgery. The need of anti-VEGF injections did
      not change after cataract surgery with an average of 1.5 in the 6 months before
      surgery versus 1.7 in the 6 months after surgery (p = 0.25). Visual improvement
      was greater in patients when the time from latest injection to cataract surgery
      was lower. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery improves vision in patients undergoing
      treatment for neovascular AMD. Cataract surgery was not associated with an
      increased need for anti-VEGF treatment and patients who were in active anti-VEGF
      treatment had better visual outcomes than patients who had cataract surgery after
      long injection-free periods.

PMID- 27255692
TI  - The dynamic experience of pain in burn patients: A phenomenological study.
AB  - Although pain is one of the main sources of suffering during the acute phase and
      rehabilitation in burn patients, it remains as a major challenge for burn care,
      and clinical management not always correlates with the experience felt by
      patients. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of pain from
      people who has suffered severe burns, to identify personal strategies used to
      cope with this challenging event. A qualitative phenomenological study with
      purposive sampling was carried out with severe burn patients admitted to a Burn
      Unit. Through individual in-depth interviews, verbatim transcription and content
      analysis, two main categories were isolated: a dynamic and changing experience of
      pain, from the onset to the hospital discharge, and diverse strategies developed
      by patients to cope with pain, being distraction the most frequently used. Pain
      experienced acquires its maximum intensity during wound care, and divergent
      patients' opinions about sedation are present. This study highlights how
      understanding subjective experiences is an invaluable aid to improve care in pain
      assessment and management. Furthermore, it points out the need to guarantee
      patient involvement in the organization and improvement of burn care, inasmuch as
      traditional professional centered approach is not ensuring an optimal management.

PMID- 27255693
TI  - MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome: Report of a new MEF2C mutation and review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome is characterized by severe
      intellectual disability, epilepsy, stereotypic movements, minor dysmorphisms and
      brain abnormalities. We report the case of a patient with a new MEF2C mutation,
      comparing his clinical and imaging features to those previously reported in the
      literature. CASE REPORT: A 10 year-old boy first came to pediatric neurology
      clinic at the age of 11 months because of severe psychomotor delay, without
      regression. He presented generalized hypotonia, poor eye contact, hand-mouth
      stereotypies, strabismus and minor facial dimorphisms. Epileptic seizures started
      at 26 months of age and were refractory. Brain MRI showed a slight increase in
      periventricular white matter signal and globally enlarged CSF spaces. Molecular
      analysis revealed a de novo, pathogenic and causative MEF2C mutation. DISCUSSION:
      MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome was recently recognized as a neurodevelopmental
      disorder. Severe intellectual disability with inability to speak and epilepsy are
      universal features in patients with MEF2C mutations, although mild cognitive and
      speech disorders have been reported to occur in patients with duplications.
      Epilepsy might be absent in patients with partial deletions. Abnormal movement
      patterns are very common in patients with MEF2C haploinsufficiency. Delayed
      myelination seems to be more commonly observed in patients with MEF2C mutations,
      while malformations of cortical development were only reported in patients with
      microdeletions. Although MEF2C haploinsufficiency prevalence is yet to be
      determined, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients
      with severe intellectual disability and Rett-like features.

PMID- 27255694
TI  - The similarity of life across the universe.
AB  - Is the hypothesis correct that if life exists elsewhere in the universe, it would
      have forms and structures unlike anything we could imagine? From the subatomic
      level in cellular energy acquisition to the assembly and even behavior of
      organisms at the scale of populations, life on Earth exhibits characteristics
      that suggest it is a universal norm for life at all levels of hierarchy. These
      patterns emerge from physical and biochemical limitations. Their potentially
      universal nature is supported by recent data on the astrophysical abundance and
      availability of carbon compounds and water. Within these constraints, biochemical
      and biological variation is certainly possible, but it is limited. If life exists
      elsewhere, life on Earth, rather than being a contingent product of one specific
      experiment in biological evolution, is likely to reflect common patterns for the
      assembly of living matter.

PMID- 27255696
TI  - Towards a nanospecific approach for risk assessment.
AB  - In the current paper, a new strategy for risk assessment of nanomaterials is
      described, which builds upon previous project outcomes and is developed within
      the FP7 NANoREG project. NANoREG has the aim to develop, for the long term, new
      testing strategies adapted to a high number of nanomaterials where many factors
      can affect their environmental and health impact. In the proposed risk assessment
      strategy, approaches for (Quantitative) Structure Activity Relationships
      ((Q)SARs), grouping and read-across are integrated and expanded to guide the user
      how to prioritise those nanomaterial applications that may lead to high risks for
      human health. Furthermore, those aspects of exposure, kinetics and hazard
      assessment that are most likely to be influenced by the nanospecific properties
      of the material under assessment are identified. These aspects are summarised in
      six elements, which play a key role in the strategy: exposure potential,
      dissolution, nanomaterial transformation, accumulation, genotoxicity and
      immunotoxicity. With the current approach it is possible to identify those
      situations where the use of nanospecific grouping, read-across and (Q)SAR tools
      is likely to become feasible in the future, and to point towards the generation
      of the type of data that is needed for scientific justification, which may lead
      to regulatory acceptance of nanospecific applications of these tools. 

PMID- 27255695
TI  - Engineering therapeutic protein disaggregases.
AB  - Therapeutic agents are urgently required to cure several common and fatal
      neurodegenerative disorders caused by protein misfolding and aggregation,
      including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). Protein disaggregases that reverse protein misfolding
      and restore proteins to native structure, function, and localization could
      mitigate neurodegeneration by simultaneously reversing 1) any toxic gain of
      function of the misfolded form and 2) any loss of function due to misfolding.
      Potentiated variants of Hsp104, a hexameric AAA+ ATPase and protein disaggregase
      from yeast, have been engineered to robustly disaggregate misfolded proteins
      connected with ALS (e.g., TDP-43 and FUS) and PD (e.g., alpha-synuclein).
      However, Hsp104 has no metazoan homologue. Metazoa possess protein disaggregase
      systems distinct from Hsp104, including Hsp110, Hsp70, and Hsp40, as well as
      HtrA1, which might be harnessed to reverse deleterious protein misfolding.
      Nevertheless, vicissitudes of aging, environment, or genetics conspire to negate
      these disaggregase systems in neurodegenerative disease. Thus, engineering
      potentiated human protein disaggregases or isolating small-molecule enhancers of
      their activity could yield transformative therapeutics for ALS, PD, and AD.

PMID- 27255697
TI  - Globus pallidus degeneration and clinicopathological features of Huntington
      disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Numerous studies have focused on striatal neurodegeneration in
      Huntington disease (HD). In comparison, the globus pallidus (GP), a main striatal
      output nucleus, has received less focus in HD research. This study characterizes
      the pattern of neurodegeneration in 3 subdivisions of the human GP, and its
      relation to clinical symptomatology. METHODS: Stereology was used to measure
      regional atrophy, neuronal loss, and soma neuronal atrophy in 3 components of the
      GP-the external segment (GPe), internal segment (GPi), and ventral pallidum (VP)
      in 8 HD cases compared with 7 matched control cases. The findings in the HD
      patients were compared with HD striatal neuropathological grade, and symptom
      scores of motor impairment, chorea, cognition, and mood. RESULTS: Relative to
      controls, in the HD patients the GPe showed a 54% overall volume decline, 60%
      neuron loss, and 34% reduced soma volume. Similarly, the VP was reduced in volume
      by 31%, with 48% neuron loss and 64% reduced soma volume. In contrast, the GPi
      was less affected, with a 38% reduction in overall volume only. The extent of GP
      neurodegeneration correlated with increasing striatal neuropathological grade.
      Decreasing GPe and VP volumes were associated with poorer cognition and
      increasing motor impairments, but not chorea. In contrast, decreasing GPi volumes
      were associated with decreasing levels of irritability. INTERPRETATION: The HD
      gene mutation produces variable degrees of GP segment degeneration, highlighting
      the differential vulnerability of striato-GP target projections. The relationship
      established between clinical symptom scores and pallidal degeneration provides a
      novel contribution to understanding the clinicopathological associations in HD.
      Ann Neurol 2016;80:185-201.

PMID- 27255698
TI  - Most stomatal closure in woody species under moderate drought can be explained by
      stomatal responses to leaf turgor.
AB  - Reduced stomatal conductance (gs ) during soil drought in angiosperms may result
      from effects of leaf turgor on stomata and/or factors that do not directly depend
      on leaf turgor, including root-derived abscisic acid (ABA) signals. To quantify
      the roles of leaf turgor-mediated and leaf turgor-independent mechanisms in gs
      decline during drought, we measured drought responses of gs and water relations
      in three woody species (almond, grapevine and olive) under a range of conditions
      designed to generate independent variation in leaf and root turgor, including
      diurnal variation in evaporative demand and changes in plant hydraulic
      conductance and leaf osmotic pressure. We then applied these data to a process
      based gs model and used a novel method to partition observed declines in gs
      during drought into contributions from each parameter in the model. Soil drought
      reduced gs by 63-84% across species, and the model reproduced these changes well
      (r(2)  = 0.91, P < 0.0001, n = 44) despite having only a single fitted parameter.
      Our analysis concluded that responses mediated by leaf turgor could explain over
      87% of the observed decline in gs across species, adding to a growing body of
      evidence that challenges the root ABA-centric model of stomatal responses to
      drought.

PMID- 27255699
TI  - Diuretic and serum electrolyte regulation potential of aqueous methanolic extract
      of Solanum surattense fruit validates its folkloric use in dysuria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Solanum surattense Burm. (Solanaceae) is traditionally used for
      management of various ailments. The study was conducted for provision of
      pharmacological justification for folkloric uses of Solanum surattense in the
      treatment of dysuria. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, each of
      (n = 6). Aqueous methanolic fruit extract of S. surattense were also administered
      intraperitoneally to the rats at doses of 50, 70 and 100 mg/kg. Furosemide (10
      mg/kg i.p) was used as standard drug whereas controls were given saline solution
      (40 mL/kg i.p). The electrolytes in urine were measured using a flame photometer
      whereas serum sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate and blood urea nitrogen
      (BUN) were determined by using an automatic analyzer. Urine osmolality was
      assayed by the micro-osmometer. RESULTS: The extract S. surattense induced
      diuretic effects in a dose-dependent manner as compared with control. Upon
      administration of extract (70 and 100 mg/kg), we observed the prominent (p <
      0.01) increase in the urine volume and osmolality in comparison to control group.
      However, plant extract (100 mg/kg) significantly increase the urinary electrolyte
      excretion especially calcium (p < 0.05) to that of the furosemide whereas level
      of magnesium remains constant. Moreover, our results showed a decrease in serum
      levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), but
      concentration dependent increase in bicarbonate was found in the test groups.
      There was no substantial change in the pH of urine samples of the extract-treated
      groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that S. surattense investigated exert
      its action by causing diuresis in the treatment of dysuria.

PMID- 27255700
TI  - Hypersomatotropism in 3 Cats without Concurrent Diabetes Mellitus.

PMID- 27255701
TI  - Ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi respond differently to long-term
      experimentally increased snow depth in the High Arctic.
AB  - Changing climate is expected to alter precipitation patterns in the Arctic, with
      consequences for subsurface temperature and moisture conditions, community
      structure, and nutrient mobilization through microbial belowground processes.
      Here, we address the effect of increased snow depth on the variation in species
      richness and community structure of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and saprotrophic fungi.
      Soil samples were collected weekly from mid-July to mid-September in both control
      and deep snow plots. Richness of ECM fungi was lower, while saprotrophic fungi
      was higher in increased snow depth plots relative to controls. [Correction added
      on 23 September 2016 after first online publication: In the preceding sentence,
      the richness of ECM and saprotrophic fungi were wrongly interchanged and have
      been fixed in this current version.] ECM fungal richness was related to soil NO3 
      N, NH4 -N, and K; and saprotrophic fungi to NO3 -N and pH. Small but significant
      changes in the composition of saprotrophic fungi could be attributed to snow
      treatment and sampling time, but not so for the ECM fungi. Delayed snow melt did
      not influence the temporal variation in fungal communities between the
      treatments. Results suggest that some fungal species are favored, while others
      are disfavored resulting in their local extinction due to long-term changes in
      snow amount. Shifts in species composition of fungal functional groups are likely
      to affect nutrient cycling, ecosystem respiration, and stored permafrost carbon.

PMID- 27255702
TI  - Longitudinal comparative evaluation of the equivalence of an integrated peer
      support and clinical staffing model for residential mental health rehabilitation:
      a mixed methods protocol incorporating multiple stakeholder perspectives.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A novel staffing model integrating peer support workers and clinical
      staff within a unified team is being trialled at community based residential
      rehabilitation units in Australia. A mixed-methods protocol for the longitudinal
      evaluation of the outcomes, expectations and experiences of care by consumers and
      staff under this staffing model in two units will be compared to one unit
      operating a traditional clinical staffing. The study is unique with regards to
      the context, the longitudinal approach and consideration of multiple stakeholder
      perspectives. METHODS/DESIGN: The longitudinal mixed methods design integrates a
      quantitative evaluation of the outcomes of care for consumers at three
      residential rehabilitation units with an applied qualitative research
      methodology. The quantitative component utilizes a prospective cohort design to
      explore whether equivalent outcomes are achieved through engagement at
      residential rehabilitation units operating integrated and clinical staffing
      models. Comparative data will be available from the time of admission, discharge
      and 12-month period post-discharge from the units. Additionally, retrospective
      data for the 12-month period prior to admission will be utilized to consider
      changes in functioning pre and post engagement with residential rehabilitation
      care. The primary outcome will be change in psychosocial functioning, assessed
      using the total score on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS). Planned
      secondary outcomes will include changes in symptomatology, disability, recovery
      orientation, carer quality of life, emergency department presentations,
      psychiatric inpatient bed days, and psychological distress and wellbeing. Planned
      analyses will include: cohort description; hierarchical linear regression
      modelling of the predictors of change in HoNOS following CCU care; and
      descriptive comparisons of the costs associated with the two staffing models. The
      qualitative component utilizes a pragmatic approach to grounded theory, with
      collection of data from consumers and staff at multiple time points exploring
      their expectations, experiences and reflections on the care provided by these
      services. DISCUSSION: It is expected that the new knowledge gained through this
      study will guide the adaptation of these and similar services. For example, if
      differential outcomes are achieved for consumers under the integrated and
      clinical staffing models this may inform staffing guidelines.

PMID- 27255703
TI  - Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) Motor Dysfunction Modeled in
      Mice.
AB  - Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset
      neurodegenerative disorder that affects some carriers of the fragile X
      premutation (PM). In PM carriers, there is a moderate expansion of a CGG
      trinucleotide sequence (55-200 repeats) in the fragile X gene (FMR1) leading to
      increased FMR1 mRNA and small to moderate decreases in the fragile X mental
      retardation protein (FMRP) expression. The key symptoms of FXTAS include
      cerebellar gait ataxia, kinetic tremor, sensorimotor deficits, neuropsychiatric
      changes, and dementia. While the specific trigger(s) that causes PM carriers to
      progress to FXTAS pathogenesis remains elusive, the use of animal models has shed
      light on the underlying neurobiology of the altered pathways involved in disease
      development. In this review, we examine the current use of mouse models to study
      PM and FXTAS, focusing on recent advances in the field. Specifically, we will
      discuss the construct, face, and predictive validities of these PM mouse models,
      the insights into the underlying disease mechanisms, and potential treatments.

PMID- 27255704
TI  - Long Pauses in Cerebellar Interneurons in Anesthetized Animals.
AB  - Are long pauses in the firing of cerebellar interneurons (CINs) related to
      Purkinje cell (PC) pauses? If PC pauses affect the larger network, then we should
      find a close relationship between CIN pauses and those in PCs. We recorded
      activity of 241 cerebellar cortical neurons (206 CINs and 35 PCs) in three
      anesthetized cats. One fifth of the CINs and more than half of the PCs were
      identified as pausing. Pauses in CINs and PCs showed some differences: CIN mean
      pause length was shorter, and, after pauses, only CINs had sustained reduction in
      their firing rate (FR). Almost all pausing CINs fell into same cluster when we
      used different methods of clustering CINs by their spontaneous activity. The mean
      spontaneous firing rate of that cluster was approximately 53 Hz. We also examined
      cross-correlations in simultaneously recorded neurons. Of 39 cell pairs examined,
      14 (35 %) had cross-correlations significantly different from those expected by
      chance. Almost half of the pairs with two CINs showed statistically significant
      negative correlations. In contrast, PC/CIN pairs did not often show significant
      effects in the cross-correlation (12/15 pairs). However, for both CIN/CIN and
      PC/CIN pairs, pauses in one unit tended to correspond to a reduction in the
      firing rate of the adjacent unit. In our view, our results support the
      possibility that previously reported PC bistability is part of a larger network
      response and not merely a biophysical property of PCs. Any functional role for PC
      bistability should probably be sought in the context of the broader network.

PMID- 27255705
TI  - Cerebellar Changes in Guinea Pig Offspring Following Suppression of Neurosteroid
      Synthesis During Late Gestation.
AB  - Elevated gestational concentrations of allopregnanolone are essential for the
      development and neuroprotection of the foetal brain. Preterm birth deprives the
      foetus of these high levels of allopregnanolone, which may contribute to the
      associated adverse effects on cerebellar development. Preterm birth alters
      expression of GABAA receptor subunit composition, which may further limit
      neurosteroid action. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of
      suppression of allopregnanolone levels on the markers of development and
      functional outcome. Pregnant guinea pigs were treated with finasteride at a dose
      (25 mg/kg maternal weight) shown to suppress allopregnanolone between 60 days of
      gestation until delivery (term ~71 days). The cerebella from neonates, whose
      mothers were treated with finasteride or vehicle during pregnancy, were collected
      at postnatal age 8. Pups that received finasteride displayed significantly
      greater glial fibrillary acid protein area coverage and reduced GABAA receptor
      alpha6-subunit messenger RNA within the cerebellum than pups that were exposed to
      vehicle. These findings indicate that loss of neurosteroid action on the foetal
      brain in late gestation produces prolonged astrocyte activation and reductions in
      GABAA receptor alpha6-subunit expression. These changes may contribute to the
      long-term changes in function associated with preterm birth.

PMID- 27255706
TI  - Diffusion Tensor Tractography of the Cerebellar Peduncles in Prematurely Born 7
      Year-Old Children.
AB  - The objective of this study was to correlate neurodevelopmental outcome of
      preterm-born children and their perinatal clinical and imaging characteristics
      with diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of the three cerebellar
      peduncles at age 7. Included in this prospective longitudinal study were 140
      preterm-born children (<30 weeks gestation) who underwent neurodevelopmental
      assessment (IQ, motor, language, working memory) and diffusion-weighted imaging
      (DWI) at age 7 years. White matter tracts in the superior, middle, and inferior
      cerebellar peduncles were delineated using regions of interest drawn on T2
      weighted images and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps. Diffusion measures (mean
      diffusivity (MD) and FA) and tract volumes were calculated. Linear regression was
      used to assess relationships with outcome. The severity of white matter injury in
      the neonatal period was associated with lower FA in the right superior cerebellar
      peduncle (SCP) and lower tract volumes of both SCPs and middle cerebellar
      peduncles (MCPs). In the MCP, higher IQ was associated with lower MD in the whole
      group and higher FA in right-handed children. In the SCP, lower motor scores were
      associated with higher MD and higher language scores were associated with higher
      FA. These associations remained significant in multivariable models. This study
      adds to the body of literature detailing the importance of cerebellar involvement
      in cognitive function related to reciprocal connections with supratentorial
      structures.

PMID- 27255707
TI  - Selection of affinity-improved neutralizing human scFv against HBV PreS1 from
      CDR3 VH/VL mutant library.
AB  - A CDR3 mutant library was constructed from a previously isolated anti-HBV
      neutralizing Homo sapiens scFv-31 template by random mutant primers PCR. Then the
      library was displayed on the inner membrane surface in Escherichia coli
      periplasmic space. Seven scFv clones were isolated from the mutant library
      through three rounds of screening by flow cytometry. Competition ELISA assay
      indicates that isolated scFv fragments show more efficient binding ability to HBV
      PreS1 compared with parental scFv-31. HBV neutralization assay indicated that two
      clones (scFv-3 and 59) show higher neutralizing activity by blocking the HBV
      infection to Chang liver cells. Our method provides a new strategy for rapid
      screening of mutant antibody library for affinity-enhanced scFv clones and the
      neutralizing scFvs obtained from this study provide a potential alternative of
      Hepatitis B immune globulin. 

PMID- 27255708
TI  - Possible involvement of hippocampal immediate-early genes in contextual fear
      memory deficit induced by cranial irradiation.
AB  - Cranial irradiation can trigger adverse effects on brain functions, including
      cognitive ability. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying
      radiation-induced cognitive impairments remain still unknown. Immediate-early
      genes (IEGs) are implicated in neuronal plasticity and the related functions
      (i.e., memory formation) in the hippocampus. The present study quantitatively
      assessed changes in the mRNA and protein levels of the learning-induced IEGs,
      including Arc, c-fos, and zif268, in the mouse hippocampus after cranial
      irradiation using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain
      reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Mice (male, 8-week-old
      C57BL/6) received whole-brain irradiation with 0 or 10Gy of gamma-ray and, 2weeks
      later, contextual fear conditioning (CFC) was used to induce IEGs. In the CFC
      task, mice evaluated 2weeks after irradiation exhibited significant memory
      deficits compared with sham (0Gy)-irradiated controls. The levels of mRNA
      encoding IEGs were significantly upregulated in the hippocampus 10 and 30min
      after CFC training. The mRNA levels in the irradiated hippocampi were
      significantly lower than those in the sham-irradiated controls. The IEG protein
      levels were significantly increased in all hippocampal regions, including the
      hippocampal dentate gyrus, cornu ammonis (CA)1, and CA3, after CFC training. The
      CFC-induced upregulation of Arc and c-fos in 10Gy-irradiated hippocampi was
      significantly lower than that in sham-irradiated controls, although there were no
      significant differences in the protein levels of the learning-induced zif268
      between sham-irradiated and 10Gy-irradiated hippocampi. Thus, cranial irradiation
      with 10Gy of gamma-ray impairs the induction of hippocampal IEGs (particularly
      Arc and c-fos) via behavioral contextual fear memory, and this disturbance may be
      associated with the memory deficits evident in mice after cranial irradiation,
      possibly through the dysregulation of neuronal plasticity during memory
      formation.

PMID- 27255710
TI  - Short Term Palmitate Supply Impairs Intestinal Insulin Signaling via Ceramide
      Production.
AB  - The worldwide prevalence of metabolic diseases is increasing, and there are
      global recommendations to limit consumption of certain nutrients, especially
      saturated lipids. Insulin resistance, a common trait occurring in obesity and
      type 2 diabetes, is associated with intestinal lipoprotein overproduction.
      However, the mechanisms by which the intestine develops insulin resistance in
      response to lipid overload remain unknown. Here, we show that insulin inhibits
      triglyceride secretion and intestinal microsomal triglyceride transfer protein
      expression in vivo in healthy mice force-fed monounsaturated fatty acid-rich
      olive oil but not in mice force-fed saturated fatty acid-rich palm oil. Moreover,
      when mouse intestine and human Caco-2/TC7 enterocytes were treated with the
      saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid, the insulin-signaling pathway was impaired.
      We show that palmitic acid or palm oil increases ceramide production in
      intestinal cells and that treatment with a ceramide analogue partially reproduces
      the effects of palmitic acid on insulin signaling. In Caco-2/TC7 enterocytes,
      ceramide effects on insulin-dependent AKT phosphorylation are mediated by protein
      kinase C but not by protein phosphatase 2A. Finally, inhibiting de novo ceramide
      synthesis improves the response of palmitic acid-treated Caco-2/TC7 enterocytes
      to insulin. These results demonstrate that a palmitic acid-ceramide pathway
      accounts for impaired intestinal insulin sensitivity, which occurs within several
      hours following initial lipid exposure.

PMID- 27255709
TI  - Molecular Mechanism of Mot1, a TATA-binding Protein (TBP)-DNA Dissociating
      Enzyme.
AB  - The essential Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATPase Mot1 globally regulates
      transcription by impacting the genomic distribution and activity of the TATA
      binding protein (TBP). In vitro, Mot1 forms a ternary complex with TBP and DNA
      and can use ATP hydrolysis to dissociate the TBP-DNA complex. Prior work
      suggested an interaction between the ATPase domain and a functionally important
      segment of DNA flanking the TATA sequence. However, how ATP hydrolysis
      facilitates removal of TBP from DNA is not well understood, and several models
      have been proposed. To gain insight into the Mot1 mechanism, we dissected the
      role of the flanking DNA segment by biochemical analysis of complexes formed
      using DNAs with short single-stranded gaps. In parallel, we used a DNA tethered
      cleavage approach to map regions of Mot1 in proximity to the DNA under different
      conditions. Our results define non-equivalent roles for bases within a broad
      segment of flanking DNA required for Mot1 action. Moreover, we present
      biochemical evidence for two distinct conformations of the Mot1 ATPase, the
      detection of which can be modulated by ATP analogs as well as DNA sequence
      flanking the TATA sequence. We also show using purified complexes that Mot1
      dissociation of a stable, high affinity TBP-DNA interaction is surprisingly
      inefficient, suggesting how other transcription factors that bind to TBP may
      compete with Mot1. Taken together, these results suggest that TBP-DNA affinity as
      well as other aspects of promoter sequence influence Mot1 function in vivo.

PMID- 27255711
TI  - Structural Basis of the Recruitment of Ubiquitin-specific Protease USP15 by
      Spliceosome Recycling Factor SART3.
AB  - Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) USP15 and USP4 belong to a subset of USPs
      featuring an N-terminal tandem domain in USP (DUSP) and ubiquitin-like (UBL)
      domain. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T-cell 3 (SART3), a
      spliceosome recycling factor, binds to the DUSP-UBL domain of USP15 and USP4,
      recruiting them to the nucleus from the cytosol to control deubiquitination of
      histone H2B and spliceosomal proteins, respectively. To provide structural
      insight, we solved crystal structures of SART3 in the apo-form and in complex
      with the DUSP-UBL domain of USP15 at 2.0 and 3.0 A, respectively. Structural
      analysis reveals SART3 contains 12 half-a-tetratricopeptide (HAT) repeats,
      organized into two subdomains, HAT-N and HAT-C. SART3 dimerizes through the
      concave surface of HAT-C, whereas the HAT-C convex surface binds USP15 in a novel
      bipartite mode. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements and mutagenesis
      analysis confirmed key residues of USP15 involved in the interaction and
      indicated USP15 binds 20-fold stronger than USP4.

PMID- 27255712
TI  - Phosphorylation of Deinococcus radiodurans RecA Regulates Its Activity and May
      Contribute to Radioresistance.
AB  - Deinococcus radiodurans has a remarkable capacity to survive exposure to extreme
      levels of radiation that cause hundreds of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). DSB
      repair in this bacterium depends on its recombinase A protein (DrRecA). DrRecA
      plays a pivotal role in both extended synthesis-dependent strand annealing and
      slow crossover events of DSB repair during the organism's recovery from DNA
      damage. The mechanisms that control DrRecA activity during the D. radiodurans
      response to gamma radiation exposure are unknown. Here, we show that DrRecA
      undergoes phosphorylation at Tyr-77 and Thr-318 by a DNA damage-responsive serine
      threonine/tyrosine protein kinase (RqkA). Phosphorylation modifies the activity
      of DrRecA in several ways, including increasing its affinity for dsDNA and its
      preference for dATP over ATP. Strand exchange reactions catalyzed by
      phosphorylated versus unphosphorylated DrRecA also differ. In silico analysis of
      DrRecA structure support the idea that phosphorylation can modulate crucial
      functions of this protein. Collectively, our findings suggest that
      phosphorylation of DrRecA enables the recombinase to selectively use abundant
      dsDNA substrate present during post-irradiation recovery for efficient DSB
      repair, thereby promoting the extraordinary radioresistance of D. radiodurans.

PMID- 27255714
TI  - Is the Annual Confidential Report system effective? A study of the government
      appraisal system in Gujarat, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Effective performance appraisal systems can not only motivate
      employees to improve performance but also be important for the performance of
      organizations. However, the appraisal systems in civil services called the Annual
      Confidential Report (ACR) systems can be ineffective and do not contribute to
      employees' learning and development. With this background, the current study
      aimed at understanding the ACR system and assessing its effectiveness. The
      research aims to contribute in filling the knowledge gap in the existing
      literature on the need as to why the ACR system in civil services is an important
      human resource management (HRM) function. METHODS: The analysis is based on
      policy review to understand the extant appraisal-related rules and policies.
      Nineteen in-depth interviews with medical officers (MOs) working with the
      government health department of Gujarat, India, were conducted. The main
      objective of the research was to assess the effectiveness of the actual appraisal
      system called or referred to as the ACR as perceived by MOs. Thematic framework
      approach was used to analyze qualitative data using NVIVO 9. Themes were built
      around five features of an effective appraisal system, i.e., purpose, source,
      feedback quality, link of the ACR system with other human resource functions, and
      administrative effectiveness. RESULTS: The five features of the effective
      appraisal system studied in the current research (purpose, source, feedback
      quality, link of ACR system with other HRM functions, and administrative
      effectiveness) indicate that the overall appraisal system is ineffective. The
      overall appraisal system was perceived to be subjective and one directional in
      character by the study respondents. Furthermore, respondents perceived the
      appraisal system to be a ritual and where MOs hardly got to know about their
      performance, especially good performance. Hence, the feedback loop, an important
      feature for an effective appraisal system, was absent. The overall ACR system
      functions in isolation with no link to other HRM functions such as training and
      counselling, and a weak link with salary administration and promotion.
      CONCLUSIONS: Addressing the five features or domains of an effective appraisal
      system can lead to improved perceived fairness MOs have on the current appraisal
      system which may further influence the satisfaction and motivation positively.
      Improved motivation and satisfaction with the appraisal system can influence two
      important human resource for health-related outcomes, i.e., performance and
      retention.

PMID- 27255715
TI  - Theory of mind grows up: Reflections on new research on theory of mind in middle
      childhood and adolescence.

PMID- 27255713
TI  - Drug Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism in the Elderly.
AB  - Half of all patients with acute venous thromboembolism are aged over 70 years;
      they then face the added hazard of an age-related increase in the incidence of
      major bleeding. This makes it even more important to weigh the balance of benefit
      and risk when considering anticoagulant treatment and treatment duration.
      Traditional treatment with a heparin (usually low molecular weight) followed by a
      vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin is effective but is often complicated,
      especially in the elderly. The direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs), i.e.
      the thrombin inhibitor dabigatran and the factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban,
      apixaban and edoxaban, are given in fixed doses, do not need laboratory
      monitoring, have fewer drug-drug interactions and are therefore much easier to
      take. Randomised trials, their meta-analyses and 'real-world' data indicate the
      DOACs are no less effective than warfarin (are non-inferior) and probably cause
      less major bleeding (especially intracranial). It seems the relative safety of
      DOACs extends to age above 65 or 70 years, although bleeding becomes more likely
      regardless of the chosen anticoagulant. Renal impairment, comorbidities
      (especially cancer) and interventions are special hazards. Ways to minimise
      bleeding include patient selection and follow-up, education about venous
      thromboembolism, anticoagulants, drug interactions, regular checks on adherence
      and avoiding needlessly prolonged treatment. The relatively short circulating
      half-lives of DOACs mean that time, local measures and supportive care are the
      main response to major bleeding. They also simplify the management of invasive
      interventions. An antidote for dabigatran, idarucizumab, was recently approved by
      regulators, and a general antidote for factor Xa inhibitors is in advanced
      development.

PMID- 27255716
TI  - Extensive coronavirus-induced membrane rearrangements are not a determinant of
      pathogenicity.
AB  - Positive-strand RNA (+RNA) viruses rearrange cellular membranes during
      replication, possibly in order to concentrate and arrange viral replication
      machinery for efficient viral RNA synthesis. Our previous work showed that in
      addition to the conserved coronavirus double membrane vesicles (DMVs), Beau-R, an
      apathogenic strain of avian Gammacoronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV),
      induces regions of ER that are zippered together and tethered open-necked double
      membrane spherules that resemble replication organelles induced by other +RNA
      viruses. Here we compared structures induced by Beau-R with the pathogenic lab
      strain M41 to determine whether membrane rearrangements are strain dependent.
      Interestingly, M41 was found to have a low spherule phenotype. We then compared a
      panel of pathogenic, mild and attenuated IBV strains in ex vivo tracheal organ
      culture (TOC). Although the low spherule phenotype of M41 was conserved in TOCs,
      each of the other tested IBV strains produced DMVs, zippered ER and spherules.
      Furthermore, there was a significant correlation for the presence of DMVs with
      spherules, suggesting that these structures are spatially and temporally linked.
      Our data indicate that virus induced membrane rearrangements are fundamentally
      linked to the viral replicative machinery. However, coronavirus replicative
      apparatus clearly has the plasticity to function in different structural
      contexts.

PMID- 27255717
TI  - Serum HER2 extracellular domain levels and HER2 circulating tumor cell status in
      patients with metastatic breast cancer.
AB  - AIM: To shed light on the clinical role of HER2 status in serum as extracellular
      domain (ECD) and corresponding circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in metastatic
      breast cancer patients. METHODS: 68 patients were analyzed. Serum HER2 was
      determined by ADVIA Centaur((r)) Serum HER2 test. CellSearch System was performed
      for CTC quantification. RESULTS: HER2 was overexpressed in 21 primary tumors. In
      total, 19 patients had ECD >15 ng/ml (the cut-off used), 48 patients had at least
      one CTC. ECD positivity was associated with CTC number (p = 0.01), HER2-positive
      CTC (p = 0.01) and the ratio HER2-positive CTC/total CTC (p = 0.02). ECD was not
      associated with survival. CONCLUSION: ECD in combination with HER2 CTC status
      would deserve further investigation in larger series for addressing its putative
      prognostic relevance.

PMID- 27255718
TI  - CORRIGENDUM.

PMID- 27255721
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Comment on "Thyroid stimulating antibodies are highly
      prevalent in Hashimoto thyroiditis and associated orbitopathy" Dear Editor.

PMID- 27255722
TI  - Response, Letter to the Editor: Author Response to Mustafa Sahin.

PMID- 27255723
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Association Between Body Mass Index and Hip Fragility in
      Older Adults.

PMID- 27255724
TI  - Vitamin D Deficiency Accelerates Coronary Artery Disease Progression in Swine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The role of vitamin D deficiency in coronary artery disease (CAD)
      progression is uncertain. Chronic inflammation in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT)
      has been implicated in the pathogenesis of CAD. However, the molecular mechanism
      underlying vitamin D deficiency-enhanced inflammation in the EAT of diseased
      coronary arteries remains unknown. We examined a mechanistic link between 1,25
      dihydroxyvitamin D-mediated suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)
      transporter, karyopherin alpha4 (KPNA4) expression and NF-kappaB activation in
      preadipocytes. Furthermore, we determined whether vitamin D deficiency
      accelerates CAD progression by increasing KPNA4 and nuclear NF-kappaB levels in
      EAT. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Nuclear protein levels were detected by
      immunofluorescence and Western blot. Exogenous KPNA4 was transported into cells
      by a transfection approach and constituted lentiviral vector. Swine were
      administered vitamin D-deficient or vitamin D-sufficient hypercholesterolemic
      diet. After 1 year, the histopathology of coronary arteries and nuclear protein
      expression of EAT were assessed. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D inhibited NF-kappaB
      activation and reduced KPNA4 levels through increased vitamin D receptor
      expression. Exogenous KPNA4 rescued 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-dependent suppression
      of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and activation. Vitamin D deficiency caused
      extensive CAD progression and advanced atherosclerotic plaques, which are linked
      to increased KPNA4 and nuclear NF-kappaB levels in the EAT. CONCLUSIONS: 1,25
      dihydroxyvitamin D attenuates NF-kappaB activation by targeting KPNA4. Vitamin D
      deficiency accelerates CAD progression at least, in part, through enhanced
      chronic inflammation of EAT by upregulation of KPNA4, which enhances NF-kappaB
      activation. These novel findings provide mechanistic evidence that vitamin D
      supplementation could be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of CAD.

PMID- 27255726
TI  - Catatonia.
AB  - One of the most exciting psychiatric conditions is the bizarre psychomotor
      syndrome called catatonia, which may present with a large number of different
      motor signs and even vegetative instability. Catatonia is potentially life
      threatening. The use of benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has
      been efficient in the majority of patients. The rich clinical literature of the
      past has attempted to capture the nature of catatonia. But the lack of diagnostic
      clarity and operationalization has hampered research on catatonia for a long
      time. Within the last decades, it became clear that catatonia had to be separated
      from schizophrenia, which was finally accomplished in the Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). In DSM-5,
      catatonia syndrome may be diagnosed as a specifier to major mood disorders,
      psychotic disorders, general medical conditions, and as catatonia not otherwise
      specified. This allows diagnosing the syndrome in a large variety of psychiatric
      disorders. Currently, the pathobiology remains widely unknown. Suspected
      neurotransmitter systems include gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate.
      Neuroimaging reports pointed to reduced resting state activity and reduced task
      activation in motor areas of the frontal and parietal cortex. The new
      classification of catatonia will foster more clinical research and
      neuroscientific approaches by testing catatonia in various populations and
      applying stringent criteria. The scarce number of prospective trials will
      hopefully increase, as more trials will be encouraged within a more precise
      concept of catatonia. 

PMID- 27255725
TI  - Central Role of P2Y6 UDP Receptor in Arteriolar Myogenic Tone.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Myogenic tone (MT) of resistance arteries ensures autoregulation of
      blood flow in organs and relies on the intrinsic property of smooth muscle to
      contract in response to stretch. Nucleotides released by mechanical strain on
      cells are responsible for pleiotropic vascular effects, including
      vasoconstriction. Here, we evaluated the contribution of extracellular
      nucleotides to MT. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We measured MT and the associated
      pathway in mouse mesenteric resistance arteries using arteriography for small
      arteries and molecular biology. Of the P2 receptors in mouse mesenteric
      resistance arteries, mRNA expression of P2X1 and P2Y6 was dominant. P2Y6 fully
      sustained UDP/UTP-induced contraction (abrogated in P2ry6(-/-) arteries).
      Preventing nucleotide hydrolysis with the ectonucleotidase inhibitor ARL67156
      enhanced pressure-induced MT by 20%, whereas P2Y6 receptor blockade blunted MT in
      mouse mesenteric resistance arteries and human subcutaneous arteries. Despite
      normal hemodynamic parameters, P2ry6(-/-) mice were protected against MT
      elevation in myocardial infarction-induced heart failure. Although both P2Y6 and
      P2Y2 receptors contributed to calcium mobilization, P2Y6 activation was mandatory
      for RhoA-GTP binding, myosin light chain, P42-P44, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase
      phosphorylation in arterial smooth muscle cells. In accordance with the opening
      of a nucleotide conduit in pressurized arteries, MT was altered by hemichannel
      pharmacological inhibitors and impaired in Cx43(+/-) and P2rx7(-/-) mesenteric
      resistance arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Signaling through P2 nucleotide receptors
      contributes to MT. This mechanism encompasses the release of nucleotides coupled
      to specific autocrine/paracrine activation of the uracil nucleotide P2Y6 receptor
      and may contribute to impaired tissue perfusion in cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 27255727
TI  - CORR Insights(r): Proximal Tibia Reconstruction After Bone Tumor Resection: Are
      Survivorship and Outcomes of Endoprosthetic Replacement and Osteoarticular
      Allograft Similar?

PMID- 27255728
TI  - Pearls: How to Place an Interposition Segmental Bone Block for Lengthening or
      Alignment.

PMID- 27255729
TI  - Do the Reasons for Ceramic-on-ceramic Revisions Differ From Other Bearings in
      Total Hip Arthroplasty?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite widespread use of ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) in total hip
      arthroplasty (THA) during the past 10 years, little is known about why revisions
      are performed in hips with this bearing or the time elapsed before revision.
      QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purposes of this study were: (1) Do the reasons for first
      revision differ between CoC bearings and other bearing couples? (2) Does the time
      to revision differ between CoC and other bearing couples? (3) Are there unique
      reasons for revisions of CoC bearings? METHODS: All members of the Societe
      Francaise de Chirurgie Orthopedique et Traumatologique (SoFCOT) who performed >=
      30 revisions per year were invited to participate in this multicenter,
      prospective, observational study. Our data represent 12% of the revision
      procedures performed in France. A total of 2107 first revisions of THA (from
      January 2010 to December 2011) were done in 2107 patients (1201 females [57%] and
      906 males [43%]; median age, 73 years; age range, 17-104 years) at the time of
      surgery after a median of 11 years (range, 0 day-42 years) after the primary THA.
      There were 238 of 2107 (11%) CoC, 148 of 2107 (7%) metal-on-metal (MoM), and 1721
      of 2017 (82%) metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) bearings. RESULTS: The reasons for
      reoperation differed according to the bearing component: (1) for the MoP
      reference bearing (odds ratio [OR]; 95% confidence interval), cup loosening
      occurred in 698 of 1721 hips (41%), periprosthetic fracture in 220 of 1721 hips
      (13%), and osteolysis in 213 of 1721 hips (12%); (2) for CoC, cup loosening
      occurred in 41 of 238 hips (17%) (OR, 0.31 [0.22-0.43; p < 0.001), infection in
      39 of 238 hips (16%) (OR, 1.63 [1.12-2.37]; p = 0.01), and dislocation in 23 of
      238 hips (10%) (OR, 0.9 [0.57-1.42]; p = 0.9); (3) for MoM, cup loosening
      occurred in 28 of 148 hips (19%) (OR, 0.34 [0.22-0.52]; p < 0.001), adverse
      reaction to metallic debris in 26 of 148 hips (18%) (OR, 18.12 [9.84-33.4]; p <
      0.001), and infection in 16 of 148 hips (11%) (OR, 1 [0.59-1.73]; p = 0.9). In
      comparison with MoP, osteolysis was rarely the reason for revision in CoC (four
      of 238 hips [2%]; OR, 0.12 [0.05-0.33]; p < 0.001), but this bearing was
      frequently revised because of iliopsoas irritation (18 of 238 hips [8%]; OR, 4.9
      [2.7-9]; p < 0.001). The time elapsed before revision differed between bearings:
      median of 3 years (range, 3 days to 28 years) for CoC and 4 years (range, 14 days
      to 37 years) for MoM versus a median 13 years (range, 0 day to 42 years) for MoP
      (p < 0.001). Thirty-seven of the 238 revisions (16%) were directly related to
      ceramic use (ceramic breakage [n = 23], squeaking [n = 6], impingement [n = 7],
      incorrect ceramic insert insertion [n = 1]). No factors were identified that
      contributed to breakage of the 12 bulk ceramic components (eight heads, four
      inserts, four of 12 Delta ceramic). No factors were associated with squeaking,
      iliopsoas irritation, or impingement, but component orientation was not assessed.
      CONCLUSIONS: The reasons and time to first revision differed between CoC and
      other bearings. CoC THAs are revised earlier and are sensitive to mechanical
      problems such as impingement, squeaking, and ceramic rupture that did not
      disappear with introduction of Delta ceramics and large-diameter (>= 36 mm)
      bearings. CoC was rarely revised for osteolysis, but a high rate of iliopsoas
      irritation requires further investigation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III,
      therapeutic study.

PMID- 27255730
TI  - Cholesterol is required for maintaining T-tubule integrity and intercellular
      connections at intercalated discs in cardiomyocytes.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: Low serum cholesterol levels are associated with cardiac arrhythmias
      and poor prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure. However, the
      underlying mechanisms by which decreases in cholesterol content lead to cardiac
      dysfunction remain unclear. Multiple studies have implicated damage to cardiac
      transverse (T)-tubules as a key mediator of excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling
      dysfunction and heart failure. Since the T-tubule membrane system is enriched in
      cholesterol, we hypothesized that depletion of membrane cholesterol promotes T
      tubule remodeling and E-C coupling dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: We first
      examined the impact of membrane cholesterol depletion on T-tubule architecture by
      treating isolated C57BL/6 murine cardiomyocytes with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin
      (MbetaCD). T-tubule structural integrity was progressively decreased by MbetaCD
      in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Membrane cholesterol depletion
      also promoted a severe decrease in the amplitude of Ca(2+) transients and an
      increase in Ca(2+) release dyssynchrony as well as a significant increase in the
      frequency of spontaneous Ca(2+) sparks. Reintroduction of cholesterol restored T
      tubule integrity and partially restored Ca(2+) handling properties in acutely
      treated myocytes and slowed T-tubule deterioration in response to chronic MbetaCD
      exposure. Studies were extended to determine the impact of membrane cholesterol
      depletion on T-tubule structure in intact hearts. In addition to T-tubule
      remodeling, Langendorff perfusion of MbetaCD resulted in rapid and severe
      disruption of the intercellular connections between cardiomyocytes, in particular
      at intercalated disc regions in intact hearts. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide
      the first evidence that cholesterol plays a critical role in maintaining cardiac
      T-tubule structure as well as the integrity of intercalated discs.

PMID- 27255731
TI  - Prognostic factors in children undergoing salvage surgery for bladder/prostate
      rhabdomyosarcoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors have been studied in patients with
      rhabdomyosarcoma in general, but little is known about prognostic factors in the
      subgroup of patients with bladder/prostate rhabdomyosarcoma (BP-RMS) requiring
      salvage surgery after failure of chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy to achieve local
      control. We reviewed the 28-year Italian experience with BP-RMS requiring salvage
      surgery after failure of nonsurgical management indicated by evidence of disease
      persistence after chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy. Our hypothesis was that the same
      variables identified as prognostic factors in the general population with RMS
      could have prognostic value in this subgroup. METHOD: Between 1986 and 2014, 108
      patients with a histological diagnosis of BP-RMS were registered into three
      consecutive protocols. Patients undergoing salvage surgery after failure of
      chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy and follow-up >5 years were considered for study.
      Variables related to the patient, to treatment, and to the surgical specimen were
      compared using the log-rank test in patients who achieved and failed to achieve 5
      year progression-free survival (5-yr PFS). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence
      intervals (95% CI) were calculated for significant variables. RESULTS: Of the 108
      patients enrolled in the protocols, 33 (30.6%) underwent salvage surgery and 26
      matched study criteria. Seventeen patients were disease-free after a median
      follow-up of 125 months (range 65.5-311.7 months), 5-yr PFS 65.4%. Nine events
      were registered after a median follow-up of 5.4 months (range 1.9-27.5 months).
      Among the variables assessed (Table), only an undifferentiated histology proved
      to be significantly associated with a poorer 5-yr PFS, whereas a tumor size above
      5 cm in the removed specimen approached significance. The OR (95% CI) for failure
      of 5-yr PFS was 28 (2.4-326.8) and 8.3 (1.03-67.1), respectively. CONCLUSION: 5
      yr PFS proved unrelated to excision margins of the surgical specimen, that is on
      whether there was evidence of microscopic residues left behind during surgery.
      These data suggest that the outcome is more influenced by the biological
      properties of the tumor. If small foci of differentiated cells are left behind,
      these probably do not compromise final prognosis. In our patients requiring
      salvage bladder-prostate surgery after failure of chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy,
      long-term progression-free survival seemed unrelated to patient/tumor
      characteristics at presentation and preoperative management. Regarding the
      characteristics of the removed specimen, instead, an undifferentiated tumor
      histology and a diameter of the removed tumor >5 cm negatively influenced
      prognosis, whereas the presence of positive excision margins did not.

PMID- 27255733
TI  - Maintenance of peripheral tolerance to islet antigens.
AB  - Reestablishment of immune tolerance to the insulin-producing beta cells is the
      desired goal for type 1 diabetes (T1D) treatment and prevention. Immune tolerance
      to multiple islet antigens is defective in individuals with T1D, but the
      mechanisms involved are multifaceted and may involve loss of thymic and
      peripheral tolerance. In this review we discuss our current understanding of the
      varied mechanisms by which peripheral tolerance to islet antigens is maintained
      in healthy individuals where genetic protection from T1D is present and how this
      fails in those with genetic susceptibility to disease. Novel findings in regards
      to expression of neo-islet antigens, non-classical regulatory cell subsets and
      the impact of specific genetic variants on tolerance induction are discussed.

PMID- 27255732
TI  - Using metabarcoding to reveal and quantify plant-pollinator interactions.
AB  - Given the ongoing decline of both pollinators and plants, it is crucial to
      implement effective methods to describe complex pollination networks across time
      and space in a comprehensive and high-throughput way. Here we tested if
      metabarcoding may circumvent the limits of conventional methodologies in
      detecting and quantifying plant-pollinator interactions. Metabarcoding
      experiments on pollen DNA mixtures described a positive relationship between the
      amounts of DNA from focal species and the number of trnL and ITS1 sequences
      yielded. The study of pollen loads of insects captured in plant communities
      revealed that as compared to the observation of visits, metabarcoding revealed
      2.5 times more plant species involved in plant-pollinator interactions. We
      further observed a tight positive relationship between the pollen-carrying
      capacities of insect taxa and the number of trnL and ITS1 sequences. The number
      of visits received per plant species also positively correlated to the number of
      their ITS1 and trnL sequences in insect pollen loads. By revealing interactions
      hard to observe otherwise, metabarcoding significantly enlarges the
      spatiotemporal observation window of pollination interactions. By providing new
      qualitative and quantitative information, metabarcoding holds great promise for
      investigating diverse facets of interactions and will provide a new perception of
      pollination networks as a whole.

PMID- 27255735
TI  - Erratum: Induction of IL-25 secretion from tumour-associated fibroblasts
      suppresses mammary tumour metastasis.

PMID- 27255734
TI  - Predictors of slow progression to diabetes in children with multiple islet
      autoantibodies.
AB  - Although most children with multiple islet autoantibodies develop type 1
      diabetes, rate of progression is highly variable. The goal of this study was to
      explore potential factors involved in rate of progression to diabetes in children
      with multiple islet autoantibodies. The Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young
      (DAISY) has followed 118 children with multiple islet autoantibodies for
      progression to diabetes. After excluding 27 children currently diabetes-free but
      followed for <10 years, the study population was grouped into: rapid progressors
      (N = 39) who developed diabetes in <5 years; moderate progressors (N = 25),
      diagnosed with diabetes within 5-10 years; and slow progressors (N = 27),
      diabetes-free for >10 years. Islet autoimmunity appeared at 4.0 +/- 3.5, 3.2 +/-
      1.8 and 5.8 +/- 3.1 years of age in rapid, moderate and slow progressors,
      respectively (p = 0.006). Insulin autoantibody levels were lower in slow
      progressors compared to moderate and rapid progressors. The groups did not differ
      by gender, ethnicity, family history, susceptibility HLA and non-HLA genes. The
      rate of development of individual islet autoantibodies including mIAA, GADA, IA
      2A and ZnT8A were all slower in the slow versus moderate/rapid progressors. In
      multivariate analyses, older age at seroconversion and lower initial mIAA levels
      independently predicted slower progression to diabetes. Later onset of islet
      autoimmunity and lower autoantibody levels predicted slower progression to
      diabetes among children with multiple islet autoantibodies. These factors may
      need to be considered in the design of trials to prevent type 1 diabetes.

PMID- 27255736
TI  - Manipulating Google's Knowledge Graph Box to Counter Biased Information
      Processing During an Online Search on Vaccination: Application of a Technological
      Debiasing Strategy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of people's major motives for going online is the search for
      health-related information. Most consumers start their search with a general
      search engine but are unaware of the fact that its sorting and ranking criteria
      do not mirror information quality. This misconception can lead to distorted
      search outcomes, especially when the information processing is characterized by
      heuristic principles and resulting cognitive biases instead of a systematic
      elaboration. As vaccination opponents are vocal on the Web, the chance of
      encountering their non-evidence-based views on immunization is high. Therefore,
      biased information processing in this context can cause subsequent impaired
      judgment and decision making. A technological debiasing strategy could counter
      this by changing people's search environment. OBJECTIVE: This study aims at
      testing a technological debiasing strategy to reduce the negative effects of
      biased information processing when using a general search engine on people's
      vaccination-related knowledge and attitudes. This strategy is to manipulate the
      content of Google's knowledge graph box, which is integrated in the search
      interface and provides basic information about the search topic. METHODS: A full
      3x2 factorial, posttest-only design was employed with availability of basic
      factual information (comprehensible vs hardly comprehensible vs not present) as
      the first factor and a warning message as the second factor of experimental
      manipulation. Outcome variables were the evaluation of the knowledge graph box,
      vaccination-related knowledge, as well as beliefs and attitudes toward
      vaccination, as represented by three latent variables emerged from an exploratory
      factor analysis. RESULTS: Two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant
      main effect of availability of basic information in the knowledge graph box on
      participants' vaccination knowledge scores (F2,273=4.86, P=.01), skepticism/fear
      of vaccination side effects (F2,273=3.5, P=.03), and perceived information
      quality (F2,273=3.73, P=.02). More specifically, respondents receiving
      comprehensible information appeared to be more knowledgeable, less skeptical of
      vaccination, and more critical of information quality compared to participants
      exposed to hardly comprehensible information. Although, there was no significant
      interaction effect between the availability of information and the presence of
      the warning, there was a dominant pattern in which the presence of the warning
      appeared to have a positive influence on the group receiving comprehensible
      information while the opposite was true for the groups exposed to hardly
      comprehensible information and no information at all. Participants evaluated the
      knowledge graph box as moderately to highly useful, with no significant
      differences among the experimental groups. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results
      suggest that comprehensible information in the knowledge graph box positively
      affects participants' vaccination-related knowledge and attitudes. A small change
      in the content retrieval procedure currently used by Google could already make a
      valuable difference in the pursuit of an unbiased online information search.
      Further research is needed to gain insights into the knowledge graph box's entire
      potential.

PMID- 27255737
TI  - Ultrasonically improved semi-hydrogenation of alkynes to (Z-)alkenes over novel
      lead-free Pd/Boehmite catalysts.
AB  - This paper reports the application of ultrasound in the semi-hydrogenation of
      alkynes over two novel Pd/Boehmite catalysts. The semi-hydrogenations of
      phenylacetylene, diphenylacetylene and 2-butyne-1,4-diol have either been
      investigated in an ultrasonic bath under atmospheric hydrogen pressure, or in an
      ultrasonic horn reactor under 0.1-0.5MPa hydrogen pressure. Alkyne hydrogenation
      was suppressed by sonication under atmospheric hydrogen pressure, but promoted by
      sonication under 0.1MPa of hydrogen pressure. Sonication increased selectivity
      towards the semi-hydrogenated products in both cases. Catalyst loading, hydrogen
      pressure, temperature and the presence of quinoline, all impacted on
      hydrogenation rate, activity and selectivity to semi-hydrogenated products.
      Palladium leaching from the catalyst was evaluated in ethanol and hexane both
      under plain stirring and sonication.

PMID- 27255738
TI  - Compositional data analysis of the microbiome: fundamentals, tools, and
      challenges.
AB  - PURPOSE: Human microbiome studies are within the realm of compositional data with
      the absolute abundances of microbes not recoverable from sequence data alone. In
      compositional data analysis, each sample consists of proportions of various
      organisms with a sum constrained to a constant. This simple feature can lead
      traditional statistical treatments when naively applied to produce errant results
      and spurious correlations. METHODS: We review the origins of compositionality in
      microbiome data, the theory and usage of compositional data analysis in this
      setting and some recent attempts at solutions to these problems. RESULTS:
      Microbiome sequence data sets are typically high dimensional, with the number of
      taxa much greater than the number of samples, and sparse as most taxa are only
      observed in a small number of samples. These features of microbiome sequence data
      interact with compositionality to produce additional challenges in analysis.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite sophisticated approaches to statistical transformation, the
      analysis of compositional data may remain a partially intractable problem,
      limiting inference. We suggest that current research needs include better
      generation of simulated data and further study of how the severity of
      compositional effects changes when sampling microbial communities of widely
      differing diversity.

PMID- 27255739
TI  - Challenges for case-control studies with microbiome data.
AB  - PURPOSE: In case-control studies of the human microbiome, the goal is to evaluate
      whether cases differ from controls in the microbiome composition of a particular
      body habitat and which taxa are responsible for the differences. These studies
      leverage sequencing technology and spectroscopy that provide new measurements of
      the microbiome. METHODS: Three challenges in conducting reproducible microbiome
      research using a case-control design are compensating for differences in observed
      and actual microbial community composition, detecting "rare" taxa in microbial
      communities, and choosing properly powered analysis methods. The significance of
      each challenge, evaluation of commonly held views, analysis of unanswered
      questions, and suggestions of strategies for solutions are discussed. RESULTS:
      Understanding the effects of these choices on case-control analyses has been
      underappreciated, with an implicit assumption that further advances in technology
      will address all the current shortcomings. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that
      research on the human microbiome include positive and negative control
      experiments to provide insight into bias, contamination, and technical variation.
      Research protocols such as these may afford a better opportunity to make
      quantitative and qualitative adjustments to data, thereby reducing the risk of
      falsely positive results, increasing power to discover true disease determinants,
      and enhancing interpretation across studies.

PMID- 27255740
TI  - Predictors of mortality in pediatric trauma: experiences of a level 1 trauma
      center and an assessment of the International Classification Injury Severity
      Score (ICISS).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Injury severity scoring tools allow systematic comparison of outcomes
      in trauma research and quality improvement by indexing an expected mortality risk
      for certain injuries. This study investigated the predictive value of the
      empirically derived ICD9-derived Injury Severity Score (ICISS) compared to expert
      consensus-derived scoring systems for trauma mortality in a pediatric population.
      METHODS: 1935 consecutive trauma patients aged <18 years from 1/2000 to 12/2012
      were reviewed. Mechanism of injury (MOI), Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised
      Trauma Score (RTS), Trauma Score ISS (TRISS), and ICISS were compared using
      univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operator
      characteristic analysis. RESULTS: The population was a median age of 11 +/- 6
      year, 70 % male, and 76 % blunt injury. Median ISS 13 +/- 12 and overall
      mortality 3.5 %. Independent predictors of mortality were initial hematocrit
      [odds ratio (OR) 0.83 (0.73-0.95)], HCO3 [OR 0.82 (0.67-0.98)], Glasgow Coma
      Scale score [OR 0.75 (0.62-0.90)], and ISS [OR 1.10 (1.04-1.15)]. TRISS was
      superior to ICISS in predicting survival [area under receiver operator curve:
      0.992 (0.982-1.000) vs 0.888 (0.838-0.938)]. CONCLUSIONS: ICISS was inferior to
      existing injury scoring tools at predicting mortality in pediatric trauma
      patients.

PMID- 27255742
TI  - Reimbursable drug classes and ceilings in Italy: why not only one?

PMID- 27255741
TI  - Notochordal cell conditioned medium (NCCM) regenerates end-stage human
      osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes and promotes a healthy phenotype.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Notochordal cell conditioned medium (NCCM) derived from non
      chondrodystrophic dogs has pro-anabolic and anti-catabolic effects upon nucleus
      pulposus (NP) cells. Here, for the first time, we assessed the ability of NCCM to
      influence the production of extracellular matrix and inflammatory proteins by
      healthy and osteoarthritic human chondrocytes within engineered cartilage
      tissues. We hypothesized that, similar to its action on NP cells, NCCM exerts
      metabolic and anti-catabolic effects on human articular chondrocytes and has the
      potential to significantly counteract inflammatory mediators. METHODS:
      Chondrocytes from nine non-osteoarthritic patients and from six osteoarthritic
      (OA) donors at the time of total knee arthroplasty were chondro-differentiated in
      pellets for 2 weeks. Non-OA pellets were exposed for 72 hours to IL-1beta/TNF
      alpha and then cultured up to 14 days in 2 % FBS-supplemented NCCM or 2 % FBS
      supplemented medium (control (ctr)). OA pellets were cultured in NCCM or ctr
      medium without pro-inflammatory treatment. Tissues after each culture phase were
      analyzed biochemically (GAG/DNA), (immuno-) histologically (collagen I, II and
      GAG) and by Western blotting. Supernatants were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS:
      Response to NCCM was age and disease dependent with healthy chondrocyte pellets
      (from donors >55 years of age) recovering their glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents
      to baseline levels only with NCCM. OA pellets treated with NCCM significantly
      increased GAG content (1.8-fold) and levels of hyaluronic acid link protein
      (HAPLN), fibromodulin and SOX-9. The catabolic proteins (matrix metalloproteinase
      (MMP)-3 and MMP-13) and pro-inflammatory enzyme levels (cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2))
      were markedly reduced and there was significantly reduced secretion of pro
      inflammatory chemokines (IL-6 and IL-8). CONCLUSIONS: NCCM restores cartilage
      matrix production of end-stage human OA chondrocytes towards a healthy phenotype
      and suppresses the production of inflammatory mediators. Harnessing the necessary
      and sufficient factors within NCCM that confers chondroprotection and
      regenerative effects could lead to a minimally invasive agent for treatment of
      degenerative and inflammatory joint diseases.

PMID- 27255743
TI  - Evaluation of knowledge-based reconstruction for magnetic resonance volumetry of
      the right ventricle after arterial switch operation for dextro-transposition of
      the great arteries.
AB  - Right ventricular (RV) volume and function evaluation is essential in the follow
      up of patients after arterial switch operation (ASO) for dextro-transposition of
      the great arteries (d-TGA). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging using the
      Simpson's method is the gold-standard for measuring these parameters. However,
      this method can be challenging and time-consuming, especially in congenital heart
      disease. Knowledge-based reconstruction (KBR) is an alternative method to derive
      volumes from CMR datasets. It is based on the identification of a finite number
      of anatomical RV landmarks in various planes, followed by computer-based
      reconstruction of the endocardial contours by matching these landmarks with a
      reference library of representative RV shapes. The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, reproducibility and labor intensity of KBR
      for RV volumetry in patients after ASO for d-TGA. The CMR datasets of 17 children
      and adolescents (males 11, median age 15) were studied for RV volumetry using
      both KBR and Simpson's method. The intraobserver, interobserver and intermethod
      variabilities were assessed using Bland-Altman analyses. Good correlation between
      KBR and Simpson's method was noted. Intraobserver and interobserver variability
      for KBR showed excellent agreement. Volume and function assessment using KBR was
      faster when compared with the Simpson's method (5.1 +/- 0.6 vs. 6.7 +/- 0.9 min,
      p < 0.001). KBR is a feasible, accurate, reproducible and fast method for
      measuring RV volumes and function derived from CMR in patients after ASO for d
      TGA.

PMID- 27255744
TI  - Effect of household size on mental problems in children: results from the
      Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most people in industrialized societies grow up in core (parents
      only) families with few if any siblings. Based on an evolutionary perspective, it
      may be argued that this environment reflects a mismatch, in that the tribal
      setting offered a larger number of close affiliates. The present project examined
      whether this mismatch may have a negative impact on mental health. METHODS: We
      used data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), which includes
      114 500 children. The mothers were recruited during pregnancy and followed up
      with questionnaires as the infants grew older. Correlates between number and type
      of people living in the household and questions probing mental health were
      corrected for likely confounders. RESULTS: The number of household members
      correlated with scores on good mental health at all ages tested (3, 5 and 8
      years). The effects were distinct, highly significant, and present regardless of
      how mental issues were scored. The outcome could be attributed to having older
      siblings, rather than adults beyond parents. The more siblings, and the closer in
      age, the more pronounced was the effect. Living with a single mother did not make
      any difference compared to two parents. Girls were slightly more responsive to
      the presence of siblings than boys. Household pets did not have any appreciable
      impact. CONCLUSION: A large household is associated with fewer mental problems in
      children.

PMID- 27255745
TI  - Poorly Controlled Congenital Hypothyroidism due to an Underlying Allgrove
      Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Congenital hypothyroidism of thyroidal origin (CHT) is a common
      disorder in pediatric endocrinology practices, which can be difficult to manage.
      Elevated thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations are in the great majority of cases
      explained by poor compliance to levothyroxine therapy. METHODS: Case description.
      RESULTS: We present a boy with CHT, with 2 heterozygous mutations in the TSH
      receptor gene, who showed persistently elevated TSH concentrations and
      psychomotor retardation, initially misinterpreted as malcompliance. At the age of
      4 years, he was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, wherefore a broad
      diagnostic search was initiated. After the start of glucocorticoid replacement
      therapy, his TSH normalized and the levothyroxine could be lowered. At the age of
      6 years, his TSH increased again, this time caused by malabsorption of
      levothyroxine due to esophageal achalasia. In retrospect, alacrima was also
      present and the diagnosis of Allgrove syndrome was genetically confirmed. The CHT
      was considered a separate disease entity. CONCLUSIONS: In case of persistently
      elevated TSH levels in children with CHT, causes other than noncompliance must be
      considered. Second, in establishing the cause of adrenal insufficiency, specific
      symptoms, such as alacrima, are easily overlooked. Third, Allgrove syndrome is a
      rare disorder, in which diagnostic delay can lead to potentially life-threatening
      complications.

PMID- 27255746
TI  - Complete sequence of a double-stranded RNA from the phytopathogenic fungus
      Erysiphe cichoracearum that might represent a novel endornavirus.
AB  - A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) HBJZ1506 recovered from the phytopathogenic fungus
      Erysiphe cichoracearum infecting Calendula officinalis in Jingzhou, Hubei
      Province, China, was sequenced. HBJZ1506 comprises 11,908 nucleotides (nt) and
      contains a 11,859-nt-long open reading frame (ORF) coding for a polypeptide that
      is 61 % identical to that of a putative endornavirus named grapevine endophyte
      endornavirus (GeEV). The putative polyprotein has an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
      (RdRp) domain and an RNA helicase domain, which show homology to and have an
      arrangement that is similar to that of their counterparts in approved or putative
      endornaviruses. In a phylogenetic tree constructed using amino acid sequences of
      the RdRp region of HBJZ1506 and selected endornaviruses, HBJZ1506 clustered with
      endornaviruses and formed a well-supported monophyletic branch with GeEV. These
      results suggest that HBJZ1506 might represent a novel endornavirus, for which the
      name Erysiphe cichoracearum endornavirus (EcEV) is proposed. 

PMID- 27255747
TI  - Genetic relatedness of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) from
      cultured salmonids in Korea.
AB  - Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV; n = 18) was identified in the
      Korean national surveillance program between February 2013 and April 2015,
      suggesting that IHNV is a major viral pathogen in cultured salmonids. By
      phylogeny analysis, we found that the JRt-Nagano and JRt-Shizuoka groups could
      each be further subdivided into three distinct subtypes. The Korean strains were
      genetically similar to Japanese isolates, suggesting introduction from Japan.
      Interestingly, the amino acid sequences of the middle glycoprotein gene show that
      distinct Korean subtypes have circulated, indicating that the settled IHNVs might
      be evolved stably in cultured salmonid farm environments. 

PMID- 27255748
TI  - Influenza virus neuraminidase (NA): a target for antivirals and vaccines.
AB  - Influenza, the most common infectious disease, poses a great threat to human
      health because of its highly contagious nature and fast transmissibility, often
      leading to high morbidity and mortality. Effective vaccination strategies may aid
      in the prevention and control of recurring epidemics and pandemics associated
      with this infectious disease. However, antigenic shifts and drifts are major
      concerns with influenza virus, requiring effective global monitoring and updating
      of vaccines. Current vaccines are standardized primarily based on the amount of
      hemagglutinin, a major surface antigen, which chiefly constitutes these
      preparations along with the varying amounts of neuraminidase (NA). Anti-influenza
      drugs targeting the active site of NA have been in use for more than a decade
      now. However, NA has not been approved as an effective antigenic component of the
      influenza vaccine because of standardization issues. Although some studies have
      suggested that NA antibodies are able to reduce the severity of the disease and
      induce a long-term and cross-protective immunity, a few major scientific issues
      need to be addressed prior to launching NA-based vaccines. Interestingly, an
      increasing number of studies have shown NA to be a promising target for future
      influenza vaccines. This review is an attempt to consolidate studies that reflect
      the strength of NA as a suitable vaccine target. The studies discussed in this
      article highlight NA as a potential influenza vaccine candidate and support
      taking the process of developing NA vaccines to the next stage. 

PMID- 27255749
TI  - BMI Trajectories as a Harbinger of Pre-Diabetes or Underdiagnosed Diabetes: an 18
      Year Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although prior studies have examined BMI trajectories in Western
      populations, little is known regarding how BMI trajectories in Asian populations
      vary between adults with and without diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To examine how BMI
      trajectories vary between those developing and not developing diabetes over 18
      years in an Asian cohort. DESIGN: Multilevel modeling was used to depict levels
      and rates of change in BMI for up to 18 years for participants with and without
      self-reported physician-diagnosed diabetes. PARTICIPANTS: We used 14,490 data
      points available from repeated measurements of 3776 participants aged 50+ at
      baseline without diabetes from a nationally representative survey of the Taiwan
      Longitudinal Study on Aging (TLSA1989-2007). MAIN MEASURES: We defined
      development of diabetes as participants who first reported diabetes diagnoses in
      2007 but had no diabetes diagnoses at baseline. We defined the reference group as
      those participants who reported the absence of diabetes at baseline and during
      the entire follow-up period. KEY RESULTS: When adjusted for time-varying
      comorbidities and behavioral factors, higher level and constant increases in BMI
      were present more than 6.5 years before self-reported diabetes diagnosis. The
      higher BMI level associating with the development of diabetes was especially
      evident in females. Within 6.5 years prior to self-reported diagnosis, however, a
      wider range of decreases in BMI occurred (betadiabetes = 1.294, P = 0.0064;
      betadiabetes*time = 0.150, P = 0.0327; betadiabetes*time (2) = -0.008, P =
      0.0065). The faster rate of increases in BMI followed by a greater decline was
      especially prominent in males and individuals with BMI ?24. CONCLUSIONS: An
      unintentional decrease in BMI in sharp contrast to the gradually rising BMI
      preceding that time may be an alarm for undiagnosed diabetes or a precursor to
      developing diabetes.

PMID- 27255750
TI  - An Electronic Adherence Measurement Intervention to Reduce Clinical Inertia in
      the Treatment of Uncontrolled Hypertension: The MATCH Cluster Randomized Clinical
      Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To appropriately manage uncontrolled hypertension, clinicians must
      decide whether blood pressure (BP) is above goal due to a need for additional
      medication or to medication nonadherence. Yet, clinicians are poor judges of
      adherence, and uncertainty about adherence may promote inertia with respect to
      medication modification. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effect of sharing
      electronically-measured adherence data with clinicians on the management of
      uncontrolled hypertension. DESIGN: This was a cluster randomized trial.
      PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four primary care providers (12 intervention, 12 usual care;
      cluster units) and 100 patients with uncontrolled hypertension (65 intervention,
      35 usual care) were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: At one visit per
      patient, clinicians in the intervention group received a report summarizing
      electronically measured adherence to the BP regimen and recommended clinical
      actions. Clinicians in the control group did not receive a report. MAIN MEASURES:
      The primary outcome was the proportion of visits with appropriate clinical
      management (i.e., treatment intensification among adherent patients and adherence
      counseling among nonadherent patients). Secondary outcomes included patient-rated
      quality of care and communication during the visit. KEY RESULTS: The proportion
      of visits with appropriate clinical management was higher in the intervention
      group than the control group (45 out of 65; 69 %) versus (12 out of 35; 34 %; p =
      0.001). A higher proportion of adherent patients in the intervention group had
      their regimen intensified (p = 0.01), and a higher proportion of nonadherent
      patients in the intervention group received adherence counseling (p = 0.005).
      Patients in the intervention group were more likely to give their clinician high
      ratings on quality of care (p = 0.05), and on measures of patient-centered (p =
      0.001) and collaborative communication (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Providing
      clinicians with electronically-measured antihypertensive adherence reports
      reduces inertia in the management of uncontrolled hypertension. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: NCT01257347 ; http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/ NCT01257347.

PMID- 27255753
TI  - Pregnant women in Scotland to be offered free vitamins.

PMID- 27255751
TI  - Sub-synaptic localization of Cav3.1 T-type calcium channels in the thalamus of
      normal and parkinsonian monkeys.
AB  - T-type calcium channels (Cav3) are key mediators of thalamic bursting activity,
      but also regulate single cells excitability, dendritic integration, synaptic
      strength and transmitter release. These functions are strongly influenced by the
      subcellular and subsynaptic localization of Cav3 channels along the
      somatodendritic domain of thalamic cells. In Parkinson's disease, T-type calcium
      channels dysfunction in the basal ganglia-receiving thalamic nuclei likely
      contributes to pathological thalamic bursting activity. In this study, we
      analyzed the cellular, subcellular, and subsynaptic localization of the Cav3.1
      channel in the ventral anterior (VA) and centromedian/parafascicular (CM/Pf)
      thalamic nuclei, the main thalamic targets of basal ganglia output, in normal and
      parkinsonian monkeys. All thalamic nuclei displayed strong Cav3.1 neuropil
      immunoreactivity, although the intensity of immunolabeling in CM/Pf was
      significantly lower than in VA. Ultrastructurally, 70-80 % of the Cav3.1
      immunoreactive structures were dendritic shafts. Using immunogold labeling,
      Cav3.1 was commonly found perisynaptic to asymmetric and symmetric axo-dendritic
      synapses, suggesting a role of Cav3.1 in regulating excitatory and inhibitory
      neurotransmission. Significant labeling was also found at non-synaptic sites
      along the plasma membrane of thalamic neurons. There was no difference in the
      overall pattern and intensity of immunostaining between normal and parkinsonian
      monkeys, suggesting that the increased rebound bursting in the parkinsonian state
      is not driven by changes in Cav3.1 expression. Thus, T-type calcium channels are
      located to subserve neuronal bursting, but also regulate glutamatergic and non
      glutamatergic transmission along the whole somatodendritic domain of basal
      ganglia-receiving neurons of the primate thalamus.

PMID- 27255752
TI  - A novel recombinant 6Abeta15-THc-C chimeric vaccine (rCV02) mitigates Alzheimer's
      disease-like pathology, cognitive decline and synaptic loss in aged 3 * Tg-AD
      mice.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that impairs memory and
      cognition. Targeting amyloid-beta (Abeta) may be currently the most promising
      immunotherapeutic strategy for AD. In this study, a recombinant chimeric 6Abeta15
      THc-C immunogen was formulated with alum adjuvant as a novel Abeta B-cell epitope
      candidate vaccine (rCV02) for AD. We examined its efficacy in preventing the
      cognitive deficit and synaptic impairment in 3 * Tg-AD mice. Using a toxin
      derived carrier protein, the rCV02 vaccine elicited robust Abeta-specific
      antibodies that markedly reduced AD-like pathology and improved behavioral
      performance in 3 * Tg-AD mice. Along with the behavioral improvement in aged 3 *
      Tg-AD mice, rCV02 significantly decreased calpain activation concurrent with
      reduced soluble Abeta or oligomeric forms of Abeta, probably by preventing
      dynamin 1 and PSD-95 degradation. Our data support the hypothesis that reducing
      Abeta levels in rCV02-immunized AD mice increases the levels of presynaptic
      dynamin 1 and postsynaptic PSD-95 allowing functional recovery of cognition. In
      conclusion, this novel and highly immunogenic rCV02 shows promise as a new
      candidate prophylactic vaccine for AD and may be useful for generating rapid and
      strong Abeta-specific antibodies in AD patients with pre-existing memory Th cells
      generated after immunization with conventional tetanus toxoid vaccine.

PMID- 27255754
TI  - RNA-binding protein CUGBP1 regulates insulin secretion via activation of
      phosphodiesterase 3B in mice.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: CUG-binding protein 1 (CUGBP1) is a multifunctional RNA-binding
      protein that regulates RNA processing at several stages including translation,
      deadenylation and alternative splicing, as well as RNA stability. Recent studies
      indicate that CUGBP1 may play a role in metabolic disorders. Our objective was to
      examine its role in endocrine pancreas function through gain- and loss-of
      function experiments and to further decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms.
      METHODS: A mouse model in which type 2 diabetes was induced by a high-fat diet
      (HFD; 60% energy from fat) and mice on a standard chow diet (10% energy from fat)
      were compared. Pancreas-specific CUGBP1 overexpression and knockdown mice were
      generated. Different lengths of the phosphodiesterase subtype 3B (PDE3B) 3'
      untranslated region (UTR) were cloned for luciferase reporter analysis. Purified
      CUGBP1 protein was used for gel shift experiments. RESULTS: CUGBP1 is present in
      rodent islets and in beta cell lines; it is overexpressed in the islets of
      diabetic mice. Compared with control mice, the plasma insulin level after a
      glucose load was significantly lower and glucose clearance was greatly delayed in
      mice with pancreas-specific CUGBP1 overexpression; the opposite results were
      obtained upon pancreas-specific CUGBP1 knockdown. Glucose- and glucagon-like
      peptide1 (GLP-1)-stimulated insulin secretion was significantly attenuated in
      mouse islets upon CUGBP1 overexpression. This was associated with a strong
      decrease in intracellular cAMP levels, pointing to a potential role for cAMP
      PDEs. CUGBP1 overexpression had no effect on the mRNA levels of PDE1A, 1C, 2A,
      3A, 4A, 4B, 4D, 7A and 8B subtypes, but resulted in increased PDE3B expression.
      CUGBP1 was found to directly bind to a specific ATTTGTT sequence residing in the
      3' UTR of PDE3B and stabilised PDE3B mRNA. In the presence of the PDE3 inhibitor
      cilostamide, glucose- and GLP-1-stimulated insulin secretion was no longer
      reduced by CUGBP1 overexpression. Similar to CUGBP1, PDE3B was overexpressed in
      the islets of diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We conclude that CUGBP1
      is a critical regulator of insulin secretion via activating PDE3B. Repressing
      this protein might provide a potential strategy for treating type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27255756
TI  - Corrigendum.
AB  - Maltais, F., Singh, S., Donald, A., Crater, G., Church, A., Goh, A. et al. (2014)
      Effects of a combination of umeclidinium/vilanterol on exercise endurance in
      patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: two randomized, double-blind
      clinical trials. Ther Adv Respir Dis 8: 169-181. 

PMID- 27255755
TI  - The Respiratory Protection Effectiveness Clinical Trial (ResPECT): a cluster
      randomized comparison of respirator and medical mask effectiveness against
      respiratory infections in healthcare personnel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although N95 filtering facepiece respirators and medical masks are
      commonly used for protection against respiratory infections in healthcare
      settings, more clinical evidence is needed to understand the optimal settings and
      exposure circumstances for healthcare personnel to use these devices. A lack of
      clinically germane research has led to equivocal, and occasionally conflicting,
      healthcare respiratory protection recommendations from public health
      organizations, professional societies, and experts. METHODS: The Respiratory
      Protection Effectiveness Clinical Trial (ResPECT) is a prospective comparison of
      respiratory protective equipment to be conducted at multiple U.S. study sites.
      Healthcare personnel who work in outpatient settings will be cluster-randomized
      to wear N95 respirators or medical masks for protection against infections during
      respiratory virus season. Outcome measures will include laboratory-confirmed
      viral respiratory infections, acute respiratory illness, and influenza-like
      illness. Participant exposures to patients, coworkers, and others with symptoms
      and signs of respiratory infection, both within and beyond the workplace, will be
      recorded in daily diaries. Adherence to study protocols will be monitored by the
      study team. DISCUSSION: ResPECT is designed to better understand the extent to
      which N95s and MMs reduce clinical illness among healthcare personnel. A fully
      successful study would produce clinically relevant results that help clinician
      leaders make reasoned decisions about protection of healthcare personnel against
      occupationally acquired respiratory infections and prevention of spread within
      healthcare systems. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT01249625 (11/29/2010).

PMID- 27255757
TI  - Utilisation and Tolerability of Aliskiren in the Primary Care Setting in England.
AB  - Aliskiren (Rasilez), a direct renin inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment of
      essential hypertension. A postmarketing prescription-event monitoring (PEM) study
      was conducted in England to monitor the safety and utilization of aliskiren.
      Summary statistics and event incidence densities were calculated. The cohort
      consisted of 6385 individuals with a median age of 68 years (interquartile range,
      59-76). Aliskiren was largely prescribed for its licensed indication of
      hypertension (93.3%) and was reported as "effective" by the prescriber in 77.4%
      of individuals. Frequently reported clinical events during treatment were
      diarrhea (3.1% of on-treatment events), malaise/lassitude (3.0%), and
      nausea/vomiting (1.2%), which were also common reasons for treatment cessation.
      Renal events were rare, with 24 cases probably or possibly related to aliskiren
      use, and four of which were classified as acute renal failure using RIFLE (Risk
      Injury Failure Loss End-Stage Kidney Disease) criteria. These results should be
      used in conjunction with other clinical and pharmacoepidemiologic studies to
      optimize the safe prescribing of aliskiren.

PMID- 27255758
TI  - Direct quantification of rare earth doped titania nanoparticles in individual
      human cells.
AB  - There are many possible biomedical applications for titania nanoparticles (NPs)
      doped with rare earth elements (REEs), from dose enhancement and diagnostic
      imaging in radiotherapy, to biosensing. However, there are concerns that the NPs
      could disintegrate in the body thus releasing toxic REE ions to undesired
      locations. As a first step, we investigate how accurately the Ti/REE ratio from
      the NPs can be measured inside human cells. A quantitative analysis of whole,
      unsectioned, individual human cells was performed using proton microprobe
      elemental microscopy. This method is unique in being able to quantitatively
      analyse all the elements in an unsectioned individual cell with micron
      resolution, while also scanning large fields of view. We compared the Ti/REE
      signal inside cells to NPs that were outside the cells, non-specifically absorbed
      onto the polypropylene substrate. We show that the REE signal in individual cells
      co-localises with the titanium signal, indicating that the NPs have remained
      intact. Within the uncertainty of the measurement, there is no difference between
      the Ti/REE ratio inside and outside the cells. Interestingly, we also show that
      there is considerable variation in the uptake of the NPs from cell-to-cell, by a
      factor of more than 10. We conclude that the NPs enter the cells and remain
      intact. The large heterogeneity in NP concentrations from cell-to-cell should be
      considered if they are to be used therapeutically. 

PMID- 27255759
TI  - The Parasol Protocol for computational mutagenesis.
AB  - To aid in the discovery and development of peptides and proteins as therapeutic
      agents, a virtual screen can be used to predict trends and direct workflow. We
      have developed the Parasol Protocol, a dynamic method implemented using the AMBER
      MD package, for computational site-directed mutagenesis. This tool can mutate
      between any pair of amino acids in a computationally expedient, automated manner.
      To demonstrate the potential of this methodology, we have employed the protocol
      to investigate a test case involving stapled peptides, and have demonstrated good
      agreement with experiment.

PMID- 27255760
TI  - Hepatitis B virus whole-X and X protein play distinct roles in HBV-related
      hepatocellular carcinoma progression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of HBV X protein (HBx) in the development of hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) has been well studied. However, little is known about the
      molecular functions of HBV whole-X protein (HBwx), a protein fused with HBx and
      upstream 56 amino acid, in HCC. In current study, the molecular functions of HBwx
      in HCC pathogenesis has been investigated, as well as comparison between HBwx and
      HBx. METHODS: Expression of HBwx and HBx in 50 HCC tissues was examined by
      immunohistochemistry. Their tumor-forming abilities were evaluated by an animal
      model and colony formation assay. Migration and invasion were detected by
      transwell assay and subcellular localization was tracked by GFP fluorescence.
      Cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by CCK8 and FCM.
      Protein level was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: HBwx was present in 72
      % (36/50) of the liver tumor tissues and mainly expressed in the nucleus and
      deposited in the cytoplasm surrounding karyotheca. HBwx showed a promoting effect
      on tumorigenesis and growth in vivo and in vitro as well as cell migration and
      invasion, whilst such effect is compromised compared with that of HBx. Further
      analysis demonstrated differences in cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell
      apoptosis between cells expressing HBwx and those expressing HBx. Additionally,
      it was confirmed that RKIP-p-ERK pathway was involved in HBwx-related tumor
      formation. CONCLUSION: HBwx, with the extra 56 amino acids, is closely related
      with hepatocarcinogenesis, while displays different biological functions from
      HBx.

PMID- 27255761
TI  - Exploiting E. coli auxotrophs for leucine, valine, and threonine specific methyl
      labeling of large proteins for NMR applications.
AB  - A simple and cost effective method to independently and stereo-specifically
      incorporate [(1)H,(13)C]-methyls in Leu and Val in proteins is presented.
      Recombinant proteins for NMR studies are produced using a tailored set of
      auxotrophic E. coli strains. NMR active isotopes are routed to either Leu or Val
      methyl groups from the commercially available and scrambling-free precursors
      alpha-ketoisovalerate and acetolactate. The engineered strains produce deuterated
      proteins with stereospecific [(1)H,(13)C]-methyl labeling separately at Leu or
      Val amino acids. This is the first method that achieves Leu-specific
      stereospecific [(1)H,(13)C]-methyl labeling of proteins and scramble-free Val
      specific labeling. Use of auxotrophs drastically decreases the amount of labeled
      precursor required for expression without impacting the yield. The concept is
      extended to Thr methyl labeling by means of a Thr-specific auxotroph that
      provides enhanced efficiency for use with the costly L-[4-(13)C,2,3-(2)H2,(15)N]
      Thr reagent. The Thr-specific strain allows for the production of Thr
      [(13)CH3](gamma2) labeled protein with an optimal isotope incorporation using up
      to 50 % less labeled Thr than the traditional E. coli strain without the need for
      (2)H-glycine to prevent scrambling.

PMID- 27255762
TI  - Aureimonas galii sp. nov. and Aureimonas pseudogalii sp. nov. isolated from the
      phyllosphere of Galium album.
AB  - Four yellow-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacteria, strains PP-WC-4G
      234T, PP-CE-2G-454T, PP-WC-1G-202 and PP-CC-3G-650, were isolated from the
      phyllosphere of Galium album. The strains shared 99.7-100 % 16S rRNA gene
      sequence similarity but could be differentiated by genomic fingerprinting using
      rep- and random amplification of polymorphic DNA PCRs. Phylogenetic analysis
      based on the 16S rRNA gene placed the strains within the family Aurantimonadaceae
      with highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.2-97.3 % to the type strain
      of Aureimonas phyllosphaerae. Sequence similarities to all other
      Aurantimonadaceae were below 97 %. The main cellular fatty acids of the strains
      were C18 : 1omega7c as the predominant fatty acid followed by C16 : 0 and summed
      feature 3 (C16 : 1omega7c/C16 : 1omega8c). The polyamine patterns of strains PP
      WC-4G-234T and PP-CE-2G-454T contained sym-homospermidine as a major compound,
      and the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. Predominant polar lipids
      were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine,
      phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine,
      sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids and one
      unidentified lipid only detectable after total lipid staining. The DNA G+C
      content was 66.4, 68.9, 67.4 and 70.5 mol% for strains PP-WC-4G-234T, PP-CE-2G
      454T, PP-WC-1G-202 and PP-CC-3G-650, respectively. Based on phylogenetic,
      chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses we propose two novel species of the genus
      Aureimonas, Aureimonas galii sp. nov. with PP-WC-4G-234T (=LMG 28655T=CIP
      110892T) as the type strain and Aureimonas pseudogalii sp. nov. with PP-CE-2G
      454T (=LMG 29411T=CCM 8665T) as the type strain and two further strains
      representing the same species, PP-WC-1G-202 and PP-CC-3G-650.

PMID- 27255764
TI  - Contributions of Dryland Forest (Caatinga) to Species Composition, Richness and
      Diversity of Drosophilidae.
AB  - In this study, semi-arid environments were tested to see if they support insect
      diversity. This was evaluated through the structure of the composition of
      assemblies of drosophilids in three conservation units placed in three different
      ecoregions in the dryland forests, Caatinga. This is a unique biome in northeast
      Brazil, comprising approximately 10% of the country. Species richness was
      investigated over 2 years during a prolonged drought, considered the worst
      affliction the Caatinga ecosystem had experienced in the last 50 years. Alpha
      diversity indices and the ecological similarity between the samples were
      calculated to determine how the environments drive the composition of
      Drosophilidae in such semi-arid places. A total of 7352 specimens were sampled.
      They were classified into 20 species belonging to four genera: Drosophila,
      Rhinoleucophenga, Scaptodrosophila, and Zaprionus. Drosophila nebulosa Sturtevant
      (44.5%) and Drosophila cardini Sturtevant (12.5%) were the most abundant species.
      The occurrences and abundances of all the species differed greatly between sites.
      These results and other ecological analyses indicate that although placed in the
      same biome, there are great variability in the drosophilid species and abundance
      among the three protected and conserved dryland environments.

PMID- 27255763
TI  - Substantial Effects of Luseogliflozin Revealed by Analyzing Responses to
      Postprandial Hyperglycemia: Post Hoc Subanalyses of a Randomized Controlled
      Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In our previous study investigating effects of luseogliflozin, a
      sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, on 24-h glycemic variability by
      continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), luseogliflozin elicited parallel downward
      shifts in fasting and postprandial glucose levels. However, further review of
      individual patients' data revealed that postprandial hyperglycemia was not
      reduced in some patients, while preprandial glucose was ameliorated in most
      patients. Therefore, we divided patients into two groups according to their
      postprandial glucose responses and conducted a post hoc subanalyses to elucidate
      which factors contributed to the differential effects of luseogliflozin. METHODS:
      Thirty-four Japanese type 2 diabetic patients in our previous randomized, double
      blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with 7-day luseogliflozin
      administration were divided into postprandial glucose responders (PGR, n = 23,
      ameliorated peak glucose) and postprandial glucose non-responders (PGNR; n = 11,
      non-ameliorated peak glucose). Baseline characteristics, variations in CGM
      measured 24-h glucose levels, and other pharmacodynamic variabilities were
      compared. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between
      groups. Placebo-subtracted peak glucose was significantly lowered in PGR and
      significantly increased in PGNR (-43.8 and 17.9 mg/dL; both p < 0.05).
      Luseogliflozin significantly lowered "lowest glucose" (defined as the lowest
      level measured throughout a 24-h period) similarly in PGR and PGNR (-19.2 and 
      24.0 mg/dL; both p < 0.05), significantly reduced the mean amplitude of glucose
      excursions in PGR (-15.50 mg/dL; p < 0.05), and increased the area under the
      curve for plasma glucagon over 24 h in PGNR (median difference vs. placebo: 240
      pg/mL h; p < 0.05). Luseogliflozin increased urinary glucose excretion (UGE) and
      decreased serum insulin by similar magnitudes in both groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Luseogliflozin diminished glucose fluctuations in most patients by lowering peak
      glucose to a greater extent than lowest glucose. Luseogliflozin may also lower
      lowest glucose in patients whose peak glucose was not ameliorated despite
      increasing UGE. The glucagon increase in PGNR might explain its hypoglycemic
      effect on postprandial glucose. FUNDING: Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo,
      Japan. TRIAL REGISTRATION: JapicCTI-142548.

PMID- 27255765
TI  - Immature Stages of Six Species of Adelpha Hubner (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae:
      Limenitidinae) from Southern Brazil Coastal Forests.
AB  - Six species of Adelpha Hubner from Balneario Barra do Sul (Santa Catarina) and
      Morretes (Parana) were collected as eggs or larvae and reared in captivity,
      aiming to provide descriptions and photography of the immature stages and
      imagoes. The species studied were Adelpha radiata radiata Fruhstorfer; Adelpha
      serpa serpa (Boisduval); Adelpha plesaure plesaure Hubner; Adelpha thesprotia (C.
      Felder & R. Felder); Adelpha lycorias lycorias (Godart); and Adelpha capucinus
      velia (C. Felder & R. Felder). Two new records of host plants were provided,
      Tapirira guianensis Aubl. for A. radiata radiata and Heteropterys for A.
      capucinus velia. This study provides a summary of host plants and the seasonality
      of occurrence of immature stages of these species. Data were organized in
      photographic plates that could be useful for the identification process.

PMID- 27255766
TI  - Fitness Advantage in Heterozygous Ladybird Beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar)
      Resistant to Lambda-Cyhalothrin.
AB  - The pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin is widely recommended for use against
      defoliators in crop ecosystems, but this broad-spectrum insecticide lacks
      efficacy against aphids; thus, key aphid predators such as the ladybird beetle
      Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) must be preserved. Given
      that populations of E. connexa recently identified as resistant to lambda
      cyhalothrin show potential of integrating chemical and biological control in crop
      ecosystems, a historical goal of integrated pest management. In the present
      study, the resistance maintenance over F1, F2, and F3 progenies from crossing
      resistant (R) and susceptible (S) E. connexa populations that might be expected
      after releasing R predator in the crop field and the F1 offspring performance
      when the R population is crossed with the S population are evaluated. The
      offspring performance is determined for F1 progenies from crossing the R
      population at F40- and F45-reared generations in the laboratory with the S
      population at F38- and F1-reared generations in the laboratory. The mortality
      rate in the heterozygous F1 progeny is low and similar to the rate for the R
      population (<5%), but it is about 75% in F2 and F3 progenies from crossing R and
      S populations. Fecundity and longevity of the heterozygous F1 progeny are
      significantly greater compared to the R population. These results suggest that
      when R population beetles are released and mating with S population residents,
      their field offspring retains the resistance phenotype with the advantages of
      greater egg production and longer survival compared to the parental R population.

PMID- 27255767
TI  - Toxicity of Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) Essential Oil Against Euschistus heros
      (F.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Non-Effect on Egg Parasitoids.
AB  - Plant essential oils have been recognized as significant natural resources for
      insecticides. Herein, we have assessed the toxicity of the essential oil of Piper
      aduncum (Piperaceae) against Euschistus heros (F.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a
      key soybean pest in Neotropical America. In addition, we have assessed its effect
      on the performance of egg parasitoids. The essential oil was obtained from the
      leaves of P. aduncum via hydrodistillation. Subsequently, bioassays of the
      concentration response to eggs (contact and immersion methods), nymphs, and
      adults (topical application) were conducted, to assess the lethal effects on the
      stink bug. We also evaluated the performance of parasitism and adult emergence of
      egg parasitoids, when the host eggs were treated with essential oil. In the egg
      bioassay, both exposure methods were efficient for unviable eggs (immersion LC50
      = 15.64 mg mL-1; contact LC50 = 21.29 mg mL-1), with the highlight on the
      immersion method. The bioassay with nymphs indicated a higher toxicity of
      essential oil, with lower concentrations (LC50 = 11.37 mg mL-1) being required to
      cause the death of insects. For adults, a reduction in survival of insects was
      observed, and consequently, there was a reduction in the number of individuals in
      the next generation. Although the essential oil was toxic to E. heros, it
      exhibited lower toxicity for egg parasitoids, as there was no effect on
      parasitism and the emergence of wasps. We discuss likely explanations for such
      selectivity. In summary, we found that the essential oil was promising for the
      control of E. heros, because it caused deleterious effects at all development
      stages of the stink bug and had no effect on parasitism and emergence of the egg
      parasitoids, which suggested compatibility with biological control.

PMID- 27255768
TI  - Constancy, Distribution, and Frequency of Lepidoptera Defoliators of Eucalyptus
      grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla (Myrtaceae) in Four Brazilian Regions.
AB  - The growth of the Brazilian forest sector with monocultures favors the adaptation
      of Arthropoda pests. The Lepidoptera order includes major pests of Eucalyptus
      spp. (Myrtaceae). The aim of this work is to study the population constancy,
      distribution, and frequency of Lepidoptera primary pests of Eucalyptus spp.
      Lepidoptera pests in Eucalyptus spp. plantations were collected in Tres Marias
      and Guanhaes (state of Minas Gerais), Niquelandia (state of Goias), and Monte
      Dourado (state of Para), Brazil, for a period of 5 years, with light traps and
      captures, every 15 days, for every region. The number of primary pest species
      (12) has been similar in the four regions, and even with 1.5 to 2.4% of the total
      species collected, this group has shown a high frequency, especially in Tres
      Marias, Niquelandia, and Monte Dourado, with 66.3, 54.2, and 40.0% of the
      individuals collected, respectively, for 5 years. The primary pest species have
      been constant and frequent in all the regions, with population peaks from
      February to September in Tres Marias, February and May in Niquelandia, and from
      July to September in Monte Dourado. The highest population peaks of these species
      have been recorded when the Eucalyptus spp. plants are 3 to 6 years old. The
      Guanhaes region is more stable and, therefore, has a lower possibility of
      outbreaks of the Lepidoptera primary pest species.

PMID- 27255769
TI  - Engaging Australian Aboriginal narratives to challenge attitudes and create
      empathy in health care: a methodological perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unconscious bias and negative attitudes towards minority groups have
      detrimental effects on the way health care is, or is not, provided to these
      groups. Recognition of racist attitudes and behaviours as well as understanding
      clients' experiences of health and health care are pivotal to developing better
      health care strategies to positively impact on the quality and safety of care
      provided to Indigenous people. Indigenous research demands inclusive research
      processes and the use of culturally appropriate methodologies. This paper
      presents a methodological account of collecting narratives which accurately and
      respectfully reflect Aboriginal Australians' experiences with health care in
      Western Australia. The purpose of these narratives is to provide health students
      and professionals with an opportunity to 'walk-in the shoes' of Aboriginal people
      where face-to-face interaction is not feasible. METHODS: With the incorporation
      of Indigenous peoples' voices being an important link in cultural safety, the
      project was led by an Indigenous Reference group, who encouraged active
      participation of Aboriginal people in all areas of the project. Using a
      phenomenological approach and guided by the Indigenous Reference group, yarning
      data collection was implemented to collect stories focusing on Aboriginal
      people's experiences with health care services. An open-access, on-line website
      was established to host education resources developed from these "yarns".
      RESULTS: Yarning provided a rich source of information on personal experiences
      and encouraged the story provider to recognise their facilitative role in the
      research process. While the methodology used in this project was lengthy and
      labour-intensive it afforded a respectful manner for story collection and
      highlighted several innate flaws when Western methods are applied to an
      Indigenous context. CONCLUSION: Engagement of an Indigenous Reference Group was
      pivotal to designing an appropriate methodology that incorporated the voices of
      Aboriginal people in a multimedia resource of Aboriginal narratives. However
      further research is warranted to understand how the resources are being used and
      integrated into curricula, and their impact on students and health care outcomes.

PMID- 27255770
TI  - Borderline personality disorder and violence in the UK population: categorical
      and dimensional trait assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterised by
      difficulties with impulse control and affective dysregulation. It is unclear
      whether BPD contributes to the perpetration of violence or whether this is
      explained by comorbidity. We explored independent associations between
      categorical and dimensional representations of BPD and violence in the general
      population, and differential associations from individual BPD criteria. METHODS:
      We used a representative combined sample of 14,753 men and women from two British
      national surveys of adults (>=16 years). BPD was assessed using the Structured
      Clinical Interview II- Questionnaire. We measured self-reported violent behaviour
      in the past 5 years, including severity, victims and locations of incidents.
      Associations for binary, dimensional and trait-level exposures were performed
      using weighted logistic regression, adjusted for demography and comorbid
      psychopathology. RESULTS: Categorical diagnosis of BPD was associated only with
      intimate partner violence (IPV). Associations with serious violence leading to
      injuries and repetitive violence were better explained by comorbid substance
      misuse, anxiety and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). However, anger and
      impulsivity BPD items were independently associated with most violent outcomes
      including severity, repetition and injury; suicidal behaviours and affective
      instability were not associated with violence. Both trait-level and severity
      dimensional analyses showed that BPD symptoms might impact males and females
      differently in terms of violence. CONCLUSIONS: For individuals diagnosed BPD,
      violence is better explained by comorbidity. However, BPD individual traits show
      different pathways to violence at the population level. Gender differences in BPD
      traits and their severity indicate distinct, underlying mechanisms towards
      violence. BPD and traits should be evaluated in perpetrators of IPV.

PMID- 27255771
TI  - New definition of sepsis and septic shock: What does it give us?

PMID- 27255772
TI  - Factors affecting surgery decision-making in patients with a chronic
      neurovascular condition.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the factors that affect patient decision-making
      for an elective surgery. BACKGROUND: Cerebral cavernous malformations are lesions
      found in the brain and spinal cord comprised of abnormal blood vessels, which
      bleed sporadically causing serious neurological deficits. Course of treatment for
      cerebral cavernous malformation is often ultimately left up to the patient, and
      can include symptom management or surgery. Decision-making for surgery in life
      threatening conditions has been well documented in the literature. Less extensive
      research has focused on elective surgeries, where patients have a choice. There
      has been no research on the factors that affect decision-making for cavernous
      malformation patients. DESIGN: Correlational self-report survey. METHODS: In part
      of a larger online study, participants were asked to rate the importance of six
      factors on their decision-making about surgery for cavernous malformation.
      RESULTS: Factors that were rated most important for individuals' decision-making
      included doctor's opinion regarding surgery, presence of disabling symptoms, fear
      of symptoms getting worse or developing new symptoms, and availability of an
      expert surgeon. Results indicated that these were rated as more important than
      having social support during recovery or having the means to pay for surgery.
      Additionally, having social support during recovery was rated as significantly
      more important than having the means to pay for surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Factors
      that affect decision-making for patients diagnosed with cavernous malformation
      were similar to those found with other medical conditions requiring elective
      surgery. This study will assist healthcare workers in understanding the decision
      making process of individuals who may choose an elective surgery for potentially
      disabling conditions with uncertain outcomes. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:
      Understanding the complex factors that affect decision-making in cavernous
      malformation will assist healthcare professionals to better communicate and
      support patients in their elective surgery decision-making.

PMID- 27255773
TI  - How Well Can Analytic Hierarchy Process be Used to Elicit Individual Preferences?
      Insights from a Survey in Patients Suffering from Age-Related Macular
      Degeneration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we tested the feasibility of an interviewer-assisted
      analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in a special patient population with age-related
      macular degeneration (AMD). OBJECTIVES: One aim was to generate preference
      weights regarding AMD treatment characteristics. A secondary aim was to explore
      the consistency of preference judgments and reasons for inconsistency. METHODS:
      We generated quantitative importance weights for decision criteria using the
      matrix multiplication method. A qualitative study component in the form of asking
      patients to think aloud throughout their judgments was implemented to facilitate
      understanding of quantitative findings. Consistency ratios were calculated as a
      measure of logical judgment performance within AHP. If consistency ratios
      exceeded 0.2, we explored reasons for inconsistency. RESULTS: We interviewed 86
      patients and generated preference weights for criteria. Patients rated the
      injection's effect on visual function the highest (0.44), followed by the
      frequency of monitoring visits (0.18), approval status (0.13), injection
      frequency (0.13), and side effects (0.12). Inconsistency in judgments was
      prevalent at the subcriteria level. Whereas much of the observed inconsistency
      was due to an excessive use of high/extreme value judgments, these judgments
      seemed to result from patients reasonably trying to highlight their strong
      preferences. CONCLUSION: Our study combines quantitative with qualitative data to
      explore patients' preference weights and decision processes using the AHP. It
      suggests that the type of inconsistency observed in judgments of AMD patients
      mostly results from rational decision making, not from error or lack of
      understanding. Further research should address which type and extent of
      inconsistency might be acceptable in different AHP settings.

PMID- 27255774
TI  - Effects of the intramyocardial implantation of stromal vascular fraction in
      patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) can easily be obtained from a mini
      lipoaspirate procedure of fat tissue. The SVF contains a mixture of cells
      including ADSCs and growth factors and has been depleted of the adipocyte (fat
      cell) population. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of administering SVF intra
      myocardially into patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: A total
      of 28 patients underwent a local tumescent liposuction procedure to remove
      approximately 60 ml of fat tissue. The fat was separated to isolate the SVF and
      the cells were delivered into the akinetic myocardial scar region using a
      transendocardial delivery system (MyoCath((r))) in patients who had experienced a
      previous myocardial infarct. The subjects were then monitored for adverse events,
      ejection fraction via echocardiogram and six-minute walk test (6MWT) over a
      period of 6 months. RESULTS: The average EF was 29 % at baseline and
      significantly increased to 35 % at both 3 and 6 months. Patients walked an
      average of 349 m at baseline and demonstrated a statistically significant
      improvement at 3 and 6 months' post treatment of more than 80 m. CONCLUSIONS:
      Overall, patients were pleased with the treatment results. More importantly, the
      procedure demonstrated a strong safety profile with no severe adverse events or
      complications linked to the therapy. Trial registration NCT01502514 Name of
      registry: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov URL:
      https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01502514?term=adipose+cells+heart&rank
      4 Date of registration: December 27, 2011 Date of enrollment: January 2012.

PMID- 27255775
TI  - Improvement on D-xylose to Xylitol Biotransformation by Candida guilliermondii
      Using Cells Permeabilized with Triton X-100 and Selected Process Conditions.
AB  - Cells of Candida guilliermondii permeabilized with Triton X-100 were able to
      efficiently produce xylitol from a medium composed only by D-xylose and
      MgCl2.6H2O in potassium phosphate buffer, at 35  degrees C and pH 6.5. Under
      these conditions, the results were similar to those obtained when cofactor and co
      substrate or nutrients were added to the medium (about 95 % D-xylose was
      assimilated producing 42 g/L of xylitol, corresponding to 0.80 g/g yield and 2.65
      g/L h volumetric productivity). Furthermore, the permeabilized cells kept the D
      xylose assimilation in about 90 % and the xylitol production in approx. 40 g/L
      during three bioconversion cycles of 16 h each. These values are highly relevant
      when compared to others reported in the literature using enzyme technology and
      fermentative process, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed
      method. The present study reveals that the use of permeabilized cells is an
      interesting alternative to obtain high xylitol productivity using low cost medium
      formulation. This approach may allow the future development of xylitol production
      from xylose present in lignocellulosic biomass, with additional potential for
      implementation in biorefinery strategies.

PMID- 27255776
TI  - Individual neurons in the caudal fastigial oculomotor region convey information
      on both macro- and microsaccades.
AB  - Recent studies have suggested that microsaccades, the small amplitude saccades
      made during fixation, are precisely controlled. Two lines of evidence suggest
      that the cerebellum plays a key role not only in improving the accuracy of
      macrosaccades but also of microsaccades. First, lesions of the fastigial
      oculomotor regions (FOR) cause horizontal dysmetria of both micro- and
      macrosaccades. Secondly, our previous work on Purkinje cell simple spikes in the
      oculomotor vermis (OV) has established qualitatively similar response preferences
      for these two groups of saccades. In this work, we investigated the control
      signals for micro- and macrosaccades in the FOR, the target of OV Purkinje cell
      axons. We found that the same FOR neurons discharged for micro- and
      macrosaccades. For both groups of saccades, FOR neurons exhibited very similar
      dependencies of their discharge strength on direction and amplitude and very
      similar burst onset time differences for ipsi- and contraversive saccades and, in
      both, response duration reflected saccade duration, at least at the population
      level. An intriguing characteristic of microsaccade-related responses is that
      immediate pre-saccadic firing rates decreased with distance to the target center,
      a pattern that strikingly parallels the eye position dependency of both
      microsaccade metrics and frequency, which may suggest a potential neural
      mechanism underlying the role of FOR in fixation. Irrespective of this specific
      consideration, our study supports the view that microsaccades and macrosaccades
      share the same cerebellar circuitry and, in general, further strengthens the
      notion of a microsaccade-macrosaccade continuum.

PMID- 27255777
TI  - Development and validation of the Slovenian drug-related problem classification
      system based on the PCNE classification V 6.2.
AB  - Background Classifying drug-related problems increases pharmacists' awareness of
      patients' drug-related needs and supports the development of counselling skills
      through increased awareness of the nature and frequency of drug-related problems.
      No standardised classification system was used in daily pharmacy practice in
      Slovenia. Objective To translate, upgrade and validate the Pharmaceutical Care
      Network Europe (PCNE) classification V 6.2 for use in Slovenian community
      pharmacies. Setting Expert panel meetings at the Faculty of Pharmacy and home
      based classification validation. Methods The PCNE classification V 6.2 was
      translated to Slovenian language by forward-backward translation procedure. An
      expert panel consisting of nine practicing pharmacists upgraded the content of
      the translated version. Thirty-one community pharmacists validated this version
      with the PCNE set of 18 patient cases by coding problems, risk factors and
      interventions they believed were present in each case. The expert panel discussed
      the results and upgraded the classification accordingly. Afterwards, 33 community
      pharmacists validated the upgraded version with a set of 40 actual Slovenian
      pharmacy patient cases. Based on the results, the expert panel formed a final
      version of the classification. Main outcome measure Coding consistency between
      community pharmacists. Results The expert panel performed some major
      modifications to the PCNE classification V 6.2: the potential problem was added
      as a sub domain to problems domain; the term adverse drug event was used instead
      of adverse drug reaction; the causes domain was renamed to risk factors and its
      sub domains were organized into prescribing, dispensing and use of drugs;
      dispensing errors were specified; use of drugs was organized into intentional and
      unintentional use of drugs; the sub domains in the interventions domain were
      divided according to the communication and agreement with the prescriber. The
      average coding consistencies in the first validation study were 75 % (+/-16 %)
      for problems, 74 % (+/-20 %) for risk factors and 94 % (+/-10 %) for
      interventions. The average coding consistencies in the second validation study
      were 83 % (+/-16 %) for problems, 85 % (+/-17 %) for risk factors and 80 % (+/-20
      %) for interventions. Conclusion A drug-related problem classification for use in
      Slovenian community pharmacies was developed based on The PCNE classification V
      6.2. The validation studies demonstrated high coding consistencies. 

PMID- 27255778
TI  - Development of a fresh cadaver model for instruction of ultrasound-guided breast
      biopsy during the surgery clerkship: pre-test and post-test results among third
      year medical students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to determine if a fresh cadaver model is a
      viable method for teaching ultrasound (US)-guided breast biopsy of palpable
      breast lesions. METHODS: Third-year medical students were assessed both
      preinstruction and postinstruction on their ability to perform US-guided needle
      aspiration or biopsy of artificially created masses using a 10-item checklist.
      RESULTS: Forty-one third-year medical students completed the cadaver laboratory
      as part of the surgery clerkship. Eight items on the checklist were found to be
      significantly different between pre-testing and post-testing. The mean
      preinstruction score was 2.4, whereas the mean postinstruction score was 7.10 (P
      < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Fresh cadaver models have been widely used in medical
      education. However, there are few fresh cadaver models that provide instruction
      on procedures done in the outpatient setting. Our model was found to be an
      effective method for the instruction of US-guided breast biopsy among medical
      students.

PMID- 27255779
TI  - "Face validity" is not a legitimate type of validity evidence!
AB  - The American Journal of Surgery (AJS) is a long-standing leader among surgery
      publications and has published high-quality research dating back to 1926. To
      preserve AJS's reputation, it is necessary to identify issues that may affect the
      journal, and subsequently the broader field of surgery, in a negative way, and
      attempt to resolve those issues. To that end, I would like to address the issue
      of citing "face validity" as a type of validity evidence. In a review of AJS
      articles since 2006, 30 articles have consisted of researchers citing face
      validity as part of their validity evidence. This is problematic because validity
      theorists (scholars who dedicate their careers to studying validity and what
      constitutes acceptable types of validity evidence) have universally agreed there
      is no such thing as "face validity". Thus, the purpose of this article is to
      encourage surgeons to study recent, and authoritative, works on validity theory,
      so they can better articulate the trustworthiness of their research findings and
      be more informed consumers of research.

PMID- 27255780
TI  - Diabetes is associated with perforated appendicitis: evidence from a population
      based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between
      perforated appendicitis and patient with diabetes using a population-based data
      set. METHODS: This study used data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance
      Database 2005 in Taiwan. We identified 4,806 patients hospitalized with acute
      appendicitis. The independent variable was whether a patient had ever received a
      diagnosis of diabetes before the index hospitalization. We performed a
      conditional logistic regression model to explore the odds ratio and its
      corresponding 95% confidence interval of perforated appendicitis. RESULTS: Rates
      of perforated appendicitis for patients with and those without diabetes were
      46.2% and 28.3%, respectively. A chi-square test revealed that there was a
      significant difference in rates of perforated appendicitis between patients with
      and those without diabetes (P < .001). The conditional logistic regression model
      revealed that the adjusted odds ratio of perforated appendicitis for patients
      with diabetes was 1.35 (95% confidence interval = 1.11 to 1.65) compared with
      patients without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that a history of
      diabetes is an important factor with regard to the rate of perforated
      appendicitis.

PMID- 27255781
TI  - Risk factors associated with post-extubation stridor in the trauma intensive care
      unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-extubation stridor is an uncommon complication in medical
      intensive care units (ICUs) but has not been well studied in trauma patients. We
      sought to determine the incidence of reintubation due to stridor in trauma
      patients and describe associated risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective review of
      all intubated trauma patients was performed. Data collected included presence of
      stridor, demographic data, and details of intubation and extubation. RESULTS: Of
      all trauma patients reintubated, 31% were for stridor. Although female gender,
      age less than 18, blunt mechanism, and duration of intubation 5 days or more were
      associated with reintubation for stridor, endotracheal tube diameter was not.
      Mortality was not increased with reintubation. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma ICU patients
      are reintubated for stridor at a higher rate than medical ICU patients. Age,
      gender, blunt mechanism, and duration of intubation are risk factors for this
      complication.

PMID- 27255782
TI  - Outcomes of colonic diverticulitis according to the reason of immunosuppression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to analyze the relationship between the
      different causes of immunosuppression (IMS) and diverticulitis. METHODS: IMS
      patients admitted for colonic diverticulitis were included in the study. Patients
      were divided in 5 groups according to the reasons of IMS: group I, chronic
      corticosteroid therapy; group II, transplant patients; group III, malignant
      neoplasm disease; group IV, chronic renal failure; group V, others
      immunosuppressant treatment. Rate of emergency surgery, outcomes in terms of
      postoperative mortality, and recurrence rate after nonoperative management were
      analyzed according to the reason of IMS. RESULTS: Emergency surgery was performed
      in 76 patients (39.3%). It was needed more frequently in group I. Overall,
      postoperative mortality was of 31.6% and recurrence rate after successful
      nonoperative management occurred in 30 patients (27.8%). No differences were
      observed among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of emergency surgery in IMS
      patients at the first episode of acute colonic diverticulitis is high. Elective
      surgery in IMS patients should be individually indicated according to persistence
      of symptoms or early recurrences.

PMID- 27255784
TI  - Long term effects of nocturnal hypoxia and urinary uric acid excretion: How much
      linked to COPD and OSAS?

PMID- 27255783
TI  - Resistance and Security Index of Networks: Structural Information Perspective of
      Network Security.
AB  - Recently, Li and Pan defined the metric of the K-dimensional structure entropy of
      a structured noisy dataset G to be the information that controls the formation of
      the K-dimensional structure of G that is evolved by the rules, order and laws of
      G, excluding the random variations that occur in G. Here, we propose the notion
      of resistance of networks based on the one- and two-dimensional structural
      information of graphs. Given a graph G, we define the resistance of G, written ,
      as the greatest overall number of bits required to determine the code of the
      module that is accessible via random walks with stationary distribution in G,
      from which the random walks cannot escape. We show that the resistance of
      networks follows the resistance law of networks, that is, for a network G, the
      resistance of G is , where and are the one- and two-dimensional structure
      entropies of G, respectively. Based on the resistance law, we define the security
      index of a network G to be the normalised resistance of G, that is, . We show
      that the resistance and security index are both well-defined measures for the
      security of the networks.

PMID- 27255785
TI  - Secondhand smoke exposure in children: It is time to move forward.

PMID- 27255787
TI  - Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease - current
      practice and new approaches.
AB  - Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects over 5 million people
      worldwide. Current maintenance therapy has been successful in reducing
      complications and enhancing life expectancy; yet subclinical complications
      persist. To date, allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) remains
      the only available curative therapy for sickle cell disease. With declining
      incidences of rejection and transplant- related mortality, disease-free survival
      after human leucocyte antigen-identical sibling transplant exceeds 90%. However,
      the majority of individuals with sickle cell disease do not have an human
      leucocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling; therefore, research is expanding to
      focus on new approaches to alternative donor transplant. Advances in supportive
      care and conditioning regimens have led to expansion of the pool of donors to
      unrelated donors and haploidentical donors. Challenges remain in improving the
      safety and efficacy of HSCT from alternate donors. Early results from gene
      therapy may provide another curative option in patients with sickle cell disease.
      These approaches show early promise, but larger, longitudinal studies are needed
      to better determine the optimal clinical circumstances for transplant in sickle
      cell disease.

PMID- 27255786
TI  - The endothelial protein C receptor rs867186-GG genotype is associated with
      increased soluble EPCR and could mediate protection against severe malaria.
AB  - The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) appears to play an important role in
      Plasmodium falciparum endothelial cell binding in severe malaria (SM). Despite
      consistent findings of elevated soluble EPCR (sEPCR) in other infectious
      diseases, field studies to date have provided conflicting data about the role of
      EPCR in SM. To better define this role, we performed genotyping for the rs867186
      G variant, associated with increased sEPCR levels, and measured sEPCR levels in
      two prospective studies of Ugandan children designed to understand immunologic
      and genetic factors associated with neurocognitive deficits in SM including 551
      SM children, 71 uncomplicated malaria (UM) and 172 healthy community children
      (CC). The rs867186-GG genotype was more frequent in CC (4.1%) than SM (0.6%, P =
      0.002). The rs867186-G variant was associated with increased sEPCR levels and
      sEPCR was lower in children with SM than CC (P < 0.001). Among SM children, those
      who had a second SM episode showed a trend toward lower plasma sEPCR both at
      initial admission and at 6-month follow-up compared to those without repeated SM
      (P = 0.06 for both). The study findings support a role for sEPCR in severe
      malaria pathogenesis and emphasize a distinct role of sEPCR in malaria as
      compared to other infectious diseases.

PMID- 27255788
TI  - Sleep-Related Disorders in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
      Disorder: Preliminary Results of a Full Sleep Assessment Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We present the preliminary results of a prospective case
      control sleep study in children with a diagnosis of attention-deficit
      hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A deep sleep assessment including sleep
      questionnaires, sleep habits, a video-polysomnographic recording with full high
      density electroencephalography (EEG) and cardiorespiratory polygraphy, multiple
      sleep latency test, and 1-week actigraphic recording were performed to verify
      whether children with ADHD may be classified into one of the following five
      phenotypes: (1) hypoarousal state, resembling narcolepsy, which may be considered
      a "primary" form of ADHD; (2) delayed sleep onset insomnia; (3) sleep-disordered
      breathing; (4) restless legs syndrome and/or periodic limb movements; and (5)
      sleep epilepsy and/or EEG interictal epileptiform discharges. RESULTS: Fifteen
      consecutive outpatients with ADHD were recruited (two female, mean age 10.6 +/-
      2.2, age range 8-13.7 years) over 6 months. The narcolepsy-like sleep phenotype
      was observed in three children, the sleep onset insomnia phenotype was observed
      in one child, mild obstructive sleep apnea was observed in three children, sleep
      hyperkinesia and/or PLMs were observed in five children, while IEDs and or
      nocturnal epilepsy were observed in three children. Depending on the sleep
      phenotype, children received melatonin, iron supplementation, antiepileptic
      drugs, or stimulants. CONCLUSIONS: Our study further highlights the need to
      design an efficient sleep diagnostic algorithm for children with ADHD, thereby
      more accurately identifying cases in which a full sleep assessment is indicated.

PMID- 27255789
TI  - Complexes trans-Pt(BODIPY)X(PEt3)2: excitation energy-dependent fluorescence and
      phosphorescence emissions, oxygen sensing and photocatalysis.
AB  - We report on five new complexes with the general formula trans-Pt(BODIPY)X(PEt3)2
      (), where the platinum(ii) ion is sigma-bonded to a 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a
      diaza-s-indacen-8-yl (BODIPY) and an anionic ligand X(-) (X(-) = Cl(-), I(-),
      NO2(-), NCS(-), CH3(-)). All five complexes were characterized by multinuclear
      NMR, electronic absorption and luminescence spectroscopy and by X-ray diffraction
      analysis. Four of these complexes show efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) from
      an excited singlet state to a BODIPY-centred T1 state and exhibit dual
      fluorescence and phosphorescence emission from the BODIPY ligand. In , the
      fluorescence is almost completely quenched, whereas the phosphorescence quantum
      yield reaches a value of 40%. The rate of ISC and the ratio of phosphorescence to
      fluorescence emissions depend on the excitation wavelength (i.e. on which
      specific transition is excited). The performance of these complexes as one
      component oxygen sensors and their photocatalytic activities were tested by Stern
      Volmer quenching experiments and by monitoring the oxidation of 1,5
      dihydroxynaphthalene with (1)O2 generated from the long-lived triplet state of
      the sensitizer by triplet-triplet annihilation with (3)O2. Exceptionally high
      (1)O2 generation quantum yields of up to near unity were obtained. 

PMID- 27255790
TI  - Distress in significant others of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A
      systematic review of the literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to systematically review existing
      empirical research assessing levels and correlates of distress in significant
      others of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis
      (CFS/ME). METHODS: Systematic searches in CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO
      were conducted in August 2014. The search was repeated in January 2015 to check
      for newly published articles. Studies published in English with quantitative,
      qualitative, or mixed designs exploring distress, poor subjective health, poor
      mental health, reduced quality of life and well-being, and symptoms of depression
      and anxiety in significant others (>18 years) of children and adults with CFS/ME
      were included. Quality appraisal of included studies was carried out.
      Quantitative and qualitative studies were summarized separately. RESULTS: Six
      articles met eligibility criteria. Two quantitative studies with significant
      others of adult patients, and one quantitative and two mixed-methods studies with
      significant others of child patients showed moderate to high levels of distress.
      One qualitative study (adult patients) found minimal evidence of distress and
      that acceptance of CFS/ME was related to better adjustment. In the quantitative
      and mixed-methods studies, significant others who attributed some level of
      responsibility for symptoms to the patient, or who were female, or whose partners
      had poorer mental health, had higher levels of distress. CONCLUSIONS: The small
      number of studies to date, the contrary evidence from a qualitative study, and
      the limited data available on levels of distress in significant others of
      patients with CFS/ME mean that our conclusion that distress levels are elevated
      is provisional. We recommend that future qualitative studies focus on this
      particular topic. Further longitudinal studies exploring correlates of distress
      within the context of a predictive theoretical model would be helpful. Statement
      of contribution What is already known on this subject? Chronic fatigue syndrome
      (CFS/ME) entails considerable economic, social, and personal costs. Uncertainties
      exist around diagnosis and management. This may lead to particular difficulties
      for significant others trying to support patients. What does this study add? Few
      studies have examined distress and its correlates in significant others of people
      with CFS/ME. Significant others report elevated levels of distress on
      quantitative measures.

PMID- 27255791
TI  - Synergistic Effect of Compounds from a Chinese Herb: Compatibility and Dose
      Optimization of Compounds from N-Butanol Extract of Ipomoea stolonifera.
AB  - The herbal medicine Ipomoea stolonifera (I. stolonifera) has previously been
      shown to have considerable anti-inflammatory potential in vivo and in vitro. To
      establish a method for exploring the synergistic effects of multiple compounds,
      we study the compatibility and dose optimization of compounds isolated from n
      butanol extract of I. stolonifera (BE-IS). Raw264.7 cell was treated with
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of compounds from BE-IS, namely
      scopoletin, umbelliferone, esculetin, hesperetin and curcumin, using the
      orthogonal design, uniform design and median-effect method. To verify the best
      efficacy of principal constituents in vivo, the uniform design was used in the
      croton oil-induced mouse ear edema model. The results from LPS-induced the
      production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) show that, esculetin, curcumin and
      hesperetin were the principal constituents that had synergistic effects when used
      at the optimal ratio. Additionally, the principal constituents were found to work
      synergistically in the croton oil-induced mouse ear edema model at low doses. It
      turned out that the three experimental optimization and analysis methods
      (orthogonal design, uniform design and median-effect method) can be effectively
      used to solve both compatibility and dose optimization for combined use of
      multiple compounds.

PMID- 27255793
TI  - The bactericidal activity of glutaraldehyde-impregnated polyurethane.
AB  - Although glutaraldehyde is known to be bactericidal in solution, its potential
      use to create novel antibacterial polymers suitable for use in healthcare
      environments has not been evaluated. Here, novel materials were prepared in which
      glutaraldehyde was either incorporated into polyurethane using a simple "swell
      encapsulation-shrink" method (hereafter referred to as "glutaraldehyde
      impregnated polyurethane"), or simply applied to the polymer surface (hereafter
      referred to as "glutaraldehyde-coated polyurethane"). The antibacterial activity
      of glutaraldehyde-impregnated and glutaraldehyde-coated polyurethane samples was
      tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Glutaraldehyde
      impregnated polyurethane resulted in a 99.9% reduction in the numbers of E. coli
      within 2 h and a similar reduction of S. aureus within 1 h, whereas only a
      minimal reduction in bacterial numbers was observed when the biocide was bound to
      the polymer surface. After 15 days, however, the bactericidal activity of the
      impregnated material was substantially reduced presumably due to polymerization
      of glutaraldehyde. Thus, although glutaraldehyde retains antibacterial activity
      when impregnated into polyurethane, activity is not maintained for extended
      periods of time. Future work should examine the potential of chemical
      modification of glutaraldehyde and/or polyurethane to improve the useful lifespan
      of this novel antibacterial polymer.

PMID- 27255792
TI  - MutSbeta promotes trinucleotide repeat expansion by recruiting DNA polymerase
      beta to nascent (CAG)n or (CTG)n hairpins for error-prone DNA synthesis.
AB  - Expansion of (CAG)*(CTG) repeats causes a number of familial neurodegenerative
      disorders. Although the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown, components
      involved in DNA mismatch repair, particularly mismatch recognition protein
      MutSbeta (a MSH2-MSH3 heterodimer), are implicated in (CAG)*(CTG) repeat
      expansion. In addition to recognizing small insertion-deletion loop-outs,
      MutSbeta also specifically binds DNA hairpin imperfect heteroduplexes formed
      within (CAG)n*(CTG)n sequences. However, whether or not and how MutSbeta binding
      triggers expansion of (CAG)*(CTG) repeats remain unknown. We show here that
      purified recombinant MutSbeta physically interacts with DNA polymerase beta
      (Polbeta) and stimulates Polbeta-catalyzed (CAG)n or (CTG)n hairpin retention.
      Consistent with these in vitro observations, MutSbeta and Polbeta interact with
      each other in vivo, and colocalize at (CAG)*(CTG) repeats during DNA replication.
      Our data support a model for error-prone processing of (CAG)n or (CTG)n hairpins
      by MutSbeta and Polbeta during DNA replication and/or repair: MutSbeta recognizes
      (CAG)n or (CTG)n hairpins formed in the nascent DNA strand, and recruits Polbeta
      to the complex, which then utilizes the hairpin as a primer for extension,
      leading to (CAG)*(CTG) repeat expansion. This study provides a novel mechanism
      for trinucleotide repeat expansion in both dividing and non-dividing cells.

PMID- 27255794
TI  - A nonlinear controlling function of geological features on magmatic-hydrothermal
      mineralization.
AB  - This paper reports a nonlinear controlling function of geological features on
      magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization, and proposes an alternative method to
      measure the spatial relationships between geological features and mineral
      deposits using multifractal singularity theory. It was observed that the greater
      the proximity to geological controlling features, the greater the number of
      mineral deposits developed, indicating a nonlinear spatial relationship between
      these features and mineral deposits. This phenomenon can be quantified using the
      relationship between the numbers of mineral deposits N(epsilon) of a D
      dimensional set and the scale of epsilon. The density of mineral deposits can be
      expressed as rho(epsilon) = Cepsilon(-(De-a)), where epsilon is the buffer width
      of geological controlling features, De is Euclidean dimension of space (=2 in
      this case), a is singularity index, and C is a constant. The expression can be
      rewritten as rho = Cepsilon(a-2). When a < 2, there is a significant spatial
      correlation between specific geological features and mineral deposits; lower a
      values indicate a more significant spatial correlation. This nonlinear
      relationship and the advantages of this method were illustrated using a case
      study from Fujian Province in China and a case study from Baguio district in
      Philippines.

PMID- 27255795
TI  - Bibliometric analysis of the scientific production in implantology (2009-2013).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To quantify, using bibliometric indicators, the scientific
      productivity of researchers, organizations, and countries, publishing articles on
      implantology in dental journals indexed in Journal Citation Reports between 2009
      and 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Published texts were identified by applying the
      truncated search term "implant*." Document type was limited to "Article." Records
      were manually refined and normalized to unify terms and to remove typographical,
      transcription, and/or indexing errors. RESULTS: A total of 6088 articles were
      located. A progressive increase in the rate of publication was observed,
      especially between 2010 and 2012. This increase was clearly linked to increased
      collaboration between authors, institutions, and countries. Keywords appeared at
      a frequency of 3.1 per document. The journals Clinical Oral Implants Research and
      International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants published the highest
      numbers of articles. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a significant growth in
      implant dentistry literature in terms of the total number of journals, number of
      authors, organizations, and author collaborations. Most key bibliometric
      indicators demonstrated upward trends.

PMID- 27255796
TI  - Microgobius meeki as a potential bio-indicator of habitat disturbance in shallow
      estuarine areas: a useful tool for the assessment of estuarine quality.
AB  - The relationships between changes in habitat quality (disturbed and undisturbed
      sites) and the population parameters (density, size distribution, reproductive
      activity and diet) of a goby Microgobius meeki were investigated in a tropical
      estuary to assess its value as an indicator of anthropogenic changes,
      predominantly the effects of sedimentation and mangrove removal in shallow
      estuarine areas. Fish sampling surveys were conducted bimonthly between June 2009
      and May 2010 over the entire estuarine gradient of the Paraguacu River estuary,
      located on the central Brazilian coast. A predictive model was developed to
      assess the population changes of this species in 10 other tropical estuaries with
      different dimensions, basin features and distinct levels of anthropogenic
      disturbance. General linear models were used to relate the population structure
      of M. meeki to sediment type, habitat type resulting from mangrove conservation
      status, anthropogenic pressure and environmental characteristics such as
      salinity, dissolved oxygen concentrations and temperature. Sediment type and the
      presence of mangrove forests were the most effective predictors of local
      variability in the population structure of M. meeki. Individuals with mature
      gonads and high rates of feeding activity were associated predominantly with
      undisturbed habitats. Estuaries and estuarine sectors with high levels of
      sedimentation in shallow marginal areas, anthropogenic pressure from domestic and
      industrial effluents, and evidence of mangrove deforestation yielded the lowest
      capture rates of both juvenile and adult M. meeki. Based on these findings, M.
      meeki is identified as a potential indicator of the consequences of anthropogenic
      disturbance in transitional waters. A simple, but efficient collection protocol,
      in which overt signs of distress can be promptly observed is proposed. Testing
      the generality of this approach across different systems might prove useful in a
      broader conservation biology context. 

PMID- 27255797
TI  - Endovascular retrograde recanalization in Asian critical limb ischaemia patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate endovascular retrograde recanalization of critical limb
      ischaemia (CLI) patients with chronic total occlusions (CTOs) in an Asian
      population. METHODS: We conducted a single centre-based retrospective review of
      CLI patients with CTOs who had undergone endovascular retrograde recanalization
      using the subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade-retrograde intervention
      technique. RESULTS: A total of 40 CLI patients with CTOs underwent endovascular
      intervention. The median age was 71 years; 67.5% were males and Chinese accounted
      for 65% of the patients, of which 55% were in Rutherford category 6, 37.5% in
      category 5 and 7.5% in category 4. Antegrade-retrograde access was performed via
      the femoral artery in 39 cases and the brachial artery in one case for the
      proximal puncture, and the following arteries for the distal puncture:
      superficial femoral, n = 4 (10%); popliteal, n = 4 (10%); anterior tibial, n = 12
      (30%); dorsalis pedis, n = 9 (22.5%); peroneal, n = 4 (10%) and posterior tibial,
      n = 7 (17.5%). Technical success was high at 92.5% (n = 37). After intervention,
      25% (n = 10) had below-knee triple vessel runoff, 52.5% (n = 21) had double
      vessel runoff and 15.0% (n = 6) had single vessel runoff. Stenting for target
      vessel dissections was required in 12 patients. There were two cases of
      significant bleeding; one common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm was treated with
      ultrasound-guided thrombin injection and another case of distal puncture site
      bleeding only required compression. Limb salvage at 1 year was 92.5% (n = 37).
      CONCLUSION: The subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade-retrograde
      intervention technique is safe with high technical success rates and acceptable
      outcomes in Asian CLI patients with CTOs.

PMID- 27255798
TI  - Using Fractal and Local Binary Pattern Features for Classification of ECOG Motor
      Imagery Tasks Obtained from the Right Brain Hemisphere.
AB  - The feature extraction and classification of brain signal is very significant in
      brain-computer interface (BCI). In this study, we describe an algorithm for motor
      imagery (MI) classification of electrocorticogram (ECoG)-based BCI. The proposed
      approach employs multi-resolution fractal measures and local binary pattern (LBP)
      operators to form a combined feature for characterizing an ECoG epoch recording
      from the right hemisphere of the brain. A classifier is trained by using the
      gradient boosting in conjunction with ordinary least squares (OLS) method. The
      fractal intercept, lacunarity and LBP features are extracted to classify imagined
      movements of either the left small finger or the tongue. Experimental results on
      dataset I of BCI competition III demonstrate the superior performance of our
      method. The cross-validation accuracy and accuracy is 90.6% and 95%,
      respectively. Furthermore, the low computational burden of this method makes it a
      promising candidate for real-time BCI systems. 

PMID- 27255799
TI  - Classification of EEG Single Trial Microstates Using Local Global Graphs and
      Discrete Hidden Markov Models.
AB  - We present a novel synergistic methodology for the spatio-temporal analysis of
      single Electroencephalogram (EEG) trials. This new methodology is based on the
      novel synergy of Local Global Graph (LG graph) to characterize define the
      structural features of the EEG topography as a global descriptor for robust
      comparison of dominant topographies (microstates) and Hidden Markov Models (HMM)
      to model the topographic sequence in a unique way. In particular, the LG graph
      descriptor defines similarity and distance measures that can be successfully used
      for the difficult comparison of the extracted LG graphs in the presence of noise.
      In addition, hidden states represent periods of stationary distribution of
      topographies that constitute the equivalent of the microstates in the model. The
      transitions between the different microstates and the formed syntactic patterns
      can reveal differences in the processing of the input stimulus between different
      pathologies. We train the HMM model to learn the transitions between the
      different microstates and express the syntactic patterns that appear in the
      single trials in a compact and efficient way. We applied this methodology in
      single trials consisting of normal subjects and patients with Progressive Mild
      Cognitive Impairment (PMCI) to discriminate these two groups. The classification
      results show that this approach is capable to efficiently discriminate between
      control and Progressive MCI single trials. Results indicate that HMMs provide
      physiologically meaningful results that can be used in the syntactic analysis of
      Event Related Potentials. 

PMID- 27255800
TI  - Intrinsic Plasticity for Natural Competition in Koniocortex-Like Neural Networks.
AB  - In this paper, we use the neural property known as intrinsic plasticity to
      develop neural network models that resemble the koniocortex, the fourth layer of
      sensory cortices. These models evolved from a very basic two-layered neural
      network to a complex associative koniocortex network. In the initial network,
      intrinsic and synaptic plasticity govern the shifting of the activation function,
      and the modification of synaptic weights, respectively. In this first version,
      competition is forced, so that the most activated neuron is arbitrarily set to
      one and the others to zero, while in the second, competition occurs naturally due
      to inhibition between second layer neurons. In the third version of the network,
      whose architecture is similar to the koniocortex, competition also occurs
      naturally owing to the interplay between inhibitory interneurons and synaptic and
      intrinsic plasticity. A more complex associative neural network was developed
      based on this basic koniocortex-like neural network, capable of dealing with
      incomplete patterns and ideally suited to operating similarly to a learning
      vector quantization network. We also discuss the biological plausibility of the
      networks and their role in a more complex thalamocortical model. 

PMID- 27255801
TI  - Adaptation and Validation of the Basque Version of the Emotional Creativity
      Inventory in Higher Education.
AB  - Emotional creativity is defined as the ability to feel and express emotions in a
      new, effective and authentic way. There are currently no Basque-language self
      report instruments to provide valid and reliable measures of this construct.
      Thus, this paper describes the process of adapting and validating the Emotional
      Creativity Inventory (ECI) for the Basque-speaking population. The sample was
      comprised of 594 higher education students (388 women and 206 men) aged between
      18 and 32 years old (Mage = 20.47; SD = 2.48). The Basque version of the ECI was
      administered along with the TMMS-23, NEO PI-R, and PANAS. The results of
      exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on the Basque ECI corroborated the
      original scale's three-factor structure (preparedness, novelty, and
      effectiveness/authenticity). Those dimensions showed acceptable indexes of
      internal consistency (alpha = .80, .83, and .83) and temporal stability (r = .70,
      .69, and .74). The study also provided some evidence of external validity (p <
      .05) based on the relationships found between emotional creativity and emotional
      intelligence, personality, affect, and sex. The Basque ECI can be regarded as a
      useful tool to evaluate perceived emotional creativity during the preparation and
      verification phases of the creative process.

PMID- 27255802
TI  - Assessment of oxidative stress responses and the cytotoxic and genotoxic
      potential of the herbicide tembotrione in HepG2 cells.
AB  - Tembotrione is a triketone herbicide, usually used for post-emergence weed
      control in corn. Currently, there is little or no published data on its
      genotoxicity to human cells either in vitro or in vivo. This study evaluated the
      impact of acute (4 and 24 h) exposure to low concentrations of tembotrione
      [corresponding to the acceptable daily intake (0.17 MUg/mL), residential exposure
      level (0.002 MUg/mL) and acceptable operator exposure level (0.0012 MUg/mL)] on
      human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2, using biomarkers of oxidative
      stress, CCK-8 colorimetric assay for cell viability, alkaline comet assay, and
      cytokinesis-block micronucleus "cytome" assay. Tembotrione applied at
      concentrations likely to be encountered in occupational and residential exposures
      induced cytogenetic outcomes in non-target cells despite non-significant changes
      in the values of oxidative stress biomarkers. We assume that the observed effects
      were mainly the consequence of impaired metabolic pathways in HepG2 cells due to
      the inhibition of the enzyme 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate-dioxygenase by tembotrione,
      which possibly caused a depletion of folate levels leading to excess formation of
      nuclear buds in the affected cells. Regardless of the fact that tembotrione was
      previously reported negative for mutations and chromosome aberrations in vitro,
      our findings call for more precaution in its use. 

PMID- 27255803
TI  - Urine and serum biomonitoring of exposure to environmental estrogens II: Soy
      isoflavones and zearalenone in pregnant women.
AB  - Urine and serum biomonitoring was used to measure internal exposure to selected
      dietary estrogens in a cohort of 30 pregnant women. Exposure was measured over a
      period comprising one-half day in the field (6 h) and one day in a clinic (24 h).
      Biomonitoring of the dietary phytoestrogens genistein (GEN), daidzein (DDZ) and
      equol (EQ), as well as the mycoestrogen, zearalenone (ZEN) and its congeners, was
      conducted using UPLC-MS/MS. Biomonitoring revealed evidence of internal exposure
      to naturally occurring dietary estrogens during pregnancy. Urinary concentrations
      of total GEN, DDZ and EQ were similar to levels reported for general adult U.S.
      POPULATION: Measurable concentrations of total (parent and metabolites) GEN, DDZ
      and EQ were present in 240, 207 and 2 of 270 serum samples, respectively. Six out
      of 30 subjects had measurable concentrations of unconjugated GEN and/or DDZ in
      serum between 0.6 and 7.1 nM. Urine to serum total isoflavone ratios for GEN, DDZ
      and EQ were 13, 47, and 180, respectively. ZEN and its reductive metabolite,
      alpha-zearalenol (alpha-ZEL), were present in pregnant women (11 out of 30
      subjects) as conjugates at levels near the limit of quantification. The average
      total urinary concentration was 0.10 MUg/L for ZEN and 0.11 MUg/L for alpha-ZEL.

PMID- 27255804
TI  - Probabilistic assessment of exposure to cosmetic products by French children aged
      0-3 years.
AB  - Very few exposure data are available for children in Europe and worldwide. The
      aim of this study was to assess the exposure to cosmetic products used on
      children aged 0-3 years using recent consumption data generated for the French
      population. Exposure was assessed using a probabilistic method for 24 products
      including cleanser, skin care, fragrance, solar and bottom products. The exposure
      data obtained in this study for children aged 0-3 years were higher than the
      values fixed by the SCCS for all common products: liquid shampoo, face
      moisturizer cream, toothpaste, shower gel and body moisturizer cream. Exposure
      was assessed for the first time for many products such as sunscreens, Eau de
      toilette and massage products. These new French exposure values will be useful
      for safety assessors and for safety agencies. 

PMID- 27255805
TI  - Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in urothelial bladder cancer: impact of regimen and
      variant histology.
AB  - AIM: We compared the efficacy of methotrexate/vinblastine/doxorubicin/cisplatin
      (MVAC) versus gemcitabine/cisplatin in urothelial cancer and neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy (NACT) efficacy in variant histology (VH). MATERIALS & METHODS:
      Radical cystectomy patients were retrospectively compared with those who received
      NACT. Factors associated with survival, pathologic complete response (pCR) and
      downstaging (pDS) were evaluated in multivariable models. RESULTS: 9% of radical
      cystectomy patients (84/919) received NACT, with improved survival, pCR and pDS
      on both regimens. MVAC lead to higher pDS without an increase in pCR. On
      multivariable analysis, there was a nonsignificant increase in pDS with MVAC.
      NACT conferred similar responses in squamous and glandular differentiation VH.
      CONCLUSION: NACT was associated with improved survival, pCR and pDS. Furthermore,
      responses to NACT were not dependent on presence of VH.

PMID- 27255806
TI  - Interobserver Reliability of Peripheral Muscle Strength Tests and Short Physical
      Performance Battery in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A
      Prospective Observational Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the interobserver reliability of the Short Physical
      Performance Battery (SPPB) and hand dynamometry when measuring isometric muscle
      strength in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN:
      Reliability study. Each patient was assessed by a pulmonology physician and a
      physical therapist in 2 separate sessions 7 to 14 days apart (mean, 9.8+/-0.8d).
      Each rater was blinded to the other's results. SETTING: Pneumology unit of a
      public hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of outpatients with stable COPD
      (N=30). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SPPB and muscle
      strength (kg) using electronic handgrip and handheld dynamometers. Reliability
      was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of
      measurement values, and Bland-Altman plots. ICCs were calculated for the SPPB
      summary score and for its 3 subscales. RESULTS: The ICCs for the overall
      reliability of the SPPB summary score and for grip and quadriceps strength were
      .82 (95% confidence interval [CI], .62-.91), .97 (95% CI, .93-.98), and .76 (95%
      CI, .49-.88), respectively. The standard error of measurement values were .55
      points, 1.30kg, and 1.22kg, respectively. The mean differences between the
      rater's scores were near zero for grip strength and SPPB summary score measures.
      The ICCs for the SPPB subscales were .84 (95% CI, .66-.92) for the chair
      subscale, .75 (95% CI, .48-.88) for gait, and .33 (95% CI, -.42 to .68) for
      balance. CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver reliability was good for quadriceps and
      handgrip dynamometry and for the SPPB summary score and its chair stand and gait
      speed subscales. Both pulmonary physicians and physical therapists can obtain and
      exchange the scores. Because the reliability of the balance subscale was
      questionable, it is better to use the SPPB summary score.

PMID- 27255807
TI  - Denosumab-associated hypocalcaemia: incidence, severity and patient
      characteristics in a tertiary hospital setting.
AB  - PURPOSE: Denosumab-associated hypocalcaemia (DAH) has been reported in patients
      with osteoporosis or metastatic bone disease and is associated with stages 4 and
      5 chronic kidney disease (CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate <30
      mL/min/1.73m2 ). Other risk factors for hypocalcaemia have not been fully
      elucidated. We aimed to investigate the incidence of hypocalcaemia amongst
      patients receiving denosumab and to identify clinical features associated with
      this adverse event. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study between June 2013 and
      June 2014 of patients administered denosumab (60/120 mg) at a tertiary hospital
      in Melbourne, Australia, to identify the incidence of an albumin-adjusted serum
      calcium concentration <2.10 mmol/L or ionized calcium <1.13 mmol/L within 6
      months of treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses
      were performed to identify clinical features associated with DAH. RESULTS: One
      hundred and fifty-five patients were administered denosumab (100 osteoporosis, 55
      bone metastases). Twenty-two patients (14% [95%CI 9.1-20.7]) developed
      hypocalcaemia: 55% were men, and 55% had osteoporosis. Eighty-six per cent had a
      25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration >50 nmol/L, and 91% were on
      calcium/colecalciferol supplementation. Stages 4 and 5 CKD (adjusted odd ratio
      [aOR] 4.71, 95%CI 1.61-13.79, p = 0.005) and male sex (aOR 4.30, 95%CI 1.69
      10.96, p = 0.002) were associated with DAH. No patients were documented as having
      hypocalcaemic symptoms. One patient received intravenous calcium gluconate
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of denosumab-associated hypocalcaemia was
      14% (95%CI 9.1-20.7) within 6 months of treatment despite widespread use of
      appropriate calcium/colecalciferol supplementation. Stages 4 and 5 CKD and male
      sex were associated with subsequent hypocalcaemia. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley
      & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27255808
TI  - Large-scale ordering of nanoparticles using viscoelastic shear processing.
AB  - Despite the availability of elaborate varieties of nanoparticles, their assembly
      into regular superstructures and photonic materials remains challenging. Here we
      show how flexible films of stacked polymer nanoparticles can be directly
      assembled in a roll-to-roll process using a bending-induced oscillatory shear
      technique. For sub-micron spherical nanoparticles, this gives elastomeric
      photonic crystals termed polymer opals showing extremely strong tunable
      structural colour. With oscillatory strain amplitudes of 300%, crystallization
      initiates at the wall and develops quickly across the bulk within only five
      oscillations. The resulting structure of random hexagonal close-packed layers is
      improved by shearing bidirectionally, alternating between two in-plane
      directions. Our theoretical framework indicates how the reduction in shear
      viscosity with increasing order of each layer accounts for these results, even
      when diffusion is totally absent. This general principle of shear ordering in
      viscoelastic media opens the way to manufacturable photonic materials, and forms
      a generic tool for ordering nanoparticles.

PMID- 27255809
TI  - "Less Than A Wife": A Study of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Content in Teen and
      Women's Digital Magazines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a major public health problem
      that affects women's physical and mental health. According to the US National
      Institutes of Health Office of Disease Prevention, there is a need to improve
      public awareness of the syndrome among health care providers and the public.
      Women's magazines are a type of "edutainment" that publish health content in
      addition to beauty, fashion, and entertainment content. These media have the
      potential to expose primarily female readers to content on PCOS and influence
      readers' beliefs and attitudes about women with PCOS. OBJECTIVE: The objective of
      this study was to explore how digital (online) teen and women's magazines portray
      women with PCOS. METHODS: We used data from the Alliance for Audited Media to
      identify popular digital teen and women's magazines with circulation rates
      >=1,000,001. We also included magazines with circulation rates 100,001-1,000,000
      directed toward racial and ethnic minority readers. A search of magazine websites
      over a 1-month period in 2015 yielded 21 magazines (eg, Glamour, Cosmopolitan en
      Espanol, Essence, and O, The Oprah Magazine) and 170 articles containing "PCOS"
      and "polycystic ovary syndrome." Textual analysis using a grounded theory
      approach was used to identify themes. RESULTS: Articles depicted PCOS symptoms as
      a hindrance to women's social roles as wives and mothers and largely placed
      personal responsibility on women to improve their health. To a lesser extent,
      women were depicted as using their personal experience with PCOS to advocate for
      women's health. Experiences of Latina and African American women and adolescents
      with PCOS were absent from women's magazine articles. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      can inform health education programs that teach women to be critical consumers of
      PCOS-related content in digital women's magazines. Future research on PCOS
      content in digital teen and women's magazines can help researchers, patients, and
      consumer groups engage with the media to increase public awareness of PCOS.

PMID- 27255810
TI  - Medium-chain plasma acylcarnitines, ketone levels, cognition, and gray matter
      volumes in healthy elderly, mildly cognitively impaired, or Alzheimer's disease
      subjects.
AB  - Aging, amyloid deposition, and tau-related pathology are key contributors to the
      onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, AD is also associated
      with brain hypometabolism and deficits of mitochondrial bioenergetics. Plasma
      acylcarnitines (ACCs) are indirect indices of altered fatty acid beta-oxidation,
      and ketogenesis has been found to be decreased on aging. Furthermore, in elderly
      subjects, alterations in plasma levels of specific ACCs have been suggested to
      predict conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD. In this study, we
      assayed plasma profiles of ACCs in a cohort of healthy elderly control, MCI
      subjects, and AD patients. Compared with healthy controls or MCI subjects, AD
      patients showed significant lower plasma levels of several medium-chain ACCs.
      Furthermore, in AD patients, these lower concentrations were associated with
      lower prefrontal gray matter volumes and the presence of cognitive impairment.
      Interestingly, lower levels of medium-chain ACCs were also found to be associated
      with lower plasma levels of 2-hydroxybutyric acid. Overall, these findings
      suggest that altered metabolism of medium-chain ACCs and impaired ketogenesis can
      be metabolic features of AD.

PMID- 27255811
TI  - Differential effects of Cdh23(753A) on auditory and vestibular functional aging
      in C57BL/6J mice.
AB  - The C57BL/6J (B6) mouse strain carries a cadherin 23 mutation (Cdh23(753A), also
      known as Ahl), which affects inner ear structures and results in age-related
      hearing loss. The B6.CAST strain harbors the wild type Cdh23 gene, and hence, the
      influence of Ahl is absent. The purpose of the present study was to characterize
      the effect of age and gender on gravity receptor function in B6 and B6.CAST
      strains and to compare functional aging between auditory and vestibular
      modalities. Auditory sensitivity declined at significantly faster rates than
      gravity receptor sensitivity for both strains. Indeed, vestibular functional
      aging was minimal for both strains. The comparatively smaller loss of macular
      versus cochlear sensitivity in both the B6 and B6.CAST strains suggests that the
      contribution of Ahl to the aging of the vestibular system is minimal, and thus
      very different than its influence on aging of the auditory system. Alternatively,
      there exist unidentified genes or gene modifiers that serve to slow the
      degeneration of gravity receptor structures and maintain gravity receptor
      sensitivity into advanced age.

PMID- 27255812
TI  - Certified normal: Alzheimer's disease biomarkers and normative estimates of
      cognitive functioning.
AB  - Normative samples drawn from older populations may unintentionally include
      individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, resulting in
      reduced means, increased variability, and overestimation of age effects on
      cognitive performance. A total of 264 cognitively normal (Clinical Dementia
      Rating = 0) older adults were classified as biomarker negative ("Robust Normal,"
      n = 177) or biomarker positive ("Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease" [PCAD], n = 87)
      based on amyloid imaging, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and hippocampal
      volumes. PCAD participants performed worse than robust normals on nearly all
      cognitive measures. Removing PCAD participants from the normative sample yielded
      higher means and less variability on episodic memory, visuospatial ability, and
      executive functioning measures. These results were more pronounced in
      participants aged 75 years and older. Notably, removing PCAD participants from
      the sample significantly reduced age effects across all cognitive domains.
      Applying norms from the robust normal sample to a separate cohort did not improve
      Clinical Dementia Rating classification when using standard deviation cutoff
      scores. Overall, removing individuals with biomarker evidence of preclinical AD
      improves normative sample quality and substantially reduces age effects on
      cognitive performance but provides no substantive benefit for diagnostic
      classifications.

PMID- 27255813
TI  - Disrupted axon-glia interactions at the paranode in myelinated nerves cause
      axonal degeneration and neuronal cell death in the aged Caspr mutant mouse
      shambling.
AB  - Emerging evidence suggests that axonal degeneration is a disease mechanism in
      various neurodegenerative diseases and that the paranodes at the nodes of Ranvier
      may be the initial site of pathogenesis. We investigated the pathophysiology of
      the disease process in the central and peripheral nervous systems of a Caspr
      mutant mouse, shambling (shm), which is affected by disrupted paranodal
      structures and impaired nerve conduction of myelinated nerves. The shm mice
      manifest a progressive neurological phenotype as mice age. We found extensive
      axonal degeneration and a loss of neurons in the central nervous system and
      peripheral nervous system in aged shm mice. Axonal alteration of myelinated
      nerves was defined by abnormal distribution and expression of neurofilaments and
      derangements in the status of phosphorylated and non/de-phosphorylated
      neurofilaments. Autophagy-related structures were also accumulated in degenerated
      axons and neurons. In conclusion, our results suggest that disrupted axon-glia
      interactions at the paranode cause the cytoskeletal alteration in myelinated
      axons leading to neuronal cell death, and the process involves detrimental
      autophagy and aging as factors that promote the pathogenesis.

PMID- 27255814
TI  - Impaired thermoregulation and beneficial effects of thermoneutrality in the 3*Tg
      AD model of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - The sharp rise in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) at an old age
      coincides with a reduction in energy metabolism and core body temperature. We
      found that the triple-transgenic mouse model of AD (3*Tg-AD) spontaneously
      develops a lower basal body temperature and is more vulnerable to a cold
      environment compared with age-matched controls. This was despite higher
      nonshivering thermogenic activity, as evidenced by brown adipose tissue
      norepinephrine content and uncoupling protein 1 expression. A 24-hour exposure to
      cold (4  degrees C) aggravated key neuropathologic markers of AD such as: tau
      phosphorylation, soluble amyloid beta concentrations, and synaptic protein loss
      in the cortex of 3*Tg-AD mice. Strikingly, raising the body temperature of aged
      3*Tg-AD mice via exposure to a thermoneutral environment improved memory function
      and reduced amyloid and synaptic pathologies within a week. Our results suggest
      the presence of a vicious cycle between impaired thermoregulation and AD-like
      neuropathology, and it is proposed that correcting thermoregulatory deficits
      might be therapeutic in AD.

PMID- 27255815
TI  - Sirt1 deficiency protects cochlear cells and delays the early onset of age
      related hearing loss in C57BL/6 mice.
AB  - Hearing gradually declines with age in both animals and humans, and this
      condition is known as age-related hearing loss (AHL). Here, we investigated the
      effects of deficiency of Sirt1, a member of the mammalian sirtuin family, on age
      related cochlear pathology and associated hearing loss in C57BL/6 mice, a mouse
      model of early-onset AHL. Sirt1 deficiency reduced age-related oxidative damage
      of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons and delayed the early onset of
      AHL. In cultured mouse inner ear cell lines, Sirt1 knockdown increased cell
      viability under oxidative stress conditions, induced nuclear translocation of
      Foxo3a, and increased acetylation status of Foxo3a. This resulted in increased
      activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase. In young wild-type mice, both Sirt1
      and Foxo3a proteins resided in the cytoplasm of the supporting cells within the
      organ of Corti of the cochlea. Therefore, our findings suggest that SIRT1
      promotes early-onset AHL through suppressing FOXO3a-mediated oxidative stress
      resistance in the cochlea of C57BL/6 mice.

PMID- 27255816
TI  - Large cross-sectional study of presbycusis reveals rapid progressive decline in
      auditory temporal acuity.
AB  - The auditory system relies on extraordinarily precise timing cues for the
      accurate perception of speech, music, and object identification. Epidemiological
      research has documented the age-related progressive decline in hearing
      sensitivity that is known to be a major health concern for the elderly. Although
      smaller investigations indicate that auditory temporal processing also declines
      with age, such measures have not been included in larger studies. Temporal gap
      detection thresholds (TGDTs; an index of auditory temporal resolution) measured
      in 1071 listeners (aged 18-98 years) were shown to decline at a minimum rate of
      1.05 ms (15%) per decade. Age was a significant predictor of TGDT when
      controlling for audibility (partial correlation) and when restricting analyses to
      persons with normal-hearing sensitivity (n = 434). The TGDTs were significantly
      better for males (3.5 ms; 51%) than females when averaged across the life span.
      These results highlight the need for indices of temporal processing in
      diagnostics, as treatment targets, and as factors in models of aging.

PMID- 27255818
TI  - Loss of ceramide synthase 2 activity, necessary for myelin biosynthesis, precedes
      tau pathology in the cortical pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - The anatomical progression of neurofibrillary tangle pathology throughout
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis runs inverse to the pattern of
      developmental myelination, with the disease preferentially affecting thinly
      myelinated regions. Myelin is comprised 80% of lipids, and the prototypical
      myelin lipids, galactosylceramide, and sulfatide are critical for neurological
      function. We observed severe depletion of galactosylceramide and sulfatide in AD
      brain tissue, which can be traced metabolically to the loss of their biosynthetic
      precursor, very long chain ceramide. The synthesis of very long chain ceramides
      is catalyzed by ceramide synthase 2 (CERS2). We demonstrate a significant
      reduction in CERS2 activity as early as Braak stage I/II in temporal cortex, and
      Braak stage III/IV in hippocampus and frontal cortex, indicating that loss of
      myelin-specific ceramide synthase activity precedes neurofibrillary tangle
      pathology in cortical regions. These findings open a new vista on AD pathogenesis
      by demonstrating a defect in myelin lipid biosynthesis at the preclinical stages
      of the disease. We posit that, over time, this defect contributes significantly
      to myelin deterioration, synaptic dysfunction, and neurological decline.

PMID- 27255819
TI  - Braak stage and trajectory of cognitive decline in noncognitively impaired
      elders.
AB  - In a previous cross-sectional study, we found that nondemented elderly
      participants from the Rush Religious Orders Study (RROS) displayed a wide range
      of Braak neurofibrillary tangle and amyloid plaque pathology similar to that seen
      in prodromal and frank Alzheimer's disease. Here, we examined longitudinal
      changes in cognitive domains in subjects from this cohort grouped by Braak stage
      using linear mixed effects models. We found that the trajectory of episodic
      memory composite (EMC), executive function composite (EFC), and global cognitive
      composite scores (GCS: average of EMC and EFC scores) was significantly
      associated with age at visit over time, but not with Braak stage, apolipoprotein
      E (APOE) epsilon4 status or plaque pathology alone. By contrast, the combined
      effects of Braak stage, APOE status, and age at visit were strongly correlated
      with the trajectory of EMC, EFC and GCS performance over time. These data suggest
      that age and APOE epsilon4 status, rather than Alzheimer's disease-related
      pathology, play a more prominent role in the trajectory of cognitive decline over
      time in this elderly nondemented population. However, the findings reported
      require confirmation in a larger cohort of cases.

PMID- 27255817
TI  - Age-dependent differences in brain tissue microstructure assessed with neurite
      orientation dispersion and density imaging.
AB  - Human aging is accompanied by progressive changes in executive function and
      memory, but the biological mechanisms underlying these phenomena are not fully
      understood. Using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, we sought
      to examine the relationship between age, cellular microstructure, and
      neuropsychological scores in 116 late middle-aged, cognitively asymptomatic
      participants. Results revealed widespread increases in the volume fraction of
      isotropic diffusion and localized decreases in neurite density in frontal white
      matter regions with increasing age. In addition, several of these microstructural
      alterations were associated with poorer performance on tests of memory and
      executive function. These results suggest that neurite orientation dispersion and
      density imaging is capable of measuring age-related brain changes and the neural
      correlates of poorer performance on tests of cognitive functioning, largely in
      accordance with published histological findings and brain-imaging studies of
      people of this age range. Ultimately, this study sheds light on the processes
      underlying normal brain development in adulthood, knowledge that is critical for
      differentiating healthy aging from changes associated with dementia.

PMID- 27255820
TI  - Vagus nerve stimulation during rehabilitative training enhances recovery of
      forelimb function after ischemic stroke in aged rats.
AB  - Advanced age is associated with a higher incidence of stroke and worse functional
      outcomes. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitative training has
      emerged as a potential method to improve recovery after brain injury but to date
      has only been evaluated in young rats. Here, we evaluated whether VNS paired with
      rehabilitative training would improve recovery of forelimb function after
      ischemic lesion of the motor cortex in rats 18 months of age. Rats were trained
      to perform the isometric pull task, an automated, quantitative measure of
      volitional forelimb strength. Once proficient, rats received an ischemic lesion
      of the motor cortex and underwent rehabilitative training paired with VNS for 6
      weeks. VNS paired with rehabilitative training significantly enhances recovery of
      forelimb function after lesion. Rehabilitative training without VNS results in a
      34% +/- 19% recovery, whereas VNS paired with rehabilitative training yields a
      98% +/- 8% recovery of prelesion of forelimb function. VNS does not significantly
      reduce lesion size. These findings demonstrate that VNS paired with
      rehabilitative training enhances motor recovery in aged subjects in a model of
      stroke and may suggest that VNS therapy may effectively translate to elderly
      stroke patients.

PMID- 27255821
TI  - Concurrent white and gray matter degeneration of disease-specific networks in
      early-stage Alzheimer's disease and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia.
AB  - This study investigates regional coherence between white matter (WM)
      microstructure and gray matter (GM) volume and perfusion measures in Alzheimer's
      disease (AD) and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) using a
      correlational approach. WM-GM coherence, compared with controls, was stronger
      between cingulum WM and frontotemporal GM in AD, and temporoparietal GM in bvFTD.
      In addition, in AD compared with controls, coherence was stronger between
      inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus WM microstructure and occipital GM
      perfusion. In this first study assessing regional WM-GM coherence in AD and
      bvFTD, we show that WM microstructure and GM volume and perfusion measures are
      coherent, particularly in regions implicated in AD and bvFTD pathology. This
      indicates concurrent degeneration in disease-specific networks. Our methodology
      allows for the detection of incipient abnormalities that go undetected in
      conventional between-group analyses.

PMID- 27255822
TI  - Perception-related EEG is more sensitive to Alzheimer's disease effects than
      resting EEG.
AB  - To characterize the effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) on cortical functional
      connectivity in perception, we analyzed interhemispheric lagged synchronization
      (ILS) in the source space of high-density EEG recorded in aged controls and
      patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or AD while they viewed
      collinear and noncollinear bilateral moving gratings. Beta-band ILS was lower in
      aMCI and AD compared with controls in a large region centered on BA39. As
      previously reported, in young adults, collinear iso-oriented gratings versus
      noncollinear gratings synchronizes EEG reflecting perceptual grouping. Only aged
      controls showed the expected beta-band ILS increase originating in the dorsal
      visual stream (BA18). The aMCI group only showed a theta-band increase in an
      adjacent region (BA19). In AD patients, there was no ILS increase. Regression
      analysis revealed that the posterior callosal area and EEG slowing predict
      reduction of beta but not emergence of theta ILS response. Considering that we
      found no between-group differences in resting ILS, perception-related EEG appears
      to be more sensitive to AD effects, including ILS signs of neurodegeneration and
      compensation.

PMID- 27255823
TI  - The age-related neuroinflammatory environment promotes macrophage activation,
      which negatively impacts synaptic function.
AB  - The impact of infiltration of macrophages into the brain is debatable with
      evidence of both beneficial and detrimental effects. Recent work suggests that
      inflammatory macrophages, with an inflammatory phenotype that resembles the M1
      activation state, may be detrimental, whereas anti-inflammatory M2-like
      macrophages may be beneficial. We set up a model to examine the response of bone
      marrow-derived macrophages to the inflammatory milieu that occurs in the aged
      brain. Expression of MHCII and CD40 was increased in macrophages incubated with
      soluble brain extract prepared from aged, compared with young, mice and this was
      accompanied by increased production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and
      interleukin-6. Analysis of soluble brain extract indicated that it contained
      increased concentrations of several inflammatory mediators and, importantly, when
      bone marrow-derived macrophages were incubated in the inflammatory cytokines that
      were increased and applied to hippocampal slices, long-term potentiation was
      inhibited. The data suggest that infiltrating macrophages respond to local
      conditions and, in the case of aging, adopt an inflammatory phenotype that
      ultimately has a neurodetrimental effect.

PMID- 27255824
TI  - Determinants of iron accumulation in the normal aging brain.
AB  - In a recent postmortem study, R2* relaxometry in gray matter (GM) of the brain
      has been validated as a noninvasive measure for iron content in brain tissue.
      Iron accumulation in the normal aging brain is a common finding and relates to
      brain maturation and degeneration. The goal of this study was to assess the
      determinants of iron accumulation during brain aging. The study cohort consisted
      of 314 healthy community-dwelling participants of the Austrian Stroke Prevention
      Study. Their age ranged from 38-82 years. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging
      was performed on 3T and included R2* mapping, based on a 3D multi-echo gradient
      echo sequence. The median of R2* values was measured in all GM regions, which
      were segmented automatically using FreeSurfer. We investigated 25 possible
      determinants for cerebral iron deposition. These included demographics, brain
      volume, lifestyle factors, cerebrovascular risk factors, serum levels of iron,
      and single nucleotide polymorphisms related to iron regulating genes (rs1800562,
      rs3811647, rs1799945, and rs1049296). The body mass index (BMI) was significantly
      related to R2* in 15/32 analyzed brain regions with the strongest correlations
      found in the amygdala (p = 0.0091), medial temporal lobe (p = 0.0002), and
      hippocampus (p <= 0.0001). Further associations to R2* values were found in deep
      GM for age and smoking. No significant associations were found for gender, GM
      volume, serum levels of iron, or iron-associated genetic polymorphisms. In
      conclusion, besides age, the BMI and smoking are the only significant
      determinants of brain iron accumulation in normally aging subjects. Smoking
      relates to iron deposition in the basal ganglia, whereas higher BMI is associated
      with iron content in the neocortex following an Alzheimer-like distribution.

PMID- 27255825
TI  - Peripheral sphingolipids are associated with variation in white matter
      microstructure in older adults.
AB  - Sphingolipids serve important structural and functional roles in cellular
      membranes and myelin sheaths. Plasma sphingolipids have been shown to predict
      cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. However, the association between
      plasma sphingolipid levels and brain white matter (WM) microstructure has not
      been examined. We investigated whether plasma sphingolipids (ceramides and
      sphingomyelins) were associated with magnetic resonance imaging-based diffusion
      measures, fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity, 10.5 years later in
      17 WM regions of 150 cognitively normal adults (mean age 67.2). Elevated ceramide
      species (C20:0, C22:0, C22:1, and C24:1) were associated with lower FA in
      multiple WM regions, including total cerebral WM, anterior corona radiata, and
      the cingulum of the cingulate gyrus. Higher sphingomyelins (C18:1 and C20:1) were
      associated with lower FA in regions such as the anterior corona radiata and body
      of the corpus callosum. Furthermore, lower sphingomyelin to ceramide ratios
      (C22:0, C24:0, and C24:1) were associated with lower FA or higher mean
      diffusivity in regions including the superior and posterior corona radiata.
      However, although these associations were significant at the a priori p < 0.05,
      only associations with some regional diffusion measures for ceramide C22:0 and
      sphingomyelin C18:1 survived correction for multiple comparisons. These findings
      suggest plasma sphingolipids are associated with variation in WM microstructure
      in cognitively normal aging.

PMID- 27255826
TI  - Tract-specific white matter microstructure and gait in humans.
AB  - Gait is a complex sequence of movements, requiring cooperation of many brain
      areas, such as the motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and cerebellum. However,
      it is unclear which connecting white matter tracts are essential for
      communication across brain areas to facilitate proper gait. Using diffusion
      tensor imaging, we investigated associations of microstructural organization in
      14 brain white matter tracts with gait, among 2330 dementia- and stroke-free
      community-dwelling individuals. Gait was assessed by electronic walkway and
      summarized into Global Gait, and 7 gait domains. Higher white matter
      microstructure associated with higher Global Gait, Phases, Variability, Pace, and
      Turning. Microstructure in thalamic radiations, followed by association tracts
      and the forceps major, associated most strongly with gait. Hence, in community
      dwelling individuals, higher white matter microstructure associated with better
      gait, including larger strides, more single support, less stride-to-stride
      variability, and less turning steps. Our findings suggest that intact
      thalamocortical communication, cortex-to-cortex communication, and
      interhemispheric visuospatial integration are most essential in human gait.

PMID- 27255827
TI  - Temporal discrimination threshold with healthy aging.
AB  - The temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) is the shortest interstimulus
      interval at which a subject can perceive successive stimuli as separate. To
      investigate the effects of aging on TDT, we studied tactile TDT using the method
      of limits with 120% of sensory threshold in each hand for each of 100 healthy
      volunteers, equally divided among men and women, across 10 age groups, from 18 to
      79 years. Linear regression analysis showed that age was significantly related to
      left-hand mean, right-hand mean, and mean of 2 hands with R-square equal to 0.08,
      0.164, and 0.132, respectively. Reliability analysis indicated that the 3
      measures had fair-to-good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.4
      0.8). We conclude that TDT is affected by age and has fair-to-good
      reproducibility using our technique.

PMID- 27255828
TI  - Metabolic profiling of potential lung cancer biomarkers using bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluid and the integrated direct infusion/ gas chromatography mass
      spectrometry platform.
AB  - Lung cancer is one of the ten most common causes of death worldwide, so that the
      search for early diagnosis biomarkers is a very challenging task. Bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluid (BALF) provides information on cellular and biochemical epithelial
      surface of the lower respiratory tract constituents and no previous metabolomic
      studies have been performed with BALF samples from patients with lung cancer.
      Therefore, this fluid has been explored looking for new contributions in lung
      cancer metabolism. In this way, two complementary metabolomics techniques based
      on direct infusion high resolution mass spectrometry (DI-ESI-QTOF-MS) and gas
      chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have been applied to compare
      statistically differences between lung cancer (LC) and control (C) BALF samples,
      using partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) in order to find and
      identify potential biomarkers of the disease. A total of 42 altered metabolites
      were found in BALF from LC. The metabolic pathway analysis showed that glutamate
      and glutamine metabolism pathway was mainly altered by this disease. In addition,
      we assessed the biomarker specificity and sensitivity according to the area under
      the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, indicating that glycerol and
      phosphoric acid were potential sensitive and specific biomarkers for lung cancer
      diagnosis and prognosis. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The search for early diagnosis
      of lung cancer is a very challenging task because of the high mortality
      associated to this disease and its critical linkage to the initiation of
      treatment. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid provides information on cellular and
      biochemical epithelial surface of the lower respiratory tract constituents and no
      previous metabolomic studies have been performed with BALF samples from patients
      with lung cancer. Since BALF is in close interaction with lung tissue it is a
      more representative sample of lung status than other peripheral biofluids as
      blood or urine studied in previous works. Therefore, this study represents an
      innovative contribution in this topic that complement previous investigations
      about lung cancer, opening up new possibilities for understanding the
      pathogenesis of this disease and the use of efficient biomarkers. Therefore, this
      fluid has been explored looking for new contributions in lung cancer metabolism.
      In this way, two complementary metabolomic techniques based on direct infusion
      high resolution mass spectrometry (DI-ESI-QTOF-MS) and gas chromatography mass
      spectrometry (GC-MS) have been applied to compare statistically significant
      differences between lung cancer (LC) and control (C) BALF samples, using partial
      least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) in order to find and identify
      potential biomarkers of the disease. A total of 42 altered metabolites were found
      in BALF from LC. The metabolic pathway analysis showed that glutamate and
      glutamine metabolism pathway was mainly altered by this disease. In addition, we
      assessed the biomarker specificity and sensitivity according to the area under
      the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, indicating that glycerol and
      phosphoric acid were potential sensitive and specific biomarkers for lung cancer
      diagnosis and prognosis.

PMID- 27255829
TI  - Adult onset hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis prognosis is affected by
      underlying disease and coexisting viral infection: analysis of a single
      institution series of 35 patients.
AB  - Adult onset hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory
      syndrome, which can develop as a complication of many disorders. Early diagnosis
      is essential in order to avoid a fatal outcome. To confirm the diagnosis of
      acquired HLH made in a single institution series of adult patients with HLH-04
      criteria, we applied the HScore and evaluated prognostic factors associated with
      clinical outcome. The median age of 35 patients was 54 (range 17-81), M/F ratio
      was 20/15. In 26/35 (74.3%) patients, an underlying haematological disease was
      present (2 Multicentric Castleman Disease, 10 B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma [NHL]
      and 14 T/NK-cell NHL); an autoimmune disorder was observed in four (11.4%)
      patients (one Still Disease, one undifferentiated connective tissue disease and
      two haemolytic anaemia); in five (14.3%), no underlying disease was identified. A
      concomitant infection by EBV was observed in 10 patients (28.6%), CMV in 8
      (22.9%), HHV8 in 6 (17.1%) and HIV in 1 (2.9%). Hyperferritinemia, fever and
      splenomegaly were present in more than 90% of patients, whereas bone marrow
      hemophagocytosis in 51% of cases only. According to HScore, 34/35 patients had a
      >75% and 32/35 >93% probability of HLH. Four-year overall survival and HLH-free
      survival were 17.8% (CI 1.9-33.8) and 23.8% (CI 7.3-40.3), respectively. By
      multivariate analysis, presence of oedema and hyperbilirubinemia were predictors
      of death, whereas there was a statistically significant trend for viral infection
      as predictor of poor prognosis. B-NHL diagnosis was confirmed as associated to a
      better prognosis in comparison with T/NK lymphoma (4-year HFS 53.3% vs. 0%, p =
      0.09) and similar to other aetiologies. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons,
      Ltd.

PMID- 27255830
TI  - Medications associated with geriatric syndromes and their prevalence in older
      hospitalized adults discharged to skilled nursing facilities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than half of the hospitalized older adults discharged to skilled
      nursing facilities (SNFs) have more than 3 geriatric syndromes. Pharmacotherapy
      may be contributing to geriatric syndromes in this population. OBJECTIVES:
      Develop a list of medications associated with geriatric syndromes and describe
      their prevalence in patients discharged from acute care to SNFs. DESIGN:
      Literature review and multidisciplinary expert panel discussion, followed by
      cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: Academic medical center in the United States
      PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-four hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries
      discharged to SNFs. MEASUREMENTS: Development of a list of medications that are
      associated with 6 geriatric syndromes. Prevalence of the medications associated
      with geriatric syndromes was examined in the hospital discharge sample. RESULTS:
      A list of 513 medications was developed as potentially contributing to 6
      geriatric syndromes: cognitive impairment, delirium, falls, reduced appetite or
      weight loss, urinary incontinence, and depression. Medications included 18
      categories. Antiepileptics were associated with all syndromes, whereas
      antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiparkinsonism, and opioid agonists were
      associated with 5 geriatric syndromes. In the prevalence sample, patients were
      discharged to SNFs with an overall average of 14.0 (+/-4.7) medications,
      including an average of 5.9 (+/-2.2) medications that could contribute to
      geriatric syndromes, with falls having the most associated medications at
      discharge at 5.5 (+/-2.2). CONCLUSIONS: Many commonly prescribed medications are
      associated with geriatric syndromes. Over 40% of all medications ordered upon
      discharge to SNFs were associated with geriatric syndromes and could be
      contributing to the high prevalence of geriatric syndromes experienced by this
      population. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:694-700. (c) 2016 Society of
      Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 27255831
TI  - Influence of HIV infection and the use of antiretroviral therapy on selenium and
      selenomethionine concentrations and antioxidant protection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether HIV infection and
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) use are associated with oxidative stress,
      concentrations of selenium and selenomethionine, and antioxidant protection.
      METHODS: Individuals were classified as HIV negatives: control group (CG; n =
      40); HIV positives: group 1 (G1; taking ART for >5 y, n = 40) and group 2 (G2;
      taking ART for <5 y, n = 40). Plasma and erythrocyte selenium, selenomethionine,
      glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase activity (GPX), and malondialdehyde
      (MDA) were evaluated. RESULTS: Selenium deficiency (plasma selenium 45 MUg/L) was
      not observed in any of the participants, and plasma selenium in CG (69.4 MUg/L)
      was lower than in G1 and G2 (88.4 and 72.5 MUg/L, respectively). G1 and G2 showed
      higher concentrations of MDA and GPX and lower concentration of GSH than CG.
      Multiple linear regression analysis indicated an association of MDA, GPX, and GSH
      with HIV status. CG participants showed higher concentrations of selenomethionine
      than G1 and G2 individuals and we observed a significant negative correlation
      between the concentration of selenomethionine and the use of ART. CONCLUSIONS:
      Prolonged ART use seems to increase the selenium in plasma, but influences the
      reduction of selenomethionine. HIV infection was associated with increased
      oxidative stress and appears to affect in protective activity of GPX. Finally,
      more studies are required to further address the importance of selenium and
      selenometabolites in the pathogenesis of infection and metabolism of HIV-positive
      individuals in prolonged use of ART.

PMID- 27255832
TI  - Pro-apoptotic Bax molecules densely populate the edges of membrane pores.
AB  - How the pro-apoptotic Bax protein permeabilizes the mitochondrial outer membrane
      is not fully understood. Previously, using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we
      showed that activated Bax forms large, growing pores. Whether formed in liposomes
      or in mitochondrial outer membranes, Bax-induced pores exhibit the same
      morphology, with negative curvature flanking the edges and with no visible
      protein structure protruding from the membranes. Here we used cryo-EM to show
      that gold-labeled Bax molecules, after activation by Bid, became localized
      strictly at pore edges. This argues that Bax acts at short range to deform the
      membrane. Also, Bax molecules populated the walls of both small and large pores
      at the same density, implying that Bax is continuously recruited to the pores as
      they widen. Moreover, because all Bax molecules became oligomerized after
      membrane insertion, we infer that Bax oligomers are present at pore edges. We
      suggest that oligomerization may promote pore enlargement.

PMID- 27255833
TI  - Long-term potentiation-like cortical plasticity is disrupted in Alzheimer's
      disease patients independently from age of onset.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered an age-related disorder.
      However, it is unclear whether AD induces the same pathological and
      neurophysiological modifications in synaptic functions independently from age of
      disease onset. We used transcranial magnetic stimulation tools to investigate the
      mechanisms of cortical plasticity and sensory-motor integration in AD patients
      with a wide range of disease onset. METHODS: We evaluated newly diagnosed
      sporadic AD (n = 54) in comparison with healthy age-matched controls (HS; n =
      24). Cortical plasticity mechanisms of long-term potentiation (LTP) or of long
      term depression (LTD) were assessed using respectively intermittent (iTBS) or
      continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) protocols. Sensory-motor integration
      was evaluated by means of short afferent inhibition (SAI) protocol. RESULTS: AD
      patients show after iTBS an impairment of LTP-like cortical plasticity forming a
      paradoxical LTD in comparison to HS. LTD-like cortical plasticity is similar
      between AD and HS. LTP-like cortical plasticity is not associated with age, but
      AD patients presenting with more altered LTP-like cortical plasticity have more
      severe cognitive decline at 18 months. SAI is impaired in AD and shows a strong
      association with the individual age of subjects rather than with disease age of
      onset. INTERPRETATION: Cortical LTP disruption is a central mechanism of AD that
      is independent from age of onset. AD can be described primarily as a disorder of
      LTP-like cortical plasticity not influenced by physiological aging and associated
      with a more-severe cognitive decline. Ann Neurol 2016;80:202-210.

PMID- 27255834
TI  - Role of bifunctional ammonia-lyase in grass cell wall biosynthesis.
AB  - L-Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is the first enzyme in the biosynthesis of
      phenylpropanoid-derived plant compounds such as flavonoids, coumarins and the
      cell wall polymer lignin. The cell walls of grasses possess higher proportions of
      syringyl (S)-rich lignins and high levels of esterified coumaric acid compared
      with those of dicotyledonous plants, and PAL from grasses can also possess
      tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) activity, the reason for which has remained unclear.
      Using phylogenetic, transcriptomic and in vitro biochemical analyses, we
      identified a single homotetrameric bifunctional ammonia-lyase (PTAL) among eight
      BdPAL enzymes in the model grass species Brachypodium distachyon. (13)C isotope
      labelling experiments along with BdPTAL1-downregulation in transgenic plants
      showed that the TAL activity of BdPTAL1 can provide nearly half of the total
      lignin deposited in Brachypodium, with a preference for S-lignin and wall-bound
      coumarate biosynthesis, indicating that PTAL function is linked to the
      characteristic features of grass cell walls. Furthermore, isotope dilution
      experiments suggest that the pathways to lignin from L-phenylalanine and L
      tyrosine are distinct beyond the formation of 4-coumarate, supporting the
      organization of lignin synthesis enzymes in one or more metabolons.

PMID- 27255835
TI  - Convergence of light and chloroplast signals for de-etiolation through ABI4-HY5
      and COP1.
AB  - Seedling de-etiolation prepares plants to switch from heterotrophic to
      photoautotrophic growth, a transition essential for plant survival. This delicate
      de-etiolation process is precisely controlled by environmental and endogenous
      signals. Although intracellular plastid-derived retrograde signalling is
      essential for the de-etiolation process, the molecular nature of these retrograde
      signals remains elusive(1-3). Here we show that chloroplast and light signals
      antagonistically fine-tune a suite of developmental and physiological responses
      associated with de-etiolation through a transcriptional module of ABA INSENSITIVE
      4 (ABI4) and ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5). Moreover, ABI4 and HY5 antagonistically
      regulate the expression of CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1) and the
      subsequent greening process. In turn, ABI4 and HY5 are targeted for degradation
      by COP1 in the light and dark, respectively, to ensure a proper interplay of ABI4
      and HY5 actions during seedling de-etiolation. Our study provides a new molecular
      mechanism for understanding how chloroplast signals converge with light signals
      to optimize early plant development.

PMID- 27255836
TI  - Hydraulic basis for the evolution of photosynthetic productivity.
AB  - Clarifying the evolution and mechanisms for photosynthetic productivity is a key
      to both improving crops and understanding plant evolution and habitat
      distributions. Current theory recognizes a role for the hydraulics of water
      transport as a potential determinant of photosynthetic productivity based on
      comparative data across disparate species. However, there has never been rigorous
      support for the maintenance of this relationship during an evolutionary
      radiation. We tested this theory for 30 species of Viburnum, diverse in leaf
      shape and photosynthetic anatomy, grown in a common garden. We found strong
      support for a fundamental requirement for leaf hydraulic capacity (Kleaf) in
      determining photosynthetic capacity (Amax), as these traits diversified across
      this lineage in tight coordination, with their proportionality modulated by the
      climate experienced in the species' range. Variation in Kleaf arose from
      differences in venation architecture that influenced xylem and especially outside
      xylem flow pathways. These findings substantiate an evolutionary basis for the
      coordination of hydraulic and photosynthetic physiology across species, and their
      co-dependence on climate, establishing a fundamental role for water transport in
      the evolution of the photosynthetic rate.

PMID- 27255837
TI  - The rubber tree genome reveals new insights into rubber production and species
      adaptation.
AB  - The Para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is an economically important tropical
      tree species that produces natural rubber, an essential industrial raw material.
      Here we present a high-quality genome assembly of this species (1.37 Gb, scaffold
      N50 = 1.28 Mb) that covers 93.8% of the genome (1.47 Gb) and harbours 43,792
      predicted protein-coding genes. A striking expansion of the REF/SRPP (rubber
      elongation factor/small rubber particle protein) gene family and its divergence
      into several laticifer-specific isoforms seem crucial for rubber biosynthesis.
      The REF/SRPP family has isoforms with sizes similar to or larger than SRPP1 (204
      amino acids) in 17 other plants examined, but no isoforms with similar sizes to
      REF1 (138 amino acids), the predominant molecular variant. A pivotal point in
      Hevea evolution was the emergence of REF1, which is located on the surface of
      large rubber particles that account for 93% of rubber in the latex (despite
      constituting only 6% of total rubber particles, large and small). The stringent
      control of ethylene synthesis under active ethylene signalling and response in
      laticifers resolves a longstanding mystery of ethylene stimulation in rubber
      production. Our study, which includes the re-sequencing of five other Hevea
      cultivars and extensive RNA-seq data, provides a valuable resource for functional
      genomics and tools for breeding elite Hevea cultivars.

PMID- 27255839
TI  - NaKR1 regulates long-distance movement of FLOWERING LOCUS T in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Flowering plants perceive photoperiodic signals in leaves to generate mobile
      stimuli required for the induction of flower formation at shoot apices. Although
      FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) has been identified as part of the mobile floral stimuli
      in Arabidopsis thaliana, the mechanisms underlying long-distance movement of FT
      from leaves to shoot apices remain largely unclear. Here we show that a heavy
      metal-associated (HMA) domain-containing protein, SODIUM POTASSIUM ROOT DEFECTIVE
      1 (NaKR1), is activated by CONSTANS (CO) under long-day conditions and regulates
      long-distance movement of FT in Arabidopsis. Loss of function of NaKR1
      compromises FT transport to shoot apices through sieve elements, causing late
      flowering under long-day conditions. NaKR1 and FT share similar expression
      patterns and subcellular localization, and interact with each other in vivo.
      Grafting experiments demonstrate that NaKR1 promotes flowering through mediating
      FT translocation from leaves to shoot apices. Thus, photoperiodic control of
      floral induction requires NaKR1-mediated long-distance delivery of florigenic
      signals.

PMID- 27255840
TI  - Challenges of transgenic crop commercialization in China.

PMID- 27255838
TI  - Insight into the evolution of the Solanaceae from the parental genomes of Petunia
      hybrida.
AB  - Petunia hybrida is a popular bedding plant that has a long history as a genetic
      model system. We report the whole-genome sequencing and assembly of inbred
      derivatives of its two wild parents, P. axillaris N and P. inflata S6. The
      assemblies include 91.3% and 90.2% coverage of their diploid genomes (1.4 Gb; 2n
      = 14) containing 32,928 and 36,697 protein-coding genes, respectively. The
      genomes reveal that the Petunia lineage has experienced at least two rounds of
      hexaploidization: the older gamma event, which is shared with most Eudicots, and
      a more recent Solanaceae event that is shared with tomato and other solanaceous
      species. Transcription factors involved in the shift from bee to moth pollination
      reside in particularly dynamic regions of the genome, which may have been key to
      the remarkable diversity of floral colour patterns and pollination systems. The
      high-quality genome sequences will enhance the value of Petunia as a model system
      for research on unique biological phenomena such as small RNAs, symbiosis, self
      incompatibility and circadian rhythms.

PMID- 27255841
TI  - The essential need for GM crops.

PMID- 27255842
TI  - Archaeobotany: The wheat and the chaff.

PMID- 27255843
TI  - Lignin biosynthesis: Tyrosine shortcut in grasses.

PMID- 27255844
TI  - Flowering time: Have florigen, will travel.

PMID- 27255846
TI  - Ethnogenomics: The societies that rubber built.

PMID- 27255845
TI  - Secrets of the world's most popular bedding plant unlocked.

PMID- 27255847
TI  - Gorilla behaviour: Audible enjoyment.

PMID- 27255848
TI  - Meristem development: Ratchet block.

PMID- 27255849
TI  - Auxin signalling: Grass on acid.

PMID- 27255850
TI  - Floral scent: Extending encounters.

PMID- 27255851
TI  - Strength in shoulders.

PMID- 27255852
TI  - Stopping Manual and Vocal Actions in Tourette's Syndrome.
AB  - Evidence that Tourette's syndrome (TS) disrupts inhibitory motor control is
      highly mixed. The authors investigated inhibitory control of manual and vocal
      actions in young adults with relatively uncomplicated, persistent TS. Both TS and
      control groups showed similar response latencies when executing manual and vocal
      reactions, but individuals with TS were slower at stopping their manual and vocal
      responses. While alterations in inhibitory motor control may not be a
      generalizable phenomenon in TS, these results add to an emerging literature
      suggesting that individuals with relatively uncomplicated TS, whose symptoms
      persist into adulthood, show disruption to inhibitory control mechanisms.

PMID- 27255853
TI  - Remote Cerebellar Stroke Associated With Delusions and Disorganization.

PMID- 27255854
TI  - White Matter Dementia: Origin, Development, Progress, and Prospects.
AB  - The term white matter dementia (WMD) was introduced in 1988 to highlight the role
      of white matter in the development of dementia. As the concept has been refined
      with new insights into the structure and function of normal and abnormal white
      matter, research has expanded to consider normal cognition, network connectivity,
      novel treatment ideas, and the etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative dementia.
      Emerging data are also identifying new opportunities for dementia prevention by
      avoidance of acquired vascular and traumatic white matter insults. The idea of
      WMD promises to continue as a useful construct informing the study of dementia
      and the understanding of brain-behavior relationships.

PMID- 27255855
TI  - Depression Symptoms in Chronic Left Hemisphere Stroke Are Related to Dorsolateral
      Prefrontal Cortex Damage.
AB  - Damage to the brain's mood regulation systems may contribute to poststroke
      depression. This study examines relationships between depression symptoms and
      psychosocial factors and then uses multivariate lesion-symptom mapping to
      localize depression symptoms in people with chronic left hemisphere stroke.
      Depression symptoms relate inversely to education and directly to physical
      disability. Damage in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is associated with
      greater depression symptoms. These results demonstrate a neurological
      contribution to depression symptoms in chronic left hemisphere stroke and provide
      evidence of convergent biological mechanisms for poststroke depression symptoms
      and major depression with regard to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
      dysfunction.

PMID- 27255856
TI  - Screening for Cognitive Impairments After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Comparison of
      a Brief Computerized Battery With the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
AB  - Detecting cognitive dysfunction in a busy traumatic brain injury (TBI) clinic is
      challenging given the length of conventional assessments and the need for
      psychometric expertise. The authors report the utility of a 10-minute, easily
      administered computerized battery that is more sensitive than the Montreal
      Cognitive Assessment in detecting cognitive impairments in people with a TBI.

PMID- 27255857
TI  - Amygdala Volumetric Change Following Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress
      Disorder.
AB  - The authors investigated the impact of eye movement desensitization and
      reprocessing (EMDR) and prolonged exposure (PE) on the volumes of the amygdala
      and hippocampus, structures known to be important in fear conditioning, in 20
      patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Patients were randomly
      allocated to either EMDR or PE. Volumes were assessed before and after treatment
      via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both groups showed significant improvements
      in PTSD symptoms. Left amygdala mean volume increased significantly following
      EMDR treatment only. No significant volumetric changes were found for the
      hippocampus.

PMID- 27255858
TI  - Evaluation of a New Newborn Screening Model for Cystic Fibrosis.

PMID- 27255859
TI  - Count on It! Accurately Measured Respiratory Rate Is Associated with Lung
      Function and Clinical Severity in Children with Acute Asthma Exacerbations.

PMID- 27255860
TI  - Fetal, neonatal, and infant microbiome: Perturbations and subsequent effects on
      brain development and behavior.
AB  - The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a diverse and complex community of
      microbes, termed gut microbiota, that normally assemble during the first
      postnatal years of life. This evolution-driven process has been shown to
      contribute to the developmental programming of epithelial barrier function, gut
      homeostasis, and angiogenesis, as well as the development and function of the
      immune system. Research over the last few years has revealed that the actions of
      the gut microbiota have much wider effects on host physiology and development
      than originally believed, including the modulation of brain development and
      behavior. This article briefly reviews recent findings on the impact of the gut
      microbiota on brain development, and how disturbances in the assembly and
      maturation of the gut microbiota may impact development of motor, social, and
      cognitive functions. The potential link between microbiota and metabolic
      requirements of the developing brain is also considered.

PMID- 27255861
TI  - Genetic evidence for involvement of membrane trafficking in the action of 5
      fluorouracil.
AB  - To identify novel genes that mediate cellular sensitivity and resistance to 5
      fluorouracil (5-FU), we performed a genome-wide genetic screening to identify
      altered susceptibility to 5-FU by Schizosaccharomyces pombe haploid nonessential
      gene deletion library containing 3004 deletion mutants. We identified 50
      hypersensitive and 12 resistant mutants to this drug. Mutants sensitive or
      resistant to 5-FU were classified into various categories based on their putative
      functions. The largest group of the genes whose disruption renders cells altered
      susceptibility to 5-FU is involved in nucleic acid metabolism, but to our
      surprise, the second largest group is involved in membrane trafficking. In
      addition, several other membrane traffic mutants examined including gdi1-i11,
      ypt3-i5, Deltaryh1, Deltaric1, and Deltaaps1 exhibited hypersensitivity to 5-FU.
      Furthermore, we found that 5-FU in low concentration that generally do not affect
      cell growth altered the localization of Syb1, a secretory vesicle SNARE
      synaptobrevin which is cycled between the plasma membrane and the endocytic
      pathway. Notably, 5-FU at such low concentration also significantly inhibited the
      secretion of acid phosphatase. Altogether, our findings revealed the first
      evidence that 5-FU influences membrane trafficking as the potential underlying
      mechanism of the drug action.

PMID- 27255862
TI  - The Potential Impact of Internet and Mobile Use on Headache and Other Somatic
      Symptoms in Adolescence. A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether
      migraine or tension-type headaches are associated with abuse of the internet
      and/or mobile phones and to explore whether headache and the abuse of the two
      technologies are associated with sleep disturbances and other self-reported
      somatic symptoms. BACKGROUND: In the last several years, estimates indicate the
      increasing pervasiveness of the internet and other technologies in the lives of
      young people, highlighting the impact on well-being. DESIGN: A population-based
      cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2013 and June 2014. METHOD:
      The initial sample was composed of 1004 Italian students (aged 10-16 years)
      recruited within public middle schools not randomly selected in central Italy.
      The final convenience sample consisted of 841 students (Males = 51.1%; Females =
      48.9%) who were included in the analysis. Data were collected using self-reported
      measures. RESULTS: Headache was reported by 28.0% of the total sample. A
      significant relationship was determined with gender (chi(2) (1) = 7.78, P < .01),
      with female students being overrepresented in the headache group. Approximately
      39.6% of subjects were non-abusers of both technologies, internet and mobile.
      Mobile only abusers were approximately 26.0% of the study population; internet
      only abusers were approximately 14.9%; and abusers of both media were 19.5%. No
      significant relationship was found between students with and without headache
      with respect to the abuse of internet and mobile phone categories (headache was,
      respectively, the 26% in no abusers, the 30% in internet abusers, the 29% in
      mobile abusers, and the 29% in internet and mobile abusers, P = .86).
      Additionally, also by excluding the no headache group, the relationship between
      the two groups of headache (migraine and tension type headache) and the abuse of
      media (tension type headache was the 31% in no abusers, the 43% in internet
      abusers, the 49% in mobile abusers, and the 29% in internet and mobile abusers)
      is not statistically significant (P = .06). No significant relationship emerged
      between headache and the internet and mobile phone addiction groups (headache was
      the 28% in no addiction group, the 35% in mobile addiction group, the 25% of
      internet addiction group, and the 28% in mobile and internet addiction group, P =
      .57) as well as no significant relationship was found when only the different
      headache types were considered (tension type headache was the 39% in no addiction
      group, the 40% in mobile addiction group, the 32% in internet addiction group,
      and the 31% in mobile and internet addiction group, P = .71). Daily internet
      users reported higher median scores for somatic symptoms than the occasional
      internet users in the no-headache group (Kruskal-Wallis chi(2) (1) = 5.44, P =
      .02) and in the migraine group (Kruskal-Wallis chi(2) (1) = 6.54, P = .01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Results highlighted the potential impact of excessive internet and
      mobile use, which ranges from different types of headache to other somatic
      symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine
      if there is a need for promoting preventive health interventions, especially in
      school setting.

PMID- 27255864
TI  - How differences matter: tracing diversity practices in obesity treatment and
      health promotion.
AB  - Diversity has become a buzzword in medical care, denoting a re-evaluation of what
      it means to attend to differences among human bodies and lives. Questions about
      what types of differences matter and how they should be defined have become
      important normative and analytical challenges. Drawing on two case studies, we
      show how differences between patients and patient-collectives are not simply
      waiting to be recognised and addressed but also enacted within situated
      healthcare practices. Although concerns with diversity are present in both cases,
      they take different forms. In a Viennese health-promotion project for obese
      clients, care practices are both based on and reproduce large-scale categories
      that divide the population into distinct subgroups with specific needs.
      Conversely, in an outpatient clinic for bariatric surgery patients, a technical
      fix-oriented procedure leads to concerns over diversity becoming an add-on
      realised by tending to each patient's idiosyncrasies and personal stories. By
      tracing the practices of diversity and the tensions they produce, we show how
      classifications and understandings of human difference are based on
      infrastructures that enable and constrain them. Furthermore, we discuss how they
      become consequential in healthcare, thereby indicating the importance of
      remaining reflexive about the political implications of diversity discourse and
      practice.

PMID- 27255865
TI  - Epidermal electronics for electromyography: An application to swallowing therapy.
AB  - Head and neck cancer treatment alters the anatomy and physiology of patients.
      Resulting swallowing difficulties can lead to serious health concerns. Surface
      electromyography (sEMG) is used as an adjuvant to swallowing therapy exercises.
      sEMG signal collected from the area under the chin provides visual biofeedback
      from muscle contractions and is used to help patients perform exercises
      correctly. However, conventional sEMG adhesive pads are relatively thick and
      difficult to effectively adhere to a patient's altered chin anatomy, potentially
      leading to poor signal acquisition in this population. Here, the emerging
      technology of epidermal electronics is introduced, where ultra-thin geometry
      allows for close contouring of the chin. The two objectives of this study were to
      (1) assess the potential of epidermal electronics technology for use with
      swallowing therapy and (2) assess the significance of the reference electrode
      placement. This study showed comparative signals between the new epidermal sEMG
      patch and the conventional adhesive patches used by clinicians. Furthermore, an
      integrated reference yielded optimal signal for clinical use; this configuration
      was more robust to head movements than when an external reference was used.
      Improvements for future iterations of epidermal sEMG patches specific to day-to
      day clinical use are suggested.

PMID- 27255867
TI  - A 58-Year-Old Man With Self-Inflicted Facial Trauma.

PMID- 27255868
TI  - Chest Pain.

PMID- 27255869
TI  - Loss of Opportunity.

PMID- 27255872
TI  - 2015 Air Medical Safety Survey.

PMID- 27255863
TI  - Challenges in structural approaches to cell modeling.
AB  - Computational modeling is essential for structural characterization of
      biomolecular mechanisms across the broad spectrum of scales. Adequate
      understanding of biomolecular mechanisms inherently involves our ability to model
      them. Structural modeling of individual biomolecules and their interactions has
      been rapidly progressing. However, in terms of the broader picture, the focus is
      shifting toward larger systems, up to the level of a cell. Such modeling involves
      a more dynamic and realistic representation of the interactomes in vivo, in a
      crowded cellular environment, as well as membranes and membrane proteins, and
      other cellular components. Structural modeling of a cell complements
      computational approaches to cellular mechanisms based on differential equations,
      graph models, and other techniques to model biological networks, imaging data,
      etc. Structural modeling along with other computational and experimental
      approaches will provide a fundamental understanding of life at the molecular
      level and lead to important applications to biology and medicine. A cross section
      of diverse approaches presented in this review illustrates the developing shift
      from the structural modeling of individual molecules to that of cell biology.
      Studies in several related areas are covered: biological networks; automated
      construction of three-dimensional cell models using experimental data; modeling
      of protein complexes; prediction of non-specific and transient protein
      interactions; thermodynamic and kinetic effects of crowding; cellular membrane
      modeling; and modeling of chromosomes. The review presents an expert opinion on
      the current state-of-the-art in these various aspects of structural modeling in
      cellular biology, and the prospects of future developments in this emerging
      field.

PMID- 27255873
TI  - Implementing a Neonatal Transport System With Simulation in Kosovo.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Post-war Kosovar health care systems have reduced gaps in maternal and
      newborn health care. Coordinated neonatal transport programs may further improve
      survival and morbidities. METHODS: Transport care paradigms were tested using in
      situ (Kosovo) and ex situ (the United States) mobile immersive simulation.
      Patient demographics and outcomes were measured at the tertiary referral center.
      RESULTS: Four paired physician and nurse transport teams performed 7 simulated
      interfacility transports across Kosovo. In situ simulations revealed safety
      threats in facilities, ambulances, and team process. Ex situ observations
      reinforced roles and professionalism. For the first year after simulations,
      tertiary neonatal intensive care unit admissions were more premature (-2.4
      weeks), smaller (-725 g), and out born (+12%). Mortality was higher (14.7% vs.
      7.8%), hypothermia was lower (0.2% vs. 4.6%), and culture-positive sepsis was
      lower (15.7% vs. 42.9%). CONCLUSION: In situ augmented by ex situ simulation
      provided perspective and depth of understanding to implement a new care delivery
      paradigm. Simulations involving Kosovar health care providers across a network of
      facilities generated practical experience in nationwide neonatal transport, with
      temporal association to altered referral patterns at the tertiary care facility.

PMID- 27255874
TI  - Intubation Performance of Advanced Airway Devices in a Helicopter Emergency
      Medical Service Setting.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study attempts to determine if newer indirect laryngoscopes or
      intubating devices are superior to a standard laryngoscope for intubation success
      among helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) personnel. METHODS: Flight
      nurses and paramedics intubated standardized mannequins with a normal airway, a
      trauma airway, and a difficult airway using a standard laryngoscope, a gum
      elastic bougie, the Airtraq laryngoscope (King System Corp, Noblesville, IN), the
      Glidescope Ranger laryngoscope (Verathon Inc, Bothell, WA), and the S.A.L.T.
      device (Microtek Medical, Inc, Lehmberg, IN) in grounded helicopters wearing
      helmets and flight gear. Participant demographics, time to glottic view, the
      modified Cormack-Lehane score, total intubation time, number of attempts, and
      overall successful intubation were recorded for each type of airway. RESULTS: Two
      hundred thirty-six subjects were initially enrolled across 107 bases in 15
      states, and 177 completed the study. First-attempt success rates did not vary by
      device for the normal airway (P = .203), but the Airtraq laryngoscope and the
      S.A.L.T. device were highest in the difficult airway (82.0% and 85.0%,
      respectively; P < .0001). The time to first-attempt success in the difficult
      airway was lowest for the S.A.L.T. device and the Airtraq laryngoscope (mean =
      9.72 seconds and 19.70 seconds, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Using HEMS
      providers, the Airtraq laryngoscope and the S.A.L.T. device showed the fastest
      and highest intubation success on the first attempt in difficult simulated HEMS
      airway scenarios.

PMID- 27255876
TI  - Structure of Rapid Response Car Operations in an Urban Trauma Service.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Emergency medical vehicle collisions are an inherent risk for health
      care providers, patients, and other road users. Air ambulance services often use
      rapid response cars (RRCs) to maintain operational resilience. We aim to describe
      the operational concept of London's Air Ambulance (LAA) RRCs and activity over a
      1-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective dispatch database study. The RRC
      operational concept, car configuration, and training are also described. RESULTS:
      LAA implemented principles from motorsports and aviation including car
      configuration, training, navigation, and communication. RRCs were activated a
      total of 2,241 times during the study period (average of 6.1 activations per
      day). RRCs traveled a total of 22,973 km and a median of 8.7 km (interquartile
      range = 5-15.1) with blue lights; there were missing data for 123 (5%)
      activations. Furthermore, the RRCs spent a total of 28,536 minutes with blue
      lights and a median of 12 minutes (interquartile range = 7-18); there were
      missing data for 89 (4%) activations. The safety management system included 5
      reports, none of which were related to serious RRC incidents. CONCLUSION:
      Translating lessons from aviation and motorsports, LAA has developed an RRC
      operation concept to improve safety and operational capacity. One-year
      operational data indicate high activity without any serious incidents.

PMID- 27255875
TI  - Airway Management: A Structured Curriculum for Critical Care Transport Providers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Airway assessment and management are vital skills for the critical
      care transport provider. Nurses and paramedics often enter a transport program
      with limited or no exposure to airway management. Many programs lack a structured
      curriculum to show skill competence. Optimal methods in the development of airway
      management competence and the frequency of training needed to maintain skills
      have not been clearly defined. Because of this lack of standardization, the
      actual level of competence in both new and experienced critical care transport
      providers is unknown. METHODS: A pretest, post-test repeated measures approach
      using an online curriculum combined with a deliberate practice model was used.
      Competence in airway management was measured using 3 evaluation points: static
      mannequin head, simulation scenario, and the live patient. RESULTS: A convenience
      sample of critical care transport providers participated (N = 9). Knowledge
      improvement was significant, with a higher percentage of participants scoring
      above 85% on the post-test compared with the pretest (P = .028). Mean scores in
      completion of the airway checklist pre- versus postintervention were
      significantly increased on all 3 evaluation points (P < .001 for all
      comparisons). Significant changes were noted in the response profile evaluating
      participants' confidence in their ability to verbalize indications for
      endotracheal intubation (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The development of a standardized,
      blended learning curriculum combined with deliberate simulation practice and
      rigorous assessment showed improvements in multiple areas of airway assessment
      and management.

PMID- 27255877
TI  - Emergent Bleeding in Patients Receiving Direct Oral Anticoagulants.
AB  - Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) offer clinical advantages over warfarin, such
      as minimal medication and food interactions and fixed dosing without the need for
      routine monitoring of coagulation status. As with all anticoagulants, bleeding,
      either spontaneous or provoked, is the most common complication. The long-term
      use of these drugs is increasing, and there is a crucial need for emergency
      medicine service professionals to understand the optimal management of associated
      bleeding. This review aims to describe the indications and pharmacokinetics of
      available DOACs; to discuss the risk of bleeding; to provide a treatment
      algorithm to manage DOAC-associated emergency bleeding; and to discuss future
      directions in bleeding management, including the role of specific reversal
      agents, such as the recently approved idarucizumab for reversal of the direct
      thrombin inhibitor dabigatran. Because air medical personnel are increasingly
      likely to encounter patients receiving DOACs, it is important that they have an
      understanding of how to manage patients with emergent bleeding. 

PMID- 27255878
TI  - Cerebral Oxygenation and Acceleration in Pediatric and Neonatal Interfacility
      Transport.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to measure peak acceleration forces
      during interfacility transport; examine whether drops in cerebral oxygenation
      occurred; and test the associations between cerebral oxygenation, acceleration,
      and patient positioning. METHODS: A cerebral oximeter (INVOS-5100C; Somanetics,
      Minneapolis, MN) monitored regional saturation of oxygen (rSO2 [cerebral
      oxygenation]) in pediatric and neonatal patients (N = 24) transported between
      facilities by ground ambulance, helicopter, or fixed wing aircraft. An
      accelerometer (GP1; SENSR, Georgetown, TX) bolted to the isolette or gurney
      recorded z-axis (aligned with the spine) accelerations. RESULTS: The z-axis peak
      accelerations (absolute values of g) by transport type were as follows: ground
      ambulance takeoff mean = 0.16 and landing mean = 0.08, helicopter takeoff mean =
      0.16 and landing mean = 0.05, fixed wing aircraft takeoff mean = 0.14 and landing
      mean = 0.20. During takeoff, 2 of 7 patients in the head-to-front of vehicle
      position experienced rSO2 drop. During landing, 4 of 13 patients in the head-to
      back of vehicle position experienced rSO2 drop. There were no significant
      associations of rSO2 drop during takeoff and landing with patient positioning or
      with z-axis peak acceleration. CONCLUSION: Acceleration forces of pediatric and
      neonatal interfacility transport are small and comparable in magnitude. The
      relationship between rSO2 drop and patient positioning was not significant in
      this pilot study.

PMID- 27255879
TI  - Mechanical Ventilation in Critical Care Transport.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although the benefit of transferring patients with hypoxemic
      respiratory failure to tertiary care centers has been shown, transporting
      hypoxemic patients remains controversial, given the risk of desaturation in
      transit. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a database of critical
      care transports (CCTs) of patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure to quantify
      the number, types, and effects of ventilator changes performed by the CCT teams.
      We evaluated the changes in fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), positive end
      expiratory pressure (PEEP), tidal volume, both FiO2 and PEEP, and the
      administration of a neuromuscular blocking medication to assess for an
      association with an improvement in the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)
      from the sending to the receiving hospitals. RESULTS: Ventilator changes were
      made in 211 (89%) of the 237 identified transports, with significant changes in
      the tidal volume, PEEP, and FiO2. Analysis of variance revealed a significant
      relationship between changes in FiO2, PEEP, tidal volume, FiO2 and PEEP, and the
      administration of neuromuscular blocking agents and change in PaO2 (F5,1037 =
      119.6, P < .001). Multivariable regression analyses showed a significant
      association between an increase in PaO2 and increasing FiO2, increasing FiO2 and
      PEEP, and the administration of a neuromuscular blocking medication. CONCLUSION:
      The CCT team performed multiple changes to ventilators. Complex ventilator
      management was associated with a higher PaO2 on arrival.

PMID- 27255880
TI  - Drowning Injuries: Analysis of a Decennial Air Medical Rescue Center Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Drowning is one of the leading injury death causes in younger
      children. Common intensive care measures seem not to improve neurologic outcome,
      and early prognostic options appear partially unreliable. Therefore, we evaluated
      a cohort of drowning patients cotreated by a helicopter emergency medical service
      regarding typical incident constellations, early and subsequent prognostic
      options, and relevant interventions. METHODS: All patients prehospitally
      cotreated by helicopter emergency medical service "Christoph 4" in primary
      missions because of drowning incidents during a 10-year period were evaluated.
      Patient, prehospital, and clinical data were recorded retrospectively;
      correlations and prognostic values were evaluated with appropriate statistical
      tests. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were included. Various examination results
      (several vital, neurologic, and laboratory parameters) and sufficient prehospital
      first aid measures were significantly correlated with the final outcome (P < .05,
      respectively). Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase values
      precisely discriminated between the final outcome groups (P = .001 and area under
      the receiver operating characteristic curve = 1.0 in both cases). CONCLUSION:
      Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase values were the most
      useful predictors of outcome in our study. Sufficient prehospital first aid
      measures were correlated with improved outcome. Regular first aider training is
      recommended.

PMID- 27255881
TI  - Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Transport by EC-145 With a Custom
      Built Sled.
AB  - Indications for the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in
      pediatrics has expanded beyond the initial historic treatment of neonates with
      respiratory failure. Patients with severe refractory cardiopulmonary failure may
      benefit from ECMO support until the primary insult has subsided or been treated.
      More recently, ECMO has been used by some centers as a bridge to transplant for
      irreversible organ failure. Nationwide Children's Hospital is a referral center
      that supports the use of ECMO as a bridge to transplant and is able to provide
      transport services for ECMO patients referred for transplant evaluation. In this
      report, we describe our design of a unique, custom-built sled designed
      specifically for the EC-145 helicopter to transport pediatric ECMO patients to
      our institution. This report is the first, to our knowledge, to describe the safe
      and successful transport of a pediatric ECMO patient in an EC-145 helicopter. 

PMID- 27255882
TI  - Hot Air Balloon: An Unusual Cause of Multicasualty Trauma Incident.
AB  - Hot air balloon incidents are few and far between compared with the total number
      of flights. Nevertheless, hot air balloon incidents may produce severe trauma
      involving several patients and are linked to significant mortality. The
      prehospital management of injured patients starts after having secured potential
      surrounding dangers, such as fire or explosion. In the context of a rescue by
      helicopter, close attention must be paid to potential obstacles, like trees or
      electrical wires, and the risk of aspiration of the balloon envelope into the
      rotor. Patients involved in such incidents are often split up in a closed
      perimeter around the crash point. The severity of the trauma depends essentially
      on the height of the fall. The most frequent traumatic lesions involve fractures
      of the lower limbs, the spine, and the pelvis as well as severe burns caused by
      the balloon fire. Because of the number of patients present, an initial triage is
      usually required at the site. The use of rescue helicopters can be helpful. They
      can perform aerial reconnaissance, provide on-site high-level resources, enable
      access to the patients even in hostile environments, and quickly transport them
      to trauma center hospitals. 

PMID- 27255884
TI  - Erratum to "Interprofessional Flight Camp" [Air Medical Journal (2016) 70-72].

PMID- 27255885
TI  - Erratum to "Case Review: 17-Year-Old-Female With Respiratory Depression as a
      Result of Opioid Overdose" [Air Medical Journal (2016) 52].

PMID- 27255883
TI  - Management of a Mass Casualty Event Caused by Electrocution Using Doctor
      Helicopters.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This is the first report to show the use of doctor helicopters in a
      mass casualty event induced by electrocution. METHODS: We performed a narrative
      review. RESULTS: Two children obtained electrocution burns by breaking an
      electric fence. Five adults also received electrocution burns. Emergency medical
      technicians at the scene requested additional dispatch of an ambulance and the
      doctor helicopter. Two adult men with cardiopulmonary arrest were transported by
      2 ambulances to a nearby hospital. One adult woman was in a restless confusional
      state, intubated, and transferred to another hospital using the doctor
      helicopter. One boy, who was initially in a coma, and his mother were transferred
      to our hospital by 1 ambulance. Another boy, who had finger amputation, was
      transferred to the other hospital by another doctor helicopter. A remaining
      elderly woman was transported to the other local hospital by ambulance. All the
      victims, except the 2 fathers who fell into cardiac arrest, survived. CONCLUSION:
      Early confirmation of the safety of the scene, early establishment of command and
      control, early request for dispatch of other parties and the doctor Helicopter,
      appropriate triage, appropriate treatment at the scene, selecting appropriate
      medical facilities, and dispersion transportation were crucial.

PMID- 27255886
TI  - Concern Network.

PMID- 27255887
TI  - Predictive factors for extraction site hernia after laparoscopic right colectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Incisional hernia at the extraction site (ESIH) is a common complication
      after laparoscopic colorectal resections. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the prevalence and potential risk factors for ESIH in a large cohort study having
      standardized technique. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed including
      all patients who underwent elective laparoscopic right or extended right
      colectomy for cancer from November 2006 to October 2013 using a standard
      technique. All patients have been followed up for a minimum of 1 year with
      abdominal CT scan. RESULTS: A total of 292 patients were included with a median
      follow-up of 42 months. Twenty patients (6.8 %) developed ESIH. Obesity (odds
      ratio (OR) = 3.76, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.39-10.15; p = 0.009) and
      incision length (OR 2.86, 95 % CI 1.077-7.60; p = 0.035) significantly
      predisposed to the development of ESIH. CONCLUSION: This study identified that
      the risk of ESIH is significant after colonic resections and there are several
      risk factors responsible for the development of ESIH.

PMID- 27255888
TI  - Antibodies directed against endogenous and exogenous citrullinated antigens pre
      date the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-citrullinated-peptide antibodies (ACPA) have been detected in
      individuals with developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before the onset of
      symptom, with an initially limited spectrum of reactivities that gradually
      broadens. The aim was to analyze the evolution of ACPA response pre-dating
      symptom onset, using four selected citrullinated exogenous and endogenous
      antigens. METHODS: A cohort of 521 individuals sampled before symptoms of RA
      appeared and 272 population controls were identified from the Biobank of Northern
      Sweden; 241 samples from patients with early RA were also collected. ACPA were
      detected by ELISA on viral citrullinated peptides (VCP) derived from Epstein-Barr
      virus nuclear antigen (EBNA)1 and EBNA2 (VCP1 and VCP2) and histone-4-derived
      citrullinated peptides (HCP1 and HCP2). RESULTS: In pre-symptomatic individuals
      vs. patients with early RA, anti-VCP1 antibodies were detected in 10.4 % vs. 36.1
      %, anti-VCP2 in 17.1 % vs. 52.3 %, anti-HCP1 in 10.2 % vs. 37.3 %, and anti-HCP2
      in 16.3 % vs. 48.5 %, respectively. Anti-VCP and anti-HCP concentrations were
      significantly increased in pre-symptomatic individuals vs. controls (p < 0.001)
      and were increased approaching symptom onset. Anti-VCP and anti-HCP appeared
      simultaneously (median (IQR) 5.3 (6) years before symptom onset) and in
      combination yielded a high-risk ratio for disease development (OR = 8.0-18.9).
      Anti-VCP2 and anti-HCP2 antibodies were associated with HLA-DRB1*0401 in pre
      symptomatic individuals. Three peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD)I3/PADI4 single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with anti-HCP1.
      CONCLUSIONS: Anti-VCP and anti-HCP antibodies pre-date symptom onset and predict
      disease development, but no hierarchy of citrullinated epitopes can be
      identified. These results suggest that no inciting citrullinated antigen so far
      described is common to all patients with RA. The association between PADI3/PADI4
      polymorphism and anti-HCP1 antibodies suggests a novel link between deimination
      and production of ACPA.

PMID- 27255889
TI  - Dehydration-responsive features of Atrichum undulatum.
AB  - Drought is an increasingly important limitation on plant productivity worldwide.
      Understanding the mechanisms of drought tolerance in plants can lead to new
      strategies for developing drought-tolerant crops. Many moss species are able to
      survive desiccation-a more severe state of dehydration than drought. Research
      into the mechanisms and evolution of desiccation tolerance in basal land plants
      is of particular significance to both biology and agriculture. In this study, we
      conducted morphological, cytological, and physiological analyses of gametophytes
      of the highly desiccation-tolerant bryophyte Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv
      during dehydration and rehydration. Our results suggested that the mechanisms
      underlying the dehydration-recovery cycle in A. undulatum gametophytes include
      maintenance of membrane stability, cellular structure protection, prevention of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, elimination of ROS, protection against
      ROS-induced damage, and repair of ROS-induced damage. Our data also indicate that
      this dehydration-recovery cycle consists not only of the physical removal and
      addition of water, but also involves a highly organized series of cytological,
      physiological, and biochemical changes. These attributes are similar to those
      reported for other drought- and desiccation-tolerant plant species. Our findings
      provide major insights into the mechanisms of dehydration-tolerance in the moss
      A. undulatum. 

PMID- 27255890
TI  - Impact of Social Networking Sites on Children in Military Families.
AB  - Youth in military families experience a relatively unique set of stressors that
      can put them at risk for numerous psychological and behavior problems. Thus,
      there is a need to identify potential mechanisms by which children can gain
      resiliency against these stressors. One potential mechanism that has yet to be
      empirically studied with military youth is social networking sites (SNSs). SNSs
      have gained significant popularity among society, especially youth. Given the
      significance of these communication tools in youths' lives, it is important to
      analyze how SNS use may affect military youth and their ability to cope with
      common military life stressors. The current review examines the potential
      positive and negative consequences associated with SNS use in coping with three
      common stressors of youth in military families: parent deployment, frequent
      relocation, and having a family member with a psychological or physical
      disability. By drawing from SNS and military literature, we predict that SNS use
      can be a positive tool for helping children in military families to cope with
      stressors. However, certain SNS behaviors can potentially result in more negative
      outcomes. Recommendations for future research are also discussed.

PMID- 27255892
TI  - Salt Plug Formation Caused by Decreased River Discharge in a Multi-channel
      Estuary.
AB  - Freshwater input to estuaries may be greatly altered by the river barrages
      required to meet human needs for drinking water and irrigation and prevent salt
      water intrusion. Prior studies have examined the salt plugs associated with
      evaporation and salt outwelling from tidal salt flats in single-channel
      estuaries. In this work, we discovered a new type of salt plug formation in the
      multi-channel Pasur River Estuary (PRE) caused by decreasing river discharges
      resulting from an upstream barrage. The formation of a salt plug in response to
      changes in river discharge was investigated using a conductivity-temperature
      depth (CTD) recorder during spring and neap tides in the dry and wet seasons in
      2014. An exportation of saline water from the Shibsa River Estuary (SRE) to the
      PRE through the Chunkhuri Channel occurred during the dry season, and a salt plug
      was created and persisted from December to June near Chalna in the PRE. A
      discharge-induced, relatively high water level in the PRE during the wet season
      exerted hydrostatic pressure towards the SRE from the PRE and thereby prevented
      the intrusion of salt water from the SRE to the PRE.

PMID- 27255891
TI  - Worry is associated with robust reductions in heart rate variability: a
      transdiagnostic study of anxiety psychopathology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Individuals with anxiety disorders display reduced resting-state
      heart rate variability (HRV), although findings have been contradictory and the
      role of specific symptoms has been less clear. It is possible that HRV reductions
      may transcend diagnostic categories, consistent with dimensional-trait models of
      psychopathology. Here we investigated whether anxiety disorders or symptoms of
      anxiety, stress, worry and depression are more strongly associated with resting
      state HRV. METHODS: Resting-state HRV was calculated in participants with
      clinical anxiety (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 58). Symptom severity
      measures of worry, anxiety, stress, and depression were also collected from
      participants, regardless of diagnosis. RESULTS: Participants who fulfilled DSM-IV
      criteria for an anxiety disorder displayed diminished HRV, a difference at trend
      level significance (p = .1, Hedges' g = -.37, BF10 = .84). High worriers (Total n
      = 41; n = 22 diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and n = 19 not meeting criteria
      for any psychopathology) displayed a robust reduction in resting state HRV
      relative to low worriers (p = .001, Hedges' g = -.75, BF10 = 28.16). CONCLUSIONS:
      The specific symptom of worry - not the diagnosis of an anxiety disorder - was
      associated with the most robust reductions in HRV, indicating that HRV may
      provide a transdiagnostic biomarker of worry. These results enhance understanding
      of the relationship between the cardiac autonomic nervous system and anxiety
      psychopathology, providing support for dimensional-trait models consistent with
      the Research Domain Criteria framework.

PMID- 27255893
TI  - Meta-analysis suggests that the electromagnetic technique is better than the free
      hand method for the distal locking during intramedullary nailing procedures.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness and accuracy of
      electromagnetic technique (EM) verses free-hand method (FH) for distal locking in
      intramedullary nailing procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Relevant original studies
      were searched in Medline, Pubmed, Embase, China National Knowledge
      Infrastructure, and Cochrane Central Database (all through October 2015).
      Comparative studies providing sufficient data of interest were included in this
      meta-analysis. The Stata 11.0 was used to analyze all data. RESULTS: Eight
      studies involving 611 participants were included, with 305 in EM group and 306 in
      FH group. EM outperformed FH with reduced distal locking time of 4.1 minutes
      [standardized mean difference (SMD), 1.61; 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI),
      0.81 to 2.41] and the reduced fluoroscopy time of 25.3 seconds (SMD, 2.64; 95
      %CI, 2.12 to 3.16). Regarding the accuracy of distal screw placement, no
      significant difference was observed between two techniques (OR, 2.39; 95 %CI,
      0.38 to 15.0). There was a trend of longer operative time in FH versus EM by 10
      minutes (79.0 and 69.0 minutes), although the difference was not statistically
      significant (SMD, 0.341; 95 % CI, -0.02 to 0.703). CONCLUSIONS: The existing
      evidence suggests EM technique is a better alternative for distal locking in
      intramedullary nailing procedure, and this might aid in the management of
      diaphyseal fractures in lower extremities.

PMID- 27255894
TI  - Spermine cycling in mitochondria is mediated by adenine nucleotide translocase
      activity: mechanism and pathophysiological implications.
AB  - Spermine, besides to be transported in mitochondria by an energy dependent
      electrophoretic mechanism, can be also released by two different mechanisms. The
      first one is induced in deenergizing conditions by FCCP or antimycin A and it is
      mediated by an electroneutral exchange spermine protons. The second one takes
      place in energizing conditions during the activity of the adenine nucleotide
      translocase and is mediated by an electroneutral symport mechanism involving the
      efflux in co-transport of spermine and phosphate and the exchange of exogenous
      ADP with endogenous ATP. The triggering of this mechanism permits an alternating
      cycling of spermine across the mitochondrial membrane, that is spermine is
      transported or released by energized mitochondria in the absence or presence of
      ATP synthesis, respectively. The physiological implications of this cycling of
      spermine are related to the induction or prevention of mitochondrial permeability
      transition and, consequently, on apoptosis or its prevention.

PMID- 27255895
TI  - The AR/NCOA1 axis regulates prostate cancer migration by involvement of PRKD1.
AB  - Due to the urgent need for new prostate cancer (PCa) therapies, the role of
      androgen receptor (AR)-interacting proteins should be investigated. In this study
      we aimed to address whether the AR coactivator nuclear receptor coactivator 1
      (NCOA1) is involved in PCa progression. Therefore, we tested the effect of long
      term NCOA1 knockdown on processes relevant to metastasis formation. [(3)H]
      thymidine incorporation assays revealed a reduced proliferation rate in AR
      positive MDA PCa 2b and LNCaP cells upon knockdown of NCOA1, whereas AR-negative
      PC3 cells were not affected. Furthermore, Boyden chamber assays showed a strong
      decrease in migration and invasion upon NCOA1 knockdown, independently of the
      cell line's AR status. In order to understand the mechanistic reasons for these
      changes, transcriptome analysis using cDNA microarrays was performed. Protein
      kinase D1 (PRKD1) was found to be prominently up-regulated by NCOA1 knockdown in
      MDA PCa 2b, but not in PC3 cells. Inhibition of PRKD1 reverted the reduced
      migratory potential caused by NCOA1 knockdown. Furthermore, PRKD1 was negatively
      regulated by AR. Immunohistochemical staining of PCa patient samples revealed a
      strong increase in NCOA1 expression in primary tumors compared with normal
      prostate tissue, while no final conclusion could be drawn for PRKD1 expression in
      tumor specimens. Thus, our findings directly associate the AR/NCOA1 complex with
      PRKD1 regulation and cellular migration and support the concept of therapeutic
      inhibition of NCOA1 in PCa.

PMID- 27255896
TI  - D-Peptides as Recognition Molecules and Therapeutic Agents.
AB  - Over recent years, D-peptides have attracted increasing attention. D-peptides
      increase enzymatic stability, prolong the plasma half-life, improve oral
      bioavailability, and enhance binding activity and specificity with receptor or
      target proteins, in comparison with the corresponding L-peptide. Therefore, D
      peptides are considered to have potential as recognition molecules and
      therapeutic agents. This review focuses on the design and application of D
      peptides with biological activity.

PMID- 27255897
TI  - Polarization memory effect in the photoluminescence of nc-Si-SiOx light-emitting
      structures.
AB  - The polarization memory (PM) effect in the photoluminescence (PL) of the porous
      nc-Si-SiOx light-emitting structures, containing nanoparticles of silicon (nc-Si)
      in the oxide matrix and passivated in a solution of hydrofluoric acid (HF), has
      been investigated. The studied nc-Si-SiOx structures were produced by evaporation
      of Si monoxide (SiO) powder in vacuum and oblique deposition on Si wafer, and
      then the deposited silicon oxide (SiOx) films were annealed in the vacuum at 975 
      degrees C to grow nc-Si. It was found that the PM effect in the PL is observed
      only after passivation of nanostructures: during etching in HF solution, the
      initial symmetric nc-Si becomes asymmetric elongated. It was also found that in
      investigated nanostructures, there is a defined orientational dependence of the
      PL polarization degree (rho) in the sample plane which correlates with the
      orientation of SiOx nanocolumns, forming the structure of the porous layer. The
      increase of the rho values in the long-wavelength spectral range with time of HF
      treatment can be associated with increasing of the anisotropy of large Si
      nanoparticles. The PM effect for this spectral interval can be described by the
      dielectric model. In the short-wavelength spectral range, the dependence of the
      rho values agrees qualitatively with the quantum confinement effect. 

PMID- 27255898
TI  - CO and Soot Oxidation over Ce-Zr-Pr Oxide Catalysts.
AB  - A set of ceria, ceria-zirconia (Ce 80 at.%, Zr 20 at.%), ceria-praseodymia (Ce 80
      at.%, Pr 20 at.%) and ceria-zirconia-praseodymia (Ce 80 at.%, Zr 10 at.% and Pr
      10 at.%) catalysts has been prepared by the solution combustion synthesis (SCS).
      The effects of Zr and Pr as dopants on ceria have been studied in CO and soot
      oxidation reactions. All the prepared catalysts have been characterized by
      complementary techniques, including XRD, FESEM, N2 physisorption at -196  degrees
      C, H2-temperature-programmed reduction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to
      investigate the relationships between the structure and composition of materials
      and their catalytic performance. Better results for CO oxidation have been
      obtained with mixed oxides (performance scale, Ce80Zr10Pr10 > Ce80Zr20 >
      Ce80Pr20) rather than pure ceria, thus confirming the beneficial role of
      multicomponent catalysts for this prototypical reaction. Since CO oxidation
      occurs via a Mars-van Krevelen (MvK)-type mechanism over ceria-based catalysts,
      it appears that the presence of both Zr and Pr species into the ceria framework
      improves the oxidation activity, via collective properties, such as electrical
      conductivity and surface or bulk oxygen anion mobility. On the other hand, this
      positive effect becomes less prominent in soot oxidation, since the effect of
      catalyst morphology prevails. 

PMID- 27255899
TI  - Synergistic Effects of Gold Nanocages in Hyperthermia and Radiotherapy Treatment.
AB  - Gold nanocages (GNCs) are a promising material that not only converts near
      infrared (NIR) light to heat for the ablation of tumors but also acts as a
      radiosensitizer. The combination of hyperthermia and radiotherapy has a
      synergistic effect that can lead to significant tumor cell necrosis. In the
      current study, we synthesized GNCs that offered the combined effects of
      hyperthermia and radiotherapy. This combination strategy resulted in increased
      tumor cell apoptosis and significant tumor tissue necrosis. We propose that GNCs
      can be used for clinical treatment and to potentially overcome resistance to
      radiotherapy by clearly increasing the antitumor effect. 

PMID- 27255900
TI  - Influence of GaAsBi Matrix on Optical and Structural Properties of InAs Quantum
      Dots.
AB  - InAs/GaAsBi dot-in-well structures were fabricated using gas-source molecular
      beam epitaxy and investigated for its optical and structural properties. GaAsBi
      strained buffer layer and strain reduction layer are both effective to extend the
      photoluminescence (PL) emission wavelength of InAs quantum dot (QD). In addition,
      a remarkable PL intensity enhancement is also obtained compared with low
      temperature-grown GaAs-capped InAs QD sample. The GaAsBi matrix also preserves
      the shape of InAs QDs and leads to increase the activation energy for
      nonradiative recombination process at low temperature. Lower density and larger
      size of InAs QDs are obtained on the GaAsBi surface compared with the QDs grown
      on GaAs surface. 

PMID- 27255901
TI  - Piezo-phototronic effect enhanced UV photodetector based on CuI/ZnO double-shell
      grown on flexible copper microwire.
AB  - In this work, we present a facile, low-cost, and effective approach to fabricate
      the UV photodetector with a CuI/ZnO double-shell nanostructure which was grown on
      common copper microwire. The enhanced performances of Cu/CuI/ZnO core/double
      shell microwire photodetector resulted from the formation of heterojunction.
      Benefiting from the piezo-phototronic effect, the presentation of piezocharges
      can lower the barrier height and facilitate the charge transport across
      heterojunction. The photosensing abilities of the Cu/CuI/ZnO core/double-shell
      microwire detector are investigated under different UV light densities and strain
      conditions. We demonstrate the I-V characteristic of the as-prepared core/double
      shell device; it is quite sensitive to applied strain, which indicates that the
      piezo-phototronic effect plays an essential role in facilitating charge carrier
      transport across the CuI/ZnO heterojunction, then the performance of the device
      is further boosted under external strain. 

PMID- 27255902
TI  - Droplet etching of deep nanoholes for filling with self-aligned complex quantum
      structures.
AB  - Strain-free epitaxial quantum dots (QDs) are fabricated by a combination of Al
      local droplet etching (LDE) of nanoholes in AlGaAs surfaces and subsequent hole
      filling with GaAs. The whole process is performed in a conventional molecular
      beam epitaxy (MBE) chamber. Autocorrelation measurements establish single-photon
      emission from LDE QDs with a very small correlation function g ((2))(0)? 0.01 of
      the exciton emission. Here, we focus on the influence of the initial hole depth
      on the QD optical properties with the goal to create deep holes suited for
      filling with more complex nanostructures like quantum dot molecules (QDM). The
      depth of droplet etched nanoholes is controlled by the droplet material coverage
      and the process temperature, where a higher coverage or temperature yields deeper
      holes. The requirements of high quantum dot uniformity and narrow luminescence
      linewidth, which are often found in applications, set limits to the process
      temperature. At high temperatures, the hole depths become inhomogeneous and the
      linewidth rapidly increases beyond 640  degrees C. With the present process
      technique, we identify an upper limit of 40-nm hole depth if the linewidth has to
      remain below 100 MUeV. Furthermore, we study the exciton fine-structure splitting
      which is increased from 4.6 MUeV in 15-nm-deep to 7.9 MUeV in 35-nm-deep holes.
      As an example for the functionalization of deep nanoholes, self-aligned
      vertically stacked GaAs QD pairs are fabricated by filling of holes with 35 nm
      depth. Exciton peaks from stacked dots show linewidths below 100 MUeV which is
      close to that from single QDs. 

PMID- 27255903
TI  - Non-adiabatic molecular dynamic simulations of opening reaction of molecular
      junctions.
AB  - We report non-adiabatic molecular dynamic simulations of the ring opening
      reaction of diarylethene (DAE) derivative molecules, both free standing and
      embedded between gold electrodes. Simulations are performed by the surface
      hopping method employing density functional theory. Typically, the free-standing
      molecules exhibit large quantum yields to open and close; however the process is
      quenched for the molecules embedded between electrodes. Our simulations reveal
      the importance of the DAE side chemical groups, which explain the efficiency of
      the quenching process. Namely, delocalization of the LUMO state contributes to
      electronic coupling between the molecule and electrodes, suppressing or enhancing
      the reaction process. The simulations indicate that a proper choice of the
      chemical side group, which provides the strong localization of the LUMO state,
      can substantially diminish the quenching mechanism. Additionally, we analyze a
      strong dependency of the quantum yield of the opening reaction coming from the
      mechanical strength of the molecules. 

PMID- 27255904
TI  - Defining small-for-gestational-age: prescriptive versus descriptive birthweight
      standards.
AB  - Descriptive population-based birthweight standards possess low sensitivity in
      detecting infants with growth impairment. A prescriptive birthweight standard
      based on a 'healthy' subpopulation without risk factors for intrauterine growth
      restriction might be superior. We created two birthweight standards based on live
      born, singleton infants with gestational age 24-42 weeks and born in The
      Netherlands between 2000 and 2007. Inclusion criteria for the prescriptive
      birthweight standard were restricted to infants without congenital malformations,
      born to healthy mothers after uncomplicated pregnancies. We defined small-for
      gestational-age (SGA) as birthweight <10th percentile and assessed the ability of
      both standards to predict adverse neonatal outcomes. The prescriptive birthweight
      standard identified significantly more infants as SGA, up to 38.0 % at 29 weeks
      gestation. SGA infants classified according to both standards as well as those
      classified according to the prescriptive birthweight standard only, were at
      increased risk of both major and minor adverse neonatal outcomes. The
      prescriptive birthweight standard was both more sensitive and less specific, with
      a maximum increase in sensitivity predicting bronchopulmonary dysplasia (+42.6 %)
      and a maximum decrease in specificity predicting intraventricular haemorrhage (
      26.9 %) in infants aged 28-31 weeks. CONCLUSION: Prescriptive birthweight
      standards could improve identification of infants born SGA and at risk of adverse
      neonatal outcomes. WHAT IS KNOWN: * Descriptive birthweight standards possess low
      sensitivity in detecting growth restricted infants at risk of adverse neonatal
      outcomes. * Prescriptive standards could improve identification of very preterm
      small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants at risk of intraventricular haemorrhage.
      What is New: * Prescriptive standards identify more preterm and term SGA infants
      at risk of major adverse neonatal outcomes. * Late preterm and term SGA infants
      classified according to the prescriptive standard are at increased risk of minor
      adverse neonatal outcomes with potentially harmful implications.

PMID- 27255905
TI  - [Manual medicine and osteopathic methods on the growing spine].
AB  - The application of various techniques in manual medicine on infants, toddlers and
      adolescents enjoys widespread acknowledgement not only in the musculoskeletal
      field but also beyond that. For a long time, the seminars of the DGMM have been
      trying to structure the advanced training of doctors and the vocational training
      of physiotherapists and to adjust it according to the latest clinical and
      scientific findings (in this subject matter). Considering the controversial
      debates, this seems particularly necessary and meaningful. This article aims to
      identify the current state of discussion and the consensus between medical
      associations but it also means to provide assistance in daily routine. 

PMID- 27255907
TI  - India increases retirement age of government doctors to 65.

PMID- 27255906
TI  - [Injuries of the thoracolumbar spine in children].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Injuries of the thoracolumbar spine in children are rare and
      challenging for the treating physician. Besides knowledge of fracture treatment,
      the anatomical particularities of the spine in children are of great importance.
      METHODS: The article gives an overview of the diagnosis and therapy with the most
      common classification of injuries of the thoracolumbar spine. RESULTS: Taking
      into account the children's age and the fracture morphology most cases can be
      treated conservatively, especially because the young spine has great potential
      for remodelling. The older the child becomes, the more smoothly the transition to
      adult treatment occurs; thus, unstable fractures should be treated with surgery.
      CONCLUSION: The difficult indication and the specific characteristics of surgery
      necessitate treatment in a spine centre with experience with surgery on children.

PMID- 27255908
TI  - Evaluation of the effectiveness of robotic gait training and gait-focused
      physical therapy programs for children and youth with cerebral palsy: a mixed
      methods RCT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robot assisted gait training (RAGT) is considered to be a promising
      approach for improving gait-related gross motor function of children and youth
      with cerebral palsy. However, RAGT has yet to be empirically demonstrated to be
      effective. This knowledge gap is particularly salient given the strong interest
      in this intensive therapy, the high cost of the technology, and the requirement
      for specialized rehabilitation centre resources. METHODS: This is a research
      protocol describing a prospective, multi-centre, concurrent mixed methods study
      comprised of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and an interpretive descriptive
      qualitative design. It is a mixed methods study designed to determine the
      relative effectiveness of three physical therapy treatment conditions (i.e.,
      RAGT, a functional physical therapy program conducted over-ground (fPT), and RAGT
      + fPT) on gait related motor skills of ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.
      Children with cerebral palsy aged 5-18 years who are ambulatory (Gross Motor
      Function Classification System Levels II and III) will be randomly allocated to
      one of four treatment conditions: 1) RAGT, 2) fPT, 3) RAGT and fPT combined, or
      4) a maintenance therapy only control group. The qualitative component will
      explicate child and parent experiences with the interventions, provide insight
      into the values that underlie their therapy goals, and assist with interpretation
      of the results of the RCT. DISCUSSION: n/a. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02391324
      Registered March 12, 2015.

PMID- 27255909
TI  - Acquired partial lipodystrophy (Barraquer-Simons syndrome) and IgA nephropathy.

PMID- 27255910
TI  - Thirteen treated of acute renal failure secondary to multiple myeloma with high
      cut off filters.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological tumour that is
      characterised by uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells and a significant
      volume of serum free light chains (sFLCs), which can cause acute renal failure
      due to intratubular precipitation, resulting in cast nephropathy. Acute renal
      failure is a complication that can arise in more than 20% of patients with
      multiple myeloma, half of which will require dialysis. METHODS: We report our
      experience with 13 patients who were treated with dialysis using high cut off
      filters (HCO) between July 2011 and February 2015. A total of 6 consecutive 6
      hour sessions were performed using a 2.1 m(2) HCO filter (Theralite(r) by
      Gambro(r)). Afterwards, further 6-hour sessions were continued on alternate days.
      RESULTS: A total of 151 sessions were conducted, with an average of 11.6 sessions
      per patient (range 6-27). The treatment proved to be effective in removing both
      kappa and lambda sFLCs, resulting in a 93.7% fall in sFLCs by the end of
      treatment. The average reduction was 57.7% per dialysis session. 10 out of the 13
      cases recovered sufficient renal function to become independent of dialysis.
      There were no major changes in albumin levels using an infusion protocol of 2 50
      mL vials of 20% albumin at the end of the dialysis session. CONCLUSIONS:
      Combination treatment with chemotherapy and long dialysis with HCO filters was
      effective in reducing the sFLC levels and recovering sufficient renal function in
      77% of cases. With HCO filters, significant cost savings are achieved, contrary
      to what was previously believed.

PMID- 27255911
TI  - Phenotypic and genetic characteristics of Vibrio cholerae O1 carrying Haitian
      ctxB and attributes of classical and El Tor biotypes isolated from Silvassa,
      India.
AB  - Vibrio cholerae O1 biotype El Tor, the causative agent of the seventh pandemic,
      has recently been replaced by strains carrying classical and Haitian ctxB in
      India, Haiti and other parts of the world. We conducted phenotypic and genetic
      tests to characterize V. cholerae O1 isolated between 2012 and 2014 from
      Silvassa, India, to examine the presence of virulence and regulatory genes,
      seventh pandemic marker, ctxB type and biofilm formation and to study genomic
      diversity. Of the 59 V. cholerae O1, eight isolates belong to El Tor prototype,
      one to classical prototype and the remaining isolates have attributes of both
      classical and El Tor biotypes. PCR and ctxB gene sequencing revealed the presence
      of classical ctxB in four strains and Haitian ctxB in 55 isolates; indicating
      that isolates were either an El Tor or hybrid variant. All isolates carried
      virulence, regulatory, adherence, Vibrio seventh pandemic pathogenicity island I
      and seventh pandemic group-specific marker VC2346, in addition to tcpAET and
      rstRET, the features of seventh pandemic strains, and produced cholera toxin and
      biofilm. PFGE analysis showed that the majority of isolates are clonal and belong
      to fingerprint pattern A; however, pattern B is unrelated and patterns C and D
      are distinct, suggesting considerable diversity in the genomic content among
      them. These data thus show that isolates from Silvassa are genetically diverse
      and that Haitian ctxB and hybrid phenotypes are undergoing global dissemination. 

PMID- 27255912
TI  - Expectations of relatives of Syrian patients in intensive care units in a state
      hospital in Turkey.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to describe the personal
      experiences of relatives of Syrian patients in the intensive care unit in one
      hospital in Turkey. BACKGROUND: The concept of the intensive care unit can be
      particularly frightening for family members. Current recommendations for training
      Intensive care unit nurses should support a holistic approach to patient (and
      family) care, including explanations at a level that families can easily
      understand and allowing family members to see the patient at regular intervals.
      DESIGN: This qualitative study was conducted between June and August 2014 and
      included a study sample of 30 Syrian family members related to patients receiving
      treatment at a state hospital intensive care unit in Turkey. METHODS: Data were
      collected by semi-structured interviews. We used percentages to represent
      descriptive data and conducted qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Following
      data analysis, six themes arose: (1) communication-related difficulties, (2)
      difficulties receiving information regarding the patient's condition, (3)
      difficulties meeting personal needs, (4) difficulties communicating with other
      family members, (5) difficulties receiving support from other family members, and
      (6) unmet expectations from nurses and hospital administration. CONCLUSIONS:
      Syrian patient's relatives receiving treatment in an intensive care unit in
      Turkey experienced communication difficulties in terms of receiving information
      from health care personnel, informing other family members, receiving social
      support from other family members, and having various unmet expectations from
      nurses and hospital administration. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results
      of this study can be used to develop guidelines and predictions for scenarios
      that are likely to arise for patients' relatives from foreign countries who
      arrive to support patients who receive healthcare services in our increasingly
      global world.

PMID- 27255915
TI  - Predicting disease trait with genomic data: a composite kernel approach.
AB  - With the advancement of biotechniques, a vast amount of genomic data is generated
      with no limit. Predicting a disease trait based on these data offers a cost
      effective and time-efficient way for early disease screening. Here we proposed a
      composite kernel partial least squares (CKPLS) regression model for quantitative
      disease trait prediction focusing on genomic data. It can efficiently capture
      nonlinear relationships among features compared with linear learning algorithms
      such as Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator or ridge regression. We
      proposed to optimize the kernel parameters and kernel weights with the genetic
      algorithm (GA). In addition to improved performance for parameter optimization,
      the proposed GA-CKPLS approach also has better learning capacity and
      generalization ability compared with single kernel-based KPLS method as well as
      other nonlinear prediction models such as the support vector regression.
      Extensive simulation studies demonstrated that GA-CKPLS had better prediction
      performance than its counterparts under different scenarios. The utility of the
      method was further demonstrated through two case studies. Our method provides an
      efficient quantitative platform for disease trait prediction based on increasing
      volume of omics data.

PMID- 27255914
TI  - Embracing an integromic approach to tissue biomarker research in cancer:
      Perspectives and lessons learned.
AB  - Modern approaches to biomedical research and diagnostics targeted towards
      precision medicine are generating 'big data' across a range of high-throughput
      experimental and analytical platforms. Integrative analysis of this rich
      clinical, pathological, molecular and imaging data represents one of the greatest
      bottlenecks in biomarker discovery research in cancer and other diseases.
      Following on from the publication of our successful framework for multimodal data
      amalgamation and integrative analysis, Pathology Integromics in Cancer (PICan),
      this article will explore the essential elements of assembling an integromics
      framework from a more detailed perspective. PICan, built around a relational
      database storing curated multimodal data, is the research tool sitting at the
      heart of our interdisciplinary efforts to streamline biomarker discovery and
      validation. While recognizing that every institution has a unique set of
      priorities and challenges, we will use our experiences with PICan as a case study
      and starting point, rationalizing the design choices we made within the context
      of our local infrastructure and specific needs, but also highlighting alternative
      approaches that may better suit other programmes of research and discovery. Along
      the way, we stress that integromics is not just a set of tools, but rather a
      cohesive paradigm for how modern bioinformatics can be enhanced. Successful
      implementation of an integromics framework is a collaborative team effort that is
      built with an eye to the future and greatly accelerates the processes of
      biomarker discovery, validation and translation into clinical practice.

PMID- 27255913
TI  - Severe hypoxemia: which strategy to choose.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by a
      noncardiogenic pulmonary edema with bilateral chest X-ray opacities and reduction
      in lung compliance, and the hallmark of the syndrome is hypoxemia refractory to
      oxygen therapy. Severe hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2 < 100 mmHg), which defines severe
      ARDS, can be found in 20-30 % of the patients and is associated with the highest
      mortality rate. Although the standard supportive treatment remains mechanical
      ventilation (noninvasive and invasive), possible adjuvant therapies can be
      considered. We performed an up-to-date clinical review of the possible available
      strategies for ARDS patients with severe hypoxemia. MAIN RESULTS: In summary, in
      moderate-to-severe ARDS or in the presence of other organ failure, noninvasive
      ventilatory support presents a high risk of failure: in those cases the
      risk/benefit of delayed mechanical ventilation should be evaluated carefully.
      Tailoring mechanical ventilation to the individual patient is fundamental to
      reduce the risk of ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI): it is mandatory to
      apply a low tidal volume, while the optimal level of positive end-expiratory
      pressure should be selected after a stratification of the severity of the
      disease, also taking into account lung recruitability; monitoring transpulmonary
      pressure or airway driving pressure can help to avoid lung overstress. Targeting
      oxygenation of 88-92 % and tolerating a moderate level of hypercapnia are a safe
      choice. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are useful to maintain patient
      ventilation synchrony in the first hours; prone positioning improves oxygenation
      in most cases and promotes a more homogeneous distribution of ventilation,
      reducing the risk of VILI; both treatments, also in combination, are associated
      with an improvement in outcome if applied in the acute phase in the most severe
      cases. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in severe ARDS is
      increasing worldwide, but because of a lack of randomized trials is still
      considered a rescue therapy. CONCLUSION: Severe ARDS patients should receive a
      holistic framework of respiratory and hemodynamic support aimed to ensure
      adequate gas exchange while minimizing the risk of VILI, by promoting lung
      recruitment and setting protective mechanical ventilation. In the most severe
      cases, NMBAs, prone positioning, and ECMO should be considered.

PMID- 27255916
TI  - Circular RNA: an emerging key player in RNA world.
AB  - Insights into the circular RNA (circRNA) exploration have revealed that they are
      abundant in eukaryotic transcriptomes. Diverse genomic regions can generate
      different types of RNA circles, implying their diversity. Covalently closed loop
      structures elevate the stability of this new type of noncoding RNA. High
      throughput sequencing analyses suggest that circRNAs exhibit tissue- and
      developmental-specific expression, indicating that they may play crucial roles in
      multiple cellular processes. Strikingly, several circRNAs could function as
      microRNA sponges and regulate gene transcription, highlighting a new class of
      important regulators. Here, we review the recent advances in knowledge of
      endogenous circRNA biogenesis, properties and functions. We further discuss the
      current findings about circRNAs in human diseases. In plants, the roles of
      circRNAs remain a mystery. Online resources and bioinformatics identification of
      circRNAs are essential for the analysis of circRNA biology, although different
      strategies yield divergent results. The understanding of circRNA functions
      remains limited; however, circRNAs are enriching the RNA world, acting as an
      emerging key player.

PMID- 27255917
TI  - Addenbrooke's cognitive examination test for brief cognitive assessment of
      adolescents suffering from migraine with aura.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess the role of the Addenbrooke's cognitive
      examination test (ACE-R) in the evaluation of cognitive status in migraineurs
      interictally. A total of 44 adolescent patients and 44 healthy controls, matched
      by age and gender, have undergone ACE-R testing. Migraineurs were additionally
      questioned about migraine aura features and presence of higher cortical
      dysfunctions (HCD) during an aura. According to the questionnaire results,
      patients were subsequently divided into HCD and Non-HCD group. ACE-R scores of
      migraine patients were significantly lower than in healthy controls (93.68 +/-
      3.64 vs 96.91 +/- 2.49; t = 4.852, p < 0.001). Also, subscores of memory and
      verbal fluency were significantly higher in the control population. There was no
      correlation of HCD occurrence with cognitive examination score, although Non-HCD
      subgroup achieved better score (93.13 +/- 3.91 vs 94.29 +/- 3.30; t = 1.053, p =
      0.298). Findings have shown that migraineurs get lower ACE-R test scores, with a
      tendency to have a poorer outcome in more complex aura. Also, our study has
      revealed that the ACE-R test is an easily administered test for brief assessment
      of cognitive status in migraineurs. Future perspectives could be further
      evaluation of ACE-R test in larger sample size and the impact of migraine with
      aura on cognitive function in adolescents.

PMID- 27255918
TI  - Isolated hypoglossal nerve paralysis and hypoglossal-vertebral entrapment
      syndrome.

PMID- 27255919
TI  - Effects of deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and related metabolites on
      equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro and background
      occurrence of these toxins in horses.
AB  - Both deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and their metabolites are known to
      modulate immune cells in various species whereby viability and proliferation are
      influenced. Such effects were rarely examined in horses. Therefore, one aim of
      the present study was to titrate the inhibitory concentrations of DON, 3-acetyl
      DON (3AcDON), de-epoxy-DON (DOM-1), ZEN, and alpha- and beta-zearalenol (ZEL) at
      which viability and proliferation of equine PBMC were reduced by 50 % (IC50) and
      10 % (IC10) in vitro. For evaluation of practical relevance of the in vitro
      findings, a further aim was to screen horses for the background occurrence of
      DON, ZEN, and their metabolites in systemic circulation and to relate toxin
      residues both to the inhibitory toxin concentrations and to hematological and
      clinical-chemical characteristics.The IC50 (MUM) for DON, 3AcDON, beta-ZEL, alpha
      ZEL, and ZEN were determined at 3.09, 25.90, 75.44, 97.44, and 98.15 in
      unstimulated cells, respectively, while in proliferating cells, the corresponding
      IC50 values were 0.73, 6.89, 45.16, 75.96, and 82.51. Neither viability nor
      proliferation was influenced by DOM-1 up to a concentration of 100 MUM.The in
      vivo screening (N = 49) revealed the occurrence of ZEN (N = 24), alpha-ZEL (N =
      3), beta-ZEL (N = 37), DON, and DOM-1 (N = 2). The detected concentrations were
      much lower than the corresponding IC50 while the IC10 of DON and beta-ZEL for
      proliferating PBMC corresponded to approximately 26 and 35 ng/mL which might be
      relevant when contaminated diets are fed.Clinical-chemical and hematological
      traits were not related to mycotoxin residue levels excepting blood urea nitrogen
      which was positively correlated to the sum of beta-ZEL, alpha-ZEL, and ZEN
      concentration. Whether this reflects simply the feeding history of the horses or
      renal failures giving rise to a prolonged half-life of the toxins needs to be
      clarified further. 

PMID- 27255920
TI  - Evaluation of the free, open source software WordPress as electronic portfolio
      system in undergraduate medical education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) are used to document and support
      learning activities. E-portfolios with mobile capabilities allow even more
      flexibility. However, the development or acquisition of ePortfolio software is
      often costly, and at the same time, commercially available systems may not
      sufficiently fit the institution's needs. The aim of this study was to design and
      evaluate an ePortfolio system with mobile capabilities using a commercially free
      and open source software solution. METHODS: We created an online ePortfolio
      environment using the blogging software WordPress based on reported capability
      features of such software by a qualitative weight and sum method. Technical
      implementation and usability were evaluated by 25 medical students during their
      clinical training by quantitative and qualitative means using online
      questionnaires and focus groups. RESULTS: The WordPress ePortfolio environment
      allowed students a broad spectrum of activities - often documented via mobile
      devices - like collection of multimedia evidences, posting reflections,
      messaging, web publishing, ePortfolio searches, collaborative learning, knowledge
      management in a content management system including a wiki and RSS feeds, and the
      use of aid tools for studying. The students' experience with WordPress revealed a
      few technical problems, and this report provides workarounds. The WordPress
      ePortfolio was rated positively by the students as a content management system
      (67 % of the students), for exchange with other students (74 %), as a note pad
      for reflections (53 %) and for its potential as an information source for
      assessment (48 %) and exchange with a mentor (68 %). On the negative side, 74 %
      of the students in this pilot study did not find it easy to get started with the
      system, and 63 % rated the ePortfolio as not being user-friendly. Qualitative
      analysis indicated a need for more introductory information and training.
      CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to build an advanced ePortfolio system with mobile
      capabilities with the free and open source software WordPress. This allows
      institutions without proprietary software to build a sophisticated ePortfolio
      system adapted to their needs with relatively few resources. The implementation
      of WordPress should be accompanied by introductory courses in the use of the
      software and its apps in order to facilitate its usability.

PMID- 27255921
TI  - On the domain-specificity of the visual and non-visual face-selective regions.
AB  - What happens in our brains when we see a face? The neural mechanisms of face
      processing - namely, the face-selective regions - have been extensively explored.
      Research has traditionally focused on visual cortex face-regions; more recently,
      the role of face-regions outside the visual cortex (i.e., non-visual-cortex face
      regions) has been acknowledged as well. The major quest today is to reveal the
      functional role of each this region in face processing. To make progress in this
      direction, it is essential to understand the extent to which the face-regions,
      and particularly the non-visual-cortex face-regions, process only faces (i.e.,
      face-specific, domain-specific processing) or rather are involved in a more
      domain-general cognitive processing. In the current functional MRI study, we
      systematically examined the activity of the whole face-network during face
      unrelated reading task (i.e., written meaningful sentences with content unrelated
      to faces/people and non-words). We found that the non-visual-cortex (i.e., right
      lateral prefrontal cortex and posterior superior temporal sulcus), but not the
      visual cortex face-regions, responded significantly stronger to sentences than to
      non-words. In general, some degree of sentence selectivity was found in all non
      visual-cortex cortex. Present result highlights the possibility that the
      processing in the non-visual-cortex face-selective regions might not be
      exclusively face-specific, but rather more or even fully domain-general. In this
      paper, we illustrate how the knowledge about domain-general processing in face
      regions can help to advance our general understanding of face processing
      mechanisms. Our results therefore suggest that the problem of face processing
      should be approached in the broader scope of cognition in general.

PMID- 27255922
TI  - Eating disorders among fashion models: a systematic review of the literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the light of recent concerns regarding the eating disorders among
      fashion models and professional regulations of fashion model occupation, an
      examination of the scientific evidence on this issue is necessary. The article
      reviews findings on the prevalence of eating disorders and body image concerns
      among professional fashion models. METHOD: A systematic literature search was
      conducted using ProQUEST, EBSCO, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, and Gale Canage electronic
      databases. RESULTS: A very low number of studies conducted on fashion models and
      eating disorders resulted between 1980 and 2015, with seven articles included in
      this review. Overall, results of these studies do not indicate a higher
      prevalence of eating disorders among fashion models compared to non-models.
      Fashion models have a positive body image and generally do not report more
      dysfunctional eating behaviors than controls. However, fashion models are on
      average slightly underweight with significantly lower BMI than controls, and give
      higher importance to appearance and thin body shape, and thus have a higher
      prevalence of partial-syndrome eating disorders than controls. CONCLUSION:
      Despite public concerns, research on eating disorders among professional fashion
      models is extremely scarce and results cannot be generalized to all models. The
      existing research fails to clarify the matter of eating disorders among fashion
      models and given the small number of studies, further research is needed.

PMID- 27255923
TI  - A cluster-randomized, controlled trial of nutritional supplementation and
      promotion of responsive parenting in Madagascar: the MAHAY study design and
      rationale.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over half of the world's children suffer from poor nutrition, and as
      a consequence they experience delays in physical and mental health, and cognitive
      development. There is little data evaluating the effects of delivery of lipid
      based, nutrition supplementation on growth and development during pregnancy and
      early childhood within the context of a scaled-up program. Furthermore, there is
      limited evidence on effects of scaled-up, home-visiting programs that focus on
      the promotion of child development within the context of an existing, national
      nutrition program. METHODS/DESIGN: The MAHAY ("smart" in Malagasy) study uses a
      multi-arm randomized-controlled trial (RCT) to test the effects and cost
      effectiveness of combined interventions to address chronic malnutrition and poor
      child development. The arms of the trial are: (T0) existing program with monthly
      growth monitoring and nutritional/hygiene education; (T1) is T0 + home visits for
      intensive nutrition counseling within a behavior change framework; (T2) is T1 +
      lipid-based supplementation (LNS) for children 6-18 months old; (T3) is T2 + LNS
      supplementation of pregnant/lactating women; and (T4) is T1 + intensive home
      visiting program to support child development. There are anticipated to be n = 25
      communities in each arm (n = 1250 pregnant women, n = 1250 children 0-6 months
      old, and n = 1250 children 6-18 months old). Primary outcomes include growth
      (length/height-for-age z-scores) and child development (mental, motor and social
      development). Secondary outcomes include care-giver reported child morbidity,
      household food security and diet diversity, micro-nutrient status, maternal
      knowledge of child care and feeding practices, and home stimulation practices. We
      will estimate unadjusted and adjusted intention-to-treat effects. Study protocols
      have been reviewed and approved by the Malagasy Ethics Committee at the Ministry
      of Health in Madagascar and by the institutional review board at the University
      of California, Davis. This study is funded by the Strategic Impact Evaluation
      Fund (SIEF), the World Bank Innovation Grant, the Early Learning Partnership
      Grant, the Japan Scaling-up for Nutrition Trustfund, and Grand Challenges Canada.
      The implementation of the study is financed by Madagascar's National Nutrition
      Office. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN14393738 . Registered
      June 23, 2015.

PMID- 27255925
TI  - Dissipation of Energy by Dry Granular Matter in a Rotating Cylinder.
AB  - We study experimentally the dissipation of energy in a rotating cylinder which is
      partially filled by granular material. We consider the range of angular velocity
      corresponding to continous and stationary flow of the granulate. In this regime,
      the stationary state depends on the angular velocity and on the filling mass. For
      a wide interval of filling levels we find a universal behavior of the driving
      torque required to sustain the stationary state as a function of the angular
      velocity. The result may be of relevance to industrial applications, e.g. to
      understand the power consumption of ball mills or rotary kilns and also for
      damping applications where mechanical energy has to be dissipated in a controlled
      way.

PMID- 27255924
TI  - Development and validation of a classification and scoring system for the
      diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinomas through confocal laser endomicroscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is an optical biopsy method
      allowing in vivo microscopic imaging at 1000-fold magnification. It was the aim
      to evaluate CLE in the human oral cavity for the differentiation of
      physiological/carcinomatous mucosa and to establish and validate, for the first
      time, a scoring system to facilitate CLE assessment. METHODS: The study consisted
      of 4 phases: (1) CLE-imaging (in vivo) was performed after the intravenous
      injection of fluorescein in patients with histologically confirmed carcinomatous
      oral mucosa; (2) CLE-experts (n = 3) verified the applicability of CLE in the
      oral cavity for the differentiation between physiological and cancerous tissue
      compared to the gold standard of histopathological assessment; (3) based on
      specific patterns of tissue changes, CLE-experts (n = 3) developed a
      classification and scoring system (DOC-Score) to simplify the diagnosis of oral
      squamous cell carcinomas; (4) validation of the newly developed DOC-Score by non
      CLE-experts (n = 3); final statistical evaluation of their classification
      performance (comparison to the results of CLE-experts and the histopathological
      analyses). RESULTS: Experts acquired and edited 45 sequences (260 s) of
      physiological and 50 sequences (518 s) of carcinomatous mucosa (total: 95
      sequences/778 s). All sequences were evaluated independently by experts and non
      experts (based on the newly proposed classification system). Sensitivity (0.953)
      and specificity (0.889) of the diagnoses by experts as well as sensitivity
      (0.973) and specificity (0.881) of the non-expert ratings correlated well with
      the results of the present gold standard of tissue histopathology. Experts had a
      positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.905 and a negative predictive value (NPV) of
      0.945. Non-experts reached a PPV of 0.901 and a NPV of 0.967 with the help of the
      DOC-Score. Inter-rater reliability (Fleiss' kappa) was 0.73 for experts and 0.814
      for non-experts. The intra-rater reliability (Cronbach's alpha) of the experts
      was 0.989 and 0.884 for non-experts. CONCLUSIONS: CLE is a suitable and valid
      method for experts to diagnose oral cancer. Using the DOC-Score system, an
      accurate chair-side diagnosis of oral cancer is feasible with comparable results
      to the gold standard of histopathology-even in daily clinical practice for non
      experienced raters.

PMID- 27255926
TI  - Trace Element Accumulation and Tissue Distribution in the Purpleback Flying Squid
      Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis from the Central and Southern South China Sea.
AB  - Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis is a species of cephalopod that is becoming
      economically important in the South China Sea. As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn
      concentrations were determined in the mantle, arms, and digestive gland of S.
      oualaniensis from 31 oceanographic survey stations in the central and southern
      South China Sea. Intraspecific and interspecific comparisons with previous
      studies were made. Mean concentrations of trace elements analyzed in arms and
      mantle were in the following orders: Zn > Cu > Cd > Cr > As > Hg. In digestive
      gland, the concentrations of Cd and Cu exceed that of Zn. All the Pb
      concentrations were under the detected limit.

PMID- 27255927
TI  - Use of Praise and Reprimands as Critical Ingredients of Teacher Behavior
      Management: Effects on Children's Development in the Context of a Teacher
      Mediated Classroom Intervention.
AB  - This intervention study examined teachers' use of verbal praise and reprimands as
      specific components of teacher behavior management that can promote children's
      development in schools. The impact of teacher praise and reprimands on children's
      development was examined in the context of a teacher-mediated, classroom
      intervention. The sample involved 570 children and 30 teachers from second grade
      classrooms in 15 primary schools. The Good Behavior Game was implemented in half
      of the classrooms based on random assignment within schools. Teacher behavior
      management (praise for appropriate behavior and reprimands for inappropriate
      behavior) was observed during regular classroom lessons. Hyperactive, disruptive,
      and withdrawn child behavior were assessed using teacher and peer reports, global
      self-concept and emotional engagement were assessed using child self-reports. All
      variables were assessed at the beginning (pre-test) and at the end (post-test) of
      the school year. Multilevel regression models accounted for the nested structure
      of the data. The results suggested positive effects of fewer reprimands and more
      praise on child outcomes (except emotional school engagement), although the
      results differed by informant. We also found indirect effects of the Good
      Behavior Game (GBG) on child outcomes via teacher praise and reprimands. Overall,
      the study suggests that teachers' use of praise and reprimands is a malleable
      classroom factor that influences children's behavioral and socio-emotional
      development.

PMID- 27255928
TI  - YUCCA-mediated auxin biogenesis is required for cell fate transition occurring
      during de novo root organogenesis in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Many plant organs have the ability to regenerate a new plant after detachment or
      wounding via de novo organogenesis. During de novo root organogenesis from
      Arabidopsis thaliana leaf explants, endogenic auxin is essential for the fate
      transition of regeneration-competent cells to become root founder cells via
      activation of WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX 11 (WOX11). However, the molecular events
      from leaf explant detachment to auxin-mediated cell fate transition are poorly
      understood. In this study, we used an assay to determine the concentration of
      indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to provide direct evidence that auxin is produced
      after leaf explant detachment, a process that involves YUCCA (YUC)-mediated auxin
      biogenesis. Inhibition of YUC prevents expression of WOX11 and fate transition of
      competent cells, resulting in the blocking of rooting. Further analysis showed
      that YUC1 and YUC4 act quickly (within 4 hours) in response to wounding after
      detachment in both light and dark conditions and promote auxin biogenesis in both
      mesophyll and competent cells, whereas YUC5, YUC8, and YUC9 primarily respond in
      dark conditions. In addition, YUC2 and YUC6 contribute to rooting by providing a
      basal auxin level in the leaf. Overall, our study indicates that YUC genes
      exhibit a division of labour during de novo root organogenesis from leaf explants
      in response to multiple signals.

PMID- 27255929
TI  - Artificially decreased vapour pressure deficit in field conditions modifies
      foliar metabolite profiles in birch and aspen.
AB  - Relative air humidity (RH) is expected to increase in northern Europe due to
      climate change. Increasing RH reduces the difference of water vapour pressure
      deficit (VPD) between the leaf and the atmosphere, and affects the gas exchange
      of plants. Little is known about the effects of decreased VPD on plant
      metabolism, especially under field conditions. This study was conducted to
      determine the effects of artificially decreased VPD on silver birch (Betula
      pendula Roth.) and hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L.*P. tremuloides Michx.) foliar
      metabolite and nutrient profiles in a unique free air humidity manipulation
      (FAHM) field experiment during the fourth season of humidity manipulation, in
      2011. Long-term exposure to decreased VPD modified nutrient homeostasis in tree
      leaves, as demonstrated by a lower N concentration and N:P ratio in aspen leaves,
      and higher Na concentration and lower K:Na ratio in the leaves of both species in
      decreased VPD than in ambient VPD. Decreased VPD caused a shift in foliar
      metabolite profiles of both species, affecting primary and secondary metabolites.
      Metabolic adjustment to decreased VPD included elevated levels of starch and
      heptulose sugars, sorbitol, hemiterpenoid and phenolic glycosides, and alpha
      tocopherol. High levels of carbon reserves, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants
      under decreased VPD may modify plant resistance to environmental stresses
      emerging under changing climate.

PMID- 27255931
TI  - The Cer-cqu gene cluster determines three key players in a beta-diketone synthase
      polyketide pathway synthesizing aliphatics in epicuticular waxes.

PMID- 27255930
TI  - Ascorbic acid accumulates as a defense response to Turnip mosaic virus in
      resistant Brassica rapa cultivars.
AB  - We initially observed that Brassica rapa cultivars containing the Turnip mosaic
      virus (TuMV) resistance gene, Rnt1-1, accumulated a high level of endogenous
      ascorbic acid (AS) and dehydroascobic acid (DHA) when infected with TuMV. We here
      hypothesized a possible contribution of an elevated level of AS+DHA (TAA) to the
      Rnt1-1-mediated resistance, and conducted a series of experiments using B. rapa
      and Arabidopsis plants. The application of l-galactose (the key substrate in AS
      synthesis) to a susceptible cultivar could increase the TAA level ~2-fold, and
      simultaneously lead to some degree of enhanced viral resistance. To confirm some
      positive correlation between TAA levels and viral resistance, we analyzed two
      Arabidopsis knockout mutants (ao and vtc1) in the AS pathways; the TAA levels
      were significantly increased and decreased in ao and vtc1 plants, respectively.
      While the ao plants showed enhanced resistance to TuMV, vtc1 plants were more
      susceptible than the control, supporting our hypothesis. When we analyzed the
      expression profiles of the genes involved in the AS pathways upon TuMV infection,
      we found that the observed TAA increase was mainly brought about by the reduction
      of AS oxidation and activation of AS recycling. We then investigated the
      secondary signals that regulate endogenous TAA levels in response to viral
      infection, and found that jasmonic acid (JA) might play an important role in TAA
      accumulation. In conclusion, we reason that the elevated TAA accumulation in B.
      rapa plants would be at least partly mediated by the JA-dependent signaling
      pathway and may significantly contribute to viral resistance.

PMID- 27255934
TI  - [Dialogical principle in patient interaction].

PMID- 27255932
TI  - Drosophila cells use nanotube-like structures to transfer dsRNA and RNAi
      machinery between cells.
AB  - Tunnelling nanotubes and cytonemes function as highways for the transport of
      organelles, cytosolic and membrane-bound molecules, and pathogens between cells.
      During viral infection in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, a systemic
      RNAi antiviral response is established presumably through the transport of a
      silencing signal from one cell to another via an unknown mechanism. Because of
      their role in cell-cell communication, we investigated whether nanotube-like
      structures could be a mediator of the silencing signal. Here, we describe for the
      first time in the context of a viral infection the presence of nanotube-like
      structures in different Drosophila cell types. These tubules, made of actin and
      tubulin, were associated with components of the RNAi machinery, including
      Argonaute 2, double-stranded RNA, and CG4572. Moreover, they were more abundant
      during viral, but not bacterial, infection. Super resolution structured
      illumination microscopy showed that Argonaute 2 and tubulin reside inside the
      tubules. We propose that nanotube-like structures are one of the mechanisms by
      which Argonaute 2, as part of the antiviral RNAi machinery, is transported
      between infected and non-infected cells to trigger systemic antiviral immunity in
      Drosophila.

PMID- 27255933
TI  - Fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan showing
      polyarthritis in a patient with an atypical presentation of Henoch-Schonlein
      vasculitis without clinical signs of arthritis: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schonlein vasculitis is the most common systemic vasculitis in
      children. Arthritis or arthralgia occurs in 80 % of patients. We believe this to
      be the first case report to describe the finding of polyarthritis in a
      fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan in a
      patient with Henoch-Schonlein vasculitis without clinical signs of arthritis.
      CASE PRESENTATION: A 4.5-year-old Caucasian boy presented with fever of 4 days'
      duration followed by debilitating migratory arthralgia and inflammation. He
      underwent a fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan
      to exclude a possible malignant cause or to detect any infectious or autoimmune
      focus of his symptoms. Fludeoxyglucose uptake was observed in multiple large
      joints and in multiple tendons. These findings suggested active polyarthritis and
      polytendinitis. However, physical and ultrasound evaluations did not show any
      signs of arthritis in our patient, despite his evident arthralgia. CONCLUSIONS:
      Fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography might be able to
      detect inflammatory activity in painful joints that cannot yet be detected
      clinically or with ultrasound evaluation in a patient with Henoch-Schonlein
      vasculitis. Therefore, fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed
      tomography can be of additional value in the diagnostic workup of patients with
      an unresolved diagnosis of suspected autoimmune disease, especially in patients
      with unresolved arthralgia and fever of unknown cause.

PMID- 27255935
TI  - Fetishes and factishes: Durkheim and Latour.
AB  - This paper defends the concept of 'fetishism' as an explanatory parameter in
      sociological theorizing on Durkheimian grounds, while at the same time paying due
      attention to important insights regarding the role of objects in social life,
      originating from Actor-Network Theory (ANT). It critically assesses the current
      critique of the concept of fetishism propagated by ANT protagonist Bruno Latour.
      Latour and suggests a compromise between these two 'schools'. First, to place the
      paper firmly in context, I analyse some examples of modern fetishism and outline
      the themes of the ensuing discussion. Next, I turn to Durkheim, seeking to
      develop a distinct interpretation of the concept of the social and of fetishism,
      and then point to some of Durkheim's shortcomings and attempt to make room for
      Latourian perspectives. Finally, I critically assess Latour's dismissal of forms
      of social 'explanation' and of the concept of fetishism. 

PMID- 27255936
TI  - Specialization of the motor system in infancy: from broad tuning to selectively
      specialized purposeful actions.
AB  - In executing purposeful actions, adults select sufficient and necessary limbs.
      But infants often move goal-irrelevant limbs, suggesting a developmental process
      of motor specialization. Two experiments with 9- and 12-month-olds revealed
      gradual decreases in extraneous movements in non-acting limbs during unimanual
      actions. In Experiment 1, 9-month-olds produced more extraneous movements in the
      non-acting hand/arm and feet/legs than 12-month-olds. In Experiment 2, analysis
      of the spatiotemporal dynamics of infants' movements revealed developmental
      declines in the spatiotemporal coupling of movements between acting and non
      acting arms. We also showed that the degree of specialization in infants'
      unimanual actions is associated with individual differences in motor experience
      and visual attention, indicating the experience-dependent and broad functional
      nature of these developmental changes. Our study provides important new insights
      into motor development: as in cognitive domains, motor behaviours are initially
      broadly tuned to their goal, becoming progressively specialized during the first
      year of life.

PMID- 27255937
TI  - Effects of Untreated Periodontitis on Osseointegration of Dental Implants in a
      Beagle Dog Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There have been previous studies on the relationship between
      periodontitis and peri-implantitis, but limited information is available on how
      periodontitis affects osseointegration and wound healing of newly placed dental
      implants adjacent to natural teeth. The objective of the present experiment is to
      evaluate healing around dental implants adjacent to teeth with untreated
      experimental periodontitis. METHODS: The study included six male beagle dogs.
      Scaling and plaque control procedures were performed on three dogs (control
      group). In the other three dogs (experimental group), retraction cords and
      ligature wires were placed subgingivally around all premolars and the first
      molars. Induced experimental periodontitis was confirmed after 3 months. Each
      control or experimental group was divided into two subgroups depending on the
      timing of implant placement (immediate/delayed). Twelve dental implants (two
      implants for each dog) were placed immediately, and the other 12 dental implants
      (two implants for each dog) were placed 2 months after extraction. The animals
      were sacrificed 2 months after implant placement. Histologic and histometric
      analyses were performed. RESULTS: Four implants (three from the immediate
      placement group and one from the delayed placement group) failed in the
      experimental group. There were significant differences in the percentage of bone
      to-implant contact and marginal bone volume density between the control and
      experimental groups. Both parameters were significantly lower in the experimental
      group than in the control group (P <0.05). There was a tendency toward more
      marginal bone loss in the experimental group than the control group. CONCLUSIONS:
      Immediate placement of implants is associated with a higher failure rate compared
      with delayed placement. Untreated experimental periodontitis was correlated with
      compromised osseointegration in the implants with delayed placement.

PMID- 27255938
TI  - Civilian Airway Trauma: A Single-Institution Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Injuries to the airway in the neck and thorax are uncommon, but may
      be potentially life threatening. The objective of this study is to determine the
      clinical characteristics and outcomes for patients with airway injury. METHODS:
      From 1974 to 2014, a prospectively entered trauma database at a Level 1 trauma
      center was accessed to identify patients with injuries to the larynx, cervical
      trachea, or thoracic airway. Hospital charts were reviewed to obtain data on
      demographics, presentation, injury management, in-hospital and long-term
      morbidity and in-hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to
      estimate predictors of mortality and long-term vocal cord morbidity. Data are
      expressed as N (%). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were included
      (median injury severity score: 19 [interquartile range: 10-27]). There were 65
      (54 %) blunt and 55 (46 %) penetrating injuries, with 90 (75 %) suffering
      multiple injuries. Sixteen (13 %) patients died from associated injuries (7: in
      ER; 9: after admission). Injuries were located in the cervical airway [101 (84
      %)], thoracic airway [21 (18 %)], or both [2 (2 %)]. Eighty-six (72 %) patients
      were managed surgically. Predictors of in-hospital mortality included hemodynamic
      instability (OR 6.54, 95 % CI 1.11-37.14), GCS < 8 upon presentation (OR 4.35, 95
      % CI 3.24-5.41), and head trauma (OR 4.10, 95 % CI 1.91-6.30). Fracture of
      cricoid or thyroid cartilages was a strong predictor of long-term vocal cord
      injury (OR 3.93, 95 % CI 1.25-12.59). CONCLUSIONS: Airway trauma remains a major
      challenge for early diagnosis, airway control, and management of both acute life
      threatening injury and long-term morbidity.

PMID- 27255939
TI  - Orthopedic Activity in Field Hospitals Following Earthquakes in Nepal and Haiti :
      Variability in Injuries Encountered and Collaboration with Local Available
      Resources Drive Optimal Response.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Field hospitals have been deployed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
      Medical Corps in numerous disaster events. Two recent deployments were following
      earthquakes in Haiti in 2010 and in Nepal in 2015. Despite arrival in similar
      timetables, the mode of operation was different-independently in Haiti and in
      collaboration with a local hospital in Nepal. The pathology encountered in the
      two hospitals and the resultant treatment requirements were significantly
      different between the two events. The purpose of this study was to analyze these
      differences and their implications for preparation and planning of future
      deployments. METHODS: Data were obtained from IDF records and analyzed using
      SPSSTM software. RESULTS: 1686 patients were treated in Nepal versus 1111 in
      Haiti. The caseload in Nepal included significantly less earthquake-related
      injuries (26 vs. 66 %) with 28 % of them sustaining fractures versus 47 % in
      Haiti. Femoral fractures accounted for 7.9 % of fractures in Nepal versus 26.4 %
      in Haiti with foot fractures accounting for 23.8 and 6.4 %, respectively. The
      rate of open fracture was similar at 29.4 % in Nepal and 27.5 % in Haiti. 18.1 %
      of injured patients in Nepal underwent surgery, and 32.9 % of which was skeletal
      compared to 32 % surgical cases (58.8 % skeletal) in Haiti. 74.2 % of patients in
      Nepal and 34.3 % in Haiti were treated for pathology unrelated to the earthquake.
      CONCLUSIONS: The reasons for the variability in activities between the two
      hospitals include the magnitude of the disaster, the functionality of the local
      medical system which was relatively preserved in Nepal and destroyed in Haiti and
      the mode of operation which was independent in Haiti and collaborative with a
      functioning local hospital in Nepal. Emergency medical teams (EMTs) may encounter
      variable caseloads despite similar disaster scenarios. Advance knowledge of the
      magnitude of the disaster, the functionality of the local medical system, and the
      collaborative possibilities will help in planning and preparing EMTs to function
      optimally and appropriately. However, as this information will often be
      unavailable, EMTs should be capable to adapt to unexpected conditions.

PMID- 27255940
TI  - Significant Improvement in Outcomes of Patients with Intrahepatic
      Cholangiocarcinoma after Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains poor
      despite improvements in treatment and post-operative clinical management. We
      review our experiences and evaluate our current surgical approaches by comparing
      patients from two consecutive treatment periods. METHODS: One hundred forty-four
      patients who underwent hepatectomy for ICC between 1993 and 2014 were divided
      into groups that received treatment before (n = 65, first period) and after 2006
      (n = 79, second period), when new treatment options such as adjuvant chemotherapy
      and multimodal therapy for recurrence were introduced. Clinicopathological
      characteristics and survival outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS:
      First-period patients exhibited more advanced tumor characteristics, including
      larger tumors, higher serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, and vascular
      invasion. Median overall survival (OS) durations of the first- and second-period
      groups were 21.4 and 57.7 months, respectively (p < 0.001); corresponding median
      disease-free survival (DFS) durations were 12.2 and 16.6 months, respectively (p
      = 0.027). Multivariate analysis found an independent association of the treatment
      time period with OS and DFS. Notably, second-period patients with N1 disease
      achieved a longer OS and DFS (median OS time: 12.4 and 26.0 months, p = 0.0018,
      and median DFS: 4.7 and 10.7 months p = 0.019, respectively). Among recurrent
      patients (first, n = 50 and second, n = 44), second-period patients had a
      significantly longer survival after recurrence (8.0 vs. 22.3 months, p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: ICC patients, particularly those with N1 disease, achieved
      significant survival improvements that were partly attributable to patient
      selection, adjuvant chemotherapy, and multimodal treatment after recurrence.

PMID- 27255941
TI  - Perioperative Mortality Rates in Australian Public Hospitals: The Influence of
      Age, Gender and Urgency.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A decline in surgical deaths has been observed in Australia since
      the introduction of the Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality
      (ANZASM). The current study was conducted to determine whether the perioperative
      mortality rate (POMR) has also declined. METHODS: This study is a retrospective
      review of the POMR for surgical procedures in Australian public hospitals between
      July 2009 and June 2013, using data obtained from the Australian Institute of
      Health and Welfare. Operative procedures contained in the Australian Refined
      Diagnosis Related Groups were selected and the POMR was modelled using urgency of
      admission, age and gender as explanatory covariates. RESULTS: The POMR in
      Australian public hospitals reduced by 15.4 % over the 4-year period. The
      emergency admissions POMR dropped from 1.40 to 1.12 %, and the elective
      admissions POMR from 0.09 to 0.08 %. The binary logistic regression model used to
      predict patient mortality showed emergency admissions to have a higher POMR than
      elective, being more evident at older ages. For emergency admissions, the
      difference in POMR between females and males increased with age, from about 55
      years onwards, with females being lower. For elective surgeries, the difference
      between males and females was of little practical importance across ages.
      CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in the POMR in Australia confirms the reduction in
      surgical deaths reported to ANZASM. Continuing to monitor POMR will be important
      to ensure the safest surgery in Australia. Further investigations into case-mix
      will allow better risk adjustment and comparison between regions and time
      periods, to facilitate continuous quality improvement.

PMID- 27255942
TI  - Outcomes of Percutaneous Cholecystostomy for Acute Cholecystitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis (AC) is an important cause of emergency
      admissions among the elderly. The use of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) as
      bridging therapy among high-risk patients is widely accepted. However, the use of
      PC as definitive treatment is controversial. AIM: To determine the
      characteristics, clinical outcomes and predictors of recurrence of AC among
      patients who underwent PC. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 71 consecutive
      patients [73 (38-96) years, 43/71 males] treated with PC for AC at a tertiary
      hospital from 2007 to 2013, with data collected from case records. RESULTS:
      Patients were followed up for 37.0 (0.1-110.8) months after PC. Mortality rate
      was 8.5 % (6/71) during the index admission and 32.4 % (23/71) at the end of
      follow-up. Recurrence rate for AC was 11.9 % (7/59). Median time to recurrence
      was 62 (13-464) days. PC was definitive treatment in 33/59. Predictors of
      recurrence were higher serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) at diagnosis (OR = 1.01,
      95 % CI 1.00-1.02, p = 0.021) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during index
      admission (OR = 8.00, 95 % CI 1.19-54.0, p = 0.033). Fifteen patients (26.3 %,
      15/71) had post-procedural complications including dislodgement (14 %, 10/71),
      tube obstruction (7.0 %, 5/71), bile leaks (2.8 %, 2/71), gallbladder perforation
      (1.4 %, 1/71), bowels perforation (1.4 %, 1/71) and severe post-procedural
      haemorrhage (1.4 %, 1/71). CONCLUSION: PC is effective and relatively safe in
      high-risk patients with AC. However, patients with higher ALP or AMI during index
      admission have higher risk of recurrence and might benefit from definitive
      cholecystectomy.

PMID- 27255943
TI  - Prognostic Analysis of Surgical Resection for Pulmonary Metastasis from
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary metastases are the most common among extrahepatic
      recurrences from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It causes high risk of HCC
      related death, despite recent progress in therapeutic options. However, a role of
      pulmonary metastasectomy as well as prognostic factors after metastasectomy has
      not been well established. We aimed to investigate survival outcomes and
      prognostic factors after pulmonary resection for metastases from HCC. METHODS: A
      series of 93 patients who underwent pulmonary resections for metastases from HCC
      between June 1990 and July 2013 from multi-institutional database were
      retrospectively evaluated. Perioperative clinicopathological data and their
      association with prognosis were investigated. RESULTS: Of 93 patients, 77 had one
      pulmonary metastasis, and 16 had two or more. Recurrence after pulmonary
      resection was noted in 60 patients (64.5 %). The estimated 5-year overall
      survival rate was 41.4 % with median survival time after pulmonary metastatectomy
      of 39.0 months. Univariate prognostic analysis showed that disease-free interval
      of >=12 months was significantly associated with favorable outcomes in both
      overall survival (5-year rate, 59.3 vs. 28.7 %, p = 0.026) and disease-specific
      survival (5-year rate, 62.5 vs. 36.2 %; p = 0.038) after pulmonary
      metastatectomy. A multivariate analysis revealed that disease-free interval was
      an independent prognostic factor (HR = 2.020, 95 % CI, 1.069-3.816, p = 0.030).
      CONCLUSION: We have shown that a disease-free interval was an independent
      prognostic factor in patients who underwent pulmonary resection for metastasis
      from HCC. Also, pulmonary metastasectomy can be one of the therapeutic choices
      for select patients.

PMID- 27255944
TI  - Androgen receptor splice variant 7 in castration-resistant prostate cancer:
      Clinical considerations.
AB  - Constitutively-active ligand-independent splice variants of the androgen receptor
      are an adaptive response by prostate cancer cells to escape androgen deprivation
      therapy and novel androgen receptor-directed treatments. Androgen receptor splice
      variant 7 is the most common splice variant detected in clinical biospecimens,
      and emerging data now suggest that the presence of tumoral androgen receptor
      splice variant 7 might be indicative of primary and acquired resistance to next
      generation androgen pathway inhibitors, such as abiraterone and enzalutamide. At
      the same time, taxane chemotherapy might retain its efficacy regardless of
      androgen receptor splice variant 7 status, thus suggesting the potential for a
      predictive biomarker guiding treatment selection in men with metastatic
      castration-resistant prostate cancer. Herein, we review the preclinical data
      elucidating the structure and function of androgen receptor splice variant 7, we
      describe the existing clinical data using this biomarker in metastatic castration
      resistant prostate cancer, and we highlight potential therapeutic strategies to
      target androgen receptor splice variant 7-expressing prostate cancer.

PMID- 27255945
TI  - Up-Regulation of SIRT1 Reduces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Renal Fibrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is emerging as an important factor
      in the development of organ fibrosis. Therefore, modulation of ER stress may
      serve as one of the possible therapeutic approaches to renal fibrosis. SIRT1, a
      class III histone deacetylase, has been found to exert beneficial effects in
      kidney diseases. However, it is largely unknown whether and how SIRT1 suppresses
      the ER stress. We postulated that upregulation of SIRT1 would suppress the ER
      stress through induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and thioredoxin. METHODS: HK
      2 tubular cells, experimental mouse models of tunicamycin (TM)-induced ER stress
      and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) were used. Expression of ER stress
      induced protein was measured by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical
      staining. ER stress was induced by chemical ER stress inducers [TM
      [,]thapsigargin (TG)] and non-chemical inducers such as angiotensin II,
      aldosterone, high glucose and albumin. RESULTS: SIRT1 activator (SRT1720) induced
      SIRT1 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner in HK-2 cells. SRT1720
      suppressed the TM- or TG-induced ER stress, as shown by inhibition of TM- or TG
      induced upregulation of glucose-related protein 78 (GRP78), phosphor-specific
      eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2alpha and C/EBP homologous protein
      through HO-1 and thioredoxin, which were abolished by pretreatment with SIRT1
      inhibitor (sirtinol). SRT1720 also suppressed the ER stress induced by
      angiotensin II, aldosterone, high glucose and albumin. In animal studies,
      treatment with SRT1720 reduced the tubular expression of GRP78 and increased the
      expression of HO-1 and thioredoxin. SRT1720 also reduced the UUO-induced renal
      fibrosis. CONCLUSION: SIRT1 may serve as a promising therapeutic target by
      reducing ER stress and fibrosis.

PMID- 27255946
TI  - Post-refractive surgery complications and eye disease, active component, U.S.
      Armed Forces, 2005-2014.
AB  - Refractive surgery (RS) is a common procedure in the U.S. military population.
      This report provides an estimation of incident RS for vision correction purposes
      in the active component of the U.S. military from 1 January 2005 through 31
      December 2014 and the prevalence of post-RS complications and eye disease in the
      1-year period after RS. During the surveillance period, a total of 121,571
      subjects without a diagnosis of eye disease other than hyperopia, myopia, or
      astigmatism in the previous year received a single incident RS procedure. In the
      1-year period after RS, 5.3% of subjects with preoperative hyperopia or myopia
      had treatment-persistent (unresolved) hyperopia or myopia; 2.0% of subjects with
      preoperative astigmatism had treatment-persistent (unresolved) astigmatism; and
      3.8% were diagnosed with tear film insufficiency. In general, most outcomes
      showed higher prevalences in Army and Air Force personnel versus Navy and Marine
      Corps personnel, in women versus men, in officer versus enlisted personnel, and
      in aviation and Special Forces personnel. A wide variation in outcome prevalences
      was noted by procedural military treatment facility. 

PMID- 27255947
TI  - Update: Urinary stones, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2011-2015.
AB  - Urinary stones can cause debilitating morbidity that impairs the operational
      effectiveness of affected members of the U.S. Armed Forces. This report documents
      that, during the past 5 years, rates of incident diagnoses of urinary stones
      decreased by about 17% in the active component of the U.S. military. During the
      period, annual rates of inpatient diagnosed cases were low and relatively stable,
      while rates of outpatient diagnosed cases slightly decreased. Incidence rates
      were slightly higher among females than males in 2011; however, rates were very
      similar among males and females from 2012 through 2015. Rates of incident
      diagnoses among white, non-Hispanic and Native American/Alaska Native service
      members were consistently 80%-100% higher than among black, non-Hispanic and
      Asian/Pacific Islander service members and 35%-45% higher than among Hispanic and
      "other race/ethnicity" service members. During the 5-year period, a total of
      3,350 service members received more than one incident diagnosis of urinary stones
      ("recurrent cases"); one-tenth (10.2%) of all incident cases during the period
      were recurrent cases. Service members with histories of urinary stones should be
      counseled and closely supervised to avoid dehydration and to adhere to diets that
      reduce the risk of stone formation. 

PMID- 27255948
TI  - Surveillance snapshot: Zika virus infection among Military Health System
      beneficiaries following introduction of the virus into the Western Hemisphere, 20
      May 2016.

PMID- 27255949
TI  - Surveillance snapshot: Department of Defense Global, Laboratory-Based Influenza
      Surveillance Program, 2014-2015 season.

PMID- 27255950
TI  - Seasonal changes and spatial distributions of nonylphenol ethoxylates in sewage
      treatment plant with BAF process.
AB  - Recently, there has been growing concern over the prevalence of Nonylphenol
      ethoxylates (NPnEOs) in the natural environment as these compounds are known
      endocrine disruptors. This study focuses on the seasonal variation and spatial
      distribution of NPnEOs in the wastewater of a full scale sewage treatment plant,
      operating a Biological Aerated Filter (BAF), in Harbin, a city in Northeast
      China. Water samples were collected seasonally from 2009 to 2010, with the
      findings revealing remarkable seasonal variations in the concentrations of
      NPnEOs. The total influent concentrations of short-chain NPnEOs (NP, NP1EO and
      NP2EO) measured during winter was 16 mg L-1, with decreasing concentrations
      observed during autumn, summer and spring of 89, 67 and 41 mg L-1, respectively.
      The concentrations of the short-chain NPnEOs measured during autumn become higher
      (89 mg L-1), with summer becoming the lowest (16 mg L-1). Although the removal
      efficiencies of short-chain NPnEOs in STP showed various trends in different
      seasons, they all achieve relatively good performance during summer and winter.
      The BAF process plays the main role in the elimination of short-chain NPnEOs
      compounds; however, the ambient temperatures were not found to significantly
      influence the removal efficiency of short-chain NPnEOs compounds from the STP.

PMID- 27255952
TI  - Acute respiratory compromise on inpatient wards in the United States: Incidence,
      outcomes, and factors associated with in-hospital mortality.
AB  - AIM: To estimate the United States' incidence and in-hospital mortality of acute
      respiratory events on inpatient wards and to identify factors associated with
      mortality. METHODS: This is an analysis of prospectively collected data from the
      Get With the Guidelines((r)) - Resuscitation registry. We included adult patients
      with index acute respiratory events on inpatient wards from January 2005 to
      December 2013. A negative binomial regression model was used to estimate the 2012
      United States incidence and a multivariable logistic regression model was used to
      examine time trends and characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality.
      RESULTS: There were 13,086 index events from 320 hospitals included in the
      analysis. Using 2012 data, the estimated number of events in the United States
      was 44,551 (95%CI: 25,170-95,371). The in-hospital mortality for the entire
      cohort was 39.4% (95%CI: 38.5, 40.2) and rose to 82.6% (95%CI: 79.9, 85.2) for
      events leading to cardiac arrest. There was a decrease in in-hospital mortality
      over time (48.3% in 2005 to 34.5% in 2013, p<0.001). Characteristics associated
      with mortality included agonal breathing, hypotension and septicemia.
      CONCLUSIONS: Acute respiratory events on inpatient wards in the US is common with
      an associated in-hospital mortality of approximately 40% that has been decreasing
      over the past decade. Multiple factors were associated with in-hospital
      mortality.

PMID- 27255951
TI  - Intermolecular biparatopic trapping of ErbB2 prevents compensatory activation of
      PI3K/AKT via RAS-p110 crosstalk.
AB  - Compensatory mechanisms, such as relief of AKT-ErbB3-negative feedback, are known
      to desensitize ErbB2-dependent tumours to targeted therapy. Here we describe an
      adaptation mechanism leading to reactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway during
      trastuzumab treatment, which occurs independently of ErbB3 re-phosphorylation.
      This signalling bypass of phospho-ErbB3 operates in ErbB2-overexpressing cells
      via RAS-PI3K crosstalk and is attributable to active ErbB2 homodimers. As
      demonstrated by dual blockade of ErbB2/RAS and ErbB3 by means of pharmacological
      inhibition, RNA interference or by specific protein binders obstructing the RAS
      p110alpha interaction, both routes must be blocked to prevent reactivation of the
      PI3K/AKT pathway. Applying these general principles, we developed biparatopic
      designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) trapping ErbB2 in a dimerization
      incompetent state, which entail pan-ErbB inhibition and a permanent OFF state in
      the oncogenic signalling, thereby triggering extensive apoptosis in ErbB2
      addicted tumours. Thus, these novel insights into mechanisms underlying network
      robustness provide a guide for overcoming adaptation response to ErbB2/ErbB3
      targeted therapy.

PMID- 27255953
TI  - Alterations in cognitive outcome between 3 and 12 months in survivors of out-of
      hospital cardiac arrest.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To prospectively investigate cognitive recovery from 3 to 12 months
      after resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and the
      associations between cognitive performance at 3 months and health-related quality
      of life (HRQL), psychological distress and work status after 12 months. METHODS:
      At both assessments, neuropsychological tests were used to measure aspects of
      general mental ability, verbal and visual memory, psychomotor speed and executive
      function. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) was used to measure mental and physical HRQL,
      and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess psychological
      distress. RESULTS: 33 survivors completed both exams (31 males, mean age 58.6
      years, SD=13). The OHCAs were witnessed and due to cardiac origins. Nine patients
      were awake at admission to the hospital. Longer coma duration was associated with
      poorer cognitive results. Memory impairments were the most common symptom. The
      mean changes and effect sizes indicated minor improvements in cognitive
      performance from 3 to 12 months (Hedges g<=.26). Reliable change indices for an
      individual's results further confirmed the stability of the group statistics. The
      HADS scores showed increased depressive symptoms, and mental HRQL was reduced
      from 3 to 12 months. Higher reports of psychological distress were related to
      worse HRQL. Work participation increased. Better cognitive results at 3 months
      were correlated with better HRQL and return to work at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS:
      The current data describe stability in results from 3 to 12 months. A worse
      cognitive performance at 3 months and higher reports of psychological distress
      were associated with lower HRQL.

PMID- 27255954
TI  - Endotracheal suction in term non vigorous meconium stained neonates-A pilot
      study.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the effect of 'No endotracheal suction' on occurrence of
      meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) and/or all-cause mortality in non-vigorous
      neonates born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). METHODS: This pilot
      randomized controlled trial enrolled term non-vigorous neonates (>=37 weeks) born
      through MSAF. Neonates randomized to 'No Endotracheal suction group' ('No ET'
      Group; n=88) did not undergo endotracheal suction before the definitive steps of
      resuscitation. Neonates randomized to 'Endotracheal suction group' ('ET' Group;
      n=87) underwent tracheal suction as part of the initial steps as per the current
      NRP recommendations. The primary outcome was occurrence of MAS and/or death.
      Secondary outcome variables were duration and severity of respiratory distress,
      need for respiratory support, development of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
      (HIE) and duration of oxygen therapy and hospitalization. RESULTS: Baseline
      characters including birth weight and gestational age were similar between the
      two groups. MAS was present in 23 (26.1%) vs. 28 (32.2%) neonates in 'No ET' and
      'ET' groups respectively (OR 0.4 (0.12-1.4); p=0.14) with 4 (4.6%) and 9 (10.34%)
      deaths amongst these neonates with MAS in respective groups (OR 0.75 (0.62-1.2);
      p=0.38). Other parameters like severity and duration of respiratory distress,
      need for respiratory support, incidence of HIE, duration of oxygen therapy and
      duration of hospitalization were comparable. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates
      that it is feasible to randomize non-vigorous infants born through meconium
      stained liquor to receive on not receive endotracheal suction. There is a need
      for a multi-center trial to address whether the current practices and guidelines
      can be justified.

PMID- 27255955
TI  - HEMS advanced trauma team retrieval of a patient with accidental hypothermic
      cardiac arrest for ECMO therapy.

PMID- 27255956
TI  - An intervention for cardiac arrest survivors with chronic fatigue: A feasibility
      study with preliminary outcomes.
AB  - AIM: The primary aim was to examine the feasibility of recruiting and retaining
      participants for an Energy Conservation+Problem Solving Therapy (EC+PST)
      intervention delivered over the telephone, to evaluate the acceptability of the
      intervention, and to assess the appropriateness of the outcome measures. The
      secondary aim was to evaluate the preliminary intervention effect on fatigue
      impact, activity performance, and participation in daily activities in post
      cardiac arrest (CA) adults with chronic fatigue. METHODS: This feasibility study
      used a prospective, pre-post experimental design. Individuals who were at least 3
      months post-CA with moderate-to-severe fatigue were eligible to participate. By
      participating in EC+PST intervention sessions, participants learned how to apply
      EC strategies to solve their fatigue-related problems. Participants were assessed
      before and after completing the intervention using outcome measures assessing
      fatigue, activity performance, and participation in daily activities. RESULTS:
      Eighteen CA survivors with chronic fatigue successfully completed the
      intervention and the assessments with high satisfaction. We observed a 15%
      recruitment rate and ceiling effects on two outcome measures of perceived
      performance in daily activities. Significant decreases in the impact of physical
      (p=.001) and cognitive (p=.006) fatigue of CA survivors were observed with small
      to moderate effect sizes of r=0.23-0.25 after receiving the EC+PST intervention.
      CONCLUSION: The delivery of EC+PST intervention over the telephone is feasible,
      and the intervention is highly acceptable to CA survivors with chronic fatigue.
      Also, the EC+PST intervention seems promising in reducing the impact of physical
      and cognitive fatigue of CA survivors.

PMID- 27255957
TI  - Using the relationship between brain tissue regional saturation of oxygen and
      mean arterial pressure to determine the optimal mean arterial pressure in
      patients following cardiac arrest: A pilot proof-of-concept study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Prospectively assess cerebral autoregulation and optimal mean
      arterial pressure (MAPOPT) using the dynamic relationship between MAP and
      regional saturation of oxygen (rSO2) using near-infrared spectroscopy. METHODS:
      Feasibility study of twenty patients admitted to the intensive care unit
      following a cardiac arrest. All patients underwent continuous rSO2 monitoring
      using the INVOS((r)) cerebral oximeter. ICM+((r)) brain monitoring software
      calculates the cerebral oximetry index (COx) in real-time which is a moving
      Pearson correlation coefficient between 30 consecutive, 10-s averaged values of
      MAP and correspond rSO2 signals. When rSO2 increases with increasing MAP (COx
      >=0.3), cerebral autoregulation is dysfunctional. Conversely, when rSO2 remains
      constant or decreases with increasing MAP (COx <0.3), autoregulation is
      preserved. ICM+((r)) fits a U-shaped curve through the COx values plotted vs.
      MAP. The MAPOPT is nadir of this curve. RESULTS: The median age was 59 years (IQR
      54-67) and 7 of 20 were female. The cardiac arrest was caused by myocardial
      infarction in 12 (60%) patients. Nineteen arrests were witnessed and return of
      spontaneous circulation occurred in a median of 15.5min (IQR 8-33). Patients
      underwent a median of 30h (IQR 23-46) of monitoring. COx curves and MAPOPT were
      generated in all patients. The mean overall MAP and MAPOPT were 76mmHg (SD 10)
      and 76mmHg (SD 7), respectively. MAP was outside of 5mmHg from MAPOPT in 50% (SD
      15) of the time. Out of the 7672 5-min averaged COx measurements, 1182 (15%) were
      at 0.3 or above, indicating absence of autoregulation. Multivariable polynomial
      fractional regression demonstrated an increase in COx with increasing temperature
      (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the feasibility to determine a MAPOPT
      using cerebral oximetry in patients after cardiac arrest.

PMID- 27255958
TI  - The amyloid cascade hypothesis: are we poised for success or failure?
AB  - The first description of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was made in 1907 by Alois
      Alzheimer (Allgemeine Zeitschrift fur Psyciatrie und Psychisch-Gerichtliche
      Medizin 64, 3, 1907), although other contemporary physicians had made similar,
      and rather more complete, assessments of the neuropathological changes present in
      the AD brain (Fischer, Monatsschr Psychiat Neurol 22, 17, 1907). Our knowledge of
      AD has increased dramatically and continues to accelerate. This year is 25 years
      after the publication of a series of papers that, in various ways, articulated
      the amyloid cascade hypothesis (ACH) for AD (Beyreuther and Masters, Brain Pathol
      1, 241-251, 1991; Hardy and Allsop, Trends Pharmacol Sci 12, 383-388, 1991;
      Selkoe, Neuron 6, 487-498, 1991; Hardy and Higgins, Science 256, 184-185, 1992).
      This review will cover some familiar territory, but we shall also place the ACH
      into a wider context, compare it with other hypotheses for AD, explore the
      evolution of the hypothesis to encompass new findings, and determine,
      irrespective of the merits of the hypothesis itself, whether it has been useful
      for the research field, both in academia and in industry. Finally, we shall
      review how the ACH has led to a number of therapeutic approaches, all of which
      have, to date, failed to reach their primary efficacy end-points in clinical
      trials and reflect upon what the future may hold. We review the amyloid cascade
      hypothesis (ACH) and compare it with other hypotheses that have been posited to
      explain the initiation and progression Alzheimer's disease. We document the data
      that support the ACH, and also reflect upon its deficiencies. We list the recent
      clinical failures of amyloidocentric drugs and anticipate the results that new
      therapeutic approaches may deliver. This article is part of the 60th Anniversary
      special issue.

PMID- 27255959
TI  - Attitudes, practice, and experience of German dentists regarding repair
      restorations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to perform a representative survey
      among German dentists about attitudes, practice, and experience regarding single
      tooth repair restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was
      designed and mailed to all registered dentists in Lower Saxony (n = 6600). Twenty
      eight percent were returned (n = 1852), and n = 1805 could be analyzed.
      Statistical analyses were done by Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Kruskal-Wallis
      tests, and ordered logistic regressions (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Only 2.2 % of the
      dentists declared to never perform repair restorations. Composite restorations
      were repaired significantly more often than all other materials. Frequency of
      performing repair restorations was partially associated to dentist-related
      factors. The decision for repairing a restoration was dependent on several tooth-
      and restoration-associated variables. The main indications for repair were the
      partial loss of restoration or adjacent tooth structure as well as chipping and
      endodontic access cavities of crowns. Repair restorations were mostly done with
      composite using various different preconditioning techniques. Overall patients'
      acceptance was reported to be high. Most of the dentists considered repair
      restorations as permanent restoration with a moderate to high longevity.
      Estimated success of repair restorations depended significantly on the dentists'
      experiences (frequency and techniques of repair restorations). CONCLUSIONS:
      Repair restorations were often performed and were well accepted by dentists and
      patients, but indications for repair restorations as well as applied materials
      and techniques varied distinctly. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Repairs of single-tooth
      restorations are well accepted and frequently performed, but indications,
      techniques, and materials require further research.

PMID- 27255960
TI  - Scaling of morphogenetic patterns in reaction-diffusion systems.
AB  - Development of multicellular organisms is commonly associated with the response
      of individual cells to concentrations of chemical substances called morphogens.
      Concentration fields of morphogens form a basis for biological patterning and
      ensure its properties including ability to scale with the size of the organism.
      While mechanisms underlying the formation of morphogen gradients are reasonably
      well understood, little is known about processes responsible for their scaling.
      Here, we perform a formal analysis of scaling for chemical patterns forming in
      continuous systems. We introduce a quantity representing the sensitivity of
      systems to changes in their size and use it to analyse scaling properties of
      patterns forming in a few different systems. Particularly, we consider how
      scaling properties of morphogen gradients forming in diffusion-decay systems
      depend on boundary conditions and how the scaling can be improved by passive
      modulation of morphogens or active transport in the system. We also analyse
      scaling of morphogenetic signal caused by two opposing gradients and consider
      scaling properties of patterns forming in activator-inhibitor systems. We
      conclude with a few possible mechanisms which allow scaling of morphogenetic
      patterns.

PMID- 27255961
TI  - Headache Induced by Fibrous Dysplasia of the Sphenoid Sinus: A Case Report.
AB  - Although is a rare disease entity and it is not enough to know about the causal
      relationship between fibrous dysplasia (FD) of the sphenoid sinus and headache,
      we should keep in mind the headache is the most common symptom among wide
      spectrum of potential symptoms in craniofacial FD. 

PMID- 27255962
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27255963
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27255964
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27255965
TI  - Rate-Dependent Exit Conduction Block From Pulmonary Vein to Left Atrium After
      Entrance Block: New Implications of Pacing Rate to Confirm Bidirectional
      Conduction Block.

PMID- 27255967
TI  - Pretreatment thrombocytosis predicts survival in colorectal cancer.

PMID- 27255966
TI  - The Prevalence and Significance of the Early Repolarization Pattern in Sudden
      Arrhythmic Death Syndrome Families.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The early repolarization (ER) pattern is associated with sudden death
      and has been shown to be heritable. Its significance when identified in families
      affected by sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) remains unclear. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: We analyzed 12-lead ECGs of 401 first-degree relatives of individuals
      who had died from SADS. The prevalence of ER patterns was compared with family
      clustered controls. ER was more common in SADS family members than in controls
      (21% versus 8%; odds ratio: 5.14; 95% confidence interval, 3.37-7.84) independent
      of the presence of a familial cardiac diagnosis. Both ascending and horizontal ER
      patterns were more common. In addition, ER was investigated for associations with
      findings from ajmaline provocation (n=332), exercise ECG (n=304), and signal
      averaged ECG (n=118) when performed. ER was associated with a trend toward late
      depolarization, in general was suppressed with exercise and was unaffected by
      ajmaline. Inferior and horizontal patterns were, however, more likely to persist
      during exercise. Augmentation of ER with ajmaline was rare. CONCLUSIONS: The ER
      pattern is more common in SADS family members than controls adjusted in
      particular for relatedness. The increased prevalence is irrespective of ER
      subtype and the presence of other inherited arrhythmia syndromes. ER may
      therefore represent an underlying heritable arrhythmia syndrome or risk factor
      for sudden death in the context of other cardiac pathology. The differing
      response of ER subtypes to exercise and ajmaline provocation suggests underlying
      mechanisms of both abnormal repolarization and depolarization.

PMID- 27255968
TI  - Disturbed flow mediated modulation of shear forces on endothelial plane: A
      proposed model for studying endothelium around atherosclerotic plaques.
AB  - Disturbed fluid flow or modulated shear stress is associated with vascular
      conditions such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and aneurysm. In vitro simulation
      of the fluid flow around the plaque micro-environment remains a challenging
      approach. Currently available models have limitations such as complications in
      protocols, high cost, incompetence of co-culture and not being suitable for
      massive expression studies. Hence, the present study aimed to develop a simple,
      versatile model based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. Current
      observations of CFD have shown the regions of modulated shear stress by the
      disturbed fluid flow. To execute and validate the model in real sense, cell
      morphology, cytoskeletal arrangement, cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      profile, nitric oxide production and disturbed flow markers under the above
      condition were assessed. Endothelium at disturbed flow region which had been
      exposed to low shear stress and swirling flow pattern showed morphological and
      expression similarities with the pathological disturbed flow environment reported
      previously. Altogether, the proposed model can serve as a platform to simulate
      the real time micro-environment of disturbed flow associated with eccentric
      plaque shapes and the possibilities of studying its downstream events.

PMID- 27255969
TI  - A theoretical assessment of microplastic transport in river catchments and their
      retention by soils and river sediments.
AB  - The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment is a problem of growing
      concern. While research has focused on MP occurrence and impacts in the marine
      environment, very little is known about their release on land, storage in soils
      and sediments and transport by run-off and rivers. This study describes a first
      theoretical assessment of these processes. A mathematical model of catchment
      hydrology, soil erosion and sediment budgets was upgraded to enable description
      of MP fate. The Thames River in the UK was used as a case study. A general lack
      of data on MP emissions to soils and rivers and the mass of MPs in agricultural
      soils, limits the present work to serve as a purely theoretical, nevertheless
      rigorous, assessment that can be used to guide future monitoring and impact
      evaluations. The fundamental assumption on which modelling is based is that the
      same physical controls on soil erosion and natural sediment transport (for which
      model calibration and validation are possible), also control MP transport and
      storage. Depending on sub-catchment soil characteristics and precipitation
      patterns, approximately 16-38% of the heavier-than-water MPs hypothetically added
      to soils (e.g. through routine applications of sewage sludge) are predicted to be
      stored locally. In the stream, MPs < 0.2 mm are generally not retained,
      regardless of their density. Larger MPs with densities marginally higher than
      water can instead be retained in the sediment. It is, however, anticipated that
      high flow periods can remobilize this pool. Sediments of river sections
      experiencing low stream power are likely hotspots for deposition of MPs. Exposure
      and impact assessments should prioritize these environments. 

PMID- 27255971
TI  - Caffeoylquinic Acid Derivatives Protect SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells from Hydrogen
      Peroxide-Induced Injury Through Modulating Oxidative Status.
AB  - Oxidative stress has been confirmed as a contribution to the pathogenesis and
      pathophysiology of many neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and
      Parkinson's disease. Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are considered to have anti
      oxidative stress ability in a previous study, but the structure-activity
      relationships (SARs) of CQAs in neuroprotective effects are still unclear. In the
      present study, we primarily expound the SARs of CQAs in counteracting H2O2
      induced injury in SH-SY5Y cells. We found that CQAs (1-10) represented the
      protection of SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced injury in varying degrees and
      malonyl groups could obviously increase the anti-oxidative stress ability of
      CQAs. Intensive studies of 4,5-O-dicaffeoyl-1-O-(malic acid methyl ester)-quinic
      acid (MDCQA) indicated that the mechanisms could potentially involve activation
      of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and the regulation of the phosphorylation of
      MAPKs and AKT. In conclusion, MDCQA could serve as a neuroprotective agent with a
      potential to attenuate oxidative stress.

PMID- 27255972
TI  - EBV-LMP1 suppresses the DNA damage response through DNA-PK/AMPK signaling to
      promote radioresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - We conducted this research to explore the role of latent membrane protein 1
      (LMP1) encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in modulating the DNA damage
      response (DDR) and its regulatory mechanisms in radioresistance. Our results
      revealed that LMP1 repressed the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) by
      inhibiting DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) phosphorylation and activity.
      Moreover, LMP1 reduced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
      and changed its subcellular location after irradiation, which appeared to occur
      through a disruption of the physical interaction between AMPK and DNA-PK. The
      decrease in AMPK activity was associated with LMP1-mediated glycolysis and
      resistance to apoptosis induced by irradiation. The reactivation of AMPK
      significantly promoted radiosensitivity both in vivo and in vitro. The AMPKalpha
      (Thr172) reduction was associated with a poorer clinical outcome of radiation
      therapy in NPC patients. Our data revealed a new mechanism of LMP1-mediated
      radioresistance and provided a mechanistic rationale in support of the use of
      AMPK activators for facilitating NPC radiotherapy.

PMID- 27255973
TI  - Design of a CRISPR-Cas system to increase resistance of Bacillus subtilis to
      bacteriophage SPP1.
AB  - Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) together with
      CRISPR-associated (cas) genes form an adaptive prokaryotic immune system which
      provides acquired resistance against viruses and plasmids. Bacillus subtilis
      presently is the best-characterized laboratory model for Gram-positive bacteria
      and also widely used for industrial production of enzymes, vitamins and
      antibiotics. In this study, we show that type II-A CRISPR-Cas system from
      Streptococcus thermophilus can be transferred into B. subtilis and provides
      heterologous protection against phage infection. We engineered a heterologous
      host by cloning S. thermophilus Cas9 and a spacer targeting bacteriophage SPP1
      into the chromosome of B. subtilis, which does not harbor its own CRISPR-Cas
      systems. We found that the heterologous CRISPR-Cas system is functionally active
      in B. subtilis and provides resistance against bacteriophage SPP1 infection. The
      high efficiency of the acquired immunity against phage could be useful in
      generation of biotechnologically important B. subtilis strains with engineered
      chromosomes.

PMID- 27255970
TI  - The Regulation of GluN2A by Endogenous and Exogenous Regulators in the Central
      Nervous System.
AB  - The NMDA receptor is the most widely studied ionotropic glutamate receptor, and
      it is central to many physiological and pathophysiological processes in the
      central nervous system. GluN2A is one of the two main types of GluN2 NMDA
      receptor subunits in the forebrain. The proper activity of GluN2A is important to
      brain function, as the abnormal regulation of GluN2A may induce some
      neuropsychiatric disorders. This review will examine the regulation of GluN2A by
      endogenous and exogenous regulators in the central nervous system.

PMID- 27255974
TI  - Isolation and structure determination of a new lantibiotic cinnamycin B from
      Actinomadura atramentaria based on genome mining.
AB  - New lantibiotic cinnamycin B was isolated from the extract of Actinomadura
      atramentaria NBRC 14695(T), based on genome mining and chemical investigation.
      The partial structure of cinnamycin B was established by 2D NMR experiments,
      which indicated that cinnamycin B had same methyl lanthionine bridging pattern
      with cinnamycin. The reduction with NaBH4-NiCl2 afforded the reduced cinnamycin
      B, and MS/MS experiment indicated the presence of hydroxy asparatic acid in the
      molecule. Cinnamycin B showed an antibacterial activity against Streptomyces
      antibioticus with dosage of 5 MUg (0.5MUL, 10 mg/mL solution) at spot-on-lawn
      testing method. The gene cluster of cinnamycin B on the genome of A. atramentaria
      was identified and discussed in comparison with that of cinnamycin.

PMID- 27255975
TI  - Succinic acid production by Actinobacillus succinogenes from batch fermentation
      of mixed sugars.
AB  - Succinic acid production from the monosaccharides xylose, arabinose, glucose,
      mannose and galactose was studied using the bacterium Actinobacillus
      succinogenes. In Duran bottle cultures, containing 10 g/L of each of sugar,
      succinic acid was produced from all sugars except for galactose. The highest
      succinate yield, 0.56 g/g, was obtained with glucose, whereas the succinate yield
      was 0.42, 0.38 and 0.44 g/g for xylose, mannose and arabinose, respectively. The
      specific succinate productivity was 0.7 g/g h for glucose, but below 0.2 g/g h
      for the other sugars. Batch bioreactor fermentations were carried out using a
      sugar mixture of the five sugars giving a total concentration of 50 g/L,
      mimicking the distribution of sugars in spent sulfite liquor (SSL) from
      Eucalyptus which is rich in xylose. In this mixture, an almost complete
      conversion of all sugars (except galactose) was achieved resulting in a final
      succinate concentration of 21.8-26.8 g/L and a total yield of 0.59-0.68 g/g.
      There was evidence of co-consumption of glucose and xylose, whereas mannose was
      consumed after glucose. The main by-products were acetate 0.14-0.20 g/g and
      formate 0.08-0.13 g/g. NADH balance calculations suggested that NADH required for
      succinate production was not met solely from formate and acetate production, but
      other means of NADH production was necessary. Results from mixed sugar
      fermentations were verified using SSL as substrate resulting in a succinate yield
      of 0.60 g/g. In addition, it was found that CO2 sparging could replace carbonate
      supply in the form of MgCO3 without affecting the succinate yield.

PMID- 27255976
TI  - Thoracoscopic removal of an intrapulmonary foreign body in a child.
AB  - A 9-year-old boy presented to our institution 6 months after falling on a needle
      that pierced his left chest wall. He presented to us after multiple unsuccessful
      attempts to have this foreign body removed at other hospitals. A thoracoscopic
      removal was successfully undertaken aided by fluoroscopy. This report shows how
      the needle's position and location were precisely defined by fluoroscopy, despite
      the needle being invisible on thoracoscopy. 

PMID- 27255977
TI  - Reduced heterotrophy in the stony coral Galaxea fascicularis after life-long
      exposure to elevated carbon dioxide.
AB  - Ocean acidification imposes many physiological, energetic, structural and
      ecological challenges to stony corals. While some corals may increase autotrophy
      under ocean acidification, another potential mechanism to alleviate some of the
      adverse effects on their physiology is to increase heterotrophy. We compared the
      feeding rates of Galaxea fascicularis colonies that have lived their entire lives
      under ocean acidification conditions at natural carbon dioxide (CO2) seeps with
      colonies living under present-day CO2 conditions. When provided with the same
      quantity and composition of zooplankton as food, corals acclimatized to high CO2
      showed 2.8 to 4.8 times depressed rates of zooplankton feeding. Results were
      consistent over four experiments, from two expeditions and both in field and
      chamber measurements. Unless replenished by other sources, reduced zooplankton
      uptake in G. fascicularis acclimatized to ocean acidification is likely to entail
      a shortage of vital nutrients, potentially jeopardizing their health and survival
      in future oceans.

PMID- 27255978
TI  - Evidence based treatment for unstable slipped upper femoral epiphysis: Systematic
      review and exploratory patient level analysis.
AB  - The management of slipped upper femoral epiphysis is controversial and evolving
      as insight into the condition develops. Loder introduced the concept of slip
      stability and demonstrated a strong association between poor outcome and
      instability. Almost half of patients with unstable slip developed femoral head
      osteonecrosis. This has been influential in surgeons' choice of treatments. Some
      surgeons have adopted a minimal intervention approach such as pinning in situ or
      gentle reduction and pinning whereas others advocated an urgent open reduction
      and stabilisation of slip using various surgical techniques. In this review we
      analysed the influence of various interventions, timing of surgery and severity
      of the slip on the outcome of unstable slip.

PMID- 27255979
TI  - Extremely Delayed Multiple Brain Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma: Remission
      Achieved with Total Surgical Removal: Case Report and Literature Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Late brain metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is
      generally considered as metastasis occurring more than 10 years after
      nephrectomy, often occurs as a solitary lesion, and total resection is
      recommended to achieve remission. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a rare case of
      multiple late brain metastases from RCC in a 60-year-old man who presented with 3
      brain metastases from RCC 22 years after nephrectomy. Total removal of the 3
      lesions achieved remission without adjuvant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Total removal
      of late brain metastasis from RCC, even occurring with multiple lesions, can
      achieve total remission under specific conditions.

PMID- 27255980
TI  - Progress in tear microdesiccate analysis by combining various transmitted-light
      microscope techniques.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tear desiccation on a glass surface followed by transmitted-light
      microscopy has served as diagnostic test for dry eye. Four distinctive
      morphological domains (zones I, II, III and transition band) have been recently
      recognized in tear microdesiccates. Physicochemical dissimilarities among those
      domains hamper comprehensive microscopic examination of tear microdesiccates.
      Optimal observation conditions of entire tear microdesiccates are now
      investigated. One-MUl aliquots of tear collected from individual healthy eyes
      were dried at ambient conditions on microscope slides. Tear microdesiccates were
      examined by combining low-magnification objective lenses with transmitted-light
      microscopy (brightfield, phase contrasts Ph1,2,3 and darkfield). RESULTS: Fern
      like structures (zones II and III) were visible with all illumination methods
      excepting brightfield. Zone I was the microdesiccate domain displaying the most
      noticeable illumination-dependent variations, namely transparent band delimited
      by an outer rim (Ph1, Ph2), homogeneous compactly built structure (brightfield)
      or invisible domain (darkfield, Ph3). Intermediate positions of the condenser
      (BF/Ph1, Ph1/Ph2) showed a structured roughly cylindrical zone I. The transition
      band also varied from invisibility (brightfield) to a well-defined domain
      comprising interwoven filamentous elements (phase contrasts, darkfield).
      CONCLUSIONS: Imaging of entire tear microdesiccates by transmitted-light
      microscopy depends upon illumination. A more comprehensive description of tear
      microdesiccates can be achieved by combining illumination methods.

PMID- 27255981
TI  - Driving and Other Important Activities in Older Adulthood.

PMID- 27255982
TI  - Pitfalls and major issues in the histologic diagnosis of peripheral T-cell
      lymphomas: results of the central review of 573 cases from the T-Cell Project, an
      international, cooperative study.
AB  - Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms
      that are derived from post-thymic lymphoid cells at different stages of
      differentiation with different morphological patterns, phenotypes and clinical
      presentations. PTCLs are highly diverse, reflecting the diverse cells from which
      they can originate and are currently sub-classified using World Health
      Organization (WHO) 2008 criteria. In 2006 the International T-Cell Lymphoma
      Project launched the T-Cell Project, building on the retrospective study
      previously carried on by the network, with the aim to prospectively collect
      accurate data to improve knowledge on this group of lymphomas. Based on
      previously published reports from International Study Groups it emerged that
      rendering a correct classification of PTCLs is quite difficult because the
      relatively low prevalence of these diseases results in a lack of confidence by
      most pathologists. This is the reason why the T-Cell Project requested the
      availability of diagnostic material from the initial biopsy of each patient
      registered in the study in order to have the initial diagnosis centrally reviewed
      by expert hematopathologists. In the present report the results of the review
      process performed on 573 cases are presented. Overall, an incorrect diagnosis was
      centrally recorded in 13.1% cases, including 8.5% cases centrally reclassified
      with a subtype eligible for the project and 4.6% cases misclassified and found to
      be disorders other than T-cell lymphomas; 2.1% cases were centrally classified as
      T-Cell disorders not included in the study population. Thus, the T-Cell Project
      confirmed the difficulties in providing an accurate classification when a
      diagnosis of PTCLs is suspected, singled out the major pitfalls that can bias a
      correct histologic categorization and confirmed that a centralized expert review
      with the application of adequate diagnostic algorithms is mandatory when dealing
      with these tumours. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27255983
TI  - Effect of Biofilm on Passive Sampling of Dissolved Orthophosphate Using the
      Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films Technique.
AB  - We evaluated the possibility of sampling dissolved orthophosphate using the
      diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) technique with a phosphate ion-imprinted
      polymer (PIP)-based adsorbent and assessed the effect of biofilm on the DGT
      measurement. The composition of biofilm formed on the DGT surface was analyzed,
      and the effect of biofouling on the diffusion coefficient of the analyte was
      investigated. The corrected diffusion coefficient for the biofouled DGT was
      estimated and used for the calculation of the DGT equation. PIP-binding gels had
      a higher adsorption affinity for orthophosphate than for the other anions,
      indicating its selectivity for orthophosphate. The concentrations predicted via
      DGT agreed well with the concentrations determined in the bulk solutions.
      Sampling of orthophosphate using PIP-DGT was consistent over a pH range of 3-9
      and ionic strength range of 0.01-10 000 MUM. Other P compounds cannot be measured
      using the PIP-DGT technique. The diffusion coefficient of the orthophosphate
      linearly decreased with increasing thickness of the biofilm. This sampling method
      performed predictably in freshwater when the biofilm was not formed or when value
      for the biofilm interference was reduced by using the corrected diffusion
      coefficient.

PMID- 27255984
TI  - Effect of subthreshold slope on the sensitivity of nanoribbon sensors.
AB  - In this work, we investigate how the sensitivity of a nanowire or nanoribbon
      sensor is influenced by the subthreshold slope of the sensing transistor.
      Polysilicon nanoribbon sensors are fabricated with a wide range of subthreshold
      slopes and the sensitivity is characterized using pH measurements. It is shown
      that there is a strong relationship between the sensitivity and the device
      subthreshold slope. The sensitivity is characterized using the current
      sensitivity per pH, which is shown to increase from 1.2% ph(-1) to 33.6% ph(-1)
      as the subthreshold slope improves from 6.2 V dec(-1) to 0.23 V dec(-1)
      respectively. We propose a model that relates current sensitivity per pH to the
      subthreshold slope of the sensing transistor. The model shows that sensitivity is
      determined only on the subthreshold slope of the sensing transistor and the
      choice of gate insulator. The model fully explains the values of current
      sensitivity per pH for the broad range of subthreshold slopes obtained in our
      fabricated nanoribbon devices. It is also able to explain values of sensitivity
      reported in the literature, which range from 2.5% pH(-1) to 650% pH(-1) for a
      variety of nanoribbon and nanowire sensors. Furthermore, it shows that aggressive
      device scaling is not the key to high sensitivity. For the first time, a figure
      of-merit is proposed to compare the performance of nanoscale field effect
      transistor sensors fabricated using different materials and technologies. 

PMID- 27255985
TI  - Is it necessary to use ABR in myringosclerosis studies?

PMID- 27255986
TI  - Iris metastasis.

PMID- 27255987
TI  - [Macroglossia in Madelung's disease].

PMID- 27255988
TI  - Septic sacroilitis and psoas abscess.

PMID- 27255989
TI  - Age-related distance esotropia: Clinical features and therapeutic outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of a
      group of patients with age-related distance esotropia (ARDE). METHODS: A
      retrospective study was conducted on a consecutive case series of 16 adult
      patients diagnosed with ARDE between 2008 and 2015. The clinical features
      evaluated included mean age and gender, primary position deviations at distance
      and near, measured in prism dioptres (pd), treatment offered in each case, and
      post-surgical deviations. Ductions and versions were full, with no evidence of
      lateral rectus paresis. None of these patients had any obvious underlying
      neurological disorder, such as, high myopia or thyroid disease. A good result is
      considered to be the disappearance of diplopia in all positions of gaze. RESULTS:
      A total of 16 patients (11 females [68.8%]) were identified. The mean age at
      diagnosis was 78.19+/-6.77 years. The mean initial esodeviation was 2.25+/-3.08
      pd at near (-4 to +8 pd) and 9.5+/-4.18 pd at distance (2 to 18 pd). Treatment
      was not necessary in 5 cases because the symptoms were intermittent or well
      tolerated. Of the 11 patients with symptoms, one was corrected with an external
      base therapeutic prism. Botulinum toxin was administered in another patient,
      without satisfactory results. Unilateral medial rectus muscle recession was
      performed on one patient, and unilateral lateral rectus plication on 7 patients,
      indicating prisms before surgery. One patient refused surgery despite continuous
      diplopia in far vision. After a mean follow-up of 16.5 months, all operated
      patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Not all patients with ARDE require
      treatment, as the tolerance to diplopia varies from one subject to another. Both
      medial rectus weakening and lateral rectus strengthening provides excellent
      results.

PMID- 27255990
TI  - Antonio Vena was the first.

PMID- 27255991
TI  - T cells expressing CD19-specific Engager Molecules for the Immunotherapy of CD19
      positive Malignancies.
AB  - T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) or the infusion of
      bispecific T-cell engagers (BITEs) have shown antitumor activity in humans for
      CD19-positive malignancies. While BITEs redirect the large reservoir of resident
      T cells to tumors, CAR T cells rely on significant in vivo expansion to exert
      antitumor activity. We have shown that it is feasible to modify T cells to
      secrete solid tumor antigen-specific BITEs, enabling T cells to redirect resident
      T cells to tumor cells. To adapt this approach to CD19-positive malignancies we
      now generated T cells expressing secretable, CD19-specific BITEs (CD19-ENG T
      cells). CD19-ENG T cells recognized tumor cells in an antigen-dependent manner as
      judged by cytokine production and tumor killing, and redirected bystander T cells
      to tumor cells. Infusion of CD19-ENG T cells resulted in regression of leukemia
      or lymphoma in xenograft models and a survival advantage in comparison to control
      mice. Genetically modified T cells expressing engager molecules may present a
      promising addition to current CD19-targeted immunotherapies.

PMID- 27255992
TI  - In vivo dynamics of GFRalpha1-positive spermatogonia stimulated by GDNF signals
      using a bead transplantation assay.
AB  - In mouse testes, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), a subpopulation of GFRalpha1
      (GDNF family receptor-alpha1)-positive spermatogonia, are widely distributed
      along the convoluted seminiferous tubules. The proliferation and differentiation
      of the SSCs are regulated in part by local expression of GDNF (glial cell-derived
      neurotorphic factor), one of major niche factors for SSCs. However, the in vivo
      dynamics of the GDNF-stimulated GFRalpha1-positive spermatogonia remains unclear.
      Here, we developed a simple method for transplanting DiI-labeled and GDNF-soaked
      beads into the mouse testicular interstitium. By using this method, we examined
      the dynamics of GFRalpha1-positive spermatogonia in the tubular walls close to
      the transplanted GDNF-soaked beads. The bead-derived GDNF signals were able to
      induce the stratified aggregate formation of GFRalpha1-positive undifferentiated
      spermatogonia by day 3 post-transplantation. Each aggregate consisted of tightly
      compacted Asingle and marginal Apaired-Aaligned GFRalpha1-positive spermatogonia
      and was surrounded by Aaligned GFRalpha1-negative spermatogonia at more advanced
      stages. These data not only provide in vivo evidence for the inductive roles of
      GDNF in forming a rapid aggregation of GFRalpha1-positive spermatogonia but also
      indicate the usefulness of this in vivo assay system of various growth factors
      for the stem/progenitor spermatogonia in mammalian spermatogenesis.

PMID- 27255993
TI  - Identification and bioactivity evaluation of two novel temporins from the skin
      secretion of the European edible frog, Pelophylax kl. esculentus.
AB  - The amphibian temporins, amongst the smallest antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are
      alpha-helical, amphipathic, hydrophobic and cationic and are active mainly
      against Gram-positive bacteria but inactive or weakly active against Gram
      negative bacteria. Here, we report two novel members of the temporin family,
      named temporin-1Ee (FLPVIAGVLSKLFamide) and temporin-1Re (FLPGLLAGLLamide), whose
      biosynthetic precursor structures were deduced from clones obtained from skin
      secretion-derived cDNA libraries of the European edible frog, Pelophylax kl.
      esculentus, by 'shotgun' cloning. Deduction of the molecular masses of each
      mature processed peptide from respective cloned cDNAs was used to locate
      respective molecules in reverse-phase HPLC fractions of secretion. Temporin-1Ee
      (MIC = 10 MUM) and temporin-1Re (MIC = 60 MUM) were both found to be active
      against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, but retaining a weak haemolytic
      activity. To our knowledge, Single-site substitutions can dramatically change the
      spectrum of activity of a given temporin. Compared with temporine-1Ec, just one
      chemically-conservative substitution (Val8 instead of Leu8), temporin-1Ee bearing
      a net charge of +2 displays broad-spectrum activity with particularly high
      potency on the clinically relevant Gram-negative strains, Escherichia coli (MIC =
      40 MUM). These factors bode well for translating temporins to be potential drug
      candidates for the design of new and valuable anti-infective agents.

PMID- 27255994
TI  - Elevated expression of CD93 promotes angiogenesis and tumor growth in
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - CD93, also known as the complement component C1q receptor (C1qRp), has been
      reported to promote the progression of some cancer types. However, the expression
      and physiological significance of CD93 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain
      largely elusive. In this study, we first examined the expression of CD93 in NPC
      and experimentally manipulated its expression. We observed that vascular CD93
      expression is elevated in NPC and is correlated with T classification, N
      classification, distant metastasis, clinical stage and poor prognosis (all P <
      0.05). In addition, overexpression of CD93 promoted angiogenesis in vitro. What's
      more, we found that CD93 was highly expressed in NPC tissues and cells, and the
      regulation of CD93 on cell proliferation was determined by cell counting kit
      (CCK)-8 assay and cell cycle analyses. Our findings provide unique insight into
      the pathogenesis of NPC and underscore the need to explore novel therapeutic
      targets such as CD93 to improve NPC treatment.

PMID- 27255995
TI  - Effects of light-emitting diode spectra on the vertebrate ancient long opsin and
      gonadotropin hormone in the goldfish Carassius auratus.
AB  - We determined the molecular mechanism underlying the environmental
      (photoperiodic) regulation of sexual maturation in fish, we examined the
      expression of sexual maturation-related hormones and vertebrate ancient long
      opsin (VAL-opsin) in goldfish (Carassius auratus) exposed to different light
      spectra (red and green light-emitting diodes). We further evaluated the effect of
      exogenous gonadotropin hormone (GTH) on the expression of VAL-opsin under
      different light conditions. Our results demonstrated that the expression of GTHs
      was higher in the fish exposed to green light, and VAL-opsin levels were
      increased in the fish receiving GTH injection. Therefore, we have uncovered a
      molecular mechanism underlying the environmental (light)-induced trigger for
      sexual maturation: VAL-opsin is activated by green light and GTH, which promotes
      the expression of sexual maturation genes.

PMID- 27255996
TI  - Network-based analysis for identification of candidate genes for colorectal
      cancer progression.
AB  - Although high-throughput biological technologies have been producing a vast
      amount of multi-omics data regarding cancer genomics and several disease
      susceptible genes have been reported, many of these genes are likely to be
      irrelevant for the cancer process because only one feature of the tumor pathway
      could be focused on. By identifying 'CpG core', which was extracted from CpG
      sites in genomic DNA by our newly developed method, we performed integrated
      analysis using gene expression and DNA methylation profiles of 116 colorectal
      cancer samples. First, based on gene expression values, colorectal cancer samples
      were divided into three clusters (Cluster-1, -2, and -3) by k-means clustering.
      The 5-year overall survival rates of colorectal cancer patients were 74.8%,
      29.2%, and 29.4% in Cluster-1, -2, and -3, respectively, and the prognosis of
      Cluster-2 was significantly poorer than that of the other two clusters owing to
      liver metastasis (P < 0.001). Second, each cluster was divided into two subgroups
      based on methylation status, and the 5-year overall survival rate of Cluster-1H
      (36.8%) was significantly shorter than that of Cluster-1L (96.1%) due to the
      accumulation of aberrant DNA methylation (P = 0.014). Third, network-based
      analysis using expression and methylation profiles demonstrated that nucleoporin
      family genes were downregulated in Cluster-2 and that the PTX3 gene was highly
      methylated in Cluster-1H. These combined data indicate that integrated analysis
      can identify disease characteristics that would be missed using single
      comprehensive analysis, and that multiple pathways would play pivotal roles in
      the liver metastasis of colorectal cancer.

PMID- 27255997
TI  - MUS81 is associated with cell proliferation and cisplatin sensitivity in serous
      ovarian cancer.
AB  - The dysfunction of DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway contributes to tumorigenesis
      and drug-resistance in cancer. MUS81 is a member of the conserved xeroderma
      pigmentosum group F (XPF) family protein of endonucleases, which is important to
      the DDR pathway. However, the role of MUS81 in the development of ovarian cancer
      remains uncertain. To explore the expression of MUS81 and its association to
      serous ovarian cancer (SOC), 43 biopsies of SOC patients were detected by qRT
      PCR, and 29 specimens were further performed by immunohistochemistry analysis.
      Here, we observed that MUS81 was over-expressed in SOC tissues at both transcript
      and protein levels, and the expression level of MUS81 protein in ovarian cancer
      cell lines was also higher than that in human normal ovarian surface epithelial
      cell line (HOSEpiC). We also found that down-regulation of MUS81 expression in
      ovarian cancer cells inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation ability,
      and influenced cell cycle progression. Moreover, inhibition of MUS81 expression
      induced cellular senescence and enhanced the antitumor effect of cisplatin. Down
      regulation of MUS81 expression could suppress the growth and development of SOC.
      These results indicate that MUS81 might play important roles in the progression
      of SOC and influence the antitumor effect of cisplatin.

PMID- 27255998
TI  - The regulatory domain of human tryptophan hydroxylase 1 forms a stable dimer.
AB  - The three eukaryotic aromatic amino acid hydroxylases phenylalanine hydroxylase,
      tyrosine hydroxylase, and tryptophan hydroxylase have essentially identical
      catalytic domains and discrete regulatory domains. The regulatory domains of
      phenylalanine hydroxylase form ACT domain dimers when phenylalanine is bound to
      an allosteric site. In contrast the regulatory domains of tyrosine hydroxylase
      form a stable ACT dimer that does not bind the amino acid substrate. The
      regulatory domain of isoform 1 of human tryptophan hydroxylase was expressed and
      purified; mutagenesis of Cys64 was required to prevent formation of disulfide
      linked dimers. The resulting protein behaved as a dimer upon gel filtration and
      in analytical ultracentrifugation. The sw value of the protein was unchanged from
      2.7 to 35 MUM, a concentration range over which the regulatory domain of
      phenylalanine hydroxylase forms both monomers and dimers, consistent with the
      regulatory domain of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 forming a stable dimer stable that
      does not undergo a monomer-dimer equilibrium. Addition of phenylalanine, a good
      substrate for the enzyme, had no effect on the sw value, consistent with there
      being no allosteric site for the amino acid substrate.

PMID- 27255999
TI  - Taking It at "Face Value": The Use of Face Processing Strategies in Bipolar
      Disorder and Schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Use of appropriate face processing strategies is important for facial
      emotion recognition, which is known to be impaired in schizophrenia (SZ) and
      bipolar disorder (BD). There is preliminary evidence of abnormalities in the use
      of face processing strategies in the former, but there has been no explicit
      attempt to assess face processing in patients with BD. METHODS: Twenty-eight BD
      I, 28 SZ, and 28 healthy control participants completed tasks assessing featural
      and configural face processing. The facial inversion effect was used as a proxy
      of second order configural face processing and compared to featural face
      processing performance (which is known to be relatively less affected by facial
      inversion). RESULTS: Controls demonstrated the usual second-order inversion
      pattern. In the BD group, the absence of a second-order configural inversion
      effect in the presence of a disproportionate bias toward a featural inversion
      effect was evident. Despite reduced accuracy performance in the SZ group compared
      to controls, this group unexpectedly showed a normal second-order configural
      accuracy inversion pattern. This was in the context of a reverse inversion effect
      for response latency, suggesting a speed-versus-accuracy trade-off. CONCLUSIONS:
      To our knowledge, this is the first study to explicitly examine and contrast face
      processing in BD and SZ. Our findings indicate a generalized impairment on face
      processing tasks in SZ, and the presence of a second-order configural face
      processing impairment in BD. It is possible that these face processing
      impairments represent a catalyst for the facial emotion recognition deficits that
      are commonly reported in the literature. (JINS, 2016, 22, 652-661).

PMID- 27256001
TI  - Introduction to this issue: Conditional Release: Part II.

PMID- 27256000
TI  - Capecitabine plus paclitaxel induction treatment in gastric cancer patients with
      liver metastasis: a prospective, uncontrolled, open-label Phase II clinical
      study.
AB  - AIM: To determine the overall survival rate, radical resection rate, objective
      response rate and safety of capecitabine plus paclitaxel induction chemotherapy
      in gastric cancer patients with liver metastases. PATIENTS & METHODS: A total of
      30 patients (median age: 59.5 years) diagnosed as gastric adenocarcinoma with
      liver metastasis received >=3 cycles of capecitabine and paclitaxel therapy
      followed by radical resection 4-6 weeks after termination of chemotherapy.
      RESULTS: The median survival time was 11.4 months, and the objective response
      rate was 53.3%. The radical resection rate was 23.3% (95% CI: 9.9-42.3). Major
      toxicities included grade 3 neutropenia (10.0%) and grade 3 diarrhea (3.3%).
      CONCLUSION: Capecitabine plus paclitaxel chemotherapy may be effective and safe
      to improve overall survival and the resection rate of gastric cancer patients
      with liver metastases. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT0116704.

PMID- 27256002
TI  - Conditional Release of Forensic Psychiatric Patients Consistent with or Contrary
      to Behavioral Experts' Recommendations in the Netherlands: Prevalence Rates,
      Patient Characteristics and Recidivism After Discharge from Conditional Release.
AB  - The present study examined a group of 447 Dutch forensic psychiatric patients on
      conditional release (CR). After a brief overview of the Dutch CR system for
      forensic psychiatric patients is presented, two sets of factors were studied:
      factors associated with behavioral experts' recommendations on CR readiness
      (prevalence rates of recommendations in contrast to or consistent with the
      judge's decision on CR, written vs. oral recommendations and consensus among
      parties); and characteristics of forensic psychiatric patients on CR imposed
      consistent with or contrary to behavioral experts' recommendations (i.e.,
      demographic variables, psychopathology, judicial background and outcomes of
      violent behavior). Patients on CR consistent with or contrary to the behavioral
      experts' recommendations did not differ in demographic background variables and
      psychopathology. Patients on CR contrary to the behavioral experts'
      recommendations, however, had more prior convictions, and their index offense
      more often included a sex offense and a property offense (with or without
      violence) as compared to patients on CR consistent with the behavioral experts'
      recommendations. In addition, decisions contrary to the behavioral experts'
      recommendations were more often reached after a 3-month continuation adjournment
      and after an appeal. Also, patients on CR contrary to the behavioral experts'
      recommendations were less often found to have been on trial leave before their
      CR. Finally, recidivism rates were found to be much higher for those on CR
      contrary to, as compared with those on CR consistent with the behavioral experts'
      recommendations. However, when corrected for other well-known static predictors
      of recidivism, this significant difference was no longer prevalent. The
      implications for evaluators' CR readiness reports and lessons that may be learned
      from the Dutch forensic psychiatric CR system are discussed. Copyright (c) 2016
      John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27256003
TI  - Closing Italian Forensic Psychiatry Hospitals in Favor of Treating Insanity
      Acquittees in the Community.
AB  - Originally a hedge against the death penalty, the insanity defense came to offer
      hospitalization as an alternative to imprisonment. In the late 19th century Italy
      opened inpatient services first for mentally ill prisoners and then for offenders
      found not guilty by reason of insanity. Within the past decade, a series of
      decrees has resulted in transferring the responsibility for treating NGRI
      acquittees and "dangerous" mentally ill prisoners from the Department of Justice
      to the Department of Health, and their treatment from Italy's high security
      forensic psychiatric hospitals (OPGs) to community regional facilities (REMSs,
      Residences for the Execution of Security Measures), community mental health
      facilities, one of which is located in each region of Italy. Today community
      REMSs provide the treatment and management of socially dangerous offenders. The
      dynamic evolution of Italy's progressive mental health system for insanity
      acquittees, to our knowledge the most libertarian, community oriented approach of
      any country, is retraced. Discussion includes cautionary concerns as well as
      potential opportunities for improvements in mental health services. Copyright (c)
      2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27256004
TI  - Serum levels of soluble programmed cell death ligand 1 as a prognostic factor on
      the first-line treatment of metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint molecules are key targets for the treatment of various
      malignancies. Due to the heterogeneity of advanced gastric cancer (GC), the role
      of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression as a tumor biomarker remains
      controversial. In this study, the prognostic value of soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1)
      levels in serum samples was assessed in patients with metastatic GC. METHODS: All
      patients received first-line treatment with fluoropyrimidine and platinum
      chemotherapy, and trastuzumab was added for HER2-positive patients. Serum levels
      of sPD-L1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Among 75
      metastatic GC patients, the median serum sPD-L1 level was 0.704 ng/ml (range
      <0.156-3.214). Serum sPD-L1 was significantly higher in patients with a high
      versus a low white blood cell count at baseline. When the cutoff value was set as
      the median, multivariate analyses showed that high sPD-L1 levels were associated
      with worse overall survival compared with low sPD-L1 levels (HR 2.218, 95 % CI
      1.139-4.320, P = 0.019). Regardless of HER2 status, overall survival tended to be
      shorter in patients with high sPD-L1 compared with low sPD-L1. There was no
      significant association between sPD-L1 level and progression-free survival on the
      first-line treatment of metastatic GC. CONCLUSIONS: High serum levels of sPD-L1
      correlated with worse overall survival on the first-line chemotherapy in
      metastatic GC patients.

PMID- 27256005
TI  - Abundance of sulfur-degrading bacteria in a benthic bacterial community of
      shallow sea sediment in the off-Terengganu coast of the South China Sea.
AB  - This study for the first time provides insight into the bacterial community in
      the benthic region of the Off-Terengganu Coastline, which is considered to be
      anthropogenically polluted due to heavy fishing vessel commotion. Subsurface
      bacteria were randomly collected from two locations at different depths and were
      examined using the 16S rDNA V3-V4 marker gene on the IlluminaTM Miseq platform.
      In addition, the physiochemical parameters of the sediment were also measured.
      Surprisingly, the results show a high diversity of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in
      the surveyed area, where Sulfurovum sp. was identified to predominate the overall
      bacterial community. The physiochemical parameters reveal insufficient evidence
      of hydrothermal vents in the surveyed area. However, there are traces of
      hydrocarbon pollutants such as gasoline, diesel, and mineral oil in this area. It
      is assumed that sediment accumulation in the lee of breakwater plays an important
      role in trapping the runoff from the nearby harbor, which includes oil spills.
      Based on the common knowledge, Sulvurofum sp. is a native bacterium that exists
      in deep hydrothermal vents and volcanic territories. Although the reason for the
      abundance of Sulfurovum sp. in the surveyed area is still unclear, there is a
      possibility that metabolic adaptation plays an important role in regulating
      hydrocarbon pollutants for survival. The work presented in this paper therefore
      has profound implications for future studies on Sulfurovum sp. versatility.
      However, future research is needed to strengthen the findings of this study and
      to provide a better evidence regarding the metabolic response of this bacterium
      toward hydrocarbon pollutants.

PMID- 27256006
TI  - Tumorigenesis: Cancer goes tick tock.

PMID- 27256008
TI  - Epigenetics: Misdirecting methylation to drive oncogenesis.

PMID- 27256010
TI  - Palatal injection for removal of maxillary teeth: is it required? A systematic
      review.
AB  - There is a growing body of work examining whether a palatal injection is
      necessary for the extraction of maxillary teeth with contemporary local
      anaesthetics. The available literature was reviewed systematically by conducting
      a search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases for trials
      examining outcomes of maxillary tooth extraction where buccal injection of local
      anaesthetic only was used for one or more test groups. The selected studies were
      reviewed for study type, sample size, quality, participant characteristics and
      methodology, outcome variables, and findings. Fifteen studies met the inclusion
      criteria. Six of the studies were randomized controlled trials. Four studies were
      controlled clinical trials that did not report randomization. Five were clinical
      trials that were not controlled and examined outcomes of one or more test groups.
      The pain of local anaesthetic injection(s) in the test group (buccal injection
      only) versus control group (buccal and palatal injection), number of cases
      requiring supplemental buccal or palatal injection in cases of unsuccessful local
      anaesthesia, and pain during the procedure were designated as primary outcomes.
      Pain on probing of the mucosa was designated as a secondary outcome. All nine
      controlled studies that assessed pain during the procedure found no statistically
      significant difference between the test and control groups. 

PMID- 27256009
TI  - Real-time automated clinical deterioration alerts predict thirty-day hospital
      readmission.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Clinical deterioration alerts (CDAs) are increasingly employed to
      identify deteriorating patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to
      determine whether CDAs predict 30-day readmission. Patients admitted to 8 general
      medicine units were assessed for all-cause 30-day readmission. RESULTS: Among
      3015 patients, 567 (18.8%) were readmitted within 30 days. Patients triggering a
      CDA (n = 1141; 34.4%) were more likely to have a 30-day readmission (23.6% vs
      15.9%; P < 0.001). Logistic regression identified triggering of a CDA to be
      independently associated with 30-day readmission (odds ratio [OR]: 1.40; 95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 1.26-1.55; P = 0.001). Other predictors were: an
      emergency department visit in the previous 6 months (OR: 1.23; 95% CI:, 1.20
      1.26; P < 0.001), increasing age (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02; P = 0.003),
      presence of connective tissue disease (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.34-1.98; P = 0.012),
      diabetes mellitus with end-organ complications (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.13-1.33; P =
      0.010), chronic renal disease (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.08-1.24; P = 0.034), cirrhosis
      (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.17-1.33; P < 0.001), and metastatic cancer (OR: 1.12; 95%
      CI: 1.08-1.17; P = 0.002). Addition of the CDA to the other predictors added only
      modest incremental value for the prediction of hospital readmission. CONCLUSIONS:
      Readily identifiable clinical variables can be identified that predict 30-day
      readmission. It may be important to include these variables in existing
      prediction tools if pay for performance and across-institution comparisons are to
      be "fair" to institutions that care for more seriously ill patients. Journal of
      Hospital Medicine 2016;11:768-772. (c) 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 27256011
TI  - Graftless sinus augmentation with simultaneous dental implant placement: clinical
      results and biological perspectives.
AB  - After a sinus lifting procedure, the compartment around the implants under the
      sinus mucosal lining in the sinus floor is filled with a blood clot from
      surrounding bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of
      bone formation following graftless sinus lifting with the simultaneous placement
      of dental implants. Thirty graftless sinus lifting procedures were performed and
      72 dental implants placed in 18 consecutive patients, using the lateral window
      approach. Clinical and radiological follow-up was conducted throughout the 6
      month healing period. Biopsies of 30 cases were collected at 6 months post
      treatment: 15 biopsies were taken from the newly formed bone near the basal floor
      and 15 from the newly formed bone near the elevated membrane. New bone
      consolidation in the maxillary sinus was apparent radiologically and
      histologically at 6 months after sinus augmentation, providing an average 6.14+/
      1.34mm of bone-gain. Based on histological analysis and histomorphometric data,
      the consolidated bone in the augmented sinus comprised 56.7+/-11.9% to 59.9+/
      13.4% vital bone tissue. Out of the 72 implants placed, only four failed,
      indicating a 94% overall implant survival rate. Based on this case series, blood
      clot can be considered autologous osteogenic graft material, to which
      osteoprogenitors can migrate, differentiate, and regenerate bone. 

PMID- 27256012
TI  - Modified tragus edge approach for mid-level or low condylar fractures.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate and report a modified tragus edge approach
      (MTEA) for surgical access to mid-level or low condylar fractures. The MTEA was
      used on 45 patients (59 sides). All of the patients were reviewed for scarring,
      parotid fistula, facial nerve function, occlusion, deviation, and limitation of
      mouth opening (MO). Forty-one patients (64 sides) with middle or low level
      condylar fractures who underwent surgery by retromandibular approach during the
      same period were selected for comparison. In the MTEA group, scars were not
      obvious and there was no parotid fistula. The occlusion of four cases (8.9%) was
      not ideal, but returned to normal after 2 weeks of intermaxillary traction.
      Temporary facial nerve damage was present on two sides (3.4%). MO was not
      deviated in any patient, but was limited in the first 2 weeks after operation in
      three cases (6.7%). The risks of facial nerve dysfunction and parotid fistula
      were much higher in the retromandibular approach group than in the MTEA group,
      while the risks of malocclusion and limitation of MO were similar. MTEA is safe
      and has good aesthetic outcomes. MTEA represents an appropriate surgical access
      to mid-level and low condylar fractures. 

PMID- 27256007
TI  - The isomerase PIN1 controls numerous cancer-driving pathways and is a unique drug
      target.
AB  - Targeted drugs have changed cancer treatment but are often ineffective in the
      long term against solid tumours, largely because of the activation of
      heterogeneous oncogenic pathways. A central common signalling mechanism in many
      of these pathways is proline-directed phosphorylation, which is regulated by many
      kinases and phosphatases. The structure and function of these phosphorylated
      proteins are further controlled by a single proline isomerase: PIN1. PIN1 is
      overactivated in cancers and it promotes cancer and cancer stem cells by
      disrupting the balance of oncogenes and tumour suppressors. This Review discusses
      the roles of PIN1 in cancer and the potential of PIN1 inhibitors to restore this
      balance.

PMID- 27256013
TI  - Objective Non-irradiant Imaging of Fat Distribution: New Essential Tools for the
      Bariatric Surgery?

PMID- 27256014
TI  - Factors Leading to Self-Removal from the Bariatric Surgery Program After
      Attending the Orientation Session.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery orientation sessions are often the first point of
      contact and a recommended component of pre-bariatric surgery assessment. Self
      removal rates after bariatric program orientation are as high as 25 % despite the
      proven efficacy of this procedure. The objective of this study was to identify
      factors contributing to patient self-removal after orientation using a mixed
      method approach. METHODS: Patients who attended the Toronto Western Hospital
      Bariatric Surgery Program orientation between 2012 and 2013 and then self-removed
      from the program (N = 216) were included in the study. Subjects were interviewed
      via telephone using a semi-structured interview guide, generating both
      quantitative and qualitative data. Factors leading to discontinuation were rated
      on a five-point Likert scale. Qualitative data was analyzed using constant
      comparative methodology. RESULTS: The response rate was 59 % with a 40.7 %
      completion rate (N = 88). Concerns about potential surgical risks and
      complications and the ability to adapt to changes in eating and drinking post
      operatively were identified as the top two factors for patients' self-removal
      from the program. Thematic analysis uncovered 11 major themes related to patient
      self-removal. Unexpected themes include perceived personal suitability for the
      surgery, family impact of surgery, miscommunication with the family physician,
      and fears related to the orientation information. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the
      first studies examining barriers to bariatric surgery in the pre-operative
      setting and offers new insights into the reasons patients self-remove from
      bariatric surgery programs. This study may inform bariatric orientation program
      changes resulting in improved access to this effective surgical intervention.

PMID- 27256015
TI  - The ABA receptor PYL9 together with PYL8 plays an important role in regulating
      lateral root growth.
AB  - Abscisic acid is a phytohormone regulating plant growth, development and stress
      responses. PYR1/PYL/RCAR proteins are ABA receptors that function by inhibiting
      PP2Cs to activate SnRK2s, resulting in phosphorylation of ABFs and other
      effectors of ABA response pathways. Exogenous ABA induces growth quiescence of
      lateral roots, which is prolonged by knockout of the ABA receptor PYL8. Among the
      14 members of PYR1/PYL/RCAR protein family, PYL9 is a close relative of PYL8.
      Here we show that knockout of both PYL9 and PYL8 resulted in a longer ABA-induced
      quiescence on lateral root growth and a reduced sensitivity to ABA on primary
      root growth and lateral root formation compared to knockout of PYL8 alone.
      Induced overexpression of PYL9 promoted the lateral root elongation in the
      presence of ABA. The prolonged quiescent phase of the pyl8-1pyl9 double mutant
      was reversed by exogenous IAA. PYL9 may regulate auxin-responsive genes in vivo
      through direct interaction with MYB77 and MYB44. Thus, PYL9 and PYL8 are both
      responsible for recovery of lateral root from ABA inhibition via MYB
      transcription factors.

PMID- 27256017
TI  - Porcine respiratory disease complex: Interaction of vaccination and porcine
      circovirus type 2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, and
      Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.
AB  - Porcine respiratory disease is a multifactorial and complex disease caused by a
      combination of infectious pathogens, environmental stressors, differences in
      production systems, and various management practices; hence the name porcine
      respiratory disease complex (PRDC) is used. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2),
      porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and Mycoplasma
      hyopneumoniae are considered to be the most important pathogens that cause PRDC.
      Although interactions among the three major respiratory pathogens are well
      documented, it is also necessary to understand the interaction between vaccines
      and the three major respiratory pathogens. PRRSV and M. hyopneumoniae are well
      known to potentiate PCV2-associated lesions; however, PRRSV and mycoplasmal
      vaccines can both enhance PCV2 viraemia regardless of the effects of the actual
      PRRSV or M. hyopneumoniae infection. On the other hand, M. hyopneumoniae
      potentiates the severity of pneumonia induced by PRRSV, and vaccination against
      M. hyopneumoniae alone is also able to decrease PRRSV viraemia and PRRSV-induced
      lung lesions in dually infected pigs. This review focuses on (1) interactions
      between PCV2, PRRSV, and M. hyopneumoniae; and (2) interactions between vaccines
      and the three major respiratory pathogens. 

PMID- 27256016
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of zoledronic acid and strontium-89 as bone protecting
      treatments in addition to chemotherapy in patients with metastatic castrate
      refractory prostate cancer: results from the TRAPEZE trial (ISRCTN 12808747).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adding zoledronic acid or
      strontium-89 to standard docetaxel chemotherapy for patients with castrate
      refractory prostate cancer (CRPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on resource use and
      quality of life for 707 patients collected prospectively in the TRAPEZE 2 * 2
      factorial randomised trial (ISRCTN 12808747) were used to assess the cost
      effectiveness of i) zoledronic acid versus no zoledronic acid (ZA vs. no ZA), and
      ii) strontium-89 versus no strontium-89 (Sr89 vs. no Sr89). Costs were estimated
      from the perspective of the National Health Service in the UK and included
      expenditures for trial treatments, concomitant medications, and use of related
      hospital and primary care services. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were
      calculated according to patients' responses to the generic EuroQol EQ-5D-3L
      instrument, which evaluates health status. Results are expressed as incremental
      cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves.
      RESULTS: The per-patient cost for ZA was L12 667, L251 higher than the equivalent
      cost in the no ZA group. Patients in the ZA group had on average 0.03 QALYs more
      than their counterparts in no ZA group. The ICER for this comparison was L8 005.
      Sr89 was associated with a cost of L13 230, L1365 higher than no Sr89, and a gain
      of 0.08 QALYs compared to no Sr89. The ICER for Sr89 was L16 884. The
      probabilities of ZA and Sr89 being cost-effective were 0.64 and 0.60,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of bone-targeting treatments to standard
      chemotherapy led to a small improvement in QALYs for a modest increase in cost
      (or cost-savings). ZA and Sr89 resulted in ICERs below conventional willingness
      to-pay per QALY thresholds, suggesting that their addition to chemotherapy may
      represent a cost-effective use of resources.

PMID- 27256018
TI  - Nitrous oxide: The nearly 'ideal' clinical sedative.

PMID- 27256019
TI  - Measuring the growth rate of UK dairy heifers to improve future productivity.
AB  - Sub-optimal heifer growth is associated with higher disease rates and reduced
      future performance and longevity in the dairy herd. This report describes a
      system for measuring heifer growth from birth to first calving that was used on
      commercial dairy farms in South West England, in order to gather benchmarking
      data to feed back to farmers. Weights (n = 8443) were collected from 20 farms.
      There was a marked variation in individual and herd mean growth rates. Overall,
      calves gained no weight in the first 8 days after birth and had a very low growth
      rate (median 0.12 kg/day) up to 30 days, a period when feed conversion efficiency
      is high and calves are vulnerable to disease. Heifers whose growth rate up to 180
      days was low were significantly less likely to achieve target service weight (374
      kg) by 420 days. Monitoring heifer growth during the rearing period enables
      farmers to improve heifer growth rates and so impact both the efficiency of
      heifer rearing and, potentially, the productivity and performance of the adult
      herd. 

PMID- 27256020
TI  - Prevalence and risk factors of Staphylococcus spp. carriage among dogs and their
      owners: A cross-sectional study.
AB  - This study investigated colonization and association of staphylococci between
      healthy dogs and their owners. In a cross-sectional study, nasal carriage and
      antibiotic susceptibility of isolated staphylococci were determined for 119 dogs
      and 107 owners. Relatedness of the Staphylococcus isolates in dogs and their
      owners was investigated using antibiograms, toxin profiles, and genotyping by
      pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence type, and spa
      typing. Risk factors for carriage of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in dogs
      were also evaluated. Staphylococcus spp. were isolated from 65 (60.7%) owners and
      44 (37.0%) dogs. The following species were isolated, listed in order of
      decreasing frequency: S. epidermidis, S. pseudintermedius, S. aureus, S.
      scheiferi subsp. coagulans, S. haemolyticus, S. sciuri, S. saprophyticus and S.
      warneri. S. pseudintermedius (65.9%) was the major isolate in dogs while S.
      epidermidis (81.5%) was the major type in owners. Among the isolates, 71.6% were
      methicillin resistant (MR) and 95.4% of the isolates demonstrated multi-drug
      resistance regardless of the origin. Only one dog-owner pair shared the same
      Staphylococcus spp. (S. pseudintermedius); however, the organisms were of
      different PFGE subtypes and exhibited different antibiotic resistance and toxin
      profiles while both isolates displayed same sequence type (ST365). While the dog
      origin isolate showed spa type t02, the owner-origin isolate was negative to PCRs
      targeting spa gene sequence. Risk factor analysis showed that the presence of
      cohabitant animals was correlated with the nasal carriage of MR staphylococci in
      dogs. The cumulative data indicated that animal- and owner-origin staphylococci
      have various subtypes with high prevalence of MR; however, the bacteria are not
      shared between healthy dogs and their owners. 

PMID- 27256021
TI  - Farmers' beliefs about bovine tuberculosis control in Northern Ireland.
AB  - Beliefs can play an important role in farmer behaviour and willingness to adopt
      new policies. In Northern Ireland, bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is one of the most
      important endemic diseases facing the cattle industry. An observational study was
      conducted on 192 farms in a high bTB incidence area during 2010-2011 in order to
      obtain a better understanding of farmers' beliefs in relation to bTB control. The
      views of farmers who had experienced a recent confirmed or multiple reactor bTB
      breakdowns (cases) were compared to those of farmers who had no recent reactors
      or restricted herd tests (controls). Data were obtained from a face-to-face
      questionnaire assessing farmers' agreement to 22 statements. All participating
      farmers found bTB control important and most were keen to learn more about bTB
      biosecurity measures and were in favour of the cattle-related bTB control
      measures as presented in the questionnaire (isolation of skin test inconclusive
      animals, use of the gamma-interferon test and pre-movement testing). The majority
      of farmers would allow badger vaccination and culling on their own land with an
      overall preference for vaccination. Highest disagreement was shown for the
      statements querying a willingness to pay for bTB control measures. There was
      agreement on most issues between case and control farmers and between different
      age groups of farmers although case farmers showed more support for additional
      advice on bTB biosecurity measures (P = 0.042). Case farmers were also more in
      favour of allowing badger vaccination (P = 0.008) and culling (P = 0.043) on
      their land and showed less concern for public opposition (P = 0.048). 

PMID- 27256022
TI  - Combining reverse-transcription multiplex PCR and microfluidic electrophoresis to
      simultaneously detect seven mosquito-transmitted zoonotic encephalomyelitis
      viruses.
AB  - Several mosquito-transmitted viruses are causative agents for zoonotic
      encephalomyelitis. Rapid identification of these viruses in mosquito populations
      is an effective method for surveying these diseases. To detect multiple mosquito
      transmitted viral agents, including West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis
      virus, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus, Western equine
      encephalomyelitis virus, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus, Highlands J
      virus and Japanese encephalitis virus, an assay using multiplex reverse
      transcription PCR combined with microfluidic electrophoresis was developed and
      evaluated. Tailed nested primers were used in the assay to amplify specific viral
      genomic segments, and products with specific length were further analyzed by
      using a microfluidic electrophoresis chip. The assay exhibited good specificity
      and analytical sensitivity (10(2) copies/uL). This technology can be helpful in
      the quarantine and surveillance of exotic encephalomyelitis viruses which are
      transmitted by mosquitoes. 

PMID- 27256023
TI  - Transcriptomic analysis identified up-regulation of a solute carrier transporter
      and UDP glucuronosyltransferases in dogs with aggressive cutaneous mast cell
      tumours.
AB  - Gene expression analyses have been recently used in cancer research to identify
      genes associated with tumorigenesis and potential prognostic markers or
      therapeutic targets. In the present study, the transcriptome of dogs that had
      died because of mast cell tumours (MCTs) was characterised to identify a
      fingerprint having significant influence on prognosis determination and treatment
      selection. A dataset (GSE50433) obtained using a commercial canine DNA microarray
      platform was used. The transcriptome of seven biopsies obtained from dogs with
      histologically confirmed, surgically removed MCTs, treated with chemotherapy, and
      dead for MCT-related causes, was compared with the transcriptional portrait of 40
      samples obtained from dogs with histologically confirmed, surgically removed MCTs
      and that were still alive at the end of the follow-up period. Among the
      differentially expressed genes (DEGs), eight transcripts were validated by
      quantitative real time PCR and their mRNA levels were measured in a cohort of 22
      additional MCTs. Statistical analysis identified 375 DEGs (fold change 2, false
      discovery rate 5%). The functional annotation analysis indicated that the DEGs
      were associated with drug metabolism and cell cycle pathways. Particularly,
      members of solute carrier transporter (SLC) and UDP glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)
      gene families were identified as dysregulated. Principal component analysis (PCA)
      of the 22 additional MCTs identified the separate cluster dogs dead for MCT
      related causes. SLCs and UGTs have been recently recognised in human cancer as
      important key factors in tumour progression and chemo-resistance. An in-depth
      analysis of their roles in aggressive canine MCT is warranted in future studies. 

PMID- 27256024
TI  - ERas protein is overexpressed and binds to the activated platelet-derived growth
      factor beta receptor in bovine urothelial tumour cells associated with
      papillomavirus infection.
AB  - Embryonic stem cell-expressed Ras (ERas) encodes a constitutively active form of
      guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) that binds to and activates
      phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), which in turn phosphorylates and activates
      downstream targets such as Akt. The current study evaluated ERas regulation and
      expression in papillomavirus-associated urothelial tumours in cattle grazing on
      lands rich in bracken fern. ERas was found upregulated and overexpressed by PCR,
      real time PCR and Western blot. Furthermore, protein overexpression was also
      confirmed by immunohistochemistry. ERas was found to interact physically and
      colocalise with the activated platelet derived growth factor beta receptor
      (PDGFbetaR) by coimmunoprecipitation and laser scanning confocal investigations.
      Phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream effector both of ERas and PDGFbetaR,
      appeared to be increased in urothelial tumour cells. Altogether, these data
      indicate that ERas/PDGFbetaR complex could play a role in the pathogenesis of
      bovine papillomavirus-associated bladder neoplasia. 

PMID- 27256025
TI  - A review of fibropapillomatosis in Green turtles (Chelonia mydas).
AB  - Despite being identified in 1938, many aspects of the pathogenesis and
      epidemiology of fibropapillomatosis (FP) in marine turtles are yet to be fully
      uncovered. Current knowledge suggests that FP is an emerging infectious disease,
      with the prevalence varying both spatially and temporally, even between
      localities in close proximity to each other. A high prevalence of FP in marine
      turtles has been correlated with residency in areas of reduced water quality,
      indicating that there is an environmental influence on disease presentation.
      Chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) has been identified as the likely aetiological
      agent of FP. The current taxonomic position of ChHV5 is in the family
      Herpesviridae, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, genus Scutavirus. Molecular
      differentiation of strains has revealed that a viral variant is typically present
      at specific locations, even within sympatric species of marine turtles,
      indicating that the disease FP originates regionally. There is uncertainty
      surrounding the exact path of transmission and the conditions that facilitate
      lesion development, although recent research has identified atypical genes within
      the genome of ChHV5 that may play a role in pathogenesis. This review discusses
      emerging areas where researchers might focus and theories behind the emergence of
      FP globally since the 1980s, which appear to be a multi-factorial interplay
      between the virus, the host and environmental factors influencing disease
      expression. 

PMID- 27256026
TI  - Effects of sphingolipid extracts on the morphological structure and lipid profile
      in an in vitro model of canine skin.
AB  - Ceramides (CER) are essential sphingolipids of the stratum corneum (SC) that play
      an important role in maintaining cutaneous barrier function. Skin barrier defects
      occur in both human beings and dogs affected with atopic dermatitis, and have
      been associated with decreased CER concentrations and morphological alterations
      in the SC. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes induced by
      three different sphingolipid extracts (SPE-1, SPE-2 and SPE-3) on the
      morphological structure and lipid composition of canine skin, using an in vitro
      model, whereby keratinocytes were seeded onto fibroblast-embedded collagen type I
      matrix at the air-liquid interface. Cell cultures were supplemented with SPE-1,
      SPE-2, SPE-3 or vehicle (control) for 14 days. The relative concentrations of
      lipids were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass
      spectrometry. The ultrastructural morphology of samples was examined by
      transmission electron microscopy. SPE-1 induced significant elevation in total
      CERs, CER[NS], CER[NDS], CER[NP], CER[AS], CER[AP], CER[EOS] and CER[EOP]
      subclasses, whereas SPE-2 induced a significant elevation in total CER, CER[AP]
      and CER[EOS] compared with control conditions. Ultrastructural analysis revealed
      an increase in lamellar-lipid structures in the SC of SPE-1-treated samples. The
      findings demonstrated that SPE-1 stimulates production of CERs, as shown by
      changes in lipid composition and ultrastructural morphology. Thus, SPE-1
      contributes to the formation of a well-organised SC and represents a potential
      therapeutic target for improving skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis. 

PMID- 27256027
TI  - Measuring body composition in dogs using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance
      analysis and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.
AB  - Thirty-five healthy, neutered, mixed breed dogs were used to determine the
      ability of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) to predict
      accurately fat-free mass (FFM) in dogs using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
      (DXA)-measured FFM as reference. A second aim was to compare MFBIA predictions
      with morphometric predictions. MFBIA-based predictors provided an accurate
      measure of FFM, within 1.5% when compared to DXA-derived FFM, in normal weight
      dogs. FFM estimates were most highly correlated with DXA-measured FFM when the
      prediction equation included resistance quotient, bodyweight, and body condition
      score. At the population level, the inclusion of impedance as a predictor
      variable did not add substantially to the predictive power achieved with
      morphometric variables alone; in individual dogs, impedance predictors were more
      valuable than morphometric predictors. These results indicate that, following
      further validation, MFBIA could provide a useful tool in clinical practice to
      objectively measure FFM in canine patients and help improve compliance with
      prevention and treatment programs for obesity in dogs. 

PMID- 27256028
TI  - Comparative efficacy of intranasal and oral vaccines against Bordetella
      bronchiseptica in dogs.
AB  - In order to determine the comparative efficacy of vaccines administered
      intranasally or orally to protect puppies from disease subsequent to experimental
      infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb), a randomized controlled trial was
      performed using 48 approximately 8-week-old specific pathogen free, Bb naive
      Beagle puppies. Puppies were randomized into three groups and administered
      vaccines containing Bb intranasally or orally, or a placebo intranasally. Twenty
      one days later, all dogs were challenge exposed via aerosol administration of Bb.
      Clinical signs, nasal bacterial shedding and immune responses were monitored for
      28 days after challenge. Intranasally vaccinated puppies had significantly lower
      rates of coughing, nasal discharge, retching and sneezing (i.e. were less sick
      clinically) than control puppies. The distinction between the orally vaccinated
      puppies and the control puppies was less consistent. The orally vaccinated
      puppies had less coughing and less retching than the control puppies, but nasal
      discharge and sneezing did not differ from control animals. Orally vaccinated
      puppies had higher rates of coughing, nasal discharge, retching and sneezing than
      the intranasally vaccinated puppies. Although both intranasal and oral Bb
      vaccines stimulated immune responses associated with disease sparing following Bb
      infection, the intranasal route of delivery conferred superior clinical outcomes.
      The observed difference in clinical efficacy suggests the need to question the
      rationale for the use of currently available orally administered Bb vaccines. 

PMID- 27256029
TI  - Potential of circulating microRNAs as biomarkers in veterinary medicine.

PMID- 27256030
TI  - Investigations into the seasonal presence of Mycoplasma species in fattening
      lambs.
AB  - The presence of infection with Mycoplasma species in association with lung
      consolidation, environmental temperature and relative humidity was investigated
      in 410 clinically healthy fattening lambs from five different feedlots in
      Extremadura (southwestern Spain). Isolates of Mycoplasma species were obtained
      (n= 117), including Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (n = 18) and Mycoplasma arginini (n
      = 99). Two seasonal periods were identified. The first period, which included
      February, March, September, October, and November, had an average temperature of
      17.5 +/- 4.7  degrees C and a relative humidity of 61.3 +/- 15.8%. The second
      seasonal period, which included the months from April to August, had an average
      temperature of 22.9 +/- 5.5  degrees C and a relative humidity of 48.4 +/- 10.7%.
      Most Mycoplasma species were isolated from the second seasonal period, indicating
      that higher temperatures and lower relative humidity favour the presence of
      Mycoplasma species. M. arginini was also associated with lung consolidation. 

PMID- 27256032
TI  - Whilst quality research has mattered for decades, historical imperatives have
      been ignored.

PMID- 27256031
TI  - Proteinuria and lipoprotein lipase activity in Miniature Schnauzer dogs with and
      without hypertriglyceridemia.
AB  - Spontaneous hyperlipidemia in rats causes glomerular disease. Idiopathic
      hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is prevalent in Miniature Schnauzers, but its
      relationship with proteinuria is unknown. Decreased activity of major lipid
      metabolism enzymes, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL), may play a
      role in the cyclic relationship between hyperlipidemia and proteinuria. These
      enzymes have also not been previously investigated in Miniature Schnauzers. The
      aims of this study were to determine the relationship between HTG and proteinuria
      in Miniature Schnauzers and to measure LPL and HL activities in a subset of dogs.
      Fifty-seven Miniature Schnauzers were recruited (34 with and 23 without HTG).
      Fasting serum triglyceride concentrations and urine protein-to-creatinine ratios
      (UPC) were measured in all dogs, and LPL and HL activities were determined in 17
      dogs (8 with and 9 without HTG). There was a strong positive correlation between
      triglyceride concentration and UPC (r = 0.77-0.83, P < 0.001). Proteinuria (UPC
      >= 0.5) was present in 60% of dogs with HTG and absent from all dogs without HTG
      (P < 0.001). Proteinuric dogs were not azotemic or hypoalbuminemic. Dogs with HTG
      had a 65% reduction in LPL activity relative to dogs without HTG (P < 0.001); HL
      activity did not differ. Proteinuria occurs with HTG in Miniature Schnauzers and
      could be due to lipid-induced glomerular injury. Reduced LPL activity may
      contribute to the severity of HTG, but further assay validation is required. 

PMID- 27256033
TI  - Tracheostomy in childhood: review of the literature on complications and
      mortality over the last three decades.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tracheostomy is a procedure with unique characteristics when used
      on pediatric patients due to the greater technical difficulty and higher
      morbidity and mortality rates relative to the procedure in adults. In recent
      decades, there have been significant changes in the medical care available to
      children, particularly for those who need intensive care. Surgical conditions
      have also improved, and there has been an advent of new equipment and
      medications. These advances have brought changes to both tracheostomy indications
      and tracheostomy complications. OBJECTIVE: To perform a review of the articles
      published over the last three decades on the complications and mortality
      associated with tracheostomies in children. METHODS: Articles were selected from
      the Cochrane, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, SciELO,
      National Library of Medicine (Medline Plus), and PubMed online databases. The
      articles selected had been published between January 1985 and December 2014, and
      the data was compared using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 3797
      articles were chosen, 47 of which were used as the basis for this review. When
      the three decades were evaluated as a whole, an increase in tracheostomies in
      male children under one year of age was found. The most common complications
      during the period analyzed in descending order of frequency were granuloma,
      infection, and obstruction of the cannula, accidental decannulation, and post
      decannulation tracheocutaneous fistula. In the second and third decades of the
      review, granulomas represented the most common complication; in the first decade
      of the review, pneumothoraces were the most common. Mortality associated with
      tracheostomy ranged from 0% to 5.9%, while overall mortality ranged from 2.2% to
      59%. In addition, the review included four studies on premature and/or very
      underweight infants who had undergone tracheostomies; the studies reported
      evidence of higher mortality in this age group to be largely associated with
      underlying diseases. CONCLUSION: Improved surgical techniques and intensive care,
      the creation of new medications, and vaccines have all redefined the main
      complications and the mortality rates of tracheostomy in children. It is a safe
      procedure that increases chances of survival in those who require the prolonged
      use of mechanical ventilation.

PMID- 27256034
TI  - Vascular sinonasal lesions. How useful is radiology in diagnosis of rare lesions?

PMID- 27256035
TI  - The Electronic Patient Reported Outcome Tool: Testing Usability and Feasibility
      of a Mobile App and Portal to Support Care for Patients With Complex Chronic
      Disease and Disability in Primary Care Settings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People experiencing complex chronic disease and disability (CCDD)
      face some of the greatest challenges of any patient population. Primary care
      providers find it difficult to manage multiple discordant conditions and symptoms
      and often complex social challenges experienced by these patients. The electronic
      Patient Reported Outcome (ePRO) tool is designed to overcome some of these
      challenges by supporting goal-oriented primary care delivery. Using the tool,
      patients and providers collaboratively develop health care goals on a portal
      linked to a mobile device to help patients and providers track progress between
      visits. OBJECTIVES: This study tested the usability and feasibility of adopting
      the ePRO tool into a single interdisciplinary primary health care practice in
      Toronto, Canada. The Fit between Individuals, Fask, and Technology (FITT)
      framework was used to guide our assessment and explore whether the ePRO tool is:
      (1) feasible for adoption in interdisciplinary primary health care practices and
      (2) usable from both the patient and provider perspectives. This usability pilot
      is part of a broader user-centered design development strategy. METHODS: A 4-week
      pilot study was conducted in which patients and providers used the ePRO tool to
      develop health-related goals, which patients then monitored using a mobile
      device. Patients and providers collaboratively set goals using the system during
      an initial visit and had at least 1 follow-up visit at the end of the pilot to
      discuss progress. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with patients and
      providers to capture usability and feasibility measures. Data from the ePRO
      system were extracted to provide information regarding tool usage. RESULTS: Six
      providers and 11 patients participated in the study; 3 patients dropped out
      mainly owing to health issues. The remaining 8 patients completed 210 monitoring
      protocols, equal to over 1300 questions, with patients often answering questions
      daily. Providers and patients accessed the portal on an average of 10 and 1.5
      times, respectively. Users found the system easy to use, some patients reporting
      that the tool helped in their ability to self-manage, catalyzed a sense of
      responsibility over their care, and improved patient-centered care delivery. Some
      providers found that the tool helped focus conversations on goal setting.
      However, the tool did not fit well with provider workflows, monitoring questions
      were not adequately tailored to individual patient needs, and daily reporting
      became tedious and time-consuming for patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although our study
      suggests relatively low usability and feasibility of the ePRO tool, we are
      encouraged by the early impact on patient outcomes and generally positive
      responses from both user groups regarding the potential of the tool to improve
      care for patients with CCDD. As is consistent with our user-centered design
      development approach, we have modified the tool based on user feedback, and are
      now testing the redeveloped tool through an exploratory trial.

PMID- 27256036
TI  - Interdisciplinary psychosocial care for families with inherited cardiovascular
      diseases.
AB  - Inherited cardiovascular diseases pose unique and complex psychosocial challenges
      for families, including coming to terms with life-long cardiac disease, risk of
      sudden death, grief related to the sudden death of a loved one, activity
      restrictions, and inheritance risk to other family members. Psychosocial factors
      impact not only mental health but also physical health and cooperation with
      clinical recommendations. We describe an interdisciplinary approach to the care
      of families with inherited cardiovascular disease, in which psychological care
      provided by specialized cardiac genetic counselors, nurses, and psychologists is
      embedded within the cardiovascular care team. We report illustrative cases and
      the supporting literature to demonstrate common scenarios, as well as practical
      guidance for clinicians working in the inherited cardiovascular disease setting.

PMID- 27256037
TI  - Focus on paediatrics.

PMID- 27256038
TI  - Severe traumatic brain injury in children: a vision for the future.

PMID- 27256039
TI  - Enantioselective Vinylogous Organocascade Reactions.
AB  - Cascade reactions are powerful tools for rapidly assembling complex molecular
      architectures from readily available starting materials in a single synthetic
      operation. Their marriage with asymmetric organocatalysis has led to the
      development of novel techniques, which are now recognized as reliable strategies
      for the one-pot enantioselective synthesis of stereochemically dense molecules.
      In recent years, even more complex synthetic challenges have been addressed by
      applying the principle of vinylogy to the realm of organocascade catalysis. The
      key to the success of vinylogous organocascade reactions is the unique ability of
      the chiral organocatalyst to transfer reactivity to a distal position without
      losing control on the stereo-determining events. This approach has greatly
      expanded the synthetic horizons of the field by providing the possibility of
      forging multiple stereocenters in remote positions from the catalyst's point of
      action with high selectivity, while simultaneously constructing multiple new
      bonds. This article critically describes the developments achieved in the field
      of enantioselective vinylogous organocascade reactions, charting the ideas, the
      conceptual advances, and the milestone reactions that have been essential for
      reaching highly practical levels of synthetic efficiency.

PMID- 27256040
TI  - [To strengthen the deep exploration of thyroid papillary microcarcinoma].

PMID- 27256041
TI  - [Clinicopathologic study of primary angiosarcoma of thyroid].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of primary
      angiosarcoma in thyroid. METHODS: Three cases of primary angiosarcoma in thyoid
      were analyzed by gross examination, light microscopy and immunohistochemical
      staining, as well as related literatures were reviewed. RESULTS: The patients
      included 2 males and 1 female. The age of patients ranged from 52 to 78 years.
      The tumors showed an infiltrating histological pattern. Irregular, anastomosing
      gaping vascular channels were usually evident, and intravascular papillary fronds
      were occasionally present. In other areas, tumors featured a solid pattern of
      growth with cells arranged in sheets and nests with no intervening stroma. The
      neoplastic cells were epithelioid, spindled or polygonal-shaped with abundant
      eosinophilic cytoplasm and round, large, vesicular nuclei containing prominent
      nucleoli. The tumors showed brisk mitotic activity and necrosis.
      Immunohistochemical study revealed that the tumor cells were positive for CD31,
      ERG, Fli1, CD34, FVIIIRAg and CKpan to different extents. CONCLUSIONS: Primary
      epithelioid angiosarcoma of the thyroid is a rare, high-grade malignancy that may
      be misdiagnosed as other malignancies, especially anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
      Recognizing its clinicopathologic characters and combined application of specific
      vascular endothelial immunohistochemical markers is important to avoid confusion
      with other lesions.

PMID- 27256042
TI  - [Fine needle aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules: a cytopathologic study of 2
      043 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of thyroid fine needle aspiration
      cytology(FNAC) and the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid
      cytopathology(TBSRTC). METHODS: FNAC was performed for 2 043 cases and
      cytopathological data were retrospectively analyzed. Cytopathological diagnoses
      according to TBSRTC were classified as non-diagnostic, benign, atypia of
      undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined
      significance(AUS/FLUS), follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular
      neoplasm(FN/SFN), suspicious for malignancy(SM) and malignancy. The results of
      234 FNAC samples in which surgery was performed were compared with the
      histological diagnoses. RESULTS: Of the 2 043 FNAC samples, 15.7%(320/2 043)were
      non-diagnostic, 51.2%(1 047/2 043)were benign, 16.6%(339/2 043) were AUS/FLUS,
      2.3%(46/2 043)were FN/SFN, 8.6%(176/2 043)were SM and 5.6%(115/2 043)were
      malignant. In 234 cases, there was follow-up histology. Rates of malignancy were
      as follows: non-diagnostic, 18.2%(2/11); benign(2.2%, 1/45); AUS/FLUS(25.6%,
      10/29); FN/SFN(12.1%, 10/39); SM(91.8%, 56/61); malignant(100.0%, 45/45). The
      sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate, false negative rate and overall
      accuracy of FNAC in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules was 87.1%(101/116),
      95.3%(102/107), 4.7%(5/107), 12.9%(15/116), 91.0%(203/223). CONCLUSIONS: FNAC is
      a reliable diagnostic method for evaluation of thyroid disease. TBSRTC is a
      accurate and effective reporting system for cytopathological diagnoses, so it is
      worthy of being widely popularized in clinical application.

PMID- 27256043
TI  - [Expression and clinical significance of CD147 in parathyroid carcinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the expression and clinical significance of CD147 in the
      patients of parathyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Fourteen cases of parathyroid
      carcinoma encountered during the period from 2012 to 2015 were enrolled. Thirty
      three cases of parathyroid adenoma encountered during the same period were
      enrolled. The expression of CD147 in parathyroid carcinoma and parathyroid
      adenoma was studied by means of immunohistochemistry (EnVision method). RESULTS:
      CD147 positive color was brown and yellow, and positive position was located
      mainly in the cytomembrane, and a small amount of cytoplasm was appeared. Among
      14 cases of parathyroid carcinoma, 11 cases of CD147 positive score was 3+ , 3
      cases of CD147 positive score was 2+ ; Among 33 cases of parathyroid adenoma , 8
      cases of CD147 positive score was 2+ , 15 cases of it was 1+ , 10 cases of it was
      negative. CD147 was highly expressed in parathyroid carcinoma tissues, and the
      expression of CD147 was significantly different from the expression of
      parathyroid adenoma(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CD147 immunohistochemical staining can
      help to diagnose parathyroid carcinoma.

PMID- 27256044
TI  - [Prognostic significance of the changes of elastic fibers in acinar predominant
      or papillary-predominant pulmonary adenocarcinomas].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of elastic fiber changes in predicting survival
      outcomes in intermediate-grade lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: All pulmonary
      adenocarcinoma resections conducted between January 2009 and December 2009 were
      reviewed. Pathologically confirmed adenocarcinomas smaller than 3 cm were
      included in the present study. All cases were categorized into three elastic
      fiber patterns (EFP): complete loss as pattern I (EFP I), partial loss as pattern
      II (EFP II), normal and diffusely increase as pattern III (EFP III). Patients
      with different EFP were compared. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety four patients
      were included in this study, with 67(34.5%), 70(36.1%)and 57(29.4%) cases
      presenting as EFP I, EFP II, and EFP III, respectively. Lymph nodal metastases
      occurred in 35.8% (24/67), 40.0% (28/70), and 10.5% (6/57) of EFP I, EFP II and
      EFP III patterns, respectively. The percentage of EFP I and II increased with
      increasing tumor size, these patterns occurring in 55.1% (38/69) of tumors <=2.0
      cm, and 79.2% (99/125) of tumors 2.1-3.0 cm in sizes, respectively. The overall 5
      year overall survival rate was 75.8%, and 67.2% for EFP I, 68.6% for EFP II, and
      94.7% for EFP III. CONCLUSION: In patients with intermediate-grade lung
      adenocarcinoma, EFP should be formally recognized as a feature of tumor invasion,
      and its evaluation can help to recognize tumor invasive and access clinical
      prognosis.

PMID- 27256045
TI  - [Inflammatory fibroid polyp of the gastrointestinal tract: a clinicopathologic
      features of 37 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic features, pathogenesis, and
      differential diagnosis of inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) of the
      gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: The clinical and pathologic findings of 37 IFPs
      in the gastrointestinal tract were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical
      study and KIT, PDGFRA molecular analysis were carried out and the literatures
      reviewed. RESULTS: There were 9 males and 28 females. The median age was 57
      (range 37 to 78) years. Twenty-two were in the antrum, nine in the ileum, three
      in the cardia, and one each in the gastric angle, corpora ventriculi and
      duodenum. The lesion ranged in size from 0.5 to 5.5 cm (mean 3 cm). Grossly, the
      majority appeared as a solitary non-encapsulated, submucosal, polypoid lesion.
      There was associated mucosal ulceration in three cases. Microscopically, the
      gastric lesions showed spindle-shaped cells arranged in an onion skin-like
      pattern around vessels and mucosal glands in a concentric formation. But the
      lesions in the ileum represented Vanek's tumor subtype devoid of concentric
      formations, with spindled to epithelioid cells dispersed in edematous stroma.
      Most of the lesions were in the mucosa and submucoma, but one small intestinal
      IFP infiltrated the muscularis propria. The inflammatory component of the lesions
      consisted predominantly of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Immunohistochemically,
      all cases displayed diffuse reactivity for vimentin and CD34; and 18 expressed
      PDGFRA. Analysis of KIT and PDGFRA mutations was performed in 18 cases. No KIT
      mutations were identified. However, four cases harbored activating mutations in
      PDGFRA exon 18 (D842V), five showed mutations in exon 12 (p.566
      571delSPDGHEinsR). Follow-up in 30 cases showed no recurrence or metastasis.
      CONCLUSIONS: IFPs not only exhibit two morphologies, but also show mutations in
      the PDGFRA gene. IFP is a benign mesenchymal tumor rather than a reactive lesion.

PMID- 27256046
TI  - [Value of MDM2, CDK4 and SATB2 immunohistochemistry in histologic diagnosis of
      low-grade osteosarcoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of combined application of MDM2, CDK4 and
      SATB2 immunohistochemistry in pathological diagnosis of low-grade osteosarcoma.
      METHODS: Forty-seven cases of low grade osteosarcoma, including low grade central
      osteosarcoma (n=20) and parosteal osteosarcoma (n=27), were selected from
      Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated the Sixth People's Hospital. The
      clinical, radiography and histopathology were reviewed. The sensitivity and
      specificity of MDM2, CDK4 and SATB2 immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of low
      grade osteosarcoma were assessed along with an evaluation of their expressions in
      fibrous dysplasia, desmoplastic fibroma, low-grade fibrosarcoma and other fibrous
      tumors. RESULTS: Low-grade osteosarcoma had protracted clinical course, occurring
      mostly in elder adults and mainly involving long bones. Radiographic studies
      showed that low-grade central osteosarcoma had a mainly malignant lytic
      presentation, however about 5/18 of tumors overlapping with intermediate and
      benign bone diseases, while parosteal osteosarcoma was characterized by a densely
      sclerotic malignant appearance. Histologically, low-grade osteosarcomas were
      characterized by well-differentiated spindle tumor cells, various mature tumor
      bones and an aggressive growth pattern. The positive expression rates of MDM2 and
      CDK4 in low-grade osteosarcoma were 74.5% and 55.3%, respectively. Eighty-three
      percent of low-grade osteosarcoma expressed one or both markers. Low-grade
      osteosarcoma and fibrous dysplasia were both positive for SATB2, while
      desmoplastic fibroma, low-grade fibrosacoma and other fibrous tumors were
      negative for SATB2. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate diagnosis of low-grade osteosarcoma
      should be based on combination of clinical presentation, imaging and
      histopathology, with immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic adjunct. Positive
      immunostaining for CDK4 and/or MDM2 supports the diagnosis of low-grade
      osteosarcoma, but the negative one does not rule out such lesion. The negative
      expression of SATB2 is helpful to exclude fibrous tumors originating from bone
      with the exception of fibrous dysplasia.

PMID- 27256047
TI  - [Comparison of HER2 gene status between primary breast cancer and synchronous
      axillary lymph node metastasis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the discordant rate of HER2 gene status between primary
      breast cancer and synchronous axillary lymph node metastasis. METHODS: One
      hundred and fifty cases of primary breast cancer with corresponding synchronous
      lymph node metastases were collected, including 50 cases of HER2 FISH positive,
      50 cases of HER2 FISH negative and 50 cases of HER2 FISH equivocal primary
      tumors, at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between May 2012 and June 2015.
      The HER2 gene status in lymph node metastatic tumors was analyzed by FISH, and
      the discordance of HER2 gene status was identified between primary and metastatic
      tumors. RESULTS: The incidence of discordant HER2 gene status between primary
      breast cancer and synchronous lymph node metastasis was 20.67%(31/150). Forty
      four FISH positive, 3 FISH equivocal and 3 FISH negative cases were found in the
      first group of 50 patients with HER2 positive results in primary tumor. Forty
      seven FISH negative, 3 FISH equivocal cases were discovered in the second group
      of 50 patients with HER2 negative results in primary tumor. Four FISH positive,
      18 FISH negative and 28 equivocal cases were observed in the third group of 50
      patients with HER2 equivocal results in primary tumor. The discordance of HER2
      gene status between primary tumor and lymph node metastasis in the third group of
      patients was significantly higher than the other two groups (P<0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Significant discordance of HER2 gene status between the primary and
      lymph node metastatic tumors exists. Patients with lymph node metastasis,
      simultaneous testing of HER2 status may be performed in both primary breast tumor
      and its lymph node metastasis. HER2 status of nodal metastatic lesion may be more
      relevant for guiding anti-HER2 target therapy.

PMID- 27256048
TI  - [BRCA1/2 gene mutation and clinicopathologic features of triple negative breast
      cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of BRCA1/2 gene mutation among triple
      negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction and
      DNA sequencing were used to detect mutations of BRCA1 (exons 2, 11 and 20) and
      BRCA2 (exon 11) genes using paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 33 TNBC patients
      (21 Uyghur patients and 12 Han patients ) in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
      RESULTS: Among 33 cases of TNBC, 5 cases (5/33, 15.2%) were found to have BRCA1
      gene mutation. The exon 11 of BRCA1 gene mutation proportion was seen in 4/5 and
      exon 20 of BRCA1 gene mutation proportion was seen in 1/5. No germline mutation
      was found in exon 2 of BRCA1 gene and exon 11 of BRCA2 gene. The onset age of
      patients with BRCA1 mutations were younger than 50 years. Four BRCA1 mutation
      patients were premenopausal. The proportions of BRCA1 gene mutation of Uygur TNBC
      patients and Han TNBC patients were 2/12 and 3/21, respectively, without
      significant difference (P=0.854). BRCA mutations were mainly found in stageItoII
      (4/5) and only 1 case (1/5) was found with stage III disease. No significant
      difference was found in fertility status, menstrual status and age at menarche
      between mutated and non-mutated patients (P>0.05) . CONCLUSIONS: Germline
      mutation of BRCA1 may be more often associated with TNBC than BRCA2 for its
      higher mutation rate. Compared with non-mutated TNBC cases, several
      clinicopathologic features could be identified among mutated cases.

PMID- 27256049
TI  - [Roles of glucose-regulated protein 78 in proliferation and migration of human
      colorectal carcinoma cell line RKO].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78) in
      proliferation and migration of human colorectal carcinoma cell RKO. METHODS: The
      colorectal carcinoma cell line RKO was transfected by lentiviral vector pLV-shRNA
      GRP78 and lentivirus vector pLV-control. MTT test and colony formation assay were
      used to evaluate the cell proliferation ability. Distribution of cell cycle was
      analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell migration ability was detected by scratches
      migration experiment. In vivo tumorigenicity ability was measured using
      subcutaneous tumor assay. Differentially expressed genes were detected by
      Affymetrix human genome-wide expression profile chip and confirmed by Western
      blot analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the negative vector transfection group,
      cell proliferation was inhibited in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05), while there was
      no significant difference in migration (P>0.05). Flow cytometry results showed
      that silencing GRP78 resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of
      cells in G1 phase, while the proportion of cells in S phase was significantly
      lower (P<0.05). The gene chip results showed that 397 genes were differentially
      expressed by at least 1.2 folds in GRP78 knocked-out RKO cells, including 258 up
      regulated and 139 down-regulated ones. Bioinformatics analysis identified 3 genes
      (CDKN2B, MTOR and BIRC3) with specific expression in GRP78 down-regulated RKO
      cells, and the result was verified by Western blot. CONCLUSIONS: GRP78 knock-out
      inhibits the proliferation and growth of colorectal cancer cell, but has no
      obvious effect on migration invasion. Down regulation of GRP78 results in
      expression changes of lots of genes in RKO cells. GRP78 may exert its role in
      proliferation of RKO cell through regulating these genes.

PMID- 27256050
TI  - [Expression and clinical significance of epidermal growth factor receptor,HER2,
      PI3Kp110alpha and PI3Kp110beta in gastric carcinoma].

PMID- 27256051
TI  - [CD24 down-regulation in non-small cell lung cancer prolongs patient survival].

PMID- 27256052
TI  - [Clinicopathologic features and molecular genetics of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma].

PMID- 27256053
TI  - [Analysis of the first national "Huaxiabei" frozen section competition].

PMID- 27256054
TI  - [Thyroid follicular tumor with fibrous capsule].

PMID- 27256055
TI  - [Fetal heart failure caused by maternal hyperthyroidism:report of a case].

PMID- 27256056
TI  - [Schwannoma of the thyroid gland: report of a case].

PMID- 27256057
TI  - [Ectopic thyroid in adrenal gland:report of a case].

PMID- 27256058
TI  - [Biologic behavior of thyroid carcinoma in indeterminate category of fine needle
      aspirates].

PMID- 27256059
TI  - [Research progress on triage of ASC-US in cervical cytology].

PMID- 27256060
TI  - [Community-acquired pneumonia: Incidence rate in Madrid. ATENAS study].

PMID- 27256061
TI  - The agony of choice in dermatophyte diagnostics-performance of different
      molecular tests and culture in the detection of Trichophyton rubrum and
      Trichophyton interdigitale.
AB  - Dermatophytosis caused by dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton and
      Microsporum belong to the most frequent mycoses worldwide. Molecular detection
      methods proved to be highly sensitive and enable rapid and accurate detection of
      dermatophyte species from clinical specimens. For the first time, we compare the
      performance of different molecular methods with each other and with conventional
      diagnostics in the detection of dermatophytoses caused by Trichophyton rubrum and
      Trichophyton interdigitale in clinical specimens (nail, skin and hair). The
      compared molecular methods comprise two already published PCR-ELISAs, a published
      quantitative RT-PCR as well as a newly developed PCR-ELISA targeting the internal
      transcribed spacer region. We investigated the sensitivity of the assays by
      analysing 375 clinical samples. In 148 specimens (39.5%) a positive result was
      gained in at least one of the four molecular tests or by culture, but the number
      of detected agents differed significantly between some of the assays. The most
      sensitive assay, a PCR-ELISA targeting a microsatellite region, detected 81 T.
      rubrum infections followed by an internal transcribed spacer PCR-ELISA (60),
      quantitative RT-PCR (52) and a topoisomerase II PCR-ELISA (51), whereas
      cultivation resulted in T. rubrum identification in 37 samples. The pros and cons
      of all four tests in routine diagnostics are discussed. 

PMID- 27256062
TI  - Lower sensitivity of serum (1,3)-beta-d-glucan for the diagnosis of candidaemia
      due to Candida parapsilosis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and the levels of 1,3-beta
      d-glucan (BDG) among patients with candidaemia due to different Candida species.
      Retrospective study of all patients who had a single-species candidaemia and BDG
      testing performed within 48 h from the onset of candidaemia during 2009-2015 was
      performed. Factors influencing the sensitivity of BDG, including the presence of
      a central venous catheter, antifungal therapy and Candida species, were analysed
      in univariate and multivariate models. In all, 107 patients with the following
      Candida distribution were included: 46 (43%) Candida albicans, 37 (35%) Candida
      parapsilosis, and 24 (22%) other species. BDG sensitivity and levels were the
      highest in C. albicans candidaemia and lowest for C. parapsilosis (respectively,
      72% and 410 pg/mL for C. albicans, 41% and 39 pg/mL for C. parapsilosis, and 63%
      and 149 pg/mL for other species; p 0.015 and p 0.003). In multivariate analysis,
      Candida species (parapsilosis versus others) was the only factor influencing the
      sensitivity of BDG (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7, p 0.006). The sensitivity of BDG in
      candidaemia seems highly dependent on the fungal species, with the lowest being
      for C. parapsilosis. 

PMID- 27256063
TI  - A dynamic relationship between mucosal T helper type 17 and regulatory T-cell
      populations in nasopharynx evolves with age and associates with the clearance of
      pneumococcal carriage in humans.
AB  - Pneumococcal carriage is common in young children, which may account for the high
      incidence of disease in this age group. Host factors determining the clearance of
      carriage in humans remain unclear. We aimed to study the relationships between T
      helper type 17 (Th17) and Foxp3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells in nasopharynx
      associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and carriage in children and adults.
      Frequencies of Th17 and Treg cells in NALT were analysed by flow cytometry in
      association with age and pneumococcal carriage status. Cytokine responses
      following pneumococcal stimulation were analysed by cytometric beads array. The
      frequencies of Th17 and Treg cells in NALT were inversely correlated (R -0.60).
      Whereas Treg cell frequency decreased with age (R -0.63), both Th17 and the Th17:
      Treg ratio increased with age (R 0.62 and R 0.64, respectively). Also, the Th17:
      Treg ratio was higher in carriage-negative than in carriage-positive children (p
      <0.01). Pneumococcal stimulation of tonsillar cells increased both Th17 and Treg
      cell numbers, but the Th17: Treg ratio and pattern of cytokine responses differed
      between carriage-negative and carriage-positive children. The former showed
      markedly higher Th17: Treg and interleukin-17A: interleukin-10 ratios than in the
      latter (p <0.01). Pneumococcal stimulation also induces Th17, although the
      capacity of this Th17 differentiation from naive T cells of young children was
      low, but increased with age. We demonstrated a dynamic relationship between Th17
      and Treg cells in human nasopharynx that evolves with age. The balance between
      Th17 and Treg cells in NALT appears to be a major host factor closely associated
      with the clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae from the nasopharynx. 

PMID- 27256064
TI  - Dose and duration of intraventricular antibiotic therapy in meningitis.

PMID- 27256065
TI  - A case report of SPG11 mutations in a Chinese ARHSP-TCC family.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia (ARHSP) with thin
      corpus callosum (TCC) is a complicated form of hereditary spastic paraplegia,
      characterized by progressive spastic paraplegia, weakness of the lower
      extremities and is usually accompanied by mental retardation. Mutations in the
      Spastic Paraplegia gene 11 (SPG11) account for a large proportion of ARHSP-TCC
      cases worldwide. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a Chinese family with ARHSP-TCC.
      Two daughters of this family presented with a spastic gait and cognitive
      impairment. Brain imaging of the index patient revealed a thin corpus callosum.
      We performed detailed physical and auxiliary examinations and were able to
      exclude acquired causes of spastic paraplegia. To determine the causative
      mutation, we took a candidate gene approach and screened the coding sequence and
      some flanking intronic sequence of SPG11 by direct Sanger sequencing. We
      identified two novel compound heterozygous mutations in SPG11 in affected
      individuals (c.1551_1552delTT, p.Cys518SerfsTer39 and c.5867-1G > T (IVS30-1G >
      T), p.Thr1956ArgfsTer15). Bioinformatic analysis predicts that these mutations
      would lead to a loss of protein function due to the truncation of the SPG11
      protein. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this case report indicate a broader approach
      to include screening for SPG11 mutations in ARHSP-TCC patients. Our findings
      enrich the phenotypic spectrum of SPG11 mutations.

PMID- 27256066
TI  - Group calls for more to be done to tackle corruption in the pharmaceutical
      industry.

PMID- 27256067
TI  - Predictors of coronary artery disease in middle-aged Taiwanese women at
      premenopause, postmenopause and after undergoing hysterectomy.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine the predictors of coronary artery disease among
      middle-aged women at various menopausal statuses. BACKGROUND: Few studies have
      explored coronary artery disease predictors among middle-aged women at various
      menopausal statuses, particularly with the inclusion of women who underwent a
      hysterectomy. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was adopted. METHODS: Two hundred
      and twenty-five middle-aged women who were waiting for catheterisation
      examinations because of possible coronary artery disease were selected. These
      patients were divided into premenopausal (n = 41), postmenopausal (n = 143) and
      women who had undergone a hysterectomy groups (n = 41). The differences in the
      risk factors for coronary artery disease between patients with coronary artery
      disease (catheterisation results showing stenosis of >50% in at least one major
      coronary artery) and those without coronary artery disease in the three groups
      were compared. RESULTS: The participants were aged 56.8 +/- 5.9 years. In the
      premenopausal group, the odds of coronary artery disease among ever or current
      smokers was 8.46 times the odds of coronary artery disease for the never smokers.
      In the postmenopausal group, the odds of coronary artery disease among diabetes
      patients was 2.89 times the odds of coronary artery disease for those without
      diabetes. Each additional point on the Chinese Beck Depression Inventory-II
      increased the risk of coronary artery disease by 5%. In the hysterectomy group,
      each additional increase in 1 mmHg in systolic blood pressure increased the risk
      of coronary artery disease by 4%. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking, diabetes, depression and
      systolic blood pressure are predictors of coronary artery disease in middle-aged
      women at premenopause, postmenopause and after undergoing hysterectomy
      respectively. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These results are beneficial for
      middle-aged women at various menopausal stages to effectively implement
      prevention of coronary artery disease. These findings were among women being
      evaluated for possible coronary artery disease, we suggest the need for further
      study in lager, longitudinal studies.

PMID- 27256068
TI  - Unexpected versus all-cause mortality as the endpoint for investigating the
      effects of a Rapid Response System in hospitalized patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of replacing all
      cause mortality by death without limitation of medical treatments (LOMT) as the
      endpoint in a study of rapid response teams (RRTs) in hospitalized patients. We
      also described the time course of LOMT orders in patients dying on a general ward
      and the influence of RRTs on such orders. METHODS: This study is a secondary
      analysis of the COMET trial, a pragmatic prospective Dutch multicenter before
      after study. We repeated the original analysis of the influence of RRTs on death
      before hospital discharge by replacing all-cause mortality by death without an
      LOMT order. In a subgroup of all patients dying before hospital discharge, we
      documented patient demographics, admission characteristics and LOMT orders of
      each patient. Patients age 18 ears or above were included. RESULTS: In total,
      166,569 patients were included in the study. The unadjusted ORs were 0.865 (95 %
      CI 0.77-0.98) in the original analysis using all-cause mortality and 0.557 (95 %
      CI 0.40-0.78) when choosing death without LOMT as the endpoint. In total, 3408
      patients died before discharge. At time of death, 2910 (85 %) had an LOMT order.
      Median time from last change in LOMT status and death was 2 days (IQR 1-5) in the
      before-phase and median time after introduction of the RRT was 1 day (IQR 1-4) (p
      value not significant). CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in survival of hospitalized
      patients after introduction of a rapid response team in the COMET study was more
      pronounced when choosing death without limitation of medical treatment, rather
      than all deaths as the endpoint. Most patients who died during hospitalization
      had limitation of medical treatments ordered, often shortly before death. Rapid
      response teams did not influence the institution of limitation of medical
      treatments.

PMID- 27256069
TI  - Physical Therapist-Led Ambulatory Rehabilitation for Patients Receiving CentriMag
      Short-Term Ventricular Assist Device Support: Retrospective Case Series.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Short-term ventricular assist device (VAD) support is
      used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to support individuals in end-stage heart
      failure prior to heart transplantation or implantation of a long-term left VAD.
      The literature investigating the feasibility, safety, and content of
      rehabilitation for this patient group is lacking. This report retrospectively
      describes the rehabilitation strategy, safety measures used, and nature of any
      adverse events and, therefore, the feasibility of this practice. CASE SERIES
      DESCRIPTION: Ten individuals (80% male) admitted to the ICU in critical
      cardiogenic shock required support via a short-term VAD. A prerehabilitation risk
      assessment was used to reduce the risk of cannula dislodgement. The therapeutic
      strategy was a stepwise progression of exercises, mobilization, and ambulation.
      OUTCOMES: Retrospective inspection of the case notes showed 330 rehabilitation
      sessions (X=33, SD=18.1, range=16-72) were performed and progressed to ambulation
      on 71 occasions (X=7.1, SD=7.7, range=1-27). Distance ambulated ranged from 7 to
      1,200 m (X=157.7, SD=367.3). The Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment Tool
      (CPAx) score for 7 patients improved from a median of 0 (interquartile range=0-1)
      on day 1 to a median peak score of 39 (interquartile range=37-42). There were 8
      episodes of minor adverse events (2.4% incidence rate), including 7 of transient
      low VAD flows. There were no major adverse events. DISCUSSION: Early
      rehabilitation and ambulation of recipients of short-term VAD support was safe
      and feasible. Recipients demonstrated improvements in physical function (CPAx
      score) while the VAD was in situ.

PMID- 27256070
TI  - Application of Intervention Mapping to the Development of a Complex Physical
      Therapist Intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical therapist interventions, such as those designed to change
      physical activity behavior, are often complex and multifaceted. In order to
      facilitate rigorous evaluation and implementation of these complex interventions
      into clinical practice, the development process must be comprehensive,
      systematic, and transparent, with a sound theoretical basis. Intervention Mapping
      is designed to guide an iterative and problem-focused approach to the development
      of complex interventions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to
      demonstrate the application of an Intervention Mapping approach to the
      development of a complex physical therapist intervention, a remote self
      management program aimed at increasing physical activity after acquired brain
      injury. CASE DESCRIPTION: Intervention Mapping consists of 6 steps to guide the
      development of complex interventions: (1) needs assessment; (2) identification of
      outcomes, performance objectives, and change objectives; (3) selection of theory
      based intervention methods and practical applications; (4) organization of
      methods and applications into an intervention program; (5) creation of an
      implementation plan; and (6) generation of an evaluation plan. The rationale and
      detailed description of this process are presented using an example of the
      development of a novel and complex physical therapist intervention, myMoves-a
      program designed to help individuals with an acquired brain injury to change
      their physical activity behavior. CONCLUSION: The Intervention Mapping framework
      may be useful in the development of complex physical therapist interventions,
      ensuring the development is comprehensive, systematic, and thorough, with a sound
      theoretical basis. This process facilitates translation into clinical practice
      and allows for greater confidence and transparency when the program efficacy is
      investigated.

PMID- 27256071
TI  - Decreased extracellular pH inhibits osteogenesis through proton-sensing GPR4
      mediated suppression of yes-associated protein.
AB  - The pH of extracellular fluids is a basic property of the tissue microenvironment
      and is normally maintained at 7.40 +/- 0.05 in humans. Many pathological
      circumstances, such as ischemia, inflammation, and tumorigenesis, result in the
      reduction of extracellular pH in the affected tissues. In this study, we reported
      that the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was significantly inhibited by
      decreases in the extracellular pH. Moreover, we demonstrated that proton-sensing
      GPR4 signaling mediated the proton-induced inhibitory effects on the osteogenesis
      of BMSCs. Additionally, we found that YAP was the downstream effector of GPR4
      signaling. Our findings revealed that the extracellular pH modulates the
      osteogenic responses of BMSCs by regulating the proton-sensing GPR4-YAP pathway.

PMID- 27256072
TI  - Adult microbiota-deficient mice have distinct dendritic morphological changes:
      differential effects in the amygdala and hippocampus.
AB  - Increasing evidence implicates the microbiota in the regulation of brain and
      behaviour. Germ-free mice (GF; microbiota deficient from birth) exhibit altered
      stress hormone signalling and anxiety-like behaviours as well as deficits in
      social cognition. Although the mechanisms underlying the ability of the gut
      microbiota to influence stress responsivity and behaviour remain unknown, many
      lines of evidence point to the amygdala and hippocampus as likely targets. Thus,
      the aim of this study was to determine if the volume and dendritic morphology of
      the amygdala and hippocampus differ in GF versus conventionally colonized (CC)
      mice. Volumetric estimates revealed significant amygdalar and hippocampal
      expansion in GF compared to CC mice. We also studied the effect of GF status on
      the level of single neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and ventral
      hippocampus. In the BLA, the aspiny interneurons and pyramidal neurons of GF mice
      exhibited dendritic hypertrophy. The BLA pyramidal neurons of GF mice had more
      thin, stubby and mushroom spines. In contrast, the ventral hippocampal pyramidal
      neurons of GF mice were shorter, less branched and had less stubby and mushroom
      spines. When compared to controls, dentate granule cells of GF mice were less
      branched but did not differ in spine density. These findings suggest that the
      microbiota is required for the normal gross morphology and ultrastructure of the
      amygdala and hippocampus and that this neural remodelling may contribute to the
      maladaptive stress responsivity and behavioural profile observed in GF mice.

PMID- 27256073
TI  - Excessive Activation of TGFbeta by Spinal Instability Causes Vertebral Endplate
      Sclerosis.
AB  - Narrowed intervertebral disc (IVD) space is a characteristic of IVD degeneration.
      EP sclerosis is associated with IVD, however the pathogenesis of EP hypertrophy
      is poorly understood. Here, we employed two spine instability mouse models to
      investigate temporal and spatial EP changes associated with IVD volume,
      considering them as a functional unit. We found that aberrant mechanical loading
      leads to accelerated ossification and hypertrophy of EP, decreased IVD volume and
      increased activation of TGFbeta. Overexpression of active TGFbeta in CED mice
      showed a similar phenotype of spine instability model. Administration of TGFbeta
      Receptor I inhibitor attenuates pathologic changes of EP and prevents IVD
      narrowing. The aberrant activation of TGFbeta resulting in EPs hypertrophy
      induced IVD space narrowing provides a pharmacologic target that could have
      therapeutic potential to delay DDD.

PMID- 27256074
TI  - The Use of Polyethylene Glycol in Mammalian Herbivore Diet Studies: What Are We
      Measuring?
AB  - Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been used to study the intake and digestion of
      tannin-rich plants by mammalian herbivores because it preferentially binds to
      tannins. However, it is not clear whether the responses of herbivores to dietary
      PEG is due to increased protein availability from the release of tannin-bound
      protein, amelioration of tannin effects, or whether PEG also may bind to other
      compounds and change their activity in the gut. We used three native New Zealand
      tree species to measure the effect of PEG on the amount of foliage eaten by
      invasive common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and on in vitro
      digestible nitrogen (available N). The addition of PEG increased the in vitro
      available N content of Weinmannia racemosa foliage, and possums ate significantly
      more PEG-treated foliage than untreated foliage. However, possums also ate more
      PEG-treated Fuchsia excorticata foliage, even though PEG did not increase in
      vitro available N in this species. Possums ate very little Melicytus ramiflorus,
      regardless of PEG treatment, even though M. ramiflorus contained the highest
      concentration of in vitro available N. These results prompted us to use PEG and a
      protein supplement, casein, to manipulate the available N concentration of diets
      containing ground eucalypt foliage, a well-studied food species for possums.
      Again, the response of possums to PEG was independent of changes in in vitro
      available N. In addition, altering the protein content of the diet via the
      addition of casein did not affect how much food the possums consumed. We conclude
      that the effects of PEG on dry matter intake by mammalian herbivores are not due
      solely to the release of tannin-bound protein. There is need for a better
      understanding of PEG-tannin interactions in order to ensure that the use of PEG
      in nutritional studies does not outstrip an understanding of its mechanisms of
      action. 

PMID- 27256075
TI  - Nicotine inhibits activation of microglial proton currents via interactions with
      alpha7 acetylcholine receptors.
AB  - Alpha 7 subunits of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed in
      microglia and are involved in the suppression of neuroinflammation. Over the past
      decade, many reports show beneficial effects of nicotine, though little is known
      about the mechanism. Here we show that nicotine inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      induced proton (H+) currents and morphological change by using primary cultured
      microglia. The H+ channel currents were measured by whole-cell patch clamp method
      under voltage-clamp condition. Increased H+ current in activated microglia was
      attenuated by blocking NADPH oxidase. The inhibitory effect of nicotine was due
      to the activation of alpha7 nAChR, not a direct action on the H+ channels,
      because the effects of nicotine was cancelled by alpha7 nAChR antagonists.
      Neurotoxic effect of LPS-activated microglia due to inflammatory cytokines was
      also attenuated by pre-treatment of microglia with nicotine. These results
      suggest that alpha7 nAChRs in microglia may be a therapeutic target in
      neuroinflammatory diseases.

PMID- 27256076
TI  - Medium-grade tubular proteinuria is common in HIV-positive patients and
      specifically associated with exposure to tenofovir disoproxil Fumarate.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence
      and risk factors of medium-grade proteinuria (100-500 mg/g creatinine) among HIV
      positive adults. METHODS: Spot urine samples of HIV-positive adults without known
      renal disease were analyzed quantitatively between January 2009 and February
      2011. Demographic and medical data were collected. Multivariate regression models
      for different patterns of proteinuria were constructed. RESULTS: Among 411
      patients, 18 (4.4 %) presented albuminuria >300 mg/g creatinine and/or
      proteinuria >500 mg/g creatinine and were excluded from further analyses. Among
      the study population of 393 patients, 181 (46.1 %) had no significant proteinuria
      or albuminuria (<100 and <30 mg/g creatinine, respectively), 60 (15.3 %) had
      moderate albuminuria, while 152 (38.7 %) had proteinuria without albuminuria,
      suggesting tubular proteinuria. Independent predictors for medium-grade tubular
      proteinuria in multivariate analysis were exposure to tenofovir (DF), a CD4 nadir
      <500/ul, older age, and anti-HCV-antibodies. There was no association with
      classic renal risk factors like diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension, or
      with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). CONCLUSIONS: We detected
      significant proteinuria in 230 (56.0 %) of 411 HIV-positive patients. Among this
      group, 152 (66.1 %) had medium-grade proteinuria without albuminuria, which was
      significantly associated with exposure to tenofovir, older age, a lower CD4 nadir
      and Hepatitis C. Nephrologic or HIV treatment guidelines fail to detect most of
      these patients but rather identify patients with high cardiovascular risk. In the
      absence of an association with eGFR the role of medium-grade tubular proteinuria
      as a potential early marker of chronic kidney disease remains unclear.
      Prospective studies are needed.

PMID- 27256077
TI  - Applying different mathematical variability methods to identify older fallers and
      non-fallers using gait variability data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical assessment of gait variability may be a particularly
      powerful tool in the screening of older adults at risk of falling. Measurement of
      gait variability is important in the assessment of fall risk, but the variability
      metrics used to evaluate gait timing have not yet been adequately studied.
      OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were (1) to identify the best mathematical
      method of gait variability analysis to discriminate older fallers and non-fallers
      and (2) to identify the best temporal, kinematic parameter of gait to
      discriminate between older fallers and non-fallers. METHODS: Thirty-five
      physically active volunteers participated in this study including 16 older women
      fallers (69.6 +/- 8.1 years) and 19 older women non-fallers (66.1 +/- 6.2 years).
      Volunteers were instructed to walk for 3 min on the treadmill to record the
      temporal kinematic gait parameters including stance time, swing time and stride
      time by four footswitches sensors placed under the volunteers' feet. Data
      analysis used 40 consecutive gait cycles. Six statistical methods were used to
      determine the variability of the stance time, swing time and stride time. These
      included: (1) standard deviation of all the time intervals; (2) standard
      deviation of the means of these intervals taken every five strides; (3) mean of
      the standard deviations of the intervals determined every five strides; (4) root
      mean-square of the differences between intervals; (5) coefficient of variation
      calculated as the standard deviation of the intervals divided by the mean of the
      intervals; and (6) a geometric method calculated based on the construction of a
      histogram of the intervals. RESULTS: The standard deviation of 40 consecutive
      gait cycles was the most sensitive (100 %) and specificity (100 %) parameter to
      discriminate older fallers and non-fallers. CONCLUSION: The standard deviation of
      stance time is the kinematic gait variability parameter that demonstrated the
      best ability to discriminate older fallers from non-fallers. PROTOCOL NUMBER OF
      BRAZILIAN REGISTRY OF CLINICAL TRIALS: RBR-6rytw2.

PMID- 27256078
TI  - The role of DXA in sarcopenia.
AB  - Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by progressive and generalized reduction
      in skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength, associated with an increased risk of
      adverse outcomes (disability, hospitalization, death). The growing attention in
      the last years, aiming to establish a consensus definition and treatment,
      reflects the interest of the scientific community toward this complex condition,
      which has many implications in clinical practice and public health. Dual-energy X
      ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold-standard technique in the analysis of body
      composition at molecular level, providing assessment and quantification of fat
      mass, lean mass and bone mineral content, both in a single body region of
      interest and at whole-body level. In particular, through the assessment of non
      bone lean mass parameters, such as appendicular lean mass adjusted for BMI or
      height (ALM/BMI and ALM/ht2, respectively), it is possible to discriminate
      subjects with "physiological" loss of muscle mass from those with "pathological"
      impoverishment of this compartment, referring to specific cutoff values validated
      in the literature, but keeping in mind the lack of standardization of DXA
      measures. In addition, it is useful in treatment planning, estimating resting
      energy expenditure, and in follow-up, because it allows quantifying with high
      reproducibility the modifications in BC, distinguishing when the change is
      biological (deterioration due to a progression of the disease or improvement due
      to treatment). Due to DXA favorability in terms of accuracy, simplicity,
      availability, low cost and low radiation exposure, its role in sarcopenia
      diagnosis is becoming increasingly important, emerging as reference assessment
      technique in muscle mass evaluation.

PMID- 27256079
TI  - Correlations between the levels of acute infection markers and serum albumin in
      elderly patients with hip fracture.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore a clinical index that could
      predict the decline of serum albumin (ALB) in elderly patients (over 60 years
      old) with hip fractures in 2014. METHODS: All the data came from the
      retrospective survey, and the correlations between the ALB changes and acute
      infection markers were then analyzed using correlation analysis. The changes of
      infection markers and ALB before and after surgery were compared using the t
      test. RESULTS: There was no correlation of the serum ALB blood with interleukin-6
      (IL-6) (r = 0.072, P = 0.588), C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = -0.249, P = 0.057),
      or calcitonin (PCT) (r = -0.038, P = 0.775) when patients were admitted, but it
      was negatively correlated with the total amount of infection markers (TAIMs) (r =
      -0.301, P = 0.020). The postoperative levels of IL-6 (154.23 +/- 177.14 pg/mL) (P
      < 0.001), CRP (69.52 +/- 39.84 mg/L) (P < 0.001), and PCT (1.27 +/- 2.4 ng/mL) (P
      < 0.001) were significantly increased than those before surgery [IL-6 (44.96 +/-
      54.58 pg/mL), CRP (31.78 +/- 29.90 mg/L), and PCT (0.42 +/- 1.06 ng/mL)]. The
      postoperative level of serum ALB (29.93 +/- 3.02 g/L) was significantly reduced
      than that before surgery (33.95 +/- 3.69 g/L) (P < 0.001). The serum ALB level
      was negatively correlated with IL-6 (r = -0.333, P = 0.015) before surgery, but
      not correlated with TAIMs (r = -0.256, P = 0.061). The serum ALB level was
      negatively correlated with IL-6 (r = -0.292, P = 0.034) and TAIMs (r = -0.271, P
      = 0.050) after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The serum IL-6 level could predict the
      changes of ALB during the disease process.

PMID- 27256080
TI  - Acute effects of exergames on cognitive function of institutionalized older
      persons: a single-blinded, randomized and controlled pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Improvements on balance, gait and cognition are some of the benefits
      of exergames. Few studies have investigated the cognitive effects of exergames in
      institutionalized older persons. AIMS: To assess the acute effect of a single
      session of exergames on cognition of institutionalized older persons. METHODS:
      Nineteen institutionalized older persons were randomly allocated to Wii (WG, n =
      10, 86 +/- 7 year, two males) or control groups (CG, n = 9, 86 +/- 5 year, one
      male). The WG performed six exercises with virtual reality, whereas CG performed
      six exercises without virtual reality. Verbal fluency test (VFT), digit span
      forward and digit span backward were used to evaluate semantic memory/executive
      function, short-term memory and work memory, respectively, before and after
      exergames and Delta post- to pre-session (absolute) and Delta % (relative) were
      calculated. Parametric (t independent test) and nonparametric (Mann-Whitney test)
      statistics and effect size were applied to tests for efficacy. RESULTS: VFT was
      statistically significant within WG (-3.07, df = 9, p = 0.013). We found no
      statistically significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). Effect
      size between groups of Delta % (median = 21 %) showed moderate effect for WG
      (0.63). DISCUSSION: Our data show moderate improvement of semantic
      memory/executive function due to exergames session. It is possible that cognitive
      brain areas are activated during exergames, increasing clinical response.
      CONCLUSION: A single session of exergames showed no significant improvement in
      short-term memory, working memory and semantic memory/executive function. The
      effect size for verbal fluency was promising, and future studies on this issue
      should be developed. PROTOCOL NUMBER OF BRAZILIAN REGISTRY OF CLINICAL TRIALS:
      RBR-6rytw2.

PMID- 27256081
TI  - Self-directed learning can outperform direct instruction in the course of a
      modern German medical curriculum - results of a mixed methods trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modernised medical curricula in Germany (so called "reformed study
      programs") rely increasingly on alternative self-instructed learning forms such
      as e-learning and curriculum-guided self-study. However, there is a lack of
      evidence that these methods can outperform conventional teaching methods such as
      lectures and seminars. This study was conducted in order to compare extant
      traditional teaching methods with new instruction forms in terms of learning
      effect and student satisfaction. METHODS: In a randomised trial, 244 students of
      medicine in their third academic year were assigned to one of four study branches
      representing self-instructed learning forms (e-learning and curriculum-based self
      study) and instructed learning forms (lectures and seminars). All groups
      participated in their respective learning module with standardised materials and
      instructions. Learning effect was measured with pre-test and post-test multiple
      choice questionnaires. Student satisfaction and learning style were examined via
      self-assessment. RESULTS: Of 244 initial participants, 223 completed the
      respective module and were included in the study. In the pre-test, the groups
      showed relatively homogenous scores. All students showed notable improvements
      compared with the pre-test results. Participants in the non-self-instructed
      learning groups reached scores of 14.71 (seminar) and 14.37 (lecture), while the
      groups of self-instructed learners reached higher scores with 17.23 (e-learning)
      and 15.81 (self-study). All groups improved significantly (p < .001) in the post
      test regarding their self-assessment, led by the e-learning group, whose self
      assessment improved by 2.36. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that students in modern
      study curricula learn better through modern self-instructed methods than through
      conventional methods. These methods should be used more, as they also show good
      levels of student acceptance and higher scores in personal self-assessment of
      knowledge.

PMID- 27256082
TI  - Don't miss it, it might be a hydatid cyst in the gluteus.
AB  - Hydatid cyst is one of the five most diagnosed zoonotic diseases in the
      Mediterranean region. However, intramuscular localisation is very rare. It is
      reported that muscular involvement constitutes 1-5.4% of all Echinococcus
      infections. Here we would like to report an unusual case of hydatid cyst in the
      gluteus muscle, which had been treated with both surgical and medical treatment.

PMID- 27256083
TI  - Isolated tubercular hypoglossal nerve paralysis.
AB  - Hypoglossal nerve palsy is not an uncommon neurological finding but primary
      nasopharyngeal tuberculosis (TB) presenting as hypoglossal nerve palsy is very
      rare. A 31-year-old woman presented with headache and progressive tongue
      deviation towards the right side. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy revealed soft tissue
      mass lesion on the posterior wall of nasopharynx while MRI revealed isointense
      tumour in nasopharynx with normal hypoglossal nerve and brain. Histopathological
      examination found TB. We discuss the clinical challenges and possible
      pathogenesis of this rare clinical entity.

PMID- 27256084
TI  - Long-term outcomes of destructive seronegative (rheumatoid) arthritis -
      description of four clinical cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a milder course
      of progression compared to seropositive disease. However, long-term follow-up
      data of the clinical course of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis are sparse. Here
      we describe four cases with a rare disease entity of aggressive destructive
      seronegative (rheumatoid) arthritis with 20-35 years of follow-up. CASE
      PRESENTATION: The four cases are women with an initial presentation of
      seronegative rheumatoid arthritis in 1980-1996 and have received disease
      modifying anti-rheumatic drugs since the diagnosis. In all cases, the condition
      has been refractory to treatments and evolved into a severe disease with
      destructions of the wrists, sub-talar and ankle joints, as well as large joints
      but not small joints of fingers and toes. All cases are negative with regard to
      rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and antibodies
      against carbamylated proteins. CONCLUSIONS: This report adds to the existing
      literature, making the reader aware of this sub-type of inflammatory arthritis
      which despite being seronegative, can have devastating disease consequences. The
      report highlights the need for further research into this field in order to
      better understand this disease sub-type, the pathogenesis, disease course and
      outcomes.

PMID- 27256086
TI  - Effect of sex and age on the association between suicidal behaviour and obesity
      in Korean adults: a cross-sectional nationwide study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the hypothesis that the relationship between obesity and
      the risk of suicidal behaviour would differ according to sex and age. SETTING:
      Data from the 2007-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
      (KNHANES) were used. PARTICIPANTS: 36 211 adults with body mass index (BMI) data
      were included and the mean age was 49.6 years. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: BMI. PRIMARY
      AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Suicide ideation and attempts. DESIGN AND
      ANALYSIS: A cross-sectional study was performed. Multiple logistic regressions
      after controlling for socioeconomic variables and concomitant diseases were
      applied to see the relationship between obesity level and suicidal ideation or
      attempt. RESULTS: Women with severe obesity had the highest prevalence of suicide
      attempts and ideation, whereas among males, underweight men had the highest
      prevalence. After adjustment, obese men had a lower OR for suicide ideation
      (OR=0.87, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.00). Among women, the ORs of severely obese and
      underweight women were 1.27 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.52) and 1.24 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.45),
      respectively. When grouped by age category, the ORs for suicide ideation in
      severely obese women aged 18 to <30 years or attempts in severely obese women
      aged 30 to <50 years were 2.30 (95% CI 1.36 to 3.89) and 3.07 (95% CI 1.50 to
      6.31), respectively. However, overweight and obese women aged more than 50 years
      exhibited significantly less ORs of suicide ideation, when compared with
      counterparts of normal weight. CONCLUSIONS: The association between obesity and
      suicidal behaviour exhibited a different pattern by sex and age in South Korea.
      In particular, severely obese young women had a substantial risk of suicidal
      behaviour. Our study results highlighted the importance of obesity management in
      the prevention of suicide among young women, and may be helpful for the drafting
      of the health agenda in Asian countries with an obesity prevalence and culture
      similar to those in Korea.

PMID- 27256085
TI  - Modelling estimates of the burden of respiratory syncytial virus infection in
      children in the UK.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness is not well
      characterised in primary care. We estimated the burden of disease attributable to
      RSV in children in the UK between 1995 and 2009. DESIGN: Time-series regression
      modelling. SETTING: A multiple linear regression model based on weekly viral
      surveillance (RSV and influenza, Public Health England), and controlled for non
      specific seasonal drivers of disease, estimated the proportion of general
      practitioner (GP) episodes of care (counted as first visit in a series within 28
      days; Clinical Practice Research Datalink, CPRD), hospitalisations (Hospital
      Episode Statistics, HES) and deaths (Office of National Statistics, ONS)
      attributable to RSV each season. PARTICIPANTS: Children 0-17 years registered
      with a GP in CPRD, or with a respiratory disease outcome in the HES or ONS
      databases. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: RSV-attributable burden of GP episodes,
      hospitalisations and deaths due to respiratory disease by age. RSV-attributable
      burden associated with selected antibiotic prescriptions. RESULTS: RSV
      attributable respiratory disease in the UK resulted in an estimated 450 158 GP
      episodes, 29 160 hospitalisations and 83 deaths per average season in children
      and adolescents, with the highest proportions in children <6 months of age (14
      441/100 000 population, 4184/100 000 and 6/100 000, respectively). In an average
      season, there were an estimated 125 478 GP episodes for otitis media and 416 133
      prescriptions for antibiotics attributable to RSV. More GP episodes,
      hospitalisations and deaths from respiratory disease were attributable to RSV
      than to influenza in children under 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of RSV in
      children in the UK exceeds that of influenza. RSV in children and adolescents
      contributes substantially to GP office visits for a diverse range of illnesses,
      and was associated with an average 416 133 prescribed antibiotic courses per
      season. Effective antiviral treatments and preventive vaccines are urgently
      needed for the management of RSV infection in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION
      NUMBER: NCT01706302.

PMID- 27256087
TI  - Establishing the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and student experience of a
      Simulation-based education Training program On the Prevention of Falls (STOP
      Falls) among hospitalised inpatients: a protocol for a randomised controlled
      trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Simulation-based education (SBE) is now commonly used across health
      professional disciplines to teach a range of skills. The evidence base supporting
      the effectiveness of this approach for improving patient health outcomes is
      relatively narrow, focused mainly on the development of procedural skills.
      However, there are other simulation approaches used to support non-procedure
      specific skills that are in need of further investigation. This cluster, cross
      over randomised controlled trial with a concurrent economic evaluation (cost per
      fall prevented) trial will evaluate the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and
      student experience of health professional students undertaking simulation
      training for the prevention of falls among hospitalised inpatients. This research
      will target the students within the established undergraduate student placements
      of Monash University medicine, nursing and allied health across Peninsula Health
      acute and subacute inpatient wards. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The intervention will
      train the students in how to provide the Safe Recovery program, the only single
      intervention approach demonstrated to reduce falls in hospitals. This will
      involve redevelopment of the Safe Recovery program into a one-to-many participant
      SBE program, so that groups of students learn the communication skills and falls
      prevention knowledge necessary for delivery of the program. The primary outcome
      of this research will be patient falls across participating inpatient wards, with
      secondary outcomes including student satisfaction with the SBE and knowledge
      gain, ward-level practice change and cost of acute/rehabilitation care for each
      patient measured using clinical costing data. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Human
      Research Ethics Committees of Peninsula Health (LRR/15/PH/11) and Monash
      University (CF15/3523-2015001384) have approved this research. The participant
      information and consent forms provide information on privacy, storage of results
      and dissemination. Registration of this trial has been completed with the
      Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000817549. This
      study protocol has been prepared according to the Standard Protocol Items:
      Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) checklist. TRIAL REGISTRATION
      NUMBER: ACTRN12615000817549; Pre-results.

PMID- 27256088
TI  - Risk factors of direct heat-related hospital admissions during the 2009 heatwave
      in Adelaide, Australia: a matched case-control study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The extreme heatwave of 2009 in South Australia dramatically increased
      morbidity, with a 14-fold increase in direct heat-related hospitalisation in
      metropolitan Adelaide. Our study aimed to identify risk factors for the excess
      morbidity. DESIGN: A matched case-control study of risk factors was conducted.
      SETTING: Patients and matched community controls were interviewed to gather data
      on demographics, living environment, social support, health status and behaviour
      changes during the heatwave. PARTICIPANTS: Cases were all hospital admissions
      with heat-related diagnoses during the 5-day heatwave in 2009. Controls were
      randomly selected from communities. OUTCOME MEASURES: Descriptive analyses,
      simple and multiple conditional logistic regressions were performed. Adjusted ORs
      (AORs) were estimated. RESULTS: In total, 143 hospital patients and 143 matched
      community controls were interviewed, with a mean age of 73 years (SD 21), 96%
      European ethnicity, 63% retired, 36% with high school or higher education, and 8%
      institutional living. The regression model indicated that compared with the
      controls, cases were more likely to have heart disease (AOR=13.56, 95% CI 1.27 to
      144.86) and dementia (AOR=26.43, 95% CI 1.99 to 350.73). The protective factors
      included higher education level (AOR=0.48, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.99), having air
      conditioner in the bedroom (AOR=0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.74), having an emergency
      button (AOR=0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.96), using refreshment (AOR=0.10, 95% CI 0.01
      to 0.84), and having more social activities (AOR=0.11, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.57).
      CONCLUSIONS: Pre-existing heart disease and dementia significantly increase the
      risk of direct heat-related hospitalisations during heatwaves. The presence of an
      air-conditioner in the bedroom, more social activities, a higher education level,
      use of emergency buttons and refreshments reduce the risk during heatwaves.

PMID- 27256089
TI  - Retrospective angiographic study to determine the effect of atherosclerotic
      stenoses of upstream arteries on the degree of atherosclerosis in distal vascular
      territories.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Experimental coarctation of the aorta prevents the development of
      downstream atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to find out whether or not
      atherosclerotic stenoses protect distal vascular territories from developing
      atherosclerosis in humans. DESIGN AND SETTING: A total of 2125 vascular segments
      from angiographies of 101 patients were evaluated by calculating the maximum
      degree of stenosis (NASCET criteria), the degree of calcification, the degree of
      collaterals and the Friesinger score. RESULTS: Stenosis >=30-49% was found in 685
      vascular segments (32.2%), >=50-69% in 490 (23.1%), >=70-89% in 373 (17.6%) and
      >=90% in 265 (12.5%). If a stenosis of at least >=70-89% was present in the
      common iliac, the external iliac or the common femoral artery, the degrees of
      stenosis distal to it were lower than those on the contralateral side (19.8+/
      22.3% (CI 11.7 to 28.0) vs 25.2+/-20.7% (CI 21.2 to 29.1); Friesinger scores
      1.1+/-1.2 (CI 0.6 to 1.5) vs 1.4+/-1.1 (CI 1.2 to 1.6); degrees of calcification
      0.8+/-1.0 (CI 0.4 to 1.1) vs 1.2+/-1.1 (CI 1.2 to 1.6); p<0.05 each). This effect
      depended on the degree of proximal stenosis, but not on collaterals, and was most
      pronounced distal to stenoses of the common iliac, the superficial femoral and
      the popliteal artery. In regression models, stenoses of the pelvic arteries were
      shown to be an independent protective factor for the distal vascular territories.
      CONCLUSIONS: Atherosclerotic stenoses seem to protect distal vascular territories
      from developing atherosclerosis. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism of
      this phenomenon remains to be determined. It could be based on pulse pressure
      reduction.

PMID- 27256090
TI  - Risk factors for dermatitis in submariners during a submerged patrol: an
      observational cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to determine risk factors, including
      Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage, for dermatitis in submariners during a
      submarine patrol. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: 36 submariners undertaking a
      submerged 6-week patrol participated in the study. Severity of dermatitis and its
      impact was assessed using visual analogue scales and questionnaires at baseline
      and weekly throughout the patrol. S. aureus carriage levels in submariners were
      determined by nasal swabbing at baseline and shortly before disembarking the
      submarine. Occurrence of any skin or soft tissue infections (SSTI) were reported
      to the medical officer and swabs of the area were taken for subsequent analysis.
      RESULTS: S. aureus carriers were significantly more likely than non-carriers to
      have previously received treatment for a cutaneous abscess (39% vs 5%, OR=13 (95%
      CI 1.3 to 130)) with a trend to being submariners longer (p=0.051). Skin scores
      at baseline and on patrol were not significantly associated with carriage status.
      Higher dermatitis scores were observed in those who had been submariners longer
      (p=0.045). Smoking and allergies were not found to be linked to carriage status
      or skin health score in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This small pilot study
      investigates S. aureus carriage status and skin health in submariners. Length of
      submarine service but not S. aureus carriage was identified as a risk factor for
      worsening skin health in this small cohort during a 6-week patrol. This does not
      support S. aureus decolonisation to improve skin health in this population.
      Further investigation into causes of dermatitis in submariners is required. This
      data supports a better understanding of the potential impact of exposure to
      environmental factors that could affect skin health in submariners.

PMID- 27256092
TI  - Methamphetamine use in Central Germany: protocol for a qualitative study
      exploring requirements and challenges in healthcare from the professionals'
      perspective.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The synthetic drug methamphetamine with its high addiction
      potential is associated with substantial adverse health effects. In Germany,
      especially Central Germany, the increase in the consumption of methamphetamine
      has exceeded that of other illegal drugs. The treatment system and service
      providers are facing new challenges due to this rise in consumption. This
      qualitative study will explore the demand created by the increasing healthcare
      needs of methamphetamine-addicted persons in Central Germany, and the difficulty
      of rehabilitating addicted people. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The collection of
      empirical data will take place in a consecutive, two-stage process. In the first
      part of data collection, the experiences and perspectives of 40 professionals
      from numerous healthcare sectors for methamphetamine-addicted persons will be
      explored with the help of semistructured face-to-face interviews and probed by
      the research team. These findings will be discussed in 2 focus groups consisting
      of the participants of the face-to-face interviews; these group discussions
      comprise the second part of the data collection process. The interviews will be
      audio recorded, transcribed, and then subjected to qualitative content analysis.
      ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All interviewees will receive comprehensive written
      information about the study, and sign a declaration of consent prior to the
      interview. The study will comply rigorously with data protection legislation. The
      research team has obtained the approval of the Ethical Review Committee at the
      Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. The results of the study will
      be published in high-quality, peer-reviewed international journals, presented at
      several congresses and used to design follow-up research projects. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION NUMBER: VfD_METH_MD_15_003600.

PMID- 27256091
TI  - How do women trade-off benefits and risks in chemotherapy treatment decisions
      based on gene expression profiling for early-stage breast cancer? A discrete
      choice experiment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Gene expression profiling (GEP) of tumours informs baseline risk
      prediction, potentially affecting adjuvant chemotherapy decisions for women with
      early-stage breast cancer. Since only 15% will experience a recurrence, concerns
      have been raised about potential harms from overtreatment and high GEP costs in
      publicly funded healthcare systems. We aimed to estimate preferences and personal
      utility of GEP testing information and benefit-risk trade-offs in chemotherapy
      treatment decisions. DESIGN, SETTING AND INTERVENTION: Based on literature review
      and findings from our qualitative research (focus groups, interviews with
      patients with breast cancer and medical oncologists), we developed a discrete
      choice experiment (DCE) survey and administered it via an internet panel. The DCE
      included 12 choice tasks with 5 attributes and 3 alternatives considering
      orthogonality, D-efficiency and level balance. PARTICIPANTS: The DCE survey was
      administered to 1004 Canadian women from the general population. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Preferences were analysed using conditional logit and hierarchical
      Bayes and evaluated for goodness of fit. We conducted simulation analyses for
      alternative scenarios. RESULTS: GEP test score indicating likely benefit from
      chemotherapy was the most important attribute. Doctor's clinical estimate of the
      risk of cancer returning, trust in your cancer doctor and side effects of
      chemotherapy (temporary and permanent) were relatively less important but showed
      significant differences among levels. In the scenario analyses, 78% were likely
      to choose chemotherapy in a high-risk scenario, 55% in a moderate-risk scenario
      and 33% in a low-risk scenario, with the other attributes held constant. A high
      GEP score was more important in influencing the choice of chemotherapy for those
      at intermediate clinical risk. CONCLUSIONS: GEP testing information influences
      chemotherapy treatment decisions in early-stage breast cancer and varies
      depending on clinical risk. Clinicians should be aware of these differences and
      tailor the use of GEP testing accordingly.

PMID- 27256093
TI  - Protocol of a randomised phase III clinical trial of sequential capecitabine or 5
      fluorouracil plus bevacizumab (Cape/5-FU-Bmab) to capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil
      plus oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab (CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab) versus combination
      CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab in advanced colorectal cancer: the C-cubed (C3) study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Results from several randomised trials suggest that the sequential
      use of cytotoxic agents in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has
      the potential to improve overall survival compared with combination chemotherapy.
      This study is designed to investigate whether sequential treatment with
      bevacizumab-based first-line treatment with oxaliplatin is superior to
      combination treatment of mCRC. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The C-cubed (C(3)) study is
      a two-arm, multicentre, open-label, randomised phase III trial in Japan comparing
      the efficacy and safety of sequential capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil plus
      bevacizumab (Cape/5-FU-Bmab) with escalation to capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil
      plus oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab (CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab) versus combination
      CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab as the first-line treatment of mCRC. In the sequential arm
      (Arm A: oxaliplatin 'wait-and-go'), treatment escalation from Cape/5-FU-Bmab to
      CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab is recommended in the case of progressive disease. In the
      combination arm (Arm B: oxaliplatin 'stop-and-go'), de-escalation from
      CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab to Cape/5-FU-Bmab is possible after 12 weeks of treatment.
      Re-escalation to CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab after progressive disease is considered
      only for patients who received de-escalation of oxaliplatin after 12 weeks of
      treatment not caused by oxaliplatin-associated toxicity. A target sample size of
      304 evaluable patients is considered sufficient to validate an expected HR for
      time to failure of strategy of the sequential approach 'wait-and-go' compared to
      the combination approach 'stop-and go' with 80% power and 2-sided 5% alpha in
      case of a true HR<0.69. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study is conducted
      according to the standards of Good Clinical Practice and in compliance with the
      Declaration of Helsinki 2013 and local regulations, and has been submitted and
      approved by the Ethical Committee of the Non-Profit Organization MINS
      Institutional Review Board. The protocol and the trial results, even
      inconclusive, will be presented at international oncology congresses and
      published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000015405,
      Pre-results.

PMID- 27256095
TI  - Clinical excellence: evidence on the assessment of senior doctors' applications
      to the UK Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards. Analysis of complete
      national data set.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To inform the rational deployment of assessor resource in the
      evaluation of applications to the UK Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence
      Awards (ACCEA). SETTING: ACCEA are responsible for a scheme to financially reward
      senior doctors in England and Wales who are assessed to be working over and above
      the standard expected of their role. PARTICIPANTS: Anonymised applications of
      consultants and senior academic GPs for awards were considered by members of 14
      regional subcommittees and 2 national assessing committees during the 2014-2015
      round of applications. DESIGN: It involved secondary analysis of complete
      anonymised national data set. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We analysed
      scores for each of 1916 applications for a clinical excellence award across 4
      levels of award. Scores were provided by members of 16 subcommittees. We assessed
      the reliability of assessments and described the variance in the assessment of
      scores. RESULTS: Members of regional subcommittees assessed 1529 new applications
      and 387 renewal applications. Average scores increased with the level of
      application being made. On average, applications were assessed by 9.5 assessors.
      The highest contributions to the variance in individual assessors' assessments of
      applications were attributable to assessors or to residual variance. The
      applicant accounted for around a quarter of the variance in scores for new bronze
      applications, with this proportion decreasing for higher award levels.
      Reliability in excess of 0.7 can be attained where 4 assessors score bronze
      applications, with twice as many assessors being required for higher levels of
      application. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment processes pertaining in the competitive
      allocation of public funds need to be credible and efficient. The present
      arrangements for assessing and scoring applications are defensible, depending on
      the level of reliability judged to be required in the assessment process. Some
      relatively minor reconfiguration in approaches to scoring might usefully be
      considered in future rounds of assessment.

PMID- 27256094
TI  - Community-based physical activity and nutrition programme for adults with
      metabolic syndrome in Vietnam: study protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled
      trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors for
      cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes. In Vietnam, more than one-quarter
      of its population aged 50-65 have MetS. This cluster-randomised controlled trial
      aims to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to increase levels of
      physical activity and improve dietary behaviours among Vietnamese adults aged 50
      65 years with MetS. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: This 6-month community-based
      intervention includes a range of strategies to improve physical activity and
      nutrition for adults with MetS in Hanam, a province located in northern Vietnam.
      600 participants will be recruited from 6 communes with 100 participants per
      commune. The 6 selected communes will be randomly allocated to either an
      intervention group (m=3; n=300) or a control group (m=3; n=300). The intervention
      comprises booklets, education sessions, resistance bands and attending local
      walking groups that provide information and encourage participants to improve
      their physical activity and healthy eating behaviours during the 6-month period.
      The control group participants will receive standard and 1-time advice. Social
      cognitive theory is the theoretical concept underpinning this study. Measurements
      will be taken at baseline and postintervention to evaluate programme
      effectiveness. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The research protocol was approved by
      the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number:
      HR139/2014). The results of the study will be disseminated through publications,
      reports and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
      ACTRN12614000811606.

PMID- 27256096
TI  - Clinical course and therapeutic approach to varicella zoster virus infection in
      children with rheumatic autoimmune diseases under immunosuppression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To analyze the clinical presentation and complications of varicella
      zoster virus (VZV) infection in children with rheumatic diseases treated with
      immunosuppressive medication such as biological disease-modifying antirheumatic
      drugs (bDMARDs) and/or conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
      (cDMARDs), and to analyze the therapeutic approach to VZV infections with respect
      to the concomitant immunosuppressive treatment. METHODS: Retrospective
      multicenter study using the Swiss Pediatric Rheumatology registry. Children with
      rheumatic diseases followed in a Swiss center for pediatric rheumatology and
      treated with cDMARD and/or bDMARD with a clinical diagnosis of varicella or
      herpes zoster between January 2004 and December 2013 were included. RESULTS:
      Twenty-two patients were identified, of whom 20 were treated for juvenile
      idiopathic arthritis, 1 for a polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type III, and 1
      for uveitis. Of these 22 patients, 16 had varicella and 6 had herpes zoster.
      Median age at VZV disease was 7.6 years (range 2 to 17 years), with 6.3 years
      (range 2 to 17 years) for those with varicella and 11.6 years (range 5 to 16
      years) for those with herpes zoster. The median interval between start of
      immunosuppression and VZV disease was 14.1 months (range 1 to 63 months). Two
      patients had received varicella vaccine (1 dose each) prior to start of
      immunosuppression. Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy was methotrexate (MTX)
      monotherapy (n = 9) or bDMARD monotherapy (n = 2), or a combination of bDMARD
      with prednisone, MTX or Leflunomide (n = 11). Four patients experienced VZV
      related complications: cellulitis in 1 patient treated with MTX, and cellulitis,
      sepsis and cerebellitis in 3 patients treated with biological agents and MTX
      combination therapy. Six children were admitted to hospital (range of duration: 4
      to 9 days) and 12 were treated with valaciclovir or aciclovir. CONCLUSION: The
      clinical course of varicella and herpes zoster in children under
      immunosuppression is variable, with 4 (18 %) of 22 children showing a complicated
      course. Thorough assessment of VZV disease and vaccination history and correct
      VZV vaccination according to national guidelines at diagnosis of a rheumatic
      autoimmune disease is essential to minimize VZV complications during a later
      immunosuppressive treatment.

PMID- 27256097
TI  - Comparing Clinicopathologic and Radiographic Findings Between TT-UMP, Classical,
      and Non-Encapsulated Follicular Variants of Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas.
AB  - Thyroid tumors of uncertain malignant potential (TT-UMP) comprise an accepted
      subgroup of follicular-patterned thyroid tumors for which benignancy or
      malignancy cannot be precisely assessed. We aimed to evaluate the demographic
      characteristics, ultrasound (US) findings, and cytological results of patients
      with TT-UMP and compare these findings to a classical variant of papillary
      thyroid carcinoma (CV-PTC) and non-encapsulated follicular variant of PTC (NEFV
      PTC) patients; we also evaluated the immunohistochemical characteristics of
      patients with TT-UMP. Twenty-four patients with TT-UMP, 672 with CV-PTC, and 132
      with NEFV-PTC were included in the study. Mean longitudinal nodule size and
      median nodule volume were higher in the TT-UMP group than in the CV-PTC and NEFV
      PTC groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 for CV-PTC; p < 0.001 and p = 0.008 for NEFV
      PTC). The presence of halo and peripheral vascularization was observed more
      frequently in the TT-UMP group than in the CV-PTC group (p = 0.002 and p =
      0.024). Benign and follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm
      cytological results were higher in the TT-UMP group than in the CV-PTC group (p =
      0.030 and p = 0.001). US findings were similar between TT-UMP and NEFV-PTC groups
      (all, p > 0.05). However, none of the patients with TT-UMP were called malignant;
      105 patients (31.2 %) of CV-PTC and 11 patients (9.5 %) of NEFV-PTC (infiltrative
      FV) were classified as malignant cytologically. Tumor size was higher in the TT
      UMP group than in the CV-PTC and NEFV-PTC groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006). In
      the TT-UMP group, positive expression of HBME-1, CK-19, and Gal-3 was found in
      50, 33.3, and 25 % of patients, respectively. This study demonstrated that none
      of the TT-UMP patients were evaluated as malignant in preoperative cytology.
      However, patients with TT-UMP had higher nodule and tumor sizes than CV-PTC and
      NEFV-PTC patients; US features were similar between NEFV-PTC and TT-UMP patients.

PMID- 27256098
TI  - Expression of Somatostatin Receptor Type 2A and PTEN in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
      Is Associated with Tumor Grade but Not with Site of Origin.
AB  - Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are derived from endocrine cells in various
      organs and share common morphological features. This study aimed to clarify
      whether NENs of different organs are comparable at the molecular pathologic
      level. We retrospectively collected 99 cases of NENs from gastro-entero
      pancreatic, lung, and other organs and reclassified these according to identical
      criteria. Grade, site, and molecular expression profile including NE markers, Ki
      67, p53, somatostatin receptor type 2A (SSTR2A), and phosphatase and tensin
      homolog (PTEN) were compared. PTEN immunoreactivity was also compared with
      genomic copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and droplet
      digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). No significant differences were
      observed in the immunoreactivities of NE markers, p53, SSTR2A, or PTEN expression
      in NENs between the different organ sites. PTEN and p53 functional inactivation
      along with the loss of membranous SSTR2A expression appeared to be commonly
      involved in high-grade NEN. FISH results were significantly correlated with the
      level of PTEN immunoreactivity and with the findings of ddPCR analyses. The
      demonstration that these tumors are comparable at the molecular level will likely
      contribute to the broadening of therapeutic options such as the use of
      somatostatin analogues and mTOR inhibitors against NENs regardless of the
      affected organ, whereas molecular characterization of tumor grade will be useful
      for determining treatment strategy. 

PMID- 27256099
TI  - Assessment of cancer pain in a patient with communication difficulties: a case
      report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The number of patients who have difficulty with mutual understanding
      has been increasing recently due to an aging society. This emerging issue needs
      to be addressed. We report an instructive case of a patient who had communication
      difficulties due to dementia and sequelae of alcoholic encephalopathy. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old man of Mongolian race presented with coronary
      arteriosclerosis, spinal canal stenosis, transverse colon cancer, and alcoholic
      encephalopathy. We had been requested to remove wires that had been used for the
      closure of his chest in a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. However, on
      admission, a tortured expression and abdominal distention were observed, along
      with emaciation. We diagnosed terminal stage cancer, and palliative care was
      offered. An abdominal computed tomographic scan revealed rectal cancer with
      stenosis and invasion to the adjacent tissues. A metallic stent was inserted,
      leading to reduction of the abdominal distention and an improvement of
      tachycardia. However, the patient's tortured expression was not completely
      relieved; therefore, an assessment of cancer pain was considered. The Abbey Pain
      Scale was applied. On the basis of the patient's score, analgesics and an opioid,
      among other medications, were administered. These led to relief of the patient's
      tortured expression and reduced his Abbey Pain Scale score. Following this, the
      patient's vital signs continued to be stable, and he was transferred to the
      referral institution. CONCLUSIONS: Management of cancer pain in elderly patients
      with mutual understanding difficulties must be performed carefully. In the case
      of our patient, staff at the referral institution informed us of the patient's
      latent torture, and we applied the Abbey Pain Scale. There was some confusion and
      uncertainty regarding clinical management throughout the patient's care; however,
      his condition eventually stabilized. We believe the application of the Abbey Pain
      Scale assists in the relief of cancer pain. However, accumulation of further
      cases and experiences to verify this assessment is required.

PMID- 27256100
TI  - [Novel anti-osteoporotic drugs on the horizon].
AB  - In recent years the great progress in knowledge on bone cell biology has allowed
      identification of molecular structures that can be targeted with pinpoint
      precision (druggable targets). Osteoclasts are regulated via the RANK-RANK-ligand
      (RANKL) signaling pathway and osteoblasts via the Wnt signaling pathway, both of
      which can be influenced for therapeutic measures. As a result the number of
      (functional) osteoclasts can be decreased or the genesis of osteoblasts can be
      increased and bone resorption is inhibited or bone formation is enhanced,
      respectively. Osteoclasts degrade collagen through cathepsin K and inactivation
      of this enzyme stabilizes the bone matrix; however, as osteoclasts are still able
      to maintain a stimulatory cross-talk with osteoblasts, formation of new bone will
      not be reduced. Parathyroid hormone-related protein plays a role in endochondral
      ossification and a synthetic analogue of this protein may have potent bone
      anabolic activity; however, the use of such new and highly efficient therapeutic
      principles comes with new questions and uncertainties on the sequence of
      therapies, duration of therapy, long-term side effects, undesired activation of
      metabolic pathways and effectiveness in comparison to other strategies of
      fracture prevention. 

PMID- 27256101
TI  - Regarding "Radioembolization: Is Prophylactic Embolization of Hepaticoenteric
      Arteries Necessary? A Systematic Review".

PMID- 27256102
TI  - Irreversible Electroporation of Prostate Cancer: Patient-Specific Pretreatment
      Simulation by Electric Field Measurement in a 3D Bioprinted Textured Prostate
      Cancer Model to Achieve Optimal Electroporation Parameters for Image-Guided Focal
      Ablation.

PMID- 27256103
TI  - Cryoablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with High-Risk for Percutaneous
      Ablation: Safety and Efficacy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of
      cryoablation in the treatment of subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      adjacent to various organs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with
      subcapsular HCC were treated with cryoablation in our institution. The degree of
      peri-procedural pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Technical
      success, local tumor progression, and overall disease progression rates were
      calculated. Procedure-related complications were identified by reviewing
      electronic medical records. Biochemical data, including serum aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin
      levels before and after the procedure were collected. RESULTS: Subcapsular HCC
      tumors were located near the gallbladder, colon, stomach, kidney, diaphragm, or
      abdominal wall. The technical success rate of cryoablation was 96.4 % (27/28).
      Local recurrence- and progression-free survival rates were 96 and 84 % at 6
      months, and 82 and 43 % at 1 year, respectively. All patients survived during the
      follow-up period. The VAS pain score ranged from 0 to 3 (mean, 1.57). A major
      complication occurred in one patient (3.6 %) and minor complications occurred at
      a rate of 17.9 %. Transient elevations of serum AST, ALT, and bilirubin levels
      were observed. CONCLUSION: Cryoablation is a safe and an effective procedure for
      the treatment of subcapsular HCC adjacent to various major organs.

PMID- 27256104
TI  - Percutaneous Image-Guided Screw Fixation of Bone Lesions in Cancer Patients:
      Double-Centre Analysis of Outcomes including Local Evolution of the Treated
      Focus.
AB  - AIM: To review outcomes and local evolution of treated lesions following
      percutaneous image-guided screw fixation (PIGSF) of pathological/insufficiency
      fractures (PF/InF) and impeding fractures (ImF) in cancer patients at two
      tertiary centres. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients (mean
      age 67.5 years; range 33-86 years) with a range of tumours and prognoses
      underwent PIGSF for non/minimally displaced PF/InF and ImF. Screws were placed
      under CT/fluoroscopy or cone-beam CT guidance, with or without cementoplasty.
      Clinical outcomes were assessed using a simple 4-point scale (1 = worse; 2 =
      stable; 3 = improved; 4 = significantly improved). Local evolution was reviewed
      on most recent follow-up imaging. Technical success, complications, and overall
      survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-six lesions were treated with 74 screws
      mainly in the pelvis and femoral neck (58.2 %); including 47.2 % PF, 13.9 % InF,
      and 38.9 % ImF. Cementoplasty was performed in 63.9 % of the cases. Technical
      success was 91.6 %. Hospital stay was <=3 days; 87.1 % of lesions were improved
      at 1-month follow-up; three major complications (early screw-impingement
      radiculopathy; accelerated coxarthrosis; late coxofemoral septic arthritis) and
      one minor complication were observed. Unfavourable local evolution at imaging
      occurred in 3/24 lesions (12.5 %) at mean 8.7-month follow-up, including poor
      consolidation (one case) and screw loosening (two cases, at least 1 symptomatic).
      There were no cases of secondary fractures. CONCLUSIONS: PIGSF is feasible for a
      wide range of oncologic patients, offering good short-term efficacy, acceptable
      complication rates, and rapid recovery. Unfavourable local evolution at imaging
      may be relatively frequent, and requires close clinico-radiological surveillance.

PMID- 27256105
TI  - Ablation of Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase alpha1 in Vascular
      Smooth Muscle Cells Promotes Diet-Induced Atherosclerotic Calcification In Vivo.
AB  - RATIONALE: Atherosclerotic calcification is highly linked with plaque rapture.
      How calcification is regulated is poorly characterized. OBJECTIVE: We sought to
      determine the contributions of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in
      atherosclerotic calcification. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aortic calcification was
      evaluated in aortic roots and brachiocephalic arteries of atherosclerotic prone
      ApoE(-/-) mice or in mice with dual deficiencies of ApoE and AMPKalpha isoforms
      in whole body (ApoE(-/-)/AMPKalpha1(-/-) and ApoE(-/-)/AMPKalpha2(-/-)) or
      vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-specific or macrophage-specific knockout of
      AMPKalpha1 fed with Western diet for 24 weeks. Genetic deficiency of AMPKalpha1
      but not of AMPKalpha2 promoted atherosclerotic calcification and the expression
      of Runx2 (Runt-related transcription factor). Conversely, chronic administration
      of metformin, which activated AMPK, markedly reduced atherosclerotic
      calcification and Runx2 expression in ApoE(-/-) mice but had less effects in
      ApoE(-/-)/AMPKalpha1(-/-) mice. Furthermore, VSMC-specific but not macrophage
      specific ablation of AMPKalpha1 promoted aortic calcification in vivo. Ablation
      of AMPKalpha1 in VSMC prevented Runx2 from proteasome degradation in parallel
      with aberrant osteoblastic differentiation of VSMC, whereas AMPK activation
      promoted Runx2 post-translational modification by small ubiquitin-like modifier
      (SUMO, SUMOylation), which is associated with its instability. Mechanically, we
      found that AMPKalpha1 directly phosphorylated protein inhibitor of activated STAT
      1 (PIAS1), the SUMO E3-ligase of Runx2, at serine 510, to promote its SUMO E3
      ligase activity. Finally, mutation of protein inhibitor of activated STAT-1 at
      serine 510 suppressed metformin-induced Runx2 SUMOylation and subsequently
      prevented metformin's effect on reducing oxidized low-density lipoprotein
      triggered Runx2 expression in VSMC. CONCLUSIONS: AMPKalpha1 phosphorylated
      protein inhibitor of activated STAT-1 to promote Runx2 SUMOylation and
      subsequently lead to its instability. AMPKalpha1 deficiency in VSMC increased
      Runx2 expression and promoted atherosclerotic calcification in vivo.

PMID- 27256106
TI  - Enumeration and Molecular Characterisation of Circulating Tumour Cells in
      Endometrial Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This is a feasibility study to determine whether circulating tumour
      cells (CTCs) are detectable and suitable for molecular profiling in advanced
      endometrial cancer (aEC). METHOD: Between October 2012 and February 2014, 30
      patients with aEC had baseline and up to 3 follow-up samples. CTCs and stathmin
      expression were evaluated using the CellSearch platform. Epithelial cell adhesion
      molecule (EpCAM) and stathmin immunohistochemistry were performed on FFPE tumour
      tissue. RESULTS: Eighteen from 30 (60%) patients had detectable CTCs during study
      [1 CTC (n = 7), 2 (n = 4), 3 (n = 1), 4 (n = 2), 7 (n = 1), 8 (n = 1), 22 (n =
      1), 172 (n = 1) in 7.5 ml blood]. Ten from 18 patients had between 50 and 100% of
      detectable CTCs that were stathmin positive. More CTC-positive than CTC-negative
      patients had non-endometrioid versus endometrioid histology, tumour size >=5
      versus <5 cm, higher-stage disease and worse survival [hazard ratio 3.3, p >
      0.05, 95% confidence interval 0.7-16.2]. Twenty-one tumour blocks were tested for
      EpCAM and stathmin immunohistochemistry (IHC). Stathmin tumour immunostaining
      scores (TIS) on IHC were higher in CTC-positive patients. CONCLUSION: CTC
      enumeration and molecular profiling with stathmin on the CellSearch platform is
      feasible in aEC. Stathmin TIS on IHC, a known prognostic marker in EC, was
      associated with CTC positivity.

PMID- 27256107
TI  - Clinical Presentation and Diagnostic Challenges of Thyroid Lymphoma: A Cohort
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thyroid lymphoma is a relatively rare disease often posing a
      diagnostic challenge. Reaching the final diagnosis can be delayed if insufficient
      biopsy material is obtained for immunohistochemistry analysis. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the clinical, biochemical, and radiological features of
      thyroid lymphoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all Mayo
      Clinic patients evaluated between 2000 and 2014 who had a tissue biopsy positive
      for thyroid lymphoma. RESULTS: Seventy-five subjects had biopsy-proven thyroid
      lymphoma, and 62.7% were primary thyroid lymphomas. The median age at diagnosis
      was 67 years (range 20-90 years). A total of 50.7% were male, and 54.7% had a
      history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Presenting symptoms included neck mass (88%),
      dysphagia (45.3%), and hoarseness (37.3%). The typical ultrasound appearance
      consisted of a solid, hypoechoic mass with increased vascularity and variable
      edge characteristics. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies were abnormal in
      70.7% of cases, and 42% indicated a specific lymphoma subtype. The diagnosis was
      confirmed in 53.3% by core biopsy, in 21.3% by thyroidectomy (partial or total),
      in 12% through incisional biopsy, and in 12% by lymph node biopsy. Core biopsy
      had a higher sensitivity compared with FNA (93% vs. 71%, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION:
      A rapidly enlarging neck mass in the setting of Hashimoto's thyroiditis should
      raise suspicion for thyroid lymphoma. Radiologically, this usually presents as a
      large, unilateral, thyroid-centered mass, hypoechoic by ultrasound, and expanding
      into adjacent soft tissues. Core-needle biopsy should be the first diagnostic
      test to expedite reaching the final diagnosis and decrease patient burden of
      additional tests and interventions.

PMID- 27256108
TI  - Simultaneous biopsy and radiofrequency ablation of T1a renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the outcome,
      including feasibility, safety, diagnostic yield, and factors affecting the
      success of computed tomography fluoroscopy-guided biopsy when performed during
      the same procedure than radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in renal tumors strongly
      suspected of being T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Nineteen patients (13 men, 6 women; mean age, 66.7 years) with a total of 19
      suspected renal tumors (mean diameter, 1.8cm) underwent computed tomography
      fluoroscopy-guided biopsy during (n=6) or immediately after (n=13) RFA. All
      patients were strongly suspected of having RCC on the basis of patient's medical
      histories and/or the results of imaging investigations. All procedures were
      divided into diagnostic and non-diagnostic biopsies. Various variables were
      compared between the 2 groups using univariate analysis. RESULTS: In all tumors,
      biopsy procedures were technically feasible. No major complications were
      observed, except for 8 minor post-procedural bleedings. All but one tumor was
      completely ablated. Local recurrence in the ablation zone as well as tumor
      seeding in retroperitoneal fat occurred in 1 patient 8.5months after the
      procedure and were successfully treated with further percutaneous cryoablation.
      Thirteen tumors were diagnosed as RCC, whereas 6 were ultimately found to contain
      normal renal tissue (n=5) or connective tissue (n=1). Univariate analysis
      revealed that none of the variables were significantly different between the
      diagnostic and non-diagnostic biopsies. CONCLUSION: The performance of renal
      tumor biopsy and RFA in the same session is feasible and safe. Although pre
      treatment pathological diagnosis would be generally desirable, simultaneous
      biopsy with RFA can be an option for the patients who are not amenable to pre
      treatment biopsy.

PMID- 27256109
TI  - Induction chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PMID- 27256110
TI  - S-adenosylmethionine reduces airway inflammation and fibrosis in a murine model
      of chronic severe asthma via suppression of oxidative stress.
AB  - Increased oxidative stress has an important role in asthmatic airway inflammation
      and remodeling. A potent methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), is known to
      protect against tissue injury and fibrosis through modulation of oxidative
      stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SAMe on airway
      inflammation and remodeling in a murine model of chronic asthma. A mouse model
      was generated by repeated intranasal challenge with ovalbumin and Aspergillus
      fungal protease twice a week for 8 weeks. SAMe was orally administered every 24 h
      for 8 weeks. We performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis and
      histopathological examination. The levels of various cytokines and 4-hydroxy-2
      nonenal (HNE) were measured in the lung tissue. Cultured macrophages and
      fibroblasts were employed to evaluate the underlying anti-inflammatory and
      antifibrotic mechanisms of SAMe. The magnitude of airway inflammation and
      fibrosis, as well as the total BAL cell counts, were significantly suppressed in
      the SAMe-treated groups. A reduction in T helper type 2 pro-inflammatory
      cytokines and HNE levels was observed in mouse lung tissue after SAMe
      administration. Macrophages cultured with SAMe also showed reduced cellular
      oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Moreover, SAMe
      treatment attenuated transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-induced
      fibronectin expression in cultured fibroblasts. SAMe had a suppressive effect on
      airway inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic asthma, at least
      partially through the attenuation of oxidative stress and TGF-beta-induced
      fibronectin expression. The results of this study suggest a potential role for
      SAMe as a novel therapeutic agent in chronic asthma.

PMID- 27256111
TI  - Concurrent progress of reprogramming and gene correction to overcome therapeutic
      limitation of mutant ALK2-iPSC.
AB  - Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) syndrome is caused by mutation of the
      gene ACVR1, encoding a constitutive active bone morphogenetic protein type I
      receptor (also called ALK2) to induce heterotopic ossification in the patient. To
      genetically correct it, we attempted to generate the mutant ALK2-iPSCs (mALK2
      iPSCs) from FOP-human dermal fibroblasts. However, the mALK2 leads to inhibitory
      pluripotency maintenance, or impaired clonogenic potential after single-cell
      dissociation as an inevitable step, which applies gene-correction tools to
      induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Thus, current iPSC-based gene therapy
      approach reveals a limitation that is not readily applicable to iPSCs with ALK2
      mutation. Here we developed a simplified one-step procedure by simultaneously
      introducing reprogramming and gene-editing components into human fibroblasts
      derived from patient with FOP syndrome, and genetically treated it. The mixtures
      of reprogramming and gene-editing components are composed of reprogramming
      episomal vectors, CRISPR/Cas9-expressing vectors and single-stranded
      oligodeoxynucleotide harboring normal base to correct ALK2 c.617G>A. The one-step
      mediated ALK2 gene-corrected iPSCs restored global gene expression pattern, as
      well as mineralization to the extent of normal iPSCs. This procedure not only
      helps save time, labor and costs but also opens up a new paradigm that is beyond
      the current application of gene-editing methodologies, which is hampered by
      inhibitory pluripotency-maintenance requirements, or vulnerability of single-cell
      dissociated iPSCs.

PMID- 27256112
TI  - Leucine in Obesity: Therapeutic Prospects.
AB  - Obesity develops from an imbalance of energy homeostasis and is associated with
      chronic low-grade inflammation in white adipose tissues (WAT). Inflammation is
      involved in the pathophysiology of many obesity-induced disorders including
      insulin resistance and diabetes. Increasing evidence has shown that dietary
      leucine supplementation positively affects the parameters associated with obesity
      and obesity-related metabolic disorders. The beneficial effects include increased
      loss of body weight, reduced WAT inflammation, improved lipid and glucose
      metabolism, enhanced mitochondrial function, and preserved lean body mass.
      Although these beneficial effects have not been clearly established, dietary
      leucine supplementation, either alone or as part of a therapeutic regimen, may be
      a good nutritional tool in the prevention and management of obesity and obesity
      induced metabolic disorders.

PMID- 27256114
TI  - Corrigendum to: Modulation of functional network with real-time fMRI feedback
      training of right premotor cortex activity [Neuropsychologia (2014) 111-123].

PMID- 27256113
TI  - Glutamate Neurotransmission in Rodent Models of Traumatic Brain Injury.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in people
      younger than 45 and is a significant public health concern. In addition to
      primary mechanical damage to cells and tissue, TBI involves additional molecular
      mechanisms of injury, termed secondary injury, that continue to evolve over
      hours, days, weeks, and beyond. The trajectory of recovery after TBI is highly
      unpredictable and in many cases results in chronic cognitive and behavioral
      changes. Acutely after TBI, there is an unregulated release of glutamate that
      cannot be buffered or cleared effectively, resulting in damaging levels of
      glutamate in the extracellular space. This initial loss of glutamate homeostasis
      may initiate additional changes in glutamate regulation. The excitatory amino
      acid transporters (EAATs) are expressed on both neurons and glia and are the
      principal mechanism for maintaining extracellular glutamate levels. Diffusion of
      glutamate outside the synapse due to impaired uptake may lead to increased
      extrasynaptic glutamate signaling, secondary injury through activation of cell
      death pathways, and loss of fidelity and specificity of synaptic transmission.
      Coordination of glutamate release and uptake is critical to regulating synaptic
      strength, long-term potentiation and depression, and cognitive processes. In this
      review, we will discuss dysregulation of extracellular glutamate and glutamate
      uptake in the acute stage of TBI and how failure to resolve acute disruptions in
      glutamate homeostatic mechanisms may play a causal role in chronic cognitive
      symptoms after TBI.

PMID- 27256115
TI  - Discovery of Novel Splice Variants and Regulatory Mechanisms for Microsomal
      Triglyceride Transfer Protein in Human Tissues.
AB  - Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is a unique lipid transfer protein
      essential for the assembly of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by the liver and
      intestine. Previous studies in mice identified a splice variant of MTP with an
      alternate first exon. Splice variants of human MTP have not been reported. Using
      PCR approaches we have identified two splice variants in human tissues, which we
      have named MTP-B and MTP-C. MTP-B has a unique first exon (Ex1B) located 10.5 kb
      upstream of the first exon (Ex1A) for canonical MTP (MTP-A); MTP-C contains both
      first exons for MTP-A and MTP-B. MTP-B was found in a number of tissues, whereas
      MTP-C was prominent in brain and testis. MTP-B does not encode a protein; MTP-C
      encodes the same protein encoded by MTP-A, although MTP-C translation is strongly
      inhibited by regulatory elements within its 5'-UTR. Using luciferase assays, we
      demonstrate that the promoter region upstream of exon 1B is quite adequate to
      drive expression of MTP. We conclude that alternate splicing plays a key role in
      regulating cellular MTP levels by introducing distinct promoter regions and
      unique 5'-UTRs, which contain elements that alter translation efficiency,
      enabling the cell to optimize MTP activity.

PMID- 27256116
TI  - Mitigation in the toxicity of graphene oxide nanosheets towards Escherichia coli
      in the presence of humic acid.
AB  - GO nanosheets have been reported to show strong cytotoxicity towards Escherichia
      coli (E. coli) in aqueous solution. Natural organic matters (NOMs) in water may
      probably coat on the surface of GO nanosheets, which possibly influence its
      cytotoxicity. In this study, we illustrated how humic acid (HA), a ubiquitous
      NOM, mitigated the toxicity of GO nanosheets towards E. coli based on the
      cytotoxicity mechanism of GO nanosheets. Adsorption and cell viability tests
      proved that HA was adsorbed by GO nanosheets and decreased the toxicity of GO
      nanosheets towards E. coli. It was found that HA was adsorbed on the surface of
      GO nanosheets by polar groups, which prevented E. coli from contacting with GO
      nanosheets and weakened the toxicity of GO nanosheets. Besides, HA exerted an
      antioxidant role in maintaining the activity of the antioxidant enzyme and
      decreasing the ROS generation according to the results of oxidative stress
      experiments. The work revealed that HA relieved the toxicity of GO nanosheets and
      decreased the ecological risks induced by GO nanosheets. 

PMID- 27256118
TI  - Letter From The Editor.

PMID- 27256117
TI  - A novel suicide shuttle plasmid for Streptococcus suis serotype 2 and
      Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus gene mutation.
AB  - The mariner-based Himar1 system has been utilized for creating mutant libraries
      of many Gram-positive bacteria. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) and
      Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) are primary pathogens of swine that
      threaten the swine industry in China. To provide a forward-genetics technology
      for finding virulent phenotype-related genes in these two pathogens, we
      constructed a novel temperature-sensitive suicide shuttle plasmid, pMar4s, which
      contains the Himar1 system transposon, TnYLB-1, and the Himar1 C9 transposase
      from pMarA and the repTAs temperature-sensitive fragment from pSET4s. The
      kanamycin (Kan) resistance gene was in the TnYLB-1 transposon. Temperature
      sensitivity and Kan resistance allowed the selection of mutant strains and
      construction of the mutant library. The SS2 and SEZ mutant libraries were
      successfully constructed using the pMar4s plasmid. Inverse-Polymerase Chain
      Reaction (Inverse-PCR) results revealed large variability in transposon insertion
      sites and that the library could be used for phenotype alteration screening. The
      thiamine biosynthesis gene apbE was screened for its influence on SS2 anti
      phagocytosis; likewise, the sagF gene was identified to be a hemolytic activity
      related gene in SEZ. pMar4s was suitable for mutant library construction,
      providing more information regarding SS2 and SEZ virulence factors and
      illustrating the pathogenesis of swine streptococcosis.

PMID- 27256119
TI  - Locating Biobanks in the Canadian Privacy Maze.
AB  - Although Canada has not yet enacted any biobanking-specific privacy law, guidance
      and oversight are provided via various federal and provincial health and privacy
      related laws as well as via ethics and policy documents. The primary policy
      document governing health research, the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical
      Conduct for Research Involving Humans, provides the framework for the strong role
      of Research Ethics Boards in Canada, and limits research funding from Canada's
      three main federal funding agencies to those who agree to adhere to its policies.
      The broad consent model is gaining traction in Canada, although lack of legal and
      constitutional precedence for the broad consent or opt-out options makes this an
      evolving issue. In general, data is required to be coded; more specific security
      measures are outlined in guidelines that may be implemented by local policy.
      International sharing is allowed, and Canada meets the European Union's standards
      for receipt of data and samples.

PMID- 27256120
TI  - Biobanking in Estonia.
AB  - Estonia is a democratic, parliamentary republic with a health care system that is
      built on the principle of compulsory, solidarity-based insurance and the all
      round availability of services of private service providers. Estonia has specific
      biobank legislation as well as oversight via data protection laws. Its population
      based biobank, the Estonian Genome Center (EGCUT), established in 2001, is one of
      the largest biobanks in Europe, and its database may be used only for scientific
      research, public health research, and statistics. The EGCUT can issue data to a
      third party, but only in coded form. This comprehensive database of genotypic,
      phenotypic, health, and genealogical information represents about 5% of Estonia's
      adult population, and is the largest cohort ever gathered in Estonia. Government
      approval is required for international data sharing, and sharing can be further
      limited by the requirement of ethics approval and permission from Estonian
      government.

PMID- 27256121
TI  - Biobanks as a Central Part of the Finnish Growth and Genomic Strategies: How to
      Balance Privacy in an Innovation Ecosystem?
AB  - Finland has aimed to make itself an international leader in genomic research and
      related business and, in working towards that goal, has enacted biobank
      legislation. The Biobank Act requires biobanks to gain approval, be supervised,
      and register at the national level. Numerous other laws may also apply in any
      given research setting, such as the Personal Data Act, the Medical Research Act,
      and the Act on Medical Use of Human Organs and Tissues.In terms of privacy
      protection, anonymization is generally not permitted under Finnish law and
      therefore most biobanks pseudonomize data and samples. However, the broad
      understanding of what is identifiable data in Finland has created difficulties in
      sharing with non-EU countries. Furthermore, consent to biobank research is only
      applicable to the sample and related data, not to data stored in other health
      related registries, and consent is only to the field of research for that
      particular biobank. These restrictions impede the sharing of samples and data for
      research.

PMID- 27256122
TI  - Privacy Laws and Biobanking in Germany.
AB  - While the possibility of enacting a sui generis Biobank Act has been debated in
      Germany at great length, as of yet the country has not implemented any
      biobankspecific legislation. Instead, oversight is available via a network of
      research and privacy laws, including those of the European Union. The Nationale
      Kohorte, Germany's large-scale, population-based epidemiological research
      biobank, is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and there
      are currently 108 registered bio-banks throughout Germany. The current system,
      including the structure and study design of the Nationale Kohorte, privileges the
      protection of personal information even at the cost of socially desirable
      research; it remains to be seen if forthcoming legislation will shift this
      balance.

PMID- 27256123
TI  - Biobanking and Privacy in India.
AB  - Biobank-based research is not specifically addressed in Indian statutory law and
      therefore Indian Council for Medical Research guidelines are the primary
      regulators of biobank research in India. The guidelines allow for broad consent
      and for any level of identification of specimens. Although privacy is a
      fundamental right under the Indian Constitution, courts have limited this right
      when it conflicts with other rights or with the public interest. Furthermore,
      there is no established privacy test or actionable privacy right in the common
      law of India. In order to facilitate biobank-based research, both of these
      lacunae should be addressed by statutory law specifically addressing biobanking
      and more directly addressing the accompanying privacy concerns. A biobank
      specific law should be written with international guidelines in mind, but
      harmonization with other laws should not be attempted until after India has
      created a law addressing biobank research within the unique legal and cultural
      environment of India.

PMID- 27256124
TI  - Mexican Regulation of Biobanks.
AB  - Biobank-based research in Mexico is mostly governed by research and data
      protection laws. There is no direct mention of biobanks in either statutory or
      regulatory law besides a requirement that the Federal Ministry of Health and a
      Mexican institution devoted to scientific research approve the transfer of
      biological materials outside of Mexico for population genetics research purposes.
      Such requirements are the basis of Genomic Sovereignty in Mexico, but such
      requirements have not prevented international collaboration. In addition, Mexican
      law singles out genetic research in informed consent provisions, but it does not
      specify whether all biobank-based research is genetic research. In order to
      facilitate international collaboration on biobank-based research, Mexico should
      directly address biobanking in its laws, building on the research framework and
      data protection framework already in place.

PMID- 27256125
TI  - Regulating Privacy and Biobanks in the Netherlands.
AB  - The Netherlands does not have any specific legislation pertaining to human
      biological materials and data collection by biobanks. Instead, these issues are
      governed by a patchwork of laws, codes of practices, and other ethical
      instruments, where special emphasis is given to the right to privacy and self
      determination. While draft legislation for biobanking was scheduled to enter into
      force in 2007, as of mid-2015 such legislation was still under consideration,
      with the intent that it would focus particularly on individual self
      determination, the interests of research, the use of bodily materials collected
      by biobanks for criminal law purposes, and dilemmas around results that are
      clinically relevant for biobank participants. Under the current framework, the
      amount of privacy protection afforded to data is linked to its level of
      identifiability. International sharing of personal data to non-EU/European
      Economic Area countries is allowed if these countries provide adequate
      protection.

PMID- 27256126
TI  - Biobank and Genomic Research in Uganda: Are Extant Privacy and Confidentiality
      Regimes Adequate?
AB  - Not many African countries have been able to develop a robust system for
      regulating health research within their respective jurisdictions, particularly in
      the realm of biobanking and genomics. This is not without reason. Aside from
      underdevelopment and all that it entails or perhaps in consequence thereof,
      countries in the region have been unable to make significant strides in medical
      research. But there are exceptions. Amongst the few seeming success stories is
      Uganda. Nonetheless, although the country has developed what appears to be a
      functional framework to govern genomic research and biobanking, the consistency
      of key provisions with international standards, especially those pertaining to
      privacy of research participants and confidentiality of their health information,
      is not at all clear. Yet, making this determination - the main objective of this
      article - is critical in determining the adequacy of protection available to
      human research subjects in the country.

PMID- 27256127
TI  - Biobank Report: United Kingdom.
AB  - The United Kingdom is a leader in genomics research, and the presence of numerous
      types of biobanks and the linking of health data and research within the UK
      evidences the importance of biobank-based research in the UK. There is no biobank
      specific law in the UK and research on biobank materials is governed by a
      confusing set of statutory law, common law, regulations, and guidance documents.
      Several layers of applicable law, from European to local, further complicate an
      understanding of privacy protections. Finally, biobanks frequently contain data
      in addition to the samples; the legal framework in the UK generally
      differentiates between data and samples and the form of the data affects the
      applicability of legal provisions. Biobanks must be licensed by the Human Tissue
      Authority; certain projects must be reviewed by Research Ethics Committees, and
      all projects are encouraged to be reviewed by them. Data Access Committees in
      biobanks are also common in the UK. While this confusing array of legal
      provisions leaves privacy protections in biobanking somewhat unclear, changes at
      the EU level may contribute to harmonization of approaches to privacy.

PMID- 27256128
TI  - Biobanking Research and Privacy Laws in the United States.
AB  - Privacy is protected in biobank-based research in the US primarily by the Health
      Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule and the Federal
      Policy for Protection of Human Subjects (Common Rule). Neither rule, however, was
      created to function in the unique context of biobank research, and therefore
      neither applies to all biobank-based research. Not only is it challenging to
      determine when the HIPAA Privacy Rule or the Common Rule apply, but these laws
      apply different standards to protect privacy. In addition, many other federal and
      state laws may be applicable to a particular biobank, researcher, or project. US
      law also does not directly address international sharing of data or specimens
      outside of the EU-US Safe Harbor Agreement, which only applies to receipt of data
      by certain US entities from EU countries, and is in the process of revision.
      Although new rules would help clarify privacy protections in biobanking, any
      implemented changes should be studied to determine the sufficiency of the
      protections as well as its ability to facilitate or hinder international
      collaborations.

PMID- 27256129
TI  - EU Laws on Privacy in Genomic Databases and Biobanking.
AB  - Both the European Union and the Council of Europe have a bearing on privacy in
      genomic databases and biobanking. In terms of legislation, the processing of
      personal data as it relates to the right to privacy is currently largely
      regulated in Europe by Directive 95/46/EC, which requires that processing be
      "fair and lawful" and follow a set of principles, meaning that the data be
      processed only for stated purposes, be sufficient for the purposes of the
      processing, be kept only for so long as is necessary to achieve those purposes,
      and be kept securely and only in an identifiable state for such time as is
      necessary for the processing. The European privacy regime does not require the de
      identification (anonymization) of personal data used in genomic databases or
      biobanks, and alongside this practice informed consent as well as governance and
      oversight mechanisms provide for the protection of genomic data.

PMID- 27256130
TI  - The European Union's Adequacy Approach to Privacy and International Data Sharing
      in Health Research.
AB  - The European Union (EU) approach to data protection consists of assessing the
      adequacy of the data protection offered by the laws of a particular jurisdiction
      against a set of principles that includes purpose limitation, transparency,
      quality, proportionality, security, access, and rectification. The EU's Data
      Protection Directive sets conditions on the transfer of data to third countries
      by prohibiting Member States from transferring to such countries as have been
      deemed inadequate in terms of the data protection regimes. In theory, each
      jurisdiction is evaluated similarly and must be found fully compliant with the
      EU's data protection principles to be considered adequate. In practice, the
      inconsistency with which these evaluations are made presents a hurdle to
      international data-sharing and makes difficult the integration of different data
      sharing approaches; in the 20 years since the Directive was first adopted, the
      laws of only five countries from outside of the EU, Economic Area, or the
      European Free Trade Agreement have been deemed adequate to engage in data
      transfers without the need for further administrative safeguards.

PMID- 27256131
TI  - Privacy and Security within Biobanking: The Role of Information Technology.
AB  - Along with technical issues, biobanking frequently raises important privacy and
      security issues that must be resolved as biobanks continue to grow in scale and
      scope. Consent mechanisms currently in use range from fine-grained to very broad,
      and in some cases participants are offered very few privacy protections. However,
      developments in information technology are bringing improvements. New programs
      and systems are being developed to allow researchers to conduct analyses without
      distributing the data itself offsite, either by allowing the investigator to
      communicate with a central computer, or by having each site participate in meta
      analysis that results in a shared statistic or final significance result. The
      implementation of security protocols into the research biobanking setting
      requires three key elements: authentication, authorization, and auditing.
      Authentication is the process of making sure individuals are who they claim to
      be, frequently through the use of a password, a key fob, or a physical (i.e.,
      retinal or fingerprint) scan. Authorization involves ensuring that every
      individual who attempts an action has permission to do that action. Finally,
      auditing allows for actions to be logged so that inappropriate or unethical
      actions can later be traced back to their source.

PMID- 27256132
TI  - Comparative Approaches to Biobanks and Privacy.
AB  - Laws in the 20 jurisdictions studied for this project display many similar
      approaches to protecting privacy in biobank research. Although few have enacted
      biobank-specific legislation, many countries address biobanking within other
      laws. All provide for some oversight mechanisms for biobank research, even though
      the nature of that oversight varies between jurisdictions. Most have some sort of
      controlled access system in place for research with biobank specimens. While
      broad consent models facilitate biobanking, countries without national or
      federated biobanks have been slow to adopt broad consent. International
      guidelines have facilitated sharing and generally take a proportional risk
      approach, but many countries have provisions guiding international sharing and a
      few even limit international sharing. Although privacy laws may not prohibit
      international collaborations, the multi-prong approach to privacy unique to each
      jurisdiction can complicate international sharing. These symposium issues can
      serve as a resource for explaining the sometimes intricate privacy laws in each
      studied jurisdiction, outlining the key issues with regards to privacy and
      biobanking, and serving to describe a framework for the process of harmonization
      of privacy laws.

PMID- 27256133
TI  - The Forced Marriage of Minors: A Neglected Form of Child Abuse.
AB  - The forced marriage of minors is child abuse, consequently duties exist to stop
      them. Yet over 14 million forced marriages of minors occur annually in developing
      countries. The American Bar Association (ABA) concludes that the problem in the
      US is significant, widespread but largely ignored, and that few US laws protect
      minors from forced marriages. Although their best chance of rescue often involves
      visits to health care providers, US providers show little awareness of this
      growing problem. Strategies discussed to stop forced marriages include
      recommendations from the UN, the ABA, and the UK. The author anticipates and
      responds to criticisms that first, no duty to intervene exists without better
      laws and practice guidelines; and second, that such marriages are not child abuse
      in traditions where parental rights or familism allegedly justify them.

PMID- 27256134
TI  - Whither the "Improvement Standard"? Coverage for Severe Brain Injury after Jimmo
      v. Sebelius.
AB  - As improvements in neuroscience have enabled a better understanding of disorders
      of consciousness as well as methods to treat them, a hurdle that has become all
      too prevalent is the denial of coverage for treatment and rehabilitation
      services. In 2011, a settlement emerged from a Vermont District Court case, Jimmo
      v. Sebelius, which was brought to stop the use of an "improvement standard" that
      required tangible progress over an identifiable period of time for Medicare
      coverage of services. While the use of this standard can have deleterious effects
      on those with many chronic conditions, it is especially burdensome for those in
      the minimally conscious state (MCS), where improvements are unpredictable and
      often not manifested through repeatable overt behaviors. Though the focus of this
      paper is on the challenges of brain injury and the minimally conscious state,
      which an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 individuals suffer from in the United
      States, the post-Jimmo arguments presented can and should have a broad impact as
      envisioned by the plaintiffs who brought the case on behalf of multiple advocacy
      groups representing patients with a range of chronic care conditions.

PMID- 27256136
TI  - Genomic Test Results and the Courtroom: The Roles of Experts and Expert
      Testimony.
AB  - The rapid advancement from single-gene testing to whole genome sequencing has
      significantly broadened the type and amount of information available to
      researchers, physicians, patients, and the public in general. Much debate has
      ensued about whether genomic test results should be reported to research
      participants, patients and consumers, and at what stage we can be sure that
      existing evidence justifies their use in clinical settings. Courts and judges
      evaluating the utility of these results will not be immune to this uncertainty.
      As scholars increasingly explore the duty of care standards related to reporting
      genomic test results, it is timely to provide a framework for understanding how
      uncertainty about genetic and genomic tests influences evidentiary considerations
      in the court room. Here, we explore the subtleties and nuances of interpreting
      genetic data in an environment of substantial discord related to the value that
      individuals should place on genetic and genomic tests. In conjunction, we discuss
      the roles courts should play in qualifying experts, expert testimony, and genetic
      and genomic tests given the intricate and complex nature of genetic and genomic
      information.

PMID- 27256135
TI  - Contrasting Medical and Legal Standards of Evidence: A Precision Medicine Case
      Study.
AB  - As the health care system transitions to a precision medicine approach that
      tailors clinical care to the genetic profile of the individual patient, there is
      a potential tension between the clinical uptake of new technologies by providers
      and the legal system's expectation of the standard of care in applying such
      technologies. We examine this tension by comparing the type of evidence that
      physicians and courts are likely to rely on in determining a duty to recommend
      pharmacogenetic testing of patients prescribed the oral anti-coagulant drug
      warfarin. There is a large body of inconsistent evidence and factors for and
      against such testing, but physicians and courts are likely to weigh this evidence
      differently. The potential implications for medical malpractice risk are
      evaluated and discussed.

PMID- 27256137
TI  - How Genetics Might Affect Real Property Rights: Currents in Contemporary
      Bioethics.
AB  - New developments in genetics could affect a variety of real property rights.
      Mortgage lenders, mortgage insurers, real estate sellers, senior living centers,
      retirement communities, or other parties in residential real estate transactions
      begin requiring predictive genetic information as part of the application
      process. One likely use would be by retirement communities to learn an
      individual's genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. The federal Fair Housing Act
      prohibits discrimination based on disability, but it is not clear that it would
      apply to genetic risk assessments. Only California law explicitly applies to this
      situation and there have been no reported cases.

PMID- 27256140
TI  - Liver regeneration following repeated reversible portal vein embolization in an
      experimental model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Portal vein embolization (PVE) is used routinely to prevent
      postoperative liver failure as a result of anticipated insufficient future liver
      remnant volume following resection. The authors have recently developed a
      technique for temporary PVE. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of
      repeated reversible PVE on hepatocyte proliferation and subsequent liver
      hypertrophy in rodents. METHODS: Four treatments were compared (n = 21 rats per
      group): single reversible PVE, two PVEs separated by 14 days, partial portal vein
      ligation or sham procedure. The feasibility and tolerance of the procedure were
      assessed. Volumetric imaging by CT was used to estimate the evolution of liver
      volumes. After death, the weight of liver lobes was measured and hepatocyte
      proliferation evaluated by immunostaining. RESULTS: Embolization of portal
      branches corresponding to 70 per cent of total portal flow was performed
      successfully in all animals. Repeated PVE induced additional hepatocyte
      proliferation. Repeated embolization resulted in superior hepatocyte
      proliferation in the non-occluded segments compared with portal vein ligation
      (31.1 versus 22.2 per cent; P = 0.003). The non-occluded to total liver volume
      ratio was higher in the repeated PVE group than in the single PVE and sham groups
      (P = 0.050 and P = 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: Repeated reversible PVE
      successfully induced additional hepatocyte proliferation and subsequent liver
      hypertrophy. Surgical relevance Portal vein embolization (PVE) is used routinely
      to prevent postoperative liver failure as a result of anticipated insufficient
      future liver remnant volume following resection. In the present study, a
      technique of repeated temporary PVE was developed in a rat model; this induced
      additional hepatocyte proliferation and an increase in liver volume compared with
      single embolization. This novel approach might help induce major hypertrophy of
      the future remnant liver, which could increase the rate of patients amenable to
      major liver resections.

PMID- 27256139
TI  - Interactions between amiodarone and the hERG potassium channel pore determined
      with mutagenesis and in silico docking.
AB  - The antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone delays cardiac repolarisation through
      inhibition of hERG-encoded potassium channels responsible for the rapid delayed
      rectifier potassium current (IKr). This study aimed to elucidate molecular
      determinants of amiodarone binding to the hERG channel. Whole-cell patch-clamp
      recordings were made at 37 degrees C of ionic current (IhERG) carried by wild
      type (WT) or mutant hERG channels expressed in HEK293 cells. Alanine mutagenesis
      and ligand docking were used to investigate the roles of pore cavity amino-acid
      residues in amiodarone binding. Amiodarone inhibited WT outward IhERG tails with
      a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ~45nM, whilst inward IhERG
      tails in a high K(+) external solution ([K(+)]e) of 94mM were blocked with an
      IC50 of 117.8nM. Amiodarone's inhibitory action was contingent upon channel
      gating. Alanine-mutagenesis identified multiple residues directly or indirectly
      involved in amiodarone binding. The IC50 for the S6 aromatic Y652A mutation was
      increased to ~20-fold that of WT IhERG, similar to the pore helical mutant S624A
      (~22-fold WT control). The IC50 for F656A mutant IhERG was ~17-fold its
      corresponding WT control. Computational docking using a MthK-based hERG model
      differentiated residues likely to interact directly with drug and those whose Ala
      mutation may affect drug block allosterically. The requirements for amiodarone
      block of aromatic residues F656 and Y652 within the hERG pore cavity are smaller
      than for other high affinity IhERG inhibitors, with relative importance to
      amiodarone binding of the residues investigated being
      S624A~Y652A>F656A>V659A>G648A>T623A.

PMID- 27256141
TI  - [Trends in indication of selected laboratory methods by general practitioners].
AB  - The indication of laboratory methods in general practice is significantly
      influenced by practical guidelines and protocols for preventive care. The
      financial regulation pushes on rationalisation of the use of laboratory methods.
      Point of care testing is more and more important in prevention, diagnostics and
      follow up in primary care settings.Based on the data available from Skoda
      Insurance Company authors aimed to describe trends in induction and cost of
      laboratory methods, the most frequent methods used in primary care and trends in
      the use of POCT methods within general practice.The expenditures for laboratory
      methods in general practice are stable for a long term and suggest a rational
      behaviour of general practitioners. The most frequently indicated methods in
      general practice are glycaemia, ALT and AST. From expensive methods the most
      frequent are PSA, troponin and tumormarkers. The number of general practices
      performing POCT methods and also the number of POCT examinations increase. More
      than one half of INR examinations and nearly half of all CRP examinations are
      performed in POCT regime. KEY WORDS: laboratory methods, clinical biochemistry,
      general practitioner, primary care, POCT.

PMID- 27256142
TI  - [Potential sources of phthalates and bisphenol A and their significance in the
      development of metabolic diseases].
AB  - Nowadays, there is increasing evidence showing that the development of the
      metabolic syndrome combining obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial
      hypertension and dyslipidemia involves except of traditional risk factors
      (overnutrition, lack of physical activity, genetic predisposition) also the
      effect of environmental organic substances called organic pollutants or endocrine
      disruptors. These chemicals can be found in plastic covers, paints, flame
      retardants, exhaust gases, fertilizers as well as diverse daily utensils.
      Phthalates, used primarily as plasticizers, and bisphenol A, are among the most
      wide-spread members of this group.The aim of this article is to provide a basic
      overview of the relationship between phthalates and bisphenol A and the
      etiopathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and to highlight their potential
      sources. According to the analysis of materials used for parenteral nutrition and
      urinary excretion of phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A in subjects on long
      term parenteral nutrition we suppose that currently used medical materials are
      safe with respect to the exposure to both phthalates and bisphenol A and that
      home environment, especially cosmetic products, might constitute a more probable
      source of these substances. 

PMID- 27256143
TI  - [Surgical treatment of lower extremity peripheral nerve injuries].
AB  - Peripheral nerve injuries of the lower extremities are not frequent. The most
      common are traction injury of the peroneal nerve at the knee level or iatrogenic
      trauma of the pelvic nerves during abdominal surgery. Civil sharp injuries are
      rare.Indications for surgical revision follow the general rules of nerve surgery.
      Sharp injury should be treated as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours.
      Closed lesions are indicated for surgery if a complete denervation remains
      unchanged three months after the injury. Best results can be achieved within six
      months from the injury. Irritations caused by bone fragments or scarring or by
      iatrogenic injury (clamps, cement, screws, etc.) may be revised later. However,
      the most important is early clinical examination in a specialized neurosurgical
      department. 

PMID- 27256144
TI  - [Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT)].
AB  - Traditionally, parenteral (i. e. intravenous) antimicrobial therapy has been used
      in inpatients with various bacterial infections. In recent decades there has been
      growing experience with outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy, mainly in
      the USA and western Europe. This article provides basic information on OPAT,
      based on available literature and the author's experience on running OPAT service
      in the UK. 

PMID- 27256145
TI  - [Faecal incontinence - serious medical and social issue].
AB  - Faecal incontinence presents gastrointestinal disorder with high prevalence (more
      than 2% of population) and serious impact on the quality of life. General
      practitioners, gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons play the principal
      role in screening, diagnostics and providing health care to patients who suffer
      from faecal incontinence. Insufficient knowledge about faecal incontinence and
      minimal training aimed at its diagnostics and therapy lead to the low quality of
      provided health care.Authors offer comprehensive up-to-date review focused on
      faecal incontinence - its definition, prevalence, seriousness, consequences,
      pathophysiology, diagnostics and management. Detailed anatomical and
      physiological assessment of each patient is fundamental in determining correct
      cause of faecal incontinence and consequent selection of the most appropriate
      therapeutic modality.Broad spectrum of available therapeutic options comprises
      conservative management (lifestyle modification, diet, medications, and absorbent
      tools), biofeedback and surgical interventions (sphincter augmentation, sphincter
      reconstruction, sacral nerve stimulation, sphincter substitution and stools
      diversion). Application of the most appropriate treatment can lead in majority of
      patients to significant improvement in faecal incontinence and quality of life.
      Early diagnosis prevents possible complications, which would possibly deteriorate
      patients quality of life. 

PMID- 27256146
TI  - [Vesicoureteric reflux in children: many questions still unanswered].
AB  - Vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is the most common congenital anomaly of the
      uropoetic system. The gold standard for its diagnosis is the voiding
      cystourethrogram. Sonographic cystourethrography is an alternative method for
      reflux detection, but it is still not used routinely. Static scintigraphy enables
      us to diagnose renal scarring reflux nephropathy (RN). While congenital RN is a
      result of prenatal kidney injury, acquired RN results from pyelonephritis-induced
      renal damage.Risk factors for RN include VUR, recurrent APN, lower urinary tract
      dysfunction and delay in treatment of febrile urinary tract infection. Management
      of children after APN with VUR consists of antibiotic prophylaxy, surgery or
      surveillance only. The conclusions of performed studies are controversial, thus
      unified guidelines for the management of patients with VUR are not available. 

PMID- 27256147
TI  - [Hyponatremia in children: from pathophysiology to therapy].
AB  - This present review analyzes the etiology, diagnostics and management of
      conditions associated with hyponatremia. Excess water and/or sodium wasting lead
      to the development of hyponatremia in children. There are diverse etiologies
      associated with hyponatremia, correct diagnosis is based on detailed history,
      physical examination and basic laboratory tests. Symptomatic hyponatremia can be
      a life threatening emergency and thus requires fast and vigorous management.
      Inappropriate treatment may cause fatal consequences. 

PMID- 27256148
TI  - [Role of incretins in energy metabolism and weight changes after smoking
      cessation].
AB  - Incretine-based therapies are frequently used to treat patients with type 2
      diabetes. Some of these drugs are used to induce weight loss. Liraglutide, a
      glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, was recently approved for the treatment
      of obesity. Smoking cessation is associated with weight gain. The mechanism
      responsible for the increase in body weight post cessation remains unclear. While
      increased caloric intake may play a role, weight gain may also be linked to
      nicotine, which has been shown to stimulate smokers basal metabolic rate. The
      effect of incretines on body weight and energy metabolism after smoking cessation
      is unclear. Recently published data suggests that incretine hormones may not be
      involved in the above mentioned changes. 

PMID- 27256149
TI  - [Biobanks European infrastructure].
AB  - Biobanks are structured repositories of human tissue samples connected with
      specific information. They became an integral part of personalized medicine in
      the new millennium. At the European research area biobanks are isolated not well
      coordinated and connected to the network. European commission supports European
      infrastructure BBMRI-ERIC (Biobanks and Biomolecular Resources Research
      Infrastructure European Research Infrastructure Consortium), consortium of 54
      members with more than 225 associated organizations, largely biobanks from over
      30 countries. The aim is to support biomedical research using stored samples.
      Czech Republic is a member of the consortium as a national node BBMRI_CZ,
      consisting of five partners. 

PMID- 27256150
TI  - [Surgeons and Neurosurgeons as Nobel Prize Winners].
AB  - Since 1901 Nobel Prize is awarded for exceptional achievements in physics,
      chemistry, literature, peace, economy (since 1968) and medicine or physiology.
      The first aim of the paper is to provide an overview of surgeons - winners of
      Nobel Prize for medicine or physiology. Although the prominent neurosurgeons were
      frequently nominated as Nobel Prize candidates, surprisingly no neurosurgeon
      received this prestigious award so far despite that the results of their research
      transgressed the relatively narrow limits of neurosurgical speciality.The most
      prominent leaders in the field of neurosurgery, such as Victor Horsley, Otfrid
      Foerster, Walter Dandy and Harvey Cushing are discussed from the point of their
      nominations. The overview of the activity of the Portuguese neurologists and
      Nobel Prize Winter in 1949 Egas Moniz (occasionally erroneously reported as
      neurosurgeon) is also provided. Although his work on brain angiography has
      fundamentally changed the diagnostic possibilities in neurology and neurosurgery,
      he was eventually awarded Nobel Prize for the introduction of the currently
      outdated frontal lobotomy.The fact that none of the above mentioned prominent
      neurosurgeons has not been recognised by Nobel Prize, may be attributed to the
      fact that their extensive work cannot be captured in a short summary pinpointing
      its groundbreaking character. 

PMID- 27256151
TI  - Aromatase deficiency: a novel compound heterozygous mutation identified in a
      Chinese girl with severe phenotype and obvious maternal virilization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aromatase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is
      caused by an impairment of androgen conversion to estrogens. Affected 46, XX
      individuals generally present with virilization of external genitalia at birth
      and mutations in CYP19A1 gene. OBJECTIVE: This study described the clinical
      features and molecular basis of a Chinese 46, XX girl born with ambiguous
      genitalia and investigated the functional alteration of two novel mutations of
      the CYP19A1 gene. METHODS AND RESULTS: Obvious prepartum virilization and
      remarkably elevated testosterone were observed in the mother, who was initially
      suspected to have a testosterone-producing ovarian tumor. Clinical phenotypes and
      hormone profiles of the patient and her mother were investigated. Genotyping
      analyses of the CYP19A1 gene were performed in the patient and her parents.
      Functional impairment of the mutations was explored using three-dimensional
      computer model and mutagenesises in vitro transfection assays. A compound
      heterozygous mutation of the CYP19A1 gene was revealed in the patient, with a G
      deletion in nucleotide 264 of exon 3 in one allele and a 23-bp insertion in exon
      9 in another allele; both mutations resulted in reading frame-shifts that led to
      truncated proteins of 87 and 360 amino acids, respectively. Molecular modeling
      analysis suggested that the two renascent truncated proteins lacked crucial amino
      acids that were involved in substrate access and catalysis as well as heme
      binding region. Functional studies in transfected HEK-293T cells exhibited a
      nearly complete abolishment of enzyme activity, which may underlie the phenotype
      and hormone profile. CONCLUSIONS: Two novel CYP19A1 mutations were identified in
      a Chinese girl born with ambiguous genitalia and severe maternal virilization
      during pregnancy. Maternal virilization should prompt consideration of aromatase
      deficiency, preventing unnecessary interventions in pregnancy. This study
      broadens the spectrum of phenotype and genetic mutations of this rare disorder.

PMID- 27256152
TI  - Local administration of platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB) improves
      follicular development and ovarian angiogenesis in a rat model of Polycystic
      Ovary Syndrome.
AB  - Alterations in ovarian angiogenesis are common features in Polycystic Ovary
      Syndrome (PCOS) patients; the most studied of these alterations is the increase
      in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by ovarian cells.
      Platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB) and D (PDGFD) are decreased in
      follicular fluid of PCOS patients and in the ovaries of a rat model of PCOS. In
      the present study, we aimed to analyze the effects of local administration of
      PDGFB on ovarian angiogenesis, follicular development and ovulation in a DHEA
      induced PCOS rat model. Ovarian PDGFB administration to PCOS rats partially
      restored follicular development, decreased the percentage of cysts, increased the
      percentage of corpora lutea, and decreased the production of anti-Mullerian
      hormone. In addition, PDGFB administration improved ovarian angiogenesis by
      reversing the increase in periendothelial cell area and restoring VEGF levels.
      Our results shed light into the mechanisms that lead to altered ovarian function
      in PCOS and provide new data for potential therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 27256153
TI  - Process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial of a diabetes prevention
      intervention in Dutch primary health care: the SLIMMER study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate (i) how the SLIMMER intervention was delivered and
      received in Dutch primary health care and (ii) how this could explain
      intervention effectiveness. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial was conducted
      and subjects were randomly allocated to the intervention (10-month combined
      dietary and physical activity intervention) or the control group. A process
      evaluation including quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted. Data on
      process indicators (recruitment, reach, dose received, acceptability,
      implementation integrity and applicability) were collected via semi-structured
      interviews with health-care professionals (n 45) and intervention participant
      questionnaires (n 155). SETTING: SLIMMER was implemented in Dutch primary health
      care in twenty-five general practices, eleven dietitians, nine physiotherapist
      practices and fifteen sports clubs. SUBJECTS: Subjects at increased risk of
      developing type 2 diabetes were included. RESULTS: It was possible to recruit the
      intended high-risk population (response rate 54 %) and the SLIMMER intervention
      was very well received by both participants and health-care professionals (mean
      acceptability rating of 82 and 80, respectively). The intervention programme was
      to a large extent implemented as planned and was applicable in Dutch primary
      health care. Higher dose received and participant acceptability were related to
      improved health outcomes and dietary behaviour, but not to physical activity
      behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that it is feasible to implement
      a diabetes prevention intervention in Dutch primary health care. Higher dose
      received and participant acceptability were associated with improved health
      outcomes and dietary behaviour. Using an extensive process evaluation plan to
      gain insight into how an intervention is delivered and received is a valuable way
      of identifying intervention components that contribute to implementation
      integrity and effective prevention of type 2 diabetes in primary health care.

PMID- 27256154
TI  - Active tuberculosis in psoriasis patients treated with TNF antagonists: a French
      nationwide retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited information about active tuberculosis (TB) occurring
      in psoriasis patients treated with Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists.
      OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics of TB in psoriasis patients
      treated with TNF antagonists. METHODS: Nationwide retrospective study of
      psoriasis patients having experienced TB. Cases of TB were collected via three
      methods: search in the national pharmacosurveillance database, questionnaire to
      members of the French psoriasis research group, the college of French dermatology
      professors. We collected demographic data, TNF antagonist used, screening for
      latent tuberculosis infection, median time between TNF antagonists introduction
      and first symptoms, tests used for diagnosing TB infection, clinical features of
      tuberculosis and outcome. RESULTS: Eight centres reported 12 cases of TB between
      2006 and 2014. They were nine men and three women with mean age of 49 years. All
      patients had adequate screening for latent tuberculosis. Three patients had
      stayed in endemic areas, three reported contact with a patient with TB.
      Tuberculosis presentation was extrapulmonary in 10 patients. Seven patients were
      treated with infliximab, four with adalimumab and one with certolizumab. The
      median time between TNF antagonist introduction and first symptoms of
      tuberculosis was 23.4 weeks (2-176). Six of the 12 patients had a positive direct
      examination and/or positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Histological
      samples of affected organs taken from seven patients showed granulomatous
      inflammation in six, with caseating necrosis in five. Two of the 12 patients died
      of disseminated TB. CONCLUSION: This study shows tuberculosis in patients treated
      with TNF antagonists still occurs despite adherence to tuberculosis prevention
      guidelines. Prophylactic measures do not fully prevent the occurrence of
      tuberculosis. Rapid initiation of effective anti-tuberculosis treatment is
      important even in patients with negative mycobacteriological examination
      presenting with suggestive symptoms and organ involvement.

PMID- 27256155
TI  - A Novel Automated High-Content Analysis Workflow Capturing Cell Population
      Dynamics from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Live Imaging Data.
AB  - Most image analysis pipelines rely on multiple channels per image with
      subcellular reference points for cell segmentation. Single-channel phase-contrast
      images are often problematic, especially for cells with unfavorable morphology,
      such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Live imaging poses a further
      challenge, because of the introduction of the dimension of time. Evaluations
      cannot be easily integrated with other biological data sets including analysis of
      endpoint images. Here, we present a workflow that incorporates a novel
      CellProfiler-based image analysis pipeline enabling segmentation of single
      channel images with a robust R-based software solution to reduce the dimension of
      time to a single data point. These two packages combined allow robust
      segmentation of iPSCs solely on phase-contrast single-channel images and enable
      live imaging data to be easily integrated to endpoint data sets while retaining
      the dynamics of cellular responses. The described workflow facilitates
      characterization of the response of live-imaged iPSCs to external stimuli and
      definition of cell line-specific, phenotypic signatures. We present an efficient
      tool set for automated high-content analysis suitable for cells with challenging
      morphology. This approach has potentially widespread applications for human
      pluripotent stem cells and other cell types. 

PMID- 27256156
TI  - A Comparative Study of Liver Disease Care in the USA and Urban and Rural China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in
      the USA and China, but the etiology of liver disease, medical practice, and
      patient expectations in these two countries are different. AIMS: To compare
      patient knowledge about their liver disease, patient satisfaction with liver
      disease care, and patient medical decision-making preference in the USA and
      China. METHODS: Three cohorts of established adult patients with liver disease
      seen in liver clinics in Ann Arbor, USA, and Beijing (urban) and Hebei (rural),
      China, completed a survey between May and September 2014. RESULTS: A total of 990
      patients (395 USA, 398 Beijing, and 197 Hebei) were analyzed. Mean liver disease
      knowledge score (maximum 5) in the USA, Beijing, and Hebei patients was 4.1, 3.6,
      and 3.0, respectively (p < 0.001). US patients had a greater preference for
      collaborative decision-making: 71.8 % preferred to make treatment decisions
      together with the doctor, while most Chinese patients (74.6 % Beijing and 84.8 %
      Hebei) preferred passive decision-making. Mean satisfaction score (maximum 85) in
      the USA was higher than in Beijing, which in turn was higher than in Hebei (78.2
      vs. 66.5 vs. 60.3, p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between liver
      disease knowledge score and satisfaction score (r = 0.27, p < 0.001) and with
      collaborative medical decision-making (r = 0.22, p < 0.001) when responses from
      all sites were combined. CONCLUSIONS: Liver disease knowledge and patient
      satisfaction were greatest in the USA, followed by Beijing and then Hebei
      patients. Understanding these differences and associated factors may help to
      improve patient outcomes.

PMID- 27256157
TI  - Cervical Infection With Vaccine-Associated Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Genotypes
      as a Predictor of Acquisition and Clearance of Other HPV Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent birth cohorts vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV)
      may be protected against up to 4 genotypes (HPV-6, -11, -16, and -18). If natural
      competition exists between these and other HPV types, then the prevalence of
      other types may increase after vaccination. METHODS: Cohort information from 3
      studies was used to compare acquisition and clearance of 30 different HPV types
      (individually and grouped by species), according to infection status with vaccine
      targeted types at baseline and the time of the index infection, respectively.
      Hazard ratios (HRs) were adjusted for predictors of multiple-type infection.
      RESULTS: Among 3200 females across all studies, 857 were infected with HPV at
      baseline, and 994 acquired new infections during follow-up. Females infected with
      HPV-16 were at higher risk of acquiring other alpha-9 HPV types (HR, 1.9; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.0) but at similar risk of clearing existing alpha
      9 HPV infections (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, .7-1.3). Females infected with vaccine
      targeted types were generally at higher risk of acquiring additional types (HRs,
      > 1.0) and at equal risk of clearing existing infections. Accounting for multiple
      comparisons, none of the HRs of < 1.0 or >1.0 were statistically significant in
      our analyses of acquisition or clearance. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine-targeted HPV types
      do not appear to compete with other types, suggesting that HPV type replacement
      is unlikely to occur.

PMID- 27256158
TI  - Novel analogs of allopregnanolone show improved efficiency and specificity in
      neuroprotection and stimulation of proliferation.
AB  - The natural neurosteroid allopregnanolone exerts beneficial effects in animal
      models of neurodegenerative diseases, nervous system injury and peripheral
      neuropathies. It not only has anti-apoptotic activity, but also promotes
      proliferation of progenitor cells. With respect to using it as a therapeutic
      tool, such pleiotropic actions might create unwanted side effects. Therefore, we
      have synthesized allopregnanolone analogs and analyzed their neuroprotective and
      proliferative effects to identify compounds with higher efficiency and less
      ambiguous biological actions. Proliferation-promoting effects of 3alpha and 3beta
      isomers of 3-O-allyl-allopregnanolone and 12 oxo-allopregnanolone were studied in
      adult subventricular zone stem cell cultures and in primary hippocampal cultures
      by measuring 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation. Neuroprotective activity
      against amyloid beta 42-induced cell death was determined by quantifying caspase
      3/7 activity. The 3alpha isomers significantly stimulated proliferation in all
      culture systems, whereas the 3beta isomers were ineffective. The stimulatory
      effect of 3alpha-O-allyl-allopregnanolone was significantly higher than that of
      allopregnanolone. In neural stem cell cultures, 3alpha-O-allyl-allopregnanolone
      specifically enhanced proliferation of Nestin-positive progenitors. In addition,
      it promoted the differentiation of doublecortin-positive neurons. In neural stem
      cell cultures treated with amyloid beta 42, both the alpha and beta isomers of O
      allyl- allopregnanolone showed increased neuroprotective activity as compared to
      allopregnanolone, completely preventing amyloid-induced caspase 3/7 activation.
      The 12 oxo-allopregnanolone analogs were ineffective. These results identify
      structural allopregnanolone analogs with higher anti-apoptotic and proliferation
      promoting activity than the natural neurosteroid. Interestingly, stereoisomers of
      the analogs were found to have distinct profiles of activity raising the
      possibility of exploiting the neuroprotective properties of neurosteroids with or
      without simultaneously stimulating neurogenesis. Cover Image for this issue: doi:
      10.1111/jnc.13344.

PMID- 27256159
TI  - Evolution of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans to DFSP-Derived Fibrosarcoma: An
      Event Marked by Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-like Process and 22q Loss.
AB  - Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare and indolent cutaneous sarcoma.
      At times, a fibrosarcomatous transformation marked by a more aggressive clinical
      behavior may be present. We investigated the natural history and the molecular
      bases of progression from classic DFSP to the fibrosarcomatous form (FS-DFSP),
      looking, retrospectively, at the outcome of all patients affected by primary DFSP
      treated at our institution from 1993 to 2012 and analyzing the molecular profile
      of 5 DFSPs and 5 FS-DFSPs by an integrated genomics approach (whole transcriptome
      sequencing, copy number analysis, FISH, qRT-PCR, IHC). The presence of
      fibrosarcomatous features was identified in 20 (7.6%) patients out of 263 DFSP.
      All cases were treated with macroscopic complete surgery. A local relapse
      occurred in 4 of 23 patients who received a microscopic marginal surgery (2
      classic DFSP, 2 FS-DFSP), while metastasis affected 2 patients, both FS-DFSP (10%
      of FS-DFSP), being the first event. DFSP evolution to FS-DFSP was paralleled by a
      transcriptional reprogramming. The recurrent loss of chromosome 22q appeared to
      contribute to this phenomenon by promoting the expression of epigenetic
      regulators, such as EZH2. Loss of the p16/CDKN2A/INK4A locus at 9p was also
      observed in two FS-DFSP metastatic cases. IMPLICATIONS: FS-DFSP is a rare
      subgroup among DFSP, with a 10% metastatic risk, that was independent from local
      recurrence and that was not observed in DFSP, that were all cured by wide
      surgery. Chromosome 22q deletion might play a role in FS-DFSP, and p16 loss may
      convey a poor outcome. EZH2 dysregulation was also found and represents a
      druggable target. Mol Cancer Res; 14(9); 820-9. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27256160
TI  - ROS1 fusions in cancer: a review.
AB  - The ROS1 gene belongs to the sevenless subfamily of tyrosine kinase insulin
      receptor genes. A literature review identified a ROS1 fusion in 2.54% of the
      patients with lung adenocarcinoma and even higher frequencies in spitzoid
      neoplasms and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors. At present, 26 genes were
      found to fuse with ROS1, some of them already known to fuse with RET and ALK. All
      the fusion proteins retain the ROS1 kinase domain, but rarely its transmembrane
      domain. Most of the partners have dimerization domains that are retained in the
      fusion, presumably leading to constitutive ROS1 tyrosine kinase activation. Some
      partners have transmembrane domains that are retained or not in the chimeric
      proteins. Therefore, different ROS1 fusions have distinct subcellular
      localization, suggesting that they may activate different substrates in vivo. 

PMID- 27256161
TI  - Preschoolers' generosity increases with understanding of the affective benefits
      of sharing.
AB  - Research has demonstrated that sharing with others is rewarding, suggesting a
      proximal mechanism of humans' extraordinary tendency to engage in prosocial
      behavior. The current study explored the cognitive basis of the relation between
      generosity and happiness early in ontogeny. We demonstrate that preschool
      children understand the relation between generosity and happiness. Moreover, our
      results show that children's emotion ratings are predictive for their subsequent
      sharing behavior. This finding provides evidence for the theoretical claim that
      prosocial behavior may be related to the anticipation of positive feelings, and
      that this mechanism may explain early instances of generosity in preschool
      children.

PMID- 27256162
TI  - A Cross-Sectional Clinic-Based Study in Patients With Side-Locked Unilateral
      Headache and Facial Pain.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To undertake the epidemiological evaluation of the patients presenting
      with side-locked headache and facial pain in a tertiary neurology outpatient
      clinic. BACKGROUND: Side-locked unilateral headache and facial pain include a
      large number of primary and secondary headaches and cranial neuropathies. A
      diagnostic approach for the patients presenting with strictly unilateral
      headaches is important as many of these headache disorders respond to a highly
      selective drug. Epidemiological data may guide us to formulate a proper approach
      for such patients. However, the literature is sparse on strictly unilateral
      headache and facial pain. METHODS: We prospectively recruited 307 consecutive
      adult patients (>18 years) with side-locked headache and facial pain presenting
      to a neurology outpatient clinic between July 2014 and December 2015. All
      patients were subjected to MRI brain and other investigations to find out the
      different secondary causes. The diagnosis was carried out by at least two
      headache specialists together. All patients were classified according to the
      International Classification of Headache Disorder-third edition (ICHD-3beta).
      RESULTS: The mean age at the time of examination was 42.4 +/- 13.6 years (range
      18-80 years). Forty-eight percent of patients were male. Strictly unilateral
      headaches accounted for 19.2% of the total headaches seen in the clinic.
      Headaches were classified as primary in 58%, secondary in 18%, and cranial
      neuropathies and other facial pain in 16% patients. Five percent of patients
      could not be classified. Three percent of patients were classified as per the
      Appendix section of ICHD-3beta. The prevalence of secondary headaches and painful
      cranial neuropathies increased with age. A total of 36 different diagnoses were
      made. Only two diseases (migraine and cluster headache) had a prevalence of more
      than 10%. The prevalence of 13 diseases varied between 6 and 9%. The prevalence
      of other 14 groups was <=1%. Migraine was the most common diagnosis (15%).
      Cervicogenic headache was the most common secondary headache. Classical
      trigeminal neuralgias and persistent idiopathic facial pain were two most common
      diagnoses in the painful cranial neuropathies and other facial pain groups. Sixty
      one percent fulfilled the definition of chronic daily headaches, and hemicrania
      continua and cervicogenic headache were the two most common diagnoses in this
      group. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of primary and secondary headaches and cranial
      neuropathies may present as side-locked headache and facial pain syndromes.
      Therefore, a sound knowledge of diagnostic approach is required for the optimal
      management of side locked headaches and facial pain.

PMID- 27256163
TI  - Erratum: Nanoelectronic primary thermometry below 4 mK.

PMID- 27256164
TI  - Role of UCP2 polymorphisms on dietary intake of obese patients who underwent
      bariatric surgery.
AB  - Uncoupling protein 2 ( UCP2 ) plays an important role in body weight and energy
      metabolism and may be related to the control of food consumption. This study
      aimed to investigate the contribution of UCP2 gene variants on the dietary intake
      on a population after bariatric surgery. This study enrolled 150 obese patients
      (body mass index >= 35kg m(-2) ) who submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
      Weight (kg), BMI (kg m(-2) ), energy (kcal d(-1) ) and macronutrients intake (g
      d(-1) ) of preoperative and 1-year postoperative period were collected from
      medical records. Ala55Val and -866G>A polymorphisms in the UCP2 gene were
      genotyped through allelic discrimination method in real-time polymerase chain
      reaction using the TaqMan pre-designed SNP Genotyping Assays kits. Hardy-Weinberg
      equilibrium, t-test and regression models were performed in statistical analysis
      (P<0.05).We found an allelic frequency of 0.44 for allele Val and 0.41 for allele
      A. In the postoperative period, patients with at least one rare allele for
      polymorphisms and with at least one rare allele for both polymorphisms together
      (haplotype) present a greater energy and carbohydrate intake, even after
      adjusting for gender, age and weight. Genetic variants in UCP2 gene were
      associated with the dietary consumption after Roux-En-Y gastric bypass. 

PMID- 27256165
TI  - TRUNCATION ARTIFACT IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES OF THE CANINE SPINAL CORD.
AB  - The truncation artifact in magnetic resonance (MR) images is a line of abnormal
      signal intensity that occurs parallel to an interface between tissues of markedly
      different signal intensity. In order to demonstrate the truncation artifact in
      sagittal images of the canine spinal cord and the effect of changing spatial
      resolution, we conducted an experimental in vitro study. A section of fixed
      canine spinal cord was imaged using a 1.5T magnet. Spatial resolution was
      increased by increasing the acquisition matrix and reconstruction matrix,
      producing series of T2-weighted (T2w) images with the following pixel sizes: A,
      1.6 (vertical) * 2.2 mm2 (horizontal); B, 1.2 * 1.7 mm2 ; C, 0.8 * 1.1 mm2 ; D,
      0.4 * 0. 6 mm2 . Plots of mean pixel value across the cord showed variations in
      signal intensity compatible with truncation artifact, which appeared as a single,
      wide central hyperintense zone in low-resolution images and as multiple narrower
      zones in high spatial resolution images. Even in images obtained using the
      highest spatial resolution available for the MR system, the edge of the spinal
      cord was not accurately defined and the central canal was not visible. The
      experiment was repeated using an unfixed spinal cord specimen with focal
      compression applied to mimic a pathologic lesion. Slight hyperintensity was
      observed within the spinal cord at the site of compression although the cord was
      normal histologically. Results of this study suggest that caution should be
      applied when interpreting hyperintensity affecting the spinal cord in T2w
      sagittal images of clinical patients because of the possibility that the abnormal
      signal could represent a truncation artifact.

PMID- 27256166
TI  - Lemierre's syndrome.

PMID- 27256167
TI  - Remarkable preservation of Ca(2+) homeostasis and inhibition of apoptosis
      contribute to anti-muscle atrophy effect in hibernating Daurian ground squirrels.
AB  - The underlying mechanisms that hibernators deviated from muscle atrophy during
      prolonged hibernating inactivity remain elusive. This study tested the hypothesis
      that the maintenance of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and inhibition of
      apoptosis would be responsible for preventing muscle atrophy in hibernating
      Daurian ground squirrels. The results showed that intracellular Ca(2+)
      homeostasis was maintained in soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in
      hibernation and post-hibernation, while cytosolic Ca(2+) was overloaded in
      gastrocnemius (GAS) in hibernation with a recovery in post-hibernation. The
      Ca(2+) overload was also observed in interbout arousals in all three type
      muscles. Besides, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was unchanged in transcriptional level
      among pre-hibernation, hibernation and interbout arousals, and reduced to a
      minimum in post-hibernation. Furthermore, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in protein level
      was reduced in hibernation but recovered in interbout arousals. Although
      cytochrome C was increased in GAS and EDL in post-hibernation, no apoptosis was
      observed by TUNEL assay. These findings suggested that the intracellular Ca(2+)
      homeostasis in hibernation might be regulated by the cytosolic Ca(2+) overload
      during interbout arousals, which were likely responsible for preventing muscle
      atrophy via inhibition of apoptosis. Moreover, the muscle-specificity indicated
      that the different mechanisms against disuse-induced atrophy might be involved in
      different muscles in hibernation.

PMID- 27256168
TI  - Proopiomelanocortin interference in the measurement of adrenocorticotrophic
      hormone: a United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It is recognized that measurement of ACTH-precursor peptides including
      proopiomelanocortin (POMC) has clinical utility in identifying the aetiology of
      Cushing's syndrome. Recent data have also demonstrated cross-reactivity of POMC
      in ACTH immunoassays used in clinical laboratories. The aim of this study was to
      assess the cross-reactivity of POMC in the main commercial immunoassays for ACTH
      and to survey the awareness of laboratory professionals to this potential
      interference. METHOD: To assess cross-reactivity, specimens containing ACTH
      and/or POMC were prepared by the UK National External Quality Assessment Service
      (UK NEQAS) [Edinburgh]. A separate interpretative exercise was also sent to
      participating laboratories. RESULTS: Eighty-seven laboratories measured 'total'
      ACTH (i.e. ACTH and/or POMC) in their assays. Cross-reactivity of POMC varied
      from a mean of 1.6-4.7% (reflected in a large percentage increase in measured
      ACTH of up to 261% due to POMC cross-reactivity) depending on the manufacturer.
      Major differences in the clinical interpretation of test results were observed in
      returned responses to the interpretative exercise. CONCLUSION: An appraisal of
      POMC cross-reactivity in currently available ACTH immunoassays has been achieved.
      Cross-reactivity was sufficient to detect ACTH precursors at concentrations that
      could be found in patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome. These data will assist
      laboratories in interpreting results when assessing the hypothalamic-pituitary
      adrenal axis. Endocrinologists and laboratory professionals should be aware of
      the degree of cross-reactivity in ACTH immunoassay in order to minimize the risk
      of misinterpretation of results and/or potentially delayed treatment.

PMID- 27256169
TI  - High levels of beta-xylosidase in Thermomyces lanuginosus: potential use for
      saccharification.
AB  - A new strain of Thermomyces lanuginosus was isolated from the Atlantic Forest
      biome, and its beta-xylosidases optimization in response to agro-industrial
      residues was performed. Using statistical approach as a strategy for
      optimization, the induction of beta-xylosidases activity was evaluated in
      residual corn straw, and improved so that the optimum condition achieved high
      beta-xylosidases activities 1003U/mL. According our known, this study is the
      first to show so high levels of beta-xylosidases activities induction. In
      addition, the application of an experimental design with this microorganism to
      induce beta-xylosidases has not been reported until the present work. The optimal
      conditions for the crude enzyme extract were pH 5.5 and 60 degrees C showing
      better thermostability at 55 degrees C. The saccharification ability of beta
      xylosidase in the presence of hemicellulose obtained from corn straw raw and
      xylan from beechwood substrates showed a xylo-oligosaccharide to xylose
      conversion yield of 80 and 50%, respectively, at 50 degrees C. Our data strongly
      indicated that the beta-xylosidases activities was not subjected to the effects
      of potential enzyme inhibitors often produced during fermentation process. These
      data suggest the application of this enzyme studied for saccharification of
      hemicellulose, an abundant residue in the American continents, thus providing an
      interesting alternative for future tests for energy production. 

PMID- 27256170
TI  - Stroke Thrombolysis Protocol Shortens "Door-to-Needle Time" and Improves Outcomes
      Experience at a Tertiary Care Center in Qatar.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess the effect of acute thrombolysis protocol on
      "door-to-needle time" (DTN) and improvement in outcome following acute stroke
      (AS). METHODS: The charts of all patients receiving intravenous (IV) thrombolysis
      for AS between January 2008 and June 2015 were reviewed for DTN, complications,
      and clinical outcome. Good prognosis was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS)
      score of less than 2 at 90 days. In January 2014, a protocol for faster DTN was
      introduced. We reviewed the prognosis before and after the introduction of the
      new protocol. RESULTS: Up to 204 patients received IV recombinant tissue
      plasminogen activator (r-tPA) (mean age 52.5 +/- 12.4 years). Mean door-to-CT
      time improved from 42.5 +/- 41.1 to 27.1 +/- 26.3 minutes (P < .001); DTN
      improved from 83.26 +/- 47.7 to 47.09 +/- 25.7 minutes (P < .001). Complications
      were reduced from 15.7% to 8.8% (P = .14). The mRS score of less than or equal to
      2 improved from 47.1% to 73.3% at 90 days (P = .001). After implementing new
      protocol, thrombolysis rate increased to 11.8% in 2014 (before 3.3% in 2011, 4.9%
      in 2012, and 4.4% in 2013), P < .0001. NIHSS (National Institutes of Health
      Stroke Scale) score at admission (P = .002), hypodensity on initial CT brain (P =
      .041), protocol implementation (P = .014), and reduced length of stay (P = .004)
      were associated with outcome at 90 days (mRS score <=2). CONCLUSION:
      Implementation of specific protocols to reduce DTN in patients receiving IV r-tPA
      leads to reduction in complications and improves outcome.

PMID- 27256171
TI  - Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography Angiography Demonstrating a Ruptured Basilar
      Artery Aneurysm Causing Anterior Cerebral Circulation Arrest.
AB  - A 61-year-old woman suffered a pronounced subarachnoid hemorrhage. Conventional
      computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed no enhancement of the intracranial
      vasculature, whereas there was normal contrast enhancement of bilateral external
      carotid artery branches. Subsequent four-dimensional computed tomography
      angiography (4D-CTA) demonstrated active contrast leakage out of a ruptured
      basilar tip aneurysm, whereas there was no enhancement of the anterior
      circulation at any time point, consistent with intracranial anterior circulation
      arrest. This case illustrates that 4D-CTA is superior to conventional CTA for the
      evaluation of intracranial flow dynamics and delayed intracranial vascular
      contrast filling. 

PMID- 27256172
TI  - Association between Serum Lipid Profiles and Early Neurological Deterioration in
      Acute Ischemic Stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is associated with chronic cardiovascular disease.
      However, the effect of dyslipidemia on acute ischemic stroke is unclear. We
      hypothesized that dyslipidemia could contribute to early neurological
      deterioration (END) after ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 410 acute ischemic
      stroke patients who were admitted to our stroke center within 24 hours after
      ictus were consecutively included in this study. END was defined as any new
      neurological symptoms/signs or any neurological worsening occurring during the
      admission and/or within 3 weeks after the index stroke. Multivariable logistic
      regression was used to examine the independent association between lipid indices
      and END. RESULTS: Mean age was 68.2 +/- 13.3 years, 241 (58.8%) were male, and 78
      (19.0%) experienced END. Almost END occurred within 3 days after admission (n =
      70, 89.7%), and the majority of END was stroke progression (n = 68, 87.1%). In
      univariate analysis, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels (per 1
      mmol/L; odds ratio [OR] .37; 95% CI .17-.80; P = .012) and apolipoprotein B
      (apoB)/apoA-I ratio (per 1 increase; OR 3.71; 95% CI 1.48-9.29; P = .005) were
      associated with END. In the multivariable analysis, adjusted ORs of END for the
      highest quartile of HDL-cholesterol and apoB/apoA-I ratio were .42 (95% CI .19
      .94; P = .034) and 2.37 (95% CI 1.02-5.53; P = .045), respectively. The ratio of
      apoB/apoA-I was associated with END in large artery atherosclerosis stroke but
      not in other stroke subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Independent association of low HDL
      cholesterol and high apoB/apoA-I ratio with END warrants further research to
      investigate if correction of the lipid profile during the acute period of
      ischemic stroke could reduce the risk of END.

PMID- 27256173
TI  - Predictive Ability of an Emergency Medical Dispatch Stroke Diagnostic Tool in
      Identifying Hospital-Confirmed Strokes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early hospital notification of a possible stroke arriving via
      emergency medical services (EMS) can prepare stroke center personnel for timely
      treatment, especially timely administration of tissue plasminogen activator.
      Stroke center notification from the emergency dispatch center-before responders
      reach the scene-may promote even earlier and faster system activation, meaning
      that stroke center teams may be ready to receive patients as soon as the
      ambulance arrives. This study evaluates the use of a Medical Priority Dispatch
      System (MPDS; Priority Dispatch Corp., Salt Lake City, UT) Stroke Diagnostic Tool
      (SDxT) to identify possible strokes early by comparing the tools' results to on
      scene and hospital findings. METHODS: The retrospective descriptive study
      utilized stroke data from 3 sources: emergency medical dispatch, EMS, and
      emergency department/hospital. RESULTS: A total of 830 cases were collected
      between June 2012 and December 2013, of which 603 (72.7%) had matching dispatch
      records. Of the 603 cases, 304 (50.4%) were handled using MPDS Stroke Protocol
      28. The SDxT had an 86.4% ability (OR [95% CI]: 2.3 [1.5, 3.5]) to effectively
      identify strokes among all the hospital-confirmed stroke cases (sensitivity), and
      a 26.6% ability to effectively identify nonstrokes among all the hospital
      confirmed nonstroke cases (specificity). CONCLUSIONS: The SDxT demonstrated a
      very high sensitivity, compared to similar tools used in the field and at
      dispatch. The specificity was somewhat low, but this was expected-and is intended
      in the creation of protocols to be used over the phone in emergency situations.
      The tool is a valuable method for identifying strokes early and may allow early
      hospital notification.

PMID- 27256174
TI  - "Total reconstruction" of the urethrovesical anastomosis contributes to early
      urinary continence in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To demonstrate the effect of total reconstruction technique on
      postoperative urinary continence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: LRP was performed using a standard urethrovesical
      anastomosis in 79 consecutive patients (Group-A) from June 2011 to October 2012,
      and a total reconstruction procedure in 82 consecutive patients (Group-B) from
      June 2012 to June 2013. The primary outcome measurement was urinary continence
      assessed at 1, 2, 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks after catheter removal. Other data
      recorded were patient age, body mass index, International Prostate Symptoms
      Score, prostate volume, preoperative PSA, Gleason score, neurovascular bundle
      preservation, operation time, estimated blood loss, complications and pathology
      results. RESULTS: In Group-A, the continence rates at 1, 2, 4, 12, 24 and 52
      weeks were 7.59%, 20.25%, 37.97%, 58.22%, 81.01% and 89.87% respectively. In
      Group-B, the continence rates were 13.41%, 32.92%, 65.85%, 81.71%, 90.24% and
      95.12% respectively. Group-B had significantly higher continence rates at 4 and
      12 weeks after surgery (P<0.001 and P=0.001). There were no significant
      differences between the groups with respect to patient's age, body mass index,
      prostate-specific antigen level, prostate volume, IPSS, estimated blood loss,
      number of nerve-sparing procedures and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS:
      Total reconstruction technique in the procedure of urethrovesical anastomosis
      during LRP improved early recovery of continence.

PMID- 27256175
TI  - Laparoscopic versus open radical prostatectomy in high prostate volume cases:
      impact on oncological and functional results.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare the laparoscopic versus open
      approach to RP in cases with high prostate volume and to evaluate a possible
      diferente impact of prostate volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2007 to
      March 2013 a total of 120 cases with clinically localized prostate cancer (PC)
      and a prostate volume>70cc identified for radical prostatectomy (RP), were
      prospectively analyzed in our institute. Patients were offered as surgical
      technique either an open retropubic or an intraperitoneal laparoscopic (LP)
      approach. In our population, 54 cases were submitted to LP and 66 to open RP. We
      analyzed the association of the surgical technique with perioperative,
      oncological and postoperative functional parameters. RESULTS: In those high
      prostate volume cases, the surgical technique (laparoscopic versus open) does not
      represent a significant independent factor able to influence positive surgical
      margins rates and characteristics (p=0.4974). No significant differences (p>0.05)
      in the overall rates of positive margins was found, and also no differences
      following stratification according to the pathological stage and nerve sparing
      (NS) procedure. The surgical technique was able to significantly and
      independently influence the hospital stay, time of operation and blood loss
      (p<0.001). On the contrary, in our population, the surgical technique was not a
      significant factor influencing all pathological and 1-year oncological or
      functional outcomes (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our prospective non randomized
      analysis on high prostate volumes, the laparoscopic approach to RP is able to
      guarantee the same oncological and functional results of an open approach,
      maintaining the advantages in terms of perioperative outcomes.

PMID- 27256176
TI  - Is [F-18]-fluorodeoxyglucose FDG-PET/CT better than ct alone for the preoperative
      lymph node staging of muscle invasive bladder cancer?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the use of [F-18]-FDG-PET/CT can accurately
      predict pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients with muscle invasive TCC of the
      bladder undergoing radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients
      with muscle invasive bladder cancer had undergone FDG-PET/CT scan from the skull
      base to the mid-thighs after IV injection of 6.5MBq (Mega-Becquerel)/Kg of FDG.
      After intravenous hydration IV furosemide was given to overcome the difficulties
      posed by urinary excretion of 18F-FDG. PET/ CT data were analyzed as PET and CT
      images studied separately as well as fused PET/ CT images. The imaging findings
      were correlated with the histopathology of the nodes (gold standard). RESULTS: CT
      and FDG-PET had demonstrated positive lymph nodes in 9 & 8 patients respectively.
      Among the 15 patients 3 had documented metastasis on histopathology. Both CT and
      PET could detect the nodes in all these 3 patients (100% sensitivity). Nodes were
      histologically negative amongst 6&5 patients who had node involvement by CT and
      PET respectively. Therefore, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) &
      negative predictive value (NPV) for CT and PET/CT were 50%, 33.3%, 100% and
      58.3%, 37.5%, 100% respectively. CONCLUSION: The theoretical advantage of this
      cutting edge technology for whole body imaging has not been translated into
      clinical practice as we found minimal advantage of combined FDG-PET/CT over CT
      alone for nodal staging of muscle invasive bladder cancer. This may be due to
      substantial overlap between standardized uptake values (SUVs) from active
      inflammatory processes with those of malignant lesion.

PMID- 27256177
TI  - Urothelial neoplasm of the bladder in childhood and adolescence: a rare disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: Bladder tumors are rare in children and adolescents. For this reason,
      the diagnosis is sometimes delayed in pediatric patients. We aimed to describe
      the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up methods of bladder urothelial neoplasms
      in children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a
      retrospective multicenter study involving patients who were treated between 2008
      and 2014. Eleven patients aged younger than 18 years were enrolled in the study.
      In all the patients, a bladder tumor was diagnosed using ultrasonography and was
      treated through transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT). RESULTS: Nine of
      the 11 patients (82%) were admitted with gross hematuria. The average delay in
      diagnosis was 3 months (range, 0-16 months) until the ultrasonographic diagnosis
      was performed from the first episodes of macroscopic hematuria. A single
      exophytic tumor (1-4cm) was present in each patient. The pathology of all
      patients was reported as superficial urothelial neoplasm: two with papilloma, one
      with papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP), four with
      low grade pTa, and four with low grade pT1. No recurrence was observed during
      regular cystoscopic and ultrasonographic follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of
      the presence of hematuria, bladder tumors in children are usually not considered
      because urothelial carcinoma in this population is extremely rare, which causes a
      delay in diagnosis. Fortunately, the disease has a good prognosis and recurrences
      are infrequent. Cystoscopy may be unnecessary in the follow-up of children with
      bladder tumors. We believe that ultrasonography is sufficient in follow-up.

PMID- 27256178
TI  - Low grade urothelial carcinoma mimicking basal cell hyperplasia and transitional
      metaplasia in needle prostate biopsy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The vast majority of urothelial carcinomas infiltrating the bladder are
      consistente with high-grade tumors that can be easily recognized as malignant in
      needle prostatic biopsies. In contrast, the histological changes of low-grade
      urothelial carcinomas in this kind of biopsy have not been studied. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We describe the clinicopathologic features of two patients with low
      grade bladder carcinomas infiltrating the prostate. They reported dysuria and
      hematuria. Both had a slight elevation of the prostate specific antigen and
      induration of the prostatic lobes. Needle biopsies were performed. At endoscopy
      bladder tumors were found in both cases. RESULTS: Both biopsies showed nests of
      basophilic cells and cells with perinuclear clearing and slight atypia
      infiltrating acini and small prostatic ducts. The stroma exhibited extensive
      desmoplasia and chronic inflammation. The original diagnosis was basal cell
      hyperplasia and transitional metaplasia. The bladder tumors also showed low-grade
      urothelial carcinoma. In one case, the neoplasm infiltrated the lamina propria,
      and in another, the muscle layer. In both, a transurethral resection was
      performed for obstructive urinary symptoms. The neoplasms were positive for high
      molecular weight keratin (34BetaE12) and thrombomodulin. No metastases were found
      in either of the patients, and one of them has survived for five years.
      CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of low-grade urothelial carcinoma in prostate needle
      biopsies is difficult and may simulate benign prostate lesions including basal
      cell hyperplasia and urothelial metaplasia. It is crucial to recognize low-grade
      urothelial carcinoma in needle biopsies because only an early diagnosis and
      aggressive treatment can improve the prognosis for these patients.

PMID- 27256179
TI  - Functional and oncologic outcomes after nephron-sparing surgery in a solitary
      kidney: 10 years of experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate functional and oncologic outcomes of partial nephrectomy
      (PN) in patients with a solitary kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective
      analysis of patients with a solitary kidney undergoing nephron-sparing surgery
      between March 2003 and March 2013 was performed. GFR was recorded before the
      procedure and 3 months after surgery, thus establishing a change (cGFR). Several
      variables that may influence cGFR were analyzed. Complications are herein
      described, namely bleeding, fistula, acute renal failure and end-stage renal
      disease (ESRD). Local recurrence and margin status are also described. Survival
      rates were calculated using the Kaplan Meier method (2 patients with metastasis
      at the time of surgery were excluded from the analysis). RESULTS: Forty-five
      patients were available for analysis. Median follow-up was 27.56 months (r 3-96).
      Mean cGFR was-7.12mL/min (SD 2.1). Variables significantly related with lower GFR
      after surgery were loss of renal mass (p=0.01)) and male gender (p=0.03). Four
      patients (8.8%) experienced hemorrhage. Nine patients (20%) developed a urinary
      fistula. Only one patient with bleeding required open surgery. Two patients
      (4.4%) needed transient dialysis. Three patients (6.6%) developed ESRD. Four
      patients (8.8%) had positive surgical margins (PSMs) and four patients (88%) had
      local recurrence (2 of these had PSMs). Five patients (11.1%) died during follow
      up. Four patients (8.8%) died because of renal cancer. Estimated 2-year overall
      survival, disease-free survival and cancer specific survival rates were 88.4% (CI
      95% 70.5-96); 87.7% (CI 95% 68.1-96) and 92.4% (CI 95% 75-98), respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Loss of renal mass and male gender were associated with lower
      postoperative GFR. Our outcomes were comparable with those in the World
      literature.

PMID- 27256180
TI  - Outcome and complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy as primary versus
      secondary procedure for renal calculi.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) as a
      primary procedure of patients following previous open surgery or post
      percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for renal calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      medical records of 367 patients who underwent PCNL by a single surgeon from
      January 2008 to December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients were
      divided into 3 Groups. Group-1 (n=232) included patients with no history of
      ipsilateral open stone surgery. Group 2 (n=86) patients had undergone one or more
      open stone surgeries before PCNL, patients with failed or recurrence following
      PCNL were placed in Group-3 (n=49). The demographic data, operation duration,
      stone free rate (SFR), number of attempts to access the collecting system and
      intra operative and postoperative complications between the three Groups were
      compared. RESULTS: There was no difference in sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), stone
      burden and laterality among the three Groups. Operation time was significantly
      less in first Group, while there was a statistically significant difference in
      operation duration between second and third Groups (p<0.05). The number of
      attempts to enter the collecting system was lower in the first Group in
      comparison to other two Groups (p<0.5). There was no significant differences
      among three groups in stone free rate. Intra operative and postoperative
      complications were slightly more frequent in Groups 2 and 3. Mortality occurred
      in 1 patient with colon perforation in Group-2. CONCLUSION: Our study
      demonstrated that PCNL can be performed in patients even as secondary procedure
      without further complications.

PMID- 27256181
TI  - Procalcitonin determined at emergency department as na early indicator of
      progression to septic shock in patient with sepsis associated with ureteral
      calculi.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To investigate the role of initial procalcitonin (PCT) level as an
      early predictor of septic shock for the patient with sepsis induced by acute
      pyelonephritis (APN) secondary to ureteral calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      data from 49 consecutive patients who met criteria of sepsis due to APN following
      ureteral stone were collected and divided into two groups: with (n=15) or without
      (n=34) septic shock. The clinical variables including PCT level for this outcome
      were retrospectively compared by univariate analysis, followed by multivariable
      logistic regression model. RESULTS: All subjects had hydronephrosis, and were
      hospitalized with the mean of 11.8 days (3-42 days). The mean size of the
      ureteral stones was 7.5mm (3-30mm), and 57% were located in upper ureter. At
      univariate analysis, patients with septic shock were significantly older, a
      higher proportion had hypertension, lower platelet count and serum albumin level,
      higher CRP and PCT level, and higher positive blood culture rate. Multivariate
      models indicated that lower platelet count and higher PCT level are independent
      risk factors (p=0.043 and 0.046, respectively). In ROC curve, the AUC was
      significantly wider in PCT (0.929), compared with the platelet count (0.822,
      p=0.004). At the cut-off of 0.52ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were 86.7%
      and 85.3%. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated elevated initial PCT levels as an
      early independente predictor to progress into septic shock in patients with
      sepsis associated with ureteral calculi.

PMID- 27256182
TI  - Laparoendoscopic single site surgery in pediatric urology: does it require
      specialized tools?
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe our experience utilizing Laparoendoscopic single site (LESS)
      surgery in pediatric urology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review
      was performed on LESS urologic procedures from November 2009 through March 2013.
      A total of 44 patients underwent 54 procedures including: nephrectomy (23),
      orchiopexy (14), varicocelectomy (9), orchiectomy (2), urachal cyst excision (3),
      and antegrade continence enema (3) (ACE). RESULTS: Median patient age was 6.9
      years old. Estimated blood loss (EBL), ranged from less than 5cc to 47cc for a
      bilateral nephrectomy. Operative time varied from 56 mins for varicocelectomy to
      a median of 360 minutes for a bilateral nephroureterectomy. Incision length
      ranged between 2 and 2.5cm. In our initial experience we used a commercial port.
      However, as we progressed, we were able to perform the majority of our procedures
      via adjacent fascial punctures for instrumentation at the single incision site.
      One patient did require conversion to an open procedure as a result of bleeding.
      Three complications were noted (6.8%), with two Clavien Grade 3b complications.
      Two patients required additional procedures at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The
      use of LESS applies to many pediatric urologic procedures, ideally for ablative
      procedures or simple reconstructive efforts. The use of adjacent fascial puncture
      sites for instrumentation can obviate the need for a commercial port or multiple
      trocars.

PMID- 27256183
TI  - Open suprapubic versus retropubic prostatectomy in the treatment of benign
      prostatic hyperplasia during resident's learning curve: a randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study compared the suprapubic (SP) versus retropubic (RP)
      prostatectomy for the treatment of large prostates and evaluated perioperative
      surgical morbidity and improvement of urinary symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In
      this single centre, prospective, randomised study, 65 consecutive patients with
      LUTS and surgical indication with prostate volume greater than 75g underwent open
      prostatectomy to compare the RP (32 patients) versus SP (33 patients) technique.
      RESULTS: The SP group exhibited a higher incidence of complications (p=0.002).
      Regarding voiding pattern analysis (IPSS and flowmetry), both were significantly
      effective compared to pre-treatment baseline. The RP group parameters were
      significantly better, with higher peak urinary flow (SP: 16.77 versus RP:
      23.03mL/s, p=0.008) and a trend of lower IPSS score (SP: 6.67 versus RP 4.14,
      p=0.06). In a subgroup evaluation of patients with prostate volumes larger than
      100g, blood loss was lower in those undergoing SP prostatectomy (p=0.003).
      Patients with prostates smaller than 100g in the SP group exhibited a higher
      incidence of low grade late complications (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The SP
      technique was related to a higher incidence of minor complications in the late
      postoperative period. High volume prostates were associated with increased
      bleeding when the RP technique was utilized. The RP prostatectomy was associated
      with higher peak urinary flow and a trend of a lower IPSS Score.

PMID- 27256184
TI  - Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: surgical, functional, and quality-of
      life outcomes upon extended follow-up.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term surgical, functional, and quality-of-life
      (QoL) outcomes after Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in
      patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed recorded data on patients who underwent
      HoLEP between June 2002 and February 2005. Ninety-six patients were enrolled.
      Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative data were recorded. On follow-up,
      International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSSs), prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
      levels, QoL scores, peak uroflowmetric data (Qmax values), and post-voiding
      residual urine volumes (PVR volumes), were recorded. Complications were scored
      using the Clavien system. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS:
      The mean follow-up time was 41.8+/-34.6 months and the mean patient age 73.2+/
      8.7 years. The mean prostate volume was 74.6+/-34.3mL. Significant improvements
      in Qmax values, QoL, and IPSSs and decreases in PSA levels and PVR volumes were
      noted during follow-up (all p values=0.001). The most common complication was a
      requirement for re-catheterisation because of urinary retention. Two patients had
      concomitant bladder tumours that did not invade the muscles. Eight patients
      (8.3%) required re-operations; three had residual adenoma, three urethral
      strictures, and two residual prostate tissue in the bladder. Stress incontinence
      occurred in one patient (1%). All complications were of Clavien Grade 3a. We
      noted no Clavien 3b, 4, or 5 complications during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP
      improved IPSSs, Qmax values, PVR volumes, and QoL and was associated with a low
      complication rate, during extended follow-up. Thus, HoLEP can be a viable option
      to transurethral resection of the prostate.

PMID- 27256185
TI  - Analysis of risk factors leading to postoperative urethral stricture and bladder
      neck contracture following transurethral resection of prostate.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine risk factors of postoperative urethral stricture (US) and
      vesical neck contracture (BNC) after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)
      from perioperative parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 373 patients underwent TURP
      in a Chinese center for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign
      prostatic obstruction (LUTS/BPO), with their perioperative and follow-up clinical
      data being collected. Univariate analyses were used to determine variables which
      had correlation with the incidence of US and BNC before logistic regression being
      applied to find out independent risk factors. RESULTS: The median follow-up was
      29.3 months with the incidence of US and BNC being 7.8% and 5.4% respectively.
      Resection speed, reduction in hemoglobin (DeltaHb) and hematocrit (DeltaHCT)
      levels, incidence of urethral mucosa rupture, re-catheterization and continuous
      infection had significant correlation with US, while PSA level, storage score,
      total prostate volume (TPV), transitional zone volume (TZV), transitional zone
      index (TZI), resection time and resected gland weight had significant correlation
      with BNC. Lower resection speed (OR=0.48), urethral mucosa rupture (OR=2.44) and
      continuous infection (OR=1.49) as well as higher storage score (OR=2.51) and
      lower TPV (OR=0.15) were found to be the independent risk factors of US and BNC
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lower resection speed, intraoperative urethral mucosa
      rupture and postoperative continuous infection were associated with a higher risk
      of US while severer storage phase symptom and smaller prostate size were
      associated with a higher risk of BNC after TURP.

PMID- 27256186
TI  - Relationship between visual prostate score (VPSS) and maximum flow rate (Qmax) in
      men with urinary tract symptoms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate correlation between visual prostate score (VPSS) and
      maximum flow rate (Qmax) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: This is a cross sectional study conducted at a university Hospital.
      Sixty-seven adult male patients>50 years of age were enrolled in the study after
      signing an informed consent. Qmax and voided volume recorded at uroflowmetry
      graph and at the same time VPSS were assessed. The education level was assessed
      in various defined groups. Pearson correlation coefficient was computed for VPSS
      and Qmax. RESULTS: Mean age was 66.1+/-10.1 years (median 68). The mean voided
      volume on uroflowmetry was 268+/-160mL (median 208) and the mean Qmax was 9.6+/
      4.96mLs/sec (median 9.0). The mean VPSS score was 11.4+/-2.72 (11.0). In the
      univariate linear regression analysis there was strong negative (Pearson's)
      correlation between VPSS and Qmax (r=-848, p<0.001). In the multiple linear
      regression analyses there was a significant correlation between VPSS and Qmax
      (beta-http://www.blogapaixonadosporviagens.com.br/p/caribe.html after adjusting
      the effect of age, voided volume (V.V) and level of education. Multiple linear
      regression analysis done for independent variables and results showed that there
      was no significant correlation between the VPSS and independent factors including
      age (p=0.27), LOE (p=0.941) and V.V (p=0.082). CONCLUSION: There is a significant
      negative correlation between VPSS and Qmax. The VPSS can be used in lieu of IPSS
      score. Men even with limited educational background can complete VPSS without
      assistance.

PMID- 27256187
TI  - Assessing variability of the 24-hour pad weight test in men with post
      prostatectomy incontinence.
AB  - PURPOSE: Decision-making regarding surgery for post-prostatectomy incontinence
      (PPI) is challenging. The 24-hour pad weight test is commonly used to objectively
      quantify PPI. However, pad weight may vary based upon activity level. We aimed to
      quantify variability in pad weights based upon patient-reported activity.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: 25 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy were
      prospectively enrolled. All patients demonstrated clinical stress urinary
      incontinence without clinical urgency urinary incontinence. On three consecutive
      alternating days, patients submitted 24-hour pad weights along with a short
      survey documenting activity level and number of pads used. RESULTS: Pad weights
      collected across the three days were well correlated to the individual (ICC 0.85
      (95% CI 0.74-0.93), p<0.001). The mean difference between the minimum pad weight
      leakage and maximum leakage per patient was 133.4g (95% CI 80.4-186.5). The mean
      increase in 24-hour leakage for a one-point increase in self-reported activity
      level was 118.0g (95% CI 74.3-161.7, p<0.001). Pad weights also varied
      significantly when self-reported activity levels did not differ (mean difference
      51.2g (95% CI 30.3-72.1), p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: 24-hour pad weight leakage may
      vary significantly on different days of collection. This variation is more
      pronounced with changes in activity level. Taking into account patient activity
      level may enhance the predictive value of pad weight testing.

PMID- 27256189
TI  - Adult urethral stricture: practice of Turkish urologists.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate national practice patterns in the treatment of male
      anterior urethral strictures among Turkish urologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      survey form including 12 questions prepared to determine active Turkish
      urologists' approach to diagnosis and treatment of the adult urethral stricture
      (US) were filled out. Based on the survey results, the institutions which 218
      urologists work and their years of expertise, methods they used for diagnosis and
      treatment, whether or not they perform open urethroplasty and timing of open
      urethroplasty were investigated. RESULTS: Optic internal urethrotomy and
      dilatation are the most commonly used minimal invasive procedures in treatment of
      US with the ratios of 93.5% and 63.3% respectively. On the other hand it was seen
      that urethroplasty was a less commonly used procedure, compared to minimal
      invasive techniques, with the ratio of 36.7%. Survey results showed us that the
      number of US cases observed and open urethroplasty procedures performed increases
      with increasing years of professional experience. CONCLUSIONS: As a method
      demanding special surgical experience and known as a time-consuming and
      challenging procedure, open urethroplasty will be able to take a greater part in
      current urological practice with the help of theoretical education and practical
      courses given by specific centers and experienced authors.

PMID- 27256188
TI  - Can the success of structured therapy for giggle incontinence be predicted?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To evaluate possible factors that can guide the clinician to
      predict potential cases refractoriness to medical treatment for giggle
      incontinence (GI) and to examine the effectiveness of different treatment
      modalities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 48 children referred to pediatric
      urology outpatient clinic between 2000 and 2013 diagnosed as GI were reviewed.
      Mean age, follow-up, GI frequency, associated symptoms, medical and family
      history were noted. Incontinence frequency differed between several per day to
      less than once weekly. Children were evaluated with uroflowmetry-electromyography
      and post-void residual urine. Clinical success was characterized as a full or
      partial response, or nonresponse as defined by the International Children's
      Continence Society. Univariate analysis was used to find potential factors
      including age, sex, familial history, GI frequency, treatment modality and
      dysfunctional voiding to predict children who would possibly not respond to
      treatment. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 8.4 years (range 5 to 16). Mean
      follow-up time and mean duration of asymptomatic period were noted as 6.7+/-1.4
      years and 14.2+/-2.3 months respectively. While 12 patients were treated with
      only behavioral urotherapy (Group-1), 11 patients were treated with alpha
      adrenergic blockers and behavioral urotherapy (Group-2) and 18 patients with
      methylphenidate and behavioral urotherapy (Group-3). Giggle incontinence was
      refractory to eight children in-group 1; six children in-group 2 and eight
      children in-group 3. Daily GI frequency and dysfunctional voiding diagnosed on
      uroflowmetry-EMG were found as outstanding predictive factors for resistance to
      treatment modalities. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of therapies for GI have more than
      50% failure rate and a standard treatment for GI has not been established. The
      use of medications to treat these patients would not be recommended, as they
      appear to add no benefit to symptoms and may introduce severe adverse effects.

PMID- 27256190
TI  - Is there any association between National Institute of Health category IV
      prostatitis and prostate-specific antigen levels in patients with low-risk
      localized prostate cancer?
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the association between National Institute of Health
      category IV prostatitis and prostate-specific antigen levels in patients with low
      risk localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 440 patients
      who had undergone prostate biopsies due to high PSA levels and suspicious digital
      rectal examination findings were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were
      divided into two groups based on the presence of accompanying NIH IV prostatitis.
      The exclusion criteria were as follows: Gleason score>6, PSA level>20ng/mL, >2
      positive cores, >50% cancerous tissue per biopsy, urinary tract infection,
      urological interventions at least 1 week previously (cystoscopy, urethral
      catheterization, or similar procedure), history of prostate biopsy, and history
      of androgen or 5-alpha reductase use. All patient's age, total PSA and free PSA
      levels, ratio of free to total PSA, PSA density and prostate volume were
      recorded. RESULTS: In total, 101 patients were included in the study.
      Histopathological examination revealed only PCa in 78 (77.2%) patients and
      PCa+NIH IV prostatitis in 23 (22.7%) patients. The median total PSA level was 7.4
      (3.5-20.0) ng/mL in the PCa+NIH IV prostatitis group and 6.5 (0.6-20.0) ng/mL in
      the PCa group (p=0.67). The PSA level was<=10ng/mL in 60 (76.9%) patients in the
      PCa group and in 16 (69.6%) patients in the PCa+NIH IV prostatitis group
      (p=0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed no statistically significant difference
      in PSA levels between patients with and without NIH IV prostatitis accompanying
      PCa.

PMID- 27256191
TI  - The long-term results of temporary urethral stent placement for the treatment of
      recurrent bulbar urethral stricture disease?
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the long term outcomes of temporary urethral stent placement for
      the treatment of recurrent bulbar urethral stricture. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Twenty-eight patients who underwent temporary polymer coated urethral stent
      placement due to recurrent bulbar urethral stricture between 2010 and 2014 were
      enrolled in the study. The long term outcomes of the patients were analyzed.
      RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 62.3+/-6.4 (44-81). The overall
      clinical success was achieved in 18 (64.2%) of the 28 patients at a median
      (range) follow-up of 29 (7-46) months. No patient reported discomfort at the
      stent site. Stone formation was observed at the urethral stent implantation area
      only in one patient. Stenosis occurred in the distal end of the stents in two
      patients and took place in bulbar urethra in seven patients after removed the
      stents. The mean maximum urine flow rates were 6.24+/-2.81mL/sec and 19.12+/
      4.31mL/sec before and at 3 months after the procedure, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      In this study, the success rate of temporary urethral stent placement has
      remained at 64.2% at a median follow-up of 29 months. Therefore, our outcomes
      have not achieved desired success rate for the standard treatment of recurrent
      bulbar urethral stricture.

PMID- 27256192
TI  - Use and outcomes of amplatz renal dilator for treatment of urethral strictures.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Urethral stricture disease is still a major problem in men. Many
      procedures are available for the treatment of urethral strictures; urethral
      dilatation is one of the oldest. The blind dilatation of urethral strictures may
      be a difficult and potentially dangerous procedure. The purpose of this study was
      to describe safe urethral dilatation using amplatz renal dilator and to report
      outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2010 to 2014, a total of 26 men with
      primary urethral strictures were managed by urethral dilatation using amplatz
      renal dilators. The parameters analyzed included presentation of patients,
      retrograde urethrography (RGU) findings, pre-and postoperative maximum flow rate
      (Qmax) on uroflowmetry (UF) and post-void residual urine (PVR). Patients were
      followed-up at 1.6 and 12 months. The technique described in this paper enables
      such strictures to be safely dilated after endoscopic placement of a suitable
      guidewire and stylet over which amplatz renal dilators are introduced. RESULTS:
      The mean age of the patients was 57.6 (35-72) years. The median stricture length
      was 0.82 (0.6-1.5)cm. Pre-operative uroflowmetry showed Qmax of 7.00 (4-12)
      mL/sec and ultrasonography showed PVR of 75.00 (45-195)mL. Postoperatively, Qmax
      improved to 18.00 (15-22)mL/sec (p<0.001) at 1 month, 17.00 (13-21)mL/sec
      (p<0.001) at 6 months and 15.00 (12-17)mL/sec (p<0.001) at 12 months. The post
      operative PVR values were 22.50 (10-60)mL (p<0.001), 30.00 (10-70)mL (p<0.001)
      and 30.00 (10-70) mL (p<0.001) at 1.6 12 months, respectively. The median
      procedure time was 15.00 (12-22) minutes. None of the patients had a recurrence
      during a 12-month period of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Urethral dilatation with
      amplatz renal dilators avoids the risks associated with blind dilatation
      techniques. This tecnique is a safe, easy, well-tolerated and cost-effective
      alternative for treatment of urethral strictures.

PMID- 27256193
TI  - Impact of body mass index, age and varicocele on reproductive hormone profile
      from elderly men.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study the impact of obesity, age and varicocele on sexual hormones
      of adult and elderly men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 875 men who were screened for
      prostate cancer were enrolled in this study. Data recorded comprised age, body
      mass index (BMI), serum levels of total testosterone (TT), free testosterone
      (FT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH) and
      follicular stimulating hormone (FSH). Patients were divided in groups according
      to their BMI in underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese grades 1, 2 or
      3. First, it was studied the association between age, BMI, and hormone profile.
      Then, clinical varicocele was evaluated in 298 patients to assess its correlation
      to the others parameters. RESULTS: Obese patients had lower levels of TT, FT and
      SHBG (p<0.001) compared to underweight or normal weight patients. There were no
      differences in age (p=0.113), FSH serum levels (p=0.863) and LH serum levels
      (p=0.218) between obese and non-obese patients. Obese grade 3 had lower levels of
      TT and FT compared to obese grade 1 and 2 (p<0.05). There was no difference in
      the SHBG levels (p=0.120) among obese patients. There was no association between
      varicocele and BMI; and varicocele did not impact on testosterone or SHBG levels.
      CONCLUSIONS: Men with higher BMI have a lower serum level of TT, FT and SHBG. The
      presence of clinical varicocele as well as its grade has no impact on hormone
      profile in elderly men.

PMID- 27256194
TI  - Changes in mast cell infiltration: a possible mechanism in detrusor overactivity
      induced by visceral hypersensitivity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish the detrusor overactivity (DO) model induced by visceral
      hypersensitivity (VH) and investigate the relationship between mast cell (MC)
      infiltration and DO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty rats are divided into 4 groups
      randomly: Group 1:Baseline group; Group 2: DO group; Group 3: CON group; Group 4:
      VH group. The colorectal distension (CRD) and abdominal withdral reflex (AWR)
      scores are performed to evaluate VH. The cystometric investigation and
      histological test of MC infiltration are assessed. RESULTS: The threshold
      pressure of CRD in the VH group is significantly lower than that in the CON group
      (P<0.001). At the distension pressure >=20 mmHg, the AWR scores of the VH group
      are significantly higher than those of the CON group (10 mmHg: P=0.33; 20 mmHg:
      P=0.028; 40 mmHg: P<0.001; 60 mmHg: P<0.001; 80 mmHg: P<0.001). DO model is
      successfully established in the VH group (DO rate=100%). Compared with the CON
      group, the numbers of MC infiltration are significantly increased in the VH
      group, including submucosa of bladder (P<0.001), mucosa lamina propria/mesentery
      of small intestine (P<0.001), and mucosa lamina propria/mesentery of large
      intestine (P<0.001). Furthermore, more MC activation as well as degranulation are
      observed in the VH group. CONCLUSIONS: It is indicated that DO model can be
      established in the VH rats. The MC infiltration may play an important role in DO
      induced by VH, and may be helpful to understand the mechanisms of DO in VH
      patients.

PMID- 27256195
TI  - Renal capsule for augmentation cystoplasty in canine model: a favorable
      biomaterial?
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate effectiveness of canine renal capsule for augmentation
      cystoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten adult dogs participated in this study.
      After induction of anesthesia each animal underwent bed side urodynamic study,
      bladder capacity and bladder pressure was recorded. Then via mid line incision
      abdominal cavity was entered, right kidney was identified and its capsule was
      dissected. Bladder augmentation was done by anastomosing the renal capsule to the
      bladder. After 6 months bed side urodynamic study was performed again and changes
      in bladder volume and pressure were recorded. Then the animals were sacrificed
      and the augmented bladders were sent for histopathology evaluation. RESULTS: Mean
      maximum anatomic bladder capacity before cystoplasty was 334.00+/-11.40cc which
      increased to 488.00+/-14.83cc post-operatively (p=0.039). Mean anatomic bladder
      pressure before cystoplasty was 19.00+/-1.58cmH2O which decreased to 12.60+/
      1.14cmH2O post-operatively (p=0.039). Histopathology evaluation revealed
      epithelialization of the renal capsule with urothelium without evidence of
      fibrosis, collagen deposits or contracture. CONCLUSIONS: Our data shows that
      renal capsule is a favorable biomaterial for bladder augmentation in a canine
      model.

PMID- 27256196
TI  - Recurring priapism may be a symptom of voiding dysfunction - case report and
      literature review.
AB  - Recurring priapism is rare in pre-pubertal children and may be attributed to
      multiple causes. We propose that voiding dysfunction (VD) may also justify this
      symptom and detail a clinical case of recurring stuttering priapism associated to
      overactive bladder that completely resolved after usage of anticholinergics and
      urotherapy. Sacral parasympathetic activity is responsible for detrusor
      contraction and for spontaneous erections and a relationship between erections
      and bladder status has been proved in healthy subjects (morning erections) and
      models of medullar trauma. High bladder pressures and/or volumes, voiding
      incoordination and posterior urethritis can potentially trigger reflex erections.

PMID- 27256197
TI  - Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma mimicking cortical invasion by synchronous
      invasive urothelial carcinoma of the intra-renal collecting system on CT
      urography.

PMID- 27256198
TI  - Intravesical human papillomavirus (IHPV) infection-endoscopic resection.

PMID- 27256199
TI  - RE: The value of testicular ultrasound in the prediction of the type and size of
      testicular tumors.

PMID- 27256200
TI  - RE: Efficacy of botulinum toxin type A 100 Units versus 200 units for treatment
      of refractory idiopathic overactive bladder.

PMID- 27256201
TI  - RE: An easy, reproducible and cost-effective method for andrologists to improve
      the laboratory diagnosis of nonobstructive azoospermia: a novel
      microcentrifugation technique.

PMID- 27256202
TI  - Use of pre-clinical surgically induced models to understand biomechanical and
      biological consequences of PTOA development.
AB  - Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development is often observed following
      traumatic knee injuries involving key stabilising structures such as the cruciate
      ligaments or the menisci. Both biomechanical and biological alterations that
      follow knee injuries have been implicated in PTOA development, although it has
      not been possible to differentiate clearly between the two causal factors. This
      review critically examines the outcomes from pre-clinical lapine and ovine injury
      models arising in the authors' laboratories and differing in severity of PTOA
      development and progression. Specifically, we focus on how varying severity of
      knee injuries influence the subsequent alterations in kinematics, kinetics, and
      biological outcomes. The immediate impact of injury on the lubrication capacity
      of the joint is examined in the context of its influence on biomechanical
      alterations, thus linking the biological changes to abnormal kinematics, leading
      to a focus on the potential areas for interventions to inhibit or prevent
      development of the disease. We believe that PTOA results from altered cartilage
      surface interactions where biological and biomechanical factors intersect, and
      mitigating acute joint inflammation may be critical to prolonging PTOA
      development. (c) 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:454-465, 2017.

PMID- 27256203
TI  - Applicability of the International Affective Picture System in Chinese older
      adults: A validation study.
AB  - The International Affective Picture System (IAPS) is a standardized tool widely
      used to induce emotions in psychological studies. The present study examined the
      reliability and validity of the IAPS in Chinese older adults. A sample consisting
      of 126 Chinese older adults (86 females; aged 67.3 +/- 4.96 years; 13.2 +/- 2.75
      years of education) was recruited to rate valence and arousal for 942 IAPS
      pictures. The results showed a satisfactory reliability and validity of the IAPS
      among these participants. The reliability was supported by high internal
      consistency and low inter-individual variance of participants' ratings; the
      validity was supported by high similarities (in rating scores and in the
      distribution of the pictures in the valence-arousal affective space) and small
      differences (in mean ratings) between Chinese and German older adults. In
      conclusion, the study adds supportive evidence to the cross-cultural validity of
      the IAPS in older adults, and provides a set of normative emotional ratings that
      could be adopted as a criterion in the selection of emotional pictures in future
      studies engaging Chinese older adults. Comparison of the IAPS ratings across
      cultures and ages is also discussed. 

PMID- 27256205
TI  - Prospective Evaluation of Continence Following Radical Cystectomy and Orthotopic
      Urinary Diversion Using a Validated Questionnaire.
AB  - PURPOSE: We evaluated continence outcomes in male patients undergoing orthotopic
      neobladder diversion after radical cystectomy using a validated questionnaire.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using our institutional review board approved bladder
      cancer database we identified 1,269 patients who underwent open radical
      cystectomy from 2002 to 2015. Orthotopic neobladder was constructed in 935 (74%)
      patients, of whom 798 (85%) were male. Beginning in 2012 the patients completed a
      validated pictorial pad use questionnaire at each followup visit. The
      questionnaire assessed pad number, size and wetness as well as catheter use.
      Continence was defined as use of no pads or pads that are almost dry.
      Questionnaires were stratified into distinct postoperative intervals for
      analysis. Female patients, or patients with artificial urinary sphincters or
      prior radiotherapy were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A total of 188 male
      patients with available questionnaires were followed from September 2012 to
      August 2015. Overall 447 questionnaires were collected, with 351 interval
      distinct questionnaires separated into intervals of less than 3, 3 to 6, more
      than 6 to 12, more than 12 to 18, more than 18 to 36 and more than 36 months
      after surgery (64, 61, 58, 49, 61 and 58 questionnaires, respectively). Daytime
      continence increased from 59% at less than 3 months postoperatively to 92% by
      more than 12 to 18 months. Nighttime continence increased from 28% at less than 3
      months postoperatively to 51% by more than 18 to 36 months. Nearly 50% of
      patients reported daytime and nighttime continence by 18 to 36 months.
      CONCLUSIONS: After orthotopic neobladder diversion in male patients, continence
      improves significantly by 6 months and subsequently plateaus with 92% daytime
      continence by more than 12 to 18 months. Orthotopic neobladder represents an
      excellent functional option for urinary diversion.

PMID- 27256204
TI  - Comparison of Pathological Outcomes for Men with Low Risk Prostate Cancer from
      Diverse Practice Settings: Similar Results from Immediate Prostatectomy or
      Initial Surveillance with Delayed Prostatectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: We compared pathological outcomes after radical prostatectomy for a
      population based sample of men with low risk prostate cancer initially on active
      surveillance and undergoing delayed prostatectomy vs those treated with immediate
      surgery in order to better understand this expectant management approach outside
      of the context of academic cohorts. We hypothesized that delays in surgery due to
      initial surveillance would not impact surgical pathological outcomes. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study of 2 groups of patients with
      NCCN low risk prostate cancer from practices in the Michigan Urological Surgery
      Improvement Collaborative, that is 1) men who chose initial active surveillance
      and went on to delayed prostatectomy and 2) men who chose immediate
      prostatectomy. Diagnoses occurred from January 2011 through August 2015. For
      these 2 groups we compared radical prostatectomy Gleason scores, and rates of
      extraprostatic disease, positive surgical margins, seminal vesicle invasion and
      lymph node metastases. RESULTS: During a median followup of 506 days 79 (6%) of
      1,359 low risk men choosing initial surveillance transitioned to prostatectomy.
      Compared to those treated with immediate prostatectomy (778), men undergoing
      delayed surgery were more likely to have Gleason score 7 or greater disease
      (69.2% vs 48.8%, respectively, p=0.004), but were no more likely to have positive
      margins, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion or lymph node
      metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low risk prostate cancer who enter active
      surveillance have higher grade disease at prostatectomy compared to those
      undergoing immediate surgery. However, the lack of difference in other adverse
      pathological outcomes suggests preservation of the window of curability.

PMID- 27256206
TI  - Novel Biocompatible Adhesive for Intrarenal Embedding and Endoscopic Removal of
      Small Residual Fragments after Minimally Invasive Stone Treatment in an Ex Vivo
      Porcine Kidney Model: Initial Evaluation of a Prototype.
AB  - PURPOSE: Residual fragments related to endoscopic intracorporeal lithotripsy are
      a challenging problem. The impact of residual fragments remains a subject of
      discussion and growing evidence highlights that they have a central role in
      recurrent stone formation. Therefore, we developed a novel bioadhesive system for
      intrarenal embedding and retrieval of residual fragments after endoscopic
      lithotripsy in an ex vivo porcine kidney model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a
      standardized setting 30 human stone fragments 1 mm or less were inserted in the
      lower pole of an ex vivo porcine kidney model. We assessed the extraction
      efficacy of flexible ureteroscopy using the bioadhesive system in 15 preparations
      and a conventional retrieval basket in 15. Outcomes were compared regarding the
      endoscopic and macroscopic stone-free rate, and overall time of retrieval.
      RESULTS: Embedding and retrieving the residual fragment-bioadhesive complex were
      feasible in all trial runs. We observed no adverse effects such as adhesions
      between the adhesive and the renal collecting system or the instruments used. The
      stone-free rate was 100% and 60% in the bioadhesive and conventional retrieval
      groups, respectively (p = 0.017). Mean retrieval time was significantly shorter
      at 10 minutes 33 seconds vs 36 minutes 56 seconds in the bioadhesive group vs the
      conventional group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This novel method involving adhesive
      based complete removal of residual fragments from the collecting system has
      proved to be feasible. Our evaluation in a porcine kidney model revealed that
      this technology performed well. Further tests, including inpatient studies, are
      required to thoroughly evaluate the benefit and potential drawbacks of
      bioadhesive based extraction of residual fragments after intracorporeal
      lithotripsy.

PMID- 27256207
TI  - Cardiac Disease-Induced Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms (CDI-PTSS) Among Patients'
      Partners.
AB  - It is well established that a patient's partner can be deeply affected by the
      traumatizing nature of the patient's illness. Yet, no study to date has focused
      on post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among partners of patients coping with
      an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The current study's main aims were to address
      this gap and to evaluate cardiac disease-induced (CDI) PTSS prevalence in
      partners of patients who experienced ACS. Patients who experienced ACS and their
      partners were interviewed by telephone 2 to 6 months after patients'
      hospitalization. All patients and partners were screened for CDI-PTSS.
      Demographic and medical variables as well as partners' level of exposure to the
      cardiac event were assessed. Prevalence of CDI-PTSS was higher among partners
      than among patients. Partners' number of CDI-PTSS was not significantly
      associated with patients' number of CDI-PTSS or with any of the other explanatory
      factors measured, except for education level. The preliminary results that arose
      from the current study point to the vast number of individuals who must act as
      caregivers for their ill partners while having to cope with their own PTSS. Much
      effort should be channelled into integrating partners into cardiac recovery
      programmes. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27256208
TI  - Development and Implementation of Culturally Tailored Offline Mobile Health
      Surveys.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In low and middle income countries (LMICs), and other areas with low
      resources and unreliable access to the Internet, understanding the emerging best
      practices for the implementation of new mobile health (mHealth) technologies is
      needed for efficient and secure data management and for informing public health
      researchers. Innovations in mHealth technology can improve on previous methods,
      and dissemination of project development details and lessons learned during
      implementation are needed to provide lessons learned to stakeholders in both the
      United States and LMIC settings. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this paper are to share
      implementation strategies and lessons learned from the development and
      implementation stages of two survey research projects using offline mobile
      technology, and to inform and prepare public health researchers and practitioners
      to implement new mobile technologies in survey research projects in LMICs.
      METHODS: In 2015, two survey research projects were developed and piloted in
      Puerto Rico and pre-tested in Costa Rica to collect face-to-face data, get
      formative evaluation feedback, and to test the feasibility of an offline mobile
      data collection process. Fieldwork in each setting involved survey development,
      back translation with cultural tailoring, ethical review and approvals, data
      collector training, and piloting survey implementation on mobile tablets.
      RESULTS: Critical processes and workflows for survey research projects in low
      resource settings were identified and implemented. This included developing a
      secure mobile data platform tailored to each survey, establishing user
      accessibility, and training and eliciting feedback from data collectors and on
      site LMIC project partners. CONCLUSIONS: Formative and process evaluation
      strategies are necessary and useful for the development and implementation of
      survey research projects using emerging mHealth technologies in LMICs and other
      low resource settings. Lessons learned include: (1) plan institutional review
      board (IRB) approvals in multiple countries carefully to allow for development,
      implementation, and feedback, (2) in addition to testing the content of survey
      instruments, allow time and consideration for testing the use of novel mHealth
      technology (hardware and software), (3) incorporate training for and feedback
      from project staff, LMIC partner staff, and research participants, and (4) change
      methods accordingly, including content, as mHealth technology usage influences
      and is influenced by the content and structure of the survey instrument. Lessons
      learned from early phases of LMIC research projects using emerging mHealth
      technologies are critical for informing subsequent research methods and study
      designs.

PMID- 27256209
TI  - Valvular disease: Bivalirudin versus heparin for the treatment of cerebral
      embolization post-TAVR.

PMID- 27256210
TI  - Renal denervation for resistant hypertension: the wrong target?

PMID- 27256212
TI  - Genetics: Variants in ASGR1 linked to reduced CAD risk.

PMID- 27256213
TI  - Acute coronary syndromes: Use of antipsychotic drugs linked with risk of MI.

PMID- 27256214
TI  - Interventional cardiology: OSA predicts cardiac risk in patients undergoing PCI.

PMID- 27256215
TI  - Thermoelectric performance of restacked MoS2 nanosheets thin-film.
AB  - MoS2 has been predicted to be an excellent thermoelectric material due to its
      large intrinsic band gap and high carrier mobility. In this work, we exfoliated
      bulk MoS2 by the assistance of lithium intercalation and fabricated the restacked
      MoS2 thin-film using a simple filtration technique. These MoS2 thin-films with
      different thickness showed different thermoelectric performance. It was found
      that with the increase of thickness, carrier concentration, electrical
      conductivity and Seebeck coefficient all showed an increasing trend. In
      particular, the maximum Seebeck coefficient was able to reach 93.5 MUV K(-1).
      This high thermopower indicates that MoS2 will have ideal thermoelectric
      performance in the future through optimizing its structure. The highest figure of
      merit (ZT = 0.01) is calculated in this experiment. 

PMID- 27256211
TI  - Acute coronary syndromes in women and men.
AB  - Evidence of sex-related disparities in the care and outcomes of patients with
      acute coronary syndrome (ACS) emerged >30 years ago, and yet the mechanisms
      behind these sex-specific differences remain unclear. In this Review, we discuss
      the current literature on differences between women and men in the clinical
      presentation, pathophysiology, evaluation, management, and outcomes of ACS.
      Although the symptoms of ACS and the benefits of therapy generally overlap
      between women and men, women continue to receive less-aggressive invasive and
      pharmacological therapy than men. In addition, young women in particular have
      worse short-term and long-term outcomes than men. To understand better the
      mechanisms behind these continued disparities, we have identified areas of future
      research that need to be urgently addressed in fields that range from clinical
      evaluation and management, to increasing representation of women in research.

PMID- 27256216
TI  - Impact of hyperventilation and apnea on myocardial oxygenation in patients with
      obstructive sleep apnea - An oxygenation-sensitive CMR study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oxygenation-sensitive cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (OS
      CMR) is an emerging technique that can monitor changes in myocardial oxygenation
      in vivo. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with endothelial
      and microcirculatory dysfunction and increased cardiovascular morbidity and
      mortality. Little is known about myocardial responses to apnea in patients with
      OSAS. We hypothesized that the coronary vascular response to hyperventilation and
      long breath-hold is diminished in patients with OSAS when compared to healthy
      volunteers. METHODS: Twenty-nine OSAS patients and 36 healthy volunteers were
      prospectively enrolled. All CMR scans were performed on a clinical 3T system.
      Participants performed a breathing maneuver with 60s of hyperventilation followed
      by a maximal breath-hold. During the breath-hold, OS-CMR images were continuously
      acquired and signal intensity changes were measured by a blinded reader. RESULTS:
      Patients with OSAS were older than healthy volunteers (p<0.01) and presented more
      co-morbidities; 66% were currently treated with nocturnal positive airway
      pressure. Compared to healthy participants, the expected increase of myocardial
      oxygenation during the first 15s of the breath-hold was significantly lower in
      patients with OSAS (2.6+/-8.3% vs. 6.7+/-5.6%; p<0.05), and remained reduced at
      all time points during the breath-hold. Importantly this result was mainly driven
      by patients under continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), suggesting that
      CPAP might have a greater impact on increase of myocardial oxygenation rather
      than OSAS itself. CONCLUSIONS: The myocardial vascular response to combined
      breathing maneuvers of hyperventilation followed by voluntary apnea is blunted in
      patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Clinical studies should now further define
      the clinical role of oxygenation-sensitive CMR in patients with respiratory
      disorders.

PMID- 27256217
TI  - Remnant lipoproteinemia predicts cardiovascular events in patients with type 2
      diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients having type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) are at high risk of cardiovascular events. Triglyceride-rich
      lipoprotein levels are synergistically increased in patients with DM and CKD.
      This study examined the predictive value of remnant lipoprotein levels for
      cardiovascular events in patients with DM and CKD. METHODS: Three hundred and
      sixty-five patients with type 2 DM and CKD were enrolled. Serum levels of remnant
      lipoproteins (remnant-like lipoprotein particles cholesterol; RLP-C) were
      measured by an immunoseparation method. All patients were followed prospectively
      for a period of 45+/-23 months or until occurrence of one of the following
      events: cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring
      unplanned coronary revascularization, or ischemic stroke. RESULTS: During the
      follow-up period, 59 patients had cardiovascular events. Multivariate Cox
      analysis revealed that high levels of RLP-C (>=4.3mg/dL; median value) were a
      significant risk factor for cardiovascular events, independent of traditional
      risk factors (HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.04-1.63; p=0.02). The addition of high levels
      of RLP-C to traditional risk factors improved net reclassification improvement
      (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) (NRI 0.36, p=0.01; and IDI
      0.03, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: RLP-C is useful for risk assessment of future
      cardiovascular events in patients having type 2 DM and CKD.

PMID- 27256218
TI  - Role of echocardiography in patients with stroke.
AB  - Investigation of potential embolic source is an important diagnostic step in
      treating patients with ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. Cardiogenic
      embolism has been estimated to be the causative factor in 15-30% of all cases of
      ischemic stroke. Cardioembolic strokes are generally severe and recurrence and
      mortality rate high. Various cardiac disorders including atrial fibrillation,
      ventricular thrombus, valvular heart disease, cardiac tumors, and structural
      heart defects can cause cardioembolic stroke. Although the aortic arch is not a
      cardiac structure, it is usually considered under source of cardiac embolism
      (cardioaortic source) and is reviewed in this article. Echocardiography (both
      transthoracic and transesophageal) is a widely used and versatile technique that
      can provide comprehensive information of thromboembolic risk in patients with
      stroke. This article reviews potential cardiac sources of stroke and discusses
      the role of echocardiography in clinical practice.

PMID- 27256219
TI  - Predictors of short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized veterans with
      elevated troponin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin elevation is associated with mortality. We compared
      the mortality risk related to elevated troponin from acute coronary syndrome
      (ACS) and non-ACS causes in a hospitalized elderly veteran population. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: As part of a quality initiative at our Veterans Affairs hospital,
      all patients with elevated troponin were evaluated by a cardiologist to determine
      if ACS was present and to recommend management. We selected a sample (n = 761) of
      consecutive patients studied between February 2006 and February 2007 and examined
      all-cause mortality over extended follow-up. Nearly all were men (99.1%), and
      about half had coronary disease (n = 385, 50.5%) and diabetes (n = 339, 44.4%).
      ACS patients had lower mortality that non-ACS patients. Mortality began to
      diverge at 30 days; at 1 year it was 42.0% versus 29.0% (odds ratio [OR]: 0.56,
      95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41-0.78) and at 6 years 77.7% versus 58.7% (OR:
      0.41, 95% CI: 0.30-0.56). Cox regression models for mortality at multiple time
      points yielded several independent factors associated with mortality; however,
      the distribution of the factors was not sufficient to explain the observed
      difference in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this elderly, male veteran population,
      mortality related to an elevated troponin was higher at 1 and 6 years for non-ACS
      patients compared with ACS patients. Factors independently associated with a
      higher mortality risk were predominantly markers of general systemic illness, but
      did not elucidate the reasons why troponin elevation secondary to non-ACS causes
      carries this higher risk. A better understanding of these cardiac troponin
      elevations and implications for future mortality requires additional
      investigation. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:773-777. (c) 2016 Society of
      Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 27256221
TI  - Orally transmitted acute Chagas disease in domestic travelers in Colombia.

PMID- 27256220
TI  - Soluble antigen derived from IV larva of Angiostrongylus cantonensis promotes
      chitinase-like protein 3 (Chil3) expression induced by interleukin-13.
AB  - Angiostrongyliasis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis) is an
      emerging food-borne parasitic disease, which refers basically to eosinophilic
      meningitis. Chitinase-like protein 3 (Chil3), a member of chitinase-like protein
      family which has chemotactic activity for eosinophils, is reported to be highly
      upregulated in brain of mouse infected with A. cantonensis. The mechanisms of
      high expression of Chil3 and the association between A. cantonensis and Chil3 are
      rarely reported. In order to understand the mechanism of high expression of Chil3
      in A. cantonensis-infected mouse, we measured the level of Chil3 in RAW 264.7 and
      BV2 cell lines stimulated with soluble antigen of A. cantonensis by qPCR and
      ELISA. To explore the role of Chil3 in inflammation caused by A. cantonensis, we
      extracted and cultured brain mononuclear cells (BMNCs) and detected the
      eosinophil chemotactic activity of Chil3 using transwell assay and flow
      cytometer. Furthermore, we treated the infected mice by injection with rmChil3
      and then counted the number of larvae in brains of infected mice and treated mice
      to examine the association between the worm and Chil3. Our results showed the
      soluble antigen from A. cantonensis could promote the Chil3 expression in
      macrophage and microglial cell lines induced by interleukin-13. In conclusion, we
      supposed that high expression of Chil3 enhanced by soluble antigens from A.
      cantonensis might be the reason of serious eosinophil infiltration in mouse brain
      after A. cantonensis infection. 

PMID- 27256222
TI  - William Arbuthnot Lane (1856-1943).

PMID- 27256223
TI  - [Efforts to improve the quality of neonatal screening, diagnosis and treatment of
      congenital adrenal hyperplasia].

PMID- 27256224
TI  - [Consensus statement on neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia].

PMID- 27256225
TI  - [Expert consensus on the clinical application of chromosomal microarray analysis
      in pediatric genetic diseases].

PMID- 27256226
TI  - [Characterization of ovarian adrenal rest tumors in children and adolescent
      females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To summarize the characterization of ovarian adrenal rest tumors
      (OART) in children and adolescent females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia
      (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). METHOD: We have diagnosed 4
      cases of CAH 21-OHD with OART in the recent 5 years in pediatric endocrinology
      unit of the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University. Clinical
      characterizations were summarized, including symptoms, growth patterns and bone
      age advancements, serum steroid concentrations, imaging results and the follow-up
      data. RESULT: The 4 cases of OART accounted for 2.5 % of the CAH 21-OHD girls,
      which was much lower than the detection rate, 29.5%, of testicular ART in our
      patient group during the same period. The 4 cases included 3 salt wasters and 1
      with simple virilizm. OART were diagnosed at the age of 8.9 years, 15.8 years,
      21.4 years and 9.3 years, respectively. Before the diagnosis of OART, their daily
      hydrocortisone doses reached 16 mg/(m(2).d)to 24 mg/(m(2).d). The patients
      presented with deteriorated acne, deepened voice, amenorrhea (2 cases),
      accelerated growth and advanced bone age, DeltaBA/DeltaCA reached 1.2(during
      GnRHa treatment)and 2.0. Their serum adrenal steroids increased significantly and
      hyperplasia of adrenal glands were found in all patients. The diagnosis could be
      confirmed before the operation in only 1 case. The diagnosis could not be made
      until the planned sub-total adrenalectomy in the other 3 cases. The follow-up
      periods of OART were 4.8, 4.7, 3.8 and 2.7 years, respectively. Removal of OART
      resulted in symptoms relief at least partialy and lowered daily hydrocortisone
      doses, 14 to 19 mg/(m(2).d). CONCLUSION: The detection rate of OART was much
      lower than testicular ART. Before the diagnosis of OART, the patients presented
      with deteriorated virilescence, accelerated growth and advanced bone age,
      elevated serum adrenal steroids and hyperplasia of adrenal glands. Removal of the
      OART resulted in symptoms relief at least partialy.

PMID- 27256227
TI  - [Blood 7-ketocholesterol level, clinical features and gene mutation analysis of
      18 children with Niemann-Pick disease type C].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) level in the blood, clinical
      features and gene mutation of Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC). METHOD: Eighteen
      patients diagnosed as NPC in Shanghai Xinhua Hospital seen from February 2013 to
      October 2014 were enrolled in this study. They included 13 males and 5 females
      and aged from 5 months to 21 years. The plasma 7-KC concentrations, clinical
      features and gene mutations of NPC patients were reviewed retrospectively.
      RESULT: Fourteen NPC patients had neurological symptoms with the age of
      neurological onset from 1 year to 16 years. In seven cases the disease was early
      infantile subtype, in 1 late-infantile subtype, in five juvenile subtype and in
      one adult subtype. The 7-KC value in the plasma of NPC patients was higher than
      the normal range, (348.5+/-168.7) MUg/L in the early-infantile subtype, 150.6
      MUg/L in the late-infantile subtype, (145.0+/-46.3) MUg/L in the juvenile
      subtype, and 32.0 MUg/L in the adult subtype, respectively, additionally, four
      NPC patients had no observable neuropsychiatric disability when confirmed to be
      NPC by genetic testing, with the plasma 7-KC value (345.6+/-134.2) MUg/L; 16 of
      18 patients had splenomegaly or hepatosplenomegaly. Among 18 patients, 34
      different mutations in the NPC1 gene were identified including 27 reported
      mutations, 1 novel small deletion 3609_3610delAC, five novel exonic point
      mutations, c. 3683T>C(M1228T), c. 3679A>T(R1227W), c. 1070C>T(S357L), c.
      1456A>C(N486H) and c. 1142G>A(W381X) and 1 novel intronic mutation c. 881+ 3A>G.
      CONCLUSION: The 7-KC levels in the blood of patient was remarkably increased, and
      there was a tendency that 7-KC levels inversely correlated with the age of
      neurological onset. Most NPC patient had splenomegaly or hepatosplenomegaly.
      Among 18 patients, 34 different mutations in the NPC1 gene were identified
      including seven novel mutations, which enriched the gene mutation spectrum.

PMID- 27256228
TI  - [Rapamycin in the treatment of cardiac rhabdomyoma associated with tuberous
      sclerosis complex].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of mammalian target of rapamycin
      (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin in treatment of children with cardiac rhabdomyoma,
      associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). METHOD: The clinical data of
      children with cardiac rhabdomyomas, who had received a diagnosis of TSC
      previously, were collected between September 2011 and November 2015 from
      Pediatric Department of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital.Patients in
      line with the inclusion criteria received long-term treatment with sirolimus.The
      starting doses of sirolimus was 1 mg/ (m(2).d), and the plasma concentration was
      maintained at 5-10 MUg/L.The size and number of cardiac rhabdomyomas were
      analyzed after treatment with rapamycin, and the efficacy and safety were
      assessed. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze data. RESULT: All the 51 children
      met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 30 males and 21 females.The
      median age for rapamycin treatment was 15.0 months (7.0-35.0 months). Tumors
      disappeared in 26 (51%) children, decreased by more than 50%(including 50%) in 15
      (29%) children, decreased by less than 50% in 5 (12%) children, and had no change
      or progressed in 4 (8%) children.The number of tumors decreased by 77(72%). The
      median maximum diameter of tumor was 8.7 (5.9-11.3) mm before treatment, 0.0 (0.0
      4.0) mm after treatment, and the median decrease of tumor size were 6.7 (3.9
      10.0) mm (Z=-8.817, P<0.01). The median disappearance time was 3.26 (2.92-5.37)
      months.Among different age groups, after treatment by rapamycin, the rate of
      tumor's disappearance was 50% (12/24) in 0-1 years group.Tumors disappeared in 10
      of 16 patients in >1-3 years group and in 4 of 11 patients in >3 years group.The
      rate of tumor's disappearance was the highest after 3 months of treatment as
      compared with 6 and 12 months of treatment.Ten children had adverse event that
      was related to rapamycin.Canker sore was reported in one child and dyslipidemia
      was reported in 9 children. CONCLUSION: Rapamycin is efficacious and well
      tolerate in treatment of cardiac rhabdomyomas associate with TSC, and lead to a
      reduction in tumor size and number, in addition, significantly shorten the
      duration of cardiac rhabdomyoma.

PMID- 27256229
TI  - [Partial thyroxine binding globulin deficiency in test tube infants: report of
      cases and literature review].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of twins with thyroxine
      binding globulin (TBG) deficiency and to find SERPINA7 gene mutations. METHOD:
      Data(2015) related to clinical characteristics, serum biochemistry, gene
      mutations and pedigree of two children with TBG deficiency were collected in the
      First Affiliated Hospital of College of Medicine, Zhejiang University. The
      related literature was searched form China National Knowledge Infrastructure,
      Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, National Center for Biotechnology
      Information and PubMed (up to December 2015) by using search terms "Thyroxine
      binding globulin deficiency, gene, mutation" . RESULT: Both patients were
      diagnosed as central hypothyroidism at the beginning and treated with L
      thyroxine. Both of the identical twins of the triplet were observed for mutation
      in exon3, c. 631G>A(p.A211T), a new mutation had not been reported, but their
      parents and another non-identical triplet brother were normal. Literature review
      showed that 23 foreign cases with SERPINA7 gene mutation had been reported,
      however, no Chinese with SERPINA7 gene mutation had been reported. Among reported
      cases it was shown that SERPINA7 gene mutations located in exon, intron, promoter
      and enhancer. Up to now, 49 variants had been identified, 41 of them located in
      the mutated genes. Including these two cases, patients with thyroxine binding
      globulin deficiency were characterized by reduced serum TH levels, but normal
      free TH and TSH and absence of clinical manifestations. CONCLUSION: The new
      mutation of SERPINA7 gene c. 631G>A(p.A211T)is not transmitted via the known X
      chromosome linked heredity, and as the cases were test tube triplet infants, it
      is a de novo mutation. The serum thyroid function tests of TBG deficiency showed
      decreased TT4, TT3 and normal TSH and TBG deficiency is often misdiagnosed as
      central hypothyroidism.

PMID- 27256230
TI  - [Genetic analysis for 5 congenital hypothyroidism patients due to
      dyshormonogenesis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze molecular characteristics of 5 congenital hypothyroidism
      (CH) patients due to dyshormonogenesis. METHOD: We enrolled 5 CH patients due to
      dyshormonogenesis who were identified in Newborn Screening Center of Guangxi
      Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Blood samples were collected from the patients
      and their parents, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood
      leukocytes. All exons of DUOX2, TG, TPO and NIS gene together with their exon
      intron boundaries were screened by next-generation sequencing. Specimens from 100
      normal controls were tested for these novel variations. RESULT: No TPO, NIS or TG
      gene mutations were identified. Direct sequencing of the DUOX2 gene revealed that
      patient 1 had a compound heterozygote for c. 3340delC and p. R683L, patient 2 was
      homozygous for p. K530X and patient 3 was a heterozygote for p. E879K. Both
      biallelic and monoallelic heterozygous mutations in DUOX2 were associated with
      transient CH. Novel mutations included c. 3340delC and p. R683L, analysis of 100
      healthy subjects without thyroid disease did not show the same change.
      CONCLUSION: Genetic analysis of TPO, NIS, DUOX2 and TG gene in 5 unrelated CH
      patients with thyroid dyshormonogenesis revealed two novel DUOX2 mutations, both
      were biallelic and monoallelic heterozygous mutations in DUOX2 associated with
      transient CH.

PMID- 27256231
TI  - [Applying multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification in the diagnosis of 5
      cases with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To detect large genomic deletions or duplications of ornithine
      transcarbamylase (OTC) gene by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification
      (MLPA). METHOD: Thirty cases of suspected OTC deficiency (OTCD) patients based on
      tandem-mass spectrum results were recruited in Xinhua Hospital from 2012 to 2014,
      among whom 13 were male and 17 were female. Sanger sequencing of OTC gene
      revealed mutations in 23 cases. MLPA was performed in the patients whose previous
      Sanger sequencing failed to detect any disease-causing mutation. The samples were
      treated via the steps of DNA degeneration, the probe hybridization, connecting
      the hybridization probe, PCR amplification and capillary electrophoresis. The
      data were analyzed using Coffalyser software. RESULT: Abnormal MLPA results were
      found in 5 patients without mutation detected in previous Sanger sequencing.
      Patient 1, a 9-year old girl, had a heterozygous deletion of Exon 2-4. Patient 2,
      a male newborn, died 10 days after birth. The examination of the mother's sample
      by MLPA revealed a heterozygous duplication of exon 2-6. Patient 3, a 10-day old
      boy, was found to harbor a hemizygous deletion of exon 7-10. Patient 4, a 2-year
      old girl, harbored a heterozygous deletion of exon 1-4. The fifth patient died at
      the age of 6 years, and his mother carried a heterozygous duplication of exon 1
      4. CONCLUSION: MLPA can be helpful in detecting the OTC gene defects,
      particularly for OTCD patients without mutation detected by Sanger sequencing.

PMID- 27256232
TI  - [Target gene sequence capture and next generation sequencing technology to
      diagnose four children with Alagille syndrome].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To make genetic diagnosis of Alagille syndrome (ALGS) patients using
      target gene sequence capture and next generation sequencing technology. METHOD:
      Target gene sequence capture and next generation sequencing were used to detect
      ALGS gene of 4 patients. They were hospitalized at the Affiliated Hospital,
      Capital Institute of Pediatrics between January 2014 and December 2015, referred
      to clinical diagnosis of ALGS typical and atypical respectively in 2 cases. Blood
      samples were collected from patients and their parents and genomic DNA was
      extracted from lymphocytes. Target gene sequence capture and next generation
      sequencing was detected. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the results of the
      patients and their parents. RESULT: Cholestasis, heart defects, inverted
      triangular face and butterfly vertebrae were presented as main clinical features
      in 4 male patients. The first hospital visiting ages ranged from 3 months and 14
      days to 3 years and 1 month. The age of onset ranged from 3 days to 42 days
      (median 23 days). According to the clinical diagnostic criteria of ALGS, patient
      1 and patient 2 were considered as typical ALGS. The other 2 patients were
      considered as atypical ALGS. Four Jagged 1(JAG1) pathogenic mutations were
      detected. Three different missense mutations were detected in patient 1 to
      patient 3 with ALGS(c.839C>T(p.W280X), c. 703G>A(p.R235X), c. 1720C>T(p.V574M)).
      The JAG1 mutation of patient 3 was first reported. Patient 4 had one novel
      insertion mutation (c.1779_1780insA(p.Ile594AsnfsTer23)). Parental analysis
      verified that the JAG1 missense mutation of 3 patients were de novo. The results
      of sanger sequencing was consistent with the results of the next generation
      sequencing. CONCLUSION: Target gene sequence capture combined with next
      generation sequencing can detect two pathogenic genes in ALGS and test genes of
      other related diseases in infantile cholestatic diseases simultaneously and
      presents a high throughput, high efficiency and low cost. It may provide
      molecular diagnosis and treatment for clinicians with good clinical application
      prospects.

PMID- 27256233
TI  - [The value of brain magnetic resonance imaging in the early diagnosis of
      neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in
      evaluating the intracranial injuries in patients with juvenile onset systemic
      lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHOD: Data of brain MRI, CT, electroencephalogram
      (EEG), cerebrospinal fluids analysis and clinical features of the central nervous
      system of 44 patients from March 2007 to March 2015 with juvenile onset SLE who
      were not treated with glucocorticoids (Gcs) and immunosuppressive agents (Is)
      were retrospectively analyzed and compared. RESULT: Twenty-seven out of 44
      patients demonstrated abnormal signs on brain MRI, including encephalatrophy,
      cerebral infarction, demyelination, encephalorrhagia, vertebral arteriostenosis
      and abnormal signals on the brain diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Sixteen
      patients had clinical features of the central nervous system involvement, fifteen
      had continuous headache, nine had continuous dizziness, seven had convulsions,
      three had hemiplegia, one had blurred vision. Physical examination of the nervous
      system: ten patients had abnormal signs, all had cervical rigidity, five showed
      pyramidal sign, three showed loss of muscle tone, two with cranial neuropathies
      and one had paresthesia. EEG: Ten patients showed abnormal waves on EEG, all
      showed diffused slow-waves, and five showed sharp waves and spikes. Cerebrospinal
      fluids analysis: six patients had abnormal results, five of them had cell count
      elevation and one had cell count and protein elevation, while there was glucose
      and chloride degression. Brain CT: Eight patients received CT scan, two showed
      cerebral infarction. chi(2) test was used to compare the differences among head
      MRI, EEG, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, physical examination of the nervous
      system, clinical features of the nervous system, the difference was
      significant(chi(2)=12.055, P=0.001; chi(2)=19.627, P=0.001; chi(2)=3.859,
      P=0.049; chi(2)=12.055, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Brain MRI may be a better method in
      early diagnosis of intracranial injuries than CT, EEG, cerebrospinal fluid
      analysis and physical examination of the nervous system. Patients with juvenile
      onset SLE should receive brain MRI after diagnosis in order to investigate the
      intracranial injuries. Abnormal signals on the DWI are the signs of active
      disease.

PMID- 27256234
TI  - [Clinical application of AMPLATZER Vascular Plug II in transcatheter closure of
      congenital coronary artery fistula in children].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of applying AMPLATZER Vascular Plug II
      (AVP II) in transcatheter closure of congenital coronary artery fistula in
      children. METHOD: Transcatheter closure procedure applying AVP II was carried out
      in 7 patients (3 males and 4 females, age 1.2-12.0 years) with congenital
      coronary artery fistula between May 2014 and September 2015 in Pediatric
      Cardiology Department of Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute. Selective coronary
      artery angiography and aortic root angiography were performed after the release
      of the device to evaluate the immediate therapeutic effect. Echocardiography and
      electrocardiography were performed at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year
      post procedure and repeated once a year during the follow-up period. RESULT:
      Transcatheter deployment of the device was successfully accomplished in all
      patients. The narrowest diameter of the fistula was (8.6+/-2.8) mm (4.0-12.5 mm),
      and the size of the deployed device ranged from 10.0 to 16.0 mm. Immediate
      selective coronary artery angiography revealed no residual shunt in 5 patients
      and trivial residual shunt in 2 patients. During a mean follow-up period of 2.7
      (1.0-16.0) months, echocardiography showed that 3 patients remained no residual
      shunt, while 2 patients had trivial residual shunt, 2 patients developed small
      residual shunt. Cardiac murmur disappeared post procedure in all patients.
      Electrocardiography showed no ST-T changes. No migration or detachment of the
      device was found. CONCLUSION: AVP II is a safe and effective choice in
      transcatheter closure of congenital coronary artery fistula in children.

PMID- 27256235
TI  - [Outcome of childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report of 99 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the incidence, clinical characteristics and prognosis of
      childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) enrolled in protocol ALL
      2005. METHOD: Retrospective reviews of patients diagnosed as having T-ALL were
      studied in the period between May 2005 and August 2013 in Shanghai Children's
      Medical Center. Predictive values of early treatment responses, including
      prednisone response, bone marrow morphology on day 35 during induction
      chemotherapy, and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitored by flow cytometry on
      day 35 and 55, were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the
      survival rates. RESULT: Ninety-nine evaluable patients aged 1-18 years with newly
      diagnosed T-ALL were enrolled in protocol ALL-2005. The median follow-up period
      for patients remaining alive in continuous remission was 60 months (24-109
      months). The 5-year event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for
      these patients were 65% and 69%, respectively. Forty-three (43%) patients were
      older than 10 years at diagnosis. A total of 61 patients presented with initial
      white blood cell count (WBC)>=50*10(9)/L. Thirty-seven patients with mediastinal
      mass were found in this study. Seventy-one patients were defined as prednisone
      good responders (PGR) on day 8 of prednisone therapy. Ninty-four patients
      achieved complete remission (CR) on day 35 of induction therapy. MRD negative
      status (<0.01%) on day 35 were seen in 55% of the 42 assessed patients. MRD
      negative status on day 55 was seen in 78% of the 52 assessed patients. Patients
      with high MRD (>1%) on day 55 5-year EFS was 40% were associated with poor
      prognosis (P=0.03). Early T-cell precursor (ETP) subtype was not associated with
      treatment outcome in this study. Six patients abandoned therapy, 10 lost to
      follow-up, 22 had relapsed disease, 1 was diagnosed as having a second tumor and
      20 patients died. CONCLUSION: Overall outcome for T-ALL on protocol ALL-2005 is
      favorable. MRD results on day 55 of induction therapy have important prognostic
      and therapeutic implications.

PMID- 27256236
TI  - [Novel SCN5A mutation leading either to progressive cardiac conduction defect or
      Brugada syndrome in a family].

PMID- 27256237
TI  - [Four cases of central venous catheter-related effusions in premature infants].

PMID- 27256238
TI  - [Report of a case with pulmonary infection of Lophomonas blattarum in children].

PMID- 27256239
TI  - [A case of Kawasaki disease with autoimmune hemolytic anemia].

PMID- 27256240
TI  - [Pratt speech analytic software in diagnosing myasthenia gravis presenting with
      dysphonia as the initial symptom, a case report].

PMID- 27256241
TI  - [A case of primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumor of infancy with ascites as the
      initial symptom].

PMID- 27256243
TI  - [Neurally adjusted ventilatory assistance in neonates: progress in research and
      application].

PMID- 27256242
TI  - [Progress of epilepsy and mental retardation limited to females].

PMID- 27256244
TI  - [Research progress in ganglioside GD2 as target for cellular immunotherapy of
      neuroblastoma].

PMID- 27256245
TI  - [Clinical pharmacology session of the twentieth national pediatric academic
      conference of the Chinese Medical ssociation and the sixth national pediatric
      clinical pharmacology academic conference].

PMID- 27256246
TI  - Predicting the outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients using
      multiple biomarkers and suspension microarray assays.
AB  - Predicting the prognosis for cardiac arrest is still challenging. Combining
      biomarkers from diverse pathophysiological pathways may provide reliable
      indicators for the severity of injury and predictors of long-term outcomes. We
      investigated the feasibility of using a multimarker strategy with key independent
      biomarkers to improve the prediction of outcomes in cardiac arrest. Adult out-of
      hospital cardiac arrest patients with sustained return of spontaneous circulation
      were prospectively enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken at 2 and 24
      hours after cardiac arrest. Suspension microarray assays were used to test 21
      different biomarkers. A total of 99 patients were enrolled, 45 of whom survived
      to hospital discharge. We identified 11 biomarkers that, when combined with
      clinical variables and factors of APACHE II score and history of arrhythmia, were
      independent determinants for outcome of in-hospital mortality (concordance =
      0.9249, standard error = 0.0779). Three biomarkers combined with APACHE II and
      age were independent determinants for favorable neurological outcome at hospital
      discharge (area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve, 0.938; 95%
      confidence interval, 0.854 ~ 1.0). In conclusion, a systemic multiple biomarker
      approach using suspension microarray assays can identify independent predictors
      and model the outcomes of cardiac arrest patients during the post-cardiac arrest
      period.

PMID- 27256247
TI  - Microcomputed tomographic evaluation of canal transportation and centring ability
      of ProTaper Next and Twisted File Adaptive systems.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate canal transportation and centring ability of ProTaper Next (PTN)
      and Twisted File Adaptive (TFA) systems using microcomputed tomographic (micro
      CT) imaging. METHODOLOGY: Twenty isthmus-containing mesial roots of mandibular
      molars were anatomically matched based on similar morphological dimensions using
      micro-CT evaluation (resolution of 14.25 MUm) and assigned to two experimental
      groups (n = 10) according to the system used for root canal preparation: PTN and
      TFA groups. Then, the specimens were scanned again and the matched images of the
      mesial canals, before and after preparation, were examined at three cross-section
      levels (3, 5 and 7 mm from the apical end of the root) to analyse canal
      transportation and centring ratio. Independent-samples t-test was used to compare
      canal transportation and centring ratio between the groups. All statistical
      procedures were performed with a significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: Root
      canals prepared with either PTN or TFA systems had similar canal transportation
      and centring ratios at all levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PTN and TFA had similar
      results regarding canal transportation and centring ability.

PMID- 27256248
TI  - Bacteremia due to Cellulosimicrobium cellulans associated with central catheter
      for hemodialysis.

PMID- 27256249
TI  - Primary sternal osteomyelitis caused by Salmonella enteritidis.

PMID- 27256250
TI  - Systematic review of qualitative studies exploring parental experiences in the
      Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility and utility of a thematic
      analysis approach to synthesising qualitative evidence about parental experiences
      in the neonatal intensive care unit. BACKGROUND: Admission of infants to the
      neonatal intensive care unit is usually an unexpected event for parents who can
      cause them to experience psychosocial difficulties. A qualitative systematic
      review is the best method for exploring these parents' experiences regarding this
      type of admission. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: Qualitative studies in
      peer-reviewed journals aimed at understanding parental experiences regarding
      infant neonatal intensive care unit admission were identified in six electronic
      databases. Three reviewers selected relevant articles and assessed the quality of
      the methodological studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. A
      thematic analysis approach was used to identify the most common themes in the
      studies describing parental experiences in the neonatal intensive care unit.
      RESULTS: A total of eighty articles were identified; nine studies were included
      in this review. Four studies used semistructured interviews, three used
      interviews, one used self-reporting and one used both focus group and interview
      methodologies. Common themes across parents' experiences were the stress of
      hospitalisation, alteration in parenting roles and the impact of infant
      hospitalisation on psychological health. CONCLUSION: Having an infant
      hospitalised in the neonatal intensive care unit is a stressful experience for
      parents. This experience is the result of exposure to different stressors related
      to the infant's condition, an alteration in parenting roles or the neonatal
      intensive care unit environment and staffing. These parents suffered negative
      psychological effects, experienced an interrupted development of a healthy parent
      infant attachment and/or felt parental role alteration. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL
      PRACTICE: The study's findings are crucial for neonatal intensive care unit
      nurses to develop intervention strategies and programmes that help parents to
      decrease the stress of their experience and to support them in facing this
      stressful situation.

PMID- 27256260
TI  - Veterinary anthropology explored.
AB  - Veterinary and social scientists came together at the Centre for Medical
      Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh in April to discuss areas of common
      interest and the possibility of defining a new interdisciplinary field of
      'veterinary anthropology'. Andrew Gardiner, one of the organisers of the
      international meeting, reports. 

PMID- 27256252
TI  - Natural history and risk stratification of patients undergoing non-invasive
      ventilation in a non-ICU setting for severe COPD exacerbations.
AB  - Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) delivered in an intensive care unit (ICU) has
      become the cornerstone in the treatment of patients with severe chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. A trend towards managing
      these patients in non-ICU setting has emerged in recent years, although out-of
      hospital survival by this approach and how to prognosticate it is unknown. We
      aimed to investigate these issues. We consecutively recruited 100 patients (49
      males; median age 82 years) who received NIV treatment for acute respiratory
      failure due to COPD exacerbation in non-ICU medical wards of our hospital,
      between November 2008 and July 2012. We assessed survival (both in-hospital and
      out-of-hospital) of all these patients, and analyzed baseline parameters in a Cox
      proportional hazards model to develop a prognostic score. The median survival in
      the study population was 383 days (240-980). Overall survival rates were 71.0,
      65.3, and 52.7 % at 1, 3, and 12 months, respectively. Age >85 years, a history
      of heart disorders and a neutrophil count >=10 * 10(9) were associated with
      higher mortality at Cox's analysis (chi (2) = 35.766, p = 0.0001), and were used
      to build a prognostic score (NC85). The presence of two or more factors
      determined the deepest drop in survival (when NC85 >=2, mortality at 1, 3, and 12
      was 60.7, 70.4, and 77.2 %, respectively, while when NC85 = 0 were 4.0, 4.0, and
      14.0 %). A simple model, based on three variables (age, neutrophil count and
      history of heart disease), accurately predicts survival of COPD patients
      receiving NIV in a non-ICU setting. 

PMID- 27256251
TI  - Functional characterization of ABCB4 mutations found in progressive familial
      intrahepatic cholestasis type 3.
AB  - Multidrug resistance 3 (MDR3), encoded by the ATP-binding cassette, subfamily B,
      member 4 gene (ABCB4), localizes to the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes and
      translocates phosphatidylcholine from the inner leaflet to the outer leaflet of
      the canalicular membrane. Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3
      (PFIC3) is a rare hepatic disease caused by genetic mutations of ABCB4. In this
      study, we characterized 8 ABCB4 mutations found in PFIC3 patients, using in vitro
      molecular assays. First, we examined the transport activity of each mutant by
      measuring its ATPase activity using paclitaxel or phosphatidylcholine. Then, the
      pathogenic mechanisms by which these mutations affect MDR3 were examined through
      immunoblotting, cell surface biotinylation, and immunofluorescence. As a result,
      three ABCB4 mutants showed significantly reduced transport activity. Among these
      mutants, one mutation A364V, located in intracellular domains, markedly decreased
      MDR3 expression on the plasma membrane, while the others did not affect the
      expression. The expression of MDR3 on the plasma membrane and transport activity
      of A364V was rescued by a pharmacological chaperone, cyclosporin A. Our study
      provides the molecular mechanisms of ABCB4 mutations and may contribute to the
      understanding of PFIC3 pathogenesis and the development of a mutation-specific
      targeted treatment for PFIC3.

PMID- 27256261
TI  - Misplaced batteries result in lead poisoning in suckler cows.
AB  - Lead poisoning in suckler herdsBovine abortion associated with spoiled or
      contaminated feedListerial meningoencephalitis in ewesProliferative haemorrhagic
      enteropathy in pigsPoxvirus infection in a bantam These are among matters
      discussed in the disease surveillance report for February 2016 from SAC
      Consulting: Veterinary Services (SAC C VS). 

PMID- 27256262
TI  - Regional limb perfusion in horses.

PMID- 27256263
TI  - Monensin toxicity in dogs.

PMID- 27256264
TI  - What could 'Brexit' mean for vets?
AB  - BVA has produced a briefing paper on the possible implications of a British exit
      from the EU and is inviting vets to have their say via the BVA community,
      explains BVA policy offer Susie Child. 

PMID- 27256266
TI  - JAB campaign needs farm vets.
AB  - A coalition of stakeholders is working to raise awareness of the risks of
      bluetongue and BVA is encouraging farm vets to get involved. 

PMID- 27256267
TI  - BVA welcomes report on tackling drug-resistant infections.
AB  - BVA recognises the continuing need to show leadership in tackling antimicrobial
      resistance, as Hannah Jordan, BVA policy officer, explains. 

PMID- 27256268
TI  - 'The best CPD I have done in a while'.
AB  - The BVA IN PRACTICE: CPD offering is going from strength to strength, says Tim
      Keen, BVA marketing manager, and the programme for July to December 2016 is now
      available. 

PMID- 27256269
TI  - BVA marks its patron's birthday.
AB  - Along with the rest of the nation, BVA is celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 90th
      birthday. President Sean Wensley explains how BVA will mark the occasion and
      looks back to her visit to the Association's headquarters in its centenary year. 

PMID- 27256270
TI  - BVA Gala Dinner - a date for your diary.
AB  - BVA's 2016 Gala Dinner will be held at the London Marriott Hotel West India Quay
      on November 17. Here Tim Keen, BVA marketing manager, explains what the evening
      will involve. 

PMID- 27256271
TI  - New debt recovery service provider.
AB  - Laura Carleton, member services officer, announces BVA's link with a new provider
      of debt recovery services. 

PMID- 27256272
TI  - The power of social media.
AB  - Nicky Mansell, one of the recent graduate representatives on BVA Council, looks
      at some of the pros and cons of social media. 

PMID- 27256273
TI  - Academia or practice?
AB  - Amy Barstow's friends and family always knew she was destined for veterinary
      medicine. Her aim initially was clinical practice; however, an interest in equine
      lameness has led her into a PhD in equine biomechanics. 

PMID- 27256276
TI  - The making of ESSKA: from an organization to an institution.

PMID- 27256275
TI  - Morphological features that can predict BRAFV600E -mutated carcinoma in
      paediatric thyroid cytology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: BRAFV600E represents the most common diagnostic marker in papillary
      thyroid carcinoma (PTC). A few papers have demonstrated the correlation between
      BRAFV600E and specific morphological findings on PTCs in the adult population.
      This is the first reported series investigating cytological morphological
      parameters in paediatric thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: One hundred and nineteen
      paediatric samples (56 male and 63 female patients), diagnosed in the period
      between April 2013 and July 2015, were enrolled in the study. Fifteen patients
      with inadequate results were excluded. Cytological cases were processed with
      liquid-based cytology (LBC). BRAFV600E and immunocytochemistry for the VE1
      antibody were performed on LBC. RESULTS: The diagnostic series included 10
      mutated and 94 wild-type (WT) cases. Twenty two percent surgical samples showed
      96% cytohistological concordance. The morphological analysis revealed plump cells
      (abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and PTC nuclei) in all 10 mutated cases with
      only four cases showing a focal (less than 20% of the cells) plump component.
      None of the WT showed plump cells. A sickle nuclear shape was seen only in the
      mutated cases. VE1 yielded 100% positivity on mutated cases with three
      cytohistological discrepancies. CONCLUSIONS: The BRAFV600E mutation is also seen
      in paediatric cytology and the morphological features showed a high accuracy as
      both predictive mutational parameters and a helpful aid in management mainly of
      the aggressive BRAFV600E mutated carcinomas.

PMID- 27256278
TI  - Clinical failure after Dresden repair of mid-substance Achilles tendon rupture:
      human cadaveric testing.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the angle of clinical failure
      during cyclical mobilization exercises in the Achilles tendon of human cadaveric
      specimens that were repaired using the Dresden technique and FiberWire(r) No. 2.
      The secondary aim was to identify the secure limit of mobilization, the type of
      failure, and the type of apposition. METHODS: The lower limbs of eight males
      (mean age: 60.3 +/- 6.3 years) were repaired with the Dresden technique following
      complete, percutaneous mid-substance Achilles tendon rupture. A basal tension of
      10 N at 30 degrees  of plantarflexion was placed on each specimen. The angle of
      the ankle during clinical failure (tendon ends separation >5 mm) was then tested
      via cyclical exercises (i.e. 100 cycles between 30 degrees  and 15 degrees  of
      plantarflexion; 100 cycles between 15 degrees  of plantarflexion and 0 degrees ;
      100 cycles between 0 degrees  and 15 degrees  of dorsiflexion; and 100 cycles
      between 15 degrees  of dorsiflexion and full dorsiflexion). Clinical failure was
      determined using the Laplacian edge detection filter, and the angle of clinical
      failure was obtained using a rotatory potentiometer aligned in relation to the
      intermalleolar axis of each foot specimen. The type of failure (knot, tendon, or
      suture) and apposition (termino-terminal or non-termino-terminal) were
      determined. Descriptive statistics were used to obtain the mean; standard
      deviation; 95 % confidence interval; 1st, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 100th
      percentiles; and the standard error of the mean for angle data. Proportions were
      used to describe the type of failure and apposition. RESULTS: The main results
      were a mean angle of clinical failure equal to 12.5 degrees  of plantarflexion, a
      limit of mobilization equal to 14.0 degrees  of plantarflexion, tendon failure
      type, and non-termino-terminal apposition in all specimens. CONCLUSIONS: While
      the mean angle of clinical failure in human cadaveric models was 12.5 degrees  of
      plantarflexion, after 14.0 degrees  of plantarflexion, the percutaneous Dresden
      technique was found insecure for cyclical mobilization exercises, with a 5 %
      range of error. These findings are clinically relevant as they provide mechanical
      limits for diminishing the risk of Achilles lengthening during immediate
      rehabilitation.

PMID- 27256277
TI  - In vivo posterior cruciate ligament elongation in running activity after anatomic
      and non-anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goals of this study were to (1) investigate the in vivo elongation
      behaviour of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) during running in the
      uninjured knee and (2) evaluate changes in PCL elongation during running after
      anatomic or non-anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
      METHODS: Seventeen unilateral ACL-injured subjects were recruited after
      undergoing anatomic (n = 9) or non-anatomic (n = 8) ACL reconstruction. Bilateral
      high-resolution CT scans were obtained to produce 3D models. Anterolateral (AL)
      and posteromedial (PM) bundles insertion sites of the PCL were identified on the
      3D CT scan reconstructions. Dynamic knee function was assessed during running
      using a dynamic stereo X-ray (DSX) system. The lengths of the AL and PM bundles
      were estimated from late swing through mid-stance. The contralateral knees served
      as normal controls. RESULTS: Control knees demonstrated a slight decrease in AL
      bundle and a significant decrease in PM bundle length following foot strike.
      Length and elongation patterns of the both bundles of the PCL in the anatomic ACL
      reconstruction group were similar to the controls. However, the change in dynamic
      PCL length was significantly greater in the non-anatomic group than in the
      anatomic reconstruction group after foot strike (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The AL
      bundle length decreased slightly, and the PM bundle length significantly
      decreased after foot strike during running in uninjured knees. Anatomic ACL
      reconstruction maintained normal PCL elongation patterns more effectively than
      non-anatomic ACL reconstruction during high-demand, functional loading. These
      results support the use of anatomic ACL reconstruction to achieve normal knee
      function in high-demand activities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-control study, Level
      III.

PMID- 27256279
TI  - Perceived barriers and enablers of physical activity in postpartum women: a
      qualitative approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postpartum women's recovery from birth can be assisted through
      increased physical activity (PA). However, women face substantial barriers to
      participating in exercise and require support to enable them to benefit from
      increased PA. METHODS: This study sought to explore women's beliefs about and
      experiences of PA and exercise during the 6 weeks to 12 months postpartum period.
      A cohort of 14 postpartum women from a survey study of the barriers and enablers
      to exercise participation agreed to take part in interview sessions to provide an
      in-depth understanding of the women's perceptions of the postpartum period and
      their physical activity during this time. RESULTS: Findings are presented with
      reference to the social ecological framework and indicate postpartum women face
      substantial personal and environmental barriers to PA and exercise participation:
      fatigue, a lack of motivation and confidence, substantial time constraints, lack
      of access to affordable and appropriate activities and poor access to public
      transport. In contrast, enablers such as possessing greater social support, in
      particular partner support, improved PA and exercise participation. CONCLUSIONS:
      The findings encourage facilitation of exercise through mothers' groups, mothers'
      exercise clubs or postnatal classes suggesting behavioral and social change is
      needed. Interaction between individuals, community, organizations and policy
      makers is required. In addition, the provision of specifically tailored and
      appropriate exercise programs could potentially enable increased PA in postpartum
      women, thereby improving their health.

PMID- 27256280
TI  - Axillary radiotherapy in conservative surgery for early-stage breast cancer
      (stage I and II).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Several clinical studies analyze axillary treatment in women with
      early-stage breast cancer because of changes in the indication for axillary lymph
      node dissection. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of axillary
      radiotherapy in disease-free and overall survival in women with early breast
      cancer treated with lumpectomy. METHODS: Retrospective study in women with
      initial stages of breast carcinoma treated by lumpectomy. A comparative analysis
      of high-risk women with axillary lymph node involvement who received axillary
      radiotherapy with the group of women with low risk without radiotherapy was
      performed. Logistic regression was used to determine factors influencing survival
      and lymphedema onset. RESULTS: A total of 541 women were included in the study:
      384 patients (71%) without axillary lymph node involvement and 157 women (29%)
      with 1-3 axillary lymph node involvement. Patients with axillary radiotherapy had
      a higher number of metastatic lymph node compared to non-irradiated (1.6+/-0.7
      vs. 1.4+/-0.6, P=.02). The group of women with axillary lymph node involvement
      and radiotherapy showed an overall and disease-free survival at 10 years similar
      to that obtained in patients without irradiation (89.7% and 77.2%, respectively).
      3 lymph nodes involved multiplied by more than 7 times the risk of death
      (HR=7.20; 95% CI: 1.36 to 38.12). The multivariate analysis showed axillary lymph
      node dissection as the only variable associated with the development of
      lymphedema. CONCLUSION: The incidence of axillary relapse on stage I and II
      breast cancer is rare. In these patients axillary radiotherapy does not improve
      overall survival, but contributes to regional control in those patients with risk
      factors.

PMID- 27256281
TI  - Substrate-tuning of correlated spin-orbit oxides revealed by optical conductivity
      calculations.
AB  - We have systematically investigated substrate-strain effects on the electronic
      structures of two representative Sr-iridates, a correlated-insulator Sr2IrO4 and
      a metal SrIrO3. Optical conductivities obtained by the ab initio electronic
      structure calculations reveal that the tensile strain shifts the optical peak
      positions to higher energy side with altered intensities, suggesting the
      enhancement of the electronic correlation and spin-orbit coupling (SOC) strength
      in Sr-iridates. The response of the electronic structure upon tensile strain is
      found to be highly correlated with the direction of magnetic moment, the
      octahedral connectivity, and the SOC strength, which cooperatively determine the
      robustness of Jeff = 1/2 ground states. Optical responses are analyzed also with
      microscopic model calculation and compared with corresponding experiments. In the
      case of SrIrO3, the evolution of the electronic structure near the Fermi level
      shows high tunability of hole bands, as suggested by previous experiments.

PMID- 27256283
TI  - Gillian Gandy.

PMID- 27256282
TI  - From starting mechanical ventilation to ventilator-associated pneumonia, choosing
      the right moment to start antibiotic treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can have a clear onset or may
      be a result of the gradual appearance of symptoms and signs of VAP (gradual VAP).
      The aim of this paper is to describe the VAP development process with the
      intention of discriminating between those pneumonias with a clear beginning and
      those that are diagnosed after a period of maturation. In addition, we evaluate
      the effect of the starting time of antibiotic treatment in both situations.
      METHODS: Consecutive ventilated patients fulfilling VAP criteria were included.
      The patients were monitored for clinical, microbiological, and inflammatory
      signs. Patients with VAP were classified into two groups: (1) nongradual VAP
      (patients in whom all VAP criteria were detected for the first time on the day of
      diagnosis) and (2) gradual VAP (progressive appearance of signs and symptoms
      throughout the pre-VAP period [<96 h to >24 h before VAP diagnosis]). RESULTS: A
      total of 71 patients with VAP were identified, of whom 43 (61 %) had gradual VAP,
      most of whom (n = 38, 88 %) had late-onset VAP. Antibiotic treatment was given to
      34 (79 %) patients with gradual VAP in the pre-VAP period, and empirical
      antibiotic treatment was appropriate in 22 patients (51 %). The patients with an
      appropriate empirical treatment had a higher percentage of early clinical
      response to treatment (68 % [n = 15] vs. 28 % [n = 7]; p = 0.009). An attempt was
      made to find a diagnostic test capable of identifying the infectious process
      underway, but clinical scales and biomarkers of inflammation helped us to achieve
      acceptable results. CONCLUSIONS: Gradual emergence of VAP, mainly of late onset,
      is a common condition. Clinicians should be aware of this gradual onset of the
      infection to establish an early antibiotic treatment, even before the classic
      diagnostic criteria for VAP are applied.

PMID- 27256284
TI  - A Simple Spectrofluorimetric Method Based on Quenching of a Nickel(II)
      Phthalocyanine Complex to Determine Iron (III).
AB  - A new nickel(II)-phthalocyanine complex (NiPc) was synthesized and used as a
      fluorescent ligand in determination of iron in real samples. The NiPc compound,
      when excited at 350 nm, decreases of emission with increases of the iron(III)
      concentration at 425 nm were used analytical response in a modified standard
      addition method. The method was validated by analyzing two certified reference
      materials (CRM-SA-C Sandy Soil C and Mixed Polish Herbs (INCT-MPH-2). Food and
      drug samples were digested in a closed microwave system using nitric acid and
      hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, all iron in the samples converted to iron(III) ion.
      These solutions were used directly in determination of iron(III) ion. No cleanup
      or enrichment of the solutions was required. The calibration graph was linear
      until 14.00 MUg mL(-1). Detection limit and quantification limit were 1.29 MUg
      mL(-1) and 3.88 MUg mL(-1), respectively. The method provided accurate results
      for the majority of the food samples tested, including spanich, dill, mint,
      purslane, rocket, red lentils, dry beans and two iron medicinal tablets. Also,
      the high recovery (95.6 %) was obtained for a fortified stream water sample. The
      simple and cost-effective method is suitable for monitoring total iron
      concentration in foods and drug samples. 

PMID- 27256285
TI  - Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties of Thiophene Donor and Thiazole Acceptor
      Based Blue Fluorescent Conjugated Oligomers.
AB  - We report on the synthesis and characterization of low band gap, blue light
      emitting and thermal stable conjugated oligomer by Wittig condensation. Thiophene
      and thiazole type of donor-acceptor based series of conjugated oligomers, Oligo
      4,5-bis-[2-[5-[2-thiophene-2-yl-vinyl]thiophene-2-yl]-vinyl]-thiazole (OBTV-TZ)
      and Oligo-2,4,5-Tris-[2-[5-[2-thiophene-2-yl-vinyl]thiophene-2-yl]-vinyl]
      thiazole (OTTV-TZ) were synthesized. These oligomers were confirmed by FT-IR and
      (1)H-NMR and LC/MS analysis. The effect of the number of thiophene rings on the
      optical, electrochemical, thermal and morphological properties of the oligomers
      were systematically investigated. Both oligomers were exhibited almost same
      absorption wavelength in methanol solution (lambdamax = 365 nm and 369 nm) which
      indicates both oligomers illustrate similar intra molecular charge transfer
      (ICT). In solid state, the oligomers were exhibited broadening peaks with higher
      onset absorptions (lambdamax = 600 nm and 580 nm). The photoluminescence
      absorption spectrum of the oligomers was observed at 433 nm and 434 nm
      respectively in methanol solution with blue emission. The electrochemical band
      gap ([Formula: see text]) of the OBTV-TZ was 1.55 eV (low band gap) and OTTV-TZ
      was exhibited greater highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) value (E HOMO = 
      6.6 eV). Moreover morphological parameters of both oligomer film of 2D and 3D
      diagrams were observed by using AFM studies. 

PMID- 27256287
TI  - Lessons on resilience: Learning to manage complexity.

PMID- 27256286
TI  - A Small Molecule Activator of p300/CBP Histone Acetyltransferase Promotes
      Survival and Neurite Growth in a Cellular Model of Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterised
      by motor and non-motor symptoms, resulting from the degeneration of nigrostriatal
      dopaminergic neurons and peripheral autonomic neurons. Given the limited success
      of neurotrophic factors in clinical trials, there is a need to identify new small
      molecule drugs and drug targets to develop novel therapeutic strategies to
      protect all neurons that degenerate in PD. Epigenetic dysregulation has been
      implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, while targeting histone acetylation is
      a promising therapeutic avenue for PD. We and others have demonstrated that
      histone deacetylase inhibitors have neurotrophic effects in experimental models
      of PD. Activators of histone acetyltransferases (HAT) provide an alternative
      approach for the selective activation of gene expression, however little is known
      about the potential of HAT activators as drug therapies for PD. To explore this
      potential, the present study investigated the neurotrophic effects of CTPB (N-(4
      chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-ethoxy-6-pentadecyl-benzamide), which is a
      potent small molecule activator of the histone acetyltransferase p300/CBP, in the
      SH-SY5Y neuronal cell line. We report that CTPB promoted the survival and neurite
      growth of the SH-SY5Y cells, and also protected these cells from cell death
      induced by the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. This study is the first to
      investigate the phenotypic effects of the HAT activator CTPB, and to demonstrate
      that p300/CBP HAT activation has neurotrophic effects in a cellular model of PD.

PMID- 27256288
TI  - Comparison between pressure-recording analytical method (PRAM) and femoral
      arterial thermodilution method (FATD) cardiac output monitoring in an infant
      animal model of cardiac arrest.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pressure-recording analytical method is a new semi-invasive
      method for cardiac output measurement (PRAM). There are no studies comparing this
      technique with femoral artery thermodilution (FATD) in an infant animal model.
      METHODS: A prospective study was performed using 25 immature Maryland pigs
      weighing 9.5 kg. Fifty-eight simultaneous measurements of cardiac index (CI) were
      made by FATD and PRAM at baseline and after return of spontaneous circulation.
      Differences, correlation, and concordance between both methods were analyzed. The
      ability of PRAM to track changes in CI was explored with a polar plot. RESULTS:
      Mean CI measurements were 4.5 L/min/m(2) (95 % CI, 4.2-4.8 L/min/m(2);
      coefficient of variation, 27 %) by FATD and 4.0 L/min/m(2) (95 % CI, 3.6-4.3
      L/min/m(2); coefficient for variation, 37 %) by PRAM (difference, 0.5 L/min/m(2);
      95 % CI for the difference, 0.1-1.0 L/min/m(2); p = 0.003; n = 58). No
      correlation between both methods was observed (r = 0.170, p = 0.20). Limits of
      agreement were -2.9 to 4.0 L/min/m(2) (-69.9 to 84.9 %). Percentage error was
      80.6 %. Only 26.1 % of data points lied within an absolute deviation of +/-30
      degrees  from the polar axis. CONCLUSIONS: No correlation nor concordance between
      both methods was observed. Limits of agreement and percentage of error were high
      and clinically not acceptable. No concurrence between both methods in CI changes
      was observed. PRAM is not a useful method for measurement of the CI in this
      pediatric model of cardiac arrest.

PMID- 27256289
TI  - Understanding the futility of countries' obligations for health rights: realising
      justice for the global poor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although health is a right of all individuals without any
      distinction, the realisation of this right has remained very difficult for the
      marginalised populations of poor countries. Inequitable distribution of health
      opportunities globally is a major factor in explaining why this is the case.
      Whereas the Protection, Promotion and Fulfilment of the health rights of poor
      country citizens are a joint responsibility of both domestic and external
      governments, most governments flout their obligations. So far disproportionate
      effort has been dedicated to reaffirming and interpreting these obligations as
      opposed to investigating the fundamental question regarding why these obligations
      have nevertheless remained largely unfulfilled. Further the normative question
      regarding what ought to be done about the shortcomings of current obligations has
      been largely ignored. METHODS: We conduct a critical content analysis of existing
      literature on efforts towards the realisation of the health rights of
      marginalised populations in our attempt to ascertain their capacity to guarantee
      basic health opportunities to marginalised populations. In our analysis we treat
      issues of 'health rights' and 'justice in global health' as having unity of
      purpose - guaranteeing basic health opportunities to the marginalised
      populations. RESULTS: We identify two sets of reasons for the failure of present
      obligations for global distributive justice in general: a set of 'superficial
      reasons' and a set of 'fundamental reasons' which account for the superficial
      reasons. DISCUSSION: In order to overcome these reasons we propose a strategy
      which consists in specifying a number of minimum and less-demanding obligations
      for both external and domestic governments to guarantee to all individuals a
      certain threshold of health goods and services. We argue that these minimum
      obligations can be freely accepted and fully complied with or enforced with "a
      thin system of enforcement" without significant threat to national sovereignty
      and autonomy. CONCLUSION: The futility of countries' obligations for the health
      rights of the global poor as is the case with global distributive injustice is
      because of lack of political will to specify and enforce such obligations.
      Minimum obligations should be specified and enforced with a "thin system" which
      is consistent with principles of national sovereignty and autonomy.

PMID- 27256290
TI  - Internalised stigma in people with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross sectional study
      to establish the psychometric properties of the ISMI-RA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Internalised stigma is theorized to be the internalisation and
      legitimisation of stereotypes of the diagnosis held in society and has not been
      quantified within patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This study aimed to:
      validate a modified version of a measure of internalised stigma, (the
      Internalised Stigma of Mental Illness scale, ISMI) for use in a group of patients
      diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis; establish the consistency of the construct
      being measured, and to explore the levels of internalised stigma within this
      group. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in London, UK with
      participants receiving out-patient treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
      Participants completed the ISMI-Rheumatoid Arthritis (ISMI-RA) and a measure of
      self-esteem. RESULTS: One hundred respondents were interviewed by phone. The ISMI
      RA was found to be reliable using a measure of internal consistency (alpha =
      0.85) showed concurrent validity with the Index of Self Esteem (r = 0.58, p <
      0.01) and discriminant validity with no association with gender (t = 1.43, p =
      0.61). A quarter of respondents reported internalised stigma to a 'severe' level.
      Acceptability and feasibility were established. A confirmatory factor analysis
      provided some support for the model of internalised stigma. CONCLUSIONS: The
      application of the ISMI-RA among the Rheumatoid Arthritis population looks
      promising. Internalised stigma was found to be present within this group. More
      research is needed to generalize these results and to explore the effects of
      internalised stigma on treatment adherence and quality of life.

PMID- 27256291
TI  - Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Social Comfort Questionnaire for
      Brazilian adult survivors of burns.
AB  - PURPOSE: Burn patients may encounter social barriers and stigmatization. The
      objectives of this study were to adapt the Social Comfort Questionnaire (SCQ)
      into Brazilian Portuguese and to assess the psychometric properties of the
      adapted version. METHODS: Cross-cultural adaptation of the 8 items of the SCQ
      followed international guidelines. We interviewed 240 burn patients and verified
      the SCQ internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity,
      correlating the scores with depression [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)],
      affect/body image and interpersonal relationships [Burns Specific Health Scale
      Revised (BSHS-R)] and self-esteem [Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES)]. We also
      performed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: The cross-cultural
      adaptation resulted in minor semantic modifications to the original SCQ version.
      After CFA, a reduced 6-item version showed satisfactory fit to the one-factor
      model (RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99). Cronbach alpha's was 0.80, and test
      retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.86. The final version presented a
      strong negative correlation with depression (BDI), and strong positive
      correlations with affect/body image (BSHS-R), interpersonal relationships (BSHS
      R) and self-esteem (RSES) (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results showed that
      the SCQ Brazilian Portuguese adapted version complies with the validity and
      reliability criteria required for an instrument assessing social comfort in
      Brazilian burn patients. The Brazilian version yields a single score that is easy
      to interpret and well understood by patients.

PMID- 27256292
TI  - Microglial immunophenotype in dementia with Alzheimer's pathology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease imply that inflammation
      plays a causal role in development of the disease. Experimental studies suggest
      that microglia, as the brain macrophages, have diverse functions, with their main
      role in health being to survey the brain parenchyma through highly motile
      processes. METHODS: Using the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and
      Ageing Studies resources, we have immunophenotyped microglia to investigate their
      role in dementia with Alzheimer's pathology. Cerebral cortex obtained at post
      mortem from 299 participants was analysed by immunohistochemistry for cluster of
      differentiation (CD)68 (phagocytosis), human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR (antigen
      presenting function), ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule (Iba1) (microglial
      motility), macrophage scavenger receptor (MSR)-A (plaque-related phagocytosis)
      and CD64 (immunoglobulin Fcgamma receptor I). RESULTS: The presence of dementia
      was associated positively with CD68 (P < 0.001), MSR-A (P = 0.010) and CD64 (P =
      0.007) and negatively with Iba1 (P < 0.001). Among participants without dementia,
      the cognitive function according to the Mini-Mental State Examination was
      associated positively with Iba1 (P < 0.001) and negatively with CD68 (P = 0.033),
      and in participants with dementia and Alzheimer's pathology, positively with all
      microglial markers except Iba1. Overall, in participants without dementia, the
      relationship with Alzheimer's pathology was negative or not significant, and
      positive in participants with dementia and Alzheimer's pathology. Apolipoprotein
      E (APOE) epsilon2 allele was associated with expression of Iba1 (P = 0.001) and
      MSR-A (P < 0.001) and APOE epsilon4 with CD68, HLA-DR and CD64 (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings raise the possibility that in dementia with Alzheimer's
      pathology, microglia lose motility (Iba-1) necessary to support neurons.
      Conversely, other microglial proteins (CD68, MSR-A), the role of which is
      clearance of damaged cellular material, are positively associated with
      Alzheimer's pathology and impaired cognitive function. In addition, our data
      imply that microglia may respond differently to Abeta and tau in participants
      with and without dementia so that the microglial activity could potentially
      influence the likelihood of developing dementia, as supported by genetic studies,
      highlighting the complexity and diversity of microglial responses.

PMID- 27256293
TI  - Mass or total surface area with aerosol size distribution as exposure metrics for
      inflammatory, cytotoxic and oxidative lung responses in rats exposed to titanium
      dioxide nanoparticles.
AB  - There is currently no consensus on the best exposure metric(s) for expressing
      nanoparticle (NP) dose. Although surface area has been extensively studied for
      inflammatory responses, it has not been as thoroughly validated for cytotoxicity
      or oxidative stress effects. Since inhaled NPs deposit and interact with lung
      cells based on agglomerate size, we hypothesize that mass concentration combined
      with aerosol size distribution is suitable for NP risk assessment. The objective
      of this study was to evaluate different exposure metrics for inhaled 5 nm
      titanium dioxide aerosols composed of small (SA < 100 nm) or large (LA > 100 nm)
      agglomerates at 2, 7, and 20 mg/m3 on rat lung inflammatory, cytotoxicity, and
      oxidative stress responses. We found a significant positive correlation ( r =
      0.98, p < 0.01) with the inflammatory reaction, measured by the number of
      neutrophils and the mass concentration when considering all six (SA + LA)
      aerosols. This correlation was similar ( r = 0.87) for total surface area.
      Regarding cytotoxicity and oxidative stress responses, measured by lactate
      dehydrogenase and 8-isoprostane, respectively, and mass or total surface area as
      an exposure metric, we observed significant positive correlations only with SA
      aerosols for both the mass concentration and size distribution ( r > 0.91, p <
      0.01), as well as for the total surface area ( r > 0.97, p < 0.01). These data
      show that mass or total surface area concentrations alone are insufficient to
      adequately predict oxidant and cytotoxic pulmonary effects. Overall, our study
      indicates that considering NP size distribution along with mass or total surface
      area concentrations contributes to a more mechanistic discrimination of pulmonary
      responses to NP exposure.

PMID- 27256294
TI  - Conservative treatment and follow-up of vaginal Gartner's duct cysts: a case
      series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In women, during embryologic development, the paired Mullerian
      (paramesonephric) ducts fuse distally and develop into the uterus, cervix, and
      upper vagina. If the Wolffian ducts persist in vestigial form, they can lead to
      Gartner's cysts, mainly located in the right wall of the vagina. This is one of
      the few studies of Gartner's cysts with a series of consecutive cases over a long
      period of time who were exclusively subject to clinical observation. Although
      Gartner's cysts are found in approximately 0.1 to 0.2% of women, controversy
      exists regarding the course of action to be taken. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe
      the cases of four women who were 38-years old, 53-years old, 37-years old, and 49
      years old at their first appointment and who were of mixed ethnicity, mixed
      ethnicity, black, and mixed ethnicity respectively. The follow-up of these
      patients ranged from 2 to 17 years. In these four cases the location of the cysts
      was the right wall of the vagina. Transvaginal ultrasound was the test of choice
      for diagnostic confirmation. In the cases presented in this study, the women were
      asymptomatic and chose to be observed clinically. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first
      study reporting long-term clinical observation of these lesions. This study shows
      that conservative treatment can be a safe option for asymptomatic patients with
      vaginal Gartner's duct cysts.

PMID- 27256295
TI  - Association Between Relative Anemia and Early Functional Recovery After Severe
      Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe traumatic brain injury is associated with a multi-systemic
      response and changes in metabolic demand. Patients requiring intracranial
      pressure monitoring or cerebrospinal fluid diversion, often signifies a greater
      severity of injury. For this group, the association between RBC transfusion,
      transfusion thresholds, and clinical recovery is unknown. In this study, we
      studied the association between transfusion and clinical recovery for severe
      traumatic brain injury patients requiring external ventricular drain or
      intracranial pressure monitor placement. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with a
      primary diagnosis of traumatic brain injury requiring implantation of either an
      intracranial pressure monitor or external ventricular drainage device were
      identified. All patients were managed in a Level 1 Trauma facility by board
      certified neuro-intensive care practitioners for the course of their intensive
      care unit duration. The correlation between transfusion and clinical recovery,
      defined by change in Glasgow Coma Scale was assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-four
      patients required surgical decompression, and 56.18 % of the cumulative cohort
      were transfused during admission. Overall, transfusion was not associated with
      significant clinical recovery (change in GCS > 3) for Hgb threshold of 7 mg/dL
      (<3, 29.03 vs. >=3, 37.93 %; p = 0.49), nor for higher stratifications (8 mg/dL,
      p = 0.63; 9 mg/dL, p = 0.79, 10 mg/dL, p = 1). For patients who required
      transfusions at thresholds >=8 mg/dL, there was a positive association with
      decreased length of hospitalization, [p = 0.01; <8 mg/dL: 22 (12-33), >=8 mg/dL:
      14 (7.75-20)] [median (IQR)]. Similarly, length of ICU stay was shorter for
      patients transfused at thresholds >=9 mg/dL, (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: From our
      studies, we demonstrate no significant clinical benefit associated with
      stratified transfusion goals; however, there was a decrease in length of
      hospitalization for patients with transfusion thresholds of Hgb >= 8 mg/dL.
      Larger, randomized controlled trials may be required to more accurately assess
      outcomes in this patient population. In patients admitted for primary severe
      traumatic brain injury, we demonstrate no significant clinical benefit associated
      with stratified transfusion goals; however, there was a noticeable decrease in
      length of hospitalization for patients with transfusion thresholds of Hgb >= 8
      mg/dL. Larger, randomized controlled trials may be required to more accurately
      assess outcomes in this patient population.

PMID- 27256297
TI  - Cocoa polyphenols and fiber modify colonic gene expression in rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cocoa intake has been associated with health benefits, improving
      cardiovascular function and metabolism, as well as modulating intestinal immune
      function. The aim of this study was to take an in-depth look into the mechanisms
      affected by the cocoa intake by evaluating the colonic gene expression after
      nutritional intervention, and to ascertain the role of the fiber of cocoa in
      these effects. METHODS: To achieve this, Wistar rats were fed for 3 weeks with
      either a reference diet, a diet containing 10 % cocoa (C10), a diet based on
      cocoa fiber (CF) or a diet containing inulin (I). At the end of the study, colon
      was excised to obtain the RNA to evaluate the differential gene expression by
      microarray. Results were validated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The C10 group was the
      group with most changes in colonic gene expression, most of them down-regulated
      but a few in common with the CF diet. The C10 diet significantly up-regulated the
      expression of Scgb1a1 and Scnn1 g and down-regulated Tac4, Mcpt2, Fcer1a and
      Fabp1 by twofold, most of them related to lipid metabolism and immune function.
      The CF and I diets down-regulated the expression of Serpina10 and Apoa4 by
      twofold. Similar patterns of expression were found by PCR. CONCLUSION: Most of
      the effects attributed to cocoa consumption on genes related to the immune system
      (B cell and mast cell functionality) and lipid metabolism in the colon tissue
      were due not only to its fiber content, but also to the possible contribution of
      polyphenols and other compounds.

PMID- 27256298
TI  - Relationship of equol production between children aged 5-7 years and their
      mothers.
AB  - PURPOSE: The factors responsible for the production of isoflavone metabolites
      have not yet been identified. We aimed to examine the relationships of equol
      production between mother and child in a birth cohort in Japan. METHODS: Subjects
      were a part of the participants in a longitudinal study on pregnant women and
      their offspring. When children were 5-7 years old, mothers and children were
      asked to reply to a questionnaire on lifestyles and a 3-day child's dietary
      record. Mothers and children were given a bar-shaped soy snack (Soyjoy(r)) daily
      on two consecutive days (soy challenge). The snack contained 14 mg of overall soy
      isoflavones as the sum of aglycones and the glucosides for mothers and 7.5 mg for
      children. On the morning of day 0 and 3, they were asked to mail their first-void
      urines. Urinary isoflavone metabolites of 159 mother-child pairs were measured by
      a high-performance liquid chromatography method. RESULTS: Equol producers were
      35.5 % among mothers and 13.8 % among children. Equol producer status of a child
      was neither associated with dietary intake nor with urinary levels of daidzein
      and genistein. After multiple adjustments for potential confounders, the
      estimated relative risk of equol producer was 2.75 (95 % confidence interval
      1.00, 7.52) among children whose mother was an equol producer, compared with
      children whose mother was a non-producer. CONCLUSION: Child's equol production
      was associated with the mother's equol producer status. The effects of maternal
      factors on child's equol production should be studied further.

PMID- 27256299
TI  - The 360 photography: a new anatomical insight of the sphenoid bone. Interest for
      anatomy teaching and skull base surgery.
AB  - Skull base architecture is tough to understand because of its 3D complex shape
      and its numerous foramen, reliefs or joints. It is especially true for the
      sphenoid bone whom central location hinged with most of skull base components is
      unique. Recently, technological progress has led to develop new pedagogical
      tools. This way, we bought a new real-time three-dimensional insight of the
      sphenoid bone that could be useful for the teacher, the student and the surgeon.
      High-definition photography was taken all around an isolated dry skull base bone
      prepared with Beauchene's technique. Pictures were then computed to provide an
      overview with rotation and magnification on demand. From anterior, posterior,
      lateral or oblique views and from in out looks, anatomical landmarks and
      subtleties were described step by step. Thus, the sella turcica, the optic canal,
      the superior orbital fissure, the sphenoid sinus, the vidian canal, pterygoid
      plates and all foramen were clearly placed relative to the others at each face of
      the sphenoid bone. In addition to be the first report of the 360 Photography
      tool, perspectives are promising as the development of a real-time interactive
      tridimensional space featuring the sphenoid bone. It allows to turn around the
      sphenoid bone and to better understand its own special shape, numerous foramen,
      neurovascular contents and anatomical relationships. This new technological tool
      may further apply for surgical planning and mostly for strengthening a basic
      anatomical knowledge firstly introduced.

PMID- 27256300
TI  - Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several screening studies have indicated an increased prevalence of
      celiac disease (CD) among individuals with autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD), but
      estimates have varied substantially. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to
      examine the prevalence of CD in patients with ATD. METHOD: A systematic review
      was conducted of articles published in PubMed Medline or EMBASE until September
      2015. Non-English papers with English-language abstracts were also included, as
      were research abstracts without full text available when relevant data were
      included in the abstract. Search terms included "celiac disease" combined with
      "hypothyroidism" or "hyperthyroidism" or "thyroid disease." Fixed-effects inverse
      variance-weighted models were used. Meta-regression was used to examine
      heterogeneity in subgroups. RESULTS: A pooled analysis, based on 6024 ATD
      patients, found a prevalence of biopsy-confirmed CD of 1.6% [confidence interval
      (CI) 1.3-1.9%]. Heterogeneity was large (I(2) = 70.7%). The prevalence was higher
      in children with ATD (6.2% [CI 4.0-8.4%]) than it was in adults (2.7%) or in
      studies examining both adults and children (1.0%). CD was also more prevalent in
      hyperthyroidism (2.6% [CI 0.7-4.4%]) than it was in hypothyroidism (1.4% [CI 1.0
      1.9%]). CONCLUSIONS: About 1/62 patients with ATD have biopsy-verified CD. It is
      argued that patients with ATD should be screened for CD, given this increased
      prevalence.

PMID- 27256301
TI  - Lysosome-mitochondria-mediated apoptosis specifically evoked in cancer cells
      induced by gold nanorods.
AB  - AIM: The main aim of this article is to explain the apoptosis mechanisms of
      cancer cells specifically triggered by gold nanorods (GNRs). MATERIALS & METHODS:
      GNRs were synthesized and optimized, the lysosome damage, cathepsin D,
      mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-9, cleaved caspase-9, caspase-3 and
      intracellular GNRs location related to apoptosis was systematically evaluated.
      RESULTS: GNRs specifically induce cancer cell apoptosis while posing a negligible
      impact on normal cells. After incubation with GNRs, the lysosomal permeability in
      cancer cells as indicated by cathepsin D was markedly higher than that in normal
      cells and resulted in an obvious decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential.
      Western blot analysis further confirmed that apoptosis occurred through caspase-9
      and caspase-3 activation following mitochondrial damage. Transmission electron
      microscope images showed that GNRs did not appear in most of the damaged
      mitochondria but mainly accumulated in lysosomes. CONCLUSION: These findings
      indicated that GNR-induced apoptosis specifically in cancer cells by affecting
      lysosomes and mitochondria.

PMID- 27256302
TI  - Glaucoma treatment adherence at a United Kingdom general practice.
AB  - PurposeTo estimate patient adherence with glaucoma therapy and identify factors
      associated with adherence using computerised patient prescribing
      records.MethodsIdentification of patients diagnosed with glaucoma, ocular
      hypertension or suspect glaucoma and/or prescribed topical glaucoma medications
      registered at a United Kingdom general practice with 13 422 patients. Adherence
      was defined as the average difference in the actual number of prescriptions
      collected annually compared to twelve prescriptions required annually (one bottle
      per month) over the duration of treatment.ResultsOverall, 278 patients were
      identified of which 139 (50%) were male. The average age was 72 years (range: 22
      100). A total of 206 patients (74%) were prescribed glaucoma treatment. Adherence
      varied significantly between age groups with younger patients demonstrating
      poorest adherence (P=0.0347). There was no statistical difference when comparing
      medication class, diagnosis, co-morbidities, or the number of drops being
      taken.ConclusionsGlaucoma treatment adherence improves with increasing age. Older
      patients require more prescriptions and may be experiencing drop wastage. Younger
      patients should be targeted with educational interventions to improve their
      understanding of glaucoma, and older patients for drop technique review. General
      practices are well placed to provide such interventions. 

PMID- 27256296
TI  - Catecholamines and cognition after traumatic brain injury.
AB  - Cognitive problems are one of the main causes of ongoing disability after
      traumatic brain injury. The heterogeneity of the injuries sustained and the
      variability of the resulting cognitive deficits makes treating these problems
      difficult. Identifying the underlying pathology allows a targeted treatment
      approach aimed at cognitive enhancement. For example, damage to neuromodulatory
      neurotransmitter systems is common after traumatic brain injury and is an
      important cause of cognitive impairment. Here, we discuss the evidence
      implicating disruption of the catecholamines (dopamine and noradrenaline) and
      review the efficacy of catecholaminergic drugs in treating post-traumatic brain
      injury cognitive impairments. The response to these therapies is often variable,
      a likely consequence of the heterogeneous patterns of injury as well as a non
      linear relationship between catecholamine levels and cognitive functions. This
      individual variability means that measuring the structure and function of a
      person's catecholaminergic systems is likely to allow more refined therapy.
      Advanced structural and molecular imaging techniques offer the potential to
      identify disruption to the catecholaminergic systems and to provide a direct
      measure of catecholamine levels. In addition, measures of structural and
      functional connectivity can be used to identify common patterns of injury and to
      measure the functioning of brain 'networks' that are important for normal
      cognitive functioning. As the catecholamine systems modulate these cognitive
      networks, these measures could potentially be used to stratify treatment
      selection and monitor response to treatment in a more sophisticated manner.

PMID- 27256303
TI  - Associations of retinal artery occlusion and retinal vein occlusion to mortality,
      stroke, and myocardial infarction: a systematic review.
AB  - Retinal vascular events are perceived to be related to various cardiovascular
      complications. We conducted a systematic review to assess the relationship
      between retinal artery/vein occlusions (RAO/RVO) and the incidence of mortality,
      stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI). A comprehensive electronic literature
      search selected 93 relevant studies between 1992-2015: 16 articles qualified for
      inclusion (7 for mortality rate and MI, 11 for stroke). No published articles
      examined associations of RAO to mortality or MI, but only to stroke. Because of
      the heterogeneity of studies, no meta-analysis was performed. The association
      with mortality risk was highest at ~34.7% in RVO subgroup; whereas for MI, the
      risk was comparatively lower at 3.9-5.7% for RVO. There was no significant
      difference in stroke rate when comparing central and branch RVO subgroups (6.5%),
      but was significantly higher at 19.6-25% in RAO. There is a positive association
      of retinal vascular events to mortality, stroke, and MI. RAO is associated with a
      higher risk of stroke. Given that RAO and RVO patients would generally present to
      ophthalmologists, their high cardiovascular risk should include a referral for
      cardiovascular assessment as part of their management protocol. 

PMID- 27256304
TI  - Uveitic macular edema.
AB  - Macular edema (ME) may complicate anterior, intermediate, and posterior uveitis,
      which may be because of various infectious, neoplastic or autoimmune etiologies.
      BRB breakdown is involved in the pathogenesis of Uveitic ME (UME). Optical
      coherence tomography has become a standard tool to confirm the diagnosis of
      macular thickening, due to its non-invasive, reproducible, and sensitive
      features. Retinal fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography is helpful to
      study the macula and screen for associated vasculitis, detect ischemic areas and
      preretinal, prepapillary or choroidal neovascular complications, and it may
      provide information about the etiology and be needed to assess the therapeutic
      response. UME due to an infection or neoplastic infiltration may require a
      specific treatment. If it remains persistent or occurs in other etiologies,
      immunomodulatory treatments may be needed. Intravitreal, subconjunctival, or
      subtenon corticosteroids are widely used. Their local use is contraindicated in
      glaucoma patients and limited by their short-lasting action. In case of bilateral
      sight-threatening chronic posterior uveitis, systemic treatments are usually
      needed, and corticosteroids are used as the standard first-line therapy. In order
      to reduce the daily steroid dose, immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory agents
      may be added, some of them being now available intravitreally. Ongoing
      prospective studies are assessing biotherapies and immunomodulators to determine
      their safety and efficacy in this indication.

PMID- 27256305
TI  - Trabeculectomy with ologen in secondary glaucomas following failed trabeculectomy
      with MMC: comparative study.
AB  - PurposeWe aimed to assess the IOP-lowering effect of trabeculectomy with ologen
      in refractory secondary glaucoma following failed trabeculectomy with mitomycin C
      (MMC), and to compare its surgical outcome between open angle (SOAG) and angle
      closure (SACG) cases.MethodsThis is a prospective interventional comparative
      study conducted on 40 eyes (40 patients) with medically uncontrolled secondary
      glaucoma. Patients were divided into group A: 18 eyes (18 patients) with SOAG,
      and group B: 22 eyes (22 patients) with SACG. All patients underwent
      trabeculectomy with insertion of ologen implant. Intraocular pressure (IOP)
      measurement, SITA standard perimetry (Central 24-2), spectral domain optical
      coherence tomography (OCT) for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and
      anterior segment OCT for bleb morphology, were all done pre- and postoperatively.
      Primary outcome measures were comparing preoperative to postoperative
      measurements and also comparing these measurements between SOAG and SACG. All
      patients were examined up to 1 year.ResultsWhen preoperative IOP was compared
      with postoperative IOP, in each group, there was a statistically significant
      difference (P<0.001). IOP percentage difference was statistically insignificantly
      different between both groups except at 1 month. According to Moorfields bleb
      grading system; postoperative bleb was better than the bleb of the previously
      failed trabeculectomy (P<0.001), and there was a significant difference between
      group A and B regarding bleb area. Total success rate was 100%; in group A,
      complete success was 100%, while in group B it was 72.7% (P=0.016).ConclusionOur
      results suggest that Ologen may be a useful alternative to MMC in repeat
      trabeculectomy. 

PMID- 27256306
TI  - Chandelier retroillumination-assisted cataract surgery during vitrectomy.
AB  - PurposeTo present an alternative cataract surgical technique in patients with
      cataract and intravitreal hemorrhage.MethodsTwelve cases with poor fundus reflex
      caused by severe vitreus hemorrhage were included in the study. All patients
      underwent combined phaco surgery and 23-gauge vitrectomy. Chandelier
      retroillumination was inserted into the infusion trochar during the cataract
      operations and was used with low power (50-75%) in necessary steps.ResultsWe did
      not experience phaco complications or complications due to technique during
      surgery. Retroillumination assistance was especially useful during final stages
      of cataract surgery, particularly irrigation-aspiration of cortical
      material.ConclusionRetroillumination in absence of red fundus reflex may be
      helpful and can be practiced more often in cataract surgery combined with
      vitrectomy. 

PMID- 27256307
TI  - Arrhythmia and Electrophysiological Effects of Chemotherapy: A Review.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Cardiotoxicity is an important limiting factor in the use of
      antineoplastic agents. The risk of arrhythmia and the electrophysiological
      effects of these agents are poorly characterized though increasing evidence
      suggests a high prevalence of complications. OBSERVATIONS: Patients with
      substantial cardiovascular risk factors are often excluded from clinical trials,
      while the aging population of patients actually receiving therapies may have an
      underlying arrhythmogenic substrate due to comorbidities. Risk stratification of
      patients before the selection of a therapeutic regimen is essential. Given the
      regular use of combination therapies, the potential for arrhythmia of each agent
      must be fully understood. Despite limited data and understanding in clinical
      practice, decisions on whether to initiate specific therapies in high-risk
      patients and how to manage the associated complications are made regularly.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This review describes the observed arrhythmias and
      proposed mechanisms for several major classes of antineoplastic agents. It also
      provides recommendations for risk stratification, monitoring, prophylaxis, and
      therapy, emphasizing the need for a collaborative relationship between
      oncologists and cardiologists and areas for future research.

PMID- 27256308
TI  - Modulation of critical brain dynamics using closed-loop neurofeedback
      stimulation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: EEG long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs) are a significant for
      both human cognition and brain disorders, but beyond suppression by sensory
      disruption, there are little means for influencing them non-invasively. We
      hypothesized that LRTCs could be controlled by engaging intrinsic neuroregulation
      through closed-loop neurofeedback stimulation. METHODS: We used a closed-loop
      stimulation paradigm where supra-threshold alpha-waves trigger visual flash
      stimuli while the subject performs the standard eyes-closed resting-state task.
      As a "sham" control condition, we applied similar stimulus sequences without the
      neurofeedback. RESULTS: Over three sessions, a significant difference in the
      LRTCs of alpha-band oscillations (U=89, p<0.028, Wilcoxon rank sum test) and
      their scalp topography (T=-2.92, p<0.010, T-test) emerged between the
      neurofeedback and sham conditions so that the LRTCs were stronger during
      neurofeedback than sham. No changes (F=0.16, p>0.69, ANOVA test) in the scalp
      topography of alpha-band power were observed in either condition. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study provides proof-of-concept for that EEG LRTCs, and hence critical brain
      dynamics, can be modulated with closed-loop stimulation in an automatic,
      involuntary fashion. We suggest that this modulation is mediated by an excitation
      inhibition balance change achieved by the closed-loop neuroregulation.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Automatic LRTC modulation opens novel avenues for both examining
      the functional roles of brain criticality in healthy subjects and for developing
      novel therapeutic approaches for brain disorders associated with abnormal LRTCs.

PMID- 27256310
TI  - Chemical characterization of high-molar-mass fractions in a Norway spruce
      knotwood ethanol extract.
AB  - The low-molar-mass (LMM) fraction, only, i.e., the GC-eluting compounds, which
      are mainly lignans, has been characterized in Norway spruce knotwood hydrophilic
      extracts previously. Of this fraction, many lignans and sesquilignans and all GC
      peaks supposedly representing dilignans remain unidentified. In this work,
      dilignans and the GC non-eluting compounds (the high-molar mass fractions, HMM)
      were characterized in a 7-hydroxymatairesinol-reduced knotwood ethanol extract of
      Norway spruce by using several fractionation and analytical techniques. A methyl
      tert-butyl ether (MTBE) insoluble fraction of the extract contained mainly HMM
      material, of which the main part was shown to consist of lignan oligomers. The
      oligolignans (with a molar mass up to approximately 3700 Da) seemed to be linked
      by 55' bonds, some of them containing one or two guaiacylglycerol ether units
      linked to the lignan by betaO4 or beta5 bonds. Several oligolignans were
      identified or tentatively identified. The MTBE soluble fraction, which accounted
      for the major part (81%) of the extract, contained mainly LMM material (lignans,
      sesqui- and dilignans). The part of the HMM material in the MTBE soluble fraction
      that was easily isolable (2%) seemed to contain polymers of fatty acids and
      alcohols, resin acids, and sterols. 

PMID- 27256309
TI  - DNA Methylation Signature Reveals Cell Ontogeny of Renal Cell Carcinomas.
AB  - PURPOSE: DNA methylation is a heritable covalent modification that is
      developmentally regulated and is critical in tissue-type definition. Although
      genotype-phenotype correlations have been described for different subtypes of
      renal cell carcinoma (RCC), it is unknown if DNA methylation profiles correlate
      with morphological or ontology based phenotypes. Here, we test the hypothesis
      that DNA methylation signatures can discriminate between putative precursor cells
      in the nephron. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS: We performed deep profiling of DNA
      methylation and transcriptome in diverse histopathological RCC subtypes and
      validated DNA methylation in an independent dataset as well as in The Cancer
      Genome Atlas Clear Cell and Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma Datasets. RESULTS:
      Our data provide the first mapping of methylome epi-signature and indicate that
      RCC subtypes can be grouped into two major epi-clusters: C1, which encompasses
      clear-cell RCC, papillary RCC, mucinous and spindle cell carcinomas and
      translocation RCC; C2, which comprises oncocytoma and chromophobe RCC.
      Interestingly, C1 epi-cluster displayed 3-fold more hypermethylation as compared
      with C2 epi-cluster. Of note, differentially methylated regions between C1 and C2
      epi-clusters occur in gene bodies and intergenic regions, instead of gene
      promoters. Transcriptome analysis of C1 epi-cluster suggests a functional
      convergence on Polycomb targets, whereas C2 epi-cluster displays DNA methylation
      defects. Furthermore, we find that our epigenetic ontogeny signature is
      associated with worse outcomes of patients with clear-cell RCC. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      data define the epi-clusters that can discriminate between distinct RCC subtypes
      and for the first time define the epigenetic basis for proximal versus distal
      tubule derived kidney tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6236-46. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27256311
TI  - Benchmarking the next generation of homology inference tools.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Over the last decades, vast numbers of sequences were deposited in
      public databases. Bioinformatics tools allow homology and consequently functional
      inference for these sequences. New profile-based homology search tools have been
      introduced, allowing reliable detection of remote homologs, but have not been
      systematically benchmarked. To provide such a comparison, which can guide
      bioinformatics workflows, we extend and apply our previously developed benchmark
      approach to evaluate the 'next generation' of profile-based approaches, including
      CS-BLAST, HHSEARCH and PHMMER, in comparison with the non-profile based search
      tools NCBI-BLAST, USEARCH, UBLAST and FASTA. METHOD: We generated challenging
      benchmark datasets based on protein domain architectures within either the PFAM +
      Clan, SCOP/Superfamily or CATH/Gene3D domain definition schemes. From each
      dataset, homologous and non-homologous protein pairs were aligned using each
      tool, and standard performance metrics calculated. We further measured congruence
      of domain architecture assignments in the three domain databases. RESULTS:
      CSBLAST and PHMMER had overall highest accuracy. FASTA, UBLAST and USEARCH showed
      large trade-offs of accuracy for speed optimization. CONCLUSION: Profile methods
      are superior at inferring remote homologs but the difference in accuracy between
      methods is relatively small. PHMMER and CSBLAST stand out with the highest
      accuracy, yet still at a reasonable computational cost. Additionally, we show
      that less than 0.1% of Swiss-Prot protein pairs considered homologous by one
      database are considered non-homologous by another, implying that these
      classifications represent equivalent underlying biological phenomena, differing
      mostly in coverage and granularity. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Benchmark
      datasets and all scripts are placed at
      (http://sonnhammer.org/download/Homology_benchmark). CONTACT: forslund@embl.de
      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics
      online.

PMID- 27256312
TI  - COCACOLA: binning metagenomic contigs using sequence COmposition, read CoverAge,
      CO-alignment and paired-end read LinkAge.
AB  - Motivation: The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies enables
      researchers to sequence complex microbial communities directly from the
      environment. Because assembly typically produces only genome fragments, also
      known as contigs, instead of an entire genome, it is crucial to group them into
      operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for further taxonomic profiling and down
      streaming functional analysis. OTU clustering is also referred to as binning. We
      present COCACOLA, a general framework automatically bin contigs into OTUs based
      on sequence composition and coverage across multiple samples. Results: The
      effectiveness of COCACOLA is demonstrated in both simulated and real datasets in
      comparison with state-of-art binning approaches such as CONCOCT, GroopM, MaxBin
      and MetaBAT. The superior performance of COCACOLA relies on two aspects. One is
      using L 1 distance instead of Euclidean distance for better taxonomic
      identification during initialization. More importantly, COCACOLA takes advantage
      of both hard clustering and soft clustering by sparsity regularization. In
      addition, the COCACOLA framework seamlessly embraces customized knowledge to
      facilitate binning accuracy. In our study, we have investigated two types of
      additional knowledge, the co-alignment to reference genomes and linkage of
      contigs provided by paired-end reads, as well as the ensemble of both. We find
      that both co-alignment and linkage information further improve binning in the
      majority of cases. COCACOLA is scalable and faster than CONCOCT, GroopM, MaxBin
      and MetaBAT. Availability and implementation: The software is available at
      https://github.com/younglululu/COCACOLA . Contact: fsun@usc.edu. Supplementary
      information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 27256314
TI  - RANKS: a flexible tool for node label ranking and classification in biological
      networks.
AB  - RANKS is a flexible software package that can be easily applied to any
      bioinformatics task formalizable as ranking of nodes with respect to a property
      given as a label, such as automated protein function prediction, gene disease
      prioritization and drug repositioning. To this end RANKS provides an efficient
      and easy-to-use implementation of kernelized score functions, a semi-supervised
      algorithmic scheme embedding both local and global learning strategies for the
      analysis of biomolecular networks. To facilitate comparative assessment, baseline
      network-based methods, e.g. label propagation and random walk algorithms, have
      also been implemented. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The package is available
      from CRAN: https://cran.r-project.org/ The package is written in R, except for
      the most computationally intensive functionalities which are implemented in C.
      CONTACT: valentini@di.unimi.it SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are
      available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 27256313
TI  - CART-a chemical annotation retrieval toolkit.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Data on bioactivities of drug-like chemicals are rapidly accumulating
      in public repositories, creating new opportunities for research in computational
      systems pharmacology. However, integrative analysis of these data sets is
      difficult due to prevailing ambiguity between chemical names and identifiers and
      a lack of cross-references between databases. RESULTS: To address this challenge,
      we have developed CART, a Chemical Annotation Retrieval Toolkit. As a key
      functionality, it matches an input list of chemical names into a comprehensive
      reference space to assign unambiguous chemical identifiers. In this unified
      space, bioactivity annotations can be easily retrieved from databases covering a
      wide variety of chemical effects on biological systems. Subsequently, CART can
      determine annotations enriched in the input set of chemicals and display these in
      tabular format and interactive network visualizations, thereby facilitating
      integrative analysis of chemical bioactivity data. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: CART is available as a Galaxy web service (cart.embl.de). Source
      code and an easy-to-install command line tool can also be obtained from the web
      site. CONTACT: bork@embl.de SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are
      available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 27256315
TI  - SETH detects and normalizes genetic variants in text.
AB  - : Descriptions of genetic variations and their effect are widely spread across
      the biomedical literature. However, finding all mentions of a specific variation,
      or all mentions of variations in a specific gene, is difficult to achieve due to
      the many ways such variations are described. Here, we describe SETH, a tool for
      the recognition of variations from text and their subsequent normalization to
      dbSNP or UniProt. SETH achieves high precision and recall on several evaluation
      corpora of PubMed abstracts. It is freely available and encompasses stand-alone
      scripts for isolated application and evaluation as well as a thorough
      documentation for integration into other applications. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: SETH is released under the Apache 2.0 license and can be
      downloaded from http://rockt.github.io/SETH/ CONTACT: thomas@informatik.hu
      berlin.de or leser@informatik.hu-berlin.de.

PMID- 27256316
TI  - Reaction electronic flux and its role in DNA intramolecular proton transfers.
AB  - Proton transfer reactions present a key step in many biological and chemical
      processes. Here, we focused on the electronic changes in the proton transfer
      reactions of the four DNA bases. In combination with the previous structural
      analysis the reaction electronic flux together with local descriptors as the
      Hirshfeld-I charges allow us to identify chemical events and rationalize the
      underlying reaction mechanism. Our results show that imine-enamine in adenine and
      citosyne, and keto-enol tautomerizations in thymine and guanine have different
      reaction mechanisms. The former involve net structural rearrangements driven by
      favoured electrostatic interactions between the proton and the acceptor atom
      whereas the keto-enol tautomerizations require electronic changes reflected in
      the reaction electronic flux and changes in the NBO bond orders which favour the
      proton transfer reaction.

PMID- 27256317
TI  - Is there still a place for erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein
      in systemic lupus erythematosus?
AB  - The inflammatory response during systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flares is
      known to be atypical, characterized by a disproportionately lower C-reactive
      protein (CRP) elevation when compared with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
      Thus, in these patients, the analysis of inflammatory markers might be
      challenging in daily clinical practice. Clinicians need frequently to distinguish
      lupus reactivations and infectious conditions, and the significance of ESR and
      CRP seems to be different. Even though a non-specific marker of inflammation, ESR
      utility in SLE should not be neglected and it appears to be a useful biomarker
      for SLE activity assessment. Describing a specific cut-off for ESR in SLE is
      important for patients' follow-up, and levels up to 25-30 mm/h have been proposed
      as an upper limit of the normal range. Regarding CRP, even though higher baseline
      levels are described in SLE when compared with controls, including in remission
      periods, its response during flares seems to be incomplete and not always
      correlated with disease activity; while CRP values greater than 10 mg/l could be
      indicative for severe flares, when there is no serositis or arthritis, higher CRP
      levels above 50-60 mg/l may be associated with infection. 

PMID- 27256319
TI  - Possible evidence for contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in
      phytoremediation of iron-cyanide (Fe-CN) complexes.
AB  - Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are integral functioning parts of plant root
      systems and are widely recognized for enhancing contaminants uptake and
      metabolism on severely disturbed sites. However, the patterns of their influence
      on the phytoremediation of iron-cyanide (Fe-CN) complexes are unknown. Fe-CN
      complexes are of great common interest, as iron is one of the most abundant
      element in soil and water. Effect of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) roots
      inoculation, using mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis and a mixture of R.
      irregularis, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus aggregatus, and Claroideoglomus
      etunicatum), on iron-cyanide sorption was studied. Results indicated
      significantly higher colonization of R. irregularis than the mixture of AMF
      species on ryegrass roots. Series of batch experiments using potassium
      hexacyanoferrate (II) solutions, in varying concentrations revealed significantly
      higher reduction of total CN and free CN content in the mycorrhizal roots,
      indicating greater cyanide decrease in the treatment inoculated with R.
      irregularis. Our study is a first indication of the possible positive
      contribution of AM fungi on the phytoremediation of iron-cyanide complexes. 

PMID- 27256320
TI  - Corrigendum to "Docosahexaenoic acid partially ameliorates deficits in social
      behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations caused by prenatal ethanol exposure"
      [Behav. Brain Res. 286 (2015) 201-211].

PMID- 27256318
TI  - Oxidative stress induced in Hyalella azteca by an effluent from a NSAID
      manufacturing plant in Mexico.
AB  - Production in the pharmaceutical industry has increased and along with it, the
      amount of wastewater of various characteristics and contaminant concentrations.
      The main chemicals in these effluents are solvents, detergents, disinfectants
      such as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO)-and pharmaceutical products, all of which are
      potentially ecotoxic. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the oxidative
      stress induced in the amphipod Hyalella azteca by the effluent from a
      nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-manufacturing plant. The median
      lethal concentration (72 h-LC50) was determined and H. azteca were exposed to the
      lowest observed adverse effect level (0.0732 %) for 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, and
      biomarkers of oxidative stress were evaluated [hydroperoxide content (HPC), lipid
      peroxidation (LPX), protein carbonyl content (PCC), and the activity of the
      superoxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione
      peroxidase (GPx)]. Statistically significant increases with respect to the
      control group (P < 0.05) were observed in HPC, LPX and PCC in H. azteca at all
      exposure times. Antioxidant enzymes activity SOD, CAT and GPx activity also
      increased significantly (P < 0.05) with respect to the control group. In
      conclusion, the industrial effluent analyzed in the present study contains NSAIDs
      and NaClO, and induces oxidative stress in H. azteca. 

PMID- 27256321
TI  - Incidence of human papillomavirus contamination of transvaginal probes in Japan
      and possible contamination prevention strategy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To clarify the present status of human papillomavirus (HPV)
      contamination of transvaginal probes in Japan and propose a preventive method.
      METHODS: This study was performed at three institutes: a tertiary center,
      secondary hospital, and primary facility. To identify contamination rates, probes
      were disinfected and covered with probe covers and condoms; the cover was changed
      for each patient. The probes were tested for HPV, and those with HPV detected
      were analyzed to identify the type of HPV. Next, nurses put on new gloves before
      covering the probe for each patient, and the probes were similarly tested for
      HPV. RESULTS: A total of 120 probes were tested, and HPV was detected from a
      total of five probes, a contamination rate of 4.2 % (5/120). HPV was detected in
      all three institutes. Importantly, high-risk HPV, i.e., HPV-52, 56, and 59, was
      detected. After the "glove change strategy" was implemented, HPV was not detected
      on any of 150 probes tested at any of the three institutions. CONCLUSIONS: In
      Japan, the HPV contamination rate of vaginal probes in routine practice was 4.2
      %. There was no HPV contamination of probes after changing the gloves for cover
      exchange for each patient. This strategy may prevent HPV probe contamination.

PMID- 27256322
TI  - Pseudo-asymmetry of cerebral blood flow in arterial spin labeling caused by
      unilateral fetal-type circle of Willis: Technical limitation or a way to better
      understanding physiological variations of cerebral perfusion and improving
      arterial spin labeling acquisition?
AB  - In the recently published article, "Unilateral fetal-type circle of Willis
      anatomy causes right-left asymmetry in cerebral blood flow with pseudo-continuous
      arterial spin labeling: A limitation of arterial spin labeling-based cerebral
      blood flow measurements?", it was shown by the method of arterial spin labeling
      (ASL) that unilateral fetal-type circle of Willis could induce variation of blood
      flow in cerebellar and posterior cerebral artery territory. We believe that the
      reported observation, rather than being a limitation, gives several interesting
      cues for understanding the ASL sequence. In this commentary, we formulate some
      suggestions regarding the use of ASL in clinical practice, discuss the potential
      causes of the above-mentioned pseudo-asymmetry and consider future improvements
      of the ASL technique.

PMID- 27256323
TI  - Baseline collateral status and infarct topography in post-ischaemic perilesional
      hyperperfusion: An arterial spin labelling study.
AB  - Focal hyperperfusion after acute ischaemic stroke could be of prognostic value
      depending upon its spatial localisation and temporal dynamics. Factors associated
      with late stage (12-24 h) perilesional hyperperfusion, identified using arterial
      spin labelling, are poorly defined. A prospective cohort of acute ischaemic
      stroke patients presenting within 4.5 h of symptom onset were assessed with multi
      modal computed tomography acutely and magnetic resonance imaging at 24 +/- 8 h.
      Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics
      curves were used. One hundred and nineteen hemispheric acute ischaemic stroke
      patients (mean age = 71 +/- 12 years) with 24 h arterial spin labelling imaging
      were included. Forty-two (35.3%) patients showed perilesional hyperperfusion on
      arterial spin labelling at 24 h. Several factors were independently associated
      with perilesional hyperperfusion: good collaterals (71% versus 29%, P < 0.0001;
      OR = 5, 95% CI = [1.6, 15.7], P = 0.005), major reperfusion (81% versus 48%, P =
      < 0.0001; OR = 7.5, 95% CI = [1.6, 35.1], P = 0.01), penumbral salvage (76.2%
      versus 47%, P = 0.002; OR = 6.6, 95% CI = [1.8, 24.5], P = 0.004), infarction in
      striatocapsular (OR = 9.5, 95% CI = [2.6, 34], P = 0.001) and in cortical
      superior division middle cerebral artery (OR = 4.7, 95% CI = [1.4, 15.7], P =
      0.012) territory. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was
      0.91. Our results demonstrate good arterial collaterals, major reperfusion,
      penumbral salvage, and infarct topographies involving cortical superior middle
      cerebral artery and striatocapsular are associated with perilesional
      hyperperfusion.

PMID- 27256324
TI  - Detection of RNA-DNA association by a proximity ligation-based method.
AB  - We describe a proximity ligation assay (PLA)-based method of assessing
      association of DNA and RNA in single cells during the cell cycle. Pulse-labeling
      of DNA with EdU and RNA with BrU and testing their close proximity by PLA
      demonstrates that RNA synthesis in individual cells resumes about 30-45 min after
      DNA replication. Consistent with this conclusion, RNA Pol II phosphorylated at
      Ser2 of its CTD is detected at the same time as RNA transcripts on nascent DNA.
      Our results also show that RNA is associated with DNA foci during all stages of
      mitosis.

PMID- 27256325
TI  - Modeling adsorption with lattice Boltzmann equation.
AB  - The research of adsorption theory has recently gained renewed attention due to
      its critical relevance to a number of trending industrial applications, hydrogen
      storage and shale gas exploration for instance. The existing theoretical
      foundation, laid mostly in the early twentieth century, was largely based on
      simple heuristic molecular interaction models and static interaction potential
      which, although being insightful in illuminating the fundamental mechanisms, are
      insufficient for computations with realistic adsorbent structure and adsorbate
      hydrodynamics, both critical for real-life applications. Here we present and
      validate a novel lattice Boltzmann model incorporating both adsorbate-adsorbate
      and adsorbate-adsorbent interactions with hydrodynamics which, for the first
      time, allows adsorption to be computed with real-life details. Connection with
      the classic Ono-Kondo lattice theory is established and various adsorption
      isotherms, both within and beyond the IUPAC classification are observed as a
      pseudo-potential is varied. This new approach not only enables an important
      physical to be simulated for real-life applications, but also provides an
      enabling theoretical framework within which the fundamentals of adsorption can be
      studied.

PMID- 27256328
TI  - Most government departments do not keep track of research they commission,
      inquiry finds.

PMID- 27256326
TI  - Field synopsis and meta-analyses of genetic epidemiological evidence for Kashin
      Beck disease, an endemic osteoarthropathy in China.
AB  - Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a chronic degenerative osteoarthropathy with unclear
      etiology. To provide current evidence supporting a genetic predisposition for
      KBD, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature
      on the genetic epidemiology of KBD. The PubMed, China National Knowledge
      Infrastructure and Wan Fang Data were searched up to August 2015 for articles
      published in English and Chinese. Genome-wide and exome sequencing, linkage, and
      case-control association studies for any genetic variants associated with KBD
      were included. Meta-analysis was performed for all single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) that were evaluated in two or more studies. The effect size
      was summarized as odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) by fixed
      and random effects models. A total of 24 articles were systematically reviewed.
      Eleven short tandem repeats on chromosomes 2, 11 and 12, 34 SNPs in 12 genes, as
      well as copy number variant 452 were identified as KBD susceptibility factors in
      individual studies. The meta-analysis of the GPX1 rs1050450, DIO2 rs225014, TrxR2
      rs5748469 and HLA-DRB1 rs7745040 failed to reveal any associations with KBD.
      However, the meta-analysis of HLA-DRB1 rs9275295 allele A was associated with KBD
      (OR = 1.737, 95 % CI: 1.002-3.012). In addition, seven haplotypes in GPX1, GPX4,
      HLA-DRB1 and GDF5 genes also showed significant associations with KBD. In
      conclusions, our study could identify a number of genetic markers associated with
      KBD. However, the evidence does not currently support a strong association
      between the specific variants and KBD because of the limited number of studies,
      and in the future, more rigorous studies are needed to confirm KBD's links with
      these variants. 

PMID- 27256329
TI  - Repetitive formation of optically-observable planar lipid bilayers by rotating
      chambers on a microaperture.
AB  - Optical observation of a planar lipid bilayer is an effective method of lipid
      bilayer characterization. However, previous methods for optically observable
      lipid bilayer formation are unsuitable for repetitive formation of lipid
      bilayers. In this paper, we propose a system that facilitates repetitive
      formation of horizontal lipid bilayers via mechanical rotation of the rotating
      part. We show that multiple bilayers can be observed within a short period, and
      that the electrical and optical characteristics of a bilayer can be analyzed
      simultaneously.

PMID- 27256327
TI  - A comparative transcriptome analysis of two sets of backcross inbred lines
      differing in lint-yield derived from a Gossypium hirsutum * Gossypium barbadense
      population.
AB  - Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is the most important fiber crop, and its
      lint-yield improvement is impeded due to its narrow genetic base and the lack of
      understanding of the genetic basis of yield. Backcross inbred lines (BILs) or
      near-isogenic lines (NILs) in the same genetic background differing in lint
      yield, developed through advanced backcrossing, provide an important genomic
      resource to study the molecular genetic basis of lint yield. In the present
      study, a high-yield (HY) group and a low-yield (LY) group each with three BILs
      were selected from a BIL population between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. Using
      a microarray-based comparative transcriptome analysis on developing fibers at 10
      days post-anthesis (DPA) between the two groups, 1486 differentially expressed
      genes (DEGs) were identified. A total of 212 DEGs were further mapped in the
      regions of 24 yield QTL and 11 yield trait QTL hotspots as reported previously,
      and 81 DEGs mapped with the 7 lint-yield QTL identified in the BIL population
      from which the two sets of BILs were selected. Gene Ontology annotations and
      Blast-Mapping-Annotation-KEGG analysis via Blast2GO revealed that more DEGs were
      associated with catalytic activity and binding, followed by transporters, nucleic
      acid binding transcription factors, structural molecules and molecular transducer
      activities. Six DEGs were chosen for a quantitative RT-PCR assay, and the results
      were consistent with the microarray analysis. The development of DEGs-based
      markers revealed that 7 single strand conformation polymorphism-based single
      nucleotide polymorphic (SSCP-SNP) markers were associated with yield traits, and
      3 markers with lint yield. In the present study, we identified a number of yield
      and yield component QTL-co-localizing DEGs and developed several DEG-based SSCP
      SNP markers for the traits, thereby providing a set of candidate genes for
      molecular breeding and genetic manipulation of lint yield in cotton. 

PMID- 27256331
TI  - A rare pulmonary hamartoma: fibroleiomyomatous hamartoma.
AB  - Pulmonary hamartomas are more common than expected because they are usually
      asymptomatic and are either discovered on routine chest radiography or when they
      are noted incidentally in approximately 0.25 % of autopsies. In contrast,
      pulmonary fibroleiomyomatous hamartoma, which consists of interlacing bundles of
      smooth muscle cells admixed with fibrous tissue and numerous tubular or cleft
      like epithelial inclusions, is a rare type of hamartoma. Controversy exists
      regarding the pathogenesis of this tumor. We herein present a rare case of a 68
      year-old male patient without a pre-existing smooth muscle tumor, who underwent
      resection for a tumor that was considered to be a true pulmonary
      fibroleiomyomatous hamartoma. 

PMID- 27256332
TI  - Flap revascularization in patients following immediate reconstruction using an
      autologous free dermal fat graft for breast cancer: a report of two cases.
AB  - It has been reported that use of the free dermal fat graft (FDFG) technique
      produces a good cosmetic outcome for breast cancer. An FDFG is harvested from the
      lower abdomen as a columnar-shaped specimen and implanted into the defect of the
      breast after a partial mastectomy as a volume replacement technique. In this
      report, two patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery with immediate
      reconstruction using an autologous FDFG are described in order to show the
      difference in status between one case with and one without blood flow in the
      graft. To assess the benefit of this technique using FDFGs, their cosmetic
      satisfaction was evaluated using a questionnaire, graft shrinkage was measured by
      CT, and blood flow was assessed using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Both
      patients scored 10 of 12 points on the questionnaire. After 2 years, shrinkage of
      the grafts was 21.6 and 25.2 %, respectively. Although one patient had no blood
      flow in the center of the graft, the other had blood flow from the pectoralis
      major muscle to the center of the graft. While satisfaction and graft shrinkage
      were similar in the two patients, one case showed blood flow and had a somewhat
      softer graft than the other. The graft status was maintained with a good cosmetic
      outcome for 3 years after breast-conserving surgery with immediate reconstruction
      using an autologous FDFG, despite mild shrinkage and hardness of the graft. It is
      notable that blood flow was observed into the graft on CEUS, and more distinct
      perfusion was seen in the softer graft case after more than 3 years. 

PMID- 27256330
TI  - Maternal Flaxseed Oil During Lactation Enhances Bone Development in Male Rat
      Pups.
AB  - Flaxseed oil is an alpha linolenic acid source important in the growth and body
      development stage; furthermore, this acid acts on adipose tissue and bone health.
      The aim of this study was to evaluate body composition, fatty acid composition,
      hormone profile, retroperitoneal adipocyte area and femur structure of pups at
      weaning, whose mothers were fed a diet containing flaxseed oil during lactation.
      After birth, pups were randomly assigned: control (C, n = 12) and flaxseed oil
      (FO, n = 12), rats whose mothers were treated with diet containing soybean or
      flaxseed oil. At 21 days, the pups were weaned and body mass, length, body
      composition, biochemical parameter, leptin, osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin, fatty
      acids composition, intra-abdominal fat mass and femur structure were analyzed. FO
      showed (p < 0.05): higher body mass (+12 %) and length (+9 %); body fat mass (g,
      +45 %); bone mineral density (+8 %), bone mineral content (+55 %) and bone area
      (+35 %), osteocalcin (+173 %) and osteoprotegerin (+183 %). Arachidonic acid was
      lower (p < 0.0001), alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic were higher (p <
      0.0001). Intra-abdominal fat mass was higher (+25 %), however, the
      retroperitoneal adipocytes area was lower (-44 %). Femur mass (+10 %), distance
      between epiphyses (+4 %) and bone mineral density (+13 %) were higher. The study
      demonstrates that adequate flaxseed oil content during a lactation diet plays an
      important role in the development of pups.

PMID- 27256333
TI  - Skeletal phenotypes in adult patients with osteogenesis imperfecta-correlations
      with COL1A1/COL1A2 genotype and collagen structure.
AB  - : Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by a high fracture rate and great
      heterogeneity. This cross-sectional study presents skeletal investigations and
      protein analyses in 85 adult OI patients. We find significant differences in bone
      mass, architecture, and fracture rate that correlate well with the underlying
      biochemical and molecular abnormalities. INTRODUCTION: OI is a hereditary disease
      characterized by compromised connective tissue predominantly caused by mutations
      in collagen type 1 (COL-1) encoding genes. Widespread symptoms reflect the
      ubiquity of COL-1 throughout the body. The purpose of this study was to improve
      our understanding of clinical manifestations by investigating anthropometry and
      skeletal phenotypes (DXA, HRpQCT) in an adult OI population and compare the
      findings to underlying COL-1 genotype and structure. METHODS: The study comprised
      85 OI patients aged 45 (19-78) years, Sillence type I (n = 58), III (n = 12), and
      IV (n = 15). All patients underwent DXA, HRpQCT, spine X-ray, biochemical
      testing, and anthropometry. COL1A1 and COL1A2 were sequenced and 68 OI causing
      mutations identified (46 in COL1A1, 22 in COL1A2). Analysis of COL-1 structure
      (quantitative/qualitative defect) by SDS-PAGE was performed in a subset (n = 67).
      RESULTS: A qualitative collagen defect predisposed to a more severe phenotype
      with reduced aBMD, more fractures, and affected anthropometry compared to
      patients with a quantitative COL-1 defect (p < 0.05). HRpQCT revealed significant
      differences between patients with OI type I and IV. Patients with type I had
      lower vBMD (p < 0.005), thinner cortexes (p < 0.001), and reduced trabecular
      number (p < 0.005) compared to patients with type IV indicating that HRpQCT may
      distinguish type I from type IV better than DXA. CONCLUSION: The defective
      collagen in patients with OI has pronounced effects on the skeleton. The
      classical OI types based on the clinical classification show profound differences
      in bone mass and architecture and the differences correlate well with the
      underlying biochemical and molecular collagen abnormalities.

PMID- 27256334
TI  - Thigh abscess and necrotizing fasciitis following an inside-out transobturator
      tape intervention: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tension-free vaginal transobturator tapes are used worldwide in the
      treatment of urinary incontinence in women. Very few severe complications have
      been described following this procedure, with no standard treatment yet
      established. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 36-year-old French white
      woman with no remarkable medical history, presenting with an abscess and
      necrotizing fasciitis 48 hours after an inside-out tension-free transobturator
      procedure. Samples were collected by guided puncture from the abscess, retrieving
      Staphylococcus aureus and Citrobacter koseri. CONCLUSIONS: Severe complications
      following this procedure are rare, although it can have the potential for
      significant morbidity and even mortality, which is worth highlighting. We
      recommend early surgical treatment in combination with broad-spectrum antibiotics
      and coverage for Staphylococcus aureus, which may be a causative agent.

PMID- 27256335
TI  - Experiences and preferences of care among Swedish immigrants following a prenatal
      diagnosis of congenital heart defect in the fetus: a qualitative interview study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immigrants experience significant challenges when in contact with
      healthcare and report less satisfaction with maternity care compared to native
      Swedes. Research that gives voice to pregnant immigrant women and their partners
      following a prenatal diagnosis of a fetal anomaly is scarce. Thus, the aim of
      this study was to explore experiences and preferences of care following a
      prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defect among Swedish immigrants. METHODS:
      Pregnant immigrants and their partners were consecutively recruited following a
      prenatal diagnosis of a congenital heart defect in the fetus. Nine respondents
      were interviewed in five interviews, four with the aid of a professional
      interpreter. The material was analyzed using manifest qualitative content
      analysis. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in five categories: 1) "Trustworthy
      information", 2) "Language barriers", 3) "Psychosocial situation", 4) "Peer
      support", and 5) "Religious positions". CONCLUSION: The potential need for
      interpreter services, visual information, psychosocial support, coordination with
      welfare officers, and respect for religious positions about termination of
      pregnancy are all important aspects for health professionals to consider when
      consulting immigrants faced with a prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomaly in the
      fetus. Peer support within this context needs to be further explored in future
      studies.

PMID- 27256336
TI  - Effect of Insulin and Metformin Combination Treatment on Colon Adenoma and
      Advanced Adenoma Among DM II.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The risk for colorectal adenoma and advanced adenoma among diabetes
      mellitus II (DM II) has been debated to differ with the type of anti-diabetic
      therapy. Insulin increases whereas metformin decreases the risk for colon adenoma
      (Ad) and advanced Ad (AAd). There have been no studies to evaluate the effect of
      combination treatment with insulin and metformin on colon Ad and AAd. METHODS:
      The retrospective study included DM II patients undergoing screening colonoscopy.
      Subjects with incomplete colonoscopy, poor bowel preparation, personal history of
      colorectal cancer (CRC)/inflammatory bowel disease/hereditary nonpolyposis
      colorectal cancer/familial adenomatosis polyposis/colectomy or family history of
      CRC were excluded. Subjects were categorized into group 1 (insulin only), group 2
      (metformin only), group 3 (combination of insulin and metformin) and group 4
      (miscellaneous). Group 4 was excluded from data analysis. Ad detection rate (ADR)
      and advanced ADR (AADR) were calculated for each group. RESULTS: Three hundred
      thirty-nine subjects composed the study group, with a mean age of 60.0 years and
      male to female ratio of 1:1.4. Composite ADR and AADR for study population was
      35.1 and 15.3 %, respectively. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were composed of 88 (26.0 %),
      211 (62.2 %) and 40 (11.8 %) subjects, respectively. ADR for groups 1, 2 and 3
      was 40.9, 33.2 and 32.5 %, respectively (p value = 0.413). AADR for groups 1, 2
      and 3 was 18.2, 15.2 and 10.0 %, respectively (p value = 0.489). CONCLUSION: A
      decremental trend was observed in ADR and AADR across group 1, group 2 and group
      3 (p value >0.05).

PMID- 27256337
TI  - Time Flies: an Examination of Genetic Counselor Professional Development:
      Introduction to Special Issue on Genetic Counselor Development.

PMID- 27256338
TI  - Using the angiogenic factors sFlt-1 and PlGF with Doppler ultrasound of the
      uterine artery for confirming preeclampsia.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the value of the angiogenic factors
      for diagnosing preeclampsia and predicting the severity of manifestation. A
      secondary aim is assessing the combination of the uterine artery Doppler with the
      angiogenic factors for improving the diagnostic power. METHODS: This is a
      prospective single center study in a tertiary referral hospital. This study
      includes 728 individual patients. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancies,
      a referral to the hospital with suspicion of preeclampsia and any one or
      combination of the following symptoms: headache, upper abdominal pain, edema, and
      hypertension. Patients with complications that would affect the course of the
      pregnancy, such as placenta praevia, premature preterm rupture of membranes,
      breech presentation, and fetal chromosomal or structural anomalies, were excluded
      from the study. Blood samples collection and uterine artery Doppler ultrasound
      were performed at time of recruitment. The differences in sFlt-1, PlGF, and their
      quotient among normal collective and patients with preeclampsia were analyzed.
      Doppler ultrasound was performed by one of four highly qualified sonographers.
      Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's rank correlation, receiver operating
      characteristic curves, Chi-square test, and logistic regression were used in the
      analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1003 individual samples for the angiogenic factors
      were included in the analysis. 584 out of the recruited 728 patients had follow
      up data with delivery information at the study hospital. Patients with
      preeclampsia show a significant increase in sFlt-1, which directly correlate with
      the increased severity of manifestation (Spearman's rho 0.49). The sFlt-1 cut-off
      value of 5424 pg/ml confirms preeclampsia with 83.7 % sensitivity, 68.1 %
      specificity, and 24 % misclassification rate. Preeclampsia patients also show a
      significant decrease in PlGF, which negatively correlates with the increased
      severity of manifestation (Spearman's rho -0.39). A PlGF cut-off value of 118
      pg/ml confirms preeclampsia with 47.6 % sensitivity, 71.4 % specificity, and 27 %
      misclassification rate. Logistic regression shows that a combination of the
      quotient from sFlt-1/PlGF with notching and uterine artery PI provides a valid
      model for diagnosing preeclampsia with a diagnostic power of 74.4 %. CONCLUSIONS:
      The study confirms the use of the sFlt-1 and PlGF for diagnosing preeclampsia. It
      also shows their significance in differentiating between different categories of
      preeclampsia according to severity. This study shows that the use of angiogenic
      factors in combination with ultrasound findings provides valid models for
      confirming preeclampsia.

PMID- 27256339
TI  - Comparison of seroma production in breast conserving surgery with or without
      intraoperative radiotherapy as tumour bed boost.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: One of the most common complications in breast conserving surgery
      is seroma formation. The origin of seroma formation remains unclear. While
      intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) has been shown to be an alternative to whole
      breast irradiation, the influence on seroma production is unclear. Therefore,
      this analysis compares seroma production in patients with breast conserving
      surgery with or without IORT as tumour bed boost during breast conserving
      surgery. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of seroma production in patients with
      nodal-negative (pN0sn) pT1/2 primary breast cancer treated between September 2010
      and October 2013 at the Breast Cancer Centre, University Hospital Ulm was
      performed. Patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, previous breast/axillary
      surgery or more than one intervention were excluded. IORT was applied as a tumour
      bed boost with 50-kV X-rays (Intra beam((r))) delivering 9 Gy at the applicator
      surface. Seroma formation was measured using wound drains placed in breast and in
      axilla. RESULTS: Data of 152 patients (99 -IORT; 53 +IORT) were available for
      analysis. No significant differences between patients with or without IORT with
      regard to seroma production and number of days until drain removal were found
      (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with IORT encountered no increased seroma
      production and removal of the drains was not delayed compared to patients with
      breast conserving surgery only. Our results indicate that IORT does not increase
      the seroma production compared to surgery alone.

PMID- 27256340
TI  - Minimally invasive, endoscopic Achilles tendon reconstruction using
      semitendinosus and gracilis tendons with Endobutton stabilization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plantaris tendon, peronus brevis tendon and flexor hallucis longus
      tendon augmentation, commonly used in Achilles tendon rupture, often lead to
      weakening of injured foot and they require the immobilization after the surgery.
      It is essential to develop the technique, which gives no such limitation and
      allows for immediate functional improvement. METHODS: We present our method of
      minimally invasive, endoscopic Achilles tendon reconstruction using
      semitendinosus and gracilis tendons with Endobutton stabilization. RESULTS:
      Posterolateral and posteromedial portals were made approximately 3 cm above the
      posterosuperior part of the calcaneus to clean the area of the Achilles tendon
      endoscopically. Then the hamstrings are harvested and prepared for the
      "Endobutton" system. A midline incision of the skin is performed approximately 1
      cm above the posterosuperior part of the calcaneus to approach to the
      posterosuperior part of the calcaneus. Then under fluoroscopy the calcaneus was
      drilled through using K-wire. The distal end of the graft equipped with an
      Endobutton loop was entered into the drilled tunnel in the calcaneus. Later, 8
      consecutive skin incisions are performed. Proximal ends of the graft were brought
      out through the native Achilles tendon reaching medial and lateral skin
      incisions. The final step was to transfer and tie the graft ends through the most
      proximal skin incision. CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive, endoscopic
      technique allows reconstruction of the Achilles tendon using semitendinosus and
      gracilis tendons with Endobutton stabilization and can be used in so-called
      "difficult", resistant cases as a "salvage procedure".

PMID- 27256341
TI  - The use of anti-factor Xa monitoring in a selection of patients receiving
      enoxaparin at a large academic medical center.
AB  - Therapeutic enoxaparin is commonly used over heparin because of its favorable
      pharmacokinetic profile and ease of administration. Monitoring of the
      anticoagulant response, if necessary, is done with anti-factor Xa levels.
      Currently, it is suggested that monitoring may be beneficial in patients who are
      overweight and those with renal dysfunction. This study aimed to characterize the
      use of enoxaparin at a large-academic medical center in patients >150 kg, <45 kg
      and in those with renal dysfunction, and to describe the rate of anti-factor Xa
      monitoring in these patients. There were 273 patients included in the study: n =
      96 for <45 kg arm, n = 111 for >150 kg arm and n = 66 for renal dysfunction arm.
      Less than 30 % of patients in each arm had low molecular weight heparin anti
      factor Xa levels drawn. Of these only half were drawn as peak levels (4 h post
      dose). Overall rates of anti-factor Xa monitoring was low. It was found that
      obese patients achieved therapeutic anticoagulation with lower than recommended
      doses; underweight patients were often subtherapeutic on the recommended doses;
      and patients with renal dysfunction tended to have therapeutic to subtherapeutic
      anti-factor Xa levels. Ultimately, this evaluation showed that enoxaparin has
      unpredictable pharmacokinetics in these three high-risk patient populations and
      anti-factor Xa monitoring may be necessary to ensure therapeutic levels and
      appropriate dosing. 

PMID- 27256344
TI  - Shared Vision Among Acute Care Magnet(r) Hospital Nurses: Ordinal Confirmatory
      Factor Analysis.
AB  - Psychometric testing of the Shared Vision (SV) scale that measures team efforts
      toward common patient-centered goals was initially estimated among rural hospital
      nurse executives. The purpose of this study was to estimate the scale's
      reliability (internal consistency), convergent validity (Pearson correlation with
      Practice Environment Scale), and structural validity (ordinal confirmatory factor
      analysis) among acute care Magnet(r) hospital nurses. The study sample included
      289 nurses from 27 acute care Magnet(r) hospitals. The scale demonstrated
      acceptable estimates for internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .902, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] = [0.883, 0.919]), convergent validity ( r = .720, p <
      .001), and structural validity with a one-factor structure. The findings of this
      study supported the reliability and validity of the SV scale as a unidimensional
      construct in measuring SV among nurses in acute care Magnet(r) hospitals. Further
      testing among different nursing providers and health care settings is needed to
      accumulate evidence and expand use of the instrument.

PMID- 27256342
TI  - Fibrin structure in organized thrombotic material removed during pulmonary artery
      endarterectormy: the effect of vessel calibre.
AB  - Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is a curative therapeutic approach in patients
      with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The location
      dependent structural differences of thrombotic material found in pulmonary
      arteries in CTEPH are poorly investigated. We present the case of a 47-year-old
      woman with antiphospholipid syndrome, diabetes mellitus and abnormal fibrin
      phenotype, who underwent PEA for CTEPH. Intravascular material removed
      bilaterally during PEA (from lobar, segmental and sub-segmental arteries) has
      been studied using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Light microscopy
      showed tighter fibrous network in the portions of intraluminal thrombotic
      material facing the vessel wall, which contained collagen and fibrin fibers, and
      abundant cells. Cells, evaluated by immunostaining, were present in the whole
      removed material. Tissue factor expression was also observed with the highest
      values in the portions of intravascular material facing the vessel wall. In the
      main pulmonary arteries, SEM images revealed thick fibers of fibrous proteins
      loosly meshed and few erythrocytes and platelets between them (both dysmorphic
      "wedged" and fresh cells were present). In the fibrotic layers, containing mainly
      collagen and fibrin, removed from the lobar/segmental pulmonary arteries we found
      a stepwise increase in fiber density with decreasing vessel calibre, followed by
      denser fibrous networks composed of thinner fibers. Elastic fibers in the lobar
      and segmental arteries were aligned along the blood flow vector. These findings
      demonstrate differences in the structure of endarterectomized PEA material
      dependent on the vessel calibre and might contribute to understanding of CTEPH
      pathophysiology. 

PMID- 27256345
TI  - Frequency of silent cerebral ischemia in patients with transfusion-dependent beta
      thalassemia major compared to healthy individuals.

PMID- 27256343
TI  - Pathways and gene networks mediating the regulatory effects of cannabidiol, a
      nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, in autoimmune T cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our previous studies showed that the non-psychoactive cannabinoid,
      cannabidiol (CBD), ameliorates the clinical symptoms in mouse myelin
      oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35-55-induced experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as decreases the
      memory MOG35-55-specific T cell (TMOG) proliferation and cytokine secretion
      including IL-17, a key autoimmune factor. The mechanisms of these activities are
      currently poorly understood. METHODS: Herein, using microarray-based gene
      expression profiling, we describe gene networks and intracellular pathways
      involved in CBD-induced suppression of these activated memory TMOG cells.
      Encephalitogenic TMOG cells were stimulated with MOG35-55 in the presence of
      spleen-derived antigen presenting cells (APC) with or without CBD. mRNA of
      purified TMOG was then subjected to Illumina microarray analysis followed by
      ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA), weighted gene co-expression network analysis
      (WGCNA) and gene ontology (GO) elucidation of gene interactions. Results were
      validated using qPCR and ELISA assays. RESULTS: Gene profiling showed that the
      CBD treatment suppresses the transcription of a large number of proinflammatory
      genes in activated TMOG. These include cytokines (Xcl1, Il3, Il12a, Il1b),
      cytokine receptors (Cxcr1, Ifngr1), transcription factors (Ier3, Atf3, Nr4a3,
      Crem), and TNF superfamily signaling molecules (Tnfsf11, Tnfsf14, Tnfrsf9,
      Tnfrsf18). "IL-17 differentiation" and "IL-6 and IL-10-signaling" were identified
      among the top processes affected by CBD. CBD increases a number of IFN-dependent
      transcripts (Rgs16, Mx2, Rsad2, Irf4, Ifit2, Ephx1, Ets2) known to execute anti
      proliferative activities in T cells. Interestingly, certain MOG35-55 up-regulated
      transcripts were maintained at high levels in the presence of CBD, including
      transcription factors (Egr2, Egr1, Tbx21), cytokines (Csf2, Tnf, Ifng), and
      chemokines (Ccl3, Ccl4, Cxcl10) suggesting that CBD may promote exhaustion of
      memory TMOG cells. In addition, CBD enhanced the transcription of T cell co
      inhibitory molecules (Btla, Lag3, Trat1, and CD69) known to interfere with T/APC
      interactions. Furthermore, CBD enhanced the transcription of oxidative stress
      modulators with potent anti-inflammatory activity that are controlled by
      Nfe2l2/Nrf2 (Mt1, Mt2a, Slc30a1, Hmox1). CONCLUSIONS: Microarray-based gene
      expression profiling demonstrated that CBD exerts its immunoregulatory effects in
      activated memory TMOG cells via (a) suppressing proinflammatory Th17-related
      transcription, (b) by promoting T cell exhaustion/tolerance, (c) enhancing IFN
      dependent anti-proliferative program, (d) hampering antigen presentation, and (d)
      inducing antioxidant milieu resolving inflammation. These findings put forward
      mechanism by which CBD exerts its anti-inflammatory effects as well as explain
      the beneficial role of CBD in pathological memory T cells and in autoimmune
      diseases.

PMID- 27256346
TI  - Multiple cytokine-producing primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

PMID- 27256347
TI  - Abdominal aortic thrombosis secondary to reactive thrombocytosis in a patient
      with iron deficiency anemia.

PMID- 27256348
TI  - Evaluation of bone mineral density in patients with hemoglobin H disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and
      bone mineral content (BMC) of patients with hemoglobin H (HbH) disease. METHODS:
      BMD and BMC were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar
      spines and femur neck in 21 patients with Hb H disease over the age of 10 years.
      An association of BMD with sex, age, hemoglobin, calcium, phosphorus, and serum
      ferritin level was also evaluated. RESULTS: Prevalence of BMD below the expected
      range for age in the lumbar spine and femur neck region in patients with HbH
      disease were 33.3 and 14.3 %, respectively. Lumbar BMD was significantly lower in
      the patients compared to healthy individuals (median (min-max) 0.725 (0.595
      0.924) vs. 1.061 (0.645-1.238), P < 0.001)). There was no significant
      relationship between BMD in the lumbar and femur neck with any of the evaluated
      variables (P value >0.05). CONCLUSION: Data regarding bone density in HbH disease
      is limited; osteoporosis as a common complication of beta-thalassemia intermedia
      syndrome should be considered even in HbH which shows its prevalence is less than
      beta-thalassemia intermedia.

PMID- 27256349
TI  - Total Thyroidectomy versus Bilateral Subtotal Thyroidectomy for Bilateral
      Multinodular Nontoxic Goiter: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess and validate the feasibility and
      safety of total thyroidectomy (TT) when compared to bilateral subtotal
      thyroidectomy (BST) for bilateral multinodular nontoxic goiter (BMNG). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Ovid's database were searched for
      studies published in English language between January 1990 and December 2014. A
      meta-analysis was performed to compare the complications and recurrences of TT
      versus BST. The search terms used were 'total thyroidectomy', 'bilateral subtotal
      thyroidectomy', 'multinodular nontoxic goiter' and 'randomized clinical trial'.
      The reference lists of relevant studies were checked manually to locate any
      missing studies. RESULTS: Four trials with a total of 1,078 patients were
      analyzed. Although the incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism was higher in TT
      than in BST (OR = 2.59, 95% CI [1.58-4.24], p = 0.0002), TT was associated with a
      significantly lower incidence of recurrence (OR = 0.04, 95% CI [0.01, 0.17], p <
      0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences for the presence of
      transient/permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and permanent
      hypoparathyroidism between the two groups. CONCLUSION: TT is a feasible and safe
      procedure for patients with BMNG. Although TT involves a significantly higher
      risk of postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism, it has a lower recurrence
      rate than BST.

PMID- 27256351
TI  - Pertussis: History of the Disease and Current Prevention Failure.
AB  - Pertussis or whooping cough has been given many names over the centuries. It was
      first recognized in the Middle Ages and since then various epidemics have been
      described. Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou isolated Bordetella pertussis, a
      causative agent for whooping cough, in Paris more than 100 years ago, which
      created an excellent opportunity to invent a vaccine. In 1914 the whole-cell
      pertussis vaccine was invented, then in the 1940s it was combined with tetanus
      and diphtheria toxoids to become DTP and it became widely available. A successive
      decrease in the incidence of the disease has since been observed. The vaccine has
      been about 80 % effective in preventing serious disease and death from pertussis.
      The disadvantage is that the vaccine offers protection for 5-10 years after the
      last dose of the full vaccination course. The second issue is the question of how
      to prevent side effects of the whole-cell vaccine. In the 1990s, the acellular
      vaccine was introduced in the US and gradually replaced the whole-cell vaccine.
      About 10 years later, a possible failure with the new vaccine has been observed,
      that is a lack of long-term protection. Nowadays, both vaccines are used, with
      the acellular vaccine being vastly predominant in most developed countries.
      Pertussis incidence has increased since the 1980s, but new prevention strategies
      include booster doses for specific age groups. 

PMID- 27256350
TI  - Predicting exercise capacity after lobectomy by single photon emission computed
      tomography and computed tomography.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study compared the prediction of postoperative exercise capacity
      by employing lung perfusion scintigraphy images obtained with single photon
      emission computed tomography together with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) versus
      the common method of counting subsegments (SC method). METHODS: In 18 patients
      scheduled for lobectomy, predicted postoperative maximum oxygen uptake per
      kilogram body weight ([Formula: see text]) was calculated by the SPECT/CT and SC
      methods. Correlations were examined between the [Formula: see text] predicted by
      SPECT/CT or the SC method, and the actual [Formula: see text] measured at 2 weeks
      (mean 15.4 +/- 1.5 days) and 1 month (mean 29.1 +/- 0.75 days) after surgery to
      determine whether SPECT/CT was more accurate than SC for predicting postoperative
      exercise capacity. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between
      the [Formula: see text] predicted by SPECT/CT and the actual value at 2 weeks (r
      = 0.802, p < 0.0001) or 1 month (r = 0.770, p < 0.0001). There was also a
      significant positive correlation between the [Formula: see text] predicted by SC
      and the actual value at 2 weeks (r = 0.785, p < 0.0001) or 1 month (r = 0.784, p
      < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that both SPECT/CT and the SC method
      were useful for predicting postoperative [Formula: see text] in the clinical
      setting.

PMID- 27256352
TI  - Oral glucocorticoid therapy and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - Previous studies of glucocorticoid (GC) therapy and mortality have had
      inconsistent results and have not considered possible perimortal bias-a type of
      protopathic bias where illness in the latter stages of life influences GC
      exposure, and might affect the observed relationship between GC use and death.
      This study aimed to investigate all-cause and cause-specific mortality in
      association with GC therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and
      explore possible perimortal bias. A retrospective cohort study using the primary
      care electronic medical records. Oral GC exposure was identified from
      prescriptions. Mortality data were obtained from the UK Office for National
      Statistics. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models assessed the
      association between GC use models and death. Several methods to explore
      perimortal bias were examined. The cohort included 16,762 patients. For ever GC
      use there was an adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality of 1.97 (95 % CI
      1.81-2.15). Current GC dose of below 5 mg per day (prednisolone equivalent dose)
      was not associated with an increased risk of death, but a dose-response
      association was seen for higher dose categories. The association between ever GC
      use and all-cause mortality was partly explained by perimortal bias. GC therapy
      was associated with an increased risk of mortality for all specific causes
      considered, albeit to a lesser extent for cardiovascular causes. GC use was
      associated with an increased risk of death in RA, at least partially explained by
      perimortal bias. Importantly, GC doses below 5 mg were not associated with an
      increased risk of death.

PMID- 27256353
TI  - The association between habitual physical activity and cigarette cravings, and
      influence of smokers' characteristics in disadvantaged smokers not ready to quit.
AB  - RATIONALE: Habitual physical activity (PA) may have an important role in
      suppressing cigarette cravings. Systematic reviews show a strong acute effect of
      bouts of PA on reducing cigarette cravings, and it may be that these effects
      accumulate. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to investigate the relationship between
      habitual levels of PA and cigarette cravings in disadvantaged smokers not ready
      to quit by examining baseline cross-sectional data from the Exercise Assisted
      Reduction then Stop smoking study (EARS). METHODS: A series of linear regression
      models were applied to investigate the relationship between habitual PA and
      cigarette cravings and to identify additional predictors of cigarette cravings.
      The analyses were extended by including interaction terms with PA to identify
      potential moderators of the relationship between PA and cravings. RESULTS: A
      higher level of moderate intensity PA was associated with lower cravings (p =
      0.033). Additional predictors were the mood and physical symptoms scale (p =
      0.007; higher scores were associated with higher cravings) and alcohol
      consumption (p = 0.002; higher consumption was associated with lower cravings).
      In addition, a moderation effect of alcohol consumption was found; at higher
      levels of alcohol consumption, higher PA was significantly associated with higher
      cravings (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, participation in regular PA is
      associated with reduced cigarette cravings; among those with heavy alcohol
      consumption, this participation is associated with higher cravings. These
      exploratory analyses suggest that further research into the relationship between
      PA, alcohol consumption and cigarette cravings is needed.

PMID- 27256354
TI  - Effects of acute administration of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen on
      behavioral flexibility in rats.
AB  - RATIONALE: The ability to adjust response strategies when faced with changes in
      the environment is critical for normal adaptive behavior. Such behavioral
      flexibility is compromised by experimental disruption of cortical GABAergic
      signaling, as well as in conditions such as schizophrenia and normal aging that
      are characterized by cortical hyperexcitability. The current studies were
      designed to determine whether stimulation of GABAergic signaling using the
      GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen can facilitate behavioral flexibility. METHODS:
      Male Fischer 344 rats were trained in a set-shifting task in which they learned
      to discriminate between two response levers to obtain a food reward. Correct
      levers were signaled in accordance with two distinct response rules (rule 1:
      correct lever signaled by a cue light; rule 2: correct lever signaled by its
      left/right position). The order of rule presentation varied, but they were always
      presented sequentially, with the trials and errors to reach criterion performance
      on the second (set shift) rule providing the measure of behavioral flexibility.
      Experiments determined the effects of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen
      (intraperitoneal, 0, 1.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mg/kg) administered acutely before the
      shift to the second rule. RESULTS: Baclofen enhanced set-shifting performance.
      Control experiments demonstrated that this enhancement was not simply due to
      improved discrimination learning, nor was it due to impaired recall of the
      initial discrimination rule. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that baclofen
      can facilitate behavioral flexibility, suggesting that GABA(B) receptor agonists
      may have utility for treating behavioral dysfunction in neuropsychiatric
      disorders.

PMID- 27256355
TI  - Poor sensitization of 50-kHz vocalization response to amphetamine predicts rat
      susceptibility to self-administration of the drug.
AB  - RATIONALE: Our previous studies showed promise for using sensitization of the
      frequency-modulated 50-kHz vocalization response to amphetamine (AMPH) as an
      index of rat vulnerability to AMPH addiction. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test
      the utility of sensitizing frequency-modulated (FM) 50-kHz vocalization in the
      AMPH self-administration paradigm as well as the ability of N-acetylcysteine to
      prevent self-administration relapse. METHODS: Rats were subjected to the so
      called two-injection protocol of sensitization (TIPS) using AMPH and were
      categorized as low-sensitized callers (LCTIPS) or high-sensitized callers
      (HCTIPS) based on the individual outcomes. Then, they were given 44 sessions of
      AMPH self-administration followed by a 17-session N-acetylcysteine-aided
      extinction course and a single session of AMPH-primed self-administration
      reinstatement. RESULTS: LCTIPS compared to HCTIPS rats showed no considerable
      difference in the FM 50-kHz vocalization rate during the self-administration
      training or extinction course, but they were considerably more likely to acquire
      AMPH self-administration and experience drug-induced reinstatement of this trait.
      Moreover, the LCTIPS rats were more likely than HCTIPS rats to have a markedly
      higher FM 50-kHz vocalization rate after AMPH reinstatement. N-acetylcysteine did
      not affect the course of self-administration extinction or the instrumental or FM
      50-kHz vocalization responses to AMPH reinstatement. CONCLUSIONS: There is no
      link between the FM 50-kHz vocalization and key characteristics of AMPH self
      administration. Additionally, N-acetylcysteine does not help prevent AMPH self
      administration relapse. However, there is a high predictive value for poor
      sensitization of the FM 50-kHz vocalization response to AMPH with respect to the
      acquisition and maintenance of self-administration of this psychostimulant.

PMID- 27256356
TI  - Do blood plasma levels of oxytocin moderate the effect of nasally administered
      oxytocin on social orienting in high-functioning male adults with autism spectrum
      disorder?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study investigated whether baseline plasma oxytocin (OXT)
      concentrations might moderate the effects of nasally administered OXT on social
      orienting. METHODS: Thirty-one males with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and
      thirty healthy males participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover
      trial. After administration of the compound, participants were viewing pictures
      from the International Affective Picture System that represented a systematic
      variation of pleasant, unpleasant and neutral scenes with and without humans. The
      outcome measures were a cardiac evoked response (ECR) and a cortical evoked long
      latency parietal positivity (LPP). RESULTS: Males with ASD had significantly
      higher plasma baseline levels than the controls. In the absence of general
      treatment effects, higher baseline concentrations were found to be associated
      with larger treatment effects, particularly in the group of males with ASD.
      Higher post-treatment plasma OXT concentrations were found to be associated with
      smaller treatment effects and larger orienting responses in the placebo situation
      in the group of controls. CONCLUSIONS: We interpret our findings as suggesting
      that it is the central availability of OXT determining how much of the nasally
      administered OXT will become centrally absorbed and how much of it will become
      released into the bloodstream.

PMID- 27256357
TI  - Effects of the potential lithium-mimetic, ebselen, on impulsivity and emotional
      processing.
AB  - RATIONALE: Lithium remains the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder and
      also has important effects to lower suicidal behaviour, a property that may be
      linked to its ability to diminish impulsive, aggressive behaviour. The
      antioxidant drug, ebselen, has been proposed as a possible lithium-mimetic based
      on its ability in animals to inhibit inositol monophosphatase (IMPase), an action
      which it shares with lithium. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine
      whether treatment with ebselen altered emotional processing and diminished
      measures of risk-taking behaviour. METHODS: We studied 20 healthy participants
      who were tested on two occasions receiving either ebselen (3600 mg over 24 h) or
      identical placebo in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design. Three hours
      after the final dose of ebselen/placebo, participants completed the Cambridge
      Gambling Task (CGT) and a task that required the detection of emotional facial
      expressions (facial emotion recognition task (FERT)). RESULTS: On the CGT,
      relative to placebo, ebselen reduced delay aversion while on the FERT, it
      increased the recognition of positive vs negative facial expressions.
      CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that at the dosage used, ebselen can decrease
      impulsivity and produce a positive bias in emotional processing. These findings
      have implications for the possible use of ebselen in the disorders characterized
      by impulsive behaviour and dysphoric mood.

PMID- 27256359
TI  - Label-Free Classification of Bax/Bak Expressing vs. Double-Knockout Cells.
AB  - We combine optical scatter imaging with principal component analysis (PCA) to
      classify apoptosis-competent Bax/Bak-expressing, and apoptosis resistant Bax/Bak
      null immortalized baby mouse kidney cells. We apply PCA to 100 stacks each
      containing 236 dark-field cell images filtered with an optically implemented
      Gabor filter with period between 0.3 and 2.9 MUm. Each stack yields an
      "eigencell" image corresponding to the first principal component obtained at one
      of the 100 Gabor filter periods used. At each filter period, each cell image is
      multiplied by (projected onto) the eigencell image. A Feature Matrix consisting
      of 236 * 100 scalar values is thus constructed with significantly reduced
      dimension compared to the initial dataset. Utilizing this Feature Matrix, we
      implement a supervised linear discriminant analysis and classify successfully the
      Bax/Bak-expressing and Bax/Bak-null cells with 94.7% accuracy and an area under
      the curve (AUC) of 0.993. Applying a feature selection algorithm further reveals
      that the Gabor filter period ranges most significant for the classification
      correspond to both large (likely nuclear) features as well as small sized
      features (likely organelles present in the cytoplasm). Our results suggest that
      cells with a genetic defect in their apoptosis pathway can be differentiated from
      their normal counterparts by label-free multi-parametric optical scatter data.

PMID- 27256358
TI  - Responses to drugs of abuse and non-drug rewards in leptin deficient ob/ob mice.
AB  - RATIONALE: Although leptin receptors are found in hypothalamic nuclei classically
      associated with homeostatic feeding mechanisms, they are also present in brain
      regions known to regulate hedonic-based feeding, natural reward processing, and
      responses to drugs of abuse. The ob/ob mouse is deficient in leptin signaling,
      and previous work has found altered mesolimbic dopamine signaling and sensitivity
      to the locomotor activating effects of amphetamine in these mice. OBJECTIVES: We
      directly assessed responses to three drugs of abuse and non-drug rewards in the
      leptin-deficient ob/ob mouse. METHODS: Ob/ob mice were tested in assays of sweet
      preference, novelty seeking, and drug reward/reinforcement. RESULTS: In assays of
      novelty seeking, novel open field activity and operant sensation seeking were
      reduced in ob/ob mice, although novel object interaction and novel environment
      preference were comparable to wild types. We also found that ob/ob mice had
      specific phenotypes in regard to cocaine: conditioned place preference for 2.5
      mg/kg was increased, while the locomotor response to 10 mg/kg was reduced, and
      cocaine self-administration was the same as wild types. Ob/ob mice also acquired
      self-administration of the potent opioid remifentanil, but breakpoints for the
      drug were significantly reduced. Finally, we found significant differences in
      ethanol drinking in ob/ob mice that correlated negatively with body weight and
      positively with operant sensation seeking. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, ob/ob mice
      displayed task-specific deficits in novelty seeking and dissociable differences
      in reward/reinforcement associated with cocaine, remifentanil, and ethanol.

PMID- 27256360
TI  - Biomechanical Properties and Microstructure of Heart Chambers: A Paired
      Comparison Study in an Ovine Model.
AB  - Mechanical properties of the cardiac tissue play an important role in normal
      heart function. The goal of this study was to determine the passive mechanical
      properties of all heart chambers through a paired comparison study in an ovine
      model. Ovine heart was used due its physiological and anatomical similarities to
      human heart. A total of 189 specimens from anterior and posterior portions of the
      left and right ventricles, atria, and appendages underwent biaxial mechanical
      testing. A Fung-type strain energy function was used to fit the experimental
      data. Tissue behavior was quantified based on the magnitude of strain energy, as
      indicator of tissue stiffness, at equibiaxial strains of 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20.
      Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in strain energy storage
      between anterior and posterior portions of each chamber, except for the right
      ventricle where strain energy storage in the posterior specimens were higher than
      the anterior specimens. Additionally, all chambers from the left side of the
      heart had significantly higher strain energy storage than the corresponding
      chambers on the right side. Furthermore, the highest to lowest stored strain
      energy were associated with ventricles, appendages, and atria, respectively.
      Microstructure of tissue specimens from different chambers was also compared
      using histology.

PMID- 27256361
TI  - The Distinct Effects of Estrogen and Hydrostatic Pressure on Mesenchymal Stem
      Cells Differentiation: Involvement of Estrogen Receptor Signaling.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the differential and synergistic effects of
      mechanical stimulation and estrogen on the proliferation and osteogenic or
      chondrogenic differentiation potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
      (BMSCs) and the roles of estrogen receptor (ER) in them. BMSCs were isolated and
      cultured using the whole bone marrow adherence method, and flow cytometry was
      used to identify the surface marker molecules of BMSCs. Cells were pre-treated
      with 1 nM 17beta-estradiol or 1 nM of the estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen.
      Then, the cells were stimulated with hydrostatic pressure. Assessment included
      flow cytometry analysis of the cell cycle; immunofluorescent staining for F
      actin; protein quantification for MAPK protein; and mRNA analysis for Col I, OCN,
      OPN and BSP after osteogenic induction and Sox-9, Aggrecan and Col-II after
      chondrogenic induction. Hydrostatic pressure (90 kPa/1 h) and 1 nM 17beta
      estradiol enhanced the cellular proliferation ability and the cytoskeleton
      activity but without synergistic biological effects. Estrogen activated ERKs and
      JNKs simultaneously and promoted the osteogenic differentiation, whereas the
      pressure just caused JNK-1/2 activation and promoted the chondrogenic
      differentiation of BMSCs. Estrogen had antagonism effect on chondrogenic
      promotion of hydrostatic pressure. Mechanobiological effects of hydrostatic
      pressure are closely associated with ERalpha activity. MAPK molecules and F-actin
      were likely to be important mediator molecules in the ER-mediated
      mechanotransduction of BMSCs.

PMID- 27256362
TI  - Micro-structural and Biaxial Creep Properties of the Swine Uterosacral-Cardinal
      Ligament Complex.
AB  - The uterosacral ligament and cardinal ligament (USL/CL) complex is the major
      suspensory tissue of the uterus, cervix, and vagina. This tissue is subjected
      primarily to bi-axial forces in-vivo that significantly alter its structure and
      dimension over time, compromising its support function and leading to pelvic
      floor disorders. In this study, we present the first rigorous characterization of
      the collagen fiber microstructure and creep properties of the swine USL/CL
      complex by using scanning electron microscopy and planar biaxial testing in
      combination with three-dimensional digital image correlation. Collagen fiber
      bundles were found to be arranged into layers. Although the fiber bundles were
      oriented in multiple directions, 80.8% of them were aligned within +/-45[Formula:
      see text] to the main in-vivo loading direction. The straightness parameter,
      defined as the ratio of the end-to-end distance of a fiber bundle to its length,
      varied from 0.28 to 1.00, with 95.2% fiber bundles having a straightness
      parameter between 0.60 and 1.00. Under constant equi-biaxial loads of 2 and 4 N,
      the USL/CL complex exhibited significant creep both along the main in-vivo
      loading direction (the parallel direction) and along the direction perpendicular
      to it (the perpendicular direction). Specifically, over a 120-min period, the
      mean strain increased by 20-34[Formula: see text] in the parallel direction and
      33-41[Formula: see text] in the perpendicular direction. However, there was no
      statistically significant difference in creep strains observed after 120 min
      between the parallel and perpendicular directions for either the 2 or 4 N load
      case. Creep proceeded slightly faster in the perpendicular direction under the
      equi-biaxial load of 2 N than under the equi-biaxial load of 4 N ([Formula: see
      text]). It proceeded significantly faster in the parallel direction under the
      equi-biaxial loads of 2 N than under the equi-biaxial loads of 4 N ([Formula: see
      text]). Overall, our findings contribute to a greater understanding of the
      biomaterial properties of the USL/CL complex that is needed for the development
      of new surgical reconstruction methods and mesh materials for pelvic floor
      disorders.

PMID- 27256363
TI  - Numerical simulation of blood flow in femoral perfusion: comparison between side
      armed femoral artery perfusion and direct femoral artery perfusion.
AB  - Computational numerical analysis was performed to elucidate the flow dynamics of
      femoral artery perfusion. Numerical simulation of blood flow was performed from
      the right femoral artery in an aortic model. An incompressible Navier-Stokes
      equation and continuity equation were solved using computed flow dynamics
      software. Three different perfusion models were analyzed: a 4.0-mm cannula (outer
      diameter 15 French size), a 5.2-mm cannula (18 French size) and an 8-mm
      prosthetic graft. The cannula was inserted parallel to the femoral artery, while
      the graft was anastomosed perpendicular to the femoral artery. Shear stress was
      highest with the 4-mm cannula (172 Pa) followed by the graft (127 Pa) and the 5.2
      mm cannula (99 Pa). The cannula exit velocity was high, even when the 5.2-mm
      cannula was used. Although side-armed perfusion with an 8-mm graft generated a
      high shear stress area near the point of anastomosis, flow velocity at the
      external iliac artery was decreased. The jet speed decreased due to the Coanda
      effect caused by the recirculation behind sudden expansion of diameter, and the
      flow velocity maintains a constant speed after the reattachment length of the
      flow. This study showed that iliac artery shear stress was lower with the 5.2-mm
      cannula than with the 4-mm cannula when used for femoral perfusion. Side-armed
      graft perfusion generates a high shear stress area around the anastomotic site,
      but flow velocity in the iliac artery is slower in the graft model than in the
      5.2-mm cannula model.

PMID- 27256365
TI  - Comparing audiological test results obtained from a sound processor attached to a
      Softband with direct and magnetic passive bone conduction hearing implant
      systems.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare audiological test results obtained from a
      sound processor (SP) attached to a Softband with those obtained from direct
      (abutment connection) bone conduction implant systems and magnetic passive bone
      conduction implant systems with different magnet strengths on patients implanted
      at our clinic. Twenty-four patients who were implanted with either an abutment or
      magnetic bone conduction implant system between January 2012 and December 2014
      were analyzed for hearing results, such as free-field hearing thresholds, direct
      bone conduction hearing thresholds, and speech discrimination scores with aided
      and unaided conditions Both magnetic and direct osseointegrated bone conduction
      implant systems, as well as the Softband system, provide good hearing outcomes
      when compared with unaided performance; however, the abutment connection system
      gives better hearing thresholds in the higher frequencies. No significant
      difference in hearing gain was found between the Softband system, magnet 5, and
      magnet used by the patient. Magnetic and direct bone conduction hearing implant
      systems are both effective for rehabilitation of conductive and mixed hearing
      loss when conventional hearing aids cannot be used. However, patients with high
      frequency hearing loss may be better suited to an abutment connection system if
      they are not satisfied with high-frequency hearing gains provided via the trial
      Softband system preoperatively and should be counseled accordingly.

PMID- 27256364
TI  - Gene correction in patient-specific iPSCs for therapy development and disease
      modeling.
AB  - The discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent and the
      development of engineered endonucleases for enhancing genome editing are two of
      the most exciting and impactful technology advances in modern medicine and
      science. Human pluripotent stem cells have the potential to establish new model
      systems for studying human developmental biology and disease mechanisms. Gene
      correction in patient-specific iPSCs can also provide a novel source for
      autologous cell therapy. Although historically challenging, precise genome
      editing in human iPSCs is becoming more feasible with the development of new
      genome-editing tools, including ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR. iPSCs derived from
      patients of a variety of diseases have been edited to correct disease-associated
      mutations and to generate isogenic cell lines. After directed differentiation,
      many of the corrected iPSCs showed restored functionality and demonstrated their
      potential in cell replacement therapy. Genome-wide analyses of gene-corrected
      iPSCs have collectively demonstrated a high fidelity of the engineered
      endonucleases. Remaining challenges in clinical translation of these technologies
      include maintaining genome integrity of the iPSC clones and the differentiated
      cells. Given the rapid advances in genome-editing technologies, gene correction
      is no longer the bottleneck in developing iPSC-based gene and cell therapies;
      generating functional and transplantable cell types from iPSCs remains the
      biggest challenge needing to be addressed by the research field.

PMID- 27256367
TI  - Effects of age and period of fattening on carcass and non-carcass characteristics
      of one-humped camels.
AB  - This study was conducted to compare the carcass characteristics and quantity of
      carcass and non-carcass components of 2- and 3-year-old male camels fattened for
      either 3 or 6 months. Twelve 2-year-old camels with an average body live weight
      of 268.5 +/- 21.4 kg and twelve 3-year-old camels with an average body live
      weight of 307.5 +/- 29.9 kg were used in a completely randomized design with a 2
      * 2 factorial arrangement. For carcass analysis, three camels from each group
      were selected and slaughtered. The results showed that camel age and fattening
      period had no significant effect on average daily gain (ADG). Older camels and a
      longer fattening period resulted in heavier hot and cold carcass weights. Three
      year-old camels had a higher dressing percentage compared to 2-year-old camels,
      regardless of the period of fattening. Analysis of non-carcass components showed
      that the heaviest component was the hide and 2-year-old camels fattened for 90
      days had the greatest weight of hide as percentage of cold carcass weight. Total
      muscle weight was greater for the 3-year-old camels compared to the 2-year-old
      ones, regardless of the fattening period, and camels fattened for 180 days had
      heavier weight than those fattened for 90 days, regardless of age at fattening.
      However, the greatest weight of total muscle was detected in camels at 2 years of
      age fattened for 180 days when it was expressed as percentage of carcass weight.
      The highest and the lowest total fat content as kilogram or as percentage of cold
      carcass was observed in 3-year-old camels fattened for 180 days and 2-year-old
      camels fattened for 180 days, respectively. Our results suggested that the best
      age for slaughtering is 2 years old with the fattening period of 180 days. 

PMID- 27256366
TI  - Thyroid cartilage invasion in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell
      carcinoma treated with total laryngectomy.
AB  - The objective of this study is to analyze the accuracy of computed tomography in
      detecting malignant thyroid cartilage invasion. In a retrospective chart review,
      120 patients with carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx underwent computed
      tomography before total laryngectomy. These data were compared with the
      histological specimens. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan had a
      positive predictive value (PPV) of 76 % and a negative predictive value (NPV) of
      69 %. The specificity of MDCT was 89 % and sensitivity was 46 %. Comparison
      between radiologic suspected cartilage invasion and histologic results showed a
      significant correlation (p < 0.02). We found no significant impact of cartilage
      invasion concerning survival rates (5-year overall survival p = 0.683; 5-year
      disease-free survival p = 0.711). Preoperative CT scan is an important instrument
      in detecting neoplastic cartilage invasion.

PMID- 27256368
TI  - What would the NHS look like if the UK left the EU?

PMID- 27256369
TI  - Prostate Cancer Detection Rate with Koelis Fusion Biopsies versus Cognitive
      Biopsies: A Comparative Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Targeted fusion biopsies have led to an improved prostate cancer (PCa)
      detection rate (CDR). Our aim was to assess if device-assisted fusion biopsies
      are superior to cognitive ones in terms of CDR. The association between
      multiparametric MRI parameters and PCa was also evaluated. METHODS: We
      retrospectively enrolled 50 patients who underwent transrectal biopsy with
      elastic fusion (Koelis; group KB, n = 25) or cognitive approach (group CB, n =
      25). Targeted biopsies were done on targets, while a variable number of random
      biopsies were performed depending on the clinical case. RESULTS: The groups did
      not significantly differ in terms of age, prostate-specific antigen, prostate
      volume and previous biopsies. Mean number of random cores was significantly
      inferior in KB group (8.4 vs. 12.1) and mean number of targeted biopsies was
      significantly higher (3.6 vs. 2.6). CDR was higher in fusion biopsies (64 vs.
      40%), with the gap becoming significant when considering CDR of MRI targets only
      (59 vs. 27%). The difference was marked for lesions <=10 mm, where CDR was 52% in
      KB against 21% in CB group. CONCLUSIONS: According to our study, elastic fusion
      biopsies performed with Koelis achieve an increased per-patient and per-lesion
      CDR as compared to cognitive biopsies, especially in the case of lesions <=10 mm.

PMID- 27256371
TI  - Risk-Taking, Delay Discounting, and Time Perspective in Adolescent Gamblers: An
      Experimental Study.
AB  - Previous research has demonstrated that adult pathological gamblers (compared to
      controls) show risk-proneness, foreshortened time horizon, and preference for
      immediate rewards. No study has ever examined the interplay of these factors in
      adolescent gambling. A total of 104 adolescents took part in the research. Two
      equal-number groups of adolescent non-problem and problem gamblers, defined using
      the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents, were administered the
      Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), the Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC
      14) scale, and the Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ). Adolescent problem
      gamblers were found to be more risk-prone, more oriented to the present, and to
      discount delay rewards more steeply than adolescent non-problem gamblers. Results
      of logistic regression analysis revealed that BART, MCQ, and CFC scores predicted
      gambling severity. These novel finding provides the first evidence of an
      association among problematic gambling, high risk-taking proneness, steep delay
      discounting, and foreshortened time horizon among adolescents. It may be that
      excessive gambling induces shortsighted behaviors that, in turn, facilitate
      gambling involvement.

PMID- 27256370
TI  - Dendritic cells in lung immunopathology.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) lie at the heart of the innate immune system, specialised
      at recognising danger signals in many forms including foreign material, infection
      or tissue damage and initiating powerful adaptive immune and inflammatory
      responses. In barrier sites such as the lung, the instrumental role that DCs play
      at the interface between the environment and the host places them in a pivotal
      position in determining the severity of inflammatory disease. The past few years
      has seen a significant increase in our fundamental understanding of the subsets
      of DCs involved in pulmonary immunity, as well as the mechanisms by which they
      are activated and which they may use to coordinate downstream inflammation and
      pathology. In this review, we will summarise current understanding of the multi
      faceted role that DCs play in the induction, maintenance and regulation of lung
      immunopathology, with an emphasis on allergic pulmonary disease.

PMID- 27256372
TI  - Topiramate Combined with Cognitive Restructuring for the Treatment of Gambling
      Disorder: A Two-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.
AB  - Gambling disorder (GD) is a prevalent condition for which no pharmacological
      treatment has yet been approved, although there is evidence that topiramate can
      reduce impulsivity in GD and craving in various addictive behaviors. The goal of
      this study was to investigate the effectiveness of topiramate combined with
      cognitive restructuring for GD in a two-center, randomized, double-blind clinical
      trial. Participants were individuals seeking outpatient treatment for GD (n =
      30), treated with either topiramate or placebo combined with a brief cognitive
      intervention, over a 12-week period, the dose of topiramate being tapered up
      during the first 8 weeks. The main outcome measures were gambling craving,
      behavior, and cognitive distortions; impulsivity; depression and social
      adjustment. Topiramate proved superior to placebo in reducing gambling craving (P
      = 0.017); time and money spent gambling (P = 0.007 and P = 0.047, respectively);
      cognitive distortions related to gambling (P = 0.003); and social adjustment (P =
      0.040). We found no significant effects on impulsivity or depression. These
      findings are in contrast with data from a previous clinical trial with topiramate
      for GD. In the current study, we found that topiramate affects features
      specifically related to gambling addiction and had no significant effect on
      associated phenomena such as impulsiveness and depression. We believe that this
      response could be due to synergistic interaction between topiramate and the
      cognitive intervention.

PMID- 27256373
TI  - Impact of a Casino Opening on Gambling Behaviors of People Engaged in Methadone
      Maintenance.
AB  - This study examined gambling behavior in the context of a newly opening casino,
      comparing disordered gamblers to non-disordered gamblers, in a population of
      individuals involved in methadone maintenance treatment. Disordered gamblers (N =
      50) and non-disordered gamblers (N = 50) were surveyed before and after the
      opening of a new casino on gambling behaviors, substance use, and psychological
      symptoms. No statistically significant changes in gambling behaviors were
      observed for disordered gamblers or non-disordered gamblers across time points;
      however, non-disordered gamblers demonstrated non-significant increases in horse
      and dog race betting, electronic games, and casino table games. As expected,
      disordered gamblers were found to spend significantly more money on electronic
      games and casino table games (p < 0.05) and demonstrated higher rates of drug use
      and impulsivity than non-disordered gamblers. The introduction of a new casino
      did not appear to have a major impact on gambling behaviors of individuals
      attending methadone maintenance treatment, though the non-significant increases
      in gambling among non-disordered gamblers may indicate that this population is
      preferentially impacted by the opening of a new casino. Future investigation into
      the longer term effects of opening a new casino on this population may be
      warranted.

PMID- 27256374
TI  - ERK1 as a Therapeutic Target for Dendritic Cell Vaccination against High-Grade
      Gliomas.
AB  - Glioma regression requires the recruitment of potent antitumor immune cells into
      the tumor microenvironment. Dendritic cells (DC) play a role in immune responses
      to these tumors. The fact that DC vaccines do not effectively combat high-grade
      gliomas, however, suggests that DCs need to be genetically modified specifically
      to promote their migration to tumor relevant sites. Previously, we identified
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1) as a regulator of DC immunogenicity
      and brain autoimmunity. In the current study, we made use of modern magnetic
      resonance methods to study the role of ERK1 in regulating DC migration and tumor
      progression in a model of high-grade glioma. We found that ERK1-deficient mice
      are more resistant to the development of gliomas, and tumor growth in these mice
      is accompanied by a higher infiltration of leukocytes. ERK1-deficient DCs exhibit
      an increase in migration that is associated with sustained Cdc42 activation and
      increased expression of actin-associated cytoskeleton-organizing proteins. We
      also demonstrated that ERK1 deletion potentiates DC vaccination and provides a
      survival advantage in high-grade gliomas. Considering the therapeutic
      significance of these results, we propose ERK1-deleted DC vaccines as an
      additional means of eradicating resilient tumor cells and preventing tumor
      recurrence. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1975-87. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27256375
TI  - In Silico Analysis Guides Selection of BET Inhibitors for Triple-Negative Breast
      Cancer Treatment.
AB  - Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an incurable disease with poor prognosis.
      At this moment, therapeutic options are limited to chemotherapy, and no targeted
      agent has reached the clinical setting. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET)
      inhibitors are a new family of compounds that inhibit bromodomain-containing
      proteins affecting the expression of transcription factors, therefore modifying
      the expression of relevant oncogenic genes. In the present article, by using an
      in silico approach, we have identified the expression of upregulated
      transcription factors in TNBC compared with normal breast. Treatment with JQ1, a
      well-characterized BET inhibitor, modified some transcription factors, including
      DEP domain containing 1 (DEPDC), Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), and Lim domain only 4
      (LM04). In cell line models, administration of JQ1 or OTX015, another BET
      inhibitor, produced a significant antiproliferative effect and synergized with
      chemotherapies. Biochemical evaluation demonstrated an arrest at G1 as the main
      mechanism of action with a clear increase of p27. Addition of these compounds to
      chemotherapy induced apoptosis compared to each agent given alone. Evaluation of
      JQ1 in xenografted tumors in nude mice showed a profound antitumoral effect with
      a reduction of DEPDC, FOXM1, and LM04, in addition to an increase of p27.
      Globally, our data demonstrate the antitumor effect of this new family of
      compounds in TNBC, paving the way for its future clinical development. Mol Cancer
      Ther; 15(8); 1823-33. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27256377
TI  - High Levels of Expression of P-glycoprotein/Multidrug Resistance Protein Result
      in Resistance to Vintafolide.
AB  - Targeting surface receptors overexpressed on cancer cells is one way to
      specifically treat cancer versus normal cells. Vintafolide (EC145), which
      consists of folate linked to a cytotoxic small molecule, desacetylvinblastine
      hydrazide (DAVLBH), takes advantage of the overexpression of folate receptor (FR)
      on cancer cells. Once bound to FR, vintafolide enters the cell by endocytosis,
      and the reducing environment of the endosome cleaves the linker, releasing DAVLBH
      to destabilize microtubules. Vintafolide has shown efficacy and improved
      tolerability compared with DAVLBH in FR-positive preclinical models. As the first
      FR-targeting drug to reach the clinic, vintafolide has achieved favorable
      responses in phase II clinical trials in FR-positive ovarian and lung cancer.
      However, some FR-positive patients in these clinical trials do not respond to
      vintafolide. We sought to identify potential biomarkers of resistance to aid in
      the future development of this and other FR-targeting drugs. Here, we confirm
      that high P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression was the strongest predictor of
      resistance to DAVLBH in a panel of 359 cancer cell lines. Furthermore, targeted
      delivery of DAVLBH via the FR, as in vintafolide, fails to overcome P-gp-mediated
      efflux of DAVLBH in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical models. Therefore, we
      suggest that patients whose tumors express high levels of P-gp be excluded from
      future clinical trials for vintafolide as well as other FR-targeted therapeutics
      bearing a P-gp substrate. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1998-2008. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27256376
TI  - SYD985, a Novel Duocarmycin-Based HER2-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate, Shows
      Antitumor Activity in Uterine Serous Carcinoma with HER2/Neu Expression.
AB  - Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is an aggressive form of endometrial cancer. Up to
      35% of USC may overexpress the HER2/neu oncogene at strong (i.e., 3+) levels by
      IHC while an additional 40% to 50% express HER2/neu at moderate (2+) or low (1+)
      levels. We investigated the efficacy of SYD985, (Synthon Biopharmaceuticals), a
      novel HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of the mAb
      trastuzumab linked to a highly potent DNA-alkylating agent (i.e., duocarmycin) in
      USC. We also compared the antitumor activity of SYD985 in head-to-head
      experiments to trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), a FDA-approved ADC, against
      multiple primary USC cell lines expressing different levels of HER2/neu in in
      vitro and in vivo experiments. Using antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
      (ADCC), proliferation, viability, and bystander killing assays as well as
      propidium iodide-based flow cytometry assays and multiple in vivo USC mouse
      xenograft models, we demonstrate for the first time that SYD985 is a novel ADC
      with activity against USC with strong (3+) as well as low to moderate (i.e.,
      1+/2+) HER2/neu expression. SYD985 is 10- to 70-fold more potent than T-DM1 in
      comparative experiments and, unlike T-DM1, it is active against USC demonstrating
      moderate/low or heterogeneous HER2/neu expression. Clinical studies with SYD985
      in patients harboring chemotherapy-resistant USC with low, moderate, and high
      HER2 expression are warranted. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1900-9. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27256379
TI  - Proceedings of the RAMI Intern Section Meeting, 30 January 2016, Royal College of
      Physicians of Ireland.

PMID- 27256378
TI  - Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Prevent Therapeutic Escape in Breast Cancer
      Cells.
AB  - We have reported that a novel isoform of BTK (BTK-C) expressed in breast cancer
      protects these cells from apoptosis. In this study, we show that recently
      developed inhibitors of BTK, such as ibrutinib (PCI-32765), AVL-292, and CGI
      1746, reduce breast cancer cell survival and prevent drug-resistant clones from
      arising. Ibrutinib treatment impacts HER2(+) breast cancer cell viability at
      lower concentrations than the established breast cancer therapeutic lapatinib. In
      addition to inhibiting BTK, ibrutinib, but not AVL-292 and CGI-1746, efficiently
      blocks the activation of EGFR, HER2, ErbB3, and ErbB4. Consequently, the
      activation of AKT and ERK signaling pathways are also blocked leading to a G1-S
      cell-cycle delay and increased apoptosis. Importantly, inhibition of BTK prevents
      activation of the AKT signaling pathway by NRG or EGF that has been shown to
      promote growth factor-driven lapatinib resistance in HER2(+) breast cancer cells.
      HER2(+) breast cancer cell proliferation is blocked by ibrutinib even in the
      presence of these factors. AVL-292, which has no effect on EGFR family
      activation, prevents NRG- and EGF-dependent growth factor-driven resistance to
      lapatinib in HER2(+) breast cancer cells. In vivo, ibrutinib inhibits HER2(+)
      xenograft tumor growth. Consistent with this, immunofluorescence analysis of
      xenograft tumors shows that ibrutinib reduces the phosphorylation of HER2, BTK,
      Akt, and Erk and histone H3 and increases cleaved caspase-3 signals. As BTK-C and
      HER2 are often coexpressed in human breast cancers, these observations indicate
      that BTK-C is a potential therapeutic target and that ibrutinib could be an
      effective drug especially for HER2(+) breast cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(9); 2198
      208. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27256380
TI  - Experimental and Computational Considerations in the Study of RNA-Binding Protein
      RNA Interactions.
AB  - After an RNA is transcribed, it undergoes a variety of processing steps that can
      change the encoded protein sequence (through alternative splicing and RNA
      editing), regulate the stability of the RNA, and control subcellular
      localization, timing, and rate of translation. The recent explosion in genomics
      techniques has enabled transcriptome-wide profiling of RNA processing in an
      unbiased manner. However, it has also brought with it both experimental
      challenges in developing improved methods to probe distinct processing steps, as
      well as computational challenges in data storage, processing, and analysis tools
      to enable large-scale interpretation in the genomics era. In this chapter we
      review experimental techniques and challenges in profiling various aspects of RNA
      processing, as well as recent efforts to develop analyses integrating multiple
      data sources and techniques to infer RNA regulatory networks.

PMID- 27256381
TI  - Genome-Wide Approaches for RNA Structure Probing.
AB  - RNA molecules of all types fold into complex secondary and tertiary structures
      that are important for their function and regulation. Structural and catalytic
      RNAs such as ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) are central players in
      protein synthesis, and only function through their proper folding into intricate
      three-dimensional structures. Studies of messenger RNA (mRNA) regulation have
      also revealed that structural elements embedded within these RNA species are
      important for the proper regulation of their total level in the transcriptome.
      More recently, the discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs
      (lncRNAs) has shed light on the importance of RNA structure to genome,
      transcriptome, and proteome regulation. Due to the relatively small number, high
      conservation, and importance of structural and catalytic RNAs to all life, much
      early work in RNA structure analysis mapped out a detailed view of these
      molecules. Computational and physical methods were used in concert with enzymatic
      and chemical structure probing to create high-resolution models of these
      fundamental biological molecules. However, the recent expansion in our knowledge
      of the importance of RNA structure to coding and regulatory RNAs has left the
      field in need of faster and scalable methods for high-throughput structural
      analysis. To address this, nuclease and chemical RNA structure probing
      methodologies have been adapted for genome-wide analysis. These methods have been
      deployed to globally characterize thousands of RNA structures in a single
      experiment. Here, we review these experimental methodologies for high-throughput
      RNA structure determination and discuss the insights gained from each approach.

PMID- 27256383
TI  - Single Molecule Approaches in RNA-Protein Interactions.
AB  - RNA-protein interactions govern every aspect of RNA metabolism, and aberrant RNA
      binding proteins are the cause of hundreds of genetic diseases. Quantitative
      measurements of these interactions are necessary in order to understand
      mechanisms leading to diseases and to develop efficient therapies. Existing
      methods of RNA-protein interactome capture can afford a comprehensive snapshot of
      RNA-protein interaction networks but lack the ability to characterize the
      dynamics of these interactions. As all ensemble methods, their resolution is also
      limited by statistical averaging. Here we discuss recent advances in single
      molecule techniques that have the potential to tackle these challenges. We also
      provide a thorough overview of single molecule colocalization microscopy and the
      essential protein and RNA tagging and detection techniques. 

PMID- 27256384
TI  - RNA Dynamics in the Control of Circadian Rhythm.
AB  - The circadian oscillator is based on transcription-translation feedback loops
      that generate 24 h oscillations in gene expression. Although circadian regulation
      of mRNA expression at the transcriptional level is one of the most important
      steps for the generation of circadian rhythms within the cell, multiple lines of
      evidence point to a disconnect between transcript oscillation and protein
      oscillation. This can be explained by regulatory RNA-binding proteins acting on
      the nascent transcripts to modulate their processing, export, translation and
      degradation rates. In this chapter we will review what is known about the
      different steps involved in circadian gene expression from transcription
      initiation to mRNA stability and translation efficiency. The role of
      ribonucleoprotein particles in the generation of rhythmic gene expression is only
      starting to be elucidated, but it is likely that they cooperate with the basal
      transcriptional machinery to help to maintain the precision of the clock under
      diverse cellular and environmental conditions. 

PMID- 27256382
TI  - Tethered Function Assays as Tools to Elucidate the Molecular Roles of RNA-Binding
      Proteins.
AB  - Dynamic regulation of RNA molecules is critical to the survival and development
      of cells. Messenger RNAs are transcribed in the nucleus as intron-containing pre
      mRNAs and bound by RNA-binding proteins, which control their fate by regulating
      RNA stability, splicing, polyadenylation, translation, and cellular localization.
      Most RBPs have distinct mRNA-binding and functional domains; thus, the function
      of an RBP can be studied independently of RNA-binding by artificially recruiting
      the RBP to a reporter RNA and then measuring the effect of RBP recruitment on
      reporter splicing, stability, translational efficiency, or intracellular
      trafficking. These tethered function assays therefore do not require prior
      knowledge of the RBP's endogenous RNA targets or its binding sites within these
      RNAs. Here, we provide an overview of the experimental strategy and the strengths
      and limitations of common tethering systems. We illustrate specific examples of
      the application of the assay in elucidating the function of various classes of
      RBPs. We also discuss how classic tethering assay approaches and insights gained
      from them have been empowered by more recent technological advances, including
      efficient genome editing and high-throughput RNA-sequencing.

PMID- 27256386
TI  - Regulation of Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Oncogenesis by RNA-Binding Proteins.
AB  - Throughout their life span, multicellular organisms rely on stem cell systems.
      During development pluripotent embryonic stem cells give rise to all cell types
      that make up the organism. After birth, tissue stem cells maintain properly
      functioning tissues and organs under homeostasis as well as promote regeneration
      after tissue damage or injury. Stem cells are capable of self-renewal, which is
      the ability to divide indefinitely while retaining the potential of
      differentiation into multiple cell types. The ability to self-renew, however, is
      a double-edged sword; the molecular mechanisms of self-renewal can be a target of
      malignant transformation driving tumor development and progression. Growing lines
      of evidence have shown that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play pivotal roles in the
      regulation of self-renewal by modulating metabolism of coding and non-coding RNAs
      both in normal tissues and in cancers. In this review, we discuss our current
      understanding of tissue stem cell systems and how RBPs regulate stem cell fates
      as well as how the regulatory functions of RBPs contribute to oncogenesis. 

PMID- 27256387
TI  - Controlling the Editor: The Many Roles of RNA-Binding Proteins in Regulating A-to
      I RNA Editing.
AB  - RNA editing is a cellular process used to expand and diversify the RNA
      transcripts produced from a generally immutable genome. In animals, the most
      prevalent type of RNA editing is adenosine (A) to inosine (I) deamination
      catalyzed by the ADAR family. Throughout development, A-to-I editing levels
      increase while ADAR expression is constant, suggesting cellular mechanisms to
      regulate A-to-I editing exist. Furthermore, in several disease states, ADAR
      expression levels are similar to the normal state, but A-to-I editing levels are
      altered. Therefore, understanding how these enzymes are regulated in normal
      tissues and misregulated in disease states is of profound importance. This
      chapter will both discuss how to identify A-to-I editing sites across the
      transcriptome and explore the mechanisms that regulate ADAR editing activity,
      with particular focus on the diverse types of RNA-binding proteins implicated in
      regulating A-to-I editing in vivo.

PMID- 27256388
TI  - Splicing Factor Mutations in Cancer.
AB  - Many cancers demonstrate aberrant splicing patterns that contribute to their
      development and progression. Recently, recurrent somatic mutations of genes
      encoding core subunits of the spliceosome have been identified in several
      different cancer types. These mutations are most common in hematologic
      malignancies like the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia,
      and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but also in occur in several solid tumors at
      lower frequency. The most frequent mutations occur in SF3B1, U2AF1, SRSF2, and
      ZRSR2 and are largely exclusive of each other. Mutations in SF3B1, U2AF1, and
      SRSF2 acquire heterozygous missense mutations in specific codons, resembling
      oncogenes. ZRSR2 mutations include clear loss-of-function variants, a pattern
      more common to tumor suppressor genes. These splicing factors are associated with
      distinct clinical phenotypes and patterns of mutation in different malignancies.
      Mutations have both diagnostic and prognostic relevance. Splicing factor
      mutations appear to affect only a minority of transcripts which show little
      overlap by mutation type. How differences in splicing caused by somatic mutations
      of spliceosome subunits lead to oncogenesis is not clear and may involve
      different targets in each disease type. However, cells with mutated splicing
      machinery may be particularly vulnerable to further disruption of the spliceosome
      suggesting a novel strategy for the targeted therapy of cancers. 

PMID- 27256385
TI  - Roles of RNA-binding Proteins and Post-transcriptional Regulation in Driving Male
      Germ Cell Development in the Mouse.
AB  - Tissue development and homeostasis are dependent on highly regulated gene
      expression programs in which cell-specific combinations of regulatory factors
      determine which genes are expressed and the post-transcriptional fate of the
      resulting RNA transcripts. Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by
      RNA-binding proteins has critical roles in tissue development-allowing individual
      genes to generate multiple RNA and protein products, and the timing, location,
      and abundance of protein synthesis to be finely controlled. Extensive post
      transcriptional regulation occurs during mammalian gametogenesis, including high
      levels of alternative mRNA expression, stage-specific expression of mRNA
      variants, broad translational repression, and stage-specific activation of mRNA
      translation. In this chapter, an overview of the roles of RNA-binding proteins
      and the importance of post-transcriptional regulation in male germ cell
      development in the mouse is presented. 

PMID- 27256389
TI  - Regulation of Tissue-Specific Alternative Splicing: C. elegans as a Model System.
AB  - Alternative pre-mRNA splicing serves as an elegant mechanism for generating
      transcriptomic and proteomic diversity between cell and tissue types. In this
      chapter, we highlight key concepts and outstanding goals in studies of tissue and
      cell-specific alternative splicing. We place particular emphasis on the use of C.
      elegans as a tractable model organism for in vivo studies of alternative splicing
      between tissues and also at single cell resolution. We describe our current
      understanding of tissue and cell-specific regulation in the animal, and emerging
      techniques that will allow for future mechanistic studies as well as systems
      level investigations of spatio-temporal splicing under laboratory conditions and
      in response to environmental stimuli.

PMID- 27256391
TI  - Post-Translational Modifications and RNA-Binding Proteins.
AB  - RNA-binding proteins affect cellular metabolic programs through development and
      in response to cellular stimuli. Though much work has been done to elucidate the
      roles of a handful of RNA-binding proteins and their effect on RNA metabolism,
      the progress of studies to understand the effects of post-translational
      modifications of this class of proteins is far from complete. This chapter
      summarizes the work that has been done to identify the consequence of post
      translational modifications to some RNA-binding proteins. The effects of these
      modifications have been shown to increase the panoply of functions that a given
      RNA-binding protein can assume. We will survey the experimental methods that are
      used to identify the presence of several protein modifications and methods that
      attempt to discern the consequence of these modifications. 

PMID- 27256392
TI  - Land-use and land-cover change in Western Ghats of India.
AB  - The Western Ghats (WG) of India, one of the hottest biodiversity hotspots in the
      world, has witnessed major land-use and land-cover (LULC) change in recent times.
      The present research was aimed at studying the patterns of LULC change in WG
      during 1985-1995-2005, understanding the major drivers that caused such change,
      and projecting the future (2025) spatial distribution of forest using coupled
      logistic regression and Markov model. The International Geosphere Biosphere
      Program (IGBP) classification scheme was mainly followed in LULC characterization
      and change analysis. The single-step Markov model was used to project the forest
      demand. The spatial allocation of such forest demand was based on the predicted
      probabilities derived through logistic regression model. The R statistical
      package was used to set the allocation rules. The projection model was selected
      based on Akaike information criterion (AIC) and area under receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve. The actual and projected areas of forest in 2005 were
      compared before making projection for 2025. It was observed that forest
      degradation has reduced from 1985-1995 to 1995-2005. The study obtained important
      insights about the drivers and their impacts on LULC simulations. To the best of
      our knowledge, this is the first attempt where projection of future state of
      forest in entire WG is made based on decadal LULC and socio-economic datasets at
      the Taluka (sub-district) level. 

PMID- 27256390
TI  - RNA Granules and Diseases: A Case Study of Stress Granules in ALS and FTLD.
AB  - RNA granules are microscopically visible cellular structures that aggregate by
      protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions. Using stress granules as an
      example, we discuss the principles of RNA granule formation, which rely on the
      multivalency of RNA and multi-domain proteins as well as low-affinity
      interactions between proteins with prion-like/low-complexity domains (e.g. FUS
      and TDP-43). We then explore how dysregulation of RNA granule formation is linked
      to neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and
      frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), and discuss possible strategies for
      therapeutic intervention.

PMID- 27256393
TI  - Infiltrating immune cells and gene mutations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the immune profile within the
      microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and to investigate
      the prognostic value of intratumoral infiltrating immune/inflammatory cells
      (IICs) in patients after surgery. METHODS: Eighteen phenotypic markers
      representing 11 types of IIC and the protein products of genes TP53, CDKN2A/p16
      and SMAD4/DPC4 were assessed by immunohistochemistry of specimens from patients
      with pancreatic cancer. The expression of IICs and the mutational status of the
      genes were correlated with tumour recurrence and survival, and results were
      validated in an independent cohort. RESULTS: CD15+ neutrophils, CD20+ B cells and
      CD206+ tumour-associated macrophages were seen frequently in tumours, and their
      presence was associated with reduced survival in a cohort of 79 patients.
      Expression of CD4+ T helper cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and CD117+ mast
      cells was associated with a favourable prognosis. A weighted Cox regression
      recurrence-predictive model was constructed that showed good correlation of IICs
      and gene mutations. A combination of CD15, CD206, CD117 and Smad4 expression was
      independently associated with overall (hazard ratio (HR) 3.63, 95 per cent c.i.
      2.18 to 6.04; P < 0.001) and recurrence-free (HR 2.93, 1.81 to 4.75; P < 0.001)
      survival. These findings were validated in an independent cohort (151 patients)
      and in 54 tissue samples obtained by preoperative endoscopic ultrasound-guided
      fine-needle aspiration. CONCLUSION: PDAC has a unique immunosuppressive phenotype
      that is associated with characteristic gene mutations, disease recurrence and
      survival after pancreatectomy. Surgical relevance The immune microenvironment
      plays a critical role in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
      (PDAC). PDAC is associated with mutations in major driver genes, including KRAS,
      TP53, CDKN2A/p16 and SMAD4/DPC4. This study shows that the microenvironment of
      PDAC has a unique immunosuppressive phenotype, which may be driven by oncogene
      mutations. Patients with PDAC with a highly immunosuppressive profile tended to
      have poor postoperative survival. A model including three intratumoral
      infiltrating immune markers (CD15+, CD206+ and CD117+) and a SMAD4 mutation can
      be used to predict recurrence and survival in patients after surgery for PDAC.

PMID- 27256394
TI  - Duration of Viral Suppression and Risk of Rebound Viremia with First-Line
      Antiretroviral Therapy in Rural Uganda.
AB  - Little is known about associations between viral suppression, adherence, and
      duration of prior viral suppression in sub-Saharan Africa. Study participants
      were from the UARTO study in Mbarara, Uganda. We fit regression models to
      characterize relationships between average adherence, treatment interruptions,
      and rebound viremia (>400 copies/mL) following a previously undetectable result.
      Our goal was to understand the impact of prior viral suppression on these
      relationships. 396 participants contributed 2864 quarterly visits. Restricted to
      periods with average adherence <50 %, each 10 % increase in adherence reduced the
      odds of rebound viremia by 74 % [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.26, P = 0.002] and
      29 % (AOR = 0.71, P = 0.057) during the first 12 months of suppression and beyond
      12 months respectively, interaction term P = 0.018. Among periods with adherence
      >=50 %, the risk of rebound viremia decreased with increasing adherence during
      the first 12 months of viral suppression (AOR = 0.73 for each 10 % increase, P =
      0.001), but not thereafter (AOR = 1.09, P = 0.67), interaction term P = 0.027. In
      contrast, 72-h interruptions, were associated with increased rebound viremia
      during the first 12 months (AOR = 1.30, P = 0.009) and after (AOR = 1.39, P =
      0.005), interaction term P = 0.69. Completing 12 months of viral suppression
      decreases the impact of average adherence, but not prolonged treatment
      interruptions, on risk of rebound viremia.

PMID- 27256395
TI  - Remodeling of bovine oviductal epithelium by mitosis of secretory cells.
AB  - Two types of oviductal epithelial cells, secretory and ciliated, play crucial
      roles in the first days after fertilization in mammals. Secretory cells produce
      various molecules promoting embryo development, while ciliated cells facilitate
      transport of oocytes and zygotes by ciliary beating. The proportions of the two
      cell types change during the estrous cycle. The proportion of ciliated cells on
      the oviductal luminal surface is abundant at the follicular phase, whereas the
      proportion of secretory cells gradually increases with the formation of the
      corpus luteum. In the present study, we hypothesize that the proportions of
      ciliated and secretory epithelial cells are regulated by mitosis. The proportion
      of the cells being positive for FOXJ1 (a ciliated cell marker) or Ki67 (a mitosis
      marker) in epithelial cells during the estrous cycle were immunohistochemically
      examined. Ki67 and FOXJ1 or PAX8 (a secretory cell marker), were double-stained
      to clarify which types of epithelial cells undergo mitosis. In the ampulla, the
      percentage of FOXJ1-positive cells was highest at the day of ovulation (Day 0)
      and decreased by about 50 % by Days 8-12, while in the isthmus it did not change
      during the estrous cycle. The proportion of Ki67-positive cells was highest at
      around the time of ovulation in both the ampulla and isthmus. All the Ki67
      positive cells were PAX8-positive and FOXJ1-negative in both the ampulla and
      isthmus. These findings suggest that epithelial remodeling, which is regulated by
      differentiation and/or proliferation of secretory cells of the oviduct, provides
      the optimal environment for gamete transport, fertilization and embryonic
      development.

PMID- 27256396
TI  - Scarless wound healing: finding the right cells and signals.
AB  - From the moment we are born, every injury to the skin has the potential to form a
      scar, many of which can impair form and/or function. As such, scar management
      constitutes a billion-dollar industry. However, effectively promoting scarless
      wound healing remains an elusive goal. The complex interactions of wound healing
      contribute to our inability to recapitulate scarless wound repair as it occurs in
      nature, such as in fetal skin and the oral mucosa. However, many new advances
      have occurred in recent years, some of which have translated scientific findings
      from bench to bedside. In vivo lineage tracing has helped establish a variety of
      novel cellular culprits that may act as key drivers of the fibrotic response.
      These newly characterized cell populations present further targets for
      therapeutic intervention, some of which have previously demonstrated promising
      results in animal models. Here, we discuss several recent studies that identify
      exciting approaches for diminishing scar formation. Particular attention will
      also be paid to the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, which plays an
      important role in both embryogenesis and tissue repair. New insights into the
      differential effects of Wnt signaling on heterogeneous fibroblast and
      keratinocyte populations within the skin further demonstrate methods by which
      wound healing can be re-directed to a more fetal scarless phenotype. Graphical
      abstract Recent approaches to reducing scar formation. Representation showing
      novel scientific approaches for decreasing scar formation, including the
      targeting of pro-fibrotic cell populations based on surface molecule expression
      (e.g. DPP4(+) fibroblasts, ADAM12(+) pericytes). Modulation of cellular
      mechanotransduction pathways are another means to reduce scar formation, both at
      the molecular level or, macroscopically with dressings designed to offload
      tension, at cutaneous wound sites (ADAM12 a disintegrin and metalloprotease 12,
      DPP4 dipeptidyl peptidase-4, FAK focal adhesion kinase).

PMID- 27256397
TI  - MiR-1908 promotes scar formation post-burn wound healing by suppressing Ski
      mediated inflammation and fibroblast proliferation.
AB  - The cell biological basis for scar formation is mainly via excessive fibroblast
      proliferation accompanied by hypernomic Col I accumulation and inflammation. The
      role of miR-1908 in scar formation has not been investigated. In this study, we
      found that miR-1908 expression was inversely associated with the scar suppressor
      Ski in normal, burn-wounded, healing and scar dermal tissues in humans.
      Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed that miR-1908
      targeted the 3'UTR region of Ski mRNA and suppressed Ski expression. Next, human
      scar epidermal fibroblasts were isolated and the miR-1908 oligonucleotide mimic
      and inhibitor were respectively transfected into the cells. Western blot analysis
      proved that Ski expression was sharply reduced by the miR-1908 mimic. MTT and
      Cell Counting Kit-8 analyses showed that miR-1908 mimic transfection promoted
      cell proliferation. Simultaneously, data on real-time qPCR analysis indicated
      that expression of the fibrotic master gene TGF-beta1, Ski-suppressing gene
      Meox2, Col I and proinflammatory markers IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha, were all
      significantly upregulated. In contrast, the miR-1908 inhibitor had a completely
      opposite effect on cell proliferation and gene expression. The mimic and
      inhibitor were locally injected into rats with abdominal burn-wounded scars
      during a 180-day, post-healing experiment. The miR-1908 mimic injection
      significantly reduced Ski expression, as well as the area, volume and fibrosis of
      scars in vivo. And, in contrast, the miR-1908 inhibitor injection had an opposite
      effect to that of the miR-1908 mimic injection. In conclusion, miR-1908 had a
      positive role in scar formation by suppressing Ski-mediated inflammation and
      fibroblast proliferation in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 27256398
TI  - Anandamide transporter-mediated regulation of the micturition reflex in urethane
      anesthetized rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an anandamide
      transporter inhibitor that can increase endogenous anandamide concentration on
      the micturition reflex in urethane-anesthetized rats. METHODS: Continuous
      cystometrograms were performed in female Sprague-Dawley rats under urethane
      anesthesia. After stable micturition cycles were established, VDM11 (1, 3 and 10
      mg/kg), an anandamide membrane transporter inhibitor, was administered
      intravenously to evaluate changes in bladder activity. In experiments examining
      the effects of cannabinoid (CB) receptor antagonists, VDM11 (10 mg/kg) was
      injected intravenously when the first bladder contraction was observed after
      intravenous administration of AM251, a CB1 receptor antagonist (3 mg/kg), or
      AM630, a CB2 receptor antagonist (3 mg/kg). RESULTS: Intravenous administration
      of VDM11 increased intercontraction intervals and threshold pressure at doses of
      3 mg/kg or higher in dose-dependent fashion. When AM251 was administered one
      voiding cycle before VDM11 administration, the increases in intercontraction
      intervals and threshold pressure induced by VDM11 administration alone were not
      seen. In contrast, when AM630 was administered before VDM11 administration,
      increases in intercontraction intervals and threshold pressure were observed, as
      they were after VDM11 alone. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that anandamide,
      an endogenous CB ligand, can modulate the micturition reflex and that anandamide
      transporters play an important role in this modulation. In urethane-anesthetized
      rats, inhibition of the uptake of anandamide can inhibit the micturition reflex
      and these inhibitory effects of VDM11 are at least in part mediated by the CB1
      receptor.

PMID- 27256399
TI  - Cardiovascular risk after androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: an
      Asian perspective.
AB  - Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plays an important role in managing prostate
      cancer. However, ADT may result in major cardiovascular events and potentially
      lead to fatal consequences. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of
      mortality and it is a very important health condition to look into. Asians and
      Caucasians differ both physiologically and genetically, and they may have display
      different cardiovascular profiles. In this article, we reviewed the literature
      focusing on the cardiovascular risk after ADT for prostate cancer in the Asian
      population. We would discuss about the pathogenesis of ADT leading to
      cardiovascular events, summarize the findings concerning cardiac and stroke risks
      after ADT, compare between the different modalities of ADT and also provide
      genetic basics which are unique to Asians. We hope this article would provide
      more insights into the cardiovascular risk after ADT for prostate cancer in an
      Asian perspective. 

PMID- 27256400
TI  - 14-3-3 eta isoform colocalizes TDP-43 on the coarse granules in the anterior horn
      cells of patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - The immunolocalization of the 14-3-3 eta isoform in the anterior horn cells
      (AHCs) of patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and controls
      was examined. Compared with the immunolocalization of other 14-3-3 isoforms, the
      immunolocalization of the 14-3-3 eta isoform was either synaptic at the periphery
      of AHCs, spindle-shaped in neurites, or granular in the cytoplasm. By double
      labeling with phosphorylated (p-)TDP-43, the transactivation response DNA binding
      protein of 43kDa (TDP-43) demonstrated frequent colocalization of the 14-3-3 eta
      isoform in granular structures (90%) and spindle-shaped structures (85.4%), but
      not in p-TDP-43-positive round inclusions. It is speculated that the 14-3-3 eta
      isoform is associated with not only a synaptic pathology of ALS but also TDP
      positive small lesions in the cytoplasm and neurites. The absence of eta-like
      immunoreactivity in p-TDP-43-positive large inclusions suggests the restricted
      relevance of the 14-3-3 eta isoform during ALS pathogenesis to some phases of the
      p-TDP pathology.

PMID- 27256401
TI  - Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation regulates L-type Ca(2+) channel
      activity inhibited by early sevoflurane exposure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane might be harmful to the developing brain. Therefore, it
      is essential to reverse sevoflurane-induced brain injury. OBJECTIVE: This study
      aimed to determine whether low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic
      stimulation (rTMS) can regulate L-type Ca(2+) channel activity, which is
      inhibited by early sevoflurane exposure. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into
      three groups: control, sevoflurane, and rTMS groups. A Whole-cell patch clamp
      technique was applied to record L-type Ca(2+) channel currents. The I-V curve,
      steady-state activation and inactivation curves were studied in rats of each
      group at different ages (1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks and 5 weeks old).
      RESULTS: In the control group, L-type Ca(2+) channel current density
      significantly increased from week 2 to week 3. Compared with the control group, L
      type Ca(2+) channel currents of rats in the sevoflurane group were significantly
      inhibited from week 1 to week 3. Activation curves of L-type Ca(2+) channel
      shifted significantly towards depolarization at week 1 and week 2. Moreover,
      steady-state inactivation curves shifted towards hyperpolarization from week 1 to
      week 3. Compared with the sevoflurane group, rTMS significantly increased L-type
      Ca(2+) channel currents at week 2 and week 3. Activation curves of L-type Ca(2+)
      channel significantly shifted towards hyperpolarization at week 2. Meanwhile,
      steady-state inactivation curves significantly shifted towards depolarization at
      week 2. CONCLUSIONS: The period between week 2 and week 3 is critical for the
      development of L-type Ca(2+) channels. Early sevoflurane exposure inhibits L-type
      Ca(2+) channel activity and rTMS can regulate L-type Ca(2+) channel activity
      inhibited by sevoflurane.

PMID- 27256402
TI  - The Pathologic Point of View of Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy in the Era of
      Radiologic Imaging: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION/AIM: This study aimed to determine if laparoscopic adrenalectomy
      (LA) is feasible for the treatment of adrenal malignancies and metastasis, and to
      review the final pathology findings in order to clarify the indications for
      surgery. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The medical records of all patients that underwent
      LA at 3 university hospitals between January 1, 2008, and May 1, 2015, were
      retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In total, 189 laparoscopic adrenalectomies
      were completed successfully. Mean duration of surgery was 79.3 +/- 38.6 min and
      mean estimated intraoperative blood loss was 39.9 ml. Intraoperatively, 4
      patients had major complications: spleen injury (n = 1), renal vein injury (n =
      2) and diaphragm injury (n = 2). Histopathological examination showed that there
      were 20 different types of lesions. Surgical margins (SMs) were tumor free in
      95.2% of the patients. Moreover, SMs were tumor free in all patients with
      adrenocortical carcinomas; however, positive margins were noted in 7 of 23
      patients (30.4%) with malignant adrenal tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings
      support the use of laparoscopy for metastatic adrenal masses, despite a high
      positive margin rate. LA is a safe, feasible and cost-effective procedure for the
      management of benign and malignant adrenal masses.

PMID- 27256403
TI  - Reduced-portion entrees in a worksite and restaurant setting: impact on food
      consumption and waste.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Large portion sizes in restaurants have been identified as a public
      health risk. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether customers
      in two different food-service operator segments (non-commercial worksite
      cafeteria and commercial upscale restaurant) would select reduced-portion menu
      items and the impact of selecting reduced-portion menu items on energy and
      nutrient intakes and plate waste. DESIGN: Consumption and plate waste data were
      collected for 5 weeks before and 7 weeks after introduction of five reduced-size
      entrees in a worksite lunch cafeteria and for 3 weeks before and 4 weeks after
      introduction of five reduced-size dinner entrees in a restaurant setting. Full
      size entrees were available throughout the entire study periods. SETTING: A
      worksite cafeteria and a commercial upscale restaurant in a large US Midwestern
      metropolitan area. SUBJECTS: Adult worksite employees and restaurant patrons.
      RESULTS: Reduced-size entrees accounted for 5.3-12.8 % and 18.8-31.3 % of total
      entrees selected in the worksite and restaurant settings, respectively. Food
      waste, energy intake and intakes of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, Na,
      fibre, Ca, K and Fe were significantly lower when both full- and reduced-size
      entrees were served in the worksite setting and in the restaurant setting
      compared with when only full-size entrees were served. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively
      small proportion of reduced-size entrees were selected but still resulted in
      reductions in overall energy and nutrient intakes. These outcomes could serve as
      the foundation for future studies to determine strategies to enhance acceptance
      of reduced-portion menu items in restaurant settings.

PMID- 27256404
TI  - Effect of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose extravasation on time taken for tumoral uptake
      to reach a plateau: animal and clinical PET analyses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of (18)F
      fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) extravasation on the time taken for tumoral uptake to
      reach a plateau. METHODS: For the animal experiment, FDG extravasation was
      conducted in the tails of HCT116 tumor-bearing xenograft mice models in three
      groups (no extravasation, 40 % extravasation, and 80 % extravasation; n = 5,
      each). Dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) images were acquired over a
      period of 2 h following injection. Time-activity curves for FDG in the tails and
      tumors were calculated. For the clinical experiment, 22 patients (male:female,
      14:8; age range, 70.8 +/- 9.2 years) were subjected to PET/computed tomography
      (PET/CT) 1 h after the injection of FDG. The inclusion criteria were as follows:
      (1) submitted to both whole-body and subsequent regional scanning; (2) entire
      extravasation activity visualized in the whole-body images; (3) tumor visualized
      on both whole-body and additional regional images; and (4) status of tumor either
      confirmed by biopsy or clinically suspected for malignancy. The standardized
      uptake values (SUVs) of the tumors (on the whole-body and additional PET images)
      and extravasation sites were recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant
      differences in the time taken for tumoral uptake to reach a plateau and that to
      reach minimum activity at the extravasation site among the three groups of mice.
      However, the mean tumoral activity and activity at the extravasation site were
      negatively correlated at 1 h post-injection. According to the clinical PET
      findings, the differences in SUV between the whole-body and regional images were
      not significantly correlated with the interval between injection of FDG and start
      of whole-body scanning, interval between the start of whole-body scanning and
      start of regional scanning, extravasation volume, maximum SUV of the
      extravasation site, or total activity at the extravasation site. CONCLUSIONS: The
      time taken for tumoral uptake to reach a plateau is not affected by
      extravasation, even at extensive degrees. Thus, in routine practice, the imaging
      time of approximately 60 min post-injection need not be modified even if
      extravasation is identified. However, tumor SUV may be underestimated in cases of
      extravasation.

PMID- 27256405
TI  - Increased (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation in bilateral adrenal glands of
      the patients suffering from vasovagal reaction due to blood vessel puncture.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the hypothesis that patients
      having a vasovagal reaction (VVR) after blood vessel puncture show increased FDG
      accumulation in bilateral adrenal glands. METHODS: Over the past 8 years, 26
      patients experienced a VVR after blood vessel puncture following intra-venous
      injection of FDG at our institution. Of the 26 patients, 16 underwent multiple
      occasion FDG-PET/CT scans while suffering a VVR at only one examination. All 16
      patients had no morphological abnormality in the adrenal glands on FDG-PET/CT and
      follow-up examination. For the 16, we retrospectively reviewed the FDG-PET/CT
      scan with respect to the adrenal glands and compared the result to that for the
      FDG-PET/CT scan of the same patient when there was no VVR event. We used both
      visual analysis and semi-quantitative analysis employing either maximum
      standardized uptake value (SUVmax) or adrenal-to-liver (A/L) SUVmax ratio.
      RESULTS: On visual analysis of the FDG-PET/CT with VVR, accumulations in both of
      the adrenal glands was judged positive, defined as higher than the hepatic
      accumulation, in 84 % of the cases. The SUVmax in the right adrenal gland was
      2.79 +/- 0.69 with VVR and 1.92 +/- 0.33 without VVR; this value in the left
      adrenal gland was 3.07 +/- 0.71 with VVR and 2.05 +/- 0.39 without. Mean SUVmax
      of both adrenal glands was 2.93 +/- 0.66 with VVR and 1.98 +/- 0.35 without. The
      A/L SUVmax ratio in the right adrenal gland was 1.02 +/- 0.26 with VVR and 0.69
      +/- 0.11 without; this value in the left was 1.11 +/- 0.23 with VVR and 0.74 +/-
      0.15 without. The mean A/L SUVmax ratio of both adrenal glands was 1.06 +/- 0.24
      with VVR and 0.72 +/- 0.13 without. Each parameter with VVR was significantly
      higher than that without. For the two adrenal glands, the mean SUVmax with VVR
      was 48 % higher than that without VVR. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the hypothesis
      that patients having a VVR after blood vessel puncture show increased FDG
      accumulation in their bilateral adrenal glands. This may reflect hyper-metabolism
      of the adrenal glands in synthesizing and secreting catecholamine.

PMID- 27256406
TI  - An antibody toolkit for the study of membrane traffic in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - The use of Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism has been pivotal to
      understanding the developmental processes of metazoans. However, the use of flies
      for studying subcellular organization is hampered by a paucity of reliable
      reagents to label specific organelles. Here, we describe the generation of mouse
      monoclonal antibodies against a set of markers of the secretory and endocytic
      pathways, along with goat polyclonal antibodies against two Golgi proteins. We
      show that the monoclonal antibodies are highly specific and sufficiently
      sensitive to detect endogenous proteins in crude extracts by immunoblotting with
      little background staining. By immunofluorescence the major compartments of the
      membrane traffic system (including the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi, and
      early and late endosomes) are labeled by at least one antibody. Moreover, the
      antibodies can be used to label organelles in fly tissues including salivary
      glands and wing imaginal discs. We anticipate that these antibodies will provide
      a useful tool kit to facilitate the investigation of how the endomembrane system
      functions and varies in the diverse tissue types of metazoans. 

PMID- 27256407
TI  - Combined cisplatin and aurora inhibitor treatment increase neuroblastoma cell
      death but surviving cells overproduce BDNF.
AB  - Drug-resistance to chemotherapics in aggressive neuroblastoma (NB) is
      characterized by enhanced cell survival mediated by TrkB and its ligand, brain
      derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); thus reduction in BDNF levels represent a
      promising strategy to overcome drug-resistance, but how chemotherapics regulate
      BDNF is unknown. Here, cisplatin treatment in SK-N-BE neuroblastoma upregulated
      multiple BDNF transcripts, except exons 5 and 8 variants. Cisplatin increased
      BDNF mRNA and protein, and enhanced translation of a firefly reporter gene
      flanked by BDNF 5'UTR exons 1, 2c, 4 or 6 and 3'UTR-long. To block BDNF
      translation we focused on aurora kinases inhibitors which are proposed as new
      chemotherapeutics. NB cell survival after 24 h treatment was 43% with cisplatin,
      and 22% by cisplatin+aurora kinase inhibitor PHA-680632, while the aurora kinases
      inhibitor alone was less effective; however the combined treatment induced a
      paradoxical increase of BDNF in surviving cells with strong translational
      activation of exon6-3'UTR-long transcript, while translation of BDNF transcripts
      1, 2C and 4 was suppressed. In conclusion, combined cisplatin and aurora kinase
      inhibitor treatment increases cell death, but induces BDNF overproduction in
      surviving cells through an aurora kinase-independent mechanism. 

PMID- 27256408
TI  - IF-combined smRNA FISH reveals interaction of MCPIP1 protein with IER3 mRNA.
AB  - MCPIP1 and IER3 are recently described proteins essential for maintenance of
      immune homeostasis. IER3 is involved in the regulation of apoptosis and
      differentiation and has been shown lately to protect activated T cells and
      macrophages from apoptosis. MCPIP1 is an RNase critical for controlling
      inflammation-related mRNAs. MCPIP1 interacts with and degrades a set of stem-loop
      containing mRNAs (including IL-6). Our results demonstrate the involvement of
      MCPIP1 in the regulation of IER3 mRNA levels. A dual luciferase assay revealed
      that over-expression of MCPIP1 resulted in a decrease of luciferase activity in
      the samples co-transfected with constructs containing luciferase CDS attached to
      IER3 3'UTR. We identified a stem-loop structure similar to that described to be
      important for destabilization of the IL-6 mRNA by MCPIP1. Examination of IER3
      3'UTR sequence, structure and evolutionary conservation revealed that the
      identified stem-loop is buried within a bigger element. Deletion of this fragment
      abolished the regulation of IER3 3'UTR-containing transcript by MCPIP1. Finally,
      using immunofluorescence-combined single-molecule RNA FISH we have shown that the
      MCPIP1 protein co-localizes with IER3 mRNA. By this method we also proved that
      the presence of the wild-type NYN/PIN-like domain of MCPIP1 correlated with the
      decreased level of IER3 mRNA. RNA immunoprecipitation further confirmed the
      interaction of MCPIP1 with IER3 transcripts in vivo. 

PMID- 27256409
TI  - Counting and Surveying Homeless Youth: Recommendations from YouthCount 2.0!, a
      Community-Academic Partnership.
AB  - Communities across the United States are increasing efforts to find and count
      homeless youth. This paper presents findings and lessons learned from a
      community/academic partnership to count homeless youth and conduct an in depth
      research survey focused on the health needs of this population. Over a 4 week
      recruitment period, 632 youth were counted and 420 surveyed. Methodological
      successes included an extended counting period, broader inclusion criteria to
      capture those in unstable housing, use of student volunteers in health training
      programs, recruiting from magnet events for high risk youth, and partnering with
      community agencies to disseminate findings. Strategies that did not facilitate
      recruitment included respondent driven sampling, street canvassing beyond known
      hotspots, and having community agencies lead data collection. Surveying was
      successful in gathering data on reasons for homelessness, history in public
      systems of care, mental health history and needs, sexual risk behaviors, health
      status, and substance use. Youth were successfully surveyed across housing types
      including shelters or transitional housing (n = 205), those in unstable housing
      such as doubled up with friends or acquaintances (n = 75), and those who were
      literally on the streets or living in a place not meant for human habitation (n =
      140). Most youth completed the self-report survey and provided detailed
      information about risk behaviors. Recommendations to combine research data
      collection with counting are presented.

PMID- 27256410
TI  - Awareness and Use of South Asian Tobacco Products Among South Asians in New
      Jersey.
AB  - South Asians are the third largest Asian group in the US and among the fastest
      growing racial groups in New Jersey. Tobacco consumption among South Asians is
      characterized by several smoked and smokeless tobacco products indigenous to the
      Indian subcontinent. However, there is a paucity of research on tobacco use
      behaviors among South Asians in the US. The goal of this study was to examine the
      awareness and use of South Asian tobacco products such as bidis, gutkha, paan,
      paan masala, and zarda as well as other potentially carcinogenic products such as
      supari, their context of use, and their cultural significance among South Asians
      living in the US. Eight focus groups were conducted with South Asian adults
      living in Central New Jersey. Overall, participants were aware of a wide variety
      of foreign and American tobacco products with older South Asians identifying a
      greater variety of indigenous products compared to younger South Asians. Hookah
      was consistently recognized as popular among the younger generation while
      products such as paan or paan masala were more commonly identified with elders.
      Use of tobacco-related products such as paan and supari were described as common
      at social gatherings or after meals. In addition, light or social users of South
      Asian tobacco products, including products not consistently defined as tobacco,
      may not report tobacco use on a survey. Better understanding of the use of these
      products among South Asians and how some may classify tobacco usage can inform
      future research and public health interventions in these communities.

PMID- 27256411
TI  - Epidemiology of basal and squamous cell carcinoma in Belgium: the need for a
      uniform and compulsory registration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common type of cancer
      among Caucasians, however, few data exist on its incidence. Because of a sheer
      volume of these tumours, NMSC is often not systematically registered. OBJECTIVE:
      To describe and analyse the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous
      cell carcinoma (SCC) in Belgium. METHODS: Incidence data of BCC and SCC,
      including multiple primary skin tumours in the same patient, were extracted from
      the Belgian Cancer Registry from 2004 to 2012 (predominantly coming from
      pathology notifications). Belgian legislation makes cancer registration
      compulsory for oncological care programmes and for all pathological anatomy
      laboratories. RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2012, 113 254 BCC and 33 153 SCC cases
      were reported in Belgium. A total of 130 339 patients had 146 407 tumours.
      Approximately, 10% of the patients (12 759 patients) had multiple tumours. The
      world age-standardised incidence rate (WSR) for BCC increased from 36.9 in 2004
      to 98.4 per 100 000 person years in 2012 for males and from 34.2 in 2004 to 102.0
      in 2012 for females. For SCC, the WSR increased from 14.9 in 2004 to 24.7 in 2012
      for males and from 6.8 in 2004 to 13.5 in 2012 for females. CONCLUSIONS: From
      2004 to 2012, the incidence of BCC and SCC markedly rose in Belgium, as also seen
      worldwide. Known causes are increased sun exposure caused by changed sunlight
      related behaviour (increased outdoor activities and holidays, use of tanning beds
      and changes in clothing style), ageing and improved registration. Because of
      their high and increasing incidence, these cancers will have major implications
      on healthcare planning and preventive measures. Therefore, we recommend
      compulsory registration, whenever is possible, of BCC and SCC, although it is an
      ambitious objective, especially in countries with a high burden of these tumours
      and in countries where registration is currently unavailable.

PMID- 27256412
TI  - WHO open to "lobbying" by business.

PMID- 27256413
TI  - Reduction of radiation exposure in cryoballoon ablation procedures: a single
      centre study applying intracardiac echocardiography and other radioprotective
      measures.
AB  - Aims: The population treated with cryoballoon (CB) ablation is relatively young,
      and radiation protection is of major importance. We aimed to demonstrate that
      radiation exposure can be markedly reduced by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)
      and optimized settings of the X-ray system. Methods and results: We analysed 100
      patients undergoing CB pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for treatment of paroxysmal
      atrial fibrillation. In 50 consecutive patients (25 male, 59 +/- 13 years; Group
      1), we used ICE, skipped PV angiography prior to CB inflation, and avoided
      fluoroscopy whenever possible. Furthermore, we reduced the frame rate, minimized
      distance between patient and detector, and consequently applied collimation.
      These patients were compared with 50 similar preceding patients in Group 2 (29
      male, 61 +/- 12 years). Total fluoroscopy time was reduced from 18 +/- 6 min in
      Group 2 to 12 +/- 5 min in Group 1 (P < 0.001). Moreover, the dose area product
      was significantly lower (1555 +/- 1219 vs. 4935 +/- 2094 cGycm2, P < 0.001),
      total freezing time was significantly shortened (1855 +/- 399 vs. 2121 +/- 756 s,
      P = 0.031), and contrast media use was significantly reduced (66 +/- 25 vs. 109
      +/- 27 mL, P < 0.001). At the same time, total procedure duration and
      complication rates did not differ significantly between both groups. After a 12
      months follow-up, a similar percentage of patients was free from recurrences (74%
      in Group 1 vs. 78% in Group 2, P = 0.640). Conclusion: Radiation exposure in CB
      PVI can be markedly reduced without prolonging procedure times, affecting the
      outcome or complication rates. Moreover, ICE seems to shorten total freezing
      time.

PMID- 27256415
TI  - Exome sequencing in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a new
      diagnostic tool?

PMID- 27256414
TI  - Venous thromboembolism in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.
AB  - Aims: To examine the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and its risk
      factors among patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).
      Methods and results: All first-time ICD recipients in Denmark during 2000-12 were
      identified from medical databases. Incident VTEs were ascertained, overall and
      according to gender, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score (no, moderate, or
      severe comorbidity), prior pacemaker or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D)
      implantation, and ICD type (single-chamber, dual-chamber, or CRT-D). We computed
      the risk of VTE within 3 months and 5 years of implantation, taking death into
      account as a competing risk. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to
      compute hazard ratios as estimates of incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Among 8132
      ICD recipients, 136 VTEs were diagnosed during up to 13 years of follow-up
      (median = 3.0 years). The VTE incidence rate was thus 4.5 per 1000 person-years
      [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7-5.2]. Venous thromboembolism risk was 0.3%
      (95% CIs ranging from 0.1 to 0.7%) within 3 months following ICD implantation
      regardless of comorbidity level. Within 5 years following implantation it was
      1.4% (95% CI: 0.8-2.3%), 1.3% (1.0-1.8%), and 3.2% (95% CI: 2.4-4.1%) for
      patients with no, moderate, and severe comorbidity, respectively. Overall, severe
      comorbidity conferred a 2.7-fold higher incidence rate ratio than no comorbidity
      (95% CI: 1.6-4.6). Incidence rate ratios did not differ by gender, age, or ICD
      type. Conclusion: Three-month risk of VTE following ICD implantation was 0.3%
      regardless of comorbidity level. Five-year risk of VTE following ICD implantation
      was 1.9% and more than twice as high for patients with severe comorbidity as for
      patients without comorbidity.

PMID- 27256416
TI  - Influence of patients' age at implantation on mortality and defibrillator shocks.
AB  - Aims: Patients have increasing comorbidities and competing causes of death with
      advancing age, raising questions about the effectiveness of the implantable
      cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) in older age. We therefore investigated the
      effect of patients' age at initial device implantation on all-cause mortality and
      on the risk of ICD shocks in single-chamber (V-ICD), dual-chamber (D-ICD), and
      cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) recipients. Methods and
      results: We reviewed de-identified records of 67 128 ICD recipients enrolled in
      the Boston Scientific ALTITUDE database of remote monitored patients [V-ICD (n =
      11 422), D-ICD (n = 23 974), and CRT-D (n = 31 732)]. Over a mean follow-up of
      2.3 +/- 1.4 years, patients in all ICD groups had increased all-cause mortality
      but decreased risk of defibrillator shocks and/or anti-tachycardia pacing per 10
      year increase in age. Compared with the youngest age group (<50 years), patients
      in the oldest age group (>=80 years) had a 6.8-fold, 5.9-fold, and 3.4-fold
      increase in all-cause mortality (P < 0.001 for all comparisons) and a 31, 45, and
      53% decrease in the risk of ICD shock (P <= 0.002 for all comparisons) for the V
      ICD, D-ICD, and CRT-D groups, respectively. Conclusion: Older recipients of
      standard and CRT defibrillators have higher mortality but fewer ICD shocks and/or
      therapies compared with younger patients. These data highly suggest less benefit
      of ICD therapy with increasing age, presumably because of competing risks of non
      arrhythmic mortality. The role of defibrillator therapy in older patients may
      need to be evaluated with randomized controlled trials.

PMID- 27256417
TI  - Provision of magnetic resonance imaging for patients with 'MR-conditional'
      cardiac implantable electronic devices: an unmet clinical need.
AB  - Aims: Increasing need for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has driven the
      development of MR-conditional cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs;
      pacemakers and defibrillators); however, patients still report difficulties
      obtaining scans. We sought to establish current provision for MRI scanning of
      patients with CIEDs in England. Methods and results: A survey was distributed to
      all hospitals in England with MRI, to assess current practice. Information
      requested included whether hospitals currently offer MRI to this patient group,
      the number and type of scans acquired, local safety considerations, complications
      experienced and perceived obstacles to service provision in those departments not
      currently offering it. Responses were received from 195 of 227 (86%) of hospitals
      surveyed. Although 98% of departments were aware of MR-conditional devices, only
      46% (n = 89) currently offer MRI scans to patients with CIED's; of these, 85% of
      departments perform <=10 scans per year. No major complications were reported
      from MRI scanning in patients with MR-conditional devices. Current barriers to
      service expansion include perceived concerns regarding potential risk, lack of
      training, logistical difficulties, and lack of cardiology support. Conclusion:
      Provision of MRI for patients with CIEDs is currently poor, despite increasing
      numbers of patients with MR-conditional devices and extremely low reported
      complication rates.

PMID- 27256418
TI  - Implanted defibrillators in trouble: initial device misclassification leads to
      correct diagnosis-a case series.
AB  - Aims: Supraventricular tachycardia, mistakenly diagnosed as ventricular
      tachycardia, may lead to inappropriate ICD therapy. Inappropriate ICD therapy
      associates with increased morbidity and mortality. A reduction of inappropriate
      therapy is therefore desired. Methods and results: We present three different
      cases that beautifully illustrate the diagnostic possibilities of stored
      electrograms. Initial differential diagnoses in all three patients included
      ventricular tachycardia, focal atrial tachycardia, atrio-ventricular re-entry
      tachycardia, and atrio-ventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia. The first case was
      diagnosed as atrio-ventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia. In the second case,
      atrio-ventricular re-entry tachycardia was revealed. Ectopic atrial tachycardia
      was the reason for inappropriate therapy in the third patient. Conclusion:
      Thorough analysis of stored electrograms yielded correct diagnosis in all cases,
      which subsequently was confirmed by electrophysiological study.

PMID- 27256419
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac implanted electronic devices:
      focus on contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging protocols.
AB  - Aims: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been reported to be safe in patients
      with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) provided a specific protocol
      is followed. The objective of this study was to assess whether this is also true
      for patients excluded from published protocols. Methods and results: A total of
      160 MRIs were obtained in 142 consecutive patients with CIEDs [106 patients had
      an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and 36 had a pacemaker implanted]
      using an adapted, pre-specified protocol. A cardiac MRI was performed in 95
      patients, and a spinal/brain MRI was performed in 47 patients. Forty-six patients
      (32%) had either abandoned leads (n = 10), and/or were pacemaker dependent with
      an implanted ICD (n = 19), had recently implanted CIEDs (n = 1), and/or had a
      CIED device with battery depletion (n = 2), and/or a component of the CIED was
      recalled or on advisory (n = 32). No major complications occurred. Some device
      parameters changed slightly, but significantly, right after or at 1-week post-MRI
      without requiring any reprogramming. In one patient with an ICD on advisory, the
      pacing rate changed inexplicably during one of his two MRIs from 90 to 50 b.p.m.
      Conclusion: Using a pre-specified protocol, cardiac and non-cardiac MRIs were
      performed in CIED patients with pacemaker dependency, abandoned leads, or
      depleted batteries without occurrence of major adverse events. Patients with
      devices on advisory need to be monitored carefully during MRI, especially if they
      are pacemaker dependent.

PMID- 27256420
TI  - Pulmonary vein reconnection predicts good clinical outcome after second catheter
      ablation for atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Aims: Although electrically reconnected pulmonary veins (PV) are the main
      mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence, PV isolation (PVI) is well
      preserved in certain patients who undergo a repeat procedure. We explored the
      association between PV reconnection and clinical outcomes after a second
      ablation. Methods and results: This observational cohort study included 143
      patients (79.0% male, 56.1 +/- 10.0 years old, 65.0% paroxysmal AF) who underwent
      a second procedure. Pulmonary vein isolation was well-maintained in 52 patients
      (PVP- group, 36.4%), although the remaining 91 patients showed PV reconnection
      (PVP+ group). After confirming PVI, we mapped non-PV triggers and conducted
      trigger ablation or additional linear ablation at redo-procedures. The proportion
      of females was higher (P = 0.030), and redo-ablation timing after the de novo
      procedure was later (P = 0.039) in the PVP- group than in the PVP+ group.
      Additional linear ablations were more likely to be performed in the PVP- group
      (90.4 vs. 61.5%, P < 0.001). During the 18.4 +/- 10.2 month follow-up after the
      redo-ablation, the PVP+ group showed a lower clinical recurrence rate than the
      PVP- group (log-rank P = 0.011). The number of reconnected PVs was independently
      associated with a lower recurrence of AF after the redo-ablation in the total
      study population (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34-0.95, P = 0.032), particularly for
      patients with paroxysmal AF (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.87, P = 0.021). Conclusion:
      Among patients who underwent redo-AF ablation, those with more PV reconnections
      showed better clinical outcomes than those with fewer PV reconnections. The
      mechanism of AF recurrence might be different in patients with lower numbers of
      PV reconnections during redo-procedures.

PMID- 27256421
TI  - Prognosis of high sinus heart rate after catheter ablation for atrial
      fibrillation.
AB  - Aims: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation increases sinus heart
      rate (HR), its mechanism and prognosis have not yet been clearly elucidated. We
      hypothesize that post-AF ablation high sinus HR (PA-HSR) is associated with a
      better clinical outcome of AF ablation without adverse cardiac effects. Methods
      and results: We studied 991 AF patients (75% male, 58 +/- 11 years old, 70%
      paroxysmal AF) with HR variability (HRV) at 3 months and 1 year after catheter
      ablation, and pre- and post-1-year echocardiograms. Post-AF ablation high sinus
      HR was defined as an average HR greater than 2 SD (>=92 bpm) as measured by 24 h
      Holter. (1) Average HR increased significantly (P< 0.001), and PA-HSR was
      observed in 28 patients (2.8%) 3 months after AF ablation. At 1 year after
      catheter ablation, 21% were taking beta-blockers and 36% maintained an average HR
      of >=92 bpm. (2) Post-AF ablation high sinus HR was independently associated with
      pre-procedural high average HR (OR 1.097; 95% CI 1.029-1.169, P= 0.005), high
      left atrium (LA) electrogram voltage (OR 3.545; 95% CI 1.183-10.618, P= 0.024),
      and reduced root mean square of differences between successive NN intervals
      (rMSSD) at 3 months HRV (OR 0.959; 95% CI 0.919-0.999, P= 0.047). (3) At 1 year
      echocardiography, size reduction of LA (P= 0.055) or LV (P= 0.372) and the
      improvement in ejection fraction (P= 0.529) were not significantly different
      between patients with PA-HSR and those without. (4) Throughout 27 +/- 17 months
      of follow-up, patients with PA-HSR showed significantly lower clinical recurrence
      than those without (log rank, P= 0.020). Conclusion: Post-AF ablation high sinus
      HR was observed in patients with smaller LA size and higher LA electrogram
      voltage and significant vagal modulation without adverse cardiac effects. Post-AF
      ablation high sinus HR was associated with a significantly lower clinical
      recurrence of AF after catheter ablation.

PMID- 27256424
TI  - Collateral damage after endocardial catheter ablation.

PMID- 27256423
TI  - Left-ventricular geometry and risk of sudden cardiac arrest in patients with
      preserved or moderately reduced left-ventricular ejection fraction.
AB  - Aims: The majority of sudden cardiac arrests (SCAs) occur in patients with left
      ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) >35%, yet there are no methods for
      effective risk stratification in this sub-group. Since abnormalities of LV
      geometry can be identified even with preserved LVEF, we investigated the
      potential impact of LV geometry as a novel risk marker for this patient
      population. Methods and results: In the ongoing Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death
      Study, SCA cases with archived echocardiographic data available were
      prospectively identified during 2002-15, and compared with geographical controls.
      Analysis was restricted to subjects with LVEF >35%. Based on established measures
      of LV mass and relative wall thickness (ratio of wall thickness to cavity
      diameter), four different LV geometric patterns were identified: normal geometry,
      concentric remodelling, concentric hypertrophy, and eccentric hypertrophy. Sudden
      cardiac arrest cases (n = 307) and controls (n = 280) did not differ in age, sex,
      or LVEF, but increased LV mass was more common in cases. Twenty-nine percent of
      SCA cases presented with normal LV geometry, 35% had concentric remodelling, 25%
      concentric hypertrophy, and 11% eccentric hypertrophy. In multivariate model,
      concentric remodelling (OR 1.76; 95%CI 1.18-2.63; P = 0.005), concentric
      hypertrophy (OR 3.20; 95%CI 1.90-5.39; P < 0.001), and eccentric hypertrophy (OR
      2.47; 95%CI 1.30-4.66; P = 0.006) were associated with increased risk of SCA.
      Conclusion: Concentric and eccentric LV hypertrophy, but also concentric
      remodelling without hypertrophy, are associated with increased risk of SCA. These
      novel findings suggest the potential utility of evaluating LV geometry as a
      potential risk stratification tool in patients with preserved or moderately
      reduced LVEF.

PMID- 27256426
TI  - Brockenbrough needle markedly deformed by vein tortuosity.

PMID- 27256427
TI  - Last call on nMARQTM safety.

PMID- 27256428
TI  - Late asymptomatic atrial lead perforation, a fortuitous finding during lead
      extraction using thoracoscopic surveillance: a case report and review of the
      literature.
AB  - A 61-year-old male patient was referred for lead extraction of an infected two
      chamber pacemaker system first implanted 18 years ago. A new atrial lead was
      implanted 9 years later because of loss of capture of the original lead. Video
      assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) that we use in high-risk cases showed
      extensive fibrous adhesion between the right atrium wall and the right lung.
      Dissection of the adhesion revealed the presence of an atrial lead perforated
      into the lung. After cutting off the lead tip, the residual lead was removed
      endovascularly from the subclavian site. A literature review of 25 reported cases
      of late atrial lead perforation was added to the findings in our case report.

PMID- 27256429
TI  - Atypical lower loop reentrant tachycardia associated with multiple hepatic veins.

PMID- 27256430
TI  - An investigation of the factors effecting high-risk individuals' decision-making
      about prophylactic total gastrectomy and surveillance for hereditary diffuse
      gastric cancer (HDGC).
AB  - Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer has an early onset and poor prognosis,
      therefore, individuals who carry a pathogenic (CDH1) mutation in the E-cadherin
      gene (CDH1) are offered endoscopic surveillance and advised to undergo
      prophylactic total gastrectomy (PTG) in their early to mid-twenties. Patients not
      ready or fit to undergo gastrectomy, or in whom the genetic testing result is
      unknown or ambiguous, are offered surveillance. Little is known about the factors
      that influence decisions to undergo or decline PTG, making it difficult to
      provide optimal support for those facing these decisions. Qualitative interviews
      were carried out with 35 high-risk individuals from the Familial Gastric Cancer
      Study in the UK. Twenty-seven had previously undergone PTG and eight had been
      identified as carrying a pathogenic CDH1 mutation but had declined surgery at the
      time of interview. The interviews explored the experience of decision-making and
      factors influencing risk-management decisions. The data suggest that decisions to
      proceed with PTG are influenced by a number of potentially competing factors:
      objective risk confirmation by genetic testing and/or receiving a positive
      biopsy; perceived familial cancer burden and associated risk perceptions;
      perceptions of post-surgical life; an increasing inability to tolerate endoscopic
      procedures; a concern that surveillance could miss a cancer developing and
      individual's life stage. These findings have implications for advising this
      patient group.

PMID- 27256431
TI  - Utility of chromogranin A, pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon and gastrin in the
      diagnosis and follow-up of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours in multiple
      endocrine neoplasia type 1 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) are the major source of
      disease-specific mortality in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)
      patients. Chromogranin A (CgA), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), glucagon and gastrin
      have some diagnostic value in sporadic PNETs, but there is very little evidence
      for their efficacy in diagnosing PNETs in MEN1 patients. DESIGN: We performed a
      retrospective chart review of the existing MEN1 database in our institution.
      PATIENTS: One hundred and thirteen patients were eligible for diagnostic value
      analysis of tumour markers. Patients were excluded if measurement of tumour
      markers was missing, either 3 months prior to PNET diagnosis (PNET patients) or
      prior to abdominal imaging (non-PNET patients). MEASUREMENTS: Clinicopathologic
      characteristics and of tumour marker measurements were analysed. RESULTS: Of 293
      confirmed MEN1 cases, 55 PNETs and 58 non-PNETs met inclusion criteria. The area
      under the curve (AUC) for CgA, PP, glucagon and gastrin in MEN1 cases was 59.5%,
      64.1%, 77.0% and 75.9%, respectively. The AUC for the combination of CgA, PP and
      gastrin was 59.6%. PP, but not CgA, glucagon or gastrin was significantly
      associated with both age and PNET functional status (P = 0.0485 and 0.0188,
      respectively). No markers were significantly associated with sex, PNET size,
      tumour number, tumour location, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage,
      presence of lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion or overall survival.
      CgA values were not significantly lower following PNET resection than pre
      operatively (P = 0.554). CONCLUSIONS: The value of blood markers for diagnosing
      PNETs in MEN1 patients is relatively low, even when used in combination.

PMID- 27256432
TI  - Evaluation of Gold's nomogram for predicting recurrence-free survival in
      gastrointestinal stromal tumors in Indian patients.
AB  - Gold described a nomogram for prediction of recurrence-free survival (RFS) after
      surgery for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). This retrospective study was
      intended to evaluate the utility of this nomogram for predicting a 2-year RFS in
      our patients. Twenty-eight consecutive eligible patients from January 2009 to
      January 2013 who underwent R0 resection and had histopathologically proven GIST
      were included in the study. Nomogram predicted RFS was compared with observed RFS
      in four groups as in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-Fletcher
      classification. Calibration was assessed by plotting the predicted probabilities
      of RFS against the actual outcome. For validation of the nomogram, the graph
      obtained should be closer to the 45-degree line. The observed overall 2-year RFS
      was 85.7 % (24 patients). Four patients had recurrence within 2 years. The
      observed RFS was 87.5 %, 77.8 %, 90 %, and 100 % in the high, intermediate, low,
      and very low risk groups, respectively. The nomogram predicted the 2-year RFS was
      40 %, 84.8 %, 88.6 %, and 90 % for high, intermediate, low, and very low risk
      groups, respectively. Thus, the predicted probabilities of the 2-year RFS in
      intermediate, low, and very low risk groups were similar to the observed
      outcomes. However, for the high risk group, the observed RFS was better than
      predicted RFS. This variation in the high risk group may be due to the use of
      adjuvant imatinib in our study. 

PMID- 27256433
TI  - Prevalence and predictive factors for development of splenic artery aneurysms in
      cirrhosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) rarely occurs in the general
      population. Its increased incidence has been reported in cirrhosis. The aim of
      this retrospective study was to identify prevalence and predictive factor
      development of SAA in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: All patients with
      cirrhosis who were treated in our clinics between 2010 and 2014 were included in
      the study. Demographic features and clinical and laboratory findings were
      reviewed. Four-phase computerized tomography (CT) was used for identifying SAA.
      Imaging was reviewed for the presence of SAA as well as hepatic artery, portal
      vein, splenic artery, splenic vein, liver parenchyma, and intraabdominal cavity
      were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients (age 55+/-13.9, 109 men) were
      included in the study. There was SAA in 27 (15.7 %) patients. Mean diameter of
      aneurysm was 11.66 (range, 6.06-27.1) mm. Aneurysm was located in the distal part
      of splenic artery in 20 (74 %) patients and solitary in 24 (88.8 %), and
      asymptomatic in all patients. Patients with SAA had larger portal vein and
      splenic vein compared to patients without SAA (15.3+/-3.9 vs. 13.1+/-2.9 mm,
      p=0.001; and 12.5+/-4.4 vs. 9.6+/-2.7 mm, p<0.001, respectively). We identified
      positive correlation between development of SAA and splenic vein diameter [hazard
      ratio (HR) =1.23; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.97-1.57; p = 0.009] and
      negative correlation between hepatic artery diameter and development of SAA HR =
      0.46; 95 % CI 0.25-0.85; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: SAA occurred in a significant
      proportion of patients with cirrhosis, and enlargement of the splenic vein seemed
      to be a predictive factor for the development of SAA.

PMID- 27256435
TI  - Triple Combination Therapy for Global Cardiovascular Risk: Atorvastatin,
      Perindopril, and Amlodipine.
AB  - Statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and calcium channel
      blockers (CCBs) have markedly changed the clinical progression of patients with
      coronary artery disease (CAD). The goal of this paper is to review the rationale
      and evidence for combining these three drug classes in hypertensive patients with
      hypercholesterolemia or CAD. Data sources include a literature search for
      publications on the use of a statin combined with various antihypertensive drugs
      in patients with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia or stable CAD.
      Hypercholesterolemia and hypertension constitute major physiological risk factors
      of ischemic heart disease. Current guidelines recommend a global approach to risk
      management, using agents that address as many risk factors as possible. Dual
      combination therapies are an important component of guideline-recommended therapy
      in hypertension. Our review of the literature indicates that triple therapy with
      a statin, ACE inhibitor, and CCB is associated with a significant reduction in
      major cardiovascular events. For example, a post hoc analysis in 1056 patients
      with stable CAD participating in the EUROPA trial indicated that the addition of
      perindopril to a CCB and a lipid-lowering agent was associated with a 46 %
      reduction in the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and
      resuscitated cardiac arrest (p = 0.023). In addition, single pill formulations
      are known to result in better adherence to the treatment. Single-pill
      formulations that combine a statin, an ACE inhibitor, and a CCB appear to offer
      an effective approach to the management of global cardiovascular risk. 

PMID- 27256437
TI  - [Expert concensus on quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction in the
      prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidies].

PMID- 27256436
TI  - Analysis of Cell Cycle Status of Murine Hematopoietic Stem Cells.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) act as paradigmatic tissue-specific adult stem
      cells. While they are quiescent in steady-state conditions, they enter the cell
      cycle and proliferate in stress conditions and during tissue regeneration.
      Therefore, analysis of cell cycle status of HSC is crucial for understanding
      their biology. However, due to low number of HSC in tissue and need to use many
      surface markers for their identification, analysis of their cycle status is
      technically complicated. Here, we presented our simple strategy to analyze cell
      cycle of strictly defined LKS CD48(-)CD150(+)CD34(-) HSC, together with Ki67 and
      DAPI staining by flow cytometry.

PMID- 27256434
TI  - Liver involvement in human immunodeficiency virus infection.
AB  - The advances in management of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
      (AIDS) with highly effective anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) have resulted in
      increased longevity of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      infection. AIDS-related illnesses now account for less than 50 % of the deaths,
      and liver diseases have emerged as the leading cause of death in patients with
      HIV infection. Chronic viral hepatitis, drug-related hepatotoxicity, non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease, and opportunistic infections are the common liver
      diseases that are seen in HIV-infected individuals. Because of the shared routes
      of transmission, co-infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) are very common in HIV-infected persons. Hepatitis C is the most common
      viral hepatitis seen in HIV-infected patients. With the availability of directly
      acting agents, treatment outcome of HCV is comparable to that seen in non HIV
      infected patients. Careful monitoring is required for drug interactions and drug
      induced hepatotoxicity and modification of drugs should be done where necessary.
      The results of liver transplantation in select HIV-infected patients can be
      comparable with those of HIV-negative patients. 

PMID- 27256438
TI  - [Prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities and nine microdeletion syndromes
      using both traditional karyotyping and BoBs].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a new prenatal diagnosis model of chromosomal
      abnormalities and nine microdeletion syndromes by using both traditional
      karyotyping and a newly-developed rapid prenatal diagnosis technology, BACs-on
      Beads (BoBs) technique. METHODS: From June 2012 to December 2014, 807 pregnant
      women with high risk after screening or with other indicators, were performed
      amniocentesis. Traditional karyotyping and BoBs were employed simultaneously for
      prenatal diagnosis. RESULTS: Thirty-two cases with chromosome aneupoidies were
      successfully detected both by BoBs and karyotyping, including 18 cases of trisomy
      21, 6 cases of trisomy 18, 1 case of trisomy 13, and 7 cases with sex chromosome
      abnormality. All 8 fetuses with chromosome structural abnormalities detected by
      karyotyping were missed by BoBs; while BoBs contributed more in detection of five
      microdeletion syndrome cases, including 3 cases of DiGeorge syndromes (two with
      microduplication and one with microdeletion), one case of Miller-Dieker syndrome,
      and one case of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. CONCLUSION: Combined use of traditional
      karyotyping and BoBs, is a rapid and effective prenatal diagnosis model that may
      enlarge our horizon on chromosomal diseases and should be widely used in future
      clinical service.

PMID- 27256439
TI  - [Clinical treatment of infective endocarditis with vegetations in pregnant women
      and the outcomes of gestation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical treatment of infective endocarditis with
      vegetations in pregnant women and the outcomes of the gestation. METHODS: Nine
      cases of pregnant women diagnosed as infective endocarditis with vegetations in
      Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2001 to October
      2015 were enrolled in retrospective analysis. Consultations were held by doctors
      from department of obstetrics, anesthesiology, cardiology, cardial surgery and
      extracorporeal circulation to decide the individualized treatment plan for the 9
      cases of pregnant women after admissions. Clinical treatments including general
      treatment, anti-infection treatment, cardiac surgery, and termination of
      pregnancy surgery were completed through collaboration among related departments.
      The clinical characters, therapeutic regimens, maternal and neonatal outcomes of
      the 9 cases were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) Clinical characters: the ages of the 9
      cases of pregnant women were from 25 to 36 years old. The onset gestational ages
      were from 19 to 36 weeks. CLINICAL SYMPTOMS: fever, cough, sputum and progressive
      anemia were the main symptoms. Patients had cyanosis of lips, could not lie on
      the back or even be orthopnea, when heart failure happened. Heart murmur was
      audible and splenomegaly was touched in physical examination. Blood cultures were
      positive. Basic heart disease types: 7 cases of congenital heart diseases
      included 2 cases of aortic insufficiency, 1 case of mitral insufficiency, 1 case
      of patent ductus arteriosus, 1 case of right ventricular outflow tract stenosis
      and 2 cases of ventricular septal defect.Two cases of rheumatic heart diseases
      included 1 case of mitral stenosis, 1 case of mitral stenosis after artificial
      disc changed and jammed. According to endocardial vegetations attached position
      there were 3 cases of mitral valve vegetations, 2 cases of pulmonary valve
      vegetations, 3 cases of aortic vegetations and 1 case of right ventricular
      outflow tract neoplasm. Preoperative heart function classification: 1 case of
      level II, 3 cases of level III, 5 cases of level IV. (2) TREATMENTS: general
      treatment included oxygen uptake, rest in bed, cardiac strengthen and diuretic
      therapy, etc. Combined and adequate antibiotics were applied in anti-infection
      treatment according to drug sensitive test. Nine cases of pregnant women were all
      performed surgical treatment of heart diseases and removal of the endocardial
      vegetations. Caesarean sections were performed for 2 cases in second trimester
      and for 7 cases in last trimester. Cardiac surgery and caesarean section were
      operated in 6 cases at the same time among 22-34 weeks of pregnancy. Cardiac
      surgery were respectively operated in 2 cases 11 days and 32 days after the
      caesarean section at 33, 37 weeks of pregnancy. While Cardiac surgery was
      operated (at 26 weeks of pregnancy) before the caesarean section (at 37 weeks of
      pregnancy) in another 1 case. (3) Maternal and neonatal outcomes: 7 cases of
      pregnant women were rescued successfully, while 2 cases of pregnant women were
      death. Postoperative heart function classification: 1 case of level I, 2 cases of
      level II, 4 cases of level III and 2 cases of level VI. Neonatal survivals were 6
      cases including 2case of full-term infants, 4 cases of preterm infants.
      Stillbirth or neonatal death were 3 cases, which included 2 cases performed
      caesarean section in second trimester and 1 case of very low weight infant who
      was given up treatment by family because of severe asphyxia. Followed up periods
      were from 1 to 7 years with an average time of (2.0+/-1.6) years. Infants and
      young children grew and developed well during the period of follow up.
      CONCLUSIONS: The risk is extremely high of pregnancy with infective endocarditis
      with vegetations. But there is still a way to save the maternal and neonatal life
      by using a multidisciplinary collaboration formulation and implementation of
      individualized treatment plan and selecting the appropriate time for heart
      surgery and the termination of pregnancy.

PMID- 27256440
TI  - [Relationship between the thyroid autoimmunity and the risk of preterm birth in
      pregnant women: a meta-analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and the risk
      of preterm birth. METHODS: Literature search was done among PubMed, Embase,
      Wanfang Medical Database, China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database and
      China Biology Medicine disc from Jan. 1(st) 1980 to July 31(st), 2015. (1)
      Literature were extracted according to inclusion and exclusion standards, and the
      quality of the extracted literature were evaluated by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale
      (NOS). (2) Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5 software formulated by using
      the Cochrane library databases. Various heterogeneity of the research was
      inspected firstly. According to the results of the inspection a certain effect
      model was selected (including fixed effects model, the random effects model) to
      be utilized in merger analysis. In this study pregnant women with both thyroid
      peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and thyroglobulin (TG-Ab) positive were defined as
      thyroid antibody positive pregnant women. Pregnant women with only TPO-Ab
      positive were defined as TPO-Ab positive pregnant women. Then the relationship of
      antibody positive and the risk of a preterm birth was analyzed respectively.
      RESULTS: (1) Ten cohort studies were enrolled, of which NOS scale score were 7 or
      higher. All the studies are of medium quality and above. A total of 1 322 cases
      of preterm birth occurred among 19 910 pregnant women. (2) Positive thyroid
      autoantibodies did not increase the risk of preterm birth in euthyroid pregnant
      women (OR=1.41, 95%CI: 0.83-2.40, P=0.200) or in pregnant women with
      hypothyroidism (OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.32-1.44, P=0.310) . Positive TPO-Ab in
      euthyroid pregnant women increase the risk of preterm birth significantly
      (OR=2.08, 95%CI: 1.09-3.97, P=0.030), but positive TPO-Ab in pregnant women with
      hypothyroidism did not increase the risk of preterm birth significantly (OR=1.21,
      95%CI: 0.65-2.24, P=0.550). CONCLUSION: Positive TPO-Ab is an independent risk
      factor of preterm birth in euthyroid pregnant women.

PMID- 27256441
TI  - [A prospective cohort study on effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine
      system for adenomyosis with severe dysmenorrhea].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate treatment effects of levonorgestrel-releasing
      intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for adenomyosis with severe dysmenorrhea in a
      prospective cohort study. METHODS: From December 2006 to December 2014, patients
      of symptomatic adenomyosis diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound in outpatient or
      inpatient clinics of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were given the
      treatment of LNG-IUS. Before and after placement of LNG-IUS, all the patients'
      parameters were recorded prospectively, including symptoms and scores of
      dysmenorrhea, menstruation scores, biochemical indicators, physical parameters,
      carrying status of LNG-IUS, menstruation patterns and adverse effects. Changes of
      scores and patterns of pain during follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 1
      100 women meets inclusion criteria, among which 640 cases (58.18%, 640/1 100) had
      severe dysmeorrhea, with median follow-up period of 35 months (range 1-60
      months), and accumulative carrying rate of 65% at 60 months follow-up. After
      placement of LNG-IUS, scores of pain and ratio of severe dysmenorrhea had
      decreased significantly compared with baselines (all P<0.01), the scroes of
      visual analog scale (VAS) were 8.1+/-0.9, 5.5+/-2.4, 4.6+/-2.4, 3.3+/-2.2, 2.2+/
      2.1, 2.2+/-1.8, 1.4+/-1.6 and 1.3+/-1.3 at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months
      respectively. During 36 months after placement of LNG-IUS, scores of pain had
      improved significantly compared with preceding period (all P<0.01). We found no
      universal dependent factors predicting improvement of pain, which was neither
      relevant with simultaneous changes of menstruation patterns nor adverse effects
      (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: LNG-IUS is effective for adenomyosis of severe
      dysmenorrhea. Improvement of pain is independent on patients characters,
      menstruation patterns or adverse effects.

PMID- 27256442
TI  - [Spontaneous ovulation in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles using
      gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist: a large-sample retrospective study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the premature spontaneous ovulation rates in in vitro
      fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles using gonadotropin-releasing
      hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH
      a), as well as the risk factors for premature spontaneous ovulation. METHODS: The
      rates of premature spontaneous ovulation in a total of 10 612 cycles using GnRH
      ant or GnRH-a were compared. Matched case-controlled study and binary logistic
      regression model were conducted to analyze the risk factors for premature
      spontaneous ovulation. RESULTS: The spontaneous ovulation rate in the whole for
      GnRH-a cycles was 0.15% (13/8 514), compared with a 1.62% (34/2 098) in GnRH-ant
      cycles (P<0.01). Further matched controlled study and regression analyze found
      out that higher basal FSH level was a predominant risk and prediction factor for
      spontaneous ovulation (OR=1.20, P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: In GnRH-ant cycles,
      spontaneous ovulation rate is about 10 times than which in GnRH-a cycles.
      Diminished ovarian function is a predominate risk factor for premature
      spontaneous ovulation.

PMID- 27256443
TI  - [Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses for testing validity and
      reliability of the Chinese language questionnaire for urinary incontinence
      diagnosis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To translate questionnaire for urinary incontinence diagnosis (QUID)
      into Chinese and to test its reliability and validity. METHODS: The English
      version of QUID was translated into Chinese. The clinaical data of 95 patinents
      with urinary incontinence who were test by urinary dynamic study in Peking Union
      Medical College Hospital from May 2014 to May 2015 were analyzed prospectively.
      The reliability of QUID was evaluated by completing QUID twice. The validity of
      QUID was evaluated by the standard of urinary dynamic study. RESULTS: Internal
      consistency (Cronbach alpha) of the items that pertained to stress urinary
      incontinence (SUI) and to urge urinary incontinence (UUI) were 0.91 and 0.89,
      respectively. Test-retest reliability (Kappa) was 0.795 and criterion validity
      (Kappa) was 0.62. Sensitivity and specificity were 83% (43/52) and 86% (37/43),
      respectively, for SUI, and 72% (13/18) and 86% (66/77), respectively, for UUI.
      CONCLUSIONS: QUID has good reliability and validity. It could be used in Chinese
      urinary incontinence women.

PMID- 27256444
TI  - [Clinical observation of partial pancreatectomy as part of primary cytoreductive
      surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of
      partial pancreatectomy as part of primary cytoreductive surgery in advanced
      epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: A total of 8 patients were recruited in
      this study who underwent partial pancreatectomy during the primary cytoreductive
      surgeries for advanced EOC in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from April
      2009 to July 2015. Their clinicopathological characteristics, diameter of
      metastatic tumors, the scope of cytoreductive surgeries, residual diseases after
      cytoreductive surgeries, postoperative complications and survival situation were
      retrospective analyzed. RESULTS: (1) Clinicopathological characteristics: the
      median age of these patients was 58 years old (range: 39-63 years old) . The
      median value of preoperative serum CA125 was 1 688 kU/L (range: 119-5 000 kU/L) .
      The median diameter of metastatic tumors involved in pancreatic body or tail was
      4.5 cm (range: 3-10 cm). All the tumors from the 8 patients were confirmed to be
      high-grade serous carcinoma. Four patients were staged as International
      Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) IV, and the other 4 patients were
      staged as FIGO IIIc. (2) Tumor metastases and the scope of cytoreductive
      surgeries: all of these 8 patients had widely disseminated ovarian cancer, with
      involvement of upper abdominal, middle abdominal and pelvic cavity. Each patient
      underwent extensive intra-abdominal cytoreductive surgeries, including
      hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, pelvic peritonectomy,
      splenectomy, partial pancreatectomy. Each patient had cytoreductive surgeries of
      9.6 different sites on average. Of all 8 patients who underwent partial
      pancreatectomy, 7 patients had pancreatic tails removed; the other 1 patient had
      pancreatic body and tail removed. The median volume of blood loss during surgery
      was 1 350 ml (range: 300-3 500 ml) , blood transfusion was performed in 7
      patients with the median volume of 1 150 ml (range: 500-1 800 ml). (3) Residual
      diseases after cytoreductive surgeries: optimal cytoreduction was achieved in all
      patients, with microscopic residual disease in 3 patients, residual tumors
      diameter < 0.5 cm in 3 patients, and residual tumors diameter between 0.5 and 1
      cm in 2 patients. (4) Postoperative complications: 4 patients suffered from
      complications including pancreatic leakage (2/8), intraperitoneal hemorrhage
      (1/8) and pancreatic pseudocyst accompanied by infection (1/8). These
      complications were treated successfully by conservative managements. (5) Survival
      situation: during the median follow-up duration of 17 months (ranged from 2 to 46
      months), 5 patients were still alive until the end of follow-up, including 4
      cases under treatment and 1 case survived 29 months without relapse after
      treatment. Three patients were respectively died in 5, 20 and 46 months after
      surgery. CONCLUSION: There is a higher risk of postoperative complications of
      pancreas resection as part of primary cytoreductive surgery in advanced
      epithelial ovarian cancer, but the resection of pancreatic metastases and part of
      the pancreas is feasible and necessary.

PMID- 27256445
TI  - [Clinical characters of pre-malignant and malignant polyp in postmenopausal women
      and the diagnostic value of hysteroscopy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of pre-malignant and
      malignant polyps in postmenopausal patients and to evaluate the diagnositic value
      of hysteroscopy in this disease. METHODS: From June 2005 to October 2014, 403
      postmenopausal patients with polyps were treated in the Gynecologic Minimally
      Invasive Center, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. There were 27
      patients including 22 patients with pre-malignant and 5 patients with malignant
      polyps. All malignant lesions were endometrioid adenocarcinoma. The clinical data
      were retrospectively analyzed. Based on pathology, the diagnostic value of
      hysteroscopy was evaluated. RESULTS: (1) CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS: there were 27
      cases with pre-malignant and malignant polyps (group 1) and 376 cases with benign
      polyps (group 2). Compared the two groups, the average age was (60+/-8) vs (58+/
      6) years old, the period of menopause was (9.8+/-8.1) vs (8.3+/-6.9) years.
      Thirteen cases (48.1%, 13/27) in group 1 and 159 cases (42.3%, 159/376) in group
      2 had clinical symptoms including postmenopausal bleeding and vaginal discharge.
      Twelve cases (44.4%, 12/27) in group 1 and 140 cases (37.2%, 140/376) in group 2
      were with hypertension. Five cases (18.5%, 5/27) in group 1 and 43 cases (11.4%,
      43/376) in group 2 were with diabetes. The measures above were no significant
      differences (P>0.05) (2) Ultrasound features: the average thick of endometrium in
      group 1 and group 2 were respectively (1.3+/-0.7) and (0.8+/-0.4) cm, which had
      statistical significance (t=4.98, P=0.001). (3) Hysteroscopic diagnosis: the
      average diameters of polyp in group 1 and group 2 were respectively (2.4+/-1.0)
      and (1.6+/-1.0) cm, which had statistical significance (t=2.93, P=0.004). Six
      cases in group 1 were diagnosed by hysteroscopy including 4 cases of malignant
      polyp and 2 cases of pre-malignant polyp. The sensitivity, specificity, positive
      predictive value, negative predictive value and the accuracy were 22.2% (6/27),
      100.0% (376/376), 100.0% (6/6), 94.7% (376/397) and 94.8% (382/403),
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-malignant and malignant endometrial polyps are
      more common in the subjects with the larger diameters and the thicker
      endometrium. All polyps should be under complete resection by hysteroscopy and
      through pathology examination.

PMID- 27256446
TI  - Adaptive specialization in position encoding while learning to read.
AB  - The present experiments focused on how orthographic processing develops during
      reading acquisition. Specifically, a large, cross-sectional sample of children
      from grade 2 to grade 4 was exposed to pairs of words, pseudowords, digit
      strings, and pseudo-letter (Armenian) strings while their sensitivity to
      transpositions (T) and substitutions (S) of internal characters was investigated
      in a perceptual matching task. The results showed that the development of
      identity and position decoding diverged between the four stimulus categories.
      Most importantly, sensitivity improved with longer exposure to formal education
      and higher reading level to both S and T pairs for digit strings, but only to S
      pairs for words and pseudowords. The results were successfully reproduced in two
      small independent samples. We propose a general framework, the Adaptive
      Specialization Hypothesis, to accommodate the results. According to this
      hypothesis, the transposed-letter effect is not a hard-wired feature of the
      orthographic processing system but an adaptive response of the developing
      orthographic system to the constraints of lexical access in several
      orthographies.

PMID- 27256447
TI  - Importance of Metabolic Memory in the Development of Vascular Complications in
      Diabetic Patients.

PMID- 27256448
TI  - Developing a Checklist: Consensus Via a Modified Delphi Technique.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To create a universal checklist of key preparatory steps to aid
      anesthesiologists in patient separation from cardiopulmonary bypass. DESIGN:
      Multistep, iterative survey with statistically guided refinement of survey items
      using a modified Delphi technique. SETTING: Internet-based surveys. PARTICIPANTS:
      Ninety active members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists
      volunteered to participate, including geographically distributed private practice
      and academic physicians. INTERVENTIONS: A series of checklist items was created
      and distributed to 90 anesthesiologists, who assessed each item's importance in
      preparing for patient separation from cardiopulmonary bypass and added, deleted,
      or modified any items as they saw fit. Items meeting a threshold of greater than
      90% group acceptance were carried forward to a second survey. These items then
      were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale to grade relative importance and then
      compared with the group's responses, creating a third survey with refined
      checklist items. The results then were used to generate a final survey based on
      each item achieving certain predefined statistical criteria, which then were
      scored again by the participants, generating a final checklist via statistically
      guided consensus. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: An initial checklist containing
      28 possible items was proposed to the participants. After the iterative process
      was completed, a final checklist of 10 items deemed essential to prepare for
      bypass separation was created. CONCLUSIONS: A checklist to aid in bypass
      separation was created with key steps derived from a statistically driven Delphi
      process. This technique of iterative consensus building may be useful in
      developing additional safety checklists.

PMID- 27256451
TI  - Concerns that animal testing continues without scientific justification.

PMID- 27256449
TI  - The gut microbiome in human immunodeficiency virus infection.
AB  - HIV/AIDS causes severe dysfunction of the immune system through CD4+ T cell
      depletion, leading to dysregulation of both the adaptive and innate immune arms.
      A primary target for viral infection is the gastrointestinal tract, which is a
      reservoir of CD4+ T cells. In addition to being a major immune hub, the human
      gastrointestinal tract harbors trillions of commensal microorganisms, the
      microbiota, which have recently been shown to play critical roles in health.
      Alterations in the composition and function of microbiota have been implicated in
      a variety of 'multi-factorial' disorders, including infectious, autoimmune,
      metabolic, and neoplastic disorders. It is widely accepted that, in addition to
      its direct role in altering the gastrointestinal CD4+ T cell compartment, HIV
      infection is characterized by gut microbiota compositional and functional
      changes. Herein, we review such alterations and discuss their potential local and
      systemic effects on the HIV-positive host, as well as potential roles of novel
      microbiota-targeting treatments in modulating HIV progression and associated
      adverse systemic manifestations.

PMID- 27256452
TI  - Stakeholder views on the creation and use of genetically-engineered animals in
      research.
AB  - This interview-based study examined the diversity of views relating to the
      creation and use of genetically-engineered (GE) animals in biomedical science.
      Twenty Canadian participants (eight researchers, five research technicians and
      seven members of the public) took part in the interviews, in which four main
      themes were discussed: a) how participants felt about the genetic engineering of
      animals as a practice; b) governance of the creation and use of GE animals in
      research, and whether current guidelines are sufficient; c) the Three Rs
      (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) and how they are applied during the creation
      and use of GE animals in research; and d) whether public opinion should play a
      greater role in the creation and use of GE animals. Most of the participants felt
      that the creation and use of GE animals for biomedical research purposes (as
      opposed to food purposes) is acceptable, provided that tangible human health
      benefits are gained. However, obstacles to Three Rs implementation were
      identified, and the participants agreed that more effort should be placed on
      engaging the public on the use of GE animals in research. 

PMID- 27256450
TI  - A novel set-up for the ex vivo analysis of mechanical properties of mouse aortic
      segments stretched at physiological pressure and frequency.
AB  - KEY POINTS: Cyclic stretch is known to alter intracellular pathways involved in
      vessel tone regulation. We developed a novel set-up that allows straightforward
      characterization of the biomechanical properties of the mouse aorta while
      stretched at a physiological heart rate (600 beats min-1 ). Active vessel tone
      was shown to have surprisingly large effects on isobaric stiffness. The effect of
      structural vessel wall alterations was confirmed using a genetic mouse model.
      This set-up will contribute to a better understanding of how active vessel wall
      components and mechanical stimuli such as stretch frequency and amplitude
      regulate aortic mechanics. ABSTRACT: Cyclic stretch is a major contributor to
      vascular function. However, isolated mouse aortas are frequently studied at low
      stretch frequency or even in isometric conditions. Pacing experiments in rodents
      and humans show that arterial compliance is stretch frequency dependent. The
      Rodent Oscillatory Tension Set-up to study Arterial Compliance is an in-house
      developed organ bath set-up that clamps aortic segments to imposed preloads at
      physiological rates up to 600 beats min-1 . The technique enables us to derive
      pressure-diameter loops and assess biomechanical properties of the segment. To
      validate the applicability of this set-up we aimed to confirm the effects of
      distension pressure and vascular smooth muscle tone on arterial stiffness. At
      physiological stretch frequency (10 Hz), the Peterson modulus (EP ; 293 (10)
      mmHg) for wild-type mouse aorta increased 22% upon a rise in pressure from 80-120
      mmHg to 100-140 mmHg, while, at normal pressure, EP increased 80% upon maximal
      contraction of the vascular smooth muscle cells. We further validated the method
      using a mouse model with a mutation in the fibrillin-1 gene and an endothelial
      nitric oxide synthase knock-out model. Both models are known to have increased
      arterial stiffness, and this was confirmed using the set-up. To our knowledge,
      this is the first set-up that facilitates the study of biomechanical properties
      of mouse aortic segments at physiological stretch frequency and pressure. We
      believe that this set-up can contribute to a better understanding of how cyclic
      stretch frequency, amplitude and active vessel wall components influence arterial
      stiffening.

PMID- 27256453
TI  - Evaluation of an in vitro cell culture assay for the potency assessment of
      recombinant human erythropoietin.
AB  - Recombinant human erythropoietin is a sialoglycoprotein that stimulates
      erythropoiesis. To assess potency of human erythropoietin produced by recombinant
      technology, we investigated an in vitro TF-1 cell proliferation assay, which was
      applied in conjunction with a reversed-phase liquid chromatography method for the
      determination of the content of sialic acids. The results obtained, which were
      higher than 126.8ng/MUg, were compared with those obtained with the in vivo
      normocythaemic mouse bioassay. The in vitro assay resulted in a non-significant
      lower mean difference of the estimated potencies (0.61% +/- 0.026, p > 0.05). The
      use of this combination of methods represents an advance toward the establishment
      of alternative in vitro approaches, in the context of the Three Rs, for the
      potency assessment of biotechnology-derived medicines. 

PMID- 27256454
TI  - The use of a decision tree based on the rabies diagnosis scenario, to assist the
      implementation of alternatives to laboratory animals.
AB  - Brazilian federal legislation makes the use of alternatives mandatory, when there
      are validated methods to replace the use of laboratory animals. The objective of
      this paper is to introduce a novel decision tree (DT)-based approach, which can
      be used to assist the replacement of laboratory animal procedures in Brazil. This
      project is based on a previous analysis of the rabies diagnosis scenario, in
      which we identified certain barriers that hinder replacement, such as: a) the
      perceived higher costs of alternative methods; b) the availability of staff
      qualified in these methods; c) resistance to change by laboratory staff; d)
      regulatory obstacles, including incompatibilities between the Federal
      Environmental Crimes Act and specific norms and working practices relating to the
      use of laboratory animals; and e) the lack of government incentives. The DT
      represents a highly promising means to overcome these reported barriers to the
      replacement of laboratory animal use in Brazil. It provides guidance to address
      the main obstacles, and, followed step-by-step, would lead to the implementation
      of validated alternative methods (VAMs), or their development when such
      alternatives do not exist. The DT appears suitable for application to laboratory
      animal use scenarios where alternative methods already exist, such as in the case
      of rabies diagnosis, and could contribute to increase compliance with the Three
      Rs principles in science and with the current legal requirements in Brazil. 

PMID- 27256456
TI  - Transparency and public involvement in animal research.
AB  - To be legitimate, research needs to be ethical, methodologically sound, of
      sufficient value to justify public expenditure and be transparent. Animal
      research has always been contested on ethical grounds, but there is now mounting
      evidence of poor scientific method, and growing doubts about its clinical value.
      So what of transparency? Here we examine the increasing focus on openness within
      animal research in the UK, analysing recent developments within the Home Office
      and within the main group representing the interests of the sector, Understanding
      Animal Research. We argue that, while important steps are being taken toward
      greater transparency, the legitimacy of animal research continues to be
      undermined by selective openness. We propose that openness could be increased
      through public involvement, and that this would bring about much needed
      improvements in animal research, as it has done in clinical research. 

PMID- 27256455
TI  - Assessment of in vitro COPD models for tobacco regulatory science: Workshop
      proceedings, conclusions and paths forward for in vitro model use.
AB  - The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 established the
      Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products (FDA-CTP), and gave it
      regulatory authority over the marketing, manufacture and distribution of tobacco
      products, including those termed 'modified risk'. On 8-10 December 2014, IIVS
      organised a workshop conference, entitled Assessment of In Vitro COPD Models for
      Tobacco Regulatory Science, to bring together stakeholders representing
      regulatory agencies, academia, industry and animal protection, to address the
      research priorities articulated by the FDA-CTP. Specific topics were covered to
      assess the status of current in vitro technologies as they are applied to
      understanding the adverse pulmonary events resulting from tobacco product
      exposure, and in particular, the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD). The four topics covered were: a) Inflammation and Oxidative
      Stress; b) Ciliary Dysfunction and Ion Transport; c) Goblet Cell Hyperplasia and
      Mucus Production; and d) Parenchymal/Bronchial Tissue Destruction and
      Remodelling. The 2.5 day workshop included 18 expert speakers, plus poster
      sessions, networking and breakout sessions, which identified key findings and
      provided recommendations to advance the in vitro technologies and assays used to
      evaluate tobacco-induced disease etiologies. The workshop summary was reported at
      the 2015 Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, and the recommendations led to an
      IIVS-organised technical workshop in June 2015, entitled Goblet Cell Hyperplasia,
      Mucus Production, and Ciliary Beating Assays, to assess these assays and to
      conduct a proof-of-principle multi-laboratory exercise to determine their
      suitability for standardisation. Here, we report on the proceedings,
      recommendations and outcomes of the December 2014 workshop, including paths
      forward to continue the development of non-animal methods to evaluate tissue
      responses that model the disease processes that may lead to COPD, a major cause
      of mortality worldwide. 

PMID- 27256457
TI  - Acceptance, Usability and Health Applications of Virtual Worlds by Older Adults:
      A Feasibility Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Virtual worlds allow users to communicate and interact across various
      environments, scenarios, and platforms. Virtual worlds present opportunities in
      health care to reduce the burden of illness and disability by supporting
      education, rehabilitation, self-management, and social networking. The
      application of virtual worlds to older adults who bear the burden and cost of
      health conditions associated with age has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The aim
      of this study is to explore the usability, ease of use, and enjoyment of a
      virtual world by older adults, the types of virtual world activities that older
      adults may engage in, and the perceptions of older adults regarding the
      application of virtual worlds in health care. METHODS: This quasi-experimental
      pre-post design research was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).
      Participants were recruited from a Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) program at
      Nova Southeastern University. Participants attended four training sessions over a
      5-week period in the Second Life (SL) virtual world. Subjects were surveyed
      before and after the training on perceived ease of use, attitudes towards
      technology, behavioral intention to use the system, facilitating conditions,
      effort expectancy, and self-efficacy. RESULTS: Older adults (N=19) completed the
      informed consent and attended the first training session, and 11 participants
      (58%, 11/19) completed the full training and the post survey. Completers (82%,
      9/11) were more likely than non-completers (37%, 3/8) to consider themselves
      technologically savvy (P=.048), and to express confidence in being able to use
      the virtual world (100%, 11/11 vs 37%, 3/8; P=.002). All completers (100%, 11/11)
      perceived that SL has application in health behaviors and disease and reducing
      social isolation among people who are homebound. Of the completers, 10 (91%,
      10/11) responded that they enjoyed learning how to use SL. Completers suggested
      that future trainings include more assistants and smaller groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      This pilot study suggests that virtual worlds can be both a feasible and an
      applicable method to promote health among some seniors. Future research on
      virtual worlds with older populations should consider using state-of-the art
      technology including large monitors, providing a minimum of one trainer for every
      two to three participants, and distributing a comprehensive training manual at
      the start of the training to support organization and recall.

PMID- 27256458
TI  - Positive impact on heat loss and patient experience of preheated skin
      disinfection: a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of preheated
      (36  degrees C) and room-temperature (20  degrees C) skin disinfectant solution
      on skin temperature and patients' experience of the skin disinfection process.
      BACKGROUND: To prevent surgical site infections, it is important to disinfect
      skin prior to invasive surgery. In clinical practice, conscious patients often
      comment on the coldness of the preoperative skin disinfection solution. Evidence
      is lacking, as to whether preheated skin disinfectant has any positive effects
      during preoperative skin disinfection. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial.
      METHODS: A total of 220 patients undergoing pacemaker, implantable cardioverter
      defibrillator, or cardiac resynchronisation therapy under local anaesthesia were
      included and randomly allocated to preheated or room-temperature skin
      disinfection. Skin temperature was assessed before and after skin disinfection at
      the planned incision site; in addition, three study-specific questions were used
      to assess how patients experienced the temperature. RESULTS: Patients experienced
      the skin disinfection process with preheated disinfectant as significantly more
      pleasant. They felt less cold and reported increased satisfaction with the
      temperature of the solution compared to patients who were disinfected with room
      temperature solution. Skin disinfection with preheated solution also yielded a
      significantly higher mean skin temperature compared to room-temperature solution.
      CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative skin disinfection with preheated disinfectant may
      prevent heat loss and contributes to a more pleasant experience for patients.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Skin disinfection with preheated skin
      disinfectant is an easy and inexpensive nursing intervention that has a positive
      impact on heat loss and on patients' experience of the disinfection process.

PMID- 27256460
TI  - Arsenic poisoning and Mees' lines.

PMID- 27256459
TI  - Investigation of the expression of irisin and some cachectic factors in mice with
      experimentally induced gastric cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether irisin is secreted
      by gastric tumor cells experimentally induced in mice, and also if it has any
      effect on cancer cachexia. DESIGN AND METHODS: 12 out of 60 BALB/c mice were used
      as a control group, while N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) was administered orally to
      the remaining 48. After 150 days, the surviving mice were sacrificed by
      decapitation, blood and stomach, skeletal muscle, brown and white adipose tissue
      specimens were collected. Following histopathological evaluation of the stomach
      tissues, it was decided to create four groups, one control group and three
      consisting of mice administered MNU, no cancer, pre-cancer and cancer. Gene
      expression analyses of fibronectin type III domain containing protein 5 (FNDC5)
      and some cachexia-related proteins were performed in tissue samples, while levels
      of irisin, and various inflammatory and tumor markers together with cachectic
      factors were determined in serum samples. RESULTS: The levels of inflammatory,
      tumor markers and cachectic factors in serum samples were significantly higher in
      the cancer group compared with the control group. No expression of FNDC5 or zinc
      alpha-2 glycoprotein, a cachectic factor, was observed in gastric tissues from
      the control and MNU groups, whereas significantly increased FNDC5 expression was
      determined in the both white and brown adipose tissues from the cancer group.
      CONCLUSION: Increased FNDC5 expression in white and brown adipose tissues may
      have a cachectic effect in mice with induced cancer. However, it is not possible
      to explain the mechanism of the relationship between irisin and gastric cancer
      development on the basis of the results of this study.

PMID- 27256461
TI  - Response to the letter by PAJ de Leeuw, GMMJ Kerkhoffs.

PMID- 27256462
TI  - Defects in early cell recruitment contribute to the increased susceptibility to
      respiratory Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in diabetic mice.
AB  - Diabetes is associated with increased susceptibility to Klebsiella pneumoniae and
      poor prognosis with infection. We demonstrate accelerated mortality in mice with
      streptozotocin-induced diabetes following tracheal instillation of K. pneumoniae.
      Diabetic mice recruited fewer granulocytes to the alveolar airspace and had
      reduced early production of CXCL1, CXCL2, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha following
      tracheal instillation of K. pneumoniae-lipopolysaccharide. Additionally, TLR2 and
      TIRAP expression following K. pneumoniae-lipopolysaccharide exposure was
      decreased in hyperglycemic mice. These findings indicate that impaired innate
      sensing and failure to rapidly recruit granulocytes to the site of infection is a
      mechanism for diabetic susceptibility to respiratory K. pneumoniae infection.

PMID- 27256463
TI  - TLR2 modulates gut colonization and dissemination of Candida albicans in a murine
      model.
AB  - Invasive candidiasis often arises from translocation of endogenous yeasts from
      the gastrointestinal tract to the bloodstream. Here we describe that both wild
      type and TLR2-/- mice strains, orally administered with Candida albicans yeasts,
      display similar sustained high level of gut colonization when oral antibacterial
      treatment is present, while removal of antibiotic treatment causes a progressive
      clearance of yeasts in control but not in TLR2-/- mice. Fungal invasion of
      internal organs, following immunosuppression of colonized mice, was increased in
      TLR2-/- mice. These results point out to a role of TLR2 in gut protection against
      colonization and endogenous invasion by C. albicans.

PMID- 27256464
TI  - Rab32/38 and the xenophagic restriction of intracellular bacteria replication.
AB  - Rab GTPases' subversion by intracellular pathogens during infection has been
      extensively documented. Recent findings have implicated a key intracellular
      bacterial restriction/containment function for Rab32/38 in Salmonella species in
      macrophages and Listeria monocytogenes in dendritic cells. Rab32/38 aids the
      phagolysosome maturation, and mediates a parallel xenophagy mechanism by engaging
      prohibitins.

PMID- 27256466
TI  - Clinical and genetic profile of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular
      tachycardia in Hong Kong Chinese children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the management of catecholaminergic
      polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in Hong Kong Chinese children. METHODS: This
      case series study was conducted in a tertiary paediatric cardiology centre in
      Hong Kong. All paediatric patients diagnosed at our centre with catecholaminergic
      polymorphic ventricular tachycardia from January 2008 to October 2014 were
      included. RESULTS: Ten patients (five females and five males) were identified.
      The mean age at presentation and at diagnosis were 11.0 (standard deviation, 2.9)
      years and 12.5 (2.8) years, respectively. The mean delay time from first
      presentation to diagnosis was 1.5 (standard deviation, 1.3) years. They presented
      with recurrent syncope and six patients had a history of aborted cardiac arrest.
      Four patients were initially misdiagnosed to have epilepsy. Catecholaminergic
      polymorphic ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed by electrocardiogram at cardiac
      arrest (n=2), or provocation test, either by catecholamine infusion test (n=6) or
      exercise test (n=2). Mutations of the RyR2 gene were confirmed in six patients.
      Nine patients were commenced on beta-blockers after diagnosis. Despite
      medications, three patients developed aborted or resuscitated cardiac arrest
      (n=2) and syncope (n=1). Left cardiac sympathetic denervation was performed in
      five patients and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted in
      another. There was no mortality during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Catecholaminergic
      polymorphic ventricular tachycardia should be considered in children who present
      with recurrent syncope during exercise or emotional stress. Despite beta-blocker
      treatment, recurrent ventricular arrhythmias occur and may result in cardiac
      arrest.

PMID- 27256465
TI  - TIGAR contributes to ischemic tolerance induced by cerebral preconditioning
      through scavenging of reactive oxygen species and inhibition of apoptosis.
AB  - Previous study showed that TIGAR (TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis
      regulator) protected ischemic brain injury via enhancing pentose phosphate
      pathway (PPP) flux and preserving mitochondria function. This study was aimed to
      study the role of TIGAR in cerebral preconditioning. The ischemic preconditioning
      (IPC) and isoflurane preconditioning (ISO) models were established in primary
      cultured cortical neurons and in mice. Both IPC and ISO increased TIGAR
      expression in cortical neurons. Preconditioning might upregulate TIGAR through
      SP1 transcription factor. Lentivirus mediated knockdown of TIGAR significantly
      abolished the ischemic tolerance induced by IPC and ISO. ISO also increased TIGAR
      in mouse cortex and hippocampus and alleviated subsequent brain ischemia
      reperfusion injury, while the ischemic tolerance induced by ISO was eliminated
      with TIGAR knockdown in mouse brain. ISO increased the production of NADPH and
      glutathione (GSH), and scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS), while TIGAR
      knockdown decreased GSH and NADPH production and increased the level of ROS.
      Supplementation of ROS scavenger NAC and PPP product NADPH effectively rescue the
      neuronal injury caused by TIGAR deficiency. Notably, TIGAR knockdown inhibited
      ISO-induced anti-apoptotic effects in cortical neurons. These results suggest
      that TIGAR participates in the cerebral preconditioning through reduction of ROS
      and subsequent cell apoptosis.

PMID- 27256467
TI  - Managing malignant pleural effusion with an indwelling pleural catheter: factors
      associated with spontaneous pleurodesis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Malignant pleural effusion can be recurrent despite active anti
      cancer treatment. Significant malignant pleural effusion leads to debilitating
      dyspnoea and worsening quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. An
      indwelling pleural catheter offers a novel means to manage recurrent malignant
      pleural effusion and may remove the need for repeated thoracocentesis.
      Spontaneous pleurodesis is another unique advantage of indwelling pleural
      catheter placement but the factors associated with its occurrence are not clearly
      established. The aims of this study were to explore the safety of an indwelling
      pleural catheter in the management of symptomatic recurrent malignant pleural
      effusion, and to identify the factors associated with spontaneous pleurodesis.
      METHODS: This case series with internal comparisons was conducted in the Division
      of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
      All patients who underwent insertion of an indwelling pleural catheter from the
      initiation of such service from January 2010 to December 2014 were included for
      data analysis. Patients were monitored until December 2014, with the last
      catheter inserted in July 2014. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2014, a total of 23
      indwelling pleural catheters were inserted in 22 consecutive patients with
      malignant pleural effusion, including 15 (65.2%) cases with malignant pleural
      effusion as a result of metastatic lung cancer. Ten (43.5%) cases achieved
      minimal output according to defined criteria, in five of whom the pleural
      catheter was removed without subsequent re-accumulation of effusion (ie
      spontaneous pleurodesis). Factors associated with minimal output were the absence
      of trapped lung (P=0.036), shorter time from first appearance of malignant
      pleural effusion to catheter insertion (P=0.017), and longer time from catheter
      insertion till patient's death or end of study (P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: An
      indwelling pleural catheter provides a safe means to manage symptomatic malignant
      pleural effusion. Potential clinical factors associated with minimal output were
      identified along with the occurrence of spontaneous pleurodesis, which is a
      unique advantage offered by indwelling pleural catheter.

PMID- 27256468
TI  - Validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Insulin Treatment
      Appraisal Scale among primary care patients in Hong Kong.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with diabetes mellitus often delay insulin initiation and
      titration due to psychological factors. This phenomenon is known as
      'psychological insulin resistance'. Tools that identify psychological insulin
      resistance are valuable for detecting its causes and can lead to appropriate
      counselling. The Insulin Treatment Appraisal Scale was initially developed for
      western populations and has been translated and validated to measure
      psychological insulin resistance in Taiwan (Chinese version of the Insulin
      Treatment Appraisal Scale, C-ITAS). The current study examined the prevalence of
      psychological insulin resistance and the validity of the C-ITAS in a local
      population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 360 patients with
      diabetes mellitus from a government-funded general out-patient clinic who
      completed the C-ITAS questionnaire. The total C-ITAS score was compared for
      patients with psychological insulin resistance and those without, and the
      internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the C-ITAS were calculated.
      An exploratory factor analysis was used to identify factors within the C-ITAS.
      RESULTS: The prevalence of psychological insulin resistance was 44.9%. The
      internal consistency of the scale was high (Cronbach's alpha=0.78). The test
      retest reliability was positive with all C-ITAS questions (0.294-0.725). The mean
      C-ITAS score was significantly higher among patients with psychological insulin
      resistance than those without (42.42 vs 35.78; P<0.001). The exploratory factor
      analysis, however, failed to identify the two clear factors identified in the
      original validation study. CONCLUSIONS: The C-ITAS appears to be a feasible and
      potentially useful tool for identifying psychological insulin resistance, but
      additional validation or translation is required before it can be widely used
      clinically.

PMID- 27256469
TI  - Correlation of thermal deficit with clinical parameters and functional status in
      patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lumbosacral radiculopathy is a pathological process that refers to
      the dysfunction of one or more spinal nerve roots in the lumbosacral region of
      the spine. Some studies have shown that infrared thermography can estimate the
      severity of the clinical manifestation of unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy.
      This study aimed to examine the correlation of the regional thermal deficit of
      the affected lower extremity with pain intensity, mobility of the lumbar spine,
      and functional status in patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy.
      METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Clinic for Physical
      Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Clinical Center Nis, Serbia. A total of 69
      patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy of discogenic origin were
      recruited, with the following clinical parameters evaluated: (1) pain intensity
      by using a visual analogue scale, separately at rest and during active movement;
      (2) mobility of the lumbar spine by Schober test and the fingertip-to-floor test;
      and (3) functional status by the Oswestry Disability Index. Temperature
      differences between the symmetrical regions of the lower extremities were
      detected by infrared thermography. A quantitative analysis of thermograms
      determined the regions of interest with maximum thermal deficit. Correlation of
      maximum thermal deficit with each tested parameter was then determined. RESULTS:
      A significant and strong positive correlation was found between the regional
      thermal deficit and pain intensity at rest, as well as pain during active
      movements (rVAS - rest=0.887, rVAS - activity=0.890; P<0.001). The regional
      thermal deficit significantly and strongly correlated with the Oswestry
      Disability Index score and limited mobility of the lumbar spine (P<0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy, the values of
      regional thermal deficit of the affected lower extremity are correlated with pain
      intensity, mobility of the lumbar spine, and functional status of the patient.

PMID- 27256470
TI  - Update on PET/CT colonography in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

PMID- 27256471
TI  - Temporal trend in the reported birth prevalence of cleft lip and/or cleft palate
      in Brazil, 2000 to 2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The birth prevalence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P)
      in Brazil increased between the years from 1975 to 1994 but has not been
      evaluated for temporal trend since then. METHODS: We used data from the Brazilian
      National Health Information System for the years 2000 through 2013. We calculated
      the reported CL/P birth prevalence each year per 10,000 live births and estimated
      the average increase in reported prevalence per year (and 95% confidence interval
      [CI]) by fitting a negative binomial regression model. We also estimated the
      temporal trend in each of the five Brazilian regions for this time period.
      RESULTS: The overall reported birth prevalence was 4.85 (95% CI, 4.78-4.91) per
      10,000 live births. The reported birth prevalence of CL/P increased over this
      time period, from 3.94 (95% CI, 3.73-4.17) per 10,000 in 2000 to 5.46 (95% CI,
      5.20-5.74) per 10,000 in 2013. The temporal trend differed for different
      Brazilian geographic regions, being confined primarily to the Northeast (4.7% per
      year; 95% CI, 4.0%-5.5%), North (3.3% per year; 95% CI, 1.8%-4.7%), and Central
      (2.9% per year; 95% CI, 0.9%-4.9%) regions. CONCLUSION: In recent years, there
      appears to be an upward trend in the reported prevalence of CL/P in Brazil,
      confined to the less developed regions of the country. The increase likely
      reflects improved surveillance; whether it also reflects etiologic differences is
      unknown. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:789-792, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27256472
TI  - Embolic strokes of undetermined source: Prevalence and patient features in the
      ESUS Global Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent evidence supports that most non-lacunar cryptogenic strokes
      are embolic. Accordingly, these strokes have been designated as embolic strokes
      of undetermined source (ESUS). AIMS: We undertook an international survey to
      characterize the frequency and clinical features of ESUS patients across global
      regions. METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke were
      retrospectively surveyed from 19 stroke research centers in 19 different
      countries to collect patients meeting criteria for ESUS. RESULTS: Of 2144
      patients with recent ischemic stroke, 351 (16%, 95% CI 15% to 18%) met ESUS
      criteria, similar across global regions (range 16% to 21%), and an additional 308
      (14%) patients had incomplete evaluation required for ESUS diagnosis. The mean
      age of ESUS patients (62 years; SD = 15) was significantly lower than the 1793
      non-ESUS ischemic stroke patients (68 years, p <= 0.001). Excluding patients with
      atrial fibrillation (n = 590, mean age = 75 years), the mean age of the remaining
      1203 non-ESUS ischemic stroke patients was 64 years (p = 0.02 vs. ESUS patients).
      Among ESUS patients, hypertension, diabetes, and prior stroke were present in
      64%, 25%, and 17%, respectively. Median NIHSS score was 4 (interquartile range 2
      8). At discharge, 90% of ESUS patients received antiplatelet therapy and 7%
      received anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional global sample of
      patients with recent ischemic stroke shows that one-sixth met criteria for ESUS,
      with additional ESUS patients likely among those with incomplete diagnostic
      investigation. ESUS patients were relatively young with mild strokes.
      Antiplatelet therapy was the standard antithrombotic therapy for secondary stroke
      prevention in all global regions.

PMID- 27256473
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for detecting histological carotid plaque
      rupture: Quantitative analysis of ulcer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the distinct ability of contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography for detecting carotid plaque rupture versus histological
      observations. AIMS: The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the
      ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to detect plaque rupture compared to
      ultrasonographic and histological images in terms of geometric accordance.
      METHODS: Carotid plaque morphology was classified as "smooth," "irregular," or
      "ulcerated" on 45 conventional ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography images from consecutive patients undergoing endarterectomy, and
      55 regions of interests were captured on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. A
      comparative study with a receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed
      using histological findings for reference. RESULTS: Contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography exhibited a higher percentage of "ulcerated" findings in patients
      with plaque rupture compared to conventional ultrasonography (P = 0.002) as well
      as an association with thrombus formation (P = 0.048) and fibrous cap disruption
      (P < 0.0001). On contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, "ulcerated" were
      significantly more likely than "smooth" findings when the fibrous cap was
      disrupted (odds ratio (OR), 41.5). The receiver operating characteristic areas
      under the curve for the orifice, depth, and width of the concavities on contrast
      enhanced ultrasonography were significantly greater than 0.5, while their optimal
      cut-off values were 1.40 mm, 1.30 mm, and 1.88 mm, respectively. When one of
      these variables was greater than the optimal cut-off value, the sensitivity,
      negative hit rate, and odds ratio for detecting fibrous cap disruption were
      91.3%, 91.6%, and 23.1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, contrast
      enhanced ultrasonography has high sensitivity for identifying histological plaque
      rupture, and the measurement of concavity on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
      may enable the accurate detection of fibrous cap disruption.

PMID- 27256474
TI  - Endarterectomy vs. stenting vs. medical therapy.
AB  - In recent trials, after deducting the risks in the 30-day periprocedural period,
      the long-term risk of stroke or death was similar with carotid stenting (CAS) and
      endarterectomy (CEA) for asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) - approximately 0.5%
      per year. These findings may exacerbate the problem of inappropriate routine
      intervention in ACS, being justified on the basis of an invalid comparison of the
      risks in the medical arms of clinical trials conducted decades ago (~ 2% per
      year) to the risks in modern trials of CAS vs. CEA with no medical arm.
      Intervention is regarded as justified if it can be carried out with a risk below
      3%. The annual risk of ipsilateral stroke or death in ACS with intensive medical
      therapy is now ~ 0.5% - similar to the long-term risk after the periprocedural
      period in recent trials of intervention. However, periprocedural risk was ~ 3%
      for CAS and 1.7% for CEA. Thus with modern CAS and CEA, the risk remains much
      higher than with modern medical therapy, even with careful vetting of the
      surgeons and interventionalists. In real world practice, documented in
      registries, the risks are much higher. National differences - 90% of carotid
      intervention for ACS in the US vs. 0% in Denmark - bring into question the
      advisability and ethics of routine intervention. A moratorium on routine
      intervention for ACS should be respected except in ongoing randomized trials
      comparing CAS, CEA and modern intensive medical therapy. Patients with high-risk
      ACS can be identified for appropriate intervention.

PMID- 27256475
TI  - Clinical management and hospital outcomes of acute coronary syndrome patients in
      Mexico: The Third National Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (RENASICA III).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe current management and clinical outcomes in patients
      hospitalized with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Mexico. METHODS: RENASICA
      III was a prospective multicenter registry of consecutive patients hospitalized
      with an ACS. Patients had objective evidence of ischemic heart disease; those
      with type II infarction or secondary ischemic were excluded. Study design
      conformed to current quality recommendations. RESULTS: A total of 123
      investigators at 29 tertiary and 44 community hospitals enrolled 8296 patients
      with an ACS (4038 with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction/unstable angina
      [NSTEMI/UA], 4258 with ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]). The majority
      were younger (62+/-12years) and 76.0% were male. On admission 80.5% had ischemic
      chest pain lasting >20min and clinical stability. Left ventricular dysfunction
      was more frequent in NSTEMI/UA than in those with STEMI (30.0% vs. 10.7%,
      p<0.0001). In STEMI 37.6% received thrombolysis and 15.0% primary PCI. PCI was
      performed in 39.6% of NSTEMI/UA (early strategy in 10.8%, urgent strategy in
      3.0%). Overall hospital death rate was 6.4% (8.7% in STEMI vs. 3.9% in NSTEMI/UA,
      p<0.001). The strongest independent predictors of hospital mortality were
      cardiogenic shock (odds ratio 22.4, 95% confidence interval 18.3-27.3) and
      ventricular fibrillation (odds ratio 12.5, 95% confidence interval 9.3-16.7).
      CONCLUSION: The results from RENASICA III establish the urgent need to develop
      large-scale regional programs to improve adherence to guideline recommendations
      in ACS, including rates of pharmacological thrombolysis and increasing the ratio
      of PCI to thrombolysis.

PMID- 27256477
TI  - Use of surrogate end points in healthcare policy: a proposal for adoption of a
      validation framework.

PMID- 27256478
TI  - A polysaccharide from the stems of Rubus amabilis Focke and its immunological
      enhancement activity.
AB  - A water-soluble polysaccharide (named RAP) was newly isolated from the stems of
      Rubus amabilis. Structural confirmation of the polysaccharide was provided by
      hydrolysis, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, and methylation analysis,
      combined with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), capillary electrophoresis (CE),
      infrared spectroscopy (IR), and gas chromatography-mass spectra (GC-MS). In vitro
      immunological enhancement activity was characterized using the proliferative
      activity of spleen lymphocytes and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages
      in mice. The polysaccharide was mainly composed of xylose, arabinose, glucose,
      rhamnose, galactose, mannose, glucuronic acid, and galactocuronic acid in the
      molar ratio of 1.0:6.9:0.8:1.1:6.9:0.3:0.5:3.3, with the average molecular weight
      of 26.2 kDa. The linkage types of netural monosaccharides were as follows: the
      arabinose was ->2) Ara (1-> and galactose were Gal (1->, ->3) Gal (1->, ->3,6)
      Gal (1->, ->2,3,6) Gal (1-> and ->2,3,6) Galf (1->. Xyl (1->, ->6) Glc (1->, ->2)
      Glc (1->, ->3) Rha (1->, Rha (1-> and Man (1-> were also found in the structure.
      RAP-B-2 could improve the proliferative activity of spleen T cells and B cells
      and boost phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages at the concentration of
      50 MUg/ml (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). 

PMID- 27256479
TI  - [An unusual variant of a rare sacro-coccygeal tumor].

PMID- 27256480
TI  - Identifying health service barriers in the management of co-morbid diabetes and
      chronic kidney disease in primary care: a mixed-methods exploration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Co-morbid diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common in
      primary care but health care can be suboptimal. OBJECTIVE: In this multi-centre
      mixed-methods study, we investigated GPs' perspectives on health service barriers
      in managing diabetes and CKD as an initial step towards health care improvement.
      METHODS: Four focus groups were conducted among GPs in Australia's two largest
      cities. Transcripts underwent content analysis to inform development of a survey
      exploring health service barriers. This survey was then emailed/mailed to 840
      GPs. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA v2.1. RESULTS: Responses
      were received from 13.7% of GPs (n = 115), mean (+/-SD) age 55.3 (10.1) years and
      mean duration of practice 26.6 (10.6). The majority (88.4%) reported wanting to
      manage diabetes and CKD in primary care with specialist assistance. However,
      34.8% were unclear about the definition of CKD with 73.2% wanting more education.
      Access to specialist services was problematic with 39.3% and 28.2% reporting the
      process of referring patients to diabetes or CKD services, respectively, as hard.
      Coordination of care was also a problem with 35.6% unclear about each health care
      provider's role, 50.5% believing patients faced difficulties due to poor
      coordination across providers and 51.6% reporting duplication of tests.
      CONCLUSIONS: GPs expressed a clear interest in being the principal health care
      providers for patients with co-morbid diabetes and CKD. Supporting GPs and health
      care improvement focusing on overcoming reported barriers such as inadequate
      knowledge about CKD, access to specialist services and coordination of care may
      improve outcomes for people with co-morbid diabetes and CKD.

PMID- 27256481
TI  - Effects of l-carnitine and/or maize distillers dried grains with solubles in
      diets of gestating and lactating sows on the intestinal barrier functions of
      their offspring.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of l-carnitine and/or
      maize distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in diets of gestating and
      lactating sows on the intestinal barrier functions of their offspring. The
      experiment was designed as a 2*2 factorial with two dietary treatments (soyabean
      meal v. DDGS) and two l-carnitine levels (0 v. 100 mg/kg in gestating diets and 0
      v. 200 mg/kg in lactating diets). Sows (Landrace*Large White) with an average
      parity of 4.2 with similar body weight were randomly assigned to four groups of
      thirty each. Dietary supplementation with l-carnitine increased the total
      superoxide dismutase activity but decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde
      of the jejunal mucosa in newborn piglets and weaning piglets on day 21. Dietary
      supplementation with l-carnitine decreased the concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-12
      and TNF-alpha in the jejunal mucosa of newborn piglets and decreased the
      concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the jejunal mucosa of weaning piglets on
      day 21. There was an interaction between dietary treatment and l-carnitine on the
      bacterial numbers of total eubacteria in the digesta of caecum in weaning piglets
      on day 21. Bacterial numbers of total eubacteria in weaning piglets on day 21
      were significantly increased by l-carnitine only in soyabean meal diet, but there
      was no significant effect of l-carnitine in DDGS-based diet. Dietary
      supplementation with l-carnitine increased the bacterial numbers of Lactobacillus
      spp. and bifidobacteria spp. in the digesta of caecum in weaning piglets on day
      21. Dietary supplementation with l-carnitine in sows affected the expression of
      tight junction proteins (claudin 1, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin) in
      the jejunal mucosa of their offspring by increasing the expression of ZO-1 mRNA
      in the jejunal mucosa of newborn piglets, and by increasing the expression of ZO
      1 and occludin mRNA in the jejunal mucosa of weaning piglets on day 21. In
      conclusion, dietary supplementation with l-carnitine in gestating and lactating
      sows had positive effects on intestinal barrier functions of newborn piglets and
      weaning piglets on day 21, but it did not have effects on intestinal barrier
      functions of growing-finishing pigs in the filial generation. There were no
      effects of dietary treatment of sows on intestinal barrier functions in their
      offspring.

PMID- 27256476
TI  - Targeting adipose tissue in the treatment of obesity-associated diabetes.
AB  - Adipose tissue regulates numerous physiological processes, and its dysfunction in
      obese humans is associated with disrupted metabolic homeostasis, insulin
      resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although several US-approved
      treatments for obesity and T2DM exist, these are limited by adverse effects and a
      lack of effective long-term glucose control. In this Review, we provide an
      overview of the role of adipose tissue in metabolic homeostasis and assess
      emerging novel therapeutic strategies targeting adipose tissue, including
      adipokine-based strategies, promotion of white adipose tissue beiging as well as
      reduction of inflammation and fibrosis.

PMID- 27256482
TI  - Preimplantation genetic screening 2.0: the theory.
AB  - During the last few years a new generation of preimplantation genetic screening
      (PGS) has been introduced. In this paper, an overview of the different aspects of
      this so-called PGS 2.0 with respect to the why (what are the indications), the
      when (which developmental stage, i.e. which material should be studied) and the
      how (which molecular technique should be used) is given. With respect to the aims
      it is clear that PGS 2.0 can be used for a variety of indications. However, the
      beneficial effect of PGS 2.0 has not been proved yet in RCTs. It is clear that
      cleavage stage is not the optimal stage for biopsy. Almost all advocates of PGS
      2.0 prefer trophectoderm biopsy. There are many new methods that allow the study
      of complete aneuploidy with respect to one or more of the 24 chromosomes. Because
      of the improved vitrification methods, selection of fresh embryos for transfer is
      more and more often replaced by frozen embryo transfer. The main goal of PGS has
      always been the improvement of IVF success. However, success is defined by
      different authors in many different ways. This makes it very difficult to compare
      the outcomes of different studies. In conclusion, the introduction of PGS 2.0
      will depend on the success of the new biopsy strategies in combination with the
      analysis of all 24 chromosomes. It remains to be seen which approach will be the
      most successful and for which specific groups of patients.

PMID- 27256484
TI  - How should we test infant handedness?
AB  - As soon as infants grasp objects, they exhibit some degree of hand preference.
      Although all studies agree that the number of non-lateralized infants remains
      high during the first months of life, there is no consensus on the percentage of
      right- and left-handed infants. Reasons might be the different formulae used to
      calculate an handedness index, the basis on which handedness categories are
      distinguished, and the number of trials per session. In this study we aimed to
      provide a valid method of testing handedness, reliable without being lengthy so
      as to combine it with other evaluations. We tested 46 infants at 9 and 11 months
      by giving them 34 trials. We compared the results using 2 of the most used
      formulae, including the bimanual grasps or not, and considering the first 5, 10,
      15, 20, 26, 31, or all 34 trials. The results show that different formulae do not
      give significantly different results as long as bimanual grasps are included. The
      number of trials is important: 15 trials are necessary for the reliability of the
      classification into handedness categories. Giving more trials does not provide
      substantial additional information.

PMID- 27256485
TI  - Direct and extended intergenerational contact and young people's attitudes
      towards older adults.
AB  - Research suggests that positive intergenerational contact can improve young
      people's attitudes towards older adults. However, today's age-segregated society
      may not provide ample opportunities for positive contact between younger and
      older adults to occur on a regular basis. In three studies, we investigated
      whether the positive attitudinal outcomes associated with direct contact might
      also stem from a more indirect form of intergenerational relationship: extended
      contact. In Study 1 (N = 70), extended contact was associated with more positive
      attitudes towards older adults even when controlling for direct intergenerational
      contact (contact frequency and contact quality). In Study 2 (N = 110), the
      positive effects of direct and extended contact on young people's age-related
      attitudes were mediated by reductions in intergroup anxiety and ageing anxiety.
      The mediational effects of intergroup anxiety were replicated in Study 3 (N = 95)
      and ingroup norms additionally emerged as a mediator of the positive effects of
      extended contact on young people's attitudes towards older adults. Discussion
      focuses on the implications for strategies aimed at tackling ageism. 

PMID- 27256483
TI  - The why, the how and the when of PGS 2.0: current practices and expert opinions
      of fertility specialists, molecular biologists, and embryologists.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: We wanted to probe the opinions and current practices on
      preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), and more specifically on PGS in its
      newest form: PGS 2.0? STUDY FINDING: Consensus is lacking on which patient
      groups, if any at all, can benefit from PGS 2.0 and, a fortiori, whether all IVF
      patients should be offered PGS. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: It is clear from all
      experts that PGS 2.0 can be defined as biopsy at the blastocyst stage followed by
      comprehensive chromosome screening and possibly combined with vitrification. Most
      agree that mosaicism is less of an issue at the blastocyst stage than at the
      cleavage stage but whether mosaicism is no issue at all at the blastocyst stage
      is currently called into question. STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS: A
      questionnaire was developed on the three major aspects of PGS 2.0: the Why, with
      general questions such as PGS 2.0 indications; the How, specifically on genetic
      analysis methods; the When, on the ideal method and timing of embryo biopsy.
      Thirty-five colleagues have been selected to address these questions on the basis
      of their experience with PGS, and demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications,
      presentations at meetings and participation in the discussion. The first group of
      experts who were asked about 'The Why' comprised fertility experts, the second
      group of molecular biologists were asked about 'The How' and the third group of
      embryologists were asked about 'The When'. Furthermore, the geographical
      distribution of the experts has been taken into account. Thirty have filled in
      the questionnaire as well as actively participated in the redaction of the
      current paper. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The 30 participants were from
      Europe (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK) and the USA.
      Array comparative genome hybridization is the most widely used method amongst the
      participants, but it is slowly being replaced by massive parallel sequencing.
      Most participants offering PGS 2.0 to their patients prefer blastocyst biopsy.
      The high efficiency of vitrification of blastocysts has added a layer of
      complexity to the discussion, and it is not clear whether PGS in combination with
      vitrification, PGS alone, or vitrification alone, followed by serial thawing and
      eSET will be the favoured approach. The opinions range from in favour of the
      introduction of PGS 2.0 for all IVF patients, over the proposal to use PGS as a
      tool to rank embryos according to their implantation potential, to scepticism
      towards PGS pending a positive outcome of robust, reliable and large-scale RCTs
      in distinct patient groups. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Care was taken to
      obtain a wide spectrum of views from carefully chosen experts. However, not all
      invited experts agreed to participate, which explains a lack of geographical
      coverage in some areas, for example China. This paper is a collation of current
      practices and opinions, and it was outside the scope of this study to bring a
      scientific, once-and-for-all solution to the ongoing debate. WIDER IMPLICATIONS
      OF THE FINDINGS: This paper is unique in that it brings together opinions on PGS
      2.0 from all different perspectives and gives an overview of currently applied
      technologies as well as potential future developments. It will be a useful
      reference for fertility specialists with an expertise outside reproductive
      genetics. LARGE SCALE DATA: none. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS: No
      specific funding was obtained to conduct this questionnaire.

PMID- 27256486
TI  - An evidence-update on the prospective relationship between childhood sedentary
      behaviour and biomedical health indicators: a systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - Evidence for adverse health effects of excessive sedentary behaviour in children
      is predominantly based on cross-sectional studies, measuring TV viewing as proxy
      for sedentary behaviour. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the
      evidence on the prospective relationship between childhood sedentary behaviour
      and biomedical health indicators, overall and stratified by type of sedentary
      behaviour (TV viewing, computer use/games, screen time and objective sedentary
      time). PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Cochrane were systematically searched till
      January 2015. Methodological quality of all included studies was scored, and a
      best evidence synthesis was applied. We included 109 studies of which 19 were of
      high quality. We found moderate-to-strong evidence for a relationship of overall
      sedentary time with some anthropometrics (overweight/obesity, weight-for-height),
      one cardiometabolic biomarker (HDL-cholesterol) and some fitness indicators
      (fitness, being unfit). For other health indicators, we found no convincing
      evidence because of inconsistent or non-significant findings. The evidence varied
      by type of sedentary behaviour. The meta-analysis indicated that each additional
      baseline hour of TV viewing (beta = 0.01, 95%CI = [-0.002; 0.02]) or computer use
      (beta = 0.00, 95%CI = [-0.004; 0.01]) per day was not significantly related with
      BMI at follow-up. We conclude that the evidence for a prospective relationship
      between childhood sedentary behaviour and biomedical health is in general
      unconvincing.

PMID- 27256487
TI  - Treatment of Lung Cancer Patients With Actionable Mutations in the Intensive Care
      Unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have
      high mortality rates in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although the benefit of
      chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies in the ICU has previously been
      explored, few data exist regarding the use of targeted therapy for NSCLC in such
      settings. The primary objective of the present study was to report our experience
      with the use of targeted therapy in patients with NSCLC in the ICU. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We performed a single-institution, retrospective medical record review.
      The eligibility criteria included patients with NSCLC with targetable mutations
      who had received tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the ICU. Cases were
      identified by queries of our institution's information warehouse database and
      pharmacy dispensary records from 2010 to 2015. RESULTS: All 9 patients who had
      received TKIs in the ICU had acute respiratory failure. Three patients were
      successfully extubated after initiating TKI therapy, although 1 required later
      tracheostomy. TKI therapy stabilized another patient's refractory disseminated
      intravascular coagulation. The remaining 5 patients showed no measurable clinical
      improvement and were transitioned to comfort care. The overall ICU mortality rate
      was 56%. CONCLUSION: Patients with metastatic NSCLC requiring mechanical
      ventilation have high mortality rates. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is generally
      contraindicated for poor performance status patients. However, targeted TKI
      therapy should be considered, given its proven efficacy and few systemic side
      effects. We recommend the empiric use of targeted therapy for NSCLC patients with
      suspected and/or known actionable mutations presenting with multifactorial
      respiratory failure to the ICU, with aggressive determination of the mutation
      status if not known.

PMID- 27256488
TI  - Cross-sectional and prospective impact of reallocating sedentary time to physical
      activity on children's body composition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The amount of time children spend in sedentary behaviours may have
      adverse health effects. OBJECTIVE: To examine the substitution effects of
      displacing a fixed duration of sedentary time with physical activity (PA) on
      children's body composition. METHODS: We included 386 children (197 boys).
      Outcomes were body mass index, waist circumference, total body fat mass and trunk
      fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sedentary time and PA were
      measured with accelerometers. Data were analysed by isotemporal analyses
      estimating the effect of reallocating 15 and 30 min d-1 of sedentary time into
      light (light physical activity), and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) PA on body
      composition. RESULTS: Reallocating 15 and 30 min d-1 of sedentary time into MVPA
      was negatively associated with body fatness in cross-sectional analyses.
      Prospectively, reallocating 30 min of sedentary time into 30 min of MVPA was
      negatively associated with waist circumference (beta = -1.11, p < 0.05), trunk
      fat mass (beta = -0.21, p < 0.05), and total body fat mass (beta = -0.48, p <
      0.05) at follow-up (20 months). The magnitude of associations was half in
      magnitude and remained significant (p < 0.05) when reallocating 15 min of
      sedentary time into MVPA. Reallocating sedentary time into light physical
      activity was not related (p > 0.05) with body fatness outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:
      Substituting sedentary time with MVPA using isotemporal analysis is associated
      with positive effects on body composition.

PMID- 27256489
TI  - A Phytophthora sojae effector suppresses endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated
      immunity by stabilizing plant Binding immunoglobulin Proteins.
AB  - Phytophthora pathogens secrete an array of specific effector proteins to
      manipulate host innate immunity to promote pathogen colonization. However, little
      is known about the host targets of effectors and the specific mechanisms by which
      effectors increase susceptibility. Here we report that the soybean pathogen
      Phytophthora sojae uses an essential effector PsAvh262 to stabilize endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER)-luminal binding immunoglobulin proteins (BiPs), which act as
      negative regulators of plant resistance to Phytophthora. By stabilizing BiPs,
      PsAvh262 suppresses ER stress-triggered cell death and facilitates Phytophthora
      infection. The direct targeting of ER stress regulators may represent a common
      mechanism of host manipulation by microbes.

PMID- 27256490
TI  - The effect of different combinations of local anaesthesia, sedative and non
      steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on daily growth rates of dairy calves after
      disbudding.
AB  - AIM: To assess the effect of sedation and local anaesthesia (LA) at disbudding,
      and the addition of meloxicam or ketoprofen treatment, on weight gain in dairy
      calves following disbudding. METHODS: Friesian-Jersey cross calves, from four
      dairy farms, were enrolled when 3-6 weeks old. All calves (n=271) were disbudded
      by veterinary personnel and randomly assigned to six groups: 136 were disbudded
      without sedation or LA, of which 31 received 20 mg meloxicam S/C and 75 received
      150 mg ketoprofen I/M. A further 135 were disbudded with sedation (0.25 mg/kg
      xylazine I/M) and LA, of which 30 also received meloxicam and 75 received
      ketoprofen. Calves were weighed 3 days before, and 15 and 30 days after,
      disbudding (Day 0). Daily weight gain was analysed using mixed models and ANOVA.
      RESULTS: Complete results were obtained from 263 calves. From Day -3 to Day 15,
      the growth rate of calves disbudded without pain relief (0.53 (95% CI=0.47-0.60)
      kg/day) was less that of calves disbudded with some form of pain relief (0.65
      (95% CI=0.62-0.68) kg/d; p=0.004). There was no difference between the effect of
      meloxicam or ketoprofen (p=1.00). An interaction between use of sedation and LA
      and additional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) meant that NSAID
      treatment did not increase growth rates in calves disbudded with sedation and LA
      but did increase growth rates for calves disbudded without pain relief (p<0.05).
      From Day 16 to Day 30 there was no effect of NSAID treatment on growth rate, but
      calves receiving LA and sedation grew faster (0.74 (95% CI=0.69-0.80) kg/day)
      than calves disbudded without LA and sedation (0.66 (95% CI=0.61-0.71) kg/day;
      p=0.018). From Day -3 to Day 30, calves disbudded with sedation and LA grew
      faster (0.71 (95%CI=0.64-0.77) kg/day) than calves disbudded without sedation and
      LA (0.60 (95% CI=0.55-0.65) kg/day; p=0.011). However, addition of NSAID to
      sedation and LA made no further difference to growth rates (p=0.69). CONCLUSIONS:
      Dairy calves disbudded with no pain relief had slower growth rates than calves
      receiving pain relief. From Day 15 to 30 calves given no pain relief, or NSAID
      alone, grew more slowly than those receiving sedation and LA at disbudding. The
      addition of NSAID treatment to sedation and LA did not further increase growth
      rates. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study adds to the evidence that pain management
      when disbudding is beneficial for calf productivity as well as calf welfare.

PMID- 27256492
TI  - Eigenstress model for electrochemistry of solid surfaces.
AB  - Thermodynamic analysis and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to
      systematically study the size-dependent electrochemical response of solids. By
      combining the generalized Young-Laplace equation with the popular Butler-Volmer
      formulation, the direct influence of surface stress on solid film electrochemical
      reactions was isolated. A series of thermodynamic formulas were developed to
      describe the size-dependent electrochemical properties of the solid surface.
      These formulas include intrinsic surface elastic parameters, such as surface
      eigenstress and surface elastic modulus. Metallic films of Au, Pt, Ni, Cu and Fe
      were studied as examples. The anodic current density of the metal film increased,
      while the equilibrium potential decreased with increasing solid film thickness.

PMID- 27256491
TI  - Association between Leukoaraiosis and Poor Outcome is not due to Reperfusion
      Inefficiency after Intravenous Thrombolysis.
AB  - Leukoaraiosis (LA) is associated with structural and functional cerebrovascular
      impairment, which may compromise the capacity of ischemic tissue to maximize
      reperfusion after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). We aimed to determine whether
      severe LA is correlated with reperfusion inefficiency, which contributes to
      infarct growth and poor functional outcome. We analyzed data from our consecutive
      acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who had acquired baseline and 24-h follow-up
      diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging. Reperfusion was defined as reduction
      of >=70 % of hypoperfusion lesion at 24 h from baseline. Severe LA was defined as
      Fazekas score 2 or 3 on FLAIR images. We investigated the relationship between
      severity of LA and reperfusion status. Multivariate statistical analysis was
      carried out for modeling the independent predictors of reperfusion, infarct
      growth, and functional outcome. Finally, 79 patients were included, among them 30
      (37.97 %) had severe LA. Reperfusion was observed in 41 (51.89 %) patients, the
      proportion of reperfusion was very similar in patients with and without severe LA
      (53.33 vs 51.02 %, p = 1.000). Large artery occlusion was the only independent
      unfavorable predictor for reperfusion (OR = 0.202, 95 % confidence interval,
      0.060-0.673; p = 0.014). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that severe
      LA was independently associated with infarct growth (standardized coefficients =
      0.191, p = 0.040). Severe LA was also an independent predictor of poor outcome
      (mRS >= 3) (OR = 4.004, 95 % confidence interval, 1.267-12.656, p = 0.018) after
      adjusting for reperfusion and baseline severity of stroke. Severe LA was
      associated with infarct growth and poor outcome independent of reperfusion
      status, which may expand the notion that LA contributes the intrinsic
      vulnerability of brain tissue to acute ischemic insults. The burden of LA may not
      serve as an imaging indicator of reperfusion inefficiency after IVT for AIS
      patients.

PMID- 27256493
TI  - A Gendered Analysis of the Effects of Social Ties and Risky Behavior on Intimate
      Partner Violence Victimization.
AB  - Recent studies have begun to explore how social ties relate to adolescent dating
      violence. Building upon prior literature that investigates the relationship
      between lifestyle patterns and dating violence, the current research explores how
      social ties developed early in life may indirectly affect intimate partner
      violence (IPV) victimization risk among adults by influencing risky behavior in
      late adolescence. Furthermore, the study explores the possibility that the
      relationship between social ties, risk behavior, and IPV may be gendered. To
      examine the direct and indirect effects, the current study uses data from three
      waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to
      estimate multiple mediation models. Peer engagement and adolescent risky behavior
      have significant direct effects on IPV risk in young adulthood. Tests of indirect
      effects provide evidence of mediation with the social tie measures indirectly
      influencing IPV risk via their influence on risky behavior. Finally, there is
      evidence that the pathways to IPV victimization vary by sex. Implications for
      theory and policy, and directions for future research are discussed.

PMID- 27256494
TI  - Heterogeneity Within Domestic Violence Exposure: Young Adults' Retrospective
      Experiences.
AB  - Using Holden's taxonomy of domestic violence (DV) exposure as a guiding
      framework, the current study examined young adults' diverse DV exposure
      experiences. Twenty-five young adults (ages 19-25) exposed to father-perpetrated
      DV during their childhood and adolescence were interviewed using a qualitative
      descriptive design. Data analyses focused on coercive control exposure through
      reports of non-physical abuse tactics, types of exposure (e.g., direct,
      indirect), physical violence exposure (e.g., severity, frequency), and child
      abuse and harsh parenting practices. DV-exposed young adults were directly and
      indirectly exposed to physical violence and an array of non-physical abuse
      tactics toward their mothers. Young adults categorized as having been exposed to
      coercive controlling violence reported exposure to ongoing, non-physical abuse
      tactics and more frequent and severe physical violence. These young adults were
      also more likely to intervene and become victimized during physical violence and
      reported repeated episodes of child abuse and harsh parenting. Although coercive
      control appeared to be associated with physical violence and child abuse,
      generalizations should be made with caution as a few participants exposed to
      situational conflict were exposed to frequent and severe DV. The findings suggest
      that DV exposure should be measured in methodologically sophisticated ways to
      capture the heterogeneity in experiences, with the goal of promoting empirically
      driven intervention and prevention initiatives that are tailored to individual
      and family needs.

PMID- 27256495
TI  - Intimate Partner Violence Among Same-Sex Couples in College: A Propensity Score
      Analysis.
AB  - Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive social issue with numerous
      detrimental effects on individuals, families, and society. Existing research and
      a social-ecological minority stress framework suggest, as compared with mixed-sex
      couples, those in same-sex relationships may be at heightened risk for
      perpetrating and experiencing IPV. Using a U.S. sample of college students (N =
      4,081), this secondary data analysis contrasted the prevalence of five forms of
      IPV (i.e., physical, sexual, psychological, injury, any type) between those in
      mixed-sex (n = 3,960) and those in same-sex (n = 121) intimate partnerships.
      Comparative analyses were supplemented with propensity score weighting to help
      balance members of mixed-sex and same-sex relationships across eight potentially
      confounding variables (e.g., biological sex, age). Prior to the application of
      propensity score weighting, results suggested those in same-sex relationships are
      significantly more likely to perpetrate and/or experience IPV resulting in
      physical injury. Results from post-weighting analyses retained the significance
      and magnitude of model estimates. Taken together, results suggest, as compared
      with mixed-sex couples, U.S. college students in same-sex couples have greater
      odds of experiencing IPV perpetration and victimization resulting in physical
      injury, even after accounting for the influence of several potentially
      confounding variables. Findings support the utility and future application of
      propensity score analytic techniques in this type of research as well as the
      importance of recognizing the unique IPV risk and service needs of people in same
      sex relationships.

PMID- 27256496
TI  - Amyopathic Dermatomyositis: A Concise Review of Clinical Manifestations and
      Associated Malignancies.
AB  - Amyopathic dermatomyositis is a rare, idiopathic, connective tissue disease that
      presents with dermatologic lesions of classic dermatomyositis but lacks the
      myopathy of this disease. Cutaneous manifestations may include Gottron's sign,
      heliotrope rash, and characteristic patterns of poikiloderma. There is a
      substantial risk for developing interstitial lung disease or malignancy in
      patients with amyopathic dermatomyositis. A literature review of amyopathic
      dermatomyositis was performed using the PubMed medical database. The key features
      of amyopathic dermatomyositis, including autoantibodies, clinical presentation
      and dermatologic manifestations, epidemiology, history, associated malignancies,
      management, and pathogenesis, are summarized in this review. Cancer (solid tumor)
      (73/79, 89 %) and hematologic malignancies (9/79, 11 %) were reported in 79
      patients, with three patients having more than one malignancy. In addition, there
      were six patients with amyopathic dermatomyositis who had tumor of unknown
      primary, and eight patients with cancer-associated amyopathic dermatomyositis for
      whom no additional details were provided. From the group of 73 tumors for whom
      primary origin and sex were available, malignancy of the genitourinary organs
      (24/73, 33 %), aerorespiratory organs (15/73, 21 %), and breast (14/73, 19 %)
      were the most commonly observed solid organ tumors. Tumors of the genitourinary
      organs (15/48, 31 %) and breast (14/48, 29 %) were the most frequent neoplasms in
      women, accounting for 29 of 48 (60 %) cancers, with the most common sites being
      breast (14/48, 29 %), ovary (8/48, 17 %), and cervix or uterus (5/48, 10 %). In
      men, tumors of the aerorespiratory (9/25, 36 %) and genitourinary (9/25, 36 %)
      tracts were the most common neoplasms, accounting for 72 % (18/25) of cancers;
      the most common sites of primary malignancy were nasopharyngeal (6/25, 24 %),
      bladder (4/25, 16 %), and either colorectal, lung or prostate cancer (three
      cancers each, 12 %). In summary, the search for an undiagnosed associated
      malignancy in patients with amyopathic dermatomyositis should focus towards the
      organs most frequently affected. Similar to classic dermatomyositis, ovarian and
      nasopharyngeal cancers are also common in amyopathic dermatomyositis. However, in
      contrast to lung cancer, which is the most frequent malignancy associated with
      classic dermatomyositis, breast cancer was the most common type of malignancy
      reported in patients with amyopathic dermatomyosotis.

PMID- 27256497
TI  - Management of Pain Associated with Selected Conditions in Dermatology.
AB  - Dermatologists face a wide range of pain control challenges in daily practice,
      from the transient pain of dermatologic surgery to the persistent pain that
      plagues some chronic dermatologic conditions. Although the pathophysiology of
      pain is well described and the profound impact of dermatological pain on
      patients' quality of life is well appreciated, there is an identified need for
      clear therapeutic plans for providing symptomatic pain relief of common painful
      dermatoses. In this paper, we will review and clearly outline approaches to pain
      management of a number of common painful dermatoses such as herpes zoster and
      post-herpetic neuralgia, ulcers, oral dermatoses, dysesthesias, and many others.

PMID- 27256498
TI  - Oxidative Status Profile in Different Tissues of Parastacus brasiliensis
      promatensis (Crustacea, Decapoda, Parastacidae) over a Seasonal Cycle.
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess annual redox balance by quantifying
      activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),
      and glutathione S-transferase (GST), as well as measuring lipid peroxidation
      levels by determination of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, in different
      tissues of male and female crayfish collected from an area little affected by
      anthropogenic impacts. A total of 37 male and 32 female of Parastacus
      brasiliensis promatensis were collected over an annual cycle, and gill, muscle,
      hepatopancreas, and gonad samples were harvested and subjected to the
      aforementioned analyses via spectrophotometry. Comparison of the annual oxidative
      status response profile in gill and in hepatopancreas between males and females
      revealed differences only in SOD activity. In abdominal muscle, this comparison
      revealed a distinct profile of SOD and GST activity, as well as of lipid
      peroxidation. SOD activity in gonads of females increased in the summer when
      compared to autumn; conversely, CAT and GST levels did not differ over the year.
      During reproduction, a possible increase of the energy requirements led to an
      increase in lipid peroxidation in all tested tissues, in males and females alike.
      It was least evident in female gonad tissue, which suggests this tissue type is
      relatively protected; within this context, one may establish a tissue-specific
      grading of Lipid Peroxidation intensity in females of the species during the
      spring: gonads < muscle < gills < hepatopancreas. Our results show that the
      responses of the defenses analyzed antioxidants, as well as lipid peroxidation
      levels, were sex and tissue dependent and a clear pattern of seasonal variation. 

PMID- 27256499
TI  - Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis NMDA receptors and nitric oxide modulate
      contextual fear conditioning in rats.
AB  - The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) modulates anxiety-like responses,
      including conditioned emotional responses. Evidence suggests that glutamatergic
      neurotransmission in the BNST plays a role in the modulation of defensive
      responses. However, little is known about the involvement of glutamate NMDA
      receptor activation within the BNST, and its resultant increase in nitric oxide
      (NO) levels, in the expression of contextual fear conditioning (CFC). We
      investigated whether the antagonism of NMDA receptors or the reduction of NO
      levels in the BNST would attenuate behavioral and autonomic responses (i.e.
      increase in arterial pressure and heart rate, and decrease in tail cutaneous
      temperature) of rats submitted to a CFC paradigm. Intra-BNST infusion of AP7, an
      NMDA receptor antagonist, attenuated both behavioral and autonomic changes
      induced by CFC. Similar results were observed with NPLA and c-PTIO, an nNOS
      inhibitor and an NO scavenger, respectively. A positive correlation between BNST
      NO levels and the time spent in freezing behavior was also observed for animals
      submitted to the CFC. These findings indicate that the expression of CFC involves
      a facilitation of BNST NMDA receptor-NO signaling. This article is part of the
      Special Issue entitled 'Ionotropic glutamate receptors'.

PMID- 27256500
TI  - Fluoxetine and vitamin C synergistically inhibits blood-spinal cord barrier
      disruption and improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury.
AB  - Recently we reported that fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) improves functional recovery by
      attenuating blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption after spinal cord injury
      (SCI). Here we investigated whether a low-dose of fluoxetine (1 mg/kg) and
      vitamin C (100 mg/kg), separately not possessing any protective effect, prevents
      BSCB disruption and improves functional recovery when combined. After a moderate
      contusion injury at T9 in rat, a low-dose of fluoxetine and vitamin C, or the
      combination of both was administered intraperitoneally immediately after SCI and
      further treated once a day for 14 d. Co-treatment with fluoxetine and vitamin C
      significantly attenuated BSCB permeability at 1 d after SCI. When only fluoxetine
      or vitamin C was treated after injury, however, there was no effect on BSCB
      disruption. Co-treatment with fluoxetine and vitamin C also significantly
      inhibited the expression and activation of MMP-9 at 8 h and 1 d after injury,
      respectively, and the infiltration of neutrophils (at 1 d) and macrophages (at 5
      d) and the expression of inflammatory mediators (at 2 h, 6 h, 8 h or 24 h after
      injury) were significantly inhibited by co-treatment with fluoxetine and vitamin
      C. Furthermore, the combination of fluoxetine and vitamin C attenuated apoptotic
      cell death at 1 d and 5 d and improved locomotor function at 5 weeks after SCI.
      These results demonstrate the synergistic effect combination of low-dose
      fluoxetine and vitamin C on BSCB disruption after SCI and furthermore support the
      effectiveness of the combination treatment regimen for the management of acute
      SCI.

PMID- 27256502
TI  - Risk of incident atrial fibrillation with hypomagnesemia.

PMID- 27256501
TI  - Inhaled delivery of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to rats by e-cigarette
      vapor technology.
AB  - Most human Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use is via inhalation, and yet few
      animal studies of inhalation exposure are available. Popularization of non
      combusted methods for the inhalation of psychoactive drugs (Volcano((r)), e
      cigarettes) further stimulates a need for rodent models of this route of
      administration. This study was designed to develop and validate a rodent chamber
      suitable for controlled exposure to vaporized THC in a propylene glycol vehicle,
      using an e-cigarette delivery system adapted to standard size, sealed rat housing
      chambers. The in vivo efficacy of inhaled THC was validated using radiotelemetry
      to assess body temperature and locomotor responses, a tail-flick assay for
      nociception and plasma analysis to verify exposure levels. Hypothermic responses
      to inhaled THC in male rats depended on the duration of exposure and the
      concentration of THC in the vehicle. The temperature nadir was reached after ~40
      min of exposure, was of comparable magnitude (~3  degrees Celsius) to that
      produced by 20 mg/kg THC, i.p. and resolved within 3 h (compared with a 6 h time
      course following i.p. THC). Female rats were more sensitive to hypothermic
      effects of 30 min of lower-dose THC inhalation. Male rat tail-flick latency was
      increased by THC vapor inhalation; this effect was blocked by SR141716
      pretreatment. The plasma THC concentration after 30 min of inhalation was similar
      to that produced by 10 mg/kg THC i.p. This approach is flexible, robust and
      effective for use in laboratory rats and will be of increasing utility as users
      continue to adopt "vaping" for the administration of cannabis.

PMID- 27256503
TI  - Coping With Logical Fallacies: A Developmental Training Program for Learning to
      Reason.
AB  - This study trained children to master logical fallacies and examined how learning
      is related to processing efficiency and fluid intelligence (gf). A total of one
      hundred and eighty 8- and 11-year-old children living in Cyprus were allocated to
      a control, a limited (LI), and a full instruction (FI) group. The LI group
      learned the notion of logical contradiction and the logical structure of the
      schemes involved. The FI group learned, additionally, to recognize other
      deductive reasoning principles. Reasoning improved proportionally to training.
      Awareness improved equally in LI and FI. Changes in reasoning and awareness
      changes were related to attention control and gf. Awareness mediated the
      influence of training on reasoning but not vice versa, suggesting that awareness
      is necessary for conditional reasoning. Implications are discussed.

PMID- 27256504
TI  - Aqueous synthesis of LiFePO4 with Fractal Granularity.
AB  - Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) electrodes with fractal granularity are
      reported. They were made from a starting material prepared in water by a low
      cost, easy and environmentally friendly hydrothermal method, thus avoiding the
      use of organic solvents. Our method leads to pure olivine phase, free of the
      impurities commonly found after other water-based syntheses. The fractal
      structures consisted of nanoparticles grown into larger micro-sized formations
      which in turn agglomerate leading to high tap density electrodes, which is
      beneficial for energy density. These intricate structures could be easily and
      effectively coated with a thin and uniform carbon layer for increased
      conductivity, as it is well established for simpler microstructures. Materials
      and electrodes were studied by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, SAED, XPS, Raman and TGA.
      Last but not least, lithium transport through fractal LiFePO4 electrodes was
      investigated based upon fractal theory. These water-made fractal electrodes lead
      to high-performance lithium cells (even at high rates) tested by CV and
      galvanostatic charge-discharge, their performance is comparable to state of the
      art (but less environmentally friendly) electrodes.

PMID- 27256505
TI  - Neuronal expression of ILEI/FAM3C and its reduction in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Decrease in brain amyloid-beta (Abeta) accumulation is a leading strategy for
      treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the intrinsic mechanism of the
      regulation of brain Abeta production is largely unknown. Previously, we reported
      that ILEI (also referred to as FAM3C) binds to the gamma-secretase complex and
      suppresses Abeta production without inhibiting gamma-secretase activity. In this
      study, we examined ILEI expression in mouse brain using immunohistochemistry and
      subcellular fractionation. Brain ILEI showed widespread expression in neurons and
      ependymal cells but not in glial and vascular endothelial cells. Neuronal ILEI
      resided in perinuclear vesicular structures, which were positive for a marker
      protein of the trans-Golgi network. Although ILEI immunostaining was negative at
      synaptic terminals, synaptosome fractionation analysis suggested that ILEI was
      enriched in presynaptic terminals, particularly in the active zone-docked
      synaptic vesicles. ILEI expression levels in brain peaked during the postnatal
      period and declined with age. In comparison with age-matched control brains, the
      number of ILEI-immunoreactive neurons decreased in AD brains, although the
      subcellular localization was unaltered. Our results suggest that a decline of
      ILEI expression may cause accumulation of Abeta in the brain and the eventual
      development of AD.

PMID- 27256506
TI  - GAPDH/Siah1 cascade is involved in traumatic spinal cord injury and could be
      attenuated by sivelestat sodium.
AB  - The glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)/Siah1 signaling pathway has
      been recognized as a sensor of nitric oxide (NO). It is associated with a variety
      of injurious conditions, suggesting its therapeutic potential for spinal cord
      injury (SCI). Sivelestat sodium (SIV), a neutrophil elastase (NE) inhibitor
      initially used to treat acute lung injury, has been known to protect against
      compression-induced and ischemic SCI. However, little is known about the
      relationship between the GAPDH/Siah1 cascade and SIV. Thus, we aimed to assess
      the role of GAPDH/Siah1 cascade in traumatic SCI and its possible link with SIV.
      Rats were assigned to four groups: sham group, SCI group, 5-mg/kg SIV group, and
      10-mg/kg SIV. The traumatic SCI was induced by dropping a 10-g impactor from a
      height of 25mm on the dorsal surface of T9 and T10. SIV was injected
      intraperitoneally immediately after surgery. Our results showed that the nuclear
      translocation of GAPDH was induced together with the nuclear translocation of
      Siah1 and the formation of the GAPDH/Siah1 complex in the spinal cord after
      traumatic SCI. However, the activation of the GAPDH/Siah1 cascade was attenuated
      by treatment with SIV. We also found that SIV suppressed apoptosis, NE and
      inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expressions, the number of NE and
      iNOS immunostained cells, the production of interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the activation of nuclear factor kappa
      light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB) signaling in the spinal
      cord. The behavioral tests showed that SIV promoted functional recovery after
      traumatic SCI as reflected in the sustained increase in the Basso-Beattie
      Bresnahan (BBB) scores throughout the observation period. In conclusion, our
      results reveal GAPDH/Siah1 as a novel signaling pathway during the progression of
      SCI, which can be blocked by SIV.

PMID- 27256507
TI  - 17beta-Estradiol infusions into the dorsal striatum rapidly increase dorsal
      striatal dopamine release in vivo.
AB  - Systemic injections of 17beta-estradiol (E2) in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats
      rapidly enhance dorsal striatal dopamine (DA) release in response to amphetamine
      (AMPH). Additionally, a single injection of E2 rapidly (within 30min) enhances
      amphetamine-induced DA release. In situ studies show that this rapid effect of E2
      occurs specifically within the dorsal striatum (DS). The present study
      investigated the in vivo effects of E2 infused into the DS, medial prefrontal
      cortex (mPFC) or the substantia nigra (SN) on dorsal striatal DA release. Rats
      were OVX and implanted with a silastic tube containing 5% E2 in cholesterol,
      previously shown to mimic low physiological serum concentrations of 18-32pg/ml.
      Single-probe microdialysis was used to measure extracellular DA levels in the DS.
      In addition, DA release was measured subsequent to systemic injections of the
      indirect DA agonist, AMPH (0.5mg/kg SC), administered simultaneously with E2
      (0.544MUg/100MUl) or its vehicle, cyclodextrin (VEH) (0.520MUg/100MUl). Local
      infusions of E2 into the DS resulted in a greater amphetamine-induced dorsal
      striatal DA release in comparison to vehicle. Local infusions of E2 into the mPFC
      or the SN did not result in an enhancement of amphetamine-induced DA levels in
      the DS. These studies suggest that increases in dorsal striatal DA release in
      response to systemic E2 are a consequence of E2 actions within the DS itself.

PMID- 27256509
TI  - Diet quality and cognitive function in an urban sample: findings from the Healthy
      Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Poor diet quality contributes to morbidity, including poor brain
      health outcomes such as cognitive decline and dementia. African Americans and
      individuals living in poverty may be at greater risk for cognitive decrements
      from poor diet quality. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Baltimore, MD, USA.
      SUBJECTS: Participants were 2090 African Americans and Whites (57 % female, mean
      age=47.9 years) who completed two 24 h dietary recalls. We examined cognitive
      performance and potential interactions of diet quality with race and poverty
      status using baseline data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity
      across the Life Span (HANDLS) study. Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) scores
      were calculated and interpreted using federal guidelines. A neurocognitive test
      battery was administered to evaluate cognitive function over several domains.
      RESULTS: Linear regression analyses showed that lower HEI-2010 scores were
      associated with poorer verbal learning and memory (P<0.05) after adjustment for
      covariates. Diet quality within the sample was poor. Significant interactions of
      HEI-2010 and poverty status (all P<0.05) indicated that higher diet quality was
      associated with higher performance on tests of attention and cognitive
      flexibility, visuospatial ability and perceptual speed among those below the
      poverty line. No significant race interactions emerged. Higher diet quality was
      associated with better performance on two measures of verbal learning and memory,
      irrespective of race and poverty status. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that diet
      quality and cognitive function are likely related at the population level. Future
      research is needed to determine whether the association is clinically
      significant.

PMID- 27256508
TI  - The intercalated nuclear complex of the primate amygdala.
AB  - The organization of the inhibitory intercalated cell masses (IM) of the primate
      amygdala is largely unknown despite their key role in emotional processes. We
      studied the structural, topographic, neurochemical and intrinsic connectional
      features of IM neurons in the rhesus monkey brain. We found that the intercalated
      neurons are not confined to discrete cell clusters, but form a neuronal net that
      is interposed between the basal nuclei and extends to the dorsally located
      anterior, central, and medial nuclei of the amygdala. Unlike the IM in rodents,
      which are prominent in the anterior half of the amygdala, the primate inhibitory
      net stretched throughout the antero-posterior axis of the amygdala, and was most
      prominent in the central and posterior extent of the amygdala. There were two
      morphologic types of intercalated neurons: spiny and aspiny. Spiny neurons were
      the most abundant; their somata were small or medium size, round or elongated,
      and their dendritic trees were round or bipolar, depending on location. The
      aspiny neurons were on average slightly larger and had varicose dendrites with no
      spines. There were three non-overlapping neurochemical populations of IM neurons,
      in descending order of abundance: (1) Spiny neurons that were positive for the
      striatal associated dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein (DARPP-32+); (2)
      Aspiny neurons that expressed the calcium-binding protein calbindin (CB+); and
      (3) Aspiny neurons that expressed nitric oxide synthase (NOS+). The unique
      combinations of structural and neurochemical features of the three classes of IM
      neurons suggest different physiological properties and function. The three types
      of IM neurons were intermingled and likely interconnected in distinct ways, and
      were innervated by intrinsic neurons within the amygdala, or by external sources,
      in pathways that underlie fear conditioning and anxiety.

PMID- 27256510
TI  - Identification of key metabolic changes in renal interstitial fibrosis rats using
      metabonomics and pharmacology.
AB  - Renal fibrosis is one of the important pathways involved in end-stage renal
      failure. Investigating the metabolic changes in the progression of disease may
      enhance the understanding of its pathogenesis and therapeutic information. In
      this study, (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomics was firstly
      used to screen the metabolic changes in urine and kidney tissues of renal
      interstitial fibrotic rats induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), at
      7, 14, 21, and 28 days after operation, respectively. The results revealed that
      reduced levels of bioenergy synthesis and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), as
      well as elevated levels of indoxyl sulfate (IS) are involved in metabolic
      alterations of renal fibrosis rats. Next, by pharmacological treatment we found
      that reduction of IS levels could prevent the renal fibrotic symptoms. Therefore,
      we suggested that urinary IS may be used as a potential biomarker for the
      diagnosis of renal fibrosis, and a therapeutic target for drugs. Novel attempt
      combining metabonomics and pharmacology was established that have ability to
      provide more systematic diagnostic and therapeutic information of diseases.

PMID- 27256511
TI  - Serial outcomes in acute necrotising encephalopathy of childhood: A medium and
      long term study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Acute necrotising encephalopathy (ANEC) is a severe, debilitating
      childhood disorder. We used the ANEC scoring system (ANE-ss) and standardised
      neurodevelopmental scores to objectively characterise medium and long term
      outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of children with ANEC at KK Women's and
      Children's Hospital, Singapore, from 2005 to 2012. ANE-ss was determined from
      clinical features and neuroimaging, and neurodevelopmental scores (Pediatric
      Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended, Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scale and
      Pediatric Overall Performance Category scale) were applied at 1, 6, 12 and
      24months post diagnosis. RESULTS: Seven patients with ANEC were studied. All had
      a viral prodrome with fever, and encephalopathy at presentation, and received
      immunotherapy (steroids or immunoglobulin). ANE-ss scores were medium risk in 4
      patients and high risk in 3 patients. One died (high risk ANE-ss) and outcome was
      determined in the 6 survivors. At 1month post diagnosis, 3 patients (50%) were
      mildly affected and 3 (50%) were severely affected. Morbidity rates improved by
      12months, with 67% and 33.3% scoring in the mildly affected and severely affected
      ranges, respectively. Medium risk patients did well with majority having little
      or no neurological deficits and good outcome scores. CONCLUSION: Mortality and
      severe morbidity correlated well with high risk ANE-ss. However, our patients
      with medium risk ANE-ss had good neurodevelopmental sequelae. Serial disability
      scoring is useful in evaluating the progress of ANEC patients on follow up.
      Assessment at 1month post diagnosis can aid prognostication of long term outcome.

PMID- 27256512
TI  - Arts syndrome with a novel missense mutation in the PRPS1 gene: A case report.
AB  - Arts syndrome is characterized by early-onset hypotonia, ataxia, intellectual
      disability, sensorineural hearing impairment, progressive optic atrophy, and a
      tendency to develop infections. Arts syndrome is an X-linked disorder caused by a
      loss-of-function mutation in the PRPS1 gene, which encodes
      phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase 1. Only three families have been reported.
      Here, we report another family with Arts syndrome. The initial symptoms of the 1
      year-old proband were hypotonia and ataxia, worsening recurrent infection
      triggered muscle weakness, motor and intellectual developmental delay, and
      hearing loss. Both central nervous system involvement and peripheral neuropathy
      were demonstrated. His three maternal uncles had died before the age of 3years. A
      genetic analysis of PRPS1 revealed a novel missense mutation, c.367C>G
      (p.His123Asp). PRPS enzymatic activity was markedly reduced in the patient. His
      mother was supposed to be an asymptomatic carrier. Arts syndrome should be
      included in the differential diagnosis of infantile hypotonia and weakness
      aggravated by recurrent infection with a family history of X-linked inheritance.

PMID- 27256513
TI  - Dynamic-field devices for the ultrasonic manipulation of microparticles.
AB  - The use of acoustic radiation forces in lab-on-a-chip environments has seen a
      rapid development in recent years. Operations such as particle sieving, sorting
      and characterisation are becoming increasingly common with a range of
      applications in the biomedical sciences. Traditionally, these applications rely
      on static patterns of ultrasonic pressure and are often collectively referred to
      as ultrasonic standing wave devices. Recent years have also seen the emergence of
      devices which capitalise on dynamic and reconfigurable ultrasonic fields and
      these are the subject of this review. Dynamic ultrasonic fields lead to acoustic
      radiation forces that change with time. They have opened up the possibility of
      performing a wide range of manipulations such as the transport and rotation of
      individual particles or agglomerates. In addition, they have led to device
      reconfigurability, i.e. the ability of a single lab-on-a-chip device to perform
      multiple functions. This opens up the possibility of channel-less microfluidic
      devices which would have many applications, for example in biosensing and
      microscale assembly. This paper reviews the current state of the field of dynamic
      and reconfigurable ultrasonic particle manipulation devices and then discusses
      the open problems and future possibilities.

PMID- 27256514
TI  - Effects of bioirrigation of non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) on lake
      sediment respiration.
AB  - Bioirrigation or the transport of fluids into the sediment matrix due to the
      activities of organisms such as bloodworms (larvae of Diptera, Chironomidae), has
      substantial impacts on sediment respiration in lakes. However, previous
      quantifications of bioirrigation impacts of Chironomidae have been limited by
      technical challenges such as the difficulty to separate faunal and bacterial
      respiration. This paper describes a novel method based on the bioreactive tracer
      resazurin for measuring respiration in-situ in non-sealed systems with constant
      oxygen supply. Applying this new method in microcosm experiments revealed that
      bioirrigation enhanced sediment respiration by up to 2.5 times. The new method is
      yielding lower oxygen consumption than previously reported, as it is only
      sensitive to aerobic heterotrophous respiration and not to other processes
      causing oxygen decrease. Hence it decouples the quantification of respiration of
      animals and inorganic oxygen consumption from microbe respiration in sediment.

PMID- 27256516
TI  - Treatment failure in superficial basal cell carcinoma following treatment with
      photodynamic therapy: is this a result of underdiagnosis?

PMID- 27256515
TI  - Effect of in utero exposure to the atypical anti-psychotic risperidone on
      histopathological features of the rat placenta.
AB  - For clinical management of different forms of psychosis, both classical and
      atypical anti-psychotic drugs (APDs) are available. These drugs are widely
      prescribed, even during pregnancy considering their minimal extra-pyramidal side
      effects and teratogenic potential compared to classical APDs. Among AAPDs,
      risperidone (RIS) is a first-line drug of choice by physicians. The molecular
      weight of RIS is 410.49 g/mol; hence, it can easily cross the placental barrier
      and enter the foetal bloodstream. It is not known whether or not AAPDs like RIS
      may affect the developing placenta and foetus adversely. Reports on this issue
      are limited and sketchy. Therefore, this study has evaluated the effects of
      maternal exposure to equivalent therapeutic doses of RIS on placental growth,
      histopathological and cytoarchitectural changes, and to establish a relationship
      between placental dysfunction and foetal outcomes. Pregnant rats (n = 24) were
      exposed to selected doses (0.8, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg) of RIS from gestation days 6
      21. These dams were sacrificed; their placentas and foetuses were collected,
      morphometrically examined and further processed for histopathological
      examination. This study revealed that in utero exposure to equivalent therapeutic
      doses of RIS during organogenesis-induced placental dystrophy (size and weight),
      disturbed cytoarchitectural organization (thickness of different placental
      layers), histopathological lesions (necrosis in trophoblast with disruption of
      trophoblastic septa and rupturing of maternal-foetal interface) and intrauterine
      growth restriction of the foetuses. It may be concluded that multifactorial
      mechanisms might be involved in the dysregulation of structure and function of
      the placenta and of poor foetal growth and development.

PMID- 27256517
TI  - Arthritis, comorbidities, and care utilization in veterans of operations enduring
      and Iraqi Freedom.
AB  - Veteran populations are known to have frequencies of arthritis higher than
      civilian populations. The aim of this study is to define the prevalence of
      arthritis among a cohort of veterans from ongoing U.S. military operations. A
      retrospective cohort study using Veterans Administration data sources for service
      connected disability, comorbidities, clinic utilization, and pharmacy utilization
      was conducted including veterans who deployed in service to operations in
      Afghanistan or Iraq, comparing veterans with a diagnosis of arthritis, arthritis
      plus back pain, and veterans with no pain diagnoses. The frequency of arthritis
      was 11.8%. Veterans with arthritis and arthritis plus back pain had greater
      frequencies of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity compare to
      veterans with no pain diagnosis. Veterans with arthritis plus back pain had the
      highest pain clinic utilization and prescription use of opioids and anti
      inflammatories. Veterans with no pain diagnosis had higher frequencies of
      diagnosis and clinic utilization for mental health disorders. Arthritis is
      prevalent among the latest generation of combat veterans and is associated with
      diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular comorbidities. The need for arthritis care
      and associated comorbidities is expected to increase as the Veterans
      Administration and the civilian health care sector assumes care of these
      veterans. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc. J Orthop Res 35:682-687, 2017.

PMID- 27256518
TI  - Psychosocial interventions for internalised stigma in people with a schizophrenia
      spectrum diagnosis: A systematic narrative synthesis and meta-analysis.
AB  - It is acknowledged that people with a schizophrenia-spectrum diagnosis experience
      higher levels of stigma compared to any other mental health diagnosis. As a
      consequence, their experience of internalised stigma is likely to be the most
      detrimental and pervasive. Internalised stigma interventions have shown some
      benefits in those who experience serious mental illness including those with a
      schizophrenia-spectrum diagnosis. A systematic narrative review and meta-analysis
      were conducted examining the efficacy of internalised stigma interventions for
      people with a schizophrenia-spectrum diagnosis. Randomised Controlled Trials,
      controlled trials, and cohort studies were included and assessed against quality
      criteria. The search identified 12 studies; 7 randomised controlled trials, 3
      cohort studies and 2 controlled trials. A variety of psychosocial interventions
      were utilised with the majority employing Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT),
      psychoeducation and social skills training. The core outcomes used to examine the
      efficacy of the intervention were internalised stigma, self-esteem, empowerment,
      and functioning. The meta-analysis revealed an improvement in internalised stigma
      favouring the internalised stigma intervention but was not significant (5 RCTs,
      n=200). Self-efficacy and insight were significantly improved favouring the
      internalised stigma intervention. Internalised stigma interventions show promise
      in those with schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses. Existing interventions have
      demonstrated small effects and employed small samples. Large scale RCTs are
      required to further develop the evidence base of more targeted interventions.

PMID- 27256519
TI  - Cryo-thermal therapy elicits potent anti-tumor immunity by inducing extracellular
      Hsp70-dependent MDSC differentiation.
AB  - Achieving control of metastatic disease is a long-sought goal in cancer therapy.
      Treatments that encourage a patient's own immune system are bringing new hopes in
      reaching such a goal. In clinic, local hyperthermia and cryoablation have been
      explored to induce anti-tumor immune responses against tumors. We have also
      developed a novel therapeutic modality of cryo-thermal treatment by alternating
      liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooling and radio frequency (RF) heating, and better
      therapeutic effect was achieved in treating metastatic cancer in animal model. In
      this study, we investigated the mechanism of systemic immune response elicited by
      cryo-thermal therapy. In the 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma model, we found that
      local cryo-thermal therapy resulted in a considerable reduction of distant lung
      metastases, and improved long-term survival. Moreover, results of tumor re
      challenge experiments indicated generation of a strong tumor-specific immune
      memory after the local treatment of primary tumors. Our further study indicated
      that cryo-thermal therapy caused an elevated extracellular release of Hsp70.
      Subsequently, Hsp70 induced differentiation of MDSCs into mature DCs,
      contributing to the relief of MDSCs-mediated immunosuppression and ultimately the
      activation of strong anti-tumor immune response. Our findings reveal new insight
      into the mechanism of robust therapeutic effects of cryo-thermal therapy against
      metastatic cancers.

PMID- 27256520
TI  - A new post-intoxication treatment of paraoxon and parathion poisonings using an
      evolved PON1 variant and recombinant GOT1.
AB  - Organophosphate (OP) based pesticides are highly toxic compounds that are still
      widely used in agriculture around the world. According to World Health
      Organization (WHO) data, it is estimated that between 250,000 and 370,000 deaths
      occur yearly around the globe as a result of acute intoxications by pesticides.
      Currently available antidotal drug treatments of severe OP intoxications are
      symptomatic, do not reduce the level of intoxicating OP in the body and have
      limited ability to prevent long-term brain damage. Pesticide poisonings present a
      special therapeutic challenge since in many cases, such as with parathion, their
      toxicity stems from their metabolites that inhibit the essential enzyme
      acetylcholinesterase. Our goal is to develop a new treatment strategy for
      parathion intoxication by combining a catalytic bioscavenger that rapidly
      degrades the intoxicating parathion-metabolite (paraoxon) in the blood, with a
      glutamate bioscavenger that reduces the elevated concentration of extracellular
      glutamate in the brain following OP intoxication. We report on the development of
      a novel catalytic bioscavenger by directed evolution of serum paraoxonase 1
      (PON1) that effectively detoxifies paraoxon in-vivo. We also report preliminary
      results regarding the utilization of this PON1 variant together with a
      recombinant human enzyme glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 1 (rGOT1),
      suggesting that a dual PON-GOT treatment may increase survival and recovery from
      parathion and paraoxon intoxications.

PMID- 27256521
TI  - Cerebral oxidative metabolism is decreased with extreme apnoea in humans; impact
      of hypercapnia.
AB  - KEY POINTS: The present study describes the cerebral oxidative and non-oxidative
      metabolism in man during a prolonged apnoea (ranging from 3 min 36 s to 7 min 26
      s) that generates extremely low levels of blood oxygen and high levels of carbon
      dioxide. The cerebral oxidative metabolism, measured from the product of cerebral
      blood flow and the radial artery-jugular venous oxygen content difference, was
      reduced by ~29% at the termination of apnoea, although there was no change in the
      non-oxidative metabolism. A subset study with mild and severe hypercapnic
      breathing at the same level of hypoxia suggests that hypercapnia can partly
      explain the cerebral metabolic reduction near the apnoea breakpoint. A
      hypercapnia-induced oxygen-conserving response may protect the brain against
      severe oxygen deprivation associated with prolonged apnoea. ABSTRACT: Prolonged
      apnoea in humans is reflected in progressive hypoxaemia and hypercapnia. In the
      present study, we explore the cerebral metabolic responses under extreme hypoxia
      and hypercapnia associated with prolonged apnoea. We hypothesized that the
      cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2 ) will be reduced near the termination
      of apnoea, attributed in part to the hypercapnia. Fourteen elite apnoea-divers
      performed a maximal apnoea (range 3 min 36 s to 7 min 26 s) under dry laboratory
      conditions. In a subset study with the same divers, the impact of hypercapnia on
      cerebral metabolism was determined using varying levels of hypercapnic breathing,
      against the background of similar hypoxia. In both studies, the CMRO2 was
      calculated from the product of cerebral blood flow (ultrasound) and the radial
      artery-internal jugular venous oxygen content difference. Non-oxidative cerebral
      metabolism was calculated from the ratio of oxygen and carbohydrate (lactate and
      glucose) metabolism. The CMRO2  was reduced by ~29% (P < 0.01, Cohen's d = 1.18)
      near the termination of apnoea compared to baseline, although non-oxidative
      metabolism remained unaltered. In the subset study, in similar backgrounds of
      hypoxia (arterial O2 tension: ~38.4 mmHg), severe hypercapnia (arterial CO2
      tension: ~58.7 mmHg), but not mild-hypercapnia (arterial CO2 tension: ~46.3
      mmHg), depressed the CMRO2 (~17%, P = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.87). Similarly to the
      apnoea, there was no change in the non-oxidative metabolism. These data indicate
      that hypercapnia can partly explain the reduction in CMRO2 near the apnoea
      breakpoint. This hypercapnic-induced oxygen conservation may protect the brain
      against severe hypoxaemia associated with prolonged apnoea.

PMID- 27256522
TI  - Endocannabinoid receptor blockade increases hepatocyte growth factor and reduces
      insulin levels in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PMID- 27256523
TI  - [Application and prospect of digital technology in the field of orthodontics].
AB  - The three-dimensional(3D)digital technology has brought a revolutionary change in
      diagnostic planning and treatment strategy of orthodontics. Acquisition of 3D
      image data of the hard and soft tissues of the patients, diagnostic analysis and
      treatment prediction, and ultimately the individualized orthodontic appliance,
      will become the development trend and workflow of the 3D orthodontics. With the
      development of 3D digital technology, the traditional plaster model has been
      gradually replacing by 3D digital models. Meanwhile, 3D facial soft tissue scan
      and cone-beam CT scan have been gradually applied to clinical orthodontics,
      making it possible to get 3D virtual anatomical structure for patients. With the
      help of digital technology, the diagnostic process is much easier for
      orthodontist. However how to command the whole digital workflow and put it into
      practice in the daily work is still a long way to go. The purpose of this article
      is to enlighten the orthodontists interested in digital technology and discuss
      the future of digital orthodontics in China.

PMID- 27256524
TI  - [Application of three-dimensional digital technology in the diagnosis and
      treatment planning in orthodontics].
AB  - Three-dimensional(3D)digital technology has been widely used in the field of
      orthodontics in clinical examination, diagnosis, treatment and curative effect
      evaluation. 3D digital technology greatly improves the accuracy of diagnosis and
      treatment, and provides effective means for personalized orthodontic treatment.
      This review focuses on the application of 3D digital technology in the field of
      orthodontics. 

PMID- 27256525
TI  - [Some technical problems in three-dimensional cephalometrics].
AB  - Two-dimensional(2D)cephalometrics is an important diagnostic technique in
      dentistry. Three-dimensional(3D)cephalometrics is becoming a hot point along with
      the popularity of cone-beam CT(CBCT). However, the 3D cephalometric technique,
      like 2D cephalometric technique, there are many technical problems needed to be
      solved. In this article, several topics, including multi-source of 3D
      cephalometrics, the head position in 3D cephalometrics, the difficulty of
      landmark indication, norms for 3D cephalometrics and superimposition in 3D
      imaging, are discussed. 

PMID- 27256526
TI  - [Preliminary safety and stability assessment of orthodontic miniscrew
      implantation guided by surgical template based on cone-beam CT images].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop surgical templates for orthodontic miniscrew implantation
      based on cone-beam CT(CBCT)three-dimensional(3D)images and to evaluate the safety
      and stability of implantation guided by the templates. METHODS: DICOM data
      obtained in patients who had CBCT scans taken were processed using Mimics
      software, and 3D images of teeth and maxillary bone were acquired. Meanwhile, 3D
      images of miniscrews were acquired using Solidworks software and processed with
      Mimics software. Virtual position of miniscrews was determined based on 3D images
      of teeth, bone, and miniscrews. 3D virtual templates were designed according to
      the virtual implantation plans. STL files were output and the real templates were
      fabricated with stereolithographic appliance(SLA). Postoperative CBCT scans were
      used to evaluate the implantation safety and the stability of miniscrews were
      investigated. RESULTS: All the templates were positioned accurately and kept
      stable throughout the implantation process. No root damage was found. The
      deviations were(1.73+/-0.65)mm at the corona, and(1.28+/-0.82)mm at the apex,
      respectively. The stability of miniscrews was fairly well. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical
      templates for miniscrew implantation could be acquired based on 3D CBCT images
      and fabricated with SLA. Implantation guided by these templates was safe and
      stable.

PMID- 27256527
TI  - [Clinical and radiologic characteristics of craniomaxillofacial primary tumor
      induced osteomalacia: a retrospective analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis strategy, radiology and clinical
      pathology feature of craniomaxillofacial primary tumor induced osteomalacia.
      METHODS: Twelve cases of craniomaxillofacial primary tumor induced osteomalacia
      were reviewed, including 5 male and 7 female with a age range from 16 to 69
      years. The clinical characteristics, radiology examinations and pathological
      features were analyzed. RESULTS: The craniomaxillofacial primary tumor induced
      osteomalacia occurred in different ages, with 2 to 30 years of medical history.
      Seven of the twelve cases were octreotide scintigraphy positive, nine of the
      twelve cases invaded bone, exhibiting destruction of the adjacent cortex, ten of
      the twelve showed gingival lesions of local thickening or epulis. The tumor
      arises from mesenchymal tissue, infiltrating local gingiva and bone trabecular
      with spindle like fibroblasts and dental epithelial rests. CONCLUSIONS: The
      concealed nature of the tumor induced osteomalacia requires multiple methods to
      locate the primary tumor and the tumors located in craniomaxillofacial region
      have unique clinical and pathological features.

PMID- 27256528
TI  - [MRI interstitial (125)I seed implantation treatment for oral and maxillofacial
      adenogenic malignant tumor].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic efficacy of MRI guided interstitial (125)I
      seed implantation in the treatment of oral and maxillofacial adenogenic malignant
      tumor Methods: A total of 39 patients with oral and maxillofacial adenogenic
      malignant tumors received interstitial (125)I implantation treatment one week
      postoperatively. Before implantation, MRI scanning was performed and implantation
      plan of (125)I was designed with the aid of treating plan system. During the
      implantation, positioning pin was firstly implanted and then its position and
      direction were adjusted according to navigation. Next, (125)I was delivered into
      the target region. Real-time assessment was required to find if the sites of
      implantation corresponded with that of preoperative design. One week and two
      months after implantation, CT scanning and dosimetric analysis were performed.
      All the patients needed regular reexamination to observe if there was recurrence
      of tumor, lymphadenectasis in lymph draining region and distant metastasis.
      RESULTS: All the procedures of implantation were successful. Post-operative CT
      showed no seed migration and the location of implanted (125)I was exact as
      designed. Among the 39 patients, 7 cases suffered from tumor recurrence, with
      local control rate of 82%(32/29). One got pulmonary metastasis, and one had
      ipsilateral lymphadenectasis. No serious complications affected life quality, and
      no seeds migration was observed. CONCLUSIONS: MRI-guided implanting of (125)I is
      an accurate way to treat oral and maxillofacial adenogenic malignant tumors,
      which could effectively decrease postoperative complications and tumor recurrence
      rate.

PMID- 27256529
TI  - [Imaging analysis of temporomandibular joint anatomy changes after intraoral
      condylectomy combined with orthognathic surgery].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively analyze the changes of facial symmetry and
      temporomandibular joint structure at different periods after intraoral
      condylectomy combined with orthognathic surgery, and to evaluate the long-term
      stability after the operation. METHODS: Spiral CT data of 10 cases treated by
      intraoral condylectomy combined with orthognathic surgery were collected, and
      then reconstructed by ProPlan software. Mark points were drawn on the 3D-images
      reconstructed immediately after the operation, and 6 months and 12 months after
      the operation. The measurements parameters included condylar axis angle in three
      dimensions, condylar-glenoid relative position and condylar facial morphology
      related indicators. The results were statistically analyzed by the consistency
      test and the variance of repeated measurement data. RESULTS: The facial asymmetry
      of the patients was corrected after operation, the height of the affected
      mandibular ascending ramus(T1: [67.81+/-6.95]mm, T2: [64.49+/-6.24]mm, T3:
      [63.05+/-7.07]mm)as well as the degree of pogonion deviation decreased(T1:
      [2.79+/-4.93]mm, T2: [0.37+/-4.20]mm, T3: [0.33 +/- 3.97]mm)(P<0.05). But the
      tilt angle of the occlusion plane and the degree of mandibular height asymmetry
      had no significant difference between all the post-operative periods(P>0.05). The
      post-operative 3D changes of the position and shape of the resected and its
      contralateral condylar showed that the bilateral condylar axis angle in the
      horizontal plane gradually grew after operation(affected condyle: 71.95 degrees 
      +/- 7.47 degrees , 74.73 degrees +/-8.44 degrees , 76.56 degrees +/-5.22 degrees
      ; control condyle: 72.60 degrees +/-5.56 degrees , 76.00 degrees +/-5.30 degrees
      , 77.19 degrees +/-6.20 degrees  and had significant difference between all the
      post-operative periods)(P<0.05), the condyle moved slowly upward on both
      sides(superior space on the affected side: [8.78+/-4.38]mm, [4.11+/-2.49]mm,
      [3.27+/-1.96]mm; on the control side: [3.63+/-1.49]mm, [2.52+/-1.19]mm, [2.38+/
      1.11]mm)(P<0.05), and moved inward only on the affected side(P< 0.05). All the
      above changes slowed down over time, and the disc-condyle-fossa relative position
      tended to be stable over time as well. The condyle diameter on the inside-outside
      direction gradually decreased on the affected side(T1: [14.98+/-2.39]mm, T2:
      [14.04+/-2.68]mm, T3: [13.74+/-2.89]mm)(P<0.05), and the surface morphology of
      the resected condyle was similar to the normal side. There were also some
      condylar surface morphological changes on the control side, but no statistical
      significance was found between different periods after the peration(P>0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: The intraoral condylectomy combined with orthognathic surgery can
      eliminate condylar lesions effectively and correct the facial asymmetry caused by
      condylar benign tumor and hyperplasia. The facial symmetry can be maintained well
      after the operation, and the post-operative condylar morphology changes tended to
      be stable six months after the operation.

PMID- 27256530
TI  - [Influence of Coca-Cola on early erosion and surface microhardness of human
      enamel: an in situ study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Assessed the effect of single dose attack of Coca-Cola on early
      erosion and surface microhardness of permanent human enamel, in order to provide
      diet instructions on minimum amount and frequency of carbonated beverage
      consumption. METHODS: Eighty enamel slabs were prepared out of 10 extracted human
      mandibular third molars, and distributed into 8 groups with randomized block
      design(n=10). Ten generally healthy volunteers with normal saliva secretion wore
      acrylic palatal appliances containing 2 enamel slabs, with formation of a
      salivary pellicle 2 h ahead. The volunteers were instructed to drink 100 ml fresh
      Coca-Cola within 20 s. And then the alterations of the enamel slabs were measured
      using a Vicker's microhardness tester at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20 and 30 min after
      the consumption of Coca-Cola. For each volunteer, the experiment was carried out
      in four days, 2 samples were examined each time. Data were analyzed using Kruskal
      Wallis and Wilcoxon tests(alpha =0.05). RESULTS: Significant decreases in surface
      microhardness(SMH)were observed in each time point(P<0.01). The percentages of
      surface microhardness changes on each exposure time were(12.2+/-3.9)%,(16.8+/
      5.5)%,(16.7+/-5.6)%,(16.2+/-6.2)%,(16.6+/-9.0)%,(15.6+/-3.7)%,(13.8+/-4.8)%
      and(11.4+/-3.2)%, respectively. Significant differences were observed between G1
      min and G2-8 min(P=0.029), G2-8 min and G30 min(P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Single
      intake of 100 ml Coca-Cola could lead to significant decrease of enamel
      microhardness and initiate erosion of enamel surface. Enamel surface
      microhardness decreased to the lowest points at 2-8 min, and began to recover
      after 10 min. The enamel surface microhardness could not fully recovered to the
      baseline level in 30 min if no intervention was performed.

PMID- 27256531
TI  - [Finite element analysis of the maxillary central incisor with traditional and
      modified crown lengthening surgery and post-core restoration in management of
      crown-root fracture].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To construct three-dimensional finite element models with modified
      crown lengthening surgery and post-core restoration in management of various
      crown-root fracture types, to investigate the intensity and distribution of
      stressin models mentioned above, and to compare and analyze the indications of
      traditional and modified crown lengthening surgeries from the mechanic point of
      view. METHODS: Nine three-dimensional finite element models with modified crown
      lengthening surgery and post-core restoration were established and analyzed by
      micro-CT scanning technique, dental impression scanner, Mimics 10.0, Geomagic
      studio 9.0 and ANSYS 14.0 software. The von Mises stress of dentin, periodontal
      ligament, alveolar bone, post and core, as well as the periodontal ligament area
      and threshold limit value were calculated and compared with the findings of
      traditional crown lengthening models which had been published earlierby our
      research group. RESULTS: The von Mises stress intensity of modified crown
      lengthening models were: dentin>post>core>alveolar bone>periodontal ligament. The
      maximum von Mises stress of dentin(44.37-80.58 MPa)distributed in lingual central
      shoulder. The periodontal ligament area of the modified crown lengthening surgery
      was reduced by 6% to 28%, under the same crown-root fracture conditions, the
      periodontal ligament area of modified crown lengthening models was larger than
      that of the traditional crown lengthening models. In modified crown lengthening
      surgery models, the von Mises stress of periodontal ligament of B3L1m, B3L2m,
      B3L3m models exceeded their limit values, however, the von Mises stress of
      periodontal ligament of the B2L2c, B2L3c, B3L1c, B3L2c, B3L3c models exceeded
      their limit values in traditional crown lengthening surgery models. CONCLUSIONS:
      The modified crown lengthening surgery conserves more periodontal supporting
      tissues, which facilitates the long-term survival of teeth. The indication of
      modified crown lengthening surgery is wider than traditional method. The
      maxillary central incisors with labial fracture at gingival margin level and with
      palatal fracture at or below the alveolar crest level are not the indication of
      the crown lengthening surgery.

PMID- 27256532
TI  - [Inhibitory effect of quercetin on the biofilm formation of Streptococcus
      mutans].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the inhibitory effect of quercetin on the biofilm formation
      of Streptococcus mutans(Sm), to preliminarily reveal the possible underlying
      mechanisms, and to evaluate the cytotoxicity of quercetion to human dental pulp
      cells so as to provide the theoretical basis for the application of quercetin in
      oral biomaterials. METHODS: Quercetin storage solution was diluted to 0, 3.125,
      6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/L, and added into Sm medium for 4 h
      and 24 h, crystal violet staining was used to evaluate the biofilm volume. In
      subsequent detections, three groups were set: control(0 mg/L), 200 mg/L quercetin
      and 400 mg/L quercetin. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to observe
      the morphology of the biofilm; qPCR for gtfB, gtfC, comD, comE, and luxS were
      assessed to preliminarily investigate the mechanisms. Finally, the methyl
      thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)test using human dental pulp cells was used to
      investigate cytotoxicity. RESULTS: Quercetin could significantly inhibit up
      to(86.16+/-0.45)% of the biofilm formation of Sm(Compared with the control group
      P=0.00)and effectively removed(43.04+/-0.53)% of the mature biofilm(Compared with
      the control group P=0.00). Confocal laser scanning microscopy photographs showed
      that after co-incubated for 24 h, the dense biofilm structures of the
      experimental group were destroyed by quercetin both at 200 mg/L and 400 mg/L.
      Quercetin suppressedover 50% of the expression of gtfB, gtfC, comD, comE(compared
      with the control group P<0.05)and promoted the expression of luxS up to 2.18 +/-
      0.24 and 2.84 +/- 0.26 after 4 h and 24 h, respectively(compared with the control
      group P<0.05). Quercetin also exhibited acceptable compatibility for human dental
      pulp cells. CONCLUSIONS: Quercetin could effectively reduce the biofilm formation
      of Sm by inhibiting the expression of the related genes, and exhibited no
      cytotoxicity for human dental pulp cells. Quercetin has good potential to be
      applied in oral biological materials.

PMID- 27256533
TI  - [Effects of recombinant human growth hormone on local expression of insulin-like
      growth factor-I during orthodontic tooth movement].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore in vivo the expression of insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF
      I)under stress, and to analyze changes of the local expression related to
      recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH)treatment. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were
      randomly divided into control and growth hormone groups, 20 in each group. A
      force of 0.49 N was applied to move the right upper first molars mesially. The
      growth hormone group and control group received daily subcutaneous injections of
      rhGH and equivalent volumes of saline, respectively. The rats were sacrificed on
      days 1, 3, 7 and 14. Micro-CT-reconstructed images were used to survey root
      resorption, and horizontal sections of the maxillae were prepared for tartrate
      resistant acid phosphate(TRAP)and immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: Tooth
      moved faster in the growth hormone group([0.291+/-0.017], [0.513+/-0.111]mm)than
      in the control group([0.245+/-0.033], [0.368+/- 0.052]mm)on days 7 and
      14(P<0.05). More osteoclasts on day 3, and fewer osteoclasts on day 7 were
      observed in the growth hormone group([4.0+/-0.7], [2.6+/-0.6]cell/high-power
      field)than in the control group([2.8+/-0.6], [3.8+/-0.8]cell/high-power
      field)(P<0.05). The number of IGF-I positive osteoclasts in the growth hormone
      group([4.7 +/- 0.7]cell/high-power field)was significantly greater than that in
      the control group([2.7+/-0.5]cell/high-power field)(P<0.01)on day 3. Compared
      with the control group([18.6+/-1.5], [23.3+/- 3.8]cell/high-power field), IGF-I
      positive PDL cells increased on days 7 and 14 in the growth hormone
      groups([29.6+/-3.4], [37.5+/-6.1]cell/high-power field)(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      rhGH could stimulate IGF-I expression in PDL, and accelerate bone remodeling and
      tooth movement.

PMID- 27256535
TI  - [Oral status of a child with Papillon-Lefevre syndrome: over 10-year follow-up].

PMID- 27256534
TI  - [The progress in application of parathyroid hormone in craniomaxillofacial bone
      regeneration study].
AB  - Parathyroid hormone(PTH)is synthesized and secreted by chief cell of Gley's
      glands which possesses dual functions of catabolism and anabolism. It regulates
      the proliferation and differentiation of multiple cell lines including
      osteoblast, osteoclast and skeletal lining cells. Furthermore, PTH activates
      various signaling pathways which control calcium, phosphorous' metabolism and
      bone conversion, accelerating the bone regeneration and reconstruction. However,
      the study of PTH in craniomaxillofacial bone regeneration is relatively less and
      whether the role of parathyroid glands and the mechanism of ossification are
      consistent with the long bone or not needs further investigation. This review
      focuses on the progress of PTH in craniomaxillofacial bone regeneration in recent
      years. 

PMID- 27256536
TI  - Predictors of Incidence, Remission and Relapse of Axis I Mental Disorders in
      Young Women: A Transdiagnostic Approach.
AB  - : An understanding of etiological and maintaining factors of mental disorders is
      essential for the treatment of mental disorders, as well as mental health
      promotion and protection. The present study examines predictors of the incidence,
      remission and relapse of a wide range of Axis I mental disorders, using data from
      the Dresden Predictor Study. A sample of 1394 young German women completed
      questionnaires evaluating psychological factors (positive mental health, self
      efficacy, life satisfaction, neuroticism, psychopathology and dysfunctional
      attitudes) and global assessment of functioning, as well as structured diagnostic
      interviews assessing incidence and change (remission, relapse) in mental
      disorders. Predictors were analysed using a multivariate logistic regression
      model. Significant factors for incidence of mental disorders included neuroticism
      and global functioning. A remitting course of mental disorders was predicted by
      positive mental health, self-efficacy and global assessment of functioning.
      Relapse was significantly predicted by neuroticism and dysfunctional attitudes.
      Results imply that mental health promotion is particularly important for women
      with high neuroticism and low functioning, as they tend to be at risk for
      incidence. Mental disorder treatment may benefit from strengthening positive
      mental health and functioning, as these factors promote remission. Relapse
      prevention may benefit from attention to neuroticism and dysfunctional attitudes
      in order to reduce the likelihood of relapse. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: Incidence of mental disorders in young women
      was predicted by neuroticism and low global functioning. There seems to be a need
      for preventive interventions addressing high neuroticism and low global
      functioning. Remission in young women was predicted by positive mental health. It
      may be helpful to include resource-based interventions, which can strengthen or
      support general positive mental health. Relapse in young women was predicted by
      two negative psychological factors: high neuroticism and reporting many
      dysfunctional attitudes. Psychotherapy addressing the characteristics and
      behaviour of neurotic patients might be beneficial. Interventions should also
      focus on addressing and changing dysfunctional attitudes.

PMID- 27256537
TI  - Alcoholic liver disease patients' perspective of a coping and physical activity
      oriented rehabilitation intervention after hepatic encephalopathy.
AB  - AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe the impact of a coping and physical
      activity-oriented rehabilitation intervention on alcoholic liver disease patients
      after hepatic encephalopathy in terms of their interaction with professionals and
      relatives. BACKGROUND: Patients who have experienced alcohol-induced hepatic
      encephalopathy have reduced quality of life, multiple complications, and social
      problems, and rehabilitation opportunities for these patients are limited.
      DESIGN: A grounded theory study and an evaluation study of a controlled
      intervention study. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10
      alcoholic liver disease patients who were diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy
      and participated in a coping and physical activity-oriented rehabilitation
      intervention. Richard S. Lazarus's theory of stress and coping inspired the
      interview guide. RESULTS: The significance of a coping and physical activity
      oriented rehabilitation intervention on alcoholic liver disease patients' ability
      to cope with problems after surviving alcohol-induced hepatic encephalopathy in
      terms of their interaction with professionals and relatives was characterised by
      the core category 'regain control over the diseased body'. This is subdivided
      into three separate categories: 'the experience of being physically strong',
      'togetherness' and 'self-control', and they impact each other and are mutually
      interdependent. CONCLUSION: Alcoholic liver disease patients described the
      strength of the rehabilitation as regaining control over the diseased body.
      Professionals and relatives of patients with alcoholic liver disease may need to
      focus on strengthening and preserving patients' control of their diseased body by
      facilitating the experience of togetherness, self-control and physical strength
      when interacting with and supporting patients with alcoholic liver disease.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: A coping and physical activity-oriented
      rehabilitation intervention may help alcoholic liver disease patients to regain
      control over their diseased body and give patients the experience of
      togetherness, self-control and physical strength. Professionals should be aware
      of giving the patients the experience of togetherness in their interactions, help
      them perceive self-control and gain physical strength during their
      rehabilitation.

PMID- 27256538
TI  - Subscapularis function after total shoulder arthroplasty: electromyography,
      ultrasound, and clinical correlation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The literature lacks electromyographic (EMG) examination of
      subscapularis function in the postoperative period after total shoulder
      arthroplasty (TSA). The primary purpose of this study was to document EMG
      activity of the subscapularis after TSA and to correlate it with clinical and
      ultrasound findings. METHODS: The study included 30 patients who were at least 1
      year (average, 2.1 years) from surgery, status post TSA approached through a
      standard subscapularis tenotomy. Patients returned for a physical examination,
      ultrasound evaluation, and EMG evaluation. Patients also completed postoperative
      surveys: the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire, the Simple
      Shoulder Test, and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey. RESULTS: The American
      Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Shoulder Test, and physical 12-Item Short
      Form Health Survey scores improved from preoperatively to postoperatively,
      respectively, 45.3 to 76.8 (P = .0002), 3.9 to 9.0 (P < .0001), and 33.9 to 42.8
      (P = .017). Six patients had a positive lift-off test result, and the belly-press
      test result was negative in all patients. Two patients had a subscapularis
      rupture on ultrasound. The postoperative EMG finding was normal in 15 patients;
      in the other 15 patients, there was evidence of chronic denervation with
      reinnervation changes: 30% subscapularis, 27% infraspinatus, 20% supraspinatus,
      20% teres minor, and 13% rhomboids. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study using a
      comparison EMG evaluation to document subscapularis function after TSA. EMG
      evaluation showed that active denervation of the subscapularis was not evident in
      any patient at least 1 year after TSA. However, in half of the patients, there
      was evidence of chronicdenervation and reinnervation changes across 5 muscle
      groups. We theorize that surgical exposure, traction, and the use of interscalene
      regional anesthesia may contribute to these unexpected EMG results.

PMID- 27256539
TI  - The effects of mirror therapy on pain and motor control of phantom limb in
      amputees: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a major problem after limb
      amputation. Mirror therapy (MT) is a non-pharmacological treatment using
      representations of movement, the efficacy of which in reducing PLP remains to be
      clarified. Here, we present the first systematic review on MT efficacy in PLP and
      phantom limb movement (PLM) in amputees (lower or upper limb). METHODS: A search
      on Medline, Cochrane Database and Embase, crossing the keywords "Phantom Limb"
      and "Mirror Therapy" found studies which were read and analyzed according the
      PRISMA statement. RESULTS: Twenty studies were selected, 12 on the subject of MT
      and PLP, 3 on MT and PLM, 5 on MT and both (PLP and PLM). Among these 20 studies,
      5 were randomized controlled trials (163 patients), 6 prospective studies (55
      patients), 9 case studies (40 patients) and methodologies were heterogeneous.
      Seventeen of the 18 studies reported the efficacy of MT on PLP, but with low
      levels of evidence. One randomized controlled trial did not show any significant
      effect of MT. As to the effect of MT on PLM, the 8 studies concerned reported
      effectiveness of MT: 4 with a low level of evidence and 4 with a high level of
      evidence. An alternative to visual illusion seems to be tactile or auditory
      stimulation. CONCLUSION: We cannot recommend MT as a first intention treatment in
      PLP. The level of evidence is insufficient. Further research is needed to assess
      the effect of MT on pain, prosthesis use, and body representation, and to
      standardize protocols.

PMID- 27256540
TI  - Impact of pretransplant minimal residual disease on the post-transplant outcome
      of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - There are few reports on the clinical significance of MRD before HSCT in
      pediatric ALL. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical significance of FCM-based
      detection of MRD (FCM-MRD) before allogeneic HSCT in pediatric ALL. Of 38
      pediatric patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT for the first time between 1998
      and 2014, 33 patients were in CR and five patients were in non-CR. The CR group
      was further divided into two groups based on the pretransplant FCM-MRD level: the
      MRD(neg) (<0.01%; 30 patients) group and the MRD(pos) (>=0.01%; three patients)
      group. There were significant differences in the three-yr event-free survival
      rates between the CR and non-CR group, and between the MRD(neg) and MRD(pos)
      group. The three-yr cumulative RI in the MRD(neg) group were 27.3% +/- 8.8%,
      whereas two of the three patients in the MRD(pos) group relapsed within one yr
      after HSCT. The clinical outcome of the MRD(pos) group was as poor as that of the
      non-CR group in pediatric ALL. Therefore, an improvement in pretransplant
      treatment that aims to achieve a more profound remission would contribute to
      reducing the risk of relapse.

PMID- 27256541
TI  - In situ TEM tensile testing of carbon-linked graphene oxide nanosheets using a
      MEMS device.
AB  - This paper reports in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tensile testing
      of carbon-linked graphene oxide nanosheets using a monolithic TEM compatible
      microelectromechanical system device. The set-up allows direct on-chip nanosheet
      thickness mapping, high resolution electron beam linking of a pre-fractured
      nanosheet, and mechanical tensile testing of the nanosheet. This technique
      enables simultaneous mechanical and high energy electron beam characterization of
      2D nanomaterials. 

PMID- 27256542
TI  - The CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing Revolution.

PMID- 27256543
TI  - Public readiness for HIV self-testing in Kenya.
AB  - High interest and a growing body of evidence suggest that HIV self-testing could
      help fill the HIV testing gap for populations who have been hesitant to access
      testing services through current mechanisms. Evidence from five of six studies
      funded by 3ie answers questions posed by the Kenyan government to understand the
      readiness of Kenyans for HIV self-testing. The findings suggest that Kenyans are
      generally ready for HIV self-testing. Most people would not only like to obtain
      self-test kits through public health facilities but also expect to be able to
      obtain them from pharmacies - easy access being a key factor for a distribution
      outlet. Respondents across the studies seem to understand the importance of
      counseling and confirmatory testing, although the decision to access services
      after an HIV self-test will certainly be influenced by the results of the test.
      Respondents do have some concerns about potential harms and abuses from HIV self
      tests. These concerns are focused on what they expect others would do, rather
      than reflections of what they say they would do themselves. Additionally, most
      people believe that such concerns were mostly unwarranted and/or could be
      addressed.

PMID- 27256544
TI  - Barriers to Parent Support for Physical Activity in Appalachia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parent support for child physical activity is a consistent predictor
      of increased childhood activity. Little is known about factors that prevent or
      facilitate support. The purpose of this research was to identify barriers to
      parent support for child physical activity in Appalachian parents. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study assessed parents whose children participated in Coronary
      Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC) screenings in a rural
      Appalachian state. Barriers to parental support for physical activity,
      demographics, geographic location, and parental support for activity were
      measured. RESULTS: A total of 475 parents completed surveys. The majority were
      mothers (86.7%), parents of kindergarteners (49.5%), white (89.3%), and living in
      a nonrural area (70.5%). Community-level factors were most frequently cited as
      barriers, particularly those related to the built environment. Rural and low
      income parents reported significantly higher barriers. Community, interpersonal,
      and intrapersonal barriers were negatively correlated with parent support for
      child physical activity. Parents of girls reported a higher percentage of
      barriers related to safety. CONCLUSIONS: Reported barriers in this sample
      differed from those reported elsewhere (Davison, 2009). Specific groups such as
      low-income and rural parents should be targeted in intervention efforts. Future
      research should explore gender differences in reported barriers to determine the
      influence of cultural stereotypes.

PMID- 27256545
TI  - Differential effects of conifer and broadleaf litter inputs on soil organic
      carbon chemical composition through altered soil microbial community composition.
AB  - A strategic selection of tree species will shift the type and quality of litter
      input, and subsequently magnitude and composition of the soil organic carbon
      (SOC) through soil microbial community. We conducted a manipulative experiment in
      randomized block design with leaf litter inputs of four native subtropical tree
      species in a Pinus massoniana plantation in southern China and found that the
      chemical composition of SOC did not differ significantly among treatments until
      after 28 months of the experiment. Contrasting leaf litter inputs had significant
      impacts on the amounts of total microbial, Gram-positive bacterial, and
      actinomycic PLFAs, but not on the amounts of total bacterial, Gram-negative
      bacterial, and fungal PLFAs. There were significant differences in alkyl/O-alkyl
      C in soils among the leaf litter input treatments, but no apparent differences in
      the proportions of chemical compositions (alkyl, O-alkyl, aromatic, and carbonyl
      C) in SOC. Soil alkyl/O-alkyl C was significantly related to the amounts of total
      microbial, and Gram-positive bacterial PLFAs, but not to the chemical
      compositions of leaf litter. Our findings suggest that changes in forest leaf
      litter inputs could result in changes in chemical stability of SOC through the
      altered microbial community composition.

PMID- 27256546
TI  - Dermal glands in freshwater mites Limnesia undulata (O.F. Muller, 1776) and
      Limnesia fulgida (C.L. Koch, 1836) (Acariformes, Limnesiidae).
AB  - Dermal glands in the water mites Limnesia undulata (O.F. Muller, 1776) and
      Limnesia fulgida (C.L. Koch, 1836) and their secretion were studied by means of
      light microscopical, transmission electron microscopical (TEM) and scanning
      electron microscopical (SEM) methods. These mites possess two types of dermal
      glands - the 'common' dermal glands in a number of 14 pairs and one pair of the
      so-called 'idiosomal' dermal glands. The common dermal glands are bi-lobed organs
      and consist of high prismatic secretory cells directed to the gland mouth and
      mostly replacing the intra-alveolar lumen. The cells contain numerous cisterns of
      rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and specifically organized Golgi bodies (GB)
      producing electron-dense elongated secretory granules. These granules are
      released from the cells via apocrine secretion and come to the gland mouth, where
      they are sometimes accompanied by secretory cell cytoplasm. The final secretion
      may show a fibrous character. The idiosomal glands are sac-like organs stretched
      along the ventral body wall in posterior direction from the gland orifice
      corresponding to the epimeroglandularia 4. The secretory epithelium leaves a
      large intra-alveolar lumen filled with an electron-dense secretory material.
      Golgi bodies are organized identically with those in the common glands, which
      indicates the general homology of these two types of dermal glands. The glands'
      orifices are organized similarly in all glands and possess an internal funnel
      shaped sclerite with muscle armament, an internal valve, medial epicuticular
      flaps and an external circular cuticular ring. All glandularia, except for E4 and
      V1, are accompanied with a long and thin sensitive seta. During fixation,
      secretion of the common dermal glands is extruded to the exterior in the form of
      large amounts of convoluted tube-like structures. In the living organisms, being
      secreted in mass from the glands, this secretion acquires the form of long rigid
      mostly hollow un-branched threads comparable with the similar silken threads of
      other water arthropods. The function of the idiosomal glands secretion still
      remains unknown. 

PMID- 27256547
TI  - Treatment of insulin resistance by acupuncture: a review of human and animal
      studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can
      correct various metabolic disorders such as hyperglycaemia, overweight,
      hyperphagia, hyperlipidaemia, inflammation, altered activity of the sympathetic
      nervous system, and insulin signalling defects, all of which contribute to the
      development of insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE: To review human and animal studies
      investigating acupuncture as a treatment for insulin resistance, and to evaluate
      its potential to increase insulin sensitivity. METHODS: PubMed was searched for
      relevant articles published between January 2008 and October 2015. Search terms
      used were 'acupuncture', 'insulin resistance', 'insulin sensitivity', and 'blood
      glucose'. Additional secondary sources of information included reference lists
      from retrieved papers and pertinent papers identified by hand searches of
      relevant journals not found in the database. RESULTS: In total, 31 articles were
      included in this review and comprised studies of the following insulin resistant
      conditions: obesity (n=9); diabetes mellitus (n=12); polycystic ovarian syndrome
      (n=7); skeletal muscle atrophy (n=1); ischaemic heart disease (n=1); and fatty
      liver disease (n=1). Of these articles, seven were human trials and 24 animal
      experiments. Collectively, the studies suggest that electroacupuncture (EA) at
      low intensity and low frequency can reduce insulin resistance and increase
      insulin sensitivity in a range of different insulin-resistant conditions.
      CONCLUSIONS: EA, used alone or in combination with other therapies, such as
      Chinese herbs or diet-exercise interventions, has the potential to be an
      effective treatment for insulin resistance. Additional controlled clinical
      studies of acupuncture are needed in subjects with diabetes mellitus, ischaemic
      heart disease, muscle atrophy, and fatty liver disease.

PMID- 27256548
TI  - Different methods of dentin processing for application in bone tissue
      engineering: A systematic review.
AB  - Dentin has become an interesting potential biomaterial for tissue engineering of
      oral hard tissues. It can be used as a scaffold or as a source of growth factors
      in bone tissue engineering. Different forms of dentin have been studied for their
      potential use as bone substitutes. Here, we systematically review different
      methods of dentin preparation and the efficacy of processed dentin in bone tissue
      engineering. An electronic search was carried out in PubMed and Scopus databases
      for articles published from 2000 to 2016. Studies on dentin preparation for
      application in bone tissue engineering were selected. The initial search yielded
      a total of 1045 articles, of which 37 were finally selected. Review of studies
      showed that demineralization was the most commonly used dentin preparation
      process for use in tissue engineering. Dentin extract, dentin particles (tooth
      ash), freeze-dried dentin, and denatured dentin are others method of dentin
      preparation. Based on our literature review, we can conclude that preparation
      procedure and the size and shape of dentin particles play an important role in
      its osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties. Standardization of these
      methods is important to draw a conclusion in this regard. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2616-2627, 2016.

PMID- 27256550
TI  - Glia: An astrocytic axis.

PMID- 27256549
TI  - Urological Procedures in Urolithiasis and Their Association with Chronic Kidney
      Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological evidence suggests that patients with
      urolithiasis are at increased risk for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It is
      unclear if urological intervention impacts the progression of chronic kidney
      disease (CKD). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study
      of patients in the Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area database between January
      1991 and May 2007, where 1,340 patients diagnosed with urolithiasis were
      extracted. Of the 1,340 subjects, 446 had urological procedures for management of
      urolithiasis. Those that underwent these procedures were compared to those that
      did not. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, gender, and
      comorbidities were performed to evaluate the risk for CKD, elevated serum
      creatinine, and any-cause mortality. RESULTS: Baseline comorbidities in patients
      with and without procedures were not significantly different except for obesity
      (P<0.0001). Subjects that underwent procedures were at increased risk for
      elevated serum creatinine (Hazard Ratio (HR) [95% CI] =1.49 [1.19-1.85]) when
      compared to those that did not undergo a urologic procedure during the study
      period. The results did not reveal a significant difference in incidence of CKD
      or any-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo urologic procedures are
      at increased risk for elevated creatinine. Urological procedures do not appear to
      impact incidence of CKD or mortality and, in fact, may prevent long-term renal
      dysfunction.

PMID- 27256551
TI  - Depression: Breaking down ketamine's actions.

PMID- 27256554
TI  - Neuroendocrinology: Switching on puberty.

PMID- 27256552
TI  - Over the river, through the woods: cognitive maps in the hippocampus and
      orbitofrontal cortex.
AB  - The hippocampus and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) both have important roles in
      cognitive processes such as learning, memory and decision making. Nevertheless,
      research on the OFC and hippocampus has proceeded largely independently, and
      little consideration has been given to the importance of interactions between
      these structures. Here, evidence is reviewed that the hippocampus and OFC encode
      parallel, but interactive, cognitive 'maps' that capture complex relationships
      between cues, actions, outcomes and other features of the environment. A better
      understanding of the interactions between the OFC and hippocampus is important
      for understanding the neural bases of flexible, goal-directed decision making.

PMID- 27256555
TI  - Neurodevelopmental disorders: Zika virus causes brain defects in mice.

PMID- 27256553
TI  - Autophagy in acute brain injury.
AB  - Autophagy is an evolutionarily ancient mechanism that ensures the lysosomal
      degradation of old, supernumerary or ectopic cytoplasmic entities. Most
      eukaryotic cells, including neurons, rely on proficient autophagic responses for
      the maintenance of homeostasis in response to stress. Accordingly, autophagy
      mediates neuroprotective effects following some forms of acute brain damage,
      including methamphetamine intoxication, spinal cord injury and subarachnoid
      haemorrhage. In some other circumstances, however, the autophagic machinery
      precipitates a peculiar form of cell death (known as autosis) that contributes to
      the aetiology of other types of acute brain damage, such as neonatal asphyxia.
      Here, we dissect the context-specific impact of autophagy on non-infectious acute
      brain injury, emphasizing the possible therapeutic application of pharmacological
      activators and inhibitors of this catabolic process for neuroprotection.

PMID- 27256557
TI  - Techniques: A CRISPR method of localization.

PMID- 27256558
TI  - Alcohol drinking patterns and risk of functional limitations in two cohorts of
      older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Several studies have found that moderate alcohol intake is
      associated with lower risk of functional limitations in older adults. However, no
      previous investigation has assessed this association in older adults from
      Mediterranean countries, who show characteristic drinking patterns. METHODS: Data
      were taken from the UAM and the Seniors-ENRICA cohorts in Spain, comprising
      community-dwelling people aged >=60 years. At baseline, participants in both
      cohorts were classified as non-drinkers, ex-drinkers, moderate drinkers and heavy
      drinkers (the threshold between moderate and heavy intake was >=40 g/day in men
      and >=24 g/day in women). The Seniors-ENRICA cohort allowed assessment of a
      Mediterranean Drinking Pattern (MDP), defined as moderate alcohol intake, with
      wine preference (>=80% of alcohol consumed as wine) and drinking only with meals.
      The incidence of limitation in mobility, agility, and instrumental activities of
      daily living (IADL) was ascertained in each cohort at the end of a 3.5-year
      follow-up. Analyses were adjusted for sex, age, education, lifestyle, BMI,
      chronic conditions, and functional limitations at baseline others than the
      studied limitation. RESULTS: Compared with non-drinkers, ex-drinkers showed a
      higher risk of IADL limitation (pooled adjusted odds ratio [paOR]: 1.63; 95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.21). By contrast, moderate drinkers had a lower
      risk of limitations in mobility (paOR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.63-0.97), agility (paOR:
      0.82; 95% CI: 0.65-0.99) and IADL (paOR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.39-0.69). Among
      individuals reporting poor or fair health, the MDP was associated with lower risk
      of mobility limitation (aOR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.27-0.97). CONCLUSION: In older
      adults, moderate alcohol consumption, as well as the MDP in specific subgroups,
      is associated with lower risk of functional limitation. These results should not
      serve to promote alcohol intake, because older adults are particularly vulnerable
      to its harmful effects.

PMID- 27256556
TI  - Dysregulation of the dopamine system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and
      depression.
AB  - The dopamine system is unique among the brain's modulatory systems in that it has
      discrete projections to specific brain regions involved in motor behaviour,
      cognition and emotion. Dopamine neurons exhibit several activity patterns -
      including tonic and phasic firing - that are determined by a combination of
      endogenous pacemaker conductances and regulation by multiple afferent systems.
      Emerging evidence suggests that disruptions in these regulatory systems may
      underlie the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, including
      schizophrenia and depression.

PMID- 27256559
TI  - Impact of decreasing energy intakes in major burn patients: A 15-year
      retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nutritional therapy is particularly important after major burn
      injury and specific nutritional guidelines have been developed. The study aimed
      at evaluating the impact of the changes in our nutritional practice, general
      compliance with the guidelines and potential consequences. METHODS: Retrospective
      analysis of prospectively collected data in burn patients requiring intensive
      care (ICU) between 1999 and 2014. INCLUSION CRITERIA: admission on day 1, full
      treatment and length of ICU stay >7 days. Four periods (P) were defined by
      protocol changes (P1: 1999-2001, P2: 2002-2005, P3: 2006-2010, P4: 2011-2014).
      Collected data: demographic and nutritional data, infectious complications,
      weights, CRP and prealbumin concentrations during the first 21 days. RESULTS: 240
      patients were included (median age 43 years, burned area 25%). Measured energy
      expenditure (MEE) was stable through all periods but the prescribed caloric
      target decreased significantly, and below MEE (P1: 33 kcal/kg, IQR 7, P4: 28
      kcal/kg, IQR 8, p < 0.001). Energy delivery ended decreasing below 30 kcal/kg/day
      (P1: 30 kcal/kg, IQR 23, P4: 25 kcal/kg, IQR 12, p < 0.001). Protein intakes
      increased due the use of high protein solutions and glutamine (P1: 1.04 g/kg, IQR
      0.90, P4: 1.26, IQR 0.99, p < 0.001). Weight loss by day 21 increased
      significantly according to area under the curve (P1: 701, IQR 38, P2: 722, IQR
      51, P4: 689 IQR 63, p = 0.02). Prealbumin levels decreased with energy decrease
      (P1: 150 mg/L, IQR 110, P4: 80 mg/L, IQR 70, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The
      observed reduction of the energy delivery <30 kcal/kg was associated with a
      supplemental weight loss and lower prealbumin concentrations.

PMID- 27256560
TI  - Three new alkaloids from the seeds of Nigella glandulifera.
AB  - Three new alkaloids namely 8-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin
      1(2H)-one (1), 4-aminonigellidine (2), and N-[(4-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-5
      methyl)]phenylurea (3), along with six known ones (4-9), were isolated from the
      seeds of Nigella glandulifera. The structures of 1-3 were determined through
      spectroscopic analyses (HRESIMS, 1D/2D NMR). Compound 1 was a rare isoquinolinone
      alkaloid with phenyl substituted at C-8.

PMID- 27256561
TI  - The Influence of the Degree of Rurality on EMR Adoption, by Physician Specialty.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of varying degrees of remoteness on practice
      level electronic medical record (EMR) adoption, including whether the effect
      differs across practice specialty. DATA SOURCES: Survey data on over 270,000
      office-based physician practices (representing over 1,250,000 providers)
      collected by SK&A information services during 2012. STUDY DESIGN: This study
      examined differences in EMR adoption by practices located across the nine
      category rural-urban continuum. Logistic regressions and associated marginal
      effects are used to assess how much a move up or down the rural-urban continuum
      code impacts the likelihood of EMR adoption, after controlling for
      characteristics likely to affect EMR adoption such as practice size and
      specialty. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Overall practice-level EMR adoption rates
      generally increase with the degree of rurality and range from 47 percent in the
      most urban counties to over 60 percent in the most rural. Moving from the most
      urban county to the most rural corresponded to a 7 percent increase in the
      likelihood of EMR adoption (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: EMR adoption rates do vary
      significantly across nonmetropolitan counties, and they generally increase as a
      practice becomes more rural. From a policy perspective, this suggests that urban
      practices may in fact be the lowest hanging remaining fruit for increasing EMR
      adoption rates.

PMID- 27256562
TI  - Consumers' practical understanding of healthy food choices: a fake food
      experiment.
AB  - Little is known about laypeople's practical understanding of a healthy diet,
      although this is important to successfully promote healthy eating. The present
      study is the first to experimentally examine how consumers define healthy and
      balanced food choices for an entire day compared with normal choices and compared
      with dietary guidelines. We used an extensive fake food buffet (FFB) with 179
      foods commonly consumed in the Swiss diet. The FFB is a validated method to
      investigate food choice behaviour in a well-controlled laboratory setting. People
      from the general population in Switzerland (n 187; 51.9 % females), aged between
      18 and 65 years, were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In the control
      group, the participants were instructed to serve themselves foods they would eat
      on a normal day, whereas in the 'healthy' group they were instructed to choose
      foods representing a healthy diet. Participants chose significantly more healthy
      foods, with 4.5 g more dietary fibre, 2 % more protein and 2 % less SFA in the
      'healthy' group compared with the control group. However, in both experimental
      conditions, participants served themselves foods containing twice as much sugar
      and salt than recommended by dietary guidelines. The results suggest that
      laypeople lack knowledge about the recommended portion sizes and the amounts of
      critical nutrients in processed food, which has important implications for
      communicating dietary guidelines. Furthermore, the energy of the food served was
      substantially correlated with the energy needs of the participants, demonstrating
      the potential of the fake food buffet method. 

PMID- 27256564
TI  - DNA Methylation in Cancer and Aging.
AB  - DNA methylation is known to be abnormal in all forms of cancer, but it is not
      really understood how this occurs and what is its role in tumorigenesis. In this
      review, we take a wide view of this problem by analyzing the strategies involved
      in setting up normal DNA methylation patterns and understanding how this stable
      epigenetic mark works to prevent gene activation during development. Aberrant DNA
      methylation in cancer can be generated either prior to or following cell
      transformation through mutations. Increasing evidence suggests, however, that
      most methylation changes are generated in a programmed manner and occur in a
      subpopulation of tissue cells during normal aging, probably predisposing them for
      tumorigenesis. It is likely that this methylation contributes to the tumor state
      by inhibiting the plasticity of cell differentiation processes. Cancer Res;
      76(12); 3446-50. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27256563
TI  - Proteasome Addiction Defined in Ewing Sarcoma Is Effectively Targeted by a Novel
      Class of 19S Proteasome Inhibitors.
AB  - Ewing sarcoma is a primitive round cell sarcoma with a peak incidence in
      adolescence that is driven by a chimeric oncogene created from the fusion of the
      EWSR1 gene with a member of the ETS family of genes. Patients with metastatic and
      recurrent disease have dismal outcomes and need better therapeutic options. We
      screened a library of 309,989 chemical compounds for growth inhibition of Ewing
      sarcoma cells to provide the basis for the development of novel therapies and to
      discover vulnerable pathways that might broaden our understanding of the
      pathobiology of this aggressive sarcoma. This screening campaign identified a
      class of benzyl-4-piperidone compounds that selectively inhibit the growth of
      Ewing sarcoma cell lines by inducing apoptosis. These agents disrupt 19S
      proteasome function through inhibition of the deubiquitinating enzymes USP14 and
      UCHL5. Functional genomic data from a genome-wide shRNA screen in Ewing sarcoma
      cells also identified the proteasome as a node of vulnerability in Ewing sarcoma
      cells, providing orthologous confirmation of the chemical screen findings.
      Furthermore, shRNA-mediated silencing of USP14 or UCHL5 in Ewing sarcoma cells
      produced significant growth inhibition. Finally, treatment of a xenograft mouse
      model of Ewing sarcoma with VLX1570, a benzyl-4-piperidone compound derivative
      currently in clinical trials for relapsed multiple myeloma, significantly
      inhibited in vivo tumor growth. Overall, our results offer a preclinical proof of
      concept for the use of 19S proteasome inhibitors as a novel therapeutic strategy
      for Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4525-34. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27256565
TI  - Depletion of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells confers susceptibility to experimental
      autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in GM-CSF-deficient Csf2-/- mice.
AB  - Previous studies established that GM-CSF-deficient (Csf2-deficient) mice exhibit
      profound resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. This study
      addressed whether the resistance of Csf2-deficient mice was a result of a
      requirement for GM-CSF in controlling the functional balance between effector and
      regulatory T cell subsets during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The
      main observation was that treatment with the anti-CD25 mAb PC61 rendered Csf2
      deficient mice fully susceptible to severe, chronic experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis, with disease incidences and severities equivalent to that of
      C57BL/6 mice. When both donors and recipients were treated with PC61 in a passive
      model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, adoptive transfer of myelin
      specific Csf2-deficient T cells into Csf2-deficient recipients resulted in a
      nonresolving chronic course of severe paralytic experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis. The peripheral Csf2-deficient T cell repertoire was marked by
      elevated CD3+ T cell frequencies that reflected substantial accumulations of
      naive CD44null-low CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but essentially normal frequencies of
      CD4+ CD25+ forkhead box P3+ T cells among the CD3+ T cell pool. These findings
      suggested that Csf2-deficient mice had secondary deficiencies in peripheral T
      cell sensitization to environmental antigens. In accordance, myelin
      oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55/CFA-sensitized Csf2-deficient mice exhibited
      deficient peripheral sensitization to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein,
      whereas pretreatment of Csf2-deficient mice with PC61 enabled the robust
      induction of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific T cell responses in the
      draining lymphatics. In conclusion, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
      resistance of Csf2-deficient mice, at least in part, reflects a deficient
      induction of effector T cell function that cannot surmount normal regulatory T
      cell barriers. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis effector responses,
      however, are unleashed upon depletion of regulatory CD25+ T cells.

PMID- 27256566
TI  - mTOR inhibition potentiates cytotoxicity of Vgamma4 gammadelta T cells via up
      regulating NKG2D and TNF-alpha.
AB  - gammadelta T cells play a critical role in early anti-tumor immunity and perform
      cytotoxicity via NKG2D for recognition and multiple cytotoxic factors for tumor
      killing. Recent studies have demonstrated pivotal roles of mTOR-mediated
      metabolism in the maturation, differentiation, and effector function of diverse
      immune cells, including DCs, NK cells, CD4+ T cell subsets, and CD8+ T cells, but
      the role of mTOR signaling in gammadelta T cells is barely known. Here, we showed
      that suppressing mTOR signaling in in vitro-expanded Vgamma4 gammadelta T cells
      via the mechanistic inhibitor rapamycin enhanced their cytotoxicity against
      multiple tumor cell lines, and these cells performed better tumor-suppressing
      effects upon adoptive therapy. Further investigation revealed that elevated
      cytotoxicity was a result of up-regulation of NKG2D and TNF-alpha. Moreover,
      rapamycin treatment significantly decreased the expression of CISH and increased
      pSTAT5. The inhibition of STAT5 pathways via siRNA interference or a specific
      inhibitor eliminated the up-regulation of NKG2D and TNF-alpha in rapamycin
      treated Vgamma4 gammadelta T cells. These results uncovered an important role of
      mTOR signaling in the cytotoxic effector function of gammadelta T cells and
      provided a potential strategy to improve gammadelta T cell-based cancer
      immunotherapy.

PMID- 27256568
TI  - Oxidized phosphatidylcholine induces the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in
      macrophages.
AB  - The NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a
      multiprotein complex consisting of a receptor, an adaptor protein, and procaspase
      1 that induces the secretion of the mature form of IL-1beta in response to
      microbial infection and danger signals. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome
      induced by endogenous danger signal molecules is closely linked to the
      development and progress of chronic inflammatory diseases. The oxidation of
      phospholipids occurs upon cellular stress and damage, resulting in the
      accumulation of oxidized phosphatidylcholines (oxPAPC) such as 1-palmitoyl-2-(5
      oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-phosphocholine (POVPC) at inflammatory sites. In this
      study, we investigated whether oxidized phosphatidylcholine induces the
      activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages, leading to the secretion of IL
      1beta. POVPC induced the degradation of procaspase-1 to caspase-1(p10), the
      cleavage of pro-IL-1beta to IL-1beta, and oligomerization of ASC in primary mouse
      bone marrow-derived macrophages. POVPC-induced production of caspase-1, and IL
      1beta was abolished in macrophages derived from NLRP3- or caspase-1-deficient
      mice. In an air pouch model and a peritonitis model in mice, POVPC injection
      resulted in the production of caspase-1(p10), IL-1beta, and IL-18 in wild-type,
      but not in NLRP3-deficient, mice. POVPC-induced inflammasome activation was
      mediated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species resulting from intracellular
      Ca2+ signaling and mitochondrial destabilization. Our results demonstrate that
      endogenously produced oxidized phosphatidylcholines such as POVPC induce the
      activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to the production of IL-1beta in
      macrophages. The results provide an insight to understand how the oxidized lipids
      endogenously produced upon cellular stress and tissue damage contribute to the
      inflammatory reaction at pathologic sites.

PMID- 27256567
TI  - Effects of alcohol withdrawal on monocyte subset defects in chronic alcohol
      users.
AB  - Excessive alcohol consumption has a modulating effect on immune functions that
      may contribute to decreased immunity and host defense. It is associated with
      increased intestinal permeability to endotoxins that is normalized after 14 d of
      abstinence. Whether and how blood monocyte subsets are impaired in patients with
      an AUD and what their evolution is after alcohol withdrawal are the paper's
      objectives. With the use of flow cytometry, blood monocyte subsets were
      quantified in AUDs before (n = 40) and 2 wk after (n = 33) alcohol withdrawal and
      compared with HC donors (n = 20). Expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on monocyte subsets
      was also quantified. Cytokine response of monocytes was monitored following PGN
      and LPS stimulation. The CD14+CD16- subset was decreased, whereas the
      CD14dimCD16+ subset was expanded (P < 0.001) in AUD compared with HC. The
      frequencies of TLR2- and TLR4-expressing monocytes were reduced in AUD compared
      with HC. Although the basal production of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF by monocytes in AUD
      was compared with HC, the PGN- and LPS-mediated IL-6 and TNF production was
      increased in AUD. Frequencies of IL-6-expressing monocytes were higher in AUD
      than HC. Alcohol withdrawal partially restored the distribution of monocyte
      subsets and the frequency of IL-6-producing monocytes and increased the frequency
      of TNF-producing cells in response to LPS and PGN stimulation to levels compared
      with those in HC. Our findings indicate that chronic alcohol use alters the
      distribution as well as the phenotypic and functional characteristics of blood
      monocyte subsets, which are partially restored following 2 wk of alcohol
      withdrawal.

PMID- 27256569
TI  - AQP8 transports NOX2-generated H2O2 across the plasma membrane to promote
      signaling in B cells.
AB  - H2O2 acts as a second messenger in key signaling circuits, transiently modulating
      tyrosine phosphatases and kinases. We investigated its origin, membrane
      transport, and functional role during B cell activation and differentiation. Our
      data identified NADPH-oxidase 2 as the main source of H2O2 and aquaporin 8 as a
      transport facilitator across the plasma membrane. On aquaporin 8 silencing,
      inducible B lymphoma cells responded poorly to TLR and BCR stimulation. Their
      differentiation was severely impaired, as demonstrated by retarded onset of IgM
      polymerization, low amounts of IgM secretion, and prolonged BCR expression on the
      cell surface. A silencing-resistant aquaporin 8 rescued responsiveness,
      confirming that the import of H2O2 across the membrane is essential for B cell
      activation. The addition of exogenous catalase to primary B splenocytes severely
      impaired the tyrosine phosphorylation induced by BCR cross-linking, as did the
      absence of NOX2 in a murine model of chronic granulomatous disease. Importantly,
      re-expression of gp91phox through gene therapy restored the specific B cell
      signaling deficiency in NOX2-/- cells. Thus, efficient induction of B cell
      activation and differentiation requires intact H2O2 fluxes across the plasma
      membrane for signal amplification.

PMID- 27256570
TI  - Combinatorial approach to cancer immunotherapy: strength in numbers.
AB  - Immune-checkpoint blockade therapy with antibodies targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 has
      revolutionized melanoma treatment by eliciting responses that can be remarkably
      durable and is now advancing to other malignancies. However, not all patients
      respond to immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Extensive preclinical evidence suggests
      that combining immune-checkpoint inhibitors with other anti-cancer treatments can
      greatly improve the therapeutic benefit. The first clinical success of the
      combinatorial approach to cancer immunotherapy was demonstrated using a dual
      checkpoint blockade with CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors, which resulted in
      accelerated FDA approval of this therapeutic regimen. In this review, we discuss
      the combinations of current and emerging immunotherapeutic agents in clinical and
      preclinical development and summarize the insights into potential mechanisms of
      synergistic anti-tumor activity gained from animal studies. These promising
      combinatorial partners for the immune-checkpoint blockade include therapeutics
      targeting additional inhibitory receptors of T cells, such as TIM-3, LAG-3,
      TIGIT, and BTLA, and agonists of T cell costimulatory receptors 4-1BB, OX40, and
      GITR, as well as agents that promote cancer cell recognition by the immune
      system, such as tumor vaccines, IDO inhibitors, and agonists of the CD40 receptor
      of APCs. We also review the therapeutic potential of regimens combining the
      immune-checkpoint blockade with therapeutic interventions that have been shown to
      enhance immunogenicity of cancer cells, including oncolytic viruses, RT,
      epigenetic therapy, and senescence-inducing therapy.

PMID- 27256571
TI  - Anti-JAM-C therapy eliminates tumor engraftment in a xenograft model of mantle
      cell lymphoma.
AB  - Junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-C is a member of the JAM family, expressed by
      a variety of different cell types, including human B lymphocytes and some B-cell
      lymphoma subtypes-in particular, mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Treatment with anti
      JAM-C pAbs reduces homing of human B cells to lymphoid organs in a NOD/SCID mouse
      model. In the present study, the role of JAM-C in the engraftment of human
      lymphoma B cells in mice was investigated. Administration of novel anti-JAM-C
      mAbs reduced tumor growth of JAM-C+ MCL cells in bone marrow, spleen, liver, and
      lymph nodes of mice. Treatment with anti-JAM-C antibodies significantly reduced
      the proliferation of JAM-C-expressing lymphoma B cells. Moreover, the binding of
      anti-JAM-C antibodies inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, without affecting
      other signaling pathways. The results identify for the first time the
      intracellular MAPK cascade as the JAM-C-driven signaling pathway in JAM-C+ B
      cells. Targeting JAM-C could constitute a new therapeutic strategy reducing
      lymphoma B-cell proliferation and their capacity to reach supportive lymphoid
      microenvironments.

PMID- 27256572
TI  - Functional role of mucosal-associated invariant T cells in HIV infection.
AB  - MAIT cells represent an evolutionarily conserved, MR1-restricted, innate-like
      cell subset that express high levels of CD161; have a canonical semi-invariant
      TCR iValpha7.2; and may have an important role in mucosal immunity against
      various bacterial and fungal pathogens. Mature MAIT cells are CD161(hi)PLZF(hi)IL
      18Ralpha(+)iValpha7.2(+)gammadelta-CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells and occur in the
      peripheral blood, liver, and mucosa of humans. MAIT cells are activated by a
      metabolic precursor of riboflavin synthesis presented by MR1 and, therefore,
      respond to many bacteria and some fungi. Despite their broad antibacterial
      properties, their functional role in persistent viral infections is poorly
      understood. Although there is an increasing line of evidence portraying the
      depletion of MAIT cells in HIV disease, the magnitude and the potential
      mechanisms underlying such depletion remain unclear. Recent studies suggest that
      MAIT cells are vulnerable to immune exhaustion as a consequence of HIV and
      hepatitis C virus infections and HIV/tuberculosis coinfections. HIV infection
      also appears to cause functional depletion of MAIT cells resulting from abnormal
      expression of T-bet and EOMES, and effective ART is unable to completely salvage
      functional MAIT cell loss. Depletion and exhaustion of peripheral MAIT cells may
      affect mucosal immunity and could increase susceptibility to opportunistic
      infections during HIV infection. Here, we review some of the important mechanisms
      associated with depletion and functional loss of MAIT cells and also suggest
      potential immunotherapeutic strategies to restore MAIT cell functions, including
      the use of IL-7 to restore effector functions in HIV disease.

PMID- 27256573
TI  - Galectin-12 inhibits granulocytic differentiation of human NB4 promyelocytic
      leukemia cells while promoting lipogenesis.
AB  - As a member of the galectin family of animal lectins, galectin-12 is
      preferentially expressed in adipocytes and leukocytes. In adipocytes, galectin-12
      is associated with lipid droplets and regulates lipid metabolism and energy
      balance, whereas its role in leukocytes is not clear. Analysis of galectin-12
      expression in a public data set of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples revealed
      that it is selectively overexpressed in the M3 subtype, which is also known as
      acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). To investigate the role of galectin-12 in APL
      cells, we manipulated its expression in the APL cell line, NB4, and measured
      resultant effects on all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced granulocytic
      differentiation. With a doxycycline-inducible gene knockdown system, we found
      that suppression of galectin-12 promoted ATRA-induced neutrophil differentiation
      but inhibited lipid droplet formation. Our results indicate that overexpression
      of galectin-12 contributes to a differentiation block in APL cells, and
      suppression of galectin-12 facilitates granulocytic differentiation. Furthermore,
      these data suggest that lipogenesis and other aspects of myeloid differentiation
      can be differentially regulated. Taken together, these findings suggest that
      galectin-12 may be a target for treatment of the ATRA-resistant subset of APL.

PMID- 27256574
TI  - Expression of human gene coding RORgammaT receptor depends on the Sp2
      transcription factor.
AB  - Th17 cells are involved in the immune response against pathogens, autoimmunity,
      and tumor progression. The differentiation of human Th17 cells requires the
      upregulation of RORgammaT, which in human cells is still not well understood. We
      identified 2 putative binding motifs for specificity protein transcription
      factors from the specificity protein/Kruppel-like factor family in the promoter
      of human RORgammaT and investigated the involvement of specificity proteins in
      the transcriptional regulation of this gene. To this end, a human lymphocytic
      cell line and in vitro-differentiated Th17 cells were used in promoter activity
      assays, in situ mutagenesis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and real-time RT-PCR
      assays. In some experiments, specificity protein expression and activity was
      inhibited by siRNA and mithramycin A. The results showed that the transcription
      factor specificity protein 2 recognized binding motifs in the human RORgammaT
      promoter, which was critical for maintaining expression. Furthermore, specificity
      protein 2 was necessary for maximum IL-17 expression in in vitro-differentiated
      Th17 cells. These observations demonstrate the significant role of specificity
      protein 2 in the regulation of the Th17 signature transcription factor RORgammaT
      and the maintenance of the Th17 phenotype. The findings also suggest that
      specificity protein 2 plays a role in Th17-dependent physiologic and pathologic
      immune responses and might serve as a potential novel target for their
      modulation.

PMID- 27256575
TI  - Reach and representativeness of ethnic minority women in the Health Is Power
      Study: a longitudinal analysis.
AB  - Reach is a key factor in translating research to practical application. This
      study examined reach and representativeness of a multi-city, randomized
      controlled community health trial in African American (AA) and Hispanic or Latina
      (HL) women. Participants completed measures of demographics, body mass index
      (BMI), percent body fat, resting heart rate, and blood pressure followed by a run
      in procedure and a randomization meeting. AA were more likely to be screened out
      initially; HL were more likely to drop out. Participation did not differ by city
      or recruitment method. Women who completed the post-intervention assessment were
      more likely to be AA, older, and have higher socioeconomic status (p values <
      .05). This study showed moderate levels of reach but overrepresented higher
      educated, wealthier, and older women at the completion of the study.
      Representativeness can change over the course of the study and impact the
      practicality of translating research to practice.

PMID- 27256576
TI  - Physical activity: a synopsis and comment on "community-wide interventions for
      increasing physical activity".
AB  - In this synopsis, we summarize and comment on Baker and colleagues' Cochrane
      review of studies on the population-level impact of community-wide physical
      activity (PA) interventions. Insufficient PA remains a major public health
      problem. Community-wide interventions offer an opportunity to extend reach by
      increasing the proportion of the population experiencing the intervention. A
      previous Cochrane review of community-wide PA interventions concluded that
      evidence for effectiveness was mixed. Hence, Baker and colleagues incorporated
      new data about community-based PA interventions. This Cochrane review concluded
      there is an overall lack of evidence that community-wide interventions improve PA
      outcomes at the population level. Recommendations are that future research should
      use high quality research design, more explicitly test ways to increase reach,
      and utilize objective measurements of PA to increase validity. We suggest that
      future research should first optimize the intervention by systematically
      evaluating treatment components and selecting a maximally efficient and effective
      treatment package.

PMID- 27256577
TI  - Management of chronic visceral pain.
AB  - Despite marked differences in underlying pathophysiology, the current management
      of visceral pain largely follows the guidelines derived from the somatic pain
      literature. The effective management of patients with chronic visceral pain
      should be multifaceted, including both pharmacological and psychological
      interventions, thereby providing a mechanism-orientated approach to treatment.
      Patients can frequently become disenfranchised, and subsequently disengaged, with
      healthcare providers leading to repeated consultations. Thus, a key aspect of
      management is to break this cycle by validating patients' symptoms, adopting an
      empathic approach and taking time to educate patients. To optimize treatment and
      outcomes in chronic visceral pain we need to move away from approaches
      exclusively based on dealing with peripheral nociceptive input toward more
      holistic strategies, taking into account alterations in central pain processing. 

PMID- 27256578
TI  - Teledermoscopy for skin cancer screening.

PMID- 27256580
TI  - Neurocognitive and Behavioural Outcomes Following Intervention for Obstructive
      Sleep Apnoea Syndrome in Children.
AB  - The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is common in children and results in
      several complications when untreated. Considering that children are undergoing
      important brain development, recent research has focused on neurocognitive and
      behavioural (NCB) complications of OSAS. Studies have shown that treatment of
      paediatric OSAS may improve a child's long-term cognitive and social potential
      and school performance. There is demonstrated benefit in terms of behaviour,
      attention, and social interactions, as well as likely improvement in cognitive
      abilities with academic and social achievements.

PMID- 27256579
TI  - Establishing a rat model for the study of vitamin K deficiency.
AB  - The main vitamin K-deficient model, minidose warfarin, is different from the
      pathological mechanism of vitamin K deficiency, which is a shortage of vitamin K.
      The objective of this study was to establish a new method of vitamin K-deficient
      model combining a vitamin K-deficient diet with the intragastrical administration
      of gentamicin in rats. The clotting was assayed by an automated coagulation
      analyser. The plasma PIVKA-II was assayed by ELISA. The vitamin K status was
      detected by an HPLC-fluorescence system. In the diet- and gentamicin-induced
      vitamin K-deficient 14-day group, the rats had undetected vitamin K1 and vitamin
      K2 in the liver and a prolonged APTT. In the 21-day group, there was also a
      prolonged PT and a decrease of the FIX activities. In the 28-day group, the
      undetected vitamin K1 and vitamin K2, the prolonged PT and APTT, and the decrease
      of the FII, FVII, FIX, and FX activities prompted the suggestion that there were
      serious deficiencies of vitamin K and vitamin K-dependent coagulation in rats. It
      is suggested that the diet- and gentamicin-induced vitamin K-deficient 14-day or
      21-day model can be used for studies related to the status of vitamin K. The
      vitamin K-deficient 28-day model can be applied to research involving both the
      status of vitamin K and of vitamin K-dependent coagulation. In conclusion, the
      combination of a vitamin K-deficient diet with the administration of gentamicin
      results in a useful model of vitamin K-deficieny.

PMID- 27256581
TI  - Identification of Rare Variants in Metabolites of the Carnitine Pathway by Whole
      Genome Sequencing Analysis.
AB  - We use whole genome sequence data and rare variant analysis methods to
      investigate a subset of the human serum metabolome, including 16 carnitine
      related metabolites that are important components of mammalian energy metabolism.
      Medium pass sequence data consisting of 12,820,347 rare variants and serum
      metabolomics data were available on 1,456 individuals. By applying a penalization
      method, we identified two genes FGF8 and MDGA2 with significant effects on lysine
      and cis-4-decenoylcarnitine, respectively, using Delta-AIC and likelihood ratio
      test statistics. Single variant analyses in these regions did not identify a
      single low-frequency variant (minor allele count > 3) responsible for the
      underlying signal. The results demonstrate the utility of whole genome sequence
      and innovative analyses for identifying candidate regions influencing complex
      phenotypes.

PMID- 27256582
TI  - Construction and characterization of a BAC library for functional genomics in
      Xenopus tropicalis.
AB  - Large insert genomic DNA libraries are useful resources for genomic studies.
      Although the genome of Xenopus tropicalis stands as the amphibian reference
      genome because it benefitted from large-scale sequencing studies, physical
      mapping resources such as BAC libraries are lagging behind. Here we present the
      construction and characterization of a BAC library that covers the whole X.
      tropicalis genome. We prepared this BAC library from the genomic DNA of X.
      tropicalis females of the Adiopodoume strain. We characterized BAC clones by
      screening for specific loci, by chromosomal localization using FISH and by
      systematic BAC end sequencing. The median insert size is about 110kbp and the
      library coverage is around six genome equivalents. We obtained a total of 163,787
      BAC end sequences with mate pairs for 77,711 BAC clones. We mapped all BAC end
      sequences to the reference X. tropicalis genome assembly to enable the
      identification of BAC clones covering specific loci. Overall, this BAC library
      resource complements the knowledge of the X. tropicalis genome and should further
      promote its use as a reference genome for developmental biology studies and
      amphibian comparative genomics.

PMID- 27256584
TI  - In vitro antifungal and antibiofilm activities of halogenated quinoline analogues
      against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans.
AB  - With the increasing prevalence of fungal infections coupled with emerging drug
      resistance, there is an urgent need for new and effective antifungal agents. Here
      we report the antifungal activities of 19 diverse halogenated quinoline (HQ)
      small molecules against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Four HQ
      analogues inhibited C. albicans growth with a minimum inhibitory concentration
      (MIC) of 100 nM, whilst 16 analogues effectively inhibited C. neoformans at MICs
      of 50-780 nM. Remarkably, two HQ analogues eradicated mature C. albicans and C.
      neoformans biofilms [minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) = 6.25-62.5
      uM]. Several active HQs were found to penetrate into fungal cells, whilst one
      inactive analogue was unable to, suggesting that HQs elicit their antifungal
      activities through an intracellular mode of action. HQs are a promising class of
      small molecules that may be useful in future antifungal treatments. 

PMID- 27256583
TI  - Resveratrol suppressed seizures by attenuating IL-1beta, IL1-Ra, IL-6, and TNF
      alpha in the hippocampus and cortex of kindled mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is an urge to identify new molecules which can modulate process
      of epileptogenesis, since currently available drugs act symptomatically and one
      third of the patients remain refractory to the disease. Hence, the present study
      was conducted to evaluate the effects of Resveratrol (RESV) on epileptogenesis in
      pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling in mice. METHOD: Swiss albino mice were
      administered RESV (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg,p.o) in acute study. On the seventh day
      animals were subjected to various neurological and neurobehavioral tests viz,
      Increasing Current Electroshock Test (ICES), PTZ-induced seizures, passive
      avoidance response, and elevated plus maze test. For the development of kindling
      PTZ was administered in a dose of 25 mg/kg, i.p. on every alternate day and RESV
      in all the three doses was administered daily. Seizure score was continuously
      monitored till the development of kindling and cognition tests were performed in
      the end of the study. The animals were sacrificed and levels of inflammatory
      biomarkers viz., IL-1beta, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1-Ra), IL-6, and
      TNF-alpha were assessed in the hippocampus and cortex of the kindled animals.
      RESULTS: RESV in all three doses increased the seizure threshold to hind limb
      extension in the ICES test. RESV in all the tested doses suppressed the
      development of kindling and reduced the levels of IL-1beta, IL1-Ra, IL-6, and TNF
      alpha in kindled mice. CONCLUSION: RESV suppressed the development of kindling in
      mice and decreased the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in their hippocampus.
      RESV modified brain inflammation during epileptogenesis and found to possess
      nootropic activity in the kindled mice.

PMID- 27256585
TI  - Molecular mechanisms of membrane impermeability in clinical isolates of
      Enterobacteriaceae exposed to imipenem selective pressure.
AB  - Intrinsic mechanisms leading to carbapenem-induced membrane impermeability and
      multidrug resistance are poorly understood in clinical isolates of
      Enterobacteriaceae. In this study, molecular behaviours during the establishment
      of membrane impermeability in members of the Enterobacteriaceae family under
      imipenem selective pressure were investigated. Clinical isolates (n = 22)
      exhibiting susceptibility to multiple antibiotics or characterised as extended
      spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- or AmpC-producers were submitted to progressive
      passages on Mueller-Hinton agar plates containing subclinical concentrations of
      imipenem [0.5 * the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)]. Changes in outer
      membrane permeability were evaluated by determination of antimicrobial MICs,
      sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and gene
      expression analysis related to membrane permeability (i.e. omp35-like, omp36-like
      and acrA) and regulatory mechanisms (i.e. marA and ompR) by quantitative reverse
      transcription PCR. Following imipenem induction, 73% of isolates showed increased
      carbapenem MICs by >=2 doubling dilutions. At an early stage of treatment,
      imipenem modulated the expression of porins and efflux pump genes, represented by
      a reduction of 78% in omp36-like and a two-fold increase in acrA expression.
      Transcriptional factors marA and ompR were also affected by imipenem induction,
      increasing mRNA expression by 14- and 4-fold, respectively. High marA expression
      levels were associated with higher values of acrA expression. These results
      suggest that imipenem is an important factor in the development of an adaptive
      response to carbapenems by regulating key genes involved in the control of efflux
      pumps and porins, which could lead to a multidrug-resistant profile in clinical
      isolates, contributing to possible treatment failure. 

PMID- 27256586
TI  - Current perspectives on tigecycline resistance in Enterobacteriaceae:
      susceptibility testing issues and mechanisms of resistance.
AB  - During the past decades, rates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and carbapenem
      resistant (CR) Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates, mainly Klebsiella spp.,
      Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Serratia marcescens, have
      increased, considerably restricting effective antimicrobial treatments.
      Tigecycline, the first member of the glycylcyclines, has been approved by the US
      Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of complicated skin and soft
      tissue, complicated intra-abdominal and community-acquired bacterial respiratory
      infections and is increasingly administered against MDR Enterobacteriaceae.
      Although resistance has gradually appeared, tigecycline still remains relatively
      active among Enterobacteriaceae, with resistance rates largely <10% in most wide
      scale surveillance studies. Tigecycline resistance has been reported in some
      studies to be elevated among extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing,
      MDR, extensively drug-resistant and CR isolates. Broth microdilution (BMD) is the
      reference method for tigecycline susceptibility testing, but disagreements have
      been reported between the methods applied for routine tigecycline susceptibility
      testing. Therefore, confirmation of daily tigecycline susceptibility testing with
      BMD appears important in order to avoid misclassification of isolates. Various
      mechanisms have been reported to confer tigecycline resistance, with RND-type
      transporters, mainly the AcrAB efflux pump, playing an important role. Other
      pumps and various control pathways are also implicated in tigecycline resistance.
      Overall, tigecycline is a potent therapeutic option for enterobacterial
      infections. Accurate detection of tigecycline susceptibility status and
      surveillance of resistant organisms in the hospital environment is necessary in
      order to optimise its use and to preserve tigecycline in our therapeutic arsenal.

PMID- 27256587
TI  - How antigen specificity directs regulatory T-cell function: self, foreign and
      engineered specificity.
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a suppressive subset of T cells that have
      important roles in maintaining self-tolerance and preventing immunopathology. The
      T-cell receptor (TCR) and its antigen specificity play a dominant role in the
      differentiation of cells to a Treg fate, either in the thymus or in the
      periphery. This review focuses on the effects of the TCR and its antigen
      specificity on Treg biology. The role of Tregs with specificity for self-antigen
      has primarily been studied in the context of autoimmune disease, although recent
      studies have focused on their role in steady-state conditions. The role of Tregs
      that are specific for pathogens, dietary antigens and allergens is much less
      studied, although recent data suggest a significant and previously
      underappreciated role for Tregs during memory responses to a wide range of
      foreign antigens. The development of TCR- or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)
      transduced T cells means we are now able to engineer Tregs with disease-relevant
      antigen specificities, paving the way for ensuring specificity with Treg-based
      therapies. Understanding the role that antigens play in driving the generation
      and function of Tregs is critical for defining the pathophysiology of many immune
      mediated diseases, and developing new therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 27256589
TI  - Adenylate cyclase 3: a new target for anti-obesity drug development.
AB  - Obesity has become epidemic worldwide, and abdominal obesity has a negative
      impact on health. Current treatment options on obesity, however, still remain
      limited. It is then of importance to find a new target for anti-obesity drug
      development based upon recent molecular studies in obesity. Adenylate cyclase 3
      (ADCY3) is the third member of adenylyl cyclase family and catalyses the
      synthesis of cAMP from ATP. Genetic studies with candidate gene and genome-wide
      association study approaches have demonstrated that ADCY3 genetic polymorphisms
      are associated with obesity in European and Chinese populations. Epigenetic
      studies have indicated that increased DNA methylation levels in the ADCY3 gene
      are involved in the pathogenesis of obesity. Furthermore, biological analyses
      with animal models have implicated that ADCY3 dysfunction resulted in increased
      body weight and fat mass, while reduction of body weight is partially explained
      by ADCY3 activation. In this review, we describe genomic and biological features
      of ADCY3, summarize genetic and epigenetic association studies of the ADCY3 gene
      with obesity and discuss dysfunction and activation of ADCY3. Based upon all
      data, we suggest that ADCY3 is a new target for anti-obesity drug development.
      Further investigation on the effectiveness of ADCY3 activator and its delivery
      approach to treat abdominal obesity has been taken into our consideration.

PMID- 27256588
TI  - An isoform of Nedd4-2 is critically involved in the renal adaptation to high salt
      intake in mice.
AB  - Epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) play critical roles in the maintenance of
      fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, and their genetic abnormalities cause one type
      of hereditary salt-sensitive hypertension, Liddle syndrome. As we reported
      previously, both human and rodent Nedd4L/Nedd4-2 showed molecular diversity, with
      and without a C2 domain in their N-terminal. Nedd4L/Nedd4-2 isoforms with a C2
      domain are hypothesized to be related closely to ubiquitination of ENaCs. We
      generated Nedd4-2 C2 domain knockout mice. We demonstrate here that loss of Nedd4
      2 C2 isoform causes salt-sensitive hypertension under conditions of a high
      dietary salt intake in vivo. The knockout mice had reduced urinary sodium
      excretion, osmotic pressure and increased water intake and urine volume with
      marked dilatation of cortical tubules while receiving a high salt diet. To the
      contrary, there was no difference in metabolic data between wild-type and
      knockout mice receiving a normal control diet. In the absence of Nedd4-2 C2
      domain, a high salt intake accelerated ENaC expression. Coimmunoprecipitation
      studies revealed suppressed ubiquitination for ENaC with a high salt intake.
      Taken together, our findings demonstrate that during a high oral salt intake the
      Nedd4-2 C2 protein plays a pivotal role in maintaining adaptive salt handling in
      the kidney.

PMID- 27256590
TI  - Non-random distribution of homo-repeats: links with biological functions and
      human diseases.
AB  - The biological function of multiple repetitions of single amino acids, or homo
      repeats, is largely unknown, but their occurrence in proteins has been associated
      with more than 20 hereditary diseases. Analysing 122 bacterial and eukaryotic
      genomes, we observed that the number of proteins containing homo-repeats is
      significantly larger than expected from theoretical estimates. Analysis of
      statistical significance indicates that the minimal size of homo-repeats varies
      with amino acid type and proteome. In an attempt to characterize proteins
      harbouring long homo-repeats, we found that those containing polar or small amino
      acids S, P, H, E, D, K, Q and N are enriched in structural disorder as well as
      protein- and RNA-interactions. We observed that E, S, Q, G, L, P, D, A and H homo
      repeats are strongly linked with occurrence in human diseases. Moreover, S, E, P,
      A, Q, D and T homo-repeats are significantly enriched in neuronal proteins
      associated with autism and other disorders. We release a webserver for further
      exploration of homo-repeats occurrence in human pathology at
      http://bioinfo.protres.ru/hradis/.

PMID- 27256591
TI  - Effects of botulinum toxin A therapy and multidisciplinary rehabilitation on
      upper and lower limb spasticity in post-stroke patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of combined
      botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) and inpatient multidisciplinary (MD)
      rehabilitation therapy on the improvement of upper and lower limb function in
      post-stroke patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, a 12-day inpatient
      treatment protocol was implemented on 51 post-stroke patients with spasticity.
      Assessments were performed on the day of admission, at discharge, and at 3 months
      following discharge. RESULTS: At the time of discharge, all of the evaluated
      items showed a statistically significant improvement. Only the Functional Reach
      Test (FRT) showed a statistically significant improvement at 3 months. In
      subgroup analyses, the slowest walking speed group showed a significantly greater
      change ratio of the 10 Meter Walk Test relative to the other groups, from the
      time of admission to discharge. This group showed a greater FRT change ratio than
      the other groups from the time of admission to the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION:
      Inpatient combined therapy of simultaneous injections of BoNT-A to the upper and
      lower limbs and MD may improve motor function.

PMID- 27256592
TI  - Spatial and non-spatial aspects of visual attention: Interactive cognitive
      mechanisms and neural underpinnings.
AB  - In humans and non-human primates, the parietal lobe plays a key role in spatial
      attention - the ability to extract information from regions of space. This role
      is thought to be mediated by "priority" maps that highlight attention-worthy
      locations, and provide top-down feedback for motor orienting and attentional
      allocation. Traditionally, priority signals within the parietal cortex have been
      characterized as being purely spatial, i.e., encoding the desired locus of gaze
      or attention regardless of the context in which the brain generates that
      selection. Here, we highlight evidence from human behavior and neuroimaging as
      well as monkey physiology, to argue that non-spatial responses are critical to
      the establishment of priority maps in parietal cortex. This review offers an
      integrative view of the role that parietal cortex plays in attentional selection,
      providing evidence that priority maps reflect spatial and non-spatial priorities
      that ultimately act on sensory information in a spatial way.

PMID- 27256593
TI  - Practice patterns in the management of acute intervertebral disc herniation in
      dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Acute intervertebral disc herniation is commonly managed by
      veterinary neurologists and surgeons. Anecdote suggests that patterns of
      management vary considerably and there is controversy surrounding many aspects of
      treatment. The goal of this study was to document patterns in management of acute
      spinal cord injury caused by acute intervertebral disc herniation among these two
      groups to aid in future discussions on best practices. METHODS: A survey querying
      diagnostic, medical and surgical practices for dogs with acute intervertebral
      disc herniation was distributed to diplomates on the databases of the American
      College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American College of Veterinary Internal
      Medicine (Neurology). RESULTS: Responses were received from 314 board-certified
      veterinary surgeons and neurologists. Both groups handled timing of
      decompression, surgical approach, and most postoperative recommendations in a
      similar fashion. Case volume differed between groups, with 77% of neurologists
      and 18% of surgeons managing e50 cases of acute intervertebral disc herniation
      per year. MRI was used most frequently as a diagnostic tool by neurologists
      (75%), while CT was used most commonly by surgeons (58%). Corticosteroids were
      routinely administered as a neuroprotective strategy by 34% of surgeons and 11%
      of neurologists. Disc fenestration was performed "always" or "most of the time"
      by 69% of neurologists and 36% of surgeons. CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Understanding
      the common practices in the management of canine acute intervertebral disc
      herniation can provide a springboard for future discussions regarding the best
      practices in diagnosing and treating this disease.

PMID- 27256594
TI  - Helium-based cold atmospheric plasma-induced reactive oxygen species-mediated
      apoptotic pathway attenuated by platinum nanoparticles.
AB  - Plasma is generated by ionizing gas molecules. Helium (He)-based cold atmospheric
      plasma (CAP) was generated using a high-voltage power supply with low-frequency
      excitation (60 Hz at 7 kV) and He flow at 2 l/min. Platinum nanoparticles (Pt
      NPs) are potent antioxidants due to their unique ability to scavenge superoxides
      and peroxides. These features make them useful for the protection against
      oxidative stress-associated pathologies. Here, the effects of Pt-NPs on He-CAP
      induced apoptosis and the underlying mechanism were examined in human lymphoma
      U937 cells. Apoptosis was measured after cells were exposed to He-CAP in the
      presence or absence of Pt-NPs. The effects of combined treatment were determined
      by observing the changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and both
      mitochondrial and Fas dependent pathway. The results indicate that Pt-NPs
      substantially scavenge He-CAP-induced superoxides and peroxides and inhibit all
      the pathways involved in apoptosis execution. This might be because of the
      SOD/catalase mimetic effects of Pt-NPs. These results showed that the Pt-NPs can
      induce He-CAP desensitization in human lymphoma U937 cells.

PMID- 27256595
TI  - GCK gene mutations are a common cause of childhood-onset MODY (maturity-onset
      diabetes of the young) in Turkey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Inactivating heterozygous mutations in the GCK gene are a common cause
      of MODY and result in mild fasting hyperglycaemia, which does not require
      treatment. We aimed to identify the frequency, clinical and molecular features of
      GCK mutations in a Turkish paediatric cohort. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Fifty-four
      unrelated probands were selected based on the following criteria: age of
      diagnosis <=17 years, family history of diabetes in at least two generations,
      anti-GAD/ICA negative, BMI<95.p and follow-up with diet, oral antidiabetic drug
      or low-dose insulin treatment (<=0.5U/kg/d). A MODY probability score
      (www.diabetesgenes.org) was calculated and 21 patients with a score >=75%, HbA1c
      levels <=7.5% (58.5 mmol/mol) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels 99-145 mg/dl
      (5.5-8.0 mmol/l) were selected for Sanger sequencing of the GCK gene. Targeted
      next-generation sequencing for all known monogenic diabetes genes was undertaken
      for any patient without a GCK gene mutation. RESULTS: GCK gene mutations
      (pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants) and a novel intronic variant of
      uncertain significance (c.208 + 3A>T) were identified in 13/54 probands (24%).
      Twelve of these patients had a MODY probability score >=75%. FBG level and 2-h
      glucose level in OGTT were 123 +/- 14 mg/dl (6.8 +/- 0.7 mmol/l) (107-157 mg/dl)
      and 181 +/- 30 mg/dl (10.1 +/- 1.6 mmol/l) (136-247 mg/dl), respectively. Average
      of glucose increment in OGTT was 58 +/- 27 mg/dl (3.2 +/- 1.5 mmol/l) (19-120
      mg/dl), and mean HbA1c level was 6.5 +/- 0.5% (47.5 +/- 5.5 mmol/mol) (5.9-7.6%).
      Five novel missense mutations were identified (p.F123S, p.L58P, p.G246A, p.F419C,
      and p.S151C). Two patients treated with low-dose insulin before the molecular
      analysis were able to stop treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in 4 MODY
      cases in this Turkish paediatric cohort have a GCK mutation. Selection of
      patients for GCK gene analysis using the MODY probability score was an effective
      way of identifying most (11/12) patients with a GCK mutation.

PMID- 27256596
TI  - Rebalancing gene haploinsufficiency in vivo by targeting chromatin.
AB  - Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects eight out of 1,000 live births and is a
      major social and health-care burden. A common genetic cause of CHD is the 22q11.2
      deletion, which is the basis of the homonymous deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS),
      also known as DiGeorge syndrome. Most of its clinical spectrum is caused by
      haploinsufficiency of Tbx1, a gene encoding a T-box transcription factor. Here we
      show that Tbx1 positively regulates monomethylation of histone 3 lysine 4
      (H3K4me1) through interaction with and recruitment of histone methyltransferases.
      Treatment of cells with tranylcypromine (TCP), an inhibitor of histone
      demethylases, rebalances the loss of H3K4me1 and rescues the expression of
      approximately one-third of the genes dysregulated by Tbx1 suppression. In Tbx1
      mouse mutants, TCP treatment ameliorates substantially the cardiovascular
      phenotype. These data suggest that epigenetic drugs may represent a potential
      therapeutic strategy for rescue of gene haploinsufficiency phenotypes, including
      structural defects.

PMID- 27256598
TI  - [Common errors in empirical antibiotic treatment of severe sepsis].

PMID- 27256597
TI  - The impact of audiovisual biofeedback on 4D functional and anatomic imaging:
      Results of a lung cancer pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The impact of audiovisual (AV) biofeedback on four
      dimensional (4D) positron emission tomography (PET) and 4D computed tomography
      (CT) image quality was investigated in a prospective clinical trial
      (NCT01172041). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 4D-PET and 4D-CT images of ten lung cancer
      patients were acquired with AV biofeedback (AV) and free breathing (FB). The 4D
      PET images were analyzed for motion artifacts by comparing 4D to 3D PET for gross
      tumor volumes (GTVPET) and maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax). The 4D-CT
      images were analyzed for artifacts by comparing normalized cross correlation
      based scores (NCCS) and quantifying a visual assessment score (VAS). A Wilcoxon
      signed-ranks test was used for statistical testing. RESULTS: The impact of AV
      biofeedback varied widely. Overall, the 3D to 4D decrease of GTVPET was 1.2+/
      1.3cm(3) with AV and 0.6+/-1.8cm(3) for FB. The 4D-PET increase of SUVmax was
      1.3+/-0.9 with AV and 1.3+/-0.8 for FB. The 4D-CT NCCS were 0.65+/-0.27 with AV
      and 0.60+/-0.32 for FB (p=0.08). The 4D-CT VAS was 0.0+/-2.7. CONCLUSION: This
      study demonstrated a high patient dependence on the use of AV biofeedback to
      reduce motion artifacts in 4D imaging. None of the hypotheses tested were
      statistically significant. Future development of AV biofeedback will focus on
      optimizing the human-computer interface and including patient training sessions
      for improved comprehension and compliance.

PMID- 27256599
TI  - [Definition and dignosis of sepsis 3.0].

PMID- 27256600
TI  - [Antimicrobial algorithm for critical ill patients should be individualized based
      on guidelines].

PMID- 27256601
TI  - [Individuation and precise antibiotic treatment guided by
      pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics in critically ill patients].

PMID- 27256602
TI  - [Choice of antimicrobial agents in serious infections: broad-spectrum and
      individualization].

PMID- 27256603
TI  - [The echocardiographic evaluation and its predicted prognosis of acute left
      cardiac systolic dysfunction in critically ill patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of
      echocardiography for the prognosis of acute left cardiac dysfunction in
      critically ill patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in
      patients with acute left cardiac dysfunction in the Department of Critical Care
      Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 2013 to June 2014.
      Patients were divided into four groups according to the echocardiographic
      manifestation, including biventricular failure, left ventricular failure,
      coronary related segmental movement disorder, non-coronary related segmental
      movement disorder. All patients were treated with standard hemodynamic therapy.
      The duration of cardiotonic drug use, the period of mechanical ventilation, the
      length of ICU stay and 28-day mortality rate were recorded. RESULTS: A total of
      132 patients were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The incidence of
      coronary heart disease in the coronary related segmental movement disorder group
      (88.0%, 22/25) was higher than that in the other three groups (P<0.001), while
      other general clinical information between groups at baseline was comparable
      (P>0.05). Sepsis or septic shock was the main cause of acute left cardiac
      systolic dysfunction. The 28-day mortality rate in biventricular failure group
      was 21.05%, 19.05% in left ventricular failure group, 20.00% in coronary related
      segmental movement disorder group, and 1/10 in non-coronary related segmental
      movement disorder group (P<0.001). However, the duration of cardiotonic drug use,
      the period of mechanical ventilation, and the length of ICU stay were similar in
      all groups (P>0.05) .In biventricular failure group, previous history of left
      ventricular diastolic dysfunction significantly worsened the 28-day mortality
      rate (5/7, P<0.001). while diastolic dysfunction did not affect cardiotonic drug
      use, the period of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay(P>0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: The different echocardiographic features of acute left cardiac
      systolic dysfunction in critically ill patients predict the different prognosis.
      We need to setup an evaluation system including left cardiac systolic/diastolic
      function and right cardiac function, which may improve the process of workflow.

PMID- 27256604
TI  - [The influence of left ventricular-arterial coupling on the prognosis of elderly
      patients with septic shock].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of left ventricular-arterial
      coupling(VAC) on clinical prognosis of elderly patients with septic shock.
      METHODS: A total of 56 elderly septic shock patients were enrolled in this study,
      all of whom were admitted to Department of Intensive Care Unit in Zhejiang
      Hospital from August 2014 to October 2015.The patients were divided into two
      groups according to the status of left ventricular-arterial coupling when septic
      shock was diagnosed, which were left ventricular-arterial uncoupling group(UC
      group) and left ventricular-arterial coupling group(C group). Various parameters
      were recorded, including blood lactate level, central venous oxygen
      saturation(ScvO2), serum level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT
      proBNP) and cardiac troponin I(cTNI), dose of vasoactive drugs, the total fluid
      volume and urine volume per hour within 24 hours. The 28-day survival rate was a
      key index of prognosis. Multivariate logistic regression was taken to analyze
      risk factors related to death within 28 day. RESULTS: Compared with C group, UC
      group had lower values of left ventricular ejection fraction[(42.43+/-4.76)% vs
      (53.17+/-3.01)%; P<0.01] and cardiac index[(2.36+/-0.68) L.min(-1).m(-2) vs
      (2.93+/-0.45)L.min(-1).m(-2); P<0.01]. Yet serum levels of NT-proBNP[lg NT-proBNP
      3.93+/-0.53 vs 3.40+/-0.63; P=0.004] and cTNI [lg cTNI-0.16+/-0.68 vs-1.03+/
      0.69; P<0.001] in UC group were higher than those in C group. Moreover, the total
      fluid volume within 24 hours [(3 806.3+/-831.4) ml vs (3 142.0+/-770.0) ml;
      P=0.016], blood lactate level[(5.61+/-2.68) mmol/L vs (3.93+/-1.59) mmol/L;
      P=0.043] and dose of norepinephrine[(0.630+/-0.300)MUg.kg(-1).min(-1) vs (0.292+/
      0.234)MUg.kg(-1).min(-1;) P=0.001] in UC group were greater than those in C
      group, while ScvO2[(60.75+/-2.91)% vs (64.42+/-2.19)%; P<0.001] and urine volume
      per hour[(0.518+/-0.358)ml vs (0.926+/-0.678)ml; P=0.007] were less than those in
      C group. Compared with C group, UC group had a lower 28-day survival
      rate[43.2%(19/44) vs 9/12; P=0.049]. Ea/Ees ratio was negatively correlated with
      LVEF, ScvO2(r=-0.686, P<0.001; r=-0.411, P=0.002), positively correlated with NT
      proBNP, cTNI(r=0.294, P=0.028; r=0.363, P=0.006), yet no obvious correlation was
      noticed with blood lactate level(r=0.170, P=0.21). Multiple logistic regression
      analysis showed that VAC(OR=11.187, 95%CI 2.489-50.285; P=0.002), lactate level
      (OR=1.727, 95%CI 1.164-2.563; P=0.007) and lg cTNI(OR=0.247, 95%CI 0.079-0.779;
      P=0.017) were independent risk factors affecting 28-day mortality. Conclutions:
      In elderly patients with septic shock, left ventricular-arterial uncoupling
      indicates a lower 28-day survival rate, worse cardiac function and tissue
      perfusion. Ea/Ees ratio might sever as a predictive indicator of 28-day
      mortality.

PMID- 27256605
TI  - [The changes of main upper gastrointestinal diseases and Helicobacter pylori
      infection status in the past thirty five years].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the spectrum of upper gastrointestinal diseases and infection
      rate of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)in our hospital during the past 35 years. METHODS:
      Patients who were 16 or older with duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, reflux
      esophagitis, gastric cancer and esophageal cancer diagnosed by gastroscopy and
      pathology were retrospectively enrolled in our study from January 1980 to
      December 2014.Patients with chronic superficial gastritis, chronic atrophic
      gastritis or Hp infection from January 1989 to December 2014 were also included
      in our study according to the same diagnostic criteria.The incidences of diseases
      and the infection rates of Hp were studied. RESULTS: A total of 213 495 patients
      underwent gastroscopy in our department during the past 35 years.The overall
      diagnostic rates of duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, reflux esophagitis, gastric
      cancer and esophageal cancer were 9.87%, 3.79%, 6.66%, 1.59% and 0.66%
      respectively.There were 183 426 patients receiving gastroscopy in our department
      from January 1989 to December 2014. The overall endoscopic diagnosis rates of
      chronic superficial gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis were 49.83% and
      22.43% respectively.The overall infection rate of Hp was 36.18%, which had a
      declining trend consistent with peptic ulcer (all P=0.000). Yet, the prevalence
      of reflux esophagitis, chronic superficial gastritis and chronic atrophic
      gastritis were increasing (all P=0.000). The diagnostic rates of gastric cancer
      and esophageal cancer were persistent (P=0.266, P=0.156). CONCLUSIONS: The Hp
      infection during years has been decreasing, consistent with the declining
      tendency of peptic ulcer.On the other hand, reflux esophagitis, chronic
      superficial gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis show an ascendant trend.The
      proportion of patients with gastric cancer and esophageal cancer is relatively
      stable.

PMID- 27256606
TI  - [The incidence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of upper
      gastrointestinal bleeding in patients taking dual antiplatelet therapy after
      percutaneous coronary intervention in south China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics and risk
      factors of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients with acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS) who were administrated with aspirin and clopidogrel dual
      antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: ACS
      patients who had undergone PCI in the cardiovascular institute of Guangdong
      General Hospital from September 2009 to August 2014 were retrospectively
      enrolled.The incidence of UGIB and clinical characteristics of ACS patients on
      dual antiplatelet therapy for 1 year after PCI were analyzed.Risk factors of UGIB
      were screened in the cohort of patients and sex and age matched controls with
      ratio 1?3. RESULTS: A total of 9 118 ACS patients had undergone PCI and UGIB
      occurred in 189 patients (2.07%, 189/9 118) from September 2009 to August 2014.
      UGIB patients with history over one year, gastrointestinal tumors or varices or
      negative endoscopy were excluded.Thus the revised incidence of UGIB occurred was
      0.61% in 56 patients (0.61%, 56/9 118) and appeared to decline year by year.Most
      patients (91.07%, 51/56) had melena or stool occult blood positive (OB+ ), while
      others had bloody stool or haematemesis.Most UGIB were ulcer-related which was
      proved by endoscopy, accounting for 67.86% (38/56). There were 24 cases with
      duodenal ulcer, 13 with gastric ulcer and 1 with complex ulcer, while others were
      gastric erosion, gastritis and duodenitis.The risk factors of UGIB were previous
      history of peptic ulcer (P<0.01) and renal impairment (P<0.01). On the other
      side, PPI intake was a protective factor (P<0.05). The incidence of new-onset ACS
      was 1.44% (50/3 464) in PPI group, compared with 1.34% (76/5 654) in no PPI group
      (P>0.05). PPI use for the prevention of UGIB after PCI didn't increase the
      recurrence of ACS. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of UGIB is 0.61% in ACS patients on
      dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) for 1 year after PCI and
      falls year by year.Administration of PPI after PCI protects patients from UGIB,
      especially in those with precious history of peptic ulcer and renal impairment.

PMID- 27256607
TI  - [An evaluation of plasma aldosterone-to-active-renin ratio in different postures
      in combination with aldosterone concentration in the diagnosis of aldosteronoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic value of plasma aldosterone-to-active
      renin ratio(ARR)in combination with plasma aldosterone concentration(PAC)in the
      predication of aldosteronoma(APA). METHODS: A total of 85 APA and 155 essential
      hypertension(EH)patients from January 2012 to December 2014 in Chinese PLA
      General Hospital were enrolled. The ROC curve was applied to calculate the
      optimal cut-off points of ARR for APA. RESULTS: (1)The optimal cut-off point of
      supine ARR was 1 707.4(pmol/L)/(MUg.L(-1).h(-1))[61.64(ng/dl)/(MUg.L(-1).h(-1))]
      with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 89.41%, 80.65% and 83.75%,
      respectively. The specificity and accuracy of the diagnostic value for APA
      increased (89.03% and 87.5% respectively) when supine ARR cut-off point were used
      in combination with supine PAC over 329.4 pmol/L. (2) The optimal cut-off point
      of upright ARR was 741.5 (pmol/L)/(MUg.L(-1).h(-1))[26.77(ng/dl)/(MUg.L(-1).h(-1)
      )]with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 85.88%, 91.61% and 89.58%,
      respectively. Similarly, the specificity and accuracy greatly improved (94.84%
      and 91.67%, respectively) when upright ARR were applied together with upright PAC
      over 323.1 pmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Both spine and upright ARR can be used in
      screening for APA. Moreover, the specificity and accuracy could be improved when
      ARR and PAC were used together both in the supine and upright position.

PMID- 27256608
TI  - [An analysis of immunophenotyping of peripheral lymphocytes in adult patients
      with infectious mononucleosis and chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the immunophenotypic features of peripheral lymphocytes
      in adult patients with Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)-associated infectious
      mononucleosis(IM) and chronic active EBV infection (CAEBV). METHODS: Eighteen IM
      patients, 12 CAEBV patients and 18 healthy donors were included. Lymphocyte
      subsets including CD3(-)CD19(+) B cells, CD3(-)CD16/56(+) NK cells, CD4(+) and
      CD8(+) T cells in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. The
      expression of activation markers (HLA-DR and CD38) on CD8(+) T cells and CD28
      expression on T cells were also determined. Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U
      tests were used to compare variables among groups. RESULTS: IM patients had
      dramatically increased CD8(+) T cell counts than healthy donors (5.22*10(9)/L vs
      0.54*10(9)/L, P<0.001). B cell counts moderately reduced in patients with IM than
      in healthy donors. No difference was found in absolute CD4(+) T cell and NK cell
      counts between IM and healthy donors. The levels of HLA-DR and CD38 on CD8(+) T
      cells significantly increased in IM patients compared with those in healthy
      controls. The intensity of CD28 on CD8(+) T cells significantly decreased, which
      was not seen on CD4(+) T cells. The median cell counts of B, NK, CD4(+) T and
      CD8(+) T subsets in CAEBV patients were 0.02*10(9)/L, 0.06*10(9)/L, 0.26*10(9)/L
      and 0.21*10(9)/L respectively, which were significantly lower than those in
      healthy donors (0.22*10(9)/L, 0.38*10(9)/L, 0.78*10(9)/L, 0.54*10(9)/L)and IM
      patients (0.12*10(9)/L, 0.40*10(9)/L, 0.91*10(9)/L, 5.22*10(9)/L). The positive
      rates of HLA-DR and CD38 on CD8(+) T cells in CAEBV patients were higher than
      those in healthy controls, but lower than those in IM patients. CONCLUSIONS: The
      immunophenotypic pattern in adult patients with IM is characterized by a dramatic
      increase of extensively activated CD8(+) T cells, a moderate reduction of CD19(+)
      B cells and no significant change of CD4(+) T cells and CD16/56(+) NK cells.
      CAEBV is featured by an immunosuppression status as demonstrated by significantly
      decreased B, NK, CD4(+) T and CD8(+) T subsets.

PMID- 27256609
TI  - [The correlation factor analysis for conversion of clinically isolated syndrome
      to multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the features of patients who converted from clinically
      isolated syndrome (CIS) to multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO)
      and explore the correlated factors. METHODS: A total of 151 patients admitted in
      our unit as CIS from January 2009 to December 2014 were enrolled in the study.
      All patients were divided into the following four groups by locations of the
      initial lesion, which were the spinal cord, the optic nerve, the brain stem and
      the multifocal lesions. Data were collected at the baseline including
      demographics, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, site of CIS,
      presence or absence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal bands (OB) and serum
      aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab), evoked potential (EP) and MRI lesions. The
      conversion rates from CIS to clinically definite MS or NMO were calculated and
      the correlated factors were explored. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up period of
      (44.11+/-17.62)months, 46/151(30.5%) patients converted to MS, 28/151 (18.5%) to
      definite NMO and 66/151 patients(43.7%)remained as CIS. Other patients were
      converted to optic neuritis(4/151), one-time transverse myelitis(3/151), acute
      disseminated encephalomyelitis (1/151) and Balo concentric sclerosis(3/151) . The
      EDSS score was significantly higher in patients converted to NMO than those
      converted to MS (P=0.003). The initial manifestation of optic neuritis
      significantly correlated with the conversion to NMO (P=0.000), while the initial
      manifestation of CIS with multifocal lesions significantly correlated with the
      conversion to MS (P=0.000). Neither the isolated BAEP (P=0.703), VEP (P=0.076),
      SEP (P=0.915) nor the combination of two (P=0.546)or three (P=1.000) of the above
      parameters could help to distinguish the conversion to MS or NMO. More patients
      with positive CSF-OB converted to MS (P=0.001), while more patients with positive
      serum AQP4-Ab converted to NMO (P=0.001). More patients were serum AQP4-Ab
      positive in those converted to NMO than those converted to MS (P=0.000). Lesions
      longer than three vertebral segments were dominant in patients converted to NMO
      (P=0.000). The logistic regression analysis revealed that factors correlated with
      conversion from CIS to MS were the initial CIS manifestation of multifocal
      lesions (OR=4.775, P=0.002), positive CSF-OB (OR=7.794, P=0.002) and VEP
      abnormality (OR=7.251, P=0.001). Factors correlated with conversion from CIS to
      NMO were female in gender (OR=12.536, P=0.019), positive serum AQP4-Ab
      (OR=36.410, P=0.002), lesions longer than three vertebral segments (OR=93.602,
      P=0.001), abnormal VEP and SEP (OR=18.448, P=0.002; OR=12.731, P=0.016).
      CONCLUSIONS: Factors correlated with the conversion from CIS to MS are initial
      CIS manifestation of multifocal lesions, positive CSF-OB and abnormal VEP, while
      those correlated with the conversion from CIS to NMO are female in gender,
      positive serum AQP4-Ab, initial CIS manifestation with optic nerve, lesions
      involved more than three vertebral segments and abnormal VEP and SEP.

PMID- 27256610
TI  - [A comparison of clinical characteristics in elderly patients with ulcerative
      colitis and ischemic colitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the discrepancy and similarities of clinical
      characteristics in elderly patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and ischemic
      colitis (IC). METHODS: A total of 43 elderly patients (age>=60 yrs) with UC and
      36 elderly patients with IC were enrolled from 2004 to 2015 at Peking Union
      Medical College Hospital. The clinical characteristics were retrospectively
      analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with IC group,
      the disease course was longer with lower incidence of cardiovascular
      comorbidities in UC patients (P<0.05). In UC group, more patients presented with
      diarrhea, mucopurulent bloody stool [39(90.7%) vs 16(44.4%) and 34(79.1%) vs
      2(5.6%) respectively, both P<0.01]. Yet bloody stool as the only symptom was seen
      in more IC patients than UC patients [61.1%(22/36) vs 7.0%(3/43), P<0.01]. The
      ratio of extra-intestinal manifestations was higher [18.6%(8/43) vs 0(0/36)] in
      UC patients, while complications were lower [11.6%(5/43) vs 30.6%(11/36),
      P<0.05]. As to the laboratory parameters, median platelet count [(294.38+/
      104.83)*10(9)/L vs (235.47+/-94.82)*10(9)/L, P<0.05] was higher in UC group. In
      addition, more patients with UC had positive perinuclear antineutrophil
      cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) [50.0%(15/30) vs 10.0%(2/20), P<0.05]. The most
      commonly involved regions of IC were descending colon and sigmoid colon, in which
      the lesions were clearly demarcated with the normal mucosa. Lesions in patients
      with UC mainly originated from rectum and might spread to the whole colon.
      Vascular occlusion and micro thrombosis were characteristic pathological findings
      of IC. The crypt abscesses were frequently seen in the UC group. CONCLUSION: Even
      though UC and IC have some similar manifestations in the elderly patients,
      clinical and pathological discrepancy is still helpful to differentiate each
      other.

PMID- 27256611
TI  - [The role of color doppler ultrasonography, thyroid function and auto antibody
      for the screening of Graves' disease in pregnancy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether color doppler ultrasonography (CDU), thyroid
      function or thyroid autoimmune antibodies could identify Graves' disease in
      pregnancy(GDP) in pregnant patients with newly diagnosed thyrotoxicosis. METHODS:
      It is an observational study. Sixty-eight pregnant patients with newly diagnosed
      thyrotoxicosis including gestational hyperthyroidism(GHT) subjects (GHT group,
      n=33) and GDP subjects (GDP group, n=35), and 62 age-and sex-matched healthy
      subjects (C1 group: pregnant, n=32, C2 group: non-pregnant, n=30) were recruited.
      Thyroid function, human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG), thyroid autoimmune
      antibodies were detected. Peak systolic velocity of the superior thyroid artery
      (STA-PSV) and diastole inner diameter(STA-D) of the superior thyroid artery were
      measured by CDU. A ROC curve was used to evaluate STA-PSV, STA-D, thyroid
      function and thyroid autoimmune antibodies for identification of GDP. RESULTS:
      The area under the ROC curve of STA-PSV, STA-D and thyroid stimulating hormone
      (TSH), free T4 (FT4) for GDP were 0.905, 0.887, 0.803 and 0.786, respectively.
      The optimal cut-off points of STA-PSV, STA-D, TSH and FT4 for GDP were 40 cm/s,
      2.0mm, 0.03 mIU/L and 30 pmol/L with the sensitivity of 82.9%, 72.1%, 81.8%,
      76.2% and specificity of 81.8%, 87.9%, 75.2%, 80.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Detection of STA-PSV and STA-D by CDU, as well as thyroid function, is useful in
      screening GDP in pregnant patients with thyrotoxicosis.

PMID- 27256612
TI  - Sleep duration and blood pressure: a longitudinal analysis from early to late
      adolescence.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sleep duration and
      blood pressure using a cross-sectional and longitudinal approach. As part of a
      population-based cohort, 1403 adolescents were evaluated at 13 and 17 years old.
      Sleep duration was estimated by the difference between self-reported usual
      bedtime and wake-up time. Blood pressure was measured using the auscultatory
      method. Regression coefficients (beta) and respective 95% confidence intervals
      were computed to evaluate the association between sleep duration and blood
      pressure, using linear regression models adjusted for practice of sports and body
      mass index at 17 years old. The mean (standard deviation) sleep duration at 13
      years old was 9.0 (0.76) h per day, and on average it decreased by 46 min up to
      17 years old. The median (25th-75th) systolic blood pressure at 17 years old was
      110.0 (103.5-119.0) mmHg in females and 114.0 (106.0-122.0)mmHg in males (P <
      0.001); for diastolic blood pressure the values were 66.0 (60.0-71.0) and 69.0
      (62.0-75.0) mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001). In cross-sectional analysis, at 17
      years old, after adjustment, a positive association was found between sleep
      duration and blood pressure, significant only for systolic blood pressure among
      females [beta = 0.730 (0.005; 1.455)]. In girls, no significant association was
      found between sleep duration at 13 years old and blood pressure at 17 years old,
      but in males an inverse association was found between sleep duration at 13 years
      old and blood pressure at 17 years old significant only for systolic blood
      pressure [beta = -1.938 (-3.229; -0.647)]. This study found no association
      between sleep duration at 13 years old and blood pressure at 17 years old in
      girls, but among males an inverse association was found.

PMID- 27256613
TI  - Progression from First Drink, First Intoxication, and Regular Drinking to Alcohol
      Use Disorder: A Comparison of African American and European American Youth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Differences between African Americans (AAs) and European Americans
      (EAs) in the prevalence and age at onset of alcohol use and alcohol use disorder
      (AUD) have been documented, but distinctions in the timing of early stage
      transitions and contribution of various psychiatric and psychosocial risk factors
      to the progression from initiation to AUD have yet to be investigated. The
      current study characterized progression from alcohol use initiation-defined
      alternatively as first drink, first intoxication, and regular drinking onset-to
      AUD in AA and EA youth. METHODS: Psychiatric interviews were administered via
      telephone to 1,461 participants (56% AA, 44% EA) in a high-risk family study
      (50.3% female, mean age = 17.6 [SD = 3.8]). Cox proportional hazards regression
      analyses were conducted separately for the AA and EA subsamples to predict DSM-5
      AUD as a function of age at alcohol use initiation, with age at first drink, age
      at first intoxication, and age at regular drinking onset as the point of origin
      in separate models. RESULTS: Across race/ethnicity, regardless of how it was
      measured, early alcohol use initiation predicted AUD, but hazard ratios (HRs)
      were lowest for first drink. Regular smoking and social anxiety disorder were
      significant predictors in both racial/ethnic groups, but associations with
      conduct disorder (all 3 models: HR range = 2.07 to 4.15) and major depressive
      disorder (regular drinking: HR = 4.51, confidence interval [CI]: 1.60 to 12.69
      for AUD onset >= age 20) were specific to AAs. Posttraumatic stress disorder (HR
      = 5.38, CI: 1.44 to 20.08) and generalized anxiety disorder (HR = 7.35, CI: 2.31
      to 23.34 for AUD onset <= age 17) were strongly associated with progression from
      regular drinking to AUD exclusively in EAs. CONCLUSIONS: Early alcohol use
      initiation is a marker of risk for AUD in both AA and EA youth, but the
      contributions of various psychiatric risk factors to the development of AUD are
      not universal across racial/ethnic groups.

PMID- 27256614
TI  - The homozygous R504C mutation in MTO1 gene is responsible for ONCE syndrome.
AB  - We report clinical and biochemical finding from three unrelated patients
      presenting ONCE (Optic Neuropathy, Cardiomyopathy and Encephalopathy with lactic
      acidosis and combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency) syndrome. Whole-exome
      sequencing (WES) of the three patients and the healthy sister of one of them was
      used to identify the carry gene. Clinical and biochemical findings were used to
      filter variants, and molecular, in silico and genetic studies were performed to
      characterize the candidate variants. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defects involving
      mutations, deletions or depletion were discarded, whereas WES uncovered a double
      homozygous mutation in the MTO1 gene (NM_001123226:c.1510C>T, p.R504C, and
      c.1669G>A, p.V557M) in two of the patients and the homozygous mutation p.R504C in
      the other. Therefore, our data confirm p.R504C as pathogenic mutation responsible
      of ONCE syndrome, and p.V557M as a rare polymorphic variant.

PMID- 27256615
TI  - Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering of Silicon Nanocrystals in a Silica Film.
AB  - Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an intriguing effect, efficiency of
      which depends on many factors and whose applicability to a given system is not
      obvious before the experiment. The motivation of the present work is to
      demonstrate the SERS effect on silicon nanocrystals (Si-nc) embedded in silica,
      the material of high technological importance. Using the Ag overlayer method, we
      have found the SERS effect for this material. The best result is obtained for Ag
      layers of a weight thickness of 12 nm, whose surface plasmons are in a resonance
      with the laser wavelength (488 nm). The enhancement obtained for the Raman signal
      from 3-4-nm Si-nc in a 40-nm SiOx film is above 100. The SERS effect is about
      twice stronger for ultra-small Si-nc (~1 nm) and/or disordered silicon compared
      to Si-nc with sizes of 3-4 nm. The SERS measurements with an Ag overlayer allow
      detecting silicon crystallization for ultra-thin SiOx films and/or for very low
      Si excess and suppress the Raman signal from the substrate and the
      photoluminescence of the film.

PMID- 27256616
TI  - PC-FACS.
AB  - PC-FACS(FastArticleCriticalSummaries for Clinicians inPalliativeCare) provides
      hospice and palliative care clinicians with concise summaries of the most
      important findings from more than 100 medical and scientific journals. If you
      have colleagues who would benefit from receiving PC-FACS, please encourage them
      to join the AAHPM at aahpm.org. Comments from readers are welcomed at pc
      facs@aahpm.org. 

PMID- 27256617
TI  - "Mother MD Intense": The Need for Intentional Healing.

PMID- 27256618
TI  - Erratum to: Sublingual Fentanyl Tablets for Relief of Breakthrough Pain in Cancer
      Patients and Association with Quality-of-Life Outcomes.

PMID- 27256619
TI  - Vertically aligned zinc oxide nanowires electrodeposited within porous
      polycarbonate templates for vibrational energy harvesting.
AB  - A piezoelectric nanogenerator has been fabricated using a simple, fast and
      scalable template-assisted electrodeposition process, by which vertically aligned
      zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires were directly grown within a nanoporous polycarbonate
      (PC) template. The nanowires, having average diameter 184 nm and length 12 MUm,
      are polycrystalline and have a preferred orientation of the [100] axis parallel
      to the long axis. The output power density of a nanogenerator fabricated from the
      as-grown ZnO nanowires still embedded within the PC template was found to be 151
      +/- 25 mW m(-3) at an impedance-matched load, when subjected to a low-level
      periodic (5 Hz) impacting force akin to gentle finger tapping. An energy
      conversion efficiency of ~4.2% was evaluated for the electrodeposited ZnO
      nanowires, and the ZnO-PC composite nanogenerator was found to maintain good
      energy harvesting performance through 24 h of continuous fatigue testing. This is
      particularly significant given that ZnO-based nanostructures typically suffer
      from mechanical and/or environmental degradation that otherwise limits their
      applicability in vibrational energy harvesting. Our template-assisted synthesis
      of ZnO nanowires embedded within a protective polymer matrix through a single
      growth process is thus attractive for the fabrication of low-cost, robust and
      stable nanogenerators. 

PMID- 27256620
TI  - Early ovarian follicular development in prepubertal Wistar rats acutely exposed
      to androgens.
AB  - Androgens may directly modulate early ovarian follicular development in preantral
      stages and androgen excess before puberty may disrupt this physiological process.
      Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of follicular
      morphology and circulating androgen and estradiol levels in prepubertal Wistar
      rats acutely exposed to androgens. Prepubertal female Wistar rats were
      distributed into three groups: control, equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG)
      intervention and eCG plus dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) intervention (eCG+DHEA).
      Serum DHEA, testosterone and estradiol levels were determined, and ovarian
      morphology and morphometry were assessed. The eCG+DHEA group presented increased
      serum estradiol and testosterone levels as compared with the control group
      (P<0.01), and higher serum DHEA concentration v. the eCG-only and control groups
      (P<0.01). In addition, the eCG+DHEA group had a higher number of, and larger
      sized, primary and secondary follicles as compared with the control group
      (P<0.05). The eCG group presented intermediate values for number and size of
      primary and secondary follicles, without significant differences as compared with
      the other two groups. The number of antral follicles was higher in the eCG+DHEA
      and eCG groups v. controls (P<0.05). The number of primordial, atretic and cystic
      follicles were similar in all groups. In conclusion, the present experimental
      model using an acute eCG+DHEA intervention was useful to investigate events
      involved in initial follicular development under hyperandrogenic conditions, and
      could provide a reliable tool to study defective follicular development with
      possible deleterious reproductive consequences later in life.

PMID- 27256621
TI  - Populations of the Minor alpha-Conformation in AcGXGNH2 and the alpha-Helical
      Nucleation Propensities.
AB  - Intrinsic backbone conformational preferences of different amino acids are
      important for understanding the local structure of unfolded protein chains.
      Recent evidence suggests alpha-structure is relatively minor among three major
      backbone conformations for unfolded proteins. The alpha-helices are the dominant
      structures in many proteins. For these proteins, how could the alpha-structures
      occur from the least in unfolded to the most in folded states? Populations of the
      minor alpha-conformation in model peptides provide vital information. Reliable
      determination of populations of the alpha-conformers in these peptides that exist
      in multiple equilibriums of different conformations remains a challenge. Combined
      analyses on data from AcGXPNH2 and AcGXGNH2 peptides allow us to derive the
      populations of PII, beta and alpha in AcGXGNH2. Our results show that on average
      residue X in AcGXGNH2 adopt PII, beta, and alpha 44.7%, 44.5% and 10.8% of time,
      respectively. The contents of alpha-conformations for different amino acids
      define an alpha-helix nucleation propensity scale. With derived PII, beta and
      alpha-contents, we can construct a free energy-conformation diagram on each
      AcGXGNH2 in aqueous solution for the three major backbone conformations. Our
      results would have broad implications on early-stage events of protein folding.

PMID- 27256622
TI  - Resolvin D2 decreases TLR4 expression to mediate resolution in human monocytes.
AB  - TLRs are critical for innate immunity, but excessive activation can lead to
      tissue damage and disease. Specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs), including
      resolvin D2 (RvD2), promote the active resolution of inflammation. How SPMs
      regulate early LPS signaling, including activation of TLR4, is unknown. We
      treated human THP-1 monocytic cells and primary human blood monocytes with RvD2
      and LPS to evaluate modulation of TLRs. miRNA-146a overexpression and inhibition
      were used to dissect the mechanism of RvD2-mediated actions. We validated our
      studies using ELISAs for cytokines, PCR, Western blot analysis, and flow
      cytometry. Cells treated with 0.1% ethanol (control for RvD2) and/or PBS (control
      for LPS), and control microRNA mimics and inhibitors were used as controls. RvD2
      reduced LPS-induced cytokines and TLR4 expression in human monocytes by up to
      75%. In THP-1 cells, RvD2 reduced expression of TLR4, lymphocyte antigen 96 (MD
      2), and downstream signals (MyD88, TRIF, and TAK1). These effects were partially
      mediated through RvD2 induction of microRNA-146a, and RvD2's actions were blocked
      by microRNA-146a inhibition. These new findings reveal the ability of RvD2 to
      reduce TLR4 expression and attenuate LPS-induced inflammation, providing a new
      area of SPM activity to investigate in this major area of therapeutic research.
      Croasdell, A., Sime, P. J., Phipps, R. P. Resolvin D2 decreases TLR4 expression
      to mediate resolution in human monocytes.

PMID- 27256624
TI  - Adults with cystic fibrosis in Portugal: A first step towards improvement.

PMID- 27256623
TI  - Human adipose tissue expresses intrinsic circadian rhythm in insulin sensitivity.
AB  - In humans, insulin sensitivity varies according to time of day, with decreased
      values in the evening and at night. Mechanisms responsible for the diurnal
      variation in insulin sensitivity are unclear. We investigated whether human
      adipose tissue (AT) expresses intrinsic circadian rhythms in insulin sensitivity
      that could contribute to this phenomenon. Subcutaneous and visceral AT biopsies
      were obtained from extremely obese participants (body mass index, 41.8 +/- 6.3
      kg/m(2); 46 +/- 11 y) during gastric-bypass surgery. To assess the rhythm in
      insulin signaling, AKT phosphorylation was determined every 4 h over 24 h in
      vitro in response to different insulin concentrations (0, 1, 10, and 100 nM).
      Data revealed that subcutaneous AT exhibited robust circadian rhythms in insulin
      signaling (P < 0.00001). Insulin sensitivity reached its maximum (acrophase)
      around noon, being 54% higher than during midnight (P = 0.009). The amplitude of
      the rhythm was positively correlated with in vivo sleep duration (r = 0.53; P =
      0.023) and negatively correlated with in vivo bedtime (r = -0.54; P = 0.020). No
      circadian rhythms were detected in visceral AT (P = 0.643). Here, we demonstrate
      the relevance of the time of the day for how sensitive AT is to the effects of
      insulin. Subcutaneous AT shows an endogenous circadian rhythm in insulin
      sensitivity that could provide an underlying mechanism for the daily rhythm in
      systemic insulin sensitivity.-Carrasco-Benso, M. P., Rivero-Gutierrez, B., Lopez
      Minguez, J., Anzola, A., Diez-Noguera, A., Madrid, J. A., Lujan, J. A., Martinez
      Augustin, O., Scheer, F. A. J. L., Garaulet, M. Human adipose tissue expresses
      intrinsic circadian rhythm in insulin sensitivity.

PMID- 27256625
TI  - Parenting practices and styles associated with adolescent sexual health in Dar es
      Salaam, Tanzania.
AB  - Parenting styles and practices are suggested to be important predictors of
      adolescent sexual health, mostly in Europe and North America. Limited research
      has been conducted on these processes in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has different
      patterns of adolescent sexual behavior and family traditions. This study
      qualitatively explored parenting practices and styles associated with adolescent
      sexual health in Tanzania, with 12 adolescents and 12 parents of adolescents. The
      themes we identified from the data included parental monitoring, preventive, and
      punitive behaviors. Parents were reported to use mostly punitive behaviors to
      correct or prohibit sexual behavior; parents also set clear rules about
      appropriate sexual behavior (e.g., modesty and abstinence). Parents were also
      reported to closely monitor their adolescent children's friendships and sexual
      behavior to minimize sexual behavior. However, some parents also engaged in
      positive preventive practices aimed at protecting their adolescent children.

PMID- 27256626
TI  - Psychiatric Emergencies for Clinicians: The Emergency Department Management of
      Thyroid Storm.

PMID- 27256627
TI  - Comment on: "Timely Pain Management in the Emergency Department".

PMID- 27256628
TI  - Cellulose nanocrystal interactions probed by thin film swelling to predict
      dispersibility.
AB  - The production of well-dispersed reinforced polymer nanocomposites has been
      limited due to poor understanding of the interactions between components.
      Measuring the cohesive particle-particle interactions and the adhesive particle
      polymer interactions is challenging due to nanoscale dimensions and poor
      colloidal stability of nanoparticles in many solvents. We demonstrate a new
      cohesive interaction measurement method using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a
      model system; CNCs have recently gained attention in the composites community due
      to their mechanical strength and renewable nature. Multi-wavelength surface
      plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) was used to monitor the swelling of CNC thin
      films to elucidate the primary forces between CNCs. This was achieved by
      measuring swelling in situ in water, acetone, methanol, acetonitrile,
      isopropanol, and ethanol and relating the degree of swelling to solvent
      properties. Films swelled the most in water where we estimate 1.2-1.6 nm spacings
      between CNCs (or 4-6 molecular layers of water). Furthermore, a correlation was
      found between film swelling and the solvent's Hildebrand solubility parameter
      (R(2) = 0.9068). The hydrogen bonding component of the solubility parameters was
      more closely linked to swelling than the polar or dispersive components. The
      films remained intact in all solvents, and using DLVO theory we have identified
      van der Waals forces as the main cohesive interaction between CNCs. The trends
      observed suggest that solvents (and polymers) alone are not sufficient to
      overcome CNC-CNC cohesion and that external energy is required to break CNC
      agglomerates. This work not only demonstrates that SPR can be used as a tool to
      measure cohesive particle-particle interactions but additionally advances our
      fundamental understanding of CNC interactions which is necessary for the design
      of cellulose nanocomposites. 

PMID- 27256629
TI  - Dietary fruit, vegetable, fat, and red and processed meat intakes and Barrett's
      esophagus risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - The relationships between dietary fruit, vegetable, fat, and red and processed
      meat intakes and Barrett's esophagus (BE) risk remain inconclusive. We conducted
      a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the available evidence on
      these issues. PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies
      published from inception through October 2015. A total of eight studies were
      included in this analysis. Fruit intake was not associated with BE risk (OR =
      0.65, 95% CI = 0.37-1.13), but vegetable intake was strongly associated with BE
      risk (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.29-0.71). Saturated fat, red meat and processed meat
      intakes were not associated with BE risk with OR = 1.25 (95% CI = 0.82-1.91), OR
      = 0.85 (95% CI = 0.61-1.17) and OR = 1.03 (95% CI = 0.73-1.46), respectively.
      Dietary vegetable not fruits intake may be associated with decreased BE risk. Fat
      and red and processed meat intakes may not contribute to an increased BE risk.
      Well-designed, large prospective studies with better established dose-response
      relationships are needed to further validate these issues.

PMID- 27256630
TI  - Casimir switch: steering optical transparency with vacuum forces.
AB  - The Casimir force, originating from vacuum zero-point energy, is one of the most
      intriguing purely quantum effects. It has attracted renewed interests in current
      field of nanomechanics, due to the rapid size decrease of on-chip devices. Here
      we study the optomechanically-induced transparency (OMIT) with a tunable Casimir
      force. We find that the optical output rate can be significantly altered by the
      vacuum force, even terminated and then restored, indicating a highly-controlled
      optical switch. Our result addresses the possibility of designing exotic optical
      nano-devices by harnessing the power of vacuum.

PMID- 27256632
TI  - Imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in
      preeclampsia and gestational trophoblastic diseases.
AB  - The invasion cascade exhibited by placental trophoblasts and cancerous cells
      bears many similarities, and it is attributed to extracellular matrix degradation
      mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Although proper and controlled
      invasion by trophoblasts into the maternal uterus is an essential requirement for
      maintenance of normal pregnancy, any abnormality in this phenomenon results in
      the development of invasion-related disorders such as gestational trophoblastic
      diseases (GTDs) and preeclampsia. We studied the epigenetic basis of differential
      expression of two placental MMPs (MMP2 and MMP9) and tissue inhibitors of
      metalloproteinases (TIMP2 and TIMP1) during normal gestation and invasion-related
      disorders, i.e., preeclampsia and GTDs. Our study suggests the association of
      H3K9/27me3 with differential expression of these MMPs and their inhibitors, which
      regulate the placental invasion during normal pregnancy, whereas no role of CpG
      methylation was observed in the differential expression of MMPs/TIMPs. Further,
      development of GTDs was associated with abnormally higher expression of these
      MMPs and lower levels of their inhibitors, whereas the reverse trends were
      observed for MMPs and their TIMPs in case of preeclampsia, in association with
      abnormal changes in H3K9/27me3. These results suggest the involvement of higher
      levels of MMPs in an aggressive invasive behavior depicted by GTDs, whereas lower
      levels of these MMPs in shallow and poor invasive phenotype associated with
      preeclampsia. Thus, our study shows the significance of a proper balance
      regulated by histone trimethylation between differential expression of MMPs and
      their TIMPs for maintaining normal pregnancy and its deregulation as a
      contributing factor for pathogenesis of invasive disorders during pregnancy.

PMID- 27256631
TI  - In vivo xenoestrogenic actions of cadmium and arsenic in anterior pituitary and
      uterus.
AB  - Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (iAs) are toxic metals ubiquitously present in the
      environment. Both pollutants exert nonmonotonic dose responses, being mostly
      cytotoxic at high concentrations but mimicking estrogen (E2) effects at low
      doses. Xenoestrogenic activity of Cd and iAs has been demonstrated in different
      hormone-dependent tumor cell lines; however, their actions in vivo remain largely
      unknown. Here, we investigated whether in vivo administration of low doses of Cd
      and iAs through drinking water would display xenoestrogenic effects in the
      anterior pituitary gland and uterus of ovariectomized rats. Cd (1ppm) and iAs
      (0.1ppm) exposure increased the wet weight of anterior pituitary gland and uterus
      and induced proestrus- and estrus-like vaginal smears. Both metals stimulate cell
      proliferation of these tissues as they increased the expression of proliferation
      markers. More importantly, they augmented soluble guanylyl cyclase alpha1 subunit
      expression, which has been linked to hormone-dependent tumor progression. Also,
      Cd and iAs modified protein levels of full-length estrogen receptor alpha and its
      truncated variants in an E2-like manner. Anterior pituitary hormone secretion was
      differentially affected by both metals. Luteinizing hormone synthesis and release
      were strongly diminished after Cd exposure and only mildly reduced by iAs. Both
      metals were able to increase prolactin synthesis, although only iAs augmented
      serum prolactin levels. This study shows for the first time that Cd and iAs exert
      strong xenoestrogenic effects on anterior pituitary gland at low doses. The
      differences between Cd and iAs E2-like behavior indicate that other Cd- and iAs
      specific mechanisms could be involved. Altogether, these results contribute to
      the knowledge of reproductive disorders associated with Cd and iAs environmental
      contamination.

PMID- 27256633
TI  - Early detection of bilateral cataracts in utero may represent a manifestation of
      severe congenital disease.
AB  - We observed bilateral cataracts on second trimester ultrasound, in two
      consecutive pregnancies, with no other structural defects detected. The parents
      were unrelated and had no family history for the disease. The first pregnancy was
      terminated in week 22. Copy number variation analysis revealed, in both the
      aborted fetus and the mother, a 495 kb duplication at 22q11.23 encompassing
      CRYBB3 and CRYBB2, and not present in variation databases. In the second
      pregnancy, lens hyperechogenicity was detected by ultrasound at week 13 and 4
      days. The identical duplication at 22q11.23 was found in the fetus and considered
      as possibly pathogenic. At weeks 22 and 30, smaller orbit measurements were
      elucidated on ultrasound, raising concerns as to the underlying molecular genetic
      cause, necessitating further investigation. Whole-exome sequencing, using DNA of
      the first fetus, was performed shortly after the birth of a male child, and two
      truncating RAB3GAP1 mutations were detected: c.538G>T; p. (Glu180*) and c.943C>T;
      p. (Arg315*). Neither mutation has been previously reported to be disease
      causing; however, evaluation in the context of previously published literature
      indicated their deleterious nature, implying a clinical diagnosis of Warburg
      micro syndrome or Martsolf syndrome. Sanger sequencing confirmed segregation of
      the two mutations within the family, consistent with autosomal recessive
      inheritance. The child born from the second pregnancy showed features typical of
      Warburg micro syndrome, with the exception of microcephaly, at age 31 months. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27256634
TI  - The Development of a Technology-Based Hierarchy to Assess Chronic Low Back Pain
      and Pain-Related Anxiety From a Fear-Avoidance Model.
AB  - Previous studies have not examined the assessment of chronic low back pain (CLBP)
      and pain-related anxiety from a fear avoidance model through the use of motion
      capture software and virtual human technologies. The aim of this study was to
      develop and assess the psychometric properties of an interactive, technologically
      based hierarchy that can be used to assess patients with pain and pain-related
      anxiety. We enrolled 30 licensed physical therapists and 30 participants with
      CLBP. Participants rated 21 video clips of a 3-D animated character (avatar)
      engaging in activities that are typically feared by patients with CLBP. The
      results of the study indicate that physical therapists found the virtual
      hierarchy clips acceptable and depicted realistic patient experiences. Most
      participants with CLBP reported at least 1 video clip as being sufficiently
      anxiety-provoking for use clinically. Therefore, this study suggests a hierarchy
      of fears can be created out of 21 virtual patient video clips paving the way for
      future clinical use in patients with CLBP. PERSPECTIVE: This report describes the
      development of a computer-based virtual patient system for the assessment of back
      pain-related fear and anxiety. Results show that people with back pain as well as
      physical therapists found the avatar to be realistic, and the depictions of
      behavior anxiety- and fear-provoking.

PMID- 27256635
TI  - Physical Activity and Anthropometric Characteristics Among Urban Youth in Mexico:
      A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is a critical problem among Mexican youth, but few studies
      have investigated associations among physical activity (PA) modes and
      anthropometrics in this population. This study examined associations among active
      commuting to school (ACS), sports or other organized PA, outdoor play, and body
      mass index (BMI) percentile and waist circumference (WC) among Mexican youth.
      METHODS: Parents of school children (N = 1996, ages 6 to 14 years, 53.1% female)
      in 3 Mexican cities reported PA participation using the (modified) fourth grade
      School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey. Trained assessors measured BMI
      percentile and WC in person. RESULTS: Parents reported that 52.3% of children
      engaged in ACS, 57.3% participated in sports or organized PA, and a median of 2
      days in the previous week with at least 30 minutes of outdoor play. In complete
      case analyses (n = 857), ACS was negatively associated with BMI percentile, and
      outdoor play was negatively associated with WC after adjusting for school, age,
      sex, and income. In analyses incorporating data from multiple imputation (N =
      1996), outdoor play was negatively associated with WC (all Ps < . 05).
      CONCLUSIONS: ACS and outdoor play are favorably associated with anthropometrics
      and may help prevent childhood obesity in Mexico. ACS and outdoor play should be
      priorities for increasing youth PA in Mexico.

PMID- 27256636
TI  - Parkinson disease: Dopamine receptor variants improve response to rasagiline in
      PD.

PMID- 27256637
TI  - Alzheimer disease: NSAIDs protect neurons and preserve memory in a mouse model of
      AD.

PMID- 27256638
TI  - Total synthesis of xiamenmycin C and all of its stereoisomers: stereochemical
      revision.
AB  - Xiamenmycin C, a potent anti-fibrotic natural product, and all of its
      stereoisomers have been synthesized and their structures were fully
      characterized. Based on this study, the originally proposed structure of
      xiamenmycin C has been accordingly revised to be 2R,3S. 

PMID- 27256639
TI  - Comparative proteomic analysis of tear fluid in Graves' disease with and without
      orbitopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a severe organ-specific autoimmune
      inflammatory ocular complication most often associated with Graves' disease (GD).
      Besides the cosmetic problems these patients develop, GO may also cause severe,
      sight-threatening complications. Additionally, GO complicates the treatment of
      patients with GD, making the identification of Graves patients at risk for eye
      disease before they develop symptoms a critical step in the clinical management
      and quality of life of these patients. The high concentration of proteins in tear
      fluid makes it an important source for studying potential protein biomarkers for
      GO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to quantitatively compare
      tear fluid from GD patients with moderate/severe GO (GO) and patients with GD
      without GO (controls) using untargeted quantitative proteomics based on dimethyl
      labelling in combination with two-dimensional liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry. RESULTS: Among the 1212 proteins identified, 16 showed significant
      alterations in abundance between the two groups. Thus, in this study, we reveal a
      number of novel dysregulated proteins in GO which may contribute to a better
      understanding of the disease. In particular, upregulation of lacrimal gland
      proteins such as lysozyme C, lacritin, antileukoproteinase and zinc-alpha-2
      glycoprotein 1 suggests involvement of the lacrimal gland in the pathogenesis of
      GO. CONCLUSIONS: It remains to be elucidated whether some of these proteins can
      be used as markers for patients at risk for developing GO as well as useful
      indicators for disease activity.

PMID- 27256640
TI  - Impact of 3'UTR variation patterns of the KRAS gene on the aggressiveness of
      pancreatobiliary tumors with the KRAS G13D mutation in a Turkish population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Several studies have demonstrated the importance of mutations in
      codons 12, 13 and 61 and variations in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the
      KRAS gene, frequently observed genetic events in the progression of
      pancreatobiliary tumors (PBT). However, limited data exist on the clinical effect
      of these alterations. The aim of the current study was to clarify the frequency
      of relevant alterations of the 3'UTR regions of the KRAS gene and the effect of
      KRAS 3'UTR polymorphisms on the prognosis of patients with codon 12, 13 and 61
      mutations in a Turkish population with PBT. METHODS: Codons 12, 13, and 61 and
      3'UTRs of the KRAS gene were screened by single-strand conformation polymorphism
      (SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing in 43 patients and 10 controls. Chi-squared
      and independent sample T tests were used to evaluate the results of the mutation
      analysis and clinical features of the patients. RESULTS: We defined the c.38G > A
      (rs112445441, p.G13D) (39.54%) mutation and two 3'UTR variations, c.*4066delA
      (rs560890523) (23.26%) and c.*4065_*4066delAA (rs57698689) (6.98%), in the KRAS
      gene of Turkish patients. There was a statistically significant relationship
      between the c.*4066delA (rs560890523) and c.*4065_*4066delAA (rs57698689)
      variations and invasion and lymph node metastasis status of the patients (p <
      0.001). Compared to patients with c.38G > A (rs112445441, p.G13D), patients with
      c.*4066delA (rs560890523) and c.38G > A (rs112445441, p.G13D) presented more
      aggressive tumors with highly invasive features. The present study contributes
      findings regarding the clinical effects of KRAS alterations in PBT. Based on our
      study, further investigations are required.

PMID- 27256642
TI  - Strengthening primary health care to improve Indigenous health outcomes.

PMID- 27256643
TI  - Medicines and dementia consumer campaign.

PMID- 27256641
TI  - Prognostic impact of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on patients with metastatic
      pancreatic cancer: A retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is one of the most widely used tumor
      markers, and its level is increased in 30-60% of patients with pancreatic cancer
      (PC). However, little is known about the implications of CEA as a prognostic
      marker in metastatic PC. The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness
      of CEA levels as a prognostic marker in patients with metastatic PC. METHODS: We
      conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from a computerized database. A
      total of 433 patients with metastatic disease were analyzed. RESULTS: Median
      overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter for patients with high CEA (>5
      ng/ml) than with normal CEA (<=5 ng/ml) (6.8 vs. 10.3 months, respectively; p <
      0.001). After adjustment, CEA level was an independent predictive factor for OS
      (hazard ratio [HR], 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-2.26). In the high
      CEA group, OS in patients treated with combination chemotherapy was similar to
      that with single-agent chemotherapy (median, 7.1 vs. 6.8 months; HR for OS, 0.99;
      95% CI, 0.71-1.40). CONCLUSIONS: The present results show that CEA level is an
      independent prognostic factor in patients with metastatic PC. A combination
      chemotherapy regimen may offer modest survival benefit in patients with high CEA.

PMID- 27256645
TI  - Potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology: perceptions of risk in
      sunscreens.

PMID- 27256646
TI  - Medicinal cannabis in Australia: the missing links.

PMID- 27256647
TI  - Governing the reform of the medical internship.

PMID- 27256648
TI  - Epidemiology, clinical impacts and current clinical management of Helicobacter
      pylori infection.
AB  - Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality
      worldwide. More than 50% of the global population is estimated to be infected.
      Differences in prevalence exist within and between countries, with higher
      prevalence seen among people with lower socio-economic status. Most transmission
      of infection occurs early in life, predominantly from person to person in the
      family setting. H. pylori is the cause of most peptic ulcer disease, gastric
      cancer and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and causes
      symptoms in a subset of patients with functional dyspepsia. Choice of diagnostic
      test depends on the clinical context; urea breath tests and endoscopy with biopsy
      are the major diagnostic tools. Evidence-based indications for eradication of H.
      pylori infection are well documented. The most widely used and recommended
      eradication therapy in Australia is triple therapy comprising a proton pump
      inhibitor, amoxycillin and clarithromycin, usually for 1 week. Effective
      alternative regimens are available for patients with proven allergy to
      penicillin. Antimicrobial resistance is the major determinant of the outcome of
      eradication therapy. Trends in antibiotic resistance need to be monitored
      locally, but individual patient susceptibility testing is not usually necessary
      as it rarely guides the choice of therapy. The outcome of treatment should be
      assessed not less than 4 weeks after therapy. This is usually done with a urea
      breath test if follow-up endoscopy is not required. When first-line therapy
      fails, several proven second-line therapies may be used. Repeat first-line
      therapy and ad hoc regimens should be avoided. Overall cumulative eradication
      rates should approach 99%. 

PMID- 27256649
TI  - The Port Arthur massacre and the National Firearms Agreement: 20 years on, what
      are the lessons?
AB  - The 20th anniversary of the National Firearms Agreement (NFA) offers lessons for
      mental health and public health. Along with similar international legislation,
      the NFA exemplifies how firearms regulation can prevent firearm mortality and
      injuries. The gun lobby claims that mental illness underpins gun violence and
      should be a key site for intervention. A modest but significant link exists
      between mental disorders and community violence. However, the vast majority of
      mentally ill individuals are not violent. Despite media portrayals of their
      dangerousness, they are more likely to be victims of violence and of suicide.
      Most violent individuals do not have mental illness, and most mass murderers do
      not have identifiable severe mental illness. Many have maladaptive personality
      configurations. Gun availability and gun ownership, not severe mental illness,
      determines most gun homicides. Following recent gun massacres in the United
      States, there have been calls for better resourcing of mental health services to
      help identify and respond to those at risk and to regulate firearms access.
      Screening mentally ill populations for violence risk is misguided. However,
      clinicians can play a key role in working with legal authorities to monitor and
      assist regulation of firearm access, especially among high risk populations.
      Clinician involvement must be complemented by wider gun control measures. The gun
      lobby's turning the firearms availability debate into a question about whether
      people with mental illness histories should access such weapons is a calculated
      appeal to prejudice. 

PMID- 27256650
TI  - A decade of Australian methotrexate dosing errors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Accidental daily dosing of methotrexate can result in life-threatening
      toxicity. We investigated methotrexate dosing errors reported to the National
      Coronial Information System (NCIS), the Therapeutic Goods Administration Database
      of Adverse Event Notifications (TGA DAEN) and Australian Poisons Information
      Centres (PICs). DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective review of coronial cases in
      the NCIS (2000-2014), and of reports to the TGA DAEN (2004-2014) and Australian
      PICs (2004-2015). Cases were included if dosing errors were accidental, with
      evidence of daily dosing on at least 3 consecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Events per year, dose, consecutive days of methotrexate administration, reasons
      for the error, clinical features. RESULTS: Twenty-two deaths linked with
      methotrexate were identified in the NCIS, including seven cases in which
      erroneous daily dosing was documented. Methotrexate medication error was listed
      in ten cases in the DAEN, including two deaths. Australian PIC databases
      contained 92 cases, with a worrying increase seen during 2014-2015. Reasons for
      the errors included patient misunderstanding and incorrect packaging of dosette
      packs by pharmacists. The recorded clinical effects of daily dosage were
      consistent with those previously reported for methotrexate toxicity. CONCLUSION:
      Dosing errors with methotrexate can be lethal and continue to occur despite a
      number of safety initiatives in the past decade. Further strategies to reduce
      these preventable harms need to be implemented and evaluated. Recent suggestions
      include further changes in packet size, mandatory weekly dosing labelling on
      packaging, improving education, and including alerts in prescribing and
      dispensing software.

PMID- 27256651
TI  - Female representation at Australasian specialty conferences.

PMID- 27256652
TI  - Leslie Cowlishaw (1877-1943): the "bibliophile from the bush".

PMID- 27256653
TI  - Margaret Anne Burgess.

PMID- 27256654
TI  - High dependency.

PMID- 27256655
TI  - Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer: A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - A systematic review was conducted to investigate the use of multiparametric
      magnetic resonance imaging (MPMRI) followed by targeted biopsy in the diagnosis
      of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPC) and to compare it with
      transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS-guided) systematic biopsy in patients with an
      elevated risk of prostate cancer who are either biopsy-naive or who have a
      previous negative TRUS-guided biopsy. MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE (1997 to April
      2014), the Cochrane Library and six relevant conferences were searched to find
      eligible studies. Search terms indicative of 'prostate cancer' and 'magnetic
      resonance imaging' with their alternatives were used. Twelve systematic reviews,
      52 full texts and 28 abstracts met the preplanned study selection criteria; data
      from 15 articles were extracted. In patients with an elevated risk of prostate
      cancer who were biopsy-naive, MPMRI followed by targeted biopsy could detect 2
      13% of CSPC patients whom TRUS-guided systematic biopsy missed; TRUS-guided
      systematic biopsy could detect 0-7% of CSPC patients whom MPMRI followed by
      targeted biopsy missed. In patients with an elevated risk of prostate cancer who
      had a previous negative TRUS-guided biopsy, MPMRI followed by targeted biopsy
      detected more CSPC patients than repeated TRUS-guided systematic biopsy in all
      four studies, with a total of 516 patients, but only one study reached a
      statistically significant difference. In patients with an elevated risk of
      prostate cancer who are biopsy-naive, there is insufficient evidence for MPMRI
      followed by targeted biopsy to be considered the standard of care. In patients
      who had a prior negative TRUS-guided systematic biopsy and show a growing risk of
      having CSPC, MPMRI followed by targeted biopsy may be helpful to detect more CSPC
      cases as opposed to a repeat TRUS-guided systematic biopsy.

PMID- 27256656
TI  - Re: Fetal umbilical-portal-systemic venous shunt: in-utero classification and
      clinical significance. R. Achiron and Z. Kivilevitch. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol
      2016; 47: 739-747.

PMID- 27256658
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27256657
TI  - Re: Placental magnetic resonance imaging T2* measurements in normal pregnancies
      and in those complicated by fetal growth restriction. M. Sinding, D. A. Peters,
      J. B. Frokjaer, O. B. Christiansen, A. Petersen, N. Uldbjerg and A. Sorensen.
      Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 47: 748-754.

PMID- 27256659
TI  - Ductus venosus in twins: science matters.

PMID- 27256660
TI  - Re: Clinical implementation of routine screening for fetal trisomies in the UK
      NHS: cell-free DNA test contingent on results from first-trimester combined test.

PMID- 27256661
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27256662
TI  - Spatial considerations during cryopreservation of a large volume sample.
AB  - There have been relatively few studies on the implications of the physical
      conditions experienced by cells during large volume (litres) cryopreservation -
      most studies have focused on the problem of cryopreservation of smaller volumes,
      typically up to 2 ml. This study explores the effects of ice growth by
      progressive solidification, generally seen during larger scale cryopreservation,
      on encapsulated liver hepatocyte spheroids, and it develops a method to reliably
      sample different regions across the frozen cores of samples experiencing
      progressive solidification. These issues are examined in the context of a
      Bioartificial Liver Device which requires cryopreservation of a 2 L volume in a
      strict cylindrical geometry for optimal clinical delivery. Progressive
      solidification cannot be avoided in this arrangement. In such a system optimal
      cryoprotectant concentrations and cooling rates are known. However, applying
      these parameters to a large volume is challenging due to the thermal mass and
      subsequent thermal lag. The specific impact of this to the cryopreservation
      outcome is required. Under conditions of progressive solidification, the spatial
      location of Encapsulated Liver Spheroids had a strong impact on post-thaw
      recovery. Cells in areas first and last to solidify demonstrated significantly
      impaired post-thaw function, whereas areas solidifying through the majority of
      the process exhibited higher post-thaw outcome. It was also found that samples
      where the ice thawed more rapidly had greater post-thaw viability 24 h post-thaw
      (75.7 +/- 3.9% and 62.0 +/- 7.2% respectively). These findings have implications
      for the cryopreservation of large volumes with a rigid shape and for the
      cryopreservation of a Bioartificial Liver Device.

PMID- 27256663
TI  - Perioperative changes in TGF-beta1 levels predict the oncological outcome of
      cryoablation-receiving patients with localized prostate cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the cytokine transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1)
      as a predictor of oncological outcomes in patients after cryoablation. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Perioperative blood samples from prostate cancer (PC) patients who
      underwent total gland cryoablation between October 2011 and March 2013 were
      collected prospectively. Plasma TGF-beta1 levels were quantified using magnetic
      bead immunoassay. The perioperative change in TGF-beta1 was defined as the change
      in TGF-beta1 from before surgery to 1-2 months after surgery. Biochemical
      recurrence (BCR) was defined according to the Phoenix criteria. The Mann-Whitney
      U, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum, and Chi-square test were used to compare the clinical
      characteristics of the subsets. The Cox proportional hazard model was applied for
      the comparison of recurrence risk among the groups. RESULTS: A total of 75 PC
      patients were included. During a median follow-up period of 12 months (range: 2.5
      47 months), 11 patients had BCR, and 64 patients did not. Significantly greater
      changes in the perioperative TGF-beta1 levels (median: 470.3 vs. 78.9 pg/ml) were
      observed in patients with than without BCR (p < 0.05). According to the changes
      in TGF-beta1 levels, the patients were further divided into 4 groups, which were
      determined in the quartile categories of perioperative TGF-beta1 levels. Group 4
      (>=430) predicted the worst BCR outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative plasma TGF
      beta1 levels were associated with BCR after prostate cryoablation for localized
      PC. Increase in postoperative plasma TGF-beta1 may be a novel predictor for poor
      oncological outcomes and prompt a more aggressive follow-up or earlier salvage
      treatment.

PMID- 27256664
TI  - Fertility and flow cytometry study of frozen-thawed sperm in cryopreservation
      medium supplemented with soybean lecithin.
AB  - Semen cryopreservation can provide genetic resources for a large number of
      females from a small number of superior males. Optimization of cryopreservation
      media to achieve the highest quality of post-thaw semen is crucial. Soybean
      lecithin has evaluated as a plant-based cryoprotectant for substitution of egg
      yolk in ram semen extender. Flow cytometric and fertility assessments were
      applied following cryopreservation procedure in two experimental groups (SL
      group: extender containing 1% w/v soybean lecithin and EY group: extender
      containing 20% v/v egg yolk). The higher percentage of live sperm and the lower
      percentage of dead sperm were obtained in SL (47.66 +/- 1.38, 52.33 +/- 1.69,
      respectively) extender compared to EY (41.16 +/- 1.38, 58.83 +/- 1.69). For
      motion characteristics, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and
      mitochondria activity, no significant difference was observed between SL and EY
      extenders. In artificial insemination experiment, there was no significant
      difference in pregnancy rate, lambing rate and twining rate between SL and EY
      extenders. It can be concluded that SL extender can be an efficient alternative
      extender to preserve ram sperm during cryopreservation procedure without adverse
      effects.

PMID- 27256665
TI  - IGF1 stabilizes sperm membrane proteins to reduce cryoinjury and maintain post
      thaw sperm motility in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa.
AB  - Insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in the seminal plasma is reported to improve
      sperm motility by reducing oxidative stress. The present study was conducted to
      assess the effect of addition of IGF1 on sperm function and protein composition
      during cryopreservation process. Semen samples were collected from six Murrah
      buffaloes (2 ejaculates from each animal) and diluted (80 million/ml) in tris egg
      yolk extender and divided into control, T1, T2 and T3, groups supplemented with
      0, 50, 100 and 150 ng of IGF1/mL, respectively. The semen was filled in straws
      (250 MUL) and straws from each group were divided into two batches. One batch was
      processed for freezing and another batch was incubated at 4  degrees C for 4 h.
      The sperm kinematic and functional parameters were studied in both the batches. A
      significant (P < 0.05) positive effect of IGF1 was observed on functional
      membrane integrity (%) during incubation at 4  degrees C for 4 h in T3 as
      compared to control group. The spermatozoa (%) positive for structural membrane
      integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and the metabolic activity in post
      thaw semen were significantly (P < 0.05) high in T3 than the control group. The
      acrosomal integrity was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T2 group as compared
      to control. The proteins (kDa) of 17.3 with pI 4.2 (calmodulin), 11.3 with pI 6.5
      (dermcidin) and 18.1 with pI 5.5 (sperm acrosome membrane associated protein3)
      were protected in IGF1 group. The study suggests that IGF1 can be added to the
      extender for improving cryosurvial of buffalo spermatozoa.

PMID- 27256666
TI  - Surgical extraction of canine oesophageal foreign bodies through a gastrotomy
      approach: 12 cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe a gastrotomy approach to remove foreign bodies located in
      the caudal oesophagus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective examination of case
      records of dogs with surgical management of foreign body located in the caudal
      oesophagus. RESULTS: Twelve dogs with caudal oesophageal foreign body were
      managed surgically after unsuccessful endoscopic approaches. The foreign body was
      successfully extracted via gastrotomy in all 12 cases. Ten dogs recovered well
      without any postoperative complications but one dog died during the immediate
      postoperative period and one during hospitalisation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Caudal
      oesophageal foreign body extraction by gastrotomy is a possible alternative to
      transthoracic oesophagotomy. Based on the small population presented here this
      approach performed through a laparotomy appears easy, with a low rate of
      perioperative and postoperative complications.

PMID- 27256667
TI  - Prospective, Multicenter Study of 5-Fluorouracil Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in
      Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated in Routine Clinical Practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that body surface area-based dosing of
      chemotherapy drugs leads to significant individual exposure variability, with a
      substantial risk of under- or overdosing. The present study was initiated to
      validate the use of therapeutic drug management (TDM) to personalize 5
      fluorouracil (5-FU) dosing in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated
      in routine clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 75 patients with
      metastatic colorectal cancer from 8 German medical centers received <= 6
      administrations of infusional 5-FU according to the AIO (folinate, 5-FU; n = 16),
      FOLFOX6 (leucovorin calcium [folinic acid], 5-FU, and oxaliplatin; n = 26), or
      FUFOX (oxaliplatin plus 5-FU/folinic acid; n = 33) regimen. Initial infusional 5
      FU dosing for all patients was determined by the BSA. Individual 5-FU exposure
      (area under the curve [AUC]) was measured using an immunoassay of a blood sample
      taken during each infusion. To achieve a target AUC of 20 to 30 mg * h/L,
      subsequent infusional 5-FU doses were adjusted according to the previous cycle's
      5-FU AUC. The primary objective was to confirm that TDM of infusional 5-FU
      resulted in an increased proportion of patients in the target AUC range at the
      fourth versus the first administration. The secondary objective was to determine
      whether 5-FU TDM reduced the treatment-related toxicities compared with the
      historical data. RESULTS: The average 5-FU AUC at the first administration was 18
      +/- 6 mg * h/L, with 64%, 33%, and 3% of the patients below, within, or above the
      target AUC range, respectively. By the fourth administration, the average 5-FU
      AUC was 25 +/- 7 mg * h/L (P < .001), with 54% of patients within the target 5-FU
      AUC range (P = .0294). The incidence of 5-FU-related grade 3 and 4 diarrhea
      (4.6%), nausea (3.4%), fatigue (0.0%), and mucositis (0.2%) was reduced compared
      with the historical data, despite 55% of the patients receiving increased doses.
      CONCLUSION: Personalization of 5-FU dosing using TDM in routine clinical practice
      resulted in significantly improved 5-FU exposure and suggested a lower incidence
      of 5-FU-related toxicities.

PMID- 27256668
TI  - Bevacizumab Efficacy Is Influenced by Primary Tumor Resection in First-Line
      Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in a Retrospective Multicenter Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is no predictive factor of response to bevacizumab in
      metastatic colorectal cancer. Nevertheless, preclinical studies demonstrated an
      interaction between primary tumor and metastatic sites for the neoangiogenesis
      regulation. The primary objective of our study was to identify an effect of up
      front primary tumor resection (UPTR) on bevacizumab efficacy. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Between 2008 and 2010, we retrospectively analyzed progression-free
      survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 316 patients with synchronous and
      metachronous metastatic colorectal cancer according to bevacizumab addition to
      first-line chemotherapy and UPTR. RESULTS: Among 206 patients with UPTR, the
      addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy significantly improved OS compared to
      chemotherapy alone (29.8 vs. 23.9 months respectively; hazard ratio [HR] 0.58;
      95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.83; P = .003). This effect was confirmed in
      multivariate analysis. There was also a nonsignificant trend toward improved PFS
      (9.7 vs. 8.4 months respectively; HR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.50-1.02; P = .062).
      Conversely, among 110 patients without UPTR, the addition of bevacizumab to
      chemotherapy had no effect on OS compared to chemotherapy alone (18.2 vs. 19.3
      months respectively; HR 0.96; 95% CI, 0.65-1.42; P = .853). Bevacizumab
      significantly improved PFS (8.1 vs. 5.7 months respectively; HR 0.66; 95% CI,
      0.45-0.96; P = .032) without confirmation in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION:
      In this retrospective study, bevacizumab seems to improve OS only in patients
      with UPTR, which could suggest a complementarity of both therapeutic modalities
      for antiangiogenic effect.

PMID- 27256669
TI  - Letter by Kamtchum-Tatuene et al Regarding Article, "Mechanical Thrombectomy
      Improves Functional Outcomes Independent of Pretreatment With Intravenous
      Thrombolysis".

PMID- 27256670
TI  - Clinical Outcomes of Transplanted Modified Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem
      Cells in Stroke: A Phase 1/2a Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Preclinical data suggest that cell-based therapies have
      the potential to improve stroke outcomes. METHODS: Eighteen patients with stable,
      chronic stroke were enrolled in a 2-year, open-label, single-arm study to
      evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of surgical transplantation of modified
      bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SB623). RESULTS: All patients in the
      safety population (N=18) experienced at least 1 treatment-emergent adverse event.
      Six patients experienced 6 serious treatment-emergent adverse events; 2 were
      probably or definitely related to surgical procedure; none were related to cell
      treatment. All serious treatment-emergent adverse events resolved without
      sequelae. There were no dose-limiting toxicities or deaths. Sixteen patients
      completed 12 months of follow-up at the time of this analysis. Significant
      improvement from baseline (mean) was reported for: (1) European Stroke Scale:
      mean increase 6.88 (95% confidence interval, 3.5-10.3; P<0.001), (2) National
      Institutes of Health Stroke Scale: mean decrease 2.00 (95% confidence interval, 
      2.7 to -1.3; P<0.001), (3) Fugl-Meyer total score: mean increase 19.20 (95%
      confidence interval, 11.4-27.0; P<0.001), and (4) Fugl-Meyer motor function total
      score: mean increase 11.40 (95% confidence interval, 4.6-18.2; P<0.001). No
      changes were observed in modified Rankin Scale. The area of magnetic resonance T2
      fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal change in the ipsilateral cortex 1
      week after implantation significantly correlated with clinical improvement at 12
      months (P<0.001 for European Stroke Scale). CONCLUSIONS: In this interim report,
      SB623 cells were safe and associated with improvement in clinical outcome end
      points at 12 months. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL:
      https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01287936.

PMID- 27256671
TI  - Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Stroke: Impact of the Route of
      Estrogen Administration and Type of Progestogen.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The benefit/risk analysis of hormone therapy in
      postmenopausal women is not straightforward and depends on cardiovascular
      disease. Evidence supports the safety of transdermal estrogens and the importance
      of progestogens for thrombotic risk. However, the differential association of
      oral and transdermal estrogens with stroke remains poorly investigated.
      Furthermore, there are no data regarding the impact of progestogens. METHODS: We
      set up a nested case-control study of ischemic stroke (IS) within all French
      women aged 51 to 62 years between 2009 and 2011 without personal history of
      cardiovascular disease or contraindication to hormone therapy. Participants were
      identified using the French National Health Insurance database, which includes
      complete drug claims for the past 3 years and French National hospital data. We
      identified 3144 hospitalized IS cases who were matched for age and zip code to 12
      158 controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios
      (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Compared with nonusers, the
      adjusted ORs of IS were1.58 (95% CI, 1.01-2.49) in oral estrogen users and 0.83
      (0.56-1.24) in transdermal estrogens users (P<0.01). There was no association of
      IS with use of progesterone (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49-1.26), pregnanes (OR, 1.00;
      95% CI, 0.60-1.67), and nortestosterones (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.62-2.58), whereas
      norpregnanes increased IS risk (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.05-4.81). CONCLUSIONS: Both
      route of estrogen administration and progestogens were important determinants of
      IS. Our findings suggest that transdermal estrogens might be the safest option
      for short-term hormone therapy use.

PMID- 27256673
TI  - Response to Letter Regarding Article, "Mechanical Thrombectomy Improves
      Functional Outcomes Independent of Pretreatment With Intravenous Thrombolysis".

PMID- 27256672
TI  - Where to Focus Efforts to Reduce the Black-White Disparity in Stroke Mortality:
      Incidence Versus Case Fatality?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: At age 45 years, blacks have a stroke mortality ~3*
      greater than their white counterparts, with a declining disparity at older ages.
      We assess whether this black-white disparity in stroke mortality is attributable
      to a black-white disparity in stroke incidence versus a disparity in case
      fatality. METHODS: We first assess if black-white differences in stroke mortality
      within 29 681 participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences
      in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort reflect national black-white differences in stroke
      mortality and then assess the degree to which black-white differences in stroke
      incidence or 30-day case fatality after stroke contribute to the disparities in
      stroke mortality. RESULTS: The pattern of stroke mortality within the study
      mirrors the national pattern, with the black-to-white hazard ratio of ~4.0 at age
      45 years decreasing to ~1.0 at age 85 years. The pattern of black-to-white
      disparities in stroke incidence shows a similar pattern but no evidence of a
      corresponding disparity in stroke case fatality. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show
      that the black-white differences in stroke mortality are largely driven by
      differences in stroke incidence, with case fatality playing at most a minor role.
      Therefore, to reduce the black-white disparity in stroke mortality, interventions
      need to focus on prevention of stroke in blacks.

PMID- 27256674
TI  - Distinct mechanisms regulate Cdx2 expression in the blastocyst and in trophoblast
      stem cells.
AB  - The first intercellular differences during mammalian embryogenesis arise in the
      blastocyst, producing the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm. The
      trophectoderm is the first extraembryonic tissue and does not contribute to the
      embryo proper, its differentiation instead forming tissues that sustain embryonic
      development. Crucial roles in extraembryonic differentiation have been identified
      for certain transcription factors, but a comprehensive picture of the regulation
      of this early specification is still lacking. Here, we investigated whether the
      regulatory mechanisms involved in Cdx2 expression in the blastocyst are also
      utilized in the postimplantation embryo. We analyzed an enhancer that is
      regulated through Hippo and Notch in the blastocyst trophectoderm, unexpectedly
      finding that it is inactive in the extraembryonic structures at postimplantation
      stages. Further analysis identified other Cdx2 regulatory elements including a
      stem-cell specific regulatory sequence and an element that drives reporter
      expression in the trophectoderm, a subset of cells in the extraembryonic region
      of the postimplantation embryo and in trophoblast stem cells. The cross
      comparison in this study of cis-regulatory elements employed in the blastocyst,
      stem cell populations and the postimplantation embryo provides new insights into
      early mammalian development and suggests a two-step mechanism in Cdx2 regulation.

PMID- 27256675
TI  - Magnolol pretreatment attenuates heat stress-induced IEC-6 cell injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Heat stress (HS) is an important environmental stressor that adversely
      influences livestock during the summer. The aim of this study was to investigate
      whether magnolol protects against HS-induced intestinal epithelial cell injury.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: An intestinal epithelial cell line (IEC-6) was subjected
      to HS at 42  degrees C, with and without magnolol pretreatment. Cell injury was
      detected by monitoring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. MTS (3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H
      tetrazolium) assay was used to assess cell proliferation and viability, including
      identifying effective concentrations of magnolol. Flow cytometry confirmed G1
      phase cell-cycle arrest and its alleviation by magnolol. Active DNA synthesis was
      measured by incorporation of nucleic acid 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU). G1
      phase cell-cycle-related gene expression was assessed by real-time reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and levels of G1-phase-related
      proteins by Western blotting. RESULTS: HS induced IEC-6 cell injury and decreased
      cell viability, as demonstrated by data from LDH and MTS assays, respectively.
      Based on a number of criteria, IEC-6 cells subjected to HS were arrested in the
      G1 phase of the cell cycle. Magnolol pretreatment decreased HS-induced cell
      injury through relief of this cell-cycle arrest. CONCLUSIONS: Magnolol
      pretreatment attenuates HS-induced injury in IEC-6 cells. Magnolol is potentially
      promising as a protective strategy for HS in livestock.

PMID- 27256676
TI  - Inhibitory effect of Gardenblue blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) anthocyanin
      extracts on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory response in RAW 264.7
      cells.
AB  - Blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanins, which are associated with health
      benefits contributing to a reduced risk for many diseases. The present study
      identified the functional Gardenblue blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade)
      anthocyanin extracts (GBBAEs) and evaluated their capacity and underlying
      mechanisms in protecting murine RAW 264.7 cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      stimulated inflammation in vitro. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit
      results showed that GBBAEs significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide
      (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta, and interferon
      gamma (INF-gamma). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis indicated
      that the mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and cyclooxygenase 2
      (COX-2) were suppressed in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, Western
      blot analysis was used to evaluate the relative protein expression levels of COX
      2 and nuclear factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaBp65). All these results suggested the
      potential use of GBBAEs as a functional food for the treatment of inflammatory
      diseases. 

PMID- 27256678
TI  - Apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glycoside isolation from the highly copper-tolerant plant
      Elsholtzia splendens.
AB  - Elsholtzia splendens (Lamiaceae) is a copper-tolerant plant species growing on
      copper deposits in the south of China. Chromatographic separation of n-BuOH
      extracts from the flowering aerial biomass afforded apigenin-7-O-beta-D
      glycoside, using macroporous resin, SephadexTM LH-20 gel, polyamide resin as well
      as preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (P-HPLC) columns. Chemical
      structure was elucidated using HPLC/ESI-MS (electrospray ionization-mass
      spectrometry), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and (1)D- and (2)D-nuclear
      magnetic resonance (NMR). Apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glycoside could be the post
      harvesting product from E. splendens biomass. 

PMID- 27256677
TI  - Myricetin protects against diet-induced obesity and ameliorates oxidative stress
      in C57BL/6 mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myricetin is a naturally occurring antioxidant commonly found in
      various plants. However, little information is available with respect to its
      direct anti-obesity effects. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate
      the effect of myricetin on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice.
      RESULTS: Administration of myricetin dramatically reduced the body weight of diet
      induced obese mice compared with solely HFD-induced mice. Several parameters
      related to obesity including serum glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol were
      significantly decreased in myricetin-treated mice. Moreover, obesity-associated
      oxidative stress (glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, total antioxidant
      capacity (T-AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA)) and inflammation (tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)) were ameliorated in myricetin-treated mice. Further
      investigation revealed that the protective effect of myricetin against HFD
      induced obesity in mice appeared to be partially mediated through the down
      regulation of mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding
      protein alpha (C/EBPalpha), and lipogenic transcription factor sterol regulatory
      element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of myricetin may
      help to prevent obesity and obesity-related metabolic complications.

PMID- 27256679
TI  - Characterization of beta-glucosidase from Aspergillus terreus and its application
      in the hydrolysis of soybean isoflavones.
AB  - An extracellular beta-glucosidase produced by Aspergillus terreus was identified,
      purified, characterized and was tested for the hydrolysis of soybean isoflavone.
      Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with tandem time-of-flight/time-of
      flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) revealed the protein to be a member
      of the glycosyl hydrolase family 3 with an apparent molecular mass of about 120
      kDa. The purified beta-glucosidase showed optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 65 
      degrees C and was very stable at 50  degrees C. Moreover, the enzyme exhibited
      good stability over pH 3.0-8.0 and possessed high tolerance towards pepsin and
      trypsin. The kinetic parameters Km (apparent Michaelis-Menten constant) and Vmax
      (maximal reaction velocity) for p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) were
      1.73 mmol/L and 42.37 U/mg, respectively. The Km and Vmax for cellobiose were
      4.11 mmol/L and 5.7 U/mg, respectively. The enzyme efficiently converted
      isoflavone glycosides to aglycones, with a hydrolysis rate of 95.8% for daidzin,
      86.7% for genistin, and 72.1% for glycitin. Meanwhile, the productivities were
      1.14 mmol/(L.h) for daidzein, 0.72 mmol/(L.h) for genistein, and 0.19 mmol/(L.h)
      for glycitein. This is the first report on the application of A. terreus beta
      glucosidase for converting isoflavone glycosides to their aglycones in soybean
      products. 

PMID- 27256680
TI  - Molecularly imprinted polymers as the extracted sorbents of clenbuterol ahead of
      liquid chromatographic determination.
AB  - A pre-treatment methodology for clenbuterol hydrochloride (CLEN) isolation and
      enrichment in a complex matrix environment was developed through exploiting
      molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). CLEN-imprinted polymers were synthesized
      by the combined use of ally-beta-cyclodextrin (ally-beta-CD) and methacrylic acid
      (MAA), allyl-beta-CD and acrylonitrile (AN), and allyl-beta-CD and methyl
      methacrylate (MMA) as the binary functional monomers. MAA-linked allyl-beta-CD
      MIPs (M-MAA) were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR)
      spectroscopy and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Based upon the results, M
      MAA polymers generally proved to be an excellent selective extraction compared to
      its references: AN-linked allyl-beta-CD MIPs (M-AN) and MMA-linked allyl-beta-CD
      MIPs (M-MMA). M-MAA polymers were eventually chosen to run through a molecularly
      imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) micro-column to enrich CLEN residues
      spiked in pig livers. A high recovery was achieved, ranging from 91.03% to 96.76%
      with relative standard deviation (RSD) <=4.45%. 

PMID- 27256681
TI  - Evaluation of the major royal jelly proteins as an alternative to fetal bovine
      serum in culturing human cell lines.
AB  - Royal jelly (RJ) is a well-known bioactive substance. It contains large amounts
      of major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), which express growth-factor-like activity
      in several animal and human cell lines. However, the question on whether MRJPs
      possess growth-factor-like activity on all types of cell cultures remains. In
      order to determine whether MRJPs can be used as an alternative to fetal bovine
      serum (FBS) in different types of human cell culture, the proliferation of the
      complex serum with different ratios of MRJPs/FBS (M/F) was evaluated on five cell
      lines: 293T, HFL-I, 231, HCT116, and Changliver using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2
      thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. The proliferation activity
      of the combination of the complex M/F serum with cytokines on the test cell lines
      was also measured. The results demonstrated that the complex serum with M/F 6/4
      possessed the highest proliferation activity similar to or in excess of FBS.
      However, no activity of complex medium with M/F 6/4 was observed in 231 cells,
      indicating a selectivity of MRJPs on cell types. Compared with the complex medium
      with M/F 6/4, the complex medium with M/F 6/4 together with two cytokines,
      epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS), promoted
      proliferations of Changliver, 293T, HCT116, and HFL-I by 18.73%-56.19% (P<0.01).
      Our findings demonstrate that MRJPs could partially replace FBS in culturing many
      human cell lines. 

PMID- 27256682
TI  - Investigation of absorption and scattering characteristics of kiwifruit tissue
      using a single integrating sphere system.
AB  - For a quantitative understanding of light interaction with fruit tissue, it is
      critical to obtain two fundamental parameters: the absorption coefficient and the
      scattering coefficient of the tissue. This study was to investigate the optical
      properties of kiwifruit tissue at the wavelength of 632.8 nm. The total
      reflectance and total transmittance of kiwifruit tissue from three parts
      (including the flesh part, the seed part, and the seed-base part) were measured
      using a single integrating sphere system. Based on the measured spectral signals,
      the absorption coefficient MUa and the reduced scattering coefficient MUs' of
      kiwifruit tissue were calculated using the inverse adding-doubling (IAD) method.
      Phantoms made from Intralipid 20% and India ink as well as a Biomimic solid
      phantom were used for system validation. The mean values of MUa and MUs' of
      different parts of the kiwifruit were 0.031-0.308 mm(-1) and 0.120-0.946 mm(-1),
      respectively. The results showed significant differences among the MUa and MUs'
      of the three parts of the kiwifruit. The results of this study confirmed the
      importance of studying the optical properties for a quantitative understanding of
      light interaction with fruit tissue. Further investigation of fruit optical
      properties will be extended to a broader spectral region and different kinds of
      fruits. 

PMID- 27256683
TI  - Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies with Correlated Individuals:
      Application to the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).
AB  - Investigators often meta-analyze multiple genome-wide association studies (GWASs)
      to increase the power to detect associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) with a trait. Meta-analysis is also performed within a single cohort that
      is stratified by, e.g., sex or ancestry group. Having correlated individuals
      among the strata may complicate meta-analyses, limit power, and inflate Type 1
      error. For example, in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos
      (HCHS/SOL), sources of correlation include genetic relatedness, shared household,
      and shared community. We propose a novel mixed-effect model for meta-analysis,
      "MetaCor," which accounts for correlation between stratum-specific effect
      estimates. Simulations show that MetaCor controls inflation better than
      alternatives such as ignoring the correlation between the strata or analyzing all
      strata together in a "pooled" GWAS, especially with different minor allele
      frequencies (MAFs) between strata. We illustrate the benefits of MetaCor on two
      GWASs in the HCHS/SOL. Analysis of dental caries (tooth decay) stratified by
      ancestry group detected a genome-wide significant SNP (rs7791001, P-value =
      3.66*10-8, compared to 4.67*10-7 in pooled), with different MAFs between strata.
      Stratified analysis of body mass index (BMI) by ancestry group and sex reduced
      overall inflation from lambdaGC=1.050 (pooled) to lambdaGC=1.028 (MetaCor).
      Furthermore, even after removing close relatives to obtain nearly uncorrelated
      strata, a naive stratified analysis resulted in lambdaGC=1.058 compared to
      lambdaGC=1.027 for MetaCor.

PMID- 27256684
TI  - Evaluating the Impact of Parent-Reported Medical Home Status on Children's Health
      Care Utilization, Expenditures, and Quality: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis
      with Causal Inference Methods.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the parent-reported medical home status on
      health care utilization, expenditures, and quality for children. DATA SOURCES:
      Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) during 2004-2012, including a total of
      9,153 children who were followed up for 2 years in the survey. STUDY DESIGN: We
      took a causal difference-in-differences approach using inverse probability
      weighting and doubly robust estimators to study how changes in medical home
      status over a 2-year period affected children's health care outcomes. Our
      analysis adjusted for children's sociodemographic, health, and insurance
      statuses. We conducted sensitivity analyses using alternative statistical
      methods, different approaches to outliers and missing data, and accounting for
      possible common-method biases. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Compared with children whose
      parents reported having medical homes in both years 1 and 2, those who had
      medical homes in year 1 but lost them in year 2 had significantly lower parent
      reported ratings of health care quality and higher utilization of emergency care.
      Compared with children whose parents reported having no medical homes in both
      years, those who did not have medical homes in year 1 but gained them in year 2
      had significantly higher ratings of health care quality, but no significant
      differences in health care expenditures and utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Having a
      medical home may help improve health care quality for children; losing a medical
      home may lead to higher utilization of emergency care.

PMID- 27256685
TI  - Unhealthy diets, obesity and time discounting: a systematic literature review and
      network analysis.
AB  - There is an increasing policy commitment to address the avoidable burdens of
      unhealthy diet, overweight and obesity. However, to design effective policies, it
      is important to understand why people make unhealthy dietary choices. Research
      from behavioural economics suggests a critical role for time discounting, which
      describes how people's value of a reward, such as better health, decreases with
      delay to its receipt. We systematically reviewed the literature on the
      relationship of time discounting with unhealthy diets, overweight and obesity in
      Web of Science and PubMed. We identified 41 studies that met our inclusion
      criteria as they examined the association between time discount rates and (i)
      unhealthy food consumption; (ii) overweight and (iii) response to dietary and
      weight loss interventions. Nineteen out of 25 cross-sectional studies found time
      discount rates positively associated with overweight, obesity and unhealthy
      diets. Experimental studies indicated that lower time discounting was associated
      with greater weight loss. Findings varied by how time discount rates were
      measured; stronger results were observed for food than monetary-based
      measurements. Network co-citation analysis revealed a concentration of research
      in nutrition journals. Overall, there is moderate evidence that high time
      discounting is a significant risk factor for unhealthy diets, overweight and
      obesity and may serve as an important target for intervention. (c) 2016 The
      Authors Obesity Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of
      International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO).

PMID- 27256686
TI  - PLGA-linked alendronate enhances bone repair in diaphysis defect model.
AB  - Alendronate (ALN) is known as an anti-resorptive drug for the treatment of
      osteoporosis. Recently, ALN was found to stimulate osteogenic differentiation in
      mesenchymal stem cells and enhance new bone formation in calvarial bone defects.
      Previous in vitro and in vivo studies found that the effective concentration of
      ALN was approximately 1-10   MUm. In the present study, a poly (lactic-co
      glycolic acid) (PLGA) cross-linked ALN (PLGA-ALN) with a short-term controlled
      release property for local application to enhance bone repair was developed. An
      in vitro drug-release kinetic test showed that PLGA-ALN microspheres released an
      effective concentration (50-100 nm) of ALN for 9 days. The effect of PLGA-ALN on
      bone repair was tested in a rat femoral bone defect model. The biomechanical
      study results showed that the maximal strength, stiffness and energy absorption
      were significantly increased in the PLGA-ALN group compared with the PLGA group.
      The microstructure of the newly formed bone at the defect site was analysed using
      microcomputed tomography. The PLGA-ALN group significantly improved the
      trabecular bone volume at the defect site compared with the PLGA group. The
      fibril collagen and immunolocalized bone morphogenetic protein 2 were evident in
      the newly formed trabecular bone in the PLGA-ALN group. Local use of newly
      developed PLGA-ALN-enhanced bone repair was attributable to increasing bone
      matrix formation, which improved the ultrastructure of the newly formed bone and
      thus increased the biomechanical properties of the repaired bone. It is suggested
      that PLGA-ALN may be a potential bone graft substitute to enhance bone repair.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27256687
TI  - Chronic orbital and calvarial fungal infection with Apophysomyces variabilis in
      an immunocompetent patient.
AB  - Apophysomyces is a rare fungal organism causing rhino-orbito-cerebral mycotic
      infections with high morbidity and mortality, typically in immunocompetent
      individuals. Several cases of Apophysomyces elegans orbital disease have been
      reported. Herein, we report a case of Apophysomyces variabilis infection
      involving the orbit, sinuses, and calvarium in an immunocompetent 74-year-old
      woman, with a review of the literature. Unlike prior cases of A. elegans classic
      rhino-orbito-cerebral infection, our case included diffuse calvarial lytic
      lesions and overlying soft tissue nodules, but without parenchymal intracranial
      involvement. There was radiographic and clinical evidence of infarction of the
      orbital contents and cavernous sinus thrombosis. Anastomoses between the superior
      orbital (ophthalmic) vein and diploic veins of the calvarium are believed to be
      primarily responsible for the unusual mode of spread on the extradural surface of
      the brain. Although the patient stabilized without definitive surgical
      intervention, her disease slowly and intermittently progressed for over a year
      after presentation, requiring multiple courses of antifungal treatment.

PMID- 27256688
TI  - Bilateral ocular panadnexal mass as initial presentation of systemic blastoid
      variant of mantle-cell lymphoma.
AB  - A 66-year-old man developed a slowly enlarging, bilateral, painless, periorbital,
      and orbital swelling with ptosis, nonaxial proptosis, chemosis, exposure
      keratopathy, and decreased vision in both eyes. He had fever, night sweats, and
      weight loss (B-symptoms), along with lymphadenopathy and elevated serum lactate
      dehydrogenase, with no prior history of lymphoma. A transpalpebral incisional
      biopsy revealed a rare case of mantle-cell lymphoma of blastoid variant, stage
      IVB. The main immunophenotype characteristics were cyclin D1+, CD5+, CD10-, CD23
      , Bcl-6-/+, and a high (up to 80%) Ki-67 proliferation index. Following an
      excellent response to the immune-chemotherapy treatment plan, all ocular adnexal
      lymphoma manifestations disappeared completely; however, 13 months after the
      initial presentation, there was a recurrence of the disease with rapid worsening
      and death. The blastoid variant of mantle cell lymphoma, a rare subtype of mantle
      cell lymphoma, is a highly aggressive neoplasm, ultimately having a fatal
      outcome. As the initial manifestation of the disease, ocular adnexal region
      blastoid variant of mantle-cell lymphoma is an exceptional event, with only one
      previous case reported.

PMID- 27256689
TI  - Insertion of perilipin 3 into a glycero(phospho)lipid monolayer depends on lipid
      headgroup and acyl chain species.
AB  - Lipid droplets (LDs) are organelles that contribute to various cellular functions
      that are vital for life. Aside from acting as a neutral lipid storage depot, they
      are also involved in building new membranes, synthesis of steroid hormones, and
      cell signaling. Many aspects of LD structure and function are not yet well
      understood. Here we investigate the interaction of perilipin 3, a member of the
      perilipin family of LD binding proteins, and three N-terminal truncation mutants
      with lipid monolayers. The interaction is studied as a function of surface
      pressure for a series of systematically chosen lipids. We find that the C
      terminus of perilipin 3 has different insertion behavior from that of the longer
      truncation mutants and the full-length protein. Inclusion of N-terminal sequences
      with the C terminus decreases the ability of the protein construct to insert in
      lipid monolayers. Coupling of anionic lipids to negative spontaneous curvature
      facilitates protein interaction and insertion. The C terminus shows strong
      preference for lipids with more saturated fatty acids. This work sheds light on
      the LD binding properties and function of the different domains of perilipin 3.

PMID- 27256690
TI  - Quantitative profiling of the endonuclear glycerophospholipidome of murine
      embryonic fibroblasts.
AB  - A reliable method for purifying envelope-stripped nuclei from immortalized murine
      embryonic fibroblasts (iMEFs) was established. Quantitative profiling of the
      glycerophospholipids (GPLs) in envelope-free iMEF nuclei yields several
      conclusions. First, we find the endonuclear glycerophospholipidome differs from
      that of bulk membranes, and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and
      phosphatidylethanolamine species are the most abundant endonuclear GPLs by mass.
      By contrast, phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) represents a minor species. We also
      find only a slight enrichment of saturated versus unsaturated GPL species in iMEF
      endonuclear fractions. Moreover, much lower values for GPL mass were measured in
      the iMEF nuclear matrix than those reported for envelope-stripped IMF-32 nuclei.
      The collective results indicate that the nuclear matrix in these cells is a GPL
      poor environment where GPL occupies only approximately 0.1% of the total nuclear
      matrix volume. This value suggests GPL accommodation in this compartment can be
      satisfied by binding to resident proteins. Finally, we find no significant role
      for the PtdIns/PtdCho-transfer protein, PITPalpha, in shuttling PtdIns into the
      iMEF nuclear matrix.

PMID- 27256692
TI  - Hirshfeld and DFT analysis of the N-heterocyclic carbene proligand methylenebis(N
      butylimidazolium) as the acetonitrile-solvated diiodide salt.
AB  - N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) based systems are usually exploited in the
      exploration of catalytic mechanisms and processes in organocatalysis, and homo-
      and heterogeneous catalysis. However, their molecular structures have not
      received adequate attention. The NHC proligand methylenebis(N-butylimidazolium)
      has been synthesized as the acetonitrile solvate of the diiodide salt,
      C15H26N4(2+).2I(-).CH3CN [1,1'-methylenebis(3-butylimidazolium) diiodide
      acetonitrile monosolvate], and fully characterized. An interesting cation-anion
      connection pattern has been identified in the crystal lattice, in which three
      iodide anions interact simultaneously with the cisoid-oriented cation. A
      Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals the predominance of hydrogen bonding over
      anion-pi interactions. This particular arrangement is observed in different
      methylene-bridged bis(imidazolium) cations bearing chloride or bromide counter
      anions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations with acetonitrile as solvent
      reproduce the geometry of the title cation.

PMID- 27256693
TI  - Two tautomeric forms of 2-amino-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-one.
AB  - Derivatives of 4-hydroxypyrimidine are an important class of biomolecules. These
      compounds can undergo keto-enol tautomerization in solution, though a search of
      the Cambridge Structural Database shows a strong bias toward the 3H-keto tautomer
      in the solid state. Recrystallization of 2-amino-5,6-dimethyl-4
      hydroxypyrimidine, C6H9N3O, from aqueous solution yielded triclinic crystals of
      the 1H-keto tautomer, denoted form (I). Though not apparent in the X-ray data,
      the IR spectrum suggests that small amounts of the 4-hydroxy tautomer are also
      present in the crystal. Monoclinic crystals of form (II), comprised of a 1:1
      ratio of both the 1H-keto and the 3H-keto tautomers, were obtained from aqueous
      solutions containing uric acid. Forms (I) and (II) exhibit one-dimensional and
      three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding motifs, respectively.

PMID- 27256691
TI  - Electronegative low density lipoprotein induces renal apoptosis and fibrosis:
      STRA6 signaling involved.
AB  - Dyslipidemia has been proven to capably develop and aggravate chronic kidney
      disease. We also report that electronegative LDL (L5) is the most atherogenic
      LDL. On the other hand, retinoic acid (RA) and RA receptor (RAR) agonist are
      reported to be beneficial in some kidney diseases. "Stimulated by retinoic acid
      6" (STRA6), one retinol-binding protein 4 receptor, was recently identified to
      regulate retinoid homeostasis. Here, we observed that L5 suppressed STRA6
      cascades [STRA6, cellular retinol-binding protein 1 (CRBP1), RARs, retinoid X
      receptor alpha, and retinol, RA], but L5 simultaneously induced apoptosis and
      fibrosis (TGFbeta1, Smad2, collagen 1, hydroxyproline, and trichrome) in kidneys
      of L5-injected mice and L5-treated renal tubular cells. These L5-induced changes
      of STRA6 cascades, renal apoptosis, and fibrosis were reversed in kidneys of
      LOX1(-/-) mice. LOX1 RNA silencing and inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and
      p38MAPK rescued the suppression of STRA6 cascades and apoptosis and fibrosis in
      L5-treated renal tubular cells. Furthermore, crbp1 gene transfection reversed
      downregulation of STRA6 cascades, apoptosis, and fibrosis in L5-treated renal
      tubular cells. For mimicking STRA6 deficiency, efficient silencing of STRA6 RNA
      was performed and was found to repress STRA6 cascades and caused apoptosis and
      fibrosis in L1-treated renal tubular cells. In summary, this study reveals that
      electronegative L5 can cause kidney apoptosis and fibrosis via the suppression of
      STRA6 cascades, and implicates that STRA6 signaling may be involved in
      dyslipidemia-mediated kidney disease.

PMID- 27256694
TI  - Purine 3':5'-cyclic nucleotides with the nucleobase in a syn orientation: cAMP,
      cGMP and cIMP.
AB  - Purine 3':5'-cyclic nucleotides are very well known for their role as the
      secondary messengers in hormone action and cellular signal transduction.
      Nonetheless, their solid-state conformational details still require
      investigation. Five crystals containing purine 3':5'-cyclic nucleotides have been
      obtained and structurally characterized, namely adenosine 3':5'-cyclic phosphate
      dihydrate, C10H12N5O6P.2H2O or cAMP.2H2O, (I), adenosine 3':5'-cyclic phosphate
      0.3-hydrate, C10H12N5O6P.0.3H2O or cAMP.0.3H2O, (II), guanosine 3':5'-cyclic
      phosphate pentahydrate, C10H12N5O7P.5H2O or cGMP.5H2O, (III), sodium guanosine
      3':5'-cyclic phosphate tetrahydrate, Na(+).C10H11N5O7P(-).4H2O or Na(cGMP).4H2O,
      (IV), and sodium inosine 3':5'-cyclic phosphate tetrahydrate, Na(+).C10H10N4O7P(
      ).4H2O or Na(cIMP).4H2O, (V). Most of the cyclic nucleotide zwitterions/anions
      [two from four cAMP present in total in (I) and (II), cGMP in (III), cGMP(-) in
      (IV) and cIMP(-) in (V)] are syn conformers about the N-glycosidic bond, and this
      nucleobase arrangement is accompanied by Crib-H...Npur hydrogen bonds (rib =
      ribose and pur = purine). The base orientation is tuned by the ribose pucker. An
      analysis of data obtained from the Cambridge Structural Database made in the
      context of syn-anti conformational preferences has revealed that among the syn
      conformers of various purine nucleotides, cyclic nucleotides and dinucleotides
      predominate significantly. The interactions stabilizing the syn conformation have
      been indicated. The inter-nucleotide contacts in (I)-(V) have been systematized
      in terms of the chemical groups involved. All five structures display three
      dimensional hydrogen-bonded networks.

PMID- 27256695
TI  - A new one-dimensional Cd(II) coordination polymer with a two-dimensional layered
      structure incorporating 2-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole and benzene
      1,2-dicarboxylate ligands.
AB  - The N-heterocyclic ligand 2-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole (imb) has
      a rich variety of coordination modes and can lead to polymers with intriguing
      structures and interesting properties. In the coordination polymer catena
      poly[[cadmium(II)-bis[MU-benzene-1,2-dicarboxylato-kappa(4)O(1),O(1'):O(2),O(2')]
      cadmium(II)-bis{MU-2-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole}
      kappa(2)N(2):N(3);kappa(2)N(3):N(2)] dimethylformamide disolvate],
      {[Cd(C8H4O4)(C11H10N4)].C3H7NO}n, (I), each Cd(II) ion exhibits an irregular
      octahedral CdO4N2 coordination geometry and is coordinated by four O atoms from
      two symmetry-related benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate (1,2-bdic(2-)) ligands and two N
      atoms from two symmetry-related imb ligands. Two Cd(II) ions are connected by two
      benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate ligands to generate a binuclear [Cd2(1,2-bdic)2] unit.
      The binuclear units are further connected into a one-dimensional chain by pairs
      of bridging imb ligands. These one-dimensional chains are further connected
      through N-H...O hydrogen bonds and pi-pi interactions, leading to a two
      dimensional layered structure. The dimethylformamide solvent molecules are
      organized in dimeric pairs via weak interactions. In addition, the title polymer
      exhibits good fluorescence properties in the solid state at room temperature.

PMID- 27256696
TI  - Synthesis, crystal structure and antifungal activity of a divalent cobalt(II)
      complex with uniconazole.
AB  - Azole compounds have attracted commercial interest due to their high bactericidal
      and plant-growth-regulating activities. Uniconazole [or 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4
      dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pent-1-en-3-ol] is a highly active 1,2,4
      triazole fungicide and plant-growth regulator with low toxicity. The
      pharmacological and toxicological properties of many drugs are modified by the
      formation of their metal complexes. Therefore, there is much interest in
      exploiting the coordination chemistry of triazole pesticides and their potential
      application in agriculture. However, reports of complexes of uniconazole are
      rare. A new cobalt(II) complex of uniconazole, namely dichloridotetrakis[1-(4
      chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-kappaN(4))pent-1-en-3
      ol]cobalt(II), [CoCl2(C15H18ClN3O)4], was synthesized and structurally
      characterized by element analysis, IR spectrometry and X-ray single-crystal
      diffraction. The crystal structural analysis shows that the Co(II) atom is
      located on the inversion centre and is coordinated by four uniconazole and two
      chloride ligands, forming a distorted octahedral geometry. The hydroxy groups of
      an uniconazole ligands of adjacent molecules form hydrogen bonds with the axial
      chloride ligands, resulting in one-dimensional chains parallel to the a axis. The
      complex was analysed for its antifungal activity by the mycelial growth rate
      method. It was revealed that the antifungal effect of the title complex is more
      pronounced than the effect of fungicide uniconazole for Botryosphaeria ribis,
      Wheat gibberellic and Grape anthracnose.

PMID- 27256697
TI  - Structural and spectroscopic characterization of two new blue luminescent
      pyridylbenzimidazole zinc(II) complexes.
AB  - Luminescent metal complexes are used in photooptical devices. Zinc(II) complexes
      are of interest because of the ability to tune their color, their high thermal
      stability and their favorable carrier transport character. In particular, some
      zinc(II) complexes with aryl diimine and/or heterocyclic ligands have been shown
      to emit brightly in the blue region of the spectrum. Zinc(II) complexes bearing
      derivatized imidazoles have been explored for possible optoelectronic
      applications. The structures of two zinc(II) complexes of 5,6-dimethyl-2-(pyridin
      2-yl)-1-[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole (L), namely
      dichlorido(dimethylformamide-kappaO){5,6-dimethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl-kappaN)-1
      [(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole-kappaN(3)}zinc(II) dimethylformamide
      monosolvate, [ZnCl2(C20H18N4)(C3H7NO)].C3H7NO, (I), and bis(acetato
      kappa(2)O,O'){5,6-dimethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl-kappaN)-1-[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]-1H
      benzimidazole-kappaN(3)}zinc(II) ethanol monosolvate,
      [Zn(C2H3O2)2(C20H18N4)].C2H5OH, (II), are reported. Complex (I) crystallized as a
      dimethylformamide solvate and exhibits a distorted trigonal bipyramidal
      coordination geometry. The coordination sphere consists of a bidentate L ligand
      spanning axial to equatorial sites, two chloride ligands in equatorial sites, and
      an O-bound dimethylformamide ligand in the remaining axial site. The other
      complex, (II), crystallized as an ethanol solvate. The Zn(II) atom has a
      distorted trigonal prismatic coordination geometry, with two bidentate acetate
      ligands occupying two edges and a bidentate L ligand occupying the third edge of
      the prism. Complexes (I) and (II) emit in the blue region of the spectrum. The
      results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the
      luminescence of L results from pi*<-pi transitions and that the luminescence of
      the complexes results from interligand charge-transfer transitions. The
      orientation of the 2-(pyridin-2-yl) substituent with respect to the benzimidazole
      system was found to have an impact on the calculated HOMO-LUMO gap (HOMO is
      highest occupied molecular orbital and LUMO is lowest unoccupied molecular
      orbital).

PMID- 27256698
TI  - Synthesis and crystal structures of C24-epimeric 20(R)-ocotillol-type saponins.
AB  - Ocotillol-type saponins have a wide spectrum of biological activities. Previous
      studies indicated that the configuration at the C24 position may be responsible
      for their stereoselectivity in pharmacological action and pharmacokinetics.
      Natural ocotillol-type saponins share a 20(S)-form but it has been found that the
      20(R)-stereoisomers have different pharmacological effects. The semisynthesis of
      20(R)-ocotillol-type saponins has not been reported and it is therefore
      worthwhile clarifying their crystal structures. Two C24 epimeric 20(R)-ocotillol
      type saponins, namely (20R,24S)-20,24-epoxydammarane-3beta,12beta,25-triol,
      C30H52O4, (III), and (20R,24R)-20,24-epoxydammarane-3beta,12beta,25-triol
      monohydrate, C30H52O4.H2O, (IV), were synthesized, and their structures were
      elucidated by spectral studies and finally confirmed by single-crystal X-ray
      diffraction. The (Me)C-O-C-C(OH) torsion angle of (III) is 146.41 (14) degrees ,
      whereas the corresponding torsion angle of (IV) is -146.4 (7) degrees ,
      indicating a different conformation at the C24 position. The crystal stacking in
      (III) generates an R4(4)(8) motif, through which the molecules are linked into a
      one-dimensional double chain. The chains are linked via nonclassical C-H...O
      hydrogen bonds into a two-dimensional network, and further stacked into a three
      dimensional structure. In contrast to (III), epimer (IV) crystallizes as a
      hydrate, in which the water molecules act as hydrogen-bond donors linking one
      dimensional chains into a two-dimensional network through intermolecular O-H...O
      hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen-bonded chains extend helically along the
      crystallographic a axis and generate a C4(4)(8) motif.

PMID- 27256699
TI  - Highly functionalized alkenes produced from base-free organocatalytic Wittig
      reactions: (E)-3-benzylidenepyrrolidine-2,5-dione, (E)-3-benzylidene-1
      methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione and (E)-3-benzylidene-1-tert-butylpyrrolidine-2,5
      dione.
AB  - The Wittig reaction is a fundamental transformation for the preparation of
      alkenes from carbonyl compounds and phosphonium ylides. The ylides are prepared
      prior to the olefination step from the respective phosphonium salts by
      deprotonation utilizing strong bases. A first free-base catalytic Wittig reaction
      for the preparation of highly functionalized alkenes was based on
      tributylphosphane as the catalyst. Subsequently we developed a system employing a
      phospholene oxide as a pre-catalyst and trimethoxysilane as reducing agent which
      operates under milder conditions. The title compounds, (E)-3
      benzylidenepyrrolidine-2,5-dione, C11H9NO2, (I), the methylpyrrolidine
      derivative, C12H11NO2, (II), and the tert-butylpyrrolidine derivative, C15H17NO2,
      (III), have been synthesized by base-free catalytic Wittig reactions. In the
      crystal of (I), molecules are linked into centrosymmetric dimers via pairs of N
      H...O hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, in the crystal structure of (III), there are
      two molecules in the asymmetric unit, whereas in (I) and (II), only one molecule
      is present.

PMID- 27256700
TI  - LMO2 and IL2RG synergize in thymocytes to mimic the evolution of SCID-X1 gene
      therapy-associated T-cell leukaemia.

PMID- 27256701
TI  - Response to 'PET after response to R-CHOP in primary mediastinal large B-cell
      lymphoma'.

PMID- 27256703
TI  - Altering Emulsion Stability with Heterogeneous Surface Wettability.
AB  - Emulsions-liquid droplets dispersed in another immiscible liquid-are widely used
      in a broad spectrum of applications, including food, personal care, agrochemical,
      and pharmaceutical products. Emulsions are also commonly present in natural crude
      oil, hampering the production and quality of petroleum fuels. The stability of
      emulsions plays a crucial role in their applications, but controlling the
      stability without external driving forces has been proven to be difficult. Here
      we show how heterogeneous surface wettability can alter the stability and
      dynamics of oil-in-water emulsions, generated by a co-flow microfluidic device.
      We designed a useful methodology that can modify a micro-capillary of desired
      heterogeneous wettability (e.g., alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions)
      without changing the hydraulic diameter. We subsequently investigated the effects
      of flow rates and heterogeneous wettability on the emulsion morphology and
      motion. The experimental data revealed a universal critical timescale of
      advective emulsions, above which the microfluidic emulsions remain stable and
      intact, whereas below they become adhesive or inverse. A simple theoretical model
      based on a force balance can be used to explain this critical transition of
      emulsion dynamics, depending on the droplet size and the Capillary number-the
      ratio of viscous to surface effects. These results give insight into how to
      control the stability and dynamics of emulsions in microfluidics with flow
      velocity and different wettability.

PMID- 27256704
TI  - Reduction of Candida tropicalis biofilm by photoactivation of a Heterophyllaea
      pustulata extract.
AB  - CONTEXT: Biofilm formation is an important problem, since this growth mode
      confers resistance to drugs usually used in therapeutics. OBJECTIVE: In vitro
      antifungal activity of extracts obtained from Heterophyllaea pustulata Hook f.
      (Rubiaceae) were studied against Candida tropicalis biofilms, evaluating the
      effect of irradiation and the oxidative and nitrosative stresses as possible
      mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hexane, benzene, ethyl acetate and
      ethanol extracts were evaluated at three concentrations (0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 mg/mL)
      over mature biofilm, under darkness and irradiation. After 48 h of incubation,
      biofilm quantitation was performed by the O'Toole and Kolter method. Reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) was measured by nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) reaction and
      reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) by the Griess reagent. Superoxide dismutase
      activation (SOD, NBT assay) and total antioxidant system (FRAP test) were
      studied. RESULTS: Only the benzene extract at 0.2 mg/mL reduced the biofilms
      formation. The slight decrease achieved in darkness (17.06 +/- 2.80% reduction)
      was increased by light action (39.31 +/- 3.50% reduction), clearly observing a
      photostimulation. This great reduction was confirmed by confocal microscopy. In
      darkness, biofilm reduction was mediated by an increase in RNI, whereas under
      irradiation, the ROS action was most important. Although no SOD activation was
      observed, a strong stimulation of the total antioxidant system was detected. HPLC
      analysis established a high content of several anthraquinones in this extract.
      DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Biofilm reduction by benzene extract was mainly
      mediated by oxidative stress triggered under light action, confirming a
      photodynamic sensitization, which could be attributed to its high content of
      photosensitizing anthraquinones.

PMID- 27256702
TI  - Syk kinase and Shp2 phosphatase inhibition cooperate to reduce FLT3-ITD-induced
      STAT5 activation and proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia.

PMID- 27256705
TI  - Genomewide Association Studies in Pharmacogenomics: Meeting Report of the NIH
      Pharmacogenomics Research Network-RIKEN (PGRN-RIKEN) Collaboration.
AB  - Genomewide association studies (GWAS) have resulted in the identification of many
      heritable genetic factors that underlie risk for human disease or variation in
      physiologic traits. In contrast, there are fewer GWAS of drug response
      phenotypes, despite extensive unexplained interindividual variability. To address
      this urgent need, the NIH Pharmacogenomics Research Network (PGRN) and the Center
      for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) at RIKEN support a collaboration, PGRN
      RIKEN, with the goal of accelerating GWAS of drug response phenotypes.

PMID- 27256706
TI  - Clinical Trial of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Stem Cells for the Treatment
      of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: Phase I/IIa Studies.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proven to be therapeutically effective
      against atopic dermatitis (AD) in preclinical studies. However, the safety and
      efficacy of MSCs against AD have not yet been investigated in a clinical study.
      To establish the safety and efficacy of human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs
      (hUCB-MSCs) in AD, 34 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled in
      two phase trials with a follow-up for 1 month and 3 months, respectively.
      Patients were randomly allocated to receive low dose (2.5 * 107 ) or high dose
      (5.0 * 107 ) of hUCB-MSCs subcutaneously. An Eczema Area and Severity Index
      (EASI) score, Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score, Severity Scoring for
      Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) score, adverse effect assessments, and serum biomarker
      levels were evaluated as end points. A single treatment of hUCB-MSCs resulted in
      dose-dependent improvements in AD manifestation. Fifty-five percent of patients
      in high dose hUCB-MSC-treated group showed a 50% reduction in the EASI score. The
      IGA score and SCORAD score decreased by 33% and 50%, respectively, in high dose
      treated group. Particularly, the administration of high dose hUCB-MSCs reduced
      the pruritus score by 58%. The serum IgE levels and number of blood eosinophils
      were downregulated by the treatment. No serious adverse events occurred, and none
      of the patients discontinued the trial due to adverse events. This is the first
      report to demonstrate a marked improvement of AD features with cell therapeutics.
      These data suggest that the infusion of hUCB-MSCs might be an effective therapy
      for patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Stem Cells 2017;35:248-255.

PMID- 27256707
TI  - Discovery of a rhamnose utilization pathway and rhamnose-inducible promoters in
      Pichia pastoris.
AB  - The rhamnose utilization pathway in Pichia pastoris has not been clarified
      although this strain can grow well on rhamnose as a sole carbon source. In this
      study, four genes, PAS_chr4_0338, PAS_chr4_0339, PAS_chr4_0340, and
      PAS_chr4_0341, were, for the first time, predicted to be involved in rhamnose
      metabolism along with the previously identified gene PAS_chr1_4-0075. Moreover,
      expression of these genes, especially PAS_chr4_0341 and PAS_chr1_4-0075
      designated as LRA4 and LRA3, was confirmed to significantly increase and clearly
      decrease in the presences of rhamnose and glucose, respectively. LRA4 encoding a
      putative L-2-keto-3-deoxyrhamnonate aldolase, was further confirmed via gene
      disruption and gene complementation to participate in rhamnose metabolism. Using
      beta-galactosidase and green fluorescent protein as reporters, the promoters of
      LRA4 and LRA3 performed well in driving efficient production of heterologous
      proteins. By using food grade rhamnose instead of the toxic compound methanol as
      the inducer, the two promoters would be excellent candidates for driving the
      production of food-grade and therapeutically important recombinant proteins.

PMID- 27256708
TI  - Height-Adjustable Desks: Energy Expenditure, Liking, and Preference of Sitting
      and Standing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breaking periods of sitting with standing may prevent chronic
      diseases and increase energy expenditure (EE). Sit-to-stand height adjustable
      desks may promote workplace standing, but workers have to be willing to stand for
      portions of the workday. METHODS: For studies 1 and 2, EE was measured during
      word processing while sitting in a chair and while standing. Subjects scored
      their liking of each posture and time they would be willing to work in each
      posture during an 8-hour workday. Study 2 included an intervention of replacing
      subjects' sitting desks with a height adjustable desk. Liking of and willingness
      to work in each posture were measured before and after the 12-month intervention.
      RESULTS: EE was 7.5 kcal/h greater when standing than when sitting. Subjects
      liked sitting more than standing in study 1. In study 2, liking of postures did
      not differ or change across 12 months use of height adjustable desks. Perceived
      willingness to stand decreased from 4.5 h/d at baseline to 3.4 h/d after 12
      months. CONCLUSIONS: Standing rather than sitting increased EE by 7.5 kcal/h. Use
      of a height adjustable desk for 12 months did not alter the hedonic value of
      standing or sitting, which is promising for long-term increases in standing.

PMID- 27256709
TI  - Epicardial fat thickness, an emerging cardiometabolic risk factor, is increased
      in young adults born preterm.
AB  - Preterm birth and epicardial fat thickness (EFT) constitute novel risk factors
      for the onset of future adverse cardiovascular events. In total, 30 ex-extremely
      low birth weight (ex-ELBW) subjects (10 males, 20 females, aged 17-28) were
      enrolled and compared with 30 healthy peers. EFT was significantly higher (8.7+/
      0.7 mm v. 5.6+/-0.9 mm; P<0.001) in ex-ELBW than in controls and was correlated
      with birth weight (r=-0.47, P=0.0009), gestational age (r=-0.39, P=0.03) and
      cardiac left ventricular mass (r=0.51, P=0.004). When excluding the influence of
      body mass index, birth weight was the sole remaining determinant of EFT,
      irrespective of gestational age (r=-0.37, P=0.04). The same findings when
      excluding the possible influence of blood pressure values on the cardiac
      structures (r=-0.40, P=0.028). In conclusion, EFT is significantly higher in
      former preterm subjects and is likewise associated with an increase in left
      ventricular mass. In view of the acknowledged correlation between the latter and
      an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases, EFT appears to be an easy-to
      measure tool capable of predicting the likely development of future adverse
      cardiovascular events in these subjects.

PMID- 27256710
TI  - Systemic lupus erythematosus: SHP2 inhibition ameliorates disease in lupus-prone
      mice.

PMID- 27256712
TI  - Experimental arthritis: A protective role for IL-3 in mouse OA.

PMID- 27256711
TI  - CD8(+) T cells in human autoimmune arthritis: the unusual suspects.
AB  - CD8(+) T cells are key players in the body's defence against viral infections and
      cancer. To date, data on the role of CD8(+) T cells in autoimmune diseases have
      been scarce, especially when compared with the wealth of research on CD4(+) T
      cells. However, growing evidence suggests that CD8(+) T-cell homeostasis is
      impaired in human autoimmune diseases. The contribution of CD8(+) T cells to
      autoimmune arthritis is indicated by the close association of MHC class I
      polymorphisms with disease risk, as well as the correlation between CD8(+) T-cell
      phenotype and disease outcome. The heterogeneous phenotype, resistance to
      regulation and impaired regulatory function of CD8(+) T cells - especially at the
      target organ - might contribute to the persistence of autoimmune inflammation.
      Moreover, newly identified populations of tissue-resident CD8(+) T cells and
      their interaction with antigen-presenting cells might have a key role in disease
      pathology. In this Review, we assess the link between CD8(+) T cells, autoimmune
      arthritis and the basis of their homeostatic changes under inflammatory
      conditions. Improved insight into CD8(+) T cell-specific pathogenicity will be
      essential for a better understanding of autoimmune arthritis and the
      identification of new therapeutic targets.

PMID- 27256714
TI  - Patients with high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer have a lower I-131 ablation
      success rate than low-risk ones in spite of a high ablation activity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine success rates in strictly defined high-risk differentiated
      thyroid cancer (DTC) patients who received a high-activity (>=5550 MBq) adjuvant
      postoperative I-131 therapy and compare these to the rates found in highest risk
      and low-risk patients. DESIGN: Retrospective database study. PATIENTS: We
      examined 377 patients with DTC who received I-131 ablation. Patients with distant
      metastases were classified as very high risk. Patients with primary tumours >4
      cm, extensive extrathyroidal invasion (pT4a or pT4b in accordance with the 7th
      edition of the TNM system), and patients with >=5 lymph node metastases or any
      lateral compartment lymph node metastases were considered high risk. All other
      patients were considered low risk. MEASUREMENTS: Ablation success rate at first
      TSH-stimulated follow-up. RESULTS: The ablation success rate was 72.6% in low
      risk patients, 51.7% in high-risk patients and 13.8% in highest risk patients
      (all differences P < 0.001). In none of the groups, a significant difference in
      the initial I-131 activity was found between patients with successful and
      unsuccessful ablation (low risk: P = 0.16, high risk: P = 0.91 and highest risk:
      P = 0.48). Furthermore, there was no difference in ablation success between
      patients who received <5550 MBq and those who received >=5550 Mbq (low risk: P =
      0.31, high risk: P = 0.69 and highest risk: P = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with
      high-risk DTC have a significantly reduced I-131 ablation success rate compared
      to low-risk ones in spite of high initial I-131 activities. As successful
      ablation is prognostically important, efforts should be made to improve outcome
      in these patients.

PMID- 27256713
TI  - The metabolic role of the gut microbiota in health and rheumatic disease:
      mechanisms and interventions.
AB  - The role of the gut microbiome in animal models of inflammatory and autoimmune
      disease is now well established. The human gut microbiome is currently being
      studied as a potential modulator of the immune response in rheumatic disorders.
      However, the vastness and complexity of this host-microorganism interaction is
      likely to go well beyond taxonomic, correlative observations. In fact, most
      advances in the field relate to the functional and metabolic capabilities of
      these microorganisms and their influence on mucosal immunity and systemic
      inflammation. An intricate relationship between the microbiome and the diet of
      the host is now fully recognized, with the microbiota having an important role in
      the degradation of polysaccharides into active metabolites. This Review
      summarizes the current knowledge on the metabolic role of the microbiota in
      health and rheumatic disease, including the advances in pharmacomicrobiomics and
      its potential use in diagnostics, therapeutics and personalized medicine.

PMID- 27256715
TI  - Intercritical circulating levels of neo-epitopes reflecting matrixmetalloprotease
      driven degradation as markers of gout and frequent gout attacks.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recurrent flares constitute the main clinical burden of gout. Our aim
      was to assess whether biomarkers measuring MMP tissue degradation could be used
      as markers of frequent gout flares. METHODS: Fasting plasma samples from 112 men
      with gout and 170 controls, along with serum samples from 447 men with gout
      collected at baseline from an ongoing clinical trial, were analysed by ELISA for
      neo-epitopes from MMP degradation of collagens type I (C1M) and type III (C3M).
      The log10 levels of both markers were compared between cases and controls and
      between gout patients with three or more gout attacks in the past year and those
      with two or less attacks. RESULTS: The circulating levels of C1M and C3M
      correlated with gout status in the case-control study. Levels of both markers
      were associated with frequent gout flares (?3 attacks in the past year) in both
      cohorts (odds ratio, OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4, 6.8; P = 0.0056 for log10C1M, and OR
      = 6.7; 95% CI: 2.3, 19.3; P = 0.0005 for log10C3M). The area under the curve in a
      receiver operating characteristic analysis of frequent flares increased from 0.68
      to 0.74 in one cohort and from 0.60 to 0.66 in the other when log10C1M and
      log10C3M were added to clinical variables of the model. CONCLUSION: C1M and C3M,
      reflective of interstitial matrix destruction, are associated with gout status
      and with frequent gout flares in men, suggesting that increased MMP activity may
      contribute to gout flares. Further research is needed to find out whether this is
      independent of dietary and lifestyle risk factors for acute gout.

PMID- 27256717
TI  - Dexamethasone intravitreal implant in serpiginous choroiditis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To assess the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone (DEX)
      intravitreal implant in patients with active serpiginous choroiditis (SC) already
      receiving maximal tolerated systemic immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS: In this
      retrospective longitudinal study we evaluated patients receiving 0.7 mg DEX
      intravitreal implant for active SC despite maximal systemic immunosuppression.
      Medical history was reviewed over a period of 18 months for each patient. We
      diagnosed SC activity using direct fundus examination and blue-light fundus
      autofluorescence. Primary outcomes were the rate of disease control and
      functional changes at end of follow-up. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of
      injection-related adverse events and the success of immunosuppression tapering at
      the last examination. RESULTS: We examined eight eyes of seven patients. We
      controlled SC activity with one injection in five eyes, two injections in one
      eye, and three injections in two eyes (total of 13 implants). Best-corrected
      visual acuity at the end of the investigational period improved in two eyes
      (25%), remained stable in four eyes (50%) and decreased in two eyes (25%). Three
      eyes showed transient intraocular pressure increase and two eyes disclosed
      cataract progression. The average dosage of systemic prednisone at baseline and
      after DEX intravitreal implant decreased from 8.8 to 2.8 mg/day. CONCLUSIONS:
      Dexamethasone intravitreal implant may be an effective treatment option to
      control active serpiginous lesions in patients in whom increased systemic
      corticosteroid therapy is contraindicated.

PMID- 27256716
TI  - Tenascin-C drives persistence of organ fibrosis.
AB  - The factors responsible for maintaining persistent organ fibrosis in systemic
      sclerosis (SSc) are not known but emerging evidence implicates toll-like
      receptors (TLRs) in the pathogenesis of SSc. Here we show the expression,
      mechanism of action and pathogenic role of endogenous TLR activators in skin from
      patients with SSc, skin fibroblasts, and in mouse models of organ fibrosis.
      Levels of tenascin-C are elevated in SSc skin biopsy samples, and serum and SSc
      fibroblasts, and in fibrotic skin tissues from mice. Exogenous tenascin-C
      stimulates collagen gene expression and myofibroblast transformation via TLR4
      signalling. Mice lacking tenascin-C show attenuation of skin and lung fibrosis,
      and accelerated fibrosis resolution. These results identify tenascin-C as an
      endogenous danger signal that is upregulated in SSc and drives TLR4-dependent
      fibroblast activation, and by its persistence impedes fibrosis resolution.
      Disrupting this fibrosis amplification loop might be a viable strategy for the
      treatment of SSc.

PMID- 27256718
TI  - Tumour lysis syndrome: an unexpected adverse event associated with ipilimumab.

PMID- 27256719
TI  - Biomechanical differences between left- and right-handed baseball pitchers.
AB  - Left-handed baseball pitchers are thought to have a number of theoretical
      advantages compared to right-handed pitchers; however, there is limited
      scientific research detailing differences in the pitching mechanics of right- and
      left-handed pitchers. Therefore, this study sought to understand whether any
      kinematic and kinetic differences existed between right- and left-handed baseball
      pitchers. A total of 52 collegiate pitchers were included in this study; 26 left
      handed pitchers were compared to 26 age-, height-, weight- and ball velocity
      matched right-handed pitchers. Demographic information, passive shoulder range of
      motion and kinematic and kinetic data were obtained for each pitcher
      participating in the study. Results indicated that left-handed pitchers did not
      have a glenohumeral internal rotation deficit as compared to right-handed
      pitchers. Kinematic analysis indicated that elbow flexion, horizontal
      glenohumeral abduction and wrist coronal plane motion were significantly
      different between the two study cohorts. It was also noted that left-handed
      pitchers had increased elbow varus moments. The findings of this study suggest
      that pitching coaches should be aware that there are biomechanical differences
      between left- and right-handed pitchers.

PMID- 27256720
TI  - Single-Breath Washout Tests to Assess Small Airway Disease in COPD.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current functional assessments do not allow a reliable assessment of
      small airways, which are a major site of disease in COPD. Single-breath washout
      (SBW) tests are feasible and reproducible methods for evaluating small airway
      disease. Their relevance in COPD remains unknown. METHODS: We performed a cross
      sectional study in 65 patients with moderate to severe COPD. Phase III slope of
      nitrogen (SIIIN2) and double tracer gas (SIIIDTG) SBW tests were used as a
      measure of ventilation inhomogeneity. The association of both markers with
      established physiological and clinical features of COPD was assessed. RESULTS:
      Ventilation inhomogeneity as measured by SIIIN2 and SIIIDTG was increased in
      patients with COPD compared with healthy subjects (P < .001 and P < .001,
      respectively). SIIIN2 was associated with FEV1 predicted, residual volume
      (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon
      monoxide (Dlco) (all P < .001). Furthermore, SIIIN2 was related to dyspnea,
      exercise-induced desaturation, and exercise capacity (P = .001, P < .001, and P =
      .047, respectively). SIIIDTG was associated with TLC, Dlco, and cough (P < .001,
      P = .001, and P = .009, respectively). In multivariate regression models, we
      demonstrated that these associations are largely independent of FEV1 and mostly
      stronger than associations with FEV1. In contrast, FEV1 was superior in
      predicting emphysema severity. CONCLUSIONS: SIIIN2 and SIIIDTG, two fast and
      clinically applicable measures of small airway disease, reflect different
      physiological and clinical aspects of COPD, largely independent of spirometry.
      TRIAL REGISTRY: ISRCTN99586989, Ethics committee Beider Basel (approval number
      295/07).

PMID- 27256721
TI  - Effect of ionic strength on the interfacial viscoelasticity and stability of silk
      fibroin at the oil/water interface.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The amphiphilic character and surface activity endows silk fibroin
      with the ability to reside at fluid interfaces and effectively stabilize
      emulsions. However, the influence of relevant factors and their actual effect on
      the interfacial viscoelasticity and stability of silk fibroin at the oil/water
      interface has received less attention. In the present study, the effect of ionic
      strength on the interfacial viscoelasticity, emulsification effectiveness and
      stability of silk fibroin at the oil/water interface was investigated in detail.
      RESULTS: A higher ion concentration facilitates greater adsorption, stronger
      molecular interaction and faster structure reorganization of silk fibroin at the
      oil/water interface, thus causing quicker interfacial saturation adsorption,
      greater interfacial strength and lower interfacial structural fracture on large
      deformation. However, the presence of concentrated ions screens the charges in
      silk fibroin molecules and the zeta potential decreases as a result of
      electrostatic screening and ion-binding effects, which may result in emulsion
      droplet coalescence and a decrease in emulsion stability. CONCLUSION: The
      positively-charged ions significantly affect the interfacial elasticity and
      stability of silk fibroin layers at the oil/water interface as a result of the
      strong electrostatic interactions between counter-ions and the negatively-charged
      groups of silk fibroin. (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27256722
TI  - Comparison of dental hygienists and dentists: clinical and teledentistry
      identification of dental caries in children.
AB  - RATIONALE FOR STUDY: Teledentistry is an effective and efficient means of
      increasing access to care for screening, referral and treatment. Practice
      restrictions and the undocumented concern that dental hygienists do not have the
      skill or knowledge to identify or diagnose a carious lesion impede access to
      care. PURPOSE: This study compared the identification of dental caries by both
      dental hygienists and dentists and by both clinical and teledentistry methods.
      METHODS: A sample of 82 children 4-7 years of age attending an elementary school
      in Memphis, Tennessee, was selected for the study. Two clinical examiners, a
      dental hygienist and dentist, independently examined and charted dental caries
      and existing restorations separately on the children. Two teledentistry
      examiners, a dental hygienist and dentist, independently reviewed and charted
      dental caries and restorations from photographs obtained with the iPhone 4S.
      Dental charts for each child were converted to a decayed filled surface (DFS)
      score resulting in four scores for analyses. RESULTS: Seventy-eight children met
      the inclusion criteria. The clinical dentist's and clinical dental hygienist's
      DFS scores resulted in Spearman's correlation of r = 0.99. Friedman's analysis of
      the four examiners' DFS scores found no significant difference (P > 0.10) between
      the teledentistry dental hygienist's and the clinical dentist's scores.
      CONCLUSIONS: A dental hygienist can identify dental caries in children 4-7 years
      of age from photographs as accurately as a dentist in the clinical setting.

PMID- 27256723
TI  - Chang's meaning of capacitation: A molecular perspective.
AB  - Dr. Min Chue Chang's contributions to the field of reproductive biology set the
      stage for the development of the contraceptive pill and in vitro fertilization.
      Throughout his publications, Dr. Chang was also able to transmit his view of the
      fertilization process in ways that organized research for newer generations of
      reproductive biologists. Particularly relevant for the achievement of in vitro
      fertilization in mammals was the discovery that the sperm required a period of
      residence in the female tract to become fertilization-competent; Dr. Chang and
      Dr. Austin, in Australia, independently reported this process, now known as sperm
      capacitation. This review discusses Dr. Chang's views on capacitation, and puts
      them in the context of recent advances in the understanding of the molecular
      basis of this process. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 860-874, 2016 (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27256724
TI  - [Immunization strategy of hepatitis B vaccine among adults in China: evidence
      based-medicine and consideration].
AB  - With the effective control of hepatitis B infection among children, the adults
      especial the young ones become the main population for new hepatitis B virus
      infection. Now the adults receive hepatitis B vaccination voluntarily and at
      their own expense in China and the coverage is low. The high immunogenicity of
      hepatitis B vaccine has been proven among healthy adults. Although the safety of
      hepatitis B vaccination has been documented among high-risk population such as
      HIV-infected people, injecting drug users and patients with chronic hepatitis
      disease, their antibody seroconversion rate after hepatitis B vaccination is
      lower than the healthy adults. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended to
      population at high risk officially in many countries and some effects have been
      achieved. It is urgent to improve the strategy of hepatitis B vaccination among
      adults to fasten the control of hepatitis B in China, along with the researches
      about the long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine among adults, the
      immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccination among high-risk adults and the
      economical evaluation about different adult immunization strategy of hepatitis B.

PMID- 27256726
TI  - [Antibody persistence following primary vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine
      among normal and high-responder adults: a 5-year follow-up study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 5-year antibody persistence and the risk factors
      associated with the persistence after primary vaccination of hepatitis B vaccine
      (HepB) among normal or high-response adults. METHODS: A total of 24 237 healthy
      adults who had no histories of hepatitis B infection and hepatitis B vaccination,
      resided in the local area for more than six months and were aged 18-49 years were
      selected from 79 villages in north of Zhangqiu county, Shandong province, China
      in 2009. Blood samples were obtained and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg),
      antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and antibody against
      hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were detected using ELISA method. A total of
      11 590 persons who were negative for all of these indicators were divided into
      four groups by cluster sampling methods. Each group was vaccinated with one of
      the following four types of HepB at 0-1-6 months schedule: 20 MUg HepB derived in
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae (HepB-SC), 20 MUg HepB derived in Chinese hamster ovary
      cell (HepB-CHO), 10 MUg HepB-SC and 10 MUg HepB derived in Hansenula polymorpha
      (HepB-HP). The normal and high-responder was followed up and their demographic
      characteristic (including age, gender), histories of hepatitis B infection,
      hepatitis B vaccination, smoking, drinking and chronic diseases were
      investigated. Blood samples were collected one month (T1) and five years (T2) and
      anti-HBs, anti-HBc and HBsAg (if anti-HBs<10 mU/ml) were detected by CMIA. A
      total of 1 902 participants were followed up and the risk factors associated with
      positive rate of anti-HBs and GMC of anti-HBs were identified by multiple
      logistic regression analysis and multifactor linear regression model analysis,
      respectively. RESULTS: Among 1 902 adults, 824 (43.32%) were male and 1 078
      (56.68%) were female. The anti-HBs positive rate was 100% at T1 and it decreased
      to 73.29% (1 394 cases) at T2. The corresponding GMC was decreased from 1 527.15
      (95%CI: 1 437.84-1 622.01) mU/ml at T1 to 35.07 (95%CI: 32.20-38.19) mU/ml at T2.
      When comparing with those vaccinated 20 MUg HepB-SC, the significantly lower
      positive rate at T2 was observed in those vaccinated 10 MUg HepB-SC group and 10
      MUg HepB-HP group. The OR (95% CI) was 0.41 (0.28-0.61) and 0.27 (0.18-0.39),
      respectively. The GMC of anti-HBs was also significantly lower among those
      vaccinated 10 MUg HepB-SC and 10 MUg HepB-HP. The b (95%CI) was -0.20 (-0.28- 
      0.12) and -0.36 (-0.44- -0.29) , respectively. When comparing with those
      occasionally drinking, the significantly lower positive rate at T2 was observed
      in those regular drinking. The OR(95%CI) was 0.51(0.30-0.87). The GMC of anti-HBs
      in age group of 18-29 was significantly higher than those in 40-49 age group; the
      b (95%CI) was -0.10(-0.18- -0.01). When comparing with those whose anti-HBs titer
      was less than 999 mU/ml at T1, the significantly higher positive rate of anti-HBs
      at T2 was observed in those whose anti-HBs titer was 1 000-1 999 mU/ml, those
      whose anti-HBs titer was 2 000-2 999 mU/ml and those whose anti-HBs titer was
      >=10 000 mU/ml. The OR (95%CI) was 10.11 (6.90-14.82), 20.42 (13.98-29.82) and
      54.58 (22.08-134.92), respectively. When comparing with those whose anti-HBs
      titer was <=999 mU/ml at T1, the GMC of anti-HBs at T2 was also significantly
      higher among those whose anti-HBs titer at T1 was 1 000-1 999 mU/ml, those whose
      anti-HBs titer at T1 was 2 000-2 999 mU/ml and those whose anti-HBs titer at T1
      was >=10 000 mU/ml. The b (95%CI) was 0.55 (0.47-0.62), 0.94 (0.88-1.00) and 1.63
      (1.54-1.72), respectively. Nobody was found positive to HBsAg at T2 and the
      conversion rate of anti-HBc was 3.89% (74/1 902) at T2. CONCLUSION: Anti-HBs GMC
      decreased rapidly at T2 among normal and high-responder adults, while the
      positive rate of anti-HBs still kept at a high level. The antibody persistence
      among normal and high-responder adults at T2 was associated with HepB type, age,
      history of drinking and GMC of anti-HBs at T1.

PMID- 27256725
TI  - [Anti-HBs persistence following primary vaccination with three doses of hepatitis
      B vaccine among normal and high-responder adults: a 3-year follow-up study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the 3-year anti-HBs persistence after primary vaccination
      with three-dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) among normal and high-responder
      adults. METHODS: A total of 24 237 healthy adults who had no histories of
      hepatitis B infection and hepatitis B vaccination, resided in local areas for
      more than six months and were aged 18-49 years were selected from 79 villages of
      Zhangqiu county, Shandong province, China in 2009. Blood samples were obtained
      and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis B surface
      antigen (anti-HBs) and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were
      detected using ELISA method. A total of 11 590 persons who were negative for all
      of these indicators were divided into four groups by cluster sampling method.
      Each group was vaccinated with one of the following four types of HepB at 0-1-6
      months schedule: 20 MUg HepB derived in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (HepB-SC), 20
      MUg HepB derived in Chinese hamster ovary cell (HepB-CHO), 10 MUg HepB-SC and 10
      MUg HepB derived in Hansenula polymorpha (HepB-HP). Blood samples were collected
      one month after the third dose of primary immunization and tested for anti-HBs
      using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). During the follow-up to
      normal and high-responders, the following information was collected: the
      demographic characteristic (including age and gender), histories of hepatitis B
      infection, hepatitis B vaccination, smoking, drinking and chronic diseases. Blood
      samples were collected one month (T1) and three years after primary vaccination
      (T2) and anti-HBs, anti-HBc and HBsAg (if anti-HBs<10 mU/ml) were detected by
      CMIA. The risk factors associated with positive rate of anti-HBs and GMC of anti
      HBs were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis and multifactor
      linear regression model analysis, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 4 677 normal
      and high-responders were identified. Among 4 677 participants, 2 014 (43.06%)
      were males and 2 663 (56.94%) were females. The positive rate was 100% at T1 and
      it decreased to 80.99% (3 788/4 677) three years after vaccination. The
      corresponding GMC was decreased from 1 413.48 (95%CI: 1 358.86-1 470.30) mU/ml to
      60.33 (95%CI: 56.97-63.90) mU/ml. When comparing with those vaccinated 20 MUg
      HepB-CHO, the significantly lower positive rate of anti-HBs three years after
      vaccination was observed in those vaccinated 20 MUg HepB-SC, 10 MUg HepB-SC and
      10 MUg HepB-HP. The OR (95%CI) was 0.65 (0.50-0.84), 0.52 (0.41-0.67) and 0.31
      (0.28-0.45), respectively. The GMC of anti-HBs was also significantly lower among
      those vaccinated 20 MUg HepB-SC, 10 MUg HepB-SC and 10 MUg HepB-HP. The b (95%CI)
      was -0.33 (-0.47- -0.20), -0.41 (-0.55- -0.28) and -0.78 (-0.92- -0.65),
      respectively. The GMC of anti-HBs in those aged 30-39 years old and 40-49 years
      old were lower than that in 18-29 years. The b (95%CI) was -0.31 (-0.47- -0.15)
      and -0.24 (-0.39- -0.09), respectively. When comparing with those whose anti-HBs
      titer was less than 999 mU/ml at T1, the significantly higher positive rate of
      anti-HBs three years after vaccination was observed in those whose anti-HBs titer
      was 1 000-1 999 mU/ml, those whose anti-HBs titer was 2 000-9 999 mU/ml and those
      whose anti-HBs titer was >=10 000 mU/ml. The OR (95%CI) was 4.97 (3.80-6.49),
      7.87 (16.19-10.01) and 9.67 (6.47-14.44), respectively. When comparing with those
      whose anti-HBs titer was <=999 mU/ml at T1, the GMC of anti-HBs three years after
      vaccination was also significantly higher among those whose anti-HBs titer at T1
      was 1 000-1 999 mU/ml, those whose anti-HBs titer at T1 was 2 000-2 999 mU/ml and
      those whose anti-HBs titer at T1 was >=10 000 mU/ml. The b (95%CI) was 1.00 (0.87
      1.14), 1.85 (1.74-1.97) and 3.28 (3.12-3.44), respectively. Four subjects showed
      HBsAg seroconversion and anti-HBc conversion rate was 4.68% at T2. CONCLUSIONS:
      Anti-HBs GMC decreased rapidly three years after primary vaccination among normal
      and high-responder adults, while the positive rate of anti-HBs still kept at a
      high level. The anti-HBs persistence after primary vaccination was associated
      with HepB type, age and GMC of anti-HBs one month after vaccination.

PMID- 27256727
TI  - [Anti-HBs persistence following revaccination with three doses of hepatitis B
      vaccine among low-responsive adults after primary vaccination: a 4-year follow-up
      study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the 4-year anti-HBs persistence after revaccination with 3
      dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) among low-responsive adults. METHODS: A total
      of 24 237 healthy adults who had no history of hepatitis B infection and
      hepatitis B vaccination, resided in the local area for more than six months and
      were aged 18-49 years were selected from 79 villages of Zhangqiu county, Shandong
      province, China in 2009. Blood samples were obtained and hepatitis B surface
      antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and
      antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were detected using ELISA
      method. A total of 11 590 persons who were negative for all of these indicators
      were divided into four groups by cluster sampling method. Each group was
      vaccinated with one of the following four types of HepB at 0-1-6 months schedule:
      20 MUg HepB derived in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (HepB-SC), 20 MUg HepB derived in
      Chinese hamster ovary cell (HepB-CHO), 10 MUg HepB-SC and 10 MUg HepB derived in
      Hansenula polymorpha (HepB-HP). Blood samples were collected one month after the
      third dose of primary immunization and tested for anti-HBs using
      chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The 892 low-responders were
      revaccinated with three doses of HepB at 0-1-6 months schedule and the type of
      HepB was the same as which was used for primary immunization. During the follow
      up to low-responders, the following informations were collected: the demographic
      characteristics (including age, gender), histories of hepatitis B infection,
      hepatitis B vaccination, smoking, drinking and chronic diseases. Blood samples
      were collected one month (T1) and four years after revaccination and anti-HBs,
      anti-HBc and HBsAg (if anti-HBs <10 mU/ml) were detected by CMIA. The risk
      factors associated with positive rate of anti-HBs and GMC of anti-HBs were
      identified by multiple logistic regression analysis and multifactor linear
      regression model analysis respectively. Anti-HBs titer at T1 was grouped
      according to the level and was considered as the independent variable in the
      model analysis. RESULTS: A total of 529 participants were identified from 892 low
      responders. Among 529 participants, 276 (52.2%) were males and 253 (47.8%) were
      females. The positive rate was 82.6% (437/529) at T1 and it decreased to 28.2%
      (149/529) four years after revaccination. The corresponding GMC decreased from
      542.06 (95% CI: 466.72-629.56) mU/ml to 27.69 (95% CI: 23.08-33.23) mU/ml.
      Multivariable analysis showed the positive rate of anti-HBs 4 years after
      revaccination was independently associated with anti-HBs titer at T1. The
      positive rate among those whose anti-HBs titer more than 1 000 mU/ml at T1 was
      significantly higher than those whose anti-HBs titer less than 100 mU/ml. The OR
      (95%CI) was 39.67 (13.81-114.01). The GMC was associated with HepB type for
      revaccination and anti-HBs titer at T1. The GMC among those revaccinated 20 MUg
      HepB was significantly higher than those revaccinated 20 MUg HepB-CHO, 10 MUg
      HepB-SC and 10 MUg HepB-HP. The b (95% CI) was -0.40 (-0.78--0.02), -0.57 (-1.01-
      -0.15) and -0.63 (-1.03- -0.23), respectively. The GMC among those whose anti-HBs
      titer 100-999 mU/ml and those whose anti-HBs titer >=1 000 mU/ml at T1 were
      higher than those whose anti-HBs titer <100 mU/ml. The b (95% CI) was 0.93 (0.53
      1.33) and 3.31 (2.88-3.73) respectively. CONCLUSION: Anti-HBs GMC decreased
      rapidly 4 years after revaccination among low-responsive adults, but still kept
      good protecion. The anti-HBs persistence after revaccination was associated with
      HepB type for revaccination and anti-HBs level of titer one month after
      revaccination.

PMID- 27256728
TI  - [Anti-HBs persistence after revaccination with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine
      among non-responsive adults: a 4-year of follow-up study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore anti-HBs persistence four years after revaccination with
      hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) among adults who were non-responsive to HepB primary
      immunization. METHODS: A total of 24 237 healthy adults who had no history of
      hepatitis B infection and hepatitis B vaccination, resided in the local area for
      more than six months and aged 18-49 years were selected from 79 villages of
      Zhangqiu County, Shandong Province, China in 2009. Blood samples were obtained
      and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis B surface
      antigen (anti-HBs) and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were
      detected using ELISA method. A total of 11 590 persons who were negative for all
      of these indicators were divided into four groups by cluster sampling methods.
      Each group was vaccinated with one of the following four types of HepB at 0-1
      6months schedule: 20 MUg HepB derived in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (HepB-SC), 20
      MUg HepB derived in Chinese hamster ovary cell (HepB-CHO), 10 MUg HepB-SC and 10
      MUg HepB derived in Hansenula polymorpha (HepB-HP). Blood samples were collected
      one month after the third dose of primary immunization and tested for anti-HBs
      using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The non-responders were
      followed up and their basic information and the histories of hepatitis B
      infection, HepB vaccination, smoking and drinking were investigated. Then they
      were revaccinated with three doses of HepB with the same schedule as the primary
      immunization. Blood samples were collected from all of them one month (T1), two
      years and four years after revaccination and anti-HBs, anti-HBc and HBsAg were
      detected by CMIA. A total of 356 participants were followed up from 645 low
      responders four years after revaccination, and the ratio was 55.2%. The risk
      factors associated with the positive rate and geometric mean concentration (GMC)
      of anti-HBs after four years of revaccination were analyzed using multivariate
      unconditional logistic regression model and multivariate linear regression model,
      respectively. RESULTS: Among 356 participants, 172 (48.3%) were males and 184
      (51.7%) were females. The anti-HBs positive rate was 90.4% (322 cases) at T1 and
      was 55.9% (199 cases) four years after revaccination. The GMC of anti-HBs was
      240.5 (95% CI: 186.4-310.4)mU/ml at T1 and decreased to 15.0 (95%CI: 12.2-18.5)
      mU/ml four years after revaccination. The average annual decreasing rate of GMC
      was 50.63% from one month after revaccination to four years after revaccination.
      The corresponding rate was 64.89% in the first two years, which was 2.12 times
      the rate in the latter two years (30.57%). When compared with those whose anti
      HBs titer was less than 99 mU/ml at T1, the significantly higher anti-HBs four
      years after revaccination was observed in those whose anti-HBs titer at T1 was
      100-999 mU/ml and those whose anti-HBs titer at T1 was >=1 000 mU/ml. The OR
      (95%CI) was 7.14 (3.90-13.05) and 28.40 (13.16-61.30) respectively. When compared
      with those whose anti-HBs titer was <=99 mU/ml at T1, the GMC of anti-HBs four
      years after revaccination was also significantly higher among those whose anti
      HBs titer at T1 was 100-999 mU/ml and those whose anti-HBs titer at T1 was >=1
      000 mU/ml. The b (95%CI) was 1.66 (1.26-2.05) and 3.16 (2.72-3.60), respectively.
      CONCLUSION: The positive rate and GMC of anti-HBs decreased four years after
      revaccination among non-responsive adults, but still kept anti-HBs above
      protective level. The immunity durability after revaccination is mainly
      associated with anti-HBs titer one month after revaccination.

PMID- 27256729
TI  - [Study on the dietary intake level for indicator polychlorinated biphenyls in
      China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To obtain representative data on levels of indicator polychlorinated
      biphenyls (PCBs) in foods consumed by the general population and to estimate the
      dietary intake of indicator PCBs in China. METHODS: The food samples were
      collected during the fifth China Total Diet Study (2009-2013). Based on the
      geographical location and dietary habits, China was divided into the south area
      and the north area, and 10 province regions from each area were chosen. In each
      province region, one urban site and two rural sites were selected to collect food
      samples. Considering the food consumption level and the PCBs contaminate rule, a
      total of 160 samples including meat, eggs, fish, milk, cereals, beans, potatoes
      and vegetables were selected. The concentration of 7 indicator PCBs in food were
      determined by stable isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass, and combined with
      food consumption to calculate the dietary intake of indicator PCBs. RESULTS: The
      concentration of indicator PCBs in 8 categories of food were in the range of 0.8
      1 300.1 pg/g. The levels of indicator PCBs were significantly higher in the
      aquatic products, averaging (307.8+/-302.4) pg/g, followed by eggs at (76.6+/
      92.1) pg/g and meat at (63.0+/-54.9) pg/g. The daily dietary intake of indicator
      PCBs varied from province to province, ranging from 0.13 ng.kg(-1).d(-1) to 3.58
      ng.kg(-1).d(-1), averaging (0.67+/-0.77) ng.kg(-1).d(-1). Fujian had the highest
      level (3.58 ng.kg(-1).d(-1)) , followed by Shanghai (1.48 ng.kg(-1).d(-1)) and
      Zhejiang (1.09 ng.kg(-1).d(-1)) . Compared with the minimum risk level (MRL)
      value (20 ng.kg(-1).d(-1)) proposed by US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
      Registry, the highest dietary intake level was only 17.9% MRL, the average
      dietary intake level was 3.4%MRL. Aquatic products was still the major
      contributor to the dietary intake of indicator PCBs in China, 48% of average
      dietary intake level (0.32 ng.kg(-1).d(-1)/0.67 ng.kg(-1).d(-1)) . CONCLUSION:
      The dietary intake of indicator PCBs in China was at a low level, and showing a
      declining trend.

PMID- 27256730
TI  - [Analysis on risk factors of screen time among Chinese primary and middle school
      students in 12 provinces].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of screen time and its risk factors
      in Chinese primary and middle school students. METHODS: During April 2012 and
      June 2012, according to the geographical distribution, the stratified random
      cluster sampling method was used to select 4 provinces from eastern, central and
      western China, respectively. The convenience sampling method was used to select 2
      primary and middle schools from urban, 2 primary and middle schools from rural in
      each province. In each school, all grades were included, and 2 classes were
      selected in each grade. A total of 51 866 students or parents were selected as
      study participants, and 43 771 questionnaires were valid. Information on
      demographics, academic performance, screen time (TV, computer and cellphone) at
      weekdays and weekends and the prevalence of the high screen time were compared,
      multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between
      screen time >2 h/d and potential influential factors. RESULTS: The percentage of
      students with screen time >2 h/d at weekdays and weekends were 16.2% (7 082/43
      771) and 41.5% (18 141/43 771) (chi(2)=6 280.14, P<0.001), respectively. The
      distribution of P50 (P25-P75) for screen time at weekdays and weekends were
      0.9(0.4-1.6) and 1.8(1.0-3.0) (Z=-131.26, P<0.001), respectively. The results of
      multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that, at weekdays, subjects
      characterized as primary school students, boys, urban area, living in western
      area and sufficient vigorous physical activity <=2 d/w had higher risk for screen
      time >2 h/d than those characterized as elementary school students, girls, rural
      area, living in eastern area and sufficient vigorous physical activity >3 d/w,
      odds ratio were 2.01, 1.54, 1.21, 1.09, and 1.07, respectively (P<0.05 for all);
      subjects characterized as a normal or worse self rating academic performance had
      higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized as a good self rating
      academic performance, odds ratioes were 1.24 and 1.73, respectively (P<0.05 for
      all); subjects characterized as paternal education level as elementary school,
      middle school, high school or secondary school had higher risk for screen time >2
      h/d than those characterized as paternal education level as college school or
      high, odds ratioes were 1.41, 1.47 and 1.52, respectively (P<0.05 for all);
      subjects characterized as maternal education level as elementary school, middle
      school and high school or secondary school had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d
      than those characterized as maternal education level as college, odds ratioes
      were 1.40, 1.52 and 1.47, respectively (P<0.05 for all). At weekends, subjects
      characterized as primary school students, boys, urban area and sufficient
      vigorous physical activity <=2 d/w had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than
      those characterized as elementary school students, girls, rural area and
      sufficient vigorous physical activity >3 d/w, odds ratioes were 2.11, 1.51, 1.20
      and 1.05, respectively (P<0.05 for all). At weekends, subjects characterized as a
      normal or worse self rating academic performance had higher risk for screen time
      >2 h/d than those characterized as a good self rating academic performance, odds
      ratioes were 1.09 and 1.26, respectively (P<0.05 for all); subjects characterized
      as paternal education level as elementary school, middle school, high school or
      secondary school had higher risk for screen time >2 h/d than those characterized
      as paternal education level as college school or high, odds ratioes were 1.29,
      1.30 and 1.19, respectively (P<0.05 for all); subjects characterized as maternal
      education level as elementary school, middle school had higher risk for screen
      time >2 h/d than those characterized as maternal education level as college
      school or high, odds ratioes were 1.19 and 1.16 and, respectively (P<0.05 for
      all). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of screen time >2 h/d is high; screen time at
      weekdays is longer than weekends, and there are significant differences among
      different sexes, urban or rural areas, living areas, self rating academic
      performance, parents education levels and physical activity groups.

PMID- 27256731
TI  - [Prenatal lead exposure related to cord blood brain derived neurotrophic factor
      (BDNF) levels and impaired neonatal neurobehavioral development].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between umbilical cord blood brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neonatal neurobehavioral development in lead
      exposure infants. METHODS: All infants and their mother were randomly selected
      during 2011 to 2012, subjects were selected according to the umbilical cord blood
      lead concentrations, which contcentration of lead was higher than 0.48 MUmol/L
      were taken into high lead exposure group, about 60 subjects included. Comparing
      to the high lead exposure group, according to gender, weight, pregnant week,
      length and head circumferenece, the level of cord blood lead concentration under
      0.48 MUmol/L were taken into control group, 60 cases included. Lead content was
      determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Neonatal
      behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) was used to determine the development
      of neonatal neuronal behavior. The content of BDNF was detected by ELISA.
      Comparing the BDNF and the NBNA score between two groups, and linear correlation
      was given on analysis the correlation between lead concentration in cord blood
      and BDNF, BDNF and the NBNA score. RESULTS: Lead content in high exposure group
      was (0.613+/-0.139) MUmol/L, and higher than (0.336+/-0.142) MUmol/L in low
      exposure group (t=3.21, P<0.001) . NBNA summary score (36.35+/-1.86), active
      muscle tension score (6.90+/-0.27) and general assessment score (5.93+/-0.32) in
      high exposure group were lower than those (38.13+/-0.96, 7.79+/-0.35, 6.00+/
      0.00) in low exposure group (t values were 8.21, 10.23, 2.32, respectively, P
      values were <0.001, <0.001 and 0.037) . BDNF content in high exposure group which
      was (3.538+/-1.203) ng/ml was higher than low exposure group (2.464+/-0.918)
      ng/ml (t=7.60, P<0.001). The correlation analysis found that the cord blood BDNF
      content was negatively correlated with NBNA summary score, passive muscle tension
      and active muscle tone score (r was -0.27, -0.29, -0.30, respectively, P values
      were <0.001, respectively) . CONCLUSION: Prenatal lead exposure results poor
      neonatal neurobehavioral development and cord blood BDNF was negatively
      correlated with neonatal neurodevelopment, may serve as a useful biomarker.

PMID- 27256732
TI  - [Temperature modifies the acute effect of particulate air pollution on mortality
      in Jiang'an district of Wuhan].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the temperature modification effect on acute mortality due
      to particulate air pollution. METHODS: Daily non-accidental mortality,
      cardiovascular mortality, and respiratory mortality data were obtained from
      Jiang'an District Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Daily meteorological
      data on mean temperature and relative humidity were collected from China
      Meteorological Data Sharing Service System. The daily concentration of
      particulate matter was collected from Wuhan Environmental Monitoring center. By
      using the stratified time-series models, we analyzed effects of particulate air
      pollution on mortality under different temperature zone from 2002 to 2010,
      meanwhile comparing the difference of age, gender and educational level, in Wuhan
      city of China. RESULTS: High temperature (daily average temperature > 33.4 C)
      obviously enhanced the effect of PM10 on mortality. With 10 MUg/m(3) increase in
      PM10 concentrations, non-accidental, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality
      increased 2.95% (95%CI: 1.68%-4.24%), 3.58% (95%CI: 1.72%-5.49%), and 5.07%
      (95%CI: 2.03%-9.51%) respectively. However, low temperature (daily average
      temperature <-0.21 C) enhanced PM10 effect on respiratory mortality with 3.31%
      (95% CI: 0.07%-6.64%) increase. At high temperature, PM10 had significantly
      stronger effect on non-accidental mortality of female aged over 65 and people
      with high educational level groups. With an increase of 10 MUg/m(3), daily non
      accidental mortality increased 4.27% (95% CI:2.45%-6.12%), 3.38% (95% CI:1.93%
      4.86%) and 3.47% (95% CI:1.79%-5.18%), respectively. Whereas people with low
      educational level were more susceptible to low temperature. A 10 MUg/m(3)
      increase in PM10 was associated with 2.11% (95% CI: 0.20%-4.04%) for non
      accidental mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Temperature factor can modify the association
      between the PM10 level and cause-specific mortality. Moreover, the differences
      were apparent after considering the age, gender and education groups.

PMID- 27256733
TI  - [The etiological and molecular typing research of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli
      in Henan province in 2013].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution and pulsed field gel electrophoresis
      (PFGE) patterns of five kinds of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in infected
      diarrhea population of Henan province in 2013. METHODS: Gathering 1 037 strains
      of E. coli of 1 037 diarrhea patients from four sentinel hospitals of multi
      pathogen monitoring system in Henan province in 2013. Stool samples were cultured
      with Mac agar plates and using KIA/MIU biochemical action as the preliminary
      method to identify E. coli strains; preparation of DNA template with thermal
      cracking method and using multiplex PCR to detect five kinds of DEC. According to
      molecular typing method published by the international PulseNet bacterial
      infectious disease monitoring network, the PFGE molecular characteristics of DEC
      strains were analyzed. RESULTS: 125 DEC positive strains were detected in 1 037
      strains of E. coli, the total detection rate was 12.05%. 90 strains were
      enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC), detection rate was 8.68% (n=90); 24 strains were
      enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), detection rate was 2.31%; 7 strains were
      enteroinvasive E.coli (EIEC), detection rate was 0.68%; 4 strains were
      enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), detection rate was 0.39%; enterohemorrhagic E.coli
      (EHEC) was not detected. 639 cases of diarrhea samples were collected from male
      patients, 398 cases were from female patients, 94 positive cases were from male
      patients, the detection rate was 14.71%.The positive number of female cases were
      31 cases, the detection rate was 7.79%. 97 positive cases were detected from 782
      countryside cases and 28 positive cases were detected from 255 urban area cases,
      with detection rate 12.40% and 10.98% respectively. In 125 cases of DEC positive
      samples, children below 5 years old were 83 cases, accounting for 66.4%; 53
      strains of EAEC were divided into 52 molecular patterns by digestion with XbaI
      and pulsed field gel electrophoresis, each pattern contained 1-2 strains with
      similarity ranged from 66.3%-100%; 18 strains of EPEC were divided into 18
      molecular patterns, each pattern contains 1 strain with similarity ranged from
      72.6%-94.8%; 5 strains of EIEC were divided into 5 molecular patterns, each
      pattern contains 1 strain with similarity ranged from 71.9%-98.5%. 2 strains of
      ETEC were divided into 2 molecular patterns and similarity below 70%. CONCLUSION:
      Through the research we could find that four kinds of DEC as a pathogenic
      bacteria took an important component in pathogenic spectrum of bacterial diarrhea
      of Henan province in 2013. Four kinds of DEC carrying different virulence genes
      and taking multiple PFGE patterns showed diversity and complexity
      characteristics.

PMID- 27256734
TI  - [Tracing hepatitis C virus transmission by using high-throughput sequencing
      technique].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: An approach for analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies using
      Hiseq high-throughput sequencing (hereinafter referred to as Hiseq sequencing)
      technique was developed and then applied to investigate a possible case of HCV
      needle sharing transmission. METHODS: One case of HCV antibody seroconversion
      (P1) was found in a methadone clinic on January 15, 2015. Four HCV antibody
      positive injecting drug users (IDUs), P2 to P5, suspected to be involved in
      needle sharing transmission with P1 during the period (after March 24, 2014) that
      P1 may be infected with HCV were investigated, and another 28 HCV antibody
      positive IDUs were selected as controls (C1 to C28). These controls came from the
      same methadone clinic or lived in the same town with P1. The RNAs were extracted
      from the plasma specimens and then reverse-transcribed into cDNA. After HCV
      subtyping, Hiseq sequencing was performed to detect and sequence the HCV
      quasispecies (263 bp) in the specimens with the same subtype as P1. The frequency
      of quasispecies was counted and ranked. Intrapersonal and interpersonal genetic
      distance and phylogenetic tree were calculated. RESULTS: The HCV subtype of
      specimen P1 was 3b. All the other specimens with the same subtype were P2, C7,
      C12, C14, C15, C16, C19, C20 and C28. Hiseq sequencing was successfully performed
      in 9 out of these 10 specimens, and 249 753 to 1 086 333 (average 869 608)
      cleaned sequences representing 3 to 172 (average 48) unique HCV quasispecies were
      obtained. The medians (P50) of intrapersonal genetic diversities from the 9
      specimens were 0.4% to 12.3%. The P50 (P25, P75) of genetic diversities between
      P1 and the other 8 specimens were 19.0% (18.4%, 19.8%), 10.4% (2.8%, 18.3%),
      19.6% (17.8%, 21.4%),24.9% (23.8%, 26.1%), 19.8% (18.7%, 20.7%), 20.1% (18.9%,
      21.2%), 20.6% (20.0%, 21.1%), 23.6% (22.4%, 24.8%). There were no significant
      difference between the genetic diversities of P1 and P2 and those of P1 and other
      7 specimens (H=9.40, P=0.100). The genetic diversities between few HCV
      quasispecies from P1 and few ones from C7 were 0. Phylogenetic tree analysis
      indicated that there was no HCV transmission relationship between P1 and P2, but
      there was HCV transmission relationship between P1 and C7. CONCLUSION: With the
      feature of high-throughput, easier operation and lower cost, Hiseq sequencing
      technique has high practical value in tracing HCV transmission at the
      quasispecies level.

PMID- 27256735
TI  - [Effects of leucine on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes during and after
      differentiation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of leucine on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1
      preadipocyte during and after differentiation, and to investigate possible
      mechanisms. METHODS: Respectively, 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mmol/L leucine
      was added in 3T3-L1 cells and cell proliferation was measured by MTT. Then, 3T3
      L1 preadipocyte was induced to differentiate. Leucine was added during whole
      differentiation period, or after differentiation for 4 days. The cells were
      stained with Oil Red O dye to observe lipid droplet. The culture media were
      collected and used to determine glycerol contents. Meanwhile, protein expressions
      related to lypolytic enzymes, leptin signaling pathway were determined by Western
      blot. RESULTS: MTT result showed that cell viabilities were (100.00+/-12.10)%,
      (102.73+/-12.38)%, (103.94+/-14.65)%, (108.70+/-5.05)% in 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0
      mmol/L leucine groups, respectively, there were no significant differences in
      cell proliferation among 4 groups (F=1.07, P=0.383). When 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0
      mmol/L leucine was added during differentiation, the relative number of lipid
      droplet was 1.00+/-0.06, 0.94+/-0.09, 0.82+/-0.08 and 0.79+/-0.04, respectively
      (F=11.74, P<0.001), and it was significantly lower in 1.0 and 2.0 mmol/L leucine
      groups than in control group (P=0.002 and P<0.001, respectively). There was no
      significant difference in lipid droplet when leucine was added after
      differentiation (F=0.16, P=0.924). When leucine was added during differentiation,
      the increment of glyceride contents in medium was (65.04 +/- 11.75), (71.45 +/-
      23.71), (79.37 +/- 17.63) and (110.32 +/- 25.36) MUmol/L, respectively (F=2.92,
      P=0.100). And it was significantly higher in 2.0 mmol/L leucine group (110.32 +/-
      25.36) MUmol/L than in control group (65.04 +/- 11.75) MUmol/L (t=2.73, P=0.026).
      No significant difference of the increment of glyceride contents among 4 groups
      was observed when leucine was added after differentiation (F=0.80, P=0.528).
      Western blot results showed that leucine treatment during differentiation
      upregulated expression level of hormone-sensitive lipase phosphorylation (after
      0.0 and 2.0 mmol/L leucine treatment,the protein levels were 1.00 +/- 0.08 vs.
      2.54 +/- 0.27, P<0.001) , and downregulated the protein expression levels of
      perilipin A, leptin and leptin-related pathway, such as leptin receptor, Janus
      kinase 2 and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (after 0.0 and 2.0 mmol/L leucine
      was added, the protein levels were (1.00 +/- 0.03) vs. (0.31 +/- 0.07) , (1.00 +/
      0.08) vs. (0.22+/-0.07) , (1.00+/-0.07) vs. (0.21 +/- 0.04) , (1.00 +/- 0.03)
      vs. (0.35 +/- 0.05) , (1.00 +/- 0.06) vs. (0.34 +/- 0.05) , P<0.001). Leucine
      treatment after differentiation had no effects on these protein expressions (all
      P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Leucine inhibits adipogenesis during 3T3-L1 preadipocyte
      differentiation by the regulation of lypolytic enzymes and leptin signaling
      pathway; however, leucine has no effect on adipogenesis when differentiation
      completed.

PMID- 27256737
TI  - [Assessing the excess mortality related to short-term and long-term exposure to
      PM2.5 of Beijing in 2013].

PMID- 27256736
TI  - [Investigation and analysis of the coverage rate of hepatitis B vaccine in Gansu
      province after 12 years since integrated into expanded programme on
      immunization].

PMID- 27256738
TI  - [Investigation on the preventive and control strategies against the first
      imported case of Zika virus infection in China mainland].

PMID- 27256739
TI  - [Experience-based introduction on national public environmental health tracking
      program and its enlightenment].

PMID- 27256740
TI  - [Population genomic researches of Escherichia coli].
AB  - Population genomics, an interdiscipline of genomics and population genetics, is
      booming in recent years with the rapid growth number of deciphered genomes and
      revolutionizes the understanding of bacterial population diversity and evolution
      dynamics. It also largely improves the prevention and control of infectious
      disease through providing more accurate genotyping and source-tracing results and
      more comprehensive characteristics of emerging pathogens. In this review, taking
      one of the best characterized bacteria, Escherichia coli, as model, we reviewed
      the phylogenetic relationship across its five major populations (designated A,
      B1, B2, D and E); and summarized researches on molecular mutation rate, selection
      signals, and patterns of adaptive evolution. We also described the application of
      population genomics in responding against large-scale outbreaks of E. coli
      O157:H7 and E. coli O104:H4. These results indicated that, although being a novel
      discipline, population genomics has played an important role in deciphering
      bacterial population structures, exploring evolutionary patterns and combating
      emerging infectious diseases. 

PMID- 27256741
TI  - [Research progress of health effect of polybrominated diphenyl ethers].
AB  - Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) was one of the most common brominated
      flame retardants, it has been widely used in products such as furnitures, polymer
      and plastical material, textiles, electronic products and building materials.
      PBDEs have potential effect such as neurodevelopmental toxicity, reproductive
      toxicity, thyroid toxicity, immunological toxicity, embryo toxicity, liver
      toxicity, teratogenicity and potential carcinogenicity. This paper was aimed to
      review the environmental exposure way, current level, neurotoxicity,
      neurodevelopmental toxicity and reproductive toxicity of PBDEs. In recent years,
      PBDEs has been detected in environment, wildlife animal and human body around the
      world, there were the significant differences of exposure levels of PBDEs. The
      most abundant congener were tetra-BDE or BDE-47, hexa-BDE or BDE-153, and deca
      BDE or BDE-209. Prenatal exposure to PBDEs has great impact on the infants'
      neurodevelopmental function, induces changes in neuropsychological developmental
      behavior, decreases of congnition, motivation and attention. High levels of PBDEs
      have positive relationship with Luteinizing hormone levels, testis disfunction
      and children's cryptorchidism, and have negative relationship with sperm number
      and testis size. 

PMID- 27256742
TI  - [Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and birth defects].
AB  - Birth defects are one of the most common adverse birth outcomes, which create a
      heavy economic burden to the country, society and family. And they are also one
      of the biggest problems facing public health today. Polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of toxic pollutants existing in the environment
      widely, resulting from incomplete organic matter combustion, and can be taken
      into the body through various ways including the digestive tract, respiratory
      tract and so on. Recent researches suggest that the exposure of PAHs may be
      associated with various birth defects, while the special mechanism isn't very
      clear. This paper is a review of the relationship between PAHs and birth defects
      from the aspects of epidemiological data, experimental evidence on animals, which
      indicates that exposure of PAHs during pregnancy may be associated with birth
      defects including congenital heart defects, neural tube defects and cleft
      lip/plate. Furthermore, we explored the possible mechanism, including oxidative
      stress, oxidative damage and the changes of signal transduction pathway in order
      to provide some recommendations and suggestions on the future work. 

PMID- 27256744
TI  - Favorable efficacy of daclatasvir plus asunaprevir in treatment of elderly
      Japanese patients infected with HCV genotype 1b aged 70 and older.
AB  - The combination of daclatasvir and asunaprevir is efficacious in the treatment of
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but its efficacy and predictors of efficacy in
      the elderly (>=70 years) remain unclear. In this study, 844 patients with chronic
      HCV genotype 1b infection, were treated with daclatasvir (60 mg once daily) plus
      asunaprevir (100 mg twice daily) for 24 weeks. Using the intention-to-treat
      analysis, the sustained virological response (SVR) rates were 87% and 88% for all
      844 patients and 411 elderly (>70 years of age), respectively. In both groups,
      multivariate analysis identified NS5A-Y93H mutation (<20%), pretreatment (failure
      of treatment except for triple therapy with simeprevir, or treatment naive), and
      level of viremia (<6.0 log IU/ml) as independent predictors of SVR. Direct
      sequencing showed a significantly higher rate of NS3-D168 mutation at baseline in
      non-responders to triple therapy with simeprevir (44%) than others (2%). Alfa
      fetoprotein (AFP) level and liver stiffness were significantly lower after end of
      treatment than at baseline, in both the SVR and non-SVR groups. In conclusion,
      daclatasvir-asunaprevir combination achieved high SVR in HCV genotype 1b
      patients, including elderly patients. Viral factors negatively influenced the
      response to treatment. Treatment improved AFP level and liver stiffness
      (surrogate markers of hepatocellular carcinoma), regardless of treatment
      efficacy. J. Med. Virol. 89:91-98, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27256746
TI  - Where's the "Label" for Beet Juice: The Value of the Food and Drug
      Administration.

PMID- 27256747
TI  - The Lungs in Heart Failure: Not an Innocent Bystander.

PMID- 27256745
TI  - Heart Failure Clinical Trials in East and Southeast Asia: Understanding the
      Importance and Defining the Next Steps.
AB  - Heart failure (HF) is a major and increasing global public health problem. In
      Asia, aging populations and recent increases in cardiovascular risk factors have
      contributed to a particularly high burden of HF, with outcomes that are poorer
      than those in the rest of the world. Representation of Asians in landmark HF
      trials has been variable. In addition, HF patients from Asia demonstrate clinical
      differences from patients in other geographic regions. Thus, the generalizability
      of some clinical trial results to the Asian population remains uncertain. In this
      article, we review differences in HF phenotype, HF management, and outcomes in
      patients from East and Southeast Asia. We describe lessons learned in Asia from
      recent HF registries and clinical trial databases and outline strategies to
      improve the potential for success in future trials. This review is based on
      discussions among scientists, clinical trialists, industry representatives, and
      regulatory representatives at the CardioVascular Clinical Trialist Asia Forum in
      Singapore on July 4, 2014.

PMID- 27256748
TI  - "One Size Does Not Fit All": How to Individualize Decongestive Therapy Strategies
      in Heart Failure.

PMID- 27256749
TI  - Precipitating Clinical Factors, Heart Failure Characterization, and Outcomes in
      Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure With Reduced, Borderline, and Preserved
      Ejection Fraction.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the comparative frequency of precipitating
      clinical factors leading to hospitalization among heart failure (HF) patients
      with reduced, borderline, and preserved ejection fraction (EF) BACKGROUND: There
      are few data assessing the comparative frequency of clinical factors leading to
      HF among hospitalized among patients with reduced, borderline, and preserved EF.
      METHODS: We analyzed the factors potentially contributing to HF hospitalization
      among 99,825 HF admissions from 305 hospitals in the Get With The Guidelines-HF
      (GWTG-HF) database between January 2005 and September 2013 and assessed their
      association with length of stay and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Mean patient
      age was 72.6 +/- 14.2 years, 49% were female, and mean EF was 39.3 +/- 17.2%.
      Common factors included pneumonia/respiratory process (28.2%), arrhythmia
      (21.7%), medication noncompliance (15.8%), worsening renal failure (14.7%), and
      uncontrolled hypertension (14.5%). In patients with borderline EF (EF 40% to
      49%), pneumonia was associated with longer hospital stay, whereas dietary and
      medication noncompliance were associated with reduced length of stay. In patients
      with preserved EF (EF >=50% or qualitative assessment of normal or mild
      dysfunction), pneumonia, weight gain, and worsening renal function were
      independently associated with longer lengths of stay. Worsening renal function
      and pneumonia were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality in
      all HF groups, and acute pulmonary edema was associated with higher mortality in
      reduced EF. Dietary noncompliance (14.7%) was associated with reduced mortality
      for all groups but reached statistical significance in the subgroups of reduced
      (odds ratio [OR]: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46 to 0.91) and preserved
      systolic function (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.83). Patients presenting with
      ischemia had a higher mortality rate (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.69; and 1.72;
      95% CI: 1.27 to 2.33, respectively, in the 2 groups). CONCLUSIONS: Potential
      precipitating factors among patients hospitalized with HF vary by EF group and
      are independently associated with clinical outcomes.

PMID- 27256750
TI  - Understanding Heart Failure With Mid-Range Ejection Fraction.

PMID- 27256751
TI  - Prolonged QRS in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Risk Marker and
      Therapeutic Target?

PMID- 27256752
TI  - Impaired Pulmonary Diffusion in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare measures of gas exchange at
      rest and during exercise in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection
      fraction (HFpEF) with age- and sex-matched control subjects. BACKGROUND: Patients
      with HFpEF display elevation in left heart pressures, but it is unclear how this
      affects pulmonary gas transfer or its determinants at rest and during exercise.
      METHODS: Patients with HFpEF (n = 20) and control subjects (n = 26) completed a
      recumbent cycle ergometry exercise test with simultaneous measurement of
      ventilation and gas exchange. Diffusion of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO)
      and its subcomponents, pulmonary capillary blood volume (VC) and alveolar
      capillary membrane conductance (DM), were measured at rest, and matched for low
      intensity (20 W) and peak exercise. Stroke volume was measured by transthoracic
      echocardiography to calculate cardiac output. RESULTS: Compared with control
      subjects, patients with HFpEF displayed impaired diastolic function and reduced
      exercise capacity. Patients with HFpEF demonstrated a 24% lower DLCO at rest
      (11.0 +/- 2.3 ml/mm Hg/min vs. 14.4 +/- 3.3 ml/mm Hg/min; p < 0.01) related to
      reductions in both DM (18.1 +/- 4.9 ml/mm Hg/min vs. 23.1 +/- 9.1 ml/mm Hg/min; p
      = 0.04), and VC (45.9 +/- 15.2. ml vs. 58.9 +/- 16.2 ml; p = 0.01). DLCO was
      lower in patients with HFpEF compared with control subjects in all stages of
      exercise, yet its determinants showed variable responses. With low-level
      exercise, patients with HFpEF demonstrated greater relative increases in VC,
      coupled with heightened ventilatory drive and more severe symptoms of dyspnea
      compared with control subjects. At 20-W exercise, DM was markedly reduced in
      patients with HFpEF compared with control subjects. From 20 W to peak exercise,
      there was no further increase in VC in patients with HFpEF, which in tandem with
      reduced DM, led to a 30% reduction in DLCO at peak exercise (17.3 +/- 4.2 ml/mm
      Hg/min vs. 24.7 +/- 7.1 ml/mm Hg/min; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with HFpEF
      display altered pulmonary function and gas exchange at rest and especially during
      exercise, which contributes to exercise intolerance. Novel therapies that improve
      gas diffusion may be effective to improve exercise tolerance in patients with
      HFpEF.

PMID- 27256753
TI  - Impaired Alveolar Capillary Membrane Diffusion: A Recently Recognized Contributor
      to Exertional Dyspnea in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

PMID- 27256755
TI  - Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: What Is "Normal"?

PMID- 27256756
TI  - Social Media: Can It Reduce Heart Failure Events?

PMID- 27256754
TI  - Prognosis of Adults With Borderline Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine the association of a borderline left
      ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 50% to 55% with cardiovascular morbidity
      and mortality in a community-based cohort. BACKGROUND: Guidelines stipulate a
      LVEF >55% as normal, but the optimal threshold, if any, remains uncertain. The
      prognosis of a "borderline" LVEF, 50% to 55%, is unknown. METHODS: This study
      evaluated Framingham Heart Study participants who underwent echocardiography
      between 1979 and 2008 (n = 10,270 person-observations, mean age 60 years, 57%
      women). Using pooled data with up to 12 years of follow-up and multivariable Cox
      regression, we evaluated the associations of borderline LVEF and continuous LVEF
      with the risk of developing a composite outcome (heart failure [HF] or death;
      primary outcome) and incident HF (secondary outcome). RESULTS: During follow-up
      (median 7.9 years), HF developed in 355 participants, and 1,070 died. Among
      participants with an LVEF of 50% to 55% (prevalence 3.5%), rates of the composite
      outcome and HF were 0.24 and 0.13 per 10 years of follow-up, respectively, versus
      0.16 and 0.05 in participants having a normal LVEF. In multivariable-adjusted
      analyses, LVEF of 50% to 55% was associated with increased risk of the composite
      outcome (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05 to 1.80) and
      HF (HR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.41 to 3.28). There was a linear inverse relationship of
      continuous LVEF with the composite outcome (HR per 5 LVEF% decrement: 1.12; 95%
      CI: 1.07 to 1.16) and HF (HR per 5 LVEF% decrement: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.32).
      CONCLUSIONS: Persons with an LVEF of 50% to 55% in the community have greater
      risk for morbidity and mortality relative to persons with an LVEF >55%.
      Additional studies are warranted to elucidate the optimal management of these
      individuals.

PMID- 27256757
TI  - Bad Air Revisited.

PMID- 27256758
TI  - Reply: Bad Air Revisited.

PMID- 27256759
TI  - Reply: Antibody-Based Protection of von Willebrand Factor Degradation.

PMID- 27256760
TI  - Antibody-Based Protection of von Willebrand Factor Degradation.

PMID- 27256761
TI  - Prognosis in Patients With Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 27256762
TI  - Establishing SON in 21q22.11 as a cause a new syndromic form of intellectual
      disability: Possible contribution to Braddock-Carey syndrome phenotype.
AB  - A recent study of exome analyses in 109 patients with undiagnosed diseases
      included a 5-year-old girl with intellectual disability and multiple congenital
      anomalies, who had an apparently de novo frameshift mutation in SON. However, the
      combination of the truncating mutation in SON and the phenotype has not been
      reproduced until date, and it remains unclear if this combination represents a
      distinctive disease entity. Here we report an additional male with intellectual
      disability, congenital heart disease, distinctive facial features with curly hair
      and protruding ears, and long slender extremities, and hyperextensible joints.
      Exome analysis showed that he had the same de novo frameshift mutation in SON in
      a heterozygous state. Along with the first and original description of the
      apparently de novo truncating mutation in SON mentioned above, we have
      established that haploinsufficiency of SON causes a new recognizable syndrome of
      intellectual disability. SON is located within 21q22.11, a critical region for
      Braddock-Carey syndrome, which is characterized by congenital thrombocytopenia,
      intellectual disability, micrognathia, and a distinctive facies. Therefore, we
      suggest that the intellectual disability observed in Braddock-Carey syndrome
      could be accounted for by haploinsufficiency of SON. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27256763
TI  - An open-label pilot study of quetiapine plus mirtazapine for heavy drinkers with
      alcohol use disorder.
AB  - Animal research suggests that medications that produce a weak dopamine D2
      receptor blockade and potentiate noradrenergic activity may decrease alcohol
      drinking. In an open-label pilot study of subjects with alcohol dependence, we
      tested whether the combination of quetiapine, a weak dopamine D2 receptor
      antagonist, whose primary metabolite, desalkylquetiapine, is a norepinephrine
      reuptake inhibitor, and mirtazapine, a potent alpha2 norepinephrine receptor
      antagonist, would decrease alcohol drinking and craving. Twenty very heavy
      drinkers with alcohol dependence entered a trial of 8 weeks of treatment with
      quetiapine followed by 8 weeks of treatment with a combination of quetiapine plus
      mirtazapine. Alcohol use was assessed weekly with a Timeline Follow-Back
      interview and craving with the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale. Among the 11
      completers, subjects reported improved outcomes in the quetiapine plus
      mirtazapine period compared to the quetiapine alone period: fewer very heavy
      drinking days per week (1.3 [SD = 2.4] vs. 2.1 [SD = 2.8]; t = 2.3, df = 10, p =
      0.04); fewer total number of drinks per week (39.7 [SD = 61.6] vs. 53.4 [SD =
      65.0]; t = 2.8, df = 10, p = 0.02); and lower craving scores (2.5 [SD = 1.4] vs.
      3.2 [SD = 1.2]; t = 2.4, df = 10, p = 0.04). All subjects reported at least one
      adverse event; 72.7% reported somnolence. In this open-label pilot study,
      treatment with quetiapine plus mirtazapine was associated with a decrease in
      alcohol drinking and craving. These findings are consistent with our previous
      work in animal models of alcohol use disorders and suggest that further study of
      medications or combinations of medications with this pharmacologic profile is
      warranted.

PMID- 27256765
TI  - Electroosmotic flow in single PDMS nanochannels.
AB  - The electroosmotic flow (EOF) velocity in single PDMS nanochannels with
      dimensions as small as 20 nm is investigated systematically by the current slope
      method in this paper. A novel method for the fabrication of single nanochannels
      on PDMS surfaces is developed. The effects of channel size, ionic concentration
      of the electrolyte solution and electric field on the EOF velocity in single
      nanochannels are investigated. The results show that the EOF velocity in smaller
      nanochannels with overlapped electric double layers (EDL) is proportional to the
      applied electric field but is smaller than the EOF velocity in microchannels
      under the same applied electric field. The EOF velocity in relatively large
      nanochannels without the overlap of EDLs is independent of the channel size and
      is the same as that in microchannels under the same applied electric field.
      Furthermore, in smaller nanochannels with overlapped EDLs, the EOF velocity
      depends on the ionic concentration and also on the channel size. The experimental
      results reported in this paper are valuable for the future studies of
      electrokinetic nanofluidics. 

PMID- 27256764
TI  - Distance to testing sites and its association with timing of HIV diagnosis.
AB  - Early HIV diagnosis enables prompt treatment initiation, thereby contributing to
      decreased morbidity, mortality, and transmission. We aimed to describe the
      association between distance from residence to testing sites and HIV disease
      stage at diagnosis. Using HIV surveillance data, we identified all new HIV
      diagnoses made at publicly funded testing sites in central North Carolina during
      2005-2013. Early-stage HIV was defined as acute HIV (antibody-negative test with
      a positive HIV RNA) or recent HIV (normalized optical density <0.8 on the BED
      assay for non-AIDS cases); remaining diagnoses were considered post-early-stage
      HIV. Street distance between residence at diagnosis and (1) the closest testing
      site and (2) the diagnosis site was dichotomized at 5 miles. We fit log-binomial
      models using generalized estimating equations to estimate prevalence ratios (PR)
      and robust 95% confidence intervals (CI) for post-early-stage diagnoses by
      distance. Models were adjusted for race/ethnicity and testing period. Most of the
      3028 new diagnoses were black (N = 2144; 70.8%), men who have sex with men (N =
      1685; 55.7%), and post-early-stage HIV diagnoses (N = 2010; 66.4%). Overall, 1145
      (37.8%) cases traveled <5 miles for a diagnosis. Among cases traveling >=5 miles
      for a diagnosis, 1273 (67.6%) lived <5 miles from a different site. Residing >=5
      miles from a testing site was not associated with post-early-stage HIV (adjusted
      PR, 95% CI: 0.98, 0.92-1.04), but traveling >=5 miles for a diagnosis was
      associated with higher post-early HIV prevalence (1.07, 1.02-1.13). Most of the
      elevated prevalence observed in cases traveling >=5 miles for a diagnosis
      occurred among those living <5 miles from a different site (1.09, 1.03-1.16).
      Modest increases in post-early-stage HIV diagnosis were apparent among persons
      living near a site, but choosing to travel longer distances to test.
      Understanding reasons for increased travel distances could improve accessibility
      and acceptability of HIV services and increase early diagnosis rates.

PMID- 27256766
TI  - G-STRATEGY: Optimal Selection of Individuals for Sequencing in Genetic
      Association Studies.
AB  - In a large-scale genetic association study, the number of phenotyped individuals
      available for sequencing may, in some cases, be greater than the study's
      sequencing budget will allow. In that case, it can be important to prioritize
      individuals for sequencing in a way that optimizes power for association with the
      trait. Suppose a cohort of phenotyped individuals is available, with some subset
      of them possibly already sequenced, and one wants to choose an additional fixed
      size subset of individuals to sequence in such a way that the power to detect
      association is maximized. When the phenotyped sample includes related
      individuals, power for association can be gained by including partial
      information, such as phenotype data of ungenotyped relatives, in the analysis,
      and this should be taken into account when assessing whom to sequence. We propose
      G-STRATEGY, which uses simulated annealing to choose a subset of individuals for
      sequencing that maximizes the expected power for association. In simulations, G
      STRATEGY performs extremely well for a range of complex disease models and
      outperforms other strategies with, in many cases, relative power increases of 20
      40% over the next best strategy, while maintaining correct type 1 error. G
      STRATEGY is computationally feasible even for large datasets and complex
      pedigrees. We apply G-STRATEGY to data on high-density lipoprotein and low
      density lipoprotein from the AGES-Reykjavik and REFINE-Reykjavik studies, in
      which G-STRATEGY is able to closely approximate the power of sequencing the full
      sample by selecting for sequencing a only small subset of the individuals.

PMID- 27256767
TI  - Inhibition of bile canalicular network formation in rat sandwich cultured
      hepatocytes by drugs associated with risk of severe liver injury.
AB  - Idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury is a clinical concern with serious
      consequences. Although many preclinical screening methods have been proposed, it
      remains difficult to identify compounds associated with this rare but potentially
      fatal liver condition. Here, we propose a novel assay system to assess the risk
      of liver injury. Rat primary hepatocytes were cultured in a sandwich
      configuration, which enables the formation of a typical bile canalicular network.
      From day 2 to 3, test drugs, mostly selected from a list of cholestatic drugs,
      were administered, and the length of the network was semi-quantitatively measured
      by immunofluorescence. Liver injury risk information was collected from drug
      labels and was compared with in vitro measurements. Of 23 test drugs examined, 15
      exhibited potent inhibition of bile canalicular network formation (<60% of
      control). Effects on cell viability were negligible or minimal as confirmed by
      lactate dehydrogenase leakage and cellular ATP content assays. For the potent 15
      drugs, IC50 values were determined. Finally, maximum daily dose divided by the
      inhibition constant gave good separation of the highest risk of severe liver
      toxicity drugs such as troglitazone, benzbromarone, flutamide, and amiodarone
      from lower risk drugs. In conclusion, inhibitory effect on the bile canalicular
      network formation observed in in vitro sandwich cultured hepatocytes evaluates a
      new aspect of drug toxicity, particularly associated with aggravation of liver
      injury. 

PMID- 27256768
TI  - Preoperative bowel preparation versus no preparation before spinal surgery: A
      randomised clinical trial.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of preoperative bowel preparation
      for patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. BACKGROUND: Bowel preparation
      before major surgery is performed routinely to reduce the risk of postoperative
      complications related to gastrointestinal function. METHODS: A randomised
      clinical trial was performed that included forty-five elective spinal fusion
      patients allocated to one control group and two treatment groups. The patients
      received preoperative bowel preparation with enema, suppository or no bowel
      preparation. The outcome measures were defecation within 72 hours
      postoperatively, defecation on the fifth postoperative day, postoperative
      constipation, nausea, pain, well-being and ambulation. RESULTS: There were
      significant differences in favour of no bowel preparation compared with
      suppository group for the primary outcome; days to first defecation. There was a
      tendency for the patients who received no bowel preparation to recover from
      constipation more quickly than patients in the bowel preparation groups. The
      majority of patients did not defecate until the fourth postoperative day.
      CONCLUSIONS: This randomised study found no benefit from bowel preparation before
      major spine surgery on gastrointestinal function. The use of bowel preparation is
      not evidence-based and not performing it should be considered before major spine
      surgery until the effect is known.

PMID- 27256769
TI  - Association between Temporal Changes in Primary Care Workforce and Patient
      Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between 10-year temporal changes in the
      primary care workforce and Medicare beneficiaries' outcomes. DATA SOURCES: 2001
      and 2011 American Medical Association Masterfiles and fee-for-service Medicare
      claims. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: We calculated two primary care workforce measures
      within Primary Care Service Areas: the number of primary care physicians per
      10,000 population (per capita) and the number of Medicare primary care full-time
      equivalents (FTEs) per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries. The three outcomes were
      mortality, ambulatory care-sensitive condition (ACSC) hospitalizations, and
      emergency department (ED) visits. We measured the marginal association between
      changes in primary care workforce and patient outcomes using Poisson regression
      models. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: An increase of one primary care physician per 10,000
      population was associated with 15.1 fewer deaths per 100,000 and 39.7 fewer ACSC
      hospitalizations per 100,000 (both p < .05). An increase of one Medicare primary
      care FTE per 10,000 beneficiaries was associated with 82.8 fewer deaths per
      100,000, 160.8 fewer ACSC hospitalizations per 100,000, and 712.3 fewer ED visits
      per 100,000 (all p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Medicare beneficiaries' outcomes improved
      as the number of primary care physicians and their clinical effort increased.

PMID- 27256772
TI  - Quantum Router for Single Photons Carrying Spin and Orbital Angular Momentum.
AB  - Quantum router is an essential element in the quantum network. Here, we present a
      fully quantum router based on interaction free measurement and quantum dots. The
      signal photonic qubit can be routed to different output ports according to one
      control electronic qubit. Besides, our scheme is an interferometric method
      capable of routing single photons carrying either spin angular momentum (SAM) or
      orbital angular momentum (OAM), or simultaneously carrying SAM and OAM. Then we
      describe a cascaded multi-level quantum router to construct a one-to-many quantum
      router. Subsequently we analyze the success probability by using a tunable
      controlled phase gate. The implementation issues are also discussed to show that
      this scheme is feasible.

PMID- 27256770
TI  - MALDI-Imaging Mass Spectrometry: a step forward in the anatomopathological
      characterization of stenotic aortic valve tissue.
AB  - Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common form of valve disease. Once symptoms
      develop, there is an inexorable deterioration with a poor prognosis; currently
      there are no therapies capable of modifying disease progression, and aortic valve
      replacement is the only available treatment. Our goal is to study the progression
      of calcification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization imaging mass
      spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) and get new insights at molecular level that could help
      in the understanding of this disease. In this work, we analyzed consecutive
      slices from aortic valve tissue by MALDI-IMS, to establish the spatial
      distribution of proteins and peptides directly from the surface of the
      histological sections. The analysis showed different structures corresponding to
      regions observed in conventional histology, including large calcification areas
      and zones rich in collagen and elastic fibers. Peptide extraction from the
      tissue, followed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis, provided
      the identification of collagen VI alpha-3 and NDRG2 proteins which correlated
      with the masses obtained by MALDI-IMS and were confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
      These results highlighted the molecular mechanism implied in AS using MALDI-IMS,
      a novel technique never used before in this pathology. In addition, we can define
      specific regions proving a complementary resolution of the molecular histology.

PMID- 27256771
TI  - Reconfigurable Liquid Whispering Gallery Mode Microlasers.
AB  - Engineering photonic devices from liquid has been emerging as a fascinating
      research avenue. Reconfigurably tuning liquid optical micro-devices are highly
      desirable but remain extremely challenging because of the fluidic nature. In this
      article we demonstrate an all-liquid tunable whispering gallery mode microlaser
      floating on a liquid surface fabricated by using inkjet print technique. We show
      that the cavity resonance of such liquid lasers could be reconfigurably
      manipulated by surface tension alteration originated from the tiny concentration
      change of the surfactant in the supporting liquid. As such, remarkable sensing of
      water-soluble organic compounds with a sensitivity of free spectral range as high
      as 19.85 THz / (mol . mL(-1)) and the detectivity limit around 5.56 * 10(-3) mol
      . mL(-1) is achieved. Our work provides not only a novel approach to effectively
      tuning a laser resonator but also new insight into potential applications in
      biological, chemical and environmental sensing.

PMID- 27256773
TI  - In control? IQC consensus and statutory regulation.
AB  - Purpose - Internal quality control (IQC) represents an essential risk management
      tool within the total testing pathway (TTP) that contributes to the overall
      objective of assuring the quality of results produced in medical laboratories.
      Controlling analytical phase quality alone requires significant expertise and
      input by scientifically trained staff. This effort has escalated exponentially
      following the publication of the International Organisation for Standardisation
      (ISO)15189:2012 requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories.
      The reported inconsistency and diversity to IQC approaches in diagnostic
      laboratories is definitive evidence that international guidance in IQC programme
      design and implementation is long overdue. The paper aims to discuss these
      issues. Design/methodology/approach - Herein, the authors define, describe and
      critically examine the essential elements four stages of an IQC programme and
      suggest a template to inform both design and ease of implementation. For
      practical application, the authors have stratified the proposed methodology into
      four stages: staff education and training; IQC material; IQC targets; and IQC
      procedure, and provide recommendations that meet ISO15189:2012 requirements.
      Findings - These recommendations are informed by the published literature
      together with the collective experience working in clinical biochemistry and
      diagnostic endocrinology laboratories. The authors note that the laboratory
      staff's effort on IQC is a continuous process, driven by changes within each IQC
      stage, in response to risk analysis, maximising economic value or through
      professional leadership and central to IQC programme implementation and delivery.
      Practical implications - The authors offer a template that laboratories can use
      to inform the design and implementation of their IQC programme. Originality/value
      - The proposed IQC programme is user friendly, flexible and pragmatic with the
      potential to harmonise practice. The authors have provided a template to
      potentially harmonise IQC practice nationally. Given the central and critical
      role that IQC practice plays in ensuring the quality of patient results'
      importance, the authors contend that the time has come for international
      consensus and statutory regulation regarding the minimally acceptable criteria
      for its implementation, monitoring and review. 

PMID- 27256774
TI  - Laboratory services: regaining and maintaining control.
AB  - Purpose - After implementing an internal quality control (IQC) programme, the
      purpose of this paper is to maintain the requisite analytical performance for
      clinical laboratory staff, thereby safeguarding patient test results for their
      intended medical purpose. Design/methodology/approach - The authors address how
      quality can be maintained and if lost, how it can be regained. The methodology is
      based on the experience working in clinical laboratory diagnostics and is in
      accord with both international accreditation requirements and laboratory best
      practice guidelines. Findings - Monitoring test performance usually involves both
      prospective and retrospective IQC data analysis. The authors present a number of
      different approaches together with software tools currently available and
      emerging, that permit performance monitoring at the level of the individual
      analyser, across analysers and laboratories (networks). The authors make
      recommendations on the appropriate response to IQC rule warnings, failures and
      metrics that indicate analytical control loss, that either precludes further
      analysis, or signifies deteriorating performance and eventual unsuitability. The
      authors provide guidance on systematic troubleshooting, to identify undesirable
      performance and consider risk assessment preventive measures and continuous
      quality improvement initiatives; e.g., material acceptance procedures, as tools
      to help regain and maintain analytical control and minimise potential for patient
      harm. Practical implications - The authors provide a template for use by
      laboratory scientific personnel that ensures the optimal monitoring of analytical
      test performance and response when it changes undesirably. Originality/value -
      The proposed template has been designed to meet the International Organisation
      for Standardisation for medical laboratories ISO15189:2012 requirements and
      therefore includes the use of External Quality Assessment and patient results
      data, as an adjunct to IQC data. 

PMID- 27256775
TI  - Waiting time at a fast-track diagnostic clinic.
AB  - Purpose - Guidelines stating maximum waiting times fail to take cancer patients'
      expectations into account. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess
      patients' expectations and experiences with their waiting time at a fast-track
      clinic. Design/methodology/approach - Patients were selected using a purposeful
      sampling strategy and were interviewed four times: before the visit; one day
      after; two weeks after the visit; and one week after starting treatment.
      Interviews were audiotaped and independently coded by two researchers. Findings -
      All patients (n=9) preferred a short waiting time before the first visit; they
      feared that their disease would spread and believed that cancer warrants priority
      treatment. Six patients experienced the waiting time as short, one had no
      expectations and two felt they waited longer than expected; three patients
      changed this evaluation during the study. Six patients received treatment - four
      preferred to wait before treatment and two wanted to start treatment immediately.
      Reasons to wait included putting one's affairs in order, or needing to adjust to
      the diagnosis. Practical implications - Cancer patients prefer a short waiting
      time before the first visit but have different expectations and needs regarding
      waiting time before treatment. Ideally, their expectations are managed by their
      treating physician to match waiting time reality. Originality/value - This is the
      first study to assess cancer patients' waiting time experiences and how these
      experiences change over time. This study paves the way for establishing a
      framework to better assess patient satisfaction with oncology care waiting time.
      An important aspect, is managing patients' expectations. 

PMID- 27256776
TI  - Has Lean improved organizational decision making?
AB  - Purpose - Sustainable improvement is likely to be hampered by ambiguous
      objectives and uncertain cause-effect relations in care processes (the
      organization's decision-making context). Lean management can improve
      implementation results because it decreases ambiguity and uncertainties. But does
      it succeed? Many quality improvement (QI) initiatives are appropriate improvement
      strategies in organizational contexts characterized by low ambiguity and
      uncertainty. However, most care settings do not fit this context. The purpose of
      this paper is to investigate whether a Lean-inspired change program changed the
      organization's decision-making context, making it more amenable for QI
      initiatives. Design/methodology/approach - In 2014, 12 professionals from a Dutch
      radiotherapy institute were interviewed regarding their perceptions of a Lean
      program in their organization and the perceived ambiguous objectives and
      uncertain cause-effect relations in their clinical processes. A survey (25
      questions), addressing the same concepts, was conducted among the interviewees in
      2011 and 2014. The structured interviews were analyzed using a deductive
      approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using appropriate statistics. Findings 
      Interviewees experienced improved shared visions and the number of uncertain
      cause-effect relations decreased. Overall, more positive (99) than negative Lean
      effects (18) were expressed. The surveys revealed enhanced process predictability
      and standardization, and improved shared visions. Practical implications - Lean
      implementation has shown to lead to greater transparency and increased shared
      visions. Originality/value - Lean management decreased ambiguous objectives and
      reduced uncertainties in clinical process cause-effect relations. Therefore,
      decision making benefitted from Lean increasing QI's sustainability. 

PMID- 27256777
TI  - An improvement model to optimise hospital interdisciplinary learning.
AB  - Purpose - Interdisciplinary healthcare education and collaboration facilitates
      healthcare quality improvement (QI). Education challenges include cost, logistics
      and defining the optimum staff-engaging method. The purpose of this paper is to
      determine the optimum QI educational model and measure its impact using plan-do
      study-act (PDSA) cycles. Design/methodology/approach - The authors established an
      on-site interdisciplinary QI learning collaborative: weekly 30-minute learning
      sessions close to the working environment; a learning materials Twitter
      repository; and junior doctor-led QI work streams aligned with surgical
      directorate quality goals supported by a mentorship network. Delivery style
      (lectures, workshops and QI project reporting) and learning session content was
      planned weekly using PDSA cycles and modified using participant feedback (score 0
      10). All surgical directorate QI work streams were measured before and at nine
      months. Findings - From May 2014 to February 2015, there were 32 learning
      sessions with 266 scores (median 12 weekly, range 5-21). Workshop delivery scored
      the highest (mean score 9.0), followed by live project reports (mean score 8.8).
      The surgical QI work streams increased threefold from four to 12, including six
      junior doctor-led projects. Practical implications - By proactively acting upon
      feedback, the authors centralised QI measurement and tailored learning sessions
      to staff needs. Building sustainability involves continually refining learning
      curriculum and QI work streams, and expanding the mentorship network.
      Originality/value - The collaborative was established at no additional cost.
      Twitter is used to promote meetings, facilitate conversations and act as a
      learning repository. The mentorship framework builds QI and coaching expertise. 

PMID- 27256778
TI  - Healthcare waste management: an interpretive structural modeling approach.
AB  - Purpose - The World Health Organization identified infectious healthcare waste as
      a threat to the environment and human health. India's current medical waste
      management system has limitations, which lead to ineffective and inefficient
      waste handling practices. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to: first, identify
      the important barriers that hinder India's healthcare waste management (HCWM)
      systems; second, classify operational, tactical and strategical issues to discuss
      the managerial implications at different management levels; and third, define all
      barriers into four quadrants depending upon their driving and dependence power.
      Design/methodology/approach - India's HCWM system barriers were identified
      through the literature, field surveys and brainstorming sessions.
      Interrelationships among all the barriers were analyzed using interpretive
      structural modeling (ISM). Fuzzy-Matrice d'Impacts Croises Multiplication
      Appliquee a un Classement (MICMAC) analysis was used to classify HCWM barriers
      into four groups. Findings - In total, 25 HCWM system barriers were identified
      and placed in 12 different ISM model hierarchy levels. Fuzzy-MICMAC analysis
      placed eight barriers in the second quadrant, five in third and 12 in fourth
      quadrant to define their relative ISM model importance. Research
      limitations/implications - The study's main limitation is that all the barriers
      were identified through a field survey and barnstorming sessions conducted only
      in Uttarakhand, Northern State, India. The problems in implementing HCWM
      practices may differ with the region, hence, the current study needs to be
      replicated in different Indian states to define the waste disposal strategies for
      hospitals. Practical implications - The model will help hospital managers and
      Pollution Control Boards, to plan their resources accordingly and make policies,
      targeting key performance areas. Originality/value - The study is the first
      attempt to identify India's HCWM system barriers and prioritize them. 

PMID- 27256779
TI  - Comparing and improving chronic illness primary care in Sweden and the USA.
AB  - Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify opportunities for improving
      primary care services for people with chronic illnesses by comparing how Sweden
      and US services use evidence-based practices (EBPs), including digital health
      technologies (DHTs). Design/methodology/approach - A national primary healthcare
      center (PHCC) heads surveys in 2012-2013 carried out in both countries in 2006.
      Findings - There are large variations between the two countries. The largest,
      regarding effective DHT use in primary care centers, were that few Swedish
      primary healthcare compared to US heads reported having reminders or prompts at
      the point of care (38 percent Sweden vs 84 percent USA), despite Sweden's
      established electronic medical records (EMR). Swedish heads also reported 30
      percent fewer centers receiving laboratory results (67 percent Sweden vs 97
      percent USA). Regarding following other EBPs, 70 percent of Swedish center heads
      reported their physicians had easy access to diabetic patient lists compared to
      14 percent in the USA. Most Swedish PHCC heads (96 percent) said they offered
      same day appointment compared to 36 percent in equivalent US practices. Practical
      implications - There are opportunities for improvement based on significant
      differences in effective practices between the countries, which demonstrates to
      primary care leaders that their peers elsewhere potentially provide better care
      for people with chronic illnesses. Some improvements are under primary care
      center control and can be made quickly. There is evidence that people with
      chronic illnesses in these two countries are suffering unnecessarily owing to
      primary care staff failing to provide proven EBP, which would better meet patient
      needs. Public finance has been invested in DHT, which are not being used to their
      full potential. Originality/value - The study shows the gaps between current and
      potential proven effective EBPs for services to patients with chronic conditions.
      Findings suggest possible explanations for differences and practical improvements
      by comparing the two countries. Many enhancements are low cost and the
      proportionate reduction in suffering and costs they bring is high. 

PMID- 27256780
TI  - Archaeological excavation of wild macaque stone tools.

PMID- 27256781
TI  - Separation of plastics: The importance of kinetics knowledge in the evaluation of
      froth flotation.
AB  - Froth flotation is a promising technique to separate polymers of similar density.
      The present paper shows the need for performing kinetic tests to evaluate and
      optimize the process. In the experimental study, batch flotation tests were
      performed on samples of ABS and PS. The floated product was collected at
      increasing flotation time. Two variables were selected for modification: the
      concentration of the depressor (tannic acid) and airflow rate. The former is
      associated with the chemistry of the process and the latter with the transport of
      particles. It was shown that, like mineral flotation, plastics flotation can be
      adequately assumed as a first order rate process. The results of the kinetic
      tests showed that the kinetic parameters change with the operating conditions.
      When the depressing action is weak and the airflow rate is low, the kinetic is
      fast. Otherwise, the kinetic is slow and a variable percentage of the plastics
      never floats. Concomitantly, the time at which the maximum difference in the
      recovery of the plastics in the floated product is attained changes with the
      operating conditions. The prediction of flotation results, process evaluation and
      comparisons should be done considering the process kinetics. 

PMID- 27256782
TI  - Improving biogas quality and methane yield via co-digestion of agricultural and
      urban biomass wastes.
AB  - Impact of co-digestion versus mono-digestion on biogas and CH4 yield for a set of
      five biomass materials (vegetable food waste, cow dung, pig manure, grass
      clippings, and chicken manure) was investigated considering 95 different biomass
      mixes of the five materials under thermophilic conditions in bench-scale batch
      experiments over a period of 65days. Average biogas and CH4 yields were
      significantly higher during co-digestion than during mono-digestion of the same
      materials. This improvement was most significant for co-digestion experiments
      involving three biomass types, although it was independent of the specific
      biomasses being co-digested. Improvement in CH4 production was further more
      prominent early in the digestion process during co-digestion compared to mono
      digestion. Co-digestion also appeared to increase the ultimate CH4/CO2 ratio of
      the gas produced compared to mono-digestion although this tendency was relatively
      weak and not statistically significant. 

PMID- 27256783
TI  - A solvent-free approach to extract the lipid fraction from sewer grease for
      biodiesel production.
AB  - Fats, oils and greases (FOG) are the number one cause of sewer pipe blockage and
      have been mostly disposed of as a waste until recently. This study investigated a
      low cost and environmentally friendly approach to extract the lipid fraction
      (fatty acids and glycerides for biodiesel production) from sewer grease (SG),
      i.e., FOGs obtained from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The lipid fraction
      of the sewer grease was primarily in the form of free fatty acid (FFA), at
      20.7wt%. An innovative solvent-free extraction approach was developed using waste
      cooking oil (WCO) to overcome the challenges of emulsion, impurities and high
      moisture content of the sewer grease. A 95% extraction yield of sewer grease was
      achieved under the optimum operating condition of 3.2:1 WCO-SG ratio (wt/wt), 70
      degrees C and 240min. In addition, the reusability of the WCO was also
      investigated. WCO can be used two to three times for sewer grease extraction with
      more than 90% extraction efficiency. 

PMID- 27256784
TI  - Posterior curve correction using convex posterior hemi-interbody arthrodesis in
      skeletally immature patients with scoliosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Deformity progression after posterior fusion in skeletally
      immature patients with scoliosis has remained a topic of debate. It occurs when
      the anterior segment of the apical zone continues to grow after successful
      posterior fusion, resulting in progressive bending and rotation of the vertebral
      bodies. For this reason, circumferential fusion using a combined anterior
      posterior approach has been used to prevent this occurrence. PURPOSE: The aim of
      this study was to report instrumented spinal fusion with convex hemi-interbody
      arthrodesis using a posterior-only approach in Risser stage 0 or 1 scoliosis
      patients. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. PATIENT SAMPLE: Three
      patients presenting scoliosis in Risser stage 0 or 1 were enrolled. OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Postoperative correction rate, bone union, and pulmonary function were
      examined. METHODS: Premenarchal girls aged 11.3-12.2 years underwent surgical
      procedure. Follow-up after surgery was on 25, 30, and 36 months. The surgical
      procedure included soft tissue, costotransverse ligament and facet releases, and
      Ponte osteotomies. Discectomy followed by intervertebral bone grafting were
      performed across the periapical zone on the convex side. After placement of
      segmental pedicle screws, deformity correction was achieved by rod derotation,
      cantilever reduction, direct vertebral derotation distraction and compression
      technique. RESULTS: Preoperative thoracic Cobb angle measured 81 degrees  (range
      64-107), which improved to 23 degrees  at final follow-up, resulting in a 72%
      correction. Solid posterior bony fusion was achieved in all cases at final follow
      up. No case showed deterioration of axial rotation at the apex radiographically.
      Postoperative pulmonary function showed increases in forced vital capacity
      (preoperation: 1.86+/-0.2L; at 2 years: 2.48+/-0.1L) and forced expiratory volume
      in 1 second (preoperation: 1.58+/-0.2L; at 2 years: 2.11+/-0.1L). CONCLUSIONS:
      This posterior-only procedure should be considered a suitable option in
      skeletally immature scoliosis patients where circumferential fusion is indicated
      and avoiding an anterior thoracotomy is preferable.

PMID- 27256785
TI  - Sacral extradural arachnoid cyst in association with split cord malformation.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Split cord malformation (SCM) is a congenital disease that
      can be associated with other spinal anomalies. Few cases of concurrent intradural
      arachnoid cyst and SCM have been sporadically reported; however, sacral
      extradural arachnoid cyst (SEAC) with SCM is very rare. PURPOSE: The report
      describes our experience with simultaneous surgery in patients with concurrent
      SEAC and SCM in an effort to document the treatment of the rare spinal
      concomitant anomalies. STUDY DESIGN: The present study is designed as a case
      series. PATIENT SAMPLE: This is a continuous series of patients with coexisting
      SCM and SEAC who were presented to our institution. OUTCOME MEASURES: The lower
      extremities weakness and deformity, radiological imaging, urodynamic tests, and
      surgical aspects of the patient population are documented. METHODS: Cases with
      concomitant anomalies were consecutively enrolled among 73 patients who were
      operated on for SCM between 2008 and 2014. Clinical data and surgical findings
      were prospectively filed and retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: There were seven
      patients (2 boys and 5 girls), with age ranging from 18 to 119 months (mean:
      56.71+/-39.49). Type I SCM was detected in six cases, and type II SCM was
      detected in one case. Tethering of the cord was detected in all seven patients,
      and six patients (85.7%) had syrinx formation rostral to the level of SCM. All
      patients had at least one kind of urological dysfunctions manifesting as
      neurogenic bladder. On surgery, fistulous orifice of the meningeal cyst was found
      and ligated in six cases, and the other one was repaired via sealing the cyst
      walls as near as possible to the thecal sac. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with
      symptomatic SCM, the signs of concurrent SEAC may be masqueraded by the former
      condition. It would be impossible to attribute a given sign, particularly
      urological signs, to either SCM or SEAC. Whatever the sign and nature, both
      conditions are better to be managed surgically in one session under a single
      anesthesia to prevent duplicate complications of further anesthesia and
      interventions in scar tissue.

PMID- 27256786
TI  - Corrigendum to "The development of an estimation model for energy expenditure
      during water walking by acceleration and walking speed" [J. Sci. Med. Sport 17
      (1) (2014) 96-101].

PMID- 27256787
TI  - Validation of the SenseWear Mini activity monitor in 5-12-year-old children.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to validate SenseWear Mini software algorithm
      versions 2.2 (SW2.2) and 5.2 (SW5.2) for estimating energy expenditure (EE) in
      children. DESIGN: Laboratory-based validation study. METHODS: 57 children aged 5
      12 y completed a protocol involving 15 semi-structured sedentary (SED), light
      intensity (LPA), and moderate- to vigorous-intensity (MVPA) physical activities.
      EE was estimated using portable indirect calorimetry (IC). The accuracy of EE
      estimates (kcal.min-1) from SW2.2 and SW5.2 were examined at the group level and
      individual level using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), Bland-Altman
      plots and equivalence testing. RESULTS: MAPE values were lower for SW5.2 (30.1+/
      10.7%) than for SW2.2 (44.0+/-6.2%). Although mean differences for SW5.2 were
      smaller than for SW2.2 during SED (-0.23+/-0.22 vs. -0.61+/-0.20kcal.min-1), LPA
      (-0.69+/-0.76 vs. -1.07+/-0.46kcal.min-1) and MVPA (-2.22+/-1.15 vs. -2.57+/
      1.15kcal.min-1), limits of agreement did not decrease for the updated algorithms.
      For all activities, SW2.2 and SW5.2 were not equivalent to IC (p>0.05). Errors
      increased with increasing intensity. CONCLUSION: The current SenseWear Mini
      algorithms SW5.2 underestimated EE. The overall improved accuracy for SW5.2 was
      not accompanied with improved accuracy at the individual level and EE estimates
      were not equivalent to IC.

PMID- 27256788
TI  - Postactivation potentiation of dynamic conditioning contractions on rowing sprint
      performance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study examined the post-activation potentiation effects of
      maximal dynamic contractions and gender on rowing sprint ability. DESIGN:
      Repeated measures. METHODS: Thirty-four male (n=17) and female (n=17) university
      students with experience in rowing took part in this study conducted across three
      weeks. Following familiarisation of the 10-second maximal rowing performance test
      on a rowing ergometer during Week 1, participants were randomly allocated to
      either complete a control or experimental session during Week 2 and 3. One rowing
      performance test was conducted during the control session whilst two rowing
      performance tests were conducted during the experimental session separated by 6
      min. The first rowing performance test during the experimental session was used
      to: (1) compare measures with the control session to assess day-to-day
      repeatability; and (2) induce post-activation potentiation effects for the second
      rowing performance test. RESULTS: Based on effect size calculations, results
      showed moderate-large increases for average power output (+2.5%), peak power
      output (+1.5%) and power output during first stroke (+0.79%). CONCLUSIONS:
      Maximal dynamic contractions on a rowing ergometer improved subsequent rowing
      sprint ability in recreationally experienced male and female rowers. Accordingly,
      dynamic conditioning contractions on a rowing ergometer may enhance subsequent
      sprint-start for rowing competition success.

PMID- 27256789
TI  - Mechanical alterations during interval-training treadmill runs in high-level male
      team-sport players.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine mechanical alterations during interval-training treadmill
      runs in high-level team-sport players. DESIGN: Within-participants repeated
      measures. METHODS: Twenty high-level male field-hockey players performed six 30-s
      runs at 5.53+/-0.19ms-1 corresponding to 115% of their velocity associated with
      maximal oxygen uptake (vVO2max) with 30-s passive recovery on an instrumented
      treadmill. Continuous measurement of running kinetics/kinematics and spring-mass
      characteristics were performed and values were subsequently averaged over 20s
      (8th-28ths) for comparison. RESULTS: Contact time (+1.1+/-4.3%; p=0.044), aerial
      time (+4.1+/-5.3%; p=0.001), step length (+2.4+/-2.2%; p<0.001) along with mean
      loading rates (+7.1+/-10.6%; p=0.026) increased from the first to the last
      interval, whereas step frequency (-2.3+/-2.1%; p<0.001) decreased. Both centre of
      mass vertical displacement (+3.0+/-6.0%; p<0.001) and leg compression (+2.8+/
      9.7%; p=0.036), but not peak vertical forces (0.0+/-4.1%; p=0.761), increased
      with fatigue. Vertical stiffness decreased (-2.8+/-6.9%; p=0.012), whereas leg
      stiffness did not change across intervals (p=0.149). CONCLUSIONS: During interval
      training treadmill runs, high-level team-sport players modified their mechanical
      behaviour towards lower vertical stiffness while preserving a constant leg
      stiffness. Maintenance of running velocity induced longer step lengths and
      decreased step frequencies that were also accompanied by increased impact loading
      rates. These mechanical alterations occurred early during the set.

PMID- 27256790
TI  - Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes from the marine sediment-derived fungus Eutypella
      scoparia FS46.
AB  - Eutypellol A (1), the first norsesquiterpenoid of sequicarene family, as well as
      eutypellol B (2), a rare 7-methyl oxidized 2-carene derivative, and one new
      natural product 2-(2-hydroxy-4-methylcyclohex-3-enyl)propanoic acid (3), along
      with eight known terpenoids, were isolated from the marine sediment-derived
      fungus Eutypella scoparia FS46 collected from the South China Sea. Their
      structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis.
      Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against
      Staphylococcus aureus and cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, and SF
      268 tumor cell lines.

PMID- 27256791
TI  - Electrical Oscillations in Two-Dimensional Microtubular Structures.
AB  - Microtubules (MTs) are unique components of the cytoskeleton formed by hollow
      cylindrical structures of alphabeta tubulin dimeric units. The structural wall of
      the MT is interspersed by nanopores formed by the lateral arrangement of its
      subunits. MTs are also highly charged polar polyelectrolytes, capable of
      amplifying electrical signals. The actual nature of these electrodynamic
      capabilities remains largely unknown. Herein we applied the patch clamp technique
      to two-dimensional MT sheets, to characterize their electrical properties.
      Voltage-clamped MT sheets generated cation-selective oscillatory electrical
      currents whose magnitude depended on both the holding potential, and ionic
      strength and composition. The oscillations progressed through various modes
      including single and double periodic regimes and more complex behaviours, being
      prominent a fundamental frequency at 29 Hz. In physiological K(+) (140 mM),
      oscillations represented in average a 640% change in conductance that was also
      affected by the prevalent anion. Current injection induced voltage oscillations,
      thus showing excitability akin with action potentials. The electrical
      oscillations were entirely blocked by taxol, with pseudo Michaelis-Menten
      kinetics and a KD of ~1.29 MUM. The findings suggest a functional role of the
      nanopores in the MT wall on the genesis of electrical oscillations that offer new
      insights into the nonlinear behaviour of the cytoskeleton.

PMID- 27256792
TI  - Head growth in fetuses with isolated congenital heart defects: lack of influence
      of aortic arch flow and ascending aorta oxygen saturation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are reported to be associated with a
      smaller fetal head circumference (HC) and neurodevelopmental delay. Recent
      studies suggest that altered intrauterine brain hemodynamics may explain these
      findings. Our objectives were to evaluate the pattern of head growth in a large
      cohort of fetuses with various types of CHD, analyze these patterns according to
      the type of CHD and estimate the effect of cerebral hemodynamics with advancing
      gestation in the second and third trimesters. METHODS: Singleton fetuses with an
      isolated CHD were selected from three fetal medicine units (n = 436). Cases with
      placental insufficiency or genetic syndromes were excluded. CHD types were
      clustered according to the flow and oxygen saturation in the aorta. Z-scores of
      biometric data were constructed using growth charts of a normal population. HC at
      different gestational ages was evaluated and univariate and multivariate mixed
      regression analyses were performed to examine the patterns of prenatal HC growth.
      RESULTS: Fetuses with severe and less severe types of CHD demonstrated
      statistically significant HC growth restriction with increasing gestational age
      (slope of -0.017/day); however, there was no statistically significant effect of
      fetal hemodynamics on HC growth. Fetuses with CHD but normal brain oxygenation
      and normal aortic flow showed a significant decrease in HC growth (slope of 
      0.024/day). Only fetuses with isolated tetralogy of Fallot demonstrated a smaller
      HC z-score at 20 weeks of gestation (-0.67 (95% CI, -1.16 to -0.18)).
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite the decline in head growth in fetuses with a prenatally
      detected isolated CHD, HC values were within the normal range, raising the
      question of its clinical significance. Furthermore, in contrast to other studies,
      this large cohort did not establish a significant correlation between aortic flow
      or oxygen saturation and HC growth. Factors other than altered fetal cerebral
      hemodynamics may contribute to HC growth restriction with increasing gestational
      age, such as (epi)genetic or placental factors. Copyright (c) 2016 ISUOG.
      Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27256793
TI  - 8-isoprostanes and resistin as markers of vascular damage in non-hypersomnolent
      obstructive sleep apnoea patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and inflammation are assumed as the main
      pathological triggers for vascular damage in hypersomnolent obstructive sleep
      apnoea (OSA) patients, whereas their exact role in less symptomatic population is
      currently unknown. AIM: To determine whether oxidative stress (urinary 8
      isoprostane concentration) and inflammation (plasma resistin levels) are
      associated with vascular damage in non-hypersomnolent (Epworth Sleep Score <11)
      OSA patients. METHODS: A total of 325 consecutive patients have undergone
      standard polysomnography, and 256 of them were diagnosed with OSA. Excessive
      daytime sleepiness was assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Only 86
      patients with ESS <11 participated in the study. The control group was presented
      by 45 subjects without OSA. Endothelial function was assessed by ultrasonographic
      measurement of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Intima-media thickness (IMT) and
      ankle-brachial index (ABI) were determined by ultrasonography. Urinary 8
      isoprostanes (Cayman Chemical, USA) were measured, applying mass spectrometry.
      Resistin (RayBio_ Human ResistinCat#:ELH-Resistin-001) plasma levels were
      detected by ELISA. RESULTS: In patients with OSA, flow-mediated dilatation was
      significantly lower than in control subjects (4.62% +/-1.9) and (7.1% +/-2.8),
      respectively (P: 0.013). The prevalence of plaques in a.carotis communis was
      higher in OSA (16% versus 4%). The same is observed regarding a.tibialis
      posterior (81% vs. 29%). The average IMT and ABI in OSA and in the control group
      were, respectively, (IMT - 800 um versus. 666 um); (ABI -1.06 versus 1.20).
      Urinary isoprostanes were higher in OSA patients (0.091 versus 0.078) and
      correlated negatively to FMD (r: -0.825, P: 0.00), IMT (r: -0.324, P: 0.003) and
      ABI (r: -0.226, P: 0.043). No association between resistin and the degree of
      vascular injury was found. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with the control group,
      increased prevalence of endothelial dysfunction and vascular damage was
      established in OSA patients without excessive daytime sleepiness. Urinary 8
      isoprostanes (oxidative stress markers) are closely associated with FMD
      (endothelial dysfunction), IMT and ABI (vascular damage). Resistin plasma levels
      correlated neither to FMD, nor to IMT or ABI.

PMID- 27256794
TI  - Eco-evolutionary dynamics of social dilemmas.
AB  - Social dilemmas are an integral part of social interactions. Cooperative actions,
      ranging from secreting extra-cellular products in microbial populations to
      donating blood in humans, are costly to the actor and hence create an incentive
      to shirk and avoid the costs. Nevertheless, cooperation is ubiquitous in nature.
      Both costs and benefits often depend non-linearly on the number and types of
      individuals involved-as captured by idioms such as 'too many cooks spoil the
      broth' where additional contributions are discounted, or 'two heads are better
      than one' where cooperators synergistically enhance the group benefit.
      Interaction group sizes may depend on the size of the population and hence on
      ecological processes. This results in feedback mechanisms between ecological and
      evolutionary processes, which jointly affect and determine the evolutionary
      trajectory. Only recently combined eco-evolutionary processes became
      experimentally tractable in microbial social dilemmas. Here we analyse the
      evolutionary dynamics of non-linear social dilemmas in settings where the
      population fluctuates in size and the environment changes over time. In
      particular, cooperation is often supported and maintained at high densities
      through ecological fluctuations. Moreover, we find that the combination of the
      two processes routinely reveals highly complex dynamics, which suggests common
      occurrence in nature.

PMID- 27256795
TI  - Papular purpuric gloves and socks syndrome.

PMID- 27256797
TI  - Health-related quality of life after treatment for neoplasia of the major
      salivary glands: a pilot study.
AB  - Treatment of malignancy of the salivary glands risks damage to the cranial
      nerves, and clinicians' traditional view has been that this will result in
      adverse effects on physical function and subsequent health-related quality of
      life (QoL). Preservation of nerves has been advocated to lessen this impact, but
      we know of no evidence that sacrifice of the facial nerve has any effect on
      subsequent QoL. We collected data prospectively before and after operation for
      all malignancies of the major salivary glands treated over five years using two
      health-related QoL questionnaires: the University of Washington Quality of Life
      Questionnaire and the Patient Concerns Inventory. Fifteen of17 eligible patients
      fulfilled the inclusion criteria by having assessments completed both before and
      after operation. Scores for QoL after treatment of cancer of the submandibular
      gland dropped at six months, but had resolved to more than 80% of the
      pretreatment score by a year, with the exception of the domains taste and saliva.
      The four patients who had weakness of the facial nerve after treatment had
      appreciable reductions in the physical function components of the QoL domains,
      but no significant reduction in the social-emotional domains. Use of the Patient
      Concerns Inventory enables tailoring of services towards those clinicians who a
      patient feels are potentially most likely to help alleviate factors that have an
      adverse effect on QoL. Sacrifice of the facial nerve in malignant parotid gland
      disease results in a considerable reduction in functional health-related QoL
      scores. Methods to ensure clearance of the tumour while limiting the effects on
      facial nerve function should always be considered. 

PMID- 27256796
TI  - Chondrogenesis by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown in chondrocyte
      conditioned medium for auricular reconstruction.
AB  - Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can be obtained by minimally
      invasive means and would be a favourable source for cell-based cartilage
      regeneration. However, controlling the differentiation of the BMSCs towards the
      desired chondrogenic pathway has been a challenge hampering their application.
      The major aim of the present study was to determine if conditioned medium
      collected from cultured auricular chondrocytes could promote chondrogenic
      differentiation of BMSCs. Auricular chondrocytes were isolated and grown in BMSC
      standard culture medium (SM) that was collected and used as chondrocyte
      conditioned medium (CCM). The BMSCs were expanded in either CCM or SM for three
      passages. Cells were seeded onto fibrous collagen scaffolds and precultured for 2
      weeks with or without transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF-beta3). After
      preculture, constructs were implanted subcutaneously in nude mice for 6 and 12
      weeks and evaluated with real-time polymerase chain reaction, histology,
      immunohistochemistry and biochemistry. Real-time polymerase chain reaction
      results showed upregulation of COL2A1 in the constructs cultured in CCM compared
      with those in SM. After 12 weeks in vivo, abundant neocartilage formation was
      observed in the implants that had been cultured in CCM, with or without TGF
      beta3. In contrast, very little cartilage matrix formation was observed within
      the SM groups, regardless of the presence of TGF-beta3. Osteogenesis was only
      observed in the SM group with TGF-beta3. In conclusion, CCM even had a stronger
      influence on chondrogenesis than the supplementation of the standard culture
      medium with TGF-beta3, without signs of endochondral ossification. Efficient
      chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs could provide a promising alternative cell
      population for auricular regeneration. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27256798
TI  - Bone carrier technique with disposable syringe.

PMID- 27256799
TI  - Guerin sign in midfacial fractures.
AB  - We report a patient with multiple fractures of the midface and Guerin sign
      bilaterally after maxillofacial trauma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the
      first time that this rare presentation of Guerin sign has been published.

PMID- 27256800
TI  - Third molar consent forms: how comprehensive should they be?
AB  - To establish a gold standard for the information given to patients about the
      risks associated with third molar extractions, we surveyed 79 oral and
      maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) to find out what information they gave to patients
      during the consent process. We also surveyed 62 medicolegal solicitors to find
      out what information they thought patients should be given before the procedure,
      and in what form. A total of 20/76 OMFS (26%) used a two-stage process to obtain
      consent; 13 (17%) included paraesthesia on the consent form and also gave out an
      information leaflet. All the lawyers agreed that patients should give their
      consent in writing and thought that the risk of paraesthesia should be included
      on the form. Three-quarters thought that they should also be given an information
      leaflet that includes paraesthesia. We encourage surgeons to do this as part of
      the two-stage consent process. 

PMID- 27256801
TI  - Coronectomy of mandibular teeth other than third molars: a case series.
AB  - Coronectomy is gaining popularity for the management of mandibular third molars
      that pose a risk of injury to the inferior dental nerve, as it considerably
      reduces the risk when compared with extraction. The technique could also be
      beneficial to other teeth. We report 17 patients who had coronectomy of
      mandibular teeth that were not third molars. Clinical and radiographic follow up
      for a median (range) of 12 (1-79) months showed satisfactory healing and no
      transient or permanent injury to the nerve. None of the retained roots have
      required retrieval. 

PMID- 27256802
TI  - Botulinum toxin used to treat recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular
      joint in a patient with osteoporosis.
AB  - Recurrent dislocations of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be debilitating.
      We describe a patient with osteoporosis who presented to our regional centre
      where we have limited resources. We injected botulinum toxin into both of her
      lateral pterygoid muscles, and six months later she has not required further
      injections and has had no issues with tolerance of the procedure. Botulinum toxin
      is a safe, conservative approach to recurrent dislocations of the TMJ and can be
      given accurately by an experienced surgeon without the use of an electromyogram.

PMID- 27256803
TI  - Induction of the 5S RNP-Mdm2-p53 ribosomal stress pathway delays the initiation
      but fails to eradicate established murine acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Mutations resulting in constitutive activation of signaling pathways that
      regulate ribosome biogenesis are among the most common genetic events in acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML). However, whether ribosome biogenesis presents as a
      therapeutic target to treat AML remains unexplored. Perturbations in ribosome
      biogenesis trigger the 5S ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP)-Mdm2-p53 ribosomal
      stress pathway, and induction of this pathway has been shown to have therapeutic
      efficacy in Myc-driven lymphoma. In the current study we address the
      physiological and therapeutic role of the 5S RNP-Mdm2-p53 pathway in AML. By
      utilizing mice that have defective ribosome biogenesis due to downregulation of
      ribosomal protein S19 (Rps19), we demonstrate that induction of the 5S RNP-Mdm2
      p53 pathway significantly delays the initiation of AML. However, even a severe
      Rps19 deficiency that normally results in acute bone marrow failure has no
      consistent efficacy on already established disease. Finally, by using mice that
      harbor a mutation in the Mdm2 gene disrupting its binding to 5S RNP, we show that
      loss of the 5S RNP-Mdm2-p53 pathway is dispensable for development of AML. Our
      study suggests that induction of the 5S RNP-Mdm2-p53 ribosomal stress pathway
      holds limited potential as a single-agent therapy in the treatment of AML.

PMID- 27256804
TI  - Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of ethanol extract of Cassia fistula fruit
      in hyperlipidemic mice.
AB  - CONTEXT: The plant Cassia fistula L. (Caesalpiniaceae) fruit was widely used by
      traditional practitioners to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in India.
      Hyperlipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder and the major risk factor for the
      development of CVDs. Although most of the current hypolipidemic drugs are
      expensive and have potential side effects, the research focusing on natural
      alternative medicines is relevant. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypolipidemic
      and antioxidant effects of ethanol extract of C. fistula fruit (CFE) in high-fat
      diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral
      administration of CFE at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight on HFD induced
      hyperlipidemia mice for 30 days. The standard drug atorvastatin (20 mg/kg) was
      used to compare the efficacy of CFE. Hypolipidemic effect was evidenced by the
      measurement of serum lipid profile and further confirmed by Oil Red O staining of
      adipose tissue. The hepatic and cardiac melondialdehyde (MDA) level and
      antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase, catalase and
      glutathione peroxidase were determined. RESULTS: Treatment with CFE at different
      doses has significantly restored the levels of serum lipid, MDA and enzymes
      activities in the liver and heart of hyperlipidemia mice. Oil Red O staining of
      visceral adipose tissue has shown marked reduction of lipid accumulation in
      adipocytes; whereas, administration of CFE at 500 mg/kg showed remarkable (p <
      0.001) hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects in HFD fed mice. CONCLUSION: C.
      fistula fruit demonstrated hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties in vivo and
      the results corroborate the use of this plant in traditional medicine for cardiac
      ailments.

PMID- 27256805
TI  - Nanomechanical probing of the layer/substrate interface of an exfoliated InSe
      sheet on sapphire.
AB  - Van der Waals (vdW) layered crystals and heterostructures have attracted
      substantial interest for potential applications in a wide range of emerging
      technologies. An important, but often overlooked, consideration in the
      development of implementable devices is phonon transport through the structure
      interfaces. Here we report on the interface properties of exfoliated InSe on a
      sapphire substrate. We use a picosecond acoustic technique to probe the phonon
      resonances in the InSe vdW layered crystal. Analysis of the nanomechanics
      indicates that the InSe is mechanically decoupled from the substrate and thus
      presents an elastically imperfect interface. A high degree of phonon isolation at
      the interface points toward applications in thermoelectric devices, or the
      inclusion of an acoustic transition layer in device design. These findings
      demonstrate basic properties of layered structures and so illustrate the
      usefulness of nanomechanical probing in nanolayer/nanolayer or
      nanolayer/substrate interface tuning in vdW heterostructures.

PMID- 27256806
TI  - Evidence and Access to Biomedical Interventions: The Case of Stem Cell
      Treatments.
AB  - The controversy over patients' access to stem cell interventions is familiar to
      scholars of the drug regulatory system and the politics of evidence-based
      medicine. What counts as evidence of a biomedical intervention's safety and
      effectiveness? Who should define and assess safety and effectiveness, and how? In
      the first section of the paper we describe the types of stem cells that may be
      therapeutically effective. We then describe how the US Food and Drug
      Administration asserted regulatory authority over certain stem cell interventions
      and the legal challenge to the agency's actions. Next, we place the debate about
      patients' access to stem cell interventions in the broader context of efforts in
      the US to promote and implement health technology assessment and the debate about
      standards of evidence. We then review several proposed initiatives to get stem
      cell and other new biomedical interventions into the clinic faster and consider
      the extent to which these policies can resolve the underlying conflicts about
      evidentiary standards for clinical use. Finally, we consider whether efforts to
      expedite access to biomedical technologies may undermine countervailing efforts
      to improve the safety and effectiveness of stem cell interventions.

PMID- 27256807
TI  - Medicaid Expansion: A Tale of Two Governors.
AB  - This is a study of why two seemingly similar governors made divergent decisions
      on expanding Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
      Performing a case study of Governors John Kasich (OH) and Scott Walker (WI), I
      explore the roles played by electoral pressures, political party, governor's
      ideology, the state's policy heritage, stakeholder advocacy, and the economy in
      each governor's decision about whether to expand Medicaid. Electoral pressure was
      the most significant factor for both governors. I demonstrate that even Walker
      succumbed to state electoral pressures and expanded Medicaid, albeit in a manner
      unique to Wisconsin. He did this despite his emphatic national rhetoric rejecting
      Obamacare and expansion. Additionally, existing state political institutions
      drove each governor to decide in a manner unique to his state: previous Medicaid
      decisions in Wisconsin and direct democracy in Ohio provided additional pressures
      and divergent starting points. The remaining factors served less as a driving
      force behind the decision and more as a frame to justify the decision ex post
      facto. Case studies allow for a more complex view of how political pressures fit
      together; differences can be explained and expanded, and an enhanced
      understanding of political processes can be gleaned.

PMID- 27256808
TI  - What Is the Value of Value-Based Purchasing?
AB  - Value-based purchasing (VBP) is a widely favored strategy for improving the US
      health care system. The meaning of value that predominates in VBP schemes is (1)
      conformance to selected process and/or outcome metrics, and sometimes (2) such
      conformance at the lowest possible cost. In other words, VBP schemes choose some
      number of "quality indicators" and financially incent providers to meet them (and
      not others). Process measures are usually based on clinical science that cannot
      determine the effects of a process on individual patients or patients with
      comorbidities, and do not necessarily measure effects that patients value;
      additionally, there is no provision for different patients valuing different
      things. Proximate outcome measures may or may not predict distal ones, and the
      more distal the outcome, the less reliably it can be attributed to health care.
      Outcome measures may be quite rudimentary, such as mortality rates, or highly
      contestable: survival or function after prostate surgery? When cost is an element
      of value-based purchasing, it is the cost to the value-based payer and not to
      other payers or patients' families. The greatest value of value-based purchasing
      may not be to patients or even payers, but to policy makers seeking a morally
      justifiable alternative to politically contested regulatory policies.

PMID- 27256809
TI  - Market Conditions and Performance in the Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Rating.
AB  - Previous studies have documented that market conditions affect nursing home
      performance; however, the evidence is inconsistent and conflicting. This study
      introduces three groups of county market conditions and a peer effect variable,
      and tests their impacts on the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) Five-Star overall
      rating. Indiana nursing home data and county characteristics are taken mainly
      from the NHC and Census Bureau websites. The result of the ordered logistic
      regression analysis indicates that nursing homes in excess demand markets, namely
      those that are highly concentrated and have fewer nursing homes, tend to perform
      better than their counterparts in both excess supply and balanced markets. In
      addition, a peer effect variable, measured as the average overall rating of the
      competitors, promotes performance improvement. These findings imply that small
      markets enable consumers to be well informed about a provider's reputation for
      quality, consequently enhancing performance. Furthermore, not only consumers but
      also providers seem to seek performance information on the report card to
      understand their relative position in the market, which thus affects their market
      strategies and subsequently performance.

PMID- 27256810
TI  - A Corporate Veto on Health Policy? Global Constitutionalism and Investor-State
      Dispute Settlement.
AB  - The importance of trade and investment agreements for health is now widely
      acknowledged in the literature, with much attention now focused on the impact of
      investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms. However, much of the
      analysis of such agreements in the health field remains largely descriptive. We
      theorize the implications of ISDS mechanisms for health policy by integrating the
      concept of global constitutionalism with veto point theory. It is argued that
      attempts to constitutionalize investment law, through a proliferation of
      International Investment Agreements (IIAs), has created a series of new veto
      points at which corporations may seek to block new policies aimed at protecting
      or enhancing public health. The multiplicity of new veto points in this global
      "spaghetti bowl" of IIAs creates opportunities for corporations to venue shop;
      that is, to exploit the agreements, and associated veto points, through which
      they are most likely to succeed in blocking or deterring new regulation. These
      concepts are illustrated with reference to two case studies of investor-state
      disputes involving a transnational tobacco company, but the implications of the
      analysis are of equal relevance for a range of other industries and health
      issues.

PMID- 27256811
TI  - Effects of Competing Narratives on Public Perceptions of Opioid Pain Reliever
      Addiction during Pregnancy.
AB  - Opioid pain reliever addiction has increased among women of reproductive age over
      the last fifteen years. News media and public attention have focused on the
      implications of this trend for infants exposed to opioids prenatally, with state
      policy responses varying in the extent to which they are punitive or public
      health oriented. We fielded a six-group randomized experiment among a nationally
      representative sample of US adults to test the effects of narratives portraying a
      woman with opioid pain reliever addiction during pregnancy on beliefs about
      people addicted to opioid pain relievers, perceptions of treatment effectiveness,
      policy attitudes, and emotional responses. Portraying a high socioeconomic status
      (SES) woman in the narrative lowered perceptions of individual blame for
      addiction and reduced public support for punitive policies. Depicting the
      barriers to treatment faced by a low SES woman lowered support for punitive
      policies and increased support for expanded insurance coverage for treatment. The
      extent to which narratives portraying successfully treated addiction affected
      public attitudes depended on the SES of the woman portrayed. These findings can
      inform the development of communication strategies to reduce stigma toward this
      population, reduce support for punitive policies, and increase support for more
      public health-oriented approaches to addressing this problem.

PMID- 27256813
TI  - Imaging mass spectrometry for accessing molecular changes during burn wound
      healing.
AB  - The spatiotemporal analysis of the proteomic profile during human wound healing
      is a critical investigative step that can establish the complex interplay of
      molecular events that comprise the local response to burn injury. Partial
      thickness wound samples with adjacent "normal" skin were collected from twenty
      one patients with burn wounds and examined across a time spectrum ranging from
      the acute injury period at 3, 6, 11 days to the later hypertrophic scar period at
      7 and 15 months. The techniques used for histology-directed tissue analyses
      highlighted inflammatory protein markers at the early time points after injury
      with diminished expression as burn wounds progressed into the proliferative
      phase. The datasets show the usefulness of MALDI MS and imaging mass spectrometry
      as discovery approaches to identify and map the cutaneous molecular sequence that
      is activated in response to the unique systemic inflammatory response following
      burn trauma. This information has the potential to define the unique factors that
      predispose human burn victims to disfiguring hypertrophic scar formation.

PMID- 27256812
TI  - Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of a Drug Transporter Cocktail Consisting of Digoxin,
      Furosemide, Metformin, and Rosuvastatin.
AB  - This article reports the clinical investigation of a probe drug cocktail
      containing substrates of key drug transporters. Single oral doses of 0.25 mg
      digoxin (P-gp), 5 mg furosemide (OAT1 and OAT3), 500 mg metformin (OCT2, MATE1,
      and MATE2-K), and 10 mg rosuvastatin (OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and BCRP) were
      administered separately or as a cocktail in a randomized six-period crossover
      trial in 24 healthy male volunteers. As a cocktail, relative bioavailabilities of
      digoxin and metformin and furosemide AUC0-tz were similar to separate dosing.
      However, when administered as a cocktail the Cmax of furosemide was 19.1% lower
      and the Cmax and AUC0-tz of rosuvastatin were 38.6% and 43.4% higher,
      respectively. In addition, the effects of increased doses of metformin or
      furosemide on the cocktail were investigated in 11 and 12 subjects, respectively.
      The cocktail explored in this trial has the potential to be used for the in vivo
      screening of transporter-mediated drug-drug interactions. (c) 2016 American
      Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 

PMID- 27256814
TI  - Relative Brain Size Is Not Correlated with Display Complexity in Manakins: A
      Reanalysis of Lindsay et al. (2015).

PMID- 27256816
TI  - Women's Lifestyle Physical Activity Program for African American Women: Fidelity
      Plan and Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For interventions to be implemented effectively, fidelity must be
      documented. We evaluated fidelity delivery, receipt, and enactment of the 48-week
      Women's Lifestyle Physical Activity Program conducted to increase physical
      activity and maintain weight in African American women. METHODS: Three study
      conditions all received 6 group meetings; 1 also received 11 motivational
      interviewing personal calls (PCs), 1 received11 automated motivational message
      calls (ACs), and 1 received no calls. Group meeting delivery was assessed for
      adherence and competence. PC delivery was assessed with the Motivational
      Interviewing Treatment Integrity Code. Receipt was defined as group meeting
      attendance, completion of PCs, and listening to ACs. Enactment was number of
      weeks an accelerometer was worn. RESULTS: For group meeting delivery, mean
      adherence was 80.8% and mean competence 2.9 of 3.0. Delivery of PCs did not reach
      criterion for competence. Receipt of more than one-half the dose was achieved for
      84.9% of women for group meetings, 85.5% for PCs, and 42.1% for ACs. Higher group
      meeting attendance was associated with higher accelerometer steps at 24 weeks and
      lower BMI at 24 and 48 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Fidelity measurement and examination
      of intervention delivery, receipt, and enactment are important to explicate
      conditions in which interventions are successful.

PMID- 27256817
TI  - Editorial: Older Driver Research. Evidence to Guide Change.

PMID- 27256815
TI  - Divergence and Conservation of the Major UPR Branch IRE1-bZIP Signaling Pathway
      across Eukaryotes.
AB  - The unfolded protein response (UPR) is crucial to life by regulating the cellular
      response to the stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) imposed by abiotic and
      biotic cues such as heat shock and viral infection. The inositol requiring enzyme
      1 (IRE1) signaling pathway activated by the IRE1-mediated unconventional splicing
      of HAC1 in yeast, bZIP60 in plants and XBP1 in metazoans, is the most ancient
      branch of the UPR. In this study, we systematically examined yeast IRE1p-HAC1,
      plant IRE1A/IRE1B-bZIP60 and human hIRE1-XBP1 pairs. We found that, unlike
      bZIP60, XBP1 is unable to functionally swap HAC1p in yeast, and that the inter
      species heterotypic interactions among HAC1p, bZIP60 and XBP1 are not permitted.
      These data demonstrate evolutionary divergence of the downstream signaling of
      IRE1-bZIP. We also discovered that the dual cytosolic domains of plant IRE1s act
      in vivo in a mechanism consistent with IRE1p and hIRE1, and that plant IRE1B not
      only interacts with IRE1p but also forms typical IRE1 dynamic foci in yeast.
      Thus, the upstream components of the IRE1 signaling branch including IRE1
      activation and action mechanisms are highly conserved. Taken together these data
      advance the molecular understanding of evolutionary divergence and conservation
      of the IRE1 signaling pathway across kingdoms.

PMID- 27256818
TI  - [Editorial : Recherche sur la conduite automobile des personnes agees : des
      preuves afin de guider le changement].

PMID- 27256819
TI  - Attitudes: Mediators of the Relation between Health and Driving in Older Adults.
AB  - We examined the relations between perceived health (e.g., self-perceived health
      status) and driving self-regulatory practices (e.g., frequency of driving,
      avoiding challenging driving situations) as mediated by driving attitudes and
      perceptions (i.e., driving comfort, positive and negative attitudes towards
      driving) in data collected for 928 drivers aged 70 and older enrolled in the
      Candrive II study. We observed that specific attitudes towards driving (e.g.,
      driving comfort, negative attitudes towards driving) mediate the relations
      between health symptoms and self-regulatory driving behaviours at baseline and
      over time. Only negative attitudes towards driving fully mediated the
      relationships between changes in perceived health symptoms and changes in driving
      behavior. Perceived health symptoms apparently influence the likelihood of
      avoiding challenging driving situations through both initial negative attitudes
      towards driving as well as changes in negative attitudes over time. Understanding
      influences on self-regulatory driving behaviours will be of benefit when
      designing interventions to enhance the safety of older drivers.

PMID- 27256820
TI  - CIHR Candrive Cohort Comparison with Canadian Household Population Holding Valid
      Driver's Licenses.
AB  - We investigated whether convenience sampling is a suitable method to generate a
      sample of older drivers representative of the older-Canadian driver population.
      Using equivalence testing, we compared a large convenience sample of older
      drivers (Candrive II prospective cohort study) to a similarly aged population of
      older Canadian drivers. The Candrive sample consists of 928 community-dwelling
      older drivers from seven metropolitan areas of Canada. The population data was
      obtained from the Canadian Community Health Survey - Healthy Aging (CCHS-HA),
      which is a representative sample of older Canadians. The data for drivers aged 70
      and older were extracted from the CCHS-HA database, for a total of 3,899 older
      Canadian drivers. Two samples were demonstrated as equivalent on socio
      demographic, health, and driving variables that we compared, but not on driving
      frequency. We conclude that convenience sampling used in the Candrive study
      created a fairly representative sample of Canadian older drivers, with a few
      exceptions.

PMID- 27256821
TI  - How is renal function 45 years after SCI?

PMID- 27256822
TI  - Text input speed in persons with cervical spinal cord injury.

PMID- 27256823
TI  - Forty-five-year follow-up on the renal function after spinal cord injury.

PMID- 27256824
TI  - Predictors of outcome for urethral injection of botulinum toxin to treat detrusor
      sphincter dyssynergia in men with spinal cord injury.

PMID- 27256826
TI  - North Atlantic Deep Water Production during the Last Glacial Maximum.
AB  - Changes in deep ocean ventilation are commonly invoked as the primary cause of
      lower glacial atmospheric CO2. The water mass structure of the glacial deep
      Atlantic Ocean and the mechanism by which it may have sequestered carbon remain
      elusive. Here we present neodymium isotope measurements from cores throughout the
      Atlantic that reveal glacial-interglacial changes in water mass distributions.
      These results demonstrate the sustained production of North Atlantic Deep Water
      under glacial conditions, indicating that southern-sourced waters were not as
      spatially extensive during the Last Glacial Maximum as previously believed. We
      demonstrate that the depleted glacial delta(13)C values in the deep Atlantic
      Ocean cannot be explained solely by water mass source changes. A greater amount
      of respired carbon, therefore, must have been stored in the abyssal Atlantic
      during the Last Glacial Maximum. We infer that this was achieved by a sluggish
      deep overturning cell, comprised of well-mixed northern- and southern-sourced
      waters.

PMID- 27256827
TI  - Use of smokeless tobacco and risk of cardiovascular disease: A systematic review
      and meta-analysis.
AB  - Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of ischaemic heart
      disease (IHD) and stroke (non-fatal and fatal) among adult ever-users of
      smokeless tobacco (ST). Design The study design involved a systematic review and
      meta-analysis of observational studies. Methods Data sources for the review
      included key electronic databases and reference lists. Studies were included
      based on design (cohort or case-control), exposure (exclusive use of ST or
      adjusted for smoking), and outcome (non-fatal and fatal IHD and stroke). Data
      extraction included reported measures of association (risk ratios (RRs) or odds
      ratios (ORs)) between ever-use of ST (current or past) and cardiovascular disease
      (CVD) outcomes among non-smokers, and other study characteristics. The Newcastle
      Ottawa scale was used to assess study quality. Summary measures were estimated
      using random effects models. Results Twenty studies were included in the meta
      analyses. Overall, significantly increased risk of IHD deaths (1.15, 95%
      confidence interval (CI: 1.01-1.30) and stroke deaths (1.39, 95% CI: 1.29-1.49)
      was found among ever-users of ST. We did not find an overall significant
      increased risk for IHD (1.14, 95% CI: 0.92-1.42) or stroke (1.01, 95% CI: 0.90
      1.13). But geographical variations were marked for IHD, with significant positive
      association in Asian studies (1.40, 95% CI: 1.01-1.95), and the INTERHEART study,
      where ST data was mainly reported from Asia (2.23, 95% CI: 1.41-3.53). European
      studies did not show an increased risk for non-fatal CVD. Conclusion An
      association was found between ever use of ST and risk of fatal IHD and stroke,
      consistent with previous reviews. ST consumption also appears to significantly
      increase risk of non-fatal IHD among users in Asia, but not in Europe.

PMID- 27256825
TI  - Thyroid function and cardiovascular disease risk factors in euthyroid adults: a
      cross-sectional and longitudinal study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We explored the cross-sectional and longitudinal
      associations of thyroid function within the normal range with cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) risk factors and adiposity measures. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: A
      total of 3483 (50.4% women) participants for the cross-sectional CVD study and
      1630 (41.2% women) participants for the cross-sectional body composition substudy
      were drawn from the Framingham Third Generation Exam 1; 2912 participants (50.1%
      women) for the longitudinal CVD study and 713 participants (35.9% women) for the
      longitudinal body composition substudy were drawn from the Framingham Third
      Generation Exams 1-2. Thyroid function was assessed by thyrotropin [thyroid
      stimulating hormone (TSH)] and free thyroxine (fT4) concentrations within the
      reference range at Exam 1. The associations between thyroid function and CVD risk
      factors were modelled via multivariable-adjusted regression models. Multivariable
      adjustment included age, sex, current smoking, postmenopausal status and BMI.
      RESULTS: Cross-sectionally, higher TSH concentration was associated with
      increased odds of hypertriglyceridaemia [odds ratio (OR)=1.10], and higher BMI
      (beta = 0.19 kg/m2 ), total cholesterol (beta = 0.05 mmol/l), triglycerides (beta
      = 0.0006 mmol/l) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volume (beta = 38.8 cm3 )
      (all P < 0.05). Cross-sectionally, fT4 was inversely associated with metabolic
      and adiposity-related CVD risk factors, including obesity (OR = 1.17),
      hypertriglyceridaemia (OR = 1.09), BMI (beta = 0.42 kg/m2 ), total cholesterol
      (beta = 0.05 mmol/l), triglycerides (beta = 0.0002 mmol/l), visceral adipose
      tissue (VAT) volume (beta = -20.7 cm3 ) and attenuation (0.17 HU) and VAT/SAT
      ratio (beta = -0.01) (all P < 0.05). However, during 6.1 years of follow-up,
      baseline TSH and fT4 levels were not longitudinally associated with CVD risk
      factors and adiposity measures. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid function within the normal
      range is cross-sectionally, but not longitudinally, associated with CVD risk
      factors and adiposity measures.

PMID- 27256828
TI  - Screening for atrial fibrillation in primary care: From recommendation to
      implementation.

PMID- 27256829
TI  - A Comparison of the Selectivity of Extraction of [PtCl6](2-) by Mono-, Bi-, and
      Tripodal Receptors That Address Its Outer Coordination Sphere.
AB  - Extraction and binding studies of [PtCl6](2-) are reported for 24 mono-, bi-, and
      tripodal extractants containing tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN) or tris(3
      aminopropyl)amine (TRPN) scaffolds. These reagents are designed to recognize the
      outer coordination sphere of [PtCl6](2-) and to show selectivity over chloride
      anion under acidic conditions. Extraction from 0.6 M HCl involves protonation of
      the N-center in tertiary amines containing one, two, or three urea, amide, or
      sulfonamide hydrogen-bond donors to set up the following equilibrium: 2L(org) +
      2H(+) + [PtCl6](2-) ? [(LH)2PtCl6](org). All reagents show higher Pt loading than
      trioctylamine, which was used as a positive control to represent commercial
      trialkylamine reagents. The loading of [PtCl6](2-) depends on the number of
      pendant amides in the extractant and follows the order tripodal > bipodal >
      monopodal, with urea-containing extractants outperforming amide and sulfonamide
      analogues. A different series of reagents in which one, two, or three of the
      alkyl groups in tris-2-ethylhexylamine are replaced by 3-N'-hexylpropanamide
      groups all show a comparably high affinity for [PtCl6](2-) and high selectivity
      over chloride anion in extractions from aqueous acidic solutions. (1)H NMR
      titration of three extractants [LH.Cl] with [(Oct4N)2PtCl6] in CDCl3 provides
      evidence for high selectivity for [PtCl6](2-) over chloride for tri- and bipodal
      extractants, which show higher binding constants than a monopodal analogue. 

PMID- 27256830
TI  - Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Now Part of Cardiovascular Disease Genetic
      Epidemiology Research.

PMID- 27256831
TI  - Looking for a Brighter Future in Heart Failure: A Role for Vitamin D
      Supplementation?

PMID- 27256832
TI  - Diagnostic Algorithms for Stable Chest Pain: From Opinion to Science Lessons From
      PROMISE.

PMID- 27256834
TI  - Can Fishy Odor Be a Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease?

PMID- 27256833
TI  - Plasma Trimethylamine N-Oxide, a Gut Microbe-Generated Phosphatidylcholine
      Metabolite, Is Associated With Atherosclerotic Burden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota metabolite from
      dietary phosphatidylcholine, has mechanistic links to atherosclerotic coronary
      artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis and is associated with adverse outcomes.
      OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine the relationship between plasma TMAO
      levels and the complexity and burden of CAD and degree of subclinical
      myonecrosis. METHODS: We studied 353 consecutive stable patients with evidence of
      atherosclerotic CAD detected by elective coronary angiography between 2012 and
      2014. Their high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) levels were measured.
      SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac
      Surgery) scores and lesion characteristics were used to quantify atherosclerotic
      burden. Fasting plasma TMAO was measured by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In this
      prospective cohort study, the median TMAO level was 5.5 MUM (interquartile range
      [IQR]: 3.4 to 9.8 MUM), the median SYNTAX score was 11.0 (IQR: 4.0 to 18.5), and
      289 (81.9%), 40 (11.3%), and 24 (6.8%) patients had low (0 to 22), intermediate
      (23 to 32), and high (>=33) SYNTAX scores, respectively. Plasma TMAO levels
      correlated (all p < 0.0001) with the SYNTAX score (r = 0.61), SYNTAX score II (r
      = 0.62), and hs-cTnT (r = 0.29). Adjusting for traditional risk factors, body
      mass index, medications, lesion characteristic, renal function, and high
      sensitivity C-reactive protein, elevated TMAO levels remained independently
      associated with a higher SYNTAX score (odds ratio [OR]: 4.82; p < 0.0001), SYNTAX
      score II (OR: 1.88; p = 0.0001), but were not associated with subclinical
      myonecrosis (OR: 1.14; p = 0.3147). Elevated TMAO level was an independent
      predictor of the presence of diffuse lesions, even after adjustments for
      traditional risk factors and for hs-cTnT (OR: 2.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.45
      to 2.90; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Fasting plasma TMAO levels are an independent
      predictor of a high atherosclerotic burden in patients with CAD.

PMID- 27256835
TI  - Acute Ischemic Stroke Intervention.
AB  - Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the leading cause of disability worldwide and
      among the leading causes of mortality. Although intravenous tissue plasminogen
      activator (IV-rtPA) was approved nearly 2 decades ago for treatment of AIS, only
      a minority of patients receive it due to a narrow time window for administration
      and several contraindications to its use. Endovascular approaches to
      recanalization in AIS developed in the 1980s, and recently, 5 major randomized
      trials showed an overwhelming superior benefit of combining endovascular
      mechanical thrombectomy with IV-rtPA over IV-rtPA alone. In this paper, we
      discuss the evolution of catheter-based treatment from first-generation
      thrombectomy devices to the game-changing stent retrievers, results from recent
      trials, and the evolving stroke systems of care to provide timely access to acute
      stroke intervention to patients in the United States.

PMID- 27256836
TI  - Recent Endovascular Stroke Trials and Their Impact on Stroke Systems of Care.
AB  - Five recently published randomized trials of endovascular therapy versus medical
      management, including intravenous thrombolysis, demonstrated strong positive data
      in support of intra-arterial thrombectomy procedures. The American Heart
      Association/American Stroke Association released a focused update of the 2013
      guidelines on the early management of acute ischemic strokes to specifically
      incorporate the findings of the 5 "positive" trials. In this review, we examine
      the key results of those trials and the principal changes in the updated
      guidelines. We discuss the ongoing and future changes in stroke systems of care,
      with an emphasis on the role of pre-hospital stroke triage, interhospital
      transfer, and the 2 main levels of stroke center certification (primary and
      comprehensive).

PMID- 27256837
TI  - Technical Performance Score Predicts Resource Utilization in Congenital Cardiac
      Procedures.

PMID- 27256838
TI  - Ischemia and Infarction in STEMI Patients With Multivessel Disease: Insights From
      the CvLPRIT Nuclear Substudy.

PMID- 27256839
TI  - Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Time to Stop Comparing Apples With Oranges.

PMID- 27256840
TI  - Atrial Fibrillation: Beyond the Pulmonary Veins.

PMID- 27256841
TI  - Reply: Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Time to Stop Comparing Apples With
      Oranges: Atrial Fibrillation: Beyond the Pulmonary Veins.

PMID- 27256842
TI  - Intraluminal Scaffold Dismantling: The Downside of Positive Remodeling?

PMID- 27256843
TI  - Reply: Intraluminal Scaffold Dismantling: The Downside of Positive Remodeling?

PMID- 27256844
TI  - Influence of foot-stretcher height on rowing technique and performance.
AB  - Strength, technique, and coordination are crucial to rowing performance, but
      external interventions such as foot-stretcher set-up can fine-tune technique and
      optimise power output. For the same resultant force, raising the height of foot
      stretchers on a rowing ergometer theoretically alters the orientation of the
      resultant force vector in favour of the horizontal component. This study modified
      foot-stretcher heights and examined their instantaneous effect on foot forces and
      rowing technique. Ten male participants rowed at four foot-stretcher heights on
      an ergometer that measured handle force, stroke length, and vertical and
      horizontal foot forces. Rowers were instrumented with motion sensors to measure
      ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar-pelvic kinematics. Key resultant effects of
      increased foot-stretcher heights included progressive reductions in horizontal
      foot force, stroke length, and pelvis range of motion. Raising foot-stretcher
      height did not increase the horizontal component of foot force as previously
      speculated. The reduced ability to anteriorly rotate the pelvis at the front of
      the stroke may be a key obstacle in gaining benefits from raised foot-stretcher
      heights. This study shows that small changes in athlete set-up can influence
      ergometer rowing technique, and rowers must individually fine-tune their foot
      stretcher height to optimise power transfer through the rowing stroke on an
      ergometer. 

PMID- 27256845
TI  - Radiation recall dermatitis induced by topical tacrolimus for post-irradiation
      morphea.

PMID- 27256846
TI  - The BRPF2/BRD1-MOZ complex is involved in retinoic acid-induced differentiation
      of embryonic stem cells.
AB  - The scaffold protein BRPF2 (also called BRD1), a key component of histone
      acetyltransferase complexes, plays an important role in embryonic development,
      but its function in the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) remains
      unknown. In the present study, we investigated whether BRPF2 is involved in mouse
      ESC differentiation. BRPF2 depletion resulted in abnormal formation of embryoid
      bodies, downregulation of differentiation-associated genes, and persistent
      maintenance of alkaline phosphatase activity even after retinoic acid-induced
      differentiation, indicating impaired differentiation of BRPF2-depleted ESCs. We
      also found reduced global acetylation of histone H3 lysine 14 (H3K14) in BRPF2
      depleted ESCs, irrespective of differentiation status. Further, co
      immunoprecipitation analysis revealed a physical association between BRPF2 and
      the histone acetyltransferase MOZ in differentiated ESCs, suggesting the role of
      BRPF2-MOZ complexes in ESC differentiation. Together, these results suggest that
      BRPF2-MOZ complexes play an important role in the differentiation of ESCs via
      H3K14 acetylation.

PMID- 27256847
TI  - Keeping it Ethically Real.
AB  - Many clinical ethicists have argued that ethics expertise is impossible. Their
      skeptical argument usually rests on the assumptions that to be an ethics expert
      is to know the correct moral conclusions, which can only be arrived at by having
      the correct ethical theories. In this paper, I argue that this skeptical argument
      is unsound. To wit, ordinary ethical deliberations do not require the appeal to
      ethical or meta-ethical theories. Instead, by agreeing to resolve moral
      differences by appealing to reasons, the participants agree to the Default
      Principle-a substantive rule that tells us how to adjudicate an ethical
      disagreement. The Default Principle also entails a commitment to arguments by
      parity, and together these two methodological approaches allow us to make genuine
      moral progress without assuming any deep ethical principles. Ethical expertise,
      in one sense, is thus the ability and knowledge to deploy the Default Principle
      and arguments by parity. 

PMID- 27256848
TI  - Expertise, Ethics Expertise, and Clinical Ethics Consultation: Achieving
      Terminological Clarity.
AB  - The language of ethics expertise has become particularly important in bioethics
      in light of efforts to establish the value of the clinical ethics consultation
      (CEC), to specify who is qualified to function as a clinical ethics consultant,
      and to characterize how one should evaluate whether or not a person is so
      qualified. Supporters and skeptics about the possibility of ethics expertise use
      the language of ethics expertise in ways that reflect competing views about what
      ethics expertise entails. We argue for clarity in understanding the nature of
      expertise and ethics expertise. To be an ethics expert, we argue, is to be an
      expert in knowing what ought to be done. Any attempt to articulate expertise with
      respect to knowing what ought to be done must include an account of ethics that
      specifies the nature of moral truth and the means by which we access this truth
      or a theoretical account of ethics such that expertise in another domain is
      linked to knowing or being better at judging what ought to be done and the
      standards by which this "knowing" or "being better at judging" is determined. We
      conclude with a discussion of the implications of our analysis for the literature
      on ethics expertise in CEC. We do think that there are clear domains in which a
      clinical ethics consultant might be expert but we are skeptical about the
      possibility that this includes ethics expertise. Clinical ethics consultants
      should not be referred to as ethics experts. 

PMID- 27256849
TI  - Flow Diversion for Ophthalmic Artery Aneurysms.
AB  - Endovascular treatments of ophthalmic segment aneurysms are commonly used but
      visual outcomes remain a concern. We performed a retrospective review of patients
      with carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms treated with flow diversion from June 2009 to
      June 2015. The following outcomes were studied through chart review: visual
      outcomes, complications, postoperative stroke and intraparenchymal hemorrhage,
      and clinical outcomes. Angiographic outcomes were studied with angiography and
      MRA at 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years. We evaluated 50 carotid-ophthalmic
      aneurysms in 48 patients, among whom 44 patients with 46 aneurysms underwent
      treatment. The mean clinical follow-up was 29 +/- 22 months (range, 0-65 months).
      There were no permanent adverse visual outcomes. There was 1 death because of
      late intraparenchymal hemorrhage (2.2%). Six-month angiography showed complete
      occlusion in 24 of 37 patients (64.9%), and 3-year angiography results showed
      occlusion in 24 of 25 patients (96%). In conclusion, flow diversion is a safe and
      effective treatment for carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms in carefully selected
      patients. The risk of adverse visual outcomes is low, and most aneurysms progress
      to complete occlusion.

PMID- 27256850
TI  - Endovascular Coiling of Wide-Neck and Wide-Neck Bifurcation Aneurysms: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We present the results of a systematic review and meta
      analysis examining outcomes of endovascular coiling of wide-neck and wide-neck
      bifurcation aneurysms with and without stent assistance. The aim of our study was
      to assess angiographic and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed
      a comprehensive literature search for all articles on the endovascular coiling of
      wide-neck and wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms. Studies meeting our inclusion
      criteria and abstracted data were selected by 2 independent reviewers. Primary
      outcomes were >6-month complete or near-complete angiographic occlusion, aneurysm
      recanalization, and aneurysm retreatment. Secondary outcomes included initial
      complete or near-complete occlusion, long-term good neurologic outcome, procedure
      related morbidity, and procedure-related mortality. Data were analyzed by using
      random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: In total, 38 studies including 2446
      patients with 2556 aneurysms were included. For all wide-neck aneurysms,
      immediate complete or near-complete occlusion rate was 57.4% (95% CI, 48.1%
      66.8%). Follow-up near-complete occlusion rate was 74.5% (95% CI, 68.0%-81.0%).
      Recanalization and retreatment rates were 9.4% (95% CI, 7.1%-11.7%) and 5.8% (95%
      CI, 4.1%-7.5%), respectively. Long-term good neurologic outcome was 91.4% (95%
      CI, 88.5%-94.2%). For wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, initial complete or near
      complete occlusion rate was 60.0% (95% CI, 42.7%-77.3%), long-term complete or
      near-complete occlusion rate was 71.9% (95% CI, 52.6%-91.1%), and the
      recanalization and retreatment rates were 9.8% (95% CI, 7.1%-12.5%) and 5.2% (95%
      CI, 1.9%-8.4%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study of angiographic and clinical
      outcomes for patients with wide-neck aneurysms demonstrates that endovascular
      coiling with or without stent-assisted coiling is safe, with low rates of
      perioperative morbidity and mortality. Initial and long-term angiographic
      outcomes were generally satisfactory, but not ideal. These data provide some
      baseline comparisons against which emergent technologies can be assessed.

PMID- 27256852
TI  - A Direct Aspiration, First Pass Technique (ADAPT) versus Stent Retrievers for
      Acute Stroke Therapy: An Observational Comparative Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers is now the
      standard therapy for selected patients with ischemic stroke. The technique of A
      Direct Aspiration, First Pass Technique for the Endovascular Treatment of Stroke
      (ADAPT) appears promising with a high rate of recanalization. We compared ADAPT
      versus stent retrievers (the Solitaire device) for efficacy and safety as a front
      line endovascular procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 243 consecutive
      patients with large intracranial artery occlusions of the anterior circulation,
      treated within 6 hours with mechanical thrombectomy by either ADAPT or the
      Solitaire stent. Th primary outcome was complete recanalization (modified TICI >=
      2b); secondary outcomes included complication rates and procedural and clinical
      outcomes. RESULTS: From November 2012 to June 2014, 119 patients were treated
      with stent retriever (Solitaire FR) and 124 by using the ADAPT with Penumbra
      reperfusion catheters. The median baseline NIHSS score was the same for both
      groups (Solitaire, 17 [interquartile range, 11-21] versus ADAPT, 17
      [interquartile range, 12-21]). Time from groin puncture to recanalization
      (Solitaire, 50 minutes [range, 25-80 minutes] versus ADAPT, 45 minutes [range, 27
      70 minutes], P = .42) did not differ significantly. However, compared with the
      Solitaire group, patients treated with ADAPT achieved higher final recanalization
      rates (82.3% versus 68.9%; adjusted relative risk, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02-1.37; P =
      .022), though differences in clinical outcomes between the cohorts were not
      significant. Use of an adjunctive device was more frequent in the ADAPT group
      (45.2% versus 13.5%, P < .0001). The rate of embolization in new territories or
      symptomatic hemorrhage did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: Front-line ADAPT achieved higher recanalization rates than the
      Solitaire device. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to define
      the best strategy for mechanical thrombectomy.

PMID- 27256851
TI  - Differentiation of Low- and High-Grade Gliomas Using High b-Value Diffusion
      Imaging with a Non-Gaussian Diffusion Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Imaging-based tumor grading is highly desirable but faces
      challenges in sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy. A recently
      proposed diffusion imaging method by using a fractional order calculus model
      offers a set of new parameters to probe not only the diffusion process itself but
      also intravoxel tissue structures, providing new opportunities for noninvasive
      tumor grading. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using the
      fractional order calculus model to differentiate low- from high-grade gliomas in
      adult patients and illustrate its improved performance over a conventional
      diffusion imaging method using ADC (or D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four
      adult patients (18-70 years of age) with histology-proved gliomas were enrolled
      and divided into low-grade (n = 24) and high-grade (n = 30) groups. Multi-b-value
      diffusion MR imaging was performed with 17 b-values (0-4000 s/mm(2)) and was
      analyzed by using a fractional order calculus model. Mean values and SDs of 3
      fractional order calculus parameters (D, beta, and MU) were calculated from the
      normal contralateral thalamus (as a control) and the tumors, respectively. On the
      basis of these values, the low- and high-grade glioma groups were compared by
      using a Mann-Whitney U test. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was
      performed to assess the performance of individual parameters and the combination
      of multiple parameters for low- versus high-grade differentiation. RESULTS: Each
      of the 3 fractional order calculus parameters exhibited a statistically higher
      value (P <= .011) in the low-grade than in the high-grade gliomas, whereas there
      was no difference in the normal contralateral thalamus (P >= .706). The receiver
      operating characteristic analysis showed that beta (area under the curve = 0.853)
      produced a higher area under the curve than D (0.781) or MU (0.703) and offered a
      sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 76.7%, and diagnostic accuracy of 82.1%.
      CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the feasibility of using a non-Gaussian
      fractional order calculus diffusion model to differentiate low- and high-grade
      gliomas. While all 3 fractional order calculus parameters showed statistically
      significant differences between the 2 groups, beta exhibited a better performance
      than the other 2 parameters, including ADC (or D).

PMID- 27256853
TI  - Prevalence of Intracranial Aneurysms in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies have suggested an association between
      aortic aneurysms and intracranial aneurysms with a higher prevalence of
      intracranial aneurysms in patients with aortic aneurysms. The aims of the present
      study were to evaluate the incidence of intracranial aneurysms in a large cohort
      of patients with aortic aneurysms and to identify potential risk factors for
      intracranial aneurysms in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included all
      patients with aortic aneurysms (either abdominal and/or thoracic) who had
      available cerebral arterial imaging and were seen at our institution during a 15
      year period. We identified patients with intracranial aneurysms. Patient
      demographics, comorbidities, and aortic aneurysm and intracranial aneurysm sizes
      and locations were analyzed. Univariate analysis was performed with a chi(2) test
      for categoric variables and a Student t test or ANOVA for continuous variables.
      RESULTS: A total of 1081 patients with aortic aneurysms were included. Of them,
      440 (40.7%) had abdominal aortic aneurysms, 446 (41.3%) had thoracic aortic
      aneurysms, and 195 (18.0%) had both abdominal aortic and thoracic aortic
      aneurysms. The overall prevalence of associated intracranial aneurysms in
      patients with aortic aneurysms was 11.8% (128/1081), with 12.7% (56/440), 10.8%
      (48/446), and 12.3% (24/195), respectively, in patients with abdominal aortic
      aneurysms, thoracic aortic aneurysms, and both thoracic aortic aneurysms and
      abdominal aortic aneurysms. Female patients had a higher risk of associated
      intracranial aneurysms (OR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.49-3.03; P = .0002). There was a
      slight association between abdominal aortic aneurysm size and the prevalence of
      intracranial aneurysms (OR = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03; P = .045). There was no
      significant association between the locations of the aortic and intracranial
      aneurysms (P = .93). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intracranial aneurysms is
      high in patients with aortic aneurysms. Further studies examining the role and
      cost-effectiveness of intracranial aneurysm screening in patients are warranted.

PMID- 27256854
TI  - Blood-Labyrinth Barrier Permeability in Meniere Disease and Idiopathic Sudden
      Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Findings on Delayed Postcontrast 3D-FLAIR MRI.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Meniere disease and idiopathic sudden sensorineural
      hearing loss can have overlapping clinical presentation and may have similar
      pathophysiology. Prior studies using postcontrast 3D-FLAIR MR imaging suggest
      abnormal blood-labyrinth barrier permeability in both conditions, but the 2
      diseases have not been directly compared by using the same imaging techniques. We
      hypothesized that delayed postcontrast 3D-FLAIR MR imaging would show differences
      in blood-labyrinth barrier permeability between Meniere disease and idiopathic
      sudden sensorineural hearing loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with
      unilateral Meniere disease (n = 32) and unilateral idiopathic sudden
      sensorineural hearing loss (n = 11) imaged with delayed postcontrast 3D-FLAIR MR
      imaging were retrospectively studied. Signal intensities of the medulla and
      perilymph of the cochlear basal turns of both ears in each patient were measured
      in a blinded fashion. Cochlea/medulla ratios were calculated for each ear as a
      surrogate for blood-labyrinth barrier permeability. The ears were segregated by
      clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: Cochlea/medulla ratio was higher in symptomatic ears
      of patients with Meniere disease (12.6 +/- 7.4) than in patients with idiopathic
      sudden sensorineural hearing loss (5.7 +/- 2.0) and asymptomatic ears of patients
      with Meniere disease (8.0 +/- 3.1), indicating increased blood-labyrinth barrier
      permeability in Meniere disease ears. The differences in cochlea/medulla ratio
      between symptomatic and asymptomatic ears were significantly higher in Meniere
      disease than in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Asymptomatic ears
      in patients with Meniere disease showed higher cochlea/medulla ratio than
      symptomatic and asymptomatic ears in patients with idiopathic sudden
      sensorineural hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Increased cochlea/medulla ratio
      indicates increased blood-labyrinth barrier permeability in Meniere disease
      compared with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Increased
      cochlea/medulla ratio in asymptomatic ears of patients with Meniere disease also
      suggests an underlying systemic cause of Meniere disease and may provide a
      pathophysiologic biomarker.

PMID- 27256855
TI  - Probabilistic Fiber-Tracking Reveals Degeneration of the Contralateral Auditory
      Pathway in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vestibular schwannomas cause progressive hearing loss by
      direct damage to the vestibulocochlear nerve. The cerebral mechanisms of
      degeneration or plasticity are not well-understood. Therefore, the goal of our
      study was to show the feasibility of probabilistic fiber-tracking of the auditory
      pathway in patients with vestibular schwannomas and to compare the ipsi- and
      contralateral volume and integrity, to test differences between the hemispheres.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with vestibular schwannomas were
      investigated before surgery. Diffusion-weighted imaging (25 directions) was
      performed on a 3T MR imaging system. Probabilistic tractography was performed for
      3 partial sections of the auditory pathway. Volume and fractional anisotropy were
      determined and compared ipsilaterally and contralaterally. The laterality ratio
      was correlated with the level of hearing loss. RESULTS: Anatomically reasonable
      tracts were depicted in all patients for the acoustic radiation. Volume was
      significantly decreased on the hemisphere contralateral to the tumor side for the
      acoustic radiation and diencephalic section, while fractional anisotropy did not
      differ significantly. Tracking did not yield meaningful tracts in 3 patients for
      the thalamocortical section and in 5 patients for the diencephalic section. No
      statistically significant correlations between the laterality quotient and
      classification of hearing loss were found. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, this
      study showed that different sections of the auditory pathway between the inferior
      colliculus and the auditory cortex can be visualized by using probabilistic
      tractography. A significant volume decrease of the auditory pathway on the
      contralateral hemisphere was observed and may be explained by transsynaptic
      degeneration of the crossing auditory pathway.

PMID- 27256856
TI  - Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and R2* Measured Changes during White Matter
      Lesion Development in Multiple Sclerosis: Myelin Breakdown, Myelin Debris
      Degradation and Removal, and Iron Accumulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2* are sensitive
      to myelin and iron changes in multiple sclerosis lesions. This study was designed
      to characterize lesion changes on quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2* at
      various gadolinium-enhancement stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included
      64 patients with MS with different enhancing patterns in white matter lesions:
      nodular, shell-like, nonenhancing < 1 year old, and nonenhancing 1-3 years old.
      These represent acute, late acute, early chronic, and late chronic lesions,
      respectively. Susceptibility values measured on quantitative susceptibility
      mapping and R2* values were compared among the 4 lesion types. Their differences
      were assessed with a generalized estimating equation, controlling for Expanded
      Disability Status Scale score, age, and disease duration. RESULTS: We analyzed
      203 lesions: 80 were nodular-enhancing, of which 77 (96.2%) were isointense on
      quantitative susceptibility mapping; 33 were shell-enhancing, of which 30 (90.9%)
      were hyperintense on quantitative susceptibility mapping; and 49 were
      nonenhancing lesions < 1 year old and 41 were nonenhancing lesions 1-3 years old,
      all of which were hyperintense on quantitative susceptibility mapping. Their
      relative susceptibility/R2* values were 0.5 +/- 4.4 parts per billion/-5.6 +/-
      2.9 Hz, 10.2 +/- 5.4 parts per billion/-8.0 +/- 2.6 Hz, 20.2 +/- 7.8 parts per
      billion/-3.1 +/- 2.3 Hz, and 33.2 +/- 8.2 parts per billion/-2.0 +/- 2.6 Hz,
      respectively, and were significantly different (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Early
      active MS lesions with nodular enhancement show R2* decrease but no quantitative
      susceptibility mapping change, reflecting myelin breakdown; late active lesions
      with peripheral enhancement show R2* decrease and quantitative susceptibility
      mapping increase in the lesion center, reflecting further degradation and removal
      of myelin debris; and early or late chronic nonenhancing lesions show both
      quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2* increase, reflecting iron
      accumulation.

PMID- 27256857
TI  - Safety assessment of a natural tomato oleoresin containing high amounts of Z
      isomers of lycopene prepared with supercritical carbon dioxide.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Z-isomers of lycopene, which are abundantly present in processed
      tomato products, are more bioavailable than (all-E)-lycopene found predominantly
      in raw tomatoes. Despite extensive studies on the bioavailability and biological
      activities of Z-isomers of lycopene, detailed studies on their safety and
      toxicology are limited. RESULTS: The geno-, acute and subacute toxicities of
      tomato oleoresin that contained high amounts of lycopene Z-isomers (10.9%
      lycopene with 66.3% Z-isomer content) and had been prepared with supercritical
      carbon dioxide were investigated. The oleoresin was non-mutagenic in the Ames
      test with and without metabolic activation (S9 mix). The medial lethal dose (LD50
      ) of the oleoresin in rats, as determined by a single-dose oral test, was more
      than 5000 mg kg body weight-1 (bw) [361 mg (Z)-lycopene kg bw-1 ]. In the 4-week
      repeated-dose oral toxicity test, rats were administered oleoresin at 4500 mg kg
      1 day-1 [325 mg (Z)-lycopene kg bw-1 day-1 ]. There were no clinically
      significant changes with respect to vital signs, physical examination outcomes
      and laboratory test values during the test period. CONCLUSION: Based on our
      findings and as supported by its long history of consumption, tomato oleoresin
      that contains high amounts of Z-isomers of lycopene prepared with supercritical
      carbon dioxide can be considered as safe for human consumption. (c) 2016 Society
      of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27256858
TI  - Building professional competence in dental hygiene students through a community
      based practicum.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: As Canadians age, there is an increased need for oral health
      professionals specializing in services for this unique population. Dental hygiene
      students require exposure to this population to develop professional
      competencies. This study investigated the dimensions of professional competence
      that were developed through a practicum for dental hygiene students in long-term
      care settings while working with older adults. METHODS: Nine dental hygiene
      students were recruited across two cohorts. All students completed reflective
      journals describing their practicum experiences. Five students also participated
      in an audio-recorded focus group and completed a pre-focus group questionnaire.
      Additionally, the practicum course coordinator completed an audio-recorded
      interview. Transcripts and journals were coded using a constant comparative
      approach and themes were identified. RESULTS: Students described developing
      client-focused skills, such as effective verbal and non-verbal communication with
      older adults with dementia. Context-based learning was also a large part of the
      competency development for the practicum students. Understanding the care
      environment within which these residents lived helped students to understand and
      empathize why oral health may not be prioritized. Students also developed an
      understanding of the work of other health professionals in the settings and
      improved their abilities to communicate with other healthcare providers. However,
      students recognized that the utility of those interprofessional skills in private
      practice may be limited. CONCLUSION: Dental hygiene students developed personal
      and ethical competencies during practicum that are highly transferrable across
      professional settings. Exposure of students to older adult populations in long
      term care may increase the likelihood of dental hygienists working in this area.

PMID- 27256859
TI  - The 2013 cholesterol guideline controversy: Would better evidence prevent
      pharmaceuticalization?
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally. A class
      of medications, known as statins, lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
      levels, which are associated with CVD. The newest 2013 U.S. cholesterol guideline
      contains an assessment of risk that greatly expands the number of individuals
      without CVD for whom statins are recommended. Other countries are also moving in
      this direction. This article examines the controversy surrounding these
      guidelines using the 2013 cholesterol guidelines as a case study of broader
      trends in clinical guidelines to use a narrow evidence base, expand the
      boundaries of disease and overemphasize pharmaceutical treatment. We find that
      the recommendation in the 2013 cholesterol guidelines to initiate statins in
      individuals with a lower risk of CVD is controversial and there is much
      disagreement on whether there is evidence for the guideline change. We note that,
      in general, clinical guidelines may use evidence that has a number of biases, are
      subject to conflicts of interest at multiple levels, and often do not include
      unpublished research. Further, guidelines may contribute to the "medicalization"
      or "pharmaceuticalization" of healthcare. Specific policy recommendations to
      improve clinical guidelines are indicated: these include improving the evidence
      base, establishing a public registry of all results, including unpublished ones,
      and freeing the research process from pharmaceutical sector control. 

PMID- 27256860
TI  - Effectiveness and tolerability of liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus and obesity after bariatric surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current guidelines do not offer detailed recommendations on
      antidiabetic drug therapy in type 2 diabetes (T2D) after bariatric surgery (BS),
      and reported experience is scarce. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and
      tolerability of liraglutide at 2 years in patients with morbid obesity after
      undergoing BS and subsequent relapse, persistence, or new diagnosis of T2D,
      comparing the results with a cohort of nonsurgical diabetic patients also treated
      with liraglutide. SETTING: Obesity clinic at a University Hospital. METHODS: We
      conducted a retrospective study of 2 cohorts of patients (with and without
      previous BS) with T2D and obesity who had started treatment with liraglutide at
      least 2 years before their inclusion in the study. The main outcome measures were
      the differences in glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and weight at 104 weeks between both
      groups. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients were included, 15 with previous BS and
      149 without BS. Mean baseline parameters were A1C 6.6% and body mass index 40.3
      kg/m2 for the BS group, and A1C 7.5% and body mass index 39.7 kg/m2 for the non
      BS group. At 2 years, A1C and weight were significantly decreased in both groups
      (BS group: DeltaA1C -0.39%, Deltaweight -3.4 kg; non-BS group: DeltaA1C -0.67%,
      Deltaweight -3.8 kg; all results P<.05), with no significant differences in A1C
      and weight reduction between both groups. There was a significant lower frequency
      of withdrawals due to all causes and a nonsignificant lower rate of vomiting and
      hypoglycemia in patients with BS. CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide achieved a significant
      reduction in weight and A1C at 2 years in patients with T2D previously treated
      with BS, showing good gastrointestinal tolerance.

PMID- 27256861
TI  - Reversal to normal anatomy after failed gastric bypass: systematic review of
      indications, techniques, and outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most common and most
      effective procedures performed to combat obesity and obesity-related metabolic
      disease. In a small proportion of patients, however, complications may
      necessitate the attempted reversal of RYGB to normal anatomy. The indications for
      this procedure, as well as technique, complication rate, and success in resolving
      symptoms are not clearly defined. OBJECTIVE: To assess current literature
      describing outcomes after reversal of RYGB. METHODS: A systematic search of
      online databases was conducted. Two independent researchers identified and
      extracted data for studies describing outcomes after RYGB reversal surgery.
      Indications, techniques, and outcomes were compared, with results pooled where
      possible. RESULTS: Eight articles were included in the final data synthesis,
      incorporating data for 46 patients. Reversal was undertaken due to metabolic,
      physical, nutritional, or other complications. All successfully underwent RYGB
      reversal with no reported mortality. Surgical technique varied greatly across the
      included studies. Postoperative morbidity was high, with 42% suffering
      complications (56% of which were major). Symptom relief or improvement was
      achieved in 82% of cases. CONCLUSION: Reversal of RYGB may be undertaken for a
      variety of indications after RYGB. Though this may successfully eliminate or
      improve symptoms in a large proportion of patients, the risk of morbidity is
      high. Surgery should be undertaken after careful patient selection and in
      appropriately skilled centers only.

PMID- 27256862
TI  - Treatment of Hypohepatia After Transplantation of Liver From a Living Donor Liver
      by Transcatheter Embolization, Using a Simulated 3-Dimensional Printing Vascular
      Model.

PMID- 27256863
TI  - Acute Right Upper Abdominal Pain With No Trauma History.

PMID- 27256864
TI  - Multiple Giant Mushroom-like Tumors Inside the Stomach.

PMID- 27256866
TI  - Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation With Outflow Graft Tunneling Through
      the Transverse Sinus.

PMID- 27256865
TI  - Subunit-Specific Labeling of Ubiquitin Chains by Using Sortase: Insights into the
      Selectivity of Deubiquitinases.
AB  - Information embedded in different ubiquitin chains is transduced by proteins with
      ubiquitin-binding domains (UBDs) and erased by a set of hydrolytic enzymes
      referred to as deubiquitinases (DUBs). Understanding the selectivity of UBDs and
      DUBs is necessary for decoding the functions of different ubiquitin chains.
      Critical to these efforts is the access to chemically defined ubiquitin chains
      bearing site-specific fluorescent labels. One approach toward constructing such
      molecules involves peptide ligation by sortase (SrtA), a bacterial transpeptidase
      responsible for covalently attaching cell surface proteins to the cell wall.
      Here, we demonstrate the utility of SrtA in modifying individual subunits of
      ubiquitin chains. Using ubiquitin derivatives in which an N-terminal glycine is
      unveiled after protease-mediated digestion, we synthesized ubiquitin dimers,
      trimers, and tetramers with different isopeptide linkages. SrtA was then used in
      combination with fluorescent depsipeptide substrates to effect the modification
      of each subunit in a chain. By constructing branched ubiquitin chains with
      individual subunits tagged with a fluorophore, we provide evidence that the
      ubiquitin-specific protease USP15 prefers ubiquitin trimers but has little
      preference for a particular isopeptide linkage. Our results emphasize the
      importance of subunit-specific labeling of ubiquitin chains when studying how
      DUBs process these chains.

PMID- 27256867
TI  - Communications.

PMID- 27256869
TI  - Prediction of margin involvement and local recurrence after skin-sparing and
      simple mastectomy.
AB  - Skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) facilitates immediate breast reconstruction. We
      investigated locoregional recurrence rates after SSM compared with simple
      mastectomy and the factors predicting oncological failure. METHODS: Patients with
      early breast cancer that underwent mastectomy between 2000 and 2005 at a single
      institution were studied to ascertain local and systemic recurrence rates between
      groups. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test were used to evaluate disease-free
      survival. RESULTS: Patients (n = 577) underwent simple mastectomy (80%) or SSM
      (20%). Median follow up was 80 months. Patients undergoing SSM were of younger
      average age, less often had involved lymph nodes (22% vs 44%, p < 0.001), more
      often had DCIS present (79% vs 53%, p < 0.001) and involved margins (29% vs 15%,
      p = 0.001). Involved surgical margins were associated with large size (p =
      0.001). The 8-year local recurrence (LR) rates were 7.9% for SSM and 5% for
      simple mastectomy respectively (p = 0.35). Predictors of locoregional recurrence
      were lymph node involvement (HR 8.0, for >4 nodes, p < 0.001) and involved
      surgical margins (HR 3.3, p = 0.002). In node negative patients, SSM was a
      predictor of locoregional recurrence (HR 4.8 [1.1, 19.9], p = 0.033).
      CONCLUSION(S): Delayed reconstruction is more appropriate for node positive early
      breast cancer after post-mastectomy radiotherapy. Re-excision of involved margins
      is essential to prevent local recurrence after mastectomy.

PMID- 27256868
TI  - A new family with an SLC9A6 mutation expanding the phenotypic spectrum of
      Christianson syndrome.
AB  - Using targeted next generation sequencing, we have identified a splicing mutation
      (c.526-9_526-5del) in the SLC9A6 gene in a 9-year-old boy with mild intellectual
      disability (ID), microcephaly, and social interaction disabilities. This intronic
      microdeletion leads to the skipping of exon 3 and to an in-frame deletion of 26
      amino acids in the TM4 domain. It segregates with cognitive impairment or
      learning difficulties in other members of the family. Mutations in SLC9A6 have
      been reported in X-linked Christianson syndrome associating severe to profound
      intellectual deficiency and an Angelman-like phenotype with microcephaly, absent
      speech, ataxia with progressive cerebellar atrophy, ophthalmoplegia, epilepsy,
      and neurological regression. The proband and his maternal uncle both have an
      attenuated phenotype with mild ID, attention deficit disorder, speech
      difficulties, and mild asymptomatic cerebellar atrophy. The proband also have
      microcephaly. The mutation cosegregated with learning disabilities and speech
      difficulties in the female carriers (mother and three sisters of the proband).
      Detailed neuropsychological, speech, and occupational therapy investigations in
      the female carriers revealed impaired oral and written language acquisition, with
      dissociation between verbal and performance IQ. An abnormal phenotype, ranging
      from learning disability with predominant speech difficulties to mild
      intellectual deficiency, has been described previously in a large proportion of
      female carriers. Besides broadening the clinical spectrum of SLC9A6 gene
      mutations, we present an example of a monogenic origin of mild learning
      disability. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27256870
TI  - Effect of toluene on Pseudomonas stutzeri ST-9 morphology - plasmolysis, cell
      size, and formation of outer membrane vesicles.
AB  - Isolated toluene-degrading Pseudomonas stutzeri ST-9 bacteria were grown in a
      minimal medium containing toluene (100 mg.L(-1)) (MMT) or glucose (MMG) as the
      sole carbon source, with specific growth rates of 0.019 h(-1) and 0.042 h(-1),
      respectively. Scanning (SEM) as well as transmission (TEM) electron microscope
      analyses showed that the bacterial cells grown to mid-log phase in the presence
      of toluene possess a plasmolysis space. TEM analysis revealed that bacterial
      cells that were grown in MMT were surrounded by an additional "material" with
      small vesicles in between. Membrane integrity was analyzed by leakage of 260 nm
      absorbing material and demonstrated only 7% and 8% leakage from cultures grown in
      MMT compared with MMG. X-ray microanalysis showed a 4.3-fold increase in Mg and a
      3-fold increase in P in cells grown in MMT compared with cells grown in MMG.
      Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis indicated that the
      permeability of the membrane to propidium iodide was 12.6% and 19.6% when the
      cultures were grown in MMG and MMT, respectively. The bacterial cell length
      increased by 8.5% +/- 0.1% and 17% +/- 2%, as measured using SEM images and FACS
      analysis, respectively. The results obtained in this research show that the
      presence of toluene led to morphology changes, such as plasmolysis, cell size,
      and formation of outer membrane vesicles. However, it does not cause significant
      damage to membrane integrity. 

PMID- 27256871
TI  - Enol ethers as carbonyl surrogates in a modification of the Povarov synthesis of
      3-aryl quinolines and their anti-Toxoplasma activity.
AB  - A novel method for the preparation of 2-carboxyl-3-aryl quinoline derivatives
      from anilines, ethyl glyoxalate and enol ethers as phenylacetaldehyde surrogates
      is reported. The three-component coupling reaction occurs rapidly under mild
      conditions in dichloromethane catalysed by TFA. The method allows a more direct
      access to 3-aryl quinolines, sidestepping issues encountered with
      phenylacetaldehyde derivatives. This chemistry was used to prepare quinolines
      with 3-diarylether functionality that showed low micromolar efficacy (IC50 range:
      5-26 MUM) against in vitro Toxoplasma gondii coupled with little or no
      cytotoxicity (TD50>= 320 MUM) towards the host cells. 

PMID- 27256872
TI  - Value-Based Care in Lung Cancer.

PMID- 27256873
TI  - Patient Counseling and Management of Symptoms During Olaparib Therapy for
      Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.
AB  - : Our primary objective is to review the safety and tolerability profile of
      olaparib, a novel anticancer therapy, and to discuss key considerations for
      symptom management in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Olaparib is the
      first of a new class of anticancer therapies, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)
      inhibitors that target tumors that have deficits in homologous recombination
      repair (such as BRCA mutations) by a process known as synthetic lethality.
      Through this process, neither the deficiency in homologous recombination repair
      nor PARP inhibition alone is cytotoxic, but the combination of these two
      conditions leads to cell death. In December 2014, olaparib received accelerated
      approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as monotherapy for
      patients with known or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (as detected
      by an FDA-approved test) advanced ovarian cancer who had been treated with at
      least three lines of chemotherapy. Most adverse events (AEs) reported during
      olaparib clinical trials conducted in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer and
      measurable disease were of grade 2 or less severity according to the National
      Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Fatigue and
      gastrointestinal AEs are among the most common in ovarian cancer clinical trials
      and can be particularly bothersome to patients. We focus on interventions to
      address these AEs in patients who are candidates for treatment with olaparib and
      allow them to remain on therapy for as long as clinically indicated. IMPLICATIONS
      FOR PRACTICE: Olaparib therapy represents a new approach to treating recurrent
      ovarian cancer. Some associated adverse events can have a substantial effect on
      quality of life. It is therefore important for patients, caregivers, and health
      care providers to have realistic expectations and a thorough understanding of the
      safety and tolerability profile of olaparib to prevent or alleviate key symptoms
      so that therapy can continue uninterrupted if possible. This report summarizes a
      practical approach to supportive care for patients receiving olaparib therapy.

PMID- 27256874
TI  - Phase I Study of Lenalidomide and Sorafenib in Patients With Advanced
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - LESSONS LEARNED: Combination therapies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
      can be associated with overlapping toxicity and are therefore poorly
      tolerated.Using sorafenib at the maximum tolerated dose can lead to a higher
      incidence of toxicities. Consequently, combination studies might evaluate
      sorafenib at alternative schedules or doses to improve tolerance, recognizing
      this could affect sorafenib efficacy.Although this combination was poorly
      tolerated, it does not exclude further evaluation of new-generation
      immunomodulator drugs or immune checkpoint inhibitors in the hope of optimizing
      tolerance and safety. BACKGROUND: Sorafenib is the standard treatment for
      advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to date, no combination therapy has
      demonstrated superior survival compared with sorafenib alone. The
      immunosuppressive microenvironment in HCC is a negative predictor for survival.
      Lenalidomide is an immunomodulator and antiangiogenic agent, with limited single
      agent efficacy in HCC. Based on these data, we designed a phase I study of
      sorafenib plus lenalidomide to determine the safety and preliminary antitumor
      activity of this combination. METHODS: This was an open-label, phase I study with
      a 3+3 dose escalation/de-escalation design. The starting dose of sorafenib was
      400 mg p.o. b.i.d. and of lenalidomide was 15 mg p.o. daily with a planned dose
      escalation by 5 mg per cohort up to 25 mg daily. Dose de-escalation was planned
      to a sorafenib dose of 400 mg p.o. daily combined with two doses of lenalidomide:
      10 mg p.o. daily for a 28-day cycle (cohort 1) and 10 mg p.o. daily for a 21- or
      28-day cycle (cohort 2). Patients with cirrhosis, a Child-Pugh score of A-B7, and
      no previous systemic therapy were eligible. RESULTS: Five patients were enrolled.
      Their median age was 56 years (range 39-61), and the ECOG status was 0-2. Four
      patients were treated at dose level (DL) 1. Because of the poor tolerance to the
      combination associated with grade 2 toxicities, one more patient was treated at
      DL -1. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed as specified per protocol. The most
      common toxicities were nausea, anorexia, pruritus, elevated liver enzymes, and
      elevated bilirubin. Three patients experienced one or more of the following grade
      3 toxicities: fatigue (DL 1), increased bilirubin (DL 1), skin desquamation (DL 
      1), and elevated transaminase levels (DL 1). The median duration of therapy was 1
      cycle (range 1-3). All patients discontinued the study, 4 because of progressive
      disease and 1 by patient preference. The best confirmed response was progressive
      disease. The median progression-free survival was 1.0 month (95% confidence
      interval 0.9-2.8), and the median overall survival was 5.9 months (95% confidence
      interval 3.68-23.4). CONCLUSION: In our small study, the combination of
      lenalidomide and sorafenib was poorly tolerated and showed no clinical activity.
      Although the study was closed early because of toxicity concerns, future studies
      assessing combinations of sorafenib with new-generation immunomodulator drugs or
      other immunomodulatory agents, should consider lower starting doses of sorafenib
      to avoid excessive toxicity.

PMID- 27256875
TI  - Clinical Implications of the Progression-Free Survival Endpoint for Treatment of
      Hormone Receptor-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer.
AB  - : Hormonal therapy for advanced breast cancer (ABC) has evolved significantly
      since the introduction of tamoxifen more than 40 years ago. The availability of
      selective antiestrogen therapies has further improved treatment options for women
      with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) ABC. However, with the development of
      resistance to hormonal therapies, a new treatment paradigm has emerged based on
      our understanding of biological pathways involved in HR+ breast cancer and
      mechanisms of resistance to hormonal therapy. Recent drug development efforts
      have focused on combining hormonal treatment with agents that target mammalian
      target of rapamycin serine-threonine kinases and cyclin-dependent kinases. In
      parallel with the evolution of hormonal and targeted therapies, our understanding
      of the utility of clinical endpoints has deepened. Progression-free survival
      (PFS) is a primary endpoint well-understood by clinicians and is increasingly
      accepted as a surrogate for overall survival (OS) by the U.S. Food and Drug
      Administration. Yet the perceived clinical benefit of PFS to patients is less
      well understood. Patients may not grasp the implications of prolonged PFS,
      highlighting the reality that patient preference in treatment selection
      encompasses factors that extend beyond drug activity. This presents an
      opportunity for clinicians to discuss PFS with patients in the context of their
      treatment plans, clinical outcomes, and quality-of-life measures. The objective
      of this review is to explore the clinical validity of the PFS and OS endpoints
      and the clinical relevance of PFS and OS to patients, especially in light of
      drivers that led to a range of treatment options for patients with HR+ ABC.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Advances in drug development during the past two
      decades have provided numerous options for treatment of advanced breast cancer
      that include monotherapy with endocrine modulating agents and dual therapy that
      combines endocrine therapy with an inhibitor targeting the mammalian target of
      rapamycin serine-threonine kinase or cyclin-dependent kinase pathways known to be
      involved with resistance. Clinical trial endpoints for breast cancer have evolved
      as well. Communication of progression-free survival, overall survival, and other
      outcomes with patients should incorporate the context of the individual's
      treatment plan and include discussion of response rate, side effects, and quality
      of life.

PMID- 27256876
TI  - Overexpression of the genes PDC1 and ADH1 activates glycerol conversion to
      ethanol in the thermotolerant yeast Ogataea (Hansenula) polymorpha.
AB  - Conversion of byproduct from biodiesel production glycerol to high-value
      compounds is of great importance. Ethanol is considered a promising product of
      glycerol bioconversion. The methylotrophic thermotolerant yeast Ogataea
      (Hansenula) polymorpha is of great interest for this purpose as the glycerol
      byproduct contains methanol and heavy metals as contaminants, and this yeast
      utilizes methanol and is relatively resistant to heavy metals. Besides, O.
      polymorpha shows robust growth on glycerol and produces ethanol from various
      carbon sources. The thermotolerance of this yeast is an additional advantage,
      allowing increased fermentation temperature to 45-48  degrees C, leading to
      increased rate of the fermentation process and a fall in the cost of
      distillation. The wild-type strain of O. polymorpha produces insignificant
      amounts of ethanol from glycerol (0.8 g/l). Overexpression of PDC1 coding for
      pyruvate decarboxylase enhanced ethanol production up to 3.1 g/l, whereas
      simultaneous overexpression of PDC1 and ADH1 (coding for alcohol dehydrogenase)
      led to further increase in ethanol production from glycerol. Moreover, the
      increased temperature of fermentation up to 45  degrees C stimulated the
      production of ethanol from glycerol used as the only carbon source up to 5.0 g/l,
      which exceeds the data obtained by methylotrophic yeast strains reported so far.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27256877
TI  - Enhancer activity-based identification of functional enhancers using zebrafish
      embryos.
AB  - Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) against enhancer-associated marks with
      massive sequencing is a powerful approach to identify genome-wide distributions
      of putative enhancers. However, functional in vivo analysis is required to
      elucidate the activities of predicted enhancers. Using zebrafish embryos, we
      established a ChIP-Injection method that enables identification of functional
      enhancers based on their enhancer activities in embryos. Each reporter gene
      possessing the enhancer-associated genomic region enriched by ChIP was injected
      into zebrafish embryos to analyze the activity of putative enhancers. By using
      the ChIP-Injection, we identified 32 distinct putative enhancers that drove
      specific expression. Additionally, we generated transgenic lines that exhibit
      distributions of the EGFP signal as was observed in the screening. Furthermore,
      the expression pattern driven by the identified somite-specific enhancer
      resembled that of the gene acta2. The results indicate that ChIP-Injection
      provides an efficient approach for identification of active enhancers in a
      potentially wide variety of developmental tissues and stages.

PMID- 27256878
TI  - Methods for Measuring Racial Differences in Hospitals Outcomes Attributable to
      Disparities in Use of High-Quality Hospital Care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare two approaches to measuring racial/ethnic disparities in
      the use of high-quality hospitals. DATA SOURCES: Simulated data. STUDY DESIGN:
      Through simulations, we compared the "minority-serving" approach of assessing
      differences in risk-adjusted outcomes at minority-serving and non-minority
      serving hospitals with a "fixed-effect" approach that estimated the reduction in
      adverse outcomes if the distribution of minority and white patients across
      hospitals was the same. We evaluated each method's ability to detect and measure
      a disparity in outcomes caused by minority patients receiving care at poor
      quality hospitals, which we label a "between-hospital" disparity, and to reject
      it when the disparity in outcomes was caused by factors other than hospital
      quality. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The minority-serving and fixed-effect approaches
      correctly identified between-hospital disparities in quality when they existed
      and rejected them when racial differences in outcomes were caused by other
      disparities; however, the fixed-effect approach has many advantages. It does not
      require an ad hoc definition of a minority-serving hospital, and it estimated the
      magnitude of the disparity accurately, while the minority-serving approach
      underestimated the disparity by 35-46 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers should
      consider using the fixed-effect approach for measuring disparities in use of high
      quality hospital care by vulnerable populations.

PMID- 27256880
TI  - Direct time-domain observation of attosecond final-state lifetimes in
      photoemission from solids.
AB  - Attosecond spectroscopic techniques have made it possible to measure differences
      in transport times for photoelectrons from localized core levels and delocalized
      valence bands in solids. We report the application of attosecond pulse trains to
      directly and unambiguously measure the difference in lifetimes between
      photoelectrons born into free electron-like states and those excited into
      unoccupied excited states in the band structure of nickel (111). An enormous
      increase in lifetime of 212 +/- 30 attoseconds occurs when the final state
      coincides with a short-lived excited state. Moreover, a strong dependence of this
      lifetime on emission angle is directly related to the final-state band dispersion
      as a function of electron transverse momentum. This finding underscores the
      importance of the material band structure in determining photoelectron lifetimes
      and corresponding electron escape depths. 

PMID- 27256879
TI  - Nanos-mediated repression of hid protects larval sensory neurons after a global
      switch in sensitivity to apoptotic signals.
AB  - Dendritic arbor morphology is a key determinant of neuronal function. Once
      established, dendrite branching patterns must be maintained as the animal
      develops to ensure receptive field coverage. The translational repressors Nanos
      (Nos) and Pumilio (Pum) are required to maintain dendrite growth and branching of
      Drosophila larval class IV dendritic arborization (da) neurons, but their
      specific regulatory role remains unknown. We show that Nos-Pum-mediated
      repression of the pro-apoptotic gene head involution defective (hid) is required
      to maintain a balance of dendritic growth and retraction in class IV da neurons
      and that upregulation of hid results in decreased branching because of an
      increase in caspase activity. The temporal requirement for nos correlates with an
      ecdysone-triggered switch in sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli that occurs during
      the mid-L3 transition. We find that hid is required during pupariation for
      caspase-dependent pruning of class IV da neurons and that Nos and Pum delay
      pruning. Together, these results suggest that Nos and Pum provide a crucial
      neuroprotective regulatory layer to ensure that neurons behave appropriately in
      response to developmental cues.

PMID- 27256881
TI  - GENOME ENGINEERING. The Genome Project-Write.

PMID- 27256882
TI  - Chemical genetic discovery of PARP targets reveals a role for PARP-1 in
      transcription elongation.
AB  - Poly[adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose] polymerases (PARPs) are a family of
      enzymes that modulate diverse biological processes through covalent transfer of
      ADP-ribose from the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))
      onto substrate proteins. Here we report a robust NAD(+) analog-sensitive approach
      for PARPs, which allows PARP-specific ADP-ribosylation of substrates that is
      suitable for subsequent copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions.
      Using this approach, we mapped hundreds of sites of ADP-ribosylation for PARPs 1,
      2, and 3 across the proteome, as well as thousands of PARP-1-mediated ADP
      ribosylation sites across the genome. We found that PARP-1 ADP-ribosylates and
      inhibits negative elongation factor (NELF), a protein complex that regulates
      promoter-proximal pausing by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Depletion or inhibition
      of PARP-1 or mutation of the ADP-ribosylation sites on NELF-E promotes Pol II
      pausing, providing a clear functional link between PARP-1, ADP-ribosylation, and
      NELF. This analog-sensitive approach should be broadly applicable across the PARP
      family and has the potential to illuminate the ADP-ribosylated proteome and the
      molecular mechanisms used by individual PARPs to mediate their responses to
      cellular signals. 

PMID- 27256883
TI  - C2c2 is a single-component programmable RNA-guided RNA-targeting CRISPR effector.
AB  - The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-CRISPR
      associated genes (Cas) adaptive immune system defends microbes against foreign
      genetic elements via DNA or RNA-DNA interference. We characterize the class 2
      type VI CRISPR-Cas effector C2c2 and demonstrate its RNA-guided ribonuclease
      function. C2c2 from the bacterium Leptotrichia shahii provides interference
      against RNA phage. In vitro biochemical analysis shows that C2c2 is guided by a
      single CRISPR RNA and can be programmed to cleave single-stranded RNA targets
      carrying complementary protospacers. In bacteria, C2c2 can be programmed to knock
      down specific mRNAs. Cleavage is mediated by catalytic residues in the two
      conserved Higher Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes Nucleotide-binding (HEPN) domains,
      mutations of which generate catalytically inactive RNA-binding proteins. These
      results broaden our understanding of CRISPR-Cas systems and suggest that C2c2 can
      be used to develop new RNA-targeting tools. 

PMID- 27256885
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27256884
TI  - Tissue adaptation of regulatory and intraepithelial CD4+ T cells controls gut
      inflammation.
AB  - Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells in peripheral tissues (pT(regs)) are instrumental in
      limiting inflammatory responses to nonself antigens. Within the intestine,
      pT(regs) are located primarily in the lamina propria, whereas intraepithelial
      CD4(+) T cells (CD4(IELs)), which also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and
      depend on similar environmental cues, reside in the epithelium. Using intravital
      microscopy, we show distinct cell dynamics of intestinal T(regs) and CD4(IELs)
      Upon migration to the epithelium, T(regs) lose Foxp3 and convert to CD4(IELs) in
      a microbiota-dependent manner, an effect attributed to the loss of the
      transcription factor ThPOK. Finally, we demonstrate that pT(regs) and CD4(IELs)
      perform complementary roles in the regulation of intestinal inflammation. These
      results reveal intratissue specialization of anti-inflammatory T cells shaped by
      discrete niches of the intestine.

PMID- 27256886
TI  - "The More I Do, the Better I'll Be": The Treatment Preferences of Type 2 Diabetes
      Among African American Men.
AB  - To gain better insight to the preferred methods of managing and treating type 2
      diabetes among African American men (AA men). Participants ( n = 19) were AA men
      aged 35 to 69 years, who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Participants were
      recruited via community outreach efforts, including barbershops and churches
      located in predominantly African American communities in Southeast United States.
      On consent, individual interviews were conducted, audio recorded, and
      subsequently transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using a phenomenological
      approach, and focused on identifying common themes among the descriptions of AA
      men's experiences specific to type 2 diabetes. Participants' statements indicated
      three main commonalities regarding treatment preferences which were medication,
      dietary changes, and increase in exercise. Some participants from the study
      stated that they preferred taking oral medication primarily out of convenience,
      lack of pain, and how well the medicine makes them feel. Others stated educating
      themselves and having a consistent relationship with the diabetes physician has
      assisted them the most. Other participants shared preferences of being dedicated
      to proper diet and exercise without any medication (pill or injection), as well
      as maintaining the mental motivation needed to sustain management. Some
      participants preferred to not take an oral pill, while some did not mind taking
      pills at all. For some of the participants, it appears that it is easier for them
      to manage their diabetes by prescription medication than by lifestyle changes
      such as diet and exercise. Future studies are needed to investigate how social
      support system also assists these men in managing their diabetes.

PMID- 27256887
TI  - Evaluation of the effect of time on the distribution of zinc oxide nanoparticles
      in tissues of rats and mice: a systematic review.
AB  - To evaluate the time effect on the distribution of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO
      NPs) in tissues from rats and mice, a search on the PubMed, Embase, SpringerLink,
      Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, CNKI, Wanfang, and vip databases up to
      September 2014 was performed, followed by screening, data extraction, and quality
      assessment. Thirteen studies were included. At 24 h, Zn content was mainly
      distributed in the liver, kidney, and lung. At >=7 days, Zn content was mainly
      distributed in the liver, kidney, lung, and brain. ZnO NPs are readily deposited
      in tissues. Furthermore, as time increases, Zn content decreases in the liver and
      kidney, but increases in the brain. 

PMID- 27256888
TI  - In situ synthesised TiO2-chitosan-chondroitin 4-sulphate nanocomposites for bone
      implant applications.
AB  - The artificial materials for bone implant applications are gaining more
      importance in the recent years. The series titania-chitosan-chondroitin 4
      sulphate nanocomposites of three different concentrations (2:1:x, where x- 0.125,
      0.25, 0.5) have been synthesised by in situ sol-gel method and characterised by
      various techniques. The particle size of the nanocomposites ranges from 30-50 nm.
      The bioactivity, swelling nature, and the antimicrobial nature of the
      nanocomposites were investigated. The swelling ability and bioactivity of the
      composites is significantly greater and they possess high zone of inhibition
      against the microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
      The cell viability of the nanocomposites were evaluated by using MG-63 and
      observed the composites possess high cell viability at low concentration. The
      excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility makes these nanocomposites a promising
      biomaterial for bone implant applications. 

PMID- 27256889
TI  - Development of nanoformulation of picroliv isolated from Picrorrhiza kurroa.
AB  - Picroliv, a mixture of picroside I and kutkoside isolated from rhizome of
      Picrorrhiza kurroa has been reported for many pharmaceutical properties such as
      hepatoprotective, anticholestatic, antioxidant and immune-modulating activity.
      However, picroliv possessed lesser efficacy due to its poor aqueous solubility
      and lesser bioavailability. To find solution, picroliv was loaded into
      biodegradable poly lactic acid nanoparticles (PLA NPs) using solvent evaporation
      method. The picroliv-loaded PLA NPs were characterised by UV-vis spectroscopy,
      atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform
      infrared and Zeta sizer. The size of picroliv-loaded PLA NPs was 182 +/- 20 nm.
      Zeta potential of picroliv-loaded PLA NPs was -23.5 mV, indicated their good
      stability. In vitro picroliv release from picroliv-loaded PLA NPs showed an
      initial burst release followed by slow and sustained release. The efficacy of
      picroliv-loaded PLA NPs was assessed against KB cell lines. Blank PLA NPs showed
      no cytotoxicity on KB cells. The picroliv-loaded PLA NPs showed more cytotoxic
      activity on KB cells as compared to the pure drug. Hence, the developed picroliv
      nanoformulation would find potential application in pharma-sector. 

PMID- 27256890
TI  - Template free synthesis of natural carbohydrates functionalised fluorescent
      silver nanoclusters.
AB  - Template-assisted synthesis is one of the most recognised techniques for
      fabrication of silver nanoclusters (AgNCs). However, this process is time
      consuming, toxic and expensive. In this study, the authors report a completely
      novel approach for the green and facile synthesis of AgNCs using Matricaria
      chamomilla, without any additional template. Fluorescent and colloidally stable
      AgNCs with average particle size of 2.4 nm were successfully produced. They found
      that carbohydrates from Matricaria chamomilla act as an ideal template to
      generate fluorescent AgNCs. Moreover, oxygen-bearing functional groups were
      validated to be the active groups for anchoring and reducing of Ag(+) ions. The
      novel carbohydrate coating method makes the prepared nanoclusters completely
      hydrophilic and stable in aqueous matrices. 

PMID- 27256891
TI  - Characterisation of optically driven microstructures for manipulating single DNA
      molecules under a fluorescence microscope.
AB  - Optical tweezers are powerful tools for manipulating single DNA molecules using
      fluorescence microscopy, particularly in nanotechnology-based DNA analysis. We
      previously proposed a manipulation technique using microstructures driven by
      optical tweezers that allows the handling of single giant DNA molecules of
      millimetre length that cannot be manipulated by conventional techniques. To
      further develop this technique, the authors characterised the microstructures
      quantitatively from the view point of fabrication and efficiency of DNA
      manipulation under a fluorescence microscope. The success rate and precision of
      the fabrications were evaluated. The results indicate that the microstructures
      are obtained in an aqueous solution with a precision ~50 nm at concentrations in
      the order of 10(6) particles/ml. The visibility of these microstructures under a
      fluorescence microscope was also characterised, along with the elucidation of the
      fabrication parameters needed to fine tune visibility. Manipulating yeast
      chromosomal DNA molecules with the microstructures illustrated the relationship
      between the efficiency of manipulation and the geometrical shape of the
      microstructure. This report provides the guidelines for designing microstructures
      used in single DNA molecule analysis based on on-site DNA manipulation, and is
      expected to broaden the applications of this technique in the future. 

PMID- 27256892
TI  - Photo-induced Leishmania DNA degradation by silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticle:
      an in-vitro approach.
AB  - Recently, the authors reported newly synthesised polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated
      silver (9%)-doped zinc oxide nanoparticle (doped semiconductor nanoparticle
      (DSN)) which has high potency for killing Leishmania tropica by producing
      reactive oxygen species on exposure to sunlight. The current report is focused on
      Leishmania DNA interaction and damage caused by the DSN. Here, we showed that the
      damage to Leishmania DNA was indirect, as the DSN was unable to interact with the
      DNA in intact Leishmania cell, indicating the incapability of PEGylated DSN to
      cross the nucleus barrier. The DNA damage was the result of high production of
      singlet oxygen on exposure to sunlight. The DNA damage was successfully prevented
      by singlet oxygen scavenger (sodium azide) confirming involvement of the highly
      energetic singlet oxygen in the DNA degradation process. 

PMID- 27256893
TI  - Synthesis and characterisation of metal nanoparticles and their effects on seed
      germination and seedling growth in commercially important Eruca sativa.
AB  - The synthesis, characterisation and application of metal nanoparticles have
      become an important and attractive branch of nanotechnology. In current study,
      metallic nanoparticles of silver, copper, and gold were synthesised using
      environment friendly method (polyols process), and applied on medicinally
      important plant: Eruca sativa. Effects of application of these nanoparticles were
      evaluated on seed germination frequency and biochemical parameters of plant
      tissues. Seeds of E. sativa were germinated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium
      incorporated with various combinations of nanoparticles suspension (30 ug/ml).
      Phytotoxicity study showed that nanoparticles could induce stress in plants by
      manipulating the endogenous mechanisms. In response to these stresses, plants
      release various defensive compounds; known as antioxidant secondary metabolites.
      These plants derived secondary metabolites having a great potential in treating
      the common human ailments. In the authors study, small-sized nanoparticles showed
      higher toxicity levels and enhanced secondary metabolites production, total
      protein content, total flavonoids content and total phenolics content. 

PMID- 27256894
TI  - Biogenic green synthesis of monodispersed gum kondagogu (Cochlospermum gossypium)
      iron nanocomposite material and its application in germination and growth of mung
      bean (Vigna radiata) as a plant model.
AB  - An eco-friendly green and one-pot synthesis of highly monodispersed iron (Fe)
      nanoparticles (NPs) by using a natural biopolymer, gum kondagogu (GK) as reducing
      and capping agent is proposed. The NPs synthesised were characterised by ultra
      violet-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron
      microscopy and X-ray diffraction. As the concentration of gum and time increases,
      the intensity of NPs formation increased. The NPs were highly monodispersed with
      uniform circular shapes of 2-6 nm in size. The formed NPs were crystalline in
      nature which was confirmed by diffraction analysis. The conversion ratio of Fe
      ionic form to NPs was 21% which was quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass
      spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Fe is essential for plant growth and development. A study
      was conducted to examine the effect of these NPs on the growth of mung bean
      (Vigna radiata). The radical length and biomass was increased in seeds exposed to
      Fe NPs than the ions. The uptake of Fe NPs by the sprouts was also quantified by
      ICP-MS, in which Fe was more in mung bean seeds exposed to NPs. The alpha-amylase
      activity was increased in the seeds exposed to NPs. The observed increase in the
      biomass by Fe NPs and seed germination may facilitate its application in the
      agriculture as an important cost-effective method for plant growth. 

PMID- 27256895
TI  - Effects of nanosilver on sound absorption coefficients in solid wood species.
AB  - Sound absorption coefficients (ACs) were determined in five solid woods (poplar,
      beech, walnut, mulberry, and fir) in the longitudinal and tangential directions
      at four different frequencies of 800, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. The length of the
      longitudinal and tangential specimens was 50-mm and 10-mm, respectively. Separate
      sets of specimens were impregnated with either nanosilver suspension or water.
      The size range of nanoparticles was 30-80 nm. Results showed that sound ACs were
      lower in longitudinal specimens because sound waves could penetrate the open ends
      of vessels more easily, being trapped and damped there. Impregnation with both
      nanosilver suspension and water resulted in a significant decrease in the sound
      ACs. The decrease in the ACs was due to the collapsing and accumulation of
      perforation plates and cell parts, blocking the way through which waves could
      pass through the vessels. This caused higher damping due to a phenomenon called
      vibration decay. Correlation between gas permeability versus sound AC is
      significantly dependant on the porous structure of individual specimens. 

PMID- 27256896
TI  - Biofabrication of nanogold from the flower extracts of Lantana camara.
AB  - The present investigation was done to explore the potential of Lantana camara (L.
      camara) flower in the fabrication of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The shape and
      size of AuNPs have been successfully controlled by introducing small amounts of
      L. camara flower extract. It produced spherical nanogold of average size 10.6 +/-
      2.9 nm without any aggregation and showed significant photocatalytic degradation
      activity of the methylene blue (>62%, 10 mg/L) in the presence of solar light. In
      addition, the experimental approach is inexpensive, rapid and eco-friendly for
      industrial scale production of nanoparticles. 

PMID- 27256897
TI  - Optimisation of nitrate reductase enzyme activity to synthesise silver
      nanoparticles.
AB  - Today, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is very common since it has
      many applications in different areas. The synthesis of these nanoparticles is
      done by means of physical, chemical, or biological methods. However, due to its
      inexpensive and environmentally friendly features, the biological method is more
      preferable. In the present study, using nitrate reductase enzyme available in the
      Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium, the biosynthesis of Ag NPs was
      investigated. In addition, the activity of the nitrate reductase enzyme was
      optimised by changing its cultural conditions, and the effects of silver nitrate
      (AgNO(3)) concentration and enzyme amount on nanoparticles synthesis were
      studied. Finally, the produced nanoparticles were studied using ultraviolet 
      visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering technique, and
      transmission electron microscopy. UV-Visible spectrophotometric study showed the
      characteristic peak for Ag NPs at wavelength 405-420 nm for 1 mM metal precursor
      solution (AgNO(3)) with 1, 5, 10, and 20 cc supernatant and 435 nm for 0.01M
      AgNO(3) with 20 cc supernatant. In this study, it was found that there is a
      direct relationship between the AgNO(3) concentration and the size of produced Ag
      NPs.

PMID- 27256899
TI  - Erratum: 'Comparative analysis of biosynthesised and chemosynthesised silver
      nanoparticles with special reference to their antibacterial activity against
      pathogens'.

PMID- 27256898
TI  - Alkaline treatment effect on the properties of in-situ synthesised ZnO
      nanoparticles on cotton fabric.
AB  - In this study, an in-situ approach was used to synthesise zinc oxide
      nanoparticles on the surface of cotton fabric. The effect of alkaline pre- and
      after-treatment and Zn(2+) concentration was studied on the morphological,
      structural, thermal, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties of loaded
      cotton fabrics. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray
      spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, thermogravimetric analysis, and attenuated
      total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectrometer were used to
      characterise the properties of loaded cotton fabrics. Alkaline after-treatment of
      cotton fabric presented more dispersed zinc oxide nanoparticles, and an increase
      in Zn(2+) concentration led to form agglomerated nanoparticles on the surface of
      cotton fibres. The loaded cotton fabrics with zinc oxide nanoparticles presented
      an inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In
      addition, the stain of methylene blue on the surface of loaded samples was
      degraded after irradiated under visible light. 

PMID- 27256900
TI  - The N-MOmentum trial: Building momentum to advance trial methodology in a rare
      disease.

PMID- 27256901
TI  - Resolving Fine-Scale Heterogeneity of Co-seismic Slip and the Relation to Fault
      Structure.
AB  - Fault slip distributions provide important insight into the earthquake process.
      We analyze high-resolution along-strike co-seismic slip profiles of the 1992 Mw =
      7.3 Landers and 1999 Mw = 7.1 Hector Mine earthquakes, finding a spatial
      correlation between fluctuations of the slip distribution and geometrical fault
      structure. Using a spectral analysis, we demonstrate that the observed variation
      of co-seismic slip is neither random nor artificial, but self-affine fractal and
      rougher for Landers. We show that the wavelength and amplitude of slip
      variability correlates to the spatial distribution of fault geometrical
      complexity, explaining why Hector Mine has a smoother slip distribution as it
      occurred on a geometrically simpler fault system. We propose as a physical
      explanation that fault complexity induces a heterogeneous stress state that in
      turn controls co-seismic slip. Our observations detail the fundamental
      relationship between fault structure and earthquake rupture behavior, allowing
      for modeling of realistic slip profiles for use in seismic hazard assessment and
      paleoseismology studies.

PMID- 27256902
TI  - A safe and feasible "clock-face" duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy with a
      very low incidence of anastomotic failure: A single center experience of 248
      patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is one of the most frequent
      and serious postoperative complications of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). We sought
      to assess the impact of a novel pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) on the rates of POPF
      and overall postoperative complications. METHODS: Between 01/2010 and 12/2013, a
      total of 248 consecutive patients who underwent PD with a modified PJ were
      identified from our database and retrospectively analyzed. POPF cases were
      divided into three categories (ISGPF-international study group-guidelines):
      biochemical fistula without clinical sequelae (grade A), fistula requiring any
      therapeutic intervention (grade B), and fistula with severe clinical sequelae
      (grade C). Perioperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The
      overwhelming majority of patients had no evidence of fistula. Grade A POPF was
      observed in 9 (3.62%), grade B in 1 (0.40%), and grade C in 0 patients. There
      were no postoperative deaths. Overall complications occurred in 61 patients
      (24.59%) of patients after PD. CONCLUSIONS: This modified pancreaticojejunostomy
      is widely applicable and is associated with very low rates of POPF, low
      postoperative morbidity and mortality. Overall, it is a feasible and safe novel
      approach with excellent short-term outcomes.

PMID- 27256903
TI  - Management of traumatic small bowel injury by mechanical anastomosis "without
      resection" during damage control laparotomy.

PMID- 27256904
TI  - Long-Range Coulomb Effect in Intense Laser-Driven Photoelectron Dynamics.
AB  - In strong field atomic physics community, long-range Coulomb interaction has for
      a long time been overlooked and its significant role in intense laser-driven
      photoelectron dynamics eluded experimental observations. Here we report an
      experimental investigation of the effect of long-range Coulomb potential on the
      dynamics of near-zero-momentum photoelectrons produced in photo-ionization
      process of noble gas atoms in intense midinfrared laser pulses. By exploring the
      dependence of photoelectron distributions near zero momentum on laser intensity
      and wavelength, we unambiguously demonstrate that the long-range tail of the
      Coulomb potential (i.e., up to several hundreds atomic units) plays an important
      role in determining the photoelectron dynamics after the pulse ends.

PMID- 27256905
TI  - Defect engineering of the electronic transport through cuprous oxide interlayers.
AB  - The electronic transport through Au-(Cu2O)n-Au junctions is investigated using
      first-principles calculations and the nonequilibrium Green's function method. The
      effect of varying the thickness (i.e., n) is studied as well as that of point
      defects and anion substitution. For all Cu2O thicknesses the conductance is more
      enhanced by bulk-like (in contrast to near-interface) defects, with the exception
      of O vacancies and Cl substitutional defects. A similar transmission behavior
      results from Cu deficiency and N substitution, as well as from Cl substitution
      and N interstitials for thick Cu2O junctions. In agreement with recent
      experimental observations, it is found that N and Cl doping enhances the
      conductance. A Frenkel defect, i.e., a superposition of an O interstitial and O
      substitutional defect, leads to a remarkably high conductance. From the analysis
      of the defect formation energies, Cu vacancies are found to be particularly
      stable, in agreement with earlier experimental and theoretical work.

PMID- 27256906
TI  - Investigations at the 'Four-Front' of Mammalian Development.
AB  - Understanding how and when cells become different during embryogenesis is a goal
      that is at the forefront of investigations in mammalian development. Two recent
      studies from the laboratories of Nicholas Plachta and Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
      present evidence that cellular heterogeneities detected in four-cell mouse
      embryos bias the process of cell fate acquisition thereafter.

PMID- 27256907
TI  - Cardiovascular Nursing: The Future is Bright.

PMID- 27256908
TI  - Two Cases of Right Atrial Mural Endocarditis Caused by Staphylococcus Aureus.
AB  - Mural endocarditis is a rare clinical entity with an extremely high mortality
      rate. It is usually predisposed by an underlying structural intracardiac
      abnormality. We present two cases of mural endocarditis occurring in the right
      atrium which were complicated by septic pulmonary embolism, one of which was
      predisposed by a jet lesion secondary to a coronary artery fistula. Both cases
      were successfully managed conservatively with excellent long-term outcomes. 

PMID- 27256909
TI  - Extreme environments in the critical zone: Linking acidification hazard of acid
      sulfate soils in mound spring discharge zones to groundwater evolution and mantle
      degassing.
AB  - A decrease in flow from the iconic travertine mound springs of the Great Artesian
      Basin in South Australia has led to the oxidation of hypersulfidic soils and
      extreme soil acidification, impacting their unique groundwater dependent
      ecosystems. The build-up of pyrite in these systems occurred over millennia by
      the discharge of deep artesian sulfate-containing groundwaters through organic
      rich subaqueous soils. Rare iron and aluminium hydroxysulfate minerals form thick
      efflorescences due to high evaporation rates in this arid zone environment, and
      the oxidised soils pose a significant risk to local aquatic and terrestrial
      ecosystems. The distribution of extreme acidification hazard is controlled by
      regional variations in the hydrochemistry of groundwater. Geochemical processes
      fractionate acidity and alkalinity into separate parts of the discharge zone
      allowing potentially extreme environments to form locally. Differences in
      groundwater chemistry in the aquifer along flow pathways towards the spring
      discharge zone are related to a range of processes including mineral dissolution
      and redox reactions, which in turn are strongly influenced by degassing of the
      mantle along deep crustal fractures. There is thus a connection between shallow
      critical zone ecosystems and deep crustal/mantle processes which ultimately
      control the formation of hypersulfidic soils and the potential for extreme
      geochemical environments. 

PMID- 27256910
TI  - New cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory steroids from the soft coral Klyxum
      flaccidum.
AB  - Four new steroids, namely klyflaccisteroids G-J (1-4) were isolated from the
      Formosan soft coral Klyxum flaccidum. The structures of compounds 1-4 were
      established by spectral data analysis (IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR) and comparison of
      spectral data with those of the related known compounds. Cytotoxicity assay
      revealed that 4 exhibited inhibition activity against the growth of HT-29, P388
      and K562 cancer cell lines, whereas 2 showed selective cytotoxicity toward P388
      cells. Compound 4 was also found to display significant anti-inflammatory
      activity for suppressing superoxide anion generation (O2(-)) and elastase
      release.

PMID- 27256911
TI  - Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 2,6-disubstituted pyridine
      derivatives as inhibitors of beta-amyloid-42 aggregation.
AB  - It is assumed that amyloid-beta aggregation is a crucial event in the
      pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Novel 2,6-disubstituted pyridine derivatives
      were designed to interact with the beta-sheet conformation of Abeta via donor
      acceptor-donor hydrogen bond formation. A series of pyridine derivatives were
      synthesized and tested regarding their potential to inhibit the aggregation of
      Abeta. The 2,6-diaminopyridine moiety was identified as a key component to
      inhibit Abeta aggregation. Overall, compounds having three 2,6-disubstituted
      pyridine units separated by at least one C2- or C3-linker displayed the most
      potent inhibition of Abeta aggregation.

PMID- 27256912
TI  - Discovery of hydroxyl 1,2-diphenylethanamine analogs as potent cholesterol ester
      transfer protein inhibitors.
AB  - Hydroxyl 1,2-diphenylethanamine analogs were identified as potent inhibitors of
      cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), a therapeutic target to raise HDL
      cholesterol. In an effort to improve the pharmaceutical properties in the
      previously disclosed DiPhenylPyridineEthanamine (DPPE) series, polar groups were
      introduced to the N-linked quaternary center. Optimization of analogues for
      potency, in vitro liability profile and efficacy led to identification of lead
      compound 16 which demonstrated robust pharmacodynamic effects in human CETP/apo
      B100 dual transgenic mice.

PMID- 27256913
TI  - Discovery of indole inhibitors of chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9).
AB  - Irritable bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative
      colitis (UC) are serious chronic diseases affecting millions of patients
      worldwide. Studies of human chemokine biology has suggested C-C chemokine
      receptor 9 (CCR9) may be a key mediator of pro-inflammatory signaling. Discovery
      of agents that inhibit CCR9 may lead to new therapies for CD and UC patients.
      Herein we describe the evolution of a high content screening hit (1) into potent
      inhibitors of CCR9, such as azaindole 12.

PMID- 27256914
TI  - Two pairs of farnesyl phenolic enantiomers as natural nitric oxide inhibitors
      from Ganoderma sinense.
AB  - Four new farnesyl phenolic compounds, ganosinensols A-D (1-4) were isolated from
      the 95% EtOH extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma sinense. Two pairs of
      enantiomers, 1/2, and 3/4 were isolated by HPLC using a Daicel Chiralpak IE
      column. Their structures were elucidated from extensive spectroscopic analyses
      and comparison with literature data. The absolute configurations of 1-4 were
      assigned by ECD spectra. All of these isolated compounds showed potent inhibitory
      activity against LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages,
      with IC50 values from 1.15 to 2.26MUM.

PMID- 27256916
TI  - Gene switching rate determines response to extrinsic perturbations in the self
      activation transcriptional network motif.
AB  - Gene switching dynamics is a major source of randomness in genetic networks, also
      in the case of large concentrations of the transcription factors. In this work,
      we consider a common network motif - the positive feedback of a transcription
      factor on its own synthesis - and assess its response to extrinsic noises
      perturbing gene deactivation in a variety of settings where the network might
      operate. These settings are representative of distinct cellular types, abundance
      of transcription factors and ratio between gene switching and protein synthesis
      rates. By investigating noise-induced transitions among the different network
      operative states, our results suggest that gene switching rates are key
      parameters to shape network response to external perturbations, and that such
      response depends on the particular biological setting, i.e. the characteristic
      time scales and protein abundance. These results might have implications on our
      understanding of irreversible transitions for noise-related phenomena such as
      cellular differentiation. In addition these evidences suggest to adopt the
      appropriate mathematical model of the network in order to analyze the system
      consistently to the reference biological setting.

PMID- 27256917
TI  - Influence of long-term inundation and nutrient addition on denitrification in
      sandy wetland sediments from Poyang Lake, a large shallow subtropical lake in
      China.
AB  - Wetlands at aquatic/terrestrial transition zones may play an important role in
      nitrogen removal due to the denitrification during inundation events. In this
      study, air-dried sandy sediment cores from Poyang Lake's wetlands were
      continuously inundated in the laboratory to investigate the rate, efficiency, and
      pattern of denitrification at the sediment-water interface (SWI). Denitrification
      rates responded to inundation in three stages: an adaptive period, a rapid growth
      period, and a stable period. The average denitrification rates during these
      stages were 52.62 +/- 11.33 MUmol N2 m-2 h-1, 115.74 +/- 58.40 MUmol N2 m-2 h-1
      and 187.74 +/- 16.44 MUmol N2 m-2 h-1, respectively. Multiple regression analysis
      showed that inundation duration was the most important factor controlling
      denitrification rates at the SWI rather than nitrate concentrations, which were
      also positively correlated with denitrification rates. Changes in water content,
      oxidation-reduction potential (Eh), and pH in the surface sediments, which were
      consequences of inundation, significantly influenced the denitrification rate (p
      < 0.05). The N2O/(N2O + N2) flux ratio in denitrification production varied from
      1.61% during the adaptive period to 0.03% in the stable period, suggesting that
      continuous inundation of sediments in aquatic-terrestrial transition zones of
      Poyang Lake could decrease the proportion of greenhouse gases (N2O). Since inputs
      of bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus to Poyang Lake have increased in recent
      decades, the influence of elevated nutrients on denitrification under continuous
      inundation were also evaluated by simulation experiments. The results showed that
      increased nitrate or phosphate loading stimulate denitrification rates in sandy
      sediments during the inundation process. The addition of nitrate plus phosphate
      showed a stronger influence on denitrification than single nutrient additions.
      This study facilitates understanding of the influence of continuous inundation
      and elevated nutrients on denitrification in sandy sediments in
      aquatic/terrestrial transition zones.

PMID- 27256919
TI  - Immunoaffinity chromatography in antivenomics studies: Various parameters that
      can affect the results.
AB  - Antivenomics is a recently developed powerful method for the study of antivenom
      antibody profiles when bound to homologous and heterologous snake venoms. The
      information obtained is useful in gaining an understanding of venom protein
      immunogenicity, antivenom potency and also for the improvement of antivenom
      potency and paraspecificity. The preferred method used in this type of study is
      immunoaffinity chromatography of the venom proteins on an antivenom IgG (or
      F(ab')2) column where the bound and unbound proteins can be separated and
      identified. However, there are some parameters of the immunochromatography that
      can significantly affect the binding of the proteins to the immunoaffinity matrix
      and lead to imprecise results in antivenom immunoprofiling. The present study
      demonstrated that the ligand density (mg IgG/ml of the matrix), the buffers used
      for binding and washing the venom proteins, the amount of venom loaded, the
      abundance of some venom protein(s) and the eluting buffers can significantly
      alter the binding of the proteins to the matrix and consequently the conclusions
      drawn from antivenomics studies. Furthermore, the immunochromatographic procedure
      can be extended to include the estimation of the relative affinity of venom
      protein-antibody interactions that can provide additional information useful to
      antivenomics study. 

PMID- 27256918
TI  - Mutation of the Traj18 gene segment using TALENs to generate Natural Killer T
      cell deficient mice.
AB  - Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are a unique subset of T lymphocytes that
      have been implicated in both promoting and suppressing a multitude of immune
      responses. In mice, iNKT cells express T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) comprising
      a unique TCRalpha rearrangement between the Trav11 and Traj18 gene segments. When
      paired with certain Trbv TCRbeta chains, these TCRs recognize lipid antigens
      presented by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-like molecule,
      CD1d. Until recently, the sole model of iNKT deficiency targeted the Jalpha18,
      which is absolutely required to form the TCR with the appropriate antigenic
      specificity. However, these mice were demonstrated to have a large reduction in
      TCR repertoire diversity, which could confound results arising from studies using
      these mice. Here, we have created a new NKT-deficient mouse strain using
      transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) technology to only disrupt
      the expression of Jalpha18, leaving the remaining Jalpha repertoire unperturbed.
      We confirm that these mice lack iNKT cells and do not respond to lipid antigen
      stimulation while the development of conventional T cells, regulatory T cells,
      and type Ib NKT cells is normal. This new mouse strain will serve as a new model
      of iNKT cell deficiency to facilitate our understanding of iNKT biology.

PMID- 27256920
TI  - Freestanding three-dimensional core-shell nanoarrays for lithium-ion battery
      anodes.
AB  - Structural degradation and low conductivity of transition-metal oxides lead to
      severe capacity fading in lithium-ion batteries. Recent efforts to solve this
      issue have mainly focused on using nanocomposites or hybrids by integrating
      nanosized metal oxides with conducting additives. Here we design specific
      hierarchical structures and demonstrate their use in flexible, large-area anode
      assemblies. Fabrication of these anodes is achieved via oxidative growth of
      copper oxide nanowires onto copper substrates followed by radio-frequency
      sputtering of carbon-nitride films, forming freestanding three-dimensional arrays
      with core-shell nano-architecture. Cable-like copper oxide/carbon-nitride core
      shell nanostructures accommodate the volume change during lithiation-delithiation
      processes, the three-dimensional arrays provide abundant electroactive zones and
      electron/ion transport paths, and the monolithic sandwich-type configuration
      without additional binders or conductive agents improves energy/power densities
      of the whole electrode.

PMID- 27256921
TI  - Mannitol clearance for the determination of glomerular filtration rate-a
      validation against clearance of 51 Cr-EDTA.
AB  - We studied the agreement between plasma clearance of mannitol and the reference
      method, plasma clearance of 51 Cr-EDTA in outpatients with normal to moderately
      impaired renal function. Forty-one patients with a serum creatinine <200 MUmol l
      1 entered the study. 51 Cr-EDTA clearance was measured with the standard bolus
      injection technique and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by the
      single-sample method described by Jacobsson. Mannitol, 0.25 g kg-1 body weight
      (150 mg ml-1 ), was infused for 4-14 min and blood samples taken at 1-, 2-, 3-
      and 4-h (n = 24) or 2-, 3-, 3.5- and 4-h after infusion (n = 17). Mannitol in
      serum was measured by an enzymatic method. Plasma clearance for mannitol and its
      apparent volume of distribution (Vd) were calculated according to Brochner
      Mortensen. Mean plasma clearance (+/-SD) for 51 Cr-EDTA was 59.7 +/- 18.8 ml min
      1 . The mean plasma clearance for mannitol ranged between 57.0 +/- 20.1 and 61.1
      +/- 16.7 ml min-1 and Vd was 21.3 +/- 6.2% per kg b.w. The between-method bias
      ranged between -0.23 and 2.73 ml min-1 , the percentage error between 26.7 and
      39.5% and the limits of agreement between -14.3/17.2 and -25.3/19.9 ml min-1 .
      The best agreement was seen when three- or four-sample measurements of plasma
      mannitol were obtained and when sampling started 60 min after injection.
      Furthermore, accuracy of plasma clearance determinations was 88-96% (P30) and 41
      63% (P10) and was highest when three- or four-sample measurements of plasma
      mannitol were obtained, including the first hour after the bolus dose. We
      conclude that there is a good agreement between plasma clearances of mannitol and
      51 Cr-EDTA for the assessment of GFR.

PMID- 27256922
TI  - Orexin 2 Receptor Antagonism is Sufficient to Promote NREM and REM Sleep from
      Mouse to Man.
AB  - Orexin neuropeptides regulate sleep/wake through orexin receptors (OX1R, OX2R);
      OX2R is the predominant mediator of arousal promotion. The potential for single
      OX2R antagonism to effectively promote sleep has yet to be demonstrated in
      humans. MK-1064 is an OX2R-single antagonist. Preclinically, MK-1064 promotes
      sleep and increases both rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep in
      rats at OX2R occupancies higher than the range observed for dual orexin receptor
      antagonists. Similar to dual antagonists, MK-1064 increases NREM and REM sleep in
      dogs without inducing cataplexy. Two Phase I studies in healthy human subjects
      evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and sleep-promoting effects of
      MK-1064, and demonstrated dose-dependent increases in subjective somnolence (via
      Karolinska Sleepiness Scale and Visual Analogue Scale measures) and sleep (via
      polysomnography), including increased REM and NREM sleep. Thus, selective OX2R
      antagonism is sufficient to promote REM and NREM sleep across species, similarly
      to that seen with dual orexin receptor antagonism.

PMID- 27256923
TI  - Combinatorial therapy with three-dimensionally cultured adipose-derived stromal
      cells and self-assembling peptides to enhance angiogenesis and preserve cardiac
      function in infarcted hearts.
AB  - Even though stem cell therapy is a promising angiogenic strategy to treat
      ischaemic diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI), therapeutic efficacy is
      limited by low survival and retention of transplanted cells in ischaemic tissues.
      In addition, therapeutic angiogenesis depends on stimulating host angiogenesis
      with paracrine factors released by transplanted cells rather than on direct blood
      vessel formation by transplanted cells. In the present study, to overcome these
      limitations and to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of MI treatment,
      combinatorial therapy with three-dimensional cell masses (3DCMs) and self
      assembling peptides (SAPs) was tested in a rat MI model. Spheroid-type 3DCMs,
      which are vascular differentiation-induced cells, were prepared by culturing
      human adipose-derived stromal cells on a fibroblast growth factor-immobilized
      surface. The SAPs were used as the carrier material to increase engraftment of
      transplanted cells. After coronary artery ligation, 3DCMs were combined with SAPs
      and were transplanted into ischaemic lesions. The therapeutic potential was
      evaluated 4 weeks after treatment. By combining 3DCMs and SAPs, survival and
      retention of transplanted cells increased threefold when compared with treatment
      with 3DCMs alone and transplanted cells established vascular networks in
      infarcted hearts. In addition, the size of the infarct in the 3DCM + SAP group
      was reduced to 6.09 +/- 2.83% by the promotion of host angiogenesis and cardiac
      function was preserved, as demonstrated by a 54.25 +/- 4.42% increase in the
      ejection fraction. This study indicates that combinatorial therapy with 3DCM and
      SAPs could be a promising strategy for therapeutic angiogenesis to treat MI.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27256925
TI  - Regeneration of hair and other skin appendages: A microenvironment-centric view.
AB  - Advances in skin regeneration have resulted in techniques and products that have
      allowed regeneration of both the dermis and epidermis. Yet complete skin
      regeneration requires the adnexal skin structures. Thus it is crucial to
      understand the regenerative potential of hair follicles where genetic,
      nutritional, and hormonal influences have important effects and are critical for
      skin regeneration. The follicular stem cell niche serves as an anatomical
      compartment, a structural unit, a functional integrator, and a dynamic regulator
      necessary to sustain internal homeostasis and respond to outside stimuli. In
      particular, mechanics such as pressure, compression, friction, traction, stretch,
      shear, and mechanical wounding can influence hair loss or growth. Relevant niche
      signaling pathways such as Wnt, bone morphogenetic protein, fibroblast growth
      factor, Shh, and Notch may yield potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 27256924
TI  - Intralymphatic histiocytosis comprises M2 macrophages in superficial dermal
      lymphatics with or without smooth muscles.
AB  - Intralymphatic histiocytosis represents a rare reactive disorder, which is
      characterized by the accumulation of macrophages within lymphatic vessels and
      observed predominantly in upper extremities. The infiltration and preferential M2
      differentiation of macrophage are observed in chronic lymphedema, and lymphedema
      is considered a causative factor of intralymphatic histiocytosis. However, what
      causes accumulation of histiocytes in the lymphatic vessels remains unclear, and
      investigation regarding the characteristics of the macrophages has not been
      evaluated. We present a case of intralymphatic histiocytosis, in which
      immunohistochemical staining for both macrophages and lymphatic vessels was
      performed to evaluate the nature of macrophages within lymphatic vessels and to
      determine the causative factor. Aggregated macrophages were shown to be M2
      macrophages positive for CD68, CD163 and CD206 but negative for inducible nitric
      oxide synthase. Thick lymphatic vessels positive for D2-40 and alpha-SMA in the
      superficial dermis were observed. We speculate that chronic lymphedema leads to
      hypertrophy of lymphatic vessels with smooth muscle in the superficial dermis,
      which may be a kind of malformation, and these lymphatic vessels produce some
      chemokines that induce intralymphatic aggregation of macrophages. 

PMID- 27256926
TI  - Obesity, hypertension, social determinants of health and the epidemiologic
      transition among traditional Amazonian populations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The health and nutritional situation of adults from three rural
      vulnerable Amazonian populations are investigated in relation to the Social
      Determinants of Health (SDH) and the epidemiologic transition. AIM: To
      investigate the role of the environment and the SDH on the occurrence of chronic
      degenerative diseases in these groups. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Anthropometric,
      blood pressure and demographic data were collected in adults from the RDS
      Mamiraua, AM (n = 149), Flona Caxiuana, PA (n = 148) and quilombolas, PA (n =
      351), populations living in a variety of socio-ecological environments in the
      Brazilian Amazon. RESULTS: Adjusting for the effect of age, quilombola men are
      taller (F = 9.85; p < 0.001) and quilombola women present with higher adiposity
      (F = 20.43; p < 0.001) and are more overweight/obese. Men from Mamiraua present
      higher adiposity (F = 9.58; p < 0.001). Mamiraua women are taller (F = 5.55; p <
      0.01) and have higher values of waist circumference and subscapular/triceps
      index. Quilombolas present higher prevalence of hypertension in both sexes and
      there are significant differences in rates of hypertension among the women
      (chi(2) = 17.45; p < 0.01). The quilombolas are more dependent on government
      programmes, people from Mamiraua have more economic resources and the group from
      Caxiuna have the lowest SES. CONCLUSION: In these populations, the SDH play a key
      role in the ontogeny of diseases and the 'diseases of modernity' occur
      simultaneously with the always present infectoparasitic pathologies,
      substantially increasing social vulnerability.

PMID- 27256928
TI  - Physiology and pathophysiology of oxLDL uptake by vascular wall cells in
      atherosclerosis.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease in which endothelial cell dysfunction,
      macrophage foam cell formation, and smooth muscle cell migration and
      proliferation, lead to the loss of vascular homeostasis. Oxidized low-density
      lipoprotein (oxLDL) may play a pre-eminent function in atherosclerotic lesion
      formation, even if their role is still debated. Several types of scavenger
      receptors (SRs) such as SR-AI/II, SRBI, CD36, lectin-like oxidized low-density
      lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), toll-like receptors (TLRs) and others can promote
      the internalization of oxLDL. They are expressed on the surface of vascular wall
      cells (endothelial cells, macrophages and smooth muscle cells) and they mediate
      the cellular effects of oxLDL. The key influence of both oxLDL and SRs on the
      atherogenic process has been established in atherosclerosis-prone animals, in
      which antioxidant treatment and/or silencing of SRs has been shown to reduce
      atherogenesis. Despite some discrepancies, the indication from cohort studies
      that there is an association between oxLDL and cardiovascular (CV) events seems
      to point toward a role for oxLDL in atherosclerotic plaque progress and
      disruption. Finally, randomized clinical trials using antioxidants have
      demonstrated benefits only in high-risk patients, suggesting that additional
      proofs are still needed to better define the involvement of each type of modified
      LDL in the development of atherosclerosis.

PMID- 27256927
TI  - Association between angiogenic factors and signs of arterial aging in women with
      pre-eclampsia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is associated with an increased risk of
      cardiovascular disease later in life. In cases with PE there is a substantial
      increase in levels of the antiangiogenic factor soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase
      1 (sFlt-1) and decreased levels of the proangiogenic factor placental growth
      factor (PlGF). Elevated levels of sFlt-1 are also found in individuals with
      cardiovascular disease. The aims of this study were to assess levels of sFlt-1,
      PlGF and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and their correlation with signs of arterial aging
      by measuring the common carotid artery (CCA) intima and media thicknesses and
      their ratio (I/M ratio) in women with and without PE. METHODS: Serum sFlt-1 and
      PlGF levels were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay kits, and CCA intima and media thicknesses were estimated
      using high-frequency (22-MHz) ultrasonography in 55 women at PE diagnosis and in
      64 women with normal pregnancy at a similar gestational age, with reassessment at
      1 year postpartum. RESULTS: During pregnancy, higher levels of sFlt-1, lower
      levels of PlGF, a thicker intima, a thinner media and a higher I/M ratio of the
      CCA were found in women with PE vs controls (all P < 0.0001). Further, sFlt-1 and
      the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were positively correlated with intima thickness and I/M
      ratio (all P < 0.0001). At 1 year postpartum, levels of sFlt-1 and the sFlt
      1/PlGF ratio had decreased in both groups; however, their levels in the PE group
      were still higher than in the controls (P = 0.001 and < 0.0001, respectively).
      Levels of sFlt-1 and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio remained positively correlated with
      intima thickness and I/M ratio at 1 year postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Higher sFlt-1
      levels and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in women with PE were positively associated with
      signs of arterial aging during pregnancy. At 1 year postpartum, sFlt-1 levels and
      the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were still higher in the PE group and were associated with
      the degree of arterial aging. (c) 2016 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics &
      Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International
      Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

PMID- 27256929
TI  - Karyotypic Evolution in Malagasy Flying Foxes (Pteropodidae, Chiroptera) and
      Their Hipposiderid Relatives as Determined by Comparative Chromosome Painting.
AB  - Pteropodidae and Hipposideridae are 2 of the 9 chiropteran families that occur on
      Madagascar. Despite major advancements in the systematic study of the island's
      bat fauna, few karyotypic data exist for endemic species. We utilized G- and C
      banding in combination with chromosome painting with Myotismyotis probes to
      establish a genome-wide homology among Malagasy species belonging to the families
      Pteropodidae (Pteropus rufus 2n = 38; Rousettus madagascariensis, 2n = 36),
      Hipposideridae (Hipposideros commersoni s.s., 2n = 52), and a single South
      African representative of the Rhinolophidae (Rhinolophus clivosus, 2n = 58).
      Painting probes of M. myotis detected 26, 28, 28, and 29 regions of homology in
      R. madagascariensis, P. rufus, H. commersoni s.s, and R. clivosus, respectively.
      Translocations, pericentric inversions, and heterochromatin additions were
      responsible for karyotypic differences amongst the Malagasy pteropodids.
      Comparative chromosome painting revealed a novel pericentric inversion on P.
      rufus chromosome 4. Chromosomal characters suggest a close evolutionary
      relationship between Rousettus and Pteropus. H. commersoni s.s. shared several
      chromosomal characters with extralimital congeners but did not exhibit 2
      chromosomal synapomorphies proposed for Hipposideridae. This study provides
      further insight into the ancestral karyotypes of pteropodid and hipposiderid bats
      and corroborates certain molecular phylogenetic hypotheses. 

PMID- 27256930
TI  - Prospective comparison of search strategies for systematic reviews: an objective
      approach yielded higher sensitivity than a conceptual one.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the development of search strategies for systematic reviews,
      "conceptual approaches" are generally recommended to identify appropriate search
      terms for those parts of the strategies for which no validated search filters
      exist. However, "objective approaches" based on search terms identified by text
      analysis are increasingly being applied. OBJECTIVES: To prospectively compare an
      objective with a conceptual approach for the development of search strategies.
      METHODS: Two different MEDLINE search strategies were developed in parallel for
      five systematic reviews covering a range of topics and study designs. The
      Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) applied an objective
      approach, and external experts applied a conceptual approach for the same
      research questions. For each systematic review, the citations retrieved were
      combined and the overall pool of citations screened to determine sensitivity and
      precision. RESULTS: The objective approach yielded a weighted mean sensitivity
      and precision of 97% and 5%. The corresponding values for the conceptual approach
      were 75% and 4%. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the objective approach
      applied by IQWiG for search strategy development yields higher sensitivity than
      and similar precision to a conceptual approach. The main advantage of the
      objective approach is that it produces consistent results across searches.

PMID- 27256931
TI  - Orbitide Composition of the Flax Core Collection (FCC).
AB  - The flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) core collection (FCC) was regenerated in
      Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Morden, Manitoba in 2009. Seed orbitide content and
      composition from successfully propagated plants of 391 accessions were analyzed
      using high-throughput analyses employing high-performance liquid chromatography
      (HPLC) with reverse-phase monolithic HPLC columns and diode array detection (HPLC
      DAD). Seed from plants regenerated in Morden had comparatively higher orbitide
      content than those grown in Saskatoon. Concentrations of orbitides encoded by
      contig AFSQ01016651.1 (1, 3, and 8) were higher than those encoded by
      AFSQ01025165.1 (6, 13, and 17) for most accessions in both locations. The
      cultivar 'Primus' from Poland and an unnamed accession (CN 101580 of unknown
      origin) exhibited the highest ratio of sum of [1,3,8] to a sum of [6,13,17].
      Conversely, the lowest orbitide concentrations and ratio of [1,3,8] to [6,13,17]
      were observed in cultivars 'Hollandia' and 'Z 11637', both from The Netherlands.
      Orbitide expression did not correlate with flax morphological and other chemical
      traits. 

PMID- 27256932
TI  - Remembering: A Transformational Leader in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and a
      Mentor, Grayce M. Sills (1926-2016).

PMID- 27256933
TI  - Factors of Depressive Symptoms Among Elementary, Middle, and High School
      Students.
AB  - Little attention has been paid to the individual, family, friends, and school
      profiles of depressed children during the transition from childhood to
      adolescence. This study aimed to describe the evolution of factors associated
      with depressive symptoms among elementary, middle, and high school students. This
      was a secondary analytic study using three datasets of a cohort of Korean
      children or adolescents. Children or adolescents with depressed symptoms reported
      lower self-esteem, peer attachment, academic performance, and adaptability in
      school. Other risk factors for depressive symptoms that included gender, obesity,
      family conflict, and with whom they discussed personal issues showed different
      patterns from the elementary school years to high school years. A sex difference
      (female>male) of depressive symptoms was evident only among high school students.
      Influences including individuals, family, friends, and school factors for
      adolescents varied depending upon school years. Understanding the correlates/risk
      factors could guide the screening and management of depressive symptoms.

PMID- 27256934
TI  - Mental Health Service Users' Experiences of Training Focused on Empowerment:
      Training Environment and the Benefits of Training.
AB  - This qualitative study investigated the mental health service users' (MHSUs')
      experiences of empowerment training and it was based on individual interviews
      with 24 MHSUs. Findings showed that MHSUs described the training environment
      through three dimensions: social interaction, learners' internal resources and
      the pedagogical execution of training. The training reinforced their positive
      internal resources, stimulated their inner mind activity and gave meaning to
      their lives. The knowledge of the training environment helps to build
      environment, which will support MHSUs' training. Empowerment training could be
      used to strengthen MHSUs' positive internal resources giving them also a
      possibility to train their cognitive activities.

PMID- 27256935
TI  - The Prevalence of Antenatal Depression and its Related Factors in Chinese
      Pregnant Women who Present with Obstetrical Complications.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The psychological status of Chinese pregnant women who present with
      obstetrical complications is concerning to Chinese health professionals. This
      study aimed to investigate the prevalence of antenatal depression and analyzed
      related risk factors in a population of high-risk Chinese women. DESIGN: A large
      sample size, cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 842 pregnant women with
      complications completed the Chinese version of the Postpartum Depression Screen
      Scale (PDSS) in this cross-sectional study. t-Test, ANOVA and Binary logistic
      regression tests were used in data analysis of antenatal depression and risk
      factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of major or minor depression in high-risk
      Chinese pregnant women during antenatal period was 8.3% and 28.9%, respectively.
      Independent-sample t-test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated
      significant differences in age, education, occupation and the number of
      complications (P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated a
      significant negative association between depression and education (P<0.01) with
      lower educational level (OR: 0.590; 95% CI: 0.424-0.820) associated with a higher
      risk for depression. A significant positive association was observed between
      depression and age (P<0.05) with higher age (OR: 1.338; 95% CI: 1.008-1.774)
      correlated with a higher risk for depression. CONCLUSIONS: Women who experienced
      obstetric complications presented with higher PDSS depression scores. Screening
      for antenatal depression in high-risk pregnant women to promote early detection
      of depression and reduce health risks for universal health promotion is
      recommended.

PMID- 27256936
TI  - The Effect of a Drug Adherence Enhancement Program on the Drug Adherence
      Behaviors of Patients With Major Depressive Disorder in Thailand: A Randomized
      Clinical Trial.
AB  - This study aimed to compare drug adherence behaviors during the sixth week
      between patients with first diagnosed major depressive disorder who received the
      Drug Adherence Enhancement Program and those who received only the usual care. A
      randomized clinical trial, post-test only design was conducted in the outpatient
      unit of a medical school hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. The experimental and
      control groups consisted of 30 and 26 participants respectively. Participants in
      the experimental group exhibited significantly higher drug adherence behaviors
      than the control group. This is important for nurses in promoting adherence to
      antidepressant drugs for patients with first diagnosed major depressive disorder.

PMID- 27256937
TI  - Emotions, Ideas and Experiences of Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia
      About "Family to Family Support Program".
AB  - "Family to Family Support Program" is a significant intervention program to
      assist families by informing them about treatment procedures and coping
      strategies, increasing their functionality, helping them to overcome the
      challenges of the disease. This study was particularly designed to investigate
      the emotions, thoughts, and experiences of caregivers of schizophrenia patients
      who participated in "Family to Family Support Program." The study was conducted
      with one of the qualitative research methods, phenomenological method. The study
      sample included caregivers who care for schizophrenia patients and participated
      in the "Family to Family Support Program". Twenty caregivers were included in the
      sample. The study was carried out in Izmir Schizophrenia Support Association. The
      study data were collected with four open ended questions. The average age of the
      participants was 56,77 +/- 72,89, 10 male caregivers and 10 female caregivers, 9
      caregivers were fathers, 6 caregivers were mothers, and 5 of them were siblings.
      The thematic analysis indicated that the emotions, thoughts and experiences of
      caregivers can be categorized in four groups: "I learned to deal with my
      problems", "I am conscious in my interaction with the patient and I know and I am
      not alone", "I feel much better", and "Schizophrenia is not the end of the road,
      knowledge sorts things out." Caregivers who participated in "Family to Family
      Support Program" expressed their satisfaction that they were benefited from the
      program, their coping skills were improved, they experienced less challenges when
      providing care, they understood the disease better, and it felt comfortable.

PMID- 27256938
TI  - Attempted Suicide Triggers in Thai Adolescent Perspectives.
AB  - The study goal was to describe attempted suicide triggers in Thai adolescents. A
      descriptive exploratory qualitative study approach was used utilizing in-depth
      interviews with twelve adolescents who had attempted suicide and six of their
      parents. Content analysis was conducted. Attempted suicide triggers were (1)
      severe verbal criticisms and expulsion to die by a significant family member, (2)
      disappointed and unwanted by boyfriend in first serious relationship, (3)
      unwanted pregnancy, and (4) mental illness leading to intense emotions and
      irresistible impulses. These attempted suicide triggers should be of concern and
      brought into suicide prevention management programs such as emotional management,
      effective communication for adolescents and family.

PMID- 27256939
TI  - Ward Climate Within a High Secure Forensic Psychiatric Hospital: Perceptions of
      Patients and Nursing Staff and the Role of Patient Characteristics.
AB  - Within this study the relationship between patient characteristics (age, length
      of stay, risk, psychopathy) and individual perceived ward climate (n=83), and
      differences between staff's and patient perceptions of climate (n=185) was
      investigated within a high secure forensic hospital. Results show that
      therapeutic hold was rated higher among staff compared to patients, while
      patients held a more favorable view on patient cohesion and experienced safety.
      Furthermore, patient characteristics (age, risk and psychopathy) were found to be
      related with individual ratings of ward climate. The findings underline the
      importance of assessing ward climate among both patients and staff in clinical
      practice.

PMID- 27256940
TI  - Depression and Social Support Trajectories During 1 Year Postpartum Among
      Marriage-Based Immigrant Mothers in Taiwan.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This panel study examined the trajectories of depression and social
      support during the first year postpartum among marriage-based immigrant mothers
      in Taiwan, and the effect of social support on depression. METHODS: This panel
      study recruited South-Asia immigrant mothers (mean age: 27years) to complete
      structured questionnaire at 1month, 6month, and 1year postpartum. A total of 203
      immigrant mothers completed structured questionnaires at 1 and 6months, and 163
      completed the questionnaires at 1year postpartum. Postpartum depression was
      measured using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Social support was
      composed of 3 subscales, emotional, instrumental, and informational support.
      Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the relationships between
      trajectories and factors associated with depression. RESULTS: Depression and
      instrumental support followed downward curvilinear trajectories, while emotional
      and informational support followed upward curvilinear trajectories. Depression
      was highest at 1month, decreased sharply until 6months, and then leveled off
      between 6 and 12months. Emotional and instrumental support negatively covaried
      with postpartum depression over time. When the three-dimensional supports were
      considered together, only emotional support retained its significance.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that depression was highest at 1month, then
      decreased, and then leveled off during 1year postpartum, though further study may
      be needed to confirm the trajectory. The 3 types of social support differed in
      postpartum trajectory, suggesting the needs to consider them separately in future
      studies. To decrease postpartum depression among immigrant mothers, strategies
      should be developed to increase emotional and instrumental support during
      postpartum period.

PMID- 27256941
TI  - Effectiveness of Structured Education in Reduction of Postpartum Depression
      Scores: A Quasi-Experimental Study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of structured education in
      reduction of postpartum depression scores among women. This was a quasi
      experimental study with a pre-post tests and a control group. Non-random sampling
      was used and the study included a total of 103 Turkish women, 52 of whom were in
      the intervention group and 51 were in the control group. The women in the
      intervention group were offered structured education for postpartum depression
      and given structured education material. Effectiveness of the education given was
      evaluated by comparing scores for Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale obtained
      before and after delivery between the intervention and the control groups. Before
      education, median score (8.0+/-4.8) for Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale of
      the intervention group were significantly higher the than the control group
      (6.0+/-6.0, p=0.010), but the groups were statistically similar in terms of
      having depression (intervention: 17.3%, control: 11.8%, p=0.425). After
      education, the median score for Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale and the
      ratio of the women having depression in the intervention group were significantly
      lower than in the control group (respectively intervention: 4.0+/-3.0, control:
      10.0+/-4.0, p=0.000; intervention: 7.7%, control: 25.5%, p=0.015). Besides, the
      median score (8.0+/-4.8) of the intervention group before education were
      significantly higher than the score (4.0+/-3.0) obtained after education
      (p=0.000), while the median score (6.0+/-6.0) of the control group before
      education were lower than the score (10.0+/-4.0) obtained after education
      (p=0.000). This study revealed that structured education offered to women by
      nurses was effective in reducing the postpartum depression scores and the numbers
      of women having depression.

PMID- 27256942
TI  - Auditory Hallucinatory Beliefs in Patients With Schizophrenia: Association of
      Auditory Hallucinations With Social Interactions, Characteristics and Emotional
      Behaviors Over 3 Months.
AB  - The aims of this study were to explore social interactions, characteristics, and
      emotional behaviors to detect changes in auditory hallucinatory beliefs in
      patients with schizophrenia over a 3-month period. Participants (n=189) were
      evaluated using the Auditory Hallucinations Assessment Scale (AHAS) and the
      Assessment of Communication and Interaction Skills (ACIS). The characteristics
      and emotional behaviors measured by the AHAS showed improvements, while auditory
      hallucinatory beliefs became less influential. Social interaction scores
      increased regardless of changes in auditory hallucinatory beliefs. Psychiatric
      professionals need to train those who hear voices to react to them with
      indifference.

PMID- 27256943
TI  - Concept Analysis of Illness Engulfment in Schizophrenia.
AB  - Schizophrenia has a significant risk of damaging an individual's self-concept.
      Through the process of illness engulfment an individual's self-concept becomes
      reorganized entirely around the experience of having schizophrenia. The purpose
      of this manuscript is to clarify the structure and function of the concept of
      illness engulfment in schizophrenia using Walker and Avant's (2011) method of
      concept analysis. Data came from a review of scholarly literature, as well as
      contemporary and historical art, literature, music, and other media forms. The
      analysis discussed two defining attributes of experience of illness and impact on
      self-concept with a total of seven indicators. The article listed antecedents,
      consequences, and discussed the Modified Engulfment Scale as empirical referents.
      Fictional cases were developed to illustrate the concept. Finally, the concept of
      illness engulfment was discussed within the framework of the Roy Adaptation
      Model.

PMID- 27256944
TI  - Research on the Effect of the Foot Bath and Foot Massage on Residual
      Schizophrenia Patients.
AB  - Researchers performed foot baths and massages for residual schizophrenia patients
      to gauge the effects on psychiatric symptoms. Subjects were six residual
      schizophrenia patients hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. Three times a week
      for 4weeks, they received an 8-minute effleurage massage to their legs after a 10
      minute foot bath. The effect of physiological relaxation was identified by a
      significant decline in heart rate in all cases. The results of the Positive and
      Negative Symptom Scale are as follows: a mean score of 29.0 was measured before
      treatment, which lowered to 21.5 after treatment, indicating that foot care
      improved their negative symptoms (p<0.05).The results of the Quality of Life
      Scale before the foot care intervention, were 10.5 and increased to 34.0 after
      the intervention, indicating improvement in their quality of life (p<0.05). The
      results of the two measurements indicate that foot baths and massages were
      effective in improving psychiatric symptoms.

PMID- 27256946
TI  - Examining Patterns and Functions of Reminiscence in a Sample of Black Adults:
      Implications for Psychiatric Nurses.
AB  - The patterns and functions of reminiscence have been shown to be associated with
      mental health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine age and
      gender differences in the patterns and functions of reminiscence among a sample
      of Black adults. Multivariate analysis of variance findings revealed age and
      gender differences on specific reminiscence functions. Age groups >70 scored
      highest on the Teach/ Inform function. Men reminisce more for Bitterness Revival
      while women reminisce more frequently to Teach/Inform and for Intimacy
      Maintenance. Results indicate there are age and gender differences in the reasons
      why and how often the participants in this study reminisce for a specific
      purpose. These findings are informative for psychiatric nurses in order to
      facilitate therapeutic reminiscence to improve the mental health and well-being
      of this underserved population.

PMID- 27256945
TI  - The Violence Prevention Community Meeting: A Multi-Site Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Violence Prevention Community Meeting (VPCM) is a specialized form
      of community meeting in which avoiding violence and promoting non-violent problem
      solving and interpersonal civility are focal points. A nationwide study to assess
      the VPCM as an effective intervention to reduce workplace violence was
      undertaken. PARTICIPANTS: Seven acute locked psychiatric units of the Veterans
      Health Administration (VHA) throughout the United States participated in the
      study. METHODS: All patients and all staff on the seven in-patient locked
      psychiatry units participated in the intervention (VPCM) or as a control
      (treatment as usual). The study was 21weeks at each site. The three time periods
      were pre-treatment weeks 1-3, treatment weeks 4-18, and post-treatment weeks 19
      21. The VPCM was conducted during the treatment weeks. RESULTS: Overall rates of
      aggression declined by 0.6% (95% CI: -5.6%, 6.5%; nonsignificant) per week in the
      intervention hospitals and by 5.1% (95% CI: 0.4%, 9.6%; significant) per week for
      the control hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Aggression decreased for both the
      intervention and control hospitals which could be due to enrollment in a research
      study and thus being more aware of their ability to address workplace violence at
      their site.

PMID- 27256947
TI  - The Experience of Women Veterans Coming Back from War.
AB  - Issues surrounding mental health are common for women veterans who have served in
      Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The goal of this phenomenological study was to
      document themes in the stories gathered from eight women veterans who had come
      back from war. Themes in the stories were: arriving with mixed sentiments;
      evolving to a changed view of self; permeating aggravation; confounding broken
      relationships, frequent deployments, and change in military status; remembering
      war experiences; and seeking opportunity for what is possible. Mental health
      issues can be observed in the themes. Including story as part of the mental
      health visit with veterans may be beneficial to veterans as they deal with the
      transition of coming back.

PMID- 27256948
TI  - Descriptions and Correlates of Medication Adherence, Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy
      in Outpatients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs).
AB  - The problem of medication adherence in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs)
      has challenged researchers and clinicians for decades. Few investigations have
      examined non-psychiatric adherence in this group. We conducted a descriptive
      correlational investigation of adherence and related factors in 185 stable
      outpatients with SSDs. Fifty-seven percent of participants had antipsychotic
      medication levels within therapeutic range and 42% had levels below therapeutic
      range. Pill count percentage adherence to antipsychotic medications ranged from 0
      100% with a mean of 70% and SD 34.9. Mean non-psychiatric medication adherence
      ranged from 0 to 100 with a mean of 61% and SD 31.8. The following
      characteristics were not significantly associated with adherence: age, diagnosis,
      gender, race, living arrangement, educational level, typical versus atypical
      antipsychotic medication. Level of symptoms was correlated negatively and
      significantly with self-reported medication adherence and medication adherence
      self-efficacy. Our next project will examine the effectiveness of a telephone
      delivered intervention designed to support adherence in this group.

PMID- 27256949
TI  - A Comparative Study of Self-Efficacy for Social Participation of People with
      Mental Illness in Japan and China.
AB  - Self-efficacy for social participation (SESP) of people with mental illness was
      examined in urban areas of Japan and China. The subjects were 266 people (140
      Japanese, 126 Chinese) with mental illness who were living in their local
      community. Our SESP scale (SESP27) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Norbeck
      Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ), Sense of Coherence measure (SOC13), General
      Health Questionnaire (GHQ12), and a self-administered questionnaire related to
      living conditions were used for data collection. Data were analyzed
      descriptively, correlations between scales were examined, and multiple regression
      analysis was performed by country. The results showed that annual income was
      related to SESP in Japan and China. Therefore, improvement of welfare and
      employment support for economic independence is likely to improve SESP of people
      with mental illness in both countries. In addition, SESP in people with mental
      illness is affected by self-esteem in Japan, and coping skills such as
      improvement of life functions in China. Thus, SESP is affected differently by the
      social, cultural and institutional characteristics of each country.

PMID- 27256950
TI  - Sexual Assault Victims Participating in Research: Causing Harm When Trying to
      Help?
AB  - For fear of causing unnecessary distress, ethical concerns have been raised in
      regard to asking vulnerable persons e.g. sexually traumatized victims to
      participate in scientific research studies. The current study investigates how
      victims of sexual assault perceived participating in scientific research in
      regard to victims' psychological and/or physiological distress and potential
      beneficial outcomes from participation (N=51). Results from interviews with
      victims indicated that the majority of victims of sexual assault who had taken
      part in the study considered their participation in research a positive
      experience causing little short- or long-term psychological or physiological
      distress. In addition, over half of the respondents reported some benefits from
      participation.

PMID- 27256951
TI  - An Integrative Review of Postpartum Depression in Rural U.S. Communities.
AB  - AIM: This study's aim is to synthesize and summarize the literature on postpartum
      depression (PPD) in U.S. rural populations. BACKGROUND: Internationally, PPD has
      a high prevalence in rural communities. Although women in rural U.S. communities
      have higher rates of depression outside of the postpartum time period, little
      study has been conducted on PPD in U.S. rural populations. It is unknown whether
      rural women in the United States have high rates of PPD as is common in rural
      populations internationally. DESIGN: We used integrative literature review using
      Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) methodology. DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: We searched
      the databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Academic Search Premier with the
      words "postpartum depression" or "postnatal depression" and the word "rural."
      RESULTS: We found 11 articles with empirical data that met the criteria and thus
      were included in the review. Seven articles were quantitative, two were
      qualitative, one was mixed methods, and one was a nonexperimental design. Five
      foci emerged in the literature including (a) screening and prevalence, (b)
      demographic factors, (c) program creation and implementation, (d) mental health
      care seeking, and (e) social support. The results suggest that prevalence of PPD
      may be higher in rural U.S. areas, that implementing PPD prevention and screening
      programs for rural women is feasible, and that women in rural areas rely on
      informal networks and may face a stigma for seeking mental health care.
      CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed on PPD in rural U.S. POPULATIONS:
      Specifically, this research should focus on the mix of variables found throughout
      this review such as race and income level. Nurses should lead for changes in
      clinical practice and policy that increase screening and interventions for PPD in
      rural communities.

PMID- 27256952
TI  - Integrating the 2013 Psychiatric Mental Health NP Competencies Into Educational
      Programs: Where Are We Now?
AB  - Since the introduction of the revised National Organization of Nurse Practitioner
      Faculties (NONPF) Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies and Population Focused
      Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Competencies, a national
      forum took place to hear from many PMHNP program directors in the field comparing
      how they have integrated the lifespan competencies and the master's (MS)/or
      doctor of nurse practice (DNP) essentials into their curriculum. In this paper,
      we will report first on the major areas of change in the structure and content of
      the PMHNP-lifespan curriculum as well as the comments made by many faculty from
      across the country as to challenges and innovative strategies used to meet these
      challenges. We will review some of the major issues in content, pedagogy, and
      evaluation methods as well as examples of how these curricular elements have been
      infused into select programs across the country. We conclude highlighting several
      key areas, suggested foci for change, and how the specialty might focus attention
      and accelerate the significant growth we are seeing in PMHNP programs.

PMID- 27256953
TI  - Eradicating Barriers to Mental Health Care Through Integrated Service Models:
      Contemporary Perspectives for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses.
AB  - There has been renewed, global interest in developing new and transformative
      models of facilitating access to high-quality, cost-effective, and individually
      centered health care for severe mentally-ill (SMI) persons of diverse
      racial/ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, in our present
      day health-service delivery systems, scholars have identified layers of barriers
      to widespread dispersal of well-needed mental health care both nationally and
      internationally. It is crucial that contemporary models directed at eradicating
      barriers to mental health services are interdisciplinary in context, design,
      scope, sequence, and best-practice standards. Contextually, nurses are well
      positioned to influence the incorporation and integration of new concepts into
      operationally interdisciplinary, evidence-based care models with measurable
      outcomes. The aim of this concept paper is to use the available evidence to
      contextually explicate how the blended roles of psychiatric mental health (PMH)
      nursing can be influential in eradicating barriers to care and services for SMI
      persons through the integrated principles of collaboration, integration and
      service expansion across health, socioeconomic, and community systems. A large
      body of literature proposes that any best-practice standards aimed at eliminating
      barriers to the health care needs of SMI persons require systematic, well
      coordinated interdisciplinary partnerships through evidence-based, high-quality,
      person-centered, and outcome-driven processes. Transforming the conceptual models
      of collaboration, integration and service expansion could be revolutionary in how
      care and services are coordinated and dispersed to populations across
      disadvantaged communities. Building on their longstanding commitment to
      individual and community care approaches, and their pivotal roles in research,
      education, leadership, practice, and legislative processes; PMH nurses are well
      positioned to be both influential and instrumental in the development of
      innovative, revolutionary, and transformative paradigmatic models aimed at
      eradicating treatment barriers, promoting well-being, and reducing preventable
      mortalities and morbidities among SMI persons.

PMID- 27256954
TI  - Trauma-Informed Care for Youth in Foster Care.
AB  - For decades, evidence has shown an undeniable connection between childhood trauma
      and chronic adverse reactions across the lifespan (Bilchik & Nash, 2008; Perry,
      2001; Perry, 2006). Childhood traumatic experiences are associated with serious
      and persistent, long-term physical, psychological, and substance abuse issues. In
      addition to adverse effects on physical health, research indicates that early
      childhood trauma has particularly adverse effects on adolescent self-esteem,
      coping skills, school performance, self-regulation, critical thinking, self
      motivation, and the ability to build healthy relationships (O'Connell, Boat, &
      Warner, 2009). A traumatic event is a dangerous or distressing experience,
      outside the range of usual human experience that overwhelms the capacity to cope
      and frequently results in intense emotional and physical reactions, feelings of
      helplessness and terror, and threatens serious injury or death (The National
      Child Traumatic Stress Network [NCTSNET], 2014). Approximately five million
      children each year in the United States experience some type of traumatic
      experience (Perry, 2006). Nationwide community studies estimate between 25% and
      61% of children and adolescents have a history of at least one exposure to a
      potentially traumatic event and 38.5% of American adults claim to have
      experienced at least one traumatic event before the age of 13 (Briggs et al.,
      2012; Gerson & Rappaport, 2013). According to results of a 2002-2003 survey of
      900 New York City adolescents, 24% reported a history of witnessing someone being
      shot, 12% reported exposure to someone being killed, and 51% reported witnessing
      someone being beaten or mugged (O'Connell et al., 2009). Each year, 2-3 million
      children are victims of maltreatment, a type of trauma, including physical and/or
      sexual abuse (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014; Perry, 2006).
      Compared to the general population, youth in foster care are significantly more
      likely to have experienced violence, specifically abuse and/or neglect (Burns et
      al., 2004). It is estimated that approximately 90-percent of children in foster
      care have experienced a traumatic event, with nearly half reporting exposure to
      four or more types of traumatic events (Stein et al., 2001). Given the widespread
      prevalence of traumatic exposures, it is important for the mental health
      professionals working with foster care youth, to be aware of the prevalence and
      various types of trauma that are most common. Focus in treatment is typically on
      behavioral and emotional reactions rather than addressing the context of these
      symptoms, including trauma exposure histories and trauma-specific reactions.
      Clinicians must maintain awareness of the frequency and impact of childhood
      traumatic experiences on subsequent behaviors and overall functioning. Clinicians
      should appreciate the link between how traumatized children understand the world
      and interact with others differently from other children and how to provide
      appropriate treatment for children with a history of traumatic exposures.
      Practitioners must remain alert to symptoms that may suggest a history of trauma
      and must have an understanding of the difficulties adolescents may face
      regulating their emotions and behavior, as a symptom of a past traumatic
      experience. The failure to address trauma through screening, assessment, and
      treatment has major implications for long-term public health costs and services.

PMID- 27256955
TI  - Designer Drugs and the Impact on the Adolescent User.
AB  - There are serious concerns regarding adolescent use of designer drugs. Designer
      drug usage is often undetected and can result in life-threatening physical and
      psychiatric reactions. This article explores the history of designer drugs,
      identifies some of the more recent designer drugs available, distinguishes the
      symptoms of designer drugs usage, and identifies reasons the designer drugs are
      popular with our young population. Lastly, this paper addresses what nurses can
      do to facilitate early and proper treatment to reduce serious physiological
      damage and death that can result from not detecting the use of designer drugs.

PMID- 27256956
TI  - Comparison of PCR-based methods for the simultaneous detection of Neisseria
      meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae in clinical
      samples.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several in-house PCR-based assays have been described for the
      detection of bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus
      pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae from clinical samples. PCR-based methods
      targeting different bacterial genes are frequently used by different laboratories
      worldwide, but no standard method has ever been established. The aim of our study
      was to compare different in-house and a commercial PCR-based tests for the
      detection of bacterial pathogens causing meningitis and invasive disease in
      humans. METHODS: A total of 110 isolates and 134 clinical samples (99
      cerebrospinal fluid and 35 blood samples) collected from suspected cases of
      invasive disease were analyzed. Specific sets of primers frequently used for PCR
      diagnosis of the three pathogens were used and compared with the results achieved
      using the multiplex approach described here. Several different gene targets were
      used for each microorganism, namely ctrA, crgA and nspA for N. meningitidis, ply
      for S. pneumoniae, P6 and bexA for H. influenzae. RESULTS: All used methods were
      fast, specific and sensitive, while some of the targets used for the in-house PCR
      assay detected lower concentrations of genomic DNA than the commercial method. An
      additional PCR reaction is described for the differentiation of capsulated and
      non-capsulated H. influenzae strains, the while commercial method only detects
      capsulated strains. CONCLUSIONS: The in-house PCR methods here compared showed to
      be rapid, sensitive, highly specific, and cheaper than commercial methods. The in
      house PCR methods could be easily adopted by public laboratories of developing
      countries for diagnostic purposes. The best results were achieved using primers
      targeting the genes nspA, ply, and P6 which were able to detect the lowest DNA
      concentrations for each specific target.

PMID- 27256957
TI  - A validated stability-indicating ultra performance liquid chromatography method
      for the determination of potential process-related impurities in eplerenone.
AB  - A simple, sensitive, and accurate stability-indicating analytical method has been
      developed and validated using ultra high performance liquid chromatography. The
      developed method is used to evaluate the related substances of eplerenone (EP).
      The degradation behavior of EP under stress conditions was determined, and the
      major degradants were identified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography
      with tandem mass spectrometry. The chromatographic conditions were optimized
      using an impurity-spiked solution, and the samples, generated from forced
      degradation studies. The resolution of EP, its potential impurities, and its
      degradation products was performed on a Waters UPLC BEH C18 column (50 * 2.1 mm,
      1.7 MUm) by linear gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of 10 mmol/L
      ammonium acetate adjusted to pH 4.5, methanol and acetonitrile. A photo-diode
      array detector set at 245 nm was used for detection. The flow rate was set at 0.3
      mL/min. The procedure had good specificity, linearity (0.02-3.14 MUg/mL),
      recovery (96.1-103.9%), limit of detection (0.01-0.02 MUg/mL), limit of
      quantitation (0.03-0.05 MUg/mL), and robustness. The correction factors of the
      process-related substances were calculated. 

PMID- 27256958
TI  - Analgesic use and pain in residents with and without dementia in aged care
      facilities: A cross-sectional study.
AB  - AIM: To investigate analgesic use and pain in people with and without dementia in
      Australian residential aged are facilities. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of
      383 residents of six residential aged are facilities was conducted. Nurses
      assessed self-reported and clinician-observed pain. Analgesic use data were
      extracted from medication charts. Logistic regression was used to investigate
      factors associated with analgesic use. RESULTS: Analgesics were administered to
      291 (76.0%) residents in the previous 24 hours. The prevalence of analgesic use
      was similar among residents with and without dementia (79.3% vs 73.4%, P = 0.20).
      Residents with dementia had a higher prevalence of self-reported pain than those
      without dementia but similar prevalence of clinician-observed pain. In residents
      with dementia, high care residence and dementia severity were associated with
      analgesic use. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of analgesic use was similar among
      residents with and without dementia. Both self-reported and clinician-observed
      measures are needed in regular pain assessments.

PMID- 27256959
TI  - Sustainable intensification: a multifaceted, systemic approach to international
      development.
AB  - Sustainable intensification (SI) is a term increasingly used to describe a type
      of approach applied to international agricultural projects. Despite its
      widespread use, there is still little understanding or knowledge of the various
      facets of this composite paradigm. A review of the literature has led to the
      formalization of three principles that convey the current characterization of SI,
      comprising a whole system, participatory, agroecological approach. Specific
      examples of potential bottlenecks to the SI approach are cited, in addition to
      various technologies and techniques that can be applied to overcome these
      obstacles. Models of similar, succcessful approaches to agricultural development
      are examined, along with higher level processes. Additionally, this review
      explores the desired end points of SI and argues for the inclusion of gender and
      nutrition throughout the process. To properly apply the SI approach, its various
      aspects need to be understood and adapted to different cultural and geographic
      situations. New modeling systems and examples of the effective execution of SI
      strategies can assist with the successful application of the SI paradigm within
      complex developing communities. (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27256960
TI  - Considerations about document of Spanish consensus for the management of patients
      with advanced radioactive iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (CDT
      RAI).

PMID- 27256962
TI  - CSF Gusher in Cochlear Implant Surgery-does it affect surgical outcomes?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this prospective study was to measure surgical
      outcomes in cases of cerebrospinal fluid gusher in cochlear implant surgery.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic, radiological, neurophysiological and surgical
      results were evaluated in nine cases of patients with cerebrospinal fluid gusher
      during cochlear implant surgery, out of 164 unilateral cochlear implant
      procedures. Review of literature and our management technique is discussed.
      RESULTS: Nine cases had cerebrospinal fluid leak during surgery. Out of three
      cases of incomplete partition type II, two had cerebrospinal fluid gusher while
      one had milder ooze. Two cases with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome had
      intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid gusher. Four cases of gusher had no
      predictable risk factors on clinical history, examination or preoperative
      radiology. All cases were managed with meticulous packing of round window site
      without any other additional measures such as lumbar drain or use of tissue glue.
      These cases showed no symptoms or signs of cerebrospinal fluid leak in the follow
      up period. CONCLUSION: We recommend careful meticulous packing of the round
      window around the electrode using periosteum until cerebrospinal fluid leak is
      controlled in all cases of cerebrospinal fluid gushers. We also recommend a very
      conservative approach to managing these patients in the immediate postoperative
      period.

PMID- 27256961
TI  - Regulation of A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family sheddases ADAM10
      and ADAM17: The emerging role of tetraspanins and rhomboids.
AB  - A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) 10 and ADAM17 are ubiquitous
      transmembrane "molecular scissors" which proteolytically cleave, or shed, the
      extracellular regions of other transmembrane proteins. ADAM10 is essential for
      development because it cleaves Notch proteins to induce Notch signaling and
      regulate cell fate decisions. ADAM17 is regarded as a first line of defense
      against injury and infection, by releasing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)
      to promote inflammation and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligands to
      maintain epidermal barrier function. However, the regulation of ADAM10 and ADAM17
      trafficking and activation are not fully understood. This review will describe
      how the TspanC8 subgroup of tetraspanins (Tspan5, 10, 14, 15, 17, and 33) and the
      iRhom subgroup of protease-inactive rhomboids (iRhom1 and 2) have emerged as
      important regulators of ADAM10 and ADAM17, respectively. In particular, they are
      required for the enzymatic maturation and trafficking to the cell surface of the
      ADAMs, and there is evidence that different TspanC8s and iRhoms target the ADAMs
      to distinct substrates. The TspanC8s and iRhoms have not been studied
      functionally on platelets. On these cells, ADAM10 is the principal sheddase for
      the platelet collagen receptor GPVI, and the regulatory TspanC8s are Tspan14, 15,
      and 33, as determined from proteomic data. Platelet ADAM17 is the sheddase for
      the von Willebrand factor (vWF) receptor GPIb, and iRhom2 is the only iRhom that
      is expressed. Induced shedding of either GPVI or GPIb has therapeutic potential,
      since inhibition of either receptor is regarded as a promising anti-thrombotic
      therapy. Targeting of Tspan14, 15, or 33 to activate platelet ADAM10, or iRhom2
      to activate ADAM17, may enable such an approach to be realized, without the toxic
      side effects of activating the ADAMs on every cell in the body.

PMID- 27256963
TI  - Interest of vestibular evaluation in sequentially implanted children: Preliminary
      results.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An early acquired or congenital absence of sensory input of the
      vestibule will lead to severe delayed posturomotor milestones. Previous studies
      have proven modifications and even complete ipsilateral loss of vestibular
      function after unilateral cochlear implantation. The objective of this study was
      to evaluate whether sequential cochlear implantation has an impact on vestibular
      function. METHODS: Retrospective study from January 2012 to January 2015
      including 26 patients. The first stage consisted of determining the vestibular
      status of 26 hearing impaired children who were candidates for a second cochlear
      implant. Three months after contralateral implantation, we reevaluated the
      vestibular function of the same patients. The vestibular evaluation consisted of
      multiple tests for canal and otolith function. A complete clinical vestibular
      evaluation was performed, including the head thrust test. This was followed by an
      instrumental assessment composed of the classic bicaloric test and vestibular
      evoked myogenic potentials testing with tone bursts. RESULTS: A high prevalence
      of vestibular dysfunction (69%) was found in our group of unilaterally implanted
      children. Three patients had a unique functional vestibule at the not yet
      implanted ear. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials responses stayed present in
      15 of the 19 patients with a VEMP-response before contralateral implantation.
      Results of the caloric test changed for 6 patients after contralateral
      implantation. CONCLUSIONS: After contralateral implantation, 37% of our patients
      manifested modifications of their vestibular status. Intrasubject comparison of
      bicaloric and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials testing before and after
      contralateral cochlear implantation showed that canal function was better
      preserved than saccular function. Seeing the high prevalence of vestibular
      dysfunction in our test group of unilateral implanted children, sequential
      implantation must be preceded by a vestibular assessment to prevent complete
      bilateral vestibular areflexia and its potential consequences. Presence of
      hyporeflexia at the yet-to-be implanted ear seems to be a situation particularly
      at risk.

PMID- 27256964
TI  - Optimal electrode design: Straight versus perimodiolar.
AB  - The electrode in a cochlear implant (CI) system is a key factor in hearing
      performance as it is the interface between the device and the auditory pathway of
      the recipient. The first CI electrodes were straight and thus adopted a lateral
      wall position. Subsequent innovations include: perimodiolar electrodes designed
      to lie adjacent to the modiolar wall and thus to provide more spatially-focused
      stimulation of the spiral ganglion cells; shorter atraumatic straight electrodes
      for combined electric and acoustic (hybrid) stimulation. This paper explores the
      relative merits of straight and perimodiolar electrodes in the search for the
      optimal electrode design with reference to electrodes from Cochlear((r)). 

PMID- 27256965
TI  - Cochlear implantation in children with congenital unilateral deafness: Mid-term
      follow-up outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although cochlear implantation is widely used to treat unilateral
      deafness in adults, very little literature exists on its use and effects on the
      paediatric population. This report adds to the literature showing the mid-term
      follow-up outcomes achieved by these children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three
      children with congenital unilateral deafness were studied after implantation.
      Speech perception in noise, and sound localization ability were evaluated using
      age-appropriate materials. RESULTS: The preliminary data of our small group of 3
      children with congenital unilateral profound hearing loss revealed that up to 3
      years post-implantation, congenitally deaf children who received a cochlear
      implant after 4 years of age do not demonstrate binaural hearing benefits.
      CONCLUSION: Early intervention in the prelingual phase may be crucial for the
      development of binaural hearing.

PMID- 27256966
TI  - Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation With Prophylactic Subcutaneous
      Anticoagulation Only: An Observational Study in More Than 60 Patients.
AB  - Extracorporeal lung support and therapeutic anticoagulation are dogmatically
      linked for most clinicians in fear of clotting of the extracorporeal circuit. In
      the last decade, however, we have learned that bleeding complications in the
      course of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy are common and not
      occasionally limiting or fatal. Even though international guidelines lowered the
      PTT-target values, ECMO therapy without anticoagulation has only been reported
      sporadically in case reports heretofore. This monocentric, observational study
      was designed to evaluate a protocol for venovenous ECMO therapy without
      additional anticoagulation. Patients without former thrombotic events solely
      received thrombosis prophylaxis with 40 mg subcutaneous enoxaparin per day like
      every critical care patient. After approval by the local ethics committee (Albert
      Ludwigs-University Freiburg ethics committee, EK 513/14) all consecutive patients
      treated with venovenous ECMO therapy since introduction of the protocol have been
      identified. Digital charts of the patients have been evaluated with special
      regard to bleeding and thrombotic or embolic events or breakdown of the
      extracorporeal circuit. Sixty-one patients received venovenous ECMO therapy with
      prophylactic subcutaneous enoxaparin only. Median duration of ECMO therapy was 7
      days (2-32). Overall 560 ECMO days have been observed. No system exchange because
      of thrombotic occlusion was necessary within the permitted 5 days run time of the
      centrifugal pump. Overall we identified thrombotic complications in four
      patients. In three of them centrifugal pump after a runtime of more than 5 days
      unexpectedly stopped completely because of thrombotic occlusion. In all cases
      pump exchange was performed promptly and patients did not incur hypoxic deficit.
      One other patient received substitution of blood products and coagulation factor
      concentrates because of severe bleeding and sustained myocardial infarction the
      day after. Only 18% of patients presented with essential clinical bleeding after
      7 days of therapy. No fatal bleeding event and no intracranial hemorrhage was
      observed. Patients required only a third of blood product transfusion compared to
      published data. Venovenous ECMO therapy with prophylactic anticoagulation only
      was feasible in this study. It was not associated with an increased rate of
      system exchanges compared to regimes with therapeutic anticoagulation in registry
      data. It provides the potential to relevantly decrease the incidence of severe
      bleeding events and blood transfusion requirements. The apodictic adherence to
      anticoagulation in therapeutic dosage should be critically scrutinized in every
      patient.

PMID- 27256967
TI  - Mulibrey nanism: Two novel mutations in a child identified by Array CGH and DNA
      sequencing.
AB  - In childhood, several rare genetic diseases have overlapping symptoms and signs,
      including those regarding growth alterations, thus the differential diagnosis is
      sometimes difficult. The proband, aged 3 years, was suspected to have Silver
      Russel syndrome because of intrauterine growth retardation, postnatal growth
      retardation, typical facial dysmorphic features, macrocephaly, body asymmetry,
      and bilateral fifth finger clinodactyly. Other features were left atrial and
      ventricular enlargement and patent foramen ovale. Total X-ray skeleton showed
      hypoplasia of the twelfth rib bilaterally and of the coccyx, slender long bones
      with thick cortex, and narrow medullary channels. The genetic investigation did
      not confirm Silver-Russel syndrome. At the age of 5 the patient developed an
      additional sign: hepatomegaly. Array CGH revealed a 147 kb deletion (involving
      TRIM 37 and SKA2 genes) on one allele of chromosome 17, inherited from his
      mother. These results suggested Mulibrey nanism. The clinical features were found
      to fit this hypothesis. Sequencing of the TRIM 37 gene showed a single base
      change at a splicing locus, inherited from his father that provoked a truncated
      protein. The combined use of Array CGH and DNA sequencing confirmed diagnosis of
      Mulibrey nanism. The large deletion involving the SKA2 gene, along with the
      increased frequency of malignant tumours in mulibrey patients, suggests closed
      monitoring for cancer of our patient and his mother. Array CGH should be
      performed as first tier test in all infants with multiple anomalies. The
      clinician should reconsider the clinical features when the genetics suggests
      this. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27256968
TI  - Medicaid Disenrollment and Disparities in Access to Care: Evidence from
      Tennessee.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of Tennessee's 2005 Medicaid disenrollment on
      access to health care among low-income nonelderly adults. DATA SOURCE/STUDY
      SETTING: We use data from the 2003-2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
      System. STUDY DESIGN: We examined the effects of Medicaid disenrollment on access
      to care among adults living in Tennessee compared with neighboring states, using
      difference-in-difference models. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Evidence suggests that
      Medicaid disenrollment resulted in significant decreases in health insurance and
      increases in cost-related barriers to care for low-income adults living in
      Tennessee. Statistically significant changes were not observed for having a
      personal doctor. CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid disenrollment is associated with reduced
      access to care. This finding is relevant for states considering expansions or
      contractions of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

PMID- 27256969
TI  - Repartition of oil miscible and water soluble UV filters in an applied sunscreen
      film determined by confocal Raman microspectroscopy.
AB  - Photoprotection provided by topical sunscreens is expressed by the sun protection
      factor (SPF) which depends primarily on the UV filters contained in the product
      and the applied sunscreen amount. Recently, the vehicle was shown to
      significantly impact film thickness distribution of an applied sunscreen and
      sunscreen efficacy. In the present work, repartition of the UV filters within the
      sunscreen film upon application is investigated for its role to affect sun
      protection efficacy. The spatial repartition of an oil-miscible and a water
      soluble UV filter within the sunscreen film was studied using confocal Raman
      microspectroscopy. Epidermis of pig ear skin was used as substrate for
      application of three different sunscreen formulations, an oil-in-water emulsion,
      a water-in-oil emulsion, and a clear lipo-alcoholic spray (CAS) and SPF in vitro
      was measured. Considerable differences in the repartition of the UV filters upon
      application and evaporation of volatile ingredients were found between the tested
      formulations. A nearly continuous phase of lipid-miscible UV filter was formed
      only for the WO formulation with dispersed aggregates of water-soluble UV filter.
      OW emulsion and CAS exhibited interspersed patches of the two UV filters, whereas
      the segregated UV filter domains of the latter formulation were by comparison of
      a much larger scale and spanned the entire thickness of the sunscreen film. CAS
      therefore differed markedly from the other two formulations with respect to
      filter repartition. This difference should be reflected in SPF when the
      absorption spectra of the employed UV filters are not the same. Confocal Raman
      microspectroscopy was shown to be a powerful technique for studying this
      mechanism of sun protection performance of sunscreens. 

PMID- 27256970
TI  - Histopathological Study of Left and Right Atria in Isolated Rheumatic Mitral
      Stenosis With and Without Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mitral stenosis (MS) has the highest incidence of atrial fibrillation
      (AF) in chronic rheumatic valvular disease. There are very few studies in
      isolated MS comparing histopathological changes in patients with sinus rhythm
      (SR) and AF. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the histological changes associated with
      isolated MS and compare between changes in AF and SR. METHODS: This was a
      prospective study in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery for
      symptomatic isolated MS who were divided into 2 groups, Group I AF (n = 13) and
      Group II SR (n = 10). Intra-operative biopsies performed from 5 different sites
      from both atria were analyzed for 10 histopathologic changes commonly associated
      with AF. RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, myocytolysis (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48,
      P = 0.05) was found to be associated with AF, whereas myocyte hypertrophy (OR:
      0.21, P = 0.003), and glycogen deposition (OR: 0.43, P = 0.002) was associated
      with SR. Interstitial fibrosis the commonest change was uniformly distributed
      across both atria irrespective of the rhythm. CONCLUSION: In rheumatic MS, SR is
      associated with myocyte hypertrophy whereas AF is associated with myocytolysis.
      Endocardial inflammation is more common in left atrial appendage irrespective of
      rhythm. Interstitial fibrosis is seen in >90% of patients distributed in both the
      atria and is independent of the rhythm. Amyloid and Aschoff bodies are uncommon
      and the rest of the changes are uniformly distributed across both the atria.

PMID- 27256972
TI  - New therapeutic approaches for ANCA-associated vasculitides.
AB  - For many years, despite severe side effects, vasculitides have been managed with
      high doses of corticosteroids and long-lasting intensive immunosuppression.
      Recent, innovative approaches have improved our knowledge of the disease
      pathophysiologies leading to novel treatments that are transforming the standard
      of care, at least for antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated
      vasculitides (AAVs) and again providing new elements to further understanding of
      the disease mechanisms. Although this could seem to be a virtuous circle of
      enhanced comprehension and innovation, many questions regarding patient care
      remain unsolved and a closer look at the past could temper this exciting race to
      new drug discovery. In this review, we describe the different evidence-based
      medicine strategies, the drugs that are being tested in AAV patients and novel
      strategies that should improve AAV treatment. However, the costs and benefits of
      the development of new treatment strategies are also considered in light of 20
      years of clinical trial experience in the field of AAVs. 

PMID- 27256973
TI  - [Comparison of the concept of "responsibility" in neuroscience and in French
      criminal law: A cross-literature review for the psychiatric forensic practice].
AB  - In forensic psychiatry, experts have to determine the level of responsibility of
      a subject with regard to their acts. Neuroscience and cognitive sciences have
      been increasingly studying the brain functions that are supposed to underlie
      individual responsibility. In neuroscience, impairment of responsibility is
      underlain by disruptions of different types of cognitive processes. This
      processes are executive functions, theory of mind, agency, volition and empathy.
      In the juridical conception, the term of responsibility refers to a broader
      perspective than in the neuroscientific approach. 

PMID- 27256971
TI  - Multisite electrophysiological recordings by self-assembled loose-patch-like
      junctions between cultured hippocampal neurons and mushroom-shaped
      microelectrodes.
AB  - Substrate integrated planar microelectrode arrays is the "gold standard" method
      for millisecond-resolution, long-term, large-scale, cell-noninvasive
      electrophysiological recordings from mammalian neuronal networks. Nevertheless,
      these devices suffer from drawbacks that are solved by spike-detecting, spike
      sorting and signal-averaging techniques which rely on estimated parameters that
      require user supervision to correct errors, merge clusters and remove outliers.
      Here we show that primary rat hippocampal neurons grown on micrometer sized gold
      mushroom-shaped microelectrodes (gMMUE) functionalized simply by poly-ethylene
      imine/laminin undergo self-assembly processes to form loose patch-like hybrid
      structures. More than 90% of the hybrids formed in this way record monophasic
      positive action potentials (APs). Of these, 34.5% record APs with amplitudes
      above 300 MUV and up to 5,085 MUV. This self-assembled neuron-gMMUE configuration
      improves the recording quality as compared to planar MEA. This study
      characterizes and analyzes the electrophysiological signaling repertoire
      generated by the neurons-gMMUE configuration, and discusses prospects to further
      improve the technology.

PMID- 27256974
TI  - Innovations in autoimmune diseases.

PMID- 27256975
TI  - Stem cell transplantation and mesenchymal cells to treat autoimmune diseases.
AB  - Since the start of the international stem cell transplantation project in 1997,
      over 2000 patients have received a haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT),
      mostly autologous, as treatment for a severe autoimmune disease, the majority
      being multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and Crohn's disease.
      There was an overall 85% 5-year survival and 43% progression-free survival.
      Around 30% of patients in all disease subgroups had a complete response, often
      durable despite full immune reconstitution. In many cases, e.g. systemic
      sclerosis, morphological improvement such as reduction of skin collagen and
      normalization of microvasculature was documented, beyond any predicted known
      effects of intense immunosuppression alone. It is hoped that the results of the
      three running large prospective randomized controlled trials will allow
      modification of the protocols to reduce the high transplant-related mortality
      which relates to regimen intensity, age of patient, and comorbidity. Mesenchymal
      stromal cells (MSC), often incorrectly called stem cells, have been the intense
      focus of in vitro studies and animal models of rheumatic and other diseases over
      more than a decade. Despite multiple plausible mechanisms of action and a
      plethora of positive in vivo animal studies, few randomised controlled clinical
      trials have demonstrated meaningful clinical benefit in any condition so far.
      This could be due to confusion in cell product terminology, complexity of
      clinical study design and execution or agreement on meaningful outcome measures.
      Within the rheumatic diseases, SLE and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have received
      most attention. Uncontrolled multiple trial data from over 300 SLE patients have
      been published from one centre suggesting a positive outcome; one single centre
      comparative study in 172 RA was positive. In addition, small numbers of patients
      with Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, primary Sjogren's disease,
      polymyositis/dermatomyositis and type II diabetes mellitus have received MSC
      therapeutically. The possible reasons for this apparent mismatch between
      expectation and clinical reality will be discussed. 

PMID- 27256976
TI  - Riems influenza a typing array (RITA): An RT-qPCR-based low density array for
      subtyping avian and mammalian influenza a viruses.
AB  - Rapid and sensitive diagnostic approaches are of the utmost importance for the
      detection of humans and animals infected by specific influenza virus subtype(s).
      Cascade-like diagnostics starting with the use of pan-influenza assays and
      subsequent subtyping devices are normally used. Here, we demonstrated a novel low
      density array combining 32 TaqMan((r)) real-time RT-PCR systems in parallel for
      the specific detection of the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) subtypes
      of avian and porcine hosts. The sensitivity of the newly developed system was
      compared with that of the pan-influenza assay, and the specificity of all RT
      qPCRs was examined using a broad panel of 404 different influenza A virus
      isolates representing 45 different subtypes. Furthermore, we analysed the
      performance of the RT-qPCR assays with diagnostic samples obtained from wild
      birds and swine. Due to the open format of the array, adaptations to detect newly
      emerging influenza A virus strains can easily be integrated. The RITA array
      represents a competitive, fast and sensitive subtyping tool that requires neither
      new machinery nor additional training of staff in a lab where RT-qPCR is already
      established.

PMID- 27256977
TI  - Medicinal herbs Fructus corni and Semen cuscutae suppress allograft rejection via
      distinct immune mechanisms.
AB  - Achieving long-term allograft survival without continuous global
      immunosuppression is highly desirable because constant immunosuppression causes
      severe side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been utilized to
      treat numerous diseases for centuries. To seek novel immunosuppressive agents, we
      investigated several Chinese herbal formulas that have been shown to be effective
      in treating autoimmune diseases. C57BL/6 mice were transplanted with a skin graft
      from Balb/C donors and treated orally with the TCM. IL-12-expressing dendritic
      cells and CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs were quantified by flow cytometer while intragraft IL
      12 gene expression was measured by real-time PCR. Here we identified a unique
      TCM, San Si formula, which contains three herbs: Fructus corni (FC), Fructus
      ligustri lucidi (FLL) and Semen cuscutae (SC). We found that either SC or FC, but
      not FLL, significantly prolonged skin allograft survival while SC plus FC or San
      Si formula further delayed allograft rejection compared to SC or FC alone. SC and
      FC, which did not contain cyclosporine and rapamycin, reduced graft-infiltrating
      T cells and suppressed their proliferation. Importantly, it was SC, but not FC,
      that induced CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs in recipients. Tregs induced by SC were also more
      potent in suppression. In contrast, FC repressed both intracellular IL-12
      expression by intragraft DCs and IFNgamma expression by graft-infiltrating T
      cells. Moreover, FC inhibited intragraft IL-12 gene expression. Depleting Tregs
      and providing exogenous IL-12 completely reversed allograft survival induced by
      SC plus FC. Thus, SC and FC synergistically suppress allograft rejection via
      distinct mechanisms.

PMID- 27256978
TI  - Run-on of germline apoptosis promotes gonad senescence in C. elegans.
AB  - Aging (senescence) includes causal mechanisms (etiologies) of late-life disease,
      which remain poorly understood. According to the recently proposed hyperfunction
      theory, based on the older theory of antagonistic pleiotropy, senescent
      pathologies can arise from futile, post-reproductive run-on of processes that in
      early life promote fitness. Here we apply this idea to investigate the etiology
      of senescent pathologies in the reproductive system of Caenorhabditis elegans
      hermaphrodites, particularly distal gonad degeneration and disintegration.
      Hermaphrodite germ cells frequently undergo "physiological" (non-damage-induced)
      apoptosis (PA) to provision growing oocytes. Run-on of such PA is a potential
      cause of age-related gonad degeneration. We document the continuation of germline
      apoptosis in later life, and report that genetically blocking or increasing PA
      retards or accelerates degeneration, respectively. In wild-type males, which lack
      germ line apoptosis, gonad disintegration does not occur. However, mutational
      induction of PA in males does not lead to gonad disintegration. These results
      suggest that as germ-cell proliferation rate declines markedly in aging
      hermaphrodites (but not males), run-on of PA becomes a pathogenic mechanism that
      promotes gonad degeneration. This illustrates how hyperfunction, or non-adaptive
      run-on in later life of a process that promotes fitness in early life, can
      promote atrophic senescent pathology in C. elegans.

PMID- 27256980
TI  - Dendritic cell-derived VEGF-A plays a role in inflammatory angiogenesis of human
      secondary lymphoid organs and is driven by the coordinated activation of multiple
      transcription factors.
AB  - Lymph node expansion during inflammation is essential to establish immune
      responses and relies on the development of blood and lymph vessels. Previous work
      in mice has shown that this process depends on the presence of VEGF-A produced by
      B cells, macrophages and stromal cells. In humans, however, the cell types and
      the mechanisms regulating the intranodal production of VEGF-A remain elusive.
      Here we show that CD11c+ cells represent the main VEGF-A-producing cell
      population in human reactive secondary lymphoid organs. In addition we find that
      three transcription factors, namely CREB, HIF-1alpha and STAT3, regulate the
      expression of VEGF-A in inflamed DCs. Both HIF-1alpha and STAT3 are activated by
      inflammatory agonists. Conversely, CREB phosphorylation represents the critical
      contribution of endogenous or exogenous PGE2. Taken together, these results
      propose a crucial role for DCs in lymph node inflammatory angiogenesis and
      identify novel potential cellular and molecular targets to limit inflammation in
      chronic diseases and tumors.

PMID- 27256979
TI  - Genetic and molecular alterations in olfactory neuroblastoma: implications for
      pathogenesis, prognosis and treatment.
AB  - Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB, Esthesioneuroblastoma) is an infrequent neoplasm of
      the head and neck area derived from olfactory neuroepithelium. Despite relatively
      good prognosis a subset of patients shows recurrence, progression and/or
      metastatic disease, which requires additional treatment. However, neither
      prognostic nor predictive factors are well specified. Thus, we performed a
      literature search for the currently available data on disturbances in molecular
      pathways, cytogenetic changes and results gained by next generation sequencing
      (NGS) approaches in ONB in order to gain an overview of genetic alterations which
      might be useful for treating patients with ONB. We present briefly ONB molecular
      pathogenesis and propose potential therapeutic targets and prognostic factors.
      Possible therapeutic targets in ONB include: receptor tyrosine kinases (c-kit,
      PDGFR-b, TrkB; EGFR); somatostatin receptor; FGF-FGFR1 signaling; Sonic hedgehog
      pathway; apoptosis-related pathways (Bcl-2, TRAIL) and neoangiogenesis (VEGF;
      KDR). Furthermore, we compare high- and low-grade ONB, and describe its frequent
      mimicker: sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinoma. ONB is often a therapeutic
      challenge, so our goal should be the implementation of acquired knowledge into
      clinical practice, especially at pretreated, recurrent and metastatic stages.
      Moreover, the multicenter molecular studies are needed to increase the amount of
      available data.

PMID- 27256981
TI  - A Phosphatidic Acid (PA) conveyor system of continuous intracellular transport
      from cell membrane to nucleus maintains EGF receptor homeostasis.
AB  - The intracellular concentration of the mitogen phosphatidic acid (PA) must be
      maintained at low levels until the need arises for cell proliferation. How
      temporal and spatial trafficking of PA affects its target proteins in the
      different cellular compartments is not fully understood. We report that in cancer
      cells, PA cycles back and forth from the cellular membrane to the nucleus,
      affecting the function of epidermal growth factor (EGF), in a process that
      involves PPARalpha/LXRalpha signaling. Upon binding to its ligand, EGF receptor
      (EGFR)-initiated activation of phospholipase D (PLD) causes a spike in
      intracellular PA production that forms vesicles transporting EGFR from early
      endosomes (EEA1 marker) and prolonged internalization in late endosomes and Golgi
      (RCAS marker). Cells incubated with fluorescent-labeled PA (NBD-PA) show PA in
      "diffuse" locations throughout the cytoplasm, punctae (small, <0.1 MUm) vesicles)
      and large (>0.5 MUm) vesicles that co-localize with EGFR. We also report that
      PPARalpha/LXRalpha form heterodimers that bind to new Responsive Elements (RE) in
      the EGFR promoter. Nuclear PA enhances EGFR expression, a role compatible with
      the mitogenic ability of the phospholipid. Newly made EGFR is packaged into PA
      recycling vesicles (Rab11 marker) and transported back to the cytoplasm and
      plasma membrane. However, a PLD+PA combination impedes binding of
      PPARalpha/LXRalpha to the EGFR promoter. Thus, if PA levels inside the nucleus
      reach a certain threshold (>100 nM) PA outcompetes the nuclear receptors and
      transcription is inhibited. This new signaling function of PLD-PA targeting EGFR
      trafficking and biphasically modulating its transcription, could explain cell
      proliferation initiation and its maintenance in cancer cells.

PMID- 27256982
TI  - Altered splicing leads to reduced activation of CPEB3 in high-grade gliomas.
AB  - Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding proteins (CPEBs) are auxiliary
      translational factors that associate with consensus sequences present in 3'UTRs
      of mRNAs, thereby activating or repressing their translation. Knowing that CPEBs
      are players in cell cycle regulation and cellular senescence prompted us to
      investigate their contribution to the molecular pathology of gliomas-most
      frequent of intracranial tumors found in humans. To this end, we performed
      methylation analyses in the promoter regions of CPEB1-4 and identified the CPEB1
      gene to be hypermethylated in tumor samples. Decreased expression of CPEB1
      protein in gliomas correlated with the rising grade of tumor malignancy. Abundant
      expression of CPEBs2-4 was observed in several glioma specimens. Interestingly,
      expression of CPEB3 positively correlated with tumor progression and malignancy
      but negatively correlated with protein phosphorylation in the alternatively
      spliced region. Our data suggest that loss of CPEB3 activity in high-grade
      gliomas is caused by expression of alternatively spliced variants lacking the B
      region that overlaps with the kinase recognition site. We conclude that
      deregulation of CPEB proteins may be a frequent phenomenon in gliomas and occurs
      on the level of transcription involving epigenetic mechanism as well as on the
      level of mRNA splicing, which generates isoforms with compromised biological
      properties.

PMID- 27256985
TI  - Metal wires should not be abandoned inside implantable cardioverter
      defibrillators leads during heart transplantation!

PMID- 27256983
TI  - Interplay between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and upper tract urothelial
      carcinomas (UUC): foe or friend?
AB  - Although upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UUC) is curable through nephrectomy
      or nephroureterectomy, progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CKD
      related mortality have been highlighted as clinical challenges in recent years
      owing to the loss of a large number of nephrons. While CKD can promote the
      development of UUC, other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus,
      advanced age, and anemia can facilitate the progression of CKD. Conversely, CKD
      is especially prevalent in UUC patients. However, the relationship between CKD
      and UUC, mechanisms for CKD causing UUC, and gender disparity of UUC of CKD
      patients have so far not been well-reviewed. As UUC gradually grows, the cancer
      can be a physical obstacle in the urinary tract. It will cause an increased tract
      pressure, subsequently resulting in the dysfunction of both nephrons and kidney.
      At the molecular level, reduced level of oxidative stress was observed in female
      UUC patients. Furthermore, radical nephrectomy therapy for UUC patients
      accelerates the progress of chronic kidney dysfunction. Incidentally, the
      remedies for CKD containing aristolochic acid (AA) are carcinogenic. Our present
      review offers a comprehensive look at the relationship between CKD and UUC from
      multiple perspectives. Early and precise identification of progression of CKD and
      UUC will benefit the patients at high-risk of CKD or UUC, which will also be
      instructive in directing timely and effective therapeutic interventions whenever
      necessary. It may also shed light on unveiling the underlying mechanisms of
      carcinogenesis of UUC, preventing CKD progression, and prolonging the patients'
      overall survival.

PMID- 27256984
TI  - Autophagy gene expression profiling identifies a defective microtubule-associated
      protein light chain 3A mutant in cancer.
AB  - The cellular stress response autophagy has been implicated in various diseases
      including neuro-degeneration and cancer. The role of autophagy in cancer is not
      clearly understood and both tumour promoting and tumour suppressive effects of
      autophagy have been reported, which complicates the design of therapeutic
      strategies based on targeting the autophagy pathway. Here, we have systematically
      analyzed gene expression data for 47 autophagy genes for deletions,
      amplifications and mutations in various cancers. We found that several cancer
      types have frequent autophagy gene amplifications, whereas deletions are more
      frequent in prostate adenocarcinomas. Other cancer types such as glioblastoma and
      thyroid carcinoma show very few alterations in any of the 47 autophagy genes.
      Overall, individual autophagy core genes are altered at low frequency in cancer,
      suggesting that cancer cells require functional autophagy. Some autophagy genes
      show frequent single base mutations, such as members of the ULK family of protein
      kinases. Furthermore, we found hotspot mutations in the arginine-rich stretch in
      MAP1LC3A resulting in reduced cleavage of MAP1LC3A by ATG4B both in vitro and in
      vivo, suggesting a functional implication of this gene mutation in cancer
      development.

PMID- 27256986
TI  - Discovery of a Novel Microsomal Epoxide Hydrolase-Catalyzed Hydration of a Spiro
      Oxetane.
AB  - Oxetane moieties are increasingly being used by the pharmaceutical industry as
      building blocks in drug candidates because of their pronounced ability to improve
      physicochemical parameters and metabolic stability of drug candidates. The
      enzymes that catalyze the biotransformation of the oxetane moiety are, however,
      not well studied. The in vitro metabolism of a spiro oxetane-containing compound
      AZD1979 [(3-(4-(2-oxa-6-azaspiro[3.3]heptan-6-ylmethyl)phenoxy)azetidin-1-yl)(5
      (4-ethoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methanone] was studied and one of its
      metabolites, M1, attracted our interest because its formation was NAD(P)H
      independent. The focus of this work was to elucidate the structure of M1 and to
      understand the mechanism(s) of its formation. We established that M1 was formed
      via hydration and ring opening of the oxetanyl moiety of AZD1979. Incubations of
      AZD1979 using various human liver subcellular fractions revealed that the
      hydration reaction leading to M1 occurred mainly in the microsomal fraction. The
      underlying mechanism as a hydration, rather than an oxidation reaction, was
      supported by the incorporation of (18)O from H2 (18)O into M1. Enzyme kinetics
      were performed probing the formation of M1 in human liver microsomes. The
      formation of M1 was substantially inhibited by progabide, a microsomal epoxide
      hydrolase inhibitor, but not by trans-4-[4-(1
      adamantylcarbamoylamino)cyclohexyloxy]benzoic acid, a soluble epoxide hydrolase
      inhibitor. On the basis of these results, we propose that microsomal epoxide
      hydrolase catalyzes the formation of M1. The substrate specificity of microsomal
      epoxide hydrolase should therefore be expanded to include not only epoxides but
      also the oxetanyl ring system present in AZD1979.

PMID- 27256988
TI  - There's plenty of light at the bottom: statistics of photon penetration depth in
      random media.
AB  - We propose a comprehensive statistical approach describing the penetration depth
      of light in random media. The presented theory exploits the concept of
      probability density function f(z|rho, t) for the maximum depth reached by the
      photons that are eventually re-emitted from the surface of the medium at distance
      rho and time t. Analytical formulas for f, for the mean maximum depth <zmax> and
      for the mean average depth reached by the detected photons at the surface of a
      diffusive slab are derived within the framework of the diffusion approximation to
      the radiative transfer equation, both in the time domain and the continuous wave
      domain. Validation of the theory by means of comparisons with Monte Carlo
      simulations is also presented. The results are of interest for many research
      fields such as biomedical optics, advanced microscopy and disordered photonics.

PMID- 27256987
TI  - Risk of recurrence of retinopathy of prematurity after initial intravitreal
      ranibizumab therapy.
AB  - We report our experience with the use of intravitreal ranibizumab for the
      treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). A retrospective review was
      performed on 138 consecutive infants screened at a single centre over 18 months.
      Intravitreal ranibizumab was offered in selected cases requiring treatment, such
      as aggressive posterior ROP or poor mydriasis. 2 eyes of 1 infant received
      intravitreal ranibizumab alone and 8 eyes of 5 infants received combined
      intravitreal ranibizumab and laser therapy. 3 out of 8 eyes treated initially
      with intravitreal ranibizumab monotherapy had persistent disease requiring laser
      therapy, and 3 out of 5 eyes with initial regression suffered disease recurrence
      at a mean of 7.6 weeks post-injection. 2 eyes treated first with laser followed
      by intravitreal ranibizumab had disease regression without recurrence. Our cohort
      demonstrate a significant rate of persistent disease and recurrence in ROP eyes
      treated initially with intravitreal ranibizumab monotherapy, which is greater and
      earlier than that reported for intravitreal bevacizumab in the BEAT-ROP study.
      Intravitreal ranibizumab may be useful as an initial treatment in selected cases
      of ROP when laser therapy as first line is suboptimal. However, close monitoring
      is important and adjunctive laser therapy may subsequently be needed in a
      majority of cases.

PMID- 27256989
TI  - Effects of ceftriaxone induced intestinal dysbacteriosis on lymphocytes in
      different tissues in mice.
AB  - The close relationship between intestinal microflora and immune system has been
      confirmed, stimulus from intestinal flora plays an important role in the
      development of the immune system and its dynamic balance. Current research is
      still inadequate to determine how local bacteria in gut influence the whole body.
      In this study, influence of ceftriaxone sodium induced intestinal dysbacteriosis
      on local and overall immune function was investigated. We found that the
      beneficial bacteria decreased significantly compared with control after oral
      administration of ceftriaxone; Moreover, the proportion of T cells are higher and
      B cells are lower in the dysbacteriosis mice, activation and proliferation of T
      and B cells was decreased significantly in gut-associated lymphoid tissues
      (GALTs), such as Peyer's patches (PPs) and mesenteric lymph nodes(MLNs)with
      ceftriaxone treatment; The secreted sIgA in intestinal was reduced in
      dysbacteriosis mice than that of control as well. The similar results above are
      also shown on the spleen. In addition, the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH)
      reaction decreased in dysbacteriosis mice. The present data suggested that
      intestinal microflora had impact on immune system by influencing the proportion
      and function of lymphocytes in PPS-MLN-spleen.

PMID- 27256990
TI  - Improved Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Associated With Testosterone Replacement
      Therapy in Japanese Men With Late-Onset Hypogonadism.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the effects of testosterone replacement therapy
      (TRT) on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with late-onset hypogonadism
      (LOH) and to identify parameters predicting the efficacy of TRT in improving
      LUTS. This study included 60 consecutive Japanese men who were diagnosed with LOH
      and subsequently received TRT between January 2009 and December 2014. In this
      series, 250 mg of testosterone was injected intramuscularly every 3 or 4 weeks in
      all patients. The following parameters were retrospectively reviewed: body mass
      index (BMI), Aging Male Symptom (AMS) score, International Prostate Symptom Score
      (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score, residual urine
      volume, prostate volume, serum levels of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and
      total- and free-testosterone levels before and 6 months after TRT. No significant
      differences were observed in BMI, residual urine volume, or prostate volume
      between surveys before and after TRT. The AMS score, IPSS, and IIEF-5 score were
      significantly improved and significant increases were noted in the serum levels
      of PSA and total- and free-testosterone levels after TRT. An analysis of IPSS
      subscores documented the significant improvement in storage symptom scores, but
      not in voiding symptom scores after TRT. Multivariate analyses of parameters
      assessed in this study identified the pretreatment AMS score, posttreatment IIEF
      5 score, and prostate volume as independent predictors of improvements in IPSS
      following TRT. This study revealed that TRT appeared to have considerable
      therapeutic effects on LUTS, particularly on storage symptoms, in men with LOH.

PMID- 27256991
TI  - Method development to quantify Bv8 expression in circulating CD11b+ cells in
      patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) exhibiting
      Anti-VEGF refractoriness.
AB  - A subset of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) subjects appears
      to be refractory to the effects of anti-VEGF treatment and require frequent
      intravitreal injections. Prokineticin-2 (Bv8) expression in CD11b(+) cells has
      been linked to anti-VEGF response. We have developed a reproducible method to
      quantify gene expression in circulating CD11b + cells. Utilizing this method we
      tested the hypothesis that high Bv8 expression in circulating CD11b(+) cells is
      associated with anti-VEGF refractoriness in nvAMD patients. Two groups of nvAMD
      subjects undergoing treatment with anti-VEGF agents were recruited and classified
      as refractory or non-refractory to anti-VEGF treatment (n = 33 for each group).
      Two blood draws were obtained from each subject 1-9 months apart. Peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and CD11b(+) cells were purified
      via magnetic bead separation. RNA was purified, and relative expression of Bv8
      among the subjects was compared via quantitative PCR analysis. Utilizing this
      approach no significant difference was detected in the mean LogRQ values between
      the first and second blood draws (t-test, p = 0.826) indicating low intra-patient
      variability and demonstrating good reproducibility of the assay. There was no
      significant difference in Bv8 expression between nvAMD subjects classified as
      refractory versus non-refractory. We were unable to find a correlation between
      Bv8 expression in CD11b + cells and anti-VEGF refractoriness in human nvAMD
      subjects. Relatively high expression in Bv8 in these subjects did not correlate
      with clinical treatment history, as measured by the frequency of injections.
      Utilizing this well characterized technique, studies are underway to examine
      alternative gene expression profiles in various circulating cell populations that
      may contribute to anti-VEGF refractoriness.

PMID- 27256992
TI  - Supplemental Parenteral Nutrition Is the Key to Prevent Energy Deficits in
      Critically Ill Patients.
AB  - This review emphasizes the role of a timely supplemental parenteral nutrition
      (PN) for critically ill patients. It contradicts the recommendations of current
      guidelines to avoid the use of PN, as it is associated with risk. Critical
      illness results in severe metabolic stress. During the early phase, inflammatory
      cytokines and mediators induce catabolism to meet the increased body energy
      demands by endogenous sources. This response is not suppressed by exogenous
      energy administration, and the early use of PN to reach the energy target leads
      to overfeeding. On the other hand, early and progressive enteral nutrition (EN)
      is less likely to cause overfeeding because of variable gastrointestinal
      tolerance, a factor frequently associated with significant energy deficit. Recent
      studies demonstrate that adequate feeding is beneficial during and after the
      intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Supplemental PN allows for timely adequate
      feeding, if sufficient precautions are taken to avoid overfeeding. Indirect
      calorimetry can precisely define the adequate energy prescription. Our pragmatic
      approach is to start early EN to progressively test the gut tolerance and add
      supplemental PN on day 3 or 4 after ICU admission, only if EN does not meet the
      measured energy target. We believe that supplemental PN plays a pivotal role in
      the achievement of adequate feeding in critically ill patients with intolerance
      to EN and does not cause harm if overfeeding is avoided by careful prescription,
      ideally based on energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry. 

PMID- 27256994
TI  - Boy with central precocious puberty probably due to a peripheral cause.
AB  - A 61/2 years Indian boy was brought by his parents, who were anxious about the
      excessive increase in the size of the boy's phallus, from the age of 2 years. On
      physical examination, the child had a penis length greater than the 97th centile
      for age, a sexual maturity rating of gonads at stage 2 and pubic hair at stage 3,
      with height in the high normal range (90-97th centile). The bone age was 12
      years. Laboratory evaluation showed pubertal levels of testosterone and pubertal
      gonadotropin response to stimulation, confirming central precocious puberty
      (CPP). Incidentally, the hormonal profile also suggested congenital adrenal
      hyperplasia (CAH). This case report depicts a case of CPP probably caused by CAH
      in boys, which is rare. 

PMID- 27256993
TI  - Diagnosis of infant synostotic and nonsynostotic cranial deformities: a review
      for pediatricians.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the current comprehensive care for nonsyndromic
      craniosynostosis and nonsynostotic cranial deformity and to offer an overall view
      of these craniofacial conditions. DATA SOURCE: The review was conducted in the
      PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases without time or language restrictions.
      Relevant articles were selected for the review. DATA SYNTHESIS: We included the
      anatomy and physiology of normal skull development of children, discussing
      nuances related to nomenclature, epidemiology, etiology, and treatment of the
      most common forms of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. The clinical criteria for the
      differential diagnosis between positional deformities and nonsyndromic
      craniosynostosis were also discussed, giving to the pediatrician subsidies for a
      quick and safe clinical diagnosis. If positional deformity is accurately
      diagnosed, it can be treated successfully with behavior modification. Diagnostic
      doubts and craniosynostosis patients should be referred straightaway to a
      multidisciplinary craniofacial center. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians are in the
      forefront of the diagnosis of patients with cranial deformities. Thus, it is of
      paramount importance that they recognize subtle cranial deformities as it may be
      related to premature fusion of cranial sutures.

PMID- 27256995
TI  - Isolated bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy in the absence of other symptoms, due
      to LGV in known HIV-positive MSM: is it more common than we think?
AB  - The current resurgence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) has drawn most attention
      to its potential for causing proctitis; however, this case highlights the need
      for awareness of LGV as a cause of isolated painful bilateral inguinal
      lymphadenopathy in a high-risk population and the importance of routine screening
      for LGV. We describe a case of a 37-year-old HIV positive man, in the population
      of men who have sex with men (MSM) who presented with bilateral enlarged inguinal
      lymph nodes and no other symptoms or signs. Urine nucleic acid amplification test
      was positive for chlamydia LGV-specific DNA. Tests from other sites were
      negative. 

PMID- 27256996
TI  - Complete response and long-term survival of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from
      breast cancer with maintenance endocrine therapy.
AB  - Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis carries a poor prognosis in breast cancer.
      Treatment modalities are geared towards tumour molecular characteristics, as well
      as symptoms and patient performance status. It has previously been postulated
      that endocrine treatments used for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer do
      cross the blood-brain barrier and can achieve antineoplastic effects in the
      central nervous system. We report a case of metastatic breast cancer in a 65-year
      old woman who developed leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. She was initially treated
      with intrathecal methotrexate, which was stopped due to toxicity, followed by
      maintenance endocrine therapy. She achieved a sustained complete radiological and
      cerebrospinal fluid cytological response for over 9 years. She eventually passed
      away of ischaemic bowel unrelated to her cancer. 

PMID- 27256997
TI  - Lethargy and vision loss: successful management of rhinocerebral mucormycosis.
AB  - Rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM) is an angioinvasive fungal infection most often
      caused by Rhizopus oryzae It is usually associated with an underlying risk factor
      and is associated with a poor prognosis. There are no consensus guidelines on the
      optimal management of this aggressive disease; most management decisions are
      based on case reports and expert opinion. We report a successfully managed case
      of RCM in an insulin-dependent diabetic, initially presenting with a change in
      mental status, rapidly progressing to complete right eye blindness and
      ophthalmoplegia and complicated by multiple cerebral infarctions and abscesses.
      We describe the diagnostic approach and various therapeutic interventions
      undertaken to successfully manage our patient. 

PMID- 27256998
TI  - Dopa-responsive acute disseminated encephalomyelitis with marked atrophy of the
      striate body.

PMID- 27256999
TI  - Swept source: optical coherence tomography angiography features of choroidal
      osteoma with choroidal neovascular membrane.

PMID- 27257000
TI  - Diagnostic challenges in acromioclavicular septic arthritis.
AB  - A 69-year-old man with Klinefelter's syndrome presented with a painful shoulder
      and staphylococcal sepsis. He received intravenous antibiotics while
      investigations were performed to locate the source of infection. MRI demonstrated
      infection in the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ). The patient clinically improved
      and a further 5 weeks of oral antibiotics were given. He remained asymptomatic at
      2-year follow-up. Although ACJ septic arthritis is rare, independent of immune
      competent status, a high index of suspicion is essential for prompt diagnosis.
      The condition presents additional diagnostic challenges due to unfamiliarity, the
      challenges of interpreting imaging, desire for radiological guided arthrocentesis
      and low volume aspirates. Overcoming these pitfalls is essential to avoid
      significant morbidity and mortality. 

PMID- 27257001
TI  - Unusual case of acute neck pain: acute calcific longus colli tendinitis.
AB  - Acute calcific longus colli tendinitis (ACLCT), a very rare cause of severe neck
      pain, dysphagia and odynophagia, is often mistaken for other common causes of
      neck pain. However, prompt recognition of this uncommon presentation is important
      to prevent unnecessary medical and surgical intervention. A 46-year-old Caucasian
      man presented with a 1-day history of severe neck pain, headache and odynophagia.
      The patient was afebrile with stable vital signs, however, the laboratory data
      showed mildly elevated C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The
      physical examination was remarkable for markedly reduced cervical range of
      motion. MRI revealed the pathognomonic findings of paravertebral oedema and
      calcification. The definitive diagnosis of ACLCT was made and the patient was
      successfully managed with a short course of oral steroid, benzodiazepine and
      aural acupuncture, with complete resolution of the condition within a week. 

PMID- 27257002
TI  - Congenital absence of bilateral ICA: an unusual incidental finding in an adult
      male.

PMID- 27257003
TI  - Inspiratory muscle training to enhance recovery from mechanical ventilation: a
      randomised trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients who have been mechanically ventilated, inspiratory
      muscles remain weak and fatigable following ventilatory weaning, which may
      contribute to dyspnoea and limited functional recovery. Inspiratory muscle
      training may improve inspiratory muscle strength and endurance following weaning,
      potentially improving dyspnoea and quality of life in this patient group.
      METHODS: We conducted a randomised trial with assessor-blinding and intention-to
      treat analysis. Following 48 hours of successful weaning, 70 participants
      (mechanically ventilated >=7 days) were randomised to receive inspiratory muscle
      training once daily 5 days/week for 2 weeks in addition to usual care, or usual
      care (control). Primary endpoints were inspiratory muscle strength and fatigue
      resistance index (FRI) 2 weeks following enrolment. Secondary endpoints included
      dyspnoea, physical function and quality of life, post-intensive care length of
      stay and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: 34 participants were randomly allocated
      to the training group and 36 to control. The training group demonstrated greater
      improvements in inspiratory strength (training: 17%, control: 6%, mean
      difference: 11%, p=0.02). There were no statistically significant differences in
      FRI (0.03 vs 0.02, p=0.81), physical function (0.25 vs 0.25, p=0.97) or dyspnoea
      (-0.5 vs 0.2, p=0.22). Improvement in quality of life was greater in the training
      group (14% vs 2%, mean difference 12%, p=0.03). In-hospital mortality was higher
      in the training group (4 vs 0, 12% vs 0%, p=0.051). CONCLUSIONS: Inspiratory
      muscle training following successful weaning increases inspiratory muscle
      strength and quality of life, but we cannot confidently rule out an associated
      increased risk of in-hospital mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
      ACTRN12610001089022, results.

PMID- 27257005
TI  - Population genetic analysis and bioclimatic modeling in Agave striata in the
      Chihuahuan Desert indicate higher genetic variation and lower differentiation in
      drier and more variable environments.
AB  - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Is there an association between bioclimatic variables and
      genetic variation within species? This question can be approached by a detailed
      analysis of population genetics parameters along environmental gradients in
      recently originated species (so genetic drift does not further obscure the
      patterns). The genus Agave, with more than 200 recent species encompassing a
      diversity of morphologies and distributional patterns, is an adequate system for
      such analyses. We studied Agave striata, a widely distributed species from the
      Chihuahuan Desert, with a distinctive iteroparous reproductive ecology and two
      recognized subspecies with clear morphological differences. We used population
      genetic analyses along with bioclimatic studies to understand the effect of
      environment on the genetic variation and differentiation of this species.
      METHODS: We analyzed six populations of the subspecies A. striata subsp. striata,
      with a southern distribution, and six populations of A. striata subsp. falcata,
      with a northern distribution, using 48 ISSR loci and a total of 541 individuals
      (averaging 45 individuals per population). We assessed correlations between
      population genetics parameters (the levels of genetic variation and
      differentiation) and the bioclimatic variables of each population. We modeled
      each subspecies distribution and used linear correlations and multifactorial
      analysis of variance. KEY RESULTS: Genetic variation (measured as expected
      heterozygosity) increased at higher latitudes. Higher levels of genetic variation
      in populations were associated with a higher variation in environmental
      temperature and lower precipitation. Stronger population differentiation was
      associated with wetter and more variable precipitation in the southern
      distribution of the species. The two subspecies have genetic differences, which
      coincide with their climatic differences and potential distributions.
      CONCLUSIONS: Differences in genetic variation among populations and the genetic
      differentiation between A. striata subsp. striata and A. striata subsp. falcata
      is correlated with differences in environmental climatic variables along their
      distribution. We found two distinct gene pools that suggest active
      differentiation and perhaps incipient speciation. The detected association
      between genetic variation and environment variables indicates that climatic
      variables are playing an important role in the differentiation of A. striata.

PMID- 27257004
TI  - Interaction of vitamin E isoforms on asthma and allergic airway disease.
AB  - Prospective epidemiological studies, observational cross-sectional studies and
      some randomised prevention trials have demonstrated inconsistent findings of the
      impact of vitamin E on asthma risk. The goals of this study were to explore
      whether this differing association of vitamin E on asthma risk is due to an
      interaction of vitamin E isoforms. To address this question, in a population
      based asthma incidence study we assessed the interaction between the plasma
      concentrations of vitamin E isoforms alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol on
      asthma risk. Second, to understand the mechanisms of any interaction of these
      isoforms, we conducted experimental supplementation of alpha-tocopherol and gamma
      tocopherol isoforms in mice on the outcome of allergic airway inflammation. We
      found that in the highest gamma-tocopherol tertile, low levels of alpha
      tocopherol were associated with increased asthma risk, while highest tertile
      alpha-tocopherol levels trended to be protective. Similarly, in a mouse model of
      asthma, diet supplementation with alpha-tocopherol decreased lung inflammation in
      response to house dust mite (HDM) challenge. In contrast, diet supplementation
      with gamma-tocopherol increased lung inflammation in response to HDM. These human
      and animal studies provide evidence for the competing effects of the vitamin E
      isoforms, in physiological concentrations, on asthma and allergic airway disease.

PMID- 27257006
TI  - Abscission zone development in Setaria viridis and its domesticated relative,
      Setaria italica.
AB  - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Development of an abscission zone (AZ) is needed for
      dispersal of seeds, and AZ loss was a critical early step in plant domestication.
      The AZ forms in different tissues in different species of plants, but whether the
      AZ is developmentally similar wherever it occurs is unknown. AZ development in
      Setaria viridis was studied as a representative of the previously uncharacterized
      subfamily Panicoideae. METHODS: One accession of the wild species S. viridis and
      two of its domesticate, S. italica, were studied. Strength of the AZ was measured
      with a force gauge. Anatomy of the AZ was studied throughout development using
      bright field and confocal microscopy. KEY RESULTS: The force required to remove a
      spikelet of S. viridis from the parent plant dropped steadily during development,
      whereas that required to remove spikelets of S. italica increased initially
      before stabilizing at a high level. Despite the clear difference in tensile
      strength of the AZ, anatomical differences between S. viridis and S. italica were
      subtle, and the position of the AZ was not easy to determine in cross sections of
      pedicel apices. Staining with DAPI showed that nuclei were present up to and
      presumably through abscission in S. viridis, and acridine orange staining showed
      much less lignification than in other cereals. CONCLUSIONS: The AZ in Setaria is
      developmentally and anatomically different from that characterized in rice,
      barley, and many eudicots. In particular, no set of small, densely cytoplasmic
      cells is obvious. This difference in anatomy could point to differential genetic
      control of the structure.

PMID- 27257007
TI  - Insect-induced plant phenotypes: Revealing mechanisms through comparative
      genomics of galling insects and their hosts.

PMID- 27257008
TI  - Antinociceptive Effects of Prim-O-Glucosylcimifugin in Inflammatory Nociception
      via Reducing Spinal COX-2.
AB  - We measured anti-nociceptive activity of prim-o-glucosylcimifugin (POG), a
      molecule from Saposhnikovia divaricate (Turcz) Schischk. Anti-nociceptive or anti
      inflammatory effects of POG on a formalin-induced tonic nociceptive response and
      a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) inoculation-induced rat arthritis pain model
      were studied. Single subcutaneous injections of POG produced potent anti
      nociception in both models that was comparable to indomethacin analgesia. Anti
      nociceptive activity of POG was dose-dependent, maximally reducing pain 56.6%
      with an ED50 of 1.6 mg. Rats given POG over time did not develop tolerance. POG
      also time-dependently reduced serum TNFalpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in arthritic rats
      and both POG and indomethacin reduced spinal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Like
      indomethacin which inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity, POG dose
      dependently decreased spinal COX-2 content in arthritic rats. Additionally, POG,
      and its metabolite cimifugin, downregulated COX-2 expression in vitro. Thus, POG
      produced potent anti-nociception by downregulating spinal COX-2 expression. 

PMID- 27257009
TI  - Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Blocks Ethanol-Induced Synaptic Dysfunction through
      Regulation of NMDA Receptor-Dependent Synaptic Transmission.
AB  - Consumption of high doses of ethanol can lead to amnesia, which often manifests
      as a blackout. These blackouts experienced by ethanol consumers may be a major
      cause of the social problems associated with excess ethanol consumption. However,
      there is currently no established treatment for preventing these ethanol-induced
      blackouts. In this study, we tested the ethanol extract of the roots of Salvia
      miltiorrhiza (SM) for its ability to mitigate ethanol-induced behavioral and
      synaptic deficits. To test behavioral deficits, an object recognition test was
      conducted in mouse. In this test, ethanol (1 g/kg, i.p.) impaired object
      recognition memory, but SM (200 mg/kg) prevented this impairment. To evaluate
      synaptic deficits, NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potential
      (EPSP) and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the mouse hippocampal slices were
      tested, as they are known to be vulnerable to ethanol and are associated with
      ethanol-induced amnesia. SM (10 and 100 MUg/ml) significantly ameliorated ethanol
      induced long-term potentiation and NMDA receptor-mediated EPSP deficits in the
      hippocampal slices. Therefore, these results suggest that SM prevents ethanol
      induced amnesia by protecting the hippocampus from NMDA receptor-mediated
      synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity deficits induced by ethanol. 

PMID- 27257010
TI  - Inhibitory Effects of Norwogonin, Oroxylin A, and Mosloflavone on Enterovirus 71.
AB  - Severe complications associated with EV71 infections are a common cause of
      neonatal death. Lack of effective therapeutic agents for these infections
      underlines the importance of research for the development of new antiviral
      compounds. In the present study, the anti-EV71 activity of norwogonin, oroxylin
      A, and mosloflavone from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi was evaluated using a
      cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction method, which demonstrated that all three
      compounds possessed strong anti-EV71 activity and decreased the formation of
      visible CPEs. Norwogonin, oroxylin A, and mosloflavone also inhibited virus
      replication during the initial stage of virus infection, and they inhibited viral
      VP2 protein expression, thereby inhibiting viral capsid protein synthesis.
      However, ribavirin has a relatively weaker efficacy compared to the other drugs.
      Therefore, these findings provide important information that will aid in the
      utilization of norwogonin, oroxylin A, and mosloflavone for EV71 treatment. 

PMID- 27257011
TI  - Shikonin Induces Apoptotic Cell Death via Regulation of p53 and Nrf2 in AGS Human
      Stomach Carcinoma Cells.
AB  - Shikonin, which derives from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been traditionally
      used against a variety of diseases, including cancer, in Eastern Asia. Here we
      determined that shikonin inhibits proliferation of gastric cancer cells by
      inducing apoptosis. Shikonin's biological activity was validated by observing
      cell viability, caspase 3 activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and
      apoptotic marker expressions in AGS stomach cancer cells. The concentration range
      of shikonin was 35-250 nM with the incubation time of 6 h. Protein levels of Nrf2
      and p53 were evaluated by western blotting and confirmed by real-time PCR. Our
      results revealed that shikonin induced the generation of ROS as well as caspase 3
      dependent apoptosis. c-Jun-N-terminal kinases (JNK) activity was significantly
      elevated in shikonin-treated cells, thereby linking JNK to apoptosis.
      Furthermore, our results revealed that shikonin induced p53 expression but
      repressed Nrf2 expression. Moreover, our results suggested that there may be a co
      regulation between p53 and Nrf2, in which transfection with siNrf2 induced the
      p53 expression. We demonstrated for the first time that shikonin activated cell
      apoptosis in AGS cells via caspase 3- and JNK-dependent pathways, as well as
      through the p53-Nrf2 mediated signal pathway. Our study validates in partly the
      contribution of shikonin as a new therapeutic approaches/ agent for cancer
      chemotherapy. 

PMID- 27257012
TI  - Baicalein Protects Human Skin Cells against Ultraviolet B-Induced Oxidative
      Stress.
AB  - Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-phenyl-chromen-4-one) is a flavone, a type of
      flavonoid, originally isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis. This
      study evaluated the protective effects of baicalein against oxidative damage
      mediated apoptosis induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in a human
      keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Baicalein absorbed light within the wavelength
      range of UVB. In addition, baicalein decreased the level of intracellular
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to UVB radiation. Baicalein protected
      cells against UVB radiation-induced DNA breaks, 8-isoprostane generation and
      protein modification in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, baicalein suppressed the
      apoptotic cell death by UVB radiation. These findings suggest that baicalein
      protected HaCaT cells against UVB radiation-induced cell damage and apoptosis by
      absorbing UVB radiation and scavenging ROS.

PMID- 27257014
TI  - DTB Select: 6 | June 2016.
AB  - EMA reviews risk of pneumonia with inhaled corticosteroids for COPD ? Updated USA
      guidance on opioids for chronic pain ? Tackling high-risk prescribing ?
      Influencing antibiotic prescribing in primary care ? Commuting, BMI and obesity ?
      Cardiovascular effects of antidepressants ? PPI use and dementia ? Older people
      and risk of drug interactions. 

PMID- 27257013
TI  - Quercetin-3-O-beta-D-Glucuronide Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced JNK and
      ERK Phosphorylation in LPS-Challenged RAW264.7 Cells.
AB  - Quercetin, a flavonol, has been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological
      properties including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However,
      pharmacological properties of quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronide (QG), a glycoside
      derivative of quercetin, have not been extensively examined. The objective of
      this study is to elucidate the anti-inflammatory property and underlying
      mechanism of QG in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged RAW264.7 macrophage cells
      in comparison with quercetin. QG significantly suppressed LPS-induced
      extracellular secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO)
      and PGE2, and pro-inflammatory protein expressions of iNOS and COX-2. To
      elucidate the underlying mechanism of the anti-inflammatory property of QG,
      involvement of MAPK signaling pathways was examined. QG significantly attenuated
      LPS-induced activation of JNK and ERK in concentration-dependent manners with a
      negligible effect on p38. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates QG exerts
      anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of JNK and ERK signaling
      pathways in LPS-challenged RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

PMID- 27257015
TI  - Is Interarterial Course a Requisite for Ischemia in Anomalous Origin of Coronary
      Arteries?
AB  - Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the noncoronary sinus
      (LCANS) is a rare variant of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery that is
      not characterized by an interarterial course. Despite the absence of an
      interarterial course, there are rare reports of LCANS presenting with sudden
      death, life-threatening arrhythmia, exercise-induced myocardial ischemia,
      premature ventricular contractions, and syncope. We report a patient with LCANS
      presenting with acute myocardial infarction who recovered completely with
      emergent surgical unroofing of the coronary artery.

PMID- 27257016
TI  - The Prevalence of CKD in Rural Canadian Indigenous Peoples: Results From the
      First Nations Community Based Screening to Improve Kidney Health and Prevent
      Dialysis (FINISHED) Screen, Triage, and Treat Program.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Indigenous Canadians have high rates of risk factors for chronic
      kidney disease (CKD), in particular diabetes. Furthermore, they have increased
      rates of complications associated with CKD, such as kidney failure and vascular
      disease. Our objective was to describe the prevalence of CKD in this population.
      STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Indigenous (First
      Nations) Canadians 18 years or older screened as part of the First Nations
      Community Based Screening to Improve Kidney Health and Prevent Dialysis
      (FINISHED) project, an initiative completed in 2015 that accomplished community
      wide screening in 11 rural communities in Manitoba, Canada. PREDICTORS:
      Indigenous ethnicity and geographic location (communities accessible by road
      compared with those accessible only by air). OUTCOME: Prevalence of CKD, presumed
      based on a single ascertainment of urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) >=
      30mg/g and/or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60mL/min/1.73m(2).
      MEASUREMENTS: Kidney function measured by eGFR (CKD-EPI creatinine equation) and
      UACR. RESULTS: 1,346 adults were screened; 25.5% had CKD, defined as UACR>=30mg/g
      or eGFR<60mL/min/1.73m(2). Communities accessible by road had a lower prevalence
      of CKD (17.6%) than more remote communities accessible only by air (34.4%). Of
      those screened, 3.3% had reduced kidney function (defined as
      eGFR<60mL/min/1.73m(2)). Severely increased albuminuria was present in 5.0% of
      those screened. LIMITATIONS: Presumption of chronicity based on a single
      ascertainment. There is a possibility of sampling bias, the net direction of
      which is uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: We found a 2-fold higher prevalence of CKD in
      indigenous Canadians in comparison to the general population and a prevalence of
      severely increased albuminuria that was 5-fold higher. This is comparable to
      patients with diabetes and/or hypertension. Public health strategies to screen,
      triage, and treat all Canadian indigenous peoples with CKD should be considered.

PMID- 27257018
TI  - Securing a future for responsible neuromodulation in children: The importance of
      maintaining a broad clinical gaze.
AB  - AIM: This perspective paper provides an overview of several key tensions and
      challenges within the social context of neuromodulation, and it suggests a means
      of securing the future of paediatric neuromodulation in light of these. RESULTS:
      Tensions and challenges relate to: the considerable clinical and economic need
      for new therapies to manage neurological diseases; significant commercial
      involvement in the field; funding pressures; public perceptions (particularly
      unrealistic expectations); and the emerging Responsible Research and Innovation
      initiative. This paper argues that managing these challenges and tensions
      requires that clinicians working within the field adopt what could be called a
      broad clinical gaze. This paper will define the broad clinical gaze, and it will
      propose several ways in which a broad clinical gaze can be - and indeed is being 
      operationalised in recent advances in neuromodulation in children. These include
      the use of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary clinical team structures, the
      adoption of clinical assessment tools that capture day-to-day functionality, and
      the use of patient registries. CONCLUSION: By adopting a broad clinical gaze,
      clinicians and investigators can ensure that the field as a whole can responsibly
      and ethically deliver on its significant clinical potential.

PMID- 27257019
TI  - Mixed acinar-neuroendocrine-ductal carcinoma of the pancreas: a tale of three
      lineages.
AB  - Most pancreatic cancers arise from a single cell type, although mixed pancreatic
      carcinomas represent a rare exception. The rarity of these aggressive
      malignancies and the limitations of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) pose significant
      barriers to diagnosis and appropriate management. We report a case of a 54-year
      old man presenting with abdominal pain, jaundice and a hypodense lesion within
      the uncinate process on CT. FNA suggested poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma,
      which was subsequently resected via pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pathological
      analysis yielded diagnosis of invasive mixed acinar-neuroendocrine-ductal
      pancreatic carcinoma. Given the rare and deadly nature of these tumours,
      clinicians must be aware of their pathophysiology and do practice with a high
      degree of clinical suspicion, when appropriate. Surgical resection and thorough
      pathological analysis with immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopy
      remain the standards of care for mixed pancreatic tumours without gross evidence
      of metastasis. Diligent characterisation of the presentation and histological
      findings associated with these neoplasms should continue in order to promote
      optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 27257017
TI  - CNV analysis in Chinese children of mental retardation highlights a sex
      differentiation in parental contribution to de novo and inherited mutational
      burdens.
AB  - Rare copy number variations (CNVs) are a known genetic etiology in
      neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Comprehensive CNV analysis was performed in
      287 Chinese children with mental retardation and/or development delay (MR/DD) and
      their unaffected parents. When compared with 5,866 ancestry-matched controls,
      11~12% more MR/DD children carried rare and large CNVs. The increased CNV burden
      in MR/DD was predominantly due to de novo CNVs, the majority of which (62%) arose
      in the paternal germline. We observed a 2~3 fold increase of large CNV burden in
      the mothers of affected children. By implementing an evidence-based review
      approach, pathogenic structural variants were identified in 14.3% patients and
      2.4% parents, respectively. Pathogenic CNVs in parents were all carried by
      mothers. The maternal transmission bias of deleterious CNVs was further
      replicated in a published dataset. Our study confirms the pathogenic role of rare
      CNVs in MR/DD, and provides additional evidence to evaluate the dosage
      sensitivity of some candidate genes. It also supports a population model of MR/DD
      that spontaneous mutations in males' germline are major contributor to the de
      novo mutational burden in offspring, with higher penetrance in male than female;
      unaffected carriers of causative mutations, mostly females, then contribute to
      the inherited mutational burden.

PMID- 27257020
TI  - Engineering skyrmions in transition-metal multilayers for spintronics.
AB  - Magnetic skyrmions are localized, topologically protected spin structures that
      have been proposed for storing or processing information due to their intriguing
      dynamical and transport properties. Important in terms of applications is the
      recent discovery of interface stabilized skyrmions as evidenced in ultra-thin
      transition-metal films. However, so far only skyrmions at interfaces with a
      single atomic layer of a magnetic material were reported, which greatly limits
      their potential for application in devices. Here we predict the emergence of
      skyrmions in [4d/Fe2/5d]n multilayers, that is, structures composed of Fe
      biatomic layers sandwiched between 4d and 5d transition-metal layers. In these
      composite structures, the exchange and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions
      that control skyrmion formation can be tuned separately by the two interfaces.
      This allows engineering skyrmions as shown based on density functional theory and
      spin dynamics simulations.

PMID- 27257021
TI  - Review: Roles for astrocytes in epilepsy: insights from malformations of cortical
      development.
AB  - Malformations of cortical development (MCDs), such as cortical dysplasia and
      tuberous sclerosis complex, are common causes of intractable epilepsy, especially
      in paediatric patients. Recently, mounting evidence points to a common pathology
      of these disorders. Hyperactivation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has
      been proposed as a central mechanism in most, if not all, MCDs. The transition
      from mTOR hyperactivation and cellular abnormalities to large-scale functional
      changes and seizure is, however, not fully understood. In this article we set out
      to review currently available information regarding MCD pathology, focusing on
      glial cells - especially astrocytes - and their interactions with the brain
      vascular system. A large body of evidence points to these elements as potential
      targets in MCD. Here, we attempt to provide a review of this evidence and propose
      some hypotheses regarding the possible chain of events linking primary glial
      dysfunction and epilepsy. We focus on extracellular matrix remodelling, blood
      brain barrier leakage and failure of astrocyte-dependent removal of extracellular
      debris. We posit that the failure of these systems results in a chronically pro
      inflammatory environment, maintaining local astrocytes in a state of gliosis,
      with increased susceptibility to seizures as a consequence.

PMID- 27257022
TI  - Platelet reactivity over time in coronary artery disease patients treated with a
      bioabsorbable everolimus-eluting scaffold.
AB  - Everolimus-eluting bioabsorbable scaffolds (BVSs) have exhibited similar long
      term clinical outcomes compared to its everolimus-eluting metallic counterparts.
      However, reports from earlier studies have shown a signal for an increased rate
      of stent thrombosis. The aim of the current investigation is to describe the
      platelet reactivity profiles over time in patients treated with everolimus
      eluting BVS in comparison to everolimus-eluting metallic stents. This is a pilot
      study in which patients on aspirin and clopidogrel with at least 1 everolimus
      eluting BVS were included (n = 24). Patients with at least 1 everolimus-eluting
      metallic stent implanted were included as control group (n = 25). Blood samples
      were taken at time of discharge and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Platelet
      function tests included VerifyNow (VN-P2Y12), multiplate aggregometry (MEA), and
      light transmission aggregometry (LTA). There was no difference in platelet
      reactivity at discharge, 3- and 6-month visits (unadjusted p = 0.733 and p =
      0.582; p = 0.432 and p = 0.899 after adjusting for discharge value platelet
      reactivity0, respectively) using VN-P2Y12. Similar findings were observed with
      LTA. However, patients with BVS showed significantly higher platelet reactivity
      than patients with metallic stents at 3 and 6 months in the crude analysis (p =
      0.003) and after adjusting for discharge value (p = 0.013) measured with ADP-MEA.
      There were no differences in platelet reactivity mediated by the T * A2 pathway
      between both groups. Finally, there is no statistical difference in high on
      clopidogrel platelet reactivity (HPR) rate between both groups. The results of
      this pilot study suggest that BVS might have different platelet reactivity
      profiles, and warrants further investigation in dedicated clinical studies.

PMID- 27257024
TI  - Dose Schedules Inspired by Evolutionary Concepts Lengthen Progression-Free
      Survival in Mice.

PMID- 27257023
TI  - Clinical Model for Predicting Hepatocellular Carcinomas in Patients with Post
      Sustained Virologic Responses of Chronic Hepatitis C: A Case Control Study.
AB  - Background/Aims: No clinical model exists to predict the occurrence of
      hepatocellular carcinoma in sustained virologic response-achieving (HCC after
      SVR) patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Methods: We performed a case
      control study using a clinical database to research the risk factors for HCC
      after SVR. A predictive model based on risk factors was established, and the area
      under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated. Results:
      In the multivariate model, an initial diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis and post
      SVR albumin reductions of 1 g/L were associated with 21.7-fold (95% CI, 4.2 to
      112.3; p<0.001) and 1.3-fold (95% CI, 1.1 to 1.7; p=0.004) increases in the risk
      of HCC after SVR, respectively. A predictive model based on an initial diagnosis
      of compensated cirrhosis (yes, +1; no, 0) and post-SVR albumin <=36.0 g/L (yes,
      +1; not, 0) predicted the occurrence of HCC after SVR with a cutoff value of >0,
      an AUC of 0.880, a sensitivity of 0.833, a specificity of 0.896, and a negative
      predictive value of 0.956. Conclusions: An initial diagnosis of compensated
      cirrhosis combined with a post-SVR albumin value of <=36.0 g/L predicts the
      occurrence of HCC after SVR in patients with CHC.

PMID- 27257026
TI  - Shock Therapy for Late-Stage Pancreatic Cancer Gets Closer Look.

PMID- 27257027
TI  - Continuing To Smoke After Breast Cancer Diagnosis Lowers Survival Rate.

PMID- 27257028
TI  - Heterogeneous and Rare: Toward Histology-Specific Treatment of Soft-Tissue
      Sarcoma.

PMID- 27257030
TI  - Needle-free jet injection of hyaluronic acid improves skin remodeling in a mouse
      model.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to improve methods of jet injection using
      a mouse model. We investigated the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of
      the pneumatic device using injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) solution into a
      mouse model. METHODS: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of an INNOJECTORTM
      pneumatic device that pneumatically accelerates a jet of HA solution under high
      pressure into the dermis of mouse skin. We examined the treatment effects using
      skin hybrid model jet dispersion experiments, photographic images, microscopy,
      and histological analyses. RESULTS: Use of the INNOJECTORTM successfully
      increased dermal thickness and collagen synthesis in our mouse model. Jet
      dispersion experiments were performed using agarose gels and a polyacrylamide gel
      model to understand the dependence of jet penetration on jet power. The
      mechanisms by which pneumatic injection using HA solution exerts its effects may
      involve increased dermal thickening, triggering of a wound healing process, and
      activation of vimentin and collagen synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Collagen synthesis
      and increased dermal thickening were successfully achieved in our mouse model
      using the INNOJECTORTM. Pneumatic injection of HA under high pressure provides a
      safe and effective method for improving the appearance of mouse skin. Our
      findings indicate that use of the INNOJECTORTM may induce efficient collagen
      remodeling with subsequent marked dermal layer thickening by targeting vimentin.

PMID- 27257031
TI  - Tsukamurella serpentis sp. nov., isolated from the oral cavity of Chinese cobras
      (Naja atra).
AB  - Two bacterial strains, HKU54T and HKU55, were isolated from the oral cavity of
      two Chinese cobras (Naja atra) in Hong Kong. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis
      revealed 100 % sequence identity between HKU54T and HKU55, and the two strains
      shared 99.0 % sequence identities with Tsukamurella inchonensis ATCC 700082T. The
      two strains had unique biochemical profiles distinguishable from closely related
      species of the genus Tsukamurella. DNA-DNA hybridization confirmed that they
      belonged to the same species (>=92.1+/-7.9 % DNA-DNA relatedness) but were
      distinct from all other known species of the genus Tsukamurella (<=52.6+/-5.3 %
      DNA-DNA relatedness). Chemotaxonomic and morphological analyses of the two
      strains also demonstrated results consistent with their classification in the
      genus Tsukamurella. The DNA G+C contents of strains HKU54T and HKU55 were 69.2+/
      1.5 mol% and 69.2+/-1.3 mol% (mean+/-sd; n=3) respectively. A novel species,
      Tsukamurella serpentis sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate strains HKU54T and
      HKU55, with HKU54T (=JCM 31017T=DSM 100915T) designated as the type strain.

PMID- 27257032
TI  - Caffeine alters the behavioural and body temperature responses to mephedrone
      without causing long-term neurotoxicity in rats.
AB  - Administration of caffeine with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) alters
      the pharmacological properties of MDMA in rats. The current study examined
      whether caffeine alters the behavioural and neurochemical effects of mephedrone,
      which has similar psychoactive effects to MDMA. Rats received either saline,
      mephedrone (10 mg/kg), caffeine (10 mg/kg) or combined caffeine and mephedrone
      intraperitoneally twice weekly on consecutive days for three weeks. Locomotor
      activity (days 1 and 16), novel object discrimination (NOD, day 2), elevated plus
      maze (EPM) exploration (day 8), rectal temperature changes (day 9) and pre-pulse
      inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle response (day 15) were assessed. Seven days
      after the final injection, brain regions were collected for the measurement of 5
      hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine and their metabolites. Combined caffeine and
      mephedrone further enhanced the locomotor response observed following either drug
      administered alone, and converted mephedrone-induced hypothermia to hyperthermia.
      Co-administration also abolished mephedrone-induced anxiogenic response on the
      EPM, but had no effect on NOD or PPI. Importantly, no long-term neurotoxicity was
      detected following repeated mephedrone alone or when co-administered with
      caffeine. In conclusion, the study suggests a potentially dangerous effect of
      concomitant caffeine and mephedrone, and highlights the importance of taking
      polydrug use into consideration when investigating the acute adverse effect
      profile of popular recreational drugs.

PMID- 27257033
TI  - Validation of a first-trimester screening model for pre-eclampsia in an
      unselected population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To validate the performance of a previously constructed first
      trimester predictive model for pre-eclampsia (PE) in routine care of an
      unselected population. METHODS: A validation cohort of 4621 consecutive women
      attending their routine first-trimester ultrasound examination was used to test a
      prediction model for PE that had been developed previously in 5170 women. The
      prediction model included maternal factors, uterine artery Doppler, blood
      pressure and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A. Model performance was
      evaluated using receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis and ROC
      curves from both cohorts were compared unpaired. RESULTS: Among the 4203 women
      included in the final analysis, 169 (4.0%) developed PE, including 141 (3.4%)
      cases of late-onset PE and 28 (0.7%) cases of early-onset PE. For early-onset PE,
      the model showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.88-0.99), which
      did not differ significantly (P = 0.37) from that obtained in the construction
      cohort (0.88 (95% CI, 0.78-0.99)). For late-onset PE, the final model showed an
      area under the ROC curve of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.66-0.77), which did not differ
      significantly (P = 0.49) from that obtained in the construction cohort (0.75 (95%
      CI, 0.67-0.82)). CONCLUSION: The prediction model for PE achieved a similar
      performance to that obtained in the construction cohort when tested on a
      subsequent cohort of women, confirming its validity as a predictive model for PE.
      Copyright (c) 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27257034
TI  - Effect of chromatic filters on visual performance in individuals with mild
      traumatic brain injury (mTBI): A pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Spectral filters have been used clinically in patients with mild
      traumatic brain injury (mTBI). However, they have not been formally assessed
      using objective techniques in this population. Thus, the aim of the present pilot
      study was to determine the effect of spectral filters on reading performance and
      visuo-cortical responsivity in adults with mTBI. METHODS: 12 adults with
      mTBI/concussion were tested. All reported photosensitivity and reading problems.
      They were compared to 12 visually-normal, asymptomatic adults. There were several
      test conditions: three luminance-matched control filters (gray neutral density,
      blue, and red), the patient-selected 'precision tint lens' that provided the most
      comfort and clarity of text using the Intuitive Colorimeter System, and baseline
      without any filters. The Visagraph was used to assess reading eye movements and
      reading speed objectively with each filter. In addition, both the amplitude and
      latency of the visual-evoked potential (VEP) were assessed with the same filters.
      RESULTS: There were few significant group differences in either the reading
      related parameters or VEP latency for any of the test filter conditions.
      Subjective improvements were noted in most with mTBI (11/12). CONCLUSIONS: The
      majority of patients with mTBI chose a tinted filter that resulted in increased
      visual comfort. While significant findings based on the objective testing were
      found for some conditions, the subjective results suggest that precision tints
      should be considered as an adjunctive treatment in patients with mTBI and
      photosensitivity.

PMID- 27257035
TI  - Extreme response style as a cultural response to climato-economic deprivation.
AB  - We investigated the effects of climato-economic harshness on extreme response
      style. Climato-economic theorising postulates that a more threatening climate in
      poorer countries, in contrast to countries with a more comforting climate and
      richer countries with a more challenging climate, triggers intolerance of
      ambiguity and uncertainty avoidance inherent to conservatism, in-group
      favouritism and autocracy. Scores of extreme response style at country level, a
      proxy of this cluster of cultural characteristics, were extracted from students'
      responses in the Programme for International Student Assessment to test the
      hypothesis. In a series of hierarchical regression analysis across 64 countries,
      cold demands, heat demands and GDP per capita showed a highly significant
      interaction effect on extreme response style, predicting in total 30.7% of the
      variance. Extreme response style was highest in poorer countries with higher
      climatic demands, and lowest in richer countries with lower climate demands.
      Implications are discussed.

PMID- 27257036
TI  - Cross-Modal Correspondence Among Vision, Audition, and Touch in Natural Objects:
      An Investigation of the Perceptual Properties of Wood.
AB  - Certain systematic relationships are often assumed between information conveyed
      from multiple sensory modalities; for instance, a small figure and a high pitch
      may be perceived as more harmonious. This phenomenon, termed cross-modal
      correspondence, may result from correlations between multi-sensory signals
      learned in daily experience of the natural environment. If so, we would observe
      cross-modal correspondences not only in the perception of artificial stimuli but
      also in perception of natural objects. To test this hypothesis, we reanalyzed
      data collected previously in our laboratory examining perceptions of the material
      properties of wood using vision, audition, and touch. We compared participant
      evaluations of three perceptual properties (surface brightness, sharpness of
      sound, and smoothness) of the wood blocks obtained separately via vision,
      audition, and touch. Significant positive correlations were identified for all
      properties in the audition-touch comparison, and for two of the three properties
      regarding in the vision-touch comparison. By contrast, no properties exhibited
      significant positive correlations in the vision-audition comparison. These
      results suggest that we learn correlations between multi-sensory signals through
      experience; however, the strength of this statistical learning is apparently
      dependent on the particular combination of sensory modalities involved. 

PMID- 27257037
TI  - The Effect of Obesity on Perioperative Outcomes Following Percutaneous
      Nephrolithotomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To test if obesity predisposes to higher rates of adverse outcomes
      after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within the
      Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), we identified patients treated with PCNL
      between 1998 and 2010 for kidney stones. We examined the temporal trends in PCNL
      use and charges among obese and nonobese patients. We then tested the effect of
      obesity on perioperative complications, transfusions, length of stay (LOS), and
      total hospital charges (THCs). LOS and THCs were defined as a continuous variable
      and were also dichotomized according to the 75th percentile into prolonged LOS
      (pLOS) and increased THCs (iTHCs). Then, multivariable models were fitted.
      RESULTS: Overall, a weighted sample of 90,529 individuals treated with PCNL
      between 1998 and 2010 was examined. Of those patients, 9300 were obese (10.3%).
      The proportion of PCNLs performed in obese patients increased throughout the
      years from 7.4% to 16.7% (p < 0.001). Overall complication rates were 21.6% vs
      22.0% (p = 0.3) and transfusion rates were 4.3% vs 4.0% (p = 0.1) for obese and
      nonobese patients, respectively. Obese patients had fewer genitourinary
      complications (13.4% vs 15.0%, p < 0.001), but had higher rates of sepsis (1.7%
      vs 1.3%, p = 0.009) as well as respiratory (3.0% vs 2.5%, p = 0.002) and vascular
      complications (0.3% vs 0.2%, p = 0.007). Conversely, pLOS (20.9% vs 18.8%, p <
      0.001) and iTHCs (30.8% vs 24.4%, p < 0.001) were more frequently recorded in
      obese patients. In multivariable analyses, obesity was neither associated with
      higher rates of overall complications (odds ratio [OR], p = 0.3) nor with higher
      rates of transfusions (p = 0.3). However, obesity was associated with pLOS (OR:
      1.21, p = 0.002) as well as iTHCs (OR: 1.17, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: PCNL in
      obese patients did not result in higher rates of individual complications or
      transfusions. However, it resulted in higher rates of pLOS and iTHCs.

PMID- 27257038
TI  - Development of a drug-in-adhesive patch combining ion pair and chemical enhancer
      strategy for transdermal delivery of zaltoprofen: pharmacokinetic,
      pharmacodynamic and in vitro/in vivo correlation evaluation.
AB  - The aim of the study was to develop a drug-in-adhesive patch system for
      transdermal delivery of zaltoprofen (ZAL). The formulation was designed in
      combination with the ion pair and chemical enhancer strategy. Seven organic
      amines were chosen as counter ions, and the prepared ion pairs were characterized
      by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning
      calorimetry (DSC). The in vivo pharmacokinetic performance of ZAL was studied on
      rabbits following transdermal and intravenous administration. A deconvolution
      method was applied to determine the correlation between the in vitro permeation
      and the in vivo absorption. Acetic acid-induced writhing response was conducted
      on mice to evaluate the analgesic effect. In vitro permeation results showed that
      both ion pairs and chemical enhancers were effective in modulating ZAL skin
      permeation from patches. The enhancement ratio was negatively correlated to the
      polar surface area (PSA) of counter ions, and was positively correlated to the
      octanol-water partition coefficient (log Ko/w) of chemical enhancers,
      respectively. The optimized formulation contained 10% (w/w) ZAL-triethylamine and
      10% (w/w) isopropyl myristate, with DURO-TAK(r) 87-4098 as the pressure sensitive
      adhesive matrix. Furthermore, the in vitro permeation data were well correlated
      with the in vivo absorption data. The analgesic effect of the optimized patch was
      comparable to the commercial indometacin plasters. In conclusion, it was feasible
      for transdermal delivery of ZAL by the synergistic action of ion pair and
      chemical enhancer, and the in vitro permeation data were indicative of the in
      vivo performance for the developed patches.

PMID- 27257039
TI  - The neuropilin-1 receptor mediates enhanced tumor delivery of H2K polyplexes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Promising plasmid-based treatments have limited value without an
      effective delivery system. Recently, the linear H2K with a repeating -KHHK-
      pattern was determined to be an effective plasmid carrier to tumor xenografts in
      vivo. Although unpacking of the H2K polyplex within the tumor may have a role,
      the mechanism for the enhanced efficacy remains unclear. METHODS: After solid
      phase synthesis of linear and branched histidine-lysine (HK) peptide carriers of
      plasmids, the peptides were compared for their ability to lyse endosomes with a
      red blood cell model and to transfect MDA-MB-435 xenografts in the presence or
      absence of neuropilin-1 receptor (NRP-1) antibodies. To examine stability,
      polyplexes were incubated with trypsin or NaCl and then analyzed by
      electrophoresis. RESULTS: After screening peptides with a model for endosomal
      lysis at two pHs, the 33-mer H3K peptide lysed red blood cells effectively at the
      lower pH. Combining H3K and H2K peptides as carriers of plasmids expressing
      luciferase were more effective than H2K alone. Based on the repeating -KHHK-
      sequences of H2K, we studied whether the widespread gene expression in the tumor
      may be mediated by NRP-1. By blocking NRP-1 in tumor-bearing mice, luciferase
      activity in tumors delivered by HK polyplexes was reduced by 96%, whereas
      activity in normal tissues was minimally reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Combining an
      endosomolytic peptide, H3K, with H2K polyplexes as a carrier further enhanced
      transfection in vivo. Moreover, the widespread distribution of H2K polyplexes is
      mediated by NRP-1, suggesting that transcytosis of these polyplexes through the
      tumor endothelium may lead to efficient transfection. Copyright (c) 2016 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27257041
TI  - Does the distance between tumor and margin in radical prostatectomy specimens
      correlate with prognosis: relation to tumor location.
AB  - The posterior half of the prostate has a smooth well-defined edge unlike
      anteriorly. Often, tumor extends close to the posterior margin, where it is
      controversial whether pathologists should measure the distance between the tumor
      and the margin. There are no published data regarding the significance of a close
      margin factoring in the anatomical location within the radical prostatectomy
      (RP). We identified 158 RPs with 39 anterior-predominant carcinomas and 119 cases
      with posterior-predominant cancer. Distances between the tumor and inked margin
      were measured with an ocular micrometer. Eighty-seven cases had no progression
      with a minimum 6-year follow-up (median, 8; range, 6-9). Eighteen cases had
      progression with a median time to progression of 2 years with all men progressing
      within 6 years after RP. There was no statistically significant difference in the
      risk of progression relative to distance of tumor to the posterior margin
      (P=.09). The mean distance of tumor to the anterior margin for the cases that
      progressed was 0.6 mm (median, 0.5 mm; range, 0.05-1.18) compared to 1.9 mm
      (median, 1.1; range, 0.02-4) for the cases that did not progress (P=.02). Of 7
      cases with anterior-predominant tumors that progressed, 5 had tumor located less
      than 1 mm from the anterior margin. In conclusion, if cancer is present less than
      1 mm from the anterior margin, there is an increased tendency to recur, and this
      finding should be included in pathology reports. However, close margins
      posteriorly are not clinically significant and should not be reported.

PMID- 27257040
TI  - Glomerular C3d as a novel prognostic marker for renal vasculitis.
AB  - Pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis is the histologic
      substrate of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.
      Several studies in animal models have demonstrated the crucial role of complement
      activation in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis, but only small
      series have analyzed the prognostic implications of complement glomerular
      deposits. This study aimed to assess the clinical and prognostic implications of
      C3d- and C4d-positive glomerular staining in renal vasculitis. Eighty-five
      patients with a diagnosis of pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic
      glomerulonephritis were included in the study. C3d and C4d were analyzed by
      immunohistochemical staining using a polyclonal antibody. The primary predictors
      were glomerular C3d- and C4d-positive staining. The primary end point was the
      cumulative percentage of patients who developed end-stage renal disease.
      Glomerular staining for C3d and C4d was observed in 42 (49.4%) of 85 biopsies and
      38 (44.7%) of 85 biopsies, respectively. C3d-positive staining was associated
      with the severity of renal impairment and with a lower response rate to treatment
      (P=.003 and P=.04, respectively). Renal survival at 2 and 5 years was 60.9% and
      51.8% in C3d-positive patients compared with 87.7% and 78.9% in C3d-negative
      patients (P=.04). C4d-positive staining did not show any impact in renal outcome.
      When adjusted by renal function and other histologic parameters, C3d staining
      remained as an independent predictor for renal survival (hazard ratio, 2.5; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.1-5.7; P=.03). Therefore, this study demonstrates that C3d
      positive glomerular staining is an independent risk factor for the development of
      end-stage renal disease in ANCA-associated renal vasculitis.

PMID- 27257042
TI  - Burkitt lymphoma presenting as a mass in the thyroid gland: a clinicopathologic
      study of 7 cases and review of the literature.
AB  - Burkitt lymphoma presenting in the thyroid gland is rare, and only a few cases
      have been reported. We retrospectively reviewed 7 patients diagnosed with Burkitt
      lymphoma of the thyroid gland between 2000 and 2015. There were 4 men and 3 women
      with a median age of 41 years (range, 19-49 years). All patients presented with a
      rapidly growing neck mass associated with upper airway compression in 5 (71%)
      patients. Two patients presented with localized (stage I/II) and 5 patients with
      disseminated (stage III/IV) disease. All cases showed morphologic and
      immunophenotypic features of Burkitt lymphoma with MYC rearrangement in all 5
      cases tested. One case showed evidence of concurrent Hashimoto thyroiditis. Six
      of 7 patients were treated primarily with rituximab, hyperfractionated
      cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone. One patient was
      treated primarily with dose-adjusted rituximab, etoposide, prednisolone,
      vincristine, and cyclophosphamide. At the end of the study period, 5 patients
      were alive: 4 in complete remission and 1 with persistent disease. Two patients
      died with persistent disease (median follow-up, 25 months; range, 12-361 months).
      We conclude that Burkitt lymphoma of the thyroid gland shows clinicopathologic
      features similar to sporadic Burkitt lymphoma at other anatomic sites, but
      patients present at an older median age. The clinical course is aggressive with a
      high frequency of disseminated disease at diagnosis; however, a subset of
      patients responds well to aggressive chemotherapy.

PMID- 27257043
TI  - A qualitative systematic review of service user and service provider perspectives
      on the acceptability, relative benefits, and potential harms of art therapy for
      people with non-psychotic mental health disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to synthesize qualitative evidence relating
      to user and service provider perspective on the acceptability and relative
      benefits and potential harms of art therapy for people with non-psychotic mental
      disorders. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 13 major
      bibliographic databases from May to July 2013. A qualitative evidence synthesis
      was conducted using thematic framework synthesis. RESULTS: The searches
      identified 10,270 citations from which 12 studies were included. Ten studies
      included data from 183 service users, and two studies included data from 16
      service providers. The evidence demonstrated that art therapy was an acceptable
      treatment. The benefits associated with art therapy included the following: the
      development of relationships with the therapist and other group members;
      understanding the self/own illness/the future; gaining perspective; distraction;
      personal achievement; expression; relaxation; and empowerment. Small numbers of
      patients reported varying reasons for not wanting to take part, and some
      highlighted potentially negative effects of art therapy which included the
      evoking of feelings which could not be resolved. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      suggest that for the majority of respondents art therapy was an acceptable
      intervention, although this was not the case for all respondents. Therefore,
      attention should be focussed on both identifying those who are most likely to
      benefit from art therapy and ensuring any potential harms are minimized. The
      findings provide evidence to commissioners and providers of mental health
      services about the value of future art therapy services. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Art
      therapy was reported to be an acceptable treatment for the majority of
      respondents. Art therapy may not be a preferred treatment option for a small
      number of patients, emphasizing the importance of considering patient preference
      in choice of treatment, and selection of the most suitable patients for art
      therapy. Consideration should be made of adjustments to make art therapy
      inclusive, particularly for those with physical illnesses. Ensuring the
      competence of the deliverer, providing patients with additional support, such as
      other therapies if required, and ensuring continuity of care should be key
      considerations in service provision.

PMID- 27257044
TI  - Contact-free monitoring of vessel graft stiffness - proof of concept as a tool
      for vascular tissue engineering.
AB  - Tissue-engineered vessel grafts have to mimic the biomechanical properties of
      native blood vessels. Manufacturing processes often condition grafts to adapt
      them to the target flow conditions. Graft stiffness is influenced by material
      properties and dimensions and determines graft compliance. This proof-of-concept
      study evaluated a contact-free method to monitor biomechanical properties without
      compromising sterility. Forced vibration response analysis was performed on human
      umbilical vein (HUV) segments mounted in a buffer-filled tubing system. A linear
      motor and a dynamic signal analyser were used to excite the fluid by white noise
      (0-200 Hz). Vein responses were read out by laser triangulation and analysed by
      fast Fourier transformation. Modal analysis was performed by monitoring multiple
      positions of the vessel surface. As an inverse model of graft stiffening during
      conditioning, HUV were digested proteolytically, and the course of natural
      frequencies (NFs) was monitored over 120 min. Human umbilical vein showed up to
      five modes with NFs in the range of 5-100 Hz. The first natural frequencies of
      HUV did not alter over time while incubated in buffer (p = 0.555), whereas both
      collagenase (-35%, p = 0.0061) and elastase (-45%, p < 0.001) treatments caused
      significant decreases of NF within 120 min. Decellularized HUV showed similar
      results, indicating that changes of the extracellular matrix were responsible for
      the observed shift in NF. Performing vibration response analysis on vessel grafts
      is feasible without compromising sterility or integrity of the samples. This
      technique allows direct measurement of stiffness as an important biomechanical
      property, obviating the need to monitor surrogate parameters. Copyright (c) 2016
      John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27257045
TI  - Length Polymorphisms in Heme Oxygenase-1 and AKI after Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) catalyzes the degradation of heme, which may be involved
      in the pathogenesis of AKI. Length polymorphisms in the number of GT dinucleotide
      repeats in the HO-1 gene (HMOX1) promoter inversely associate with HMOX1 mRNA
      expression. We analyzed the association between allelic frequencies of GT repeats
      in the HMOX1 gene promoter and postoperative AKI in 2377 white patients who
      underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. We categorized patients as
      having the short allele (S; <27 GT repeats) or long allele (L; >=27 GT repeats),
      and defined AKI as an increase in serum creatinine >=0.3 mg/dl within 48 hours or
      >=50% within 5 days, or the need for RRT. Compared with patients with the SS
      genotype, patients with the LL genotype had 1.58-fold (95% confidence interval,
      1.06 to 2.34; P=0.02) higher odds of AKI. After adjusting for baseline and
      operative characteristics, the odds ratio for AKI per L allele was 1.26 (95%
      confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.50; P=0.01). In conclusion, longer GT repeats in
      the HMOX1 gene promoter associate with increased risk of AKI after cardiac
      surgery, consistent with heme toxicity as a pathogenic feature of cardiac surgery
      associated AKI, and with HO-1 as a potential therapeutic target.

PMID- 27257046
TI  - Investigation of an Outbreak of Hepatitis A in a Coastal Area, Kerala, Southern
      India.
AB  - An outbreak investigation was initiated following an unusual occurrence of
      hepatitis A reported among people residing in the coastal belt of Vadi to
      Vedikunnu area, Kollam district, Kerala, southern India. The time frame of
      disease occurrence, pattern of its distribution, and the incubation period of
      hepatitis A infection indicated the probability of occurrence of the outbreak as
      a result of pipe line water contamination due to mixing of sewage from a canal.
      The results add evidence to the epidemiology of hepatitis A in the state and
      warrant the establishment of an efficient water quality surveillance system.

PMID- 27257048
TI  - Chronic hepatitis C and diabetes: More questions than answers with the new direct
      acting antiviral drugs?

PMID- 27257047
TI  - Aberrant functional brain connectome in people with antisocial personality
      disorder.
AB  - Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is characterised by a disregard for social
      obligations and callous unconcern for the feelings of others. Studies have
      demonstrated that ASPD is associated with abnormalities in brain regions and
      aberrant functional connectivity. In this paper, topological organisation was
      examined in resting-state fMRI data obtained from 32 ASPD patients and 32 non
      ASPD controls. The frequency-dependent functional networks were constructed using
      wavelet-based correlations over 90 brain regions. The topology of the functional
      networks of ASPD subjects was analysed via graph theoretical analysis.
      Furthermore, the abnormal functional connectivity was determined with a network
      based statistic (NBS) approach. Our results revealed that, compared with the
      controls, the ASPD patients exhibited altered topological configuration of the
      functional connectome in the frequency interval of 0.016-0.031 Hz, as indicated
      by the increased clustering coefficient and decreased betweenness centrality in
      the medial superior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, Rolandic operculum, superior
      parietal gyrus, angular gyrus, and middle temporal pole. In addition, the ASPD
      patients showed increased functional connectivity mainly located in the default
      mode network. The present study reveals an aberrant topological organisation of
      the functional brain network in individuals with ASPD. Our findings provide novel
      insight into the neuropathological mechanisms of ASPD.

PMID- 27257050
TI  - TACE vs DEB-TACE: Who wins?

PMID- 27257049
TI  - Ten-day empirical sequential or concomitant therapy is more effective than triple
      therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A multicenter, prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The resistance of Helicobacter pylori to antibiotics has increased
      the need for new empirical, first-line treatments. However, the efficacy of
      sequential therapy (ST) and concomitant therapy (CT) compared with triple therapy
      (TT) has not been adequately evaluated. AIM: In this study, we evaluated the
      efficacy of these empirical three regimens. METHODS: The 517 patients enrolled in
      the study were prospectively randomized to receive 10 days of TT (n=171), ST
      (n=170), and CT (n=176) at 5 university-affiliated hospitals from May 2013 to
      March 2015. The post-treatment H. pylori status was determined using the (13)C
      urea breath test. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were similar among the
      three groups. The intention-to-treat eradication rates were 62.6%, 70.6%, and
      77.8% in the TT, ST, and CT groups, respectively (p<0.01). The corresponding per
      protocol eradication rates were 82.8%, 89.5%, and 94.4%, respectively (p<0.01).
      There were no significant differences in the compliance, side effects, and follow
      up loss rates. CONCLUSION: A higher eradication rate was achieved with empirical
      10-day ST, and CT than with the TT regimen, with similar rates of compliance and
      treatment side effects.

PMID- 27257051
TI  - Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 overexpression is associated with tumor
      aggressiveness and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) is the key enzyme
      in the transformation of folic acid metabolites. MTHFD2 overexpression plays a
      key role in the progression of human cancers, and depletion of MTHFD2 has shown
      potential antitumor activities in several types of cancer. However, the role of
      MTHFD2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been investigated. AIMS: To
      investigate the expression of MTHFD2 in HCC patients, and its associated clinical
      implications and possible functions in HCC. METHODS: Reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect
      MTHFD2 expression in liver tissues from HCC patients, then associations of MTHFD2
      expression with demographic and clinicopathologic features were analysed. The
      effects of siRNA interference of MTHFD2 on cell proliferation, cell cycle,
      apoptosis, and migration were investigated in HCC cell lines. RESULTS:
      Significant overexpression of MTHFD2 was observed in HCC tissues, and
      overexpression of MTHFD2 was correlated with TNM stage, tumor microembolus, tumor
      metastasis, recurrence and the time of recurrence (P<0.05) in HCC patients. siRNA
      mediated silencing of MTHFD2 inhibited migration, invasion and epithelial
      mesenchymal transition progression in HCC cell lines, but no obvious effects on
      cell proliferation, apoptosis or cell cycle distribution were detected.
      CONCLUSIONS: MTHFD2 is overexpressed in HCC, and is associated with poor
      prognosis and cellular features connected to metastatic disease.

PMID- 27257052
TI  - Histamine is correlated with liver fibrosis in biliary atresia.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Biliary atresia (BA) is a severe neonatal cholestasis
      disease that is caused by obstruction of extra bile ducts. Liver fibrosis
      progresses dramatically in BA, and the underlying molecular mechanism is largely
      unknown. METHODS: Amino acids and biogenic amines were quantified by targeted
      metabolomic methods in livers of 52 infants with BA and 16 infants with neonatal
      hepatitis syndrome (NHS). Normal adjacent nontumor liver tissues from 5
      hepatoblastoma infants were used as controls. Orthogonal partial least-squares
      discriminant analysis was used to identify the differences between BA, NHS, and
      control tissues. Histamine metabolism enzymes and receptors were analyzed by
      immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: The orthogonal partial least
      squares discriminant analysis clearly separated BA from NHS and the controls
      using amino acid and biogenic amine profiles. Histamine was significantly
      increased in the livers of BA infants and was positively correlated with the
      severity of fibrosis. This finding was supported by the elevated l-histidine
      decarboxylase and reduced monoamine oxidase type B expressions in the BA infants
      with severe fibrosis. Furthermore, histamine receptor H1 was observed in the
      cholangiocytes of BA livers. CONCLUSIONS: Histamine was positively correlated
      with fibrosis and may be a potential target to prevent liver fibrosis in BA.

PMID- 27257053
TI  - The role of radical surgery in the management of CEAP C5/6 and
      lipodermatosclerosis.
AB  - Aim Analysis of the radical removing of the dermatosclerotic tissues and ulcer(s)
      with perforator veins dissection as well as local wound and standard compression
      treatment of CEAP C5/6 stage in a prospective comparative cohort study. Primary
      endpoint is to compare the results of the one-year follow-up regarding quality of
      life, vein clinical severity score, and ulcer healing process. Secondary endpoint
      is the precise presentation of the surgical technique. Tertiary endpoint is to
      demonstrate the photo-documented results of the postoperative wound treatment
      protocol. Method Clinical and statistical comparison of radical surgery versus
      solely wound care and compression in a cohort of 15 patients in each group
      (Groups 1, 2). In Group 1, radical removing of the dermatosclerotic pannicule and
      leg ulcer, perforator vein dissection, great saphenous vein, or small saphenous
      vein was performed. Quality of life , pain intensity, vein clinical severity
      score and patients' load capacity were compared. The tissue oxygen saturation
      changes were monitored via near infra-red spectroscopy. Results Both groups were
      statistically comparable. Wound healing in the operated group was 100% versus 60%
      in the second one, the difference was significant, p = 0.006. The quality of
      life: 45.33 versus 36.8, p < 0.001, intensity of leg restless and pain: 2.28
      versus 5.3, p < 0.001, changes of vein clinical severity score: 5.27 versus
      20.93, p < 0.001, changes of tO2sat: 19.00 versus 6.07 in the upper third of the
      leg p < 0.001, proved significantly better in group 1 compared to 2. Load
      capacity was significantly better in group 1 than 2 at the end of the study. The
      average wound healing time was 113 days in group 1. Conclusion The radical
      surgery provides significantly better results, considering quality of life, vein
      clinical severity score, load capacity than the conservative treatment in this
      study.

PMID- 27257054
TI  - Removing grain boundaries from three-dimensional colloidal crystals using active
      dopants.
AB  - Using computer simulations we explore how grain boundaries can be removed from
      three-dimensional colloidal crystals by doping with a small fraction of active
      colloids. We show that for sufficient self-propulsion, the system is driven into
      a crystal-fluid coexistence. In this phase separated regime, the active dopants
      become mobile and spontaneously gather at the grain boundaries. The resulting
      surface melting and recrystallization of domains result in the motion of the
      grain boundaries over time and lead to the formation of a large single crystal.
      However, when the self-propulsion is too low to cause a phase separation, we
      observe no significant enhancement of grain growth. 

PMID- 27257055
TI  - Synergy and antagonism in regulation of recombinant human INO80 chromatin
      remodeling complex.
AB  - We have purified a minimal core human Ino80 complex from recombinant protein
      expressed in insect cells. The complex comprises one subunit each of an N
      terminally truncated Ino80, actin, Arp4, Arp5, Arp8, Ies2 and Ies6, together with
      a single heterohexamer of the Tip49a and Tip49b proteins. This core complex has
      nucleosome sliding activity that is similar to that of endogenous human and yeast
      Ino80 complexes and is also inhibited by inositol hexaphosphate (IP6). We show
      that IP6 is a non-competitive inhibitor that acts by blocking the stimulatory
      effect of nucleosomes on the ATPase activity. The IP6 binding site is located
      within the C-terminal region of the Ino80 subunit. We have also prepared
      complexes lacking combinations of Ies2 and Arp5/Ies6 subunits that reveal
      regulation imposed by each of them individually and synergistically that couples
      ATP hydrolysis to nucleosome sliding. This coupling between Ies2 and Arp5/Ies6
      can be overcome in a bypass mutation of the Arp5 subunit that is active in the
      absence of Ies2. These studies reveal several underlying mechanisms for
      regulation of ATPase activity involving a complex interplay between these protein
      subunits and IP6 that in turn controls nucleosome sliding.

PMID- 27257056
TI  - A novel role for poly(C) binding proteins in programmed ribosomal frameshifting.
AB  - Translational control through programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) is
      exploited widely by viruses and increasingly documented in cellular genes.
      Frameshifting is induced by mRNA secondary structures that compromise ribosome
      fidelity during decoding of a heptanucleotide 'slippery' sequence. The nsp2 PRF
      signal of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is distinctive in
      directing both -2 and -1 PRF and in its requirement for a trans-acting protein
      factor, the viral replicase subunit nsp1beta. Here we show that the the trans
      activation of frameshifting is carried out by a protein complex composed of
      nsp1beta and a cellular poly(C) binding protein (PCBP). From the results of in
      vitro translation and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we demonstrate that
      a PCBP/nsp1beta complex binds to a C-rich sequence downstream of the slippery
      sequence and here mimics the activity of a structured mRNA stimulator of PRF.
      This is the first description of a role for a trans-acting cellular protein in
      PRF. The discovery broadens the repertoire of activities associated with poly(C)
      binding proteins and prototypes a new class of virus-host interactions.

PMID- 27257057
TI  - Entropy gives rise to topologically associating domains.
AB  - We investigate chromosome organization within the nucleus using polymer models
      whose formulation is closely guided by experiments in live yeast cells. We employ
      bead-spring chromosome models together with loop formation within the chains and
      the presence of nuclear bodies to quantify the extent to which these mechanisms
      shape the topological landscape in the interphase nucleus. By investigating the
      genome as a dynamical system, we show that domains of high chromosomal
      interactions can arise solely from the polymeric nature of the chromosome arms
      due to entropic interactions and nuclear confinement. In this view, the role of
      bio-chemical related processes is to modulate and extend the duration of the
      interacting domains.

PMID- 27257058
TI  - Asymmetric exponential amplification reaction on a toehold/biotin featured
      template: an ultrasensitive and specific strategy for isothermal microRNAs
      analysis.
AB  - The sensitive and specific analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) without using a thermal
      cycler instrument is significant and would greatly facilitate biological research
      and disease diagnostics. Although exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) is
      the most attractive strategy for the isothermal analysis of miRNAs, its intrinsic
      limitations of detection efficiency and inevitable non-specific amplification
      critically restrict its use in analytical sensitivity and specificity. Here, we
      present a novel asymmetric EXPAR based on a new biotin/toehold featured template.
      A biotin tag was used to reduce the melting temperature of the primer/template
      duplex at the 5' terminus of the template, and a toehold exchange structure acted
      as a filter to suppress the non-specific trigger of EXPAR. The asymmetric EXPAR
      exhibited great improvements in amplification efficiency and specificity as well
      as a dramatic extension of dynamic range. The limit of detection for the let-7a
      analysis was decreased to 6.02 copies (0.01 zmol), and the dynamic range was
      extended to 10 orders of magnitude. The strategy enabled the sensitive and
      accurate analysis of let-7a miRNA in human cancer tissues with clearly better
      precision than both standard EXPAR and RT-qPCR. Asymmetric EXPAR is expected to
      have an important impact on the development of simple and rapid molecular
      diagnostic applications for short oligonucleotides.

PMID- 27257059
TI  - Ribosome recycling defects modify the balance between the synthesis and assembly
      of specific subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes in yeast
      mitochondria.
AB  - Mitochondria have their own translation machinery that produces key subunits of
      the OXPHOS complexes. This machinery relies on the coordinated action of nuclear
      encoded factors of bacterial origin that are well conserved between humans and
      yeast. In humans, mutations in these factors can cause diseases; in yeast,
      mutations abolishing mitochondrial translation destabilize the mitochondrial DNA.
      We show that when the mitochondrial genome contains no introns, the loss of the
      yeast factors Mif3 and Rrf1 involved in ribosome recycling neither blocks
      translation nor destabilizes mitochondrial DNA. Rather, the absence of these
      factors increases the synthesis of the mitochondrially-encoded subunits Cox1,
      Cytb and Atp9, while strongly impairing the assembly of OXPHOS complexes IV and
      V. We further show that in the absence of Rrf1, the COX1 specific translation
      activator Mss51 accumulates in low molecular weight forms, thought to be the
      source of the translationally-active form, explaining the increased synthesis of
      Cox1. We propose that Rrf1 takes part in the coordination between translation and
      OXPHOS assembly in yeast mitochondria. These interactions between general and
      specific translation factors might reveal an evolutionary adaptation of the
      bacterial translation machinery to the set of integral membrane proteins that are
      translated within mitochondria.

PMID- 27257060
TI  - The Pch2 AAA+ ATPase promotes phosphorylation of the Hop1 meiotic checkpoint
      adaptor in response to synaptonemal complex defects.
AB  - Meiotic cells possess surveillance mechanisms that monitor critical events such
      as recombination and chromosome synapsis. Meiotic defects resulting from the
      absence of the synaptonemal complex component Zip1 activate a meiosis-specific
      checkpoint network resulting in delayed or arrested meiotic progression. Pch2 is
      an evolutionarily conserved AAA+ ATPase required for the checkpoint-induced
      meiotic block in the zip1 mutant, where Pch2 is only detectable at the ribosomal
      DNA array (nucleolus). We describe here that high levels of the Hop1 protein, a
      checkpoint adaptor that localizes to chromosome axes, suppress the checkpoint
      defect of a zip1 pch2 mutant restoring Mek1 activity and meiotic cell cycle
      delay. We demonstrate that the critical role of Pch2 in this synapsis checkpoint
      is to sustain Mec1-dependent phosphorylation of Hop1 at threonine 318. We also
      show that the ATPase activity of Pch2 is essential for its checkpoint function
      and that ATP binding to Pch2 is required for its localization. Previous work has
      shown that Pch2 negatively regulates Hop1 chromosome abundance during
      unchallenged meiosis. Based on our results, we propose that, under checkpoint
      inducing conditions, Pch2 also possesses a positive action on Hop1 promoting its
      phosphorylation and its proper distribution on unsynapsed chromosome axes.

PMID- 27257061
TI  - Increased cytoplasmic TARDBP mRNA in affected spinal motor neurons in ALS caused
      by abnormal autoregulation of TDP-43.
AB  - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disorder. In motor
      neurons of ALS, TAR DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43), a nuclear protein encoded by
      TARDBP, is absent from the nucleus and forms cytoplasmic inclusions. TDP-43 auto
      regulates the amount by regulating the TARDBP mRNA, which has three
      polyadenylation signals (PASs) and three additional alternative introns within
      the last exon. However, it is still unclear how the autoregulatory mechanism
      works and how the status of autoregulation in ALS motor neurons without nuclear
      TDP-43 is. Here we show that TDP-43 inhibits the selection of the most proximal
      PAS and induces splicing of multiple alternative introns in TARDBP mRNA to
      decrease the amount of cytoplasmic TARDBP mRNA by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.
      When TDP-43 is depleted, the TARDBP mRNA uses the most proximal PAS and is
      increased in the cytoplasm. Finally, we have demonstrated that in ALS motor
      neurons-especially neurons with mislocalized TDP-43-the amount of TARDBP mRNA is
      increased in the cytoplasm. Our observations indicate that nuclear TDP-43
      contributes to the autoregulation and suggests that the absence of nuclear TDP-43
      induces an abnormal autoregulation and increases the amount of TARDBP mRNA. The
      vicious cycle might accelerate the disease progression of ALS.

PMID- 27257062
TI  - FOXA1 potentiates lineage-specific enhancer activation through modulating TET1
      expression and function.
AB  - Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) is an FKHD family protein that plays pioneering roles in
      lineage-specific enhancer activation and gene transcription. Through genome-wide
      location analyses, here we show that FOXA1 expression and occupancy are, in turn,
      required for the maintenance of these epigenetic signatures, namely DNA
      hypomethylation and histone 3 lysine 4 methylation. Mechanistically, this
      involves TET1, a 5-methylcytosine dioxygenase. We found that FOXA1 induces TET1
      expression via direct binding to its cis-regulatory elements. Further, FOXA1
      physically interacts with the TET1 protein through its CXXC domain. TET1 thus co
      occupies FOXA1-dependent enhancers and mediates local DNA demethylation and
      concomitant histone 3 lysine 4 methylation, further potentiating FOXA1
      recruitment. Consequently, FOXA1 binding events are markedly reduced following
      TET1 depletion. Together, our results suggest that FOXA1 is not only able to
      recognize but also remodel the epigenetic signatures at lineage-specific
      enhancers, which is mediated, at least in part, by a feed-forward regulatory loop
      between FOXA1 and TET1.

PMID- 27257063
TI  - RNA topoisomerase is prevalent in all domains of life and associates with
      polyribosomes in animals.
AB  - DNA Topoisomerases are essential to resolve topological problems during DNA
      metabolism in all species. However, the prevalence and function of RNA
      topoisomerases remain uncertain. Here, we show that RNA topoisomerase activity is
      prevalent in Type IA topoisomerases from bacteria, archaea, and eukarya.
      Moreover, this activity always requires the conserved Type IA core domains and
      the same catalytic residue used in DNA topoisomerase reaction; however, it does
      not absolutely require the non-conserved carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD), which is
      necessary for relaxation reactions of supercoiled DNA. The RNA topoisomerase
      activity of human Top3beta differs from that of Escherichia coli topoisomerase I
      in that the former but not the latter requires the CTD, indicating that
      topoisomerases have developed distinct mechanisms during evolution to catalyze
      RNA topoisomerase reactions. Notably, Top3beta proteins from several animals
      associate with polyribosomes, which are units of mRNA translation, whereas the
      Top3 homologs from E. coli and yeast lack the association. The Top3beta
      polyribosome association requires TDRD3, which directly interacts with Top3beta
      and is present in animals but not bacteria or yeast. We propose that RNA
      topoisomerases arose in the early RNA world, and that they are retained through
      all domains of DNA-based life, where they mediate mRNA translation as part of
      polyribosomes in animals.

PMID- 27257064
TI  - Parallel analysis of ribonucleotide-dependent deletions produced by yeast Top1 in
      vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Ribonucleotides are the most abundant non-canonical component of yeast genomic
      DNA and their persistence is associated with a distinctive mutation signature
      characterized by deletion of a single repeat unit from a short tandem repeat.
      These deletion events are dependent on DNA topoisomerase I (Top1) and are
      initiated by Top1 incision at the relevant ribonucleotide 3'-phosphodiester. A
      requirement for the re-ligation activity of Top1 led us to propose a sequential
      cleavage model for Top1-dependent mutagenesis at ribonucleotides. Here, we test
      key features of this model via parallel in vitro and in vivo analyses. We find
      that the distance between two Top1 cleavage sites determines the deletion size
      and that this distance is inversely related to the deletion frequency. Following
      the creation of a gap by two Top1 cleavage events, the tandem repeat provides
      complementarity that promotes realignment to a nick and subsequent Top1-mediated
      ligation. Complementarity downstream of the gap promotes deletion formation more
      effectively than does complementarity upstream of the gap, consistent with
      constraints to realignment of the strand to which Top1 is covalently bound. Our
      data fortify sequential Top1 cleavage as the mechanism for ribonucleotide
      dependent deletions and provide new insight into the component steps of this
      process.

PMID- 27257065
TI  - The extended loops of ribosomal proteins uL4 and uL22 of Escherichia coli
      contribute to ribosome assembly and protein translation.
AB  - Nearly half of ribosomal proteins are composed of a domain on the ribosome
      surface and a loop or extension that penetrates into the organelle's RNA core.
      Our previous work showed that ribosomes lacking the loops of ribosomal proteins
      uL4 or uL22 are still capable of entering polysomes. However, in those
      experiments we could not address the formation of mutant ribosomes, because we
      used strains that also expressed wild-type uL4 and uL22. Here, we have focused on
      ribosome assembly and function in strains in which loop deletion mutant genes are
      the ONLY: sources of uL4 or uL22 protein. The uL4 and uL22 loop deletions have
      different effects, but both mutations result in accumulation of immature
      particles that do not accumulate in detectable amounts in wild-type strains.
      Thus, our results suggest that deleting the loops creates kinetic barriers in the
      normal assembly pathway, possibly resulting in assembly via alternate pathway(s).
      Furthermore, deletion of the uL4 loop results in cold-sensitive ribosome assembly
      and function. Finally, ribosomes carrying either of the loop-deleted proteins
      responded normally to the secM translation pausing peptide, but the uL4 mutant
      responded very inefficiently to the cmlA(crb) pause peptide.

PMID- 27257066
TI  - Quantitative modeling of gene expression using DNA shape features of binding
      sites.
AB  - Prediction of gene expression levels driven by regulatory sequences is pivotal in
      genomic biology. A major focus in transcriptional regulation is sequence-to
      expression modeling, which interprets the enhancer sequence based on
      transcription factor concentrations and DNA binding specificities and predicts
      precise gene expression levels in varying cellular contexts. Such models largely
      rely on the position weight matrix (PWM) model for DNA binding, and the effect of
      alternative models based on DNA shape remains unexplored. Here, we propose a
      statistical thermodynamics model of gene expression using DNA shape features of
      binding sites. We used rigorous methods to evaluate the fits of expression
      readouts of 37 enhancers regulating spatial gene expression patterns in
      Drosophila embryo, and show that DNA shape-based models perform arguably better
      than PWM-based models. We also observed DNA shape captures information
      complimentary to the PWM, in a way that is useful for expression modeling.
      Furthermore, we tested if combining shape and PWM-based features provides better
      predictions than using either binding model alone. Our work demonstrates that the
      increasingly popular DNA-binding models based on local DNA shape can be useful in
      sequence-to-expression modeling. It also provides a framework for future studies
      to predict gene expression better than with PWM models alone.

PMID- 27257067
TI  - The catalytic efficiency of yeast ribonuclease III depends on substrate specific
      product release rate.
AB  - Members of the ribonuclease III (RNase III) family regulate gene expression by
      triggering the degradation of double stranded RNA (dsRNA). Hundreds of RNase III
      cleavage targets have been identified and their impact on RNA maturation and
      stability is now established. However, the mechanism defining substrates'
      reactivity remains unclear. In this study, we developed a real-time FRET assay
      for the detection of dsRNA degradation by yeast RNase III (Rnt1p) and
      characterized the kinetic bottlenecks controlling the reactivity of different
      substrates. Surprisingly, the results indicate that Rnt1p cleavage reaction is
      not only limited by the rate of catalysis but can also depend on base-pairing of
      product termini. Cleavage products terminating with paired nucleotides, like the
      degradation signals found in coding mRNA sequence, were less reactive and more
      prone to inhibition than products having unpaired nucleotides found in non-coding
      RNA substrates. Mutational analysis of U5 snRNA and Mig2 mRNA confirms the
      pairing of the cleavage site as a major determinant for the difference between
      cleavage rates of coding and non-coding RNA. Together the data indicate that the
      base-pairing of Rnt1p substrates encodes reactivity determinants that permit both
      constitutive processing of non-coding RNA while limiting the rate of mRNA
      degradation.

PMID- 27257068
TI  - The human PMR1 endonuclease stimulates cell motility by down regulating miR-200
      family microRNAs.
AB  - The motility of MCF-7 cells increases following expression of a human PMR1
      transgene and the current study sought to identify the molecular basis for this
      phenotypic change. Ensemble and single cell analyses show increased motility is
      dependent on the endonuclease activity of hPMR1, and cells expressing active but
      not inactive hPMR1 invade extracellular matrix. Nanostring profiling identified
      14 microRNAs that are downregulated by hPMR1, including all five members of the
      miR-200 family and others that also regulate invasive growth. miR-200 levels
      increase following hPMR1 knockdown, and changes in miR-200 family microRNAs were
      matched by corresponding changes in miR-200 targets and reporter expression. PMR1
      preferentially cleaves between UG dinucleotides within a consensus YUGR element
      when present in the unpaired loop of a stem-loop structure. This motif is present
      in the apical loop of precursors to most of the downregulated microRNAs, and
      hPMR1 targeting of pre-miRs was confirmed by their loss following induced
      expression and increase following hPMR1 knockdown. Introduction of miR-200c into
      hPMR1-expressing cells reduced motility and miR-200 target gene expression,
      confirming hPMR1 acts upstream of Dicer processing. These findings identify a new
      role for hPMR1 in the post-transcriptional regulation of microRNAs in breast
      cancer cells.

PMID- 27257069
TI  - MutS regulates access of the error-prone DNA polymerase Pol IV to replication
      sites: a novel mechanism for maintaining replication fidelity.
AB  - Translesion DNA polymerases (Pol) function in the bypass of template lesions to
      relieve stalled replication forks but also display potentially deleterious
      mutagenic phenotypes that contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria and
      lead to human disease. Effective activity of these enzymes requires association
      with ring-shaped processivity factors, which dictate their access to sites of DNA
      synthesis. Here, we show for the first time that the mismatch repair protein MutS
      plays a role in regulating access of the conserved Y-family Pol IV to replication
      sites. Our biochemical data reveals that MutS inhibits the interaction of Pol IV
      with the beta clamp processivity factor by competing for binding to the ring.
      Moreover, the MutS-beta clamp association is critical for controlling Pol IV
      mutagenic replication under normal growth conditions. Thus, our findings reveal
      important insights into a non-canonical function of MutS in the regulation of a
      replication activity.

PMID- 27257070
TI  - ZFP57 maintains the parent-of-origin-specific expression of the imprinted genes
      and differentially affects non-imprinted targets in mouse embryonic stem cells.
AB  - ZFP57 is necessary for maintaining repressive epigenetic modifications at
      Imprinting control regions (ICRs). In mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), ZFP57
      binds ICRs (ICRBS) and many other loci (non-ICRBS). To address the role of ZFP57
      on all its target sites, we performed high-throughput and multi-locus analyses of
      inbred and hybrid mouse ESC lines carrying different gene knockouts. By using an
      allele-specific RNA-seq approach, we demonstrate that ZFP57 loss results in
      derepression of the imprinted allele of multiple genes in the imprinted clusters.
      We also find marked epigenetic differences between ICRBS and non-ICRBS suggesting
      that different cis-acting regulatory functions are repressed by ZFP57 at these
      two classes of target loci. Overall, these data demonstrate that ZFP57 is pivotal
      to maintain the allele-specific epigenetic modifications of ICRs that in turn are
      necessary for maintaining the imprinted expression over long distances. At non
      ICRBS, ZFP57 inactivation results in acquisition of epigenetic features that are
      characteristic of poised enhancers, suggesting that another function of ZFP57 in
      early embryogenesis is to repress cis-acting regulatory elements whose activity
      is not yet required.

PMID- 27257071
TI  - Goldmine integrates information placing genomic ranges into meaningful biological
      contexts.
AB  - Bioinformatic analysis often produces large sets of genomic ranges that can be
      difficult to interpret in the absence of genomic context. Goldmine annotates
      genomic ranges from any source with gene model and feature contexts to facilitate
      global descriptions and candidate loci discovery. We demonstrate the value of
      genomic context by using Goldmine to elucidate context dynamics in transcription
      factor binding and to reveal differentially methylated regions (DMRs) with
      context-specific functional correlations. The open source R package and
      documentation for Goldmine are available at http://jeffbhasin.github.io/goldmine.

PMID- 27257072
TI  - The structure and duplex context of DNA interstrand crosslinks affects the
      activity of DNA polymerase eta.
AB  - Several important anti-tumor agents form DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), but
      their clinical efficiency is counteracted by multiple complex DNA repair
      pathways. All of these pathways require unhooking of the ICL from one strand of a
      DNA duplex by nucleases, followed by bypass of the unhooked ICL by translesion
      synthesis (TLS) polymerases. The structures of the unhooked ICLs remain unknown,
      yet the position of incisions and processing of the unhooked ICLs significantly
      influence the efficiency and fidelity of bypass by TLS polymerases. We have
      synthesized a panel of model unhooked nitrogen mustard ICLs to systematically
      investigate how the state of an unhooked ICL affects pol eta activity. We find
      that duplex distortion induced by a crosslink plays a crucial role in translesion
      synthesis, and length of the duplex surrounding an unhooked ICL critically
      affects polymerase efficiency. We report the synthesis of a putative ICL repair
      intermediate that mimics the complete processing of an unhooked ICL to a single
      crosslinked nucleotide, and find that it provides only a minimal obstacle for DNA
      polymerases. Our results raise the possibility that, depending on the structure
      and extent of processing of an ICL, its bypass may not absolutely require TLS
      polymerases.

PMID- 27257073
TI  - Heat shock represses rRNA synthesis by inactivation of TIF-IA and lncRNA
      dependent changes in nucleosome positioning.
AB  - Attenuation of ribosome biogenesis in suboptimal growth environments is crucial
      for cellular homeostasis and genetic integrity. Here, we show that shutdown of
      rRNA synthesis in response to elevated temperature is brought about by mechanisms
      that target both the RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription machinery and the
      epigenetic signature of the rDNA promoter. Upon heat shock, the basal
      transcription factor TIF-IA is inactivated by inhibition of CK2-dependent
      phosphorylations at Ser170/172. Attenuation of pre-rRNA synthesis in response to
      heat stress is accompanied by upregulation of PAPAS, a long non-coding RNA
      (lncRNA) that is transcribed in antisense orientation to pre-rRNA. PAPAS
      interacts with CHD4, the adenosine triphosphatase subunit of NuRD, leading to
      deacetylation of histones and movement of the promoter-bound nucleosome into a
      position that is refractory to transcription initiation. The results exemplify
      how stress-induced inactivation of TIF-IA and lncRNA-dependent changes of
      chromatin structure ensure repression of rRNA synthesis in response to thermo
      stress.

PMID- 27257074
TI  - Cas9-assisted recombineering in C. elegans: genome editing using in vivo assembly
      of linear DNAs.
AB  - Recombineering, the use of endogenous homologous recombination systems to
      recombine DNA in vivo, is a commonly used technique for genome editing in
      microbes. Recombineering has not yet been developed for animals, where non
      homology-based mechanisms have been thought to dominate DNA repair. Here, we
      demonstrate, using Caenorhabditis elegans, that linear DNAs with short homologies
      (~35 bases) engage in a highly efficient gene conversion mechanism. Linear DNA
      repair templates with homology to only one side of a double-strand break (DSB)
      initiate repair efficiently, and short overlaps between templates support
      template switching. We demonstrate the use of single-stranded, bridging
      oligonucleotides (ssODNs) to target PCR fragments for repair of DSBs induced by
      CRISPR/Cas9 on chromosomes. Based on these findings, we develop recombineering
      strategies for precise genome editing that expand the utility of ssODNs and
      eliminate in vitro cloning steps for template construction. We apply these
      methods to the generation of GFP knock-in alleles and gene replacements without
      co-integrated markers. We conclude that, like microbes, metazoans possess robust
      homology-dependent repair mechanisms that can be harnessed for recombineering and
      genome editing.

PMID- 27257075
TI  - A defect in homologous recombination leads to increased translesion synthesis in
      E. coli.
AB  - DNA damage tolerance pathways allow cells to duplicate their genomes despite the
      presence of replication blocking lesions. Cells possess two major tolerance
      strategies, namely translesion synthesis (TLS) and homology directed gap repair
      (HDGR). TLS pathways involve specialized DNA polymerases that are able to
      synthesize past DNA lesions with an intrinsic risk of causing point mutations. In
      contrast, HDGR pathways are essentially error-free as they rely on the recovery
      of missing information from the sister chromatid by RecA-mediated homologous
      recombination. We have investigated the genetic control of pathway choice between
      TLS and HDGR in vivo in Escherichia coli In a strain with wild type RecA
      activity, the extent of TLS across replication blocking lesions is generally low
      while HDGR is used extensively. Interestingly, recA alleles that are partially
      impaired in D-loop formation confer a decrease in HDGR and a concomitant increase
      in TLS. Thus, partial defect of RecA's capacity to invade the homologous sister
      chromatid increases the lifetime of the ssDNA.RecA filament, i.e. the 'SOS
      signal'. This increase favors TLS by increasing both the TLS polymerase
      concentration and the lifetime of the TLS substrate, before it becomes
      sequestered by homologous recombination. In conclusion, the pathway choice
      between error-prone TLS and error-free HDGR is controlled by the efficiency of
      homologous recombination.

PMID- 27257076
TI  - Chromosome thripsis by DNA double strand break clusters causes enhanced cell
      lethality, chromosomal translocations and 53BP1-recruitment.
AB  - Chromosome translocations are hallmark of cancer and of radiation-induced cell
      killing, reflecting joining of incongruent DNA-ends that alter the genome.
      Translocation-formation requires DNA end-joining mechanisms and incompletely
      characterized, permissive chromatin conditions. We show that chromatin
      destabilization by clusters of DNA double-strand-breaks (DSBs) generated by the I
      SceI meganuclease at multiple, appropriately engineered genomic sites,
      compromises c-NHEJ and markedly increases cell killing and translocation
      formation compared to single-DSBs. Translocation-formation from DSB-clusters
      utilizes Parp1 activity, implicating alt-EJ in their formation.
      Immunofluorescence experiments show that single-DSBs and DSB-clusters uniformly
      provoke the formation of single gamma-H2AX foci, suggesting similar activation of
      early DNA damage response (DDR). Live-cell imaging also shows similar single
      focus recruitment of the early-response protein MDC1, to single-DSBs and DSB
      clusters. Notably, the late DDR protein, 53BP1 shows in live-cell imaging
      strikingly stronger recruitment to DSB-clusters as compared to single-DSBs. This
      is the first report that chromatin thripsis, in the form of engineered DSB
      clusters, compromises first-line DSB-repair pathways, allowing alt-EJ to function
      as rescuing-backup. DSB-cluster-formation is indirectly linked to the increased
      biological effectiveness of high ionization-density radiations, such as the alpha
      particles emitted by radon gas or the heavy-ions utilized in cancer therapy. Our
      observations provide the first direct mechanistic explanation for this long-known
      effect.

PMID- 27257077
TI  - Detection and visualization of differential splicing in RNA-Seq data with
      JunctionSeq.
AB  - Although RNA-Seq data provide unprecedented isoform-level expression information,
      detection of alternative isoform regulation (AIR) remains difficult, particularly
      when working with an incomplete transcript annotation. We introduce JunctionSeq,
      a new method that builds on the statistical techniques used by the well
      established DEXSeq package to detect differential usage of both exonic regions
      and splice junctions. In particular, JunctionSeq is capable of detecting
      differential usage of novel splice junctions without the need for an additional
      isoform assembly step, greatly improving performance when the available
      transcript annotation is flawed or incomplete. JunctionSeq also provides a
      powerful and streamlined visualization toolset that allows bioinformaticians to
      quickly and intuitively interpret their results. We tested our method on publicly
      available data from several experiments performed on the rat pineal gland and
      Toxoplasma gondii, successfully detecting known and previously validated AIR
      genes in 19 out of 19 gene-level hypothesis tests. Due to its ability to query
      novel splice sites, JunctionSeq is still able to detect these differences even
      when all alternative isoforms for these genes were not included in the transcript
      annotation. JunctionSeq thus provides a powerful method for detecting alternative
      isoform regulation even with low-quality annotations. An implementation of
      JunctionSeq is available as an R/Bioconductor package.

PMID- 27257079
TI  - Preparation of Magnetic Hollow Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Detection of
      Triazines in Food Samples.
AB  - Novel magnetic hollow molecularly imprinted polymers (M-H-MIPs) were proposed for
      highly selective recognition and fast enrichment of triazines in food samples. M
      H-MIPs were prepared on the basis of multi-step swelling polymerization, followed
      by in situ growth of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of hollow
      molecularly imprinted polymers (H-MIPs). Transmission electron microscopy and
      scanning electron microscopy confirmed the successful immobilization of Fe3O4
      nanoparticles on the surface of H-MIPs. M-H-MIPs could be separated simply using
      an external magnet. The binding adsorption results indicated that M-H-MIPs
      displayed high binding capacity and fast mass transfer property and class
      selective property for triazines. Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order
      kinetic models fitted the best adsorption models for M-H-MIPs. M-H-MIPs were used
      to analyze atrazine, simazine, propazine, and terbuthylazine in corn, wheat, and
      soybean samples. Satisfactory recoveries were in the range of 80.62-101.69%, and
      relative standard deviation was lower than 5.2%. Limits of detection from 0.16 to
      0.39 MUg L(-1) were obtained. When the method was applied to test positive
      samples that were contaminated with triazines, the results agree well with those
      obtained from an accredited method. Thus, the M-H-MIP-based dispersive solid
      phase extraction method proved to be a convenient and practical platform for
      detection of triazines in food samples. 

PMID- 27257078
TI  - Profiling of 2'-O-Me in human rRNA reveals a subset of fractionally modified
      positions and provides evidence for ribosome heterogeneity.
AB  - Ribose methylation is one of the two most abundant modifications in human
      ribosomal RNA and is believed to be important for ribosome biogenesis, mRNA
      selectivity and translational fidelity. We have applied RiboMeth-seq to rRNA from
      HeLa cells for ribosome-wide, quantitative mapping of 2'-O-Me sites and obtained
      a comprehensive set of 106 sites, including two novel sites, and with plausible
      box C/D guide RNAs assigned to all but three sites. We find approximately two
      thirds of the sites to be fully methylated and the remainder to be fractionally
      modified in support of ribosome heterogeneity at the level of RNA modifications.
      A comparison to HCT116 cells reveals similar 2'-O-Me profiles with distinct
      differences at several sites. This study constitutes the first comprehensive
      mapping of 2'-O-Me sites in human rRNA using a high throughput sequencing
      approach. It establishes the existence of a core of constitutively methylated
      positions and a subset of variable, potentially regulatory positions, and paves
      the way for experimental analyses of the role of variations in rRNA methylation
      under different physiological or pathological settings.

PMID- 27257080
TI  - A Policy Analysis of Smoke-Free Legislation in Kentucky.
AB  - This article presents a policy analysis of proposed smoke-free legislation in
      Kentucky during the 2015 General Assembly. Kingdon's three streams model of
      agenda setting is used to analyze the failure to pass HB145. Secondhand smoke
      exposure and related deaths are a significant public health problem in Kentucky,
      a state with one of the highest smoking rates in the U.S. HB145, a comprehensive
      smoke-free bill, was designed to protect workers and the general public from
      secondhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol in enclosed workplaces and public
      places, with few exemptions. The bill faced intense criticism from opponents who
      were concerned about violation of personal and business rights and the belief
      that the decision should be addressed on a local level. HB145 passed the House
      with amendments but failed to receive a hearing in the Senate. Failure of the
      smoke-free legislation was due to partisanship, fragmentation of advocacy groups,
      lack of political bargaining, and conflict of values. As in past years, the
      policy window did not open for state smoke-free legislation in 2015. 

PMID- 27257081
TI  - A Structured Peer-Mentoring Method for Physical Activity Behavior Change Among
      Adolescents.
AB  - Despite national guidelines for regular physical activity, most adolescents are
      not physically active. Schools serve an estimated 60 million youth and provide an
      educational environment to meet the current physical activity guidelines. The
      obesity epidemic and chronic disease comorbidities associated with physical
      inactivity are not likely to be reversed without a strong contribution from local
      schools. This article describes how a structured peer-mentoring method provides a
      feasible, flexible, and tailored means to meet the current guidelines for best
      practice in a school setting. Structured peer mentoring using trained high school
      mentors to support behavior change in younger peers is an innovative method to
      meeting the School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical
      Activity Through structured peer mentoring, adolescents are provided consistent
      social support in a caring and personalized manner. This support builds skills
      and competencies enhancing self-efficacy to sustain a lifetime of physical
      activity behavior. 

PMID- 27257082
TI  - In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes After Placement of Essure Microinserts in
      Patients With Hydrosalpinges Who Previously Failed In Vitro Fertilization
      Treatment: A Multicenter Study.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hysteroscopic proximal tubal occlusion
      with Essure microinserts (Conceptus Inc.; Bayer, AG, North Rhine-Westphalia,
      Germany) can improve pregnancy rates in patients with hydrosalpinges who had
      failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. DESIGN: A prospective cohort
      study. SETTING: University-affiliated tertiary centers. PATIENTS: Twenty-four
      consecutive women with hydrosalpinges who had failed IVF treatment were included.
      INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopic placement of Essure microinserts for hydrosalpinx
      blockage followed by IVF treatment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ongoing
      pregnancy and live birth rates were recorded. Of the 24 patients undergoing a
      total of 42 IVF cycles after Essure insertion, 18 (75% of patients and 42.8% of
      IVF cycle attempts) conceived and 16 delivered live births (66.6% of patients and
      38.1% of IVF cycle attempts). CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic proximal occlusion of
      hydrosalpinges with Essure microinserts is a valuable alternative to laparoscopic
      salpingectomy, resulting in reasonable pregnancy rates.

PMID- 27257083
TI  - Confirmation Testing of Essure Microinserts in Unintended Pregnancies Using a 10
      Year Retrospective Database.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine the imaging modality used in cases of Essure
      failures and determine the cause of the unintended pregnancies (noncompliance to
      follow-up recommendations, misinterpretation of the imaging test, or device
      failure). DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center interventional cohort (Canadian
      Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Tertiary level hospital. PATIENTS:
      Women who have had Essure placement and subsequent pregnancy. INTERVENTIONS:
      Coding data from the Regina General Hospital was examined for any pregnancy
      occurring after an Essure procedure. The hospital charts were then reviewed for
      data collection. A separate imaging database established over the same time frame
      was then reviewed to determine the imaging modality used in each case
      (transvaginal ultrasound [TVU], hysterosalpingogram [HSG], or none). Results of
      the imaging study were reviewed and the cause of the failure determined.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-four pregnancies in 25 women were
      identified after Essure procedures from January 1, 2003 to March 31, 2013. There
      were 4 in vitro fertilization pregnancies and 4 pregnancies where the woman had
      been instructed not to rely on the devices because of incomplete placement noted
      at time of the procedure. Therefore, 17 unintended pregnancies occurred of a
      total 2080 procedures performed. Examination of the imaging studies revealed that
      11 were due to patient noncompliance (either early cessation of backup
      contraception or failure to go for confirmatory imaging), 5 due to
      misinterpretation of the imaging tests (3 HSG, 2 TVU), and 1 device failure. This
      reveals a cumulative failure rate of 6 of 2080 or .29% over 10 years with only
      .04% (1/2080) being device related. CONCLUSION: Essure sterilization is an
      effective means of permanent contraception with a device failure rate of only
      .04%. Most unintended pregnancies after the Essure procedure result from a
      failure to comply with follow-up recommendations, and strategies to improve
      compliance should be emphasized.

PMID- 27257084
TI  - Gigapixel surface imaging of radical prostatectomy specimens for comprehensive
      detection of cancer-positive surgical margins using structured illumination
      microscopy.
AB  - Achieving cancer-free surgical margins in oncologic surgery is critical to reduce
      the need for additional adjuvant treatments and minimize tumor recurrence;
      however, there is a delicate balance between completeness of tumor removal and
      preservation of adjacent tissues critical for normal post-operative function. We
      sought to establish the feasibility of video-rate structured illumination
      microscopy (VR-SIM) of the intact removed tumor surface as a practical and non
      destructive alternative to intra-operative frozen section pathology, using
      prostate cancer as an initial target. We present the first images of the intact
      human prostate surface obtained with pathologically-relevant contrast and
      subcellular detail, obtained in 24 radical prostatectomy specimens immediately
      after excision. We demonstrate that it is feasible to routinely image the full
      prostate circumference, generating gigapixel panorama images of the surface that
      are readily interpreted by pathologists. VR-SIM confirmed detection of positive
      surgical margins in 3 out of 4 prostates with pathology-confirmed adenocarcinoma
      at the circumferential surgical margin, and furthermore detected extensive
      residual cancer at the circumferential margin in a case post-operatively
      classified by histopathology as having negative surgical margins. Our results
      suggest that the increased surface coverage of VR-SIM could also provide added
      value for detection and characterization of positive surgical margins over
      traditional histopathology.

PMID- 27257086
TI  - Incorporating albumin-bilirubin grade into the cancer of the liver Italian
      program system for hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade is a recently emerging
      alternative of the Child-Pugh (CP) grade. The Cancer of the Liver Italian Program
      (CLIP) was demonstrated to be a useful prognostic model for hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) in large prospective cohorts. We aimed to investigate the
      feasibility of substituting the CP grade by the ALBI grade in the CLIP system and
      compare the prognostic performance with other existing staging systems. METHODS:
      A large cohort of 1973 Chinese patients with HCC was recruited to evaluate the
      prognostic performance of CP-based CLIP (CP-CLIP) and ALBI-based CLIP (ALBI-CLIP)
      systems and nine other staging systems by homogeneity likelihood chi-square, c
      index, and corrected Akaike information criterion. RESULTS: The ALBI-CLIP system
      provided comparable prognostic performance than the CP-CLIP system, which was
      indicated by homogeneity likelihood chi-squares (ALBI-CLIP 1186.35 vs CP-CLIP
      1145.54), c-indices (ALBI-CLIP 0.789 vs CP-CLIP 0.785) and AICs (ALBI-CLIP 15
      493.47 vs CP-CLIP 15 534.28). Among 11 staging systems, ALBI-CLIP and CP-CLIP
      systems were associated with the highest homogeneity chi-squares and c-indices,
      and the lowest corrected Akaike information criterion. Patients in ALBI-CLIP
      score 0-4 had better median survival than those in corresponding CP-CLIP score.
      CONCLUSIONS: The ALBI grade performs as well as the CP grade when integrating
      into the CLIP system. ALBI-CLIP and CP-CLIP systems are the most accurate
      prognostic models among 11 existing staging systems.

PMID- 27257087
TI  - APPL1 gates long-term potentiation through its plekstrin homology domain.
AB  - Hippocampal synaptic plasticity involves both membrane trafficking events and
      intracellular signaling, but how these are coordinated is far from clear. The
      endosomal transport of glutamate receptors in and out of the postsynaptic
      membrane responds to multiple signaling cascades triggered by synaptic activity.
      In this work, we have identified adaptor protein containing a plekstrin homology
      domain, phosphotyrosine-binding domain and leucine zipper motif 1 (APPL1) as a
      crucial element linking trafficking and signaling during synaptic plasticity. We
      show that APPL1 knockdown specifically impairs PI3K-dependent forms of synaptic
      plasticity, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and metabotropic-glutamate
      receptor-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD). Indeed, we demonstrate that
      APPL1 is required for the activation of the phosphatidylinositol triphosphate
      (PIP3) pathway in response to LTP induction. This requirement can be bypassed by
      membrane localization of PI3K and is related to phosphoinositide binding.
      Interestingly, inhibitors of PDK1 (also known as PDPK1) and Akt have no effect on
      LTP expression. Therefore, we conclude that APPL1 gates PI3K activation at the
      plasma membrane upon LTP induction, which is then relayed by downstream PIP3
      effectors that are different from PDK1 and Akt.

PMID- 27257085
TI  - The effector AWR5 from the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum is an inhibitor
      of the TOR signalling pathway.
AB  - Bacterial pathogens possess complex type III effector (T3E) repertoires that are
      translocated inside the host cells to cause disease. However, only a minor
      proportion of these effectors have been assigned a function. Here, we show that
      the T3E AWR5 from the phytopathogen Ralstonia solanacearum is an inhibitor of
      TOR, a central regulator in eukaryotes that controls the switch between cell
      growth and stress responses in response to nutrient availability. Heterologous
      expression of AWR5 in yeast caused growth inhibition and autophagy induction
      coupled to massive transcriptomic changes, unmistakably reminiscent of TOR
      inhibition by rapamycin or nitrogen starvation. Detailed genetic analysis of
      these phenotypes in yeast, including suppression of AWR5-induced toxicity by
      mutation of CDC55 and TPD3, encoding regulatory subunits of the PP2A phosphatase,
      indicated that AWR5 might exert its function by directly or indirectly inhibiting
      the TOR pathway upstream PP2A. We present evidence in planta that this T3E caused
      a decrease in TOR-regulated plant nitrate reductase activity and also that normal
      levels of TOR and the Cdc55 homologues in plants are required for R. solanacearum
      virulence. Our results suggest that the TOR pathway is a bona fide T3E target and
      further prove that yeast is a useful platform for T3E function characterisation.

PMID- 27257088
TI  - Ttll9-/- mice sperm flagella show shortening of doublet 7, reduction of doublet 5
      polyglutamylation and a stall in beating.
AB  - Nine outer doublet microtubules in axonemes of flagella and cilia are
      heterogeneous in structure and biochemical properties. In mammalian sperm
      flagella, one of the factors to generate the heterogeneity is tubulin
      polyglutamylation, although the importance of the heterogeneous modification is
      unclear. Here, we show that a tubulin polyglutamylase Ttll9 deficiency (Ttll9(-/
      )) causes a unique set of phenotypes related to doublet heterogeneity. Ttll9(-/-)
      sperm axonemes had frequent loss of a doublet and reduced polyglutamylation.
      Intriguingly, the doublet loss selectively occurred at the distal region of
      doublet 7, and reduced polyglutamylation was observed preferentially on doublet
      5. Ttll9(-/-) spermatozoa showed aberrant flagellar beating, characterized by
      frequent stalls after anti-hook bending. This abnormal motility could be
      attributed to the reduction of polyglutamylation on doublet 5, which probably
      occurred at a position involved in the switching of bending. These results
      indicate that mammalian Ttll9 plays essential roles in maintaining the normal
      structure and beating pattern of sperm flagella by establishing normal
      heterogeneous polyglutamylation patterns.

PMID- 27257089
TI  - Incident Angle- and Polarization-Insensitive Metamaterial Absorber using Circular
      Sectors.
AB  - In this paper, an incident angle- and polarization-insensitive metamaterial
      absorber is proposed for X-band applications. A unit cell of the proposed
      absorber has a square patch at the centre and four circular sectors are rotated
      around the square patch. The vertically and horizontally symmetric structure of
      the unit cell enables polarization-insensitivity. The circular sector of the unit
      cell enables an angle-insensitivity. The performances of the proposed absorber
      are demonstrated with a full-wave simulation and measurements. The angular
      sensitivity is studied at different inner angles of the circular sector. When the
      inner angle of the circular sector is 90 degrees , the simulated absorptivity is
      higher than 90%, and the frequency variation is less than 0.96% for incident
      angles up to 70 degrees . The measured absorptivity at 10.44 GHz is close to 100%
      for all the polarization angles under normal incidence. When the incident angles
      are varied from 0 degrees - 60 degrees , the measured absorptivity is maintained
      above 90% for both the transverse electric (TE) and the transverse magnetic (TM)
      modes.

PMID- 27257090
TI  - Evaluating Ultra-long-Chain Fatty Acids as Biomarkers of Colorectal Cancer Risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional studies reported a novel set of hydroxylated ultra
      long-chain fatty acids (ULCFA) that were present at significantly lower levels in
      colorectal cancer cases than controls. Follow-up studies suggested that these
      molecules were potential biomarkers of protective exposure for colorectal cancer.
      To test the hypothesis that ULCFAs reflect causal pathways, we measured their
      levels in prediagnostic serum from incident colorectal cancer cases and controls.
      METHODS: Serum from 95 colorectal cancer patients and 95 matched controls was
      obtained from the Italian arm of the European Prospective Investigation into
      Cancer and Nutrition cohort and analyzed by liquid chromatography-high-resolution
      mass spectrometry. Levels of 8 ULCFAs were compared between cases and controls
      with paired t tests and a linear model that used time to diagnosis (TTD) to
      determine whether case-control differences were influenced by disease
      progression. RESULTS: Although paired t tests detected significantly lower levels
      of four ULCFAs in colorectal cancer cases, confirming earlier reports, the case
      control differences diminished significantly with increasing TTD (7 days-14
      years). CONCLUSION: Levels of several ULCFAs were lower in incident colorectal
      cancer cases than controls. However, because case-control differences decreased
      with increasing TTD, we conclude that these molecules were likely consumed by
      processes related to cancer progression rather than causal pathways. IMPACT:
      ULCFA levels are unlikely to represent exposures that protect individuals from
      colorectal cancer. Future research should focus on the diagnostic potential and
      origins of these molecules. Our use of TTD as a covariate in a linear model
      provides an efficient method for distinguishing causal and reactive biomarkers in
      biospecimens from prospective cohorts. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(8);
      1216-23. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27257091
TI  - Long-term Particulate Matter Exposures during Adulthood and Risk of Breast Cancer
      Incidence in the Nurses' Health Study II Prospective Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is increasing concern that environmental exposures, such as air
      pollution, may be related to increasing rates of breast cancer; however, results
      from cohort studies have been mixed. We examined the association between
      particulate matter (PM) and measures of distance to roadway with the risk of
      incident breast cancer in the prospective nationwide Nurses' Health Study II
      (NHSII) cohort. METHODS: Incident invasive breast cancer from 1993 to 2011 (N =
      3,416) was assessed among 115,921 women in the NHSII cohort. Time-varying Cox
      proportional hazards models were used to calculate HRs and 95% confidence
      intervals (95% CI) for increases in ambient exposures to PM10, PM2.5-10, and
      PM2.5 and residential roadway proximity categories. RESULTS: In multivariable
      adjusted models, there was little evidence of an increased risk of breast cancer
      (or any of the receptor-specific subtypes) overall or by menopausal status with
      PM exposure. There was, however, a suggestion of increased risks among women
      living <50 m of the largest road type (HR = 1.60; 95% CI, 0.80-3.21) or within
      <50 m of the two largest road types (1.14; 95% CI, 0.84-1.54) compared with women
      living farther (>=200 m) away. CONCLUSIONS: Among women in the NHSII, we found no
      statistically significant associations between particulate matter exposures and
      incidence of breast cancer overall, by menopausal status, or by hormone receptor
      subtype. There was, however, a suggestion that residential proximity to major
      roadways may be associated with increased risk. IMPACT: These results suggest no
      elevated breast cancer risk with increasing exposures to particulate matter air
      pollution, but that other traffic-related exposures may be important. Cancer
      Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(8); 1274-6. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27257092
TI  - Treatment Preferences for Active Surveillance versus Active Treatment among Men
      with Low-Risk Prostate Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to the concerns about the overtreatment of low-risk prostate
      cancer, active surveillance (AS) is now a recommended alternative to the active
      treatments (AT) of surgery and radiotherapy. However, AS is not widely utilized,
      partially due to psychological and decision-making factors associated with
      treatment preferences. METHODS: In a longitudinal cohort study, we conducted
      pretreatment telephone interviews (N = 1,140, 69.3% participation) with newly
      diagnosed, low-risk prostate cancer patients (PSA <= 10, Gleason <= 6) from
      Kaiser Permanente Northern California. We assessed psychological and decision
      making variables, and treatment preference [AS, AT, and No Preference (NP)].
      RESULTS: Men were 61.5 (SD, 7.3) years old, 24 days (median) after diagnosis, and
      81.1% white. Treatment preferences were: 39.3% AS, 30.9% AT, and 29.7% NP.
      Multinomial logistic regression revealed that men preferring AS (vs. AT) were
      older (OR, 1.64; CI, 1.07-2.51), more educated (OR, 2.05; CI, 1.12-3.74), had
      greater prostate cancer knowledge (OR, 1.77; CI, 1.43-2.18) and greater awareness
      of having low-risk cancer (OR, 3.97; CI, 1.96-8.06), but also were less certain
      about their treatment preference (OR, 0.57; CI, 0.41-0.8), had greater prostate
      cancer anxiety (OR, 1.22; CI, 1.003-1.48), and preferred a shared treatment
      decision (OR, 2.34; CI, 1.37-3.99). Similarly, men preferring NP (vs. AT) were
      less certain about treatment preference, preferred a shared decision, and had
      greater knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Although a substantial proportion of men
      preferred AS, this was associated with anxiety and uncertainty, suggesting that
      this may be a difficult choice. IMPACT: Increasing the appropriate use of AS for
      low-risk prostate cancer will require additional reassurance and information, and
      reaching men almost immediately after diagnosis while the decision-making is
      ongoing. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(8); 1240-50. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27257093
TI  - Lichen Sclerosus: Incidence and Risk of Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association between lichen sclerosus and vulvar squamous cell
      carcinoma (VSCC) has long been recognized, but large epidemiologic studies are
      lacking. METHODS: Data of women diagnosed with vulvar pathology in the
      Netherlands were retrieved from the Dutch Pathology Registry. All vulvar
      pathology reports of this historical cohort were reviewed to construct a research
      database, including 3,038 women with lichen sclerosus diagnosed between 1991 and
      2011. The incidence rate of lichen sclerosus and the cumulative incidence of VSCC
      among women with lichen sclerosus were estimated. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2011,
      the incidence rate of lichen sclerosus increased from 7.4 to 14.6 per 100,000
      woman-years. The median age at time of lichen sclerosus diagnosis was 59.8 years
      and the cumulative VSCC incidence was 6.7%. The 10-year VSCC incidence in women
      with lichen sclerosus was associated with concurrent vulvar intraepithelial
      neoplasia (VIN; 18.8% in women with VIN and 2.8% in women without VIN) and age at
      time of lichen sclerosus diagnosis (5.9% in women of >=70 years, 3% in women
      between 50 and 70 years, and 1.8% in women <50 years). The effects of presence of
      VIN and age remained significant in adjusted Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSION:
      This historical cohort showed a nearly 100% increase in incidence of lichen
      sclerosus between 1991 and 2011. Concurrent VIN and age >=70 years at time of
      lichen sclerosus diagnosis are important risk factors for vulvar cancer
      development. IMPACT: The incidence of lichen sclerosus is rising and special
      attention is needed in particular in women with concurrent VIN because of their
      high risk of cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(8); 1224-30. (c)2016
      AACR.

PMID- 27257094
TI  - Early Detection of Symptomatic Paroxysmal Cardiac Arrhythmias by Trans-Telephonic
      ECG Monitoring: Impact on Diagnosis and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of infrequent cardiac arrhythmias (CA) is often
      unsuccessful using resting or Holter ECG. As early detection and treatment of CA,
      especially atrial fibrillation (AF), has implications on patients' treatment and
      outcome, we investigated, whether self-guided, trans-telephonic event-recorder
      monitoring (Tele-ECG) improves diagnosis and influences treatment options.
      METHODS: Between 2009 and 2014, 790 patients (54 +/- 18 years, 40% male; no
      history of CA: 582, known AF: 179, other CA: 29) presented with recurrent
      symptoms suggestive of CA and were screened by Tele-ECG (17.3 +/- 26.9 days). A
      total of 11,775 ECGs were transmitted via a 24-hour telephone hotline including
      documentation of the respective symptoms. RESULTS: In 73% of patients, CA was
      documented at the time of symptoms: sinus tachycardia 23%, premature ventricular
      beats 19%, AF 14%, supraventricular tachycardia 9%, sinus bradycardia 5%, sinus
      arrhythmia 2%, and AV block II 1%. The mean time until the first symptomatic
      episode occurred was 6.9 +/- 15.3 days (median 2.5 days). The first documented
      arrhythmia occurred on average after 7.7 +/- 14.1 days (median 3 days). In
      patients with AF (n = 110), 44% was newly diagnosed. According to the Tele-ECG
      diagnosis, AF ablation was performed in 27% of these patients, 7% electrical
      cardioversion, and in 30% antiarrhythmic therapy was initiated. In 65% of the
      patients with recurrence of known AF, (re-)ablation was performed or recommended
      and in 16% antiarrhythmic therapy was modified. CONCLUSIONS: Tele-ECG monitoring
      is effective in the diagnosis of suspected symptomatic CA. A diagnosis can
      usually be achieved within 1 week and has implications on patients' care.

PMID- 27257095
TI  - Granular gel support-enabled extrusion of three-dimensional alginate and cellular
      structures.
AB  - Freeform fabrication of soft structures has been of great interest in recent
      years. In particular, it is viewed as a critical step toward the grand vision of
      organ printing--the on-demand design and fabrication of three-dimensional (3D)
      human organ constructs for implantation and regenerative medicine. The objective
      of this study is to develop a novel granular gel support material-enabled, two
      step gelation-based 'printing-then-gelation' approach to fabricate 3D alginate
      structures using filament extrusion. Specifically, a granular Carbopol microgel
      bath holds the ungelled alginate structure being extruded, avoiding the
      instantaneous gelation of each printed layer as well as resultant surface tension
      induced nozzle clogging. Since Carbopol microgels react with multivalent cations,
      which are needed for alginate crosslinking, gelatin is introduced as a
      sacrificial material to make an alginate and gelatin bioink for extrusion, which
      gels thermally (step-one gelation) to initially stabilize the printed structure
      for removal from Carbopol. Then gelatin is melted and diffused away while
      alginate is ionically crosslinked in a 37  degrees C calcium chloride bath (step
      two gelation), resulting in an alginate structure. The proposed 'printing-then
      gelation' approach works for alginate structure fabrication, and it is also
      applicable for the printing of cellular constructs and other similar homogeneous
      soft structures using a two-step or even multi-step approach. The main
      conclusions are: (1) 0.8% (w/v) Carbopol bath with a neutral pH value may be most
      suitable for soft structure printing; (2) it is most effective to use a 0.9%
      (w/v) NaCl solution to facilitate the removal of residual Carbopol; and (3)
      alginate structures fabricated using the proposed approach demonstrate better
      mechanical properties than those fabricated using the conventional 'gelation
      while-printing' approach.

PMID- 27257096
TI  - The Enigmatic Universe of the Herbivore Gut.
AB  - The herbivore gut is a fascinating ecosystem exquisitely adapted to plant biomass
      degradation. Within this ecosystem, anaerobic fungi invade biomass and secrete
      hydrolytic enzymes. In a recent study, Solomon et al. characterized three
      anaerobic fungi by transcriptomics, proteomics, and functional analyses to
      identify novel components essential for plant biomass deconstruction.

PMID- 27257097
TI  - The Contagion of Interstate Violence: Reminders of Historical Interstate (but Not
      Intrastate) Violence Increase Support for Future Violence Against Unrelated Third
      Party States.
AB  - Five experiments investigated the war contagion phenomenon in the context of
      international relations, hypothesizing that reminders of past inter- (but not
      intra-) state war will increase support for future, unrelated interstate
      violence. After being reminded of the Korean War as an interstate rather than
      intrastate conflict, South Koreans showed stronger support for violent responses
      to new, unrelated interstate tensions (Study 1). Replicating this war contagion
      effect among Americans, we demonstrated that it was mediated by heightened
      perceived threat from, and negative images of, a fictitious country unrelated to
      the past war (Study 2), and moderated by national glorification (Study 3). Study
      4, using another international conflict in the U.S. history, provided further
      conceptual replication. Finally, Study 5 included a baseline in addition to the
      inter- versus intrastate manipulation, yielding further support for the
      generalized effect of past interstate war reminders on preferences for aggressive
      approaches to new interstate tensions.

PMID- 27257098
TI  - Achondroplasia: Really rhizomelic?
AB  - Achondroplasia is the most common form of short limb dwarfism in humans. The
      shortening of the limb lengths in achondroplasia is widely described as
      "rhizomelic." While this appearance may be convincing clinically, the description
      is not necessarily true or helpful radiologically. The aims of this study, were
      therefore, to determine whether rhizomelic shortening is a true feature of
      achondroplasia at diagnosis in infancy. Humeral, radial, femoral, and tibial
      diaphyseal lengths were recorded by two independent observers from 22 skeletal
      surveys of infants with achondroplasia and compared with 150 normal age-matched
      control subjects. Upper and lower limb bone length ratios (radial/humeral and
      tibial/femoral lengths, respectively) in both groups were compared using an
      unpaired t-test. Mean upper limb length ratios were statistically higher within
      the achondroplasia group at 0.87 +/- 0.04 (n = 22, mean age 70 +/- 94 days)
      compared to normal controls at 0.79 +/- 0.02 (n = 150, mean age 113 days +/- 88
      days; P < 0.0001). Lower limb length ratios were not significantly different
      between groups (0.84 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.83 +/- 0.02, P = 0.46). There was good inter
      observer agreement of limb length measurements, with an average measurement
      difference of 0.1 +/- 1.4 mm. In conclusion, infants with achondroplasia
      demonstrate statistically significant rhizomelic shortening within the upper
      limbs, but not lower limbs at diagnosis, compared to normal controls. The term
      "rhizomelic shortening" in relation to achondroplasia should be reserved when
      describing upper limb proportions. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27257099
TI  - Perceived Physical Appearance: Assessing Measurement Equivalence in Black,
      Latino, and White Adolescents.
AB  - Objective: This aim of this study was to examine whether the construct of
      physical appearance perception differed among the three largest racial/ethnic
      groups in the United States using an adolescent sample. Methods: Black (46%),
      Latino (31%), and White (23%) adolescents in Grade 10 from the Healthy Passages
      study ( N  = 4,005) completed the Harter's Self-Perception Profile for
      Adolescents-Physical Appearance Scale (SPPA-PA) as a measure of physical
      appearance perception. Results: Overall, Black adolescents had a more positive
      self-perception of their physical appearance than Latino and White adolescents.
      However, further analysis using measurement invariance testing revealed that the
      construct of physical appearance perception, as measured by SPPA-PA, was not
      comparable across the three racial/ethnic groups in both males and females.
      Conclusions: These results suggest that observed differences may not reflect true
      differences in perceptions of physical appearance. Measures that are equivalent
      across racial/ethnic groups should be developed to ensure more precise
      measurement and understanding.

PMID- 27257100
TI  - Secondary stenting of glaucoma drainage implant: a novel technique for treatment
      of late hypotony.

PMID- 27257101
TI  - Rheological and mechanical properties and interfacial stress development of
      composite cements modified with thio-urethane oligomers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Thio-urethane oligomers have been shown to reduce stress and increase
      toughness in highly filled composite materials. This study evaluated the
      influence of thio-urethane backbone structure on rheological and mechanical
      properties of resin cements modified with a fixed concentration of the oligomers.
      METHODS: Thio-urethane oligomers (TU) were synthesized by combining thiols -
      pentaerythritol tetra-3-mercaptopropionate (PETMP) or trimethylol-tris-3
      mercaptopropionate (TMP) - with isocyanates - 1,6-hexanediol-diissocyante (HDDI)
      (aliphatic) or 1,3-bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)benzene (BDI) (aromatic) or
      dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate (HMDI) (cyclic), at 1:2 isocyanate:thiol,
      leaving pendant thiols. 20wt% TU were added to BisGMA-UDMA-TEGDMA (5:3:2). 60wt%
      silanated inorganic fillers were added. Near-IR was used to follow methacrylate
      conversion and rate of polymerization ( [Formula: see text] ). Mechanical
      properties were evaluated in three-point bending (ISO 4049) for flexural
      strength/modulus (FS/FM, and toughness), and notched specimens (ASTM Standard
      E399-90) for fracture toughness (KIC). PS was measured on the Bioman. Viscosity
      (V) and gel-points (defined as the crossover between storage and loss shear
      moduli (G'/G")) were obtained with rheometry. Glass transition temperature (Tg),
      cross-link density and homogeneity of the network were obtained with dynamic
      mechanical analysis. Film-thickness was evaluated according to ISO 4049. RESULTS:
      DC and mechanical properties increased and [Formula: see text] and PS decreased
      with the addition of TUs. Gelation (G'/G") was delayed and DC at G'/G" increased
      in TU groups. Tg and cross-link density dropped in TU groups, while oligomers let
      to more homogenous networks. An increase in V was observed, with no effect on
      film-thickness. Significant reductions in PS were achieved at the same time
      conversion and mechanical properties increased. SIGNIFICANCE: The addition of
      thio-urethane oligomers proved successful in improving several key properties of
      resin cements, without disrupting the procedures dentists use to polymerize the
      material. This approach has potential to be translated to commercial materials
      very readily.

PMID- 27257102
TI  - Potential confounders of bisphenol-a analysis in dental materials.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In the published literature, a variety of analytical methods have
      been used to quantify and report bisphenol A (BPA) release from dental resins.
      The objective of this study was to compare results obtained for quantification of
      BPA in dental resin extracts using an LC/UV analytical method and an LC/MS/MS
      method. METHODS: A cured Bis-GMA-based resin representative of commercial dental
      products was extracted according to ISO 10993 guidelines for medical devices.
      d16BPA was included as an internal standard. Sample processing followed expert
      recommendations for minimizing BPA sample contamination. Extracts were separated
      using HPLC methods and analyzed for BPA using LC/UV and LC/MS/MS detection
      methods. RESULTS: The reported BPA concentrations were about 30-fold higher using
      LC/UV vs. LC/MS/MS. Full scan LC/MS/MS in both positive and negative modes showed
      that the apparent high BPA values seen with LC/UV were caused by co-elution of a
      previously unidentified chemical, thought to arise from one of the polymerization
      initiators. SIGNIFICANCE: These results emphasize the potential difficulties in
      obtaining accurate analyses of BPA in complex mixtures such as dental resins and
      their extracts. Both good separation methodology and a detection method with high
      specificity and sensitivity are important to avoid incorrect identification of
      extractables, and consequent incorrect quantitative assignments for species of
      interest. Reliable methods are essential for accurate estimation of patient
      exposure to BPA and development of meaningful health risk assessments.

PMID- 27257103
TI  - [Can positron emission tomography assessment of response to treatment help to
      individualize use of erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer?]
AB  - Erlotinib can be prescribed in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic
      non-small lung cancer cell (NSCLC) after failure of at least one prior
      chemotherapy regimen on the basis of the BR-21 study. Several publications have
      recently questioned these results. The metabolic imaging of solid tumours by
      positron emission tomography is a research field that could help customize the
      treatment of NSCLC and so complement the treatment approaches allowed by genetic
      analyses. This strategy is part of an innovative "early metabolic look" approach.
      The primary objective of this study is to determine if metabolic progression
      observed between the 7th and 14th day after initiation of treatment with
      erlotinib by 3'-Deoxy-3'-[18F]-Fluorothymidine PET in patients with EGFR naive
      NSCLC is predictive for morphological progression after 6 to 8 weeks of
      treatment. A health economic analysis will be conducted. This study is
      particularly innovative because it begins the exploration of the era of metabolic
      evaluation of therapeutic response in NSCLC.

PMID- 27257105
TI  - Mammalian metabolic rates in the hottest fish on earth.
AB  - The Magadi tilapia, Alcolapia grahami, a small cichlid fish of Lake Magadi, Kenya
      lives in one of the most challenging aquatic environments on earth, characterized
      by very high alkalinity, unusual water chemistry, and extreme O2, ROS, and
      temperature regimes. In contrast to most fishes which live at temperatures
      substantially lower than the 36-40  degrees C of mammals and birds, an isolated
      population (South West Hot Springs, SWHS) of Magadi tilapia thrives in fast
      flowing hotsprings with daytime highs of 43  degrees C and night-time lows of 32 
      degrees C. Another population (Fish Springs Lagoon, FSL) lives in a lagoon with
      fairly stable daily temperatures (33-36  degrees C). The upper critical
      temperatures (Ctmax) of both populations are very high; moreover the SWHS tilapia
      exhibit the highest Ctmax (45.6  degrees C) ever recorded for a fish. Routine
      rates of O2 consumption (MO2) measured on site, together with MO2 and swimming
      performance at 25, 32, and 39  degrees C in the laboratory, showed that the SWHS
      tilapia exhibited the greatest metabolic performance ever recorded in a fish.
      These rates were in the basal range of a small mammal of comparable size, and
      were all far higher than in the FSL fish. The SWHS tilapia represents a
      bellwether organism for global warming.

PMID- 27257104
TI  - The decision to germinate is regulated by divergent molecular networks in spores
      and seeds.
AB  - Dispersal is a key step in land plant life cycles, usually via formation of
      spores or seeds. Regulation of spore- or seed-germination allows control over the
      timing of transition from one generation to the next, enabling plant dispersal. A
      combination of environmental and genetic factors determines when seed germination
      occurs. Endogenous hormones mediate this decision in response to the environment.
      Less is known about how spore germination is controlled in earlier-evolving
      nonseed plants. Here, we present an in-depth analysis of the environmental and
      hormonal regulation of spore germination in the model bryophyte Physcomitrella
      patens (Aphanoregma patens). Our data suggest that the environmental signals
      regulating germination are conserved, but also that downstream hormone
      integration pathways mediating these responses in seeds were acquired after the
      evolution of the bryophyte lineage. Moreover, the role of abscisic acid and
      diterpenes (gibberellins) in germination assumed much greater importance as land
      plant evolution progressed. We conclude that the endogenous hormone signalling
      networks mediating germination in response to the environment may have evolved
      independently in spores and seeds. This paves the way for future research about
      how the mechanisms of plant dispersal on land evolved.

PMID- 27257107
TI  - HCV treatment in liver transplantation: timing is the challenge.

PMID- 27257106
TI  - A two-neuron system for adaptive goal-directed decision-making in Lymnaea.
AB  - During goal-directed decision-making, animals must integrate information from the
      external environment and their internal state to maximize resource localization
      while minimizing energy expenditure. How this complex problem is solved by the
      nervous system remains poorly understood. Here, using a combined behavioural and
      neurophysiological approach, we demonstrate that the mollusc Lymnaea performs a
      sophisticated form of decision-making during food-searching behaviour, using a
      core system consisting of just two neuron types. The first reports the presence
      of food and the second encodes motivational state acting as a gain controller for
      adaptive behaviour in the absence of food. Using an in vitro analogue of the
      decision-making process, we show that the system employs an energy management
      strategy, switching between a low- and high-use mode depending on the outcome of
      the decision. Our study reveals a parsimonious mechanism that drives a complex
      decision-making process via regulation of levels of tonic inhibition and phasic
      excitation.

PMID- 27257109
TI  - [Racemosa hemangioma or Wyburn Mason or Bonnet-Dechaume-Blanc incomplete
      syndrome].

PMID- 27257108
TI  - Vestibular dysfunction in the adult CBA/CaJ mouse after lead and cadmium
      treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The vestibular system allows the perception of position and motion
      and its dysfunction presents as motion impairment, vertigo and balance
      abnormalities, leading to debilitating psychological discomfort and difficulty
      performing daily tasks. Although declines and deficits in vestibular function
      have been noted in rats exposed to lead (Pb) and in humans exposed to Pb and
      cadmium (Cd), no studies have directly examined the pathological and
      pathophysiological effects upon the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear.
      METHODS: Eighteen young adult mice were exposed through their drinking water (3
      mM Pb, 300 uM Cd, or a control treatment) for 10 weeks. Before and after
      treatment, they underwent a vestibular assessment, consisting of a rotarod
      performance test and a novel head stability test to measure the vestibulocolic
      reflex. At the conclusion of the study, the utricles were analyzed
      immunohistologically for condition of hair cells and nerve fibers. RESULTS:
      Increased levels of Pb exposure correlated with decreased head stability in
      space; no significant decline in performance on rotarod test was found. No damage
      to the hair cells or the nerve fibers of the utricle was observed in histology.
      CONCLUSIONS: The young adult CBA/CaJ mouse is able to tolerate occupationally
      relevant Pb and Cd exposure well, but the correlation between Pb exposure and
      reduced head stability suggests that Pb exposure causes a decline in vestibular
      function. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 869-876, 2017.

PMID- 27257110
TI  - [Is there a need for a therapeutic education with patients suffering with open
      angle glaucoma? Preliminary inquiry regarding knowledge and patient adherence].
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the knowledge and compliance of patients with open-angle
      glaucoma in order to propose an approach by therapeutic education, validated for
      other chronic pathologies. METHODS: A questionnaire-based interview of all
      patients in the waiting room of the glaucoma center is performed by the same
      health care professional. RESULTS: Out of 200 patients, 73% know they will need
      to be treated throughout their lives and 95% are aware of the risk of blindness
      in the absence of appropriate treatment. However, 16% respond that they can be
      cured, and 54% believe that treatment can save their eyesight. Knowledge
      increases with the length of follow-up of patients at the glaucoma center beyond
      one year, but the progress is still insufficient in their confidence that
      treatment can save their eyesight (36% to 57%), and in the decrease in the number
      of patients who forget their treatment (56% to 30%). CONCLUSION: Cognitive
      knowledge is insufficient to encourage the patient to comply with treatment. It
      is necessary to consider therapeutic patient education (TPE) techniques, such as
      described by WHO, in group and/or individual sessions, aimed at building the
      patient's confidence that treatment can delay the progression of the disease and
      blindness, strengthening his/her capacity to properly administer the eye drops,
      managing his/her treatment and coping with frequent side effects. Within this
      framework, our knowledge of the patients' representations of their glaucoma and
      its treatment must improve.

PMID- 27257111
TI  - [Bulbar conjunctival osseous choristoma in a 9-year-old girl: Clinical and
      pathological findings].

PMID- 27257112
TI  - Small Size at Birth or Abnormal Intrauterine Growth Trajectory: Which Matters
      More for Child Growth?
AB  - Small size at birth is linked with lifelong adverse health implications. However,
      small size is only a proxy for the pathological process of interest, intrauterine
      growth restriction. We examined the extent to which information on intrauterine
      growth patterns improved prediction of childhood anthropometry, above and beyond
      birth weight alone. We obtained fetal weights estimated via serial ultrasound for
      478 children in the Scandinavian Successive Small-for-Gestational-Age Births
      Study (1986-1988). Size at birth was classified using birth weight-for
      gestational-age z scores and conditional fetal growth z scores (reflecting growth
      between 25 weeks' gestation and birth) using internal references. Conditional z
      scores were also expressed as residuals of birth weight z scores. Growth measures
      were linked with age-5-years anthropometric characteristics using linear
      regression. In univariable analyses, conditional fetal growth z scores were
      positively associated with z scores for child height, body mass index, total
      skinfold thickness, and head circumference (beta = 0.24 (95% confidence interval
      (CI): 0.18, 0.31), beta = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.23), beta = 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01,
      0.16), and beta = 0.37 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.52), respectively). However, conditional
      z scores were highly correlated with birth weight z scores (r = 0.9), and
      residuals explained minimal additional variation in anthropometric factors (null
      coefficients; adjusted R(2) increases < 0.01). Information on the intrauterine
      trajectory through which birth weight was attained provided little additional
      insight into child growth beyond that obtained from absolute size at birth.

PMID- 27257113
TI  - Placental Weight and Male Genital Anomalies: A Nationwide Danish Cohort Study.
AB  - The most consistently reported risk indicators for the male genital anomalies
      cryptorchidism and hypospadias are prematurity and low birth weight. Placental
      dysfunction has been hypothesized as a possible underlying cause, and an
      association between placental weight at birth and hypospadias has been indicated.
      In a population-based cohort of 388,422 Danish singleton boys born alive (1997
      2008), we studied the association between placental weight and cryptorchidism and
      hypospadias. Missing data were handled with multiple imputation, and we estimated
      hazard ratios by means of Cox regression models. During follow-up, 1,713 boys
      were diagnosed with hypospadias and 6,878 with cryptorchidism (3,624 underwent
      corrective surgery). We observed an association between low placental weight and
      risk of both genital anomalies. Boys with a placental weight in the lowest decile
      (<10%) had higher risks of both cryptorchidism (hazard ratio = 1.52, 95%
      confidence interval: 1.31, 1.76) and hypospadias (hazard ratio = 1.97, 95%
      confidence interval: 1.59, 2.45) than boys in the reference decile (50.0-59.9%).
      In conclusion, we found higher risks of both genital malformations in boys born
      with a low placental weight. The relationship seemed stronger for hypospadias
      than for cryptorchidism. Taken together, our data support a role for placental
      dysfunction in the etiology of these anomalies.

PMID- 27257115
TI  - Time-Dependent Risk of Cancer After a Diabetes Diagnosis in a Cohort of 2.3
      Million Adults.
AB  - Using a time-dependent approach, we investigated all-site and site-specific
      cancer incidence in a large population stratified by diabetes status. The study
      analyzed a closed cohort comprised of Israelis aged 21-89 years, enrolled in a
      health fund, and followed from 2002 to 2012. Adjusting for age, ethnicity, and
      socioeconomic status, we calculated hazard ratios for cancer incidence using Cox
      regression separately for participants with prevalent and incident diabetes; the
      latter was further divided by time since diabetes diagnosis. Of the 2,186,196
      individuals included in the analysis, 159,104 were classified as having prevalent
      diabetes, 408,243 as having incident diabetes, and 1,618,849 as free of diabetes.
      In both men and women, diabetes posed an increased risk of cancers of the liver,
      pancreas, gallbladder, endometrium, stomach, kidney, brain (benign), brain
      (malignant), colon/rectum, lung (all, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell
      carcinoma), ovary, and bladder, as well as leukemia, multiple myeloma, non
      Hodgkin lymphoma, and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. No excess risk was
      observed for breast cancer in premenopausal women or for thyroid cancer. Diabetes
      was associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Hazard ratios for all-site
      and site-specific cancers were particularly elevated during the first year
      following diabetes diagnosis. The findings of this large study with a time
      dependent approach are consistent with those of previous studies that have
      observed associations between diabetes and cancer incidence.

PMID- 27257116
TI  - The Authors Reply.

PMID- 27257114
TI  - Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status and Cognitive Function in Late Life.
AB  - Neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) is associated with cognitive function,
      independently of individual demographic, health, and socioeconomic
      characteristics. However, research has been largely cross-sectional, and
      mechanisms of the association are unknown. In 1992-1993, Cardiovascular Health
      Study participants (n = 3,595; mean age = 74.8 years; 15.7% black) underwent
      cognitive testing and magnetic resonance imaging of white matter hyperintensities
      (WMH), and their addresses were geocoded. NSES was calculated using 1990 US
      Census data (block groups; 6 measures of wealth, education, and occupation). The
      Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) was used to assess general
      cognition, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) was used to assess speed
      of processing annually for 6 years. Associations of race-specific NSES tertiles
      with 3MS, DSST, and WMH were estimated using linear mixed-effects models
      accounting for geographic clustering, stratified by race, and adjusted for
      demographic, health, and individual socioeconomic status (education, income,
      lifetime occupational status) variables. In fully adjusted models, higher NSES
      was associated with higher 3MS scores in blacks (mean difference between highest
      and lowest NSES = 2.4 points; P = 0.004) and whites (mean difference = 0.7
      points; P = 0.02) at baseline but not with changes in 3MS over time. NSES was
      marginally associated with DSST and was not associated with WMH. Adjustment for
      WMH did not attenuate NSES-3MS associations. Associations of NSES with cognition
      in late adulthood differ by race, are not explained by WMH, and are evident only
      at baseline.

PMID- 27257117
TI  - Re: "Job Strain and the Cortisol Diurnal Cycle in MESA: Accounting for Between-
      and Within-Day Variability".

PMID- 27257118
TI  - Innovation or 'Inventions'? The conflict between latent assumptions in marine
      aquaculture and local fishery.
AB  - Recent European policy highlights the need to promote local fishery and
      aquaculture by means of innovation and joint participation in fishery management
      as one of the keys to achieve the sustainability of our seas. However, the
      implicit assumptions held by the actors in the two main groups involved -
      innovators (scientists, businessmen and administration managers) and local
      fishermen - can complicate, perhaps even render impossible, mutual understanding
      and co-operation. A qualitative analysis of interviews with members of both
      groups in the Valencian Community (Spain) reveals those latent assumptions and
      their impact on the respective practices. The analysis shows that the innovation
      narrative in which one group is based and the inventions narrative used by the
      other one are rooted in two dramatically different, or even antagonistic,
      collective worldviews. Any environmental policy that implies these groups should
      take into account these strong discords.

PMID- 27257119
TI  - Simultaneous separation and rapid determination of spironolactone and its
      metabolite canrenone in different pharmaceutical formulations and urinary
      matrices by capillary zone electrophoresis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to develop a novel, sensitive, precise, simple, and
      rapid capillary zone electrophoresis method for the quality control of
      spironolactone in three different formulation types and a rapid simultaneous
      determination of the content of spironolactone and canrenone in urine samples
      using fluocinonide as an internal standard. After optimization of separation
      conditions, the electrolyte solution was the pH 5.5, 20 mM phosphate buffer
      containing 4.5 g/L sulfated-beta-cyclodextrin, 15 kV of electric filed across the
      capillary applied at 25 degrees C. A diode array detector was used, and the
      detection wavelength was 260 nm. Under optimum conditions, good linearity was
      achieved with correlation coefficients from 0.9976 to 0.9997. Detection limits
      were 0.56 and 0.20 MUg/mL, and the quantitation limits were 1.87 and 0.67 MUg/mL,
      respectively. Excellent accuracy and precision were obtained. Recoveries of the
      analytes varied from 100.8 to 103.1%. The results indicated that baseline
      separation of analytes was obtained and this method was suitable for quantitative
      determination of spironolactone in pharmaceutical preparations and rapid
      simultaneous determination of the content of spironolactone and its major
      metabolite canrenone in urine samples. 

PMID- 27257120
TI  - The Natural Course of Intermittent Exotropia over a 3-year Period and the Factors
      Predicting the Control Deterioration.
AB  - The natural course of intermittent exotropia and the factors affecting its
      control has been unclear. We aim to report the natural course of our cohort of
      117 Chinese children with intermittent exotropia and to identify baseline
      parameters that may have predictive value in the control deterioration of the
      disease. The visual acuity, spherical equivalent, compliance to orthoptic
      exercise, angle of deviation fusional convergence parameters and Newcastle
      Control Score were recorded for all children at baseline and at 3 years apart.
      Patients were divided into two groups according to the change in control over the
      3 years: group 1 included patients who had no deterioration or had improvement in
      disease control; and group 2 were those who had deteriorated control or had
      undergone surgery. There were 77 patients (66%) in group 1 and 40 (34%) patients
      in group 2. Comparing the baseline parameters of the two groups, group 1 had
      statistically significantly smaller angle of deviation, larger fusional reserve,
      larger fusional recovery, and higher fusional reserve ratio (p < 0.05). Other
      baseline parameters were similar between the two groups. The baseline fusional
      parameters may have predictive value in determining the control of intermittent
      exotropia.

PMID- 27257121
TI  - Seed Selection by the Harvester Ant Pogonomyrmex rugosus (Hymenoptera:
      Formicidae) in Coastal Sage Scrub: Interactions With Invasive Plant Species.
AB  - Harvester ants can be the dominant seed predators on plants by collecting and
      eating seeds and are known to influence plant communities. Harvester ants are
      abundant in coastal sage scrub (CSS), and CSS is frequently invaded by several
      exotic plant species. This study used observations of foraging and cafeteria
      style experiments to test for seed species selection by the harvester ant
      Pogonomyrmex rugosus Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in CSS. Analysis of foraging
      behavior showed that P. rugosus carried seeds of exotic Erodium cicutarium (L.)
      and exotic Brassica tournefortii (Gouan) on 85 and 15% of return trips to the
      nest (respectively), and only a very few ants carried the native seeds found
      within the study areas. When compared with the availability of seeds in the
      field, P. rugosus selected exotic E. cicutarium and avoided both native Encelia
      farinosa (Torrey & A. Gray) and exotic B. tournefortii. Foraging by P. rugosus
      had no major effect on the seed bank in the field. Cafeteria-style experiments
      confirmed that P. rugosus selected E. cicutarium over other available seeds.
      Native Eriogonum fasciculatum (Bentham) seeds were even less selected than E.
      farinosa and B. tournefortii.

PMID- 27257122
TI  - All-Optical Fiber Hanbury Brown &Twiss Interferometer to study 1300 nm single
      photon emission of a metamorphic InAs Quantum Dot.
AB  - New optical fiber based spectroscopic tools open the possibility to develop more
      robust and efficient characterization experiments. Spectral filtering and light
      reflection have been used to produce compact and versatile fiber based optical
      cavities and sensors. Moreover, these technologies would be also suitable to
      study N-photon correlations, where high collection efficiency and frequency
      tunability is desirable. We demonstrated single photon emission of a single
      quantum dot emitting at 1300 nm, using a Fiber Bragg Grating for wavelength
      filtering and InGaAs Avalanche Photodiodes operated in Geiger mode for single
      photon detection. As we do not observe any significant fine structure splitting
      for the neutral exciton transition within our spectral resolution (46 MUeV),
      metamorphic QD single photon emission studied with our all-fiber Hanbury Brown
      &Twiss interferometer could lead to a more efficient analysis of entangled photon
      sources at telecom wavelength. This all-optical fiber scheme opens the door to
      new first and second order interferometers to study photon indistinguishability,
      entangled photon and photon cross correlation in the more interesting telecom
      wavelengths.

PMID- 27257123
TI  - Insights into cardiac alterations after pre-eclampsia: an echocardiographic
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate cardiovascular (CV) performance status several years
      after early-onset (EO) or late-onset (LO) pre-eclampsia (PE), using
      echocardiography to assess myocardial strain and left ventricular (LV) torsional
      mechanics and ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC). METHODS: Thirty non-pregnant
      women with a previous singleton pregnancy complicated by EO-PE, 30 who had
      experienced LO-PE and 30 controls underwent echocardiography with two-dimensional
      (2D) speckle tracking between 6 months and 4 years after delivery and their
      findings were compared. All women were free from CV risk factors. VAC was defined
      as the ratio between aortic elastance (Ea) and LV end-systolic elastance (Ees).
      RESULTS: Women in the EO-PE group showed a persistent subclinical impairment in
      LV systole and a slight alteration in right ventricular function, with reductions
      in LV 2D strain (circumferential, radial and longitudinal) and right ventricular
      2D strain and impairment of LV torsional mechanics, when compared both with women
      in the LO-PE group and with healthy controls. Although VAC was within the normal
      range in the whole study cohort, its individual components Ea and Ees were
      significantly altered more often in the EO-PE group than in both the LO-PE group
      and controls. All parameters investigated (except right ventricular 2D strain)
      were associated independently with gestational age at the time of diagnosis of
      PE. CONCLUSIONS: Women with a history of EO-PE are more likely to have
      subclinical impairment of systolic biventricular function than are those with a
      history of LO-PE and controls. The components of VAC (Ea and Ees) show
      subclinical alterations which are more significant in women with a history of EO
      PE than in those with a history of LO-PE and controls, although VAC itself is
      maintained. Our study supports the use of closer CV monitoring in previously pre
      eclamptic women, particularly those in whom PE was preterm. Copyright (c) 2016
      ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27257124
TI  - CYP gene family variants as potential protective factors in drug addiction in Han
      Chinese.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that genetic factors also contribute to
      drug addiction. The human cytochrome P450 has shown special interest because of
      pharmacokinetic variation in different individuals and populations, which is
      largely determined by the relevant genes. The present study aimed to investigate
      the polymorphism of the CYP/addicts relationship. METHODS: We genotyped 13 tag
      single-nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) from three genes, including 692 cases and
      700 controls. Sequenom MassARRAY RS1000 (Sequenom, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) was
      used for SNP genotyping. Statistical analysis of the association between tSNPs
      and drug addiction was performed using the chi-squared test and SNP Stats
      software (http://bioinfo.iconcologia.net). RESULTS: The T/T genotype of rs2242480
      in CYP3A4 was associated with decreased risk in the recessive model (p = 0.0002).
      Allele frequency at rs3743484 in CYP1A2 showed significant differences between
      addicts and controls (p = 0.046; odds ratio = 0.80; 95% confidence interval =
      0.65-1.00). In genetic model analyses, the minor C allele of rs3743484 in CYP1A2
      was associated with a reduced risk of drug addiction based on analysis using
      codominant and additive models (p = 0.027 dominant model; p =0.038 additive
      model). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that at allelic and genotypic level
      polymorphisms in CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 are significantly associated with a reduced
      risk of drug addiction in X'ian Han Chinese individuals. However, this result
      needs to be confirmed in additional studies. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27257125
TI  - A comparison of institutional review board professionals' and patients' views on
      consent for research on medical practices.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: In the context of research on medical practices, which includes
      comparative effectiveness research and pragmatic clinical trials, empirical
      studies have begun to raise questions about the extent to which institutional
      review boards' interpretations and applications of research regulations align
      with patients' values. To better understand the similarities and differences
      between these stakeholder groups, we compare and contrast two surveys: one of
      institutional review board professionals and one of patients, which examine views
      on consent for research on medical practices. METHODS: We conducted online
      surveys of two target populations between July 2014 and March 2015. We surveyed
      601 human subjects research professionals out of 1500 randomly selected from the
      Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research membership list (40.1% response
      rate), limiting analysis to 537 respondents who reported having had institutional
      review board experience. We also surveyed 120 adult patients out of 225
      approached at subspecialty clinics in Spokane, Washington (53.3% response rate).
      Our survey questions probed attitudes about consent in the context of research on
      medical practices using medical record review and randomization. The patient
      survey included three embedded animated videos to explain these concepts.
      RESULTS: A majority of institutional review board professionals distinguished
      between consent preferences for medical record review and randomization, ranked
      clinicians as the least preferred person to obtain participant consent (54.6%),
      and viewed written or verbal permission as the minimum acceptable consent
      approach for research on medical practices using randomization (87.3%). In
      contrast, most patients had similar consent preferences for research on medical
      practices using randomization and medical record review, most preferred to have
      consent conversations with their doctors rather than with researchers for studies
      using randomization (72.6%) and medical record review (67.0%), and only a few
      preferred to see research involving randomization (16.8%) or medical record
      review (13.8%) not take place if obtaining written or verbal permission would
      make the research too difficult to conduct. Limitations of our post hoc analysis
      include differences in framing, structure, and language between the two surveys
      and possible response bias. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight a need to identify
      appropriate ways to integrate patient preferences into prevailing regulatory
      interpretations as institutional review boards increasingly apply research
      regulations in the context of research on medical practices. Dialogue between
      institutional review boards and research participants will be an important part
      of this process and should inform future regulatory guidance.

PMID- 27257128
TI  - Morphology of the Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus) Muscular-Vibrissal Complex:
      A Functional Model for Phocid Subambient Pressure Generation.
AB  - Bearded seals possess a broad muscular snout with large mystacial vibrissal
      fields that are involved in tactile sensation and prey identification. Although
      the microstructure of bearded seal vibrissae and their feeding performance have
      been investigated their orofacial morphology has not. Such morphological studies
      are important to understand the underlying mechanisms of feeding performance and
      to test proposed functional hypotheses. Therefore, the facial musculature was
      examined in bearded seals to test functional hypotheses regarding feeding
      performance. The orofacial musculature is composed primarily of three enlarged
      muscular layers, the M. levator nasolabialis, M. orbicularis oris, and M.
      buccinatorius (superficial), M. maxillonasolabialis (intermediate), and the M.
      lateralis nasi and M. dilator nasi (deep). The expansion of these muscles, the
      three dimensionality of the entire muscular array, the soft tissue insertions,
      and constant volume fit the model of a muscular hydrostat, and explains the
      detailed and varied mobility of their snout. An anastomosing network of CN VII
      innervates these facial muscles. The disproportionately large infraorbital nerve
      of CN V courses toward the snout and divides into numerous branches that
      penetrate the external capsule of every Follicle Sinus-Complex. The anatomical
      evidence support that the M. orbicularis oris, M. buccinatorius, and M.
      maxillonasolabialis form a robust lateral lip complex that can occluded lateral
      gape during subambient pressure generation. The rostral portion of the M.
      orbicularis oris, M. dilator nasi, and M. mentalis function to pursue the rostral
      lips to form a circular aperture important for projecting steep pressure
      gradients rostral to the lips for prey acquisition. Anat Rec, 299:1043-1053,
      2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27257127
TI  - The Utility of Limb Symmetry Indices in Return-to-Sport Assessment in Patients
      With Bilateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of contralateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
      injury after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is high. Often, return-to-sport (RTS)
      tests of strength and functional hopping rely on limb symmetry indices (LSIs) to
      identify deficits, although the utility of these measures in athletes with
      bilateral ACL injuries is unknown. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was
      to investigate if LSIs used as RTS criteria in female patients after unilateral
      ACLR were appropriate for female patients with bilateral ACL involvement. The
      hypothesis tested was that asymmetries with traditional LSI measures would be
      present in a population after unilateral ACLR but would not be present in a
      population with bilateral ACLR due to the lack of a healthy internal control
      limb. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total
      of 45 female subjects were classified into 3 groups: after second (contralateral)
      ACLR (ACLR-B; n = 15); after primary unilateral ACLR (ACLR-U; n = 15); and
      uninjured controls (CTRL; n = 15). After being cleared for RTS, each subject
      completed a single-legged hop for distance (SLHD), triple hop for distance (THD),
      and triple-crossover hop for distance (CHD) test, in addition to an isometric
      quadriceps strength test on both limbs. Means and LSI ([involved limb/uninvolved
      limb] * 100) were calculated for each test. Limb symmetry deficits were defined
      by LSI <90%. RESULTS: Analysis of functional hop testing revealed a side * group
      interaction for SLHD (P = .001), THD (P = .019), and CHD (P = .04). Side-to-side
      differences were found in the ACLR-U group for all hop tests (P = .001-.003) and
      in the ACLR-B group for SLHD (P = .002) and THD tests (P = .024). No side-to side
      differences were seen in the CTRL group (P > .05). A side * group interaction was
      found for isometric quadriceps strength (P = .006), with lower LSI seen in the
      ACLR-U group (81% +/- 17.6%) compared with the CTRL group (102.2% +/- 10.8%) and
      the ACLR-B group (95.6% +/- 24.9%). Although no interaction was seen, side-to
      side differences were noted in the THD in the ACLR-U group (P = .013) and ACLR-B
      group (P = .024) and in the CHD in the ACLR-U group (P = .001). Despite absence
      of an LSI deficit, bilateral peak quadriceps strength in the ACLR-B group was
      comparable to the involved limb of the ACLR-U group and less than in the CTRL
      group (P = .012). CONCLUSION: Both the ACLR-U and the ACLR-B groups demonstrated
      side-to-side deficits during functional hop tests; however, these deficits were
      not identified according to the clinically accepted LSI values of >=90%, calling
      into question the efficacy of current RTS criteria. At the time of RTS, only
      individuals in the ACLR-U group demonstrated an altered LSI in quadriceps
      strength. Significantly lower quadriceps strength of both limbs in the ACLR-B
      group was seen compared with the CTRL group, despite no LSI deficits in
      quadriceps strength. Current use of LSIs during strength and performance tests
      may not be an appropriate means of identifying residual deficits in female
      patients after bilateral ACLR at time of RTS. Furthermore, a better indicator of
      strength performance in this population may need to include a comparison of
      strength performance values to the normative values of healthy controls.

PMID- 27257129
TI  - Development and validation of a liquid chromatography with tandem mass
      spectrometry method for the determination of isomangiferin in rat plasma with
      application to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study.
AB  - A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
      method was firstly developed for the measurement of isomangiferin in rat plasma.
      Chloramphenicol was selected as the internal standard. Sample preparation was
      carried out through a simple one-step protein precipitation procedure with
      methanol. Negative electrospray ionization was performed using multiple reaction
      monitoring mode with transitions of m/z 421.1/301.1 for isomangiferin, and
      321.1/151.9 for chloramphenicol. The calibration curve was linear over the range
      of 0.1-600 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantification at 0.1 ng/mL. The intra-
      and interday precisions (relative standard deviation) were no more than 8.2% and
      accuracies (relative error) were within the range of -8.4 to 2.2%. The recovery,
      matrix effect and stability under different conditions were all proved
      acceptable. The validated method has been successfully applied to a preclinical
      pharmacokinetic study of isomangiferin in rats for the first time. 

PMID- 27257130
TI  - Absolute number of parvicellular and magnocellular neurons in the red nucleus of
      the rat midbrain: a stereological study.
AB  - The absolute number of parvicellular and magnocellular neurons in the red nucleus
      was estimated using design-based stereological counting methods and systematic
      random sampling techniques. Six young adult male rats, and a complete set of
      serial 40-MUm glycolmethacrylate sections for each rat, were used to quantify
      neuronal numbers. After a random start, a systematic subset (i.e. every third) of
      the serial sections was used to estimate the total volume of the red nucleus
      using Cavalieri's method. The same set of sampled sections was used to estimate
      the number of neurons in a known subvolume (i.e. the numerical density Nv ) by
      the optical disector method. Multiplication of the total volume by Nv yielded the
      absolute number of neurons. It was found that the right red nucleus consisted, on
      average, of 8400 parvicellular neurons (with a coefficient of variation of 0.16)
      and 7000 magnocellular neurons (0.12). These total neuronal numbers provide
      important data for the transfer of information through these nuclei and for
      species comparisons.

PMID- 27257131
TI  - The Unique Characteristics of MET Exon 14 Mutation in Chinese Patients with
      NSCLC.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Predictive biomarkers of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition
      factor (MET)-targeted therapy remain elusive. Since the discovery of the MNNG HOS
      Transforming gene (MET) exon 14 mutation, it has been found to have the best
      potential to become one precise biomarker for MET-targeted therapy. Here, we
      present the unique characteristics of MET exon 14 mutations in Chinese patients
      with NSCLC. METHODS: A total of 1296 patients with NSCLC were screened for MET
      exon 14 mutations. Next-generation sequencing was performed on the DNA of 968
      patients and Sanger sequencing was conducted on complementary DNA of the other
      328 patients. Immunohistochemical analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization
      were also performed on all specimens. RESULTS: Twelve patients had MET exon 14
      mutations. These accounted for only 0.9% of adenocarcinoma. Thus, the mutations
      were present at less than half the frequency of their occurrence in Western
      patients (0.9% versus 3% in Chinese and white patients, respectively, chi(2) =
      15.1, p < 0.001). Samples from six patients with MET exon 14 mutations were
      analyzed using immunohistochemical analysis and fluorescence in situ
      hybridization. We found no significant relationships among the mutation, MET
      amplification, and MET overexpression. In two patients who received crizotinib,
      only one patient (who exhibited MET amplification) experienced a partial
      response; the progression-free survival was 9 months. However, it remains unclear
      whether the sensitivity of this patient to crizotinib was conferred by the MET
      exon 14 mutation per se or by MET amplification. In the other patient with
      concomitant MET exon 14 skipping and KRAS G12D mutation, the disease progressed
      in only 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: MET exon 14 mutation per se may not be sufficiently
      robust for use in defining a subset of NSCLCs. Further research on MET exon 14
      mutations, MET amplification, and MET overexpression is required. Maybe a panel
      of biomarkers will be necessary in the future.

PMID- 27257132
TI  - L718Q Mutation as New Mechanism of Acquired Resistance to AZD9291 in EGFR-Mutated
      NSCLC.

PMID- 27257133
TI  - Heterogeneity of EGFR Aberrations and Correlation with Histological Structures:
      Analyses of Therapy-Naive Isogenic Lung Cancer Lesions with EGFR Mutation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: EGFR gene somatic mutation is reportedly homogeneous. However,
      there are few data regarding the heterogeneity of expression of mutant EGFR
      protein and EGFR gene copy number, especially in extrathoracic lesions. These
      types of data may enhance our understanding of the biology of EGFR-mutated lung
      cancer and our understanding of the heterogeneous response patterns to EGFR TKIs.
      METHODS: An 81-year-old never-smoking female with lung adenocarcinoma could not
      receive any systemic therapy because of her poor performance status. After her
      death, 15 tumor specimens from different sites were obtained by autopsy.
      Expression of mutant EGFR protein and EGFR gene copy numbers were assessed by
      immunohistochemical analysis and by silver in situ hybridization, respectively.
      Heterogeneity in these EGFR aberrations was compared between metastatic sites
      (distant versus lymph node) or histological structures (micropapillary versus
      nonmicropapillary). RESULTS: All lesions showed positive staining for mutant EGFR
      protein, except for 40% of the papillary component in one of the pulmonary
      metastases (weak staining below the 1+ threshold). Expression of mutant-specific
      EGFR protein, evaluated by H-score, was significantly higher in the
      micropapillary components than in the nonmicropapillary components (Mann-Whitney
      U test, p = 0.014). EGFR gene copy number was quite different between lesions but
      not correlated with histological structure or metastatic form. However, EGFR gene
      copy numbers were similar between histological structures in each lesion.
      CONCLUSION: These data indicate that expression of EGFR mutant protein and EGFR
      gene copy number do not change as a consequence of tumor progression. This also
      justifies using the biopsy specimens from metastases as a surrogate for primary
      tumors.

PMID- 27257134
TI  - Thoracoscopic Lobectomy Produces Long-Term Survival Similar to That with Open
      Lobectomy in Cases of Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: A Propensity-Matched
      Analysis Using a Population-Based Cancer Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a lack of large, prospective, randomized studies comparing
      thoracoscopic and open lobectomy in terms of long-term survival in the setting of
      NSCLC. Additionally, large case series evaluating the issue are limited. Until
      now, whether thoracoscopic lobectomy entails a long-term survival benefit
      compared with open lobectomy not been determined. METHODS: Data were obtained
      from the National Health Insurance Research Database published in Taiwan. We
      included patients treated with open lobectomy or thoracoscopic lobectomy. In this
      retrospective review, the clinicopathologic characteristics of 5222 patients with
      lung cancer during the period 2004-2010 were analyzed. Patients were stratified
      according to clinical stage. Overall survival (OS) was compared between patients
      treated with open and those treated with thoracoscopic lobectomy and was also
      compared between patients in the three different clinical stages. Propensity
      matching analysis and multivariate analysis were performed. RESULTS: Open
      lobectomy was performed on 3058 patients (58.6%) and thoracoscopic lobectomy on
      2164 (41.4%). Propensity matching produced 1848 patients in each group. The 1
      year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates for propensity-matched patients treated with
      open lobectomy were 93.4%, 79.3%, and 65.5%, respectively. The 1-year, 3-year,
      and 5-year OS rates for propensity-matched patients treated with thoracoscopic
      lobectomy were 94.1%, 80.9%, and 68.7%, respectively. The difference was not
      statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, surgical resection (open
      versus thoracoscopic) was not an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: This
      propensity-matched study suggests that open and thoracoscopic lobectomy are
      associated with similar long-term survival in the setting of lung cancer.
      Thoracoscopic lobectomy is an acceptable surgical treatment of lung cancer.

PMID- 27257135
TI  - Bladder Preservation Therapy: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions.
AB  - Trimodal bladder preservation therapy (ie, transurethral resection followed by
      chemoradiotherapy) may be an acceptable treatment alternative to radical
      cystectomy with urinary diversion in the carefully selected patient with muscle
      invasive bladder cancer. Although no head-to-head randomized controlled trials
      have been performed, large retrospective cohort reviews and observational data
      analyses suggest comparable oncologic outcomes in select patients with the
      additional benefit of maximizing quality of life and maintaining the patient's
      native bladder. In this review, we discuss the evolution and clinical outcomes of
      bladder preservation therapy, highlighting its role in the contemporary
      management of muscle invasive bladder cancer.

PMID- 27257136
TI  - Maternal plasma mRNA species in fetal heart defects: a potential for molecular
      screening.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To verify the hypothesis that aberrant placental mRNA genes related to
      cardiogenesis can be detected in maternal plasma at the second trimester of
      pregnancy. METHODS: NanoString technology was used to identify aberrant genes,
      comparing 39 women carrying a fetus with a congenital heart defect (CHD) to 31
      controls at 19-24 weeks of gestation. The genes with differential expression were
      subsequently tested using real time polymerase chain reaction. Linear
      discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to combine all the mRNA species with
      discriminant ability for CHD. A multivariable receiver operating characteristic
      (ROC) curve having the estimated discriminant score as an explanatory variable
      was generated. RESULTS: Six genes with differential expression, namely FALZ, PAPP
      A, PRKACB, SAV1, STK4 and TNXB2, were found. The ROC curve yielded a detection
      rate of 66.7% at a false positive rate of 10%. A higher discriminant score
      (>75(th) centile) was reached for 14 CHD cases (82.4%) and only 1 control (5.8%).
      Two cases (11.8%) of heart rhythm disorders also yielded a discriminant score
      value >75(th) centile. CONCLUSION: These data represent a step forward in the
      screening of CHDs. Additional studies are needed to detect more mRNAs with
      discriminant ability and to move the first trimester screening.

PMID- 27257137
TI  - Chronic Exposure to Bisphenol A Exacerbates Dental Fluorosis in Growing Rats.
AB  - Enamel defects resulting from environmental conditions and way of life are public
      health concerns because of their high prevalence. Because their etiology is
      unclear, the aim of this study was to analyze the various forms of enamel
      hypomineralization, and to characterize the genes involved in this process to
      determine the mechanisms involved in disruptions of amelogenesis. We used
      bisphenol A (BPA) and fluoride as models; both are commonly encountered in human
      populations and utilized in dentistry. Wistar rats were chronically exposed to 5
      MUg/kg/day BPA from day 1 of gestation to day 65 after birth (P65) and 5 mM
      fluoride from P21 to P65. Resulting enamel defects were comparable to the human
      enamel pathologies molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and dental fluorosis
      (DF) respectively, and were more severe in rats exposed to both agents than to
      each agent alone. Large-scale transcriptomic analysis of dental epithelium showed
      a small group of genes the expression of which was affected by exposure to BPA or
      NaF. Among the most modulated, many are directly involved in amelogenesis (Amelx,
      Enam, Klk4, Mmp12, Slc26a4, and Slc5a8), and can be regrouped as forming the
      "hypomineralization enameloma." Each of these gene expression perturbations may
      contribute to enamel defects. Exposure to BPA weakens enamel, making it more
      prone to generate frequent mineralization defects MIH and DF. Our study
      identifies hypomineralization genes that may enable the use of dental enamel as
      an early marker of exposure to environmental toxicants because of its unique
      ability to retrospectively record ameloblast pathophysiology. (c) 2016 American
      Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

PMID- 27257139
TI  - Interface strain in vertically stacked two-dimensional heterostructured carbon
      MoS2 nanosheets controls electrochemical reactivity.
AB  - Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer numerous advantages for electrochemical
      energy storage and conversion due to fast charge transfer kinetics, highly
      accessible surface area, and tunable electronic and optical properties. Stacking
      of 2D materials generates heterogeneous interfaces that can modify native
      chemical and physical material properties. Here, we demonstrate that local strain
      at a carbon-MoS2 interface in a vertically stacked 2D material directs the
      pathway for chemical storage in MoS2 on lithium metal insertion. With average
      measured MoS2 strain of ~0.1% due to lattice mismatch between the carbon and MoS2
      layers, lithium insertion is facilitated by an energy-efficient cation-exchange
      transformation. This is compared with low-voltage lithium intercalation for
      unstrained MoS2. This observation implies that mechanical properties of
      interfaces in heterogeneous 2D materials can be leveraged to direct energetics of
      chemical processes relevant to a wide range of applications such as
      electrochemical energy storage and conversion, catalysis and sensing.

PMID- 27257138
TI  - Unexpected involvement of staple leads to redesign of selective bicyclic peptide
      inhibitor of Grb7.
AB  - The design of potent and specific peptide inhibitors to therapeutic targets is of
      enormous utility for both proof-of-concept studies and for the development of
      potential new therapeutics. Grb7 is a key signaling molecule in the progression
      of HER2 positive and triple negative breast cancers. Here we report the crystal
      structure of a stapled bicyclic peptide inhibitor G7-B1 in complex with the Grb7
      SH2 domain. This revealed an unexpected binding mode of the peptide, in which the
      staple forms an alternative contact with the surface of the target protein. Based
      on this structural information, we designed a new series of bicyclic G7 peptides
      that progressively constrain the starting peptide, to arrive at the G7-B4 peptide
      that binds with an approximately 2-fold enhanced affinity to the Grb7-SH2 domain
      (KD = 0.83 MUM) compared to G7-B1 and shows low affinity binding to Grb2-, Grb10-
      and Grb14-SH2 domains (KD > 100 MUM). Furthermore, we determined the structure of
      the G7-B4 bicyclic peptide in complex with the Grb7-SH2 domain, both before and
      after ring closing metathesis to show that the closed staple is essential to the
      target interaction. The G7-B4 peptide represents an advance in the development of
      Grb7 inhibitors and is a classical example of structure aided inhibitor
      development.

PMID- 27257140
TI  - Mechanisms involved in reproductive toxicity caused by nickel nanoparticle in
      female rats.
AB  - Nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) are associated with reproductive toxicity. However,
      the mechanisms of reproductive toxicity are unclear. Our goal was to explore
      further reproductive toxicity induced by nickel nanoparticle and mechanisms
      involved in this process, including the role of oxidative stress and apoptosis.
      According to the one-generation reproductive toxicity standard, rats were exposed
      to nickel nanoparticles by gavage and we selected indicators including
      ultrastructural, reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidant and antioxidant enzymes,
      and cell apoptosis-related factors. Ultrastructural results of ovaries showed
      mitochondrion swelling, disappearance of mitochondrial cristae, and enlargement
      of the endoplasmic reticulum in the exposure groups. NiNPs had significantly
      decreased the activity of SOD and CAT, and had increased the levels of ROS, MDA,
      and NO in comparison with the control groups. The mRNA expressions of caspase-3,
      caspase-8, and caspase-9 and the expressions of Fas, Cyt c, Bax, and Bid protein
      on the ovaries significantly increased. At the same time, the expressions of Bcl
      2 protein were significantly decreased. Based on these results, oxidative stress
      and cell apoptosis may play the important roles in inducing reproductive toxicity
      after NiNPs treatment. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1674
      1683, 2016.

PMID- 27257141
TI  - Antibody validation and scoring guidelines for ABCG2 immunohistochemical staining
      in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded colon cancer tissue.
AB  - Overexpression of the ATP-dependent drug efflux pump ABCG2 is a major molecular
      mechanism of multidrug resistance in cancer and might be a predictive biomarker
      for drug response. Contradictory results have been reported for
      immunohistochemical studies of ABCG2 protein expression in colorectal cancer
      (CRC), probably because of the use of different antibodies and scoring
      approaches. In this study, we systematically studied six commercially available
      anti-ABCG2 antibodies, using cell lines with up-regulation of ABCG2, and selected
      one antibody for validation in CRC tissue. Furthermore, we established scoring
      guidelines for ABCG2 expression based on the clinically used guidelines for HER2
      immunohistochemistry assessment in gastric cancer. The guidelines provide a semi
      quantitative measure of the basolateral membrane staining of ABCG2 and disregard
      the apical membrane staining and the cytoplasmic signal. Intra-tumor
      heterogeneity in ABCG2 immunoreactivity was observed; however, statistical
      analyses of tissue microarrays (TMAs) and the corresponding whole sections from
      primary tumors of 57 metastatic CRC patients revealed a strong positive
      correlation between maximum TMA scores and whole sections, especially when more
      than one core was used. In conclusion, here, we provide validated results to
      guide future studies on the associations between ABCG2 immunoreactivity in tumor
      cells and the benefits of chemotherapeutic treatment in patients with CRC.

PMID- 27257142
TI  - Phantom study quantifying the depth performance of a handheld magnetometer for
      sentinel lymph node biopsy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The use of a magnetic nanoparticle tracer and handheld magnetometer for
      sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was recently introduced to overcome drawbacks
      associated with the use of radioisotope tracers. Unlike the gamma probe, the used
      magnetometers are not only sensitive to the tracer, but also the diamagnetic
      human body. This potentially limits the performance of the magnetometer when used
      clinically. METHODS: A phantom, mimicking the magnetic and mechanical properties
      of the human axilla, was constructed. The depth performance of two current
      generation magnetometers was evaluated in this phantom. LN-phantoms with tracer
      uptake ranging from 5 to 500MUg iron were placed at clinically relevant depths of
      2.5, 4 and 5.5cm. Distance-response curves were obtained to quantify the depth
      performance of the probes. RESULTS: The depth performance of both probes was
      limited. In the absence of diamagnetic material and forces on the probe (ideal
      conditions) a LN-phantom with high uptake (500MUg iron) could first be detected
      at 3.75cm distance. In the phantom, only superficially placed LNs (2.5cm) with
      high uptake (500MUg iron) could be detected from the surface. The penetration
      depth was insufficient to detect LNs with lower uptake, or which were located
      deeper. CONCLUSION: The detection distance of the current generation
      magnetometers is limited, and does not meet the demands formulated by the
      European Association for Nuclear Medicine for successful transcutaneous SLN
      localization. Future clinical trials should evaluate whether the limited depth
      sensitivity is of influence to the clinical outcome of the SLNB procedure.

PMID- 27257143
TI  - Heritability and Reversibility of DNA Methylation Induced by in vitro Grafting
      between Brassica juncea and B. oleracea.
AB  - Grafting between tuber mustard and red cabbage produced a chimeric shoot apical
      meristem (SAM) of TTC, consisting of Layers I and II from Tuber mustard and Layer
      III from red Cabbage. Phenotypic variations, which mainly showed in leaf shape
      and SAM, were observed in selfed progenies GSn (GS = grafting-selfing, n =
      generations) of TTC. Here the heritability of phenotypic variation and its
      association with DNA methylation changes in GSn were investigated. Variation in
      leaf shape was found to be stably inherited to GS5, but SAM variation reverted
      over generations. Subsequent measurement of DNA methylation in GS1 revealed 5.29
      6.59% methylation changes compared with tuber mustard (TTT), and 31.58% of these
      changes were stably transmitted to GS5, but the remainder reverted to the
      original status over generations, suggesting grafting-induced DNA methylation
      changes could be both heritable and reversible. Sequence analysis of
      differentially methylated fragments (DMFs) revealed methylation mainly changed
      within transposons and exon regions, which further affected the expression of
      genes, including flowering time- and gibberellin response-related genes.
      Interestingly, DMFs could match differentially expressed siRNA of GS1, GS3 and
      GS5, indicating that grafting-induced DNA methylation could be directed by siRNA
      changes. These results suggest grafting-induced DNA methylation may contribute to
      phenotypic variations induced by grafting.

PMID- 27257144
TI  - A bio-inspired real-time capable artificial lateral line system for freestream
      flow measurements.
AB  - To enhance today's artificial flow sensing capabilities in aerial and underwater
      robotics, future robots could be equipped with a large number of miniaturized
      sensors distributed over the surface to provide high resolution measurement of
      the surrounding fluid flow. In this work we show a linear array of closely
      separated bio-inspired micro-electro-mechanical flow sensors whose sensing
      mechanism is based on a piezoresistive strain-gauge along a stress-driven
      cantilever beam, mimicking the biological superficial neuromasts found in the
      lateral line organ of fishes. Aiming to improve state-of-the-art flow sensing
      capability in autonomously flying and swimming robots, our artificial lateral
      line system was designed and developed to feature multi-parameter freestream flow
      measurements which provide information about (1) local flow velocities as
      measured by the signal amplitudes from the individual cantilevers as well as (2)
      propagation velocity, (3) linear forward/backward direction along the cantilever
      beam orientation and (4) periodicity of pulses or pulse trains determined by
      cross-correlating sensor signals. A real-time capable cross-correlation procedure
      was developed which makes it possible to extract freestream flow direction and
      velocity information from flow fluctuations. The computed flow velocities deviate
      from a commercial system by 0.09 m s(-1) at 0.5 m s(-1) and 0.15 m s(-1) at 1.0 m
      s(-1) flow velocity for a sampling rate of 240 Hz and a sensor distance of 38 mm.
      Although experiments were performed in air, the presented flow sensing system can
      be applied to underwater vehicles as well, once the sensors are embedded in a
      waterproof micro-electro-mechanical systems package. 

PMID- 27257146
TI  - DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: The diagnostic performance of adrenal biopsy: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of published literature on adrenal
      biopsy and to assess its performance in diagnosing adrenal malignancy. METHODS:
      Medline In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane
      Central Register of Controlled Trial were searched from inception to February
      2016. Reviewers extracted data and assessed methodological quality in duplicate.
      RESULTS: We included 32 observational studies reporting on 2174 patients (39.4%
      women, mean age 59.8 years) undergoing 2190 adrenal mass biopsy procedures.
      Pathology was described in 1621/2190 adrenal lesions (689 metastases, 68
      adrenocortical carcinomas, 64 other malignancies, 464 adenomas, 226 other benign,
      36 pheochromocytomas, and 74 others). The pooled non-diagnostic rate (30 studies,
      2013 adrenal biopsies) was 8.7% (95%CI: 6-11%). The pooled complication rate (25
      studies, 1339 biopsies) was 2.5% (95%CI: 1.5-3.4%). Studies were at a moderate
      risk for bias. Most limitations related to patient selection, assessment of
      outcome, and adequacy of follow-up. Only eight studies (240 patients) could be
      included in the diagnostic performance analysis with a sensitivity and
      specificity of 87 and 100% for malignancy, 70 and 98% for adrenocortical
      carcinoma, and 87 and 96% for metastasis respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence
      based on small sample size and moderate risk of bias suggests that adrenal biopsy
      appears to be most useful in the diagnosis of adrenal metastasis in patients with
      a history of extra-adrenal malignancy. Adrenal biopsy should only be performed if
      the expected findings are likely to alter the management of the individual
      patient and after biochemical exclusion of catecholamine-producing tumors to help
      prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

PMID- 27257147
TI  - Pining for the fjords(1).

PMID- 27257145
TI  - MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Imaging for the diagnosis of malignancy in
      incidentally discovered adrenal masses: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adrenal masses are incidentally discovered in 5% of CT scans. In
      2013/2014, 81 million CT examinations were undertaken in the USA and 5 million in
      the UK. However, uncertainty remains around the optimal imaging approach for
      diagnosing malignancy. We aimed to review the evidence on the accuracy of imaging
      tests for differentiating malignant from benign adrenal masses. DESIGN: A
      systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE,
      EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, Science Citation Index,
      Conference Proceedings Citation Index, and ZETOC (January 1990 to August 2015).
      We included studies evaluating the accuracy of CT, MRI, or (18)F-fluoro
      deoxyglucose (FDG)-PET compared with an adequate histological or imaging-based
      follow-up reference standard. RESULTS: We identified 37 studies suitable for
      inclusion, after screening 5469 references and 525 full-text articles. Studies
      evaluated the accuracy of CT (n=16), MRI (n=15), and FDG-PET (n=9) and were
      generally small and at high or unclear risk of bias. Only 19 studies were
      eligible for meta-analysis. Limited data suggest that CT density >10HU has high
      sensitivity for detection of adrenal malignancy in participants with no prior
      indication for adrenal imaging, that is, masses with <=10HU are unlikely to be
      malignant. All other estimates of test performance are based on too small
      numbers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their widespread use in routine assessment, there
      is insufficient evidence for the diagnostic value of individual imaging tests in
      distinguishing benign from malignant adrenal masses. Future research is urgently
      needed and should include prospective test validation studies for imaging and
      novel diagnostic approaches alongside detailed health economics analysis.

PMID- 27257148
TI  - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: an Australian perspective.
AB  - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive interstitial lung disease of
      unknown aetiology with a dismal median survival of 3 years. Patients typically
      develop progressive dyspnoea and increasing exercise limitation. With a rising
      incidence and prevalence, an unpredictable disease course and limited treatment
      options, it is rapidly becoming an important public health concern. To date, lung
      transplantation has been the sole viable hope for treatment for those who
      qualify. However, the landscape of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis management is
      changing, with the recent emergence of novel pharmacotherapy shown to have a
      favourable influence on the natural history of this disease. 

PMID- 27257149
TI  - Research misconduct: time for a re-think?
AB  - The incidence of research misconduct appears to be increasing, drawing attention
      in the general media and academic literature. Concerns have been expressed about
      probable under-reporting, harms arising, lack of an agreed international
      definition, welfare of whistleblowers and the adequacy of the investigation
      processes and any subsequent sanctions. A fully satisfactory approach to
      prevention, detection, investigation and adjudication has yet to emerge. While
      the definition of research misconduct contained in the Australian Code for the
      Responsible Conduct of Research is comprehensive, universities and other research
      institutions at times struggle in their task of investigating and adjudicating
      allegations of research misconduct. A more centralised, independent process of
      oversight and monitoring of this role played by the universities and institutions
      would help support those institutions and help maintain community confidence in
      the research endeavour. 

PMID- 27257150
TI  - Have the 'black clouds' cleared with new residency programme regulations?
AB  - For decades, residents believed to work harder have been referred to as having a
      'black cloud'. Residency training programmes recently instituted changes to
      improve physician wellness and achieve comparable clinical workload. All Internal
      Medicine residents in the internship class of 2014 at Columbia were surveyed to
      assess for the ongoing presence of 'black cloud' trainees. While some residents
      are still thought to have this designation, they did not have a greater workload
      when compared to their peers. 

PMID- 27257152
TI  - The Australian and New Zealand regional neurology training survey.
AB  - There is inequitably poorer access to specialist neurologists in regional areas.
      Recruitment could be improved if more neurology trainees chose to spend some time
      at regional training sites, which they currently appear to avoid for unclear
      reasons. We surveyed neurology advanced trainees to assess their attitudes and
      perceptions about regional training. Aside from innate geographical challenges,
      there are concerning negative perceptions of the impact of regional training on
      future metropolitan employment prospects. Minimisation of bias against regional
      trainees or even rewarding regional exposure would likely improve regional
      trainee and subsequent specialist recruitment. 

PMID- 27257151
TI  - Nephrotic syndrome as a complication of chronic graft-versus-host disease after
      allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a rare complication following allogeneic haemopoietic
      stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), with limited current understanding of its
      pathogenesis. Here, we describe four cases of NS following allo-HSCT diagnosed at
      our institutions to identify key clinical and pathological features. In addition,
      a PubMed search was performed to identify existing reports that were pooled
      together with our cases for analysis. NS occurred as a late complication
      following allo-HSCT, with median onset 19.5 months after transplant (range: 3.9
      84 months). The most common histopathology observed was membranous nephropathy;
      however, cases of minimal change disease have also been reported. There is a high
      incidence of prior extra-renal graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), with all four of
      our cases and 82% of published cases having prior GvHD. Glucocorticosteroids are
      the most common treatment, with variable degrees of response. Responses to
      immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitors and rituximab have been described
      in steroid-refractory cases. 

PMID- 27257153
TI  - A case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: rheumatoid arthritis overlap syndrome
      presenting as cervical cancer successfully treated with rituximab.

PMID- 27257154
TI  - Life-threatening hypocalcaemia associated with denosumab in advanced chronic
      kidney disease.

PMID- 27257155
TI  - A case of delayed onset pyroglutamic acidosis in the sub-acute setting.

PMID- 27257156
TI  - Pulmonary hypertension assessment on echocardiography: more than peak tricuspid
      regurgitation velocity assessment.

PMID- 27257157
TI  - Author reply.

PMID- 27257158
TI  - Methamphetamine-triggered Takotsubo syndrome and methamphetamine-associated
      cardiomyopathy: a continuum?

PMID- 27257159
TI  - Author reply.

PMID- 27257160
TI  - Discovery of prenylated flavonoids with dual activity against influenza virus and
      Streptococcus pneumoniae.
AB  - Influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) is the primary target for influenza
      therapeutics. Severe complications are often related to secondary pneumonia
      caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci), which also express NAs.
      Recently, a NA-mediated lethal synergism between influenza A viruses and
      pneumococci was described. Therefore, dual inhibitors of both viral and bacterial
      NAs are expected to be advantageous for the treatment of influenza. We
      investigated the traditional Chinese herbal drug sang bai pi (mulberry root bark)
      as source for anti-infectives. Two prenylated flavonoid derivatives, sanggenon G
      (4) and sanggenol A (5) inhibited influenza A viral and pneumococcal NAs and, in
      contrast to the approved NA inhibitor oseltamivir, also planktonic growth and
      biofilm formation of pneumococci. Evaluation of 27 congeners of 5 revealed a
      correlation between the degree of prenylation and bioactivity. Abyssinone-V 4'
      methyl ether (27) inhibited pneumococcal NA with IC50 = 2.18 MUM, pneumococcal
      growth with MIC = 5.63 MUM, and biofilm formation with MBIC = 4.21 MUM, without
      harming lung epithelial cells. Compounds 5 and 27 also disrupt the synergism
      between influenza A virus and pneumococcal NA in vitro, hence functioning as dual
      acting anti-infectives. The results warrant further studies on whether the
      observed disruption of this synergism is transferable to in vivo systems.

PMID- 27257161
TI  - Primary emotional traits in patients with personality disorders.
AB  - There is a longstanding tradition that connects temperament pathology and
      personality disorders. Emotions are the major constituents of temperament. In
      mammals, seven primary emotions have been identified: SEEKING, FEAR, CARE, RAGE,
      SADNESS/PANIC, LUST and PLAY. The study aimed at exploring the relationship
      between primary emotions and personality disorders (PDs). Five hundred forty-six
      patients with different degrees and qualities of personality pathology, admitted
      to treatment in specialized PD services, were diagnosed according to Structured
      Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders, and their primary
      emotional profiles were assessed by the Affective Neuroscience Personality
      Scales. The Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales explained 19% of the
      variance in borderline and avoidant criteria. The DSM-IV PD categories displayed
      different patterns of association to the primary emotions, e.g. the borderline PD
      profile suggested low thresholds for RAGE and SADNESS, but on the positive side a
      propensity for SEEKING. In contrast, the dependent PD profile suggested a low
      threshold for SADNESS but a high threshold for RAGE and SEEKING. The results are
      promising for a more coherent and evolution-based overall theory of PDs, and the
      correlations found in this study indicate testable causal pathways to PDs.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27257162
TI  - Quantification of sofosbuvir in human serum by liquid chromatography with
      negative ionization mass spectrometry using the parent peak and its source
      induced fragment: Application to a bioequivalence study.
AB  - In the mass spectrometry of sofosbuvir, a new orally administered antihepatitis C
      drug, a weak peak is detected at the m/z value of the parent ion (m/z 530) as a
      result of in-source dissociation and current methods to its quantification, is
      based on monitoring of the parent peak using ultra high-performance liquid
      chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. With these methods serum
      concentration of the drug is quantifiable only up to 4-5 h postdose. However, the
      fragmentation of the molecule generates a more stable ion at m/z 287 (base peak)
      with a signal intensity of about tenfold compared to the parent ion. Our study
      was aimed to improve sensitivity of analysis by acquisition of the m/z value of
      the daughter ion from which it originated instead of the parent molecule. This
      novelty allows us to measure serum concentrations of the drug for a longer time
      postdose and provides more opportunity for pharmacokinetic studies of sofosbuvir.
      Our method was linear over the concentration range of 2-2560 ng/mL of sofosbuvir
      in human serum with a limit of quantification of 2 ng/mL compared to 10 ng/mL
      reported previously. The coefficient variation values of both inter and intraday
      analysis were less than 13.8%, and the percentage error was less than 6.3. 

PMID- 27257163
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27257164
TI  - Trap placement and attractant choice affect capture and create sex and parity
      biases in collections of the biting midge, Culicoides sonorensis.
AB  - Culicoides sonorensis Wirth & Jones (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is the primary
      North American vector of bluetongue virus (BTV), which can cause high morbidity
      and mortality in ruminant livestock or wildlife. Worldwide, most Culicoides
      surveillance relies on light (usually UV) traps typically placed near animals or
      larval development sites. However, the trapping method can cause sex, species and
      parity biases in collections. We collected C. sonorensis from three dairies in
      California using suction traps baited with CO2 , UV light or CO2  + UV placed
      near animals, wastewater ponds, or in fields. Higher numbers of parous females
      were collected using CO2  + UV traps, although this difference was only
      significant on one dairy. UV traps were poor at collecting nulliparous females,
      but the addition of UV to a trap increased the abundance of males in a
      collection. Traps set in open fields collected significantly higher numbers of
      males and females than in either of the other two locations. In some cases, there
      was a significant interaction between the trap type and site. We discuss the
      limitations of traditional trapping methodologies for C. sonorensis and make
      suggestions for vector surveillance.

PMID- 27257165
TI  - Congenital Aural Stenosis: Clinical Features and Long-term Outcomes.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to comprehensively evaluate the clinical
      features and long-term outcomes of congenital aural stenosis (CAS). This study
      presents a retrospective review of patients who underwent meatoplasty for CAS at
      a tertiary referral hospital from 2008 to 2015. A total of 246 meatoplasty
      procedures were performed on 232 patients in the present study. We performed
      multivariate regression analysis. Except in the age < 6 years group, no
      significant difference was observed among different age groups for cholesteatoma
      formation, p > 0.05. Except for the stenosis of the external auditory canal (EAC)
      (>4 mm) group, the other stenosis of EAC groups were not associated with
      cholesteatoma formation, p > 0.05. Postoperative air-bone gaps (ABG) less than 30
      dB occurred in 77.3% (99/128) of the patients, and the Jahrsdoerfer score was
      associated with postoperative ABG, p < 0.001. The complication rate of CAS was
      13.8% (20/144), and males showed a higher risk for postoperative complications
      (OR, 6.563; 95% CI, 1.268-33.966, p = 0.025). These results indicate that
      meatoplasty was an effective surgical intervention for CAS, showing a stable
      hearing outcome with prolonged follow-up. There was no significant difference
      between the cholesteatoma and no cholesteatoma groups for hearing outcomes, p >
      0.05.

PMID- 27257166
TI  - Femoroacetabular Impingement in Adolescent Athletes: Outcomes of Arthroscopic
      Management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adolescent athletes with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement
      (FAI) may respond well to arthroscopic intervention. PURPOSE: This study reports
      the outcomes of arthroscopic treatment for symptomatic FAI in adolescents. STUDY
      DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Included in this study were
      104 consecutive athletes (116 hips) younger than 18 years who underwent
      arthroscopic correction of symptomatic FAI with a minimum 2-year follow-up. All
      patients were prospectively assessed with the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS).
      Pincer lesions were defined by acetabular overcoverage or retroversion with an
      accompanying labral injury, and cam lesions were defined by loss of sphericity of
      the femoral head with associated acetabular articular failure. RESULTS: The
      average follow-up was 38 months (range, 24-120 months), and the average patient
      age was 16 years (range, 12-17 years), with 47 male and 57 female patients. There
      were 67 combined, 33 cam, and 16 pincer lesions. The average improvement on the
      mHHS was 25 points (average score: 69 preoperatively, 94 postoperatively), with
      97% improved and 94% good and excellent results. Athletes returned to their sport
      after 100 procedures (86%). After 16 procedures, 5 patients were unable to return
      to sport, 6 chose not to, and 5 had completed their high school athletic careers.
      There were 2 complications, both transient pudendal nerve neurapraxias, that
      resolved within 2 weeks. Four patients underwent repeat arthroscopic surgery, and
      1 underwent periacetabular osteotomy. CONCLUSION: This study reports favorable
      outcomes of arthroscopic treatment of FAI among adolescent athletes. A high
      proportion improved, although only 87% actually returned to their sport. Return
      to sport may be influenced by factors other than just the success of the
      procedures.

PMID- 27257167
TI  - Ultrasound-Guided Injection Therapy of Achilles Tendinopathy With Platelet-Rich
      Plasma or Saline: A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common and difficult to treat
      musculoskeletal disorder. PURPOSE: To examine whether 1 injection of platelet
      rich plasma (PRP) would improve outcomes more effectively than placebo (saline)
      after 3 months in patients with AT. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial;
      Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A total of 24 patients with chronic AT (median
      disease duration, 33 months) were randomized (1:1) to receive either a blinded
      injection of PRP (n = 12) or saline (n = 12). The primary endpoint was
      improvement in Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score
      at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were pain at rest, pain while walking, pain when
      tendon was squeezed, ultrasonographic changes in tendon thickness, and color
      Doppler activity. Patients were informed that they could drop out after 3 months
      if they were dissatisfied with the treatment. RESULTS: After 3 months, all 24
      patients were reassessed (no dropouts). No difference between the PRP and the
      saline group could be observed with regard to the primary outcome (VISA-A score:
      mean difference [MD], -1.3; 95% CI, -17.8 to 15.2; P = .868). Secondary outcomes
      were pain at rest (MD, 1.6; 95% CI, -0.5 to 3.7; P = .137), pain while walking
      (MD, 0.8; 95% CI, -1.8 to 3.3; P = .544), pain when tendon was squeezed (MD, 0.3;
      95% CI, -0.2 to 0.9; P = .208), color Doppler activity (MD, 0.3; 95% CI, -0.2 to
      0.8; P = .260), and tendon thickness (MD, 0.8 mm; 95% CI, 0.1 to 1.6 mm; P =
      .030). After the 3-month follow-up, a large dropout was observed: 75% of patients
      in the PRP group and 33% in the saline group. CONCLUSION: PRP injection did not
      result in an improved VISA-A score over a 3-month period in patients with chronic
      AT compared with placebo. The only secondary outcome demonstrating a
      statistically significant difference between the groups was change in tendon
      thickness; this difference indicates that a PRP injection could increase tendon
      thickness compared with saline injection. The conclusions are limited to the 3
      months after treatment owing to the large dropout rate.

PMID- 27257168
TI  - Accuracy of 2 Different Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems in Patients
      Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is today provided by various
      techniques. This study aims to compare two different CGM-systems: the FreeStyle
      Libre subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring system (SC-CGM) and the Eirus
      intravascular microdialysis continuous glucose monitoring system (MD-CGM) in
      patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: A total of 26 patients were
      equipped with both the SC-CGM and the MD-CGM systems. The SC-CGM system was
      placed subcutaneously in the left upper-arm and the MD-CGM system was placed in
      the superior vena cava. Reference blood glucose values were obtained by analyzing
      arterial blood in a blood gas analyzer. Reference glucose values were then paired
      with glucose values from both CGM-systems and analyzed for accuracy. RESULTS: In
      all, 514 paired MD-CGM/arterial blood gas glucose values and 578 paired SC
      CGM/arterial blood gas glucose values were obtained. Mean difference (SD) for the
      MD-CGM system was 0.9 (15.1) mg/dl and for the SC-CGM system -43.4 (20) mg/dl.
      ISO criteria (ISO15197:2013) were not met by either CGM system. In the Clarke
      error grid, all paired samples were within the zones AB for the MD-CGM system,
      and 94% in zone A. For the SC-CGM system, 99.1% of the paired samples were within
      zones AB, and 18.9% in zone A. Both the MD-CGM and the SC-CGM systems were
      reliable and used without complications. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that
      the Eirus intravascular microdialysis system monitors glucose continuously with
      superior accuracy compared to the FreeStyle Libre subcutaneous glucose monitoring
      system, which repeatedly measured a glucose value that was lower than the
      reference method.

PMID- 27257170
TI  - Accuracy Evaluation of a Blood Glucose Monitoring System in Chinese Individuals.

PMID- 27257169
TI  - Continuous Glucose Monitoring: Impact on Hypoglycemia.
AB  - The necessity of strict glycemic control is unquestionable. However, hypoglycemia
      remains a major limiting factor in achieving satisfactory glucose control, and
      evidence is mounting to show that hypoglycemia is not benign. Over the past
      decade, evidence has consistently shown that real-time continuous glucose
      monitoring improves glycemic control in terms of lowering glycated hemoglobin
      levels. However, real-time continuous glucose monitoring has not met the
      expectations of the diabetes community with regard to hypoglycemia prevention.
      The earlier trials did not demonstrate any effect on either mild or severe
      hypoglycemia and the effect of real-time continuous glucose monitoring on
      nocturnal hypoglycemia was often not reported. However, trials specifically
      designed to reduce hypoglycemia in patients with a high hypoglycemia risk have
      demonstrated a reduction in hypoglycemia, suggesting that real-time continuous
      glucose monitoring can prevent hypoglycemia when it is specifically used for that
      purpose. Moreover, the newest generation of diabetes technology currently
      available commercially, namely sensor-augmented pump therapy with a (predictive)
      low glucose suspend feature, has provided more convincing evidence for
      hypoglycemia prevention. This article provides an overview of the hypoglycemia
      outcomes of randomized controlled trials that investigate the effect of real-time
      continuous glucose monitoring alone or sensor-augmented pump therapy with a
      (predictive) low glucose suspend feature. Furthermore, several possible
      explanations are provided why trials have not shown a reduction in severe
      hypoglycemia. In addition, existing evidence is presented of real-time continuous
      glucose monitoring in patients with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia who have
      the highest risk of severe hypoglycemia.

PMID- 27257171
TI  - Australasian Diabetes Data Network: Building a Collaborative Resource.
AB  - Australasia is a region with a high incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D). There are
      approximately 140 000 individuals with T1D, and of these 10 000 are children.
      Although the region covers a huge geographical area, most children with T1D are
      managed by tertiary academic centers in the major capital cities. Local
      longitudinal data collection has been in place for several decades in most of
      these centers, however ongoing national data collection had not been attempted.
      In 2012, with funding from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
      Australian Type 1 Clinical Research Network, a national collaboration was formed
      to provide ongoing longitudinal collection of T1D patient characteristics and
      outcomes. The initial phase of this collaboration, known as the Australasian
      Diabetes Data Network or ADDN, was led by the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine
      Group (APEG) and thus included only children and adolescents. The next phase,
      commenced in 2016, will see adult sites added through collaboration with the
      Australian Diabetes Society (ADS). As most of the initial centers had
      longitudinal data collection in place the model employed was to establish the
      transfer and collation of data already collected into a central database. This
      required the definition of a common data dictionary, ethics and governance
      procedures and the employment of technology to enable efficient and accurate
      information transfer and accessibility. The ADDN project received widespread
      support from the diabetes research community with study investigators
      representing 20 pediatric centers across the region. The first phase focused on
      the 5 largest centers and at the end of 2015 these centers were uploading patient
      data to the ADDN database on a quarterly basis resulting in 5271 patients with 83
      506 diabetes visits.

PMID- 27257172
TI  - Blood's 70th anniversary: musings of a Blood editor, 2003-2007.

PMID- 27257173
TI  - Goodman JW, Hodgson GS. Evidence for stem cells in the peripheral blood of mice.
      Blood. 1962;19(6):702-714.

PMID- 27257174
TI  - The histiocytoses: as easy as ABC (or LCMRH).

PMID- 27257175
TI  - Sweeteners for factor H.

PMID- 27257176
TI  - mTOR signaling: new networks for ALL.

PMID- 27257177
TI  - Mouse model of MYD88L265P-dependent DLBCL.

PMID- 27257178
TI  - Cytogenetics in CML: more important than you think.

PMID- 27257179
TI  - Fibrin fixes fibrosis.

PMID- 27257180
TI  - Genome-wide analysis of pediatric-type follicular lymphoma reveals low genetic
      complexity and recurrent alterations of TNFRSF14 gene.
AB  - Pediatric-type follicular lymphoma (PTFL) is a variant of follicular lymphoma
      (FL) with distinctive clinicopathological features. Patients are predominantly
      young males presenting with localized lymphadenopathy; the tumor shows high-grade
      cytology and lacks both BCL2 expression and t(14;18) translocation. The genetic
      alterations involved in the pathogenesis of PTFL are unknown. Therefore, 42 PTFL
      (40 males and 2 females; mean age, 16 years; range, 5-31) were genetically
      characterized. For comparison, 11 cases of conventional t(14:18)(-) FL in adults
      were investigated. Morphologically, PTFL cases had follicular growth pattern
      without diffuse areas and characteristic immunophenotype. All cases showed
      monoclonal immunoglobulin (IG) rearrangement. PTFL displays low genomic
      complexity when compared with t(14;18)(-) FL (mean, 0.77 vs 9 copy number
      alterations per case; P <001). Both groups presented 1p36 alterations including
      TNFRSF14, but copy-number neutral loss of heterozygosity (CNN-LOH) of this locus
      was more frequently observed in PTFL (40% vs 9%; P =075). TNFRSF14 was the most
      frequently affected gene in PTFL (21 mutations and 2 deletions), identified in
      54% of cases, followed by KMT2D mutations in 16%. Other histone-modifying genes
      were rarely affected. In contrast, t(14;18)(-) FL displayed a mutational profile
      similar to t(14;18)(+) FL. In 8 PTFL cases (19%), no genetic alterations were
      identified beyond IG monoclonal rearrangement. The genetic landscape of PTFL
      suggests that TNFRSF14 mutations accompanied by CNN-LOH of the 1p36 locus in over
      70% of mutated cases, as additional selection mechanism, might play a key role in
      the pathogenesis of this disease. The genetic profiles of PTFL and t(14;18)(-) FL
      in adults indicate that these are two different disorders.

PMID- 27257181
TI  - Prognostic impact of cytogenetic aberrations in AL amyloidosis patients after
      high-dose melphalan: a long-term follow-up study.
AB  - Cytogenetic aberrations detected by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization
      (iFISH) of plasma cells are routinely evaluated as prognostic markers in multiple
      myeloma. This long-term follow-up study aimed to assess the prognosis of systemic
      light chain amyloidosis (AL) patients treated with high-dose melphalan (HDM)
      chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation, depending on iFISH
      results. Therefore, we analyzed a consecutive cohort of 123 AL patients recruited
      from 2003 to 2014. HDM was safe, with only 1 of 123 patients dying as a result of
      treatment-related mortality, and effective, with a complete remission (CR) rate
      of 34%. Translocation t(11;14) as the most prevalent aberration (59%) led to an
      improved CR rate after high-dose therapy (41.2% vs 20.0%; P = .02), translating
      into a prolonged hematologic event-free survival (hemEFS; median, 46.1 vs 28.1
      months; P = .05) and a trend for better overall survival (median, not reached vs
      93.7 months; P = .07). In multivariate analysis, t(11;14) was confirmed as a
      favorable prognostic factor regarding hemEFS along with lower values for the
      difference between involved and uninvolved free light chains. Conversely,
      deletion 13q14, gain of 1q21, and hyperdiploidy had no significant prognostic
      impact. The high-risk cytogenetic aberrations t(4;14), t(14;16), and del(17p13)
      conferred an unfavorable prognosis, although statistical significance was reached
      only for univariate CR analysis in this small group of 9 patients. Thus, t(11;14)
      positivity in HDM-treated AL patients conferred superior CR rates and hemEFS. In
      view of the reduced response of t(11;14) to bortezomib, this highlights the
      impact of therapy on the prognostic role of cytogenetic aberrations.

PMID- 27257183
TI  - Statins could be new treatment option in women with oestrogen receptor positive
      breast cancer.

PMID- 27257182
TI  - Protective mitochondrial transfer from bone marrow stromal cells to acute myeloid
      leukemic cells during chemotherapy.
AB  - Here we demonstrate that in a niche-like coculture system, cells from both
      primary and cultured acute myeloid leukemia (AML) sources take up functional
      mitochondria from murine or human bone marrow stromal cells. Using different
      molecular and imaging approaches, we show that AML cells can increase their
      mitochondrial mass up to 14%. After coculture, recipient AML cells showed a 1.5
      fold increase in mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate production and were less
      prone to mitochondrial depolarization after chemotherapy, displaying a higher
      survival. This unidirectional transfer enhanced by some chemotherapeutic agents
      required cell-cell contacts and proceeded through an endocytic pathway. Transfer
      was greater in AML blasts compared with normal cord blood CD34(+) cells. Finally,
      we demonstrate that mitochondrial transfer was observed in vivo in an NSG
      immunodeficient mouse xenograft model and also occurred in human leukemia
      initiating cells and progenitors. As mitochondrial transfer provides a clear
      survival advantage following chemotherapy and a higher leukemic long-term culture
      initiating cell potential, targeting mitochondrial transfer could represent a
      future therapeutic target for AML treatment.

PMID- 27257184
TI  - A New Partnership for the New Year / Una Nueva Union Colectiva Para el Ano Nuevo.

PMID- 27257185
TI  - Social Determinants of Health for HIV Among Hispanic Women.

PMID- 27257186
TI  - Access Barriers to Prenatal Care in Emerging Adult Latinas.
AB  - Despite efforts to improve access to prenatal care, emerging adult Latinas in the
      United States continue to enter care late in their pregnancies and/or
      underutilize these services. Since little is known about emerging adult Latinas
      and their prenatal care experiences, the purpose of this study was to identify
      actual and perceived prenatal care barriers in a sample of 54 emerging adult
      Latinas between 18 and 21 years of age. More than 95% of the sample experienced
      personal and institutional barriers when attempting to access prenatal care.
      Results from this study lend support for policy changes for time away from school
      or work to attend prenatal care and for group prenatal care.

PMID- 27257187
TI  - Health Risk and Protective Factors Among Hispanic Women Living in the U.S.-Mexico
      Border Region.
AB  - As the Hispanic population continues to flourish in areas such the U.S.-Mexico
      border region, more attention needs to be focused on health factors among
      Hispanics. The purpose of this study was (1) to determine what specific health
      protective and health risk factors exist among Mexican/Mexican American women
      residing along the U.S.-Mexico border and (2) to determine the relationship
      between the protective and risk factors among these women. A sample of
      Mexican/Mexican American women (N = 98) participated in a structured interview
      that collected data on familism, Hispanic stress, depression, violence, and
      sexual risk and demographic variables. Religious factors had the largest
      influence on the health risk behaviors of alcohol intoxication and drug
      intoxication (p < .05), while familism influenced only condom use (p = .002) and
      a lifetime history of intimate partner violence (p = .039). Health care access
      also influenced the health risks of alcohol intoxication (p = .013), drug
      intoxication (p = .012), and condom use (p = .019). The study's results provide
      implications for clinical care and directions for future research.

PMID- 27257188
TI  - Nivel de Actividad Fisica, Autoeficacia, Beneficios y Barreras Percibidas en
      Mujeres Mayores Mexicanas Independientes (Physical Activity Level, Exercise Self
      Efficacy, Benefits and Perceived Barriers of Independent Mexican Older Women).
AB  - This descriptive comparative study examined differences in personal
      characteristics, exercise self-efficacy, benefits and barriers of independent
      elderly women to perform physical activity (PA) according with the PA level. Two
      hundred three women older than 60 years of age, from a community located in Nuevo
      Leon, Mexico participated in the study. Data was collected using: a) A personal
      data questionnaire, b) Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, c) Exercise Benefits/
      Barriers Scale and d) Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly were completed. Age
      was similar in participants with low and acceptable PA level. Participants with
      lower levels of PA reported consuming more medications, fewer years of education
      and lower values of exercise self-efficacy, benefits and barriers. In this
      sample, exercise self-efficacy and benefits were positively associated with the
      PA level.

PMID- 27257189
TI  - Self-Empowerment of Immigrant Latina Survivors of Domestic Violence: A Promotora
      Model of Community Leadership.
AB  - This article presents the results of a self-empowerment leadership intervention
      program for Latina immigrant survivors of domestic violence in Atlanta, Georgia.
      It builds on the literature base of the Promotora model, a public health model
      using peer information sharing as a tool for health promotion. This study used an
      embedded mixed-methods design with quantitative and qualitative components to
      evaluate the impact of a peer community leadership program called Lideres Results
      of single-subject analyses show that the participants experienced change in three
      components of self-empowerment: intrapersonal, interactional, and behavioral. The
      qualitative findings revealed that they overcame fear and gained knowledge as
      well as a sense that they could promote change in their community. These findings
      add support to a growing literature base that demonstrates how peer model
      programs can not only positively influence the well-being of the communities they
      serve but also have transformative effects on peer leaders themselves. Study
      findings can also inform future efforts to empower survivors through promotora
      approaches specifically in the context of domestic violence prevention.

PMID- 27257192
TI  - Complete and Closed Genome Sequences of 10 Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica
      Serovar Anatum Isolates from Human and Bovine Sources.
AB  - Salmonella enterica is an important pathogen transmitted by numerous vectors.
      Genomic comparisons of Salmonella strains from disparate hosts have the potential
      to further our understanding of mechanisms underlying host specificities and
      virulence. Here, we present the closed genome and plasmid sequences of 10
      Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Anatum isolates from bovine and human
      sources. 

PMID- 27257190
TI  - Factores que Influencian la Adquisicion de Infecciones de Transmision Sexual y
      VIH en Mujeres Jovenes Chilenas que Participaron en la Intervencion Online I
      STIPI (Factors That Influence the Acquisition of Sexually Transmitted Infections
      and HIV in Chilean Young Women Who Participated in the Online Intervention I
      STIPI).
AB  - The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to investigate the
      following factors associated with sexually transmitted infections and human
      immunodeficiency virus prevention: (a) knowledge, (b) attitudes, (c) self
      efficacy, (d) vulnerability, (e) risky behaviors, (f) preventive behaviors, and
      (g) internet use among 40 Chilean women between 18 and 24 years who participated
      in the pilot of an Internet based STI/HIV prevention intervention (I-STIPI). A
      structured questionnaire available in a secure website was used for data
      collection and it included questions related to STI and HIV prevention. The
      results of the study indicated that young women are at risk of acquiring STIs and
      HIV and have special needs for prevention. Familiarity and frequency of use of
      internet in this population can be used for STIs and HIV prevention.

PMID- 27257193
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis ALBA01, a Strain with Antagonistic
      Activity against the Soilborne Fungal Pathogen of Onion Setophoma terrestris.
AB  - Bacillus subtilis is a nonpathogenic bacterium that lives in soil and has long
      been used as biological control agent in agriculture. Here, we report the genome
      sequence of a B. subtilis strain isolated from rhizosphere of onion that shows
      strong biological activity against the soilborne fungal pathogen Setophoma
      terrestris. 

PMID- 27257194
TI  - Draft Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium kansasii Strains 1010001454, 1010001458,
      1010001468, 1010001493, 1010001495, and 1010001469, Isolated from Environmental
      Sources.
AB  - Mycobacterium kansasii belongs to the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and
      causes opportunistic infections with both pulmonary and extrapulmonary
      manifestations. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of six environmental
      M. kansasii strains, designated 1010001495 (type I), 1010001469 (type II),
      1010001468 (type III), 1010001458 (type IV), 1010001454 (type V), and 1010001493
      (type V), originally isolated in five different European countries. 

PMID- 27257195
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Streptomyces ambofaciens DSM 40697, a Paradigm for
      Genome Plasticity Studies.
AB  - The sequence of Streptomyces ambofaciens DSM 40697 was completely determined. The
      genome consists of an 8.1-Mbp linear chromosome with terminal inverted repeats of
      210 kb. Genomic islands were identified, one of which corresponds to a new
      putative integrative and conjugative element (ICE) called pSAM3. 

PMID- 27257196
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Oral Bacterium Streptococcus mutans JH1140.
AB  - Streptococcus mutans JH1140 is an oral bacterium known to produce the bacteriocin
      mutacin 1140, and the strain has been genetically engineered to combat dental
      caries. Here, we report the 2.0-Mb draft genome of S. mutans JH1140. This genome
      provides new insights into the strain's superior colonization properties and its
      utility in replacement therapy. 

PMID- 27257197
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus sp. GZT, a 2,4,6-Tribromophenol-Degrading
      Strain Isolated from the River Sludge of an Electronic Waste-Dismantling Region.
AB  - Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Bacillus sp. strain GZT, a 2,4,6
      tribromophenol (TBP)-degrading bacterium previously isolated from an electronic
      waste-dismantling region. The draft genome sequence is 5.18 Mb and has a G+C
      content of 35.1%. This is the first genome report of a brominated flame retardant
      degrading strain. 

PMID- 27257198
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of the Endophytic Fungus Diaporthe (Phomopsis) ampelina.
AB  - Diaporthe ampelina was isolated as an endophytic fungus from the root of
      Commiphora wightii, a medicinal plant collected from Dhanvantri Vana, Bangalore
      University, Bangalore, India. The whole genome is 59 Mb, contains a total of 905
      scaffolds, and has a G+C content of 51.74%. The genome sequence of D. ampelina
      shows a complete absence of lovastatin (an anticholesterol drug) gene cluster. 

PMID- 27257199
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum BFE 5092 Isolated from Maasai
      Fermented Milk.
AB  - The draft genome of Lactobacillus plantarum BFE 5092 isolated from the Maasai
      traditional fermented milk product kule naoto was sequenced, and sequence
      analysis showed the assembled genome size to be 3,285,094 bp, containing a
      predicted total of 3,111 protein-encoding genes, 17 rRNAs, and 70 tRNAs. 

PMID- 27257200
TI  - Draft Genome Sequences of Listeria monocytogenes Serotype 4b Strains 944 and 2993
      and Serotype 1/2c Strains 198 and 2932.
AB  - Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen and the causative agent of
      listeriosis among humans and animals. The draft genome sequences of L.
      monocytogenes serotype 4b strains 944 and 2993 and serotype 1/2c strains 198 and
      2932 are reported here. 

PMID- 27257201
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Enterobacter cloacae B2-DHA, a Chromium-Resistant
      Bacterium.
AB  - Previously, we reported a chromium-resistant bacterium, Enterobacter cloacae B2
      DHA, isolated from the landfills of tannery industries in Bangladesh. Here, we
      investigated its genetic composition using massively parallel sequencing and
      comparative analysis with other known Enterobacter genomes. Assembly of the
      sequencing reads revealed a genome of ~4.21 Mb in size. 

PMID- 27257202
TI  - Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of 11 Bacillus cereus Food Isolates.
AB  - Bacillus cereus is a foodborne pathogen causing emetic and diarrheal-type
      syndromes. Here, we report the whole-genome sequences of 11 B. cereus food
      isolates. 

PMID- 27257204
TI  - Draft Whole-Genome Sequence of Sphingobium sp. 22B, a Polycyclic Aromatic
      Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacterium from Semiarid Patagonia, Argentina.
AB  - Sphingobium sp. 22B is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading strain
      isolated from Patagonia, Argentina, with capabilities to withstand the
      environmental factors of that semiarid region. The draft genome shows the
      presence of genes related with responses to carbon starvation and drying
      environmental conditions. 

PMID- 27257203
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of a Mycobacterium africanum Clinical Isolate from
      Antioquia, Colombia.
AB  - Mycobacterium africanum is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.
      Most commonly found in West African countries, it has scarcely been described in
      South America. Here, we report the first genome sequence of a Colombian M.
      africanum clinical isolate. It is composed of 4,493,502 bp, with 4,069 genes. 

PMID- 27257205
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus cereus 905, a Plant Growth-Promoting
      Rhizobacterium of Wheat.
AB  - Bacillus cereus 905 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, isolated from
      wheat rhizosphere. The draft genome sequence of this strain is 5.39 Mb and
      harbors 5,412 coding sequences. 

PMID- 27257206
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Arthrobacter enclensis NCIM 5488T for Secondary
      Metabolism.
AB  - Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Arthrobacter enclensis NCIM 5488(T),
      an actinobacterium isolated from a marine sediment sample from Chorao Island,
      Goa, India. This draft genome sequence consists of 4,226,231 bp with a G+C
      content of 67.08%, 3,888 protein-coding genes, 50 tRNAs, and 10 rRNAs. Analysis
      of the genome using bioinformatics tools such as antiSMASH and NaPDoS showed the
      presence of many unique natural product biosynthetic gene clusters. 

PMID- 27257207
TI  - First Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus condimenti F-2T.
AB  - This report describes the draft genome sequence of S. condimenti strain F-2(T)
      (DSM 11674), a potential starter culture. The genome assembly comprised 2,616,174
      bp with 34.6% GC content. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
      documentation that reports the whole-genome sequence of S. condimenti. 

PMID- 27257208
TI  - Complete Genome Sequences of the Potyvirus Sweet potato virus 2 from East Timor
      and Australia.
AB  - We present here the first complete genome sequences of Sweet potato virus 2
      (SPV2) from sweet potato in Australia and East Timor, and compare these with five
      complete SPV2 genome sequences from South Korea and one each from Spain and the
      United States. Both were closely related to SPV2 genomes from South Korea, Spain,
      and the United States. 

PMID- 27257209
TI  - Correction for Sotnikova et al., Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium bovis
      Strain BCG-1 (Russia).

PMID- 27257210
TI  - Complete Genome Sequences of Lytic Bacteriophages of Xanthomonas arboricola pv.
      juglandis.
AB  - Three bacteriophages, f20-Xaj, f29-Xaj, and f30-Xaj, with lytic activity against
      Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis were isolated from walnut trees (VIII Bio
      Bio Region, Chile). These lytic bacteriophages have double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)
      genomes of 43,851 bp, 41,865 bp, and 44,262 bp, respectively. These are the first
      described bacteriophages with lytic activity against X. arboricola pv. juglandis
      that can be utilized as biocontrol agents. 

PMID- 27257211
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Thiostrepton-Producing Streptomyces laurentii ATCC
      31255.
AB  - Streptomyces laurentii ATCC 31255 produces thiostrepton, a thiopeptide class
      antibiotic. Here, we report the complete genome sequence for this strain, which
      contains a total of 8,032,664 bp, 7,452 predicted coding sequences, and a G+C
      content of 72.3%. 

PMID- 27257212
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Methylobacterium sp. Strain ARG-1 Isolated from the
      White-Rot Fungus Armillaria gallica.
AB  - Methylobacterium sp. strain ARG-1 was isolated from a cell culture of hyphal tips
      of the white-rot fungus Armillaria gallica We describe here the sequencing,
      assembly, and annotation of its genome, confirming the presence of genes involved
      in methylotrophy. This is the first genome announcement of a strain of
      Methylobacterium associated with A. gallica. 

PMID- 27257213
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Geobacter anodireducens SD-1T, a Salt-Tolerant
      Exoelectrogenic Microbe in Bioelectrochemical Systems.
AB  - Strain SD-1 is the type strain of the species Geobacter anodireducens, which was
      originally isolated from a microbial fuel cell reactor in the United States. The
      characteristic of this bacterium is its high electrochemical activity. Here, we
      report the fully assembled genome and plasmid sequence of G. anodireducens SD
      1(T). 

PMID- 27257214
TI  - TAp73 is a central transcriptional regulator of airway multiciliogenesis.
AB  - Motile multiciliated cells (MCCs) have critical roles in respiratory health and
      disease and are essential for cleaning inhaled pollutants and pathogens from
      airways. Despite their significance for human disease, the transcriptional
      control that governs multiciliogenesis remains poorly understood. Here we
      identify TP73, a p53 homolog, as governing the program for airway
      multiciliogenesis. Mice with TP73 deficiency suffer from chronic respiratory
      tract infections due to profound defects in ciliogenesis and complete loss of
      mucociliary clearance. Organotypic airway cultures pinpoint TAp73 as necessary
      and sufficient for basal body docking, axonemal extension, and motility during
      the differentiation of MCC progenitors. Mechanistically, cross-species genomic
      analyses and complete ciliary rescue of knockout MCCs identify TAp73 as the
      conserved central transcriptional integrator of multiciliogenesis. TAp73 directly
      activates the key regulators FoxJ1, Rfx2, Rfx3, and miR34bc plus nearly 50
      structural and functional ciliary genes, some of which are associated with human
      ciliopathies. Our results position TAp73 as a novel central regulator of MCC
      differentiation.

PMID- 27257216
TI  - The Severity of Acute Illness and Functional Trajectories in Hospitalized Older
      Medical Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute diseases and hospitalization are associated with functional
      deterioration in older persons. Although most of the functional decline occurs
      before hospitalization in response to the acute diseases, the role played by
      comorbidity in the functional trajectories around hospitalization is unclear.
      METHODS: Observational prospective study of 696 elderly individuals hospitalized
      in two Italian general medicine wards. Functional status of the elderly patients
      at 2 weeks before hospitalization (baseline), at hospital admission, and at
      discharge was measured by the Barthel Index. Comorbidity was measured at
      admission by the Geriatric Index of Comorbidity (GIC), a tool mostly based on
      illness severity. The association of GIC with changes in functional status before
      hospitalization (between baseline and admission), during hospitalization (between
      admission and discharge), and in the overall period between baseline and
      discharge was assessed by logistic regression analyses. Hospitalization
      associated disability (HAD) was defined as a functional decline between baseline
      and discharge. RESULTS: Illness severity (GIC 3-4 vs 1-2: odds ratio [OR] 2.2,
      95% CI [confidence interval] 1.5-3.3, p < .0001) and older age significantly
      predicted prehospital functional decline (between baseline and admission).
      Illness severity (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3, p = .004) and older age were also
      predictive of HAD, even after adjustment for each coded primary discharge
      diagnosis. After adjustment for the occurrence of prehospital functional decline,
      however, illness severity and older age were not predictive of HAD anymore.
      CONCLUSIONS: The severity of illnesses was strongly associated with adverse
      functional outcomes around hospitalization, but frailty, intended as functional
      vulnerability to the acute disease before hospitalization, was a stronger
      predictor of HAD than illness severity and age.

PMID- 27257215
TI  - Jmjd2/Kdm4 demethylases are required for expression of Il3ra and survival of
      acute myeloid leukemia cells.
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) with a rearrangement of the mixed-linage leukemia
      (MLL) gene are aggressive hematopoietic malignancies. Here, we explored the
      feasibility of using the H3K9- and H3K36-specific demethylases Jmjd2/Kdm4 as
      putative drug targets in MLL-AF9 translocated leukemia. Using Jmjd2a, Jmjd2b, and
      Jmjd2c conditional triple-knockout mice, we show that Jmjd2/Kdm4 activities are
      required for MLL-AF9 translocated AML in vivo and in vitro. We demonstrate that
      expression of the interleukin 3 receptor alpha (Il3ra also known as Cd123)
      subunit is dependent on Jmjd2/Kdm4 through a mechanism involving removal of
      H3K9me3 from the promoter of the Il3ra gene. Importantly, ectopic expression of
      Il3ra in Jmjd2/Kdm4 knockout cells alleviates the requirement of Jmjd2/Kdm4 for
      the survival of AML cells, showing that Il3ra is a critical downstream target of
      Jmjd2/Kdm4 in leukemia. These results suggest that the JMJD2/KDM4 proteins are
      promising drug targets for the treatment of AML.

PMID- 27257217
TI  - Validation of Consumer-Based Hip and Wrist Activity Monitors in Older Adults With
      Varied Ambulatory Abilities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accuracy of step detection in consumer-based wearable activity
      monitors in older adults with varied ambulatory abilities is not known. METHODS:
      We assessed the validity of two hip-worn (Fitbit One and Omron HJ-112) and two
      wrist-worn (Fitbit Flex and Jawbone UP) activity monitors in 99 older adults of
      varying ambulatory abilities and also included the validity results from the
      ankle-worn StepWatch as a comparison device. Nonimpaired, impaired (Short
      Physical Performance Battery Score < 9), cane-using, or walker-using older adults
      (62 and older) ambulated at a self-selected pace for 100 m wearing all activity
      monitors simultaneously. The criterion measure was directly observed steps.
      Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), mean percent error and mean absolute
      percent error, equivalency, and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess accuracy.
      RESULTS: Nonimpaired adults steps were underestimated by 4.4% for StepWatch (ICC
      = 0.87), 2.6% for Fitbit One (ICC = 0.80), 4.5% for Omron HJ-112 (ICC = 0.72),
      26.9% for Fitbit Flex (ICC = 0.15), and 2.9% for Jawbone UP (ICC = 0.55).
      Impaired adults steps were underestimated by 3.5% for StepWatch (ICC = 0.91),
      1.7% for Fitbit One (ICC = 0.96), 3.2% for Omron HJ-112 (ICC = 0.89), 16.3% for
      Fitbit Flex (ICC = 0.25), and 8.4% for Jawbone UP (ICC = 0.50). Cane-user and
      walker-user steps were underestimated by StepWatch by 1.8% (ICC = 0.98) and 1.3%
      (ICC = 0.99), respectively, where all other monitors underestimated steps by
      >11.5% (ICCs < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: StepWatch, Omron HJ-112, Fitbit One, and
      Jawbone UP appeared accurate at measuring steps in older adults with nonimpaired
      and impaired ambulation during a self-paced walking test. StepWatch also appeared
      accurate at measuring steps in cane-users.

PMID- 27257218
TI  - The Benefit and Necessity of Collaborative Partnerships for Improved Health Care
      Systems / El Beneficio y la Necesidad de Colaborar Conjuntamente para Mejorar los
      Sistemas de Atencion de Salud.

PMID- 27257220
TI  - Cutting Corners: Provider Perceptions of Interpretation Services and Factors
      Related to Use of an Ad Hoc Interpreter.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study assessed health providers' perceptions of factors
      related to professional interpretation services and the association between these
      factors and the potential use of ad hoc interpreters. METHOD: Data were collected
      from a convenience sample of 150 health services providers at a large, regional
      health system in South Carolina. RESULTS: Providers rated "ability to communicate
      effectively during a clinical encounter" as paramount regarding the use of
      interpretation services. The most important factors related to the likely use of
      ad hoc interpreters (cutting corners) included locating a qualified interpreter,
      having to wait for a qualified interpreter, and technical difficulties regarding
      phone and video technology. CONCLUSION: Health care organizations may benefit
      from increasing staff awareness about patient safety and legal and regulatory
      risks involved with the use of ad hoc interpreters.

PMID- 27257219
TI  - Spanish-Speaking Limited English Proficiency Patients and Call Light Use.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite a continuous increase of the limited English proficiency
      (LEP) population in the United States, disparities in the quality of care
      received in health care systems persist. METHOD: This qualitative study explores
      the perceptions of hospitalized LEP patients on their call light use, as well as
      their perceptions of a prototype of a new multilingual call light system,
      EloquenceTM. Individual interviews were conducted with 10 Spanish-speaking
      patient participants. RESULTS: Using a constant comparative method, the following
      themes emerged: (1) reasons for call light use, (2) challenges with
      communication, (3) patients' adaptation to language barriers, (4) perceived staff
      responses to call light, and (5) responses to the EloquenceTM demonstration.
      CONCLUSION: Data from this study shed light on the patient care experience of LEP
      patients and can help guide clinicians and administrators in providing culturally
      and linguistically competent care.

PMID- 27257221
TI  - Ethnoracial Variation in Depression Symptoms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: While there is a long-standing tradition of research on the
      predictors of depression among women exposed to violence, little of this research
      has been conducted across ethnic and racial groups. METHOD: A cross-sectional
      study comparing a total of 191 women with a history of intimate partner violence
      were recruited from commercial, medical, and educational settings and by contact
      with agencies serving the needs of abused women, for example, shelters, community
      outreach. The study examined intimate partner violence and the adjustment of
      mothers of children ages 5 to 12 to explore both commonalities and differences in
      the ways in which four groups of women (African American, Biracial, Latina, and
      White women) cope with violence in their lives. In addition to demographic
      information, depression symptoms were assessed by self-report with the Center for
      Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. RESULTS: The findings indicate that
      Latina women had significantly higher depression symptoms than did African
      American and White women. CONCLUSION: While it is important to assess the mental
      health needs of all abused women, these results show additional need for Latina
      women, those with low income and high violence exposure.

PMID- 27257222
TI  - Mujeres que Consumen Sustancias y su Vulnerabilidad frente al VIH en Santiago de
      Chile (Women Who Consume Substances and Their Vulnerability to HIV in Santiago of
      Chile).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Women represent 15% of the people living with HIV in Chile. Risk
      behaviors for HIV are: multiple partners, unsafe sex, and exchange of sex for
      drugs/money. METHODOLOGY: A correlational design was used. A sample of 203 women
      who were sexually active and consumed substances within the last 3-months were
      selected for this study. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 32.4
      years (SD = 9.2) and 68.1% were housewives. The substance most commonly used was
      alcohol (95.1%) and marijuana (49.8%); 23.7% of the women were drunk or drugged
      before having sex; 74.4% had multiple sexual partners and 95.6% had unprotected
      sex. There is a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between substance abuse and
      HIV risk behaviors. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop more research to
      understand in depth the relationship between substance use and HIV risk among
      Chilean women. It is important to consider the use of substances to develop and
      implement HIV prevention programs in the Chilean community.

PMID- 27257223
TI  - Depression and Mobility Among Older Adults in Mexico: ENSANUT 2012.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Depression among older people can be associated with limitations in
      physical mobility. METHOD: The ENSANUT 2012 data set was used. A secondary data
      analysis was conducted on a total sample of 6,525 Mexicans 60 years and older.
      RESULTS: Findings indicate that depressive symptoms among older people derive
      from their limitations in mobility rather than from their age. CONCLUSION: In
      Mexico, the prevalence of major depressive disorders is higher among older adults
      than among the rest of the adults. Hence, as the prevalence of this problem
      grows, the need for appropriate mental health attention will increase in Mexico.

PMID- 27257224
TI  - Guest Remarks From Celia Besore / Comentarios de Invitado de Celia Besore.

PMID- 27257225
TI  - Remarks From NAHN's President, Dan Suarez / Comentarios de Dan Suarez el
      Presidente de NAHN.

PMID- 27257226
TI  - Letter From the White House.

PMID- 27257227
TI  - Racial Differences in the Effects of Neighborhood Disadvantage on Residential
      Mobility in Later Life.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Past research on the residential mobility of older adults has focused
      on individual-level factors and life course events. Less attention has been paid
      to the role of the residential environment in explaining residential mobility in
      older adults. We sought to understand whether neighborhood disadvantage had
      predictive utility in explaining residential relocation patterns, and whether
      associations differed between Whites and non-Whites. METHOD: Data are from the
      National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, a nationally representative
      sample of community-dwelling older adults. Neighborhoods were defined at the
      census tract level. Local movers (different census tract, same county) and
      distant movers (different county) were compared with stayers. RESULTS: After
      adjusting for individual-level factors, neighborhood disadvantage increased the
      likelihood of a local move, regardless of race/ethnicity. For non-Whites, higher
      neighborhood disadvantage decreased the likelihood of a distant move. Among local
      movers, Blacks and Latinos were less likely to improve neighborhood quality than
      Whites. DISCUSSION: Neighborhood disadvantage may promote local mobility by
      undermining person-environment fit. Racial differences in access to better
      neighborhoods persist in later life. Future research should explore how older
      adults optimize person-environment fit in the face of neighborhood disadvantage
      when the possibility of relocation to a better neighborhood may be restricted.

PMID- 27257228
TI  - Evaluative and Experienced Well-being of Caregivers of Parents and Caregivers of
      Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Informal caregiving is an important source of support for aging
      parents and children. Yet the timing and nature of caring for parents versus
      children may result in different levels of well-being. Despite extensive studies
      on the well-being of caregivers of parents and of children, it remains elusive as
      to how evaluative and experienced well-being vary by caregiver type. METHOD:
      Using data from the 2012 and 2013 rounds of the American Time Use Survey, we
      examined how 216 caregivers of parents and 1,989 caregivers of children reported
      their evaluative well-being (life satisfaction) and experienced well-being
      (happiness, meaning, pain, sadness, stress, and tiredness). RESULTS: Caregivers
      of parents reported lower evaluative and experienced well-being than caregivers
      of children. The association between caregiver type and life satisfaction
      dissipated, whereas the associations of caregiver type with happiness, meaning,
      and sadness persisted after accounting for caregivers' demographic
      characteristics, socioeconomic resources, and time intensity. DISCUSSION:
      Experienced well-being appears to be more sensitive than evaluative well-being in
      detecting differences in well-being between these two types of caregivers. Given
      that the caregivers of parents do not receive the same level of institutional
      support as caregivers of children, social policies should aim to provide
      caregivers of parents with additional support.

PMID- 27257230
TI  - Taking up TOP.

PMID- 27257229
TI  - Theories of Memory and Aging: A Look at the Past and a Glimpse of the Future.
AB  - The present article reviews theories of memory and aging over the past 50 years.
      Particularly notable is a progression from early single-mechanism perspectives to
      complex multifactorial models proposed to account for commonly observed age
      deficits in memory function. The seminal mechanistic theories of processing
      speed, limited resources, and inhibitory deficits are discussed and viewed as
      especially important theories for understanding age-related memory decline.
      Additionally, advances in multivariate techniques including structural equation
      modeling provided new tools that led to the development of more complex
      multifactorial theories than existed earlier. The important role of neuroimaging
      is considered, along with the current prevalence of intervention studies. We
      close with predictions about new directions that future research on memory and
      aging will take.

PMID- 27257232
TI  - INFECTIOUS DISEASE. Mosquito hunters search for Zika vectors.

PMID- 27257233
TI  - EVOLUTION. Dogs may have been domesticated more than once.

PMID- 27257235
TI  - PLANETARY SCIENCE. Telescope and NASA mission get under Jupiter's skin.

PMID- 27257234
TI  - ARCHAEOLOGY. 'Culinary frontier' tracks Madagascar's Asian settlers.

PMID- 27257236
TI  - DEVELOPMENT. CRISPR views of embryos and cells.

PMID- 27257237
TI  - Peace of mind.

PMID- 27257238
TI  - Gatherings aim to bridge a wide divide.

PMID- 27257239
TI  - Stranding sleuth.

PMID- 27257240
TI  - ECOLOGY. Ecologically relevant data are policy-relevant data.

PMID- 27257241
TI  - IMMUNOLOGY. A lipid arsenal to control inflammation.

PMID- 27257242
TI  - ORIGIN OF LIFE. Beyond prebiotic chemistry.

PMID- 27257243
TI  - ASTRONOMY. Connecting the dots in magnetic reconnection.

PMID- 27257244
TI  - APPLIED OPTICS. Photonic multitasking enabled with geometric phase.

PMID- 27257245
TI  - DNA REPAIR. Drugging DNA repair.

PMID- 27257246
TI  - STATISTICS. Aligning statistical and scientific reasoning.

PMID- 27257247
TI  - Federal barriers to Cannabis research.

PMID- 27257248
TI  - No surprise that comb jellies poop.

PMID- 27257249
TI  - Digital identifiers for fungal species.

PMID- 27257250
TI  - Digital identifiers for fungal species--Response.

PMID- 27257251
TI  - Metalenses at visible wavelengths: Diffraction-limited focusing and subwavelength
      resolution imaging.
AB  - Subwavelength resolution imaging requires high numerical aperture (NA) lenses,
      which are bulky and expensive. Metasurfaces allow the miniaturization of
      conventional refractive optics into planar structures. We show that high-aspect
      ratio titanium dioxide metasurfaces can be fabricated and designed as metalenses
      with NA = 0.8. Diffraction-limited focusing is demonstrated at wavelengths of
      405, 532, and 660 nm with corresponding efficiencies of 86, 73, and 66%. The
      metalenses can resolve nanoscale features separated by subwavelength distances
      and provide magnification as high as 170*, with image qualities comparable to a
      state-of-the-art commercial objective. Our results firmly establish that
      metalenses can have widespread applications in laser-based microscopy, imaging,
      and spectroscopy. 

PMID- 27257252
TI  - Structure and torsional dynamics of the water octamer from THz laser spectroscopy
      near 215 MUm.
AB  - Clusters of eight water molecules play an important role in theoretical analysis
      of aqueous structure and dynamics but have proven to be challenging experimental
      targets. Here we report the high-resolution spectroscopic characterization of the
      water octamer. Terahertz (THz) vibration-rotation-tunneling (VRT) spectroscopy
      resolved 99 transitions with 1 part per million precision in a narrow range near
      46.5 wave numbers, which were assigned to the h16 octamer via detailed isotope
      dilution experiments. Fitting to a semi-rigid symmetric top model supports
      predictions of two coexisting cuboidal structures and provides precise values for
      the changes in their rotational constants. Comparison with theory and previous
      spectroscopic data provides a characterization of the two structures and the
      observed torsional vibration and supports the prediction that the D2d symmetry
      structure is lower in energy than the S4 isomer. 

PMID- 27257253
TI  - Peering through Jupiter's clouds with radio spectral imaging.
AB  - Radio wavelengths can probe altitudes in Jupiter's atmosphere below its visible
      cloud layers. We used the Very Large Array to map this unexplored region down to
      ~8 bar, ~100 kilometers below the visible clouds. Our maps reveal a dynamically
      active planet at pressures less than 2 to 3 bar. A radio-hot belt exists,
      consisting of relatively transparent regions (a low ammonia concentration, NH3
      being the dominant source of opacity) probing depths to over ~8 bar; these
      regions probably coincide with 5-micrometer hot spots. Just to the south we
      distinguish an equatorial wave, bringing up ammonia gas from Jupiter's deep
      atmosphere. This wave has been theorized to produce the 5-micrometer hot spots;
      we observed the predicted radio counterpart of such hot spots. 

PMID- 27257254
TI  - Orbital-exchange and fractional quantum number excitations in an f-electron
      metal, Yb2Pt2Pb.
AB  - Exotic quantum states and fractionalized magnetic excitations, such as spinons in
      one-dimensional chains, are generally expected to occur in 3d transition metal
      systems with spin 1/2. Our neutron-scattering experiments on the 4f-electron
      metal Yb2Pt2Pb overturn this conventional wisdom. We observe broad magnetic
      continuum dispersing in only one direction, which indicates that the underlying
      elementary excitations are spinons carrying fractional spin-1/2. These spinons
      are the emergent quantum dynamics of the anisotropic, orbital-dominated Yb
      moments. Owing to their unusual origin, only longitudinal spin fluctuations are
      measurable, whereas the transverse excitations such as spin waves are virtually
      invisible to magnetic neutron scattering. The proliferation of these orbital
      spinons strips the electrons of their orbital identity, resulting in charge
      orbital separation. 

PMID- 27257255
TI  - Water splitting-biosynthetic system with CO2 reduction efficiencies exceeding
      photosynthesis.
AB  - Artificial photosynthetic systems can store solar energy and chemically reduce
      CO2 We developed a hybrid water splitting-biosynthetic system based on a
      biocompatible Earth-abundant inorganic catalyst system to split water into
      molecular hydrogen and oxygen (H2 and O2) at low driving voltages. When grown in
      contact with these catalysts, Ralstonia eutropha consumed the produced H2 to
      synthesize biomass and fuels or chemical products from low CO2 concentration in
      the presence of O2 This scalable system has a CO2 reduction energy efficiency of
      ~50% when producing bacterial biomass and liquid fusel alcohols, scrubbing 180
      grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour of electricity. Coupling this hybrid device to
      existing photovoltaic systems would yield a CO2 reduction energy efficiency of
      ~10%, exceeding that of natural photosynthetic systems. 

PMID- 27257256
TI  - Environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastic particles influence
      larval fish ecology.
AB  - The widespread occurrence and accumulation of plastic waste in the environment
      have become a growing global concern over the past decade. Although some marine
      organisms have been shown to ingest plastic, few studies have investigated the
      ecological effects of plastic waste on animals. Here we show that exposure to
      environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastic polystyrene particles (90
      micrometers) inhibits hatching, decreases growth rates, and alters feeding
      preferences and innate behaviors of European perch (Perca fluviatilis) larvae.
      Furthermore, individuals exposed to microplastics do not respond to olfactory
      threat cues, which greatly increases predator-induced mortality rates. Our
      results demonstrate that microplastic particles operate both chemically and
      physically on larval fish performance and development.

PMID- 27257258
TI  - TT-seq maps the human transient transcriptome.
AB  - Pervasive transcription of the genome produces both stable and transient RNAs. We
      developed transient transcriptome sequencing (TT-seq), a protocol that uniformly
      maps the entire range of RNA-producing units and estimates rates of RNA synthesis
      and degradation. Application of TT-seq to human K562 cells recovers stable
      messenger RNAs and long intergenic noncoding RNAs and additionally maps transient
      enhancer, antisense, and promoter-associated RNAs. TT-seq analysis shows that
      enhancer RNAs are short-lived and lack U1 motifs and secondary structure. TT-seq
      also maps transient RNA downstream of polyadenylation sites and uncovers sites of
      transcription termination; we found, on average, four transcription termination
      sites, distributed in a window with a median width of ~3300 base pairs.
      Termination sites coincide with a DNA motif associated with pausing of RNA
      polymerase before its release from the genome. 

PMID- 27257257
TI  - ADP-ribose-derived nuclear ATP synthesis by NUDIX5 is required for chromatin
      remodeling.
AB  - Key nuclear processes in eukaryotes, including DNA replication, repair, and gene
      regulation, require extensive chromatin remodeling catalyzed by energy-consuming
      enzymes. It remains unclear how the ATP demands of such processes are met in
      response to rapid stimuli. We analyzed this question in the context of the
      massive gene regulation changes induced by progestins in breast cancer cells and
      found that ATP is generated in the cell nucleus via the hydrolysis of poly(ADP
      ribose) to ADP-ribose. In the presence of pyrophosphate, ADP-ribose is used by
      the pyrophosphatase NUDIX5 to generate nuclear ATP. The nuclear source of ATP is
      essential for hormone-induced chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation,
      and cell proliferation. 

PMID- 27257259
TI  - Genomic and archaeological evidence suggest a dual origin of domestic dogs.
AB  - The geographic and temporal origins of dogs remain controversial. We generated
      genetic sequences from 59 ancient dogs and a complete (28x) genome of a late
      Neolithic dog (dated to ~4800 calendar years before the present) from Ireland.
      Our analyses revealed a deep split separating modern East Asian and Western
      Eurasian dogs. Surprisingly, the date of this divergence (~14,000 to 6400 years
      ago) occurs commensurate with, or several millennia after, the first appearance
      of dogs in Europe and East Asia. Additional analyses of ancient and modern
      mitochondrial DNA revealed a sharp discontinuity in haplotype frequencies in
      Europe. Combined, these results suggest that dogs may have been domesticated
      independently in Eastern and Western Eurasia from distinct wolf populations. East
      Eurasian dogs were then possibly transported to Europe with people, where they
      partially replaced European Paleolithic dogs.

PMID- 27257260
TI  - Flying free before building my nest.

PMID- 27257261
TI  - Epigenetic balance of gene expression by Polycomb and COMPASS families.
AB  - Epigenetic regulation of gene expression in metazoans is central for establishing
      cellular diversity, and its deregulation can result in pathological conditions.
      Although transcription factors are essential for implementing gene expression
      programs, they do not function in isolation and require the recruitment of
      various chromatin-modifying and -remodeling machineries. A classic example of
      developmental chromatin regulation is the balanced activities of the Polycomb
      group (PcG) proteins within the PRC1 and PRC2 complexes, and the Trithorax group
      (TrxG) proteins within the COMPASS family, which are highly mutated in a large
      number of human diseases. In this review, we will discuss the latest findings
      regarding the properties of the PcG and COMPASS families and the insight they
      provide into the epigenetic control of transcription under physiological and
      pathological settings. 

PMID- 27257262
TI  - Editor's Choice-Rule-in of acute myocardial infarction: Focus on troponin.

PMID- 27257263
TI  - Validation of the diagnostic utility of D-dimer measurement in patients with
      acute aortic syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of D-dimer
      measurements for the diagnosis of acute aortic syndrome in patients admitted to
      hospital with acute chest pain. METHODS: A retrospective observational study
      design was used. Consecutive patients ( n=887) admitted to a tertiary hospital
      with acute chest pain (acute aortic syndrome, 123; acute pulmonary embolism, 29;
      and other disease, 735) from the emergency department between January 2011 and
      April 2014 were assessed to validate the diagnostic value of D-dimer
      measurements. RESULTS: The D-dimer level was significantly increased in patients
      with acute aortic syndrome (median (interquartile range) 4.9 (2.0-17.4) ug/ml)
      compared with control patients (median (interquartile range) 0.6 (0.3-1.4) ug/ml;
      p<0.001). At a cut-off point of 0.5 MUg/ml, the sensitivity for acute aortic
      syndrome was 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.92-0.99) and was similar to that for
      acute pulmonary embolism (0.97 (0.82-0.99)). The age-adjusted D-dimer cut-off
      point, defined as age * 0.01 MUg/ml in patients ?50 years, successfully reduced
      the number of false-positive diagnoses by 13%, while still retaining a high
      sensitivity (0.96 (0.91-0.99)). The five false-negative diagnoses of acute aortic
      syndrome included three patients with intramural haematoma, one patient with a
      penetrating aortic ulcer and one patient with an impending aortic rupture. A
      combination of probability assessment and the D-dimer approach reduced the number
      of false-negatives from five patients to two patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrated that the D-dimer test can distinguish acute aortic syndrome from
      other diseases presenting with acute chest pain with high sensitivity and modest
      specificity. Using the D-dimer approach presents limitations with some subtypes
      of acute aortic syndrome, such as intramural haematoma.

PMID- 27257264
TI  - Medical mistrust in the context of Ebola: Implications for intended care-seeking
      and quarantine policy support in the United States.
AB  - This investigation explores Ebola conspiracy beliefs, a form of medical mistrust,
      and their potential impact on health behavior. Results of an online survey in the
      United States in December 2014 demonstrated that 16 percent of 202 participants
      held conspiracy beliefs. Participants who were less knowledgeable about Ebola,
      more mistrustful of medical organizations, and more xenophobic more strongly
      endorsed conspiracy beliefs. Participants who more strongly endorsed conspiracy
      beliefs reported that they would be less likely to seek care for Ebola and were
      less supportive of quarantining people returning from West Africa. Results
      suggest that medical mistrust may influence health behaviors during infectious
      disease outbreaks.

PMID- 27257265
TI  - Impact of emergency department visit on disease self-management in adults with
      depression.
AB  - Unexpected health-endangering events that lead to an emergency department visit
      may be perceived as "wake-up calls" and induce significant changes in health
      related behavior ("health shock" effect). This study uses two waves of a survey
      of 826 adults with depression and finds that having an emergency department
      visit(s) increased medication adherence by 7.6 percentage points ( p < 0.05)
      relative to non-emergency department visitors but had no significant effect on
      counseling attendance (0.02% points, p = 0.380). Emergency department visits may
      provide an opportune teachable moment to initiate targeted interventions for
      positive behavioral change in adults with depression.

PMID- 27257266
TI  - Leventhal's common-sense model and asthma control: Do illness representations
      predict success of an asthma rehabilitation?
AB  - This study investigates whether illness representations predict changes in asthma
      control or vice versa. Illness perceptions and asthma control were assessed in N
      = 113 asthma patients at the begin/end of an inpatient rehabilitation. Bivariate
      cross-lagged panel analyses showed that the illness representation dimensions
      Personal control, Consequences, Coherence, and Emotional representation predicted
      the change in asthma control, but asthma control did not predict illness
      representations. In multiple regression analyses with covariates, Personal
      control still predicted the change in asthma control. Illness beliefs assessed at
      the beginning of an intervention might help to identify patients with lower
      probability of treatment success.

PMID- 27257268
TI  - Recalling communities of practice.

PMID- 27257267
TI  - Imprisoned by Empathy: Familial Incarceration and Psychological Distress among
      African American Men in the National Survey of American Life.
AB  - The stress process model predicts that current incarceration of a family member
      should damage the health status of the inmate's relatives. We address this
      prediction with data from the National Survey of American Life, focusing
      exclusively on African American men (n = 1,168). In survey-adjusted generalized
      linear models, we find that familial incarceration increases psychological
      distress, but its effect attenuates ostensibly after controlling for other
      chronic strains. Familial incarceration remains statistically insignificant with
      the introduction of mastery and family emotional support and their respective
      interactions with familial incarceration. However, a statistical interaction
      between familial incarceration and former incarceration reveals that levels of
      psychological distress are significantly higher among never-incarcerated
      respondents whose family members are incarcerated but significantly lower among
      formerly incarcerated respondents whose family members are incarcerated. We
      conclude that familial incarceration's influence on black men's mental health
      status may be more complex than extant theory predicts.

PMID- 27257272
TI  - Smoking patterns and chronic kidney disease in US Hispanics: Hispanic Community
      Health Study/Study of Latinos.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intermittent smoking is prevalent among Hispanics, but little is
      known about whether this smoking pattern associates with increased chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) risk in this population. The objective of the present study is to
      identify patterns of exposure associated with CKD in US Hispanics. METHODS: We
      used cross-sectional data on 15 410 participants of the Hispanics Community
      Health Study/the Study of Latinos, a population-based study of individuals aged
      18-74 years, recruited in 2008 to 2011 from four US field centers (Bronx, NY;
      Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; San Diego, CA). Smoking exposure was obtained through a
      questionnaire. CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60
      mL/min/1.73 m(2) or a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio of >=30 mg/g. RESULTS:
      Approximately 14% of individuals were daily and 7% were intermittent smokers, and
      16% were past smokers. There was a significant interaction between smoking status
      and pack-years of exposure (P = 0.0003). In adjusted models, there was an
      increased odds of CKD among daily, intermittent and past smokers by pack-years
      compared with never smokers. The association of intermittent smokers was
      significant at 10 pack-years [odds ratio (OR) = 1.38, 95% confidence intervals
      (CI) 1.06, 1.81], whereas for daily smokers this association was observed at 40
      pack-years (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.09, 1.89). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of increased
      risk of CKD among Hispanics who are intermittent smokers support screening and
      smoking cessation interventions targeted to this population for the prevention of
      CKD. It also suggests novel mechanistic pathways for kidney toxicity that should
      be further explored in future studies.

PMID- 27257273
TI  - Symptomatic fracture risk in the renal replacement therapy population.
AB  - Background: Bone fractures are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in
      patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). The aim of this multicentre
      observational study was to quantify the incidence of radiologically proven bone
      fracture by anatomical site in prevalent RRT groups and study its relationship to
      potential risk factors. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of
      electronic records of all 2096 adults prevalent on RRT in the West of Scotland on
      7 July 2010 across all hospitals (except one where inception was 1 August 2011)
      to identify all subsequent radiologically proven fractures during a median 3-year
      follow-up. Results: There were 340 fractures, with an incidence of 62.8 per 1000
      patient-years. The incidences were 37.6, 99.2 and 57.6 per 1000 patient-years in
      the transplant, haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) groups,
      respectively (P < 0.05). In the multivariable model, age and HD (relative to
      transplant or PD) were independently associated with increased risk of fractures,
      while primary glomerular disease, increasing serum albumin and taking
      alfacalcidol or lanthanum were associated with decreased risk. In a multivariable
      model of only HD patients, age was independently associated with an increased
      risk of fractures, while glomerular disease, high serum albumin and being on
      alfacalcidol and lanthanum were associated with decreased risk. In a
      multivariable model in transplant patients, there were no significant independent
      predictors of fracture. Conclusions: The risk of symptomatic bone fracture is
      high in RRT patients and is ~2.5 times higher in HD than in renal transplant
      patients, with the increased risk being independent of baseline factors. Fracture
      risk increases with age and lower serum albumin and is reduced if the primary
      renal diagnosis is glomerular disease. The possible protective role of
      alfacalcidol and lanthanum in HD patients deserves further exploration.

PMID- 27257274
TI  - A scoping review of adult chronic kidney disease clinical pathways for primary
      care.
AB  - Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects ~10% of the adult population.
      The majority of patients with CKD are managed by primary care physicians, and
      despite the availability of effective treatment options, the use of evidence
      based interventions for CKD in this setting remains suboptimal. Clinical pathways
      have been identified as effective tools to guide primary care physicians in
      providing evidence-based care. We aimed to describe the availability,
      characteristics and credibility of clinical pathways for adult CKD using a
      scoping review methodology. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL and
      targeted Internet sites from inception to 31 October 2014 to identify studies and
      resources that identified adult CKD clinical pathways for primary care settings.
      Study selection and data extraction were independently performed by two
      reviewers. Results: From 487 citations, 41 items were eligible for review: 7
      published articles and 34 grey literature resources published between 2001 and
      2014. Of the 41 clinical pathways, 32, 24 and 22% were from the UK, USA and
      Canada, respectively. The majority (66%, n = 31) of clinical pathways were static
      in nature (did not have an online interactive feature). The majority (76%) of
      articles/resources reported using one or more clinical practice guidelines as a
      resource to guide the clinical pathway content. Few articles described a
      dissemination and evaluation plan for the clinical pathway, but most reported the
      targeted end-users. Conclusions: Our scoping review synthesized available
      literature on CKD clinical pathways in the primary care setting. We found that
      existing clinical pathways are diverse in their design, content and
      implementation. These results can be used by researchers developing or testing
      new or existing clinical pathways and by practitioners and health system
      stakeholders who aim to implement CKD clinical pathways in clinical practice.

PMID- 27257275
TI  - The acute kidney injury e-alert and clinical care bundles: the road to success is
      always under construction.

PMID- 27257278
TI  - Effect of renal artery revascularization upon cardiac structure and function in
      atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis: cardiac magnetic resonance sub-study of
      the ASTRAL trial.
AB  - Background: Cardiac abnormalities are frequent in patients with atherosclerotic
      renovascular disease (ARVD). The Angioplasty and Stenting for Renal Artery
      Lesions (ASTRAL) trial studied the effect of percutaneous renal revascularization
      combined with medical therapy compared with medical therapy alone in 806 patients
      with ARVD. Methods: This was a pre-specified sub-study of ASTRAL (clinical trials
      registration, current controlled trials number: ISRCTN59586944), designed to
      consider the effect of percutaneous renal artery angioplasty and stenting on
      change in cardiac structure and function, measured using cardiac magnetic
      resonance (CMR) imaging. Fifty-one patients were recruited from six selected
      ASTRAL centres. Forty-four completed the study (medical therapy n = 21;
      revascularization n = 23). Full analysis of CMR was possible in 40 patients (18
      medical therapy and 22 revascularization). CMR measurements of left and right
      ventricular end systolic (LV and RVESV) and diastolic volume (LV and RVEDV),
      ejection fraction (LVEF) and mass (LVM) were made shortly after recruitment and
      before revascularization in the interventional group, and again after 12 months.
      Reporting was performed by CMR analysts blinded to randomization arm. Results:
      Groups were well matched for mean age (70 versus 72 years), blood pressure
      (148/71 versus 143/74 mmHg), degree of renal artery stenosis (75 versus 75%) and
      comorbid conditions. In both randomized groups, improvements in cardiac
      structural parameters were seen at 12 months, but there were no significant
      differences between treatment groups. Median left ventricular changes between
      baseline and 12 months (medical versus revascularization) were LVEDV -1.9 versus 
      5.8 mL, P = 0.4; LVESV -2.1 versus 0.3 mL, P = 0.7; LVM -5.4 versus -6.3 g, P =
      0.8; and LVEF -1.5 versus -0.8%, P = 0.7. Multivariate regression also found that
      randomized treatment assignment was not associated with degree of change in any
      of the CMR measurements. Conclusions: In this sub-study of the ASTRAL trial,
      renal revascularization did not offer additional benefit to cardiac structure or
      function in unselected patients with ARVD.

PMID- 27257276
TI  - Markers of kidney disease and risk of subclinical and clinical heart failure in
      African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: African Americans and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are
      at high risk for clinical heart failure (HF). In this study, we aimed to
      determine the association of markers of kidney disease with subclinical HF (by
      echocardiogram) and risk of clinical HF among a large, well-characterized
      community-based cohort of African American patients. We also examined whether the
      association of markers of kidney disease with HF was attenuated with adjustment
      for echocardiographic measures. METHODS: We studied participants in the Jackson
      Heart Study, a large community-based cohort of African Americans. Estimated
      glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) were
      measured at baseline. We tested the association of eGFR and urine ACR with left
      ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and physician
      adjudicated incident HF. RESULTS: Among the 3332 participants in the study, 166
      (5%) had eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 405 (12%) had urine ACR >=30 mg/g. In models
      adjusted for demographics, comorbidity and the alternative measure of kidney
      disease, lower eGFR and higher urine ACR were associated with higher LVM {beta
      coefficient 1.54 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-2.31] per 10 mL/min/1.73 m2
      decrease in eGFR and 2.87 (95% CI 1.85-3.88) per doubling of urine ACR}. There
      was no association of eGFR and urine ACR with LVEF [beta-coefficient -0.12 (95%
      CI -0.28-0.04) and -0.11 (95% CI -0.35-0.12), respectively]. There was no
      association of eGFR with the risk of incident HF [HR 1.02 (95% CI 0.91-1.14) per
      10 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease], while there was a significant association of urine
      ACR [HR 2.22 (95% CI 1.29-3.84) per doubling of urine ACR]. This association was
      only modestly attenuated with adjustment for LVM [HR 1.95 (95% CI 1.09-3.49)].
      CONCLUSIONS: Among a community-based cohort of African Americans, lower eGFR and
      higher ACR were associated with higher LVM. Furthermore, higher urine ACR was
      associated with incident HF, which was not entirely explained by the presence of
      left ventricular disease.

PMID- 27257279
TI  - Multimodal imaging patterns predict survival in recurrent glioblastoma patients
      treated with bevacizumab.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab is a humanized antibody against vascular endothelial
      growth factor approved for treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. There is a need
      to discover imaging biomarkers that can aid in the selection of patients who will
      likely derive the most survival benefit from bevacizumab. METHODS: The aim of the
      study was to examine if pre- and posttherapy multimodal MRI features could
      predict progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) for patients with
      recurrent glioblastoma treated with bevacizumab. The patient population included
      84 patients in a training cohort and 42 patients in a testing cohort, separated
      based on pretherapy imaging date. Tumor volumes of interest were segmented from
      contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images and
      were used to derive volumetric, shape, texture, parametric, and histogram
      features. A total of 2293 pretherapy and 9811 posttherapy features were used to
      generate the model. RESULTS: Using standard radiographic assessment criteria, the
      hazard ratio for predicting OS was 3.38 (P < .001). The hazard ratios for pre-
      and posttherapy features predicting OS were 5.10 (P < .001) and 3.64 (P < .005)
      for the training and testing cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSION: With the use of
      machine learning techniques to analyze imaging features derived from pre- and
      posttherapy multimodal MRI, we were able to develop a predictive model for
      patient OS that could potentially assist clinical decision making.

PMID- 27257280
TI  - PIK3CA mutations in meningioma.

PMID- 27257284
TI  - Health Care Practitioners' Perspectives on Deprescribing Anticholinergic and
      Sedative Medications in Older Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anticholinergic and sedative (ACh-Sed) medications are commonly
      prescribed for older adults and are associated with adverse events. OBJECTIVES:
      (1) To investigate perspectives of health care practitioners (HCPs) surrounding
      deprescribing (withdrawal) of ACh-Sed medications in older adults; (2) to assess
      HCPs' perspectives on the design and implementation of a report on a patient's
      exposure to ACh-Sed medications using the Drug Burden Index (DBI) pharmacological
      tool. METHODS: This was a qualitative study using focus groups with purposive
      samples of accredited pharmacists (APs), general practitioners (GPs), and
      specialist physicians (SPs). Participants were also asked to comment on a sample
      DBI report of a hypothetical patient and its potential role in practice. The
      discussions were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed
      to derive conceptual domains. QSR NVivo Version 10 was used for data management.
      RESULTS: Several barriers and enablers to deprescribing ACh-Sed medications in
      older adults were identified. The most noteworthy barrier to deprescribing
      related to devolving responsibility. Predominantly, APs expressed frustration
      surrounding disregard by GPs of their recommendations to deprescribe medications.
      GPs expressed that deprescribing should be conducted by SPs and vice versa. The
      DBI report supported and addressed some of the identified barriers to
      deprescribing ACh-Sed medications in older adults. The HCPs also identified
      several opportunities and considerations for implementing the DBI report in
      practice, mainly highlighting that ACh-Sed medications are not the only high-risk
      medications for older people. CONCLUSIONS: Although HCPs recognize the harms
      associated with ACh-Sed medication use, they devolve prescribing and management
      responsibility to other groups of HCPs.

PMID- 27257283
TI  - Consumption of whole grains and cereal fiber in relation to cancer risk: a
      systematic review of longitudinal studies.
AB  - CONTEXT: Evidence from previous reviews is supportive of the hypothesis that
      whole grains may protect against various cancers. However, the reviews did not
      report risk estimates for both whole grains and cereal fiber and only case
      control studies were evaluated. It is unclear whether longitudinal studies
      support this conclusion. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between whole grains
      and cereal fiber in relation to risk of lifestyle-related cancers data from
      longitudinal studies was evaluated. DATA SOURCES: The following 3 databases were
      systematically searched: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL. STUDY SELECTION: A
      total of 43 longitudinal studies conducted in Europe and North America that
      reported multivariable-adjusted risk estimates for whole grains (n = 14), cereal
      fiber (n = 23), or both (n = 6) in relation to lifestyle-related cancers were
      included. DATA EXTRACTION: Information on study location, cohort name, follow-up
      duration, sample characteristics, dietary assessment method, risk estimates, and
      confounders was extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 20 studies examining whole grains
      and cancer, 6 studies reported a statistically significant 6%-47% reduction in
      risk, but 14 studies showed no association. Of 29 studies examining cereal fiber
      intake in relation to cancer, 8 showed a statistically significant 6%-49%
      reduction in risk, whereas 21 studies reported no association. CONCLUSIONS: This
      systematic review concludes that most studies were suggestive of a null
      association. Whole grains and cereal fiber may protect against gastrointestinal
      cancers, but these findings require confirmation in additional studies.

PMID- 27257285
TI  - Saving the Elderly From Drug-Related Harm.

PMID- 27257287
TI  - Muscle Trigger Points and Pressure Pain Sensitivity Maps of the Feet in Women
      with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE : To investigate the presence of trigger points (TrPs) in feet
      musculature and topographical pressure sensitivity maps of the feet as well as
      the relationship between TrPs, pressure pain maps, and clinical variables in
      women with fibromyalgia (FMS). METHODS : Fifty-one FMS women and 24 comparable
      healthy women participated. TrPs within the flexor hallucis brevis, adductor
      hallucis, dorsal interossei, extensor digitorum brevis, and quadratus plantae, as
      well as external and internal gastrocnemius, were explored. Pressure pain
      thresholds (PPTs) were assessed in a blind manner over seven locations on each
      foot. Topographical pressure sensitivity maps of the plantar region were
      generated using the averaged PPT of each location. RESULTS : The prevalence rate
      of foot pain was 63% (n = 32). The number of active TrPs for each FMS woman with
      foot pain was 5 +/- 1.5 without any latent TrPs. Women with FMS without foot pain
      and healthy controls had only latent TrPs (2.2 +/- 0.8 and 1.5 +/- 1.3,
      respectively). Active TrPs in the flexor hallucis brevis and adductor hallucis
      muscles were the most prevalent. Topographical pressure pain sensitivity maps
      revealed that FMS women with foot pain had lower PPT than FMS women without pain
      and healthy controls, and higher PPT on the calcaneus bone (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS : The presence of foot pain in women with FMS is high. The referred
      pain elicited by active TrPs in the foot muscles reproduced the symptoms in these
      patients. FMS women suffering foot pain showed higher pressure hypersensitivity
      in the plantar region than those FMS women without pain.

PMID- 27257288
TI  - Pregabalin Improves Pain Scores in Patients with Fibromyalgia Irrespective of
      Comorbid Osteoarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder with patients frequently
      suffering from comorbid conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA). Data on how FM
      patients with comorbid OA respond to recommended therapies (such as pregabalin)
      could help their treatment. DESIGN: This was a pooled exploratory analysis of
      three randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials of pregabalin in FM patients
      to assess the impact of comorbid OA on the response to pregabalin. METHODS:
      Patients were divided into those with and without comorbid OA. Difference in
      change in least squares (LS) mean pain score at endpoint (assessed by 0-10
      numeric rating scale, controlled for baseline pain score) with pregabalin (300
      mg/day and 450 mg/day) vs placebo was assessed. Changes in Patient Global
      Impression of Change (PGIC) responders and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
      (FIQ) total score were also assessed. RESULTS: There were 1665 patients in the
      analysis set (558, placebo; 552, pregabalin 300 mg/day; 555, pregabalin 450
      mg/day), including 296 with comorbid OA. Pregabalin 450 mg/day significantly
      improved the LS mean (95% confidence interval) difference in pain score vs
      placebo in patients with (0.99 [0.44, 1.55], P < 0.001), and without (0.64 [0.39,
      0.89], P < 0.001) OA. Improvements with pregabalin 300 mg/day with (0.31 [-0.25,
      0.86], P = 0.276) and without (0.51 [0.25, 0.76], P < 0.001) OA were not
      consistently significant. Improvements in PGIC and FIQ total score were observed
      in patients with and without comorbid OA. CONCLUSIONS: FM patients with or
      without comorbid OA respond to treatment with pregabalin 450mg/day with
      significant improvements in pain intensity scores. These data could provide
      guidance to healthcare professionals treating these patients.

PMID- 27257290
TI  - Lumbar Rib Causing Chronic Pain After Minor Thoracic Injury.

PMID- 27257291
TI  - A Small GTPase, OsRab6a, is Involved in the Regulation of Iron Homeostasis in
      Rice.
AB  - Plants have evolved two distinct strategies to acquire iron (Fe) from soils.
      However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying the Fe acquisition remain largely
      elusive. There is emerging evidence that small GTPases are involved in the
      responses of plants to environmental cues. Here, we identified a gene encoding a
      small GTPase, OsRab6a, in rice and characterized its role in Fe acquisition by
      generating transgenic rice plants with overexpression and knockdown of OsRab6a
      OsRab6a shared conserved functional domains with other known members of the Rab
      subfamily and localized ubiquitously in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The expression
      of OsRab6a was rapidly and transiently up-regulated by Fe deficiency. No
      differences in growth and development among the OsRab6a-overexpression, OsRab6a
      RNAi (RNA interference) and wild-type plants were detected when grown in Fe
      sufficient medium. However, overexpression of OsRab6a in rice plants conferred
      greater tolerance to Fe deficiency than RNAi and wild-type plants, as evidenced
      by higher seedling height, and greater biomass, Chl contents and Fe
      concentrations in shoots, roots and grains in the overexpression lines than wild
      type and RNAi plants. Moreover, the overexpression lines exhibited larger root
      systems than wild-type and RNAi plants in Fe-deficient medium. Exposure to Fe
      deficient medium led to up-regulation of OsIRO2, OsIRT1, OsNAS1 and OsNAS2 in
      both wild-type and transgenic rice plants, with the magnitude of up-regulation
      positively correlated with the expression levels of OsRab6a These results may
      suggest that OsRab6a plays an important role in the regulation of Fe acquisition
      in rice plants by modulating physiological processes involved in Fe acquisition
      and root system architecture in response to Fe-deficient medium. 

PMID- 27257292
TI  - Lateral Cricoarytenoid Release: Development of a Novel Surgical Treatment Option
      for Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia in a Canine Laryngeal Model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of a novel adductor muscle-releasing
      technique designed to decrease the force of vocal fold adduction, as a potential
      surgical therapy for patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD). STUDY
      DESIGN: Experimental animal study. METHODS: A canine laryngeal model was used to
      assess the acute and sustained efficacy of a lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA) muscle
      release. A total of 34 canine hemilaryngeal preparations were divided among 7
      experimental groups. The LCA muscle was separated from its cricoid cartilage
      origin via an open, anterior, submucosal approach. The laryngeal adductory
      pressures (LAP) were assessed pre- and post-muscle release via direct recurrent
      laryngeal nerve stimulation. Measurements were repeated at 1.5, 3, or 6 months
      postoperatively. Another study evaluated release of the thyroarytenoid (TA)
      muscle from its thyroid cartilage origin. RESULTS: Releasing the LCA muscle
      demonstrated a significant decrease in LAP acutely and was maintained at all 3
      time points with the aid of a barrier (P < .05). Without the barrier, the LCA
      muscle reattached to the cricoid. Acute release of the TA muscle did not
      significantly decrease the LAP. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed LCA release procedure
      may provide patients with a permanent treatment option for ADSD. However, longer
      term studies and human trials are needed.

PMID- 27257295
TI  - Advert.

PMID- 27257293
TI  - Physical Activity of Malaysian Primary School Children: Comparison by
      Sociodemographic Variables and Activity Domains.
AB  - This study describes the physical activity of primary school children according
      to sociodemographic characteristics and activity domains. Using the Malaysian
      South East Asian Nutrition Surveys data, 1702 children aged 7 to 12 years were
      included in the analysis. Physical activity was reported as a total score and
      categorized into low, medium, and high levels based on Physical Activity
      Questionnaire for Older Children. Higher overall activity scores were found in
      boys, younger age, non-Chinese ethnicity, and normal body mass index category.
      Sex, age, and ethnicity differences were found in structured or organized,
      physical education, and outside-of-school domain scores. Transport-related scores
      differed by age group, ethnicity, household income, and residential areas but not
      among the three physical activity levels. Participation of girls, Chinese, and
      older children were low in overall and almost all activity domains.
      Sociodemographic characteristics are important factors to consider in increasing
      the different domains of physical activity among Malaysian children. 

PMID- 27257294
TI  - Burdensomeness, Belongingness, and Capability: Assessing the Interpersonal
      Psychological Theory of Suicide With MMPI-2-RF Scales.
AB  - Given the emerging body of literature demonstrating the validity of the
      interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS), and the importance of
      increasing our understanding of the development of risk factors associated with
      suicidal behavior, it seems worthwhile both to expand IPTS research via Minnesota
      Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) correlates and
      to expand the availability of methods by which to assess the constructs of the
      IPTS. The present study attempted to do so in a large adult outpatient mental
      health sample by (a) inspecting associations between the IPTS constructs and the
      substantive scales of the MMPI-2-RF and (b) exploring the utility of MMPI-2-RF
      scale-based algorithms of the IPTS constructs. Correlates between the IPTS
      constructs and the MMPI-2-RF scales scores largely followed a pattern consistent
      with theory-based predictions, and we provide preliminary evidence that the IPTS
      constructs can be reasonably approximated using theoretically based MMPI-2-RF
      substantive scales. Implications of these findings are discussed.

PMID- 27257296
TI  - Advert.

PMID- 27257297
TI  - Advert.

PMID- 27257298
TI  - Society officers.

PMID- 27257301
TI  - Guest editorial.

PMID- 27257302
TI  - Chemical Imaging of Heterogeneous Muscle Foods Using Near-Infrared Hyperspectral
      Imaging in Transmission Mode.
AB  - Foods and biomaterials are, in general, heterogeneous and it is often a challenge
      to obtain spectral data which are representative for the chemical composition and
      distribution. This paper presents a setup for near-infrared (NIR) transmission
      imaging where the samples are completely trans-illuminated, probing the entire
      sample. The system measures falling samples at high speed and consists of an NIR
      imaging scanner covering the spectral range 760-1040 nm and a powerful line light
      source. The investigated samples were rather big: whole pork bellies of thickness
      up to 5 cm, salmon fillets with skin, and 3 cm thick model samples of ground pork
      meat. Partial least square regression models for fat were developed for ground
      pork and salmon fillet with high correlations (R = 0.98 and R = 0.95,
      respectively). The regression models were applied at pixel level in the
      hyperspectral transmission images and resulted in images of fat distribution
      where also deeply embedded fat clearly contributed to the result. The results
      suggest that it is possible to use transmission imaging for rapid,
      nondestructive, and representative sampling of very heterogeneous foods. The
      proposed system is suitable for industrial use.

PMID- 27257303
TI  - Changes in migraine before and after menopause in Japanese climacteric women.
AB  - Introduction We conducted a questionnaire survey of Japanese women with migraine
      who presented at neurology and gynecology headache clinics to assess how the
      frequency and severity of migraine in pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women
      changed as compared with what they experienced in their 20s and 30s. Methods The
      study group comprised 171 women with migraine (mean age 48.5) at the time of the
      survey. They were requested to fill out a self-administered questionnaire.
      Results (1) The current frequency and severity of migraine were claimed to be
      higher than that in their 20s and 30s. (2) More than 50% of postmenopausal women
      responded that migraines were currently less frequent than in their 20s and 30s.
      (3) The largest proportion of postmenopausal women responded that migraine was
      currently less severe than during any other period. Conclusions Our survey
      demonstrated that there are trends toward fewer migraine attacks and milder
      symptoms in postmenopausal Japanese women.

PMID- 27257304
TI  - Case report of an alleviation of pain symptoms in hypnic headache via greater
      occipital nerve block.
AB  - Background Hypnic headache is a rare primary headache disorder with a few hundred
      described cases so far. Due to the fact that this headache disease is rare, there
      are no placebo-controlled oral medication studies. After all reported oral
      medication failed to control pain symptoms of a hypnic headache disease, we were
      able to reduce pain intensity and frequency via two greater occipital nerve (GON)
      blocks. Case We report on a 74-year-old patient diagnosed with hypnic headache in
      our headache outpatient department two years ago. Over a course of nine months
      none of the recommended oral drugs had an effect in pain alleviation and we
      decided to try an occipital nerve injection therapy. Two GON-blocks then led to a
      stable and significant pain reduction over the course of six months during
      monthly follow-ups. Conclusion GON block can be a successful therapeutic approach
      for the treatment of hypnic headache when oral medication fails.

PMID- 27257305
TI  - Party Identification, Contact, Contexts, and Public Attitudes toward Illegal
      Immigration.
AB  - Illegal immigration is a contentious issue on the American policy agenda. To
      understand the sources of public attitudes toward immigration, social scientists
      have focused attention on political factors such as party identification; they
      have also drawn on theories of intergroup contact to argue that contact with
      immigrants shapes immigration attitudes. Absent direct measures, contextual
      measures such as respondents' ethnic milieu or proximity to salient geographic
      features (such as borders) have been used as proxies of contact. Such a research
      strategy still leaves the question unanswered - is it contact or context that
      really matters? Further, which context, and for whom? This article evaluates the
      effects of party identification, personal contact with undocumented immigrants,
      and contextual measures (county Hispanic population and proximity to the US
      Mexico border) on American attitudes toward illegal immigration. It finds that
      contextual factors moderate the effects of political party identification on
      attitudes toward illegal immigration; personal contact has no effect. These
      findings challenge the assumption that contextual measures act as proxies for
      interpersonal contact.

PMID- 27257306
TI  - Bias in the Flesh: Skin Complexion and Stereotype Consistency in Political
      Campaigns.
AB  - There is strong evidence linking skin complexion to negative stereotypes and
      adverse real-world outcomes. We extend these findings to political ad campaigns,
      in which skin complexion can be easily manipulated in ways that are difficult to
      detect. Devising a method to measure how dark a candidate appears in an image,
      this paper examines how complexion varied with ad content during the 2008
      presidential election campaign (study 1). Findings show that darker images were
      more frequent in negative ads-especially those linking Obama to crime-which aired
      more frequently as Election Day approached. We then conduct an experiment to
      document how these darker images can activate stereotypes, and show that a subtle
      darkness manipulation is sufficient to activate the most negative stereotypes
      about Blacks-even when the candidate is a famous counter-stereotypical exemplar
      Barack Obama (study 2). Further evidence of an evaluative penalty for darker skin
      comes from an observational study measuring affective responses to depictions of
      Obama with varying skin complexion, presented via the Affect Misattribution
      Procedure in the 2008 American National Election Study (study 3). This study
      demonstrates that darker images are used in a way that complements ad content,
      and shows that doing so can negatively affect how individuals evaluate candidates
      and think about politics.

PMID- 27257307
TI  - Adolescent Determinants of Abortion Attitudes: Evidence from the Children of the
      National Longitudinal Survey of Youth.
AB  - The stability of abortion opinions suggests that pre-adult factors influence
      these attitudes more than contemporaneous political events. Surprisingly,
      however, we know little about the origins of abortion opinions, no doubt because
      the majority of research focuses on cross-sectional analyses of patterns across
      cohorts. We use a developmental model that links familial and contextual factors
      during adolescence to abortion attitudes years later when respondents are between
      21 and 38 years old. Findings show that religious adherence and maternal gender
      role values are significant predictors of adult abortion opinions, even after
      controlling for contemporaneous religious adherence and the respondents' own
      views on gender roles. Adolescent religious adherence matters more than religious
      denomination for adult abortion attitudes. The results have important
      implications for future trends in abortion attitudes in light of declining
      religiosity among Americans.

PMID- 27257308
TI  - Sticker Shock: How Information Affects Citizen Support for Public School Funding.
AB  - This study examines the role of information in shaping public opinion in the
      context of support for education spending. While there is broad public support
      for increasing government funding for public schools, Americans tend to
      underestimate what is currently spent. We embed a series of experiments in a
      nationally representative survey administered in 2012 (n = 2,993) to examine
      whether informing citizens about current levels of education spending alters
      public opinion about whether funding should increase. Providing information on
      per-pupil spending in a respondent's local school district reduces the
      probability that he or she will express support for increasing spending by 22
      percentage points on average. Informing respondents about state-average teacher
      salaries similarly depresses support for salary increases. These effects are
      larger among respondents who underestimate per-pupil spending and teacher
      salaries by a greater amount, consistent with the idea that the observed changes
      in opinion are driven, at least in part, by informational effects, as opposed to
      priming alone.

PMID- 27257309
TI  - Support for Government Provision of Health Care and the Patient Protection and
      Affordable Care Act.
AB  - Since the 1930s, US politicians have argued about whether healthcare should be
      the responsibility of the federal government. Both major political parties have
      cited public opinion concerning Americans' support for or rejection of government
      provision of healthcare to support their position. With the passage of the
      Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, however, the political
      debate has changed. Where it had been about the government provision of
      healthcare as an abstract principle, it became a debate imbued with evaluations
      of the implementation of the ACA itself. This spawned a new line of research
      examining the consequences of the ACA's implementation on public attitudes toward
      government provision of healthcare. The change in support for government
      provision of healthcare and the new post-ACA research highlight a need for a long
      term examination of trends in support over the past two decades that will provide
      context for the new studies. This study provides that examination.

PMID- 27257310
TI  - Social Media Analyses for Social Measurement.
AB  - Demonstrations that analyses of social media content can align with measurement
      from sample surveys have raised the question of whether survey research can be
      supplemented or even replaced with less costly and burdensome data mining of
      already-existing or "found" social media content. But just how trustworthy such
      measurement can be-say, to replace official statistics-is unknown. Survey
      researchers and data scientists approach key questions from starting assumptions
      and analytic traditions that differ on, for example, the need for representative
      samples drawn from frames that fully cover the population. New conversations
      between these scholarly communities are needed to understand the potential points
      of alignment and non-alignment. Across these approaches, there are major
      differences in (a) how participants (survey respondents and social media posters)
      understand the activity they are engaged in; (b) the nature of the data produced
      by survey responses and social media posts, and the inferences that are
      legitimate given the data; and (c) practical and ethical considerations
      surrounding the use of the data. Estimates are likely to align to differing
      degrees depending on the research topic and the populations under consideration,
      the particular features of the surveys and social media sites involved, and the
      analytic techniques for extracting opinions and experiences from social media.
      Traditional population coverage may not be required for social media content to
      effectively predict social phenomena to the extent that social media content
      distills or summarizes broader conversations that are also measured by surveys.

PMID- 27257315
TI  - The Occurrence of Postconflict Skills in Captive Immature Chimpanzees (Pan
      troglodytes).
AB  - Conflict management strategies can reduce costs of aggressive competition in
      group-living animals. Postconflict behaviors such as reconciliation and third
      party postconflict affiliation are widely accepted as social skills in primates
      and have been demonstrated in many species. Although immature primates possess a
      repertoire of species-specific behaviors, it is thought that they gradually
      develop appropriate social skills throughout prolonged juvenility to establish
      and maintain complex social relationships within their group. We examined the
      occurrence of postconflict skills in five immature chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
      over 15 mo, focusing on interactions that were not with the subject's mother. We
      observed reconciliation, with conciliatory tendencies comparable to adults, and
      provide the first evidence that captive immature chimpanzees commonly reconciled
      using social play. However, immatures were not more likely to reconcile valuable
      than nonvaluable relationships. We also observed third party postconflict
      affiliation although at a lower level than reported for adults. Our results
      provide evidence for postconflict skills in immature chimpanzees but the lack of
      higher conciliatory tendency with valuable partners and low occurrence of third
      party affiliation indicates extended juvenility may be required refine these
      skills. Further work is needed to investigate whether these behaviors have the
      same function and effectiveness as those found in adults.

PMID- 27257316
TI  - Bridging Social Capital and Individual Earnings: Evidence for an Inverted U.
AB  - Based on data on a cross section of individuals surveyed in the 1999-2002 wave of
      World and European Values Surveys, we investigate the multilateral associations
      between bridging social capital, individuals' earnings, as well as social trust
      and employment status. Our analysis provides robust evidence that the
      relationship between bridging social capital and earnings is inverted-U shaped.
      We carry out a range of tests in order to ascertain that this result is not
      driven by regressor endogeneity or omitted variables bias. We also identify
      significant interaction effects between bridging social capital, social trust,
      and employment status.

PMID- 27257318
TI  - Scientific publications - Unscientific demeanor: Where are the problems?

PMID- 27257319
TI  - Disease registry in the Armed Forces Medical Services: An Idea Whose Time Has
      Come.

PMID- 27257317
TI  - Can glycoprofiling be helpful in detecting prostate cancer?
AB  - Glycans are chains of carbohydrates attached to proteins (glycoproteins and
      proteoglycans) or lipids (glycolipids). Glycosylation is a posttranslational
      modification and glycans have a wide range of functions in a human body including
      involvement in oncological diseases. Change in a glycan structure cannot only
      indicate presence of a pathological process, but more importantly in some cases
      also its stage. Thus, a glycan analysis has a potential to be an effective and
      reliable tool in cancer diagnostics. Lectins are proteins responsible for natural
      biorecognition of glycans, even carbohydrate moieties still attached to proteins
      or whole cells can be recognized by lectins, what makes them an ideal candidate
      for designing label-free biosensors for glycan analysis. In this review we would
      like to summarize evidence that glycoprofiling of biomarkers by lectin-based
      biosensors can be really helpful in detecting prostate cancer.

PMID- 27257320
TI  - Mutation in AIDS restriction gene affecting HIV infection and disease progression
      in a high risk group from Northeastern India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV estimates for 2009 released by National AIDS Control Organization
      (NACO) reveals that 2.4 million people in India were living with HIV, 39% being
      female, 4.4% children and 82.4% adult males between the age group of 15 and 49
      years. Persons with host genetic polymorphism CCR5Delta32 mutation are known to
      be partially or fully resistant to HIV infection. Persons with mutation affecting
      both the alleles (homozygous) are resistant to HIV infection whereas single
      allele (heterozygous) polymorphism leads to slower progression to AIDS.
      CCR5Delta32 mutation is commoner in Caucasians but less prevalent amongst
      Africans and Asians thereby rendering them susceptible to HIV infection. METHOD:
      571 HIV serologically naive subjects from a young and homogenous male population
      hailing from the seven northeastern states; West Bengal and Gorkha people were
      selected. All the subjects belonged to a special high risk group, sexually active
      and typically working in difficult and uncongenial terrain involved in frequent
      moves including overseas missions. Their family lives are severely disrupted. 181
      HIV seropositive cases of which 92 cases that were admitted in a large tertiary
      care hospital were also included. The distribution of CCR5Delta32 polymorphism
      amongst both HIV seronegative (HSN) and HIV seropositive study cohorts (HSP)
      using molecular methods was studied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was failure to
      detect any CCR5Delta32 amongst this study group suggesting that this population
      from the northeastern India, West Bengal and Gorkha people are not protected by
      this specific host polymorphism in respect of acquisition of HIV infection as
      well as progression to AIDS.

PMID- 27257321
TI  - Correlates of hematuria on glomerular histology and electron microscopy in IgA
      nephropathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hematuria is the most important clinical manifestation of IgA
      nephropathy. This study was undertaken with the objective to describe the
      spectrum of histological changes with reference to the Oxford classification and
      the ultrastructural changes in the glomerular basement membrane and to correlate
      them with hematuria. METHODS: 66 patients who underwent renal biopsy for IgA
      nephropathy were evaluated histologically by the Oxford system and also subject
      to electron microscopic examination for glomerular immune deposits, as well as
      alterations in the glomerular basement membrane. RESULTS: On comparing the
      histological scores generated by the Oxford classification with degree of
      hematuria, it was found that the status of 'endocapillary proliferation' and the
      status of 'tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis showed a significant
      correlation. Correlation of hematuria with location of the deposits, i.e.
      mesangial only, and mesangial with capillary wall deposits (subendothelial and
      subepithelial) did not show any association. Other alterations of the GBM were
      seen in 12 cases. The changes included thinning alone in 4 cases, thinning and
      lamellar splitting in 5 cases, and lamellar splitting alone in 2 cases.
      CONCLUSION: At presentation, endocapillary proliferation is one histological
      parameter which shows close association with hematuria.

PMID- 27257322
TI  - A prospective interventional study of effect of accelerated orthokeratology on
      the corneal curvature and refraction among young adults with myopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Orthokeratology with reverse geometry contact lens is a non-surgical
      alternative to conventional contact lenses for correction of myopia. However, the
      strength of evidence for its efficacy and safety is limited to retrospective
      studies and only a few prospective studies. This prospective study, the first on
      Indian subjects, evaluated the outcome of orthokeratology among young myopes.
      METHODS: Fifty eyes of 25 young myopes (age 19-29 years) with myopia of -1 to 5.0
      diopter underwent accelerated orthokeratology using the reverse geometry ortho K 
      LK lenses for correction of myopia. They were followed up prospectively with
      weekly vision, refraction, corneal topography, and pachymetry to assess the
      correction of myopia. RESULTS: The mean Log MAR vision corrected from 0.748 +/-
      0.225 at base line to 0.025 +/- 0.0630 at 12 weeks with 86% achieving 6/6 unaided
      day time vision. This was associated with significant central corneal flattening
      and thinning. The lenses were well tolerated with no significant complications.
      CONCLUSION: Overnight accelerated orthokeratology effectively corrects moderate
      degree of myopia and provide excellent spectacle free day time vision without any
      significant adverse effects in the short term.

PMID- 27257323
TI  - Microsurgical free muscle flaps for reconstruction of post-traumatic complex
      tissue defects of foot.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Crush injuries of the foot often result in complex tissue loss with
      exposed bones and tendons. These three-dimensional defects ideally require
      flexible well-perfused flaps to fill the space, afford resistance to infections,
      and to provide supple, durable weight- and pressure-bearing surfaces. Free muscle
      flaps with split thickness skin graft cover have been found to have several
      advantages in covering three-dimensional defects with exposed tendons and bones.
      METHODS: All patients with post-traumatic composite tissue defects of the foot
      exposing bones and tendons, who presented to a tertiary care center during a 40
      month period, were reconstructed with free muscle flaps as the first option.
      Gracilis muscle flap was used for eight patients and latissimus dorsi muscle for
      two patients. Decision regarding the choice of muscle was based on the size of
      the defect. The patients were followed up for 1 year and observed for return to
      activity, ability to wear footwear, requirement of secondary procedures, and any
      other complications. RESULTS: Ten patients presented with composite post
      traumatic tissue defects in the foot. All were male, with age ranging from 25 to
      76 years. The defects ranged from 25 cm(2) to 225 cm(2). Free muscle transfer was
      successful in nine patients. Even though four required secondary flap contouring,
      all patients had normal weight-bearing ambulation and returned to their normal
      activities at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Free muscle flaps merit consideration
      as primary reconstructive option for post-traumatic composite tissue defects of
      foot.

PMID- 27257324
TI  - Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in patients visiting tertiary care
      hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To study the prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI)
      in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: 50 HBsAg negative individuals, each amongst
      blood donors, alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS), alcoholic cirrhotics, hepatitis
      C virus (HCV)/cryptogenic cirrhotics, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on
      maintenance haemodialysis for one year, all malignancies prior to chemotherapy
      and HIV positive patients were evaluated for anti-HBc total antibody, and blood
      hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA amplification in those tested positive. RESULTS: A
      total of 60/369 (16.2%) individuals were anti-HBc total positive, 13/50 (26%) of
      HCV/cryptogenic cirrhotics, 13/52 (25%) of HIV positive, 10/50 (20%) of patients
      with malignancy, 10/51 (19.6%) and 7/59 (11.9%) of alcoholic cirrhotics and ADS
      respectively had intermediate prevalence, while, blood donors 5/55 (9.1%), ESRD
      patients 2/52 (3.8%) had low prevalence. 12 patients (20% of all anti-HBc total
      positive cases) were HBV DNA positive, 5 HCV cirrhotics (10% of total
      HCV/cryptogenic), 4 HIV positive (7.69%), 1 each of ADS (1.69%), alcoholic
      cirrhotics (1.96%) and malignancy group (2%). Blood donors and ESRD patients were
      negative for HBV DNA. CONCLUSION: HBV DNA amplification may under diagnose OBI
      and anti-HBc total positivity may be a better surrogate marker. Nucleic acid
      testing of blood donors, however is preferred, especially in high endemic areas.
      OBI must be looked for in cirrhotics, HIV infection, and patients with cancers
      prior to chemotherapy, as they may contribute to morbidity in them.

PMID- 27257325
TI  - Minimal residual disease detection using flow cytometry: Applications in acute
      leukemia.
AB  - Minimal residual disease (MRD) describes disease that can be diagnosed by
      methodologies other than conventional morphology, and includes molecular methods
      (like polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) or flow cytometry (FCM). Detection and
      monitoring of MRD is becoming the standard of care, considering its importance in
      predicting the treatment outcome. MRD aids in identifying high-risk patients and
      hence therapy can be intensified in them while deintensification of therapy can
      prevent long-term sequelae of chemotherapy in low-risk category. FCM is
      considered as a less labor-intensive and faster MRD technique as compared to PCR
      although it has its own share of disadvantages. Current immune-based
      methodologies for detection of MRD depend on establishing leukemia-associated
      aberrant immunophenotype (LAIP), at diagnosis or relapse and use this information
      at specified time points for detection of MRD, or apply a standardized panel of
      antibody combinations for all MRD cases, in a different-from-normal approach.
      This review highlights MRD detection by FCM and its application in acute
      leukemia. 

PMID- 27257326
TI  - Dengue, chikungunya ... and the missing entity - Zika fever: A new emerging
      threat.
AB  - Zika virus (ZIKV), a relative newcomer from the flavivirus group that includes
      dengue, Japanese encepahalitis and yellow fever, is one of the emerging pathogens
      that is fast transcending geographical boundaries. It is a vector-borne disease
      transmitted by the same Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which cause dengue
      and chikungunya. In addition to the vector-mediated transmission of Zika fever,
      probable human-to-human transmission through exchange of body fluids, including
      sexual and perinatal transmission and through blood transfusion, makes
      containment of this new entity more challenging. Moreover, a high index of
      suspicion by an astute physician is necessary for diagnosis of Zika fever in view
      of the similarity of symptoms with dengue and chikungunya, especially in areas,
      where these two diseases are already endemic. Zika, till recently, has had
      minimal impact, but its true potential is unfolding with increasing detection of
      congenital malformities, Guillain-Barre syndrome and other neurological and
      autoimmune syndromes in patients with recent history of ZIKV infection, or when
      mothers get infected with Zika during first or second trimester of pregnancy. The
      association, however, needs to be established, nonetheless it is important that
      we keep a close vigil on this emerging vector borne disease - the 'ZIKA' fever. 

PMID- 27257327
TI  - Plagiarism: A silent epidemic in scientific writing - Reasons, recognition and
      remedies.
AB  - Plagiarism is one of the most serious forms of scientific misconduct prevalent
      today and is an important reason for significant proportion of rejection of
      manuscripts and retraction of published articles. It is time for the medical
      fraternity to unanimously adopt a 'zero tolerance' policy towards this menace.
      While responsibility for ensuring a plagiarism-free manuscript primarily lies
      with the authors, editors cannot absolve themselves of their accountability. The
      only way to write a plagiarism-free manuscript for an author is to write an
      article in his/her own words, literally and figuratively. This article discusses
      various types of plagiarism, reasons for increasingly reported instances of
      plagiarism, pros and cons of use of plagiarism detection tools for detecting
      plagiarism and role of authors and editors in preventing/avoiding plagiarism in a
      submitted manuscript. Regular usage of professional plagiarism detection tools
      for similarity checks with critical interpretation by the editorial team at the
      pre-review stage will certainly help in reducing the menace of plagiarism in
      submitted manuscripts. 

PMID- 27257328
TI  - 'Peer review' for scientific manuscripts: Emerging issues, potential threats, and
      possible remedies.
AB  - Reviewers play a vital role in ensuring quality control of scientific manuscripts
      published in any journal. The traditional double blind peer review, although a
      time-tested method, has come under increasing criticism in the face of emerging
      trends in the review process with the primary concern being the delays in
      completion of the review process. Other issues are the inability to detect
      errors/fraud, lack of transparency, lack of reliability, potential for bias,
      potential for unethical practices, lack of objectivity, inconsistencies amongst
      reviewers, lack of recognition and motivation of reviewers. Alternative options
      to classical peer review being propagated are: open review, immediate self
      publication using preprint servers, nonselective review focusing primarily on the
      scientific content, and post-publication review. These alternative review
      processes, however, may suffer from the inability to validate quality control. In
      addition, anecdotal instances of peer review frauds are being reported more often
      than earlier. Suggested means to ensure quality of peer review process
      includes:(a) each journal to have its own database of reviewers, (b) verification
      of email IDs of reviewers provided by authors along with details of their
      institutions, (c) ensure credibility of reviewers before requesting for review,
      (d) check for plagiarism at the editorial level, (e) editors to distinguish
      between a good review from a possible biased/bad review, and (f) give recognition
      for reviewers once in a year. To conclude, quickness of review and publication
      should not dictate the scientific publication process at the cost of quality of
      contents. 

PMID- 27257329
TI  - A clinico-epidemiological study of herpes zoster.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster is a common viral infection of skin caused by
      reactivation of varicella zoster virus infection from the spinal ganglia. The
      clinico-epidemiological patterns of this disease in an Indian setting required to
      be studied. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on all consecutive
      cases of herpes zoster reporting to the Dermatology Outpatient Department at a
      Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangalore during a period of one year from 01 Jun 2013
      to 31 May 2014. Detailed history, examination, HIV screening and Tzanck smear
      were carried out in all cases. RESULTS: 84 cases of herpes zoster were seen with
      a mean age of 30 years. Majority (39%) of cases were seen in the 21-30 year age
      group. Thoracic segments were involved in 65.4%, cervical in 11.9%, cranial in
      11.5%, lumbar in 8.3% and sacral segments in 3.5%. 63% of cases had zoster
      associated pain. One case had motor involvement.3.57% of the patients were HIV
      positive. CONCLUSION: This study shows a lower age incidence of herpes zoster HIV
      positivity and zoster associated pain as compared to other studies. The pattern
      of segmental involvement in herpes zoster seen in this study was similar to other
      studies.

PMID- 27257330
TI  - Median Canaliform Dystrophy of Heller occurring on thumb and great toe nails.
AB  - Median Canaliform Dystrophy of Heller is a rare but morphologically striking
      habit tic deformity of thumb nails characterized by midline longitudinal furrow
      with multiple transverse parallel lines. The proposed etiopathogenesis is
      repetitive trauma to the nail plate and cuticle, however some case reports have
      suggested familial occurrence and use of oral retinoids in its causation.
      Treatment is often prolonged and unsatisfactory, though some topical agents have
      been used successfully. We report a case of a young male patient presenting with
      Median Dystrophy of Heller affecting both Great thumb and toe nails
      simultaneously. 

PMID- 27257331
TI  - Large retroperitoneal filarial lymphangiectasia.

PMID- 27257332
TI  - Use of Ambu aScope for tracheal intubation in anticipated difficult airway, a
      boon.

PMID- 27257333
TI  - Secondary abdominal pregnancy.

PMID- 27257334
TI  - Post traumatic stress disorder.

PMID- 27257335
TI  - Syphilitic hepatitis: Look for raised alkaline phosphatase level.

PMID- 27257336
TI  - Rectus palsy and dengue.

PMID- 27257337
TI  - Fifth serotype of dengue virus: What we should prepare for?

PMID- 27257338
TI  - Evaluation of management of hypoglycemia in in-patients.

PMID- 27257339
TI  - Letter to the Editor.

PMID- 27257340
TI  - Kangen-karyu raises surface body temperature through oxidative stress
      modification.
AB  - Kangen-karyu, a prescription containing six herbs, has been shown to achieve its
      pharmacological effect through oxidative stress-dependent pathways in animal
      models. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the
      antioxidative effect and pharmacological mechanisms of Kangen-karyu, specifically
      its body temperature elevating effect in humans. Healthy human volunteers, age 35
      +/- 15 years old, were enrolled in this study. Surface body temperature, serum
      nitrite, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities, and inflammatory
      cytokines were investigated before and 120 min after Kangen-karyu oral intake.
      Kangen-karyu significantly increased the surface-body temperature of the entire
      body; this effect was more remarkable in the upper body and continued for more
      than 120 min. Accompanying this therapeutic effect, serum nitrite levels were
      increased 120 min after oral administration. Serum ROS scavenging activities were
      enhanced against singlet oxygen and were concomitantly decreased against the
      alkoxyl radical. Serum nitrite levels and superoxide scavenging activities were
      positively correlated, suggesting that Kangen-karyu affects the O2 (*-)-NO
      balance in vivo. Kangen-karyu had no effect on IL-6, TNF-alpha and adiponectin
      levels. These results indicate that the therapeutic effect of Kangen-karyu is
      achieved through NO- and ROS-dependent mechanisms. Further, this mechanism is not
      limited to ROS production, but includes ROS-ROS or ROS-NO interactions. 

PMID- 27257341
TI  - Caffeic acid phenethyl ester suppresses monocyte adhesion to the endothelium by
      inhibiting NF-kappaB/NOX2-derived ROS signaling.
AB  - Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), one of the major polyphenols, exhibits anti
      oxidative, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer properties. Atherosclerosis is a
      chronic inflammatory disease, the progression of which is closely related to the
      accumulated adhesion of inflammatory monocytes/macrophages to the endothelium. We
      herein determined whether CAPE and its derivatives suppressed THP-1 cell adhesion
      to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Of the four polyphenols
      tested, CAPE significantly suppressed the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate
      (TPA)-elicited expression of cluster for differentiation (CD) 11b, 14, and 36,
      and this was accompanied by the inhibition of THP-1 cell adhesion to HUVEC. CAPE
      also suppressed the activation of TPA-elicited nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)
      and accumulation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS),
      but did not affect extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation.
      Taken together, these results demonstrated that CAPE suppressed THP-1 cell
      adhesion to HUVEC through, at least in part, the NF-kappaB, NOX2, and ROS-derived
      signaling axis. 

PMID- 27257342
TI  - Reactive oxygen species induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs enhance
      the effects of photodynamic therapy in gastric cancer cells.
AB  - Photodynamic therapy is useful for the treatment of cancer because it is
      minimally invasive for patients. Certain porphyrin compounds and their
      derivatives have been used as the photosensitizer because they accumulate
      specifically in cancerous tissues. However, the detailed mechanism of this
      phenomenon has not been clarified. We previously reported that a proton-coupled
      folate transporter, HCP1, transported porphyrins and that regulation of the
      protein was associated with cancer-specific reactive oxygen species from
      mitochondria (mitROS). Therefore, over-generation of mitROS could increase HCP1
      expression and the effect of photodynamic therapy. We investigated whether
      pretreatment with indomethacin influenced photodynamic therapy by using a rat
      normal gastric mucosal cell line, RGM1, its cancer-like mutated cell line, RGK1,
      and a manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)-overexpressing RGK cell line, RGK
      MnSOD. Indomethacin promotes the generation of cellular mitROS by inhibiting the
      electron transport chain, and MnSOD scavenges the mitROS. We elucidated that
      indomethacin enhanced cancer-specific mitROS generation and increased HCP1
      expression. Furthermore, RGK1 cells showed higher cellular incorporation of
      hematoporphyrin and better therapeutic effect with indomethacin treatment whereas
      RGK-MnSOD cells did not show a difference. Thus, we concluded that indomethacin
      improved the effect of photodynamic therapy by inducing increased mitROS
      generation in cancer cells. 

PMID- 27257343
TI  - Performance evaluation of two immunoassays for 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
AB  - Although immunoassays in measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] have been
      improved recently, relatively large differences are still seen between results of
      25(OH)D measured by immunoassays and by liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In the present studies, we compared two immunoassays
      with LC-MS/MS for measuring 25(OH)D concentrations. Concentrations of 25
      hydroxyvitamin D2 [25(OH)D2] and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] in serum samples
      from 59 healthy subjects were measured by two immunoassays including Siemens
      ADVIA Centaur Vitamin D Total (Centaur) and Roche Elecsys Vitamin D Total
      (Elecsys) and LC-MS/MS. To determine the cross reactivity of Elecsys and Centaur
      toward 25(OH)D2, a dosage of 200,000 IU vitamin D2 was given after first
      sampling. Serum samples were obtained 30 days later and concentrations of
      25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 were measured again. The results showed poor agreement
      between the immunoassays and LC-MS/MS in 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 measurements. The
      percentage of 25(OH)D2 cross-reactivity was 45.3% for Centaur and 41.2% for
      Elecsys and there was no significant difference between Centaur and Elecsys. In
      conclusion, Centaur and Elecsys perform unsatisfactorily in measuring 25(OH)D
      levels, especially for 25(OH)D2 cross-reactivity. Therefore, clinicians need to
      be aware of the underestimation of vitamin D status when using these immunoassays
      for measuring individuals supplemented with vitamin D2. 

PMID- 27257344
TI  - Effect of quercetin and its metabolite on caveolin-1 expression induced by
      oxidized LDL and lysophosphatidylcholine in endothelial cells.
AB  - Oxidized low-density lipoprotein contributes to atherosclerotic plaque formation,
      and quercetin is expected to exert anti-atherosclerotic effects. We previously
      reported accumulation of conjugated quercetin metabolites in the aorta of rabbits
      fed high-cholesterol diets with quercetin glucosides, resulting in attenuation of
      lipid peroxidation and inhibition of lipid accumulation. Caveolin-1, a major
      structural protein of caveolae in vascular endothelial cells, plays a role in
      atherosclerosis development. Here we investigated effects of oxidized low-density
      lipoprotein, quercetin and its metabolite, quercetin 3-O-beta-glucuronide, on
      caveolin-1 expression. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein significantly upregulated
      caveolin-1 mRNA expression. An oxidized low-density lipoprotein component,
      lysophosphatidylcholine, also induced expression of both caveolin-1 mRNA and
      protein. However, lysophosphatidylcholine did not affect the location of caveolin
      1 proteins within caveolae structures. Co-treatment with quercetin or quercetin 3
      O-beta-glucuronide inhibited lysophosphatidylcholine-induced caveolin-1
      expression. Quercetin and quercetin 3-O-beta-glucuronide also suppressed
      expression of adhesion molecules induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein and
      lysophosphatidylcholine. These results strongly suggest lysophosphatidylcholine
      derived from oxidized low-density lipoprotein contributes to atherosclerotic
      events by upregulating caveolin-1 expression, resulting in induction of adhesion
      molecules. Quercetin metabolites are likely to exert an anti-atherosclerotic
      effect by attenuating caveolin-1 expression in endothelial cells. 

PMID- 27257345
TI  - Deferasirox, an oral iron chelator, prevents hepatocarcinogenesis and adverse
      effects of sorafenib.
AB  - Although sorafenib is expected to have a chemopreventive effect on hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) recurrence, there are limitations to its use because of adverse
      effects, including effects on liver function. We have reported that the iron
      chelator, deferoxamine can prevent liver fibrosis and preneoplastic lesions. We
      investigated the influence of administering a new oral iron chelator, deferasirox
      (DFX), on the effects of sorafenib. We used the choline-deficient l-amino acid
      defined (CDAA) diet-induced rat liver fibrosis and HCC model. We divided rats
      into four groups: CDAA diet only (control group), CDAA diet with sorafenib
      (sorafenib group), CDAA diet with DFX (DFX group), and CDAA diet with DFX and
      sorafenib (DFX + sorafenib group). Liver fibrosis and development of
      preneoplastic lesions were assessed. In addition, we assessed adverse effects
      such as changes in body and liver weight, skin damage (eruption, dryness, and
      hair loss), which is defined as hand-foot skin syndrome, in the sorafenib and DFX
      + sorafenib groups. The combination of DFX + sorafenib markedly prevented liver
      fibrosis and preneoplastic lesions better than the other treatments. Furthermore,
      the combination therapy significantly decreased adverse effects compared with the
      sorafenib group. In conclusion, the combination therapy with DFX and sorafenib
      may be a useful adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence after curative treatment
      of HCC. 

PMID- 27257346
TI  - Serum metabolite profiles of postoperative fatigue syndrome in rat following
      partial hepatectomy.
AB  - Postoperative fatigue syndrome is a general complication after surgery. However,
      there is no ''gold standard'' for fatigue assessment due to the lack of objective
      biomarkers. In this study, a rodent model of postoperative fatigue syndrome based
      on partial hepatectomy was firstly established and serum metabonomic method based
      on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-TOF mass
      spectrometry was applied. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis was used to
      identify the differential metabolites in 70% partial hepatectomy rats relative to
      sham rats and 30% partial hepatectomy rats, which showed 70% partial hepatectomy
      group was significantly distinguishable from 30% partial hepatectomy group and
      sham group. Eighteen serum metabolites responsible for the discrimination were
      identified. The levels of hypoxanthine, kynurenine, tryptophan, uric acid,
      phenylalanine, palmitic acid, arachidonic acid and oleic acid showed progressive
      elevation from sham group to 30% partial hepatectomy group to 70% partial
      hepatectomy group, and levels of valine, tyrosine, isoleucine, linoleyl
      carnitine, palmitoylcarnitine, lysophosphatidylcholine (16:0),
      lysophosphatidylcholine (20:3), citric acid, succinic acid and hippuric acid
      showed progressive declining trend from sham group to 30% partial hepatectomy
      group to 70% partial hepatectomy group. These potential biomarkers help to
      understand of etiology, pathophysiology and treatment of postoperative fatigue
      syndrome. 

PMID- 27257347
TI  - Okara ameliorates glucose tolerance in GK rats.
AB  - Okara, a food by-product from the production of tofu and soy milk, is rich in
      three beneficial components: insoluble dietary fiber, beta-conglycinin, and
      isoflavones. Although isoflavones and beta-conglycinin have recently been shown
      to improve glucose tolerance, the effects of okara have not yet been elucidated.
      Therefore, we herein investigated the effects of okara on glucose tolerance in
      Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a representative animal model of Japanese type 2
      diabetes. Male GK rats were fed a 10% lard diet with or without 5% dry okara
      powder for 2 weeks and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Rats were
      then fed each diet for another week and sacrificed. The expression of genes that
      are the master regulators of glucose metabolism in adipose tissue was
      subsequently examined. No significant differences were observed in body weight
      gain or food intake between the two groups of GK rats. In the oral glucose
      tolerance test, increases in plasma glucose levels were suppressed by the okara
      diet. The mRNA expression levels of PPARgamma, adiponectin, and GLUT4, which up
      regulate the effects of insulin, were increased in epididymal adipose tissue by
      the okara diet. These results suggest that okara provides a useful means for
      treating type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 27257348
TI  - Dehydroepiandrosterone alters vitamin E status and prevents lipid peroxidation in
      vitamin E-deficient rats.
AB  - In humans, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate ester metabolite DHEA-S are
      secreted predominantly from the adrenal cortex, and dehydroepiandrosterone is
      converted to steroid hormones, including androgens and estrogens, and
      neurosteroid. Dehydroepiandrosterone exerts protective effects against several
      pathological conditions. Although there are reports on the association between
      dehydroepiandrosterone and vitamins, the exact relationship between
      dehydroepiandrosterone and vitamin E remains to be determined. Therefore, we
      attempted to elucidate the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on vitamin E status
      and the expression of various vitamin E-related proteins, including binding
      proteins, transporters, and cytochrome P450, in vitamin E-deficient rats. Plasma
      alpha-tocopherol levels in vitamin E-deficient rats increased in response to
      dehydroepiandrosterone administration. The expression of hepatic alpha-tocopherol
      transfer protein was repressed in vitamin E-deficient rats compared to that in
      control rats; however, dehydroepiandrosterone administration significantly
      upregulated this expression. Hepatic expression of CYP4F2, an alpha-tocopherol
      metabolizing enzyme, in vitamin E-deficient rats was decreased by
      dehydroepiandrosterone administration, whereas hepatic expression of ATP-binding
      cassette transporter A1, an alpha-tocopherol transporter, was not altered
      following dehydroepiandrosterone administration. Dehydroepiandrosterone repressed
      lipid peroxidation in the liver of vitamin E-deficient rats. Therefore, adequate
      dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation may improve lipid peroxidation under
      several pathological conditions, and dehydroepiandrosterone may modulate alpha
      tocopherol levels through altered expression of vitamin E-related proteins. 

PMID- 27257349
TI  - Dietary patterns and changes in cardiovascular risk factors in apparently healthy
      Chinese women: a longitudinal study.
AB  - Little is known of the relationships between dietary patterns and cardiovascular
      risk factors in China. We therefore designed a 3-year longitudinal study to
      evaluate the impacts of dietary patterns on changes in these factors among
      Chinese women. A total of 1,028 subjects who received health examination in 2011
      and 2014 were recruited. Three major dietary patterns ("vegetable pattern", "meat
      pattern", and "animal offal-dessert-and-alcohol pattern") were derived by
      principal component analysis based on validated food frequency questionnaires.
      Cardiovascular risk factors were standardized to create within-cohort z-scores
      and the changes in them were calculated as the differences between 2011 and 2014.
      Relationships between dietary patterns and changes in cardiovascular risk factors
      were assessed using general linear model. After adjustment for potential
      confounders, changes in total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose decreased
      across the tertiles of vegetable pattern (p for trend = 0.01 and 0.04,
      respectively). While, changes in diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and
      low density lipoprotein cholesterol increased across the tertiles of animal offal
      dessert-and-alcohol pattern (p for trend = 0.02, 0.01, and 0.02, respectively).
      The findings suggest that vegetable pattern was beneficially related to
      cardiovascular risk factors, whereas animal offal-dessert-and-alcohol pattern was
      detrimental related to these factors among apparently healthy Chinese women. 

PMID- 27257350
TI  - Coenzyme Q10 serum concentration and redox status in European adults: influence
      of age, sex, and lipoprotein concentration.
AB  - Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is synthesized in almost all human tissues and presumably
      involved in age-related alterations and diseases. Here, we examined the impact of
      aging and sex on the serum CoQ10 status in 860 European adults ranging in age
      from 18 to 82 years. We identified an inverse U-shaped relationship between CoQ10
      concentration and age. Women showed lower cholesterol-adjusted CoQ10 levels than
      men, irrespective of age. As observed in both sexes, the decrease in CoQ10
      concentration in older subjects was accompanied by a shift in the redox status in
      favour of the oxidized form. A strong positive correlation was found for total
      CoQ10 and cholesterol concentrations (Spearman's, p<=1E-74). We found strong
      negative correlations between total (Spearman's, p<=1E-07) and between
      cholesterol-adjusted CoQ10 concentration (Spearman's, p<=1E-14) and the
      proportion of the oxidized form of CoQ10. These correlations were not dependent
      on age and sex and were attenuated by supplementation with 150 mg/day reduced
      CoQ10 for 14 days. Overall, our results are useful to define risk groups with
      critical CoQ10 status in humans. In particular, older subjects were characterized
      by impaired CoQ10 status due to their lowered serum CoQ10 concentration and
      concomitant decrease of CoQ10 redox capacity. 

PMID- 27257352
TI  - Global Health Education.

PMID- 27257351
TI  - Usefulness of computed tomography with air insufflation of the stomach prior to
      percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy procedure.
AB  - We examined the results of computed tomography (CT) with and without air
      insufflation of the stomach prior to performing percutaneous endoscopic
      gastrostomy (PEG). We retrospectively analyzed 366 patients who underwent PEG. CT
      images obtained with and without air insufflation were examined for the presence
      or absence of contact between the gastric anterior wall and abdominal wall. PEG
      outcome based on CT findings was also examined. CT with and without air
      insufflation was performed in 272 and 94 patients, respectively. Contact between
      the gastric anterior wall and abdominal wall was shown in 254 (93.4%) with and 45
      (47.9%) without air insufflation, all of whom underwent a successful PEG
      procedure. In patients without contact between the gastric anterior wall and
      abdominal wall, PEG was not successful in 3 of 49 (6.1%) examined by CT without
      and 6 of 18 (33.3%) examined with air insufflation (p = 0.004). Values for
      diagnostic accuracy for contact between the gastric anterior wall and abdominal
      wall shown by CT with and without air insufflation in successful PEG cases were
      0.96 and 0.51, respectively. In conclusion, CT with air insufflation more often
      revealed contact between the gastric anterior wall and abdominal wall as compared
      to CT without air insufflation, which may help to predict PEG procedure success. 

PMID- 27257353
TI  - Trajectories of Health and Behavioral Health Services Use among Community
      Corrections-Involved Rural Adults.
AB  - This article seeks to establish time-based trajectories of health and behavioral
      health services utilization for community corrections-involved (CCI) adults and
      to examine demographic and clinical correlates associated with these
      trajectories. To accomplish this aim, the authors applied a latent class growth
      analysis (LCGA) to services use data from a sample of rural CCI adults who
      reported their medical, mental health, and substance use treatment utilization
      behavior every 60 days for 1.5 years. LCGA established 1.5-year trajectories and
      demographic correlates of health services among rural CCI adults. For medical
      services, three classes emerged (stable-low users, 13%; stable-intermediate
      users, 40%; and stable-high users, 47%). For mental health and substance use
      services, three classes emerged (stable-low, 69% and 61%, respectively; low
      baseline-increase, 10% and 12%, respectively; high-baseline decline, 21% and 28%,
      respectively). Employment, gender, medication usage, and depression severity
      predicted membership across all services. Results underscore the importance of
      social workers and other community services providers aligning health services
      access with the needs of the CCI population, and highlight CCI adults as being at
      risk of underservice in critical prevention and intervention domains.

PMID- 27257354
TI  - Managing and Mentoring: Experiences of Assistant Professors in Working with
      Research Assistants.
AB  - Support from research assistants (RAs) is often framed as a resource to
      facilitate faculty research productivity, yet most assistant professors have
      received minimal training on how to effectively make use of this resource. This
      study collected data from a national sample of assistant professors to examine
      tasks RAs are asked to perform, satisfaction with RA work, challenges in working
      with RAs, and lessons learned to be successful. Authors used a sequential mixed
      methods design, first conducting a Web-based survey with 109 assistant professors
      in social work schools with doctoral programs, then qualitative interviews with a
      subset of 13 respondents who volunteered to talk more about their experiences.
      Evidence indicated low levels of satisfaction regarding the preparation of
      students for RA work, particularly among those assistant professors working with
      first-year doctoral students. Primary challenges included lack of student skills
      and commitment and sufficient time to supervise and train students.
      Recommendations include careful assessment of student skills at the start of the
      relationship and setting clear expectations. Social work programs can improve
      faculty-RA relationships by training new assistant professors on how to support
      and manage RAs and training incoming students on basic research skills for their
      work as RAs.

PMID- 27257355
TI  - The Tripod School Climate Index: An Invariant Measure of School Safety and
      Relationships.
AB  - Recently revised standards for social work practice in schools encourage data
      informed school climate interventions that implicitly require invariant measures
      of school climate. Invariant measures have the same meaning, scale, and origin
      across different groups of respondents. Although noninvariant measures bias
      statistical analyses and can lead users to erroneous conclusions, most school
      climate measures have not been tested for invariance. This study examines the
      invariance of the Tripod School Climate Index. Exploratory, confirmatory, and
      multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on data collected from
      66,531 students across 222 schools. Results indicate that the index is an
      excellent fit for the data and invariant by student grade level, demographic
      background, prior achievement, and dropout risk. Results imply that student
      responses can be validly aggregated to create school-level scores. The index will
      not bias studies of school climate interventions or bivariate analyses comparing
      perceptions of school climate across subgroups of students attending the same
      school. Given the centrality of school climate interventions to social work
      practice in schools and the consequences of noninvariance, the development of an
      index with these properties is an important contribution to the field.

PMID- 27257356
TI  - A Cross-National Validation of the Short Employment Hope Scale (EHS-14) in the
      United States and South Korea.
AB  - The Short Employment Hope Scale (EHS-14) has been developed in the United States
      to assess an individual's level of psychological self-sufficiency-a complementary
      measure to the widely used economic self-sufficiency in workforce development
      programs. This study examined the comparability of the EHS-14 between U.S. and
      South Korean low-income job seeker groups. A multisample confirmatory factor
      analysis (CFA) and a series of invariance tests were conducted to validate EHS-14
      using two independent samples. A latent means analysis (LMA) was used to test the
      latent mean difference between the two samples. The results indicate that CFAs on
      both U.S. and South Korean samples verified the four-factor structure of EHS-14.
      The study also found evidence for cross-national equivalence, based on satisfying
      configural, metric, scalar, and factor covariance invariance. LMA results found
      no significant difference between the two samples. EHS-14 was found to be a
      reliable and valid measure with cross-cultural applicability in the South Korean
      socio-politico-economic context. EHS-14 can be used to benchmark the client
      empowerment process and monitor individualized human development paths to
      employment success.

PMID- 27257357
TI  - Tangible Needs and External Stressors Faced by Chinese American Families with a
      Member Having Schizophrenia.
AB  - This article examines the tangible needs and external stressors experienced by
      Chinese American families with a member living with schizophrenia, in the context
      of a six-month pilot study of family psychoeducation. Therapists' notes from 117
      family and group sessions were analyzed. The families expressed concerns
      regarding housing, finance, work, study, and the shortage of bilingual
      psychosocial services. Interacting with government offices and social services
      agencies caused anxiety and frustration, partly due to the high stakes involved
      given their low socioeconomic status, and partly due to the bureaucracy. As
      immigrants, study participants had needs for language translation, knowledge
      about resources, and advocacy by case managers. This study also highlights the
      importance of interventions beyond the micro individual level to the mezzo and
      macro levels, where changes in organizations and policies are necessary.

PMID- 27257360
TI  - Grand Challenges for Social Work: Research, Practice, and Education.

PMID- 27257361
TI  - Interdependence between the Social and Material Convoy: Links between
      Volunteering, Widowhood, and Housing Transitions.
AB  - Relocation in older adulthood may occur due to triggering events, such as
      widowhood. Guided by Kahn and Antonucci's convoy model, this study explores the
      influence of volunteering on decision to relocate following the death of a
      spouse. Using three waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006,
      2008, and 2010), 5,146 community-dwelling married older individuals who were 65
      years or older in 2008 were included. Findings from two multinomial logistic
      regression models showed that widows and widowers who were not volunteering in
      2008 were more likely to move out of area in 2010 than their married
      counterparts, whereas the relationship between widowhood and relocation was not
      detected among those involved in volunteering. This article emphasizes the
      interdependency of social relationships and residences, a fundamental of one's
      material convoy, for older adults. Volunteering experiences may not only affect
      instrumental and emotional support after the loss of a key anchor in one's social
      convoy, but may also facilitate a widowed older adult to age in place rather than
      relocate.

PMID- 27257362
TI  - Pitfalls, Potentials, and Ethics of Online Survey Research: LGBTQ and Other
      Marginalized and Hard-to-Access Youths.
AB  - Online research methodologies may serve as an important mechanism for population
      focused data collection in social work research. Online surveys have become
      increasingly prevalent in research inquiries with young people and have been
      acknowledged for their potential in investigating understudied and marginalized
      populations and subpopulations, permitting increased access to communities that
      tend to be less visible-and thus often less studied-in offline contexts. Lesbian,
      gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) young people are a socially
      stigmatized, yet digitally active, youth population whose participation in online
      surveys has been previously addressed in the literature. Many of the
      opportunities and challenges of online survey research identified with LGBTQ
      youths may be highly relevant to other populations of marginalized and hard-to
      access young people, who are likely present in significant numbers in the online
      environment (for example, ethnoracialized youths and low-income youths). In this
      article, the utility of online survey methods with marginalized young people is
      discussed, and recommendations for social work research are provided.

PMID- 27257363
TI  - Correlates of Receipt of Colorectal Cancer Screening among American Indians in
      the Northern Plains.
AB  - Research has consistently documented lower colorectal cancer (CRC) screening
      rates for racial and ethnic minority populations, with the lowest screening rates
      among American Indians (AIs). Given the low CRC screening rates among AIs
      residing in the Northern Plains region, the objective of this research was to
      identify CRC screening correlates for Northern Plains AIs. With a sample of 181
      AIs age 50 years or older, the authors used Andersen's behavioral model to
      examine the following factors related to receipt of CRC screening: (a)
      predisposing factors-age, education, marital status, and gender; (b) need factors
      personal and family history of cancer; and (c) enabling factors-having a
      particular place to receive medical care, annual health checkup, awareness of the
      availability of CRC screening, knowledge of CRC, and self-efficacy of CRC. Nested
      logistic regression identified the following correlates of receipt of CRC
      screening: (a) predisposing factors-older age; (b) need factors-having a personal
      history of cancer; and (c) enabling factors-having an annual health checkup,
      greater awareness of CRC screening, and greater self-efficacy of CRC. Given the
      findings, prevention and intervention strategies, including public awareness and
      education about CRC screening, are promising avenues to reduce cancer screening
      disparities among AIs.

PMID- 27257364
TI  - Worker Perspectives on Contemporary Milieu Therapy: A Cross-Site Ethnographic
      Study.
AB  - The term "milieu therapy" (MT) is commonly used in mental health literatures.
      However, because MT has historically encompassed a wide range of practices, it
      has invited the criticism that it is simply an attractive theoretical packaging
      of the time clients spend between other specified interventions, such as
      individual and group therapies. Some have suggested that, because of its
      conceptual ambiguity, MT should be abandoned altogether. Despite these
      challenges, MT endures as a common approach to social work practice in a range of
      clinical settings. This article describes a study that used ethnography to
      investigate the perspectives of workers from two mental health organizations that
      claim to provide MT. By analyzing four themes common to both sites, this article
      brings exploratory empirical findings to bear on the question of what constitutes
      MT in contemporary mental health organizations. Participants reported that (a)
      everything in the physical and social milieu has the potential to affect
      therapeutic change; (b) the milieu itself functions as a therapeutic agent; (c)
      the milieu provides a context for modeling and practicing desired behaviors; and
      (d) MT is a principle-based ethos, rather than a set of specific interventions.
      Implications of these findings for social work research, practice, and funding
      are discussed.

PMID- 27257365
TI  - Effects of Neighborhood Characteristics on Length of Inpatient Stay: Findings
      from the U.S. National Data.
AB  - Using a nationally representative U.S. sample, this study examined the extent to
      which neighborhood characteristics affected length of inpatient stay (LOS) in the
      United States. Data were obtained from the 2012 Area Health Resource Files. A
      total of 3,148 U.S. counties were included in the study. Generalized linear
      models and the geographically weighted regression model were used to examine the
      extent to which neighborhood characteristics affected LOS and its spatial
      variation. Exploratory spatial data analysis was also conducted to examine the
      geographic patterns in LOS. Hospital bed capacity was found to be the strongest
      predictor of LOS. Counties with a lower poverty rate, a lower uninsured rate, a
      higher proportion of female residents, a higher proportion of residents living in
      urban areas, and more diverse racial groups had a longer LOS. Significant spatial
      clustering pattern of LOS was also found. Findings suggest that social work
      professionals should be aware of spatial disparity in health care resources and
      develop ways of providing equitable health care for vulnerable populations in
      socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

PMID- 27257368
TI  - Precision-Cut Kidney Slices as a Tool to Understand the Dynamics of Extracellular
      Matrix Remodeling in Renal Fibrosis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to set up an ex vivo model for renal interstitial
      fibrosis in order to investigate the extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover profile
      in the fibrotic kidney. We induced kidney fibrosis in fourteen 12-week-old male
      Sprague Dawley rats by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) surgery of the right
      ureter. The left kidney (contralateral) was used as internal control. Six rats
      were sham operated and used as the control group. Rats were terminated two weeks
      after the surgery; the kidneys were excised and precision-cut kidney slices
      (PCKSs) were cultured for five days in serum-free medium. Markers of collagen
      type I formation (P1NP), collagen type I and III degradation (C1M and C3M), and
      alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) were measured in the PCKS supernatants by
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. P1NP, C1M, C3M, and alpha-SMA were increased
      up to 2- to 13-fold in supernatants of tissue slices from the UUO-ligated kidneys
      compared with the contralateral kidneys (P < 0.001) and with the kidneys of sham
      operated animals (P < 0.0001). The markers could also reflect the level of
      fibrosis in different animals. The UUO PCKS ex vivo model provides a valuable
      translational tool for investigating the extracellular matrix remodeling
      associated with renal interstitial fibrosis. 

PMID- 27257369
TI  - A Case of Organizing Pneumonia (OP) Associated with Pembrolizumab.
AB  - Until recently, chemotherapy for metastatic melanoma had disappointing results.
      The identification of immune checkpoints such as CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 has led to
      the development of an array of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). These immunologic
      approaches against tumoral cells come with a novel kind of side effects that the
      clinician needs to be familiarized with. Herein, we report for the first time a
      case of organizing pneumonia, based on imaging and cytological analyses of
      bronchoalveolar lavage, possibly associated with the use of pembrolizumab, an
      anti-PD-1 Mab recently approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. 

PMID- 27257370
TI  - Neurofibromatosis: an update of ophthalmic characteristics and applications of
      optical coherence tomography.
AB  - Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a multisystem disorder and tumor predisposition
      syndrome caused by genetic mutation on chromosome 17-17q11.2 in NF type 1 (NF1),
      and on chromosome 22-22q12.2 in NF type 2. The disorder is characterized by
      considerable heterogeneity of clinical expression. NF1 is the form with the most
      characteristic ocular manifestations. Lisch nodules of the iris are among the
      well-known diagnostic criteria for the disease. Glaucoma and associated globe
      enlargement have been described in a significant proportion of patients with NF1
      and orbital-facial involvement. Optic nerve glioma may cause strabismus and
      proptosis, and palpebral neurofibroma may reach considerable size and
      occasionally show malignant transformation. Near infrared reflectance has greatly
      contributed to enhancing our knowledge on choroidal alterations in NF1. Indeed,
      some authors have proposed to include these among the diagnostic criteria.
      Optical coherence tomography has given new insight on retinal alterations and is
      a noninvasive tool in the management of optic nerve gliomas in children. Ocular
      manifestations in NF type 2 can range from early-onset cataracts in up to 80% of
      cases to optic nerve hamartomas and combined pigment epithelial and retinal
      hamartomas. 

PMID- 27257372
TI  - Tear volume estimation using a modified Schirmer test: a randomized, multicenter,
      double-blind trial comparing 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution and artificial
      tears in dry eye patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using a modified Schirmer test
      to determine the increase in tear volume after administration of 3% diquafosol
      ophthalmic solution (diquafosol 3%) in dry eye patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
      randomized, multicenter, prospective, double-blind clinical study recruited 50
      qualified subjects. They received diquafosol 3% in one eye and artificial tears
      in the other eye. The study protocol comprised a screening and treatment
      procedure completed within 1 day. The Schirmer test was performed on closed eyes
      three times a day. The primary efficacy end points were the second Schirmer test
      scores 10 minutes after the single dose. Secondary end points were the third
      Schirmer test scores 3 hours and 40 minutes after the single dose and the symptom
      scores prior to the second and third Schirmer tests. RESULTS: According to the
      Schirmer test, 10 minutes after administration, diquafosol 3% significantly
      increased tear volume compared to artificial tears. Diquafosol 3% and artificial
      tears both showed significant improvements in the symptom scores compared to
      baseline. However, there was no significant difference in the symptoms score
      between diquafosol 3% and artificial tears. CONCLUSION: The modified Schirmer
      test can detect a minute change in tear volume in dry eye patients. These
      findings will be useful in the diagnosis of dry eye, assessment of treatment
      benefits in daily clinical practice, and the development of possible tear
      secreting compounds for dry eye.

PMID- 27257371
TI  - Ocular manifestations of Sturge-Weber syndrome: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and
      management.
AB  - Sturge-Weber syndrome has been included in the group of phakomatoses that is
      characterized by hamartomas involving the brain, skin, and eyes. The
      characteristic facial port-wine stain, involving the first branch of the
      trigeminal nerve and the embryonic vasculature distribution in this area, leads
      to several ocular complications of the anterior segment and can involve the
      eyelids and conjunctiva. The posterior segment of the eyes is also affected with
      diffuse choroidal hemangiomas. However, the most frequent ocular comorbidity is
      glaucoma with a prevalence rate ranging from 30%-70%. Glaucoma is related to
      anterior chamber malformations, high episcleral venous pressure (EVP), and
      changes in ocular hemodynamics. Glaucoma can be diagnosed at birth, but the
      disease can also develop during childhood and in adults. The management of
      glaucoma in Sturge-Weber syndrome patients is particularly challenging because of
      early onset, frequently associated severe visual field impairment at the time of
      diagnosis, and unresponsiveness to standard treatment. Several surgical
      approaches have been proposed, but long-term prognosis for both intraocular
      pressure control and visual function remains unsatisfactory in these patients.
      Choroidal hemangiomas may also lead to visual impairment thorough exudative
      retinal detachment and macular edema. Treatment of exudative hemangioma
      complications is aimed at destructing the tumor or decreasing tumor leakage. 

PMID- 27257373
TI  - The IMPACT study: a prospective evaluation of the effects of cyclosporine
      ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% on ocular surface staining and visual performance in
      patients with dry eye.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cyclosporine
      ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% on ocular surface staining and visual performance in
      patients with dry eye. METHODS: This was a single-center, 6-month, open-label,
      Phase IV study. Patients with bilateral dry eye disease and a symptom score of
      >=2 on the Ocular Discomfort and 4-Symptom Questionnaire, an Ocular Surface
      Disease Index score of >12, at least one eye with Schirmer's score <10 mm/5
      minutes, and central corneal staining graded as >=2 on the Ora CalibraTM Corneal
      and Conjunctival Staining Scale were enrolled. Cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion
      0.05% (Restasis((r))) was instilled twice daily in each eye. The primary efficacy
      endpoints were ocular surface staining and visual function at 6 months. Secondary
      outcome measures included Schirmer's test, tear film breakup time, symptoms, and
      adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients with the mean age of 59.4 years
      (range, 40-78 years) were enrolled; 35 (87.5%) were female and 37 (92.5%)
      completed the study. At 6 months, inferior corneal, central corneal, total
      corneal, and total ocular surface fluorescein staining were significantly
      improved from baseline in both eyes (P<0.001). Patient responses on the Ocular
      Surface Disease Index showed significant improvement in blurred vision and visual
      function related to reading, driving at night, working with a computer or bank
      machine, and watching television (P<=0.041). At 6 months, 35.1% of patients
      achieved >=5 mm improvement and 18.9% achieved >=10 mm improvement in the average
      eye Schirmer score. Mean tear film breakup time improved by >50% in both eyes
      (P>0.001). Patients reported significant improvement in ocular discomfort and dry
      eye symptoms (P<0.001). No patients discontinued treatment because of stinging or
      any other ocular adverse event. CONCLUSION: Dry eye patients with difficulties
      with day-to-day visual function demonstrated improvement in both signs and
      symptoms of dry eye and reported improved visual function after 6 months of
      treatment with cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05%.

PMID- 27257374
TI  - Association of psychological factors, patients' knowledge, and management among
      patients with erectile dysfunction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common health problems
      in men. ED can significantly affect a man's psychological well-being and overall
      health. PURPOSE: To investigate the association of psychological factors,
      patients' knowledge, and management among ED patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
      total of 93 patients with an age range from 31 to 81 years who have undergone
      treatment for ED were included in this study. RESULTS: It was found that the
      feeling of blame (P=0.001), guilt (P=0.001), anger or bitterness (P=0.001),
      depression (P=0.001), feeling like a failure (P=0.001), and the feeling of
      letting down a partner during intercourse (P=0.001) were significantly associated
      with ED. Age was also found to be significantly associated with patients'
      psychological scale (P=0.004). In addition, the majority of patients in this
      study practice the right method of administration of ED therapy. However, no
      significant correlation was found between patients' knowledge of ED therapy and
      demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that ED does affect
      psychological well-being of people. In addition, patient's knowledge about ED and
      its management is also crucial in ensuring that the patient achieves optimal
      therapeutic outcomes from ED therapy.

PMID- 27257375
TI  - Patient perspectives on fluticasone-vilanterol versus other corticosteroid
      combination products for the treatment of asthma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fluticasone furoate (FF), an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and
      vilanterol (VI), a long-acting beta2 receptor agonist (LABA), is a new
      combination used in an Ellipta((r)) device. This article compares FF-VI to other
      ICS-LABA combinations available, particularly emphasizing product selection from
      the patient perspective. DATA SOURCES: A PubMED and EMBASE search completed in
      October 2015 identified trials using the MeSH terms "fluticasone", "vilanterol",
      and "asthma". Additional information was gathered from references cited in the
      identified publications, the manufacturer, package insert, and ClinicalTrials.gov
      registry. STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: Preference was given to randomized
      controlled clinical trials. Animal trials, trials for COPD, and non-English
      sources were excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS: Seven efficacy trials of FF-VI in asthma
      were identified. Only one (24 weeks) trial compared FF-VI to another ICS-LABA
      combination (fluticasone propionate-salmeterol). Primary outcomes (usually lung
      function) and secondary outcomes (eg, quality of life and symptom scores) were
      comparable. In three FF-VI safety trials, the type and frequency of common
      adverse reactions (ie, thrush and dysphonia) were similar to those in clinical
      trials. Over 90% of subjects rated the Ellipta((r)) device as "easy to use" and
      demonstrated correct device technique initially and at 4 weeks. CONCLUSION:
      Individuals may have drug- and device-specific preferences that should be
      incorporated into therapeutic decision making. Limited data indicate that
      clinical and patient-oriented efficacy/safety outcomes of FF-VI are likely
      comparable to other available combinations for adults with asthma. Patient
      friendly features include once-daily dosing, flexibility of dose timing, and
      design/ease of the use of the device. Additional larger and long-term comparative
      studies are needed to determine whether these features translate into greater
      efficacy, safety, patient preference, or adherence versus other ICS-LABA
      combinations. In the next few years, the availability of less expensive generic
      ICS-LABA products may strongly influence patient preference.

PMID- 27257376
TI  - The prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among Polish surgical
      patients over 65 years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality
      among adults in Poland. A number of risk factors have significant influence on
      CVD incidence. Early identification of risk factors related to our lifestyle
      facilitates taking proper actions aiming at the reduction of their negative
      impact on health. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of CVD
      risk factors between patients aged over 65 years and patients of other age groups
      in surgical wards. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted for assessment
      and finding the distribution of major risk factors of CVD among 420 patients aged
      18-84 years who were hospitalized in surgical wards. Interview, anthropometric
      measurements, blood pressure, and fasting blood tests for biochemical analysis
      were conducted in all subjects. Statistical analysis of the material was
      performed using Student's t-test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann
      Whitney U-test, and analysis of variance. RESULTS: While abdominal obesity
      (83.3%), overweight and obesity (68%), hypertension (65.1%), hypercholesterolemia
      (33.3%), and low level of physical activity (29.1%) were the most common CVD risk
      factors among patients over 65 years old, abdominal obesity (36.2%), overweight
      and obesity (36.1%), and current smoking were the most common CVD risk factors
      among patients up to the age of 35. In the age group over 65, the least prevalent
      risk factors for CVD were diabetes mellitus (14.8%), depressive episodes (13.6%),
      abuse of alcohol (11.4%), and smoking (7.8%). In the group under 35 years, we
      have not reported any cases of hypercholesterolemia and a lesser number of
      patients suffered from diabetes and HTN. CONCLUSION: Distribution of the major
      risk factors for CVD is quite high in the adult population, especially in the age
      group over 65, which can result in serious problems of health and increased rates
      of chronic diseases, especially CVDs.

PMID- 27257377
TI  - Switching to low-dose oral prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone from WHO-Step I
      drugs in elderly patients with chronic pain at high risk of early opioid
      discontinuation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Chronic pain has a high prevalence in the aging population. Strong
      opioids also should be considered in older people for the treatment of moderate
      to severe pain or for pain that impairs functioning and the quality of life. This
      study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the direct switch to low-dose
      strong opioids (World Health Organization-Step III drugs) in elderly, opioid
      naive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective,
      observational study in opioid-naive patients aged >=75 years, with moderate to
      severe chronic pain (>6-month duration) and constipation, who initiated treatment
      with prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone (OXN-PR). Patients were re-evaluated
      after 15, 30, and 60 days (T60, final observation). Response to treatment was
      defined as an improvement in pain of >=30% after 30 days of therapy without
      worsening of constipation. RESULTS: One-hundred and eighty-six patients (mean +/-
      SD age 80.7+/-4.7 years; 64.5% women) with severe chronic pain (mean average pain
      intensity 7.1+/-1.0 on the 11-point numerical rating scale) and constipation
      (mean Bowel Function Index 64.1+/-24.4; 89.2% of patients on laxatives) were
      initiated treatment with OXN-PR (mean daily dose 11.3+/-3.5 mg). OXN-PR reduced
      pain intensity rapidly and was well tolerated; 63.4% of patients responded to
      treatment with OXN-PR. At T60 (mean daily OXN-PR dose, 21.5+/-9.7 mg), the pain
      intensity was reduced by 66.7%. In addition, bowel function improved (mean
      decrease of Bowel Function Index from baseline to T60, -28.2, P<0.0001) and the
      use of laxatives decreased. Already after 15 days and throughout treatment, ~70%
      of patients perceived their status as much/extremely improved. Only 1.6% of
      patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. CONCLUSION: Low-dose OXN
      PR in elderly patients naive to opioids proved to be an effective option for the
      treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain. Large-scale trials are needed to
      improve clinical guidance in the assessment and treatment of pain in older
      people.

PMID- 27257378
TI  - Left ventricular structure and remodeling in patients with COPD.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data on cardiac alterations such as left ventricular (LV)
      hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and lower stroke volume in patients with COPD
      are discordant. In this study, we investigated whether early structural and
      functional cardiac changes occur in patients with COPD devoid of manifest
      cardiovascular disease, and we assessed their associations with clinical and
      functional features. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with COPD belonging to all
      Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classes were
      enrolled and compared with 36 controls. All subjects underwent clinical history
      assessment, lung function testing, blood pressure measurement,
      electrocardiography, and conventional and Doppler tissue echocardiography.
      Patients were also subjected to computed tomography to quantify emphysema score.
      RESULTS: Patients with COPD had lower LV cavity associated with a marked increase
      in relative wall thickness (RWT), suggesting concentric remodeling without
      significant changes in LV mass. RWT was significantly associated with ratio of
      the forced expiratory volume in 1 second to the forced vital capacity and
      emphysema score and was the only cardiac parameter that - after multivariate
      analysis - significantly correlated with COPD conditions in all individuals.
      Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that RWT (with a cutoff
      point of 0.42) predicted the severity of COPD with 83% specificity and 56%
      sensitivity (area under the curve =0.69, 95% confidence interval =0.59-0.81).
      Patients with COPD showed right ventricular to be functional but no structural
      changes. CONCLUSION: Patients with COPD without evident cardiovascular disease
      exhibit significant changes in LV geometry, resulting in concentric remodeling.
      In all individuals, RWT was significantly and independently related to COPD.
      However, its prognostic role should be determined in future studies.

PMID- 27257379
TI  - Cellular uptake and fate of fibroin microspheres loaded with randomly fragmented
      DNA in 3T3 cells.
AB  - Purified fibroin protein can be obtained in large quantities from silk fibers and
      processed to form microscopic particles as delivery vehicles for therapeutic
      agents. In this study, we demonstrated that fibroin microspheres were taken up by
      3T3 cells, localized in the nonlysosomal compartment, and secreted from the
      cytoplasm after medium replenishment. DNA-loaded microspheres were taken up by
      >95% of 3T3 cells. DNA cargo had no influence on the intracellular trafficking of
      microspheres, while fluorescently labeled cargo DNA was observed in the lysosomal
      compartment and in the microspheres. These results indicate that fibroin
      microspheres can travel through 3T3 cells without making any contact with the
      lysosomal compartments. The amount of DNA loaded in the microspheres taken up by
      3T3 cells was estimated up to 831.0 pg/cell. Thus, fibroin microspheres can
      deliver a large amount of randomly fragmented DNA (<10 kb) into the cytoplasmic
      compartment of 3T3 cells. 

PMID- 27257380
TI  - Spectrum of epilepsy - prevalence, impact, and treatment gap: an epidemiological
      study from Al-Quseir, Egypt.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidemiology continues to be an important research tool in the study
      of epilepsy and related disorders, providing a better understanding of the
      frequency, causes, and natural history of the disorder. OBJECTIVE: To estimate
      the prevalence of epilepsy in Al-Quseir, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt, and its
      magnitude of treatment gap. METHODS: The study was part of a door-to-door study,
      including every door, to screen all inhabitants in Al-Quseir (33,818 inhabitants)
      by three specialists of neurology and 15 female social workers (for demographic
      data collection) using a standardized screening questionnaire. All suspected
      cases were subjected to detailed history, clinical examination, and
      electroencephalogram. Neuroimaging studies and estimation of serum drug level
      were done in select cases if needed. RESULTS: The study revealed that the
      lifetime prevalence rate of epilepsy in Al-Quseir is 5.5/1,000, with the highest
      peak during early childhood, while that of active epilepsy is 3.3/1,000
      population. The annual incidence rate is 48/100,000, and the age-specific
      incidence rate has a U-shaped pattern with two peaks of incidence in early
      infancy and elderly life. Localization-related epilepsy is the most frequently
      encountered type (58.8%). The treatment gap of epilepsy in Al-Quseir is 83.8%.
      CONCLUSION: The lifetime prevalence of epilepsy in Al-Quseir city, Red Sea
      Governorate, was 5.5/1000.

PMID- 27257381
TI  - Clinical potential of eluxadoline in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant
      irritable bowel syndrome.
AB  - Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) belongs to the group of
      functional gastrointestinal disorders and is characterized by abdominal pain in
      conjunction with diarrhea. The incidence of IBS-D is currently increasing,
      leading to a heavy economic burden for patients and health care systems
      worldwide. Recent studies suggest eluxadoline as an attractive new tool for the
      treatment of patients with IBS-D. Eluxadoline is an orally active MU- and kappa
      opioid receptor agonist and delta-opioid receptor antagonist, with powerful
      antidiarrheal and analgesic activity. Eluxadoline is believed to act locally in
      the enteric nervous system, and has no adverse effects in the central nervous
      system. In this review, we discuss the most recent findings on the mechanism of
      action of eluxadoline and the results of the clinical trials in patients with IBS
      D. We also discuss possible side effects and analyze the potential of eluxadoline
      to be used in the treatment of IBS-D. 

PMID- 27257382
TI  - The Relationship Between Eating Disorder Symptoms and Treatment Rejection among
      Young Adult Men in Residential Substance Use Treatment.
AB  - Research has demonstrated that individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs)
      and comorbid mental health problems evidence heightened negative consequences,
      including poorer treatment outcomes, a higher risk for relapse, and mortality
      compared to individuals with a single disorder. In this study, we focus on the
      comorbidity between SUDs and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology, as EDs are
      similarly associated with high rates of relapse, morbidity, and mortality. Of
      particular importance is research examining treatment rejection among individuals
      in treatment for SUDs with cooccurring ED symptomatology. This study seeks to add
      to the literature by examining treatment rejection among young adult men in
      residential treatment for SUDs (N = 68) with cooccurring ED symptomatology.
      Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that ED symptoms were
      significantly associated with treatment rejection after controlling for alcohol
      and drug use and problems and depression symptoms. Although this is a preliminary
      study, the results add to a growing body of research examining the comorbidity
      between SUDs and ED symptomatology. Future research examining this relationship
      is needed to further elucidate the treatment patterns among individuals with
      comorbid ED symptoms and substance use diagnoses. 

PMID- 27257383
TI  - Inequalities in the Impact of National Reimbursement of Smoking Cessation
      Pharmacotherapy and the Influence of Injunctive Norms: An Explorative Study.
AB  - In 2011, the Dutch government reimbursed smoking cessation pharmacotherapy with
      behavioral therapy for quitting smokers. We investigate whether inequalities in
      the use of pharmacotherapy change and, if not, whether this is due to a
      relatively positive injunctive norm in lower socioeconomic status (SES) groups. A
      total of 75,415 participants aged >=15 years from the Dutch Continuous Survey of
      Smoking Habits, 2009-2012, were considered with the following measures: SES
      (education/income), injunctive norm (mostly acceptable/neutral/mostly
      unacceptable), period (2011/all other years), and pharmacotherapy use (yes/no).
      The proportion of low SES smokers compared with high SES smokers making quit
      attempts with pharmacotherapy did not differ significantly. The injunctive norm
      of low SES smokers differed significantly from high SES smokers and nonsmokers of
      all SES levels. Low income smokers with mostly acceptable injunctive norms were
      significantly less likely to make quit attempts using pharmacotherapy than those
      with a neutral or less accepting injunctive norm. The significantly lower use of
      pharmacotherapy in quit attempts in low income smokers with a positive injunctive
      norm toward smoking may partly underlie the lack of uptake of reimbursed
      pharmacotherapy in low SES smokers. 

PMID- 27257384
TI  - Substance Use Disorder in Early Midlife: A National Prospective Study on Health
      and Well-Being Correlates and Long-Term Predictors.
AB  - This study used national multicohort panel data from the Monitoring the Future
      study (N = 25,536 from senior year classes 1977-1997 followed up to the age of 35
      years in 1994-2014) to examine how early midlife (age 35 years) alcohol use
      disorder (AUD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD) are associated with adolescent and
      adult sociodemographics and health and well-being risk factors. Survey items
      adapted from DSM-5 diagnostic criteria were used to identify individuals who (a)
      showed symptoms consistent with criteria for AUD or CUD at age 35 years, (b) used
      the substance without qualifying for a disorder (nondisordered users), and (c)
      abstained from using alcohol or marijuana during the past five years. At age 35
      years, the estimated prevalence of past five-year AUD was 28.0%, and that of CUD
      was 6.1%. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to identify variations in
      the relative risk of disorder symptoms as a function of sociodemographic
      characteristics, age 18 educational and social indices and substance use, and age
      35 health and satisfaction indices and substance use. In the full models, age 18
      binge drinking and marijuana use were found to be among the strongest predictors
      of age 35 AUD and CUD, respectively. Among age 35 health and well-being
      indicators, lower overall health, more frequent cognitive difficulties, and lower
      satisfaction with spouse/partner were consistently associated with greater risks
      of AUD and CUD. Some evidence was found for a J-shaped association between age 35
      AUD or CUD status and health and well-being indices, such that nondisordered
      users were sometimes better off than both abstainers and those experiencing
      disorder. Finally, nondisordered cannabis use, but not CUD, was found to be more
      common in more recent cohorts. Implications are discussed regarding the
      importance of placing early midlife substance use disorder within the context of
      both adolescent substance use and adult health and well-being. 

PMID- 27257385
TI  - Alcohol Consumption at Any Level Increases Risk of Injury Caused by Others: Data
      from the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol use is a well-known risk factor for injury. However,
      information is needed about alcohol drinking patterns and the risk of injury
      among older adults in low- and middle-income countries as this population grows.
      We aimed to examine the influence of drinking patterns on the burden of injury
      and investigate factors associated with different types of injury in older
      populations in six emerging economies. METHODS: Data from more than 37,000 adults
      aged 50 years and older were included from the Study on Global AGEing and Adult
      Health (SAGE) Wave 1 conducted in six emerging economies, namely, China, Ghana,
      India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. We investigated past-year reported
      injuries from falls, traffic accidents, and being hit or stabbed. Alcohol
      drinking patterns were measured as lifetime abstinence, ever but not past- week
      use, and gender-specific past-week low-risk and high-risk use. We stratified by
      gender and used logistic regression models to observe the association between
      alcohol drinking pattern and risk of injury by controlling for other factors.
      RESULTS: During the year prior to interview, 627 (2.2%) subjects reported bodily
      injury resulting from a car accident, 1,156 (4.2%) from a fall, and 339 (0.9%)
      from being hit or stabbed during the past year. For women, only being a high-risk
      drinker increased the risk of being hit or stabbed, whereas for men, all levels
      of drinking were associated with an increased risk of being hit or stabbed. We
      observed a higher risk of being hit or stabbed from past-week high-risk drinking
      among women (odds ratio [OR] = 6.09, P < 0.01) than among men (OR = 3.57, P <
      0.01). We observed no association between alcohol drinking pattern and injury due
      to car accidents for either women or men. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of experiencing
      injury due to violence increased with level of alcohol exposure of the victim.
      The increase in alcohol use in emerging economies calls for further study into
      the consequences of alcohol use and for public health initiatives to reduce the
      risk of violence in older adult populations, with special attention to the
      experience of older adult women.

PMID- 27257386
TI  - Methodological Issues in Predicting Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Candidates Through
      Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We describe the development and evaluation of a system that uses
      machine learning and natural language processing techniques to identify potential
      candidates for surgical intervention for drug-resistant pediatric epilepsy. The
      data are comprised of free-text clinical notes extracted from the electronic
      health record (EHR). Both known clinical outcomes from the EHR and manual chart
      annotations provide gold standards for the patient's status. The following
      hypotheses are then tested: 1) machine learning methods can identify epilepsy
      surgery candidates as well as physicians do and 2) machine learning methods can
      identify candidates earlier than physicians do. These hypotheses are tested by
      systematically evaluating the effects of the data source, amount of training
      data, class balance, classification algorithm, and feature set on classifier
      performance. The results support both hypotheses, with F-measures ranging from
      0.71 to 0.82. The feature set, classification algorithm, amount of training data,
      class balance, and gold standard all significantly affected classification
      performance. It was further observed that classification performance was better
      than the highest agreement between two annotators, even at one year before
      documented surgery referral. The results demonstrate that such machine learning
      methods can contribute to predicting pediatric epilepsy surgery candidates and
      reducing lag time to surgery referral.

PMID- 27257387
TI  - Mobile Health (mHealth) Services and Online Health Educators.
AB  - Mobile technology enables health-care organizations to extend health-care
      services by providing a suitable environment to achieve mobile health (mHealth)
      goals, making some health-care services accessible anywhere and anytime.
      Introducing mHealth could change the business processes in delivering services to
      patients. mHealth could empower patients as it becomes necessary for them to
      become involved in the health-care processes related to them. This includes the
      ability for patients to manage their personal information and interact with
      health-care staff as well as among patients themselves. The study proposes a new
      position to supervise mHealth services: the online health educator (OHE). The OHE
      should be occupied by special health-care staffs who are trained in managing
      online services. A survey was conducted in Brunei and Indonesia to discover the
      roles of OHE in managing mHealth services, followed by a focus group discussion
      with participants who interacted with OHE in a real online health scenario. Data
      analysis showed that OHE could improve patients' confidence and satisfaction in
      health-care services. 

PMID- 27257388
TI  - Upregulation of Cyclooxygenase-2/Prostaglandin E2 (COX-2/PGE2) Pathway Member
      Multiple Drug Resistance-Associated Protein 4 (MRP4) and Downregulation of
      Prostaglandin Transporter (PGT) and 15-Prostaglandin Dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) in
      Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
AB  - Elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are
      indicators of a poor prognosis in breast cancer. Using several independent
      publicly available breast cancer gene expression databases, we investigated other
      members of the PGE2 pathway. PGE2 is produced by COX-2 and actively exported by
      multiple drug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4) into the extracellular
      microenvironment, where PGE2 can bind four cognate EP receptors (EP1-EP4) and
      initiate diverse biological signaling pathways. Alternatively, PGE2 is imported
      via the prostaglandin transporter (PGT) and metabolized by 15-prostaglandin
      dehydrogenase (15-PGDH/HPGD). We made the novel observation that MRP4, PGT, and
      15-PGDH are differentially expressed among distinct breast cancer molecular
      subtypes; this finding was confirmed in independent datasets. In triple-negative
      breast cancer, the observed gene expression pattern (high COX-2, high MRP4, low
      PGT, and low 15-PGDH) would favor high levels of tumor-promoting PGE2 in the
      tumor microenvironment that may contribute to the overall poor prognosis of
      triple-negative breast cancer. 

PMID- 27257389
TI  - United airway disease: current perspectives.
AB  - Upper and lower airways are considered a unified morphological and functional
      unit, and the connection existing between them has been observed for many years,
      both in health and in disease. There is strong epidemiologic, pathophysiologic,
      and clinical evidence supporting an integrated view of rhinitis and asthma:
      united airway disease in the present review. The term "united airway disease" is
      opportune, because rhinitis and asthma are chronic inflammatory diseases of the
      upper and lower airways, which can be induced by allergic or nonallergic
      reproducible mechanisms, and present several phenotypes. Management of rhinitis
      and asthma must be jointly carried out, leading to better control of both
      diseases, and the lessons of the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma
      initiative cannot be forgotten. 

PMID- 27257390
TI  - Estimated hospital costs associated with preventable health care-associated
      infections if health care antiseptic products were unavailable.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant health
      care and cost burden. This study estimates annual HAI hospital costs in the US
      avoided through use of health care antiseptics (health care personnel hand washes
      and rubs; surgical hand scrubs and rubs; patient preoperative and preinjection
      skin preparations). METHODS: A spreadsheet model was developed with base case
      inputs derived from the published literature, supplemented with assumptions when
      data were insufficient. Five HAIs of interest were identified: catheter
      associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream
      infections, gastrointestinal infections caused by Clostridium difficile, hospital
      or ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections. A national
      estimate of the annual potential lost benefits from elimination of these products
      is calculated based on the number of HAIs, the proportion of HAIs that are
      preventable, the proportion of preventable HAIs associated with health care
      antiseptics, and HAI hospital costs. The model is designed to be user friendly
      and to allow assumptions about prevention across all infections to vary or stay
      the same. Sensitivity analyses provide low- and high-end estimates of costs
      avoided. RESULTS: Low- and high-end estimates of national, annual HAIs in
      hospitals avoided through use of health care antiseptics are 12,100 and 223,000,
      respectively, with associated hospital costs avoided of US$142 million and
      US$4.25 billion, respectively. CONCLUSION: The model presents a novel approach to
      estimating the economic impact of health care antiseptic use for HAI avoidance,
      with the ability to vary model parameters to reflect specific scenarios. While
      not all HAIs are avoidable, removing or limiting access to an effective
      preventive tool would have a substantial impact on patient well-being and
      infection costs. HAI avoidance through use of health care antiseptics has a
      demonstrable and substantial impact on health care expenditures; the costs here
      are exclusive of administrative penalties or long-term outcomes for patients and
      caregivers such as lost productivity or indirect costs.

PMID- 27257391
TI  - A randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blinded, split-faced clinical trial
      evaluating the efficacy and safety of KLOX-001 gel formulation with KLOX light
      emitting diode light on facial rejuvenation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Many treatment modalities exist to counteract the effects of cutaneous
      aging. Ablative methods have been the mainstay for nonsurgical facial
      rejuvenation. In recent years, nonablative techniques have been developed with
      the aim of achieving facial rejuvenation without epidermal damage. Light-emitting
      diode (LED) photorejuvenation is a novel nonablative technique that induces
      collagen synthesis through biophotomodulatory pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      single-center, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, split-faced
      clinical trial was designed. Thirty-two patients were enrolled for a 12-week
      study. Patients were randomized into one of four groups: Group A, treatment with
      KLOX-001 gel formulation and white LED (placebo) light; Group B, treatment with a
      placebo/base gel (no active chromophore) formulation and KLOX LED light; Group C,
      treatment with KLOX-001 gel formulation and KLOX LED light; and Group D,
      treatment with the standard skin rejuvenating treatment (0.1% retinol-based
      cream). Patients received treatment at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 3, and returned to the
      clinic at weeks 4, 8, and 12 for clinical assessments performed by an
      independent, blinded committee of physicians using subjective clinician
      assessment scales. Tolerability, adverse outcomes, and patient satisfaction were
      also assessed. RESULTS: Analysis demonstrated that the KLOX LED light with KLOX
      placebo/base gel and the KLOX LED light + KLOX-001 gel formulation groups were
      superior to standard of care and KLOX-001 gel formulation with placebo light on
      subjective clinical assessment and multiple wrinkle scales, with statistically
      significant results obtained for brow positioning, perioral wrinkling, and total
      wrinkle score. CONCLUSION: The study results show that KLOX LED light with KLOX
      001 gel formulation and KLOX LED light with KLOX placebo/base gel are effective,
      safe, well-tolerated, and painless treatment modalities for skin rejuvenation.

PMID- 27257393
TI  - Temporal trend in the use of hysteroscopic vs laparoscopic sterilization and the
      characteristics of commercially insured and Medicaid-insured females in the US
      who have had the procedures.
AB  - PURPOSE: Limited research has examined the factors associated with female
      permanent contraception procedures. This study evaluated the temporal trend in
      the use of hysteroscopic sterilization (HS) vs laparoscopic sterilization (LS)
      and characteristics of commercially insured and Medicaid-insured women in the US
      who have had the procedures. METHODS: Women aged 15-49 years with claims for HS
      and LS procedures were identified from two MarketScan databases, one consisting
      of commercial claims and the other Medicaid claims, during the time period of
      January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2012 and January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011,
      respectively. Proportions and characteristics of women who underwent HS or LS
      procedures were determined. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to
      identify characteristics associated with the use of HS vs LS. RESULTS:
      Commercially insured women who had HS (n=32,012) vs LS (n=64,725) were slightly
      older (37.2 years vs 36.4 years, respectively, P<0.001) but had similar Charlson
      Comorbidity Index scores. Among commercially insured women, those who had a
      sterilization procedure during 2008-2012 were more likely to undergo HS (odds
      ratio: 7.1, P<0.001) than those who had a sterilization procedure during 2003
      2007. Medicaid-insured women who had HS (n=2,001) were also slightly older than
      women who had LS (n=12,523; 30.1 years vs 28.8 years, respectively, P<0.001) but
      had a higher mean Charlson Comorbidity Index score (0.32 vs 0.25, respectively,
      P<0.001). Among Medicaid-insured women, the likelihood of having HS vs LS
      increased 3.3-fold (P<0.001) in years 2009-2011 compared to years 2006-2008.
      Among both populations, older age, obesity, and the use of oral contraceptives
      within the previous 12 months were associated with having HS vs LS. CONCLUSION:
      Among both commercially insured and Medicaid-insured women, the likelihood of
      having HS vs LS increased over time.

PMID- 27257392
TI  - Identifying the symptom and functional domains in patients with fibromyalgia:
      results of a cross-sectional Internet-based survey in Italy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of this cross-sectional study were to investigate the
      usefulness of using an Internet survey of patients with fibromyalgia in order to
      obtain information concerning symptoms and functionality and identify clusters of
      clinical features that can distinguish patient subsets. METHODS: An Internet
      website has been used to collect data. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised
      version, self-administered Fibromyalgia Activity Score, and Self-Administered
      Pain Scale were used as questionnaires. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was
      applied to the data obtained in order to identify symptoms and functional-based
      subgroups. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-three patients completed the study
      (85.3% women). The highest scored items were those related to sleep quality,
      fatigue/energy, pain, stiffness, degree of tenderness, balance problems, and
      environmental sensitivity. A high proportion of patients reported pain in the
      neck (81.4%), upper back (70.1%), and lower back (83.2%). A three-cluster
      solution best fitted the data. The variables were significantly different
      (P<0.0001) among the three clusters: cluster 1 (117 patients) reflected the
      lowest average scores across all symptoms, cluster 3 (116 patients) the highest
      scores, and cluster 2 (120 patients) captured moderate symptom levels, with low
      depression and anxiety. CONCLUSION: Three subgroups of fibromyalgia samples in a
      large cohort of patients have been identified by using an Internet survey. This
      approach could provide rationale to support the study of individualized clinical
      evaluation and may be used to identify optimal treatment strategies.

PMID- 27257394
TI  - Persistent corneal epithelial defect responding to rebamipide ophthalmic solution
      in a patient with diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Rebamipide ophthalmic suspension was developed for the treatment of
      dry eyes and for other corneal diseases, promoting the secretion of both mucin in
      tear fluid and membrane-associated mucin, increasing the number of goblet cells,
      and restoring the barrier function of the corneal epithelium. We report a case of
      a persistent corneal epithelial defect in a patient with diabetes treated with
      topical application of rebamipide ophthalmic suspension. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73
      year-old woman had a history of type 2 diabetes for 35 years and nonproliferative
      diabetic retinopathy for 23 years. She presented to our department with discharge
      and ophthalmalgia in the left eye. A corneal ulcer was detected, and culture of
      corneal scrapings was performed, with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus
      canis being isolated. The infection was treated with levofloxacin eye drops and
      ofloxacin ophthalmic ointment based on the sensitivity profile of the isolate.
      However, a corneal epithelial defect persisted for approximately 2 months despite
      continuing treatment with 0.1% hyaluronic acid ophthalmic suspension and 0.3%
      ofloxacin eye ointment. Her hemoglobin A1c was 7.3%. The persistent corneal
      epithelial defect showed improvement at 2 weeks after treatment with rebamipide
      unit dose 2% ophthalmic suspension, and it did not recur even when vitrectomy was
      subsequently performed for vitreous hemorrhage due to progression of diabetic
      retinopathy. CONCLUSION: This is the first report about efficacy of rebamipide
      unit dose 2% ophthalmic suspension for presenting persistent corneal epithelial
      defect in a patient with diabetes. In the present case, the suggested mechanisms
      are the following: improving the corneal barrier function, stabilization of mucin
      on the keratoconjunctival epithelium, and improving the wettability and stability
      of the tear film, which resulted in the promotion of healing of the corneal
      epithelial defect in a short time period.

PMID- 27257395
TI  - The Healthy Weights Initiative: a community-based obesity reduction program with
      positive impact on depressed mood scores.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The risk for many chronic diseases increases with obesity. In
      addition to these, the risk for depression also increases. Exercise interventions
      for weight loss among those who are not overweight or obese have shown a moderate
      effect on depression, but few studies have looked at those with obesity. The
      objectives of this study were to determine 1) the prevalence of depressed mood in
      obese participants as determined by the Beck Depression Inventory II at baseline
      and follow-up; 2) the change in depressed mood between those who completed the
      program and those who did not; and 3) the differences between those whose
      depressed mood was alleviated after the program and those who continued to have
      depressed mood. METHODS: Depressed mood scores were calculated at baseline and
      follow-up for those who completed the program and for those who quit. Among those
      who completed the program, chi-squares were used to determine the differences
      between those who no longer had depressed mood and those who still had depressed
      mood at the end of the program, and regression analysis was used to determine the
      independent risk factors for still having depressed mood at program completion.
      RESULTS: Depressed mood prevalence decreased from 45.7% to 11.7% (P<0.000) from
      baseline to follow-up among those who completed the program and increased from
      44.8% to 55.6% (P<0.000) among those who quit. After logistic regression, a score
      of <40 in general health increased the risk of still having depressed mood upon
      program completion (odds ratio [OR] 3.39; 95% CI 1.18-9.72; P=0.023). CONCLUSION:
      Treating depressed mood among obese adults through a community-based, weight-loss
      program based on evidence may be an adjunct to medical treatment. More research
      is needed.

PMID- 27257396
TI  - The Role of Biomarkers in Decreasing Risk of Cardiac Toxicity after Cancer
      Therapy.
AB  - With the improvement of cancer therapy, survival related to malignancy has
      improved, but the prevalence of long-term cardiotoxicity has also increased.
      Cancer therapies with known cardiac toxicity include anthracyclines, biologic
      agents (trastuzumab), and multikinase inhibitors (sunitinib). The most frequent
      presentation of cardiac toxicity is dilated cardiomyopathy associated with
      poorest prognosis. Monitoring of cardiac toxicity is commonly performed by
      assessment of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, which requires a
      significant amount of myocardial damage to allow detection of cardiac toxicity.
      Accordingly, this creates the impetus to search for more sensitive and
      reproducible biomarkers of cardiac toxicity after cancer therapy. Different
      biomarkers have been proposed to that end, the most studied ones included
      troponin release resulting from cardiomyocyte damage and natriuretic peptides
      reflecting elevation in LV filling pressure and wall stress. Increase in the
      levels of troponin and natriuretic peptides have been correlated with cumulative
      dose of anthracycline and the degree of LV dysfunction. Troponin is recognized as
      a highly efficient predictor of early and chronic cardiac toxicity, but there
      remains some debate regarding the clinical usefulness of the measurement of
      natriuretic peptides because of divergent results. Preliminary data are available
      for other biomarkers targeting inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, myocardial
      ischemia, and neuregulin-1. The purpose of this article is to review the
      available data to determine the role of biomarkers in decreasing the risk of
      cardiac toxicity after cancer therapy. 

PMID- 27257397
TI  - Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphisms in Saudi Patients with Systemic Lupus
      Erythematosus.
AB  - Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a glycosylated protein with multiple biological
      properties. APOE gene polymorphism plays a central role in lipid metabolism and
      has recently been suggested to regulate inflammation. Our objective is to
      evaluate whether APOE polymorphism affects susceptibility to SLE. APOE genotyping
      was performed using ApoE StripAssayTM kit. Results indicated significantly higher
      frequencies of allele epsilon4 and genotype epsilon3/epsilon4 and lower
      frequencies of allele epsilon3 and genotype epsilon3/epsilon3 in SLE patients
      than controls. APOE epsilon2 allele was found in three patients, whereas it was
      absent in controls. The frequencies of allele epsilon4 and genotype
      epsilon3/epsilon4 were significantly higher in SLE patients with renal
      involvement and those of alleles epsilon2, epsilon4 and genotypes
      epsilon2/epsilon3, epsilon3/epsilon4 were higher in patients with
      neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is concluded that APOE allele epsilon4 is
      associated with susceptibility risk/clinical manifestations of SLE and epsilon2
      may increase its severity while epsilon3 is protective for SLE in Saudis. 

PMID- 27257398
TI  - Differences among Branded Hyaluronic Acids in Italy, Part 1: Data from In Vitro
      and Animal Studies and Instructions for Use.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) for intra-articular (IA) injection is
      widespread around the world for patients affected by osteoarthritis. AIM: The aim
      of this study is to identify scientific evidence from in vitro and in vivo
      studies supporting the use of IA HAs marketed in Italy. We also evaluated the
      accuracy of indications and contraindications reported in the leaflets of such
      HAs compared with the available scientific evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An
      extensive literature search was performed to identify all in vitro and in vivo
      model studies reporting on the effects of various HAs marketed in Italy for IA
      use. Data reported in the leaflets of different HA-based products for IA use were
      extracted and analyzed alongside evidence from in vitro and in vivo model
      studies. RESULTS: Nine in vitro studies and 11 studies on animal models were
      examined. Comparing results with what is reported in the leaflets of HAs marketed
      in Italy, it was observed that many branded formulations are introduced in the
      market without any reporting of basic scientific evidence. Only 12.82% and 17.95%
      of branded products had been shown to be effective with scientific evidence from
      in vitro and in vivo studies, respectively. The rationale of use of these
      products is based on their nature, as if a class effect existed such that all HAs
      would yield similar effects. CONCLUSIONS: Data on HAs deriving from in vitro and
      in vivo studies are scarce and relate to only a small percentage of products
      marketed in Italy. Many indications and contraindications are arbitrarily
      reported in Italian HA leaflets without the support of scientific evidence.
      Larger and brand-specific studies are necessary and should be reported in the
      leaflets to guide clinicians in making an appropriate choice regarding HA-based
      IA therapy.

PMID- 27257399
TI  - Failure of Femoral Access to Electrophysiological Evaluation Due to Aplasia of
      the Inferior Vena Cava.
AB  - We report an interesting case of a man with a persistent left superior vena cava
      (PLSVC) with left azygos vein who underwent electrophysiological evaluation.
      Further evaluation revealed congenital dilated azygos vein, while a segment
      connecting the inferior vena cava (IVC) to the hepatic vein and right atrium was
      missing. The azygos vein drained into the superior vena cava, and the hepatic
      veins drained directly into the right atrium. The patient did not have congenital
      anomalies of the remaining thoracoabdominal vasculature. 

PMID- 27257401
TI  - Posterior Epidural Migration of a Sequestrated Lumbar Disk Fragment Causing Cauda
      Equina Syndrome in an Old Patient: A Case Report.
AB  - Disk fragment relocation is commonly limited to the anterior epidural space,
      although posterior epidural movement of a sequestrated disk piece to the
      posterior epidural space is infrequent. We present an uncommon case of dorsal
      extradural sequestration of lumbar disk herniation. A 77-year-old man presented
      with severe leg pain, low back pain, and urinary incontinence. Deep tendon
      reflexes were inattentive at the knee and ankle, and the motor power in terms of
      ankle dorsiflexion and great toe dorsiflexion was 2/5 in both lower limbs. There
      was hypoesthesia in the S1, S2, and S3 dermatomes. Magnetic resonance imaging
      displayed a large isointensity lesion at the L4-L5 level on the T2 sagittal
      image, indenting circumferentially the thecal sac from lateral to posterior of
      the thecal sac. The patient underwent an L4-L5 central laminectomy. A large,
      solid epidural disk fragment was recognized dorsally, with major compression of
      the thecal sac. The patient report improved lower extremity motor function at
      three-month follow-up. A displaced disk fragment should be considered as
      causative when patients present with cauda equine syndrome and be treated as a
      surgical emergency. 

PMID- 27257400
TI  - Nearly Asymptomatic Eight-Month Thoracic Aortic Dissection.
AB  - Thoracic aortic dissection is a rare, but lethal, medical condition that is
      either misdiagnosed as a myocardial infarction or overlooked completely. Though
      thoracic aortic dissections are commonly diagnosed in patients exhibiting sharp
      chest pain, there are some notable cases where patients do not report the
      expected severity of pain. We report a unique case of a patient with a thoracic
      aortic dissection who was initially nearly asymptomatic for eight months, in
      order to heighten awareness, highlight diagnosis protocol, and improve prognosis
      for this commonly misdiagnosed, but fatal, condition. 

PMID- 27257402
TI  - Perinatal Outcomes of Monochorionic-Diamniotic Twin Pregnancies Uncomplicated at
      28 Weeks of Gestation.
AB  - We examined the prevalence of specific perinatal complications of monochorionic
      diamniotic twin pregnancies in cases without any abnormal findings until the
      second trimester of pregnancy. This was a retrospective cohort study performed at
      a tertiary perinatal center in Tokyo, Japan. There were 88 cases of uncomplicated
      monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies at 28 weeks of gestation. In five of
      them (5.7%), there were serious complications associated with placental
      circulatory imbalance between the twins during the third trimester of pregnancy.
      Two cases were complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome, two cases were
      complicated by twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, and one case was complicated by
      acute twin-twin transfusion syndrome. In the five cases, no abnormal
      ultrasonographic findings or symptoms were recognized one or two weeks prior to
      the diagnosis. Fifty-eight cases (65.9%) were delivered at term uneventfully.
      Serious complications due to placental circulatory imbalance between twins
      occurred in about 6% of cases during the third trimester of pregnancy. 

PMID- 27257403
TI  - Area variations in multiple morbidity using a life table methodology.
AB  - Analysis of healthy life expectancy is typically based on a binary distinction
      between health and ill-health. By contrast, this paper considers spatial
      modelling of disease free life expectancy taking account of the number of chronic
      conditions. Thus the analysis is based on population sub-groups with no disease,
      those with one disease only, and those with two or more diseases (multiple
      morbidity). Data on health status is accordingly modelled using a multinomial
      likelihood. The analysis uses data for 258 small areas in north London, and shows
      wide differences in the disease burden related to multiple morbidity. Strong
      associations between area socioeconomic deprivation and multiple morbidity are
      demonstrated, as well as strong spatial clustering.

PMID- 27257404
TI  - Astrophysical flows near [Formula: see text] gravity black holes.
AB  - In this paper, we study the accretion process for fluids flowing near a black
      hole in the context of f(T) teleparallel gravity. Specifically, by performing a
      dynamical analysis by a Hamiltonian system, we are able to find the sonic points.
      After that, we consider different isothermal test fluids in order to study the
      accretion process when they are falling onto the black hole. We find that these
      flows can be classified according to the equation of state and the black hole
      features. Results are compared in f(T) and f(R) gravity.

PMID- 27257405
TI  - Comparison of the 2D and 3D Nanostructured Lectin-Based Biosensors for In Situ
      Detection of Sialic Acid on Glycoproteins.
AB  - We present here comparison of a build-up of two ultrasensitive lectin biosensors
      based on 2D or 3D architecture. A 2D lectin biosensor was prepared by a covalent
      immobilisation of lectin Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) recognising sialic acid
      directly on a mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on planar gold surfaces. A 3D
      biosensor was prepared by covalent immobilisation of SNA lectin on a mixed SAM
      layer formed on gold nanoparticles. Surface plasmon resonance technique allowed
      to follow kinetics of a mixed SAM (1:1 mixture of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid and
      6-mercaptohexanol) formation on a bare gold electrode and on an electrode
      modified by 5 nm and 20 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Results from the study
      revealed that a mixed SAM formation is slower on surfaces with increased
      curvature, the process of SAM formation on all surfaces is completed within 6
      min, but a density of thiols on such surfaces differs significantly. Quartz
      crystal microbalance experiments showed that a surface density of immobilised
      lectin of (2.53 +/- 0.01) pmol cm-2 was higher on planar gold surface compared to
      the surface modified by 20 nm AuNPs with a surface density of (0.94 +/- 0.01)
      pmol cm-2. Even though a larger amount of SNA lectin was immobilised on a surface
      of the 2D biosensor compared to the 3D biosensor, lectin molecules immobilised on
      AuNPs were more accessible for its analytes - glycoproteins fetuin and
      asialofetuin, containing different amount of sialic acid on the protein surface.
      Most likely a better accessibility of lectin for its analytes on a 3D surface and
      proper interfacial properties of a 3D surface are behind unprecedented detection
      limit down to aM level for the lectin biosensor based on such a nanoscale tuned
      interface.

PMID- 27257406
TI  - How does collegial support increase retention of registered nurses in homecare
      nursing agencies? a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Collegial workplace support has been linked to higher registered
      nurse (RN) retention in various clinical settings. In Japan, homecare agencies
      experience high RN turnover. The purpose of this study was to develop a
      conceptual framework to describe how perceived support from colleagues affects
      RNs' decision to remain in an agency. METHODS: A qualitative research method
      based on grounded theory was used. Participants were RNs with at least 4 years of
      experience at the same homecare agency. Participants were theoretically sampled
      via managers of 12 homecare nursing agencies. Semi-structured interviews and
      supplementary participant observations were conducted. Data were analyzed using a
      constant comparative technique, and the process of how workplace support affected
      participants' decision to remain at their agency was clarified. RESULTS: In
      total, 26 RNs were interviewed, 23 of whom were observed in their practice
      setting. Participants' perception of support from colleagues was framed as being
      "encouraged to grow in one's own way", which comprised practicing with protected
      autonomy in an insight-producing environment. Participants reported that they
      were able to practice with protected autonomy, receiving 1) mindful monitoring,
      2) semi-independent responsibility, 3) help as needed, and 4) collegial empathy
      and validation. RNs also felt supported in an insight-producing environment by 1)
      enlightening dialogue, 2) being set for one's next challenges, and 3) being able
      to grow at one's own pace. Reportedly, these were defining characteristics in
      their decision to continue working in their agencies. CONCLUSIONS: For RNs to
      willingly stay at a homecare nursing agency, it is essential that they are able
      to practice with protected autonomy in an insight-producing environment that
      encourages them to grow in their own way. Further research is needed to explore
      ways to create and enhance such environments to lower RN turnover.

PMID- 27257408
TI  - Article Watch: July 2016.
AB  - This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the
      readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information
      on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, MCG-UGA
      Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606, USA. Tel: (706) 713
      2216; Fax: (706) 713-2221; E-mail: cslaught@uga.edu, or to any member of the
      editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer's opinions and not
      necessarily those of the association. 

PMID- 27257407
TI  - Estimating average alcohol consumption in the population using multiple sources:
      the case of Spain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: National estimates on per capita alcohol consumption are provided
      regularly by various sources and may have validity problems, so corrections are
      needed for monitoring and assessment purposes. Our objectives were to compare
      different alcohol availability estimates for Spain, to build the best estimate
      (actual consumption), characterize its time trend during 2001-2011, and quantify
      the extent to which other estimates (coverage) approximated actual consumption.
      METHODS: Estimates were: alcohol availability from the Spanish Tax Agency (Tax
      Agency availability), World Health Organization (WHO availability) and other
      international agencies, self-reported purchases from the Spanish Food Consumption
      Panel, and self-reported consumption from population surveys. Analyses included
      calculating: between-agency discrepancy in availability, multisource availability
      (correcting Tax Agency availability by underestimation of wine and cider), actual
      consumption (adjusting multisource availability by unrecorded alcohol
      consumption/purchases and alcohol losses), and coverage of selected estimates.
      Sensitivity analyses were undertaken. Time trends were characterized by joinpoint
      regression. RESULTS: Between-agency discrepancy in alcohol availability remained
      high in 2011, mainly because of wine and spirits, although some decrease was
      observed during the study period. The actual consumption was 9.5 l of pure
      alcohol/person-year in 2011, decreasing 2.3 % annually, mainly due to wine and
      spirits. 2011 coverage of WHO availability, Tax Agency availability, self
      reported purchases, and self-reported consumption was 99.5, 99.5, 66.3, and 28.0
      %, respectively, generally with downward trends (last three estimates, especially
      self-reported consumption). The multisource availability overestimated actual
      consumption by 12.3 %, mainly due to tourism imbalance. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish
      estimates of per capita alcohol consumption show considerable weaknesses. Using
      uncorrected estimates, especially self-reported consumption, for monitoring or
      other purposes is misleading. To obtain conservative estimates of alcohol
      attributable disease burden or heavy drinking prevalence, self-reported
      consumption should be shifted upwards by more than 85 % (91 % in 2011) of Tax
      Agency or WHO availability figures. The weaknesses identified can probably also
      be found worldwide, thus much empirical work remains to be done to improve
      estimates of per capita alcohol consumption.

PMID- 27257409
TI  - Wrangling Big Data Through Diversity, Research Education and Partnerships.

PMID- 27257410
TI  - The prediction of virus mutation using neural networks and rough set techniques.
AB  - Viral evolution remains to be a main obstacle in the effectiveness of antiviral
      treatments. The ability to predict this evolution will help in the early
      detection of drug-resistant strains and will potentially facilitate the design of
      more efficient antiviral treatments. Various tools has been utilized in genome
      studies to achieve this goal. One of these tools is machine learning, which
      facilitates the study of structure-activity relationships, secondary and tertiary
      structure evolution prediction, and sequence error correction. This work proposes
      a novel machine learning technique for the prediction of the possible point
      mutations that appear on alignments of primary RNA sequence structure. It
      predicts the genotype of each nucleotide in the RNA sequence, and proves that a
      nucleotide in an RNA sequence changes based on the other nucleotides in the
      sequence. Neural networks technique is utilized in order to predict new strains,
      then a rough set theory based algorithm is introduced to extract these point
      mutation patterns. This algorithm is applied on a number of aligned RNA isolates
      time-series species of the Newcastle virus. Two different data sets from two
      sources are used in the validation of these techniques. The results show that the
      accuracy of this technique in predicting the nucleotides in the new generation is
      as high as 75 %. The mutation rules are visualized for the analysis of the
      correlation between different nucleotides in the same RNA sequence.

PMID- 27257411
TI  - A rare 47 XXY/46 XX mosaicism with clinical features of Klinefelter syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 47 XXY/46 XX mosaicism with characteristics suggesting Klinefelter
      syndrome is very rare and at present, only seven cases have been reported in the
      literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an Indian boy diagnosed as variant of
      Klinefelter syndrome with 47 XXY/46 XX mosaicism at age 12 years. He was noted to
      have right cryptorchidism and chordae at birth, but did not have surgery for
      these until age 3 years. During surgery, the right gonad was atrophic and
      removed. Histology revealed atrophic ovarian tissue. Pelvic ultrasound showed no
      Mullerian structures. There was however no clinical follow up and he was raised
      as a boy. At 12 years old he was re-evaluated because of parental concern about
      his 'female' body habitus. He was slightly overweight, had eunuchoid body habitus
      with mild gynaecomastia. The right scrotal sac was empty and a 2mls testis was
      present in the left scrotum. Penile length was 5.2 cm and width 2.0 cm. There was
      absent pubic or axillary hair. Pronation and supination of his upper limbs were
      reduced and x-ray of both elbow joints revealed bilateral radioulnar synostosis.
      The baseline laboratory data were LH < 0.1 mIU/ml, FSH 1.4 mIU/ml, testosterone
      0.6 nmol/L with raised estradiol, 96 pmol/L. HCG stimulation test showed poor
      Leydig cell response. The karyotype based on 76 cells was 47 XXY[9]/46 XX[67]
      with SRY positive. Laparoscopic examination revealed no Mullerian structures.
      CONCLUSION: Insisting on an adequate number of cells (at least 50) to be examined
      during karyotyping is important so as not to miss diagnosing mosaicism.

PMID- 27257412
TI  - Prostate-specific antigen nadir after high-dose-rate brachytherapy predicts long
      term survival outcomes in high-risk prostate cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic value of prostate-specific antigen nadir
      (nPSA) after high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy in clinically non-metastatic high
      risk prostate cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 216 patients with
      high-risk or locally advanced prostate cancer who underwent HDR brachytherapy and
      external beam radiation therapy with long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
      between 2003 and 2008 were analyzed. The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
      level at diagnosis was 24 ng/ml (range: 3-338 ng/ml). The clinical stage was T1c
      2a in 55 cases (26%), T2b-2c in 48 (22%), T3a in 75 (35%), and T3b-4 in 38 (17%).
      The mean dose to 90% of the planning target volume was 6.3 Gy/fraction of HDR
      brachytherapy. After 5 fractions, external beam radiation therapy with 10
      fractions of 3 Gy was administered. All patients initially underwent neoadjuvant
      ADT for at least 6 months, and adjuvant ADT was continued for 36 months. The
      median follow-up was 7 years from the start of radiotherapy. RESULTS: The 7-year
      PSA relapse-free rate among patients with a post-radiotherapy nPSA level of <=
      0.02 ng/ml was 94%, compared with 23% for patients with higher nPSA values (HR =
      28.57; 95% CI: 12.04-66.66; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the
      nPSA value after radiotherapy was a significant independent predictor of
      biochemical failure, whereas pretreatment predictive values for worse biochemical
      control including higher level of initial PSA, Gleason score >= 8, positive
      biopsy core rate >= 67%, and T3b-T4, failed to reach independent predictor
      status. The 7-year cancer-specific survival rate among patients with a post
      radiotherapy nPSA level of <= 0.02 ng/ml was 99%, compared with 82% for patients
      with higher nPSA values (HR = 32.25; 95% CI: 3.401-333.3; p = 0.002).
      CONCLUSIONS: A post-radiotherapy nPSA value of <= 0.02 ng/ml was associated with
      better long-term biochemical tumor control even if patients had pretreatment
      predictive values for worse control.

PMID- 27257413
TI  - Single-fraction high-dose-rate brachytherapy using real-time transrectal
      ultrasound based planning in combination with external beam radiotherapy for
      prostate cancer: dosimetrics and early clinical results.
AB  - PURPOSE: To validate the feasibility of a single-fraction high-dose-rate
      brachytherapy (HDRBT) boost for prostate cancer using real-time transrectal
      ultrasound (TRUS) based planning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From August 2012 to
      September 2015, 126 patients underwent a single-fraction HDRBT boost of 15 Gy
      using real-time TRUS based planning. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) (37.5
      Gy/15 fractions, 44 Gy/22 fractions, or 45 Gy/25 fractions) was performed before
      (31%) or after (69%) HDRBT boost. Genito-urinary (GU) and gastro-intestinal (GI)
      toxicity were assessed 4 and 12 months after the end of combined treatment using
      the international prostate symptom score scale (IPSS) and the common terminology
      criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) v3.0. RESULTS: All dose-planning objectives
      were achieved in 90% of patients. Prostate D90 >= 105% and <= 115% was achieved
      in 99% of patients, prostate V150 <= 40% in 99%, prostate V200 < 11% in 96%,
      urethra D10 < 120% for 99%, urethra V125 = 0% in 100%, and rectal V75 < 1 cc in
      93% of patients. Median IPSS score was 4 at baseline and did not change at 4 and
      12 months after combined treatment. No patients developed >= grade 2 GI toxicity.
      With a median follow-up of 10 months, only two patients experienced biochemical
      failure. Among patients who didn't receive ADT, cumulative percentage of patients
      with PSA <= 1 ng/ml at 4 and 18 months was respectively 23% and 66%. CONCLUSIONS:
      Single-fraction HDRBT boost of 15 Gy using real-time TRUS based planning achieves
      consistently high dosimetry quality. In combination with EBRT, toxicity outcomes
      appear promising. A longer follow-up is needed to assess long-term outcome and
      toxicities.

PMID- 27257414
TI  - Template guided transperineal saturation biopsy of the prostate: lessons for
      focal and urethra-sparing high-dose-rate brachytherapy for localized prostate
      cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this work is to evaluate results of prostate transperineal
      saturation biopsy as a guide for focal high-dose-rate brachytherapy in patients
      with prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Template guided saturation
      biopsy was performed in 67 primary patients with suspicion for prostate cancer.
      Biopsy was performed under ultrasonography (US) control with the help of
      brachytherapy grid and 5 mm distance between samples. We put special attention
      for accurate sampling of prostate in periurethral region. The number of cores
      varied from 17 to 81 (average 36 cores). Finally, in 40 patients with confirmed
      prostate cancer results of biopsy were used for brachytherapy planning. RESULTS:
      Saturation biopsy revealed prostate cancer in 40 of 67 evaluated patients. The
      extent of biopsy core involvement varied from 5% to 100% (average: 57%). Focal
      nature of PCa (single unilateral tumor nodule) was diagnosed in 10 (25%),
      multifocal - in another 30 (75%) patients. Hemigland invasion was mentioned in 12
      (30%) cases. Saturation biopsy detected PCa in periurethral cores in 27 (67.5%)
      of 40 evaluated patients. In 10 patients, the extent of involvement in
      periurethral cores varied between 10% and 50%; in another, 17 observations
      exceeded 50%. According to results obtained on saturation biopsy, we performed
      HDR brachytherapy with "urethra low dose tunnel" (D10ur <= 80-90%) in 13 patients
      with noninvolved periurethral cores. Theoretically, hemigland brachytherapy was
      possible in 12 of 40 evaluated patients with PCa. CONCLUSIONS: In low risk
      patients with PCa results of template guided saturation biopsy indicates high
      frequency (75%) of multifocal disease and high probability (67.5%) of
      periurethral invasion. Suitable candidates for focal HDR brachytherapy or
      irradiation with additional sparing of urethra can be effectively determined with
      the help of saturation biopsy.

PMID- 27257415
TI  - Multi-catheter interstitial brachytherapy for partial breast irradiation: an
      audit of implant quality based on dosimetric evaluation comparing intra-operative
      versus post-operative placement.
AB  - PURPOSE: The use of multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy (MIB) for
      accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in early breast cancer (EBC)
      patients outside the trial setting has increased. Hence, there is a need to
      critically evaluate implant quality. Moreover, there is a scarcity of reports
      using an open cavity technique. We report the dosimetric indices of open and
      closed cavity MIB techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The dosimetric parameters of
      60 EBC patients treated with MIB (open and closed cavity) who underwent three
      dimensional, computerized tomography (CT) based planning for APBI from November
      2011 to July 2015 were evaluated. Coverage Index (CI), Dose Homogeneity Index
      (DHI), Conformity Index (COIN), Plan Quality Index (PQI), and Dose Non-uniformity
      Index (DNR) were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-one patients underwent open cavity and
      19 patients underwent closed cavity placement of brachytherapy catheters. The
      median number of planes was 4 and median number of needles was 20. Median dose
      was 34 Gy with dose per fraction of 3.4 Gy, given twice a day, 6 hours apart. The
      D90 of the cavity and clinical target volume (CTV) were 105% and 89%,
      respectively. The median doses to the surgical clips were greater than 100%. The
      median CI of the cavity and CTV was 0.96 and 0.82, respectively. The DHI and COIN
      index of the CTV was 0.73 and 0.67. There were no significant differences in the
      dosimetric parameters based on whether the technique was done open or closed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Critical evaluation of the dosimetric parameters of MIB-APBI is
      important for optimal results. While the open and closed techniques have similar
      dosimetry, our institutional preference is for an open technique which eases the
      procedure due to direct visualization of the tumor cavity.

PMID- 27257416
TI  - Image guided radiation therapy boost in combination with high-dose-rate
      intracavitary brachytherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the dosimetric and clinical
      feasibility of image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) combined with high-dose-rate
      (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) to improve dose distribution in cervical
      cancer treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For 42 cervical cancer patients, magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) scans were acquired after completion of whole pelvic
      irradiation 45-46 Gy and 5 fractions of B + I (ICBT + IGRT) treatment were
      subsequently received. The high risk clinical target volume (HRCTV), intermediate
      risk clinical target volume (IRCTV), bladder, rectum, and sigmoid were contoured
      on the computed tomography (CT) scans. The total planning aim doses for HRCTV was
      D90% > 85 Gy, whilst constraints for rectum and sigmoid were D2cc < 75 Gy and
      D2cc < 90 Gy for bladder in terms of an equivalent dose in 2 Gy (EQD2) for
      external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy boost. The IGRT plan was
      optimized on top of the ICBT dose distribution. A dosimetric comparison was made
      between B + I and optimized ICBT (O-ICBT) only. RESULTS: The mean D90% of HRCTV
      was comparable for B + I and O-ICBT (p = 0.82). For B + I plan, HRCTV D100%,
      IRCTV D100%, and IRCTV D90% were significantly increased by a mean of 10.52 Gy,
      5.61 Gy, and 2.70 Gy, respectively (p < 0.01). The D2cc for bladder, rectum, and
      sigmoid were lower by a mean of 21.36, 6.78, and 10.65 Gy, respectively (p <
      0.01). The mean rectum V60 Gy value over 42 patients was almost the same for both
      techniques but for bladder and sigmoid B + I had higher V60 Gy mean values as
      compared with the O-ICBT. CONCLUSIONS: B + I can improve dose distribution in
      cervical cancer treatment; it could be useful for tumors extended beyond the
      reach of intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy (IC/ISBT) or for centers that
      are inexperienced or ill-equipped with IC/ISBT techniques. Additional
      confirmatory prospective studies with larger numbers of patients and longer
      follow-up are required to validate the durability.

PMID- 27257417
TI  - Survey on gynecological cancer treatment by Piedmont, Liguria, and Valle d'Aosta
      group of AIRO (Italian Association of Radiation Oncology).
AB  - PURPOSE: We focused the attention on radiation therapy practices about the
      gynecological malignancies in Piedmont, Liguria, and Valle d'Aosta to know the
      current treatment practice and to improve the quality of care. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: We proposed a cognitive survey to evaluate the standard practice
      patterns for gynecological cancer management, adopted from 2012 to 2014 by
      radiotherapy (RT) centers with a large amount of gynecological cancer cases.
      There were three topics: 1. Taking care and multidisciplinary approach, 2.
      Radiotherapy treatment and brachytherapy, 3. Follow-up. RESULTS: Nineteen centers
      treated gynecological malignancies and 12 of these had a multidisciplinary
      dedicated team. Radiotherapy option has been used in all clinical setting:
      definitive, adjuvant, and palliative. In general, 1978 patients were treated.
      There were 834 brachytherapy (BRT) treatments. The fusion between diagnostic
      imaging (magnetic resonance imaging - MRI, positron emission tomography - PET)
      and computed tomography (CT) simulation was used for contouring in all centers.
      Conformal RT and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were the most
      frequent techniques. The image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) was used in 10/19
      centers. There were 8 active BRT centers. Brachytherapy was performed both with
      radical intent and as boost, mostly by HDR (6/8 centers). The doses for exclusive
      BRT were between 20 to 30 Gy. The doses for BRT boost were between 10 and 20 Gy.
      Four centers used CT-MRI compatible applicators but only one used MRI for
      planning. The BRT plans on vaginal cuff were still performed on traditional
      radiographies in 2 centers. The plan sum was evaluated in only 1 center. Only 1
      center performed in vivo dosimetry. CONCLUSIONS: In the last three years,
      multidisciplinary approach, contouring, treatment techniques, doses, and control
      systems were similar in Liguria-Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. However, the
      technology implementation didn't translate in a real treatment innovation so far.

PMID- 27257418
TI  - Optimum organ volume ranges for organs at risk dose in cervical cancer
      intracavitary brachytherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the optimum organ filling point for organs at risk (OARs)
      dose in cervical cancer high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      In a retrospective study, 32 locally advanced cervical cancer patients (97
      insertions) who were treated with 3D conformal external beam radiation therapy
      (EBRT) and concurrent chemotherapy during 2010-2013 were included. Rotterdam HDR
      tandem-ovoid applicators were used and computed tomography (CT) scanning was
      performed after each insertion. The OARs delineation and GEC-ESTRO-based clinical
      target volumes (CTVs) contouring was followed by 3D forward planning. Then, dose
      volume histogram (DVH) parameters of organs were recorded and patients were
      classified based on their OARs volumes, as well as their inserted tandem length.
      RESULTS: The absorbed dose to point A ranged between 6.5-7.5 Gy. D0.1cm(3) and
      D2cm(3) of the bladder significantly increased with the bladder volume
      enlargement (p value < 0.05). By increasing the bladder volume up to about 140
      cm(3), the rectum dose was also increased. For the cases with bladder volumes
      higher than 140 cm(3), the rectum dose decreased. For bladder volumes lower than
      75 cm(3), the sigmoid dose decreased; however, for bladder volumes higher than 75
      cm(3), the sigmoid dose increased. The D2cm(3) of the bladder and rectum were
      higher for longer tandems than for shorter ones, respectively. The divergence of
      the obtained results for different tandem lengths became wider by the extension
      of the bladder volume. The rectum and sigmoid volume had a direct impact on
      increasing their D0.1cm(3) and D2cm(3) , as well as decreasing their D10, D30,
      and D50. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the volumes of OARs and
      their received doses. Selecting a bladder with a volume of about 70 cm(3) or less
      proved to be better with regards to the dose to the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid.

PMID- 27257419
TI  - Impact of heterogeneity-corrected dose calculation using a grid-based Boltzmann
      solver on breast and cervix cancer brachytherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the impact of heterogeneity-corrected dose calculation on
      dosimetric quality parameters in gynecological and breast brachytherapy using
      Acuros, a grid-based Boltzmann equation solver (GBBS), and to evaluate the
      shielding effects of different cervix brachytherapy applicators. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Calculations with TG-43 and Acuros were based on computed tomography
      (CT) retrospectively, for 10 cases of accelerated partial breast irradiation and
      9 cervix cancer cases treated with tandem-ring applicators. Phantom CT-scans of
      different applicators (plastic and titanium) were acquired. For breast cases the
      V20Gyalphabeta3 to lung, the D0.1cm(3) , D1cm(3) , D2cm(3) to rib, the D0.1cm(3)
      , D1cm(3) , D10cm(3) to skin, and Dmax for all structures were reported. For
      cervix cases, the D0.1cm(3) , D2cm(3) to bladder, rectum and sigmoid, and the
      D50, D90, D98, V100 for the CTVHR were reported. For the phantom study,
      surrogates for target and organ at risk were created for a similar dose volume
      histogram (DVH) analysis. Absorbed dose and equivalent dose to 2 Gy fractionation
      (EQD2) were used for comparison. RESULTS: Calculations with TG-43 overestimated
      the dose for all dosimetric indices investigated. For breast, a decrease of ~8%
      was found for D10cm(3) to the skin and 5% for D2cm(3) to rib, resulting in a
      difference ~ -1.5 Gy EQD2 for overall treatment. Smaller effects were found for
      cervix cases with the plastic applicator, with up to -2% (-0.2 Gy EQD2) per
      fraction for organs at risk and -0.5% (-0.3 Gy EQD2) per fraction for CTVHR. The
      shielding effect of the titanium applicator resulted in a decrease of 2% for
      D2cm(3) to the organ at risk versus 0.7% for plastic. CONCLUSIONS: Lower doses
      were reported when calculating with Acuros compared to TG-43. Differences in dose
      parameters were larger in breast cases. A lower impact on clinical dose
      parameters was found for the cervix cases. Applicator material causes systematic
      shielding effects that can be taken into account.

PMID- 27257420
TI  - Image-guided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy - a valuable salvage
      treatment approach for loco-regional recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the treatment effect of image-guided high-dose-rate (HDR)
      interstitial brachytherapy for refractory recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer
      (PTC). CASE REPORT: This 66-year-old female presented with recurrence 5 years
      after thyroidectomy for PTC. Despite external irradiation and radioactive (131)I,
      the lesion expanded as 3.7 * 3.0 * 2.3 cm(3) and 2.0 * 1.5 * 1.5 cm(3). The
      locoregional recurrent tumor was treated with image-guided HDR interstitial
      brachytherapy. The total dose of 30 Gy in 6 fractions were delivered on the whole
      recurrent tumor. RESULTS: Removal of the recurrent tumor was securely achieved by
      HDR interstitial brachytherapy guided with ultrasound, computed tomography (CT),
      and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. The refractory tumor in the
      patients healed uneventfully after HDR interstitial brachytherapy without
      recurrence during the 14 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The image-guided HDR
      interstitial brachytherapy may be a valuable salvage treatment approach for
      refractory recurrence of PTC.

PMID- 27257421
TI  - Dose reconstruction technique using non-rigid registration to evaluate spatial
      correspondence between high-dose region and late radiation toxicity: a case of
      tracheobronchial stenosis after external beam radiotherapy combined with
      endotracheal brachytherapy for tracheal cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Small organ subvolume irradiated by a high-dose has been emphasized to
      be associated with late complication after radiotherapy. Here, we demonstrate a
      potential use of surface-based, non-rigid registration to investigate how high
      dose volume topographically correlates with the location of late radiation
      morbidity in a case of tracheobronchial radiation stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      An algorithm of point set registration was implemented to handle non-rigid
      registration between contour points on the organ surfaces. The framework
      estimated the global correspondence between the dose distribution and the varying
      anatomical structure. We applied it to an 80-year-old man who developed
      tracheobronchial stenosis 2 years after high-dose-rate endobronchial
      brachytherapy (HDR-EBT) (24 Gy in 6 Gy fractions) and external beam radiotherapy
      (EBRT) (40 Gy in 2 Gy fractions) for early-stage tracheal cancer. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on the transformation function computed by the non-rigid
      registration, irradiated dose distribution was reconstructed on the surface of
      post-treatment tracheobronchial stenosis. For expressing the equivalent dose in a
      fractional dose of 2 Gy in HDR-EBT, alpha/beta of linear quadratic model was
      assumed as 3 Gy for the tracheal bronchus. The tracheobronchial surface
      irradiated by more than 100 Gyalphabeta3 tended to develop severe stenosis, which
      attributed to a more than 50% decrease in the luminal area. The proposed dose
      reconstruction technique can be a powerful tool to predict late radiation
      toxicity with spatial consideration.

PMID- 27257422
TI  - Erratum: A total EQD2 greater than 85 Gy for trachea and main bronchus D2cc being
      associated with severe late complications after definitive endobronchial
      brachytherapy.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2015.54968.]. 

PMID- 27257423
TI  - Opioid Drugs in Patients With Liver Disease: A Systematic Review.
AB  - CONTEXT: The liver, one of the most important organs of the body, is known to be
      responsible for several functions. The functional contribution of the liver to
      the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, drugs and toxins, fats and cholesterol
      and many other biological processes are still unknown. Liver disorders are
      classified into two types: acute and chronic. Different drugs are used in liver
      diseases to treat and control pain. Most pain relief medications such as opioids
      are metabolized via the liver; therefore, the adverse reactions of drugs are
      probably higher for patients with liver disease. The current study aimed to
      evaluate the effects of opioid drugs on patients with liver disease; therefore,
      it is necessary to select suitable opioids for such patients. EVIDENCE
      ACQUISITION: This review was written by referring to research literature
      including 70 articles and four textbooks published from 1958 to 2015 on various
      reputable sites. Searches were carried out on the key phrases of narcotic pain
      relievers (opioids), acute and chronic hepatic failure, opioid adverse drug
      reactions, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and other similar keywords.
      References included a variety of research papers (descriptive and analytical),
      intervention and review articles. RESULTS: In patients with liver disease,
      administration of opioid analgesics should be observed, accurately. As a general
      rule, lower doses of drugs should be administered at regular intervals based on
      the signs of drug accumulation. Secondly, the interactions of opioid drugs with
      different levels of substrates of the P450 cytochrome enzyme should be
      considered. CONCLUSIONS: Pain management in patients with liver dysfunction is
      always challenging to physicians because of the adverse reactions of drugs,
      especially opioids. Opioids should be used cautiously since they can cause
      sedation, constipation and sudden encephalopathy effects. Since the clearance of
      these drugs in patients with hepatic insufficiency is decreased, the initial dose
      must be decreased, the intervals between doses should be increased and some
      patients need to be continuously assessed.

PMID- 27257424
TI  - Economic Burden of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Different Stages of Disease: A
      Report From Southern Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major blood-borne infection
      which imposes high economic cost on the patients. OBJECTIVES: The current study
      aimed to evaluate the total annual cost due to chronic HCV related diseases
      imposed on each patient and their family in Southern Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Economic burden of chronic hepatitis C-related liver diseases (chronic hepatitis
      C, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma) were examined. The current
      retrospective study evaluated 200 Iranian patients for their socioeconomic
      status, utilization (direct and indirect costs) and treatment costs and work days
      lost due to illness by a structured questionnaire in 2015. Costs of hospital
      admissions were extracted from databases of Nemazee hospital, Shiraz, Iran. The
      outpatient expenditure per patient was measured through the rate of outpatient
      visits and average cost per visit reported by the patients; while the inpatient
      costs were calculated through annual rate of hospital admissions and average
      expenditure. Self-medication and direct non-medical costs were also reported. The
      human capital approach was used to measure the work loss cost. RESULTS: The total
      annual cost per patient for chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis and hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) based on purchasing power parity (PPP) were USD 1625.50, USD
      6117.2, and USD 11047.2 in 2015, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hepatitis C
      related liver diseases impose a substantial economic burden on patients, families
      and the society. The current study provides useful information on cost of
      treatment and work loss for different disease states, which can be further used
      in cost-effectiveness evaluations.

PMID- 27257425
TI  - Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha-308 G/A Polymorphisms and Risk of Hepatocellular
      Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common disorder throughout the world
      that can develop due to various factors, including genetics. Tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is the most frequently studied cytokine related to the
      risk of developing HCC, and an association between the 308 position of the TNF
      alpha promoter (TNF-alpha-308) and HCC risk has been confirmed in various
      reports. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases
      were searched through July 12, 2015, for studies on associations between TNF
      alpha-308 and the risk of HCC. To determine this association, odds ratios (ORs)
      and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 23
      case-control studies were investigated, involving 3,389 cases and 4,235 controls.
      The overall conclusion was that the A allele was more frequent in case groups
      compared to control groups (13.4% vs. 8.4%). Thus, the A allele was significantly
      associated with increased HCC risk (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = [1.26-2.50]; P value <
      0.002). In addition to the allelic model, the dominant model (AA + AG vs. GG) was
      significantly associated with HCC risk (OR = 1.80; CI = [1.29-2.51]; P value <
      0.001). In the sensitivity analysis for co-dominant (AA vs. GG) and recessive
      models (AA vs. AG + GG), no trustworthy associations with the risk of HCC
      development were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicated that the TNF
      alpha-308 G/A polymorphism is significantly associated with increased
      susceptibility to HCC. However, to confirm this finding, more studies are needed
      on TNF-alpha-308 G/A polymorphisms associated with HCC.

PMID- 27257426
TI  - Leptin Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver
      Disease and Coronary Atherosclerosis in the Chinese Han Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leptin receptor (LEPR) polymorphisms have been reported to be
      associated with lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in various populations.
      However, whether LEPR polymorphisms are associated with the risks of non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary atherosclerosis in the Chinese
      Han population remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of
      LEPR polymorphisms at Q223R and K109R with the risks of NAFLD and coronary
      atherosclerosis in the Chinese Han population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Genotypes of
      LEPR Q223R and K109R were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by
      sequencing in patients with NAFLD (n = 554), coronary atherosclerosis (n = 421),
      and healthy controls (n = 550). Serum lipid profiles were determined using
      biochemical methods. Pearson's chi(2) test was used to check for Hardy-Weinberg
      equilibrium and to analyze the distributions of genotypes' alleles between
      groups. Baseline characteristics were analyzed using student's t-test, paired
      samples t-test, or the chi(2) test where appropriate. RESULTS: The LEPR Q223R A
      allele significantly reduced the risks of both NAFLD and coronary atherosclerosis
      (OR = 0.683, 95% CI: 0.527 - 0.884, P = 0.004 and OR = 0.724, 95% CI: 0.548 -
      0.955, P = 0.022, respectively). Compared to controls, no significant differences
      in the genotype and allele frequencies of K109R were found in the NAFLD and
      coronary atherosclerosis populations, respectively. However, there was a
      significantly increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis in NAFLD patients who
      carried the K109R A allele (OR = 2.283, 95% CI: 1.556 - 3.348, P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: LEPR Q223R polymorphisms may confer a significant risk of NAFLD and
      coronary atherosclerosis. The A allele in the K109R polymorphism might be
      considered an independent risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis in NAFLD
      patients.

PMID- 27257427
TI  - Efficacy of PEGylated Interferon in Treatment-Experienced Chinese Patients With
      HBeAg Positive Chronic Hepatitis B.
AB  - BACKGROUND: After treatment cessation, a high prevalence of relapse was reported
      in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in China, especially in nucleot(s)ide
      analogues (NUCs)-experienced patients. Re-treatment for these patients remains
      unsolved. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of PEGylated
      interferon in HBeAg positive patients with exposure to antiviral therapy.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 55 treatment-experienced, HBeAg positive Chinese
      patients were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 33 were NUCs-experienced
      and 22 were interferon-experienced. PEGylated interferon was administered to 34
      patients; and 21 patients were retreated with conventional interferon. RESULTS:
      Of the 34 treatment-experienced patients who received PEGylated interferon, 52.9%
      achieved virologic response, and 41.2% achieved HBeAg loss and seroconversion.
      Patients who were treated with PEGylated interferon for 48 weeks achieved higher
      virologic response (80%); HBeAg loss (60%); HBeAg seroconversion (60%); and HBsAg
      loss (5%) than patients treated for 24 weeks with PEGylated interferon. Their
      responses were also higher than those who were treated with conventional
      interferon. HBeAg seroconversion in treatment-experienced patients was
      independently associated with 48-week PEGylated interferon therapy duration.
      CONCLUSIONS: PEGylated interferon was effective in treatment-experienced patients
      with HBeAg positive CHB, and showed higher rates of virological response, HBeAg
      loss, and seroconversion. The results provide important information regarding the
      role of re-treatment with PEGylated interferon in treatment-experienced HBeAg
      positive patients.

PMID- 27257428
TI  - Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the General Population of Iran: An Updated
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - CONTEXT: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global public health problem,
      affecting more than 2 billion people worldwide. Accurate and updated data on HBV
      prevalence is important for further planning to control the infection. The aim of
      this study was to update the prevalence estimate of HBV infection in the general
      population of Iran. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review was done for data
      on the prevalence of HBV infection in the general Iranian population published
      between Jan. 1, 1990, and Jan. 1, 2016, in both international and national
      databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scientific Information
      Database, IranMedex, and Magiran. All papers with clearly described time and
      location of the study, proper sampling strategies, and proper analysis methods
      were included in the present study. Data were extracted by two independent
      reviewers. Prevalence of HBV infection with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was
      calculated using Stata software, version 13. RESULTS: The polled estimated
      prevalence of HBV infection in the general population of Iran was 2.2 % (95% CI:
      1.9% - 2.6%). The highest prevalence of HBV infection (8.9%, 95% CI: 7.6% -
      10.2%) was reported from Golestan province, and the lowest prevalence (0.7%, 95%
      CI: 0.4% - 1.1%) was seen in Kermanshah province. The prevalence of HBV infection
      was estimated at 3% (95% CI: 2.2% - 3.8%) for Iranian males and 1.7% (95% CI:
      1.2% - 2.3%) for Iranian females. The prevalence of HBV infection in the general
      population of Iran was 2.9% (95% CI: 2.5% - 3.4%) before 2010 and 1.3% (95% CI:
      0.9% - 1.7%) after 2010. CONCLUSIONS: In total, Iran was classified within the
      low-intermediate HBV prevalence areas (2% - 4%), while according to recent data
      (after 2010), Iran was classified within the low HBV prevalence areas (< 2%),
      indicating that preventive measures conducted in Iran have been effective.

PMID- 27257430
TI  - Vaccination Against Hepatitis A for Hemophilic Patients: Is It Necessary?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemophilic patients require long-life intravenous infusion of factor
      concentrates to treat bleedings. This could increase the risk of transmission of
      blood-borne infections like hepatitis C. OBJECTIVES: The current study was aimed
      at investigating the immunity status against hepatitis A in hemophilic patients
      in south Khorasan and evaluating the necessity of hepatitis A vaccination for
      this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was
      conducted between 2014 and 2015 on all hemophilic patients of south Khorasan
      province, Iran (n = 108) for anti-HAV total, anti- HCV, HBs-Ag, anti-HIV, and
      anti-HTLV-I /II. Note that no one had already received a hepatitis A vaccine.
      RESULTS: As our results show, 77.8% of the participants (59% under 20 and 88.4%
      above 20 years old) were seropositive for anti-HAV total; 20.4% and 2.8% (three
      patients) of the cases were anti-HCV positive and anti-HTLV-1 positive,
      respectively, while none of the subjects were HBS-Ag or HIV-Ab positive.
      Seventeen of the patients (15.75%) showed a co-infection of HAV with HCV, and
      five HCV-infected patients (22.73%) had no immunity against hepatitis A. There
      was a significant relationship between age, rural life, and anti-HAV positive
      state in our patients (P < 0.001). No significant relationship between positive
      anti-HAV status and sex (P = 0.16), severity of hemophilia (P = 0.23), and
      infection with HIV, HCV, HTLV-1, and hepatitis B (P > 0.05) was detected.
      CONCLUSIONS: More than 40% of the hemophilic patients under 20 years of age in
      the present study had no immunity against hepatitis A, and 23% of hepatitis C
      patients had not had a hepatitis A co-infection yet. Since hepatitis A can show a
      fulminant course in hepatitis C patients, vaccination against hepatitis A seems
      necessary in hemophilic patients in the region.

PMID- 27257429
TI  - Hepatitis B Reactivation During Immunosuppressive Therapy or Cancer Chemotherapy,
      Management, and Prevention: A Comprehensive Review-Screened.
AB  - CONTEXT: Due to the close relationship between the immune system and the
      hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, it is essential to monitor patients with
      current or past HBV infection under any type of immunosuppression. Cancer
      chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapies in autoimmune diseases, and
      immunosuppression in solid organ and stem cell transplant recipients are the
      major reasons for hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr). In this review, the
      challenges associated with HBVr are discussed according to the latest studies and
      guidelines. We also discuss the role of treatments with different risks,
      including anti-CD20 agents, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors,
      and other common immunosuppressive agents in various conditions. EVIDENCE
      ACQUISITION: Through an electronic search of the PubMed, Google Scholar, and
      Scopus databases, we selected the studies associated with HBVr in different
      conditions. The most recent recommendations were collected in order to reach a
      consensus on how to manage patients at risk of HBVr. RESULTS: It was found that
      the positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the high baseline HBV DNA
      level, the positive hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg), and an absent or low
      hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) titer prior to starting treatment are the
      most important viral risk factors. Furthermore, rituximab, anthracycline, and
      different types of TNF-alpha inhibitors were identified as the high-risk
      therapies. By analyzing the efficiency of prophylaxis on the prevention of HBVr,
      it was concluded that those with a high risk of antiviral resistance should not
      be used in long-term immunosuppressants. Receiving HBV antiviral agents at the
      commencement of immunosuppressant therapy or chemotherapy was demonstrated to be
      effective in decreasing the risk of HBVr. Prophylaxis could also be initiated
      before the start of therapy. For most immune suppressive regimes, antiviral
      therapy should be kept up for at least 6 months after the cessation of
      immunosuppressive drugs. However, the optimal time of prophylaxis keeping should
      be increased in cases associated with rituximab or hematopoietic stem cell
      transplants. According to the latest studies and guidelines from different
      bodies, recommendations regarding screening, monitoring, and management of HBVr
      are outlined. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of patients at the risk of HBVr before
      immunosuppressive therapy is an undeniable part of treatment. Starting the
      antiviral therapy, based on the type of immunosuppressive drugs and the
      underlying disease, could lead to better management of disease.

PMID- 27257431
TI  - Mate-guarding behavior enhances male reproductive success via familiarization
      with mating partners in medaka fish.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Male-male competition and female mating preference are major
      mechanisms of sexual selection, which influences individual fitness. How male
      male competition affects female preference, however, remains poorly understood.
      Under laboratory conditions, medaka (Oryzias latipes) males compete to position
      themselves between a rival male and the female (mate-guarding) in triadic
      relationships (male, male, and female). In addition, females prefer to mate with
      visually familiar males. In the present study, to examine whether mate-guarding
      affects female preference via visual familiarization, we established a novel
      behavioral test to simultaneously quantify visual familiarization of focal males
      with females and mate-guarding against rival males. In addition, we investigated
      the effect of familiarization on male reproductive success in triadic
      relationships. RESULTS: Three fish (female, male, male) were placed separately in
      a transparent three-chamber tank, which allowed the male in the center (near
      male) to maintain closer proximity to the female than the other male (far male).
      Placement of the wild-type male in the center blocked visual familiarization of
      the far male by the female via mate-guarding. In contrast, placement of an
      arginine-vasotocin receptor mutant male, which exhibits mate-guarding deficits,
      in the center, allowing for maintaining close proximity to the female, did not
      block familiarization of the far male by the female. We also demonstrated that
      the reproductive success of males was significantly decreased by depriving
      females visual familiarization with the males. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      indicated that, at least in triadic relationships, dominance in mate-guarding,
      not simply close proximity, allows males to gain familiarity with the female over
      their rivals, which may enhance female preference for the dominant male. These
      findings focusing on the triadic relationships of medaka may contribute to our
      understanding of the adaptive significance of persistent mate-guarding, as well
      as female preference for familiar mates.

PMID- 27257432
TI  - Erratum to: Poor prognostic factors in patients who underwent surgery for acute
      non-occlusive ischemic colitis.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13017-015-0003-z.]. 

PMID- 27257433
TI  - A Case of Epididymo-orchitis after intravesical bacille Calmette-Guerin therapy
      for superficial bladder carcinoma in a patient with latent tuberculosis
      infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intravesical instillation of bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) has been
      established as efficient therapy for superficial bladder carcinoma. Overall,
      intravesical BCG is well tolerated and results in complications of less than 5 %.
      However, adverse effects such as granulomatous prostatitis, pneumonitis,
      hepatitis, sepsis, and hypersensitivity reactions may occur. The reported rate
      for tuberculous orchitis after BCG intravesical therapy is 0.4 %. FINDINGS: We
      report a case of monolateral tuberculous orchitis occurring one month after the
      second course of intravescical instillation of bacille Calmette-Guerin in a
      patient with proven superficial bladder carcinoma and latent tuberculosis
      infection. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion intravesical instillation of BCG should be
      considered on an individual patient basis, with full patient disclosure of the
      potentially significant risks. A screening with an intradermal Mantoux before
      starting the first cycle of BCG instillation should be recommended and isoniazid
      would be indicated as the treatment for latent tuberculosis infection.

PMID- 27257434
TI  - Mental health services and R&D in South Korea.
AB  - World Health Organization has asserted that mental illness is the greatest
      overriding burden of disease in the majority of developed countries, and that the
      socioeconomic burden of mental disease will exceed that of cancer and
      cardiovascular disorders in the future. The life-time prevalence rate for mental
      disorders in Korea is reported at 27.6 %, which means three out of 10 adults
      experience mental disorders more than once throughout their lifetime. Korea's
      suicide rate has remained the highest among Organization for Economic Cooperation
      and Development (OECD) nations for 10 consecutive years, with 29.1 people out of
      every 100,000 having committed suicide. Nevertheless, a comprehensive study on
      the mental health services and the Research and Development (R&D) status in Korea
      is hard to find. Against this backdrop, this paper examines the mental health
      services and the R&D status in Korea, and examines their shortcomings and future
      direction. The paper discusses the mental health service system, budget and human
      resources, followed by the mental health R&D system and budget. And, by a
      comparison with other OECD countries, the areas for improvement are discussed and
      based on that, a future direction is suggested. This paper proposes three
      measures to realize mid and long-term mental health promotion services and to
      realize improvements in mental health R&D at the national level: first, establish
      a national mental health system; second, forecast demand for mental health; and
      third, secure and develop mental health professionals. 

PMID- 27257435
TI  - Simultaneous achievement of high ethanol yield and titer in Clostridium
      thermocellum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biofuel production from plant cell walls offers the potential for
      sustainable and economically attractive alternatives to petroleum-based products.
      Fuels from cellulosic biomass are particularly promising, but would benefit from
      lower processing costs. Clostridium thermocellum can rapidly solubilize and
      ferment cellulosic biomass, making it a promising candidate microorganism for
      consolidated bioprocessing for biofuel production, but increases in product yield
      and titer are still needed. RESULTS: Here, we started with an engineered C.
      thermocellum strain where the central metabolic pathways to products other than
      ethanol had been deleted. After two stages of adaptive evolution, an evolved
      strain was selected with improved yield and titer. On chemically defined medium
      with crystalline cellulose as substrate, the evolved strain produced 22.4 +/- 1.4
      g/L ethanol from 60 g/L cellulose. The resulting yield was about 0.39 gETOH/gGluc
      eq, which is 75 % of the maximum theoretical yield. Genome resequencing,
      proteomics, and biochemical analysis were used to examine differences between the
      original and evolved strains. CONCLUSIONS: A two step selection method
      successfully improved the ethanol yield and the titer. This evolved strain has
      the highest ethanol yield and titer reported to date for C. thermocellum, and is
      an important step in the development of this microbe for industrial applications.

PMID- 27257436
TI  - Engineering Bacillus licheniformis for the production of meso-2,3-butanediol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD) can be used as a liquid fuel additive to
      replace petroleum oil, and as an important platform chemical in the
      pharmaceutical and plastic industries. Microbial production of 2,3-BD by Bacillus
      licheniformis presents potential advantages due to its GRAS status, but previous
      attempts to use this microorganism as a chassis strain resulted in the production
      of a mix of D-2,3-BD and meso-2,3-BD isomers. RESULTS: The aim of this work was
      to develop an engineered strain of B. licheniformis suited to produce the high
      titers of the pure meso-2,3-BD isomer. Glycerol dehydrogenase (Gdh) was
      identified as the catalyst for D-2,3-BD biosynthesis from its precursor acetoin
      in B. licheniformis. The gdh gene was, therefore, deleted from the wild-type
      strain WX-02 to inhibit the flux of acetoin to D-2,3-BD biosynthesis. The acoR
      gene involved in acetoin degradation through AoDH ES was also deleted to provide
      adequate flux from acetoin towards meso-2,3-BD. By re-directing the carbon flux
      distribution, the double-deletion mutant WX-02DeltagdhDeltaacoR produced 28.2 g/L
      of meso-2,3-BD isomer with >99 % purity. The titer was 50 % higher than that of
      the wide type. A bench-scale fermentation by the double-deletion mutant was
      developed to further improve meso-2,3-BD production. In a fed-batch fermentation,
      meso-2,3-BD titer reached 98.0 g/L with a purity of >99.0 % and a productivity of
      0.94 g/L-h. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates the potential of producing meso
      2,3-BD with high titer and purity through metabolic engineering of B.
      licheniformis.

PMID- 27257437
TI  - The efficacy of thuricin CD, tigecycline, vancomycin, teicoplanin, rifampicin and
      nitazoxanide, independently and in paired combinations against Clostridium
      difficile biofilms and planktonic cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thuricin CD is a two-component antimicrobial, belonging to the
      recently designated sactibiotic subclass of bacteriocins. The aim of this study
      was to investigate the effects of thuricin CD, as well as the antibiotics,
      tigecycline, vancomycin, teicoplanin, rifampicin and nitazoxanide when used
      independently and when combined at low concentrations on the viability of
      Clostridium difficile 20291 R027, TL178 R002, Liv022 R106, DPC6350 and VPI10463
      biofilms and planktonic cells. RESULTS: On the basis of XTT (2,3-bis[2-methyloxy
      4-nitro-5-sulphophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide)-menadione biofilm
      viability assays, we found that thuricin CD was effective against biofilms of
      R027, Liv022 R106 and DPC6350 when used independently while nitazoxanide and
      rifampicin were also potent against biofilms of R027 and DPC6350, when applied on
      their own. Tigecycline was found to be effective against R027 and DPC6350
      biofilms, whereas teicoplanin and vancomycin when used independently were only
      effective against DPC6350 biofilms. The efficacies of the antibiotics rifampicin,
      tigecycline, vancomycin and teicoplanin against C. difficile 20291 R027 biofilms
      were significantly potentiated when combined with thuricin CD, indicating
      effective antimicrobial combinations with this sactibiotic against R027 biofilms.
      However, the potency of nitazoxanide against R027 biofilms was significantly
      diminished when combined with thuricin CD, indicating an ineffective combination
      with this sactibiotic against R027 biofilms. Paired combinations of thuricin CD
      along with these five antibiotics were effective at diminishing the viability of
      DPC6350 biofilms. However, such combinations were largely ineffective against
      biofilms of TL178 R002, Liv022 R106 and VPI10463. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first study to highlight the activity of a sactibiotic
      bacteriocin against biofilms and the first to reveal the potency of the
      antibiotics tigecycline, teicoplanin and nitazoxanide against C. difficile
      biofilms. On the basis of this study, it is apparent that different strains of C.
      difficile possess varying abilities to form biofilms and that the sensitivities
      of these biofilms to different antimicrobials and antimicrobial combinations are
      strain-dependent. Since the formation of relatively strong biofilms by certain C.
      difficile strains may contribute to increased cases of antibiotic resistance and
      recurrence and relapse of C. difficile infection, the findings presented in this
      study could provide alternative strategies to target this pathogen.

PMID- 27257438
TI  - Prevalence, genotyping and risk factors of thermophilic Campylobacter spreading
      in organic turkey farms in Germany.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The need for organic food of animal origin has increased rapidly in
      recent years. However, effects of organic animal husbandry on food safety have
      not been rigorously tested especially in meat turkey flocks. This study provides
      for the first time an overview on the prevalence and genetic diversity of
      Campylobacter species (spp.) in five organic meat turkey farms located in
      different regions in Germany, as well as on potential risk factors of bacterial
      spreading. Thirty cloacal swabs as well as water samples and darkling beetles
      were collected from each flock and examined for the presence of Campylobacter by
      conventional and molecular biological methods. The isolates were genotyped by
      flaA-RFLP. RESULTS: Campylobacter spp. were detected in cloacal swabs in all 5
      turkey flocks with prevalence ranged from 90.0 to 100 %. 13 cloacal swabs
      collected from birds in farm III and IV were harboured mixed population of
      thermophilic campylobacters. In total, from 158 Campylobacter isolated from
      turkeys 89 (56.33 %) were identified as C. coli and 69 (43.76 %) as C. jejuni.
      Three Campylobacter (2 C. jejuni and 1 C. coli) were detected in drinkers of two
      farms and 3 C. coli were isolated from darkling beetles of one farm. No
      Campylobacter were isolated from main water tanks. flaA-RFLP assay showed that
      turkey farms can harbour more than one genotype. In a single turkey two different
      genotypes could be detected. The genotypes of campylobacters isolated from water
      samples or beetles were identical with those isolated from turkeys. No effect was
      found of some environmental parameters [ammonia concentration (NH3), carbon
      dioxide concentration (CO2), relative humidity (RH) and air temperature)] on
      Campylobacter prevalence in organic turkey farms. Additionally, drinking water
      and darkling beetles might be considered as risk factors for the spreading of
      Campylobacter in turkey flocks. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the high
      prevalence and genotypic diversity of Campylobacter spp. isolated from organic
      turkey flocks. Further research is needed to assess other potential risk factors
      responsible for bacteria spreading in order to mitigate the spread of
      Campylobacter in organic turkey flocks by improving biosecurity control measures.

PMID- 27257439
TI  - Assessment of recovery in older patients hospitalized with different diagnoses
      and functional levels, evaluated with and without geriatric assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to investigate 1) the role of
      different admission diagnoses and 2) the degree of functional loss, on the rate
      of recovery of older patients after acute hospitalization. Furthermore, to
      compare the predictive value of simple assessments that can be carried out in a
      hospital lacking geriatric service, with assessments including geriatric
      screening tests. METHODS: Prospective, observational cohort study, including
      961community dwelling patients aged >= 70 years, transferred from medical,
      cardiac, pulmonary and orthopedic acute hospital departments to intermediate care
      in nursing home. Functional assessment with Barthel index (BI) was performed at
      admission to the nursing home and further geriatric assessment tests was
      performed during the first week. Logistic regression models with and without
      geriatric assessment were compared concerning the patients having 1) slow
      recovery (nursing home stay up to 2 months before return home) or, 2) poor
      recovery (dead or still in nursing home at 2 months). RESULTS: Slow recovery was
      independently associated with a diagnosis of non-vertebral fracture, BI subgroups
      50-79 and <50, and, in the model including geriatric assessment, also with
      cognitive impairment. Poor recovery was more complex, and independently
      associated both with BI < 50, receiving home care before admission, higher age,
      admission with a non-vertebral fracture, and in the geriatric assessment model,
      cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric assessment is optimal for
      determining the recovery potential of older patients after acute hospitalization.
      As some hospitals lack geriatric services and ability to perform geriatric
      screening tests, a simpler assessment based on admission diagnoses and ADL
      function (BI), gives good information regarding the possible rehabilitation time
      and possibility to return home.

PMID- 27257440
TI  - Trusted Autonomy and Cognitive Cyber Symbiosis: Open Challenges.
AB  - This paper considers two emerging interdisciplinary, but related topics that are
      likely to create tipping points in advancing the engineering and science areas.
      Trusted Autonomy (TA) is a field of research that focuses on understanding and
      designing the interaction space between two entities each of which exhibits a
      level of autonomy. These entities can be humans, machines, or a mix of the two.
      Cognitive Cyber Symbiosis (CoCyS) is a cloud that uses humans and machines for
      decision-making. In CoCyS, human-machine teams are viewed as a network with each
      node comprising humans (as computational machines) or computers. CoCyS focuses on
      the architecture and interface of a Trusted Autonomous System. This paper
      examines these two concepts and seeks to remove ambiguity by introducing formal
      definitions for these concepts. It then discusses open challenges for TA and
      CoCyS, that is, whether a team made of humans and machines can work in fluid,
      seamless harmony.

PMID- 27257441
TI  - Passing the Turing Test Does Not Mean the End of Humanity.
AB  - In this paper we look at the phenomenon that is the Turing test. We consider how
      Turing originally introduced his imitation game and discuss what this means in a
      practical scenario. Due to its popular appeal we also look into different
      representations of the test as indicated by numerous reviewers. The main emphasis
      here, however, is to consider what it actually means for a machine to pass the
      Turing test and what importance this has, if any. In particular does it mean
      that, as Turing put it, a machine can "think". Specifically we consider claims
      that passing the Turing test means that machines will have achieved human-like
      intelligence and as a consequence the singularity will be upon us in the blink of
      an eye.

PMID- 27257442
TI  - Erratum to: The integrative epigenomic-transcriptomic landscape of ER positive
      breast cancer.

PMID- 27257444
TI  - Does a Journal Have an Ethical Monitoring Duty?
AB  - Research and ethics are inseparable. Based on abhorrent research abuses under the
      cloak of scientific enquiry, development of the process for the ethical overview
      of research on/with humans was undertaken. By the end of the twentieth century,
      sufficient and extensive local and international principles, guidelines,
      legislations, and treaties about research on humans were in place, with all human
      based research requiring review by independent research ethics committees (RECs).
      With so much established knowledge and legislation about the ethical management
      of the research process and REC oversight, is there a role for journal editorial
      boards in ethical oversight? Recommendations from the International Committee of
      Medical Journal Editors, the basis of the editorial policies of the IJTMB,
      include the requirement that research must be approved by an REC, and
      documentation of that review should be included in each article. Thus, as a
      minimum, journals must ensure that any research submitted for publication has had
      appropriate ethical review. But journals receive manuscripts after research is
      done. Journals, therefore, have a duty to ensure that received manuscripts meet
      expected standards for the publication of research and, for nonresearch
      situations, that appropriate protections of the research participants were in
      place even though REC review was not involved. 

PMID- 27257443
TI  - Contemporary management of TMJ involvement in JIA patients and its orofacial
      consequences.
AB  - Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common chronic rheumatic condition
      during childhood. Temporomandibular joint arthritis is frequently asymptomatic.
      When it takes place during childhood, it may affect condylar growth; therefore,
      these children are at risk of unfavorable long-term outcomes from the associated
      joint damage. The etiology is not completely understood, but it is considered as
      multifactorial with both genetic and environmental factors involved. The
      standardized examination and imaging protocols serve important purpose to
      diagnose temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis not only to establish an early
      interventional strategy but also to assess craniofacial growth and the
      progression of signs and symptoms in those patients. Although the treatment of
      juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has changed dramatically over the last
      decades due to new therapeutic options, TMJ arthritis still can develop during
      the course of the disease. In clinical experience, TMJs appear to respond less
      well to the standard of care used to treat other joints. More individualized
      approach to the patient's treatment serves as the main goal of personalized
      medicine. It could be achieved by adopting new methods of medical imaging such as
      conebeam computer tomography as well as developing reliable biomarkers which may
      assist with predicting disease type, course, or severity and predicting response
      to medication. This article provides an overview of current information on
      orofacial complications in JIA and its management. Based on information provided
      in this review, more precise diagnosis, proper tools for recognizing people at
      risk, and more efficient treatment approaches could be implemented. This may lead
      to more personalized treatment management strategies of TMJ complications of JIA
      patients. 

PMID- 27257445
TI  - Intradialytic Massage for Leg Cramps Among Hemodialysis Patients: a Pilot
      Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients on hemodialysis often experience muscle cramps that result
      in discomfort, shortened treatment times, and inadequate dialysis dose. Cramps
      have been associated with adversely affecting sleep and health-related quality of
      life, depression and anxiety. There is limited evidence available about massage
      in dialysis; however, massage in cancer patients has demonstrated decreases in
      pain, inflammation, and feelings of anxiety. These correlations indicate massage
      may be an effective treatment modality for hemodialysis-related lower extremity
      cramping. PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of intradialytic massage on the
      frequency of cramping among hemodialysis patients prone to lower extremity
      cramping. PARTICIPANTS: 26 maintenance hemodialysis patients with frequent lower
      extremity cramps. SETTING: three outpatient hemodialysis centers in Northeast
      Ohio. RESEARCH DESIGN: randomized controlled trial. INTERVENTION: The
      intervention group received a 20-minute massage of the lower extremities during
      each treatment (three times per week) for two weeks. The control group received
      usual care by dialysis center staff. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: change in frequency of
      lower leg cramping. RESULTS: Patient reported cramping at home decreased by 1.3
      episodes per week in the intervention group compared to 0.2 episodes per week in
      the control group (p=.005). Patient reported cramping during dialysis decreased
      by 0.8 episodes in the intervention group compared to 0.4 episodes in the control
      group (p=0.44). CONCLUSION: Intradialytic massage appears to be an effective way
      to address muscle cramping. Larger studies with longer duration should be
      conducted to further examine this approach.

PMID- 27257446
TI  - Dynamic Angular Petrissage as Treatment for Axillary Web Syndrome Occurring after
      Surgery for Breast Cancer: a Case Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the context of breast cancer, axillary web syndrome (AWS), also
      called lymphatic cording, typically presents in the weeks after axillary surgery.
      This painful condition, likely lymphofibrotic in origin, restricts upper
      extremity range of motion (ROM). There is no established treatment, although
      physical therapy and other approaches have been used to variable effect. This
      report describes treatment of a female client with AWS, who had recently
      undergone a unilateral simple mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy plus axillary
      dissection. METHODS: The client presented with pain upon movement (self-reported
      as 5 on the 0-10 Oxford Pain Scale), visible cording and restricted use of the
      ipsilateral upper extremity. Clinical assessment included determining the extent
      of AWS cording (taut, from axilla to wrist) and measuring glenohumeral joint ROM
      (140 degrees  flexion by goniometer). A therapeutic massage with movement
      protocol, termed dynamic angular petrissage, was administered over two sessions:
      Swedish massage combined with dynamically taking the limb through all possible
      angles of movement (passive ROM), controlling stretch and tension while
      simultaneously and segmentally applying petrissage and non-petrissage techniques
      to the underlying soft tissue. Careful attention was taken to not break the cord.
      Home care consisted of prescribed exercises performed by the patient. RESULTS:
      After Session One, pain was reduced (to 0/10), ROM improved (to 170 degrees 
      flexion), and cording was visibly reduced. After Session Two the cord was
      residually apparent only on hyperextension, with no ROM restrictions in
      glenohumeral joint flexion. Follow-up at three months revealed absence of visual
      or palpable evidence of cording, unrestricted glenohumeral joint ROM, and absence
      of movement-associated pain. CONCLUSION: The signs and symptoms of AWS were
      quickly and effectively eliminated, without causing any pain or discomfort to the
      client. We propose that dynamic angular petrissage may be an efficient and safe
      treatment approach for reducing the pain, mobility restrictions, and cording of
      AWS.

PMID- 27257447
TI  - Primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma mimicking a carcinoid tumor: Case report
      and literature review.
AB  - Primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma is a rare malignancy. Commonly described
      radiologic features in the literature include pleural disease and/or effusion,
      lack of calcification and high uptake on positron emission tomography
      computerised tomography. A 68-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of
      cough. Imaging studies showed a right upper lobe mass with internal foci of
      calcification, endobronchial extension, and low fluorodeoxyglucose avidity on
      positron emission tomography computerised tomography, leading to an initial
      diagnosis of carcinoid tumor. However, histologic specimens suggested an
      unexpected diagnosis of aggressive synovial sarcoma, and the case was referred to
      the sarcoma MDT. Metastatic synovial sarcoma was ruled out, and radical surgical
      excision of the lesion was performed. This article highlights the multiple
      atypical features of primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma as seen in this
      case and reviews imaging findings described in the literature. Radiologists
      should be aware of this unusual yet aggressive type of sarcoma. 

PMID- 27257448
TI  - Pancreatic lipoma with a solid nodule mimicking invasion from adjoining
      intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.
AB  - A 74-year-old man was referred to our hospital for a mass in the pancreatic head
      found during screening chest computed tomography. Contrast computed tomography
      showed a 5-cm multicystic mass with an irregular border containing a solid
      component showing contrast enhancement. Caudal to this mass, a 5-cm solid mass of
      fat density with a nodular soft-tissue component was found. Cytology of the
      aspirated pancreatic fluid revealed malignant cells, and surgery was performed
      for suspected intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma. Pathologic analysis of
      the resected specimen revealed a collision tumor of intraductal papillary
      mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) with high-grade dysplasia and pancreatic lipoma. The
      soft-tissue component within the lipoma was a nodule consisting of pancreatic
      tissue with inflammatory infiltration and hyalinization and was not associated
      with IPMN invasion. 

PMID- 27257449
TI  - Disseminated cat-scratch disease in an adult with selective IgA deficiency.
AB  - A 51-year-old man with history of undiagnosed pulmonary nodules 4 years prior,
      presented with right-sided chest pain. Acute cardiac workup was negative, and a
      chest computed tomography examination demonstrated marked improvement in
      bilateral pulmonary nodules. A concordant abdominal computed tomography
      examination showed new subcentimeter hypodense lesions throughout the liver and
      spleen, mild progressive abdominopelvic lymphadenopathy, and new small lytic
      lesions of T11 and L4 vertebrae. A positron emission tomography examination
      demonstrated hypermetabolic activity of these abdominopelvic lesions suggesting
      metastatic disease. Extensive laboratory workup was negative, aside from IgA
      deficiency. Eventually, biopsy of a hepatic lesion was performed and compatible
      with Bartonella species. An elevated Bartonella IgG titer was noted, consistent
      with Bartonella Hensalae infection, or "cat-scratch disease." Radiographic
      findings showed marked improvement after clinically appropriate antibiotic
      therapy. 

PMID- 27257450
TI  - Clinical case report: Sclerosing hemangioma of the liver, a rare but great
      mimicker.
AB  - Atypical hemangioma (including sclerosing and/or hyalinizing hemangioma) of the
      liver is a rare variant of hepatic hemangioma, which is the most common benign
      hepatic tumor. Atypical hemangioma can be indistinguishable from malignancy,
      primary, or metastatic, based on imaging characteristics. We describe a case of a
      70-year-old man with weight loss, occasional bloody stool, change in caliber of
      stool, and laboratory abnormalities who was found to have multiple hepatic
      lesions concerning for metastases. We demonstrate that knowledge of the
      appearance of atypical hemangioma and its inclusion in the differential diagnosis
      of hepatic lesions can alter patient management and be important to consider
      before invasive therapies are planned. 

PMID- 27257451
TI  - Transient washout of hepatic hemangiomas: Potential pitfall mimicking malignancy.
AB  - Hemangiomas are the most common tumor of the liver and distinguishing them from
      malignancy is important. This is a report of 3 hemangiomas in 2 patients that
      exhibit transient washout of gadoxetate disodium (Eovist), relative to blood pool
      and liver parenchyma, a characteristic that is used to diagnose hepatocellular
      carcinoma in at-risk patients. It is important to recognize that high-flow
      hemangiomas can exhibit transient washout when using a small volume of injected
      contrast agent. This finding is unlikely to be present on CT examinations because
      of the larger volume of contrast administered. 

PMID- 27257452
TI  - Massive gas gangrene secondary to occult colon carcinoma.
AB  - Gas gangrene is a rare but often fatal soft-tissue infection. Because it is
      uncommon and the classic symptom of crepitus does not appear until the infection
      is advanced, prompt diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. We present a
      case report of a middle-aged man who presented with acute onset lower-extremity
      pain that was initially thought to be due to deep vein thrombosis. After
      undergoing workup for pulmonary embolism, he was found to have massive gas
      gangrene of the lower extremity secondary to an occult colon adenocarcinoma and
      died within hours of presentation from multisystem organ failure. 

PMID- 27257453
TI  - Computed tomography demonstration of cholecystogastric fistula.
AB  - Cholecystogastric fistula is a rare complication of chronic cholecystitis or long
      standing cholelithiasis. It results from the gradual erosion of the approximated,
      chronically inflamed wall of the gall bladder and stomach with fistulous tract
      formation. The present case describes the direct visualization of a
      cholecystogastric fistula by computed tomography in a patient without prior
      biliary system complaints. 

PMID- 27257454
TI  - Renal squamous cell carcinoma mimicking xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: Case
      report and review of literature.
AB  - Primary renal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare primary malignancy of the
      kidney. Diagnosis is usually delayed because of its lack of characteristic
      clinical and imaging features and inherent aggressive nature. We present a case
      of primary renal SCC in a 66-year-old woman with bilateral renal calculi and a
      complex right lower pole renal mass. The diagnosis of primary renal SCC was
      established based on the histopathology after right nephrectomy. 

PMID- 27257455
TI  - Radiologic presentation of chronic granulomatous prostatitis mimicking locally
      advanced prostate adenocarcinoma.
AB  - We present a case of nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis (GP), a clinical mimic
      of prostate adenocarcinoma. A 54-year-old man presented with lower urinary tract
      symptoms and raised prostate-specific antigen. Magnetic resonance imaging showed
      features consistent with prostate cancer, including low T2-signal intensity in
      the peripheral and transition zones with signs of extracapsular extension.
      Diffusion-weighted imaging showed high-signal intensity, with low apparent
      diffusion coefficient values, whereas dynamic contrast enhancement demonstrated a
      type 3 washout curve, similar to that found in prostate cancer. Transperineal
      sector-guided prostate biopsy confirmed nonspecific GP, and the patient was
      treated conservatively. We discuss and compare nonspecific, chronic GP as a
      radiologic mimic of prostate adenocarcinoma patient. 

PMID- 27257456
TI  - Control of massive hemoptysis via a "back-door" approach through the pulmonary
      artery.
AB  - Bronchial artery embolization is an effective nonsurgical therapy for massive
      hemoptysis. Routine selection of the bronchial arteries from the aorta usually
      enables the interventionalist full interrogation and embolization of the culprit
      vascular abnormality. In problematic cases where bronchial artery access is
      difficult, a systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt can be exploited as a
      retrograde means of vascular intervention. A case is presented where
      inaccessibility of a tortuous left bronchial artery was circumvented by accessing
      the left pulmonary artery, leading to successful embolization and control of
      hemoptysis. 

PMID- 27257457
TI  - Atraumatic splenic rupture precipitated by splenic vein thrombosis.
AB  - We present the case of a 59-year-old man with atraumatic splenic rupture because
      of splenic vein thrombosis who was successfully treated with splenic artery
      embolization. 

PMID- 27257458
TI  - Acute tumor lysis syndrome after proximal splenic artery embolization.
AB  - Preoperative splenic artery embolization for massive splenomegaly has been shown
      to reduce intraoperative hemorrhage during splenectomy. We describe a case of
      tumor lysis syndrome after proximal splenic artery embolization in a patient with
      advanced mantle cell lymphoma and splenic involvement. The patient presented
      initially with hyperkalemia two days after embolization that worsened during
      splenectomy. He was stabilized, but developed laboratory tumor lysis syndrome
      with renal failure and expired. High clinical suspicion of tumor lysis syndrome
      in this setting is advised. Treatment must be started early to avoid serious
      renal injury and death. Lastly, same day splenectomy and embolization should be
      considered to decrease the likelihood of developing tumor lysis syndrome. 

PMID- 27257459
TI  - Massive exophytic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.
AB  - We present a case of a solitary neurofibroma involving the right posterior
      shoulder of a 69-year-old man with degeneration into a massive, malignant
      peripheral nerve sheath tumor measuring more than 3 times the average reported
      size. The radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomographic
      features are compared with the gross appearance and pathology. 

PMID- 27257460
TI  - Synovial cutaneous fistula complicating a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.
AB  - Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is becoming a common form of shoulder
      arthroplasty that is often performed in the setting of rotator cuff pathology.
      Infection is a rare complication but is more common in reverse total shoulder
      arthroplasty than in hemiarthroplasty or anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. We
      present the case of a 69-year-old patient with a reverse total shoulder
      arthroplasty who presented with purulent drainage from the skin of his anterior
      shoulder. Computed tomography arthrogram confirmed the presence of a synovial
      cutaneous fistula. Synovial cutaneous fistula is a rare variant of periprosthetic
      infection that, to our knowledge, has not been described previously in the
      setting of a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Computed tomography arthrogram
      proved to be a reliable method for confirming the diagnosis and was used for
      operative planning to remove the hardware. 

PMID- 27257461
TI  - A rare case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the forefoot.
AB  - Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is an extremely rare, potentially malignant tumor
      type that usually presents on the trunk or proximal extremities. The clinical
      presentation includes a gradually enlarging painless plaque-like or nodular
      lesion of the skin with surrounding red to blue discoloration. The diagnosis is
      based on clinical presentation, computed tomography or magnetic resonance
      imaging, and biopsy with histologic analysis. An early and timely diagnosis
      improves chances of complete surgical resection thus improving prognosis. Herein,
      we present a rare case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with the hopes that its
      addition to the literature will aid in the earlier recognition of future patients
      and help prevent this potentially curable disease from becoming deadly. 

PMID- 27257462
TI  - Experience with a triple-lumen catheter for autologous stem-cell transplantation.
AB  - We relate our experience with the Cook (Cook Medial Inc., Bloomington, IN, USA),
      triple-lumen hyperalimentation (HAS) catheter for treatment related to autologous
      stem-cell transplant. Nineteen HAS catheters were implanted in the right jugular
      vein, and tunneled to the right anterior chest wall, under imaging guidance.
      Retrospectively, we reviewed each catheter. Three patient's experienced
      "ballooning" of the middle (white) lumen of the HAS catheter during routine use.
      We assessed, time in situ, follow-up imaging, chemotherapy regimen, possibility
      of systemic or device infection, tissue pathology of the patient's malignancy,
      and other factors to attempt to determine if there were any associations that
      could explain the catheter lumen failure. After this pilot study of the HAS
      catheter in these 19 patients, we discontinued use of this device at our facility
      due to mechanical problems of ballooned and obstructed middle lumens. There was
      no obvious cause, or association, detected to explain the ballooning identified. 

PMID- 27257463
TI  - Nodular fasciitis mimicking recurrent lymphoma on positron emission tomography
      computed tomography.
AB  - 20 year old female with no prior medical history presents with diffuse cervical
      lymphadenopathy. CT and subsequent positron emission tomography-computed
      tomography (PET/CT) demonstrated diffuse lymphatomous involvement of multiple
      lymph nodes in the neck, mediastinum, and retroperitoneum. The patient underwent
      ABVD therapy which resulted in the lymphoma being in remission for 2 years. The
      patient had a repeat PET/CT done after 2 years due to complaints of recurrent
      lymphadenopathy. The PET/CT revealed a new hypermetabolic focus by the right
      femur. MRI demonstrated an enhancing nodule in that region which raised suspicion
      for possible site of lymphoma recurrence. Percutaneous biopsy showed nodular
      fasciitis. 

PMID- 27257464
TI  - Persistent bronchography in a newborn with esophageal atresia.
AB  - Esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula occurs in about 1:2,500
      births. We report a case of persistent bronchography in a newborn with EA and
      distal tracheoesophageal fistula. A large amount of barium sulfate was injected
      for mistake by a tube directly in the right bronchus to evaluate the patency of
      the esophagus. The infant showed signs of respiratory distress; he was intubated
      and transported at children's Hospital Santobono Pausilipon. Here, it was
      performed a chest X-ray that confirmed the opacification of the right bronchial
      tree, and it was suspected an EA type 3b. The literature recommends that:
      evaluation of the patency of the esophagus, with an iodinate contrast medium,
      should be done in a pediatric specialized center for high risk of lung
      aspiration. 

PMID- 27257465
TI  - Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of limb-body wall complex: case series of a rare
      congenital anomaly.
AB  - Three case reports of a rare congenital anomaly "limb-body wall complex" also
      known as "body stalk syndrome" are presented with prenatal ultrasonographic
      diagnostic features, immediate after delivery evaluation, and histopathologic
      analysis. 

PMID- 27257466
TI  - Testicular hemangioma mimicking a malignant neoplasm.
AB  - A 34-year-old man who presented with right scrotal pain, and who on subsequent
      ultrasound examination, was found to have an intratesticular hypoechoic mass.
      Based on the ultrasound appearance of this mass, a malignant germ cell tumor was
      thought to be the most likely diagnosis. Preoperative serum tumor markers,
      including lactate dehydrogenase, alpha-1-fetoprotein, and beta-human chorionic
      gonadotropin, were negative. Computed tomography imaging of the chest, the
      abdomen, and the pelvis revealed no evidence of metastasis. The patient underwent
      right orchiectomy, and final pathology demonstrated a benign hemangioma. 

PMID- 27257467
TI  - CO Adsorption on Reconstructed Ir(100) Surfaces from UHV to mbar Pressure: A
      LEED, TPD, and PM-IRAS Study.
AB  - Clean and stable surface modifications of an iridium (100) single crystal, i.e.,
      the (1 * 1) phase, the (5 * 1) reconstruction, and the oxygen-terminated (2 * 1)
      O surface, were prepared and characterized by low energy electron diffraction
      (LEED), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), infrared reflection absorption
      spectroscopy (IRAS) and polarization modulation IRAS (PM-IRAS). The adsorption of
      CO in UHV and at elevated (mbar) pressure/temperature was followed both ex situ
      and in situ on all three surface modifications, with a focus on mbar pressures of
      CO. The Ir(1 * 1) surface exhibited c(4 * 2)/c(2 * 2) and c(6 * 2) CO structures
      under low pressure conditions, and remained stable up to 100 mbar and 700 K. For
      the (2 * 1)-O reconstruction CO adsorption induced a structural change from (2 *
      1)-O to (1 * 1), as confirmed by LEED, TPD, and IR. For Ir (2 * 1)-O TPD
      indicated that CO reacted with surface oxygen forming CO2. The (5 * 1)
      reconstruction featured a reversible and dynamic behavior upon CO adsorption,
      with a local lifting of the reconstruction to (1 * 1). After CO desorption, the
      (5 * 1) structure was restored. All three reconstructions exhibited CO adsorption
      with on-top geometry, as evidenced by IR. With increasing CO exposure the
      resonances shifted to higher wavenumber, due to adsorbate-adsorbate and adsorbate
      substrate interactions. The largest wavenumber shift (from 2057 to 2100 cm-1) was
      observed for Ir(5 * 1) upon CO dosing from 1 L to 100 mbar.

PMID- 27257469
TI  - Benzocaine-Induced Cyanosis.

PMID- 27257468
TI  - Interparental Violence and the Mediating Role of Parental Availability in
      Children's Trauma Related Symptoms.
AB  - This cross-sectional study examined the hypothesis that parental psychopathology
      in Interparental Violence (IPV) families crosses over to children, because
      parental psychopathology spills over to parental functioning. In a high-risk
      sample of IPV exposed families, we tested whether parental psychopathology spills
      over to parental availability, which, in turn, shows a crossover effect to
      children's trauma-related symptoms. The study population consisted of 78 IPV
      exposed children (4-12 years), and their 65 custodial parents referred to
      outpatient Children's Trauma Centers in the Netherlands for intervention.
      Consistent with our hypotheses, parental psychopathology was negatively related
      to parental availability, suggesting a spillover effect. Although parental
      psychopathology was not associated with children's trauma-related symptoms
      directly, we found evidence for the predicted indirect, crossover effects. We
      found an indirect crossover effect from parental psychopathology to children's
      trauma-related anxiety, depression, and anger, through the spillover effect of
      parental availability. Clinical implications for treatment and study limitations
      are discussed.

PMID- 27257470
TI  - A Graph Based Framework to Model Virus Integration Sites.
AB  - With next generation sequencing thousands of virus and viral vector integration
      genome targets are now under investigation to uncover specific integration
      preferences and to define clusters of integration, termed common integration
      sites (CIS), that may allow to assess gene therapy safety or to detect disease
      related genomic features such as oncogenes. Here, we addressed the challenge to:
      1) define the notion of CIS on graph models, 2) demonstrate that the structure of
      CIS enters in the category of scale-free networks and 3) show that our network
      approach analyzes CIS dynamically in an integrated systems biology framework
      using the Retroviral Transposon Tagged Cancer Gene Database (RTCGD) as a testing
      dataset. 

PMID- 27257471
TI  - Common integration sites of published datasets identified using a graph-based
      framework.
AB  - With next-generation sequencing, the genomic data available for the
      characterization of integration sites (IS) has dramatically increased. At
      present, in a single experiment, several thousand viral integration genome
      targets can be investigated to define genomic hot spots. In a previous article,
      we renovated a formal CIS analysis based on a rigid fixed window demarcation into
      a more stretchy definition grounded on graphs. Here, we present a selection of
      supporting data related to the graph-based framework (GBF) from our previous
      article, in which a collection of common integration sites (CIS) was identified
      on six published datasets. In this work, we will focus on two datasets, ISRTCGD
      and ISHIV, which have been previously discussed. Moreover, we show in more detail
      the workflow design that originates the datasets. 

PMID- 27257472
TI  - Characterization of osteoarthritic human knees indicates potential sex
      differences.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of osteoarthritis is higher in women than in men in
      every age group, and overall prevalence increases with advancing age. Sex
      specific differences in the properties of osteoarthritic joint tissues may permit
      the development of sex-specific therapies. Sex hormones regulate cartilage and
      bone development and homeostasis in a sex-dependent manner. Recent in vitro
      studies show that the vitamin D3 metabolite 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3
      [1alpha,25(OH)2D3] also has sex-specific effects on musculoskeletal cells,
      suggesting that vitamin D3 metabolites may play a role in osteoarthritis-related
      sex-specific differences. The purpose of this study was to determine if sex
      specific differences exist in synovial fluid and knee tissues isolated from male
      and female patients with severe knee osteoarthritis. We determined the presence
      of vitamin D3 metabolites, inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and matrix
      metalloproteinases (MMPs) in synovial fluid and assessed responses of articular
      chondrocytes and subchondral osteoblasts to 17beta-estradiol,
      dihydrotestosterone, and 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. METHODS: Samples from knee joints of
      10 Caucasian male and 10 Caucasian female patients with advanced osteoarthritis
      aged 65 to 75 years were obtained from total knee arthroplasty. Vitamin D
      metabolites, cytokines, MMPs, and growth factors in the synovial fluid were
      measured. Primary cultures of chondrocytes were isolated from fibrillated
      articular cartilage adjacent to osteoarthritis lesions and minimally affected
      cartilage distal to the lesion. Osteoblasts were isolated from the subchondral
      bone. Expression of receptors for 17beta-estradiol and 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 was
      assessed by real-time PCR. Chondrocytes and osteoblasts were treated with 10(-8)
      M 17beta-estradiol, dihydrotestosterone, or 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and effects on gene
      expression and protein synthesis determined. RESULTS: Histology of the articular
      cartilage confirmed advanced osteoarthritis. Sex differences were found in
      synovial fluid levels of vitamin D metabolites, cytokines, and metalloproteinases
      as well as in the cellular expression of receptors for 17beta-estradiol and
      1alpha,25(OH)2D3. Male cells were more responsive to 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and
      dihydrotestosterone, whereas 17beta-estradiol-affected female cells. CONCLUSIONS:
      These results demonstrate that there are underlying sex differences in knee
      tissues affected by osteoarthritis. Our findings do not address osteoarthritis
      etiology but have implications for different prevention methods and treatments
      for men and women. Further research is needed to better understand these sex
      based differences.

PMID- 27257473
TI  - Gene changes may minimize masculinizing and defeminizing influences of exposure
      to male cotwins in female callitrichine primates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sexual differentiation in female mammals can be altered by the
      proximity of male littermates in utero, a phenomenon known as the intrauterine
      position effect (IUP). Among simian primates, callitrichines (marmosets and
      tamarins) are likely candidates for IUP, since they exhibit obligate dizygotic
      twinning and fetuses share extensive vascularization in utero. In this paper, we
      determined whether female reproductive parameters are altered by gestating with a
      male twin and evaluated changes in genes associated with anti-Mullerian and
      steroid hormones in twinning callitrichine primates. METHODS: We assessed the
      impact of gestation with male cotwins on reproductive performance and
      survivorship in female marmosets (Callithrix) and lion tamarins (Leontopithecus),
      contrasting measures for females gestated with one or more littermates (M+) or no
      male littermates (0M). We compared targeted coding regions for genes involved in
      steroidal and anti-Mullerian hormone mediation of sexual differentiation for
      representatives of twinning callitrichines (Callithrix, Saguinus, and
      Leontopithecus) with closely related New World primates that produce single
      births (Saimiri and Callimico). RESULTS: IUP effects in females were absent in
      female callitrichine primates: age at first ovulation, average litter size, and
      the proportion of stillborn infants, and lifetime survivorship did not differ
      between M+ and 0M females. We documented multiple nonsynonymous substitutions in
      genes associated with steroid synthesis, transport, and cellular action (SRD5A2,
      CYP19A1, SHBG, and AR) and with anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH and AMHR2) in
      callitrichines. In the only callitrichine to produce single infants (Callimico),
      two genes contained nonsynonymous substitutions relative to twinning
      callitrichines (CYP19A1 and AMRHR2); these substitutions were identical with
      nontwinning Saimiri and humans, suggesting a reversion to an ancestral sequence.
      CONCLUSIONS: In spite of a shared placental vasculature with opposite-sex twins
      throughout embryonic and fetal development, female callitrichine primates
      gestated with a male cotwin exhibit no decrement in reproductive performance
      relative to females gestated with female cotwins. Hence, IUP effects on female
      reproduction in callitrichines are modest. We have identified mutations in
      candidate genes relevant for steroid hormone signaling and metabolism, and
      especially in AMH-related genes, that are likely to alter protein structure and
      function in the callitrichines. These mutations may confer protection for females
      from the masculinizing and defeminizing influences of gestating with a male
      cotwin.

PMID- 27257475
TI  - Nutritional adequacy of a cows' milk exclusion diet in infancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infants with suspected cows' milk allergy are required to follow a
      strict milk exclusion diet which may lead to nutritional deficiencies, especially
      if not supervised by a healthcare professional. The aim of this study was to
      assess the nutritional adequacy of a cows' milk exclusion diet in a group of UK
      infants over a period of 6 months. METHODS: Participants in this study are a
      subgroup of the Prevalence of Infant Food Allergy study, a prospective food
      allergy birth cohort study from the South of England. Each infant consuming a
      milk free diet, following advice from a specialist allergy dietitian, was matched
      to two control infants who were consuming an unrestricted diet, forming a nested
      matched case-control study. Detailed food diaries completed prospectively for 1
      week per month over a 5 month period, were coded and analysed according to a
      standard protocol. RESULTS: The diets of 39 infants (13 milk-free and 26
      controls) were assessed. Mean age at diet commencement was 14 weeks. Two of the
      eleven infants started on an extensively hydrolysed formula did not tolerate it
      and required an amino acid formula for symptom resolution. All infants had mean
      intakes in excess of the estimated average requirement for energy and the
      recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for protein, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc,
      vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin D intake was in excess of the RNI at all time
      points, except at 44 weeks of age. Across the study period, selenium intake was
      higher for infants consuming a milk free diet whilst vitamin C intake was higher
      for infants consuming an unrestricted diet. Differences were found between the
      two groups for protein, calcium, iron and vitamin E intakes at differing time
      points. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that although infants consuming a
      milk-free diet have a nutritional intake that is significantly different to
      matched controls who are eating an unrestricted diet, this difference is not
      constant and it is not seen for all nutrients. Further research in infants
      without dietetic input is needed to explore the nutritional implications of
      unsupervised cows' milk exclusion diets.

PMID- 27257474
TI  - Four-week rapamycin treatment improves muscular dystrophy in a fukutin-deficient
      mouse model of dystroglycanopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Secondary dystroglycanopathies are a subset of muscular dystrophy
      caused by abnormal glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan (alphaDG). Loss of alphaDG
      functional glycosylation prevents it from binding to laminin and other
      extracellular matrix receptors, causing muscular dystrophy. Mutations in a number
      of genes, including FKTN (fukutin), disrupt alphaDG glycosylation. METHODS: We
      analyzed conditional Fktn knockout (Fktn KO) muscle for levels of mTOR signaling
      pathway proteins by Western blot. Two cohorts of Myf5-cre/Fktn KO mice were
      treated with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin (RAPA)
      for 4 weeks and evaluated for changes in functional and histopathological
      features. RESULTS: Muscle from 17- to 25-week-old fukutin-deficient mice has
      activated mTOR signaling. However, in tamoxifen-inducible Fktn KO mice, factors
      related to Akt/mTOR signaling were unchanged before the onset of dystrophic
      pathology, suggesting that Akt/mTOR signaling pathway abnormalities occur after
      the onset of disease pathology and are not causative in early dystroglycanopathy
      development. To determine any pharmacological benefit of targeting mTOR
      signaling, we administered RAPA daily for 4 weeks to Myf5/Fktn KO mice to inhibit
      mTORC1. RAPA treatment reduced fibrosis, inflammation, activity-induced damage,
      and central nucleation, and increased muscle fiber size in Myf5/Fktn KO mice
      compared to controls. RAPA-treated KO mice also produced significantly higher
      torque at the conclusion of dosing. CONCLUSIONS: These findings validate a
      misregulation of mTOR signaling in dystrophic dystroglycanopathy skeletal muscle
      and suggest that such signaling molecules may be relevant targets to delay and/or
      reduce disease burden in dystrophic patients.

PMID- 27257476
TI  - Psychological factors in exceptional, extreme and torturous environments.
AB  - Our cognitive system has adapted to support goal-directed behaviour within a
      normal environment. An abnormal environment is one to which we are not optimally
      adapted but can accommodate through the development of coping strategies. These
      abnormal environments can be 'exceptional', e.g., polar base, space station,
      submarine, prison, intensive care unit, isolation ward etc.; 'extreme', marked by
      more intense environmental stimuli and a real or perceived lack of control over
      the situation, e.g., surviving at sea in a life-raft, harsh prison camp etc.; or
      'tortuous', when specific environmental stimuli are used deliberately against a
      person in an attempt to undermine his will or resistance. The main factors in an
      abnormal environment are: psychological (isolation, sensory deprivation, sensory
      overload, sleep deprivation, temporal disorientation); psychophysiological
      (thermal, stress positions), and psychosocial (cultural humiliation, sexual
      degradation). Each single factor may not be considered tortuous, however, if
      deliberately structured into a systemic cluster may constitute torture under
      legal definition. The individual experience of extremis can be pathogenic or
      salutogenic and attempts are being made to capitalise on these positive
      experiences whilst ameliorating the more negative aspects of living in an
      abnormal environment. 

PMID- 27257477
TI  - The case for genome-wide association studies of bone acquisition in paediatric
      and adolescent populations.
AB  - Peak bone mass, the maximum amount of bone accrued at the end of the growth
      period, is an important predictor of future risk of osteoporosis and fracture.
      Hence, the contribution of genetic factors influencing bone accrual is of
      considerable interest to the osteoporosis research community. In this article, we
      review evidence that genetic factors play an important role in bone growth,
      describe the genetic loci implicated so far and briefly discuss lessons learned
      from the application of genome-wide association studies. Moreover, we attempt to
      make the case for genetic investigations of bone mineral density in paediatric
      and young adult populations, describing their potential to increase our knowledge
      of the process of bone metabolism throughout the life course, and in turn,
      identify novel targets for the pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis. 

PMID- 27257478
TI  - Meta-analysis of risk factors for Parkinson's disease dementia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common heterogeneous neurodegenerative
      disorder in elder population. Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) is one of the
      most common non-motor manifestations in PD patients. No comprehensive review has
      been conducted to assess risk factors for PDD. METHODS: A systemic search for
      studies on PDD risk factors was performed. Cohort and case-control studies that
      clearly defined PDD and presented relevant data were included. The data were
      analyzed to generate a pooled effect size and 95 % confidence interval (CI).
      Publication bias was assessed using the Egger's test and the Begg's test.
      RESULTS: A systematic search was conducted and yielded 5195 articles. After
      screening, 25 studies were included in the current analysis. Development of PDD
      was positively associated with age (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95 % CI 1.03-1.13),
      male (OR 1.33, 95 % CI 1.08-1.64), higher Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating
      Scale (UPDRS) part III scores (relative risk [RR] 1.04, 95 % CI 1.01-1.07),
      hallucination (OR 2.47, 95 % CI 1.36-4.47), REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) (OR
      8.38, 95 % CI 3.87-18.08), smoking (ever vs. never) (RR 1.93, 95 % CI 1.15-3.26)
      and hypertension (OR 1.57, 95 % CI 1.11-2.22). An inverse association was found
      between education (RR 0.94, 95 % CI 0.91-0.98) and PDD. Other reported factors,
      including age of onset, disease duration of PD, Hoehn and Yahr stage and diabetes
      mellitus were not significantly associated with PDD. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age,
      male, higher UPDRS III scores, hallucination, RBD, smoking and hypertension
      increase the risk of PDD, whereas higher education is a protective factor for
      PDD.

PMID- 27257480
TI  - Emergency surgical treatment of complicated acute pancreatitis after kidney
      transplantation with acute rejection: Case report and literature review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute pancreatitis is a rare but frequently fatal complication in
      patients following kidney transplantation. The first case of acute pancreatitis
      in patients following a kidney transplant was described by Starzl in 1964. The
      incidence of acute pancreatitis is stated at between 1 and 5%. The mortality rate
      amongst these patients reaches as high as 50-100%. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Here we
      present a case of acute pancreatic abscess in a caucasian female - shortly
      following a kidney transplant complicated by the development of acute rejection,
      in which immunosuppressant therapy is a potential etiological agent. Emergency
      surgical treatment was indicated, which included drainage of the abscesses
      irrigation of the abdominal cavity. Immunosuppressive medication was considered a
      possible etiological factor, and as a result administration of tacrolimus and
      mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued. This was successful and three months
      later, diagnostic rebiopsy of the graft was performed without signs of rejection.
      DISCUSSION: The etiology of this illness is multifactorial. The clinical
      manifestation of acute pancreatitis in patients following kidney transplantation
      is the same as in the remainder of the population. However, in patients following
      transplantation with long-term immunosuppression, it usually manifests a more
      rapid development and a more severe, frequently fatal course. CONCLUSIONS: With
      regard to the patient's comorbidities, early surgical therapy was indicated -
      drainage and closed lavage and immunosuppressive medication as a suspected tobe
      ethiological factor was discontinued. This course of treatment led to a complete
      recovery with preservation of good function of the cadaverous kidney.

PMID- 27257479
TI  - Empirical evaluation of a virtual laboratory approach to teach lactate
      dehydrogenase enzyme kinetics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Personalised instruction is increasingly recognised as crucial for
      efficacious learning today. Our seminal work delineates and elaborates on the
      principles, development and implementation of a specially-designed adaptive,
      virtual laboratory. AIMS: We strived to teach laboratory skills associated with
      lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme kinetics to 2nd-year biochemistry students
      using our adaptive learning platform. Pertinent specific aims were
      to:(1)design/implement a web-based lesson to teach lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)
      enzyme kinetics to 2nd-year biochemistry students(2)determine its efficacious in
      improving students' comprehension of enzyme kinetics(3)assess their perception of
      its usefulness/manageability(vLab versus Conventional Tutorial). METHODS: Our
      tools were designed using HTML5 technology. We hosted the program on an adaptive
      e-learning platform (AeLP). Provisions were made to interactively impart informed
      laboratory skills associated with measuring LDH enzyme kinetics. A series of e
      learning methods were created. Tutorials were generated for interactive teaching
      and assessment. RESULTS: The learning outcomes herein were on par with that from
      a conventional classroom tutorial. Student feedback showed that the majority of
      students found the vLab learning experience "valuable"; and the vLab
      format/interface "well-designed". However, there were a few technical issues with
      the 1st roll-out of the platform. CONCLUSIONS: Our pioneering effort resulted in
      productive learning with the vLab, with parity with that from a conventional
      tutorial. Our contingent discussion emphasises not only the cornerstone
      advantages, but also the shortcomings of the AeLP method utilised. We conclude
      with an astute analysis of possible extensions and applications of our
      methodology.

PMID- 27257481
TI  - Advanced colorectal cancer resulting in acute bowel obstruction during pregnancy;
      a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Abdominal pain is frequently found in the pregnant population;
      however life-threatening pathology such as colorectal cancer does occur rarely.
      As such, intestinal obstructions are usually attributed to pregnancy-related
      issues. We present the case of a young woman with an acute bowel obstruction
      caused by advanced colorectal carcinoma. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 34-year old
      pregnant woman was referred to our emergency department with complaints of severe
      upper abdominal pain. Initial investigations did not show abdominal pathology and
      conservative treatment for obstipation was commenced. However, complaints
      persisted and a near blowout of the colon was diagnosed, prompting a caesarean
      section and diagnostic laparotomy. An obstructing tumour was found and a left
      sided hemi-colectomy was performed. Unfortunately, skeletal, lymphatic and
      additional hepatogenic metastasis were discovered during chemotherapy and
      treatment was discontinued. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The mainstay of abdominal
      complaints during pregnancy can be attributed to normal physiological alterations
      associated with gravidity. Nonetheless serious pathology should be considered,
      especially when conservative treatment fails. On this note, diagnostic imaging
      during pregnancy should be used promptly upon suspicion of serious abdominal
      pathology.

PMID- 27257482
TI  - A multicenter review of epidemiology and management of varicose veins for
      national guidance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Varicose vein is a common surgical problems in India. This study was
      done to assess the clinico-epidemiological profile, risk factors and management
      practices in varicose veins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 170
      varicose vein cases admitted in tertiary care hospitals in Mangalore between May
      2011 to April 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Majority of cases
      53(31.2%) were of the age group 41-50 years. Majority were males 127(74.7%) and
      majority were unskilled workers 101(59.4%). Superficial veins were involved in
      123(72.4%) cases. Perforator followed by great saphenous vein were most
      frequently involved. Veins on the left side were more involved than on the right.
      Common symptoms at the time of presentation was ulceration 98(57.6%) followed by
      pain in the legs 96(56.5%). Ulceration was seen significantly more among females
      (p = 0.027) and among house wives (p = 0.004). Complications like eczema
      46(27.1%), non-healing ulcers 21(12.3%) and deep vein thrombosis 10(5.9%) were
      reported among cases. Eczema was present significantly more among elderly
      patients aged above 60 years (p = 0.019). Risk factors like prolonged standing
      was observed in 86(50.6%) cases. This history was significantly seen among males
      (p = 0.001) and among those involved in unskilled occupations (p < 0.001).
      Recurrence of varicose vein was reported in 23(13.5%) cases. It was associated
      with patients of the age group 21-30 years (p = 0.021). Doppler ultrasound was
      the most common 120(70.6%) investigation done. Micronized purified flavonoid
      fraction was used in management in 15(8.8%) cases. Conservative management
      methods like limb elevation 50(29.4%) and compression stocking 36(21.2%) was
      advised to patients. Saphenous vein stripping was the most common surgical
      procedure 40(23.5%) performed. CONCLUSION: The high risk groups identified in
      this study need to be made aware of risk of developing varicose veins. Use of
      compression stocking at work place added with newer procedure in management could
      help in betterment in their quality of life.

PMID- 27257483
TI  - Hepatic arterial and portal venous complications after adult and pediatric living
      donor liver transplantation, risk factors, management and outcome (A
      retrospective cohort study).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Hepatic arterial (HA) and portal venous (PV) complications of
      recipients after living donor liver transplantation(LDLT) result in patient loss.
      The aim of this study was to analyze these complications. METHODS: We
      retrospectively analyzed HA and/or PV complications in 213 of 222 recipients
      underwent LDLT in our centre. The overall male/female and adult/pediatric ratios
      were 183/30 and 186/27 respectively. RESULTS: The overall incidence of HA and/or
      PV complications was 19.7% (n = 42), while adult and pediatric complications were
      18.3% (n = 39) and 1.4% (n = 3) respectively. However early (<1month) and late
      (>1month) complications were 9.4% (n = 20) and 10.3% (n = 22) respectively.
      Individually HA problems (HA stenosis, HA thrombosis, injury and arterial steal
      syndrome) 15% (n = 32), PV problems (PV thrombosis and PV stenosis) 2.8% (n = 6)
      and simultaneous HA and PV problems 1.9% (n = 4). 40/42 of complications were
      managed by angiography (n = 18), surgery (n = 10) or medically (Anticoagulant
      and/or thrombolytic) (n = 12) where successful treatment occurred in 18 patients.
      13/42 (31%) of patients died as a direct result of these complications.
      Preoperative PVT was significant predictor of these complications in univariate
      analysis. The 6-month, 1-, 3-, 5- 7- and 10-year survival rates in patients were
      65.3%, 61.5%, 55.9%, 55.4%, 54.5% and 54.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: HA and/or
      PV complications specially early ones lead to significant poor outcome after
      LDLT, so proper dealing with the risk factors like pre LT PVT (I.e. More
      intensive anticoagulation therapy) and the effective management of these
      complications are mandatory for improving outcome.

PMID- 27257484
TI  - Intestinal blood flow assessment by indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in a
      patient with the incarcerated umbilical hernia: Report of a case.
AB  - After reduction of the incarceration during surgery for incarcerated hernia,
      intestinal blood flow (IBF) and the need for bowel resection must be evaluated.
      We report the case of a patient with incarcerated umbilical hernia in whom the
      bowel was preserved after evaluating IBF using indocyanine green (ICG)
      fluorescence. A woman in her 40s with a chief complaint of abdominal pain visited
      our hospital, was diagnosed with incarcerated umbilical hernia and underwent
      surgery. Laparotomy was performed to reduce bowel incarceration. After reducing
      the incarceration, IBF was observed using ICG fluorescence detected using a
      brightfield full-color fluorescence camera. The small bowel that had been
      incarcerated showed deep-red discoloration on gross evaluation, but intravenous
      injection of ICG revealed uniform fluorescence of the mesentery and bowel wall.
      This indicated an absence of irreversible ischemic changes of the bowel, so no
      resection was performed. The patient showed a good postoperative course,
      including resumption of eating on day 4 and discharge on day 11. In surgery for
      incarcerated hernia, ICG fluorescence may offer a useful method to evaluate IBF
      after reducing the incarceration. This case implied that PINPOINT could be used
      in open conventional surgery. 

PMID- 27257485
TI  - Detection of benign hilar bile duct stenoses - A retrospective analysis in 250
      patients with suspicion of Klatskin tumour.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to identify clinical, laboratory and
      radiological parameters to distinguish benign from malignant stenoses of the
      proximal bile duct. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2011, 250 patients were referred to
      our clinic with hilar bile duct stenoses suspicious for Klatskin tumour. Medical
      histories, clinical data, pre-interventional laboratory tests, imaging findings,
      as well as therapeutic approach and patient outcome were compared to final
      histological results. All data were retrieved from our prospectively maintained
      database and analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: We found benign bile duct lesions
      in 34 patients (13.6%). Among the entire study population, uni- and multivariate
      analyses of 18 clinicopathological parameters revealed that patient age, serum
      alkaline phosphatase, tumour marker CA19-9 and presence of tumour mass in
      computed tomography were independent predictors for malignant biliary stenoses (p
      < 0.05). Receiver operator characteristic curve showed that a CA19-9 serum level
      of 61.2 U/ml or more has a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy for
      predicting the malignant nature of the hilar biliary stenoses of 74.6%, 80.0% and
      83.5%, respectively. Surgical resection could be avoided by preoperative work-up
      and surgical exploration in 10 out of 34 patients with benign lesions. Rates of
      major liver resections performed were 66.7% in the benign lesion group and 90.7%
      in the Klatskin tumour group. CONCLUSION: Despite improvements of preoperative
      diagnostics, it remains difficult to differentiate between benign and malignant
      hilar bile duct stenosis. Even explorative laparotomy was not able to safely
      exclude Klatskin tumour in all cases and therefore major liver resection was
      inevitable.

PMID- 27257486
TI  - Noncontiguous finished genome sequence and description of Bacillus andreraoultii
      strain SIT1(T) sp. nov.
AB  - Bacillus andreraoultii strain SIT1(T) (= CSUR P1162 = DSM 29078) is the type
      strain of B. andreraoultii sp. nov. This bacterium was isolated from the stool of
      a 2-year-old Nigerian boy with a severe form of kwashiorkor. Bacillus
      andreraoultii is an aerobic, Gram-positive rod. We describe here the features of
      this bacterium, together with the complete genome sequencing and annotation. The
      4 092 130 bp long genome contains 3718 protein-coding and 116 RNA genes. 

PMID- 27257487
TI  - Noncontiguous finished genome sequence and description of Planococcus
      massiliensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from the human
      gut.
AB  - We propose the main phenotypic characteristics and the complete genome sequence
      and annotation of Planococcus massiliensis strain ES2(T) (= CSUR P1103 = DSM
      28915), the type strain of P. massiliensis sp. nov., isolated from a faeces
      sample collected from a healthy Senegalese man. It is an aerobic, Gram-positive,
      moderately halophilic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium. The 3 357 017 bp long
      genome exhibits a G+C content of 46.0% and contains 3357 protein-coding genes and
      48 RNA genes. 

PMID- 27257488
TI  - Noncontiguous finished genome sequence and description of Nocardioides
      massiliensis sp. nov. GD13(T).
AB  - Nocardioides massiliensis sp. nov strain GD13(T) is the type strain of N.
      massiliensis sp. nov., a new species within the genus Nocardioides. This strain
      was isolated from the faeces of a 62-year-old man admitted to intensive care for
      Guillain-Barre syndrome. Nocardioides massiliensis is a strictly aerobic Gram
      positive rod. Herein we describe the features of this bacterium, together with
      the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 4 006 620 bp long genome
      contains 4132 protein-coding and 47 RNA genes. 

PMID- 27257489
TI  - Drug resistance and genetic characteristics of clinical isolates of staphylococci
      in Myanmar: high prevalence of PVL among methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus
      aureus belonging to various sequence types.
AB  - Prevalence, drug resistance and genetic characteristics were analysed for a total
      of 128 clinical isolates of staphylococci obtained from a tertiary hospital in
      Myanmar. The dominant species were S. aureus (39%) and S. haemolyticus (35%),
      followed by S. epidermidis (6%) and S. saprophyticus (5%). The majority of S.
      haemolyticus isolates (71.1%) harboured mecA, showing high resistance rates to
      ampicillin, cephalosporins, erythromycin and levofloxacin, while methicillin
      resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was only 8% (four isolates) among S. aureus with type
      IV SCCmec. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes were detected in 20 isolates
      of S. aureus (40%), among which only one isolate was MRSA belonging to sequence
      type (ST) 88/agr-III/coa-IIIa, and the other 19 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus
      (MSSA) isolates were classified into six STs (ST88, ST121, ST1153, ST1155,
      ST1930, ST3206). An ST1153 MSSA isolate with PVL was revealed to belong to a
      novel coa type, XIIIa. ST121 S. aureus was the most common in the PVL-positive
      MSSA (47%, 9/19), harbouring genes of bone sialoprotein and variant of elastin
      binding protein as a distinctive feature. Although PVL-positive MSSA was
      susceptible to most of the antimicrobial agents examined, ST1930 isolates were
      resistant to erythromycin and levofloxacin. ST59 PVL-negative MRSA and MSSA had
      more resistance genes than other MRSA and PVL-positive MSSA, showing resistance
      to more antimicrobial agents. This study indicated higher prevalence of mecA
      associated with multiple drug resistance in S. haemolyticus than in S. aureus,
      and dissemination of PVL genes to multiple clones of MSSA, with ST121 being
      dominant, among hospital isolates in Myanmar. 

PMID- 27257490
TI  - Drancourtella massiliensis gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from fresh healthy human
      faecal sample from South France.
AB  - Strain GD1(T) gen. nov., sp. nov., is the type strain of the newly proposed genus
      and species Drancourtella massiliensis, belonging to the Clostridiales order.
      This strain, isolated from the stool of a healthy person, is a Gram-positive rod,
      oxygen intolerant and nonmotile, with spore-forming activity. The features of
      this organism and its genome sequence are described. The draft genome is 3 057
      334 bp long with 45.24% G + C content; it contains 2861 protein-coding genes and
      64 RNA genes. 

PMID- 27257491
TI  - Presence of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase gene (NDM-1) in a clinical isolate
      of Acinetobacter junii in Argentina.

PMID- 27257492
TI  - First case of bone infection caused by Paenibacillus turicensis.
AB  - Paenibacillus spp. are bacteria present in the environment but are rarely
      isolated in humans. Here we report the first case of bone infection caused by
      Paenibacillus turicensis and a second case of human infection caused by this
      bacterium. 

PMID- 27257494
TI  - Haematologic complications from human babesiosis: a case report.
AB  - Formerly known as Nantucket fever, babesiosis is increasing in incidence across
      the Northeastern United States. Because of its emerging health risk globally, it
      is important to be aware of its various presenting manifestations. We present the
      case of a middle-aged man with haemolytic anaemia from Babesia microti infection.

PMID- 27257493
TI  - Noncontiguous finished genome sequence and description of Paenibacillus
      antibioticophila sp. nov. GD11(T), the type strain of Paenibacillus
      antibioticophila.
AB  - Paenibacillus antibioticophila strain GD11(T) sp. nov. is the type strain of a
      new species within the genus Paenibacillus. This strain, whose genome is
      described here, was isolated from human faeces of a 63-year-old woman with
      multidrug-resistant tuberculosis who was receiving numerous antibiotics at the
      time of stool collection. P. antibioticophila is a Gram-positive aerobic
      bacterium. We describe here the features of this bacterium, together with the
      complete genome sequence and annotation. The 5 562 631 bp long genome contains
      5084 protein-coding and 71 RNA genes. 

PMID- 27257495
TI  - An unusual cause of necrosis and nasal septum perforation after septoplasty:
      Enterobacter cloacae.
AB  - A 20-year-old man with nasal obstruction underwent septoplasty due to nasal
      septal deviation. Nasal packs were inserted at the end of surgery and removed 48
      hours after surgery. Twenty-four hours after removal of nasal packs, there was
      necrosis in both sides of septal mucosa and in bilateral inferior turbinates.
      Nasal swab culture was performed from both nasal cavities. Enterobacter cloacae
      was isolated from samples. Two weeks after surgery, nasal septum perforation was
      unavoidable. To our knowledge, this is the first case in literature describing
      septal mucosal necrosis caused by this pathogen after septoplasty. Mucosal
      necrosis and perforation as septoplasty complications should be kept in mind, the
      result of causes both common and, as in the present case, unusual. 

PMID- 27257496
TI  - High-quality genome sequence and description of Bacillus ndiopicus strain FF3(T)
      sp. nov.
AB  - Strain FF3(T) was isolated from the skin-flora of a 39-year-old healthy
      Senegalese man. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry did not allow any identification. This strain exhibited a 16S rRNA
      sequence similarity of 96.8% with Bacillus massiliensis, the phylogenetically
      closest species with standing nomenclature. Using a polyphasic study made of
      phenotypic and genomic analyses, strain FF3(T) was Gram-positive, aeroanaerobic
      and rod shaped and exhibited a genome of 4 068 720 bp with a G+C content of
      37.03% that coded 3982 protein-coding and 67 RNA genes (including four rRNA
      operons). On the basis of these data, we propose the creation of Bacillus
      ndiopicus sp. nov. 

PMID- 27257497
TI  - Lack of Chlamydia-related bacteria among patients with community-acquired
      pneumonia.

PMID- 27257498
TI  - Burden of extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria
      at a tertiary-care centre.
AB  - The emergence of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents in Gram-negative
      bacteria is a significant threat to public health, as it restricts the
      armamentarium of the clinician against these infections. The aim of this study
      was to determine the burden of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and pandrug
      resistant (PDR) Gram-negative bacteria at a tertiary-care centre. Antimicrobial
      susceptibility testing of 1240 clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria
      obtained from various clinical samples during the study period was carried out by
      the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration of all
      antibiotics including tigecycline and colistin was determined by Vitek-2
      automated susceptibility testing system. Out of 1240 isolates of Gram-negative
      bacteria, 112 isolates (9%) were resistant to all the antibiotics tested by Kirby
      Bauer disc diffusion method. This finding was corroborated by Vitek-2. In
      addition, Vitek-2 found that 67 isolates were resistant to all antibiotics except
      tigecycline and colistin. A total of 30 isolates were susceptible to only
      colistin, and four isolates were susceptible to only tigecycline. It was also
      found that six isolates (excluding five isolates of Proteus spp.) were resistant
      to both colistin and tigecycline. Thus, 101 (8.1%) out of 1240 isolates were XDR
      and 11 isolates (0.9%) were PDR. The findings of this study reveal increased
      burden of XDR and PDR Gram-negative bacteria in our centre. It also highlights
      the widespread dissemination of these bacteria in the community. This situation
      warrants the regular surveillance of antimicrobial resistance of Gram-negative
      bacteria and implementation of an efficient infection control program. 

PMID- 27257499
TI  - First bacteraemic human infection with Escherichia albertii.
AB  - The facultative anaerobic Gram-negative species Escherichia albertii has been
      isolated from human faeces in gastrointestinal infection and from a range of wild
      bird species. Here we report the first case of a febrile infection associated
      with E. albertii bacteraemia in a 76-year-old woman with gastric dysplasia. 

PMID- 27257500
TI  - Corrigendum to "Dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy in a severely
      overweight child with a multi-drug resistant human immunodeficiency virus
      infection. A case report and review" [New Microbes New Infect] 6 (2015) 1-4].
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2015.02.003.]. 

PMID- 27257501
TI  - Corrigendum to "The global threat of antimicrobial resistance: science for
      intervention" [New Microbes New Infect 6 (2015): 22-29].
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2015.02.007.]. 

PMID- 27257502
TI  - Overlap syndrome with Sjogren's syndrome and systemic sclerosis in a steel
      rolling mill worker: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are few reports about work-related factors associated with
      Sjogren's syndrome. We report a case of overlap syndrome with Sjogren's syndrome
      and systemic sclerosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old man was admitted due to
      dyspnea on exertion. The results of physical examination and laboratory findings
      were compatible with Sjogren's syndrome with systemic sclerosis. The patient had
      no pre-existing autoimmune disease, and denied family history of autoimmune
      disease. The patient worked in the large-scale rolling department of a steel
      manufacturing company for 25 years. Hot rolling is a rolling process performed at
      between 1100  degrees C and 1200  degrees C, generating a high temperature and a
      large amount of fumes, involving jet-spraying of water throughout the process to
      remove the instantaneously generated oxide film and prevent the high generation
      of fumes. In this process, workers could be exposed to silica produced by thermal
      oxidation. Other potential toxic substances including nickel and manganese seemed
      to be less likely associated with the patient's clinical manifestations.
      CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to silica seemed to be associated with the
      patient's clinical manifestations of overlap syndrome with Sjogren's syndrome and
      systemic sclerosis. Although the underlying mechanism is still unclear,
      autoimmune disease including Sjogren's syndrome affects women more often than men
      and there was no family history of autoimmune disease. These suggested that there
      was an association between occupational silica exposure and the disease of the
      patient. Future research about the association between long-term low dose
      exposure to silica and the development of autoimmune diseases should be
      encouraged.

PMID- 27257503
TI  - Inheritance and allelism of morphological traits in eastern redbud (Cercis
      canadensis L.).
AB  - Inheritance of purple, gold, and variegated foliage types, weeping architecture,
      and double flower was explored in F1, F2, and backcross families resulting from
      controlled hybridization of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.). Potential
      allelic relationships were explored when possible. Inheritance analysis in
      families derived from controlled hybridization of 'Covey' (green leaf) and
      'Forest Pansy' (purple leaf) suggest that purple leaf color and weeping
      architecture are both controlled by single recessive genes, for which the symbols
      pl1 and wp1 are proposed, respectively. Inheritance of gold leaf was explored in
      families of 'Covey' (green leaf) * 'Hearts of Gold' (gold leaf). Interpretation
      of inheritance of gold leaf in these families was confounded by the recovery of a
      leaf color phenotype in the F2 family unlike either parent. However, data
      suggested the action of a single locus controlling gold leaf color in 'Hearts of
      Gold', and that instability of gold leaf expression may be based on transposable
      element activity. Segregation of gold leaf in the F2 families of 'Texas White'
      [green leaf (C. canadensis var. texensis)] * 'JN2' [gold leaf (The Rising Sun)]
      did not fit a Mendelian ratio. Analysis of progeny of 'Silver Cloud' and
      'Floating Clouds' (both showing white/green leaf variegation) with non-variegated
      cultivars demonstrated that variegation in 'Silver Cloud' is controlled by a
      single recessive nuclear gene, while variegation in 'Floating Clouds' is
      controlled by cytoplasmic factors. The symbol var1 is proposed for the gene
      controlling variegation in 'Silver Cloud'. Double flower in progeny derived from
      'Flame' (double flower) suggested that double flower is dominant to single
      flower, and that 'Flame' is heterozygous at the double-flower locus, for which
      the symbol Df1 is proposed. Allelism studies showed that the gene controlling
      purple leaf in 'Forest Pansy' is allelic to the purple leaf gene in 'Greswan' and
      that the gene controlling weeping phenotype in 'Traveller' (C. canadensis var.
      texensis) is non-allelic to the weeping gene found in 'Covey'. Allelism of the
      gold leaf trait in 'Hearts of Gold' and 'JN2' was investigated, but no clear
      conclusions regarding allelism could be made due to recovery of leaf color
      phenotypes unlike either parent. 

PMID- 27257504
TI  - Will the traditional horticultural breeding and genetics research be fairly
      valued in academia?

PMID- 27257506
TI  - Maternal obesity (Class I-III), gestational weight gain and maternal leptin
      levels during and after pregnancy: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal obesity is accompanied by maternal and fetal complications
      during and after pregnancy. The risks seem to increase with degree of obesity.
      Leptin has been suggested to play a role in the development of obesity related
      complications. Whether maternal leptin levels differ between obese and morbidly
      obese women, during and after pregnancy, have to our knowledge not been
      previously described. Neither has the association between maternal leptin levels
      and gestational weight gain in obese women. The aim was to evaluate if maternal
      plasma leptin levels were associated with different degrees of maternal obesity
      and gestational weight gain. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including women
      categorized as obesity class I-III (n = 343) and divided into three gestational
      weight gain groups (n = 304). Maternal plasma leptin was measured at gestational
      week 15, 29 and 10 weeks postpartum. Maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) was
      calculated from early pregnancy weight. Gestational weight gain was calculated
      using maternal weight in delivery week minus early pregnancy weight. The mean
      value and confidence interval of plasma-leptin were analysed with a two-way ANOVA
      model. Interaction effect between BMI and gestational weight gain group was
      tested with a two-way ANOVA model. RESULTS: The mean maternal leptin
      concentrations were significantly higher in women with obesity class III compared
      to women in obesity class I, at all times when plasma leptin were measured. The
      mean leptin concentrations were also significantly higher in women with obesity
      class II compared to women in obesity class I, except in gestational week 29.
      There was no difference in mean levels of plasma leptin between the gestational
      weight gain groups. No significant interaction between BMI and gestational weight
      gain group was found. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma leptin levels during and after
      pregnancy were associated with obesity class but not with degree of gestational
      weight gain. These results are in concordance with epidemiological findings where
      the risk of obstetric complications increases with increased maternal obesity
      class. The effect on obstetric outcome by degree of gestational weight gain is
      less pronounced than the adverse effects associated with maternal obesity.

PMID- 27257505
TI  - A next-generation marker genotyping platform (AmpSeq) in heterozygous crops: a
      case study for marker-assisted selection in grapevine.
AB  - Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is often employed in crop breeding programs to
      accelerate and enhance cultivar development, via selection during the juvenile
      phase and parental selection prior to crossing. Next-generation sequencing and
      its derivative technologies have been used for genome-wide molecular marker
      discovery. To bridge the gap between marker development and MAS implementation,
      this study developed a novel practical strategy with a semi-automated pipeline
      that incorporates trait-associated single nucleotide polymorphism marker
      discovery, low-cost genotyping through amplicon sequencing (AmpSeq) and decision
      making. The results document the development of a MAS package derived from
      genotyping-by-sequencing using three traits (flower sex, disease resistance and
      acylated anthocyanins) in grapevine breeding. The vast majority of sequence reads
      (?99%) were from the targeted regions. Across 380 individuals and up to 31
      amplicons sequenced in each lane of MiSeq data, most amplicons (83 to 87%) had
      <10% missing data, and read depth had a median of 220-244*. Several strengths of
      the AmpSeq platform that make this approach of broad interest in diverse crop
      species include accuracy, flexibility, speed, high-throughput, low-cost and
      easily automated analysis. 

PMID- 27257507
TI  - Staining of cerebellar cortex granular layer interneurons with natural dye of
      Madder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was an investigation of root Rubia
      Tinctorum (Madder) as a natural dye to identification of granular layer
      interneurons of the rat cerebellum. METHODS: Seven to ten micrometre sections
      were collected from the cerebellum and stained only with Madder for 2, 24 and 48
      h. Other sections were stained with Madder then with hematoxyllin, cresyl violet,
      eosin, light green. Microscopic identification of cells was performed based on
      cell morphology, reaction and binding of with the dye. All data were expressed as
      mean +/- SD in and significance was set at p <=0.05. RESULTS: Madder with alum as
      mordant resulted a deep red staining of interneurons. Unipolar brush cells (UBCs)
      were observed with a cell body diameter intermediate between granule and Golgi
      cells in the superficial layer of the granular layer. Golgi cells were identified
      almost as large as Purkinje cells with irregular rounded or polygonal morphology.
      Lugaro cells were observed as spindle-shaped cells adjacent to Purkinje layer.
      CONCLUSION: Results of the present study showed that mader could stain granular
      layer interneurons in cerebellum cortex of rat.

PMID- 27257509
TI  - Iris Metastasis in a Patient With Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Small cell carcinoma constitutes the most aggressive type of lung
      cancer, with the greatest propensity for early disseminated disease. Although
      commonly neglected due to its rarity and the presence of other comorbidities,
      cases of iris metastasis from small cell lung cancer have been reported in the
      literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 76-year-old female. Once
      diagnosed, the patient already had disseminated disease with metastatic foci
      found in the spleen, liver, and brain. The patient received six cycles of
      combination carboplatin/etoposide chemotherapy, followed by cranial irradiation.
      After an initial response, two months after the completion of cranial
      irradiation, the patient complained of visual impairment and was referred to an
      ophthalmologist. A diagnosis of secondary glaucoma was made, caused by metastasis
      to the left iris. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be aware of this rare site of
      metastasis. Early diagnosis is of paramount importance in order to effectively
      prevent the significant morbidity this condition can cause if left untreated.

PMID- 27257508
TI  - Biomimetic microenvironments for regenerative endodontics.
AB  - Regenerative endodontics has been proposed to replace damaged and underdeveloped
      tooth structures with normal pulp-dentin tissue by providing a natural
      extracellular matrix (ECM) mimicking environment; stem cells, signaling
      molecules, and scaffolds. In addition, clinical success of the regenerative
      endodontic treatments can be evidenced by absence of signs and symptoms; no bony
      pathology, a disinfected pulp, and the maturation of root dentin in length and
      thickness. In spite of the various approaches of regenerative endodontics, there
      are several major challenges that remain to be improved: a) the endodontic root
      canal is a strong harbor of the endodontic bacterial biofilm and the fundamental
      etiologic factors of recurrent endodontic diseases, (b) tooth discolorations are
      caused by antibiotics and filling materials, (c) cervical root fractures are
      caused by endodontic medicaments, (d) pulp tissue is not vascularized nor
      innervated, and (e) the dentin matrix is not developed with adequate root
      thickness and length. Generally, current clinical protocols and recent studies
      have shown a limited success of the pulp-dentin tissue regeneration. Throughout
      the various approaches, the construction of biomimetic microenvironments of pulp
      dentin tissue is a key concept of the tissue engineering based regenerative
      endodontics. The biomimetic microenvironments are composed of a synthetic nano
      scaled polymeric fiber structure that mimics native pulp ECM and functions as a
      scaffold of the pulp-dentin tissue complex. They will provide a framework of the
      pulp ECM, can deliver selective bioactive molecules, and may recruit pluripotent
      stem cells from the vicinity of the pulp apex. The polymeric nanofibers are
      produced by methods of self-assembly, electrospinning, and phase separation. In
      order to be applied to biomedical use, the polymeric nanofibers require
      biocompatibility, stability, and biodegradability. Therefore, this review focuses
      on the development and application of the biomimetic microenvironments of pulp
      dentin tissue among the current regenerative endodontics. 

PMID- 27257510
TI  - Propylthiouracil-Induced Vasculitis With Alveolar Hemorrhage Confirmed by
      Clinical, Laboratory, Computed Tomography, and Bronchoscopy Findings: A Case
      Report and Literature Review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Propylthiouracil (PTU) is commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism
      and can induce antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.
      Although this is a rare side effect, ANCA-associated vasculitis can progress to
      severe disease if its diagnosis and treatment are delayed, leading to a poor
      prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 43-year-old woman with Graves' disease developed
      pulmonary vasculitis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) associated with ANCA
      against myeloperoxidase and proteinase-3 that was confirmed by computed
      tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy and treated with PTU. The symptoms and signs of
      alveolar hemorrhage were rapidly resolved after PTU withdrawal and treatment with
      corticosteroids. After 6 months of follow-up, the patient maintained complete
      ANCA-negative clinical remission status, as confirmed by normal CT and
      bronchoscopy findings. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of
      bronchoscopic comparison of PTU-induced DAH before and after steroid treatment.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with PTU should be closely monitored and followed
      up, even if the drug has been used for several years. When patients develop
      progressive dyspnea with alveolar opacities on chest imaging that cannot be
      explained otherwise, alveolar hemorrhage should be an important differential
      diagnosis while investigating the case. Early diagnosis and prompt
      discontinuation of the PTU treatment are essential for improving patient
      outcomes.

PMID- 27257511
TI  - Distribution of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Iranian Women According to the
      Severity of the Cervical Lesion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) has
      been recognized as a major cause of cervical cancer. Distribution of HPV
      genotypes may differ according to the geographic region and the severity of the
      cervical lesion. Determining HPV genotypes' specific distribution is useful for
      HPV surveillance and control programs. However, little is known about the
      distribution of HPV genotypes in Iranian women. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study
      was to determine the distribution of HPV genotypes in Iranian women with
      different grades of cervical lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2011 to 2013, a
      total of 436 Iranian women with convenience sampling strategy were included in
      this cross-sectional study. In detail, 287 women negative for intraepithelial
      lesion or malignancy, 32 with atypical squamous cells of undetermined
      significance (ASCUS), 50 with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL),
      44 with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and 23 with cervical
      cancer were evaluated in this investigation. HPV genotypes were determined by
      INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra assay. RESULTS: In total, HPV infection was
      detected in 45.4% of the cases. The most common high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotype
      was HPV-16 (32.8%), followed by HPV-53 (9.1%). Within low-risk (LR-HPV) genotypes
      HPV-6 (22.2%) and HPV-44 (6.1%) were the most prevalent. HPV-16 was the
      predominant genotype in cases with cervical cancer (56.5%), ASCUS (34.4%), and
      HSIL (34.1%). HPV-6 was the most common genotype in normal cases (9.1%) and LSIL
      patients (18%). The prevalence of HPV positivity was significantly higher in
      cases with high-grade lesions (>= HSIL) (64.2%) than in normal/LSIL (37.3%) (P =
      0.033). The rate of HR-HPV infection was significantly higher in >= HSIL cases
      (61.2%) than normal/LSIL (27.9%) (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This study describes
      robust information on the distribution of HPV genotypes among Iranian women with
      and without cervical lesions. The present data may be of importance for designing
      future public health strategies, including HPV vaccination programs.

PMID- 27257512
TI  - The Effects of Oral Cryotherapy on Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in
      Patients Undergoing Autologous Transplantation of Blood Stem Cells: A Clinical
      Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis is one of the irritating side effects of chemotherapy
      in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. However, up until now, the
      common methods of oral mucositis therapy have failed to show significant effects.
      OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of local
      cryotherapy on the intensity of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in autologous
      bone marrow transplantation patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this single,
      blinded, randomized clinical trial, 29 patients undergoing stem cell
      transplantation in Iran were selected by convenience sampling, and randomly
      allocated to control (n = 13) and intervention groups (n = 16). In the
      intervention group, cryotherapy was applied, while the control group received a
      normal saline mouthwash. The severity of the mucositis and neutrophil rate were
      investigated in five periods, based on the world health organization (WHO)
      scales. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney
      test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression.
      RESULTS: In both groups, the mucositis reached its peak intensity on the 7th day,
      and the least intensity was obtained on the 21st day. The neutrophil rate reached
      the minimum value on the 7th day, then increased up to the 21st day. The two
      groups showed no significant differences between the mucositis severity on the
      14th and 21st days (P = 0.164), while the severity of the mucositis in the
      cryotherapy group was significantly less than that in the saline mouthwash group
      (1.81 < 2.54 and 0.13 < 0.92, respectively) on the 7th and 14th days (P < 0.05).
      There was no significant difference in the neutrophil rate between the groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that cryotherapy is more effective than the
      saline mouthwash in reducing the severity of mucositis. This method is
      recommended for the prevention of mucositis in bone marrow transplantation.

PMID- 27257513
TI  - Clinical Findings and Autopsy of a Preterm Infant with Breast Milk-Acquired
      Cytomegalovirus Infection.
AB  - Background Nonpasteurized, nonfrozen, fresh breast milk from mothers with
      positive cytomegalovirus (CMV) serology was initially contraindicated to very low
      birth-weight infants because of the risk of milk-acquired CMV infection.
      Recently, the severity of this infection was increasingly discussed and the
      international guidelines now differ. Since 2012, the American Academy of
      Pediatrics has recommended nutrition through raw breast milk for all preterm
      infants. Case We report the case of an infant born prematurely at 27 weeks and 4
      days and fed with raw breastmilk from day 12 of life (D12). He presented with a
      late-onset of CMV infection from D39. The CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR),
      negative on D3, was strongly positive on D49, as well as the PCR on breast milk.
      He had CMV-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M while his mother had only CMV-specific
      IgG. On D52, he deteriorated further with septic shock, and a fatal cardiac
      arrest on D54. His twin presented an asymptomatic CMV infection. The autopsy and
      histological examination showed evidence of numerous organ damage caused by CMV
      (with differences compared with congenital infection) but no evidence of
      bacterial infection. Conclusion Although rare, postnatal CMV infections
      transmitted by raw breast milk given to very low-birthweight infants can have
      dramatic consequences. 

PMID- 27257514
TI  - Using Portable Transducers to Measure Tremor Severity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Portable motion transducers, suitable for measuring tremor, are now
      available at a reasonable cost. The use of these transducers requires knowledge
      of their limitations and data analysis. The purpose of this review is to provide
      a practical overview and example software for using portable motion transducers
      in the quantification of tremor. METHODS: Medline was searched via PubMed.gov in
      December 2015 using the Boolean expression "tremor AND (accelerometer OR
      accelerometry OR gyroscope OR inertial measurement unit OR digitizing tablet OR
      transducer)." Abstracts of 419 papers dating back to 1964 were reviewed for
      relevant portable transducers and methods of tremor analysis, and 105 papers
      written in English were reviewed in detail. RESULTS: Accelerometers, gyroscopes,
      and digitizing tablets are used most commonly, but few are sold for the purpose
      of measuring tremor. Consequently, most software for tremor analysis is developed
      by the user. Wearable transducers are capable of recording tremor continuously,
      in the absence of a clinician. Tremor amplitude, frequency, and occurrence
      (percentage of time with tremor) can be computed. Tremor amplitude and occurrence
      correlate strongly with clinical ratings of tremor severity. DISCUSSION:
      Transducers provide measurements of tremor amplitude that are objective, precise,
      and valid, but the precision and accuracy of transducers are mitigated by natural
      variability in tremor amplitude. This variability is so great that the minimum
      detectable change in amplitude, exceeding random variability, is comparable for
      scales and transducers. Research is needed to determine the feasibility of
      detecting smaller change using averaged data from continuous long-term recordings
      with wearable transducers.

PMID- 27257515
TI  - Cortical folding of the preterm brain: a longitudinal analysis of extremely
      preterm born neonates using spectral matching.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Infants born extremely preterm (<28 weeks of gestation) are at risk
      of significant neurodevelopmental sequelae. In these infants birth coincides with
      a period of rapid brain growth and development, when the brain is also vulnerable
      to a range of insults. Mapping these changes is crucial for identifying potential
      biomarkers to predict early impairment. METHODS: In this study we use surface
      based spectral matching techniques to find an intrasubject longitudinal surface
      correspondence between the white-grey matter boundary at 30 and 40 weeks
      equivalent gestational age in nine extremely preterm born infants. RESULTS: Using
      the resulting surface correspondence, we identified regions that undergo more
      cortical folding of the white-grey matter boundary during the preterm period by
      looking at changes in well-known curvature measures. We performed Hotelling T(2)
      statistics to evaluate the significance of our findings. DISCUSSION: The
      prefrontal and temporal lobes exhibit most development during the preterm period,
      especially in the left hemisphere. Such correspondences are a promising result as
      longitudinal measurements of change in cortical folding could provide insightful
      information about the mechanical properties of the underlying tissue and may be
      useful in inferring changes during growth and development in this vulnerable
      period.

PMID- 27257517
TI  - The stroke east Saxony pilot project for organized post-stroke care: a case
      control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low adherence to secondary prevention guidelines in stroke survivors
      may increase the risk for recurrent stroke and adversely impact quality of life.
      We aimed to determine the feasibility of a self-developed standardized post
      stroke pathway and its impact on secondary stroke prevention and long-term
      outcome in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute
      stroke were prospectively included in a standardized post-stroke pathway
      accomplished through a single certified CM (case manager), which comprised
      educational discussions and quarterly checkups for vascular risk factors and
      adherence to antithrombotic/anticoagulant medication in addition to usual care.
      At 12 months, we compared achieved target goals for secondary prevention,
      functional outcome, stroke recurrence, and vascular death with age- and gender
      matched controls that received only usual care after stroke. RESULTS: We included
      45 cases and 45 controls. The following target goals were more frequently
      achieved in CM-patients than in controls: blood pressure (100% vs. 46.2%, P <
      0.001), cholesterol (100% vs. 74.4%, P < 0.001), and body mass index (67.4% vs.
      46.2%, P = 0.052). The CM-intervention emerged as an independent predictor of
      favorable functional outcome (mRS <= 2) at 12 months after adjusting for stroke
      severity and systemic thrombolysis (OR: 4.27; 95%CI:1.2-15.21; P = 0.025).
      Quality of life was rated significantly higher in CM-patients than in controls (P
      = 0.049). As opposed to controls, none of the cases experienced a recurrent
      stroke (0% vs. 13.3%; P = 0.026) or suffered from vascular death (0% vs. 6.7%; P
      = 0.242). CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot data suggest that organized post-stroke care
      enhances achievement of secondary prevention goals. Its possible effect on stroke
      recurrence, long-term disability, and quality of life is currently investigated
      in a prospective cohort study.

PMID- 27257516
TI  - Deficits in Visual System Functional Connectivity after Blast-Related Mild TBI
      are Associated with Injury Severity and Executive Dysfunction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Approximately, 275,000 American service members deployed to Iraq or
      Afghanistan have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), with 75% of
      these incidents involving an explosive blast. Visual processing problems and
      cognitive dysfunction are common complaints following blast-related mTBI.
      METHODS: In 127 veterans, we examined resting fMRI functional connectivity (FC)
      of four key nodes within the visual system: lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN),
      primary visual cortex (V1), lateral occipital gyrus (LO), and fusiform gyrus
      (FG). Regression analyses were performed (i) to obtain correlations between time
      series from each seed and all voxels in the brain, and (ii) to identify brain
      regions in which FC variability was related to blast mTBI severity. Blast-related
      mTBI severity was quantified as the sum of the severity scores assigned to each
      of the three most significant blast-related injuries self-reported by subjects.
      Correlations between FC and performance on executive functioning tasks were
      performed across participants with available behavioral data (n = 94). RESULTS:
      Greater blast mTBI severity scores were associated with lower FC between: (A) LGN
      seed and (i) medial frontal gyrus, (ii) lingual gyrus, and (iii) right ventral
      anterior nucleus of thalamus; (B) V1 seed and precuneus; (C) LO seed and middle
      and superior frontal gyri; (D) FG seed and (i) superior and medial frontal gyrus,
      and (ii) left middle frontal gyrus. Finally, lower FC between visual network
      regions and frontal cortical regions predicted worse performance on the WAIS
      digit-symbol coding task. CONCLUSION: These are the first published results that
      directly illustrate the relationship between blast-related mTBI severity, visual
      pathway neural networks, and executive dysfunction - results that highlight the
      detrimental relationship between blast-related brain injury and the integration
      of visual sensory input and executive processes.

PMID- 27257519
TI  - Single-Cell-State Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Increases Transfection
      Efficiency.
AB  - Efficient gene transfer into human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) holds great
      promise for regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical development. In the past
      decade, various methods were developed for gene transfer into hPSCs; however,
      hPSCs form tightly packed colonies, making gene transfer difficult. In this
      study, we established a stable culture method of hPSCs at a single-cell state to
      reduce cell density and investigated gene transfection efficiency followed by
      gene editing efficiency. hPSCs cultured in a single-cell state were transfected
      using nonliposomal transfection reagents with plasmid DNA or mRNA encoding
      enhanced green fluorescent protein. We found that most cells (DNA > 90%; mRNA >
      99%) were transfected without the loss of undifferentiated PSC marker expression
      or pluripotency. Moreover, we demonstrated an efficient gene editing method using
      transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) targeting the
      adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. Our new method may improve hPSC gene
      transfer techniques, thus facilitating their use for human regenerative medicine.

PMID- 27257520
TI  - Transforming the Milieu of Cancer.

PMID- 27257521
TI  - The Placebo Effect: A Conversation With Dr Irving Kirsch.

PMID- 27257518
TI  - Variable activation in striatal subregions across components of a social
      influence task in young adult cannabis users.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Decades of research have demonstrated the importance of social
      influence in initiation and maintenance of drug use, but little is known about
      neural mechanisms underlying social influence in young adults who use
      recreational drugs. METHODS: To better understand whether the neural and/or
      behavioral response to social influence differs in young adults using illicit
      drugs, 20 marijuana-using young adults (MJ) aged 18-25, and 20 controls (CON)
      performed a decision-making task in the context of social influence, while they
      underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. A priori analyses focused
      on the nucleus accumbens (NAc), with post hoc analyses in the rest of the
      striatum. In this task, participants could choose to either follow or go against
      group influence. RESULTS: When subjects applied social information to response
      choice selection (independent of following or going against group influence), we
      observed activation in the middle striatum (caudate), in the MJ group only, that
      extended ventrally into the NAc. MJ users but not CON showed greater activation
      in the NAc but not the caudate while making choices congruent with group
      influence as opposed to choices going against group influence. Activation in the
      NAc when following social influence was associated with amount of drug use
      reported. In contrast, during the feedback phase of the task we observed
      significant NAc activation in both MJ and CON, along with dorsal caudate
      activation only in MJ participants. This NAc activation did not correlate with
      drug use. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that MJ users, but not CON, show
      differential brain activation across striatal subregions when applying social
      information to make a decision, following versus going against a group of peers,
      or receiving positive feedback. The current work suggests that differential
      neural sensitivity to social influence in regions such as the striatum may
      contribute to the development and/or maintenance of marijuana use.

PMID- 27257522
TI  - Is the Efficacy of Antidepressants Truly a Myth?

PMID- 27257523
TI  - "Nothing About Me Without Me": New Perspectives on Case Reports.

PMID- 27257524
TI  - Successful Treatment of HER2-neu-positive Breast Cancer With Paclitaxel and
      Trastuzumab Supplemented With Turkey Tail Mushrooms and Community Support.

PMID- 27257525
TI  - Patient Perspective: An Interview.

PMID- 27257526
TI  - Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushrooms) and the Treatment of Breast Cancer.

PMID- 27257527
TI  - Complete Spontaneous Regression of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to the Liver:
      Did Lifestyle Modifications and Dietary Supplements Play a Role?

PMID- 27257528
TI  - The Use of Music Therapy During the Treatment of Cancer Patients: A Collection of
      Evidence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Music therapy is one of the oldest forms of creative art therapy and
      has been shown to have effects in different clinical and therapeutic settings,
      such as schizophrenia, pain, cardiovascular parameters, and dementia. This
      article provides an overview of some of the recent findings in this field and
      also reports two single case vignettes that offer insight into day-to-day
      applications of clinical music therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the collection
      of clinical studies of music therapy in oncology, the databases AMED, CAIRSS,
      EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PSYNDEX were searched with the terms "Study OR
      Trial" AND "Music Therapy" AND "Cancer OR Oncolog$." Studies were analyzed with
      respect to their design, setting and interventions, indications, patients, and
      outcomes. In addition, two case vignettes present the application of music
      therapy for a child with leukemia and an adult patient with breast cancer.
      RESULTS: We found a total of 12 clinical studies conducted between 2001 and 2011
      comprised of a total of 922 patients. Eight studies had a randomized controlled
      design, and four studies were conducted in the field of pediatric oncology.
      Studies reported heterogeneous results on short-term improvements in patients'
      mood and relaxation and reduced exhaustion and anxiety as well as in coping with
      the disease and cancer-related pain. Case descriptions showed similar effects in
      expressing emotions, opening up new goals, and turning the mind toward a healthy
      process and away form a disease-centered focus. CONCLUSION: The use of music
      therapy in the integrative treatment of cancer patients is a therapeutic option
      whose salutogenetic potential is shown in many case studies such as those
      presented here. Study results, however, did not draw a conclusive picture of the
      overall effect of music therapy. In addition to further clinical trials, the
      evidence mosaic should be complemented with qualitative studies, single case
      descriptions, and basic research.

PMID- 27257529
TI  - A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study Assessing Feasibility and Impact of Yoga
      Practice on Quality of Life, Mood, and Perceived Stress in Women With Newly
      Diagnosed Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A breast cancer diagnosis can entail numerous physical and
      psychosocial challenges. Yoga practice (YP) may contribute to improved well-being
      for these patients. PRIMARY STUDY OBJECTIVE: Investigate feasibility and impact
      of YP on quality of life (QoL), mood, fatigue, and perceived stress immediately
      after breast cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Thirty women were randomly assigned to a
      yoga group (YG) or control group (CG) immediately after cancer diagnosis.
      SETTING: Pilot study conducted at an academic medical center breast clinic.
      PARTICIPANTS: Females (N = 30) who received a biopsy-proven breast cancer
      diagnosis without metastatic disease. INTERVENTION YG: One individual YP session
      at baseline, then 2 individual and 8 weekly group sessions followed by weekly
      gentle yoga at home (DVD). Questionnaires and saliva samples (ie, cortisol)
      completed at baseline and 12 weeks postdiagnosis. RESULTS: Both groups reported
      significant improvements in QoL postintervention but with no significant
      difference between groups. Emotional well-being, mood-related tension-anxiety,
      depression-dejection, and confusion-bewilderment scores improved for both groups,
      and cortisol and cortisone levels decreased. Lumpectomies were prevalent with YG
      (67%) and CG (47%). YP was rated as "very effective," providing relaxation (85%),
      stress relief (69%), and reduced muscle tension/general feeling of wellness (each
      62%). CONCLUSION: Feasibility of YP immediately after breast cancer diagnosis was
      good. Improvement in emotional well-being, anxiety, depression, and levels of
      confusion was found in both groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study
      examining the impact of YP immediately after breast cancer diagnosis. Further
      research in this area is warranted.

PMID- 27257530
TI  - Repeatability of Pulse Diagnosis and Body Constitution Diagnosis in Traditional
      Indian Ayurveda Medicine.
AB  - In Ayurveda, pulse diagnosis and body constitution diagnosis have a long
      historical use; still, there is lack of quantitative measure of the reliability
      of these diagnostic methods. Reliability means consistency of information.
      Consistent diagnosis leads to consistent treatment and is important for clinical
      practice, education, and research. The objective of this study is to study the
      methodology to evaluate the test-retest reliability (repeatability) of pulse
      diagnosis and body constitution diagnosis. A double-blinded, controlled, clinical
      trial was conducted in Copenhagen. The same doctor, an expert in Ayurvedic pulse
      diagnosis, examined the pulse and body constitution of 17 healthy participants
      twice, in random order without seeing them. A metric on pulse and body
      constitution variables was developed. Cohen's weighted kappa statistic was used
      as a measure of intra-rater reliability. Permutation tests were used to test the
      hypothesis of homogeneous diagnosis (ie, the doctor's diagnosis does not depend
      on the subject). The hypothesis of homogeneous classification was rejected on the
      5% significance level (P values of .02 and .001, respectively, for pulse and body
      constitution diagnosis). According to the Landis and Koch scale, values of the
      weighted kappa for pulse diagnosis (P = .42) and body constitution diagnosis (P =
      .65) correspond to "moderate" and "substantial" agreement, respectively. There
      was a reasonable level of consistency between 2 pulse and body constitution
      diagnoses. Further studies are required to quantify inter-subject and intra
      subject agreement for greater understanding of reliability of pulse and body
      constitution diagnosis. 

PMID- 27257531
TI  - Call for Articles.

PMID- 27257532
TI  - Resilience Training Program Reduces Physiological and Psychological Stress in
      Police Officers.
AB  - Research suggests that police work is among the most stressful occupations in the
      world and officers typically suffer a variety of physiological, psychological,
      and behavioral effects and symptoms. Officers operating under severe or chronic
      stress are likely to be at greater risk of error, accidents, and overreactions
      that can compromise their performance, jeopardize public safety, and pose
      significant liability costs to the organization. Therefore, this study explored
      the nature and degree of physiological activation typically experienced of
      officers on the job and the impact of the Coherence Advantage resilience and
      performance enhancement training on a group of police officers from Santa Clara
      County, California. Areas assessed included vitality, emotional well-being,
      stress coping and interpersonal skills, work performance, workplace effectiveness
      and climate, family relationships, and physiological recalibration following
      acute stressors. Physiological measurements were obtained to determine the real
      time cardiovascular impact of acutely stressful situations encountered in highly
      realistic simulated police calls used in police training and to identify officers
      at increased risk of future health challenges. The resilience-building training
      improved officers' capacity to recognize and self-regulate their responses to
      stressors in both work and personal contexts. Officers experienced reductions in
      stress, negative emotions, depression, and increased peacefulness and vitality as
      compared to a control group. Improvements in family relationships, more effective
      communication and cooperation within work teams, and enhanced work performance
      also were noted. Heart rate and blood pressure measurements taken during
      simulated police call scenarios showed that acutely stressful circumstances
      typically encountered on the job result in a tremendous degree of physiological
      activation, from which it takes a considerable amount of time to recover.
      Autonomic nervous system assessment based on heart rate variability (HRV)
      analysis of 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings revealed that 11% of the
      officers were at higher risk for sudden cardiac death and other serious health
      challenges. This is more than twice the percentage typically found in the general
      population and is consistent with epidemiological data indicating that police
      officers have more than twice the average incidence of cardiovascular-related
      disease. The data suggest that training in resilience building and self
      regulation skills could significantly benefit police organizations by improving
      judgment and decision making and decreasing the frequency of onthe-job driving
      accidents and the use of excessive force in high-stress situations. Potential
      outcomes include fewer citizens' complaints, fewer lawsuits, decreased
      organizational liabilities, and increased community safety. Finally, this study
      highlights the value of 24-hour HRV analysis as a useful screening tool to
      identify officers who are at increased risk, so that efforts can be made to
      reverse or prevent the onset of disease in these individuals. 

PMID- 27257534
TI  - From Reductionism to Holism: Systems-oriented Approaches in Cancer Research.
AB  - Somatic mutation theory of cancer has directed cancer research during the last
      century. A deluge of information on cellular, molecular, and genetic behavior was
      uncovered, but so was a mind-numbing complexity that still challenges research
      and concepts, and expectations in the war on cancer have by and large not been
      fulfilled. A change of paradigm beyond reductionism has been called for,
      especially as research ubiquitously points at the importance of tissue,
      microenvironment, extracellular matrix, embryonic and morphogenetic fields, and
      fields of tissue maintenance and organization in the processes of carcinogenesis,
      cancer control, and cancer progression, as well as in the control of cellular and
      genetic behavior. Holistic, organismic systems concepts open new perspectives for
      cancer research and treatment, as well as general biological understanding. 

PMID- 27257536
TI  - An enigmatic aquatic snake from the Cenomanian of Northern South America.
AB  - We report the first record of a snake from the Cretaceous of northern South
      America. The remains come from the La Luna Formation (La Aguada Member,
      Cenomanian of Venezuela) and consist of several vertebrae, which belong to the
      precloacal region of the vertebral column. Comparisons to extant and extinct
      snakes show that the remains represent a new taxon, Lunaophis aquaticus gen. et
      sp nov. An aquatic mode of life is supported by the ventral position of the ribs,
      indicating a laterally compressed body. The systematic relationships of this new
      taxon are difficult to determine due to the scarcity of fossil material; it is,
      however, a representative of an early lineage of snakes that exploited tropical
      marine pelagic environments, as reflected by the depositional conditions of the
      La Aguada Member. Lunaophis is also the first aquatic snake from the Cenomanian
      found outside of the African and European Tethyan and Boreal Zones. 

PMID- 27257537
TI  - Forest birds respond to the spatial pattern of exurban development in the Mid
      Atlantic region, USA.
AB  - Housing development beyond the urban fringe (i.e., exurban development) is one of
      the fastest growing forms of land-use change in the United States. Exurban
      development's attraction to natural and recreational amenities has raised
      concerns for conservation and represents a potential threat to wildlife. Although
      forest-dependent species have been found particularly sensitive to low housing
      densities, it is unclear how the spatial distribution of houses affects forest
      birds. The aim of this study was to assess forest bird responses to changes in
      the spatial pattern of exurban development and also to examine species responses
      when forest loss and forest fragmentation were considered. We evaluated landscape
      composition around North American Breeding Bird Survey stops between 1986 and
      2009 by developing a compactness index to assess changes in the spatial pattern
      of exurban development over time. Compactness was defined as a measure of how
      clustered exurban development was in the area surrounding each survey stop at
      each time period considered. We used Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis to detect
      the response of forest and forest-edge species in terms of occurrence and
      relative abundance along the compactness gradient at two spatial scales (400-m
      and 1-km radius buffer). Our results showed that most forest birds and some
      forest-edge species were positively associated with high levels of compactness at
      the larger spatial scale; the proportion of forest in the surrounding landscape
      also had a significant effect when forest loss and forest fragmentation were
      accounted for. In contrast, the spatial configuration of exurban development was
      an important predictor of occurrence and abundance for only a few species at the
      smaller spatial scale. The positive response of forest birds to compactness at
      the larger scale could represent a systematic trajectory of decline and could be
      highly detrimental to bird diversity if exurban growth continues and creates more
      compacted development. 

PMID- 27257535
TI  - Sequence/structural analysis of xylem proteome emphasizes pathogenesis-related
      proteins, chitinases and beta-1, 3-glucanases as key players in grapevine defense
      against Xylella fastidiosa.
AB  - Background. Xylella fastidiosa, the causative agent of various plant diseases
      including Pierce's disease in the US, and Citrus Variegated Chlorosis in Brazil,
      remains a continual source of concern and economic losses, especially since
      almost all commercial varieties are sensitive to this Gammaproteobacteria.
      Differential expression of proteins in infected tissue is an established
      methodology to identify key elements involved in plant defense pathways. Methods.
      In the current work, we developed a methodology named CHURNER that emphasizes
      relevant protein functions from proteomic data, based on identification of
      proteins with similar structures that do not necessarily have sequence homology.
      Such clustering emphasizes protein functions which have multiple copies that are
      up/down-regulated, and highlights similar proteins which are differentially
      regulated. As a working example we present proteomic data enumerating
      differentially expressed proteins in xylem sap from grapevines that were infected
      with X. fastidiosa. Results. Analysis of this data by CHURNER highlighted
      pathogenesis related PR-1 proteins, reinforcing this as the foremost protein
      function in xylem sap involved in the grapevine defense response to X.
      fastidiosa. beta-1, 3-glucanase, which has both anti-microbial and anti-fungal
      activities, is also up-regulated. Simultaneously, chitinases are found to be both
      up and down-regulated by CHURNER, and thus the net gain of this protein function
      loses its significance in the defense response. Discussion. We demonstrate how
      structural data can be incorporated in the pipeline of proteomic data analysis
      prior to making inferences on the importance of individual proteins to plant
      defense mechanisms. We expect CHURNER to be applicable to any proteomic data set.

PMID- 27257539
TI  - Conditions during adulthood affect cohort-specific reproductive success in an
      Arctic-nesting goose population.
AB  - Variation in fitness between individuals in populations may be attributed to
      differing environmental conditions experienced among birth (or hatch) years
      (i.e., between cohorts). In this study, we tested whether cohort fitness could
      also be explained by environmental conditions experienced in years post-hatch,
      using 736 lifelong resighting histories of Greenland white-fronted geese (Anser
      albifrons flavirostris) marked in their first winter. Specifically, we tested
      whether variation in age at first successful reproduction, the size of the first
      successful brood and the proportion of successful breeders by cohort was
      explained by environmental conditions experienced on breeding areas in west
      Greenland during hatch year, those in adulthood prior to successful reproduction
      and those in the year of successful reproduction, using North Atlantic
      Oscillation indices as proxies for environmental conditions during these periods.
      Fifty-nine (8%) of all marked birds reproduced successfully (i.e., were observed
      on wintering areas with young) only once in their lifetime and 15 (2%) reproduced
      successfully twice or thrice. Variation in age at first successful reproduction
      was explained by the environmental conditions experienced during adulthood in the
      years prior to successful reproduction. Birds bred earliest (mean age 4) when
      environmental conditions were 'good' prior to the year of successful
      reproduction. Conversely, birds successfully reproduced at older ages (mean age
      7) if they experienced adverse conditions prior to the year of successful
      reproduction. Hatch year conditions and an interaction between those experienced
      prior to and during the year of successful reproduction explained less
      (marginally significant) variation in age at first successful reproduction.
      Environmental conditions did not explain variation in the size of the first
      successful brood or the proportion of successful breeders. These findings show
      that conditions during adulthood prior to the year of successful reproduction are
      most important in determining the age at first successful reproduction in
      Greenland white-fronted geese. Very few birds bred successfully at all (most only
      once), which suggests that May environmental conditions on breeding areas have
      cohort effects that influence lifetime (and not just annual) reproductive
      success. 

PMID- 27257540
TI  - Response of marine copepods to a changing tropical environment: winners, losers
      and implications.
AB  - Background. Climate change concurrent with anthropogenic disturbances can
      initiate serial changes that reverberate up the food chain with repercussions for
      fisheries. To date, there is no information available concerning the combined
      effects of global warming and human impacts on tropical marine food webs. While
      temperate copepods respond differently to warming and environmental stressors,
      the extent to which tropical copepods can adapt to rising temperature of already
      warm waters remains unknown. We hypothesize that sea warming and other
      anthropogenic disturbances over the long term will have the greatest impact on
      the copepod community in nearshore waters where their effects are accentuated,
      and therefore vulnerable and resilient species could be identified. Methods.
      Zooplankton samples were collected during two time periods (1985-86 and 2014-15)
      interposed by marked anthropogenic disturbances, and at the same five stations
      located progressively from inshore to offshore in Klang Strait, Malaysia,
      following the asymmetrical before-after-control-impact (BACI) design. Copepods
      were identified to species, and results were interpreted by univariate (ANOVA)
      and multivariate (PERMANOVA, PCO) analyses of the computed species abundance and
      diversity measures. Results. Copepod total abundance was not significantly
      different among stations but higher after disturbance than before disturbance.
      However, changes in the abundance of particular species and the community
      structure between time periods were dramatic. Coastal large-bodied calanoid
      species (e.g., Acartia spinicauda, Calanopia thompsoni, Pseudodiaptomus bowmani
      and Tortanus forcipatus) were the most vulnerable group to disturbance. This
      however favored the opportunistic species (e.g., Oithona simplex, O. attenuata,
      Hemicyclops sp., Pseudomacrochiron sp. and Microsetella norvegica). Small-bodied
      copepods (e.g., Paracalanus sp., Parvocalanus crassirostris and Euterpina
      acutifrons) were unaffected. Centropages tenuiremis was likely an introduced
      species. There was no significant loss in species richness of copepods despite
      the dramatic changes in community structure. Discussion. Sea warming and other
      human-induced effects such as eutrophication, acidification and coastal habitat
      degradation are likely the main factors that have altered copepod community
      structure. The large-bodied estuarine and coastal calanoid copepods are surmised
      to be vulnerable to eutrophication and hypoxia, while both resilient and
      opportunistic species are largely unaffected by, or adaptable to, degraded
      coastal environments and observed sea surface temperature (SST) rise. It is
      forecasted that SST rise with unmitigated anthropogenic impacts will further
      reduce large-bodied copepod species the favoured food for fish larvae with dire
      consequences for coastal fish production. 

PMID- 27257538
TI  - Similarities between decapod and insect neuropeptidomes.
AB  - Background. Neuropeptides are important regulators of physiological processes and
      behavior. Although they tend to be generally well conserved, recent results using
      trancriptome sequencing on decapod crustaceans give the impression of significant
      differences between species, raising the question whether such differences are
      real or artefacts. Methods. The BLAST+ program was used to find short reads
      coding neuropeptides and neurohormons in publicly available short read archives.
      Such reads were then used to find similar reads in the same archives, and the DNA
      assembly program Trinity was employed to construct contigs encoding the
      neuropeptide precursors as completely as possible. Results. The seven decapod
      species analyzed in this fashion, the crabs Eriocheir sinensis, Carcinus maenas
      and Scylla paramamosain, the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, the lobster Homarus
      americanus, the fresh water prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii and the crayfish
      Procambarus clarkii had remarkably similar neuropeptidomes. Although some
      neuropeptide precursors could not be assembled, in many cases individual reads
      pertaining to the missing precursors show unambiguously that these neuropeptides
      are present in these species. In other cases, the tissues that express those
      neuropeptides were not used in the construction of the cDNA libraries. One novel
      neuropeptide was identified: elongated PDH (pigment dispersing hormone), a
      variation on PDH that has a two-amino-acid insertion in its core sequence. Hyrg
      is another peptide that is ubiquitously present in decapods and is likely a novel
      neuropeptide precursor. Discussion. Many insect species have lost one or more
      neuropeptide genes, but apart from elongated PDH and hyrg all other decapod
      neuropeptides are present in at least some insect species, and allatotropin is
      the only insect neuropeptide missing from decapods. This strong similarity
      between insect and decapod neuropeptidomes makes it possible to predict the
      receptors for decapod neuropeptides that have been deorphanized in insects. This
      includes the androgenic insulin-like peptide that seems to be homologous to
      drosophila insulin-like peptide 8. 

PMID- 27257541
TI  - SigmoID: a user-friendly tool for improving bacterial genome annotation through
      analysis of transcription control signals.
AB  - The majority of bacterial genome annotations are currently automated and based on
      a 'gene by gene' approach. Regulatory signals and operon structures are rarely
      taken into account which often results in incomplete and even incorrect gene
      function assignments. Here we present SigmoID, a cross-platform (OS X, Linux and
      Windows) open-source application aiming at simplifying the identification of
      transcription regulatory sites (promoters, transcription factor binding sites and
      terminators) in bacterial genomes and providing assistance in correcting
      annotations in accordance with regulatory information. SigmoID combines a user
      friendly graphical interface to well known command line tools with a genome
      browser for visualising regulatory elements in genomic context. Integrated access
      to online databases with regulatory information (RegPrecise and RegulonDB) and
      web-based search engines speeds up genome analysis and simplifies correction of
      genome annotation. We demonstrate some features of SigmoID by constructing a
      series of regulatory protein binding site profiles for two groups of bacteria:
      Soft Rot Enterobacteriaceae (Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp.) and Pseudomonas
      spp. Furthermore, we inferred over 900 transcription factor binding sites and
      alternative sigma factor promoters in the annotated genome of Pectobacterium
      atrosepticum. These regulatory signals control putative transcription units
      covering about 40% of the P. atrosepticum chromosome. Reviewing the annotation in
      cases where it didn't fit with regulatory information allowed us to correct
      product and gene names for over 300 loci. 

PMID- 27257542
TI  - DICOM for quantitative imaging biomarker development: a standards based approach
      to sharing clinical data and structured PET/CT analysis results in head and neck
      cancer research.
AB  - Background. Imaging biomarkers hold tremendous promise for precision medicine
      clinical applications. Development of such biomarkers relies heavily on image
      post-processing tools for automated image quantitation. Their deployment in the
      context of clinical research necessitates interoperability with the clinical
      systems. Comparison with the established outcomes and evaluation tasks motivate
      integration of the clinical and imaging data, and the use of standardized
      approaches to support annotation and sharing of the analysis results and
      semantics. We developed the methodology and tools to support these tasks in
      Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET/CT) quantitative
      imaging (QI) biomarker development applied to head and neck cancer (HNC)
      treatment response assessment, using the Digital Imaging and Communications in
      Medicine (DICOM((r))) international standard and free open-source software.
      Methods. Quantitative analysis of PET/CT imaging data collected on patients
      undergoing treatment for HNC was conducted. Processing steps included
      Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) normalization of the images, segmentation of the
      tumor using manual and semi-automatic approaches, automatic segmentation of the
      reference regions, and extraction of the volumetric segmentation-based
      measurements. Suitable components of the DICOM standard were identified to model
      the various types of data produced by the analysis. A developer toolkit of
      conversion routines and an Application Programming Interface (API) were
      contributed and applied to create a standards-based representation of the data.
      Results. DICOM Real World Value Mapping, Segmentation and Structured Reporting
      objects were utilized for standards-compliant representation of the PET/CT QI
      analysis results and relevant clinical data. A number of correction proposals to
      the standard were developed. The open-source DICOM toolkit (DCMTK) was improved
      to simplify the task of DICOM encoding by introducing new API abstractions.
      Conversion and visualization tools utilizing this toolkit were developed. The
      encoded objects were validated for consistency and interoperability. The
      resulting dataset was deposited in the QIN-HEADNECK collection of The Cancer
      Imaging Archive (TCIA). Supporting tools for data analysis and DICOM conversion
      were made available as free open-source software. Discussion. We presented a
      detailed investigation of the development and application of the DICOM model, as
      well as the supporting open-source tools and toolkits, to accommodate
      representation of the research data in QI biomarker development. We demonstrated
      that the DICOM standard can be used to represent the types of data relevant in
      HNC QI biomarker development, and encode their complex relationships. The
      resulting annotated objects are amenable to data mining applications, and are
      interoperable with a variety of systems that support the DICOM standard. 

PMID- 27257543
TI  - Evolution of parasitism and mutualism between filamentous phage M13 and
      Escherichia coli.
AB  - Background. How host-symbiont interactions coevolve between mutualism and
      parasitism depends on the ecology of the system and on the genetic and
      physiological constraints of the organisms involved. Theory often predicts that
      greater reliance on horizontal transmission favors increased costs of infection
      and may result in more virulent parasites or less beneficial mutualists. We set
      out to understand transitions between parasitism and mutualism by evolving the
      filamentous bacteriophage M13 and its host Escherichia coli. Results. The effect
      of phage M13 on bacterial fitness depends on the growth environment, and initial
      assays revealed that infected bacteria reproduce faster and to higher density
      than uninfected bacteria in 96-well microplates. These data suggested that M13
      is, in fact, a facultative mutualist of E. coli. We then allowed E. coli and M13
      to evolve in replicated environments, which varied in the relative opportunity
      for horizontal and vertical transmission of phage in order to assess the
      evolutionary stability of this mutualism. After 20 experimental passages,
      infected bacteria from treatments with both vertical and horizontal transmission
      of phage had evolved the fastest growth rates. At the same time, phage from these
      treatments no longer benefited the ancestral bacteria. Conclusions. These data
      suggest a positive correlation between the positive effects of M13 on E. coli
      hosts from the same culture and the negative effects of the same phage toward the
      ancestral bacterial genotype. The results also expose flaws in applying concepts
      from the virulence-transmission tradeoff hypothesis to mutualism evolution. We
      discuss the data in the context of more recent theory on how horizontal
      transmission affects mutualisms and explore how these effects influence phages
      encoding virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria. 

PMID- 27257544
TI  - Stronger cortisol response to acute psychosocial stress is correlated with larger
      decrease in temporal sensitivity.
AB  - As a fundamental dimension of cognition and behavior, time perception has been
      found to be sensitive to stress. However, how one's time perception changes with
      responses to stress is still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the
      relationship between stress-induced cortisol response and time perception. A
      group of 40 healthy young male adults performed a temporal bisection task before
      and after the Trier Social Stress Test for a stress condition. A control group of
      27 male participants completed the same time perception task without stress
      induction. In the temporal bisection task, participants were first presented with
      short (400 ms) and long (1,600 ms) visual signals serving as anchor durations and
      then required to judge whether the intermediate probe durations were more similar
      to the short or the long anchor. The bisection point and Weber ratio were
      calculated and indicated the subjective duration and the temporal sensitivity,
      respectively. Data showed that participants in the stress group had significantly
      increased salivary cortisol levels, heart rates, and negative affects compared
      with those in the control group. The results did not show significant group
      differences for the subjective duration or the temporal sensitivity. However, the
      results showed a significant positive correlation between stress-induced cortisol
      responses and decreases in temporal sensitivity indexed by increases in the Weber
      ratio. This correlation was not observed for the control group. Changes in
      subjective duration indexed by temporal bisection points were not correlated with
      cortisol reactivity in both the groups. In conclusion, the present study found
      that although no significant change was observed in time perception after an
      acute stressor on the group-level comparison (i.e., stress vs. nonstress group),
      individuals with stronger cortisol responses to stress showed a larger decrease
      in temporal sensitivity. This finding may provide insight into the understanding
      of the relationship between stress and temporal sensitivity. 

PMID- 27257545
TI  - De novo assembly and characterization of the Chinese three-keeled pond turtle
      (Mauremys reevesii) transcriptome: presence of longevity-related genes.
AB  - Mauremys reevesii (Geoemydidae) is one of the most common and widespread semi
      aquatic turtles in East Asia. The unusually long lifespan of some individuals
      makes this turtle species a potentially useful model organism for studying the
      molecular basis of longevity. In this study, pooled total RNA extracted from
      liver, spleen and skeletal-muscle of three adult individuals were sequenced using
      Illumina Hiseq 2500 platform. A set of telomere-related genes were found in the
      transcriptome, including tert, tep1, and six shelterin complex proteins coding
      genes (trf1, trf2, tpp1, pot1, tin2 and rap1). These genes products protect
      chromosome ends from deterioration and therefore significantly contribute to
      turtle longevity. The transcriptome data generated in this study provides a
      comprehensive reference for future molecular studies in the turtle. 

PMID- 27257546
TI  - Developing demographic toxicity data: optimizing effort for predicting population
      outcomes.
AB  - Mounting evidence suggests that population endpoints in risk assessment are far
      more accurate than static assessments. Complete demographic toxicity data based
      on full life tables are eminently useful in predicting population outcomes in
      many applications because they capture both lethal and sublethal effects;
      however, developing these life tables is extremely costly. In this study we
      investigated the efficiency of partial life cycle tests as a substitute for full
      life cycles in parameterizing population models. Life table data were developed
      for three species of Daphniids, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia magna, and D. pulex,
      weekly throughout the life span of these species. Population growth rates
      (lambda) and a series of other demographic parameters generated from the complete
      life cycle were compared to those calculated from cumulative weeks of the life
      cycle in order to determine the minimum number of weeks needed to generate an
      accurate population projection. Results showed that for C. dubia and D. pulex,
      lambda values developed at >4 weeks (44.4% of the life cycle) were not
      significantly different from lambda developed for the full life cycle (9 weeks)
      of each species. For D. magna, lambda values developed at >7 weeks (70% of the
      life cycle) were not significantly different from lambda developed for the full
      life cycle (10 weeks). Furthermore, these cutoff points for lambda were not the
      same for other demographic parameters, with no clear pattern emerging. Our
      results indicate that for C. dubia, D. magna, and D. pulex, partial life tables
      can be used to generate population growth rates in lieu of full life tables.
      However, the implications of differences in cutoff points for different
      demographic parameters need to be investigated further. 

PMID- 27257547
TI  - Retrospective study on structural neuroimaging in first-episode psychosis.
AB  - Background. No consensus between guidelines exists regarding neuroimaging in
      first-episode psychosis. The purpose of this study is to assess anomalies found
      in structural neuroimaging exams (brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI)) in the initial medical work-up of patients presenting
      first-episode psychosis. Methods. The study subjects were 32 patients aged 18-48
      years (mean age: 29.6 years), consecutively admitted with first-episode psychosis
      diagnosis. Socio-demographic and clinical data and neuroimaging exams (CT and
      MRI) were retrospectively studied. Diagnostic assessments were made using the
      Operational Criteria Checklist +. Neuroimaging images (CT and MRI) and respective
      reports were analysed by an experienced consultant psychiatrist. Results. None of
      the patients had abnormalities in neuroimaging exams responsible for psychotic
      symptoms. Thirty-seven percent of patients had incidental brain findings not
      causally related to the psychosis (brain atrophy, arachnoid cyst, asymmetric
      lateral ventricles, dilated lateral ventricles, plagiocephaly and falx cerebri
      calcification). No further medical referral was needed for any of these patients.
      No significant differences regarding gender, age, diagnosis, duration of
      untreated psychosis, in-stay and cannabis use were found between patients who had
      neuroimaging abnormalities versus those without. Discussion. This study suggests
      that structural neuroimaging exams reveal scarce abnormalities in young patients
      with first-episode psychosis. Structural neuroimaging is especially useful in
      first-episode psychosis patients with neurological symptoms, atypical clinical
      picture and old age. 

PMID- 27257548
TI  - Sex expression and floral diversity in Jatropha curcas: a population study in its
      center of origin.
AB  - Sex expression and floral morphology studies are central to understand breeding
      behavior and to define the productive potential of plant genotypes. In
      particular, the new bioenergy crop Jatropha curcas L. has been classified as a
      monoecious species. Nonetheless, there is no information about its reproductive
      diversity in the Mesoamerican region, which is considered its center of origin
      and diversification. Thus, we determined sex expression and floral morphology in
      J. curcas populations from southern Mexico and Guatemala. Our results showed that
      most of J. curcas specimens had typical inflorescences with separate sexes
      (monoecious); meanwhile, the rest were atypical (gynoecious, androecious,
      andromonoecious, androgynomonoecious). The most important variables to group
      these populations, based on a discriminant analysis, were: male flower diameter,
      female petal length and male nectary length. From southern Mexico "Guerrero" was
      the most diverse population, and "Centro" had the highest variability among the
      populations from Chiapas. A cluster analysis showed that the accessions from
      southern Mexico were grouped without showing any correlation with the
      geographical origin, while those accessions with atypical sexuality were grouped
      together. To answer the question of how informative are floral morphological
      traits compared to molecular markers, we perform a Mantel correlation test
      between the distance matrix generated in this study and the genetic distance
      matrix (AFLP) previously reported for the same accessions. We found significant
      correlation between data at the level of accessions. Our results contribute to
      design genetic improvement programs by using sexually and morphologically
      contrasting plants from the center of origin. 

PMID- 27257549
TI  - Ecological implications of metabolic compensation at low temperatures in
      salamanders.
AB  - Global warming is influencing the biology of the world's biota. Temperature
      increases are occurring at a faster pace than that experienced by organisms in
      their evolutionary histories, limiting the organisms' response to new conditions.
      Mechanistic models that include physiological traits can help predict species'
      responses to warming. Changes in metabolism at high temperatures are often
      examined; yet many species are behaviorally shielded from high temperatures.
      Salamanders generally favor cold temperatures and are one of few groups of
      metazoans to be most species-rich in temperate regions. I examined variation in
      body temperature, behavioral activity, and temperature dependence of resting
      heart rate, used as a proxy for standard metabolic rate, in fire salamanders
      (Salamandra salamandra). Over 26 years, I found that salamanders are behaviorally
      active at temperatures as low as 1  degrees C, and aestivate at temperatures
      above 16  degrees C. Infrared thermography indicates limited thermoregulation
      opportunities for these nocturnal amphibians. Temperature affects resting heart
      rate, causing metabolic depression above 11  degrees C, and metabolic
      compensation below 8  degrees C: heart rate at 3  degrees C is 224% the expected
      heart rate. Thus, salamanders operating at low temperatures during periods of
      peak behavioral activity are able to maintain a higher metabolic rate than the
      rate expected in absence of compensation. This compensatory mechanism has
      important ecological implications, because it increases estimated seasonal heart
      rates. Increased heart rate, and thus metabolism, will require higher caloric
      intake for field-active salamanders. Thus, it is important to consider a species
      performance breadth over the entire temperature range, and particularly low
      temperatures that are ecologically relevant for cold tolerant species such as
      salamanders. 

PMID- 27257550
TI  - DeepSNVMiner: a sequence analysis tool to detect emergent, rare mutations in
      subsets of cell populations.
AB  - Background. Massively parallel sequencing technology is being used to sequence
      highly diverse populations of DNA such as that derived from heterogeneous cell
      mixtures containing both wild-type and disease-related states. At the core of
      such molecule tagging techniques is the tagging and identification of sequence
      reads derived from individual input DNA molecules, which must be first
      computationally disambiguated to generate read groups sharing common sequence
      tags, with each read group representing a single input DNA molecule. This
      disambiguation typically generates huge numbers of reads groups, each of which
      requires additional variant detection analysis steps to be run specific to each
      read group, thus representing a significant computational challenge. While
      sequencing technologies for producing these data are approaching maturity, the
      lack of available computational tools for analysing such heterogeneous sequence
      data represents an obstacle to the widespread adoption of this technology.
      Results. Using synthetic data we successfully detect unique variants at dilution
      levels of 1 in a 1,000,000 molecules, and find DeeepSNVMiner obtains
      significantly lower false positive and false negative rates compared to popular
      variant callers GATK, SAMTools, FreeBayes and LoFreq, particularly as the variant
      concentration levels decrease. In a dilution series with genomic DNA from two
      cells lines, we find DeepSNVMiner identifies a known somatic variant when present
      at concentrations of only 1 in 1,000 molecules in the input material, the lowest
      concentration amongst all variant callers tested. Conclusions. Here we present
      DeepSNVMiner; a tool to disambiguate tagged sequence groups and robustly identify
      sequence variants specific to subsets of starting DNA molecules that may indicate
      the presence of a disease. DeepSNVMiner is an automated workflow of custom
      sequence analysis utilities and open source tools able to differentiate somatic
      DNA variants from artefactual sequence variants that likely arose during DNA
      amplification. The workflow remains flexible such that it may be customised to
      variants of the data production protocol used, and supports reproducible analysis
      through detailed logging and reporting of results. DeepSNVMiner is available for
      academic non-commercial research purposes at
      https://github.com/mattmattmattmatt/DeepSNVMiner. 

PMID- 27257551
TI  - Postcranial anatomy of Pissarrachampsa sera (Crocodyliformes, Baurusuchidae) from
      the Late Cretaceous of Brazil: insights on lifestyle and phylogenetic
      significance.
AB  - The postcranial anatomy of Crocodyliformes has historically been neglected, as
      most descriptions are based solely on skulls. Yet, the significance of the
      postcranium in crocodyliforms evolution is reflected in the great lifestyle
      diversity exhibited by the group, with members ranging from terrestrial animals
      to semi-aquatic and fully marine forms. Recently, studies have emphasized the
      importance of the postcranium. Following this trend, here we present a detailed
      description of the postcranial elements of Pissarrachampsa sera
      (Mesoeucrocodylia, Baurusuchidae), from the Adamantina Formation (Bauru Group,
      Late Cretaceous of Brazil). The preserved elements include dorsal vertebrae,
      partial forelimb, pelvic girdle, and hindlimbs. Comparisons with the postcranial
      anatomy of baurusuchids and other crocodyliforms, together with body-size and
      mass estimates, lead to a better understanding of the paleobiology of
      Pissarrachampsa sera, including its terrestrial lifestyle and its role as a top
      predator. Furthermore, the complete absence of osteoderms in P. sera, a condition
      previously known only in marine crocodyliforms, suggests osteoderms very likely
      played a minor role in locomotion of baurusuchids, unlike other groups of
      terrestrial crocodyliforms. Finally, a phylogenetic analysis including the newly
      recognized postcranial features was carried out, and exploratory analyses were
      performed to investigate the influence of both cranial and postcranial characters
      in the phylogeny of Crocodyliformes. Our results suggest that crocodyliform
      relationships are mainly determined by cranial characters. However, this seems to
      be a consequence of the great number of missing entries in the data set with only
      postcranial characters and not of the lack of potential (or synapomorphies) for
      this kind of data to reflect the evolutionary history of Crocodyliformes. 

PMID- 27257552
TI  - Sperm removal during copulation confirmed in the oldest extant damselfly,
      Hemiphlebia mirabilis.
AB  - Postcopulatory sexual selection may favour mechanisms to reduce sperm
      competition, like physical sperm removal by males. To investigate the origin of
      sperm removal, I studied the reproductive behaviour and mechanisms of sperm
      competition in the only living member of the oldest damselfly family, Hemiphlebia
      mirabilis, one species that was considered extinct in the 1980s. This species
      displays scramble competition behaviour. Males search for females with short
      flights and both sexes exhibit a conspicuous "abdominal flicking". This behaviour
      is used by males during an elaborate precopulatory courtship, unique among
      Odonata. Females use a similar display to reject male attempts to form tandem,
      but eventually signal receptivity by a particular body position. Males immobilise
      females during courtship using their legs, which, contrarily to other
      damselflies, never autotomise. Copulation is short (range 4.1-18.7 min), and
      occurs in two sequential stages. In the first stage, males remove part of the
      stored sperm, and inseminate during the second stage, at the end of mating. The
      male genital ligula matches the size and form of female genitalia, and ends by
      two horns covered by back-oriented spines. The volume of sperm in females before
      copulation was 2.7 times larger than the volume stored in females whose
      copulation was interrupted at the end of stage I, indicative of a significant
      sperm removal. These results point out that sperm removal is an old character in
      the evolution of odonates, possibly dating back to the Permian. 

PMID- 27257553
TI  - Strategies for improved rhamnolipid production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA1.
AB  - Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants with potential for diversified industrial and
      environmental uses. The present study evaluated three strategies for increasing
      the production of rhamnolipid-type biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa strain PA1. The influence of pH, the addition of P. aeruginosa spent
      culture medium and the use of a fed-batch process were examined. The culture
      medium adjusted to pH 7.0 was the most productive. Furthermore, the pH of the
      culture medium had a measurable effect on the ratio of synthesized mono- and
      dirhamnolipids. At pH values below 7.3, the proportion of monorhamnolipids
      decreased from 45 to 24%. The recycling of 20% of the spent culture medium in
      where P. aeruginosa was grown up to the later stationary phase was responsible
      for a 100% increase in rhamnolipid volumetric productivity in the new culture
      medium. Finally, the use of fed-batch operation under conditions of limited
      nitrogen resulted in a 3.8-fold increase in the amount of rhamnolipids produced
      (2.9 g L(-1)-10.9 g L(-1)). These results offer promising pathways for the
      optimization of processes for the production of rhamnolipids. 

PMID- 27257554
TI  - Bioinformatics analysis of the structural and evolutionary characteristics for
      toll-like receptor 15.
AB  - Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play important role in the innate immune system. TLR15
      is reported to have a unique role in defense against pathogens, but its
      structural and evolution characterizations are still poorly understood. In this
      study, we identified 57 completed TLR15 genes from avian and reptilian genomes.
      TLR15 clustered into an individual clade and was closely related to family 1 on
      the phylogenetic tree. Unlike the TLRs in family 1 with the broken asparagine
      ladders in the middle, TLR15 ectodomain had an intact asparagine ladder that is
      critical to maintain the overall shape of ectodomain. The conservation analysis
      found that TLR15 ectodomain had a highly evolutionarily conserved region on the
      convex surface of LRR11 module, which is probably involved in TLR15 activation
      process. Furthermore, the protein-protein docking analysis indicated that TLR15
      TIR domains have the potential to form homodimers, the predicted interaction
      interface of TIR dimer was formed mainly by residues from the BB-loops and alphaC
      helixes. Although TLR15 mainly underwent purifying selection, we detected 27
      sites under positive selection for TLR15, 24 of which are located on its
      ectodomain. Our observations suggest the structural features of TLR15 which may
      be relevant to its function, but which requires further experimental validation. 

PMID- 27257555
TI  - Temporal regulation of proteome profile in the fruit fly, Drosophila
      melanogaster.
AB  - Background. Diurnal rhythms of protein synthesis controlled by the biological
      clock underlie the rhythmic physiology in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.
      In this study, we conducted a proteome-wide investigation of rhythmic protein
      accumulation in D. melanogaster. Materials and Methods. Total protein collected
      from fly samples harvested at 4 h intervals over the 24 h period were subjected
      to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, trypsin digestion and MS/MS analysis.
      Protein spots/clusters were identified with MASCOT search engine and Swiss-Prot
      database. Expression of proteins was documented as percentage of volume
      contribution using the Image Master 2D Platinum software. Results. A total of 124
      protein spots/clusters were identified using MS/MS analysis. Significant
      variation in the expression of 88 proteins over the 24-h period was observed. A
      relatively higher number of proteins was upregulated during the night compared to
      the daytime. The complexity of temporal regulation of the D. melanogaster
      proteome was further reflected from functional annotations of the differently
      expressed proteins, with those that were upregulated at night being restricted to
      the heat shock proteins and proteins involved in metabolism, muscle activity,
      protein synthesis/folding/degradation and apoptosis, whilst those that were
      overexpressed in the daytime were apparently involved in metabolism, muscle
      activity, ion-channel/cellular transport, protein synthesis/folding/degradation,
      redox homeostasis, development and transcription. Conclusion. Our data suggests
      that a wide range of proteins synthesized by the fruit fly, D. melanogaster, is
      under the regulation of the biological clock. 

PMID- 27257557
TI  - Proficient brain for optimal performance: the MAP model perspective.
AB  - Background. The main goal of the present study was to explore theta and alpha
      event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/ERS) activity during
      shooting performance. We adopted the idiosyncratic framework of the multi-action
      plan (MAP) model to investigate different processing modes underpinning four
      types of performance. In particular, we were interested in examining the neural
      activity associated with optimal-automated (Type 1) and optimal-controlled (Type
      2) performances. Methods. Ten elite shooters (6 male and 4 female) with extensive
      international experience participated in the study. ERD/ERS analysis was used to
      investigate cortical dynamics during performance. A 4 * 3 (performance types *
      time) repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to test the
      differences among the four types of performance during the three seconds
      preceding the shots for theta, low alpha, and high alpha frequency bands. The
      dependent variables were the ERD/ERS percentages in each frequency band (i.e.,
      theta, low alpha, high alpha) for each electrode site across the scalp. This
      analysis was conducted on 120 shots for each participant in three different
      frequency bands and the individual data were then averaged. Results. We found ERS
      to be mainly associated with optimal-automatic performance, in agreement with the
      "neural efficiency hypothesis." We also observed more ERD as related to optimal
      controlled performance in conditions of "neural adaptability" and proficient use
      of cortical resources. Discussion. These findings are congruent with the MAP
      conceptualization of four performance states, in which unique psychophysiological
      states underlie distinct performance-related experiences. From an applied point
      of view, our findings suggest that the MAP model can be used as a framework to
      develop performance enhancement strategies based on cognitive and neurofeedback
      techniques. 

PMID- 27257556
TI  - ABC transporters P-gp and Bcrp do not limit the brain uptake of the novel
      antipsychotic and anticonvulsant drug cannabidiol in mice.
AB  - Cannabidiol (CBD) is currently being investigated as a novel therapeutic for the
      treatment of CNS disorders like schizophrenia and epilepsy. ABC transporters such
      as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) mediate
      pharmacoresistance in these disorders. P-gp and Bcrp are expressed at the blood
      brain barrier (BBB) and reduce the brain uptake of substrate drugs including
      various antipsychotics and anticonvulsants. It is therefore important to assess
      whether CBD is prone to treatment resistance mediated by P-gp and Bcrp. Moreover,
      it has become common practice in the drug development of CNS agents to screen
      against ABC transporters to help isolate lead compounds with optimal
      pharmacokinetic properties. The current study aimed to assess whether P-gp and
      Bcrp impacts the brain transport of CBD by comparing CBD tissue concentrations in
      wild-type (WT) mice versus mice devoid of ABC transporter genes. P-gp knockout
      (Abcb1a/b (-/-)), Bcrp knockout (Abcg2 (-/-)), combined P-gp/Bcrp knockout
      (Abcb1a/b (-/-) Abcg2 (-/-)) and WT mice were injected with CBD, before brain and
      plasma samples were collected at various time-points. CBD results were compared
      with the positive control risperidone and 9-hydroxy risperidone, antipsychotic
      drugs that are established ABC transporter substrates. Brain and plasma
      concentrations of CBD were not greater in P-gp, Bcrp or P-gp/Bcrp knockout mice
      than WT mice. In comparison, the brain/plasma concentration ratios of risperidone
      and 9-hydroxy risperidone were profoundly higher in P-gp knockout mice than WT
      mice. These results suggest that CBD is not a substrate of P-gp or Bcrp and may
      be free from the complication of reduced brain uptake by these transporters. Such
      findings provide favorable evidence for the therapeutic development of CBD in the
      treatment of various CNS disorders. 

PMID- 27257558
TI  - The frequency of the m.1555A>G (MTRNR1) variant in UK patients with suspected
      mitochondrial deafness.

PMID- 27257559
TI  - Erratum: Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: Autologous Versus Implant-based
      Reconstruction: Erratum.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000598.]. 

PMID- 27257560
TI  - The Significance of Rectus Femoris for the Favorable Functional Outcome After
      Total Femur Replacement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In treatment of tumors, we usually reconstruct after resection of the
      entire femur using only metallic modular endoprostheses among many procedures and
      defined it as a total femur replacement. We studied the interrelation between the
      preservation of rectus femoris and the functional outcome after total femur
      replacement. METHODS: We rated the functional outcomes of 21 patients who
      underwent total femur replacement. We categorized the subjects into 2 groups:
      group A (rectus femoris preserved) and group B (rectus femoris unpreserved). We
      examined them based on the Mann-Whitney U test between the 2 groups in average
      through the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional scores. RESULTS: The average
      score of group A was 20 of 25 (11-25; 80%), whereas the average score of group B
      was 10 of 25 (4-13; 40%). There was significant difference between the groups (P
      = 0.00168877). CONCLUSION: We found that the preservation of rectus femoris is
      imperative for achieving the favorable functional outcome in total femur
      replacement.

PMID- 27257562
TI  - Microvascular Reconstruction of Free Jejunal Graft in Larynx-preserving
      Esophagectomy for Cervical Esophageal Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Losing the ability to speak severely affects the quality of life, and
      patients who have undergone laryngectomy tend to become depressed, which may lead
      to social withdrawal. Recently, with advancements in chemoradiotherapy and with
      alternative perspectives on postoperative quality of life, larynx preservation
      has been pursued; however, the selection of candidates and the optimal
      reconstructive procedure remain controversial. In this study, we retrospectively
      reviewed our experience with free jejunal graft for larynx-preserving cervical
      esophagectomy (LPCE), focusing on microvascular reconstruction. METHODS: Seven
      patients underwent LPCE for cervical esophageal carcinoma, and defects were
      reconstructed by free jejunal transfer subsequently. We collected preoperative
      and postoperative data of the patients and assessed the importance of the
      procedure. RESULTS: We mostly used the transverse cervical artery as the
      recipient, and a longer operative time was required, particularly for the
      regrowth cases. The operative field for microvascular anastomosis was more
      limited and deeper than those in the laryngectomy cases. Two graft necrosis cases
      were confirmed at postoperative day 9 or 15, and vessels contralateral from the
      graft were chosen as recipients in both patients. CONCLUSIONS: Microvascular
      reconstruction for free jejunal graft in LPCE differed in several ways from the
      procedure combined with laryngectomy. Compression from the tracheal cartilage to
      the pedicle was suspected as the reason of the necrosis clinically and
      pathologically. Therefore, we should select recipient vessels from the
      ipsilateral side of the graft, and careful and extended monitoring of the flap
      should be considered to make this procedure successful.

PMID- 27257561
TI  - Stromal Vascular Fraction Combined with Shock Wave for the Treatment of
      Peyronie's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This pilot study was used to evaluate safety and subjective outcomes
      in a small series of Peyronie's disease patients using a combination of
      autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and penile shock wave treatments. SVF
      can be procured and deployed into Peyronie's plaques, enabling the surgeons to
      procure and mobilize significant numbers of both adult mesenchymal stem cells and
      antiinflammatory cytokines released from the adipose collagen matrix after
      collagen digestion. Penile shock wave therapy stimulates targeted tissues and may
      activate stem cells found in the SVF and promote healing and fibrosis mitigation.
      METHODS: SVF isolated from lipoaspirate was deployed by injection into 11
      patients with Peyronie's plaques in combination with a series of shock wave
      treatments. Subjective outcomes tests performed at baseline and at 6 months
      included the Erectile Hardness Grading Score and the Peyronie's Disease
      Questionnaire (Questions 1-6). RESULTS: All patients noted subjective improvement
      in curvature and subjective reduction in plaque size. Seven patients reported
      improvement in erectile function. Mean Erectile Hardness Grading Score increased
      from 2.7 to 3.5, and mean Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire scores decreased from
      15.0 to 8.7. CONCLUSIONS: SVF is known to have scar mitigation, antiinflammatory,
      immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, and it has been used for a variety of
      conditions on an investigational basis. SVF containing mesenchymal stem cells can
      be procured in a closed surgical system from lipoaspirate in a same-day setting
      and deployed directly into Peyronie's plaques in combination with penile shock
      wave therapy resulting in plaque mitigation.

PMID- 27257563
TI  - Nested Graft for Acral Lichen Sclerosus of the Feet: A Surgical Treatment for an
      Inflammatory Disease.
AB  - The "nested graft" is an innovative and well-defined surgical technique used for
      chronic wound healing that induces the de-senescence of fibroblasts in the wound
      bed. We report a case of a 76-year-old man affected by plantar chronic wounds
      because of acral lichen sclerosus and atrophicus localized at both feet and
      treated for many years successfully with immunosuppressive agents. For
      cardiological dysfunction, systemic therapy was reduced to low dosage of steroids
      with an increase of ulcerations (5 * 2 cm). So we decided to perform the nested
      graft on the plantar region. After the surgical procedure, all the grafted ulcers
      healed, and at a 4-month follow-up, no signs of lichen sclerosus were present. 

PMID- 27257564
TI  - Inframammary Fold Reconstruction: A Biomechanical Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inframammary fold reconstruction has scarcely been evaluated in
      literature. No biomechanical analyses have been performed comparing different
      reconstructive methods. This evaluation compares the gold-standard suture
      reconstruction with an intrarib anchor system (Micro BioComposite SutureTak,
      Arthrex). METHODS: Three analysis groups were compared including 8 Sawbone
      blocks, 22 embalmed cadaver, and 27 regular cadaver specimens (N = 57). Transient
      mechanical analysis was performed at 5 N/s using an Instron 5565 test frame.
      RESULTS: Ultimate load favored the anchor system (compared with the gold-standard
      suture) by a factor of 9.8 (P < 0.0001) for the regular cadaver group and a
      factor of 1.7 (P < 0.038) for the embalmed cadaver group. A similar statistically
      significant benefit was shown for stiffness and load at 2-mm displacement.
      CONCLUSIONS: This analysis showed an anchor system to be the biomechanically
      superior fixation method in terms of ultimate load, fixation stiffness, and
      displacement at failure when compared with the gold-standard suture method in
      inframammary fold reconstruction. Because of superior stability in every aspect,
      an anchor system may be considered for inframammary fold reconstruction.

PMID- 27257565
TI  - Bilateral Distraction Osteogenesis of Vascularized Iliac Crest Free Flaps Used in
      Mandibular Reconstruction.
AB  - Vascularized free flaps have become the gold standard in reconstructing large
      segmental mandibular defects; however, even when bony union and soft-tissue
      coverage is achieved, insufficient bone stock and altered facial contour can
      create functional and cosmetic problems for the patient. There have been limited
      case reports on the use of secondary distraction osteogenesis to address these
      issues. The authors report a case of bilateral mandibular distraction of deep
      circumflex iliac artery free flaps, used for mandibular reconstruction after
      total mandibulectomy for treatment of osteosarcoma. Performed for reasons of
      retrognathia and facilitation of dental prosthetic rehabilitation, this is the
      first case of bilateral horizontal distraction osteogenesis of deep circumflex
      iliac artery free flaps reported in the literature. 

PMID- 27257566
TI  - Relationship between BMI and Postoperative Complications with Free Flap in
      Anterolateral Craniofacial Reconstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although we have seen tremendous advancement in microsurgery over the
      last 2 decades and free tissue transfer has become standard for head and neck
      reconstruction, surgeons still struggle to prevent postoperative complications.
      We examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and postoperative
      complications in patients undergoing rectus abdominis free flap transfer after
      anterolateral craniofacial resection. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of
      reconstructive surgery using rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap in
      patients with locally advanced maxillary sinus carcinoma from 2003 to 2014 (n =
      35, 27 men and 8 women; average age, 60.9 +/- 7.8 years). All patients underwent
      craniofacial reconstruction after anterior and middle cranial fossa skull base
      resection and maxillectomy (class IV, subtype a) with palatal resection. Patients
      were categorized based on sex, BMI, and other parameters. RESULTS: Recipient-site
      infection occurred in 11 patients (31.4%), cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 6
      (17.1%), partial flap necrosis in 2 (5.7%), total flap necrosis in 1 (2.9%), and
      facial fistula in 4 (11.4%). Women showed partial flap necrosis significantly
      more frequently (P = 0.047), probably owing to poor vascular supply of the
      subcutaneous fat layer. Patients with low BMI (<20 kg/m(2)) showed recipient-site
      infection (P = 0.02) and facial fistula (P = 0.01) significantly more frequently
      owing to insufficient tissue volume and poor vascular supply. CONCLUSION:
      Postoperative recipient-site infection and facial fistula occurred mainly in low
      BMI patients. Surgeons should take care to achieve sufficient donor tissue on low
      BMI patients. Using a prosthetic obturator in low-BMI patients for craniofacial
      reconstruction can be a good alternative option to reduce postoperative
      complications due to insufficient donor tissue volume.

PMID- 27257567
TI  - Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy in Leprosy: The Case for Nerve Decompression.
AB  - Plastic surgery has a tradition of caring for patients with facial deformity and
      hand deformity related to leprosy. The approach, however, to the progressive
      deformity and disability related to chronic nerve compression is underappreciated
      in the world today. A cohort of patients with leprous neuropathy from an
      indigenous area of leprosy in Ecuador was evaluated for the presence of chronic
      peripheral nerve compression, and 12 patients were chosen for simultaneous upper
      and lower extremity, unilateral, nerve decompression at multiple levels along the
      course of each nerve. The results at 1 year of follow-up show that 6 patients
      improved into the excellent category and 4 patients improved into the good
      category for improved function. Based on the early results in this small cohort
      of patients with leprous neuropathy, an approach to peripheral nerve
      decompression, encompassing the concept of multiple crush at multiple levels of
      each nerve, seems to offer optimism to improve upper and lower extremity limb
      function. Long-term studies with quality-of-life outcomes would be welcome. 

PMID- 27257568
TI  - A Twelve-Year Consecutive Case Experience in Thoracic Reconstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We describe the second largest contemporary series of flaps used in
      thoracic reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing
      thoracomyoplasty from 2001 to 2013 was conducted. Ninety-one consecutive patients
      were identified. RESULTS: Thoracomyoplasty was performed for 67 patients with
      intrathoracic indications and 24 patients with chest wall defects. Malignancy and
      infection were the most common indications for reconstruction (P < 0.01). The
      latissimus dorsi (LD), pectoralis major, and serratus anterior muscle flaps
      remained the workhorses of reconstruction (LD and pectoralis major: 64% flaps in
      chest wall reconstruction; LD and serratus anterior: 85% of flaps in
      intrathoracic indication). Only 12% of patients required mesh. Only 6% of
      patients with <2 ribs resected required mesh when compared with 24% with 3-4
      ribs, and 100% with 5 or more ribs resected (P < 0.01). Increased rib resections
      required in chest wall reconstruction resulted in a longer hospital stay (P <
      0.01). Total comorbidities and complications were related to length of stay only
      in intrathoracic indication (P < 0.01). Average intubation time was significantly
      higher in patients undergoing intrathoracic indication (5.51 days) than chest
      wall reconstruction (0.04 days), P < 0.05. Average hospital stay was
      significantly higher in patients undergoing intrathoracic indication (23 days)
      than chest wall reconstruction (12 days), P < 0.05. One-year survival was most
      poor for intrathoracic indication (59%) versus chest wall reconstruction (83%), P
      = 0.0048. CONCLUSION: Thoracic reconstruction remains a safe and successful
      intervention that reliably treats complex and challenging problems, allowing more
      complex thoracic surgery problems to be salvaged.

PMID- 27257569
TI  - Anatomic and Compression Topography of the Lesser Occipital Nerve.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of occipital headaches focuses on the greater,
      lesser, and third occipital nerves. The lesser occipital nerve (LON) is usually
      transected with relatively limited available information regarding the
      compression topography thereof and how such knowledge may impact surgical
      treatment. METHODS: Eight fresh frozen cadavers were dissected focusing on the
      LON in relation to 3 clinically relevant compression zones. The x axis was a line
      drawn through the occipital protuberance (OP) and the y axis, the posterior
      midline (PM). In addition, a prospectively collected cohort of 36 patients who
      underwent decompression of the LON is presented with their clinical results,
      including migraine headache index scores. RESULTS: The LON was found in
      compression zone 1, with a mean of 7.8 cm caudal to the OP and 6.3 cm lateral to
      the PM. The LON was found at the midpoint of compression zone 2, with an average
      of 5.5 cm caudal to the OP and 6.2 cm lateral to the PM. At compression zone 3,
      the medial-most LON branch was located approximately 1 cm caudal to the OP and
      5.35 cm lateral to the PM, whereas the lateral-most branch was identified 1 cm
      caudal to the OP and 6.5 cm lateral to the PM. Of the 36 decompression patients
      analyzed, only 5 (14%) required neurectomy as the remainder achieved
      statistically significant improvements in migraine headache index scores
      postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of LON anatomy can aid in nerve
      dissection and preservation, thereby leading to successful outcomes without
      requiring neurectomy.

PMID- 27257570
TI  - Breast Capsular Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection from Migration of a
      Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Catheter.
AB  - In this case report we have described an unusual complication of
      ventriculoperitoneal shunt migration into a breast implant capsule. The patient
      was appropriately diagnosed with computed tomographic imaging and successfully
      managed with shunt revision and cerebrospinal fluid aspiration. Given the high
      complication profile of ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheters, this case suggests
      an opportunity for improved perioperative communication between plastic surgeons
      and neurosurgeons in patients with breast implants. Coordination regarding the
      subcutaneous catheter tunneling may hopefully minimize the risk of this
      complication. 

PMID- 27257571
TI  - Plastic Surgery Training Worldwide: Part 1. The United States and Europe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major differences exist in residency training, and the structure and
      quality of residency programs differ between different countries and teaching
      centers. It is of vital importance that a better understanding of the
      similarities and differences in plastic surgery training be ascertained as a
      means of initiating constructive discussion and commentary among training
      programs worldwide. In this study, the authors provide an overview of plastic
      surgery training in the United States and Europe. METHODS: A survey was sent to
      select surgeons in 10 European countries that were deemed to be regular
      contributors to the plastic surgery literature. The questions focused on pathway
      to plastic surgery residency, length of training, required pretraining
      experience, training scheme, research opportunities, and examinations during and
      after plastic surgery residency. RESULTS: Plastic surgery residency training
      programs in the United States differ from the various (selected) countries in
      Europe and are described in detail. CONCLUSIONS: Plastic surgery education is
      vastly different between the United States and Europe, and even within Europe,
      training programs remain heterogeneous. Standardization of curricula across the
      different countries would improve the interaction of different centers and
      facilitate the exchange of vital information for quality control and future
      improvements. The unique characteristics of the various training programs
      potentially provide a basis from which to learn and to gain from one another.

PMID- 27257572
TI  - Use of Lumbar Perforator Recipient Vessels for Salvage Chest Wall Reconstruction:
      A Case Report.
AB  - Abdominal-based free flaps are commonly used for breast reconstruction, and the
      internal mammary or thoracodorsal vessels are typically used as recipient sites.
      Conversely, free tissue transfer is less commonly used for chest wall
      reconstruction in the setting of chest wall recurrence, in part, because of a
      paucity of recipient vessels. Here, we describe a case of a 68-year-old female
      smoker with metastatic breast cancer, who presented with a chest wall recurrence.
      There was a large area of chronic ulceration with foul smelling drainage, in
      addition to radiation-induced tissue injury, and palliative resection was
      performed. The area was reconstructed with a free transverse rectus abdominis
      myocutaneous flap using lumbar perforators as recipient vessels, because
      conventional recipient sites were unavailable because of scarring from radiation
      and residual tumor. This case demonstrates that uncommon recipient vessels such
      as lumbar perforators may allow for successful palliative chest wall
      reconstruction. We hypothesize that the tumor burden, previous surgeries, and
      radiation may have rendered the recipient field relatively ischemic, thereby
      inducing hypertrophy of the lumbar perforators, similar to a delay phenomenon. 

PMID- 27257573
TI  - Release and Reconstruction of a Postburn Deformed Breast in a Young Woman.
AB  - Burn injuries to the anterior chest wall in the young woman may cause
      disfiguration or lack of development of the breasts during puberty. Often the
      patients are referred after puberty with an apparent lack of breast development
      due to firm postburn scar tissue constricting the anterior chest wall. We report
      a case where a young female with a postburn disfiguration and apparent diminished
      breast development was reconstructed successfully with incision only through the
      restricting burn scar, a periareolar skin excision and split-thickness skin
      grafting of the subsequent outburst of constricted breast tissue. 

PMID- 27257574
TI  - Postaugmentation Galactocele Without Periareolar Incision and 8 Years After
      Pregnancy.

PMID- 27257575
TI  - Surgical Treatment of Rare Sclerosing Polycystic Adenosis of the Deep Parotid
      Gland.
AB  - We experienced a rare case of sclerosing polycystic adenosis (SPA) arising in a
      parotid gland. A 33-year-old man who underwent unspecified surgery for a lesion
      in the left parotid gland 23 years ago presented with a lesion on the same site.
      Computed tomography scan revealed an encapsulated 3 * 2 cm lesion. Intraoperative
      findings showed that the tumor was embedded deep in the parotid gland. Marginal
      tumor excision was performed to preserve the facial nerve. Histopathological and
      immunohistochemical findings led to the final diagnosis of SPA. The surgery was
      not associated with any other complications. To date, 28 months after surgery,
      recurrence has not been observed. The treatment protocol of SPA has not yet been
      established. To make plastic surgeons familiar with this disease, we describe
      this case, which was successfully treated without any complications. 

PMID- 27257576
TI  - A Novel Technique of Intraoperative Lateral Pectoral Nerve Block During
      Subpectoral Breast Implant Placement.
AB  - Breast surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in hospitals and
      can be associated with significant postoperative pain. We report a novel
      technique of intraoperative lateral pectoral nerve block under direct vision for
      analgesia post subpectoral implant placement for breast reconstruction. 

PMID- 27257577
TI  - Revision Breast Augmentation at the Time of Cardiac Sarcoma Resection: The
      Importance of Pocket Control When Inframammary Approach Is Combined with
      Simultaneous Sternotomy.
AB  - Sternotomy in patients with previous breast augmentation becomes an aesthetic
      challenge when an inframammary approach is utilized over the traditional midline
      skin incision. Although the inframammary fold approach offers a well-concealed
      scar when compared with the midline chest incision, patients with a history of
      previous breast augmentation are at risk for alteration of the anatomy leading to
      symmastia, implant malposition, and asymmetry. We present a case report of
      sternotomy and resection of a mediastinal perivascular epithelioid cell tumor
      with concomitant revision augmentation with silicone implants and SERI Scaffold.
      Our patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course and a good cosmetic result
      1 year after concomitant revision augmentation in conjunction with cardiac tumor
      resection. In conclusion, the authors feel that despite the difficulties in
      performing breast augmentation in patients undergoing thoracic surgery, it is
      possible to obtain good results. It is necessary to reinforce the repair with a
      mesh to recreate support and proper anatomy. 

PMID- 27257578
TI  - Diagnosis of Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Arcade of Struthers with
      Electromyography and Ultrasound.
AB  - Ulnar neuropathy is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve in the upper
      extremity, frequently occurring at the level of the elbow or wrist. Rarely, ulnar
      nerve entrapment may be seen proximal to the elbow. This report details a case of
      ulnar neuropathy diagnosed and localized to the arcade of Struthers with
      electromyography (EMG) and ultrasound (US) imaging and confirmed at time of
      operative release. US imaging and EMG findings were used to preoperatively
      localize the level of compression in a patient presenting with left ulnar
      neuropathy. In this case, ulnar entrapment 8 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle
      was diagnosed. Surgical release was performed and verified the level of
      entrapment at the arcade of Struthers in the upper arm. Alleviation of symptoms
      was noted at 8-week follow-up; no complications occurred. US imaging can be used
      in complement with EMG studies to properly diagnose and localize the level of
      ulnar nerve entrapment. This facilitates full release of the nerve and may
      prevent the need for revision surgery. 

PMID- 27257579
TI  - Body Contouring Surgery: Our 5 Years Experience.

PMID- 27257580
TI  - The Assessment of Thromboembolism Risk in Postbariatric Patient: Our Experience
      in 936 Patients.

PMID- 27257581
TI  - Pressure Ulcers in Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries: Concordance Between Swab
      and Intraoperative Culture.

PMID- 27257582
TI  - The New Transverse-Facial Artery Musculomucosal Flap for Intraoral
      Reconstructions.

PMID- 27257583
TI  - Surgical Treatment of Frontal and Occipital Migraines: A Comparison of Results.

PMID- 27257584
TI  - Assisted Healing-Selective Delayed Reconstruction for Subacute Traumatic Wounds
      of the Lower Limb.

PMID- 27257585
TI  - Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Male-to-Female Transsexuals: Short Terms Results
      and Proposal of a New Questionnaire.

PMID- 27257586
TI  - Arterial Pressure Management in a Reconstructive Microsurgery Patients by
      Dopamine Infusion in a Nonintensive Care Ward.

PMID- 27257587
TI  - Perineal Flap Reconstruction after Oncologic Resection.

PMID- 27257588
TI  - Management of the Exposed and/or Infected Breast Prosthesis: A Proposal for a
      Standardized Approach.

PMID- 27257589
TI  - Bone Quality at the Sites of Loosened Screws in Mandibular Reconstruction Plates.

PMID- 27257590
TI  - Efficacy of Autologous Microfat Graft on Facial Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis
      Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autologous adipose tissue injection is used in plastic surgery for
      correction of localized tissue atrophy and has also been successfully offered for
      treatment of localized scleroderma. We aimed to evaluate whether patients with
      systemic sclerosis (SSc) and facial handicap could also benefit from this
      therapy. METHODS: We included 14 patients (mean age of 53.8 +/- 9.6 years)
      suffering from SSc with facial handicap defined by Mouth Handicap in Systemic
      Sclerosis Scale (MHISS) score more than or equal to 20, a Rodnan skin score on
      the face more than or equal to 1, and maximal mouth opening of less than 55 mm.
      Autologous adipose tissue injection was performed under local anesthesia using
      the technique of subcutaneous microinjection. The main objective of this study
      was an improvement of the MHISS score 6 months after the surgical treatment.
      RESULTS: The procedure was well tolerated. We observed a mean decrease in the
      MHISS score of 10.7 points (+/-5.1; P < 0.0001) at 6 months (35% improvement).
      Secondary efficacy parameters assessing perioral skin sclerosis, maximum mouth
      opening, sicca syndrome, and facial pain significantly improved at 3 and 6 months
      postsurgery. At a 6-month follow-up, 75% of patients were satisfied or very
      satisfied of the adipose tissue microinjection therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      suggests that subcutaneous perioral microfat injection in patients with SSc is
      beneficial in the treatment of facial handicap, skin sclerosis, mouth opening
      limitation, sicca syndrome, and facial pain. Thus, this minimally invasive
      approach offers a new hope for face therapy for patients with SSc.

PMID- 27257591
TI  - The Versatile Modiolus Perforator Flap.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perforator flaps are well established, and their usefulness as
      freestyle island flaps is recognized. The whereabouts of vascular perforators and
      classification of perforator flaps in the face are a debated subject, despite
      several anatomical studies showing similar consistency. In our experience using
      freestyle facial perforator flaps, we have located areas where perforators are
      consistently found. This study is focused on a particular perforator lateral to
      the angle of the mouth; the modiolus and the versatile modiolus perforator flap.
      METHODS: A cohort case series of 14 modiolus perforator flap reconstructions in
      14 patients and a color Doppler ultrasonography localization of the modiolus
      perforator in 10 volunteers. RESULTS: All 14 flaps were successfully used to
      reconstruct the defects involved, and the location of the perforator was at the
      level of the modiolus as predicted. The color Doppler ultrasonography study
      detected a sizeable perforator at the level of the modiolus lateral to the angle
      of the mouth within a radius of 1 cm. This confirms the anatomical findings of
      previous authors and indicates that the modiolus perforator is a consistent
      anatomical finding, and flaps based on it can be recommended for several
      indications from the reconstruction of defects in the perioral area, cheek and
      nose. CONCLUSIONS: The modiolus is a well-described anatomical area containing a
      sizeable perforator that is consistently present and readily visualized using
      color Doppler ultrasonography. We have used the modiolus perforator flap
      successfully for several indications, and it is our first choice for perioral
      reconstruction.

PMID- 27257592
TI  - A Breast Foreign Body Migrating to the Back.

PMID- 27257593
TI  - Biological Spare Part Surgery Applied to Nasal Reconstruction.

PMID- 27257594
TI  - Snoopy Breast and Double Bubble Have Much in Common.

PMID- 27257595
TI  - Effect of Artificial Nerve Conduit Vascularization on Peripheral Nerve in a
      Necrotic Bed.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several types of artificial nerve conduit have been used for bridging
      peripheral nerve gaps as an alternative to autologous nerves. However, their
      efficacy in repairing nerve injuries accompanied by surrounding tissue damage
      remains unclear. We fabricated a novel nerve conduit vascularized by superficial
      inferior epigastric (SIE) vessels and evaluated whether it could promote axonal
      regeneration in a necrotic bed. METHODS: A 15-mm nerve conduit was implanted
      beneath the SIE vessels in the groin of a rat to supply it with blood vessels 2
      weeks before nerve reconstruction. We removed a 13-mm segment of the sciatic
      nerve and then pressed a heated iron against the dorsal thigh muscle to produce a
      burn. The defects were immediately repaired with an autograft (n = 10), nerve
      conduit graft (n = 8), or vascularized nerve conduit graft (n = 8). Recovery of
      motor function was examined for 18 weeks after surgery. The regenerated nerves
      were electrophysiologically and histologically evaluated. RESULTS: The
      vascularity of the nerve conduit implanted beneath the SIE vessels was confirmed
      histologically 2 weeks after implantation. Between 14 and 18 weeks after surgery,
      motor function of the vascularized conduit group was significantly better than
      that of the nonvascularized conduit group. Electrophysiological and histological
      evaluations revealed that although the improvement did not reach the level of
      reinnervation achieved by an autograft, the vascularized nerve conduit improved
      axonal regeneration more than did the conduit alone. CONCLUSION: Vascularization
      of artificial nerve conduits accelerated peripheral nerve regeneration, but
      further research is required to improve the quality of nerve regeneration.

PMID- 27257596
TI  - A Simple Method to Monitor Skin Cancer.

PMID- 27257597
TI  - HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis: Bridging the Gap Between Developed and
      Resource-Limited Settings.
AB  - Cryptococcal meningitis is a major cause of HIV-associated morbidity and
      mortality worldwide. Most cases occur in low-income countries, where over half of
      patients die within 10 weeks of diagnosis compared to as few as 10 % of patients
      from developed countries. A host of factors, spanning the HIV care continuum, are
      responsible for this gap in treatment outcomes between developed and resource
      limited settings. We explore factors responsible for this outcomes gap and
      describe low-cost, highly effective measures that can be implemented immediately
      to improve outcomes in resource-limited settings. We also explore health-system
      challenges that must be addressed to reduce mortality further, recent research in
      disease prevention, and novel short-course treatment regimens that, if
      efficacious, could be implemented in resource-limited settings where the cost of
      standard treatment regimens is currently prohibitive.

PMID- 27257598
TI  - PI3K p110beta subunit in leptin receptor expressing cells is required for the
      acute hypophagia induced by endotoxemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hypophagia and increased energy expenditure under inflammatory
      conditions, such as that observed after bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      administration, are associated with leptin secretion. The hypophagic effect of
      leptin depends in part on the activation of PI3K signaling pathway. However, the
      role of PI3K in the endotoxemia-induced hypophagia has not been determined.
      METHODS: In an attempt to examine the functional contribution of the PI3K pathway
      in hypophagia and weight loss induced by LPS (100 ug/Kg, ip), we performed a
      central pharmacological PI3K inhibition (LY294002). Additionally, to gain
      mechanistic insights on the role of the catalytic PI3K p110alpha subunit in
      leptin responsive cells, mice expressing Cre-recombinase driven by the Lepr
      promoter (LepR-Cre) were crossed with mice carrying a loxP-modified p110alpha
      allele (Pi3kca gene) (LepR(Deltap110alpha)). As studies have suggested that the
      PI3K p110beta subunit has a dominant role over p110alpha in energy homeostasis,
      we further crossed LepR-Cre mice with loxP-modified p110alpha and p110beta
      (Pi3kcb gene) alleles (LepR(Deltap110alpha+beta)). In order to verify the
      requirement of leptin in PI3K effects on food intake, we also used leptin
      deficient ob/ob mice. RESULTS: We found that LPS stimulates PI3K and STAT3
      signaling pathways in cells expressing the leptin receptor. Central PI3K
      inhibition prevented LPS-induced hypophagia and weight loss. Genetic deletion of
      p110alpha subunit selectively in LepR cells had no effect on LPS-induced
      hypophagia and weight loss. However, p110alpha and p110beta double deletion in
      LepR cells prevented LPS-induced hypophagia and partially reversed the weight
      loss. Leptin deficiency blunted LPS-induced acute pAKT and pSTAT3 phosphorylation
      and the acute suppression of food intake. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies show that the
      PI3K p110beta subunit in LepR cells is required for acute endotoxemic hypophagia.
      The data provide promising approaches for PI3K inhibition in preventing low
      energy balance and cachectic states during inflammatory challenges.

PMID- 27257599
TI  - Triggering the adaptive immune system with commensal gut bacteria protects
      against insulin resistance and dysglycemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that glycemia and insulin resistance are controlled by
      a mechanism involving the adaptive immune system and gut microbiota crosstalk.
      METHODS: We triggered the immune system with microbial extracts specifically from
      the intestinal ileum contents of HFD-diabetic mice by the process of
      immunization. 35 days later, immunized mice were fed a HFD for up to two months
      in order to challenge the development of metabolic features. The immune responses
      were quantified. Eventually, adoptive transfer of immune cells from the
      microbiota-immunized mice to naive mice was performed to demonstrate the
      causality of the microbiota-stimulated adaptive immune system on the development
      of metabolic disease. The gut microbiota of the immunized HFD-fed mice was
      characterized in order to demonstrate whether the manipulation of the microbiota
      to immune system interaction reverses the causal deleterious effect of gut
      microbiota dysbiosis on metabolic disease. RESULTS: Subcutaneous injection
      (immunization procedure) of ileum microbial extracts prevented hyperglycemia and
      insulin resistance in a dose-dependent manner in response to a HFD. The
      immunization enhanced the proliferation of CD4 and CD8 T cells in lymphoid
      organs, also increased cytokine production and antibody secretion. As a mechanism
      explaining the metabolic improvement, the immunization procedure reversed gut
      microbiota dysbiosis. Finally, adoptive transfer of immune cells from immunized
      mice improved metabolic features in response to HFD. CONCLUSIONS: Glycemia and
      insulin sensitivity can be regulated by triggering the adaptive immunity to
      microbiota interaction. This reduces the gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by a
      fat-enriched diet.

PMID- 27257600
TI  - A comprehensive lipidomic screen of pancreatic beta-cells using mass spectroscopy
      defines novel features of glucose-stimulated turnover of neutral lipids,
      sphingolipids and plasmalogens.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Glucose promotes lipid remodelling in pancreatic beta-cells, and this
      is thought to contribute to the regulation of insulin secretion, but the
      metabolic pathways and potential signalling intermediates have not been fully
      elaborated. METHODS: Using mass spectrometry (MS) we quantified changes in
      approximately 300 lipid metabolites in MIN6 beta-cells and isolated mouse islets
      following 1 h stimulation with glucose. Flux through sphingolipid pathways was
      also assessed in (3)H-sphinganine-labelled cells using TLC. RESULTS: Glucose
      specifically activates the conversion of triacylglycerol (TAG) to diacylglycerol
      (DAG). This leads indirectly to the formation of 18:1 monoacylglycerol (MAG), via
      degradation of saturated/monounsaturated DAG species, such as 16:0_18:1 DAG,
      which are the most abundant, immediate products of glucose-stimulated TAG
      hydrolysis. However, 16:0-containing, di-saturated DAG species are a better
      direct marker of TAG hydrolysis since, unlike the 18:1-containing DAGs, they are
      predominately formed via this route. Using multiple reaction monitoring, we
      confirmed that in islets under basal conditions, 18:1 MAG is the most abundant
      species. We further demonstrated a novel site of glucose to enhance the
      conversion of ceramide to sphingomyelin (SM) and galactosylceramide (GalCer).
      Flux and product:precursor analyses suggest regulation of the enzyme SM synthase,
      which would constitute a separate mechanism for localized generation of DAG in
      response to glucose. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) plasmalogen (P) species,
      specifically those containing 20:4, 22:5 and 22:6 side chains, were also
      diminished in the presence of glucose, whereas the more abundant
      phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens were unchanged. CONCLUSION: Our results
      highlight 18:1 MAG, GalCer, PC(P) and DAG/SM as potential contributors to
      metabolic stimulus-secretion coupling.

PMID- 27257601
TI  - Role of mitochondrial uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) in higher brain functions,
      neuronal plasticity and network oscillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Major psychiatric illnesses, affecting 36% of the world's
      population, are profound disorders of thought, mood and behavior associated with
      underlying impairments in synaptic plasticity and cellular resilience.
      Mitochondria support energy demanding processes like neural transmission and
      synaptogenesis and are thus points of broadening interest in the energetics
      underlying the neurobiology of mental illness. These experiments interrogated the
      importance of mitochondrial flexibility in behavior, synaptic and cortical
      activity in a mouse model. METHODS: We studied mice with ablated uncoupling
      protein-2 expression (UCP2 KO) and analyzed cellular, circuit and behavioral
      attributes of higher brain regions. RESULTS: We found that mitochondrial
      impairment induced by UCP2 ablation produces an anxiety prone, cognitively
      impaired behavioral phenotype. Further, NMDA receptor blockade in the UCP2 KO
      mouse model resulted in changes in synaptic plasticity, brain oscillatory and
      sensory gating activities. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that disruptions in
      mitochondrial function may play a critical role in pathophysiology of mental
      illness. Specifically, we have shown that NMDA driven behavioral, synaptic, and
      brain oscillatory functions are impaired in UCP2 knockout mice.

PMID- 27257603
TI  - A unique patient with epilepsy with cinematographic visual hallucinations.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to document a patient with
      cinematographic hallucinations, with corresponding right temporal lobe seizures
      on electroencephalogram (EEG). RESULTS: The results showed that the patient's EEG
      was normal. The patient subsequently reported hallucinations, which had been
      occurring for the last several months. During monitoring, no interictal EEG
      abnormalities were identified, but a total of 11 partial seizures were captured
      originating from the right posterior temporal area. They either were subclinical
      or corresponded with his visual hallucinations. CONCLUSION: The present study
      demonstrates focal seizures of temporal lobe origin producing complex visual
      hallucinations without a corresponding lesion on MRI brain imaging.

PMID- 27257602
TI  - Raptor/mTORC1 loss in adipocytes causes progressive lipodystrophy and fatty liver
      disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Normal adipose tissue growth and function is critical to maintaining
      metabolic homeostasis and its excess (e.g. obesity) or absence (e.g.
      lipodystrophy) is associated with severe metabolic disease. The goal of this
      study was to understand the mechanisms maintaining healthy adipose tissue growth
      and function. METHODS: Adipose tissue senses and responds to systemic changes in
      growth factor and nutrient availability; in cells mTORC1 regulates metabolism in
      response to growth factors and nutrients. Thus, mTORC1 is poised to be a critical
      intracellular regulator of adipocyte metabolism. Here, we investigate the role of
      mTORC1 in mature adipocytes by generating and characterizing mice in which the
      Adiponectin-Cre driver is used to delete floxed alleles of Raptor, which encodes
      an essential regulatory subunit of mTORC1. RESULTS: Raptor (Adipoq-cre) mice have
      normal white adipose tissue (WAT) mass for the first few weeks of life, but soon
      thereafter develop lipodystrophy associated with hepatomegaly, hepatic steatosis,
      and insulin intolerance. Raptor (Adipoq-cre) mice are also resistant to becoming
      obese when consuming a high fat diet (HFD). Resistance to obesity does not appear
      to be due to increased energy expenditure, but rather from failed adipose tissue
      expansion resulting in severe hepatomegaly associated with hyperphagia and
      defective dietary lipid absorption. Deleting Raptor in WAT also decreases
      C/EBPalpha expression and the expression of its downstream target adiponectin,
      providing one possible mechanism of mTORC1 function in WAT. CONCLUSIONS: mTORC1
      activity in mature adipocytes is essential for maintaining normal adipose tissue
      growth and its selective loss in mature adipocytes leads to a progressive
      lipodystrophy disorder and systemic metabolic disease that shares many of the
      hallmarks of human congenital generalized lipodystrophy.

PMID- 27257604
TI  - De novo transcriptome assembly of Sorghum bicolor variety Taejin.
AB  - Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), also known as great millet, is one of the most popular
      cultivated grass species in the world. Sorghum is frequently consumed as food for
      humans and animals as well as used for ethanol production. In this study, we
      conducted de novo transcriptome assembly for sorghum variety Taejin by next
      generation sequencing, obtaining 8.748 GB of raw data. The raw data in this study
      can be available in NCBI SRA database with accession number of SRX1715644. Using
      the Trinity program, we identified 222,161 transcripts from sorghum variety
      Taejin. We further predicted coding regions within the assembled transcripts by
      the TransDecoder program, resulting in a total of 148,531 proteins. We carried
      out BLASTP against the Swiss-Prot protein sequence database to annotate the
      functions of the identified proteins. To our knowledge, this is the first
      transcriptome data for a sorghum variety derived from Korea, and it can be
      usefully applied to the generation of genetic markers. 

PMID- 27257605
TI  - De novo transcriptome assembly of two Vigna angularis varieties collected from
      Korea.
AB  - The adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), a member of the family Fabaceae, is widely
      grown in Asia, from East Asia to the Himalayas. The adzuki bean is known as an
      ingredient that adds sweetness to diverse desserts made in Eastern Asian
      countries. Libraries prepared from two V. angularis varieties referred to as
      Taejin Black and Taejin Red were paired-end sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq
      2000 system. The raw data in this study can be available in NCBI SRA database
      with accession numbers of SRR3406660 and SRR3406553. After de novo transcriptome
      assembly using Trinity, we obtained 324,219 and 280,056 transcripts from Taejin
      Black and Taejin Red, respectively. We predicted a total of 238,321 proteins and
      179,519 proteins for Taejin Black and Taejin Red, respectively, by the
      TransDecoder program. We carried out BLASTP on the predicted proteins against the
      Swiss-Prot protein sequence database to predict the putative functions of
      identified proteins. Taken together, we provide transcriptomes of two adzuki bean
      varieties by RNA-Seq, which might be usefully applied to generate molecular
      markers. 

PMID- 27257606
TI  - De novo transcriptome assembly of Setatria italica variety Taejin.
AB  - Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) belonging to the family Poaceae is an important
      millet that is widely cultivated in East Asia. Of the cultivated millets, the
      foxtail millet has the longest history and is one of the main food crops in South
      India and China. Moreover, foxtail millet is a model plant system for biofuel
      generation utilizing the C4 photosynthetic pathway. In this study, we carried out
      de novo transcriptome assembly for the foxtail millet variety Taejin collected
      from Korea using next-generation sequencing. We obtained a total of 8.676 GB raw
      data by paired-end sequencing. The raw data in this study can be available in
      NCBI SRA database with accession number of SRR3406552. The Trinity program was
      used to de novo assemble 145,332 transcripts. Using the TransDecoder program, we
      predicted 82,925 putative proteins. BLASTP was performed against the Swiss-Prot
      protein sequence database to annotate the functions of identified proteins,
      resulting in 20,555 potentially novel proteins. Taken together, this study
      provides transcriptome data for the foxtail millet variety Taejin by RNA-Seq. 

PMID- 27257607
TI  - Genome sequencing and annotation of a Campylobacter coli strain isolated from
      milk with multidrug resistance.
AB  - As the most prevalent bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis, food-borne
      Campylobacter infections pose a serious threat to public health. Whole Genome
      Sequencing (WGS) is a tool providing quick and inexpensive approaches for
      analysis of food-borne pathogen epidemics. Here we report the WGS and annotation
      of a Campylobacter coli strain, FNW20G12, which was isolated from milk in the
      United States in 1997 and carries multidrug resistance. The draft genome of
      FNW20G12 (DDBJ/ENA/GenBank accession number LWIH00000000) contains 1, 855,435 bp
      (GC content 31.4%) with 1902 annotated coding regions, 48 RNAs and resistance to
      aminoglycoside, beta-lactams, tetracycline, as well as fluoroquinolones. There
      are very few genome reports of C. coli from dairy products with multidrug
      resistance. Here the draft genome of FNW20G12, a C. coli strain isolated from raw
      milk, is presented to aid in the epidemiology study of C. coli antimicrobial
      resistance and role in foodborne outbreak. 

PMID- 27257608
TI  - A simple and rapid method for combining fluorescent in situ RNA hybridization
      (FISH) and immunofluorescence in the C. elegans germline.
AB  - Imaging of RNAs and proteins in specific tissues has opened ample avenues to
      understand gene expression during development. Recently, a fluorescent in situ
      RNA hybridization (FISH) method has been developed to analyze the spatio-temporal
      expression patterns of endogenous mRNAs. However, combining FISH with
      immunofluorescence is challenging as the reaction conditions for the two
      procedures conflict in multiple ways. In this report, we developed a simple and
      rapid method to detect both RNAs and associated proteins with better preservation
      of the fine structure in the C. elegans germline. This method will provide new
      tools for in vivo imaging of RNAs and their associated proteins in the same
      germline, which also enables simultaneous visualization of RNA/protein complex at
      the cellular level in vivo. *Developing a simple and rapid FISH method with
      better preservation of the fine structure.*Combining FISH with immunofluorescence
      in C. elegans germline.*Labeling extruded gonads, instead of the whole worms, to
      prevent non-specific somatic autofluorescence. 

PMID- 27257609
TI  - Effect of fibrin glue on corneal lamellar healing and how it correlates to
      biomechanical properties: biomechanical wavefront analysis and confocal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate, using a rabbit model, the influence of the wound healing
      process at the flap edge on corneal biomechanics after sutured, glued, and non
      augmented microkeratome flaps. METHODS: Unilateral 160 MUm thick laser in situ
      keratomileusis (LASIK) flaps using a mechanical microkeratome were performed on
      the corneas of the left eyes of 36 rabbits. Animals were then divided into 3
      groups of 12 rabbits each: A: the flaps were glued with human fibrin tissue
      adhesive (Tisseel); B: the flaps were sutured; and C: the flaps were allowed to
      heal without the use of sutures or glue (non-augmented). The contralateral eyes
      served as controls. Reichert ocular response analyzer (ORA) was used to measure
      corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated
      intraocular pressure (IOPg) and cornea-compensated IOP (IOPcc) at 6 weeks and 3
      months postoperatively. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was also used to study
      the corneal wound healing process in all groups. RESULTS: Both mean CH and mean
      CRF were significantly higher in sutured and glued groups compared with the non
      augmented group at 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively (P  < 0.0001). No
      statistically significant difference in corneal biomechanics was found between
      controls and groups A and B at any time points. Activated keratocytes were
      detected at the wound edge and peripheral flap interface in sutured and glued
      groups. CONCLUSION: The healing process at the wound edge is critical for optimal
      corneal integrity. Fibrin glue may serve as a safe and effective substitute to
      sutures in enhancing the corneal flap edge healing response and in increasing its
      mechanical strength.

PMID- 27257610
TI  - Corrigendum to "Efficient gene delivery to photoreceptors using AAV2/rh10 and
      rescue of the Rho-/- mouse".
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2015.16.]. 

PMID- 27257612
TI  - Construction of Deletion-knockout Mutant Fowlpox Virus (FWPV).
AB  - The construction of deletion-knockout poxviruses is a useful approach to
      determining the function of specific virus genes. This protocol is an adaptation
      of the transient dominant knockout selection protocol published by Falkner and
      Moss (1990) for use with vaccinia virus. The protocol makes use of the dominant
      selectable marker Escherichia coli guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (gpt) gene
      (Mulligan and Berg, 1981), under the control of an early/late poxvirus promoter.
      The deletion viruses that are produced no longer contain a selectable marker,
      which may be preferable for the production of vaccines.

PMID- 27257611
TI  - Clinical development of gene therapy: results and lessons from recent successes.
AB  - Therapeutic gene transfer holds the promise of providing lasting therapies and
      even cures for diseases that were previously untreatable or for which only
      temporary or suboptimal treatments were available. For some time, clinical gene
      therapy was characterized by some impressive but rare examples of successes and
      also several setbacks. However, effective and long-lasting treatments are now
      being reported from gene therapy trials at an increasing pace. Positive outcomes
      have been documented for a wide range of genetic diseases (including
      hematological, immunological, ocular, and neurodegenerative and metabolic
      disorders) and several types of cancer. Examples include restoration of vision in
      blind patients, eradication of blood cancers for which all other treatments had
      failed, correction of hemoglobinopathies and coagulation factor deficiencies, and
      restoration of the immune system in children born with primary immune deficiency.
      To date, about 2,000 clinical trials for various diseases have occurred or are in
      progress, and many more are in the pipeline. Multiple clinical studies reported
      successful treatments of pediatric patients. Design of gene therapy vectors and
      their clinical development are advancing rapidly. This article reviews some of
      the major successes in clinical gene therapy of recent years. 

PMID- 27257613
TI  - Data set of interactomes and metabolic pathways of proteins differentially
      expressed in brains with Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease is one of the main causes of dementia in the elderly and its
      frequency is on the rise worldwide. It is considered the result of complex
      interactions between genetic and environmental factors, being many of them
      unknown. Therefore, there is a dire necessity for the identification of novel
      molecular players for the understanding of this disease. In this data article we
      determined the protein expression profiles of whole protein extracts from cortex
      regions of brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease in comparison to a
      normal brain. We identified 721 iTRAQ-labeled polypeptides with more than 95% in
      confidence. We analyzed all proteins that changed in their expression level and
      located them in the KEGG metabolic pathways, as well as in the mitochondrial
      complexes of the electron transport chain and ATP synthase. In addition, we
      analyzed the over- and sub-expressed polypeptides through IPA software,
      specifically Core I and Biomarkers I modules. Data in this article is related to
      the research article "Identification of proteins that are differentially
      expressed in brains with Alzheimer's disease using iTRAQ labeling and tandem mass
      spectrometry" (Minjarez et al., 2016) [1]. 

PMID- 27257614
TI  - Dataset of Fourier transform-infrared coupled with chemometric analysis used to
      distinguish accessions of Garcinia mangostana L. in Peninsular Malaysia.
AB  - In this dataset, we distinguish 15 accessions of Garcinia mangostana from
      Peninsular Malaysia using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy coupled with
      chemometric analysis. We found that the position and intensity of characteristic
      peaks at 3600-3100 cm(-) (1) in IR spectra allowed discrimination of G.
      mangostana from different locations. Further principal component analysis (PCA)
      of all the accessions suggests the two main clusters were formed: samples from
      Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan (South) were clustered together in one group
      while samples from Perak, Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Kelantan, and Terengganu
      (North and East Coast) were in another clustered group. 

PMID- 27257615
TI  - Bran data of total flavonoid and total phenolic contents, oxygen radical
      absorbance capacity, and profiles of proanthocyanidins and whole grain physical
      traits of 32 red and purple rice varieties.
AB  - Phytochemicals in red and purple bran rice have potential health benefit to
      humans. We determined the phytochemicals in brans of 32 red and purple global
      rice varieties. The description of the origin and physical traits of the whole
      grain (color, length, width, thickness and 100-kernel weight) of this germplasm
      collection are provided along with data of total flavonoid and total phenolic
      contents, oxygen radical absorbance capacity and total proanthocyanidin contents.
      The contents and proportions of individual oligomers, from degree of
      polymerization of monomers to 14-mers, and polymers in bran of these 32 rice
      varieties are presented (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.04.004)
      [1]. 

PMID- 27257616
TI  - Data on the distribution of physical activities in the Shenzhen greenway network
      with volunteered geographic information.
AB  - This data presents the distribution of physical activities in the Shenzhen
      greenway network (GN) in January, April and July, 2014. The volunteered
      geographic on physical activity is overlaid with the greenways data, to describe
      the distribution of physical activities in the greenways. The data are summarized
      to show the distribution characteristics geographically from different aspects in
      Shenzhen, China. Data were used to explore the effect of the Shenzhen GN on
      supporting physical activities, "Where do networks really work? The effects of
      Shenzhen greenway network on supporting physical activities" (Liu et al., 2016)
      [2]. 

PMID- 27257617
TI  - Bid Promotes K63-Linked Polyubiquitination of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor
      Associated Factor 6 (TRAF6) and Sensitizes to Mutant SOD1-Induced Proinflammatory
      Signaling in Microglia.
AB  - Mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene contribute to motoneuron
      degeneration and are evident in 20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
      cases. Mutant SOD1 induces microglial activation through a stimulation of Toll
      like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4). In the present study, we identified the
      proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Bid as a positive regulator of mutant SOD1
      induced TLR-nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling in microglia. bid
      deficient primary mouse microglia showed reduced NF-kappaB signaling in response
      to TLR4 activation or exposure to conditioned medium derived from SOD1 (G93A)
      expressing NSC-34 cells. Attenuation of NF-kappaB signaling in bid-deficient
      microglia was associated with lower levels of phosphorylated IKKalpha/beta and
      p65, with a delayed degradation of IkappaBalpha and enhanced degradation of
      Peli1. Upstream of IKK, we found that Bid interacted with, and promoted, the K63
      linked polyubiquitination of the E3 ubiquitin ligase tumor necrosis factor
      receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in microglia. Our study suggests a key role
      for Bid in the regulation of TLR4-NF-kappaB proinflammatory signaling during
      mutant SOD1-induced disease pathology. Bid promotes TLR4-NF-kappaB signaling by
      interacting with TRAF6 and promoting TRAF6 K63-linked polyubiquitination in
      microglia. 

PMID- 27257618
TI  - EPSPs Measured in Proximal Dendritic Spines of Cortical Pyramidal Neurons.
AB  - EPSPs occur when the neurotransmitter glutamate binds to postsynaptic receptors
      located on small pleomorphic membrane protrusions called dendritic spines. To
      transmit the synaptic signal, these potentials must travel through the spine neck
      and the dendritic tree to reach the soma. Due to their small size, the electrical
      behavior of spines and their ability to compartmentalize electrical signals has
      been very difficult to assess experimentally. In this study, we developed a
      method to perform simultaneous two-photon voltage-sensitive dye recording with
      two-photon glutamate uncaging in order to measure the characteristics (amplitude
      and duration) of uncaging-evoked EPSPs in single spines on the basal dendrites of
      L5 pyramidal neurons in acute brain slices from CD1 control mice. We were able to
      record uncaging-evoked spine potentials that resembled miniature EPSPs at the
      soma from a wide range of spine morphologies. In proximal spines, these
      potentials averaged 13.0 mV (range, 6.5-30.8 mV; N = 20) for an average somatic
      EPSP of 0.59 mV, whereas the mean attenuation ratio (spine/soma) was found to be
      25.3. Durations of spine EPSP waveforms were found to be 11.7 ms on average.
      Modeling studies demonstrate the important role that spine neck resistance
      (Rneck) plays in spine EPSP amplitudes. Simulations used to estimate Rneck by
      fits to voltage-sensitive dye measurements produced a mean of 179 MOmega (range,
      23-420 MOmega; N = 19). Independent measurements based on fluorescence recovery
      after photobleaching of a cytosolic dye from spines of the same population of
      neurons produced a mean R eck estimate of 204 MOmega (range, 52-521 MOmega; N =
      34).

PMID- 27257619
TI  - Voltage Dependence of a Neuromodulator-Activated Ionic Current.
AB  - The neuromodulatory inward current (IMI) generated by crab Cancer borealis
      stomatogastric ganglion neurons is an inward current whose voltage dependence has
      been shown to be crucial in the activation of oscillatory activity of the pyloric
      network of this system. It has been previously shown that IMI loses its voltage
      dependence in conditions of low extracellular calcium, but that this effect
      appears to be regulated by intracellular calmodulin. Voltage dependence is only
      rarely regulated by intracellular signaling mechanisms. Here we address the
      hypothesis that the voltage dependence of IMI is mediated by intracellular
      signaling pathways activated by extracellular calcium. We demonstrate that
      calmodulin inhibitors and a ryanodine antagonist can reduce IMI voltage
      dependence in normal Ca(2+), but that, in conditions of low Ca(2+), calmodulin
      activators do not restore IMI voltage dependence. Further, we show evidence that
      CaMKII alters IMI voltage dependence. These results suggest that calmodulin is
      necessary but not sufficient for IMI voltage dependence. We therefore hypothesize
      that the Ca(2+)/calmodulin requirement for IMI voltage dependence is due to an
      active sensing of extracellular calcium by a GPCR family calcium-sensing receptor
      (CaSR) and that the reduction in IMI voltage dependence by a calmodulin inhibitor
      is due to CaSR endocytosis. Supporting this, preincubation with an endocytosis
      inhibitor prevented W7 (N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide
      hydrochloride)-induced loss of IMI voltage dependence, and a CaSR antagonist
      reduced IMI voltage dependence. Additionally, myosin light chain kinase, which is
      known to act downstream of the CaSR, seems to play a role in regulating IMI
      voltage dependence. Finally, a Gbetagamma-subunit inhibitor also affects IMI
      voltage dependence, in support of the hypothesis that this process is regulated
      by a G-protein-coupled CaSR.

PMID- 27257621
TI  - Fast Gamma Rhythms in the Hippocampus Promote Encoding of Novel Object-Place
      Pairings.
AB  - Hippocampal gamma rhythms increase during mnemonic operations (Johnson and
      Redish, 2007; Montgomery and Buzsaki, 2007; Sederberg et al., 2007; Jutras et
      al., 2009; Trimper et al., 2014) and may affect memory encoding by coordinating
      activity of neurons that code related information (Jensen and Lisman, 2005).
      Here, a hippocampal-dependent, object-place association task (Clark et al., 2000;
      Broadbent et al., 2004; Eacott and Norman, 2004; Lee et al., 2005; Winters et
      al., 2008; Barker and Warburton, 2011) was used in rats to investigate how slow
      and fast gamma rhythms in the hippocampus relate to encoding of memories for
      novel object-place associations. In novel object tasks, the degree of hippocampal
      dependence has been reported to vary depending on the type of novelty (Eichenbaum
      et al., 2007; Winters et al., 2008). Therefore, gamma activity was examined
      during three novelty conditions: a novel object presented in a location where a
      familiar object had been (NO), a familiar object presented in a location where no
      object had been (NL), and a novel object presented in a location where no object
      had been (NO+NL). The strongest and most consistent effects were observed for
      fast gamma rhythms during the NO+NL condition. Fast gamma power, CA3-CA1 phase
      synchrony, and phase-locking of place cell spikes increased during exploration of
      novel, compared to familiar, object-place associations. Additionally, place cell
      spiking during exploration of novel object-place pairings was increased when fast
      gamma rhythms were present. These results suggest that fast gamma rhythms promote
      encoding of memories for novel object-place associations.

PMID- 27257620
TI  - GluA2-Containing AMPA Receptors Distinguish Ribbon-Associated from Ribbonless
      Afferent Contacts on Rat Cochlear Hair Cells.
AB  - Mechanosensory hair cells release glutamate at ribbon synapses to excite
      postsynaptic afferent neurons, via AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors
      (AMPARs). However, type II afferent neurons contacting outer hair cells in the
      mammalian cochlea were thought to differ in this respect, failing to show GluA
      immunolabeling and with many "ribbonless" afferent contacts. Here it is shown
      that antibodies to the AMPAR subunit GluA2 labeled afferent contacts below inner
      and outer hair cells in the rat cochlea, and that synaptic currents in type II
      afferents had AMPAR-specific pharmacology. Only half the postsynaptic densities
      of type II afferents that labeled for PSD-95, Shank, or Homer were associated
      with GluA2 immunopuncta or presynaptic ribbons, the "empty slots" corresponding
      to ribbonless contacts described previously. These results extend the
      universality of AMPAergic transmission by hair cells, and support the existence
      of silent afferent contacts. 

PMID- 27257622
TI  - No Effect of Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation on Intertemporal Decision-Making
      in Parkinson Patients.
AB  - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a widely used
      treatment for the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). DBS or
      pharmacological treatment is believed to modulate the tendency to, or reverse,
      impulse control disorders. Several brain areas involved in impulsivity and reward
      valuation, such as the prefrontal cortex and striatum, are linked to the STN, and
      activity in these areas might be affected by STN-DBS. To investigate the effect
      of STN-DBS on one type of impulsive decision-making--delay discounting (i.e., the
      devaluation of reward with increasing delay until its receipt)--we tested 40
      human PD patients receiving STN-DBS treatment and medication for at least 3
      months. Patients were pseudo-randomly assigned to one of four groups to test the
      effects of DBS on/off states as well as medication on/off states on delay
      discounting. The delay-discounting task consisted of a series of choices among a
      smaller. sooner or a larger, later monetary reward. Despite considerable effects
      of DBS on motor performance, patients receiving STN-DBS did not choose more or
      less impulsively compared with those in the off-DBS group, as well as when
      controlling for risk attitude. Although null results have to be interpreted with
      caution, our findings are of significance to other researchers studying the
      effects of PD treatment on impulsive decision-making, and they are of clinical
      relevance for determining the therapeutic benefits of using STN-DBS.

PMID- 27257623
TI  - Multiscale Aspects of Generation of High-Gamma Activity during Seizures in Human
      Neocortex.
AB  - High-gamma (HG; 80-150 Hz) activity in macroscopic clinical records is considered
      a marker for critical brain regions involved in seizure initiation; it is
      correlated with pathological multiunit firing during neocortical seizures in the
      seizure core, an area identified by correlated multiunit spiking and low
      frequency seizure activity. However, the effects of the spatiotemporal dynamics
      of seizure on HG power generation are not well understood. Here, we studied HG
      generation and propagation, using a three-step, multiscale signal analysis and
      modeling approach. First, we analyzed concurrent neuronal and microscopic network
      HG activity in neocortical slices from seven intractable epilepsy patients. We
      found HG activity in these networks, especially when neurons displayed paroxysmal
      depolarization shifts and network activity was highly synchronized. Second, we
      examined HG activity acquired with microelectrode arrays recorded during human
      seizures (n = 8). We confirmed the presence of synchronized HG power across
      microelectrode records and the macroscale, both specifically associated with the
      core region of the seizure. Third, we used volume conduction-based modeling to
      relate HG activity and network synchrony at different network scales. We showed
      that local HG oscillations require high levels of synchrony to cross scales, and
      that this requirement is met at the microscopic scale, but not within macroscopic
      networks. Instead, we present evidence that HG power at the macroscale may result
      from harmonics of ongoing seizure activity. Ictal HG power marks the seizure
      core, but the generating mechanism can differ across spatial scales. 

PMID- 27257624
TI  - c-Jun N-Terminal Phosphorylation: Biomarker for Cellular Stress Rather than Cell
      Death in the Injured Cochlea.
AB  - Prevention of auditory hair cell death offers therapeutic potential to rescue
      hearing. Pharmacological blockade of JNK/c-Jun signaling attenuates injury
      induced hair cell loss, but with unsolved mechanisms. We have characterized the c
      Jun stress response in the mouse cochlea challenged with acoustic overstimulation
      and ototoxins, by studying the dynamics of c-Jun N-terminal phosphorylation. It
      occurred acutely in glial-like supporting cells, inner hair cells, and the cells
      of the cochlear ion trafficking route, and was rapidly downregulated after
      exposures. Notably, death-prone outer hair cells lacked c-Jun phosphorylation. As
      phosphorylation was triggered also by nontraumatic noise levels and none of the
      cells showing this activation were lost, c-Jun phosphorylation is a biomarker for
      cochlear stress rather than an indicator of a death-prone fate of hair cells.
      Preconditioning with a mild noise exposure before a stronger traumatizing noise
      exposure attenuated the cochlear c-Jun stress response, suggesting that the known
      protective effect of sound preconditioning on hearing is linked to suppression of
      c-Jun activation. Finally, mice with mutations in the c-Jun N-terminal
      phosphoacceptor sites showed partial, but significant, hair cell protection.
      These data identify the c-Jun stress response as a paracrine mechanism that
      mediates outer hair cell death. 

PMID- 27257625
TI  - Vitamin D3: A Role in Dopamine Circuit Regulation, Diet-Induced Obesity, and Drug
      Consumption.
AB  - The influence of micronutrients on dopamine systems is not well defined. Using
      mice, we show a potential role for reduced dietary vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
      in promoting diet-induced obesity (DIO), food intake, and drug consumption while
      on a high fat diet. To complement these deficiency studies, treatments with
      exogenous fully active vitamin D3 (calcitriol, 10 ug/kg, i.p.) were performed.
      Nondeficient mice that were made leptin resistant with a high fat diet displayed
      reduced food intake and body weight after an acute treatment with exogenous
      calcitriol. Dopamine neurons in the midbrain and their target neurons in the
      striatum were found to express vitamin D3 receptor protein. Acute calcitriol
      treatment led to transcriptional changes of dopamine-related genes in these
      regions in naive mice, enhanced amphetamine-induced dopamine release in both
      naive mice and rats, and increased locomotor activity after acute amphetamine
      treatment (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Alternatively, mice that were chronically fed either
      the reduced D3 high fat or chow diets displayed less activity after acute
      amphetamine treatment compared with their respective controls. Finally, high fat
      deficient mice that were trained to orally consume liquid amphetamine (90 mg/L)
      displayed increased consumption, while nondeficient mice treated with calcitriol
      showed reduced consumption. Our findings suggest that reduced dietary D3 may be a
      contributing environmental factor enhancing DIO as well as drug intake while
      eating a high fat diet. Moreover, these data demonstrate that dopamine circuits
      are modulated by D3 signaling, and may serve as direct or indirect targets for
      exogenous calcitriol.

PMID- 27257627
TI  - Only a Minority of the Inhibitory Inputs to Cerebellar Golgi Cells Originates
      from Local GABAergic Cells.
AB  - Cerebellar Golgi cells (GoCs) efficiently control the spiking activity of granule
      cells through GABAA receptor-mediated tonic and phasic inhibition. Recent
      experiments provided compelling evidence for the extensive interconnection of
      GoCs through electrical synapses, but their chemical inhibitory synaptic inputs
      are debated. Here, we investigated the GABAergic synaptic inputs of GoCs using in
      vitro electrophysiology and quantitative light microscopy (LM) and electron
      microscopy (EM). We characterized GABAA receptor-mediated IPSCs in GoCs and
      Lugaro cells (LuCs), and found that IPSCs in GoCs have lower frequencies, smaller
      amplitudes, and much slower decay kinetics. Pharmacological and LM
      immunolocalization experiments revealed that GoCs express alpha3, whereas LuCs
      express alpha1 subunit-containing GABAA receptors. The selective expression and
      clustered distribution of the alpha3 subunit in GoCs allowed the quantitative
      analysis of GABAergic synapses on their dendrites in the molecular layer (ML). EM
      and LM experiments in rats, and wild-type and GlyT2-GFP transgenic mice revealed
      that only one third of axon terminals establishing GABAergic synapses on GoC
      dendrites contain GlyT2, ruling out LuCs, globular cells, and any noncortical
      glycinergic inputs as major inhibitory sources. We also show that axon terminals
      of stellate/basket cells very rarely innervate GlyT2-GFP-expressing GoCs,
      indicating that only a minority of the inhibitory inputs to GoCs in the ML
      originates from local interneurons, and the majority of their inhibitory inputs
      exclusively releases GABA.

PMID- 27257626
TI  - TFEB Overexpression in the P301S Model of Tauopathy Mitigates Increased PHF1
      Levels and Lipofuscin Puncta and Rescues Memory Deficits.
AB  - Transcription factor EB (TFEB) was recently shown to be a master regulator of
      autophagy lysosome pathway. Here, we successfully generated and characterized
      transgenic mice overexpressing flag-TFEB. Enhanced autophagy in the flag-TFEB
      transgenic mice was confirmed by an increase in the cellular autophagy markers,
      as determined by both immunoblots and transmission electron microscopy.
      Surprisingly, in the flag-TFEB mice we observed increased activity of senescence
      associated beta-galactosidase by ~66% of neurons in the cortex (p < 0.001) and
      73% of neurons in the hippocampus (p < 0.001). More importantly, flag-TFEB
      expression remarkably reduced the levels of paired-helical filament (PHF)-tau
      from 372% in the P301S model of tauopathy to 171% (p < 0.001) in the cortex, and
      from 436% to 212% (p < 0.001) in the hippocampus. Significantly, reduced levels
      of NeuN in the cortex (38%, p < 0.001) and hippocampus (25%, p < 0.05) of P301S
      mice were almost completely restored to WT levels in the P301S/flag-TFEB double
      transgenic mice. Also, levels of spinophilin in both the cortex (p < 0.001) and
      hippocampus (p < 0.001) were restored almost to WT levels. Most importantly, the
      age-associated lipofuscin granules, which are generally presumed to be
      nondegradable, were reduced by 57% (p < 0.001) in the cortex and by 55% (p <
      0.001) in the hippocampus in the double-transgenic mice. Finally, TFEB
      overexpression in the P301S mice markedly reversed learning deficits in terms of
      spatial memory (Barnes maze), as well as working and reference memories (T maze).
      These data suggest that the overexpression of TFEB can reliably enhance autophagy
      in vivo, reduce levels of PHF-tau, and thereby reverse the deposition of
      lipofuscin granules and memory deficits.

PMID- 27257628
TI  - Activity-Regulated Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein Controls AMPAR Endocytosis
      through a Direct Interaction with Clathrin-Adaptor Protein 2.
AB  - The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein controls synaptic
      strength by facilitating AMPA receptor (AMPAR) endocytosis. Here we demonstrate
      that Arc targets AMPAR to be internalized through a direct interaction with the
      clathrin-adaptor protein 2 (AP-2). We show that Arc overexpression in dissociated
      hippocampal neurons obtained from C57BL/6 mouse reduces the density of AMPAR
      GluA1 subunits at the cell surface and reduces the amplitude and rectification of
      AMPAR-mediated miniature-EPSCs (mEPSCs). Mutations of Arc, that prevent the AP-2
      interaction reduce Arc-mediated endocytosis of GluA1 and abolish the reduction in
      AMPAR-mediated mEPSC amplitude and rectification. Depletion of the AP-2 subunit
      u2 blocks the Arc-mediated reduction in mEPSC amplitude, an effect that is
      restored by reintroducing u2. The Arc-AP-2 interaction plays an important role in
      homeostatic synaptic scaling as the Arc-dependent decrease in mEPSC amplitude,
      induced by a chronic increase in neuronal activity, is inhibited by AP-2
      depletion. These data provide a mechanism to explain how activity-dependent
      expression of Arc decisively controls the fate of AMPAR at the cell surface and
      modulates synaptic strength, via the direct interaction with the endocytic
      clathrin adaptor AP-2.

PMID- 27257631
TI  - Professional Oral Care Needs Further Evidence on Health Behaviour Change
      Outcomes.

PMID- 27257632
TI  - Errata.

PMID- 27257629
TI  - Abnormal UP/DOWN Membrane Potential Dynamics Coupled with the Neocortical Slow
      Oscillation in Dentate Granule Cells during the Latent Phase of Temporal Lobe
      Epilepsy.
AB  - The dentate gyrus, a major entry point to the hippocampus, gates (or filters)
      incoming information from the cortex. During sleep or anesthesia, the slow-wave
      oscillation (SWO) orchestrates hippocampus-neocortex communication, which is
      important for memory formation. The dentate gate is altered in temporal lobe
      epilepsy (TLE) early during epileptogenesis, which favors the propagation of
      pathological activities. Yet, whether the gating of physiological SWO by dentate
      granule cells (DGCs) is altered in TLE has remained unexplored. We combined
      intracellular recordings of membrane potential (V m) of DGCs and local field
      potential recordings of the SWO in parietal cortex in anesthetized rats early
      during epileptogenesis [post-status epilepticus (SE) rats]. As expected, in
      control rats, the V m of DGCs weakly and rarely oscillated in the SWO frequency
      range. In contrast, in post-SE rats, the V m of DGCs displayed strong and long
      lasting SWO. In these cells, clear UP and DOWN states, in phase with the
      neocortical SWO, led to a bimodal V m distribution. In post-SE rats, the firing
      of DGCs was increased and more temporally modulated by the neocortical SWO. We
      conclude that UP/DOWN state dynamics dominate the V m of DGCs and firing early
      during epileptogenesis. This abnormally strong neocortical influence on the
      dynamics of DGCs may profoundly modify the hippocampus-neocortex dialogue during
      sleep and associated cognitive functions.

PMID- 27257633
TI  - Correction: Mesoporous titania thin films as efficient enzyme carriers for
      paraoxon determination/detoxification: effects of enzyme binding and pore
      hierarchy on the biocatalyst activity and reusability.
AB  - Correction for 'Mesoporous titania thin films as efficient enzyme carriers for
      paraoxon determination/detoxification: effects of enzyme binding and pore
      hierarchy on the biocatalyst activity and reusability' by N. Francicet al.,
      Analyst, 2014, 139, 3127-3136.

PMID- 27257630
TI  - A Transgenic Rat for Specifically Inhibiting Adult Neurogenesis.
AB  - The growth of research on adult neurogenesis and the development of new models
      and tools have greatly advanced our understanding of the function of newborn
      neurons in recent years. However, there are still significant limitations in the
      ability to identify the functions of adult neurogenesis in available models. Here
      we report a transgenic rat (TK rat) that expresses herpes simplex virus thymidine
      kinase in GFAP+ cells. Upon treating TK rats with the antiviral drug
      valganciclovir, granule cell neurogenesis can be completely inhibited in
      adulthood, in both the hippocampus and olfactory bulb. Interestingly,
      neurogenesis in the glomerular and external plexiform layers of the olfactory
      bulb was only partially inhibited, suggesting that some adult-born neurons in
      these regions derive from a distinct precursor population that does not express
      GFAP. Within the hippocampus, blockade of neurogenesis was rapid and nearly
      complete within 1 week of starting treatment. Preliminary behavioral analyses
      indicate that general anxiety levels and patterns of exploration are generally
      unaffected in neurogenesis-deficient rats. However, neurogenesis-deficient TK
      rats showed reduced sucrose preference, suggesting deficits in reward-related
      behaviors. We expect that TK rats will facilitate structural, physiological, and
      behavioral studies that complement those possible in existing models, broadly
      enhancing understanding of the function of adult neurogenesis.

PMID- 27257634
TI  - A supramolecular strategy based on molecular dipole moments for high-quality
      covalent organic frameworks.
AB  - A supramolecular strategy based on strong molecular dipole moments is presented
      to gain access to covalent organic framework structures with high crystallinity
      and porosity. Antiparallel alignment of the molecules within the pore walls is
      proposed to lead to reinforced columnar stacking, thus affording a high-quality
      material. As a proof of principle, a novel pyrene dione building block was
      prepared and reacted with hexahydroxytriphenylene to form a boronic ester-linked
      covalent organic framework. We anticipate the strategy presented herein to be
      valuable for producing highly defined COF structures. 

PMID- 27257635
TI  - A highly selective and sensitive photoinduced electron transfer (PET) based HOCl
      fluorescent probe in water and its endogenous imaging in living cells.
AB  - A probe based on the phenothiazine-acridine orange conjugate (Ptz-AO) has been
      designed and synthesized for the sensitive and selective detection of HOCl. Ptz
      AO has excellent properties, including pH-independence of fluorescence, high
      resistance to photobleaching, and response in real time. The value of Ptz-AO was
      confirmed by exogenous, endogenous and the real-time imaging of HOCl in vitro
      using a fluorescence microscope. 

PMID- 27257636
TI  - Silicone-based tough hydrogels with high resilience, fast self-recovery, and self
      healing properties.
AB  - Tough hydrogels are prepared from two monomers via photopolymerization of
      hydroxyethyl acrylate and sol-gel of methyltrimethoxysilane. Constitution and
      water content could be tuned easily because of the good water solubility of both
      monomers and two non-interfering polymerization processes. The hydrogels exhibit
      excellent integrated performance with toughness, high resilience, fast self
      recovery, and self-healing. 

PMID- 27257637
TI  - Controlled formation of chiral networks and their reversible chiroptical
      switching behaviour by UV/microwave irradiation.
AB  - A 3D coordination polymer {[Cd(L(1))(L(2))]2}n (1) spontaneously resolves into
      enantiomorphic crystals of 1P and 1M without any chiral source. Bulk quantities
      of 1P and 1M can be predictably and reliably obtained by using chiral cyclohexane
      1,2-diamine. 1 can be transformed into {[Cd(L(1))(L(3))0.5]2}n (2) by highly
      selective [2+2] photodimerization of L(2) ligands. The reverse process can be
      achieved by microwave irradiation. The cycloreversion/cycloaddition cycles result
      in chiroptical switching behavior. 

PMID- 27257638
TI  - Stabilizing and color tuning pyrazine radicals by coordination for photochromism.
AB  - With the help of theoretical predictions, we have found, from the [donor-metal
      acceptor] system, the first photochromic pyrazine-based compound that can undergo
      photoinduced charge separation and yield stable pyrazine radicals. 

PMID- 27257639
TI  - Magnetoresistance in Co/2D MoS2/Co and Ni/2D MoS2/Ni junctions.
AB  - Semiconducting single-layer (SL) and few-layer MoS2 have a flat surface, free of
      dangling bonds. Using density functional theory coupled with non-equilibrium
      Green's function method, we investigate the spin-polarized transport properties
      of Co/2D MoS2/Co and Ni/2D MoS2/Ni junctions with MoS2 layer numbers of N = 1, 3,
      and 5. Well-defined interfaces are formed between MoS2 and metal electrodes. The
      junctions with a SL MoS2 spacer are almost metallic owing to the strong coupling
      between MoS2 and the ferromagnets, while those are tunneling with a few layer
      MoS2 spacer. Both large magnetoresistance and tunneling magnetoresistance are
      found when fcc or hcp Co is used as an electrode. Therefore, flat single- and few
      layer MoS2 can serve as an effective nonmagnetic spacer in a magnetoresistance or
      tunneling magnetoresistance device with a well-defined interface. 

PMID- 27257640
TI  - Charge-transport anisotropy in black phosphorus: critical dependence on the
      number of layers.
AB  - Phosphorene is a promising candidate for modern electronics because of the
      anisotropy associated with high electron-hole mobility. Additionally, superior
      mechanical flexibility allows the strain-engineering of various properties
      including the transport of charge carriers in phosphorene. In this work, we have
      shown the criticality of the number of layers to dictate the transport properties
      of black phosphorus. Trilayer black phosphorus (TBP) has been proposed as an
      excellent anisotropic material, based on the transport parameters using Boltzmann
      transport formalisms coupled with density functional theory. The mobilities of
      both the electron and the hole are found to be higher along the zigzag direction
      (~10(4) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at 300 K) compared to the armchair direction (~10(2)
      cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)), resulting in the intrinsic directional anisotropy.
      Application of strain leads to additional electron-hole anisotropy with 10(3)
      fold higher mobility for the electron compared to the hole. Critical strain for
      maximum anisotropic response has also been determined. Whether the transport
      anisotropy is due to the spatial or charge-carrier has been determined through
      analyses of the scattering process of electrons and holes, and their
      recombination as well as relaxation dynamics. In this context, we have derived
      two descriptors (S and F(k)), which are general enough for any 2D or quasi-2D
      systems. Information on the scattering involving purely the carrier states also
      helps to understand the layer-dependent photoluminescence and electron (hole)
      relaxation in black phosphorus. Finally, we justify trilayer black phosphorus
      (TBP) as the material of interest with excellent transport properties. 

PMID- 27257641
TI  - Tuning Dirac points by strain in MoX2 nanoribbons (X = S, Se, Te) with a 1T'
      structure.
AB  - For practical applications of two-dimensional topological insulators, large band
      gaps and Dirac states within the band gap are desirable because they allow for
      device operation at room temperature and quantum transport without dissipation.
      Based on first-principles density functional calculations, we report the
      tunability of the electronic structure by strain engineering in quasi-one
      dimensional nanoribbons of transition metal dichalcogenides with a 1T' structure,
      MoX2 with X = (S, Se, Te). We find that both the band gaps and Dirac points in
      1T'-MoX2 can be engineered by applying an external strain, thereby leading to a
      single Dirac cone within the bulk band gap. Considering the gap size and the
      location of the Dirac point, we suggest that, among 1T'-MoX2 nanoribbons, MoSe2
      is the most suitable candidate for quantum spin Hall (QSH) devices. 

PMID- 27257643
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27257642
TI  - [Time is a precious thing].

PMID- 27257644
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27257645
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27257646
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27257647
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27257649
TI  - Morphology in mucopolysaccharidosis type III: specific diagnostic features.

PMID- 27257648
TI  - The proteome of the infectious bronchitis virus  Beau-R virion.
AB  - Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious respiratory disease of poultry
      caused by the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). It was thought that
      coronavirus virions were composed of three major viral structural proteins until
      investigations of other coronaviruses showed that the virions also include viral
      non-structural and genus-specific accessory proteins as well as host-cell
      proteins. To study the proteome of IBV virions, virus was grown in embryonated
      chicken eggs, purified by sucrose-gradient ultracentrifugation and analysed by
      mass spectrometry. Analysis of three preparations of purified IBV yielded the
      three expected structural proteins plus 35 additional virion-associated host
      proteins. The virion-associated host proteins had a diverse range of functional
      attributions, being involved in cytoskeleton formation, RNA binding and protein
      folding pathways. Some of these proteins were unique to this study, while others
      were found to be orthologous to proteins identified in severe acute respiratory
      syndrome coronavirus virions and also virions from a number of other RNA and DNA
      viruses.

PMID- 27257650
TI  - Deceased Heart Beating Donor and Organ Transplantation in Saudi Arabia.

PMID- 27257651
TI  - Hereditary angioedema: A call for collective terminology.

PMID- 27257652
TI  - Team building: Morale boosters.

PMID- 27257653
TI  - Digital forensics: from the crime lab to the library.

PMID- 27257654
TI  - HONORING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPERS.

PMID- 27257655
TI  - Authors' Response.

PMID- 27257656
TI  - From the fringes of public health to the forefront  of the fight against tobacco:
      Dr Judith Mackay.

PMID- 27257657
TI  - The "golden lotuses": bound feet.

PMID- 27257658
TI  - Viewpoint: Is there a nephrologist shortage or just poor deployment?

PMID- 27257659
TI  - Predictors of CKD and rate of decline in eGFR in the elderly: A case-cohort
      study.
AB  - We wanted to examine the predictors of annual estimated glomerular filtration
      rate (eGFR) decline during a five-year follow-up in elderly individuals with pre
      existing chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 or greater (defined as baseline
      eGFR of less than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 or a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
      > 30 mg/g), and to examine the difference in risk factors when compared to a co
      hort without CKD. Our research team identified 599 patients who were 65 years of
      age or older with and without CKD stage 3 or greater at baseline. Data regarding
      various predictors such as age, sex, race, proteinuria, medication use, contrast
      exposure, acute kidney injury episodes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart
      failure, dyslipidemia, gout etc. were obtained. Semi-partial correlations were
      used to determine the fac-tors providing the largest unique contribution to the
      overall variability in eGFR. Semi-partial correlations identified age,
      proteinuria, and intravenous contrast ex-posure as the most significant
      predictors of eGFR decline in this population. Overall, patients in the pre
      existing CKD cohort were more likely to be older, Af-rican American and with co
      morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, etc. In this group, the unadjusted rate
      of decline in eGFR varied from 0.5% to 8.3% per year. This study identifies
      important risk factors for eGFR decline in the population aged > 65 years. It
      also concludes that each episode of acute kidney injury, wheth-er related to
      contrast or other nephrotoxins, increases the risk for CKD progression and eGFR
      decline in the elderly.

PMID- 27257660
TI  - ANMF CALLS FOR 24/7 RN COVER AND BETTER WAGES IN AGED CARE.

PMID- 27257661
TI  - AGEISM TRIGGERS ELDER ABUSE IN AGED CARE.

PMID- 27257662
TI  - CARING FOR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT.

PMID- 27257663
TI  - NEW DIRECTIONS FOR ENROLLED NURSES.

PMID- 27257664
TI  - DEFINING QUALITY IN AGED CARE.

PMID- 27257665
TI  - NURSES AND MIDWIVES FROZEN OUT.

PMID- 27257666
TI  - AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION TO SAVE OUR HEALTHCARE.

PMID- 27257667
TI  - PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, BULLYING AND WORKPLACE CLIQUES.

PMID- 27257668
TI  - DIABETES.

PMID- 27257669
TI  - AN ENS ROLE.

PMID- 27257670
TI  - Application of Two-Dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for Signal Enhancement
      by Spectral Integration Using a Large Data Set of Metabolic Mixtures.
AB  - Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has tremendous advantages of
      minimal sample preparation and interconvertibility of data among different
      institutions; thus, large data sets are frequently acquired in metabolomics
      studies. Previously, we used a novel analytical strategy, named signal
      enhancement by spectral integration (SENSI), to overcome the low signal-to-noise
      ratio (S/N ratio) problem in (13)C NMR by integration of hundreds of spectra
      without additional measurements. In this letter, the development of a SENSI 2D
      method and application to >1000 2D JRES NMR spectra are described. Remarkably,
      the obtained SENSI 2D spectrum had an approximate 14-fold increase in the S/N
      ratio and 80-250 additional peaks without any additional measurements. These
      results suggest that SENSI 2D is a useful method for assigning weak signals and
      that the use of coefficient of variation values can support the assignment
      information and extraction of features from the population characteristics among
      large data sets.

PMID- 27257671
TI  - Keeping All the PIECES: Phylogenetically Informed Ex Situ Conservation of
      Endangered Species.
AB  - Ex situ conservation in germplasm and living collections is a major focus of
      global plant conservation strategies. Prioritizing species for ex situ collection
      is a necessary component of this effort for which sound strategies are needed.
      Phylogenetic considerations can play an important role in prioritization.
      Collections that are more phylogenetically diverse are likely to encompass more
      ecological and trait variation, and thus provide stronger conservation insurance
      and richer resources for future restoration efforts. However, phylogenetic
      criteria need to be weighed against other, potentially competing objectives. We
      used ex situ collection and threat rank data for North American angiosperms to
      investigate gaps in ex situ coverage and phylogenetic diversity of collections
      and to develop a flexible framework for prioritizing species across multiple
      objectives. We found that ex situ coverage of 18,766 North American angiosperm
      taxa was low with respect to the most vulnerable taxa: just 43% of vulnerable to
      critically imperiled taxa were in ex situ collections, far short of a year-2020
      goal of 75%. In addition, species held in ex situ collections were
      phylogenetically clustered (P < 0.001), i.e., collections comprised less
      phylogenetic diversity than would be expected had species been drawn at random.
      These patterns support incorporating phylogenetic considerations into ex situ
      prioritization in a manner balanced with other criteria, such as vulnerability.
      To meet this need, we present the 'PIECES' index (Phylogenetically Informed Ex
      situ Conservation of Endangered Species). PIECES integrates phylogenetic
      considerations into a flexible framework for prioritizing species across
      competing objectives using multi-criteria decision analysis. Applying PIECES to
      prioritizing ex situ conservation of North American angiosperms, we show strong
      return on investment across multiple objectives, some of which are negatively
      correlated with each other. A spreadsheet-based decision support tool for North
      American angiosperms is provided; this tool can be customized to align with
      different conservation objectives. 

PMID- 27257672
TI  - Correction: The Methanol Poisoning Outbreaks in Libya 2013 and Kenya 2014.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152676.].

PMID- 27257673
TI  - Recurrent Microdeletions at Xq27.3-Xq28 and Male Infertility: A Study in the
      Czech Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genetic causes of male infertility are hypothesized to involve
      multiple types of mutations, from single gene defects to complex chromosome
      rearrangements. Recently, several recurrent X-chromosome microdeletions (located
      in subtelomeric region of the long arm) were reported to be associated with male
      infertility in Spanish and Italian males. The aim of our study was to test their
      prevalence and infertility association in population of men from the Czech
      Republic. METHODS: 107 males with pathological sperm evaluation resulting in
      nonobstructive infertility were compared to 131 males with normal fecundity. X
      chromosome microdeletions were assessed by +/- PCR with three primer pairs for
      each region Xcnv64 (Xq27.3), Xcnv67 (Xq28) and Xcnv69 (Xq28). The latter
      microdeletion was further characterized by amplification across the deleted
      region, dividing the deletion into three types; A, B and C. RESULTS: We detected
      presence of isolated Xcnv64 deletion in 3 patients and 14 controls, and Xcnv69 in
      3 patients and 6 controls (1 and 1 patient vs.4 and 1 control for types A and B
      respectively). There was one control with combined Xcnv64 and Xcnv69 type B
      deletions, and one patient with combination of Xcnv64 and Xcnv69 type C
      deletions. The frequency of the deletions was thus not higher in patient compared
      to control group, Xcnv64 was marginally associated with controls (adjusted
      Fisher's exact test P = 0.043), Xcnv69 was not associated (P = 0.452). We
      excluded presence of more extensive rearrangements in two subjects with combined
      Xcnv64 and Xcnv69 deletions. There was no Xcnv67 deletion in our cohort.
      CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the two previously reported X-linked microdeletions
      (Xcnv64 and Xcnv69) do not seem to confer a significant risk to impaired
      spermatogenesis in the Czech population. The potential clinical role of the
      previously reported patient-specific Xcnv67 remains to be determined in a larger
      study population.

PMID- 27257675
TI  - Correction: High-Fidelity Modelling Methodology of Light-Limited Photosynthetic
      Production in Microalgae.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152387.].

PMID- 27257674
TI  - Feasibility of Quantifying Arterial Cerebral Blood Volume Using Multiphase
      Alternate Ascending/Descending Directional Navigation (ALADDIN).
AB  - Arterial cerebral blood volume (aCBV) is associated with many physiologic and
      pathologic conditions. Recently, multiphase balanced steady state free precession
      (bSSFP) readout was introduced to measure labeled blood signals in the arterial
      compartment, based on the fact that signal difference between labeled and
      unlabeled blood decreases with the number of RF pulses that is affected by blood
      velocity. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of a new 2D inter-slice
      bSSFP-based arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique termed, alternate
      ascending/descending directional navigation (ALADDIN), to quantify aCBV using
      multiphase acquisition in six healthy subjects. A new kinetic model considering
      bSSFP RF perturbations was proposed to describe the multiphase data and thus to
      quantify aCBV. Since the inter-slice time delay (TD) and gap affected the
      distribution of labeled blood spins in the arterial and tissue compartments, we
      performed the experiments with two TDs (0 and 500 ms) and two gaps (300% and 450%
      of slice thickness) to evaluate their roles in quantifying aCBV. Comparison
      studies using our technique and an existing method termed arterial volume using
      arterial spin tagging (AVAST) were also separately performed in five subjects. At
      300% gap or 500-ms TD, significant tissue perfusion signals were demonstrated,
      while tissue perfusion signals were minimized and arterial signals were maximized
      at 450% gap and 0-ms TD. ALADDIN has an advantage of visualizing bi-directional
      flow effects (ascending/descending) in a single experiment. Labeling efficiency
      (alpha) of inter-slice blood flow effects could be measured in the superior
      sagittal sinus (SSS) (20.8+/-3.7%.) and was used for aCBV quantification. As a
      result of fitting to the proposed model, aCBV values in gray matter (1.4-2.3
      mL/100 mL) were in good agreement with those from literature. Our technique
      showed high correlation with AVAST, especially when arterial signals were
      accentuated (i.e., when TD = 0 ms) (r = 0.53). The bi-directional perfusion
      imaging with multiphase ALADDIN approach can be an alternative to existing
      techniques for quantification of aCBV. 

PMID- 27257676
TI  - Antibioprophylaxis in Prevention of Endophthalmitis in Intravitreal Injection: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Despite endophthalmitis being the most feared complication, antibioprophylaxis
      remains controversial in intravitreal injections. Therefore, we conducted a
      systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of antibioprophylaxis in
      intravitreal injections in the prevention of endophthalmitis. The PubMed,
      Cochrane Library, Embase and Science Direct databases were searched for studies
      comparing groups with and without antibiotics in intravitreal injection, with the
      use of the following keywords: "antibiotic*", "endophthalmitis" and "intravitreal
      injection*". To be included, studies needed to specify number of participants and
      number of endophthalmitis within each group (with and without antibiotics). We
      conducted meta-analysis on the prevalence of clinical endophthalmitis including
      both culture-proven and culture negative samples. Nine studies were included. A
      total of 88 incidences of endophthalmitis were reported from 174,159 injections
      (0.051% i.e., one incidence of endophthalmitis for 1979 injections).
      Specifically, 59 incidences of endophthalmitis were reported from 113,530
      injections in the group with antibiotics (0.052% or one incidence of
      endophthalmitis for 1924 injections) and 29 incidences of endophthalmitis from
      60,633 injections in the group without antibiotics (0.048% or one endophthalmitis
      for 2091 injections). Our meta-analysis did not report a significant difference
      in the prevalence of clinical endophthalimitis between the two groups with and
      without topical antibiotics: the odds ratio of clinical endophthalimitis was
      0.804 (CI95% 0.384-1.682, p = 0.56) for the antibiotic group compared with the
      group without antibiotics. In conclusion, we performed the first large meta
      analysis demonstrating that antibioprophylaxis is not required in intravitreal
      injections. Strict rules of asepsis remain the only evidence-based prophylaxis of
      endophthalmitis. The results support initiatives to reduce the global threat of
      resistance to antibiotics. 

PMID- 27257677
TI  - The Body and the Beautiful: Health, Attractiveness and Body Composition in Men's
      and Women's Bodies.
AB  - The dominant evolutionary theory of physical attraction posits that
      attractiveness reflects physiological health, and attraction is a mechanism for
      identifying a healthy mate. Previous studies have found that perceptions of the
      healthiest body mass index (weight scaled for height; BMI) for women are close to
      healthy BMI guidelines, while the most attractive BMI is significantly lower,
      possibly pointing to an influence of sociocultural factors in determining
      attractive BMI. However, less is known about ideal body size for men. Further,
      research has not addressed the role of body fat and muscle, which have distinct
      relationships with health and are conflated in BMI, in determining perceived
      health and attractiveness. Here, we hypothesised that, if attractiveness reflects
      physiological health, the most attractive and healthy appearing body composition
      should be in line with physiologically healthy body composition. Thirty female
      and 33 male observers were instructed to manipulate 15 female and 15 male body
      images in terms of their fat and muscle to optimise perceived health and,
      separately, attractiveness. Observers were unaware that they were manipulating
      the muscle and fat content of bodies. The most attractive apparent fat mass for
      female bodies was significantly lower than the healthiest appearing fat mass (and
      was lower than the physiologically healthy range), with no significant difference
      for muscle mass. The optimal fat and muscle mass for men's bodies was in line
      with the healthy range. Male observers preferred a significantly lower overall
      male body mass than did female observers. While the body fat and muscle
      associated with healthy and attractive appearance is broadly in line with
      physiologically healthy values, deviations from this pattern suggest that future
      research should examine a possible role for internalization of body ideals in
      influencing perceptions of attractive body composition, particularly in women. 

PMID- 27257678
TI  - Correction: Direct and Indirect Effects of Five Factor Personality and Gender on
      Depressive Symptoms Mediated by Perceived Stress.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154140.].

PMID- 27257679
TI  - The Role of Seagrass Traits in Mediating Zostera noltei Vulnerability to
      Mesograzers.
AB  - Understanding how intra-specific differences in plant traits mediate
      vulnerability to herbivores of relevant habitat-forming plants is vital to attain
      a better knowledge on the drivers of the structure and functioning of ecosystems.
      Such studies, however, are rare in seagrass-mesograzer systems despite the
      increasingly recognized relevance of mesograzers as seagrass consumers. We
      investigated the role and potential trade-offs of multiple leaf traits in
      mediating the vulnerability of the seagrass Zostera noltei to different
      mesograzer species, the amphipod Gammarus insensibilis and the isopod Idotea
      chelipes. We worked with plants from two different meadows for which contrasting
      chemical and structural traits were expected based on previous information. We
      found that plants with high vulnerability to mesograzers (i.e. those preferred
      and subjected to higher rates of leaf area loss) had not only higher nitrogen
      content and lower C:N, fibre, and phenolics, but also tender and thinner leaves.
      No trade-offs between chemical and structural traits of the seagrass were
      detected, as they were positively correlated. When leaf physical structure was
      removed using agar-reconstituted food, amphipod preference towards high
      susceptibility plants disappeared; thus indicating that structural rather than
      chemical traits mediated the feeding preference. Removal of plant structure
      reduced the size of isopod preference to less than half, indicating a stronger
      contribution of structural traits (> 50%) but combined with chemical/nutritional
      traits in mediating the preference. We then hypothesized that the high
      environmental nutrient levels recorded in the meadow exhibiting high
      susceptibility modulate the differences observed between meadows in seagrass
      traits. To test this hypothesis, we exposed low-vulnerability shoots to eutrophic
      nutrient levels in a 6-week enrichment experiment. Nutrient enrichment increased
      Z. noltei nitrogen content and lowered C:N, fibre, and phenolics, but had no
      effect on structural traits. Overall, our findings help to better understand the
      trait-mediated seagrass susceptibility to mesograzers and reinforce the
      increasingly recognized role of structural defences against herbivory. 

PMID- 27257681
TI  - Pairing Behavior of the Monogamous King Quail, Coturnix chinensis.
AB  - Animals with socially monogamous mating systems are valuable for discovering
      proximate mechanisms of prosocial behavior and close social relationships.
      Especially powerful are comparisons between related species that differ in
      monogamous tendency. Birds are the most socially monogamous vertebrates. Thus far
      most research on mechanisms of pairing has used zebra finches, which do not have
      a relative with a different mating system, however. The goal of the experiments
      reported here was to develop a new comparative avian system by studying the
      pairing behavior of a reportedly strongly monogamous quail, the king quail
      (Coturnix chinensis), a species in the same clade as the less monogamous Japanese
      quail (Coturnix japonica), the subject of much prior research. In Experiment 1
      male-female pairs of king quail housed together were initially avoidant or
      aggressive but most rapidly progressed to allopreening and huddling. A separation
      reunion paradigm reliably elicited both of these behaviors in males that had
      cohabited for one week. In Experiment 2 the allopreening and huddling behavior of
      males in cohabiting pairs was highly selective, and a majority of the males were
      aggressive toward a familiar female that was not the cohabitation partner. In
      Experiment 3 males were separated from their female cohabitation partners for 9
      10 weeks and then given two-choice tests. All but one male spent more time near
      an unfamiliar female, which may have reflected aggression and shows recognition
      of and memory for the past pairing experience. Thus king quail show robust,
      selective and easy to measure pairing behavior that can be reliably elicited with
      simple separation-reunion testing procedures. Copulation is rarely seen during
      tests. The behavior of king quail is a striking contrast to that of Japanese
      quail, providing a new comparative system for discovering mechanisms of behavior
      related to close social relationships and monogamy. 

PMID- 27257680
TI  - Measures of Global Health Status on Dialysis Signal Early Rehospitalization Risk
      after Kidney Transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early rehospitalization (<30 days) after discharge from kidney
      transplantation (KT) is associated with poor outcomes. We explored summary
      metrics of pre-transplant health status that may improve the identification of KT
      recipients at risk for early rehospitalization and mortality after transplant.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 8,870 adult
      (>= 18 years) patients on hemodialysis who received KT between 2000 and 2010 at
      United States transplant centers. We linked Medicare data to United Network for
      Organ Sharing data and data from a national dialysis provider to examine pre-KT
      (1) Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, (2) physical function (PF) measured by the
      Short Form 36 Health Survey, and (3) the number of hospitalizations during the 12
      months before KT as potential predictors of early rehospitalization after KT. We
      also explored whether these metrics are confounders of the known association
      between early rehospitalization and post-transplant mortality. RESULTS: The
      median age was 52 years (interquartile range [IQR] 41, 60) and 63% were male. 29%
      were rehospitalized in <30 days, and 20% died during a median follow-up time of
      five years (IQR 3.6-6.5). In a multivariable logistic model, kidney recipients
      with more pre-KT Elixhauser comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.09 per
      comorbidity, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.07-1.11), the poorest pre-KT PF (aOR
      1.24, 95% CI 1.08-1.43), or >1 pre-KT hospitalizations (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.17
      1.49) were more likely to be rehospitalized. All three health status metrics and
      early rehospitalization were independently associated with post-KT mortality in a
      multivariable Cox model (adjusted hazard ratio for rehospitalization: 1.41, 95%
      CI 1.28-1.56). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-transplant metrics of health status, measured by
      dialysis providers or administrative data, are independently associated with
      early rehospitalization and mortality risk after KT. Transplant providers may
      consider utilizing metrics of pre-KT global health status as early signals of
      vulnerability when transitioning care after KT.

PMID- 27257683
TI  - Weakened Cholinergic Blockade of Inflammation Associates with Diabetes-Related
      Depression.
AB  - Emerging evidence demonstrates association of depression with both immune
      malfunctioning and worsened course of diverse aging-related diseases, but there
      is no explanation for the pathway(s) controlling this dual association. Here, we
      report that in post-reproductive and evolutionarily -blind" years, depression may
      weaken pathogen-host defense, compatible with the antagonistic pleiotropy
      hypothesis. In 15,532 healthy volunteers, depression scores associated with both
      inflammatory parameters and with increased circulation cholinesterase activities,
      implicating debilitated cholinergic blockade of inflammation as an underlying
      mechanism; furthermore, depression, inflammation and cholinesterase activities
      all increased with aging. In the entire cohort, combined increases in
      inflammation and the diabetic biomarker hemoglobin A1c associated with elevated
      depression. Moreover, metabolic syndrome patients with higher risk of diabetes
      showed increased cholinesterase levels and pulse values, and diabetic patients
      presented simultaneous increases in depression, inflammation and circulation
      cholinesterase activities, suggesting that cholinergic impairment precedes
      depression. Our findings indicate that dysfunctioning cholinergic regulation
      weakens the otherwise protective link between depression and pathogen-host
      defense, with global implications for aging-related diseases.

PMID- 27257682
TI  - The Third Intron of the Interferon Regulatory Factor-8 Is an Initiator of
      Repressed Chromatin Restricting Its Expression in Non-Immune Cells.
AB  - Interferon Regulatory Factor-8 (IRF-8) serves as a key factor in the hierarchical
      differentiation towards monocyte/dendritic cell lineages. While much insight has
      been accumulated into the mechanisms essential for its hematopoietic specific
      expression, the mode of restricting IRF-8 expression in non-hematopoietic cells
      is still unknown. Here we show that the repression of IRF-8 expression in
      restrictive cells is mediated by its 3rd intron. Removal of this intron
      alleviates the repression of Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) IRF-8 reporter
      gene in these cells. Fine deletion analysis points to conserved regions within
      this intron mediating its restricted expression. Further, the intron alone
      selectively initiates gene silencing only in expression-restrictive cells.
      Characterization of this intron's properties points to its role as an initiator
      of sustainable gene silencing inducing chromatin condensation with suppressive
      histone modifications. This intronic element cannot silence episomal transgene
      expression underlining a strict chromatin-dependent silencing mechanism. We
      validated this chromatin-state specificity of IRF-8 intron upon in-vitro
      differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into cardiomyocytes.
      Taken together, the IRF-8 3rd intron is sufficient and necessary to initiate gene
      silencing in non-hematopoietic cells, highlighting its role as a nucleation core
      for repressed chromatin during differentiation. 

PMID- 27257684
TI  - Implementation Considerations, Not Topological Differences, Are the Main
      Determinants of Noise Suppression Properties in Feedback and Incoherent
      Feedforward Circuits.
AB  - Biological systems use a variety of mechanisms to deal with the uncertain nature
      of their external and internal environments. Two of the most common motifs
      employed for this purpose are the incoherent feedforward (IFF) and feedback (FB)
      topologies. Many theoretical and experimental studies suggest that these circuits
      play very different roles in providing robustness to uncertainty in the cellular
      environment. Here, we use a control theoretic approach to analyze two common FB
      and IFF architectures that make use of an intermediary species to achieve
      regulation. We show the equivalence of both circuits topologies in suppressing
      static cell-to-cell variations. While both circuits can suppress variations due
      to input noise, they are ineffective in suppressing inherent chemical reaction
      stochasticity. Indeed, these circuits realize comparable improvements limited to
      a modest 25% variance reduction in best case scenarios. Such limitations are
      attributed to the use of intermediary species in regulation, and as such, they
      persist even for circuit architectures that combine both IFF and FB features.
      Intriguingly, while the FB circuits are better suited in dealing with dynamic
      input variability, the most significant difference between the two topologies
      lies not in the structural features of the circuits, but in their practical
      implementation considerations.

PMID- 27257685
TI  - Genetics of Unilateral and Bilateral Age-Related Macular Degeneration Severity
      Stages.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common disease causing
      visual impairment and blindness. Various gene variants are strongly associated
      with late stage AMD, but little is known about the genetics of early forms of the
      disease. This study evaluated associations of genetic factors and different AMD
      stages depending on unilateral and bilateral disease severity. METHODS: In this
      case-control study, participants were assigned to nine AMD severity stages based
      on the characteristics of each eye. 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      were genotyped and attempted to correlate with AMD severity stages by uni- and
      multivariate logistic regression analyses and trend analyses. Area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were calculated. RESULTS: Of 3444
      individuals 1673 were controls, 379 had early AMD, 333 had intermediate AMD and
      989 showed late AMD stages. With increasing severity of disease and bilateralism
      more SNPs with significant associations were found. Odds ratios, especially for
      the main risk polymorphisms in ARMS2 (rs10490924) and CFH (rs1061170), gained
      with increasing disease severity and bilateralism (exemplarily: rs1061170:
      unilateral early AMD: OR = 1.18; bilateral early AMD: OR = 1.20; unilateral
      intermediate AMD: OR = 1.28; bilateral intermediate AMD: OR = 1.39, unilateral
      geographic atrophy (GA): OR = 1.50; bilateral GA: OR = 1.71). Trend analyses
      showed p<0.0001 for ARMS2 (rs10490924) and for CFH (rs1061170), respectively. AUC
      of risk models for various AMD severity stages was lowest for unilateral early
      AMD (AUC = 0.629) and showed higher values in more severely and bilaterally
      affected individuals being highest for late AMD with GA in one eye and
      neovascular AMD in the other eye (AUC = 0.957). CONCLUSION: The association of
      known genetic risk factors with AMD became stronger with increasing disease
      severity, which also led to an increasing discriminative ability of AMD cases and
      controls. Genetic predisposition was also associated with the disease severity of
      the fellow-eye, highlighting the importance of both eyes in AMD patients.

PMID- 27257687
TI  - Visible Light-Induced Trifluoromethylation and Perfluoroalkylation of Cysteine
      Residues in Batch and Continuous Flow.
AB  - We report a visible light-induced trifluoromethylation and perfluoroalkylation
      for cysteine conjugation using Ru(bpy)3(2+) as photocatalyst and inexpensive RFI
      as coupling partner. The protocol allows the introduction of a variety of
      perfluoro alkyl groups (C1-C10) and a CF2COOEt moiety. The reaction is high
      yielding (56-94% yield) and fast (2 h in batch, 12 examples). Process
      intensification in a photomicroreactor accelerated the reaction (5 min reaction
      time) and increased the yields (8 examples). Quantum yield investigations support
      a radical chain mechanism.

PMID- 27257686
TI  - MicroRNA-27 Prevents Atherosclerosis by Suppressing Lipoprotein Lipase-Induced
      Lipid Accumulation and Inflammatory Response in Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice.
AB  - Atherosclerotic lesions are lipometabolic disorder characterized by chronic
      progressive inflammation in arterial walls. Previous studies have shown that
      macrophage-derived lipoprotein lipase (LPL) might be a key factor that promotes
      atherosclerosis by accelerating lipid accumulation and proinflammatory cytokine
      secretion. Increasing evidence indicates that microRNA-27 (miR-27) has beneficial
      effects on lipid metabolism and inflammatory response. However, it has not been
      fully understood whether miR-27 affects the expression of LPL and subsequent
      development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE KO) mice. To
      address these questions and its potential mechanisms, oxidized low-density
      lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-treated THP-1 macrophages were transfected with the miR-27
      mimics/inhibitors and apoE KO mice fed high-fat diet were given a tail vein
      injection with miR-27 agomir/antagomir, followed by exploring the potential roles
      of miR-27. MiR-27 agomir significantly down-regulated LPL expression in aorta and
      peritoneal macrophages by western blot and real-time PCR analyses. We performed
      LPL activity assay in the culture media and found that miR-27 reduced LPL
      activity. ELISA showed that miR-27 reduced inflammatory response as analyzed in
      vitro and in vivo experiments. Our results showed that miR-27 had an inhibitory
      effect on the levels of lipid both in plasma and in peritoneal macrophages of
      apoE KO mice as examined by HPLC. Consistently, miR-27 suppressed the expression
      of scavenger receptors associated with lipid uptake in ox-LDL-treated THP-1
      macrophages. In addition, transfection with LPL siRNA inhibited the miR-27
      inhibitor-induced lipid accumulation and proinflammatory cytokines secretion in
      ox-LDL-treated THP-1 macrophages. Finally, systemic treatment revealed that miR
      27 decreased aortic plaque size and lipid content in apoE KO mice. The present
      results provide evidence that a novel antiatherogenic role of miR-27 was closely
      related to reducing lipid accumulation and inflammatory response via
      downregulation of LPL gene expression, suggesting a potential strategy to the
      diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. 

PMID- 27257688
TI  - Distinct Patterns of Association of Variants at 11q23.3 Chromosomal Region with
      Coronary Artery Disease and Dyslipidemia in the Population of Andhra Pradesh,
      India.
AB  - In our attempt to comprehensively understand the nature of association of
      variants at 11q23.3 apolipoprotein gene cluster region, we genotyped a
      prioritized set of 96 informative SNPs using Fluidigm customized SNP genotyping
      platform in a sample of 508 coronary artery disease (CAD) cases and 516 controls.
      We found 12 SNPs as significantly associated with CAD at P <0.05, albeit only
      four (rs2849165, rs17440396, rs6589566 and rs633389) of these remained
      significant after Benjamin Hochberg correction. Of the four, while rs6589566
      confers risk to CAD, the other three SNPs reduce risk for the disease.
      Interaction of variants that belong to regulatory genes BUD13 and ZPR1 with APOA5
      APOA4 intergenic variants is also observed to significantly increase the risk
      towards CAD. Further, ROC analysis of the risk scores of the 12 significant SNPs
      suggests that our study has substantial power to confer these genetic variants as
      predictors of risk for CAD, as illustrated by AUC (0.763; 95% CI: 0.729-0.798, p
      = <0.0001). On the other hand, the protective SNPs of CAD are associated with
      elevated Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Total Cholesterol levels, hence
      with dyslipidemia, in our sample of controls, which may suggest distinct effects
      of the variants at 11q23.3 chromosomal region towards CAD and dyslipidemia. It
      may be necessary to replicate these findings in the independent and ethnically
      heterogeneous Indian samples in order to establish this as an Indian pattern.
      However, only functional analysis of the significant variants identified in our
      study can provide more precise understanding of the mechanisms involved in the
      contrasting nature of their effects in manifesting dyslipidemia and CAD. 

PMID- 27257689
TI  - Depth Echolocation Learnt by Novice Sighted People.
AB  - Some blind people have developed a unique technique, called echolocation, to
      orient themselves in unknown environments. More specifically, by self-generating
      a clicking noise with the tongue, echolocators gain knowledge about the external
      environment by perceiving more detailed object features. It is not clear to date
      whether sighted individuals can also develop such an extremely useful technique.
      To investigate this, here we test the ability of novice sighted participants to
      perform a depth echolocation task. Moreover, in order to evaluate whether the
      type of room (anechoic or reverberant) and the type of clicking sound (with the
      tongue or with the hands) influences the learning of this technique, we divided
      the entire sample into four groups. Half of the participants produced the
      clicking sound with their tongue, the other half with their hands. Half of the
      participants performed the task in an anechoic chamber, the other half in a
      reverberant room. Subjects stood in front of five bars, each of a different size,
      and at five different distances from the subject. The dimension of the bars
      ensured a constant subtended angle for the five distances considered. The task
      was to identify the correct distance of the bar. We found that, even by the
      second session, the participants were able to judge the correct depth of the bar
      at a rate greater than chance. Improvements in both precision and accuracy were
      observed in all experimental sessions. More interestingly, we found significantly
      better performance in the reverberant room than in the anechoic chamber. The type
      of clicking did not modulate our results. This suggests that the echolocation
      technique can also be learned by sighted individuals and that room reverberation
      can influence this learning process. More generally, this study shows that total
      loss of sight is not a prerequisite for echolocation skills this suggests
      important potential implications on rehabilitation settings for persons with
      residual vision. 

PMID- 27257690
TI  - Simultaneous Native Nephrectomy and Kidney Transplantation in Patients With
      Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the feasibility of simultaneous unilateral nephrectomy
      with kidney transplantation and to determine the effect of this procedure on
      perioperative morbidity and mortality and graft and patient survival. METHODS:
      Between January 2000 and May 2015, 145 patients with autosomal dominant
      polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) underwent kidney transplantation. Of those, 40
      (27.5%) underwent concurrent ipsilateral native nephrectomy (group NT). Patients
      in group NT were compared with patients with ADPKD not undergoing concurrent
      nephrectomy (group NT-) and asymptomatic patients undergoing pretransplant
      nephrectomy (group PNT). RESULTS: The average follow-up was 66 months. The graft
      survival rate at 1 and 5 years was 95% and 87.5% versus 93% and 76.2% in the NT
      and NT- groups, respectively (P = .903 and P = .544, respectively); 1-year
      patient survival was 100% for NT and 97% for NT- patients (P = .288), whereas 5
      year patient survival was 100% and 92% for NT and NT- groups, respectively (P =
      .128). After propensity score matching (34 patients per group) no significant
      differences were observed in 1-year (97.1% in NT and 94.1%; P = 1) and 5-year
      (88.2% in NT and 91.2% in NT-; P = 1) graft survival, and in 1-year (100% for
      both groups; P = 1) and 5-year (100% in NT and 94.1% in NT-; P = 1) patient
      survival. Perioperative mortality was 0% among NT and 1.2% among NT- patients,
      whereas perioperative surgical complications were similar in both groups. One-
      and 5-year graft and patient survival were similar between the NT and PNT groups,
      but patients in the PNT group had significantly lower levels of hemoglobin and
      residual diuresis volumes at the time of transplant. Moreover, PNT patients had a
      longer pretransplant dialysis and a longer time on the waiting list. CONCLUSIONS:
      Simultaneous unilateral nephrectomy does not have a negative effect on patient
      and graft survival in patients with ADPKD and is associated with low morbidity.
      Pretransplant nephrectomy should be restricted only to highly symptomatic
      patients, whereas unilateral nephrectomy in asymptomatic patients should be
      performed during kidney transplantation only if massive kidney size precludes
      graft positioning.

PMID- 27257691
TI  - Time and place of death from automobile crashes: Research endpoint implications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of US injury and death. Early
      death, however, has almost entirely been studied in-hospital. The US Department
      of Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database captures
      both prehospital and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: FARS location (prehospital,
      in-hospital) and time of death were reviewed (1978-2013), and a 2003-2005
      subgroup of 55,537 early deaths (i.e., between 5 minutes and 4 hours after
      injury) was analyzed to quantify risk of death over time. RESULTS: There has been
      an overall decrease in 1978-2013 US vehicle-related deaths (from 3.3 deaths per
      100 million vehicle miles traveled to 1.1 and from 22.6 per 100,000 population to
      10.4). Snapshots of the death data reveal an overall downward trend of total in
      hospital and prehospital deaths. The proportion of hospital deaths decreased by
      58%, whereas the proportion of deaths in the prehospital period increased to 56%.
      Subgroup analysis revealed a rate of mortality risk of 0.4% per minute for the
      first 30 minutes, 1% per minute for the next 60 minutes, and 0.2% per minute and
      plateauing thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of census FARS data of motor vehicle
      crash-related deaths showed an overall 35% decrease in mortality over a period of
      36 years. The disproportionate reduction in in-hospital deaths is perhaps a
      testament to the effectiveness of trauma centers. However, there is a
      demonstrable need to focus on prehospital deaths with resuscitative and adjuvant
      therapy research and trauma system design. Quantifying risk of death over time
      should help focus emergency medical services, trauma system, and resuscitation
      goals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiologic study, level III.

PMID- 27257692
TI  - Civilian casualties of terror-related explosions: The impact of vascular trauma
      on treatment and prognosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A high prevalence (10%) of vascular trauma (VT) was previously
      described in terror-related trauma as compared with non-terror-related trauma
      (1%), in a civilian setting. No data regarding outcome of VT casualties of
      improvised explosive device (IED) explosions, in civilian settings, are
      available. The aim of the current study is to present the prognosis of civilian
      casualties of IED explosions with and without VT. METHODS: A retrospective
      analysis of the Israeli National Trauma Registry was performed. All patients in
      the registry from September 2000 to December 2005 who were victims of explosions
      were included. These patients were subdivided into patients with VT (n = 109) and
      non-VT (NVT) (n = 1,152). Both groups were analyzed according to mechanism of
      trauma, type and severity of injury, and treatment. RESULTS: Of 1,261 explosion
      casualties, there were 109 VT victims (8.6%). Patients with VT tended to be more
      complex, with a higher injury severity score (ISS): 17.4% with ISS 16 to 24 as
      compared with only 10.5%. In the group of critically injured patients (ISS, 25
      75), 51.4% had VT compared with only 15.5% of the NVT patients. As such, a heavy
      share of hospitals' resources were used-trauma bay admission (62.4%), operating
      rooms (91.7%), and intensive care unit beds (55.1%). The percentage of VT
      patients who were admitted for more than 15 days was 2.3 times higher than that
      observed among the NVT patients. Lower-extremity VT injuries were the most
      prevalent. Although many resources are being invested in treating this group of
      patients, their mortality rate is approximately five times more than NVT (22.9%
      vs. 4.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular trauma casualties of IED explosions are more
      complex and have poorer prognosis. Their higher ISS markedly increases the
      hospital's resource utilization, and as such, it should be taken into
      consideration either upon the primary evacuation from the scene or when secondary
      modulation is needed in order to reduce the burden of the hospitals receiving the
      casualties. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level V.

PMID- 27257693
TI  - Re: Ultrasonography for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the
      aorta: A practical leap forward using microbubble contrast agent.

PMID- 27257694
TI  - Emergency general surgery specific frailty index: A validation study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Assessment of operative risk in geriatric patients undergoing
      emergency general surgery (EGS) is challenging. Frailty is an established measure
      for risk assessment in surgical cases. The aim of our study was to validate a
      modified 15-variable EGS-specific frailty index (EGSFI). METHODS: We
      prospectively collected geriatric (age older than 65 years) EGS patients for 2
      years. Postoperative complications were collected. Frailty index was calculated
      for 200 patients based on their preadmission condition using 50-variable modified
      Rockwood frailty index. Emergency general surgery-specific frailty index was
      developed based on the regression model for complications and the most
      significant factors in the frailty index. Receiver operating characteristic curve
      analysis was performed to determine cutoff for frail status. We validated our
      results using 60 patients for predicting complications. RESULTS: A total of 260
      patients (developing, 200; validation, 60) were enrolled in this study. Mean age
      was 71 +/- 11 years, and 33% developed complications. Most common complications
      were pneumonia (12%), urinary tract infection (9%), and wound infection (7%).
      Univariate analysis identified 15 variables significantly associated with
      complications that were used to develop the EGSFI. A cutoff frailty score of
      0.325 was identified using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for
      frail status. Sixty patients (frail, 18; nonfrail, 42) were enrolled in the
      validation cohort. Frail patients were more likely to have postoperative
      complications (47% vs. 20%; p < 0.001) compared to nonfrail patients. Frail
      status based on EGSFI was a significant predictor of postoperative complications
      (odds ratio, 7.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-19.8; p = 0.006). Age was not
      associated with postoperative complications (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence
      interval, 0.92-1.06; p = 0.86). CONCLUSION: The 15-variable validated EGSFI is a
      simple and reliable bedside tool to determine the frailty status of patients
      undergoing EGS. Frail status as determined by the EGSFI is an independent
      predictor of postoperative complications and mortality in geriatric EGS patients.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, level II.

PMID- 27257695
TI  - Ultrasonography for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta: A
      practical leap forward using microbubble contrast agent.

PMID- 27257696
TI  - The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grading scale for 16 emergency
      general surgery conditions: Disease-specific criteria characterizing anatomic
      severity grading.

PMID- 27257697
TI  - Field intubation for hemorrhagic shock: A flawed syllogism.

PMID- 27257698
TI  - Hepatic and splenic blush on computed tomography in children following blunt
      abdominal trauma: Is intervention necessary?
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are no widely accepted guidelines for management of pediatric
      patients who have evidence of solid organ contrast extravasation ("blush") on
      computed tomography (CT) scans following blunt abdominal trauma. We report our
      experience as a Level 1 pediatric trauma center in managing cases with hepatic
      and splenic blush. METHODS: All pediatric blunt abdominal trauma cases resulting
      in liver or splenic injury were queried from 2008 to 2014. Patients were excluded
      if a CT was unavailable in the medical record. The presence of contrast blush was
      based on final reports from attending pediatric radiologists. Correlations
      between incidence of contrast blush and major outcomes of interest were
      determined using chi and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for categorical and continuous
      variables, respectively, evaluating statistical significance at p < 0.05.
      RESULTS: Of 318 patients with splenic or liver injury after blunt abdominal
      trauma, we report on 30 patients (9%) with solid organ blush, resulting in 18
      cases of hepatic blush and 16 cases of splenic blush (four patients had
      extravasation from both organs). Blush was not found to correlate significantly
      with age, gender, or type of injury (liver vs. splenic) but was found to
      associate with higher grades of solid organ injury (p = 0.002) and higher ISS
      overall (p < 0.001). Patients with contrast blush on imaging were more likely to
      be admitted to the intensive care unit (90% vs. 41%, p < 0.001), receive blood
      products, (50% vs. 12%, p < 0.001), and be considered for an intervention (p <
      0.001). Eighty percent of patients with an isolated contrast blush of the spleen
      or liver did not require an operation. Only 17% of patients with blush required
      definitive treatment, such as embolization (n = 1), packing (n = 1), or
      splenectomy (n = 3). Blush had no significant correlation with overall survival
      (p = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a blush on CT from a splenic or liver
      injury is associated with higher grade of injury. These patients receive
      intensive medical management but do not uniformly require invasive intervention.
      From our data, we suggest that a blush can safely be managed nonoperatively and
      that treatment should be dictated by change in physiology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Therapeutic study, level IV.

PMID- 27257700
TI  - The term "prehospital" must be justified when reporting animal studies of
      traumatic hemorrhagic shock.

PMID- 27257701
TI  - Re: Field intubation for hemorrhagic shock: A flawed syllogism.

PMID- 27257702
TI  - Severe complicated Clostridium difficile infection: Can the UPMC proposed scoring
      system predict the need for surgery?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is one of the most common
      health care-associated infections, and it continues to have significant morbidity
      and mortality. The onset of fulminant colitis often requires total abdominal
      colectomy with ileostomy, which has a mortality rate of 35% to 57%. University of
      Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) developed a scoring system for severity and
      recommended surgical consultation for severe complicated disease. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate if the UPMC-proposed scoring system for severe complicated
      CDI can predict the need for surgical intervention. METHODS: This is a
      retrospective review of all patients who developed severe complicated CDI at
      Geisinger Medical Center between January 2007 and December 2012 as defined by the
      UPMC scoring system. Main outcomes were the need for surgical intervention and 30
      day mortality. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients had severe complicated CDI based on
      the UPMC scoring system. Fifty-nine patients (67%) required surgery and 29 did
      not. All patients had a diagnosis of CDI as shown by positive toxin assays. There
      was no difference between the groups with respect to age, sex, body mass index,
      or comorbidities. When comparing the surgical group to the nonsurgical cohort,
      the surgical cohort averaged 20 points on the scoring system compared to 9 in the
      nonoperative cohort. In patients with severe complicated CDI, 15 or more points
      predicted the need for surgery 75% of the time. Forty-two percent of the surgical
      cohort had respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation compared to 0% in
      the nonsurgical cohort (p < 0.0001). Forty-nine percent of the surgical cohort
      required vasopressors for septic shock before surgery compared to 0% in the
      nonsurgical cohort (p < 0.0001). Acute kidney injury was present in 92% of the
      surgical cohort versus 72% within the nonsurgical cohort (p = 0.026). Seventy-six
      percent of the surgical patients were admitted to the ICU before surgery. Within
      the nonsurgical cohort, only 24% of patients required ICU stay during admission.
      Overall, 30-day mortality in the surgical cohort was 30%, and there was no
      mortality in the nonsurgical cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The UPMC scoring system for
      severe complicated CDI can help us predict patients who need a surgical consult
      and the need for surgical intervention. In patients with severe complicated CDI,
      evidence of end-organ failure predicts surgical intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Prognostic study, level III; therapeutic study, level IV.

PMID- 27257703
TI  - Comparison of the Prehospital Trauma Life Support recommendations and the German
      national guideline on treatment of patients with severe and multiple injuries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) concept is well
      established throughout the world. The aim is to improve prehospital care for
      patients with major trauma. In 2011, a German Level 3 (S3) evidence- and
      consensus-based guideline on the treatment of patients with severe and multiple
      injuries was published. The scope of this study was the systematic comparison
      between the educational content of the worldwide PHTLS concept and the German S3
      Guideline. METHODS: A total of 62 key recommendations of the German S3 Guideline
      were compared with the content of the English PHTLS manual (eighth edition).
      Depending on the level of agreement, the recommendations were categorized as (1)
      agreement, (2) minor variation, or (3) major variation. Comparison was done via a
      rating system by a number of international experts in the field of out-of
      hospital trauma care. The Delphi method was used to get the final statements by
      indistinct or board-ranged ratings. RESULTS: Overall, there was no conformity in
      12%. In 68% a total agreement and in 88% conformity with slight differences of
      minor variations were found between the key recommendations of the guideline and
      the PHTLS manual. The PHTLS primary assessment has a large conformity for the
      following individual priorities: airway, 92%; breathing, 92%; circulation, 63%;
      disability, 100%; exposure, 89%. CONCLUSIONS: According to our comparison, the
      PHTLS manual is largely compatible with the German S3 Guideline from 2011. The
      12% divergent statements concern mainly fluid resuscitation. Minor deviations in
      the prehospital care are due to a national guideline with an emergency medical
      service with emergency physicians (S3 Guideline) and a global PHTLS concept.

PMID- 27257704
TI  - A multi-institutional study of hemostatic gauze and tourniquets in rural civilian
      trauma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Life-threatening hemorrhage is a leading cause of preventable
      mortality in trauma patients. Since publication of the Hartford Consensus
      statement, there has been intense interest in civilian use of commercial
      hemostatic gauze and tourniquets. Although the military has studied their use on
      soldiers with wartime injuries, there are limited data on patient outcomes
      following civilian prehospital use and no data on the use in rural trauma.
      METHODS: We performed a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of clinical
      outcomes following prehospital use of QuikClot combat gauze (QC) and combat
      application tourniquets (CATs) from 2009 to 2014. The primary outcome measured
      was effectiveness. Secondary outcomes included morbidity, mortality, patients'
      demographics, injury characteristics, and hospital outcomes. RESULTS: Between
      2009 and 2014, 95 patients were managed by prehospital personnel with QC and/or
      CAT. Forty received QC, 61 received CAT, and 6 received both products. The median
      age was 40 years (6-91 years), 29% were female, and the median injury severity
      score was 7 (1-25). QuikClot combat gauze was 89% effective. Minimal morbidity
      was associated with QC use. Combat application tourniquet was 98% effective.
      Median tourniquet time was 21 minutes (6-142 minutes), the median injury severity
      score was 9 (1-50), and mortality was 9.8%. Morbidities observed with tourniquet
      use included amputation, fasciotomy, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury.
      Risk of amputation was associated with higher injury severity (p = 0.04) but not
      with elderly age, obesity, or the presence of medical comorbidities. No
      amputations resulted solely from the use of tourniquets. CONCLUSIONS: QuikClot
      combat gauze and CAT are safe and effective adjuncts for hemorrhage control in
      the rural civilian trauma across a wide range of injury patterns. In a rural
      civilian population including women, children, and elderly patients with medical
      comorbidities, these devices are associated with minimal morbidity beyond that of
      the original injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level V.

PMID- 27257705
TI  - What is the effectiveness of the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in
      patients treated with open abdomen technique? A systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The open abdomen technique may be used in critically ill patients to
      manage abdominal injury, reduce the septic complications, and prevent the
      abdominal compartment syndrome. Many different techniques have been proposed and
      multiple studies have been conducted, but the best method of temporary abdominal
      closure has not been determined yet. Recently, new randomized and nonrandomized
      controlled trials have been published on this topic. We aimed to perform an up-to
      date systematic review on the management of open abdomen, including the most
      recent published randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, to compare
      negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with no NPWT and define if one technique
      has better outcomes than the other with regard to primary fascial closure,
      postoperative 30-day mortality and morbidity, enteroatmospheric fistulae,
      abdominal abscess, bleeding, and length of stay. METHODS: According to the
      Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and
      the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, an online
      literature research (until July 1, 2015) was performed on MEDLINE, PubMed,
      Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Library databases.
      The MeSH terms and free words used "vacuum assisted closure" "vac;", "open
      abdomen", "damage control surgery", and "temporary abdominal closure". No
      language restriction was made. RESULTS: The initial systematic literature search
      yielded 452 studies. After a careful assessment of the titles and of the full
      text was obtained, eight articles fulfilled inclusion criteria. We analyzed 1,225
      patients, of whom 723 (59%) underwent NPWT and 502 (41%) did not undergo NPWT,
      and performed four subgroups: VAC versus Bogota bag technique (two studies, 106
      participants), VAC versus mesh-foil laparostomy (two studies, 159 participants),
      VAC versus laparostomy (adhesive impermeable with midline zip) (one study, 106
      participants), and NPWT versus no NPWT techniques (three studies, 854
      participants) in which it is not possible to perform an analysis of the different
      types of treatment. Comparing the NPWT group and the group without NPWT, there
      was no statistically significant difference in fascial closure (63.5% vs 69.5%;
      odds ratio [OR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27-2.06; p = 0.57),
      postoperative 30-day overall morbidity (p = 0.19), postoperative
      enteroatmospheric fistulae rate (2.1% vs 5.8%; OR, 0.63; 95% CIs, 0.12-3.15; p =
      0.57), in the postoperative bleeding rate (5.7% vs 14.9%; OR, 0.58; 95% CIs, 0.05
      6.84; p = 0.87), and postoperative abdominal abscess rate (2.4% vs 5.6%; OR,
      0.42; 95% CI, 0.13-1.34; p = 0.14). On the other hand, statistical significance
      was found between the NPWT group and the group without NPWT in the postoperative
      mortality rate (28.5% vs 41.4%; OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.23-0.91; p = 0.03) and in the
      length of stay in the intensive care unit (mean difference, -4.53; 95% CI, -5.46
      to 3.60; p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: The limitations of the present analysis might
      be related to the lack of randomized controlled trials, so there is a risk of
      selection bias favoring NPWT. For several outcomes, there were few studies,
      confidence intervals were wide, and inconsistency was high, suggesting that
      although there were no statistically significant differences between the groups,
      there was insufficient evidence to show that the outcomes were similar. We can
      conclude from the current available data that NPWT seems to be associated with a
      trend toward better outcomes compared to the use of no NPWT. It does reflect the
      evidence presented in the current systematic review; however, the data should be
      interpreted with substantial caution given a number of weaknesses (in particular,
      the lack of statistical significance and heterogeneity between studies, i.e.,
      small sample size of the included studies, high variability between studies). We
      highlight the need for randomized controlled trials having homogeneous inclusion
      criteria to assess the use of NPWT for the management of open abdomen. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Systemic review/meta-analysis, level III.

PMID- 27257706
TI  - Is there an impending loss of academically productive trauma surgical faculty? An
      analysis of 4,015 faculty.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to compare the academic impact of trauma
      surgery faculty relative to faculty in general surgery and other surgery
      subspecialties. METHODS: Scholarly metrics were determined for 4,015 faculty at
      the top 50 National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded university-based
      departments and five hospital-based surgery departments. RESULTS: Overall, 317
      trauma surgical faculty (8.2%) were identified. This compared to 703 other
      general surgical faculty (18.2%) and 2,830 other subspecialty surgical faculty
      (73.5%). The average size of the trauma surgical division was six faculty.
      Overall, 43% were assistant professors, 29% were associate professors, and 28%
      were full professors, while 3.1% had PhD, 2.5% had MD and PhD, and, 16.3% were
      division chiefs/directors. Compared with general surgery, there were no
      differences regarding faculty academic levels or leadership positions. Other
      surgical specialties had more full professors (39% vs. 28%; p < 0.05) and faculty
      with research degrees (PhD, 7.7%; and MD and PhD, 5.7%). Median
      publications/citations were lower, especially for junior trauma surgical faculty
      (T) compared with general surgery (G) and other (O) surgical specialties:
      assistant professors (T, 9 publications/76 citations vs. G, 13/138, and O,
      18/241; p < 0.05), associate professors (T, 22/351 vs. G, 36/700, and O, 47/846;
      p < 0.05), and professors (T, 88/2,234 vs. G, 93/2193; p = NS [not significant
      for either publications/citations] and O, 99/2425; p = NS).
      Publications/Citations for division chiefs/directors were comparable with other
      specialties: T, 77/1,595 vs. G, 103/2,081 and O, 74/1,738; p = NS, but were lower
      for all nonchief faculty; T, 23/368 vs. G, 30/528 and O, 37/658; p < 0.05. Trauma
      surgical faculty were less likely to have current or former NIH funding than
      other surgical specialties (17 % vs. 27%; p < 0.05), and this included a lower
      rate of R01/U01/P01 funding (5.5% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Senior
      trauma surgical faculty are as academically productive as other general surgical
      faculty and other surgical specialists. Junior trauma faculty, however, publish
      at a lower rate than other general surgery or subspecialty faculty. Causes of
      decreased academic productivity and lower NIH funding must be identified,
      understood, and addressed.

PMID- 27257707
TI  - Augmented renal clearance in non-critically ill abdominal and trauma surgery
      patients is an underestimated phenomenon: A point prevalence study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Augmented renal clearance refers to increased renal elimination of
      circulating solutes as compared with normal baseline and could lead to
      underexposure of frequently used renally eliminated antimicrobials. The primary
      objective was to assess the prevalence of augmented renal clearance in an adult
      non-critically ill surgery population. Besides, predictors for augmented renal
      clearance were investigated. A prospective observational single-center point
      prevalence study was conducted. METHODS: The measured creatinine clearance based
      on an 8-hour urinary collection was used as primary method for determining kidney
      function. Augmented renal clearance was defined as measured creatinine clearance
      of 130 mL/min per 1.73m2 or greater. A Poisson regression model was applied to
      identify predictors for augmented renal clearance. RESULTS: Augmented renal
      clearance prevalence was 30% and 35% in 103 abdominal and 129 trauma surgery
      patients, respectively. Younger age (abdominal cohort: relative risk, 0.963 (95%
      CI, 0.949-0.978); trauma cohort: relative risk, 0.971 [95% CI, 0.960-0.983]) and
      also for trauma surgery patients, male sex (relative risk, 1.808 [95% CI, 1.026
      3.185]) were found to be independent predictors for augmented renal clearance.
      CONCLUSIONS: Augmented renal clearance is an underestimated phenomenon in adult
      non-critically ill surgery patients. Especially younger patients, and, in the
      subset of trauma surgery, males are prone to exhibit augmented renal clearance.
      Since augmented renal clearance is a risk factor for lower antimicrobial
      exposure, the impact of augmented renal clearance in relation to antimicrobial
      underexposure should be investigated in this population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Prognostic/epidemiological study, level III.

PMID- 27257708
TI  - Elder abuse: Paucity of data hampers evidence-based injury prevention.

PMID- 27257710
TI  - Characteristics of ACS-verified Level I and Level II trauma centers: A study
      linking trauma center verification review data and the National Trauma Data Bank
      of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Trauma Quality Improvement Project of the American College of
      Surgeons (ACS) has demonstrated variations in trauma center outcomes despite
      similar verification status. The purpose of this study was to identify structural
      characteristics of trauma centers that affect patient outcomes. METHODS: Trauma
      registry data on 361,187 patients treated at 222 ACS-verified Level I and Level
      II trauma centers were obtained from the National Trauma Data Bank of ACS. These
      data were used to estimate each center's observed-to-expected (O-E) mortality
      ratio with 95% confidence intervals using multivariate logistic regression
      analysis. De-identified data on structural characteristics of these trauma
      centers were obtained from the ACS Verification Review Committee. Centers in the
      lowest quartile of mortality based on O-E ratio (n = 56) were compared to the
      rest (n = 166) using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis to
      identify institutional characteristics independently associated with high
      performing centers. RESULTS: Of the 72 structural characteristics explored, only
      3 were independently associated with high-performing centers: annual patient
      visits to the emergency department of fewer than 61,000; proportion of patients
      on Medicare greater than 20%; and continuing medical education for emergency
      department physician liaison to the trauma program ranging from 55 and 113 hours
      annually. Each 5% increase in O-E mortality ratio was associated with an increase
      in total length of stay of one day (r = 0.25; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Very few
      structural characteristics of ACS-verified trauma centers are associated with
      risk-adjusted mortality. Thus, variations in patient outcomes across trauma
      centers are likely related to variations in clinical practices. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level III.

PMID- 27257709
TI  - Inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 restores intestinal tight junction in
      hemorrhagic shock.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We recently discovered that Tubastatin-A, a histone deacetylase
      (HDAC6) inhibitor, can improve survival in a rodent model of hemorrhagic shock
      (HS), but mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this study, we investigated
      whether Tubastatin-A could protect intestinal tight junction (TJ) in HS. METHODS:
      In an in-vivo study with Wistar-Kyoto rats, the rats underwent HS (40% blood
      loss) followed by Tubastatin-A (70 mg/kg) treatment, without fluid resuscitation.
      The experimental groups were (1) sham (no hemorrhage, no treatment), (2) control
      (hemorrhage, without treatment), and (3) treatment (hemorrhage with Tubastatin-A
      administration). Six hours after hemorrhage, ileum was harvested. Whole cell
      lysate were analyzed for acetylated alpha-tubulin (Ac-tubulin), total tubulin,
      acetylated histone 3 at lysine 9 (Ac-H3K9), beta-actin, claudin-3 and zonula
      occludens 1 (ZO-1) proteins by Western blot. Histological effects of Tubastatin-A
      on small bowel were examined. In an in-vitro study, human intestinal epithelial
      cells (Caco-2) were divided into three groups: (1) sham (normoxia), (2) control
      (anoxia, no treatment), and (3) treatment (anoxia, treatment with Tubastatin-A).
      After 12 hours in an anoxia chamber, the cells were examined for Ac-tubulin and
      Ac-H3K9, cellular viability, cytotoxicity, claudin-3 and ZO-1 protein expression,
      and transwell permeability study. RESULTS: Tubastatin-A treatment significantly
      attenuated HS-induced decreases of Ac-tubulin, Ac-H3K9, ZO-1 and claudin-3
      proteins in small bowel in-vivo (p < 0.05). In cultured Caco-2 cells, anoxia
      significantly decreased cellular viability (p < 0.001) and increased cytotoxicity
      (p < 0.001) compared to the sham group, while Tubastatin-A treatment offered
      significant protection (p < 0.0001). Moreover, expression of claudin-3 was
      markedly decreased in vitro compared to the sham group, whereas this was
      significantly attenuated by Tubastatin-A (p < 0.05). Finally, anoxia markedly
      increased the permeability of Caco-2 monolayer cells (p < 0.05), while Tubastatin
      A significantly attenuated the alteration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of
      HDAC6 can induce Ac-tubulin and Ac-H3K9, promote cellular viability, and prevent
      the loss of intestinal tight junction proteins during HS and anoxia.

PMID- 27257711
TI  - Reduced need for extraperitoneal pelvic packing for severe pelvic fractures is
      associated with improved resuscitation strategies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extraperitoneal pelvic packing (EPP) was introduced at Oslo
      University Hospital Ulleval (OUHU) in 1994. Published studies from other
      institutions have advocated its application as a first-line therapy in lieu of
      angiography. Extraperitoneal pelvic packing is invasive with a high risk of
      complications, and its role remains an issue of discussion. In line with
      international trends, an updated massive hemorrhage protocol was implemented at
      OUHU in 2007. We hypothesized a decreased need for EPP owing to the major changes
      in resuscitation strategies. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data from the OUH
      Trauma Registry and patient charts for the period 2002-2012 was performed. All
      pelvic fractures with Abbreviated Injury Severity (AIS) score of 3 or higher
      and/or transfused during the period before intensive care unit admission
      regardless of the pelvic AIS were included. The population was analyzed for
      trends and differences between 2002-2006 (P1) and 2007-2012 (P2). Further
      analysis was performed on the group of patients transfused five or more units of
      red blood cells (RBCs). RESULTS: We included 648 patients (P1, 297; P2, 351).
      There was no difference in median injury severity score, pelvic AIS, or age
      between the two periods. Median base deficit on admission was higher in P2 (4.2
      vs 3.3 mmol/L; p < 0.01). The EPP rate decreased from P1 to P2 (17-10%; p <
      0.01). A similar reduction in the angiography rate (15% vs 9%; p < 0.01) was
      observed, with a concomitant decrease in hemorrhage-related deaths (10% vs 5%; p
      = 0.01). The subgroup analysis of patients transfused five or more units of RBCs
      revealed significant increase in the use of plasma and platelets in P2. Multiple
      logistic regression models for the subgroup transfused five or more units of RBCs
      confirm the change in resuscitation strategy to be significantly associated with
      reduced EPP, and identifying admission in P2 to be associated with a 63%
      decreased odds ratio for EPP. CONCLUSIONS: The EPP and angiography rates for
      exsanguinating pelvic injuries have decreased with improved resuscitation
      strategies, reducing RBC requirements and hemorrhage-related deaths. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV.

PMID- 27257712
TI  - Double-Nanocarbon Synergistically Modified Na3V2(PO4)3: An Advanced Cathode for
      High-Rate and Long-Life Sodium-Ion Batteries.
AB  - An advanced cathode material, nitrogen-doped carbon-coated Na3V2(PO4)3 hybriding
      with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite, namely double-nanocarbon
      synergistically modified Na3V2(PO4)3 of sodium ion battery, was fabricated
      through a simple sol-gel approach. According to the systemical analysis of
      experimental results on this composite structure, it is found that N-doping not
      only increases Na-ion migration velocity across the carbon-coated layer but also
      improves the electric conductivity of the carbon layer. More importantly, the
      CNTs 3D conducting network could significantly accelerate the electron transport
      between multiple particles of Na3V2(PO4)3, due to the intimate contacts between
      active materials and CNTs. Consenquently, the electrochemical properties of this
      double-nanocarbon-modified Na3V2(PO4)3 are significantly enhanced, especially the
      high-rate capability and long cycle life. For instance, its initial capacity of
      94.5 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 C decreases to 70 mAh g(-1) at 70 C, and the capacity
      retention is 74%. Moreover, when dischage rate increases to a higher 30 C, the
      capacity retention is still as high as 87% after 300 cycles. 

PMID- 27257713
TI  - Geometrical Spin Frustration of Unusually High Valence Fe(5+) in the Double
      Perovskite La2LiFeO6.
AB  - A double perovskite-structure oxide La2LiFeO6 with unusually high-valence Fe(5+)
      was synthesized using a high-pressure technique. The Li(+) and Fe(5+) ions at the
      B site in the rhombohedral R3 perovskite structure are ordered in a rock salt
      manner, and the resultant tetrahedral network of Fe(5+) gives geometrical spin
      frustration, which is consistent with a large frustration index f (|theta|/TN) ~
      10. Mg(2+) substitution for Li(+) produces Fe(4+) from some Fe(5+) and changes
      the magnetic properties. The Weiss temperature is increased from -119 to 21 K by
      the substitution of only 1%, significantly decreasing the frustration index. The
      geometrical frustration of the Fe(5+) spin sublattice cannot be tolerant for even
      a very small amount of Fe(4+) disturbance. 

PMID- 27257714
TI  - Modelling cadmium contamination in paddy soils under long-term remediation
      measures: Model development and stochastic simulations.
AB  - A pollutant accumulation model (PAM) based on the mass balance theory was
      developed to simulate long-term changes of heavy metal concentrations in soil.
      When combined with Monte Carlo simulation, the model can predict the probability
      distributions of heavy metals in a soil-water-plant system with fluctuating
      environmental parameters and inputs from multiple pathways. The model was used
      for evaluating different remediation measures to deal with Cd contamination of
      paddy soils in Youxian county (Hunan province), China, under five scenarios,
      namely the default scenario (A), not returning paddy straw to the soil (B),
      reducing the deposition of Cd (C), liming (D), and integrating several
      remediation measures (E). The model predicted that the Cd contents of soil can
      lowered significantly by (B) and those of the plants by (D). However, in the long
      run, (D) will increase soil Cd. The concentrations of Cd in both soils and rice
      grains can be effectively reduced by (E), although it will take decades of
      effort. The history of Cd pollution and the major causes of Cd accumulation in
      soil were studied by means of sensitivity analysis and retrospective simulation. 

PMID- 27257715
TI  - Evaluating the Free Energies of Solvation and Electronic Structures of Lithium
      Ion Battery Electrolytes.
AB  - Adaptive biasing force molecular dynamics simulations and density functional
      theory calculations were performed to understand the interaction of Li(+) with
      pure carbonates and ethylene carbonate (EC)-based binary mixtures. The most
      favorable Li carbonate cluster configurations obtained from molecular dynamics
      simulations were subjected to detailed structural and thermochemistry
      calculations on the basis of the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. We report
      the ranking of these electrolytes on the basis of the free energies of Li-ion
      solvation in carbonates and EC-based mixtures. A strong local tetrahedral order
      involving four carbonates around the Li(+) was seen in the first solvation shell.
      Thermochemistry calculations revealed that the enthalpy of solvation and the
      Gibbs free energy of solvation of the Li(+) ion with carbonates are negative and
      suggested the ion-carbonate complexation process to be exothermic and
      spontaneous. Natural bond orbital analysis indicated that Li(+) interacts with
      the lone pairs of electrons on the carbonyl oxygen atom in the primary solvation
      sphere. These interactions lead to an increase in the carbonyl (C=O) bond
      lengths, as evidenced by a redshift in the vibrational frequencies [nu(C=O)] and
      a decrease in the electron density values at the C=O bond critical points in the
      primary solvation sphere. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules, localized
      molecular orbital energy decomposition analysis (LMO-EDA), and noncovalent
      interaction plots revealed the electrostatic nature of the Li(+) ion interactions
      with the carbonyl oxygen atoms in these complexes. On the basis of LMO-EDA, the
      strongest attractive interaction in these complexes was found to be the
      electrostatic interaction followed by polarization, dispersion, and exchange
      interactions. Overall, our calculations predicted EC and a binary mixture of
      EC/dimethyl carbonate to be appropriate electrolytes for Li-ion batteries, which
      complies with experiments and other theoretical results. 

PMID- 27257716
TI  - Driving under the influence of non-alcohol drugs--An update. Part II:
      Experimental studies.
AB  - Experimental studies on the impairing effects of drugs of relevance to driving
      related performance published between 1998 and 2015 were reviewed. Studies with
      on-the-road driving, driving simulators, and performance tests were included for
      benzodiazepines and related drugs, cannabis, opioids, stimulants, GHB, ketamine,
      antihistamines, and antidepressants. The findings in these experimental studies
      were briefly discussed in relation to a review of epidemiological studies
      published recently. The studies mainly concluded that there may be a significant
      psychomotor impairment after using benzodiazepines or related drugs, cannabis,
      opioids, GHB, or ketamine. Low doses of central stimulants did not seem to cause
      impairment of driving behavior. 

PMID- 27257717
TI  - Metabolism and toxicological analysis of synthetic cannabinoids in biological
      fluids and tissues.
AB  - Synthetic cannabinoids, which began proliferating in the United States in 2009,
      have gone through numerous iterations of modification to their chemical
      structures. More recent generations of compounds have been associated with
      significant adverse outcomes following use, including cognitive and psychomotor
      impairment, seizures, psychosis, tissue injury and death. These effects increase
      the urgency for forensic and public health laboratories to develop methods for
      the detection and identification of novel substances, and apply these to the
      determination of their metabolism and disposition in biological samples. This
      comprehensive review describes the history of the appearance of the drugs in the
      United States, discusses the naming conventions emerging to designate new
      structures, and describes the most prominent new compounds linked to the adverse
      effects now associated with their use. We review in depth the metabolic pathways
      that have been elucidated for the major members of each of the prevalent
      synthetic cannabinoid drug subclasses, the enzyme systems responsible for their
      metabolism, and the use of in silico approaches to assist in predicting and
      identifying the metabolites of novel compounds and drug subclasses that will
      continue to appear. Finally, we review and critique analytical methods applied to
      the detection of the drugs and their metabolites, including immunoassay
      screening, and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry confirmatory techniques
      applied to urine, serum, whole blood, oral fluid, hair, and tissues. 

PMID- 27257718
TI  - Associations between psychological characteristics and indicators of metabolic
      syndrome among Chinese adults.
AB  - Current knowledge about the relationship between psychological characteristics
      and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components is limited in Asian populations. The
      purpose of this study is to investigate linkages between physiological markers of
      MetS and life satisfaction, hostility, and depression in Chinese adults.
      Secondary analyses were conducted using cross-sectional data from parents of
      randomly selected middle school students participating in a pilot study in
      Qingdao, China. Among 440 parents who consented to participate (237 women, 203
      men), 368 provided valid responses in all three categories of psychological
      characteristics, and only those subjects were included in these analyses. General
      linear models and logistic regressions were run separately by gender, controlling
      for covariates. Among women, life satisfaction was inversely associated with
      triglyceride levels (p = .04), LDL-C (p < .01), risk of hypertriglyceridemia
      (OR[.53], p < .01), HDL-C (OR[.78], p = .03), and MetS (OR[.52], p = .03). No
      associations were found between life satisfaction and any psychological
      characteristics among men. Among women, hostility was positively associated with
      triglyceride level (p = .04) and risk of hypertriglyceridemia (OR[2.12], p <
      .05). Among men, hostility was positively associated with waist circumference (p
      = .04), waist-hip ratio (p < .05), and fasting plasma insulin (p < .01).
      Depression was not associated with any physiological measurement in either
      gender. These findings indicate that relationships exist between certain
      psychological characteristics and physiological indicators of MetS among Chinese
      adults, although there may be important differences between genders.

PMID- 27257720
TI  - Current Status of Bilateral Same-day Cataract Surgery.

PMID- 27257719
TI  - Cataract Surgery in the Setting of Corneal Pathology.

PMID- 27257721
TI  - Astigmatism Correction in Cataract Surgery: Toric Intraocular Lens Placement
      Versus Peripheral Corneal Relaxing Incisions.

PMID- 27257722
TI  - IOL Calculations in Short, Long, and Postrefractive Eyes.

PMID- 27257723
TI  - Toric Intraocular Lens Alignment: Manual Versus Automated Alignment Techniques
      for Toric IOLs.

PMID- 27257724
TI  - Refractive Enhancements After Cataract Surgery.

PMID- 27257725
TI  - Lens Placement in the Absence of Capsular Support: Scleral-fixated Versus Iris
      fixated IOL Versus ACIOL.

PMID- 27257726
TI  - Current Theories and Methods for Managing Negative Dysphotopsia.

PMID- 27257727
TI  - Cataract Drug Delivery Systems (Dropless vs. Nondropless Cataract Surgery).

PMID- 27257728
TI  - Refractive Surgery (SMILE vs. LASIK vs. Phakic IOL).

PMID- 27257729
TI  - Surgical Correction of Presbyopia: Lenticular, Corneal, and Scleral Approaches.

PMID- 27257730
TI  - Endothelial Keratoplasty: Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty
      Versus Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PMID- 27257731
TI  - LASIK Interface Complications: Pressure-induced Stromal Keratitis (PISK),
      Interface Fluid Syndrome (IFS) and Post-LASIK Edema-induced Keratopathy (PLEK).

PMID- 27257732
TI  - Phacoemulsification and Intraoperative Complications in 930 Patients With
      Uveitis.

PMID- 27257734
TI  - Preface: Controversies in Cataract, Refractive, and Corneal Surgery.

PMID- 27257735
TI  - Engineering a Transmembrane Nanopore Ion Channel from a Membrane Breaker Peptide.
AB  - Re-engineering nature's molecules is an ideal strategy to obtain explicit
      functionality such as synthetic molecular machines, yet novel strategies for
      producing engineered molecular channels are few. Here we report a peptide
      engineering strategy through sequence reversal, which we applied on the first
      transmembrane peptide of the mycobacteriophage membranoporin protein holin. We
      have successfully redesigned the membrane rupture property of this peptide to
      form specific nanopore ion channels. We report the structural characterization
      and electrophysiology measurements of a library of 28-residue engineered membrane
      peptides, with remarkable ion channel behavior. We further identify that key
      residues at the peptide terminus, the central proline, charge distribution, and
      hydropathy index of the peptide together contribute to the channel properties
      that we measure. Our sequence reversal strategy for peptide engineering to
      successfully obtain nanopore channels can pave the way for better biobased design
      of controlled nanopores, using only natural amino acids. 

PMID- 27257736
TI  - The CYP2W1 enzyme: regulation, properties and activation of prodrugs.
AB  - CYP2W1 is expressed in the course of development of the gastrointestinal tract,
      silenced after birth in intestine and colon by epigenetic modifications, but
      activated following demethylation in colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression
      levels in CRC positively correlate with the degree of malignancy, are higher in
      metastases and are predictive of colon cancer survival. The CYP2W1 transcripts
      have been detected also in hepatocellular carcinoma, adrenocortical carcinoma,
      childhood rhabdomyosarcoma and breast cancer; however, here the protein
      expression remains to be confirmed. The CYP2W1 enzyme has an inverted orientation
      in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, as compared to other cytochrome P450s and
      its immediate electron donor is unknown. Several lipid ligands have been proposed
      as endogenous substrates, among which retinol derivatives appear to have the
      highest affinities. However, the role of CYP2W1 in the endogenous and tumor
      localized metabolism of retinol derivatives has yet to be clarified. Indolines
      constitute high affinity exogenous compounds and specific chloromethylindolines
      have been shown to be activated by CYP2W1 into cytotoxic products in vitro and
      also in vivo, inhibiting the growth of human colon tumors in a mouse xenograft
      model. The CRC specific localization of CYP2W1 and its effective prodrug
      activation makes it a very promising target for future development of cancer
      therapeutics.

PMID- 27257737
TI  - Reporting of Randomized Controlled Trials With Statistically Nonsignificant
      Primary Outcomes Published in High-impact Surgical Journals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the nature and frequency of distorted presentation or
      "spin" (ie, specific reporting strategies which highlight that the experimental
      treatment is beneficial, despite a statistically nonsignificant difference for
      the primary outcome, or distract the reader from statistically nonsignificant
      results) in published reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with
      statistically nonsignificant results for primary outcomes in surgical journals.
      BACKGROUND: Multiple reports have suggested that interpretation of RCT results in
      medical journals can be distorted by authors of published reports. METHODS: Using
      a defined search strategy, RCTs with clearly nonsignificant results for the
      primary outcome (P > 0.05) form 10 high-impact factor surgical journals (Annals
      of Surgery, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, Journal of Heart
      and Lung Transplantation, American Journal of Transplantation, British Journal of
      Surgery, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Journal of the American College of
      Surgeons, Endoscopy, Archives of Surgery, and Liver transplantation), published
      between July 2013 to July 2015, were identified. Two reviewers independently
      appraised each selected article using a validated, standardized data abstraction
      form. RESULTS: In all, 110 eligible RCTs with nonsignificant primary outcomes
      were appraised. The title was reported with spin in 8 (7%) articles. Forty-four
      (40%) included abstracts and 39 (35%) main texts were classified as having spin
      in at least 1 section. The level of spin was high in 16 (14%) abstract and 19
      (19%) main-text "Conclusions" sections. Twenty-five articles (23%) recommended
      the intervention of interest despite a nonsignificant primary outcome. There was
      no relationship between trial funding source, use of statistician and article
      section, and the presence of spin. CONCLUSIONS: In RCTs with statistically
      nonsignificant primary outcomes published in surgical journals, the reporting and
      interpretation of findings was frequently inconsistent with the results.

PMID- 27257738
TI  - Intention to Split Policy: A Successful Strategy in a Combined Pediatric and
      Adult Liver Transplant Center.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the role of split liver
      transplantation (SLT) in a combined pediatric and adult liver transplant center.
      The secondary aim is to reflect on our clinical practice and discuss strategies
      to build a successful split program using an "intention to split policy."
      BACKGROUND: SLT is an established procedure to expand the organ pool and reduce
      wait list mortality; however, technical and logistic issues are limiting factors.
      METHODS: Prospectively collected data and outcomes of SLT procedures performed
      between November 1992 and March 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. To assess the
      effect of standardization and learning curve, the experience was divided into 2
      time periods. RESULTS: Out of 3449 liver transplant procedures performed,
      516(15%) were SLT. The recipients included 266 children (290 grafts; 56%) and 212
      adults (226 grafts; 44%). The median donor age was 25(7-63 years) and the median
      weight was 70(22-111 kg). The cold and warm ischemic times improved significantly
      during the second period (SP) (2001-2014). With experience, there was a
      significant reduction in the biliary complications for both grafts. The
      introduction of "intention to split policy" resulted in a significantly increased
      usage of SLT. There was no mortality on the pediatric wait list for last 4 years.
      Over the last decade 65% of our pediatric transplants were SLT. The overall 1-, 5
      , 10-year patient and graft survival of left graft recipients was 91%, 90%, and
      89% and 90%, 87%, and 86%. For right grafts it was 87%, 82%, and 81% and 82%,
      81%, and 79%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SLT is an effective surgical strategy to
      meet the demands in a combined adult and pediatric transplant center. Good
      outcomes can be achieved with a standardized technique.

PMID- 27257740
TI  - Risk drivers pose to themselves and other drivers by violating traffic rules.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Violation of traffic rules is a major contributing factor in both
      crashes and fatalities in the United States. This study aims at quantifying risk
      that drivers pose to themselves and other drivers by violating traffic rules.
      METHOD: Crash data from 2010 to 2013 were gathered for the state of North
      Carolina. Descriptive analysis was carried out to identify frequent traffic
      violations and who were committing the traffic violations that resulted in
      crashes. A multinomial logit model was then developed to examine the relation
      between different traffic violations and driver injury severity. Additionally,
      odds ratios were estimated to identify the likelihood (probability) of severe or
      moderate injury to the driver and other drivers due to a driver violating a
      traffic rule that led to a crash. RESULTS: Exceeding the speed limit is more
      likely to result in severe injury compared to disregarding traffic signals.
      However, going the wrong way is more likely to result in severe injury to other
      drivers when compared to any other traffic violation. Driving under the influence
      of alcohol is 2 times more likely to result in severe injury than driving under
      the influence of drugs. These 2 traffic violations by a driver are almost equally
      likely to result in severe injury to other drivers. CONCLUSIONS: Drivers often
      perceive that violating traffic rules will not result in a crash or severe
      injury. However, the results from this study show that a majority of the traffic
      violations lead to severe injury to the violator as well as to other drivers. The
      findings from this study serve as documented evidence to educate drivers about
      the risk they pose to themselves and to other drivers by violating traffic rules
      and encourage the adaptation of safe driving behavior in order to contribute
      toward reaching the "zero traffic deaths" vision. They also help make policy
      changes pertaining to penalty points and fines for violating a traffic rule.

PMID- 27257739
TI  - Conditional knockout of retinal determination genes in differentiating cells in
      Drosophila.
AB  - Conditional gene knockout in postmitotic cells is a valuable technique which
      allows the study of gene function with spatiotemporal control. Surprisingly, in
      contrast to its long-term and extensive use in mouse studies, this technology is
      lacking in Drosophila. Here, we use a novel method for generating complete loss
      of eyes absent (eya) or sine oculis (so) function in postmitotic cells posterior
      to the morphogenetic furrow (MF). Specifically, genomic rescue constructs with
      flippase recognition target (FRT) sequences flanking essential exons are used to
      generate conditional null alleles. By removing gene function in differentiating
      cells, we show that eya and so are dispensable for larval photoreceptor
      differentiation, but are required for differentiation during pupal development.
      Both eya and so are necessary for photoreceptor survival and the apoptosis caused
      by loss of eya or so function is likely a secondary consequence of inappropriate
      differentiation. We also confirm their requirement for cone cell development and
      reveal a novel role in interommatidial bristle (IOB) formation. In addition, so
      is required for normal eye disc morphology. This is the first report of a
      knockout method to study eya and so function in postmitotic cells. This
      technology will open the door to a large array of new functional studies in
      virtually any tissue and at any stage of development or in adults.

PMID- 27257741
TI  - A 17-Year-Old Girl With Acute Onset of Hemiparesis.
AB  - The presentation of acute-onset hemiparesis in a teenager can be challenging and
      offers a wide differential diagnosis. We discuss the approach to the patient
      (which should begin with thorough history taking and physical examination) and
      advanced imaging as directed by the patient's signs and symptoms. We report the
      case of an otherwise well 17-year-old girl who presented to the pediatric
      emergency department with a 2-day history of left-sided weakness and difficulty
      ambulating. Her eventual diagnosis of Balo concentric sclerosis, a rare form of
      multiple sclerosis, is discussed. 

PMID- 27257742
TI  - Evaporation of a Volatile Liquid Lens on the Surface of an Immiscible Liquid.
AB  - The evaporation behavior of toluene and hexane lenses on the surface of deionized
      (DI) water is studied. The toluene and hexane lenses during evaporation
      experience an advancing stage and a receding stage. There exists a significant
      difference of the evaporation behavior between the toluene lenses and the hexane
      lenses. The lifetime and largest diameter of both the toluene and hexane lenses
      increase with increasing the initial volume of the lenses. For the evaporation of
      the toluene lenses, the lifetime and largest diameter of the lenses decrease with
      increasing the temperature of DI water. The effect of the residual of the oil
      molecules on the evaporation of toluene lenses at a temperature of 21  degrees C
      is investigated via the evaporation of a series of consecutive toluene lenses
      being placed on the same position of the surface of DI water. The temporal
      evolution of the toluene lenses placed after the first toluene lens deviates
      significantly from that of the first toluene lens. Significant increase of the
      receding speed occurs at the dimensionless time in a range 0.7-0.8.

PMID- 27257743
TI  - Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from dairy products -
      Genetic diversity and virulence gene profiles.
AB  - Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are widely recognized as pathogens
      causing food borne disease. Here we evaluate the genetic diversity of 197
      strains, mainly STEC, from serotypes O157:H7, O26:H11, O103:H2, O111:H8 and
      O145:28 and compared strains recovered in dairy products against strains from
      human, meat and environment cases. For this purpose, we characterized a set of
      reference-collection STEC isolates from dairy products by PFGE DNA fingerprinting
      and a subset of these by virulence-gene profiling. PFGE profiles of restricted
      STEC total DNA showed high genomic variability (0.9976 on Simpson's
      discriminatory index), enabling all dairy isolates to be differentiated. High
      throughput real-time PCR screening of STEC virulence genes were applied on the
      O157:H7 and O26:H11 STEC isolates from dairy products and human cases. The
      virulence gene profiles of dairy and human STEC strains were similar.
      Nevertheless, frequency-wise, stx1 was more prevalent among dairy O26:H11
      isolates than in human cases ones (87% vs. 44%) while stx2 was more prevalent
      among O26:H11 human isolates (23% vs. 81%). For O157:H7 isolates, stx1 (0% vs.
      39%), nleF (40% vs 94%) and Z6065 (40% vs 100%) were more prevalent among human
      than dairy strains. Our data point to differences between human and dairy strains
      but these differences were not sufficient to associate PFGE and virulence gene
      profiles to a putative lower pathogenicity of dairy strains based on their lower
      incidence in disease. Further comparison of whole-genome expression and virulence
      gene profiles should be investigated in cheese and intestinal tract samples. 

PMID- 27257744
TI  - Bacterial quality and safety of packaged fresh leafy vegetables at the retail
      level in Finland.
AB  - Consumption of packaged fresh leafy vegetables, which are convenient ready-to-eat
      products, has increased during the last decade. The number of foodborne outbreaks
      associated with these products has concurrently increased. In our study, (1)
      label information, (2) O2/CO2 composition, (3) bacterial quality and (4) safety
      of 100 fresh leafy vegetables at the retail level were studied in Finland during
      2013. Bacterial quality was studied using aerobic bacteria (AB) and coliform
      bacteria (CB) counts, and searching for the presence of Escherichia coli,
      Listeria and Yersinia. The safety was studied by the presence of Salmonella, ail
      positive Yersinia, stx-positive E. coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes using
      PCR and culturing. Important label information was unavailable on several
      packages originating from different companies. The packaging date was missing on
      all packages and the date of durability on 83% of the packages. Storage
      temperature was declared on 62% of the packages and 73% of the packages contained
      information about prewashing. The batch/lot number was missing on 29% of the
      packages. Very low oxygen (O2) (<1%) and elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) (2-22%)
      concentrations were measured in all packages labelled to contain a protective
      atmosphere. O2 and CO2 concentrations varied widely in the rest of the packages.
      AB and CB counts were high in the leafy vegetable samples varying between 6.2 and
      10.6 and 4.2-8.3logcfu/g, respectively. In most of the samples, the AB and CB
      counts exceeded 10(8) and 10(6)cfu/g, respectively. A positive correlation was
      observed between the AB and CB counts. E. coli was isolated from 15% of the
      samples and Yersinia from 33%. L. monocytogenes was isolated from two samples and
      ail-positive Y. enterocolitica in one. Using PCR, STEC was detected in seven
      samples, and Salmonella and ail-positive Y. enterocolitica in two samples each.
      The AB and CB mean values of products originating from different companies varied
      widely. High AB and CB counts and pathogenic bacteria were detected in ready-to
      eat products not needing washing before use. Our study shows that the bacterial
      quality and safety of packaged fresh leafy vegetables is poor and label
      information on the packages is inadequate. More studies are needed concerning the
      impact of a protective atmosphere on bacterial growth, and the impact of washing
      for removing bacteria. 

PMID- 27257745
TI  - Elucidation of enterotoxigenic Bacillus cereus outbreaks in Austria by
      complementary epidemiological and microbiological investigations, 2013.
AB  - Identifying Bacillus cereus as the causative agent of a foodborne outbreak still
      poses a challenge. We report on the epidemiological and microbiological
      investigation of three outbreaks of food poisoning (A, B, and C) in Austria in
      2013. A total of 44% among 32 hotel guests (A), 22% among 63 employees (B) and
      29% among 362 residents of a rehab clinic (C) fell sick immediately after meal
      consumption. B. cereus isolated from left overs or retained samples from related
      foods were characterized by toxin gene profiling, and molecular typing using panC
      sequencing and M13-PCR typing (in outbreak A and C). We identified two B. cereus
      strains in outbreak A, and six B. cereus strains, each in outbreak B and C; we
      also found Staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcal enterotoxins in outbreak A.
      The panC sequence based phylogenetic affiliation of the B. cereus strains,
      together with findings of the retrospective cohort analyses, helped determining
      their etiological role. Consumption of a mashed potatoes dish in outbreak A (RR:
      infinity), a pancake strips soup in outbreak B (RR 13.0; 95% CI 1.8-93.0) and for
      outbreak C of a fruit salad (RR 1.50; 95% CI 1.09-2.00), deer ragout (RR: 1.99;
      95% CI 1.23-3.22) and a cranberry/pear (RR 2.46; 95% CI 1.50-4.03)were associated
      with increased risk of falling sick. An enterotoxigenic strain affiliated to the
      phylogenetic group with the highest risk of food poisoning was isolated from the
      creme spinach and the strawberry buttermilk, and also from the stool samples of
      the one B. cereus positive outbreak case-patient, who ate both. Our investigation
      of three food poisoning outbreaks illustrates the added value of a combined
      approach by using epidemiological, microbiological and genotyping methods in
      identifying the likely outbreak sources and the etiological B. cereus strains. 

PMID- 27257746
TI  - Virulence factors in fungal pathogens of man.
AB  - Human fungal pathogens are a commonly underestimated cause of severe diseases
      associated with high morbidity and mortality. Like other pathogens, their
      survival and growth in the host, as well as subsequent host damage, is thought to
      be mediated by virulence factors which set them apart from harmless microbes. In
      this review, we describe and discuss commonly employed strategies for fungal
      survival and growth in the host and how these affect the host-fungus interactions
      to lead to disease. While many of these strategies require host-specific
      virulence factors, more generally any fitness factor which allows growth under
      host-like conditions can be required for pathogenesis. Furthermore, we briefly
      summarize how different fungal pathogens are thought to damage the host. We find
      that in addition to a core of common activities relevant for growth, different
      groups of fungi employ different strategies which in spite of (or together with)
      the host's response can lead to disease.

PMID- 27257747
TI  - Sleep and Productivity Benefits of Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for
      Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Conducted in the Workplace Environment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evaluating digital cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT) for insomnia in
      a workplace environment. METHODS: Within a randomized controlled trial in a
      Fortune 500 company, we randomized 270 self-identified poor sleepers [180 M/90 F:
      mean age 33.6 years (23 to 56 years)] to dCBT (n = 135) or waiting list (WL, n =
      135). dCBT comprised six online sessions delivered by an animated therapist.
      Major assessments were at baseline and posttreatment. RESULTS: Sleep Condition
      Indicator (SCI) scores were significantly higher for the dCBT group [interaction
      term: F (1,485) = 15.63, P < 0.0001], representing Cohen's d of 1.10 following
      dCBT (d = 0.34 for WL). On the Work Productivity and Impairment questionnaire,
      "presenteeism" demonstrated significant improvements following dCBT [F(1,485) =
      10.99, P = 0.001: d = 0.64 for dCBT, d = 0.09 for WL]. Effects for "abseenteeism"
      failed to reach statistical significance (P = 0.101). CONCLUSIONS: dCBT is
      effective in improving sleep and work-based productivity in adults with insomnia.

PMID- 27257748
TI  - Written case formulations in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: Evidence for
      therapeutic benefits.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Case formulation is a core component of many psychotherapies and
      formulation letters may provide an opportunity to enhance the therapeutic
      alliance and improve treatment outcomes. This study aimed to determine if
      formulation letters predict treatment satisfaction, session attendance, and
      symptom reductions in anorexia nervosa (AN). It was hypothesized that higher
      quality formulation letters would predict greater treatment satisfaction, a
      greater number of attended sessions, and greater improvement in eating disorder
      symptoms. METHOD: Patients were adult outpatients with AN (n = 46) who received
      Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA) in the context of a
      clinical trial. A Case Formulation Rating Scheme was used to rate letters for
      adherence to the MANTRA model and use of a collaborative, reflective, affirming
      stance. Analyses included linear regression and mixed models. RESULTS:
      Formulation letters that paid attention to the development of the AN predicted
      greater treatment acceptability ratings (p = 0.002). More reflective and
      respectful letters predicted greater reductions in Eating Disorder Examination
      scores (p = 0.003). DISCUSSION: Results highlight the potential significance of a
      particular style of written formulation as part of treatment for AN. Future
      research should examine applicability to other psychiatric disorders. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.(Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:874-882).

PMID- 27257749
TI  - Phytomass change in natural phytocenosis as an indicator of technogenic pollution
      of soils with heavy metals.
AB  - This study considered the possibility of using plant community phytomass for the
      assessment of soil pollution with heavy metals (HM) from industrial wastes. The
      three-year-long field experiment was run under the regional natural meadow
      vegetation; the polymetallic galvanic slime was used as an industrial waste
      contaminant. It is shown that soil contamination primarily causes decrease of
      phytomass in the growing phytocenosis. The vegetation experiments determined
      nonlinear dependence of cultivated and wild plant biomass on the level of soil
      contamination; it is described by the equations of logistic and Gaussian
      regression. In the absence of permanent contaminants, the soil is self-cleaned
      over time. It reproduces phytomass mainly due to the productivity increase of the
      most pollution-tolerant species in the remaining phytocenosis. This phenomenon is
      defined as environmental hysteresis. Soil pollution by industrial waste leads to
      the loss of plant biodiversity. The research shows that the study of the HM
      impact on ecosystems is expedient given the consideration of the "soil
      phytocenosis-pollutant" complex in the "dose-response" aspect. The reaction of
      phytocenosis on HM showing decline in phytomass leads to serious limitations in
      the choice of accumulating plants, because the adsorbed HM are rejected through
      phytomass. 

PMID- 27257750
TI  - The roles of gender and personality factors in vandalism and scrawl-graffiti
      among Swedish adolescents.
AB  - A total of 360 upper secondary school students in Sweden were divided into three
      grouping variables: gender (male, female), vandalism (involved, not involved),
      and scrawl-graffiti (involved, not involved). Relevant to the discussion of
      whether or not scrawl-graffiti may be construed as vandalism or art, the aim of
      the study was to explore whether or not personality factors known to be linked to
      vandalism in general (such as impulsivity, affectivity, emotional disability, and
      optimism) are related also to involvement in scrawl-graffiti, and, furthermore,
      how the gender factor relates to vandalism and scrawl-graffiti, respectively. The
      analysis showed that impulsiveness was a significant variable related to
      vandalism as well as to scrawl-graffiti. Further analysis indicated that
      vandalism was predicted by non-planning impulsiveness whereas scrawl-graffiti was
      predicted by motor impulsiveness. Analyses showed also that there were
      significant gender differences related to both vandalism and scrawl-graffiti,
      whereby male participants were significantly more involved in vandalism than
      female participants, while the latter were significantly more involved in scrawl
      graffiti than the former. 

PMID- 27257752
TI  - Treating Liver Fibrosis: (Re)Programmed to Succeed.
AB  - Two papers (Rezvani et al., 2016; Song et al., 2016) in this issue of Cell Stem
      Cell use transcription-factor-mediated reprogramming to convert liver
      myofibroblasts into hepatocyte-like cells in mice. Moreover, murine models of
      fibrotic and cholestatic liver injury were used to demonstrate that this approach
      has potential for treatment of liver cirrhosis.

PMID- 27257751
TI  - Dynamic cell-matrix interactions modulate microbial biofilm and tissue 3D
      microenvironments.
AB  - Microbial biofilms and most eukaryotic tissues consist of cells embedded in a
      three-dimensional extracellular matrix. This matrix serves as a scaffold for cell
      adhesion and a dynamic milieu that provides varying chemical and physical signals
      to the cells. Besides a vast array of specific molecular components, an
      extracellular matrix can provide locally heterogeneous microenvironments
      differing in porosity/diffusion, stiffness, pH, oxygen and metabolites or
      nutrient levels. Mechanisms of matrix formation, mechanosensing, matrix
      remodeling, and modulation of cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions and dispersal
      are being revealed. This perspective article aims to identify such concepts from
      the fields of biofilm or eukaryotic matrix biology relevant to the other field to
      help stimulate new questions, approaches, and insights.

PMID- 27257753
TI  - Fat Decisions: Leptin Regulates Bone versus Fat in the Marrow.
AB  - Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone involved in energy sensing. In this issue
      of Cell Stem Cell, Yue et al. (2016) show that leptin is a physiologic signal
      that acts directly on Leptin-Receptor-expressing mesenchymal stromal cells in
      adult bone marrow to influence their lineage allocation in vivo, inhibiting bone
      formation and inducing marrow adipogenesis.

PMID- 27257754
TI  - Tumor Organoids Fill the Niche.
AB  - Organoid technologies have significant potential as effective patient avatars.
      Fujii et al. (2016) and van de Wetering et al. (2015) derive biobanks of
      colorectal tumor and matching normal organoids and identify associations between
      tumor subtype, oncogenic drivers, gene-drug interactions, and varying niche
      requirements for tumor organoid growth, engraftment, and metastasis.

PMID- 27257755
TI  - Retinas in a Dish Peek into Inherited Retinal Degeneration.
AB  - Human retinal degeneration can cause blindness, and the lack of relevant model
      systems has made identifying underlying mechanisms challenging. Parfitt et al.
      (2016) generate three-dimensional retinal tissue from patient-derived induced
      pluripotent stem cells to identify how CEP290 mutations cause retinal
      degeneration, and show an antisense approach can correct disease-associated
      phenotypes.

PMID- 27257756
TI  - Circulating Monocytes in between the Gut and the Mind.
AB  - Hippocampal neurogenesis is affected throughout life by factors external to the
      brain, including what we eat, our gut microbiota, and the immune system. However,
      the mechanisms that link microbiota to neurogenesis are still puzzling. Now in
      Cell Reports, Mohle et al. (2016) attribute a role to Ly6C(hi) monocytes in this
      gut-immune-brain axis.

PMID- 27257757
TI  - Growing Kidney Tissue from Stem Cells: How Far from "Party Trick" to Medical
      Application?
AB  - The successful generation of kidney-like structures from human pluripotent stem
      cells, although slower to come than other tissue types, brings the hope of new
      therapies. While the demand for alternative treatments for kidney failure is
      acute, huge challenges remain to move these exciting but preliminary results
      toward clinical use.

PMID- 27257758
TI  - Closing in on Mass Production of Mature Human Beta Cells.
AB  - Human pluripotent stem cell differentiation protocols based on mimicking
      developmental pathways are getting close to generating fully fledged pancreatic
      endocrine cells, including insulin-producing beta cells. However, challenges
      remain in identifying pathways to trigger the attainment of robust glucose
      responsiveness that occurs postnatally in beta cells.

PMID- 27257759
TI  - Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Myths and Future Realities for Liver Cell Therapy.
AB  - The severe shortage of organ donors for treating patients with liver disease has
      prompted in vitro efforts to produce the main functional cells of the liver:
      hepatocyte-like cells (Hep cells). We consider the key challenges posed by
      various stem cell technologies and liver pathologies for developing clinically
      useful Hep cells.

PMID- 27257761
TI  - Gametogenesis from Pluripotent Stem Cells.
AB  - The germ cell lineage originates early in development and undergoes a series of
      complex developmental processes that culminate in the generation of fully matured
      gametes, the spermatozoa and the oocytes. Remarkably, researchers have been
      recapitulating these developmental pathways using mouse and human pluripotent
      stem cells (PSCs). With further studies, including those involving non-human
      primate models, human gametogenesis may be fully reconstituted from PSCs, which
      would profoundly facilitate our understanding of human germ cell development and
      infertility. Here we discuss groundbreaking studies that lay the foundation for
      this achievement, the current state of the field, and challenges for deriving
      gametes from hPSCs.

PMID- 27257760
TI  - Engineering Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Lessons from Development.
AB  - Cell engineering has brought us tantalizingly close to the goal of deriving
      patient-specific hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). While directed differentiation
      and transcription factor-mediated conversion strategies have generated progenitor
      cells with multilineage potential, to date, therapy-grade engineered HSCs remain
      elusive due to insufficient long-term self-renewal and inadequate differentiated
      progeny functionality. A cross-species approach involving zebrafish and mammalian
      systems offers complementary methodologies to improve understanding of native
      HSCs. Here, we discuss the role of conserved developmental timing processes in
      vertebrate hematopoiesis, highlighting how identification and manipulation of
      stage-specific factors that specify HSC developmental state must be harnessed to
      engineer HSCs for therapy.

PMID- 27257762
TI  - Stem Cell Models of Human Brain Development.
AB  - Recent breakthroughs in pluripotent stem cell technologies have enabled a new
      class of in vitro systems for functional modeling of human brain development.
      These advances, in combination with improvements in neural differentiation
      methods, allow the generation of in vitro systems that reproduce many in vivo
      features of the brain with remarkable similarity. Here, we describe advances in
      the development of these methods, focusing on neural rosette and organoid
      approaches, and compare their relative capabilities and limitations. We also
      discuss current technical hurdles for recreating the cell-type complexity and
      spatial architecture of the brain in culture and offer potential solutions.

PMID- 27257765
TI  - Stark Spectroscopy of Rubrene. I. Electroabsorption Spectroscopy and Molecular
      Parameters.
AB  - Electroabsorption spectroscopy investigation and the determination of molecular
      parameters for rubrene dispersed in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix are
      reported. The features of the band system in the absorption spectrum in PMMA are
      analogous to those in solutions. The changes in the electric dipole moment and
      the polarizability between the excited and ground states are determined from
      analysis of the Stark effect in the absorption band. The change in the transition
      dipole moment in the presence of an external electric field is also observed.
      Although rubrene is predicted to be classified as a nonpolar molecule, there is a
      contribution of the difference in the electric dipole moment between the excited
      and ground states to the electroabsorption spectrum. The origin of the nonzero
      difference in the electric dipole moment is argued. Stark fluorescence
      spectroscopy investigation is reported in Part II of this series. 

PMID- 27257763
TI  - In Vivo Hepatic Reprogramming of Myofibroblasts with AAV Vectors as a Therapeutic
      Strategy for Liver Fibrosis.
AB  - Liver fibrosis, a form of scarring, develops in chronic liver diseases when
      hepatocyte regeneration cannot compensate for hepatocyte death. Initially,
      collagen produced by myofibroblasts (MFs) functions to maintain the integrity of
      the liver, but excessive collagen accumulation suppresses residual hepatocyte
      function, leading to liver failure. As a strategy to generate new hepatocytes and
      limit collagen deposition in the chronically injured liver, we developed in vivo
      reprogramming of MFs into hepatocytes using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors
      expressing hepatic transcription factors. We first identified the AAV6 capsid as
      effective in transducing MFs in a mouse model of liver fibrosis. We then showed
      in lineage-tracing mice that AAV6 vector-mediated in vivo hepatic reprogramming
      of MFs generates hepatocytes that replicate function and proliferation of primary
      hepatocytes, and reduces liver fibrosis. Because AAV vectors are already used for
      liver-directed human gene therapy, our strategy has potential for clinical
      translation into a therapy for liver fibrosis.

PMID- 27257764
TI  - Subunit Arrangement in GpsB, a Regulator of Cell Wall Biosynthesis.
AB  - GpsB, a key regulator of cell division in Gram-positive bacteria, interacts with
      a key peptidoglycan synthase at the cell division septum, the penicillin binding
      protein PBP1 (a.k.a. PonA). Bacillus subtilis GpsB has been reported to interact
      with other components of the cell division machinery, including EzrA, MreC, and
      PrkC. In this study, we report an analysis of the arrangement of subunits in
      Listeria monocytogenes GpsB by small-angle X-ray scattering. The resulting model
      has an elongated shape with residues critical for interaction with PBP1 and the
      cell membrane clustered at one end of the molecule. Mutations that destabilize
      the hexameric assembly of the wild-type protein have a gpsB null phenotype,
      indicating that oligomerization is critical for the correct function of GpsB. We
      suggest a model in which a single GpsB hexamer can interact with multiple PBP1
      molecules and can therefore influence the arrangement of PBP1 molecules within
      the cell division machinery, a dynamic multiprotein complex called the divisome,
      consistent with a role for GpsB in modulating the synthesis of the cell wall. 

PMID- 27257766
TI  - Imaging Manifestations of Hematologic Diseases with Renal and Perinephric
      Involvement.
AB  - The kidneys and perinephric tissues can be affected by a variety of hematologic
      disorders, which usually occur in the setting of multisystem involvement. In many
      of these disorders, imaging is used to evaluate the extent of disease, guide
      biopsy, and/or monitor disease activity and patient response to therapy.
      Lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma commonly manifest as multiple
      parenchymal or perinephric lesions. Erdheim-Chester disease and Rosai-Dorfman
      disease, rare forms of multisystemic histiocytosis, are often identified as
      perinephric and periureteral masses. Renal abnormalities depicted at imaging in
      patients with sickle cell disease include renal enlargement, papillary necrosis,
      and renal medullary carcinoma. Sickle cell disease, along with other causes of
      intravascular hemolysis, can also lead to hemosiderosis of the renal cortex.
      Thrombosis of renal veins is sometimes seen in patients with coagulation
      disorders but more often occurs in association with certain malignancies and
      nephrotic syndrome. Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing disease is another
      multisystem process that often produces focal renal lesions, seen along with
      involvement of more characteristic organs such as the pancreas. Perinephric
      lesions with calcifications should raise the possibility of secondary
      amyloidosis, especially in patients with a history of lymphoma and multiple
      myeloma. Although the imaging patterns of renal and perinephric involvement are
      usually not specific for a single entity, and the same entity can manifest with
      different or overlapping patterns, familiarity with these patterns and key
      clinical and histopathologic features may help to narrow the differential
      diagnosis and determine the next step of care. ((c))RSNA, 2016. 

PMID- 27257767
TI  - Imaging of the Patient with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
AB  - Patients with symptoms from compression of the neurovascular bundle in the
      thoracic outlet are described as having thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), which is
      best thought of as three conditions classified according to which structures are
      involved. The purpose of this article is to review the role of imaging in
      evaluation of patients with TOS, beginning with diagnosis and extending through
      postoperative management. While diagnosis of TOS still rests on the patient's
      presenting history and physical examination, imaging examinations are helpful in
      supporting the diagnosis, delineating abnormal anatomy, determining which
      structures are compressed, identifying the site of compression, and excluding
      other diagnoses. Magnetic resonance imaging is the noninvasive imaging modality
      of choice in evaluating patients with suspected TOS, but computed tomography also
      plays an important role, particularly in delineating bone anatomy. Evidence of
      vascular damage is required to make the diagnosis of TOS at imaging. Dynamic
      compression of the axillosubclavian vessels at the thoracic outlet can be a
      finding supportive of the diagnosis of TOS but is not a stand-alone diagnostic
      criterion, as it can be seen in patients without TOS. As diagnosis and treatment
      of TOS increase, radiologists will increasingly encounter the TOS patient after
      decompression surgery. Recognition of the expected postoperative appearance of
      these patients is critical, as is an understanding of the imaging findings of
      potential short- and long-term complications. ((c))RSNA, 2016. 

PMID- 27257768
TI  - Tetranorlabdane Diterpenoids from the Deep Sea Sediment-Derived Fungus
      Aspergillus wentii SD-310.
AB  - Two new tetranorlabdane diterpenoids, asperolides D (1) and E (2), along with six
      related known congeners (3-8), were isolated and identified from the culture
      extract of the deep sea sediment-derived fungus Aspergillus wentii SD-310. The
      structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic
      interpretation, and the skeleton and absolute configurations of asperolides D (1)
      and E (2) were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2
      were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against seven tumor cell lines and
      antibacterial activity against two human and eight aquatic pathogens. 

PMID- 27257769
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of hERG Channel Blocking Voacangine in Wistar Rats Applying a
      Validated LC-ESI-MS/MS Method.
AB  - Herbal preparations from Voacanga africana are used in West and Central African
      folk medicine and are also becoming increasingly popular as a legal high in
      Europe. Recently, the main alkaloid voacangine was found to be a potent human
      ether-a-go-go-related gene channel blocker in vitro. Blockage of this channel
      might imply possible cardiotoxicity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to
      characterise voacangine in vivo to assess its pharmacokinetics and to estimate if
      further studies to investigate its cardiotoxic risk are required. Male Wistar
      rats received different doses of voacangine as a pure compound and as a hydro
      ethanolic extract of V. africana root bark with a quantified amount of 9.71 %
      voacangine. For the obtained data, a simultaneous population pharmacokinetics
      model was successfully developed, comprising a two-compartment model for i. v.
      dosing and a one-compartmental model with two first-order absorption rates for
      oral dosing. The absolute bioavailability of voacangine was determined to be 11
      13 %. Model analysis showed significant differences in the first absorption rate
      constant for voacangine administered as a pure compound and voacangine from the
      extract of V. africana. Taking into account the obtained low bioavailability of
      voacangine, its cardiotoxic risk might be neglectable in healthy consumers, but
      may have a serious impact in light of drug/drug interactions and impaired health
      conditions. 

PMID- 27257779
TI  - Why Population Health and Palliative Care Need Each Other.

PMID- 27257780
TI  - Is patient flow more efficient in Urgent Care Collaborations?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Emergency Departments and out-of-hours General Practitioner services
      collaborate increasingly in Urgent Care Collaborations (UCCs) by sharing one
      combined entrance and joint triage. The aim of this study is to examine the
      difference between UCCs and providers who operate separately with respect to the
      efficiency of patient flow. METHODS: This study had a cross-sectional
      observational design comparing three regions with UCC with three regions with
      usual care. Outcome measures were efficiency of patient flow, defined as a
      reducing length of stay (LOS), waiting time (WT) and the mean number of
      handovers. Data were obtained from electronic medical records. RESULTS: LOS
      (median 34:00 vs. 38:52 min) and WT (median 14:00 vs. 18:43 min) were
      statistically significantly longer in UCCs compared with usual care. This
      difference is mainly explained by the prolonged LOS and WT for consulting a
      General Practitioner. The mean number of interunit handovers was larger in UCCs.
      CONCLUSION: The results indicate that, on average, UCCs do not enhance the
      efficiency of patient flow. The median LOS and WT are longer in UCCs and more
      handovers occur in UCCs compared with usual care.

PMID- 27257781
TI  - Unraveling the aggregation propensity of human insulin C-peptide.
AB  - Over the last 20 years, proinsulin C-peptide emerged as an important player in
      various biological events. Much time and effort has been spent in exploring all
      functional features of C-peptide and recording its implications in Diabetes
      mellitus. Only a few studies, though, have addressed C-peptide oligomerization
      and link this procedure with Diabetes. The aim of our work was to examine the
      aggregation propensity of C-peptide, utilizing Transmission Electron Microscopy,
      Congo Red staining, ATR-FTIR, and X-ray fiber diffraction at a 10 mg ml-1
      concentration. Our experimental work clearly shows that C-peptide self-assembles
      into amyloid-like fibrils and therefore, the aggregation propensity of C-peptide
      is a characteristic novel feature that should be related to physiological and
      also pathological conditions. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept
      Sci) 108: 1-8, 2017.

PMID- 27257782
TI  - Crystal-Field and Covalency Effects in Uranates: An X-ray Spectroscopic Study.
AB  - The electronic structure of U(V) - and U(VI) -containing uranates NaUO3 and Pb3
      UO6 was studied by using an advanced technique, namely X-ray absorption
      spectroscopy (XAS) in high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detection (HERFD) mode.
      Due to a significant reduction in core-hole lifetime broadening, the crystal
      field splittings of the 5f shell were probed directly in HERFD-XAS spectra
      collected at the U 3d edge, which is not possible by using conventional XAS. In
      addition, the charge-transfer satellites that result from U 5f-O 2p hybridization
      were clearly resolved. The crystal-field parameters, 5f occupancy, and degree of
      covalency of the chemical bonding in these uranates were estimated by using the
      Anderson impurity model by calculating the U 3d HERFD-XAS, conventional XAS, core
      to-core (U 4f-3d transitions) resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS), and U
      4f X-ray photoelectron spectra. The crystal field was found to be strong in these
      systems and the 5f occupancy was determined to be 1.32 and 0.84 electrons in the
      ground state for NaUO3 and Pb3 UO6 , respectively, which indicates a significant
      covalent character for these compounds. 

PMID- 27257783
TI  - In vivo (31) P MRS assessment of intracellular NAD metabolites and NAD(+) /NADH
      redox state in human brain at 4 T.
AB  - NAD(+) and NADH play key roles in cellular respiration. Intracellular redox state
      defined by the NAD(+) /NADH ratio (RX) reflects the cellular metabolic and
      physiopathological status. By taking advantage of high/ultrahigh magnetic field
      strengths, we have recently established a novel in vivo (31) P MRS-based NAD
      assay for noninvasive and quantitative measurements of intracellular NAD
      concentrations and redox state in animal and human brains at 16.4 T, 9.4 T and 7
      T. To explore its potential for clinical application, in this study we
      investigated the feasibility of assessing the NAD metabolism and redox state in
      human brain at a lower field of 4 T by incorporating the (1) H-decoupling
      technique with the in vivo (31) P NAD assay. The use of (1) H decoupling
      significantly narrowed the linewidths of NAD and alpha-ATP resonances, resulting
      in higher sensitivity and better spectral resolution as compared with the (1) H
      coupled (31) P spectrum. These improvements made it possible to reliably quantify
      cerebral NAD concentrations and RX, consistent with previously reported results
      obtained from similar age human subjects at 7 T. In summary, this work
      demonstrates the capability and utility of the (1) H-decoupled (31) P MRS-based
      NAD assay at lower field strength; thus, it opens new opportunities for studying
      intracellular NAD metabolism and redox state in human brain at clinical settings.
      This conclusion is supported by the simulation results, indicating that similar
      performance and reliability as observed at 4T can be achieved at 3 T with the
      same signal-to-noise ratio. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27257785
TI  - Quality of life in epilepsy in Bhutan.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the quality of life in epilepsy (QOLIE) among adults in the
      lower middle-income country of Bhutan and assess the potential demographic and
      clinical associations with better QOLIE. METHODS: People with clinically
      diagnosed epilepsy were prospectively enrolled at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
      National Referral Hospital in Thimphu (2014-2015). Regression models were
      constructed to assess the potential impact of age, sex, residence in the capital
      city, wealth quintile, educational attainment, seizure in the prior year,
      seizures with loss of consciousness, self-reported stigma score, and need for
      multiple antiepileptic drugs. RESULTS: The mean Bhutanese QOLIE-31 score among
      172 adults (mean age 31.1 years, 93 female) was 48.9/100+/-17.7. Younger age,
      lower educational attainment level, and increased self-perceived stigma were each
      observed to have an independent, negative association with QOLIE (p<0.05), while
      a patient's wealth quintile, sex, seizure frequency, seizure type and number of
      antiepileptic drugs were not. Education appeared to be most strongly associated
      with QOL at the high school and college levels. CONCLUSIONS: There are
      potentially modifiable associations with low QOLIE. Addressing the educational
      level and self-perceived stigma of PWE may have an especial impact. The low QOLIE
      in Bhutan may reflect cultural approaches to epilepsy, health services, or other
      factors including those outside of the health sector.

PMID- 27257786
TI  - How a Thermally Unstable Metal Hydrido Complex Can Yield High Catalytic Activity
      Even at Elevated Temperatures.
AB  - Despite their instability in ethereal solvents, organotitanium hydride catalysts
      are successfully employed in catalysis at moderate to high temperatures (110 
      degrees C), even in the presence of alcohols. It is shown computationally (bond
      dissociation energy (BDE) analysis and energetic profile for regeneration) and
      experimentally (EPR studies and kinetic studies), with the specific example of
      hydrodefluorination (HDF), that despite the long standing belief, regeneration of
      Ti-H bonds from Ti-F bonds using silanes is endergonic. The resulting low
      concentration of Ti-H species is crucial for the catalytic stability of those
      systems. The resting state in the catalysis is a Ti-F species. The most promising
      silanes for regeneration are not the ones that have the strongest Si-F bond, but
      the ones that show the largest difference in Si-F and Si-H BDEs. 

PMID- 27257784
TI  - Evidencing a place for the hippocampus within the core scene processing network.
AB  - Functional neuroimaging studies have identified several "core" brain regions that
      are preferentially activated by scene stimuli, namely posterior parahippocampal
      gyrus (PHG), retrosplenial cortex (RSC), and transverse occipital sulcus (TOS).
      The hippocampus (HC), too, is thought to play a key role in scene processing,
      although no study has yet investigated scene-sensitivity in the HC relative to
      these other "core" regions. Here, we characterised the frequency and consistency
      of individual scene-preferential responses within these regions by analysing a
      large dataset (n = 51) in which participants performed a one-back working memory
      task for scenes, objects, and scrambled objects. An unbiased approach was adopted
      by applying independently-defined anatomical ROIs to individual-level functional
      data across different voxel-wise thresholds and spatial filters. It was found
      that the majority of subjects had preferential scene clusters in PHG (max = 100%
      of participants), RSC (max = 76%), and TOS (max = 94%). A comparable number of
      individuals also possessed significant scene-related clusters within their
      individually defined HC ROIs (max = 88%), evidencing a HC contribution to scene
      processing. While probabilistic overlap maps of individual clusters showed that
      overlap "peaks" were close to those identified in group-level analyses
      (particularly for TOS and HC), inter-individual consistency varied across regions
      and statistical thresholds. The inter-regional and inter-individual variability
      revealed by these analyses has implications for how scene-sensitive cortex is
      localised and interrogated in functional neuroimaging studies, particularly in
      medial temporal lobe regions, such as the HC. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3779-3794, 2016.
      (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27257787
TI  - Cystathionine-beta-synthase inhibition for colon cancer: Enhancement of the
      efficacy of aminooxyacetic acid via the prodrug approach.
AB  - Colon cancer cells contain high levels of cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS). Its
      product, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) promotes the growth and proliferation of
      colorectal tumor cells. In order to improve the antitumor efficacy of the
      prototypical CBS inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), we have designed and
      synthesized YD0171, a methyl ester derivative of AOAA. The antiproliferative
      effect of YD0171 exceeded the antiproliferative potency of AOAA in HCT116 human
      colon cancer cells. The esterase inhibitor paraoxon prevented the cellular
      inhibition of CBS activity by YD0171. YD0171 suppressed mitochondrial respiration
      and glycolytic function and induced G0/G1 arrest, but did not induce tumor cell
      apoptosis or necrosis. Metabolomic analysis in HCT116 cells showed that YD0171
      affects multiple pathways of cell metabolism. The efficacy of YD0171 as an
      inhibitor of tumor growth was also tested in nude mice bearing subcutaneous
      HCT116 cancer cell xenografts. Animals were treated via subcutaneous injection of
      vehicle, AOAA (1, 3 or 9 mg/kg/day) or YD0171 (0.1, 0.5 or 1 mg/kg/day) for 3
      weeks. Tumor growth was significantly reduced by 9 mg/kg/day AOAA, but not at the
      lower doses. YD0171 was more potent: tumor volume was significantly inhibited at
      0.5 and 1 mg/kg/day. Thus, the in vivo efficacy of YD0171 is 9-times higher than
      that of AOAA. YD0171 (1 mg/kg/day) attenuated tumor growth and metastasis
      formation in the intracecal HCT116 tumor model. YD0171 (3 mg/kg/day) also reduced
      tumor growth in patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) bearing athymic mice.
      YD0171 (3 mg/kg/day) induced the regression of established HCT116 tumors in vivo.
      A 5-day safety study in mice demonstrated that YD0171 at 20 mg/kg/day (given in
      two divided doses) does not increase plasma markers of organ injury, nor does it
      induce histological alterations in the liver or kidney. YD0171 caused a slight
      elevation in plasma homocysteine levels. In conclusion, the prodrug approach
      improves the pharmacological profile of AOAA; YD0171 represents a prototype for
      CBS inhibitory anticancer prodrugs. By targeting colorectal cancer bioenergetics,
      an emerging important hallmark of cancer, the approach exemplified herein may
      offer direct translational opportunities.

PMID- 27257788
TI  - Identification of the MicroRNA Repertoire in TLR-Ligand Challenged Bubaline PBMCs
      as a Model of Bacterial and Viral Infection.
AB  - In the present study, we used high-throughput sequencing, miRNA-seq, to discover
      and explore the expression profiles of known and novel miRNAs in TLR ligand
      stimulated vis-a-vis non-stimulated (i.e. Control) peripheral blood mononuclear
      cells (PBMCs) isolated from blood of healthy Murrah buffaloes. Six small RNA
      (sRNA) libraries were multiplexed in Ion Torrent PI chip and sequenced on Ion
      Proton System. The reads obtained were aligned to the Bos taurus genome (UMD3.1
      assembly), which is phylogenetically closest species to buffalo (Bubalus
      bubalis). A total of 160 bovine miRNAs were biocomputationally identified in
      buffalo PBMCs and 130 putatively novel miRNAs (not enlisted in the bovine
      mirBase) were identified. All of these 290 miRNAs identified across the six
      treatment and control samples represent the repertoire of novel miRNAs for the
      buffalo species. The expression profiles of these miRNAs across the samples have
      been represented by sample dendrogram and heatmap plots. The uniquely expressed
      miRNAs in each treatment and control groups were identified. A few miRNAs were
      expressed at very high levels while the majority of them were moderately
      expressed. The miRNAs bta-miR-103 and -191 were found to be highly abundant and
      expressed in all the samples. Other abundantly expressed miRNAs include bta-miR
      19b, -29b, -15a, -19a, -30d, -30b-5p and members of let family (let 7a-5p, let 7g
      & let 7f) in LPS and CpG treated PBMCS and bta-miR-191, -103 & -19b in Poly I:C
      stimulated PBMCs. Only one novel miRNA (bta-miR-11039) out of 130 identified
      putatively novel miRNAs, was expressed in all the six samples and differentially
      expressed (>2- fold) miRNAs were identified. Six of the differentially expressed
      miRNAs across the groups (bta-miR-421, bta-let-7i, bta-miR-138, bta-miR-21-5p,
      bta-miR-222 and bta-miR-27b) were subsequently confirmed by TaqMan quantitative
      reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, the
      target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were enriched for the roles in
      innate immunity and TLR signaling pathways. This maiden study on profiling and
      cataloguing of bubaline miRNAs expressed in TLR-ligand stimulated PBMCs will
      provide an important reference point for future studies on regulatory roles of
      miRNAs in immune system of buffaloes. 

PMID- 27257789
TI  - New Pneumococcal Carriage Acquired in Association with Acute Respiratory
      Infection Is Prone to Cause Otitis Media.
AB  - For considering vaccine-prevention of pneumococcal acute otitis media (PncAOM),
      relationships between pneumococcal carriage, respiratory infection and PncAOM
      need to be understood. We analyzed nasopharyngeal samples collected from 329
      unvaccinated Finnish children aged 2-24 months at scheduled visits and at visits
      during respiratory infection in 1994-97. We assessed temporal associations of
      respiratory infection with pneumococcal acquisition and whether PncAOM hazard
      depends on the relative timing of acquisition and the infection onset. The data
      comprised 607 person-years of risk-time for acquisition, 245 person-months of
      concurrent respiratory infection and carriage, and 119 episodes of PncAOM. The
      acquisition hazard was 3-fold in the month preceding respiratory sickness (hazard
      ratio, HR 3.5, 90% credible interval CI 2.9, 4.1) as compared to acquisition in
      healthy children. Moreover, the PncAOM hazard was markedly higher (HR 3.7, 90% CI
      2.4, 5.3) during the first month of carriage acquired around the acute phase of
      respiratory infection (between 1 month before and 1 week after the sickness
      onset), as compared to carriage acquired later during sickness. The high
      proportion (76%) of PncAOM events occurring within 1 month of acquisition was due
      to frequent acquisition being associated with respiratory infection as well as
      the susceptibility of such acquisition to cause otitis media. 

PMID- 27257790
TI  - Common Marker Genes Identified from Various Sample Types for Systemic Lupus
      Erythematosus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex auto-immune disease.
      Gene expression studies have been conducted to identify SLE-related genes in
      various types of samples. It is unknown whether there are common marker genes
      significant for SLE but independent of sample types, which may have potentials
      for follow-up translational research. The aim of this study is to identify common
      marker genes across various sample types for SLE. METHODS: Based on four public
      microarray gene expression datasets for SLE covering three representative types
      of blood-born samples (monocyte; peripheral blood mononuclear cell, PBMC; whole
      blood), we utilized three statistics (fold-change, FC; t-test p value; false
      discovery rate adjusted p value) to scrutinize genes simultaneously regulated
      with SLE across various sample types. For common marker genes, we conducted the
      Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and Protein-Protein Interaction analysis to
      gain insights into their functions. RESULTS: We identified 10 common marker genes
      associated with SLE (IFI6, IFI27, IFI44L, OAS1, OAS2, EIF2AK2, PLSCR1, STAT1,
      RNASE2, and GSTO1). Significant up-regulation of IFI6, IFI27, and IFI44L with SLE
      was observed in all the studied sample types, though the FC was most striking in
      monocyte, compared with PBMC and whole blood (8.82-251.66 vs. 3.73-74.05 vs. 1.19
      1.87). Eight of the above 10 genes, except RNASE2 and GSTO1, interact with each
      other and with known SLE susceptibility genes, participate in immune response,
      RNA and protein catabolism, and cell death. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that
      there exist common marker genes across various sample types for SLE. The 10
      common marker genes, identified herein, deserve follow-up studies to dissert
      their potentials as diagnostic or therapeutic markers to predict SLE or treatment
      response.

PMID- 27257791
TI  - Effects of Hypobaric Treatments on the Quality, Bioactive Compounds, and
      Antioxidant Activity of Tomato.
AB  - Hypobaric treatment is becoming a potential technology to protect fruits from
      postharvest decay. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of
      hypobaric treatments on storage quality, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant
      activity of tomato fruit. In this study, green tomatoes (cv. "Fen guan") were
      treated with hypobaric pressures (0.04 and 0.07 MPa) at ambient temperature (20
      C) for 28 d. The results showed that under hypobaric storage, the respiration
      rates significantly declined and the respiratory peaks postponed 12 and 8 d by
      0.04 and 0.07 MPa treatments, respectively, compared to control. Total soluble
      solid, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, and lycopene were retained by hypobaric
      treatment. Moreover, ascorbic acid contents treated with 0.04 and 0.07 MPa were,
      respectively, 37% and 26% higher than control at day 24 and the contents of total
      polyphenols were, respectively, 1.28 and 1.11 times higher than control.
      Production and accumulation of toxic substances were significantly restrained.
      The ethanol content decreased, respectively, by 53% and 84% than control. At
      later storage period, the superoxide dismutase activity in treated fruits was
      about 0.58 U/(g.FW.min), whereas only 0.29 U/(g.FW.min) in control. Hypobaric
      treatment not only maintained a high activity of superoxide dismutase and
      peroxidase (POD), but also improved antioxidant capacity. All the results
      indicated that hypobaric treatment was a potential helpful method to protect the
      quality and nutrition of tomato and prolong ripening of tomato. Furthermore, the
      effect of 0.04 MPa hypobaric treatment was found better than 0.07 MPa. 

PMID- 27257792
TI  - Surface oxidation effect on the electrical behaviour of Bi2Te2Se nanoplatelets.
AB  - Charge transport in topological insulators is notably influenced by moisture and
      air in the surrounding environment. At present, however, little is known about
      the detailed composition of the oxidized surface and its impact on the electrical
      characteristics of these materials. Here, we investigate the surface oxide
      formation on the topological insulator Bi2Te2Se (BTS) and how this affects its
      electrical behavior. While ambient exposure of BTS nanoplatelets predominantly
      creates surface hydroxyl groups, oxygen plasma treatment yields a compact, few
      nanometer thick surface oxide layer. The plasma causes p-type doping, accompanied
      by a decrease of the effective platelet thickness, the interplay of which is
      manifested in a resistance maximum as a function of plasma treatment time. It is
      furthermore demonstrated that the structural integrity of the plasma-derived
      surface oxide is sufficient to enable its use as a gate insulator layer in
      combination with a top gate. 

PMID- 27257793
TI  - Personal protective equipment and improving compliance among healthcare workers
      in high-risk settings.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects healthcare
      workers (HCWs) from infection by highly virulent pathogens via exposure to body
      fluids and respiratory droplets. Given the recent outbreaks of contagious
      infectious diseases worldwide, including Ebola virus and Middle Eastern
      respiratory syndrome, there is urgent need for further research to determine
      optimal PPE use in high-risk settings. This review intends to provide a general
      understanding of PPE and to provide guidelines for appropriate use based on
      current evidence. RECENT FINDINGS: Although previous studies have focused on the
      efficacy of PPE in preventing transmission of pathogens, recent studies have
      examined the dangers to HCWs during removal of PPE when risk of contamination is
      highest. Access to adequate PPE supplies is crucial to preventing transmission of
      pathogens, especially in resource-limited settings. Adherence to appropriate PPE
      use is a challenge due to inadequate education on its usage, technical
      difficulties, and tolerability of PPE in the workplace. Future projects aim at
      ameliorating this situation, including redesigning PPE which is crucial to
      improving the safety of HCWs. SUMMARY: PPE remains the most important strategy
      for protecting HCW from potentially fatal pathogens. Further research into
      optimal PPE design and use to improve the safety of HCWs is urgently needed.

PMID- 27257794
TI  - Electronic surveillance and using administrative data to identify healthcare
      associated infections.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Traditional surveillance of healthcare associated infections
      (HCAI) is time consuming and error-prone. We have analysed literature of the past
      year to look at new developments in this field. It is divided into three parts:
      new algorithms for electronic surveillance, the use of administrative data for
      surveillance of HCAI, and the definition of new endpoints of surveillance, in
      accordance with an automatic surveillance approach. RECENT FINDINGS: Most studies
      investigating electronic surveillance of HCAI have concentrated on bloodstream
      infection or surgical site infection. However, the lack of important parameters
      in hospital databases can lead to misleading results. The accuracy of
      administrative coding data was poor at identifying HCAI. New endpoints should be
      defined for automatic detection, with the most crucial step being to win
      clinicians' acceptance. SUMMARY: Electronic surveillance with conventional
      endpoints is a successful method when hospital information systems implemented
      key changes and enhancements. One requirement is the access to systems for
      hospital administration and clinical databases.Although the primary source of
      data for HCAI surveillance is not administrative coding data, these are important
      components of a hospital-wide programme of automated surveillance. The
      implementation of new endpoints for surveillance is an approach which needs to be
      discussed further.

PMID- 27257795
TI  - Strategies to prevent BK virus infection in kidney transplant recipients.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite improvements in posttransplant care, BK virus (BKV)
      remains one of the most challenging posttransplant infections in kidney
      transplant recipients with high rates of allograft failure. In the absence of
      well tolerated and efficacious viral specific therapeutics, treatment is
      primarily focused on reduction of immunosuppression, which poses a risk of
      rejection and fails to lead to viral clearance in a number of patients. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Recent work has turned toward preventive therapies analogous to those
      used for other infections like cytomegalovirus. These efforts have focused on the
      use of quinolone antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent BKV infection and
      pretransplant vaccination to boost humoral and cellular immunity. SUMMARY:
      Despite promising in-vitro and observational data, quinolone antibiotic
      prophylaxis has not been effective in preventing BKV infection in prospective
      studies. However, prophylaxis with newer less toxic viral specific agents such as
      brincidofovir - the lipid oral formulation of cidofovir - may yet prove
      effective. Strategies focused on eliciting a humoral immune response to
      recombinant virus-like particles or using adoptive transfer of BKV-specific T
      cells have also shown significant potential to prevent BKV infection in organ
      transplant recipients.

PMID- 27257796
TI  - Prevention of common healthcare-associated infections in humanitarian hospitals.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Humanitarian medical organizations focus on vulnerable
      patients with increased risk for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and are
      obligated to minimize them in inpatient departments (IPDs). However, in doing so
      humanitarian groups face considerable obstacles. This report will focus on
      approaches to reducing common HAIs that the authors have found to be helpful in
      humanitarian settings. RECENT FINDINGS: HAIs are common in humanitarian contexts
      but there are few interventions or guidelines adapted for use in poor and
      conflict-affected settings to improve prevention and guide surveillance. Based on
      existing recommendations and studies, it appears prudent that all humanitarian
      IPDs introduce a basic infection prevention infrastructure, assure high adherence
      to hand hygiene with wide accessibility to alcohol-based hand rub, and develop
      pragmatic surveillance based on clinically evident nosocomial infection. Although
      microbiology remains out of reach for most humanitarian hospitals, rapid tests
      offer the possibility of improving the diagnosis of HAIs in humanitarian
      hospitals in the decade ahead. SUMMARY: There is a dearth of new studies that can
      direct efforts to prevent HAIs in IPDs in poor and conflict-affected areas and
      there is a need for practical, field-adapted guidelines from professional
      societies, and international bodies to guide infection prevention efforts in
      humanitarian environments.

PMID- 27257797
TI  - Infections associated with the use of eculizumab: recommendations for prevention
      and prophylaxis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Eculizumab inhibits complement effector functions and has
      significantly impacted the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and
      atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. However, the risks of potentially life
      threatening infections, notably with Neisseria spp. in addition to its cost, are
      major challenges in clinical practice. In this review, we characterize and
      summarize the infectious complications reported with the use of eculizumab in the
      context of its typical and expanding indications. RECENT FINDINGS: Use of
      eculizumab is rapidly extending to the fields of transplantation and neurology.
      Eculizumab has been primarily associated with an increased risk of meningococcal
      infections. Immunization against its commonest serotypes (ABCWY) is now possible
      with the advent of the meningococcal B vaccine. A combined ABCWY vaccine is
      underway. Preventive strategies against breakthrough Neisseria infections should
      also include chemoprophylaxis. Less is known about the association of eculizumab
      with other infections as recently reported. Surrogate markers of complement
      blockade, notably CH50, and eculizumab efficacy may help in the risk assessment
      of infection. SUMMARY: Eculizumab has opened new horizons in the treatment of
      complement-mediated disorders. Prophylactic and immunization strategies against
      the risk of Nesseria spp. infections are sound and feasible. The use of
      eculizumab is expanding beyond complement-mediated diseases to transplantation
      and neurological disorders. Further research is needed to better define and
      stratify the risk of infection and prevention strategies in patients with the
      latter indications.

PMID- 27257798
TI  - 'No touch' technologies for environmental decontamination: focus on ultraviolet
      devices and hydrogen peroxide systems.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews 'no touch' methods for disinfection of
      the contaminated surface environment of hospitalized patients' rooms. The focus
      is on studies that assessed the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) light devices,
      hydrogen peroxide systems, and self-disinfecting surfaces to reduce healthcare
      associated infections (HAIs). RECENT FINDINGS: The contaminated surface
      environment in hospitals plays an important role in the transmission of several
      key nosocomial pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,
      vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp., Clostridium difficile, Acinetobacter
      spp., and norovirus. Multiple clinical trials have now demonstrated the
      effectiveness of UV light devices and hydrogen peroxide systems to reduce HAIs. A
      limited number of studies have suggested that 'self-disinfecting' surfaces may
      also decrease HAIs. SUMMARY: Many studies have demonstrated that terminal
      cleaning and disinfection with germicides is often inadequate and leaves
      environmental surfaces contaminated with important nosocomial pathogens. 'No
      touch' methods of room decontamination (i.e., UV devices and hydrogen peroxide
      systems) have been demonstrated to reduce key nosocomial pathogens on inoculated
      test surfaces and on environmental surfaces in actual patient rooms. Further UV
      devices and hydrogen peroxide systems have been demonstrated to reduce HAI. A
      validated 'no touch' device or system should be used for terminal room
      disinfection following discharge of patients on contact precautions. The use of a
      'self-disinfecting' surface to reduce HAI has not been convincingly demonstrated.

PMID- 27257799
TI  - Association of Football Subconcussive Head Impacts With Ocular Near Point of
      Convergence.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: An increased understanding of the relationship between subconcussive
      head impacts and near point of convergence (NPC) ocular-motor function may be
      useful in delineating traumatic brain injury. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether
      repetitive subconcussive head impacts during preseason football practice cause
      changes in NPC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective,
      observational study of 29 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I
      football players included baseline and preseason practices (1 noncontact and 4
      contact), and postseason follow-up and outcome measures were obtained for each
      time. An accelerometer-embedded mouthguard measured head impact kinematics. Based
      on the sum of head impacts from all 5 practices, players were categorized into
      lower (n = 7) or higher (n = 22) impact groups. EXPOSURES: Players participated
      in regular practices, and all head impacts greater than 10g from the 5 practices
      were recorded using the i1Biometerics Vector mouthguard (i1 Biometrics Inc). MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Near point of convergence measures and symptom scores.
      RESULTS: A total of 1193 head impacts were recorded from 5 training camp
      practices in the 29 collegiate football players; 22 were categorized into the
      higher-impact group and 7 into the lower-impact group. There were significant
      differences in head impact kinematics between lower- and higher-impact groups
      (number of impacts, 6 vs 41 [lower impact minus higher impact = 35; 95% CI, 21
      51; P < .001]; linear acceleration, 99g vs 1112g [lower impact minus higher
      impact= 1013; 95% CI, 621 - 1578; P < .001]; angular acceleration, 7589 radian/s2
      vs 65 016 radian/s2 [lower impact minus higher impact= 57 427; 95% CI , 31 123-80
      498; P < .001], respectively). The trajectory and cumulative burden of
      subconcussive impacts on NPC differed by group (F for group * linear trend1, 238
      = 12.14, P < .001 and F for group * quadratic trend1, 238 = 12.97, P < .001). In
      the higher-impact group, there was a linear increase in NPC over time (B for
      linear trend, unstandardized coefficient [SE]:  0.76 [0.12], P < .001) that
      plateaued and resolved by postseason follow-up (B for quadratic trend [SE]: -0.06
      [0.008], P < .001). In the lower-impact group, there was no change in NPC over
      time. Group differences were first observed after the first contact practice and
      remained until the final full-gear practice. No group differences were observed
      postseason follow-up. There were no differences in symptom scores between groups
      over time. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Although asymptomatic, these data suggest
      that repetitive subconcussive head impacts were associated with changes in NPC.
      The increase in NPC highlights the vulnerability and slow recovery of the ocular
      motor system following subconcussive head impacts. Changes in NPC may become a
      useful clinical tool in deciphering brain injury severity.

PMID- 27257800
TI  - Psychometric Properties of the Kessler 10 Scale in Chinese Parents of Children
      With Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) has been widely used
      in rating psychological distress in general and clinical populations. However,
      whether it can be used in parents of children with cancer is unknown. Still
      lacking is the evidence on its reliability and validity in culturally diverse
      groups. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate the K10 into Mandarin
      Chinese and test its psychometric properties (especially the factor structure) of
      the Chinese version (C-K10) in parents of children with cancer. METHODS: By
      convenience sampling, 2 samples of parents of children with cancer (sample I, n =
      206, and sample II, n = 103) were surveyed in Guangzhou, China. Sample I
      completed the C-K10, and the internal consistency reliability and exploratory
      factor analysis of the C-K10 were estimated. Sample II completed the C-K10, the
      State Subscale of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Zung Self-rating
      Depression Scale; confirmatory factor analysis and concurrent validity estimates
      were completed. RESULTS: The C-K10 demonstrated strong internal consistency
      reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .93). Both exploratory and confirmatory factor
      analyses supported a 2-factor structure (ie, anxiety and depression). The
      concurrent validity was moderate with Pearson correlations greater than 0.50 (P <
      .001). CONCLUSION: The C-K10 demonstrated very acceptable reliability and
      validity in screening psychological distress in Chinese parents of children with
      cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study provides evidence that the C-K10 is
      a valid tool that can be used in clinical settings to screen for psychological
      distress in Chinese parents of children with cancer.

PMID- 27257802
TI  - Formation Kinetics of Oil-Rich, Nonionic Microemulsions.
AB  - The formation kinetics of oil-rich, nonionic microemulsions were investigated
      along different mixing pathways using a fast stopped-flow device in combination
      with the new high-flux small-angle neutron spectrometer D33 (ILL, Grenoble,
      France). While the kinetics along most pathways were too fast to be resolved, two
      processes could be detected mixing brine and the binary cyclohexane/C10E5
      solution. Here, too, the formation of large water-in-oil droplets was found to be
      faster than 20 ms and therewith faster than the accessible dead time. However,
      subsequently, both the disintegration of the large water-in-oil droplets (600 A)
      and the uptake of water by swollen micelles (50-60 A) could be resolved. Both
      processes occur on the time scale of a second. Strikingly, the total internal
      interface forms faster than 20 ms and does not change over time.

PMID- 27257803
TI  - Oxidative Allylic Esterification of Alkenes by Cooperative Selenium-Catalysis
      Using Air as the Sole Oxidant.
AB  - A new metal-free catalysis protocol for the oxidative coupling of nonactivated
      alkenes with simple carboxylic acids has been established. This method is
      predicated on the cooperative interaction of a diselane and a photoredox
      catalyst, which allows for the use of ambient air or pure O2 as the terminal
      oxidant. Under the title conditions, a range of both functionalized and
      nonfunctionalized alkenes can be readily converted into the corresponding allylic
      ester products with good yields (up to 89%) and excellent regioselectivity as
      well as good functional group tolerance.

PMID- 27257801
TI  - Pilot Study of Parent Psychophysiologic Outcomes in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem
      Cell Transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parents of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (HSCT) are at risk for psychological distress. This distress may
      result in aberrant immune, inflammatory, or endocrine effects. These physiologic
      outcomes have not been reported previously. MAIN OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study
      is to examine the feasibility of longitudinal testing of psychophysiological
      parameters of stress in parents of children undergoing HSCT. METHODS: This pilot
      study was conducted at a large children's hospital in the Midwest and included
      parents of children who received autologous or allogeneic HSCT. Time points
      included before the start of HSCT conditioning and day +30, +60, and +100.
      Outcome variables included parent-perceived stress, lymphocyte subsets, C
      reactive protein (CRP), proinflammatory cytokines, salivary cortisol, and
      salivary amylase. Effect sizes were calculated for each outcome. RESULTS: Twelve
      parent-child dyads were enrolled (10 mothers, 2 fathers). Missing data were
      minimal. Parent-perceived stress significantly increased from pre-HSCT through
      day +100, and parent CD3+ T-lymphocyte counts decreased from pre-HSCT through day
      +100. No significant effects were observed for salivary studies, CRP, or
      proinflammatory cytokines. Effect sizes ranged from 1.23 (perceived stress) to
      0.07 (CRP). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that it is feasible
      longitudinally measure parent psychophysiologic outcomes in the pediatric HSCT
      setting. In addition, parent-perceived stress increased linearly from start of
      conditioning through day +100, whereas parent T-lymphocyte counts decreased
      concurrently. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Routine psychological and physical
      health screening of parents of children undergoing HSCT is needed.
      Multidisciplinary psychosocial support services should be offered to parents at
      regular intervals during their child's HSCT.

PMID- 27257804
TI  - Epidemiological and Virological Characterizations of the 2014 Dengue Outbreak in
      Guangzhou, China.
AB  - Dengue used to be recognized as an imported and sporadic disease in China. Since
      June 2014, an unexpected large dengue outbreak has attacked Guangzhou, China,
      resulting in more than 40,000 cases. Among the 1,942 laboratory-confirmed
      hospitalized dengue cases, 121 were diagnosed as severe dengue according to the
      2009 WHO guideline, and 2 patients finally died. Laboratory diagnosis and virus
      isolation demonstrated that the majority (96%) cases were caused by dengue virus
      serotype 1 (DENV-1), and the others by serotype 2 (DENV-2). 14 DENV strains were
      isolated from the sera of acute-phase dengue patients during this outbreak, and
      the complete envelope (E) gene of 12 DENV-1 strains and two DENV-2 strains were
      determined using RT-PCR assay. Phylogenetic analysis based on the E gene revealed
      the DENV-1 strains isolated during the outbreak belonged to genotype I and V,
      respectively. These isolates formed three clades. DENV-2 isolates were assigned
      to the same clade belonging to genotype cosmopolitan. These strains isolated in
      2014 were closely related to the isolates obtained from the same province,
      Guangdong, in 2013. No amino acid mutations known to increase virulence were
      identified throughout the E protein of isolates in 2014. These results indicate
      that dengue is turning into endemic in Guangdong, China, and extensive
      seroepidemiological investigation and mosquito control measures are critically
      needed in the future. 

PMID- 27257806
TI  - Fate mapping of Trps1 daughter cells during cardiac development using novel Trps1
      Cre mice.
AB  - Tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is a rare congenital disorder that is
      characterized by abnormal hair growth and skeletal deformities. These result in
      sparse hair, short stature, and early onset of joint problems. Recent reports
      have shown that a relatively high proportion of patients with TRPS exhibit a
      broad range of congenital heart defects. To determine the regulation of Trps1
      transcription in vivo, we generated novel transgenic mice, which expressed Cre
      recombinase under the murine Trps1 proximal promoter sequence (Trps1-Cre). We
      crossed these mice with Cre reporter mice to identify Trps1 daughter cells.
      Labeled cells were observed in the appendicular joint tissue, dermal papilla of
      the hair follicles, cardiac valves, aortic sinus, atrial walls, and the
      interventricular septum. In situ analysis showed restricted Trps1 expression,
      which was observed in endocardial cushions of the outflow tract, and in leaflets
      of all mature cardiac valves. These results suggest that the Trps1 proximal
      promoter sequence contains some of the tissue-specific Trps1 regulatory region.
      Further, our findings partially explain why patients with TRPS show a broad range
      of congenital cardiac defects, although Trps1 expression is observed in a more
      restricted fashion. genesis 54:379-388, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27257805
TI  - Disease-Specific as Well as Generic Quality of Life Is Widely Impacted in
      Autoimmune Hypothyroidism and Improves during the First Six Months of
      Levothyroxine Therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism is often diagnosed, and subsequently treated, due to
      health-related quality of life (HRQL) issues. However, HRQL following treatment
      has never previously been assessed in longitudinal descriptive studies using
      validated instruments. OBJECTIVE: To investigate disease-specific (ThyPRO) and
      generic (SF-36) HRQL, following levothyroxine therapy in patients with
      hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis. METHODS: This prospective cohort
      study was set at endocrine outpatient clinics at two Danish university hospitals.
      Seventy-eight consecutive patients were enrolled and completed HRQL
      questionnaires before, six weeks, and six months after initiation of
      levothyroxine therapy. Normative ThyPRO (n = 739) and SF-36 (n = 6,638) data were
      available for comparison and changes in HRQL following treatment were estimated
      and quantified. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, all ThyPRO scales were significantly
      impacted (p<0.0001), compared to the general population sample. The same was
      observed for seven of eight SF-36 scales, the exception being Bodily Pain.
      Tiredness (ThyPRO) and Vitality (SF-36) were the most markedly impacted scales.
      After six weeks of treatment, nine of thirteen ThyPRO scales had significantly
      improved. ThyPRO improvements were consistent at six months, where five of eight
      SF-36 scales had also significantly improved, but deficits persisted for a subset
      of both ThyPRO and SF-36 scales. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of hypothyroid
      patients, HRQL was widely affected before treatment, with tiredness as the
      cardinal impairment according to both ThyPRO and SF-36. Many aspects of HRQL
      improved during the first six months of LT4 therapy, but full recovery was not
      obtained. Our results may help clinicians inform patients about expected clinical
      treatment effects.

PMID- 27257807
TI  - Population Structure and Evolution after Speciation of the Hokkaido Salamander
      (Hynobius retardatus).
AB  - The Hokkaido salamander (Hynobius retardatus) is endemic to Hokkaido Island,
      Japan, and shows intriguing flexible phenotypic plasticity and regional
      morphological diversity. However, to date, allozymes and partial mitochondria DNA
      sequences have provided only an outline of its demographic histories and the
      pattern of its genetic diversification. To understand the finer details of the
      population structure of this species and its evolution since speciation, we
      genotyped five regional populations by using 12 recently developed microsatellite
      polymorphic markers. We found a clear population structure with low gene flow
      among the five populations, but a close genetic relationship between the Teshio
      and Kitami populations. Our demographic analysis suggested that Teshio and Erimo
      had the largest effective population sizes among the five populations. These
      findings regarding the population structure and demography of H. retardatus
      improve our understanding of the faunal phylogeography on Hokkaido Island and
      also provide fundamental genetic information that will be useful for future
      studies. 

PMID- 27257808
TI  - Cost of Pediatric Visceral Leishmaniasis Care in Morocco.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected parasitic disease that is
      fatal if left untreated. VL is endemic in Morocco and other countries in North
      Africa were it mainly affects children from rural areas. In Morocco, the direct
      observation of Leishmania parasites in bone marrow aspirates and serological
      tests are used to diagnose VL. Glucantime is the first line of treatment. The
      objective of this study was to report the costs associated to standard clinical
      management of pediatric VL from the provider perspective in Morocco. As a
      secondary objective we described the current clinical practices and the
      epidemiological characteristics of pediatric VL patients. METHODS: From March to
      June 2014 we conducted a survey in eight hospitals treating pediatric VL patients
      in Morocco. A pro-forma was used to collect demographic, clinical and management
      data from medical records. We specifically collected data on VL diagnosis and
      treatment. We also estimated the days of hospitalization and the time to start VL
      treatment. Costs were estimated by multiplying the use of resources in terms of
      number of days in hospital, tests performed and drugs provided by the official
      prices. For patients receiving part of their treatment at Primary Health Centers
      (PHC) we estimated the cost of administering the Glucantime as outpatient. We
      calculated the median cost per VL patient. We also estimated the cost of managing
      a VL case when different treatment strategies were applied: inpatient and
      outpatient. RESULTS: We obtained data from 127 VL patients. The median total cost
      per pediatric VL case in Morocco is 520 US$. The cost in hospitals applying an
      outpatient strategy is significantly lower (307 US$) than hospitals keeping the
      patients for the whole treatment (636 US$). However the outpatient strategy is
      not yet recommended as VL treatment for children in the Moroccan guidelines. VL
      diagnosis and treatment regimens should be standardized following the current
      guidelines in Morocco.

PMID- 27257809
TI  - Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy in Canada: Results of a Consultation Study by the
      Canadian Immunization Research Network.
AB  - "Vaccine hesitancy" is a concept now frequently used in vaccination discourse.
      The increased popularity of this concept in both academic and public health
      circles is challenging previously held perspectives that individual vaccination
      attitudes and behaviours are a simple dichotomy of accept or reject. A
      consultation study was designed to assess the opinions of experts and health
      professionals concerning the definition, scope, and causes of vaccine hesitancy
      in Canada. We sent online surveys to two panels (1- vaccination experts and 2-
      front-line vaccine providers). Two questionnaires were completed by each panel,
      with data from the first questionnaire informing the development of questions for
      the second. Our participants defined vaccine hesitancy as an attitude (doubts,
      concerns) as well as a behaviour (refusing some / many vaccines, delaying
      vaccination). Our findings also indicate that both vaccine experts and front-line
      vaccine providers have the perception that vaccine rates have been declining and
      consider vaccine hesitancy an important issue to address in Canada. Diffusion of
      negative information online and lack of knowledge about vaccines were identified
      as the key causes of vaccine hesitancy by the participants. A common
      understanding of vaccine hesitancy among researchers, public health experts,
      policymakers and health care providers will better guide interventions that can
      more effectively address vaccine hesitancy within Canada. 

PMID- 27257810
TI  - Effects of Land Cover on the Movement of Frugivorous Birds in a Heterogeneous
      Landscape.
AB  - Movement is a key spatiotemporal process that enables interactions between
      animals and other elements of nature. The understanding of animal trajectories
      and the mechanisms that influence them at the landscape level can yield insight
      into ecological processes and potential solutions to specific ecological
      problems. Based upon optimal foraging models and empirical evidence, we
      hypothesized that movement by thrushes is highly tortuous (low average movement
      speeds and homogeneous distribution of turning angles) inside forests, moderately
      tortuous in urban areas, which present intermediary levels of resources, and
      minimally tortuous (high movement speeds and turning angles next to 0 radians) in
      open matrix types (e.g., crops and pasture). We used data on the trajectories of
      two common thrush species (Turdus rufiventris and Turdus leucomelas) collected by
      radio telemetry in a fragmented region in Brazil. Using a maximum likelihood
      model selection approach we fit four probability distribution models to average
      speed data, considering short-tailed, long-tailed, and scale-free distributions
      (to represent different regimes of movement variation), and one distribution to
      relative angle data. Models included land cover type and distance from forest
      matrix edges as explanatory variables. Speed was greater farther away from forest
      edges and increased faster inside forest habitat compared to urban and open
      matrices. However, turning angle was not influenced by land cover. Thrushes
      presented a very tortuous trajectory, with many displacements followed by turns
      near 180 degrees. Thrush trajectories resembled habitat and edge dependent,
      tortuous random walks, with a well-defined movement scale inside each land cover
      type. Although thrushes are habitat generalists, they showed a greater preference
      for forest edges, and thus may be considered edge specialists. Our results
      reinforce the importance of studying animal movement patterns in order to
      understand ecological processes such as seed dispersal in fragmented areas, where
      the percentage of remaining habitat is dwindling. 

PMID- 27257811
TI  - Correction: Tbx18 Regulates the Differentiation of Periductal Smooth Muscle
      Stroma and the Maintenance of Epithelial Integrity in the Prostate.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154413.].

PMID- 27257812
TI  - The Role of Adaptation in Bacterial Speed Races.
AB  - Evolution of biological sensory systems is driven by the need for efficient
      responses to environmental stimuli. A paradigm among prokaryotes is the
      chemotaxis system, which allows bacteria to navigate gradients of
      chemoattractants by biasing their run-and-tumble motion. A notable feature of
      chemotaxis is adaptation: after the application of a step stimulus, the bacterial
      running time relaxes to its pre-stimulus level. The response to the amino acid
      aspartate is precisely adapted whilst the response to serine is not, in spite of
      the same pathway processing the signals preferentially sensed by the two
      receptors Tar and Tsr, respectively. While the chemotaxis pathway in E. coli is
      well characterized, the role of adaptation, its functional significance and the
      ecological conditions where chemotaxis is selected, are largely unknown. Here, we
      investigate the role of adaptation in the climbing of gradients by E. coli. We
      first present theoretical arguments that highlight the mechanisms that control
      the efficiency of the chemotactic up-gradient motion. We discuss then the
      limitations of linear response theory, which motivate our subsequent experimental
      investigation of E. coli speed races in gradients of aspartate, serine and
      combinations thereof. By using microfluidic techniques, we engineer controlled
      gradients and demonstrate that bacterial fronts progress faster in equal
      magnitude gradients of serine than aspartate. The effect is observed over an
      extended range of concentrations and is not due to differences in swimming
      velocities. We then show that adding a constant background of serine to gradients
      of aspartate breaks the adaptation to aspartate, which results in a sped-up
      progression of the fronts and directly illustrate the role of adaptation in
      chemotactic gradient-climbing.

PMID- 27257813
TI  - Conessine Interferes with Oxidative Stress-Induced C2C12 Myoblast Cell Death
      through Inhibition of Autophagic Flux.
AB  - Conessine, a steroidal alkaloid isolated from Holarrhena floribunda, has anti
      malarial activity and interacts with the histamine H3 receptor. However, the
      cellular effects of conessine are poorly understood. Accordingly, we evaluated
      the involvement of conessine in the regulation of autophagy. We searched natural
      compounds that modulate autophagy, and conessine was identified as an inhibitor
      of autophagic flux. Conessine treatment induced the formation of autophagosomes,
      and p62, an autophagic adapter, accumulated in the autophagosomes. Reactive
      oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) result in muscle cell death by
      inducing excessive autophagic flux. Treatment with conessine inhibited H2O2
      induced autophagic flux in C2C12 myoblast cells and also interfered with cell
      death. Our results indicate that conessine has the potential effect to inhibit
      muscle cell death by interfering with autophagic flux. 

PMID- 27257815
TI  - Correction: Passive Leg Raising Correlates with Future Exercise Capacity after
      Coronary Revascularization.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137846.].

PMID- 27257814
TI  - Morphological Computation of Haptic Perception of a Controllable Stiffness Probe.
AB  - When people are asked to palpate a novel soft object to discern its physical
      properties such as texture, elasticity, and even non-homogeneity, they not only
      regulate probing behaviors, but also the co-contraction level of antagonistic
      muscles to control the mechanical impedance of fingers. It is suspected that such
      behavior tries to enhance haptic perception by regulating the function of
      mechanoreceptors at different depths of the fingertips and proprioceptive sensors
      such as tendon and spindle sensors located in muscles. In this paper, we designed
      and fabricated a novel two-degree of freedom variable stiffness indentation probe
      to investigate whether the regulation of internal stiffness, indentation, and
      probe sweeping velocity (PSV) variables affect the accuracy of the depth
      estimation of stiff inclusions in an artificial silicon phantom using information
      gain metrics. Our experimental results provide new insights into not only the
      biological phenomena of haptic perception but also new opportunities to design
      and control soft robotic probes. 

PMID- 27257816
TI  - Can Network Linkage Effects Determine Return? Evidence from Chinese Stock Market.
AB  - This study used the dynamic conditional correlations (DCC) method to identify the
      linkage effects of Chinese stock market, and further detected the influence of
      network linkage effects on magnitude of security returns across different
      industries. Applying two physics-derived techniques, the minimum spanning tree
      and the hierarchical tree, we analyzed the stock interdependence within the
      network of the China Securities Index (CSI) industry index basket. We observed
      that that obvious linkage effects existed among stock networks. CII and CCE, CAG
      and ITH as well as COU, CHA and REI were confirmed as the core nodes in the three
      different networks respectively. We also investigated the stability of linkage
      effects by estimating the mean correlations and mean distances, as well as the
      normalized tree length of these indices. In addition, using the GMM model
      approach, we found inter-node influence within the stock network had a pronounced
      effect on stock returns. Our results generally suggested that there appeared to
      be greater clustering effect among the indexes belonging to related industrial
      sectors than those of diverse sectors, and network comovement was significantly
      affected by impactive financial events in the reality. Besides, stocks that were
      more central within the network of stock market usually had higher returns for
      compensation because they endured greater exposure to correlation risk. 

PMID- 27257817
TI  - Transcriptional Activity of rRNA Genes in Barley Cells after Mutagenic Treatment.
AB  - In the present study, the combination of the micronucleus test with analysis of
      the activity of the rRNA genes in mutagen-treated Hordeum vulgare (barley) by
      maleic hydrazide (MH) cells was performed. Simultaneously fluorescence in situ
      hybridization (FISH) with 25S rDNA as probes and an analysis of the
      transcriptional activity of 35S rRNA genes with silver staining were performed.
      The results showed that transcriptional activity is always maintained in the
      micronuclei although they are eliminated during the next cell cycle. The analysis
      of the transcriptional activity was extended to barley nuclei. MH influenced the
      fusion of the nucleoli in barley nuclei. The silver staining enabled detection of
      the nuclear bodies which arose after MH treatment. The results confirmed the
      usefulness of cytogenetic techniques in the characterization of micronuclei.
      Similar analyses can be now extended to other abiotic stresses to study the
      response of plant cells to the environment. 

PMID- 27257818
TI  - The Effects of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in a Rat Model of Tobacco-Associated
      Erectile Dysfunction.
AB  - Tobacco use is associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) via a number of
      mechanisms including vascular injury and oxidative stress in corporal tissue.
      Adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) have been shown to ameliorate vascular/corporal
      injury and oxidative stress by releasing cytokines, growth factors and
      antioxidants. We assessed the therapeutic effects of intracavernous injection of
      ADSC in a rat model of tobacco-associated ED. Thirty male rats were used in this
      study. Ten rats exposed to room air only served as negative controls. The
      remaining 20 rats were passively exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) for 12 weeks. At
      the 12-week time point, ADSC were isolated from paragonadal fat in all rats.
      Amongst the 20 CS exposed rats, 10 each were assigned to one of the two following
      conditions: (i) injection of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) into the corpora
      cavernosa (CS+PBS); or (ii) injection of autologous ADSC in PBS into the corpora
      cavernosa (CS+ADSC). Negative control animals received PBS injection into the
      corpora cavernosa (normal rats [NR] + PBS). After injections all rats were
      returned to their previous air versus CS exposure state. Twenty-eight days after
      injection, all rats were placed in a metabolic cage for 24-hour urine collection
      to be testing for markers of oxidative stress. After 24-hour urine collection all
      30 rats also underwent erectile function testing via intracavernous pressure
      (ICP) testing and were then sacrificed. Corporal tissues were obtained for
      histological assessment and Western blotting. Mean body weight was significantly
      lower in CS-exposed rats than in control animals. Mean ICP, ICP /mean arterial
      pressure ratio, serum nitric oxide level were significantly lower in the CS+PBS
      group compared to the NR+PBS and CS+ADSC groups. Urine markers for oxidative
      stress were significantly higher in the CS+PBS group compared to the NR+PBS and
      CS+ADSC groups. Mean expression of corporal nNOS and histological markers for
      endothelial and smooth muscle cells was significantly lower, and tissue apoptotic
      index significantly higher, in the CS+PBS group compared to the NR+PBS and
      CS+ADSC groups. Our findings confirm that chronic tobacco exposure causes
      ultrastructural damage to the corporal tissue and increases systemic oxidative
      stress states. Treatment with ADSC ameliorates these adverse effects and holds
      promise as a potential therapy for tobacco-related ED. 

PMID- 27257819
TI  - A Phylogeographic Assessment of the Malagasy Giant Chameleons (Furcifer
      verrucosus and Furcifer oustaleti).
AB  - The Malagasy giant chameleons (Furcifer oustaleti and Furcifer verrucosus) are
      sister species that are both broadly distributed in Madagascar, and also endemic
      to the island. These species are also morphologically similar and, because of
      this, have been frequently misidentified in the field. Previous studies have
      suggested that cryptic species are nested within this chameleon group, and two
      subspecies have been described in F. verrucosus. In this study, we utilized a
      phylogeographic approach to assess genetic diversification within these
      chameleons. This was accomplished by (1) identifying clades within each species
      supported by both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, (2) assessing divergence times
      between clades, and (3) testing for niche divergence or conservatism. We found
      that both F. oustaleti and F. verrucosus could be readily identified based on
      genetic data, and within each species, there are two well-supported clades.
      However, divergence times are not contemporary and spatial patterns are not
      congruent. Diversification within F. verrucosus occurred during the Plio
      Pleistocene, and there is evidence for niche divergence between a southwestern
      and southeastern clade, in a region of Madagascar that shows no obvious landscape
      barriers to dispersal. Diversification in F. oustaleti occurred earlier in the
      Pliocene or Miocene, and niche conservatism is supported with two genetically
      distinct clades separated at the Sofia River in northwestern Madagascar.
      Divergence within F. verrucosus is most consistent with patterns expected from
      ecologically mediated speciation, whereas divergence in F. oustaleti most
      strongly matches the patterns expected from the riverine barrier hypothesis. 

PMID- 27257820
TI  - Identification of arsenic resistant endophytic bacteria from Pteris vittata roots
      and characterization for arsenic remediation application.
AB  - Mitigation of arsenic (As) pollution is a topical environmental issue of high R&D
      priority. The present investigation was carried out to isolate As resistant
      endophytes from the roots of Indian ecotype Pteris vittata and characterize their
      As transformation and tolerance ability, plant growth promoting characteristics
      and their role to facilitate As uptake by the plant. A total of 8 root endophytes
      were isolated from plants grown in As amended soil (25 mg As kg(-1)). These
      isolates were studied for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), arsenite
      As(III) - arsenate As(V) transformation ability, plant growth promoting (PGP)
      characteristics through siderophore, indole acetic acid (IAA) production,
      phosphatase, ACC deaminase activity, and presence of arsenite oxidase (aox) and
      arsenite transporter (arsB) genes. On the basis of 16S rDNA sequence analysis,
      these isolates belong to Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes families
      under the genera Bacillus, Enterobacter, Stenotrophomonas and Rhizobium. All
      isolates were found As tolerant, of which one isolates showed highest tolerance
      up to 1000 mg L(-1) concentration in SLP medium. Five isolates were IAA positive
      with highest IAA production up to 60 mg/L and two isolates exhibited siderophore
      activity. Phosphatase activity was shown by only one isolate while ACC deaminase
      activity was absent in all the isolates. The As transformation study by silver
      nitrate test showed that only two strains had dual characteristics of As(III)
      oxidation and As (V) reduction, four strains exhibited either of the
      characteristics while other two didn't confirmed any of the two characteristics.
      Presence of aox gene was detected in two strains and arsB gene in six isolates.
      The strain with highest As tolerance also showed highest IAA production and
      occurrence of arsB gene. Present investigation may open up further scope of
      utilizing these endophytes for up gradation of phytoextraction process. 

PMID- 27257821
TI  - Identification of White Wines by using Two Oppositely Charged Poly(p
      phenyleneethynylene)s Individually and in Complex.
AB  - We present a simple array composed of an anionic and a cationic poly(para
      phenyleneethynylene) (PPE), together with an electrostatic complex between the
      two of them. The individual PPEs and the PPE complex were employed in the sensing
      of white wines at pH 13; the complex was also successfully employed as a sensor
      element at pH 3. The sensing mechanism is fluorescence quenching. Thirteen
      different wines were differentiated by this chemical tongue, which consists of
      four elements. The fluorescence quenching is not induced by the major components
      of the wines. Compounds such as acids, sugars, and alcohols alone do not quench
      the fluorescence, but rather the colored tannins and other polyphenols contained
      in wine are the main quenchers. However, the major constituents of wine
      significantly modulate the quenching of the PPEs by the tannins.

PMID- 27257822
TI  - Comparative Epidemiologic Characteristics of Pertussis in 10 Central and Eastern
      European Countries, 2000-2013.
AB  - We undertook an epidemiological survey of the annual incidence of pertussis
      reported from 2000 to 2013 in ten Central and Eastern European countries to
      ascertain whether increased pertussis reports in some countries share common
      underlying drivers or whether there are specific features in each country. The
      annual incidence of pertussis in the participating countries was obtained from
      relevant government institutions and/or national surveillance systems. We
      reviewed the changes in the pertussis incidence rates in each country to explore
      differences and/or similarities between countries in relation to pertussis
      surveillance; case definitions for detection and confirmation of pertussis;
      incidence and number of cases of pertussis by year, overall and by age group;
      population by year, overall and by age group; pertussis immunization schedule and
      coverage, and switch from whole-cell pertussis vaccines (wP) to acellular
      pertussis vaccines (aP). There was heterogeneity in the reported annual incidence
      rates and trends observed across countries. Reported pertussis incidence rates
      varied considerably, ranging from 0.01 to 96 per 100,000 population, with the
      highest rates generally reported in Estonia and the lowest in Hungary and Serbia.
      The greatest burden appears for the most part in infants (<1 year) in Bulgaria,
      Hungary, Latvia, Romania, and Serbia, but not in the other participating
      countries where the burden may have shifted to older children, though
      surveillance of adults may be inappropriate. There was no consistent pattern
      associated with the switch from wP to aP vaccines on reported pertussis incidence
      rates. The heterogeneity in reported data may be related to a number of factors
      including surveillance system characteristics or capabilities, different case
      definitions, type of pertussis confirmation tests used, public awareness of the
      disease, as well as real differences in the magnitude of the disease, or a
      combination of these factors. Our study highlights the need to standardize
      pertussis detection and confirmation in surveillance programs across Europe,
      complemented with carefully-designed seroprevalence studies using the same
      protocols and methodologies. 

PMID- 27257823
TI  - Frailty as a Predictor of Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Elderly Patients: A
      Single Center, Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elderly patients have an increased risk for acute kidney injury
      (AKI). However, few studies have reported on predictors for AKI in geriatric
      patients. Therefore, we aimed at determining the effect of frailty as a predictor
      of AKI. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 533 hospitalized elderly patients
      (aged >= 65 years) who had their creatinine levels measured (>= 1 measurement)
      during admission for a period of 1 year (2013) and conducted a comprehensive
      geriatric assessment (CGA) within 1 year before the index hospitalization. We
      examined five variables (activity of daily living [ADL] and instrumental ADL
      dependence, dementia, nutrition, and polypharmacy) from CGA. We categorized the
      patients into 3 groups according to the tertile of aggregate frailty scores:
      Group 1, score 1-2; Group 2, score 3-4; Group 3, score 5-8). RESULTS: Fifty-four
      patients (10.1%) developed AKI (median duration, 4 days). The frailest group
      (Group 3) showed an increased risk of AKI as compared to Group 1, (hazard ratio
      [HR] = 3.536, P = 0.002). We found that discriminatory accuracy for AKI improved
      with the addition of the tertile of aggregate frailty score to covariates (area
      under the receiver operator characteristics curves [AUROC] 0.641, AUROC 0.739, P
      = 0.004). Forty-six patients (8.6%) were transferred to nursing facilities and
      477 patients (89.5%) were discharged home. The overall 90-day and 1-year
      mortality for elderly inpatients were 7.9% and 26.3%. The frailest group also
      demonstrated an increased risk of discharge to nursing facilities, and 90-day and
      1-year mortality as compared to Group 1, independent of AKI severity (nursing
      facilities: odd ratio = 4.843, P = 0.002; 90-day mortality: HR = 6.555, P =
      0.002; 1-year mortality: HR = 3.249, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that
      frailty may independently predict the development of AKI and adverse outcomes in
      geriatric inpatients.

PMID- 27257825
TI  - Comparison of the Surgical Outcomes of Dorsal Augmentation Using Expanded
      Polytetrafluoroethylene or Autologous Costal Cartilage.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Dorsal augmentation material includes alloplastic implants and
      autologous tissues. However, there has been no comparison to date of dorsal
      augmentation using different materials performed by the same surgeon. OBJECTIVE:
      To compare the aesthetic outcomes and complications of dorsal augmentation using
      expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and autologous costal cartilage (ACC) in
      rhinoplasty. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective review of the
      medical records of 244 patients who underwent dorsal augmentation performed by
      the same surgeon at the Asan Medical Center using ePTFE or ACC from March 1,
      2003, through September 31, 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Patient
      demographics and surgical procedures were analyzed. The aesthetic outcomes were
      scored from 1 (worst) to 4 (best) by 3 otolaryngologists. Changes in dorsal
      height and radix height were measured by comparing preoperative and postoperative
      profile views. Postoperative complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total
      of 244 patients who underwent augmentation rhinoplasty were reviewed in this
      study, including 141 men (57.8%) and 103 women (42.2%). The ePTFE group included
      176 patients, and the ACC group comprised 68 patients. In the ePTFE and ACC
      groups, 96 patients (54.5%) and 45 patients (66.2%) were male, respectively. The
      patient ages ranged from 11 to 69 years, with a mean (SD) age of 30.3 (11.49)
      years in the ePTFE group and 36.04 (12.65) years in the ACC group. The mean (SD)
      aesthetic outcome scores were comparable between the 2 groups: 2.99 (0.05) in the
      ePTFE group and 2.99 (0.06) in the ACC group (P = .93). The change of dorsal
      (2.64% in ePTFE group and 5.82% in ACC group) and radix (3.62% in ePTFE group and
      3.77% in ACC group) heights were significantly increased after augmentation in
      both groups (P < .001) even though the dorsal height of the ACC group after
      augmentation showed a significantly greater increase compared to the ePTFE group
      (P < .001). However, the complication rate was significantly higher in the ACC
      group: 4.0% in ePTFE group and 11.8% in ACC group (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Dorsal augmentation with ACC produces similar aesthetic outcomes but a
      higher complication rate than dorsal augmentation with ePTFE. This higher
      complication rate may justify the use of ePTFE implants for dorsal augmentation
      in Asian patients undergoing rhinoplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 27257824
TI  - Modeling the Dynamics of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Progression for
      Transvaginal Ultrasound-Based Screening and Early Detection.
AB  - High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) represents the majority of ovarian
      cancers and accounts for the largest proportion of deaths from the disease. A
      timely detection of low volume HGSOC should be the goal of any screening studies.
      However, numerous transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) detection-based population
      studies aimed at detecting low-volume disease have not yielded reduced mortality
      rates. A quantitative invalidation of TVU as an effective HGSOC screening
      strategy is a necessary next step. Herein, we propose a mathematical model for a
      quantitative explanation on the reported failure of TVU-based screening to
      improve HGSOC low-volume detectability and overall survival.We develop a novel in
      silico mathematical assessment of the efficacy of a unimodal TVU monitoring
      regimen as a strategy aimed at detecting low-volume HGSOC in cancer-positive
      cases, defined as cases for which the inception of the first malignant cell has
      already occurred. Our findings show that the median window of opportunity
      interval length for TVU monitoring and HGSOC detection is approximately 1.76
      years. This does not translate into reduced mortality levels or improved
      detection accuracy in an in silico cohort across multiple TVU monitoring
      frequencies or detection sensitivities. We demonstrate that even a semiannual,
      unimodal TVU monitoring protocol is expected to miss detectable HGSOC. Lastly, we
      find that circa 50% of the simulated HGSOC growth curves never reach the baseline
      detectability threshold, and that on average, 5-7 infrequent, rate-limiting
      stochastic changes in the growth parameters are associated with reaching HGSOC
      detectability and mortality thresholds respectively. Focusing on a malignancy
      poorly studied in the mathematical oncology community, our model captures the
      dynamic, temporal evolution of HGSOC progression. Our mathematical model is
      consistent with recent case reports and prospective TVU screening population
      studies, and provides support to the empirical recommendation against frequent
      HGSOC screening. 

PMID- 27257826
TI  - Assessment of estrogenic and androgenic activity in PM10 air samples from an
      urban, industrial and rural area in Flanders (Belgium) using the CALUX bioassay.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endocrine disrupting chemicals represent a broad class of compounds,
      are widespread in the environment and can pose severe health effects. OBJECTIVES:
      The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the overall estrogen
      and androgen activating potential of PM10 air samples at an urban, rural and
      industrial location in Flanders, using a human in vitro cell bioassay. METHODS:
      PM10 samples were collected on glass fiber filters every six days between April
      2013 and January 2014 using a high-volume sampler. Extraction was executed with a
      hexane/acetone mixture before analysis using a recombinant estrogen- or androgen
      responsive human carcinoma cell line. Results were expressed as bioanalytical
      equivalents (BEQs) per cubic meter of air. RESULTS: High fluctuations in
      estrogenic activity were observed during the entire sampling period, with median
      BEQs of 32.1, 35.9 and 31.1 fg E2-Eq m(-)3 in the industrial, urban and rural
      background area, respectively. Estrogenic activity was measured in 70% of the
      samples, while no androgenic activity was observed in any of the samples. The
      estrogenic activity in the industrial area was positively correlated with the
      airborne concentration of the sum of the non-carcinogenic PAHs pyrene and
      fluoranthene (rho=0.48; p<0.01) and the sum of the carcinogenic PAHs (rho=0.36;
      p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that no androgenic activity was present
      in PM10 and that although the median estrogenic activity was rather low and
      comparable in the three locations, high fluctuations in estrogenic response exist
      over time. While atmospheric PAHs contributed to the observed estrogenic
      response, especially in the industrial area, the chemicals responsible for the
      majority of estrogenic activity remain to be identified.

PMID- 27257828
TI  - Synthesis of Tetracyclic Quinazolinones Using a Visible-Light-Promoted Radical
      Cascade Approach.
AB  - A practical approach for the synthesis of tetracyclic pyrroloquinazolines using
      photoredox strategy has been developed. The visible-light-promoted intramolecular
      single-electron-transfer process between photocatalyst and N-(2-iodobenzyl)-N
      acylcyanamides is considered to be involved in this transformation. Targeted
      pyrroloquinazoline derivatives (15 examples) are presented in good isolated
      yields (30%-88%).

PMID- 27257827
TI  - Interactions of cationic polystyrene nanoparticles with marine bivalve hemocytes
      in a physiological environment: Role of soluble hemolymph proteins.
AB  - The bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis has proven as a suitable model invertebrate
      for evaluating the potential impact of nanoparticles (NPs) in the marine
      environment. In particular, in mussels, the immune system represents a sensitive
      target for different types of NPs. In environmental conditions, both NP intrinsic
      properties and those of the receiving medium will affect particle behavior and
      consequent bioavailability/uptake/toxicity. However, the evaluation of the
      biological effects of NPs requires additional understanding of how, once within
      the organism, NPs interact at the molecular level with cells in a physiological
      environment. In mammalian systems, different NPs associate with serum soluble
      components, organized into a "protein corona", which affects particle
      interactions with target cells. However, no information is available so far on
      the interactions of NPs with biological fluids of aquatic organisms. In this
      work, the influence of hemolymph serum (HS) on the in vitro effects of amino
      modified polystyrene NPs (PS-NH2) on Mytilus hemocytes was investigated.
      Hemocytes were incubated with PS-NH2 suspensions in HS (1, 5 and 50ug/mL) and the
      results were compared with those obtained in ASW medium. Cell functional
      parameters (lysosomal membrane stability, oxyradical production, phagocytosis)
      were evaluated, and morphological changes were investigated by TEM. The
      activation state of the signalling components involved in Mytilus immune response
      (p38 MAPK and PKC) was determined. The results show that in the presence of HS,
      PS-NH2 increased cellular damage and ROS production with respect to ASW medium.
      The effects were apparently mediated by disregulation of p38 MAPK signalling. The
      formation of a PS-NH2-protein corona in HS was investigated by centrifugation,
      and 1D- gel electrophoresis and nano-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The results identified the
      Putative C1q domain containing protein (MgC1q6) as the only component of the PS
      NH2 hard protein corona in Mytilus hemolymph. These data represent the first
      evidence for the formation of a NP bio-corona in aquatic organisms and underline
      the importance of the recognizable biological identity of NPs in physiological
      exposure medium when testing their potential impact environmental model
      organisms. Although the results obtained in vitro do not entirely reflect a
      realistic exposure scenario and the more complex formation of a bio-corona that
      is likely to occur in vivo, these data will contribute to a better understanding
      of the effects of NPs in marine invertebrates.

PMID- 27257829
TI  - Impact of subclinical coronary artery disease on the clinical outcomes of carotid
      endarterectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Controversy persists regarding the optimal management of subclinical
      coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and the
      impact of CAD on clinical outcomes after CEA. This study aimed to evaluate the
      short-term surgical risks and long-term outcomes of patients with subclinical CAD
      who underwent CEA. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective study of data
      from a prospective CEA registry. They analyzed a total of 702 cases involving
      patients without a history of CAD who received preoperative cardiac risk
      assessment by radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and underwent CEA
      over a 10-year period. The management strategy (the necessity, sequence, and
      treatment modality of coronary revascularization and optimal perioperative
      medical treatment) was determined according to the presence, severity, and extent
      of CAD as determined by preoperative MPI and additional coronary computed
      tomography angiography and/or coronary angiography. Perioperative cardiac damage
      was defined on the basis of postoperative elevation of the blood level of cardiac
      troponin I (0.05-0.5 ng/ml) in the absence of myocardial ischemia. The primary
      endpoint was the composite of any stroke, myocardial infarction, or death during
      the perioperative period and all-cause mortality within 4 years of CEA. The
      associations between clinical outcomes after CEA and subclinical CAD were
      analyzed. RESULTS Concomitant subclinical CAD was observed in 81 patients
      (11.5%). These patients did have a higher incidence of perioperative cardiac
      damage (13.6% vs 0.5%, p < 0.01), but they had similar primary endpoint
      incidences during the perioperative period (2.5% vs.1.8%, p = 0.65) and similar
      estimated 4-year primary endpoint rates (13.6% vs 12.4%, p = 0.76) as the
      patients without subclinical CAD. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the
      2 groups had similar rates of overall survival (p = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS Patients
      with subclinical CAD can undergo CEA with acceptable short- and long-term
      outcomes provided they receive selective coronary revascularization and optimal
      perioperative medical treatment.

PMID- 27257830
TI  - A leap forward in the endovascular management of acute basilar artery occlusion
      since the appearance of stent retrievers: a single-center comparative study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Contrary to acute ischemic stroke involving the anterior circulation,
      no randomized trial has yet demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of
      endovascular management in acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). Recently
      developed thrombectomy devices, such as stentrievers and aspiration systems, have
      helped in improving the endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke. The
      authors sought to assess the impact of these devices in the endovascular
      treatment of acute BAO. METHODS A retrospective analysis of 34 consecutive
      patients treated in Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital for acute BAO was carried out. All
      patients had undergone an endovascular procedure. In addition to the global
      results in terms of safety and effectiveness (recanalization rate and 3-month
      clinical outcome based on the modified Rankin Scale [mRS]), the authors aimed to
      determine if the patients treated with the most recently developed devices (i.e.,
      the Solitaire stentriever or the ADAPT catheter) had better angiographic and
      clinical outcomes than those treated with older endovascular strategies. RESULTS
      The overall successful recanalization rate (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction
      score 2b-3) was 50% (17 of 34 patients). A good clinical outcome (mRS score 0-2
      at 3-month follow-up) was achieved in 11 (32.3%) of 34 patients. The mortality
      rate at 3-month follow-up was 29.4% (10 of 34 patients). Patients treated with
      the Solitaire stentriever and the ADAPT catheter had a higher recanalization rate
      (12 [92.3%] of 13 patients vs 5 [23.8%] of 21 patients, p = 0.0002) and a shorter
      mean (+/- SD) procedure duration (88 +/- 31 minutes vs 126 +/- 58 minutes, p =
      0.04) than patients treated with older devices. CONCLUSIONS The latest devices
      have improved the effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy in acute BAO. Their
      use in further studies may help demonstrate a benefit in the endovascular
      management of acute BAO.

PMID- 27257831
TI  - High-grade glioma with anterior skull base erosion and intranasal extension: case
      report.
AB  - The authors describe the case of a large WHO Grade III anaplastic
      oligoastrocytoma extending through the anterior skull base and into the right
      nasal cavity and sinuses. Glial neoplasms are typically confined to the
      intracranial compartment within the brain parenchyma and rarely extend into the
      nasal cavity without prior surgical or radiation therapy. This 42-year-old woman
      presented with progressive headaches and sinus congestion. MR imaging findings
      revealed a large intracranial lesion with intranasal extension. Endoscopic nasal
      biopsy revealed pathology consistent with an infiltrating glioma. The patient
      subsequently underwent a combined transcranial/endonasal endoscopic approach for
      resection of this lesion. Pathological diagnosis revealed a WHO Grade III
      oligoastrocytoma. This report reviews the mechanisms of extradural glioma
      extension. To the authors' knowledge, it is the second report of a high-grade
      glioma exhibiting nasal extension without prior surgical or radiation treatment.

PMID- 27257832
TI  - The white matter tracts of the cerebrum in ventricular surgery and hydrocephalus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE The relationship of the white matter tracts to the lateral ventricles
      is important when planning surgical approaches to the ventricles and in
      understanding the symptoms of hydrocephalus. The authors' aim was to explore the
      relationship of the white matter tracts of the cerebrum to the lateral ventricles
      using fiber dissection technique and MR tractography and to discuss these
      findings in relation to approaches to ventricular lesions. METHODS Forty adult
      human formalin-fixed cadaveric hemispheres (20 brains) and 3 whole heads were
      examined using fiber dissection technique. The dissections were performed from
      lateral to medial, medial to lateral, superior to inferior, and inferior to
      superior. MR tractography showing the lateral ventricles aided in the
      understanding of the 3D relationships of the white matter tracts with the lateral
      ventricles. RESULTS The relationship between the lateral ventricles and the
      superior longitudinal I, II, and III, arcuate, vertical occipital, middle
      longitudinal, inferior longitudinal, inferior frontooccipital, uncinate, sledge
      runner, and lingular amygdaloidal fasciculi; and the anterior commissure fibers,
      optic radiations, internal capsule, corona radiata, thalamic radiations,
      cingulum, corpus callosum, fornix, caudate nucleus, thalamus, stria terminalis,
      and stria medullaris thalami were defined anatomically and radiologically. These
      fibers and structures have a consistent relationship to the lateral ventricles.
      CONCLUSIONS Knowledge of the relationship of the white matter tracts of the
      cerebrum to the lateral ventricles should aid in planning more accurate surgery
      for lesions within the lateral ventricles.

PMID- 27257833
TI  - Accessibility, reliability, and usability of neurosurgical resources.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Closing the knowledge gap that exists between patients and health care
      providers is essential and is facilitated by easy access to patient education
      materials. Although such information has the potential to be an effective
      resource, it must be written in a user-friendly and understandable manner,
      especially when such material pertains to specialized and highly technical fields
      such as neurological surgery. The authors evaluated the accessibility, usability,
      and reliability of current educational resources provided by the American
      Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Healthwise, and the National
      Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). METHODS Online
      neurosurgical patient education information provided by AANS, Healthwise, and
      NINDS was evaluated using the LIDA scale, a website quality assessment tool, by
      medical professionals and nonmedical professionals. A high achieving score is
      regarded as 90% or greater using the LIDA scale. RESULTS Accessibility scores
      were 76.7% (AANS), 83.3% (Healthwise), and 75.0% (NINDS). Average usability
      scores for the AANS, Healthwise, and NINDS were 73.3%, 82.6%, and 82.9%,
      respectively, when evaluated by medical professionals and 78.5%, 80.7%, and
      75.9%, respectively, for nonmedical professionals, respectively. Average
      reliability scores were 58.5%, 53.3%, 72.6%, respectively, for medical
      professionals and 70.4%, 66.7%, and 78.5%, respectively, for nonmedical
      professionals when evaluating the AANS, Healthwise, and NINDS websites.
      CONCLUSIONS Although organizations like AANS, Healthwise, and NINDS should be
      commended for their ongoing commitment to provide health care-oriented materials,
      modification of this material is suggested to improve the patient education
      value.

PMID- 27257834
TI  - Risk stratification in motor area-related glioma surgery based on navigated
      transcranial magnetic stimulation data.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) is a noninvasive
      method for preoperatively localizing functional areas in patients with tumors in
      presumed motor eloquent areas. The aim of this study was to establish an nTMS
      based risk stratification model by examining whether the results of nTMS mapping
      and its neurophysiological data predict postoperative motor outcome in glioma
      surgery. METHODS Included in this study were prospectively collected data for 113
      patients undergoing bihemispheric nTMS examination prior to surgery for gliomas
      in presumed motor eloquent locations. Multiple ordinal logistic regression
      analysis was performed to test for any association between preoperative nTMS
      related variables and postoperative motor outcome. RESULTS A new motor deficit or
      deterioration due to a preexisting deficit was observed in 20% of cases after 7
      days and in 22% after 3 months. In terms of tumor location, no new permanent
      deficit was observed when the distance between tumor and corticospinal tract was
      greater than 8 mm and the precentral gyrus was not infiltrated (p = 0.014). New
      postoperative deficits on Day 7 were associated with a pathological excitability
      of the motor cortices (interhemispheric resting motor threshold [RMT] ratio < 90%
      or > 110%, p = 0.031). Interestingly, motor function never improved when the RMT
      was significantly higher in the tumorous hemisphere than in the healthy
      hemisphere (RMT ratio > 110%). CONCLUSIONS The proposed risk stratification
      model, based on objective functional-anatomical and neurophysiological measures,
      enables one to counsel patients about the risk of functional deterioration or the
      potential for recovery.

PMID- 27257835
TI  - Cesium-131 brachytherapy for recurrent brain metastases: durable salvage
      treatment for previously irradiated metastatic disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Managing patients whose intraparenchymal brain metastases recur after
      radiotherapy remains a challenge. Intraoperative cesium-131 (Cs-131)
      brachytherapy performed at the time of neurosurgical resection may represent an
      excellent salvage treatment option. The authors evaluated the outcomes of this
      novel treatment with permanent intraoperative Cs-131 brachytherapy. METHODS
      Thirteen patients with 15 metastases to the brain that recurred after
      stereotactic radiosurgery and/or whole brain radiotherapy were treated between
      2010 and 2015. Stranded Cs-131 seeds were placed as a permanent volume implant.
      Prescription dose was 80 Gy at 5-mm depth from the resection cavity surface. The
      primary end point was resection cavity freedom from progression (FFP). Resection
      cavity freedom from progression (FFP), regional FFP, distant FFP, median
      survival, overall survival (OS), and toxicity were assessed. RESULTS The median
      duration of follow-up after salvage treatment was 5 months (range 0.5-18 months).
      The patients' median age was 64 years (range 51-74 years). The median resected
      tumor diameter was 2.9 cm (range 1.0-5.6 cm). The median number of seeds
      implanted was 19 (range 10-40), with a median activity per seed of 2.25 U (range
      1.98-3.01 U) and median total activity of 39.6 U (range 20.0-95.2 U). The 1-year
      actuarial local FFP was 83.3%. The median OS was 7 months, and 1-year OS was
      24.7%. Complications included infection (3), pseudomeningocele (1), seizure (1),
      and asymptomatic radionecrosis (RN) (1). CONCLUSIONS After failure of prior
      irradiation of brain metastases, re-irradiation with intraoperative Cs-131
      brachytherapy implants provides durable local control and limits the risk of RN.
      The authors' initial experience demonstrates that this treatment approach is well
      tolerated and safe for patients with previously irradiated tumors after failure
      of more than 1 radiotherapy regimen and that it results in excellent response
      rates and minimal toxicity.

PMID- 27257836
TI  - Efficacy of a coaxial system with a compliant balloon catheter for navigation of
      the Penumbra reperfusion catheter in tortuous arteries: technique and case
      experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE The authors describe a method by which they easily and atraumatically
      navigate a large-bore reperfusion catheter of the Penumbra system to an embolus
      by using a coaxial system with a compliant balloon catheter in patients with
      tortuous arteries. METHODS A retrospective review of the prospective endovascular
      database was performed to identify cases in which a coaxial system with a
      compliant balloon catheter (Scepter C, MicroVention/Terumo; or TransForm C,
      Stryker Neurovascular) and a large-bore reperfusion catheter of the Penumbra
      system (Penumbra, Inc.) was used. The authors achieved a stable guiding sheath
      position and delivered the coaxial system with a compliant balloon catheter and a
      large-bore reperfusion catheter. Then, the balloon was inflated somewhat when the
      distal tip of the balloon was slightly advanced from the tip of the reperfusion
      catheter, and together the coaxial system was advanced to an embolus over a 0.014
      in guidewire, even around the corner. When the distal tip of the balloon catheter
      reached the embolus, the authors deflated the balloon and navigated the large
      bore reperfusion catheter to the embolus. Finally, the aspiration of the embolus
      with the Penumbra MAX pump was begun. RESULTS Between May 2014 and September
      2015, the authors used this technique in 17 cases: 16 cases of middle cerebral
      artery occlusion (including 5 cases of internal carotid artery occlusion) and 1
      case of basilar artery occlusion (age range 36-88 years, mean age 74.7 years, 13
      men). For the reperfusion catheter of the Penumbra system, the 5MAX ACE was used
      in 15 cases, and the 5MAX was used in 2 cases. As a compliant balloon catheter,
      the Scepter C was used in 16 cases, and the TransForm C was used in 1 case. The
      technique was successful in 16 cases (94.1%). No parent artery dissections were
      noted in any cases. Catheter-induced vasospasm was noted in 1 case, but the
      vasospasm was transient. CONCLUSIONS A coaxial system with a compliant balloon
      catheter can help safely and easily to navigate the large-bore reperfusion
      catheter of the Penumbra system to an embolus in patients with tortuous arteries.

PMID- 27257837
TI  - Stagnation and complex flow in ruptured cerebral aneurysms: a possible
      association with hemostatic pattern.
AB  - OBJECT Histopathological examination has revealed that ruptured cerebral
      aneurysms have different hemostatic patterns depending on the location of the
      clot formation. In this study, the authors investigated whether the hemostatic
      patterns had specific hemodynamic features using computational fluid dynamics
      (CFD) analysis. METHODS Twenty-six ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms were
      evaluated by 3D CT angiography and harvested at the time of clipping. The
      hemostatic patterns at the rupture points were assessed by means of
      histopathological examination, and morphological parameters were obtained.
      Transient analysis was performed, and wall shear stress-related hemodynamic
      parameters and invariant Q (vortex core region) were calculated. The
      morphological and hemodynamic parameters were compared among the hemostatic
      patterns. RESULTS Hematoxylin and eosin staining of the aneurysm wall showed 13
      inside-pattern, 9 outside-pattern, and 4 other-pattern aneurysms. Three of the 26
      aneurysms were excluded from further analysis, because their geometry models
      could not be generated due to low vascular CT values. Mann-Whitney U-tests showed
      that lower dome volume (0.04 cm3 vs 0.12 cm3, p = 0.014), gradient oscillatory
      number (0.0234 vs 0.0289, p = 0.023), invariant Q (-0.801 10-2/sec2 vs -0.124 10
      2/sec2, p = 0.045) and higher aneurysm formation indicator (0.986 vs 0.963, p =
      0.041) were significantly related to inside-pattern aneurysms when compared with
      outside-pattern aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS Inside-pattern aneurysms may have simpler
      flow patterns and less flow stagnation than outside-pattern aneurysms. CFD may be
      useful to characterize the hemostatic pattern of ruptured cerebral aneurysms.

PMID- 27257838
TI  - Surgery for meningioma in the elderly and long-term survival: comparison with an
      age- and sex-matched general population and with younger patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare long-term prognosis after
      meningioma surgery in elderly and younger patients as well as to compare survival
      of elderly patients with surgically treated meningioma to survival rates for the
      general population. METHODS Five hundred meningioma patients (median follow-up 90
      months) who underwent surgery between 1994 and 2009 were subdivided into
      "elderly" (age >= 65 years, n = 162) and "younger" (age < 65 years, n = 338)
      groups for uni- and multivariate analyses. Mortality was compared with rates for
      the age- and sex-matched general population. RESULTS The median age at diagnosis
      was 71 in the elderly group and 51 years in the younger group. Sex, intracranial
      tumor location, grade of resection, radiotherapy, and histopathological subtypes
      were similar in the 2 groups. High-grade (WHO Grades II and III) and spinal
      tumors were more common in older patients than in younger patients (15% vs 8%, p
      = 0.017, and 12% vs 4%, p = 0.001, respectively). The progression-free interval
      (PFI) was similar in the 2 groups, whereas mortality at 3 months after surgery
      was higher and median overall survival (OS) was shorter in older patients (7%,
      191 months) than in younger patients (1%, median not reached; HR 4.9, 95% CI 2.75
      8.74; p < 0.001). Otherwise, the median OS in elderly patients did not differ
      from the anticipated general life expectancy (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.70-1.50; p =
      0.886). Within the older patient group, PFI was lower in patients with high-grade
      meningiomas (HR 24.74, 95% CI 4.23-144.66; p < 0.001) and after subtotal
      resection (HR 10.57, 95% CI 2.23-50.05; p = 0.003). Although extent of resection
      was independent of perioperative mortality, the median OS was longer after gross
      total resection than after subtotal resection (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.09-6.69; p =
      0.032). CONCLUSIONS Elderly patients with surgically treated meningioma do not
      suffer from impaired survival compared with the age-matched general population,
      and their PFI is similar to that of younger meningioma patients. These data help
      mitigate fears concerning surgical treatment of elderly patients in an aging
      society.

PMID- 27257839
TI  - Complication avoidance in laser interstitial thermal therapy: lessons learned.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Complications of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) are
      underreported. The authors discuss how they have modified their technique in the
      context of technical and treatment-related adverse events. METHODS The Medtronic
      Visualase system was used in 49 procedures in 46 patients. Between 1 and 3
      cooling catheters/laser fiber assemblies were placed, for a total of 62 implanted
      devices. Devices were placed using frameless stereotaxy (n = 3), frameless
      stereotaxy with intraoperative MRI (iMRI) (n = 9), iMRI under direct vision (n =
      2), MRI alone (n = 1), or frame-based (n = 47) techniques. LITT was performed
      while monitoring MRI thermometry. Indications included brain tumors (n = 12),
      radiation necrosis (n = 2), filum terminale ependymoma (n = 1), mesial temporal
      lobe epilepsy (n = 21), corpus callosotomy for bifrontal epilepsy (n = 3),
      cavernoma (n = 1), and hypothalamic hamartomas (n = 6). RESULTS Some form of
      adverse event occurred in 11 (22.4%) of 49 procedures. These included 4 catheter
      malpositions, 3 intracranial hemorrhages, 3 cases of neurological deficit related
      to thermal injury, and 1 technical malfunction resulting in an aborted procedure.
      Of these, direct thermal injury was the only cause of prolonged neurological
      morbidity and occurred in 3 of 49 procedures. Use of frameless stereotaxy and
      increased numbers of devices were associated with significantly increased
      complication rates (p < 0.05). A number of procedural modifications were made to
      avoid complications, including the use of 1) frame-based catheter placement, a
      1.8-mm alignment rod to create a track and titanium skull anchors for long
      trajectories to improve accuracy; 2) a narrow-gauge instrument for dural puncture
      and coregistration of contrast MRI with CT angiography to reduce intracranial
      hemorrhage; 3) general endotracheal anesthesia for posterior-placed skull anchors
      to reduce the likelihood of damage to the cooling catheter; 4) use of as few
      probes as possible to reduce complications overall; and 5) dose modification of
      thermal treatment and use of short (3-mm) diffusing tips to limit treatment when
      structures to be spared do not have intervening CSF spaces to act as heat sinks.
      CONCLUSIONS Laser ablation treatment may be used for a variety of neurosurgical
      procedures for patients with tumors and epilepsy. While catheter placement and
      thermal treatment may be associated with a range of suboptimal operative and
      postoperative courses, permanent neurological morbidity is less common. The
      authors' institutional experience illustrates a number of measures that may be
      taken to improve outcomes using this important new tool in the neurosurgical
      arsenal.

PMID- 27257840
TI  - Low flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery predicting infarction after
      bypass surgery in adult moyamoya disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Direct and indirect bypass surgeries are recognized as the most
      effective treatments for preventing further stroke in adults with moyamoya
      disease (MMD). However, the risk factors for postoperative infarction after
      bypass surgery for MMD are not well established. Therefore, the objective of this
      study was to investigate the risk factors for postoperative infarction. In
      particular, the authors sought to determine whether transcranial Doppler (TCD)
      ultrasonography measurements of mean flow velocity (MFV) in the middle cerebral
      artery (MCA) could predict postrevascularization infarction. METHODS The medical
      records of patients with MMD who underwent direct bypass surgery at the authors'
      institution between July 2012 and April 2015 were reviewed. The MFV in the MCA
      was measured with TCD ultrasonography and categorized as high (> 80 cm/sec),
      medium (40-80 cm/sec), and low (< 40 cm/sec). Postoperative MRI, including
      diffusion-weighted imaging, was performed for all patients within a week of their
      surgery. Angiographic findings were classified according to the Suzuki scale.
      Postrevascularization infarction was defined as any diffusion restriction on
      postoperative MRI scans. Postoperative neurological status was assessed through a
      clinical chart review, and the modified Rankin Scale was used to evaluate
      clinical outcomes. RESULTS Of 43 hemispheres in which bypass surgery for MMD was
      performed, 11 showed postrevascularization infarction. Ten of these hemispheres
      had low MFV and 1 had medium MFV in the ipsilateral MCA. In both univariate and
      multivariate analyses, a low MFV was associated with postrevascularization
      infarction (adjusted OR 109.2, 95% CI 1.9-6245.3). A low MFV was also
      statistically significantly associated with more advanced MMD stage (p = 0.02).
      CONCLUSIONS A low MFV in the ipsilateral MCA may predict postrevascularization
      infarction. Bypass surgery for MMD appears to be safe in early-stage MMD. Results
      of TCD ultrasonography provide clinical data on the hemodynamics in MMD patients
      before and after revascularization.

PMID- 27257841
TI  - Contralateral supraorbital keyhole approach to medial optic nerve lesions: an
      anatomoclinical study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE The authors describe the supraorbital keyhole approach to the
      contralateral medial optic nerve and tract, both in a series of cadaveric
      dissections and in 2 patients. They also discuss the indications and
      contraindications for this procedure. METHODS In 3 cadaver heads, bilateral
      supraorbital keyhole minicraniotomies were performed to expose the ipsilateral
      and contralateral optic nerves. The extent of exposure of the medial optic nerve
      was assessed. In 2 patients, a contralateral supraorbital keyhole approach was
      used to remove pathology of the contralateral medial optic nerve and tract.
      RESULTS The supraorbital keyhole craniotomy provided better exposure of the
      contralateral superomedial nerve than it did of the same portion of the
      ipsilateral nerve. In both patients gross-total resections of the pathology was
      achieved. CONCLUSIONS The authors demonstrate the suitability of the
      contralateral supraorbital keyhole approach for lesions involving the
      superomedial optic nerve.

PMID- 27257842
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Biases in estimation of overall survival in patients who
      underwent repeat resection of glioblastoma.

PMID- 27257843
TI  - Antibiotic prophylaxis for subdural and subgaleal drains.
AB  - OBJECTIVE The authors sought to determine the effects of eliminating the use of
      prolonged prophylactic systemic antibiotics (PPSAs) in patients with subdural and
      subgaleal drains. METHODS Using a retrospective database, the authors collected
      data for patients over the age of 17 years who had undergone cranial surgery at
      their institution between December 2013 and July 2014 (PPSAs period) or between
      December 2014 and July 2015 (non-PPSAs period) and had subdural or subgaleal
      drains left in place postoperatively. RESULTS One hundred five patients in the
      PPSAs period and 80 in the non-PPSAs period were identified. The discontinuation
      of PPSAs did not result in an increase in the frequency of surgical site
      infection (SSI). The frequency of Clostridium difficile (CDI) and the growth of
      resistant bacteria were reduced in the non-PPSAs period in comparison with the
      PPSAs period. In the 8 months after the drain prophylaxis protocol was changed,
      $93,194.63 were saved in the costs of antibiotics and complications related to
      antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS After discontinuing PPSAs for patients with subdural or
      subgaleal drains at their institution, the authors did not observe an increase in
      the frequency of SSI. They did, however, note a decrease in the frequency of CDI
      and the growth of resistant organisms. It appears that not only can patients in
      this population do without PPSAs, but also that complications are avoided when
      antibiotic use is limited to 24 hours after surgery.

PMID- 27257844
TI  - The association between adherence to the New Nordic Diet and diet quality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported a positive association between scoring
      on healthy Nordic diet scales and the intake of healthy foods and nutrients, and
      also with higher intake of meat, sweets, cakes, and energy in general. These
      studies have used the same food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) responses for
      constructing the diet score as for calculating intakes of foods and nutrients.
      Thus, it is not clear whether the coexistence of healthy and less healthy dietary
      aspects among adherers to Nordic diets would occur even though separate methods
      were applied for exploring these relations. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association
      between adherence to the New Nordic Diet (NND), derived from an FFQ, and diet
      quality, determined from two 24-h dietary recall interviews. DESIGN: In total, 65
      parents of toddlers in Southern Norway answered the NND FFQ and two 24-h dietary
      recall interviews. NND adherence was determined from the FFQ and categorized into
      low, medium, and high adherence. The two 24-h recalls provided data for the
      intake of specific foods and nutrients, selected on the basis of the Norwegian
      food-based guidelines as an indicator of a healthy diet. The Kruskal-Wallis test
      was used for assessing differences in food and nutrient intake across NND groups.
      RESULTS: High NND adherence derived from FFQ was associated with a high intake of
      fruits (p=0.004) and fiber (p=0.02), and a low intake of meat (p=0.004) and
      margarines (p=0.05), derived from recalls. A larger proportion of high NND
      adherers (68%) complied with the national dietary recommendation targeting meat
      intake compared with low NND adherers (29%) (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The present
      study showed that higher NND adherence measured with FFQ was associated with a
      higher intake of selected healthy foods and nutrients, measured with recalls.
      However, a higher intake of meat, sweets, and energy, as earlier reported, was
      not observed.

PMID- 27257845
TI  - Interference effect of oral administration of mulberry branch bark powder on the
      incidence of type II diabetes in mice induced by streptozotocin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases that has become a global
      health problem worldwide. Many researchers have found that mulberry branches have
      a hypoglycemic effect, but there have been few studies or investigations
      regarding the use of mulberry branches to prevent the incidence of diabetes.
      OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the potential preventive effect of
      mulberry branch bark powder (MBBP) from Morus multicaulis L against type II
      diabetes in mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ). DESIGN: The normal mice were
      fed a diet containing 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0%, MBBP, respectively, for 2 weeks. After
      that, STZ (100 mg/kg) was injected into the caudal vein of these mice. These mice
      continued to be fed the same diet, and the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels
      were monitored on the 17th and 21st days. RESULTS: Oral administration of MBBP
      could effectively inhibit weight loss and maintain the FBG level. The incidence
      of diabetes in mice was almost inhibited by treatment with 10% MBBP. MBBP could
      also maintain the original antioxidant capacity and regulate the lipid metabolism
      in mice. An immunohistochemical assay showed that MBBP could prevent the injury
      of the insulin-secreting islet beta cells induced by STZ. RT-PCR also confirmed
      that the mRNA expression of the genes PI3K, Pdk1, Akt, and FoxO1, which were
      involved in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, hardly suffered from STZ in the 10%
      MBBP-dose group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that powdered mulberry branch
      bark has a powerful anti-diabetic effect. These results clearly illustrated that
      MBBP has a potential use as a health food additive in the prevention of diabetes.

PMID- 27257846
TI  - Photochemistry of Nitrophenol Molecules and Clusters: Intra- vs Intermolecular
      Hydrogen Bond Dynamics.
AB  - We investigate both experimentally and theoretically the structure and
      photodynamics of nitrophenol molecules and clusters, addressing the question how
      the molecular photodynamics can be controlled by specific inter- and
      intramolecular interactions. Using quantum chemical calculations, we demonstrate
      the structural and energetic differences between clusters of 2-nitrophenol and 4
      nitrophenol, using phenol as a reference system. The calculated structures are
      supported by mass spectrometry. The mass spectra of 2-nitrophenol clusters
      provide an evidence for a stacked structure compared to a strong O-H...O hydrogen
      bonding for 4-nitrophenol aggregates. We further investigate the photodynamics of
      nitrophenol molecules and clusters by means of velocity map imaging of the H
      fragment generated upon 243 nm photodissociation. The experiments are
      complemented by ab initio calculations which demonstrate distinct photophysics of
      phenol, 2-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol. The measured H-fragment kinetic energy
      distributions (KEDs) from 2-nitrophenol molecules are compared to the KEDs from
      phenol. The comparison points to the intramolecular O-H...O hydrogen bond in 2
      nitrophenol, stimulating fast internal conversion into the ground electronic
      state. This reaction channel is marked by exclusive appearance of slow
      statistical hydrogen fragments in 2-nitrophenol, which contrasts with fast
      hydrogen atoms observed for phenol. The photodissociation of 2-nitrophenol
      clusters yields a fraction of H-fragments with higher kinetic energies than the
      isolated molecules. These fragments originate from the caging effect in the
      clusters leading to multiphoton dissociation of molecules excited by the previous
      photons. We also propose a new ab initio based value for the O-H bond
      dissociation enthalpy in 2-nitrophenol (4.25 eV), which is in excellent agreement
      with the maximum measured H-fragment kinetic energy. 

PMID- 27257847
TI  - Two-Dimensional Titanium Carbide/RGO Composite for High-Performance
      Supercapacitors.
AB  - Ti3C2Tx, a 2D titanium carbide in the MXenes family, is obtained from Ti3AlC2
      through selective etching of the Al layer. Due to its good conductivity and high
      volumetric capacitance, Ti3C2Tx is regarded as a promising candidate for
      supercapacitors. In this paper, the fabrication of Ti3C2Tx/RGO composites with
      different proportions of Ti3C2Tx and RGO is reported, in which RGO acts as a
      conductive "bridge" to connect different Ti3C2Tx blocks and a matrix to alleviate
      the volume change during charge/discharge process. In addition, RGO nanosheets
      can serve as a second nanoscale current collector and support as well for the
      electrode. The electrochemical performance of the as-fabricated Ti3C2Tx/RGO
      electrodes, characterized by CV, GCD, and EIS, are also reported. A highest
      specific capacitance (Cs) of 154.3 F/g at 2 A/g is obtained at the Ti3C2Tx: RGO
      weight ratio of 7:1 combined with an outstanding capacity retention (124.7 F/g)
      after 6000 cycles at 4 A/g. 

PMID- 27257848
TI  - Comprehensive Vibrational Spectroscopic Investigation of trans,trans,trans
      [Pt(N3)2(OH)2(py)2], a Pt(IV) Diazido Anticancer Prodrug Candidate.
AB  - We report a detailed study of a promising photoactivatable metal-based anticancer
      prodrug candidate, trans,trans,trans-[Pt(N3)2(OH)2(py)2] (C1; py = pyridine),
      using vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Attenuated total reflection Fourier
      transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), Raman, and synchrotron radiation far-IR (SR-FIR)
      spectroscopies were applied to obtain highly resolved ligand and Pt-ligand
      vibrations for C1 and its precursors (trans-[Pt(N3)2(py)2] (C2) and trans
      [PtCl2(py)2] (C3)). Distinct IR- and Raman-active vibrational modes were assigned
      with the aid of density functional theory calculations, and trends in the
      frequency shifts as a function of changing Pt coordination environment were
      determined and detailed for the first time. The data provide the ligand and Pt
      ligand (azide, hydroxide, pyridine) vibrational signatures for C1 in the mid- and
      far-IR region, which will provide a basis for the better understanding of the
      interaction of C1 with biomolecules. 

PMID- 27257849
TI  - Premature cardiovascular disease following a history of hypertensive disorder of
      pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Following an episode of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP)
      women have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease over their lifetime. At
      the time of acute coronary syndrome we compared clinical information between
      women with and without a history of hypertension in pregnancy to gain further
      insight into the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in this population.
      METHODS: GENESIS-PRAXY (GENdEr and Sex determInantS of cardiovascular disease:
      from bench to beyond-PRemature Acute Coronary SYdrome) is a prospective
      multicenter study, with recruitment between January 2009 and April 2013,
      including 242 parous women with premature acute coronary syndrome. RESULTS: The
      median age was 50years (IQR 6) and HDP was common; 43 (17.8%) women had prior
      gestational hypertension, 33 (13.6%) preeclampsia and 166 (68.6%) a prior
      normotensive pregnancy. Women with a history of HDP commonly had chronic
      hypertension and diabetes and those presenting with ST-elevation myocardial
      infarction were more likely to have a history of preeclampsia (aOR 3.12, 95% CI
      1.22-8.01) than were women with prior normotensive pregnancies. Neither
      gestational hypertension (aOR 1.40, 95% CI 0.60-3.26) nor preeclampsia (aOR 0.63,
      95% CI 0.23-1.74) was associated with a higher composite risk of three-vessel,
      left main or proximal left anterior descending coronary disease. CONCLUSION: In
      this study of women with premature cardiovascular disease, ST-elevation
      myocardial infarction was associated with a history of preeclampsia possibly
      because of persistent endothelial dysfunction. High-risk coronary lesions on
      angiography did not appear to have an association with preeclampsia or
      gestational hypertension despite a high burden of traditional risk factors.

PMID- 27257851
TI  - Decreased admission serum albumin level is an independent predictor of long-term
      mortality in hospital survivors of acute myocardial infarction. Soroka Acute
      Myocardial Infarction II (SAMI-II) project.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decreased serum albumin level (SAL) was reported to be associated
      with increased risk of cardiovascular events and short term-mortality in patients
      with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association
      between SAL and long-term mortality in AMI hospital survivors. METHODS:
      Retrospective analysis of patients admitted in a tertiary medical center for AMI
      2002-2012 and discharged alive. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: active infections,
      inflammatory diseases, significant liver or kidney failure, malignancy, ejection
      fraction <20%, severe heart valvular-disease and missing SAL. SAL was categorized
      as following: <3.4, 3.4-3.7, 3.7-3.9, 3.9-4.1 and >4.1g/dL. The primary outcome
      was all-cause mortality for up-to 10-years post-AMI. RESULTS: Out of 12,535
      patients, 8750 were included. Patients with reduced SAL were older, higher rate
      of women, increased prevalence of severe left ventricular dysfunction, chronic
      renal failure, diabetes mellitus and ST-elevation AMI, 3-vessel coronary artery
      disease, and in-hospital complications. While the prevalence of chronic ischemic
      coronary disease, dyslipidemia, smokers and obesity, was lower. Mortality rates
      throughout the follow-up period increased as SAL decreased with 17.6%, 24%,
      28.5%, 38.6%, and 57.5% for SAL of >4.1, 3.9-4.1, 3.7-3.9, 3.4-3.7 and <3.4g/dL
      respectively (p-for-trend <0.001). Using the SAL category of >4.1g/dL as the
      reference group, Adjusted Hazard Ratio values were 1.14 (p=0.107), 1.23
      (p=0.007), 1.39 (p<0.001) and 1.70 (p<0.001) for the SAL categories of 3.9-4.1,
      3.7-3.9, 3.4-3.7 and <3.4g/dL respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased SAL on
      admission, including levels within "normal" clinical range, is significantly
      associated with long-term all-cause mortality in hospital survivors of AMI with a
      "dose-response" type association.

PMID- 27257850
TI  - The Fontan epidemic: Population projections from the Australia and New Zealand
      Fontan Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The number and age demographic of the future Fontan population is
      unknown. METHODS: Population projections were calculated probabilistically using
      microsimulation. Mortality hazard rates for each Fontan recipient were calculated
      from survivorship of 1353 Fontan recipients in the Australia and New Zealand
      Fontan Registry, based on Fontan type, age at Fontan, gender and morphology.
      Projected rates of new Fontan procedures were generated from historical rates of
      Fontan procedures per population births. RESULTS: At the end of 2014, the living
      Fontan population of Australia and New Zealand was 1265 people from an Australian
      and New Zealand regional population of 28 million (4.5 per 100,000 population).
      Of those, 165 (13%) received an atrio-pulmonary (AP) procedure, 262 (21%) a
      lateral tunnel (LT) procedure and 838 (66%) an extra-cardiac conduit (ECC)
      procedure. This population is expected to grow to 1917 (95% CI: 1846: 1986) by
      2025 (5.8 per 100,000 population), with 149 (8%) AP procedures, 254 (13%) LT
      procedures, and 1514 (79%) ECC procedures. By 2045, the living Fontan population
      is expected to reach 2986 (95% CI: 2877: 3085; 7.2 per 100,000 population). The
      average age of the Fontan population is expected to increase from 18years in 2014
      to 23years (95% CI: 22-23) by 2025, and 31years (95% CI: 30-31) by 2045.
      CONCLUSION: The Australian and New Zealand population of patients alive after a
      Fontan procedure will double over the next 20years increasing the demand for
      heart-failure services and cardiac transplantation. Greater consideration for the
      needs of this mostly adult Fontan population will be necessary.

PMID- 27257852
TI  - Changes in plasma hormones and heart rate variability in patients receiving the
      cardiotoxic anti-cancer agent bevacizumab.

PMID- 27257853
TI  - Toward Analysis of Proteins in Single Cells: A Quantitative Approach Employing
      Isobaric Tags with MALDI Mass Spectrometry Realized with a Microfluidic Platform.
AB  - Protein identification and quantification in individual cells is essential to
      understand biological processes such as those involved in cell apoptosis, cancer,
      biomarker discovery, disease diagnostics, pathology, or therapy. Compared with
      present single cell genome analysis, probing the protein content of single cells
      has been hampered by the lack of a protein amplification technique. Here, we
      report the development of a quantitative mass spectrometric approach combined
      with microfluidic technology reaching the detection sensitivity of high abundant
      proteins in single cells. A microfluidic platform with a series of chambers and
      valves, ensuring a set of defined wells for absolute quantification of targeted
      proteins, was developed and combined with isotopic labeling strategies employing
      isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-labels. To this aim,
      we adapted iTRAQ labeling to an on-chip protocol. Simultaneous protein digestion
      and labeling performed on the microfluidic platform rendered the labeling
      strategy compatible with all necessary manipulation steps on-chip, including the
      matrix delivery for MALDI-TOF analysis. We demonstrate this approach with the
      apoptosis related protein Bcl-2 and quantitatively assess the number of Bcl-2
      molecules detected. We anticipate that this approach will eventually allow
      quantification of protein expression on the single cell level.

PMID- 27257855
TI  - Novel Concentrated Li[(FSO2)(n-C4F9SO2)N]-Based Ether Electrolyte for Superior
      Stability of Metallic Lithium Anode.
AB  - Lithium (fluorosulfonyl)(n-nonafluorobutanesulfonyl)imide [Li[(FSO2)(n-C4F9SO2)N]
      (LiFNFSI)] is investigated as a conducting salt, which can form a relatively
      stable solid-electrolyte-interphase film in concentrated ether electrolyte to
      achieve favorable protection for lithium metal anodes. Li|Cu and Li|Li cells with
      concentrated LiFNFSI-based electrolyte have been demonstrated to display high
      average Coulombic efficiency (~97%) and excellent cycling stability (over 1,000
      h) of metallic lithium anodes, compared to concentrated lithium
      bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide [Li[N(SO2CF3)2] (LiTFSI)]-based electrolyte.
      The morphologies and compositions of the lithium-metal anode surface are also
      comparatively analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy, respectively. Moreover, superior electrochemical performance in the
      concentrated LiFNFSI-based electrolyte for Li|LiFePO4 cells is also presented
      herein. These results indicate that concentrated LiFNFSI-based electrolyte is a
      promising candidate for metallic lithium rechargeable batteries.

PMID- 27257856
TI  - Compassion and chronic pain.

PMID- 27257854
TI  - MiR-15a/16 Regulates Apoptosis of Lung Epithelial Cells after Oxidative Stress.
AB  - Lung epithelial cell apoptosis is an important feature of hyperoxia-induced lung
      injury. Death receptor-associated extrinsic pathway and mitochondria-associated
      intrinsic pathway both mediate the development of lung epithelial cell apoptosis.
      Despite decades of research, molecular mechanisms of hyperoxia-induced epithelial
      cell apoptosis remain incompletely understood. Here we report a novel regulatory
      paradigm in response to hyperoxia-associated oxidative stress. Hyperoxia markedly
      up-regulated miR-15a/16 levels in lung epithelial cells, broncho-alveolar lavage
      fluid (BALF) and lung tissue. This effect was mediated by hyperoxia-induced
      reactive oxygen species (ROS). Functionally, miR-15a/16 inhibitors induced
      caspase 3-mediated lung epithelial cell apoptosis, in the presence of hyperoxia.
      MiR-15a/16 inhibitors robustly enhanced FADD level and down-regulated Bcl-2
      expression. Consistently, cleaved caspase 8 and 9 were highly induced in the miR
      15a/16 deficient cells, after hyperoxia. Using airway epithelial cell specific,
      miR-15a/16-/- mice, we found that Bcl-2 significantly reduced in lung epithelial
      cells in vivo after hyperoxia. In contrast, caspase 3, 8 and Bcl-2 associated
      death promoter (BAD) were highly elevated in the miR-15a/16-/- epithelial cells
      in vivo. Interestingly, in lung epithelial malignant cells, rather than benign
      cells, deletion of miR-15a/16 prevented apoptosis. Furthermore, deletion of miR
      15a/16 in macrophages also prohibited apoptosis, opposite to what we have found
      in normal lung epithelial cells. Taken together, our data suggested that miR
      15a/16 may exert differential roles in different cell types. MiR-15a/16
      deficiency result in lung epithelial cell apoptosis in response to hyperoxia, via
      modulating both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways.

PMID- 27257857
TI  - The Pain Course: exploring predictors of clinical response to an Internet
      delivered pain management program.
AB  - There is significant interest in the potential of Internet-delivered pain
      management programs for adults with chronic pain. Understanding the
      characteristics of people who do and do not benefit from Internet-delivered
      programs will help to guide their safe and effective use. Using a large sample
      from a previous randomised controlled trial of an established Internet-delivered
      pain management program, the Pain Course, this study (n = 463) examined whether
      several demographic, clinical, psychological, and treatment-related variables
      could be used to predict clinical response in levels of disability, depression,
      anxiety, or average pain. Multiple univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic
      regressions were used to identify unique predictors of clinical improvement,
      which, consistent with recommendations, was defined as a >=30% reduction in
      symptoms or difficulties from baseline. Several unique predictors of clinical
      improvement were found. However, no particularly decisive or dominant predictors
      emerged that were common across time points or across the outcome domains.
      Reflecting this, the identified predictors explained only 18.1%, 13.7%, 7.6%, and
      9.5% of the variance in the likelihood of making a clinical improvement in
      disability, depression, anxiety, and average pain levels, respectively. The
      current findings suggest that a broad range of patients may benefit from emerging
      Internet-delivered pain management programs and that it may not be possible to
      predict who will or will not benefit on the basis of patients' demographic,
      clinical, and psychological characteristics.

PMID- 27257858
TI  - Back schools for the treatment of chronic low back pain: possibility of benefit
      but no convincing evidence after 47 years of research-systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - Back schools are interventions that comprise exercise and education components.
      We aimed to systematically review the randomized controlled trial evidence on
      back schools for the treatment of chronic low back pain. By searching MEDLINE,
      Embase, and Cochrane Central as well as bibliographies, we identified 31 studies
      for inclusion in our systematic review and 5 of these for inclusion in meta
      analyses. Meta-analyses for pain scores and functional outcomes revealed
      statistical superiority of back schools vs no intervention for some comparisons
      but not others. No meta-analysis was feasible for the comparison of back schools
      vs other active treatments. Adverse events were poorly reported so that no
      reliable conclusions regarding the safety of back schools can be drawn, although
      some limited reassurance in this regard may be derived from the fact that few
      adverse events and no serious adverse events were reported in the back school
      groups in the studies that did report on safety. Overall, the evidence base for
      the use of back schools to treat chronic low back pain is weak; in nearly a half
      century since back schools were first trialled, no unequivocal evidence of
      benefit has emerged.

PMID- 27257859
TI  - Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic
      low back pain: similar effects on mindfulness, catastrophizing, self-efficacy,
      and acceptance in a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is believed to improve chronic pain problems
      by decreasing patient catastrophizing and increasing patient self-efficacy for
      managing pain. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is believed to benefit
      patients with chronic pain by increasing mindfulness and pain acceptance.
      However, little is known about how these therapeutic mechanism variables relate
      to each other or whether they are differentially impacted by MBSR vs CBT. In a
      randomized controlled trial comparing MBSR, CBT, and usual care (UC) for adults
      aged 20 to 70 years with chronic low back pain (N = 342), we examined (1)
      baseline relationships among measures of catastrophizing, self-efficacy,
      acceptance, and mindfulness and (2) changes on these measures in the 3 treatment
      groups. At baseline, catastrophizing was associated negatively with self
      efficacy, acceptance, and 3 aspects of mindfulness (nonreactivity, nonjudging,
      and acting with awareness; all P values <0.01). Acceptance was associated
      positively with self-efficacy (P < 0.01) and mindfulness (P values <0.05)
      measures. Catastrophizing decreased slightly more posttreatment with MBSR than
      with CBT or UC (omnibus P = 0.002). Both treatments were effective compared with
      UC in decreasing catastrophizing at 52 weeks (omnibus P = 0.001). In both the
      entire randomized sample and the subsample of participants who attended >=6 of
      the 8 MBSR or CBT sessions, differences between MBSR and CBT at up to 52 weeks
      were few, small in size, and of questionable clinical meaningfulness. The results
      indicate overlap across measures of catastrophizing, self-efficacy, acceptance,
      and mindfulness and similar effects of MBSR and CBT on these measures among
      individuals with chronic low back pain.

PMID- 27257861
TI  - Subspecific Differentiation Events of Montane Stag Beetles (Coleoptera,
      Lucanidae) Endemic to Formosa Island.
AB  - Taxonomic debates have been carrying on for decades over Formosan stag beetles,
      which consist of a high proportion of endemic species and subspecies featuring
      morphological variations associated with local adaptation. With the influence of
      periodical Pleistocene glaciations and the presence of several mountain ranges,
      the genetic differentiation and taxonomic recognition, within this medium-size
      island, of two endemic subspecies for each of four montane stag beetles, i.e.
      Lucanus ogakii, L. kanoi, Prismognathus davidis, and Neolucanus doro, has been an
      appealing issue. Based on monophyletic lineages and population structure,
      possible divergent scenarios have been proposed to clarify the subspecific status
      for each of the above mentioned stag beetles. Phylogenetic inferences based on
      COI+16S rDNA+28S rDNA of 240 Formosan lucanids have confirmed most species are
      monophyletic groups; and the intraspecific (<2%) and interspecific (>2%) genetic
      distances of the two mitochondrial genes could be applied concordantly for
      taxonomic identification. On account of Bayesian-based species delimitation,
      geographic distribution, population structure, and sequence divergences, the
      subspecific status for L. ogakii, L. kanoi, and Pri. davidis are congruent with
      their geographic distribution in this island; and the calibration time based on
      the mitochondrial genes shows the subspecific split events occurred 0.7-1 million
      years ago. In addition, a more complicated scenario, i.e. genetic differentiation
      including introgression/hybridization events, might have occurred among L.
      ogakii, L. kanoi, and L. maculifemoratus. The geological effects of mountain
      hindrance accompanied by periodical glaciations could have been vital in leading
      to the geographical subspecific differentiation of these montane stag beetles. 

PMID- 27257862
TI  - Immunoadjuvant Properties of the Rho Activating Factor CNF1 in Prophylactic and
      Curative Vaccination against Leishmania infantum.
AB  - There is a need to develop new effective immunoadjuvants for prophylactic or
      therapeutic vaccines against intracellular pathogens. The activation of Rho
      GTPases by bacterial cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1) elicits humoral
      protective responses against protein antigens. Here, we set out to investigate
      whether CNF1 activity initiates humoral immunity against co-administered parasite
      antigens and anti-microbial immune signaling. We report that co-administration of
      wild-type (WT) CNF1 with Leishmania (L.) promastigote antigens at the nasal
      mucosa triggered prophylactic and curative vaccine responses against this
      parasite. Vaccination of the mucosa with promastigote lysate antigens combined
      with WT CNF1 conferred protection against high inoculum L. infantum infection,
      which reached 82% in the spleen. Immune parameter analysis by antigen recall
      indicated robust T-helper (Th)1 polarization of immune memory cells, with high IL
      2 and IFN-gamma production combined with decreased IL-4 production. Additionally,
      we explored the curative effect of WT CNF1 on previously infected animals. We
      observed that PL combined with WT CNF1, but not the inactive C866S mutant CNF1
      (mCNF1), induced a 58% decrease in the parasite burden in the spleen. 

PMID- 27257863
TI  - MRI Based Preterm White Matter Injury Classification: The Importance of
      Sequential Imaging in Determining Severity of Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The evolution of non-hemorrhagic white matter injury (WMI) based on
      sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has not been well studied. Our aim
      was to describe sequential MRI findings in preterm infants with non-hemorrhagic
      WMI and to develop an MRI classification system for preterm WMI based on these
      findings. METHODS: Eighty-two preterm infants (gestation <=35 weeks) were
      retrospectively included. WMI was diagnosed and classified based on sequential
      cranial ultrasound (cUS) and confirmed on MRI. RESULTS: 138 MRIs were obtained at
      three time-points: early (<2 weeks; n = 32), mid (2-6 weeks; n = 30) and term
      equivalent age (TEA; n = 76). 63 infants (77%) had 2 MRIs during the neonatal
      period. WMI was non-cystic in 35 and cystic in 47 infants. In infants with cystic
      WMI early MRI showed extensive restricted diffusion abnormalities, cysts were
      already present in 3 infants; mid MRI showed focal or extensive cysts, without
      acute diffusion changes. A significant reduction in the size and/or extent of the
      cysts was observed in 32% of the infants between early/mid and TEA MRI. In 4/9
      infants previously seen focal cysts were no longer identified at TEA. All infants
      with cystic WMI showed >=2 additional findings at TEA: significant reduction in
      WM volume, mild-moderate irregular ventriculomegaly, several areas of increased
      signal intensity on T1-weighted-images, abnormal myelination of the PLIC, small
      thalami. CONCLUSION: In infants with extensive WM cysts at 2-6 weeks, cysts may
      be reduced in number or may even no longer be seen at TEA. A single MRI at TEA,
      without taking sequential cUS data and pre-TEA MRI findings into account, may
      underestimate the extent of WMI; based on these results we propose a new MRI
      classification for preterm non-hemorrhagic WMI.

PMID- 27257864
TI  - Measurement of Electroretinograms and Visually Evoked Potentials in Awake Moving
      Mice.
AB  - The development of new treatments for intractable retinal diseases requires
      reliable functional assessment tools for animal models. In vivo measurements of
      neural activity within visual pathways, including electroretinogram (ERG) and
      visually evoked potential (VEP) recordings, are commonly used for such purposes.
      In mice, the ERG and VEPs are usually recorded under general anesthesia, a state
      that may alter sensory transduction and neurotransmission, but seldom in awake
      freely moving mice. Therefore, it remains unknown whether the
      electrophysiological assessment of anesthetized mice accurately reflects the
      physiological function of the visual pathway. Herein, we describe a novel method
      to record the ERG and VEPs simultaneously in freely moving mice by immobilizing
      the head using a custom-built restraining device and placing a rotatable cylinder
      underneath to allow free running or walking during recording. Injection of the
      commonly used anesthetic mixture xylazine plus ketamine increased and delayed ERG
      oscillatory potentials by an average of 67.5% and 36.3%, respectively, compared
      to unanesthetized mice, while having minimal effects on the a-wave and b-wave.
      Similarly, components of the VEP were enhanced and delayed by up to 300.2% and
      39.3%, respectively, in anesthetized mice. Our method for electrophysiological
      recording in conscious mice is a sensitive and robust means to assess visual
      function. It uses a conventional electrophysiological recording system and a
      simple platform that can be built in any laboratory at low cost. Measurements
      using this method provide objective indices of mouse visual function with high
      precision and stability, unaffected by anesthetics. 

PMID- 27257865
TI  - Reduction of Coronary Motion Artifacts in Prospectively Electrocardiography-Gated
      Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Using Monochromatic Imaging at Various
      Energy Levels in Combination With a Motion Correction Algorithm on Single-Source
      Fast Tube Voltage Switching Dual-Energy Computed Tomography: A Phantom
      Experiment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of monochromatic
      imaging at various energy levels in combination with a motion correction
      algorithm (MCA) in single-source dual-energy coronary computed tomography
      angiography (CCTA) with fast switching of tube voltage on the reduction of
      coronary motion artifacts (CMA) in a phantom setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Using this dual-energy computed tomography technique with a phantom comprising
      models of coronary vessels filled with contrast medium and pulsating at constant
      heart rates of 60 to 100 beats per minute, we reconstructed monochromatic images
      of CCTA obtained at 50 to 90 keV with and without use of MCA. Cardiac motion was
      modeled by simulating the in vivo time-volume curve of the left ventricle. Two
      independent readers graded CMA in 9 coronary segments using a 5-point scale (1,
      poor; 3 to 5, interpretable; 5, excellent). At each heart rate, we compared the
      average score of CMA between images obtained at 50 to 90 keV with and without use
      of MCA using Wilcoxon signed rank test, and we compared the score among images
      obtained at 50 to 90 keV with use of MCA using Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc tests.
      We also compared the percentages of image interpretability and improvement in
      image interpretability among images obtained at 50 to 90 keV with use of MCA.
      RESULTS: With the use of MCA, the average score of CMA was significantly higher
      for images obtained at each energy level from 50 to 70 keV (P < 0.05) and was
      comparable at 80 and 90 keV, and it was comparable among those obtained at 50 to
      70 keV. With its use, the percentages of image interpretability were similarly
      high at 50 to 70 keV at 60 to 80 beats per minute (78%-100%), and they were
      higher at 50 to 60 keV (72%-83%) than at 70 keV at 90 to 100 beats per minute
      (50%-56%). The percentages of improved image interpretability with MCA were
      similarly high at 50 to 70 keV at 60 to 80 beats per minute (56%-100%), and they
      were higher at 50 to 60 keV (62%-77%) than at 70 keV at 90 to 100 beats per
      minute (36%-43%). The percentages of image interpretability and improved image
      interpretability with MCA were insufficient at 80 and 90 keV. CONCLUSIONS:
      Coronary motion artifacts were significantly reduced in images of monochromatic
      CCTA obtained at 50 to 70 keV in combination with MCA compared with those
      obtained without MCA, and the percentages of image interpretability and improved
      image interpretability with use of MCA were relatively high at 50 to 70 keV, and
      particularly at 50 to 60 keV, even at 90 to 100 beats per minute.

PMID- 27257866
TI  - Morphological and Quantitative 7 T MRI of Hip Cartilage Transplants in Comparison
      to 3 T-Initial Experiences.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate morphological and
      quantitative 7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hip sequences in patients after
      acetabular cartilage transplantation and to compare image quality with 3 T MRI.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following approval from the local institutional ethics
      committee and signing informed consent, 9 patients with history of autologous
      acetabular cartilage transplantation were imaged at 7 T and 3 T MRI. Sequences (3
      dimensional dual echo steady state, 3-dimensional T1 volume interpolated breath
      hold examination, sagittal proton density [PD] turbo spin echo and coronal fat
      saturated PD turbo spin echo, sagittal T1 mapping in dual flip angle technique,
      and multiecho spin echo/gradient echo sequences for T2 and T2* mapping) were
      applied after the intravenous application of Gd-DTPA according to a protocol for
      delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage and manual B1 shimming at 7 T.
      Images were compared intraindividually regarding image quality and assessability
      of cartilage structures using 5-point scales (1 = 3 T clearly superior, 5 = 7 T
      clearly superior) in consensus with 2 radiologists. Contrast ratios were
      calculated between articular cartilage, joint fluid, and subchondral bone. An
      adapted MOCART (MR observation of cartilage repair tissue) score was assessed
      independently at 3 T and 7 T. Relaxation times were measured in the transplanted
      acetabular region and in 2 reference regions by 2 readers independently to
      calculate interreader reliability. Statistical significances of field strength
      comparisons were calculated using Student t test and t test for dependent
      measurements. RESULTS: A 7 T MRI was superior to 3 T MRI in the majority of the
      sequences regarding subjective ratings. Furthermore, 7 T yielded comparable or
      better contrast ratios compared with 3 T. The criteria of the MOCART score
      matched totally at 3 T and 7 T, apart from the signal intensity of the repair
      tissue in PDw, which was rated higher at 7 T in 5 patients. Interreader
      reliability of all relaxation times was excellent. T1 and T2* relaxation times
      were significantly shorter at 7 T compared with 3 T. T2 relaxation times were
      longer at 7 T compared with 3 T without statistical significance. No significant
      difference could be seen when comparing the relaxation ratios (relaxation times
      after standardization to reference regions) of the cartilage transplant between
      the 2 field strengths. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the feasibility of
      morphological and quantitative 7 T hip MRI in patients after acetabular cartilage
      transplantation and its predominant superiority regarding image quality,
      assessment of cartilage transplants, and contrast over 3 T MRI. To compare
      relaxation times between the field strengths, the calculation of intraindividual
      ratios is recommended.

PMID- 27257867
TI  - Pur-Alpha Induces JCV Gene Expression and Viral Replication by Suppressing SRSF1
      in Glial Cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: PML is a rare and fatal demyelinating disease of the CNS caused by the
      human polyomavirus, JC virus (JCV), which occurs in AIDS patients and those on
      immunosuppressive monoclonal antibody therapies (mAbs). We sought to identify
      mechanisms that could stimulate reactivation of JCV in a cell culture model
      system and targeted pathways which could affect early gene transcription and JCV
      T-antigen production, which are key steps of the viral life cycle for blocking
      reactivation of JCV. Two important regulatory partners we have previously
      identified for T-antigen include Pur-alpha and SRSF1 (SF2/ASF). SRSF1, an
      alternative splicing factor, is a potential regulator of JCV whose overexpression
      in glial cells strongly suppresses viral gene expression and replication. Pur
      alpha has been most extensively characterized as a sequence-specific DNA- and RNA
      binding protein which directs both viral gene transcription and mRNA translation,
      and is a potent inducer of the JCV early promoter through binding to T-antigen.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Pur-alpha and SRSF1 both act directly as transcriptional
      regulators of the JCV promoter and here we have observed that Pur-alpha is
      capable of ameliorating SRSF1-mediated suppression of JCV gene expression and
      viral replication. Interestingly, Pur-alpha exerted its effect by suppressing
      SRSF1 at both the protein and mRNA levels in glial cells suggesting this effect
      can occur independent of T-antigen. Pur-alpha and SRSF1 were both localized to
      oligodendrocyte inclusion bodies by immunohistochemistry in brain sections from
      patients with HIV-1 associated PML. Interestingly, inclusion bodies were
      typically positive for either Pur-alpha or SRSF1, though some cells appeared to
      be positive for both proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results
      indicate the presence of an antagonistic interaction between these two proteins
      in regulating of JCV gene expression and viral replication and suggests that they
      play an important role during viral reactivation leading to development of PML.

PMID- 27257868
TI  - Intrinsic Radiosensitivity and Cellular Characterization of 27 Canine Cancer Cell
      Lines.
AB  - Canine cancer cell lines have progressively been developed, but are still
      underused resources for radiation biology research. Measurement of the cellular
      intrinsic radiosensitivity is important because understanding the difference may
      provide a framework for further elucidating profiles for prediction of radiation
      therapy response. Our studies have focused on characterizing diverse canine
      cancer cell lines in vitro and understanding parameters that might contribute to
      intrinsic radiosensitivity. First, intrinsic radiosensitivity of 27 canine cancer
      cell lines derived from ten tumor types was determined using a clonogenic assay.
      The 27 cell lines had varying radiosensitivities regardless tumor type (survival
      fraction at 2 Gy, SF2 = 0.19-0.93). In order to understand parameters that might
      contribute to intrinsic radiosensitivity, we evaluated the relationships of
      cellular radiosensitivity with basic cellular characteristics of the cell lines.
      There was no significant correlation of SF2 with S-phase fraction, doubling time,
      chromosome number, ploidy, or number of metacentric chromosomes, while there was
      a statistically significant correlation between SF2 and plating efficiency. Next,
      we selected the five most radiosensitive cell lines as the radiosensitive group
      and the five most radioresistant cell lines as the radioresistant group. Then, we
      evaluated known parameters for cell killing by ionizing radiation, including
      radiation-induced DNA double strand break (DSB) repair and apoptosis, in the
      radiosensitive group as compared to the radioresistant group. High levels of
      residual gamma-H2AX foci at the sites of DSBs were present in the four out of the
      five radiosensitive canine cancer cell lines. Our studies suggested that
      substantial differences in intrinsic radiosensitivity exist in canine cancer cell
      lines, and radiation-induced DSB repair was related to radiosensitivity, which is
      consistent with previous human studies. These data may assist further
      investigations focusing on the detection of DSB for predicting individual
      response to radiation therapy for dogs, regardless of tumor type. 

PMID- 27257869
TI  - Personalized treatment approach to gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors:
      a medical oncologist's perspective.
AB  - The medical management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors involves
      treatment of symptomatic disease related to hormone secretions or bulky
      unresectable metastatic disease. Combining gallium DOTA with fluorine-18
      fluorodeoxyglucose-PET along with histopathological grading helps to determine
      tumor heterogeneity and seek reasons for poor response to therapy. In the light
      of adding chemotherapy in selected patients with intermediate-grade tumors, the
      newer scan helps in personalization of the therapy along with the biopsy. The
      tumor dedifferentiation over the particular time period leading to aggressive
      behavior, a well-known entity, is contrasted with the redifferentiation
      phenomenon in some patients as a result of chemotherapy or targeted drug therapy.
      This may support the basis for combining peptide receptor-targeted
      radiotherapy/octreotide therapy with chemotherapy or mTOR inhibitors such as
      everolimus. 

PMID- 27257870
TI  - Usefulness of mean corpuscular volume as a surrogate marker for monitoring
      thiopurine treatment in inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thiopurines are commonly used drugs in inflammatory bowel disease.
      Intracellular levels of thiopurine metabolites [i.e. 6-thioguaninenucleotides (6
      TGN)] are associated with efficacy and toxicity. Because 6-TGN measurement is not
      globally available, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) has been proposed as a
      surrogate marker for monitoring thiopurine therapy. AIMS: To analyze the
      relationship between MCV and efficacy of thiopurines, defined as either response
      to therapy or 6-TGN levels. METHODS: A systematic search on PubMed was performed.
      RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. In six studies, a positive association
      was found between DeltaMCV and 6-TGN. In four studies, it was suggested that
      DeltaMCV can be used to predict clinical remission. In five articles, no
      association was found. CONCLUSION: In the majority of articles, it was reported
      that DeltaMCV is useful in guiding intracellular metabolite levels. However,
      there is insufficient evidence showing that DeltaMCV can predict clinical
      remission.

PMID- 27257871
TI  - Safety of Switching Factor VIII Products in the Era of Evolving Concentrates:
      Myths and Facts.
AB  - Recent advances in the development of factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates offer
      patients with hemophilia the opportunity to switch to products considered safer
      or with improved properties. In some cases, product switch occurs due to side
      effects, convenience issues, or economic reasons affecting clinical choices.
      Reluctance to change FVIII concentrates is shown by patients and also by their
      physicians, because of concerns in particular about the risk of inhibitor
      development. A literature review was performed to retrieve the best evidence
      regarding safety issues of switching FVIII concentrate in patients with severe
      hemophilia A. Product switch was not associated with an increased inhibitor risk
      in four studies in patients during the first 50 to 75 exposure days, or in three
      studies reporting national switches in Canada and United Kingdom. The latter, the
      only available study comparing switcher and nonswitcher patients, showed an
      inhibitor incidence similar to that historically reported in the United Kingdom.
      In 16 phase III clinical trials and 6 postmarketing studies of FVIII
      concentrates, few de novo inhibitors were detected in previously treated
      patients, mostly transient and low-titer, with some additional recurrent
      inhibitors in patients with previous positive testing. On the whole, although
      rigorous controlled studies are lacking, literature data do not support increased
      risk of inhibitor development or other safety issues related to product switch.
      Therefore, in the presence of clinical needs, the advantages of switching FVIII
      products should not be missed because of perceived more than evidence-based
      challenges, in particular in this era of products with improved properties
      recently introduced or available in few years. Caution, however, is suggested in
      patients with high inhibitor risk, including in those in concomitance with
      surgery or intensive treatment. A careful inhibitor testing prior to and after
      product switch is always needed, to identify real de novo inhibitors and to
      gather further information in the current evolving scenario, in particular
      comparing switch and nonswitch patients. 

PMID- 27257872
TI  - Correction: Exploring Combinations of Auditory and Visual Stimuli for Gaze
      Independent Brain-Computer Interfaces.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111070.].

PMID- 27257874
TI  - Investigated geometrical characteristics and image density of left ventricle of
      multi-detector computed tomography in early coronary artery disease patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of death
      worldwide. Currently, cardiac multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is widely
      used to diagnose CAD. The purpose in this study is to identify informative and
      useful predictors from left ventricular (LV) in the early CAD patients using
      cardiac MDCT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study groups comprised 42 subjects
      who underwent a screening health examination, including laboratory testing and
      cardiac angiography by 64-slice MDCT angiography. Two geometrical characteristics
      and one image density were defined as shape, size and stiffness on MDCT image.
      The t-test, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve were
      applied to assess and identify the significant predictors. The Kappa statistics
      was used to exam the agreements with physician's judgments (i.e., Golden of True,
      GOT). RESULTS: The proposed three characteristics of LV MDCT images are important
      predictors and risk factors for the early CAD patients. These predictors present
      over 80% of AUC and higher odds ratio. The Kappa statistics was 0.68 for the
      combinations of shape and stiffness into logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: The
      shape, size and stiffness of the left ventricular on MDCT can be used to be the
      effective indicators in the early CAD patients. Besides, the combinations of
      shape and stiffness into logistic regression could provide substantial agreement
      with physician's judgments.

PMID- 27257873
TI  - Binding of the Fkh1 Forkhead Associated Domain to a Phosphopeptide within the
      Mph1 DNA Helicase Regulates Mating-Type Switching in Budding Yeast.
AB  - The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fkh1 protein has roles in cell-cycle regulated
      transcription as well as a transcription-independent role in recombination donor
      preference during mating-type switching. The conserved FHA domain of Fkh1
      regulates donor preference by juxtaposing two distant regions on chromosome III
      to promote their recombination. A model posits that this Fkh1-mediated long-range
      chromosomal juxtaposition requires an interaction between the FHA domain and a
      partner protein(s), but to date no relevant partner has been described. In this
      study, we used structural modeling, 2-hybrid assays, and mutational analyses to
      show that the predicted phosphothreonine-binding FHA domain of Fkh1 interacted
      with multiple partner proteins. The Fkh1 FHA domain was important for its role in
      cell-cycle regulation, but no single interaction partner could account for this
      role. In contrast, Fkh1's interaction with the Mph1 DNA repair helicase regulated
      donor preference during mating-type switching. Using 2-hybrid assays, co
      immunoprecipitation, and fluorescence anisotropy, we mapped a discrete peptide
      within the regulatory Mph1 C-terminus required for this interaction and
      identified two threonines that were particularly important. In vitro binding
      experiments indicated that at least one of these threonines had to be
      phosphorylated for efficient Fkh1 binding. Substitution of these two threonines
      with alanines (mph1-2TA) specifically abolished the Fkh1-Mph1 interaction in vivo
      and altered donor preference during mating-type switching to the same degree as
      mph1Delta. Notably, the mph1-2TA allele maintained other functions of Mph1 in
      genome stability. Deletion of a second Fkh1-interacting protein encoded by
      YMR144W also resulted in a change in Fkh1-FHA-dependent donor preference. We have
      named this gene FDO1 for Forkhead one interacting protein involved in donor
      preference. We conclude that a phosphothreonine-mediated protein-protein
      interface between Fkh1-FHA and Mph1 contributes to a specific long-range
      chromosomal interaction required for mating-type switching, but that Fkh1-FHA
      must also interact with several other proteins to achieve full functionality in
      this process.

PMID- 27257875
TI  - Dynamic intensity-weighted region of interest imaging for conebeam CT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient dose from image guidance in radiotherapy is small compared to
      the treatment dose. However, the imaging beam is untargeted and deposits dose
      equally in tumor and healthy tissues. It is desirable to minimize imaging dose
      while maintaining efficacy. OBJECTIVE: Image guidance typically does not require
      full image quality throughout the patient. Dynamic filtration of the kV beam
      allows local control of CT image noise for high quality around the target volume
      and lower quality elsewhere, with substantial dose sparing and reduced scatter
      fluence on the detector. METHODS: The dynamic Intensity-Weighted Region of
      Interest (dIWROI) technique spatially varies beam intensity during acquisition
      with copper filter collimation. Fluence is reduced by 95% under the filters with
      the aperture conformed dynamically to the ROI during cone-beam CT scanning.
      Preprocessing to account for physical effects of the collimator before
      reconstruction is described. RESULTS: Reconstructions show image quality
      comparable to a standard scan in the ROI, with higher noise and streak artifacts
      in the outer region but still adequate quality for patient localization. Monte
      Carlo modeling shows dose reduction by 10-15% in the ROI due to reduced scatter,
      and up to 75% outside. CONCLUSIONS: The presented technique offers a method to
      reduce imaging dose by accepting increased image noise outside the ROI, while
      maintaining full image quality inside the ROI.

PMID- 27257877
TI  - Sparse sampling in helical cone-beam CT perfect reconstruction algorithms.
AB  - In the current paper we consider the Helical Cone Beam CT. This scanning method
      exposes the patient to large quantities of radiation and results in very large
      amounts of data being collected and stored. Both these facts are prime motivators
      for the development of an efficient, reduced rate, sampling pattern. We calculate
      bounds on the support in the frequency domain of the collected data and use these
      to suggest an efficient sampling pattern. A reduction of up to a factor of 2 in
      sampling rate is suggested. Indeed, we show that reconstruction quality is not
      affected by this reduction of sampling rates.

PMID- 27257876
TI  - Increasing the field of view in grating based X-ray phase contrast imaging using
      stitched gratings.
AB  - Grating based X-ray differential phase contrast imaging (DPCI) allows for high
      contrast imaging of materials with similar absorption characteristics. In the
      last years' publications, small animals or parts of the human body like breast,
      hand, joints or blood vessels have been studied. Larger objects could not be
      investigated due to the restricted field of view limited by the available grating
      area. In this paper, we report on a new stitching method to increase the grating
      area significantly: individual gratings are merged on a carrier substrate.
      Whereas the grating fabrication process is based on the LIGA technology (X-ray
      lithography and electroplating) different cutting and joining methods have been
      evaluated. First imaging results using a 2*2 stitched analyzer grating in a
      Talbot-Lau interferometer have been generated using a conventional polychromatic
      X-ray source. The image quality and analysis confirm the high potential of the
      stitching method to increase the field of view considerably.

PMID- 27257878
TI  - A practical material decomposition method for x-ray dual spectral computed
      tomography.
AB  - X-ray dual spectral CT (DSCT) scans the measured object with two different x-ray
      spectra, and the acquired rawdata can be used to perform the material
      decomposition of the object. Direct calibration methods allow a faster material
      decomposition for DSCT and can be separated in two groups: image-based and
      rawdata-based. The image-based method is an approximative method, and beam
      hardening artifacts remain in the resulting material-selective images. The
      rawdata-based method generally obtains better image quality than the image-based
      method, but this method requires geometrically consistent rawdata. However,
      today's clinical dual energy CT scanners usually measure different rays for
      different energy spectra and acquire geometrically inconsistent rawdata sets, and
      thus cannot meet the requirement. This paper proposes a practical material
      decomposition method to perform rawdata-based material decomposition in the case
      of inconsistent measurement. This method first yields the desired consistent
      rawdata sets from the measured inconsistent rawdata sets, and then employs
      rawdata-based technique to perform material decomposition and reconstruct
      material-selective images. The proposed method was evaluated by use of simulated
      FORBILD thorax phantom rawdata and dental CT rawdata, and simulation results
      indicate that this method can produce highly quantitative DSCT images in the case
      of inconsistent DSCT measurements.

PMID- 27257880
TI  - Analysis of precision in tumor tracking based on optical positioning system
      during radiotherapy.
AB  - Tumor tracking is performed during patient set-up and monitoring of respiratory
      motion in radiotherapy. In the clinical setting, there are several types of
      equipment for this set-up such as the Electronic Portal imaging Device (EPID) and
      Cone Beam CT (CBCT). Technically, an optical positioning system tracks the
      difference between the infra ball reflected from body and machine isocenter. Our
      objective is to compare the clinical positioning error of patient setup between
      Cone Beam CT (CBCT) with the Optical Positioning System (OPS), and to evaluate
      the traditional positioning systems and OPS based on our proposed approach of
      patient positioning. In our experiments, a phantom was used, and we measured its
      setup errors in three directions. Specifically, the deviations in the left-to
      right (LR), anterior-to-posterior (AP) and inferior-to-superior (IS) directions
      were measured by vernier caliper on a graph paper using the Varian Linear
      accelerator. Then, we verified the accuracy of OPS based on this experimental
      study. In order to verify the accuracy of phantom experiment, 40 patients were
      selected in our radiotherapy experiment. To illustrate the precise of optical
      positioning system, we designed clinical trials using EPID. From our radiotherapy
      procedure, we can conclude that OPS has higher precise than conventional
      positioning methods, and is a comparatively fast and efficient positioning method
      with respect to the CBCT guidance system.

PMID- 27257882
TI  - Feature selection of fMRI data based on normalized mutual information and fisher
      discriminant ratio.
AB  - Pattern classification has been increasingly used in functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (fMRI) data analysis. However, the classification performance
      is restricted by the high dimensional property and noises of the fMRI data. In
      this paper, a new feature selection method (named as "NMI-F") was proposed by
      sequentially combining the normalized mutual information (NMI) and fisher
      discriminant ratio. In NMI-F, the normalized mutual information was firstly used
      to evaluate the relationships between features, and fisher discriminant ratio was
      then applied to calculate the importance of each feature involved. Two fMRI
      datasets (task-related and resting state) were used to test the proposed method.
      It was found that classification base on the NMI-F method could differentiate the
      brain cognitive and disease states effectively, and the proposed NMI-F method was
      prior to the other related methods. The current results also have implications to
      the future studies.

PMID- 27257881
TI  - Comparison between Dual Arc VMAT and 7F-IMRT in the protection of hippocampus for
      patients during whole brain radiotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the dosimetric characteristics
      for protection of the hippocampus between dual arc VMAT (volumetric modulated arc
      therapy) and 7 fields intensity-modulated radiation therapy (7F-IMRT) for
      patients with brain metastases from lung cancer under the whole brain
      radiotherapy. METHODS: Based on ten cases with brain metastases from lung cancer,
      two types of radiotherapy plans were designed, namely, dual arc VMAT and 7F-IMRT.
      Provided that the clinical requirements were satisfied, the comparisons of target
      dose distribution, conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), dose of organs
      at risk (OARs), monitor units (MU) and treatment time between dual arc VMAT and
      7F-IMRT were investigated for their dosimetric difference. RESULTS: Both
      treatment plans met the requirements of clinical treatments. However, the PTV-HA
      conformity and homogeneity of dual arc VMAT were superior to those of 7F-IMRT (P
      < 0.05). As to OARs, the mean maximum doses (Dmax) of hippocampus, eyes and optic
      nerves in the dual arc VMAT plan were all lower than those in 7F-IMRT plan (P <
      0.05), but the result had no statistical significance (P < 0.05) for the maximum
      dose of lens. Compared with 7F-IMRT, dual arc VMAT reduced the average number of
      MU by 67% and the average treatment time by 74%. Therefore, treatment time was
      shortened by dual arc VMAT. CONCLUSION: With regards to the patients with brain
      metastases from lung cancer under the whole brain radiotherapy, the PTV-HA
      conformity and homogeneity of dual arc VMAT were superior to those of 7F-IMRT
      under the precise of meeting the clinical requirements. In addition, dual arc
      VMAT remarkably reduced the irradiation dose to OARs (hippocampus, eyes and optic
      nerves), MU and treatment time, as well, guaranteed patients with better
      protection.

PMID- 27257883
TI  - Multi-scale non-local denoising method in neuroimaging.
AB  - Non-local means algorithm can remove image noise in a unique way that is contrary
      to traditional techniques. This is because it not only smooths the image but it
      also preserves the information details of the image. However, this method suffers
      from high computational complexity. We propose a multi-scale non-local means
      method in which adaptive multi-scale technique is implemented. In practice, based
      on each selected scale, the input image is divided into small blocks. Then, we
      remove the noise in the given pixel by using only one block. This can overcome
      the low efficiency problem caused by the original non-local means method. Our
      proposed method also benefits from the local average gradient orientation. In
      order to perform evaluation, we compared the processed images based on our
      technique with the ones by the original and the improved non-local means
      denoising method. Extensive experiments are conducted and results shows that our
      method is faster than the original and the improved non-local means method. It is
      also proven that our implemented method is robust enough to remove noise in the
      application of neuroimaging.

PMID- 27257884
TI  - Robust kernelized local information fuzzy C-means clustering for brain magnetic
      resonance image segmentation.
AB  - Brain tissue segmentation from magnetic resonance (MR) images is an importance
      task for clinical use. The segmentation process becomes more challenging in the
      presence of noise, grayscale inhomogeneity, and other image artifacts. In this
      paper, we propose a robust kernelized local information fuzzy C-means clustering
      algorithm (RKLIFCM). It incorporates local information into the segmentation
      process (both grayscale and spatial) for more homogeneous segmentation. In
      addition, the Gaussian radial basis kernel function is adopted as a distance
      metric to replace the standard Euclidean distance. The main advantages of the new
      algorithm are: efficient utilization of local grayscale and spatial information,
      robustness to noise, ability to preserve image details, free from any parameter
      initialization, and with high speed as it runs on image histogram. We compared
      the proposed algorithm with 7 soft clustering algorithms that run on both image
      histogram and image pixels to segment brain MR images. Experimental results
      demonstrate that the proposed RKLIFCM algorithm is able to overcome the influence
      of noise and achieve higher segmentation accuracy with low computational
      complexity.

PMID- 27257885
TI  - Activation of Bt Protoxin Cry1Ac in Resistant and Susceptible Cotton Bollworm.
AB  - Crystalline (Cry) proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are used extensively
      for insect control in sprays and transgenic plants, but their efficacy is reduced
      by evolution of resistance in pests. Here we evaluated reduced activation of
      Cry1Ac protoxin as a potential mechanism of resistance in the invasive pest
      Helicoverpa armigera. Based on the concentration killing 50% of larvae (LC50) for
      a laboratory-selected resistant strain (LF120) divided by the LC50 for its
      susceptible parent strain (LF), the resistance ratio was 1600 for Cry1Ac protoxin
      and 1200 for trypsin-activated Cry1Ac toxin. The high level of resistance to
      activated toxin as well as to protoxin indicates reduced activation of protoxin
      is not a major mechanism of resistance to Cry1Ac in LF120. For both insect
      strains, treatment with either the trypsin inhibitor N-a-tosyl-L-lysine
      chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) or the chymotrypsin inhibitor N-a-tosyl-L
      phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) did not significantly affect the LC50 of
      Cry1Ac protoxin. Enzyme activity was higher for LF than LF120 for trypsin-like
      proteases, but did not differ between strains for chymotrypsin-like proteases.
      The results here are consistent with previous reports indicating that reduced
      activation of protoxin is generally not a major mechanism of resistance to Bt
      proteins. 

PMID- 27257886
TI  - Growth and nutrients accumulation potentials of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) in
      different habitats in Egypt.
AB  - Arundo donax L. has a high biomass production and a tendency toward community
      dominance in many habitats and thereby a tolerance to a wide range of
      environmental conditions. Therefore, the present study investigated the
      potentiality of A. donax to accumulate nutrients and trace metals in its biomass.
      Six main habitats (Nile Bank, Drain Bank, Canal Bank, Field Edges, Railways and
      Roadsides) were recognized. At each habitat, six quadrats (each 1 m(2)),
      distributed equally in two sites, were selected for growth measurements (e.g.,
      density, shoot height, diameter, leaf area and biomass), plant and soil analyses.
      Plants from Nile, Canal and Drain Banks had the highest values of most growth
      measurements, while those from Railways and Roadsides had the lowest. Canal Bank
      plants accumulated the highest concentrations of P, Cu and Pb in their leaves; Zn
      in the stem; and Mg, Cd and Fe in the rhizome. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) of
      A. donax, for Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn, was greater than 1, while the translocation
      factor (TF) of most trace metals was less than unity in most habitats. In
      conclusion, A. donax showed morphological plasticity in response to habitat
      heterogeneity, and its growth was most vigorous in the riparian habitats. The
      high BF, as well as the significant positive correlations between trace metals,
      especially Cd, in soil and plant, renders A. donax a powerful phytoremediator. 

PMID- 27257887
TI  - Correction: Psychological Well-Being and the Human Conserved Transcriptional
      Response to Adversity.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121839.].

PMID- 27257888
TI  - Altered Decision-Making under Risk in Obesity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The negative consequences of energy dense foods are well known, yet
      people increasingly make unhealthy food choices leading to obesity (i.e., risky
      decisions). The aims of this study were: [1] to compare performance in decision
      making tasks under risk and under ambiguity between individuals with obesity,
      overweight and normal weight; [2] to examine the associations between body mass
      index (BMI) and decision-making, and the degree to which these associations are
      modulated by reward sensitivity. METHODS: Seventy-nine adults were recruited and
      classified in three groups according to their BMI: obesity, overweight and normal
      weight. Groups were similar in terms of age, education and socio-economic status,
      and were screened for comorbid medical and mental health conditions. Decision
      making under risk was measured via the Wheel of Fortune Task (WoFT) and decision
      making under ambiguity via the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Reward sensitivity was
      indicated by the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward
      Questionnaire (SPSRQ). RESULTS: Individuals with obesity made riskier choices in
      the WoFT, specifically in choices with an expected value close to zero and in the
      propensity to risk index. No differences were found in IGT performance or SPSRQ
      scores. BMI was associated with risk-taking (WoFT performance), independently of
      reward sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is linked to a propensity to make risky
      decisions in experimental conditions analogous to everyday food choices.

PMID- 27257889
TI  - Novel Phospholipid-Protein Conjugates Allow Improved Detection of Antibodies in
      Patients with Autoimmune Diseases.
AB  - Reliable measurement of clinically relevant autoimmune antibodies toward
      phospholipid-protein conjugates is highly desirable in research and clinical
      assays. To date, the development in this field has been limited to the use of
      natural heterogeneous antigens. However, this approach does not take structural
      features of biologically active antigens into account and leads to low
      reliability and poor scientific test value. Here we describe novel phospholipid
      protein conjugates for specific detection of human autoimmune antibodies. Our
      synthetic approach includes mild oxidation of synthetic phospholipid cardiolipin,
      and as the last step, coupling of the product with azide-containing linker and
      copper-catalyzed click chemistry with beta2-glycoprotein I and prothrombin. To
      prove utility of the product antigens, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      and three cohorts of samples obtained from patients in Denmark (n = 34) and the
      USA (n = 27 and n = 14). Afterwards we analyzed correlation of the obtained
      autoantibody titers with clinical parameters for each patient. Our results prove
      that using novel antigens clinically relevant autoantibodies can be detected with
      high repeatability, sensitivity and specificity. Unlike previously used antigens
      the obtained autoantibody titers strongly correlate with high disease activity
      and in particular, with arthritis, renal involvement, anti-Smith antibodies and
      high lymphocyte count. Importantly, chemical composition of antigens has a strong
      influence on the correlation of detected autoantibodies with disease activity and
      manifestations. This confirms the crucial importance of antigens' composition on
      research and diagnostic assays, and opens up exciting perspectives for synthetic
      antigens in future studies of autoimmunity. 

PMID- 27257908
TI  - Elastin-Based Rubber-Like Hydrogels.
AB  - We developed rubber-like elastomeric materials using a natural elastin derived
      sequence and genetic engineering to create precisely defined elastin-like
      polypeptides. The coiled elastin-like polypeptide chains, which behave like
      entropic springs, were cross-linked using an end-to-end tethering scheme to
      synthesize simple hydrogels with excellent extensibility and reversibility. Our
      hydrogels extend to strains as high as 1500% and remain highly resilient with
      elastic recovery as high as 94% even at 600% strain, significantly exceeding any
      other protein-based hydrogel. These materials are valuable as elastomeric
      hydrogels for designing extremely robust scaffolds useful for tissue engineering.

PMID- 27257910
TI  - Minimization of Hypoglycemia as an Adverse Event During Insulin Infusion: Further
      Refinement of the Yale Protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The management of hyperglycemia in the intensive care unit has been a
      controversial topic for more than a decade, with target ranges varying from 80
      110 mg/dL to <200 mg/dL. Multiple insulin infusion protocols exist, including
      several computerized protocols, which have attempted to achieve these targets.
      Importantly, compliance with these protocols has not been a focus of clinical
      studies. METHODS: GlucoCareTM, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared
      insulin-dosing calculator, was originally designed based on the Yale Insulin
      Infusion Protocol to target 100-140 mg/dL and has undergone several modifications
      to reduce hypoglycemia. The original Yale protocol was modified from 100-140
      mg/dL to a range of 120-140 mg/dL (GlucoCare 120-140) and then to 140 mg/dL
      (GlucoCare 140, not a range but a single blood glucose [BG] level target) in an
      iterative and evidence-based manner to eliminate hypoglycemia <70 mg/dL. The
      final modification [GlucoCare 140(B)] includes the addition of bolus insulin
      "midprotocol" during an insulin infusion to reduce peak insulin rates for insulin
      resistant patients. This study examined the results of these protocol
      modifications and evaluated the role of compliance with the protocol in the
      incidence of hypoglycemia <70 mg/dL. RESULTS: Protocol modifications resulted in
      mean BG levels of 133.4, 136.4, 143.8, and 146.4 mg/dL and hypoglycemic BG
      readings <70 mg/dL of 0.998%, 0.367%, 0.256%, and 0.04% for the 100-140, 120-140,
      140, and 140(B) protocols, respectively (P < 0.001). Adherence to the glucose
      check interval significantly reduced the incidence of hypoglycemia (P < 0.001).
      Protocol modifications led to a reduction in peak insulin infusion rates (P <
      0.001) and the need for dextrose-containing boluses (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This
      study demonstrates that refinements in protocol design can improve glucose
      control in critically ill patients and that the use of GlucoCare 140(B) can
      eliminate all significant hypoglycemia while achieving mean glucose levels
      between 140 and 150 mg/dL. In addition, attention to the timely performance of
      glucose levels can also reduce hypoglycemic events.

PMID- 27257909
TI  - Anthrax Toxin-Expressing Bacillus cereus Isolated from an Anthrax-Like Eschar.
AB  - Bacillus cereus isolates have been described harboring Bacillus anthracis toxin
      genes, most notably B. cereus G9241, and capable of causing severe and fatal
      pneumonias. This report describes the characterization of a B. cereus isolate,
      BcFL2013, associated with a naturally occurring cutaneous lesion resembling an
      anthrax eschar. Similar to G9241, BcFL2013 is positive for the B. anthracis pXO1
      toxin genes, has a multi-locus sequence type of 78, and a pagA sequence type of
      9. Whole genome sequencing confirms the similarity to G9241. In addition to the
      chromosome having an average nucleotide identity of 99.98% when compared to
      G9241, BcFL2013 harbors three plasmids with varying homology to the G9241
      plasmids (pBCXO1, pBC210 and pBFH_1). This is also the first report to include
      serologic testing of patient specimens associated with this type of B. cereus
      infection which resulted in the detection of anthrax lethal factor toxemia, a
      quantifiable serum antibody response to protective antigen (PA), and lethal toxin
      neutralization activity. 

PMID- 27257911
TI  - Rationally Designed 2-in-1 Nanoparticles Can Overcome Adaptive Resistance in
      Cancer.
AB  - The development of resistance is the major cause of mortality in cancer.
      Combination chemotherapy is used clinically to reduce the probability of
      evolution of resistance. A similar trend toward the use of combinations of drugs
      is also emerging in the application of cancer nanomedicine. However, should a
      combination of two drugs be delivered from a single nanoparticle or should they
      be delivered in two different nanoparticles for maximal efficacy? We explored
      these questions in the context of adaptive resistance, which emerges as a
      phenotypic response of cancer cells to chemotherapy. We studied the phenotypic
      dynamics of breast cancer cells under cytotoxic chemotherapeutic stress and
      analyzed the data using a phenomenological mathematical model. We demonstrate
      that cancer cells can develop adaptive resistance by entering into a
      predetermined transitional trajectory that leads to phenocopies of inherently
      chemoresistant cancer cells. Disrupting this deterministic program requires a
      unique combination of inhibitors and cytotoxic agents. Using two such
      combinations, we demonstrate that a 2-in-1 nanomedicine can induce greater
      antitumor efficacy by ensuring that the origins of adaptive resistance are
      terminated by deterministic spatially constrained delivery of both drugs to the
      target cells. In contrast, a combination of free-form drugs or two nanoparticles,
      each carrying a single payload, is less effective, arising from a stochastic
      distribution to cells. These findings suggest that 2-in-1 nanomedicines could
      emerge as an important strategy for targeting adaptive resistance, resulting in
      increased antitumor efficacy.

PMID- 27257912
TI  - Procaine Inhibits Osteo/Odontogenesis through Wnt/beta-Catenin Inactivation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Periodontitis is a complex pathology characterized by the loss of
      alveolar bone. The causes and the mechanisms that promote this bone resorption
      still remain unknown. The knowledge of the critical regulators involved in the
      alteration of alveolar bone homeostasis is of great importance for developing
      molecular therapies. Procaine is an anesthetic drug with demethylant properties,
      mainly used by dentists in oral surgeries. The inhibitor role of Wnt signaling of
      procaine was described in vitro in colon cancer cells. METHODS: In this work we
      evaluated the role of procaine (1 uM) in osteo/odontogenesis of rat bone marrow
      mesenchymal stem cells. Similarly, the mechanisms whereby procaine achieves these
      effects were also studied. RESULTS: Procaine administration led to a drastic
      decrease of calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, alizarin red staining
      and an increase in the expression of Matrix Gla Protein. With respect to
      osteo/odontogenic markers, procaine decreased early and mature osteo/odontogenic
      markers. In parallel, procaine inhibited canonical Wnt/beta-catenin pathway,
      observing a loss of nuclear beta-catenin, a decrease in Lrp5 and Frizzled 3, a
      significant increase of sclerostin and Gsk3beta and an increase of phosphorylated
      beta-catenin. The combination of osteo/odontogenic stimuli and Lithium Chloride
      decreased mRNA expression of Gsk3beta, recovered by Procaine. Furthermore it was
      proved that Procaine alone dose dependently increases the expression of Gsk3beta
      and beta-catenin phosphorylation. These effects of procaine were also observed on
      mature osteoblast. Interestingly, at this concentration of procaine no
      demethylant effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that
      procaine administration drastically reduced the mineralization and
      osteo/odontogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells inhibiting Wnt/beta
      catenin pathway through the increase of Gsk3beta expression and beta-catenin
      phosphorylation.

PMID- 27257913
TI  - Correction: A Revised Time Tree of the Asterids: Establishing a Temporal
      Framework For Evolutionary Studies of the Coffee Family (Rubiaceae).
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126690.].

PMID- 27257914
TI  - A Pilot Study Examining Physical and Social Warmth: Higher (Non-Febrile) Oral
      Temperature Is Associated with Greater Feelings of Social Connection.
AB  - An emerging literature suggests that experiences of physical warmth contribute to
      social warmth-the experience of feeling connected to others. Thus,
      thermoregulatory systems, which help maintain our relatively warm internal body
      temperatures, may also support feelings of social connection. However, the
      association between internal body temperature and feelings of connection has not
      been examined. Furthermore, the origins of the link between physical and social
      warmth, via learning during early experiences with a caregiver or via innate, co
      evolved mechanisms, remain unclear. The current study examined the relationship
      between oral temperature and feelings of social connection as well as whether
      early caregiver experiences moderated this relationship. Extending the existing
      literature, higher oral temperature readings were associated with greater
      feelings of social connection. Moreover, early caregiver experiences did not
      moderate this association, suggesting that the physical-social warmth overlap may
      not be altered by early social experience. Results provide additional support for
      the link between experiences of physical warmth and social warmth and add to
      existing theories that highlight social connection as a basic need on its own. 

PMID- 27257915
TI  - Multidrug Resistance in Non-PCV13 Serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in
      Northern Japan, 2014.
AB  - Since the implementation of routine PCV13 immunization in Japan, nonvaccine
      serotypes (NVTs) have been increasing among clinical isolates of Streptococcus
      pneumoniae. In this study, susceptibility to 18 antibiotics was tested for all
      the 231 isolates with NVTs, which were collected from children <16 years of age
      in northern Japan in 2014 (July-November). High resistance rates were observed
      for macrolides (>90.9%), tetracycline (91.3%), and clindamycin (75.3%), while
      penicillin (PEN) nonsusceptibility (PNSP; MIC >=0.12 MUg/ml) was detected in
      42.9% of the pneumococci [39.4%; PEN-intermediate S. pneumoniae (PISP), 3.5%; PEN
      resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP)]. All serotype 15A isolates were PRSP (MIC, >=2
      MUg/ml) or PISP, and PNSP was prevalent in also serotypes 23A (96.9%), 6C (41%),
      and 35B (33.3%). Overall, 42.0% of the isolates showed multidrug resistance
      (MDR). Sequence types (STs) determined for 20 PNSP isolates with NVTs were ST63
      (15A), STs 242 or 5832 (6C), STs 338 or 5242 (23A), and ST558 (35B). All the PNSP
      isolates possessed tet(M), and erm(B) or mefA(A/E), and 70% of them were gPRSP
      having three altered genes pbp1a, pbp2x, and pbp2b. Among alterations in
      transpeptidase-coding region of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), two
      substitutions of T371S in the STMK motif and TSQF574-577NTGY in PBP1a were common
      to all PRSP isolates. The present study showed the spread of PNSP in NVTs 15A,
      23A, 6C, and 35B, and the emergence of the MDR international clone Sweden15A-ST63
      in northern Japan.

PMID- 27257916
TI  - Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Bowel Preparation on Adenoma Detection: Early
      Adenomas Affected Stronger than Advanced Adenomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Low-quality bowel preparation reduces efficacy of
      colonoscopy. We aimed to summarize effects of bowel preparation on detection of
      adenomas, advanced adenomas and colorectal cancer. METHODS: A systematic
      literature search was performed regarding detection of colonic lesions after
      normal and low-quality bowel preparation. Reported bowel preparation quality was
      transformed to the Aronchick scale with its qualities "excellent", "good",
      "fair", "poor", and "insufficient" or "optimal" (good/excellent), "suboptimal"
      (fair/poor/insufficient), "adequate" (good/excellent/fair) and "inadequate"
      (poor/insufficient). We identified two types of studies: i) Comparative studies,
      directly comparing lesion detection according to bowel preparation quality, and
      ii) repeat colonoscopy studies, reporting results of a second colonoscopy after
      previous low-quality preparation. RESULTS: The detection of early adenomas was
      reduced with inadequate vs. adequate bowel preparation (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.53, CI:
      0.46-0.62, p<0.001). The advanced adenomas were affected less in comparison
      (0.74, CI: 0.62-0.87, p<0.001). The large number of subjects considered in the
      present meta-analysis resulted in smaller confidence intervals compared to
      earlier studies. Classifying the bowel-preparation quality as suboptimal vs.
      optimal led to the same qualitative conclusion (OR: 0.81, CI: 0.74-0.89, p<0.001
      for early adenomas, OR: 0.94, CI: 0.87-1.01, n.s. for advanced adenomas). Bowel
      preparation was equally important for right-sided/ flat/ serrated vs. other
      lesions in most observational studies but more relevant in some repeat
      colonoscopy studies; data regarding carcinoma detection were insufficient.
      CONCLUSION: Inadequate bowel preparation affects detection of early colonic
      lesions stronger than advanced lesions.

PMID- 27257917
TI  - Quantification and Comparison of Anti-Fibrotic Therapies by Polarized SRM and SHG
      Based Morphometry in Rat UUO Model.
AB  - Renal interstitial fibrosis (IF) is an important pathologic manifestation of
      disease progression in a variety of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). However, the
      quantitative and reproducible analysis of IF remains a challenge, especially in
      experimental animal models of progressive IF. In this study, we compare
      traditional polarized Sirius Red morphometry (SRM) to novel Second Harmonic
      Generation (SHG)-based morphometry of unstained tissues for quantitative analysis
      of IF in the rat 5 day unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. To validate
      the specificity of SHG for detecting fibrillar collagen components in IF, co
      localization studies for collagens type I, III, and IV were performed using IHC.
      In addition, we examined the correlation, dynamic range, sensitivity, and ability
      of polarized SRM and SHG-based morphometry to detect an anti-fibrotic effect of
      three different treatment regimens. Comparisons were made across three separate
      studies in which animals were treated with three mechanistically distinct
      pharmacologic agents: enalapril (ENA, 15, 30, 60 mg/kg), mycophenolate mofetil
      (MMF, 2, 20 mg/kg) or the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) neutralizing
      antibody, EX75606 (1, 3, 10 mg/kg). Our results demonstrate a strong co
      localization of the SHG signal with fibrillar collagens I and III but not non
      fibrillar collagen IV. Quantitative IF, calculated as percent cortical area of
      fibrosis, demonstrated similar response profile for both polarized SRM and SHG
      based morphometry. The two methodologies exhibited a strong correlation across
      all three pharmacology studies (r2 = 0.89-0.96). However, compared with polarized
      SRM, SHG-based morphometry delivered a greater dynamic range and absolute
      magnitude of reduction of IF after treatment. In summary, we demonstrate that SHG
      based morphometry in unstained kidney tissues is comparable to polarized SRM for
      quantitation of fibrillar collagens, but with an enhanced sensitivity to detect
      treatment-induced reductions in IF. Thus, performing SHG-based morphometry on
      unstained kidney tissue is a reliable alternative to traditional polarized SRM
      for quantitative analysis of IF. 

PMID- 27257918
TI  - sFlt Multivalent Conjugates Inhibit Angiogenesis and Improve Half-Life In Vivo.
AB  - Current anti-VEGF drugs for patients with diabetic retinopathy suffer from short
      residence time in the vitreous of the eye. In order to maintain biologically
      effective doses of drug for inhibiting retinal neovascularization, patients are
      required to receive regular monthly injections of drug, which often results in
      low patient compliance and progression of the disease. To improve the
      intravitreal residence time of anti-VEGF drugs, we have synthesized multivalent
      bioconjugates of an anti-VEGF protein, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt)
      that is covalently grafted to chains of hyaluronic acid (HyA), conjugates that
      are termed mvsFlt. Using a mouse corneal angiogenesis assay, we demonstrate that
      covalent conjugation to HyA chains does not decrease the bioactivity of sFlt and
      that mvsFlt is equivalent to sFlt at inhibiting corneal angiogenesis. In a rat
      vitreous model, we observed that mvsFlt had significantly increased intravitreal
      residence time compared to the unconjugated sFlt after 2 days. The calculated
      intravitreal half-lives for sFlt and mvsFlt were 3.3 and 35 hours, respectively.
      Furthermore, we show that mvsFlt is more effective than the unconjugated form at
      inhibiting retinal neovascularization in an oxygen-induced retinopathy model, an
      effect that is most likely due to the longer half-life of mvsFlt in the vitreous.
      Taken together, our results indicate that conjugation of sFlt to HyA does not
      affect its affinity for VEGF and this conjugation significantly improves drug
      half-life. These in vivo results suggest that our strategy of multivalent
      conjugation could substantially improve upon drug half-life, and thus the
      efficacy of currently available drugs that are used in diseases such as diabetic
      retinopathy, thereby improving patient quality of life. 

PMID- 27257919
TI  - Association between Asthma and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the evidence from
      epidemiological studies of the association between asthma and autism spectrum
      disorder (ASD). METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase,
      and Cochrane library for studies published before February 2nd, 2016.
      Observational studies investigating the association between asthma and ASD were
      included. A random effects model was used to calculate the pooled risk estimates
      for the outcome. Subgroup analysis was used to explore potential sources of
      heterogeneity and publication bias was estimated using Begg's and Egger's tests.
      RESULTS: Ten studies encompassing 175,406 participants and 8,809 cases of ASD
      were included in this meta-analysis. In the cross-sectional studies, the
      prevalence of asthma in ASD was 20.4%, while the prevalence of asthma in controls
      was 15.4% (P < 0.001). The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the prevalence of asthma in
      ASD in the cross-sectional studies was 1.26 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98
      1.61) (P = 0.07), with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 65.0%, P = 0.02) across
      studies. In the case-control studies, the pooled OR for the prevalence of asthma
      in ASD was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.68-1.43) (P = 0.94), and there was no evidence of an
      association between asthma and ASD. No evidence of significant publication bias
      on the association between asthma and ASD was found. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion,
      the results of this meta-analysis do not suggest an association between asthma
      and ASD. Further prospective studies ascertaining the association between asthma
      and ASD are warranted.

PMID- 27257934
TI  - Source Evaluation and Trace Metal Contamination in Benthic Sediments from
      Equatorial Ecosystems Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques.
AB  - Trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb) concentrations in benthic sediments were
      analyzed through multi-step fractionation scheme to assess the levels and sources
      of contamination in estuarine, riverine and freshwater ecosystems in Niger Delta
      (Nigeria). The degree of contamination was assessed using the individual
      contamination factors (ICF) and global contamination factor (GCF). Multivariate
      statistical approaches including principal component analysis (PCA), cluster
      analysis and correlation test were employed to evaluate the interrelationships
      and associated sources of contamination. The spatial distribution of metal
      concentrations followed the pattern Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd>Ni. Ecological risk index by ICF
      showed significant potential mobility and bioavailability for Cu, Cu and Ni. The
      ICF contamination trend in the benthic sediments at all studied sites was
      Cu>Cr>Ni>Cd>Pb. The principal component and agglomerative clustering analyses
      indicate that trace metals contamination in the ecosystems was influenced by
      multiple pollution sources. 

PMID- 27257935
TI  - Iridium Catalysts with f-Amphox Ligands: Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Simple
      Ketones.
AB  - A series of modular and rich electronic tridentate ferrocene aminophosphoxazoline
      ligands (f-amphox) have been successfully developed and used in iridium-catalytic
      asymmetric hydrogenation of simple ketones to afford corresponding
      enantiomerically enriched alcohols under mild conditions with superb activities
      and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 1 000 000 TON, almost all products up
      to >99% ee, full conversion). The resulting chiral alcohols and their derivatives
      are important intermediates in pharmaceuticals.

PMID- 27257936
TI  - Road traffic crashes among farm vehicle drivers in southern China: A cross
      sectional survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and
      potential risk factors of farm vehicle-related road traffic crashes among farm
      vehicle drivers in southern China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was used to
      interview 1,422 farm vehicle drivers in southern China. Farm vehicle-related road
      traffic crashes that occurred from December 2013 to November 2014 were
      investigated. Data on farm vehicle-related road traffic crashes and related
      factors were collected by face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: The prevalence of
      farm vehicle-related road traffic crashes among the investigated drivers was
      7.2%. Farm vehicle-related road traffic crashes were significantly associated
      with self-reported vision problem (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.48, 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 3.86-10.87), self-reported sleep disorders (AOR =
      10.03, 95% CI, 6.28-15.99), self-reported stress (AOR = 20.47, 95% CI, 9.96
      42.08), reported history of crashes (AOR = 5.40, 95% CI, 3.47-8.42), reported
      history of drunk driving (AOR = 5.07, 95% CI, 2.97-8.65), and reported history of
      fatigued driving (AOR = 5.72, 95% CI, 3.73-8.78). The number of road traffic
      crashes was highest in the daytime and during harvest season. In over 96% of farm
      vehicle-related road traffic crashes, drivers were believed to be responsible for
      the crash. Major crash-causing factors included improper driving, careless
      driving, violating of traffic signals or signs, and being in the wrong lane.
      CONCLUSION: Findings of this study suggest that farm vehicle-related road traffic
      crashes have become a burgeoning public health problem in China. Programs need to
      be developed to prevent farm vehicle-related road traffic crashes in this
      emerging country.

PMID- 27257937
TI  - Soft drink wastewater treatment by electrocoagulation-electrooxidation processes.
AB  - The aim of this work was to implement a coupled system, a monopolar
      Electrocoagulation (EC)-Electrooxidation (EO) processes, for the treatment of
      soft drink wastewater. For the EC test, Cu-Cu, anode-cathode were used at current
      densities of 17, 51 and 68 mA cm-2. Only 37.67% of chemical oxygen demand (COD)
      and 27% of total organic carbon (TOC) were removed at 20 min with an optimum pH
      of 8, this low efficiency can be associated with the high concentration of
      inorganic ions which inhibit the oxidation of organic matter due to their
      complexation with copper ions. Later EO treatment was performed with boron-doped
      diamond-Cu electrodes and a current density of 30 Am-2. The coupled EC-EO system
      was efficient to reduce organic pollutants from initial values of 1875 mg L-1 TOC
      and 4300 mg L-1 COD, the removal efficiencies were 75% and 85%, respectively.
      Electric energy consumption to degrade a kilogram of a pollutant in the soft
      drink wastewater using EC was 3.19 kWh kg-1 TOC and 6.66 kWh kg-1 COD. It was
      concluded that the coupled system EC-EO was effective for the soft drink
      wastewater treatment, reducing operating costs and residence time, and allowing
      its reuse in indirect contact with humans, thus contributing to the sustainable
      reuse as an effluent of industrial wastewater.

PMID- 27257939
TI  - New Insights Into the Role of Imidazolium-Based Promoters for the
      Electroreduction of CO2 on a Silver Electrode.
AB  - The electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO is a reaction of central importance
      for sustainable energy conversion and storage. Herein, structure-activity
      relationships of a series of imidazolium-based cocatalysts for this reaction are
      described, which demonstrate that the C4- and C5-protons on the imidazolium ring
      are vital for efficient catalysis. Further investigation of these findings led to
      the discovery of new imidazolium salts, which show superior activity as
      cocatalysts for the reaction, i.e., CO is selectively produced at significantly
      lower overpotentials with nearly quantitative faradaic yields for CO.

PMID- 27257938
TI  - Global hypoxia-ischemia induced inflammation and structural changes in the
      preterm ovine gut which were not ameliorated by mesenchymal stem cell treatment.
AB  - Perinatal asphyxia, a condition of impaired gas exchange during birth, leads to
      fetal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) and is associated with postnatal adverse outcomes
      including intestinal dysmotility and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Evidence
      from adult animal models of transient, locally-induced intestinal HI has shown
      that inflammation is essential in HI-induced injury of the gut. Importantly,
      mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment prevented this HI-induced intestinal
      damage. We therefore assessed whether fetal global HI induced inflammation,
      injury and developmental changes in the gut and whether intravenous MSC
      administration ameliorated these HI-induced adverse intestinal effects. In a
      preclinical ovine model, fetuses were subjected to umbilical cord occlusion
      (UCO), with or without MSC treatment, and sacrificed 7 days after UCO. Global HI
      increased the number of myeloperoxidase positive cells in the mucosa, upregulated
      mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-17 in gut tissue and caused T-cell
      invasion in the intestinal muscle layer. Intestinal inflammation following global
      HI was associated with increased Ki67+ cells in the muscularis and subsequent
      muscle hyperplasia. Global HI caused distortion of glial fibrillary acidic
      protein immunoreactivity in the enteric glial cells and increased synaptophysin
      and serotonin expression in the myenteric ganglia. Intravenous MSC treatment did
      not ameliorate these HI-induced adverse intestinal events. Global HI resulted in
      intestinal inflammation and enteric nervous system abnormalities which are
      clinically associated with postnatal complications including feeding intolerance,
      altered gastrointestinal transit and NEC. The intestinal histopathological
      changes were not prevented by intravenous MSC treatment directly after HI,
      indicating that alternative treatment regimens for cell-based therapies should be
      explored.

PMID- 27257940
TI  - Development of nanostructures in the diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity
      reactions.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article provides an overview of novel nanoscale
      structures potentially applicable to the field of allergy, and to discuss the
      required properties, advantages, and disadvantages of those nanostructures for
      clinical application focusing on diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity reactions.
      RECENT FINDINGS: Advances in the development of different nanostructures are
      favoring their biomedical applications. One area of interest is the interaction
      between nanostructures and the immune system, including their ability to emulate
      carrier molecules and their potential use for the diagnosis of allergic
      reactions. SUMMARY: Immunoassays are the most widely used in-vitro test for
      evaluating immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated drug hypersensitivity reactions.
      However, they have important technical limitations affecting their sensitivity. A
      wide variety of nanostructures have been designed to quantify specific IgE, with
      the aim of diagnosing different kinds of allergies. Nanoparticles-based colloidal
      immunoassay employed in microdevices and/or miniaturized systems are improving
      IgE detection sensitivity. Dendrimers have shown immense potential for the design
      and development of sensor platforms for evaluating IgE-mediated drug
      hypersensitivity reactions, due to the increase in hapten density and IgE
      accessibility. In this sense, a variety of dendritic structures as well as their
      hybridization to different solid supports have been shown to be successful when
      applied in the diagnosis of drug allergy. Moreover, the knowledge of the complete
      antigenic determinants would allow their inclusion and therefore further
      improvement of the sensitivity.

PMID- 27257941
TI  - The difficult management of anaphylaxis in the elderly.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this article, an overview of the main characteristics of
      the anaphylaxis in the elderly, a subset of the population with particular
      clinical and physiological features that might influence the presentation and
      management of this entity, is performed. RECENT FINDINGS: Life expectancy of the
      population is increasing and so is the prevalence of allergic diseases in the
      elderly, including anaphylaxis. Older people present higher risk of fatalities
      after anaphylaxis, and some comorbidities and pharmacological treatments they may
      use might also increase that risk. SUMMARY: Recognition of the main triggers, the
      risk factors, and the wide variety of presenting symptoms of anaphylaxis is
      therefore helpful in its management, as well as a prompt initiation of the
      treatment and a complete follow-up.

PMID- 27257943
TI  - The essential tremor syndromes.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Essential tremor has not been defined or used consistently in
      clinical diagnosis and research. Other monosymptomatic disorders are often
      referred to as essential tremor variants. RECENT FINDINGS: There is now solid
      evidence that essential tremor, however defined, is a syndrome with multiple
      causes. SUMMARY: A new tremor classification scheme is being developed by the
      International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Task Force on Tremor. In
      this scheme, tremor in the absence of other neurological signs is called isolated
      tremor, and tremor in combination with other signs is called combined tremor.
      Many isolated and combined tremor syndromes can be defined on the basis of
      commonly recurring or unique clinical symptoms and signs, including historical
      features (age at onset, family history, and temporal evolution) and tremor
      characteristics (body distribution, activation condition, associated features).
      Essential tremor, however defined, is simply a syndrome and not a specific
      disease. Essential tremor should be defined and used consistently, or this term
      should be abandoned. As essential tremor is an arbitrarily defined syndrome, it
      makes no sense to refer to other tremors as variants of essential tremor or
      essential tremor syndromes.

PMID- 27257942
TI  - The Relationship between Personality Traits, the 5HTT Polymorphisms, and the
      Occurrence of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Elite Athletes.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between personality,
      the serotonin transporter (5HTT) polymorphisms and the occurrence of anxiety and
      depressive symptoms in elite athletes. 133 healthy participants completed the NEO
      Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). The mood states were assessed using the Profile
      of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. The athlete's mental skills were assessed
      through the Sport Performance Psychological Inventory (IPPS-48). The occurrence
      of psychiatric and personality disorders was assessed using the Clinical
      Interview for DSM-IV Disorders. A polymerase chain reaction was employed to
      identify genotypes at the 5HTTLPR polymorphism. The 5HTTLPR s/s genotype was
      associated with both neuroticism (p< 0.001) and tension/anxiety symptoms
      according to the POMS (p<0.02), cognitive anxiety and emotional arousal control
      according to the IPPS-48 (p<0.01). Significant correlations were proved between
      neuroticism and symptoms of anxiety and depression (p<0.05). Neuroticism mediates
      the association between the 5HTTLPR polymorphism and symptoms of cognitive
      anxiety and emotional arousal control (p<0.05). These results suggest a
      significant interaction between the 5HTTLPR polymorphism, neuroticism and sport
      related stress that predict adverse mental health outcomes in athletes.
      Identification of homogeneous groups of athletes having predispositions to
      anxiety and depressive symptoms may help to implement early prevention programs. 

PMID- 27257946
TI  - Tuning noninvasive brain stimulation with MRI to cope with intersubject
      variability.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The review aims at highlighting the additional benefit that
      can be gained from combining noninvasive brain stimulation as well as repetitive
      sensory stimulation protocols with MRI techniques to account for the intersubject
      variability observed in those treatments. Potentially, this should help to
      identify predictive patterns in the individual receptiveness to the treatment.
      RECENT FINDINGS: Knowledge about the underlying physiological principles of
      excitability changes as induced by noninvasive brain stimulation or repetitive
      sensory stimulation is accumulating, revealing strong associations with
      plasticity processes at the synaptic level. In this context, MRI techniques, such
      as magnetic resonance spectroscopy and functional MRI, emerged as valuable tools
      for the qualitative assessment of baseline states and induced changes. Those
      physiological readouts can help explain the interindividual heterogeneity found
      in behavioural and/or clinical responses to the specific stimulation protocols.
      This knowledge will eventually translate, first, into the preliminary
      classification of study participants into treatment groups according to their
      neurophysiological baseline state and expected responses to a particular
      stimulation. Subsequently, this should also aid the optimization of stimulation
      protocols according to the classification outcome, resulting in retuned protocols
      for particular groups of study participants. SUMMARY: The consistent MRI-based
      monitoring of stimulation effects in the neural network promises a considerable
      gain for the customization of intervention protocols with improved therapeutic
      potential and rehabilitative predictions.

PMID- 27257945
TI  - Recent advances in genetics of chorea.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chorea presenting in childhood and adulthood encompasses
      several neurological disorders, both degenerative and nonprogressive, often with
      a genetic basis. In this review, we discuss how modern genomic technologies are
      expanding our knowledge of monogenic choreic syndromes and advancing our insight
      into the molecular mechanisms responsible for chorea. RECENT FINDINGS: A genome
      wide association study in Huntington's disease identified genetic disease
      modifiers involved in controlling DNA repair mechanisms and stability of the HTT
      trinucleotide repeat expansion. Chorea is the cardinal feature of newly
      recognized genetic entities, ADCY5 and PDE10A-related choreas, with onset in
      infancy and childhood. A phenotypic overlap between chorea, ataxia, epilepsy, and
      neurodevelopmental disorders is becoming increasingly evident. SUMMARY: The
      differential diagnosis of genetic conditions presenting with chorea has
      considerably widened, permitting a molecular diagnosis and an improved prognostic
      definition in an expanding number of cases. The identification of Huntington's
      disease genetic modifiers and new chorea-causing gene mutations has allowed the
      initial recognition of converging molecular pathways underlying medium spiny
      neurons degeneration and dysregulation of normal development and activity of
      basal ganglia circuits. Signalling downstream of dopamine receptors and control
      of cAMP levels represent a very promising target for the development of new
      aetiology-based treatments for chorea and other hyperkinetic disorders.

PMID- 27257947
TI  - BiVO4 -TiO2 Composite Photocatalysts for Dye Degradation Formed Using the SILAR
      Method.
AB  - Composite photocatalyst films have been fabricated by depositing BiVO4 upon TiO2
      via a sequential ionic layer adsorption reaction (SILAR) method. The
      photocatalytic materials were investigated by XRD, TEM, UV/Vis diffuse
      reflectance, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES),
      XPS, photoluminescence and Mott-Schottky analyses. SILAR processing was found to
      deposit monoclinic-scheelite BiVO4 nanoparticles onto the surface, giving
      successive improvements in the films' visible light harvesting. Electrochemical
      and valence band XPS studies revealed that the prepared heterojunctions have a
      type II band structure, with the BiVO4 conduction band and valence band lying
      cathodically shifted from those of TiO2 . The photocatalytic activity of the
      films was measured by the decolourisation of the dye rhodamine 6G using
      lambda>400 nm visible light. It was found that five SILAR cycles was optimal,
      with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.004 min(-1) . As a reference
      material, the same SILAR modification has been made to an inactive wide-band-gap
      ZrO2 film, where the mismatch of conduction and valence band energies disallows
      charge separation. The photocatalytic activity of the BiVO4 -ZrO2 system was
      found to be significantly reduced, highlighting the importance of charge
      separation across the interface. The mechanism of action of the photocatalysts
      has also been investigated, in particular the effect of self-sensitisation by the
      model organic dye and the ability of the dye to inject electrons into the
      photocatalyst's conduction band. 

PMID- 27257944
TI  - How strong is the evidence that Parkinson's disease is a prion disorder?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We describe evidence supporting the hypothesis that alpha
      synuclein has a prion-like role in Parkinson's disease and related alpha
      synucleinopathies, and discuss how this novel thinking impacts the development of
      diagnostics and disease-modifying therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: Observations that
      immature dopamine neurons grafted to Parkinson's disease patients can develop
      Lewy bodies triggered a surge of interest in the putative prion-like properties
      of alpha-synuclein. We recount results from experiments which confirm that
      misfolded alpha-synuclein can exhibit disease-propagating properties, and
      describe how they relate to the spreading of alpha-synuclein aggregates in alpha
      synucleinopathies. We share insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms and
      their relevance to novel therapeutic targets. Finally, we discuss what the
      initial triggers of alpha-synuclein misfolding might be, where in the body the
      misfolding events might take place, and how this can instruct development of
      novel diagnostic tools. We speculate that differences in anatomical trigger sites
      and variability in alpha-synuclein fibril structure can contribute to clinical
      differences between alpha-synucleinopathies. SUMMARY: The realization that alpha
      synuclein pathology can propagate between brain regions in neurodegenerative
      diseases has deepened and expanded our understanding of potential pathogenic
      processes which can lead to the development of novel diagnostic tools as well as
      the identification of new therapeutic targets.

PMID- 27257948
TI  - Control of Hydroid Colony Form by Surface Heterogeneity.
AB  - The colonial hydroid Podocoryna carnea grows adherent to surfaces progressing
      along them by a motile stolon tip. We here ask whether the stolon tip grows
      preferentially within grooves etched in silicon wafers. In a series of pilot
      experiments, we varied the dimensions of grooves and found that stolons did not
      utilize grooves with a width:depth of 5:5 MUm or 10:10 MUm, occasionally followed
      grooves 25:25 MUm in size, and preferentially grew within grooves of a
      width:depth of 50:50 MUm and 100:50 MUm. We then grew colonies in grids, with
      fixed 50:50 MUm width:depth channels intersecting at 90 degrees  every 950, 700,
      450, or 150 MUm. We find that stolons grew within grooves early in colony
      ontogeny, but remained restricted to them only in the grid pattern with channel
      intersections every 150 MUm. Finally, we created a grid in the shape of the Yale
      Y logo, with channels of 50:50 MUm width:depth and intersections every 100 MUm.
      The resulting colonies conformed to that of the logo. Our findings demonstrate
      that stolons respond to surface heterogeneity and that surface etching can be
      used to fabricate microfluidic circuits comprised of hydroid perisarc. 

PMID- 27257949
TI  - Benefit to Radiation Risk of Breast-specific Gamma Imaging Compared with
      Mammography in Screening Asymptomatic Women with Dense Breasts.
AB  - Purpose To estimate the benefit-to-radiation risk ratios of mammography alone,
      breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) alone, and mammography plus BSGI in women
      with dense breasts who were asymptomatic and examined in the 2015 study by Rhodes
      et al. Materials and Methods This study uses previously published breast cancer
      detection rates and estimates of radiation dose and radiation risk and is,
      therefore, exempt from institutional review board approval. By using breast
      cancer detection rates for mammography alone, BSGI alone, and mammography plus
      BSGI from the study by Rhodes et al, as well as lifetime estimates of radiation
      induced cancer mortality for mammography and BSGI on the basis of the Biologic
      Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII report, the benefit-to-radiation risk ratios of
      mammography alone, BSGI alone, and mammography plus BSGI performed annually over
      10-year age intervals from ages 40 to 79 years are estimated. Results The benefit
      to-radiation risk ratio is estimated to be 13 for women who are 40-49 years old
      and are screened with mammography, a figure that approximately doubles for each
      subsequent 10-year age interval up to 70-79 years old. For low-dose BSGI, annual
      screening benefit-to-radiation risk ratios are estimated to be 5 for women 40-49
      years old and to double by age 70-79 years, while mammography plus BSGI has
      benefit-to-radiation risk ratios similar to those of BSGI alone. There are wide
      ranges for all of these estimates. Conclusion While lower dose (300 MBq) BSGI has
      estimated benefit-to-radiation risk ratios well in excess of 1 for screening of
      asymptomatic women with dense breasts who are 40 years old and older, it does not
      match the benefit-to-radiation risk ratio of screening mammography. (c) RSNA,
      2016.

PMID- 27257950
TI  - Arterial Spin Labeling to Predict Brain Tumor Grading in Children: Correlations
      between Histopathologic Vascular Density and Perfusion MR Imaging.
AB  - Purpose To compare arterial spin labeling (ASL) data between low- and high-grade
      brain tumors in children to establish a cutoff to distinguish low- from high
      grade neoplasms and to assess potential correlations between cerebral blood flow
      (CBF) and quantitative histologic microvascular data. Materials and Methods
      Approval was obtained from the regional review board. ASL data obtained in 129
      children between 2011 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. CBF and relative
      CBF in the most perfused area of each neoplasm and contrast enhancement were
      quantified with a semiquantitative ratio. The correlation between CBF and
      microvascular density was analyzed in specimens stained with anti-CD34. Results
      were controlled in two validation cohorts with 1.5- and 3.0-T magnetic resonance
      (MR) imaging. Results Mean CBF was significantly higher for high-grade than for
      low-grade hemispheric (116 mL/min/100 g [interquartile range {IQR}, 73-131
      mL/min/100 g] vs 29 mL/min/100 g [IQR, 23-35 29 mL/min/100 g], P < .001),
      thalamic (87 mL/min/100 g [IQR, 73-100 mL/min/100 g] vs 36 mL/min/100 g [IQR, 30
      40 mL/min/100 g], P = .016), and posterior fossa (59 mL/min/100 g [IQR, 45-91
      mL/min/100 g] vs 33 mL/min/100 g [IQR, 25-40 mL/min/100 g], P < .001) tumors.
      With a cutoff of 50 mL/min/100 g, sensitivity and specificity were 90% (95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 68, 100) and 93% (95% CI: 66, 100), respectively, for
      hemispheric tumors; 100% (95% CI: 48, 100) and 80% (95% CI: 28, 100),
      respectively, for thalamic tumors; and 65% (95% CI: 51, 78) and 94% (95% CI: 80,
      99), respectively, for posterior fossa tumors. In posterior fossa tumors,
      additional use of the CBF-to-contrast enhancement ratio yielded sensitivity and
      specificity of 96% (95% CI: 87, 100) and 97% (95% CI: 84, 100), respectively. Use
      of a simple algorithm based on these values yielded an accuracy of 93% (95% CI:
      87, 97). Validation sets yielded similar results, with grading accuracy of 88%
      (95% CI: 62, 98) with 1.5-T MR imaging and 77% (95% CI: 46, 95) with 3.0-T MR
      imaging. CBF was strongly correlated with microvascular density (R = 0.66, P <
      .001). Conclusion High-grade pediatric brain tumors display higher CBF than do
      low-grade tumors, and they may be accurately graded by using these values. CBF is
      correlated with tumor microvascular density. (c) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental
      material is available for this article.

PMID- 27257951
TI  - Effects of Microwave Ablation on Arterial and Venous Vasculature after Treatment
      of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - Purpose To characterize vessel occlusion rates and their role in local tumor
      progression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent
      microwave tumor ablation. Materials and Methods This institutional review board
      approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective review included 95 patients (75 men and
      20 women) with 124 primary HCCs who were treated at a single center between
      January 2011 and March 2014. Complete occlusion of the portal veins, hepatic
      veins, and hepatic arteries within and directly abutting the ablation zone was
      identified with postprocedure contrast material-enhanced computed tomography. For
      each vessel identified in the ablation zone, its size and antenna spacing were
      recorded and correlated with vascular occlusion with logistic regression
      analysis. Local tumor progression rates were then compared between patent and
      occluded vessels for each vessel type with Fisher exact test. Results Occlusion
      was identified in 39.7% of portal veins (29 of 73), 15.0% of hepatic veins (six
      of 40), and 14.2% of hepatic arteries (10 of 70) encompassed within the ablation
      zone. Hepatic vein occlusion was significantly correlated with a smaller vessel
      size (P = .036) and vessel-antenna spacing (P = .006). Portal vein occlusion was
      only significantly correlated with a smaller vessel size (P = .001), particularly
      in vessels that were less than 3 mm in diameter. Local tumor progression rates
      were significantly correlated with patent hepatic arteries within the ablation
      zone (P = .02) but not with patent hepatic (P = .57) or portal (P = .14) veins.
      Conclusion During microwave ablation of HCC, hepatic veins and arteries were
      resistant to vessel occlusion compared with portal veins, and only arterial
      patency within an ablation zone was related to local tumor progression. (c) RSNA,
      2016.

PMID- 27257952
TI  - Campylobacter jejuni CsrA Regulates Metabolic and Virulence Associated Proteins
      and Is Necessary for Mouse Colonization.
AB  - Campylobacter jejuni infection is a leading bacterial cause of gastroenteritis
      and a common antecedent leading to Gullian-Barre syndrome. Our previous data
      suggested that the RNA-binding protein CsrA plays an important role in regulating
      several important phenotypes including motility, biofilm formation, and oxidative
      stress resistance. In this study, we compared the proteomes of wild type, csrA
      mutant, and complemented csrA mutant C. jejuni strains in an effort to elucidate
      the mechanisms by which CsrA affects virulence phenotypes. The putative CsrA
      regulon was more pronounced at stationary phase (111 regulated proteins) than at
      mid-log phase (25 regulated proteins). Proteins displaying altered expression in
      the csrA mutant included diverse metabolic functions, with roles in amino acid
      metabolism, TCA cycle, acetate metabolism, and various other cell processes, as
      well as pathogenesis-associated characteristics such as motility, chemotaxis,
      oxidative stress resistance, and fibronectin binding. The csrA mutant strain also
      showed altered autoagglutination kinetics when compared to the wild type. CsrA
      specifically bound the 5' end of flaA mRNA, and we demonstrated that CsrA is a
      growth-phase dependent repressor of FlaA expression. Finally, the csrA mutant
      exhibited reduced ability to colonize in a mouse model when in competition with
      the wild type, further underscoring the role of CsrA in C. jejuni colonization
      and pathogenesis. 

PMID- 27257953
TI  - Use of Oxandrolone to Promote Growth in Neonates following Surgery for Complex
      Congenital Heart Disease: An Open-Label Pilot Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition and poor weight gain, common in neonates following repair
      of complex congenital heart disease (CHD), are associated with increased
      morbidity and mortality. Oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid, improves weight gain
      in older children at high-risk for growth failure. We sought to determine
      feasibility, safety, and efficacy of oxandrolone therapy in neonates following
      surgery for complex CHD. DESIGN: Neonates with RACHS-1 score >3 were eligible to
      receive open-label oxandrolone for 28 days in this prospective pilot trial. There
      were 3 cohorts of 5 subjects receiving oxandrolone therapy under 3 specified
      dosage and preparation protocols: 0.1 mg/kg/day aqueous solution, 0.2 mg/kg/day
      aqueous solution, and 0.1 mg/kg/day preparation in medium chain triglyceride
      (MCT) oil. Age- and diagnosis-matched neonates who underwent surgery, but
      received no oxandrolone, served as a control cohort. Anthropometric measurements,
      physical examination for virilization, safety labs, and adverse events were
      monitored. RESULTS: Of 25 eligible patients, 15 consented (60%, 13/15 with
      Norwood procedure). There was no evidence of virilization, no changes in safety
      labs, and no serious adverse events related to oxandrolone among subjects
      receiving therapy. No subject met criteria for termination of study drug. There
      was a significant difference in change in weight-for-age z-score among the four
      cohorts, with subjects receiving 0.1 mg/kg/day in MCT oil having the lowest
      decline during the study period (-1.8 +/- 0.5 for controls, -1.7 +/- 0.4 for 0.1
      mg/kg/day aqueous, -1.0 +/- 0.4 for 0.2 mg/kg/day aqueous, and -0.6 +/- 0.7 for
      0.1 mg/kg/day MCT oil, P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: Oxandrolone therapy at the doses
      studied appears safe in neonates after surgery for complex CHD. The decline in
      weight-for-age z-score was lowest in those receiving the MCT oil preparation
      suggesting better bioavailability of this preparation and a potential growth
      benefit with oxandrolone therapy. Further investigation is needed to define
      optimal dosing and assess efficacy.

PMID- 27257954
TI  - Laminin Receptor in Shrimp Is a Cellular Attachment Receptor for White Spot
      Syndrome Virus.
AB  - White spot syndrome virus (WSSV, genus Whispovirus, family Nimaviridae) is
      causing huge economic losses in global shrimp farming, but there is no effective
      control. Shrimp cell laminin receptor (Lamr) may have a role in WSSV infection.
      The objective was to characterize interactions between Penaeus monodon Lamr
      (PmLamr) and WSSV structural proteins. In this study, PmLamr interacted with nine
      WSSV structural proteins (based on yeast two-hybrid screening), of which one
      (VP31) was characterized. Protein pull-down assay confirmed the interaction
      between PmLamr and VP31; the latter was an envelope protein exposed outside the
      WSSV virion (based on membrane topology assays). Furthermore, similar to
      mammalian Lamr, there were two major protein bands in shrimp cells. Cellular
      localization assay demonstrated VP31 co-localized with PmLamr on transfected
      cells. Enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and competitive ELISA demonstrated
      binding of VP31 on PmLamr was dose-dependent; however, addition of WSSV virion
      competed for binding affinity. Furthermore, based on an in vivo neutralization
      assay, both VP31 and PmLamr delayed mortality in shrimp challenged with WSSV. We
      concluded Lamr was an important receptor for WSSV infection and the viral
      envelope protein VP31 may have a role in host cell recognition and binding. These
      data contributed to elucidating pathogenesis of WSSV infection and may help in
      controlling this disease. 

PMID- 27257955
TI  - Simple and Efficient Ruthenium-Catalyzed Oxidation of Primary Alcohols with
      Molecular Oxygen.
AB  - Oxidative transformations utilizing molecular oxygen (O2 ) as the stoichiometric
      oxidant are of paramount importance in organic synthesis from ecological and
      economical perspectives. Alcohol oxidation reactions that employ O2 are scarce in
      homogeneous catalysis and the efficacy of such systems has been constrained by
      limited substrate scope (most involve secondary alcohol oxidation) or practical
      factors, such as the need for an excess of base or an additive. Catalytic systems
      employing O2 as the "primary" oxidant, in the absence of any additive, are rare.
      A solution to this longstanding issue is offered by the development of an
      efficient ruthenium-catalyzed oxidation protocol, which enables smooth oxidation
      of a wide variety of primary, as well as secondary benzylic, allylic,
      heterocyclic, and aliphatic, alcohols with molecular oxygen as the primary
      oxidant and without any base or hydrogen- or electron-transfer agents. Most
      importantly, a high degree of selectivity during alcohol oxidation has been
      predicted for complex settings. Preliminary mechanistic studies including (18) O
      labeling established the in situ formation of an oxo-ruthenium intermediate as
      the active catalytic species in the cycle and involvement of a two-electron
      hydride transfer in the rate-limiting step. 

PMID- 27257957
TI  - Correction: Taking Perspective: Personal Pronouns Affect Experiential Aspects of
      Literary Reading.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154732.].

PMID- 27257956
TI  - Comparative Activity of Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin and Moxifloxacin against
      Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
      Assessed by Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations and Time-Kill Studies.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro susceptibility of Klebsiella
      pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to three
      fluoroquinolones. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to ciprofloxacin,
      levofloxacin and moxifloxacin were examined by E-test(r) for a total of 40 K.
      pneumoniae strains, 40 S. maltophilia strains and 40 P. aeruginosa strains. Then,
      the bactericidal activity of these fluoroquinolones was investigated on five
      strains of each bacterial species by means of time-kill curves. For K. pneumoniae
      and P. aeruginosa, the distance of the measured MIC from the clinical break-point
      is a good indicator of the bactericidal activity for ciprofloxacin and
      levofloxacin as obtained in our experiments. The lower the MIC, the better the
      bactericidal activity in term of CFU Log decreases. If MIC of ciprofloxacin and
      levofloxacin against the considered bacteria are far from clinical breakpoint,
      these two antibiotics are equivalent. According to our MIC50 and modal MIC, the
      breakpoints of both ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin seem to be somewhat high and
      data suggest reducing them. On S. maltophilia, none of the tested antibiotics
      showed a satisfactory activity. 

PMID- 27257958
TI  - Using ventricular modeling to robustly probe significant deep gray matter
      pathologies: Application to cerebral palsy.
AB  - Understanding the relationships between the structure and function of the brain
      largely relies on the qualitative assessment of Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs)
      by expert clinicians. Automated analysis systems can support these assessments by
      providing quantitative measures of brain injury. However, the assessment of deep
      gray matter structures, which are critical to motor and executive function,
      remains difficult as a result of large anatomical injuries commonly observed in
      children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Hence, this article proposes a robust
      surrogate marker of the extent of deep gray matter injury based on impingement
      due to local ventricular enlargement on surrounding anatomy. Local enlargement
      was computed using a statistical shape model of the lateral ventricles
      constructed from 44 healthy subjects. Measures of injury on 95 age-matched CP
      patients were used to train a regression model to predict six clinical measures
      of function. The robustness of identifying ventricular enlargement was
      demonstrated by an area under the curve of 0.91 when tested against a
      dichotomised expert clinical assessment. The measures also showed strong and
      significant relationships for multiple clinical scores, including: motor function
      (r2  = 0.62, P < 0.005), executive function (r2  = 0.55, P < 0.005), and
      communication (r2  = 0.50, P < 0.005), especially compared to using volumes
      obtained from standard anatomical segmentation approaches. The lack of reliance
      on accurate anatomical segmentations and its resulting robustness to large
      anatomical variations is a key feature of the proposed automated approach. This
      coupled with its strong correlation with clinically meaningful scores, signifies
      the potential utility to repeatedly assess MRIs for clinicians diagnosing
      children with CP. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3795-3809, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27257960
TI  - A Tunable Silk Hydrogel Device for Studying Limb Regeneration in Adult Xenopus
      Laevis.
AB  - In certain amphibian models limb regeneration can be promoted or inhibited by the
      local wound bed environment. This research introduces a device that can be
      utilized as an experimental tool to characterize the conditions that promotes
      limb regeneration in the adult frog (Xenopus laevis) model. In particular, this
      device was designed to manipulate the local wound environment via a hydrogel
      insert. Initial characterization of the hydrogel insert revealed that this
      interaction had a significant influence on mechanical forces to the animal, due
      to the contraction of the hydrogel. The material and mechanical properties of the
      hydrogel insert were a factor in the device design in relation to the comfort of
      the animal and the ability to effectively manipulate the amputation site. The
      tunable features of the hydrogel were important in determining the pro
      regenerative effects in limb regeneration, which was measured by cartilage spike
      formation and quantified by micro-computed tomography. The hydrogel insert was a
      factor in the observed morphological outcomes following amputation. Future work
      will focus on characterizing and optimizing the device's observed capability to
      manipulate biological pathways that are essential for limb regeneration. However,
      the present work provides a framework for the role of a hydrogel in the device
      and a path forward for more systematic studies. 

PMID- 27257959
TI  - A Comparative Study of Growth Kinetics, In Vitro Differentiation Potential and
      Molecular Characterization of Fetal Adnexa Derived Caprine Mesenchymal Stem
      Cells.
AB  - The present study was conducted with an objective of isolation, in vitro
      expansion, growth kinetics, molecular characterization and in vitro
      differentiation of fetal adnexa derived caprine mesenchymal stem cells. Mid
      gestation gravid caprine uteri (2-3 months) were collected from abattoir to
      derive mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from fetal adnexa {amniotic fluid (cAF),
      amniotic sac (cAS), Wharton's jelly (cWJ) and cord blood (cCB)} and expanded in
      vitro. These cultured MSCs were used at the 3rd passage (P3) to study growth
      kinetics, localization as well as molecular expression of specific surface
      antigens, pluripotency markers and mesenchymal tri-lineage differentiation. In
      comparison to cAF and cAS MSCs, cWJ and cCB MSCs showed significantly (P<0.05)
      higher clonogenic potency, faster growth rate and low population doubling (PDT)
      time. All the four types of MSCs were positive for alkaline phosphatase (AP) and
      differentiated into chondrogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic lineages. These stem
      cells expressed MSC surface antigens (CD73, CD90 and CD105) and pluripotency
      markers (Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, KLF, cMyc, FoxD3) but did not express CD34, a
      hematopoietic stem cell marker (HSC) as confirmed by RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry
      and flow cytometric analysis. The relative mRNA expression of MSC surface
      antigens (CD73, CD90 and CD105) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cWJ MSCs
      compared to the other cell lines. The mRNA expression of Oct4 was significantly
      (P<0.05) higher in cWJ, whereas mRNA expression of KLF and cMyc was significantly
      (P<0.05) higher in cWJ and cAF than that of cAS and cCB. The comparative
      assessment revealed that cWJ MSCs outperformed MSCs from other sources of fetal
      adnexa in terms of growth kinetics, relative mRNA expression of surface antigens,
      pluripotency markers and tri-lineage differentiation potential, hence, these MSCs
      could be used as a preferred source for regenerative medicine. 

PMID- 27257961
TI  - Correction: Central Pressure Appraisal: Clinical Validation of a Subject-Specific
      Mathematical Model.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151523.].

PMID- 27257962
TI  - Correction: Functional Analysis of Free Fatty Acid Receptor GPR120 in Human
      Eosinophils: Implications in Metabolic Homeostasis.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120386.].

PMID- 27257963
TI  - Recurrence of autoimmune liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease after
      pediatric liver transplantation.
AB  - Approximately 10% of children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and 30% of those
      with sclerosing cholangitis (SC) require liver transplantation (LT). LT is
      indicated in patients who present with fulminant hepatic failure (ie, with
      encephalopathy) and in those who develop end-stage liver disease despite
      treatment. After LT, recurrent AIH is reported in approximately 30% of patients
      and recurrent SC in up to 50%. Diagnosis of recurrence is based on biochemical
      abnormalities, seropositivity for autoantibodies, interface hepatitis on
      histology, steroid dependence, and, for SC, presence of cholangiopathy.
      Recurrence of SC after LT is often associated with poorly controlled inflammatory
      bowel disease (IBD). Recurrence may even appear years after LT; therefore,
      steroid-based immunosuppression should be maintained at a higher dose than that
      used for patients transplanted for nonautoimmune liver diseases. Although the
      impact of recurrent disease on graft function is controversial, it seems that in
      pediatric LT recipients recurrence of AIH or SC is associated with compromised
      graft survival. Exacerbation of preexistent IBD may be observed after LT for SC
      or AIH, and IBD appears to have a more aggressive course than before LT. In
      addition, IBD can develop de novo following LT. Liver Transplantation 22 1275
      1283 2016 AASLD.

PMID- 27257964
TI  - Pliable Cognitive MAC for Heterogeneous Adaptive Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks.
AB  - The rapid expansion of wireless monitoring and surveillance applications in
      several domains reinforces the trend of exploiting emerging technologies such as
      the cognitive radio. However, these technologies have to adjust their working
      concepts to consider the common characteristics of conventional wireless sensor
      networks (WSNs). The cognitive radio sensor network (CRSN), still an immature
      technology, has to deal with new networks that might have different types of
      data, traffic patterns, or quality of service (QoS) requirements. In this paper,
      we design and model a new cognitive radio-based medium access control (MAC)
      algorithm dealing with the heterogeneous nature of the developed networks in
      terms of either the traffic pattern or the required QoS for the node
      applications. The proposed algorithm decreases the consumed power on several
      fronts, provides satisfactory levels of latency and spectrum utilization with
      efficient scheduling, and manages the radio resources for various traffic
      conditions. An intensive performance evaluation is conducted to study the impact
      of key parameters such as the channel idle time length, node density, and the
      number of available channels. The performance evaluation of the proposed
      algorithm shows a better performance than the comparable protocols. Moreover, the
      results manifest that the proposed algorithm is suitable for real time monitoring
      applications. 

PMID- 27257966
TI  - Correction: Caenorhabditis elegans PAQR-2 and IGLR-2 Protect against Glucose
      Toxicity by Modulating Membrane Lipid Composition.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005982.].

PMID- 27257965
TI  - Prevalence and Prognostic Role of BRCA1/2 Variants in Unselected Chinese Breast
      Cancer Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of BRCA1/2 variants in Chinese breast cancer patients
      varies among studies. Germline or somatic BRCA1/2 mutations are associated with
      sensitivity to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibitors and DNA-damaging agents.
      We aimed to investigate the distribution of both somatic and germline BRCA1/2
      variants in unselected Chinese breast cancer patients, and explore their roles in
      tumor phenotype and disease prognosis. METHODS: 507 breast cancer patients,
      unselected for family history of breast cancer or age at diagnosis, were
      prospectively enrolled from West China Hospital between Feb. 2008 and Feb. 2014.
      BRCA1/2 variants in the exons/flanking regions were detected in fresh-frozen
      tumors using next-generation sequencing and confirmed by independent methods.
      Germline/somatic status was validated by Sanger sequencing in paired blood/normal
      tissue. RESULTS: BRCA1/2 pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants were
      detected in 50 patients (9.9%), including 40 germline carriers (18 in BRCA1, 22
      in BRCA2), 9 patients with somatic variants (3 in BRCA1, 6 in BRCA2), and 1
      patient with concurrent germline/somatic variants in BRCA2. The triple-negative
      (21.4%) and Luminal B (9.7%) subtypes had higher rates of BRCA1/2 variants. In
      patients with disease stage 0~II, presence of a germline or somatic BRCA1 P/LP
      variant increased the risk of relapse as compared to non-carriers [univariate
      hazard ratio (HR): 3.70, P = 0.04]. Germline BRCA1 P/LP variants, which were
      associated with aggressive tumor phenotypes, predicted worse disease-free
      survival in the subgroup of stage 0~II (HR: 4.52, P = 0.02) and N0 (HR: 5.4, P =
      0.04) compared to non-carriers. CONCLUSION: A high frequency of germline and
      somatic BRCA1/2 P/LP variants was detected in unselected Chinese breast cancer
      patients. Luminal B subtype should be considered as a high-risk population of
      BRCA1/2 mutation, in addition to triple-negative breast cancer. BRCA1 status was
      associated with aggressive tumor phenotype and worse disease progression in early
      stage breast cancer patients.

PMID- 27257967
TI  - Random Forests for Global and Regional Crop Yield Predictions.
AB  - Accurate predictions of crop yield are critical for developing effective
      agricultural and food policies at the regional and global scales. We evaluated a
      machine-learning method, Random Forests (RF), for its ability to predict crop
      yield responses to climate and biophysical variables at global and regional
      scales in wheat, maize, and potato in comparison with multiple linear regressions
      (MLR) serving as a benchmark. We used crop yield data from various sources and
      regions for model training and testing: 1) gridded global wheat grain yield, 2)
      maize grain yield from US counties over thirty years, and 3) potato tuber and
      maize silage yield from the northeastern seaboard region. RF was found highly
      capable of predicting crop yields and outperformed MLR benchmarks in all
      performance statistics that were compared. For example, the root mean square
      errors (RMSE) ranged between 6 and 14% of the average observed yield with RF
      models in all test cases whereas these values ranged from 14% to 49% for MLR
      models. Our results show that RF is an effective and versatile machine-learning
      method for crop yield predictions at regional and global scales for its high
      accuracy and precision, ease of use, and utility in data analysis. RF may result
      in a loss of accuracy when predicting the extreme ends or responses beyond the
      boundaries of the training data. 

PMID- 27257968
TI  - Development of a large peptoid-DOTA combinatorial library.
AB  - Conventional one-bead one-compound (OBOC) library synthesis is typically used to
      identify molecules with therapeutic value. The design and synthesis of OBOC
      libraries that contain molecules with imaging or even potentially therapeutic and
      diagnostic capacities (e.g. theranostic agents) has been overlooked. The
      development of a therapeutically active molecule with a built-in imaging
      component for a certain target is a daunting task, and structure-based rational
      design might not be the best approach. We hypothesize to develop a combinatorial
      library with potentially therapeutic and imaging components fused together in
      each molecule. Such molecules in the library can be used to screen, identify, and
      validate as direct theranostic candidates against targets of interest. As the
      first step in achieving that aim, we developed an on-bead library of 153,600
      Peptoid-DOTA compounds in which the peptoids are the target-recognizing and
      potentially therapeutic components and the DOTA is the imaging component. We
      attached the DOTA scaffold to TentaGel beads using one of the four arms of DOTA,
      and we built a diversified 6-mer peptoid library on the remaining three arms. We
      evaluated both the synthesis and the mass spectrometric sequencing capacities of
      the test compounds and of the final library. The compounds displayed unique
      ionization patterns including direct breakages of the DOTA scaffold into two
      units, allowing clear decoding of the sequences. Our approach provides a facile
      synthesis method for the complete on-bead development of large peptidomimetic
      DOTA libraries for screening against biological targets for the identification of
      potential theranostic agents in the future. (c) 2016 The Authors. Biopolymers
      Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 673-684, 2016. 

PMID- 27257969
TI  - Nonhuman Primate IFITM Proteins Are Potent Inhibitors of HIV and SIV.
AB  - Interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins are potent antiviral factors
      shown to restrict the infection of many enveloped viruses, including HIV. Here we
      report cloning and characterization of a panel of nonhuman primate IFITMs. We
      show that, similar to human IFITM, nonhuman primate IFITM proteins inhibit HIV
      and other primate lentiviruses. While some nonhuman primate IFITM proteins are
      more potent than human counterparts to inhibit HIV-1, they are generally not
      effective against HIV-2 similar to that of human IFITMs. Notably, depending on
      SIV strains and also IFITM species tested, nonhuman primate IFITM proteins
      exhibit distinct activities against SIVs; no correlation was found to support the
      notion that IFITM proteins are most active in non-natural primate hosts.
      Consistent with our recent findings for human IFITMs, nonhuman primate IFITM
      proteins interact with HIV-1 Env and strongly act in viral producer cells to
      impair viral infectivity and block cell-to-cell transmission. Accordingly,
      knockdown of primate IFITM3 increases HIV-1 replication in nohuman primate cells.
      Interestingly, analysis of DNA sequences of human and nonhuman primate IFITMs
      suggest that IFITM proteins have been undergoing purifying selection, rather than
      positive selection typical for cellular restriction factors. Overall, our study
      reveals some new and unexpected features of IFITMs in restricting primate
      lentiviruses, which enhances our understanding of virus-host interaction and AIDS
      pathogenesis. 

PMID- 27257970
TI  - Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis for Identifying Modules and Functionally
      Enriched Pathways in Type 1 Diabetes.
AB  - Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a complex disease, caused by the autoimmune destruction
      of the insulin producing pancreatic beta cells, resulting in the body's inability
      to produce insulin. While great efforts have been put into understanding the
      genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the etiology of the disease,
      the exact molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. T1D is a heterogeneous
      disease, and previous research in this field is mainly focused on the analysis of
      single genes, or using traditional gene expression profiling, which generally
      does not reveal the functional context of a gene associated with a complex
      disorder. However, network-based analysis does take into account the interactions
      between the diabetes specific genes or proteins and contributes to new knowledge
      about disease modules, which in turn can be used for identification of potential
      new biomarkers for T1D. In this study, we analyzed public microarray data of T1D
      patients and healthy controls by applying a systems biology approach that
      combines network-based Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) with
      functional enrichment analysis. Novel co-expression gene network modules
      associated with T1D were elucidated, which in turn provided a basis for the
      identification of potential pathways and biomarker genes that may be involved in
      development of T1D. 

PMID- 27257971
TI  - Climate-Driven Synchronized Growth of Alpine Trees in the Southeast Tibetan
      Plateau.
AB  - Knowledge about the spatiotemporal tree growth variability and its associations
      with climate provides key insights into forest dynamics under future scenarios of
      climate change. We synthesized 17 tree-ring width chronologies from four tree
      species at the high-elevation sites in the southeast Tibetan Plateau (SETP) to
      study the regional tree growth variability and climate-growth relationships.
      Despite of diverse habitats and different physiological characteristics of these
      species, these tree-ring chronologies shared a significant common variance in
      SETP. An unprecedented increase in the shared variance is found along the latter
      half of the 20th century, coinciding with the enhancement of the frequency of
      extreme rings among chronologies. It is found that minimum winter temperature
      tends to be the dominant climate for trees in this region. The site-specific
      responses in cold (1965-1980) and warm (1990-2005) intervals by means of Fuzzy
      Cmeans (FCM) clustering reveal that the remarkable enhancement of growth
      synchrony among trees mainly occur in warm conditions. This is different from
      previous findings indicating that increased consistence among temperature
      sensitive tree rings in cold periods. This may be related to the reduced
      temperature sensitivity of regional tree growth as winter minimum temperature is
      lower than a certain threshold, which is in agreement with the "principle of
      ecological amplitude". In addition, it is worth noting that precipitation in June
      have started to restrain the tree growth since the beginning of the 1980s, which
      is possibly an important contributor for synchronized growth among trees in SETP.

PMID- 27257972
TI  - Epibiotic Diatoms Are Universally Present on All Sea Turtle Species.
AB  - The macro-epibiotic communities of sea turtles have been subject to growing
      interest in recent years, yet their micro-epibiotic counterparts are almost
      entirely unknown. Here, we provide the first evidence that diatoms are epibionts
      for all seven extant species of sea turtle. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy,
      we inspected superficial carapace or skin samples from a single representative of
      each turtle species. We distinguished 18 diatom taxa from these seven
      individuals, with each sea turtle species hosting at least two diatom taxa. We
      recommend that future research is undertaken to confirm whether diatom
      communities vary between sea turtle species and whether these diatom taxa are
      facultative or obligate commensals. 

PMID- 27257973
TI  - Spontaneous Formation of an Air-Stable Radical upon the Direct Fusion of
      Diphenylmethane to a Triarylporphyrin.
AB  - The direct fusion of a diphenylmethane segment to a Ni(II) 5,10,15
      triarylporphyrin with three linkages furnished an air- and moisture-stable
      neutral radical through unexpected and spontaneous oxidation. This radical was
      demetalated by treatment with H2 SO4 and CF3 CO2 H to provide the corresponding
      free-base radical. These porphyrin radicals are very stable owing to spin
      delocalization and have been fully characterized through UV/Vis/NIR absorption
      spectroscopy, X-ray crystallographic analysis, magnetic susceptibility
      measurements, electrochemical studies, laser-based ultrafast spectroscopic
      studies, and theoretical calculations. They were chemically oxidized and reduced
      to the corresponding cation and anion but did not react with hydrogen-atom
      donors.

PMID- 27257974
TI  - Soluble DNAM-1, as a Predictive Biomarker for Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease.
AB  - Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a major complication of allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Because diagnosis of aGVHD
      is exclusively based on clinical symptoms and pathological findings, reliable and
      noninvasive laboratory tests for accurate diagnosis are required. An activating
      immunoreceptor, DNAM-1 (CD226), is expressed on T cells and natural killer cells
      and is involved in the development of aGVHD. Here, we identified a soluble form
      of DNAM-1 (sDNAM-1) in human sera. In retrospective univariate and multivariate
      analyses of allo-HSCT patients (n = 71) at a single center, cumulative incidences
      of all grade (grade I-IV) and sgrade II-IV aGVHD in patients with high maximal
      serum levels of sDNAM-1 (>=30 pM) in the 7 days before allo-HSCT were
      significantly higher than those in patients with low maximal serum levels of
      sDNAM-1 (<30 pM) in the same period. However, sDNAM-1 was not associated with
      other known allo-HSCT complications. Our data suggest that sDNAM-1 is potentially
      a unique candidate as a predictive biomarker for the development of aGVHD. 

PMID- 27257976
TI  - Gremlin1 expression associates with serrated pathway and favourable prognosis in
      colorectal cancer.
AB  - AIMS: Gremlin1 is a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist with a suggested
      role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. We have analysed Gremlin1 protein
      expression in CRC and assessed its correlation with clinicopathological
      characteristics, including developmental pathway and prognosis. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Material included a non-selected series of 148 surgically treated CRC
      cases. The tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, histological grade and
      inflammatory infiltrate at the invasive margin were assessed, and tumours were
      classified to serrated or non-serrated types. Immunohistochemistry was conducted
      to evaluate Gremlin1 expression. Prognosis (60-month follow-up) was analysed by
      Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression analysis. Gremlin1 expression was
      detected in epithelial cells both in normal mucosa and in carcinomas. Abundant
      expression in carcinomas associated with low TNM stage (P = 0.044), low
      histological grade (P = 0.044), serrated histology (P = 0.033 or P = 0.053
      depending on the classification cut-off) and intensive inflammatory infiltrate at
      the invasive margin (P = 0.044), and was a stage independent indicator of
      extended survival (P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Gremlin1 protein expression in CRC
      associates with low tumour stage and extended survival independently of tumour
      stage, suggesting that it represents a relevant prognostic indicator in CRC. High
      expression in carcinomas with serrated histology suggests a potential role for
      Gremlin1 in the serrated pathway of CRC.

PMID- 27257977
TI  - Effects of Different Ratios of Sewage Sludge and Cattle Manure on Growth and
      Propagation of Eisenia Fetida.
AB  - Domestic sewage sludge and cattle manure are rich in nutrition elements, but
      without proper disposal, are harmful to the environment. Here with an indoor
      culture method, we used Eisenia fetida to dispose different ratios of sewage
      sludge and cattle manure, and thereby investigated the effects and acting rules
      of these sludge-manure mixtures on the growth and reproduction of E. fetida. We
      find these mixtures are food sources for E. fetida, and their physiochemical
      properties are significantly changed after disposal by earthworms. Paired samples
      t-test shows the average change after different treatments is -20.37% for total
      organic carbon, 85.71% for total Kjeldahl N, -6.67% for total P, 8.33% for pH, 
      24.78% for EC (ms.cm-1), and -57.10% for C/N ratio. The average growth rate after
      treatment CD-70 is 9.20 mg.worm-1.day-1; the average growth rates of E. fetida on
      day 0-28, day 29-56, and day 57-91 are 9.33, 11.90 and 6.95 mg.worm-1.day-1,
      respectively, indicating a trend of "rapid-rapidest-slow" growth. Other
      treatments all show this trend. Though all earthworms developed reproductive
      rings during the test periods, the appearing time and the cocoon production time
      both differed among these treatments. The cocoon production amount is maximized
      to 233 after treatment CD-70. The cocoon production rates are significantly
      different among these treatments, and the maximum and mean are 0.32 and 0.17
      0.32, cocoons.worm-1. day-1, respectively. E. fetida can modestly enrich Cd, but
      is not very effective over Sb or other heavy metals. E. fetida can remove a part
      of heavy metals from sewage sludge and cattle manure. Generally, the mixtures of
      sewage sludge and cattle manure can largely affect the growth and propagation of
      E. fetida in a ratio-dependent way. 

PMID- 27257979
TI  - Evaluation of ceruloplasmin levels in patients with lumbar disc herniation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation is believed to have a role in the development of
      lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Ceruloplasmin (CP), an acute phase protein, is
      known to limit inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate CP levels in patients with
      LDH. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with LDH and 35 healthy individuals were
      enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into two groups; group 1 (n =
      35) consisted of patients with LDH, and group 2 (n = 35) consisted of healthy
      subjects. Surgery specimens were taken from all patients who underwent LDH
      related surgery. CP levels were measured in both blood and tissue samples. Pain
      intensity was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: There were no
      significant differences in gender, age, or body mass index between the control
      and LDH patients (p > 0.05 for all). Compared with the control patients, LDH
      patients had significantly higher serum CP levels (p < 0.001). In LDH patients,
      tissue CP levels were significantly higher than serum levels (p < 0.001).
      According to bivariate analysis, the serum CP levels were significantly
      correlated with the VAS score in group 1 (r = 0.491, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The
      present study showed that CP levels increased in both the serum and the tissues
      of patients with LDH compared to patients without LDH, possibly as a consequence
      of LDH-associated inflammation.

PMID- 27257978
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of Nucleic Acid Polymers in Monotherapy and Combined with
      Immunotherapy in Treatment-Naive Bangladeshi Patients with HBeAg+ Chronic
      Hepatitis B Infection.
AB  - Previous in vivo studies have suggested that nucleic acid polymers (NAPs) may
      reduce circulating levels of HBsAg in the blood by blocking its release from
      infected hepatocytes and that this effect may have clinical benefit. NAP
      treatment, was evaluated in two clinical studies in patients with HBeAg positive
      chronic HBV infection. The REP 101 study examined REP 2055 monotherapy in 8
      patients and the REP 102 study examined REP 2139-Ca, in monotherapy in 12
      patients, 9 of which transitioned to short term combined treatment with pegylated
      interferon alpha 2a or thymosin alpha 1. In both studies NAP monotherapy was
      accompanied by 2-7 log reductions of serum HBsAg, 3-9 log reductions in serum HBV
      DNA and the appearance of serum anti-HBsAg antibodies (10-1712 mIU / ml). Eight
      of the 9 patients transitioning to combined treatment with immunotherapy
      (pegylated interferon or thymosin alpha 1) in the REP 102 study experienced HBsAg
      loss and all 9 patients experienced substantial increases in serum anti-HBsAg
      antibody titers before withdrawal of therapy. For 52 weeks after removal of REP
      2055 therapy, rebound of serum viremia (HBV DNA > 1000 copies / ml, HBsAg > 1IU /
      ml) was not observed in 3 / 8 patients. Suppression of serum virema was further
      maintained for 290 and 231 weeks in 2 of these patients. After withdrawal of all
      therapy in the 9 patients that transitioned to combination therapy in the REP 102
      study, 8 patients achieved HBV DNA < 116 copies / ml after treatment withdrawal.
      Viral rebound occurred over a period of 12 to 123 weeks in 7 patients but was
      still absent in two patients at 135 and 137 weeks of follow-up. Administration
      tolerability issues observed with REP 2055 were rare with REP 2139-Ca but REP
      2139-Ca therapy was accompanied by hair loss, dysphagia and dysgeusia which were
      considered related to heavy metal exposure endemic at the trial site. These
      preliminary studies suggest that NAP can elicit important antiviral responses
      during treatment which may improve the effect of immunotherapy. NAPs may be a
      potentially useful component of future combination therapies for the treatment of
      chronic hepatitis B. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02646163 and
      NCT02646189.

PMID- 27257975
TI  - Skeletal muscle diffusion tensor-MRI fiber tracking: rationale, data acquisition
      and analysis methods, applications and future directions.
AB  - The mechanical functions of muscles involve the generation of force and the
      actuation of movement by shortening or lengthening under load. These functions
      are influenced, in part, by the internal arrangement of muscle fibers with
      respect to the muscle's mechanical line of action. This property is known as
      muscle architecture. In this review, we describe the use of diffusion tensor (DT)
      MRI muscle fiber tracking for the study of muscle architecture. In the first
      section, the importance of skeletal muscle architecture to function is discussed.
      In addition, traditional and complementary methods for the assessment of muscle
      architecture (brightness-mode ultrasound imaging and cadaver analysis) are
      presented. Next, DT-MRI is introduced and the structural basis for the reduced
      and anisotropic diffusion of water in muscle is discussed. The third section
      discusses issues related to the acquisition of skeletal muscle DT-MRI data and
      presents recommendations for optimal strategies. The fourth section discusses
      methods for the pre-processing of DT-MRI data, the available approaches for the
      calculation of the diffusion tensor and the seeding and propagating of fiber
      tracts, and the analysis of the tracking results to measure structural properties
      pertinent to muscle biomechanics. Lastly, examples are presented of how DT-MRI
      fiber tracking has been used to provide new insights into how muscles function,
      and important future research directions are highlighted. Copyright (c) 2016 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27257980
TI  - A comparison of the effects of Mulligan's mobilization and Kinesio taping on
      pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and neck disability in patients with
      cervical spondylosis: A randomized controlled study1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervical Spondylosis (CS) is a degenerative and painful pathology,
      which needs conservative treatment to relieve symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to
      investigate the effects of Mulligan's mobilization (MM) and Kinesio taping (KT)
      on pain, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, and function in CS. METHODS:
      Forty-five subjects were randomly placed into three groups: Group 1: control
      group (conventional rehabilitation-CR); Group 2: MM and CR; Group 3: KT and CR.
      Assessments including neck pain, cervical ROM, muscle strength and Neck
      Disability index (NDI) were conducted at baseline, after three-week treatment,
      and at one-month follow up. Results were analyzed using ANCOVA. RESULTS: In all
      groups, pain and NDI scores reduced, cervical ROM and muscle strength increased
      with time (p< 0.001). Greater improvements in neck extension, left and right
      rotation were obtained in the KT and MM groups when compared to the control group
      (p< 0.05). In the KT group, improvement in right lateral flexion ROM was greater
      than the control and deep cervical flexor muscle strength was greater than the MM
      and the control groups (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: KT and MM contributed to CR for
      increasing cervical ROM and deep cervical flexor muscle strength in patients with
      CS.

PMID- 27257981
TI  - Single versus multiple dose hyaluronic acid: Comparison of the results.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three
      injections of standard linear HA versus single injection of lightly cross-linking
      HA in patients with knee OA. METHODS: Forty subjects were randomized into two
      groups. The first group received single dose intraarticular injection of 4 ml
      lightly cross-linking sodium hyaluronate (Monovisc), and the second group
      received three consecutive intraarticular injections of 2.5 ml standard linear
      sodium hyaluronate (Adant) with one week intervals. Visual analog scale (VAS)
      pain and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)
      scores were measured. RESULTS: In both groups, VAS-pain and WOMAC scores (except
      WOMAC-stiffness) were improved statistically lasting up to the 6th month with
      respect to before injection values (p< 0.001). There were no statistical
      differences in VAS-pain and WOMAC scores after injections (p> 0.05) in both
      groups. But in the 6th month visit, VAS-resting values were found to be
      statistically improved in standard linear HA group compared to lightly cross
      linking HA group (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although three-dose administration was
      significantly superior to single-dose at the sixth month, current knowledge is
      not sufficient to decide whether single-dose or multiple-dose HA injection should
      be chosen. There is a clear need for verification of our results with long-term
      studies on larger patient groups.

PMID- 27257982
TI  - Psychological risk factors in back pain patients at an orthopaedic outpatient
      clinic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychological risk factors have shown to be important prognostic
      indicators of back surgery outcome. Prevalence of these risk factors has rarely
      been examined in an outpatient clinic population. Furthermore, it is unclear to
      which extent they play a role, in absence of routinely used psychological
      screening tools, in treatment assignment. OBJECTIVE: First aim of this study was
      to examine the prevalence of psychological risk factors in back pain patients at
      an orthopaedic outpatient clinic. Second aim was to investigate the prognostic
      value of these identified risk factors in treatment assignment by the orthopaedic
      surgeons (conservative vs. surgery). METHODS: Sixty-six adult back pain patients
      were included. Psychological risk factor prevalence was determined with the
      Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Pain
      Catastrophizing Scale. Prognostic value of these risk factors in treatment
      assignment was examined using statistics. RESULTS: Respectively, 30 (45% HADS
      Anxiety), 27 (41%, HADS Depression), 19 (29%, PCS) and 37 (56%, TSK) patients
      scored above cut-off. No prognostic value of risk factors in treatment
      assignment, was found. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients in our study is at
      risk of poor surgical outcome due to presence of psychological risk factors.
      Future studies should target the development of screening tools for an early
      identification of those at risk.

PMID- 27257983
TI  - Intra-examiner reliability of lumbar spine and neuro-dynamic flexibility
      measurements in an older and overweight healthy asymptomatic population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measurement of lumbar spine movement and neuro-dynamic flexibility is
      fundamental to clinical examination and forms part of most systems or protocols
      used to classify patients with low back pain. However, the increased age and body
      mass index reported in the chronic low back pain subgroup, may compromise the
      reliability of these measurements. Specifically, this relates to greater soft
      tissue excursion relative to the underlying bony landmarks used for these
      clinical tests. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to determine the
      intra-examiner reliability for six lumbar spine and two neuro-dynamic examination
      tests in older and overweight individuals selected to represent a similar age and
      body mass index of a chronic low back pain population. METHODS: Nineteen
      volunteers (56.00 +/- 7.62 years) performed sets of eight lumbar spine
      examination tests. Five repetitions of each set of tests were conducted with rest
      periods between sets. One examiner measured lumbar flexion, extension, right and
      left lateral flexion and rotation using a tape measure. A goniometer was used to
      measure Slump and Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR) test. RESULTS: Intra-class
      correlation coefficients (ICCintra) were calculated to evaluate the reliability
      of measurement for each test. The eight tests showed ICC ranges between 'Large'
      and 'Nearly Perfect' (0.68-0.99). Measurement of lateral flexion and rotation had
      the highest reliability and extension the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: This study was
      conducted on an asymptomatic older, overweight population and the ICC results
      support the suitability of these methods and tools for measurement in a clinical
      setting for this population demographic. Measurement reliability in the study
      population was comparable with previous research in populations of contrasting
      demographics. Accordingly, further investigation specifically in a chronic low
      back pain population is indicated as the paucity of previous literature for some
      of the movement tests disallowed comparisons, and the reliability reported in
      this study may not be directly transferable to a chronic low back pain
      population.

PMID- 27257984
TI  - Two-Photon Absorption in Conjugated Energetic Molecules.
AB  - Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) was used to investigate the
      relationship between molecular structure and the one- and two-photon absorption
      (OPA and TPA, respectively) properties of novel and recently synthesized
      conjugated energetic molecules (CEMs). The molecular structures of CEMs can be
      strategically altered to influence the heat of formation and oxygen balance, two
      factors that can contribute to the sensitivity and strength of an explosive
      material. OPA and TPA are sensitive to changes in molecular structure as well,
      influencing the optical range of excitation. We found calculated vertical
      excitation energies to be in good agreement with experiment for most molecules.
      Peak TPA intensities were found to be significant and on the order of 10(2) GM.
      Natural transition orbitals for essential electronic states defining TPA peaks of
      relatively large intensity were used to examine the character of relevant
      transitions. Modification of molecular substituents, such as additional oxygen or
      other functional groups, produces significant changes in electronic structure,
      OPA, and TPA and improves oxygen balance. The results show that certain molecules
      are apt to undergo nonlinear absorption, opening the possibility for controlled,
      direct optical initiation of CEMs through photochemical pathways. 

PMID- 27257985
TI  - Lab-on-a-Membrane Foldable Devices for Duplex Drop-Volume Electrochemical
      Biosensing Using Quantum Dot Tags.
AB  - This work describes a new type of integrated lab-on-a-membrane foldable device
      suitable for on-site duplex electrochemical biosensing using drop-size sample
      volumes. The devices are fabricated entirely by screen-printing on a nylon
      membrane and feature two assay zones which are located symmetrically on either
      side of a three-electrode voltammetric cell with a bismuth citrate-loaded
      graphite working electrode. After the completion of two spatially separated drop
      volume competitive immunoassays on the assay zones using biotinylated antibodies
      labeled with streptavidin-conjugated Pb- and Cd-based quantum dots (QDs),
      respectively, the QD labels are dissolved releasing Pb(II) and Cd(II) in the
      assay zones. Then, the two assay zones are folded over, and they are brought in
      contact with the voltammetric cell for simultaneous anodic stripping voltammetric
      (ASV) determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II) at the bismuth nanostructured layer
      formed on the working electrode by reduction of the bismuth citrate during the
      preconcentration step. The fabrication of the devices is discussed in detail, and
      their operational characteristics are exhaustively studied. In order to
      demonstrate their applicability to the analysis in complex matrices, duplex ASV
      QDs-based determination of bovine casein and bovine immunoglobulin G is carried
      out in milk samples yielding limits of detection of 0.04 MUg mL(-1) and 0.02 MUg
      mL(-1), respectively. The potential of the devices to detect milk adulteration is
      further demonstrated. These new membrane devices enable duplex biosensing with
      distinct advantages over existing approaches in terms of cost, fabrication, and
      operational simplicity and rapidity, portability, sample size, disposability,
      sensitivity, and suitability for field analysis.

PMID- 27257986
TI  - Coreactant Strategy for the Photoredox Catalytic Generation of Trifluoromethyl
      Radicals under Low-Energy Photoirradiation.
AB  - Photoredox catalysis has emerged as a valuable alternative to dark-state
      catalysis. For the full potential of photoredox catalysis to be utilized, it is
      imperative to make use of low-energy photons in photoinduced radical processes.
      We have demonstrated that the use of oxalate as a coreactant provides a useful
      principle for the photocatalytic production of trifluoromethyl radicals (*CF3)
      from CF3I upon green or red LED photoirradiation of narrow-bandgap
      photocatalysts. The photocatalytic cycle involves a radical anion of carbon
      dioxide (CO2(*-)) as a reductant for CF3I, which is generated through
      photoinduced oxidative decarboxylation of oxalate. Electrochemical
      characterizations and steady-state and transient photophysical investigations
      were performed to reveal that there are two photoinduced electron-transfer
      pathways for oxalate-mediated *CF3 generation.

PMID- 27257987
TI  - The effects of salinity on the cellular permeability and cytotoxicity of
      Heterosigma akashiwo.
AB  - A laboratory study using the fish-killing raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo was
      conducted to examine its capability to grow at salinities below oceanic, and to
      test the perceived relationship between reduced salinities and increased
      cytotoxicity. A nonaxenic strain of H. akashiwo isolated from the U.S. Pacific
      Northwest was exposed to a combination of three salinity (32, 20, and 10) and
      five temperature (14.7 degrees C, 18.4 degrees C, 21.4 degrees C, 24.4 degrees C
      and 27.8 degrees C) conditions. Our results demonstrate that cell permeability
      and cytotoxicity are strongly correlated in unialgal cultures of H. akashiwo,
      which both increased as salinity decreased from 32 to 10. Furthermore, over a
      broad median range of salinities (10 and 20), neither temperature nor specific
      growth rate was correlated with cytotoxicity. However, in cultures grown at the
      salinity of 32, both temperature and specific growth rate were inversely
      proportional to toxicity; this relationship was likely due to the effect of
      contamination by an unidentified species of Skeletonema in those cultures. The
      presence of Skeletonema sp. resulted in a cytotoxic response from H. akashiwo
      that was greater than the response caused by salinity alone. These laboratory
      results reveal the capability of H. akashiwo to become more toxic not only at
      reduced salinities but also in competition with another algal species. Changes in
      cell permeability in response to salinity may be an acclimation mechanism by
      which H. akashiwo is able to respond rapidly to different salinities.
      Furthermore, due to its strong positive correlation with cytotoxicity, cellular
      permeability is potentially associated with the ichthyotoxic pathway of this
      raphytophyte.

PMID- 27257988
TI  - An 18-year-old man with recurrent pneumothorax since he was 10-year-old.
AB  - An 18-year-old male patient was referred to the department of pediatric
      pulmonology with a history of recurrent pneumothorax. Initial pneumothorax
      occurred at the age of 10. Following diagnosis of congenital lobar emphysema, he
      had five episodes of pneumothorax and subsequently underwent right-lower lobe
      anterobasal segmentectomy. Based on thoracic computed tomography (CT) and
      clinical manifestation, Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome was suspected and confirmed
      following genetic testing. BHD syndrome is a rare tumor predisposition syndrome
      first described in 1977. The syndrome is characterized by skin fibrofolliculomas,
      lung cysts, recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, and renal cell cancer. The
      underlying cause is a germline mutation in the folliculin (FLCN) gene located on
      chromosome 17p11.2. Clinical manifestation usually appears after the age of 20
      years. In this case, we report a case of BHD with episodes of recurrent
      pneumothorax, the first of which occurred at the age of 10 years. Pulmonologists
      should be aware of this syndrome in patients with a personal and family history
      of pneumothoraces and CT findings of multiple pulmonary cysts as additional
      evaluation and testing may be warranted. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:E41-E43. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27257989
TI  - Association between Interferon Response and Protective Efficacy of NS1-Truncated
      Mutants as Influenza Vaccine Candidates in Chickens.
AB  - Influenza virus mutants that encode C-terminally truncated NS1 proteins (NS1
      truncated mutants) are attractive candidates for avian live attenuated influenza
      vaccine (LAIV) development because they are both attenuated and immunogenic in
      chickens. We previously showed that a high protective efficacy of NS1-truncated
      LAIV in chickens corresponds with induction of high levels of type I interferon
      (IFN) responses in chicken embryonic fibroblast cells. In this study, we
      investigated the relationship between induction of IFN and IFN-stimulated gene
      responses in vivo and the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of NS1-truncated
      LAIV. Our data demonstrates that accelerated antibody induction and protective
      efficacy of NS1-truncated LAIV correlates well with upregulation of IFN
      stimulated genes. Further, through oral administration of recombinant chicken IFN
      alpha in drinking water, we provide direct evidence that type I IFN can promote
      rapid induction of adaptive immune responses and protective efficacy of influenza
      vaccine in chickens. 

PMID- 27257990
TI  - Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life among Tuberculosis Patients in Two
      Cities in Yemen.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Tuberculosis (TB)
      patients is important because it directly influences the outcome of TB patients
      in several aspects. The current study aims to evaluate and to find the factors
      influencing the HRQoL of TB patients in two major TB-prevalent cities (Taiz and
      Alhodidah) in Yemen. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted, and all TB
      patients meeting the HRQoL criteria were asked to complete the HRQoL SF-36
      survey. The records of TB patients were examined for disease confirmation, and a
      follow-up was consequently performed for patients during treatment between March
      2013 and February 2014 in Taiz and Alhodidah Cities. HRQol scores were calculated
      by using QM scoring software version 4.5, in which the physical component score
      (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) were obtained. The scores obtained between
      47-53 normal based score (NBS) were considered equivalent to the US normal score.
      Low scores indicate the poor health situation of TB patients. RESULTS: A total of
      243 TB patients enrolled in the study at the beginning of the treatment. A total
      of 235 and 197 TB patients completed the questionnaire at the end of the
      intensive phase (I.P.) and continuation phase (C.P.), respectively. The final
      dropout rate was 16.2%. The mean PCS and MCS scores at the beginning of treatment
      were low, thus showing the poor health situation of TB patients. The mean PCS
      scores at the beginning of treatment, end of I.P., and end of treatment were
      (36.1), (44.9), and (48), respectively. Moreover, the mean MCS score at the
      beginning of treatment, end of I.P., and end of treatment were (35.1), (42.2),
      and (44.3), respectively. The result shows that significant increases are
      observed at the end of I.P. for PCS and MCS because of the treatment and slight
      changes at the end of C.P. Despite this finding, the MCS score remains below the
      normal range (47), thus indicating a significant risk of depression among TB
      patients. Furthermore, general linear repeated measure ANOVA was performed for
      selected variables, to examine the changes of PCS and MCS over time. It was found
      that Alhodiah city, chewing khat habit, stigmatization, and duration of treatment
      more than six months were greatly associated with low mean MCS score of TB
      patient, indicating great risk of depression which may result in poor treatment
      outcome. CONCLUSION: TB patients in Yemen were found to have poor QoL, with a
      significant likelihood of depression. Highly risk depression was found among TB
      patients in Alhodiah city, khat chewers, stigmatization and having a duration of
      treatment more than 6 months. Therefore, additional efforts should be made to
      improve their QoL because it may affect the final clinical outcome of patients.

PMID- 27257991
TI  - Carbon-Based Adsorbents for Postcombustion CO2 Capture: A Critical Review.
AB  - The persistent increase in atmospheric CO2 from anthropogenic sources makes
      research directed toward carbon capture and storage imperative. Current liquid
      amine absorption technology has several drawbacks including hazardous byproducts
      and a high-energy requirement for regeneration; therefore, research is ongoing to
      develop more practical methods for capturing CO2 in postcombustion scenarios. The
      unique properties of carbon-based materials make them specifically promising for
      CO2 adsorption at low temperature and moderate to high partial pressure. This
      critical review aims to highlight the development of carbon-based solid sorbents
      for postcombustion CO2 capture. Specifically, it provides an overview of
      postcombustion CO2 capture processes with solid adsorbents and discusses a
      variety of carbon-based materials that could be used. This review focuses on low
      cost pyrogenic carbon, activated carbon (AC), and metal-carbon composites for CO2
      capture. Further, it touches upon the recent progress made to develop metal
      organic frameworks (MOFs) and carbon nanomaterials and their general CO2 sorption
      potential.

PMID- 27257992
TI  - In Situ Hepatitis C NS3 Protein Detection Is Associated with High Grade Features
      in Hepatitis C-Associated B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas.
AB  - Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is associated with the B-cell non-Hodgkin
      lymphomas (NHL), preferentially marginal zone lymphomas (MZL) and diffuse large B
      cell lymphomas (DLBCL). While chronic antigenic stimulation is a main determinant
      of lymphomagenesis in marginal zone lymphomas (MZL), a putative role of HCV
      infection of B-cells is supported by in vitro studies. We performed a
      pathological study within the "ANRS HC-13 LymphoC" observational study focusing
      on in situ expression of the oncogenic HCV non structural 3 (NS3) protein. Lympho
      C study enrolled 116 HCV-positive patients with B-NHL of which 86 histological
      samples were collected for centralized review. Main histological subtypes were
      DLBCL (36%) and MZL (34%). Almost half of DLBCL (12/26) were transformed from
      underlying small B-cell lymphomas. NS3 immunostaining was found positive in 17 of
      37 tested samples (46%). There was a striking association between NS3 detection
      and presence of high grade lymphoma features: 12 out of 14 DLBCL were NS3+
      compared to only 4 out of 14 MZL (p = 0.006). Moreover, 2 among the 4 NS3+ MZL
      were enriched in large cells. Remarkably, this study supports a new mechanism of
      transformation with a direct oncogenic role of HCV proteins in the occurrence of
      high-grade B lymphomas. 

PMID- 27257993
TI  - Long-Term Impacts of Foetal Malnutrition Followed by Early Postnatal Obesity on
      Fat Distribution Pattern and Metabolic Adaptability in Adult Sheep.
AB  - We aimed to investigate whether over- versus undernutrition in late foetal life
      combined with obesity development in early postnatal life have differential
      implications for fat distribution and metabolic adaptability in adulthood. Twin
      pregnant ewes were fed NORM (100% of daily energy and protein requirements), LOW
      (50% of NORM) or HIGH (150%/110% of energy/protein requirements) diets during the
      last trimester. Postnatally, twin-lambs received obesogenic (HCHF) or moderate
      (CONV) diets until 6 months of age, and a moderate (obesity correcting) diet
      thereafter. At 21/2 years of age (adulthood), plasma metabolite profiles during
      fasting, glucose, insulin and propionate (in fed and fasted states) tolerance
      tests were examined. Organ weights were determined at autopsy. Early obesity
      development was associated with lack of expansion of perirenal, but not other
      adipose tissues from adolescence to adulthood, resulting in 10% unit increased
      proportion of mesenteric of intra-abdominal fat. Prenatal undernutrition had a
      similar but much less pronounced effect. Across tolerance tests, LOW-HCHF sheep
      had highest plasma levels of cholesterol, urea-nitrogen, creatinine, and lactate.
      Sex specific differences were observed, particularly with respect to fat
      deposition, but direction of responses to early nutrition impacts were similar.
      However, prenatal undernutrition induced greater metabolic alterations in adult
      females than males. Foetal undernutrition, but not overnutrition, predisposed for
      adult hypercholesterolaemia, hyperureaemia, hypercreatinaemia and
      hyperlactataemia, which became manifested only in combination with early obesity
      development. Perirenal expandability may play a special role in this context.
      Differential nutrition recommendations may be advisable for individuals with low
      versus high birth weights. 

PMID- 27257994
TI  - Cell wall hydrolases and antibiotics: exploiting synergy to create efficacious
      new antimicrobial treatments.
AB  - Cell wall hydrolases (CWH) are enzymes that build, remodel and degrade
      peptidoglycan within bacterial cell walls and serve essential roles in cell-wall
      metabolism, bacteriophage adsorption and bacteriolysis, environmental niche
      expansion, as well as eukaryotic innate immune defense against bacterial
      infection. Some CWHs, when tested as recombinant purified proteins, have been
      shown to have bactericidal activities both as single agents and in combinations
      with other antimicrobials, displaying synergies in vitro and potent activities in
      animal models of infection greater than the single agents alone. We summarize in
      vitro, in vivo, and mechanistic studies that illustrate ACWH synergy with
      antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, and other ACWHs, underscoring the overall
      synergistic potential of the ACWH class.

PMID- 27257996
TI  - Do Paramedics Have a Role to Play in Organ Donation?

PMID- 27257997
TI  - Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction: A Systematic Review of Mechanisms.
AB  - Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is the major limitation of long-term
      survival after lung transplantation. Chronic lung allograft dysfunction manifests
      as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome or the recently described restrictive
      allograft syndrome. Although numerous risk factors have been identified so far,
      the physiopathological mechanisms of CLAD remain poorly understood. We
      investigate here the immune mechanisms involved in the development of CLAD after
      lung transplantation. We explore the innate or adaptive immune reactions induced
      by the allograft itself or by the environment and how they lead to allograft
      dysfunction. Because current literature suggests bronchiolitis obliterans
      syndrome and restrictive allograft syndrome as 2 distinct entities, we focus on
      the specific factors behind one or the other syndromes. Chronic lung allograft
      dysfunction is a multifactorial disease that remains irreversible and
      unpredictable so far. We thus finally discuss the potential of systems-biology
      approach to predict its occurrence and to better understand its underlying
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 27257995
TI  - The Emerging Role of Nanotechnology in Cell and Organ Transplantation.
AB  - Transplantation is often the only choice many patients have when suffering from
      end-stage organ failure. Although the quality of life improves after
      transplantation, challenges, such as organ shortages, necessary immunosuppression
      with associated complications, and chronic graft rejection, limit its wide
      clinical application. Nanotechnology has emerged in the past 2 decades as a field
      with the potential to satisfy clinical needs in the area of targeted and
      sustained drug delivery, noninvasive imaging, and tissue engineering. In this
      article, we provide an overview of popular nanotechnologies and a summary of the
      current and potential uses of nanotechnology in cell and organ transplantation. 

PMID- 27257999
TI  - Correction: A Versatile Bioreactor for Dynamic Suspension Cell Culture.
      Application to the Culture of Cancer Cell Spheroids.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154610.].

PMID- 27257998
TI  - Similar 5-Year Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Between Kidney Transplants
      From Uncontrolled and Controlled Donors After Circulatory Death-A Dutch Cohort
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Organ shortage persists despite a high rate of donation after
      circulatory death (DCD) in the Netherlands. The median waiting time for a
      deceased donor kidney in 2013 was 3.5 years. Most DCD kidneys are from controlled
      DCD (cDCD; Maastricht category III). Experience with uncontrolled donors after
      cardiac death (uDCD), that is, donors with an unexpected and irreversible cardiac
      arrest (Maastricht categories I and II), is increasing; and its effect on
      transplant outcomes needs evaluation. METHODS: We used the Dutch Organ
      Transplantation Registry to include recipients (>=18 years old) from all Dutch
      centers who received transplants from 2002 to 2012 with a first DCD kidney. We
      compared transplant outcome in uDCD (n = 97) and cDCD (n = 1441). RESULTS:
      Primary nonfunction in uDCD was higher than in the cDCD (19.6% vs 9.6%, P <
      0.001, respectively). Delayed graft function was also higher in uDCD than in
      cDCD, but not significantly (73.7% vs 63.3%, P = .074, respectively). If censored
      for primary nonfunction, estimated glomerular filtration rates after 1 year and 5
      years were comparable between uDCD and cDCD (1 year: uDCD, 44.3 (23.4) mL/min/m
      and cDCD, 45.8 (24.1) mL/min/m; P = 0.621; 5 years: uDCD, 49.1 (25.6) mL/min/m
      and cDCD, 47.7 (21.7) mL/min/m; P = 0.686). The differences in primary
      nonfunction between kidneys from uDCD and cDCD were explained by differences in
      the first warm ischemic period, cold ischemic time, and donor age. CONCLUSIONS:
      We conclude that uDCD kidneys have potential for excellent function and can
      constitute a valuable extension of the donor pool. However, further efforts are
      necessary to address the high rate of primary nonfunction.

PMID- 27258000
TI  - Wavelength Discrimination in Drosophila Suggests a Role of Rhodopsin 1 in Color
      Vision.
AB  - Among the five photoreceptor opsins in the eye of Drosophila, Rhodopsin 1 (Rh1)
      is expressed in the six outer photoreceptors. In a previous study that combined
      behavioral genetics with computational modeling, we demonstrated that flies can
      use the signals from Rh1 for color vision. Here, we provide an in-depth
      computational analysis of wildtype Drosophila wavelength discrimination
      specifically considering the consequences of different choices of computations in
      the preprocessing of the behavioral data. The results support the conclusion that
      Drosophila wavelength discrimination behavior can best be explained by a
      contribution of Rh1. These findings are corroborated by results of an information
      theoretical analysis that shows that Rh1 provides information for discrimination
      of natural reflectance spectra. 

PMID- 27258001
TI  - Correction: Individual Case Analysis of Postmortem Interval Time on Brain Tissue
      Preservation.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151615.].

PMID- 27258002
TI  - Family history matters.

PMID- 27258003
TI  - Differentiation of Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Smooth Muscle Progenitor Cells Is
      Regulated by PDGF-BB and Collagen.
AB  - Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are key regulators of vascular disease and circulating
      smooth muscle progenitor cells may play important roles in vascular repair or
      remodelling. We developed enhanced protocols to derive smooth muscle progenitors
      from murine bone marrow and tested whether factors that are increased in
      atherosclerotic plaques, namely platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and
      monomeric collagen, can influence the smooth muscle specific differentiation,
      proliferation, and survival of mouse bone marrow-derived progenitor cells. During
      a 21 day period of culture, bone marrow cells underwent a marked increase in
      expression of the SMC markers alpha-SMA (1.93 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.0008 +/- 0.0003
      (ng/ng GAPDH) at 0 d), SM22-alpha (1.50 +/- 0.27 vs. 0.005 +/- 0.001 (ng/ng
      GAPDH) at 0 d) and SM-MHC (0.017 +/- 0.004 vs. 0.001 +/- 0.001 (ng/ng GAPDH) at 0
      d). Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation experiments showed that in early
      culture, the smooth muscle progenitor subpopulation could be identified by high
      proliferative rates prior to the expression of smooth muscle specific markers.
      Culture of fresh bone marrow or smooth muscle progenitor cells with PDGF-BB
      suppressed the expression of alpha-SMA and SM22-alpha, in a rapidly reversible
      manner requiring PDGF receptor kinase activity. Progenitors cultured on
      polymerized collagen gels demonstrated expression of SMC markers, rates of
      proliferation and apoptosis similar to that of cells on tissue culture plastic;
      in contrast, cells grown on monomeric collagen gels displayed lower SMC marker
      expression, lower growth rates (319 +/- 36 vs. 635 +/- 97 cells/mm2), and
      increased apoptosis (5.3 +/- 1.6% vs. 1.0 +/- 0.5% (Annexin 5 staining)). Our
      data shows that the differentiation and survival of smooth muscle progenitors are
      critically affected by PDGF-BB and as well as the substrate collagen structure. 

PMID- 27258004
TI  - Plasma C-Reactive Protein and Clinical Outcomes after Acute Ischemic Stroke: A
      Prospective Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) is elevated in
      response to inflammation caused by brain infarction, the association of CRP with
      clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke remains uncertain. This study
      examined whether plasma high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) levels at onset were
      associated with clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke independent of
      conventional risk factors and acute infections after stroke. METHODS: We
      prospectively included 3653 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke who had been
      functionally independent and were hospitalized within 24 h of onset. Plasma hsCRP
      levels were measured on admission and categorized into quartiles. The association
      between hsCRP levels and clinical outcomes, including neurological improvement,
      neurological deterioration, and poor functional outcome (modified Rankin scale
      >=3 at 3 months), were investigated using a logistic regression analysis.
      RESULTS: Higher hsCRP levels were significantly associated with unfavorable
      outcomes after adjusting for age, sex, baseline National Institutes of Health
      Stroke Scale score, stroke subtype, conventional risk factors, intravenous
      thrombolysis and endovascular therapy, and acute infections during
      hospitalization (multivariate-adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence interval] in
      the highest quartile versus the lowest quartile as a reference: 0.80 [0.65-0.97]
      for neurological improvement, 1.72 [1.26-2.34] for neurological deterioration,
      and 2.03 [1.55-2.67] for a poor functional outcome). These associations were
      unchanged after excluding patients with infectious diseases occurring during
      hospitalization, or those with stroke recurrence or death. These trends were
      similar irrespective of stroke subtypes or baseline stroke severity, but more
      marked in patients aged <70 years (Pheterogeneity = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High
      plasma hsCRP is independently associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes after
      acute ischemic stroke.

PMID- 27258005
TI  - Rhodium-Catalyzed Alkene Difunctionalization with Nitrenes.
AB  - The Rh(II) -catalyzed oxyamination and diamination of alkenes generate 1,2-amino
      alcohols and 1,2-diamines, respectively, in good to excellent yields and with
      complete regiocontrol. In the case of diamination, the intramolecular reaction
      provides an efficient method for the preparation of pyrrolidines, and the
      intermolecular reaction produces vicinal amines with orthogonal protecting
      groups. These alkene difunctionalizations proceed by aziridination followed by
      nucleophilic ring opening induced by an Rh-bound nitrene generated in situ,
      details of which were uncovered by both experimental and theoretical studies. In
      particular, DFT calculations show that the nitrogen atom of the putative [Rh]2
      =NR metallanitrene intermediate is electrophilic and support an aziridine
      activation pathway by N???N=[Rh]2 bond formation, in addition to the N???[Rh]2
      =NR coordination mode. 

PMID- 27258006
TI  - Oxidative stress response induced in an atrazine phytoremediating plant:
      physiological responses of Pennisetum glaucum to high atrazine concentrations.
AB  - This research presented here, for the first time, elucidates the responses of
      several antioxidants in Pennisetum leaves exposed to varying concentrations of
      atrazine (0 - 200 mg*kg-1). Pennisetum has been reported to be resistant to
      atrazine; however, its physiological response to high concentrations (>= 50 mg*kg
      1) of atrazine is not well documented. The contents of reduced (AsA) and oxidized
      (DHA) ascorbate increased significantly with increase in atrazine concentration
      and exposure time; but the increase was more evident under higher (50 and 100
      mg*kg-1) atrazine concentrations. Increase in atrazine concentration to 200 mg*kg
      1 significantly decreased AsA, but increased DHA content, throughout the
      experiment. Seedlings treated with 200 mg*kg-1 atrazine showed significantly
      lowest reduced glutathione (GSH) content; while oxidized glutathione (GSSG) was
      not significantly affected, after 68d. Seedlings treated with 100 mg*kg-1
      atrazine showed increased Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) activity after 48 d and
      68 d; while treatment with 200 mg*kg-1 atrazine significantly increased
      Glutathione reductase (GR) after 58d. This result suggests that Pennisetum may
      tolerate lower atrazine concentrations; However, higher concentrations (>=50
      mg*kg-1) which could have longer residency period in the soil, could induce more
      physiological damage to the plant.

PMID- 27258007
TI  - Social Network Analysis and Qualitative Interviews for Assessing Geographic
      Characteristics of Tourism Business Networks.
AB  - This study integrates quantitative social network analysis (SNA) and qualitative
      interviews for understanding tourism business links in isolated communities
      through analysing spatial characteristics. Two case studies are used, the
      Surselva-Gotthard region in the Swiss Alps and Longyearbyen in the Arctic
      archipelago of Svalbard, to test the spatial characteristics of physical
      proximity, isolation, and smallness for understanding tourism business links. In
      the larger Surselva-Gotthard region, we found a strong relationship between
      geographic separation of the three communities on compartmentalization of the
      collaboration network. A small set of businesses played a central role in
      steering collaborative decisions for this community, while a group of
      structurally 'peripheral' actors were less influential. By contrast, the business
      community in Svalbard showed compartmentalization that was independent of
      geographic distance between actors. Within towns of similar size and governance
      scale, Svalbard is more compartmentalized, and those compartments are not driven
      by geographic separation of the collaboration clusters. This compartmentalization
      in Svalbard was reflected in a lower density of formal business collaboration
      ties compared to the communities of the Alps. We infer that the difference is due
      to Svalbard having higher cultural diversity and population turnover than the
      Alps communities. We propose that integrating quantitative network analysis from
      simple surveys with qualitative interviews targeted from the network results is
      an efficient general approach to identify regionally specific constraints and
      opportunities for effective governance. 

PMID- 27258008
TI  - Leukocyte-Rich Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Do Not Up-Modulate Intra-Articular
      Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in the Osteoarthritic Knee.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The presence of leukocytes in platelet concentrates is deemed to
      cause deleterious effects when injected intra articularly. The aim of this study
      is to analyse both local and systemic effects induced by leukocyte-rich Platelet
      rich Plasma (PRP) injections through a proteomic characterization of serial
      synovial fluid and blood samples obtained from subjects treated for knee OA.
      Secondary aim was to compare the effects on knee homeostasis and systemic
      response with those obtained with visco-supplementation. METHODS: Thirty-six OA
      patients treated either by autologous L-PRP or HA intra-articular knee
      injections, administered in series of three at one-week intervals, were analyzed.
      Just before the injection, 1 ml of synovial fluid was collected through the same
      needle way. In the same time, a peripheral blood sample was obtained and plasma
      separated. A further peripheral blood sample was collected at 2, 6, and 12
      months. L-PRP, plasma and synovial fluid were tested by multiplex bead-based
      sandwich immunoassay by means of the Bio-Plex suspension array system (Bio-Rad
      Laboratories) for the presence of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta,
      IL-6, IL-8, IL-17 and IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) and growth factors (FGF-b, HGF, PDGF
      AB/BB). RESULTS: In general, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were similar at
      basal condition and after treatment whereas anti-inflammatory ones were nearly
      undetectable. L-PRP administration did not modulate significant changes of
      cytokine concentrations either in synovial fluid or plasma, whatever the time
      points analyzed. No different trend was observed between L-PRP and HA
      administration in terms of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as
      growth factors. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast with the evidence reported by "in vitro"
      studies, where a cellular pro-inflammatory response appears to be induced by the
      presence of leukocytes, these results suggest that the presence leukocyte-rich
      PRP doesn't induce a relevant in vivo up regulation of pro-inflammatory
      mediators.

PMID- 27258010
TI  - The Creation of Surrogate Models for Fast Estimation of Complex Model Outcomes.
AB  - A surrogate model is a black box model that reproduces the output of another more
      complex model at a single time point. This is to be distinguished from the method
      of surrogate data, used in time series. The purpose of a surrogate is to reduce
      the time necessary for a computation at the cost of rigor and generality. We
      describe a method of constructing surrogates in the form of support vector
      machine (SVM) regressions for the purpose of exploring the parameter space of
      physiological models. Our focus is on the methodology of surrogate creation and
      accuracy assessment in comparison to the original model. This is done in the
      context of a simulation of hemorrhage in one model, "Small", and renal
      denervation in another, HumMod. In both cases, the surrogate predicts the drop in
      mean arterial pressure following the intervention. We asked three questions
      concerning surrogate models: (1) how many training examples are necessary to
      obtain an accurate surrogate, (2) is surrogate accuracy homogeneous, and (3) how
      much can computation time be reduced when using a surrogate. We found the minimum
      training set size that would guarantee maximal accuracy was widely variable, but
      could be algorithmically generated. The average error for the pressure response
      to the protocols was -0.05+/-2.47 in Small, and -0.3 +/- 3.94 mmHg in HumMod. In
      the Small model, error grew with actual pressure drop, and in HumMod, larger
      pressure drops were overestimated by the surrogates. Surrogate use resulted in a
      6 order of magnitude decrease in computation time. These results suggest
      surrogate modeling is a valuable tool for generating predictions of an
      integrative model's behavior on densely sampled subsets of its parameter space. 

PMID- 27258009
TI  - Novel Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Inhibitors Prevent Diabetic Kidney Injury
      in a Mouse Model.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide,
      but no effective therapeutic strategy is available. Because plasminogen activator
      inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is increasingly recognized as a key factor in extracellular
      matrix (ECM) accumulation in diabetic nephropathy, this study examined the
      renoprotective effects of TM5275 and TM5441, two novel orally active PAI-1
      inhibitors that do not trigger bleeding episodes, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
      diabetic mice. TM5275 (50 mg/kg) and TM5441 (10 mg/kg) were administered orally
      for 16 weeks to STZ-induced diabetic and age-matched control mice. Relative to
      the control mice, the diabetic mice showed significantly increased (p < 0.05)
      plasma glucose and creatinine levels, urinary albumin excretion, kidney-to
      bodyweight ratios, glomerular volume, and fractional mesangial area. Markers of
      fibrosis and inflammation along with PAI-1 were also upregulated in the kidney of
      diabetic mice, and treatment with TM5275 and TM5441 effectively inhibited
      albuminuria, mesangial expansion, ECM accumulation, and macrophage infiltration
      in diabetic kidneys. Furthermore, in mouse proximal tubular epithelial (mProx24)
      cells, both TM5275 and TM5441 effectively inhibited PAI-1-induced mRNA expression
      of fibrosis and inflammation markers and also reversed PAI-1-induced inhibition
      of plasmin activity, which confirmed the efficacy of the TM compounds as PAI-1
      inhibitors. These data suggest that TM compounds could be used to prevent
      diabetic kidney injury. 

PMID- 27258011
TI  - Response of a Habitat-Forming Marine Plant to a Simulated Warming Event Is
      Delayed, Genotype Specific, and Varies with Phenology.
AB  - Growing evidence shows that increasing global temperature causes population
      declines and latitudinal shifts in geographical distribution for plants living
      near their thermal limits. Yet, even populations living well within established
      thermal limits of a species may suffer as the frequency and intensity of warming
      events increase with climate change. Adaptive response to this stress at the
      population level depends on the presence of genetic variation in thermal
      tolerance in the populations in question, yet few data exist to evaluate this. In
      this study, we examined the immediate effects of a moderate warming event of 4.5
      degrees C lasting 5 weeks and the legacy effects after a 5 week recovery on
      different genotypes of the marine plant Zostera marina (eelgrass). We conducted
      the experiment in Bodega Bay, CA USA, where average summer water temperatures are
      14-15 degrees C, but extended warming periods of 17-18 degrees C occur
      episodically. Experimental warming increased shoot production by 14% compared to
      controls held at ambient temperature. However, after returning temperature to
      ambient levels, we found strongly negative, delayed effects of warming on
      production: shoot production declined by 27% and total biomass decreased by 50%
      relative to individuals that had not been warmed. While all genotypes' production
      decreased in the recovery phase, genotypes that grew the most rapidly under
      benign thermal conditions (control) were the most susceptible to the detrimental
      effects of warming. This suggests a potential tradeoff in relative performance at
      normal vs. elevated temperatures. Modest short-term increases in water
      temperature have potentially prolonged negative effects within the species'
      thermal envelope, but genetic variation within these populations may allow for
      population persistence and adaptation. Further, intraspecific variation in
      phenology can result in maintenance of population diversity and lead to enhanced
      production in diverse stands given sufficient frequency of warming or other
      stress events. 

PMID- 27258012
TI  - Reflections on the Unintended Consequences of the Promotion of Institutional
      Pregnancy and Birth Care in Burkina Faso.
AB  - The policy of institutional delivery has been the cornerstone of actions aimed at
      monitoring and achieving MDG 5. Efforts to increase institutional births have
      been implemented worldwide within different cultural and health systems settings.
      This paper explores how communities in rural Burkina Faso perceive the promotion
      and delivery of facility pregnancy and birth care, and how this promotion
      influences health-seeking behaviour. A qualitative study was conducted in South
      Western Burkina Faso between September 2011 and January 2012. A total of 21 in
      depth interviews and 8 focus group discussions with women who had given birth
      recently and community members were conducted. The data were analyzed using
      qualitative content analysis and interpreted through Merton's concept of
      unintended consequences of purposive social action. The study found that
      community members experienced a strong pressure to give birth in a health
      facility and perceived health workers to define institutional birth as the only
      acceptable option. Women and their families experienced verbal, economic and
      administrative sanctions if they did not attend services and adhered to health
      worker recommendations, and reported that they felt incapable of questioning
      health workers' knowledge and practices. Women who for social and economic
      reasons had limited access to health facilities found that the sanctions came
      with increased cost for health services, led to social stigma and acted as
      additional barriers to seek skilled care at birth. The study demonstrates how the
      global and national policy of skilled pregnancy and birth care can occur in
      unintentional ways in local settings. The promotion of institutional care during
      pregnancy and at birth in the study area compromised health system trust and
      equal access to care. The pressure to use facility care and the sanctions
      experienced by women not complying may further marginalize women with poor access
      to facility care and contribute to worsened health outcomes. 

PMID- 27258013
TI  - Receiver-Based Ad Hoc On Demand Multipath Routing Protocol for Mobile Ad Hoc
      Networks.
AB  - Decreasing the route rediscovery time process in reactive routing protocols is
      challenging in mobile ad hoc networks. Links between nodes are continuously
      established and broken because of the characteristics of the network. Finding
      multiple routes to increase the reliability is also important but requires a fast
      update, especially in high traffic load and high mobility where paths can be
      broken as well. The sender node keeps re-establishing path discovery to find new
      paths, which makes for long time delay. In this paper we propose an improved
      multipath routing protocol, called Receiver-based ad hoc on demand multipath
      routing protocol (RB-AOMDV), which takes advantage of the reliability of the
      state of the art ad hoc on demand multipath distance vector (AOMDV) protocol with
      less re-established discovery time. The receiver node assumes the role of
      discovering paths when finding data packets that have not been received after a
      period of time. Simulation results show the delay and delivery ratio performances
      are improved compared with AOMDV. 

PMID- 27258014
TI  - Strong, but Wrong: Lay People's and Police Officers' Beliefs about Verbal and
      Nonverbal Cues to Deception.
AB  - The present study investigated the beliefs of students and police officers about
      cues to deception. A total of 95 police officers and 104 undergraduate students
      filled out a questionnaire addressing beliefs about cues to deception. Twenty
      eight verbal cues were included in the questionnaire, all extracted from verbal
      credibility assessment tools (i.e., CBCA, RM, and SCAN). We investigated to what
      extent beliefs about nonverbal and verbal cues of deception differed between lay
      people (students) and police officers, and whether these beliefs were in
      agreement with objective cues known from research. Both students and police
      officers believed the usual stereotypical, but non-diagnostic (nonverbal) cues
      such as gaze aversion and increased movement to be indicative of deception. Yet,
      participants were less inclined to overestimate the relationship between verbal
      cues and deception and their beliefs fitted better with what we know from
      research. The implications of these findings for practice are discussed. 

PMID- 27258016
TI  - For the love of it: Affective experiences that may increase physical activity
      participation among older adults.

PMID- 27258015
TI  - Membrane Transfer from Mononuclear Cells to Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
      Transduces Cell Survival and Activation Signals in the Recipient Cells via Anti
      Extrinsic Apoptotic and MAP Kinase Signaling Pathways.
AB  - The biological significance of membrane transfer (trogocytosis) between
      polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and mononuclear cells (MNCs) remains
      unclear. We investigated the biological/immunological effects and molecular basis
      of trogocytosis among various immune cells in healthy individuals and patients
      with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). By flow cytometry, we determined
      that molecules in the immunological synapse, including HLA class-I and-II, CD11b
      and LFA-1, along with CXCR1, are exchanged among autologous PMNs, CD4+ T cells,
      and U937 cells (monocytes) after cell-cell contact. Small interfering RNA
      knockdown of the integrin adhesion molecule CD11a in U937 unexpectedly enhanced
      the level of total membrane transfer from U937 to PMN cells. Functionally,
      phagocytosis and IL-8 production by PMNs were enhanced after co-culture with T
      cells. Total membrane transfer from CD4+ T to PMNs delayed PMN apoptosis by
      suppressing the extrinsic apoptotic molecules, BAX, MYC and caspase 8. This
      enhancement of activities of PMNs by T cells was found to be mediated via p38-
      and P44/42-Akt-MAP kinase pathways and inhibited by the actin-polymerization
      inhibitor, latrunculin B, the clathrin inhibitor, Pitstop-2, and human
      immunoglobulin G, but not by the caveolin inhibitor, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. In
      addition, membrane transfer from PMNs enhanced IL-2 production by recipient anti
      CD3/anti-CD28 activated MNCs, and this was suppressed by inhibitors of mitogen
      activated protein kinase (PD98059) and protein kinase C (Rottlerin). Of clinical
      significance, decreased total membrane transfer from PMNs to MNCs in patients
      with active SLE suppressed mononuclear IL-2 production. In conclusion, membrane
      transfer from MNCs to PMNs, mainly at the immunological synapse, transduces
      survival and activation signals to enhance PMN functions and is dependent on
      actin polymerization, clathrin activation, and Fcgamma receptors, while membrane
      transfer from PMNs to MNCs depends on MAP kinase and PKC signaling. Defective
      membrane transfer from PMNs to MNCs in patients with active systemic lupus
      erythematous suppressed activated mononuclear IL-2 production. 

PMID- 27258017
TI  - The influence of patients' immigration background and residence permit status on
      treatment decisions in health care. Results of a factorial survey among general
      practitioners in Switzerland.
AB  - This study examines the influence of patients' immigration background and
      residence permit status on physicians' willingness to treat patients in due time.
      A factorial survey was conducted among 352 general practitioners with a
      background in internal medicine in a German-speaking region in Switzerland.
      Participants expressed their self-rating (SR) as well as the expected colleague
      rating (CR) to provide immediate treatment to 12 fictive vignette patients. The
      effects of the vignette variables were analysed using random-effects models. The
      results show that SR as well as CR was not only influenced by the medical
      condition or the physicians' time pressure, but also by social factors such as
      the ethnicity and migration history, the residence permit status, and the
      economic condition of the patients. Our findings can be useful for the
      development of adequate, practically relevant teaching and training materials
      with the ultimate aim to reduce unjustified discrimination or social rationing in
      health care.

PMID- 27258018
TI  - Tremor Detection Using Parametric and Non-Parametric Spectral Estimation Methods:
      A Comparison with Clinical Assessment.
AB  - In the clinic, tremor is diagnosed during a time-limited process in which
      patients are observed and the characteristics of tremor are visually assessed.
      For some tremor disorders, a more detailed analysis of these characteristics is
      needed. Accelerometry and electromyography can be used to obtain a better insight
      into tremor. Typically, routine clinical assessment of accelerometry and
      electromyography data involves visual inspection by clinicians and occasionally
      computational analysis to obtain objective characteristics of tremor. However,
      for some tremor disorders these characteristics may be different during daily
      activity. This variability in presentation between the clinic and daily life
      makes a differential diagnosis more difficult. A long-term recording of tremor by
      accelerometry and/or electromyography in the home environment could help to give
      a better insight into the tremor disorder. However, an evaluation of such
      recordings using routine clinical standards would take too much time. We
      evaluated a range of techniques that automatically detect tremor segments in
      accelerometer data, as accelerometer data is more easily obtained in the home
      environment than electromyography data. Time can be saved if clinicians only have
      to evaluate the tremor characteristics of segments that have been automatically
      detected in longer daily activity recordings. We tested four non-parametric
      methods and five parametric methods on clinical accelerometer data from 14
      patients with different tremor disorders. The consensus between two clinicians
      regarding the presence or absence of tremor on 3943 segments of accelerometer
      data was employed as reference. The nine methods were tested against this
      reference to identify their optimal parameters. Non-parametric methods generally
      performed better than parametric methods on our dataset when optimal parameters
      were used. However, one parametric method, employing the high frequency content
      of the tremor bandwidth under consideration (High Freq) performed similarly to
      non-parametric methods, but had the highest recall values, suggesting that this
      method could be employed for automatic tremor detection. 

PMID- 27258019
TI  - Thirst in Palliative Care #313.

PMID- 27258020
TI  - The Development of an Angiogenic Protein "Signature" in Ovarian Cancer Ascites as
      a Tool for Biologic and Prognostic Profiling.
AB  - Advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) is one of the leading lethal gynecological cancers
      in developed countries. Based on the important role of angiogenesis in ovarian
      cancer oncogenesis and expansion, we hypothesized that the development of an
      "angiogenic signature" might be helpful in prediction of prognosis and efficacy
      of anti-angiogenic therapies in this disease. Sixty-nine samples of ascitic fluid
      35 from platinum sensitive and 34 from platinum resistant patients managed with
      cytoreductive surgery and 1st-line carboplatin-based chemotherapy- were analyzed
      using the Proteome ProfilerTM Human Angiogenesis Array Kit, screening for the
      presence of 55 soluble angiogenesis-related factors. A protein profile based on
      the expression of a subset of 25 factors could accurately separate resistant from
      sensitive patients with a success rate of approximately 90%. The protein profile
      corresponding to the "sensitive" subset was associated with significantly longer
      PFS (8 [95% Confidence Interval {CI}: 8-9] vs. 20 months [95% CI: 15-28]; Hazard
      ratio {HR}: 8.3, p<0.001) and OS (20.5 months [95% CI: 13.5-30] vs. 74 months
      [95% CI: 36-not reached]; HR: 5.6 [95% CI: 2.8-11.2]; p<0.001). This prognostic
      performance was superior to that of stage, histology and residual disease after
      cytoreductive surgery and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
      in ascites. In conclusion, we developed an "angiogenic signature" for patients
      with AOC, which can be used, after appropriate validation, as a prognostic marker
      and a tool for selection for anti-angiogenic therapies. 

PMID- 27258021
TI  - Prevalence of Virulence/Stress Genes in Campylobacter jejuni from Chicken Meat
      Sold in Qatari Retail Outlets.
AB  - Chicken meat from the shelves of supermarkets in Qatar was tested for the
      presence of Campylobacter spp. and the presence of five virulence genes (htrB,
      cdtB, clpP, cadF and ciaB) was assessed in isolates. Forty eight percent of the
      chickens provided for supermarkets by Saudi (53%) and Qatari (45.9%) producers
      were found to be contaminated and the most important factor affecting the overall
      prevalence of contaminated chickens was the store from which chicken samples
      originated. Variation in prevalence of Campylobacter in chicken meat from
      different stores was evident even when the same producer supplied the three
      stores in our survey. Differences in the prevalence and in the combinations of
      virulence genes in isolates that can and cannot grow in a classic maintenance
      medium (Karmali) were identified, providing a starting point for linking
      presence/absence of particular virulence genes with actual in vivo virulence and
      pathogenicity. Because of the relatively low infective doses of Campylobacter
      that are required to initiate infection in humans, it will be important to
      explore further the relationships we identified between certain Campylobacter
      virulence genes and their capacity for survival in poultry meat, and hence their
      contribution to the incidence of campylobacteriosis. 

PMID- 27258022
TI  - Bending-Twisting Motions and Main Interactions in Nucleoplasmin Nuclear Import.
AB  - Alpha solenoid proteins play a key role in regulating the classical nuclear
      import pathway, recognizing a target protein and transporting it into the
      nucleus. Importin-alpha (Impalpha) is the solenoid responsible for cargo protein
      recognition, and it has been extensively studied by X-ray crystallography to
      understand the binding specificity. To comprehend the main motions of Impalpha
      and to extend the information about the critical interactions during carrier
      cargo recognition, we surveyed different conformational states based on molecular
      dynamics (MD) and normal mode (NM) analyses. Our model of study was a
      crystallographic structure of Impalpha complexed with the classical nuclear
      localization sequence (cNLS) from nucleoplasmin (Npl), which was submitted to
      multiple 100 ns of MD simulations. Representative conformations were selected for
      calculating the 87 lowest frequencies NMs of vibration, and a displacement
      approach was applied along each NM. Based on geometric criteria, using the radius
      of curvature and inter-repeat angles as the reference metrics, the main motions
      of Impalpha were described. Moreover, we determined the salt bridges, hydrogen
      bonds and hydrophobic interactions in the Impalpha-NplNLS interface. Our results
      show the bending and twisting motions participating in the recognition of nuclear
      proteins, allowing the accommodation and adjustment of a classical bipartite NLS
      sequence. The essential contacts for the nuclear import were also described and
      were mostly in agreement with previous studies, suggesting that the residues in
      the cNLS linker region establish important contacts with Impalpha adjusting the
      cNLS backbone. The MD simulations combined with NM analysis can be applied to the
      Impalpha-NLS system to help understand interactions between Impalpha and cNLSs
      and the analysis of non-classic NLSs. 

PMID- 27258023
TI  - A Study of the Variation in the Salivary Peptide Profiles of Young Healthy Adults
      Acquired Using MALDI-TOF MS.
AB  - A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to evaluate the inter
      individual variation in the MALDI-TOF MS peptide profiles of unstimulated whole
      saliva in a population of 268 systemically healthy adults aged 18-30 yr (150
      males and 118 females) with no apparent caries lesions or periodontal disease.
      Using Spectral Clustering, four subgroups of individuals were identified within
      the study population. These subgroups were delimited by the pattern of variation
      in 9 peaks detected in the 2-15 kDa m/z range. An Unsupervised Feature Selection
      algorithm showed that P-C peptide, a 44 residue-long salivary acidic proline-rich
      protein, and three of its fragments (Fr. 1-25, Fr. 15-35 and Fr. 15-44) play a
      central role in delimiting the subgroups. Significant differences were found in
      the salivary biochemistry of the subgroups with regard to lysozyme and chitinase,
      two enzymes that are part of the salivary innate defense system (p < 0.001).
      These results suggest that MALDI-TOF MS salivary peptide profiles may relate
      information on the underlying state of the oral ecosystem and may provide a
      useful reference for salivary disease biomarker discovery studies. 

PMID- 27258024
TI  - Correction: Sea Star Wasting Disease in the Keystone Predator Pisaster ochraceus
      in Oregon: Insights into Differential Population Impacts, Recovery, Predation
      Rate, and Temperature Effects from Long-Term Research.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153994.].

PMID- 27258025
TI  - Mediterranean Ocean Colour Chlorophyll Trends.
AB  - In being at the base of the marine food web, phytoplankton is particularly
      important for marine ecosystem functioning (e.g., biodiversity). Strong
      anthropization, over-exploitation of natural resources, and climate change affect
      the natural amount of phytoplankton and, therefore, represent a continuous threat
      to the biodiversity in marine waters. In particular, a concerning risks for
      coastal waters is the increase in nutrient inputs of terrestrial/anthropogenic
      origin that can lead to undesirable modifications of phytoplankton concentration
      (i.e., eutrophication). Monitoring chlorophyll (Chl) concentration, which is a
      proxy of phytoplankton biomass, is an efficient tool for recording and
      understanding the response of the marine ecosystem to human pressures and thus
      for detecting eutrophication. Here, we compute Chl trends over the Mediterranean
      Sea by using satellite data, also highlighting the fact that remote sensing may
      represent an efficient and reliable solution to synoptically control the "good
      environmental status" (i.e., the Marine Directive to achieve Good Environmental
      Status of EU marine waters by 2020) and to assess the application of
      international regulations and environmental directives. Our methodology includes
      the use of an ad hoc regional (i.e., Mediterranean) algorithm for Chl
      concentration retrieval, also accounting for the difference between offshore
      (i.e., Case I) and coastal (i.e., Case II) waters. We apply the Mann-Kendall test
      and the Sens's method for trend estimation to the Chl concentration de
      seasonalized monthly time series, as obtained from the X-11 technique. We also
      provide a preliminary analysis of some particular trends by evaluating their
      associated inter-annual variability. The high spatial resolution of our approach
      allows a clear identification of intense trends in those coastal waters that are
      affected by river outflows. We do not attempt to attribute the observed trends to
      specific anthropogenic events. However, the trends that we document are
      consistent with the findings of several previous studies. 

PMID- 27258026
TI  - Refining Prescription Warning Labels Using Patient Feedback: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - The complexity of written medication information hinders patients' understanding
      and leads to patient misuse of prescribed medications. Incorporating patient
      feedback in designing prescription warning labels (PWLs) is crucial in enhancing
      patient comprehension of medication warning instructions. This qualitative study
      explored patient feedback on five newly designed PWLs. In-depth semi-structured
      face-to-face interviews were conducted with 21 patients, who were 18 years and
      older, spoke English, and took a prescription medication. These patients were
      shown different variations of the five most commonly used PWLs-Take with Food, Do
      not Drink Alcohol, Take with a Full glass of Water, Do not Chew or Break, and
      Protect from Sunlight. The 60-minute interviews explored feedback on patient
      comprehension of the PWL instructions and their suggestions for improving the
      clarity of the PWLs. At the end of the interview, patient self-reported socio
      demographic information was collected with a 3-minute survey and a brief health
      literacy assessment was completed using the Newest Vital Sign. Twenty-one
      patients completed the interviews. Most patients were female (n = 15, 71.4%) with
      ages ranging from 23 to 66 years old (mean: 47.6 +/- 13.3). The mean health
      literacy score was 2.4 on a scale of 0-6. Qualitative content analysis based on
      the text, pictures, and placement of the PWLs on the pill bottle showed
      preferences for including 'WARNING' on the PWL to create alertness, inclusion of
      a picture together with the text, yellow color highlighting behind the text, and
      placement of the PWL on the front of the pill bottle. Although patients had
      positive opinions of the redesigned PWLs, patients wanted further improvements to
      the content and design of the PWLs for enhanced clarity and understandability. 

PMID- 27258027
TI  - Correction: High-Density Lipoprotein Function in Exudative Age-Related Macular
      Degeneration.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154397.].

PMID- 27258028
TI  - Correction: Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV at a Patient's First Clinic
      Visit: The RapIT Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002015.].

PMID- 27258029
TI  - Boron-Doped Anatase TiO2 as a High-Performance Anode Material for Sodium-Ion
      Batteries.
AB  - Pristine and boron-doped anatase TiO2 were prepared via a facile sol-gel method
      and the hydrothermal method for application as anode materials in sodium-ion
      batteries (SIBs). The sol-gel method leads to agglomerated TiO2, whereas the
      hydrothermal method is conducive to the formation of highly crystalline and
      discrete nanoparticles. The structure, morphology, and electrochemical properties
      were studied. The crystal size of TiO2 with boron doping is smaller than that of
      the nondoped crystals, which indicates that the addition of boron can inhibit the
      crystal growth. The electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the reversible
      capacity of the B-doped TiO2 is higher than that for the pristine sample. B
      doping also effectively enhances the rate performance. The capacity of the B
      doped TiO2 could reach 150 mAh/g at the high current rate of 2C and the capacity
      decay is only about 8 mAh/g over 400 cycles. The remarkable performance could be
      attributed to the lattice expansion resulting from B doping and the shortened
      Li(+) diffusion distance due to the nanosize. These results indicate that B-doped
      TiO2 can be a good candidate for SIBs. 

PMID- 27258030
TI  - Kidney-Sparing Methods for Extended-Field Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (EF
      IMRT) in Cervical Carcinoma Treatment.
AB  - Coplanar extended-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (EF-IMRT) targeting
      the whole-pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes in patients with advanced cervical
      cancer results in impaired creatinine clearance. An improvement in renal function
      cannot be expected unless low-dose (approximately 10 Gy) kidney exposure is
      reduced. The dosimetric method should be considered during EF-IMRT planning to
      further reduce low-dose exposure to the kidneys. To assess the usefulness of non
      coplanar EF-IMRT with kidney-avoiding beams to spare the kidneys during cervical
      carcinoma treatment in dosimetric analysis between non-coplanar and coplanar EF
      IMRT, we compared the doses of the target organ and organs at risk, including the
      kidney, in 10 consecutive patients. To estimate the influence of EFRT on renal
      dysfunction, creatinine clearance values after treatment were also examined in 18
      consecutive patients. Of these 18 patients, 10 patients who were included in the
      dosimetric analysis underwent extended field radiation therapy (EFRT) with
      concurrent chemotherapy, and eight patients underwent whole-pelvis radiation
      therapy with concurrent chemotherapy to treat cervical carcinoma between April
      2012 and March 2015 at our institution. In the dosimetric analysis, non-coplanar
      EF-IMRT was effective at reducing low-dose (approximately 10 Gy) exposure to the
      kidneys, thus maintaining target coverage and sparing other organs at risk, such
      as the small bowel, rectum, and bladder, compared with coplanar EF-IMRT. Renal
      function in all 10 patients who underwent EFRT, including coplanar EF-IMRT (with
      kidney irradiation), was low after treatment, and differed significantly from
      that of the eight patients who underwent WPRT (no kidney irradiation) 6 months
      after the first day of treatment (P = 0.005). In conclusion, non-coplanar EF-IMRT
      should be considered in patients with advanced cervical cancer, particularly in
      patients with a long life expectancy or with pre-existing renal dysfunction. 

PMID- 27258031
TI  - Diamond Blackfan Anemia: A Nonclassical Patient With Diagnosis Assisted by
      Genomic Analysis.
AB  - Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is an inherited syndrome usually presenting with
      severe macrocytic anemia in infancy, paucity of erythroid precursors in the bone
      marrow, and congenital anomalies. We describe a child with mild, transfusion
      independent normocytic anemia whose diagnosis of DBA was established by
      identification of a novel de novo mutation disrupting normal splicing of the
      ribosomal protein RPL5. The diagnosis of DBA was confirmed by elevated
      erythrocyte adenosine deaminase levels and an abnormal ribosomal RNA profile.
      This case demonstrates the usefulness of genomic analysis in establishing the
      diagnosis of DBA in patients with a nonclassical presentation of the disease.

PMID- 27258032
TI  - A Previously Healthy Premature Infant Treated With Thrombolytic Therapy for Life
      threatening Pulmonary Artery Thrombosis.
AB  - Pulmonary artery thrombosis is rarely reported in preterm neonates. Although
      treatment of neonatal thrombosis remains controversial, thrombolytic agents must
      be considered when the thrombosis is life threatening. We herein present a case
      of a preterm newborn with pulmonary artery thrombosis accompanied by acute-onset
      respiratory failure and cyanotic congenital heart disease. The thrombosis was
      successfully treated using tissue plasminogen activator. In conclusion, the
      thrombolytic therapy should be considered in treatment of patients in whom the
      thrombosis completely occludes the pulmonary arteries.

PMID- 27258033
TI  - Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma in Association With a RASopathy Clinical Phenotype and
      Mosaic Germline SOS1 Duplication.
AB  - Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) accounts for approximately 3.5% of cancer cases
      among children 0 to 14 years of age. Genetic conditions associated with high risk
      of childhood RMS include Li-Fraumeni syndrome, pleuropulmonary blastoma, Beckwith
      Wiedemann syndrome, and some RASopathies, such as neurofibromatosis type 1,
      Costello syndrome (CS), and Noonan syndrome (NS). Here, we report the rare case
      of a 4-year-old girl with clinical features of NS who developed an embryonal RMS
      of the chest and needed emergent treatment. Molecular genetic testing identified
      a de novo, large, mosaic duplication of chromosome 2 encompassing the SOS1 gene,
      presumably caused by a mosaic, unbalanced translocation between chromosomes 2 and
      17 found on routine cytogenetic analysis. Sequence analysis of all known genes
      causing Noonan spectrum disorders was negative. RMS has been reported in a few
      patients with NS, associated in very few with germline SOS1 mutations, but none
      with copy number abnormalities. This is the first report to our knowledge of
      early-onset RMS developing in a child with features of NS and a mosaic RAS
      pathway gene aberration, a large SOS1 duplication. We hypothesize that the
      inciting event for tumor development in this case is due to the germline mosaic
      duplication of SOS1, which was duplicated in all cells of the tumor, and the
      ultimate development of the tumor was further driven by multiple chromosomal
      aberrations in the tumor itself, all described as somatic events in isolated RMS
      tumors.

PMID- 27258034
TI  - Presentation and Treatment of Histoplasmosis in Pediatric Oncology Patients: Case
      Series and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Histoplasmosis is an endemic fungus in several regions of the United States. The
      diagnosis and treatment of this infection can be challenging in pediatric
      oncology patients. We present 5 patients diagnosed with histoplasmosis while
      receiving treatment at a midsize pediatric oncology center in Iowa. Two cases
      occurred in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 3 cases in patients
      with solid tumors. All patients were treated with antifungal therapy and
      demonstrated excellent clinical response. Histoplasmosis should be considered as
      a potential cause of nonspecific febrile illness, pulmonary masses, and bone
      marrow suppression in immunocompromised patients in endemic regions. Prompt and
      accurate diagnosis can facilitate timely antifungal therapy and avoidance of
      prolonged hospital stays, invasive testing, unnecessary antibiotics, and
      unwarranted anticancer therapies.

PMID- 27258035
TI  - Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Is the Extent of Septal
      Hypertrophy Important?
AB  - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a cardiac disease associated with a high
      incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Recent studies have suggested that
      interventricular septum thickness may influence the risk stratification of
      patients with AF. We evaluated the effects of septal hypertrophy on morbidity and
      mortality in patients with HCM. Patients were followed for a median of 6.1 years
      and were divided into two groups according to the extent of septal hypertrophy. A
      total of 1,360 HCM patients were enrolled: 482 (33%) apical or apicoseptal, 415
      (28%) asymmetric septal, 388 (27%) basal septal, 38 (2.6%) concentric, and 37
      (2.5%) diffuse and mixed type. Ninety-two all-cause deaths and 21 cardiac deaths
      occurred. The total event rates were significantly higher for patients with HCM
      with more extensive septal hypertrophy (group A) compared to those with HCM +/-
      focal septal hypertrophy (group B), regardless of type (p<0.001). Arrhythmias
      occurred in 502 patients, with a significantly higher incidence in group A than
      in group B (p<0.001). Among patients with arrhythmias, the incidence of AF was
      significantly higher in group A than group B (p<0.001). In univariate Cox
      analysis, a greater extent of septal hypertrophy (p<0.001), E/E' ratio (p =
      0.011), and mitral regurgitation grade (p = 0.003) were significantly associated
      with developing AF. In multivariate Cox analyses, a greater extent of septal
      hypertrophy [odds ratio (OR) 5.44 (2.29-12.92), p<0.001] in patients with HCM was
      significantly associated with developing AF. In conclusion, a greater extent of
      septal hypertrophy is an independent predictor of progression to AF in patients
      with HCM. 

PMID- 27258036
TI  - Evaluation of the abbot Architect(TM) epstein-barr virus viral capsid antigen
      IgM, viral capsid antigen IgG and nuclear antigen IgG assays in a pediatric and
      adult population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The detection of antibodies against Epstein-Barr viral capsid (VCA)
      and nuclear (EBNA) antigens is routinely performed with different commercially
      available immunoassays. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the concordance
      and performance of the Architect(TM) chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays
      (CMIAs) using Captia(TM) enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for VCA IgM,
      and standard immunofluorescence (IF) assays for VCA IgG and EBNA IgG as
      comparative techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Sera were selected from a heterogeneous
      population including pediatric and adult patients. RESULTS: Concordance between
      CMIAs and comparative assays was high with total agreement percentages of 84,1%
      (95% CI: 77.8-88.9) for VCA IgM, 90,6% (95% CI: 84.2-94.7) for EBNA IgG and 98,0%
      (95% CI: 93.9-99.6) for VCA IgG. Moreover, kappa statistic values showed good to
      excellent correlation with values of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57-0.79) for VCA IgM, 0.73
      (95% CI: 0.58-0.87) for EBNA IgG and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.89-1.00) for VCA IgG. A
      correlation was observed between positivity levels on CMIAs and semi-quantitative
      fluorescence intensity on IF for VCA IgG and EBNA IgG assays. With regard to an
      accepted gold standard IF assays, CMIA was 98,1% (95% CI: 93.3-99.8) sensitive
      and 97,4% (95% CI: 86.5-99.9) specific for the detection of VCA IgG. For the
      detection of EBNA IgG, it was 92,2% (95% CI: 85.1-96.6) sensitive and 84,6% (95%
      CI: 65.1-95.6) specific. CONCLUSION: In summary, we demonstrated that the CMIA
      EBV antibody detection panel has high performance and high concordance with other
      commercially available immunoassays.

PMID- 27258037
TI  - Social and Spatial Clustering of People at Humanity's Largest Gathering.
AB  - Macroscopic behavior of scientific and societal systems results from the
      aggregation of microscopic behaviors of their constituent elements, but
      connecting the macroscopic with the microscopic in human behavior has
      traditionally been difficult. Manifestations of homophily, the notion that
      individuals tend to interact with others who resemble them, have been observed in
      many small and intermediate size settings. However, whether this behavior
      translates to truly macroscopic levels, and what its consequences may be, remains
      unknown. Here, we use call detail records (CDRs) to examine the population
      dynamics and manifestations of social and spatial homophily at a macroscopic
      level among the residents of 23 states of India at the Kumbh Mela, a 3-month-long
      Hindu festival. We estimate that the festival was attended by 61 million people,
      making it the largest gathering in the history of humanity. While we find strong
      overall evidence for both types of homophily for residents of different states,
      participants from low-representation states show considerably stronger propensity
      for both social and spatial homophily than those from high-representation states.
      These manifestations of homophily are amplified on crowded days, such as the peak
      day of the festival, which we estimate was attended by 25 million people. Our
      findings confirm that homophily, which here likely arises from social influence,
      permeates all scales of human behavior. 

PMID- 27258039
TI  - Correction: Postnatal Anthropometric and Body Composition Profiles in Infants
      with Intrauterine Growth Restriction Identified by Prenatal Doppler.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150152.].

PMID- 27258038
TI  - Complete Genomes of Bacillus coagulans S-lac and Bacillus subtilis TO-A JPC, Two
      Phylogenetically Distinct Probiotics.
AB  - Several spore-forming strains of Bacillus are marketed as probiotics due to their
      ability to survive harsh gastrointestinal conditions and confer health benefits
      to the host. We report the complete genomes of two commercially available
      probiotics, Bacillus coagulans S-lac and Bacillus subtilis TO-A JPC, and compare
      them with the genomes of other Bacillus and Lactobacillus. The taxonomic position
      of both organisms was established with a maximum-likelihood tree based on twenty
      six housekeeping proteins. Analysis of all probiotic strains of Bacillus and
      Lactobacillus reveal that the essential sporulation proteins are conserved in all
      Bacillus probiotic strains while they are absent in Lactobacillus spp. We
      identified various antibiotic resistance, stress-related, and adhesion-related
      domains in these organisms, which likely provide support in exerting probiotic
      action by enabling adhesion to host epithelial cells and survival during
      antibiotic treatment and harsh conditions. 

PMID- 27258040
TI  - What Is a Complex Innovation System?
AB  - Innovation systems are sometimes referred to as complex systems, something that
      is intuitively understood but poorly defined. A complex system dynamically
      evolves in non-linear ways giving it unique properties that distinguish it from
      other systems. In particular, a common signature of complex systems is scale
      invariant emergent properties. A scale-invariant property can be identified
      because it is solely described by a power law function, f(x) = kxalpha, where the
      exponent, alpha, is a measure of scale-invariance. The focus of this paper is to
      describe and illustrate that innovation systems have properties of a complex
      adaptive system. In particular scale-invariant emergent properties indicative of
      their complex nature that can be quantified and used to inform public policy. The
      global research system is an example of an innovation system. Peer-reviewed
      publications containing knowledge are a characteristic output. Citations or
      references to these articles are an indirect measure of the impact the knowledge
      has on the research community. Peer-reviewed papers indexed in Scopus and in the
      Web of Science were used as data sources to produce measures of sizes and impact.
      These measures are used to illustrate how scale-invariant properties can be
      identified and quantified. It is demonstrated that the distribution of impact has
      a reasonable likelihood of being scale-invariant with scaling exponents that
      tended toward a value of less than 3.0 with the passage of time and decreasing
      group sizes. Scale-invariant correlations are shown between the evolution of
      impact and size with time and between field impact and sizes at points in time.
      The recursive or self-similar nature of scale-invariance suggests that any
      smaller innovation system within the global research system is likely to be
      complex with scale-invariant properties too. 

PMID- 27258041
TI  - BoCluSt: Bootstrap Clustering Stability Algorithm for Community Detection.
AB  - The identification of modules or communities in sets of related variables is a
      key step in the analysis and modeling of biological systems. Procedures for this
      identification are usually designed to allow fast analyses of very large datasets
      and may produce suboptimal results when these sets are of a small to moderate
      size. This article introduces BoCluSt, a new, somewhat more computationally
      intensive, community detection procedure that is based on combining a clustering
      algorithm with a measure of stability under bootstrap resampling. Both computer
      simulation and analyses of experimental data showed that BoCluSt can outperform
      current procedures in the identification of multiple modules in data sets with a
      moderate number of variables. In addition, the procedure provides users with a
      null distribution of results to evaluate the support for the existence of
      community structure in the data. BoCluSt takes individual measures for a set of
      variables as input, and may be a valuable and robust exploratory tool of network
      analysis, as it provides 1) an estimation of the best partition of variables into
      modules, 2) a measure of the support for the existence of modular structures, and
      3) an overall description of the whole structure, which may reveal hierarchical
      modular situations, in which modules are composed of smaller sub-modules. 

PMID- 27258042
TI  - Dual Role of the Tyrosine Kinase Syk in Regulation of Toll-Like Receptor
      Signaling in Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells.
AB  - Crosslinking of regulatory immunoreceptors (RR), such as BDCA-2 (CD303) or ILT7
      (CD85g), of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) efficiently suppresses production
      of type-I interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta and other cytokines in response to Toll
      like receptor (TLR) 7/9 ligands. This cytokine-inhibitory pathway is mediated by
      spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) associated with the ITAM-containing adapter of RR.
      Here we demonstrate by pharmacological targeting of Syk that in addition to the
      negative regulation of TLR7/9 signaling via RR, Syk also positively regulates the
      TLR7/9 pathway in human pDCs. Novel highly specific Syk inhibitor AB8779
      suppressed IFN-alpha, TNF-alpha and IL-6 production induced by TLR7/9 agonists in
      primary pDCs and in the pDC cell line GEN2.2. Triggering of TLR9 or RR signaling
      induced a differential kinetics of phosphorylation at Y352 and Y525/526 of Syk
      and a differential sensitivity to AB8779. Consistent with the different roles of
      Syk in TLR7/9 and RR signaling, a concentration of AB8779 insufficient to block
      TLR7/9 signaling still released the block of IFN-alpha production triggered via
      the RR pathway, including that induced by hepatitis B and C viruses. Thus,
      pharmacological targeting of Syk partially restored the main pDC function-IFN
      alpha production. Opposing roles of Syk in TLR7/9 and RR pathways may regulate
      the innate immune response to weaken inflammation reaction. 

PMID- 27258043
TI  - Unusually Situated Binding Sites for Bacterial Transcription Factors Can Have
      Hidden Functionality.
AB  - A commonly accepted paradigm of molecular biology is that transcription factors
      control gene expression by binding sites at the 5' end of a gene. However, there
      is growing evidence that transcription factor targets can occur within genes or
      between convergent genes. In this work, we have investigated one such target for
      the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. We
      show that CRP binds between two convergent genes. When bound, CRP regulates
      transcription of a small open reading frame, which we term aatS, embedded within
      one of the adjacent genes. Our work demonstrates that non-canonical sites of
      transcription factor binding can have hidden functionality. 

PMID- 27258044
TI  - Association of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Lung Function and
      Exacerbations in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (NLR) is a widely available
      marker of inflammation. Several types of inflammatory cells and mediators have
      been found to be involved in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD). We sought to evaluate the association of the NLR with severity of
      airflow limitation and disease exacerbations in a COPD population. METHODS: We
      analyzed 885 patients from the Korean COPD Subtype Study cohort that recruited
      subjects with COPD from 44 referral hospitals. We determined the relationship of
      NLR levels to severity of lung function using a linear regression model. In
      addition, we analyzed the experiences of COPD exacerbation according to the NLR
      quartiles. RESULTS: NLR levels were inversely associated with severity of airflow
      limitation as measured by FEV1% predicted and absolute values after adjustments
      for age, gender, body mass index, pack-years of smoking, and the use of inhaled
      corticosteroid (P<0.001, respectively). In the multivariate binary regression
      model, the NLR 4th quartile (vs. 1st quartile) was found to be a significant
      predictor of exacerbations during 1-year follow-up (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.03 to
      4.06, P = 0.041). Adding an NLR to FEV1 significantly improved prediction for
      exacerbations during 1-year follow-up as measured by the net reclassification
      improvement (NRI = 7.8%, P = 0.032) and the integrated discrimination improvement
      (IDI = 0.014, P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The NLR showed a significant inverse
      relationship to airflow limitation and was a prognostic marker for future
      exacerbations in patients with COPD.

PMID- 27258045
TI  - The University of the National Football League: How Technology, Injury
      Surveillance, and Health Care Have Improved the Safety of America's Game.
AB  - American football has become one of the most popular sports in the United States.
      Despite the millions of players at all levels of competition who gain the
      physical, social, and psychological rewards that football provides, many
      interested stakeholders continue to ask, "Is football safe?" Although there are
      only approximately 1,700 players on National Football League (NFL) rosters, the
      injuries they sustain have garnered the most attention-and criticism-from the
      national media. Increased public awareness of the injury potential football
      possesses has led to an open debate and a major shift in public sentiment over
      the past 5 years. Although no sport is perfectly safe, the question is whether it
      can be made relatively safe and if the long-term consequences are worth the risk.
      This article reviews the methods by which one sports league-the NFL-has used
      advances in medical technology and injury surveillance to improve the health and
      safety of its players. 

PMID- 27258047
TI  - MR Imaging of Pulmonary Nodules: Detection Rate and Accuracy of Size Estimation
      in Comparison to Computed Tomography.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess the sensitivity of various
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules
      and to estimate the accuracy of MRI for the measurement of lesion size, as
      compared to computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Fifty patients with 113 pulmonary
      nodules diagnosed by CT underwent lung MRI and CT. MRI studies were performed on
      1.5T scanner using the following sequences: T2-TSE, T2-SPIR, T2-STIR, T2-HASTE,
      T1-VIBE, and T1-out-of-phase. CT and MRI data were analyzed independently by two
      radiologists. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of MRI for the detection of
      pulmonary nodules was 80.5% and according to nodule size: 57.1% for nodules
      <=4mm, 75% for nodules >4-6mm, 87.5% for nodules >6-8mm and 100% for nodules
      >8mm. MRI sequences yielded following sensitivities: 69% (T1-VIBE), 54.9% (T2
      SPIR), 48.7% (T2-TSE), 48.7% (T1-out-of-phase), 45.1% (T2-STIR), 25.7% (T2
      HASTE), respectively. There was very strong agreement between the maximum
      diameter of pulmonary nodules measured by CT and MRI (mean difference -0.02 mm;
      95% CI -1.6-1.57 mm; Bland-Altman analysis). CONCLUSIONS: MRI yielded high
      sensitivity for the detection of pulmonary nodules and enabled accurate
      assessment of their diameter. Therefore it may be considered an alternative to CT
      for follow-up of some lung lesions. However, due to significant number of false
      positive diagnoses, it is not ready to replace CT as a tool for lung nodule
      detection.

PMID- 27258046
TI  - Synthesis of Diiron(I) Dithiolato Carbonyl Complexes.
AB  - Virtually all organosulfur compounds react with Fe(0) carbonyls to give the title
      complexes. These reactions are reviewed in light of major advances over the past
      few decades, spurred by interest in Fe2(MU-SR)2(CO)x centers at the active sites
      of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase enzymes. The most useful synthetic route to Fe2(MU
      SR)2(CO)6 involves the reaction of thiols with Fe2(CO)9 and Fe3(CO)12. Such
      reactions can proceed via mono-, di-, and triiron intermediates. The reactivity
      of Fe(0) carbonyls toward thiols is highly chemoselective, and the resulting
      dithiolato complexes are fairly rugged. Thus, many complexes tolerate further
      synthetic elaboration directed at the organic substituents. A second major route
      involves alkylation of Fe2(MU-S2)(CO)6, Fe2(MU-SH)2(CO)6, and Li2Fe2(MU-S)2(CO)6.
      This approach is especially useful for azadithiolates Fe2[(MU-SCH2)2NR](CO)6.
      Elaborate complexes arise via addition of the FeSH group to electrophilic
      alkenes, alkynes, and carbonyls. Although the first example of Fe2(MU-SR)2(CO)6
      was prepared from ferrous reagents, ferrous compounds are infrequently used,
      although the Fe(II)(SR)2 + Fe(0) condensation reaction is promising. Almost
      invariably low-yielding, the reaction of Fe3(CO)12, S8, and a variety of
      unsaturated substrates results in C-H activation, affording otherwise
      inaccessible derivatives. Thiones and related C?S-containing reagents are highly
      reactive toward Fe(0), often giving complexes derived from substituted
      methanedithiolates and C-H activation.

PMID- 27258048
TI  - The Small G Protein AtRAN1 Regulates Vegetative Growth and Stress Tolerance in
      Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - The evolutionarily conserved small G-protein Ran plays important role in nuclear
      translocation of proteins, cell cycle regulation, and nuclear envelope
      maintenance in mammalian cells and yeast. Arabidopsis Ran proteins are encoded by
      a family of four genes and are highly conserved at the protein level. However,
      their biological functions are poorly understood. We report here that AtRAN1
      plays an important role in vegetative growth and the molecular improvement of
      stress tolerance in Arabidopsis. AtRAN1 overexpression promoted vegetative growth
      and enhanced abiotic tolerance, while the atran1 atran3 double mutant showed
      higher freezing sensitivity than WT. The AtRAN1 gene is ubiquitously expressed in
      plants, and the expression levels are higher in the buds, flowers and siliques.
      Subcellular localization results showed that AtRAN1 is mainly localized in the
      nucleus, with some present in the cytoplasm. AtRAN1 could maintain cell division
      and cell cycle progression and promote the formation of an intact nuclear
      envelope, especially under freezing conditions. 

PMID- 27258049
TI  - Urinary Strong Ion Difference as a Marker of Renal Dysfunction. A Retrospective
      Analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The kidneys play a crucial role in the regulation of electrolytes
      and acid-base homeostasis. Urinary Strong Ion Difference (SIDu = NaU + KU-ClU)
      represents an important aspect of renal acid-base regulation. We evaluated the
      role of SIDu as a marker of renal dysfunction in critically ill patients.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit with
      a diagnosis of AKI for whom concomitant urinary samples available for SIDu
      calculation were retrospectively reviewed and staged according to KDIGO criteria
      for 3 days from inclusion. Patients were classified as Recovered (R-AKI) or
      Persistent-AKI (P-AKI) whether they exited KDIGO criteria within the 3-day
      observation period or not. A control group with normal renal function and normal
      serum acid-base and electrolytes was prospectively recruited in order to identify
      reference SIDu values. RESULTS: One-hundred-and-forty-three patients with a
      diagnosis of AKI were included: 77 with R-AKI, and 66 with P-AKI. Thirty-six
      controls were recruited. Patients with P-AKI had more severe renal dysfunction
      and higher mortality than patients with R-AKI (SCr 2.23(IQR:1.68-3.45) and
      1.81(IQR1.5-2.5) mg/dl respectively, p<0.001; 24-h UO 1297(950) and 2100(1094) ml
      respectively, p = 0.003); 30-d mortality, 39% and 13% respectively; p<0.001).
      SIDu significantly differed between groups, with rising values from controls to P
      AKI groups (16.4(12), 30(24) and 47.3(21.5) mEq/l respectively, p<0.001).
      DISCUSSION: SIDu may be a simple and inexpensive tool in AKI patients'
      evaluation. Further research is needed to evaluate the ability of SIDu to
      identify patients with renal dysfunction before derangements in serum creatinine
      or urine output are observed.

PMID- 27258050
TI  - Gender Roles and Physical Function in Older Adults: Cross-Sectional Analysis of
      the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationships between physical function and gender
      stereotyped traits and whether these relationships are modified by sex or social
      context. METHODS: A total of 1995 community-dwelling older adults from the
      International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) aged 65 to 74 years were recruited
      in Natal (Brazil), Manizales (Colombia), Tirana (Albania), Kingston (Ontario,
      Canada), and Saint-Hyacinthe (Quebec, Canada). We performed a cross-sectional
      analysis. Study outcomes were mobility disability, defined as having difficulty
      in walking 400 meters without assistance or climbing a flight of stairs without
      resting, and low physical performance, defined as a score < 8 on the Short
      Physical Performance Battery. The 12-item Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) was used
      to classify participants into four gender roles (Masculine, Feminine,
      Androgynous, and Undifferentiated) using site-specific medians of femininity and
      masculinity as cut-off points. Poisson regression models were used to estimate
      prevalence rate ratios (PRR) of mobility disability and poor physical performance
      according to gender roles. RESULTS: In models adjusted for sex, marital status,
      education, income, and research site, when comparing to the androgynous role, we
      found higher prevalence of mobility disability and poor physical performance
      among participants endorsing the feminine role (PRR = 1.20, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 1.03-1.39 and PRR = 1.37, CI 1.01-1.88, respectively) or the
      undifferentiated role (PRR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.07-1.42 and PRR = 1.58, CI 1.18-2.12,
      respectively). Participants classified as masculine did not differ from
      androgynous participants in prevalence rates of mobility disability or low
      physical performance. None of the multiplicative interactions by sex and research
      site were significant. CONCLUSION: Feminine and undifferentiated gender roles are
      independent risk factors for mobility disability and low physical performance in
      older adults. Longitudinal research is needed to assess the mediation pathways
      through which gender-stereotyped traits influence functional limitations and to
      investigate the longitudinal nature of these relationships.

PMID- 27258051
TI  - Survivorship care planning in a comprehensive cancer center using an
      implementation framework.
AB  - Cancer survivorship care plans (SCPs) have been recommended to improve clinical
      care and patient outcomes. Research is needed to establish their efficacy and
      identify best practices. Starting in 2015, centers accredited by the American
      College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer must deliver SCPs to patients completing
      primary cancer treatment with curative intent. We describe how we established
      routine SCP delivery at the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in
      Chicago, Illinois, using the Quality Implementation Framework. We evaluated local
      practices, gathered clinician and patient stakeholder input, developed customized
      SCP templates within the electronic health record (EHR), and implemented 2
      complementary delivery models. Clinician interviews (n = 41) and survey responses
      (n = 12), along with input from patients (n = 68) and a patient advisory board (n
      = 15), indicated support for SCPs and survivorship services. To promote feasible
      implementation and leverage existing workflows, we harmonized 2 SCP delivery
      models: integrated care within clinics where patients received treatment, and
      referral to a centralized survivorship clinic. We are implementing SCP delivery
      with prominent disease sites and will extend services to survivors of other
      cancers in the future. We developed four electronic disease-specific SCP
      templates for breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers and a fifth, generic
      template that can be used for other malignancies. The templates reduced free-text
      clinician entry by auto-populating 20% of the fields from existing EHR data, and
      using drop-down menus for another 65%. Mean SCP completion time is 12 minutes
      (range, 10-15; n = 64). We designed our framework to facilitate ongoing
      evaluation of implementation and quality improvement. Funding/sponsorship Robert
      H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Coleman Foundation, and the Lynn Sage
      Cancer Research Foundation. 

PMID- 27258052
TI  - Effects of exercise interventions during different treatments in breast cancer.
AB  - Previous findings suggest that exercise is a safe and efficacious means of
      improving physiological and psychosocial outcomes in female breast cancer
      survivors. To date, most research has focused on post-treatment interventions.
      However, given that the type and severity of treatment-related adverse effects
      may be dependent on the type of treatment, and that the effects are substantially
      more pronounced during treatment, an assessment of the safety and efficacy of
      exercise during treatment is warranted. In this review, we present and evaluate
      the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted during breast cancer
      treatment. We conducted literature searches to identify studies examining
      exercise interventions in breast cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy
      or radiation. Data were extracted on physiological and psychosocial outcomes.
      Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated for each outcome. A total of 17 studies
      involving 1,175 participants undergoing active cancer therapy met the inclusion
      criteria. Findings revealed that, on average, exercise interventions resulted in
      moderate to large improvements in muscular strength: resistance exercise (RE, ??
      = 0.86), aerobic exercise (AE, ?? = 0.55), small to moderate improvements in
      cardiovascular functioning (RE, ?? = 0.45; AE, ?? = 0.17, combination exercise
      (COMB, ?? = 0.31) and quality of life (QoL; RE, ?? = 0.30; AE, ?? = 0.50; COMB,
      ?? = 0.63). The results of this review suggest that exercise is a safe, feasible,
      and efficacious intervention in breast cancer patients who are undergoing
      different types of treatment. Additional research addressing the different modes
      of exercise during each type of treatment is warranted to assess the comparable
      efficacy of the various exercise modes during established breast cancer
      treatments. 

PMID- 27258053
TI  - Omission of dexamethasone from antiemetic treatment for highly emetogenic
      chemotherapy in breast cancer patients with hepatitis B infection or diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy with anthracycline- and cyclophosphamide-containing
      regimens are classified as highly emetogenic. Combinatory treatments of
      aprepitant (Apr), palonosetron (Pal), or granisetron (Gra) with dexamethasone are
      recommended as antiemetic treatments for such emetogenic chemotherapy. We
      retrospectively examined whether omission of dexamethasone is tolerable for
      patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diabetes mellitus (DM), for whom it is
      recommended not receive dexamethasone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During August 2009
      and September 2007, we reviewed the medical records of patients with breast
      cancer who were HBV carriers or had been diagnosed with DM. 97 patients were
      treated with anthracycline- and cyclophosphamide- containing regimens with
      omission of dexamethasone in antiemetic treatment because of their HBV or DM
      status. RESULTS: Results The number of patients treated with Gra only, Apr and
      Gra, Apr and Pal, were 29, 29, and 39, respectively. Complete response (CR) in
      the acute phase (0-<24 hours after chemotherapy) or delayed phase (24-120 hours
      after chemotherapy) for Gra only, Apr-Gra, and Apr-Pal was 44.8% and 44.8%, 72.4%
      and 72.4%, and 76.9% and 74.4%, respectively. Complete control (CC) in the acute
      or delayed phase in each regimen for Gra only, Apr-Gra, and Apr-Pal was 31.0% and
      27.6%, 48.2% and 51.7%, and 46.2% and 46.2%, respectively. Apr-Gra or Apr-Pal
      tended to be superior to Gra only in CR and CC in both the acute and delayed
      phases. HBV reactivation or aggravation of DM control was not observed in any of
      the 3 therapy options. CR and CC were about 20% higher for the dexamethasone
      containing regimen than for the non-dexamethasone regimen in both the acute and
      delayed phases. CONCLUSION: Omission of dexamethasone in antiemetic treatment is
      tolerable when anthracycline- and cyclophosphamide-containing chemotherapy is
      administered to patients with breast cancer who have comorbidities of being HBV
      carriers or of DM.

PMID- 27258054
TI  - Prognostic significance of HPV status in postoperative squamous-cell carcinoma of
      the head and neck.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the prognostic significance of human
      papillomavirus (HPV) status in relation to traditional risk factors for head and
      neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the postoperative setting. OBJECTIVE: To
      clarify the impact of HPV status on the risk for HNSCC in the postoperative
      setting. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated an institutional cohort of 128
      patients with HNSCC patients who had been treated with definitive surgery with or
      without adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Patient, disease, and
      treatment factors were analyzed as potential prognostic indicators. RESULTS:
      Lymph node extracapsular extension (ECE), perineural invasion (PNI), and
      lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) positivity predicted poorer locoregional
      control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Positive
      margins related to poorer DFS and OS. HPV status alone did not predict LRC, DFS,
      or OS. Compared with patients who were HPV-positive and ECE-negative, both HPV
      positive and HPV-negative patients with ECE experienced significantly poorer OS
      (78.6%, 60%, and 43.7%, respectively; ?? = .010 and ?? = .018, respectively).
      LIMITATIONS: Retrospective, single-institution study; small patient cohort; short
      follow-up time. CONCLUSION: The influence of HPV in postoperative HNSCC seems
      limited compared with traditional risk factors such as ECE, LVSI, and PNI. De
      escalation of postoperative treatment based on HPV status alone should be
      approached with caution.

PMID- 27258055
TI  - Culture-broker and medical decoder: contributions of caregivers in American
      Indian cancer trajectories.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Caregivers play a special role in the management and control of
      cancer-related pain. For American Indians with cancer, caregivers can contribute
      to patient education, medication compliance, and can facilitate communication
      between the patient and the provider and the patient and the family. OBJECTIVE:
      To identify the role(s) of caregivers of American Indian cancer survivors.
      METHODS: As a part of a large randomized intervention designed to improve
      barriers to cancer symptom management, 13 focus groups were held among American
      Indian cancer survivors and their caregivers at Southwest reservations and urban
      sites. Focus groups, audiotaped and transcribed, used constant comparative
      methods in the analysis of caregiver dialogues. RESULTS: Caregivers are patient
      educators and provider culture-brokers and their communication strategies use a
      combination of cultural and conventional strategies in their care of American
      Indian cancer patients. Cultural communication styles include "talk stories"
      (storytelling), group (talking circles), and dialogue to manage cancer pain,
      educate the patient and community, and to protect the patient from stigma, reduce
      barriers to care, and provide support to patients and families. Active discussion
      with providers "re-packaged" the patient's reporting/responses to specific
      clinical measures (pain measure scores) and identified the need for pain
      medication and compliance-related issues. LIMITATIONS: Findings are not
      generalizable to the American Indian population outside of the sites and focus
      groups from which data were collected. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers are "cultural
      brokers" who inform providers of the cultural nuances associated with American
      Indian patient care. However, caregivers voiced that cultural restriction for not
      discussing illness openly was a sanction and an important barrier.

PMID- 27258056
TI  - Paraneoplastic syndrome and underlying breast cancer: a worsening rash despite
      initiation of chemotherapy.
AB  - Skin may show the first clinical evidence of systemic disease and can be the
      first clue to malignancy in 1% of cases. Dermatomyositis is an immunologically
      mediated inflammatory myopathy characterized by proximal muscle weakness, muscle
      inflammation, and characteristic skin findings. It has an incidence of 1 in
      100,000 patients. In 15%-30% cases of dermatomyositis, an underlying malignancy
      is the cause of paraneoplastic syndrome. Ovarian and breast cancer in women and
      lung cancer in men are the most common malignancies associated with
      dermatomyositis. Here we report the case of a 55-year-old postmenopausal woman
      who initially presented with a facial rash. She was treated for chemical
      dermatitis without resolution of symptoms and was subsequently found to have
      dermatomyositis associated with stage IV invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.
      In most cases, the skin changes resolve after treatment for the underlying
      malignancy has been initiated, but in this case of paraneoplastic
      dermatomyositis, the rash worsened with initiation of treatment for underlying
      breast cancer. 

PMID- 27258057
TI  - Correction: Effects of Verapamil SR and Atenolol on 24-Hour Blood Pressure and
      Heart Rate in Hypertension Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: An
      International Verapamil SR-Trandolapril Ambulatory Monitoring Substudy.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122726.].

PMID- 27258058
TI  - A Comparative Study of Five Association Tests Based on CpG Set for Epigenome-Wide
      Association Studies.
AB  - An epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) is a large-scale study of human
      disease-associated epigenetic variation, specifically variation in DNA
      methylation. High throughput technologies enable simultaneous epigenetic
      profiling of DNA methylation at hundreds of thousands of CpGs across the genome.
      The clustering of correlated DNA methylation at CpGs is reportedly similar to
      that of linkage-disequilibrium (LD) correlation in genetic single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNP) variation. However, current analysis methods, such as the t
      test and rank-sum test, may be underpowered to detect differentially methylated
      markers. We propose to test the association between the outcome (e.g case or
      control) and a set of CpG sites jointly. Here, we compared the performance of
      five CpG set analysis approaches: principal component analysis (PCA), supervised
      principal component analysis (SPCA), kernel principal component analysis (KPCA),
      sequence kernel association test (SKAT), and sliced inverse regression (SIR) with
      Hotelling's T2 test and t-test using Bonferroni correction. The simulation
      results revealed that the first six methods can control the type I error at the
      significance level, while the t-test is conservative. SPCA and SKAT performed
      better than other approaches when the correlation among CpG sites was strong. For
      illustration, these methods were also applied to a real methylation dataset. 

PMID- 27258059
TI  - Wheat Grain Yield Increase in Response to Pre-Anthesis Foliar Application of 6
      Benzylaminopurine Is Dependent on Floret Development.
AB  - Wheat yield is largely determined during the period prior to flowering, when the
      final numbers of fertile florets and grains per spike are established. The aim of
      this study was to assess the dynamics of floret primordia development in winter
      wheat in response to pre-anthesis application of a synthetic cytokinin, 6
      benzylaminopurine (6-BA). We conducted an experiment in which two foliar spray
      treatments were applied (water or 6-BA) to Chinese winter wheat at 25 days after
      jointing during two growing seasons (2012-2013 and 2013-2014). Both the final
      grain number per spike and grain yield at maturity exhibited remarkable increases
      in response to the 6-BA treatment. Application of 6-BA increased the number of
      fertile florets in basal spikelets and, to a greater extent, in central
      spikelets. The mechanism by which 6-BA application affected the final number of
      fertile florets primarily involved suppression of the floret abortion rates.
      Application of 6-BA considerably reduced the abortion rates of basal, central and
      apical spikelet florets (by as much as 77% compared with the control), as well as
      the degeneration rates of basal and central spikelet florets, albeit to a lesser
      degree. The effect of 6-BA application on the likelihood of proximal florets
      being set was limited to the distal florets in the whole spike, whereas obvious
      increases in the likelihood of grain set under 6-BA treatment were observed in
      distal florets, primarily in central spikelet positions. The results of this
      study provide important evidence that 6-BA application to florets (final fertile
      floret production) results in an increased grain yield. 

PMID- 27258061
TI  - John Jackson and Sonja Swanson, Winners of the 2016 Kenneth Rothman EPIDEMIOLOGY
      Prize.

PMID- 27258060
TI  - In vivo simultaneous multispectral fluorescence imaging with spectral multiplexed
      volume holographic imaging system.
AB  - A simultaneous multispectral fluorescence imaging system incorporating
      multiplexed volume holographic grating (VHG) is developed to acquire
      multispectral images of an object in one shot. With the multiplexed VHG, the
      imaging system can provide the distribution and spectral characteristics of
      multiple fluorophores in the scene. The implementation and performance of the
      simultaneous multispectral imaging system are presented. Further, the system's
      capability in simultaneously obtaining multispectral fluorescence measurements is
      demonstrated with in vivo experiments on a mouse. The demonstrated imaging system
      has the potential to obtain multispectral images fluorescence simultaneously.

PMID- 27258062
TI  - Grim19 Attenuates DSS Induced Colitis in an Animal Model.
AB  - DSS induced colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by
      inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, which destabilizes the gut and
      induces an uncontrolled immune response. Although DSS induced colitis is
      generally thought to develop as a result of an abnormally active intestinal
      immune system, its pathogenesis remains unclear. Gene associated with retinoid
      interferon induced mortality (Grim) 19 is an endogenous specific inhibitor of
      STAT3, which regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. In this
      study, we investigated the influence of GRIM19 in a DSS induced colitis mouse
      model. We hypothesized that Grim19 would ameliorate DSS induced colitis by
      altering STAT3 activity and intestinal inflammation. Grim19 ameliorated DSS
      induced colitis severity and protected intestinal tissue. The expression of STAT3
      and proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in colon and lymph
      nodes was decreased significantly by Grim19. Moreover, DSS induced colitis
      progression in a Grim19 transgenic mouse line was inhibited in association with a
      reduction in STAT3 and IL-17 expression. These results suggest that Grim19
      attenuates DSS induced colitis by suppressing the excessive inflammatory response
      mediated by STAT3 activation. 

PMID- 27258063
TI  - Pedestrian road crossing behavior (PEROB): Development and psychometric
      evaluation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a theory-based questionnaire to
      measure road crossing attitudes and potentially risky pedestrian behavior.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional validation study was carried out on a total sample of
      380 young adults aged 18 to 25 years who live in Tehran, Iran. Data were
      collected from January 27 to May 20, 2015, using a self-administered structured
      pool of 76 items that was developed from research on the theory of planned
      behavior. A panel of subject-matter experts evaluated the items for content
      validity index and content validity ratio, and the questionnaire was pretested.
      Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to test construct validity. The
      Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)
      analyses were done to assess internal consistency and stability of the scale.
      RESULTS: From the initial 76 items, 38 items were found to be appropriate for
      assessing the pedestrian road crossing behavior (PEROB) of young adults in
      Tehran. A 9-factor solution revealed an exploratory factor analysis that jointly
      accounted for 63.8% of the variance observed. Additional analyses also indicated
      acceptable results for the internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha value
      ranging from 0.67 to 0.88 and ICC values ranging from 0.64 to 0.96. CONCLUSIONS:
      This psychometric evaluation of a self-administered instrument resulted in a
      reliable and valid instrument to assess young adult pedestrians' self-reported
      road crossing attitudes and behaviors in Tehran. Further development of the
      instrument is needed to assess its applicability to other road users,
      particularly older pedestrians.

PMID- 27258064
TI  - Aptamers Coming of Age at Twenty-Five.

PMID- 27258065
TI  - First International Workshop on Zika Virus Held by Oswaldo Cruz Foundation
      FIOCRUZ in Northeast Brazil March 2016 - A Meeting Report.

PMID- 27258066
TI  - OsLBD3-7 Overexpression Induced Adaxially Rolled Leaves in Rice.
AB  - Appropriate leaf rolling enhances erect-leaf habits and photosynthetic
      efficiency, which consequently improves grain yield. Here, we reported the novel
      lateral organ boundaries domain (LBD) gene OsLBD3-7, which is involved in the
      regulation of leaf rolling. OsLBD3-7 works as a transcription activator and its
      protein is located on the plasma membrane and in the nucleus. Overexpression of
      OsLBD3-7 leads to narrow and adaxially rolled leaves. Microscopy of flag leaf
      cross-sections indicated that overexpression of OsLBD3-7 led to a decrease in
      both bulliform cell size and number. Transcriptional analysis showed that key
      genes that had been reported to be negative regulators of bulliform cell
      development were up-regulated in transgenic plants. These results indicated that
      OsLBD3-7 might acts as an upstream regulatory gene of bulliform cell development
      to regulate leaf rolling, which will give more insights on the leaf rolling
      regulation mechanism. 

PMID- 27258067
TI  - Expression of Cell Competition Markers at the Interface between p53 Signature and
      Normal Epithelium in the Human Fallopian Tube.
AB  - There is a growing body of evidence regarding cell competition between normal and
      mutant mammalian cells, which suggest that it may play a defensive role in the
      early phase of carcinogenesis. In vitro study in the past has shown that
      overexpression of vimentin in normal epithelial cells at the contact surface with
      transformed cells is essential for the cell competition involved in epithelial
      defense against cancer. In this study, we attempted to examine cell competition
      in human tissue in vivo by investigating surgically resected human fallopian
      tubes that contain p53 signatures and serous tubal intraepithelial lesions
      (STILs), a linear expansion of p53-immunopositive/TP53 mutant tubal epithelial
      cells that are considered as precursors of pelvic high grade serous carcinoma.
      Immunofluorescence double staining for p53 and the cell competition marker
      vimentin was performed in 21 sections of human fallopian tube tissue containing
      17 p53 signatures and 4 STILs. The intensities of vimentin expression at the
      interface between p53-positive cells at the end of the p53 signature/STIL and
      adjacent p53-negative normal tubal epithelial cells were compared with the
      background tubal epithelium. As a result, the average vimentin intensity at the
      interfaces relative to the background intensity was 1.076 (95% CI, 0.9412 - 1.211
      for p53 signature and 0.9790 (95% CI, 0.7206 - 1.237) for STIL. Thus, it can be
      concluded that overexpression of the cell competition marker vimentin are not
      observed in human tissue with TP53 alterations. 

PMID- 27258068
TI  - Isolation of C. difficile Carriers Alone and as Part of a Bundle Approach for the
      Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI): A Mathematical Model Based
      on Clinical Study Data.
AB  - Clostridium difficile infection is the most common hospital-acquired infection.
      Besides infected patients, carriers have emerged as a key player in C. difficile
      epidemiology. In this study, we evaluated the impact of identifying and isolating
      carriers upon hospital admission on the incidence of CDI incidence and hospital
      acquired C. difficile colonization, as a single policy and as part of bundle
      approaches. We simulated C. difficile transmission using a stochastic
      mathematical approach, considering the contribution of carriers based on
      published literature. In the baseline scenario, CDI incidence was 6.18/1,000
      admissions (95% CI, 5.72-6.65), simulating reported estimates from U.S. hospital
      discharges. The acquisition rate of C. difficile carriage was 9.72/1,000
      admissions (95% CI, 9.15-10.31). Screening and isolation of colonized patients on
      admission to the hospital decreased CDI incidence to 4.99/1,000 admissions (95%
      CI, 4.59-5.42; relative reduction (RR) = 19.1%) and led to 36.2% reduction in the
      rate of hospital-acquired colonization. Simulating an antimicrobial stewardship
      program reduced CDI rate to 2.35/1,000 admissions (95% CI, 2.07-2.65). In
      sensitivity analysis, CDI incidence was less than 2.32/1,000 admissions (RR =
      62.4%) in 95% of 1,000 simulations. The combined bundle, focusing on reducing C.
      difficile transmission from colonized patients and the individual risk of these
      patients to develop CDI, decreased significantly the incidence of both CDI and
      hospital-acquired colonization. Implementation of this bundle to current practice
      is expected to have an important impact in containing CDI. 

PMID- 27258070
TI  - Still Waiting for Evidence That Current Noninvasive Hemoglobinometry Adds Value.

PMID- 27258069
TI  - Trypanosoma brucei TIF2 and TRF Suppress VSG Switching Using Overlapping and
      Independent Mechanisms.
AB  - Trypanosoma brucei causes debilitating human African trypanosomiasis and evades
      the host's immune response by regularly switching its major surface antigen, VSG,
      which is expressed exclusively from subtelomeric loci. We previously showed that
      two interacting telomere proteins, TbTRF and TbTIF2, are essential for cell
      proliferation and suppress VSG switching by inhibiting DNA recombination events
      involving the whole active VSG expression site. We now find that TbTIF2
      stabilizes TbTRF protein levels by inhibiting their degradation by the 26S
      proteasome, indicating that decreased TbTRF protein levels in TbTIF2-depleted
      cells contribute to more frequent VSG switching and eventual cell growth arrest.
      Surprisingly, although TbTIF2 depletion leads to more subtelomeric DNA double
      strand breaks (DSBs) that are both potent VSG switching inducers and detrimental
      to cell viability, TbTRF depletion does not increase the amount of DSBs inside
      subtelomeric VSG expression sites. Furthermore, expressing an ectopic allele of
      F2H-TbTRF in TbTIF2 RNAi cells allowed cells to maintain normal TbTRF protein
      levels for a longer frame of time. This resulted in a mildly better cell growth
      and partially suppressed the phenotype of increased VSG switching frequency but
      did not suppress the phenotype of more subtelomeric DSBs in TbTIF2-depleted
      cells. Therefore, TbTIF2 depletion has two parallel effects: decreased TbTRF
      protein levels and increased subtelomeric DSBs, both resulting in an acute
      increased VSG switching frequency and eventual cell growth arrest. 

PMID- 27258071
TI  - Lung Transplantation Is Much More Than Lungs and Fluids.

PMID- 27258072
TI  - Obstructive Fibrinous Tracheal Pseudomembrane.
AB  - Obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP) is a rare and potentially
      severe complication of endotracheal intubation characterized by a tubular
      pseudomembrane that obstructs the trachea and induces clinical symptoms of airway
      obstruction after extubation. In this report, we reviewed and summarized all
      published cases of OFTP (n = 58) between 1981 and 2015. Twenty-three of 52
      patients were men, and the mean age was 36 +/- 22 years. Intubation was emergent
      in 41 of 53 cases. OFTP was revealed by acute symptoms in 19 of 39 cases and led
      to acute respiratory failure in 13 of 39 cases. Symptoms occurred 3 +/- 3 days
      after extubation. A tracheal obstruction >=70% was observed in 14 of 18 cases.
      Bronchoscopic removal was performed in 49 of 58 cases with no recurrence. In
      conclusion, OFTP is characterized by a typical clinical and endoscopic
      presentation, with no recurrence after bronchoscopic removal. Early recognition
      and bronchoscopy are key elements for efficient diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 27258073
TI  - Opioid-induced Hallucinations: A Review of the Literature, Pathophysiology,
      Diagnosis, and Treatment.
AB  - Despite their association with multiple adverse effects, opioid prescription
      continues to increase. Opioid-induced hallucination is an uncommon yet
      significant adverse effect of opioid treatment. The practitioner may encounter
      patient reluctance to volunteer the occurrence of this phenomenon because of
      fears of being judged mentally unsound. The majority of the literature concerning
      opioid-induced hallucinations arises from treatment during end-of-life care and
      cancer pain. Because the rate of opioid prescriptions continues to increase in
      the population, the rate of opioid-associated hallucinations may also conceivably
      increase. With a forecasted increase in the patient-to-physician ratio, opioid
      therapy is predicted to be provided by practitioners of varying backgrounds and
      medical specialties. Hence, knowledge of the pharmacology and potential adverse
      effects of these agents is required. This review seeks to increase awareness of
      this potential complication through a discussion of the literature, potential
      mechanisms of action, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

PMID- 27258075
TI  - A Clinical Prediction Model for Postcardiac Surgery Atrial Fibrillation in an
      Asian Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased
      morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization. Current prediction models for
      postoperative AF are based primarily on Western populations. In this study, we
      sought to develop a clinical prediction rule for postcardiac surgery AF for a
      multiethnic Asian population. METHODS: Two thousand one hundred sixty-eight
      patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft or valve surgery with
      cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively enrolled in this observational study
      between August 2008 and July 2012 at Singapore's 2 national heart centers.
      Postoperative AF was defined as an irregularly irregular electrocardiogram rhythm
      without identifiable P wave after surgery and before hospital discharge that
      lasted more than an hour, or affected hemodynamics (ie, systolic blood pressure
      <90 mm Hg or mean arterial blood pressure <60 mm Hg), or required medical
      treatment. Patients had continuous telemetry monitoring for at least 72 hours
      while in the intensive care or high-dependency units postoperatively.
      Subsequently, patients had a 12-lead electrocardiogram daily and when
      symptomatic. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine significant
      predictors of postcardiac surgery AF, and a scoring system was developed. The
      model was internally validated in an additional 500 patients. RESULTS:
      Postoperative AF occurred in 17.3% of patients, with a peak occurrence in the
      first 72 hours after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis
      identified age >=65 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      1.11-1.85, P = 0.005), history of AF (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.52-5.30, P < 0.001),
      inotrope use (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.31-2.32, P < 0.001), cardiopulmonary bypass
      duration >120 minutes (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.47-2.52, P < 0.001), and Chinese
      ethnicity (Chinese versus Indian OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.28-3.41, P = 0.003) or Malay
      (Malay versus Indian OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.36-4.05, P = 0.002) to be independently
      associated with postoperative AF. The area under the receiver-operator
      characteristic curve of the model was 0.704 (95% CI, 0.674-0.734). Internal
      validation produced an area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve of
      0.756 (95% CI, 0.690-0.821). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical risk factors for AF after
      cardiac surgery in an Asian population are similar to that reported from
      primarily Western populations, but specific ethnicity influences susceptibility.

PMID- 27258076
TI  - Anesthetic Management of 65 Cases of Ex Utero Intrapartum Therapy: A 13-Year
      Single-Center Experience.
AB  - The anesthetic management for open fetal surgery has been described, but many
      therapeutic tenets have not been supported with data. We present data on the
      anesthetic management and outcomes of 65 patients undergoing ex utero intrapartum
      therapy procedures at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 1998 and
      2011. Patients were identified, and medical records were retrospectively
      reviewed. Maternal general anesthesia combined with postoperative epidural
      analgesia was commonly used. High levels of volatile anesthetic were used for
      uterine relaxation. Case characteristics such as fetal procedure, operative time,
      blood loss, transfusion requirements, vasopressor use, and fetal resuscitative
      measures are described.

PMID- 27258077
TI  - Head, Neck, and Body Position: The Need to Standardize the Language.

PMID- 27258079
TI  - Smart Anesthesia-Another Way of Communication During Emergence from Anesthesia
      Using a Smartphone.

PMID- 27258081
TI  - Calibration of Contactless Pulse Oximetry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Contactless, camera-based photoplethysmography (PPG) interrogates
      shallower skin layers than conventional contact probes, either transmissive or
      reflective. This raises questions on the calibratability of camera-based pulse
      oximetry. METHODS: We made video recordings of the foreheads of 41 healthy adults
      at 660 and 840 nm, and remote PPG signals were extracted. Subjects were in
      normoxic, hypoxic, and low temperature conditions. Ratio-of-ratios were compared
      to reference SpO2 from 4 contact probes. RESULTS: A calibration curve based on
      artifact-free data was determined for a population of 26 individuals. For an SpO2
      range of approximately 83% to 100% and discarding short-term errors, a root mean
      square error of 1.15% was found with an upper 99% one-sided confidence limit of
      1.65%. Under normoxic conditions, a decrease in ambient temperature from 23 to 7
      degrees C resulted in a calibration error of 0.1% (+/-1.3%, 99% confidence
      interval) based on measurements for 3 subjects. PPG signal strengths varied
      strongly among individuals from about 0.9 * 10 to 4.6 * 10 for the infrared
      wavelength. CONCLUSIONS: For healthy adults, the results present strong evidence
      that camera-based contactless pulse oximetry is fundamentally feasible because
      long-term (eg, 10 minutes) error stemming from variation among individuals
      expressed as A*rms is significantly lower (<1.65%) than that required by the
      International Organization for Standardization standard (<4%) with the notion
      that short-term errors should be added. A first illustration of such errors has
      been provided with A**rms = 2.54% for 40 individuals, including 6 with dark skin.
      Low signal strength and subject motion present critical challenges that will have
      to be addressed to make camera-based pulse oximetry practically feasible.

PMID- 27258082
TI  - Achieving an Accurate Surface Profile of a Photonic Crystal for Near-Unity Solar
      Absorption in a Super Thin-Film Architecture.
AB  - In this work, a teepee-like photonic crystal (PC) structure on crystalline
      silicon (c-Si) is experimentally demonstrated, which fulfills two critical
      criteria in solar energy harvesting by (i) its Gaussian-type gradient-index
      profile for excellent antireflection and (ii) near-orthogonal energy flow and
      vortex-like field concentration via the parallel-to-interface refraction effect
      inside the structure for enhanced light trapping. For the PC structure on 500-MUm
      thick c-Si, the average reflection is only ~0.7% for lambda = 400-1000 nm. For
      the same structure on a much thinner c-Si ( t = 10 MUm), the absorption is near
      unity (A ~ 99%) for visible wavelengths, while the absorption in the weakly
      absorbing range (lambda ~ 1000 nm) is significantly increased to 79%, comparing
      to only 6% absorption for a 10-MUm-thick planar c-Si. In addition, the average
      absorption (~94.7%) of the PC structure on 10 MUm c-Si for lambda = 400-1000 nm
      is only ~3.8% less than the average absorption (~98.5%) of the PC structure on
      500 MUm c-Si, while the equivalent silicon solid content is reduced by 50 times.
      Furthermore, the angular dependence measurements show that the high absorption is
      sustained over a wide angle range (thetainc = 0-60 degrees ) for teepee-like PC
      structure on both 500 and 10-MUm-thick c-Si.

PMID- 27258083
TI  - Correction: The Role of Nature and Nurture for Individual Differences in Primary
      Emotional Systems: Evidence from a Twin Study.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151405.].

PMID- 27258084
TI  - Drug Targets for Cardiovascular-Safe Anti-Inflammatory: In Silico Rational Drug
      Studies.
AB  - Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in memory consolidation and
      synaptic activity, the most fundamental functions of the brain. It converts
      arachidonic acid to prostaglandin endoperoxide H2. In contrast, if over
      expressed, it causes inflammation in response to cytokine, pro-inflammatory
      molecule, and growth factor. Anti-inflammatory agents, by allosteric or
      competitive inhibition of COX-2, alleviate the symptoms of inflammation. Coxib
      family drugs, particularly celecoxib, are the most famous anti-inflammatory
      agents available in the market showing significant inhibitory effect on COX-2
      activity. Due to high cardiovascular risk of this drug group, recent researches
      are focused on the investigation of new safer drugs for anti-inflammatory
      diseases. Natural compounds, particularly, phytochemicals are found to be good
      candidates for drug designing and discovery. In the present study, we performed
      in silico studies to quantitatively scrutinize the molecular interaction of
      curcumin and its structural analogs with COX-2, COX-1, FXa and integrin
      alphaIIbbetaIII to investigate their therapeutic potential as a cardiovascular
      safe anti-inflammatory medicine (CVSAIM). The results of both ADMET and docking
      study indicated that out of all the 39 compounds studied, caffeic acid had
      remarkable interaction with proteins involved in inflammatory response. It was
      also found to inhibit the proteins that are involved in thrombosis, thereby,
      having the potential to be developed as therapeutic agent. 

PMID- 27258085
TI  - Pre-operative and post-operative psychiatric manifestations in patients with
      supratentorial meningiomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we have tried to delineate the nature of
      psychiatric abnormalities caused by supratentorial meningiomas and the effect of
      surgery on them. We have tried to find the patient and tumor characters
      influencing the psychiatric abnormalities and their post-operative outcome.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study conducted on patients with
      supratentorial meningiomas, admitted and operated in neurosurgery department,
      Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, India, from July 2006 to July 2009. We
      have included fifty-seven patients aged between 15 and 65 years with a clinico
      radiological diagnosis of supratentorial meningioma in our study. We later
      confirmed the diagnosis by histopathological examination of the tumor. We have
      evaluated the patients for psychiatric manifestations before and after surgery
      and also analyzed the various clinical and radiological factors influencing the
      psychiatric status. RESULTS: We have enrolled 57 patients into the study. Frontal
      group had 22 patients (38.6%), parietal group had 10 patients (17.5%), temporal
      group had 10 patients (17.5%), occipital group had 6 patients (10.5%), and
      suprasellar group had 9 patients (15.8%). Twenty patients (35.1%) presented with
      psychiatric symptoms. The frequency of psychiatric symptoms was highest in the
      temporal group (60%) followed by the frontal group (45.5%). Frontal convexity
      meningiomas presented predominantly with depression, basifrontal and sphenoid
      wing meningiomas presented with mania or depressive symptoms, Suprasellar lesions
      and temporal convexity lesions presented with organic delusional disorder.
      Basifrontal meningiomas also caused organic personality disorders. The frequency
      of psychiatric symptoms was much higher in meningiomas with volume greater than
      35cc compared to the smaller ones, in the frontal group. None of the patients
      developed new psychiatric symptoms after surgery. Among the twenty patients with
      psychiatric symptoms, 3 (15%) didnot improve, 8 (40%) improved partly and 9 (45%)
      improved completely. CONCLUSIONS: Meningiomas, although extra-axial, cause
      significant psychiatric symptoms up to 35.1%. Frontal and temporal group of
      meningiomas have the highest frequency of psychiatric symptoms. The frequency of
      psychiatric symptoms was significantly higher in meningiomas with volume greater
      than 35cc compared to the smaller ones, in the frontal group. Surgical excision
      of meningiomas ameliorates the psychiatric symptoms, either completely or partly,
      in the majority of the patients.

PMID- 27258086
TI  - Knee Joint Loads and Surrounding Muscle Forces during Stair Ascent in Patients
      with Total Knee Replacement.
AB  - Total knee replacement (TKR) is commonly used to correct end-stage knee
      osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, difficulty with stair climbing often persists and
      prolongs the challenges of TKR patents. Complete understanding of loading at the
      knee is of great interest in order to aid patient populations, implant
      manufacturers, rehabilitation, and future healthcare research. Musculoskeletal
      modeling and simulation approximates joint loading and corresponding muscle
      forces during a movement. The purpose of this study was to determine if knee
      joint loadings following TKR are recovered to the level of healthy individuals,
      and determine the differences in muscle forces causing those loadings. Data from
      five healthy and five TKR patients were selected for musculoskeletal simulation.
      Variables of interest included knee joint reaction forces (JRF) and the
      corresponding muscle forces. A paired samples t-test was used to detect
      differences between groups for each variable of interest (p<0.05). No differences
      were observed for peak joint compressive forces between groups. Some muscle force
      compensatory strategies appear to be present in both the loading and push-off
      phases. Evidence from knee extension moment and muscle forces during the loading
      response phase indicates the presence of deficits in TKR in quadriceps muscle
      force production during stair ascent. This result combined with greater flexor
      muscle forces resulted in similar compressive JRF during loading response between
      groups. 

PMID- 27258087
TI  - Effect of Inhaled beta2-Agonist on Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Chronic Obstructive
      Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - The fractional exhaled nitric oxide measured at an expiratory flow of 50mL/s
      (FENO50) is a marker of airway inflammation, and high levels are associated with
      greater response to steroid treatment. In asthma, FENO50 increases with
      bronchodilation and decreases with bronchoconstriction, the latter potentially
      causing an underestimate of the degree of airway inflammation when asthma
      worsens. It is unknown whether the same effect occurs in chronic obstructive lung
      disease (COPD). Likewise, it is not known whether changes in airway calibre in
      COPD patients alter flow-independent parameters describing pulmonary nitric oxide
      exchange, such as the maximal flux of nitric oxide (NO) from the proximal airway
      compartment (J'awNO) and the distal airway/alveolar concentration of NO (CANO).
      We recruited 24 patients with COPD and performed FENO analysis at multiple
      expiratory flows before and after treatment with inhaled beta2-agonist
      bronchodilator therapy. For the 21 patients analysed, FENO50 rose from 17.1 (1.4)
      ppb (geometric mean (geometric SD)) at baseline, to 19.3 (1.3) ppb after
      bronchodilator therapy, an increase of 2.2 ppb (95% CI, 0.7-3.6; P = 0.005).
      There were non-significant changes in flow-independent NO parameters. The change
      in FENO50 correlated positively with the change in J'awNO (rs = 0.67, P < 0.001;
      rs = 0.62, P = 0.002 before and after correction for axial back-diffusion
      respectively) following bronchodilation. Inhaled bronchodilator therapy can
      increase exhaled nitric oxide measurements in COPD. The standardisation of
      inhaled bronchodilator therapy before FENO analysis in COPD patients should
      therefore be considered in both research and clinical settings. 

PMID- 27258088
TI  - Large Salt Dust Storms Follow a 30-Year Rainfall Cycle in the Mar Chiquita Lake
      (Cordoba, Argentina).
AB  - Starting in 2006, a new source of intense salt dust storms developed in Mar
      Chiquita (Cordoba, Argentina), the largest saline lake in South America. Storms
      originate from vast mudflats left by a 30-year expansion-retreat cycle of the
      lake due to changes in the regional rainfall regime. The annual frequency of salt
      dust storms correlated with the size of the salt mudflats. Events were restricted
      to the coldest months, and reached up to 800 km from the source. Occurrence of
      dust storms was associated with specific surface colors and textures easily
      identifiable in satellite images. High-emission surfaces were characterized by
      the presence of sodium sulfate hydrous/anhydrous crystals (mirabilite and
      thenardite), and a superficial and variable water table, which may result in the
      periodic development of a characteristic "fluffy" surface derived from salt
      precipitation-dissolution processes. HYSPLIT model simulation estimates a
      deposition maximum near the sources (of about 2.5 kg/ha/yr), and a decreasing
      trend from the emission area outwards, except for the relative secondary maximum
      modeled over the mountain ranges in southern Bolivia and northern Argentina due
      to an orographic effect. The 2009 total deposition of salt dust generated in Mar
      Chiquita was estimated at 6.5 million tons. 

PMID- 27258089
TI  - Beta Peak Frequencies at Rest Correlate with Endogenous GABA+/Cr Concentrations
      in Sensorimotor Cortex Areas.
AB  - Neuronal oscillatory activity in the beta band (15-30 Hz) is a prominent signal
      within the human sensorimotor cortex. Computational modeling and pharmacological
      modulation studies suggest an influence of GABAergic interneurons on the
      generation of beta band oscillations. Accordingly, studies in humans have
      demonstrated a correlation between GABA concentrations and power of beta band
      oscillations. It remains unclear, however, if GABA concentrations also influence
      beta peak frequencies and whether this influence is present in the sensorimotor
      cortex at rest and without pharmacological modulation. In the present study, we
      investigated the relation between endogenous GABA concentration (measured by
      magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and beta oscillations (measured by
      magnetoencephalography) at rest in humans. GABA concentrations and beta band
      oscillations were measured for left and right sensorimotor and occipital cortex
      areas. A significant positive linear correlation between GABA concentration and
      beta peak frequency was found for the left sensorimotor cortex, whereas no
      significant correlations were found for the right sensorimotor and the occipital
      cortex. The results show a novel connection between endogenous GABA concentration
      and beta peak frequency at rest. This finding supports previous results that
      demonstrated a connection between oscillatory beta activity and pharmacologically
      modulated GABA concentration in the sensorimotor cortex. Furthermore, the results
      demonstrate that for a predominantly right-handed sample, the correlation between
      beta band oscillations and endogenous GABA concentrations is evident only in the
      left sensorimotor cortex. 

PMID- 27258090
TI  - Phenol Derivatives as Coupling Partners with Alkylsilicates in Photoredox/Nickel
      Dual Catalysis.
AB  - Photoredox/nickel dual catalysis via single electron transmetalation allows
      coupling of Csp(3)-Csp(2) hybridized centers under mild conditions. A procedure
      for the coupling of electron-deficient aryl triflates, -tosylates, and -mesylates
      with alkylbis(catecholato)silicates is presented. This method represents the
      first example of the use of phenol derivatives as electrophilic coupling partners
      in photoredox/nickel dual catalysis.

PMID- 27258091
TI  - Assessment of Levels of Ultraviolet A Light Protection in Automobile Windshields
      and Side Windows.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Ultraviolet A (UV-A) light is associated with the risks of cataract
      and skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of UV-A light protection in the
      front windshields and side windows of automobiles. DESIGN: In this cross
      sectional study, 29 automobiles from 15 automobile manufacturers were analyzed.
      The outside ambient UV-A radiation, along with UV-A radiation behind the front
      windshield and behind the driver's side window of all automobiles, was measured.
      The years of the automobiles ranged from 1990 to 2014, with an average year of
      2010. The automobile dealerships were located in Los Angeles, California. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Amount of UV-A blockage from windshields and side windows.
      The average percentage of front-windshield UV-A blockage was 96% (range, 95%-98%
      [95% CI, 95.7%-96.3%]) and was higher than the average percentage of side-window
      blockage, which was 71% (range, 44%-96% [95% CI, 66.4%-75.6%]). The difference
      between these average percentages is 25% (95% CI, 21%-30% [P < .001]). A high
      level of side-window UV-A blockage (>90%) was found in 4 of 29 automobiles
      (13.8%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The level of front-windshield UV-A protection
      was consistently high among automobiles. The level of side-window UV-A protection
      was lower and highly variable. These results may in part explain the reported
      increased rates of cataract in left eyes and left-sided facial skin cancer.
      Automakers may wish to consider increasing the degree of UV-A protection in the
      side windows of automobiles.

PMID- 27258092
TI  - Clear Plaque Mutants of Lactococcal Phage TP901-1.
AB  - We report a method for obtaining turbid plaques of the lactococcal bacteriophage
      TP901-1 and its derivative TP901-BC1034. We have further used the method to
      isolate clear plaque mutants of this phage. Analysis of 8 such mutants that were
      unable to lysogenize the host included whole genome resequencing. Four of the
      mutants had different mutations in structural genes with no relation to the
      genetic switch. However all 8 mutants had a mutation in the cI repressor gene
      region. Three of these were located in the promoter and Shine-Dalgarno sequences
      and five in the N-terminal part of the encoded CI protein involved in the DNA
      binding. The conclusion is that cI is the only gene involved in clear plaque
      formation i.e. the CI protein is the determining factor for the lysogenic pathway
      and its maintenance in the lactococcal phage TP901-1. 

PMID- 27258093
TI  - Analysis of Risk Alleles and Complement Activation Levels in Familial and Non
      Familial Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
AB  - AIMS: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial disease, in
      which complement-mediated inflammation plays a pivotal role. A positive family
      history is an important risk factor for developing AMD. Certain lifestyle factors
      are shown to be significantly associated with AMD in non-familial cases, but not
      in familial cases. This study aimed to investigate whether the contribution of
      common genetic variants and complement activation levels differs between familial
      and sporadic cases with AMD. METHODS AND RESULTS: 1216 AMD patients (281 familial
      and 935 sporadic) and 1043 controls (143 unaffected members with a family history
      of AMD and 900 unrelated controls without a family history of AMD) were included
      in this study. Ophthalmic examinations were performed, and lifestyle and family
      history were documented with a questionnaire. Nine single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) known to be associated with AMD were genotyped, and serum
      concentrations of complement components C3 and C3d were measured. Associations
      were assessed in familial and sporadic individuals. The association with risk
      alleles of the age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) gene was
      significantly stronger in sporadic AMD patients compared to familial cases (p =
      0.017 for all AMD stages and p = 0.003 for advanced AMD, respectively). ARMS2
      risk alleles had the largest effect in sporadic cases but were not significantly
      associated with AMD in densely affected families. The C3d/C3 ratio was a
      significant risk factor for AMD in sporadic cases and may also be associated with
      familial cases. In patients with a densely affected family this effect was
      particularly strong with ORs of 5.37 and 4.99 for all AMD and advanced AMD
      respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that in familial AMD patients, the
      common genetic risk variant in ARMS2 is less important compared to sporadic AMD.
      In contrast, factors leading to increased complement activation appear to play a
      larger role in patients with a positive family history compared to sporadic
      patients. A better understanding of the different contributions of risk factors
      in familial compared to non-familial AMD will aid the development of reliable
      prediction models for AMD, and may provide individuals with more accurate
      information regarding their individual risk for AMD. This information is
      especially important for individuals who have a positive family history for AMD.

PMID- 27258094
TI  - Socioeconomic Gradient in Childhood Obesity and Hypertension: A Multilevel
      Population-Based Study in a Chinese Community.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess evidence for any socioeconomic gradients in
      childhood obesity and hypertension in a population-representative sample in Hong
      Kong, China. METHODS: The data of a stratified random sampled growth survey
      collected in 2005-2006 was matched with a population by-census. Obesity was
      defined using the International Obesity Task Force standard and hypertension was
      defined using the Hong Kong norm table. Family socioeconomic status (SES) was
      measured by maternal education level. Neighbourhood SES was measured by median
      household income of the neighbourhood. Multilevel Poisson regression models with
      robust standard error were used to test the association. Body mass indices of
      children's parents were included as potential confounders. Intra
      school/neighbourhood correlations were adjusted using random factors. RESULTS:
      Totally 14842 children (age 6-19 years) included in the analysis, in which 16.6%
      of them were overweight or obese. Children whose mother only completed secondary
      school or below had higher risk of childhood obesity (RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.13-1.76,
      p = 0.003) and hypertension (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.36, p = 0.03). Meanwhile,
      children in the lowest neighbourhood SES group had higher risk of childhood
      underweight (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.04-2.49, p = 0.03), overweight (RR 1.35, 95% CI
      1.05-1.72, p = 0.02), and obesity (RR 2.07, 95% CI 1.11-3.88, p = 0.02).
      CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic gradient in childhood obesity and hypertension existed
      in Hong Kong, one of the most developed cities in China. These results have
      implications for policymakers and public health experts and highlight the need to
      monitor trends in other parts of China.

PMID- 27258095
TI  - Sources of Variation in Sweat Chloride Measurements in Cystic Fibrosis.
AB  - RATIONALE: Expanding the use of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance
      regulator (CFTR) potentiators and correctors for the treatment of cystic fibrosis
      (CF) requires precise and accurate biomarkers. Sweat chloride concentration
      provides an in vivo assessment of CFTR function, but it is unknown the degree to
      which CFTR mutations account for sweat chloride variation. OBJECTIVES: To
      estimate potential sources of variation for sweat chloride measurements,
      including demographic factors, testing variability, recording biases, and CFTR
      genotype itself. METHODS: A total of 2,639 sweat chloride measurements were
      obtained in 1,761 twins/siblings from the CF Twin-Sibling Study, French CF
      Modifier Gene Study, and Canadian Consortium for Genetic Studies. Variance
      component estimation was performed by nested mixed modeling. MEASUREMENTS AND
      MAIN RESULTS: Across the tested CF population as a whole, CFTR gene mutations
      were found to be the primary determinant of sweat chloride variability (56.1% of
      variation) with contributions from variation over time (e.g., factors related to
      testing on different days; 13.8%), environmental factors (e.g., climate, family
      diet; 13.5%), other residual factors (e.g., test variability; 9.9%), and unique
      individual factors (e.g., modifier genes, unique exposures; 6.8%) (likelihood
      ratio test, P < 0.001). Twin analysis suggested that modifier genes did not play
      a significant role because the heritability estimate was negligible (H2 = 0; 95%
      confidence interval, 0.0-0.35). For an individual with CF, variation in sweat
      chloride was primarily caused by variation over time (58.1%) with the remainder
      attributable to residual/random factors (41.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Variation in the
      CFTR gene is the predominant cause of sweat chloride variation; most of the non
      CFTR variation is caused by testing variability and unique environmental factors.
      If test precision and accuracy can be improved, sweat chloride measurement could
      be a valuable biomarker for assessing response to therapies directed at mutant
      CFTR.

PMID- 27258097
TI  - Application of the removal of pollutants from textile industry wastewater in
      constructed wetlands using fuzzy logic.
AB  - There are more than a hundred textile industries in Turkey that discharge large
      quantities of dye-rich wastewater, resulting in water pollution. Such effluents
      must be treated to meet discharge limits imposed by the Water Framework Directive
      in Turkey. Industrial treatment facilities must be required to monitor
      operations, keep them cost-effective, prevent operational faults, discharge-limit
      infringements, and water pollution. This paper proposes the treatment of actual
      textile wastewater by vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) systems operation
      and monitoring effluent wastewater quality using fuzzy logic with a graphical
      user interface. The treatment performance of VFCW is investigated in terms of
      chemical oxygen demand and ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) content, color, and pH
      parameters during a 75-day period of operation. A computer program was developed
      with a fuzzy logic system (a decision- making tool) to graphically present (via a
      status analysis chart) the quality of treated textile effluent in relation to the
      Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulation. Fuzzy logic is used in the evaluation
      of data obtained from the VFCW systems and for notification of critical states
      exceeding the discharge limits. This creates a warning chart that reports any
      errors encountered in a reactor during the collection of any sample to the
      concerned party.

PMID- 27258096
TI  - Women's Preferences for Treatment of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety: A Discrete
      Choice Experiment.
AB  - Perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) are an international healthcare priority,
      associated with significant short- and long-term problems for women, their
      children and families. Effective treatment is available but uptake is suboptimal:
      some women go untreated whilst others choose treatments without strong evidence
      of efficacy. Better understanding of women's preferences for treatment is needed
      to facilitate uptake of effective treatment. To address this issue, a discrete
      choice experiment (DCE) was administered to 217 pregnant or postnatal women in
      Australia, who were recruited through an online research company and had similar
      sociodemographic characteristics to Australian data for perinatal women. The DCE
      investigated preferences regarding cost, treatment type, availability of
      childcare, modality and efficacy. Data were analysed using logit-based models
      accounting for preference and scale heterogeneity. Predicted probability analysis
      was used to explore relative attribute importance and policy change scenarios,
      including how these differed by women's sociodemographic characteristics. Cost
      and treatment type had the greatest impact on choice, such that a policy of
      subsidising effective treatments was predicted to double their uptake compared
      with the base case. There were differences in predicted uptake associated with
      certain sociodemographic characteristics: for example, women with higher
      educational attainment were more likely to choose effective treatment. The
      findings suggest policy directions for decision makers whose goal is to reduce
      the burden of PNDA on women, their children and families. 

PMID- 27258098
TI  - Red Blood Cells from Individuals with Abdominal Obesity or Metabolic
      Abnormalities Exhibit Less Deformability upon Entering a Constriction.
AB  - Abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS) are multifactorial conditions
      associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes
      mellitus. Previous work has demonstrated that the hemorheological profile is
      altered in patients with abdominal obesity and MS, as evidenced for example by
      increased whole blood viscosity. To date, however, no studies have examined red
      blood cell (RBC) deformability of blood from individuals with obesity or
      metabolic abnormalities under typical physiological flow conditions. In this
      study, we pumped RBCs through a constriction in a microfluidic device and used
      high speed video to visualize and track the mechanical behavior of ~8,000 RBCs
      obtained from either healthy individuals (n = 5) or obese participants with
      metabolic abnormalities (OMA) (n = 4). We demonstrate that the OMA+ cells
      stretched on average about 25% less than the healthy controls. Furthermore, we
      examined the effects of ingesting a high-fat meal on RBC mechanical dynamics, and
      found that the postprandial period has only a weak effect on the stretching
      dynamics exhibited by OMA+ cells. The results suggest that chronic rigidification
      of RBCs plays a key role in the increased blood pressure and increased whole
      blood viscosity observed in OMA individuals and was independent of an acute
      response triggered by consumption of a high-fat meal.

PMID- 27258099
TI  - A D-Shaped Bileaflet Bioprosthesis which Replicates Physiological Left
      Ventricular Flow Patterns.
AB  - Prior studies have shown that in a healthy heart, there exist a large asymmetric
      vortex structure that aids in establishing a steady flow field in the left
      ventricle. However, the implantation of existing artificial heart valves at the
      mitral position is found to have a negative effect on this physiological flow
      pattern. In light of this, a novel D-shaped bileaflet porcine bioprosthesis (GD
      valve) has been designed based on the native geometry mitral valve, with the
      hypothesis that biomimicry in valve design can restore physiological left
      ventricle flow patterns after valve implantation. An in-vitro experiment using
      two dimensional particle velocimetry imaging was carried out to determine the
      hemodynamic performance of the new bileaflet design and then compared to that of
      the well-established St. Jude Epic valve which functioned as a control in the
      experiment. Although both valves were found to have similar Reynolds shear stress
      and Turbulent Kinetic Energy levels, the novel D-shape valve was found to have
      lower turbulence intensity and greater mean kinetic energy conservation. 

PMID- 27258101
TI  - Correction: Proteogenomic Characterization of Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon
      Degradation Pathways in the Aniline-degrading Bacterium Burkholderia sp. K24.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154233.].

PMID- 27258100
TI  - "I Know that You Know that I Know": Neural Substrates Associated with Social
      Cognition Deficits in DM1 Patients.
AB  - Myotonic dystrophy type-1 (DM1) is a genetic multi-systemic disorder involving
      several organs including the brain. Despite the heterogeneity of this condition,
      some patients with non-congenital DM1 can present with minimal cognitive
      impairment on formal testing but with severe difficulties in daily-living
      activities including social interactions. One explanation for this paradoxical
      mismatch can be found in patients' dysfunctional social cognition, which can be
      assessed in the framework of the Theory of Mind (ToM). We hypothesize here that
      specific disease driven abnormalities in DM1 brains may result in ToM
      impairments. We recruited 20 DM1 patients who underwent the "Reading the Mind in
      the Eyes" and the ToM-story tests. These patients, together with 18 healthy
      controls, also underwent resting-state functional MRI. A composite Theory of Mind
      score was computed for all recruited patients and correlated with their brain
      functional connectivity. This analysis provided the patients' "Theory of Mind
      network", which was compared, for its topological properties, with that of
      healthy controls. We found that DM1 patients showed deficits in both tests
      assessing ToM. These deficits were associated with specific patterns of abnormal
      connectivity between the left inferior temporal and fronto-cerebellar nodes in
      DM1 brains. The results confirm the previous suggestions of ToM dysfunctions in
      patients with DM1 and support the hypothesis that difficulties in social
      interactions and personal relationships are a direct consequence of brain
      abnormalities, and not a reaction symptom. This is relevant not only for a better
      pathophysiological comprehension of DM1, but also for non-pharmacological
      interventions to improve clinical aspects and impact on patients' success in
      life. 

PMID- 27258118
TI  - Intraocular Tumor Associated With Visual Loss in a Young Woman.

PMID- 27258119
TI  - Prediction of Pathological Stage in Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Neuro-Fuzzy
      Model.
AB  - The prediction of cancer staging in prostate cancer is a process for estimating
      the likelihood that the cancer has spread before treatment is given to the
      patient. Although important for determining the most suitable treatment and
      optimal management strategy for patients, staging continues to present
      significant challenges to clinicians. Clinical test results such as the pre
      treatment Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level, the biopsy most common tumor
      pattern (Primary Gleason pattern) and the second most common tumor pattern
      (Secondary Gleason pattern) in tissue biopsies, and the clinical T stage can be
      used by clinicians to predict the pathological stage of cancer. However, not
      every patient will return abnormal results in all tests. This significantly
      influences the capacity to effectively predict the stage of prostate cancer.
      Herein we have developed a neuro-fuzzy computational intelligence model for
      classifying and predicting the likelihood of a patient having Organ-Confined
      Disease (OCD) or Extra-Prostatic Disease (ED) using a prostate cancer patient
      dataset obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network. The system
      input consisted of the following variables: Primary and Secondary Gleason biopsy
      patterns, PSA levels, age at diagnosis, and clinical T stage. The performance of
      the neuro-fuzzy system was compared to other computational intelligence based
      approaches, namely the Artificial Neural Network, Fuzzy C-Means, Support Vector
      Machine, the Naive Bayes classifiers, and also the AJCC pTNM Staging Nomogram
      which is commonly used by clinicians. A comparison of the optimal Receiver
      Operating Characteristic (ROC) points that were identified using these
      approaches, revealed that the neuro-fuzzy system, at its optimal point, returns
      the largest Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC), with a low number of false positives
      (FPR = 0.274, TPR = 0.789, AUC = 0.812). The proposed approach is also an
      improvement over the AJCC pTNM Staging Nomogram (FPR = 0.032, TPR = 0.197, AUC =
      0.582). 

PMID- 27258120
TI  - Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Multilayer Membrane as a Sustained Releasing Growth
      Factor Delivery System for rhTGF-beta3 in Articular Cartilage Repair.
AB  - Recombinant human transforming growth factor beta-3 (rhTGF-beta3) is a key
      regulator of chondrogenesis in stem cells and cartilage formation. We have
      developed a novel drug delivery system that continuously releases rhTGF-beta3
      using a multilayered extracellular matrix (ECM) membrane. We hypothesize that the
      sustained release of rhTGF-beta3 could activate stem cells and result in enhanced
      repair of cartilage defects. The properties and efficacy of the ECM multilayer
      based delivery system (EMLDS) are investigated using rhTGF-beta3 as a candidate
      drug. The bioactivity of the released rhTGF-beta3 was evaluated through
      chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) using western blot
      and circular dichroism (CD) analyses in vitro. The cartilage reparability was
      evaluated through implanting EMLDS with endogenous and exogenous MSC in both in
      vivo and ex vivo models, respectively. In the results, the sustained release of
      rhTGF-beta3 was clearly observed over a prolonged period of time in vitro and the
      released rhTGF-beta3 maintained its structural stability and biological activity.
      Successful cartilage repair was also demonstrated when rabbit MSCs were treated
      with rhTGF-beta3-loaded EMLDS ((+) rhTGF-beta3 EMLDS) in an in vivo model and
      when rabbit chondrocytes and MSCs were treated in ex vivo models. Therefore, the
      multilayer ECM membrane could be a useful drug delivery system for cartilage
      repair. 

PMID- 27258121
TI  - Multiple Patterns of Regulation and Overexpression of a Ribonuclease-Like
      Pathogenesis-Related Protein Gene, OsPR10a, Conferring Disease Resistance in Rice
      and Arabidopsis.
AB  - An abundant 17 kDa RNase, encoded by OsPR10a (also known as PBZ1), was purified
      from Pi-starved rice suspension-cultured cells. Biochemical analysis showed that
      the range of optimal temperature for its RNase activity was 40-70 degrees C and
      the optimum pH was 5.0. Disulfide bond formation and divalent metal ion Mg2+ were
      required for the RNase activity. The expression of OsPR10a::GUS in transgenic
      rice was induced upon phosphate (Pi) starvation, wounding, infection by the
      pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), leaf senescence, anther, style, the
      style-ovary junction, germinating embryo and shoot. We also provide first
      evidence in whole-plant system, demonstrated that OsPR10a-overexpressing in rice
      and Arabidopsis conferred significant level of enhanced resistance to infection
      by the pathogen Xoo and Xanthomona campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), respectively.
      Transgenic rice and Arabidopsis overexpressing OsPR10a significantly increased
      the length of primary root under phosphate deficiency (-Pi) condition. These
      results showed that OsPR10a might play multiple roles in phosphate recycling in
      phosphate-starved cells and senescing leaves, and could improve resistance to
      pathogen infection and/or against chewing insect pests. It is possible that Pi
      acquisition or homeostasis is associated with plant disease resistance. Our
      findings suggest that gene regulation of OsPR10a could act as a good model system
      to unravel the mechanisms behind the correlation between Pi starvation and plant
      pathogen interactions, and also provides a potential application in crops disease
      resistance. 

PMID- 27258123
TI  - Association Between Heart Rate Variability Measures and Blood Glucose Levels:
      Implications for Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global metabolic epidemic associated with
      numerous adverse complications. Invasive finger prick tests or invasive monitors
      are currently the most common means of monitoring and controlling blood glucose
      levels (BGLs). Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive measure of the
      autonomic nervous system, and its dynamic physiological nature may provide an
      alternative means of blood glucose monitoring. However, the relationship between
      BGL and HRV parameters remains relatively unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty
      two participants with diabetes (39.97 +/- 17.21 years of age) and 31 without
      diabetes (27.87 +/- 10.55 years of age) participated in the current study.
      Fasting preceded a 10-min three-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), which was followed
      by a finger prick blood glucose assessment. Following this, a regular meal was
      consumed, and 30 min after ingestion, a second postprandial 10-min ECG was
      obtained, and blood glucose assessment was conducted. RESULTS: Low-frequency (LF)
      power, high-frequency (HF) power, and total power (TP) of HRV were negatively
      associated with BGL in participants with DM. Additionally, the ratio of LF to HF
      was positively correlated with BGL. Duration of DM was also associated with
      multiple HRV parameters, with negative associations to both LF and HF parameters
      as well as TP. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates links between specific HRV
      variables and BGL. In the future the dynamic nature of HRV could provide a unique
      and real-time method for monitoring BGL, for continuous noninvasive prediction
      and/or management of DM.

PMID- 27258122
TI  - Association of HbA1c to BOLUS Scores Among Youths with Type 1 Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frequency of mealtime insulin bolusing (BOLUS) is a promising new
      objective assessment of adherence in youths with type 1 diabetes (T1D). As
      further confirmation of the validity of BOLUS, we compare the associations of
      glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values of T1D youths with the original scoring of
      BOLUS and two alternative scoring procedures: mean mealtime boluses within a 2-h
      meal window (2h-BOLUS) and total daily frequency of boluses (TOTAL-BOLUS). In
      addition, we assess HbA1c associations of these three procedures, including
      interaction terms for mealtime boluses plus correction boluses. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: Blood glucose meter data, insulin pump records, and HbA1c levels were
      collected from a combined clinical and research database for a random sample of
      100 youths (mean age, 12.7 +/- 4.6 years). Youths' pump records were scored using
      the published methodology and alternative procedures for evaluating insulin use.
      RESULTS: Youths' BOLUS, TOTAL-BOLUS, and mealtime boluses within a 2-h meal
      window (2h-BOLUS) scores are independently associated with youths' HbA1c level;
      all measures demonstrated stronger associations with youths' HbA1c than did
      frequency of glucose monitoring. The strongest association was between youths'
      BOLUS score and their HbA1c level. In multiple regression analyses, youths' BOLUS
      score better explains the variations in HbA1c levels than either youths' 2h-BOLUS
      or TOTAL-BOLUS scores. When combined with BOLUS in the same relationships, 2h
      BOLUS and TOTAL-BOLUS were not found to have statistically significant
      coefficients. None of the bivariate relationships of HbA1c and interaction terms
      of mealtime and correction boluses was significant. CONCLUSIONS: The original
      method for calculating BOLUS appears superior to alternative scoring methods in
      its association with youths' HbA1c levels.

PMID- 27258124
TI  - Cross-Border Cholera Outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Mystery behind the
      Silent Illness: What Needs to Be Done?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cross-border cholera outbreaks are a major public health problem in
      Sub-Saharan Africa contributing to the high annual reported cholera cases and
      deaths. These outbreaks affect all categories of people and are challenging to
      prevent and control. This article describes lessons learnt during the cross
      border cholera outbreak control in Eastern and Southern Africa sub-regions using
      the case of Uganda-DRC and Malawi-Mozambique borders and makes recommendations
      for future outbreak prevention and control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed
      weekly surveillance data, outbreak response reports and documented experiences on
      the management of the most recent cross-border cholera outbreaks in Eastern and
      Southern Africa sub-regions, namely in Uganda and Malawi respectively. Uganda
      Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi-Mozambique borders were selected because
      the countries sharing these borders reported high cholera disease burden to WHO.
      RESULTS: A total of 603 cross-border cholera cases with 5 deaths were recorded in
      Malawi and Uganda in 2015. Uganda recorded 118 cases with 2 deaths and CFR of
      1.7%. The under-fives and school going children were the most affected age groups
      contributing 24.2% and 36.4% of all patients seen along Malawi-Mozambique and
      Uganda-DRC borders, respectively. These outbreaks lasted for over 3 months and
      spread to new areas leading to 60 cases with 3 deaths, CRF of 5%, and 102 cases 0
      deaths in Malawi and Uganda, respectively. Factors contributing to these
      outbreaks were: poor sanitation and hygiene, use of contaminated water, floods
      and rampant cross-border movements. The outbreak control efforts mainly involved
      unilateral measures implemented by only one of the affected countries.
      CONCLUSIONS: Cross-border cholera outbreaks contribute to the high annual
      reported cholera burden in Sub-Saharan Africa yet they remain silent,
      marginalized and poorly identified by cholera actors (governments and
      international agencies). The under-fives and the school going children were the
      most affected age groups. To successfully prevent and control these outbreaks,
      guidelines and strategies should be reviewed to assign clear roles and
      responsibilities to cholera actors on collaboration, prevention, detection,
      monitoring and control of these epidemics.

PMID- 27258125
TI  - Structural and functional integration between dorsal and ventral language streams
      as revealed by blunt dissection and direct electrical stimulation.
AB  - The most accepted framework of language processing includes a dorsal phonological
      and a ventral semantic pathway, connecting a wide network of distributed cortical
      hubs. However, the cortico-subcortical connectivity and the reciprocal anatomical
      relationships of this dual-stream system are not completely clarified. We
      performed an original blunt microdissection of 10 hemispheres with the exposition
      of locoregional short fibers and six long-range fascicles involved in language
      elaboration. Special attention was addressed to the analysis of termination sites
      and anatomical relationships between long- and short-range fascicles. We
      correlated these anatomical findings with a topographical analysis of 93
      functional responses located at the terminal sites of the language bundles,
      collected by direct electrical stimulation in 108 right-handers. The locations of
      phonological and semantic paraphasias, verbal apraxia, speech arrest, pure
      anomia, and alexia were statistically analyzed, and the respective barycenters
      were computed in the MNI space. We found that terminations of main language
      bundles and functional responses have a wider distribution in respect to the
      classical definition of language territories. Our analysis showed that dorsal and
      ventral streams have a similar anatomical layer organization. These pathways are
      parallel and relatively segregated over their subcortical course while their
      terminal fibers are strictly overlapped at the cortical level. Finally, the
      anatomical features of the U-fibers suggested a role of locoregional integration
      between the phonological, semantic, and executive subnetworks of language, in
      particular within the inferoventral frontal lobe and the temporoparietal
      junction, which revealed to be the main criss-cross regions between the dorsal
      and ventral pathways. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3858-3872, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27258126
TI  - A microcosm investigation of fe (iron) removal using macrophytes of ramsar lake:
      A phytoremediation approach.
AB  - The present study deals with the microcosm study of Fe (Iron) phytoremediation
      using Eichhornia crassipes, Lemna minor, Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia cucullata
      species collected from the Loktak Lake, a Ramsar Site which exists in north
      eastern India (an Indo-Burma hotspot region). Efficiency of these four
      macrophytes was compared using different Fe concentrations of 1 mg L(-1), 3 mg L(
      1) and 5 mg L(-1) for 4 days, 8 days and 12 days, respectively. E. crassipes was
      the most efficient macrophyte whereas L. minor was the least efficient. E.
      crassipes removed the highest percentage of Fe, i.e. 89% from 1 mg L(-1), 81.3%
      from 3 mg L(-1) and 73.2% from 5 mg L(-1) in 12-day experiment. 

PMID- 27258136
TI  - Hepatic and renal toxicological evaluations of an industrial ovotoxic chemical, 4
      vinylcyclohexene diepoxide, in both sexes of Wistar rats.
AB  - 4-Vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) is an industrial occupational health hazard
      chemical because it induces ovotoxicity in rodents. The current study
      investigated the impacts of VCD on selected hepatic and renal markers of
      oxidative stress and inflammation in both sexes of Wistar rats. Thus, male and
      female rats were randomly distributed into four groups of ten rats per group, and
      dosed orally with VCD for 28days. The control male and female groups of rats
      received corn oil only, while each of the three remaining groups of both sexes of
      rats received VCD (100, 250 and 500mg/kg BW) respectively. Thereafter, biomarkers
      of hepatic and renal oxidative damage, inflammation and immunohistochemical
      expressions of iNOS, COX-2, caspase-9 and caspase-3 were evaluated. The results
      revealed that VCD increased markers of liver and kidney functions, oxidative
      damage and inflammation, and disrupted the antioxidant homeostasis of the rats
      (p<0.05). Lastly, VCD enhanced the immunohistochemical expressions of iNOS, COX
      2, caspase-9 and caspase-3 in the liver of the rats. Thus, our data imply that
      VCD induced toxicity in the liver and kidney of rats via the combined impacts of
      oxidative damage and inflammation. 

PMID- 27258137
TI  - The herbicide glyphosate is a weak inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase in rats.
AB  - The current work evaluated the inhibitory potency of the herbicide glyphosate
      (GLP) on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in male and female rat tissues. The
      AChE activity in brain was higher (p<0.05) than those observed in kidney
      (females: 2.2-fold; males: 1.9-fold), liver (females: 6-fold; males: 6.9-fold)
      and plasma (females: 14.7-fold; males: 25.3-fold). Enzyme activities were higher
      in presence of 10mM GLP compared to those measured at an equimolar concentration
      of the potent AChE inhibitor dichlorvos (DDVP). Moreover, IC50s for GLP resulted
      between 6*10(4)- and 6.8*10(5)-fold higher than those observed for DDVP. In
      conclusion, GLP is a weak inhibitor of AChE in rats. 

PMID- 27258138
TI  - Apelin-13 in blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular disease.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite extensive pharmacological treatment, hypertension and
      heart failure still pose as high health and economic burden. Thus, novel
      therapeutic approaches are needed to promote more effective treatment of
      hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In this review we summarized recent
      evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of apelin-13, a recently discovered
      endogenous ligand for the G-protein coupled receptor APJ. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Systemic administration of apelin-13 or its posttranslationally modified form,
      pyroglutamate apelin-13, exert vasodilatory and antihypertensive effects. Yet,
      central application of apelin increases blood pressure and its systemic effects
      may be compromised in the presence of endothelial dysfunction. In addition,
      positive inotropic effects by exogenous apelin in the normal and failing heart,
      as well as cardioprotective effects after myocardial infarction, strongly suggest
      its therapeutic potential in preventing and treating heart failure and
      consequences of myocardial ischemia. However, therapeutic use of apelin is
      limited primarily by its short half-life and parenteral administration, and
      significant effort has been directed to the development of novel agonists,
      delivery methods, and improving the efficacy of agonists at APJ. SUMMARY: The
      apelin/APJ axis may represent a new target for the development of novel
      therapeutic approaches for the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular
      disease.

PMID- 27258139
TI  - Biodegradable Oxamide-Phenylene-Based Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles with
      Unprecedented Drug Payloads for Delivery in Cells.
AB  - We describe biodegradable mesoporous hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) in the presence
      of proteins and their applications for drug delivery. We synthesized oxamide
      phenylene-based mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MON) in the absence of a
      silica source which had remarkably high organic content and high surface areas.
      Oxamide functions provided biodegradability in the presence of trypsin model
      proteins. MON displayed exceptionally high payloads of hydrophilic and
      hydrophobic drugs (up to 84 wt %), and a unique zero premature leakage without
      the pore capping, unlike mesoporous silica. MON were biocompatible and
      internalized into cancer cells for drug delivery.

PMID- 27258140
TI  - On-resin N-terminal peptoid degradation: Toward mild sequencing conditions.
AB  - A novel approach to sequentially degrade peptoid N-terminal N
      (substituted)glycine residues on the solid-phase using very mild conditions is
      reported. This method relies on the treatment of resin-bound, bromoacetylated
      peptoids with silver perchlorate in THF, leading to an intramolecular cyclization
      reaction to liberate the terminal residue as a N-substituted morpholine-2,5
      dione, resulting in a truncated peptoid upon hydrolysis and a silver bromide
      byproduct. Side-chain functional group tolerance is explored and reaction
      kinetics are determined. In a series of pentapeptoids possessing variable, non
      nucleophilic side-chains at the second position (R(2) ), we demonstrate that
      sequential N-terminal degradation of the first two residues proceeds in 87% and
      74% conversions on average, respectively. We further demonstrate that the
      degradation reaction is selective for peptoids, and represents substantial
      progress toward a mild, iterative sequencing method for peptoid oligomers. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 726-736, 2016. 

PMID- 27258141
TI  - Differences of Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration (LCA) between Eyes with
      Intraocular Lenses from Different Manufacturers.
AB  - Several researchers have studied the longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA) of
      eyes implanted with an intraocular lens (IOL). We investigated the LCA of eyes
      implanted with yellow-colored IOLs from three different manufacturers: Alcon
      Inc., HOYA Corp., and AMO Inc. The number of subjects was 11, 16, and 16,
      respectively. The LCA of eyes implanted with SN60WF and SN60AT (Alcon Inc.), and
      with XY-1 (HOYA Corp.), was the same as that of phakic eyes. The LCA of eyes with
      ZCB00V (AMO Inc.) was smaller than that of phakic eyes. The LCA of eyes implanted
      with Alcon's and HOYA's IOLs, but not the LCA of eyes implanted with AMO's IOLs,
      was positively correlated with the powers of the IOLs. We also performed
      simulations to verify the impacts of LCA on visual performance for 4-mm pupil
      diameter; the simulations were a polychromatic modulation transfer function (MTF)
      and a visual Strehl ratio computed on the basis of an optical transfer function
      (VSOTF). We concluded that the differences between the LCA of different
      manufacturers do not affect visual performances when some extent of higher-order
      aberration (HOA) exists. The smaller HOA of AMO IOLs may enhance visual
      performance. 

PMID- 27258142
TI  - Whole Genome DNA Sequence Analysis of Salmonella subspecies enterica serotype
      Tennessee obtained from related peanut butter foodborne outbreaks.
AB  - Establishing an association between possible food sources and clinical isolates
      requires discriminating the suspected pathogen from an environmental background,
      and distinguishing it from other closely-related foodborne pathogens. We used
      whole genome sequencing (WGS) to Salmonella subspecies enterica serotype
      Tennessee (S. Tennessee) to describe genomic diversity across the serovar as well
      as among and within outbreak clades of strains associated with contaminated
      peanut butter. We analyzed 71 isolates of S. Tennessee from disparate food,
      environmental, and clinical sources and 2 other closely-related Salmonella
      serovars as outgroups (S. Kentucky and S. Cubana), which were also shot-gun
      sequenced. A whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was
      performed using a maximum likelihood approach to infer phylogenetic
      relationships. Several monophyletic lineages of S. Tennessee with limited SNP
      variability were identified that recapitulated several food contamination events.
      S. Tennessee clades were separated from outgroup salmonellae by more than sixteen
      thousand SNPs. Intra-serovar diversity of S. Tennessee was small compared to the
      chosen outgroups (1,153 SNPs), suggesting recent divergence of some S. Tennessee
      clades. Analysis of all 1,153 SNPs structuring an S. Tennessee peanut butter
      outbreak cluster revealed that isolates from several food, plant, and clinical
      isolates were very closely related, as they had only a few SNP differences
      between them. SNP-based cluster analyses linked specific food sources to several
      clinical S. Tennessee strains isolated in separate contamination events.
      Environmental and clinical isolates had very similar whole genome sequences; no
      markers were found that could be used to discriminate between these sources.
      Finally, we identified SNPs within variable S. Tennessee genes that may be useful
      markers for the development of rapid surveillance and typing methods, potentially
      aiding in traceback efforts during future outbreaks. Using WGS can delimit
      contamination sources for foodborne illnesses across multiple outbreaks and
      reveal otherwise undetected DNA sequence differences essential to the tracing of
      bacterial pathogens as they emerge. 

PMID- 27258144
TI  - Expressing Anger Is More Dangerous than Feeling Angry when Driving.
AB  - Anger is an emotion that drivers often feel and express while driving, and it is
      believed by researchers to be an important cause of dangerous driving behavior.
      In this study, the relationships between driving trait anger, driving anger
      expression, and dangerous driving behaviors were analyzed. The Driving Anger
      Scale (DAS) was used to measure driving trait anger, whereas the Driving Anger
      Expression (DAX) Inventory was used to measure expressions of driving anger. A
      sample of 38 drivers completed the DAS, DAX, and a driving simulation session on
      a simulator where their driving behaviors were recorded. Correlation analysis
      showed that the higher scores on the DAS were associated with longer durations of
      speeding in the simulator. The more participants expressed their anger in verbal
      and physical ways, the more likely they were to crash the virtual vehicle during
      the simulation. Regression analyses illustrated the same pattern. The findings
      suggest that, although trait anger is related to speeding, the passive expression
      of anger is the real factor underling traffic accidents. This study extends
      findings about the predictive effects of self-report scales of driving behaviors
      to behaviors recorded on a simulator. Thus, if in traffic safety propaganda,
      guiding drivers to use positive ways to cope with driving anger is recommended by
      our findings. 

PMID- 27258145
TI  - The Effects of Cattle Manure and Garlic Rotation on Soil under Continuous
      Cropping of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.).
AB  - Continuous cropping of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) can lead to reduced
      yield and quality. We aimed to determine the effects of cattle manure addition
      and rotation with green garlic to improve yield and reduce disease incidence in
      watermelon and to examine the effects on the biological and chemical
      characteristics of the soil. Field experiments were performed during 2012-2014 on
      land previously under two years of continuous watermelon cropping in northwest
      China. We examined three treatment combinations: watermelon and garlic rotation,
      cattle manure application before watermelon planting, and combined cattle manure
      addition and crop rotation. Watermelon monoculture was retained as a control.
      Watermelon yield was significantly higher and disease incidence was lower in the
      treatments than the control. The populations of soil bacteria and actinomycetes
      and the bacteria/fungi ratio increased significantly and soil enzyme activities
      were generally enhanced under treatments. Available nutrients and soil organic
      matter contents were much higher under experimental treatments than the control.
      Results suggest both cattle manure application and garlic rotation can ameliorate
      the negative effects of continuous cropping. The combined treatment of cattle
      manure addition and green garlic rotation was optimal to increase yield, reduce
      disease incidence and enhance soil quality. 

PMID- 27258143
TI  - The Alpha-1A Adrenergic Receptor in the Rabbit Heart.
AB  - The alpha-1A-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtype is associated with cardioprotective
      signaling in the mouse and human heart. The rabbit is useful for cardiac disease
      modeling, but data on the alpha-1A in the rabbit heart are limited. Our objective
      was to test for expression and function of the alpha-1A in rabbit heart. By
      quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qPCR) on mRNA from ventricular
      myocardium of adult male New Zealand White rabbits, the alpha-1B was 99% of total
      alpha-1-AR mRNA, with <1% alpha-1A and alpha-1D, whereas alpha-1A mRNA was over
      50% of total in brain and liver. Saturation radioligand binding identified ~4
      fmol total alpha-1-ARs per mg myocardial protein, with 17% alpha-1A by
      competition with the selective antagonist 5-methylurapidil. The alpha-1D was not
      detected by competition with BMY-7378, indicating that 83% of alpha-1-ARs were
      alpha-1B. In isolated left ventricle and right ventricle, the selective alpha-1A
      agonist A61603 stimulated a negative inotropic effect, versus a positive
      inotropic effect with the nonselective alpha-1-agonist phenylephrine and the beta
      agonist isoproterenol. Blood pressure assay in conscious rabbits using an
      indwelling aortic telemeter showed that A61603 by bolus intravenous dosing
      increased mean arterial pressure by 20 mm Hg at 0.14 MUg/kg, 10-fold lower than
      norepinephrine, and chronic A61603 infusion by iPRECIO programmable micro
      Infusion pump did not increase BP at 22 MUg/kg/d. A myocardial slice model useful
      in human myocardium and an anthracycline cardiotoxicity model useful in mouse
      were both problematic in rabbit. We conclude that alpha-1A mRNA is very low in
      rabbit heart, but the receptor is present by binding and mediates a negative
      inotropic response. Expression and function of the alpha-1A in rabbit heart
      differ from mouse and human, but the vasopressor response is similar to mouse. 

PMID- 27258146
TI  - Effects of four different cooking methods on some quality characteristics of low
      fat Inegol meatball enriched with flaxseed flour.
AB  - The present study is concerned with the effects of four different cooking methods
      (grill, oven, pan and ohmic cooking) on physicochemical parameters (cooking yield
      moisture retention, fat retention, color, texture), fatty acid composition and
      sensory characteristics of low fat Turkish traditional Inegol meatball. Flaxseed
      flour was used as a fat substitute in the production of meatballs. Meatball
      proximate composition was affected by the cooking methods mainly as a consequence
      of the weight losses. The highest cooking yield was found in samples cooked in
      the oven. Flaxseed flour contains high amount of alpha-linolenic acid and ohmic
      cooking seems to be the best cooking method in terms of retaining this fatty acid
      in meatballs enriched with flaxseed flour. However ohmic cooked meatball samples
      had a brighter surface color and harder texture in comparison with meatball
      samples cooked via traditional methods. There was no significant difference
      between the sensory evaluation scores of meatballs. 

PMID- 27258147
TI  - Identification of New Mutations at the PCNA Subunit Interface that Block
      Translesion Synthesis.
AB  - Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) plays an essential role in DNA
      replication and repair by interacting with a large number of proteins involved in
      these processes. Two amino acid substitutions in PCNA, both located at the
      subunit interface, have previously been shown to block translesion synthesis
      (TLS), a pathway for bypassing DNA damage during replication. To better
      understand the role of the subunit interface in TLS, we used random mutagenesis
      to generate a set of 33 PCNA mutants with substitutions at the subunit interface.
      We assayed the full set of mutants for viability and sensitivity to ultraviolet
      (UV) radiation. We then selected a subset of 17 mutants and measured their rates
      of cell growth, spontaneous mutagenesis, and UV-induced mutagenesis. All except
      three of these 17 mutants were partially or completely defective in induced
      mutagenesis, which indicates a partial or complete loss of TLS. These results
      demonstrate that the integrity of the subunit interface of PCNA is essential for
      efficient TLS and that even conservative substitutions have the potential to
      disrupt this process. 

PMID- 27258149
TI  - Consequences for Piglet Performance of Group Housing Lactating Sows at One, Two,
      or Three Weeks Post-Farrowing.
AB  - Housing lactating sows with piglets in a multi-suckling pen from around 14 days
      post-farrowing is common practice in Swedish organic piglet production. However,
      nursing-suckling interaction is less frequent in multi-suckling pens than in
      individual farrowing pens, thus affecting piglet performance, e.g., piglet
      growth. Moreover, piglet mortality is higher in systems using multi-suckling
      pens. Three management routines whereby lactating sows with piglets were moved
      from individual farrowing pens to multi-suckling pens at one, two, or three weeks
      post-farrowing were compared in terms of nursing-suckling interaction and piglet
      performance. Correlations between nursing-suckling interaction, piglet
      performance, and piglet mortality were also examined. In total, 43 Yorkshire sows
      with piglets were included in the study. Nursing-suckling interaction and all
      piglet performance parameters except piglet mortality did not differ between
      management routines. Piglet mortality in the individual farrowing pens did not
      differ between management routines, but piglet mortality in the multi-suckling
      pen was lower (P<0.05) when piglets were group housed at three weeks compared
      with one week post-farrowing. Overall piglet mortality was positively correlated
      with mortality in the multi-suckling pen for piglets group housed at one week (r
      = 0.61: P<0.05) and at two weeks post-farrowing (r = 0.62: P<0.05) but not for
      piglets group housed at three weeks post-farrowing. In conclusion, overall piglet
      mortality could be reduced if sows and piglets are group housed at three weeks
      post-farrowing and piglet survival the first week post-farrowing is improved. 

PMID- 27258150
TI  - Organocatalytic One-Pot Asymmetric Synthesis of Thiolated Spiro-gamma-lactam
      Oxindoles Bearing Three Stereocenters.
AB  - The first asymmetric synthesis of spiro-gamma-lactam oxindoles bearing three
      stereocenters is reported. One-pot thiol-Michael/Mannich/lactamization reactions
      promoted by a recyclable fluorous bifunctional cinchona alkaloid/thiourea
      organocatalyst afford products in moderate to good yields with up to 95% ee and
      6:1 dr.

PMID- 27258151
TI  - Statistical Analyses of Hydrophobic Interactions: A Mini-Review.
AB  - This review focuses on the striking recent progress in solving for hydrophobic
      interactions between small inert molecules. We discuss several new
      understandings. First, the inverse temperature phenomenology of hydrophobic
      interactions, i.e., strengthening of hydrophobic bonds with increasing
      temperature, is decisively exhibited by hydrophobic interactions between atomic
      scale hard sphere solutes in water. Second, inclusion of attractive interactions
      associated with atomic-size hydrophobic reference cases leads to substantial,
      nontrivial corrections to reference results for purely repulsive solutes.
      Hydrophobic bonds are weakened by adding solute dispersion forces to treatment of
      reference cases. The classic statistical mechanical theory for those corrections
      is not accurate in this application, but molecular quasi-chemical theory shows
      promise. Finally, because of the masking roles of excluded volume and attractive
      interactions, comparisons that do not discriminate the different possibilities
      face an interpretive danger.

PMID- 27258148
TI  - Overexpression of PIN1 Enhances Cancer Growth and Aggressiveness with Cyclin D1
      Induction in EBV-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a peculiar Epstein Barr virus (EBV)
      associated malignancy that is prevalent in South-East Asia. Peptidyl-prolyl cis
      trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (PIN1) isomerizes specific phosphorylated
      amino acid residues, which makes it an important regulator in cell survival and
      apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the contribution made by PIN1 in NPC
      tumorigenesis and PIN1's potential role as a therapeutic target. METHODS: The
      expression of PIN1 was examined in a panel of NPC cell lines, xenografts and
      primary tumors. The functional roles of PIN1 in NPC cells were elucidated by the
      knockdown and overexpression of PIN1 in in vitro and in vivo nude mice models by
      siRNA and lenti-viral transfection, respectively. The antitumor effects of the
      PIN1 inhibitor Juglone in NPC cells were also evaluated. RESULTS: We revealed the
      consistent overexpression of PIN1 in almost all EBV-associated NPC cell lines,
      xenografts and primary tumors. PIN1 suppression was capable of inhibiting cyclin
      D1 expression and activating caspase-3 in NPC cells. It positively regulated NPC
      cell proliferation, colony formation and anchorage-independent growth. The
      inhibition of PIN1 suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study demonstrates the oncogenic role of PIN1 in NPC tumorigenesis, and
      shows that its overexpression can enhance tumor cell growth via the upregulation
      of cyclinD1. Our findings inform the development of novel treatments targeting
      PIN1 for NPC patients.

PMID- 27258152
TI  - Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition Induced by Reprogramming Factors Attenuates
      the Malignancy of Cancer Cells.
AB  - Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process of metastatic
      cancer. However, an effective anticancer therapy that directly targets the EMT
      program has not yet been discovered. Recent studies have indicated that
      mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), the reverse phenomenon of EMT, is
      observed in fibroblasts during the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells.
      In the present study, we investigated the effects of reprogramming factors (RFs)
      on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. RFs-introduced cancer cells (RICs)
      demonstrated the enhanced epithelial characteristics in morphology with altered
      expression of mRNA and microRNAs. The motility and invasive activities of RICs in
      vitro were significantly reduced. Furthermore, xenografts of RICs exhibited no
      lymph node metastasis, whereas metastasis was detected in parental SCC-inoculated
      mice. Thus, we concluded that RICs regained epithelial properties through MET and
      showed reduced cancer malignancy in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the
      understanding of the MET process in cancer cells by introduction of RFs may lead
      to the designing of a novel anticancer strategy. 

PMID- 27258153
TI  - Correction: Prognostic Value of Lactate and Central Venous Oxygen Saturation
      after Early Resuscitation in Sepsis Patients.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153305.].

PMID- 27258154
TI  - Safety and efficiency of dexmedetomidine as adjuvant to local anesthetics.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current knowledge of dexmedetomidine as an
      additive drug to local anesthetics in peripheral and neuraxial regional
      anesthesia. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies show a perineural mode of action of
      dexmedetomidine. Pharmacodynamic characteristics of peripheral and neuraxial
      regional anesthetic techniques are optimized by the addition of dexmedetomidine
      to long-acting local anesthetics. Bradycardia and sedation are the main systemic
      side-effects of dexmedetomidine for regional anesthesia purposes. A dose of
      approximately 100 MUg dexmedetomidine for peripheral techniques may represent the
      optimal balance between optimization of block characteristics and side-effects.
      Doses between 3 and 10 MUg are described to be sufficient for spinal
      administration. SUMMARY: Dexmedetomidine has a potency to ameliorate
      pharmacodynamic characteristics of peripheral and neuraxial regional anesthetic
      techniques and is therefore currently the most promising additive drug in
      regional anesthesia. Future scientific efforts should focus on dose finding
      studies for particular regional anesthetic techniques. Approval of
      dexmedetomidine for regional anesthetic indications should be the final target.

PMID- 27258155
TI  - Which patients benefit from regional anaesthesia?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of the review is to examine the possible benefit of
      regional anaesthesia in four areas of perioperative care. These are: the
      relationship between anaesthesia and cancer recurrence; the effects of regional
      anaesthesia in orthopaedic surgery; its use in people with obstructive sleep
      apnoea syndrome; and its potential for preventing chronic postsurgical pain.
      RECENT FINDINGS: There are a number of studies of different designs attempting to
      shed light on these topics. These range from animal work, through observational
      studies including analyses of administrative databases, to randomized controlled
      trials, and systematic reviews. One methodological difficulty within clinical
      investigations is to fully distinguish patients who have received regional
      anaesthesia from those who have received general anaesthesia, as many receive
      regional anaesthesia with sedation and this is not always separately noted, nor
      the degree of sedation recorded. This continues to make interpretation difficult.
      SUMMARY: There is at present little unequivocal, high-quality evidence to confirm
      clear superiority of regional anaesthesia over general anaesthesia for any of the
      conditions described in this article. Perhaps as important as the choice of
      technique is the practitioner's skill and attention to detail; in addition, the
      major contributor to perioperative risk remains the patient and his/her pre
      existing condition.

PMID- 27258156
TI  - Correction: Early Behavioral Abnormalities and Perinatal Alterations of PTEN/AKT
      Pathway in Valproic Acid Autism Model Mice.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153298.].

PMID- 27258157
TI  - Targeting Human alpha-Lactalbumin Gene Insertion into the Goat beta-Lactoglobulin
      Locus by TALEN-Mediated Homologous Recombination.
AB  - Special value of goat milk in human nutrition and well being is associated with
      medical problems of food allergies which are caused by milk proteins such as beta
      lactoglobulin (BLG). Here, we employed transcription activator-like effector
      nuclease (TALEN)-assisted homologous recombination in goat fibroblasts to
      introduce human alpha-lactalbumin (hLA) genes into goat BLG locus. TALEN-mediated
      targeting enabled isolation of colonies with mono- and bi-allelic transgene
      integration in up to 10.1% and 1.1%, respectively, after selection. Specifically,
      BLG mRNA levels were gradually decreasing in both mo- and bi-allelic goat mammary
      epithelial cells (GMECs) while hLA demonstrated expression in GMECs in vitro.
      Gene-targeted fibroblast cells were efficiently used in somatic cell nuclear
      transfer, resulting in production of hLA knock-in goats directing down-regulated
      BLG expression and abundant hLA secretion in animal milk. Our findings provide
      valuable background for animal milk optimization and expedited development for
      agriculture and biomedicine. 

PMID- 27258158
TI  - Investigation of Bias in Continuous Medical Image Label Fusion.
AB  - Image labeling is essential for analyzing morphometric features in medical
      imaging data. Labels can be obtained by either human interaction or automated
      segmentation algorithms, both of which suffer from errors. The Simultaneous Truth
      and Performance Level Estimation (STAPLE) algorithm for both discrete-valued and
      continuous-valued labels has been proposed to find the consensus fusion while
      simultaneously estimating rater performance. In this paper, we first show that
      the previously reported continuous STAPLE in which bias and variance are used to
      represent rater performance yields a maximum likelihood solution in which bias is
      indeterminate. We then analyze the major cause of the deficiency and evaluate two
      classes of auxiliary bias estimation processes, one that estimates the bias as
      part of the algorithm initialization and the other that uses a maximum a
      posteriori criterion with a priori probabilities on the rater bias. We compare
      the efficacy of six methods, three variants from each class, in simulations and
      through empirical human rater experiments. We comment on their properties,
      identify deficient methods, and propose effective methods as solution. 

PMID- 27258159
TI  - The Critical Role Played by the Catalytic Moiety in the Early-Time Photodynamics
      of Hydrogen-Generating Bimetallic Photocatalysts.
AB  - The effect of the catalytic moiety on the early-time photodynamics of Ru/M (M=Pt
      or Pd) bimetallic photocatalysts is studied by ultrafast transient absorption
      spectroscopy. In comparison to the Ru/Pd photocatalyst described earlier, the
      Ru/Pt analogue shows complex excited-state dynamics with three distinct kinetic
      components ranging from sub-ps to 10(2)  ps, requiring a more sophisticated
      photophysical model than that developed earlier for the Ru/Pd complex. In the
      Pu/Pt photocatalyst, an additional lower-lying excited state is proposed to
      quench the hot higher-lying triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer states.
      Furthermore, a strong excitation wavelength dependence on the population of
      excited states is observed for both the Ru/Pt and Ru/Pd complexes, indicating a
      non-equilibrated distribution even on the 10(2)  ps timescale. These insights
      shed light on the significant impact of the catalytic moiety on the fundamental
      early-time photophysics of Ru-based photocatalysts. 

PMID- 27258161
TI  - Detection and Identification of Leachables in Vaccine from Plastic Packaging
      Materials Using UPLC-QTOF MS with Self-Built Polymer Additives Library.
AB  - The direct contact of plastic parts with the medical products raises the
      possibility that plastic-related contaminants (leachables) may be present in the
      finished medical product. The leachable components from plastic materials may
      impact the safety and efficacy of the final medical product, so identification
      and determination of the leachables are essential for the safety assessment of
      medical products. A method to identify main leachables-polymer additives in
      medical products was developed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography
      quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF MS) and a self-built
      library. The library contains 174 additives and the information on their names,
      formulas, structures, retention times, fragments, classifications, origin, and
      corresponding MS(E) and MSMS spectra. The reliability of the construction process
      of the library was guaranteed by the system stability and suitability test.
      Identification parameters of library application, such as mass error, retention
      times, fragments, and isotope pattern, were evaluated. Leachables in real vaccine
      and the intermediates were identified using automatic library searching. In
      vaccine, the peak m/z 239.0887 that could not be assigned by the library was
      identified as dimethyl 2-hydroxy-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylate using a series of
      elucidation tools. As a result, the concentrations of leachables in vaccine and
      the intermediates ranged from 0.85 to 21.91 MUg/L.

PMID- 27258160
TI  - CRISPR-Mediated Triple Knockout of SLAMF1, SLAMF5 and SLAMF6 Supports Positive
      Signaling Roles in NKT Cell Development.
AB  - The SLAM family receptors contribute to diverse aspects of lymphocyte biology and
      signal via the small adaptor molecule SAP. Mutations affecting SAP lead to X
      linked lymphoproliferative syndrome Type 1, a severe immunodysregulation
      characterized by fulminant mononucleosis, dysgammaglobulinemia, and
      lymphoproliferation/lymphomas. Patients and mice having mutations affecting SAP
      also lack germinal centers due to a defect in T:B cell interactions and are
      devoid of invariant NKT (iNKT) cells. However, which and how SLAM family members
      contribute to these phenotypes remains uncertain. Three SLAM family members:
      SLAMF1, SLAMF5 and SLAMF6, are highly expressed on T follicular helper cells and
      germinal center B cells. SLAMF1 and SLAMF6 are also implicated in iNKT
      development. Although individual receptor knockout mice have limited iNKT and
      germinal center phenotypes compared to SAP knockout mice, the generation of multi
      receptor knockout mice has been challenging, due to the genomic linkage of the
      genes encoding SLAM family members. Here, we used Cas9/CRISPR-based mutagenesis
      to generate mutations simultaneously in Slamf1, Slamf5 and Slamf6. Genetic
      disruption of all three receptors in triple-knockout mice (TKO) did not grossly
      affect conventional T or B cell development and led to mild defects in germinal
      center formation post-immunization. However, the TKO worsened defects in iNKT
      cells development seen in SLAMF6 single gene-targeted mice, supporting data on
      positive signaling and potential redundancy between these receptors. 

PMID- 27258163
TI  - Efficient Arsenic Methylation and Volatilization Mediated by a Novel Bacterium
      from an Arsenic-Contaminated Paddy Soil.
AB  - Microbial arsenic (As) methylation and volatilization are important processes
      controlling the As biogeochemical cycle in paddy soils. To further understand
      these processes, we isolated a novel bacterial strain, SM-1, from an As
      contaminated paddy soil. SM-1 showed strong As methylation and volatilization
      abilities, converting almost all arsenite (10 MUM) to dimethylarsenate and
      trimethylarsenic oxide in the medium and trimethylarsine gas into the headspace
      within 24 h, with trimethylarsine accounting for nearly half of the total As. On
      the basis of the 16S rRNA sequence, strain SM-1 represents a new species in a new
      genus within the family Cytophagaceae. Strain SM-1 is abundant in the paddy soil
      and inoculation of SM-1 greatly enhanced As methylation and volatilization in the
      soil. An arsenite methyltransferase gene (ArarsM) was cloned from SM-1. When
      expressed in Escherichia coli, ArArsM conferred the As methylation and
      volatilization abilities to E. coli and increased its resistance to arsenite. The
      high As methylation and volatilization abilities of SM-1 are likely attributed to
      an efficient ArArsM enzyme coupled with low arsenite efflux. These results
      suggest that strain SM-1 plays an important role in As methylation and
      volatilization in the paddy soil and has a great potential for As bioremediation.

PMID- 27258164
TI  - Catalyst-Free Insertion of Sulfoxonium Ylides into Aryl Thiols. A Direct
      Preparation of beta-Keto Thioethers.
AB  - Insertion of sulfoxonium ylides into the S-H bond of aryl thiols without the need
      for a catalyst is demonstrated, furnishing beta-keto thioethers in excellent
      yield in most cases. The method overcomes traditional syntheses that employ metal
      catalysts in combination with diazo compounds or toxic and hard-prepared
      haloketones. The experimental setup consists of mixing the reagents in
      acetonitrile at room temperature. Additional experimental as well as kinetic
      isotopic effect studies give some insight into the mechanism of this reaction.

PMID- 27258165
TI  - Challenges in the Heterologous Production of Antibiotics in Streptomyces.
AB  - The fast growing genome databases provide us with a large number of so far
      unknown secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. A key method to study
      these gene clusters is their heterologous expression in an engineered host
      strain. Gene clusters derived from actinomycetes are usually expressed in a
      Streptomyces host strain to identify and investigate the corresponding compounds.
      However, heterologous expression is often accompanied with some challenges
      affecting the production rates of secondary metabolites. The first step is
      therefore the selection of a suitable expression vector and host strain. Once
      production has been established, there are several possibilities to improve
      compound yields either by media screens, by overexpression of regulatory or
      transport genes or by introduction of constitutive or inducible promoters. A
      surely important, but hitherto little studied factor is also the regulation of a
      heterologously expressed gene cluster by its host strain. This review gives a
      short overview on the chances and challenges provided by heterologous production
      of secondary metabolites in Streptomyces. 

PMID- 27258166
TI  - Familial expansile osteolysis: An Australian case report of a Paget's Disease
      Mimic.
AB  - We report a case of familial expansile osteolysis (FEO) with multimodality
      imaging findings and histopathological correlation in a 42-year-old man
      presenting to a South Australian Emergency Department. FEO is a unique metabolic
      bone condition that is similar in some respects to Paget's disease but distinct
      enough in its clinical, radiological and histological findings to be classified
      as a separate disease process. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern
      and typified by increased osteoclast activity, medullary expansion, and hearing
      and dental problems. These changes can lead to significant morbidity with
      individuals affected suffering from bone pain and pathological fractures. To the
      best of the authors' knowledge, there are no reported cases in the literature
      documenting this disease in Australia. 

PMID- 27258162
TI  - Understanding the contribution of family history to colorectal cancer risk and
      its clinical implications: A state-of-the-science review.
AB  - Persons with a family history (FH) of colorectal cancer (CRC) or adenomas that
      are not due to known hereditary syndromes have an increased risk for CRC. An
      understanding of these risks, screening recommendations, and screening behaviors
      can inform strategies for reducing the CRC burden in these families. A
      comprehensive review of the literature published within the past 10 years has
      been performed to assess what is known about cancer risk, screening guidelines,
      adherence and barriers to screening, and effective interventions in persons with
      an FH of CRC and to identify FH tools used to identify these individuals and
      inform care. Existing data show that having 1 affected first-degree relative
      (FDR) increases the CRC risk 2-fold, and the risk increases with multiple
      affected FDRs and a younger age at diagnosis. There is variability in screening
      recommendations across consensus guidelines. Screening adherence is <50% and is
      lower in persons under the age of 50 years. A provider's recommendation, multiple
      affected relatives, and family encouragement facilitate screening; insufficient
      collection of FH, low knowledge of guidelines, and poor family communication are
      important barriers. Effective interventions incorporate strategies for overcoming
      barriers, but these have not been broadly tested in clinical settings. Four
      strategies for reducing CRC in persons with familial risk are suggested: 1)
      improving the collection and utilization of the FH of cancer, 2) establishing a
      consensus for screening guidelines by FH, 3) enhancing provider-patient knowledge
      of guidelines and communication about CRC risk, and 4) encouraging survivors to
      promote screening within their families and partnering with existing screening
      programs to expand their reach to high-risk groups. Cancer 2016. (c) 2016
      American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2633-2645. (c) 2016 American Cancer
      Society.

PMID- 27258167
TI  - Should all mucosal head and neck cancer patients be treated in high volume
      centres, or can some be appropriately triaged to local centres for treatment.

PMID- 27258168
TI  - Are we training the next generation of proficient radiation oncologists, or just
      better examination candidates?

PMID- 27258169
TI  - Hypofractionated versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for ductal
      carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) in the setting of early invasive
      breast cancer has been shown to have similar local control rates and cosmetic
      outcomes as conventionally fractionated RT. This study compares ipsilateral
      recurrence rates between hypofractionated and conventional RT, with and without a
      boost. The effect of hypofractionated RT and chest wall separation (CWS) on
      cosmetic outcome was also assessed. METHODS: All patients with ductal carcinoma
      in situ (DCIS) treated between 1998 and 2012 across two sites of a single cancer
      institution were retrospectively studied. Patients were analysed according to
      those receiving conventional RT (<=2 Gy per fraction) and those receiving
      hypofractionated RT (>2 Gy per fraction), as well as the presence or absence of a
      tumour bed boost. Data were collected through electronic medical records and
      local cancer registry. Cosmetic outcome was scored by physicians on a four-point
      scale during clinical follow-up appointments. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety
      seven patients were treated for DCIS during the study period. One hundred and
      forty-one were treated with conventional RT, and 56 with hypofractionated RT.
      After a median follow up of 4.4 years, there were 12 ipsilateral recurrences, of
      which seven were invasive disease and five DCIS. Ten recurrences occurred in
      patients who received conventional RT (7.1% recurrence rate) and two in those who
      received hypofractionated RT (3.6% recurrence rate) (P = 0.48). Cosmetic outcomes
      were not significantly different between conventional and hypofractionated RT (P
      = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Hypofractionation represents a suitable alternative for
      treating DCIS in the absence of randomised data.

PMID- 27258171
TI  - Diketopyrrolopyrrole-based Conjugated Polymers Bearing Branched Oligo(Ethylene
      Glycol) Side Chains for Photovoltaic Devices.
AB  - Conjugated polymers are essential for solution-processable organic opto
      electronic devices. In contrast to the great efforts on developing new conjugated
      polymer backbones, research on developing side chains is rare. Herein, we report
      branched oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) as side chains of conjugated polymers.
      Compared with typical alkyl side chains, branched OEG side chains endowed the
      resulting conjugated polymers with a smaller pi-pi stacking distance, higher hole
      mobility, smaller optical band gap, higher dielectric constant, and larger
      surface energy. Moreover, the conjugated polymers with branched OEG side chains
      exhibited outstanding photovoltaic performance in polymer solar cells. A power
      conversion efficiency of 5.37 % with near-infrared photoresponse was demonstrated
      and the device performance could be insensitive to the active layer thickness.

PMID- 27258172
TI  - An electrochemical DNA biosensor based on nitrogen-doped graphene/Au
      nanoparticles for human multidrug resistance gene detection.
AB  - Multidrug resistance (MDR) has become a major obstacle to the adequate treatment
      of cancer patients; thus, there is an urgent need for exploring new strategies
      for early diagnosis of MDR in clinic. Here, we report a novel electrochemical
      biosensor based on nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets functionalized with Au
      nanoparticles (N-G/Au) for sensitive and selective DNA detection. The highly
      conductive nanocomposite layer was characterized by using scanning and
      transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cyclic
      voltammetry. DNA with thiol groups at the 5' end was immobilized on the N-G/Au
      surface via the strong Au-S bond. Differential pulse voltammetry was applied to
      monitor the target DNA hybridization event using methylene blue as an
      electrochemical indicator. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor could detect
      target DNA down to 3.12*10(-15)M with a linear range from 1.0*10(-14) to 1.0*10(
      7)M, showing high sensitivity. Further, the sensing strategy was successfully
      used for detecting MDR1 DNA in real clinical samples. These results will aid in
      developing a new portable detection system for MDR that will allow effective
      diagnosis in the early stages of related cancer. 

PMID- 27258173
TI  - Electrocatalytic determination of nitrite based on straw cellulose/molybdenum
      sulfide nanocomposite.
AB  - Cellulose is the most abundant, renewable, biodegradable natural polymer resource
      on earth, which can be a good substrate for catalysis. In this work, straw
      cellulose has been oxidized through 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical
      (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation, and then a TEMPO oxidized straw cellulose/molybdenum
      sulfide (TOSC-MoS2) composite has been synthesized via a hydrothermal method.
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)
      analysis confirm that TOSC and MoS2 have successfully composited. Scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show
      the TOSC as a carbon nanotube-like structure and edged MoS2 grows on the TOSC
      substrate. The TOSC-MoS2 modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is used as a
      simple and non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) result
      shows TOSC-MoS2 has excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of
      nitrite. The amperometric response result indicates the TOSC-MoS2 modified GCE
      can be used to determine nitrite concentration in wide linear ranges of 6.0-3140
      and 3140-4200uM with a detection limit of 2.0uM. The proposed sensor has good
      anti-interference property. Real sample analysis and the electrocatalytic
      mechanism have also been presented. 

PMID- 27258174
TI  - The Anesthetic Implications of Aqueous Drainage Devices and Glaucoma: A Report of
      a Patient Undergoing Urgent Prone Cervical Decompression and Fusion.
AB  - The pathophysiology of glaucoma and perioperative visual loss is similar. A
      patient with glaucoma may be at increased risk of perioperative visual loss. For
      both, goals of management include optimizing ocular perfusion pressure and oxygen
      delivery. One treatment for refractory glaucoma is an aqueous drainage device;
      however, there is no published literature on the anesthetic management of
      patients with these devices. We present the case of a patient with recalcitrant
      glaucoma treated with an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve who underwent urgent prone surgery.
      Anesthetic implications of aqueous drainage devices and glaucoma are discussed,
      and recommendations are made. 

PMID- 27258175
TI  - Leveraging the Preoperative Clinic to Engage Older Patients in Shared Decision
      Making About Complex Surgery: An Illustrative Case.
AB  - The decision to pursue surgery is often complicated in older adults. A
      multidisciplinary, shared approach to decision-making may improve communication
      between patients and their providers and facilitate complex risk assessment. We
      describe a case of an older adult presenting for complex surgery in which the
      preoperative anesthesia clinic visit was used to facilitate involvement of the
      geriatrics service. This multidisciplinary approach allowed for re-evaluation and
      reiteration of risks and benefits, in-depth discussion of the patient's values
      and goals, and recommendations for care teams downstream in the patient's
      surgical pathway to ensure treatment consistent with patient goals and clinical
      recommendations. 

PMID- 27258176
TI  - A Rare Case of Transverse Sinus Venous Thrombosis Simulating Postdural Puncture
      Headache After Cervical Epidural Injection.
AB  - Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a feared complication related to epidural
      steroid injections. We report a unique case in which all subjective and objective
      findings indicated the diagnosis of PDPH. However, the patient failed appropriate
      conservative and interventional management. Therapeutic failure prompted further
      investigation to establish the correct diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus
      thrombosis. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare, difficult to diagnose,
      but potentially lethal disorder with nonspecific and variable clinical
      presentations, including headache and focal neurological deficits. Performing
      magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venogram should be considered
      early, especially in patients who fail to respond to standard interventions for
      PDPH. 

PMID- 27258177
TI  - Management of a Patient With Tetralogy of Fallot, Congenital Diaphragmatic
      Hernia, and Complete Left Lung Agenesis.
AB  - We describe the rare case of an infant with congenital diaphragmatic hernia,
      unilateral lung agenesis, and unpalliated single-ventricle physiology. Infants
      with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and parallel circulation are at risk for
      maldistribution of systemic and pulmonary blood flow. Optimal perioperative
      management should include an assessment of the ratio of pulmonary to systemic
      blood flow (Qp:Qs). Traditionally, arterial and systemic venous oxygen (SvO2)
      saturations are needed to calculate Qp:Qs. However, in this case, SvO2
      measurement was not feasible. On the basis of a previously described
      relationship, we used 2-site near-infrared spectroscopy to calculate a near
      infrared spectroscopy-derived SvO2, which was then used to estimate Qp:Qs and
      guide goal-directed interventions. 

PMID- 27258178
TI  - Continuous Suprascapular Nerve Block With a Perineural Catheter for Reverse
      Shoulder Arthroplasty Rescue Analgesia in a Patient With Severe Chronic
      Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - Reverse open shoulder arthroplasty requires a comprehensive analgesic plan
      involving regional anesthesia. The commonly performed interscalene brachial
      plexus blockade confers a high likelihood of diaphragmatic paralysis via phrenic
      nerve palsy, making this option riskier in patients with limited pulmonary
      reserve. Continuous blockade of the suprascapular nerve, a more distal branch of
      the C5 and C6 nerve roots, may be a viable alternative. We report a successful
      case of the use of a suprascapular nerve block with continuous programmed
      intermittent bolus perineural analgesia in a patient with severe chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease who underwent reverse open shoulder arthroplasty. 

PMID- 27258179
TI  - Otocephaly Complex: Case Report, Literature Review, and Ethical Considerations.
AB  - Otocephaly complex is a rare and usually lethal syndrome characterized by a set
      of malformations consisting of microstomia, mandibular hypoplasia/agnathia, and
      ventromedial malposition of the ears. Those cases that have been diagnosed
      prenatally have used an ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure to establish a
      definitive airway. However, prenatal diagnosis continues to be challenging,
      primarily because of poor diagnostic sensitivity associated with ultrasonography.
      We present a case of a newborn with an unanticipated otocephaly complex requiring
      emergent airway management. In this report, we discuss the medical and ethical
      issues related to the care of a newborn with this frequently fatal condition. 

PMID- 27258180
TI  - Successful Treatment of Refractory Hypoxemia Secondary to Disseminated
      Histoplasmosis Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.
AB  - Refractory hypoxemia secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is
      associated with high mortality. Extracorporeal membraneoxygenation (ECMO) is an
      accepted strategy for treating refractory hypoxemia in patients with ARDS but is
      relatively contraindicated in the setting of systemic infections. We present a
      case of successful ECMO use in a host with refractory hypoxemia secondary to
      disseminated histoplasmosis with fungemia and discuss our management approach to
      this difficult patient.

PMID- 27258181
TI  - A Web-Based Operating Room Management Educational Tool.
AB  - In 2010, our department instituted a nonclinical, administrative rotation in
      operating room management for anesthesiology residents. Subsequently, we mandated
      the rotation for all senior anesthesiology residents in 2013. In 2014, under the
      auspices of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, we developed a web-based
      module covering the basics of finance, accounting, and operating room management.
      A multiple-choice test was given to residents at the beginning and end of the
      rotation, and we compared the mean scores between residents who took the
      traditional course and residents who took the web-based module. We found no
      significant difference between the groups of residents, suggesting that the web
      based module is as effective as traditional didactics. 

PMID- 27258182
TI  - Dysfunctional miRNA-Mediated Regulation in Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - Past research on pathogenesis of a complex disease suggests that differentially
      expressed message RNAs (mRNAs) can be noted as biomarkers of a disease. However,
      significant miRNA-mediated regulation change might also be more deep underlying
      cause of a disease. In this study, a miRNA-mediated regulation module is defined
      based on GO terms (Gene Ontology terms) from which dysfunctional modules are
      identified as the suspected cause of a disease. A miRNA-mediated regulation
      module contains mRNAs annotated to a GO term and MicroRNAs (miRNAs) which
      regulate the mRNAs. Based on the miRNA-mediated regulation coefficients estimated
      from the expression profiles of the mRNA and the miRNAs, a SW (single regulation
      weight) value is then designed to evaluate the miRNA-mediated regulation change
      of an mRNA, and the modules with significantly differential SW values are thus
      identified as dysfunctional modules. The approach is applied to Chromophobe renal
      cell carcinoma and it identifies 70 dysfunctional miRNA-mediated regulation
      modules from initial 4381 modules. The identified dysfunctional modules are
      detected to be comprehensive reflection of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. The
      proposed approach suggests that accumulated alteration in miRNA-mediated
      regulation might cause functional alterations, which further cause a disease.
      Moreover, this approach can also be used to identify diffentially miRNA-mediated
      regulated mRNAs showing more comprehensive underlying association with a disease
      than differentially expressed mRNAs. 

PMID- 27258183
TI  - Mechanical Energy Recovery during Walking in Patients with Parkinson Disease.
AB  - The mechanisms of mechanical energy recovery during gait have been thoroughly
      investigated in healthy subjects, but never described in patients with Parkinson
      disease (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether such mechanisms
      are preserved in PD patients despite an altered pattern of locomotion. We
      consecutively enrolled 23 PD patients (mean age 64+/-9 years) with bilateral
      symptoms (H&Y >=II) if able to walk unassisted in medication-off condition
      (overnight suspension of all dopaminergic drugs). Ten healthy subjects (mean age
      62+/-3 years) walked both at their 'preferred' and 'slow' speeds, to match the
      whole range of PD velocities. Kinematic data were recorded by means of an
      optoelectronic motion analyzer. For each stride we computed spatio-temporal
      parameters, time-course and range of motion (ROM) of hip, knee and ankle joint
      angles. We also measured kinetic (Wk), potential (Wp), total (WtotCM) energy
      variations and the energy recovery index (ER). Along with PD progression, we
      found a significant correlation of WtotCM and Wp with knee ROM and in particular
      with knee extension in terminal stance phase. Wk and ER were instead mainly
      related to gait velocity. In PD subjects, the reduction of knee ROM significantly
      diminished both Wp and WtotCM. Rehabilitation treatments should possibly
      integrate passive and active mobilization of knee to prevent a reduction of gait
      related energetic components. 

PMID- 27258184
TI  - Size-Dependent Catalytic Activity of Palladium Nanoparticles Fabricated in Porous
      Organic Polymers for Alkene Hydrogenation at Room Temperature.
AB  - Ultrafine palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) with 8 and 3 nm sizes were effectively
      fabricated in triazine functionalized porous organic polymer (POP) TRIA that was
      developed by nonaqueous polymerization of 2,4,6-triallyoxy-1,3,5-triazine. The Pd
      NPs encapsulated POP (Pd-POP) was fully characterized using several techniques.
      Further studies revealed an excellent capability of Pd-POP for catalytic transfer
      hydrogenation of alkenes at room temperature with superior catalytic performance
      and high selectivity of desired products. Highly flammable H2 gas balloon at high
      pressure and temperature used in conventional hydrogenation reactions was not
      needed in the present synthetic system. Catalytic activity is strongly dependent
      on the size of encapsulated Pd NPs in the POP. The Pd-POP catalyst with Pd NPs of
      8 nm in diameter exhibited higher catalytic activity for alkene hydrogenation as
      compared with the Pd-POP catalyst encapsulating 3 nm Pd NPs. Computational
      studies were undertaken to gain insights into different catalytic activities of
      these two Pd-POP catalysts. High reusability and stability as well as no Pd
      leaching of these Pd-POP catalysts make them highly applicable for hydrogenation
      reactions at room temperature. 

PMID- 27258185
TI  - The role of CTLA-4 and PD-1 in anti-tumor immune response and their potential
      efficacy against osteosarcoma.
AB  - Immunotherapy is proved to be a promising therapeutic strategy against human
      malignancies. Evasion of immune surveillance is considered to be a major factor
      of malignant progression. Inhibitory receptors, especially CTLA-4 and PD-1, are
      found to play critical roles in the mediation of anti-tumor immune efficacy.
      Thus, antibodies targeting these immune checkpoints have emerged as the
      attractive treatment approaches to those patients with cancer. Osteosarcoma is
      highly malignant and current treatment remains a challenge, especially for those
      patients with metastasis. Despite some achievements, the effect of immunotherapy
      against osteosarcoma is still unsatisfactory. The present review attempts to show
      the role and mechanism of CTLA-4 and PD-1 in immune response and summarize the
      recent findings related to the effect of inhibitory receptor antibodies on the
      immune response against tumors, especially osteosarcoma, and the correlation
      between PD-1 or/and CTLA-4 expression and outcome of osteosarcoma patients. We
      further discuss the utilization of the combination therapy against osteosarcoma. 

PMID- 27258186
TI  - The role of regulatory B cells (Bregs) in the Tregs-amplifying effect of
      Sirolimus.
AB  - Sirolimus can significantly amplify regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vivo and in
      vitro, but the specific mechanism of this has not been well documented. The role
      of regulatory B cells (Bregs) in the Tregs-amplifying effect of Sirolimus was
      investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro in this
      study. The results showed that the percentages of both CD19+CD24+CD38+TGF-beta1+
      Bregs and CD19+CD24+CD38+IL-10+ Bregs to B cells were elevated by Sirolimus in
      PBMCs including B cells. Sirolimus significantly enhances the cytokine production
      of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in
      PBMCs with B cells, and the enhancement significantly decreased in PBMCs without
      B cells. The percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs to T cells was also elevated by
      Sirolimus in PBMCs including B cells. The elevation of Tregs percentage decreased
      in PBMCs without B cells and recovered when additional TGF-beta1 and IL-10 were
      added. The amplification of Tregs by Sirolimus was partially inhibited when
      either TGF-beta1 or IL-10 was neutralized, and it even disappeared when these two
      cytokines were both neutralized. These results indicate that Sirolimus can
      amplify Bregs and Tregs in PBMCs in vitro, and Bregs may be the why Sirolimus
      amplifies Tregs. 

PMID- 27258187
TI  - Could B7-H4 serve as a target to activate anti-cancer immunity?
AB  - It has been over 13years since the identification of B7-H4, the co-stimulatory
      molecule of B7 family members. While B7-H4 mRNA is widely distributed protein
      expression seems to be limited on tissues. Various cytokines and inflammatory
      mediators induce the expression of B7-H4. However, the specific regulatory
      mechanisms of B7-H4 remain to be defined. Recently, it has been shown that B7-H4
      executes an inhibitory function in the T-cell response via reduced expansion,
      cell cycle arrest, decreased cytokine secretion and induced apoptosis of
      activated T-cells. Furthermore, B7-H4 suppresses the function of antigen
      presenting cells (APCs) and promotes the proliferation and development of
      regulatory T-cells (Treg). Moreover, a growing body of literature demonstrates
      that various cancers express B7-H4 and that the expression levels of B7-H4
      correlate with cancer size, histological type, pathologic stage, grade,
      infiltration, lymph node metastasis, cancer progression, recurrence and death.
      The over-expression of B7-H4 in cancer may be related to an increased resistance
      to immune responses. The aim of this review is to supply an overview of the
      advances in the regulation and function of B7-H4. Additionally, many studies have
      suggested that B7-H4 is a molecular target for therapeutic intervention in cancer
      and that targeting B7-H4 may have promising potential for improving the efficacy
      of immunotherapy for cancer patients. 

PMID- 27258188
TI  - Mechanisms of histone lysine-modifying enzymes: A computational perspective on
      the role of the protein environment.
AB  - Epigenetic pathways are involved in a wide range of diseases, including cancer
      and neurological disorders. Specifically, histone modifying and reading processes
      are the most broadly studied and are targeted by several licensed drugs. Although
      there have been significant advances in understanding the mechanistic aspects
      underlying epigenetic regulation, the development of selective small-molecule
      inhibitors remains a challenge. Experimentally, it is generally difficult to
      elucidate the atomistic basis for substrate recognition, as well as the sequence
      of events involved in binding and the subsequent chemical processes. In this
      regard, computational modelling is particularly valuable, since it can provide
      structural features (including transition state structures along with kinetic and
      thermodynamic parameters) that enable both qualitative and quantitative
      evaluation of the mechanistic details involved. Here, we summarize knowledge
      gained from computational modelling studies elucidating the role of the protein
      environment in histone-lysine modifying and reading mechanisms. We give a
      perspective on the importance of calculations to aid and advance the
      understanding of these processes and for the future development of selective
      inhibitors for epigenetic regulators.

PMID- 27258189
TI  - A theoretical study of pi-stacking interactions in C-substituted tetrazoles.
AB  - The pi-stacking effects of benzene ring (Ben) with 1H- and 2H-tetrazole
      derivatives (1H-TZ-X and 2H-TZ-X) substituted at C5 (where X is Cl, COH, NO, NO2,
      CN, NH2, OH, OCH3, SH and H) has been investigated by the quantum mechanical
      calculations at the M06-2X/6-311++G** level. The results indicate the 1H-TZ
      X||Ben complexes (|| donates pi-stacking interaction) are more stable than 2H-TZ
      X||Ben while in unstacked forms, 1H-TZ-X is less stable than 2H-TZ-X. All
      substituents enhance the pi-stacking interaction relative to the unsubstituted
      ones and enhancement is higher for the electron-withdrawing substituents (EWSs).
      Also, investigation of the local and direct effect of substituents in stacking
      interaction showed that all substituents regardless of whether are electron
      donating or electron withdrawing have an additive effect in pi-stacking
      interaction. Excellent correlations were found between the binding energies of
      the complexes and combination of substituent constant terms. The results showed
      that the electrostatic interaction alone is not responsible for stacking
      stabilization but charge penetration is important. Furthermore, analysis of
      aromaticity, AIM, ESP and NPA were investigated to obtain aromaticity index, non
      bonding interactions, chemical reactivity and polarity (dipole moment),
      respectively.

PMID- 27258190
TI  - Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral and Redox-Green C-H Bond
      Functionalization.
AB  - Transition-metal-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization has become one of the most
      promising strategies to prepare complex molecules from simple precursors.
      However, the utilization of environmentally unfriendly oxidants in the oxidative
      C-H bond functionalization reactions reduces their potential applications in
      organic synthesis. This account describes our recent efforts in the development
      of a redox-neutral C-H bond functionalization strategy for direct addition of
      inert C-H bonds to unsaturated double bonds and a redox-green C-H bond
      functionalization strategy for realization of oxidative C-H functionalization
      with O2 as the sole oxidant, aiming to circumvent the problems posed by utilizing
      environmentally unfriendly oxidants. In principle, these redox-neutral and redox
      green strategies pave the way for establishing new environmentally benign
      transition-metal-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization strategies.

PMID- 27258191
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27258192
TI  - Mirtazapine: A Drug with Many Palliative Uses #314.

PMID- 27258193
TI  - Wolf (Canis lupus) Generation Time and Proportion of Current Breeding Females by
      Age.
AB  - Information is sparse about aspects of female wolf (Canis lupus) breeding in the
      wild, including age of first reproduction, mean age of primiparity, generation
      time, and proportion of each age that breeds in any given year. We studied these
      subjects in 86 wolves (113 captures) in the Superior National Forest (SNF),
      Minnesota (MN), during 1972-2013 where wolves were legally protected for most of
      the period, and in 159 harvested wolves from throughout MN wolf range during 2012
      2014. Breeding status of SNF wolves were assessed via nipple measurements, and
      wolves from throughout MN wolf range, by placental scars. In the SNF, proportions
      of currently breeding females (those breeding in the year sampled) ranged from
      19% at age 2 to 80% at age 5, and from throughout wolf range, from 33% at age 2
      to 100% at age 7. Excluding pups and yearlings, only 33% to 36% of SNF females
      and 58% of females from throughout MN wolf range bred in any given year.
      Generation time for SNF wolves was 4.3 years and for MN wolf range, 4.7 years.
      These findings will be useful in modeling wolf population dynamics and in wolf
      genetic and dog-domestication studies. 

PMID- 27258194
TI  - Suppressing Respiration Effects when Geometric Distortion Is Corrected
      Dynamically by Phase Labeling for Additional Coordinate Encoding (PLACE) during
      Functional MRI.
AB  - Echo planar imaging (EPI) suffers from geometric distortions caused by magnetic
      field inhomogeneities, which can be time-varying as a result of small amounts of
      head motion that occur over seconds and minutes during fMRI experiments, also
      known as "dynamic geometric distortion". Phase Labeling for Additional Coordinate
      Encoding (PLACE) is a promising technique for geometric distortion correction
      without reduced temporal resolution and in principle can be used to correct for
      motion-induced dynamic geometric distortion. PLACE requires at least two EPI
      images of the same anatomy that are ideally acquired with no variation in the
      magnetic field inhomogeneities. However, head motion and lung ventilation during
      the respiratory cycle can cause changes in magnetic field inhomogeneities within
      the EPI pair used for PLACE. In this work, we exploited dynamic off-resonance in
      k-space (DORK) and averaging to correct the within EPI pair magnetic field
      inhomogeneities; and hence proposed a combined technique (DORK+PLACE+averaging)
      to mitigate dynamic geometric distortion in EPI-based fMRI while preserving the
      temporal resolution. The performance of the combined DORK, PLACE and averaging
      technique was characterized through several imaging experiments involving test
      phantoms and six healthy adult volunteers. Phantom data illustrate reduced
      temporal standard deviation of fMRI signal intensities after use of combined
      dynamic PLACE, DORK and averaging compared to the standard processing and static
      geometric distortion correction. The combined technique also substantially
      improved the temporal standard deviation and activation maps obtained from human
      fMRI data in comparison to the results obtained by standard processing and static
      geometric distortion correction, highlighting the utility of the approach. 

PMID- 27258195
TI  - Controlled reperfusion reduces hemorheological alterations in a porcine
      infrarenal aortic-clamping ischemia-reperfusion model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Restoration of blood flow after prolonged acute ischemia causes
      further injury to tissues. The role of increased oxidative stress is emphasized
      in the pathogenesis, and impairment of hemorheological factors may also hinder
      proper microcirculation. Controlled reperfusion at lowered pressure with diluted
      blood may help to decrease reperfusion injury. METHODS: Four-hour infrarenal
      aortic clamping was performed in 16 Yorkshire pigs. In 8 animals blood flow was
      restored subsequently (full reperfusion, FR), in the other 8 animals clamping was
      followed by an initial 30 minutes of controlled reperfusion (CR) at 60 mmHg
      pressure with a 1 : 1 ratio mixture of blood and reperfusion solution. Blood
      samples were taken before the intervention, at the end of ischemia, 15 minutes,
      60 minutes, 1 day and 1 week after the start of reperfusion. Hemorheological
      parameters were measured. RESULTS: Hematocrit, plasma and whole blood viscosity
      decreased significantly during CR, these attenuated at 1 day. At 1 week whole
      blood and plasma viscosities were elevated in the FR group. Erythrocyte
      deformability did not change significantly at any measurements. Erythrocyte
      aggregation decreased during CR but not in FR, and was found elevated in both
      groups at 1 week. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest slightly improved
      hemorheological properties in case of controlled reperfusion compared to full
      reperfusion, which may help to reduce tissue damage.

PMID- 27258196
TI  - Parametric imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasound for differentiating
      hepatocellular carcinoma from metastatic liver cancer.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of parametric imaging with contrast
      enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) for differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) from
      metastatic liver cancer(MLC). METHODS: 30 HCCs (mean diameter, 3.6+/-1.3 cm;
      range, 2.1-5.0 cm) and 30 MLCs (mean diameter, 2.8+/-1.5 cm; range, 1.2-5.0 cm)
      pathologically diagnosed or confirmed by clinical criteria that underwent CEUS
      were randomly included. CEUS was carried out using a multifrequency transducer (2
      4 MHz) and a bolus injection of 2.4 mL SonoVue. The CEUS clips of the targeted
      lesion were recorded continuously for 6 minutes. By analyzing CEUS clips,
      parametric image could be obtained using the SonoLiver(r) software automatically.
      Quantitative parameters were compared between HCC and MLC groups. Receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was further performed on parameters
      with significant difference between two groups. RESULTS: On parametric imaging,
      the maximum intensity, rise time, time to peak, mean transit time and washout
      time for HCC and MLC were 185.6+/-148.0 vs. 95.2+/-58.6 (P = 0.003), 25.7+/-6.3 s
      vs. 23.8+/-8.8 s (P = 0.341), 30.7+/-7.9 s vs. 27.8+/-10.5 s (P = 0.246), 90.2+/
      45.7 s vs. 89.3+/-40.3 s (P = 0.805), 63.4+/-29.5 s vs. 37.2+/-33.8 s (P =
      0.005), respectively. ROC analysis was further performed for washout time and it
      showed a cut-off point of 43.765 s for the differentiation between HCC and MLC,
      with the AUC value of 0.780 (95% CI: 0.646-0.914). The corresponding diagnostic
      specificity, sensitivity and accuracy were 72.0%, 84.6% and 78.4% respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Parametric imaging of CEUS can display perfusion effects of HCC and
      MLC objectively and visually and washout time may serve as a useful parameter on
      the differential diagnosis between HCC and MLC.

PMID- 27258197
TI  - Regular walking improves plasma protein concentrations that promote blood
      hyperviscosity in women 65-74 yr with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of
      regular treadmill walking on plasma factors that increase low-shear blood
      viscosity and red blood cell aggregation in older women with type 2 diabetes.
      METHODS: Eighteen women with type 2 diabetes (age: 69+/-3 yr; body mass index:
      30.5+/-5.0 kg?m-2) performed 12-wk of 120 min?wk-1 of supervised treadmill
      walking at an intensity equivalent to the gas-exchange threshold. Peak exercise
      values, anthropometry and blood indices of diabetic status, markers of
      inflammation, and plasma fibrinogen were analysed during a 6-wk pre-training
      'control' period, and then after 6 and 12-wk of regular walking. RESULTS: Regular
      walking significantly increased peak oxygen uptake (p = 0.01). Body mass, waist
      to hip ratio, and glycaemic control did not change. Systolic and diastolic blood
      pressures decreased by 8.5% (p < 0.01) and 7.2% (p < 0.01) respectively,
      cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio decreased by 9.6% (p = 0.01),
      and HDL concentration significantly increased (p = 0.01). While 12 wk of regular
      walking did not significantly alter plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL
      6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha, or C-reactive protein, plasma fibrinogen
      concentration decreased by 6.9% (p < 0.01) and plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10)
      concentration increased from 1.15+/-0.32 to 1.62+/-0.22 mmol?L-1 (p < 0.04).
      CONCLUSIONS: Improved plasma inflammatory profile and decreased plasma fibrinogen
      concentration is induced by regular walking, independent of glycaemic control.
      These factors may mediate the improved haemorheology associated with exercise
      training in metabolic disorders.

PMID- 27258198
TI  - Skin microvascular reactivity in patients with hypothyroidism.
AB  - Hypothyroidism is associated with impaired vascular function; however, little is
      known about its impact on microcirculation. We aimed to determine skin
      microvascular reactivity in hypothyroidism focusing on endothelial function and
      the sympathetic response. We measured skin laser Doppler (LD) flux (LDF) on the
      volar forearm and the finger pulp using LD flowmetry in hypothyroid patients (N =
      13) and healthy controls (N = 15). Skin microvascular reactivity was assessed by
      a three-minute occlusion of the brachial artery, inducing postocclusive reactive
      hyperaemia (PRH), and by a four-minute local cooling of the hand. An
      electrocardiogram (ECG), digital artery blood pressure and skin temperature at
      the measuring sites were recorded. Baseline LDF, the digital artery blood
      pressure and the heart rate were comparable between patients and controls. On the
      other hand, patients exhibited significantly longer PRH duration, significantly
      higher blood pressure during cooling (unpaired t-test, p <0.05) and lower, albeit
      not significant, LDF in the ipsilateral finger pulp during cooling compared to
      controls. Unexpectedly, the results of the present study point to an increased
      vasodilator capacity of skin microcirculation and an apparent increase in
      sympathetic reactivity after local cooling in hypothyroid patients.
      Hypothyroidism induces subtle changes of some haemodynamic parameters in skin
      microcirculation implying altered endothelial function and altered sympathetic
      reactivity.

PMID- 27258199
TI  - Red blood cell deformability is reduced in homozygous sickle cell disease
      patients with leg ulcers.
AB  - Previous reports differ as to whether a decreased elongation index (EI), a proxy
      for red blood cell (RBC) deformability, is associated with leg ulcers (LU) in
      people with homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD). We sought to determine whether
      erythrocyte deformability (ED) and haematological indices were associated with
      the presence of LU in patients with SCD. The study design was cross-sectional.
      Twenty-seven patients with LU and 23 with no history of ulceration were recruited
      into the study. A laser assisted rotational red cell analyzer was used in the
      determination of the EI. Haematological indices were determined using a CELL-DYN
      Ruby haematology analyzer. Data were normally distributed and presented as
      means+/-SD. Two-sample t-test was used to test for associations between
      haemorheological variables in SCD patients with and without LU. Statistical
      significance was taken as p < 0.05. The EI was significantly lower in the group
      with ulcers (0.30+/-0.07 vs. 0.35+/-0.07, p = 0.02). Haematological indices were
      comparable in patients with and without LU. Erythrocyte deformability, but not
      haematological indices, was associated with LU in patients with SCD.

PMID- 27258200
TI  - Effects of haemoglobin levels on the sublingual microcirculation in pregnant
      women.
AB  - Anemia in pregnant women is associated with increased maternal and perinatal
      mortality and represents an important economic burden in many developing
      countries. Our goal was to evaluate the impact of anemia on the capillary network
      during pregnancy. Therefore, we compared microcirculatory parameters of anemic
      pregnant study participants to that of non-anemic pregnant women employing
      sublingual microcirculation video imaging technology and novel automated video
      analysis software.Non-anemic (n = 7) and anemic (n = 44) pregnant women were
      enrolled in the study at second and third trimesters. Video imaging was applied
      to the sublingual mucosal surface in five visual fields. The resultant videos
      were analyzed automatically, avoiding observer bias. Total vessel density (TVD),
      perfused vessel density (PVD) and proportion of perfused vessels (PPV) were
      calculated by the software. Both, mean TVD and PVD were significantly increased
      in the anemic pregnant group, while the PPV was not significantly different.
      Significant negative correlations were observed between haemoglobin (Hb) levels
      and both, TVD and PVD. Haemoglobin level seems to play an important determinant
      role in restructuring the capillary network. An effect that could compensate the
      impaired tissue oxygen delivery associated with anemia during pregnancy.

PMID- 27258201
TI  - Characterization of cervical lymph nodes using DCE-MRI: Differentiation between
      metastases from SCC of head and neck and benign lymph nodes.
AB  - PURPOSES: To compare the characteristics of DCE-MRI between metastatic and benign
      lymph nodes (LNs). To explore the effect of sizes of LNs on the value of Ktrans,
      Ve and iAUC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Metastatic and benign LNs were
      retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square test and two sample t-test were applied to
      TICs and parameters. One factor covariance analysis was used to explore the
      effect of diameters on the value of Ktrans, Ve and iAUC. RESULTS: The value of
      Ktrans, Ve and iAUC of metastatic LNs were statistically higher (all p < 0.001)
      than those of benign LNs. The short-axis diameters had no influence on
      parameters. CONCLUSIONS: DCE-MRI is useful to differentiate the metastatic LNs
      from benign LNs. Sizes of LNs has no effect on parameters.

PMID- 27258202
TI  - Identification of erythrocyte biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative
      disease of the motor system. It has been hypothesised that red blood cells (RBCs)
      may be involved in the disease process by the release of damaging molecules.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of this ex vivo study is to compare RBCs biochemical and
      hemorheological parameters between ALS patients and healthy donors to identify
      novel biomarkers of the ALS disease. METHODS: We included 82 ALS patients and 40
      gender age-matched healthy donors. We performed quantification of erythrocyte
      aggregation and deformability, nitric oxide (NO) efflux from RBCs,
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity and intraerythrocytic concentration
      of nitrite, nitrate and S-nitrosogluthatione (GSNO). RESULTS: Erythrocyte
      deformability and AChE activity were increased in patients with ALS in comparison
      to healthy donors. NO efflux from RBCs and concentration of intraerythrocytic
      nitrite were lower in ALS patients. In patients, we found that for higher NO
      range of values the respiratory function is worse and that for higher AChE range
      of values the RBCs nitrite content increase. CONCLUSION: The results of the
      present study indicate that NO efflux from RBCs and RBCs AChE should be further
      explored as potential biomarkers for ALS.

PMID- 27258203
TI  - Serum RDW and MPV in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Can they show the disease activity?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine RDW and MPV levels in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and to
      investigate their relations with disease activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 133
      patients with AS (male: 80, female: 53) and age-sex matched 133 controls (male:
      79, female: 54) were enrolled. Demographic data, disease activity scores,
      Complete Blood Count (CBC), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive
      Protein (CRP) levels were recorded. RESULTS: The mean ages of patients and
      controls were 41.9+/-11.2 and 39.7+/-14.2 years respectively (p = 0.16). RDW
      (14.5+/-1.6% and 13.2+/-0.8%, p < 0.0001 respectively) and MPV (10.1+/-0.8fl and
      9.9+/-0.7fl, p = 0.03, respectively) were significantly higher in patients with
      AS than in controls. There was a significant difference in RDW between patients
      with active AS (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) >4)
      and those with inactive AS (BASDI <4) patients (14.84+/-1.79fl, 14.24+/-1.37fl, p
      = 0.035 respectively). RDW was positively correlated with BASDAI (r = 0.33, P <
      0.0001), ESR (r = 0.45, P < 0.0001) and CRP (r = 0.42, P < 0.0001) and PLT levels
      (r = 0.24, P = 0.004). While MPV was not correlated with BASDAI, it was
      negatively correlated with ESR (r = -0.19, P = 0.03), CPR (r = -0.26, P = 0.004)
      and PLT levels (r = -0.39, P = <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: RDW and MPV were
      significantly higher in the patients with AS than in the controls. While RDW was
      correlated with BASDAI and APRs, MPV was only correlated with APRs.

PMID- 27258204
TI  - The effects of oral acetylsalicylic acid on blood fluidity and infusion speed in
      the cancer patients with PICC.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the influence of oral acetylsalicylic acid
      on blood fluidity and infusion speed in the cancer patients with Peripherally
      Inserted Central Catheter (PICC). BACKGROUND: PICC is placed for prolonged
      chemotherapy of cancer patients. The fibrin sheaths, which consist of cellular
      substance and non-cellular substance, generate at the place of insertion and grow
      down all over the catheter. Finally they cover the vent of the catheter and lead
      to catheter dysfunctions such as the decrease of infusion speed. In addition, the
      high viscosity status of cancer patients could lead to acute embolization, which
      adds to the high risk of death. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS:
      This research was carried out between April 2013 and January 2014 in the second
      hospital of Xiangya, Central South University in Changsha, China. Initially 96
      cancer participants with PICC were chosen and randomly allocated to experimental
      and control group. The participants of the experimental group were conducted
      route PICC maintain technique and took acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg per day after
      dinner, while the control group received route PICC maintain technique only. The
      infusion speed and hemorheology indexes of the two groups were tested before our
      study and at the end of the 2nd and 4th months with several instruments. RESULTS:
      Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that taking acetylsalicylic acid
      orally had significant main effect on high shear blood viscosity and red blood
      cell deformability index (P < 0.05), and it also had significant main effect as
      well as time effect on plasma viscosity (P < 0.05); and time had significant main
      effect as well as interaction effect with oral acetylsalicylic acid on low shear
      blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation index (P < 0.05). Repeated
      measures ANOVA also showed that taking acetylsalicylic acid orally had
      significant main effect, time effect and interaction effect on infusion speed (P
      < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Oral acetylsalicylic acid could improve hemorheology
      condition and the infusion speed related to fibrin sheath in the cancer patients.

PMID- 27258205
TI  - Altered microrheological parameters in Raynaud's phenomenon.
AB  - Raynaud's phenomenon is an episodic, painful attack of the acral parts caused by
      local diminished blood supply. The aim of our study was to examine
      hemorheological parameters, cold agglutinins, cryoglobulins and their
      relationship in patients suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon.Blood was taken from
      74 patients (mean age: 48 years, female/male: 56/18). Cold agglutinins and
      cryoglobulins were determined. Hemorheological parameters were also measured such
      as hematocrit, plasma and whole blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation and
      deformability. Results were compared to a group of 58 healthy controls (mean age:
      31.5 years, female/male: 24/34).Cold agglutinins were positive in 70%,
      cryoglobulins in 43% of patients. When compared to healthy controls, increased
      red blood cell aggregation (64.54  +/-  8.93 vs. 61.11  +/-  7.05) and decreased
      red blood cell deformability (0.669  +/-  0.002 vs. 0.681  +/-  0.001) was
      observed in Raynaud's patients (p < 0.05), but there were no differences in
      hematocrit (43.27% +/- 3.85 vs. 44.10% +/- 3.70), plasma (1.27 mPas +/- 0.08 vs.
      1.24 mPas +/- 0.09) and whole blood viscosity (4.12 mPas +/- 0.52 vs. 4.26 mPas
      +/- 0.46). No differences were found between the hemorheological profile of cold
      agglutinin/cryoglobulin positive and negative patients. Also primary and
      secondary Raynaud's patients had similar rheological profile.Erythrocyte
      aggregation and deformability seems to be unfavorable in Raynaud's patients that
      can play a role in the disturbance of the microcirculation.

PMID- 27258206
TI  - Exploring the Effect of Ligand Structural Isomerism in Langmuir-Blodgett Films of
      Chiral Luminescent Eu(III) Self-Assemblies.
AB  - Here we have investigated the influence of the antenna group position on both the
      formation of chiral amphiphilic Eu(III) -based self-assemblies in CH3 CN solution
      and, on the ability to form monolayers on the surface of quartz substrates using
      the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, by changing from the 1-naphthyl (2(R), 2(S)) to
      the 2-naphthyl (1(R), 1(S)) position. The evaluation of binding constants of the
      self- assemblies in CH3 CN solution was achieved using conventional techniques
      such as UV/Visible and luminescence spectroscopies along with more specific
      circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The binding constants obtained for EuL,
      EuL2 and EuL3 species in the case of 2-naphthyl derivatives were comparable to
      those obtained for 1-naphthyl derivatives. The analysis of the changes in the CD
      spectra of 1(R) and 1(S) upon addition of Eu(III) not only allowed us to evaluate
      the values of the binding constants but the resulting recalculated spectra may
      also be used as fingerprints for assignment of the chiral self-assembly species
      formed in solution. The obtained monolayers were predominantly formed from EuL3
      (~85 %) with the minor species present in ~15 % EuL2 . 

PMID- 27258207
TI  - No detection of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae from Swedish patients,
      1996-2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of respiratory infections
      which can cause life-threatening pneumonia and serious extrapulmonary
      manifestations. Since the year 2000, the emergence of macrolide-resistant M.
      pneumoniae strains has increased with varying incidences across countries. In
      China more than 90% of the strains are resistant. M. pneumoniae diagnostics is
      mostly done with molecular methods, and in Sweden antibiotic resistance
      surveillance is not routinely performed. The prevalence of macrolide-resistant M.
      pneumoniae has not previously been studied in Sweden. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A
      total of 563 M. pneumoniae-positive respiratory samples, collected from four
      counties in Sweden between 1996 and 2013, were screened for mutations associated
      with macrolide resistance using a duplex FRET real-time PCR method. The real-time
      PCR targets the 23S rRNA gene, and differentiation between wild-type and
      resistant strains was achieved with a melting curve analysis. RESULTS: Of the 563
      samples included, 548 were analyzed for mutations associated with macrolide
      resistance. No mutations were found. The detection rate of macrolide-resistant M.
      pneumoniae in this study was 0% [0.00-0.84%]. CONCLUSION: No macrolide-resistant
      M. pneumoniae has been detected in Sweden. However, the emergence and spread of
      macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae strains in many countries commands continuous
      epidemiological surveillance.

PMID- 27258209
TI  - Traffic accidents and heavy episodic drinking among university students.

PMID- 27258208
TI  - Hantavirus in new geographic regions, Sweden.
AB  - In Sweden, human cases of Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) infections are reported from
      the northern endemic regions. We found hantavirus-specific antibodies in yellow
      necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) trapped in human dwellings in the surroundings
      of the cities of Uppsala and Stockholm, which are situated far south from the
      traditional endemic areas of PUUV. Because the yellow-necked mouse is the most
      common rodent in human dwellings, hantaviruses in this rodent species may be
      important for the public health. 

PMID- 27258210
TI  - Virtual-reality-based attention assessment of ADHD: ClinicaVR: Classroom-CPT
      versus a traditional continuous performance test.
AB  - Virtual-reality-based assessment may be a good alternative to classical or
      computerized neuropsychological assessment due to increased ecological validity.
      ClinicaVR: Classroom-CPT (VC) is a neuropsychological test embedded in virtual
      reality that is designed to assess attention deficits in children with attention
      deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other conditions associated with
      impaired attention. The present study aimed to (1) investigate the diagnostic
      validity of VC in comparison to a traditional continuous performance test (CPT),
      (2) explore the task difficulty of VC, (3) address the effect of distractors on
      the performance of ADHD participants and typically-developing (TD) controls, and
      (4) compare the two measures on cognitive absorption. A total of 33 children
      diagnosed with ADHD and 42 TD children, aged between 7 and 13 years, participated
      in the study and were tested with a traditional CPT or with VC, along with
      several cognitive measures and an adapted version of the Cognitive Absorption
      Scale. A mixed multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) revealed that the
      children with ADHD performed worse on correct responses had more commissions and
      omissions errors than the TD children, as well as slower target reaction times .
      The results showed significant differences between performance in the virtual
      environment and the traditional computerized one, with longer reaction times in
      virtual reality. The data analysis highlighted the negative influence of auditory
      distractors on attention performance in the case of the children with ADHD, but
      not for the TD children. Finally, the two measures did not differ on the
      cognitive absorption perceived by the children.

PMID- 27258211
TI  - Notice of Retraction: Sato Y, et al. Effect of Folate and Mecobalamin on Hip
      Fractures in Patients With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA.
      2005;293(9):1082-1088.

PMID- 27258212
TI  - Solar photo-ozonation: A novel treatment method for the degradation of water
      pollutants.
AB  - The decomposition of aqueous ozone by UV-vis radiation has been investigated with
      focus on the impact of ozone photolysis on the degradation of water pollutants
      during solar ozonation processes. The apparent first-order rate constants of the
      decomposition of ozone (kobs) have been determined at various pHs in the 4-9
      range using radiation of different wavelengths in the UV-vis range. It was found
      that UVA-visible radiation (lambda>320nm) highly enhanced ozone decomposition,
      especially at pH 4, for which kobs was three-folded with respect to the process
      in the absence of radiation. Hydrogen peroxide was identified as a main
      intermediate of ozone photo-decomposition at pH 4. Experiments of degradation of
      oxalic acid by ozone showed that solar irradiation brings about an increase in
      the hydroxyl radical to ozone exposures ratio (Rct). Finally, photo-ozonation
      (lambda>300nm) was shown advantageous over single ozonation in the mineralization
      of a selection of emerging contaminants (metoprolol, ibuprofen, N,N-diethyl-meta
      toluamide and clofibric acid) in both ultrapure water and a synthetic secondary
      effluent. Thus, TOC removal in 2-h treatments increased from 10 to 25% in the
      absence of radiation to about 50% in the presence of radiation.

PMID- 27258213
TI  - A mesoscopic reaction rate model for shock initiation of multi-component PBX
      explosives.
AB  - The primary goal of this research is to develop a three-term mesoscopic reaction
      rate model that consists of a hot-spot ignition, a low-pressure slow burning and
      a high-pressure fast reaction terms for shock initiation of multi-component
      Plastic Bonded Explosives (PBX). Thereinto, based on the DZK hot-spot model for a
      single-component PBX explosive, the hot-spot ignition term as well as its
      reaction rate is obtained through a "mixing rule" of the explosive components;
      new expressions for both the low-pressure slow burning term and the high-pressure
      fast reaction term are also obtained by establishing the relationships between
      the reaction rate of the multi-component PBX explosive and that of its explosive
      components, based on the low-pressure slow burning term and the high-pressure
      fast reaction term of a mesoscopic reaction rate model. Furthermore, for
      verification, the new reaction rate model is incorporated into the DYNA2D code to
      simulate numerically the shock initiation process of the PBXC03 and the PBXC10
      multi-component PBX explosives, and the numerical results of the pressure
      histories at different Lagrange locations in explosive are found to be in good
      agreements with previous experimental data.

PMID- 27258214
TI  - Systematic screening for the detection of atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia in clinical
      practice, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Screening for AF in
      asymptomatic patients has been proposed as a way of reducing the burden of the
      disease by detecting people who would benefit from prophylactic anticoagulation
      therapy before the onset of symptoms. However, for screening to be an effective
      intervention, it must improve the detection of AF and provide benefit for those
      detected earlier as a result of screening. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to answer
      the following questions.Does systematic screening increase the detection of AF
      compared with routine practice? Which combination of screening population,
      strategy and test is most effective for detecting AF compared with routine
      practice? What safety issues and adverse events may be associated with individual
      screening programmes? How acceptable is the intervention to the target
      population? What costs are associated with systematic screening for AF? SEARCH
      METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
      (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (Ovid) and EMBASE (Ovid) up to 11 November 2015. We searched
      other relevant research databases, trials registries and websites up to December
      2015. We also searched reference lists of identified studies for potentially
      relevant studies, and we contacted corresponding authors for information about
      additional published or unpublished studies that may be relevant. We applied no
      language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing
      screening for AF with routine practice in people 40 years of age and older were
      eligible. Two review authors (PM and CT) independently selected trials for
      inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors (PM and CT)
      independently assessed risk of bias and extracted data. We used odds ratios (ORs)
      and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to present results for the primary outcome,
      which is a dichotomous variable. As we identified only one study for inclusion,
      we performed no meta-analysis. We used the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation,
      Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group) method to assess the
      quality of the evidence and GRADEPro to create a 'Summary of findings' table.
      MAIN RESULTS: One cluster-randomised controlled trial met the inclusion criteria
      for this review. This study compared systematic screening (by invitation to have
      an electrocardiogram (ECG)) and opportunistic screening (pulse palpation during a
      general practitioner (GP) consultation for any reason, followed by an ECG if
      pulse was irregular) versus routine practice (normal case finding on the basis of
      clinical presentation) in people 65 years of age or older.Results show that both
      systematic screening and opportunistic screening of people over 65 years of age
      are more effective than routine practice (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.26; and OR
      1.58, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.29, respectively; both moderate-quality evidence). We
      found no difference in the effectiveness of systematic screening and
      opportunistic screening (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.37; low-quality evidence). A
      subgroup analysis found that systematic screening and opportunistic screening
      were more effective in men (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.51 to 4.76; and OR 2.33, 95% CI
      1.29 to 4.19, respectively) than in women (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.62; and OR
      1.2, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.93, respectively). No adverse events associated with
      screening were reported.The incremental cost per additional case detected by
      opportunistic screening was GBP 337, compared with GBP 1514 for systematic
      screening. All cost estimates were based on data from the single included trial,
      which was conducted in the UK between 2001 and 2003. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:
      Evidence suggests that systematic screening and opportunistic screening for AF
      increase the rate of detection of new cases compared with routine practice.
      Although these approaches have comparable effects on the overall AF diagnosis
      rate, the cost of systematic screening is significantly greater than the cost of
      opportunistic screening from the perspective of the health service provider. Few
      studies have investigated effects of screening in other health systems and in
      younger age groups; therefore, caution needs to be exercised in relation to
      transferability of these results beyond the setting and population in which the
      included study was conducted.Additional research is needed to examine the
      effectiveness of alternative screening strategies and to investigate the effects
      of the intervention on risk of stroke for screened versus non-screened
      populations.

PMID- 27258215
TI  - Noninvasively measuring oxygen saturation of human finger-joint vessels by multi
      transducer functional photoacoustic tomography.
AB  - Imaging small blood vessels and measuring their functional information in finger
      joint are still challenges for clinical imaging modalities. In this study, we
      developed a multi-transducer functional photoacoustic tomography (PAT) system and
      successfully imaged human finger-joint vessels from ~1  mm to <0.2  mm in
      diameter. In addition, the oxygen saturation (SO2) values of these vessels were
      also measured. Our results demonstrate that PAT can provide both anatomical and
      functional information of individual finger-joint vessels with different sizes,
      which might help the study of finger-joint diseases, such as rheumatoid
      arthritis.

PMID- 27258216
TI  - Evaluation of (177)Lu-CHX-A''-DTPA-Bevacizumab as a radioimmunotherapy agent
      targeting VEGF expressing cancers.
AB  - This study aimed at the preparation and evaluation of (177)Lu-CHX-A''-DTPA
      Bevacizumab for targeting VEGF over-expressing cancers. Bevacizumab conjugated to
      p-NCS-Bn-CHX-A''-DTPA was radiolabeled with (177)Lu. The radioimmunoconjugate
      characterized by SE-HPLC exhibited radiochemical purity of 98.0+/-0.6%. In vitro
      stability was retained upto 4 days at 37 degrees C. In vitro cell binding studies
      showed good uptake by VEGF expressing U937 tumor cells. Biodistribution studies
      in melanoma model showed significant uptake and retention of (177)Lu-CHX-A''-DTPA
      Bevacizumab in tumor with reduction in uptake in presence of cold Bevacizumab
      confirming its specificity to VEGF.

PMID- 27258217
TI  - Seasonal variations of decay rate measurement data and their interpretation.
AB  - Measurement data of long-lived radionuclides, for example, (85)Kr, (90)Sr,
      (108m)Ag, (133)Ba, (152)Eu, (154)Eu and (226)Ra, and particularly the relative
      residuals of fitted raw data from current measurements of ionization chambers for
      half-life determination show small periodic seasonal variations with amplitudes
      of about 0.15%. The interpretation of these fluctuations is a matter of
      controversy whether the observed effect is produced by some interaction with the
      radionuclides themselves or is an artifact of the measuring chain. At the origin
      of such a discussion there is the exponential decay law of radioactive substances
      used for data fitting, one of the fundamentals of nuclear physics. Some groups of
      physicists use statistical methods and analyze correlations with various
      parameters of the measurement data and, for example, the Earth-Sun distance, as a
      basis of interpretation. In this article, data measured at the Physikalisch
      Technische Bundesanstalt and published earlier are the subject of a correlation
      analysis using the corresponding time series of data with varying measurement
      conditions. An overview of these measurement conditions producing instrument
      instabilities is given and causality relations are discussed. The resulting
      correlation coefficients for various series of the same radionuclide using
      similar measurement conditions are in the order of 0.7, which indicates a high
      correlation, and for series of the same radionuclide using different measurement
      conditions and changes of the measuring chain of the order of -0.2 or even lower,
      which indicates an anti-correlation. These results provide strong arguments that
      the observed seasonal variations are caused by the measuring chain and, in
      particular, by the type of measuring electronics used.

PMID- 27258218
TI  - Heterocyclic Nanographenes and Other Polycyclic Heteroaromatic Compounds:
      Synthetic Routes, Properties, and Applications.
AB  - Two-dimensionally extended, polycyclic heteroaromatic molecules (heterocyclic
      nanographenes) are a highly versatile class of organic materials, applicable as
      functional chromophores and organic semiconductors. In this Review, we discuss
      the rich chemistry of large heteroaromatics, focusing on their synthesis,
      electronic properties, and applications in materials science. This Review
      summarizes the historical development and current state of the art in this
      rapidly expanding field of research, which has become one of the key exploration
      areas of modern heterocyclic chemistry.

PMID- 27258219
TI  - A Case Series of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Left Ventricular Assist Device
      Supported Patients.
AB  - Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an underrecognized phenomenon in patients
      with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD). Previously, there
      has been an optimistic expectation of a benign clinical course; however, AMI in
      LVAD-supported patients can result in profound consequences and management
      remains controversial. We describe a case series of AMI in four CF-LVAD patients,
      each with a different presentation, clinical course, treatment, and outcome. The
      clinical variability and mixed outcomes of these patients highlights the unique
      challenges in diagnosis and management of AMI in this population, particularly
      the uncertain role of percutaneous intervention (PCI), and underscores the
      potentially poor prognosis of this entity. Several key points emerge from this
      review. First, LVAD-supported patients frequently have underlying abnormalities
      on the electrocardiogram (ECG) that obscure the diagnosis of AMI. Second,
      clinicians should have a high degree of suspicion for AMI in the presence of
      suggestive clinical features, elevated cardiac biomarkers, or new-onset
      ventricular arrhythmias. Third, the decision to proceed with PCI requires careful
      evaluation of the risk of hemorrhage, and strong consideration should be given to
      the use of bleeding avoidance strategies during and after PCI.

PMID- 27258220
TI  - Electron Microscopy as a Tool for Assessment of Anticoagulation Strategies During
      Extracorporeal Life Support: The Proof Is on the Membrane.
AB  - Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is fast becoming more common place for use in
      adult patients failing mechanical ventilation. Management of coagulation and
      thrombosis has long been a major complication in the use of ECLS therapies.
      Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of membrane oxygenators (MOs) after use in
      ECLS circuits can offer novel insight into any thrombotic material deposition on
      the MO. In this pilot study, we analyzed five explanted MOs immediately after use
      in a sheep model of different acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We
      describe our methods of MO dissection, sample preparation, image capture, and
      results. Of the five MOs analyzed, those that received continuous heparin
      infusion showed very little thrombosis formation or other clot material, whereas
      those that were used with only initial heparin bolus showed readily apparent
      thrombotic material.

PMID- 27258221
TI  - Optimization of Centrifugal Pump Characteristic Dimensions for Mechanical
      Circulatory Support Devices.
AB  - The application of artificial mechanical pumps as heart assist devices impose
      power and size limitations on the pumping mechanism, and therefore requires
      careful optimization of pump characteristics. Typically new pumps are designed by
      relying on the performance of other previously designed pumps of known
      performance using concepts of fluid dynamic similarity. Such data are readily
      available for industrial pumps, which operate in Reynolds numbers region of 10.
      Heart assist pumps operate in Reynolds numbers of 10. There are few data
      available for the design of centrifugal pumps in this characteristic range. This
      article develops specific speed versus specific diameter graphs suitable for the
      design and optimization of these smaller centrifugal pumps concentrating in
      dimensions suitable for ventricular assist devices (VADs) and mechanical
      circulatory support (MCS) devices. A combination of experimental and numerical
      techniques was used to measure and analyze the performance of 100 optimized pumps
      designed for this application. The data are presented in the traditional Cordier
      diagram of nondimensional specific speed versus specific diameter. Using these
      data, nine efficient designs were selected to be manufactured and tested in
      different operating conditions of flow, pressure, and rotational speed. The
      nondimensional results presented in this article enable preliminary design of
      centrifugal pumps for VADs and MCS devices.

PMID- 27258223
TI  - Acute Biventricular Interaction in Pediatric Patients Implanted with Continuous
      Flow and Pulsatile Flow LVAD: A Simulation Study.
AB  - Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are used to bridge pediatric patients
      till transplantation. However, the LVADs effects on right ventricular (RV)
      function are controversial. This work aims at studying the ventricular
      interdependency in the presence of continuous (c-) and pulsatile (p-) flow LVAD
      in pediatric patients using a lumped parameter model including the representation
      of the septum. Five pediatric patients' data were used to simulate patients'
      baseline. The effects on LV and RV functions, energetics, preloads and afterloads
      of different c-LVAD speeds, p-LVAD rate, p-LVAD systole duration, p-LVAD filling
      and ejection pressures were simulated. c-LVAD and p-LVAD unload the LV decreasing
      the LV external work and improving the LV ventriculo-arterial coupling and these
      effects are more evident increasing the c-LVAD speed and the p-LVAD rate.
      Continuous-LVAD and p-LVAD decrease the RV afterload, increase the RV ejection
      fraction and improve the RV ventriculo-arterial coupling. The changes in RV
      function are inversely proportional to the degree of the interventricular septum
      leftward shift that increased by increasing the LVAD contribution. The study of
      the interventricular interaction could lead to the development of a dedicated
      algorithm to optimize LVAD setting in pediatric population.

PMID- 27258222
TI  - Immunomodulatory Device Promotes a Shift of Circulating Monocytes to a Less
      Inflammatory Phenotype in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients.
AB  - Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on chronic hemodialysis (HD) suffer
      accelerated morbidity and mortality rates caused by cardiovascular disease and
      infections. Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in these poor outcomes.
      The activated monocyte (MO) has become a prime therapeutic target to modulate
      this inflammatory process. A selective cytopheretic device (SCD) was evaluated to
      assess its effects on the circulating MO pool. A pilot trial was undertaken in 15
      ESRD patients on HD with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels greater than 5 mg/dl. An
      excellent safety profile was observed with no decline in leukocyte (LE) or
      platelet counts. The effect of SCD therapy on MO phenotypes in these patients was
      determined on peripheral blood MO utilizing flow cytometry. SCD therapy promoted
      a shift in MO phenotype from predominantly CD14 expressing MO at baseline/pre-SCD
      therapy to CD14 expressing MO post-SCD therapy. A significant shift in MO
      population phenotype afforded by a single SCD therapy session was observed (p <
      0.013). In a subset of patients (n = 7) presenting with type 2 diabetes mellitus
      (T2D), this persistent decline in MO CD14 expression was sustained as long as 2
      weeks posttherapy. These results demonstrate that the SCD therapy has the
      potential to modulate the chronic proinflammatory state in ESRD patients.

PMID- 27258225
TI  - Permanent Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices Use After Acute
      Stabilization for Cardiogenic Shock in Acute Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - Cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarctions (CS-AMIs) carries
      high mortality rates. Early use of durable continuous flow left ventricular
      assist devices (CF-LVAD) in these patients has traditionally been discouraged.
      Therefore we sought to assess the efficacy and complications of CF-LVAD use in CS
      AMI after stabilization with temporary mechanical support. From January 2006 to
      November 2014, nine patients underwent CF-LVAD implant after CS-AMI (Heartmate
      II, six; HVAD, three). All patients required temporary mechanical circulatory
      support (MCS) before CF-LVAD implant and were interagency registry for
      mechanically assisted circulatory support profile 1; average time from MI to CF
      LVAD implant was 20 days. Overall seven of nine patients (78%) survived to
      discharge. Survival at 1, 3, 12, and 48 months was 100%, 89%, 67%, and 67%,
      respectively. Two patients were successfully bridged to transplant and four
      patients remain alive on device support. The most common post-LVAD complication
      was stroke, occurring in 55% of patients. Embolic strokes were mild in severity
      and all patients survived with only mild deficits; hemorrhagic strokes conferred
      the highest mortality. This study suggests CF-LVADs are potential but high-risk
      treatment options for CS-AMI patients who stabilize with temporary support.
      Further studies will help more clearly delineate the benefits and risks of CF
      LVAD implant in this population.

PMID- 27258224
TI  - Effect of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 Gene Variants on Warfarin Response in Patients with
      Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.
AB  - Bleeding and thrombotic complications continue to plague continuous-flow left
      ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) therapy in patients with end-stage heart
      failure. Warfarin genotyping information can be incorporated into decision making
      for initial dosing as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration; however,
      clinical utility of this data in the CF-LVAD population has not been well
      studied. Genotypes testing for CYP2C9 and VCORC1 polymorphisms were determined in
      90 CF-LVAD patients. Outcomes studied were the association of CYP2C9 (*1, *2, or
      *3) and VKORC1 (-1639 G>A) gene variants with time-to-target international
      normalized ratio (INR), total warfarin dose, maintenance warfarin dose.
      Continuous-flow left ventricular assist device patients carrying a rare variant
      in the VKORC1 gene had a significantly lower cumulative warfarin dose until
      target INR achieved (18.9 vs. 35.0 mg, p = 0.002), days spent until INR target
      achieved (4.9 vs. 7.0 days, p = 0.021), and discharge warfarin dose (3.2 vs. 5.6
      mg, p = 0.001) compared with patients with wild-type genotype. Genotype-guided
      warfarin dosing may lead to safer anticoagulation and potentially improve
      outcomes in CF-LVAD patients.

PMID- 27258226
TI  - Donor Oversizing Results in Improved Survival in Patients with Left Ventricular
      Assist Device.
AB  - Donor to recipient undersizing can result in diminished graft survival. The
      United Network for Organ Sharing database was retrospectively queried from
      January 2008 to December 2013 to identify adult patients who underwent heart
      transplantation. This population was divided into those without and with a left
      ventricular assist device (LVAD) at the time of transplant. Both groups were
      further subdivided into three groups: donor:recipient body mass index (BMI) ratio
      <0.8 (undersized), >=0.8 and <=1.2 (matched), and >1.2 (oversized). Kaplan-Meier
      analysis was used to compare graft survival. Cox regression analysis was used to
      identify factors affecting graft survival time. There was no difference in mean
      graft survival between undersized, matched, and oversized groups in patients
      without an LVAD (p = 0.634). Mean graft survival was significantly worse for
      undersized patients with an LVAD when compared with matched and oversized
      patients (p = 0.032). Cox regression revealed age, creatinine, waitlist time,
      United Network for Organ Sharing status, BMI ratio, and total bilirubin as
      significant factors affecting graft survival time. A donor to recipient BMI ratio
      of >=1.2 results in significantly improved long-term graft survival for patients
      with an LVAD at the time of heart transplantation compared with patients with a
      BMI ratio of <1.2. An oversized organ should be considered for patients supported
      with an LVAD.

PMID- 27258227
TI  - Development of Risk Indices for Neonatal Respiratory Extracorporeal Membrane
      Oxygenation.
AB  - Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has saved thousands of
      newborns. Population comparisons for research and quality initiatives require
      risk-matching, but no indices exist for this population. We sought to create a
      pre-ECMO risk index using the registry data from the Extracorporeal Life Support
      Organization. We analyzed 5,455 neonatal (<30 days old) respiratory VA-ECMO
      patients for the period 2000-2010. Multivariate regression examining the impact
      of pre-ECMO variables on survival to hospital discharge was performed to create
      the Pittsburgh Index for Pre-ECMO Risk (PIPER), which was ultimately was based on
      seven pre-ECMO variables. Each PIPER quartile demonstrated increasing mortality
      by 15% (R = 0.98) and was associated with increased complications on ECMO.
      Further modeling to include on-ECMO complications (PIPER), including
      complications and length of time on ECMO, increased the predictive power of the
      model, with 21% increases in mortality per PIPER quartile (R = 0.97). Our
      developed indices provide the first steps towards risk-adjusting patients for
      meaningful comparisons amongst patient populations. There may be additional
      clinically relevant measures, both pre- and on-ECMO, which could provide better
      predictive capability. Future work will focus on finding these additional
      measures and expansion of our techniques to include other patient populations.

PMID- 27258228
TI  - Outcomes of Various Treatment Strategies for Patients with Continuous-Flow
      Ventricular Assist Device Thrombosis: A Retrospective Analysis.
AB  - Pump thrombosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with
      a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device. Although it has been defined
      clearly, the diagnosis and treatment of this complication still remain
      controversial. Between 2010 and 2014, 163 consecutive patients (mean age: 50.7 +/
      13 years, 84% males, median duration of support: 277 (2-1077) days) were
      implanted a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device. Prospectively
      collected data of all patients who had at least one pump thrombosis event have
      been analyzed, retrospectively. Twenty-one pump thrombosis events were observed
      in 15 patients (9.2%, 0.137 events/patient-year). Median duration of support at
      the time of first pump thrombosis event was 259 (8-585) days. Overall mortality
      was 40% (6/15), and overall procedural success was 71.4% (15/21) in our entire
      cohort. The cause of mortality was hemorrhagic stroke in those who had medical
      treatment (n = 5), and sepsis and right ventricular failure in the other who had
      pump exchange. Pump exchange was performed in five patients, of which four
      survived. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists are not beneficial in medical
      treatment of pump thrombosis. Medical treatment methods including unfractionated
      heparin and thrombolytics may completely resolve the thrombus and save some
      patients from pump exchange. In patients where medical treatment does not result
      in complete thrombus resolution within a reasonable period, and a donor heart is
      not available, pump exchange is the ultimate solution. Further studies are needed
      for optimal dosing of thrombolytics to decrease the rate of side effects.

PMID- 27258229
TI  - Costs and Outcomes in the Care of Bi-ventricular Support as a Bridge to Cardiac
      Transplant.
AB  - Bi-ventricular (Bi-V) mechanical circulatory support is commonly used as a bridge
      to cardiac transplant. However, the optimal strategy is unknown. We examined the
      outcomes, as well as the costs in the use of Bi-V support as a bridge to cardiac
      transplant. From 2001 to 2014, three different Bi-V support strategies were
      utilized: 1) Para-corporeal ventricular assist device (PVAD-2001-2006), 2)
      Heartmate II left ventricular assist device in conjunction with a temporary
      CentriMag right ventricular assist device (HMII + CMAG-2006-2012), and the total
      artificial heart (TAH-2012-2014). Total costs were derived from the
      hospitalization at implant, and postimplant costs defined as equipment and re
      hospitalizations before transplantation. Sixty-five (34 PVADs, 20 HMII + CMAG,
      and 11 TAHs) devices were used as a bridge for transplant. There were no
      differences in implant variables including age, INTERMACS score, or implant
      length of stay. Although the wait list mortality was not different between groups
      (PVAD-32%, HMII + CMAG-45%, TAH-54%; p = 0.3), the percentage of patients
      transplanted were highest in the PVAD group: (PVAD-55.8%, HMII + CMAG-30.0%, TAH
      18.2%; p = 0.01). Total costs were not significantly different between groups
      (PVAD-$306,166 +/- 247,839, HMII + CMAG-$278,958 +/- 135,324, TAH-$321,387 +/-
      21,2477; p = 0.5). Despite variations in therapy, outcomes and costs for patients
      requiring Bi-V support as a bridge to cardiac transplant have remained constant.

PMID- 27258230
TI  - Sex-Related Differences in Inflammatory and Immune Activation Markers Before and
      After Combined Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women progress to death at the same rate as men despite lower plasma
      HIV RNA (viral load). We investigated sex-specific differences in immune
      activation and inflammation as a potential explanation. METHODS: Inflammatory and
      immune activation markers [interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha,
      IL-6, IL-18, IFN-gamma-induced protein 10, C-reactive protein (CRP),
      lipopolysaccharide, and sCD14] were measured at weeks 0, 24, and 48 after
      combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in a random subcohort (n = 215) who
      achieved virologic suppression in ACTG A5175 (Prospective Evaluation of
      Antiretrovirals in Resource-Limited Settings). Association between sex and
      changes in markers post-cART was examined using random effects models. Average
      marker differences and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using
      multivariable models. RESULTS: At baseline, women had lower median log10 viral
      load (4.93 vs 5.18 copies per milliliter, P = 0.01), CRP (2.32 vs 4.62 mg/L, P =
      0.01), detectable lipopolysaccharide (39% vs 55%, P = 0.04), and sCD14 (1.9 vs
      2.3 ug/mL, P = 0.06) vs men. By week 48, women had higher interferon gamma (22.4
      vs 14.9 pg/mL, P = 0.05), TNF-alpha (11.5 vs 9.5 pg/mL, P = 0.02), and CD4 (373
      vs 323 cells per cubic millimeter, P = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, women had
      greater increases in CD4 and TNF-alpha but less of a decrease in CRP and sCD14
      compared with men. CONCLUSIONS: With cART-induced viral suppression, women have
      less reduction in key markers of inflammation and immune activation compared with
      men. Future studies should investigate the impact of these sex-specific
      differences on morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 27258231
TI  - Brief Report: CD14brightCD16- monocytes and sCD14 level negatively associate with
      CD4-memory T-cell frequency and predict HCV-decline on therapy.
AB  - During HIV+ hepatitis C virus (HCV)+ coinfection CD14CD16 monocytes produce
      soluble immune-activation markers that predict disease progression and poor
      response to interferon (IFN)-alpha treatment. We evaluated relationships among
      immune activation, monocyte phenotype, CD4-memory T cells, and HCV-,
      cytomegalovirus-, and cytomegalovirus/Epstein-Barr virus/influenza-specific IFN
      gamma-response before and during IFN-alpha treatment. Effector-memory and central
      memory CD4 T-cell frequencies were lower in HCV+ HIV+ donors than in uninfected
      donors and correlated negatively with HCV level, CD14CD16 monocytes, and plasma
      sCD14. sCD14 and CD14CD16 monocytes negatively correlated with IFN-alpha
      dependent HCV decline. CD4 effector-memory T cells positively associated with
      cytomegalovirus/Epstein-Barr virus/influenza(CEF)-specific IFN-gamma response,
      while sCD14 negatively associated with both CD4 effector-memory T cells and CEF
      specific IFN-gamma response. These data support a role for memory-CD4 T cells in
      HCV containment and link immune activation and CD14CD16-monocyte frequency to the
      failure of IFN-dependent HCV clearance.

PMID- 27258232
TI  - Brief Report: HIV-1 Infection Impairs CD16 and CD35 Mediated Opsonophagocytosis
      of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Human Neutrophils.
AB  - Using a flow cytometric assay, we investigated neutrophil-Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis opsonophagocytosis and the impact of HIV-1-infected serum on this
      process. The mean (+/-SD) percentage of neutrophils internalizing bacilli after
      30 minutes incubation was significantly reduced by pretreatment with anti-CD16
      (18.2% +/- 8.1%, P < 0.001) or anti-CD35 antibody (23.2% +/- 10.6%, P < 0.05)
      versus anti-CD4 controls (29.9% +/- 8.1%). Blocking CD88 or CD11a did not affect
      internalization. Using heat-inactivated serum, maximal internalization was lower
      using HIV-1-infected serum versus HIV-1-uninfected. Using non-heat-inactivated
      serum, internalization decreased more rapidly with sequential dilutions of HIV-1
      infected versus HIV-1-uninfected serum. CD16 and CD35 are important for
      neutrophil internalization of M. tuberculosis, whereas HIV-1 infection adversely
      affects opsonophagocytosis.

PMID- 27258234
TI  - Brief Report: European Mitochondrial Haplogroups Impact on Liver Fibrosis
      Progression Among HCV and HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients From Northwest Spain.
AB  - The impact of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups on the outcome of liver fibrosis was
      evaluated in 362 hepatitis C virus infection (HCV)-monoinfected and HIV/HCV
      coinfected patients (147 and 215, respectively) in clinical follow-up at 2
      reference hospitals in the Northwest of Spain. The mitochondrial DNA haplogroup H
      was the most prevalent (50.3%) in this population. The cluster Others and V were
      recognized as risk factors for the development of liver fibrosis while haplogroup
      H and HCV genotype 4 confer a lower risk. This information might be useful for
      prioritization of HCV treatment, especially for F0-F1 patients for whom there is
      no urgency for treatment.

PMID- 27258233
TI  - Critical Review: When the Party is Over: A Systematic Review of Behavioral
      Interventions for Substance-Using Men Who Have Sex with Men.
AB  - Because problematic patterns of alcohol and other substance use are prevalent
      drivers of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, comprehensive interventions are needed for
      substance-using men who have sex with men (SUMSM). We conducted a systematic
      review of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioral interventions for
      reducing condomless anal intercourse (CAI) in SUMSM. Three RCTs observed that
      cognitive behavioral or motivational interviewing interventions achieved a 24% to
      40% decrease in CAI. Interventions also tended to demonstrate greater efficacy
      for reducing CAI and substance use among those who had lower severity of
      substance use disorder symptoms. Although behavioral interventions for SUMSM are
      one potentially important component of biobehavioral HIV/AIDS prevention, further
      research is needed to examine whether integrative approaches that cultivate
      resilience and target co-occurring syndemic conditions demonstrate greater
      efficacy. Multilevel intervention approaches are also needed to optimize the
      effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV treatment as prevention with
      SUMSM.

PMID- 27258235
TI  - Antimicrobial and Physicochemical Characterization of Biodegradable, Nitric Oxide
      Releasing Nanocellulose-Chitosan Packaging Membranes.
AB  - Biodegradable composite membranes with antimicrobial properties consisting of
      nanocellulose fibrils (CNFs), chitosan, and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d-penicillamine
      (SNAP) were developed and tested for food packaging applications. As a nitric
      oxide donor, SNAP was encapsulated into completely dispersed chitosan in 100 mL
      of 0.1 N acetic acid and was thoroughly mixed with CNFs to produce a composite
      membrane. The fabricated membranes had a uniform dispersion of chitosan and SNAP
      within the CNFs, which was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
      micrographs and a chemiluminescence nitric oxide analyzer. The membranes prepared
      without SNAP showed lower water vapor permeability than that of the membranes
      with SNAP. The addition of SNAP resulted in a decrease in Young's modulus for
      both two- and three-layer membrane configurations. Antimicrobial property
      evaluation of SNAP-incorporated membranes showed an effective zone of inhibition
      against bacterial strains of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and
      Listeria monocytogenes and demonstrated its potential applications for food
      packaging. 

PMID- 27258236
TI  - Endometrial 'scratching': what the data show.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since its first description in 2003, the endometrial
      scratching procedure has been the topic of over 1000 studies. This procedure,
      used to improve endometrial receptivity for assisted reproduction, is accessible 
      any gynecologist can easily perform it - and has been adapted into clinical
      routine by some reproductive units. However, the available data are
      controversial, and no biological plausibility exists to support the use of this
      intervention. This study aims to critically review the existing data, focusing on
      the last 2 years, regarding the efficiency of endometrial scratching. RECENT
      FINDINGS: A total of five randomized controlled studies, one meta-analysis, and a
      systematic review related to endometrial scratching/injury were published in 2014
      and 2015. Considerable heterogeneity exists among these studies regarding the
      selected population, type of treatment, and even timing and devices used to
      perform the endometrial injury. Importantly, none of these studies reported
      improved reproductive outcomes in terms of live birth rates following endometrial
      scratching. SUMMARY: Overall, data from properly designed and powered randomized
      controlled studies demonstrate no beneficial effect of this intervention that is
      based on unknown biological effects. Endometrial scratching produces pain, costs
      money, and the side-effects of systematic scratching in the production of
      Asherman syndrome remain to be seen. Think before scratching.

PMID- 27258237
TI  - Hysteroscopy safety.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Hysteroscopy is a very common tool providing the gynecologist
      the ability to diagnose and treat a variety of intrauterine disorders. This
      outpatient therapy has provided quick and effective relief for women worldwide.
      Although simple in concept, hysteroscopy is associated with minor and major
      complications. Awareness of these difficulties and methods of prevention and
      management is key to good surgical outcomes. This article reviews well tolerated
      practices for hysteroscopy complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Although complications
      with both diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy are rare, they can often be
      prevented with thorough preoperative evaluation and appropriate intraoperative
      decision making. Understanding the patient, disorder, and surgical process can
      assist the surgeon in providing the best outcome for the patient. SUMMARY: With
      appropriate training and education, gynecologists can safely incorporate
      hysteroscopy into their surgical practice.

PMID- 27258238
TI  - Organocatalyzed Intramolecular Carbonyl-Ene Reactions.
AB  - An organocatalyzed intramolecular carbonyl-ene reaction was developed to produce
      carbocyclic and heterocyclic 5- and 6-membered rings from a citronellal-derived
      trifluoroketone and a variety of aldehydes. A phosphoramide derivative was found
      to promote the cyclization of the trifluoroketone, whereas a less acidic
      phosphoric acid proved to be a superior catalyst for the aldehyde substrates. 

PMID- 27258239
TI  - Dendrimer Prodrugs.
AB  - The main objective of this review is to describe the importance of dendrimer
      prodrugs in the design of new drugs, presenting numerous applications of these
      nanocomposites in the pharmaceutical field. Therefore, the use of dendrimer
      prodrugs as carrier for drug delivery, to improve pharmacokinetic properties of
      prototype, to promote drug sustained-release, to increase selectivity and,
      consequently, to decrease toxicity, are just some examples of topics that have
      been extensively reported in the literature, especially in the last decade. The
      examples discussed here give a panel of the growing interest dendrimer prodrugs
      have been evoking in the scientific community. 

PMID- 27258240
TI  - Methyl Jasmonate: An Alternative for Improving the Quality and Health Properties
      of Fresh Fruits.
AB  - Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a plant growth regulator belonging to the jasmonate
      family. It plays an important role as a possible airborne signaling molecule
      mediating intra- and inter-plant communications and modulating plant defense
      responses, including antioxidant systems. Most assessments of this compound have
      dealt with post-harvest fruit applications, demonstrating induced plant
      resistance against the detrimental impacts of storage (chilling injuries and
      pathogen attacks), enhancing secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity. On
      the other hand, the interactions between MeJA and other compounds or
      technological tools for enhancing antioxidant capacity and quality of fruits were
      also reviewed. The pleiotropic effects of MeJA have raisen numerous as-yet
      unanswered questions about its mode of action. The aim of this review was
      endeavored to clarify the role of MeJA on improving pre- and post-harvest fresh
      fruit quality and health properties. Interestingly, the influence of MeJA on
      human health will be also discussed. 

PMID- 27258241
TI  - Hydrazino-methoxy-1,3,5-triazine Derivatives' Excellent Corrosion Organic
      Inhibitors of Steel in Acidic Chloride Solution.
AB  - The corrosion inhibition performance of 2-hydrazino-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-tirazine
      (DMeHT), 2,4-dihydrazino-6-methoxy-1,3,5-triaizine (DHMeT), and 2,4,6
      tridydrazino-1,3,5-triaizne (TH3) on steel corrosion in acidic media was examined
      using electrochemical techniques. The results showed 2,4-Ddihydrazino-6-methoxy
      1,3,5-triaizine (DHMeT) gave the best corrosion protection performance among the
      other hydrazino derivatives even at a low concentration of 25 ppm (95%). The
      number of hydrazino groups play an important role in the corrosion inhibition,
      where the two hydrazine groups increased the electrostatic interactions between
      the protonated tested compounds, the negatively charged steel surface resulted
      from the adsorption of the chloride anions, and the presence of the methoxy group
      made the compound more reliable for formation of film protection on the surface
      of steel through the lone pair of oxygen atoms. Electrochemical Impedance
      Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements suggested that the corrosion process of steel in
      presence of the hydrazino-s-triazine derivatives (TH3, DMeHT and DHMeT) were
      being controlled by the charge transfer reaction. Polarization curves indicated
      that the examined TH3, DMeHT and DHMeT behaved as mixed type inhibitors. 

PMID- 27258242
TI  - Synthesis and Characterization of New 3-(4-Arylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl 4
      Propoxybenzoates and Their Hydrochloride Salts.
AB  - Five new 3-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl 4-propoxybenzoates were
      designed and synthesized as potential dual antihypertensive agents. The compounds
      were prepared as free bases and subsequently transformed to hydrochloride salts.
      The position of protonation of nitrogen atoms in the piperazine ring of
      hydrochloride salts was determined by means of (13)C-CP/MAS and (15)N-CP/MAS NMR
      and IR spectroscopy. Using these solid-state analytical techniques, it was found
      that both nitrogen atoms were protonated when excess hydrogen chloride was used
      for preparation of salts. On the other hand, when the equimolar amount of
      hydrogen chloride was used, piperazine nitrogen substituted by aryl was
      protonated. 

PMID- 27258243
TI  - A Hydrogel-Based Epirubicin Delivery System for Intravesical Chemotherapy.
AB  - This study aimed to examine the efficacy of epirubicin-loaded gelatin hydrogel
      (EPI-H) in the treatment of superficial urothelium carcinoma. Hydrogel was
      prepared by Schiff base-crosslinking of gelatin with glutaraldehyde. EPI-H
      exhibited high entrapment efficiency (59.87% +/- 0.51%). EPI-H also increased
      epirubicin accumulation in AY-27 cells when compared with the effect of aqueous
      solutions of epirubicin (EPI-AQ); respective epirubicin-positive cell counts were
      69.0% +/- 7.6% and 38.3% +/- 5.8%. EPI-H also exhibited greater cytotoxicity
      against AY-27 cells than that of EPI-AQ; IC50 values were 13.1 +/- 1.1 and 7.5 +/
      0.3 MUg/mL, respectively. Cystometrograms showed that EPI-H reduced peak
      micturition, threshold pressures, and micturition duration, and that it increased
      bladder compliance more so than EPI-AQ. EPI-H enhanced epirubicin penetration
      into basal cells of urothelium in vivo, whereas EPI-AQ did so only to the
      umbrella cells. EPI-H inhibited tumor growth upon intravesical instillation to
      tumor-bearing bladder of F344 rats, inducing higher levels of caspase-3
      expression than that observed with EPI-AQ treatment; the number of caspase-3
      positive cells in treated urothelium carcinoma was 13.9% +/- 4.0% (EPI-AQ) and
      34.1% +/- 1.0%, (EPI-H). EPI-H has value as an improved means to administer
      epirubicin in intravesical instillation treatments for bladder cancer. 

PMID- 27258244
TI  - Simultaneous Determination of Purpurin, Munjistin and Mollugin in Rat Plasma by
      Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry:
      Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study after Oral Administration of Rubia
      cordifolia L. Extract.
AB  - A specific, simple, sensitive Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-tandem
      Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the
      simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetic study of purpurin, munjistin, and
      mollugin in rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was carried out using a C18
      column (ACQUITY UPLC((r)) HSS T3, 1.8 MUm, 2.1 * 100 mm) with gradient elution.
      The compounds were detected on a 6430 triple-quadrupole tandem MS with an
      electrospray ionization (ESI) interface using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)
      in positive ionization mode. The samples were prepared by a liquid-liquid
      extraction (LLE) method with ethyl acetate after being spiked with an internal
      standard (bifendate). The current UHPLC-MS/MS assay was validated for its
      linearity, intra-day and inter-day precisions, accuracy, extraction recovery,
      matrix effect and stability in different conditions. The method was linear for
      all analytes over the investigated range with all determined correlation
      coefficients exceeding 0.9900. The intra-day and inter-day precisions were in the
      range of 4.21% to 14.84%, and the relative errors of accuracies were in the range
      of -14.05% to 14.75%. The mean recoveries and matrix effects of purpurin,
      munjistin, and mollugin were higher than 78.87% and 92.56%, repectively. After
      oral administration of 0.82 g/kg of Rubia cordifolia extract, the maximum plasma
      concentrations (Cmax) were 70.10 +/- 11.78 ng/mL for purpurin, 26.09 +/- 6.6
      ng/mL for munjistin, and 52.10 +/- 6.71 ng/mL for mollugin. The time for maximal
      concentration (Tmax) was 1.61 +/- 0.24 h for purpurin, 2.58 +/- 0.19 h for
      munjistin, and 1.99 +/- 0.21 h for mollugin. The established method was further
      applied to a pharmacokinetic study of purpurin, munjistin, and mollugin in rat
      plasma. It was concluded from the pharmacokinetic parameters that the three
      analytes showed a process of slow absorption and metabolism after oral
      administration of R. cordifolia extract to rats. 

PMID- 27258245
TI  - Sorbicillinoids from Fungi and Their Bioactivities.
AB  - Sorbicillinoids are important hexaketide metabolites derived from fungi. They
      have a variety of biological activities including cytotoxic, antioxidant,
      antiviral and antimicrobial activity. The unique structural features of the
      sorbicillinoids make them attractive candidates for developing new pharmaceutical
      and agrochemical agents. About 90 sorbicillinoids have been reported in the past
      few decades. This mini-review aims to briefly summarize their occurrence,
      structures, and biological activities. 

PMID- 27258246
TI  - Extraction, Purification and Primary Characterization of Polysaccharides from
      Defatted Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Cakes.
AB  - The hot-water extraction, purification and characterization of polysaccharides
      from defatted peanut cake (PPC) were investigated in this study. A Box-Behnken
      factorial design (BBD) was used to investigate the effects of three independent
      variables, namely extraction temperature (X1), extraction time (X2) and ratio of
      water to raw material (X3). The optimum conditions were 85  degrees C, 3 h and
      20:1 (mL/g) respectively. Regression analysis was done to reveal the experimental
      results which include 34.97% extraction rate while the value verified under these
      conditions was 34.49%. The crude PPC was sequentially further purified by
      Sephadex G-100 chromatography, and one purified fraction was obtained. The PPC
      purified fraction was characterized by FT-IR, HPAEC; SEC-MALLS. The average
      molecular weight of the PPC purified fraction was 2.383 * 105 Da. The
      polysaccharide was mainly composed of glucose, galactose, arabinose and xylose.
      The PPC have the typical absorption of polysaccharide. 

PMID- 27258247
TI  - Coffee Silverskin Extract Protects against Accelerated Aging Caused by Oxidative
      Agents.
AB  - Nowadays, coffee beans are almost exclusively used for the preparation of the
      beverage. The sustainability of coffee production can be achieved introducing new
      applications for the valorization of coffee by-products. Coffee silverskin is the
      by-product generated during roasting, and because of its powerful antioxidant
      capacity, coffee silverskin aqueous extract (CSE) may be used for other
      applications, such as antiaging cosmetics and dermaceutics. This study aims to
      contribute to the coffee sector's sustainability through the application of CSE
      to preserve skin health. Preclinical data regarding the antiaging properties of
      CSE employing human keratinocytes and Caenorhabditis elegans are collected during
      the present study. Accelerated aging was induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t
      BOOH) in HaCaT cells and by ultraviolet radiation C (UVC) in C. elegans. Results
      suggest that the tested concentrations of coffee extracts were not cytotoxic, and
      CSE 1 mg/mL gave resistance to skin cells when oxidative damage was induced by t
      BOOH. On the other hand, nematodes treated with CSE (1 mg/mL) showed a
      significant increased longevity compared to those cultured on a standard diet. In
      conclusion, our results support the antiaging properties of the CSE and its great
      potential for improving skin health due to its antioxidant character associated
      with phenols among other bioactive compounds present in the botanical material. 

PMID- 27258248
TI  - Hydrogen Bonding: Between Strengthening the Crystal Packing and Improving
      Solubility of Three Haloperidol Derivatives.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to confirm the impact of polar functional groups on
      inter and intra-molecular hydrogen bonding in haloperidol (HP) and droperidol
      (DP) and, hence, their effects on dissolution using a new approach. To confirm
      our theory, a new molecule: deshydroxy-haloperidol (DHP) was designed and its
      synthesis was requested from a contract laboratory. The molecule was then studied
      and compared to DP and HP. Unlike DHP, both the HP and DP molecules have hydrogen
      donor groups, therefore, DHP was used to confirm the relative effects of the
      hydrogen donor group on solubility and crystal packing. The solid dispersions of
      the three structurally related molecules: HP, DP, and DHP were prepared using
      PVPK30, and characterized using XRPD and IR. A comparative dissolution study was
      carried out in aqueous medium. The absence of a hydrogen bonding donor group in
      DHP resulted in an unexpected increase in its aqueous solubility and dissolution
      rate from solid dispersion, which is attributed to weaker crystal pack. The
      increased dissolution rate of HP and DP from solid dispersions is attributed to
      drug-polymer hydrogen bonding that interferes with the drug-drug intermolecular
      hydrogen bonding and provides thermodynamic stability of the dispersed drug
      molecules. The drug-drug intermolecular hydrogen bond is the driving force for
      precipitation and crystal packing. 

PMID- 27258249
TI  - Effects of a Bovine Lactoferrin Formulation from Cow's Milk on Menstrual Distress
      in Volunteers: A Randomized, Crossover Study.
AB  - Dysmenorrhea is a highly prevalent complaint and highly undiagnosed gynecologic
      condition. Dairy products have a potential in the management of menstrual
      distress, and bovine lactoferrin can help the subjective dysphoria associated
      with dysmenorrhea. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of a
      lactoferrin formulation isolated from cow's milk on menstrual symptoms in
      volunteers. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study of
      the iron-lactoferrin complex (FeLf) was performed in thirty-five healthy Japanese
      women. Participants received the 150 mg FeLf (per day) or placebo from day ten of
      the luteal phase to day four of the follicular phase. The Moos Menstrual Distress
      Questionnaire (MDQ) was measured for menstrual distress, and heart rate
      variability was measured as an index of autonomic nerve balance during menses. A
      visual analog scale for menstrual pain, and a verbal rating scale for quality of
      life during the first three days of menstruation were measured. The MDQ score for
      the automatic nervous system subscale was lower and the parasympathetic nervous
      system activity was greater in FeLf than in placebo for intention-to-treat or per
      protocol populations. The other variables were not different between the groups.
      No treatment-related side effects were observed during the study. The results
      indicate that FeLf can provide a beneficial effect on the psychological symptoms
      in women affected by menstrual distress. 

PMID- 27258250
TI  - Knockdown of AMPKalpha2 Promotes Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells
      Proliferation via mTOR/Skp2/p27(Kip1) Signaling Pathway.
AB  - It has been shown that activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein
      kinase (AMPK) suppresses proliferation of a variety of tumor cells as well as
      nonmalignant cells. In this study, we used post-transcriptional gene silencing
      with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to specifically examine the effect of AMPK on
      pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation and to further
      elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that knockdown
      of AMPKalpha2 promoted primary cultured PASMCs proliferation; this was
      accompanied with the elevation of phosphorylation of mammalian target of
      rapamycin (mTOR) and S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2) protein level and
      reduction of p27(Kip1). Importantly, prior silencing of mTOR with siRNA abolished
      AMPKalpha2 knockdown-induced Skp2 upregulation, p27(Kip1) reduction as well as
      PASMCs proliferation. Furthermore, pre-depletion of Skp2 by siRNA also eliminated
      p27(Kip1) downregulation and PASMCs proliferation caused by AMPKalpha2 knockdown.
      Taken together, our study indicates that AMPKalpha2 isoform plays an important
      role in regulation of PASMCs proliferation by modulating mTOR/Skp2/p27(Kip1)
      axis, and suggests that activation of AMPKalpha2 might have potential value in
      the prevention and treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. 

PMID- 27258252
TI  - Pesticides Drive Stochastic Changes in the Chemoreception and Neurotransmission
      System of Marine Ectoparasites.
AB  - Scientific efforts to elucidate the mechanisms of chemical communication between
      organisms in marine environments are increasing. This study applied novel
      molecular technology to outline the effects of two xenobiotic drugs, deltamethrin
      (DM) and azamethiphos (AZA), on the neurotransmission system of the copepod
      ectoparasite Caligus rogercresseyi. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics
      analyses were conducted to evaluate treatment effects on the glutamatergic
      synaptic pathway of the parasite, which is closely related to chemoreception and
      neurotransmission. After drug treatment with DM or AZA, stochastic mRNA
      expression patterns of glutamatergic synapse pathway components were observed.
      Both DM and AZA promoted a down-regulation of the glutamate-ammonia ligase, and
      DM activated a metabotropic glutamate receptor that is a suggested inhibitor of
      neurotransmission. Furthermore, the delousing drugs drove complex rearrangements
      in the distribution of mapped reads for specific metabotropic glutamate receptor
      domains. This study introduces a novel methodological approach that produces high
      quality results from transcriptomic data. Using this approach, DM and AZA were
      found to alter the expression of numerous mRNAs tightly linked to the
      glutamatergic signaling pathway. These data suggest possible new targets for
      xenobiotic drugs that play key roles in the delousing effects of antiparasitics
      in sea lice. 

PMID- 27258251
TI  - Nutraceutical Properties of Olive Oil Polyphenols. An Itinerary from Cultured
      Cells through Animal Models to Humans.
AB  - The increasing interest in the Mediterranean diet hinges on its healthy and anti
      ageing properties. The composition of fatty acids, vitamins and polyphenols in
      olive oil, a key component of this diet, is considered a key feature of its
      healthy properties. Therefore, it is of significance that the Rod of Asclepius
      lying on a world map surrounded by olive tree branches has been chosen by the
      World Health Organization as a symbol of both peace and well-being. This review
      travels through most of the current and past research, recapitulating the
      biochemical and physiological correlations of the beneficial properties of olive
      tree (Olea europaea) polyphenols and their derivatives found in olive oil. The
      factors influencing the content and beneficial properties of olive oil
      polyphenols will also be taken into account together with their bioavailability.
      Finally, the data on the clinical and epidemiological relevance of olive oil and
      its polyphenols for longevity and against age- and lifestyle-associated
      pathologies such as cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative
      diseases are reviewed. 

PMID- 27258253
TI  - Targeting DNA Damage Response in the Radio(Chemo)therapy of Non-Small Cell Lung
      Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide due to its high
      incidence and mortality. As the most common lung cancer, non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) is a terrible threat to human health. Despite improvements in
      diagnosis and combined treatments including surgical resection, radiotherapy and
      chemotherapy, the overall survival for NSCLC patients still remains poor. DNA
      damage is considered to be the primary cause of lung cancer development and is
      normally recognized and repaired by the intrinsic DNA damage response machinery.
      The role of DNA repair pathways in radio(chemo)therapy-resistant cancers has
      become an area of significant interest in the clinical setting. Meanwhile, some
      studies have proved that genetic and epigenetic factors can alter the DNA damage
      response and repair, which results in changes of the radiation and chemotherapy
      curative effect in NSCLC. In this review, we focus on the effect of genetic
      polymorphisms and epigenetic factors such as miRNA regulation and lncRNA
      regulation participating in DNA damage repair in response to radio(chemo)therapy
      in NSCLC. These may provide novel information on the radio(chemo)therapy of NSCLC
      based on the individual DNA damage response. 

PMID- 27258254
TI  - Longitudinal Effects of Embryonic Exposure to Cocaine on Morphology,
      Cardiovascular Physiology, and Behavior in Zebrafish.
AB  - A sizeable portion of the societal drain from cocaine abuse results from the
      complications of in utero drug exposure. Because of challenges in using humans
      and mammalian model organisms as test subjects, much debate remains about the
      impact of in utero cocaine exposure. Zebrafish offer a number of advantages as a
      model in longitudinal toxicology studies and are quite sensitive physiologically
      and behaviorally to cocaine. In this study, we have used zebrafish to model the
      effects of embryonic pre-exposure to cocaine on development and on subsequent
      cardiovascular physiology and cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP)
      in longitudinal adults. Larval fish showed a progressive decrease in
      telencephalic size with increased doses of cocaine. These treated larvae also
      showed a dose dependent response in heart rate that persisted 24 h after drug
      cessation. Embryonic cocaine exposure had little effect on overall health of
      longitudinal adults, but subtle changes in cardiovascular physiology were seen
      including decreased sensitivity to isoproterenol and increased sensitivity to
      cocaine. These longitudinal adult fish also showed an embryonic dose-dependent
      change in CPP behavior, suggesting an increased sensitivity. These studies
      clearly show that pre-exposure during embryonic development affects subsequent
      cocaine sensitivity in longitudinal adults. 

PMID- 27258256
TI  - Comparative Mitogenomic Analysis of Species Representing Six Subfamilies in the
      Family Tenebrionidae.
AB  - To better understand the architecture and evolution of the mitochondrial genome
      (mitogenome), mitogenomes of ten specimens representing six subfamilies in
      Tenebrionidae were selected, and comparative analysis of these mitogenomes was
      carried out in this study. Ten mitogenomes in this family share a similar gene
      composition, gene order, nucleotide composition, and codon usage. In addition,
      our results show that nucleotide bias was strongly influenced by the preference
      of codon usage for A/T rich codons which significantly correlated with the G + C
      content of protein coding genes (PCGs). Evolutionary rate analyses reveal that
      all PCGs have been subjected to a purifying selection, whereas 13 PCGs displayed
      different evolution rates, among which ATPase subunit 8 (ATP8) showed the highest
      evolutionary rate. We inferred the secondary structure for all RNA genes of
      Tenebrio molitor (Te2) and used this as the basis for comparison with the same
      genes from other Tenebrionidae mitogenomes. Some conserved helices (stems) and
      loops of RNA structures were found in different domains of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs)
      and the cloverleaf structure of transfer RNAs (tRNAs). With regard to the AT-rich
      region, we analyzed tandem repeat sequences located in this region and identified
      some essential elements including T stretches, the consensus motif at the
      flanking regions of T stretch, and the secondary structure formed by the motif at
      the 3' end of T stretch in major strand, which are highly conserved in these
      species. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses using mitogenomic data strongly
      support the relationships among six subfamilies: ((Tenebrionidae incertae sedis +
      (Diaperinae + Tenebrioninae)) + (Pimeliinae + Lagriinae)), which is consistent
      with phylogenetic results based on morphological traits. 

PMID- 27258255
TI  - The Transcription Factor OsWRKY45 Negatively Modulates the Resistance of Rice to
      the Brown Planthopper Nilaparvata lugens.
AB  - WRKY transcription factors play a central role not only in plant growth and
      development but also in plant stress responses. However, the role of WRKY
      transcription factors in herbivore-induced plant defenses and their underlying
      mechanisms, especially in rice, remains largely unclear. Here, we cloned a rice
      WRKY gene OsWRKY45, whose expression was induced by mechanical wounding, by
      infestation of the brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens) and by treatment
      with jasmonic acid (JA) or salicylic acid (SA). The antisense expression of
      OsWRKY45 (as-wrky) enhanced BPH-induced levels of H2O2 and ethylene, reduced
      feeding and oviposition preference as well as the survival rate of BPH, and
      delayed the development of BPH nymphs. Consistently, lower population densities
      of BPH on as-wrky lines, compared to those on wild-type (WT) plants, were
      observed in field experiments. On the other hand, as-wrky lines in the field had
      lower susceptibility to sheath blight (caused by Rhizoctonia solani) but higher
      susceptibility to rice blast (caused by Magnaporthe oryzae) than did WT plants.
      These findings suggest that OsWRKY45 plays important but contrasting roles in
      regulating the resistance of rice to pathogens and herbivores, and attention
      should be paid if OsWRKY45 is used to develop disease or herbivore-resistant
      rice. 

PMID- 27258257
TI  - miR-218 Involvement in Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy Is Likely through Targeting
      REST.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as key players in cardiomyocyte
      hypertrophy, which is associated with significant risks of heart failure.
      However, many microRNAs are still not recognized for their functions in
      pathophysiological processes. In this study, we evaluated effects of miR-218 in
      cardiomyocyte hypertrophy using both in vitro and in vivo models. We found that
      miR-218 was evidently downregulated in a transverse aortic constriction (TAC)
      mouse model. Overexpression of miR-218 is sufficient to reduce hypertrophy,
      whereas the suppression of miR-218 aggravates hypertrophy in primary
      cardiomyocytes induced by isoprenaline (ISO). In addition, we identified RE1
      silencing transcription factor (REST) as a novel target of miR-218; it negatively
      regulated the expression of REST in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and the TAC
      model. These results showed that miR-218 plays a crucial role in cardiomyocyte
      hypertrophy, likely via targeting REST, suggesting a potential candidate target
      for interfering hypertrophy. 

PMID- 27258258
TI  - Update on the Management of Pediatric Acute Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis.
AB  - Acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis are two infections whose frequencies are
      increasing in pediatric patients. Acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis need
      to be carefully assessed, diagnosed, and treated to avoid devastating sequelae.
      Traditionally, the treatment of acute osteoarticular infection in pediatrics was
      based on prolonged intravenous anti-infective therapy. However, results from
      clinical trials have suggested that in uncomplicated cases, a short course of a
      few days of parenteral antibiotics followed by oral therapy is safe and
      effective. The aim of this review is to provide clinicians an update on recent
      controversies and advances regarding the management of acute osteomyelitis and
      septic arthritis in children. In recent years, the emergence of bacterial species
      resistant to commonly used antibiotics that are particularly aggressive
      highlights the necessity for further research to optimize treatment approaches
      and to develop new molecules able to fight the war against acute osteoarticular
      infection in pediatric patients. 

PMID- 27258259
TI  - Role of Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in NASH.
AB  - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the number one cause of chronic
      liver disease in the Western world. Although only a minority of patients will
      ultimately develop end-stage liver disease, it is not yet possible to efficiently
      predict who will progress and, most importantly, effective treatments are still
      unavailable. Better understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease is
      necessary to improve the clinical management of NAFLD patients. Epidemiological
      data indicate that NAFLD prognosis is determined by an individual's response to
      lipotoxic injury, rather than either the severity of exposure to lipotoxins, or
      the intensity of liver injury. The liver responds to injury with a synchronized
      wound-healing response. When this response is abnormal, it leads to pathological
      scarring, resulting in progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis, rather than repair.
      The hedgehog pathway is a crucial player in the wound-healing response. In this
      review, we summarize the pre-clinical and clinical evidence, which demonstrate
      the role of hedgehog pathway dysregulation in NAFLD pathogenesis, and the
      preliminary data that place the hedgehog pathway as a potential target for the
      treatment of this disease. 

PMID- 27258261
TI  - Changes in the Arabidopsis thaliana Proteome Implicate cAMP in Biotic and Abiotic
      Stress Responses and Changes in Energy Metabolism.
AB  - The second messenger 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is increasingly
      recognized as having many different roles in plant responses to environmental
      stimuli. To gain further insights into these roles, Arabidopsis thaliana cell
      suspension culture was treated with 100 nM of cell permeant 8-bromo-cAMP for 5 or
      10 min. Here, applying mass spectrometry and comparative proteomics, 20 proteins
      were identified as differentially expressed and we noted a specific bias in
      proteins with a role in abiotic stress, particularly cold and salinity, biotic
      stress as well as proteins with a role in glycolysis. These findings suggest that
      cAMP is sufficient to elicit specific stress responses that may in turn induce
      complex changes to cellular energy homeostasis. 

PMID- 27258260
TI  - DNA Damage and Repair in Schizophrenia and Autism: Implications for Cancer
      Comorbidity and Beyond.
AB  - Schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are multi-factorial and multi
      symptomatic psychiatric disorders, each affecting 0.5%-1% of the population
      worldwide. Both are characterized by impairments in cognitive functions, emotions
      and behaviour, and they undermine basic human processes of perception and
      judgment. Despite decades of extensive research, the aetiologies of schizophrenia
      and ASD are still poorly understood and remain a significant challenge to
      clinicians and scientists alike. Adding to this unsatisfactory situation,
      patients with schizophrenia or ASD often develop a variety of peripheral and
      systemic disturbances, one prominent example of which is cancer, which shows a
      direct (but sometimes inverse) comorbidity in people affected with schizophrenia
      and ASD. Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of
      cells, the molecular origin of which derives from mutations of a cell's DNA
      sequence. To counteract such mutations and repair damaged DNA, cells are equipped
      with intricate DNA repair pathways. Oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage, and
      deficient repair of oxidative DNA lesions repair have been proposed to contribute
      to the development of schizophrenia and ASD. In this article, we summarize the
      current evidence of cancer comorbidity in these brain disorders and discuss the
      putative roles of oxidative stress, DNA damage and DNA repair in the
      aetiopathology of schizophrenia and ASD. 

PMID- 27258262
TI  - Identification of Protein-Excipient Interaction Hotspots Using Computational
      Approaches.
AB  - Protein formulation development relies on the selection of excipients that
      inhibit protein-protein interactions preventing aggregation. Empirical strategies
      involve screening many excipient and buffer combinations using force degradation
      studies. Such methods do not readily provide information on intermolecular
      interactions responsible for the protective effects of excipients. This study
      describes a molecular docking approach to screen and rank interactions allowing
      for the identification of protein-excipient hotspots to aid in the selection of
      excipients to be experimentally screened. Previously published work with
      Drosophila Su(dx) was used to develop and validate the computational methodology,
      which was then used to determine the formulation hotspots for Fab A33. Commonly
      used excipients were examined and compared to the regions in Fab A33 prone to
      protein-protein interactions that could lead to aggregation. This approach could
      provide information on a molecular level about the protective interactions of
      excipients in protein formulations to aid the more rational development of future
      formulations. 

PMID- 27258264
TI  - Influence of Ionic Liquids on an Iron(III) Catalyzed Three-Component
      Coupling/Hydroarylation/Dehydrogenation Tandem Reaction.
AB  - A three-component oxidative dehydrogenation tandem reaction via the coupling and
      hydroarylation of benzaldehyde, aniline and phenylacetylene to a quinoline
      derivate was catalyzed by an iron-containing ionic liquid. The reaction was air
      mediated and could be performed under neat conditions. The iron(III) of the ionic
      liquid was the oxidizing species. 

PMID- 27258265
TI  - Home-Processed Red Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) Products: Changes in Antioxidant
      Properties and Bioaccessibility.
AB  - In this study, the effects of home-processing on the antioxidant properties and
      in vitro bioaccessibility of red beetroot bioactives were investigated. For this
      purpose, fresh red beetroot and six different home-processed red beetroot
      products-including boiled, oven-dried, pickled, pureed, juice-processed, and jam
      processed-were analyzed and compared for their total phenolic (TP) and total
      flavonoid (TF) contents, total antioxidant capacities (TAC), and individual
      anthocyanin contents. In addition, bioaccessibility of red beetroot antioxidants
      was determined using an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion method.
      Dried, pureed, and fresh red beetroot samples had the highest TP, TF, and TAC
      values, which were 347 +/- 23 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g, 289 +/- 53
      mg rutin equivalent (RE)/100 g, 3889 +/- 982 mg trolox equivalent antioxidant
      capacity (TEAC)/100 g, respectively. The in vitro digestion method revealed the
      highest recovery for TP (16%) and TAC (1.3%) in jam. This study provides
      comparative data to evaluate the effects of various home-processing techniques on
      antioxidant potential of red beetroot products. 

PMID- 27258263
TI  - Activation of DNA Damage Response Induced by the Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated
      Herpes Virus.
AB  - The human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes
      virus (KSHV), can infect endothelial cells often leading to cell transformation
      and to the development of tumors, namely Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), primary effusion
      lymphoma (PEL), and the plasmablastic variant of multicentric Castleman's
      disease. KSHV is prevalent in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa and the
      Mediterranean region presenting distinct genotypes, which appear to be associated
      with differences in disease manifestation, according to geographical areas. In
      infected cells, KSHV persists in a latent episomal form. However, in a limited
      number of cells, it undergoes spontaneous lytic reactivation to ensure the
      production of new virions. During both the latent and the lytic cycle, KSHV is
      programmed to express genes which selectively modulate the DNA damage response
      (DDR) through the activation of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) pathway
      and by phosphorylating factors associated with the DDR, including the major tumor
      suppressor protein p53 tumor suppressor p53. This review will focus on the
      interplay between the KSHV and the DDR response pathway throughout the viral
      lifecycle, exploring the putative molecular mechanism/s that may contribute to
      malignant transformation of host cells. 

PMID- 27258267
TI  - Stable Toll-Like Receptor 10 Knockdown in THP-1 Cells Reduces TLR-Ligand-Induced
      Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression.
AB  - Toll-like receptor 10 (TLR10) is the only orphan receptor whose natural ligand
      and function are unknown among the 10 human TLRs. In this study, to test whether
      TLR10 recognizes some known TLR ligands, we established a stable TLR10 knockdown
      human monocytic cell line THP-1 using TLR10 short hairpin RNA lentiviral particle
      and puromycin selection. Among 60 TLR10 knockdown clones that were derived from
      each single transduced cell, six clones were randomly selected, and then one of
      those clones, named E7, was chosen for the functional study. E7 exhibited
      approximately 50% inhibition of TLR10 mRNA and protein expression. Of all the
      TLRs, only the expression of TLR10 changed significantly in this cell line.
      Additionally, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced macrophage differentiation
      of TLR10 knockdown cells was not affected in the knockdown cells. When exposed to
      TLR ligands, such as synthetic diacylated lipoprotein (FSL-1), lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS), and flagellin, significant induction of proinflammatory cytokine gene
      expression including Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), Tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 20 (CCL20)
      expression, was found in the control THP-1 cells, whereas the TLR10 knockdown
      cells exhibited a significant reduction in the expression of IL-8, IL-1beta, and
      CCL20. TNF-alpha was the only cytokine for which the expression did not decrease
      in the TLR10 knockdown cells from that measured in the control cells. Analysis of
      putative binding sites for transcription factors using a binding-site-prediction
      program revealed that the TNF-alpha promoter does not have putative binding sites
      for AP-1 or c-Jun, comprising a major transcription factor along with NF-kappaB
      for TLR signaling. Our results suggest that TLR10 is involved in the recognition
      of FSL-1, LPS, and flagellin and TLR-ligand-induced expression of TNF-alpha does
      not depend on TLR10. 

PMID- 27258266
TI  - Plant Metabolomics: An Indispensable System Biology Tool for Plant Science.
AB  - As genomes of many plant species have been sequenced, demand for functional
      genomics has dramatically accelerated the improvement of other omics including
      metabolomics. Despite a large amount of metabolites still remaining to be
      identified, metabolomics has contributed significantly not only to the
      understanding of plant physiology and biology from the view of small chemical
      molecules that reflect the end point of biological activities, but also in past
      decades to the attempts to improve plant behavior under both normal and stressed
      conditions. Hereby, we summarize the current knowledge on the genetic and
      biochemical mechanisms underlying plant growth, development, and stress
      responses, focusing further on the contributions of metabolomics to practical
      applications in crop quality improvement and food safety assessment, as well as
      plant metabolic engineering. We also highlight the current challenges and future
      perspectives in this inspiring area, with the aim to stimulate further studies
      leading to better crop improvement of yield and quality. 

PMID- 27258268
TI  - Aquaporin-11 (AQP11) Expression in the Mouse Brain.
AB  - Aquaporin-11 (AQP11) is an intracellular aquaporin expressed in various tissues,
      including brain tissues in mammals. While AQP11-deficient mice have developed
      fatal polycystic kidneys at one month old, the role of AQP11 in the brain was not
      well appreciated. In this study, we examined the AQP11 expression in the mouse
      brain and the brain phenotype of AQP11-deficient mice. AQP11 messenger
      ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein were expressed in the brain, but much less
      than in the thymus and kidney. Immunostaining showed that AQP11 was localized at
      the epithelium of the choroid plexus and at the endothelium of the brain
      capillary, suggesting that AQP11 may be involved in water transport at the
      choroid plexus and blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the brain. The expression of
      AQP4, another brain AQP expressed at the BBB, was decreased by half in AQP11
      deficient mice, thereby suggesting the presence of the interaction between AQP11
      and AQP4. The brain of AQP11-deficient mice, however, did not show any
      morphological abnormalities and the function of the BBB was intact. Our findings
      provide a novel insight into a water transport mechanism mediated by AQPs in the
      brain, which may lead to a new therapy for brain edema. 

PMID- 27258270
TI  - Probabilistic Assessment of High-Throughput Wireless Sensor Networks.
AB  - Structural health monitoring (SHM) using wireless smart sensors (WSS) has the
      potential to provide rich information on the state of a structure. However,
      because of their distributed nature, maintaining highly robust and reliable
      networks can be challenging. Assessing WSS network communication quality before
      and after finalizing a deployment is critical to achieve a successful WSS network
      for SHM purposes. Early studies on WSS network reliability mostly used temporal
      signal indicators, composed of a smaller number of packets, to assess the network
      reliability. However, because the WSS networks for SHM purpose often require high
      data throughput, i.e., a larger number of packets are delivered within the
      communication, such an approach is not sufficient. Instead, in this study, a
      model that can assess, probabilistically, the long-term performance of the
      network is proposed. The proposed model is based on readily-available measured
      data sets that represent communication quality during high-throughput data
      transfer. Then, an empirical limit-state function is determined, which is further
      used to estimate the probability of network communication failure. Monte Carlo
      simulation is adopted in this paper and applied to a small and a full-bridge
      wireless networks. By performing the proposed analysis in complex sensor
      networks, an optimized sensor topology can be achieved. 

PMID- 27258269
TI  - Review on Graph Clustering and Subgraph Similarity Based Analysis of Neurological
      Disorders.
AB  - How can complex relationships among molecular or clinico-pathological entities of
      neurological disorders be represented and analyzed? Graphs seem to be the current
      answer to the question no matter the type of information: molecular data, brain
      images or neural signals. We review a wide spectrum of graph representation and
      graph analysis methods and their application in the study of both the genomic
      level and the phenotypic level of the neurological disorder. We find numerous
      research works that create, process and analyze graphs formed from one or a few
      data types to gain an understanding of specific aspects of the neurological
      disorders. Furthermore, with the increasing number of data of various types
      becoming available for neurological disorders, we find that integrative analysis
      approaches that combine several types of data are being recognized as a way to
      gain a global understanding of the diseases. Although there are still not many
      integrative analyses of graphs due to the complexity in analysis, multi-layer
      graph analysis is a promising framework that can incorporate various data types.
      We describe and discuss the benefits of the multi-layer graph framework for
      studies of neurological disease. 

PMID- 27258271
TI  - Two-Dimensional DOA and Polarization Estimation for a Mixture of Uncorrelated and
      Coherent Sources with Sparsely-Distributed Vector Sensor Array.
AB  - This paper presents an L-shaped sparsely-distributed vector sensor (SD-VS) array
      with four different antenna compositions. With the proposed SD-VS array, a novel
      two-dimensional (2-D) direction of arrival (DOA) and polarization estimation
      method is proposed to handle the scenario where uncorrelated and coherent sources
      coexist. The uncorrelated and coherent sources are separated based on the moduli
      of the eigenvalues. For the uncorrelated sources, coarse estimates are acquired
      by extracting the DOA information embedded in the steering vectors from estimated
      array response matrix of the uncorrelated sources, and they serve as coarse
      references to disambiguate fine estimates with cyclical ambiguity obtained from
      the spatial phase factors. For the coherent sources, four Hankel matrices are
      constructed, with which the coherent sources are resolved in a similar way as for
      the uncorrelated sources. The proposed SD-VS array requires only two collocated
      antennas for each vector sensor, thus the mutual coupling effects across the
      collocated antennas are reduced greatly. Moreover, the inter-sensor spacings are
      allowed beyond a half-wavelength, which results in an extended array aperture.
      Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and favorable performance of the
      proposed method. 

PMID- 27258272
TI  - Blind RSSD-Based Indoor Localization with Confidence Calibration and Energy
      Control.
AB  - Indoor localization based on wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is an important
      field of research with numerous applications, such as elderly care, miner
      security, and smart buildings. In this paper, we present a localization method
      based on the received signal strength difference (RSSD) to determine a target on
      a map with unknown transmission information. To increase the accuracy of
      localization, we propose a confidence value for each anchor node to indicate its
      credibility for participating in the estimation. An automatic calibration device
      is designed to help acquire the values. The acceleration sensor and unscented
      Kalman filter (UKF) are also introduced to reduce the influence of measuring
      noise in the application. Energy control is another key point in WSN systems and
      may prolong the lifetime of the system. Thus, a quadtree structure is constructed
      to describe the region correlation between neighboring areas, and the unnecessary
      anchor nodes can be detected and set to sleep to save energy. The localization
      system is implemented on real-time Texas Instruments CC2430 and CC2431 embedded
      platforms, and the experimental results indicate that these mechanisms achieve a
      high accuracy and low energy cost. 

PMID- 27258273
TI  - A Highly Sensitive Fiber-Optic Fabry-Perot Interferometer Based on Internal
      Reflection Mirrors for Refractive Index Measurement.
AB  - In this study, a new type of highly sensitive fiber-optic Fabry-Perot
      interferometer (FFPI) is proposed with a high sensitivity on a wide refractive
      index (RI) measurement range based on internal reflection mirrors of micro
      cavity. The sensor head consists of a single-mode fiber (SMF) with an open micro
      cavity. Since light reflections of gold thin films are not affected by the RI of
      different measuring mediums, the sensor is designed to improve the fringe
      visibility of optical interference through sputtering the gold films of various
      thicknesses on the inner surfaces of the micro-cavity, as a semi-transparent
      mirror (STM) and a total-reflection mirror (TRM). Experiments have been carried
      out to verify the feasibility of the sensor's design. It is shown that the
      fabricated sensor has strong interference visibility exceeding 15 dB over a wide
      measurement range of RI, and the sensor sensitivity is higher than 1160 nm/RIU,
      and RI resolution is better than 1.0 * 10(-6) RIU. 

PMID- 27258274
TI  - Power Pattern Sensitivity to Calibration Errors and Mutual Coupling in Linear
      Arrays through Circular Interval Arithmetics.
AB  - The sensitivity to both calibration errors and mutual coupling effects of the
      power pattern radiated by a linear array is addressed. Starting from the
      knowledge of the nominal excitations of the array elements and the maximum
      uncertainty on their amplitudes, the bounds of the pattern deviations from the
      ideal one are analytically derived by exploiting the Circular Interval Analysis
      (CIA). A set of representative numerical results is reported and discussed to
      assess the effectiveness and the reliability of the proposed approach also in
      comparison with state-of-the-art methods and full-wave simulations. 

PMID- 27258275
TI  - Characterisation of Phosphate Accumulating Organisms and Techniques for
      Polyphosphate Detection: A Review.
AB  - Phosphate minerals have long been used for the production of phosphorus-based
      chemicals used in many economic sectors. However, these resources are not
      renewable and the natural phosphate stocks are decreasing. In this context, the
      research of new phosphate sources has become necessary. Many types of wastes
      contain non-negligible phosphate concentrations, such as wastewater. In
      wastewater treatment plants, phosphorus is eliminated by physicochemical and/or
      biological techniques. In this latter case, a specific microbiota, phosphate
      accumulating organisms (PAOs), accumulates phosphate as polyphosphate. This
      molecule can be considered as an alternative phosphate source, and is directly
      extracted from wastewater generated by human activities. This review focuses on
      the techniques which can be applied to enrich and try to isolate these PAOs, and
      to detect the presence of polyphosphate in microbial cells. 

PMID- 27258276
TI  - A Noise Reduction Method for Dual-Mass Micro-Electromechanical Gyroscopes Based
      on Sample Entropy Empirical Mode Decomposition and Time-Frequency Peak Filtering.
AB  - The different noise components in a dual-mass micro-electromechanical system
      (MEMS) gyroscope structure is analyzed in this paper, including mechanical
      thermal noise (MTN), electronic-thermal noise (ETN), flicker noise (FN) and
      Coriolis signal in-phase noise (IPN). The structure equivalent electronic model
      is established, and an improved white Gaussian noise reduction method for dual
      mass MEMS gyroscopes is proposed which is based on sample entropy empirical mode
      decomposition (SEEMD) and time-frequency peak filtering (TFPF). There is a
      contradiction in TFPS, i.e., selecting a short window length may lead to good
      preservation of signal amplitude but bad random noise reduction, whereas
      selecting a long window length may lead to serious attenuation of the signal
      amplitude but effective random noise reduction. In order to achieve a good
      tradeoff between valid signal amplitude preservation and random noise reduction,
      SEEMD is adopted to improve TFPF. Firstly, the original signal is decomposed into
      intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) by EMD, and the SE of each IMF is calculated in
      order to classify the numerous IMFs into three different components; then short
      window TFPF is employed for low frequency component of IMFs, and long window TFPF
      is employed for high frequency component of IMFs, and the noise component of IMFs
      is wiped off directly; at last the final signal is obtained after reconstruction.
      Rotation experimental and temperature experimental are carried out to verify the
      proposed SEEMD-TFPF algorithm, the verification and comparison results show that
      the de-noising performance of SEEMD-TFPF is better than that achievable with the
      traditional wavelet, Kalman filter and fixed window length TFPF methods. 

PMID- 27258277
TI  - Tool Condition Monitoring and Remaining Useful Life Prognostic Based on a
      Wireless Sensor in Dry Milling Operations.
AB  - Tool breakage causes losses of surface polishing and dimensional accuracy for
      machined part, or possible damage to a workpiece or machine. Tool Condition
      Monitoring (TCM) is considerably vital in the manufacturing industry. In this
      paper, an indirect TCM approach is introduced with a wireless triaxial
      accelerometer. The vibrations in the three vertical directions (x, y and z) are
      acquired during milling operations, and the raw signals are de-noised by wavelet
      analysis. These features of de-noised signals are extracted in the time,
      frequency and time-frequency domains. The key features are selected based on
      Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (PCC). The Neuro-Fuzzy Network (NFN) is adopted
      to predict the tool wear and Remaining Useful Life (RUL). In comparison with Back
      Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) and Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN), the
      results show that the NFN has the best performance in the prediction of tool wear
      and RUL. 

PMID- 27258278
TI  - Use of a Force-Torque Sensor for Self-Calibration of a 6-DOF Medical Robot.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to improve the position accuracy of a six degree of
      freedom medical robot. The improvement in accuracy is achieved without the use of
      any external measurement device. Instead, this work presents a novel calibration
      approach based on using an embedded force-torque sensor to identify the robot's
      kinematic parameters and thereby enhance the positioning accuracy. A simulation
      study demonstrated that our calibration approach is effective, whether or not any
      measurement noise is present: the position error is improved, inside the robot
      target workspace, from 12 mm to 0.320 mm, for the maximum values, and from 9 mm
      to 0.2771 mm, for the mean errors. 

PMID- 27258279
TI  - Robust Statistical Approaches for RSS-Based Floor Detection in Indoor
      Localization.
AB  - Floor detection for indoor 3D localization of mobile devices is currently an
      important challenge in the wireless world. Many approaches currently exist, but
      usually the robustness of such approaches is not addressed or investigated. The
      goal of this paper is to show how to robustify the floor estimation when
      probabilistic approaches with a low number of parameters are employed. Indeed,
      such an approach would allow a building-independent estimation and a lower
      computing power at the mobile side. Four robustified algorithms are to be
      presented: a robust weighted centroid localization method, a robust linear
      trilateration method, a robust nonlinear trilateration method, and a robust
      deconvolution method. The proposed approaches use the received signal strengths
      (RSS) measured by the Mobile Station (MS) from various heard WiFi access points
      (APs) and provide an estimate of the vertical position of the MS, which can be
      used for floor detection. We will show that robustification can indeed increase
      the performance of the RSS-based floor detection algorithms. 

PMID- 27258280
TI  - NetCoDer: A Retransmission Mechanism for WSNs Based on Cooperative Relays and
      Network Coding.
AB  - Some of the most difficult problems to deal with when using Wireless Sensor
      Networks (WSNs) are related to the unreliable nature of communication channels.
      In this context, the use of cooperative diversity techniques and the application
      of network coding concepts may be promising solutions to improve the
      communication reliability. In this paper, we propose the NetCoDer scheme to
      address this problem. Its design is based on merging cooperative diversity
      techniques and network coding concepts. We evaluate the effectiveness of the
      NetCoDer scheme through both an experimental setup with real WSN nodes and a
      simulation assessment, comparing NetCoDer performance against state-of-the-art
      TDMA-based (Time Division Multiple Access) retransmission techniques: BlockACK,
      Master/Slave and Redundant TDMA. The obtained results highlight that the proposed
      NetCoDer scheme clearly improves the network performance when compared with other
      retransmission techniques. 

PMID- 27258281
TI  - Guided-Mode-Leaky-Mode-Guided-Mode Fiber Interferometer and Its High Sensitivity
      Refractive Index Sensing Technology.
AB  - A cascaded symmetrical dual-taper Mach-Zehnder interferometer structure based on
      guided-mode and leaky-mode interference is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the
      interference spectrum characteristics of interferometer has been analyzed by the
      Finite Difference-Beam Propagation Method (FD-BPM). When the diameter of taper
      waist is 20 MUm-30 MUm, dual-taper length is 1 mm and taper distance is 4 cm-6
      cm, the spectral contrast is higher, which is suitable for sensing. Secondly,
      experimental research on refractive index sensitivity is carried out. A
      refractive index sensitivity of 62.78 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) can achieved
      in the RI range of 1.3333-1.3792 (0%~25% NaCl solution), when the sensor
      structure parameters meet the following conditions: diameter of taper waist is 24
      MUm, dual-taper length is 837 MUm and taper distance is 5.5 cm. The spectrum
      contrast is 0.8 and measurement resolution is 1.6 * 10(-5) RIU. The simulation
      analysis is highly consistent with experimental results. Research shows that the
      sensor has promising application in low RI fields where high-precision
      measurement is required due to its high sensitivity and stability. 

PMID- 27258282
TI  - How Accurately Can Your Wrist Device Recognize Daily Activities and Detect Falls?
AB  - Although wearable accelerometers can successfully recognize activities and detect
      falls, their adoption in real life is low because users do not want to wear
      additional devices. A possible solution is an accelerometer inside a wrist
      device/smartwatch. However, wrist placement might perform poorly in terms of
      accuracy due to frequent random movements of the hand. In this paper we perform a
      thorough, large-scale evaluation of methods for activity recognition and fall
      detection on four datasets. On the first two we showed that the left wrist
      performs better compared to the dominant right one, and also better compared to
      the elbow and the chest, but worse compared to the ankle, knee and belt. On the
      third (Opportunity) dataset, our method outperformed the related work, indicating
      that our feature-preprocessing creates better input data. And finally, on a real
      life unlabeled dataset the recognized activities captured the subject's daily
      rhythm and activities. Our fall-detection method detected all of the fast falls
      and minimized the false positives, achieving 85% accuracy on the first dataset.
      Because the other datasets did not contain fall events, only false positives were
      evaluated, resulting in 9 for the second, 1 for the third and 15 for the real
      life dataset (57 days data). 

PMID- 27258283
TI  - Overhauser Geomagnetic Sensor Based on the Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Effect
      for Magnetic Prospecting.
AB  - Based on the dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) effect, an alternative design of
      an Overhauser geomagnetic sensor is presented that enhances the proton
      polarization and increases the amplitude of the free induction decay (FID)
      signal. The short-pulse method is adopted to rotate the enhanced proton
      magnetization into the plane of precession to create an FID signal. To reduce the
      negative effect of the powerful electromagnetic interference, the design of the
      anti-interference of the pick-up coil is studied. Furthermore, the radio
      frequency polarization method based on the capacitive-loaded coaxial cavity is
      proposed to improve the quality factor of the resonant circuit. In addition, a
      special test instrument is designed that enables the simultaneous testing of the
      classical proton precession and the Overhauser sensor. Overall, comparison
      experiments with and without the free radical of the Overhauser sensors show that
      the DNP effect does effectively improve the amplitude and quality of the FID
      signal, and the magnetic sensitivity, resolution and range reach to 10 pT/Hz 1 /
      2 @1 Hz, 0.0023 nT and 20-100 MU T, respectively. 

PMID- 27258284
TI  - Reference Device-Assisted Adaptive Location Fingerprinting.
AB  - Location fingerprinting suffers in dynamic environments and needs recalibration
      from time to time to maintain system performance. This paper proposes an adaptive
      approach for location fingerprinting. Based on real-time received signal strength
      indicator (RSSI) samples measured by a group of reference devices, the approach
      applies a modified Universal Kriging (UK) interpolant to estimate adaptive
      temporal and environmental radio maps. The modified UK can take the spatial
      distribution characteristics of RSSI into account. In addition, the issue of
      device heterogeneity caused by multiple reference devices is further addressed.
      To compensate the measuring differences of heterogeneous reference devices,
      differential RSSI metric is employed. Extensive experiments were conducted in an
      indoor field and the results demonstrate that the proposed approach not only
      adapts to dynamic environments and the situation of changing APs' positions, but
      it is also robust toward measuring differences of heterogeneous reference
      devices. 

PMID- 27258285
TI  - An Improved Interacting Multiple Model Filtering Algorithm Based on the Cubature
      Kalman Filter for Maneuvering Target Tracking.
AB  - In order to improve the tracking accuracy, model estimation accuracy and quick
      response of multiple model maneuvering target tracking, the interacting multiple
      models five degree cubature Kalman filter (IMM5CKF) is proposed in this paper. In
      the proposed algorithm, the interacting multiple models (IMM) algorithm processes
      all the models through a Markov Chain to simultaneously enhance the model
      tracking accuracy of target tracking. Then a five degree cubature Kalman filter
      (5CKF) evaluates the surface integral by a higher but deterministic odd ordered
      spherical cubature rule to improve the tracking accuracy and the model switch
      sensitivity of the IMM algorithm. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate
      that the proposed algorithm exhibits quick and smooth switching when disposing
      different maneuver models, and it also performs better than the interacting
      multiple models cubature Kalman filter (IMMCKF), interacting multiple models
      unscented Kalman filter (IMMUKF), 5CKF and the optimal mode transition matrix IMM
      (OMTM-IMM). 

PMID- 27258286
TI  - Data-Driven Design of Intelligent Wireless Networks: An Overview and Tutorial.
AB  - Data science or "data-driven research" is a research approach that uses real-life
      data to gain insight about the behavior of systems. It enables the analysis of
      small, simple as well as large and more complex systems in order to assess
      whether they function according to the intended design and as seen in simulation.
      Data science approaches have been successfully applied to analyze networked
      interactions in several research areas such as large-scale social networks,
      advanced business and healthcare processes. Wireless networks can exhibit
      unpredictable interactions between algorithms from multiple protocol layers,
      interactions between multiple devices, and hardware specific influences. These
      interactions can lead to a difference between real-world functioning and design
      time functioning. Data science methods can help to detect the actual behavior and
      possibly help to correct it. Data science is increasingly used in wireless
      research. To support data-driven research in wireless networks, this paper
      illustrates the step-by-step methodology that has to be applied to extract
      knowledge from raw data traces. To this end, the paper (i) clarifies when, why
      and how to use data science in wireless network research; (ii) provides a generic
      framework for applying data science in wireless networks; (iii) gives an overview
      of existing research papers that utilized data science approaches in wireless
      networks; (iv) illustrates the overall knowledge discovery process through an
      extensive example in which device types are identified based on their traffic
      patterns; (v) provides the reader the necessary datasets and scripts to go
      through the tutorial steps themselves. 

PMID- 27258287
TI  - TripSense: A Trust-Based Vehicular Platoon Crowdsensing Scheme with Privacy
      Preservation in VANETs.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a trust-based vehicular platoon crowdsensing scheme,
      named TripSense, in VANET. The proposed TripSense scheme introduces a trust-based
      system to evaluate vehicles' sensing abilities and then selects the more capable
      vehicles in order to improve sensing results accuracy. In addition, the sensing
      tasks are accomplished by platoon member vehicles and preprocessed by platoon
      head vehicles before the data are uploaded to server. Hence, it is less time
      consuming and more efficient compared with the way where the data are submitted
      by individual platoon member vehicles. Hence it is more suitable in ephemeral
      networks like VANET. Moreover, our proposed TripSense scheme integrates
      unlinkable pseudo-ID techniques to achieve PM vehicle identity privacy, and
      employs a privacy-preserving sensing vehicle selection scheme without involving
      the PM vehicle's trust score to keep its location privacy. Detailed security
      analysis shows that our proposed TripSense scheme not only achieves desirable
      privacy requirements but also resists against attacks launched by adversaries. In
      addition, extensive simulations are conducted to show the correctness and
      effectiveness of our proposed scheme. 

PMID- 27258288
TI  - An Exact Formula for Calculating Inverse Radial Lens Distortions.
AB  - This article presents a new approach to calculating the inverse of radial
      distortions. The method presented here provides a model of reverse radial
      distortion, currently modeled by a polynomial expression, that proposes another
      polynomial expression where the new coefficients are a function of the original
      ones. After describing the state of the art, the proposed method is developed. It
      is based on a formal calculus involving a power series used to deduce a recursive
      formula for the new coefficients. We present several implementations of this
      method and describe the experiments conducted to assess the validity of the new
      approach. Such an approach, non-iterative, using another polynomial expression,
      able to be deduced from the first one, can actually be interesting in terms of
      performance, reuse of existing software, or bridging between different existing
      software tools that do not consider distortion from the same point of view. 

PMID- 27258289
TI  - Biosynthetic Functional Gene Analysis of Bis-Indole Metabolites from 25D7, a
      Clone Derived from a Deep-Sea Sediment Metagenomic Library.
AB  - This work investigated the metabolites and their biosynthetic functional
      hydroxylase genes of the deep-sea sediment metagenomic clone 25D7. 5-Bromoindole
      was added to the 25D7 clone derived Escherichia coli fermentation broth. The new
      generated metabolites and their biosynthetic byproducts were located through LC
      MS, in which the isotope peaks of brominated products emerged. Two new brominated
      bis-indole metabolites, 5-bromometagenediindole B (1), and 5
      bromometagenediindole C (2) were separated under the guidance of LC-MS. Their
      structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra (COSY, HSQC, and
      HMBC). The biosynthetic functional genes of the two new compounds were revealed
      through LC-MS and transposon mutagenesis analysis. 5-Bromometagenediindole B (1)
      also demonstrated moderately cytotoxic activity against MCF7, B16, CNE2, Bel7402,
      and HT1080 tumor cell lines in vitro. 

PMID- 27258290
TI  - Topical Formulation Comprising Fatty Acid Extract from Cod Liver Oil:
      Development, Evaluation and Stability Studies.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to develop a pharmaceutical formulation containing
      fatty acid extract rich in free omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid
      and docosahexaenoic acid for topical use. Although the health benefits of cod
      liver oil and other fish oils taken orally as a dietary supplement have been
      acknowledged and exploited, it is clear that their use can be extended further to
      cover their antibacterial properties. In vitro evaluation showed that 20% (v/v)
      fatty acid extract exhibits good activity against strains of the Gram-positive
      bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptoccoccus pyogenes
      and Streptoccoccus pneumonia. Therefore, free polyunsaturated fatty acids from
      cod liver oil or other fish oils can be used as safe and natural antibacterial
      agents. In this study, ointment compositions containing free fatty acids as
      active antibacterial agents were prepared by using various natural waxes and
      characterized. The effects of different waxes, such as carnauba wax, ozokerite
      wax, laurel wax, beeswax, rice bran wax, candelilla wax and microcrystalline wax,
      in the concentration range of 1% to 5% (w/w) on the ointment texture, consistency
      and stability were evaluated. The results showed significant variations in
      texture, sensory and rheological profiles. This was attributed to the wax's
      nature and chain composition. Microcrystalline wax gave the best results but
      laurel wax, beeswax and rice bran wax exhibited excellent texturing, similar
      sensory profiles and well-balanced rheological properties. 

PMID- 27258291
TI  - Review of the Literature on Determinants of Chemical Hazard Information Recall
      among Workers and Consumers.
AB  - In many low and middle income countries (LMIC), workers' and consumers' only
      access to risk and hazard information in relation to the chemicals they use or
      work with is on the chemical label and safety data sheet. Recall of chemical
      hazard information is vital in order for label warnings and precautionary
      information to promote effective safety behaviors. A literature review,
      therefore, was conducted on determinants of chemical hazard information recall
      among workers and consumers globally. Since comprehension and recall are closely
      linked, the determinants of both were reviewed. Literature was reviewed from both
      online and print peer reviewed journals for all study designs and countries. This
      review indicated that the level of education, previous training and the inclusion
      of pictograms on the hazard communication material are all factors that
      contribute to the recall of hazard information. The influence of gender and age
      on recall is incongruent and remains to be explored. More research is required on
      the demographic predictors of the recall of hazard information, the effect of
      design and non-design factors on recall, the effect of training on the recall
      among low literate populations and the examining of different regions or
      contexts.

PMID- 27258292
TI  - Increase in Suicide Rates by Hanging in the Population of Tabasco, Mexico between
      2003 and 2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Worldwide, the suicide rate is decreasing. To examine changes in the
      rates of completed suicide in the Mexican population from 2003 to 2012, we
      analyzed these changes according to: (i) the method of suicide; (ii) age group
      and (iii) gender. METHODS: The data analyzed were obtained from governmental
      organizations from the State of Tabasco, Mexico. The data provided 1836 cases of
      subjects born and residing in Tabasco, who completed suicide in this state.
      RESULTS: Suicide by hanging was a common choice of suicide method for Mexicans.
      The rate of suicide by hanging increased from 5.80 to 6.49 per 100,000 persons
      between 2003 and 2012, a rate percentage increase of 11.89%. CONCLUSIONS: Hanging
      was found to be the most common choice of suicide in the Mexican population,
      probably because the materials required are easily available and the method does
      not require complicated techniques, especially in the 55-64 age group. Strategies
      for prevention and intervention should be developed for the Mexican population
      considering suicide rates by age group and gender.

PMID- 27258293
TI  - An Improved Multi-Objective Programming with Augmented epsilon-Constraint Method
      for Hazardous Waste Location-Routing Problems.
AB  - Hazardous waste location-routing problems are of importance due to the potential
      risk for nearby residents and the environment. In this paper, an improved
      mathematical formulation is developed based upon a multi-objective mixed integer
      programming approach. The model aims at assisting decision makers in selecting
      locations for different facilities including treatment plants, recycling plants
      and disposal sites, providing appropriate technologies for hazardous waste
      treatment, and routing transportation. In the model, two critical factors are
      taken into account: system operating costs and risk imposed on local residents,
      and a compensation factor is introduced to the risk objective function in order
      to account for the fact that the risk level imposed by one type of hazardous
      waste or treatment technology may significantly vary from that of other types.
      Besides, the policy instruments for promoting waste recycling are considered, and
      their influence on the costs and risk of hazardous waste management is also
      discussed. The model is coded and calculated in Lingo optimization solver, and
      the augmented epsilon-constraint method is employed to generate the Pareto
      optimal curve of the multi-objective optimization problem. The trade-off between
      different objectives is illustrated in the numerical experiment.

PMID- 27258294
TI  - Tracking Restoration of Park and Urban Street Settings in Coronary Artery Disease
      Patients.
AB  - The physiological effects of natural and urban environments on the cardiovascular
      system of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients are not fully understood. This
      controlled field study examines the effects of restorative walking in a park vs.
      in an urban street environment on CAD patients' stress parameters and cardiac
      function. METHODS: Twenty stable CAD patients were randomly allocated to 7 days
      controlled walking in a city park or in an urban street environment group. The
      relationship between different environmental exposures and health effects was
      analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and exact Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS:
      The mean reduction in cortisol levels and negative effects after the walk on the
      first day was greater in the city park than in the urban street exposed group,
      while a reduction in negative effects in the urban group were greater after seven
      days. The reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the park group was
      evident on the seventh day before the walk (-4 mm Hg, p = 0.031) and 60 min after
      the walk (-6.00 mm Hg, p = 0.002). The cortisol slope was negatively associated
      with the DBP changes (r = -0.514, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity in a
      green environment with noise and air pollution levels lower than in an urban
      environment has a greater positive effect on CAD patients' stress level and
      hemodynamic parameters. Mitigating green environmental influences may allow urban
      residents to maintain health and reduce disability.

PMID- 27258295
TI  - Children's Personal Exposure Measurements to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic
      Fields in Italy.
AB  - Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) exposure is still a topic of
      concern due to their possible impact on children's health. Although
      epidemiological studies claimed an evidence of a possible association between ELF
      MF above 0.4 MUT and childhood leukemia, biological mechanisms able to support a
      causal relationship between ELF-MF and this disease were not found yet. To
      provide further knowledge about children's ELF-MF exposure correlated to
      children's daily activities, a measurement study was conducted in Milan (Italy).
      Eighty-six children were recruited, 52 of whom were specifically chosen with
      respect to the distance to power lines and built-in transformers to oversample
      potentially highly exposed children. Personal and bedroom measurements were
      performed for each child in two different seasons. The major outcomes of this
      study are: (1) median values over 24-h personal and bedroom measurements were <3
      MUT established by the Italian law as the quality target; (2) geometric mean
      values over 24-h bedroom measurements were mostly <0.4 MUT; (3) seasonal
      variations did not significantly influence personal and bedroom measurements; (4)
      the highest average MF levels were mostly found at home during the day and
      outdoors; (5) no significant differences were found in the median and geometric
      mean values between personal and bedroom measurements, but were found in the
      arithmetic mean.

PMID- 27258297
TI  - LBMR: Load-Balanced Multipath Routing for Wireless Data-Intensive Transmission in
      Real-Time Medical Monitoring.
AB  - In wireless networks, low-power Zigbee is an excellent network solution for
      wireless medical monitoring systems. Medical monitoring generally involves
      transmission of a large amount of data and easily causes bottleneck problems.
      Although Zigbee's AODV mesh routing provides extensible multi-hop data
      transmission to extend network coverage, it originally does not, and needs to
      support some form of load balancing mechanism to avoid bottlenecks. To guarantee
      a more reliable multi-hop data transmission for life-critical medical
      applications, we have developed a multipath solution, called Load-Balanced
      Multipath Routing (LBMR) to replace Zigbee's routing mechanism. LBMR consists of
      three main parts: Layer Routing Construction (LRC), a Load Estimation Algorithm
      (LEA), and a Route Maintenance (RM) mechanism. LRC assigns nodes into different
      layers based on the node's distance to the medical data gateway. Nodes can have
      multiple next-hops delivering medical data toward the gateway. All neighboring
      layer-nodes exchange flow information containing current load, which is the used
      by the LEA to estimate future load of next-hops to the gateway. With LBMR, nodes
      can choose the neighbors with the least load as the next-hops and thus can
      achieve load balancing and avoid bottlenecks. Furthermore, RM can detect route
      failures in real-time and perform route redirection to ensure routing robustness.
      Since LRC and LEA prevent bottlenecks while RM ensures routing fault tolerance,
      LBMR provides a highly reliable routing service for medical monitoring. To
      evaluate these accomplishments, we compare LBMR with Zigbee's AODV and another
      multipath protocol, AOMDV. The simulation results demonstrate LBMR achieves
      better load balancing, less unreachable nodes, and better packet delivery ratio
      than either AODV or AOMDV.

PMID- 27258296
TI  - A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Burden of Heat-Related Illness and Death within
      the Florida Population.
AB  - The failure of the human body to thermoregulate can lead to severe outcomes
      (e.g., death) and lasting physiological damage. However, heat-related illness
      (HRI) is highly preventable via individual- and community-level modification. A
      thorough understanding of the burden is necessary for effective intervention.
      This paper describes the burden of severe HRI morbidity and mortality among
      residents of a humid subtropical climate. Work-related and non-work-related HRI
      emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths among Florida
      residents during May to October (2005-2012) were examined. Sub-groups susceptible
      to HRI were identified. The age-adjusted rates/100,000 person-years for non-work
      related HRI were 33.1 ED visits, 5.9 hospitalizations, and 0.2 deaths, while for
      work-related HRI/100,000 worker-years there were 8.5 ED visits, 1.1
      hospitalizations, and 0.1 deaths. The rates of HRI varied by county, data source,
      and work-related status, with the highest rates observed in the panhandle and
      south central Florida. The sub-groups with the highest relative rates regardless
      of data source or work-relatedness were males, minorities, and rural residents.
      Those aged 15-35 years had the highest ED visit rates, while for non-work-related
      hospitalizations and deaths the rates increased with age. The results of this
      study can be used for targeted interventions and evaluating changes in the HRI
      burden over time.

PMID- 27258298
TI  - Cloning the Horse RNA Polymerase I Promoter and Its Application to Studying
      Influenza Virus Polymerase Activity.
AB  - An influenza virus polymerase reconstitution assay based on the human, dog, or
      chicken RNA polymerase I (PolI) promoter has been developed and widely used to
      study the polymerase activity of the influenza virus in corresponding cell types.
      Although it is an important member of the influenza virus family and has been
      known for sixty years, no studies have been performed to clone the horse PolI
      promoter or to study the polymerase activity of equine influenza virus (EIV) in
      horse cells. In our study, the horse RNA PolI promoter was cloned from fetal
      equine lung cells. Using the luciferase assay, it was found that a 500 bp horse
      RNA PolI promoter sequence was required for efficient transcription. Then, using
      the developed polymerase reconstitution assay based on the horse RNA PolI
      promoter, the polymerase activity of two EIV strains was compared, and equine
      myxovirus resistance A protein was identified as having the inhibiting EIV
      polymerase activity function in horse cells. Our study enriches our knowledge of
      the RNA PolI promoter of eukaryotic species and provides a useful tool for the
      study of influenza virus polymerase activity in horse cells.

PMID- 27258300
TI  - Protein Supplementation Does Not Further Increase Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Fiber
      Hypertrophy after Eight Weeks of Resistance Training in Novice Subjects, but
      Partially Counteracts the Fast-to-Slow Muscle Fiber Transition.
AB  - The response to resistance training and protein supplementation in the latissimus
      dorsi muscle (LDM) has never been investigated. We investigated the effects of
      resistance training (RT) and protein supplementation on muscle mass, strength,
      and fiber characteristics of the LDM. Eighteen healthy young subjects were
      randomly assigned to a progressive eight-week RT program with a normal protein
      diet (NP) or high protein diet (HP) (NP 0.85 vs. HP 1.8 g of protein.kg(-1).day(
      1)). One repetition maximum tests, magnetic resonance imaging for cross-sectional
      muscle area (CSA), body composition, and single muscle fibers mechanical and
      phenotype characteristics were measured. RT induced a significant gain in
      strength (+17%, p < 0.0001), whole muscle CSA (p = 0.024), and single muscle
      fibers CSA (p < 0.05) of LDM in all subjects. Fiber isometric force increased in
      proportion to CSA (+22%, p < 0.005) and thus no change in specific tension
      occurred. A significant transition from 2X to 2A myosin expression was induced by
      training. The protein supplementation showed no significant effects on all
      measured outcomes except for a smaller reduction of 2X myosin expression. Our
      results suggest that in LDM protein supplementation does not further enhance RT
      induced muscle fiber hypertrophy nor influence mechanic muscle fiber
      characteristics but partially counteracts the fast-to-slow fiber shift. 

PMID- 27258301
TI  - Protein-Pacing and Multi-Component Exercise Training Improves Physical
      Performance Outcomes in Exercise-Trained Women: The PRISE 3 Study.
AB  - The beneficial cardiometabolic and body composition effects of combined protein
      pacing (P; 5-6 meals/day at 2.0 g/kg BW/day) and multi-mode exercise (resistance,
      interval, stretching, endurance; RISE) training (PRISE) in obese adults has
      previously been established. The current study examines PRISE on physical
      performance (endurance, strength and power) outcomes in healthy, physically
      active women. Thirty exercise-trained women (>4 days exercise/week) were
      randomized to either PRISE (n = 15) or a control (CON, 5-6 meals/day at 1.0 g/kg
      BW/day; n = 15) for 12 weeks. Muscular strength (1-RM bench press, 1-RM BP)
      endurance (sit-ups, SUs; push-ups, PUs), power (bench throws, BTs), blood
      pressure (BP), augmentation index, (AIx), and abdominal fat mass were assessed at
      Weeks 0 (pre) and 13 (post). At baseline, no differences existed between groups.
      Following the 12-week intervention, PRISE had greater gains (p < 0.05) in SUs,
      PUs (6 +/- 7 vs. 10 +/- 7, 40%; 8 +/- 13 vs. 14 +/- 12, 43% ?reps, respectively),
      BTs (11 +/- 35 vs. 44 +/- 34, 75% ?watts), AIx (1 +/- 9 vs. -5 +/- 11, 120%), and
      DBP (-5 +/- 9 vs. -11 +/- 11, 55% ?mmHg). These findings suggest that combined
      protein-pacing (P; 5-6 meals/day at 2.0 g/kg BW/day) diet and multi-component
      exercise (RISE) training (PRISE) enhances muscular endurance, strength, power,
      and cardiovascular health in exercise-trained, active women. 

PMID- 27258299
TI  - Insulin-Sensitizing Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Lost in Translation?
AB  - Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) of marine origin, eicosapentaenoic
      acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been long studied for their
      therapeutic potential in the context of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and
      glucose homeostasis. Glaring discordance between observations in animal and human
      studies precludes, to date, any practical application of n-3 PUFA as nutritional
      therapeutics against insulin resistance in humans. Our objective in this review
      is to summarize current knowledge and provide an up-to-date commentary on the
      therapeutic value of EPA and DHA supplementation for improving insulin
      sensitivity in humans. We also sought to discuss potential mechanisms of n-3 PUFA
      action in target tissues, in specific skeletal muscle, based on our recent work,
      as well as in liver and adipose tissue. We conducted a literature search to
      include all preclinical and clinical studies performed within the last two years
      and to comment on representative studies published earlier. Recent studies
      support a growing consensus that there are beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA on
      insulin sensitivity in rodents. Observational studies in humans are encouraging,
      however, the vast majority of human intervention studies fail to demonstrate the
      benefit of n-3 PUFA in type 2 diabetes or insulin-resistant non-diabetic people.
      Nevertheless, there are still several unanswered questions regarding the
      potential impact of n-3 PUFA on metabolic function in humans. 

PMID- 27258302
TI  - Age-Dependent Changes in Resting Energy Expenditure (REE): Insights from Detailed
      Body Composition Analysis in Normal and Overweight Healthy Caucasians.
AB  - Age-related changes in organ and tissue masses may add to changes in the
      relationship between resting energy expenditure (REE) and fat free mass (FFM) in
      normal and overweight healthy Caucasians. Secondary analysis using cross
      sectional data of 714 healthy normal and overweight Caucasian subjects (age 18-83
      years) with comprehensive information on FFM, organ and tissue masses (as
      assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)), body density (as assessed by Air
      Displacement Plethysmography (ADP)) and hydration (as assessed by deuterium
      dilution (D2O)) and REE (as assessed by indirect calorimetry). High metabolic
      rate organs (HMR) summarized brain, heart, liver and kidney masses. Ratios of HMR
      organs and muscle mass (MM) in relation to FFM were considered. REE was
      calculated (REEc) using organ and tissue masses times their specific metabolic
      rates. REE, FFM, specific metabolic rates, the REE-FFM relationship, HOMA, CRP,
      and thyroid hormone levels change with age. The age-related decrease in FFM
      explained 59.7% of decreases in REE. Mean residuals of the REE-FFM association
      were positive in young adults but became negative in older subjects. When
      compared to young adults, proportions of MM to FFM decreased with age, whereas
      contributions of liver and heart did not differ between age groups. HOMA, TSH and
      inflammation (plasma CRP-levels) explained 4.2%, 2.0% and 1.4% of the variance in
      the REE-FFM residuals, but age and plasma T3-levels had no effects. HMR to FFM
      and MM to FFM ratios together added 11.8% on to the variance of REE-FFM
      residuals. Differences between REE and REEc increased with age, suggesting age
      related changes in specific metabolic rates of organs and tissues. This bias was
      partly explained by plasmaT3-levels. Age-related changes in REE are explained by
      (i) decreases in fat free mass; (ii) a decrease in the contributions of organ and
      muscle masses to FFM; and (iii) decreases in specific organ and tissue metabolic
      rates. Age-dependent changes in the REE-FFMassociation are explained by
      composition of FFM, inflammation and thyroid hormones. 

PMID- 27258304
TI  - Does Metabolically Healthy Obesity Exist?
AB  - The relationship between obesity and other metabolic diseases have been deeply
      studied. However, there are clinical inconsistencies, exceptions to the paradigm
      of "more fat means more metabolic disease", and the subjects in this condition
      are referred to as metabolically healthy obese (MHO).They have long-standing
      obesity and morbid obesity but can be considered healthy despite their high
      degree of obesity. We describe the variable definitions of MHO, the underlying
      mechanisms that can explain the existence of this phenotype caused by greater
      adipose tissue inflammation or the different capacity for adipose tissue
      expansion and functionality apart from other unknown mechanisms. We analyze
      whether these subjects improve after an intervention (traditional lifestyle
      recommendations or bariatric surgery) or if they stay healthy as the years pass.
      MHO is common among the obese population and constitutes a unique subset of
      characteristics that reduce metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors despite the
      presence of excessive fat mass. The protective factors that grant a healthier
      profile to individuals with MHO are being elucidated. 

PMID- 27258305
TI  - Does the Australasian "Health Star Rating" Front of Pack Nutritional Label System
      Work?
AB  - This article describes an experiment to measure the impact of the Australasian
      "Health Star Rating" front of pack nutritional label system on consumer choice
      behaviour. This system presents a one-half to five star rating of nutritional
      quality via the front facings of food product packages. While this system has
      been recently rolled out across Australasia, no test of its impact on food choice
      has been conducted. A sample of 1200 consumers was recruited on exit from
      supermarkets in New Zealand. A 2 * 2 factorial design was used with two levels of
      cold cereal product nutritional status (high, five star/low, two star) and two
      levels of the Health Star Rating label (present/absent). The dependent variable
      was revealed choice behaviour. The results indicated that the presence of the
      label had a significant depressive effect on consumer preference, but that this
      impact was not moderated in any way by the nutritional status expressed by the
      label. The result represents a significant functional failure of the Health Star
      Rating label in this research environment. The nature of the failure is
      consistent with the consumers processing the label in much the same way as the
      nominal brand cues that dominate the retail food packaging. 

PMID- 27258303
TI  - Crucial Role of Vitamin D in the Musculoskeletal System.
AB  - Vitamin D is well known to exert multiple functions in bone biology, autoimmune
      diseases, cell growth, inflammation or neuromuscular and other immune functions.
      It is a fat-soluble vitamin present in many foods. It can be endogenously
      produced by ultraviolet rays from sunlight when the skin is exposed to initiate
      vitamin D synthesis. However, since vitamin D is biologically inert when obtained
      from sun exposure or diet, it must first be activated in human beings before
      functioning. The kidney and the liver play here a crucial role by hydroxylation
      of vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the liver and to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
      in the kidney. In the past decades, it has been proven that vitamin D deficiency
      is involved in many diseases. Due to vitamin D's central role in the
      musculoskeletal system and consequently the strong negative impact on bone health
      in cases of vitamin D deficiency, our aim was to underline its importance in bone
      physiology by summarizing recent findings on the correlation of vitamin D status
      and rickets, osteomalacia, osteopenia, primary and secondary osteoporosis as well
      as sarcopenia and musculoskeletal pain. While these diseases all positively
      correlate with a vitamin D deficiency, there is a great controversy regarding the
      appropriate vitamin D supplementation as both positive and negative effects on
      bone mineral density, musculoskeletal pain and incidence of falls are reported. 

PMID- 27258306
TI  - The Relationship between Vitamin D Status and Allergic Diseases in New Zealand
      Preschool Children.
AB  - Recent research on vitamin D in young children has expanded from bone development
      to exploring immunomodulatory effects. Our aim was to investigate the
      relationship of vitamin D status and allergic diseases in preschool-aged children
      in New Zealand. Dried capillary blood spots were collected from 1329 children
      during late-winter to early-spring for 25(OH)D measurement by LC-MS/MS.
      Caregivers completed a questionnaire about their child's recent medical history.
      Analysis was by multivariable logistic regression. Mean 25(OH)D concentration was
      52(SD19) nmol/L, with 7% of children <25 nmol/L and 49% <50 nmol/L. Children with
      25(OH)D concentrations >=75 nmol/L (n = 29) had a two-fold increased risk for
      parent-report of doctor-diagnosed food allergy compared to children with 25(OH)D
      50-74.9 nmol/L (OR = 2.21, 1.33-3.68, p = 0.002). No associations were present
      between 25(OH)D concentration and presence of parent-reported eczema, allergic
      rhinoconjunctivitis or atopic asthma. Vitamin D deficiency was not associated
      with several allergic diseases in these New Zealand preschool children. In
      contrast, high 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with a two-fold increased
      risk of parental-report food allergy. This increase supports further research
      into the association between vitamin D status and allergic disease in preschool
      children. 

PMID- 27258307
TI  - Salvianolic Acid B Inhibits Abeta Generation by Modulating BACE1 Activity in SH
      SY5Y-APPsw Cells.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease in humans. The
      accumulation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of
      AD. Previous studies indicated that Salvianolic acid B (SalB) could ameliorate
      Abeta-induced memory impairment. However, whether SalB could influence the
      generation of Abeta is unclear. Here, we show that SalB (25, 50, or 100 uM)
      reduces the generation of Abeta40 and Abeta42 in culture media by decreasing the
      protein expressions of BACE1 and sAPPbeta in SH-SY5Y-APPsw cells. Meanwhile, SalB
      increases the levels of ADAM10 and sAPPalpha in the cells. However, SalB has no
      impact on the protein expressions of APP and PS1. Moreover, SalB attenuates
      oxidative stress and inhibits the activity of GSK3beta, which might be related to
      the suppression of BACE1 expression and amyloidogenesis. Our study suggests that
      SalB is a promising therapeutic agent for AD by targeting Abeta generation. 

PMID- 27258309
TI  - Comments on "Mycobiota and Mycotoxins in Traditional Medicinal Seeds from China.
      Toxins 2015, 7, 3858-3875"- in Attributing Ochratoxin A Biosynthesis Within the
      Genus Penicillium Occurring on Natural Agricultural Produce.
AB  - The unusual attribution of trace amounts of ochratoxin A in some Chinese food
      commodities to Penicillium polonicum is questioned by European experience in
      searches for ochratoxinogenic food-spoilage Penicillia, where mistaken
      attribution is now known to have been due to cryptic Penicillium verrucosum
      contamination. Consequently, selection of single-spore isolates is recommended as
      pre-requisite for attributing mycotoxin biosynthetic potential to fungi. 

PMID- 27258310
TI  - Response to Peter Mantle. Comments on "Mycobiota and Mycotoxins in Traditional
      Medicinal Seeds from China. Toxins 2015, 7, 3858-3875"-Rigour in Attributing
      Ochratoxin A Biosynthesis within the Genus Penicillium Occurring on Natural
      Agricultural Produce.
AB  - My colleagues and I appreciate the comments and constructive suggestions on our
      manuscript "Mycobiota and Mycotoxins in Traditional Medicinal Seeds from
      China".[...]. 

PMID- 27258308
TI  - Nutrition in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Etiology to Treatment. A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - Nutrition is involved in several aspects of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
      (IBD), ranging from disease etiology to induction and maintenance of disease.
      With regards to etiology, there are pediatric data, mainly from case-control
      studies, which suggest that some dietary habits (for example consumption of
      animal protein, fatty foods, high sugar intake) may predispose patients to IBD
      onset. As for disease treatment, exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is an
      extensively studied, well established, and valid approach to the remission of
      pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). Apart from EEN, several new nutritional
      approaches are emerging and have proved to be successful (specific carbohydrate
      diet and CD exclusion diet) but the available evidence is not strong enough to
      recommend this kind of intervention in clinical practice and new large
      experimental controlled studies are needed, especially in the pediatric
      population. Moreover, efforts are being made to identify foods with anti
      inflammatory properties such as curcumin and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty
      acids n-3, which can possibly be effective in maintenance of disease. The present
      systematic review aims at reviewing the scientific literature on all aspects of
      nutrition in pediatric IBD, including the most recent advances on nutritional
      therapy. 

PMID- 27258311
TI  - Sequence Variability in Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Genes seb, sec, and sed.
AB  - Ingestion of staphylococcal enterotoxins preformed by Staphylococcus aureus in
      food leads to staphylococcal food poisoning, the most prevalent foodborne
      intoxication worldwide. There are five major staphylococcal enterotoxins: SEA,
      SEB, SEC, SED, and SEE. While variants of these toxins have been described and
      were linked to specific hosts or levels or enterotoxin production, data on
      sequence variation is still limited. In this study, we aim to extend the
      knowledge on promoter and gene variants of the major enterotoxins SEB, SEC, and
      SED. To this end, we determined seb, sec, and sed promoter and gene sequences of
      a well-characterized set of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus strains
      originating from foodborne outbreaks, human infections, human nasal colonization,
      rabbits, and cattle. New nucleotide sequence variants were detected for all three
      enterotoxins and a novel amino acid sequence variant of SED was detected in a
      strain associated with human nasal colonization. While the seb promoter and gene
      sequences exhibited a high degree of variability, the sec and sed promoter and
      gene were more conserved. Interestingly, a truncated variant of sed was detected
      in all tested sed harboring rabbit strains. The generated data represents a
      further step towards improved understanding of strain-specific differences in
      enterotoxin expression and host-specific variation in enterotoxin sequences.

PMID- 27258312
TI  - Molecular Characterization of Three Novel Phospholipase A2 Proteins from the
      Venom of Atheris chlorechis, Atheris nitschei and Atheris squamigera.
AB  - Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) is known as a major component of snake venoms
      and displays higher-order catalytic hydrolysis functions as well as a wide range
      of pathological effects. Atheris is not a notoriously dangerous genus of snakes
      although there are some reports of fatal cases after envenomation due to the
      effects of coagulation disturbances and hemorrhaging. Molecular characterization
      of Atheris venom enzymes is incomplete and there are only a few reports in the
      literature. Here, we report, for the first time, the cloning and characterization
      of three novel cDNAs encoding phospholipase A2 precursors (one each) from the
      venoms of the Western bush viper (Atheris chlorechis), the Great Lakes bush viper
      (Atheris nitschei) and the Variable bush viper (Atheris squamigera), using a
      "shotgun cloning" strategy. Open-reading frames of respective cloned cDNAs
      contained putative 16 residue signal peptides and mature proteins composed of 121
      to 123 amino acid residues. Alignment of mature protein sequences revealed high
      degrees of structural conservation and identity with Group II venom PLA2 proteins
      from other taxa within the Viperidae. Reverse-phase High Performance Liquid
      Chromatography (HPLC) profiles of these three snake venoms were obtained
      separately and chromatographic fractions were assessed for phospholipase activity
      using an egg yolk suspension assay. The molecular masses of mature proteins were
      all identified as approximately 14 kDa. Mass spectrometric analyses of the
      fractionated oligopeptides arising from tryptic digestion of intact venom
      proteins, was performed for further structural characterization.

PMID- 27258314
TI  - Berry Leaves: An Alternative Source of Bioactive Natural Products of Nutritional
      and Medicinal Value.
AB  - Berry fruits are recognized, worldwide, as "superfoods" due to the high content
      of bioactive natural products and the health benefits deriving from their
      consumption. Berry leaves are byproducts of berry cultivation; their traditional
      therapeutic use against several diseases, such as the common cold, inflammation,
      diabetes, and ocular dysfunction, has been almost forgotten nowadays.
      Nevertheless, the scientific interest regarding the leaf composition and
      beneficial properties grows, documenting that berry leaves may be considered an
      alternative source of bioactives. The main bioactive compounds in berry leaves
      are similar as in berry fruits, i.e., phenolic acids and esters, flavonols,
      anthocyanins, and procyanidins. The leaves are one of the richest sources of
      chlorogenic acid. In various studies, these secondary metabolites have
      demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and
      neuroprotective properties. This review focuses on the phytochemical composition
      of the leaves of the commonest berry species, i.e., blackcurrant, blackberry,
      raspberry, bilberry, blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry leaves, and presents
      their traditional medicinal uses and their biological activities in vitro and in
      vivo. 

PMID- 27258313
TI  - The Hagfish Gland Thread Cell: A Fiber-Producing Cell Involved in Predator
      Defense.
AB  - Fibers are ubiquitous in biology, and include tensile materials produced by
      specialized glands (such as silks), extracellular fibrils that reinforce
      exoskeletons and connective tissues (such as chitin and collagen), as well as
      intracellular filaments that make up the metazoan cytoskeleton (such as F-actin,
      microtubules, and intermediate filaments). Hagfish gland thread cells are unique
      in that they produce a high aspect ratio fiber from cytoskeletal building blocks
      within the confines of their cytoplasm. These threads are elaborately coiled into
      structures that readily unravel when they are ejected into seawater from the
      slime glands. In this review we summarize what is currently known about the
      structure and function of gland thread cells and we speculate about the mechanism
      that these cells use to produce a mechanically robust fiber that is almost one
      hundred thousand times longer than it is wide. We propose that a key feature of
      this mechanism involves the unidirectional rotation of the cell's nucleus, which
      would serve to twist disorganized filaments into a coherent thread and impart a
      torsional stress on the thread that would both facilitate coiling and drive
      energetic unravelling in seawater. 

PMID- 27258315
TI  - Aeromonas hydrophila OmpW PLGA Nanoparticle Oral Vaccine Shows a Dose-Dependent
      Protective Immunity in Rohu (Labeo rohita).
AB  - Aeromonas hydrophila is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes high mortality in
      different fish species and at different growth stages. Although vaccination has
      significantly contributed to the decline of disease outbreaks in aquaculture, the
      use of oral vaccines has lagged behind the injectable vaccines due to lack of
      proven efficacy, that being from primary immunization or by use of boost
      protocols. In this study, the outer membrane protein W (OmpW) of A. hydrophila
      was cloned, purified, and encapsulated in poly d,l-lactide-co-glycolic acid
      (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for oral vaccination of rohu (Labeo rohita Hamilton).
      The physical properties of PLGA NPs encapsulating the recombinant OmpW (rOmpW)
      was characterized as having a diameter of 370-375 nm, encapsulation efficiency of
      53% and -19.3 mV zeta potential. In vitro release of rOmpW was estimated at 34%
      within 48 h of incubation in phosphate-buffered saline. To evaluate the efficacy
      of the NP-rOmpW oral vaccine, two antigen doses were orally administered in rohu
      with a high antigen (HiAg) dose that had twice the amount of antigens compared to
      the low antigen (LoAg) dose. Antibody levels obtained after vaccination showed an
      antigen dose dependency in which fish from the HiAg group had higher antibody
      levels than those from the LoAg group. The antibody levels corresponded with post
      challenge survival proportions (PCSPs) and relative percent survival (RPS) in
      which the HiAg group had a higher PCSP and RPS than the LoAg group. Likewise, the
      ability to inhibit A. hydrophila growth on trypticase soy agar (TSA) by sera
      obtained from the HiAg group was higher than that from the LoAg group. Overall,
      data presented here shows that OmpW orally administered using PLGA NPs is
      protective against A. hydrophila infection with the level of protective immunity
      induced by oral vaccination being antigen dose-dependent. Future studies should
      seek to optimize the antigen dose and duration of oral immunization in rohu in
      order to induce the highest protection in vaccinated fish. 

PMID- 27258317
TI  - Insights into the Stress Response Triggered by Kasugamycin in Escherichia coli.
AB  - The bacteriostatic aminoglycoside antibiotic kasugamycin inhibits protein
      synthesis at an initial step without affecting translation elongation. It binds
      to the mRNA track of the ribosome and prevents formation of the translation
      initiation complex on canonical mRNAs. In contrast, translation of leaderless
      mRNAs continues in the presence of the drug in vivo. Previously, we have shown
      that kasugamycin treatment in E. coli stimulates the formation of protein
      depleted ribosomes that are selective for leaderless mRNAs. Here, we provide
      evidence that prolonged kasugamycin treatment leads to selective synthesis of
      specific proteins. Our studies indicate that leaderless and short-leadered mRNAs
      are generated by different molecular mechanisms including alternative
      transcription and RNA processing. Moreover, we provide evidence for ribosome
      heterogeneity in response to kasugamycin treatment by alteration of the
      modification status of the stalk proteins bL7/L12. 

PMID- 27258318
TI  - Development of Database Assisted Structure Identification (DASI) Methods for
      Nontargeted Metabolomics.
AB  - Metabolite structure identification remains a significant challenge in
      nontargeted metabolomics research. One commonly used strategy relies on searching
      biochemical databases using exact mass. However, this approach fails when the
      database does not contain the unknown metabolite (i.e., for unknown-unknowns).
      For these cases, constrained structure generation with combinatorial structure
      generators provides a potential option. Here we evaluated structure generation
      constraints based on the specification of: (1) substructures required (i.e., seed
      structures); (2) substructures not allowed; and (3) filters to remove incorrect
      structures. Our approach (database assisted structure identification, DASI) used
      predictive models in MolFind to find candidate structures with chemical and
      physical properties similar to the unknown. These candidates were then used for
      seed structure generation using eight different structure generation algorithms.
      One algorithm was able to generate correct seed structures for 21/39 test
      compounds. Eleven of these seed structures were large enough to constrain the
      combinatorial structure generator to fewer than 100,000 structures. In 35/39
      cases, at least one algorithm was able to generate a correct seed structure. The
      DASI method has several limitations and will require further experimental
      validation and optimization. At present, it seems most useful for identifying the
      structure of unknown-unknowns with molecular weights <200 Da. 

PMID- 27258316
TI  - Mitochondrion: A Promising Target for Nanoparticle-Based Vaccine Delivery
      Systems.
AB  - Vaccination is one of the most popular technologies in disease prevention and
      eradication. It is promising to improve immunization efficiency by using vectors
      and/or adjuvant delivery systems. Nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery systems have
      attracted increasing interest due to enhancement of antigen uptake via prevention
      of vaccine degradation in the biological environment and the intrinsic immune
      stimulatory properties of the materials. Mitochondria play paramount roles in
      cell life and death and are promising targets for vaccine delivery systems to
      effectively induce immune responses. In this review, we focus on NPs-based
      delivery systems with surfaces that can be manipulated by using mitochondria
      targeting moieties for intervention in health and disease. 

PMID- 27258319
TI  - Reconfiguration of N Metabolism upon Hypoxia Stress and Recovery: Roles of
      Alanine Aminotransferase (AlaAT) and Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH).
AB  - In the context of climatic change, more heavy precipitation and more frequent
      flooding and waterlogging events threaten the productivity of arable farmland.
      Furthermore, crops were not selected to cope with flooding- and waterlogging
      induced oxygen limitation. In general, low oxygen stress, unlike other abiotic
      stresses (e.g., cold, high temperature, drought and saline stress), received
      little interest from the scientific community and less financial support from
      stakeholders. Accordingly, breeding programs should be developed and agronomical
      practices should be adapted in order to save plants' growth and yield-even under
      conditions of low oxygen availability (e.g., submergence and waterlogging). The
      prerequisite to the success of such breeding programs and changes in agronomical
      practices is a good knowledge of how plants adapt to low oxygen stress at the
      cellular and the whole plant level. In the present paper, we summarized the
      recent knowledge on metabolic adjustment in general under low oxygen stress and
      highlighted thereafter the major changes pertaining to the reconfiguration of
      amino acids syntheses. We propose a model showing (i) how pyruvate derived from
      active glycolysis upon hypoxia is competitively used by the alanine
      aminotransferase/glutamate synthase cycle, leading to alanine accumulation and
      NAD+ regeneration. Carbon is then saved in a nitrogen store instead of being lost
      through ethanol fermentative pathway. (ii) During the post-hypoxia recovery
      period, the alanine aminotransferase/glutamate dehydrogenase cycle mobilizes this
      carbon from alanine store. Pyruvate produced by the reverse reaction of alanine
      aminotransferase is funneled to the TCA cycle, while deaminating glutamate
      dehydrogenase regenerates, reducing equivalent (NADH) and 2-oxoglutarate to
      maintain the cycle function. 

PMID- 27258320
TI  - Efficient Virus-Induced Gene Silencing in Solanum rostratum.
AB  - Solanum rostratum is a "super weed" that grows fast, is widespread, and produces
      the toxin solanine, which is harmful to both humans and other animals. To our
      knowledge, no study has focused on its molecular biology owing to the lack of
      available transgenic methods and sequence information for S. rostratum. Virus
      induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a powerful tool for the study of gene function
      in plants; therefore, in the present study, we aimed to establish tobacco rattle
      virus (TRV)-derived VIGS in S. rostratum. The genes for phytoene desaturase (PDS)
      and Chlorophyll H subunit (ChlH) of magnesium protoporphyrin chelatase were
      cloned from S. rostratum and used as reporters of gene silencing. It was shown
      that high-efficiency VIGS can be achieved in the leaves, flowers, and fruit of S.
      rostratum. Moreover, based on our comparison of three different types of
      infection methods, true leaf infection was found to be more efficient than
      cotyledon and sprout infiltration in long-term VIGS in multiple plant organs. In
      conclusion, the VIGS technology and tomato genomic sequences can be used in the
      future to study gene function in S. rostratum. 

PMID- 27258321
TI  - Protection of the photosynthetic apparatus against dehydration stress in the
      resurrection plant Craterostigma pumilum.
AB  - The group of homoiochlorophyllous resurrection plants evolved the unique
      capability to survive severe drought stress without dismantling the
      photosynthetic machinery. This implies that they developed efficient strategies
      to protect the leaves from reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by
      photosynthetic side reactions. These strategies, however, are poorly understood.
      Here, we performed a detailed study of the photosynthetic machinery in the
      homoiochlorophyllous resurrection plant Craterostigma pumilum during dehydration
      and upon recovery from desiccation. During dehydration and rehydration, C.
      pumilum deactivates and activates partial components of the photosynthetic
      machinery in a specific order, allowing for coordinated shutdown and subsequent
      reinstatement of photosynthesis. Early responses to dehydration are the closure
      of stomata and activation of electron transfer to oxygen accompanied by
      inactivation of the cytochrome b6 f complex leading to attenuation of the
      photosynthetic linear electron flux (LEF). The decline in LEF is paralleled by a
      gradual increase in cyclic electron transport to maintain ATP production. At low
      water contents, inactivation and supramolecular reorganization of photosystem II
      becomes apparent, accompanied by functional detachment of light-harvesting
      complexes and interrupted access to plastoquinone. This well-ordered sequence of
      alterations in the photosynthetic thylakoid membranes helps prepare the plant for
      the desiccated state and minimize ROS production.

PMID- 27258322
TI  - The Fellow and the Professor Revisited.

PMID- 27258323
TI  - Brief Report: Mediation Analysis with an Ordinal Outcome.
AB  - The article presents concepts and methods for mediation analysis for an ordinal
      outcome. We give definitions of natural direct and indirect effects using
      counterfactuals for ordinal outcomes; in this context, there are potentially
      different effects for any two levels of the outcome, and we consider difference
      and ratio scales. The confounding assumptions required for identification are
      similar to that in the existing mediation analysis literature. We discuss
      different modeling strategies for estimation. Under a proportional odds model
      with a reference category that is common, the direct and indirect effects on a
      ratio scale can each be summarized by a single estimate and are available in
      closed form; otherwise the effects may differ across categories compared and can
      be obtained by numeric simulation methods.

PMID- 27258324
TI  - In Utero Exposure to Aspirin and Risk of Asthma in Childhood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aspirin is widely used in general population and low-dose aspirin is
      commonly prescribed to prevent recurrent pregnancy loss associated with
      antiphospholipid syndrome and preeclampsia, often used throughout pregnancy. But
      aspirin is associated with asthma pathogenesis. We aim to examine whether in
      utero exposure to aspirin at different fetal stages is associated with asthma in
      childhood. METHODS: We used data from the Collaborative Perinatal Project.
      Maternal exposure to aspirin before and during pregnancy was recorded at each
      prenatal visit. Children were followed up to 7 years of age. A total of 19,928
      singleton children without maternal history of asthma were included. We used
      multilevel multiple logistic regression models to control for potential
      confounders. RESULTS: In utero exposure to aspirin was associated with an
      increased risk of childhood asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aORs] = 1.3, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] = 1.1, 1.6). aORs for exposure in first, second, and
      third trimesters were 1.1 (95% CI = 0.87, 1.3), 1.2 (95% CI = 1.0, 1.4), and 1.4
      (95% CI = 1.1, 1.6), respectively. Furthermore, aORs of asthma were 1.3 (95% CI =
      1.0, 1.7) and 1.3 (95% CI = 1.0, 1.7) for aspirin use for 2 to 7 days or more
      than 7 days in third trimester, respectively. CONCLUSION: In utero exposure to
      therapeutic dose of aspirin even just briefly in late pregnancy is associated
      with childhood asthma by 7 years of age. More research is needed to carefully
      examine the association between low-dose aspirin with extended exposure period
      and long-term child outcomes.

PMID- 27258325
TI  - Short-term Exposure to Ozone and Mortality in Subjects With and Without Previous
      Cardiovascular Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exposure to ground level ozone (O3) is a public health problem
      associated with a range of risks across population subgroups. Our aim was to
      investigate the role of previous cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in mortality
      related to short-term O3 exposure. METHODS: Deaths between 1990 and 2010 in
      Stockholm County were matched with previous hospitalizations in Swedish
      registries. An urban background monitoring station provided hourly values of air
      quality data, from which we calculated 8-hour running averages and daily 8-hour
      maximum. We analyzed associations between daily O3 concentrations and mortality
      among persons with and without previous CVD hospitalization with a generalized
      additive model adjusted for time trend, influenza, and weather. We also performed
      two-pollutant models. RESULTS: There were 302,283 nontrauma-related deaths, out
      of which 196,916 had previous CVD hospitalization. The mean concentration of
      daily maximum 8-hour O3 was 62.9 MUg/m. An average 10 MUg/m increase in the same
      and preceding day was associated with an increased mortality of 1.72% (95%
      confidence interval: 0.44%, 3.02%) in those with prior admission for acute
      myocardial infarction (AMI), which was more than three times higher than for
      those with no previous AMI (0.50, 95% confidence interval: 0.10%, 0.89%, P value
      for interaction 0.098). The association between O3 and mortality remained
      essentially unchanged in two-pollutant models with NO2, NOx, and PM10.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that short-term exposure to O3 is associated
      with increased mortality in those with a previous hospitalization for AMI.

PMID- 27258326
TI  - Enhanced retention of bacteria by TiO2 nanoparticles in saturated porous media.
AB  - The simultaneous transport of TiO2 nanoparticles and bacteria Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa in saturated porous media was investigated. Nanoparticle and bacterium
      size and surface charge were measured as a function of electrolyte concentration.
      Sand column breakthrough curves were obtained for single and combined
      suspensions, at four different ionic strengths. DLVO and classical filtration
      theories were employed to model the interactions between particles and between
      particles and sand grains. Attachment of TiO2 to the sand was explained by
      electrostatic forces and these nanoparticles acted as bonds between the bacteria
      and the sand, leading to retention. Presence of TiO2 significantly increased the
      retention of bacteria in the sand bed, but microorganisms were released when
      nanomaterial influx ceased. The inclusion of nanomaterials in saturated porous
      media may have implications for the design and operation of sand filters in water
      treatment.

PMID- 27258327
TI  - Biomedical practices from a patient perspective. Experiences of Polish female
      migrants in Barcelona, Berlin and London.
AB  - This paper focuses on the diversity in patients' experience of bio-medicine and
      contrasts it with the normative view characteristic of health professionals.
      Ethnographic fieldwork among Polish migrant women in London, Barcelona and Berlin
      included interviews about their experiences with local healthcare and health
      professionals. Themes drawn from the narratives are differences between the
      cities in terms of communication between patients and health professionals,
      respect for patients' choices and dignity, attitudes to pregnancy and birth
      (different levels of medicalization), and paediatric care. It is argued that
      patients continuously negotiate among their own views and expectations based on
      previous experiences and knowledge from personal communication; internet forums
      and publications; and the offer of medical services in the countries of their
      settlement. Patients experience pluralism of therapeutic traditions within and
      outside bio-medicine. In turn, representatives of bio-medicine are rarely aware
      of other medical practices and beliefs and this leads to various
      misunderstandings. By highlighting the pluralism of medical practices in European
      countries and the increasing mobility of patients, this case study has useful
      implications for medical anthropologists and health professionals in a broader
      Western context, such as raising sensitivity to different communication
      strategies and a diversity of curing traditions and expectations. 

PMID- 27258328
TI  - UV-A Protection From Auto Glass, Cataracts, and the Ophthalmologist.

PMID- 27258329
TI  - Effect of UVC radiation on mouse fibroblasts deficient for FAS-associated protein
      with death domain.
AB  - PURPOSE: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced apoptosis enabled us to study the
      mechanism of DNA damage and to investigate how cells avoid consequences of
      damaged DNA. Cells with extensive DNA damage activate extrinsic and intrinsic
      pathways of apoptosis. The extrinsic pathway is coupled to a FAS-associated
      protein with death domain (FADD), an adaptor protein molecule necessary for
      mediating apoptotic signals through the cell. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Viability
      and apoptosis of wild-type and FADD-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts were
      investigated 1, 3, 24 and 48 h after exposure to three doses (50, 75 and 300
      J/m(2)) of UVC radiation. Morphological changes were observed using DNA binding
      dyes (Hoechst and propidium iodide) while biochemical changes were monitored
      using immunodetection of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein cleavage
      and caspase-3 activity assay. RESULTS: Results showed that the difference in cell
      death response between wild-type and FADD-deficient cells depended on dose and
      incubation time after exposure to UVC radiation. FADD-deficient cells are more
      sensitive to UVC radiation. Even though FADD-deficient cells lack an adapter
      protein of apoptotic extrinsic pathway, higher doses of UVC triggered their
      apoptotic response, while wild-type cells die mainly due to necrosis. A different
      pattern of caspase 3 activity and PARP cleavage was observed 24 h after radiation
      between two cell lines confirming higher apoptotic response in FADD-deficient
      cells. CONCLUSIONS: Wild-type cells can execute apoptosis via both, the
      mitochondrial and the receptor-mediated pathway whereas FADD-deficient cells can
      only activate the intrinsic pathway. There is a difference in UVC radiation
      response between two cell lines indicating the role of FADD in the selection of
      cell death modality.

PMID- 27258330
TI  - Molecular design and genetic optimization of antimicrobial peptides containing
      unnatural amino acids against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
AB  - Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been the focus of intense research towards the
      finding of a viable alternative to current small-molecule antibiotics, owing to
      their commonly observed and naturally occurring resistance against pathogens.
      However, natural peptides have many problems such as low bioavailability and high
      allergenicity that largely limit the clinical applications of AMPs. In the
      present study, an integrative protocol that combined chemoinformatics modeling,
      molecular dynamics simulations, and in vitro susceptibility test was described to
      design AMPs containing unnatural amino acids (AMP-UAAs). To fulfill this, a large
      panel of synthetic AMPs with determined activity was collected and used to
      perform quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling. The
      obtained QSAR predictors were then employed to direct genetic algorithm (GA)
      based optimization of AMP-UAA population, to which a number of commercially
      available, structurally diverse unnatural amino acids were introduced during the
      optimization process. Subsequently, several designed AMP-UAAs were confirmed to
      have high antibacterial potency against two antibiotic-resistant strains, i.e.
      multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA) and methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) < 10
      MUg/ml. Structural dynamics characterizations revealed that the most potent AMP
      UAA peptide is an amphipathic helix that can spontaneously embed into an
      artificial lipid bilayer and exhibits a strong destructuring tendency associated
      with the embedding process. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept
      Sci) 106: 746-756, 2016. 

PMID- 27258331
TI  - IPr3 Si3 Cl5 (+) : A Highly Reactive Cation with Silanide Character.
AB  - The reaction of a metastable SiCl2 solution with the sterically less-demanding
      carbene N,N-diisopropylimidazo-2-ylidene (IPr) yields the salt [(IPr3 Si3 Cl5
      )(+) ]Cl(-) (1-Cl), containing a silyl cation with a Si3 backbone. Salt 1 is
      highly reactive, but it can be used as a reagent in deuterated dichloromethane,
      whereby dehalogenation with Me3 SiOTf (OTf=O3 SCF3 ) gives the dicationic silyl
      halide [(IPr3 Si3 Cl4 )](2+) 2. Quantum chemical calculations show that the HOMO
      is localized at the negatively charged central silicon atom of 1 and 2, and thus
      although both compounds are cations they are better described as silanides, which
      was also corroborated by NMR investigations. 

PMID- 27258332
TI  - Construction of a bioreporter by heterogeneously expressing a Vibrio natriegens
      recA::luxCDABE fusion in Escherichia coli, and genotoxicity assessments of
      petrochemical-contaminated groundwater in northern China.
AB  - Here, we constructed an Escherichia coli recA::luxCDABE bioreporter for
      genotoxicity assessments. The recA promoter was cloned from the marine bacterium
      Vibrio natriegens. This bioreporter showed a dose-response relationship following
      induction by mitomycin C, and other pollutants or environmental samples could be
      calculated as mitomycin C equivalents, which provided a way to quantitatively
      compare the genotoxicities of different environmental samples. This bioreporter
      was used to evaluate the genotoxicity under a wide range of external
      environmental conditions, like temperatures ranging from 15  degrees C to 42 
      degrees C, pH between 4.0 and 9.0, and salinity ranging from 0% to 3%. This
      successfully extended its application from the laboratory to the field, and
      allowed the bioreporter to assess the genotoxicity and bioavailability of
      genotoxins in various environmental media, including surface water, groundwater,
      seawater, and soil matrix. Expression of V. natriegens recA in E. coli indicated
      a LexA-like regulator in V. natriegens, and the putative SOS box of V. natriegens
      recA was similar to that of E. coli. The genotoxicities of groundwater samples
      from a petrochemical-contaminated site in northern China were evaluated by this
      bioreporter assay, and the genotoxic levels were in accordance with contamination
      levels obtained by chemical analyses. 

PMID- 27258353
TI  - Meiofauna communities, nematode diversity and C degradation rates in seagrass
      (Posidonia oceanica L.) and unvegetated sediments invaded by the algae Caulerpa
      cylindracea (Sonder).
AB  - We investigated meiofauna and sedimentary C cycling in seagrass (Posidonia
      oceanica) and unvegetated sediments invaded and not invaded by the non-indigenous
      tropical algae Caulerpa cylindracea. In both habitats, invaded sediments were
      characterized by higher organic matter contents. No effect was observed for
      prokaryotes and C degradation rates. In seagrass sediments, C turnover in invaded
      beds was about half that in not invaded ones. Meiofaunal communities varied
      significantly among invaded and not invaded grounds only in bare sediments. In
      both habitats, nematode species richness and assemblage composition were not
      affected by the algae. The effect of C. cylindracea on the turnover and
      nestedness components of the Jaccard dissimilarity varied between the two
      habitats. We show that the presence of C. cylindracea gives rise to variable
      consequences on meiofauna biodiversity and C cycling in different habitats. We
      conclude that further studies across different habitats and ecological components
      are needed to ultimately understand and predict the consequences of C.
      cylindracea invasion in shallow Mediterranean ecosystems. 

PMID- 27258354
TI  - Elucidation of the Metabolic Network of Helicobacter pylori J99 and Malaysian
      Clinical Strains by Phenotype Microarray.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori colonizes almost half of the human population
      worldwide. H. pylori strains are genetically diverse, and the specific genotypes
      are associated with various clinical manifestations including gastric
      adenocarcinoma, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD).
      However, our current knowledge of the H. pylori metabolism is limited. To
      understand the metabolic differences among H. pylori strains, we investigated
      four Malaysian H. pylori clinical strains, which had been previously sequenced,
      and a standard strain, H. pylori J99, at the phenotypic level. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The phenotypes of the H. pylori strains were profiled using the Biolog
      Phenotype Microarray system to corroborate genomic data. We initiated the
      analyses by predicting carbon and nitrogen metabolic pathways from the H. pylori
      genomic data from the KEGG database. Biolog PM aided the validation of the
      prediction and provided a more intensive analysis of the H. pylori phenomes.
      RESULTS: We have identified a core set of metabolic nutrient sources that was
      utilized by all strains tested and another set that was differentially utilized
      by only the local strains. Pentose sugars are the preferred carbon nutrients
      utilized by H. pylori. The amino acids l-aspartic acid, d-alanine, and l
      asparagine serve as both carbon and nitrogen sources in the metabolism of the
      bacterium. CONCLUSION: The phenotypic profile based on this study provides a
      better understanding on the survival of H. pylori in its natural host. Our data
      serve as a foundation for future challenges in correlating interstrain metabolic
      differences in H. pylori.

PMID- 27258355
TI  - kmlShape: An Efficient Method to Cluster Longitudinal Data (Time-Series)
      According to Their Shapes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Longitudinal data are data in which each variable is measured
      repeatedly over time. One possibility for the analysis of such data is to cluster
      them. The majority of clustering methods group together individual that have
      close trajectories at given time points. These methods group trajectories that
      are locally close but not necessarily those that have similar shapes. However, in
      several circumstances, the progress of a phenomenon may be more important than
      the moment at which it occurs. One would thus like to achieve a partitioning
      where each group gathers individuals whose trajectories have similar shapes
      whatever the time lag between them. METHOD: In this article, we present a
      longitudinal data partitioning algorithm based on the shapes of the trajectories
      rather than on classical distances. Because this algorithm is time consuming, we
      propose as well two data simplification procedures that make it applicable to
      high dimensional datasets. RESULTS: In an application to Alzheimer disease, this
      algorithm revealed a "rapid decline" patient group that was not found by the
      classical methods. In another application to the feminine menstrual cycle, the
      algorithm showed, contrarily to the current literature, that the luteinizing
      hormone presents two peaks in an important proportion of women (22%).

PMID- 27258356
TI  - Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: Chasing the disease.

PMID- 27258358
TI  - Simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fracture in a male teenager: case
      report and literature review.
AB  - : Tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures are injuries accounting for less than 3%
      of all epiphyseal and 1% of all physeal injuries in adolescents. Bilateral
      injuries are very rare, with only 19 cases described in the literature. These
      types of fractures occur commonly in male teenagers during sport activities and
      are often associated with other orthopaedic disorders. We report the case of a
      male teenager with simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle fractures, describe the
      evolution and treatment of this injury and review the literature on this subject.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case report.

PMID- 27258357
TI  - Serological Evidence of Human Infection with Avian Influenza A H7virus in
      Egyptian Poultry Growers.
AB  - Avian influenza viruses circulate widely in birds, with occasional human
      infections. Poultry-exposed individuals are considered to be at high risk of
      infection with avian influenza viruses due to frequent exposure to poultry. Some
      avian H7 viruses have occasionally been found to infect humans. Seroprevalence of
      neutralizing antibodies against influenza A/H7N7 virus among poultry-exposed and
      unexposed individuals in Egypt were assessed during a three-years prospective
      cohort study. The seroprevalence of antibodies (titer, >=80) among exposed
      individuals was 0%, 1.9%, and 2.1% annually while the seroprevalence among the
      control group remained 0% as measured by virus microneutralization assay. We then
      confirmed our results using western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Although
      human infection with H7 in Egypt has not been reported yet, our results suggested
      that Egyptian poultry growers are exposed to avian H7 viruses. These findings
      highlight the need for surveillance in the people exposed to poultry to monitor
      the risk of zoonotic transmission of avian influenza viruses. 

PMID- 27258359
TI  - Treatment of soft tissue defects in the heels of children in an emergency
      setting.
AB  - Reverse flow sural flap (RFSF) and vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) have been used
      to cover soft tissue defects in the heels of children in medical emergency
      settings. We report a retrospective case series, including a total of 19 children
      with soft tissue defects in heels resulting from spokes injury. In six patients,
      soft tissue defects in the heel were covered with RFSF. Further, in 13 patients,
      the defects were covered with VSD, in seven patients defects were repaired using
      free skin, and in six patients defects were repaired using RFSF after VSD. All
      wounds in the donor and recipient areas healed by first intention, and all free
      skins or island flaps completely survived; the color and luster on reconstructed
      areas were perfect. Patients were followed up for about 3-30 months, without
      osteomyelitis and infection in the heel, and the functions of the heel were
      satisfactory. RFSF and VSD were both advantageous, and were ideal for covering
      heel defects in children in emergency settings.

PMID- 27258360
TI  - Do additional full-length radiographs of the humerus and forearm improve the
      decision making in children with supracondylar humerus fractures?
AB  - We sought to determine the diagnostic utility of additional full-length
      radiographs of the forearm and humerus for pediatric supracondylar humerus
      fractures. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon and a senior orthopedic resident
      individually reviewed the initial humerus, forearm, and elbow radiographs of 55
      children with a supracondylar humerus fracture and recommended definitive
      treatment (operative vs. nonoperative) on the basis of the modified Gartland
      classification. Interobserver agreements for classification and the recommended
      treatment were highest for the elbow radiographs (weighted kappa=0.92). All
      disagreements in the recommended treatment were in fractures classified as
      Gartland type I versus II fractures. Although two children (4%) had an
      ipsilateral distal forearm fracture, selective versus routine use of additional
      full-length radiographs in children with a supracondylar humerus fracture needs
      to be evaluated further. 

PMID- 27258361
TI  - Percutaneous aspiration and irrigation technique for the treatment of pediatric
      septic hip: effectiveness and predictive parameters.
AB  - Septic arthritis of the hip has been treated traditionally by surgical drainage.
      Recent reports have described repeated aspirations as an adequate and safe
      treatment. The aim of the present study was to assess the success of treatment of
      septic arthritis of the hip by repeated aspirations and to identify predictive
      factors for failure. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for all
      patients treated by ultrasound-guided aspiration and intravenous antibiotics
      between 2002 and 2010. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcome data
      were recorded. Findings were compared between patients who responded to this
      treatment and those who subsequently required surgery. A total of 42 patients
      fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of the total 33 responded to repeated
      aspirations and nine required surgical drainage. The mean age of patients
      requiring surgery was 8.3 years compared with 2.6 years for those responding to
      aspirations. Age older than 10 years was associated with a 57% rate of failed
      conservative treatment compared with 14% for age younger than 10 years. There was
      no significant difference between the groups in any of the other parameters
      measured. Follow-up of the operated group after an average of 7.44 years showed
      no unfavorable results. In children with septic arthritis of the hip, hip
      decompression may be achieved with repeated aspirations and lavage combined with
      antibiotics, sparing patients the risks of anesthesia and surgery. Age older than
      10 years at admission may serve as the cutoff for initial conservative treatment.
      The postponement of surgery did not cause any long-term morbidity. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level III; patients compared on the basis of outcome of conservative
      treatment of septic hip arthritis.

PMID- 27258362
TI  - Atelosteogenesis type III: orthopedic management.
AB  - Atelosteogenesis type III is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia caused
      by mutations in the synthesis of the protein filamin B (FLNB). The mutation in
      the gene coding for FLNB causes the osteochondrodysplastic features of this
      disorder. Clinically, osteochondrodysplasia causes unbalanced skeletal maturation
      and absent or mostly hypoplastic bones, such as the pelvis, vertebrae, ribs, or
      long bones. In the literature, an orthopedic management for this disorder has not
      been well described. We report the case and orthopedic management of a 6-year-old
      female patient with atelosteogenesis type III after 3 years of follow-up.

PMID- 27258363
TI  - Outcome of the unaffected contralateral hip in unilateral slipped capital femoral
      epiphysis: a report comparing prophylactic fixation with observation.
AB  - This was a retrospective review of 80 patients with unilateral slipped capital
      femoral epiphysis treated with either prophylactic fixation or observation. The
      unaffected hip of 44 patients (mean age 12.6 years) were subjected to
      simultaneous prophylactic fixation and 36 patients (mean age 13.4 years) were
      managed by observation. Fisher's exact test showed a significantly high incidence
      of sequential slip of unaffected hips in the observation group in comparison with
      prophylactic fixation (P=0.002). No cases had avascular necrosis or chondrolysis.
      Prophylactic fixation significantly reduces the incidence of sequential slip. It
      outweighs the minimal surgical risks compared with its benefit in the prevention
      of further sequential slip. 

PMID- 27258364
TI  - Craniocervical spinal instability after type 1 Arnold Chiari decompression: a
      case report.
AB  - To present and describe an unusual case of spinal instability after
      craniocervical spinal decompression for a type-1 Chiari malformation. Type-1
      Chiari malformation is a craniocervical disorder characterized by tonsillar
      displacement greater than 5 mm into the vertebral canal; posterior fossa
      decompression is the most common surgical treatment for this condition.
      Postoperative complications have been described: cerebrospinal fluid leak,
      pseudomeningocele, aseptic meningitis, wound infection, and neurological deficit.
      However, instability after decompression is unusual. A 9-year-old female
      presented with symptomatic torticollis after cervical decompression for a type-1
      Chiari malformation. Spinal instability was diagnosed; craniocervical
      stabilization was performed. After a 12-month follow-up, spinal stability was
      achieved, with a satisfactory clinical neck alignment. We present a
      craniocervical instability secondary to surgical decompression; clinical and
      radiological symptoms, and definitive treatment were described.

PMID- 27258365
TI  - Ultrastructure and Morphology of Compound Eyes of the Scorpionfly Panorpa dubia
      (Insecta: Mecoptera: Panorpidae).
AB  - Mecoptera are unique in holometabolous insects in that their larvae have compound
      eyes. In the present study the cellular organisation and morphology of the
      compound eyes of adult individuals of the scorpionfly Panorpa dubia in Mecoptera
      were investigated by light, scanning electron, and transmission electron
      microscopy. The results showed that the compound eyes of adult P. dubia are of
      the apposition type, each eye comprising more than 1200 ommatidia. The ommatidium
      consists of a cornea, a crystalline cone made up of four cone cells, eight
      photoreceptors, two primary pigment cells, and 18 secondary pigment cells. The
      adult ommatidium has a fused rhabdom with eight photoreceptors. Seven
      photoreceptors extend from the proximal end of the crystalline cone to the basal
      matrix, whereas the eighth photoreceptor is shorter, extending from the middle
      level of the photoreceptor cluster to the basal matrix. The fused rhabdom is
      composed of the rhabdomeres of different photoreceptors at different levels. The
      adult ommatidia have the same cellular components as the larval ommatidia, but
      the tiering scheme is different. 

PMID- 27258366
TI  - Limited Top-Down Influence from Recognition to Same-Different Matching of Chinese
      Characters.
AB  - We investigated the extent to which recognition of Chinese characters influenced
      same-different matching performance that did not require recognition. In each
      experimental trial, two partially occluded characters were shown sequentially,
      and participants decided whether or not they were the same. The two characters
      were either both upright or both inverted and mirror-reflected. The participants'
      Chinese reading fluency spanned the full range, from not knowing any characters
      to native speakers. The participants who could recognize some characters (defined
      as readers) were subsequently tested with character recognition in a naming task.
      Interestingly, although the readers' recognition accuracies well correlated with
      their years of Chinese language schooling, they were uncorrelated with the
      matching accuracies in the same-different task with upright characters. The only
      indication of top-down influence was the readers' higher accuracy in matching
      upright than inverted and reflected characters. However, the magnitude of this
      effect was small, to the extent that the average same-different accuracies were
      comparable for readers and non-readers alike. This small effect was further
      confirmed with native speakers in China, who should give rise to the largest
      possible effect. We conclude that top-down influence from character recognition
      was present but very limited, at least with the task and stimuli used. 

PMID- 27258367
TI  - Regioselective Radical Arylation of 3-Hydroxypyridines.
AB  - The titanium(III)-mediated radical arylation of 3-hydroxypyridines was found to
      proceed with high regioselectivity for the 2-position. Using aryldiazonium
      chlorides, which were prepared from the corresponding anilines, as aryl radical
      sources, a range of 3-hydroxy-2-phenylpyridines were obtained in moderate to good
      yields under simple reaction conditions. Reactions of ortho-carboxylic ester
      substituted phenyldiazonium salts directly provided tricyclic
      benzopyranopyridinones.

PMID- 27258368
TI  - Moving Beyond Active-Site Detection: MixMD Applied to Allosteric Systems.
AB  - Mixed-solvent molecular dynamics (MixMD) is a hotspot-mapping technique that
      relies on molecular dynamics simulations of proteins in binary solvent mixtures.
      Previous work on MixMD has established the technique's effectiveness in capturing
      binding sites of small organic compounds. In this work, we show that MixMD can
      identify both competitive and allosteric sites on proteins. The MixMD approach
      embraces full protein flexibility and allows competition between solvent probes
      and water. Sites preferentially mapped by probe molecules are more likely to be
      binding hotspots. There are two important requirements for the identification of
      ligand-binding hotspots: (1) hotspots must be mapped at very high signal-to-noise
      ratio and (2) the hotspots must be mapped by multiple probe types. We have
      developed our mapping protocol around acetonitrile, isopropanol, and pyrimidine
      as probe solvents because they allowed us to capture hydrophilic, hydrophobic,
      hydrogen-bonding, and aromatic interactions. Charged probes were needed for
      mapping one target, and we introduce them in this work. In order to demonstrate
      the robust nature and wide applicability of the technique, a combined total of 5
      MUs of MixMD was applied across several protein targets known to exhibit
      allosteric modulation. Most notably, all the protein crystal structures used to
      initiate our simulations had no allosteric ligands bound, so there was no
      preorganization of the sites to predispose the simulations to find the allosteric
      hotspots. The protein test cases were ABL Kinase, Androgen Receptor, CHK1 Kinase,
      Glucokinase, PDK1 Kinase, Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthase, and Protein-Tyrosine
      Phosphatase 1B. The success of the technique is demonstrated by the fact that the
      top-four sites solely map the competitive and allosteric sites. Lower-ranked
      sites consistently map other biologically relevant sites, multimerization
      interfaces, or crystal-packing interfaces. Lastly, we highlight the importance of
      including protein flexibility by demonstrating that MixMD can map allosteric
      sites that are not detected in half the systems using FTMap applied to the same
      crystal structures.

PMID- 27258369
TI  - Short-Term Dynamic and Local Epidemiological Trends in the South American HIV-1B
      Epidemic.
AB  - The human displacement and sexual behavior are the main factors driving the HIV-1
      pandemic to the current profile. The intrinsic structure of the HIV transmission
      among different individuals has valuable importance for the understanding of the
      epidemic and for the public health response. The aim of this study was to
      characterize the HIV-1 subtype B (HIV-1B) epidemic in South America through the
      identification of transmission links and infer trends about geographical patterns
      and median time of transmission between individuals. Sequences of the protease
      and reverse transcriptase coding regions from 4,810 individuals were selected
      from GenBank. Maximum likelihood phylogenies were inferred and submitted to
      ClusterPicker to identify transmission links. Bayesian analyses were applied only
      for clusters including >=5 dated samples in order to estimate the median maximum
      inter-transmission interval. This study analyzed sequences sampled from 12 South
      American countries, from individuals of different exposure categories, under
      different antiretroviral profiles, and from a wide period of time (1989-2013).
      Continentally, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela were revealed important sites for
      the spread of HIV-1B among countries inside South America. Of note, from all the
      clusters identified about 70% of the HIV-1B infections are primarily occurring
      among individuals living in the same geographic region. In addition, these
      transmissions seem to occur early after the infection of an individual, taking in
      average 2.39 years (95% CI 1.48-3.30) to succeed. Homosexual/Bisexual individuals
      transmit the virus as quickly as almost half time of that estimated for the
      general population sampled here. Public health services can be broadly benefitted
      from this kind of information whether to focus on specific programs of response
      to the epidemic whether as guiding of prevention campaigns to specific risk
      groups. 

PMID- 27258370
TI  - Regular Sputum Check-Up for Early Diagnosis of Tuberculosis after Exposure in
      Healthcare Facilities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The early diagnosis of patients with TB disease is critical after an
      outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) infection in healthcare facilities. In this study,
      we report a catastrophic TB outbreak in a psychiatric healthcare facility and
      analyze the role of regular sputum check-ups and other diagnostic tools to
      facilitate an early diagnosis. METHODS: Every exposed participant received
      regular sputum check-ups and chest X-rays (CXR) as part of the outbreak
      management protocol. We retrospectively analyzed data from the contact
      participants to identify risk factors for eventual TB development and
      investigated the diagnostic efficacy of regular sputum check-ups. RESULTS: Among
      133 contact participants, 16 (12.0%) developed TB during the 4-year follow-up
      period. Low body-mass-index (BMI) (<21) (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 3.16, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 1.11-8.98) and long duration of contact (>3 months) (aHR
      8.70, 95% CI, 1.14-63.34) independently predicted the development of TB. Even
      though regular sputum check-ups required significant resources, they did
      facilitate the early identification of new TB cases among the contact
      participants. Regular sputum check-ups for high-risk patients based on BMI,
      contact duration and CXR findings may be a practical approach when compared with
      universal sputum follow-up, with a slightly decreased sensitivity but high
      positive likelihood ratio (88%, [95% CI, 62-98%] and 5.12, [95%CI, 3.30-7.95],
      respectively). CONCLUSION: While regular sputum check-ups for all contact
      participants facilitated the early identification of cases after the outbreak of
      TB in the healthcare facility, regular sputum check-ups for high-risk patients
      might be an effective alternative in resource-limited settings.

PMID- 27258371
TI  - Contemporary clinical trial updates in heart failure.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Heart failure is a major source of cardiovascular morbidity
      and mortality worldwide. The field has benefited from steady progress, and there
      are now multiple strategies - medical and surgical - to improve cardiovascular
      outcomes. The quest continues for enhanced pathophysiologic insights and
      therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: The chosen studies highlight new ways of treating
      heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) with pharmacotherapy such as
      sacubitril/valsartan and explore the role of antimicrobial therapy for chronic
      Chagas' cardiomyopathy. The role of iron supplementation, spinal cord stimulation
      and gene therapy are evaluated. The treatment of heart failure with preserved
      ejection fraction (HFpEF) is scrutinized, and the role of nitrates is discussed.
      The use of left ventricular assist devices in wider populations of HFrEF patients
      is considered. SUMMARY: These pivotal contemporary trials will impact bedside
      management. Sacubitril/valsartan's mortality benefit in HFrEF and the negative
      effect of nitrates in HFpEF provide novel insights. Progress with durable
      mechanical circulatory support and nonpharmacological approaches to heart failure
      management expand therapeutic options.

PMID- 27258372
TI  - Statin myopathy: over-rated and under-treated?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Statins are recommended as first-line therapy for
      cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, a proportion of patients cannot tolerate
      these drugs because of muscle-related side-effects. This review summarizes the
      definition of statin-related muscle disorders, aetiological factors, and
      recommended management strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: A number of consensus groups
      have defined and classified statin-related muscle disorders, whereas others have
      suggested diagnostic and management strategies. Mechanisms behind statin-related
      muscle toxicity have been identified. Therapeutic and clinical investigation
      pathways have been reviewed and algorithms defined. New drugs have become
      available to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels that are not
      associated with causing muscle side-effects. SUMMARY: Statin-related muscle side
      effects are common. Secondary causes of muscle disease unmasked by statin therapy
      should be identified. Most patients can be managed by adjustment of standard
      treatment protocols.

PMID- 27258374
TI  - PrEP Awareness and Attitudes in a National Survey of Primary Care Clinicians in
      the United States, 2009-2015.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: As trials were assessing the safety and efficacy of daily oral
      antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the prevention of HIV
      infection, there was a clear need to understand the evolution of knowledge of,
      and attitudes toward, PrEP among primary care clinicians. METHODS: Physicians and
      nurse practitioners were surveyed in 2009 (n = 1500), 2010 (n = 1504), 2012 (n =
      1503), 2013 (n = 1507), 2014 (n = 1508) and 2015 (n = 1501) to assess their
      awareness of PrEP, willingness to prescribe PrEP, and whether they support use of
      public funds to pay for PrEP. Pharmacists (n = 251) were surveyed about PrEP in
      2012 only. Descriptive statistics were computed for physician demographics and
      PrEP-related questions. Prevalence ratios for willingness to prescribe PrEP were
      computed using Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: Awareness of PrEP was low
      among clinicians (2009: 24%, 2010: 29%) but increased after trials reported
      effectiveness (2012: 49%, 2013: 51%, 2014: 61%, 2015: 66%). Following a
      description of PrEP with an estimated effectiveness of 75%, across 6 of the study
      years 91% of clinicians indicated a willingness to prescribe PrEP to at least one
      group at high risk of HIV acquisition. A smaller majority of clinicians indicated
      support for public funding of PrEP in 2009: 59%, 2010: 53%, and 2013: 63%.
      CONCLUSIONS: In surveys conducted before and after the release of PrEP trial
      results, primary care clinicians were largely unaware of PrEP. They indicated
      high levels of willingness to prescribe it for patients at high risk of HIV
      acquisition and expressed interest in education about how to deliver this new
      clinical HIV prevention method. It will be important to continue monitoring
      clinician knowledge, attitudes, and practices as the use of PrEP increases in the
      US.

PMID- 27258373
TI  - Effects of Diets Supplemented with Ensiled Mulberry Leaves and Sun-Dried Mulberry
      Fruit Pomace on the Ruminal Bacterial and Archaeal Community Composition of
      Finishing Steers.
AB  - This study investigated the effects of ensiled mulberry leaves (EML) and sun
      dried mulberry fruit pomace (SMFP) on the ruminal bacterial and archaeal
      community composition of finishing steers. Corn grain- and cotton meal-based
      concentrate was partially replaced with EML or SMFP. The diets had similar crude
      protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and metabolizable energy. Following
      the feeding trial, the steers were slaughtered and ruminal liquid samples were
      collected to study the ruminal microbiome. Extraction of DNA, amplification of
      the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and Illumina MiSeq pyrosequencing were
      performed for each sample. Following sequence de-noising, chimera checking, and
      quality trimming, an average of 209,610 sequences were generated per sample.
      Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to examine the selected bacterial
      species in the rumen. Our results showed that the predominant phyla were
      Bacteroidetes (43.90%), Firmicutes (39.06%), Proteobacteria (4.31%), and
      Tenericutes (2.04%), and the predominant genera included Prevotella (13.82%),
      Ruminococcus (2.51%), Butyrivibrio (2.38%), and Succiniclasticum (2.26%).
      Compared to the control group, EML and SMFP groups had a higher abundance of
      total bacteria (p < 0.001); however, the bacterial community composition was
      similar among the three groups. At the phylum level, there were no significant
      differences in Firmicutes (p = 0.7932), Bacteroidetes (p = 0.2330), Tenericutes
      (p = 0.2811), or Proteobacteria (p = 0.0680) levels among the three groups;
      however, Fibrobacteres decreased in EML (p = 0.0431). At the genus level, there
      were no differences in Prevotella (p = 0.4280), Ruminococcus (p = 0.2639),
      Butyrivibrio (p = 0.4433), or Succiniclasticum (p = 0.0431) levels among the
      groups. Additionally, the dietary treatments had no significant effects on the
      archaeal community composition in the rumen. Therefore, EML and SMFP
      supplementation had no significant effects on the ruminal bacterial or archaeal
      community composition of finishing steers. 

PMID- 27258375
TI  - Speed of reversal of vecuronium neuromuscular block with different doses of
      neostigmine in anesthetized dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Neostigmine is routinely used to reverse non-depolarizing
      neuromuscular block. Given its indirect mechanism, a plateau may exist whereby
      increasing doses of neostigmine do not result in clinical benefit. This study was
      designed to measure the speed of reversal of vecuronium-induced neuromuscular
      block in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs after the administration of three doses of
      neostigmine as used in clinical practice. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, crossover,
      randomized study. ANIMALS: Seven adult, mixed-breed dogs with a mean +/- standard
      deviation (SD) age of 2.0 +/- 0.8 years and weight of 19.1 +/- 9.1 kg. METHODS:
      Dogs were anesthetized on three occasions with isoflurane and administered
      vecuronium (0.1 mg kg-1) intravenously (IV). The train-of-four (TOF) ratio was
      measured on the pelvic limb with acceleromyography. When the second twitch of the
      TOF had returned spontaneously, atropine (0.03 mg kg-1) and neostigmine (0.02,
      0.04 or 0.07 mg kg-1) were administered IV. Time to reach a TOF ratio of >=0.9
      after neostigmine administration was recorded. RESULTS: Increasing the dose of
      neostigmine from 0.02 mg kg-1 to 0.04 mg kg-1 and 0.07 mg kg-1 resulted in
      significant reductions in mean +/- SD reversal times (10.5 +/- 2.3, 7.4 +/- 1.1
      and 5.4 +/- 0.5 minutes, respectively) (p < 0.0001) and smaller coefficients of
      variation (22%, 15% and 10%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
      Increasing the dose of neostigmine from 0.02 mg kg-1 to 0.04 mg kg-1 and 0.07 mg
      kg-1 produced faster and less variable reversal of vecuronium-induced
      neuromuscular block in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs. No ceiling effect was
      observed at this dose range.

PMID- 27258376
TI  - Correction: Adipocytes as a Link Between Gut Microbiota-Derived Flagellin and
      Hepatocyte Fat Accumulation.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152786.].

PMID- 27258377
TI  - Comparison of the Sensitivity of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube and T-SPOT.TB
      According to Patient Age.
AB  - Currently, there are two types of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) in use
      for the detection of tuberculosis (TB) infection, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube
      test (GFT-GIT) and T-SPOT.TB. Owing to contradictory reports regarding whether
      the results of these IGRAs are affected by the age of the patient, we aimed to
      determine if these two tests have age-related differences in sensitivity. We
      retrospectively reviewed the medical records of diagnosed TB patients who were
      tested using either QFT-GIT or T-SPOT.TB from February 2008 to December 2013. The
      positivity of the two tests was analyzed and compared with true TB infection,
      which was defined as active TB based on either a positive Mycobacterium culture
      or a positive TB polymerase chain reaction. The QFT-GIT group included 192 TB
      patients, and the T-SPOT.TB group included 212 TB patients. Of the patients with
      pulmonary TB, 76 (39.6%) were in the QFT-GIT group and 143 (67.5%) in the T
      SPOT.TB group. The overall sensitivity was 80.2% for QFT-GIT and 91.0% for
      T.SPOT.TB. The sensitivities of QFT-GIT and T-SPOT.TB according to age group were
      as follows: <29 years, 93.3% and 96.7%; 30-49 years, 86.5% and 94.7%; 50-69
      years, 76.8% and 87.5%; and >70 years, 68.3% and 85.7%, respectively. The trend
      of age-related changes in sensitivity was significant for both QFT-GIT (p =
      0.004) and T.SPOT.TB (p = 0.039). However, only QFT-GIT was significantly related
      to age in the multivariate analysis. QFT-GIT, but not T-SPOT.TB, was
      significantly affected by patient age. 

PMID- 27258378
TI  - A Behavioral Framework to Address the Emerging Challenge of Multimorbidity:
      Erratum.

PMID- 27258383
TI  - Correction: Brazil's Market for Trading Forest Certificates.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152311.].

PMID- 27258384
TI  - Carbon Nanotubes as Electrically Active Nanoreactors for Multi-Step Inorganic
      Synthesis: Sequential Transformations of Molecules to Nanoclusters and
      Nanoclusters to Nanoribbons.
AB  - In organic synthesis, the composition and structure of products are predetermined
      by the reaction conditions; however, the synthesis of well-defined inorganic
      nanostructures often presents a significant challenge yielding nonstoichiometric
      or polymorphic products. In this study, confinement in the nanoscale cavities of
      single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) provides a new approach for multistep
      inorganic synthesis where sequential chemical transformations take place within
      the same nanotube. In the first step, SWNTs donate electrons to reactant iodine
      molecules (I2), transforming them to iodide anions (I(-)). These then react with
      metal hexacarbonyls (M(CO)6, M = Mo or W) in the next step, yielding anionic
      nanoclusters [M6I14](2-), the size and composition of which are strictly dictated
      by the nanotube cavity, as demonstrated by aberration-corrected high resolution
      transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and
      energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Atoms in the nanoclusters [M6I14](2-) are
      arranged in a perfect octahedral geometry and can engage in further chemical
      reactions within the nanotube, either reacting with each other leading to a new
      polymeric phase of molybdenum iodide [Mo6I12]n or with hydrogen sulfide gas
      giving rise to nanoribbons of molybdenum/tungsten disulfide [MS2]n in the third
      step of the synthesis. Electron microscopy measurements demonstrate that the
      products of the multistep inorganic transformations are precisely controlled by
      the SWNT nanoreactor with complementary Raman spectroscopy revealing the
      remarkable property of SWNTs to act as a reservoir of electrons during the
      chemical transformation. The electron transfer from the host nanotube to the
      reacting guest molecules is essential for stabilizing the anionic metal iodide
      nanoclusters and for their further transformation to metal disulfide nanoribbons
      synthesized in the nanotubes in high yield.

PMID- 27258385
TI  - Bias in Research Grant Evaluation Has Dire Consequences for Small Universities.
AB  - Federal funding for basic scientific research is the cornerstone of societal
      progress, economy, health and well-being. There is a direct relationship between
      financial investment in science and a nation's scientific discoveries, making it
      a priority for governments to distribute public funding appropriately in support
      of the best science. However, research grant proposal success rate and funding
      level can be skewed toward certain groups of applicants, and such skew may be
      driven by systemic bias arising during grant proposal evaluation and scoring.
      Policies to best redress this problem are not well established. Here, we show
      that funding success and grant amounts for applications to Canada's Natural
      Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant program (2011
      2014) are consistently lower for applicants from small institutions. This pattern
      persists across applicant experience levels, is consistent among three criteria
      used to score grant proposals, and therefore is interpreted as representing
      systemic bias targeting applicants from small institutions. When current funding
      success rates are projected forward, forecasts reveal that future science funding
      at small schools in Canada will decline precipitously in the next decade, if
      skews are left uncorrected. We show that a recently-adopted pilot program to
      bolster success by lowering standards for select applicants from small
      institutions will not erase funding skew, nor will several other post-evaluation
      corrective measures. Rather, to support objective and robust review of grant
      applications, it is necessary for research councils to address evaluation skew
      directly, by adopting procedures such as blind review of research proposals and
      bibliometric assessment of performance. Such measures will be important in
      restoring confidence in the objectivity and fairness of science funding
      decisions. Likewise, small institutions can improve their research success by
      more strongly supporting productive researchers and developing competitive
      graduate programming opportunities. 

PMID- 27258387
TI  - Rotational Stability of Scaphoid Osteosyntheses: An In Vitro Comparison of Small
      Fragment Cannulated Screws to Novel Bone Screw Sets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current standard of care for operative repair of scaphoid
      fractures involves reduction and internal fixation with a single headless
      compression screw. However, a compression screw in isolation does not necessarily
      control rotational stability at a fracture or nonunion site. The single screw
      provides rotational control through friction and bone interdigitation from
      compression at the fracture site. We hypothesize that osteosyntheses with novel
      bone screw sets (BSS) equipped with anti-rotational elements provide improved
      rotational stability. METHODS: Stability of osteosynthesis under increasing
      cyclic torsional loading was investigated on osteotomized cadaveric scaphoids.
      Two novel prototype BSS, oblique type (BSS-obl.) and longitudinal type (BSS
      long.) were compared to three conventional screws: Acutrak2(r)mini, HCS(r)3.0 and
      Twinfix(r). Biomechanical tests were performed on scaphoids from single donors in
      paired comparison and analyzed by balanced incomplete random block design.
      Loading was increased by 50 mNm increments with 1,000 cycles per torque level and
      repeated until a rotational clearance of 10 degrees . Primary outcome measure was
      the number of cycles to 10 degrees  clearance, secondary outcome measure was the
      maximum rotational clearance for each torque level. FINDINGS: BSS-obl. performed
      significantly better than Acutrak2(r)mini and HCS(r) (p = 0.015, p<0.0001). BSS
      long. performed significantly better than HCS(r) (p = 0.010). No significant
      difference in performance between BSS-obl. and BSS-long. (p = 0.361), between BSS
      obl. and Twinfix(r) (p = 0.50) and BSS long. and Twinfix(r) (p = 0.667) was
      detected. Within the torque range up to 200 mNm, four of 21 (19%) BSS-long. and
      four of 21 (19%) BSS-obl. preparations showed early failure. The same loading led
      to early failure in four (29%) Twinfix(r), seven (50%) Acutrak2(r)mini and 10
      (71%) HCS(r) of 14 screw samples, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For both BSS and to
      a lesser extent for Twinfix(r) (as dual-component screw), higher rotational
      stabilities were identified in comparison to single component headless
      compression screws.

PMID- 27258386
TI  - Transcriptome Analysis of the Sydney Rock Oyster, Saccostrea glomerata: Insights
      into Molluscan Immunity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oysters have important ecological functions in their natural
      environment, acting as global carbon sinks and improving water quality by
      removing excess nutrients from the water column. During their life-time oysters
      are exposed to a variety of pathogens that can cause severe mortality in a range
      of oyster species. Environmental stressors encountered in their habitat can
      increase the susceptibility of oysters to these pathogens and in general have
      been shown to impact on oyster immunity, making immune parameters expressed in
      these marine animals an important research topic. RESULTS: Paired-end Illumina
      high throughput sequencing of six S. glomerata tissues exposed to different
      environmental stressors resulted in a total of 484,121,702 paired-end reads. When
      reads and assembled transcripts were compared to the C. gigas genome, an overall
      low level of similarity at the nucleotide level, but a relatively high similarity
      at the protein level was observed. Examination of the tissue expression pattern
      showed that some transcripts coding for cathepsins, heat shock proteins and
      antioxidant proteins were exclusively expressed in the haemolymph of S.
      glomerata, suggesting a role in innate immunity. Furthermore, analysis of the S.
      glomerata ORFs showed a wide range of genes potentially involved in innate
      immunity, from pattern recognition receptors, components of the Toll-like
      signalling and apoptosis pathways to a complex antioxidant defence mechanism.
      CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large scale RNA-Seq study carried out in S.
      glomerata, showing the complex network of innate immune components that exist in
      this species. The results confirmed that many of the innate immune system
      components observed in mammals are also conserved in oysters; however, some, such
      as the TLR adaptors MAL, TRIF and TRAM are either missing or have been modified
      significantly. The components identified in this study could help explain the
      oysters' natural resilience against pathogenic microorganisms encountered in
      their natural environment.

PMID- 27258390
TI  - Fluoroform-Derived CuCF3 for Trifluoromethylation of Terminal and TMS-Protected
      Alkynes.
AB  - An efficient trifluoromethylation reaction of alkynes using a fluoroform-derived
      CuCF3 reagent is described. The CF3 source is the inexpensive industrial waste
      fluoroform (CF3H). The air-stable CuCF3 reagent can be prepared in large
      quantities and is convenient to use. Synthetically useful trifluoromethylated
      alkynes containing a wide range of functional groups were successfully
      synthesized under mild conditions. Both terminal and TMS-protected alkynes gave
      the products in one step. The beneficial effect of a diamine ligand
      tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) with the fluoroform-derived CuCF3 reagent was
      also demonstrated.

PMID- 27258388
TI  - Discovery and Characterization of Phage Display-Derived Human Monoclonal
      Antibodies against RSV F Glycoprotein.
AB  - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract
      infection in infants, the elderly and in immunosuppressed populations. The vast
      majority of neutralizing antibodies isolated from human subjects target the RSV
      fusion (F) glycoprotein, making it an attractive target for the development of
      vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. Currently, Synagis(r) (palivizumab) is the
      only FDA approved antibody drug for the prevention of RSV infection, and there is
      a great need for more effective vaccines and therapeutics. Phage display is a
      powerful tool in antibody discovery with the advantage that it does not require
      samples from immunized subjects. In this study, Morphosys HuCAL GOLD(r) phage
      libraries were used for panning against RSV prefusion and postfusion F proteins.
      Panels of human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against RSV F protein were
      discovered following phage library panning and characterized. Antibodies binding
      specifically to prefusion or postfusion F proteins and those binding both
      conformations were identified. 3B1 is a prototypic postfusion F specific antibody
      while 2E1 is a prototypic prefusion F specific antibody. 2E1 is a potent broadly
      neutralizing antibody against both RSV A and B strains. Epitope mapping
      experiments identified a conformational epitope spanning across three
      discontinuous sections of the RSV F protein, as well as critical residues for
      antibody interaction. 

PMID- 27258389
TI  - Patterns and predictors of clustered risky health behaviors among adult survivors
      of childhood cancer: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health complications related to childhood cancer may be influenced by
      risky health behaviors (RHBs), particularly when RHBs co-occur. To the authors'
      knowledge, only limited information is available describing how RHBs cluster
      among survivors of childhood cancer and their siblings and the risk factors for
      co-occurring RHBs. METHODS: Latent class analysis was used to identify RHB
      clusters using longitudinal survey data regarding smoking, alcohol use, and
      physical activity from adult survivors (4184 survivors) and siblings (1598
      siblings) in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Generalized logistic regression
      was used to evaluate associations between demographic characteristics, treatment
      exposures, psychological distress, health conditions, and cluster membership.
      RESULTS: Three RHB clusters were identified: a low-risk cluster, an
      insufficiently active cluster, and a high-risk cluster (tobacco and risky alcohol
      use and insufficient activity). Compared with siblings, survivors were more
      likely to be in the insufficiently active cluster (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj ],
      1.17; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.06-1.27) and were less likely to be in
      the high-risk cluster (ORadj , 0.79; 95% CI, 0.69-0.88). Risk factors for
      membership in the high-risk cluster included psychological distress (ORadj ,
      2.76; 95% CI, 1.98-3.86), low educational attainment (ORadj , 7.49; 95% CI, 5.15
      10.88), income <$20,000 (ORadj , 2.62; 95% CI, 1.93-3.57), being
      divorced/separated or widowed (ORadj , 1.36; 95% CI, 1.03-1.79), and limb
      amputation (ORadj , 1.52; 95% CI, 1.03-2.24). Risk factors for the insufficiently
      active cluster included chronic health conditions, psychological distress, low
      education or income, being obese or overweight, female sex, nonwhite
      race/ethnicity, single marital status, cranial radiation, and cisplatin exposure.
      CONCLUSIONS: RHBs co-occur in survivors of childhood cancer and their siblings.
      Economic and educational disadvantages and psychological distress should be
      considered in screening and interventions to reduce RHBs. Cancer 2016. (c) 2016
      American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2747-2756. (c) 2016 American Cancer
      Society.

PMID- 27258391
TI  - Effects of Nutrient Loading and Mercury Chemical Speciation on the Formation and
      Degradation of Methylmercury in Estuarine Sediment.
AB  - Net formation of methylmercury (MeHg) in sediments is known to be affected by the
      availability of inorganic divalent mercury (Hg(II)) and by the activities of
      Hg(II) methylating and MeHg demethylating bacteria. Enhanced autochthonous
      organic matter deposition to the benthic zone, following increased loading of
      nutrients to the pelagic zone, has been suggested to increase the activity of
      Hg(II) methylating bacteria and thus the rate of net methylation. However, the
      impact of increased nutrient loading on the biogeochemistry of mercury (Hg) is
      challenging to predict as different geochemical pools of Hg may respond
      differently to enhanced bacterial activities. Here, we investigate the combined
      effects of nutrient (N and P) supply to the pelagic zone and the chemical
      speciation of Hg(II) and of MeHg on MeHg formation and degradation in a brackish
      sediment-water mesocosm model ecosystem. By use of Hg isotope tracers added in
      situ to the mesocosms or ex situ in incubation experiments, we show that the MeHg
      formation rate increased with nutrient loading only for Hg(II) tracers with a
      high availability for methylation. Tracers with low availability did not respond
      significantly to nutrient loading. Thus, both microbial activity (stimulated
      indirectly through plankton biomass production by nutrient loading) and Hg(II)
      chemical speciation were found to control the MeHg formation rate in marine
      sediments.

PMID- 27258393
TI  - Covalent EGFR Inhibitors: Binding Mechanisms, Synthetic Approaches, and Clinical
      Profiles.
AB  - Being overexpressed in several types of cancer, the epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR) is considered one of the key therapeutic targets in oncology.
      Although many first-generation EGFR inhibitors had been FDA approved for the
      treatment of certain types of cancer, patients soon developed resistance to these
      reversible ATP competitive inhibitors via mutations in the kinase domain of EGFR.
      A new trend was adopted to design covalent irreversible inhibitors, that is,
      second- and third-generation inhibitors. Second-generation inhibitors can inhibit
      the mutant forms but, unfortunately, they had dose limiting side effects due to
      wild-type EGFR inhibition. Third-generation inhibitors emerged shortly, which
      were capable of inhibiting the mutant forms exclusively while sparing the wild
      type. Many other strategies have also been developed to reduce the risk of
      covalent interactions with off-targets, thus improving the pharmacokinetic and/or
      pharmacodynamic profile of the antiproliferative agents. In this review, we
      focused mainly on second- and third-generation EGFR inhibitors, their binding
      mechanisms (either docking studies or co-crystallized structures), their
      synthetic approaches, clinical profiles, and limitations. 

PMID- 27258394
TI  - Minimization of Surface Energies and Ripening Outcompete Template Effects in the
      Surface Growth of Metal-Organic Frameworks.
AB  - As well-oriented, surface-bound metal-organic frameworks become the centerpiece
      of many new applications, a profound understanding of their growth mode becomes
      necessary. This work shows that the currently favored model of surface templating
      is in fact a special case valid only for systems with a more or less cubic
      crystal shape, while in less symmetric systems crystal ripening and minimization
      of surface energies dominate the growth process.

PMID- 27258395
TI  - (Multiple) Isotope probing approaches to trace the fate of environmental
      chemicals and the formation of non-extractable 'bound' residues.
AB  - Procedures for the analysis of turnover of chemicals (and of natural compounds)
      are well developed using radio or stable isotope labelled tracer compounds in
      various standardized OECD tests. Due to the analytical focus on the isotope label
      the chemical speciation of the so-called non-extractable residues (NER) in soils
      and sediments often remains unknown. These NER may stem from parent compounds,
      metabolites, microbial biomass, or from precipitated carbonates after productive
      microbial degradation. Fate studies mostly do not describe the link to
      phylogenetic assignment of degraders and microbial ecology although in these
      fields various isotope tracer applications are well developed, too. We present
      several options for integrating both approaches in environmental biotechnology
      and how they can be used to improve knowledge in microbial ecology.

PMID- 27258392
TI  - Physiological, pathological, and engineered cell identity reprogramming in the
      central nervous system.
AB  - Multipotent neural stem cells persist in restricted regions of the adult
      mammalian central nervous system. These proliferative cells differentiate into
      diverse neuron subtypes to maintain neural homeostasis. This endogenous process
      can be reprogrammed as a compensatory response to physiological cues, traumatic
      injury, and neurodegeneration. In addition to innate neurogenesis, recent
      research has demonstrated that new neurons can be engineered via cell identity
      reprogramming in non-neurogenic regions of the adult central nervous system. A
      comprehensive understanding of these reprogramming mechanisms will be essential
      to the development of therapeutic neural regeneration strategies that aim to
      improve functional recovery after injury and neurodegeneration. WIREs Dev Biol
      2016, 5:499-517. doi: 10.1002/wdev.234 For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website.

PMID- 27258396
TI  - Attenuated SIV causes persisting neuroinflammation in the absence of a chronic
      viral load and neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Using simian models, where SIV chronic viral loads are naturally
      controlled in the absence of potentially neurotoxic therapies, we investigated
      the neuropathological events occurring during times of suppressed viraemia and
      when these events were initiated. DESIGN: Cynomolgus macaques were infected with
      SIV strains that are naturally controlled to low levels of chronic viraemia.
      Study 1: animals were maintained up to 300 days after inoculation and analysed
      for viral-induced neuropathology following sustained suppression of chronic viral
      loads. Study 2: initiation and development of lesion was examined following 3,
      10, 21, or 125 days SIVmacC8 infection. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin
      embedded brain sections were analysed following immunohistochemical staining for
      simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) (KK41), blood-brain barrier leakage (ZO-1,
      fibrinogen), apoptosis (active caspase 3), neuroinflammation [GFAP,
      cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2], microglia and macrophage (Iba-1, CD68, and CD16),
      oligodendrocytes (CNPase1), MHC class II expression, and T cells (CD3 and CD8).
      Replicating SIV was detected through in-situ hybridization. RESULTS: Study 1:
      neuroinflammation was present despite prolonged suppressed viraemia. Study 2:
      attenuated SIV entered the brain rapidly triggering acute phase neuroinflammatory
      responses. These did not return to naive levels and GFAP and COX-2 responses
      continued to develop during a chronic phase with a suppressed viral load.
      CONCLUSION: Neuroinflammatory responses similar to those in HIV neurocognitively
      impaired patients are present within macaque brains during prolonged periods of
      suppressed SIV viral load and in the absence of potentially neurotoxic
      antiretroviral drugs. These responses, initiated during acute infection, do not
      resolve despite the lack of on-going peripheral viraemia to potentially reseed
      the brain.

PMID- 27258397
TI  - Probability of N332 glycan occupancy on HIV-1 gp120 modulates sensitivity to
      broadly neutralizing antibodies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE(S): The glycan shield of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein complex (Env),
      in particular the glycan at position 332 in gp120, is frequently targeted by
      broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) isolated from HIV-1-infected individuals.
      We investigated the role of the second amino acid position of the N332
      glycosylation motif Asn-X-Ser in HIV-1 evolution and neutralization sensitivity.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: Viral variants harbouring glycosylation motifs with different
      probabilities of glycan occupancy were tested for their sensitivity to a subset
      of N332-dependent bNAbs. Furthermore, longitudinal Env sequences of 37 HIV-1
      infected individuals were used to analyse the evolution of the N332 glycosylation
      motif within these individuals. Finally, early Env sequences from 31 historical
      and 21 contemporaneous seroconverters were compared to analyse this evolution on
      a population level. RESULTS: Viral variants with a higher probability of N332
      occupancy were more sensitive to neutralization by some N332-dependent bNAbs.
      Furthermore, the longitudinal analyses revealed an increase in probability of
      glycan occupancy of the N332 site over time, both within patients, and at the
      population level over the course of 20 years of HIV-1 epidemic. CONCLUSIONS:
      These observations suggest that modulation of N332 glycan occupancy by the second
      amino acid position of the canonical glycosylation motif Asn-X-Ser plays a
      previously unappreciated role in viral escape from immune responses, and should
      be considered in Env-based vaccine design.

PMID- 27258398
TI  - T-cell receptor transfer for boosting HIV-1-specific T-cell immunity in HIV-1
      infected patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Strategies to cure HIV-1 infection require the eradication of viral
      reservoirs. An innovative approach for boosting the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte
      response is the transfer of T-cell receptors (TCRs). Previously, we have shown
      that electroporation of TCR-encoding mRNA is able to reprogram CD8 T cells
      derived from healthy donors. So far, it is unknown whether the transfer of HIV-1
      specific TCRs is capable to reprogram CD8 T cells of HIV-1-infected patients. To
      assess the efficiency of TCR-transfer by mRNA electroporation and the
      functionality of reprogramed T cells in HIV-1-infected patients, we performed an
      in-vitro analysis of TCR-transfer into T cells from HIV-1-infected patients in
      various stages of disease and from healthy controls. METHODS: Peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells from 16 HIV-1-infected patients (nine HLA-A02-positive, seven
      HLA-A02-negative) and from five healthy controls were electroporated with mRNA
      constructs encoding TCRs specific for the HLA-A02/HIV-1-gag p17 epitope SLYNTVATL
      (SL9). Functionality of the TCRs was measured by gammaIFN-ELISpot assays.
      RESULTS: SL9/TCR transfection into peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both
      HLA-A02-positive and HLA-A02-negative HIV-1-infected patients and from healthy
      blood donors reprogramed T cells for recognition of SL9-presenting HLA-A02
      positive cells in gammaIFN-ELISpot assays. SL9/TCR-transfer into T cells from an
      immunodeficient AIDS patient could induce recognition of SL9-expressing target
      cells only after reversion of T-cell dysfunction by antiretroviral therapy.
      CONCLUSION: The transfer of HIV-1-p17-specific TCRs into T cells is functional
      both in HIV-1-infected patients as well as in healthy blood donors. TCR-transfer
      is a promising method to boost the immune system against HIV-1.

PMID- 27258399
TI  - Increased adolescent HIV testing with a hybrid mobile strategy in Uganda and
      Kenya.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We sought to increase adolescent HIV testing across rural communities
      in east Africa and identify predictors of undiagnosed HIV. DESIGN: Hybrid mobile
      testing. METHODS: We enumerated 116 326 adolescents (10-24 years) in 32
      communities of Uganda and Kenya ( SEARCH: NCT01864603): 98 694 (85%) reported
      stable (>=6 months of prior year) residence. In each community we performed
      hybrid testing: 2-week multidisease community health campaign that included HIV
      testing, followed by home-based testing of community health campaign
      nonparticipants. We measured adolescent HIV testing coverage and prevalence, and
      determined predictors of newly diagnosed HIV among HIV-infected adolescents using
      multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 86 421 (88%) stable
      adolescents tested for HIV; coverage was 86, 90, and 88% in early (10-14), mid
      (15-17), and late (18-24) adolescents, respectively. Self-reported prior testing
      was 9, 26, and 55% in early, mid, and late adolescents tested, respectively. HIV
      prevalence among adolescents tested was 1.6 and 0.6% in Ugandan women and men,
      and 7.1 and 1.5% in Kenyan women and men, respectively. Prevalence increased in
      mid-adolescence for women and late adolescence for men. Among HIV-infected
      adolescents, 58% reported newly diagnosed HIV. In multivariate analysis of HIV
      infected adolescents, predictors of newly diagnosed HIV included male sex [odds
      ratio (OR) = 1.97 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42-2.73)], Ugandan residence
      [OR = 2.63 (95% CI: 2.08-3.31)], and single status [OR = 1.62 (95% CI: 1.23-2.14)
      vs. married)]. CONCLUSIONS: The SEARCH hybrid strategy tested 88% of stable
      adolescents for HIV, a substantial increase over the 28% reporting prior testing.
      The majority (57%) of HIV-infected adolescents were new diagnoses. Mobile HIV
      testing for adults should be leveraged to reach adolescents for HIV treatment and
      prevention.

PMID- 27258401
TI  - From Natural Product to the First Oral Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis: The
      Discovery of FTY720 (GilenyaTM)?
AB  - Multiple sclerosis is a devastating chronic autoimmune disease affecting women
      and men of all ages. Inflammation of the central nervous system causes
      demyelination and ultimately neuropsychological dysfunction. Myriocin, a natural
      product with strong immunosuppressant activity was interrogated leading to a new
      class of immunomodulator with a unique mode of action. In this review, we will
      summarize these findings, the mechanism hypothesis and discuss the data's
      ultimately leading to the approval of GilenyaTM as the first oral treatment for
      multiple sclerosis.

PMID- 27258400
TI  - A Tunable Scaffold of Microtubular Graphite for 3D Cell Growth.
AB  - Aerographite (AG) is a novel carbon-based material that exists as a self
      supportive 3D network of interconnected hollow microtubules. It can be
      synthesized in a variety of architectures tailored by the growth conditions. This
      flexibility in creating structures presents interesting bioengineering
      possibilities such as the generation of an artificial extracellular matrix. Here
      we have explored the feasibility and potential of AG as a scaffold for 3D cell
      growth employing cyclic RGD (cRGD) peptides coupled to poly(ethylene glycol)
      (PEG) conjugated phospholipids for surface functionalization to promote specific
      adhesion of fibroblast cells. Successful growth and invasion of the bulk material
      was followed over a period of 4 days. 

PMID- 27258402
TI  - Hybrid Nanoparticles as Drug Carriers for Controlled Chemotherapy of Cancer.
AB  - Rapid developments in materials science and biological mechanisms have greatly
      boosted the research discoveries of new drug delivery systems. In the past few
      decades, hundreds of nanoparticle-based drug carriers have been reported almost
      on a daily basis, in which new materials, structures, and mechanisms are proposed
      and evaluated. Standing out among the drug carriers, the hybrid nanoparticle
      systems offer a great opportunity for the optimization and improvement of
      conventional chemotherapy. By combining several features of functional
      components, these hybrid nanoparticles have shown excellent promises of improved
      biosafety, biocompatibility, multifunctionality, biodegradability, and so forth.
      In this Personal Account, we highlight the recent research advances of some
      representative hybrid nanoparticles as drug delivery systems and discuss their
      design strategies and responsive mechanisms for controlled drug delivery.

PMID- 27258403
TI  - The Association between Nutritional Markers and Biochemical Parameters and
      Residual Renal Function in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.
AB  - Residual renal function (RRF) is an important prognostic factor for peritoneal
      dialysis patients as it influences the quality of life and mortality. This study
      was conducted to explore the potential factors correlated with RRF. A cross
      sectional study was conducted by recruiting 155 patients with residual GFR more
      than 1mL/min per 1.73m2 at the initiation of peritoneal dialysis. We collected
      the demographic characteristics, nutritional markers and biochemical parameters
      of all participants, and analyzed the correlation between these variables and
      residual GFR as well. The odds ratio of RRF loss associated with each of the
      nutritional markers and biochemical parameters were estimated by logistic
      regression model. The residual GFR was negatively correlated with serum phosphate
      (ORQ3 = 2.67, 95%CI: 1.03-6.92; ORQ4 = 3.45, 95%CI: 1.35-9.04), magnesium (ORQ4 =
      3.77, 95%CI: 1.48-3.63), and creatinine (ORQ3 = 2.93, 95%CI: 1.09-7.88; ORQ4 =
      8.64 95%CI: 2.79-26.78), while positively associated with normalized protein
      catabolic rate (ORQ3 = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.09-0.65; ORQ4 = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.03-0.35), 24
      hours urine volume(ORQ1 = 22.87, 95%CI: 2.76-189.24; ORQ3 = 0.08, 95%CI: 0.02
      0.28) and serum chlorine concentrations (ORQ1 = 5.34, 95%CI: 1.94-14.68; ORQ4 =
      0.28, 95%CI: 0.09-0.85), respectively. Our study suggested that the nutritional
      markers and biochemical parameters, though not all, but at least in part were
      closely correlated with RRF in peritoneal dialysis patients. 

PMID- 27258404
TI  - Chinese Herbal Medicine Image Recognition and Retrieval by Convolutional Neural
      Network.
AB  - Chinese herbal medicine image recognition and retrieval have great potential of
      practical applications. Several previous studies have focused on the recognition
      with hand-crafted image features, but there are two limitations in them. Firstly,
      most of these hand-crafted features are low-level image representation, which is
      easily affected by noise and background. Secondly, the medicine images are very
      clean without any backgrounds, which makes it difficult to use in practical
      applications. Therefore, designing high-level image representation for
      recognition and retrieval in real world medicine images is facing a great
      challenge. Inspired by the recent progress of deep learning in computer vision,
      we realize that deep learning methods may provide robust medicine image
      representation. In this paper, we propose to use the Convolutional Neural Network
      (CNN) for Chinese herbal medicine image recognition and retrieval. For the
      recognition problem, we use the softmax loss to optimize the recognition network;
      then for the retrieval problem, we fine-tune the recognition network by adding a
      triplet loss to search for the most similar medicine images. To evaluate our
      method, we construct a public database of herbal medicine images with cluttered
      backgrounds, which has in total 5523 images with 95 popular Chinese medicine
      categories. Experimental results show that our method can achieve the average
      recognition precision of 71% and the average retrieval precision of 53% over all
      the 95 medicine categories, which are quite promising given the fact that the
      real world images have multiple pieces of occluded herbal and cluttered
      backgrounds. Besides, our proposed method achieves the state-of-the-art
      performance by improving previous studies with a large margin. 

PMID- 27258405
TI  - Does adding endometrial scratching to diagnostic hysteroscopy improve pregnancy
      rates in women with recurrent in-vitro fertilization failure?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of additional endometrial scratching
      procedure during hysteroscopy on assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle
      outcomes in repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients without endometrial or
      uterine abnormalities on hysteroscopic evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three
      hundred and forty-five RIF patients who underwent ART at a university-based
      infertility clinic between January 2011 and June 2015 were recruited in this
      retrospective cohort study. Uterine cavities of all included patients were
      evaluated by diagnostic hysteroscopy 7-14 days prior to the subsequent ART cycle.
      Women without endometrial abnormalities were allocated into two groups; the
      scratching group was consisted of patients who underwent endometrial scratching
      by using monopolar electric energy with needle forceps during hysteroscopy, and
      the control group was consisted of patients who underwent only diagnostic
      hysteroscopy. RESULTS: The implantation rate was significantly higher in the
      scratching group than the control group (37.7% versus 24.5%; p = 0.04). Clinical
      and ongoing pregnancy rates were also found to be significantly higher in the
      scratching group than the control group (37.7% versus 27.6%; p = 0.03; and 33.3%
      versus 23%; p = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Endometrial scratching during
      diagnostic hysteroscopy seems to enhance implantation and as well pregnancy rates
      in comparison to diagnostic hysteroscopy alone.

PMID- 27258406
TI  - Detection of Ophidiomyces, the Causative Agent of Snake Fungal Disease, in the
      Eastern Massasauga ( Sistrurus catenatus ) in Michigan, USA, 2014.
AB  - Snake fungal disease (SFD), caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, threatens free
      ranging snake populations across the US. We assayed 112 swabs from 102 individual
      eastern massasaugas ( Sistrurus catenatus ) at three locations in Michigan in
      2014 for Ophidiomyces using quantitative PCR (qPCR). We observed a 12.7% qPCR
      prevalence of skin lesions. Individuals at each site had lesions, and occurrence
      of skin lesions was not significantly different between sites. We detected
      Ophidiomyces DNA at each of the three sites in five individuals (4.9%). We found
      no difference in detection probabilities between sites; however, snakes with
      dermatitis had higher Ophidiomyces DNA detection probabilities (P=0.15+/-0.08 SE)
      than snakes without dermatitis (P=0.02+/-0.01 SE, P=0.026). The emergence of SFD
      mortalities has potentially serious consequences for the viability of the eastern
      massasauga in Michigan. Future work should track temporal patterns in vital rates
      and health parameters, link health data to body condition indices for individual
      snakes, and conduct a "hotspot" analysis to examine health on a landscape scale.

PMID- 27258407
TI  - Waterbird Susceptibility to Avian Cholera at Hayward Marsh, California, USA.
AB  - We characterized past avian cholera outbreaks in waterbirds at Hayward Marsh,
      California, US. In 2013, we surveyed populations and determined the presence of
      disease using several diagnostic methods, including behavioral and physical
      observations, field necropsy, and bacterial culture. We compiled this information
      with data from previous outbreaks from 1990-2012 to compare waterbird abundance
      to various measures of mortality, including percentage of mortality and
      percentage of difference between abundance and mortality by species. We suggest
      that Ruddy Duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis ) have consistently suffered greater
      mortality from this disease than have other species at this site.

PMID- 27258408
TI  - Characterization of Leptospira santarosai Serogroup Grippotyphosa Serovar Bananal
      Isolated from Capybara ( Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris ) in Brazil.
AB  - Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus
      Leptospira. Rodents appear to be the most important reservoirs of infection. They
      contaminate the environment and food and can transmit the pathogen when they are
      consumed by carnivores. Capybara ( Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris ) are efficient
      reservoirs of Leptospira, and because they are in close contact with farm animals
      and are found in semiurban areas, they represent a risk to public health. We
      isolated five Leptospira strains from capybara kidneys in Sao Paulo State,
      Brazil, in 2001 and typed them using serologic and molecular techniques. These
      strains include the Leptospira santarosai serogroup Grippotyphosa serovar
      Bananal. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis resulted in a unique pattern distinct
      from the reference strains, and the isolates clustered with greater than 85%
      similarity. The isolates also presented higher growth rates than other Leptospira
      serovars, with high minimal inhibitory concentration values for most of the
      tested antibiotics, with the exception of penicillin and ampicillin. This
      isolation and characterization of the L. santarosai serogroup Grippotyphosa
      serovar Bananal from capybara, highlights the importance of wild and sinantropic
      rodents as carriers of pathogenic leptospires.

PMID- 27258409
TI  - Seoul virus in the Brown Rat ( Rattus norvegicus ) from Urumqi, Xinjiang,
      Northwest of China.
AB  - Hantavirus infections among human populations are linked to the geographic
      distribution of the host rodents that carry the viruses. To determine the
      presence and distribution of hantaviruses in the northern region of Xinjiang
      Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), northwestern China, 844 rodents were captured
      from five locations in four dissimilar habitats during 2010-14 and examined for
      Hantavirus infection. Hantavirus nucleic acids were firstly detected in the brown
      rat ( Rattus norvegicus ) from Urumqi, China, indicating that the Hantavirus was
      transmitted into Urumqi in XUAR and circulated by the brown rat. Our results
      suggest that the brown rat may act as a natural reservoir for the virus in XUAR.

PMID- 27258410
TI  - Exploring factors related to the anger superiority effect in children with Autism
      Spectrum Disorder.
AB  - Despite face and emotion recognition deficits, individuals with Autism Spectrum
      Disorder (ASD) appear to experience the anger superiority effect, where an angry
      face in a crowd is detected faster than a neutral face. This study extended past
      research to examine the impacts of ecologically valid photographic stimuli,
      gender and anxiety symptoms on the anger superiority effect in children with and
      without ASD. Participants were 81, 7-12year old children, 42 with ASD matched on
      age, gender and perceptual IQ to 39 typically developing (TYP) children. The
      photographic stimuli did not impact on task performance in ASD with both groups
      exhibiting the anger superiority effect. There were no gender differences and no
      associations with anxiety. Age was associated with the effect in the TYP but not
      ASD group. These findings confirm a robust effect of speeded detection of threat
      in ASD which does not appear to be confounded by gender or anxiety, but may have
      different underlying age-associated mechanisms.

PMID- 27258411
TI  - Gravity matters: Motion perceptions modified by direction and body position.
AB  - Motion coherence thresholds are consistently higher at lower velocities. In this
      study we analysed the influence of the position and direction of moving objects
      on their perception and thereby the influence of gravity. This paradigm allows a
      differentiation to be made between coherent and randomly moving objects in an
      upright and a reclining position with a horizontal or vertical axis of motion. 18
      young healthy participants were examined in this coherent threshold paradigm.
      Motion coherence thresholds were significantly lower when position and motion
      were congruent with gravity independent of motion velocity (p=0.024). In the
      other conditions higher motion coherence thresholds (MCT) were found at lower
      velocities and vice versa (p<0.001). This result confirms previous studies with
      higher MCT at lower velocity but is in contrast to studies concerning perception
      of virtual turns and optokinetic nystagmus, in which differences of perception
      were due to different directions irrespective of body position, i.e. perception
      took place in an egocentric reference frame. Since the observed differences
      occurred in an upright position only, perception of coherent motion in this study
      is defined by an earth-centered reference frame rather than by an ego-centric
      frame.

PMID- 27258412
TI  - Alterations in Phase-Related Prefrontal Activation During Cognitive Tasks and
      Nicotinic alpha4beta2 Receptor Availability in Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that the cholinergic system plays an important role in
      regulating working memory and that working memory-related prefrontal activation
      decreases with age and neuronal degeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD).
      However, the relation between attention-related alpha4beta2 nicotinic cholinergic
      function and task-induced prefrontal activation especially time course-related
      activation remains to be explored. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to elucidate the
      relationship between changes in task-induced oxy-hemoglobin concentration
      (cerebral blood flow, CBF) in the prefrontal cortex and the availability of
      alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors in the brain of AD patients in light of their
      task performance. METHODS: Eleven mild-to-moderate AD patients and eleven normal
      elderly subjects underwent the near-infrared spectroscopy during easy and
      difficult working memory tasks for estimating prefrontal CBF changes and positron
      emission tomography with the alpha4beta2 tracer [18F]2FA-85380 ([18F]2FA) for
      measuring the alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor binding. RESULTS: Significant
      correlations between mean oxy-hemoglobin concentration in the channels with
      significant [group] main effects and prefrontal [18F]2FA binding were observed
      during the early easy task period in the normal group and during the late
      difficult task in the AD group. In addition, those prefrontal CBF responses were
      significantly correlated with not correct performance but the execution time to
      spend. CONCLUSION: The alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the
      prefrontal cortex play an important role in increasing prefrontal activation when
      attending to novel stimuli, irrespective of the accuracy of the outcome. A delay
      in the cholinergic-induced increase in prefrontal activation in AD patients might
      explain their delayed responses in the cognitive task.

PMID- 27258413
TI  - A Novel Splice-Acceptor Site Mutation in GRN (c.709-2 A>T) Causes Frontotemporal
      Dementia Spectrum in a Large Family from Southern Italy.
AB  - Heterozygous loss of function mutations in granulin represent a significant cause
      of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin and TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD
      TDP). We report a novel GRN splice site mutation (c.709-2 A>T), segregating with
      frontotemporal dementia spectrum in a large family from southern Italy. The GRN
      c.709-2 A>T is predicted to result in the skipping of exon 8, leading to non
      sense mediated mRNA decay. Moreover, the PGRN plasma levels in the GRN c.709-2
      A>T carriers were significantly lower (24 ng/ml) compared to controls (142.7
      ng/ml) or family members non-carriers (82.0 ng/ml) (p-value = 0.005, Kruskal
      Wallis), suggesting progranulin haploinsufficiency. We do not report any
      potential pathogenic GRN mutation in a follow-up cohort composed of 6 FTD
      families and 43 sporadic FTD cases, from the same geographic area. Our study
      suggests that GRN (c.709-2 A>T) is a novel and likely very rare cause of FTD in
      this Italian cohort. Finally, in line with previous studies, we show that GRN
      haploinsufficiency leads to a heterogeneous clinical picture, and plasma
      progranulin levels may be a reliable tool to identify GRN loss of function
      mutations. However, given that a) genetic and environmental factors, gender, and
      age may regulate PGRN plasma levels and b) plasma progranulin levels may not
      reflect PGRN levels in the central nervous system, we suggest that the
      measurement of progranulin in the plasma should always be coupled with genetic
      screening of GRN for mutations.

PMID- 27258414
TI  - Non-Fibrillar Oligomeric Amyloid-beta within Synapses.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by memory loss, insidious cognitive
      decline, profound neurodegeneration, and the extracellular accumulation of
      amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide in senile plaques and intracellular accumulation of
      tau in neurofibrillary tangles. Loss and dysfunction of synapses are believed to
      underlie the devastating cognitive decline in AD. A large amount of evidence
      suggests that oligomeric forms of Abeta associated with senile plaques are toxic
      to synapses, but the precise sub-synaptic localization of Abeta and which forms
      are synaptotoxic remain unknown. Here, we characterize the sub-synaptic
      localization of Abeta oligomers using three high-resolution imaging techniques,
      stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, immunogold electron microscopy, and
      Forster resonance energy transfer in a plaque-bearing mouse model of AD. With all
      three techniques, we observe oligomeric Abeta inside synaptic terminals. Further,
      we tested a panel of Abeta antibodies using the relatively high-throughput array
      tomography technique to determine which forms are present in synapses. Our
      results show that different oligomeric Abeta species are present in synapses and
      highlight the potential of array tomography for rapid testing of aggregation
      state specific Abeta antibodies in brain tissue.

PMID- 27258415
TI  - The Longitudinal Association Between a Discrepancy Measure of Anosognosia in
      Patients with Dementia, Caregiver Burden and Depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: According to cross-sectional studies, there is an association between
      anosognosia in people with dementia and caregiver's burden and depression.
      Anosognosia in patients may be a cause of caregiver burden and depression.
      However, variability in caregiver anosognosia ratings may exist as caregivers
      with burden and depression may have a more pessimistic view of the patients'
      health. OBJECTIVE: To assess the variability of caregiver anosognosia ratings of
      patients with dementia using a widely used anosognosia scale and its longitudinal
      relationship with caregiver burden and depression. METHODS: A convenience cohort
      of 221 consecutive dementia outpatient and caregiver dyads was followed up at 12
      and 24 months. The main instruments used were the Anosognosia Questionnaire
      Dementia (AQ-D), Caregiver Burden Interview, and Geriatric Depression Scale.
      Linear mixed models were used including time as a factor in every model.
      Multivariate analyses controlled for caregiver's socio-demographic and possible
      confounding factors. RESULTS: Attrition at 12 and 24 months was 24.9% and 42.5%
      respectively. Patients at baseline were on average 77.8 years of age, 63.3% were
      women, and 63.3% had < 5 years of education. In the bivariate analyses, caregiver
      burden, depression, and gender were associated with caregiver ratings of total,
      cognitive, and personality AQ-D of the patient at different time points.
      Multivariate analyses revealed burden as the caregiver variable most consistently
      associated with total, cognitive, and personality caregiver AQ-D ratings of the
      patient. CONCLUSION: Some caregiver characteristics, especially burden, are
      associated with caregiver ratings of AQ-D with regard to the patient.

PMID- 27258416
TI  - Expression Pattern of Scavenger Receptors and Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis of
      Astrocytes and Microglia in Culture are Modified by Acidosis: Implications for
      Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - The pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are amyloid-beta (Abeta)
      plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and glia activation. The pathology also
      includes vascular amyloidosis and cerebrovascular disease. Vascular compromise
      can result in hypoperfusion, local tissue hypoxia, and acidosis. Activated
      microglia and astrocytes can phagocytose Abeta through membrane receptors that
      include scavenger receptors. Changes in glial cells induced by extracellular
      acidosis could play a role in the development of AD. Here, we assess whether
      extracellular acidosis changes glial cell properties relevant for Abeta clearance
      capacity. Incubation of glial cells on acidified culture medium (pH 6.9 or 6.5)
      for 24-48 h resulted in decreased cell diameter, with thinner branches in
      astrocytes, slight reduction in cell body size in microglia, a transient decrease
      in astrocyte adhesion to substrates, and a persistent decrease in microglia
      adhesion compared with control media (pH 7.4). Astrocyte Abeta phagocytosis
      decreased at pH 6.9 and 6.5, whereas microglia phagocytosis only transiently
      decreased in acidified media. Scavenger receptors class B member I (SR-BI)
      increased and scavenger receptors-macrophage receptors with collagenous
      structures (SR-MARCO) decreased in astrocytes cultured at pH 6.5. In contrast, in
      microglia exposed to pH 6.5, expression of SR-BI and SR-MARCO increased and fatty
      acid translocase (CD-36) decreased. In conclusion, the acidic environment changed
      the adhesiveness and morphology of both microglia and astrocytes, but only
      astrocytes showed a persistent decrease in Abeta clearance activity. Expression
      of scavenger receptors was affected differentially in microglia and astrocytes by
      acidosis. These changes in scavenger receptor patterns can affect the activation
      of glia and their contribution to neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27258418
TI  - Uncovering the Neural Bases of Cognitive and Affective Empathy Deficits in
      Alzheimer's Disease and the Behavioral-Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia.
AB  - Loss of empathy is a core presenting feature of the behavioral-variant of
      frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), resulting in socioemotional difficulties and
      behavioral transgressions. In contrast, interpersonal functioning remains
      relatively intact in Alzheimer's disease (AD), despite marked cognitive decline.
      The neural substrates mediating these patterns of loss and sparing in social
      functioning remain unclear, yet are relevant for our understanding of the social
      brain. We investigated cognitive versus affective aspects of empathy using the
      Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in 25 AD and 24 bvFTD patients and
      contrasted their performance with 22 age- and education-matched controls.
      Cognitive empathy was comparably compromised in AD and bvFTD, whereas affective
      empathy was impaired exclusively in bvFTD. While controlling for overall
      cognitive dysfunction ameliorated perspective-taking deficits in AD, empathy loss
      persisted across cognitive and affective domains in bvFTD. Voxel-based
      morphometry analyses revealed divergent neural substrates of empathy loss in each
      patient group. Perspective-taking deficits correlated with predominantly left
      sided temporoparietal atrophy in AD, whereas widespread bilateral frontoinsular,
      temporal, parietal, and occipital atrophy was implicated in bvFTD. Reduced
      empathic concern in bvFTD was associated with atrophy in the left orbitofrontal,
      inferior frontal, and insular cortices, and the bilateral mid-cingulate gyrus.
      Our findings suggest that social cognitive deficits in AD arise largely as a
      consequence of global cognitive dysfunction, rather than a loss of empathy per
      se. In contrast, loss of empathy in bvFTD reflects the deterioration of a
      distributed network of frontoinsular and temporal structures that appear crucial
      for monitoring and processing social information.

PMID- 27258417
TI  - Review of the Evidence that Transcranial Electromagnetic Treatment will be a Safe
      and Effective Therapeutic Against Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - We have demonstrated in multiple studies that daily, long-term electromagnetic
      field (EMF) treatment in the ultra-high frequency range not only protects
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) transgenic mice from cognitive impairment, but also
      reverses such impairment in aged AD mice. Moreover, these beneficial cognitive
      effects appear to be through direct actions on the AD process. Based on a large
      array of pre-clinical data, we have initiated a pilot clinical trial to determine
      the safety and efficacy of EMF treatment to mild-moderate AD subjects. Since it
      is important to establish the safety of this new neuromodulatory approach, the
      main purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive assessment of evidence
      supporting the safety of EMFs, particularly through transcranial electromagnetic
      treatment (TEMT). In addition to our own pre-clinical studies, a rich variety of
      both animal and cell culture studies performed by others have underscored the
      anticipated safety of TEMT in clinical AD trials. Moreover, numerous clinical
      studies have determined that short- or long-term human exposure to EMFs similar
      to those to be provided clinically by TEMT do not have deleterious effects on
      general health, cognitive function, or a variety of physiologic measures-to the
      contrary, beneficial effects on brain function/activity have been reported.
      Importantly, such EMF exposure has not been shown to increase the risk of any
      type of cancer in human epidemiologic studies, as well as animal and cell culture
      studies. In view of all the above, clinical trials of safety/efficacy with TEMT
      to AD subjects are clearly warranted and now in progress.

PMID- 27258419
TI  - Neurodegeneration-Like Pathological and Behavioral Changes in an AAV9-Mediated
      p25 Overexpression Mouse Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The transgenic mice models overexpressing human p25 contribute
      greatly to the in vivo neurotoxic mechanism of p25 in neurodegenerative diseases.
      However, it is time-consuming to manipulate existing transgenic mice models.
      OBJECTIVE: Here we aim to establish a novel mouse model of neurodegeneration by
      overexpressing p25 mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9
      (rAAV9). METHODS: AAV9-GFP-p25 encoding GFP-fused p25 driven by synapsin
      promoter, and the control, AAV9-GFP, were delivered in mice by tail-vein
      injection. Assessments of p25 expression, neurodegenerative pathology, and
      behavioral changes were performed. RESULTS: GFP expression was detected by in
      vivo imaging as early as one week after virus injection. Notably, widespread
      expression of p25 was obviously found in cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum in
      AAV9-GFP-p25 mice. Moreover, decreased hippocampus volumes in AAV9-GFP-p25 mice
      were detected by 7T MRI examination about one month after injection. Further,
      these AAV9-GFP-p25 mice exhibited progressive memory impairment from three-month
      to six-month after virus injection. At last, hyperphosphorylated tau,
      neurofibrillary tangles, activated astrocytes and microglia cells were elevated
      in these p25 mice at about six months after virus delivery. However, amyloid-beta
      plaques, overt neuronal loss, and apoptosis in the hippocampus and cortex were
      not significantly induced by AAV9-mediated p25 overexpression. CONCLUSION: The
      AAV9-mediated p25 overexpression mouse model, which is a practical model
      exhibiting neurodegeneration-like pathological and behavioral changes, provides
      an easier and time-saving method to explore the functions of p25 in vivo, as well
      as an alternative tool for development of drugs against neurotoxic of p25.

PMID- 27258421
TI  - Measurement Error, Reliability, and Minimum Detectable Change in the Mini-Mental
      State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Color Trails Test among
      Community Living Middle-Aged and Older Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knowing the reliability of cognitive tests, particularly those
      commonly used in clinical practice, is important in order to interpret the
      clinical significance of a change in performance or a low score on a single test.
      OBJECTIVE: To report the intra-class correlation (ICC), standard error of
      measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC) for the Mini-Mental State
      Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Color Trails Test
      (CTT) among community dwelling older adults. METHODS: 130 participants aged 55
      and older without severe cognitive impairment underwent two cognitive assessments
      between two and four months apart. Half the group changed rater between
      assessments and half changed time of day. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) MMSE
      was 28.1 (2.1) at baseline and 28.4 (2.1) at repeat. Mean (SD) MoCA increased
      from 24.8 (3.6) to 25.2 (3.6). There was a rater effect on CTT, but not on the
      MMSE or MoCA. The SEM of the MMSE was 1.0, leading to an MDC (based on a 95%
      confidence interval) of 3 points. The SEM of the MoCA was 1.5, implying an MDC95
      of 4 points. MoCA (ICC = 0.81) was more reliable than MMSE (ICC = 0.75), but all
      tests examined showed substantial within-patient variation. CONCLUSION: An
      individual's score would have to change by greater than or equal to 3 points on
      the MMSE and 4 points on the MoCA for the rater to be confident that the change
      was not due to measurement error. This has important implications for
      epidemiologists and clinicians in dementia screening and diagnosis.

PMID- 27258420
TI  - Increased Expression of Readthrough Acetylcholinesterase Variants in the Brains
      of Alzheimer's Disease Patients.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a decrease in the enzymatic activity
      of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). AChE is expressed as multiple splice
      variants, which may serve both cholinergic degradative functions and non
      cholinergic functions unrelated with their capacity to hydrolyze acetylcholine.
      We have recently demonstrated that a prominent pool of enzymatically inactive
      AChE protein exists in the AD brain. In this study, we analyzed protein and
      transcript levels of individual AChE variants in human frontal cortex from AD
      patients by western blot analysis using specific anti-AChE antibodies and by
      quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We found similar protein and mRNA levels of
      the major cholinergic "tailed"-variant (AChE-T) and the anchoring subunit,
      proline-rich membrane anchor (PRiMA-1) in frontal cortex obtained from AD
      patients and non-demented controls. Interestingly, we found an increase in the
      protein and transcript levels of the non-cholinergic "readthrough" AChE (AChE-R)
      variants in AD patients compared to controls. Similar increases were detected by
      western blot using an antibody raised against the specific N-terminal domain,
      exclusive of alternative N-extended variants of AChE (N-AChE). In accordance with
      a subset of AChE-R monomers that display amphiphilic properties that are
      upregulated in the AD brain, we demonstrate that the increase of N-AChE species
      is due, at least in part, to N-AChE-R variants. In conclusion, we demonstrate
      selective alterations in specific AChE variants in AD cortex, with no correlation
      in enzymatic activity. Therefore, differential expression of AChE variants in AD
      may reflect changes in the pathophysiological role of AChE, independent of
      cholinergic impairment or its role in degrading acetylcholine.

PMID- 27258422
TI  - Outstanding Phenotypic Differences in the Profile of Amyloid-beta between Tg2576
      and APPswe/PS1dE9 Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - APPswe/PS1dE9 and Tg2576 are very common transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's
      disease (AD), used in many laboratories as tools to research the mechanistic
      process leading to the disease. In order to augment our knowledge about the
      amyloid-beta (Abeta) isoforms present in both transgenic mouse models, we have
      developed two chromatographic methods, one acidic and the other basic, for the
      characterization of the Abeta species produced in the brains of the two
      transgenic mouse models. After immunoprecipitation and micro-liquid
      chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry, 10
      species of Abeta, surprisingly all of human origin, were detected in the brain of
      Tg2576 mouse, whereas 39 species, of both murine and human origin, were detected
      in the brain of the APP/PS1 mouse. To the best of our knowledge, this is the
      first study showing the identification of such a high number of Abeta species in
      the brain of the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse, whereas, in contrast, a much lower
      number of Abeta species were identified in the Tg2576 mouse. Therefore, this
      study brings to light a relevant phenotypic difference between these two popular
      mice models of AD.

PMID- 27258423
TI  - Optimized Standard Operating Procedures for the Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid
      Abeta42 and the Ratios of Abeta Isoforms Using Low Protein Binding Tubes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration of amyloid-beta1-42
      (Abeta1-42) reflects the presence of amyloidopathy in brains of subjects with
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: To qualify the use of Abeta1-42/Abeta1-40
      for improvement of standard operating procedures (SOP) for measurement of CSF
      Abeta with a focus on CSF collection, storage, and analysis. METHODS: Euroimmun
      ELISAs for CSF Abeta isoforms were used to set up a SOP with respect to recipient
      properties (low binding, polypropylene), volume of tubes, freeze/thaw cycles,
      addition of detergents (Triton X-100, Tween-20) in collection or storage tubes or
      during CSF analysis. Data were analyzed with linear repeated measures and mixed
      effects models. RESULTS: Optimization of CSF analysis included a pre-wash of
      recipients (e.g., tubes, 96-well plates) before sample analysis. Using the Abeta1
      42/Abeta1-40 ratio, in contrast to Abeta1-42, eliminated effects of tube type,
      additional freeze/thaw cycles, or effect of CSF volumes for polypropylene storage
      tubes. 'Low binding' tubes reduced the loss of Abeta when aliquoting CSF or in
      function of additional freeze/thaw cycles. Addition of detergent in CSF
      collection tubes resulted in an almost complete absence of variation in function
      of collection procedures, but affected the concentration of Abeta isoforms in the
      immunoassay. CONCLUSION: The ratio of Abeta1-42/Abeta1-40 is a more robust
      biomarker than Abeta1-42 toward (pre-) analytical interfering factors. Further,
      'low binding' recipients and addition of detergent in collection tubes are able
      to remove effects of SOP-related confounding factors. Integration of the Abeta1
      42/Abeta1-40 ratio and 'low-binding tubes' into guidance criteria may speed up
      worldwide standardization of CSF biomarker analysis.

PMID- 27258425
TI  - Best Linear Unbiased Prediction of Individual Polygenic Susceptibility to
      Sporadic Vascular Dementia.
AB  - Genetic factors of sporadic vascular dementia have been quite limitedly
      understood. Many underlying polygenes are suspected to contribute to
      susceptibility to sporadic vascular dementia as a typical complex disease
      although they have not been identified from genome-wide association studies. This
      study suggests a stochastic prediction of individual polygenetic susceptibility
      to sporadic vascular dementia using best linear unbiased prediction in a mixed
      model framework. The prediction shows a relative degree of individual genetic
      susceptibility to the disease that reflects its integrative polygenetic factors
      across the genome. The estimate should take into account heritability and the
      prevalence of sporadic vascular dementia to cope with the disease. This offers a
      model for application of a genetic blueprint for a complex disease to
      personalized preventive medicine.

PMID- 27258424
TI  - Sideritis spp. Extracts Enhance Memory and Learning in Alzheimer's beta
      Amyloidosis Mouse Models and Aged C57Bl/6 Mice.
AB  - Nowadays, Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent epiphenomenon of the aging
      population. Although soluble amyloid-beta (Abeta) species (monomers, oligomers)
      are recognized triggers of the disease, no therapeutic approach is able to stop
      it. Herbal medicines are used to treat different diseases in many regions of the
      world. On the Balkan Peninsula, at the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and adjacent
      regions, Sideritis species are used as traditional medicine to prevent age
      related problems in elderly. To evaluate this traditional knowledge in controlled
      experiments, we tested extracts of two commonly used Sideritis species, Sideritis
      euboea and Sideritis scardica, with regard to their effects on cognition in APP
      transgenic and aged, non-transgenic C57Bl/6 mice. Additionally,
      histomorphological and biochemical changes associated with Abeta deposition and
      treatment were assessed. We found that daily oral treatment with Sideritis spp.
      extracts highly enhanced cognition in aged, non-transgenic as well as in APP
      transgenic mice, an effect that was even more pronounced when extracts of both
      species were applied in combination. The treatment strongly reduced Abeta42 load
      in APP-transgenic mice, accompanied by increased phagocytic activity of
      microglia, and increased expression of the alpha-secretase ADAM10. Moreover, the
      treatment was able to fully rescue neuronal loss of APP-transgenic mice to normal
      levels as seen in non-transgenic controls. Having the traditional knowledge in
      mind, our results imply that treatment with Sideritis spp. extracts might be a
      potent, well-tolerated option for treating symptoms of cognitive impairment in
      elderly and with regard to Alzheimer's disease by affecting its most prominent
      hallmarks: Abeta pathology and cognitive decline.

PMID- 27258426
TI  - Aggression, Violence and Injury in Minor League Ice Hockey: Avenues for
      Prevention of Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In North America, more than 800,000 youth are registered in organized
      ice hockey leagues. Despite the many benefits of involvement, young players are
      at significant risk for injury. Body-checking and aggressive play are associated
      with high frequency of game-related injury including concussion. We conducted a
      qualitative study to understand why youth ice hockey players engage in
      aggressive, injury-prone behaviours on the ice. METHODS: Semi-structured
      interviews were conducted with 61 minor ice hockey participants, including male
      and female players, parents, coaches, trainers, managers and a game official.
      Players were aged 13-15 playing on competitive body checking teams or on non-body
      checking teams. Interviews were manually transcribed, coded and analyzed for
      themes relating to aggressive play in minor ice hockey. RESULTS: Parents,
      coaches, teammates and the media exert a large influence on player behavior.
      Aggressive behavior is often reinforced by the player's social environment and
      justified by players to demonstrate loyalty to teammates and especially injured
      teammates by seeking revenge particularly in competitive, body-checking leagues.
      Among female and male players in non-body checking organizations, aggressive play
      is not reinforced by the social environment. These findings are discussed within
      the framework of social identity theory and social learning theory, in order to
      understand players' need to seek revenge and how the social environment
      reinforces aggressive behaviors. CONCLUSION: This study provides a better
      understanding of the players' motivations and environmental influences around
      aggressive and violent play which may be conducive to injury. The findings can be
      used to help design interventions aimed at reducing aggression and related
      injuries sustained during ice hockey and sports with similar cultures and rules.

PMID- 27258427
TI  - Bis-clickable Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Straightforward Preparation of
      Light-Actuated Nanomachines for Controlled Drug Delivery with Active Targeting.
AB  - Bis(clickable) mesoporous silica nanospheres (ca. 100 nm) were obtained by the co
      condensation of TEOS with variable amounts (2-5 % each) of two clickable
      organosilanes in the presence of CTAB. Such nanoparticles could be easily
      functionalized with two independent functions using the copper-catalyzed alkyne
      azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction to transform them into nanomachines bearing
      cancer cell targeting ligands with the ability to deliver drugs on-demand. The
      active targeting was made possible after anchoring folic acid by CuAAC click
      reaction, whereas the controlled delivery was performed by clicked azobenzene
      fragments. Indeed, the azobenzene groups are able to obstruct the pores of the
      nanoparticles in the dark whereas upon irradiation in the UV or in the blue
      range, their trans-to-cis photoisomerization provokes disorder in the pores,
      enabling the delivery of the cargo molecules. The on-command delivery was proven
      in solution by dye release experiments, and in vitro by doxorubicin delivery. The
      added value of the folic acid ligand was clearly evidenced by the difference of
      cell killing induced by doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles under blue irradiation,
      depending on whether the particles featured the clicked folic acid ligand or not.

PMID- 27258428
TI  - Histones Induce the Procoagulant Phenotype of Endothelial Cells through Tissue
      Factor Up-Regulation and Thrombomodulin Down-Regulation.
AB  - The high circulating levels of histones found in various thrombotic diseases may
      compromise the anticoagulant barrier of endothelial cells. We determined how
      histones affect endothelial procoagulant tissue factor (TF) and anticoagulant
      thrombomodulin (TM). Surface antigens, soluble forms, and mRNA levels of TF and
      TM were measured by flow cytometry, ELISA, and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. TF
      and TM activity were measured using procoagulant activity, thrombin generation,
      or chromogenic assays. Involvement of the toll-like receptor (TLR) was assessed
      using the neutralizing antibodies. Histones dose-dependently induced surface
      antigens, activity and mRNA levels of endothelial TF. Histone-treated endothelial
      cells significantly shortened the lag time and enhanced the endogenous thrombin
      potential of normal plasma, which was normalized by a TF neutralizing antibody.
      Histones induced phosphatidylserine and protein-disulfide isomerase expression in
      endothelial cells. Histones also reduced the surface antigen, activity, and mRNA
      levels of endothelial TM. Polysialic acid and heparin reversed the histone
      induced TF up-regulation and TM down-regulation. Activated protein C did not
      affect the TF up-regulation, but interrupted TM down-regulation. TLR2, and TLR4
      inhibitors partially blocked the TF up-regulation. Histones induced the
      endothelial procoagulant phenotype through TF up-regulation and TM down
      regulation. The effects of histones were partly mediated by TLR2, TLR4.
      Strategies to inhibit the harmful effects of histones in endothelial cells may be
      required in order to prevent a thrombotic environment. 

PMID- 27258429
TI  - Motorists' knowledge, attitudes and practices toward alcohol-impaired
      driving/riding in Ghana.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to establish the knowledge,
      attitudes, and practices toward drink driving/riding as a risk factor for road
      traffic crashes in 3 regional capitals in Ghana. METHODS: The study used a face
      to-face approach to randomly sample motorists who were accessing various services
      at fuel/gas stations, garages, and lorry terminals in 3 cities in Ghana. RESULTS:
      Over the previous 12 months, 24% of all motorists and 55% of motorists who were
      current alcohol users reported driving or riding a vehicle within an hour of
      alcohol intake. On average, motorists/riders who were current alcohol users
      consumed 4 standard drinks per drinking occasion. Generally, 83% of motorists who
      currently use alcohol walked, rode, or drove home after consuming alcohol away
      from their homes. Motorists/riders who reported drink driving were 4 times more
      likely to have had previous traffic violation arrests compared to those who
      reported no drink driving/riding (P =.001). Respondents were of the opinion that
      speeding was the major cause of traffic crashes, followed by driver carelessness,
      poor road conditions, inexperienced driving, and drink driving, in that order.
      Thirty-six percent of motorists who use alcohol had the perception that consuming
      between 6 and 15 standard drinks was the volume of alcohol that will take them to
      the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08%. Compared to females,
      male motorists/riders were more likely to report drink driving (adjusted odds
      ratio [AOR] = 5.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.31 to 11.47). Private
      motorists also reported a higher likelihood of drink driving compared to
      commercial drivers (AOR = 3.36; 95% CI, 1.88 to 6.02). Only 4% of motorists knew
      the legal BAC limit of Ghana and only 2% had ever been tested for drink
      driving/riding. CONCLUSION: The volumes of alcohol that motorists typically
      consume per drinking occasion were very high and their estimates of the number of
      drinks required to reach the legal BAC limit was also very high. Provision of
      authoritative information advising motorists about safe, responsible, or low-risk
      levels of alcohol consumption is imperative. Many traffic violations including
      drink driving were reported, thus suggesting a need for enhanced policing and
      enforcement. However, given the low level of knowledge of the legal BAC limit,
      educating motorists about how many drinks will approximate the legal BAC should
      be intensified prior to an increase in enforcement; otherwise, the desired
      outcome of enforcement may not be achieved.

PMID- 27258431
TI  - Notice of Retraction: Sato Y, et al. The Prevention of Hip Fracture With
      Risedronate and Ergocalciferol Plus Calcium Supplementation in Elderly Women With
      Alzheimer Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Intern Med.
      2005;165(15):1737-1742.

PMID- 27258430
TI  - Access to HIV care in the context of universal test and treat: challenges within
      the ANRS 12249 TasP cluster-randomized trial in rural South Africa.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We aimed to quantify and identify associated factors of linkage to
      HIV care following home-based HIV counselling and testing (HBHCT) in the ongoing
      ANRS 12249 treatment-as-prevention (TasP) cluster-randomized trial in rural
      KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS: Individuals >=16 years were offered HBHCT;
      those who were identified HIV positive were referred to cluster-based TasP
      clinics and offered antiretroviral treatment (ART) immediately (five clusters) or
      according to national guidelines (five clusters). HIV care was also available in
      the local Department of Health (DoH) clinics. Linkage to HIV care was defined as
      TasP or DoH clinic attendance within three months of referral among adults not in
      HIV care at referral. Associated factors were identified using multivariable
      logistic regression adjusted for trial arm. RESULTS: Overall, 1323 HIV-positive
      adults (72.9% women) not in HIV care at referral were included, of whom 36.9%
      (n=488) linked to care <3 months of referral (similar by sex). In adjusted
      analyses (n=1222), individuals who had never been in HIV care before referral
      were significantly less likely to link to care than those who had previously been
      in care (<33% vs. >42%, p<0.001). Linkage to care was lower in students (adjusted
      odds-ratio [aOR]=0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24-0.92) than in employed
      adults, in adults who completed secondary school (aOR=0.68; CI 0.49-0.96) or at
      least some secondary school (aOR=0.59; CI 0.41-0.84) versus <= primary school, in
      those who lived at 1 to 2 km (aOR=0.58; CI 0.44-0.78) or 2-5 km from the nearest
      TasP clinic (aOR=0.57; CI 0.41-0.77) versus <1 km, and in those who were referred
      to clinic after >=2 contacts (aOR=0.75; CI 0.58-0.97) versus those referred at
      the first contact. Linkage to care was higher in adults who reported knowing an
      HIV-positive family member (aOR=1.45; CI 1.12-1.86) versus not, and in those who
      said that they would take ART as soon as possible if they were diagnosed HIV
      positive (aOR=2.16; CI 1.13-4.10) versus not. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than 40% of HIV
      positive adults not in care at referral were linked to HIV care within three
      months of HBHCT in the TasP trial. Achieving universal test and treat coverage
      will require innovative interventions to support linkage to HIV care.

PMID- 27258432
TI  - Massage with or without aromatherapy for symptom relief in people with cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Massage and aromatherapy massage are used to relieve cancer-related
      symptoms. A number of claims have been made for these treatments including
      reduction of pain, anxiety, depression, and stress. Other studies have not shown
      these benefits. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of massage with or without
      aromatherapy on pain and other symptoms associated with cancer. SEARCH METHODS:
      We searched the following databases and trials registries up to August 2015: the
      Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, 2015, Issue 7), MEDLINE
      (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), PubMed Cancer Subset,
      SADCCT, and the World Health Organization (WHO) ICTRP. We also searched clinical
      trial registries for ongoing studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled
      studies (RCTs) reporting the effects of aromatherapy or massage therapy, or both,
      in people with cancer of any age. We applied no language restrictions.
      Comparators were massage (using carrier oil only) versus no massage, massage with
      aromatherapy (using carrier oil plus essential oils) versus no massage, and
      massage with aromatherapy (using carrier oil plus essential oils) versus massage
      without aromatherapy (using carrier oil only). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: At
      least two review authors selected studies, assessed the risk of bias, and
      extracted data relating to pain and other symptoms associated with cancer, using
      standardised forms. We assessed the evidence using GRADE (Grading of
      Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) and created two 'Summary
      of findings' tables. MAIN RESULTS: We included 19 studies (21 reports) of very
      low quality evidence with a total of 1274 participants. We included 14 studies
      (16 reports) in a qualitative synthesis and five studies in a quantitative
      synthesis (meta-analysis). Thirteen studies (14 reports, 596 participants)
      compared massage with no massage. Six studies (seven reports, 561 participants)
      compared aromatherapy massage with no massage. Two studies (117 participants)
      compared massage with aromatherapy and massage without aromatherapy. Fourteen
      studies had a high risk of bias related to sample size and 15 studies had a low
      risk of bias for blinding the outcome assessment. We judged the studies to be at
      unclear risk of bias overall. Our primary outcomes were pain and psychological
      symptoms. Two studies reported physical distress, rash, and general malaise as
      adverse events. The remaining 17 studies did not report adverse events. We
      downgraded the GRADE quality of evidence for all outcomes to very low because of
      observed imprecision, indirectness, imbalance between groups in many studies, and
      limitations of study design. Massage versus no-massage groupsWe analysed results
      for pain and anxiety but the quality of evidence was very low as most studies
      were small and considered at an unclear or high risk of bias due to poor
      reporting. Short-term pain (Present Pain Intensity-Visual Analogue Scale) was
      greater for the massage group compared with the no-massage group (one RCT, n =
      72, mean difference (MD) -1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.67 to -0.53).
      Data for anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-state) relief showed no
      significant difference in anxiety between the groups (three RCTs, n = 98,
      combined MD -5.36, 95% CI -16.06 to 5.34). The subgroup analysis for anxiety
      revealed that the anxiety relief for children was greater for the massage group
      compared with the no-massage group (one RCT, n = 30, MD -14.70, 95% CI -19.33 to 
      10.07), but the size of this effect was considered not clinically significant.
      Furthermore, this review demonstrated no differences in effects of massage on
      depression, mood disturbance, psychological distress, nausea, fatigue, physical
      symptom distress, or quality of life when compared with no massage. Massage with
      aromatherapy versus no-massage groupsWe analysed results for pain, anxiety,
      symptoms relating to the breast, and quality of life but the quality of evidence
      was very low as studies were generally at a high risk of bias. There was some
      indication of benefit in the aromatherapy-massage group but this benefit is
      unlikely to translate into clinical benefit. The relief of medium- and long-term
      pain (medium-term: one RCT, n = 86, MD 5.30, 95% CI 1.52 to 9.08; long-term: one
      RCT, n = 86, MD 3.80, 95% CI 0.19 to 7.41), anxiety (two RCTs, n = 253, combined
      MD -4.50, 95% CI -7.70 to -1.30), and long-term symptoms relating to the breast
      in people with breast cancer (one RCT, n = 86, MD -9.80, 95% CI -19.13 to -0.47)
      was greater for the aromatherapy-massage group, but the results were considered
      not clinically significant. The medium-term quality of life score was lower
      (better) for the aromatherapy-massage group compared with the no-massage group
      (one RCT, n = 30, MD -2.00, 95% CI -3.46 to -0.54). Massage with aromatherapy
      versus massage without aromatherapy groupsFrom the limited evidence available, we
      were unable to assess the effect of adding aromatherapy to massage on the relief
      of pain, psychological symptoms including anxiety and depression, physical
      symptom distress, or quality of life. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There was a lack of
      evidence on the clinical effectiveness of massage for symptom relief in people
      with cancer. Most studies were too small to be reliable and key outcomes were not
      reported. Any further studies of aromatherapy and massage will need to address
      these concerns.

PMID- 27258433
TI  - Intraocular Pharmacokinetics of Intravitreal Aflibercept (Eylea) in a Rabbit
      Model.
AB  - PURPOSE: We determined the intraocular pharmacokinetic properties of
      intravitreally injected aflibercept (Eylea) in a rabbit model. METHODS:
      Aflibercept was injected intravitreally in 21 eyes from New Zealand White
      rabbits. The eyes were enucleated 1, 24, 48, 120, 216, 360, and 720 hours (1, 2,
      5, 9, 15, and 30 days, respectively) after injection and immediately frozen at 
      80 degrees C. The concentrations of aflibercept in the vitreous, aqueous humor,
      and retina/choroid were determined by performing an indirect enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay, and analyzed to understand the pharmacokinetic properties of
      the drug. RESULTS: The maximum concentration of aflibercept was observed 1, 48 (2
      days), and 24 (1 day) hours after intravitreal administration in the vitreous,
      aqueous humor, and retina/choroid, respectively. The one-compartment model was
      selected as the final model for all three ocular tissues. In the vitreous,
      aqueous humor, and retina/choroid, the estimated half-lives of aflibercept were
      94.1, 48.0, and 58.2 hours, and the estimated mean residence times (MRTs) were
      135.8, 69.2, and 84.0 hours, respectively. The area under curve from time 0 to
      the end point (AUClast) was 135,810.6 hours * MUg/mL for the vitreous, 13,889.7
      hours * MUg/mL for the aqueous humor, and 2453.1 hours * MUg/g for the
      retina/choroid. CONCLUSIONS: In rabbits, the vitreous half-life of aflibercept is
      94.1 hours (3.92 days). This is shorter than that of bevacizumab (6.99 days), and
      longer than that of ranibizumab (2.51 days) and VEGF-Trap (3.63 days).

PMID- 27258434
TI  - Differential Expression of Proteoglycans by Corneal Stromal Cells in Keratoconus.
AB  - PURPOSE: Keratoconus is a heterogeneous disease associated with a range of
      pathologies, including disorders that involve proteoglycans (PGs). Some PG
      alterations, mainly in keratan sulfate (KS), occur in keratoconus. In this
      article, we studied the differential expression of the genes encoding PGs in
      cells isolated from keratoconus patients and healthy controls, as well as in
      corneal sections. METHODS: Human central corneal tissue was obtained from cadaver
      donors and patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty surgery. A transcriptomic
      approach was used, employing quantitative PCR, to analyze both the expression of
      the enzymes involved in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biosynthesis and the PG core
      proteins. The expressions of the differentially expressed core proteins and of
      the GAG chains were also analyzed by immunocytochemistry in the cultured cells,
      as well as by immunohistochemistry in corneal sections. RESULTS: The mRNA levels
      of most major matrix PG mRNAs in the cultured keratoconic stromal cells decreased
      except collagen XVIII, which increased. At keratocyte surfaces, some heparan
      sulfate PGs were down-regulated. With respect to GAGs, there were changes in gene
      expression for the polymerization of the GAG chains, mainly KS and chondroitin
      sulfate, and in the modification of the saccharidic chains, pointing to an
      alteration of the sulfation patterns of all GAG species. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the
      PG core proteins underwent significant changes in cultured keratoconic cells and
      corneas. With regard to GAG chains, the polymerization of the chains and their
      chemical modification was modified in way that depended on the specific type of
      GAG involved.

PMID- 27258435
TI  - Pigment Epithelial-Derived Factor Peptide Regenerated Limbus Serves as
      Regeneration Source for Limbal Regeneration in Rabbit Limbal Deficiency.
AB  - PURPOSE: To demonstrate that a 44-amino acid peptide from pigment epithelial
      derived factor (PEDF) induces the regeneration of limbal excision wound, and the
      regenerated limbus can act as the regeneration source for new limbal excisional
      injuries in rabbit model of limbal deficiency. METHODS: Half circumference
      partial limbal excision was followed by PEDF peptide treatment to achieve limbal
      wound regeneration. Three months later, a second stage half circumference partial
      limbal excision removed the remaining native limbal tissue followed by PEDF
      peptide treatment. The structure and function of the regenerated limbus were
      analyzed at 3 and 6 months. Conjunctivalization was analyzed by impression
      cytology. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with antibodies to corneal
      epithelium-associated keratin 3 (K3), conjunctival epithelium-associated keratin
      13 (K13), DeltaNp63alpha, ABCG2, and BrdU. Extensive limbal excision was
      performed to examine the regeneration potential of the PEDF peptide. RESULTS:
      Total limbal stem cell deficiency occurred with severe inflammation and
      conjunctivalization of the limbal wound and adjacent cornea in vehicle control
      eyes. In PEDF peptide treated eyes, the regenerated limbus prevented
      fibrovascular invasion and goblet cell migration into the corneal surface.
      Immunohistochemical staining of the regenerated limbus showed a wide distribution
      of cells expressing DeltaNp63alpha and ABCG2 as in the native limbus. BrdU
      labeling assay revealed the presence of slow-cycling cells in the basal layer of
      the regenerated limbus. The PEDF peptide can heal extensive limbal excisional
      wounds and sustain ocular surface integrity. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of PEDF
      peptide has the potential to repair limbal excisional wounds with the recovery of
      normal limbus-like anatomy and function. The PEDF peptide is a potential remedy
      for extensive limbal injury.

PMID- 27258436
TI  - Biallelic Mutations in CRB1 Underlie Autosomal Recessive Familial Foveal
      Retinoschisis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify the genetic cause of autosomal recessive familial foveal
      retinoschisis (FFR). METHODS: A female sibship with FFR was identified (Family-A;
      17 and 16 years, respectively); panel based genetic sequencing (132 genes) and
      comparative genome hybridization (142 genes) were performed. Whole-exome
      sequencing (WES) was performed on both siblings using the Illumina-HiSeq-2500
      platform. A sporadic male (Family-B; 35 years) with FFR underwent WES using
      Illumina NextSeq500. All three affected subjects underwent detailed
      ophthalmologic evaluation including fundus photography, autofluorescence imaging,
      spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and full-field
      electroretinogram (ERG). RESULTS: Panel-based genetic testing identified two
      presumed disease causing variants in CRB1 (p.Gly123Cys and p.Cys948Tyr) in Family
      A sibship; no deletion or duplication was detected. WES analysis in the sibship
      identified nine genes with two or more shared nonsynonymous rare coding sequence
      variants; CRB1 remained a strong candidate gene, and CRB1 variants segregated
      with the disease. WES in Family-B identified two presumed disease causing
      variants in CRB1 (p.Ile167_Gly169del and p.Arg764Cys) that segregated with the
      disease phenotype. Distance visual acuity was 20/40 or better in all three
      affected except for the left eye of the older subject (Family-B), which showed
      macular atrophy. Fundus evaluation showed spoke-wheel appearance at the macula in
      five eyes. The SD-OCT showed macular schitic changes in inner and outer nuclear
      layers in all cases. The ERG responses were normal in all subjects. CONCLUSIONS:
      This is the first report to implicate CRB1 as the underlying cause of FFR. This
      phenotype forms the mildest end of the spectrum of CRB1-related diseases.

PMID- 27258439
TI  - Not a Simple Plumbing Problem: Updating Our Understanding of Delayed Cerebral
      Ischemia in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

PMID- 27258437
TI  - Prodrugs Bioactivated to Quinones Target NF-kappaB and Multiple Protein Networks:
      Identification of the Quinonome.
AB  - Electrophilic reactive intermediates resulting from drug metabolism have been
      associated with toxicity and off-target effects and in some drug discovery
      programs trigger NO-GO decisions. Many botanicals and dietary supplements are
      replete with such reactive electrophiles, notably Michael acceptors, which have
      been demonstrated to elicit chemopreventive mechanisms; and Michael acceptors are
      gaining regulatory approval as contemporary cancer therapeutics. Identifying
      protein targets of these electrophiles is central to understanding potential
      therapeutic benefit and toxicity risk. NO-donating NSAID prodrugs (NO-NSAIDs)
      have been the focus of extensive clinical and preclinical studies in inflammation
      and cancer chemoprevention and therapy: a subset exemplified by pNO-ASA, induces
      chemopreventive mechanisms following bioactivation to an electrophilic quinone
      methide (QM) Michael acceptor. Having previously shown that these NO-independent,
      QM-donors activated Nrf2 via covalent modification of Keap-1, we demonstrate that
      components of canonical NF-kappaB signaling are also targets, leading to the
      inhibition of NF-kappaB signaling. Combining bio-orthogonal probes of QM-donor
      ASA prodrugs with mass spectrometric proteomics and pathway analysis, we
      proceeded to characterize the quinonome: the protein cellular targets of QM
      modification by pNO-ASA and its ASA pro-drug congeners. Further comparison was
      made using a biorthogonal probe of the "bare-bones", Michael acceptor, and
      clinical anti-inflammatory agent, dimethyl fumarate, which we have shown to
      inhibit NF-kappaB signaling. Identified quinonome pathways include post
      translational protein folding, cell-death regulation, protein transport, and
      glycolysis; and identified proteins included multiple heat shock elements, the
      latter functionally confirmed by demonstrating activation of heat shock response.

PMID- 27258438
TI  - The Importance of the Biological Impact of Exposure to the Concept of the
      Exposome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The term "exposome" was originally coined in 2005 and defined as the
      totality of exposures throughout the lifetime. The exposome provides an excellent
      scientific framework for studying human health and disease. Recently, it has been
      suggested that how exposures affect our biology and how our bodies respond to
      such exposures should be part of the exposome. OBJECTIVES: The authors describe
      the biological impact of the exposome and outline many of the targets and
      processes that can be assessed as part of a comprehensive analysis of the
      exposome. DISCUSSION: The processes that occur downstream from the initial
      interactions with exogenous and endogenous compounds determine the biological
      impact of exposures. If the effects are not considered in the same context as the
      exposures, it will be difficult to determine cause and effect. The exposome and
      biology are interactive-changes in biology due to the environment change one's
      vulnerability to subsequent exposures. Additionally, highly resilient individuals
      are able to withstand environmental exposures with minimal effects to their
      health. We expect that the vast majority of exposures are transient, and
      chemicals underlying exposures that occurred weeks, months, or years ago are long
      gone from the body. However, these past chemical exposures often leave molecular
      fingerprints that may be able to provide information on these past exposures.
      CONCLUSIONS: Through linking exposures to specific biological responses, exposome
      research could serve to improve understanding of the mechanistic connections
      between exposures and health to help mitigate adverse health outcomes across the
      lifespan. CITATION: Dennis KK, Auerbach SS, Balshaw DM, Cui Y, Fallin MD, Smith
      MT, Spira A, Sumner S, Miller GW. 2016. The importance of the biological impact
      of exposure to the concept of the exposome. Environ Health Perspect 124:1504
      1510; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP140.

PMID- 27258440
TI  - The Pathophysiology of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia.
AB  - Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) affects 30,000 people in the Unites States alone
      each year. Delayed cerebral ischemia occurs days after subarachnoid hemorrhage
      and represents a potentially treatable cause of morbidity for approximately one
      third of those who survive the initial hemorrhage. While vasospasm has been
      traditionally linked to the development of cerebral ischemia several days after
      subarachnoid hemorrhage, emerging evidence reveals that delayed cerebral ischemia
      is part of a much more complicated post-subarachnoid hemorrhage syndrome. The
      development of delayed cerebral ischemia involves early arteriolar vasospasm with
      microthrombosis, perfusion mismatch and neurovascular uncoupling, spreading
      depolarizations, and inflammatory responses that begin at the time of the
      hemorrhage and evolve over time, culminating in cortical infarction. Large-vessel
      vasospasm is likely a late contributor to ongoing injury, and effective treatment
      for delayed cerebral ischemia will require improved detection of critical early
      pathophysiologic changes as well as therapeutic options that target multiple
      related pathways. 

PMID- 27258441
TI  - Seizures and Epileptiform Patterns in SAH and Their Relation to Outcomes.
AB  - In subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), seizures are frequent and occur at different
      time points, likely reflecting heterogeneous pathophysiology. Young patients,
      those with more severe SAH (by clot burden or presence of severe mental status
      changes at onset or focal neurologic deficits at any time), those with associated
      increased cortical irritation (by infarction or presence of underlying hematoma),
      and patients undergoing craniotomy are at higher risk. Advanced neurophysiologic
      monitoring allows for seizure burden quantification, identification of
      subclinical seizures, and interictal patterns as well as neurovascular
      complications that may have an independent impact on the outcome in this
      population. Practice regarding seizure prophylaxis varies widely; its institution
      is often guided by the risk-benefit ratio of seizures and medication side
      effects. Newer anticonvulsants seem to be equally effective and may have a more
      favorable profile. However, questions regarding the association of seizures and
      vasospasm, the therapeutic dosing, timing, and duration of antiepileptic
      treatment and the impact of seizures and antiepileptics on the outcome remain
      unanswered. In this review, we provide a broad overview of the work in this area
      and offer a diagnostic and therapeutic approach based on our own expert opinion. 

PMID- 27258443
TI  - EEG Monitoring in Cerebral Ischemia: Basic Concepts and Clinical Applications.
AB  - EEG is very sensitive to changes in neuronal function resulting from ischemia.
      The authors briefly review essentials of EEG generation and the effects of
      ischemia on the underlying neuronal processes. They discuss the differential
      sensitivity of various neuronal processes to energy limitations, including
      synaptic disturbances. The clinical applications reviewed include continuous EEG
      monitoring during carotid surgery and acute ischemic stroke, and EEG monitoring
      for prognostication after cardiac arrest. 

PMID- 27258442
TI  - Spreading Depolarizations: A Therapeutic Target Against Delayed Cerebral Ischemia
      After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
AB  - Delayed cerebral ischemia is the most feared cause of secondary injury
      progression after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Initially thought to be a direct
      consequence of large artery spasm and territorial ischemia, recent data suggests
      that delayed cerebral ischemia represents multiple concurrent and synergistic
      mechanisms, including microcirculatory dysfunction, inflammation, and
      microthrombosis. Among these mechanisms, spreading depolarizations (SDs) are
      arguably the most elusive and underappreciated in the clinical setting. Although
      SDs have been experimentally detected and examined since the late 1970s, their
      widespread occurrence in human brain was not unequivocally demonstrated until
      relatively recently. We now know that SDs occur with very high incidence in human
      brain after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and trauma, and worsen outcomes by
      increasing metabolic demand, decreasing blood supply, predisposing to seizure
      activity, and possibly worsening brain edema. In this review, we discuss the
      causes and consequences of SDs in injured brain. Although much of our mechanistic
      knowledge comes from experimental models of focal cerebral ischemia, clinical
      data suggest that the same principles apply regardless of the mode of injury
      (i.e., ischemia, hemorrhage, or trauma). The hope is that a better fundamental
      understanding of SDs will lead to novel therapeutic interventions to prevent SD
      occurrence and its adverse consequences contributing to injury progression in
      subarachnoid hemorrhage and other forms of acute brain injury. 

PMID- 27258444
TI  - Current Clinical Evidence Supporting the Use of Continuous EEG Monitoring for
      Delayed Cerebral Ischemia Detection.
AB  - The EEG signal is the closest available measure of brain function and is
      exquisitely sensitive to ischemia. Data from animal models and from
      intraoperative monitoring suggest that continuous EEG monitoring is able disclose
      changes suggestive of impeding ischemia before infarction occurs. Several small
      studies in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage now provide
      preliminary evidence that it can also be successfully applied to detection of
      delayed cerebral ischemia with a good sensitivity. These studies relied on
      quantitative analysis, underscoring the necessity to introduce such methods in
      clinical practice. Further improvements in quantitative EEG analysis, integration
      in a multimodality monitoring framework, and prospective validation studies are
      now required to confirm the utility of EEG monitoring for delayed cerebral
      ischemia detection. 

PMID- 27258445
TI  - Clinical Development and Implementation of an Institutional Guideline for
      Prospective EEG Monitoring and Reporting of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia.
AB  - Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is the most common and disabling complication
      among patients admitted to the hospital for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
      Clinical and radiographic methods often fail to detect DCI early enough to avert
      irreversible injury. We assessed the clinical feasibility of implementing a
      continuous EEG (cEEG) ischemia monitoring service for early DCI detection as part
      of an institutional guideline. An institutional neuromonitoring guideline was
      designed by an interdisciplinary team of neurocritical care, clinical
      neurophysiology, and neurosurgery physicians and nursing staff and cEEG
      technologists. The interdisciplinary team focused on (1) selection criteria of
      high-risk patients, (2) minimization of safety concerns related to prolonged
      monitoring, (3) technical selection of quantitative and qualitative
      neurophysiologic parameters based on expert consensus and review of the
      literature, (4) a structured interpretation and reporting methodology, prompting
      direct patient evaluation and iterative neurocritical care, and (5) a two-layered
      quality assurance process including structured clinician interviews assessing
      events of neurologic worsening and an adjudicated consensus review of
      neuroimaging and medical records. The resulting guideline's clinical feasibility
      was then prospectively evaluated. The institutional SAH monitoring guideline used
      transcranial Doppler ultrasound and cEEG monitoring for vasospasm and ischemia
      monitoring in patients with either Fisher group 3 or Hunt-Hess grade IV or V SAH.
      Safety criteria focused on prevention of skin breakdown and agitation. Technical
      components included monitoring of transcranial Doppler ultrasound velocities and
      cEEG features, including quantitative alpha:delta ratio and percent alpha
      variability, qualitative evidence of new focal slowing, late-onset epileptiform
      activity, or overall worsening of background. Structured cEEG reports were
      introduced including verbal communication for findings concerning neurologic
      decline. The guideline was successfully implemented over 27 months, during which
      neurocritical care physicians referred 71 SAH patients for combined transcranial
      Doppler ultrasound and cEEG monitoring. The quality assurance process determined
      a DCI rate of 48% among the monitored population, more than 90% of which occurred
      during the duration of cEEG monitoring (mean 6.9 days) beginning 2.7 days after
      symptom onset. An institutional guideline implementing cEEG for SAH ischemia
      monitoring and reporting is feasible to implement and efficiently identify
      patients at high baseline risk of DCI during the period of monitoring. 

PMID- 27258446
TI  - Automation of Classical QEEG Trending Methods for Early Detection of Delayed
      Cerebral Ischemia: More Work to Do.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to evaluate automated implementations of continuous
      EEG monitoring-based detection of delayed cerebral ischemia based on methods used
      in classical retrospective studies. We studied 95 patients with either Fisher 3
      or Hunt Hess 4 to 5 aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who were admitted to the
      Neurosciences ICU and underwent continuous EEG monitoring. We implemented several
      variations of two classical algorithms for automated detection of delayed
      cerebral ischemia based on decreases in alpha-delta ratio and relative alpha
      variability. Of 95 patients, 43 (45%) developed delayed cerebral ischemia. Our
      automated implementation of the classical alpha-delta ratio-based trending method
      resulted in a sensitivity and specificity (Se,Sp) of (80,27)%, compared with the
      values of (100,76)% reported in the classic study using similar methods in a
      nonautomated fashion. Our automated implementation of the classical relative
      alpha variability-based trending method yielded (Se,Sp) values of (65,43)%,
      compared with (100,46)% reported in the classic study using nonautomated
      analysis. Our findings suggest that improved methods to detect decreases in alpha
      delta ratio and relative alpha variability are needed before an automated EEG
      based early delayed cerebral ischemia detection system is ready for clinical use.

PMID- 27258447
TI  - Interrater Agreement for Consensus Definitions of Delayed Ischemic Events After
      Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thirty percent of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage experience
      delayed cerebral ischemia or delayed ischemic neurologic decline (DIND).
      Variability in the definitions of delayed ischemia makes outcome studies
      difficult to compare. A recent consensus statement advocates standardized
      definitions for delayed ischemia in clinical trials of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
      We sought to evaluate the interrater agreement of these definitions. METHODS:
      Based on consensus definitions, we assessed for: (1) delayed cerebral infarction,
      defined as radiographic cerebral infarction; (2) DIND type 1 (DIND1), defined as
      focal neurologic decline; and (3) DIND2, defined as a global decline in arousal.
      Five neurologists retrospectively reviewed electronic records of 58 patients with
      subarachnoid hemorrhage. Three reviewers had access to and reviewed
      neuroradiology imaging. We assessed interrater agreement using the Gwet kappa
      statistic. RESULTS: Interrater agreement statistics were excellent (95.83%) for
      overall agreement on the presence or absence of any delayed ischemic event
      (DIND1, DIND2, or delayed cerebral infarction). Agreement was "moderate" for
      specifically identifying DIND1 (56.58%) and DIND2 (48.66%) events. We observed
      greater agreement for DIND1 when there was a significant focal motor decline of
      at least 1 point in the motor score. There was fair agreement (39.20%) for
      identifying delayed cerebral infarction; CT imaging was the predominant modality.
      CONCLUSIONS: Consensus definitions for delayed cerebral ischemia yielded near
      perfect overall agreement and can thus be applied in future large-scale studies.
      However, a strict process of adjudication, explicit thresholds for determining
      focal neurologic decline, and MRI techniques that better discriminate edema from
      infarction seem critical for reproducibility of determination of specific outcome
      phenotypes, and will be important for successful clinical trials.

PMID- 27258448
TI  - Intracranial Multimodality Monitoring for Delayed Cerebral Ischemia.
AB  - Management of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage focuses on
      prevention of rebleeding by early treatment of the aneurysm, as well as detection
      and management of neurologic and medical complications. Early detection of
      delayed cerebral ischemia and management of modifiable contributing causes such
      as vasospasm take a central role, with the goal of preventing irreversible
      cerebral injury. In efforts to prevent delayed cerebral ischemia, multimodality
      monitoring has emerged as a promising tool in detecting subclinical physiologic
      changes before infarction occurs. However, there has been much variability in the
      utilization of this technology. Recent consensus guidelines discuss the role of
      multimodality monitoring in acute brain injury. In this review, we evaluate these
      guidelines and the utility of each modality of multimodality monitoring in
      aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. 

PMID- 27258449
TI  - Complications in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients With and Without
      Subdural Electrode Strip for Electrocorticography.
AB  - PURPOSE: Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) frequently
      develop secondary noninfectious and infectious complications with an important
      impact on clinical course and outcome. In this study, we report on the rate of
      typical extracranial and intracranial complications in 30 prospectively enrolled
      patients with severe aSAH who received a linear subdural recording strip for
      continuous electrocorticography to detect ictal epileptiform events and spreading
      depolarizations. METHODS: The group was compared with 30 retrospectively included
      patients with aSAH who had not received a subdural recording strip, but were
      treated during the same period. The control group was matched according to an
      aSAH grading system, sex, and establishment of external ventricular drainage, but
      could not be matched according to aneurysm treatment and focal brain lesions such
      as initial intracerebral hemorrhages. RESULTS: No evidence was found that
      procedures of the electrocorticography study led to clinically relevant
      complications. In particular, the subdural strip did not lead to local damage of
      brain tissue or any increased rate of meningitis/ventriculitis. The median score
      on the modified Rankin Scale on day 15 was the same in both groups. Minor
      differences between both groups are explained by the limitations in the study
      design. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that neuromonitoring with a subdural
      recording strip for up to 15 days can be safely performed in patients with aSAH.

PMID- 27258450
TI  - Noninvasive Vascular Methods for Detection of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After
      Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
AB  - The development of delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage is one
      of the most important determinants of poor neurologic outcome. The
      pathophysiology of delayed cerebral ischemia relies on a complex interplay
      between a significant reduction of the diameter of large intracranial arteries
      (vasospasm), microvascular disturbances, and spreading cortical depolarization
      that lead to an inadequate oxygen supply to the brain parenchyma. The early
      diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm is a real challenge for clinicians and requires a
      multimodal approach to evaluate the consequences of vascular narrowing on
      cerebral function. Considering the costs and limited availability of invasive
      techniques, noninvasive tools may provide continuous and reliable information to
      detect vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this article, we
      review in particular the role of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, cerebral
      near-infrared spectroscopy, and brain imaging to detect cerebral vasospasm and
      delayed cerebral ischemia in this patients' population. 

PMID- 27258451
TI  - Heart Rate Variability for the Early Detection of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia.
AB  - Delayed cerebral ischemia is considered the leading cause of death or major
      disability in subarachnoid hemorrhage after the impact of the initial event and
      rebleeding. Waiting to treat patients until they exhibit clinical symptoms of
      ischemia is too late to prevent cerebral infarction for more than 60% of
      patients, and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography has not proven to be a
      reliable screening tool to identify high-risk patients. Continuous heart rate
      variability monitoring may provide an alternative screening strategy to identify
      patients at high risk for delayed cerebral ischemia. Heart rate variability is a
      composite reflection of autonomic outflow, neuroendocrine influences, and
      autonomic responsiveness. Most importantly, heart rate variability is responsive
      to changes in systemic inflammation, which evidence suggests is important to the
      causal pathway of delayed cerebral ischemia. The clinical application of
      continuous heart rate variability monitoring in critical care is relatively
      recent despite its existence for more than 50 years. Initial studies suggest
      promise for heart rate variability monitoring as a delayed cerebral ischemia
      screening tool, but significant research is still required before this approach
      may achieve clinical applicability and bring benefit to patients. 

PMID- 27258452
TI  - Biological Control of Meloidogyne incognita by Aspergillus niger F22 Producing
      Oxalic Acid.
AB  - Restricted usage of chemical nematicides has led to development of
      environmentally safe alternatives. A culture filtrate of Aspergillus niger F22
      was highly active against Meloidogyne incognita with marked mortality of second
      stage juveniles (J2s) and inhibition of egg hatching. The nematicidal component
      was identified as oxalic acid by organic acid analysis and gas chromatography
      mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Exposure to 2 mmol/L oxalic acid resulted in 100%
      juvenile mortality at 1 day after treatment and suppressed egg hatching by 95.6%
      at 7 days after treatment. Oxalic acid showed similar nematicidal activity
      against M. hapla, but was not highly toxic to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The
      fungus was incubated on solid medium and dried culture was used for preparation
      of a wettable powder-type (WP) formulation as an active ingredient. Two WP
      formulations, F22-WP10 (ai 10%) and oxalic acid-WP8 (ai 8%), were prepared using
      F22 solid culture and oxalic acid. In a field naturally infested with M.
      incognita, application of a mixture of F22-WP10 + oxalic acid-WP8 at 1,000- and
      500-fold dilutions significantly reduced gall formation on the roots of
      watermelon plants by 58.8 and 70.7%, respectively, compared to the non-treated
      control. The disease control efficacy of the mixture of F22-WP10 + oxalic acid
      WP8 was significantly higher than that of a chemical nematicide, Sunchungtan (ai
      30% fosthiazate). These results suggest that A. niger F22 can be used as a
      microbial nematicide for the control of root-knot nematode disease. 

PMID- 27258454
TI  - Patient With Nasal Obstruction.

PMID- 27258455
TI  - Subconcussive Head Trauma and Near Point of Convergence.

PMID- 27258457
TI  - INVEST IN YOURSELF, INSPIRE OTHERS, JAZZ UP YOUR JOURNEY.

PMID- 27258456
TI  - Relationship Between Glucocorticoids and Insulin Resistance in Healthy
      Individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between
      glucocorticoids (GCs) and insulin resistance (IR) in healthy individuals by
      conducting a systematic meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic
      literature review was conducted using 9 electronic databases. Only case-control
      studies investigating fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and IR were enrolled based on
      strictly established selection criteria. Statistical analyses were performed by
      Stata software, version 12.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA).
      RESULTS Among 496 initially retrieved articles, only 6 papers published in
      English were eventually included in this meta-analysis. A total of 201 healthy
      individuals (105 in GC group and 96 in control group) were included in the 6
      studies. In 4 of these 6 studies, dexamethasone was used, and in the other 2
      studies prednisolone was given. This meta-analysis revealed that the FPG, fasting
      insulin (FINS), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)
      levels in the GC group were all significantly higher than that in the control
      group (FPG: SMD=2.65, 95%CI=1.42~3.88, P<0.001; FINS: SMD=2.48, 95%CI=1.01~3.95,
      P=0.001; HOMA-IR: SMD=38.30, 95%CI=24.38~52.22, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In
      conclusion, our present study revealed that therapies using GCs might result in
      elevated FPG, FINS, and HOMA-IR, and thereby contribute to IR in healthy
      individuals. 

PMID- 27258458
TI  - Changing Practice in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Reducing Distractions for
      Patient Safety.
AB  - Failure in communication during the process of delivering healthcare can have
      dangerous repercussions. Specifically, failure in interdisciplinary team
      communication contributes to lapses in patient care. Distractions in procedural
      areas disrupt team communication. Application of a structured communication
      algorithm creates agreed-upon cues that promote team communication and facilitate
      clinical decision making. Frequent disruptions before, during, and after gastro
      intestinal endoscopy procedures place veterans at risk for an error. A
      hierarchical culture promotes intimidation and reduces the likelihood that staff
      will speak up for patient safety. An endoscopy procedure area implemented a
      "sterile cockpit" methodology to reduce the number of distractions during
      procedures. Data collected from a self-reported safety awareness were measured by
      two different questionnaires and collected through observation of actual
      practice. Improved awareness of distraction and the impact on patient safety was
      reported, with a reduction from 24 observed interruptions to zero in 9 months.
      After reducing distractions in the procedural area, there is a perception of
      improved nursing quality of care. Additional support is required to consistently
      remove electronic distractions during a procedure. 

PMID- 27258459
TI  - Managing Celiac Disease for Women: Implications for the Primary Care Provider.
AB  - Although many people have symptoms of celiac disease, it can take a while to
      diagnose. Villous atrophy may be present long before any gastrointestinal
      symptoms. An important point to acknowledge is that celiac disease could be
      identified earlier in some women with a positive family history. The disease also
      could be the cause of some women's reproductive problems. Primary care providers,
      using comprehensive history taking, are in the unique position to identify
      individuals who may have celiac disease, assist women in gaining knowledge about
      a gluten-free diet, order diagnostic testing, and refer to a gastroenterologist.
      The positive change in fertility with a simultaneous improvement of nutrient
      deficiencies shortly after adopting a gluten-free diet indicates a possible link
      between such nutrients and sex hormone function. High levels of homocysteine,
      which can negatively impact fertility, have also been linked to individuals with
      problems, such as celiac disease, that decrease vitamin B12 absorption. The
      purpose of this article is to review the literature and the evidence-based care
      guidelines for comprehensive screening, diagnostics, and pathophysiology of
      celiac disease, with a specific focus on the female reproductive system, anemia
      management, and gluten-free diet integration. 

PMID- 27258460
TI  - Constipation: Prevalence and Associated Factors in Adults Living in Londrina,
      Southern Brazil.
AB  - The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of constipation and
      identify associated factors among adults living in an urban area in Londrina,
      Brazil. This was a secondary analysis of an epidemiological, population-based
      study on bowel habit performed in 2008 with 2,162 individuals selected through
      cluster sampling. Interviews were administered using a sociodemographic
      questionnaire and the adapted and validated Brazilian version of the "Bowel
      Function in the Community" tool. Variables from the original database were used
      to determine the prevalence of constipation (according to the Rome Criteria III)
      and associated factors. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression
      were used for data analysis. The overall prevalence of constipation (14.6%; n =
      315) was higher among women than among men (21.9% vs. 5.3%), increased with age
      among men, and was inversely related to family income. Overall, female gender,
      low socioeconomic status, history of anal fissure, anorectal surgery, stroke,
      nervous system disease, fistulae, and hemorrhoids were factors significantly
      associated with constipation. The variables low social economic status, stroke,
      anal fissure history, and anorectal surgery were statistically significant in all
      three tested statistical models. 

PMID- 27258461
TI  - Colonoscopy Comfort: An Evidence-Based Practice Project.
AB  - Decreased discomfort after colonoscopy is a high priority for patients.
      Typically, air is used to insufflate the bowel during colonoscopy, but emerging
      literature shows that carbon dioxide insufflation decreases postoperative
      discomfort and flatus. An evidence-based practice project was developed and
      implemented by a surgical department at a community hospital. The Director of
      Surgical Services brought the evidence to the staff, secured agreement from a
      physician champion, and the new process was quickly adopted. Patients experienced
      less discomfort and flatus postprocedure with carbon dioxide insufflation, and
      were able to be discharged expediently. These patient outcomes validated the
      literature and confirmed the success of the practice change. 

PMID- 27258462
TI  - Stigma in Cirrhotic Patients: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - Stigma is one of the main problems of patients suffering from cirrhosis, and it
      causes many challenges for the patients and their treatment. The present study
      aimed to discover and define the perceived stigma by cirrhotic patients. This
      qualitative study was conducted through a content analysis approach. The
      participants were 15 patients suffering from cirrhosis. Data were collected via
      semistructured, in-depth interviews and analyzed on the basis of methods
      described by Granheme and Landman. During data analysis, stigma was categorized
      into four categories and 13 subcategories: external representation of social
      stigma (others' avoidance behaviors, inadmissible tag, discriminative behaviors
      of treatment personnel, blaming behaviors), internal representation of social
      stigma (social ostracism, social isolation, curiosity to perceive people's
      perceptions), external representation of self-stigma (fear of disclosure of
      illness, threatening situation, difficult emotional relationships), and internal
      representation of self-stigma (condemned to suffer, self-punishment, self
      alienation). Experiencing stigma is common among cirrhotic patients and may
      affect patients' coping with the illness and treatment. Thus, it is specifically
      important that treatment personnel know patients' perception, provide
      comprehensive support for these patients, and plan to enhance public awareness
      about the disease recommended. 

PMID- 27258463
TI  - Frequency of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Among Healthcare Personnel.
AB  - This study aims to investigate the frequency of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
      among healthcare professionals. A total of 394 healthcare professionals and 207
      individuals who were selected as a control group were included in the study. A
      questionnaire form containing Rome III diagnostic criteria was administered to
      health workers and the control group. The study groups were evaluated according
      to age, gender, occupation, profession, presence of chronic disease, drug usage,
      smoking, awareness of IBS, alarm symptoms, and the type of IBS they have.
      Irritable bowel syndrome was diagnosed in 44 healthcare workers and 10 control
      group participants. Of the 44 healthcare professionals with IBS, 6 had alternate,
      13 had constipated-dominant, and 25 had diarrhea-dominant IBS. Of the 10 persons
      in the control group who were diagnosed as having IBS, 5 were diarrhea-dominant
      and 5 were constipated-dominant type. Irritable bowel syndrome was more frequent
      in healthcare professionals than in the control group. Healthcare workers are
      more prone to IBS due to their stressful working environment. 

PMID- 27258464
TI  - MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE CARDIAC TAMPONADE AFTER ESOPHAGEAL PERFORATION BY A STEEL
      WIRE.

PMID- 27258465
TI  - CROHN DISEASE PRESENTED WITH A GIANT COLONIC MASS.

PMID- 27258466
TI  - PYODERMA GANGRENOSUM AS AN INITIAL PRESENTING SYMPTOM OF SILENT ULCERATIVE
      COLITIS.

PMID- 27258467
TI  - ARE THERE CRITICAL USES OF GLOVES IN TERMS OF SELF-PROTECTION?

PMID- 27258468
TI  - "A VISCERAL RESPONSE": My Personal Poetry.

PMID- 27258469
TI  - CAN ADJUVANT AGENTS REDUCE GASTRIC ACIDITY IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS:
      EVIDENCE FROM A COCHRANE REVIEW.

PMID- 27258470
TI  - Stimulants and Pediatric Cardiovascular Risk.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Concerns about serious cardiovascular (CV) events among stimulant
      treated youth have led to clinical and policy debates. Accordingly, several
      population-based empirical studies have assessed the risk of CV events in
      children and adolescents treated with stimulants. The main objective of this
      review was to summarize findings and to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of
      these population-based studies. In addition, we discuss the CV monitoring and
      policy implications for a clinically focused audience. METHODS: A computerized
      literature search of Medline and PsycINFO was conducted for the calendar years
      1990-2015 to identify population-based studies assessing stimulant treatment
      emergent CV events in youth. Additional reports, peer-reviewed or gray
      literature, for example, government reports, were also included. RESULTS: Nine
      population-based studies (one case-control and eight retrospective cohort
      designs) were included in this review. The case-control study compared sudden
      unexplained death cases to age-matched controls (motor vehicle passenger deaths)
      with respect to prior stimulant use and found a significant association (odds
      ratio = 7.4 [95% CI: 1.4-74.9]). By contrast, most retrospective cohort studies
      assessed the risk of serious CV events (i.e., sudden death, myocardial
      infarction, and stroke) and did not find an association with current stimulant
      exposure. The absolute rate for these serious events was low, but other data
      support risk. For example, cardiac-related emergency department visits showed a
      20% increased risk for current stimulant users compared with nonusers in one
      study, and another study showed a 64% and 90% increased risk for concurrent use
      of stimulants with antidepressants and antipsychotics, respectively. Similarly,
      in another study, compared with nonusers, stimulant users had twofold greater
      odds of CV-related inpatient or outpatient services. CONCLUSION: In the face of
      mixed results from population-based safety studies, this review supports the
      inclusion of baseline and ongoing monitoring of cardiac status to assure a
      favorable benefit risk profile for stimulant users, particularly in concomitant
      regimens with antipsychotics and antidepressants.

PMID- 27258471
TI  - Wheat PR-1 proteins are targeted by necrotrophic pathogen effector proteins.
AB  - Recent studies have identified that proteinaceous effectors secreted by
      Parastagonospora nodorum are required to cause disease on wheat. These effectors
      interact in a gene-for-gene manner with host-dominant susceptibilty loci,
      resulting in disease. However, whilst the requirement of these effectors for
      infection is clear, their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. A yeast
      two-hybrid library approach was used to search for wheat proteins that interacted
      with the necrotrophic effector SnTox3. Using this strategy we indentified an
      interaction between SnTox3 and the wheat pathogenicity-related protein TaPR-1-1,
      and confirmed it by in-planta co-immunprecipitation. PR-1 proteins represent a
      large family (23 in wheat) of proteins that are upregulated early in the defence
      response; however, their function remains ellusive. Interestingly, the P. nodorum
      effector SnToxA has recently been shown to interact specifically with TaPR-1-5.
      Our analysis of the SnTox3-TaPR-1 interaction demonstrated that SnTox3 can
      interact with a broader range of TaPR-1 proteins. Based on these data we utilised
      homology modeling to predict, and validate, regions on TaPR-1 proteins that are
      likely to be involved in the SnTox3 interaction. Precipitating from this work, we
      identified that a PR-1-derived defence signalling peptide from the C-terminus of
      TaPR-1-1, known as CAPE1, enhanced the infection of wheat by P. nodorum in an
      SnTox3-dependent manner, but played no role in ToxA-mediated disease.
      Collectively, our data suggest that P. nodorum has evolved unique effectors that
      target a common host-protein involved in host defence, albeit with different
      mechanisms and potentially outcomes.

PMID- 27258473
TI  - Noncovalent inhibitors of human 20S and 26S proteasome based on trypsin inhibitor
      SFTI-1.
AB  - Sunflower trypsin inhibitor (SFTI-1) is recognized as an attractive scaffold to
      designed potent inhibitors of various proteases. We have recently found that its
      analogues inhibit noncovalently both human and yeast 20S proteasomes. Here, a set
      of novel and more potent in vitro inhibitors is presented. The inhibitory potency
      of the peptides was assessed with human 20S proteasome in the presence or absence
      of sodium dodecyl sulfate and with human 26 proteasome. Their antiproliferative
      action against tumor (human melanoma cells A375) and normal cells (46 BR.1N human
      fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes) was determined. The selected fluoresceine
      labeled inhibitors were able to internalize into A375 cells and were sometimes
      present as foci in the cells. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept
      Sci) 106: 685-696, 2016. 

PMID- 27258472
TI  - Irradiated human endothelial progenitor cells induce bystander killing in human
      non-small cell lung and pancreatic cancer cells.
AB  - Purpose To investigate whether irradiated human endothelial progenitor cells
      (hEPC) could induce bystander killing in the A549 non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) cells and help explain the improved radiation-induced tumor cures
      observed in A549 tumor xenografts co-injected with hEPC. Materials and methods We
      investigated whether co-injection of CBM3 hEPC with A549 NSCLC cells would alter
      tumor xenograft growth rate or tumor cure after a single dose of 0 or 5 Gy of X
      rays. We then utilized dual chamber Transwell dishes, to test whether medium from
      irradiated CBM3 and CBM4 hEPC would induce bystander cell killing in A549 cells,
      and as an additional control, in human pancreatic cancer MIA PaCa-2 cells. The
      CBM3 and CBM4 hEPC were plated into the upper Transwell chamber and the A549 or
      MIA PaCa-2 cells were plated in the lower Transwell chamber. The top inserts with
      the CBM3 or CBM4 hEPC cells were subsequently removed, irradiated, and then
      placed back into the Transwell dish for 3 h to allow for diffusion of any
      potential bystander factors from the irradiated hEPC in the upper chamber through
      the permeable membrane to the unirradiated cancer cells in the lower chamber.
      After the 3 h incubation, the cancer cells were re-plated for clonogenic
      survival. Results We found that co-injection of CBM3 hEPC with A549 NSCLC cells
      significantly increased the tumor growth rate compared to A549 cells alone, but
      paradoxically also increased A549 tumor cure after a single dose of 5 Gy of X
      rays (p < 0.05). We hypothesized that irradiated hEPC may be inducing bystander
      killing in the A549 NSCLC cells in tumor xenografts, thus improving tumor cure.
      Bystander studies clearly showed that exposure to the medium from irradiated CBM3
      and CBM4 hEPC induced significant bystander killing and decreased the surviving
      fraction of A549 and MIA PaCa-2 cells to 0.46 (46%) +/- 0.22 and 0.74 +/- 0.07
      (74%) respectively (p < 0.005, p < 0.0001). In addition, antibody depletion
      studies demonstrated that the bystander killing induced in both A549 and MIA PaCa
      2 cells was mediated by the cytokines TNF-alpha and TGF-beta (p < 0.05).
      Conclusions These data provide evidence that irradiated hEPC can induce strong
      bystander killing in A549 and MIA PaCa-2 human cancer cells and that this
      bystander killing is mediated by the cytokines TNF-alpha and TGF-beta.

PMID- 27258474
TI  - Porous Mn2 O3 : A Low-Cost Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in
      Alkaline Media with Comparable Activity to Pt/C.
AB  - Preparing nonprecious metal catalysts with high activity in the oxygen reduction
      reaction (ORR) can promote the development of energy conversion devices. Support
      free porous Mn2 O3 was synthesized by a facile aerosol-spray-assisted approach
      (ASAA) and subsequent thermal treatment, and exhibited ORR activity that is
      comparable to commercial Pt/C The catalyst also exhibits notably higher activity
      than other Mn-based oxides, such as Mn3 O4 and MnO2 . The rotating ring disk
      electrode (RRDE) study indicates a typical 4-electron ORR pathway on Mn2 O3 .
      Furthermore, the porous Mn2 O3 demonstrates considerable stability and a good
      methanol tolerance in alkaline media. In light of the low cost and high earth
      abundance of Mn, the highly active Mn2 O3 is a promising candidate to be used as
      a cathode material in metal-air batteries and alkaline fuel cells. 

PMID- 27258475
TI  - Understanding and Exploitation of Neighboring Heteroatom Effect for the Mild N
      Arylation of Heterocycles with Diaryliodonium Salts under Aqueous Conditions: A
      Theoretical and Experimental Mechanistic Study.
AB  - The mechanism of arylation of N-heterocycles with unsymmetric diaryliodonium
      salts is elucidated. The fast and efficient N-arylation reaction is interpreted
      in terms of the bifunctionality of the substrate: The consecutive actions of
      properly oriented Lewis base and Bronsted acid centers in sufficient proximity
      result in the fast and efficient N-arylation. The mechanistic picture points to a
      promising synthetic strategy where suitably positioned nucleophilic and acidic
      centers enable functionalization, and it is tested experimentally.

PMID- 27258476
TI  - Four-year results of a prospective single-arm study on 200 semi-constrained total
      cervical disc prostheses: clinical and radiographic outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Recent studies have described encouraging outcomes after cervical total
      disc replacement (cTDR), but there are also critical debates regarding the long
      term effects of heterotopic ossification (HO) and the prevalence of adjacent
      level degeneration. The aim in this paper was to provide 4-year clinical and
      radiographic outcome results on the activ C disc prosthesis. METHODS A total of
      200 subjects underwent single-level activ C (Aesculap AG) implantation between C
      3 and C-7 for the treatment of symptomatic degenerative disc disease. Clinical
      and radiographic assessments were performed preoperatively, intraoperatively, at
      discharge, and again at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 4 years.
      Radiographic evaluations were done by an independent core laboratory using a
      specific software for quantitative motion analysis. RESULTS Neck Disability Index
      (NDI) and visual analog scale (VAS) score for neck and arm pain decreased
      significantly from baseline to the 4-year follow-up. The mean improvement for NDI
      was 20, for VAS severity and frequency of neck pain 26.4 and 28, and for VAS
      severity and frequency of arm pain 30.7 and 35.1, respectively. The neurological
      situation improved for the majority of patients (86.4%); 76.1% of cases were
      asymptomatic. Subsequent surgical interventions were reported in 7% of the cases,
      including device removals in 3%. In 2.5% a subsidence greater than 3 mm was
      recorded; 1 of these cases also had a migration greater than 3 mm. No device
      displacement, expulsion, disassembly, loose or fractured device, osteolysis, or
      facet joint degeneration at the index level was observed. Segmental lordotic
      alignment changed from -2.4 degrees  preoperatively to -6.2 degrees  at 4 years,
      and postoperative height was maintained during the follow-up. Advanced HO (Grade
      III and IV) was present in 27.1% of the cases; 82.4% showed segmental mobility. A
      progression of radiographic adjacent-segment degeneration occurred in 28.2%, but
      only 4.5% required surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS The activ C is a safe and
      effective device for cervical disc replacement confirming the encouraging results
      after cTDR. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT02492724 ( clinicaltrials.gov ).

PMID- 27258477
TI  - Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following a thoracic discectomy
      induced dural leak: case report.
AB  - Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiological
      syndrome characterized by headaches, altered mental status, seizures, and visual
      disturbances. Classic MRI findings include white matter changes of the parieto
      occipital regions. This syndrome has been encountered in myriad medical
      illnesses, including hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and immunosuppressive
      conditions. While the pathogenesis of the disorder is unclear, vasoconstriction
      and hypoperfusion leading to brain ischemia and vasogenic edema have been
      implicated as potential mechanisms. The authors present, to the best of their
      knowledge, the first case of PRES following a thoracic spinal surgery-induced
      dural leak noted on resection of the fifth rib during a thoracotomy for a T4-5
      discectomy. Brain MRI revealed large areas of increased FLAIR and T2
      hyperintensity in the superior posterior frontal lobes, superior and medial
      parietal lobes, and bilateral occipital lobes. Following repair of the CSF leak,
      the patient's symptoms resolved. Spinal surgeons should be alert to the
      potentially life-threatening condition of PRES, especially in a hypertensive
      patient who experiences surgery-induced dural leakage. The development of a
      severe positional headache with neurological signs is a red flag that suggests
      the presence of PRES. Prompt attention to the diagnosis and treatment of this
      condition by repairing the dural leak via surgery or expeditious blood patch
      increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

PMID- 27258478
TI  - The effect of vancomycin powder on human dural fibroblast culture and its
      implications for dural repair during spine surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major source of morbidity after
      spinal surgery. Several recent studies have described the finding that applying
      vancomycin powder to the surgical bed may reduce the incidence of SSI. However,
      applying vancomycin in high concentrations has been shown in vitro to inhibit
      osteoblast proliferation and to induce cell death. Vancomycin may have a
      deleterious effect on dural healing after repair of an intentional or
      unintentional durotomy. This study was therefore undertaken to assess the effect
      of different concentrations of vancomycin on a human dura mater cell culture.
      METHODS Human dura intended for disposal after decompressive craniectomy was
      harvested. Explant primary cultures and subcultures were subsequently performed.
      Cells were characterized through common staining and immunohistochemistry. A
      growth curve was performed to assess the effect of different concentrations of
      vancomycin (40, 400, and 4000 MUg/ml) on cell count. The effect of vancomycin on
      cellular shape, intercellular arrangement, and viability was also evaluated.
      RESULTS All dural tissue samples successfully developed into fusiform cells,
      demonstrating pseudopod projections and spindle formation. The cells demonstrated
      vimentin positivity and also had typical features of fibroblasts. When applied to
      the cultures, the highest dose of vancomycin induced generalized cell death
      within 24 hours. The mean (+/- SD) cell counts for control, 40, 400, and 4000
      MUg/ml were 38.72 +/- 15.93, 36.28 +/- 22.87, 19.48 +/- 6.53, and 4.07 +/- 9.66,
      respectively (p < 0.0001, ANOVA). Compared with controls, vancomycin-exposed
      cells histologically demonstrated a smaller cytoplasm and decreased pseudopodia
      formation resulting in the inhibition of normal spindle intercellular
      arrangement. CONCLUSIONS When vancomycin powder is applied locally, dural cells
      are exposed to a concentration several times greater than when delivered
      systemically. In this in vitro model, vancomycin induced dural cell death,
      inhibited growth, and altered cellular morphology in a concentration-dependent
      fashion. Defining a safe vancomycin concentration that is both bactericidal and
      also does not inhibit normal dural healing is necessary.

PMID- 27258479
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Rotational thromboelastometry-guided transfusion.

PMID- 27258480
TI  - Tropheryma whipplei infection (Whipple's disease) in a patient after liver
      transplantation.
AB  - Whipple's disease (WD) is a rare infection caused by the bacterium Tropheryma
      whipplei that can affect multiple organs and most commonly occurs in the
      immunocompetent host. Only 3 cases of WD have been reported in the setting of
      immunosuppression for organ transplantation. Here, we report the first case of
      WD, to our knowledge, in a patient after liver transplantation with comorbid
      graft-versus-host-disease. We discuss the diagnostic challenges in this setting
      and the value of electron microscopy and in situ hybridization methods for
      confirming the infection. WD may be under-diagnosed in immunosuppressed
      transplant patients because the disease can present with atypical clinical and
      histological features that suggest other conditions. 

PMID- 27258481
TI  - High-throughput estimation of incident light, light interception and radiation
      use efficiency of thousands of plants in a phenotyping platform.
AB  - Light interception and radiation-use efficiency (RUE) are essential components of
      plant performance. Their genetic dissections require novel high-throughput
      phenotyping methods. We have developed a suite of methods to evaluate the spatial
      distribution of incident light, as experienced by hundreds of plants in a
      glasshouse, by simulating sunbeam trajectories through glasshouse structures
      every day of the year; the amount of light intercepted by maize (Zea mays) plants
      via a functional-structural model using three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of
      each plant placed in a virtual scene reproducing the canopy in the glasshouse;
      and RUE, as the ratio of plant biomass to intercepted light. The spatial
      variation of direct and diffuse incident light in the glasshouse (up to 24%) was
      correctly predicted at the single-plant scale. Light interception largely varied
      between maize lines that differed in leaf angles (nearly stable between
      experiments) and area (highly variable between experiments). Estimated RUEs
      varied between maize lines, but were similar in two experiments with contrasting
      incident light. They closely correlated with measured gas exchanges. The methods
      proposed here identified reproducible traits that might be used in further field
      studies, thereby opening up the way for large-scale genetic analyses of the
      components of plant performance.

PMID- 27258482
TI  - Janus "nano-bullets" for magnetic targeting liver cancer chemotherapy.
AB  - Tumor-targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs with controlled drug release
      function has been recognized as a promising strategy for pursuit of increased
      chemotherapeutic efficacy and reduced adverse effects. Development of magnetic
      nanoparticulates as delivery carriers to accommodate cytotoxic drugs for liver
      cancer treatment has evoked immense interest with respect to their convenience in
      biomedical application. Herein, we engineered multifunctional Janus
      nanocomposites, characterized by a head of magnetic Fe3O4 and a body of
      mesoporous SiO2 containing doxorubicin (DOX) as "nano-bullets" (M-MSNs-DOX). This
      nanodrug formulation possessed nanosize with controlled aspect-ratio, defined
      abundance in pore structures, and superior magnetic properties. M-MSN-DOX was
      determined to induce selective growth inhibition to the cancer cell under
      magnetic field rather than human normal cells due to its preferable endocytosis
      by the tumor cells and pH-promoted DOX release in the interior of cancer cells.
      Ultimately, both subcutaneous and orthotropic liver tumor models in mice have
      demonstrated that the proposed Janus nano-bullets imposed remarkable suppression
      of the tumor growth and significantly reduced systematic toxicity. Taken
      together, this study demonstrates an intriguing targeting strategy for liver
      cancer treatment based on a novel Janus nano-bullet, aiming for utilization of
      nanotechnology to obtain safe and efficient treatment of liver cancer.

PMID- 27258483
TI  - Photothermal combined gene therapy achieved by polyethyleneimine-grafted oxidized
      mesoporous carbon nanospheres.
AB  - Combining controllable photothermal therapy and efficacious gene therapy in a
      single platform holds great promise in cancer therapy due to the enhanced
      combined therapeutic effects. Herein, polyethyleneimine-grafted oxidized
      mesoporous carbon nanospheres (OP) were developed for combined photothermal
      combined gene therapy in vitro and in vivo. The synthesized OP was characterized
      to have three dimensional spherical structure with uniformed diameter, ordered
      mesopores with graphitic domains, high water dispersion with zeta potential of
      +22 mV, and good biocompatibility. Consequently, OP was exploited as the
      photothermal convertor with strong NIR absorption and the gene vector via
      electrostatic interaction, which therefore cannot only deliver the therapeutic
      gene (pING4) to tumors for gene therapy, but also can eliminate the tumors by
      photothermal ablation. Moreover, the improved gene therapy accompanied by the NIR
      photothermally enhanced gene release was also well achieved based on OP. The
      excellent combined therapeutic effects demonstrated in vitro and in vivo
      suggested the OP's potential for cancer therapy.

PMID- 27258484
TI  - Hybridization-based aptamer labeling using complementary oligonucleotide platform
      for PET and optical imaging.
AB  - Aptamers are promising next-generation ligands used in molecular imaging and
      theragnosis. Aptamers are synthetic nucleic acids that can be held together with
      complementary sequences by base-pair hybridization. In this study, the
      complementary oligonucleotide (cODN) hybridization-based aptamer conjugation
      platform was developed to use aptamers as the molecular imaging agent. The cODN
      was pre-labeled with fluorescent dye or radioisotope and hybridized with a
      matched sequence containing aptamers in aqueous conditions. The cODN platform
      hybridized aptamers exhibited good serum stability and specific binding affinity
      towards target cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that
      the newly designed aptamer conjugation platform offers great potential for the
      versatile application of aptamers as molecular imaging agents.

PMID- 27258486
TI  - A novel near-infrared fluorescent probe for H2O2 in alkaline environment and the
      application for H2O2 imaging in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - H2O2 as one of the most important ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) has more attack
      activity to biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, protein and enzyme in alkaline
      environment and leads to a series of disease. However, no attention has been paid
      to the fluorescent detection of H2O2 in alkaline environment in the past. Herein,
      we reported the first ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent probe based on a
      boric acid derivative of Changsha near-infrared dye (CSBOH) for H2O2 detection in
      alkaline condition and the application for H2O2 imaging in vivo. ICT (intra
      molecular charge transfer) mechanism was used in CSBOH to modulate the
      fluorescence change. The photophysical change of CSBOH was investigated by
      comparison with a phenol derivative of Changsha near-infrared dye (CSOH), a
      structural analogue bearing phenol group. In the presence of H2O2, CSBOH
      exhibited remarkably different fluorescence change at 650 nm and 720 nm when
      excited by 560 nm and 670 nm light respectively in alkaline buffer and showed
      high selectivity toward H2O2. Cellular experiments demonstrate that CSBOH can
      image endogenously generated H2O2 in macrophages and A431 cells. In vivo
      experiment demonstrates that both CSOH and CSBOH can be used for bio-imaging, and
      CSBOH can image H2O2 in living animal successfully.

PMID- 27258485
TI  - Nanoprobes for two-photon excitation time-resolved imaging of living animals: In
      situ analysis of tumor-targeting dynamics of nanocarriers.
AB  - Great challenges remain in the noninvasive luminescence imaging analysis of tumor
      targeting dynamics of nanocarriers in living animals which is of significance for
      the development of anti-cancer nanomedicine. In this work, luminescent
      nanoparticles Eu(tta)3bpt@SMA (dav = 15 nm), which exhibited good water
      dispersion stability and high yields of red Eu-luminescence under near-infrared
      two-photon excitation, were prepared by a modified microfluidic mixing method in
      the absence of surfactants. Tumor-targeting agents, Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys (cRGD)
      polypeptide or transferrin (Tf), were then anchored on the nanoparticle surfaces
      to form the desired nanocarriers Eu@SMA-RGD or Eu@SMA-Tf. The tumor-targeting
      processes of the prepared nanocarriers in intact living mice were analyzed on a
      home-built two-photon excitation time-resolved (TPE-TR) imaging apparatus having
      a wide view filed. The TPE-TR strategy could effectively suppress the
      interference from biological autofluorescence, which allowed the targeted domains
      to be visualized with a high signal-to-noise ratio. It was found that the tumor
      tissue trapping efficacy of Eu@SMA-RGD was much higher than that of Eu@SMA-Tf,
      and the desorption process from the tumor tissues of Eu@SMA-RGD was slower than
      that of Eu@SMA-Tf. The methods developed in this work pave a way to investigate
      the in vivo tumor-targeting dynamics of nanocarriers by noninvasive luminescence
      imaging of living animals.

PMID- 27258487
TI  - Long-Term Survival and Local Relapse Following Surgery Without Radiotherapy for
      Locally Advanced Upper Rectal Cancer: An International Multi-Institutional Study.
AB  - Controversy remains regarding whether preoperative chemoradiation protocol should
      be applied uniformly to all rectal cancer patients regardless of tumor height.
      This pooled analysis was designed to evaluate whether preoperative chemoradiation
      can be safely omitted in higher rectal cancer.An international consortium of 7
      institutions was established. A review of the database that was collected from
      January 2004 to May 2008 identified a series of 2102 patients with stage II/III
      rectal or sigmoid cancer (control arm) without concurrent chemoradiation. Data
      regarding patient demographics, recurrence pattern, and oncological outcomes were
      analyzed. The primary end point was the 5-year local recurrence rate.The local
      relapse rate of the sigmoid colon cancer (SC) and upper rectal cancer (UR)
      cohorts was significantly lower than that of the mid/low rectal cancer group (M
      LR), with 5-year estimates of 2.5% for the SC group, 3.5% for the UR group, and
      11.1% for the M-LR group, respectively. A multivariate analysis showed that tumor
      depth, nodal metastasis, venous invasion, and lower tumor level were strongly
      associated with local recurrence. The cumulative incidence rate of local failure
      was 90.6%, 92.5%, and 94.4% for tumors located within 5, 7, and 9 cm from the
      anal verge, respectively.Routine use of preoperative chemoradiation for stage
      II/III rectal tumors located more than 8 to 9 cm above the anal verge would be
      excessive. The integration of a more individualized approach focused on systemic
      control is warranted to improve survival in patients with upper rectal cancer. 

PMID- 27258489
TI  - Prevalence of Comorbidities in Asthma and Nonasthma Patients: A Meta-analysis.
AB  - This study compares the prevalence rates of comorbidities between asthma and
      nonasthma control patients reported in the literature.Literature was searched in
      several electronic databases. After the selection of studies by following
      precised eligibility criteria, meta-analyses of odds ratios were carried out with
      subgroup and sensitivity analyses.Eleven studies studying 117,548 asthma patients
      compared with 443,948 non-asthma controls were included in the meta-analysis. The
      prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities (odds ratio (OR): [95% CI] 1.90 [1.70,
      2.14]; P < 0.00001), cerebrovascular comorbidities (OR 1.44 [1.29, 1.60]; P <
      0.00001), obesity (OR 1.51 [1.14, 2.01]; P < 0.00001), hypertension (OR 1.66
      [1.47, 1.88]; P < 0.00001, diabetes (OR 1.25 [1.08, 1.44]; P < 0.00001), other
      metabolic and endocrine comorbidities (OR 1.60 [1.40, 1.83]; P < 0.00001),
      psychiatric and neurological comorbidities (OR 1.62 [1.44, 1.82]; P < 0.00001),
      gut and urinary comorbidities (OR 1.91 [1.47, 2.49]; P < 0.00001),), cancer (OR
      1.17 [1.10, 1.25]; P < 0.00001), and respiratory comorbidities (OR 5.60 [4.22,
      7.44]; P < 0.00001) were significantly higher in the asthma patients in
      comparison with nonasthma controls.Asthma is associated with significantly higher
      comorbidities including cardio-/cerebrovascular diseases, obesity, hypertension,
      diabetes, psychiatric and neurological comorbidities, gut and urinary conditions,
      cancer, and respiratory problems other than asthma. Respiratory comorbidities are
      found 5 times more prevalent in asthma than in non-asthma patients. 

PMID- 27258488
TI  - Effects of Statins on Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Risk: A PRISMA-compliant
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Although observational studies have identified the protective effect of statins
      on bone health, the effects remain controversial in randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs). We conducted a meta-analysis of RCTs to evaluate the effects of statins
      on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk among adults.We searched
      electronic databases of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and conducted a bibliography review to identify
      articles published until May, 2015.Studies included in this meta-analysis should
      be randomized controlled trials conducted in adults, using statins in the
      intervention group. Information on changes in BMD or odds ratio, relative risk or
      hazard ratio (HR) for fracture risk with the corresponding 95% confidence
      interval (CI) was provided.Two investigators independently reviewed the title or
      abstract, further reviewed the full-texts and extracted information on study
      characteristics and study outcomes. Net change estimates of BMD and pooled HR of
      fracture risk comparing the intervention group with the control group were
      estimated across trials using random-effects models.Of the relevant 334
      citations, 7 trials (including 27,900 randomized participants in total) meeting
      the eligibility criteria were included. Of the 7 trials, 5 were conducted to
      assess the association of statins use with BMD change and 2 with fracture risk.
      Compared with the control group, statins use was associated with significant
      increase in BMD of 0.03 g/cm (95% CI: 0.006, 0.053; I = 99.2%; P < 0.001), but
      null association with fracture risk, with the pooled HR of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.87,
      1.15; I = 0; P = 0.396). Sensitivity analyses revealed that the associations were
      consistent and robust.The effect of statins use on bone health among
      subpopulation could not be identified due to limited number of trials.These
      findings provide evidence that statins could be used to increase BMD other than
      decreasing fracture risk in participant with dyslipidemia. In addition, further
      trials with the primary outcome of bone health-related measurements in
      subpopulation are warranted to ensure the effect of statins use. 

PMID- 27258490
TI  - Congenital Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus Presented With Bilateral Hydronephrosis
      and Urinary Infection: A Case Report.
AB  - Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a condition resulting from the kidney's
      impaired response to circulating antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to
      polydipsia and polyuria. Urinary tract dilatation caused by NDI is a rare
      situation. Here, we report a case of congenital NDI presented with bilateral
      hydronephrosis.A 15-year-old boy complaining a history of intermittent fever was
      admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital. He voided 10 to 15 L of urine
      daily. Radiographic examination revealed severe dilatation of bilateral renal
      pelvis, ureter, and bladder. Urinalysis shows hyposthenuria.He was diagnosed NDI
      since born. Transient insertion of a urethral catheter helped to relieve fever.
      Medical therapy of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride was prescribed and
      effective.Dilatation of urinary tract caused by diabetes insipidus is rare, but
      may be present in severe condition. Therefore, it is crucial for clinicians to
      perform early treatment to avoid impairment of renal function. 

PMID- 27258492
TI  - Validation of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score Criteria in Urgent
      Liver Transplantation for Acute Flare Up of Hepatitis B.
AB  - Acute flare up of hepatitis B in noncirrhotic liver with rapid liver function
      deterioration is a critical condition. This flare up of hepatitis B may be
      subsided under medical treatments, otherwise urgent liver transplantation is
      needed. However, the necessity of urgent liver transplantation is hard to decide.
      In this institute, the indications of urgent liver transplantation for acute
      flare up of hepatitis B in noncirrhotic liver were settled according to the model
      for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores: once upon MELD scores >=35 (criterion
      1) or MELD score < 35 at beginning and increased in the subsequent 1 to 2 weeks
      (criterion 2). This study was to examine whether MELD score criteria for liver
      transplantation were valid in such an urgent condition. Eighty-three patients
      having acute flare up of hepatitis B virus with total bilirubin >=17.5 mg/dL were
      included in this study. Among 83 patients, 20 patients met criterion 1. Five
      patients were transplanted and 15 patients died of liver failure with a median
      survival of 17 days. Fifty-one patients met criterion 2. Nineteen were
      transplanted, 30 patients died of liver failure with a median survival of 23.5
      days, and 2 patients recovered from this critical condition. The other 12
      patients did not meet criteria 1 and 2, and urgent liver transplantation was
      spared although 5 patients needed liver transplantation in subsequent 2 to 3
      months. Therefore, the sensitivity of MELD score criteria for urgent liver
      transplantation was 100% and specificity was 85.7%. In conclusion, determination
      of urgent liver transplantation for hepatitis B with acute liver failure is
      crucial. MELD score criteria are valid to make a decision of urgent liver
      transplantation for hepatitis B patients with acute flare up and liver failure. 

PMID- 27258491
TI  - Refined Phenotyping of Modic Changes: Imaging Biomarkers of Prolonged Severe Low
      Back Pain and Disability.
AB  - Low back pain (LBP) is the world's most disabling condition. Modic changes (MC)
      are vertebral bone marrow changes adjacent to the endplates as noted on magnetic
      resonance imaging. The associations of specific MC types and patterns with
      prolonged, severe LBP and disability remain speculative. This study assessed the
      relationship of prolonged, severe LBP and back-related disability, with the
      presence and morphology of lumbar MC in a large cross-sectional population-based
      study of Southern Chinese.We addressed the topographical and morphological
      dimensions of MC along with other magnetic resonance imaging phenotypes (eg, disc
      degeneration and displacement) on the basis of axial T1 and sagittal T2-weighted
      imaging of L1-S1. Prolonged severe LBP was defined as LBP lasting >=30 days
      during the past year, and a visual analog scale severest pain intensity of at
      least 6/10. An Oswestry Disability Index score of 15% was regarded as significant
      disability. We also assessed subject demographics, occupation, and lifestyle
      factors.In total, 1142 subjects (63% females, mean age 53 years) were assessed.
      Of these, 282 (24.7%) had MC (7.1% type I, 17.6% type II). MC subjects were older
      (P = 0.003), had more frequent disc displacements (P < 0.001) and greater degree
      of disc degeneration (P < 0.001) than non-MC subjects. In adjusted models, any MC
      (odds ratio [OR] 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.18), MC affecting
      whole anterior-posterior length (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04-2.51), and MC affecting 2/3
      posterior length (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.17-6.65) were associated with prolonged
      severe LBP. Type I MC tended to associate with pain more strongly than type II MC
      (OR 1.80, 95% CI 0.94-3.44 vs OR 1.36, 95% CI 0.88-2.09, respectively). Any MC
      (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.04-2.10), type II MC (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.06-2.31), MC affecting
      2/3 posterior length (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.27-6.89), and extensive MC (OR 1.95, 95%
      CI 1.21-3.15) were associated with disability. The strength of the associations
      increased with the number of MC.This large-scale study is the first to
      definitively note MC types and specific morphologies to be independently
      associated with prolonged severe LBP and back-related disability. This proposed
      refined MC phenotype may have direct implications in clinical decision-making as
      to the development and management of LBP. Understanding of these imaging
      biomarkers can lead to new preventative and personalized therapeutics related to
      LBP. 

PMID- 27258493
TI  - Inhaled Corticosteroids Use Is Not Associated With an Increased Risk of Pregnancy
      Induced Hypertension and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Two Nested Case-Control
      Studies.
AB  - There have been concerns that systemic corticosteroid use is associated with
      pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and diabetes mellitus. However, the
      relationship between inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and the risk of PIH has not
      been fully examined, and there was no study investigating the association between
      ICS use and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aims of
      the study are to determine whether the use of ICSs during pregnancy increases the
      risk of PIH and GDM in women.We conducted 2 nested case-control studies utilizing
      the nationwide insurance claims database of the Health Insurance Review and
      Assessment Service (Seoul, Republic of Korea), in which 1,306,281 pregnant women
      who delivered between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011 were included. Among
      them, PIH cases and GDM cases were identified and matched controls were included.
      Conditional logistic regression analyses adjusted by other concomitant drugs use
      during and before pregnancy and confounding covariates including comorbidities
      were performed.Total 43,908 PIH cases and 219,534 controls, and 34,190 GDM cases
      and 170,934 control subjects were identified. When other concomitant drugs use
      during pregnancy was adjusted, ICS use was associated with an increased rate of
      PIH (adjusted odds ratio, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.05-1.87]). ICS medication possession
      ratios and cumulative doses were associated with an increased risk of PIH.
      However, the statistical significance was not found in other models. In both
      unadjusted and adjusted multivariable models, ICSs use was not associated with
      increase in the risk of GDM.ICSs use is not associated with an increased risk of
      PIH and GDM. 

PMID- 27258495
TI  - Impact of Type of Surgery on Survival Outcome in Patients With Early Gallbladder
      Cancer in the Era of Minimally Invasive Surgery: Oncologic Safety of Laparoscopic
      Surgery.
AB  - Laparoscopic surgery has been widely accepted as a feasible and safe treatment
      modality in many cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. However, most guidelines
      on gallbladder cancer (GBC) regard laparoscopic surgery as a contraindication,
      even for early GBC. This study aims to evaluate and compare recent surgical
      outcomes of laparoscopic and open surgery for T1(a,b) GBC and to determine the
      optimal surgical strategy for T1 GBC.The study enrolled 197 patients with
      histopathologically proven T1 GBC and no history of other cancers who underwent
      surgery from 2000 to 2014 at 3 major tertiary referral hospitals with specialized
      biliary-pancreas pathologists and optimal pathologic handling protocols. Median
      follow-up was 56 months. The effects of depth of invasion and type of surgery on
      disease-specific survival and recurrence patterns were investigated.Of the 197
      patients, 116 (58.9%) underwent simple cholecystectomy, including 31 (15.7%) who
      underwent open cholecystectomy and 85 (43.1%) laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The
      remaining 81 (41.1%) patients underwent extended cholecystectomy. Five-year
      disease-specific survival rates were similar in patients who underwent simple and
      extended cholecystectomy (96.7% vs 100%, P = 0.483), as well as being similar in
      patients in the simple cholecystectomy group who underwent open and laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy (100% vs 97.6%, P = 0.543). Type of surgery had no effect on
      recurrence patterns.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for T1 gallbladder cancer can
      provide similar survival outcomes compared to open surgery. Considering less
      blood loss and shorter hospital stay with better cosmetic outcome, laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy can be justified as a standard treatment for T1b as well as T1a
      gallbladder cancer when done by well-experienced surgeons based on exact
      pathologic diagnosis. 

PMID- 27258494
TI  - Risks and Benefits of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Beyond 12 Months After Coronary
      Stenting: A Prospective Randomized Cohort Study.
AB  - The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) after coronary stenting
      remains poorly define. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of longer
      than 24 months DAT in patients who received drug-eluting and bare-metal stents.A
      total of 1010 individuals who underwent elective, urgent or emergency coronary
      angioplasty with intended stent implantation at reference or specialized cardiac
      hospitals were randomized to receive long-term and short-term DAT to determine
      the benefits and adverse effects of long-term DAT. Total of 508 patients were
      randomized to long-term and 502 patients to <1 year DAT, and all of them were
      followed for more than 36 months for major adverse cardiac and cerebvascular
      events and bleeding major adverse cardiac and cerebvascular events (MACCE)Mean
      age of the 1010 patients (364 women and 646 men) was 60 years. Stent reocclusion
      occurred in 15 patients. Mean Syntax score was 23.00 +/- 5.08 for whole samples,
      25.00 +/- 5.27 in 28 patients with MACCE and 23 +/- 5.00 in 982 patients without
      MACCE (P = 0.057). According to all specified bleeding definitions, clopidogrel
      therapy for >12 months was not associated with a greater risk of hemorrhage. A
      regimen of >12 months of clopidogrel therapy in patients who had received drug
      eluting or bare-metal stents did not differ significantly from a regimen of <12
      months on clopidogrel with regard to MACCE.Long-term DAT might not significantly
      affect the reduction in the risk of death from any cause, myocardial infarction,
      or stroke, and not associated with minor or major bleeding events. 

PMID- 27258496
TI  - Case Report of Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome: Germline Mutations of FLCN Detected in
      Patients With Renal Cancer and Thyroid Cancer.
AB  - Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited syndrome that is
      characterized by the presence of fibrofolliculomas and/or trichodiscomas,
      pulmonary cysts, spontaneous pneumothorax, and renal tumors. Here, the 2 patients
      we reported with renal cell carcinomas and dermatological features were suspected
      to be suffering from BHD syndrome. Blood samples of these patients were sent for
      whole exon sequencing performed by Sanger sequencing. Eight mutations, including
      5 mutations, which were mapped in noncoding region, 1 synonymous mutation, and 2
      missense mutations, were detected in the FLCN gene in both patients. The 2
      missense mutations, predicted to be disease-causing mutation or affecting protein
      function by MutationTaster and SIFT, confirmed the diagnosis. In addition, the 2
      patients were also affected with papillary thyroid cancer. Total thyroidectomy
      and prophylactic bilateral central lymph node dissection were performed for them
      and the BHD-2 also received lateral lymph node dissection. Pathology reports
      showed that the patients had lymph node metastasis in spite of small size of
      thyroid lesions.The 2 missense mutations, not reported previously, expand the
      mutation spectrum of FLCN gene associated with BHD syndrome. For the thyroid
      cancer patients with BHD syndrome, total thyroidectomy and prophylactic bilateral
      central lymph node dissection may be suitable and the neck ultrasound may benefit
      BHD patients and their family members. 

PMID- 27258498
TI  - Racial Disparities in Treatment Rates for Chronic Hepatitis C: Analysis of a
      Population-Based Cohort of 73,665 Patients in the United States.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) disproportionately affects racial minorities in the
      United States (US). Although prior studies have reported lower treatment rates in
      Blacks than in Caucasians, the rates of other minorities remain understudied. We
      aimed to examine antiviral treatment rates by race and to evaluate the effect of
      other demographic, medical, and psychiatric factors on treatment rates. We
      performed a population-based study of adult CHC patients identified via ICD-9CM
      query from OptumInsight's Data Mart from January 2009 to December 2013. Antiviral
      treatment was defined by pharmaceutical claims for interferon and/or pegylated
      interferon. A total of 73,665 insured patients were included: 51,282 Caucasians,
      10,493 Blacks, 8679 Hispanics, and 3211 Asians. Caucasians had the highest
      treatment rate (10.7%) followed by Blacks (8.8%), Hispanics (8.8%), and Asians
      (7.9%, P < .001). Hispanics had the highest cirrhosis rates compared with
      Caucasians, Blacks, and Asians (20.7% vs 18.3%, 17.1%, and 14.3%, respectively).
      Caucasians were the most likely to have a psychiatric comorbidity (20.1%) and
      Blacks the most likely to have a medical comorbidity (44%). Asians were the least
      likely to have a psychiatric (6.4%) or medical comorbidity (26.9%). On
      multivariate analysis, racial minority was a significant predictor of
      nontreatment with odds ratios of 0.82 [confidence interval (CI): 0.74-0.90] for
      Blacks, 0.87 (CI: 0.78-0.96) for Hispanics, and 0.73 (CI: 0.62-0.86) for Asians
      versus Caucasians. Racial minorities had lower treatment rates than Caucasians.
      Despite fewer medical and psychiatric comorbidities and higher incomes and
      educational levels, Asians had the lowest treatment rates. Hispanics also had
      lower treatment rates than Caucasians despite having higher rates of cirrhosis.
      Future studies should aim to identify underlying racial-related barriers to
      hepatitis C virus treatment besides socioeconomic status and medical or
      psychiatric comorbidities. 

PMID- 27258497
TI  - Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Among
      Bereaved Family Members of Cancer Patients in Korea: A Nation-Wide Cross
      Sectional Study.
AB  - Bereaved family members of cancer patient are at risk of having psychological
      problems such as anxiety and depression. However, prevalence and associated
      factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among this population have not been
      explored in Korea.We conducted a nation-wide cross-sectional questionnaire survey
      of 3522 bereaved family members of cancer patients who died at 44 hospice
      palliative care unit (HPCU) in Korea in 2012. The questionnaire comprised the
      Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Good Death Inventory (GDI).
      Deceased patient's age, sex, primary site of cancer, duration of stay at HPCU,
      awareness of terminal status, bereaved family member's age, sex, and relation to
      the deceased were collected from Korean Terminal Cancer Patients Information
      System.1121 returned questionnaires were analyzed (response rate, 31.8%). Using a
      cut-off value of 8 for HADS subscale, the prevalence of anxiety and depressive
      symptoms was 48.0% and 57.6%, respectively. Mean scores for HADS-A and HADS-D
      were 7.88 +/- 4.87 and 8.91 +/- 4.82, respectively. Among the bereaved, older
      age, being a spouse to the deceased, family members of younger patient, and
      negative score for a few GDI items were significantly associated with an
      increased risk of having anxiety or depressive symptoms in the multivariate
      logistic analysis.In conclusion, we noted the high prevalence of anxiety and
      depressive symptoms among the bereaved of cancer patients and identified
      associated factors for these psychological morbidities. Systematic efforts are
      needed to improve the mental health of the bereaved family members of cancer
      patients. 

PMID- 27258499
TI  - Overexpression of MutSalpha Complex Proteins Predicts Poor Prognosis in Oral
      Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system is responsible for the detection and
      correction of errors created during DNA replication, thereby avoiding the
      incorporation of mutations in dividing cells. The prognostic value of alterations
      in MMR system has not previously been analyzed in oral squamous cell carcinoma
      (OSCC).The study comprised 115 cases of OSCC diagnosed between 1996 and 2010. The
      specimens collected were constructed into tissue microarray blocks.
      Immunohistochemical staining for MutSalpha complex proteins hMSH2 and hMSH6 was
      performed. The slides were subsequently scanned into high-resolution images, and
      nuclear staining of hMSH2 and hMSH6 was analyzed using the Nuclear V9 algorithm.
      Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were
      performed to evaluate the prognostic value of hMSH2 and hMSH6 in OSCC.All cases
      in the present cohort were positive for hMSH2 and hMSH6 and a direct correlation
      was found between the expression of the proteins (P < 0.05). The mean number of
      positive cells for hMSH2 and hMSH6 was 64.44 +/- 15.21 and 31.46 +/- 22.38,
      respectively. These values were used as cutoff points to determine high protein
      expression. Cases with high expression of both proteins simultaneously were
      classified as having high MutSalpha complex expression. In the multivariable
      analysis, high expression of the MutSalpha complex was an independent prognostic
      factor for poor overall survival (hazard ratio: 2.75, P = 0.02).This study
      provides a first insight of the prognostic value of alterations in MMR system in
      OSCC. We found that MutSalpha complex may constitute a molecular marker for the
      poor prognosis of OSCC. 

PMID- 27258500
TI  - Declining Inconsistent Condom Use but Increasing HIV and Syphilis Prevalence
      Among Older Male Clients of Female Sex Workers: Analysis From Sentinel
      Surveillance Sites (2010-2015), Guangxi, China.
AB  - Clients of female sex workers (CFSWs) are a bridge population for the spread of
      HIV and syphilis to low or average risk heterosexuals. Most studies have examined
      the point prevalence of these infections in CFSWs. Limited evidence suggests that
      older age CFSWs are at a higher risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases
      compared with younger clients. Thus, we sought to describe long-term trends in
      HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C (HCV) to better understand how these infections
      differ by sex worker classification and client age. We also examined trends in
      HIV, syphilis, and HCV among categories of female sex workers (FSWs).We conducted
      serial cross-sectional studies from 2010 to 2015 in Guangxi autonomous region,
      China. We collected demographic and behavior variables. FSWs and their clients
      were tested for HIV, syphilis, and HCV antibodies. Positive HIV and syphilis
      serologies were confirmed by Western blot and rapid plasma regain, respectively.
      Clients were categorized as middle age (40-49 years) and older clients (>=50
      years). FSWs were categorized as high-tier, middle-tier, or low-tier based on the
      payment amount charged for sex and their work venue. Chi-square test for trends
      was used for testing changes in prevalence over time.By 2015, low-tier FSWs
      (LTFSWs) accounted for almost half of all FSWs; and they had the highest HIV
      prevalence at 1.4%. HIV prevalence declined significantly for FSWs (high-tier
      FSW, P = 0.003; middle-tier FSWs; P = 0.021; LTFSWs, P < 0.001). Syphilis
      infections significantly declined for FSWs (P < 0.001) but only to 7.3% for
      LTFSWs. HCV and intravenous drug use were uncommon in FSWs. HIV prevalence
      increased for older age clients (1.3%-2.0%, P = 0.159) while syphilis prevalence
      remained stable. HCV infections were halved among older clients in 3 years (1.7%
      0.8%, P < 0.001). Condom use during the last sexual encounter increased for FSWs
      and CFSWs. Few clients reported sex with men or intravenous drug use. Clients
      preferred LTFSWs, especially older clients (81.9%).Our results suggest that HIV
      and syphilis infections are increasing in older clients who prefer LTFSWs. HIV
      and syphilis are likely increasing in Guangxi Province through heterosexual
      transmission. 

PMID- 27258501
TI  - Key to Prevention of Bradycardia: Be Relax Postoperatively: A Case Report.
AB  - Hypotension and bradycardia are commonly observed after the spinal anesthesia and
      various mechanisms have been postulated for these hemodynamic changes.A middle
      aged otherwise healthy male Caucasian patient developed several episodes of
      bradycardia postoperatively after the umbilical hernia repair under subarachnoid
      block (SAB) while trying to lean forward and move his legs. Episodes were aborted
      when patient was advised to relax in supine position.The common mechanism of
      bradycardia and hypotension under SAB is postulated as sympathetic blockade,
      decrease venous return, and parasympathetic over-dominance leading to a decrease
      in right arterial pressure and pressure in the great veins as they enter the
      right atrium. But over time, the parasympathetic inhibition is usually withdrawn
      first, leading to the risk of severe bradycardia that is probably favored by the
      reverse Trendelenburg position as described in our case.Postoperative severe
      hemodynamic changes can occur even under stable spinal anesthesia; however, can
      be prevented by vigilant monitoring and simple maneuver which includes
      maintenance of relax posture on the bed. 

PMID- 27258502
TI  - A Case Report: Large Trichobezoar Causing Rapunzel Syndrome.
AB  - Rapunzel syndrome is very rare gastric foreign bodies that occur in children. It
      is a severe condition of a gastric trichobezoar with a long tail that passes into
      the small intestine. Here, we present the case of an 8-year-old girl with
      Rapunzel syndrome due to a very large (7 * 7 * 30 cm) gastric trichobezoar. The
      patient had trichotillomania and trichophagia for 1 year prior to presentation.
      Ideally, small bezoars are removed through a minimally invasive method, such as
      endoscopic fragmentation. However, large trichobezoars, including those in
      Rapunzel syndrome, can only be managed with open surgical extraction, despite the
      large scars that may result.We report a case of Rapunzel syndrome with a large
      bezoar that was surgically removed after it was endoscopically cauterized with
      argon plasma. Endoscopic precutting was used to effectively reduce the size of
      the bezoar. 

PMID- 27258503
TI  - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated
      Vasculitis Overlap Syndrome in Patients With Biopsy-Proven Glomerulonephritis.
AB  - The aim of the study was to report the clinical, biological, and pathological
      characteristics of patients with glomerulonephritis (GN) secondary to systemic
      lupus erythematosus (SLE)/antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated
      vasculitis (AAV) overlap syndrome.A nationwide survey was conducted to identify
      cases of SLE/AAV overlap syndrome. Data were collected from SLE and AAV French
      research groups. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of both SLE and AAV according
      to international classification criteria and biopsy-proven GN between 1995 and
      2014. Additional cases were identified through a systematic literature review. A
      cohort of consecutive biopsy-proven GN was used to study the prevalence of
      overlapping antibodies and/or overlap syndrome.The national survey identified 8
      cases of SLE/AAV overlap syndrome. All patients were female; median age was 40
      years. AAV occurred before SLE (n = 3), after (n = 3), or concomitantly (n = 2).
      Six patients had rapidly progressive GN and 3/8 had alveolar hemorrhage. All
      patients had antinuclear antibodies (ANA); 7/8 had p-ANCA antimyeloperoxidase
      (MPO) antibodies. Renal biopsies showed lupus nephritis (LN) or pauci-immune GN.
      Remission was obtained in 4/8 patients. A literature review identified 31
      additional cases with a similarly severe presentation. In the GN cohort, ANCA
      positivity was found in 30% of LN, ANA positivity in 52% of pauci-immune GN, with
      no correlation with pathological findings. The estimated prevalence for SLE/AAV
      overlap syndrome was 2/101 (2%).In patients with GN, SLE/AAV overlap syndrome may
      occur but with a low prevalence. Most patients have an aggressive renal
      presentation, with usually both ANA and anti-MPO antibodies. Further studies are
      needed to assess shared pathogenesis and therapeutic options. 

PMID- 27258504
TI  - Design and Rationale of the APELOT Trial: A Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter,
      Phase IV Study to Evaluate the Antiplatelet Effect of Different Loading Dose of
      Ticagrelor in Patients With Non-ST Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing
      Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.
AB  - Ticagrelor is a direct acting on the P2Y12 receptor blocker, which provides
      faster and greater platelet inhibition than clopidogrel. However, several studies
      suggested that in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), ticagrelor exhibits initial delay in
      the onset of antiplatelet action. Unlike ST-segment elevation myocardial
      infarction, in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS),
      management pathways are highly variable, and some patients may require surgery.
      Effect of higher loading dose (LD) of ticagrelor in patients with NSTE-ACS in
      providing faster and stronger inhibition of platelet aggregation is unknown and
      needs to be explored further.The AntiPlatelet Effect of different Loading dOse of
      Ticagrelor trial is an interventional, randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase
      IV trial designed to evaluate whether a high LD (360 mg) of ticagrelor compared
      with the conventional LD (180 mg) will result in a higher inhibition of platelet
      aggregation without increasing bleeding events in NSTE-ACS participants
      undergoing PCI.A total of 250 NSTE-ACS participants will be randomized to receive
      a ticagrelor LD (360 or 180 mg), followed by a maintenance dose of 90 mg twice a
      day (bid) starting 12 hours after the LD. The primary endpoint is platelet
      reactivity index measured by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein
      phosphorylation 2 hours after the LD, and the secondary endpoints include
      occurrence of periprocedural myocardial infarction and bleeding events.The
      AntiPlatelet Effect of different Loading dOse of Ticagrelor trial will provide
      important information on the risks and benefits of a high LD (360 mg) of
      ticagrelor in achieving a faster and stronger platelet inhibition compared with
      the conventional LD (180 mg) in NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI. 

PMID- 27258505
TI  - Urine Output During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Predicts Acute Kidney Injury After
      Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.
AB  - Urine output is closely associated with renal function and has been used as a
      diagnostic criterion for acute kidney injury (AKI). However, urine output during
      cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has never been identified as a predictor of
      postoperative AKI. Considering altered renal homeostasis during CPB, we made a
      comprehensible approach to CPB urine output and evaluated its predictability for
      AKI.Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery with the use of CPB, between
      January 2009 and December 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. AKI was defined as
      an increase in serum creatinine >=0.3 mg/dL in the first postoperative 48 hours.
      We extrapolated a possible optimal amount of urine output from the plot of
      probability of AKI development according to CPB urine output. After separating
      patients by the predicted optimal value, we performed stepwise logistic
      regression analyses to find potential predictors of AKI in both subgroups.A total
      of 696 patients were analyzed. The amount of CPB urine output had a biphasic
      association with the incidence of AKI using 4 mL/kg/h as a boundary value. In a
      multivariate logistic regression to find predictors for AKI in entire patients,
      CPB urine output did not show statistical significance. After separating patients
      into subgroups with CPB urine output below and over 4 mL/kg/h, it was identified
      as an independent predictor for AKI with the odds ratio of 0.43 (confidence
      interval 0.30-0.61) and 1.11 (confidence interval 1.02-1.20), respectively.The
      amount of urine output during CPB with careful analysis may serve as a simple and
      feasible method to predict the development of AKI after cardiac surgery at an
      early time point. 

PMID- 27258506
TI  - Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Complicating Traumatic Pancreatitis:
      A Pediatric Case Report.
AB  - We are reporting a case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
      developed in an unusual clinical scenario without the presence of the most
      described symptoms. PRES is a neurological and radiological syndrome described in
      many different clinical conditions. In children it has been mostly reported in
      association with hematological and renal disorders.Our patient was a 15 years old
      boy, admitted to our intensive care unit for pancreatitis after blunt abdominal
      trauma.During the stay in the intensive care unit, he underwent multiple
      abdominal surgical interventions for pancreatitis complications. He had a
      difficult management of analgesia and sedation, being often agitated with high
      arterial pressure, and he developed a bacterial peritonitis. After 29 days his
      neurological conditions abruptly worsened with neuroimaging findings consistent
      with PRES. His clinical conditions progressively improved after sedation and
      arterial pressure control.He was discharged at home with complete resolution of
      the neurological and imaging signs 2 months later.The pathophysiology of PRES is
      controversial and involves disordered autoregulation ascribable to hypertension
      and endothelial dysfunction. In this case both hypertension and endothelial
      activation, triggered by sepsis and pancreatitis, could represent the culprits of
      PRES onset. Even if there is no specific treatment for this condition, a
      diagnosis is mandatory to start antihypertensive and supportive treatment. We are
      therefore suggesting to consider PRES in the differential diagnosis of a
      neurological deterioration preceded by hypertension and/or septic state, even
      without other "typical" clinical features. 

PMID- 27258507
TI  - Clinic and Home Blood Pressure Lowering Effect of an Angiotensin Receptor
      Blocker, Fimasartan, in Postmenopausal Women with Hypertension.
AB  - Angiotensin receptor blockers may be an appropriate first-line agent for
      postmenopausal women with hypertension because the activation of renin
      angiotensin-aldosterone system is suggested as one possible mechanism of
      postmenopausal hypertension. However, there are few studies substantiating this
      effect. This study aimed to investigate clinic and home blood pressure (BP)
      lowering effect of fimasartan, a new angiotensin receptor blocker, in
      postmenopausal women with hypertension.Among patients with hypertension enrolled
      in K-Mets Study, 1373 women with fimasartan as a first antihypertensive drug and
      3-months follow-up data were selected. They were divided into 2 groups;
      premenopausal women (pre-MPW; n = 382, 45.3 +/- 4.6 years) and postmenopausal
      women (post-MPW; n = 991, 60.9 +/- 8.2 years).Baseline clinic systolic BP was not
      different (pre-MPW; 152.9 +/- 15.2 vs. post-MPW; 152.8 +/- 13.5 mm Hg), but
      diastolic BP was lower in post-MPW (pre-MPW; 95.7 +/- 9.4 vs. post-MPW; 91.9 +/-
      9.4 mm Hg, P <0.001). After 3-month treatment, clinic BP declined effectively
      without significant differences between 2 groups (Deltasystolic/diastolic BP: pre
      MPW; -25.7 +/- 17.7/-14.2 +/- 11.3 vs. post-MPW; -25.7 +/- 16.3/-13.1 +/- 10.9 mm
      Hg). Home morning and evening systolic BP decreased similarly in both groups
      (Deltamorning/evening systolic BP: pre-MPW; -21.3 +/- 17.9/-23.1 +/- 15.8 vs.
      post-MPW; -20.4 +/- 17.3/-20.2 +/- 19.2 mm Hg). Fimasartan also significantly
      decreased the standard deviations of home morning and evening systolic BP of pre
      MPW and post-MPW.Fimasartan was a similarly effective BP lowering agent in both
      post-MPW and pre-MPW with hypertension, and it also decreased day-to-day BP
      variability. 

PMID- 27258509
TI  - Distal Femoral Oblique Fracture in a Young Male Soldier: Case Report of an
      Unusual Presentation.
AB  - Here, we report a case of a distal femoral fracture in a 23-year-old male army
      cadet who presented to the Accident and Emergency department following a twisting
      injury while participating in a routine military marching exercise. A
      pathological fracture was considered but this suspicion was put to rest following
      thorough investigations, leaving only a diagnosis of a nontraumatic spontaneous
      femoral fracture.To our knowledge, there have been no reported cases of distal
      femoral fractures associated with nontraumatic military exercises, with the
      majority of injuries instead related to stress fractures. A vigilant literature
      search yielded no cases of similar injury nature, which is the primary reason we
      believe that those interested in orthopaedics or military doctors would find
      themselves drawn to this case.The patient presented with severe pain in his left
      thigh and on examination there was a deformity of his left thigh.In terms of
      investigations, a bone profile, plain film radiographs, C-reactive protein,
      erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and tumor markers were all preformed and proved
      unremarkable. The definitive treatment was by open reduction and internal
      fixation.Femoral fractures often require significant amounts of force,
      particularly in young, healthy individuals. Generally, these injuries in this
      demographic follow high-energy traumas, with the lion's share occurring following
      a road traffic accident or other high-speed impact. More often than not, the
      treatment is surgical. Given the extraordinary manner of this such, one must be
      attentive and exhaustive in their investigation of such presentations. 

PMID- 27258508
TI  - Identification of High-Risk Subgroups of Patients With Oral Cavity Cancer in Need
      of Postoperative Adjuvant Radiotherapy or Chemo-Radiotherapy.
AB  - Patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) undergoing surgery are
      recommended to receive adjuvant radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy if
      there are unfavorable prognostic factors. A positive resection margin (PRM) and
      extra-capsular extension (ECE) of lymph nodes are well-known major prognostic
      factors. However, there is no agreement on whether oral cavity cancer patients
      should receive postoperative chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) if they present with other
      risk factors or a combination of 2 or more risk factors. In this study, we
      investigated this issue and provide suggestions for adjuvant treatments.From
      January 2002 to December 2013, 567 OSCC patients who had undergone radical
      surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The 5-year loco-regional control (LRC),
      distant metastasis-free (DMF), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival
      (OS) were analyzed.In univariate analysis, pathological T classification,
      positive node, tumor depth, ECE, lymphatic or vascular or perineural invasion and
      histology grade are significant prognostic factors for LRC, DMF, DFS, or OS. By
      multivariate analysis, pathological T4 (pT4), positive node, positive surgical
      margin are prognostic factors for LRC. pT4, positive node and lymphatic invasion
      predicted for higher rate of distant metastasis. pT4, positive node, and poor
      differentiation tumor were prognostic factors for DFS. pT4, positive nodes, and
      ECE were prognostic factors for OS. These factors were used to define risk
      groups. We proposed PRM and ECE as major risk factors and pT4, positive nodes,
      close margin (<= 5 mm, > 1 mm), tumor depth >= 1 cm, lymphatic invasion, vascular
      invasion, perineural invasion, and poor differentiation as minor risk factors. By
      subgroups analysis, 192 patients with at least 2 minor prognostic factors and no
      other major risk factors, postoperative radiotherapy (RT), or CCRT yielded
      significantly better 5-year LRC, DFS, and OS compared to surgery only group. For
      179 patients with at least 3 minor prognostic factors and/or at least 1 major
      risk factor, patients receiving postoperative CCRT showed significantly better 5
      year LRC, DFS, and OS compared with post-OP RT or surgery alone.Patients with 2
      minor risk factors should receive postoperative RT. For patients with PRM, ECE,
      or >2 minor risk factors, postoperative CCRT is recommended. 

PMID- 27258510
TI  - Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Trajectories in HIV-Infected Subjects
      Treated With Different Ritonavir-Boosted Protease Inhibitors and Tenofovir
      Disoproxil Fumarate or Abacavir.
AB  - The aim of the study was to evaluate in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      infected patients estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) trajectories during
      treatment with different protease inhibitors (PIs) or a non-nucleoside reverse
      transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) plus tenofovir (TDF) or abacavir (ABC) and
      lamivudine or emtricitabine (xTC).Retrospective study of patients followed at a
      single clinical center; all patients who started TDF or ABC for the first time
      with a NNRTI or lopinavir/r (LPV/r) or atazanavir/r (ATV/r) or darunavir/r
      (DRV/r), for whom at least 1 eGFR value before the start and during the studied
      treatment was known, were included in this analysis. eGFR was calculated by means
      of the CKD-EPI formula. Univariate and multivariate mixed linear model (MLM) was
      applied to estimate eGFR slope with the considered antiretroviral treatment.In
      the 1658 patients treated with TDF/xTC (aged 43 [37-48] years, with an eGFR of
      105 [96; 113] mL/min/1.73 m, 80% males, 92% Caucasians, 10% coinfected with HCV,
      4% with diabetes, 11% with hypertension, 38% naive for antiretroviral therapy
      (ART), 37% with HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL) the median follow-up was 2.5 (1.2-4.6)
      years. Their adjusted eGFR slopes (95% CI) were -1.26 (-1.58; -0.95), -0.43 (
      1.20; +0.33), -0.86 (-1.28; -0.44), and -0.20 (-0.42; +0.02) mL/min/1.73 m per
      year in patients treated with ATV/r, DRV/r, LPV/r, and NNRTI, respectively.
      Patients receiving ATV/r or LPV/r had a greater adjusted decline in eGFR compared
      with those receiving NNRTIs (difference -1.06 [-1.44; -0.69] mL/min/1.73 m per
      year, P <0.001; and -0.66 [-1.13; -0.20] mL/min/1.73 m per year, P = 0.005,
      respectively); adjusted eGFR slopes were similar in patients receiving DRV/r and
      in those receiving NNRTIs. Patients receiving ATV/r had a greater adjusted eGFR
      decline than those treated with DRV/r (difference -0.83 [-1.65; -0.02]
      mL/min/1.73 m per year; P = 0.04), but not than those receiving LPV/r; no
      significant difference was observed in adjusted eGFR slopes between patients
      receiving DRV/r and those receiving LPV/r. In the 286 patients treated with ABC
      and lamivudine, eGFR slopes were similar, independent of the PI.In patients
      receiving TDF/xTC, eGFR trajectories were small for all regimens and declined
      less in patients receiving DRV/r or NNRTIs than in those treated with ATV/r or
      LPV/r. 

PMID- 27258511
TI  - Effects of Low Glycemic Index Diets on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta
      Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials.
AB  - Studies of the effects of low glycemic index (LGI) diets on gestational diabetes
      mellitus (GDM) have reported conflicting findings.The aim of the study was to
      evaluate the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the
      effects of LGI diets with and without added dietary fiber (DF) on maternal and
      neonatal outcomes in GDM patients.We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO,
      Springer, Ovid, and Cochrane Library databases for studies of the effects of LGI
      diets in GDM patients. We performed a meta-analysis of the effects of the LGI
      diets with and without added dietary fiber (DF) on GDM outcomes. Risk ratios (RR)
      and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random- and fixed
      effects models.Five RCTs involving 302 participants were included in our meta
      analysis. No statistically significant differences in the risks of cesarean
      section delivery, large for gestational age, and small for gestational age were
      observed. The risk of macrosomia in the LGI groups was significantly lower (RR =
      0.27; 95% CI: 0.10-0.71; P = 0.008) than that in the control groups. Our subgroup
      analysis of the effects of DF showed that LGI diets with an increased level of
      DF, relative to the control diet, reduced the risk of macrosomia beyond that of
      the LGI diets alone (RR: 0.17 vs 0.47, respectively). The subgroup analysis also
      showed that LGI diets in which the level of DF was approximately equivalent to
      that in the control diets significantly reduced the risk of insulin usage (RR =
      0.69; 95% CI: 0.52-0.92; P = 0.01).The LGI diets reduced the risk of macrosomia
      in GDM patients, and LGI diets with added DF reduced the risk of macrosomia
      further. The LGI diets with levels of DF approximately equivalent to that in the
      control diets reduced the risk of insulin usage in GDM patients. 

PMID- 27258512
TI  - Surgical Treatment of Crohn Colitis Involving More Than 2 Colonic Segments: Long
      Term Outcomes From a Single Institution.
AB  - The incidence of primary Crohn colitis is uncommon and surgical treatment has
      remained controversial, although most patients with Crohn colitis eventually
      require surgical intervention. This study aims to compare the operative outcomes
      of patients who underwent segmental versus either total colectomy or total
      proctocolectomy for Crohn colitis and to assess potential risk factors associated
      with clinical and surgical recurrence-free survivals.This is a retrospective
      study of 116 patients who underwent primary surgery for Crohn colitis between
      August 1997 and July 2011. Patients were classified based on the type of surgery:
      segmental colectomy (SC group; n = 71) or either total colectomy or total
      proctocolectomy (TC group; n = 45).There were no significant differences in
      postoperative complications or the nutritional state between the SC and TC
      groups. Patients in TC group had a significantly higher clinical recurrence-free
      survival (CRFS). Among the 54 patients with multisegmental Crohn colitis, the TC
      group had a significantly increased CRFS and surgical recurrence-free survival
      (SRFS), compared with patients in the SC group (5-year CRFS: 82.0% +/- 5.8% vs
      22.2% +/- 13.9%, P = 0.001; 5-year SRFS: 88.1% +/- 5.0% vs 44.4% +/- 16.6%, P =
      0.001). By multivariate analysis of patients with multisegments involved, SC was
      a risk factor for SRFS and CRFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.637, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] = 1.387-15.509, P = 0.013 and HR = 32.407, 95% CI = 2.873-365.583,
      P = 0.005).TC patients have significantly increased CRFS and TC in patients with
      multisegment involvement may affect improved SRFS and CRFS. Among patients with
      multisegmental Crohn colitis, SC is an independent risk factor for CRFS and SRFS.

PMID- 27258513
TI  - Clinical Features and Outcomes of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Caused by
      Streptococcus pneumoniae: A Matched Case-Control Study.
AB  - Streptococcus pneumoniae is a well-known cause of spontaneous bacterial
      peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients. However, little information is available
      regarding clinical characteristics and outcomes of SBP caused by S. pneumoniae.
      It has been suggested that spontaneous pneumococcal peritonitis (SPP) often
      spreads hematogenously from concomitant pneumococcal pneumonia, and is associated
      with a higher rate of mortality.During the period between January 1997 and
      December 2013, 50 SPP cases were identified. These cases were then age/sex
      matched with 100 patients with SBP due to causes other than S. pneumoniae
      (controls).SPP accounted for 4.3% (50/1172) of all culture-proven SBPs. The
      baseline Child-Pugh class, etiology of cirrhosis, and model for end-stage liver
      disease scores were comparable for the 2 groups. SPP patients were more likely
      than control patients to have a community-acquired infection (90.0% vs. 76.0%; P
      = 0.04), concurrent bacteremia (84.0% vs. 59.0%; P = 0.002), and to present with
      variceal bleeding (10.0% vs. 1.0%; P = 0.02). None of the study patients had
      pneumococcal pneumonia. The most common initial empirical therapy for both groups
      was third-generation cephalosporins (96.0% vs. 91.0%; P = 0.34) which was active
      against a significantly higher proportion of the cases than of the controls
      (97.8% vs. 78.7%; P = 0.003). Thirty-day mortality was significantly lower in the
      case group than in the control group (10.0% vs. 24.0%; P = 0.04).SPP was not
      associated with pneumococcal pneumonia and showed lower mortality than SBP caused
      by other organisms. However, the present study was constrained by the natural
      limitations characteristic of a small, retrospective study. Therefore, large
      scale, well-controlled studies are required to demonstrate the influence of SPP
      on mortality, which was marginal in the present study. 

PMID- 27258514
TI  - The Association Between Peptic Ulcer Disease and Ischemic Stroke: A Population
      Based Longitudinal Study.
AB  - Stroke is a common cause of death worldwide, but about 30% of ischemic stroke
      (IS) patients have no identifiable contributing risk factors. Because peptic
      ulcer disease (PUD) and vascular events share some common risk factors, we
      conducted a population-based study to evaluate the association between PUD and
      IS.We followed up a representative sample of 1 million residents of Taiwan using
      the National Health Insurance Research Database from 1997 to 2011. We defined
      patients who received medications for PUD and had related diagnosis codes as the
      PUD group, and a reference group matched by age and sex was sampled from those
      who did not have PUD. We also collected data on medical history and monthly
      income. The events of IS occurred after enrollment were compared between the 2
      groups. The data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models at the 2
      tailed significant level of 0.05.The PUD group had higher income and prevalence
      of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), heart disease, and hyperlipidemia. They
      also had a higher risk of developing IS with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.31
      (95% confidence interval: 1.20-1.41). Other independent risk factors included
      male sex, older age, lower income, and co-morbidity of hypertension, diabetes
      mellitus (DM), and heart disease.PUD is a risk factor for IS, independent of
      conventional risk factors such as male sex, older age, lower income, and co
      morbidity of hypertension, DM, and heart disease. Prevention strategies taking
      into account PUD should be developed and evaluated. 

PMID- 27258516
TI  - Modified Thoracoscopic Hepatectomy For Segment VIII: A Case Report.
AB  - Although previous studies have reported the use of total thoracoscopic
      hepatectomy (TH) for malignant liver tumors, it is technically impossible to
      perform intraoperative ultrasonography (IUSO) to exclude intrahepatic metastasis
      for the whole liver via a thoracic approach. Therefore, total TH may be
      inappropriate for these patients. We here report the first case of modified TH
      for a malignant liver tumor in China.The patient was a 26-year-old man with a 10
      year HBV infection. Preoperative CT showed a 1.2 cm * 0.9 cm mass located in
      segment VIII. His alpha-fetal protein level was 444 ng/mL. Child-Pugh was Grade
      (A, 6), whereas an ICG-15 test yielded 2.7%. HCC was diagnosed preoperatively.
      The indications for TH were difficult tumor location, HCC, and a young patient
      with good resilience.The modified TH included 2 steps: (1) the patient was placed
      in a supine position. IUSO was used to locate the tumor in segment VIII and
      determine that intrahepatic metastasis had not occurred. The hepatoduodenal
      ligament was hanged over using a Pringle maneuver; (2) patient was then placed in
      the left-lateral position with single-lung ventilation. Three trocars were placed
      into the right thoracic cavity. The intra-thoracic space was observed using a
      regular 10-mm rigid scope. The diaphragm was transected and retracted. IUSO was
      used again to confirm the tumor location. Under the Pringle maneuver (once every
      10 min), the superficial portion of the liver was transected by ultrasonic
      shears, whereas the deeper tissue was transected by LigaSure. Bipolar was used
      for hemostasis. The specimen was put into a retrieval bag and removed from the
      abdominal trocar. The diaphragm was repaired by running suturing. The operation
      time was 260 minutes and estimated blood loss was 30 mL. The patient was
      discharged on postoperative day 5 with normal liver function. No complications
      arose.Total TH may be inappropriate for malignant liver tumors due to the
      limitation of IUSO for the whole liver. The 2-step modified TH is technically
      feasible and suitable for malignant liver tumors located in segments VII or
      VIII.Video abstract: http://links.lww.com/MD/B6. 

PMID- 27258517
TI  - Hepatitis B Virus Infection Is a Risk Factor for Periprosthetic Joint Infection
      Among Males After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Taiwanese Nationwide Population
      Based Study.
AB  - Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a grave complication that can affect
      patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In this study, we aim to
      determine whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a risk factor for PJIs.All
      patients (1184 males, 3435 females) undergoing primary TKA in Taiwan from 2001 to
      2010 were recruited for analysis.The incidence of PJI was 523 among the males
      with HBV infection and 110 among the males without HBV (per 10,000 person-years,
      P < 0.001). The males with HBV infection had a 4.32-fold risk of PJI compared
      with the males without HBV. HBV infection and diabetes were the risk factors for
      PJI among males. The incidence of PJI was 58.8 among the females with HBV
      infection and 75.2 among the females without HBV (per 10,000 person-years, P =
      0.67). The risk of PJI was higher for the males with HBV infection than for the
      males without 0.5 to 1 year after TKA (hazard ratio [HR] = 18.7, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) = 1.90-184) and >1 year after TKA (HR = 4.80, 95% CI = 1.57
      14.7).HBV infection is a risk factor for PJI after TKA among males. 

PMID- 27258515
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of Endoscopic Therapy for Nonmalignant Duodenal Duplication
      Cysts: Case Report and Comprehensive Review of 28 Cases Reported in the
      Literature.
AB  - Analyze efficacy, safety of endoscopic therapy for duodenal duplication cysts
      (DDC) by comprehensively reviewing case reports.Tandem, independent, systematic,
      computerized, literature searches were performed via PubMed using medical subject
      headings or Keywords "cyst" and "duodenal" and "duplication"; or "cyst", and
      "endoscopy" or "endoscopic", and "therapy" or "decompression"; with
      reconciliation of generated references by two experts. Case report followed CARE
      guidelines.Literature review revealed 28 cases (mean = 1.3 +/- 1.2 cases/report).
      Endoscopic therapy is increasingly reported recently (1984-1999: 3 cases, 2000
      2015: 25 cases, P = 0.003, OR = 8.33, 95%-CI: 1.77-44.5). Fourteen (54%) of 26
      patients were men (unknown-sex = 2). Mean age = 32.2 +/- 18.3 years old.
      Procedure indications: acute pancreatitis-16, abdominal pain-8, jaundice-2,
      gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction-1, asymptomatic cyst-1. Mean maximal DDC
      dimension = 3.20 +/- 1.53 cm (range, 1-6.5 cm). Endoscopic techniques included
      cyst puncture via needle knife papillotomy (NKP)/papillotome-18, snare resection
      of cyst-7, cystotome-2, and cyst needle aspiration/ligation-1. Endoscopic therapy
      was successful in all cases. Among 24 initially symptomatic patients, all
      remained asymptomatic post-therapy without relapses (mean follow-up = 36.5 +/-
      48.6 months, 3 others reported asymptomatic at follow-up of unknown duration; 1
      initially asymptomatic patient remained asymptomatic 3 years post-therapy). Two
      complications occurred: mild intraprocedural duodenal bleeding related to NKP and
      treated locally endoscopically.A patient is reported who presented with vomiting,
      15-kg-weight-loss, and profound dehydration for 1 month from extrinsic
      compression of duodenum by 14 * 6 cm DDC, underwent successful endosonographic
      cyst decompression with large fenestration of cyst and endoscopic aspiration of 1
      L of fluid from cyst with rapid relief of symptoms. At endoscopy the DDC was
      intubated and visualized and random endoscopic mucosal biopsies were obtained to
      help exclude malignant or dysplastic DDC.Study limitations include retrospective
      literature review, potential reporting bias, limited patient number, variable
      follow-up.In conclusion, endoscopic therapy for DDC was efficacious in all 29
      reported patients including current case, including patients presenting acutely
      with acute pancreatitis, or GI obstruction. Complications were rare and minor,
      suggesting that endoscopic therapy may be a useful alternative to surgery for
      nonmalignant DDC when performed by expert endoscopists. 

PMID- 27258518
TI  - A Case Report of Local Recurrence Developing 24 Years After Mastectomy for Breast
      Cancer Recurrence From Breast Cancer After 24 Years.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is a commonly diagnosed cancer, in which most
      patients' metastases (about 75%) occurred in 5 years after the initial diagnosis,
      especially in 3 years. Recrudescence exceeding 20 years is rarely reported in the
      past several decades.Case information: A 68-year-old female patient presented
      with breast cancer in which 3 focal increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in
      the right supraclavicular lymph node, the mediastinum and sternum were found on
      positron emission tomography and computed tomography. Then we learned that the
      patient had suffered from breast cancer and been given a right-sided mastectomy
      24 years ago. Histopathology from the mediastinum revealed metastatic, moderately
      differentiated breast adenomatous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: We report this late
      recurrence of breast cancer 24 years following mastectomy, suggesting that
      possible recurrence of this disease with a 24-year latency period should be taken
      into consideration.

PMID- 27258519
TI  - Higher Daily Physical Activities Continue to Preserve Muscle Strength After Mid
      Life, But Not Muscle Mass After Age of 75.
AB  - The objective of this study is to explore the impact of aging and daily physical
      activities (PA) on muscle mass and muscle strength among community-dwelling
      people in Taiwan.The design is a cross-sectional study. Setting is a population
      based community study.One thousand eight hundred thirty-nine community-dwelling
      people aged 50 years and older in Taiwan participated in the study.Measurements
      include demographic characteristics, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) for
      multimorbidity, mini-nutritional assessment (MNA) for nutritional evaluation,
      functional autonomy measurement system (SMAF) for functional capacity, Chinese
      version mini mental state examination (MMSE), 5-item Taiwan Geriatric Depression
      Scale (TGDS-5), Chinese version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire
      (IPAQ), height-adjusted skeletal muscle index (SMI) by dual-energy X-ray
      absorptiometry, handgrip strength, timed 6-m walking test for usual gait speed.
      Laboratory measurements include testosterone, sex-hormone binding globulin
      (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), insulin-like growth factor-1
      (IGF-1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), 25-OH vitamin D, and
      insulin resistance.After adjusted for age, the lowest PA tertile was associated
      with multimorbidity, poorer functional capacity and nutritional status, more
      depressive symptoms, lower SMI and lower handgrip strength, and lower free
      androgen index (FAI) in men. The negative association between PA and low SMI was
      more significant among subjects aged younger than 65 and the association
      decreased with older age. For subjects aged younger than 65, moderate daily PA
      (Q2) group had lower risk of low SMI compared with Q1 participants (OR: 0.62, 95%
      CI = 0.39-0.98, P = 0.040). For muscle strength, higher daily PA was associated
      with lower risk of low handgrip strength after age of 65 and the effect was dose
      dependent. The effect was attenuated by potential confounders during age 65 to
      74, while after age 75, the result was almost unchanged in fully adjusted model
      (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18-0.79, P = 0.010).Older age may attenuate the protective
      effects of higher daily PA on preventing muscle loss, but higher daily PA
      continues to preserve muscle strength at different age groups, even after the age
      of 75. The prognostic role of daily PA may be mediated by muscle strength instead
      of muscle mass among people aged 75 years and older. 

PMID- 27258520
TI  - Does Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Combined With Conventional Imaging
      Modalities Decrease the Rates of Surgical Margin Involvement and Reoperation?: A
      Case-Control Comparative Analysis.
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess whether preoperative breast magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) combined with conventional breast imaging techniques
      decreases the rates of margin involvement and reexcision.Data on patients who
      underwent surgery for primary operable breast cancer were obtained from the
      Changhua Christian Hospital (CCH) breast cancer database. The rate of surgical
      margin involvement and the rate of reoperation were compared between patients who
      underwent conventional breast imaging modalities (Group A: mammography and
      sonography) and those who received breast MRI in addition to conventional imaging
      (Group B: mammography, sonography, and MRI).A total of 1468 patients were
      enrolled in this study. Among the 733 patients in Group A, 377 (51.4%) received
      breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and 356 (48.6%) received mastectomy. Among the
      735 patients in Group B, 348 (47.3%) received BCS and 387 (52.7%) received
      mastectomy. There were no significant differences in operative method between
      patients who received conventional imaging alone and those that received MRI and
      conventional imaging (P = 0.13). The rate of detection of pathological
      multifocal/multicentric breast cancer was markedly higher in patients who
      received preoperative MRI than in those who underwent conventional imaging alone
      (14.3% vs 8.6%, P < 0.01). The overall rate of surgical margin involvement was
      significantly lower in patients who received MRI (5.0%) than in those who
      received conventional imaging alone (9.0%) (P < 0.01). However, a significant
      reduction in rate of surgical margin positivity was only observed in patients who
      received BCS (Group A, 14.6%; Group B, 6.6%, P < 0.01). The overall BCS
      reoperation rates were 11.7% in the conventional imaging group and 3.2% in the
      combined MRI group (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in rate of
      residual cancer in specimens obtained during reoperation between the 2
      preoperative imaging groups (Group A, 50%; Group B, 81.8%, P = 0.09). In
      multivariate analysis, multifocal/multicentric breast cancer (odds ratio = 2.38,
      P = 0.02) and without MRI use (odds ratio = 2.35, P < 0.01) were the major
      predisposing factors to margin involvement in patients received BCS.Preoperative
      breast MRI combined with conventional breast imaging results in a lower rate of
      surgical margin involvement and reoperations in patients who receive BCS. 

PMID- 27258521
TI  - Comprehensive Circular RNA Profiling Reveals That hsa_circ_0005075, a New
      Circular RNA Biomarker, Is Involved in Hepatocellular Crcinoma Development.
AB  - There is increasing evidence that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in cancer
      development; however, their role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains
      unclear. Here, we aimed to determine the circRNA expression profile in HCC, and
      investigate relevant mechanisms for cancer progression. The global circRNA
      expression profile between HCC (n = 3) and adjacent normal liver (n = 3) tissue
      was significantly different. Three circRNAs (hsa_circ_0000520, hsa_circ_0005075,
      and hsa_circ_0066444) showed significantly different expression levels in HCC
      tissues, which were further validated in 60 matched tissue samples using real
      time qRT-PCR. Only hsa_circ_0005075 exhibited significant difference in
      expression (P <0.001) between HCC and normal tissues. Hsa_circ_0005075 expression
      correlated with HCC tumor size (P = 0.042), and showed good diagnostic potential
      (AUROC = 0.94). Finally, we constructed a network of hsa_circ_0005075-targeted
      miRNA-gene interactions, including miR-23b-5p, miR-93-3p, miR-581, miR-23a-5p,
      and their corresponding mRNAs. Gene oncology analysis revealed that
      hsa_circ_0005075 could participate in cell adhesion during HCC development. In
      summary, we identified hsa_circ_0005075 as a potential HCC biomarker; however,
      further studies are required to confirm the role of this circRNA, and others, in
      HCC development. 

PMID- 27258522
TI  - Minimally Invasive Colorectal Cancer Surgery in Europe: Implementation and
      Outcomes.
AB  - Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) of colorectal cancer (CRC) was first introduced
      over 20 years ago and recently has gained increasing acceptance and usage beyond
      clinical trials. However, data on dissemination of the method across countries
      and on long-term outcomes are still sparse.In the context of a European
      collaborative study, a total of 112,023 CRC cases from 3 population-based (N =
      109,695) and 4 institute-based clinical cancer registries (N = 2328) were studied
      and compared on the utilization of MIS versus open surgery. Cox regression models
      were applied to study associations between surgery type and survival of patients
      from the population-based registries. The study considered adjustment for
      potential confounders.The percentage of CRC patients undergoing MIS differed
      substantially between centers and generally increased over time. MIS was
      significantly less often used in stage II to IV colon cancer compared with stage
      I in most centers. MIS tended to be less often used in older (70+) than in
      younger colon cancer patients. MIS tended to be more often used in women than in
      men with rectal cancer. MIS was associated with significantly reduced mortality
      among colon cancer patients in the Netherlands (hazard ratio [HR] 0.66, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] (0.63-0.69), Sweden (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.60-0.76), and
      Norway (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.67-0.79). Likewise, MIS was associated with reduced
      mortality of rectal cancer patients in the Netherlands (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.68
      0.80) and Sweden (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.66-0.90).Utilization of MIS in CRC resection
      is increasing, but large variation between European countries and clinical
      centers prevails. Our results support association of MIS with substantially
      enhanced survival among colon cancer patients. Further studies controlling for
      selection bias and residual confounding are needed to establish role of MIS in
      survival of patients. 

PMID- 27258523
TI  - Risk of Tuberculosis Among Patients on Dialysis: The Predictive Value of Serial
      Interferon-Gamma Release Assay.
AB  - Patients on long-term dialysis are at high risk for tuberculosis (TB). Although
      latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is good target for TB eradication,
      interferon-gamma release assay-defined LTBI has a high proportion of negative
      conversion and lacks active TB correlation among patients on dialysis.Patients on
      long-term dialysis were screened in multiple centers in Taiwan. QuantiFERON-TB
      Gold In-tube (QFT-GIT) was used to define LTBI and was performed thrice at 6
      month intervals. The primary outcome was active TB diagnosed after LTBI
      screening. The incidence and predictive value of QFT-GIT were analyzed.The 940
      dialysis patients enrolled had an average age of 59.3 years. The initial QFT-GIT
      results were positive in 193, including 49.6% with persistent positive results on
      second check. In an average follow-up period of 3 years, 7 patients had TB. Three
      (319.1 per 100,000 person-yrs) and 4 (141.8 per 100,000 person-yrs) of them were
      prevalent and incident TB cases, respectively. Persistent positive QFT-GIT for 2
      and 3 times correlated with increased hazard ratio for TB (14.44 and 20.29,
      respectively) compared with a single positive result (hazard ratio 10.38). Among
      those with 3 positive QFT-GIT results, TB development rate was 4.5% and incidence
      rate was 1352.3 per 100,000 person-years. In contrast, none of the incident TB
      occurred in those with initial positive and then negative conversion of QFT
      GIT.In an area of intermediate TB incidence, dialysis patients have high TB risk.
      LTBI status is a good predictor of TB development, especially for those with more
      than 1 positive result. After excluding prevalent TB cases, serial follow-up of
      LTBI may narrow the target population to reduce treatment costs. 

PMID- 27258524
TI  - Effects of Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Pain in Highly
      Nicotine-Dependent Patients After Thoracic Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized,
      Controlled Trial.
AB  - To investigate the effects of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on pain in highly
      nicotine-dependent patients after thoracic surgery.Highly nicotine-dependent men
      underwent thoracic surgery and received postoperative patient-controlled
      intravenous analgesia with sufentanil. In dexmedetomidine group (experimental
      group, n = 46), dexmedetomidine was given at a loading dose of 1 MUg/kg for 10
      minutes, followed by continuous infusion at 0.5 MUg/kg/h until 30 minutes before
      the end of surgery. The saline group (control group, n = 48) received the same
      volume of saline. General anesthesia was administered via a combination of
      inhalation and intravenous anesthetics. If necessary, patients were administered
      a loading dose of sufentanil by an anesthesiologist immediately after surgery (0
      hours). Patient-controlled analgesia was started when the patient's resting
      numerical rating scale (NRS) score was less than 4. Resting and coughing NRS
      scores and sufentanil dosage were recorded 0, 1, 4 hours, and every 4 hours until
      48 hours after surgery. Dosages of other rescue analgesics were converted to the
      sufentanil dosage. Surgical data, adverse effects, and degree of satisfaction
      were obtained.Cumulative sufentanil dosage, resting NRS, and coughing NRS in the
      first 24 hours after surgery and heart rate were lower in the experimental
      compared with the control group (P <0.05). No patient experienced sedation or
      respiratory depression. Frequency of nausea and vomiting and degree of
      satisfaction were similar in both groups.Intraoperative dexmedetomidine was
      associated with reduced resting and coughing NRS scores and a sufentanil-sparing
      effect during the first 24 hours after thoracic surgery. 

PMID- 27258525
TI  - Depression and Insomnia in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Taking
      Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists.
AB  - Psoriasis patients with moderate to severe disease often present with depression
      and insomnia. Treatment targeting both psoriasis and psychological comorbidities
      is needed to improve the quality of life of these patients.In this nationwide
      cohort study, a total of 980 patients with psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis who
      had received nonbiological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologics
      therapy between 2009 and 2012 were identified. The prevalence rates of patients
      taking medications for depression and insomnia were compared before and after
      biologics therapy. Logistic regression method was used to investigate the risk
      factors for depression and insomnia. Further stratified analyses were performed
      to examine the prevalence of use of medications for depression and insomnia among
      different patient subgroups.The prevalence of patients taking regular
      antidepressants before starting biologics therapy was about 20%. There was a more
      than 40% reduction in this prevalence after biologics therapy for 2 years. Age
      higher than 45 years, female sex, presence of comorbidities, and psoriatic
      arthritis were independently associated with depression and insomnia. Further
      stratified analyses revealed a more rapid and significant reduction in
      depression/insomnia in those undergoing continuous biologics therapy, younger
      than 45 years, without psoriatic arthritis and not taking concomitant
      methotrexate, when compared with their counterparts.The results suggest that
      biologics therapy may be associated with reduced rates of depression and
      insomnia, and a reduced rate of regular antidepressants use in psoriasis
      patients. 

PMID- 27258526
TI  - Pregnancy in Budd-Chiari Syndrome: Case Report and Proposed Risk Score.
AB  - Due to its rarity, experience with pregnancy in Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is
      limited. With the advent of new treatment modalities, transjugular intrahepatic
      portosystemic shunt in particular, numbers of affected women seeking pregnancy
      with BCS are expected to rise. Here, we use a case that ended lethal within 2
      years after delivery to discuss the effect of pregnancy on BCS and vice versa,
      and to highlight the necessity of a multidisciplinary teamwork. Additionally, a
      risk classification is proposed which may serve as a framework for preconception
      counseling and assist in the establishment and evaluation of treatment
      algorithms; its criteria need to be defined and assessed for their applicability
      in further studies. 

PMID- 27258528
TI  - Risk Factors of Submucosal or Lymphovascular Invasion in Early Gastric Cancer <2
      cm.
AB  - Although prediction of submucosal (SM) or lymphovascular (LV) invasion is
      important before endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer (EGC), it can only
      be confirmed following endoscopic resection. After endoscopic resection, patients
      with SM or LV invasion may require additional surgery due to high risk of lymph
      node metastasis.We conducted a retrospective study to identify risk factors for
      SM or LV invasion before endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of EGC. Between
      January 2009 and May 2014, we reviewed the data of patients with EGC who met the
      absolute indications for ESD before procedure: well and/or moderately
      differentiated adenocarcinomas, tumors <= 2 cm in length and absence of ulcer or
      ulcer-scar.During study period, a total of 308 lesions in 297 patients were
      included. SM or LV invasion was detected in 34 lesions (34/308, 11.0%).
      Multivariate analysis revealed that a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma
      (odds ratio [OR] 4.157, P = 0.000) and location of the stomach (the upper and
      middle third; OR 3.100, P = 0.008) were significant risk factors for SM or LV
      invasion.Careful consideration of endoscopic treatment decision might be
      necessary for the patients with a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and
      EGC located on the upper and middle third of the stomach. 

PMID- 27258527
TI  - Assessment of Lung Recruitment by Electrical Impedance Tomography and Oxygenation
      in ARDS Patients.
AB  - We hypothesized that not all patients with appreciably recruited lung tissue
      during a recruitment maneuver (RM) show significant improvement of oxygenation.
      In the present study, we combined electrical impedance tomography (EIT) with
      oxygenation measurements to examine the discrepancies of lung ventilation and
      perfusion versus oxygenation after RM.A 2-minute RM (20 cm H2O positive end
      expiratory pressure [PEEP] + 20 cm H2O pressure control) was prospectively
      conducted in 20 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients from January 2014 to
      December 2014. A decremental PEEP trial was performed to select the PEEP level
      after RM. A positive response to RM was identified as PaO2 + PaCO2 >=400 mm Hg.
      Relative differences in the distribution of ventilation and perfusion in the most
      dependent region of interest (ROI4) were monitored with EIT and denoted as the
      ventilation-perfusion index.Ten patients were found to be responders and 10
      patients to be nonresponders. No significant difference in baseline PaO2/FiO2 was
      observed between nonresponders and responders. A significantly higher PaO2/FiO2
      ratio during RM and higher PEEP set after PEEP titration were recorded in
      responders. In both responders and nonresponders, the proportion of ventilation
      distributed in ROI4 compared with the global value was lower than the cardiac
      related activity before RM, but this situation was reversed after RM (P < 0.01 in
      each group). Six out of 10 nonresponders exhibited a remarkable increase in
      ventilation in ROI4. A significant difference in the relative ventilation
      perfusion index was found between the patients with remarkable and insufficient
      lung tissue reopening in the nonresponder group (P < 0.01).A discrepancy between
      lung tissue reopening and oxygenation improvement after RM was observed. EIT has
      the potential to evaluate the efficacy of RM by combining oxygenation
      measurements. 

PMID- 27258529
TI  - Outcomes of 50 Patients With Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors Treated at a Single
      Institution in Taiwan.
AB  - To identify the prognostic factors and long-term outcome of the Ewing sarcoma
      family of tumors (ESFT), data on 50 patients with ESFT treated at Taipei Veterans
      General Hospital between February 1991 and March 2014 were retrospectively
      considered. The influence of patient demographics, tumor features, and clinical
      and therapeutic parameters on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival
      (PFS) rates were assessed. The results revealed that 21 of the 50 patients (42%)
      were metastatic at diagnosis. The median follow-up time was 1.8 years. The 5-year
      OS and PFS for patients who were nonmetastatic were 61.6% and 55.5%,
      respectively, and 18.8% and 15.4% for patients who were metastatic, respectively.
      The key adverse prognostic factor was metastasis at diagnosis. Radiotherapy for
      local control was associated with improved PFS. The high rate of primary
      metastasis and poorer outcomes of nonmetastatic ESFT compared with results from
      Western studies, along with previously reported low rates of ESFT in Taiwanese
      people, suggest that genetic factors play a role in the pathogenesis of ESFT and
      chemotherapy pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Radiotherapy in local
      treatment should be considered more aggressively in Taiwanese patients with ESFT.

PMID- 27258531
TI  - A Shape-Persistent Cryptand for Capturing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
AB  - A shape-persistent cryptand 1, containing two face-to-face oriented electron
      deficient 2,4,6-triphenyl-1,3,5-triazine units separated by approximately 7 A,
      and bridged by two rigid 1,8-naphthyridine linkers and a pentaethylene oxide
      loop, is created for capturing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Cryptand 1
      formed 1:1 complexes with PAH guest molecules, such as phenanthrene (6),
      anthracene (7), pyrene (8), triphenylene (9), and tetraphene (10). The single
      crystal structure of complex 6?1 revealed that 6 was included in the cavity of 1
      via face-to-face pi...pi stacking interactions. Soaking crystalline 1 in a
      toluene solution of anthracene resulted in anthracene from the toluene solution
      being picked up by the crystalline solid of 1.

PMID- 27258530
TI  - Adaptation and Latent Structure of the Swahili Version of Beck Depression
      Inventory-II in a Low Literacy Population in the Context of HIV.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We set out to adapt the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II in Kenya
      and examine its factorial structure. METHODS: In the first phase we carried out
      in-depth interviews involving 29 adult members of the community to elicit their
      understanding of depression and identify aspects of the BDI-II that required
      adaptation. In the second phase, a modified version of BDI-II was administered to
      221 adults randomly selected from the community to allow for the evaluation of
      its psychometric properties. In the third phase of the study we evaluated the
      discriminative validity of BDI-11 by comparing a randomly chosen community sample
      (n = 29) with caregivers of adolescents affected by HIV (n = 77). RESULTS: A
      considerable overlap between the BDI symptoms and those generated in the
      interviews was observed. Relevant idioms and symptoms such as 'thinking too much'
      and 'Kuchoka moyo (having a tired heart)' were identified. The administration of
      the BDI had to be modified to make it suitable for the low literacy levels of our
      participants. Fit indices for several models (one factorial, two-factor model and
      a three factor model) were all within acceptable range. Evidence indicated that
      while multidimensional models could be fitted, the strong correlations between
      the factors implied that a single factor model may be the best suited solution
      (alpha [0.89], and a significant correlation with locally identified items [r =
      0.51]) confirmed the good psychometric properties of the adapted BDI-II. No
      evidence was found to support the hypothesis that somatization was more
      prevalent. Lastly, caregivers of HIV affected adolescents had significantly
      higher scores compared to adults randomly selected from the community F(1, 121) =
      23.31, p < .001 indicating the discriminative validity of the adapted BDI = II.
      CONCLUSIONS: With an adapted administration procedure, the BDI-II provides an
      adequate measure of depressive symptoms which can be used alongside other
      measures for proper diagnosis in a low literacy population.

PMID- 27258532
TI  - Bacterial Community Diversity Harboured by Interacting Species.
AB  - All animals are infected by microbial partners that can be passengers or
      residents and influence many biological traits of their hosts. Even if important
      factors that structure the composition and abundance of microbial communities
      within and among host individuals have been recently described, such as diet,
      developmental stage or phylogeny, few studies have conducted cross-taxonomic
      comparisons, especially on host species related by trophic relationships. Here,
      we describe and compare the microbial communities associated with the cabbage
      root fly Delia radicum and its three major parasitoids: the two staphylinid
      beetles Aleochara bilineata and A. bipustulata and the hymenopteran parasitoid
      Trybliographa rapae. For each species, two populations from Western France were
      sampled and microbial communities were described through culture independent
      methods (454 pyrosequencing). Each sample harbored at least 59 to 261 different
      bacterial phylotypes but was strongly dominated by one or two. Microbial
      communities differed markedly in terms of composition and abundance, being mainly
      influenced by phylogenetic proximity but also geography to a minor extent.
      Surprisingly, despite their strong trophic interaction, parasitoids shared a very
      low proportion of microbial partners with their insect host. Three vertically
      transmitted symbionts from the genus Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma were
      found in this study. Among them, Wolbachia and Spiroplasma were found in both the
      cabbage fly and at least one of its parasitoids, which could result from
      horizontal transfers through trophic interactions. Phylogenetic analysis showed
      that this hypothesis may explain some but not all cases. More work is needed to
      understand the dynamics of symbiotic associations within trophic network and the
      effect of these bacterial communities on the fitness of their hosts. 

PMID- 27258534
TI  - Assessing hemodynamics noninvasively in patients with heart failure.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Describe the contemporary assessment of cardiac hemodynamics
      using a comprehensive echo-Doppler examination in the heart failure (HF) patient.
      RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiac flow and filling pressures, on both the left and right
      sides of the heart, are fundamental to the accurate assessment of the HF patient.
      Accurate assessment of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) systolic
      and diastolic function is necessary to establish, or exclude, HF as a cause or
      component of dyspnea in a given patient and to help determine causes of
      hemodynamic instability in HF patients. Variables such as spectral Doppler
      (mitral and tricuspid inflow, pulmonary and hepatic venous flow, and pulmonary
      valve regurgitation signal), tissue Doppler imaging, and speckle tracking,
      applied to the left and right heart, can help to accurately estimate cardiac
      hemodynamics. SUMMARY: A comprehensive echocardiogram with Doppler can provide an
      accurate assessment of left and right heart hemodynamics that is fundamental to
      the assessment and management of the HF patient.

PMID- 27258533
TI  - Exercise for Individuals with Lewy Body Dementia: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Individuals with Lewy body Dementia (LBD), which encompasses both
      Parkinson disease dementia (PDD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) experience
      functional decline through Parkinsonism and sedentariness exacerbated by motor,
      psychiatric and cognitive symptoms. Exercise may improve functional outcomes in
      Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the multi-domain
      nature of the LBD cluster of symptoms (physical, cognitive, psychiatric,
      autonomic) results in vulnerable individuals often being excluded from exercise
      studies evaluating physical function in PD or cognitive function in dementia to
      avoid confounding results. This review evaluated existing literature reporting
      the effects of exercise interventions or physical activity (PA) exposure on
      cluster symptoms in LBD. METHODS: A high-sensitivity search was executed across
      19 databases. Full-length articles of any language and quality, published or
      unpublished, that analysed effects of isolated exercise/physical activity on
      indicative Dementia with Lewy Bodies or PD-dementia cohorts were evaluated for
      outcomes inclusive of physical, cognitive, psychiatric, physiological and quality
      of life measures. The protocol for this review (Reg. #: CRD42015019002) is
      accessible at http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/. RESULTS: 111,485 articles were
      initially retrieved; 288 full articles were reviewed and 89.6% subsequently
      deemed ineligible due to exclusion of participants with co-existence of dementia
      and Parkinsonism. Five studies (1 uncontrolled trial, 1 randomized controlled
      trial and 3 case reports) evaluating 16 participants were included. Interventions
      were diverse and outcome homogeneity was low. Habitual gait speed outcomes were
      measured in 13 participants and increased (0.18m/s, 95% CI -0.02, 0.38m/s),
      exceeding moderate important change (0.14m/s) for PD cohorts. Other outcomes
      appeared to improve modestly in most participants. DISCUSSION: Scarce research
      investigating exercise in LBD exists. This review confirms exercise studies in PD
      and dementia consistently exclude LBD participants. Results in this cohort must
      be treated with caution until robustly designed, larger studies are commissioned
      to explore exercise efficacy, feasibility and clinical relevance.

PMID- 27258535
TI  - Reduced impact of renal failure on the outcome of patients with alcoholic liver
      disease undergoing liver transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pretransplant renal failure is commonly reported to be a poor
      prognostic indicator affecting survival after liver transplantation (LT).
      However, whether the impact of renal failure on patient outcome varies according
      to the aetiology of the underlying liver disease is largely unknown. METHODS: We
      investigated the association between renal failure at the time of LT and patient
      outcome in patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (n = 6920), non-alcoholic
      steatohepatitis (NASH) (n = 2956) and hepatitis C (HCV) (n = 14 922) using the
      United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database between February 2002 and
      December 2013. A total of 24 798 transplant recipients were included. RESULTS:
      The presence of renal failure was more frequently seen in patients with ALD
      (23.95%) and NASH (23.27%) compared to patients with HCV (19.38%) (P < 0.001). In
      multivariate analysis, renal failure was an independent predictor of poor
      survival. Renal failure showed detrimental effect on patient survival in the
      overall series (HR = 1.466, P < 0.0001). Importantly, the impact of renal failure
      was less marked in patients with ALD (HR = 1.31, P < 0.0001) than in patients
      with NASH (HR = 1.73, P < 0.0001) or HCV (HR = 1.52, P < 0.0001). Despite a
      higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score at the time of LT, ALD
      patients with renal failure had better long-term prognosis than non-ALD patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: Renal failure at the time of LT conferred a lower patient and graft
      survival post-LT. However, renal failure has less impact on the outcome of
      patients with ALD than that of patients with non-alcoholic liver disease after
      LT.

PMID- 27258536
TI  - Amino Acid and Secondary Metabolite Production in Embryogenic and Non-Embryogenic
      Callus of Fingerroot Ginger (Boesenbergia rotunda).
AB  - Interest in the medicinal properties of secondary metabolites of Boesenbergia
      rotunda (fingerroot ginger) has led to investigations into tissue culture of this
      plant. In this study, we profiled its primary and secondary metabolites, as well
      as hormones of embryogenic and non-embryogenic (dry and watery) callus and shoot
      base, Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry together with
      histological characterization. Metabolite profiling showed relatively higher
      levels of glutamine, arginine and lysine in embryogenic callus than in dry and
      watery calli, while shoot base tissue showed an intermediate level of primary
      metabolites. For the five secondary metabolites analyzed (ie. panduratin,
      pinocembrin, pinostrobin, cardamonin and alpinetin), shoot base had the highest
      concentrations, followed by watery, dry and embryogenic calli. Furthermore,
      intracellular auxin levels were found to decrease from dry to watery calli,
      followed by shoot base and finally embryogenic calli. Our morphological
      observations showed the presence of fibrils on the cell surface of embryogenic
      callus while diphenylboric acid 2-aminoethylester staining indicated the presence
      of flavonoids in both dry and embryogenic calli. Periodic acid-Schiff staining
      showed that shoot base and dry and embryogenic calli contained starch reserves
      while none were found in watery callus. This study identified several primary
      metabolites that could be used as markers of embryogenic cells in B. rotunda,
      while secondary metabolite analysis indicated that biosynthesis pathways of these
      important metabolites may not be active in callus and embryogenic tissue. 

PMID- 27258537
TI  - Rapid Ethical Assessment on Informed Consent Content and Procedure in Hintalo
      Wajirat, Northern Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Informed consent is a key component of bio-medical research involving
      human participants. However, obtaining informed consent is challenging in low
      literacy and resource limited settings. Rapid Ethical Assessment (REA) can be
      used to contextualize and simplify consent information within a given study
      community. The current study aimed to explore the effects of social, cultural,
      and religious factors during informed consent process on a proposed HPV-serotype
      prevalence study. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative community-based REA was conducted in
      Adigudom and Mynebri Kebeles, Northern Ethiopia, from July to August 2013. Data
      were collected by a multi-disciplinary team using open ended questions concerning
      informed consent components in relation to the parent study. The team conducted
      one-to-one In-Depth Interviews (IDI) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with key
      informants and community members to collect data based on the themes of the
      study. Tape recorded data were transcribed in Tigrigna and then translated into
      English. Data were categorized and thematically analyzed using open coding and
      content analysis based on pre-defined themes. RESULTS: The REA study revealed a
      number of socio-cultural issues relevant to the proposed study. Low community
      awareness about health research, participant rights and cervical cancer were
      documented. Giving a vaginal sample for testing was considered to be highly
      embarrassing, whereas giving a blood sample made participants worry that they
      might be given a result without the possibility of treatment. Verbal consent was
      preferred to written consent for the proposed study. CONCLUSION: This rapid
      ethical assessment disclosed important socio-cultural issues which might act as
      barriers to informed decision making. The findings were important for contextual
      modification of the Information Sheet, and to guide the best consent process for
      the proposed study. Both are likely to have enabled participants to understand
      the informed consent better and consequently to comply with the study.

PMID- 27258538
TI  - MESECTODERMAL LEIOMYOMA OF THE CILIARY BODY PRESENTING AS ANTERIOR STAPHYOMA.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report two cases of mesectodermal leiomyoma of the ciliary body
      presenting as anterior staphyloma. METHODS: Two case reports with cytopathologic
      correlation. RESULTS: First patient (15-year-old boy) presented with a nodular
      lesion in the sclera. Second patient (31-year-old woman) was found to have a
      brown ciliary body mass. Growth of the lesion and extrascleral extension was
      noticed after several years of follow-up. Ultrasonography, light microscopy, and
      immunohistochemistry of both cases are described confirming mesectodermal
      leiomyoma of the ciliary body. CONCLUSION: Mesectodermal leiomyoma, despite its
      rarity, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of uveal tract tumors.
      Clinically, the diagnosis is difficult and histopathological and
      immunohistochemical assesment is necessary to avoid inappropriate diagnosis and
      erroneous treatment.

PMID- 27258539
TI  - SPONTANEOUS CLOSURE OF MACULAR HOLE AFTER DRAINAGE OF SUBFOVEAL PERFLUOROCARBON
      LIQUID.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report a rare case of macular hole formation after drainage of
      subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL), which closed spontaneously. METHODS:
      Retrospective case report. A 60-year-old was noted to have subfoveal PFCL after a
      macula-involving retinal detachment repair with silicone oil tamponade. Spectral
      domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering,
      Heidelberg, Germany) was used for postoperative imaging. RESULTS: Two months
      postdetachment repair, the patient underwent removal of silicone oil and drainage
      of subfoveal PFCL using a 41-gauge cannula through a extrafoveal retinotomy. A
      full-thickness macular hole was noted 2 weeks postoperatively. This closed
      spontaneously 4 months later, with an improvement in vision, although there was
      evidence of subfoveal atrophy. CONCLUSION: Macular hole formation can occur after
      drainage of subfoveal PFCL, with a favorable prognosis if managed conservatively.
      The resultant foveal atrophy highlights the importance of early identification
      and removal of subretinal PFCL.

PMID- 27258540
TI  - EN FACE IMAGING OF RETINAL ARTERY MACROANEURYSMS USING SWEPT-SOURCE OPTICAL
      COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the advantages of en face view with swept-source optical
      coherence tomography in assessing the morphologic features of retinal arterial
      macroaneurysms, their consequences on adjacent retina, planning laser treatment,
      and evaluating its effects. METHODS: Three eyes were treated for retinal arterial
      macroaneurysms and followed by swept-source optical coherence tomography in 2014
      2015. En face images of the retina and choroid were obtained by EnView, a swept
      source optical coherence tomography program. RESULTS: Retinal arterial
      macroaneurysms have a typical optical coherence tomography appearance. En face
      view allows delineation of the macroaneurysm wall, thrombotic components within
      the dilation, and lumen measurement. Hemorrhage, lipids, and fluids can be
      precisely described in terms of amount and extent over the macula and depth. This
      technique is also practical for planning focal laser treatment and determining
      its effects. CONCLUSION: En face swept-source optical coherence tomography is a
      rapid, noninvasive, high-resolution, promising technology, which allows excellent
      visualization of retinal arterial macroaneurysms and their consequences on
      surrounding tissues. It could make angiography with intravenous injection
      redundant in planning and assessing therapy.

PMID- 27258541
TI  - TATTOO-ASSOCIATED UVEITIS WITH CHOROIDAL GRANULOMA: A RARE PRESENTATION OF
      SYSTEMIC SARCOIDOSIS.
AB  - PURPOSE: The authors report a rare case of systemic sarcoidosis manifesting as
      bilateral granulomatous panuveitis and multiple tattoo granulomas. METHODS: Case
      report. RESULTS: A 30-year-old man presented with headaches, ocular pain,
      photophobia, and blurred vision. He was found to have significant skin
      inflammation, predominantly involving areas of tattoos. Fundoscopic examination
      revealed bilateral granulomatous panuveitis with small focal choroidal lesions.
      Skin biopsy demonstrated granulomatous inflammation of the dermis with tattoo
      pigment evident in numerous histiocytes. He was diagnosed with systemic
      sarcoidosis. CONCLUSION: The authors report another rare case of tattoo
      associated uveitis, in which inflammation is limited to tattooed skin and the
      uvea. This uncommon presentation may prove informative in elucidating the
      pathogenesis of systemic sarcoidosis.

PMID- 27258542
TI  - BARTONELLA QUINTANA-ASSOCIATED NEURORETINITIS: LONGITUDINAL SPECTRAL-DOMAIN
      OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of neuroretinitis caused by Bartonella
      quintana and its spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic (SD-OCT) features.
      METHODS: A 12-year-old girl presented with unilateral neuroretinitis with
      stellate maculopathy. Bartonellosis was confirmed after serologic testing for
      antibodies to B. quintana. RESULTS: Color photograph of the right eye revealed
      papillitis and stellate macular exudation. spectral-domain optical coherence
      tomography of the right eye revealed hyperreflective dots in the outer nuclear
      and outer plexiform layers, as well as disruption and loss of the external
      limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, and interdigitation zone in the foveal area.
      CONCLUSION: The authors report an unusual case of neuroretinitis by B. quintana
      and its spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic findings.

PMID- 27258543
TI  - CANDIDA ENDOPHTHALMITIS FROM THE REACTIVATION OF A DORMANT LENTICULAR FUNGAL
      ABSCESS IN A PREMATURE INFANT.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To report a case of fungal endophthalmitis from reactivation
      of a dormant lenticular fungal abscess in a severely premature infant. METHODS:
      Single retrospective case report. RESULTS: A female born at 23 and 6/7 weeks and
      weighing 620 g was diagnosed at age 29 weeks post menstrual age with persistent
      tunica vasculosa lentis, lenticular opacity, and aggressive posterior retinopathy
      of prematurity, and received bilateral intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. At
      the time of injection she was receiving systemic antibiotics for sepsis and
      fungemia. The retinopathy of prematurity regressed, as did the tunica vasculosa
      lentis, but a small plaque remained on the lens. At 5.5 months of age, patient
      presented with hypopyon and elevated intraocular pressure. Culture of intraocular
      fluid demonstrated Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: Candida lenticular abscess is a
      rare complication of systemic fungemia in premature infants. Bevacizumab-induced
      regression of tunica vasculosa lentis may have decreased the ability of
      systemically administered antifungal medications to reach the colonized lens.

PMID- 27258545
TI  - The genetic burden of inflammatory bowel diseases: implications for the clinic?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which include Crohn's disease
      (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are characterized by chronic intestinal
      inflammation. Their etiology is multifactorial, with complex interactions between
      genetic and environmental factors, which are still largely unclear. AREAS
      COVERED: The influence of genetics is clearly demonstrated by important
      epidemiological data, including familial aggregation and concordance in twins. In
      2001, the first genetic susceptibility gene for IBD, the NOD2 gene, was
      identified. Currently, thanks to genetic wide association studies, over 200
      susceptibility genetic markers are know. Expert commentary: However, clinically
      highly relevant gene associations are still very limited and the usefulness of
      these information in the current clinical strategies for treatment and
      surveillance of IBD is weak. Nevertheless, the recent identification of some
      genetic risk variants has clarified some newbiological pathways of these diseases
      thus paving the way for the discoveries in the near future of new targeted
      therapies.

PMID- 27258546
TI  - Correction: Reproducibility of Fluorescent Expression from Engineered Biological
      Constructs in E. coli.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150182.].

PMID- 27258544
TI  - Meta-Analysis of EMT Datasets Reveals Different Types of EMT.
AB  - As a critical process during embryonic development, cancer progression and cell
      fate conversions, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been extensively
      studied over the last several decades. To further understand the nature of EMT,
      we performed meta-analysis of multiple microarray datasets to identify the
      related generic signature. In this study, 24 human and 17 mouse microarray
      datasets were integrated to identify conserved gene expression changes in
      different types of EMT. Our integrative analysis revealed that there is low
      agreement among the list of the identified signature genes and three other lists
      in previous studies. Since removing the datasets with weakly-induced EMT from the
      analysis did not significantly improve the overlapping in the signature-gene
      lists, we hypothesized the existence of different types of EMT. This hypothesis
      was further supported by the grouping of 74 human EMT-induction samples into five
      distinct clusters, and the identification of distinct pathways in these different
      clusters of EMT samples. The five clusters of EMT-induction samples also improves
      the understanding of the characteristics of different EMT types. Therefore, we
      concluded the existence of different types of EMT was the possible reason for its
      complex role in multiple biological processes. 

PMID- 27258547
TI  - Intratumoral Heterogeneity of MicroRNA Expression in Rectal Cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An increasing number of studies have investigated microRNAs
      (miRNAs) as potential markers of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. So far,
      agreement between studies has been minimal, which may in part be explained by
      intratumoral heterogeneity of miRNA expression. The aim of the present study was
      to assess the heterogeneity of a panel of selected miRNAs in rectal cancer, using
      two different technical approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of the
      investigated miRNAs was analysed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-qPCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) in tumour specimens from 27
      patients with T3-4 rectal cancer. From each tumour, tissue from three different
      luminal localisations was examined. Inter- and intra-patient variability was
      assessed by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Correlations
      between RT-qPCR and ISH were evaluated using Spearman's correlation. RESULTS:
      ICCsingle (one sample from each patient) was higher than 50% for miRNA-21 and
      miRNA-31. For miRNA-125b, miRNA-145, and miRNA-630, ICCsingle was lower than 50%.
      The ICCmean (mean of three samples from each patient) was higher than 50% for
      miRNA-21(RT-qPCR and ISH), miRNA-125b (RT-qPCR and ISH), miRNA-145 (ISH), miRNA
      630 (RT-qPCR), and miRNA-31 (RT-qPCR). For miRNA-145 (RT-qPCR) and miRNA-630
      (ISH), ICCmean was lower than 50%. Spearman correlation coefficients, comparing
      results obtained by RT-qPCR and ISH, respectively, ranged from 0.084 to 0.325 for
      the mean value from each patient, and from -0.085 to 0.515 in the section
      including the deepest part of the tumour. CONCLUSION: Intratumoral heterogeneity
      may influence the measurement of miRNA expression and consequently the number of
      samples needed for representative estimates. Our findings with two different
      methods suggest that one sample is sufficient for adequate assessment of miRNA-21
      and miRNA-31, whereas more samples would improve the assessment of miRNA-125b,
      miRNA-145, and miRNA-630. Interestingly, we found a poor correlation between the
      expression estimates obtained by RT-qPCR and ISH, respectively.

PMID- 27258548
TI  - Identification of the C-Terminal GH5 Domain from CbCel9B/Man5A as the First
      Glycoside Hydrolase with Thermal Activation Property from a Multimodular
      Bifunctional Enzyme.
AB  - Caldicellulosiruptor bescii encodes at least six unique multimodular glycoside
      hydrolases crucial for plant cell wall polysaccharides degradation, with each
      having two catalytic domains separated by two to three carbohydrate binding
      modules. Among the six enzymes, three have one N- or C-terminal GH5 domain with
      identical amino acid sequences. Despite a few reports on some of these
      multimodular enzymes, little is known about how the conserved GH5 domains behave,
      which are believed to be important due to the gene duplication. We thus cloned a
      representative GH5 domain from the C-terminus of a multimodular protein, i.e. the
      bifunctional cellulase/mannanase CbCel9B/Man5A which has been reported, and
      expressed it in Escherichia coli. Without any appending CBMs, the recombinant
      CbMan5A was still able to hydrolyze a variety of mannan substrates with different
      backbone linkages or side-chain decorations. While CbMan5A displayed the same pH
      optimum as CbCel9B/Man5A, it had an increased optimal temperature (90 degrees C)
      and moreover, was activated by heating at 70 degrees C and 80 degrees C, a
      property not ever reported for the full-length protein. The turnover numbers of
      CbMan5A on mannan substrates were, however, lower than those of CbCel9B/Man5A.
      These data suggested that evolution of CbMan5A and the other domains into a
      single polypeptide is not a simple assembly; rather, the behavior of one module
      may be affected by the other ones in the full-length enzyme. The differential
      scanning calorimetry analysis further indicated that heating CbMan5A was not a
      simple transition state process. To the best knowledge of the authors, CbMan5A is
      the first glycoside hydrolase with thermal activation property identified from a
      multimodular bifunctional enzyme. 

PMID- 27258549
TI  - Light-Induced Charge Separation in Densely Packed Donor-Acceptor Coordination
      Cages.
AB  - Photon-powered charge separation is achieved in a supramolecular architecture
      based on the dense packing of functional building blocks. Therefore, self
      assembled dimers of interpenetrated coordination cages consisting of redoxactive
      chromophors were synthesized in a single assembly step starting from easily
      accessible ligands and Pd(II) cations. Two backbones consisting of electron rich
      phenothiazine (PTZ) and electron deficient anthraquinone (ANQ) were used to
      assemble either homo-octameric or mixed-ligand double cages. The electrochemical
      and spectroscopic properties of the pure cages, mixtures of donor and acceptor
      cages and the mixed-ligand cages were compared by steady-state UV-vis and
      transient absorption spectroscopy, supported by cyclic voltammetry and
      spectroelectrochemistry. Only the mixed-ligand cages, allowing close intra
      assembly communication between the donors and acceptors, showed the evolution of
      characteristic PTZ radical cation and ANQ radical anion features upon excitation
      in the transient spectra. In contrast, excitation of the mixtures of the homo
      octameric donor and acceptor cages in solution did not lead to any signs of
      electron transfer. Densely packed photo- and redox-functional self-assemblies
      promise molecular-level control over the morphology of the charge separation
      layer in future photovoltaic applications.

PMID- 27258550
TI  - Commensurate CO2 Capture, and Shape Selectivity for HCCH over H2CCH2, in Zigzag
      Channels of a Robust Cu(I)(CN)(L) Metal-Organic Framework.
AB  - A novel copper(I) metal-organic framework (MOF), {[Cu(I)2(py-pzpypz)2(MU
      CN)2].MeCN}n (1.MeCN), with an unusual topology is shown to be robust, retaining
      crystallinity during desolvation to give 1, which has also been structurally
      characterized [py-pzpypz is 4-(4-pyridyl)-2,5-dipyrazylpyridine)]. Zigzag-shaped
      channels, which in 1.MeCN were occupied by disordered MeCN molecules, run along
      the c axis of 1, resulting in a significant solvent-accessible void space (9.6%
      of the unit cell volume). These tight zigzags, bordered by (Cu(I)CN)n chains,
      make 1 an ideal candidate for investigations into shape-based selectivity. MOF 1
      shows a moderate enthalpy of adsorption for binding CO2 (-32 kJ mol(-1) at
      moderate loadings), which results in a good selectivity for CO2 over N2 of 4.8:1
      under real-world operating conditions of a 15:85 CO2/N2 mixture at 1 bar.
      Furthermore, 1 was investigated for shape-based selectivity of small
      hydrocarbons, revealing preferential uptake of linear acetylene gas over ethylene
      and methane, partially due to kinetic trapping of the guests with larger kinetic
      diameters. 

PMID- 27258551
TI  - Correction: Microencapsulation of probiotics in hydrogel particles: enhancing
      Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LM0230 viability using calcium alginate beads.
AB  - Correction for 'Microencapsulation of probiotics in hydrogel particles: enhancing
      Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LM0230 viability using calcium alginate beads'
      by Timothy W. Yeung et al., Food Funct., 2016, 7, 1797-1804. 

PMID- 27258552
TI  - Towards Sustainable Aquafeeds: Complete Substitution of Fish Oil with Marine
      Microalga Schizochytrium sp. Improves Growth and Fatty Acid Deposition in
      Juvenile Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
AB  - We conducted a 84-day nutritional feeding experiment with dried whole cells of
      DHA-rich marine microalga Schizochytrium sp. (Sc) to determine the optimum level
      of fish-oil substitution (partial or complete) for maximum growth of Nile
      tilapia. When we fully replaced fish oil with Schizochytrium (Sc100 diet), we
      found significantly higher weight gain and protein efficiency ratio (PER), and
      lower (improved) feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed intake compared to a
      control diet containing fish oil (Sc0); and no significant change in SGR and
      survival rate among all diets. The Sc100 diet had the highest contents of 22:6n3
      DHA, led to the highest DHA content in fillets, and consequently led to the
      highest DHA:EPA ratios in tilapia fillets. Schizochytrium sp. is a high quality
      candidate for complete substitution of fish oil in juvenile Nile tilapia feeds,
      providing an innovative means to formulate and optimize the composition of
      tilapia juvenile feed while simultaneously raising feed efficiency of tilapia
      aquaculture and to further develop environmentally and socially sustainable
      aquafeeds. Results show that replacing fish oil with DHA-rich marine Sc improves
      the deposition of n3 LC PUFA levels in tilapia fillet. These results support
      further studies to lower Schizochytrium production costs and to combine different
      marine microalgae to replace fish oil and fishmeal into aquafeeds. 

PMID- 27258553
TI  - Genetic testing for the risk of developing late effects among survivors of
      childhood cancer: Consumer understanding, acceptance, and willingness to pay.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genetic testing to determine cancer survivors' risk of developing
      late effects from their cancer treatment will be increasingly used in
      survivorship care. This 2-stage study with 64 survivors of childhood cancer and
      their parents investigated the preferences and acceptability of testing among
      those who may be at risk of developing late effects. METHODS: The first stage
      (Stage 1) identified the most commonly perceived benefits and concerns regarding
      genetic testing for the risk of late effects among 24 participants. In Stage 2,
      during interviews, 20 survivors (55% of whom were female; mean age, 26.0 years
      [range, 18-39 years]; standard deviation [SD], 0.80) and 20 parents (55% of whom
      were male; mean age of child survivor, 14.2 years [range, 10-19 years]; SD, 0.79)
      rated the 7 most common benefits and concerns from those identified in Stage 1.
      Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed. Decisional balance ratios were
      calculated by dividing the participants' average concerns scores with the average
      benefits scores. RESULTS: Genetic testing for late effects was highly acceptable:
      95% of participants leaned toward testing, and the majority (65.9%) would pay up
      to Australian $5000. The majority (97.2%) reported it was acceptable to wait for
      up to 6 months to receive results, and to be offered testing immediately after
      treatment or when the survivor reached adulthood (62.9%). Survivors and parents
      had a highly positive decisional balance (Mean (M), 0.5 [SD, 0.38] and M, 0.5
      [SD, 0.39], respectively), indicating that perceived benefits outweighed
      concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Although to our knowledge clinical efficacy has yet to be
      clearly demonstrated, survivors and parents described positive interest in
      genetic testing for the risk of developing late effects. Perceived benefits
      outweighed harms, and the majority of participants would be willing to pay, and
      wait, for testing. Cancer 2016. (c) 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer
      2016;122:2876-2885. (c) 2016 American Cancer Society.

PMID- 27258556
TI  - Tandem Synthesis of 10-Dimethylaminobenzo[h]quinazolines from 2-Ketimino-1,8
      bis(dimethylamino)naphthalenes via Nucleophilic Replacement of the Unactivated
      Aromatic NMe2 Group.
AB  - It has been found that 2-bromo-1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene on sequential
      treatment with n-BuLi and 2 equiv of the same or different aryl(hetaryl) cyanide
      as a result of [2 + 2 + 2] nucleophilic cascade annulation produces 10
      dimethylaminobenzo[h]quinazolines, as yet unknown NMe2/-N? analogues of the
      proton sponge. It is even more convenient to use preliminarily prepared 2
      ketimino-1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalenes as starting material. The
      substitution of both peri-NMe2 groups furnishing quinazolino[7,8-h]quinazoline
      derivatives is also possible. The process is remarkable by surprisingly mild
      nucleophilic displacement of an unactivated aromatic NMe2 group.

PMID- 27258555
TI  - Application of a Combined Model with Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average
      (ARIMA) and Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN) in Forecasting Hepatitis
      Incidence in Heng County, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis is a serious public health problem with increasing cases
      and property damage in Heng County. It is necessary to develop a model to predict
      the hepatitis epidemic that could be useful for preventing this disease. METHODS:
      The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and the generalized
      regression neural network (GRNN) model were used to fit the incidence data from
      the Heng County CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) from January 2005
      to December 2012. Then, the ARIMA-GRNN hybrid model was developed. The incidence
      data from January 2013 to December 2013 were used to validate the models. Several
      parameters, including mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE),
      mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and mean square error (MSE), were used to
      compare the performance among the three models. RESULTS: The morbidity of
      hepatitis from Jan 2005 to Dec 2012 has seasonal variation and slightly rising
      trend. The ARIMA(0,1,2)(1,1,1)12 model was the most appropriate one with the
      residual test showing a white noise sequence. The smoothing factor of the basic
      GRNN model and the combined model was 1.8 and 0.07, respectively. The four
      parameters of the hybrid model were lower than those of the two single models in
      the validation. The parameters values of the GRNN model were the lowest in the
      fitting of the three models. CONCLUSIONS: The hybrid ARIMA-GRNN model showed
      better hepatitis incidence forecasting in Heng County than the single ARIMA model
      and the basic GRNN model. It is a potential decision-supportive tool for
      controlling hepatitis in Heng County.

PMID- 27258557
TI  - Host-Guest Assembly of a Molecular Reporter with Chiral Cyanohydrins for
      Assignment of Absolute Stereochemistry.
AB  - The absolute stereochemistry of cyanohydrins, derived from ketones and aldehydes,
      is obtained routinely, in a microscale and derivatization-free manner, upon their
      complexation with Zn-MAPOL, a zincated porphyrin host with a binding pocket
      comprised of a biphenol core. The host-guest complex leads to observable exciton
      coupled circular dichroism (ECCD), the sign of which is easily correlated to the
      absolute stereochemistry of the bound cyanohydrin. A working model, based on the
      ECCD signal of cyanohydrins with known configuration, is proposed. 

PMID- 27258558
TI  - Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry: An Important Tool to Reveal Proteins From
      Tissues in Ancient Mummified Remains.
AB  - During the restoration of the Saint Antonio Abate Cathedral in Castelsardo,
      Sardinia, Italy, numerous human remains were found in a crypt. The burial site
      contained upwards of 120 individuals organized in successive layers from the
      bottom of the crypt; of these, 18 partially mummified individuals have been
      identified, including the last 2 individuals buried in the crypt. In the present
      study, we focused on these 2 individuals by initially adopting a morphologic and
      anthropological approach. The anthropological analysis of the remains showed that
      the 2 bodies were partially mummified and that most of the organs were not
      available; for this reason, the sex was determined by secondary sexual
      characteristics of the skulls and the long bones. The aim of this research was to
      describe the general state of the mummified bodies and tissues by morphologic and
      ultrastructural analysis using light and electron microscopy techniques. To
      ensure the preservation of specific tissue proteins, immunohistochemical
      fluorescence analysis was used. Limited information is available regarding the
      preservation of mummified tissues. Thus, this study demonstrated the presence of
      muscle and skin tissue markers in a good state of preservation, even though the
      tissues had undergone a slow mummification process. Our results demonstrate that
      several types of tissues and cell proteins may survive over a prolonged period
      and that these materials survive the postmortem processes.

PMID- 27258559
TI  - Nucleolar Cytokeratin 19 in Thyroid Carcinoma.

PMID- 27258561
TI  - Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma Frequently Exhibits Lynch Syndrome-associated Mismatch
      Repair Protein Deficiency But Does Not Harbor Sporadic MLH1 Deficiency.
AB  - Universal screening for Lynch syndrome has been advocated for colorectal
      carcinoma but its utility in small bowel adenocarcinoma has not been reported. We
      analyzed a consecutive series of 71 small bowel adenocarcinomas identified over
      an 8-year period for DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression to (1) compare
      the clinicopathologic features of small bowel adenocarcinoma stratified into MMR
      deficient (MMRD) and MMR-proficient (MMRP) groups and (2) examine the patterns of
      MMR protein expression in small bowel adenocarcinoma compared with colorectal
      carcinoma. Six of 71 (8.5%) small bowel adenocarcinomas and 149 of 1291 (11.5%)
      colorectal carcinomas demonstrated MMRD. The 6 MMRD small bowel adenocarcinomas
      had the following expression pattern: 3 with concurrent loss of MSH2 and MSH6, 1
      with isolated loss of MSH6, and 2 with concurrent loss of MLH1 and PMS2 in
      patients with a family history suggestive of genetic cancer susceptibility.
      Histopathology suggestive of MMR protein deficiency as proposed by the revised
      Bethesda guidelines was commonly seen in both MMRP (63%) and MMRD (67%) small
      bowel adenocarcinomas (P>0.05). MMRD small bowel adenocarcinoma more frequently
      demonstrated abnormalities of MSH2 and/or MSH6 (4/6, 67%) compared with MMRD
      colorectal carcinoma (23/149, 15%) (P=0.01). None of the MMRD small bowel
      adenocarcinomas harbored the BRAF V600E mutation, whereas 60% of MMRD colorectal
      carcinomas were positive for BRAF V600E with concurrent loss of MLH1 and PMS2
      expression. Small bowel adenocarcinoma more frequently harbored Lynch syndrome
      associated MMRD compared with colorectal carcinoma, providing support for
      screening of small bowel adenocarcinoma to identify patients at risk for Lynch
      syndrome. In contrast to colorectal carcinoma, sporadic MLH1 deficiency is not
      seen in small bowel adenocarcinoma. Clinicopathologic and histologic features do
      not distinguish between MMRP and MMRD small bowel adenocarcinoma indicating that
      universal screening in small bowel adenocarcinoma is necessary to detect patients
      at risk for Lynch syndrome.

PMID- 27258560
TI  - The Role of SATB2 as a Diagnostic Marker of Sinonasal Intestinal-type
      Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) of the nasal cavity and
      paranasal sinuses is an uncommon tumor associated with exposure to wood and
      leather dust, nickel, and possibly smoking. ITAC shares phenotypical features
      with colorectal carcinoma. In contrast to most non-intestinal-type sinonasal
      adenocarcinomas, ITAC is an aggressive adenocarcinoma with poor clinical outcome;
      therefore, its reliable separation from non-ITAC is very important. AIM: The use
      of a combination of immunohistochemical markers of intestinal differentiation was
      tested in a cohort of sinonasal carcinomas of different types. The aim of this
      study was to explore a new intestinal marker, SATB2, in conjunction with CDX2 and
      CK20 in differential diagnosis of sinonasal adenocarcinomas. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Seven ITACs, 66 non-ITACs, and 1 case of extensive intestinal metaplasia
      (IM) of the nasal mucosa were included in the study and stained with SATB2, CK20,
      CDX2, and CK7 antibodies. Detection of mismatch repair proteins was performed in
      all cases of ITAC. All 7 sinonasal ITACs have been tested for KRAS, NRAS, and
      BRAF gene mutations. RESULTS: All ITACs showed positive expression for SATB2,
      whereas all non-ITAC cases were negative. The only 1 case of IM was found to be
      positive for SATB2, whereas the same case showed negative expression of CK20 and
      only focal immunostaining for CDX2. The genetic analysis showed that only 1
      sinonasal ITAC (1/7) showed KRAS c.35G>C, p.(Gly12Ala) mutation, whereas BRAF and
      NRAS genes were wild type. Four ITACs revealed wild-type KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF,
      and 2 remaining cases were not analyzable. All ITACs showed preserved nuclear
      expression of mismatch repair proteins. CONCLUSIONS: SATB2 in combination with
      CDX2 and CK20 differentiates sinonasal ITAC from non-ITAC with increased
      diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and detects IM in the sinonasal tract more
      easily.

PMID- 27258562
TI  - pSTAT3/pSTAT5 Signaling Patterns in Molecularly Defined Subsets of
      Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.
AB  - BCR/ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are characterized by
      recurrent mutations in JAK2, CALR, and MPL, each of which has been reported to
      alter JAK/STAT signaling pathways. This report characterizes JAK/STAT signaling
      patterns in molecularly defined subsets of MPN utilizing immunohistochemistry for
      pSTAT3 and pSTAT5. Analysis of 30 BCR/ABL1-negative, nonpolycythemia vera MPN
      identified 15 (50%) with JAK2 V617F, 2 with MPL mutations (7%), and 8 with CALR
      mutations (27%). All mutations were mutually exclusive, except for 1 case with
      concurrent JAK2 V617F and CALR mutations. pSTAT3 staining in megakaryocyte nuclei
      was found in 4 cases (13%) and was not significantly associated with mutation
      status. pSTAT5 staining in megakaryocyte nuclei was found in 16 cases (53%), as
      was significantly associated with JAK2 V617F versus CALR mutation (P=0.009).
      Erythroid staining for pSTAT5 was seen exclusively in "triple-negative (TN)"
      cases lacking JAK2 V617F, MPL, and CALR mutations (P=0.006, TN vs. other
      genotypes), and pSTAT5 staining in megakaryocyte nuclei was seen in 2 TN cases.
      pSTAT5 staining in TN MPN suggests that other unknown abnormalities in this
      pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of these cases. Furthermore, the
      demonstration of distinct STAT staining patterns in molecularly defined MPN
      suggests that these mutations result in divergent signaling events that may
      contribute to the biological and prognostic differences in these molecular
      subsets of MPN.

PMID- 27258563
TI  - Overexpression of TACC3 in Breast Cancer Associates With Poor Prognosis.
AB  - Increasing evidences suggest that transforming acidic coiled-coil protein 3
      (TACC3) is associated with various types of human cancer. However, the expression
      of TACC3 in breast cancer tissues remains largely unknown. To identify whether
      TACC3 can serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer,
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and
      immunohistochemistry staining were utilized to detect the expression of TACC3.
      The mRNA and protein levels of TACC3 in breast cancer samples were novelty higher
      compared with nontumorous breast tissues. Immunohistochemistry results revealed
      TACC3 expression was significantly correlated to lymphoid nodal metastasis
      (P=0.035) and HER-2 status (P=0.021). The patients with high expression of TACC3
      had a significantly poor prognosis compared with patients with low expression
      (P=0.017), especially in the patients with pathological tumor size 2-4 status
      (P=0.028). Furthermore, multivariate analysis indicated that TACC3 expression was
      an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer patients (P=0.029). This
      study, first, suggested TACC3 might be an important molecular marker for
      diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.

PMID- 27258564
TI  - Identification of New Biomarkers Associated With IDH Mutation and Prognosis in
      Astrocytic Tumors Using NanoString nCounter Analysis System.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations have been reported as
      biomarkers associated with tumorigenesis and prognosis in gliomas. However, genes
      affected by these mutations are still under investigation. The purpose of this
      study is to identify new molecular biomarkers associated with IDH mutation and
      prognosis in astrocytic tumors, which account for the largest proportion of
      gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NanoString analysis was conducted on 40
      astrocytic tumors. In total, 69 genes and 6 fusion genes were selected for
      screening. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and
      immunohistochemistry were used to validate the selected discriminatory genes.
      Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test were used to analyze the overall
      survival and progression-free survival. RESULTS: mRNA levels of NTRK3, ERCC1,
      JAK2, AXL, BCL2, ESR1, HSP90AB1, TUBB3, RET, and ABCG2 were elevated in the IDH
      mutant group, whereas levels of POSTN and ERBB2 were elevated in the IDH wild
      type group. Genes more highly expressed in the better prognosis group included
      NTRK3, ERCC1, ROS1, ERBB4, BCL2, CDKN2A, AXL, PI3KCA, HSP90AB1, ABCG2, JAK2, and
      RET. In the worse prognosis group, TIMP1, POSTN, and ERBB2 showed increased
      expressions. The elevated expression of HSP90AB1 was correlated with IDH
      mutation, long survival, and secondary glioblastomas. Elevated TIMP1 expression
      was related to high tumor grade and short patient survival. The results of
      NanoString were confirmed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction
      and immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: HSP90AB1 is related to IDH mutation and
      the expressions of HSP90AB1 and TIMP1 can predict prognosis in astrocytic tumors.
      The NanoString analysis system is a precise and reliable method to detect mRNA
      expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples.

PMID- 27258565
TI  - MCM3: A Novel Proliferation Marker in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - The present study sought to evaluate and compare the immunoexpression of proteins
      minichromosome maintenance (MCM) 3 and Ki-67 in oral squamous cell carcinoma
      (OSCC) to assess the potential of these proteins as markers of cellular
      proliferation. Twenty-eight cases of OSCC, 9 of tumor-free resection margins
      (TM), and 4 of non-neoplastic oral mucosa (NNM) were subjected to
      immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of proteins MCM3 and Ki-67. All
      OSCCs demonstrated positivity for both proteins. In these tumors, greater MCM3
      immunoreactivity was observed in comparison with Ki-67, whereas TMs and NNMs
      exhibited greater Ki-67 expression compared with MCM3. The immunoexpression of Ki
      67 seemed to be influenced by the inflammatory process, particularly in TM and
      NNM. Our findings indicate that although both MCM3 and Ki-67 represent reliable
      markers of cellular proliferation in OSCC, as MCM3 expression does not appear to
      be influenced by external factors, this protein may emerge as a novel marker of
      cellular proliferation in these types of tumors.

PMID- 27258566
TI  - Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: Genotype Frequency and Prognostic Relevance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genotyping has an important role in the prognosis and prediction of
      response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. KIT exon 11 deletions serve as an
      adverse prognostic marker. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) genotype has
      been described in developed countries; however, data from India are lacking. The
      aim of this study was to determine the genotype frequency and its prognostic
      relevance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty consecutive cases of resected GIST were
      evaluated for histologic and immunohistochemical findings. Mutation analysis for
      exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 of KIT and 12 and 18 of PDGFRA was carried out by PCR
      Sanger sequencing. Genotypes were correlated with risk groups, recurrence, and
      imatinib therapy. RESULTS: Forty-seven of 80 cases (58.7%) showed mutations,
      including 30 cases (37.5%) in KIT exon 11, 9 cases (11.2%) in KIT exon 9, and 8
      cases (10%) in PDGFRA exon 18. Codon 557-558 deletion was present in 15 cases.
      D842E was the most common in PDGFRA, with similar histologic features as D842V.
      KIT exon 11 deletion had higher mitotic rate, larger tumor size, high-risk
      stratification, and lower recurrence-free survival. Recurrences were seen in 12
      (16.4%) patients. Nine patients (75%) with recurrence were on imatinib therapy.
      CONCLUSIONS: GIST genotype frequency is lower in Indians. KIT exon 11 deletion is
      associated with poor prognosis compared with wild-type and other missense
      mutations. D842E is a common PDGFRA mutation in Indian patients. Patients with a
      wild genotype are not suitable candidates for imatinib therapy. Genotyping can
      serve as an important prognostic marker.

PMID- 27258567
TI  - The Use of a Novel Immunohistochemical Triple Cocktail in the Subclassification
      of Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas: A Comparative Study With Morphology
      and Traditional Immunohistochemistry.
AB  - Therapy for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is currently determined by
      histologic subtype and the presence or absence of actionable mutations. Accurate
      subclassification is therefore essential for appropriate selection of cases for
      molecular studies and guiding treatment. The gold standard for subclassification
      of NSCLC is identification of differentiating morphologic features in correlation
      with diagnostic immunohistochemistry (IHC) in cases of poorly differentiated
      carcinoma. Whereas Napsin A, TTF1, and p40 antibodies have been used individually
      for the subtyping of NSCLC, few studies have examined the 3 in cocktail form.
      Using a novel triple IHC antibody cocktail (TNP) composed of TTF1 (brown
      nuclear), Napsin A (red granular cytoplasmic), and p40 (red nuclear), a
      randomized, double-blinded subclassification was performed on a representative
      histologic section of 32 previously resected primary NSCLCs. TNP results were
      then compared with the gold-standard diagnosis. TNP accurately identified all
      (100%, 10/10) squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) (p40+/TTF1-/Napsin A-) and 89%
      (16/18) of adenocarcinomas (ADCs) (p40-/TTF1+/Napsin A+). TNP was negative in 7
      (20%) tumors (p40-/TTF1-/Napsin A-), including 2 mucinous ADCs. TNP showed no
      overlapping or discordant immunostaining. Using traditional IHC with p63, CK5/6,
      and TTF1, all TNP (-) cases remained unclassifiable. With the exception of
      mucinous ADC, which was TNP negative, all TNP cases correlated with gold-standard
      diagnosis; 78% of tumors were also definitively classified as either ADC or SCC
      and required only a single slide for classification.

PMID- 27258568
TI  - Artificial Force Induced Reaction (AFIR) Method for Exploring Quantum Chemical
      Potential Energy Surfaces.
AB  - In this account, a technical overview of the artificial force induced reaction
      (AFIR) method is presented. The AFIR method is one of the automated reaction-path
      search methods developed by the authors, and has been applied extensively to a
      variety of chemical reactions, such as organocatalysis, organometallic catalysis,
      and photoreactions. There are two modes in the AFIR method, i.e., a
      multicomponent mode and a single-component mode. The former has been applied to
      bimolecular and multicomponent reactions and the latter to unimolecular
      isomerization and dissociation reactions. Five numerical examples are presented
      for an Aldol reaction, a Claisen rearrangement, a Co-catalyzed hydroformylation,
      a fullerene structure search, and a nonradiative decay path search in an
      electronically excited naphthalene molecule. Finally, possible applications of
      the AFIR method are discussed.

PMID- 27258569
TI  - Anti-Ambipolar Field-Effect Transistors Based On Few-Layer 2D Transition Metal
      Dichalcogenides.
AB  - Two-dimensional (2D) materials and their related van der Waals heterostructures
      have attracted considerable interest for their fascinating new properties. There
      are still many challenges in realizing the potential of 2D semiconductors in
      practical (opto)electronics such as signal transmission and logic circuit, etc.
      Herein, we report the gate-tunable anti-ambipolar devices on the basis of few
      layer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) heterostructures to gain higher
      information storage density. Our study shows that carrier concentration regulated
      by the gate voltage plays a major role in the "anti-ambipolar" behavior, where
      the drain-source current can only pass through in specific range of gate voltage
      (Vg) and it will be restrained if the Vg goes beyond the range. Several improved
      strategies were theoretically discussed and experimentally adopted to obtain
      higher current on/off ratio for the anti-ambipolar devices, such as choosing
      suitable p-/n-pair, increasing carrier concentration by using thicker-layer TMDs,
      and so on. The modified SnS2/WSe2 device with the current on/off ratio exceeding
      200 and on-state Vg ranging from -20 to 0 V was successfully achieved. On the
      basis of the anti-ambipolar field-effect transistors (FETs), we also reveal the
      potential of three-channel device unit for signal processing and information
      storage. With the equal quantity N of device units, 3(N) digital signals can be
      obtained from such three-channel devices, which are much larger than 2(N) ones
      obtained from traditional two-channel complementary metal oxide semiconductors
      (CMOS). 

PMID- 27258570
TI  - Changes in Exercise Patterns in Menopausal Women at Low-Intermediate Risk for
      Cardiovascular Disease: A Prospective Survey Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We aim to describe changes in exercise habits and barriers to
      physical activity over 5 years in menopausal women at low-intermediate risk for
      cardiovascular disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women in the Stress
      Echocardiography in Menopausal Women at Risk for Coronary Artery Disease trial
      were prospectively enrolled in a multisite study from 2004 to 2007. Inclusion
      criteria were as follows: peri- and postmenopausal women with symptoms and/or
      risk factors for cardiovascular disease resulting in referral for stress
      echocardiography. A questionnaire, which assessed details of medical history,
      physical activity, and body mass index (BMI), was administered at baseline and 5
      years. RESULTS: 216 menopausal women (62.5% hypertensive, 15.3% diabetic, 52.3%
      prior or current smokers) were studied. At baseline, age was 54.9 +/- 4.8 years,
      BMI was 30.7 +/- 6.4 kg/m2, and Framingham risk score was 4.05% +/- 3.76%. One
      hundred women (46.3%) were obese, 79 (36.6%) overweight, and 37 (17.1%) had a
      normal BMI. Women changed their self-reported aerobic exercise patterns in
      similar patterns regardless of their BMI at baseline. There was low participation
      in strength training among all women. Mean BMI decreased by 0.12 kg/m2 in obese
      women and increased by 1.63 kg/m2 in normal BMI women at 5 years (p < 0.0001).
      CONCLUSION: These data suggest that women can increase their level of physical
      activity regardless of BMI and that overweight or obese status is not a barrier
      to initiating an aerobic, nonaerobic, or strength training exercise routine.

PMID- 27258571
TI  - The role of photorespiration during astaxanthin accumulation in Haematococcus
      pluvialis (Chlorophyceae).
AB  - Most previous studies on Haematococcus pluvialis have been focused on growth and
      astaxanthin accumulation. However, the relationships between photorespiration and
      astaxanthin accumulation have not been clarified. The purpose of this study was
      to examine the role of photorespiration during the process of astaxanthin
      accumulation in H. pluvialis. During astaxanthin accumulation, the astaxanthin
      content was reduced significantly when photorespiration was inhibited by its
      specific inhibitor, carboxymethoxylamine. The inhibition of photorespiration did
      not change the dry weight, chlorophyll content and OJIP transients during the
      incubation; however, the inhibition of photorespiration significantly decreased
      the photochemistry of photosystem II and total photosynthetic O2 evolution
      capacity. Moreover, the restriction in photorespiration was synchronized with a
      decrease of astaxanthin accumulation. These results suggest that the
      photorespiratory pathway in H. pluvialis can accelerate astaxanthin accumulation.
      We speculate that photorespiration can enhance astaxanthin accumulation in the
      following ways: (i) photorespiration directly affects the glycerate-3-phosphate
      (PGA) level, which is intrinsically related to the accumulation of astaxanthin in
      H. pluvialis; (ii) the photorespiratory pathway indirectly affects the PGA level
      by effecting the dark reactions of photosynthesis, which then results in the
      enhancement of astaxanthin accumulation in H. pluvialis. 

PMID- 27258572
TI  - Combined herbicide and saline stress differentially modulates hormonal regulation
      and antioxidant defense system in Oryza sativa cultivars.
AB  - Plants are simultaneously exposed to a combination of biotic and abiotic stresses
      in field conditions. Crops respond to the combined stress in a unique way which
      cannot be understood by extrapolating the results of individual stress. In the
      present study, effects of individual and combined stress of herbicide (2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and salinity (NaCl) on two Oryza sativa cultivars (ZJ
      88 and XS 134) were investigated. Both herbicide and saline stress affected the
      plant growth differentially and produced oxidative stress in rice cultivars.
      Interestingly, the combination of herbicide and salinity showed a significant
      protection to both rice cultivars by reducing ROS (H2O2, O2(-)) and lipid
      peroxidation through modulation of enzymatic (SOD, POD, CAT and APX) and non
      enzymatic (TSP, sugars, phenolic and proline) antioxidants. In addition, active
      regulation of transcript levels of genes encoding Na(+) and K(+) (OsHKT1;5,
      OsLti6a,b, OsHKT2;1, OsSOS1, OsCNGC1, OsNHX1 and OsAKT1) transporter proteins
      reduced sodium and enhanced potassium accumulation under combined stress,
      resulted a better growth and ionic homeostasis in both rice cultivars. The
      production of ABA and IAA was significantly higher in cultivar XS 134 compared to
      cultivar ZJ 88 under control conditions. However, combined herbicide and saline
      stress enhanced the accumulation of phytohormones (IAA and ABA) and transcription
      of ethylene in cultivar ZJ 88, which might be one of the factors responsible for
      poor salt tolerance in sensitive cultivar. These findings indicated that
      herbicide application under saline stress confers tolerance to salinity in rice
      cultivars, likely by reducing oxidative damage, modulating mineral absorption,
      upgradation of antioxidant defense and by dynamic regulation of key genes
      involved in Na(+) and K(+) homeostasis in plants. 

PMID- 27258573
TI  - A review on biomass production from C4 grasses: yield and quality for end-use.
AB  - With a dry biomass production exceeding 40Mgha(-1) in many environments,
      Miscanthus spp. is the most productive perennial C4 grass species thanks to five
      advantages over North American prairie tallgrasses. However, miscanthus has a
      slower nutrient remobilization system, resulting in higher nutrient
      concentrations at harvest. Perennial C4 grasses benefit from soil microbial
      associations, reducing their nutrient needs. For combustion purposes, grasses
      with low moisture content, high lignin and low nutrients are desired. For
      ethanol, preferred feedstock will have lower lignin, higher sugars, starch, or
      cellulose/hemicellulose depending on the conversion method. Species with high
      stem-to-leaf ratio provide better biofuel conversion efficiency and quality.
      Recently-developed transgenic switchgrass lines have much higher ethanol yields
      and lower transformation costs. Further selection and breeding are needed to
      optimize biomass quality and nutrient cycling.

PMID- 27258574
TI  - Comparison between pulsatile GnRH therapy and gonadotropins for ovulation
      induction in women with both functional hypothalamic amenorrhea and polycystic
      ovarian morphology.
AB  - CONTEXT: Ovulation induction in patients having both functional hypothalamic
      amenorrhea (FHA) and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) has been less studied
      in the literature. As results remain contradictory, no recommendations have yet
      been established. OBJECTIVE: To compare pulsatile GnRH therapy versus
      gonadotropins for ovulation induction in "FHA-PCOM" patients and to determine if
      one treatment strikes as superior to the other. METHODS: A 12-year retrospective
      study, comparing 55 "FHA-PCOM" patients, treated either with GnRH therapy (38
      patients, 93 cycles) or with gonadotropins (17 patients, 53 cycles). RESULTS:
      Both groups were similar, defined by low serum LH and E2 levels, low BMI,
      excessive follicle number per ovary and/or high serum AMH level. Ovulation rates
      were significantly lower with gonadotropins (56.6% versus 78.6%, p = 0.005), with
      more cancellation and ovarian hyper-responses (14% versus 34% per initiated
      cycle, p < 0.005). Pregnancy rates were significantly higher with GnRH therapy,
      whether per initiated cycle (26.9% versus 7.6%, p = 0.005) or per patient (65.8%
      versus 23.5%, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: In our study, GnRH therapy was more
      successful and safer than gonadotropins, for ovulation induction in "FHA-PCOM"
      patients. If results were confirmed by prospective studies, it could become a
      first-line treatment for this population, just as it is for FHA women without
      PCOM.

PMID- 27258576
TI  - The future of pancreas transplantation: 'ain't what it used to be'.

PMID- 27258575
TI  - Non-HLA antibodies in transplantation: when do they matter?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A growing interest in the contribution of non-human leukocyte
      antigens (non-HLA) antibodies to allograft rejection has led to the
      identification of multiple target antigens and investigation into the possible
      mechanisms of injury. Although several non-HLA antibody specificities have been
      identified, the largest cohorts studied are those detected using commercial
      assays. This review focuses on the phenotypes of injury associated with non-HLA
      antibody and defines in-vivo environmental characteristics that may be conducive
      to non-HLA antibody-mediated injury. RECENT FINDINGS: Mechanistic studies in
      animal models and clinical data suggest that an inflammatory environment,
      increased antigen expression, and development of neoantigens through
      posttranslational modifications contribute to non-HLA antibody development and
      their subsequent contribution to allograft injury. Furthermore, many reports show
      worse outcomes when HLA and non-HLA antibodies are present, suggesting possible
      interactions between these antibodies that lead to increased injury.
      Plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin are currently used to reduce HLA
      and non-HLA antibodies; however, therapeutic strategies targeting B cells and
      plasma cells simultaneously may lead to more durable antibody elimination.
      SUMMARY: Immune triggers that lead to non-HLA antibody formation are complex and
      poorly understood. The ability of non-HLA antibodies to mediate allograft injury
      may depend upon their specificity and affinity, density of the target antigen,
      and synergy with HLA antibodies.

PMID- 27258577
TI  - Risk factors associated with the development of histocompatibility leukocyte
      antigen sensitization.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite excellent short-term kidney allograft survival rates,
      long-term outcomes have not improved. For years, the focus on improving these
      outcomes revolved around minimization or elimination of calcineurin toxicity.
      Despite our best efforts, approximately 5000 allografts are lost each year in the
      United States and results in a significant emotional burden for patients and
      financial burden for the healthcare system. RECENT FINDINGS: Advancements in
      detection of donor-specific histocompatibility leukocyte antigen antibodies
      (DSAs) and improved assessment of allograft biopsy tissue have shown that the
      most common cause for graft failures is DSA-related antibody-mediated rejection.
      Sensitization is directly related to human tissue exposure prior to transplant.
      We now know that sensitization can occur in patients who are non compliant or
      poorly compliant with their calcineurin inhibitors. They develop de-novo DSAs,
      which are responsible for numerous allograft losses around the world. SUMMARY:
      Given the current evidence, it is imperative that all transplant physicians
      recognize the importance of encouraging medication adherence to prevent the
      consequences of DSA-induced graft failure. However, little progress has been made
      in this area. Other potential therapeutic approaches based on B-cell depletion or
      modulation early posttransplant may help to reduce the risk for de-novo DSA
      development.

PMID- 27258578
TI  - Current outcomes in islet versus solid organ pancreas transplant for beta-cell
      replacement in type 1 diabetes.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With continued optimization of islet isolation and
      immunosuppression protocols, the medium-term rates of insulin independence
      following islet transplantation have improved significantly. This review
      evaluates the most up-to-date outcomes data for both solid organ pancreas and
      islet transplantation to develop an algorithm for selection of beta-cell
      replacement in type 1 diabetes patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Solid organ pancreas
      and islet transplantation have both displayed improved rates of 5-year insulin
      independence, largely attributable to improvements in immunosuppressive regimens.
      The medium-term rates of insulin independence following islet transplantation in
      highly selected type 1 nonuremic diabetic recipients is beginning to approach the
      success rates observed following solitary pancreas transplantation. SUMMARY:
      Although pancreas transplantation has historically been favored for beta-cell
      replacement, current outcomes following islet transplantation justify the use of
      this minimally invasive therapy in carefully selected patients. Pancreas
      transplant remains the procedure of choice for beta-cell replacement in uremic
      patients. Islet transplantation should be considered in nonuremic patients with
      low BMI and low insulin requirements, patients lacking the cardiovascular reserve
      to undergo open abdominal surgery, or patients who elect to forego the risks of a
      major operation in exchange for an increased risk of islet graft failure.

PMID- 27258579
TI  - Alloimmune-induced intragraft lymphoid neogenesis promotes B-cell tolerance
      breakdown that accelerates chronic rejection.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) has emerged as a leading
      cause of allograft loss in solid organ transplantation. A better understanding of
      AMR immunopathology is a prerequisite to improve its management. RECENT FINDINGS:
      The prevalent dogma considers that AMR is the consequence of a thymo-dependent B
      cell response against donor-specific polymorphic antigens (mainly mismatched
      human leukocyte antigen molecules).Nevertheless, antibodies directed against
      nonpolymorphic antigens expressed by the graft are also generated during chronic
      rejection and can contribute to allograft destruction. This implies that a
      breakdown of self-tolerance occurs during chronic rejection. Accumulating
      evidence suggests that this event occurs inside the ectopic 'tertiary' lymphoid
      tissue that develops within rejected allografts.Thus, AMR should be viewed as a
      complex interplay between allo- and autoimmune humoral responses. SUMMARY: The
      interplay between allo- and autoimmune humoral responses in chronic rejection
      highlights several unmet medical issues like better diagnosis tools are needed to
      screen recipients for nonhuman leukocyte antigen alloantibodies and
      autoantibodies, therapeutic strategies shall aim at blocking the response against
      alloantigens but also the breakdown of self-tolerance that occurs within tertiary
      lymphoid tissue.

PMID- 27258580
TI  - Long-term outcome after pancreas transplantation: a registry analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pancreas transplantation provides the only proven method to
      restore long-term normoglycemia in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes
      mellitus. Although many studies describe the most important risk factors for
      short-term survival of a pancreas transplant, more information about factors that
      distinguish short-term from long-term graft function is needed. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Analysis of 21 328 pancreas transplants from the International Pancreas
      Transplant Registry, performed from 1984 to 2009 (minimum 5-year follow-up),
      shows a significant improvement in long-term patient survival and pancreas graft
      function. Total 5-and 10-year pancreas graft function rates are 73 and 56%,
      respectively, for simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants; 64 and 38%,
      respectively, for pancreas after kidney; and 53 and 36%, respectively, for
      pancreas transplants alone. The most influential period is the first year
      posttransplant. Recipients who reach this time point with a functioning graft
      have a much higher probability for excellent long-term graft function. Important
      factors influencing long-term function were features that described the quality
      of the deceased donor. Pancreas transplants in younger, high panel reactive
      antibody, or African-American recipients also showed an increased risk of early
      graft failure. Anti-T-cell induction therapy had a significant impact on long
      term survival in solitary transplants. SUMMARY: With careful recipient and donor
      selection and close follow-up in the first year posttransplant, not only good
      short-term but also long-term pancreas graft function and, therefore, durable
      metabolic control can be achieved for the diabetic patient.

PMID- 27258581
TI  - WITHDRAWN: Chuanxiong preparations for preventing stroke.

PMID- 27258582
TI  - Enantioselective Recognition by Chiral Supramolecular Gels.
AB  - Chiral supramolecular gels, in which small organic molecules self-assemble into
      chiral nanostructures and entangle each other to immobilize solvents through
      various noncovalent interactions, can work as a matrix for enantioselective
      recognition on chiral analytes. Through gelation and the formation of well
      defined nanostructures, the chiral sense of the component molecules can be
      accumulated or amplified, and thus, the enantioselective recognition ability can
      be enhanced. Furthermore, a chiral microenvironment formed in the gel networks
      could provide additional stereochemical recognition geometry and attribute to
      efficient recognition. In this focus review, enantioselective recognition on
      chiral analytes through chiral supramolecular gels, with either amplified signals
      or the gel-sol phase transition, is discussed. This review is expected to provide
      useful insights into the design and fabrication of supramolecular gel systems
      with chiral features and high enantioselectivity.

PMID- 27258583
TI  - "It is always HIV/AIDS and TB": Home-based carers' perspectives on epilepsy in
      Cape Town, South Africa.
AB  - The study highlights the complex cultural religious factors affecting epilepsy
      and a need for integrated home-based care services. Two focus group discussions
      exploring home-based carers' (HBCs) perspectives on epilepsy were conducted using
      a semi-structured focus group interview guide, which was based on Kleinman's
      explanatory model framework. The audio-recorded data were transcribed verbatim,
      and a thematic analysis was done. The three main themes were epilepsy names and
      metaphors, religious beliefs about the cause and treatment of epilepsy, and HBCs'
      perceived roles and strategies for engaging in epilepsy care. Findings provide
      some insights for research, policy, and practice. 

PMID- 27258584
TI  - Hospice nurses' emotional challenges in their encounters with the dying.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' emotional challenges when caring
      for the dying in hospices. The study has a qualitative design, and knowledge was
      developed through a dialectical exchange between theory and data. Ten individual
      in-depth interviews were conducted with nurses recruited from two hospices in
      Denmark. Although all of the nurses said that they experienced emotional
      challenges or felt emotionally touched during their work, the study found a
      variety of opinions related to the extent to which their emotional reactions
      should be revealed in their role as a hospice professional. The participants
      described their emotional challenges as being simultaneously draining and
      enriching experiences leading to personal and professional growth and
      development. The study may contribute to increased awareness of emotional
      challenges for hospice nurses, which involve continuous reflection and balancing
      between meeting the dying as a human being and meeting the dying as a hospice
      professional. 

PMID- 27258585
TI  - Suicidality in Huntington's Disease: A Qualitative Study on Coping Styles and
      Support Strategies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Huntington's disease (HD) mutation carriers are at increased risk of
      suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicide. However, research is
      lacking on coping strategies and treatment options that can be offered to
      suicidal HD mutation carriers. OBJECTIVE: This study explores how individuals
      with pre-motor or motor symptomatic HD cope with suicidality, how their partners
      support them, and their ideas and wishes regarding how relatives and healthcare
      professionals can help them in coping with suicidality. METHODS: This qualitative
      study included 11 HD mutation carriers who experienced suicidal ideation or
      attempted suicide and 3 of their partners. They participated in a focus group
      discussion or an individual in-depth interview. Two independent researchers
      fragmented the transcribed interviews, coded these fragments, grouped them under
      themes, and structured the data. RESULTS: HD study participants used four main
      strategies to cope with suicidality, including talking about suicidality,
      employing self-management activities, using medication, and discussing end-of
      life wishes. Partners, relatives, and healthcare professionals can support
      suicidal HD mutation carriers in each of those four strategies. CONCLUSIONS:
      Despite the absence of a turnkey solution for suicidality in HD, healthcare
      professionals can play an important role in supporting suicidal HD mutation
      carriers by providing an opportunity to talk about suicidality, providing
      psychoeducation on self-management, prescribing medication, and discussing end-of
      life wishes. Future HD-specific intervention studies could investigate the effect
      of combining these treatment strategies into one holistic approach.

PMID- 27258587
TI  - Notice of Retraction: Sato Y, et al. Risedronate Sodium Therapy for Prevention of
      Hip Fracture in Men 65 Years or Older After Stroke. Arch Intern Med.
      2005;165(15):1743-1748.

PMID- 27258586
TI  - A Longitudinal Motor Characterisation of the HdhQ111 Mouse Model of Huntington's
      Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare, incurable neurodegenerative
      disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide expansion with the first exon of the
      huntingtin gene. Numerous knock-in mouse models are currently available for
      modelling HD. However, before their use in scientific research, these models must
      be characterised to determine their face and predictive validity as models of the
      disease and their reliability in recapitulating HD symptoms. OBJECTIVE: Manifest
      HD is currently diagnosed upon the onset of motor symptoms, thus we sought to
      longitudinally characterise the progression and severity of motor signs in the
      HdhQ111 knock-in mouse model of HD, in heterozygous mice. METHODS: An extensive
      battery of motor tests including: rotarod, inverted lid test, balance beam,
      spontaneous locomotor activity and gait analysis were applied longitudinally to a
      cohort of HdhQ111 heterozygous mice in order to progressively assess motor
      function. RESULTS: A progressive failure to gain body weight was demonstrated
      from 11 months of age and motor problems in all measures of balance beam
      performance were shown in HdhQ111 heterozygous animals in comparison to wild type
      control animals from 9 months of age. A decreased latency to fall from the
      rotarod was demonstrated in HdhQ111 heterozygous animals in comparison to wild
      type animals, although this was not progressive with time. No genotype specific
      differences were demonstrated in any of the other motor tests included in the
      test battery. CONCLUSIONS: The HdhQ111 heterozygous mouse demonstrates a subtle
      and progressive motor phenotype that begins at 9 months of age. This mouse model
      represents an early disease stage and would be ideal for testing therapeutic
      strategies that require elongated lead-in times, such as viral gene therapies or
      striatal transplantation.

PMID- 27258588
TI  - Variation in seizure prophylaxis in severe pediatric traumatic brain injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Posttraumatic seizure is a major complication following traumatic brain
      injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to determine the variation in seizure
      prophylaxis in select pediatric trauma centers. The authors hypothesized that
      there would be wide variation in seizure prophylaxis selection and use, within
      and between pediatric trauma centers. METHODS In this retrospective multicenter
      cohort study including 5 regional pediatric trauma centers affiliated with
      academic medical centers, the authors examined data from 236 children (age < 18
      years) with severe TBI (admission Glasgow Coma Scale score <= 8, ICD-9 diagnosis
      codes of 800.0-801.9, 803.0-804.9, 850.0-854.1, 959.01, 950.1-950.3, 995.55,
      maximum head Abbreviated Injury Scale score >= 3) who received tracheal
      intubation for >= 48 hours in the ICU between 2007 and 2011. RESULTS Of 236
      patients, 187 (79%) received seizure prophylaxis. In 2 of the 5 centers, 100% of
      the patients received seizure prophylaxis medication. Use of seizure prophylaxis
      was associated with younger patient age (p < 0.001), inflicted TBI (p < 0.001),
      subdural hematoma (p = 0.02), cerebral infarction (p < 0.001), and use of
      electroencephalography (p = 0.023), but not higher Injury Severity Score. In 63%
      cases in which seizure prophylaxis was used, the patients were given the first
      medication within 24 hours of injury, and 50% of the patients received the first
      dose in the prehospital or emergency department setting. Initial seizure
      prophylaxis was most commonly with fosphenytoin (47%), followed by phenytoin
      (40%). CONCLUSIONS While fosphenytoin was the most commonly used medication for
      seizure prophylaxis, there was large variation within and between trauma centers
      with respect to timing and choice of seizure prophylaxis in severe pediatric TBI.
      The heterogeneity in seizure prophylaxis use may explain the previously observed
      lack of relationship between seizure prophylaxis and outcomes.

PMID- 27258589
TI  - Massive sialadenitis resulting in critical airway after elective craniotomy: case
      report.
AB  - The authors report an unusual case of acute, rapidly progressive, unilateral neck
      swelling following extubation after elective left anterior temporal lobectomy
      with amygdalohippocampectomy. Due to severe neck swelling, the patient developed
      critical airway compromise, brachial plexopathy, and Horner's syndrome. After
      critical airway management and appropriate rehabilitation, the patient recovered
      completely and remains seizure free at 1.5 years of follow-up. This case
      highlights the importance of early recognition of acute postoperative
      sialadenitis and the steps needed to prevent serious morbidity and possible
      mortality from this rare complication.

PMID- 27258590
TI  - Long-tunnelled external ventricular drain as a long-term treatment option for
      hydrocephalus in a child with an unresectable low-grade supratentorial tumor:
      case report.
AB  - The authors report a case of a child with hypothalamic-origin pilocytic
      astrocytoma and hydrocephalus, which was refractory to treatment with a
      ventriculoperitoneal shunt due to high CSF protein content. With parental
      education, the child's hydrocephalus was managed long-term in the community with
      a long-tunnelled external ventricular drain, which was maintained by his parents.
      To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of this management option as a
      long-term measure. No harm has come to the patient. The authors propose long
      term, long-tunnelled external ventricular drain as a viable treatment option for
      such patients.

PMID- 27258591
TI  - Thirty-day outcomes after postnatal myelomeningocele repair: a National Surgical
      Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Due to improved nutrition and early detection, myelomeningocele repair
      is a relatively uncommon procedure. Although previous studies have reviewed
      surgical trends and predictors of outcomes, they have relied largely on single
      hospital experiences or on databases centered on hospital admission data. Here,
      the authors report 30-day outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing postnatal
      myelomeningocele repair from a national prospective surgical outcomes database.
      They sought to investigate the association between preoperative and
      intraoperative factors on the occurrence of 30-day complications, readmissions,
      and unplanned return to operating room events. METHODS The 2013 American College
      of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database
      (NSQIP-P) was queried for all patients undergoing postnatal myelomeningocele
      repair. Patients were subdivided on the basis of the size of the repair (< 5 cm
      vs > 5 cm). Preoperative variables, intraoperative characteristics, and
      postoperative 30-day events were tabulated from prospectively collected data.
      Three separate outcomes for complication, unplanned readmission, and return to
      the operating room were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic
      regression. Rates of associated CSF diversion operations and their timing were
      also analyzed. RESULTS A total of 114 patients were included; 54 had
      myelomeningocele repair for a defect size smaller than 5 cm, and 60 had repair
      for a defect size larger than 5 cm. CSF shunts were placed concurrently in 8% of
      the cases. There were 42 NSQIP-defined complications in 31 patients (27%); these
      included wound complications and infections, in addition to others. Postoperative
      wound complications were the most common and occurred in 27 patients (24%). Forty
      patients (35%) had at least one subsequent surgery within 30 days. Twenty-four
      patients (21%) returned to the operating room for initial shunt placement.
      Unplanned readmission occurred in 11% of cases. Both complication and return to
      operating room outcomes were statistically associated with age at repair.
      CONCLUSIONS The NSQIP-P allows examination of 30-day perioperative outcomes from
      a national prospectively collected database. In this cohort, over one-quarter of
      patients undergoing postnatal myelomeningocele repair experienced a complication
      within 30 days. The complication rate was significantly higher in patients who
      had surgical repair within the first 24 hours of birth than in patients who had
      surgery after the 1st day of life. The authors also highlight limitations of
      investigating myelomeningocele repair using NSQIP-P and advocate the importance
      of disease-specific data collection.

PMID- 27258592
TI  - Editorial: Does it pass the sniff test? Mining the NSQIP-P database for
      neurosurgical diseases.

PMID- 27258593
TI  - Endoscopic third ventriculostomy in children: prospective, multicenter results
      from the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is now established as a viable
      treatment option for a subgroup of children with hydrocephalus. Here, the authors
      report prospective, multicenter results from the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research
      Network (HCRN) to provide the most accurate determination of morbidity,
      complication incidence, and efficacy of ETV in children and to determine if
      intraoperative predictors of ETV success add substantially to preoperative
      predictors. METHODS All children undergoing a first ETV (without choroid plexus
      cauterization) at 1 of 7 HCRN centers up to June 2013 were included in the study
      and followed up for a minimum of 18 months. Data, including detailed
      intraoperative data, were prospectively collected as part of the HCRN's Core Data
      Project and included details of patient characteristics, ETV failure (need for
      repeat hydrocephalus surgery), and, in a subset of patients, postoperative
      complications up to the time of discharge. RESULTS Three hundred thirty-six
      eligible children underwent initial ETV, 18.8% of whom had undergone shunt
      placement prior to the ETV. The median age at ETV was 6.9 years (IQR 1.7-12.6),
      with 15.2% of the study cohort younger than 12 months of age. The most common
      etiologies were aqueductal stenosis (24.8%) and midbrain or tectal lesions
      (21.2%). Visible forniceal injury (16.6%) was more common than previously
      reported, whereas severe bleeding (1.8%), thalamic contusion (1.8%), venous
      injury (1.5%), hypothalamic contusion (1.5%), and major arterial injury (0.3%)
      were rare. The most common postoperative complications were CSF leak (4.4%),
      hyponatremia (3.9%), and pseudomeningocele (3.9%). New neurological deficit
      occurred in 1.5% cases, with 0.5% being permanent. One hundred forty-one patients
      had documented failure of their ETV requiring repeat hydrocephalus surgery during
      follow-up, 117 of them during the first 6 months postprocedure. Kaplan-Meier
      rates of 30-day, 90-day, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year failure-free survival were
      73.7%, 66.7%, 64.8%, 61.7%, and 57.8%, respectively. According to multivariate
      modeling, the preoperative ETV Success Score (ETVSS) was associated with ETV
      success (p < 0.001), as was the intraoperative ability to visualize a "naked"
      basilar artery (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS The authors' documented experience
      represents the most detailed account of ETV results in North America and provides
      the most accurate picture to date of ETV success and complications, based on
      contemporaneously collected prospective data. Serious complications with ETV are
      low. In addition to the ETVSS, visualization of a naked basilar artery is
      predictive of ETV success.

PMID- 27258594
TI  - Mobile spinal enterogenous cyst resulting in intermittent paraplegia in a child:
      case report.
AB  - The authors report the case of a mobile spinal enterogenous cyst in a 2-year-old
      boy, who was admitted to the hospital several times for intermittent paraplegia.
      Magnetic resonance imaging and CT revealed an isolated cyst in the lumbar spinal
      canal. The symptoms were caused by transient myelopathy of the conus medullaris
      and radiculopathy of the cauda equina due to the changing size and location of
      the cyst. The cyst was surgically extirpated, after which the symptoms resolved.
      The histopathological diagnosis was enterogenous cyst. The clinical history of
      intraspinal enterogenous cyst is usually progressive. Mobility and changes in
      size are rare pathophysiological findings. The authors speculate that the cyst
      wall did not adhere to the surrounding structures and had ruptured and quickly
      reformed. Enterogenous cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of
      spinal intradural cysts in children with radiculomyelopathy.

PMID- 27258596
TI  - Risk factors and visual fatigue of baggage X-ray security screeners: a structural
      equation modelling analysis.
AB  - This study identified the risk factors influencing visual fatigue in baggage X
      ray security screeners and estimated the strength of correlations between those
      factors and visual fatigue using structural equation modelling approach. Two
      hundred and five X-ray security screeners participated in a questionnaire survey.
      The result showed that satisfaction with the VDT's physical features and the work
      environment conditions were negatively correlated with the intensity of visual
      fatigue, whereas job stress and job burnout had direct positive influences. The
      path coefficient between the image quality of VDT and visual fatigue was not
      significant. The total effects of job burnout, job stress, the VDT's physical
      features and the work environment conditions on visual fatigue were 0.471, 0.469,
      -0.268 and -0.251 respectively. These findings indicated that both extrinsic
      factors relating to VDT and workplace environment and psychological factors
      including job burnout and job stress should be considered in the workplace design
      and work organisation of security screening tasks to reduce screeners' visual
      fatigue. Practitioner Summary: This study identified the risk factors influencing
      visual fatigue in baggage X-ray security screeners and estimated the strength of
      correlations between those factors and visual fatigue. The findings were of great
      importance to the workplace design and the work organisation of security
      screening tasks to reduce screeners' visual fatigue.

PMID- 27258595
TI  - An observational study of child safety seat use in an international safe
      community: Tehran, Iran.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Despite strong evidence of the effectiveness of child safety seats in
      reducing injuries, the use of these devices in some communities is still rare.
      The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of child safety seat
      use and the factors influencing its use in the safe community of Tehran. METHODS:
      This roadside observational study was conducted in 2015 and 2,178 personal cars
      with a child under 12 years aboard were observed on Tehran's streets in regard to
      use of child safety seats. Other variables such as the gender of the driver,
      driver's age group, type of street, region of municipality, time of day, and day
      of the week were also collected. RESULTS: Prevalence of child safety seat use was
      4.3% and was significantly higher among women drivers, on freeways, and in
      municipal regions 1, 4, and 7. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of child safety seat
      use in Tehran as a most populous member of the international safe community was
      very low and most children commuted in insecure situations in the vehicle.
      Therefore, it is proposed that plans should be made to increase the use of child
      safety seats in international safe communities.

PMID- 27258597
TI  - Nickel-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Borylation of Amides: Evidence for Acyl C-N Bond
      Activation.
AB  - A nickel/N-heterocyclic carbene catalytic system has been established for
      decarbonylative borylation of amides with B2 nep2 by C-N bond activation. This
      transformation shows good functional-group compatibility and can serve as a
      powerful synthetic tool for late-stage borylation of amide groups in complex
      compounds. More importantly, as a key intermediate, the structure of an acyl
      nickel complex was first confirmed by X-ray analysis. Furthermore, the
      decarbonylative process was also observed. These findings confirm the key
      mechanistic features of the acyl C-N bond activation process.

PMID- 27258598
TI  - Temperature Variability and Mortality: A Multi-Country Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The evidence and method are limited for the associations between
      mortality and temperature variability (TV) within or between days. OBJECTIVES: We
      developed a novel method to calculate TV and investigated TV-mortality
      associations using a large multicountry data set. METHODS: We collected daily
      data for temperature and mortality from 372 locations in 12 countries/regions
      (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Moldova, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan,
      Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States). We calculated TV from the
      standard deviation of the minimum and maximum temperatures during the exposure
      days. Two-stage analyses were used to assess the relationship between TV and
      mortality. In the first stage, a Poisson regression model allowing over
      dispersion was used to estimate the community-specific TV-mortality relationship,
      after controlling for potential confounders. In the second stage, a meta-analysis
      was used to pool the effect estimates within each country. RESULTS: There was a
      significant association between TV and mortality in all countries, even after
      controlling for the effects of daily mean temperature. In stratified analyses, TV
      was still significantly associated with mortality in cold, hot, and moderate
      seasons. Mortality risks related to TV were higher in hot areas than in cold
      areas when using short TV exposures (0-1 days), whereas TV-related mortality
      risks were higher in moderate areas than in cold and hot areas when using longer
      TV exposures (0-7 days). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that more attention
      should be paid to unstable weather conditions in order to protect health. These
      findings may have implications for developing public health policies to manage
      health risks of climate change. CITATION: Guo Y, Gasparrini A, Armstrong BG,
      Tawatsupa B, Tobias A, Lavigne E, Coelho MS, Pan X, Kim H, Hashizume M, Honda Y,
      Guo YL, Wu CF, Zanobetti A, Schwartz JD, Bell ML, Overcenco A, Punnasiri K, Li S,
      Tian L, Saldiva P, Williams G, Tong S. 2016. Temperature variability and
      mortality: a multi-country study. Environ Health Perspect 124:1554-1559;
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP149.

PMID- 27258599
TI  - Origin of Multiple Formula Use to Calculate Intraocular Lens Power.

PMID- 27258600
TI  - Simultaneous Median-Radial Nerve Electrical Stimulation Revisited: An Accurate
      Approach to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis and Severity.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of an unusual test for CTS investigation and
      correlate it with clinical symptoms. METHODS: Initially, we applied a visual
      analog scale for CTS discomfort (CTS-VAS) and performed a standard
      electrophysiologic test for CTS diagnosis (median-ulnar velocity comparison).
      Posteriorly, a blinded neurophysiologist performed the orthodromic simultaneous
      median-radial nerve stimulation (SMRS) at the thumb, with recording of both
      action potentials over the lateral aspect of the wrist. RESULTS: All hands (106)
      showed median-radial action potential splitting using the SMRS technique, in
      which was possible to measure the interpeak latencies (IPLs) between action
      potentials. The IPL and median nerve conduction velocity were different according
      to CTS intensity (Bonferroni; P < 0.001). There was significant correlation
      between IPL and median nerve conduction velocity (Spearman; r = -0.51; P < 0.01).
      In the same way, there was a significant correlation between IPL and median nerve
      conduction velocity with CTS-VAS (r = 0.6 and r = -0.3, respectively). The
      duration and unpleasantness of the SMRS procedure were lower when compared with
      standard approach (t Student < 0.001 for both comparisons). Twenty-nine
      symptomatic patients (39 hands) who did not fulfill criteria for CTS based on
      standard approach showed abnormal IPLs. CONCLUSIONS: The SMRS technique is a
      simple, sensitive, and tolerable approach for CTS diagnosis. Apart from that, the
      data from SMRS correlated better with clinical impact of CTS in comparison with
      the standard approach. Therefore, this method might be useful as adjunct to
      standard electrophysiologic approaches in clinical practice.

PMID- 27258601
TI  - Therapeutic Implications of Peripheral Nerve Hyperexcitability in Muscle
      Cramping: A Retrospective Review.
AB  - PURPOSE: Muscle cramping due to peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH) is
      poorly characterized. This retrospective study examines the prevalence of PNH and
      response to treatment. METHODS: The Duke EMG Database was queried to identify
      patients with muscle cramping tested for PNH from 2010 to 2015. Peripheral nerve
      hyperexcitability was defined by compound muscle action potential after
      discharges on repetitive nerve stimulation. Response to treatment was determined
      by the treating physician's clinical impression 6 months after diagnosis or last
      documented visit. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients met inclusion criteria. Twenty
      three (32%) patients had electrodiagnostic evidence of PNH. Of the patients with
      PNH, 74% had a good response to treatment whereas 37% of treated patients in the
      PNH-negative group (P = 0.0258). Carbamazepine and gabapentin were the most
      frequently used treatments with response rates of 70% and 77%, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Muscle cramps associated with PNH respond well to symptomatic
      treatment, particularly with carbamazepine and gabapentin.

PMID- 27258602
TI  - Subcutaneous Dupilumab and Mometasone Furoate Nasal Spray for Chronic
      Rhinosinusitis With Polyps.

PMID- 27258605
TI  - Megalopapilla Simulating Pediatric Optic Atrophy.

PMID- 27258606
TI  - Optical Coherence Tomography of Cavitary Retinoblastoma.

PMID- 27258607
TI  - Visualization of a Hematoma of the Cloquet Canal.

PMID- 27258608
TI  - Simultaneous Retinal and Choroidal Metastases in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 27258609
TI  - Allopurinol decreases serum uric acid level and intestinal glucose transporter-5
      expression in rats with fructose-induced hyperuricemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High fructose consumption is considered to be related to the
      increasing prevalence of hyperuricemia (HUA). Glucose transporters (GLUT) 2 and 5
      are crucial for fructose absorption and transporter. Effects of anti-HUA drugs,
      allopurinol (API) and benzbromarone (BBR), on expressions of GLUT5 and GLUT2 are
      not evaluated. METHOD: Wistar rats were given 10% fructose in drinking water for
      60 days to induce HUA, and 5mg/kg API and 10mg/kg BBR were intragastricly treated
      for 30 days. Serum level of uric acid and xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity in
      liver were determined. Expressions of GLUT2 and GLUT5 in intestine were analyzed
      by immunohistochemistry staining assay and Western blot assay. RESULTS: Treatment
      with API or BBR significantly decreased the serum level of uric acid in HUA rats
      induced by fructose. Meanwhile, API treatment significantly reduced the XOD
      activity in liver and GLUT5 expression in intestine. However, BBR treatment did
      not show inhibitory effects on hepatic XOD activity and intestinal GLUT5
      expression. In addition, treatment with API or BBR did not show any effect on
      GLUT2 expression in intestine. CONCLUSION: API decreases serum level of uric acid
      in fructose-induced HUA rats. The mechanisms are associated with suppressing XOD
      activity in liver to reduce uric acid production, and inhibiting GLUT5 expression
      in intestine to reduce fructose absorption.

PMID- 27258610
TI  - 3R gene expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia reveals insight into disease
      evolution.

PMID- 27258611
TI  - Improved anti-leukemia activities of adoptively transferred T cells expressing
      bispecific T-cell engager in mice.
AB  - Despite the impressive clinical efficacy of T cells engineered to express
      chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-Ts), the current applications of CAR-T cell
      therapy are limited by major treatment-related toxicity. Thus, safer yet
      effective alternative approaches must be developed. In this study, we compared
      CD19 bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE)-transferred T cells that had been
      transfected by RNA electroporation with CD19 CAR RNA-transferred T cells both in
      vitro and in an aggressive Nalm6 leukemia mouse model. BiTEs were secreted from
      the transferred T cells and enabled both the transferred and bystander T cells to
      specifically recognize CD19(+) cell lines, with increased tumor killing ability,
      prolonged functional persistence, increased cytokine production and potent
      proliferation compared with the CAR-T cells. More interestingly, in comparison
      with CD3/CD28 bead-stimulated T cells, T cells that were expanded by a rapid T
      cell expansion protocol (REP) showed enhanced anti-tumor activities for both CAR
      and BiTE RNA-electroporated T cells both in vitro and in a Nalm6 mouse model
      (P<0.01). Furthermore, the REP T cells with BiTE RNAs showed greater efficacy in
      the Nalm6 leukemia model compared with REP T cells with CAR RNA (P<0.05) and
      resulted in complete leukemia remission.

PMID- 27258613
TI  - Experiment With Management, not Reimbursement.

PMID- 27258612
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of G protein-coupled receptors in distinct genetic
      subgroups of acute myeloid leukemia: identification of potential disease-specific
      targets.
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with poor clinical outcome and the
      development of more effective therapies is urgently needed. G protein-coupled
      receptors (GPCRs) represent attractive therapeutic targets, accounting for
      approximately 30% of all targets of marketed drugs. Using next-generation
      sequencing, we studied the expression of 772 GPCRs in 148 genetically diverse AML
      specimens, normal blood and bone marrow cell populations as well as cord blood
      derived CD34-positive cells. Among these receptors, 30 are overexpressed and 19
      are downregulated in AML samples compared with normal CD34-positive cells.
      Upregulated GPCRs are enriched in chemokine (CCR1, CXCR4, CCR2, CX3CR1, CCR7 and
      CCRL2), adhesion (CD97, EMR1, EMR2 and GPR114) and purine (including P2RY2 and
      P2RY13) receptor subfamilies. The downregulated receptors include adhesion GPCRs,
      such as LPHN1, GPR125, GPR56, CELSR3 and GPR126, protease-activated receptors
      (F2R and F2RL1) and the Frizzled family receptors SMO and FZD6. Interestingly,
      specific deregulation was observed in genetically distinct subgroups of AML,
      thereby identifying different potential therapeutic targets in these frequent AML
      subgroups.

PMID- 27258614
TI  - Protective efficacy of a recombinant bacterial artificial chromosome clone of a
      very virulent Marek's disease virus containing a reticuloendotheliosis virus long
      terminal repeat.
AB  - Marek's disease virus (MDV), an alphaherpesvirus, causes Marek's disease (MD), a
      lymphoproliferative disease in poultry characterized by T-cell lymphomas, nerve
      lesions, and mortality. Vaccination is used worldwide to control MD, but
      increasingly virulent field strains can overcome this protection, driving a need
      to create new vaccines. Previous studies revealed that insertion of
      reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) long terminal repeat (LTR) into a bacterial
      artificial chromosome (BAC) clone of a very virulent strain of MDV, Md5, rendered
      the resultant recombinant virus, rMd5 REV-LTR BAC, fully attenuated in maternal
      antibody positive (Mab+) chickens at passage 40. In the current study, the
      protective efficacy of rMd5 REV-LTR BAC was evaluated. First, passage 70 was
      identified as being fully attenuated in maternal antibody negative chickens and
      chosen as the optimal passage level for use in protective efficacy studies.
      Second, three protective efficacy trials were conducted comparing the rMd5 REV
      LTR p70 BAC to the CVI988/Rispens vaccine. Groups of Mab+ and Mab- 15I5 * 71
      chickens were vaccinated in ovo at 18 days of embryonation or intra-abdominally
      at day of hatch, and challenged at 5 days post-hatch with the vv+MDV strain 686.
      Vaccination at day of hatch and in ovo with rMd5 REV-LTR p70 BAC protected
      chickens against MDV-induced bursa and thymic atrophy, but did not provide the
      same level of protection against MD tumours as that afforded by the commercial
      vaccine, CVI988/Rispens.

PMID- 27258615
TI  - Lollipop-induced oral lichenoid reaction in a child.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral lichenoid reactions (OLRs) have been rarely reported in
      pediatric patients. CASE REPORT: This article reports an unusual case of a 15
      year-old girl who had white plaques in tongue and buccal mucosa oral which
      initially were diagnosed as oral lichen planus (OLP). At first, the patient and
      her family denied systemic or local medication use. Biopsy was performed, and
      histopathological aspects were suggestive of OLP. Despite the attempt of
      treatment with topical corticoid, the lesions did not recede. Patient's behavior
      and medical history were again investigated and revealed that she had been using
      almost daily in her school an artificially colored and flavored lollipop. One
      week after removing lollipop use behavior, the oral lesions showed complete
      resolution and OLR diagnosis was defined. CONCLUSION: The present case denotes
      that OLR should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral white plates
      in children and artificially colored sweets can be its causal agent.

PMID- 27258616
TI  - A full evaluation for the enantiomeric impacts of lactofen and its metabolites on
      aquatic macrophyte Lemna minor.
AB  - Pesticide pollution of surface water represents a considerable danger for the
      aquatic plants which play very crucial roles in aquatic system such as oxygen
      production, nutrient cycling, water quality controlling and sediment
      stabilization. In this work, the toxic effects of the chiral herbicide lactofen
      and its three metabolites (desethyl lactofen, acifluorfene and amino
      acifluorfene) to the aquatic plant Lemna minor (L. minor) on enantiomeric level
      were evaluated. The influences on growth rate, fresh weight, content of
      photosynthetic pigment, protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of
      antioxidant defense enzymes (catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were
      measured after 7 days of exposure. L. minor growth was inhibited in the order of
      (S)-desethyl lactofen > racemic-desethyl lactofen > (R)-desethyl lactofen >
      racemic-lactofen > (S)-lactofen > (R)-lactofen > acifluorfene > amino
      acifluorfene, and the IC50 (7d) values showed desethyl lactofen was the most
      powerful compound which was about twice as toxic as lactofen. The contents of
      chlorophylls (Chl) and carotenoids (Car) were significantly reduced by the
      chemicals, while, the levels of protein, MDA and the activity of CAT and SOD
      enzymes increased in most cases. The obtained results revealed that lactofen and
      its metabolites had an undesirable effect on L. minor, in terms of physiological
      and biochemical aspects. Besides, enantioselective toxicity of lactofen and
      desethyl lactofen to L. minor was observed. The S-enantiomer of desethyl lactofen
      was more toxic than the corresponding R-enantiomer. Furthermore, racemic lactofen
      was more toxic than the individual enantiomers. The side effects of pesticide
      metabolites and the enantioselectivity should be considered in developing
      optically pure products and risk assessment.

PMID- 27258617
TI  - Greenhouse gas emissions from waste stabilisation ponds in Western Australia and
      Quebec (Canada).
AB  - Waste stabilisation ponds (WSPs) are highly enriched environments that may emit
      large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG), including CO2, CH4 and N2O. However,
      few studies provide detailed reports on these emissions. In the present study, we
      investigated GHG emissions from WSPs in Western Australia and Quebec, Canada, and
      compared emissions to WSPs from other climatic regions and to other types of
      aquatic ecosystems. Surface water GHG concentrations were related to
      phytoplankton biomass and nutrients. The CO2 was either emitted or absorbed by
      WSPs, largely as a function of phytoplankton dynamics and strong stratification
      in these shallow systems, whereas efflux of CH4 and N2O to the atmosphere was
      always observed albeit with highly variable emission rates, dependent on
      treatment phase and time of the day. The total global warming potential index
      (GWP index, calculated as CO2 equivalent) of emitted GHG from WSPs in Western
      Australia averaged 12.8 mmol m(-2) d(-1) (median), with CO2, CH4 and N2O
      respectively contributing 0%, 96.7% and 3.3% of the total emissions, while in
      Quebec WSPs this index was 194 mmol m(-2) d(-1), with a relative contribution of
      93.8, 3.0 and 3.2% respectively. The CO2 fluxes from WSPs were of the same order
      of magnitude as those reported in hydroelectric reservoirs and constructed
      wetlands in tropical climates, whereas CH4 fluxes were considerably higher
      compared to other aquatic ecosystems. N2O fluxes were in the same range of values
      reported for WSPs in subtropical climate.

PMID- 27258618
TI  - Optimal flow sensor placement on wastewater treatment plants.
AB  - Obtaining high quality data collected on wastewater treatment plants is gaining
      increasing attention in the wastewater engineering literature. Typical studies
      focus on recognition of faulty data with a given set of installed sensors on a
      wastewater treatment plant. Little attention is however given to how one can
      install sensors in such a way that fault detection and identification can be
      improved. In this work, we develop a method to obtain Pareto optimal sensor
      layouts in terms of cost, observability, and redundancy. Most importantly, the
      resulting method allows reducing the large set of possibilities to a minimal set
      of sensor layouts efficiently for any wastewater treatment plant on the basis of
      structural criteria only, with limited sensor information, and without prior data
      collection. In addition, the developed optimization scheme is fast. Practically
      important is that the number of sensors needed for both observability of all
      flows and redundancy of all flow sensors is only one more compared to the number
      of sensors needed for observability of all flows in the studied wastewater
      treatment plant configurations.

PMID- 27258619
TI  - Evaluation of virus removal efficiency of coagulation-sedimentation and rapid
      sand filtration processes in a drinking water treatment plant in Bangkok,
      Thailand.
AB  - In order to properly assess and manage the risk of infection by enteric viruses
      in tap water, virus removal efficiency should be evaluated quantitatively for
      individual processes in actual drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs); however,
      there have been only a few studies due to technical difficulties in quantifying
      low virus concentration in water samples. In this study, the removal efficiency
      of indigenous viruses was evaluated for coagulation-sedimentation (CS) and rapid
      sand filtration (RSF) processes in a DWTP in Bangkok, Thailand by measuring the
      concentration of viruses before and after treatment processes using real-time
      polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Water samples were collected and concentrated
      from raw source water, after CS, and after RSF, and inhibitory substances in
      water samples were reduced by use of a hydrophobic resin (DAX-8). Pepper mild
      mottle virus (PMMoV) and JC polyomavirus (JC PyV) were found to be highly
      prevalent in raw waters, with concentrations of 10(2.88 +/- 0.35) and 10(3.06 +/-
      0.42) copies/L (geometric mean +/- S.D.), respectively. Step-wise removal
      efficiencies were calculated for individual processes, with some variation
      observed between wet and dry seasons. During the wet season, PMMoV was removed
      less by CS and more by RSF on average (0.40 log10 vs 1.26 log10, respectively),
      while the reverse was true for JC PyV (1.91 log10 vs 0.49 log10, respectively).
      Both viruses were removed similarly during the dry season, with CS removing the
      most virus (PMMoV, 1.61 log10 and 0.78 log10; JC PyV, 1.70 log10, and 0.59 log10;
      CS and RSF, respectively). These differences between seasons were potentially due
      to variations in raw water quality and the characteristics of the viruses
      themselves. These results suggest that PMMoV and JC PyV, which are more prevalent
      in environmental waters than the other enteric viruses evaluated in this study,
      could be useful in determining viral fate for the risk management of viruses in
      water treatment processes in actual full-scale DWTPs.

PMID- 27258620
TI  - Transformation of avobenzone in conditions of aquatic chlorination and UV
      irradiation.
AB  - Emerging contaminants represent a wide group of the most different compounds.
      They appear in the environment at trace levels due to human activity. Most of
      these compounds are not yet regulated. Sunscreen UV-filters play an important
      role among these emerging contaminants. In the present research the reactions of
      4-tert-butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), the most common UV filter
      in the formulation of sunscreens, were studied under the combined influence of
      active chlorine and UV-irradiation. Twenty five compounds were identified by
      GC/MS as transformation products of avobenzone in reactions of aquatic UV
      irradiation and chlorination with sodium hypochlorite. A complete scheme of
      transformation of avobenzone covering all the semivolatile products is proposed.
      The identification of the two primary chlorination products (2-chloro-1-(4-tert
      butylphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanedione and 2,2-dichloro-1-(4-tert
      butylphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanedione) was confirmed by their
      synthesis and GC/MS and NMR analysis. Although the toxicities of the majority of
      these products remain unknown substituted chlorinated phenols and acetophenones
      are known to be rather toxic. Combined action of active chlorine and UV
      irradiation results in the formation of some products (chloroanhydrides,
      chlorophenols) not forming in conditions of separate application of these
      disinfection methods. Therefore caring for people "well-being" it is of great
      importance to apply the most appropriate disinfection method. Since the primary
      transformation products partially resist powerful UV-C irradiation they may be
      treated as stable and persistent pollutants.

PMID- 27258621
TI  - Formic acid enhanced effective degradation of methyl orange dye in aqueous
      solutions under UV-Vis irradiation.
AB  - Developing efficient technologies to treat recalcitrant organic dye wastewater
      has long been of great research and practical interest. In this study, a small
      molecule, formic acid (FA), was applied as a process enhancer for the degradation
      of methyl orange (MO) dye as a model recalcitrant organic pollutant in aqueous
      solutions under the condition of UV-Vis light irradiation and air aeration at the
      ambient temperature of 25  degrees C. It was found that the decolouration of the
      dye solutions can be rapidly achieved, reducing the time, for example, from
      around 17.6 h without FA to mostly about less than 2 h with the presence of FA.
      The mineralization rate of MO dye reached as high as 81.8% in 1.5 h in the case
      of initial MO dye concentration at 25 mg L(-1), which is in contrast to nearly no
      mineralization of the MO dye for a similar system without the FA added. The study
      revealed that the generation of the H2O2 species in the system was enhanced and
      the produced OH radicals effectively contributed to the degradation of the MO
      dye. Process parameters such as the initial concentration of MO dye, FA dosage
      and solution pH were all found to have some effect on the degradation efficiency
      under the same condition of UV-Vis light irradiation and air aeration. The MO dye
      degradation performance was found to follow a first-order reaction rate to the MO
      dye concentration in most cases and there existed a positive correlation between
      the reaction rate constant and the initial FA concentration. Compared to the
      traditional H2O2/UV-Vis oxidation system, the use of FA as a process-enhancing
      agent can have the advantages of low cost, easy availability, and safe to use.
      The study hence demonstrates a promising approach to use a readily available
      small molecule of FA to enhance the degradation of recalcitrant organic
      pollutants, such as MO dye, especially for their pre-treatment.

PMID- 27258622
TI  - Novel c-Met inhibitory olive secoiridoid semisynthetic analogs for the control of
      invasive breast cancer.
AB  - Dysregulated receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met and its ligand HGF is valid and
      attractive molecular target for therapeutic blockade in cancer. Inspired by the
      chemical structure of the naturally occurring olive secoiridoid (-)-oleocanthal
      (1) and its documented anticancer activity against c-Met-dependent malignancies,
      a previous study reported tyrosol sinapate (4) as a c-Met inhibitor hit. This
      study reports additional semisynthetic optimization and SAR of 4 to improve its
      selective activity against c-Met-dependent breast cancer by increasing its
      capacity to inhibit c-Met phosphorylation. Forty-three compounds (5-47) were
      synthesized, among which the novel analog homovanillyl sinapate (HVS-16) was
      distinguished for its remarkable activity. HVS-16 substantially impaired c-Met
      mediated proliferation, migration, and invasion across human breast cancer cell
      lines in two- and three-dimensional culture systems, while similar treatment
      doses were found to have effect neither on the non-tumorigenic human mammary
      epithelial cell growth nor on the c-Met independent breast cancer cell viability.
      HVS-16 showed a dose-dependent inhibition of ligand-mediated c-Met activation in
      human breast cancer cells. Docking studies revealed that HVS-16 fits very well
      inside c-Met crystal structures, satisfying critical interactions at the ATP
      binding site. This study identified important structural pharmacophoric features
      in HVS-16 and correlated its postulated binding pose with c-Met kinase assay data
      that would guide future olive secoiridoid bioisostere lead design. Results
      presented herein suggest HVS-16 as a promising c-Met inhibitor validated hit with
      potential to control invasive breast malignancies with aberrant c-Met activity.

PMID- 27258623
TI  - Should tumour necrosis factor antagonist safety information be applied from
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis to psoriasis? Rates of serious adverse events
      in the prospective rheumatoid arthritis BIOBADASER and psoriasis BIOBADADERM
      cohorts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Information on the safety of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists
      frequently arises from their use in rheumatic diseases, their first approved
      indications, and is later applied to psoriasis. Whether the risk of biological
      therapy is similar in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis has been considered a
      priority research question. OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety profile of anti-TNF
      drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. METHODS: We compared
      two prospective safety cohorts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and
      psoriasis that share methods (BIOBADASER and BIOBADADERM). RESULTS: There were
      1248 serious or mortal adverse events in 16 230 person-years of follow-up in the
      rheumatoid arthritis cohort (3171 patients), and 124 in the 2760 person-years of
      follow-up of the psoriasis cohort (946 patients). Serious and mortal adverse
      events were less common in patients with psoriasis than in rheumatoid arthritis
      (incidence rate ratio of serious adverse events in psoriasis/rheumatoid
      arthritis: 0.6, 95% confidence interval 0.5-0.7). This risk remained after
      adjustment for sex, age, treatment, disease, hypertension, diabetes,
      hypercholesterolaemia and simultaneous therapy with methotrexate (hazard ratio
      0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.47-0.61), and after excluding patients receiving
      corticosteroids. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed a higher rate of
      infections, cardiac disorders, respiratory disorders and infusion-related
      reactions, whereas patients with psoriasis had more skin and subcutaneous tissue
      disorders and hepatobiliary disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis clinical practice have almost double the risk of serious adverse events
      compared with patients with psoriasis, with a different pattern of adverse
      events. Safety data from rheumatoid arthritis should not be fully extrapolated to
      psoriasis. These differences are likely to apply to other immune-mediated
      inflammatory diseases.

PMID- 27258625
TI  - Azomethine Ylides from Nitrones: Using Catalytic nBuLi for the Totally
      Stereoselective Synthesis of trans-2-Alkyl-3-oxazolines.
AB  - The cycloaddition of azomethine ylide N-oxides (nitrone ylides) with aldehydes
      provides 3-oxazolines in a completely stereoselective manner in the presence of a
      catalytic amount of n-butyllithium. The process involves an initial nucleophilic
      attack on the aldehyde, followed by intramolecular oxygen addition to the nitrone
      moiety and lithium-assisted elimination of water, regenerating the catalytic
      species. Various Li-based catalytic systems are possible and the in situ
      generated water is required for continuing the catalytic cycle. The best results
      are observed with 20 mol % of n-butyllithium, whereas the use of stoichiometric
      amounts inhibit the rate of catalysis. Experimental, spectroscopic, and
      computational mechanistic studies have provided evidence of lithium-ion catalysis
      and rationalized several competing catalytic pathways. 

PMID- 27258624
TI  - Different dose rate-dependent responses of human melanoma cells and fibroblasts
      to low dose fast neutrons.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the dose rate influence in hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS) of
      human melanoma cells to very low doses of fast neutrons and to compare to the
      behaviour of normal human skin fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We explored
      different neutron dose rates as well as possible implication of DNA double-strand
      breaks (DSB), apoptosis, and energy-provider adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) levels
      during HRS. RESULTS: HRS in melanoma cells appears only at a very low dose rate
      (VLDR), while a high dose rate (HDR) induces an initial cell-radioresistance
      (ICRR). HRS does not seem to be due either to DSB or to apoptosis. Both phenomena
      (HRS and ICRR) appear to be related to ATP availability for triggering cell
      repair. Fibroblast survival after neutron irradiation is also dose rate-dependent
      but without HRS. CONCLUSIONS: Melanoma cells or fibroblasts exert their own
      survival behaviour at very low doses of neutrons, suggesting that in some cases
      there is a differential between cancer and normal cells radiation responses. Only
      the survival of fibroblasts at HDR fits the linear no-threshold model. This new
      insight into human cell responses to very low doses of neutrons, concerns natural
      radiations, surroundings of accelerators, proton-therapy devices, flights at high
      altitude. Furthermore, ATP inhibitors could increase HRS during high-linear
      energy transfer (high-LET) irradiation.

PMID- 27258626
TI  - A Chiral Thiourea as a Template for Enantioselective Intramolecular [2 + 2]
      Photocycloaddition Reactions.
AB  - A chiral (1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane-derived bisthiourea was found to exhibit a
      significant asymmetric induction in the intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition
      of 2,3-dihydropyridone-5-carboxylates. Under optimized conditions, the reaction
      was performed with visible light employing 10 mol % of thioxanthone as triplet
      sensitizer. Due to the different electronic properties of its carbonyl oxygen
      atoms, a directed binding of the substrate to the template is possible, which in
      turn enables an efficient enantioface differentiation.

PMID- 27258644
TI  - Fungal meningitis caused by Lomentospora prolificans after allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - Central nervous system lomentosporiosis is a rare pathological condition in
      immunocompromised patients. We describe a fatal case of meningitis caused by
      Lomentospora prolificans (which was previously named Scedosporium prolificans),
      after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). To our
      knowledge, no cases of Lomentospora meningitis following allo-HSCT have been
      reported previously. Particularly in neutropenic patients, it is important to
      consider L. prolificans when a fungal infection is suspected and antifungal
      agents are ineffective. 

PMID- 27258645
TI  - Quantitative atomic resolution elemental mapping via absolute-scale energy
      dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
AB  - Quantitative agreement on an absolute scale is demonstrated between experiment
      and simulation for two-dimensional, atomic-resolution elemental mapping via
      energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. This requires all experimental parameters
      to be carefully characterized. The agreement is good, but some discrepancies
      remain. The most likely contributing factors are identified and discussed.
      Previous predictions that increasing the probe forming aperture helps to suppress
      the channelling enhancement in the average signal are confirmed experimentally.
      It is emphasized that simple column-by-column analysis requires a choice of
      sample thickness that compromises between being thick enough to yield a good
      signal-to-noise ratio while being thin enough that the overwhelming majority of
      the EDX signal derives from the column on which the probe is placed, despite
      strong electron scattering effects.

PMID- 27258646
TI  - CACNA1H(M1549V) Mutant Calcium Channel Causes Autonomous Aldosterone Production
      in HAC15 Cells and Is Inhibited by Mibefradil.
AB  - We recently demonstrated that a recurrent gain-of-function mutation in a T-type
      calcium channel, CACNA1H(M1549V), causes a novel Mendelian disorder featuring
      early-onset primary aldosteronism and hypertension. This variant was found
      independently in five families. CACNA1H(M1549V) leads to impaired channel
      inactivation and activation at more hyperpolarized potentials, inferred to cause
      increased calcium entry. We here aimed to study the effect of this variant on
      aldosterone production. We heterologously expressed empty vector, CACNA1H(WT) and
      CACNA1H(M1549V) in the aldosterone-producing adrenocortical cancer cell line
      H295R and its subclone HAC15. Transfection rates, expression levels, and
      subcellular distribution of the channel were similar between CACNA1H(WT) and
      CACNA1H(M1549V). We measured aldosterone production by an ELISA and CYP11B2
      (aldosterone synthase) expression by real-time PCR. In unstimulated cells,
      transfection of CACNA1H(WT) led to a 2-fold increase in aldosterone levels
      compared with vector-transfected cells. Expression of CACNA1H(M1549V) caused a 7
      fold increase in aldosterone levels. Treatment with angiotensin II or increased
      extracellular potassium levels further stimulated aldosterone production in both
      CACNA1H(WT)- and CACNA1H(M1549V)-transfected cells. Similar results were obtained
      for CYP11B2 expression. Inhibition of CACNA1H channels with the T-type calcium
      channel blocker Mibefradil completely abrogated the effects of CACNA1H(WT) and
      CACNA1H(M1549V) on CYP11B2 expression. These results directly link
      CACNA1H(M1549V) to increased aldosterone production. They suggest that calcium
      channel blockers may be beneficial in the treatment of a subset of patients with
      primary aldosteronism. Such blockers could target CACNA1H or both CACNA1H and the
      L-type calcium channel CACNA1D that is also expressed in the adrenal gland and
      mutated in patients with primary aldosteronism.

PMID- 27258647
TI  - Immunogenicity and Safety of the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine versus
      the 23-Valent Polysaccharide Vaccine in Unvaccinated HIV-Infected Adults: A
      Pilot, Prospective Controlled Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Definition of the optimal pneumococcal vaccine strategy in HIV
      infected adults is still under evaluation. We aimed to compare immunogenicity and
      safety of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) versus the 23
      valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) in HIV-infected adults. METHODS: We
      performed a pilot, prospective controlled study enrolling HIV-infected
      pneumococcal vaccine-naive outpatients, aged 18-65 years with CD4 counts >=200
      cells/MUL. Eligible subjects were recruited into two parallel groups: group 1 (n
      = 50) received two doses of PCV13 eight weeks apart, and group 2 (n = 50)
      received one dose of PPSV23, as part of their standard of care. Anti-pneumococcal
      capsular polysaccharide immunoglobulin G concentrations were quantified by ELISA
      at baseline, 8, 24 and 48 weeks. Clinical and viro-immunological follow-up was
      performed at the same time points. Unvaccinated, age-matched HIV-negative adults
      (n = 100) were also enrolled as baseline controls. RESULTS: Pre-vaccination
      specific IgG titers for each pneumococcal antigen did not differ between study
      groups but they were constantly lower than those from the HIV-negative controls.
      After immunization, significant increases in IgG titers were observed in both
      study groups at each time point compared to baseline, but response to serotype 3
      was blunted in group 1. Antibody titers for each antigen did not differ between
      study groups at week 48. Overall, the proportion of subjects achieving
      seroprotection and seroconversion to all serotypes was comparable between groups.
      A marked decrease in IgG levels over time was observed with both vaccines. No
      relevant adverse reactions were reported in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In this
      population with favorable immune profile, no relevant differences were observed
      in immunogenicity between PCV13 and PPSV23. Both vaccines were safe and well
      tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02123433.

PMID- 27258648
TI  - The application of phospholipid removal columns and ultra-high performance liquid
      chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry for quantification of multi
      class antibiotics in aquaculture samples.
AB  - In this study a robust and sensitive method based on a proposed sample
      purification procedure, using zirconia-coated PhreeTM columns and analysis by
      ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole tandem mass
      spectrometry are presented for the assessment of multi-class antibiotics in
      farmed fish species. The sample preparation procedure benefited from combined
      precipitation of proteins and selective removal of phospholipids by PhreeTM
      columns, resulting in a high sensitivity of the method (LOQ 0.3-9mgkg(-1)). The
      in-house validation results (precision, repeatability, decision limit CCalpha,
      detection capability CCbeta, etc.) indicate that the elaborated method is fully
      suitable for the analysis of the main classes of antibiotics in accordance with
      the European Union (EU) Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The method was applied
      to the analysis of antibiotics in trout and sturgeon samples obtained from the
      local inland aquacultures in Latvia. The results revealed the presence of two
      antibiotics (enrofloxacin and trimethoprim) in 12 out of the 20 analysed fish
      samples at concentrations (0.33-12.2MUgkg(-1)) below the MRLs, thus causing no
      acute risks to consumers. 

PMID- 27258649
TI  - Lifestyle and Socioeconomic Determinants of Multimorbidity Patterns among Mid
      Aged Women: A Longitudinal Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about patterns of associative multimorbidity and
      their aetiology. We aimed to identify patterns of associative multimorbidity
      among mid-aged women and the lifestyle and socioeconomic factors associated with
      their development. METHODS: Participants were from the Australian Longitudinal
      Study on Women's Health. We included 4896 women born 1946-51, without
      multimorbidity in 1998. We identified multimorbidity patterns at survey 6 (2010)
      using factor analysis, and related these patterns to baseline lifestyle and
      socioeconomic factors using logistic regression. We dichotomised factor scores
      and determined odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for
      associations between characteristics and odds of a high versus low factor score.
      RESULTS: We identified five multimorbidity patterns: psychosomatic;
      musculoskeletal; cardiometabolic; cancer; and respiratory. Overweight and obesity
      were respectively associated with increased odds of having a high score for the
      musculoskeletal (adjusted ORs 1.45 [95% CI 1.23, 1.70] and 2.14 [95% CI 1.75,
      2.60]) and cardiometabolic (adjusted ORs 1.53 [95% CI 1.31, 1.79] and 2.46 [95%
      CI 2.02, 2.98]) patterns. Physical inactivity was associated with increased odds
      of a high score for the psychosomatic, musculoskeletal and cancer patterns
      (adjusted ORs 1.41 [95% CI 1.13, 1.76]; 1.39 [95% CI 1.11, 1.74]; and 1.35 [95%
      CI 1.08, 1.69]). Smoking was associated with increased odds of a high score for
      the respiratory pattern. Education and ability to manage on income were
      associated with increased odds of a high score for the psychosomatic pattern
      (adjusted ORs 1.34 [95% CI 1.03, 1.75] and 1.73 [95% CI 1.37, 1.28],
      respectively) and musculoskeletal pattern (adjusted ORs 1.43 [95% CI 1.10, 1.87]
      and 1.38 [1.09, 1.75], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Distinct multimorbidity
      patterns can be identified among mid-aged women. Social inequality, physical
      activity and BMI are risk factors common to multiple patterns and are appropriate
      targets for reducing the risk of specific multimorbidity groups in mid-life
      women.

PMID- 27258650
TI  - Reintroduction and Post-Release Survival of a Living Fossil: The Chinese Giant
      Salamander.
AB  - Captive rearing and reintroduction / translocation are increasingly used as tools
      to supplement wild populations of threatened species. Reintroducing captive
      reared Chinese giant salamanders may help to augment the declining wild
      populations and conserve this critically endangered amphibian. We released 31
      captive-reared juvenile giant salamanders implanted with VHF radio transmitters
      at the Heihe River (n = 15) and the Donghe River (n = 16) in the Qinling
      Mountains of central China. Salamanders were monitored every day for survival
      from April 28th 2013 to September 3rd 2014. We attempted to recapture all living
      individuals by the end of the study, measured their body mass and total body
      length, and checked for abnormalities and presence of external parasites. Two
      salamanders at the Heihe River and 10 animals at the Donghe River survived
      through the project timeline. Nine salamanders were confirmed dead, while the
      status of the other 10 animals was undetermined. The annual survival rate of
      giant salamanders at the Donghe River (0.702) was 1.7-fold higher than that at
      the Heihe River (0.405). Survival increased as individuals were held longer
      following surgery, whereas body mass did not have a significant impact on
      survival rate. All salamanders recaptured from the Donghe River (n = 8) increased
      in mass (0.50 +/- 0.13 kg) and length (5.5 +/- 1.5 cm) after approximately 11
      months in the wild, and they were only 7% lighter than wild animals of the same
      length (mean residual = -0.033 +/- 0.025). Our results indicate that captive
      reared Chinese giant salamanders can survive in the wild one year after release
      and adequate surgical recovery time is extremely important to post-release
      survival. Future projects may reintroduce older juveniles to achieve better
      survival and longer monitoring duration. 

PMID- 27258651
TI  - Cardiovascular Outcomes Following Rotational Atherectomy: A UK Multicentre
      Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with outcomes following rotational
      atherectomy (RA). BACKGROUND: RA is an effective way to mechanically modify
      heavily calcified lesions before stenting; however its outcomes are not well
      defined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective evaluation of all patients who
      underwent RA in three large UK centers (Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), Royal
      Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) and University Hospital of North Staffordshire
      (UHNS)) from March 2005 to January 2013. Five hundred and eighteen patients had
      RA with median follow-up period of 22 months. About 68.3% were male, 28.7% had DM
      and 34.6% were treated because of ACS. Stents were deployed in 97.3% of the
      patients while 30.7% of the procedures were performed transradially. Maximum burr
      was <=1.75 mm in 85.5% and the mean SYNTAX score was 19.5 +/- 11.6. Peri
      procedural complications occurred in 6.4% and vascular access complications in
      1.9%. Outcomes in the follow-up period were: MACE 17.8%, cardiac death 7.1%, MI
      11.7%, TVR 7.5%, all-cause death 13.7%, definite stent thrombosis (ST) 1.4% and
      stroke 2.9%. Patients with intermediate and high SYNTAX scores were more likely
      to suffer MACE, cardiac death, MI, all-cause death and ST. Patients with a SYNTAX
      score >32 were also more likely to have a peri-procedural complication. Multiple
      logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of PVD (P = 0.026, OR =
      2.0), DM (P = 0.008, OR = 2.1), ACS presentation (P = 0.011, OR = 2.1) and SYNTAX
      score >=23 (P = 0.02, OR = 1.9) had a significant association with MACE.
      CONCLUSIONS: RA is safe and effective, with high rate of procedural success and
      relatively low incidence of MACE. PVD, DM, ACS presentation and SYNTAX score were
      significant predictors for MACE. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27258653
TI  - Adult-onset hyperthyroidism impairs spatial learning: possible involvement of
      mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways.
AB  - Given evidence that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation is part of
      the nongenomic actions of thyroid hormones, we investigated the possible
      consequences of hyperthyroidism for the cognitive functioning of adult rats.
      Young adult rats were treated with L-thyroxine or saline. Twenty rats in each
      group were exposed to Morris water maze testing, measuring their performance in a
      hidden-platform spatial task. In a separate set of rats not exposed to Morris
      water maze testing (untrained rats), the expression and phosphorylated levels of
      p38-MAPK and of its two downstream effectors, Elk-1 and cAMP response element
      binding protein, were evaluated using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR and
      western blotting. Rats with hyperthyroidism showed delayed acquisition of
      learning compared with their wild-type counterparts, as shown by increased escape
      latencies and distance moved on the last two trials of daily training in the
      water maze. The hyperthyroid rats, however, showed no difference during probe
      trials. Western blot analyses of the hippocampus showed that hyperthyroidism
      increased phosphorylated p38-MAPK levels in untrained rats. Although our study is
      correlative in nature and does not exclude the contribution of other molecular
      targets, our findings suggest that the observed impairments in acquisition during
      actual learning in rats with hyperthyroidism may result from the increased
      phosphorylation of p38-MAPK.

PMID- 27258652
TI  - Compartmentation of metabolites in regulating epigenome of cancer.
AB  - Covalent modification of DNA and histones are important epigenetic events and the
      genome wide reshaping of epigenetic markers is common in cancer. The epigenetic
      markers are produced by enzymatic reactions and some of these reactions require
      the presence of metabolites as cofactors (termed Epigenetic Enzyme Required
      Metabolites, EERMs). Recent studies found that the abundance of these EERMs
      correlates with epigenetic enzyme activities. Also, the subcellular
      compartmentation, especially the nuclear localization of these EERMs may play a
      role in regulating the activities of epigenetic enzymes. Moreover, gene specific
      recruitment of enzymes which produce the EERMs in the proximity of the epigenetic
      modification events accompanying the gene expression regulation, were proposed.
      Therefore, it is of importance to summarize these findings of the EERMs in
      regulating the epigenetic modifications at both DNA and histone levels, and to
      understand how EERMs contribute to cancer development by addressing their global
      versus local distribution.

PMID- 27258654
TI  - Aberrant resting state in microRNA-30e rat model of cognitive impairment.
AB  - Increasing evidence suggests that microRNA (miRNA)-30e is implicated in the
      cognitive symptoms of many neuropsychiatric diseases. Our previous studies showed
      that miRNA-30e is associated with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and
      depression. Neuroimaging studies have suggested that cognitive impairment is best
      characterized as abnormal local activity or a disconnection syndrome. Therefore,
      we constructed a cognitively impaired overexpressing miRNA-30e rat model for
      study using functional MRI (fMRI). The model was developed by transfected
      lentiviral particles carrying the miRNA-30e into the hippocampal dentate gyrus.
      The Morris water maze and open-field test were used to evaluate cognitive
      ability. We used the regional homogeneity approach to analyze resting-state fMRI
      data to explore the changes in regional synchronization. We then used Granger
      causality analysis to explore connectivity between the hippocampus, striatum, and
      thalamus. The model group showed higher regional homogeneity in the right
      hippocampus and striatum. One-way Granger causality connections were observed
      from the thalamus to the hippocampus in the model group, whereas connections from
      the thalamus to the striatum were observed in normal rats. After fluoxetine
      treatment, we found indirect connections between the thalamus and the striatum;
      we also found connections from the hippocampus to the striatum after Shuganjieyu
      capsule treatment. Our results support the hypothesis that cognitive impairment
      is related to disrupted local functionality or aberrant brain connectivity, with
      antidepressant drugs partially reversing cognitive impairment. The
      characteristics of resting-state fMRI in miRNA-30e overexpressing rats can
      provide further evidence for investigating the neural mechanisms of cognitive
      impairment in mental disorders. Video abstract; Supplemental digital content 1,
      http://links.lww.com/WNR/A385.

PMID- 27258655
TI  - Impact of the Type of First Medical Contact within a Guideline-Conform ST
      Elevation Myocardial Infarction Network: A Prospective Observational Registry
      Study.
AB  - AIMS: The impact of type of first medical contact (FMC) in the setting of a
      guideline conform metropolitan ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) network
      providing obligatory primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: 3,312 patients were prospectively included between 2006 and
      2012 into a registry accompanying the "Cologne Infarction Model" STEMI network,
      with 68.4% primarily presenting to emergency medical service (EMS), 17.6% to non
      PCI-capable hospitals, and 14.0% to PCI-capable hospitals. Median contact-to
      balloon time differed significantly by FMC with 89 minutes (IQR 72-115) for EMS,
      107 minutes (IQR 85-148) for non-PCI- and 65 minutes (IQR 48-91) for PCI-capable
      hospitals (p < 0.001). TIMI-flow grade III and in-hospital mortality were 75.7%
      and 10.4% in EMS, 70.3% and 8.6% in non-PCI capable hospital and 84.4% and 5.6%
      in PCI-capable hospital presenters, respectively (p both < 0.01). The association
      of FMC with in-hospital mortality was not significant after adjustment for
      baseline characteristics, but risk of TIMI-flow grade < III remained
      significantly increased in patients presenting to non-PCI capable hospitals.
      CONCLUSION: Despite differences in treatment delay by type of FMC in-hospital
      mortality did not differ significantly. The increased risk of TIMI-flow grade <
      III in patients presenting to non PCI-capable hospitals needs further study.

PMID- 27258656
TI  - A new science of happiness: the paradox of pleasure.
AB  - The pursuit of happiness is enshrined in the founding document of our nation as a
      fundamental and inalienable right. Yet nowhere is the method of this pursuit
      clearly defined. What, exactly, does it mean to be happy, and how can such
      happiness be sustained over the long term? Can happiness be accurately gauged or
      measured? How does the paradoxical relationship between happiness and pleasure
      shape our quest to lead the good life? And what does modern science have to tell
      us about this universal yet elusive pursuit? Steve Paulson, executive producer
      and host of To the Best of Our Knowledge, moderated a discussion that included
      attorney and author Kim Azzarelli, historian Darrin McMahon, and social
      psychologist Barry Schwartz, who joined forces to share their research and
      insight on happiness, pleasure, and the coveted good life.

PMID- 27258657
TI  - Associations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and oxidative
      stress in people living near e-waste recycling facilities in China.
AB  - Emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from e-waste recycling
      activities in China is known. However, little is known on the association between
      PAH exposure and oxidative damage to DNA and lipid content in people living near
      e-waste dismantling sites. In this study, ten hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) and two biomarkers [8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)
      and malondialdehyde (MDA)] of oxidative stress were investigated in urine samples
      collected from people living in and around e-waste dismantling facilities, and in
      reference population from rural and urban areas in China. The urinary levels of
      ?10OH-PAHs determined in e-waste recycling area (GM: 25.4MUg/g Cre) were
      significantly higher (p<0.05) than those found in both rural (11.7MUg/g Cre) and
      urban (10.9MUg/g Cre) reference areas. The occupationally exposed e-waste workers
      (36.6MUg/g Cre) showed significantly higher (p<0.01) urinary Sigma10OH-PAHs
      concentrations than non-occupationally exposed people (23.2MUg/g Cre) living in
      the e-waste recycling site. The differences in urinary Sigma10OH-PAHs levels
      between smokers (23.4MUg/g Cre) and non-smokers (24.7MUg/g Cre) were not
      significant (p>0.05) in e-waste dismantling sites, while these differences were
      significant (p<0.05) in rural and urban reference areas; this indicated that
      smoking is not associated with elevated levels of PAH exposure in e-waste
      dismantling site. Furthermore, we found that urinary concentrations of Sigma10OH
      PAHs and individual OH-PAHs were significantly associated with elevated 8-OHdG,
      in samples collected from e-waste dismantling site; the levels of urinary 1
      hydroxypyrene (1-PYR) (r=0.284, p<0.01) was significantly positively associated
      with MDA. Our results indicate that the exposure to PAHs at the e-waste
      dismantling site may have an effect on oxidative damage to DNA among selected
      participants, but this needs to be validated in large studies.

PMID- 27258658
TI  - Pregnancy and childhood exposure to residential traffic noise and overweight at
      7years of age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exposure to road traffic noise has been associated with adiposity and
      diabetes in adults. The suggested pathways have been through sleep disturbance
      and stress. Children may be particularly susceptible to noise induced sleep
      disturbance and stress and the effects hereof. OBJECTIVES: To examine the
      association between traffic noise exposure during pregnancy and early childhood
      and adiposity in children. METHODS: We identified 40,974 singletons from the
      Danish National Birth Cohort with parentally given questionnaire information on
      weight and height at 7-years of age. Road and railway traffic noise were modeled
      at all historical addresses and expressed as time-weighted means for two exposure
      periods (pregnancy and childhood). Adiposity was assessed using BMI z-scores and
      a dichotomous measure of childhood overweight based on age and sex specific cut
      offs. Associations were analyzed using linear regression for BMI z-scores and
      logistic regression for risk of childhood overweight, adjusting for socioeconomic
      position, maternal BMI, maternal smoking, maternal age, parity and degree of
      urbanization. RESULTS: We found both pregnancy and childhood exposure to road
      traffic noise to be associated with a higher risk for childhood overweight (odds
      ratio (OR)=1.06 per 10dB, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.12 for exposure
      during pregnancy and OR=1.06 per 10dB, 95% CI: 0.99-1.12 for childhood exposure).
      There were no associations between road traffic noise and BMI z-scores. We found
      no associations between railway noise and adiposity. CONCLUSIONS: We found
      suggestions of a positive association between road traffic noise and risk of
      overweight in 7-years old children.

PMID- 27258659
TI  - Associations of urinary metal levels with serum hormones, spermatozoa apoptosis
      and sperm DNA damage in a Chinese population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exposure to metals, including essential and nonessential elements, is
      widespread and may be associated with male reproductive health. OBJECTIVE: To
      examine whether environmental exposure to metals contributes to reproductive
      hormone changes, spermatozoa apoptosis and sperm DNA damage in a Chinese
      population. METHODS: Eighteen metals (aluminum, arsenic, antimony, chromium,
      cobalt, copper, cadmium, iron, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium,
      tin, tungsten, thallium, uranium and zinc) were analyzed in two urine samples
      collected a few hours apart from male partners of couples attending an
      infertility clinic. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess
      the cross-sectional associations of average urinary metal levels with serum
      hormones (n=511), spermatozoa apoptosis measures (n=460) and sperm DNA damage
      parameters (n=516). RESULTS: We found significant inverse dose-dependent trends
      of urinary tin quartiles with total testosterone (T), and tin, nickel, zinc and
      molybdenum with the ratio of total T to luteinizing hormone (total T/LH ratio)
      (all Ptrend<0.05). Additionally, we found significantly dose-dependent trends of
      increasing urinary manganese quartiles with increasing percentage of Annexin
      V+/PI- spermatozoa and increasing iron with decreasing percentage of PI+
      spermatozoa (both Ptrend<0.05). These dose-dependent trends remained suggestive
      or significant after controlling for multiple testing and other metals, and they
      persisted when the metals were modeled as continuous variables in a cubic spline
      analysis. There were no significant associations between urinary metals and sperm
      DNA damage after adjustment for multiple testing. CONCLUSION: Environmental
      exposure to tin, nickel, zinc and molybdenum may be associated decreased total T
      or total T/LH ratio; manganese may induce spermatozoa apoptosis, while iron may
      be important for living spermatozoa. However, additional prospective research is
      needed to corroborate these findings in the general population.

PMID- 27258660
TI  - Association of perfluoroalkyl substances exposure with reproductive hormone
      levels in adolescents: By sex status.
AB  - Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of common chemicals that
      ubiquitously exist in wildlife and humans. However, few studies have researched
      the effect of PFASs on reproductive hormones in adolescents. To provide
      information in this regard, we recruited 225 Taiwanese adolescents aged 13
      15years from 2009 to 2010 to investigate the relationship between serum PFASs
      (PFOS, PFOA, PFBS, PFDA, PFDoA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFNA and PFTA) and reproductive
      hormone concentrations using a cross-sectional study design. Results showed PFOS
      and PFTA levels were highest among the PFASs, with a median concentrations of
      29.9 (interquartile range: 13.0-43.8) ng/mL and 6.0 (0.6-25.9) ng/mL in males,
      and a median concentrations of 28.8 (14.8-42.6) ng/mL and 4.5 (0.3-18.4) ng/mL in
      females. After adjustment for confounding factors, nonsignificant associations
      between PFASs and reproductive hormone were found except for PFNA with
      ln(estradiol) (beta=0.2060, 95%CI: 0.0016, 0.4105). When stratified by sex, more
      significant associations were found in males than in females. Among males, PFASs
      were negatively associated with ln(testosterone) level for PFOS (beta=-0.0029,
      95%CI: -0.0055, -0.0003), PFDA (beta=-0.2565, 95%CI: -0.4135, -0.0994), PFHxA
      (beta=-0.3095, 95%CI: -0.5942, -0.0248), and PFNA (beta=-0.4233, 95%CI: -0.6998, 
      0.1467). Furthermore, male participant ln(estradiol) levels were positively
      associated with PFOA (beta=0.0921, 95%CI: 0.0186, 0.1656), and PFHxS
      (beta=0.0462, 95%CI: 0.0020, 0.0905). Among females, a significant relationship
      was found only for PFDoA with ln(testosterone) (beta=-0.0119, 95%CI: -0.0227, 
      0.0010). In conclusion, this study showed higher levels of PFASs coincide with
      lower testosterone and higher estradiol levels, and more significant associations
      of PFASs with reproductive hormone were found in males than in females.

PMID- 27258661
TI  - Children's well-being at schools: Impact of climatic conditions and air
      pollution.
AB  - Human civilization is currently facing two particular challenges: population
      growth with a strong trend towards urbanization and climate change. The latter is
      now no longer seriously questioned. The primary concern is to limit anthropogenic
      climate change and to adapt our societies to its effects. Schools are a key part
      of the structure of our societies. If future generations are to take control of
      the manifold global problems, we have to offer our children the best possible
      infrastructure for their education: not only in terms of the didactic concepts,
      but also with regard to the climatic conditions in the school environment.
      Between the ages of 6 and 19, children spend up to 8h a day in classrooms. The
      conditions are, however, often inacceptable and regardless of the geographic
      situation, all the current studies report similar problems: classrooms being too
      small for the high number of school children, poor ventilation concepts,
      considerable outdoor air pollution and strong sources of indoor air pollution.
      There have been discussions about a beneficial and healthy air quality in
      classrooms for many years now and in recent years extensive studies have been
      carried out worldwide. The problems have been clearly outlined on a scientific
      level and there are prudent and feasible concepts to improve the situation. The
      growing number of publications also highlights the importance of this subject.
      High carbon dioxide concentrations in classrooms, which indicate poor ventilation
      conditions, and the increasing particle matter in urban outdoor air have, in
      particular, been identified as primary causes of poor indoor air quality in
      schools. Despite this, the conditions in most schools continue to be in need of
      improvement. There are many reasons for this. In some cases, the local
      administrative bodies do not have the budgets required to address such concerns,
      in other cases regulations and laws stand in contradiction to the demands for
      better indoor air quality, and sometimes the problems are simply ignored. This
      review summarizes the current results and knowledge gained from the scientific
      literature on air quality in classrooms. Possible scenarios for the future are
      discussed and guideline values proposed which can serve to help authorities,
      government organizations and commissions improve the situation on a global level.

PMID- 27258662
TI  - A comparison of the effects of a 4% modified fluid gelatin and a 6% hydroxyethyl
      starch on haemodilution, colloid osmotic pressure, haemostasis and renal
      parameters in healthy ponies.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Adverse effects on renal health and haemostasis
      have been documented in human patients administered hydroxyethyl starches (HESs).
      Gelatins may represent useful substitutes should similar adverse effects be
      identified in horses. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of a 4% modified fluid
      gelatin (MFG) with a 6% (130/0.4) HES on haemodilution, colloid osmotic pressure
      (COP), haemostasis and renal parameters in healthy ponies. STUDY DESIGN:
      Randomised crossover experiment. METHODS: Three treatments (Treatment A: 10 ml/kg
      bwt HES; Treatment B: 10 ml/kg bwt MFG; Treatment C: 20 ml/kg bwt MFG) were
      administered to 6 healthy ponies with a 1 week washout period between treatments.
      Haematocrit, platelet count, total serum protein, COP, thromboelastography (TEG),
      prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and
      fibrinogen concentration were measured at baseline and at multiple time points up
      to 24 h post-infusion. Serum creatinine concentration, urine specific gravity
      (USG), urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC), urine gamma
      glutamyltransferase:creatinine ratio (UGC) and urine sediment examination (USE)
      were performed before and at 24 h after each treatment, as well as at 1 week
      after the final treatment. RESULTS: All treatments resulted in significant
      haemodilution and increases in COP. Treatment C had a significantly greater
      effect on haematocrit than the other treatments. The platelet count decreased
      with all treatments and was significantly lower following Treatment C compared
      with Treatment B. No clinically relevant differences were observed in any of the
      TEG parameters within or between treatments. No significant differences in PT,
      aPTT or fibrinogen concentration were observed among treatments. Serum creatinine
      concentration, UPC and UGC did not change significantly between pre- and post
      study measurements. USG and USE remained within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS:
      Modified fluid gelatin could be considered as an alternative to HES for volume
      expansion and oncotic support. Neither MFG nor HES were associated with
      clinically significant adverse effects on haemostasis or renal parameters.

PMID- 27258663
TI  - Postoperative complications in cardiac patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this article we review the current knowledge on the
      underlying mechanisms of perioperative myocardial injury, the preoperative
      methods of predicting these complications, the diagnostic tools for detecting
      perioperative myocardial injuries, and the available protective strategies to
      prevent or attenuate the extent of myocardial injury. RECENT FINDINGS: The last
      years' new insights have provided a better understanding of the problem of
      perioperative myocardial injury and infarction. Specifically, the importance of
      early diagnosis and prompt treatment are increasingly getting attention.
      Concomitantly, the results of recent large multicenter studies have challenged
      classical therapeutic approaches in the perioperative treatment of cardiac
      patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. SUMMARY: These new insights will help to
      better tailor individual strategies to prevent or minimize perioperative cardiac
      complications. Especially, early diagnosis and intensification of treatment will
      get specific interest in the coming years.

PMID- 27258664
TI  - Update on perioperative acute kidney injury.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we discuss the latest updates on perioperative
      acute kidney injury (AKI) and the specific considerations that are relevant to
      different surgeries and patient populations. RECENT FINDINGS: AKI diagnosis is
      constantly evolving. New biomarkers detect AKI early and shed a light on the
      possible cause of AKI. Hypotension, even for a short duration, is associated with
      perioperative AKI. The debate on the deleterious effects of chloride-rich
      solutions is still far from conclusion. Remote ischemic preconditioning is
      showing promising results in the possible prevention of perioperative AKI. No
      definite data show a beneficiary effect of statins, fenoldepam, or sodium
      bicarbonate in preventing AKI. SUMMARY: Perioperative AKI is prevalent and
      associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Considering the lack of
      effective preventive or therapeutic interventions, this review focuses on
      perioperative AKI: measures for early diagnosis, defining risks and possible
      mechanisms, and summarizing current knowledge for intraoperative fluid and
      hemodynamic management to reduce risk of AKI.

PMID- 27258665
TI  - Protein delivery in critical illness.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Protein delivery in the critically ill still is a highly
      debated issue. Here, we discuss only the most recent updates in the literature
      concerning protein nutrition of the critically ill. RECENT FINDINGS: Up to now,
      there are no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published on enteral provision
      of protein that were randomized for protein level of intake. In the past year,
      there have been two new observational studies published, one of which in
      critically ill children. Also, two randomized controlled trials with high
      parenteral amino acid provision have been published. The overall view on
      nutrition support has not been changed convincingly by these studies. Recent
      findings have confirmed that protein and amino acid provision are highly
      important for outcome in critically ill patients. For the first time, a
      randomized study confirmed this, however, only on the short term. The other RCT
      confirmed that an extreme dosing of amino acids is not related to improvement in
      outcome. One observational study showed that the effect of protein on outcome
      should be adjusted for energy intake and vice versa, showing that adequate
      protein is related to improved outcome and adequate energy provision is not. The
      other observational study confirmed importance of protein in paediatric ICU but
      also gained some insight into improvement of protein delivery by postpyloric
      feeding and usefulness of a dedicated dietitian in the ICU. SUMMARY: We will
      continue to improve protein delivery to critically ill patients; however, the
      quest for evidence and feeding guidelines still remains.

PMID- 27258666
TI  - Bedside nutrition evaluation and physical assessment techniques in critical
      illness.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to highlight emerging techniques
      used to determine body composition early in ICU stay, their prediction of poor
      outcome, and what is required before they can be more widely used. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Opportunistic use of imaging techniques to assess muscle mass shows
      promise with regard to predicting patient outcomes; however, some of these
      techniques are expensive. Mid-arm muscle circumference and physical assessments
      of muscle wasting and subcutaneous fat loss using the subjective global
      assessment (SGA) are simple cheap tools that can be undertaken at the ICU patient
      bedside. Furthermore, each of these simple measures is a better predictor of
      patient outcome than BMI. SUMMARY: Mid-arm muscle circumference, SGA fat loss,
      and SGA muscle wasting have each been found to be better predictors of poor
      outcome than BMI in ICU patients.Mid-arm muscle circumference, SGA fat loss, and
      SGA muscle wasting may be able to identify patients who are most likely to
      benefit from enhanced nutrition support.We need further research incorporating
      the use of these simple measures to evaluate their ability to accurately identify
      patients most likely to benefit from enhanced nutritional support.

PMID- 27258667
TI  - An Easy Access to Organic Salt-Based Stimuli-Responsive and Multifunctional
      Supramolecular Hydrogels.
AB  - By exploiting orthogonal hydrogen bonding involving supramolecular synthons and
      hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions, a new series of simple organic salt based
      hydrogelators derived from pyrene butyric acid and its beta-alanine amide
      derivative, and various primary amines has been achieved. The hydrogels were
      characterised by microscopy, table-top rheology and dynamic rheology. FTIR,
      variable-temperature (1) H NMR and emission spectroscopy established the role of
      various supramolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking
      in hydrogelation. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) studies supported the
      conclusion that orthogonal hydrogen bonding involving amide-amide and primary
      ammonium monocarboxylate (PAM) synthons indeed played a crucial role in
      hydrogelation. The hydrogels were found to be stimuli-responsive and were capable
      of sensing ammonia and adsorbing water-soluble dye (methylene blue). All the
      hydrogelators were biocompatible (MTT assay in RAW 264.7 cells), indicating their
      suitability for use in drug delivery. 

PMID- 27258668
TI  - HYPERREFLECTIVE FOCI AS AN INDEPENDENT VISUAL OUTCOME PREDICTOR IN MACULAR EDEMA
      DUE TO RETINAL VASCULAR DISEASES TREATED WITH INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE OR
      RANIBIZUMAB.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential role of hyperreflective foci (HF) in
      predicting visual outcome in patients undergoing treatment for macular edema due
      to retinal vascular diseases. METHODS: Data and images of 92 patients with
      macular edema due to diabetes mellitus or branch retinal vein occlusion, treated
      with either intravitreal dexamethasone implant or ranibizumab, were analyzed. All
      patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity measurement, slit-lamp
      examination, spectral domain optical coherence tomography at baseline and at all
      time points of the follow-up (Month 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9). Generalized least squares
      random effects linear or logistic regression analysis was used to investigate
      potential factors associated with the final best-corrected visual acuity and
      number of HF, respectively. RESULTS: Increasing age (P < 0.001), central retinal
      thickness (P < 0.001), number of HF (P = 0.028), presence of subretinal fluid (P
      < 0.001), intraretinal fluid (P < 0.001), intraretinal cysts (P < 0.001), and
      disruption of ellipsoid zone/external limiting membrane (P < 0.001) were
      significantly associated with poorer visual outcome. Factors associated with HF
      were increasing central retinal thickness (P = 0.003), presence of subretinal
      fluid (P = 0.049), intraretinal fluid (P = 0.002), cysts (P = 0.015), and
      disruption of ellipsoid zone (P = 0.047). No significant differences in change in
      best-corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and HF were observed
      between the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Hyperreflective foci are associated
      with poorer visual outcome in patients with macular edema due to retinal vascular
      diseases. Similar reductions in HF are achieved by intravitreal steroid and anti
      vascular endothelial growth factor agent.

PMID- 27258669
TI  - ANGIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS OF RANIBIZUMAB-RESISTANT POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY
      AFTER SWITCHING TO A TREAT-AND-EXTEND REGIMEN WITH INTRAVITREAL AFLIBERCEPT.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to study the angiopathic findings of
      ranibizumab-resistant polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy after switching to a
      treat-and-extend regimen with intravitreal aflibercept. METHODS: The authors
      retrospectively reviewed 17 eyes of 17 Japanese patients with polypoidal
      choroidal vasculopathy (10 men and 7 women, age: 73.8 +/- 7.4 years) who were
      treated with intravitreal aflibercept (2 mg/0.05 mL) injections from February
      2013 to August 2014 at Tokyo University Hospital. All patients had switched to
      aflibercept because their polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy had been refractory
      to ranibizumab. RESULTS: The mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity at baseline
      and after 12 months of therapy was 0.30 +/- 0.29 (Snellen equivalent: 20/40) and
      0.17 +/- 0.26 (20/30) (paired t-test P < 0.001). Visual acuity remained stable in
      5 cases (29%), deteriorated in 3 (18%), and improved in 9 (53%). Branching
      vascular networks persisted in all 17 eyes but shrank in 15 (88%). The mean
      lesion diameter was 3329 +/- 1261 MUm at baseline and 3180 +/- 1247 MUm after 12
      months (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: A treat-and-extend regimen with intravitreal
      aflibercept for ranibizumab-resistant patients resulted in branching vascular
      network shrinkage over a 1-year period.

PMID- 27258670
TI  - PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATIONS OF MYELINATED RETINAL NERVE FIBERS: Results From the
      Population-Based Gutenberg Health Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence, ocular, and systemic associations of
      myelinated retinal nerve fibers (MRNF) in a Caucasian cohort. METHODS: The
      Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based, prospective cohort study
      encompassing 15,010 subjects in Germany. Gutenberg Health Study participants,
      aged 35 to 74 years, stratified for gender, decades of age, and residence were
      examined for ophthalmologic and systemic conditions. Optic disc centered and
      macular photographs were reviewed for the presence of MRNF. RESULTS: In 25,728
      eyes of 12,906 participants (86.0% of the cohort), the prevalence of MRNF was
      0.4%. In a binary logistic regression analysis, MRNF was positively associated
      with history of stroke (OR, 6.8; 95% CI, 2.9-16.1; P < 0.001). Myelinated retinal
      nerve fibers was not associated with age, sex, cardiovascular conditions other
      than stroke or ocular parameters, such as refraction, visual acuity, intraocular
      pressure, or central corneal thickness. CONCLUSION: This population-based study
      provides novel data on the prevalence of MRNF in Western Europe. We report a
      positive association between history of stroke and MRNF. It adds an additional
      retinal sign for stroke and calls for further studying of the behavior of
      oligodendrocytes within cerebrovascular diseases.

PMID- 27258671
TI  - LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB THERAPY FOR SUBRETINAL
      NEOVASCULARIZATION SECONDARY TO IDIOPATHIC MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA TYPE 2.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the long-term visual acuity results for intravitreal
      bevacizumab therapy in the treatment of subretinal neovascular membrane (SRNVM)
      secondary to idiopathic macular telangiectasia (Mactel) Type 2. METHODS: This
      retrospective review of a consecutive, interventional case series includes
      patients with SRNVM secondary to Mactel Type 2 who were seen at Cincinnati Eye
      Institute from February 2006 to December 2014. Best-corrected visual acuity,
      fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography measurements were
      performed. Exclusion criteria were the following: Mactel Type 2 patients without
      SRNVM, Mactel Type 1 patients, patients who had SRNVM or macular edema related to
      other maculopathies, and patients who had pars plana vitrectomy or laser
      treatment to the macula during the course of care or before their first visit.
      RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes of 20 patients with SRNVM secondary to Mactel Type 2
      were included in the study. The mean baseline best-corrected visual acuity was
      20/91 (median: 20/69) and the mean final best-corrected visual acuity was 20/62
      (median: 20/60) at the last visit (P < 0.0001). The mean number of injections was
      8.4 +/- 11.1 (range: 2-53, median: 4). The mean pretreatment central macular
      thickness of 254 MUm improved to 205 MUm at the final visit (P = 0.011). No
      complications related to intravitreal bevacizumab injection were noted during the
      mean follow-up time of 40.8 +/- 33.7 months (range: 4-108 months, median: 24
      months). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab therapy is an effective long-term
      treatment modality for SRNVM secondary to Mactel Type 2 based on improvement in
      best-corrected visual acuity and associated reduction in central macular
      thickness.

PMID- 27258672
TI  - VOLUMETRIC SINGLE-LAYER INNER RETINAL ANALYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH
      HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE TOXICITY.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare retinal layer volumes using spectral-domain optical coherence
      tomography between eyes with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) toxicity and control eyes.
      METHODS: Using a previously validated algorithm, volumetric analysis from the
      macular cube scan of the ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner
      nuclear layer, and outer retina (outer plexiform layer to retinal pigment
      epithelium) layers were compared in three sets of patients: patients with a
      clinical diagnosis of HCQ toxicity, age-matched patients taking HCQ but not
      manifesting overt toxicity, and age-matched control patients. RESULTS: There were
      14 patients in each group. The ganglion cell layer (P = 0.01), inner plexiform
      layer (P = 0.004), inner nuclear layer (P < 0.001), and outer plexiform layer to
      retinal pigment epithelium (P < 0.001) volumes were significantly reduced in HCQ
      toxicity eyes relative to the HCQ exposure eyes. There were no significant inner
      and outer retinal volume differences between the HCQ exposure group and group
      with no HCQ use (P > 0.05 for all layers). Increasing disease severity correlated
      with increasing volume loss in the inner retina (2.27 mm in early disease vs.
      1.78 mm in advanced retinopathy, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Hydroxychloroquine
      toxicity seems to result in both outer and inner retinal volumetric thinning
      compared with age-matched control patients and patients taking HCQ but not
      manifesting toxicity.

PMID- 27258673
TI  - Synthesis of 6-phosphofructose aspartic acid and some related Amadori compounds.
AB  - We describe the synthesis and characterization of 6-phosphofructose-aspartic
      acid, an intermediate in the metabolism of fructose-asparagine by Salmonella. We
      also report improved syntheses of fructose-asparagine itself and of fructose
      aspartic acid. 

PMID- 27258674
TI  - Helical Foldamers Incorporating Photoswitchable Residues for Light-Mediated
      Modulation of Conformational Preference.
AB  - An E unsaturated fumaramide linkage may be introduced into Aib peptide foldamer
      structures by standard coupling methods and photoisomerized to its Z (maleamide)
      isomer by irradiation with UV light. As a result of the photoisomerization, a new
      hydrogen-bonded contact becomes possible between the peptide domains located on
      either side of the unsaturated linkage. Using the fumaramide/maleamide linker to
      couple a chiral and an achiral fragment allows the change in hydrogen bond
      network to communicate a conformational preference, inducing a screw sense
      preference in the achiral domain of the maleamide-linked foldamers that is absent
      from the fumaramides. Evidence for the induced screw sense preference is provided
      by NMR and CD, and also by the turning on by light of the diastereoselectivity of
      a peptide chain extension reaction. The fumaramide/maleamide linker thus acts as
      a "conformational photodiode" that conducts stereochemical information as a
      result of irradiation by UV light.

PMID- 27258675
TI  - Synthesis of Free-Base 10-Azacorroles.
AB  - A novel synthetic protocol has been developed for free-base 10-azacorroles. Ni(0)
      mediated homocoupling of nitrogen-bridged bisdipyrrin Zn(II) complexes afforded a
      series of free-base 5,15-diaryl-10-azacorroles in good yields. Pd(II) and Cu(II)
      complexes have been prepared through metalation of free-base 10-azacorroles.
      Optical and electrochemical properties of 10-azacorrole metal complexes can be
      tuned by meso-aryl substituents and central metals. Cyclic voltammetry and
      theoretical calculations elucidated that the central metals of 10-azacorroles
      significantly affected their electronic properties.

PMID- 27258676
TI  - Primary Retroperitoneal Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm: Authors' Experience and Review
      of the Literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystic neoplasm (PRMCN) is a rare
      retroperitoneal tumor with female predilection. It is classified into 3 types:
      benign mucinous cystadenoma (MCA), borderline mucinous cystadenoma (MCAb),
      malignant mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCAc). This study retrospectively
      evaluates the prevalence of PRMCN among retroperitoneal neoplasms resected
      between June 2006 and January 2015 at a referral center. Authors' experience with
      PRMCN is reviewed, and a new case of PRMCN, incidentally diagnosed during
      pregnancy is reported. A literature review using PubMed is also presented,
      discussing several issues concerning clinicopathologic features, treatment
      options, and long-term outcome of PRMCN. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old woman was
      incidentally diagnosed with a 12-cm retroperitoneal cyst discovered by ultrasound
      at 36 weeks of gestation. Eight months later the patient was referred to the
      department of surgery, the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. By that time, the
      patient has sensed local discomfort. Physical examination revealed a right
      abdomen mass with mild tenderness. Computed tomographic scan depicted the cyst,
      located along the right paracolic gutter, displacing the right colon medially.
      The patient underwent complete laparoscopic resection of a 15-cm cyst, without
      its disruption. The cyst was drained inside an endobag and retrieved. The patient
      was discharged home on postoperative day 1. The pathology was MCA. Long-term
      result was no evidence of disease for 9 months. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of
      PRMCN among resected retroperitoneal neoplasms was 1.95% (3/154 neoplasms). The
      treatment of choice is complete tumor resection. Surgical technique should be
      chosen depending on the surgeon's expertise and tumor factors affecting safe
      resection. Surgery timing during pregnancy should be dictated by both risk of
      malignancy and obstetric considerations. As for malignant PRMCN, radical surgery
      does not seem justified, especially in reproductive females. Adjuvant
      chemotherapy should probably be reserved for metastatic disease, recurrence, and
      tumor rupture. Long-term follow-up is lacking, although it is important to better
      define the prognosis of PRMCN.

PMID- 27258677
TI  - Survival of Patients With Multiple Intracranial Metastases Treated With
      Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Does the Number of Tumors Matter?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Defining prognostic factors is a crucial initial step for determining
      the management of patients with brain metastases. Randomized trials assessing
      radiosurgery have commonly limited inclusion criteria to 1 to 4 brain metastases,
      in part due to multiple retrospective studies reporting on the number of brain
      metastases as a prognostic indicator. The present study reports on the survival
      of patients with 1 to 4 versus >=5 brain metastases treated with radiosurgery.
      METHODS: We evaluated a retrospective multi-institutional database of 1523 brain
      metastases in 507 patients who were treated with radiosurgery (Gamma Knife or
      Cyberknife) between 2001 and 2014. A total of 243 patients were included in the
      analysis. Patients with 1 to 4 brain metastases were compared with patients with
      >=5 brain metastases using a standard statistical analysis. Cox hazard regression
      was used to construct a multivariable model of overall survival (OS). To find
      covariates that best separate the data at each split, a machine learning
      technique Chi-squared Automated Interaction Detection tree was utilized. RESULTS:
      On Pearson correlation, systemic disease status, number of intracranial
      metastases, and overall burden of disease (number of major involved organ
      systems) were found to be highly correlated (P<0.001). Patients with 1 to 4
      metastases had a median OS of 10.8 months (95% confidence interval, 6.1-15.6 mo),
      compared with a median OS of 8.5 months (95% confidence interval, 4.4-12.6 mo)
      for patients with >=5 metastases (P=0.143). The actuarial 6 month local failure
      rate was 5% for patients with 1 to 4 metastases versus 3.2% for patients with >=5
      metastases (P=0.404). There was a significant difference in systemic disease
      status between the 2 groups; 30% of patients had controlled systemic disease in
      the <5 lesions group, versus 8% controlled systemic disease in the >=5 lesions
      group (P=0.005). Patients with 1 to 4 metastases did not have significantly
      improved OS in a multivariable model adjusting for systemic disease status,
      systemic extracranial metastases, and other key variables. The Chi-squared
      Automated Interaction Detection tree (machine learning technique) algorithm
      consistently identified performance status and systemic disease status as key to
      disease classification, but not intracranial metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Although
      the number of brain metastases has previously been accepted as an independent
      prognostic indicator, our multicenter analysis demonstrates that the number of
      intracranial metastases is highly correlated with overall disease burden and
      clinical status. Proper matching and controlling for these other determinants of
      survival demonstrates that the number of intracranial metastases alone is not an
      independent predictive factor, but rather a surrogate for other clinical factors.

PMID- 27258678
TI  - Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Outcomes With Variable Adherence to Treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adherence to treatment regimen and schedule is recommended to improve
      control of disease and overall survival (OS) in locally advanced cervical cancer.
      However, treatment-related toxicities and patient and physician factors all
      impact timely completion of treatment. We sought to correlate adherence to
      treatment plan with survival and toxicities of patients treated for locally
      advanced cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of
      patients treated for advanced cervical cancer at our institution between 2003 and
      2011 was performed. Demographics, clinicopathologic variables, treatment, and
      disease outcomes were collected. Endpoints of disease outcome were disease-free
      survival and OS. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier
      method, log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 162
      patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in study analysis. A total
      of 95% of patients were treated with both radiation and concurrent chemotherapy.
      Mean radiation dose to point A was 72 Gy. In total, 77% had complete response to
      primary therapy. Severe (grade 3/4) late radiation toxicities were seen in 10.5%
      of patients. Stage and total radiation dose to point A were significant
      predictors of survival for the entire cohort. Among patients receiving at least
      72 Gy and brachytherapy, duration of treatment was significantly associated with
      both disease-free survival and OS. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to both optimal
      treatment time and radiation dose is significantly associated with improved
      survival. Total radiation dose is an independent predictor of survival among
      patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

PMID- 27258679
TI  - Noble-Metal Nanocrystals with Controlled Facets for Electrocatalysis.
AB  - Noble-metal nanocrystals (NCs) show excellent catalytic performance for many
      important electrocatalysis reactions. The crystallographic properties of the
      facets by which the NCs are bound, closely associated with the shape of the NCs,
      have a profound influence on the electrocatalytic function of the NCs. To develop
      an efficient strategy for the synthesis of NCs with controlled facets as well as
      compositions, understanding of the growth mechanism of the NCs and their
      interaction with the chemical species involved in NC synthesis is quite
      important. Furthermore, understanding the facet-dependent catalytic properties of
      noble-metal NCs and the corresponding mechanisms for various electrocatalysis
      reactions will allow for the rational design of robust electrocatalysts. In this
      review, we summarize recently developed synthesis strategies for the preparation
      of mono- and bimetallic noble-metal NCs by classifying them by the type of facets
      through which they are enclosed and discuss the electrocatalytic applications of
      noble-metal NCs with controlled facets, especially for reactions associated with
      fuel-cell applications, such as the oxygen reduction reaction and fuel (methanol,
      ethanol, and formic acid) oxidation reactions. 

PMID- 27258680
TI  - Porous Coordination Polymers Based on {Mn6} Single-Molecule Magnets.
AB  - In this paper, three isostructural porous coordination polymers, namely, [Mn6(MU3
      O)2(sao)6(DMF)4(L(1))2/3].4DMF.2H2O.2CH3OH (1), [Mn6(MU3
      O)2(sao)6(DMF)4(L(2))2/3].4DMF.2H2O.2CH3OH (2), and [Mn6(MU3
      O)2(sao)6(DMF)4(L(3))2/3].4DMF.4H2O.2CH3OH (3) (DMF = dimethylformamide, H2sao =
      salicylaldoxime, H3L(1) = benzene-1,3,5-trisbenzoic acid, H3L(2) = 4,4',4"-s
      triazine-2,4,6-triyltribenzoic acid, and H3L(3) = 2,4,6-tris(4-carboxyphenoxy)
      1,3,5-s-triazine), based on the oximato-bridged {Mn6} single-molecule magnet
      (SMM) and tricarboxylic acid ligands, were designed and synthesized. X-ray
      structural analysis shows that they possess a two-dimensional layered structure,
      where the {Mn6} moieties are linked by the corresponding (L(x))(3-) carboxylate
      ligands (x = 1, 2, 3) forming a huge honeycomb layer. These compounds not only
      show the SMM behavior as confirmed by alternative current susceptibility
      measurements but also show selectivity for CO2 over N2 at 273 K. On the basis of
      the magnetic fitting to the magnetic susceptibilities and the field dependence of
      magnetization for complexes 1-3, the spin ground states are S = 4. Compared with
      isolated {Mn6} SMMs with S = 4, the out-of-phase susceptibilities of 1-3 show
      obvious peaks only under the external direct-current field of 2 kOe. However, no
      peaks in chim" are observed in the partially desolvated sample of compound 1. 

PMID- 27258681
TI  - Stakeholder Participation in System Change: A New Conceptual Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A recent change in Canada's primary care system led to the
      introduction of Nurse Practitioner-Led clinics. The literature suggests that
      stakeholders can influence system change initiatives. However, very little is
      known about healthcare stakeholder motivations, particularly stakeholders who are
      seen as resistors to change. AIM: To examine stakeholder participation in the
      system change process that led to the introduction of the first Nurse
      Practitioner-Led clinic in Ontario. METHODS: This single case study included two
      site visits, semistructured individual tape-recorded interviews, and the
      examination of relevant public documents. Qualitative content analysis was used
      to analyze the data. RESULTS: Sixteen individuals from different healthcare
      sectors and professions participated in the interviews and 20 documents were
      reviewed. Six key themes emerged from the data. Linking Evidence to Action The
      findings from the study present a new perspective on stakeholder participation
      that includes both those who supported the proposed change and those who
      advocated for a different change. The findings identify stakeholder activities
      used to shape, share, and protect their visions for system change. The conceptual
      model presented in this study adds to the understanding of challenges and
      complexities involved in healthcare system change. Understanding why and how
      stakeholders participate in change can help healthcare leaders in planning
      activities to enhance stakeholder involvement in healthcare system change.

PMID- 27258682
TI  - Sliced Magnetic Polyacrylamide Hydrogel with Cell-Adhesive Microarray Interface:
      A Novel Multicellular Spheroid Culturing Platform.
AB  - Cell-adhesive properties are of great significance to materials serving as
      extracellular matrix mimics. Appropriate cell-adhesive property of material
      interface can balance the cell-matrix interaction and cell-cell interaction and
      can promote cells to form 3D structures. Herein, a novel magnetic polyacrylamide
      (PAM) hydrogel fabricated via combining magnetostatic field induced magnetic
      nanoparticles assembly and hydrogel gelation was applied as a multicellular
      spheroids culturing platform. When cultured on the cell-adhesive microarray
      interface of sliced magnetic hydrogel, normal and tumor cells from different cell
      lines could rapidly form multicellular spheroids spontaneously. Furthermore,
      cells which could only form loose cell aggregates in a classic 3D cell culture
      model (such as hanging drop system) were able to be promoted to form
      multicellular spheroids on this platform. In the light of its simplicity in
      fabricating as well as its effectiveness in promoting formation of multicellular
      spheroids which was considered as a prevailing tool in the study of the
      microenvironmental regulation of tumor cell physiology and therapeutic problems,
      this composite material holds promise in anticancer drugs or hyperthermia therapy
      evaluation in vitro in the future. 

PMID- 27258683
TI  - Hb Dapu (HBA2: c.52G > T): A Novel Nondeletional alpha-Thalassemia Mutation.
AB  - We report a novel mutation on the alpha2-globin gene, Hb Dapu [alpha17(A15)Val 
      >Phe (alpha2); HBA2: c.52G > T] detected in a Chinese family. This mutation gives
      rise to a previously undescribed hemoglobin (Hb) variant that was undetectable by
      electrophoretic or chromatographic methods. The combination of this mutation with
      an in cis deletion of a double alpha-globin gene resulting in a mild form of Hb H
      (beta4) disease, is consistent with a thalassemic phenotype associated with the
      novel mutation. 

PMID- 27258684
TI  - Cachexia in children with chronic kidney disease: challenges in diagnosis and
      treatment.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although cachexia is highly prevalent in adult patients with
      chronic kidney disease (CKD), it is understudied and less well characterized in
      children. Recent evidence suggests that cachexia is also prevalent in children
      with CKD but presents challenges in diagnosis and treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: A
      study from the CKD in children cohort showed that CKD cachexia or protein-energy
      wasting, using modified pediatric diagnostic criteria, such as lack of expected
      weight gain instead of weight loss and BMI for height age, had a prevalence of 7
      20%. When growth indices such as height SD score (SDS)/height velocity SDS was
      included in the criteria, cachexia or PEW correlated with the morbidity outcome
      of increased hospitalization risk in children with CKD. Conversely, aggressive
      nutritional supplementation in children with advanced CKD, with nasogastric or
      gastric tube feeding, led to prevalence of obesity over that of cachexia. Body
      habitus of underweight and obesity have been shown to be associated with the
      worst clinical outcomes in both adults and children with CKD. SUMMARY: Optimal
      nutritional therapy remains the mainstay of treatment of cachexia in CKD children
      with therapeutic goals of maintaining BMI as well as linear growth within the
      normal range.

PMID- 27258685
TI  - Efficiency improvement of new Tetrathienoacene-based dyes by enhancing donor,
      acceptor and bridge units, a theoretical study.
AB  - A series of metal free Tetrathienoacene-based (TTA-based) organic dyes are
      designed and investigated as sensitizers for application in dye sensitized solar
      cells (DSSCs). Density function theory and time dependent density function theory
      calculations were performed on these dyes at vacuum and orthodichlorobenzene as
      the solvent. Effects of changing pi-conjugation bridges and different functional
      groups in acceptor and donor units were investigated. UV-Vis absorption spectra
      were simulated to show the wavelength shifting and absorption properties.
      Inserting nitro and acyl chloride functional groups in acceptor and NH2 in donor
      units leads to the reduction of HOMO-LUMO gap by lowering the lowest unoccupied
      molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level and raising the highest occupied molecular
      orbital (HOMO) energy level and the increase in effective parameters in DSSC'
      efficiency. The results show that changing spacer units from thiophene to furan
      has a great effect on electronic structure and absorption spectra. Investigation
      of the electron distributions of frontier orbitals shows the HOMO and LUMO
      localization in donor and acceptor, respectively. Some key parameters that were
      studied here include light harvesting efficiency, free energy of electron
      injection and open circuit photo-voltage.

PMID- 27258686
TI  - A novel tripodal colorimetric and fluorescence "turn on" chemosensor for AcO(-)
      and F(-) anions in CH3CN.
AB  - A novel chemosensor, 3',3''',3'''"-(((nitrilotris(ethane-2,1
      diyl))tris(azanylylidene))tris(methanylylidene))tris(4-hydroxy-4'
      biphenylcarbonitrile) (L) was synthesized and characterized by the combination of
      (1)H,(13)C, APT, COSY NMR, FT-IR, and elemental analysis. The behavior of the
      receptor (L) toward different anions was investigated using UV-visible and
      fluorescence spectroscopy. The receptor (L) indicated an efficient colorimetric
      "naked-eye" and "turn on" fluorescent response for fluoride and acetate in CH3CN,
      respectively.

PMID- 27258687
TI  - Comparison of collision-induced dissociation and electron-induced dissociation of
      phillyrin using FT-ICR MS.
AB  - Electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass
      spectrometry using collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron capture
      dissociation (ECD) at high mass resolution was first applied to investigate the
      characteristic fragment ions of phillyrin. The CID experimental results
      demonstrated the elemental composition of fragment ions unambiguously, so a
      reasonable fragmentation pathway of phillyrin was proposed. The ECD fragmentation
      mechanism was believed to be fundamentally different from the CID method. ECD
      could be used not only in the biological field but also as a powerful complement
      to the structural identification of small molecular compounds. The characteristic
      fragmentation pathways were helpful in analyzing and interpreting the stability
      and property of the parent ion.

PMID- 27258688
TI  - Pseudo-Ligandless Click Chemistry for Oligonucleotide Conjugation.
AB  - Particularly for its use in bioconjugations, the copper-catalyzed (or copper
      promoted) azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction or 'click chemistry', has
      become an essential component of the modern chemical biologist's toolbox. Click
      chemistry has been applied to DNA, and more recently, RNA conjugations, and the
      protocols presented here can be used for either. The reaction can be carried out
      in aqueous buffer, and uses acetonitrile as a minor co-solvent that serves as a
      ligand to stabilize the copper. The method also includes details on the analysis
      of the reaction product. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27258689
TI  - Liquid Exfoliation of Layered Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Biological
      Applications.
AB  - Known to possess distinctive properties that differ greatly from their bulk form,
      layered two-dimensional materials have been extensively studied and incorporated
      into many versatile applications ranging from optoelectronics to sensors. For
      biomedical research, two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs)
      have garnered much interest as they have been shown to exhibit relatively low
      toxicity, high stability in aqueous environments, and the ability to adhere to
      biological materials such as proteins. These materials are promising candidates,
      demonstrating potential applications in biosensing, cell imaging, diagnostics,
      and therapeutics. Preparation and exfoliation of 2D TMDs play an important part
      in these various applications as their properties are heavily dependent on the
      number of layers and lateral size. Described in this article are protocols for
      the liquid exfoliation of 2D TMDs from their bulk materials. Additional protocols
      are also provided for functionalizing or modifying the surface of the exfoliated
      2D TMDs. (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27258690
TI  - Combinatorial Library Screening Coupled to Mass Spectrometry to Identify Valuable
      Cyclic Peptides.
AB  - Combinatorial library screening coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) analysis is a
      practical approach to identify useful peptides. Cyclic peptides can have high
      biological activity, selectivity, and affinity for target proteins, and high
      stability against proteolytic degradation. Here we describe two strategies to
      prepare combinatorial libraries suitable for MS analysis to accelerate the
      discovery of cyclic peptide structures. Both approaches use ChemMatrix resin and
      the linker 4-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid. One strategy involves the synthesis of a
      one-bead-two-peptides library in which each bead contains both the cyclic peptide
      and its linear counterpart to facilitate MS analysis. The other protocol is based
      on the synthesis of a cyclic depsipeptide library in which a glycolamidic ester
      group is incorporated by adding glycolic acid. After library screening, the ring
      is opened and the peptide is released simultaneously for subsequent MS analysis.
      (c) 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27258691
TI  - Optogenetic Control of Nuclear Protein Import in Living Cells Using Light
      Inducible Nuclear Localization Signals (LINuS).
AB  - Many biological processes are regulated by the timely import of specific proteins
      into the nucleus. The ability to spatiotemporally control the nuclear import of
      proteins of interest therefore allows study of their role in a given biological
      process as well as controlling this process in space and time. The light
      inducible nuclear localization signal (LINuS) was developed based on a natural
      plant photoreceptor that reversibly triggers the import of proteins of interest
      into the nucleus with blue light. Each LINuS is a small, genetically encoded
      domain that is fused to the protein of interest at the N or C terminus. These
      protocols describe how to carry out initial microscopy-based screening to assess
      which LINuS variant works best with a protein of interest. (c) 2016 by John Wiley
      & Sons, Inc.

PMID- 27258692
TI  - Does Conversion Adversely Impact the Clinical Outcomes for Patients with
      Complicated Appendicitis?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the feasibility of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) in
      complicated appendicitis (CA) has been demonstrated, LA is typically underused in
      CA due to its high conversion rate. However, little is known regarding the
      clinical course of conversion in CA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2005
      and April 2012, 1699 patients older than 16 years underwent an appendectomy at
      our institution. Of these, 207 were confirmed to have CA, which was defined as
      operative findings of gangrenous or perforated appendix, with or without abscess
      formation. Patients were divided into the following three groups: open group
      (OG), laparoscopy group (LG), and converted group (CG). Perioperative outcomes
      were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients underwent
      open surgery. Among the 169 patients for whom laparoscopic surgery was originally
      attempted, 20 (11.8%) were converted. Operation time was significantly longer and
      estimated blood loss was higher in the CG than in the other groups. Fewer overall
      complications were observed and the length of hospital stay (LOH) was shorter in
      the LG than in the OG and CG. However, no significant differences were observed
      between the OG and CG regarding the overall complication rate or LOH. Operation
      method was the only factor associated with postoperative morbidity in
      multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: While completion by laparoscopy was associated
      with better outcomes than the other two procedures at all levels, open conversion
      did not increase the overall morbidity or LOH compared with open appendectomy.
      Laparoscopic approach could be a viable option even in the management of CA.

PMID- 27258694
TI  - Trials of a Contralateral Hearing Aid After Long-Term Unilateral Cochlear Implant
      Use in Early-Onset Deafness.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the practicability of binaural
      hearing by adding a contralateral hearing aid (HA) after long-term cochlear
      implant (CI) use in prelingually deaf adults. METHOD: Five individuals with 1 CI
      volunteered for a 3-week bimodal (CI + HA) trial. HA gain was set low until sound
      was tolerable, then increased as listeners acclimated. Participants logged their
      daily listening experiences and were closely monitored by the audiologist.
      Measures included pre- and posttrial consonant-nucleus-consonant (CNC) word and
      phoneme scores and self-reports of satisfaction and listening ability in
      difficult situations. RESULTS: Acoustic stimulation was initially unpleasant, but
      approached comfort at target gain within the 3-week period. Benefit was
      demonstrated in continued voluntary HA use and higher bimodal phoneme scores
      compared to CI alone (8%-31% increases) for 4 of the participants. CONCLUSIONS:
      When a second CI is not a consideration, a contralateral HA should be pursued as
      the standard of care for prelingually deaf adults despite substantial auditory
      deprivation in the previously unaided ear, unpleasant sensations at initial HA
      fit, or lack of dramatic objective test gains. Frequent audiologist contact,
      repeated HA adjustments, and client journals are valuable in promoting favorable
      outcomes with bimodal hearing (adaptation, acceptance, and benefit) for this
      population.

PMID- 27258695
TI  - Assessment of Nonmotor Fluctuations Using a Diary in Advanced Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since previous studies aimed to study nonmotor symptom (NMS)
      fluctuations in direct conjunction with motor oscillations, there are no data
      available on the temporal context of NMS fluctuations and motor oscillations in
      advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate circadian patterns and
      temporal connections of NMS and motor fluctuations in PD. METHODS: 15 controls,
      17 non-fluctuating and 15 fluctuating PD patients completed two diaries by rating
      4 key psychiatric (anxiety, depressive mood, inner restlessness,
      concentration/attention deficits), fatigue and 4 autonomic NMS (excessive
      sweating, sialorrhea, bladder urgency, dizziness) absent or present and motor
      function (Off, On with/without dyskinesia, and asleep) for every hour for 5
      consecutive days. RESULTS: NMS Off state hours (hours with NMS rated as present)
      were less frequent compared to motor Off state hours and NMS On-Off-switches were
      less prevalent compared to those of the motor state. Off time and number of On
      Off-switches of psychiatric NMS were moderately correlated with motor Off time
      and number of motor On-Off switches on the individual patient level. Changes in
      NMS state occurred largely independent of changes in motor states with
      concordance rates of only 26-43% of all NMS changes for psychiatric and 7-17% for
      autonomic NMS. In controls and non-fluctuating PD patients, there were no NMS
      state switches in concordance to motor state switches. CONCLUSION: We provide
      first data on the temporal context of NMS fluctuations showing similar
      frequencies of psychiatric NMS Off, fatigue Off and motor Off times as well as
      their On-Off-fluctuations, but low concordance rates of NMS with motor On-Off
      state switches. We found no evidence for NMS fluctuations in non-fluctuating PD
      patients. Our data implicate similar fluctuation patterns of mood NMS and motor
      function without close timing and/or different kinetics.

PMID- 27258693
TI  - The Arabidopsis thaliana mobilome and its impact at the species level.
AB  - Transposable elements (TEs) are powerful motors of genome evolution yet a
      comprehensive assessment of recent transposition activity at the species level is
      lacking for most organisms. Here, using genome sequencing data for 211
      Arabidopsis thaliana accessions taken from across the globe, we identify
      thousands of recent transposition events involving half of the 326 TE families
      annotated in this plant species. We further show that the composition and
      activity of the 'mobilome' vary extensively between accessions in relation to
      climate and genetic factors. Moreover, TEs insert equally throughout the genome
      and are rapidly purged by natural selection from gene-rich regions because they
      frequently affect genes, in multiple ways. Remarkably, loci controlling adaptive
      responses to the environment are the most frequent transposition targets
      observed. These findings demonstrate the pervasive, species-wide impact that a
      rich mobilome can have and the importance of transposition as a recurrent
      generator of large-effect alleles.

PMID- 27258696
TI  - Functional Status of Elderly Nursing Home Residents With Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder that
      has a significant impact on activities of daily living (ADL). Limited data exists
      regarding the functional status of nursing home residents with PD. OBJECTIVE: The
      study examined the nature, extent, and predictors of limitation of ADL in
      patients with PD residing in nursing homes. METHODS: This study used cross
      sectional design involving data from the National Nursing Home Survey (NNHS). The
      dependent variable was the total number of ADL for which the patient needed
      assistance. Assistance for ADL comprised of five items of transferring, dressing,
      eating, toileting and bathing. Multivariable linear regression was used to
      examine the individual, biological and environmental factors associated with
      assistance needed for ADL. RESULTS: The nationally representative study sample
      was of 98,093 nursing home residents with PD for an overall prevalence of 6.57%.
      The mean age of the study sample was 81.03+/-0.34 years. Mood symptoms (45%),
      behavioral symptoms (24%)and dementia (8%) were common among PD patients.
      Assistance needed for each ADL ranged from 68.24% for eating to 99.25% for
      bathing. Older age, being married, living in metropolitan statistical area (MSA),
      living in other place prior to admission, and presence of mood symptoms were
      positively related to assistance for ADL. Presence of behavioral symptoms and use
      of levodopa combination therapy were negatively related to assistance for ADL.
      CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the nursing home residents with PD had disability in all
      the five items of ADL. Various individual, environmental and biological factors
      were associated with ADL in nursing home residents with PD.

PMID- 27258698
TI  - Potential Benefit of Singing for People with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic
      Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is evidence that participation in performing arts brings
      psychosocial benefits in the general population and in recent years there has
      been substantial interest in the potential therapeutic benefit of performing
      arts, including singing, for people with chronic medical conditions including
      those of neurological aetiology. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the existing
      body of evidence regarding the potential benefit of singing on clinical outcomes
      of people with PD. METHODS: Seven online bibliographic databases were
      systematically searched in January 2016 and supplementary searches were
      conducted. Full-text original peer-reviewed scientific papers that investigated
      the potential benefit of singing on at least one of speech, functional
      communication, cognitive status, motor function and quality of life in human
      participants with PD were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: 449 unique records
      were identified, 25 full-text articles were screened and seven studies included
      in the review. All seven studies assessed the impact of singing on speech, five
      found partial evidence of benefit and two found no evidence of benefit. One study
      assessed each of functional communication and quality of life and no significant
      benefit was found. No included study assessed the impact of singing on motor
      function or cognitive status. CONCLUSIONS: Singing may benefit the speech of
      people with PD, although evidence is not unequivocal. Further research is
      required to assess wider benefits including on functional communication,
      cognitive status, motor function and quality of life. Substantial methodological
      limitations were identified in the existing literature. Recommendations are made
      for advancing the state of the literature.

PMID- 27258699
TI  - Suitability of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale in Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale -21 (DASS-21) is a
      frequently used measure of emotional disturbance symptoms in Parkinson's disease
      (PD). However, the factor structure of the DASS-21 in PD has yet to be explored.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the scale is measuring these symptoms in PD in the
      same way as the general population. METHODS: The present study fit a series of
      established DASS-21 factor structures with both confirmatory factor analysis
      (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) using data from 251
      participants with PD. RESULTS: The 3-factor ESEM provided the best fit. The
      depression and stress scales fit well, however, few items on the anxiety subscale
      loaded clearly, with several items significantly loading onto the depression or
      stress factors. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the depression and stress subscales appear
      suitable in PD, poor loadings and internal consistency indicate the anxiety
      subscale may not accurately assess anxiety symptomology in PD. This may be due to
      the scale's reliance on physiological symptoms as indicators of anxiety, when
      many of these are present in PD. Thus, the anxiety subscale of the DASS-21 may
      not be a suitable measure of anxiety in PD.

PMID- 27258701
TI  - The influence of hydration state on thermoregulation during a 161-km
      ultramarathon.
AB  - It is advised that individuals should avoid losing >2% of their body mass during
      exercise in order to prevent hyperthermia. This study sought to assess whether a
      loss of >2% body mass leads to elevations in core temperature during an
      ultramarathon. Thirty runners agreed to take part in the study. Body mass and
      core temperature were measured at the start, at three locations during the race
      and the finish. Core temperature was not correlated with percent body mass change
      (p = 0.19) or finish time (p = 0.11). Percent body mass change was directly
      associated with finish time (r = 0.58, p < 0.01), such that the fastest runners
      lost the most mass (~3.5-4.0%). It appears that a loss of >3% body mass does not
      contribute to rises in core temperature. An emphasis on fluid replacement for
      body mass losses of this magnitude during prolonged exercise is not justified as
      a preventative measure for heat-related illnesses. 

PMID- 27258700
TI  - The Key Determinants to Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease Patients: Results
      from the Parkinson's Disease Biomarker Program (PDBP).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The impact of motor- and non-motor symptoms on health-related quality
      of life (HRQOL) in Parkinson's disease (PD) has received increasing attention.
      OBJECTIVES: To address this, the study explored a large cohort of patients
      enrolled in the PD Biomarker Program. METHODS: The PD Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39)
      measured HRQOL, whereas the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) assessed motor and
      non-motor symptoms. Determinants of HRQOL in PD patients were identified by
      stepwise linear regression analysis. The relationship between the PDQ-39 and
      UPDRS subscale scores then was explored through structural equation modeling.
      RESULTS: The mean disease duration was 6.8 years and the mean PDQ-39 summary
      index (PDQ-39SI) was 18.4. UPDRS-I (non-motor function) and UPDRS-II (motor
      questionnaire) scores demonstrated the strongest correlations with PDQ-39SI (r ?
      0.4, P < 0.05), whereas UPDRS-III (motor exam) and UPDRS-IV (motor complications)
      scores were correlated moderately with PDQ-39SI (0.3 < r < 0.4, P < 0.05).
      Multiple linear stepwise regression analyses showed that age (beta= -0.13, P <
      0.001), education (beta= -0.07, P = 0.008), UPDRS-I (beta= 0.32, P = 0.000), and
      UPDRS-II (beta= 0.44, P < 0.001) significantly contributed to HRQOL, and
      cumulatively accounted for 69.1% of the PDQ-39SI variance. UPDRS-II score was the
      primary predictor of PDQ-39SI, accounting for 57.3% of the variance, whereas
      UPDRS-I score accounted for 7.5%. UPDRS-III and -IV and other factors measured
      did not survive stepwise regression. Structural equation modeling confirmed the
      association of UPDRS-II (beta= 0.67, P < 0.001) and UPDRS-I (beta= 0.35, P <
      0.001) with the PDQ-39SI. CONCLUSION: Both motor and non-motor function scores
      impacted significantly HRQOL in PD. UPDRS-III, however, has limited contributions
      to HRQOL although it is used as a main outcome in many clinical trials.

PMID- 27258697
TI  - Structural Imaging and Parkinson's Disease: Moving Toward Quantitative Markers of
      Disease Progression.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder.
      Although the pathological hallmark of PD is dopaminergic cell death in the
      substantia nigra pars compacta, widespread neurodegenerative changes occur
      throughout the brain as disease progresses. Postmortem studies, for example, have
      demonstrated the presence of Lewy pathology, apoptosis, and loss of
      neurotransmitters and interneurons in both cortical and subcortical regions of PD
      patients. Many in vivo structural imaging studies have attempted to gauge PD
      related pathology, particularly in gray matter, with the hope of identifying an
      imaging biomarker. Reports of brain atrophy in PD, however, have been
      inconsistent, most likely due to differences in the studied populations (i.e.
      different disease stages and/or clinical subtypes), experimental designs (i.e.
      cross-sectional vs. longitudinal), and image analysis methodologies (i.e.
      automatic vs. manual segmentation). This review attempts to summarize the current
      state of gray matter structural imaging research in PD in relationship to disease
      progression, reconciling some of the differences in reported results, and to
      identify challenges and future avenues.

PMID- 27258702
TI  - Closed-System One-Pot Block Copolymerization by Temperature-Modulated Monomer
      Segregation.
AB  - A biphasic one-pot polymerization method enables the preparation of block
      copolymers from monomers with similar and competitive reactivities without the
      addition of external materials. AB diblock copolymers were prepared by
      encapsulating a frozen solution of monomer B on the bottom of a reaction vessel,
      while the solution polymerization of monomer A was conducted in a liquid layer
      above. Physical separation between the solid and liquid phases permitted only
      homopolymerization of monomer A until heating above the melting point of the
      lower phase, which released monomer B, allowing the addition of the second block
      to occur. The triggered release of monomer B allowed for chain extension without
      additional deoxygenation steps or exogenous monomer addition. A method for the
      closed (i.e., without addition of external reagents) one-pot synthesis of block
      copolymers with conventional glassware using straightforward experimental
      techniques has thus been developed.

PMID- 27258704
TI  - Update on Screening Recommendations for Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy.

PMID- 27258705
TI  - Demystifying the Role of Nonsurgical Treatment in Advanced Supraglottic
      Carcinoma.

PMID- 27258703
TI  - A glass menagerie of low complexity sequences.
AB  - Remarkably simple proteins play outsize roles in the execution of developmental
      complexity within biological systems. Sequence information determines structure
      and hence function, so how do low complexity sequences fulfill their functions?
      Recent discoveries are raising the curtain on a new dimension of the sequence
      structure paradigm. In it, function derives not from the structures of individual
      proteins, but instead, from dynamic material properties of entire ensembles of
      the proteins acting in unison through phase changes. These phases include
      liquids, one-dimensional crystals, and - as elaborated herein - even glasses. The
      peculiar thermodynamics of glass-like protein assemblies, in particular,
      illuminate new principles of information flow through and, at times, orthogonal
      to the central dogma of molecular biology.

PMID- 27258706
TI  - Caudal Septal Support Versus Strut Graft in Achieving the Desired Lateral Profile
      in Rhinoplasty.
AB  - Nasal tip support is critical to achieve a lasting result in rhinoplasty. In this
      article, the authors compared the effects of strut grafts (SG) and caudal septum
      based nasal tip supporting techniques (CSB-T) in terms of reaching the desired
      tip projection.Included in this study were 40 patients (24 women and 16 men) who
      underwent primary open rhinoplasty via transcolumellar incision between January
      and June 2012. To achieve a good nasal projection, SG and CSB-T were used for 15
      and 25 of these patients, respectively.Certain anatomic landmarks were identified
      on preoperative, simulative, and 1-year follow-up photos. With these landmarks,
      certain angular and proportional values were calculated.In the SG, the authors
      found no statistically significant difference in between simulative goals and
      postoperative results regarding bending angle. Postoperative nasolabial angle
      (NLA), tip angle, subnasal-tip/subnasal-radix (SnT/SnR) ratios were significantly
      lower than the simulation values; radix angle and supratip index values were
      significantly higher.In the CSB-T group, the authors found no statistically
      significant difference in between preoperative values and postoperative results
      regarding NLA, tip angle, bending angle, (SnT/SnR) ratio values. Postoperative
      supratip index and radix angle measurements were found to be significantly higher
      than the simulation values.With these findings, the authors concluded that CSB-T
      support is superior than the SG for supporting the nasal tip in noses that also
      need shortening in caudal length. In noses that do not need caudal shortening,
      nasal tip projection can again be supported by the caudal septum by just forming
      a bridge between lower lateral cartilage and quadrangular septum using a wider SG
      that mimics septal extension grafts.

PMID- 27258707
TI  - Guideline for the Treatment of Condylar Osteochondroma Combined With Secondary
      Dentofacial Deformities.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Surgical treatment of condylar osteochondroma combined with secondary
      dentofacial deformities is a significant clinical challenge. The authors present
      this review article to provide some guidelines for the surgical treatment for
      this severely complex condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diagnosis and treatment
      protocol of condylar osteochondroma patients combined with secondary dentofacial
      deformities are discussed at the basis of published literatures and the authors'
      own clinical experiences. Proper treatment protocol was designed according to
      features of tumor and dentofacial deformities. Follow-up and radiographic
      examination was performed to evaluate recurrence of tumor, occlusion, joint
      function, and facial appearance after surgery. RESULTS: The patients received 1
      or several methods of resection of tumor, condylar reconstruction, correction of
      skeletal deformities, and treatment of malocclusion. The condylar ostechondroma
      and secondary dentofacial deformities were treated satisfactorily.
      Temporomandibular joint function, occlusion, and facial appearance were improved
      obviously after operation evidenced by radiographic examination and follow-up.
      CONCLUSION: Surgical management of condylar osteochondroma with secondary
      dentofacial deformities requires careful patient selection, treatment planning,
      and precise execution. This article has reviewed the current status of surgical
      treatment options and provided practical guidelines for oral and maxillofacial
      surgeons to consider their clinical practice.

PMID- 27258708
TI  - Clinical Results of Modified Frontalis Suspension Technique Using Preserved
      Fascia Lata for Congenital Ptosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of
      modified frontalis suspension technique with preserved fascia lata and to analyze
      the results according to age and preoperative ptosis degree. METHODS: This study
      involved a retrospective review of the electronic medical records of congenital
      ptosis patients who underwent unilateral or bilateral frontalis sling surgery
      using preserved fascia lata between March 1, 2004 and December 31, 2012. RESULTS:
      Seventy-seven patients (99 eyes) were included in the study. The mean age of the
      patients at the time of surgery was 6.2 +/- 6.7 years. Mean follow-up time was
      5.4 +/- 3.2 years. Among 77 patients, 22 patients (28.5%) had a mild degree of
      ptosis, 39 (50.6%) had moderate, and 16 (20.7%) had a severe degree of ptosis. A
      satisfactory result (good and fair) was achieved in 65 of the 77 patients (84.4%)
      and a poor result was recorded in 12 patients (15.5%). Preoperative ptosis degree
      had no effect on the surgical success rate (19/22 [86.3%] in the mild group
      versus 34/39 [87.1%] in the moderate group versus 12/16 [75%] in the severe
      group, P = 0.243). There was no significant difference in surgical success rate
      between the unilateral and bilateral ptosis groups (45/55 [81.8%] versus 20/22
      [90.9%], P = 0.479 respectively), between sexes (41/46 [89.1%] in male versus
      24/31 [77.4%] in female, P = 0.271), or age groups (52/60 [86.6%] in younger
      group versus 13/17 [76.4%] in elder group, P = 0.526). Recurrence of ptosis did
      not differ according to the preoperative ptosis degree (3/22 [13.6%] in the mild
      group, 5/39 [12.8%] in the moderate group, and 2/16 [12.5%] in the severe group,
      P = 0.994). Age also had no influence on the ptosis recurrence. The preoperative
      marginal reflex distance 1 of 0.41 +/- 1.06 mm increased to 1.67 +/- 0.80 mm
      postoperatively (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The authors identified the long-term
      efficacy of preserved fascia lata in frontalis sling surgery with a modified
      frontalis suspension method for all age groups of patients. There was a small
      rate of recurrence (12.9%) over a maximum of 9 years of follow-up, which was
      corrected with additional surgery.

PMID- 27258709
TI  - Analysis of Surgical Outcome After Levator Advancement by Assessing Changes in
      Eyelid Contour.
AB  - PURPOSE: The authors analyzed changes in eyelid contour after levator advancement
      by measuring multiple radial midpupil lid distance (MPLD). METHODS: The study
      enrolled 61 eyes of 61 patients with involutional ptosis who underwent levator
      advancement from 2 oculoplastic surgeons from September 2008 to December 2013. An
      analysis of upper lid contours was performed using front gaze photographs of the
      preoperative and postoperative states and comparing them to the front gazes of
      normal patients. Conventional and 12 oblique midpupil lid distances were measured
      every 15 degrees across the temporal (105, 120, 135, 150, 165, and 180 degrees)
      and nasal (75, 60, 45, 30, 15, and 0 degrees) fields of the eyelid fissure using
      custom software. RESULTS: Ptosis patients had low temporal eyelid height and
      significantly decreased MPLD at all angles compared with normal controls.
      Compared with the preoperative eyelid, all MPLD angles were significantly
      increased after surgery, and the temporal peak height of the eyelid was
      recovered. CONCLUSIONS: The normal shape and temporal peak height of eyelids
      should be considered for levator advancement surgery with ptosis. The authors
      retrospectively compared postoperative changes in eyelid contour to modify the
      method of surgery.

PMID- 27258710
TI  - Intraoperative Pulsed Expansion of the Skin Using Silicone Urinary Catheter for
      the Placement of Osmotic Expander.

PMID- 27258711
TI  - Surgical Outcomes of Deep Superior Sulcus Augmentation Using Acellular Human
      Dermal Matrix in Anophthalmic or Phthisis Socket.
AB  - Patients with anophthalmic or phthisis socket suffer from cosmetic problems. To
      resolve those problems, the authors present the surgical outcomes of deep
      superior sulcus (DSS) augmentation using acellular dermal matrix in patients with
      anophthalmic or phthisis socket. The authors retrospectively reviewed
      anophthalmic or phthisis patients who underwent surgery for DSS augmentation
      using acellular dermal matrix. To evaluate surgical outcomes, the authors focused
      on 3 aspects: the possibility of wearing contact prosthesis, the degree of
      correction of the DSS, and any surgical complications. The degree of correction
      of DSS was classified as excellent: restoration of superior sulcus enough to
      remove sunken sulcus shadow; fair: gain of correction effect but sunken shadow
      remained; or fail: no effect of correction at all. Ten eyes of 10 patients were
      included. There was a mean 21.3 +/- 37.1-month period from evisceration or
      enucleation to the operation for DSS augmentation. All patients could wear
      contact prosthesis after the operation (100%). The degree of correction was
      excellent in 8 patients (80%) and fair in 2. Three of 10 (30%) showed
      complications: eyelid entropion, upper eyelid multiple creases, and spontaneous
      wound dehiscence followed by inflammation after stitch removal. Uneven skin
      surface and paresthesia in the forehead area of the affected eye may be observed
      after surgery. The overall surgical outcomes were favorable, showing an excellent
      degree of correction of DSS and low surgical complication rates. This procedure
      is effective for patients who have DSS in the absence or atrophy of the eyeball. 

PMID- 27258712
TI  - Outcomes of Anatomic Reconstruction of Gunshot-Inflicted Lower Face Defects by
      Free Osteoseptocutaneous Fibula Flap and Expanded or Nonexpanded Temporal Scalp
      Flap Combination in Males.
AB  - Reconstruction of gunshot-inflicted composite lower face defects is a challenge
      for plastic surgeons. Functional and aesthetic repair of such defects mostly
      requires free or pedicled flap applications or combinations of both.In this
      study, the authors evaluated 7 males with gunshot-inflicted composite mandibular
      defects. All patients underwent reconstruction with a free osteoseptocutaneous
      fibula flap (FOCF) for the composite mandibular defect and a pre or nonexpanded
      temporal artery-based scalp flap for beardless facial skin. All patients were
      evaluated aesthetically and functionally with a postoperative evaluation scale.
      Average patient follow-up time was 3.5 years.All FOCFs survived completely.
      Expander exposition was observed in 2 preexpanded temporal scalp flaps. The
      problem was solved by rapid expansion and early flap application. All patients
      had acceptable functional and aesthetic results.In conclusion, the scalp flap
      should be considered in male beardless skin reconstruction due to its ease of
      application, reliability, and proximity to the defect. Preexpansion of this flap
      can decrease donor area morbidities. Moreover, the FOCF and scalp flap
      combination is a convenient procedure for gunshot-inflicted lower face defects,
      and such procedures produce good aesthetic and functional long-term outcomes. 

PMID- 27258713
TI  - Can Platelet Indices Be New Biomarkers for Subjective Tinnitus?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is one of the platelet function indices
      that reflect the platelet production rate and functions. The MPV levels are
      increased by vascular occlusion, acute or chronic syndromes, and vasculitis,
      whereas infections, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory situations reduce these
      levels. In this study, the authors investigated whether there was a relationship
      between platelet indices and subjective tinnitus. METHODS: In this retrospective
      study, the authors evaluated platelet indices in subjective tinnitus patients.
      One hundred patients with subjective tinnitus and 100 healthy, age and sex
      matched subjects were enrolled to the study. Audiometer and laboratory results
      were recorded. Comparative multivariate analyses between indicator factors and
      hearing outcomes were conducted. RESULTS: Mean platelet volume is significantly
      lower in subjective tinnitus group (P < 0.001). Platelet count and platelet
      distribution width are higher in the subjective tinnitus than control group (P <
      0.001, P < 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: The authors' findings indicate that
      subjective tinnitus appears to be characterized by autoimmune and inflammatory
      events. Considering the decreasing MPV levels, MPV may be used to evaluate
      subjective tinnitus as an helper indicator.

PMID- 27258716
TI  - Morphometrics of the Anterior Belly and Intermediate Tendon of the Digastric
      Muscle: Sexual Dimorphism and Implications for Surgery.
AB  - The anterior belly of the digastric muscle (ABDM) is important in a variety of
      surgeries including submental lipectomy, rhytidectomy, alteration of the
      cervicomental angle via muscle resection, the "digastric corset" procedure for
      submental rejuvenation, the submental artery flap, and reanimation of the mouth
      after facial nerve palsy. Despite its clinical significance, little information
      exists regarding the morphometrics of the ABDM or its associated intermediate
      tendon. This study analyzed a total of 35 intact ABDMs and 43 intact intermediate
      tendons from 23 cadavers. Measurements were taken of the following parameters:
      muscle belly area, muscle belly length, intermediate tendon length, and
      intermediate tendon width at mid-tendon. Normative descriptive statistics are
      included within the report. Males were found to have significantly longer left
      sided muscle bellies than right-sided bellies from males (U = 23.0; P = 0.044),
      left-sided bellies from females (U = 19.0; P = 0.020), and right-sided bellies
      from females (U = 12.0; P = 0.035). The morphometry, including sexual dimorphism,
      presented in this report can aid in the surgical planning and execution of
      numerous operations performed in head and neck, especially digastric muscle
      transfer surgery. 

PMID- 27258717
TI  - Use of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Increase Viability of Composite
      Grafts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Chondrocutaneous composite grafts figure among the reconstruction
      alternatives for alar rim defects resulting from tumor resection and trauma. The
      major problem with composite grafts is the limited graft survival area. In the
      present study, the authors aimed to increase the survival area of composite
      grafts by utilizing the ability of stem cells to promote neovascularization which
      is crucial in composite graft viability. METHODS: The study included 36 adult
      Wistar Albino rats, which were allocated to 6 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were the
      groups in which the grafts were implanted immediately after the defect was
      formed, and Groups 4, 5, and 6 were those in which grafts were adapted 4 days
      after the defect was formed. Composite grafts of 1 * 1 cm containing both the
      cartilage and the skin were prepared from 1 ear, and after forming punctures and
      incisions on the cartilage, the grafts were adapted to the 1 * 1 cm defects on
      the back. The backs of the rats in groups 1 and 4 were injected with adipose
      derived stem cell (ADSC), those in groups 2 and 5 with medium solution, while the
      rats in Groups 3 and 6 did not receive any injection. The procedures were
      followed by histopathological and scintigraphic evaluations. RESULTS: An
      evaluation of the statistical results showed that composite graft survival areas
      of the group treated with stem cells increased significantly, in comparison with
      control and medium groups. When scintigraphic evaluations were considered, it was
      seen that the group treated with stem cells had significantly higher radioactive
      substance retention than the control group. Histopathological examination
      demonstrated that microscopic survival rates in the stem cell group were higher
      than those in the control group. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used in the
      experiment to tag adipose tissue-derived stem cells. Immunofluorescence staining
      studies showed less apoptosis and fewer GFP (+) stem cells in the composite
      grafts of the stem cell group. However, apoptosis was more severe in the control
      and medium groups which also had decreased vascularity in the graft. DISCUSSION:
      As the authors have shown in the present study, ADSCs have favorable effects on
      the viability of composite grafts. They have increased the survival rate of the
      grafts to a considerable extent. As a clinical implication of this experimental
      study, the authors think that in the patient of auricular and nasal defects
      involving the cartilage and the skin, injection of the ADSC and the adaptation of
      composite grafts 4 days after the preparation of the receiving bed may increase
      the composite graft viability rates. Thus, it has been found that if the
      composite grafts are implanted 4 days after stem cell injection, the injection of
      adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells is useful in enhancing the survival
      of composite grafts.

PMID- 27258718
TI  - Hair Today; Scalped Tomorrow: Massive Subgaleal Haematoma Following Sudden Hair
      Pulling in an Adolescent in the Absence of Haematological Abnormality or Skull
      Fracture.
AB  - Subgaleal haematoma (SH) is a rare condition, most frequently observed in
      neonates as a complication of Ventouse-assisted delivery. There have been few
      patients reported beyond this period. Those that are present within the
      literature have typically resulted from significant blunt scalp trauma, with or
      without associated skull fracture. Those resulting secondary to relatively minor
      trauma, such as hair braiding or hair pulling, are rare but have been reported
      and are often associated with underlying haematological abnormalities or
      nonaccidental injury patients. Most patients resolve spontaneously and without
      complication. The authors report a rare patient of a delayed presentation of a
      massive SH in an adolescent following a seemingly innocuous episode of hair
      pulling whilst play-fighting, in the absence of any underlying haematological or
      anatomical abnormality. Due to the size of the SH and the appearance of large
      areas of calcification within the haematoma, early liaison with senior
      neuroradiologists and haematologists, to rule out underlying anatomical and
      haematological abnormalities, respectively, was essential to guide appropriate
      management. Our patient highlights the need for an awareness of the possible
      aetiologies of SH and the necessity of early active multidisciplinary team
      involvement in the management of such patients, which is critical to ensure
      optimum patient outcomes. 

PMID- 27258719
TI  - Correlation of Age, Sex, and Location With Recurrence of Oral Giant Pyogenic
      Granuloma After Surgical Excision.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to correlate age and sex of the patient as
      well as location of the oral giant pyogenic granuloma (PG) with the recurrence
      rate after surgical excision. METHODS: Seventy-two patients having oral giant PGs
      were treated by a conservative surgical excision. Information on sex, age, lesion
      site, and recurrence was collected. Data were reviewed and analyzed to correlate
      the recurrence rate with sex and age of the patient as well as the location of
      the lesion. RESULTS: Recurrence of the oral giant PG was occurred in 22.2% of
      patients. The highest rates of recurrence were observed in the third (33.3%) and
      fourth (19%) decades of life. The recurrence rate was more common in females
      (24%) than males (18.2%) and it was predominant in mandibular lesions (25%) than
      maxillary one (8.3%). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of their results the authors
      concluded that recurrence of oral giant PG has an obvious correlation with age
      and sex of the patient as well as location of the lesion.

PMID- 27258720
TI  - Overcommitment as a predictor of effort-reward imbalance: evidence from an 8-year
      follow-up study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model includes the personal
      characteristic of overcommitment (OC) and the job-related characteristics of
      effort, reward, and ERI, all of which are assumed to play a role in an employee's
      health and well-being at work. The aim of the present longitudinal study was to
      shed more light on the dynamics of the ERI model by investigating the basic
      hypotheses related to the role of OC in the model, ie, to establish whether an
      employee's OC could be a risk factor for an increased experience of high effort,
      low reward, and high ERI at work. METHODS: The study was based on 5-wave, 8-year
      follow-up data collected among Finnish professionals in 2006 (T1, N=747), 2008
      (T2, N=422), 2010 (T3, N=368), 2012 (T4, N=325), and 2014 (T5, N=273). The
      participants were mostly male (85% at T1) and the majority of them worked in
      technical fields. OC, effort, reward, and ERI were measured at each time point
      with the 23-item ERI scale. RESULTS: Three cross-lagged structural equation
      models (SEM) were estimated and compared by using full information maximum
      likelihood method: (i) OC predicted later experiences of effort, reward, and ERI
      (normal causation model), (ii) effort, reward, and ERI predicted later OC
      (reversed causation model), and (iii) associations in normal causal and reversed
      causal models were simultaneously valid (reciprocal causation model). The results
      supported the normal causation model: strong OC predicted later experiences of
      high effort, low reward and high ERI. CONCLUSIONS: High OC is a risk factor for
      an increased experience of job strain factors; that is, high effort, low reward,
      and high ERI. Thus, OC is a risk factor not only for an employee's well-being and
      health but also for an increasing risk for perceiving adverse job strain factors
      in the working environment.

PMID- 27258722
TI  - How social is the chaser? Neural correlates of chasing perception in 9-month-old
      infants.
AB  - We investigated the neural correlates of chasing perception in infancy to
      determine whether animated interactions are processed as social events. By using
      EEG and an ERP design with animations of simple geometric shapes, we examined
      whether the positive posterior (P400) component, previously found in response to
      social stimuli, as well as the attention related negative fronto-central
      component (Nc), differs when infants observed a chaser versus a non-chaser. In
      Study 1, the chaser was compared to an inanimate object. In Study 2, the chaser
      was compared to an animate but not chasing agent (randomly moving agent). Results
      demonstrate no difference in the Nc component, but statistically higher P400
      amplitude when the chasing agent was compared to either an inanimate object or a
      random object. We also find a difference in the N290 component in both studies
      and in the P200 component in Study 2, when the chasing agent is compared to the
      randomly moving agent. The present studies demonstrate for the first time that
      infants' process correlated motion such as chasing as a social interaction. The
      perception of the chasing agent elicits stronger time-locked responses, denoting
      a link between motion perception and social cognition.

PMID- 27258723
TI  - Biological Effects of Temsirolimus on the mTOR Pathway in Endometrial Carcinoma:
      A Pharmacodynamic Phase II Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is frequently aberrantly activated in
      endometrial carcinoma (EC). Temsirolimus is an mTOR inhibitor that has shown
      clinical activity in EC. We aimed to characterize the biological effects on mTOR
      pathway of temsirolimus in treatment-naive patients with primary EC, and to
      identify potential biomarkers associated with a short-term exposure to
      temsirolimus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with EC were treated with 4 doses
      of temsirolimus previous to surgery. The primary objective was the analysis of
      paired endometrial aspirates and posttreatment (hysterectomy specimens) tumor
      tissue samples for mTOR downstream effectors p-S6K1 and p-4BEP1 levels by
      immunohistochemistry. Secondary objectives included analysis of expression of
      other mTOR-related biomarkers by immunohistochemistry, as well as analysis of the
      predictive value of mutations in mTOR-related genes. Toxicity was also assessed.
      RESULTS: Eleven patients were included in the study. p-S6K1 expression was
      reduced after treatment with temsirolimus in all patients. Variations of the
      expression of other mTOR-related proteins including p-4BEP1, PTEN, p-AKT, p53,
      p27, BAD, Bcl-2, Ki67, and cyclin D1 were also observed. Interestingly, the
      biological effects of the drug were more evident 1 week after the last dose of
      temsirolimus. Effects were less evident on tumors harboring mutations in NRAS.
      Toxicity was acceptable, being mucositis the most frequent adverse event.
      CONCLUSIONS: Short temsirolimus exposure effectively inhibits mTOR pathway in
      patients with endometrial cancer. p-S6K1 expression is a promising biomarker of
      sensitivity. The preoperative window opportunity in EC is a realistic scenario
      for biological knowledge and target development.

PMID- 27258721
TI  - Particulate Matter and Subclinical Atherosclerosis: Associations between
      Different Particle Sizes and Sources with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the
      SAPALDIA Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Subclinical atherosclerosis has been associated with long-term
      exposure to particulate matter (PM), but the relevance of particle size and
      sources of exposure remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association
      of long-term exposure to PM10 (<= 10 MUm), PM2.5 (<= 2.5 MUm: total mass,
      vehicular, and crustal sources), and ultrafine particles [UFP < 0.1 MUm: particle
      number concentration (PNC) and lung-deposited surface area (LDSA)] with carotid
      intima-media thickness (CIMT). METHODS: We used data from 1,503 participants >=
      50 years old who participated in the third examination of the Swiss SAPALDIA
      cohort. Exposures were obtained from dispersion models and land-use regression
      models. Covariate information, including previous cardiovascular risk factors,
      was obtained from the second and third SAPALDIA examinations. RESULTS: The
      adjusted percent difference in CIMT associated with an exposure contrast between
      the 10th and 90th percentile was 1.58% (95% CI: -0.30, 3.47%) for PM10, 2.10%
      (95% CI: 0.04, 4.16%) for PM2.5, 1.67% (95% CI: -0.13, 3.48%) for the vehicular
      source of PM2.5, -0.58% (95% CI: -3.95, 2.79%) for the crustal source of PM2.5,
      2.06% (95% CI: 0.03, 4.10%) for PNC, and 2.32% (95% CI: 0.23, 4.40%) for LDSA.
      Stronger associations were observed among diabetics, subjects with low
      educational level, and those at higher cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSIONS: CIMT was
      associated with exposure to PM10, PM2.5, and UFP. The PM2.5 source-specific
      analysis showed a positive association for the vehicular source but not for the
      crustal source. Although the effects of PNC and LDSA were similar in magnitude,
      two-pollutant and residual-based models suggested that LDSA may be a better
      marker for the health relevance of UFP. Citation: Aguilera I, Dratva J, Caviezel
      S, Burdet L, de Groot E, Ducret-Stich RE, Eeftens M, Keidel D, Meier R, Perez L,
      Rothe T, Schaffner E, Schmit-Trucksass A, Tsai MY, Schindler C, Kunzli N, Probst
      Hensch N. 2016. Particulate matter and subclinical atherosclerosis: associations
      between different particle sizes and sources with carotid intima-media thickness
      in the SAPALDIA study. Environ Health Perspect 124:1700-1706;
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP161.

PMID- 27258724
TI  - Routine Intraoperative Frozen Section Examination to Minimize Bimodal Treatment
      in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In early-stage cervical cancer, single modality therapy is the main
      objective, to minimize patient morbidity while offering equivalent cure rates.
      Intraoperative frozen section examination (FSE) of lymph nodes (LNs) can
      facilitate this aim, ensuring that radical surgery is avoided in patients
      requiring adjuvant therapy for metastatic LN involvement. We aimed to evaluate
      the accuracy of routine intraoperative FSE of pelvic LNs during the surgical
      staging of early-stage cervical cancers and identify a group at low risk for
      nodal metastases. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 94 women aged 23 to 80
      years who underwent primary surgery and planned intraoperative FSE of the pelvic
      LNs at the gynecological cancer center in Oxford was performed. The diagnostic
      value of FSE and the prediction of metastatic nodal disease were assessed by use
      of preoperative and intraoperative variables. RESULTS: A total of 1825 LNs were
      submitted for FSE. Of 94 women (13.8%), 13 had positive LNs at FSE. Two false
      negative cases were reported with micrometastases but no false-positive cases.
      Frozen section examination as a diagnostic test reached a sensitivity of 86.7%
      and a specificity of 100%. A regression model including grade I to II and tumor
      size of less than 20 mm identified a low-risk group for LN involvement.
      CONCLUSIONS: In light of diverse practice patterns, FSE should be routinely
      offered to women with early-stage cervical cancer in a 1-step protocol. We
      equally devised a model to predict those patients at least risk of nodal disease,
      who may be spared of FSE.

PMID- 27258725
TI  - DNA Methylation Signatures in Vaginal Fluid Samples for Detection of Cervical and
      Endometrial Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A noninvasive tool that allows individuals to be monitored who are at
      risk of developing a malignancy is an unmet need. Such a test would need to
      consist of a molecular signature that allows for gradual judgment to assess the
      efficacy of preventive strategies. Here we performed a proof-of-principle study
      to test whether a DNA methylation (DNAme) signature in fluid collected from the
      vagina is able to identify women with cervical or endometrial cancer. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: DNA from vaginal fluid samples from 111 women (30, 8, 73 with
      endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, and benign gynecological conditions,
      respectively) were analyzed for DNAme using the Illumina 450k DNA methylation
      bead array assay, which allows the assessment of DNAme at more than 480.000 CpG
      sites. We developed a cervical and an endometrial cancer DNAme signature by
      comparing normal and cancerous cervical and endometrial samples from the publicly
      available The Cancer Genome Atlas data and developed deviation scores to assess
      the potential of discriminating cancer from a control sample using a vaginal
      fluid DNAme signature. RESULTS: More than 60% of variations in DNAme in our
      vaginal fluid cannot be explained by those clinical or technical factors that we
      were aware of. Both the cervical and the endometrial cancer DNAme signature
      resulted in receiver operating characteristic area under the curve between 0.75
      and 0.83 to discriminate controls and the cancers for which the signature has
      been designed for. CONCLUSIONS: Whole DNAme signatures based on array
      technologies in body fluids are able to discriminate cancer cases from controls.

PMID- 27258726
TI  - Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: Opportunities for a National Registry
      Collaboration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In rare entities such as gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), only
      multi-institutional registries can gather significant number of patients to build
      up valuable clinical databases. No Canada-wide GTD registry currently exists. We
      conducted a survey among members of the Canadian Society of Gynecologic Oncology
      (GOC) to investigate their interest in a pan-Canadian GTD registry. We also took
      the opportunity to explore their management of GTD. METHODS: An electronic survey
      was conducted. The target group was the entire GOC Canadian Membership. The
      survey consisted of 25 questions. RESULTS: The survey participation rate was 39%
      (67/171). Seventy-six percent of responders treat patients with molar pregnancy
      or gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), and the majority treat only 5 or
      less cases of molar pregnancy and 5 or less cases of GTN per year. In cases of
      low-risk GTN, 80% of responders use generally recommended single-agent
      chemotherapy regimens. In cases of high-risk GTN, 76% use generally recommended
      multiagent chemotherapy regimens. Most respondents do not submit either molar
      pregnancy or GTN patients to any formal registry, although the vast majority
      (92%) would do so if they had access to a registry, given that most believe that
      a registry can or probably can help patients with GTD. Responders indicated that
      the jurisdiction of such a registry should be national (59%), provincial (25%),
      and regional (11%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite some variation, responders were
      generally knowledgeable about contemporary management issues. Canadian Society of
      Gynecologic Oncology members acknowledge generally low exposure to GTD patients
      in Canada and support the creation of a national GTD registry to facilitate
      optimal patient care, education, and research.

PMID- 27258727
TI  - Activity of Bevacizumab in Patients With Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor activity of
      bevacizumab in low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC). METHODS: We
      retrospectively identified patients with LGSOC treated with bevacizumab. RESULTS:
      Twelve patients with LGSOC who received bevacizumab were identified. Eleven
      patients received bevacizumab alone. Only 1 (8.3%) of 12 patients had evidence of
      a partial response. Ten (90.9%) of the 11 patients were progression free at 6
      months. All but 1 patient who received only 2 courses before treatment
      interruption had a progression-free survival (PFS) of greater than 6 months. The
      median PFS was 48 months (range, 5-123+ months). Three of the patients reported
      in this series had extended disease stabilization that lasted for 123+, 48, and
      15+ months after progression-free intervals on prior chemotherapy regimens of
      2.5, 4, and 7 months, respectively. The median overall survival was not reached
      at a median follow-up of 32 months, with only 1 of the 12 patients dying of
      disease. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, in patients with LGSOC treated primarily
      with bevacizumab, primarily as a single agent, a low response rate but very long
      PFS is observed. In addition, patients have had secondary PFS durations that
      exceeded their prior PFS, which is a sign of anticancer activity.

PMID- 27258728
TI  - Docosahexaenoic Acid Modulates Invasion and Metastasis of Human Ovarian Cancer
      via Multiple Molecular Pathways.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the
      invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells (A2780, HO8910, and SKOV-3).
      METHODS: Cytotoxicity assay was performed to determine the optimal doses of DHA
      in this experiment. The effects of DHA on invasion ability were assessed by
      invasion assay. The expressions of messenger RNA and/or proteins associated with
      invasion or metastasis were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain
      Reaction or Western blot. The effect of DHA on cell metastasis was assessed in
      xenograft model of zebrafish. RESULTS: Docosahexaenoic acid and alpha-linolenic
      acid could reduce the cell vitalities in dose-dependent manner. However, DHA
      inhibited the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells, but alpha
      linolenic acid did not (**P < 0.01). Docosahexaenoic acid could downregulate the
      expressions of WAVE3, vascular endothelial cell growth factor, and MMP-9, and
      upregulate KISS-1, TIMP-1, and PPAR-gamma, which negatively correlated with cell
      invasion and metastasis (*P < 0.05). Docosahexaenoic acid restrained the
      development of subintestinal vessels and cancer cell metastasis in xenograft
      model of zebrafish (**P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Docosahexaenoic acid inhibited the
      invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo through the
      modulation of NF-kappaB signaling pathway, suggesting that DHA is a promising
      candidate for ovarian cancer therapy.

PMID- 27258729
TI  - How Common Is the Growing Teratoma Syndrome in Patients With Ovarian Immature
      Teratoma?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) after adjuvant chemotherapy for
      ovarian germ cell tumors is uncommon, with approximately 60 cases reported in the
      English literature. The objective of this study was to report clinical parameters
      including outcomes of patients with a diagnosis of GTS after adjuvant
      chemotherapy for ovarian immature teratoma (IT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients
      with a condition diagnosed as ovarian IT between 1999 and 2014 at 2 tertiary-care
      academic centers were evaluated for the development of GTS. Patients'
      demographics, surgical and pathology data, adjuvant treatment, tumor markers, and
      survival data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were
      treated for ovarian IT with a median follow-up of 69 months (9-166 months). Of
      the 15 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, 6 developed GTS (crude
      incidence, 40%; 2- and 5-year cumulative actuarial rates, 40% and 50%,
      respectively). The median age at diagnosis of ovarian IT was 24 years (17-38
      years). The median interval from diagnosis of IT to development of GTS was 20
      months (8-42 months). These 6 patients underwent 1 to 4 additional surgeries for
      management of GTS and were alive without evidence of malignancy after a median
      follow-up of 90 months (range, 24-166 months). CONCLUSIONS: The development of
      GTS after adjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian IT seems to be more common than
      previously reported in the literature. Clinicians need to be cognizant that the
      occurrence of rapidly growing masses during or after chemotherapy for ovarian IT
      raises the possibility of GTS. This highlights the importance of prolonged follow
      up with tumor markers and imaging studies in patients with ovarian IT.

PMID- 27258730
TI  - A Reappraisal of the Incidence of Placental Hydatidiform Mole Using Selective
      Molecular Genotyping.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Reports on the incidence of hydatidiform mole (HM) have varied
      depending on study population and methodology. This institutional-based study was
      undertaken to identify the incidence of HM in a modern obstetric practice using
      advanced laboratory diagnostic techniques. METHODS: A retrospective review of
      consecutive hospital cases of HM was conducted for a 27-month period. Pathologic
      diagnoses of partial mole (PM) and complete mole (CM) were based on
      histopathologic assessment and selective use of p57 immunohistochemistry and
      molecular genotyping (MG) using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues.
      RESULTS: During the study period, 14,944 obstetric deliveries took place at our
      institution. Forty-nine cases of HM (18 CMs, 31 PMs) were identified.
      Histopathology with the selective use of p57 immunohistochemistry was used in 25
      of 49 HMs (18 CMs, 7 PMs). Histopathologic features were equivocal in the
      remaining cases (24/49 cases), and adjunctive MG was performed; all were PMs. The
      incidence of HM was 3.3/1000 deliveries. Partial mole was more prevalent with a
      CM (PM ratio, 1:1.72). CONCLUSIONS: Our observed incidence of HM is greater than
      previous studies and is attributable to improved detection of PM cases. Molecular
      genotyping and cytogenetic evidence indicate that CM is almost half as common as
      PM. This ratio may be useful in benchmarking laboratory diagnosis and HM
      registries.

PMID- 27258731
TI  - Outcome of Neoadjuvant Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy and Radical Hysterectomy for
      Treatment of Bulky Stage IB to Stage IIB Uterine Cervical Cancer: Can
      Postoperative Irradiation Be Avoided?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We evaluated whether our neoadjuvant intra-arterial chemotherapy
      (NAIC) effectively precludes the need for postoperative radiation therapy in
      patients treated by radical hysterectomy for IB2 to IIB cervical cancer.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study subjects were 52 patients with a bulky cervical
      tumor diagnosed and treated at Juntendo University Hospital or Juntendo Nerima
      Hospital. The NAIC combined cisplatin, epirubicin, mitomycin-C, and 5
      fluorouracil; and radical hysterectomy was to be performed after 2 cycles. The
      main variables analyzed were clinical and histologic response to NAIC, NAIC
      related adverse events, adjuvant chemotherapies, relapse-free and overall
      survival, recurrence, and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Patients were judged
      eligible for radical hysterectomy, and 51 underwent the surgery. The overall
      positive response (complete response [CR] + partial response [PR]) to NAIC was
      88.5%. Median follow-up time was 84 months (5-136 months). Three-year relapse
      free survival and overall survival were 80.5% and 77.8%, respectively. The
      recurrence rate was 19.2% (10/52 patients). Seven (13.5%) of the 52 patients died
      from the disease during follow-up. Lymph node status (positive vs negative) and
      the histologic effect of NAIC (grades 0-1 vs grades 2-3) were shown to be
      prognostic factors (P = 0.024 and P = 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our NAIC
      strategy seems to be well tolerated and beneficial for patients with bulky IB2 to
      IIB cervical cancer. With this strategy, radiation therapy remains an option in
      cases of recurrence. For cases in which lymph node metastasis is found or the
      histologic effect of NAIC is low, our adjuvant chemotherapy regimen may need
      adjustment to improve prognosis.

PMID- 27258732
TI  - Effect of litter quality on foot pad dermatitis, hock burns and breast blisters
      in broiler breeders during the production period.
AB  - Foot pad dermatitis and hock burn lesions are a form of contact dermatitis, a
      condition affecting skin areas in contact with unsuitable or irritating material.
      Contact dermatitis is a common problem, reducing the welfare of broilers, and is
      believed to also affect broiler breeders. However, there is very little research
      on contact dermatitis in breeders. This study followed the severity of foot pad
      lesions in broiler breeders throughout the production period. At slaughter the
      presence of hock burns and breast blisters was also determined. In addition,
      changes in litter condition over time and the impact of litter quality on foot
      pads were evaluated. The study was performed on 10 broiler breeder farms,
      including altogether 18 flocks. Foot pads of 100 hens per flock were assessed at
      the end of rearing period, three times during the production period, and at
      slaughter. Foot pad and hock lesions, as well as litter condition were scored on
      a 5-point scale. Litter quality was evaluated as pH, moisture and ammonia
      content. The condition of foot pads deteriorated towards slaughter age, with the
      occurrence of severe lesions reaching a maximum of 64% on average at slaughter.
      Hock lesions and breast blisters were rare. The litter layer became drier over
      time. Although poorer litter condition and wetness influenced foot pad health
      negatively, the effect on severe lesions was not significant. We also observed a
      negative effect on foot pad condition of larger slat areas. In conclusion,
      maintaining good litter quality alone is not enough to ensure healthy foot pads
      in broiler breeders.

PMID- 27258733
TI  - Impaired inference in a case of developmental amnesia.
AB  - Amnesia is associated with impairments in relational memory, which is critically
      supported by the hippocampus. By adapting the transitivity paradigm, we
      previously showed that age-related impairments in inference were mitigated when
      judgments could be predicated on known pairwise relations, however, such
      advantages were not observed in the adult-onset amnesic case D.A. Here, we
      replicate and extend this finding in a developmental amnesic case (N.C.), who
      also shows impaired relational learning and transitive expression. Unlike D.A.,
      N.C.'s damage affected the extended hippocampal system and diencephalic
      structures, and does not extend to neocortical areas that are affected in D.A.
      Critically, despite their differences in etiology and affected structures, N.C.
      and D.A. perform similarly on the task. N.C. showed intact pairwise knowledge,
      suggesting that he is able to use existing semantic information, but this
      semantic knowledge was insufficient to support transitive expression. The present
      results suggest a critical role for regions connected to the hippocampus and/or
      medial prefrontal cortex in inference beyond learning of pairwise relations. (c)
      2016 The Authors Hippocampus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27258734
TI  - Cell adhesion induces overexpression of chromodomain helicase/ATPase DNA binding
      protein 1-like gene (CHD1L) and contributes to cell adhesion-mediated drug
      resistance (CAM-DR) in multiple myeloma cells.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that chromodomain helicase/ATPase DNA binding protein
      1-like gene (CHD1L) exerts its anti-apoptotic function in many solid cancers.
      However, its role in human multiple myeloma (MM) has not been thoroughly
      elucidated. In this study, we investigate the role of CHD1L in MM. Preliminarily,
      up-regulation and down-regulation assay verified that CHD1L exerts its anti
      apoptotic role through the apoptotic pathway involving caspase-9-caspase-3
      apoptotic pathway in MM cells. In addition, we determined that CHD1L expression
      is increased when MM cells were adhered to fibronectin (FN) or bone marrow
      stromal cell line HS-5 cells and cell adhesion assay indicated that CHD1L siRNA
      reversed the high cell adhesion rate. Consistent with the reduced adhesion rate,
      the cells translated to a compromised cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM
      DR) phenotype in MM. In summary, we will propose strategies for developing a
      CHD1L inhibitor for potential treatment of MM.

PMID- 27258735
TI  - Dysplastic erythroid precursors in the myelodysplastic syndromes and the acute
      myeloid leukemias: Is there biologic significance? (How should blasts be
      counted?).
AB  - The role of bone marrow dysplastic erythroid precursors (EP) in both MDS and AML
      has been the subject of considerable debate over the past several decades. We
      have analyzed a large series of adults with MDS and focused on whether any% of EP
      identified in the bone marrow aspirates of over 1400 patients selected from the
      Dusseldorf, Germany adult MDS Registry has prognostic relevance. The data was
      examined for varying% of blasts, the WHO prognostic MDS subtypes and the IPSS-R.
      We did not identify any adjustment of bone marrow blast percentage by%EP,
      incuding the 50% rule" developed by the FAB leukemia working group, to have a
      meaningful impact on outcome, either leukemic risk of progression or overall
      survival. There was a trend for a%EP<15% to actually have a worse survival than
      any other EP subset. We can no longer recommend the application of the "50% rule"
      in the calculation of the% of myeloblasts in bone marrow aspirates.

PMID- 27258736
TI  - Phototherapy using narrowband ultraviolet B and psoralen plus ultraviolet A is
      beneficial in steroid-dependent antihistamine-refractory chronic urticaria: a
      randomized, prospective observer-blinded comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Literature on the efficacy of phototherapy in steroid-dependent
      antihistamine-refractory chronic urticaria (CRU) is limited. OBJECTIVES: To
      assess and compare the efficacy of psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) and
      narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in steroid-dependent CRU. METHODS: In this
      randomized, prospective observer-blinded comparative study, 50 patients with
      steroid-dependent CRU (6 months of spontaneous urticaria with no response after 3
      consecutive months of antihistamines and steroid dependence) were administered
      either PUVA (group A) or NB-UVB (group B) for 90 days, with a post-treatment
      follow-up of 90 days. The treatment efficacy was assessed using the average
      urticaria activity score 7 (aUAS7) and outcome scoring scale (OSS) every 2 weeks.
      RESULTS: The mean values of aUAS7 progressively decreased from 4.9 +/- 0.8 and
      5.0 +/- 0.7 at baseline to 1.9 +/- 0.7 and 1.4 +/- 0.7 in groups A and B,
      respectively, by day 90. This further decreased to 1.5 +/- 0.8 and 1.4 +/- 1.0 at
      day 180 in both groups. The values of OSS progressively increased from baseline
      (1.6 +/- 0.5 in group A and 1.3 +/- 0.5 in group B) to 3.9 +/- 0.3 and 4.0 +/-
      0.3 in groups A and B, respectively, by day 90, and 3.9 +/- 0.5 and 4.0 +/- 0.6
      by day 180. NB-UVB fared statistically better than PUVA at different time points.
      Adverse events encountered were minimal and did not warrant treatment
      discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Phototherapy, especially NB-UVB, is an effective,
      safe and affordable therapeutic modality for steroid-dependent CRU and should be
      tried prior to third-line treatment options such as omalizumab, ciclosporin and
      other immunosuppressants.

PMID- 27258737
TI  - Development of a guinea pig cutaneous radiation injury model using low
      penetrating X-rays.
AB  - PURPOSE: A guinea pig skin model was developed to determine the dose-dependent
      response to soft X-ray radiation into the dermis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: X-ray
      exposure (50 kVp) was defined to a 4.0 * 4.0 cm area on the lateral surface of a
      guinea pig using lead shielding. Guinea pigs were exposed to a single fraction of
      X-ray irradiation ranging from 25-79 Gy via an XRAD320ix Biological Irradiator
      with the collimator removed. Gross skin changes were measured using clinical
      assessments defined by the Kumar scale. Skin contracture was assessed, as well as
      histological evaluations. RESULTS: Loss of dermal integrity was shown after a
      single dose of soft X-ray radiation at or above 32 Gy with the central 2.0 * 2.0
      cm of the exposed site being the most affected. Hallmarks of the skin injury
      included moist desquamation, ulceration and wound contracture, as well as
      alterations in epithelium, dermis, muscle and adipose. Changes in the skin were
      time- and radiation dose-dependent. Full-thickness injury occurred without animal
      mortality or gross changes in the underlying organs. CONCLUSIONS: The guinea pig
      is an appropriate small animal model for the short-term screening of
      countermeasures for cutaneous radiation injury (CRI).

PMID- 27258738
TI  - Antifungal Imidazole-Decorated Cationic Amphiphiles with Markedly Low Hemolytic
      Activity.
AB  - Herein we report that an imidazole-decorated cationic amphiphile derived from the
      pseudo-disaccharide nebramine has potent antifungal activity against strains of
      Candida glabrata pathogens. In combination with the natural bis
      benzylisoquinoline alkaloid tetrandrine the reported antifungal cationic
      amphiphile demonstrated synergistic antifungal activity against Candida albicans
      pathogens. This unique membrane disruptor caused no detectible mammalian red
      blood cell hemolysis at concentrations up to more than two orders of magnitude
      greater than its minimal inhibitory concentrations against the tested C. glabrata
      strains. We provide evidence that potency against C. glabrata may be associated
      with differences between the drug efflux pumps of C. albicans and C. glabrata.
      Imidazole decorated-cationic amphiphiles show promise for the development of less
      toxic membrane-disrupting antifungal drugs and drug combinations. 

PMID- 27258739
TI  - Stereoselective PCO/POC-Rearrangement of P-C-Cage Phosphorane in the Reaction of
      4,5-Dimethyl-2-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenyl)ethoxy-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane with
      Hexafluoroacetone.
AB  - Interaction of 4,5-dimethyl-2-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenyl)ethoxy-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane,
      bearing a carboxyl group in the gamma-position with respect to the phosphorus
      atom and obtained from d,l-butanediol, with hexafluoroacetone (CCl4, -40  degrees
      C) leads to the simultaneous formation of regio- and stereoisomeric cage-like
      phosphoranes with phosphorus-carbon and phosphorus-oxygen bonds with a high
      stereoselectivity (>95%), whose structure was determined by 1D and 2D NMR
      spectroscopy and XRD. When stored as a solution in dichloromethane for one month,
      the PCO-isomer rearranges into the thermodynamically more stable POC-isomer of
      the cage-like phosphorane. Mild hydrolysis of the PCO/POC-isomers proceeds with a
      high chemoselectivity and leads to the formation of P(IV)-dioxaphospholane
      derivatives. Acidic hydrolysis of the POC-isomer leads to the formation of an
      oxirane derivative with an unexpectedly high stereoselectivity (>95%). DFT
      calculations (using the PBE functional) allowed us to obtain structures and
      energies of the initial phospholane, reaction products (PCO/POC-isomers), and an
      intermediate P(V)-oxaphosphirane.

PMID- 27258759
TI  - alphavbeta3- or alpha5beta1-Integrin-Selective Peptidomimetics for Surface
      Coating.
AB  - Engineering biomaterials with integrin-binding activity is a very powerful
      approach to promote cell adhesion, modulate cell behavior, and induce specific
      biological responses at the surface level. The aim of this Review is to
      illustrate the evolution of surface-coating molecules in this field: from
      peptides and proteins with relatively low integrin-binding activity and receptor
      selectivity to highly active and selective peptidomimetic ligands. In particular,
      we will bring into focus the difficult challenge of achieving selectivity between
      the two closely related integrin subtypes alphavbeta3 and alpha5beta1. The
      functionalization of surfaces with such peptidomimetics opens the way for a new
      generation of highly specific cell-instructive surfaces to dissect the biological
      role of integrin subtypes and for application in tissue engineering and
      regenerative medicine.

PMID- 27258760
TI  - The Endocrine Society Centennial: Hormones and Apoptosis in the Prostate Gland...
      Live and Let Die.

PMID- 27258761
TI  - Programming the Brain from the Womb: Maternal Obesity Perturbs the Hypothalamic
      Blood-Brain Barrier.

PMID- 27258764
TI  - Transradial and transulnar access for iliac artery interventions using sheathless
      guiding systems: A feasibility study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the acute success and complication rates of the
      transradial and transulnar access for iliac artery stenting using sheathless
      guiding systems. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data from 156 consecutive
      patients with symptomatic iliac artery stenosis who were treated with transradial
      or transulnar access were evaluated. All patients underwent Duplex ultrasound
      before and after the intervention. The primary endpoints were the procedural
      success rate, major adverse events, and access site complication rates. The
      secondary endpoints were the angiographic result of the iliac artery
      intervention, fluoroscopy time, X-ray dose, procedure length, crossover rate to
      another puncture site and hospitalization duration. The impact of the learning
      curve was also investigated, along with right or left radial access. RESULTS: The
      indication for the intervention was intermittent claudication in 109 patients
      (69.9%), critical limb ischemia in 44 (28.2%) subjects and acute limb ischemia in
      three individuals (1.9%). Technical success was achieved in 155 patients (99.4%),
      with a crossover rate of 3.8%. Radial and ulnar artery access was used in 151
      (96.8%) and 7 (4.5%) patients, respectively. The Ankle-brachial index increased
      from 0.69 [0.65-0.72] to 0.91 [0.88-0.95] as a result of the procedures (P <
      0.001). The cumulative incidence of major adverse events was 3.8% at the 2-month
      follow-up (0% in patients with intermittent claudication and 13.8% in patients
      with critical limb ischemia). Radial artery access site complications were
      encountered in eight patients (5.1%). We documented decreased X-ray doses (1742.0
      [783.9-2701] vs. 1435 [991.1-1879] vs. 692.8 [275.3-1110] Gy cm-2 P < 0.05) over
      time; however, the fluoroscopy time, procedure time, and contrast consumption
      were not significantly different. Left hand access was not associated with
      significantly better results than right radial artery access. CONCLUSIONS: Iliac
      artery stenting can be safely and effectively performed using radial or ulnar
      artery access and sheathless guiding catheters, with acceptable complication
      rates and high levels of technical success. The physician learning curve plays an
      important role in decreasing the X-ray dose. (c) 2016 The Authors.
      Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions Published by Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27258766
TI  - Reconstruction of the Internal Carotid Artery After Treatment of Complex
      Traumatic Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas With the Willis Covered Stent: A
      Retrospective Study With Long-Term Follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of complex traumatic direct carotid-cavernous
      fistulas (TDCCFs) is a challenge. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy
      of the Willis covered stent in endovascular treatment of complex TDCCFs, focusing
      on reconstruction and preservation of the internal carotid artery. METHODS:
      During the past 8 years, 25 patients with 27 TDCCFs who previously had
      unsuccessful treatment of fistulas with detachable balloons received endovascular
      treatment with Willis covered stents. The efficacy, complications, in-stent
      stenosis, angiographic, and clinical follow-up results were evaluated
      retrospectively between 6 and 88 months (mean, 43.8 months) after the stent
      placement. RESULTS: The technical success rate of stenting placement was 100%.
      Forty-four Willis covered stents were implanted into the target artery of 27
      TDCCFs. Complete exclusion was achieved in 16 patients with 17 TDCCFs immediately
      after the stent placement, with transient endoleaks in 10 TDCCFs. Redilation was
      performed in 6 TDCCFs, and additional stents were implanted in the other 4 TDCCFs
      for endoleak exclusion. The initial angiographic results showed complete
      exclusion of fistulas with preservation of the internal carotid artery in 24
      patients with 26 TDCCFs. One patient in whom complete occlusion initially was
      achieved subsequently experienced a delayed endoleak, which required placement of
      an additional stent. The angiographic follow-up results (mean, 30.3 months)
      demonstrated complete exclusion in all 27 TDCCFs, with patency of internal
      carotid artery in 23 patients. The clinical follow-up demonstrated a full
      recovery in 23 patients and improvement in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: The use of
      Willis covered stents was confirmed to be effective, safe, and a curative
      approach for endovascular treatment of complex TDCCFs and internal carotid artery
      reconstruction. ABBREVIATIONS: DB, detachable balloonEVT, endovascular
      treatmentICA, internal carotid arteryn-BCA, N-butyl cyanoacrylateTDCCF, traumatic
      direct carotid-cavernous fistula.

PMID- 27258768
TI  - Surgical Resection and Interstitial Iodine-125 Brachytherapy for High-Grade
      Meningiomas: A 25-Year Series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atypical and malignant meningiomas can recur despite resection and
      radiation. OBJECTIVE: To determine outcomes of patients with recurrent atypical
      or malignant meningioma treated with repeat resection and permanent iodine-125 (
      125 I) brachy-therapy. METHODS: Charts of patients who underwent surgical
      resection and 125 I brachyther-apy implantation for atypical and malignant
      meningiomas between 1988 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The Kaplan-Meier
      actuarial method was used to calculate progression-free and overall survival. The
      log-rank test was used to compare groups. Significance was set at P < .05.
      RESULTS: Forty-two patients underwent 50 resections with 125 I brachytherapy im
      plantations. All patients had undergone previous resections and 85% had
      previously undergone radiation. Median follow-up was 7.5 years after diagnosis
      and 2.3 years after brachytherapy. Median time to progression after resection
      with 125 I brachytherapy was 20.9 months for atypical meningioma, 11.4 months for
      malignant meningioma, and 11.4 months for the combined groups. Median survival
      after re-resection and 125 I brachytherapy was 3.5 years for atypical meningioma,
      2.3 years for malignant menin-gioma, and 3.3 years for all subjects. Median
      overall survival after diagnosis was 11.1 years for atypical meningioma, 9.1
      years for malignant meningioma, and 9.4 years for all subjects. Complications
      occurred in 17 patients and included radiation necrosis (n = 8, 16%), wound
      breakdown (n = 6, 12%), hydrocephalus (n = 4, 8%), infection (n = 3, 6%), and a
      pseudomeningocele (n = 2, 5%). CONCLUSION: This is the largest experience with
      adjuvant 125 I brachytherapy for recurrent high-grade meningiomas. The outcomes
      support the use of adjuvant brachytherapy as an option for these aggressive
      tumors.

PMID- 27258769
TI  - Quality of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Neuro-oncologic
      Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the vagaries of published guidelines and the lack of high
      quality evidence on the method, timing, and dose of venous thromboembolism (VTE)
      prophylaxis in neurological surgery, little is known about practice patterns
      regarding VTE prophylaxis in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the use of
      VTE prophylaxis in patients who underwent surgery for a cerebral neoplasm and to
      identify patient, physician, and hospital characteristics associated with
      prophylaxis. METHODS: Using the Premier Perspective database, we classified
      patients undergoing surgery for intracranial neoplasm between 2006 and 2012 on
      the basis of the type of VTE prophylaxis they received (mechanical,
      pharmacological, or combination). Generalized estimating equations were used to
      analyze the effects of pretreatment patient and system variables, including
      hospital and surgeon volume, on prophylaxis while controlling for hospital
      clustering. RESULTS: A total of 43 327 patients were identified. Venous
      thromboembolism prophylaxis was given to 70.2% of patients. Overall, 16 957
      (39.2%) had only mechanical prophylaxis, 5628 (13%) received only pharmacological
      prophylaxis, and 7826 (18.1%) received combination prophylaxis. Patients with
      high-volume providers (odds ratio, 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-3.69) were
      more likely to receive prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Nearly one-third of patients who
      underwent surgery for an intracranial tumor did not receive any VTE prophylaxis.
      We noted that the rate of overall VTE prophylaxis did not significantly change
      over the course of the 7 years analyzed despite an increasing focus on
      complication prevention. High-volume surgeons were more likely to provide VTE
      prophylaxis.

PMID- 27258770
TI  - Anticonvulsant discovery through animal models of status epilepticus induced by
      organophosphorus nerve agents and pesticides.
AB  - Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) and nerve agents (NAs) are highly toxic
      chemicals that pose a significant threat to human health worldwide. These
      compounds induce status epilepticus (SE) by irreversibly blocking the ability of
      acetylcholinesterase to break down acetylcholine at neural synapses. Animal
      models of organophosphate-induced SE are a crucial resource for identifying new
      anticonvulsant therapies. Here, we describe the development of various animal
      models of SE induced by NA or OP exposure. Experiments in nonhuman primates,
      rats, mice, and guinea pigs have helped to identify novel therapeutic targets in
      the central nervous system, with particular success at modulating GABAergic and
      glutamatergic receptors. The anticonvulsants identified by NA- and OP-induced SE
      models are well poised for fast advancement into clinical development, and their
      potential utility in the broader field of epilepsy should make them all the more
      attractive for commercial pursuit.

PMID- 27258771
TI  - Simultaneous Bilateral Ophthalmic Artery Chemosurgery for Bilateral
      Retinoblastoma (Tandem Therapy).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Report on the 7-year experience with bilateral ophthalmic artery
      chemosurgery (OAC-Tandem therapy) for bilateral retinoblastoma. DESIGN:
      Retrospective, single institution study. SUBJECTS: 120 eyes of 60 children with
      bilateral retinoblastoma treated since March 2008. METHODS: Retrospective review
      of all children treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering with bilateral ophthalmic
      artery chemosurgery (Melphalan, Carboplatin, Topotecan, Methotrexate) delivered
      in the same initial session to both naive and previously treated eyes. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Ocular survival, metastatic disease, patient survival from
      metastases, second cancers, systemic adverse effects, need for transfusion of
      blood products, electroretinogram before and after treatment. RESULTS: 116 eyes
      were salvaged (4 eyes were enucleated: 3 because of progressive disease, 1 family
      choice). Kaplan Meier ocular survival was 99.2% at one year, 96.9% at 2 and 3
      years and 94.9% for years 4 through 7. There were no cases of metastatic disease
      or metastatic deaths with a mean follow-up of 3.01 years. Two children developed
      second cancers (both pineoblastoma) and one of them died. Transfusion of blood
      products was required in 3 cases (4 transfusions), 1.9%. Two children developed
      fever/neutropenia requiring hospitalization (0.95%). ERGs were improved in 21.6%
      and unchanged after treatment in 52.5% of cases (increase or decrease of less
      than 25MUV). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral ophthalmic artery chemosurgery is a safe and
      effective technique for managing bilateral retinoblastoma-even when eyes are
      advanced bilaterally, and if both eyes have progressed after systemic
      chemotherapy. Ocular survival was excellent (94.9% at 8 years), there were no
      cases of of metastatic disease and no deaths from metastatic disease, but
      children remain at risk for second cancers. In 21.6% of cases ERG function
      improved. Despite using chemotherapy in both eyes in the same session, systemic
      toxicity was low.

PMID- 27258773
TI  - Toward an Earlier Diagnosis of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia. Which Patients Should
      Undergo Detailed Diagnostic Testing?
AB  - Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare, heterogeneous, recessive, genetic
      disorder of motile cilia, leading to chronic upper and lower respiratory
      symptoms. Prevalence is estimated at around 1:10,000, but many patients remain
      undiagnosed, whereas others receive the label incorrectly. Proper diagnosis is
      complicated by the fact that the key symptoms, such as wet cough, chronic
      rhinitis, and recurrent upper and lower respiratory infection, are common and
      nonspecific. There is no single gold standard test to diagnose PCD. Currently,
      the diagnosis is made in patients with a compatible medical history after a
      demanding combination of tests including nasal nitric oxide, high-speed video
      microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy and genetic and ciliary culture
      testing. These tests are costly and need sophisticated equipment and experienced
      staff, restricting use to highly specialized centers. Therefore, it would be
      desirable to have a screening test for identifying those patients who should
      undergo detailed diagnostic testing. Three recent studies focused on potential
      screening tools: one study assessed the validity of nasal nitric oxide for
      screening, and two studies developed new symptom-based screening tools. These
      simple tools are welcome, and it is hoped that they will assist physicians in
      determining whom to refer for definitive testing. However, they have been
      developed in tertiary care settings, where 10 to 50% of tested patients have PCD.
      The sensitivity and specificity of the tools are reasonable, but positive and
      negative predictive values may be poor in primary or secondary care settings.
      Although these studies are an important step toward an earlier diagnosis of PCD,
      more remains to be done before we have tools tailored to different health care
      settings.

PMID- 27258772
TI  - Structure of the Plexin Ectodomain Bound by Semaphorin-Mimicking Antibodies.
AB  - Semaphorin family proteins act on cells to mediate both repulsive and attractive
      guidance via binding to plexin family receptors, thereby playing fundamental
      roles in the morphogenesis and homeostasis of various tissues. Although
      semaphorin-plexin signaling is implicated in various diseases and is thus a
      target of intensive research, our mechanistic understanding of how semaphorins
      activate plexins on the cell surface is limited. Here, we describe unique anti
      plexin-A1 antibodies that can induce a collapsed morphology in mouse dendritic
      cells as efficiently as the semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) ligand. Precise epitope
      analysis indicates that these "semaphorin-mimicking" antibodies dimerize cell
      surface plexin-A1 by binding to the N-terminal sema domain of the plexin at sites
      away from the interface used by the Sema3A ligand. Structural analysis of plexin
      A1 fragments using negative stain electron microscopy further revealed that this
      agonistic capacity is closely linked to the location and orientation of antibody
      binding. In addition, the full-length plexin-A1 ectodomain exhibited a highly
      curved "C" shape, reinforcing the very unusual dimeric receptor conformation of
      this protein at the cell surface when engaged with Sema3A or agonistic
      antibodies. 

PMID- 27258774
TI  - Protein a Immunoadsorption May Hamper the Decision to Transplant Due to
      Interference With CDC Crossmatch Results.
AB  - Transplanting immunized patients requires immunological monitoring in the
      pretransplant phase to follow reduction of donor specific HLA antibodies (DSA)
      after Staphylococcus aureus protein A (SPA) immunoadsorption (IA) or therapeutic
      plasma exchange followed by IVIG and Rituximab administration. Pretreatment aims
      to significantly reduce DSA strength. The Tissue Typing Lab at Aarhus University
      Hospital performs immunological monitoring of approximately 150 kidney
      transplantation patients per year from two transplant centers. From 2012 to 2013,
      we experienced seven patients desensitized using SPA IA, initially presenting
      negative cytotoxic complement dependent (CDC) T-cell crossmatches but positive B
      and T cell flowcytometric crossmatch, who despite significant DSA reduction
      developed weakly positive CDC T-cell crossmatch shortly prior to transplantation.
      We hypothesised that leached SPA during IA could be the cause, as the
      complication was not observed in patients who received plasma exchanges. We found
      that the positive CDC was not donor specific and SPA column material incubated
      with control serum reproduced a positive CDC T-cell crossmatch. Finally, we
      detected leached SPA in one of the patient samples using a highly sensitive time
      resolved fluorescent assay. In conclusion, the results emphasize the importance
      of carefully considering CDC crossmatch results subsequent to IA, before a
      planned transplantation is either postponed or cancelled. J. Clin. Apheresis
      32:163-169, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27258775
TI  - Update on childhood craniopharyngiomas.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Craniopharyngioma location impacts treatment approach. Imaging
      advances allow for better anatomical localization, which can help determine the
      best surgical plan. Recent discoveries have also led to a better understanding of
      craniopharyngioma development and potential treatments. This review includes
      publications January 2015 through March 2016 and prior key reports. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Recent findings confirm that third ventricular and hypothalamic
      involvement are associated with highest risk of hypothalamic dysfunction after
      surgery. Both presentation and MRI can aid in presurgical grading to try to limit
      development of hypothalamic obesity, somnolence, neurocognitive dysfunction,
      decreased quality of life, and other morbidities. Targeted therapies may also
      prove useful in avoiding treatment complications. In total, 14-50% of adult-onset
      craniopharyngioma are papillary; the majority with a mutation in exon 3 of BRAF
      and may respond to BRAF inhibitors and mitogen-activated protein kinase
      inhibitors. The remaining adult-onset and majority of childhood-onset are
      adamantinomatous; often with mutations in CTNNB1, which encodes beta-catenin,
      leading to overactivation of the WNT signaling pathway. SUMMARY: Significant
      morbidities are associated with craniopharyngioma. Targeted medical therapies are
      on the horizon. Until that time, the surgical approach and decision for radiation
      therapy should be chosen to limit long-term sequelae.

PMID- 27258776
TI  - The Conformational Map of Volatile Anesthetics: Enflurane Revisited.
AB  - Previous ambiguities in the conformational and structural landscape of the
      volatile anesthetic enflurane have been solved combining microwave spectroscopy
      in a jet expansion and ab initio calculations. The broadband (2-18 GHz)
      rotational spectra identified three different rotamers, sharing a common trans
      ether skeleton but differing in the +/-gauche/trans position of the terminal
      chlorine atom. For each chlorine conformation two different gauche orientations
      were predicted for the opposite difluoromethyl group, but only one is
      experimentally observable due to collisional relaxation in the jet. The
      experimental dataset comprised nine different isotopologues ((35) Cl, (37) Cl,
      (13) C) and a large number (>6500) of rotational transitions. The inertial data
      provided structural information using the substitution and effective procedures.
      The structural preferences were rationalized with additional ab initio, natural
      bond-orbital and non-covalent-interaction analysis, which suggest that plausible
      anomeric effects at the difluoromethyl group could be overridden by other
      intramolecular effects. The difluoromethyl orientation thus reflects a
      minimization of inter-fluorine repulsions while maximizing F???H attractive
      interactions. A comparison with previous electron diffraction and spectroscopic
      data in the gas and condensed phases finally resulted in a comprehensive
      description of this ether, completing a rotational description of the most common
      multi-halogenated anesthetics. 

PMID- 27258780
TI  - The historical context in conversation: Lexical differentiation and memory for
      the discourse history.
AB  - When designing a definite referring expression, speakers take into account both
      the local context and certain aspects of the historical context, including
      whether similar referents have been mentioned in the past. When a similar item
      has been mentioned previously, speakers tend to elaborate their referring
      expression in order to differentiate the two items, a phenomenon called lexical
      differentiation. The present research examines the locus of the lexical
      differentiation effect and its relationship with memory for the discourse. In
      three experiments, we demonstrate that speakers differentiate to distinguish
      current from past referents; there was no evidence that speakers differentiate in
      order to avoid giving two items the same label. Post-task memory tests also
      revealed a high level of memory for the discourse history, a finding that is
      inconsistent with the view that failures of memory underlie low differentiation
      rates. Instead, memory for the discourse history, while necessary, is not
      sufficient for speakers to design language with respect to the historical
      context. Speakers must additionally view the discourse history as relevant to
      design language with respect to this broader context. Finally, measures of memory
      for past referents point to asymmetries between speakers and listeners in their
      memory for the discourse, with speakers typically remembering the discourse
      history better.

PMID- 27258781
TI  - Improving the Efficiency and Activity of Electrocatalysts for the Reduction of
      CO2 through Supramolecular Assembly with Amino Acid-Modified Ligands.
AB  - The use of hydrogen-bonding interactions to direct the noncovalent assembly of a
      Re-based bimetallic supramolecular electrocatalyst containing either tyrosine or
      phenylalanine residues is reported. Computational modeling and
      spectroelectrochemical characterization indicate that under catalytic conditions
      the phenol residues of tyrosine can act both as pendant proton sources and
      participate in the structural assembly of the bimetallic active species. As a
      result, an increased rate of catalysis is observed experimentally for the
      reductive disproportionation of CO2 to CO and CO3(2-) by a tyrosine-modified
      complex in comparison to a control complex containing phenylalanine residues.
      These findings demonstrate that noncovalent assembly is a powerful method for
      generating new bimetallic electrocatalyst systems where the choice of substituent
      can be used to both control structural assembly and introduce cocatalytic
      moieties.

PMID- 27258782
TI  - Progress and clinical potential of antibody-targeted therapy for arthritic
      damage.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The advent of biologic drugs like infliximab, Etanercept, rituximab
      and tocilizumab has greatly improved the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,
      however, increased risk of infection and high cost still remain unmet needs. A
      new generation of targeted therapeutics is being developed to target payload drug
      specifically to arthritic tissue; to concentrate the drug in the disease area and
      limit the off target systemic exposure. This might also reduce total effective
      dose. AREAS COVERED: This article summarizes the properties and progress of
      targeted therapies that have been published on PubMed, and addresses their
      clinical potential. Expert commentary: Incredible progress with targeted
      therapies has already been made in the short time since the principle was first
      proven in animal models in 2007 when targeting payload drug to overexpressed
      oncofetal domain of fibronectin in inflamed arthritic joints.

PMID- 27258783
TI  - Tyrosine-phosphorylation of the scaffold protein ADAP and its role in T cell
      signaling.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Adhesion and Degranulation promoting Adaptor Protein (ADAP) is
      phosphorylated upon T cell activation and acts as a scaffold for the formation of
      a signaling complex that integrates molecular interactions between T cell or
      chemokine receptors, the actin cytoskeleton, and integrin-mediated cellular
      adhesion and migration. AREAS COVERED: This article reviews current knowledge of
      the functions of the adapter protein ADAP in T cell signaling with a focus on the
      role of individual phosphotyrosine (pY) motifs for SH2 domain mediated
      interactions. The data presented was obtained from literature searches (PubMed)
      as well as the authors own research on the topic. Expert commentary: ADAP can be
      regarded as a paradigmatic example of how tyrosine phosphorylation sites serve as
      dynamic interaction hubs. Molecular crowding at unstructured and redundant sites
      (pY595, pY651) is contrasted by more specific interactions enabled by the three
      dimensional environment of a particular phosphotyrosine motif (pY571).

PMID- 27258784
TI  - Stereoselective Synthesis of the C9-C19 Fragment of Peloruside A.
AB  - A concise synthesis of the C9-C19 fragment of peloruside A that is both highly
      stereoselective and efficient is described. Achieving an overall yield of 23%
      over 14 steps, this synthesis not only is high yielding but also involves four
      chromatography steps. This approach is based on the addition of metal enolates of
      chiral auxiliary scaffolds generated by either catalytic or stoichiometric
      amounts of nickel(II) or titanium(IV) Lewis acids.

PMID- 27258785
TI  - The long noncoding RNA NRF regulates programmed necrosis and myocardial injury
      during ischemia and reperfusion by targeting miR-873.
AB  - Emerging evidences suggest that necrosis is programmed and is one of the main
      forms of cell death in the pathological process in cardiac diseases. Long
      noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as new players in gene regulation. However,
      it is not yet clear whether lncRNAs can regulate necrosis in cardiomyocytes.
      Here, we report that a long noncoding RNA, named necrosis-related factor (NRF),
      regulates cardiomyocytes necrosis by targeting miR-873 and RIPK1 (receptor
      interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1)/RIPK3 (receptor-interacting
      serine/threonine-protein kinase 3). Our results show that RIPK1 and RIPK3
      participate in H2O2-induced cardiomyocytes necrosis. miR-873 suppresses the
      translation of RIPK1/RIPK3 and inhibits RIPK1/RIPK3-mediated necrotic cell death
      in cardiomyocytes. miR-873 reduces myocardial infarct size upon
      ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the animal model. In exploring the molecular
      mechanism by which miR-873 expression is regulated, we identify NRF as an
      endogenous sponge RNA and repress miR-873 expression. NRF directly binds to miR
      873 and regulates RIPK1/RIPK3 expression and necrosis. Knockdown of NRF
      antagonizes necrosis in cardiomyocytes and reduces necrosis and myocardial
      infarction upon I/R injury. Further, we identify that p53 transcriptionally
      activates NRF expression. P53 regulates cardiomyocytes necrosis and myocardial
      I/R injury through NRF and miR-873.Our results identify a novel mechanism
      involving NRF and miR-873 in regulating programmed necrosis in the heart and
      suggest a potential therapeutic avenue for cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 27258786
TI  - K45A mutation of RIPK1 results in poor necroptosis and cytokine signaling in
      macrophages, which impacts inflammatory responses in vivo.
AB  - Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) participates in several cell
      signaling complexes that promote cell activation and cell death. Stimulation of
      RIPK1 in the absence of caspase signaling induces regulated necrosis
      (necroptosis), which promotes an inflammatory response. Understanding of the
      mechanisms through which RIPK1 promotes inflammation has been unclear. Herein we
      have evaluated the impact of a K45A mutation of RIPK1 on necroptosis of
      macrophages and the activation of inflammatory response. We show that K45A
      mutation of RIPK1 results in attenuated necroptosis of macrophages in response to
      stimulation with LPS, TNFalpha and IFNbeta in the absence of caspase signaling.
      Impairment in necroptosis correlated with poor phosphorylation of RIPK1, RIPK3
      and reduced trimerization of MLKL. Furthermore, K45A mutation of RIPK1 resulted
      in poor STAT1 phosphorylation (at S727) and expression of RANTES and MIP-1alpha
      following TNF-R engagement in the absence of caspase activation. Our results
      further indicate that in the absence of stimulation by pathogen-associated
      molecular patterns (PAMPs), cellular inhibitors of apoptotic proteins (cIAPs)
      prevent the K45-dependent auto-phosphorylation of RIPK1, leading to resistance
      against necroptosis. Finally, RIPK1(K45A) mice displayed attenuated inflammatory
      response in vivo as they were significantly resistant against endotoxin shock,
      but highly susceptible against a challenge with Salmonella typhimurium. This
      correlated with reduced expression of IL-1beta and ROS, and poor processing of
      caspase 8 by RIPK1(K45A) macrophages. Overall, these results indicate that K45
      mediated kinase activity of RIPK1 is not only important for necroptosis but it
      also has a key role in promoting cytokine signaling and host response to
      inflammatory stimuli.

PMID- 27258788
TI  - Infectious Angiogenesis-Different Pathways, the Same Goal.
AB  - Infectious angiogenesis is the biological response of neoangiogenesis induced by
      infectious organisms. The authors present 3 exemplary entities which show
      paradigmatic clinico-pathological settings of infectious angiogenesis: Bacillary
      angiomatosis, Orf (ecthyma contagiosum), and Kaposi sarcoma. The authors review
      the literature and elucidate etiopathogenetic pathways leading to the phenomenon
      of neovascularization stimulated by infectious organisms. The authors describe
      the clinical and histological pictures, interactions between microorganisms and
      host cells, and changes that occur within cellular structures, as well as
      angiogenic factors that underpin infectious angiogenesis. The importance of
      chronic inflammation and tumor angiogenesis is emphasized.

PMID- 27258787
TI  - Reactivation of mutant p53 by a dietary-related compound phenethyl isothiocyanate
      inhibits tumor growth.
AB  - Mutations in the p53 tumor-suppressor gene are prevalent in human cancers. The
      majority of p53 mutations are missense, which can be classified into contact
      mutations (that directly disrupts the DNA-binding activity of p53) and structural
      mutations (that disrupts the conformation of p53). Both of the mutations can
      disable the normal wild-type (WT) p53 activities. Nevertheless, it has been amply
      documented that small molecules can rescue activity from mutant p53 by restoring
      WT tumor-suppressive functions. These compounds hold promise for cancer therapy
      and have now entered clinical trials. In this study, we show that cruciferous
      vegetable-derived phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) can reactivate p53 mutant
      under in vitro and in vivo conditions, revealing a new mechanism of action for a
      dietary-related compound. PEITC exhibits growth-inhibitory activity in cells
      expressing p53 mutants with preferential activity toward p53(R175), one of the
      most frequent 'hotspot' mutations within the p53 sequence. Mechanistic studies
      revealed that PEITC induces apoptosis in a p53(R175) mutant-dependent manner by
      restoring p53 WT conformation and transactivation functions. Accordingly, in
      PEITC-treated cells the reactivated p53(R175) mutant induces apoptosis by
      activating canonical WT p53 targets, inducing a delay in S and G2/M phase, and by
      phosphorylating ATM/CHK2. Interestingly, the growth-inhibitory effects of PEITC
      depend on the redox state of the cell. Further, PEITC treatments render the
      p53(R175) mutant sensitive to degradation by the proteasome and autophagy in a
      concentration-dependent manner. PEITC-induced reactivation of p53(R175) and its
      subsequent sensitivity to the degradation pathways likely contribute to its
      anticancer activities. We further show that dietary supplementation of PEITC is
      able to reactivate WT activity in vivo as well, inhibiting tumor growth in
      xenograft mouse model. These findings provide the first example of mutant p53
      reactivation by a dietary compound and have important implications for cancer
      prevention and therapy.

PMID- 27258789
TI  - Survival and Metabolic Activity of Listeria monocytogenes on Ready-to-Eat Roast
      Beef Stored at 4  degrees C.
AB  - Three brands of commercial roast beef were purchased and artificially inoculated
      with a 5-strain Listeria monocytogenes cocktail at 2 inoculation levels
      (approximately 3 and 6 Log CFU/g). Although all 3 brands contained sodium
      diacetate and sodium lactate, inoculated Listeria cocktail survived for 16 d in
      all 3 brands; significant increases in L. monocytogenes numbers were seen on
      inoculated Brand B roast beef on days 12 and 16. Numbers of L. monocytogenes
      increased to 4.14 Log CFU/g for the 3 Log CFU/g inoculation level and increased
      to 7.99 Log CFU/g for the 6 Log CFU/g inoculation level by day 16, with the pH
      values being 5.4 and 5.8 respectively. To measure the cell viability in potential
      biofilms formed, an Alamar blue assay was conducted. Brand B meat homogenate had
      the highest metabolic activities (P < 0.05). By comparing its metabolic
      activities to Brands A and C and the inoculated autoclaved meat homogenates,
      results indicated that the microflora present in Brand B may be the reason for
      high metabolic activities. Based on the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
      and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index analysis, the "Brand" factor significantly
      impacted the diversity index (P = 0.012) and Brand B had the highest microflora
      diversity (Shannon index 1.636 +/- 0.011). Based on this study, results showed
      that antimicrobials cannot completely inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes in
      ready-to-eat roast beef. Native microflora (both diversity and abundance),
      together with product formula, pH, antimicrobial concentrations, and storage
      conditions may all impact the survival and growth of L. monocytogenes. 

PMID- 27258790
TI  - Structure Characterization and Properties of K-Containing Copper
      Hexacyanoferrate.
AB  - Copper hexacyanoferrate, Cu(II)[Fe(III)(CN)6]2/3.nH2O, was synthesized, and
      varied amounts of K(+) ions were inserted via reduction by K2S2O3 (aq). Ideally,
      the reaction can be written as Cu(II)[Fe(III)(CN)6]2/3.nH2O + 2x/3K(+) + 2x/3e(-)
      <-> K2x/3Cu(II)[Fe(II)xFe(III)1-x(CN)6]2/3.nH2O. Infrared, Raman, and Mossbauer
      spectroscopy studies show that Fe(III) is continuously reduced to Fe(II) with
      increasing x, accompanied by a decrease of the a-axis of the cubic Fm3m unit
      cell. Elemental analysis of K by inductively coupled plasma shows that the
      insertion only begins when a significant fraction, ~20% of the Fe(III), has
      already been reduced. Thermogravimetric analysis shows a fast exchange of water
      with ambient atmosphere and a total weight loss of ~26 wt % upon heating to 180 
      degrees C, above which the structure starts to decompose. The crystal structures
      of Cu(II)[Fe(III)(CN)6]2/3.nH2O and K2/3Cu[Fe(CN)6]2/3.nH2O were refined using
      synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. In both, one-third of the Fe(CN)6
      groups are vacant, and the octahedron around Cu(II) is completed by water
      molecules. In the two structures, difference Fourier maps reveal three additional
      zeolitic water sites (8c, 32f, and 48g) in the center of the cavities formed by
      the -Cu-N-C-Fe- framework. The K-containing compound shows an increased electron
      density at two of these sites (32f and 48g), indicating them to be the preferred
      positions for the K(+) ions. 

PMID- 27258791
TI  - Water-Regulated Self-Assembly Structure Transformation and Gelation Behavior
      Prediction Based on a Hydrazide Derivative.
AB  - Herein, we report the water-regulated supramolecular self-assembly structure
      transformation and the predictability of the gelation ability based on an
      azobenzene derivative bearing a hydrazide group, namely, N-(3,4,5
      tributoxyphenyl)-N'-4-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)azophenyl] benzohydrazide (BNB-t4). The
      regulation effects are demonstrated in the morphological transformation from
      spherical to lamellar particles then back to spherical in different solvent
      ratios of n-propanol/water. The self-assembly behavior of BNB-t4 was
      characterized by minimum gelation concentration, microstructure, thermal, and
      mechanical stabilities. From the spectroscopy studies, it is suggested that gel
      formation of BNB-t4 is mainly driven by intermolecular hydrogen bonding,
      accompanied with the contribution from pi-pi stacking as well as hydrophobic
      interactions. The successfully established correlation between the self-assembly
      behavior and solubility parameters yields a facile way to predict the gelation
      performance of other molecules in other single or mixed solvents. 

PMID- 27258792
TI  - The Impact of Implementation of Family-Initiated Escalation of Care for the
      Deteriorating Patient in Hospital: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapid response systems incorporate concepts of early recognition of
      patient deterioration, prompt reporting, and response which result in escalation
      of patient care. The ability to initiate escalation of care is now being extended
      to families of hospitalized patients. RESEARCH AIMS: To identify the impact of
      implementation of family-initiated escalation of care for the deteriorating
      patient in hospital? METHODS: A systematic review of peer-reviewed publications
      was conducted. Databases were searched from January 2005 to May 2015 for articles
      reporting the implementation and evaluation of family involvement programs.
      Reference lists of retrieved articles were searched. RESULTS: Ten articles (all
      descriptive studies) reported implementation and evaluation of response systems
      for patients and families to trigger an alert for help; five described a triaged
      response; five reported systems for families to directly activate the rapid
      response team. Five articles reported implementation in the pediatric setting.
      There were a total of 426 family-initiated calls, range 0.17 to 11 per month,
      with no deaths reported. All calls were deemed to be appropriate and three calls
      resulted in intensive care unit admissions. The basis of patient- or family
      initiated calls stemmed from communication or systems breakdown. The large range
      in frequency of calls was associated with the process implemented, the strategies
      used and the calling criteria (up to four). Feedback from families was positive.
      There appeared to be a level of staff stress associated with introducing this
      process. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: A variety of practice models and calling
      criteria were reported to either directly activate an existing rapid response
      team or trigger a separate response to patient- or family-initiated calls. The
      broader calling criteria and more comprehensive implementation strategies were
      associated with more patient- and family-initiated escalation of care calls.
      There is no systematically researched evidence to assess the value of family
      initiated calls for deteriorating patients.

PMID- 27258793
TI  - Brianyoungite/Graphene Oxide Coordination Composites for High-Performance Cu(2+)
      Adsorption and Tunable Deep-Red Photoluminescence.
AB  - Graphene oxide (GO) is a good adsorbent for heavy-metal ions because the oxygen
      functional groups offer active adsorption sites, but a small-size GO with dense
      oxygen-containing groups has high water solubility causing difficulty in
      separation. Herein, GO is bound to large brianyoungite (BY) by Zn-O coordination
      via a hydrothermal reaction that produces BY-GO composites with hollow spherical
      and flakelike morphologies that are easy to remove. By producing abundant oxygen
      containing groups on GO, the Cu(2+) adsorption capacity increases to 1724.1 mg/g,
      which is the highest value in graphene-related materials. The experimental and
      theoretical analysis clearly shows that the infrared spectral shifts toward the
      low-frequency side of C-O-H and O?C-O bending vibrations in the BY-GO composites
      stem from the Zn(2+) (or Cu(2+)) coordination with O atoms in GO. The BY-GO also
      exhibits tunable deep-red photoluminescence up to 750 nm with a quantum yield of
      about 1%, which may be useful in infrared optoelectronic devices and solar energy
      exploitation. The photoluminescence which is different from that previously
      reported from chemically derived GO can be attributed to the optical transition
      in the disorder-induced localized states of the carbon-oxygen functional groups. 

PMID- 27258795
TI  - Coinheritance of a Rare Nucleotide Substitution on the beta-Globin Gene and Other
      Known Mutations in the Globin Clusters: Management in Genetic Counseling.
AB  - A large number of methods for DNA analysis are available to identify defects in
      globin genes associated with hemoglobin (Hb) disorders. In this study, we report
      a rare nucleotide (nt) substitution on the beta-globin gene, nt 781 in the second
      intron [IVS-II-781 (C > G); HBB: c.316-70C > G], identified in four patients.
      This nt substitution was previously described only as a personal communication to
      the HbVar database and indicated as a beta(0) or beta(+) mutation. The purpose of
      this study was to evaluate the clinical implication of this nt change,
      particularly when coinherited with severe beta-thalassemia (beta-thal), in order
      to be able to conduct appropriate genetic counseling. Genetic studies were
      performed on two subjects, one carried Hb S [beta6(A3)Glu->Val; HBB: c.20A > T],
      and the other carried IVS-I-110 (G > A) (HBB: c.93-21G > A). All these subjects
      showed this new beta nt substitution in association with Hb A2' (or Hb B2)
      [delta16(A13)Gly->Arg; HBD: c.49G > C]. Another 16 samples, carrying the same
      delta variant as the probands, were processed by beta-globin gene sequencing in
      order to better understand the correlation between this Hb variant and the rare
      nt substitution reported in this study. The present investigation emphasizes the
      importance of sharing the observed nt changes in the globin gene cluster,
      especially in the case of new or rare undefined mutations, in order to facilitate
      the determination of their phenotypic expression, the possible interactions with
      known molecular defects and to formulate appropriate genetic counseling for at
      risk couples. 

PMID- 27258796
TI  - Female Urology - Quo Vadis?

PMID- 27258794
TI  - Structural analysis of the activation-induced deoxycytidine deaminase required in
      immunoglobulin diversification.
AB  - Activation-induced deoxycytidine deaminase (AID) initiates somatic hypermutation
      (SHM) and class-switch recombination (CSR) by deaminating C->U during
      transcription of Ig-variable (V) and Ig-switch (S) region DNA, which is essential
      to produce high-affinity antibodies. Here we report the crystal structure of a
      soluble human AID variant at 2.8A resolution that favors targeting WRC motifs
      (W=A/T, R=A/G) in vitro, and executes Ig V SHM in Ramos B-cells. A specificity
      loop extending away from the active site to accommodate two purine bases next to
      C, differs significantly in sequence, length, and conformation from APOBEC
      proteins Apo3A and Apo3G, which strongly favor pyrimidines at -1 and -2
      positions. Individual amino acid contributions to specificity and processivity
      were measured in relation to a proposed ssDNA binding cleft. This study provides
      a structural basis for residue contributions to DNA scanning properties unique to
      AID, and for disease mutations in human HIGM-2 syndrome.

PMID- 27258798
TI  - Treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of
      spontaneous preterm delivery - a clinical recommendation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by a dysbiosis of the
      vaginal microbiota with a depletion of Lactobacillus spp. In pregnancy,
      prevalence's between 7 and 30% have been reported depending on the study
      population and the definition. BV may be associated with an increased risk of
      spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD). However, it is controversial whether or not
      BV-positive pregnant women will benefit from treatment to reduce the risk of
      sPTD. We could not identify any good-quality guideline addressing this issue.
      Consequently we aimed to produce this clinical recommendation based on GRADE.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic literature searches were conducted in the
      following databases: Guidelines International Network: G-I-N, Medline, Embase,
      The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science and
      http://www.clinicaltrials.gov from 1999 to 3 October 2014. Hence, nine
      guidelines, 34 reviews, 18 randomized controlled trials and 12 observational
      studies were included. RESULTS: The GRADE quality of evidence was consistently
      low or very low, primarily because none of the risk ratios (RR) for the risk of
      sPTD at <37 weeks were statistically significant. Concerning treatment with
      metronidazole, RR was 1.11 (95% CI 0.93-1.34) in low-risk pregnancies and 0.96
      (95% CI 0.78-1.18) in high risk pregnancies. Concerning treatment with
      clindamycin at any gestational age, the RR was 0.87 (95% CI 0.73-1.05).
      CONCLUSION: This systematic review gives a strong recommendation against
      treatment with metronidazole and a weak recommendation against treatment with
      clindamycin to reduce the sPTD rate in both high-risk and low-risk pregnancies
      with BV.

PMID- 27258799
TI  - Small molecule ligand docking to genotype specific bundle structures of hepatitis
      C virus (HCV) p7 protein.
AB  - The genome of hepatitis C virus encodes for an essential 63 amino acid polytopic
      protein p7 of most likely two transmembrane domains (TMDs). The protein is
      identified to self-assemble thereby rendering lipid membranes permeable to ions.
      A series of small molecules such as adamantanes, imino sugars and guanidinium
      compounds are known to interact with p7. A set of 9 of these small molecules is
      docked against hexameric bundles of genotypes 5a (bundle-5a) and 1b (bundle-1b)
      using LeadIT. Putative sites for bundle-5a are identified within the pore and at
      pockets on the outside of the bundle. For bundle-1b preferred sites are found at
      the site of the loops. Binding energies are in favour of the guanidinium
      compounds. Rescoring of the identified poses with HYDE reveals a dehydration
      penalty for the guanidinium compounds, leaving the adamantanes and imino sugar in
      a better position. Binding energies calculated by HYDE and those by LeadIT
      indicate that all compounds are moderate binders.

PMID- 27258800
TI  - Robotic Single-Port Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Is Safe but Faces Technical
      Challenges.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For cholecystectomy, multiport laparoscopy is the recommended
      surgical approach. Single-port laparoscopy (SPL) was introduced to reduce
      postoperative pain and provide better cosmetic results, but has technical
      disadvantages. Robotic SPL (RSPL) was developed to overcome these disadvantages.
      In this prospective study, we aim to describe intraoperative results and
      postoperative outcomes of RSPL cholecystectomies and evaluate technical aspects
      of the technique. METHODS: A prospective database of all patients who underwent a
      RSPL cholecystectomy between January 2012 and December 2014 was analyzed.
      Intraoperative results and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: A
      total of 27 patients underwent RSPL cholecystectomy. Median age was 59 (20-78)
      years and median body mass index was 25 (19-35) kg/m2. The majority of patients
      had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) II classification (67%) and 89%
      underwent surgery for cholecystolithiasis or cholecystitis. The median operating
      time was 81 (41-115) minutes. Conversion to a multiport procedure occurred in 2;
      one due to insufficient length of the robotic instruments. In the second and
      third patients, conversion to an open procedure was necessary due to inadequate
      exposure caused by liver cirrhosis and purulent ascites, respectively. In seven
      procedures, spill occurred due to rupture of the gallbladder. Postoperative
      complications occurred in 4 patients, including 1 bleeding (no reintervention), 1
      peritonitis, and 2 wound infections. After a median follow-up of 33 (10-44)
      months, 5 (19%) trocar-site hernias were seen. CONCLUSION: RSPL cholecystectomy
      is feasible, however, encountered by technical challenges due to inadequate
      length of the nonwristed robotic instruments. A high incidence of gallbladder
      rupture and trocar-site hernias may limit its application.

PMID- 27258801
TI  - Keeping a lid on calcium uptake.
AB  - Biochemical assays reveal how three proteins fit together to form the channel
      that controls the flow of calcium ions into mitochondria. 

PMID- 27258802
TI  - Patterns of Gesture Use in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of spontaneous gesture
      use in a sample of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD:
      Thirty-five adolescents with ASD ages 11 to 16 years participated (mean age =
      13.51 years; 29 boys, 6 girls). Participants' spontaneous speech and gestures
      produced during a narrative task were later coded from videotape. Parents were
      also asked to complete questionnaires to quantify adolescents' general
      communication ability and autism severity. RESULTS: No significant subgroup
      differences were apparent between adolescents who did not gesture versus those
      who produced at least 1 gesture in general communication ability and autism
      severity. Subanalyses including only adolescents who produced gesture indicated a
      statistically significant negative association between gesture rate and general
      communication ability, specifically speech and syntax subscale scores.
      Adolescents who gestured produced higher proportions of iconic gestures and used
      gesture mostly to add information to speech. CONCLUSIONS: The findings relate
      spontaneous gesture use to underlying strengths and weaknesses in adolescents'
      speech and syntactical language development. More research examining cospeech
      gesture in fluent speakers with ASD is needed.

PMID- 27258804
TI  - Keyword Index Volume 38 (2016).

PMID- 27258805
TI  - Laser Therapy and Muscle Fatigue: A Promising Research Area.

PMID- 27258806
TI  - Aerobic, resistance and combined training and detraining on body composition,
      muscle strength, lipid profile and inflammation in coronary artery disease
      patients.
AB  - Fifty-six elderly individuals diagnosed with coronary artery disease participated
      in the study and were divided into four groups: an aerobic exercise group, a
      resistance exercise group, a combined (aerobic + resistance) exercise group and a
      control group. The three exercise groups participated in 8 months of exercise
      training. Before, at 4 and at 8 months of the training period as well as at 1, 2
      and 3 months after training cessation, muscle strength was measured and blood
      samples were collected. The resistance exercise caused significant increases
      mainly in muscle strength whereas aerobic exercise caused favourable effects
      mostly on lipid and apolipoprotein profiles. On the other hand, combined exercise
      caused significant favourable effects on both physiological (i.e. muscle
      strength) and biochemical (i.e. lipid and apolipoprotein profile and inflammation
      status) parameters, while the return to baseline values during the detraining
      period was slower compared to the other exercise modalities. 

PMID- 27258807
TI  - Piloting Augmented Reality Technology to Enhance Realism in Clinical Simulation.
AB  - We describe a pilot study that incorporated an innovative hybrid simulation
      designed to increase the perception of realism in a high-fidelity simulation.
      Prelicensure students (N = 12) cared for a manikin in a simulation lab scenario
      wearing Google Glass, a wearable head device that projected video into the
      students' field of vision. Students reported that the simulation gave them
      confidence that they were developing skills and knowledge to perform necessary
      tasks in a clinical setting and that they met the learning objectives of the
      simulation. The video combined visual images and cues seen in a real patient and
      created a sense of realism the manikin alone could not provide. 

PMID- 27258808
TI  - Relationships Between eHealth Literacy and Health Behaviors in Korean Adults.
AB  - The Internet is a useful and accessible source for health-related information for
      modern healthcare consumers. Individuals with adequate eHealth literacy have an
      incentive to use the Internet to access health-related information, and they
      consider themselves capable of using Web-based knowledge for health. This cross
      sectional study aimed to describe the relationship between eHealth literacy and
      health behaviors. A total of 230 adults aged 18 to 39 years and residing in South
      Korea participated in the study. The mean (SD) score for eHealth literacy was
      25.52 (4.35) of a total possible score of 40. The main source of health
      information was the Internet. Using hierarchical linear regression, the results
      showed that eHealth literacy was the strongest predictor of health behaviors
      after adjusting for general characteristics. These findings indicate that eHealth
      literacy can be an important factor in promoting individual health behaviors.
      Further research on eHealth literacy and actual health behaviors including
      intention and self-reported health behaviors are required to explain the impact
      of eHealth literacy on overall health status.

PMID- 27258809
TI  - Effect of various storage conditions on the stability of quinolones in raw milk.
AB  - Research on the storage stability of antibiotic residues in milk is important for
      method development or validation, milk quality control and risk assessment during
      screening, confirmation, qualitative or quantitative analysis. This study was
      conducted using UPLC-MS/MS to determine the stability of six quinolones -
      ciprofloxacin (CIP), danofloxacin (DAN), enrofloxacin (ENR), sarafloxacin (SAR),
      difloxacin (DIF) and flumequine (FLU) - in raw milk stored under various
      conditions to investigate if quinolones degrade during storage of milk, and
      finally to determine optimal storage conditions for analysis and scientific risk
      assessment of quinolone residues in raw milk. The storage conditions included
      different temperatures and durations (4 degrees C for 4, 8, 24 and 48 h; -20
      degrees C for 1, 7 and 30 days; -80 degrees C for 1, 7 and 30 days), thawing
      temperatures (25, 40 and 60 degrees C), freeze-thaw cycles (1-5), and the
      addition of different preservatives (sodium thiocyanate, sodium azide, potassium
      dichromate, bronopol and methanal). Most quinolones exhibited high stability at 4
      degrees C for up to 24 h, but began to degrade after 48 h. In addition, no
      degradation of quinolones was seen when milk samples were stored at -20 degrees C
      for up to 7 days; however, 30 days of storage at -20 degrees C resulted in a
      small amount of degradation (about 30%). Similar results were seen when samples
      were stored at -80 degrees C. Moreover, no losses were observed when frozen milk
      samples were thawed at 25, 40 or 60 degrees C. All the quinolones of interest,
      except sarafloxacin, were stable when milk samples were thawed at 40 degrees C
      once and three times, but unstable after five freeze-thaw cycles. Preservatives
      affected the stability of quinolones, but the effects differed depending on the
      preservative and quinolone. The results of this study indicate optimum storage
      protocols for milk samples, so that residue levels reflect those at the time of
      initial sample analysis, and should improve surveillance programmes for
      quinolones in raw milk. 

PMID- 27258810
TI  - A syn-Selective Aza-Aldol Reaction of Boron Aza-Enolates Generated from N
      Sulfonyl-1,2,3-Triazoles and 9-BBN-H.
AB  - A syn-selective aza-aldol reaction of boron aza-enolates, generated from N
      sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles and 9-BBN-H, is reported. It provides a sequential one
      pot procedure for the stereoselective construction of 1,3-amino alcohols, having
      contiguous stereocenters, starting from terminal alkynes.

PMID- 27258811
TI  - The effects of visual feedback during a rhythmic weight-shifting task in patients
      with Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Augmented visual feedback (VF) may offer benefits similar to those of rhythmic
      external cues in alleviating some mobility-related difficulties in individuals
      with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, due to an impaired ability to reweigh
      sensory information under changing circumstances, subjects with PD may be rather
      vulnerable to incongruity of visual information. In the present study, we
      investigated whether VF is indeed effective in improving motor functioning in a
      weight-shifting task during upright stance, and whether subjects with PD are
      affected more by incongruent VF than healthy controls. Participants performed
      sideways swaying motions based on tracking of real-time and delayed VF - the
      first providing congruent, and hence more accurate, visual information than the
      latter. We analyzed center-of-pressure signals patterns for 28 individuals with
      PD and 16 healthy, age- and gender-matched controls by estimating task accuracy,
      movement pattern variability, and normalized movement amplitude. For conditions
      without feedback and with real-time feedback, subjects with PD performed lateral
      swaying motions with greater error (F(1, 42)=12.065, p=.001) and with more
      variable movement patterns than healthy controls (F(1, 24)=113.086, p<.001).
      Error change scores revealed that patients with PD were nevertheless still able
      to use VF to improve tracking performance (t(24)=-2.366, p=.026). However,
      whereas controls were able to adapt to a certain amount of visual incongruity,
      patients with PD were not. Instead, movement amplitude was significantly reduced
      in this group (F(1.448, 60.820)=17.639, p<.001). By reducing movement amplitude,
      subjects with PD appear to resort to a 'conservative' strategy to minimize
      performance breakdown.

PMID- 27258812
TI  - Assessment of CTLA-4 Deficiency-Related Autoimmune Choroidopathy Response to
      Abatacept.

PMID- 27258813
TI  - Association of Using Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants With Changes in Depressive
      Symptoms in Older Adults.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Hearing loss is a common health problem in older adults that is
      strongly associated with the development of depression. Previous cross-sectional
      studies have reported lower odds of depression among individuals who use hearing
      aids. However, there have been limited prospective studies investigating the
      effect of hearing loss treatments on depressive symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate the association between treatment with a hearing aid or cochlear
      implant with depressive symptoms in older adults. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A prospective observational study was conducted of 113 participants
      50 years or older who received hearing aids (n = 63) or cochlear implants (n =
      50). Participants were recruited from August 1, 2011, to January 31, 2014, at a
      tertiary care academic center. INTERVENTION: Hearing aid or cochlear
      implantation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Depressive symptoms were evaluated by
      the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) at baseline and at 6 and 12 months
      after intervention. The score ranges from 0 to 15, and various scores between 3
      and 10 have been used as being suggestive of depression. RESULTS: The median age
      of the 113 study participants was 69.6 years (interquartile range, 63.5-77.4
      years). At baseline, the mean GDS score for the participants was 41% lower (95%
      CI, 7%-63%) among those receiving hearing aids (mean score, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.7-3.3)
      compared with those receiving cochlear implants (mean score, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3
      5.1). Cochlear implant recipients' GDS scores improved from baseline to 6 months
      after treatment by 31% (95% CI, 10%-47%) and from baseline to 12 months after
      treatment by 38% (95% CI, 18%-54%). Hearing aid recipients' GDS scores improved
      by 28% (95% CI, 0%-48%) at 6 months after treatment but were not significantly
      different from baseline at 12 months after treatment (16%; 95% CI, -24% to 43%).
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: There was a significant improvement in depressive
      symptoms at 6 months after treatment for patients receiving cochlear implants and
      hearing aids; this improvement persisted to 12 months for those who received
      cochlear implants. Further research is warranted to assess the long-term effect
      of hearing rehabilitation on mental health in older adults.

PMID- 27258814
TI  - Magnetic compression anastomosis for patients with a disconnected bile duct after
      living-donor related liver transplantation: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: We present the use of the magnetic compression
      anastomosis (MCA) technique for treatment of disconnected bile duct after living
      donor related liver transplantation (LDLT) using the recently introduced through
      the-scope magnet. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The MCA technique was used in patients
      with disconnected bile duct who could not be treated with either percutaneous or
      endoscopic procedures. All patients already had a percutaneous external biliary
      drainage catheter before the procedure. The magnet was placed percutaneously into
      the proximal side of the obstruction by pushing a 5-Fr catheter over a guidewire.
      Concurrently, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) including
      endoscopic papillary sphincterotomy was performed. The sister magnet was then
      carefully advanced to the opposite side of the obstruction with a 5-Fr catheter
      over a guidewire. After the confirmation of biliary recanalization, a guidewire
      was passed through the stricture and a percutaneous dilation of the stricture was
      performed with a balloon-tipped catheter. Endoscopic balloon dilation of the
      stricture, insertion of two plastic stents and the removal of the internal
      drainage catheter were performed during the first ERCP session. Stent exchange
      and multiple side-by-side stent placements were planned at regular intervals (3
      monthly) for all patients. RESULTS: A total of six LDLT patients with
      disconnected bile duct (aged 37 - 68, four men) underwent the MCA technique
      between September 2014 and July 2015. Biliary recanalization was achieved 13 - 42
      days after the magnet placement procedure. The success rate of the procedure was
      100 %. CONCLUSIONS: The MCA technique using a small magnet (diameter 2.4 mm) is
      effective and useful in LDLT patients with disconnected bile duct.

PMID- 27258815
TI  - Giant insulinoma in a 15-year-old man: A case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Giant insulinomas are extremely rare pancreatic neuroendocrine
      tumor. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 15-year-old man presenting with acute onset of
      lightheadedness was found to have serum glucose of 1.5mmol/L. The blood collected
      from the hypoglycemic episode showed an inappropriately high insulin and C
      peptide level. Abdominal computerized tomography showed a 12.5cm well-defined,
      lobulated hypervascular mass at pancreatic tail, without any evidence of
      metastasis. En bloc resection with distal pancreatectomy, and splenectomy was
      successfully performed. The pathological examination confirmed insulinoma, with
      benign characteristics. Follow-up after the procedure revealed neither
      hypoglycemic, nor hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: We report the youngest case of a
      giant insulinoma. Despite the size of the tumor, the pathological report
      confirmed the benign characteristics. However, long-term follow-up is still
      essential to detect recurrence in the future.

PMID- 27258816
TI  - Struma Ovarii With Malignant Transformation and Germline KIT Mutation: A Case
      Report With Review of the Literature.
AB  - Struma ovarii accounts for 5% of ovarian teratomas. Malignant transformation
      occurs in <0.3%, however, the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. We
      report a patient with follicular variant and tall cell variant of papillary
      thyroid carcinoma (PTC) arising from struma ovarii and coexisting incidental PTC
      in the thyroid. Mutation analysis by next-generation sequencing identified a
      novel germline mutation, KIT p.V530I mutation in the tumors and normal ovarian
      and thyroid tissue. Immunohistochemical staining showed loss of KIT expression in
      the PTCs. Activating mutations in KIT play an important role in diagnosis and
      prognosis of multiple malignancies including mastocytosis, gastrointestinal
      stromal tumors, and a subset of melanoma and acute myeloid leukemia. The p.V530I
      mutation has only been reported in 3 previous cases: acute myeloid leukemia,
      aggressive fibromatosis, and adenocarcinoma of the colon. In the case of
      aggressive fibromatosis, the patient responded well to imatinib treatment. KIT
      mutations have never been reported in thyroid carcinomas. This is the first case
      of PTC-harboring KIT mutation. Although more work needs to be done to elucidate
      the significance of this germline mutation, the response of the fibromatosis
      patient to imatinib may shed light on targeted therapy in PTC harboring this
      mutation. 

PMID- 27258817
TI  - A focus group study of chiropractic students following international service
      learning experiences.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: One objective of chiropractic education is to cultivate clinical
      confidence in novice practitioners. The purpose of this qualitative study was to
      describe how participation in a short-term international service learning
      experience changed perceptions of clinical confidence in senior chiropractic
      students. METHODS: Seventeen senior chiropractic students participated in 4
      moderated focus group sessions within 4 months after a clinical educational
      opportunity held in international settings. Participants answered standard
      questions on how this educational experience may have changed their clinical
      confidence. Two investigators performed qualitative thematic analysis of the
      verbatim transcripts to identify core concepts and supporting themes. RESULTS:
      The core concept was transformation from an unsure student to a confident doctor.
      The service learning experience allowed students to deliver chiropractic
      treatment to patients in a real-world setting, engage in frequent repetitions of
      technical skills, perform clinical decision-making and care coordination, and
      communicate with patients and other health professionals. Students described
      increased clinical confidence in 9 competency areas organized within 3 domains:
      (1) chiropractic competencies including observation, palpation, and manipulation;
      (2) clinical competencies including problem solving, clinic flow, and decision
      making; and (3) communication competencies, including patient communication,
      interprofessional communication, and doctor-patient relationship. Students
      recommended that future service learning programs include debriefing sessions
      similar to the experience offered by these focus groups to enhance student
      learning. CONCLUSION: Senior chiropractic students who participated in an
      international service learning program gained confidence and valuable practical
      experience in integrating their chiropractic, clinical, and communication skills
      for their future practices.

PMID- 27258819
TI  - Down-regulation of glutamatergic terminals (VGLUT1) driven by Abeta in
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized phenotypically by memory impairment,
      histologically by accumulation of pTau and beta-amyloid peptide and
      morphologically by a loss of nerve terminals in cortical and hippocampal regions.
      As glutamate is the principle excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous
      system (CNS), the glutamatergic system may play an important role in AD. To date,
      not many studies have addressed the deleterious effects of Abeta on glutamatergic
      terminals; therefore the aim of this study was to investigate how Abeta affects
      glutamatergic terminals and to assess the extent to which alterations in the
      glutamatergic neurotransmission could impact susceptibility to the illness. The
      present study shows that Abeta caused a loss of glutamatergic terminals, measured
      by VGLUT1 protein levels, in Tg2576 primary cell cultures, Tg2576 mice and AD
      patient brains, and also when Abeta was added exogenously to hippocampal cell
      cultures. Interestingly, no correlation was found between cognition and decreased
      VGLUT1 levels. Moreover, when Abeta1-42 was intracerebroventricularlly
      administered into VGLUT1+/- mice, altered synaptic plasticity and increased
      neuroinflammation was observed in the hippocampus of those animals. In
      conclusion, the present study not only revealed susceptibility of glutamatergic
      nerve terminals to Abeta induced toxicity but also underlined the importance of
      VGLUT1 in the progression of AD, as the decrease of this protein levels could
      increase the susceptibility to subsequent deleterious inputs by exacerbating
      Abeta induced neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity disruption. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27258818
TI  - U-Shaped Association between Plasma Manganese Levels and Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Manganese is both an essential element and a known toxicant, and it
      plays important roles in many mechanisms in relation to type 2 diabetes (T2D).
      However, epidemiological studies of this relationship are rare. OBJECTIVE: We
      investigated the association between plasma manganese and newly diagnosed T2D as
      well as whether the association could be modified by manganese superoxide
      dismutase (MnSOD) polymorphisms. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of
      3,228 participants in China: 1,614 T2D patients and 1,614 controls.
      Concentrations of plasma magnesium were measured, and all participants were
      genotyped for the MnSOD Val16Ala polymorphism (rs4880). RESULTS: A U-shaped
      association was observed between plasma manganese and T2D, with increased odds
      ratios (ORs) in relation to either low or high plasma manganese levels. Compared
      with the middle tertile, the multivariate-adjusted ORs [95% confidence intervals
      (CIs)] of T2D associated with the lowest tertile and the highest tertile of
      plasma manganese were 1.89 (1.53, 2.33) and 1.56 (1.23, 1.97), respectively. In
      spline analysis, the U-shaped association was consistently indicated, with the
      lowest odds of T2D at the plasma manganese concentration of 4.95 MUg/L. Minor
      allele frequencies (C allele) of the MnSOD Val16Ala polymorphism (rs4880) in the
      normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and the T2D groups were 13.57% and 14.50%,
      respectively. The MnSOD rs4880 polymorphism was not associated with T2D, and no
      interaction was found between plasma manganese and the MnSOD rs4880 polymorphism
      in relation to T2D. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested a U-shaped association
      between plasma manganese and T2D; both low and high levels of plasma manganese
      were associated with higher odds of newly diagnosed T2D. The U-shaped association
      was not modified by the MnSOD rs4880 polymorphism. Citation: Shan Z, Chen S, Sun
      T, Luo C, Guo Y, Yu X, Yang W, Hu FB, Liu L. 2016. U-shaped association between
      plasma manganese levels and type 2 diabetes. Environ Health Perspect 124:1876
      1881; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP176.

PMID- 27258820
TI  - The unicellular fungal tool RhoTox for risk assessments in groundwater systems.
AB  - The recent inclusion of yeasts in environmental monitoring recognizes their
      ecological significance and sensitivity to toxicants. Here we present a robust
      and simple two-step toxicity assay and demonstrate the sensitivity of an
      ubiquitous groundwater yeast, Rhodotorula minuta, to a range of metals and
      metalloids. The test species was sensitive to copper with a 24h EC50 of 35ug
      Cu/L, followed in order of decreasing sensitivity by zinc, chromium (VI) and
      arsenic (EC50 4.40mg As (III)/L). The strain demonstrated an unexpected tolerance
      to chromium (VI), having an EC50 value (3.45mg Cr (VI)/L) similar to that of
      arsenic. The inclusion of a unicellular, microbial test-species into the suite of
      existing multicellular test species for toxicity evaluation is a key step towards
      strengthening the assessment of risk for groundwater ecosystems. 

PMID- 27258821
TI  - Association of serum interleukin-6 with mental health problems in children
      exposed to perinatal complications and social disadvantage.
AB  - There is consistent evidence that inflammation is involved in mental disorders
      pathogenesis. Herein, using data from the High Risk Cohort Study for Psychiatric
      Disorders, we investigated the relationship between parental mood disorders
      (PMD), environmental factors, serum interleukin-6 (IL6) and mental health
      problems in children aged 6-12. We measured the serum levels of IL6 in 567
      children. Information related to socio-demographic characteristics, mental health
      problems and multiple risk factors, as well as parent's psychiatric diagnosis,
      was captured. We evaluated two groups of environmental risk factors (i.e.
      perinatal complications and social disadvantage) using a cumulative risk model.
      Results showed that higher serum levels of IL6 were associated with PMD
      (RR=1.072, p=0.001), perinatal complications (RR=1.022, p=0.013) and social
      disadvantage (RR=1.024, p=0.021). There was an interaction between PMD and social
      disadvantage (RR=1.141, p=0.021), as the effect of PMD on IL6 was significantly
      higher in children exposed to higher levels of social disadvantage. Moreover,
      there was a positive correlation between IL6 and mental health problems
      (RR=1.099, p=0.026), which was moderated by exposure to perinatal complications
      or social disadvantage (RR=1.273, p=0.015 and RR=1.179, p=0.048, respectively).
      In conclusions, there is evidence of a differential inflammatory activation in
      children with PMD and exposure to environmental risk factors, when compared to
      matched peers. Systemic inflammation may be involved in the pathway linking
      familial risk and mental health problems.

PMID- 27258822
TI  - Immune cells from patients with psoriasis are defective in inducing indoleamine
      2,3-dioxygenase expression in response to inflammatory stimuli.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an inducible enzyme that
      suppresses the immune response. The role of IDO as a negative regulator of
      inflammatory responses has been documented in several experimental autoimmune
      diseases. OBJECTIVES: To explore the regulation of IDO by immune cells in
      psoriasis and its relation with disease severity. METHODS: The expression and
      activity of IDO were assessed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction,
      flow cytometry and high-performance liquid chromatography in peripheral blood of
      patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis. The ability of immune
      cells to express IDO in response to inflammatory stimuli was studied. The
      functional role of IDO expression was evaluated in a regulatory T cell (Treg)
      differentiation assay, using cocultures of immature monocyte-derived dendritic
      cells with autologous peripheral CD4+ T cells. RESULTS: Analysis of the
      kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio in serum samples indicated higher IDO activity in
      patients with psoriasis than in healthy controls. However, correlation studies
      showed lower IDO activity in those patients with higher Psoriasis Area and
      Severity Index (PASI). Although myeloid dendritic cells from patients with
      psoriasis expressed higher levels of IDO than those from healthy controls, these
      cells did not upregulate IDO in response to a combination of tumour necrosis
      factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 cytokines. The defective expression
      of IDO correlated with PASI. Immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells from
      patients with psoriasis also expressed low levels of IDO and induced CD4+ Treg
      differentiation poorly. CONCLUSIONS: Immune cells from patients with psoriasis
      have a defect in upregulating IDO in response to inflammation associated with the
      severity of psoriasis.

PMID- 27258823
TI  - Internet-Based Survivorship Care Plans for Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A
      Pilot Study.
AB  - Survivorship care plans (SCPs) provide health information to survivors and
      providers. An existing internet-based SCP generator was adapted to incorporate
      guidelines for adult survivors of pediatric leukemia and lymphoma. Survivors
      created an SCP online and completed a survey. Survivors (N = 30) took an average
      of 10 minutes to complete the SCP. The majority (95%) found the platform easy to
      use, would recommend it to others (85%), and intended to share SCP with their
      healthcare team (90%). Thus, a patient-generated internet-based SCP for adult
      survivors of childhood cancer may be a feasible tool to improve consistency of
      information for survivors and their providers.

PMID- 27258824
TI  - Rh-Catalyzed Direct Amination of Unactivated C(sp(3) )-H bond with Anthranils
      Under Mild Conditions.
AB  - C-N Bond formation is of great significance due to the ubiquity of nitrogen
      containing compounds. Here, a mild and efficient Rh(III) -catalyzed C(sp(3) )-H
      aryl amination reaction is reported. Anthranil is employed as the nitrogen source
      with 100 % atom efficiency. This C-H amination reaction exhibits broad substrate
      scope without using any external oxidants. Mechanistic studies including
      rhodacycle intermediates, H-D exchange, kinetic isotope effect (KIE) experiments,
      and in situ IR are presented. 

PMID- 27258838
TI  - From a Sequential to a Concurrent Reaction in Aqueous Medium: Ruthenium-Catalyzed
      Allylic Alcohol Isomerization and Asymmetric Bioreduction.
AB  - The ruthenium-catalyzed redox isomerization of allylic alcohols was successfully
      coupled with the enantioselective enzymatic ketone reduction (mediated by KREDs)
      in a concurrent process in aqueous medium. The overall transformation, formally
      the asymmetric reduction of allylic alcohols, took place with excellent
      conversions and enantioselectivities, under mild reaction conditions, employing
      commercially and readily available catalytic systems, and without external
      coenzymes or cofactors. Optimization resulted in a multistep approach and a
      genuine cascade reaction where the metal catalyst and biocatalyst coexist from
      the beginning.

PMID- 27258839
TI  - Formation of Benzimidazoisoquinolinium and Benzimidazoisoindolinum Cyclic Systems
      by the Reaction of 2-(2-Alkynylphenyl)benzimidazoles with Iodine and Iodine
      Iodine Interaction Including Halogen Bonding in Their Crystal Structures.
AB  - The reaction of 2-(2-alkynylphenyl)benz[d]imidazoles with molecular iodine
      constructed 5- and 6-membered rings as novel organic salts in high yield. The
      constituted number of ring systems was influenced by the substituent at the
      triple bond: 6-membered rings were formed from compounds bearing aryl
      substituents, whereas 5-membered ones were obtained from compounds with hydrogen
      or alkyl substituents. The products were obtained with triiodide as a
      counteranion; however, compounds with iodide were also obtainable under certain
      conditions. We also revealed that they had an iodine-iodine interaction included
      in halogen bonding between an iodo moiety of the cation and a triiodide or iodide
      of the counteranion. The iodine-iodine interaction was formed with greater
      preference than the electrostatic interaction between the cationic atom and
      triiodide or iodide.

PMID- 27258841
TI  - A Hidden Markov Model Approach to the Problem of Heuristic Selection in Hyper
      Heuristics with a Case Study in High School Timetabling Problems.
AB  - Operations research is a well-established field that uses computational systems
      to support decisions in business and public life. Good solutions to operations
      research problems can make a large difference to the efficient running of
      businesses and organisations and so the field often searches for new methods to
      improve these solutions. The high school timetabling problem is an example of an
      operations research problem and is a challenging task which requires assigning
      events and resources to time slots subject to a set of constraints. In this
      article, a new sequence-based selection hyper-heuristic is presented that
      produces excellent results on a suite of high school timetabling problems. In
      this study, we present an easy-to-implement, easy-to-maintain, and effective
      sequence-based selection hyper-heuristic to solve high school timetabling
      problems using a benchmark of unified real-world instances collected from
      different countries. We show that with sequence-based methods, it is possible to
      discover new best known solutions for a number of the problems in the timetabling
      domain. Through this investigation, the usefulness of sequence-based selection
      hyper-heuristics has been demonstrated and the capability of these methods has
      been shown to exceed the state of the art.

PMID- 27258840
TI  - Neocortex expansion in development and evolution - from cell biology to single
      genes.
AB  - Neocortex expansion in development and evolution reflects an increased and
      prolonged activity of neural progenitor cells. Insight into key aspects of the
      underlying cell biology has recently been obtained. First, the restriction of
      apical progenitors to undergo mitosis at the ventricular surface is overcome by
      generation of basal progenitors, which are free to undergo mitosis at
      abventricular location, typically the subventricular zone. This process involves
      basolateral ciliogenesis, delamination from the apical adherens junction belt,
      and loss of apical cell polarity. Second, proliferative capacity of basal
      progenitors is supported by self-produced extracellular matrix constituents,
      which in turn promote growth factor signalling. Humans amplify these processes by
      characteristic alterations in expression of key regulatory genes (PAX6), and via
      human-specific genes (ARHGAP11B).

PMID- 27258842
TI  - Hybrid Self-Adaptive Evolution Strategies Guided by Neighborhood Structures for
      Combinatorial Optimization Problems.
AB  - This article presents an Evolution Strategy (ES)--based algorithm, designed to
      self-adapt its mutation operators, guiding the search into the solution space
      using a Self-Adaptive Reduced Variable Neighborhood Search procedure. In view of
      the specific local search operators for each individual, the proposed population
      based approach also fits into the context of the Memetic Algorithms. The proposed
      variant uses the Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure with different
      greedy parameters for generating its initial population, providing an interesting
      exploration-exploitation balance. To validate the proposal, this framework is
      applied to solve three different [Formula: see text]-Hard combinatorial
      optimization problems: an Open-Pit-Mining Operational Planning Problem with
      dynamic allocation of trucks, an Unrelated Parallel Machine Scheduling Problem
      with Setup Times, and the calibration of a hybrid fuzzy model for Short-Term Load
      Forecasting. Computational results point out the convergence of the proposed
      model and highlight its ability in combining the application of move operations
      from distinct neighborhood structures along the optimization. The results
      gathered and reported in this article represent a collective evidence of the
      performance of the method in challenging combinatorial optimization problems from
      different application domains. The proposed evolution strategy demonstrates an
      ability of adapting the strength of the mutation disturbance during the
      generations of its evolution process. The effectiveness of the proposal motivates
      the application of this novel evolutionary framework for solving other
      combinatorial optimization problems.

PMID- 27258843
TI  - Thoughts from an opioid prescriber.

PMID- 27258844
TI  - When and how to treat childhood immune thrombocytopenia.
AB  - Childhood immune thrombocytopenia is an autoimmune process resulting in an
      isolated thrombocytopenia that puts the child at risk for bleeding and can
      negatively impact quality of life. Pharmacologic intervention aims to stabilize
      the platelet count, with the goal of achieving hemostasis and maximizing health
      related quality of life. 

PMID- 27258845
TI  - Esophageal perforation caused by an AMPLATZERTM vascular plug 4 occlusion device.
AB  - The AMPLATZERTM Vascular Plug 4 (AVP4) is a self-expandable, replaceable occluder
      made of Nitinol wire mesh, which allows the safe and effective interventional
      occlusion of medium size vessels. This report describes an infant diagnosed with
      pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and multifocal collateral lung
      perfusion through four major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs). A
      central aorto-pulmonary shunt was performed at 4 months of age. Because of
      postoperative pulmonary hyperperfusion, one of the MAPCAs was closed
      interventionally using a 5 mm AVP4. This MAPCA originated from the descending
      aorta (DAO) near the fifth thoracic vertebra and ran behind the esophagus to the
      lower lobe of the right lung. The MAPCA was closed near its origin from the DAO.
      Four weeks later, the patient presented with severe gastrointestinal bleeding,
      caused by perforation of the AVP4 into the esophagus. The occluder was extracted
      surgically, the MAPCA was clipped and the esophageal injury was sutured. To date,
      there have been no reports describing esophageal perforation due to an AVP4. The
      perforation in this patient may have been due to implantation of the AVP4 near
      the aorta in a MAPCA segment located directly in front of the spine and behind
      the esophagus. Another possible factor may have been the requirement for a
      gastrointestinal feeding tube. Although the occluder is soft and flexible, the
      spindle-shaped ends may cause trauma if they are located close to other
      structures. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27258846
TI  - Reliability of ground reaction forces in the aquatic environment.
AB  - The aim of this study was to verify the reliability of the kinetic parameters of
      gait using an underwater force platform. A total of 49 healthy participants with
      a median age of 21years were included. The kinetic gait data were collected using
      a 0.6*0.6*0.1m aquatic force plate (Bertec(r)), set in a pool (15*13*1.30m) with
      a water depth of 1.20m and water temperature of 32.5 degrees C. Participants
      walked 10m before reaching the platform, which was fixed to the ground.
      Participants were instructed to step onto the platform with their preferred limb
      and data from three valid attempts were used to calculate the average values. A
      48-h interval between tests was used for the test-retest reliability. Data were
      analyzed using interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and results demonstrated
      that reliability ranged from poor to excellent, with ICC scores of between 0.24
      and 0.87 and mean differences between (d-)=-0.01 and 0.002. The highest
      reliability values were found for the vertical (Fz) and the lowest for the
      mediolateral components (Fy). In conclusion, the force platform is reliable for
      assessing the vertical and anteroposterior components of power production rates
      in water, however, caution should be applied when using this instrument to
      evaluate the mediolateral component in this environment. 

PMID- 27258847
TI  - Pharmacotherapy to protect the neuromuscular junction after acute
      organophosphorus pesticide poisoning.
AB  - Organophosphorus (OP) pesticide poisoning is a leading cause of morbidity and
      mortality in the developing world, affecting an estimated three million people
      annually. Much of the morbidity is directly related to muscle weakness, which
      develops 1-4 days after poisoning. This muscle weakness, termed the intermediate
      syndrome (IMS), leads to respiratory, bulbar, and proximal limb weakness and
      frequently necessitates the use of mechanical ventilation. While not entirely
      understood, the IMS is most likely due to persistently elevated acetylcholine
      (ACh), which activates nicotinic ACh receptors at the neuromuscular junction
      (NMJ). Thus, the NMJ is potentially a target-rich area for the development of new
      therapies for acute OP poisoning. In this manuscript, we discuss what is known
      about the IMS and studies investigating the use of nicotinic ACh receptor
      antagonists to prevent or mitigate NMJ dysfunction after acute OP poisoning.

PMID- 27258848
TI  - Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Western Australian Salt Lake Sediments:
      Implications for Meridiani Planum on Mars.
AB  - Hypersaline lakes are characteristic for Western Australia and display a rare
      combination of geochemical and mineralogical properties that make these lakes
      potential analogues for past conditions on Mars. In our study, we focused on the
      geochemistry and mineralogy of Lake Orr and Lake Whurr. While both lakes are poor
      in organic carbon (<1%), the sediments' pH values differ and range from 3.8 to
      4.8 in Lake Orr and from 5.4 to 6.3 in Lake Whurr sediments. Lake Whurr sediments
      were dominated by orange and red sediment zones in which the main Fe minerals
      were identified as hematite, goethite, and tentatively jarosite and pyrite. Lake
      Orr was dominated by brownish and blackish sediments where the main Fe minerals
      were goethite and another paramagnetic Fe(III)-phase that could not be
      identified. Furthermore, a likely secondary Fe(II)-phase was observed in Lake Orr
      sediments. The mineralogy of these two salt lakes in the sampling area is
      strongly influenced by events such as flooding, evaporation, and desiccation,
      processes that explain at least to some extent the observed differences between
      Lake Orr and Lake Whurr. The iron mineralogy of Lake Whurr sediments and the high
      salinity make this lake a suitable analogue for Meridiani Planum on Mars, and in
      particular the tentative identification of pyrite in Lake Whurr sediments has
      implications for the interpretation of the Fe mineralogy of Meridiani Planum
      sediments. KEY WORDS: Western Australia-Salt lakes-Jarosite-Hematite-Pyrite-Mars
      analogue. Astrobiology 16, 525-538.

PMID- 27258849
TI  - Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 is a novel modulator of radial
      glia stem cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation.
AB  - The LDL family of receptors and its member low-density lipoprotein receptor
      related protein 1 (LRP1) have classically been associated with a modulation of
      lipoprotein metabolism. Current studies, however, indicate diverse functions for
      this receptor in various aspects of cellular activities, including cell
      proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival. LRP1 is essential for
      normal neuronal function in the adult CNS, whereas the role of LRP1 in
      development remained unclear. Previously, we have observed an upregulation of
      LewisX (LeX) glycosylated LRP1 in the stem cells of the developing cortex and
      demonstrated its importance for oligodendrocyte differentiation. In the current
      study, we show that LeX-glycosylated LRP1 is also expressed in the stem cell
      compartment of the developing spinal cord and has broader functions in the
      developing CNS. We have investigated the basic properties of LRP1 conditional
      knockout on the neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) from the cortex and the
      spinal cord, created by means of Cre-loxp-mediated recombination in vitro. The
      functional status of LRP1-deficient cells has been studied using proliferation,
      differentiation, and apoptosis assays. LRP1 deficient NSPCs from both CNS regions
      demonstrated altered differentiation profiles. Their differentiation capacity
      toward oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), mature oligodendrocytes and
      neurons was reduced. In contrast, astrocyte differentiation was promoted.
      Moreover, LRP1 deletion had a negative effect on NSPCs proliferation and
      survival. Our observations suggest that LRP1 facilitates NSPCs differentiation
      via interaction with apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Upon ApoE4 stimulation wild type
      NSPCs generated more oligodendrocytes, but LRP1 knockout cells showed no
      response. The effect of ApoE seems to be independent of cholesterol uptake, but
      is rather mediated by downstream MAPK and Akt activation. GLIA 2016 GLIA
      2016;64:1363-1380.

PMID- 27258850
TI  - A New Ir-NHC Catalyst for Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange in D2 O.
AB  - NMR signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) has been observed for
      pyridine, methyl nicotinate, N-methylnicotinamide, and nicotinamide in D2 O with
      the new catalyst [Ir(Cl)(IDEG)(COD)] (IDEG=1,3-bis(3,4,5
      tris(diethyleneglycol)benzyl)imidazole-2-ylidene). During the activation and
      hyperpolarization steps, exclusively D2 O was used, resulting in the first fully
      biocompatible SABRE system. Hyperpolarized (1) H substrate signals were observed
      at 42.5 MHz upon pressurizing the solution with parahydrogen at close to the
      Earth's magnetic field, at concentrations yielding barely detectable thermal
      signals. Moreover, 42-, 26-, 22-, and 9-fold enhancements were observed for
      nicotinamide, pyridine, methyl nicotinate, and N-methylnicotinamide,
      respectively, in conventional 300 MHz studies. This research opens up new
      opportunities in a field in which SABRE has hitherto primarily been conducted in
      CD3 OD. This system uses simple hardware, leaves the substrate unaltered, and
      shows that SABRE is potentially suitable for clinical purposes. 

PMID- 27258852
TI  - The Expression of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide After CaCl2-Induced Arrhythmias in
      Rats.
AB  - To investigate the patterns of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) expression after
      arrhythmia, BNP was assessed at different time points (0 minute, 10 minutes, 30
      minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, and 6 hours) in CaCl2-induced arrhythmia in rats
      through various methods such as immunohistochemistry, Western blotting,
      quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression of BNP in the
      endocardium was higher than that in the epicardium in rats undergoing sustained
      arrhythmias. The BNP-to-GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) ratios
      determined by Western blotting analysis revealed no change at 0 minute but
      increased at 10 minutes and reached the first peak (0.48 [0.03]) at 30 minutes.
      After a brief decline, the second peak was observed at 6 hours (0.54 [0.03]).
      Similar patterns of BNP messenger RNA expression were also observed by
      quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The plasma BNP concentrations
      did not change after initial bouts of cardiac arrhythmias but significantly
      increased 30 minutes after CaCl2 injections. The results demonstrate that
      arrhythmia causes an elevation of BNP in the myocardium and blood, and BNP
      messenger RNA increases in initial arrhythmia while its protein in myocardium and
      plasma does not; however, both of them were elevated after sustained arrhythmia.
      Such an elevated BNP expression, which is directly related to the severity and
      duration of the arrhythmias, may suggest the existence of fatal arrhythmia in
      sudden cardiac death. 

PMID- 27258853
TI  - Insights into the Hydrolytic Polymerization of Trimethoxymethylsilane. Crystal
      Structure of (MeO)2MeSiONa.
AB  - The commercially practiced conversion of trimethoxymethylsilane (MTM) to
      [OSi(OMe)Me)]n polymers and resins is assumed to proceed via the silanol
      (MeO)2MeSiOH. Access to this crucial silanol is gained via the synthesis of
      (MeO)2MeSiONa, the first methoxysilanoate to be crystallographically
      characterized. Mild protonation of this silanoate gives (MeO)2MeSiOH, which is
      shown to condense with (MeO)2MeSiOH but not with MTM. Condensation generates
      reactive disiloxanols but does not produce symmetric disiloxanes. Parallel
      results were obtained with (MeO)2PhSiOH. 

PMID- 27258851
TI  - Nitrate from Drinking Water and Diet and Bladder Cancer Among Postmenopausal
      Women in Iowa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nitrate is a drinking water contaminant arising from agricultural
      sources, and it is a precursor in the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds
      (NOC), which are possible bladder carcinogens. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the
      ingestion of nitrate and nitrite from drinking water and diet and bladder cancer
      risk in women. METHODS: We identified incident bladder cancers among a cohort of
      34,708 postmenopausal women in Iowa (1986-2010). Dietary nitrate and nitrite
      intakes were estimated from a baseline food frequency questionnaire. Drinking
      water source and duration were assessed in a 1989 follow-up. For women using
      public water supplies (PWS) > 10 years (n = 15,577), we estimated average nitrate
      (NO3-N) and total trihalomethane (TTHM) levels and the number of years exceeding
      one-half the maximum contaminant level (NO3-N: 5 mg/L, TTHM: 40 MUg/mL) from
      historical monitoring data. We computed hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs), and assessed nitrate interactions with TTHM and with modifiers
      of NOC formation (smoking, vitamin C). RESULTS: We identified 258 bladder cancer
      cases, including 130 among women > 10 years at their PWS. In multivariable
      adjusted models, we observed nonsignificant associations among women in the
      highest versus lowest quartile of average drinking water nitrate concentration
      (HR = 1.48; 95% CI: 0.92, 2.40; ptrend = 0.11), and we found significant
      associations among those exposed >= 4 years to drinking water with > 5 mg/L NO3-N
      (HR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.47; ptrend = 0.03) compared with women having 0 years
      of comparable exposure. TTHM adjustment had little influence on associations, and
      we observed no modification by vitamin C intake. Relative to a common reference
      group of never smokers with the lowest nitrate exposures, associations were
      strongest for current smokers with the highest nitrate exposures (HR = 3.67; 95%
      CI: 1.43, 9.38 for average water NO3-N and HR = 3.48; 95% CI: 1.20, 10.06 and >=
      4 years > 5 mg/L, respectively). Dietary nitrate and nitrite intakes were not
      associated with bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term ingestion of elevated
      nitrate in drinking water was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer
      among postmenopausal women. Citation: Jones RR, Weyer PJ, DellaValle CT, Inoue
      Choi M, Anderson KE, Cantor KP, Krasner S, Robien K, Beane Freeman LE, Silverman
      DT, Ward MH. 2016. Nitrate from drinking water and diet and bladder cancer among
      postmenopausal women in Iowa. Environ Health Perspect 124:1751-1758;
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP191.

PMID- 27258854
TI  - Temporal and Triggered Evolution of Host-Guest Characteristics in Amphiphilic
      Polymer Assemblies.
AB  - An amphiphilic polymer with cleavable side chain and main chain functional groups
      has been designed and synthesized. Specific cleavage of either of its functional
      groups was found to have an effect on the morphology of the assembly. Degradation
      of the main chain is shown to cause morphology of the supramolecular assembly to
      evolve with time from a micelle-like assembly to a vesicular assembly. On the
      other hand, stimulus-induced cleavage of the side chains causes these
      nanoassemblies to disassemble. These temporal (main chain) and triggered (side
      chain) degradation processes have implications in the design of degradable
      polymers as supramolecular scaffolds for biological applications.

PMID- 27258855
TI  - Oligomeric Amyloid-beta Toxicity Can Be Inhibited by Blocking Its Cellular
      Binding in Cortical Neuronal Cultures with Addition of the Triphenylmethane Dye
      Brilliant Blue G.
AB  - Accumulation of soluble amyloid beta (Abeta) oligomers in the brain has been
      suggested to cause neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
      Our previous findings showed that the binding of Abeta trimer and tetramer to
      neurons is significantly correlated with Abeta-induced neuronal cell death. We
      propose blocking of neuronal binding of these neurotoxic Abeta oligomers as a
      therapeutic strategy for preventing this disease. To test this, a nontoxic
      triphenylmethane dye, Brilliant Blue G (BBG), which has been reported to modulate
      Abeta aggregation and neurotoxicity, was investigated using mouse primary
      cortical neuronal cultures treated with photoinduced cross-linked toxic Abeta40
      oligomers as well as soluble Abeta40 and Abeta42 peptides. We found that the BBG
      induced decrease in Abeta binding resulted in a significant decrease in its
      neurotoxicity. These findings support our hypothesis that disruption of cellular
      Abeta binding is a promising therapeutic strategy for combating AD.

PMID- 27258856
TI  - Probabilistically Perfect Cloning of Two Pure States: Geometric Approach.
AB  - We solve the long-standing problem of making n perfect clones from m copies of
      one of two known pure states with minimum failure probability in the general case
      where the known states have arbitrary a priori probabilities. The solution
      emerges from a geometric formulation of the problem. This formulation reveals
      that cloning converges to state discrimination followed by state preparation as
      the number of clones goes to infinity. The convergence exhibits a phenomenon
      analogous to a second-order symmetry-breaking phase transition. 

PMID- 27258858
TI  - Derandomizing Quantum Circuits with Measurement-Based Unitary Designs.
AB  - Entangled multipartite states are resources for universal quantum computation,
      but they can also give rise to ensembles of unitary transformations, a topic
      usually studied in the context of random quantum circuits. Using several graph
      state techniques, we show that these resources can "derandomize" circuit results
      by sampling the same kinds of ensembles quantum mechanically, analogously to a
      quantum random number generator. Furthermore, we find simple examples that give
      rise to new ensembles whose statistical moments exactly match those of the
      uniformly random distribution over all unitaries up to order t, while foregoing
      adaptive feedforward entirely. Such ensembles-known as t designs-often cannot be
      distinguished from the "truly" random ensemble, and so they find use in many
      applications that require this implied notion of pseudorandomness. 

PMID- 27258857
TI  - Geometrical Pumping with a Bose-Einstein Condensate.
AB  - We realized a quantum geometric "charge" pump for a Bose-Einstein condensate
      (BEC) in the lowest Bloch band of a novel bipartite magnetic lattice. Topological
      charge pumps in filled bands yield quantized pumping set by the global
      topological-properties of the bands. In contrast, our geometric charge pump for a
      BEC occupying just a single crystal momentum state exhibits nonquantized charge
      pumping set by local-geometrical-properties of the band structure. Like
      topological charge pumps, for each pump cycle we observed an overall displacement
      (here, not quantized) and a temporal modulation of the atomic wave packet's
      position in each unit cell, i.e., the polarization. 

PMID- 27258859
TI  - Quantum Thermal Transistor.
AB  - We demonstrate that a thermal transistor can be made up with a quantum system of
      three interacting subsystems, coupled to a thermal reservoir each. This thermal
      transistor is analogous to an electronic bipolar one with the ability to control
      the thermal currents at the collector and at the emitter with the imposed thermal
      current at the base. This is achieved by determining the heat fluxes by means of
      the strong-coupling formalism. For the case of three interacting spins, in which
      one of them is coupled to the other two, that are not directly coupled, it is
      shown that high amplification can be obtained in a wide range of energy
      parameters and temperatures. The proposed quantum transistor could, in principle,
      be used to develop devices such as a thermal modulator and a thermal amplifier in
      nanosystems. 

PMID- 27258860
TI  - Entanglement Equilibrium and the Einstein Equation.
AB  - A link between the semiclassical Einstein equation and a maximal vacuum
      entanglement hypothesis is established. The hypothesis asserts that entanglement
      entropy in small geodesic balls is maximized at fixed volume in a locally
      maximally symmetric vacuum state of geometry and quantum fields. A qualitative
      argument suggests that the Einstein equation implies the validity of the
      hypothesis. A more precise argument shows that, for first-order variations of the
      local vacuum state of conformal quantum fields, the vacuum entanglement is
      stationary if and only if the Einstein equation holds. For nonconformal fields,
      the same conclusion follows modulo a conjecture about the variation of
      entanglement entropy. 

PMID- 27258861
TI  - Did LIGO Detect Dark Matter?
AB  - We consider the possibility that the black-hole (BH) binary detected by LIGO may
      be a signature of dark matter. Interestingly enough, there remains a window for
      masses 20M_{?}?M_{bh}?100M_{?} where primordial black holes (PBHs) may constitute
      the dark matter. If two BHs in a galactic halo pass sufficiently close, they
      radiate enough energy in gravitational waves to become gravitationally bound. The
      bound BHs will rapidly spiral inward due to the emission of gravitational
      radiation and ultimately will merge. Uncertainties in the rate for such events
      arise from our imprecise knowledge of the phase-space structure of galactic halos
      on the smallest scales. Still, reasonable estimates span a range that overlaps
      the 2-53  Gpc^{-3} yr^{-1} rate estimated from GW150914, thus raising the
      possibility that LIGO has detected PBH dark matter. PBH mergers are likely to be
      distributed spatially more like dark matter than luminous matter and have neither
      optical nor neutrino counterparts. They may be distinguished from mergers of BHs
      from more traditional astrophysical sources through the observed mass spectrum,
      their high ellipticities, or their stochastic gravitational wave background. Next
      generation experiments will be invaluable in performing these tests. 

PMID- 27258862
TI  - Large-Scale Distribution of Total Mass versus Luminous Matter from Baryon
      Acoustic Oscillations: First Search in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III Baryon
      Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey Data Release 10.
AB  - Baryon acoustic oscillations in the early Universe are predicted to leave an as
      yet undetected signature on the relative clustering of total mass versus luminous
      matter. A detection of this effect would provide an important confirmation of the
      standard cosmological paradigm and constrain alternatives to dark matter as well
      as nonstandard fluctuations such as compensated isocurvature perturbations
      (CIPs). We conduct the first observational search for this effect, by comparing
      the number-weighted and luminosity-weighted correlation functions, using the SDSS
      III BOSS Data Release 10 CMASS sample. When including CIPs in our model, we
      formally obtain evidence at 3.2sigma of the relative clustering signature and a
      limit that matches the existing upper limits on the amplitude of CIPs. However,
      various tests suggest that these results are not yet robust, perhaps due to
      systematic biases in the data. The method developed in this Letter used with more
      accurate future data such as that from DESI, is likely to confirm or disprove our
      preliminary evidence. 

PMID- 27258863
TI  - Double Copies of Fermions as Matter that Interacts Only Gravitationally.
AB  - Inspired by the recent progress in the field of scattering amplitudes, we discuss
      hypothetical particles which can be characterized as the double copies of
      fermions-in the same way gravitons can be viewed as double copies of gauge
      bosons. As the gravitons, these hypothetical particles interact only through
      gravitational interactions. We present two equivalent methods for the computation
      of the relevant scattering amplitudes. The hypothetical particles can be massive
      and nonrelativistic. 

PMID- 27258864
TI  - Resummed Differential Cross Sections for Top-Quark Pairs at the LHC.
AB  - We present state of the art resummation predictions for differential cross
      sections in top-quark pair production at the LHC. They are derived from a
      formalism which allows the simultaneous resummation of both soft and small-mass
      logarithms, which endanger the convergence of fixed-order perturbative series in
      the boosted regime, where the partonic center-of-mass energy is much larger than
      the mass to the top quark. We combine such a double resummation at next-to-next
      to-leading logarithmic^{'} (NNLL^{'}) accuracy with standard soft-gluon
      resummation at next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy and with next-to
      leading-order calculations, so that our results are applicable throughout the
      whole phase space. We find that the resummation effects on the differential
      distributions are significant, bringing theoretical predictions into better
      agreement with experimental data compared to fixed-order calculations. Moreover,
      such effects are not well described by the next-to-next-to-leading-order
      approximation of the resummation formula, especially in the high-energy tails of
      the distributions, highlighting the importance of all-orders resummation in
      dedicated studies of boosted top production. 

PMID- 27258865
TI  - Probing the Small-x Gluon Tomography in Correlated Hard Diffractive Dijet
      Production in Deep Inelastic Scattering.
AB  - We investigate the close connection between the quantum phase space Wigner
      distribution of small-x gluons and the color dipole scattering amplitude, and we
      propose studying it experimentally in the hard diffractive dijet production at
      the planned electron-ion collider. The angular correlation between the nucleon
      recoiled momentum and the dijet transverse momentum probes the nontrivial
      correlation in the phase space Wigner distribution. This experimental study not
      only provides us with three-dimensional tomographic pictures of gluons inside
      high energy protons-it gives a unique and interesting signal for the small-x
      dynamics with QCD evolution effects. 

PMID- 27258866
TI  - Enhanced Ionization of Embedded Clusters by Electron-Transfer-Mediated Decay in
      Helium Nanodroplets.
AB  - We report the observation of electron-transfer-mediated decay (ETMD) involving
      magnesium (Mg) clusters embedded in helium (He) nanodroplets. ETMD is initiated
      by the ionization of He followed by removal of two electrons from the Mg clusters
      of which one is transferred to the He ion while the other electron is emitted
      into the continuum. The process is shown to be the dominant ionization mechanism
      for embedded clusters for photon energies above the ionization potential of He.
      For Mg clusters larger than five atoms we observe stable doubly ionized clusters.
      Thus, ETMD provides an efficient pathway to the formation of doubly ionized cold
      species in doped nanodroplets. 

PMID- 27258867
TI  - Carrier-Envelope-Phase Characterization for an Isolated Attosecond Pulse by
      Angular Streaking.
AB  - The carrier envelope phase (CEP) is a crucial parameter for a few-cycle laser
      pulse since it substantially determines the laser waveform. Stepping forward from
      infrared to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) pulses, we propose a strategy to directly
      characterize the CEP of an isolated attosecond pulse (IAP) by numerically
      simulating the tunneling ionization of a hydrogen atom in a combined IAP and
      phase-stabilized circularly polarized IR laser pulse. The fine modulations of the
      combined laser fields, due to the variation of the CEP of the IAP, are
      exponentially enlarged onto the distinct time-dependent tunneling ionization
      rate. Electrons released at different time with distinct tunneling ionization
      rates are angularly streaked to different directions. By measuring the resulting
      photoelectron momentum distribution, the CEP of the IAP can be retrieved. The
      characterization of the CEP of an IAP will open the possibility of capturing sub
      EUV-cycle dynamics. 

PMID- 27258868
TI  - Anomalous Diffusion of Dissipative Solitons in the Cubic-Quintic Complex Ginzburg
      Landau Equation in Two Spatial Dimensions.
AB  - We demonstrate the occurrence of anomalous diffusion of dissipative solitons in a
      "simple" and deterministic prototype model: the cubic-quintic complex Ginzburg
      Landau equation in two spatial dimensions. The main features of their dynamics,
      induced by symmetric-asymmetric explosions, can be modeled by a subdiffusive
      continuous-time random walk, while in the case dominated by only asymmetric
      explosions, it becomes characterized by normal diffusion. 

PMID- 27258869
TI  - Exceptional Contours and Band Structure Design in Parity-Time Symmetric Photonic
      Crystals.
AB  - We investigate the properties of two-dimensional parity-time symmetric periodic
      systems whose non-Hermitian periodicity is an integer multiple of the underlying
      Hermitian system's periodicity. This creates a natural set of degeneracies that
      can undergo thresholdless PT transitions. We derive a k.p perturbation theory
      suited to the continuous eigenvalues of such systems in terms of the modes of the
      underlying Hermitian system. In photonic crystals, such thresholdless PT
      transitions are shown to yield significant control over the band structure of the
      system, and can result in all-angle supercollimation, a PT-superprism effect, and
      unidirectional behavior. 

PMID- 27258870
TI  - Signature of Wave Chaos in Spectral Characteristics of Microcavity Lasers.
AB  - We report an experimental investigation on the spectra of fully chaotic and
      nonchaotic microcavity lasers under continuous-wave operating conditions. It is
      found that fully chaotic microcavity lasers operate in single mode, whereas
      nonchaotic microcavity lasers operate in multimode. The suppression of multimode
      lasing for fully chaotic microcavity lasers is explained by large spatial
      overlaps of the resonance wave functions that spread throughout the two
      dimensional cavity due to the ergodicity of chaotic ray orbits. 

PMID- 27258871
TI  - High Power Dynamic Polarization Control Using Plasma Photonics.
AB  - We report the first experimental demonstration of a plasma wave plate based on
      laser-induced birefringence. An elliptically polarized input was converted into a
      nearly ideal circularly polarized beam using an optical system composed of a
      second laser beam and a plasma. The results are in excellent agreement with
      linear theory and three-dimensional simulations up to phase delays exceeding
      pi/4, thus establishing the feasibility of laser-plasma photonic devices that are
      ultrafast, damage-resistant, and easily tunable. 

PMID- 27258872
TI  - Maximum Proton Energy above 85 MeV from the Relativistic Interaction of Laser
      Pulses with Micrometer Thick CH_{2} Targets.
AB  - We present a study of laser-driven ion acceleration with micrometer and
      submicrometer thick plastic targets. Using laser pulses with high temporal
      contrast and an intensity of the order of 10^{20}  W/cm^{2} we observe proton
      beams with cutoff energies in excess of 85 MeV and particle numbers of 10^{9} in
      an energy bin of 1 MeV around this maximum. We show that applying the target
      normal sheath acceleration mechanism with submicrometer thick targets is a very
      robust way to achieve such high ion energies and particle fluxes. Our results are
      backed with 2D particle in cell simulations furthermore predicting cutoff
      energies above 200 MeV for acceleration based on relativistic transparency. This
      predicted regime can be probed after a few technically feasible adjustments of
      the laser and target parameters. 

PMID- 27258874
TI  - Floquet Engineering of Correlated Tunneling in the Bose-Hubbard Model with
      Ultracold Atoms.
AB  - We report on the experimental implementation of tunable occupation-dependent
      tunneling in a Bose-Hubbard system of ultracold atoms via time-periodic
      modulation of the on-site interaction energy. The tunneling rate is inferred from
      a time-resolved measurement of the lattice site occupation after a quantum
      quench. We demonstrate coherent control of the tunneling dynamics in the
      correlated many-body system, including full suppression of tunneling as predicted
      within the framework of Floquet theory. We find that the tunneling rate
      explicitly depends on the atom number difference in neighboring lattice sites.
      Our results may open up ways to realize artificial gauge fields that feature
      density dependence with ultracold atoms. 

PMID- 27258873
TI  - Demonstration of Coherent Terahertz Transition Radiation from Relativistic Laser
      Solid Interactions.
AB  - Coherent transition radiation in the terahertz (THz) region with energies of sub
      mJ/pulse has been demonstrated by relativistic laser-driven electron beams
      crossing the solid-vacuum boundary. Targets including mass-limited foils and
      layered metal-plastic targets are used to verify the radiation mechanism and
      characterize the radiation properties. Observations of THz emissions as a
      function of target parameters agree well with the formation-zone and diffraction
      model of transition radiation. Particle-in-cell simulations also well reproduce
      the observed characteristics of THz emissions. The present THz transition
      radiation enables not only a potential tabletop brilliant THz source, but also a
      novel noninvasive diagnostic for fast electron generation and transport in laser
      plasma interactions. 

PMID- 27258875
TI  - Creation of an Ultracold Gas of Ground-State Dipolar ^{23}Na^{87}Rb Molecules.
AB  - We report the successful production of an ultracold sample of absolute ground
      state ^{23}Na^{87}Rb molecules. Starting from weakly bound Feshbach molecules
      formed via magnetoassociation, the lowest rovibrational and hyperfine level of
      the electronic ground state is populated following a high-efficiency and high
      resolution two-photon Raman process. The high-purity absolute ground-state
      samples have up to 8000 molecules and densities of over 10^{11}  cm^{-3}. By
      measuring the Stark shifts induced by external electric fields, we determined the
      permanent electric dipole moment of the absolute ground-state ^{23}Na^{87}Rb and
      demonstrated the capability of inducing an effective dipole moment over 1 D.
      Bimolecular reaction between ground-state ^{23}Na^{87}Rb molecules is
      endothermic, but we still observed a rather fast decay of the molecular sample.
      Our results pave the way toward investigation of ultracold molecular collisions
      in a fully controlled manner and possibly to quantum gases of ultracold bosonic
      molecules with strong dipolar interactions. 

PMID- 27258876
TI  - Calculation of Projected Bond-Orientational Order Parameters to Quantify Local
      Symmetries from Transmission Diffraction Data.
AB  - The bond-orientational order parameters introduced by Steinhardt et al. [Phys.
      Rev. B 28, 784 (1983)] have been an invaluable measurement tool for assessing
      short-range order in disordered, close-packed assemblies of particles in which
      the particle positions are known. In many glassy systems the measurement of
      particle position is not possible or limited (field of view, thickness,
      resolution) and the bond-orientational order parameters cannot be measured, or
      adequately sampled. Here we calculate a set of rotationally averaged, projected
      bond-orientational order parameters that reflect the symmetries of close-packed
      particle clusters when projected onto a plane. We show by simulation that these
      parameters are unique fingerprints that can be directly compared to angular
      correlations in limited-volume, transmission geometry, diffraction patterns from
      close-packed glassy assemblies. 

PMID- 27258877
TI  - Emergence of Chirality from Isotropic Interactions of Three Length Scales.
AB  - Chirality is known to play a pivotal role in determining material properties and
      functionalities. However, it remains a great challenge to understand and control
      the emergence of chirality and the related enantioselective process particularly
      when the building components of the system are achiral. Here we explore the
      generic mechanisms driving the formation of two-dimensional chiral structures in
      systems characterized by isotropic interactions and three competing length
      scales. We demonstrate that starting from isotropic and rotationally invariant
      interactions, a variety of chiral ordered patterns and superlattices with
      anisotropic but achiral units can self-assemble. The mechanisms for selecting
      specific states are related to the length-scale coupling and the selection of
      resonant density wave vectors. Sample phase diagrams and chiral elastic
      properties are identified. These findings provide a viable route for predicting
      chiral phases and selecting the desired handedness. 

PMID- 27258878
TI  - Tuning the Magnetic Quantum Criticality of Artificial Kondo Superlattices
      CeRhIn_{5}/YbRhIn_{5}.
AB  - The effects of reduced dimensions and the interfaces on antiferromagnetic quantum
      criticality are studied in epitaxial Kondo superlattices, with alternating n
      layers of heavy-fermion antiferromagnet CeRhIn_{5} and seven layers of normal
      metal YbRhIn_{5}. As n is reduced, the Kondo coherence temperature is suppressed
      due to the reduction of effective Kondo screening. The Neel temperature is
      gradually suppressed as n decreases and the quasiparticle mass is strongly
      enhanced, implying dimensional control toward a quantum critical point.
      Magnetotransport measurements reveal that a quantum critical point is reached for
      the n=3 superlattice by applying small magnetic fields. Remarkably, the
      anisotropy of the quantum critical field is opposite to the expectations from the
      magnetic susceptibility in bulk CeRhIn_{5}, suggesting that the Rashba spin-orbit
      interaction arising from the inversion symmetry breaking at the interface plays a
      key role for tuning the quantum criticality in the two-dimensional Kondo lattice.

PMID- 27258879
TI  - Stick-Slip Motion of the Wigner Solid on Liquid Helium.
AB  - We present time-resolved transport measurements of a Wigner solid (WS) on the
      surface of liquid helium confined in a micron-scale channel. At rest, the WS is
      "dressed" by a cloud of quantized capillary waves (ripplons). Under a driving
      force, we find that repeated WS-ripplon decoupling leads to stick-slip current
      oscillations, the frequency of which can be tuned by adjusting the temperature,
      pressing electric field, or electron density. The WS on liquid He is a promising
      system for the study of polaronlike decoupling dynamics. 

PMID- 27258880
TI  - Tunable Bloch Wave Resonances and Bloch Gaps in Uniform Materials with
      Reconfigurable Boundary Profiles.
AB  - We study wave propagation in uniform materials with periodic boundary profiles
      and introduce for the first time Bloch resonances and Bloch gaps. Bloch
      resonances are due to transverse phase matching, i.e., the coupling of two
      transverse standing waves corresponding to different harmonics. These are
      distinct from well-known Bragg resonances that result from longitudinal phase
      matching. We show that Bloch gaps can be engineered over the entire first
      Brillouin zone up to an infinite wavelength, i.e., k_{x}=0, where k_{x} is the
      wave number in the direction of propagation. This is in contrast to Bragg gaps
      that open at a fixed wavelength, twice the period of the structure. Bloch
      resonances and gaps can be tuned by reconfiguring the boundary profile and we
      derive analytical expressions that predict these phenomena when the amplitude of
      the profile is small. The theory is fundamental as it broadly applies to wave
      phenomena that span the quantum to continuum scale with applications that range
      from condensed matter to acoustics. We validate the theory experimentally for the
      electromagnetic field at GHz frequencies. We also discuss potential photonic and
      electronic applications of the theory such as a white-light distributed feedback
      laser and a two-dimensional electron gas transistor. 

PMID- 27258881
TI  - Multiferroic Two-Dimensional Materials.
AB  - The relation between unusual Mexican-hat band dispersion, ferromagnetism, and
      ferroelasticity is investigated using a combination of analytical, first
      principles, and phenomenological methods. The class of material with Mexican-hat
      band edge is studied using the alpha-SnO monolayer as a prototype. Such a band
      edge causes a van Hove singularity diverging with 1/sqrt[E], and a charge doping
      in these bands can lead to time-reversal symmetry breaking. Herein, we show that
      a material with Mexican-hat band dispersion, alpha-SnO, can be ferroelastic or
      paraelastic depending on the number of layers. Also, an unexpected multiferroic
      phase is obtained in a range of hole density for which the material presents
      ferromagnetism and ferroelasticity simultaneously. 

PMID- 27258882
TI  - Parity-Time Synthetic Phononic Media.
AB  - Classical systems containing cleverly devised combinations of loss and gain
      elements constitute extremely rich building units that can mimic non-Hermitian
      properties, which conventionally are attainable in quantum mechanics only. Parity
      time (PT) symmetric media, also referred to as synthetic media, have been devised
      in many optical systems with the ground breaking potential to create
      nonreciprocal structures and one-way cloaks of invisibility. Here we demonstrate
      a feasible approach for the case of sound where the most important ingredients
      within synthetic materials, loss and gain, are achieved through electrically
      biased piezoelectric semiconductors. We study first how wave attenuation and
      amplification can be tuned, and when combined, can give rise to a phononic PT
      synthetic media with unidirectional suppressed reflectance, a feature directly
      applicable to evading sonar detection. 

PMID- 27258883
TI  - Emergence of Long-Range Order in BaTiO_{3} from Local Symmetry-Breaking
      Distortions.
AB  - By using a symmetry motivated basis to evaluate local distortions against pair
      distribution function data, we show without prior bias, that the off-center Ti
      displacements in the archetypal ferroelectric BaTiO_{3} are zone centered and
      rhombohedral-like across its known ferroelectric and paraelectric phases. We
      construct a simple Monte Carlo model that captures our main experimental findings
      and demonstrate how the rich crystallographic phase diagram of BaTiO_{3} emerges
      from correlations of local symmetry-breaking distortions alone. Our results
      strongly support the order-disorder picture for these phase transitions, but can
      also be reconciled with the soft-mode theory of BaTiO_{3} that is supported by
      some spectroscopic techniques. 

PMID- 27258884
TI  - Terahertz Antiferromagnetic Spin Hall Nano-Oscillator.
AB  - We consider the current-induced dynamics of insulating antiferromagnets in a spin
      Hall geometry. Sufficiently large in-plane currents perpendicular to the Neel
      order trigger spontaneous oscillations at frequencies between the acoustic and
      the optical eigenmodes. The direction of the driving current determines the
      chirality of the excitation. When the current exceeds a threshold, the combined
      effect of spin pumping and current-induced torques introduces a dynamic feedback
      that sustains steady-state oscillations with amplitudes controllable via the
      applied current. The ac voltage output is calculated numerically as a function of
      the dc current input for different feedback strengths. Our findings open a route
      towards terahertz antiferromagnetic spin-torque oscillators. 

PMID- 27258885
TI  - Hiding in Plain View: Colloidal Self-Assembly from Polydisperse Populations.
AB  - We report small-angle x-ray scattering experiments on aqueous dispersions of
      colloidal silica with a broad monomodal size distribution (polydispersity, 14%;
      size, 8 nm). Over a range of volume fractions, the silica particles segregate to
      build first one, then two distinct sets of colloidal crystals. These dispersions
      thus demonstrate fractional crystallization and multiple-phase (bcc, Laves
      AB_{2}, liquid) coexistence. Their remarkable ability to build complex crystal
      structures from a polydisperse population originates from the intermediate-range
      nature of interparticle forces, and it suggests routes for designing self
      assembling colloidal crystals from the bottom up. 

PMID- 27258886
TI  - Elasticity Dominated Surface Segregation of Small Molecules in Polymer Mixtures.
AB  - We study the phenomenon of migration of the small molecular weight component of a
      binary polymer mixture to the free surface using mean field and self-consistent
      field theories. By proposing a free energy functional that incorporates polymer
      matrix elasticity explicitly, we compute the migrant volume fraction and show
      that it decreases significantly as the sample rigidity is increased. A wetting
      transition, observed for high values of the miscibility parameter can be
      prevented by increasing the matrix rigidity. Estimated values of the bulk modulus
      suggest that the effect should be observable experimentally for rubberlike
      materials. This provides a simple way of controlling surface migration in polymer
      mixtures and can play an important role in industrial formulations, where surface
      migration often leads to decreased product functionality. 

PMID- 27258887
TI  - Clustering Implies Geometry in Networks.
AB  - Network models with latent geometry have been used successfully in many
      applications in network science and other disciplines, yet it is usually
      impossible to tell if a given real network is geometric, meaning if it is a
      typical element in an ensemble of random geometric graphs. Here we identify
      structural properties of networks that guarantee that random graphs having these
      properties are geometric. Specifically we show that random graphs in which
      expected degree and clustering of every node are fixed to some constants are
      equivalent to random geometric graphs on the real line, if clustering is
      sufficiently strong. Large numbers of triangles, homogeneously distributed across
      all nodes as in real networks, are thus a consequence of network geometricity.
      The methods we use to prove this are quite general and applicable to other
      network ensembles, geometric or not, and to certain problems in quantum gravity. 

PMID- 27258888
TI  - Electromechanical Interplay in Deformable Dielectric Elastomer Networks.
AB  - A systematic, statistical-mechanics-based analysis of the response of dielectric
      elastomers to coupled electromechanical loading is conducted, starting from the
      monomer level through the polymer chain and ending with closed-form expressions
      for the polarization and stress fields. It is found that the apparent response at
      the macrolevel is dictated by four microscopic parameters-the monomer type and
      polarizability and the chain length and density. Our analysis further reveals a
      new electrostrictive effect that either reinforces or opposes the polarization
      induced deformation. The validity of the results is attested through comparisons
      with well-established experimental measurements of both the polarization field
      and the electrostrictive stress. 

PMID- 27258889
TI  - Comment on "Testing Planck-Scale Gravity with Accelerators".

PMID- 27258890
TI  - Erratum: Random Field Driven Spatial Complexity at the Mott Transition in VO_{2}
      [Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 036401 (2016)].
AB  - This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.036401.

PMID- 27258891
TI  - Publisher's Note: Enhanced Tunneling Electroresistance in Ferroelectric Tunnel
      Junctions due to the Reversible Metallization of the Barrier [Phys. Rev. Lett.
      116, 197602 (2016)].
AB  - This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.197602.

PMID- 27258892
TI  - Association of MHC region SNPs with irritant susceptibility in healthcare
      workers.
AB  - Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common work-related skin disease,
      especially affecting workers in "wet-work" occupations. This study was conducted
      to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and skin irritant response in a
      group of healthcare workers. 585 volunteer healthcare workers were genotyped for
      MHC SNPs and patch tested with three different irritants: sodium lauryl sulfate
      (SLS), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and benzalkonium chloride (BKC). Genotyping was
      performed using Illumina Goldengate MHC panels. A number of SNPs within the MHC
      Class I (OR2B3, TRIM31, TRIM10, TRIM40 and IER3), Class II (HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1)
      and Class III (C2) genes were associated (p < 0.001) with skin response to tested
      irritants in different genetic models. Linkage disequilibrium patterns and
      functional annotations identified two SNPs in the TRIM40 (rs1573298) and HLA-DPB1
      (rs9277554) genes, with a potential impact on gene regulation. In addition, SNPs
      in PSMB9 (rs10046277 and ITPR3 (rs499384) were associated with hand dermatitis.
      The results are of interest as they demonstrate that genetic variations in
      inflammation-related genes within the MHC can influence chemical-induced skin
      irritation and may explain the connection between inflamed skin and propensity to
      subsequent allergic contact sensitization.

PMID- 27258897
TI  - Identification of androgen receptor antagonists: In vitro investigation and
      classification methodology for flavonoid.
AB  - A tremendous gap exists between the number of potential endocrine disrupting
      chemicals (EDCs) possibly in the environment and the limitation of traditional
      regulatory testing. In this study, the anti-androgenic potencies of 21 flavonoids
      were analyzed in vitro, and another 32 flavonoids from the literature were
      selected as additional chemicals. Molecular dynamic simulations were employed to
      obtain four different separation approaches based on the different behaviors of
      ligands and receptors during the process of interaction. Specifically, ligand
      receptor complex which highlighted the discriminating features of ligand escape
      or retention via "mousetrap" mechanism, hydrogen bonds formed during simulation
      times, ligand stability and the stability of the helix-12 of the receptor were
      investigated. Together, a methodology was generated that 87.5% of flavonoids
      could be discriminated as active versus inactive antagonists, and over 90%
      inactive antagonists could be filtered out before QSAR study. This methodology
      could be used as a "proof of concept" to identify inactive anti-androgenic
      flavonoids, as well could be beneficial for rapid risk assessment and regulation
      of multiple new chemicals for androgenicity. 

PMID- 27258898
TI  - Monitoring dihydrodiol polyaromatic hydrocarbon metabolites produced by the
      freshwater microalgae Selenastrum capricornutum.
AB  - We found that microalgae exposed to a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) did not show growth inhibition. Thus, we assumed that they could
      metabolize these compounds. In this study, the dihydrodiol-type PAH metabolites
      of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) and
      benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) produced by the freshwater microalgae Selenastrum
      capricornutum were monitored and quantified using high-performance liquid
      chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) techniques. Exposure
      bioassays with S. capricornutum were performed using a 266 ng mL(-1) mixture of
      PAHs at different exposure times (0.75, 1, 3, 8, 16, 24 and 48 h) under
      controlled temperature (25  degrees C); the dihydrodiol metabolites formed in the
      liquid medium and the biomass were quantified. Metabolite identities were
      confirmed using HPLC-mass spectrometry; most of the metabolites formed were
      derived from BaA degradation. At 48 h after exposure 5,6-dBaA and 8,9-dBaA/10,11
      dBaA were present in the liquid medium at 20% and 67% of the initial mass of BaA,
      respectively. Three metabolites of BaP were monitored in the liquid medium and
      biomass and, at 24 h, 4,5-dBaP accounted for 19%; , 7,8-dBaP, 5%; and 9,10-dBaP,
      5% relative to the initial BaP mass. Microalgae exposed to BbF showed the
      presence of 1,2-dBbF and 9,10-dBbF (at 0.3% and 0.1% of the initial BbF mass,
      respectively) and those exposed to BkF produced 8,9-dBkF (6.5% of the initial BkF
      mass) in the liquid medium. Seven unknown compounds were formed after exposure;
      two compounds were identified as the metabolites of BaA and BaP. The results
      could facilitate the elucidation of the controversial biodegradation mechanism in
      microalgae. 

PMID- 27258899
TI  - Arsenic entrapment by nanocrystals of Al-magnetite: The role of Al in crystal
      growth and As retention.
AB  - The nature of As-Al-Fe co-precipitates aged for 120 days are investigated in
      detail by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Scanning TEM
      (STEM), electron diffraction, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS),
      Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy (EELS), and Energy Filtered Transmission
      Electron Microscopy (EFTEM). The Al present in magnetite is shown to favour As
      incorporation (up to 1.10 wt%) relative to Al-free magnetite and Al-goethite, but
      As uptake by Al-magnetite decreases with increasing Al substitution (3.53-11.37
      mol% Al). Arsenic-bearing magnetite and goethite mesocrystals (MCs) are formed by
      oriented aggregation (OA) of primary nanoparticles (NPs). Well-crystalline
      magnetite likely formed by Otswald ripening was predominant in the Al-free
      system. The As content in Al-goethite MCs (having approximately 13% substituted
      Al) was close to the EDS detection limit (0.1 wt% As), but was below detection in
      Al-goethites with 23.00-32.19 mol% Al. Our results show for the first time the
      capacity of Al-magnetite to incorporate more As than Al-free magnetite, and the
      role of Al in favouring OA-based crystal growth under the experimental
      conditions, and therefore As retention in the formed MCs. The proposed mechanism
      of As incorporation involves adsorption of As onto the newly formed NPs. Arsenic
      is then trapped in the MCs as they grow by self-assembly OA upon attachment of
      the NPs. We conclude that Al may diffuse to the crystal faces with high surface
      energy to reduce the total energy of the system during the attachment events,
      thus favouring the oriented aggregation. 

PMID- 27258900
TI  - Modeling study of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans behavior in
      flue gases under electron beam irradiation.
AB  - The efficiency of the electron beam treatment of industrial flue gases for the
      removal of sulfur and nitrogen oxides was investigated as applied to
      polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) using methods of
      mathematical modeling. The proposed kinetic model of the process includes
      mechanism of PCDD/Fs decomposition caused by their interaction with OH radicals
      generated in the flue gases under the electron beam (EB) irradiation as well as
      PCDD/Fs formation from unburned aromatic compounds. The model allows to predict
      the main features of the process, which are observed in pilot plant
      installations, as well as to evaluate the process efficiency. The results of
      calculations are compared with the available experimental data. 

PMID- 27258901
TI  - Adverse effects and bioconcentration of chromium in two freshwater rotifer
      species.
AB  - Bioaccumulation of trivalent (CrIII) and hexavalent chromium (CrVI), and its
      adverse effects were studied in two rotifer species: Brachionus calyciflorus (two
      different strains), and Lecane quadridentata. Median Lethal Concentration (LC50)
      at 24 h of both species showed that CrVI is highly toxic: LC50 ranges from 4.7 *
      10(-5) to 4 * 10(-6) mg L(-1)), compared with CrIII: LC50 ranges from 0.64 to
      1.279 mg L(-1). Using the LC50 as an exposure concentration, and using atomic
      absorption, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) was obtained and BCFs of rotifers
      exposed to CrIII are four orders of magnitude lower than BCFs of rotifers exposed
      to CrVI. The effect of Cr on the elemental composition of the two species of
      rotifers in their structures by X-ray microanalysis by energy dispersion showed
      that Cr is found in intoxicated rotifers, but not in control rotifers. The basal
      immunoreactivity to metallothioneins is greater in B. calyciflorus than L.
      quadridentata. The immunoreactivity to metallothioneins decreases in B.
      calyciflorus when is exposed to CrIII, in contrast in L. quadridentata the
      immunoreactivity to metallothioneins increase when is exposed to CrIII, and the
      immunoreactivity to CrVI in L. quadridentata decrease. A mechanism is proposed in
      which the harder lorica of L. quadridentata acts as a barrier and accumulator of
      CrVI, and allows for attenuating responses like metallothionein production in L.
      quadridentata. Instead, in B. calyciflorus the lack of a harder lorica allows for
      deeper penetration of CrVI, and no time to produce attenuating measures. 

PMID- 27258902
TI  - A comparison of fresh and used aircraft oil for the identification of toxic
      substances linked to aerotoxic syndrome.
AB  - Fresh and used aircraft engine lubricants (Mobil Jet Oil II) were analysed using
      a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer (FTICRMS) and
      comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography with high resolution time of
      flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-HRTOFMS). The composition of the fresh oil was
      established, with special focus to its tricresyl phosphate (TCP) content as this
      has formed the focus for most investigations into aerotoxic syndrome. The results
      showed that only four TCP isomers were present at detectable levels in the fresh
      oil: mmm-TCP, mmp-TCP, ppm-TCP and ppp-TCP. The results indicate that the
      formulation of Mobile Jet Oil II does not contain the more toxic ortho
      substituted TCP isomers at concentrations above 0.0005%. The temperatures of jet
      engines during operation are greater than 200  degrees C which creates the
      potential to alter the composition of the original oil and create other toxic
      compounds. The results show there may be a significant risk from alkylated cresyl
      phosphates, which were identified in the used oils at concentrations calculated
      in the range of 0.13-0.69%. w/w. Several xylenyl and ethylphenyl phosphates have
      been shown to exhibit a similar toxicity to ortho substituted TCP isomers which
      makes there discovery in used oil significant. These compounds should be included
      in future aircraft air quality studies and when assessing the risks and causes of
      aerotoxic syndrome. 

PMID- 27258903
TI  - Evaluating the mutagenicity of the water-soluble fraction of air particulate
      matter: A comparison of two extraction strategies.
AB  - Many studies have focused on assessing the genotoxic potential of the organic
      fraction of airborne particulate matter. However, the determination of water
      soluble compounds, and the evaluation of the toxic effects of these elements can
      also provide valuable information for the development of novel strategies to
      control atmospheric air pollution. To determine an appropriate extraction method
      for assessing the mutagenicity of the water-soluble fraction of PM, we performed
      microwave assisted (MW) and ultrasonic bath (US) extractions, using water as
      solvent, in eight different air samples (TSP and PM10). Mutagenicity and
      extraction performances were evaluated using the Salmonella/microsome assay with
      strains TA98 and TA100, followed by chemical determination of water-soluble
      metals. Additionally, we evaluated the chemical and biological stability of the
      extracts testing their mutagenic potential and chemically determining elements
      present in the samples along several periods after extraction. Reference material
      SRM 1648a was used. The comparison of MW and US extractions did not show
      differences on the metals concentrations, however positive mutagenic responses
      were detected with TA98 strain in all samples extracted using the MW method, but
      not with the US bath extraction. The recovery, using reference material was
      better in samples extracted with MW. We concluded that the MW extraction is more
      efficient to assess the mutagenic activity of the soluble fraction of airborne
      PM. We also observed that the extract freezing and storage over 60 days has a
      significant effect on the mutagenic and analytical results on PM samples, and
      should be avoided. 

PMID- 27258904
TI  - A Non-perturbing Probe of Coiled Coil Formation Based on Electron Transfer
      Mediated Fluorescence Quenching.
AB  - Coiled coils are abundant in nature, occurring in ~3% of proteins across
      sequenced genomes, and are found in proteins ranging from transcription factors
      to structural proteins. The motif continues to be an important model system for
      understanding protein-protein interactions and is finding increased use in
      bioinspired materials and synthetic biology. Knowledge of the thermodynamics of
      self-assembly, particularly the dissociation constant KD, is essential for the
      application of designed coiled coils and for understanding the in vivo
      specificity of natural coiled coils. Standard methods for measuring KD typically
      rely on concentration dependent circular dichroism (CD). Fluorescence methods are
      an attractive alternative; however Trp is rarely found in an interior position of
      a coiled coil, and appending unnatural fluorophores can perturb the system. We
      demonstrate a simple, non-perturbing method to monitor coiled coil formation
      using p-cyanophenylalanine (FCN) and selenomethionine (MSe), the Se analogue of
      Met. FCN fluorescence can be selectively excited and is effectively quenched by
      electron transfer with MSe. Both FCN and MSe represent minimally perturbing
      substitutions in coiled coils. MSe quenching of FCN fluorescence is shown to
      offer a non-perturbing method for following coiled coil formation and for
      accurately determining dissociation constants. The method is validated using a
      designed heterodimeric coiled coil. The KD deduced by fluorescence monitored
      titration is in excellent agreement with the value deduced from concentration
      dependent CD measurements to within the uncertainty of the measurement. However,
      the fluorescence approach requires less protein, is less time-consuming, can be
      applied to lower concentrations and could be applied to high throughput screens.

PMID- 27258905
TI  - Narrative review of strategies by organizations for building evaluation capacity.
AB  - Program evaluation is an important source of information to assist organizations
      to make "evidence-informed" decisions about program planning and development. The
      objectives of this study were to identify evaluated strategies used by
      organizations and program developers to build the program evaluation capacity of
      their workforce, and to describe success factors and lessons learned. Common
      elements for successful evaluation capacity building (ECB) include: a tailored
      strategy based on needs assessment, an organizational commitment to evaluation
      and ECB, experiential learning, training with a practical element, and some form
      of ongoing technical support within the workplace. ECB is a relatively new field
      of endeavor, and, while existing studies in ECB are characterized by lower levels
      of evidence, they suggest the most successful approaches to ECB are likely to be
      multifaceted. To build the level of evidence in this field, more rigorous study
      designs need to be implemented in the future.

PMID- 27258907
TI  - Sensitive Room Temperature Photoluminescence-Based Sensing of H2S with Novel CuO
      ZnO Nanorods.
AB  - Novel CuO nanoparticle-capped ZnO nanorods have been produced using a pulsed
      laser deposition (PLD) method. These nanorods are shown to grow by a CuO
      nanoparticle-assisted vapor-solid-solid (V-S-S) mechanism. The photoluminescence
      (PL) accompanying ultraviolet illumination of these capped nanorod samples shows
      large variations upon exposure to trace quantities of H2S gas. The present data
      suggest that both the Cu-doped ZnO stem and the CuO capping nanoparticle
      contribute to optical H2S sensing with these CuO-ZnO nanorods. This study
      represents the first demonstration of PL-based H2S gas sensing, at room
      temperature, with sub-ppm sensitivity. It also opens the way to producing CuO-ZnO
      nanorods by a V-S-S mechanism using gas-phase methods other than PLD. 

PMID- 27258906
TI  - Deregulation of the HOXA9/MEIS1 axis in acute leukemia.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: HOXA9 is a homeodomain transcription factor that plays an
      essential role in normal hematopoiesis and acute leukemia, in which its
      overexpression is strongly correlated with poor prognosis. The present review
      highlights recent advances in the understanding of genetic alterations leading to
      deregulation of HOXA9 and the downstream mechanisms of HOXA9-mediated
      transformation. RECENT FINDINGS: A variety of genetic alterations including MLL
      translocations, NUP98-fusions, NPM1 mutations, CDX deregulation, and MOZ-fusions
      lead to high-level HOXA9 expression in acute leukemias. The mechanisms resulting
      in HOXA9 overexpression are beginning to be defined and represent attractive
      therapeutic targets. Small molecules targeting MLL-fusion protein complex
      members, such as DOT1L and menin, have shown promising results in animal models,
      and a DOT1L inhibitor is currently being tested in clinical trials. Essential
      HOXA9 cofactors and collaborators are also being identified, including
      transcription factors PU.1 and C/EBPalpha, which are required for HOXA9-driven
      leukemia. HOXA9 targets including IGF1, CDX4, INK4A/INK4B/ARF, mir-21, and mir
      196b and many others provide another avenue for potential drug development.
      SUMMARY: HOXA9 deregulation underlies a large subset of aggressive acute
      leukemias. Understanding the mechanisms regulating the expression and activity of
      HOXA9, along with its critical downstream targets, shows promise for the
      development of more selective and effective leukemia therapies.

PMID- 27258908
TI  - Consequences of Lost Gallstones During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Review
      Article.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become a popular and widespread
      procedure for the treatment of gallstone disease. There is still an increasing
      concern about specific complications of LC due to gallbladder perforation and
      spillage of bile and stones. Although unretrieved intraperitoneal gallstones
      rarely become symptomatic, their infective complications may cause serious
      morbidities even after a long interval from LC. METHODS: We performed a review of
      the literature on the diagnosis, prevention, consequences, and management of lost
      gallstones. All studies with a focus on lost gallstones or perforated gallbladder
      were analyzed to evaluate the postoperative complications. RESULTS: Between 1991
      and 2015, >250 cases of postoperative complications of spilled gallstones were
      reviewed in the surgical literature. The most common complications are
      intraperitoneal abscesses and fistulas. Confusing clinical pictures due to
      gallstones spreading in different locations makes diagnosis challenging. Even
      asymptomatic dropped gallstones may masquerade intraperitoneal neoplastic
      lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Every effort should be made to prevent gallbladder
      perforation; otherwise, they should be retrieved immediately during laparoscopy.
      In cases with multiple large spilled stones or infected bile, conversion to open
      surgery can be considered. Documentation in operative notes and awareness of
      patients about lost gallstones are mandatory to early recognition and treatment
      of any complications.

PMID- 27258909
TI  - Late Postoperative Complications in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LVSG) Versus
      Laparoscopic Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass (LRYGB): Meta-analysis and Systematic
      Review.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and
      laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LVSG), have been proposed as cost
      effective strategies to manage obesity-related chronic disease. The objectives of
      this meta-analysis and systematic review were to analyze the "late postoperative
      complication rate (>30 days)" for these 2 procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2000 and 2015 comparing the
      late complication rates, that is, >30 days following LVSG and LRYGB in adult
      population (ie, 16 y and above) were selected from PubMed, Medline, Embase,
      Science Citation Index, Current Contents, and the Cochrane database. The outcome
      variables analyzed included mortality rate, major and minor complications, and
      interventions required for their management and readmission rates. Random effects
      model was used to calculate the effect size of both binary and continuous data.
      Heterogeneity among the outcome variables of these trials was determined by the
      Cochran Q statistic and I index. The meta-analysis was prepared in accordance
      with the Preferred Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
      RESULTS: Six RCTs involving a total of 685 patients (LVSG, n=345; LRYGB, n=340)
      reported late major complications. A nonstatistical reduction in relative odds
      favoring the LVSG procedure was observed [odds ratio (OR), 0.64; 95% confidence
      interval (CI), 0.21-1.97; P=0.4]. Four RCTs representing 408 patients (LVSG,
      n=208; LRYGB, n=200) reported late minor complications. A nonstatistically
      significant reduction of 36% in relative odds favoring the LVSG procedure was
      observed (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.28-1.47; P=0.3). A 37% relative reduction in odds
      was observed in favor of the LVSG for the need for additional interventions to
      manage late postoperative complications that did not reach statistical
      significance (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.19-2.05; P=0.4). No study specifically reported
      readmissions required for the management of late complication. CONCLUSIONS: This
      meta-analysis and systematic review of RCTs shows that the development of late
      (major and minor) complications is similar between LVSG and LRYGB procedures, 6
      months to 3 years postoperatively, and they do not lead to higher readmission
      rate or reoperation rate for either procedure. However longer-term surveillance
      is required to accurately describe the patterns of late complications in these
      patients.

PMID- 27258910
TI  - Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Nutrient Deficiencies: A Prospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is being increasingly
      established as a definitive procedure for weight loss. The mechanism for weight
      loss in LSG is gastric restriction and neurohormonal changes, but there is
      deficient information on its nutritional effect. The aim of this prospective
      study was to assess vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies following LSG (whats
      and when) in organized follow-up visits. PATIENTS AND METHODS: LSG was performed
      in 112 consecutive patients between June 2010 and December 2013. In all patients,
      the vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies were corrected before the LSG
      procedure. Patients were investigated for vitamin and micronutrient
      concentrations 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: During the study
      time, 112 patients (65% female) underwent LSG. The mean age was 26 years (range:
      20 to 37 y), and the mean preoperative body mass index was 41 (range: 35 to 52).
      Complications and nutrient deficiencies were observed and analyzed throughout the
      follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of vitamin and nutritional
      deficiencies after LSG is a common phenomenon. Correction of the deficiencies
      before surgery, sufficient supplementation immediately after the procedure, and
      routine long follow-up are important to avoid the serious consequences of the
      deficiencies.

PMID- 27258911
TI  - Long-term Effect of Percutaneous Electrical Neurostimulation of Dermatome T6 for
      Appetite Reduction and Weight Loss in Obese Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A continuous feeling of hunger is the major cause of dietary
      treatment failure and the patients abandon the diet. A previous study of our
      group demonstrated that percutaneous electrical neurostimulation (PENS) of T6
      dermatome induces an appetite reduction and significantly greater weight loss
      compared with only diet as a preoperative measure in morbidly obese patients who
      are candidates for bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
      long-term effect of this therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was
      performed, including obese patients with a body mass index between 30 and 40 kg/m
      undergoing PENS of dermatome T6. Weight loss, dietary compliance, and appetite
      were assessed before the treatment, after 12 weeks of treatment, and 3 and 9
      months after completing the therapy. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were
      included in the study. A mean weight loss of 11.8+/-2.6 kg was obtained after 12
      weeks of treatment. Three months after completing the therapy, mean weight loss
      was 14.6+/-2.7 kg and 9 months after completing the treatment mean weight loss
      was 14.5+/-2.8 kg. Median appetite perception quantified by Visual Analogue Scale
      was 6 before the treatment, 1 after completing the treatment, 1 at 3 months after
      completing the treatment, and 4 at 9 months after completing the treatment.
      Dietary compliance after 12 weeks of treatment was 90%, 84% at 3 months after
      completing the treatment, and 62% at 9 months after completing the treatment.
      CONCLUSION: PENS of dermatome T6 achieves a significant appetite reduction, which
      is maintained 3 months after completing the therapy. Later, the patients'
      appetite is restored, but they do not regain the weight lost.

PMID- 27258912
TI  - The Effect of Equal Ratio Ventilation on Oxygenation, Respiratory Mechanics, and
      Cerebral Perfusion Pressure During Laparoscopy in the Trendelenburg Position.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of equal ratio ventilation
      (ERV) on oxygenation, respiratory mechanics, and the cerebral perfusion pressure
      during pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position. Thirty patients undergoing
      laparoscopic low anterior resection (25 to 65 y) were enrolled. Mechanical
      ventilator was set to volume-controlled mode at an inspiratory to expiratory
      (I:E) ratio of 1:2 with a tidal volume of 8 mL/kg of ideal body weight with a 5
      cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure. Twenty minutes after pneumoperitoneum in
      the Trendelenburg position, the I:E ratio was changed to 1:1 for 20 minutes and
      then restored to 1:2. No significant changes in arterial oxygen tension and
      respiratory compliance after adopting ERV. Mean arterial pressure and cerebral
      perfusion pressure decreased significantly over time after adopting the
      Trendelenburg position during pneumoperitoneum (P=0.014 and 0.005, respectively).
      In conclusion, there was no improvement in oxygenation or respiratory mechanics
      with ERV. 

PMID- 27258913
TI  - Preoperative Very Low-Calorie Diet Reduces Technical Difficulty During
      Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Obese Patients.
AB  - This study investigates the effectiveness of preoperative very low-calorie diet
      (VLCD) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A prospective observational study of
      consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy was undertaken. At
      the preoperative visit, all patients were advised to adhere to VLCD for 2 weeks
      before surgery (<800 kcal/d). Patients were judged to have complied with the VLCD
      if weight loss >2 kg. Technical difficulty was assessed using questionnaires. A
      total of 38 patients met the inclusion criteria. Difficulty of visualization and
      dissection of Calot's triangle in obese patients was twice that of nonobese
      patients (P=0.01). In 62% of procedures involving obese VLCD noncompliant
      patients, the surgeon experienced >=1 area of technical difficulty, compared with
      0% of procedures on obese, compliant patients (P=0.018). Difficulty of dissection
      of the gallbladder bed was 3 times higher in obese, noncompliant patients,
      compared with obese, compliant patients (P=0.07). Adherence to a 2-week
      preoperative VLCD may reduce technical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy
      in obese patients. 

PMID- 27258914
TI  - Case-matched Comparison of Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Proctectomy for
      Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - The present study reports an early institutional experience with robotic
      proctectomy (RP) and outcome comparison with laparoscopic proctectomy (LP) in
      patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients who underwent either RP
      or LP during proctocolectomy for IBD between January 2010 and June 2014 were
      matched (1:1) and reviewed. Twenty-one patients undergoing RP fulfilled the study
      criteria and were matched with an equal number of patients who had LP. Operative
      time was longer (304 vs. 213 min, P=0.008) and estimated blood loss was higher in
      the RP group (360 vs. 188 mL, P=0.002). Conversion rates (9.5% vs. 14.3%,
      P>0.99), time to first bowel movement(2.29+/-1.53 vs. 2.79+/-2.26, P=0.620), and
      hospital length stay(7.85+/-6.41 vs. 9.19+/-7.47 d, P=0.390) were similar in both
      groups. No difference was noted in postoperative complications, ileal pouch to
      anal canal anastomosis-related outcomes, Cleveland Global Quality of Life, and
      Short Form-12 health survey outcomes between RP and LP. Our good results with
      standard laparoscopy are unlikely to be improved with robotics in proctectomy
      cases. Potential benefits of robotic approach for completion proctectomy warrant
      further investigation as experience grows with robotics. 

PMID- 27258915
TI  - Learning Curve for Laparoscopic Major Hepatectomy: Use of the Cumulative Sum
      Method.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has now become a worldwide
      practice. However, the adoption of laparoscopic major hepatectomy (LMH) was slow.
      We report our center's experience in laparoscopic major resections. METHOD: A
      total of 156 LLRs from 2002 to 2014 were studied. The clinical parameters of LMHs
      were compared with those of minor resections. The learning curve of LMHs was
      investigated using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis of operative time.
      Subgroup analysis of right posterior sectionectomies against anterolateral
      hepatectomies was conducted. RESULTS: Among the 156 LLRs, 49 (31%) were LMHs.
      CUSUM analysis showed that operative time improved after the 25th LMH. Beyond
      that proportion of pure laparoscopic LMHs increased (18/25 vs. 24/24, P=0.005);
      Pringle maneuver was not required (4/25 vs. 0/24, P=0.041). Blood loss (800 vs.
      500 mL, P=0.034) and transfusion rate (13/25 to 3/24, P=0.003) improved in latter
      LMHs. Right posterior sectionectomies had significantly more blood loss than
      anterolateral LMHs (500 vs. 1500 mL, P=0.034). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic major
      resection is safe and feasible; operative outcomes improved after overcoming the
      learning curve. Right posterior sectionectomy, however, should be further
      evaluated for its cost-effectiveness.

PMID- 27258916
TI  - Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery: Current and Future Perspectives.
AB  - Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is part of the colorectal surgeons'
      armamentarium for over 2 decades. Since its first implementation for the
      resection of benign and T1 malignant lesions in the rectum several new
      indications were developed and it carries additional promise for further
      extension in upcoming years. Herein we review the technique, its current
      indications, novel implications, and future perspectives. 

PMID- 27258917
TI  - Outcomes From an Enhanced Recovery Program for Laparoscopic Gastric Surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the outcomes from an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)
      program for laparoscopic gastric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a
      prospective study of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gastric resection
      in an ERAS protocol at a single institution between 2008 and 2012. Outcomes
      included the length of hospital stay, intraoperative and postoperative
      complications, the readmission rate, the reoperation rate, and the 30-day
      mortality. RESULTS: Of the 86 patients, 60 underwent partial gastrectomy and 26
      underwent total gastrectomy. Median lymph nodes sampled was 15 (range, 9 to 47).
      The median length of hospital stay was 4 (range, 1 to 44) days. The conversion
      rate to open surgery was 11.6%. Four patients (4.7%) had an anastomotic leak.
      Three patients had postoperative bleeding (4.7%). About 4.7% (n=4) of the
      patients required readmission and 8.1% required reoperation (n=7). The 30-day
      mortality rate was 2.3% (n=2) due to complications from anastomotic leak.
      CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic gastrectomy within an ERAS protocol results in a short
      hospital stay with an acceptable morbidity and mortality rate.

PMID- 27258918
TI  - Open Versus Laparoscopic Surgery for Rectal Cancer: Single-Center Results of 587
      Cases.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the short-term and long-term results of laparoscopic
      and open rectal resections. METHODS: A total of 587 rectal cancer patients were
      included. The main measures were demographic data, duration of surgery, early
      postoperative results, pathologic data, and long-term follow-up. RESULTS: There
      were no significant differences in demographic data, morbidity rate, tumor
      location, and sphincter-preservation rates between the 2 groups. The duration of
      surgery (155 vs. 173 min, P<0.001), time to gas passage, defecation, and solid
      food intake and length of hospital stay were significantly shorter in the
      laparoscopic group than the open group (P<0.05). According to the univariate and
      multivariate analysis, laparoscopic surgery did not have an effect on local
      recurrence but had a favorable effect on survival rates. CONCLUSIONS:
      Laparoscopic rectal surgery has advantages over open surgery with respect to
      short-term and long-term clinical results and when performed in high-volume
      centers.

PMID- 27258919
TI  - Laparoscopic Liver Resection can be an Effective Way in Obese Patients: A Single
      Center of 2-Year Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic liver resection
      in obese patients, we compared the operative outcomes between obese and nonobese
      patients, also between laparoscopic liver resection and open liver resection of
      obese and nonobese patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 86 patients
      suffering from liver resection in our department from January 2013 to December
      2014 were divided into 3 groups: the obese patients group for laparoscopic liver
      resection, the nonobese patients group for laparoscopic liver resection and the
      obese patients group for open liver resection. Characteristics and clinic data of
      3 groups were studied. RESULTS: Characteristics of patients and clinic data were
      equivalent between the 3 groups. The groups were well matched in age, sex
      distribution, and liver function (P>0.05). There were no significant differences
      in the operative time, estimated blood loss, time to oral intake, and
      postoperative hospital stay in the 3 groups. Tumor diameter of laparoscopic liver
      resection groups in obese patients was smaller than open liver resections groups
      in obese patients (P<0.05), but there were no obvious difference of tumor
      diameter in the laparoscopic liver resection groups of the obese patients and the
      nonobese patients. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity should not be seen as a contraindication
      for laparoscopic liver resection, which is a safe and feasible procedure for
      obese patients.

PMID- 27258920
TI  - Willems I VS Willems II: A comparative study of accuracy in 5-15 year old Indian
      children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies testing the Willems method of age estimation with gender
      specific scores on different population groups have reported consistently more
      accurate results over other methods. Not enough is known about the validity of
      Willems non-gender specific scores. AIM: The present study aimed to compare the
      accuracy of the Willems I (gender-specific scores) and Willems II methods (non
      gender-specific scores) in the age estimation of 5-15 year-old Indian children.
      DESIGN: In this cross-sectional observational study, the Willems I and II methods
      were tested and compared for accuracy in estimating the age of 1200 Indian
      children aged 5-15 years. RESULTS: The mean differences between dental age
      calculated by the Willems I method and chronological age were +0.09+/-0.80 years,
      +0.08+/-0.80 years and +0.09+/-0.80 years for boys, girls and the total sample,
      respectively. With the Willems II method, the values were -0.06+/-0.80 years,
      +0.11+/-0.79 years and +0.01+/-0.80 years for boys, girls and the total sample,
      respectively. Both methods did not show any statistically significant differences
      between dental and chronological ages for either gender or the total sample
      (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The Willems I method was more accurate in predicting age of
      boys, while the Willems II method was more accurate in girls in the present
      study, but not significantly so. Both methods are appropriate for use in this
      population.

PMID- 27258922
TI  - 13,14-seco-Withanolides from Physalis minima with Potential Anti-inflammatory
      Activity.
AB  - Four new 13,14-seco-withanolides, minisecolides A - D (1 - 4), together with
      three known analogues 5 - 7, were isolated from the whole plants of Physalis
      minima. The structures of new compounds were determined on the basis of
      spectroscopic analysis, including (1) H-, (13) C-NMR, 2D-NMR (HMBC, HSQC, ROESY),
      and HR-ESI-MS. Evaluation of all isolates for their inhibitory effects on nitric
      oxide (NO) production was conducted on lipopolysaccaride-activated RAW264.7
      macrophages. Compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 showed inhibitory activities, especially
      for compound 5 with IC50 value of 3.87 MUm. 

PMID- 27258921
TI  - Forensic facial reconstruction: Nasal projection in Brazilian adults.
AB  - The nose has a marked cognitive influence on facial image; however, it loses its
      shape during cadaveric decomposition. The known methods of estimating nasal
      projection using Facial Reconstruction are lacking in practicality and
      reproducibility. We attempted to relate the points Rhinion, Pronasale and
      Prosthion by studying the angle formed by straight lines that connect them. Two
      examiners measured this angle with the help of analysis and image-processing
      software, Image J, directly from cephalometric radiographs. The sample consisted
      of 300 males, aged between 24 and 77 years, and 300 females, aged 24 to 69 years.
      The proposed angle ranged from 80 degrees  to 100 degrees  in both sexes and all
      ages. It was considered possible to use a 90 degrees  angle from projections of
      the Rhinion and Prosthion points in order to determine the Pronasale position, as
      well as to estimate the nasal projection of Brazilian adults. 

PMID- 27258923
TI  - Avian Cephalic Vascular Anatomy, Sites of Thermal Exchange, and the Rete
      Ophthalmicum.
AB  - The general anatomy of avian cephalic blood vessels is well known and there are
      published details of their role in physiological thermoregulation. Unfortunately,
      the finer details of vascular pathways to and from sites of thermal exchange are
      not well known. Additionally, the role of the rete ophthalmicum (RO), a vascular
      heat exchanger in the temporal region, has been investigated in terms of brain
      temperature regulation, yet only the arteries have received substantial
      attention. Without anatomical details of both the arterial and venous pathways,
      the role of blood vessels in physiological thermoregulation is incomplete.
      Cephalic vascular anatomy of multiple avian taxa was investigated using a
      differential-contrast, dual-vascular injection technique and high-resolution X
      ray microcomputed tomography. Sites of thermal exchange (oral, nasal, and orbital
      regions) and the RO were given special attention due to their known roles in
      cephalic thermoregulation. Blood vessels to and from sites of thermal exchange
      were investigated to detect conserved vascular patterns and their ability to
      deliver cooled blood to the RO and dural venous sinus. Sites of thermal exchange
      were supplied by arteries directly and through collateral pathways. Veins were
      found to offer multiple pathways that could influence the temperature of
      neurosensory tissues, as well as pathways that would bypass neurosensory tissues.
      These results question the paradigm that arterial blood from the RO is the
      primary method of brain cooling in birds. A shift in the primary role of the RO
      from brain cooling to regulating and maintaining the temperature of the avian eye
      should be further investigated. Anat Rec, 299:1461-1486, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27258925
TI  - The effect of parent education program for preschool children with developmental
      disabilities: A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a parent education program, the
      Happy Parenting program, for Chinese preschool children with developmental
      disabilities. METHODS: This study adopted randomized controlled trial design
      without blinding. Participants were randomized into intervention group (n=62) who
      were offered the Happy Parenting program delivered by educational psychologists
      and trainee educational psychologists, and a control group (n=57) who were
      offered a parent talk after the intervention group had completed treatment.
      Parent participants were requested to complete questionnaires on their children's
      behavior, their parenting stress, and discipline strategies. RESULTS: Analysis
      was by intention-to-treat. The results indicated significant decrease in child
      problem behaviors, parenting stress and dysfunctional discipline strategies in
      the intervention group at post-intervention. CONCLUSION: This study provided
      promising evidence on the effectiveness of a parent education program, the Happy
      Parenting program, for Chinese preschool children with developmental
      disabilities.

PMID- 27258924
TI  - Examining the cognitive profile of children with Developmental Coordination
      Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While primarily a motor disorder, research considering the cognitive
      abilities in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is limited;
      even though these children often struggle academically. AIMS: The present study
      aimed to characterise the IQ profile of children with and without DCD, and to
      identify whether children with DCD exhibit specific cognitive weaknesses. METHODS
      AND PROCEDURES: 104 children participated in the study. Fifty-two children (mean
      age, 9 years) with a diagnosis of DCD were matched to 52 typically-developing
      children by age and gender. Cognitive ability was assessed using the Wechsler
      Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV). OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Children with
      DCD performed poorer than their peers on processing speed and working memory
      measures. Individual analyses revealed varied performance in the DCD group across
      all cognitive indices, despite displaying Full-Scale IQs in the typical range.
      Discriminant function analyses show processing speed and working memory
      performance predicted only 23% of between-group variability. CONCLUSIONS:
      Children with DCD present with a heterogeneous cognitive profile, lending support
      to individual case analyses in research and when designing educational assistance
      plans. The motorically-demanding nature of the WISC-IV processing speed tasks
      raises specific concerns about using this index of the IQ assessment in this
      population. Research and practical implications are raised.

PMID- 27258926
TI  - Dorsal Augmentation-Choosing the Right Material for the Right Patient.

PMID- 27258927
TI  - Assessment of the Predictive Value of the Modified Frailty Index for Clavien
      Dindo Grade IV Critical Care Complications in Major Head and Neck Cancer
      Operations.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Functional status and physiologic deficits independent of age are
      being recognized for surgical risk stratification. Frailty is expressed as a
      combination of decreased physiologic reserve and multisystem impairments distinct
      from normal aging processes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of the
      Modified Frailty Index (mFI) for Clavien-Dindo grade IV (CDIV) (intensive care
      unit-level complications) and grade V (mortality) after major head and neck
      oncologic surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective analysis of
      prospectively collected American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality
      Improvement Program data. All major head and neck cancer operations data were
      obtained from the January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2013, American College of
      Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program databases. Fifteen
      variables composed a previously validated mFI, with higher mFIs identifying more
      frail patients. Clavien-Dindo grade IV and mortality were defined using a
      preexisting mapping scheme from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.
      Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were Clavien-Dindo Grade IV critical care
      complications and Grade V complications (mortality). Second outcomes included
      morbidity, readmission, and reoperation. RESULTS: There were 1193 major head and
      neck operations in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality
      Improvement Program databases, with 86 (7.2%) CDIV complications. The mean (SD)
      age of all patients was 63.4 (12.4) years, and 67.7% (807 of 1193) were male.
      Clavien-Dindo grade IV significantly increased from 4.6% (22 of 483) to 100% (1
      of 1) from nonfrail to the frailest patients (R2 = 0.79, P < .001). Mortality
      increased with the mFI (but not significantly) from 0.8% (4 of 483) to 3.6% (2 of
      55) (R2 = 0.46, P = .42). Overall morbidity was not significantly associated or
      correlated with the mFI. On cross tabulation, increases in the mFI led to more
      CDIV complications in patients undergoing glossectomy (P = .03), mandibulectomy
      (P = .02), or laryngectomy (P = .002). Patients undergoing pharyngectomy or
      esophagectomy did not have significant increases in CDIV complications by the
      mFI. The coefficients of determination for each category were R2 = 0.62 for
      glossectomy, R2 = 0.72 for mandibulectomy, R2 = 0.97 for laryngectomy, R2 = 0.94
      for pharyngectomy, and R2 = 1.00 for esophagectomy. On multivariable analysis,
      the mFI was associated with CDIV complications (odds ratio, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.15
      2.37) but not mortality (odds ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.34-1.76). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: The mFI is predictive of postoperative critical care support after
      surgery for head and neck cancer. Specifically, increases in mFIs were strongly
      associated with CDIV complications for glossectomy, mandibulectomy, and
      laryngectomy. Classifying patients by their functional status using the mFI may
      help predict outcomes after head and neck oncologic surgery.

PMID- 27258928
TI  - Mysticism and schizophrenia: A phenomenological exploration of the structure of
      consciousness in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
AB  - Mysticism and schizophrenia are different categories of human existence and
      experience. Nonetheless, they exhibit important phenomenological affinities,
      which, however, remain largely unaddressed. In this study, we explore structural
      analogies between key features of mysticism and major clinical-phenomenological
      aspects of the schizophrenia spectrum disorders-i.e. attitudes, the nature of
      experience, and the 'other', mystical or psychotic reality. Not only do these
      features gravitate around the issue of the basic dimensions of consciousness,
      they crucially seem to implicate and presuppose a specific alteration of the very
      structure of consciousness. This finding has bearings for the understanding of
      consciousness and its psychopathological distortions.

PMID- 27258929
TI  - Beliefs about hearing voices.
AB  - People who experience auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) vary in whether they
      believe their AVHs are self-generated or caused by external agents. It remains
      unclear whether these differences are influenced by the "intensity" of the
      voices, such as their frequency or volume, or other aspects of their
      phenomenology. We examined 35 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective
      disorder who experienced AVHs. Patients completed a detailed structured interview
      about their AVHs, including beliefs about their cause. In response, 20 (57.1%)
      reported that their AVHs were self-generated, 9 (25.7%) were uncertain, and 6
      (17.1%) reported that their AVHs were caused by external agents. Several
      analytical approaches revealed little or no evidence for associations between
      either AVH intensity or phenomenology and beliefs about the AVH's cause; the
      evidence instead favoured the absence of these associations. Beliefs about the
      cause of AVHs are thus unlikely to be explained solely by the phenomenological
      qualities of the AVHs.

PMID- 27258930
TI  - Effect of Cooking on Isoflavones, Phenolic Acids, and Antioxidant Activity in
      Sprouts of Prosoy Soybean (Glycine max).
AB  - Soy sprouts possess health benefits and is required to be cooked before
      consumption. The effects of cooking on the phenolic components and antioxidant
      properties of soy sprouts with different germination days were investigated. A
      food-grade cultivar Prosoy with a high protein content was germinated for 1, 2,
      3, 5, and 7 d and cooked till palatable for 20, 20, 5, 5, and 7 min,
      respectively. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC),
      condensed tannins content (CTC), individual phenolic acids, isoflavones, DPPH,
      ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity
      (ORAC) of raw and cooked sprouts were measured. Cooking caused significant losses
      in phenolic content and antioxidant activities, and maximum loss was on day 3 > 5
      > 7, including TPC (32%, 23%, and 15%), TFC (50%, 44%, and 20%), CTC (73%, 47%,
      and 12%), DPPH (31%, 15%, and 5%), FRAP (34%, 25%, and 1%), and ORAC (34%, 22%,
      32%), respectively. Cooking caused significant losses in most individual phenolic
      acid, benzoic group, cinnamic group, total phenolic composition, individual
      isoflavones, and total isoflavones. The losses of phenolic acids such as gallic,
      protocatechuic, hydroxybenzoic, syringic, chlorogenic, or sinapic acids during
      cooking were not compensated by the increases in trihydroxybenzoic, vanillic or
      coumaric acids on certain days of germination. Cooking caused minimal changes in
      phenolic acid composition of day 1 and 2 sprouts compared to 3, 5, and 7 d
      sprouts. 

PMID- 27258931
TI  - Effects of the multidrug resistance-1 gene on drug resistance in primary immune
      thrombocytopenia.
AB  - Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder that is
      characterized by low platelet count. Glucocorticoids (GCs) resistance is a great
      challenge in the treatment of ITP. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a widely studied
      protein, which is associated with drug resistance. However, in ITP, the
      functional activity and immune regulation mechanism of P-gp remain uncertain. In
      this study, we evaluated the expression and functional activity of P-gp in
      different lymphocyte subsets, explored the correlation between P-gp function and
      GCs resistance and investigated the role of P-gp in ITP pathogenesis. Results
      indicated that the functional activity and mRNA level of P-gp were significantly
      higher in GCs-nonresponsive patients than in GCs-responsive patients with ITP.
      However, these differences in P-gp were only significant in CD8+ T cells. P-gp
      function was related to disease activity rather than GCs therapy. P-gp was
      involved in secreting granzyme B and perforin, maintaining autoreactive
      lymphocytes survival and enhancing autologous platelets lysis in ITP. In
      conclusion, over-functional P-gp might play an important role in the pathogenesis
      of ITP and induce GCs resistance in nonresponsive ITP patients. The blockage of P
      gp could be a promising therapeutic approach for GCs-resistant patients with ITP.

PMID- 27258932
TI  - Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-15Zr alloy used as dental implant
      material.
AB  - Ti-Zr alloys have recently started to receive a considerable amount of attention
      as promising materials for dental applications. This work compares mechanical
      properties of a new Ti-15Zr alloy to those of commercially pure titanium Grade4
      in two surface conditions - machined and modified by sand-blasting and etching
      (SLA). As a result of significantly smaller grain size in the initial condition
      (1-2um), the strength of Ti-15Zr alloy was found to be 10-15% higher than that of
      Grade4 titanium without reduction in the tensile elongation or compromising the
      fracture toughness. The fatigue endurance limit of the alloy was increased by
      around 30% (560MPa vs. 435MPa and 500MPa vs. 380MPa for machined and SLA-treated
      surfaces, respectively). Additional implant fatigue tests showed enhanced fatigue
      performance of Ti-15Zr over Ti-Grade4.

PMID- 27258933
TI  - Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation among alternatives for
      fertility preservation in the Nordic countries - compilation of 20 years of
      multicenter experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to report the current status of ovarian
      tissue cryopreservation among alternatives for fertility preservation in the
      Nordic countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 14 Nordic
      academic reproductive centers with established fertility preservation programs.
      It covered fertility preservation cases performed up to December 2014, standard
      procedures for ovarian tissue cryopreservation and oocyte cryopreservation and
      reproductive outcomes following ovarian tissue transplantation. RESULTS: Among
      the Nordic countries, Denmark and Norway practice ovarian tissue cryopreservation
      as a clinical treatment (822 and 164 cases, respectively) and their programs are
      centralized. In Sweden (457 cases), ovarian tissue cryopreservation is practiced
      at five of six centers and in Finland at all five centers (145 cases). Nearly all
      considered ovarian tissue cryopreservation to be experimental. In Iceland, embryo
      cryopreservation is the only option for fertility preservation. Most centers use
      slow-freezing methods for ovarian tissue cryopreservation. Most patients selected
      for ovarian tissue cryopreservation were newly diagnosed with cancer and the
      tissue was predominantly retrieved laparoscopically by unilateral oophorectomy.
      Only minor complications were reported. In total, 46 women have undergone ovarian
      tissue transplantation aiming at recovering fertility, 17 healthy children have
      been born and several additional pregnancies are currently ongoing. Whenever
      patients' clinical condition is permissive, oocyte cryopreservation after
      hormonal stimulation is preferred for fertility preservation. Between 2012 and
      2014, a smaller proportion of females have undergone fertility preservation in
      the Nordic centers, in comparison to males (1:3). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, ovarian
      tissue cryopreservation was reported to be safe. Slow freezing methods are still
      preferred. Promising results of recovery of fertility have been reported in
      Nordic countries that have initiated ovarian tissue transplantation procedures.

PMID- 27258934
TI  - Pro-cognitive action of CART is mediated via ERK in the hippocampus.
AB  - Although cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) is detected
      in several cortical and subcortical areas, its role in higher functions has been
      largely ignored. We examined the significance of CART in memory formation and
      tested if the downstream actions of CART involve N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)
      activated extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Newly formed memory was
      evaluated using novel object recognition test consisting of familiarization (T1)
      and choice trials (T2). The choice trials were performed at two time points: 30
      min (T230-min ) and 24-h (T224-h ) postacquisition. In choice trial (T230-min ),
      vehicle control rats explored the novel object for significantly longer duration
      than the familiar object indicating intact memory formation. However, CART
      antibody, U0126 [ERK antagonist, both via intracerebroventricular (icv) or
      intrahippocampal (ih) route] or MK-801 (NMDA antagonist; intraperitoneal) treated
      rats spent less time exploring novel objects; CART peptide (icv or ih) was
      ineffective. During choice trial at T224-h , a significant decrease in novel
      object exploration time was noticed in vehicle control rats suggesting amnesia.
      However, treatment with CART, prior to familiarization trial (T1), promoted
      exploration of the novel object even at T224-h . Pretreatment with U0126 or MK
      801 blocked pro-cognitive-like effect of CART suggesting involvement of NMDA-ERK
      pathway in CART's action. Animals subjected to the object familiarization trial
      showed a drastic increase in the CART-immunoreactivity in the cells of cornu
      ammonis 3 and polymorph layer of dentate gyrus, and fibers within ento- (ENT) and
      peri-rhinal (PRH) cortices. Western blot analysis revealed that CART treatment
      significantly up-regulated the expression of phospo-ERK1/2 in hippocampus, ENT
      and PRH. This effect was attenuated following pretreatment with U0126 or MK-801,
      suggesting the activation of ERK signaling cascade through NMDA receptors. Thus,
      CART system seems to play an important role in recognition memory and that these
      effects may be mediated by NMDA receptors-ERK signaling in the ENT/PRH
      hippocampal circuit. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27258935
TI  - The Role of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel in the Provision of Infusion Therapy.

PMID- 27258936
TI  - Origin of Multiple Formula Use to Calculate Intraocular Lens Power-Reply.

PMID- 27258937
TI  - Impaired Vasodilatory Responses of Omental Arteries to CGRP Family Peptides in
      Pregnancies Complicated by Fetal Growth Restriction.
AB  - RATIONALE: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), adrenomedullin (ADM), and
      adrenomedullin2 (ADM2)/intermedin are potent vasorelaxant peptides considered to
      play a role in the adaptive mechanisms in rat pregnancy through increased
      vasodilation in mesenteric and uterine artery. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed
      to demonstrate the response of omental arteries (OA) to vasoactive peptides CGRP,
      ADM, and ADM2 in pregnancy complications such as fetal growth restriction (FGR),
      and assess the changes in the expression of their receptor components in segments
      of OA from FGR pregnancy compared to the control. FINDINGS: The findings for this
      study are: 1) relaxation responses of OA were higher for bradykinin (78.55 +/-
      3.91 vs 52.67 +/- 2.19; P < .05) in pregnancy with FGR compared to the normal, 2)
      relaxation response of OA segments to CGRP was similar with no change in the
      expression of G-protein couple receptor-calcitonin receptor-like receptor complex
      in normal healthy pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by FGR, 3) maximal
      relaxation response of OA were significantly (P < .05) lower for both ADM (18.2
      +/- 6.7 vs 38 +/- 2.5) and ADM2 (26.9 +/- 6.7 vs 48 +/- 2.6) along with decreases
      in their respective ligand-receptor complex in FGR compared to the normal
      pregnancies, 4) expression of calcitonin receptor-like receptor mRNA was higher
      but its immunoreactivity was lower in OA from FGR pregnancy compared to the
      normal, and 5) mRNA and protein levels of RAMP1, RAMP2, and RAMP3 were lower in
      OA isolated from FGR pregnancies compared to the normal. CONCLUSION: The current
      study demonstrates that FGR is associated with an increase in the sensitivity of
      OA to bradykinin and decreased sensitivity for ADM and ADM2 ligand-receptor
      system with no change in the response for CGRP compared to the normal healthy
      pregnancy, and suggests a potential role for ADM and ADM2 in the pathophysiology
      of maternal vasculature in FGR pregnancy.

PMID- 27258938
TI  - Insulin Plays a Permissive Role for the Vasoactive Effect of GIP Regulating
      Adipose Tissue Metabolism in Humans.
AB  - CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in
      combination with hyperinsulinemia increases blood flow and triglyceride (TAG)
      clearance in subcutaneous (sc) abdominal adipose tissue in lean humans. The
      present experiments were performed to further investigate the role of insulin for
      the vasoactive effect of GIP in adipose tissue metabolism and whether the
      vasodilatory effect of GIP is dependent on C-peptide. METHODS: Six lean healthy
      subjects were studied. The sc abdominal adipose tissue metabolism was assessed by
      Fick's principle during GIP infusion (1.5 pmol/kg/min) in combination with 1)
      euglycemic-high insulinemic clamp (Eugluc-Hiinsu), raising plasma insulin
      concentrations to postprandial levels, 2) hyperglycemic-euinsulinemic clamp
      (Hygluc-Euinsu), and 3) hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, raising plasma
      insulin concentrations to supraphysiological levels. During the hyperglycemic
      clamps, endogenous insulin and C-peptide secretion were inhibited by infusion of
      the somatostatin analogue octreotide. RESULTS: During GIP infusion, Eugluc
      Hiinsu, and hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps, sc abdominal adipose tissue
      blood flow (ATBF) was similar and increased from 2.1 +/- 0.2 and 2.2 +/- 0.4 ml
      min(-1) (100 g tissue)(-1) to 7.1 +/- 0.6 and 7.6 +/- 0.1 ml min(-1) (100 g
      tissue)(-1), respectively (P < .01). ATBF remained virtually constant (2.7 +/-
      0.4 ml min(-1) [100 g tissue](-1)) during Hygluc-Euinsu and GIP infusion. In
      addition, adipose tissue TAG clearance increased significantly (P = .03), whereas
      free fatty acid output (P = .01), glycerol output (P = .02) and free fatty
      acid/glycerol release ratio (P = .04) decreased during the Eugluc-Hiinsu clamp
      compared to Hygluc-Euinsu clamp with GIP. CONCLUSION: In healthy lean humans,
      insulin is permissive for GIP to induce an increase in blood flow and TAG
      clearance in sc abdominal adipose tissue. This effect is independent of C
      peptide.

PMID- 27258939
TI  - Microfluidic Cell Deformability Assay for Rapid and Efficient Kinase Screening
      with the CRISPR-Cas9 System.
AB  - Herein we report a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated loss-of-function kinase screen for cancer
      cell deformability and invasive potential in a high-throughput microfluidic chip.
      In this microfluidic cell separation platform, flexible cells with high
      deformability and metastatic propensity flowed out, while stiff cells remained
      trapped. Through deep sequencing, we found that loss of certain kinases resulted
      in cells becoming more deformable and invasive. High-ranking candidates
      identified included well-reported tumor suppressor kinases, such as chk2, IKK
      alpha, p38 MAPKs, and DAPK2. A high-ranking candidate STK4 was chosen for
      functional validation and identified to play an important role in the regulation
      of cell deformability and tumor suppression. Collectively, we have demonstrated
      that CRISPR-based on-chip mechanical screening is a potentially powerful strategy
      to facilitate systematic genetic analyses.

PMID- 27258940
TI  - N-Substituted Dicyanomethylphenyl Radicals: Dynamic Covalent Properties and
      Formation of Stimuli-Responsive Cyclophanes by Self-Assembly.
AB  - Dynamic covalent bonds and their chemistry have been of particular interest both
      from a fundamental and materials science aspect. Demonstrated herein is that
      triphenylamine (TPA) and carbazole (Cz), substituted with a dicyanomethyl
      radical, are useful motifs for dynamic covalent chemistry as they have the
      appropriate bond strength between monomer units as well as high stability and
      synthetic simplicity. TPA and Cz units substituted by two dicyanomethyl radicals
      formed macrocyclic oligomers classified as novel types of azacyclophanes, and in
      particular, the TPA-based diradical gave a cyclic dimer in almost quantitative
      yield. The cyclic oligomers exhibited thermo- and mechanochromic behavior
      resulting from the generation of radical species by intermonomer C-C bond
      cleavage.

PMID- 27258941
TI  - Nanoscale imaging and hydrophobicity mapping of the antimicrobial effect of
      copper on bacterial surfaces.
AB  - Copper has a long historical role in the arena of materials with antimicrobial
      properties. Various forms of copper ranging from surfaces to impregnation in
      textiles and particles, have attracted considerable interest owing to their
      versatility, potency, chemical stability, and low cost. However, the effects and
      mechanisms of their antimicrobial action is still unclear. In this study, the
      effect of copper particles on Escherichia coli was studied at the nanoscale using
      atomic force microscopy (AFM). Time-lapse AFM images at the single cell level
      show the morphological changes on live E. coli during antimicrobial treatment, in
      which for the first time, this process was followed in situ on the same cell over
      time. AFM-based hydrophobicity mapping further showed that incubating cells with
      Cu decreased the surface hydrophobicity with an increase of incubation time.
      Specifically, we are able to visualize both morphology and physico-chemical
      nature of the bacterial cell surface change in response to copper treatment,
      leading to the membrane damage and cytoplasm leakage. Overall, the time-lapse AFM
      imaging combined with hydrophobicity mapping approach presented here provides
      spatio-temporal insight into the antimicrobial mechanisms of copper at the single
      cell level, and can be applied to design of better metallic antimicrobial
      materials as well as investigate different microorganisms. 

PMID- 27258943
TI  - Chromatographic resolution of angiotensin II receptor antagonists (sartans).
AB  - First time a simple, sensitive and unified quantification method has been
      developed to analyze the complete class of angiotensin II receptor antagonists
      which are used in the treatment of hypertension either alone or in combination
      with some other drugs. The most important advantage of developed method was that
      the eight separate drugs can be determined on a single chromatographic system
      without modifications in detection wavelength and mobile phase. The drugs were
      separated on a Purospher Star 4.6mm*25cm, 5MUm, C18 column maintained at 40
      degrees C with 1mLmin(-1) flow rate using ultra violet detection at 254nm. Good
      separation (Rs>2.0) was achieved in a short analysis allowing simultaneous
      determination of all eight sartans. The effect of variation in flow rate,
      detection wavelength and column oven temperature was also studied. The proposed
      method was statistically validated in terms of precision, accuracy, linearity,
      specificity and robustness. The newly developed method proved to be specific,
      robust and accurate for the quantification of eight sartans in commercial
      pharmaceutical formulations. 

PMID- 27258942
TI  - Health-Related Quality of Life in Athletes: A Systematic Review With Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after injury is
      important. Differences in HRQOL between nonathletes and athletes and between
      injured and uninjured athletes have been demonstrated; however, the evidence has
      not been synthesized. OBJECTIVE: To answer the following questions: (1) Does
      HRQOL differ among adolescent and collegiate athletes and nonathletes? (2) Does
      HRQOL differ between injured adolescent and collegiate athletes or between
      athletes with a history of injury and uninjured athletes or those without a
      history of injury? DATA SOURCES: We systematically searched CINAHL, MEDLINE,
      SPORTDiscus, and PubMed. A hand search of references was also conducted. STUDY
      SELECTION: Studies were included if they used generic instruments to compare
      HRQOL outcomes between athletes and nonathletes and between uninjured and injured
      athletes. Studies were excluded if they did not use a generic instrument,
      pertained to instrument development, or included retired athletes or athletes
      with a chronic disease. DATA EXTRACTION: We assessed study quality using the
      modified Downs and Black Index Tool. Bias-corrected Hedges g effect sizes and 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The Strength of Recommendation
      Taxonomy (SORT) was used to determine the overall strength of the recommendation.
      A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for all studies using the composite
      or total score. DATA SYNTHESIS: Eight studies with modified Downs and Black
      scores ranging from 70.6% to 88.4% were included. For question 1, the overall
      random-effects meta-analysis was weak (effect size = 0.27, 95% confidence
      interval = 0.14, 0.40; P < .001). For question 2, the overall random-effects meta
      analysis was moderate (effect size = 0.68, 95% confidence interval = 0.42, 0.95;
      P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Grade A evidence indicates that athletes reported better
      HRQOL than nonathletes and that uninjured athletes reported better HRQOL than
      injured athletes. However, the overall effect for question 1 was weak, suggesting
      that the differences between athletes and nonathletes may not be clinically
      meaningful. Clinicians should monitor HRQOL after injury to ensure that all
      dimensions of health are appropriately treated.

PMID- 27258944
TI  - Incidence and Clinical Impact of Stroke Complicating Transcatheter Aortic Valve
      Implantation: Results From the German TAVI Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a safe
      and effective treatment for patients with severe, symptomatic aortic valve
      stenosis at high surgical risk over the last years. However, besides its minimal
      invasive character, TAVI still is an invasive procedure usually performed in a
      population, carrying a substantial risk for vascular complications, like stroke.
      Stroke is known to be a rare but serious complication of transvascular
      interventions in clinical practice, which is associated with high morbidity and
      mortality rates. Despite broad clinical research in many fields of TAVI over the
      last years, only sparse data still exist on the incidence and clinical risk
      factors of stroke complicating TAVI in clinical practice today. METHODS: We
      analyzed data of 1.413 TAVIs, which were enrolled at 30 sites into the
      prospective and multicenter German TAVI Registry from January 2009 until June
      2010. RESULTS: The overall incidence of cerebrovascular events complicating TAVI
      was 3.2% (n = 45/1.413) in a real-world population today. 40% of all
      cerebrovascular events were classified as transient ischemic attacks (TIA) with
      symptoms lasting < 24 hr (18/45) and 60% were classified as stroke with symptoms
      persisting > 24 hr (27/45). All strokes complicating TAVI of 50% were classified
      as major strokes leading to notable disability in patients, who survive this
      complication (Modified Ranking Scale 3-6). In-hospital mortality rate in patients
      with stroke/TIA was 28.9%, compared to 6.9% in patients without stroke/TIA and 1
      year mortality rate 46.7% versus 18.6%, respectively. In multivariate analysis,
      prior stroke and renal impairment were found as the only independent predictors
      for stroke complicating TAVI. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke complicating TAVI is a serious
      complication with a clinically relevant incidence even in daily practice leading
      to a fivefold increase in 30-day-mortality rate, as well as a significant
      increase in morbidity and disability in patients, who survive this devastating
      complication. Further research is needed to identify risk factors and ways to
      reduce stroke after TAVI. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27258946
TI  - Utilizing the eigenvectors of freeway loop data spatiotemporal schematic for real
      time crash prediction.
AB  - The concept of crash precursor identification is gaining more practicality due to
      the recent advancements in Advanced Transportation Management and Information
      Systems. Investigating the shortcomings of the existing models, this paper
      proposes a new method to model the real time crash likelihood based on loop data
      through schematic eigenvectors. Firstly, traffic volume, occupancy and density
      spatiotemporal schematics in certain duration before an accident occurrence were
      constructed to describe the traffic flow status. Secondly, eigenvectors and
      eigenvalues of the spatiotemporal schematics were extracted to represent traffic
      volume, occupancy and density situation before the crash occurrence. Thirdly, by
      setting the vectors in crash time as case and those at crash free time as
      control, a logistic model is constructed to identify the crash precursors.
      Results show that both the eigenvectors and eigenvalues can significantly impact
      the accident likelihood compared to the previous study, the proposed model has
      the advantage of avoiding multicollinearity, better reflection of the overall
      traffic flow status before the crash, and improving missing data problem of loop
      detectors. 

PMID- 27258947
TI  - Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Factors of Escherichia coli in Cheese Made
      from Unpasteurized Milk in Three Cities in Brazil.
AB  - The production of cheeses from unpasteurized milk is still widespread in Brazil,
      even with a legal ban imposed on its marketing. The manufacture of this cheese is
      a public health problem, due to the use of raw milk and the poor hygienic
      conditions throughout the supply chain process. Contamination may occur from
      several sources and involve several different pathogenic microorganisms, such as
      Escherichia coli. The latter can cause different clinical manifestations
      depending on the pathotype involved. Furthermore, some isolates manifest
      antimicrobial resistance and may be a risk for public health. The purpose of the
      current study was to investigate the presence of potentially pathogenic E. coli
      in raw-milk cheese in Brazil and their possible risk to public health. A total of
      83 cheeses were collected from three different cities and 169 E. coli isolates
      were characterized for the presence of enteropathogenic E. coli, Shigatoxigenic
      E. coli, enterotoxigenic E. coli, extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC)
      virulence genes, phylogenetic type, antimicrobial resistance, O serogroup, and
      pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The number of samples positive for E. coli was
      highest in Aracaju (90.32%, 28/31). The prevalence of samples positive for
      potential ExPEC genes was similar for Uberaba and Aracaju (23.07%); the most
      prevalent ExPEC virulence genes were tsh, iucD, and papC. Isolates from Uberaba
      had a higher prevalence of resistance to tetracycline (38.46%),
      amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (58.85%), and ampicillin (61.54%) than the other
      cities. Overall, antimicrobial resistance genes tetB, blaTEM, and blaCMY-2 were
      the most prevalent genes (26.32%, 15.79%, and 28.95%, respectively) and the most
      prevalent serotypes were O4 (8%), 018 (12%), and O23 (8%). Clones originating
      from the same regions and from different regions were observed. These results
      emphasize the presence of a potential danger for humans in the consumption of raw
      milk cheeses in three cities in Brazil due to the presence of antimicrobial
      resistance, which should be monitored.

PMID- 27258945
TI  - Cortical thickness and metabolite concentration in chronic stroke and the
      relationship with motor function.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemiparesis is one of the most prevalent chronic disabilities after
      stroke. Biochemical and structural magnetic resonance imaging approaches may be
      employed to study the neural substrates underpinning upper-extremity (UE)
      recovery after chronic stroke. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to 1)
      quantify anatomical and metabolic differences in the precentral gyrus, and 2)
      test the relationships between anatomical and metabolic differences, and
      hemiparetic arm function in individuals in the chronic stage of stroke recovery.
      Our hypotheses were: 1) the Stroke group would exhibit reduced precentral gyrus
      cortical thickness and lower concentrations of total N-acetylaspartate (tNAA) and
      glutamate+glutamine (Glx) in the ipsilesional motor cortex; and 2) that each of
      these measures would be associated with UE motor function after stroke. METHODS:
      Seventeen individuals with chronic (>6 months) subcortical ischemic stroke and
      eleven neurologically healthy controls were recruited. Single voxel proton
      magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H1MRS) was performed to measure metabolite
      concentrations of tNAA and Glx in the precentral gyrus in both ipsilesional and
      contralesional hemispheres. Surface-based cortical morphometry was used to
      quantify precentral gyral thickness. Upper-extremity motor function was assessed
      using the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). RESULTS: Results demonstrated
      significantly lower ipsilesional tNAA and Glx concentrations and precentral gyrus
      thickness in the Stroke group. Ipsilesional tNAA and Glx concentration and
      precentral gyrus thickness was significantly lower in the ipsilesional hemisphere
      in the Stroke group. Parametric correlation analyses revealed a significant
      positive relationship between precentral gyrus thickness and tNAA concentration
      bilaterally. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that ipsilesional
      concentrations of tNAA and Glx predicted the largest amount of variance in WMFT
      scores. Cortical thickness measures alone did not predict a significant amount of
      variance in WMFT scores. CONCLUSION: While stroke impairs both structure and
      biochemistry in the ipsilesional hemisphere our data suggest that tNAA has the
      strongest relationship with motor function.

PMID- 27258948
TI  - A stable genetic polymorphism underpinning microbial syntrophy.
AB  - Syntrophies are metabolic cooperations, whereby two organisms co-metabolize a
      substrate in an interdependent manner. Many of the observed natural syntrophic
      interactions are mandatory in the absence of strong electron acceptors, such that
      one species in the syntrophy has to assume the role of electron sink for the
      other. While this presents an ecological setting for syntrophy to be beneficial,
      the potential genetic drivers of syntrophy remain unknown to date. Here, we show
      that the syntrophic sulfate-reducing species Desulfovibrio vulgaris displays a
      stable genetic polymorphism, where only a specific genotype is able to engage in
      syntrophy with the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanococcus maripaludis. This
      'syntrophic' genotype is characterized by two genetic alterations, one of which
      is an in-frame deletion in the gene encoding for the ion-translocating subunit
      cooK of the membrane-bound COO hydrogenase. We show that this genotype presents a
      specific physiology, in which reshaping of energy conservation in the lactate
      oxidation pathway enables it to produce sufficient intermediate hydrogen for
      sustained M. maripaludis growth and thus, syntrophy. To our knowledge, these
      findings provide for the first time a genetic basis for syntrophy in nature and
      bring us closer to the rational engineering of syntrophy in synthetic microbial
      communities.

PMID- 27258949
TI  - Torn apart and reunited: impact of a heterotroph on the transcriptome of
      Prochlorococcus.
AB  - Microbial interactions, whether direct or indirect, profoundly affect the
      physiology of individual cells and ultimately have the potential to shape the
      biogeochemistry of the Earth. For example, the growth of Prochlorococcus, the
      numerically dominant cyanobacterium in the oceans, can be improved by the
      activity of co-occurring heterotrophs. This effect has been largely attributed to
      the role of heterotrophs in detoxifying reactive oxygen species that
      Prochlorococcus, which lacks catalase, cannot. Here, we explore this phenomenon
      further by examining how the entire transcriptome of Prochlorococcus NATL2A
      changes in the presence of a naturally co-occurring heterotroph, Alteromonas
      macleodii MIT1002, with which it was co-cultured for years, separated and then
      reunited. Significant changes in the Prochlorococcus transcriptome were evident
      within 6 h of initiating co-culture, with groups of transcripts changing in
      different temporal waves. Many transcriptional changes persisted throughout the
      48 h experiment, suggesting that the presence of the heterotroph affected a
      stable shift in Prochlorococcus physiology. These initial transcriptome changes
      largely corresponded to reduced stress conditions for Prochlorococcus, as
      inferred from the depletion of transcripts encoding DNA repair enzymes and many
      members of the 'high light inducible' family of stress-response proteins. Later,
      notable changes were seen in transcripts encoding components of the
      photosynthetic apparatus (particularly, an increase in PSI subunits and
      chlorophyll synthesis enzymes), ribosomal proteins and biosynthetic enzymes,
      suggesting that the introduction of the heterotroph may have induced increased
      production of reduced carbon compounds for export. Changes in secretion-related
      proteins and transporters also highlight the potential for metabolic exchange
      between the two strains.

PMID- 27258950
TI  - Prophages mediate defense against phage infection through diverse mechanisms.
AB  - The activity of bacteriophages poses a major threat to bacterial survival. Upon
      infection, a temperate phage can either kill the host cell or be maintained as a
      prophage. In this state, the bacteria carrying the prophage is at risk of
      superinfection, where another phage injects its genetic material and competes for
      host cell resources. To avoid this, many phages have evolved mechanisms that
      alter the bacteria and make it resistant to phage superinfection. The mechanisms
      underlying these phentoypic conversions and the fitness consequences for the host
      are poorly understood, and systematic studies of superinfection exclusion
      mechanisms are lacking. In this study, we examined a wide range of Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa phages and found that they mediate superinfection exclusion through a
      variety of mechanisms, some of which affected the type IV pilus and O-antigen,
      and others that functioned inside the cell. The strongest resistance mechanism
      was a surface modification that we showed is cost-free for the bacterial host in
      a natural soil environment and in a Caenorhabditis. elegans infection model. This
      study represents the first systematic approach to address how a population of
      prophages influences phage resistance and bacterial behavior in P. aeruginosa.

PMID- 27258951
TI  - Evidence for persistent and shared bacterial strains against a background of
      largely unique gut colonization in hospitalized premature infants.
AB  - The potentially critical stage of initial gut colonization in premature infants
      occurs in the hospital environment, where infants are exposed to a variety of
      hospital-associated bacteria. Because few studies of microbial communities are
      strain-resolved, we know little about the extent to which specific strains
      persist in the hospital environment and disperse among infants. To study this, we
      compared 304 near-complete genomes reconstructed from fecal samples of 21 infants
      hospitalized in the same intensive care unit in two cohorts, over 3 years apart.
      The genomes represent 159 distinct bacterial strains, only 14 of which occurred
      in multiple infants. Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus epidermidis, common
      infant gut colonists, exhibit diversity comparable to that of reference strains,
      inline with introduction of strains from infant-specific sources rather than a
      hospital strain pool. Unlike other infants, a pair of sibling infants shared
      multiple strains, even after extensive antibiotic administration, suggesting
      overlapping strain-sources and/or genetic selection drive microbiota
      similarities. Interestingly, however, five strains were detected in infants
      hospitalized three years apart. Three of these were also detected in multiple
      infants in the same year. This finding of a few widely dispersed and persistent
      bacterial colonizers despite overall low potential for strain dispersal among
      infants has implications for understanding and directing healthy colonization.

PMID- 27258952
TI  - An Epic Summer.

PMID- 27258953
TI  - Daily Informal Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit Operational Debriefing
      Provides Effective Support for Intensive Care Unit Nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although most organizations have comprehensive formal stress
      management programs, an approach that is most likely to be helpful is the one
      that is curtailed specifically to the needs of a particular nursing unit. With
      that aim in mind, a process of daily intensive care unit (ICU) multidisciplinary
      operational debriefings was developed. These operational debriefings use the same
      concepts as traditional debriefing, yet are offered on a daily basis, rather than
      being reserved only for major stressful events. Furthermore, they are informal,
      brief (15 minutes), and multidisciplinary (intensivists, ICU nurses, chaplain,
      ICU social worker, ICU nutritionist, and ICU pharmacist). The purpose of this
      descriptive study was to determine the perceptions of attendees in relation to
      the implementation of daily operational debriefings. METHODS: Six months into the
      process, the attendees were requested to fill out an anonymous voluntary survey.
      Questions were simple, straightforward, and close ended. RESULTS: Of 47 potential
      respondents (42 nurses, 2 nurse managers, 1 social worker, 1 pharmacist, and 1
      nutritionist), 42 completed the survey. Results revealed that an overwhelming
      majority felt that daily operational debriefings provide an effective unit-based
      support system, a sense of connectedness, and a commitment to the well-being of
      others. Nearly 50% of the respondents felt that the overall stress level in the
      ICU decreased, and 98% indicated operational daily debriefings should continue.
      CONCLUSION: Daily Informal multidisciplinary ICU operational debriefing provides
      an effective support system for ICU nurses. A modified model could be replicated
      for non-ICU units as well.

PMID- 27258954
TI  - Angioedema: Clinical Presentations and Pharmacological Management.
AB  - Angioedema (AE) is a unique clinical presentation of an unchecked release of
      bradykinin. The origin of this clinical presentation can be either genetic or
      acquired. The outcome within the patient is subcutaneous swelling of the lower
      layers of the epidermis. Symptoms are most often localized to the upper airway or
      the gastrointestinal tract. A typical course resolves in 5 to 7 days, but in some
      patients, the clinical manifestations exist up to 6 weeks. Hereditary AE is rare
      and genetically linked, and typically, the patient has episodes for many years
      before diagnosis. Episodes of acquired AE may be drug induced, triggered by a
      specific allergen, or idiopathic. Angioedema can elicit the need for critical
      care interventions, for advanced airway management, or unnecessary abdominal
      surgery. The treatment for these patients is evolving as new pharmacological
      agents are developed. This article addresses subtypes of AE, triggers,
      pharmacology, and information for interdisciplinary team planning of
      individualized case management. 

PMID- 27258955
TI  - Myasthenia Gravis Presentation After a Cervical Laminectomy With Fusion.
AB  - Myasthenia gravis is a chronic neuromuscular disorder that causes skeletal muscle
      weakness. Typically, myasthenia gravis affects the ocular, bulbar, neck, proximal
      limbs, and respiratory muscles. Although the presentation is typically observed
      with complaints of vision and bulbar symptoms such as diplopia, dystonia, and
      dysphagia, this article presents a case study of an elderly man with a history of
      increasing upper extremity weakness with complaints of worsening hand dexterity
      and intermittent episodes of expressive aphasia. After cervical laminectomy with
      fusion, this gentleman was admitted to the medical intensive care unit, in a
      complete myasthenic crisis. 

PMID- 27258956
TI  - Women's Sexual Issues After Myocardial Infarction: A Literature Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sexual activity after myocardial infarction (MI) is a concern for
      patients and often a challenge for health care professionals to address. It is
      widely recognized that most patients, of both sexes, report sexual problems or
      concerns after MI. However, there are reported differences between men and women.
      Women with sexual concerns may seek less help from health care providers and are
      more inclined to conceal them because of cultural barriers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
      the current study is to present a comprehensive review of the literature
      describing women's sexual issues after MI. METHOD: A systematic search of the
      relevant literature was performed within international databases, including
      PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest, as well as Google Scholar
      using relevant keywords. Also, Persian electronic databases such as Magiran,
      Scientific Information Databases, and Iran Medex were searched from the inception
      to October 2014. Articles focusing on the sexual issues after MI only in women,
      as well as articles on both sexes where women's results could be separated, were
      included in this review. RESULTS: A total of 8 articles were included in the
      final dataset. The main themes of women's sexual concerns after MI were "loss or
      decrease of sexual activity," "dissatisfaction of sexual relationship," "doubt
      about resumption time of sexual activity," "fear of reinfarction or sudden death
      during sexual activity after MI," "knowledge deficit regarding sexual activity
      after MI," and "poor performance of health care providers in sexual counseling."
      DISCUSSION: The results of this review demonstrate that women's post-MI sexual
      activity is affected by many concerns. The concerns may be a knowledge deficit
      related to not receiving necessary consultation on this topic. Nurses, as first
      line care givers, can provide appropriate consultation and education for patients
      post-MI. As a result, breaking taboo imposed by cultural barriers, personal
      assumptions, or lack of confidence on giving sexual consultation may ultimately
      help patients to improve their quality of life.

PMID- 27258958
TI  - Effectiveness of Decolonization With Chlorhexidine and Mupirocin in Reducing
      Surgical Site Infections: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSI) are a serious complication of surgery.
      Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) is 1 of the most common causative organisms
      responsible for SSI. Patients who are carriers of methicillin-resistant S aureus
      and methicillin-sensitive S aureus are at increased risk of developing S aureus
      associated SSIs. Decolonization of skin with chlorhexidine and nares with
      mupirocin may reduce the risk of SSI. OBJECTIVE: The primary object of this
      systematic review is to examine the effectiveness of preoperative universal
      decolonization of skin with chlorhexidine and nares with intranasal mupirocin in
      preventing SSIs. METHODS: The following databases were searched: Ovid Medline
      (from 1946 to September week 3, 2015), Embase (1947 to 2015, week 38), EBSCO
      CINHAL (1980-2015), Cochrane Collaboration for Systematic Reviews, EBM Reviews,
      and Google Scholar. STUDY SELECTION: All experimental and nonexperimental studies
      that evaluated the effect of chlorhexidine in combination with intranasal
      mupirocin for decolonization were included. Inclusion was limited to published
      studies written in English. A total of 19 studies were included in this review.
      One study was deleted from final analysis as other agents were used for skin
      decolonization. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted independently by 2 members
      of the study team. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion. RESULTS:
      Decolonization with topical chlorhexidine and intranasal mupirocin resulted in
      reduction of S aureus SSI and methicillin-resistant S aureus nosocomial infection
      and eradication of S aureus nasal carriage. Incidence of SSIs was significantly
      reduced in 10 studies, which was the primary outcome. Four of the 10 studies used
      preoperative universal decolonization and significant reduction in SSI was
      observed in cardiac and orthopedic patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this
      review indicate the combination of topical chlorhexidine and intranasal mupirocin
      is effective in reducing S aureus-associated SSIs.

PMID- 27258959
TI  - The Belmont Report: The Triple Crown of Research Ethics.
AB  - The Belmont Report is a critical document for those involved in research.
      However, the report is also applicable to clinical practice. The primary purpose
      of the Belmont Report is to protect the rights of all research subjects or
      participants. The Belmont Report also serves as an ethical framework for
      research. There are 3 major components: (1) respect for persons, (2) beneficence,
      and (3) justice. This article will review these principles and show how they can
      be applied to the clinical as well as the research setting and address some
      concerns for the 21st century. 

PMID- 27258961
TI  - Targeted Temperature Management: Effects of Initial Protocol Implementation on
      Patient Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Targeted temperature management (TTM) is a strategy used by critical
      care nurses to mitigate negative effects of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
      (OHCA); however, integration and compliance of TTM protocols into routine
      clinical practice can be challenging. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study are to
      (1) investigate the effects of initial TTM protocol implementation on patient
      mortality, length of stay, and discharge disposition among patients who
      experience OHCA and (2) evaluate initial compliance and potential barriers to
      newly implemented TTM protocol. METHODS: A retrospective cohort design was used.
      Data were gathered on adult patients experiencing OHCA before and after immediate
      implementation of a TTM protocol within a large academic public hospital.
      Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from medical records of both TTM
      and non-TTM groups. Additional compliance data were gathered on the TTM group.
      Outcome variables included hospital mortality, length of stay, and discharge
      disposition. RESULTS: Total accrual was 259. Mortality decreased after protocol
      implementation (89.4%, 75%, P < .05), which was supported in the regression
      analyses (P = .05; odds ratio, 2.8). A higher proportion of subjects were
      discharged home after the TTM protocol (21.5% discharged home after protocol
      implementation vs 5.1% discharged home before protocol implementation; P < .05).
      Full protocol compliance was 30%. Protocol documentation was inconsistent across
      units and personnel. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that even initial
      implementation of TTM protocols can result in positive patient outcomes. Full
      compliance with protocols remains difficult. Critical care nurses are integral to
      initiation of and adherence to therapeutic hypothermia protocols and are in a key
      position to develop strategies for improved compliance across departments.

PMID- 27258962
TI  - Moral Distress: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although many nursing studies have focused on moral distress, very
      few have looked at moral distress and emergency nurses despite the fact that this
      group works in stressful, fast-paced environments that often involve situations
      that can lead to moral distress. OBJECTIVES: The goals of this qualitative study
      are to determine how emergency nurses define moral distress, describe the
      experiences of moral distress by emergency nurses and its impact, and identify
      possible strategies to combat moral distress. METHOD: This study used a
      phenomenological qualitative design. A convenience sample was used and included 8
      registered nurses from 3 different emergency departments in a midsized urban
      county in the South Central United States. A structured open-ended interview
      technique was used. RESULTS: Four major themes were identified: (1) there was no
      face of the family, (2) asking God for forgiveness, (3) flipping the switch, and
      (4) it changes who we are. DISCUSSION: Nurses in this study all reported
      experiencing moral distress. Sources of moral distress identified included
      patient advocacy issues, professional behavior of other health care
      professionals, internal conflicts with what they perceived to be the right thing
      to do and that which was asked of them, and guilt over their own feelings about
      patient care. These nurses described effective and ineffective coping mechanisms.

PMID- 27258963
TI  - Pediatric Research Abstracts.

PMID- 27258964
TI  - The Library: A Changing Community.

PMID- 27258965
TI  - Sodium-Oxygen Batteries: A Comparative Review from Chemical and Electrochemical
      Fundamentals to Future Perspective.
AB  - Alkali metal-oxygen (Li-O2 , Na-O2 ) batteries have attracted a great deal of
      attention recently due to their high theoretical energy densities, comparable to
      gasoline, making them attractive candidates for application in electrical
      vehicles. However, the limited cycling life and low energy efficiency (high
      charging overpotential) of these cells hinder their commercialization. The Li-O2
      battery system has been extensively studied in this regard during the past
      decade. Compared to the numerous reports of Li-O2 batteries, the research on Na
      O2 batteries is still in its infancy. Although, Na-O2 batteries show a number of
      attractive properties such as low charging overpotential and high round-trip
      energy efficiency, their cycling life is currently limited to a few tens of
      cycles. Therefore, understanding the chemistry behind Na-O2 cells is critical
      towards enhancing their performance and advancing their development. Chemical and
      electrochemical reactions of Na-O2 batteries are reviewed and compared with those
      of Li-O2 batteries in the present review, as well as recent works on the chemical
      composition and morphology of the discharge products in these batteries.
      Furthermore, the determining kinetics factors for controlling the chemical
      composition of the discharge products in Na-O2 cells are discussed and the
      potential research directions toward improving Na-O2 cells are proposed. 

PMID- 27258966
TI  - Surface charge-induced EDL interaction on the contact angle of surface
      nanobubbles.
AB  - The contact angle (CA) of surface nanobubbles is believed to affect the stability
      of nanobubbles and fluid drag in micro/nanofluidic systems. The CA of nanobubbles
      is dependent on size and is believed to be affected by the surface charge-induced
      electrical double layer (EDL). However, neither of these of attributes are well
      understood. In this paper, by introducing an EDL-induced electrostatic wetting
      tension, a theoretical model is first established to study the effect of EDLs
      formed near the solid-liquid interface and the liquid-nanobubble interface on the
      gas phase CA of nanobubbles. The size-dependence of this EDL interaction is
      studied as well. Next, by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the effect of the
      EDL on nanobubbles' gas phase CA is studied with variable electrical potential at
      the solid-liquid interface, which is adjusted by an applied voltage. Both the
      theoretical and the experimental results show that the EDLs formed near the solid
      liquid interface and the liquid-nanobubble interface lead to a reduction of gas
      phase CA of the surface nanobubbles because of an electrostatic wetting tension
      on the nanobubble due to the attractive electrostatic interaction between the
      liquid and nanobubble within the EDL, which is in the nanobubbles' outward
      direction. An EDL with a larger zeta potential magnitude leads to a larger gas
      phase CA reduction. Furthermore, the effect of EDL on the nanobubbles' gas phase
      CA shows a significant size-dependence considering the size dependence of the
      electrostatic wetting tension. The gas phase CA reduction due to the EDL
      decreases with increasing nanobubble height and increases with the nanobubble's
      increasing curvature radius, indicating that a surface charge-induced EDL could
      possibly explain the size dependence of the gas phase CA of nanobubbles.

PMID- 27258967
TI  - Organocatalytic Asymmetric Mannich Reaction of 3-Hydroxyoxindoles/3
      Aminooxindoles with in Situ Generated N-Boc-Protected Aldimines for the Synthesis
      of Vicinal Oxindole-Diamines/Amino Alcohols.
AB  - A highly efficient asymmetric Mannich reaction of 3-monosubstituted 3
      aminooxindoles/3-hydroxyoxindoles with in situ generated N-Boc-protected
      aldimines catalyzed by the chiral bifunctional thiourea-tertiary amine catalyst
      has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, a series of structurally
      diverse vicinal oxindole-diamines/amino alcohols were smoothly obtained in
      moderate to high yields (up to 99%) with good to excellent diastereoselectivities
      and enantioselectivities (up to 95:5 dr and 96% ee). The synthetic application of
      this protocol was also demonstrated by the versatile transformation of chiral
      vicinal oxindole-diamine/amino alcohol into spirocyclic oxindoles.

PMID- 27258968
TI  - Innovative radiotherapy of sarcoma: Proton beam radiation.
AB  - This review on proton beam radiotherapy (PBT) focusses on an historical overview,
      cost-effectiveness, techniques, acute and late toxicities and clinical results of
      PBT for sarcoma patients. PBT has gained its place among the armamentarium of
      modern radiotherapy techniques. For selected patients, it can be cost-effective.

PMID- 27258970
TI  - The Transcriptional Regulation of FOXO Genes in Thyrocytes.
AB  - FOXO transcription factors are key regulators of DNA damage repair, proliferation
      and apoptosis in thyrocytes. Thyroid malignancies show impaired FOXO function. In
      this study, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of FOXO isoforms in
      thyroid epithelial cells. mRNA expression of FOXO isoforms (FOXO1, 3 and 4) was
      determined in FRTL-5 cells stimulated with different growth factors and H2O2.
      Furthermore, the impact of PI3K/AKT signalling on FOXO transcription was
      investigated in PI3K p110alpha mutant FRTL-5 cells and regulatory dependence of
      FOXO transcription on FOXO was studied in FRTL-5 cells with hFOXO3
      overexpression. Finally, mRNA expression levels of FOXO isoforms were determined
      in human epithelial thyroid tumours. Growth factor deprivation induced
      transcription of FOXO1, 3 and 4, whereas insulin stimulation decreased FOXO1 and
      FOXO4 transcription in FRTL-5 cells. Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT cascade amplified
      FOXO1 and FOXO4 expression. In contrast, H2O2 and TSH did not influence FOXO
      transcription in thyrocytes. Overexpression of PI3K p110alpha inhibited FOXO3 and
      induced FOXO4 transcription. In human thyroid tumours, FOXO1 and FOXO3 mRNA
      levels were significantly downregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma when
      compared to normal tissues. In contrast, follicular thyroid carcinomas showed
      significant upregulation of FOXO4 mRNA.In this paper, we demonstrate an influence
      of PI3K signalling on FOXO transcription in thyrocytes. Moreover, we show that
      thyroid cancers exhibit alterations in FOXO transcription besides the previously
      reported alterations in posttranslational FOXO3 regulation. These findings may
      add to the concept of targeting the PI3K pathway in advanced thyroid cancers. 

PMID- 27258969
TI  - Implementation of mechanism of action biology-driven early drug development for
      children with cancer.
AB  - An urgent need remains for new paediatric oncology drugs to cure children who die
      from cancer and to reduce drug-related sequelae in survivors. In 2007, the
      European Paediatric Regulation came into law requiring industry to create
      paediatric drug (all types of medicinal products) development programmes
      alongside those for adults. Unfortunately, paediatric drug development is still
      largely centred on adult conditions and not a mechanism of action (MoA)-based
      model, even though this would be more logical for childhood tumours as these have
      much fewer non-synonymous coding mutations than adult malignancies. Recent large
      scale sequencing by International Genome Consortium and Paediatric Cancer Genome
      Project has further shown that the genetic and epigenetic repertoire of driver
      mutations in specific childhood malignancies differs from more common adult-type
      malignancies. To bring about much needed change, a Paediatric Platform,
      ACCELERATE, was proposed in 2013 by the Cancer Drug Development Forum, Innovative
      Therapies for Children with Cancer, the European Network for Cancer Research in
      Children and Adolescents and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology. The
      Platform, comprising multiple stakeholders in paediatric oncology, has three
      working groups, one with responsibility for promoting and developing high-quality
      MoA-informed paediatric drug development programmes, including specific measures
      for adolescents. Key is the establishment of a freely accessible aggregated
      database of paediatric biological tumour drug targets to be aligned with an
      aggregated pipeline of drugs. This will enable prioritisation and conduct of
      early phase clinical paediatric trials to evaluate these drugs against promising
      therapeutic targets and to generate clinical paediatric efficacy and safety data
      in an accelerated time frame. Through this work, the Platform seeks to ensure
      that potentially effective drugs, where the MoA is known and thought to be
      relevant to paediatric malignancies, are evaluated in early phase clinical
      trials, and that this approach to generate pre-clinical and clinical data is
      systematically pursued by academia, sponsors, industry, and regulatory bodies to
      bring new paediatric oncology drugs to front-line therapy more rapidly.

PMID- 27258971
TI  - A Single Dose of the Anti-Resorptive Peptide Human Calcitonin Paradoxically
      Augments Particle- and Endotoxin-Mediated Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production In
      Vitro.
AB  - The peptide hormone calcitonin (CT) is known to inhibit bone resorption and has
      previously been shown also to prevent particle-induced osteolysis, the leading
      cause of revision arthroplasty. In the present study, the influence of human CT
      on the initial inflammatory response to particulate wear debris or bacterial
      endotoxins, ultimately leading to osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, was
      analysed in human THP-1 macrophage-like cells. The cells were activated with
      either ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles or bacterial
      lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in order to simulate an osteolysis-associated
      inflammatory response. The cells were simultaneously treated with human CT (10(
      9) M). Cytokine production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was quantified
      on both RNA and protein levels while interleukins (IL)-1beta and IL-6 were
      measured as secreted protein only. Stimulation of the cells with either particles
      or LPS led to a dose- and time-dependent increase of TNF-alpha mRNA production
      and protein secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6. Application of CT mostly
      enhanced cytokine production as elicited by UHMWPE particles while a pronounced
      transient inhibitory effect on LPS-induced inflammation became evident at 24 h of
      incubation. Human CT displayed ambivalent effects on the wear- and LPS-induced
      production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thereby, the peptide primarily
      upregulated particle-induced inflammation while LPS-induced cytokine secretion
      was temporarily attenuated in a distinct manner. It needs to be evaluated whether
      the pro- or anti-inflammatory action of CT contributes to its known anti
      resorptive effects. Thus, the therapeutic potential of the peptide in the
      treatment of either particle- or endotoxin-mediated bone resorption could be
      determined. 

PMID- 27258972
TI  - Organophotocatalytic Generation of N- and O-Centred Radicals Enables Aerobic
      Oxyamination and Dioxygenation of Alkenes.
AB  - A cooperative TEMPO and photoredox catalytic strategy was applied for the first
      time to the direct conversion of N-H and O-H bonds into N- and O-centred
      radicals, enabling a general and selective oxidative radical oxyamination and
      dioxygenation of various beta,gamma-unsaturated hydrazones and oximes. In the
      reaction, O2 was employed not only as a terminal oxidant but also as the oxygen
      source. This protocol provided efficient access to the synthesis of various
      synthetically and biologically important pyrazoline, pyridazine and isoxazoline
      derivatives under metal-free and mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies
      revealed that the cooperative organophotocatalytic system functions through two
      single-electron-transfer (SET) processes. 

PMID- 27258989
TI  - eta(6) -Arene-Zirconium-PNP-Pincer Complexes: Mechanism of Their Hydrogenolytic
      Formation and Their Reactivity as Zirconium(II) Synthons.
AB  - The cyclometalated monobenzyl complexes [(Cbzdiphos(R) -CH)ZrBnX] 1 (iPr) Cl and
      1 (Ph) I reacted with dihydrogen (10 bar) to yield the eta(6) -toluene complexes
      [(Cbzdiphos(R) )Zr(eta(6) -tol)X] 2 (iPr) Cl and 2 (Ph) I (cbzdiphos=1,8
      bis(phosphino)-3,6-di-tert-butyl-9H-carbazole). The arene complexes were also
      found to be directly accessible from the triiodide [(Cbzdiphos(Ph) )ZrI3 ]
      through an in situ reaction with a dibenzylmagnesium reagent and subsequent
      hydrogenolysis, as exemplified for the eta(6) -mesitylene complex [(Cbzdiphos(Ph)
      )Zr(eta(6) -mes)I] (3 (Ph) I). The tolyl-ring in 2 (iPr) Cl adopts a puckered
      arrangement (fold angle 23.3 degrees ) indicating significant arene-1,4-diido
      character. Deuterium labeling experiments were consistent with an intramolecular
      reaction sequence after the initial hydrogenolysis of a Zr-C bond by a sigma-bond
      metathesis. A DFT study of the reaction sequence indicates that hydrogenolysis by
      sigma-bond metathesis first occurs at the cyclometalated ancillary ligand giving
      a hydrido-benzyl intermediate, which subsequently reductively eliminates toluene
      that then coordinates to the Zr atom as the reduced arene ligand. Complex 2 (Ph)
      I was reacted with 2,6-diisopropylphenyl isocyanide giving the deep blue,
      diamagnetic Zr(II) -diisocyanide complex [(Cbzdiphos(Ph) )Zr(CNDipp)2 I] (4 (Ph)
      I). DFT modeling of 4 (Ph) I demonstrated that the HOMO of the complex is
      primarily located as a "lone pair on zirconium", with some degree of back-bonding
      into the C=N pi* bond, and the complex is thus most appropriately described as a
      zirconium(II) species. Reaction of 2 (Ph) I with trimethylsilylazide (N3 TMS) and
      2 (iPr) Cl with 1-azidoadamantane (N3 Ad) resulted in the formation of the imido
      complexes [(Cbzdiphos(R) )Zr=NR'(X)] 5 (iPr) Cl-NAd and 5 (Ph) I-NTMS,
      respectively. Reaction of 2 (iPr) Cl with azobenzene led to N-N bond scission
      giving 6 (iPr) Cl, in which one of the NPh-fragments is coupled with the
      carbazole nitrogen to form a central eta(2) -bonded hydrazide(-1), whereas the
      other NPh-fragment binds to zirconium acting as an imido-ligand. Finally,
      addition of pyridine to 2 (iPr) Cl yielded the dark purple complex
      [(Cbzdiphos(iPr) )Zr(bpy)Cl] (7 (iPr) Cl) through a combination of CH-activation
      and C-C-coupling. The structural data and UV/Vis spectroscopic properties of 7
      (iPr) Cl indicate that the bpy (bipyridine) may be regarded as a (dianionic)
      diamido-type ligand. 

PMID- 27258991
TI  - Examining a hypothetical quantitative model for better approximation of culprit
      coronary artery and site of stenosis on 99mTc-sestamibi gated myocardial
      perfusion SPECT.
AB  - A hypothetical quantitative model of analyzing gated myocardial perfusion SPECT
      is proposed and examined for the feasibility of its use as a predictor of
      diseased coronary artery and approximating the site of stenosis to determine
      whether it could serve as a useful noninvasive complement for coronary
      angiography. The extent and severity of perfusion defects on rest gated
      myocardial perfusion imaging SPECT-images were assessed on a five-point scale in
      a standard 17-segment model and total perfusion deficit was quantified by
      automated software. The first step was to locate the diseased coronary artery
      using a quantitative method: for this, the score of each segment belonging to a
      particular coronary artery was determined using a systematic presumptive
      approach. After determination of specific coronary artery segments, the scores of
      the contiguous segments in three short axis slices (apical, middle, and basal)
      were summed for six subdivisions (anterior, anterolateral, inferolateral,
      inferior, anteroseptal, and inferoseptal). The site of stenosis was determined
      from (a) the initial approximation of the involved segments with a defect score
      of 2-4 and (b) subsequent calculation of the defect score of each of the six
      subdivisions and allocating the site through a preassigned number for each
      coronary artery. For each coronary artery, only the subdivision with the highest
      defect score was considered. Proximal, middle, and distal segments of left
      anterior descending artery (LAD) were considered to be represented when the
      summed value of a subdivision within a particular arterial territory was more
      than or equal to 7, between 5 and 7, 5 and 3, respectively. For the left
      circumflex and right coronary artery, summed scores (of respective subdivisions)
      of more than or equal to 5 and between 3 and 5 were preassigned to proximal and
      distal stenosis, respectively. The results were then correlated with the coronary
      angiographic data. On coronary angiography, proximal LAD occlusion was considered
      when the site of occlusion occurred proximal to the first diagonal branch and a
      mid-LAD occlusion from the first diagonal branch to the next diagonal branch.
      Proximal left circumflex artery occlusion is considered as those located before
      the first relevant marginal branch and distal left circumflex artery occlusion is
      beyond the first marginal branch. From the ostium to the origin of the first
      acute marginal artery was considered the proximal segment of the right coronary
      artery and thereafter was designated as distal. The result obtained by the
      quantitative model was compared with the angiographic data along with statistical
      analysis. The unweighted kappa-value was 0.803 and 95% confidence interval was
      between 0.716 and 0.890. Both the proposed quantitative myocardial perfusion
      imaging model and the angiographic results were in strong agreement; however,
      this model needs to be examined in a larger number of patients in a prospective
      setting to explore its pitfalls and define its practical applicability in future.

PMID- 27258990
TI  - Evaluation of motion-correction methods for dual-gated cardiac positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dual gating is a method of dividing the data of a cardiac PET scan
      into smaller bins according to the respiratory motion and the ECG of the patient.
      It reduces the undesirable motion artefacts in images, but produces several
      images for interpretation and decreases the quality of single images. By using
      motion-correction techniques, the motion artefacts in the dual-gated images can
      be corrected and the images can be combined into a single motion-free image with
      good statistics. AIM: The aim of the present study is to develop and evaluate
      motion-correction methods for cardiac PET studies. We have developed and compared
      two different methods: computed tomography (CT)/PET-based and CT-only methods.
      METHODS: The methods were implemented and tested with a cardiac phantom and three
      patient datasets. In both methods, anatomical information of CT images is used to
      create models for the cardiac motion. RESULTS: In the patient study, the CT-only
      method reduced motion (measured as the centre of mass of the myocardium) on
      average 43%, increased the contrast-to-noise ratio on average 6.0% and reduced
      the target size on average 10%. Slightly better figures (51, 6.9 and 28%) were
      obtained with the CT/PET-based method. Even better results were obtained in the
      phantom study for both the CT-only method (57, 68 and 43%) and the CT/PET-based
      method (61, 74 and 52%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that using anatomical
      information of CT for motion correction of cardiac PET images, both respiratory
      and pulsatile motions can be corrected with good accuracy.

PMID- 27258992
TI  - The Association Between Corticomotor Excitability and Motor Skill Learning in
      People With Painful Hand Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown a tendency for reduced motor cortex
      inhibition in chronic pain populations. People with chronic pain also routinely
      demonstrate motor deficiencies, including skill learning. The goals of the
      current study were to (1) provide a thorough analysis of corticomotor and
      intracortical excitability in people with chronic arthritic hand pain, and (2)
      examine the relationship between these measures and performance on a motor skill
      learning task. METHODS: Twenty-three people with arthritic hand pain and 20 pain
      free controls participated in a cross-sectional study. Transcranial magnetic
      stimulation was used to assess corticomotor and intracortical excitability of the
      first dorsal interosseus muscle. Participants then completed a 30-minute motor
      skill training task involving the index finger of the same hand. RESULTS: Hand
      arthritis participants showed evidence of reduced intracortical inhibition and
      enhanced facilitation, which correlated with duration of hand pain. Arthritis
      participants were initially poorer at the motor skill task but over the total
      training time performance was equivalent between groups. There were no
      associations found between measures of intracortical excitability and motor skill
      learning. DISCUSSION: Our findings are the first to provide evidence of cortical
      disinhibition in people with painful arthritis, as previously demonstrated in
      other chronic pain populations. Cortical excitability changes may progress the
      longer pain persists, with increased pain duration being associated with greater
      cortical disinhibition. There was no evidence that these changes in cortical
      excitability are related to impaired motor function or skill learning.

PMID- 27258994
TI  - Active Trigger Points in the Cervical Musculature Determine the Altered
      Activation of Superficial Neck and Extensor Muscles in Women With Migraine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of active trigger
      points (TrPs) in women with migraine reproducing their headache attacks. No study
      has investigated whether these TrPs can alter cervical muscle function in
      migraine. Our objective was to analyze differences in the activation of
      superficial neck flexor and extensor muscles in women with migraine considering
      the presence of active TrPs in the splenius capitis (SC), the upper trapezius
      (UT), and the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles. METHODS: Surface
      electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the superficial flexors (SCM and
      anterior scalene) and the extensor (SC, UT) muscles bilaterally as participants
      performed a staged task of cranio-cervical flexion (CCF; 5 contractions
      representing a progressive increase in CCF range of motion) in 70 women with
      migraine. They were stratified according to the presence or the absence of active
      TrPs in the SCM, the SC, or the UT musculature. A comparison of EMG normalized
      root mean square (RMS) values was conducted with a 2*5 analysis of covariance
      with the task level as the within-subject variable, group stratified by active
      TrPs as the between-subjects variable and the presence of neck pain as a
      covariable. RESULTS: All patients exhibited active TrPs in their cervical
      muscles, which reproduced their migraine. Women with migraine exhibiting active
      TrPs in the SCM (P<0.01), the UT (P<0.05), or the SC (P<0.05) muscles had lower
      normalized RMS values of their superficial neck flexors than those without active
      TrPs in the same muscles. In addition, individuals exhibiting active TrPs in the
      SC and the UT (both, P<0.05) muscles had higher normalized RMS values in the SC
      muscle than those without active TrPs in the same muscles. CONCLUSIONS: The
      presence of active TrPs in the cervical musculature determines an altered
      activation of superficial neck and extensor muscles during low-load, isometric
      CCF contractions in women with migraine.

PMID- 27258993
TI  - All Fatigue is Not Created Equal: The Association of Fatigue and Its Subtypes on
      Pain Interference in Orofacial Pain.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Fatigue is known to be a pathway through which depression,
      psychological distress, pain intensity, and sleep disturbance influence pain
      interference, but the independent effects of fatigue on pain interference after
      controlling for these variables remains unknown. In addition, no study to date
      has tested whether fatigue subtypes of general fatigue, mental fatigue, emotional
      fatigue, physical fatigue, or vigor differentially predict pain interference.
      METHODS: The current study tested these associations using archival medical data
      of 2133 chronic orofacial pain patients, who completed a battery of psychological
      questionnaires at the time of their first appointment at an orofacial pain
      clinic. RESULTS: Hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed that after
      controlling for depression, psychological distress, sleep disturbance, pain
      intensity, and demographic variables, fatigue predicted higher pain interference
      (B=0.70, SE=0.17, P<0.001, eta=0.01). Physical fatigue (B=1.70, SE=0.48, P<0.001,
      eta=0.01) and vigor (B=-3.24, SE=0.47, P<0.001, eta=0.03) were independently
      associated with pain interference after controlling for the aforementioned
      variables. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that fatigue is an important
      independent predictor of pain interference and not merely a mediator. These
      findings also suggest that not all fatigue is created equal. Interventions aimed
      at reducing pain interference should target specific fatigue symptoms of physical
      fatigue and vigor. Future research investigating the independent associations of
      fatigue subtypes on pain outcomes may help clarify the nature of the
      interrelationships between pain and fatigue.

PMID- 27258995
TI  - Prevalence of Chronic Neck Pain, Low Back Pain, and Knee Pain and Their Related
      Factors in Community-Dwelling Adults in Iran: A Population-based National Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is increasing in prevalence
      rapidly. Over the past 2 decades low back pain has been ranked globally as the
      primary cause of years lived with disability. The primary objective of this study
      was to investigate the prevalence of chronic neck pain (CNP), chronic low back
      pain (CLBP), and chronic knee pain (CKP) and their related risk factors in the
      national Iranian population. METHODS: We analyzed data obtained through a cross
      sectional, population-based survey of 7889 Iranians who were aged between 30 and
      70 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of CNP, CLBP, and CKP was 15.34%, 27.18%, and
      29.97%, respectively. Female sex, aging, body mass index>=25, Lur or Arab
      ethnicity, illiteracy, passive smoking, positive osteoporosis history, and low or
      high physical activity levels were risk factors for CLBP, CNP, and CKP after
      adjustment for potential confounders. For example, in participants with a body
      mass index>=30, odds ratios for CNP, CLBP, and CKP adjusted for age, sex,
      ethnicity, living area, education, employment status, smoking, and physical
      activity levels were 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.52), 1.37 (95%
      CI, 1.17-1.59), and 1.64 (95% CI, 1.41-1.91), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is
      the first study investigating the prevalence of CNP, CLBP, and CKP in the
      national population of Iran. It shows some modifiable risk factors for CMP, and
      suggests that affordable planning for these risk factors can be valuable in
      preventing CMP globally. However, this is a cross-sectional study and future
      longitudinal studies in this field are necessary.

PMID- 27258996
TI  - Pain Experiences of Children and Adolescents With Osteogenesis Imperfecta: An
      Integrative Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pain is a commonly experienced symptom for children and adolescents
      diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). The purpose of this integrative
      review was to describe the pain experience of children and adolescents with OI as
      well as critically appraise the content and methods of studies assessing OI pain.
      METHODS: Five electronic bibliographic databases were searched. Published
      quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed-method studies assessing pain in children
      and adolescents with OI were included and appraised. Constant comparison of the
      extracted data was used to synthesize themes. RESULTS: A total of 783 titles were
      identified, and 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this
      review. Study appraisal scores ranged from 25.0% to 83.3% using the Quality
      Assessment Tool. The majority of studies included assessed pain as a secondary
      outcome (63%) and less than half used moderately established or well-established
      tools (42%). Two themes were uncovered: "Pain is Present and Problematic" and
      "Issues with Pain Assessment." Key findings under each theme include: (1) the
      negative impacts of pain and the substandard use of pain management strategies;
      and (2) the lack of multidimensional and consistent pain assessments, as well as
      difficulties in assessing pain in younger children. DISCUSSION: Research on OI
      has focused very little on pain experience in children and adolescents, and there
      is no standard method of assessing pain. To better describe the pain experience
      of these patients, future research should focus on better characterizing OI pain
      with the use of age-appropriate valid, reliable, and multidimensional pain
      assessment tools.

PMID- 27258997
TI  - Prediction of Postoperative Pain From Electrical Pain Thresholds After
      Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Early postoperative pain correlates to persisting pain, psychosocial
      distress, and delayed mobilization with thromboembolic and infectious
      complications. Electrical pain thresholds (EPT) have shown promising results in
      being able to predict postoperative pain, but the results are conflicting. The
      aim of this study was to test whether EPT levels can be used to predict the
      postoperative pain in patients of both sexes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred
      eighty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in this
      prospective clinical study. Individual levels of EPT were measured before
      surgery, and the pain intensity was evaluated in the early postoperative period.
      RESULTS: There were significant correlations between EPT and the maximum
      postoperative pain intensity (rs=-0.21, P=0.009), time to the first rescue opioid
      (rs=0.26, P=0.006), and the total dose of rescue opioid (rs=-0.22, P=0.001). The
      interaction test showed significant influence of the sex on the ability of EPT to
      predict the postoperative pain intensity. Female patients with low EPT (<15) had
      a 4.5 times higher risk of postoperative pain (P=0.003). DISCUSSION: Levels of
      EPT are reproducible, and the technique is well tolerated. However, it can be
      used to predict postoperative pain only in women. A weak correlation with the
      postoperative pain intensity, found here as well as previously, and the high sex
      dependency of the EPT levels obtained considerably limit the predictive value of
      this technique for routine use in perioperative clinical practice.

PMID- 27258998
TI  - Epidural Against Systemic Analgesia: An International Registry Analysis on
      Postoperative Pain and Related Perceptions After Abdominal Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The PAIN OUT registry collected data from >30,000 patients on pain on
      the first postoperative day in hospitals worldwide. Utilizing the database, we
      compared systemic and epidural analgesia (EA) on postoperative pain and related
      side-effects in patients after abdominal surgeries (ASs). METHODS: ASs were
      identified through the ICD9-Code and subgrouped into laparoscopic surgery and
      open surgery. After identifying patients in this subset with and without EA,
      propensity-score matching was performed on the basis of demographics and
      comorbidities. Primary outcomes were different qualities of pain, and secondary
      outcomes were pain-related sensations and treatment-related side effects measured
      with the numeric rating scale. They were calculated as the risk ratio (RR) using
      the median as the divisor. RESULTS: The database contained 29,108 cases, with
      5365 AS, and 646 cases remained after matching. A risk analysis revealed that for
      the AS group, EA posed a significantly lower risk for the perception of worst
      pain (RR, 0.75; confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.87), least pain (RR, 0.61; CI,
      0.5-0.75), time in severe pain (RR, 0.61; CI, 0.5-0.75), in-bed activity
      interference of pain (RR, 0.71; CI, 0.59-0.85), pain interference with coughing
      (RR, 0.68; CI, 0.57-0.82) or sleeping (RR, 0.73; CI, 0.61-0.87), and a higher
      chance of pain relief (RR, 1.5; CI, 1.23-1.83). The risk for itchiness (RR, 2.23;
      CI, 1.62-3.07) appeared to be higher, as did the probability of satisfaction (RR,
      1.25; CI, 1.03-1.51). The risk for feeling helpless (RR, 0.83; CI, 0.7-0.99) and
      drowsiness (RR, 0.74; CI, 0.63-0.88) was reduced. Both subgroups showed similar
      tendencies. DISCUSSION: Regarding the pain intensity, satisfaction, and relatable
      side-effects, EA seems to be superior compared with systemic analgesia after AS.

PMID- 27258999
TI  - Clinical and immunological studies of 49 cases of various types of intercellular
      IgA dermatosis and 13 cases of classical subcorneal pustular dermatosis examined
      at Kurume University.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intercellular IgA dermatosis (IAD) is a subset of autoimmune bullous
      disease exclusively with IgA antikeratinocyte cell-surface antibodies. The
      classification and pathogenesis of this condition are still obscure. OBJECTIVES:
      To classify IAD and study its pathogenesis. METHODS: From our cohort of 5402
      cases of autoimmune bullous disease, we selected 49 cases of various types of
      intercellular IgA dermatosis (IAD) and 13 cases of classical subcorneal pustular
      dermatosis (SPD), for which sera and information were available. We studied these
      cases clinically and immunologically. RESULTS: There were 17 SPD-type IAD, 12
      intraepidermal neutrophilic IgA dermatosis (IEN)-type IAD, two IgA-pemphigus
      vegetans, four IgA-pemphigus foliaceus, six IgA-pemphigus vulgaris and eight
      unclassified IAD cases. There was no sex predominance, and the average age at
      disease onset was 45.9 years. Clinically, bullous and pustular skin lesions
      developed on various sites, particularly intertriginous areas. Histopathology
      showed intraepidermal blisters or pustules at the upper epidermis in the SPD-type
      and at the midepidermis in the IEN-type. Immunological studies revealed that
      direct immunofluorescence, indirect immunofluorescence of normal human skin and
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) of recombinant proteins of
      desmogleins and desmocollins frequently showed positive results, although no
      antigens were detected in many cases. All cases of classical SPD, which showed no
      positive immunological results, were indistinguishable clinically and
      histopathologically from SPD-type IAD. CONCLUSIONS: The present study of the
      largest cohort of cases of IAD showed that the major subtypes are SPD and IEN,
      and that the combination of indirect immunofluorescence and ELISAs of desmogleins
      and desmocollins, in addition to direct immunofluorescence, was useful for the
      diagnosis of IAD and its subtypes.

PMID- 27259000
TI  - Cell wall composition plays a key role on sensitivity of filamentous fungi to
      chitosan.
AB  - Chitosan antifungal activity has been reported for both filamentous fungi and
      yeast. Previous studies have shown fungal plasma membrane as main chitosan
      target. However, the role of the fungal cell wall (CW) in their response to
      chitosan is unknown. We show that cell wall regeneration in Neurospora crassa
      (chitosan sensitive) protoplasts protects them from chitosan damage. Caspofungin,
      a beta-1,3-glucan synthase inhibitor, showed a synergistic antifungal effect with
      chitosan for N. crassa but not for Pochonia chlamydosporia, a biocontrol fungus
      resistant to chitosan. Chitosan significantly repressed N. crassa genes involved
      in beta-1,3-glucan synthesis (fks) and elongation (gel-1) but the chitin synthase
      gene (chs-1) did not present changes in its expression. N. crassa cell wall
      deletion strains related to beta-1,3-glucan elongation (Deltagel-1 and Deltagel
      2) were more sensitive to chitosan than wild type (wt). On the contrary, chitin
      synthase deletion strain (Deltachs-1) showed the same sensitivity to chitosan
      than wt. The mycelium of P. chlamydosporia showed a higher (ca. twofold) beta-1,3
      glucan/chitin ratio than that of N. crassa. Taken together, our results indicate
      that cell wall composition plays an important role on -sensitivity of filamentous
      fungi to chitosan.

PMID- 27259002
TI  - Physical therapy interventions for gross motor skills in people with an
      intellectual disability aged 6 years and over: a systematic review.
AB  - AIM: The systematic review was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of
      physical therapy interventions for improving gross motor skills (GMSs) in people
      with an intellectual disability aged 6 years and older. There is a lack of
      physical therapy research for GMSs in this population, and no prior systematic
      review. People with an intellectual disability may require specific teaching
      approaches within therapy interventions to accommodate their cognitive and
      learning needs. People with an intellectual disability who suffer from GMS
      deficits can benefit from physical therapy to help improve their GMSs. METHODS:
      Data sources were PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and ProQuest. Reference lists of
      relevant identified articles were also hand searched. Papers published in English
      from 1 January 2008 to 22 October 2014 were considered for inclusion. This start
      date was chosen to reflect the tenets of the United Nations Convention on the
      Rights of Persons with Disabilities which was ratified in 2008.Eligible study
      designs for inclusion were randomized controlled trial (RCT), pseudo-RCT,
      repeated measures, and case report. Overall, 887 potential articles were
      identified, of which 42 were retrieved for full-text review, and seven were
      finally included. Critical appraisal was independently conducted by two reviewers
      using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal checklists; no articles were excluded
      following critical appraisal. Data extraction was performed using Joanna Briggs
      Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument data
      extraction instruments. RESULTS: High heterogeneity between the studies precluded
      meta-analysis of the results; a narrative synthesis was completed instead. Two
      RCTs, two pseudo-RCTs, two repeated measures studies, and one case report were
      included. Studies varied in regard to participants' intellectual disability, and
      the clinical interventions used. Interventions were well tolerated with
      negligible adverse effects. Significant improvements were reported for cadence
      and nondimensionalized gait velocity following body-weight-supported gait
      training; cadence following lower limb strengthening exercises; and the Gross
      Motor Function Measure-88 measures following adapted judo training. These results
      suggest that task-specific training may be useful. However, the overall quality
      of evidence was low. CONCLUSION: The evidence identified by this systematic
      review supporting physical therapy for improving GMSs in people with an
      intellectual disability was limited because of the low quality of studies (only
      two were RCTs) and only three statistically significant findings. Given the
      current paucity of evidence, a future systematic review, which sought to identify
      evidence regarding interventions used by a range of health and education
      professionals for improving GMSs in people with an intellectual disability, could
      provide a broader evidence base for clinical interventions which may be utilized
      by physical therapists.

PMID- 27259001
TI  - Telomere Length, Long-Term Black Carbon Exposure, and Cognitive Function in a
      Cohort of Older Men: The VA Normative Aging Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long-term air pollution exposure has been associated with age-related
      cognitive impairment, possibly because of enhanced inflammation. Leukocytes with
      longer telomere length (TL) are more responsive to inflammatory stimuli, yet TL
      has not been evaluated in relation to air pollution and cognition. OBJECTIVES: We
      assessed whether TL modifies the association of 1-year exposure to black carbon
      (BC), a marker of traffic-related air pollution, with cognitive function in older
      men, and we examined whether this modification is independent of age and of C
      reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2007,
      we conducted 1-3 cognitive examinations of 428 older men in the Veterans Affairs
      (VA) Normative Aging Study. We used covariate-adjusted repeated-measure logistic
      regression to estimate associations of 1-year BC exposure with relative odds of
      being a low scorer (<= 25) on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), which is
      a proxy of poor cognition. Confounders included age, CRP, and lifestyle and
      sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Each doubling in BC level was associated with
      1.57 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.05) times higher odds of low MMSE scores. The BC-MMSE
      association was greater only among individuals with longer blood TL (5th
      quintile) (OR = 3.23; 95% CI: 1.37, 7.59; p = 0.04 for BC-by-TL-interaction). TL
      and CRP were associated neither with each other nor with MMSE. However, CRP
      modified the BC-MMSE relationship, with stronger associations only at higher CRP
      (5th quintile) and reference TL level (1st quintile) (OR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.06,
      6.79; p = 0.04 for BC-by-CRP-interaction). CONCLUSIONS: TL and CRP levels may
      help predict the impact of BC exposure on cognitive function in older men.
      Citation: Colicino E, Wilson A, Frisardi MC, Prada D, Power MC, Hoxha M, Dioni L,
      Spiro A III, Vokonas PS, Weisskopf MG, Schwartz JD, Baccarelli AA. 2017. Telomere
      length, long-term black carbon exposure, and cognitive function in a cohort of
      older men: the VA Normative Aging Study. Environ Health Perspect 125:76-81;
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP241.

PMID- 27259003
TI  - Knowledge translation and implementation science: what is the difference?

PMID- 27259004
TI  - Semiempirical Modeling of Ag Nanoclusters: New Parameters for Optical Property
      Studies Enable Determination of Double Excitation Contributions to Plasmonic
      Excitation.
AB  - Quantum mechanical studies of Ag nanoclusters have shown that plasmonic behavior
      can be modeled in terms of excited states where collectivity among single
      excitations leads to strong absorption. However, new computational approaches are
      needed to provide understanding of plasmonic excitations beyond the single
      excitation level. We show that semiempirical INDO/CI approaches with
      appropriately selected parameters reproduce the TD-DFT optical spectra of various
      closed-shell Ag clusters. The plasmon-like states with strong optical absorption
      comprise linear combinations of many singly excited configurations that
      contribute additively to the transition dipole moment, whereas all other excited
      states show significant cancellation among the contributions to the transition
      dipole moment. The computational efficiency of this approach allows us to
      investigate the role of double excitations at the INDO/SDCI level. The Ag cluster
      ground states are stabilized by slight mixing with doubly excited configurations,
      but the plasmonic states generally retain largely singly excited character. The
      consideration of double excitations in all cases improves the agreement of the
      INDO/CI absorption spectra with TD-DFT, suggesting that the SDCI calculation
      effectively captures some of the ground-state correlation implicit in DFT. These
      results provide the first evidence to support the commonly used assumption that
      single excitations are in many cases sufficient to describe the optical spectra
      of plasmonic excitations quantum mechanically. 

PMID- 27259005
TI  - Cleft Palate and Aglossia Result From Perturbations in Wnt and Hedgehog
      Signaling.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the molecular basis for
      cleft secondary palate and arrested tongue development caused by the loss of the
      intraflagellar transport protein, Kif3a. DESIGN: Kif3a mutant embryos and their
      littermate controls were analyzed for defects in facial development at multiple
      stages of embryonic development. Histology was employed to understand the effects
      of Kif3a deletion on palate and tongue development. Various transgenic reporter
      strains were used to understand how deletion of Kif3a affected Hedgehog and Wnt
      signaling. Immunostaining for structural elements of the tongue and for
      components of the Wnt pathway were performed. BrdU activity analyses were carried
      out to examine how the loss of Kif3a affected cell proliferation and led to
      palate and tongue malformations. RESULTS: Kif3a deletion causes cranial neural
      crest cells to become unresponsive to Hedgehog signals and hyper-responsive to
      Wnt signals. This aberrant molecular signaling causes abnormally high cell
      proliferation, but paradoxically outgrowths of the tongue and the palatal
      processes are reduced. The basis for this enigmatic effect can be traced back to
      a disruption in epithelial/mesenchymal signaling that governs facial development.
      CONCLUSION: The primary cilium is a cell surface organelle that integrates Hh and
      Wnt signaling, and disruptions in the function of the primary cilium cause one of
      the most common-of the rarest-craniofacial birth defects observed in humans. The
      shared molecular basis for these dysmorphologies is an abnormally high Wnt signal
      simultaneous with an abnormally low Hedgehog signal. These pathways are
      integrated in the primary cilium.

PMID- 27259006
TI  - Copper(I) Forms a Redox-Stable 1:2 Complex with alpha-Synuclein N-Terminal
      Peptide in a Membrane-Like Environment.
AB  - alpha-Synuclein (alphaS) is the main protein component of Lewy bodies,
      characterizing the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. alphaS is unstructured in
      solution but adopts a helical structure in its extended N-terminal segment upon
      association with membranes. In vitro the protein binds avidly Cu(II), but in vivo
      the protein is N-acetylated, and Cu(II) binding is lost. We have now clarified
      the binding characteristics of the Cu(I) complex with the truncated alphaS
      peptide 1-15, both in N-acetylated and free amine forms, in a membrane mimetic
      environment and found that complexation occurs with a 1:2 Cu(I)-alphaS
      stoichiometry, where Cu(I) is bound to Met1 and Met5 residues of two helical
      peptide chains. The resulting tetrahedral Cu(I) center is redox-stable, does not
      form reactive oxygen species, and is unreactive against dopamine in the presence
      of O2. This suggests that, unlike cytosolic Cu(I)-alphaS, which retains the
      capacity to activate O2 and promote oxidative reactions, membrane-bound Cu(I)
      alphaS may serve as a sink for unreactive copper. 

PMID- 27259007
TI  - ETV6-NTRK3 Is Expressed in a Subset of ALK-Negative Inflammatory Myofibroblastic
      Tumors.
AB  - Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a genetically heterogenous tumor of
      the viscera and soft tissues, with multiple molecular features having been
      demonstrated in this tumor type. About 50% of cases harbor an anaplastic lymphoma
      kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement, and recent studies have described novel fusions
      involving the ROS1 and PDGFRbeta genes in a subset of ALK-negative cases.
      However, the molecular features of the remaining subset of cases are not yet
      defined. We report a case of a large, highly aggressive IMT of the lung in a 17
      year-old girl. This case was molecularly characterized through whole-genome and
      transcriptome sequencing. Subsequently, we investigated a cohort of 15 ALK
      negative IMTs of various anatomic sites. All cases were screened using
      fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for rearrangement of the ETV6 locus and
      with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the ETV6-NTRK3
      fusion transcript. Whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing revealed an ETV6
      NTRK3 fusion transcript in our index case. This was confirmed by FISH studies for
      ETV6 gene rearrangement, as well as by RT-PCR. In addition, 2 additional cases in
      our cohort demonstrated ETV6 rearrangement by FISH. The presence of ETV6-NTRK3
      fusion transcript was demonstrated by RT-PCR in one of these additional cases. In
      summary, we demonstrate the expression of the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion oncogene in a
      small subset of IMTs, lending further support to the role of oncogenic tyrosine
      kinases in the pathophysiology of this tumor type. Our data also further expand
      the growing spectrum of tumor types expressing the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion.

PMID- 27259008
TI  - Pathologic Response of HER2-positive Gastric Cancer to Trastuzumab-based
      Chemotherapy.
AB  - Trastuzumab-based chemotherapy is now a standard approach for patients with human
      epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced gastric cancer.
      However, histopathologic changes after treatment have yet to be elucidated. This
      study aims to characterize the histologic response of gastric cancer to
      trastuzumab treatment and its correlation with HER2 status. Twenty-one advanced
      HER2-positive gastric cancers treated with trastuzumab-based chemotherapy,
      including 10 surgically resected specimens and 11 biopsy samples from patients
      with inoperable tumors, were evaluated for the histologic responses and HER2
      status of residual cells. We also reviewed, as controls, 10 cases undergoing
      surgical resection of tumors after chemotherapy without trastuzumab. Complete and
      partial histologic responses were obtained in 2 and 8 of the surgical cases,
      respectively. HER2-positive neoplastic cells were recognized at least focally in
      the 8 cases. Notably, the proportion of HER2-positive cells was always higher in
      superficial (mucosal/submucosal) layers than in deeper layers. Three specimens
      contained HER2-positive neoplastic cells exclusively in the superficial area or
      intravascular space, whereas deeply invasive or metastatic components almost
      completely disappeared or were HER2 negative when still present. In contrast,
      HER2-negative cells or residual tumor cells in control cases tended to survive as
      well or better in deeply invasive areas or in metastases than in superficial
      areas. Biopsy samples from nonoperative patients remained HER2 positive after
      treatment in 8 of 11 patients. Our observations suggest that HER2-positive
      neoplastic cells tend to survive within superficial areas or intravascular spaces
      after trastuzumab therapy, even when deeply invasive or metastatic lesions
      responded well to therapy.

PMID- 27259009
TI  - Distinctive Patterns of CTNNB1 (beta-Catenin) Alterations in Salivary Gland Basal
      Cell Adenoma and Basal Cell Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Salivary gland basaloid neoplasms are diagnostically challenging. Limited
      publications report that some basal cell adenomas harbor CTNNB1 mutations, and
      nuclear beta-catenin expression is prevalent. We evaluated beta-catenin
      expression in basal cell adenomas and adenocarcinomas in comparison with salivary
      tumors in the differential diagnosis and performed targeted genetic analysis on a
      subset of cases. beta-catenin immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin
      fixed, paraffin-embedded whole sections from 73 tumors. Nuclear staining was
      scored semiquantitatively by extent and intensity. DNA was extracted from 6
      formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples (5 basal cell adenomas, 1 basal cell
      adenocarcinoma) for next-generation sequencing. Nuclear beta-catenin staining was
      present in 18/22 (82%) basal cell adenomas; most were diffuse and strong and
      predominant in the basal component. Two of 3 basal cell adenocarcinomas were
      positive (1 moderate focal; 1 moderate multifocal). All adenoid cystic carcinomas
      (0/20) and pleomorphic adenomas (0/20) were negative; 2/8 epithelial
      myoepithelial carcinomas showed focal nuclear staining. Most beta-catenin
      negative tumors showed diffuse membranous staining in the absence of nuclear
      staining. Four of 5 basal cell adenomas had exon 3 CTNNB1 mutations, all c.104T>C
      (p.I35T). Basal cell adenocarcinoma showed a more complex genomic profile, with
      activating mutations in PIK3CA, biallelic inactivation of NFKBIA, focal CYLD
      deletion, and without CTNNB1 mutation despite focal beta-catenin expression.
      Nuclear beta-catenin expression has moderate sensitivity (82%) for basal cell
      adenoma but high specificity (96%) in comparison with its morphologic mimics.
      CTNNB1 mutation was confirmed in most basal cell adenomas tested, and findings in
      basal cell adenocarcinoma suggest possible tumorigenic mechanisms, including
      alterations in PI3K and NF-kappaB pathways and transcriptional regulation.

PMID- 27259010
TI  - CTNNB1 Mutations and Estrogen Receptor Expression in Neuromuscular Choristoma and
      Its Associated Fibromatosis.
AB  - Neuromuscular choristoma (NMC) is a very rare, developmental malformation
      characterized by the endoneurial intercalation of mature muscle fibers among
      peripheral nerve fibers. NMC typically arises in the major proximal peripheral
      nerves, most commonly the sciatic nerve, and may involve the lumbosacral and
      brachial plexus. Patients present clinically with progressive neuropathy or
      plexopathy. NMC is strongly associated with development of a fibromatosis,
      histologically identical to conventional desmoid-type fibromatosis (NMC
      fibromatosis). The development of NMC-fibromatosis is often precipitated by
      iatrogenic trauma (ie, biopsy). Desmoid-type fibromatosis is characterized by
      CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations, which result in aberrant nuclear beta-catenin
      localization and dysregulated canonical Wnt signaling. In contrast, the
      pathogenesis of NMC and NMC-fibromatosis is unknown. Desmoid-type fibromatosis
      expresses estrogen receptors (ER), specifically the ER-beta isoform (ERbeta), and
      endocrine therapies may be used in surgically unresectable cases. In contrast,
      the ER expression profile of NMC-fibromatosis is unknown. We evaluated a series
      of NMC and NMC-fibromatosis for CTNNB1 mutations, beta-catenin expression, and ER
      isoform expression. Five NMCs occurred in 2 female and 3 male patients (median
      age: 14 y, range <1 to 42 y), as masses involving the sciatic nerve (N=4) or
      brachial plexus (N=1). Four (of 5) NMCs had CTNNB1 mutations: 3 c.134 C>T
      (p.S45F) and 1 c.121 A>G (p.T41A). Four patients subsequently developed NMC
      fibromatosis, and all 4 cases contained CTNNB1 mutations, including 1 p.T41A and
      3 p.S45F mutations. In 3 patients, the NMC and NMC-fibromatosis had identical
      CTNNB1 mutations. Only 1 NMC had no detectable CTNNB1 mutation; however, the
      patient's subsequent NMC-fibromatosis had a CTNNB1 p.T41A mutation. All NMC and
      NMC-fibromatosis showed aberrant nuclear localization of beta-catenin, nuclear
      ERbeta expression, and no ERalpha expression. The presence of CTNNB1 mutations
      both in NMC and NMC-fibromatosis may be a shared molecular genetic abnormality
      underlying their pathogenesis.

PMID- 27259012
TI  - Pure Apocrine Carcinomas Represent a Clinicopathologically Distinct Androgen
      Receptor-Positive Subset of Triple-Negative Breast Cancers.
AB  - Apocrine carcinomas comprise ~1% of all breast cancers and are characterized by
      large cells bearing abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, round nuclei, and
      prominent nucleoli. They are typically estrogen receptor/progesterone
      receptor/HER2 negative, making them unresponsive to typical hormonal or HER2
      based chemotherapy. However, this subtype of triple-negative breast cancers
      expresses androgen receptor (AR), a feature not shared by most nonapocrine triple
      negative cancers (NA-TNCs). AR therefore represents a potential diagnostic tool
      and therapeutic target for apocrine breast carcinoma. All pure apocrine
      carcinomas diagnosed during a 10-year period were reviewed, and clinicopathologic
      characteristics were compared with a control group of 26 NA-TNC cases. Twenty
      apocrine carcinomas were identified (~0.8% of all breast cancers). The mean age
      at diagnosis was 69.3 years for apocrine carcinomas and 56.7 years for NA-TNC.
      All apocrine carcinomas and no NA-TNC were AR positive. The proportions of
      apocrine carcinoma grades varied, with G1 being seen in 15% of patients, G2 in
      55%, and G3 in 30%. In contrast, 100% of NA-TNC cases were G3. The majority of
      apocrine carcinomas presented at low T stage (T1: 70%; T2: 20%; T3: 10%; T4: 0%),
      whereas NA-TNC cases more often presented at T2 or higher (T1: 46.2%; T2: 30.8%;
      T3: 11.5%; T4: 11.5%). Thirty percent of apocrine carcinomas and 30.8% of NA-TNCs
      had nodal metastases at presentation. Apocrine carcinomas had a favorable
      clinical prognosis, with 80% of patients showing no evidence of disease-related
      morbidity or mortality (mean follow-up: 45.2 mo). Pure apocrine carcinomas
      represent a clinicopathologically distinct subgroup of triple-negative breast
      cancer characterized by AR positivity. When compared with NA-TNC, apocrine
      carcinomas more often present in older women with lower grade and T stage, a
      group in which a more conservative treatment regimen is often desired.

PMID- 27259011
TI  - Recurrent NTRK1 Gene Fusions Define a Novel Subset of Locally Aggressive
      Lipofibromatosis-like Neural Tumors.
AB  - The family of pediatric fibroblastic and myofibroblastic proliferations
      encompasses a wide spectrum of pathologic entities with overlapping morphologies
      and ill-defined genetic abnormalities. Among the superficial lesions,
      lipofibromatosis (LPF), composed of an admixture of adipose tissue and
      fibroblastic elements, in the past has been variously classified as infantile
      fibromatosis or fibrous hamartoma of infancy. In this regard, we have encountered
      a group of superficial soft tissue tumors occurring in children and young adults,
      with a notably infiltrative growth pattern reminiscent of LPF, variable cytologic
      atypia, and a distinct immunoprofile of S100 protein and CD34 reactivity,
      suggestive of neural differentiation. SOX10 and melanocytic markers were negative
      in all cases tested. In contrast, a control group of classic LPF displayed bland,
      monomorphic histology and lacked S100 protein immunoreactivity. To define the
      pathogenetic abnormalities in these seemingly distinctive groups, we performed
      RNA sequencing for fusion gene discovery in 2 cases each, followed by screening
      for any novel alterations identified in a larger cohort representing both
      entities. The 2 index LPF-like neural tumors (LPF-NT) showed TPR-NTRK1 and TPM3
      NTRK1 gene fusions, which were further validated by fluorescence in situ
      hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
      Subsequent FISH screening of 14 LPF-NT identified recurrent NTRK1 gene
      rearrangements in 10 (71%) cases. Of the NTRK1-negative LPF-NT cases, 1 case each
      showed ROS1 and ALK gene rearrangements. In contrast, none of the 25 classic LPFs
      showed NTRK1 gene rearrangements, although regional abnormalities were noted in
      the 1q21-22 region by FISH in a majority of cases. Furthermore, NTRK1
      immunostaining was positive only in NTRK1-rearranged S100-positive LPF-NT but
      negative in classic LPF. These results suggest that NTRK1 oncogenic activation
      through gene fusion defines a novel and distinct subset of soft tissue tumors
      resembling LPF, but displaying cytologic atypia and a neural immunophenotype,
      provisionally named LPF-like neural tumors.

PMID- 27259013
TI  - Interstitial Mycosis Fungoides: A Clinicopathologic Study of 21 Patients.
AB  - Interstitial mycosis fungoides (IMF) is a rare histopathologic variant of mycosis
      fungoides (MF) that may mimic other inflammatory dermatoses, mainly interstitial
      granuloma annulare, inflammatory morphea, and interstitial granulomatous
      dermatitis. Only small series and sporadic case reports of IMF have been
      described in the literature. We reviewed 27 specimens from 21 patients with IMF
      (M:F=11:10, median age 60) to better characterize clinical, histopathologic, and
      immunohistochemical features of this disease. Most patients presented clinically
      with patches and/or plaques. Conventional MF was documented before, concomitant
      with, or after IMF in 12 patients, whereas only in 2 patients different biopsies
      showed exclusive features of IMF over a period of 4 and 191 months, respectively.
      Histology revealed in all cases variably long, linear aggregates of dermal
      lymphocytes splaying the collagen fibers, involving predominantly the superficial
      and mid-dermis (6 cases) or the entire dermis (21 cases). Immunohistochemical
      stainings revealed a cytotoxic phenotype in 9/18 tested cases. Variable amounts
      of histiocytes/macrophages were found interstitially in all tested biopsies but
      never represented a population larger than that of T lymphocytes. Our study shows
      that IMF is a peculiar variant of MF with frequent cytotoxic phenotype. This
      histopathologic variant in most cases represents a transient pattern in otherwise
      conventional MF. Accurate clinicopathologic correlation and phenotypic studies of
      atypical dermal interstitial lymphohistiocytic infiltrates allow to make a
      correct diagnosis.

PMID- 27259014
TI  - Distinct Clinicopathologic and Genetic Features of 2 Histologic Subtypes of
      Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - Previous studies have identified 2 clinically significant morphologic subtypes of
      intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) on the basis of anatomic location and/or
      histologic appearances. Recognizing that these classification schemes are not
      always applicable practically, this study aimed to establish a novel
      classification system based on mucin productivity and immunophenotype and to
      determine the rationale of this classification by examining the clinicopathologic
      and genetic characteristics of the 2 subtypes defined by this method. We
      retrospectively investigated 102 consecutive ICC cases and classified them on the
      basis of mucin productivity and immunophenotype (S100P, N-cadherin, and NCAM). We
      found that 42 and 56 cases were classified as type 1 and type 2 ICCs,
      respectively, and only 4 cases were of indeterminate type. Type 1 ICC, generally
      characterized by mucin production and diffuse immunoreactivity to S100P, arose
      less frequently in chronic liver diseases and showed higher levels of serum CEA
      and CA 19-9 than did type 2 ICC, which generally showed little mucin production
      and exhibited immunoreactivity to N-cadherin and/or NCAM. Type 1 ICC was
      characterized by several pathologic features, including higher frequencies of
      perineural invasion and lymph node metastasis. Although the log-rank test
      demonstrated that type 1 ICC had significantly worse survival, the multivariate
      Cox regression analysis showed no prognostic significance of this histologic
      subtype. Genetic analyses revealed that KRAS mutation was significantly more
      frequent in type 1 ICC, whereas IDH mutation and FGFR2 translocation were
      restricted to type 2 ICC. In conclusion, the present classification of ICC based
      on mucin productivity and immunophenotype identified 2 subtypes with
      clinicopathologic significance.

PMID- 27259015
TI  - A Practical Approach to the Classification of WHO Grade 3 (G3) Well
      differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumor (WD-NET) and Poorly Differentiated
      Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (PD-NEC) of the Pancreas.
AB  - High-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms (World Health Organization [WHO] G3) of the
      pancreas include both well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (WD-NET) and
      poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (PD-NEC). According to the WHO
      classification scheme, the diagnosis of this group of tumors is based on both the
      histopathology of the tumor and the assessment of proliferation fraction.
      However, the former can be challenging due to the lack of well-defined histologic
      criteria, and the latter alone (ie, >20 mitoses/10 high-power fields or Ki67>20%)
      may not sufficiently distinguish WD-NETs from PD-NECs. Given the considerable
      differences in treatment strategies and clinical outcome, additional practical
      modalities are required to facilitate the accurate diagnosis of high-grade
      pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. We examined 33 cases of WHO G3
      neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas and attempted to classify them into WD
      NET, small cell PD-NEC (PD-NEC-SCC), and large cell PD-NEC (PD-NEC-LCC) or to
      designate them as "ambiguous" when an uncertain diagnosis was rendered by any of
      the observers or there was any disagreement in classification among the 3
      observers. To simplify the interpretation, both PD-NEC-SCC and PD-NEC-LCC were
      considered together as PD-NECs in the final analysis. The initial approach was to
      assess microscopically a single morphologically challenging hematoxylin and eosin
      section from each case without the knowledge of Ki67 values, performed
      independently by 3 pathologists to assess the degree of diagnostic concordance,
      and then evaluate immunohistochemical staining for surrogate biomarkers of known
      genotypes of WD-NET and PD-NEC, respectively, and, lastly, complete a
      clinicopathologic review to establish a final definitive classification. Loss of
      DAXX or ATRX protein expression defined WD-NET, and abnormal p53, Rb, SMAD4
      expression signified PD-NEC. When the chosen section displayed an element of WD
      histopathology, or other tumor sections contained WHO G1/G2 components, or there
      had been a prior established diagnosis of a primary WD-NET, the final diagnosis
      was rendered as a WD-NET with high-grade (G3) progression. If a component of
      conventional adenocarcinoma was present (in slides not seen in the initial
      review), the diagnosis was established as a combined adenocarcinoma and PD-NEC.
      All 3 pathologists agreed on the morphologic classification of 33% of the cases
      (6 WD-NET, 3 PD-NEC-SCC, and 2 PD-NEC-LCC), were conflicted on 2 cases between PD
      NEC-SCC and PD-NEC-LCC, and disagreed or were uncertain on the classification for
      the remaining 20 cases (61%), which were therefore categorized as ambiguous. In
      the group of cases in which all pathologists agreed on the classification, the 6
      WD-NET cases had either loss of DAXX or ATRX or had evidence of a WD-NET based on
      additional or prior pathology slides. The 7 PD-NEC cases had abnormal expression
      of p53, Rb, and/or SMAD4 or a coexisting adenocarcinoma. In the ambiguous group
      (n=20), 14 cases were established as WD-NETs, based upon loss of DAXX or ATRX in
      7 cases and additional pathology evidence of high-grade progression from WD-NET
      in the other 7 cases; 5 cases were established as PD-NEC based upon abnormal
      expression of p53, Rb, and/or SMAD4; 1 case remained undetermined with normal
      expression of all markers and no evidence of entity-defining histologic findings
      in other slides. On the basis of the final pathologic classifications, the
      disease-specific survival was 75 and 11 months for the WD-NET and PD-NEC groups,
      respectively. Thus, we conclude that morphologic diagnosis of high-grade
      pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms is challenging, especially when limited
      pathologic materials are available, and necessitates better defined criteria. The
      analysis of both additional sections and prior material, along with an
      immunohistochemical evaluation, can facilitate accurate diagnosis in the majority
      of cases and guide the appropriate clinical management and prognosis.

PMID- 27259016
TI  - A Novel High-Throughput Viscometer.
AB  - A novel, rapid, parallel, and high-throughput system for measuring viscosity of
      materials under different conditions of shear rate, temperature, time, etc., has
      been developed. This unique system utilizes the transient flow of a complex fluid
      through pipettes. This approach offers significant practical advantages over
      microfluidic-based devices for viscosity screening: no cleanup is required, the
      method is high throughput (<1 h for 100 samples), and only small sample volumes
      (<1 mL) are used. This paper details for the first time the experimental and
      modeling efforts to implement this mass- and pressure-based viscosity measurement
      concept as a robust viscosity estimation tool. This approach is very well-suited
      for viscosity measurements in high-throughput formulation workflows, as it is
      rapid and parallel and operates directly on samples in various microtiter plate
      formats. We present systematic experimental observations together with numerical
      and analytical modeling approaches to characterize instrument capabilities and
      limitations. The complex transient flow of fluids through these pipettes leads to
      data-rich pressure profiles. Numerical and analytical modeling is then used to
      extract viscosity and other rheological parameters from these pressure profiles.
      We have successfully utilized this viscosity screening tool for a multitude of
      complex fluids including oils, paints, solvents, and detergents.

PMID- 27259017
TI  - Cavitands as Chaperones for Monofunctional and Ring-Forming Reactions in Water.
AB  - Cyclic processes involving medium-sized rings show low rates because internal
      strains-torsions and transannular interactions-are created during the reactions.
      High dilution is often used to slow the competing bi- and higher-molecular
      processes but cannot accelerate the desired cyclization reaction. Here we apply
      cavitands to the formation of medium- to large-sized rings through conversion of
      long-chain diisocyanates to cyclic ureas. The reactions take place in aqueous
      (D2O) solution, where hydrophobic forces drive the starting materials into the
      cavitands in folded conformations. The guest assumes the shape to fill the space
      properly, which brings the reacting ends closer together than they are in bulk
      solvent. Complexation overcomes some of the internal strains involved in
      precyclization shapes of the guest molecules and accelerates the cyclization. The
      results augur well for applications of water-soluble cavitands to related
      processes such as remote functionalization reactions.

PMID- 27259018
TI  - Ultrasound Evaluation of the Urinary Bladder in Dogs Following Cystotomy with
      Full Thickness Suture Placement.
AB  - The purpose of the study reported here is to determine the long-term effect of
      full thickness suture placement in the urinary bladder following cystotomy as it
      relates to urinary bladder mucosal changes identified ultrasonographically at the
      suture placement site. A retrospective search for dogs that had undergone a
      cystotomy from 6 to 24 mo prior to the study was performed, yielding 31 dogs
      included in the study. All dogs had the cystotomy closed using full thickness
      sutures. These dogs underwent an ultrasound of the urinary bladder to evaluate
      the mucosa at the incision site. Four (12.9%) of the 31 dogs had mucosal lesions
      consistent with a polypoid mass or masses. None of these four dogs had lesions
      solely at the previous cystotomy site. This study confirmed our hypothesis of no
      long-term evidence of mucosal lesions at the previous cystotomy site closed with
      full thickness sutures. Based on the results, the use of full thickness suture
      placement for the closure of the urinary bladder following cystotomy does not
      result in bladder mucosal changes. Other causes of mucosal changes, such as
      polypoid mass or masses, should be considered if identified on follow-up
      ultrasound evaluations following cystotomy procedures regardless of closure
      technique.

PMID- 27259019
TI  - Fragmentation of the Medial Coronoid Process in Toy and Small Breed Dogs: 13
      Elbows (2000-2012).
AB  - Fragmentation of the medial coronoid process (FCP) is an uncommon cause of
      thoracic limb lameness in toy and small breed dogs. Arthroscopic findings and
      treatment remains poorly described. The objective of this study was to describe
      the arthroscopic findings and short-term outcome following arthroscopic treatment
      in toy and small breed dogs with FCP. Medical records were retrospectively
      reviewed. Arthroscopic findings were available from 13 elbows (12 dogs). Outcome
      data >=4 wk postoperatively were available for nine elbows. Owner satisfaction
      scores were available for 10 elbows. Common preoperative findings included
      lameness, elbow pain, and imaging abnormalities consistent with FCP. Displaced
      FCP was the most common FCP lesion identified. Cartilage lesions at the medial
      coronoid process were identified in 92.3% of elbows (n = 12), with a median
      Outerbridge score of 4 (range 1-5). Concurrent cartilage lesions of the medial
      humeral condyle were identified in 76.9% of elbows (n = 10). Seven of nine elbows
      had full or acceptable function postoperatively. Median owner outcome
      satisfaction was 91% (range 10-100). FCP should be considered a cause of thoracic
      limb lameness in toy and small breed dogs. Arthroscopy can be safely and
      effectively used to diagnose and treat FCP in these breeds.

PMID- 27259020
TI  - 2016 AAHA Oncology Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
AB  - All companion animal practices will be presented with oncology cases on a regular
      basis, making diagnosis and treatment of cancer an essential part of
      comprehensive primary care. Because each oncology case is medically unique, these
      guidelines recommend a patient-specific approach consisting of the following
      components: diagnosis, staging, therapeutic intervention, provisions for patient
      and personnel safety in handling chemotherapy agents, referral to an oncology
      specialty practice when appropriate, and a strong emphasis on client support.
      Determination of tumor type by histologic examination of a biopsy sample should
      be the basis for all subsequent steps in oncology case management. Diagnostic
      staging determines the extent of local disease and presence or absence of
      regional or distant metastasis. The choice of therapeutic modalities is based on
      tumor type, histologic grade, and stage, and may include surgery, radiation
      therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and adjunctive therapies, such as
      nutritional support and pain management. These guidelines discuss the strict
      safety precautions that should be observed in handling chemotherapy agents, which
      are now commonly used in veterinary oncology. Because cancer is often a disease
      of older pets, the time of life when the pet-owner relationship is usually
      strongest, a satisfying outcome for all parties involved is highly dependent on
      good communication between the entire healthcare team and the client,
      particularly when death or euthanasia of the patient is being considered. These
      guidelines include comprehensive tables of common canine and feline cancers as a
      resource for case management and a sample case history.

PMID- 27259021
TI  - The Modified Maquet Procedure (MMP) in Dogs: Technical Development and Initial
      Clinical Experience.
AB  - The literature about tibial tuberosity advancement surgery in dogs and humans
      informed the development of a version of the operation using a wedge-shaped
      implant of titanium foam. Computer-assisted drawing and stereolithography was
      used to create instruments and implants that were evaluated by cadaver surgery. A
      trial, involving 26 client-owned dogs with lameness due to cranial cruciate
      ligament failure, was started. Follow-up was done by clinical and radiographic
      examination after 4 wk and clinical examination again 6-11 mo after surgery. The
      titanium foam implant maintained tibial tuberosity advancement easily and
      effectively. The same major complication occurred in 2 of the first 6 cases
      before, a slightly modified technique was used to treat 20 dogs without
      complication. At mid-term follow-up (6-11 mo), 20/26 dogs (77%) had returned to
      full function, two dogs (7.7%) had acceptable function, two dogs (7.7%) could not
      be evaluated due to recent contra lateral modified Maquet procedure surgery, and
      two (7.7%) dogs had died for reasons unrelated to the study. This is the first
      clinical report of the use of titanium foam in veterinary orthopaedics. Modified
      Maquet procedure appears to be an effective treatment for lameness due to failure
      of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs.

PMID- 27259022
TI  - Inflow Venous Occlusion for Intracardiac Resection of an Occluding Right
      Ventricular Tumor.
AB  - Use of normothermic venous inflow occlusion enabled removal of an intracardiac
      tumor in a 4 yr old, 27 kg, spayed female Airedale terrier with a history of
      appendicular osteosarcoma and recent exertional syncope. Inflow venous occlusion
      via a median sternotomy thoracotomy without hypothermia was used to access the
      mineralized mass within the right ventricular outflow tract. Duration of
      circulatory arrest was 70 s for this beating heart surgery. A circumscribed
      intracardiac chondrosarcoma tumor was marginally resected in this dog,
      successfully alleviating exertional syncope and restoring a normal echogenic
      appearance of the right heart. Asymptomatic intracardiac chondrosarcoma
      recurrence and pulmonary metastasis was detected at 309 days and cardiopulmonary
      arrest occurred 372 days following intracardiac surgery. Use of inflow occlusion
      is a viable technique for select intracardiac tumors in dogs with preoperative
      planning.

PMID- 27259023
TI  - Comparison of Surgically Treated Large Versus Small Intestinal Volvulus (2009
      2014).
AB  - The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the outcome for dogs with
      surgically treated large versus small intestinal volvulus between October 2009
      and February 2014. A total of 15 dogs met the inclusion criteria and underwent an
      abdominal exploratory. Nine dogs were diagnosed with large intestinal volvulus
      during the study period, and all nine had surgical correction for large
      intestinal volvulus. All dogs were discharged from the hospital. Of the seven
      dogs available for phone follow-up (74 to 955 days postoperatively), all seven
      were alive and doing well. Six dogs were diagnosed with small intestinal volvulus
      during the study period. One of the six survived to hospital discharge. Three of
      the six were euthanized at the time of surgery due to an extensive amount of
      necrotic bowel. Of the three who were not, one died postoperatively the same day,
      one died 3 days later, and one dog survived for greater than 730 days. Results
      concluded that the outcome in dogs with surgically corrected large intestinal
      volvulus is excellent, compared with a poor outcome in dogs with small intestinal
      volvulus. The overall survival to discharge for large intestinal volvulus was
      100%, versus 16% for small intestinal volvulus.

PMID- 27259024
TI  - Occurrence and Clinicopathologic Features of Splenic Neoplasia Based on Body
      Weight: 325 Dogs (2003-2013).
AB  - Medical records of 396 dogs undergoing splenectomy for treatment of a splenic
      mass or nodular disease were reviewed retrospectively. Overall distribution of
      histopathologic diagnosis and clinicopathologic features were evaluated for 325
      dogs that met inclusion criteria. Dogs were dichotomized into two groups based on
      weight, with the statistically derived cutoff identified as 27.8 kg. Malignancy
      was diagnosed in 58% of dogs, with no difference between small (55%) and large
      (61%) dogs (P = .291). Overall, 32% of splenic masses were hemangiosarcoma (HSA),
      which comprised 25 and 39% of all masses in small and large dogs, respectively.
      The diagnosis of HSA, non-HSA malignancy, or benign splenic disease was
      significantly different between the groups (P = .019). Of malignant diagnoses,
      HSA comprised 46 and 65% of small and large dog splenic neoplasms, respectively
      (P = .009). In both groups, dogs with HSA were significantly more likely to have
      preoperative anemia, hemoabdomen, thrombocytopenia, and a blood transfusion, as
      compared to dogs with non-HSA malignancy or benign lesions. Overall, dogs had
      similar odds of having a malignant splenic lesion regardless of weight, but dogs
      <=27.8 kg were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with HSA.

PMID- 27259025
TI  - Intravenous Lipid Emulsion Therapy for Bromethalin Toxicity in a Dog.
AB  - Bromethalin is a central nervous system toxin currently incorporated into several
      different rodenticides. In 2008, the EPA requested that manufacturers phase out
      second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. In response, manufacturers began to
      increase production of bromethalin-based rodenticides. It is likely that pet
      exposure to bromethalin will increase in the future. Bromethalin has no known
      antidote and tends to deposit in fat. Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) are
      being used with increasing frequency in both human and veterinary medicine to
      treat numerous acute systemic toxicities. A 4 yr old spayed female Pit bull
      terrier was presented following witnessed ingestion of bromethalin rodenticide by
      the owners. Decontamination was unsuccessful and ILE was started. Serum was
      frozen at -80 degrees C before and 1 hr after completion of ILE. In rats, the
      half-life of desmethylbromethalin, the toxic metabolite, has been reported at 5.6
      days and 6 days, and it is likely to be similar in dogs. The only intervention
      between the pre-lipid serum sample and the post-lipid serum sample was the
      administration of ILE, and the serum desmethylbromethalin levels were reduced by
      75% (from 4 ppb to 1 ppb) during this time. To the authors' knowledge, this is
      the first report describing treatment of bromethalin ingestion with ILE.

PMID- 27259026
TI  - Hypercalcemia in a Dog with Chronic Ingestion of Maxacalcitol Ointment.
AB  - A miniature dachshund male with severe azotemia of unknown cause was referred.
      Serum biochemistry revealed severe azotemia and hypercalcemia, but serum intact
      parathormone and parathormone-related protein were normal. Although the owner
      reported that the dog had never ingested any drugs or supplements, it was
      revealed that the owner's son used antipsoriatic ointment, maxacalcitol, which
      contained an active vitamin D3 analogue, daily and the dog often ate the son's
      dander and licked his skin, especially after he applied the maxacalcitol
      ointment. After the dog was insulated from the maxacalcitol ointment and the son
      as much as possible, the hypercalcemia and azotemia improved gradually and had
      mostly resolved at 3 mo. The dog has been generally free of clinical signs
      without any treatment for over 2 yr.

PMID- 27259027
TI  - Thyroglossal Duct Carcinoma in a Cat.
AB  - A 14 yr old castrated domestic shorthair cat presented for a fluid-filled
      structure in the ventral cervical region that had been present for 1 yr and had
      not resolved after repeated aspiration and drainage. Cervical computed tomography
      showed an approximately 10 cm, fluid-filled, multilobulated mass located on the
      ventrolateral right side of the cervical region extending into the thoracic
      inlet. Cytologic examination of the fluid revealed cystic fluid with evidence of
      chronic hemorrhage. The mass was surgically removed, and histopathologic
      examination revealed a thyroglossal duct carcinoma. Thyroid and parathyroid gland
      origin were ruled out by negative immunohistochemical staining for thyroglobulin,
      parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and synaptophysin. No adjunctive treatment was
      performed and no recurrence was noted at 14 mo. Thyroglossal duct carcinoma has
      not been previously reported in a cat. There are two previous reports of squamous
      cell carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct in dogs. In humans, with complete removal
      and no evidence of metastasis, carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct has a good
      prognosis for recovery.

PMID- 27259028
TI  - Toad Intoxication in the Dog by Rhinella marina : The Clinical Syndrome and
      Current Treatment Recommendations.
AB  - Oral exposure to the secretions of Rhinella marina (formerly Bufo marinus ) can
      carry a high fatality rate without early and appropriate treatment. In dogs, the
      clinical syndrome, which is evident almost immediately, manifests in profuse
      ptyalism along with gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurologic signs. Severe
      cardiac arrhythmias develop less frequently. This review will cover the history,
      toxicology, and clinical syndrome of Rhinella marina intoxication, and will
      discuss the recommended therapies for stabilization.

PMID- 27259029
TI  - Prediction of one-year mortality by five different frailty instruments: A
      comparative study in hospitalized geriatric patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data comparing the ability of different major frailty instruments for
      predicting mortality in hospitalized geriatric patients are scare. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: 307 patients >=65years who were hospitalized on geriatric wards were
      included in this prospective analysis. A fifty-item frailty index (FI), a ten
      domain+co-morbidity frailty index based on a standardized comprehensive geriatric
      assessment (FI-CGA), the nine category Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS-9), the CSHA
      rules-based frailty definition (CSHA-RBFD), and the frailty phenotype (FP) were
      assessed during the patients' hospital stays. Patients were followed up over a
      one-year period. RESULTS: Follow-up data after one year could be obtained from
      305 out of the 307 participants. Sixty two participants (20.3%) had died after
      that time. The FI, FI-CGA, CFS-9, CSHA-RBFD, and FP could all discriminate
      between patients who died and those who survived during follow-up (areas under
      the ROC curves: 0.805, 0.808, 0.852, 0.703 and 0.757, all P<0.001, respectively).
      The CFS-9 showed a better discriminative ability for one-year mortality compared
      to the FI, FI-CGA, CSHA-RBFD, and FP (all P<0.05, respectively). The FI and the
      FI-CGA did not differ in their discriminative ability for one-year mortality
      (P=0.440). The CSHA-RBFD and the FP demonstrated a comparable discriminative
      ability (P=0.241) and, when compared to the CFS-9, FI, and FI-CGA, an inferior
      discriminative ability for one-year mortality (all P<0.05, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: Among those frailty instruments that were evaluated, the CFS-9
      emerged as the most powerful for prediction of one-year mortality.

PMID- 27259030
TI  - Hand tactile discrimination, social touch and frailty criteria in elderly people:
      A cross sectional observational study.
AB  - Frailty is a common syndrome among elderly and sensory decline may exacerbate
      functional decline. The hand function, the manual dexterity, the performance of
      the daily living skills and the social interactions are determined, in a large
      degree, by sensory integrity. However, hand tactile sensory deterioration has
      been little explored in frailty. We performed a cross sectional observational
      study with 181 of institutionalized elders. From the initial sample we selected
      50 subjects (68-99 years) who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Our goals
      were (1) to analyse the relationship between tactile discrimination (TD) of the
      hand, avoidance behaviours and attitudes towards social touch (BATST) and
      phenotype frailty criteria (unintentional weight loss, self-perception of
      exhaustion, decrease grip strength - GS, slow walking speed, low level of
      physical activity), (2) to explore whether other variables can contribute to
      explain the differences between pre-frail and frail elders. The results showed
      that increasing age is related to decline of TD of the hand (p=0.021) and to
      decrease in GS (p=0.025); women have significantly lower level of GS (p=0.001);
      TD decrease is correlated with higher avoidance BATST (p=0.000) and with lower GS
      (p=0.000); Lower GS corresponds to more avoidance BATST (p=0.003). Hand TD also
      can differentiate frail and pre-frail elderly subjects in this sample (p=0.037).
      Decreased TD of the hand may have implications on the functionality and on
      interpersonal relationships. TD of the hand also explains frailty levels in this
      sample. Hand TD should be used in assessment and intervention protocols in pre
      frail and frail elders.

PMID- 27259031
TI  - Discovery of Novel 3-Quinoline Carboxamides as Potent, Selective, and Orally
      Bioavailable Inhibitors of Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) Kinase.
AB  - A novel series of 3-quinoline carboxamides has been discovered and optimized as
      selective inhibitors of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase. From a
      modestly potent HTS hit (4), we identified molecules such as 6-[6-(methoxymethyl)
      3-pyridinyl]-4-{[(1R)-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)ethyl]amino}-3
      quinolinecarboxamide (72) and 7-fluoro-6-[6-(methoxymethyl)pyridin-3-yl]-4-{[(1S)
      1-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)ethyl]amino}quinoline-3-carboxamide (74) as potent
      and highly selective ATM inhibitors with overall ADME properties suitable for
      oral administration. 72 and 74 constitute excellent oral tools to probe ATM
      inhibition in vivo. Efficacy in combination with the DSB-inducing agent
      irinotecan was observed in a disease relevant model.

PMID- 27259036
TI  - Influence of biochars, compost and iron grit, alone and in combination, on copper
      solubility and phytotoxicity in a Cu-contaminated soil from a wood preservation
      site.
AB  - Two biochars, a green waste compost and iron grit were used, alone and in
      combination, as amendment to improve soil properties and in situ stabilize Cu in
      a contaminated soil (964mgCukg(-1)) from a wood preservation site. The pot
      experiment consisted in 9 soil treatments (% w/w): untreated Cu-contaminated soil
      (Unt); Unt soil amended respectively with compost (5%, C), iron grit (1%, Z),
      pine bark-derived biochar (1%, PB), poultry-manure-derived biochar (1%, AB), PB
      or AB+C (5%, PBC and ABC), and PB or AB+Z (1%, PBZ and ABZ). After a 3-month
      reaction period, the soil pore water (SPW) was sampled in potted soils and dwarf
      beans were grown for a 2-week period. In the SPW, all amendments decreased the
      Cu(2+) concentration, but total Cu concentration increased in all AB-amended
      soils due to high dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentration. No treatment
      improved root and shoot DW yields, which even decreased in the ABC and ABZ
      treatments. The PBZ treatment decreased total Cu concentration in the SPW while
      reducing the gap with common values for root and shoot yields of dwarf bean
      plants. A field trial is underway before any recommendation for the PB-based
      treatments. 

PMID- 27259037
TI  - High doses of ethylene diurea (EDU) are not toxic to willow and act as nitrogen
      fertilizer.
AB  - Ethylene diurea (EDU) is synthetic chemical which protects plants against damage
      caused by ground level O3 and is used experimentally as a biomonitoring tool at
      doses usually ranging from 200 to 400mgL(-1) a.i. Although several studies have
      investigated the protective action of EDU, this mechanism remains unclear.
      Important uncertainties in EDU action are whether EDU acts as a source of
      nitrogen (N) to plants and whether high doses are phytotoxic. In order to answer
      these questions, we conducted an open-field experiment where potted willow (Salix
      sachalinensis Fr. Schm) plants were exposed to ambient O3 conditions and treated
      with 0, 800 or 1600mgL(-1) EDU as a soil drench, every nine days, for about
      2.5months. We examined approximately 50 response variables. Based on N content in
      different plant organs, we found that (a) all EDU was transferred to the leaves
      and (b) high doses of EDU increased the leaf N content. However, EDU did not
      affect the C content and distribution within the plant body. Still, even at the
      highest dose, EDU was not toxic to this fast-growing species (however such a high
      dose should not be applied in uncontrolled environments); and there was no EDU
      persistence in the soil, as indicated by soil N content. Notably, our soil was
      free from organic matter and N-poor. KEY MESSAGE: EDU per se does not cause
      toxicity to willow plants when applied as drench to a soil with no organic
      matter, rather, high EDU doses may act as nitrogen fertilizer in a nitrogen-poor
      soil.

PMID- 27259032
TI  - Multilaboratory evaluation of 15 bioassays for (eco)toxicity screening and hazard
      ranking of engineered nanomaterials: FP7 project NANOVALID.
AB  - Within EU FP7 project NANOVALID, the (eco)toxicity of 7 well-characterized
      engineered nanomaterials (NMs) was evaluated by 15 bioassays in 4 laboratories.
      The highest tested nominal concentration of NMs was 100 mg/l. The panel of the
      bioassays yielded the following toxicity order: Ag > ZnO > CuO > TiO2 > MWCNTs >
      SiO2 > Au. Ag, ZnO and CuO proved very toxic in the majority of assays,
      assumingly due to dissolution. The latter was supported by the parallel analysis
      of the toxicity of respective soluble metal salts. The most sensitive
      tests/species were Daphnia magna (towards Ag NMs, 24-h EC50 = 0.003 mg Ag/l),
      algae Raphidocelis subcapitata (ZnO and CuO, 72-h EC50 = 0.14 mg Zn/l and 0.7 mg
      Cu/l, respectively) and murine fibroblasts BALB/3T3 (CuO, 48-h EC50 = 0.7 mg
      Cu/l). MWCNTs showed toxicity only towards rat alveolar macrophages (EC50 = 15.3
      mg/l) assumingly due to high aspect ratio and TiO2 towards R. subcapitata (EC50 =
      6.8 mg Ti/l) due to agglomeration of TiO2 and entrapment of algal cells. Finally,
      we constructed a decision tree to select the bioassays for hazard ranking of NMs.
      For NM testing, we recommend a multitrophic suite of 4 in vitro (eco)toxicity
      assays: 48-h D. magna immobilization (OECD202), 72-h R. subcapitata growth
      inhibition (OECD201), 30-min Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition (ISO2010)
      and 48-h murine fibroblast BALB/3T3 neutral red uptake in vitro (OECD129)
      representing crustaceans, algae, bacteria and mammalian cells, respectively.
      Notably, our results showed that these assays, standardized for toxicity
      evaluation of "regular" chemicals, proved efficient also for shortlisting of
      hazardous NMs. Additional assays are recommended for immunotoxicity evaluation of
      high aspect ratio NMs (such as MWCNTs).

PMID- 27259038
TI  - Key challenges and priorities for modelling European grasslands under climate
      change.
AB  - Grassland-based ruminant production systems are integral to sustainable food
      production in Europe, converting plant materials indigestible to humans into
      nutritious food, while providing a range of environmental and cultural benefits.
      Climate change poses significant challenges for such systems, their productivity
      and the wider benefits they supply. In this context, grassland models have an
      important role in predicting and understanding the impacts of climate change on
      grassland systems, and assessing the efficacy of potential adaptation and
      mitigation strategies. In order to identify the key challenges for European
      grassland modelling under climate change, modellers and researchers from across
      Europe were consulted via workshop and questionnaire. Participants identified
      fifteen challenges and considered the current state of modelling and priorities
      for future research in relation to each. A review of literature was undertaken to
      corroborate and enrich the information provided during the horizon scanning
      activities. Challenges were in four categories relating to: 1) the direct and
      indirect effects of climate change on the sward 2) climate change effects on
      grassland systems outputs 3) mediation of climate change impacts by site, system
      and management and 4) cross-cutting methodological issues. While research
      priorities differed between challenges, an underlying theme was the need for
      accessible, shared inventories of models, approaches and data, as a resource for
      stakeholders and to stimulate new research. Developing grassland models to
      effectively support efforts to tackle climate change impacts, while increasing
      productivity and enhancing ecosystem services, will require engagement with
      stakeholders and policy-makers, as well as modellers and experimental researchers
      across many disciplines. The challenges and priorities identified are intended to
      be a resource 1) for grassland modellers and experimental researchers, to
      stimulate the development of new research directions and collaborative
      opportunities, and 2) for policy-makers involved in shaping the research agenda
      for European grassland modelling under climate change. 

PMID- 27259039
TI  - Effective radium concentration in topsoils contaminated by lead and zinc
      smelters.
AB  - Trace elements (TE) are indicative of industrial pollution in soils, but
      geochemical methods are difficult to implement in contaminated sites with large
      numbers of samples. Therefore, measurement of soil magnetic susceptibility (MS)
      has been used to map TE pollutions, albeit with contrasted results in some cases.
      Effective radium concentration (ECRa), product of radium concentration by the
      emanation factor, can be measured in a cost-effective manner in the laboratory,
      and could then provide a useful addition. We evaluate this possibility using 186
      topsoils sampled over about 783km(2) around two former lead and zinc smelters in
      Northern France. The ECRa values, obtained from 319 measurements, range from
      0.70+/-0.06 to 12.53+/-0.49Bq.kg(-1), and are remarkably organized spatially,
      away from the smelters, in domains corresponding to geographical units. Lead
      contaminated soils, with lead concentrations above 100mg.kg(-1) <3km from the
      smelters, are characterized on average by larger peak ECRa values and larger
      dispersion. At large scales, away from the smelters, spatial variations of ECRa
      correlate well with spatial variations of MS, thus suggesting that, at distance
      larger than 5km, variability of MS contains a significant natural component.
      Larger ECRa values are correlated with larger fine fraction and, possibly,
      mercury concentration. While MS is enhanced in the vicinity of the smelters and
      is associated with the presence of soft ferrimagnetic minerals such as magnetite,
      it does not correlate systematically with metal concentrations. When multiple
      industrial and urban sources are present, ECRa mapping, thus, can help in
      identifying at least part of the natural spatial variability of MS. More
      generally, this study shows that ECRa mapping provides an independent and
      reliable assessment of the background spatial structure which underlies the
      structure of a given contamination. Furthermore, ECRa may provide a novel index
      to identify soils potentially able to fix leached components. 

PMID- 27259040
TI  - Concentration Fluctuations and Capacitive Response in Dense Ionic Solutions.
AB  - We use molecular dynamics simulations in a constant potential ensemble to study
      the effects of solution composition on the electrochemical response of a double
      layer capacitor. We find that the capacitance first increases with ion
      concentration following its expected ideal solution behavior but decreases upon
      approaching a pure ionic liquid in agreement with recent experimental
      observations. The nonmonotonic behavior of the capacitance as a function of ion
      concentration results from the competition between the independent motion of
      solvated ions in the dilute regime and solvation fluctuations in the concentrated
      regime. Mirroring the capacitance, we find that the characteristic decay length
      of charge density correlations away from the electrode is also nonmonotonic. The
      correlation length first decreases with ion concentration as a result of better
      electrostatic screening but increases with ion concentration as a result of
      enhanced steric interactions. When charge fluctuations induced by correlated ion
      solvent fluctuations are large relative to those induced by the pure ionic
      liquid, such capacitive behavior is expected to be generic. 

PMID- 27259041
TI  - A Methionine Residue Promotes Hyperoxidation of the Catalytic Cysteine of Mouse
      Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A.
AB  - Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (msrA) reduces methionine sulfoxide in proteins
      back to methionine. Its catalytic cysteine (Cys72-SH) has a low pKa that
      facilitates oxidation by methionine sulfoxide to cysteine sulfenic acid. If the
      catalytic cycle proceeds efficiently, the sulfenic acid is reduced back to
      cysteine at the expense of thioredoxin. However, the sulfenic acid is vulnerable
      to "irreversible" oxidation to cysteine sulfinic acid that inactivates msrA
      (hyperoxidation). We observed that human msrA is resistant to hyperoxidation
      while mouse msrA is readily hyperoxidized by micromolar concentrations of
      hydrogen peroxide. We investigated the basis of this difference in susceptibility
      to hyperoxidation and established that it is controlled by the presence or
      absence of a Met residue in the carboxyl-terminal domain of the enzyme, Met229.
      This residue is Val in human msrA, and when it was mutated to Met, human msrA
      became sensitive to hyperoxidation. Conversely, mouse msrA was rendered
      insensitive to hyperoxidation when Met229 was mutated to Val or one of five other
      residues. Positioning of the methionine at residue 229 is not critical, as
      hyperoxidation occurred as long as the methionine was located within the group of
      14 carboxyl-terminal residues. The carboxyl domain of msrA is known to be
      flexible and to have access to the active site, and Met residues are known to
      form stable, noncovalent bonds with aromatic residues through interaction of the
      sulfur atom with the aromatic ring. We propose that Met229 forms such a bond with
      Trp74 at the active site, preventing formation of a protective sulfenylamide with
      Cys72 sulfenic acid. As a consequence, the sulfenic acid is available for facile,
      irreversible oxidation to cysteine sulfinic acid.

PMID- 27259042
TI  - Parenting and mother-infant interactions in the context of maternal postpartum
      obsessive-compulsive disorder: Effects of obsessional symptoms and mood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal mental illness is associated with negative effects on the
      infant and child. Increased attention has been paid to the effects of specific
      perinatal disorders on parenting and interactions as an important mechanism of
      influence. OCD can be a debilitating disorder for the sufferer and those around
      them. Although OCD is a common perinatal illness, no previous studies have
      characterized parenting and mother infant interactions in detail for mothers with
      OCD. METHODS: 37 mothers with postpartum OCD and a 6 month old infant were
      compared with 37 community control dyads on a variety of measures of
      psychological distress and parenting. Observed mother-infant interactions were
      assessed independently. RESULTS: Obsessions and compulsions were reported in both
      groups, although they did not cause interference in the control group. Mothers
      with OCD were troubled by their symptoms for a mean of 9.6 hours/day. Mothers
      with OCD were less confident, reported more marital distress and less social
      support than healthy peers and were less likely to be breastfeeding. Infant
      temperament ratings did not differ. Mothers with OCD were rated as less sensitive
      in interactions than the comparison group, partly attributable to levels of
      concurrent depression. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal postpartum OCD is a disorder that
      can affect experiences of parenting and mother-infant interactions although this
      may not be driven by OCD symptoms. Longitudinal studies are required to assess
      the trajectory and impact of maternal difficulties as the infant develops.

PMID- 27259043
TI  - Human Enterovirus 71 Protein Displayed on the Surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      as an Oral Vaccine.
AB  - Human enterovirus 71 (EV-A71), a major agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease,
      has become an important public health issue in recent years. No effective
      antiviral or vaccines against EV-A71 infection are currently available. EV-A71
      infection intrudes bodies through the gastric mucosal surface and it is necessary
      to enhance mucosal immune response to protect children from these pathogens.
      Recently, the majority of EV-A71 vaccine candidates have been developed for
      parenteral immunization. However, parenteral vaccine candidates often induce poor
      mucosal responses. On the other hand, oral vaccines could induce effective
      mucosal and systemic immunity, and could be easily and safely administered. Thus,
      proper oral vaccines have attached more interest compared with parenteral
      vaccine. In this study, the major immunogenic capsid protein of EV-A71 was
      displayed on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Oral immunization of mice
      with surface-displayed VP1 S. cerevisiae induced systemic humoral and mucosal
      immune responses, including virus-neutralizing titers, VP1-specific antibody, and
      the induction of Th1 immune responses in the spleen. Furthermore, oral
      immunization of mother mice with surface-displayed VP1 S. cerevisiae conferred
      protection to neonatal mice against the lethal EV-A71 infection. Furthermore, we
      observed that multiple boost immunization as well as higher immunization dosage
      could induce higher EV-A71-specific immune response. Our results demonstrated
      that surface-displayed VP1 S. cerevisiae could be used as potential oral vaccine
      against EV-A71 infection.

PMID- 27259044
TI  - Strategies for targeting residual HIV infection.

PMID- 27259047
TI  - Liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus in the era of direct-acting antiviral
      agents: Erratum.

PMID- 27259045
TI  - Tissue reservoirs of HIV.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Tissue reservoirs of HIV may promote the persistent
      immunopathology responsible for non-AIDS morbidity and data support multifocal
      reactivation from tissues as the source of viral rebound during antiretroviral
      therapy (ART) interruption. The heterogeneity of tissue reservoirs and incomplete
      knowledge about their composition are obstacles to an HIV cure. RECENT FINDINGS:
      In addition to the higher concentration of infected CD4 T cells found in both
      central lymphoid tissues and gut, specific subsets of CD4 T cells appear to play
      a disproportionate role in HIV persistence. Recently, a subset of central memory
      T cells enriched in lymph node germinal centers called T-follicular helper cells
      has been identified that expresses more viral RNA and occupies an anatomic niche
      inaccessible to cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing. Additional observations suggest
      that antiretroviral drug (ARV) concentrations may be lower in some tissues,
      raising the possibility for localized, low-level viral replication. Finally, some
      recent data implicate the persistence of infected, non-CD4 T-cell types in
      tissues during ART. SUMMARY: The retention of infected cells in a wide variety of
      tissues, often with distinct viral and cellular characteristics, underscores the
      importance of studying tissue reservoirs in the development and assessment of
      cure strategies. Both inhibitory ARVs and latency-reversing drugs must reach
      these sites, and novel strategies may be needed to attack virus in cells as
      variable as T-follicular helper cells and macrophages.

PMID- 27259046
TI  - Preclinical shock strategies to reactivate latent HIV-1: an update.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The 'shock and kill' strategy consists of activating HIV-1
      expression to allow latently infected cells to die from viral cytopathic effects
      or host cytolytic immune effectors. This strategy relies on small molecules,
      called latency reversing agents, which activate HIV transcription. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Several mechanisms operating at the transcriptional level are involved
      in the establishment and maintenance of HIV-1 latency, including the absence of
      crucial inducible host transcription factors, epigenetic silencing, and the
      sequestration of the positive transcription elongation factor B. Progresses made
      toward the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 transcriptional
      repression have led to the identification of latency reversing agents that
      activate HIV transcription, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors or protein
      kinase C agonists. Multiple studies have recently pointed interesting ways to
      optimize the shock strategy by using combinations of latency reversing agents
      with an appropriate time schedule. SUMMARY: Combining latency reversing agents
      appears as one potential strategy for therapy against HIV-1 latency.

PMID- 27259048
TI  - Highly Repeatable and Recoverable Phototransistors Based on Multifunctional
      Channels of Photoactive CdS, Fast Charge Transporting ZnO, and Chemically Durable
      Al2O3 Layers.
AB  - Highly repeatable and recoverable phototransistors were explored using a
      "multifunctional channels" structure with multistacked chalcogenide and oxide
      semiconductors. These devices were made of (i) photoactive CdS (with a visible
      band gap), (ii) fast charge transporting ZnO (with a high field-effect mobility),
      and (iii) a protection layer of Al2O3 (with high chemical durability). The CdS
      TFT without the Al2O3 protection layer did not show a transfer curve due to the
      chemical damage that occurred on the ZnO layer during the chemical bath
      deposition (CBD) process used for CdS deposition. Alternatively, compared to CdS
      phototransistors with long recovery time and high hysteresis (DeltaVth = 19.5 V),
      our "multi-functional channels" phototransistors showed an extremely low
      hysteresis loop (DeltaVth = 0.5V) and superior photosensitivity with repeatable
      high photoresponsivity (52.9 A/W at 400 nm). These improvements are likely caused
      by the physical isolation of the sensing region and charge transport region by
      the insertion of the ultrathin Al2O3 layer. This approach successfully addresses
      some of the existing problems in CdS phototransistors, such as the high gate
      interface trap site density and high absorption of molecular oxygen, which
      originate from the polycrystalline CdS. 

PMID- 27259049
TI  - Riboflavin-Responsive and -Non-responsive Mutations in FAD Synthase Cause
      Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase and Combined Respiratory-Chain Deficiency.
AB  - Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiencies (MADDs) are a heterogeneous group of
      metabolic disorders with combined respiratory-chain deficiency and a
      neuromuscular phenotype. Despite recent advances in understanding the genetic
      basis of MADD, a number of cases remain unexplained. Here, we report clinically
      relevant variants in FLAD1, which encodes FAD synthase (FADS), as the cause of
      MADD and respiratory-chain dysfunction in nine individuals recruited from
      metabolic centers in six countries. In most individuals, we identified biallelic
      frameshift variants in the molybdopterin binding (MPTb) domain, located upstream
      of the FADS domain. Inasmuch as FADS is essential for cellular supply of FAD
      cofactors, the finding of biallelic frameshift variants was unexpected. Using RNA
      sequencing analysis combined with protein mass spectrometry, we discovered FLAD1
      isoforms, which only encode the FADS domain. The existence of these isoforms
      might explain why affected individuals with biallelic FLAD1 frameshift variants
      still harbor substantial FADS activity. Another group of individuals with a
      milder phenotype responsive to riboflavin were shown to have single amino acid
      changes in the FADS domain. When produced in E. coli, these mutant FADS proteins
      resulted in impaired but detectable FADS activity; for one of the variant
      proteins, the addition of FAD significantly improved protein stability, arguing
      for a chaperone-like action similar to what has been reported in other riboflavin
      responsive inborn errors of metabolism. In conclusion, our studies identify FLAD1
      variants as a cause of potentially treatable inborn errors of metabolism
      manifesting with MADD and shed light on the mechanisms by which FADS ensures
      cellular FAD homeostasis. 

PMID- 27259050
TI  - Ataxia-Pancytopenia Syndrome Is Caused by Missense Mutations in SAMD9L.
AB  - Ataxia-pancytopenia (AP) syndrome is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, variable
      hematologic cytopenias, and predisposition to marrow failure and myeloid
      leukemia, sometimes associated with monosomy 7. Here, in the four-generation
      family UW-AP, linkage analysis revealed four regions that provided the maximal
      LOD scores possible, one of which was in a commonly microdeleted chromosome 7q
      region. Exome sequencing identified a missense mutation (c.2640C>A, p.His880Gln)
      in the sterile alpha motif domain containing 9-like gene (SAMD9L) that completely
      cosegregated with disease. By targeted sequencing of SAMD9L, we subsequently
      identified a different missense mutation (c.3587G>C, p.Cys1196Ser) in affected
      members of the first described family with AP syndrome, Li-AP. Neither variant is
      reported in the public databases, both affect highly conserved amino acid
      residues, and both are predicted to be damaging. With time in culture,
      lymphoblastic cell lines (LCLs) from two affected individuals in family UW-AP
      exhibited copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity for large portions of the long arm
      of chromosome 7, resulting in retention of only the wild-type SAMD9L allele.
      Newly established LCLs from both individuals demonstrated the same phenomenon. In
      addition, targeted capture and sequencing of SAMD9L in uncultured blood DNA from
      both individuals showed bias toward the wild-type allele. These observations
      indicate in vivo hematopoietic mosaicism. The hematopoietic cytopenias that
      characterize AP syndrome and the selective advantage for clones that have lost
      the mutant allele support the postulated role of SAMD9L in the regulation of cell
      proliferation. Furthermore, we show that AP syndrome is distinct from the
      dyskeratoses congenita telomeropathies, with which it shares some clinical
      characteristics.

PMID- 27259052
TI  - Fast and Accurate Construction of Confidence Intervals for Heritability.
AB  - Estimation of heritability is fundamental in genetic studies. Recently,
      heritability estimation using linear mixed models (LMMs) has gained popularity
      because these estimates can be obtained from unrelated individuals collected in
      genome-wide association studies. Typically, heritability estimation under LMMs
      uses the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) approach. Existing methods for the
      construction of confidence intervals and estimators of SEs for REML rely on
      asymptotic properties. However, these assumptions are often violated because of
      the bounded parameter space, statistical dependencies, and limited sample size,
      leading to biased estimates and inflated or deflated confidence intervals. Here,
      we show that the estimation of confidence intervals by state-of-the-art methods
      is inaccurate, especially when the true heritability is relatively low or
      relatively high. We further show that these inaccuracies occur in datasets
      including thousands of individuals. Such biases are present, for example, in
      estimates of heritability of gene expression in the Genotype-Tissue Expression
      project and of lipid profiles in the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health
      study. We also show that often the probability that the genetic component is
      estimated as 0 is high even when the true heritability is bounded away from 0,
      emphasizing the need for accurate confidence intervals. We propose a
      computationally efficient method, ALBI (accurate LMM-based heritability bootstrap
      confidence intervals), for estimating the distribution of the heritability
      estimator and for constructing accurate confidence intervals. Our method can be
      used as an add-on to existing methods for estimating heritability and variance
      components, such as GCTA, FaST-LMM, GEMMA, or EMMAX.

PMID- 27259051
TI  - A Common Variant at the 14q32 Endometrial Cancer Risk Locus Activates AKT1
      through YY1 Binding.
AB  - A recent meta-analysis of multiple genome-wide association and follow-up
      endometrial cancer case-control datasets identified a novel genetic risk locus
      for this disease at chromosome 14q32.33. To prioritize the functional SNP(s) and
      target gene(s) at this locus, we employed an in silico fine-mapping approach
      using genotyped and imputed SNP data for 6,608 endometrial cancer cases and
      37,925 controls of European ancestry. Association and functional analyses provide
      evidence that the best candidate causal SNP is rs2494737. Multiple experimental
      analyses show that SNP rs2494737 maps to a silencer element located within AKT1,
      a member of the PI3K/AKT/MTOR intracellular signaling pathway activated in
      endometrial tumors. The rs2494737 risk A allele creates a YY1 transcription
      factor-binding site and abrogates the silencer activity in luciferase assays, an
      effect mimicked by transfection of YY1 siRNA. Our findings suggest YY1 is a
      positive regulator of AKT1, mediating the stimulatory effects of rs2494737
      increasing endometrial cancer risk. Identification of an endometrial cancer risk
      allele within a member of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, more commonly activated
      in tumors by somatic alterations, raises the possibility that well tolerated
      inhibitors targeting this pathway could be candidates for evaluation as
      chemopreventive agents in individuals at high risk of developing endometrial
      cancer.

PMID- 27259053
TI  - Mutations in GANAB, Encoding the Glucosidase IIalpha Subunit, Cause Autosomal
      Dominant Polycystic Kidney and Liver Disease.
AB  - Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common, progressive,
      adult-onset disease that is an important cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD),
      which requires transplantation or dialysis. Mutations in PKD1 or PKD2 (~85% and
      ~15% of resolved cases, respectively) are the known causes of ADPKD. Extrarenal
      manifestations include an increased level of intracranial aneurysms and
      polycystic liver disease (PLD), which can be severe and associated with
      significant morbidity. Autosomal-dominant PLD (ADPLD) with no or very few renal
      cysts is a separate disorder caused by PRKCSH, SEC63, or LRP5 mutations. After
      screening, 7%-10% of ADPKD-affected and ~50% of ADPLD-affected families were
      genetically unresolved (GUR), suggesting further genetic heterogeneity of both
      disorders. Whole-exome sequencing of six GUR ADPKD-affected families identified
      one with a missense mutation in GANAB, encoding glucosidase II subunit alpha
      (GIIalpha). Because PRKCSH encodes GIIbeta, GANAB is a strong ADPKD and ADPLD
      candidate gene. Sanger screening of 321 additional GUR families identified eight
      further likely mutations (six truncating), and a total of 20 affected individuals
      were identified in seven ADPKD- and two ADPLD-affected families. The phenotype
      was mild PKD and variable, including severe, PLD. Analysis of GANAB-null cells
      showed an absolute requirement of GIIalpha for maturation and surface and ciliary
      localization of the ADPKD proteins (PC1 and PC2), and reduced mature PC1 was seen
      in GANAB(+/-) cells. PC1 surface localization in GANAB(-/-) cells was rescued by
      wild-type, but not mutant, GIIalpha. Overall, we show that GANAB mutations cause
      ADPKD and ADPLD and that the cystogenesis is most likely driven by defects in PC1
      maturation.

PMID- 27259054
TI  - Mutations in TKT Are the Cause of a Syndrome Including Short Stature,
      Developmental Delay, and Congenital Heart Defects.
AB  - Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is increasingly being utilized to diagnose
      individuals with undiagnosed disorders. Developmental delay and short stature are
      common clinical indications for WES. We performed WES in three families, using
      proband-parent trios and two additional affected siblings. We identified a
      syndrome due to an autosomal-recessively inherited deficiency of transketolase,
      encoded by TKT, on chromosome 3p21. Our series includes three families with a
      total of five affected individuals, ranging in age from 4 to 25 years. Two
      families of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry were homozygous for an 18 base pair in
      frame insertion in TKT. The third family was compound heterozygous for nonsense
      and missense variants in TKT. All affected individuals had short stature and were
      developmentally delayed. Congenital heart defects were noted in four of the five
      affected individuals, and there was a history of chronic diarrhea and cataracts
      in the older individuals with the homozygous 18 base pair insertion. Enzymatic
      testing confirmed significantly reduced transketolase activity. Elevated urinary
      excretion of erythritol, arabitol, ribitol, and pent(ul)ose-5-phosphates was
      detected, as well as elevated amounts of erythritol, arabitol, and ribitol in the
      plasma of affected individuals. Transketolase deficiency reduces NADPH synthesis
      and nucleic acid synthesis and cell division and could explain the problems with
      growth. NADPH is also critical for maintaining cerebral glutathione, which might
      contribute to the neurodevelopmental delays. Transketolase deficiency is one of a
      growing list of inborn errors of metabolism in the non-oxidative part of the
      pentose phosphate pathway.

PMID- 27259056
TI  - The Epidemiology of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy in the North East of
      England.

PMID- 27259055
TI  - Mutations in CDC14A, Encoding a Protein Phosphatase Involved in Hair Cell
      Ciliogenesis, Cause Autosomal-Recessive Severe to Profound Deafness.
AB  - By genetic linkage analysis in a large consanguineous Iranian family with eleven
      individuals affected by severe to profound congenital deafness, we were able to
      define a 2.8 Mb critical interval (at chromosome 1p21.2-1p21.1) for an autosomal
      recessive nonsyndromic deafness locus (DFNB). Whole-exome sequencing allowed us
      to identify a CDC14A biallelic nonsense mutation, c.1126C>T (p.Arg376(*)), which
      was present in the eight clinically affected individuals still alive. Subsequent
      screening of 115 unrelated individuals affected by severe or profound congenital
      deafness of unknown genetic cause led us to identify another CDC14A biallelic
      nonsense mutation, c.1015C>T (p.Arg339(*)), in an individual originating from
      Mauritania. CDC14A encodes a protein tyrosine phosphatase. Immunofluorescence
      analysis of the protein distribution in the mouse inner ear showed a strong
      labeling of the hair cells' kinocilia. By using a morpholino strategy to
      knockdown cdc14a in zebrafish larvae, we found that the length of the kinocilia
      was reduced in inner-ear hair cells. Therefore, deafness caused by loss-of
      function mutations in CDC14A probably arises from a morphogenetic defect of the
      auditory sensory cells' hair bundles, whose differentiation critically depends on
      the proper growth of their kinocilium.

PMID- 27259057
TI  - Somatic Activating Mutations in GNAQ and GNA11 Are Associated with Congenital
      Hemangioma.

PMID- 27259058
TI  - Mutations in CAPN1 Cause Autosomal-Recessive Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.

PMID- 27259059
TI  - Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Electronic Health Records, and Pharmacokinetic
      Modeling to Evaluate Sirolimus Drug Exposure-Response Relationships in Renal
      Transplant Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sirolimus, an immunosuppressive agent used in renal transplantation,
      can prevent allograft rejection. Identification of the therapeutic index (the
      ratio of minimum toxic concentration to minimum therapeutic concentration) for
      immunosuppresants is necessary to optimize the care of patients and set standards
      for bioequivalence evaluation of sirolimus products. However, the therapeutic
      index for sirolimus has been inconsistently defined, potentially because of
      inconsistencies in sirolimus exposure-response relationships. METHODS: The
      authors used retrospective therapeutic drug monitoring data from the electronic
      health records of patients treated in a tertiary health care system from 2008 to
      2014 to (1) develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model, (2) use the model to
      simulate sirolimus concentrations, and (3) characterize the exposure-response
      relationship. Using Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher exact tests, the authors
      determined relationships between sirolimus exposure and adverse events (AEs)
      (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperlipidemia, and decline in renal
      function) and the composite efficacy end point of graft loss or rejection.
      RESULTS: The developed 2-compartment population PK model showed appropriate
      goodness of fit. In a late-phase (>12 months), postrenal transplant population of
      27 inpatients, the authors identified statistically significant relationships
      between 83 simulated peak and trough sirolimus concentrations and outcomes: graft
      loss or rejection (P = 0.018) and decline in renal function (P = 0.006),
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Use of therapeutic drug monitoring results and PK
      modeling permitted correlation of sirolimus concentrations with graft loss or
      rejection and decline in renal function. However, the method was limited in its
      assessment of other AEs. To better evaluate sirolimus exposure-response
      relationships, the method should be applied to a larger sample of newly
      transplanted patients with a higher propensity toward AEs or efficacy failure.

PMID- 27259060
TI  - Lithographically Encrypted Inverse Opals for Anti-Counterfeiting Applications.
AB  - Colloidal photonic crystals possess inimitable optical properties of iridescent
      structural colors and unique spectral shape, which render them useful for
      security materials. This work reports a novel method to encrypt graphical and
      spectral codes in polymeric inverse opals to provide advanced security. To
      accomplish this, this study prepares lithographically featured micropatterns on
      the top surface of hydrophobic inverse opals, which serve as shadow masks against
      the surface modification of air cavities to achieve hydrophilicity. The resultant
      inverse opals allow rapid infiltration of aqueous solution into the hydrophilic
      cavities while retaining air in the hydrophobic cavities. Therefore, the
      structural color of inverse opals is regioselectively red-shifted, disclosing the
      encrypted graphical codes. The decoded inverse opals also deliver unique
      reflectance spectral codes originated from two distinct regions. The
      combinatorial code composed of graphical and optical codes is revealed only when
      the aqueous solution agreed in advance is used for decoding. In addition, the
      encrypted inverse opals are chemically stable, providing invariant codes with
      high reproducibility. In addition, high mechanical stability enables the transfer
      of the films onto any surfaces. This novel encryption technology will provide a
      new opportunity in a wide range of security applications. 

PMID- 27259062
TI  - Effects of erythropoietin on memory-relevant neurocircuitry activity and recall
      in mood disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Erythropoietin (EPO) improves verbal memory and reverses subfield
      hippocampal volume loss across depression and bipolar disorder (BD). This study
      aimed to investigate with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) whether
      these effects were accompanied by functional changes in memory-relevant neuro
      circuits in this cohort. METHOD: Eighty-four patients with treatment-resistant
      unipolar depression who were moderately depressed or BD in remission were
      randomized to eight weekly EPO (40 000 IU) or saline infusions in a double-blind,
      parallel-group design. Participants underwent whole-brain fMRI at 3T, mood
      ratings, and blood tests at baseline and week 14. During fMRI, participants
      performed a picture encoding task followed by postscan recall. RESULTS: Sixty-two
      patients had complete data (EPO: N = 32, saline: N = 30). EPO improved picture
      recall and increased encoding-related activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
      (dlPFC) and temporo-parietal regions, but not in hippocampus. Recall correlated
      with activity in the identified dlPFC and temporo-parietal regions at baseline,
      and change in recall correlated with activity change in these regions from
      baseline to follow-up across the entire cohort. The effects of EPO were not
      correlated with change in mood, red blood cells, blood pressure, or medication.
      CONCLUSION: The findings highlight enhanced encoding-related dlPFC and temporo
      parietal activity as key neuronal underpinnings of EPO-associated memory
      improvement.

PMID- 27259063
TI  - Objective Outcomes of Supraglottoplasty for Children With Laryngomalacia and
      Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-analysis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Surgical intervention is the main treatment alternative for patients
      with severe laryngomalacia. Supraglottoplasty offers effective treatment results
      not only for laryngomalacia but also for concurrent obstructive sleep apnea
      (OSA). OBJECTIVE: To quantify the objective outcomes of supraglottoplasty for
      laryngomalacia with OSA via polysomnography data in the pediatric population.
      DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed database was
      performed on May 20, 2015, using the search terms supraglottoplasty,
      epiglottoplasty, aryepiglottoplasty, laryngomalacia, obstructive sleep apnea,
      Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), children, and polysomnography. There were no date
      restrictions. STUDY SELECTION: The literature search identified English-language
      studies that used polysomnography to evaluate patients with laryngomalacia and
      OSA after supraglottoplasty. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts of the
      studies. The full texts of the studies were examined to assess their relevance to
      the meta-analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: Numerical polysomnography data were extracted
      and compared among studies where appropriate. A fixed- or random-effects model
      was used, when appropriate, to analyze the data and calculate effect sizes.
      RESULTS: Four studies were included in various subsets of the meta-analysis.
      After supraglottoplasty, the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) improved by a mean of
      12.5 points in 4 studies (95% CI, -21.14 to -3.78; P = .005), oxygen saturation
      as measured by pulse oximetry nadir by 9.49 in 4 studies (95% CI, 4.87-14.12; P <
      .001), and Obstructive AHI by 21 points in 2 studies (95% CI, -50.3 to -8.29; P =
      .16). Twenty-nine of 33 children (88%) had residual disease. Patients 7 months
      and older had significant improvement in the AHI (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Supraglottoplasty is an effective treatment modality for patients with
      laryngomalacia and OSA with objectively measurable benefits; however, patients
      will frequently have residual disease. Additional polysomnography after treatment
      is advised to ensure adequate resolution of the disorder.

PMID- 27259064
TI  - Recent advances of exosomes in immune modulation and autoimmune diseases.
AB  - Exosomes are small membrane-bound vesicles (30-100 nm) that are secreted by
      different types of cells and they have been well documented to resemble saucers
      or flattened spheres under the electron microscope. Recently, evidence indicates
      that exosomes play important roles in the immune modulation and are associated
      with the immune pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA), Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
      In this review, we will summarize current research advances of exosomes in
      immunoregulation, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutics of autoimmune
      diseases.

PMID- 27259061
TI  - Mathematical models of breast and ovarian cancers.
AB  - Women constitute the majority of the aging United States (US) population, and
      this has substantial implications on cancer population patterns and management
      practices. Breast cancer is the most common women's malignancy, while ovarian
      cancer is the most fatal gynecological malignancy in the US. In this review, we
      focus on these subsets of women's cancers, seen more commonly in postmenopausal
      and elderly women. In order to systematically investigate the complexity of
      cancer progression and response to treatment in breast and ovarian malignancies,
      we assert that integrated mathematical modeling frameworks viewed from a systems
      biology perspective are needed. Such integrated frameworks could offer innovative
      contributions to the clinical women's cancers community, as answers to clinical
      questions cannot always be reached with contemporary clinical and experimental
      tools. Here, we recapitulate clinically known data regarding the progression and
      treatment of the breast and ovarian cancers. We compare and contrast the two
      malignancies whenever possible in order to emphasize areas where substantial
      contributions could be made by clinically inspired and validated mathematical
      modeling. We show how current paradigms in the mathematical oncology community
      focusing on the two malignancies do not make comprehensive use of, nor
      substantially reflect existing clinical data, and we highlight the modeling areas
      in most critical need of clinical data integration. We emphasize that the primary
      goal of any mathematical study of women's cancers should be to address clinically
      relevant questions. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2016, 8:337-362. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1343
      For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

PMID- 27259065
TI  - Evaluating the Performance of a New Model for Predicting the Growth of
      Clostridium perfringens in Cooked, Uncured Meat and Poultry Products under
      Isothermal, Heating, and Dynamically Cooling Conditions.
AB  - Clostridium perfringens type A is a significant public health threat and its
      spores may germinate, outgrow, and multiply during cooling of cooked meats. This
      study applies a new C. perfringens growth model in the USDA Integrated Pathogen
      Modeling Program-Dynamic Prediction (IPMP Dynamic Prediction) Dynamic Prediction
      to predict the growth from spores of C. perfringens in cooked uncured meat and
      poultry products using isothermal, dynamic heating, and cooling data reported in
      the literature. The residual errors of predictions (observation-prediction) are
      analyzed, and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) calculated. For isothermal and
      heating profiles, each data point in growth curves is compared. The mean residual
      errors (MRE) of predictions range from -0.40 to 0.02 Log colony forming units
      (CFU)/g, with a RMSE of approximately 0.6 Log CFU/g. For cooling, the end point
      predictions are conservative in nature, with an MRE of -1.16 Log CFU/g for single
      rate cooling and -0.66 Log CFU/g for dual-rate cooling. The RMSE is between 0.6
      and 0.7 Log CFU/g. Compared with other models reported in the literature, this
      model makes more accurate and fail-safe predictions. For cooling, the percentage
      for accurate and fail-safe predictions is between 97.6% and 100%. Under criterion
      1, the percentage of accurate predictions is 47.5% for single-rate cooling and
      66.7% for dual-rate cooling, while the fail-dangerous predictions are between 0%
      and 2.4%. This study demonstrates that IPMP Dynamic Prediction can be used by
      food processors and regulatory agencies as a tool to predict the growth of C.
      perfringens in uncured cooked meats and evaluate the safety of cooked or heat
      treated uncured meat and poultry products exposed to cooling deviations or to
      develop customized cooling schedules. This study also demonstrates the need for
      more accurate data collection during cooling. 

PMID- 27259066
TI  - Voxel-based morphometry in epileptic baboons: Parallels to human juvenile
      myoclonic epilepsy.
AB  - The epileptic baboon represents a natural model for genetic generalized epilepsy
      (GGE), closely resembling juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Due to functional
      neuroimaging and pathological differences between epileptic (SZ+) and
      asymptomatic control (CTL) baboons, we expected structural differences in gray
      matter concentration (GMC) using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Standard
      anatomical (MP-RAGE) MRI scans using a 3T Siemens TIM Trio (Siemens, Erlangen,
      Germany) were available in 107 baboons (67 females; mean age 16+/-6years) with
      documented clinical histories and scalp-electroencephalography (EEG) results. For
      neuroimaging, baboons were anesthetized with isoflurane 1% (1-1.5 MAC) and
      paralyzed with vecuronium (0.1-0.3mg/kg). Data processing and analysis were
      performed using FSL's VBM toolbox. GMC was compared between CTL and SZ+ baboons,
      epileptic baboons with interictal epileptic discharges on scalp EEG (SZ+/IED+),
      asymptomatic baboons with abnormal EEGs (SZ-/IED+), and IED+ baboons with
      (IED+/PS+) and without (IED+/PS-) photosensitivity, and the subgroups amongst
      themselves. Age and gender related changes in gray matter volumes were also
      included as confound regressors in the VBM analyses of each animal group.
      Significant increases in GMC were noted in the SZ+/IED+ subgroup compared to the
      CTL group, including bilaterally in the frontopolar, orbitofrontal and
      anterolateral temporal cortices, while decreases in GMC were noted in the right
      more than left primary visual cortices and in the specific nuclei of the
      thalamus, including reticular, anterior and medial dorsal nuclei. No significant
      differences were noted otherwise, except that SZ+/IED+ baboons demonstrated
      increased GMC in the globus pallidae bilaterally compared to the SZ-/IED+ group.
      Similar to human studies of JME, the epileptic baboons demonstrated GMC decreases
      in the thalami and occipital cortices, suggesting secondary injury due to chronic
      epilepsy. Cortical GMC, on the other hand, was increased in the anterior frontal
      and temporal lobes, also consistent with human JME studies. This VBM study may
      indicate a combination of developmental and acquired structural changes in the
      epileptic baboon.

PMID- 27259067
TI  - Reduced expression of IA channels is associated with post-ischemic seizures.
AB  - PURPOSE: Post-stroke seizures are considered as a major cause of epilepsy in
      adults. The pathophysiologic mechanisms resulting in post-stroke seizures are not
      fully understood. The present study attempted to reveal a new mechanism
      underlying neuronal hyperexcitability responsible to the seizure development
      after ischemic stroke. METHODS: Transient global ischemia was produced in adult
      Wistar rats using the 4-vessel occlusion (4-VO) method. The spontaneous
      behavioral seizures were defined by the Racine scale III-V. The neuronal death in
      the brain was determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression levels of
      A-type potassium channels were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and
      western blotting. RESULTS: We found that the incidence of spontaneous behavioral
      seizures increased according to the severity of ischemia with 0% after 15-min
      ischemia and ~50% after 25-min ischemia. All behavioral seizures occurred with
      48h after ischemia. Morphological analysis indicated that brain damage was not
      correlated with behavioral seizures. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the
      expression levels of the A-type potassium channel subunit Kv4.2 was significantly
      reduced in ischemic brains with behavioral seizures, but not in ischemic brains
      without seizures. In addition, rats failing to develop spontaneous behavioral
      seizures within 2days after ischemia were more sensitive to bicuculline-induced
      seizures at 2 months after ischemia than control rats. Meanwhile, Kv4.2
      expression was decreased in brain at 2 months after ischemia. CONCLUSION: Our
      results demonstrated the reduction of Kv4.2 expression might contribute to the
      development of post-ischemic seizures and long-term increased seizure
      susceptibility after ischemia. The mechanisms underlying post-stroke seizures and
      epilepsy is unknown so far. The down-regulation of IA channels may explained the
      abnormal neuronal hyperexcitability responsible for the seizure development after
      ischemic stroke.

PMID- 27259068
TI  - Susceptibility to seizure-induced sudden death in DBA/2 mice is altered by
      adenosine.
AB  - Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is rare but is an important public
      health burden due to the number of patient years lost. Respiratory dysfunction
      following generalized convulsive seizure is a common sequence of events in
      witnessed SUDEP cases. The DBA/2 mouse model of SUDEP exhibits generalized
      convulsive audiogenic seizures (AGSz), which result in seizure-induced
      respiratory arrest (S-IRA) in ~75% of these animals, while the remaining DBA/2
      mice exhibit AGSz without S-IRA. SUDEP induction may involve actions of
      adenosine, which is released during generalized seizures in animals and patients
      and is known to depress respiration. This study examined the effects of systemic
      administration of agents that alter the actions of adenosine on the incidence of
      S-IRA in DBA/2 mice. DBA/2 mice that consistently exhibited AGSz without S-IRA
      showed a significantly increased incidence of S-IRA following treatment with 5
      iodotubercidin, which blocks adenosine metabolism. Treatment of DBA/2 mice that
      consistently exhibited AGSz followed by S-IRA with a non-selective adenosine
      antagonist, caffeine, or an A2A adenosine receptor subtype-selective antagonist
      (SCH 442416) significantly reduced S-IRA incidence. By contrast, an A1 adenosine
      receptor antagonist (DPCPX) was not effective in reducing S-IRA incidence. These
      findings suggest that preventative approaches for SUDEP should consider agents
      that reduce the actions of adenosine.

PMID- 27259070
TI  - Grey matter anomalies in drug-naive childhood absence epilepsy: A voxel-based
      morphometry study with MRI at 3.0T.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known, so far, about the cerebral structural abnormalities
      in drug-naive patients with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). We aimed to
      investigate regional grey matter (GM) volume differences using voxel-based
      morphometry (VBM) in patients and closely matched healthy control subjects.
      METHODS: Twenty drug-naive patients diagnosed with CAE and 20 age- and gender
      matched healthy subjects were recruited. All participants underwent structural
      MRI scans with a 3.0T MR system. The differences in regional GM volumes between
      the two groups were determined by VBM analysis. Additional regression analyses
      were performed to identify any associations between regional GM volume and
      clinical seizure variables. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the patients with
      CAE showed less GM volume in the bilateral thalami. Furthermore, the GM volume in
      the bilateral thalami was negatively correlated with disease duration and age of
      onset in the CAE group. CONCLUSIONS: By excluding the potential effect of
      medication on brain structures, our study demonstrates less GM volume in the
      bilateral thalami in drug-naive patients with idiopathic CAE. Our study further
      provides structural neuroimaging evidence on the pathophysiology of absence
      seizures.

PMID- 27259071
TI  - Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and the risk of febrile seizures and childhood
      epilepsy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to estimate the association between newborn
      children treated with phototerapy for hyperbilirubinemia and the subsequent risk
      of febrile seizures or epilepsy in early childhood. METHODS: We conducted a
      follow-up study of singleton children (N=70 230) born between February 1998 and
      May 2003 from the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC). Information on exposure to
      phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia was obtained from a questionnaire in the
      DNBC. Information on epilepsy and febrile seizures were obtained from the Danish
      National Hospital Registry (DNHR). Cox proportional hazard regression model was
      used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
      RESULTS: Newborns treated with phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia had a higher
      risk of developing epilepsy in early childhood (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.23-2.24) but
      not febrile seizures (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.86-1.27). The increases risk of
      epilepsy were only present for boys (HR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.40-2.78) not for girls
      (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.64-2.02) CONCLUSION: Phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia in
      newborns was associated with an increased risk of epilepsy for males in early
      childhood. No excess risk was seen with febrile seizures.

PMID- 27259069
TI  - Rate and complications of adult epilepsy surgery in North America: Analysis of
      multiple databases.
AB  - Epilepsy surgery is under-utilized, but recent studies reach conflicting
      conclusions regarding whether epilepsy surgery rates are currently declining,
      increasing, or remaining steady. However, data in these prior studies are biased
      toward high-volume epilepsy centers, or originate from sources that do not
      disaggregate various procedure types. All major epilepsy surgery procedures were
      extracted from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Part B National
      Summary Data File and the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality
      Improvement Program. Procedure rates, trends, and complications were analyzed,
      and patient-level predictors of postoperative adverse events were identified.
      Between 2000-2013, 6200 cases of epilepsy surgery were identified. Temporal
      lobectomy was the most common procedure (59% of cases), and most did not utilize
      electrocorticography (63-64%). Neither temporal nor extratemporal lobe epilepsy
      surgery rates changed significantly during the study period, suggesting no change
      in utilization. Adverse events, including major and minor complications, occurred
      in 15.3% of temporal lobectomies and 55.6% of hemispherectomies. Our findings
      suggest stagnant rates of both temporal and extratemporal lobe epilepsy surgery
      across U.S. surgical centers over the past decade. This finding contrasts with
      prior reports suggesting a recent dramatic decline in temporal lobectomy rates at
      high-volume epilepsy centers. We also observed higher rates of adverse events
      when both low- and high-volume centers were examined together, as compared to
      reports from high-volume centers alone. This is consistent with the presence of a
      volume-outcome relationship in epilepsy surgery.

PMID- 27259072
TI  - Using a Visible Light-Polymerized Resin to Fabricate an Interim Partial Removable
      Dental Prosthesis.
AB  - An interim partial removable dental prosthesis (RDP) is any dental prosthesis
      that replaces some teeth in a partially dentate arch designed to enhance
      esthetics, stabilization, and/or function for a limited period of time, after
      which it is to be replaced by a definitive dental prosthesis. This article
      describes a technique that uses a visible light-polymerized (VLP) resin as the
      base material for an interim partial RDP. This technique can be easily
      accomplished in a dental office or laboratory and results in a predictable dental
      prosthesis. This technique eliminates the need for laboratory processing.

PMID- 27259073
TI  - Biochemical Characterization and Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activity of Two
      Endemic Varieties of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) of the Campania Region, Southern
      Italy.
AB  - Extracts of the bulbs of the two endemic varieties "Rosato" and "Caposele" of
      Allium sativum of the Campania region, Southern Italy, were analyzed. The
      phenolic content, ascorbic acid, allicin content, and in vitro antimicrobial and
      antifungal activity were determined. Ultra performance liquid chromatography with
      diode array detector performed polyphenol profile. The polyphenolic extracts
      showed antioxidant activity (EC50) lower than 120 mg. The amount of ascorbic acid
      and allicin in the two extracts was similar. Polyphenol extract exhibited
      antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli,
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and (only by the extract of Rosato) against Bacillus
      cereus. The extract of Caposele was more effective in inhibiting the growth of
      Aspergillus versicolor and Penicillum citrinum. On the other hand, the extract of
      Rosato was effective against Penicillium expansum. 

PMID- 27259074
TI  - Common Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy for Chinese Adolescent Psychiatric
      Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Little is known about the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for
      adolescent psychiatric patients in China. This study examined the frequency of
      ECT and the demographic and clinical correlates of adolescent psychiatric
      patients hospitalized in a tertiary psychiatric hospital in China. METHODS: This
      was a retrospective chart review of 954 inpatients aged between 13 and 17 years
      treated over a period of 8 years (2007-2013). Sociodemographic and clinical data
      were collected from the electronic chart management system for discharged
      patients. RESULTS: The rate of ECT use was 42.6% in the whole sample (46.5% for
      patients with schizophrenia, 41.8% for major depressive disorder, 57.8% for
      bipolar disorders, and 23.9% for other diagnoses). Use of ECT was independently
      and positively associated with older age, high aggression risk at time of
      admission, and use of antipsychotics and antidepressants. Compared with patients
      with schizophrenia, those with other psychiatric diagnoses were less likely to
      receive ECT. The above significant correlates explained 32% of the variance of
      ECT use (P < 0.001). Limitations of this study included the lack of data
      regarding the efficacy and side effects of ECT. Furthermore, the high rate of ECT
      applied only to 1 setting which limits the ability to extrapolate the
      implications of the results to other populations. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ECT was
      exceedingly high in adolescent patients treated in a tertiary clinical centre in
      China. It is unlikely that such a high rate of ECT use is found across China or
      that such practice reflects standard of care for psychiatrically ill adolescents.
      The underlying reasons for the high use of ECT at this center warrant urgent
      investigations.

PMID- 27259075
TI  - Origin of Multiple Formula Use to Calculate Intraocular Lens Power-Reply.

PMID- 27259076
TI  - Iminium Catalysis inside a Self-Assembled Supramolecular Capsule: Modulation of
      Enantiomeric Excess.
AB  - The noncovalent combination of a supramolecular host with iminium organocatalysis
      is described. Due to cation-pi interactions the reactive iminium species is held
      inside the host and reacts in this confined environment. The products formed
      differ up to 92 % ee from the control experiments without added host. A model
      rationalizing the observed difference is presented.

PMID- 27259077
TI  - Contribution of gall microscopic structure to taxonomy of gallicolous aphids on
      Pistacia.
AB  - Aphids inducing galls on Pistacia plants belong to the tribe Fordini. According
      to the Heie & Wegierek classification, the genera are grouped into three
      subtribes. Previous microscopic studies showed that this taxonomy is not
      consistent with the histological characteristics of the galls. In this paper,
      galls induced by Aplonerura lentisci, Asiphonella cynodonti, Forda riccobonii,
      Slavun wertheimae and Smynthurodes betae were analyzed for the first time, as
      well as nine other galls previously described. Based on histological features
      three groups of galls can be establish: the first group comprises closed galls,
      induced by Baizongia pistaciae, Geoica utricularia, Rectinasus buxtoni and Slavun
      wertheimae; the second group includes two species of Geopemphigus (G. blackmani
      and G. torsus), and the third one is divided into two subgroups, the first
      comprises Aplonerura lentisci, Asiphonella cynodonti and Geopemphigus morral, and
      the second that includes Forda formicaria, F. marginata, F. riccobonii,
      Paracletus cimiciformis and Smynthurodes betae. An identification key of species
      based on microscopic features of galls is presented. 

PMID- 27259078
TI  - Uptake of C14-atrazine by prairie grasses in a phytoremediation setting.
AB  - Agrochemicals significantly contribute to environmental pollution. In the USA,
      atrazine is a widely used pesticide and commonly found in rivers, water systems,
      and rural wells. Phytoremediation can be a cost-effective means of removing
      pesticides from soil. The objective of this project was to investigate the
      ability of prairie grasses to remove atrazine. 14C-labeled atrazine was added to
      sterilized sand and water/nutrient cultures, and the analysis was performed after
      21 days. Switchgrass and big bluestem were promising species for
      phytoremediation, taking up about 40% of the applied [14C] in liquid hydroponic
      cultures, and between 20% and 33% in sand cultures. Yellow Indiangrass showed low
      resistance to atrazine toxicity and low uptake of [14C] atrazine in liquid
      hydroponic cultures. Atrazine degradation increased progressively from sand to
      roots and leaves. Most atrazine taken up by prairie grasses from sand culture was
      degraded to metabolites, which accounted for 60-80% of [14C] detected in leaves.
      Deisopropylatrazine (DIA) was the main metabolite detected in sand and roots,
      whereas in leaves further metabolism took place, forming increased amounts of
      didealkylatrazine (DDA) and an unidentified metabolite. In conclusion, prairie
      grasses achieved high atrazine removal and degradation, showing a high potential
      for phytoremediation.

PMID- 27259079
TI  - The relation between chronotype and treatment outcome with light therapy on a
      fixed time schedule.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterized by recurrent
      episodes of major depression in a seasonal pattern. The therapy of choice is
      light therapy (LT). It is suggested that LT should be administered relative to
      the chronotype of the patient, with the optimal timing earlier for morning than
      for evening types. This study aims to retrospectively investigate the relation
      between chronotype and the effect of LT on a fixed time in the morning in a
      population of SAD patients. METHODS: Data from four different studies conducted
      at the University Center of Psychiatry in Groningen, the Netherlands was used.
      Data from 132 patients was used (103 women). Depression score was determined by a
      structured interview (SIGH-SAD) prior to LT and after LT. Prior to LT
      morningness/eveningness preference of the patient was determined by the
      'Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire' (MEQ). All patients received LT at 8:00
      AM at the clinic, independent of chronotype. RESULTS: Patients had an average MEQ
      score of 51.5+/-8.2. There was no significant relationship between MEQ score and
      therapy success as measured with the SIGH-SAD (F2,129=0.05, ns). When patients
      were divided by chronotype (ranging from definite morning to moderate evening) no
      significant relation between MEQ score and therapy success was found
      (F2,129=0.02, ns). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of a
      significant relationship between chronotype, as measured with the MEQ, and
      therapy success with LT at a fixed timepoint may indicate that the anti
      depressive effect of morning light in SAD patients is not explained by a phase
      shift of the biological clock.

PMID- 27259080
TI  - Associations between poor subjective prenatal sleep quality and postnatal
      depression and anxiety symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common during pregnancy and
      the postnatal period. A risk factor for mood disorders is poor sleep quality. In
      this study we investigate the effects of poor subjective prenatal sleep quality
      on postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms, independent of prenatal depression
      or anxiety, amongst pregnant women in the general population. METHODS: We
      analysed data from a subset of women taking part in a prospective cohort study,
      Growing Up in Singapore towards Healthy Outcomes. The participants completed the
      Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory between 26
      and 28 weeks of pregnancy (Time 1) and at 3 months postpartum (Time 2), and the
      Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at Time 1. Logistic regression analyses were used
      to investigate the associations between subjective prenatal sleep quality and
      postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms, while adjusting for prenatal
      depressive/anxiety symptoms and education. RESULTS: Although borderline-high
      depressive/anxiety symptoms were the strongest predictors of postnatal
      depressive/anxiety, independent of this, poor subjective sleep quality during
      pregnancy was also associated with borderline-high postnatal depressive symptoms,
      but not with postnatal anxiety. LIMITATIONS: Sleep quality and prenatal/postnatal
      mood were derived from self-reported questionnaires, which may be more
      susceptible to bias. CONCLUSION: Although treatment of symptoms of prenatal
      depression and anxiety will be the most important for reducing postnatal
      depression and anxiety, in addition to that, future studies may explore
      treatments improving prenatal sleep quality, particularly for women with
      antenatal depressive symptoms.

PMID- 27259081
TI  - The natural course of elevated levels of depressive symptoms in patients with
      vascular disease over eight years of follow-up. The SMART-Medea study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiovascular disease have an increased risk for
      depression, and depression predicts poor prognosis in these patients, but the
      long-term course of depression is not known. We studied the natural course of
      elevated levels of depressive symptoms in patients with cardiovascular disease
      over eight years follow-up. METHODS: Within the Second Manifestations of ARTerial
      disease - Memory, depression and aging (SMART-Medea) study, depressive symptoms
      were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in 690 patients
      (62+/-10 years) at baseline and bi-annually during 8 years follow-up. Natural
      course was described for symptom severity and course type (never, single episode,
      intermittent, and chronic) based on the cut-off point of >=6 on the PHQ-9. Using
      multinomial regression analysis (reference: never depressed) we estimated age-
      and sex-adjusted odds ratios (OR) for the associations of demographic factors and
      vascular disease categories with course type. RESULTS: Of the 690 patients, 60%
      was never depressed, 10% had a single episode, 19% had an intermittent and 11% a
      chronic course of depression. Increased risk for chronic course was observed for
      women (OR=3.42; 95% CI=1.98-5.90), those with younger age (OR=3.20; 95% CI=1.73
      5.94), and for patients with cerebrovascular disease when compared to patients
      with coronary artery disease (OR=2.50; 95% CI=1.31-4.78). LIMITATIONS: No
      information was available on clinical diagnosed major depressive disorder and/or
      clinical events during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cardiovascular
      disease, an intermittent or chronic course of elevated levels of depressive
      symptoms is very common. Patients with cardiovascular disease may require more
      careful clinical monitoring and management of depressive symptoms.

PMID- 27259083
TI  - Responses of human sensory characteristics to 532 nm pulse laser stimuli.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lasers are advantageous in some applications to stimulate a small
      target area and is used in various fields such as optogenetic, photoimmunological
      and neurophysiological studies. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to implement a non
      contact sense of touch without damaging biological tissues using laser. METHODS:
      Various laser parameters were utilized in safety range to induce a sense of touch
      and investigate the human responses. With heat distribution simulation, the
      amount of changes in the temperature and the tendency in laser parameters of
      sensory stimulation were analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed the identified
      tactile responses in safety range with various laser parameters and temperature
      distribution for the laser stimulus was obtained through the simulation.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study can be applied to the areas of sensory receptor
      stimulation, neurophysiology and clinical medicine.

PMID- 27259082
TI  - How should we screen for depression following a natural disaster? An ROC approach
      to post-disaster screening in adolescents and adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The present study's aim was to provide the foundation for an
      efficient, empirically based protocol for depression screening following a
      natural disaster. Utilizing a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analytic
      approach, the study tested a) what specific disaster-related stressors (i.e.,
      property damage, loss of basic services) and individual-related constructs (i.e.,
      PTSD symptoms, trauma history, social support) conveyed the greatest risk for
      post-natural disaster depression, b) specific cutoff scores across these
      measures, and c) whether the significance or cutoff scores for each construct
      varied between adolescents and adults. METHODS: Structured phone-based clinical
      interviews were conducted with 2000 adolescents who lived through a tornado and
      1543 adults who survived a hurricane. RESULTS: Findings suggested that in both
      adolescents and adults, individual-related constructs forecasted greater risk for
      depressive symptoms following a natural disaster compared to disaster-related
      stressors. Furthermore, trauma history and PTSD symptoms were particularly strong
      indicators for adolescent depressive symptoms compared to adult depressive
      symptoms. Adolescents and adults who reported vulnerable scores for social
      support, trauma history, and lifetime PTSD symptoms were approximately twice as
      likely to present as depressed following the natural disaster. LIMITATIONS:
      Findings from the present study were limited to post-disaster assessments and
      based on self-reported functioning 6-12 months following the natural disaster.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present study synthesizes the extensive body of research on post
      disaster functioning by providing a clear framework for which questions may be
      most important to ask when screening for depression following a natural disaster.

PMID- 27259084
TI  - Evaluation of deformable image registration for contour propagation between CT
      and cone-beam CT images in adaptive head and neck radiotherapy.
AB  - Deformable image registration (DIR) is a critical technic in adaptive
      radiotherapy (ART) to propagate contours between planning computerized tomography
      (CT) images and treatment CT/Cone-beam CT (CBCT) image to account for organ
      deformation for treatment re-planning. To validate the ability and accuracy of
      DIR algorithms in organ at risk (OAR) contours mapping, seven intensity-based DIR
      strategies are tested on the planning CT and weekly CBCT images from six Head &
      Neck cancer patients who underwent a 6 ~ 7 weeks intensity-modulated radiation
      therapy (IMRT). Three similarity metrics, i.e. the Dice similarity coefficient
      (DSC), the percentage error (PE) and the Hausdorff distance (HD), are employed to
      measure the agreement between the propagated contours and the physician
      delineated ground truths. It is found that the performance of all the evaluated
      DIR algorithms declines as the treatment proceeds. No statistically significant
      performance difference is observed between different DIR algorithms (p> 0.05),
      except for the double force demons (DFD) which yields the worst result in terms
      of DSC and PE. For the metric HD, all the DIR algorithms behaved unsatisfactorily
      with no statistically significant performance difference (p= 0.273). These
      findings suggested that special care should be taken when utilizing the intensity
      based DIR algorithms involved in this study to deform OAR contours between CT and
      CBCT, especially for those organs with low contrast. 

PMID- 27259085
TI  - Discrimination of motor imagery tasks via information flow pattern of brain
      connectivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effective connectivity refers explicitly to the influence that
      one neural system exerts over another in frequency domain. To investigate the
      propagation of neuronal activity in certain frequency can help us reveal the
      mechanisms of information processing by brain. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates
      the detection of effective connectivity and analyzes the complex brain network
      connection mode associated with motor imagery (MI) tasks. METHODS: The effective
      connectivity among the primary motor area is firstly explored using partial
      directed coherence (PDC) combined with multivariate empirical mode decomposition
      (MEMD) based on electroencephalography (EEG) data. Then a new approach is
      proposed to analyze the connection mode of the complex brain network via the
      information flow pattern. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that significant
      effective connectivity exists in the bilateral hemisphere during the tasks,
      regardless of the left-/right-hand MI tasks. Furthermore, the out-in rate results
      of the information flow reveal the existence of the contralateral lateralization.
      The classification performance of left-/right-hand MI tasks can be improved by
      careful selection of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). CONCLUSION: The proposed
      method can provide efficient features for the detection of MI tasks and has great
      potential to be applied in brain computer interface (BCI).

PMID- 27259086
TI  - Assessment of cardiac time intervals by wavelet transform of the impedance
      cardiogram.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Impedance cardiography (ICG) is an inexpensive, noninvasive technique
      for estimating hemodynamic parameters. ICG can be used to obtain the ejection
      fraction of the left atrium and to monitor systolic time intervals. Traditional
      ICG technique does not enable unambiguous detection of the left ventricle
      ejection time (LVET) and the time relationships between specific marker points.
      OBJECTIVE: This work aims to approbate a new approach for ICG signal processing
      using wavelet transform (WT) and to investigate the possibilities of this
      approach for determination of the parameters which are related to the stroke
      volume (SV), in particular LVET. METHODS: Thoracic tetrapolar
      polyrheocardiography method for simultaneous registration of ECG, ICG and
      phonocardiograms has been used. A control group consisted of eight healthy men
      aged 20-25 years. In addition, four patients with essential hypertension
      participated in the study. Wavelet representation of the ICG data produced local
      maxima in a two dimensional distribution of the wavelet coefficient. Each
      extremum point was characterized by the amplitude, scale and time, which
      determine SV. RESULTS: LVET was defined as the scale corresponding to the E-wave
      maximum related to the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. Also, we defined the
      initial systolic time interval (ISTI) as the time interval between R peak in the
      ECG and E-wave maximum on the wavelet plane. During functional test LVET and ISTI
      values defined by WT demonstrated a proper hemodynamic response to loading for
      the control group and patients with essential hypertension. CONCLUSION: The
      proposed approach demonstrates the ability of ICG-WT technique for adequate
      assessment of SV parameters, including cardiac time intervals.

PMID- 27259087
TI  - Mid-term outcomes after radiofrequency-targeted vertebral augmentation in the
      treatment of myeloma associated vertebral fractures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myeloma patients often suffer from painful vertebral fractures (VCF)
      which impair their quality of life. Common methods for augmentation of the
      vertebrae are vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and radiofrequency-targeted vertebral
      augmentation (RF-TVA). OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the long-term
      effectiveness and safety of RF-TVA in the treatment of myeloma associated VCF.
      METHODS: Eighty-seven myeloma patients (mean age: 64.7 +/- 9.5 years) with VCF
      were treated with RF-TVA. Patient data were assessed preoperatively and in five
      postoperative examinations up to 12 months. Pain was measured with the visual
      analogue scale (VAS) and the impairment was evaluated with the Oswestry
      Disability-Index (ODI) at each examination. In addition, the mid vertebral
      height, kyphosis angle, and additional fractures were evaluated by x-rays.
      Furthermore, cement leakage was documented. RESULTS: The VAS values were
      significantly improved in comparison to the preoperative values (p<= 0.001), but
      slightly fluctuating during the follow-up period. The ODI was also significantly
      improved (p<= 0.001), but it showed a worsening from the 12 months evaluation to
      the 24 months evaluation. The kyphosis angle and the vertebral height were
      significantly improved after surgery (p = 0.03, p <= 0.001), but worsened
      steadily to the last follow up examination. Cement leakage was asymptomatic and
      occurred in 18% of the patients. In 10% of the patients additional fractures were
      detected in the 24 months evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show
      that RF-TVA is a safe treatment for myeloma associated vertebral compression
      fractures, which achieves an acceptable improvement of patient's pain and quality
      of life.

PMID- 27259088
TI  - Hip arthroscopy for excision of osteoid osteoma and for the application of a
      collagen cartilage implant: Case report in a professional athlete, and literature
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoid osteoma is an osteoblastic benign bone tumor usually
      affecting young adolescents. Intra-articular lesions are not common; usually the
      diagnosis is delayed. A lot of studies report difficulties and complications in
      the management of osteoid osteoma of the hip joint using imaging guided
      techniques or open surgical procedures. Only few published cases have described
      that it can be treated precisely using hip arthroscopy. Additionally, the use of
      hip arthroscopy to apply the Chondrofiller(r), an acellular collagen matrix for
      the management of articular cartilage defects of the hip joint, has not yet been
      described. CASE PRESENTATION: This report presents an osteoid osteoma of the
      femoral neck. A 20-year-old female professional basketball player presented with
      pain in the left groin since more than 12 months. On magnetic resonance and
      computed tomography imaging, an osteoid osteoma was suggested. The lesion was
      successfully removed using arthroscopy. During surgery, a concomitant grade 4
      cartilage lesion on the femoral head was detected. For the treatment of this
      severe defect we used the Chondrofiller(r), which is a new acellular collagen
      implant for auto-regeneration of articular cartilage. This matrix was filled into
      the prepared and dried defect using CO2 arthroscopy. After the hardening of the
      matrix the surgery was finished. The patient was pain free shortly after the
      operation and returned to sports within 16 weeks. Return to high-performance
      sports 8 months after surgery was without of any sign of complaints. CONCLUSIONS:
      This article demonstrates that hip arthroscopy is a valuable tool for biopsy and
      excision of intra-articular osteoid osteoma affecting the hip joint, as well as
      for addressing other concomitant pathologies such as a severe synovitis or
      cartilage defects. CO2 arthroscopy provided good conditions for the drying and
      filling of the cartilage defect with the Chondrofiller(r).

PMID- 27259090
TI  - Enhancing Aerobic Exercise with a Novel Virtual Exercise Buddy Based on the
      Kohler Effect.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Research on active videogames (AVGs) has demonstrated the motivation
      boosting power of the Kohler effect (a motivating force for "weak links" in
      groups based on group principles of upward social comparison and
      indispensability) with software-generated partners (SGPs), but the effect has yet
      to be examined over time. We tested the viability of the Kohler effect in an AVG
      with an SGP over 12 exercise sessions using a cycle ergometer and whether a
      fatiguing partner (FP) could further boost the effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      repeated-measures design was used to assess mean changes in exercise persistence
      over time. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three game conditions:
      AVG alone (individual-control [IC]), AVG with a consistently superior partner
      (CSP), or AVG with a superior partner who showed signs of fatigue (FP).
      Assessments were conducted on 82 participants (42 college students and 40 adults
      from the community) in a laboratory over 12 experimental sessions. The main
      outcome measure was exercise persistence (minutes of gameplay cycling at 75%
      HRmax). RESULTS: Data yielded significant improvements in exercise duration for
      men in the FP condition when compared with men in the IC condition (Mdiff = 12:32
      minutes, SEdiff = 4:54). Women showed no change in exercise persistence over time
      and no condition differences. CONCLUSION: Exercising in an AVG with a superior
      SGP, who shows signs of fatigue over time, improved exercise persistence for men
      but not for women under present experimental conditions.

PMID- 27259089
TI  - Procedural outcomes with use of the flash ostial system in aorto-coronary ostial
      lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Flash Ostial system (Ostial Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA) was
      designed to optimize implantation of aorto-ostial coronary stents by flaring the
      proximal stent struts against the aortic wall. METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed the medical record, angiograms, and intravascular ultrasound images of
      22 aorto-ostial percutaneous coronary interventions performed at our institution
      between March and September 2015. The Flash Ostial system was used in 13 cases
      (59%). RESULTS: Mean age was 67 +/- 8 years and all patients were men. The target
      vessel was the right coronary artery (59%), left main (27%), or a saphenous vein
      graft (14%); 59% of the lesions had moderate/severe calcification. The mean
      number of predilation balloons was 1.8 +/- 1.6, mean Flash ostial balloon
      diameter was 3.3 +/- 0.5 mm and mean inflation pressure was 13.1 +/- 4.0
      atmospheres. Intravascular ultrasonography (available for 19 patients) revealed
      mean ostial minimum lumen cross-sectional area (MLA) of 9.2 +/- 3.0 mm2 and
      reference MLA of 8.5 +/- 2.7 mm2 . The percent difference between ostial and
      reference MLA was higher in cases in which the Flash Ostial system was used
      versus those where it was not (9.6 +/- 5.5% vs. 4.0 +/- 2.8%, P = 0.03). All
      stent struts were well apposed. Technical success was 100%. One patient developed
      a left groin pseudoaneurysm treated with thrombin injection and one patient had a
      periprocedural myocardial infarction. Median contrast, fluoroscopy time, and
      procedure time were 235 mL, 33 min, and 118 min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The
      Flash Ostial system can be successfully used in aorto-ostial stenting, resulting
      in large ostial vessel MLA. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27259091
TI  - Piezotronic Effect Modulated Heterojunction Electron Gas in AlGaN/AlN/GaN
      Heterostructure Microwire.
AB  - The piezotronic effect is applied to modulate the physical properties of
      heterojunction electron gas and thus tune the electric transport in AlGaN/AlN/GaN
      heterostructure microwires. At room temperature, the conductance is increased by
      165% under -1.78% compressive strains, and reduced by 48% under 1.78% tensile
      strains; at 77 K, this modulating effect is further improved by 890% and 940%
      under compressive and tensile strains, respectively. 

PMID- 27259092
TI  - Local anaesthetic wound infiltration for postcaesarean section analgesia: A
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Wound infiltration with local anaesthetics has been investigated as a
      potentially useful method for providing analgesia after caesarean delivery, but
      the literature is inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to assess the
      efficacy of local anaesthetic wound infiltration in reducing pain scores and
      opioid consumption in women undergoing caesarean delivery. DESIGN: Systematic
      review of randomised controlled trials with meta-analyses. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE,
      EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (CENTRAL)
      until December 2015. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials that
      assessed the efficacy of local anaesthetic wound infiltration using an infusion
      or single injection technique for postcaesarean section analgesia. RESULTS: A
      total of 21 studies were included in the final analysis (11 studies using an
      infusion technique and 10 studies using single infiltration). Local anaesthetic
      wound infiltration significantly decreased opioid consumption at 24 h [mean
      difference -9.69 mg morphine equivalents, 95% confidence interval (CI), -14.85 to
      -4.52] and pain scores after 24 h at rest (mean difference -0.36, 95% CI, -0.58
      to -0.14) and on movement (mean difference -0.61, 95% CI, -1.19 to -0.03).
      Subgroup analysis did not suggest a difference in primary outcomes between
      infusions and single infiltration. Opioid consumption was reduced in patients who
      did not receive intrathecal morphine but not in those who received intrathecal
      morphine, although there were very little data in patients receiving intrathecal
      morphine. Pain scores at rest and on movement at 24 h were reduced with catheter
      placement below the fascia but not above the fascia. There were no statistically
      significant reductions in nausea, vomiting or pruritus with local anaesthetic
      infiltration. CONCLUSION: Local anaesthetic wound infiltration reduces
      postoperative opioid consumption but had minimal effect on pain scores and did
      not reduce opioid-related side-effects in women who had undergone delivery by
      caesarean section. The review is limited by a paucity of studies using
      intrathecal morphine and by the indirect comparisons performed for subgroup
      analyses.

PMID- 27259093
TI  - Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury: creatine kinase as a prognostic marker
      and validation of the McMahon Score in a 10-year cohort: A retrospective
      observational evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High-volume fluid resuscitation and the administration of sodium
      bicarbonate and diuretics have a theoretical renoprotective role in patients at
      high risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) following rhabdomyolysis. Abnormally
      elevated creatine kinase has previously been used as a biological marker for the
      identification of patients at high risk of AKI following rhabdomyolysis.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of plasma creatine kinase
      (admission and peak values) for the prediction of AKI requiring renal replacement
      therapy (RRT) or of death in patients with confirmed rhabdomyolysis. To compare
      the diagnostic performance of creatine kinase with the McMahon score. DESIGN:
      Retrospective observational study. Data collection included McMahon and Acute
      Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores; daily creatine
      kinase; daily creatinine and electrolytes; ICU length of stay and mortality.
      SETTING: Neurosciences and Trauma Critical Care Unit (Cambridge, UK). PATIENTS:
      In total, 232 adults with confirmed rhabdomyolysis (creatine kinase > 1000 Ul)
      admitted to Neurosciences and Trauma Critical Care Unit between 2002 and 2012.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: AKI, RRT and mortality. RESULTS: Forty-five (19%) patients
      developed AKI and 29 (12.5%) patients required RRT. Mortality was significantly
      higher in patients who developed AKI (62 vs. 18%, P < 0.001). Average creatine
      kinase on admission was 5009 (range 69-157 860) Ul. Creatine kinase peaked
      between the day of admission and day 3 in 91% of cases. PEAK creatine kinase of
      at least 5000 Ul is 55% specific and 83% sensitive for the prediction of AKI
      requiring RRT. A McMahon Score of at least 6 calculated on admission is 68%
      specific and 86% sensitive for RRT. CONCLUSIONS: Creatine kinase is not a
      specific or early predictor of AKI in patients with rhabdomyolysis. Although a
      PEAK creatine kinase of at least 5000 Ul has sensitivity acceptable for screening
      purposes, this is often a delayed finding. A McMahon score of at least 6
      calculated on admission allows for a more sensitive, specific and timely
      identification of patients who may benefit from high-volume fluid resuscitation.

PMID- 27259094
TI  - Determination of a cut-off value of antral area measured in the supine position
      for the fast diagnosis of an empty stomach in the parturient: A prospective
      cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultrasound measurement of the antral cross-sectional area of the
      stomach, performed in the supine position, has been described for preoperative
      assessment of gastric content in the adult, but, to date, no study has determined
      the cut-off value of the antral area for the diagnosis of an empty stomach in the
      parturient. Nevertheless, previous studies in parturients have reported that the
      use of a simple qualitative grading scale (0 to 2) was reliable for the
      estimation of the gastric fluid volume. However, this qualitative grading score
      requires turning the parturient into the right lateral decubitus position for the
      ultrasound examination, something which may not be easily feasible, particularly
      in the case of an obstetric emergency. OBJECTIVE: To calculate the cut-off value
      of the antral area, measured in the supine position during established labour,
      for the diagnosis of 'empty' stomach. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study.
      SETTING: Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hopital Femme Mere Enfant, Lyon, France.
      PATIENTS: Seventy-three women in established labour. INTERVENTIONS: For each
      parturient, ultrasound assessment of gastric contents was performed in the supine
      and right lateral decubitus position and scored 0 to 3 on a qualitative grading
      scale. This assessment was followed by ultrasound measurement of the antral cross
      sectional area in both the supine and right lateral positions. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: To assess the performance of the antral area measured in the supine
      position for the diagnosis of an 'empty' stomach (gastric antrum grade 0), a
      receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted, and the area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated. RESULTS: Data from 73
      women were analysed. For the diagnosis of grade 0, the cut-off value for the
      antral area measured in the supine position was 381 mm (sensitivity, 81%;
      specificity, 76% and negative predictive value, 80%). CONCLUSION: With a
      parturient lying in the supine position, a single assessment of the antral cross
      sectional area may be used for the fast diagnosis of an empty stomach. This tool
      could be useful in assessing the risk of aspiration for parturients who require
      emergency anaesthesia during labour.

PMID- 27259095
TI  - Identification of ROS Produced by Nanobubbles and Their Positive and Negative
      Effects on Vegetable Seed Germination.
AB  - Exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by nanobubble (NB) water offer a
      reasonable explanation for NBs' physiological promotion and oxidation effects. To
      develop and exploit the NB technology, we have performed further research to
      identify the specific ROS produced by NBs. Using a fluorescent reagent APF, a
      Fenton reaction, a dismutation reaction of superoxide dismutase and DMSO, we
      distinguished four types of ROS (superoxide anion radical (O2.-), hydrogen
      peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (.OH), and singlet oxygen (1O2)). .OH was
      confirmed to be the specific ROS produced by NB water. The role of .OH produced
      by NB water in physiological processes depends on its concentration. The amount
      of exogenous .OH has a positive correlation with the NB number density in the
      water. Here, spinach and carrot seed germination tests were repeatedly performed
      with three seed groups submerged in distilled water, high-number density NB
      water, and low-number density NB water under similar dissolved oxygen
      concentrations. The final germination rates of spinach seeds in distilled water,
      low-number density NB water, and high-number density NB water were 54%, 65%, and
      69%, respectively. NBs can also promote sprout growth. The sprout lengths of
      spinach seeds dipped in NB water were longer than those in the distilled water.
      For carrot seeds, the amount of exogenous .OH in high-number density NB water was
      beyond their toxic threshold, and negative effects were shown on hypocotyl
      elongation and chlorophyll formation. The presented results allow us to obtain a
      deeper understanding of the physiological promotion effects of NBs.

PMID- 27259097
TI  - Copper-Catalyzed Coupling of 2-Siloxy-1-alkenes and Diazocarbonyl Compounds:
      Approach to Multisubstituted Furans, Pyrroles, and Thiophenes.
AB  - We report herein copper(II)-catalyzed cyclization reactions of silyl enol ethers
      derived from methyl ketones with alpha-diazo-beta-ketoesters or alpha
      diazoketones to afford 2-siloxy-2,3-dihydrofuran derivatives or 2,3,5
      trisubstituted furans, respectively, under mild conditions. The former
      cyclization products serve as versatile 1,4-diketone surrogates, allowing facile
      preparation of 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans, pyrroles, and thiophenes.

PMID- 27259096
TI  - Lymphatic Function in the Early Postoperative Period of Breast Cancer Has No
      Short-Term Clinical Impact.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate by lymphoscintigraphy the lymphatic function in the
      preoperative period up to 2 months after surgery for breast cancer, and the
      relationship between the lymphatic function with clinical features and physical
      complications. METHODS: One hundred and five women were studied before and 2
      months after surgery to treat breast cancer. On each occasion, inspection and
      palpation of surgical wound, upper limb circumference, and lymphoscintigraphy
      were performed. Lymphatic function analysis consisted of velocity of axillary
      lymph node (LN) visualization; intensity of LN uptake; collateral circulation;
      dermal backflow; and hepatic uptake. RESULTS: In the postoperative period, there
      was a significant worsening of the degree of LN uptake (p = 0.0003) and in the
      velocity of LN visualization (p = 0.01). No significant differences in dermal
      backflow (p = 0.4) and collateral circulation (p = 0,07) were observed. There was
      a significant increase in liver absorption (p = 0.0002). 37.1% of the patients
      developed seroma, 11.2% dehiscence, and 25.8% infection. No relationship was
      found between lymphoscintigraphy changes and postoperative complications or
      clinical characteristics. CONCLUSION: Lymphoscintigraphy, performed 60 days post
      surgery for breast cancer, can detect a worsening in lymphatic drainage and some
      sign of lymphatic changes. These changes are not related to clinical
      characteristics and physical complications.

PMID- 27259098
TI  - 'Everything's neatly tucked away': young women's views on desirable vulval
      anatomy.
AB  - In the context of rapidly increasing requests for female genital cosmetic surgery
      (FGCS) and a lack of published research in this area, we explored young women's
      knowledge of vulval anatomy and sources of anatomical information. We conducted
      21 semi-structured interviews with young women aged 18-28 years at an Australian
      tertiary institution. Interviews explored participants' knowledge of 'normal' and
      'ideal' genital anatomy and how these perceptions were formed. Interviews were
      recorded, transcribed and analysis identified 6 major themes and 30 sub-themes.
      We found that many women were unsure what constitutes normal genital anatomy. Few
      women knew to which parts the word vulva refers. All participants identified a
      photograph of hairless female genitals with no visible labia minora as the
      societal 'ideal', and all strongly agreed on the need for appropriate educational
      resources. Young women would benefit from access to resources showing the normal
      range of genital anatomy. Results suggest that doctors receiving requests for
      FGCS should explore women's understanding of their anatomy and what they believe
      the surgery will achieve. Some young women may simply need reassurance of their
      normality. Findings from this study may contribute to educational material for
      both health professionals and young people.

PMID- 27259099
TI  - Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training as a Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - Our purpose was to investigate the effects of low-volume, high-intensity interval
      training (HIT) on cardiometabolic risk and exercise capacity in women with type 2
      diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sedentary overweight/obese T2DM women (age=44.5+/-1.8
      years; BMI=30.5+/-0.6 kg/m(2)) were randomly assigned to a tri-weekly running
      based HIT program (n=13) or non-exercise control follow-up (CON; n=10). Glycemic
      control, lipid and blood pressure levels, endurance performance, and
      anthropometry were measured before and after the follow-up (16 weeks) in both
      groups. Medication intake was also assessed throughout the follow-up.
      Improvements (P<0.05) on fasting glucose (14.3+/-1.4%), HbA1c (12.8+/-1.1%),
      systolic blood pressure (3.7+/-0.5 mmHg), HDL-cholesterol (21.1+/-2.8%),
      triglycerides (17.7+/-2.8%), endurance performance (9.8+/-1.0%), body weight
      (2.2+/-0.3%), BMI (2.1+/-0.3%), waist circumference (4.0+/-0.5%) and subcutaneous
      fat (18.6+/-1.4%) were found after HIT intervention. Patients of HIT group also
      showed reductions in daily dosage of antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive
      medication during follow-up. No changes were found in any variable of CON group.
      The HIT-induced improvements occurred with a weekly time commitment 56-25% lower
      than the minimal recommended in current guidelines. These findings suggest that
      low-volume HIT may be a time-efficient intervention to treat T2DM women. 

PMID- 27259100
TI  - Proposal and validation of a new model to estimate survival for hepatocellular
      carcinoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is
      heterogeneous. We aim to develop and validate a simple prognostic model to
      estimate survival for HCC patients (MESH score). METHODS: A total of 3182
      patients were randomised into derivation and validation cohort. Multivariate
      analysis was used to identify independent predictors of survival in the
      derivation cohort. The validation cohort was employed to examine the prognostic
      capabilities. RESULTS: The MESH score allocated 1 point for each of the following
      parameters: large tumour (beyond Milan criteria), presence of vascular invasion
      or metastasis, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score >=6, performance status >=2, serum alpha
      fetoprotein level >=20 ng/ml, and serum alkaline phosphatase >=200 IU/L, with a
      maximal of 6 points. In the validation cohort, significant survival differences
      were found across all MESH scores from 0 to 6 (all p < 0.01). The MESH system was
      associated with the highest homogeneity and lowest corrected Akaike information
      criterion compared with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer, Hong Kong Liver Cancer
      (HKLC), Cancer of the Liver Italian Program, Taipei Integrated Scoring and model
      to estimate survival in ambulatory HCC Patients systems. The prognostic accuracy
      of the MESH scores remained constant in patients with hepatitis B- or hepatitis C
      related HCC. The MESH score can also discriminate survival for patients from
      early to advanced stages of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: This newly proposed simple and
      accurate survival model provides enhanced prognostic accuracy for HCC. The MESH
      system is a useful supplement to the BCLC and HKLC classification schemes in
      refining treatment strategies.

PMID- 27259101
TI  - Chemical Synthesis of Human Insulin-Like Peptide-6.
AB  - Human insulin-like peptide-6 (INSL-6) belongs to the insulin superfamily and
      shares the distinctive disulfide bond configuration of human insulin. In this
      report we present the first chemical synthesis of INSL-6 utilizing
      fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl-based (Fmoc) solid-phase peptide chemistry and
      regioselective disulfide bond construction protocols. Due to the presence of an
      oxidation-sensitive tryptophan residue, two new orthogonal synthetic
      methodologies were developed. The first method involved the identification of an
      additive to suppress the oxidation of tryptophan during iodine-mediated S
      acetamidomethyl (Acm) deprotection and the second utilized iodine-free, sulfoxide
      directed disulfide bond formation. The methodologies presented here offer an
      efficient synthetic route to INSL-6 and will further improve synthetic access to
      other multiple-disulfide-containing peptides with oxidation-sensitive residues. 

PMID- 27259116
TI  - Escherichia coli MazEF toxin-antitoxin system does not mediate programmed cell
      death.
AB  - Toxin-antitoxins systems (TAS) are prokaryotic operons containing two small
      overlapping genes which encode two components referred to as toxin and antitoxin.
      Involvement of TAS in bacterial programmed cell death (PCD) is highly
      controversial. MazEF, a typical type II TAS, is particularly implicated in
      mediating PCD in Escherichia coli. Hence, we compared the metabolic fitness and
      stress tolerance of E. coli strains (MC4100 and its mazEF-derivative) which were
      extensively used by proponents of mazEF-mediated PCD. We found that both the
      strains are deficient in relA gene and that the DeltamazEF strain has lower
      fitness and stress tolerance compared to wild type MC4100. We could not reproduce
      mazEF mediated PCD which emphasizes the need for skeptic approach to the PCD
      hypothesis.

PMID- 27259118
TI  - Characterization of the geometry of microscale periodic structures using acoustic
      microscopy.
AB  - Periodic structures are very common in both scientific investigations and
      engineering applications. The geometry of the periodic structure is important for
      its designed functionality. Although the techniques such as optical and electron
      microscopy are capable of measuring the periodicity of microscale periodically
      corrugated structures, they cannot be used to measure the height or depth of the
      corrugation. The technique of acoustic microscopy has been developed rapidly and
      it has been applied in the studies of steel integrated structures, ferro-elastic
      ceramics, human retina, semiconductors, composites, etc. In acoustic microscopy,
      V(z) curves have been used to investigate the visco-elastic parameters of thin
      sliced samples of composites, animal tissue, etc., while in this work it is
      applied in characterizing the geometry of periodically corrugated structures. The
      measurements of the geometry of periodic structures obtained using acoustic
      microscopy are compared with those obtained using optical microscopy, and the
      reliability of this acoustic technique is also examined.

PMID- 27259117
TI  - A comprehensive numerical analysis of background phase correction with V-SHARP.
AB  - Sophisticated harmonic artifact reduction for phase data (SHARP) is a method to
      remove background field contributions in MRI phase images, which is an essential
      processing step for quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). To perform SHARP,
      a spherical kernel radius and a regularization parameter need to be defined. In
      this study, we carried out an extensive analysis of the effect of these two
      parameters on the corrected phase images and on the reconstructed susceptibility
      maps. As a result of the dependence of the parameters on acquisition and
      processing characteristics, we propose a new SHARP scheme with generalized
      parameters. The new SHARP scheme uses a high-pass filtering approach to define
      the regularization parameter. We employed the variable-kernel SHARP (V-SHARP)
      approach, using different maximum radii (Rm ) between 1 and 15 mm and varying
      regularization parameters (f) in a numerical brain model. The local root-mean
      square error (RMSE) between the ground-truth, background-corrected field map and
      the results from SHARP decreased towards the center of the brain. RMSE of
      susceptibility maps calculated with a spatial domain algorithm was smallest for
      Rm between 6 and 10 mm and f between 0 and 0.01 mm-1 , and for maps calculated
      with a Fourier domain algorithm for Rm between 10 and 15 mm and f between 0 and
      0.0091 mm-1 . We demonstrated and confirmed the new parameter scheme in vivo. The
      novel regularization scheme allows the use of the same regularization parameter
      irrespective of other imaging parameters, such as image resolution. Copyright (c)
      2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27259119
TI  - The effects of fracture permeability on acoustic wave propagation in the porous
      media: A microscopic perspective.
AB  - An illustrative theory is developed to analyze the acoustic wave propagation
      characteristics in the porous media with anisotropic permeability. We focus here
      on the role of fracture permeability in the unconsolidated porous media, looking
      in particular at the compressional P-wave phase velocity and attenuation. Two
      fluid pressure equilibration characteristic time factors are defined, which are
      corresponding to crack-pore system and crack-crack system, respectively. The
      theoretical results show that the dispersion and attenuation characteristics of
      acoustic wave are affected by porous matrix and fracture permeability
      simultaneously. Due to the fluid exchange that takes place between fractures and
      pores dominantly, the influence of the fracture connectivity on the wave
      propagation is very weak when the permeability of background medium is relatively
      high. However, correlation between wave propagation and fracture permeability is
      significant when the matrix permeability at a low level. A second attenuation
      peak occurs for the fluid flow within fractures in high-frequency region for more
      and more higher fracture permeability. The exact analytical solutions that are
      compared to numerical forward modeling of wave propagation in fractured media
      allow us to verify the correctness of the new model. If there exists another
      approach for obtaining the connectivity information of background media, we can
      use this model to analyze qualitatively the permeability of fractures or afford
      an indicator of in-situ permeability changes in a oil reservoir, for example,
      fracturing operations.

PMID- 27259121
TI  - From the Editor.

PMID- 27259122
TI  - Guest Editorial.

PMID- 27259123
TI  - Nurses and Psychologists Advancing the Patient-Centered Medical Home Model.
AB  - As America experiences the largest health care revolution of the past 50 years,
      clinicians and administrators are refocusing their attention on the goals of the
      Quadruple Aim. Motivation and capabilities among stakeholders vary as practical
      tools and an adequate workforce remain elusive. At the same time, the patient
      centered medical home (PCMH) model is spreading rapidly but demonstrating
      variable results. Positive PCMH outcomes seem to reflect high-quality teamwork. A
      primary care physician shortage is looming, and increasing numbers of health
      professionals are being pushed into the PCMH, mandated to provide "integrated"
      care. Even now, the majority of our Graduate Medical Education programs do not
      train clinicians in team-based workflow models and interaction skills.
      Consequently, PCMH teams will only optimize and realize the model's true
      potential if they learn to coordinate, communicate, and collaborate effectively.
      This means all PCMH staff members achieve solid teamwork skills and work at the
      top of their license. The authors discuss resources for improving coordination,
      communication, and collaboration among members of PCMH teams, and strategies for
      including other professionals. 

PMID- 27259124
TI  - Interview.

PMID- 27259125
TI  - Experience of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in Public Mental
      Health.
AB  - Expansion of health insurance coverage under the Accountable Care Act has meant
      that millions of people are now insured for mental health treatment, but with no
      significant increase in the mental health workforce. Services of psychiatric
      mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) may be best utilized to improve access
      to and quality of public mental health services if the financial, political,
      scope of practice, and treatment model barriers that limit their ability or
      willingness to practice in these settings are better understood. This article
      reports qualitative results from a study that assessed barriers and best
      practices in the use of PMHNPs in county mental health services in California.
      Results indicate that PMHNPs are valued for their "whole person" perspective,
      collaborative approach, and interpersonal communication skills, but that
      significant knowledge gaps, regulatory constraints, and bureaucratic barriers in
      public mental health systems inhibit PMHNPs from practicing at the top of their
      scope. 

PMID- 27259126
TI  - American Psychiatric Nurses Association-Transitions in Practice Certificate
      Program: Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Caring for Psychiatric Patients Within the
      General Nursing Workforce.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to publicize an important new Web-based
      educational program. Recognizing the growing gap in psychiatric-mental health
      knowledge and the need to better prepare new graduates and nurses transitioning
      from other service lines into psychiatric inpatient nursing settings, the
      American Psychiatric Nurses Association developed a 15-hour, modularized
      curriculum to provide foundational psychiatric-mental health knowledge. This
      modularized curriculum, called American Psychiatric Nurses Association
      Transitions in Practice (ATP) focuses on the knowledge and skills to insure the
      success of nurses new to psychiatric-mental health nursing settings and to
      improve the overall care for persons with mental health and substance use
      disorders. The ATP program is also proving to be useful content for nurses in
      emergency departments, hospitals, and other health settings to improve their care
      of patients with psychiatric and mental health needs. A summary of the program
      modules and a toolkit with suggested measures for nurses, patients, and agency
      outcomes is described. Feedback from participants completing the ATP program
      within the first 6 months is overwhelmingly positive and holds promise for
      widespread application across a variety of health care settings. 

PMID- 27259127
TI  - Empowering Staff Nurses With Essential Skills: Training Strategies for Success.
AB  - Nurse leaders in the mental health field are challenged to ensure the mental
      health environment is safe and therapeutic. They must also continually evaluate
      whether nurses are effectively engaging therapeutically with patients in their
      care. Undergraduate nursing students and practicing nurses usually receive little
      or no training in facilitating nurse-led groups. Nurses who are trained and
      capable of facilitating groups may enhance therapeutic relationships and engage
      patients to improve treatment outcomes. Training staff and disseminating
      educational materials in an efficient manner are often challenges for nurse
      leaders. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Nursing Services
      (ONS) Mental Health Field Advisory Committee (MH-FAC) developed a nursing guide
      for conducting psychoeducation groups. This was followed up with a complementary
      live virtual training with "on-demand" features that included discussion and
      demonstration of nurse-led group implementation strategies. Both products were
      disseminated to nurse leaders throughout the VHA ONS Web site. Responses to both
      the guide and video were overwhelmingly positive. This article discusses the
      importance of nurse-led psychoeducational groups and describes a project
      implemented by the ONS MH-FAC, which helped provide an essential training to more
      than 1100 RNs within the Veterans Affairs Health System nationally. 

PMID- 27259128
TI  - Improving Management of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in
      Acute Care: Evidence and Lessons Learned From Across the Care Spectrum.
AB  - As the prevalence of Alzheimer disease and related dementias increases, dementia
      related behavioral symptoms present growing threats to care quality and safety of
      older adults across care settings. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of
      dementia (BPSD) such as agitation, aggression, and resistance to care occur in
      nearly all individuals over the course of their illness. In inpatient care
      settings, if not appropriately treated, BPSD can result in care complications,
      increased length of stay, dissatisfaction with care, and caregiver stress and
      injury. Although evidence-based, nonpharmacological approaches to treating BPSD
      exist, their implementation into acute care has been thwarted by limited nursing
      staff expertise in behavioral health, and a lack of consistent approaches to
      integrate behavioral health expertise into medically focused inpatient care
      settings. This article describes the core components of one evidence-based
      approach to integrating behavioral health expertise into dementia care. This
      approach, called STAR-VA, was implemented in Veterans' Health Administration
      community living centers (nursing homes). It has demonstrated effectiveness in
      reducing the severity and frequency of BPSD, while improving staff knowledge and
      skills in caring for people with dementia. The potential for adapting this
      approach in acute care settings is discussed, along with key lessons learned
      regarding opportunities for nursing leadership to ensure consistent
      implementation and sustainability. 

PMID- 27259129
TI  - The Pathway to Excellence Experience: One Psychiatric Hospital's Journey.
AB  - Psychiatric nurse executives and managers face an ongoing challenge to create
      positive professional work environments that support the recruitment and
      retention of the best nurses. The Pathway to Excellence program is an
      organizational credentialing program that designates a hospital as a workplace of
      choice for nursing. This article describes one psychiatric hospital's journey to
      become and maintain a Pathway to Excellence designation in the midst of
      transition. Challenges faced and novel approaches used, along the journey, are
      shared. The use of Appreciative Inquiry techniques has led to positive changes
      and heightened energy among nurses. Our experiences suggest that effective shared
      governance is central to a hospital's Pathway to Excellence success. We attribute
      the steady increase in the retention rate of nurses, in large part, to the
      Pathway to Excellence program. 

PMID- 27259130
TI  - Interdisciplinary Shared Governance in Ambulatory Care: One Health System's
      Journey.
AB  - The implementation of shared governance structures in acute care has illustrated
      the positive relationship between shared decision making and nurse empowerment
      and positive nurse and patient outcomes. Little is known, however, about
      interdisciplinary shared governance, and even less is known about shared
      governance in ambulatory care. This article details one health system's
      experience with the implementation of an interdisciplinary shared governance
      structure in ambulatory care over a 4-year period. The authors report lessons
      learned, positive health system outcomes that resulted including improved
      communication, better preparedness for accreditation visits, improved assessment
      of fall risk, and a streamlined documentation system. Also discussed are
      mechanisms to enhance sustainability of the structure and discussion of future
      opportunities and challenges. 

PMID- 27259131
TI  - A Holistic Approach to Improve Nursing Retention During the First Year of
      Employment.
AB  - The national nursing shortage, coupled with our country's financial challenges,
      provides a platform for creative nursing retention practices by health care
      organizations. It was from that platform that this research study was undertaken
      to determine if nurses who receive a high level of personal interest, education,
      and support through self-care workshops and one-on-one communication would
      continue their employment at the organization. The research question was "Will
      providing holistic self-care workshops during the first year of employment impact
      the nursing retention rates?" A total of 89 newly hired nurses were enrolled in
      the study, in which they participated in a 90-minute interactive workshop held
      weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. In the workshops, the nurses were guided to an
      understanding of the importance of self-care activities. The responses of the
      nurses who participated were positive. As a result of this study, the self-care
      workshops have continued with modification in length and the time when they were
      provided. 

PMID- 27259132
TI  - The Continued Need to Balance Preparation and Scope of Practice to Meet
      Behavioral Health Needs.

PMID- 27259133
TI  - Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Nurse Manager Recognition of and Response to
      Nurse-to-Nurse Bullying.
AB  - Health care bullying is a pervasive, underestimated, and underreported problem
      that results in poor outcomes for staff, patients, and health care organizations.
      The most common form of health care bullying occurs between nurses. Nurse
      managers hold an important role in the prevention and elimination of frontline
      nurse-to-nurse bullying. An anonymous Web-based survey was conducted to uncover
      what behaviors nurse managers perceive as bullying and how they respond to
      bullying acts. Respondents who had witnessed or been victimized by bullying were
      more apt to identify bullying and those who had been victimized or supervised
      nurses for more than 20 years were more prone to act upon bullying behaviors.
      There was only a moderate correlation between the identification of and response
      to bullying behaviors. Finally, overt bullying elicited a stronger response for
      intervention than covert bullying. Although nurse managers are well positioned to
      prevent and eliminate nurse-to-nurse bullying, they may not recognize it and
      often lack the skills and support necessary to address it. Decreases in nurse-to
      nurse bullying reduce health care costs, improve nurse and patient satisfaction,
      and enhance patient outcomes. Therefore, nurse managers at all levels need
      education and support to ensure proper identification of bullying and,
      furthermore, to prevent and eliminate the behaviors. 

PMID- 27259134
TI  - Buccal Bone Thickness Overlying Maxillary Anterior Teeth: A Clinical and
      Radiographic Prospective Human Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to measure the facial bone thickness
      overlying maxillary anterior teeth according to the periodontal biotype, the
      tooth position, and the bucco-palatal inclination of the tooth. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: CBCTs of 47 patients were included. The periodontal biotype and the
      bucco-palatal inclination were examined for all maxillary anterior teeth as well
      as the sagittal tooth position according to the classification of Kan et al.
      Buccal bone thickness was measured at 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm apical to the cement
      enamel junction (CEJ). RESULTS: At 4 mm from the CEJ, mean buccal bone thickness
      was 1.0 mm for all teeth and it decreased gradually and significantly in apical
      direction (6, 8, and 10 mm). A thin biotype was associated with a labial plate
      thickness half that of a thick biotype at all 4 distances from the CEJ. Class IV
      of Kan et al classification presented the thinnest facial bone (0.32-0.54 mm),
      whereas Class III demonstrated the thickest one (1.26-2.09 mm) at all distances
      from the CEJ. At 10 mm from the CEJ, the facial bone thickness increased with the
      vestibulo-palatal inclination of the tooth. CONCLUSION: A thin facial bone wall
      overlies almost all maxillary anterior teeth.

PMID- 27259135
TI  - Relationship between adipic acid concentration and the core symptoms of autism
      spectrum disorders.
AB  - Dicarboxylic acids are an important source of information about metabolism and
      potential physiopathological alterations in children with autism spectrum
      disorders (ASDs). We measured the concentration between dicarboxylic adipic and
      suberic acids in children with an ASD and typically-developing (TD) children and
      analyzed any relationships between the severity of the core symptoms of ASDs and
      other clinical features (drugs, supplements, drugs, or diet). The core symptoms
      of autism were evaluated using the DSM-IV criteria, and adipic acid and suberic
      acid were measured in urine samples. Overall, no increase in the concentration of
      adipic acid in children with ASDs compared to TD children, however when
      considering vitamin B supplementation in ASD there were significantly increased
      level of urinary adipic acid in children with an ASD not taking vitamin B
      supplementation compared to supplemented children or to TD children. No
      significant difference were observed in suberic acid. Interestingly, the increase
      in adipic acid concentration was significantly and indirectly correlated with the
      severity of the deficit in socialization and communication skills in children
      with an ASD. Therefore, therapeutic treatments aimed at decreasing adipic acid
      concentration might not be beneficial for treating the core symptoms of ASDs.

PMID- 27259136
TI  - Reliability and validity of a semi-structured DSM-based diagnostic interview
      module for the assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in adult
      psychiatric outpatients.
AB  - Despite growing recognition that the symptoms and functional impairments of
      Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) persist into adulthood, only a
      few psychometrically sound diagnostic measures have been developed for the
      assessment of ADHD in adults, and none have been validated for use in a broad
      treatment-seeking psychiatric sample. The current study presents the reliability
      and validity of a semi-structured DSM-based diagnostic interview module for ADHD,
      which was administered to 1194 adults presenting to an outpatient psychiatric
      practice. The module showed excellent internal consistency and interrater
      reliability, good convergent and discriminant validity (as indexed by relatively
      high correlations with self-report measures of ADHD and ADHD-related constructs
      and little or no correlation with other, non-ADHD symptom domains), and good
      construct validity (as indexed by significantly higher rates of psychosocial
      impairment and self-reported family history of ADHD in individuals who meet
      criteria for an ADHD diagnosis). This instrument is thus a reliable and valid
      diagnostic tool for the detection of ADHD in adults presenting for psychiatric
      evaluation and treatment.

PMID- 27259138
TI  - Meet the Editors.
AB  - Significant progress has been made to improve and diversify the genome-editing
      toolbox. 

PMID- 27259137
TI  - The Violent Content in Attenuated Psychotic Symptoms.
AB  - The relationship between psychosis and violence has typically focused on factors
      likely to predict who will commit violent acts. One unexplored area is violence
      in the content of subthreshold positive symptoms. The current aim was to conduct
      an exploratory analysis of violent content in the attenuated psychotic symptoms
      (APS) of those at clinical high risk of psychosis (CHR) who met criteria for
      attenuated psychotic symptom syndrome (APSS). The APS of 442 CHR individuals,
      determined by the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes, were described in
      comprehensive vignettes. The content of these symptoms were coded using the
      Content of Attenuated Positive Symptoms Codebook. Other measures included
      clinical symptoms, functioning, beliefs and trauma. Individuals with violent
      content had significantly higher APS, greater negative beliefs about the self and
      others, and increased bullying. The same findings and higher ratings on anxiety
      symptoms were present when participants with self-directed violence were compared
      to participants with no violent content. Individuals reporting violent content
      differ in their clinical presentation compared to those who do not experience
      violent content. Adverse life events, like bullying, may impact the presence of
      violent content in APS symptoms. Future studies should explore violent content in
      relation to actual behavior.

PMID- 27259139
TI  - Learning from the Uncontrollable.

PMID- 27259140
TI  - Developing Effective Treatments for Psychiatric Diseases.

PMID- 27259141
TI  - Do Flies Count Sheep or NMDA Receptors to Go to Sleep?
AB  - The drive to sleep increases the longer that we stay awake, but this process is
      poorly understood at the cellular level. Now, Liu et al. show that the plasticity
      of a small group of neurons in the Drosophila central brain is a key component of
      the sleep homeostat. 

PMID- 27259142
TI  - Dangerous Entrapment for NRF2.
AB  - Progerin, a mutated lamin A, causes the severe premature-aging syndrome
      Hutchinson-Gilford progeria (HGPS). Kubben et al. present a driving mechanism for
      HGPS involving trapping of NRF2 at the nuclear periphery by progerin. This local
      restriction results in impaired NRF2 signaling and chronic oxidative stress. 

PMID- 27259143
TI  - A Pro-metastatic tRNA Pathway.
AB  - tRNAs are best known as basic modules for global regulation of protein synthesis.
      Goodarzi et al. now show that two tRNAs upregulated in metastatic breast cancer
      cells enhance stability and translation of transcripts enriched with these
      codons, leading to specific increase in production of pro-metastatic proteins. 

PMID- 27259144
TI  - A TOGgle for Tension at Kinetochores.
AB  - Differential stability of kinetochore-microtubule attachments at low versus high
      tension is critical for accurate chromosome segregation. Miller et al. find that
      a TOG domain microtubule-binding protein imparts intrinsic tension selectivity to
      kinetochore-microtubule attachments. 

PMID- 27259145
TI  - Leveraging Rules of Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay for Genome Engineering and
      Personalized Medicine.
AB  - Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a eukaryotic mRNA quality control and
      regulatory process that plays direct roles in human health and disease. In this
      Minireview, we discuss how understanding the molecular events that trigger NMD
      can facilitate strategic targeting of genes via CRISPR/Cas9 technologies and also
      inform disease diagnostics and treatments. 

PMID- 27259146
TI  - Cooperative Microbial Tolerance Behaviors in Host-Microbiota Mutualism.
AB  - Animal defense strategies against microbes are most often thought of as a
      function of the immune system, the primary function of which is to sense and kill
      microbes through the execution of resistance mechanisms. However, this
      antagonistic view creates complications for our understanding of beneficial host
      microbe interactions. Pathogenic microbes are described as employing a few common
      behaviors that promote their fitness at the expense of host health and fitness.
      Here, a complementary framework is proposed to suggest that, in addition to
      pathogens, beneficial microbes have evolved behaviors to manipulate host
      processes in order to promote their own fitness and do so through the promotion
      of host health and fitness. In this Perspective, I explore the idea that patterns
      or behaviors traditionally ascribed to pathogenic microbes are also employed by
      beneficial microbes to promote host tolerance defense strategies. Such strategies
      would promote host health without having a negative impact on microbial fitness
      and would thereby yield cooperative evolutionary dynamics that are likely
      required to drive mutualistic co-evolution of hosts and microbes. 

PMID- 27259147
TI  - From Dietary Fiber to Host Physiology: Short-Chain Fatty Acids as Key Bacterial
      Metabolites.
AB  - A compelling set of links between the composition of the gut microbiota, the host
      diet, and host physiology has emerged. Do these links reflect cause-and-effect
      relationships, and what might be their mechanistic basis? A growing body of work
      implicates microbially produced metabolites as crucial executors of diet-based
      microbial influence on the host. Here, we will review data supporting the diverse
      functional roles carried out by a major class of bacterial metabolites, the short
      chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs can directly activate G-coupled-receptors,
      inhibit histone deacetylases, and serve as energy substrates. They thus affect
      various physiological processes and may contribute to health and disease. 

PMID- 27259148
TI  - Repression of the Antioxidant NRF2 Pathway in Premature Aging.
AB  - Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare, invariably fatal premature
      aging disorder. The disease is caused by constitutive production of progerin, a
      mutant form of the nuclear architectural protein lamin A, leading, through
      unknown mechanisms, to diverse morphological, epigenetic, and genomic damage and
      to mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) attrition in vivo. Using a high-throughput siRNA
      screen, we identify the NRF2 antioxidant pathway as a driver mechanism in HGPS.
      Progerin sequesters NRF2 and thereby causes its subnuclear mislocalization,
      resulting in impaired NRF2 transcriptional activity and consequently increased
      chronic oxidative stress. Suppressed NRF2 activity or increased oxidative stress
      is sufficient to recapitulate HGPS aging defects, whereas reactivation of NRF2
      activity in HGPS patient cells reverses progerin-associated nuclear aging defects
      and restores in vivo viability of MSCs in an animal model. These findings
      identify repression of the NRF2-mediated antioxidative response as a key
      contributor to the premature aging phenotype. 

PMID- 27259149
TI  - Establishing Chromatin Regulatory Landscape during Mouse Preimplantation
      Development.
AB  - How the chromatin regulatory landscape in the inner cell mass cells is
      established from differentially packaged sperm and egg genomes during
      preimplantation development is unknown. Here, we develop a low-input DNase I
      sequencing (liDNase-seq) method that allows us to generate maps of DNase I
      hypersensitive site (DHS) of mouse preimplantation embryos from 1-cell to morula
      stage. The DHS landscape is progressively established with a drastic increase at
      the 8-cell stage. Paternal chromatin accessibility is quickly reprogrammed after
      fertilization to the level similar to maternal chromatin, while imprinted genes
      exhibit allelic accessibility bias. We demonstrate that transcription factor Nfya
      contributes to zygotic genome activation and DHS formation at the 2-cell stage
      and that Oct4 contributes to the DHSs gained at the 8-cell stage. Our study
      reveals the dynamic chromatin regulatory landscape during early development and
      identifies key transcription factors important for DHS establishment in mammalian
      embryos. 

PMID- 27259150
TI  - Modulated Expression of Specific tRNAs Drives Gene Expression and Cancer
      Progression.
AB  - Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are primarily viewed as static contributors to gene
      expression. By developing a high-throughput tRNA profiling method, we find that
      specific tRNAs are upregulated in human breast cancer cells as they gain
      metastatic activity. Through loss-of-function, gain-of-function, and clinical
      association studies, we implicate tRNAGluUUC and tRNAArgCCG as promoters of
      breast cancer metastasis. Upregulation of these tRNAs enhances stability and
      ribosome occupancy of transcripts enriched for their cognate codons.
      Specifically, tRNAGluUUC promotes metastatic progression by directly enhancing
      EXOSC2 expression and enhancing GRIPAP1-constituting an "inducible" pathway
      driven by a tRNA. The cellular proteomic shift toward a pro-metastatic state
      mirrors global tRNA shifts, allowing for cell-state and cell-type transgene
      expression optimization through codon content quantification. TRNA modulation
      represents a mechanism by which cells achieve altered expression of specific
      transcripts and proteins. TRNAs are thus dynamic regulators of gene expression
      and the tRNA codon landscape can causally and specifically impact disease
      progression. 

PMID- 27259152
TI  - Relative Rates of Surface and Volume Synthesis Set Bacterial Cell Size.
AB  - Many studies have focused on the mechanisms underlying length and width
      determination in rod-shaped bacteria. Here, we focus instead on cell surface area
      to volume ratio (SA/V) and demonstrate that SA/V homeostasis underlies size
      determination. We propose a model whereby the instantaneous rates of surface and
      volume synthesis both scale with volume. This model predicts that these relative
      rates dictate SA/V and that cells approach a new steady-state SA/V exponentially,
      with a decay constant equal to the volume growth rate. To test this, we exposed
      diverse bacterial species to sublethal concentrations of a cell wall biosynthesis
      inhibitor and observed dose-dependent decreases in SA/V. Furthermore, this
      decrease was exponential and had the expected decay constant. The model also
      quantitatively describes SA/V alterations induced by other chemical, nutritional,
      and genetic perturbations. We additionally present evidence for a surface
      material accumulation threshold underlying division, sensitizing cell length to
      changes in SA/V requirements. 

PMID- 27259151
TI  - Dual RING E3 Architectures Regulate Multiubiquitination and Ubiquitin Chain
      Elongation by APC/C.
AB  - Protein ubiquitination involves E1, E2, and E3 trienzyme cascades. E2 and RING E3
      enzymes often collaborate to first prime a substrate with a single ubiquitin (UB)
      and then achieve different forms of polyubiquitination: multiubiquitination of
      several sites and elongation of linkage-specific UB chains. Here, cryo-EM and
      biochemistry show that the human E3 anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C)
      and its two partner E2s, UBE2C (aka UBCH10) and UBE2S, adopt specialized
      catalytic architectures for these two distinct forms of polyubiquitination. The
      APC/C RING constrains UBE2C proximal to a substrate and simultaneously binds a
      substrate-linked UB to drive processive multiubiquitination. Alternatively,
      during UB chain elongation, the RING does not bind UBE2S but rather lures an
      evolving substrate-linked UB to UBE2S positioned through a cullin interaction to
      generate a Lys11-linked chain. Our findings define mechanisms of APC/C
      regulation, and establish principles by which specialized E3-E2-substrate-UB
      architectures control different forms of polyubiquitination. 

PMID- 27259153
TI  - Direct Identification of Hundreds of Expression-Modulating Variants using a
      Multiplexed Reporter Assay.
AB  - Although studies have identified hundreds of loci associated with human traits
      and diseases, pinpointing causal alleles remains difficult, particularly for non
      coding variants. To address this challenge, we adapted the massively parallel
      reporter assay (MPRA) to identify variants that directly modulate gene
      expression. We applied it to 32,373 variants from 3,642 cis-expression
      quantitative trait loci and control regions. Detection by MPRA was strongly
      correlated with measures of regulatory function. We demonstrate MPRA's
      capabilities for pinpointing causal alleles, using it to identify 842 variants
      showing differential expression between alleles, including 53 well-annotated
      variants associated with diseases and traits. We investigated one in detail, a
      risk allele for ankylosing spondylitis, and provide direct evidence of a non
      coding variant that alters expression of the prostaglandin EP4 receptor. These
      results create a resource of concrete leads and illustrate the promise of this
      approach for comprehensively interrogating how non-coding polymorphism shapes
      human biology. 

PMID- 27259155
TI  - p53-Dependent Nestin Regulation Links Tumor Suppression to Cellular Plasticity in
      Liver Cancer.

PMID- 27259154
TI  - Systematic Functional Dissection of Common Genetic Variation Affecting Red Blood
      Cell Traits.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified thousands of
      associations between common genetic variants and human disease phenotypes, but
      the majority of these variants are non-coding, often requiring genetic fine
      mapping, epigenomic profiling, and individual reporter assays to delineate
      potential causal variants. We employ a massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA)
      to simultaneously screen 2,756 variants in strong linkage disequilibrium with 75
      sentinel variants associated with red blood cell traits. We show that this assay
      identifies elements with endogenous erythroid regulatory activity. Across 23
      sentinel variants, we conservatively identified 32 MPRA functional variants
      (MFVs). We used targeted genome editing to demonstrate endogenous enhancer
      activity across 3 MFVs that predominantly affect the transcription of SMIM1,
      RBM38, and CD164. Functional follow-up of RBM38 delineates a key role for this
      gene in the alternative splicing program occurring during terminal
      erythropoiesis. Finally, we provide evidence for how common GWAS-nominated
      variants can disrupt cell-type-specific transcriptional regulatory pathways. 

PMID- 27259156
TI  - Personalized Immunomonitoring Uncovers Molecular Networks that Stratify Lupus
      Patients.

PMID- 27259157
TI  - Variation in Microbiome LPS Immunogenicity Contributes to Autoimmunity in Humans.

PMID- 27259158
TI  - Polypyrrole-Coated Zinc Ferrite Hollow Spheres with Improved Cycling Stability
      for Lithium-Ion Batteries.
AB  - Here, ZnFe2 O4 double-shell hollow microspheres are designed to accommodate the
      large volume expansion during lithiation. A facile and efficient vapor-phase
      polymerization method has been developed to coat the ZnFe2 O4 hollow spheres with
      polypyrrole (PPY). The thin PPY coating improves not only the electronic
      conductivity but also the structural integrity, and thus the cycling stability of
      the ZnFe2 O4 hollow spheres. Our work sheds light on how to enhance the
      electrochemical performance of transition metal oxide-based anode materials by
      designing delicate nanostructures. 

PMID- 27259159
TI  - Structure - membrane activity relationship in a family of peptide-based gemini
      amphiphiles: An insight from experimental and theoretical model systems.
AB  - A study of the interaction between five gemini amphiphilic valine-based
      pseudopeptides (GAPs) differing by the length of the central aliphatic spacer
      linking two amino acid subunits, and a model bacterial membrane lipid, 1,2
      dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-(1-glycerol) (DMPG), is here presented. Pure
      DMPG, pure GAPs and mixed GAPs/DMPG monolayers were formed at the air-water
      interface using Langmuir technique. The properties of the Langmuir films were
      investigated using surface pressure measurements, polarization modulation
      infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, and Brewster angle microscopy. The
      atomic level information concerning the orientation of molecules in the monolayer
      and hydration of the polar headgroups was obtained from molecular dynamics
      simulations. It was demonstrated that the length of the central spacer in the
      GAPs structure is important for the properties of the mixed films; the
      disorganization of the membrane increases with the length of the spacer. The
      latter point is important for developing possible antimicrobial agents based on
      GAPs. 

PMID- 27259161
TI  - Countering drug resistance, infectious diseases, and sepsis using metal and metal
      oxides nanoparticles: Current status.
AB  - One fourth of the global mortalities is still caused by microbial infections
      largely due to the development of resistance against conventional antibiotics
      among pathogens, the resurgence of old infectious diseases and the emergence of
      hundreds of new infectious diseases. The lack of funds and resources for the
      discovery of new antibiotics necessitates the search for economic and effective
      alternative antimicrobial agents. Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles including
      silver and zinc oxide exhibit remarkable antimicrobial activities against
      pathogens and hence are one of the most propitious alternative antimicrobial
      agents. These engineered nanomaterials are approved by regulatory agencies such
      as USFDA and Korea's FITI, for use as antimicrobial agents, supplementary
      antimicrobials, food packaging, skin care products, oral hygiene, and for
      fortifying devices prone to microbial infections. Nevertheless, detailed studies,
      on molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying their antimicrobial activity
      are missing. To take the full advantage of this emerging technology selective
      antimicrobial activity of these nanoparticles against pathogens should be
      studied. Optimization of these nanomaterials through functionalization to
      increase their efficacy and biocompatibility is also required. Urgent in vivo
      studies on the toxicity of nanomaterials at realistic doses are also needed
      before their clinical translation. 

PMID- 27259160
TI  - Regulation of biphasic drug release behavior by graphene oxide in polyvinyl
      pyrrolidone/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) core/sheath nanofiber mats.
AB  - One of the key issues for drug delivery systems is to develop a drug carrier with
      a time-programmed, biphasic release behavior. Using vancomycin hydrochloride
      (VAN) as a model drug, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) blended with graphene oxide
      (GO) sheets as the core matrix, and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) as the
      sheath polymer, core/sheath PVP/PCL nanofiber mats were fabricated via a coaxial
      electrospinning process. We hypothesized that the addition of GO sheets would
      lead to their molecular interactions with VAN molecules, thereby adjusting the
      VAN release behavior. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and
      transmission electron microscopy of the fiber mats revealed their nanofibrous
      structure and clear core/sheath boundary. Raman analysis demonstrated the
      presence of GO sheets in the PVP/PCL nanofiber mats. Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy indicated the formation of hydrogen bonds between GO sheets and VAN
      molecules. In vitro studies showed that the PVP/PCL nanofiber mats were
      biocompatible, despite the addition of GO sheets, and exhibited typical biphasic
      drug release profiles, which were tailored by adjusting the content of GO sheets.
      Furthermore, an antimicrobial test showed different antimicrobial activities of
      the medicated nanofiber mats, depending on the GO content. Collectively, the
      results of the present study provide a simple approach to obtaining time
      programmed drug release profiles. 

PMID- 27259162
TI  - Overview of regulation of dietary supplements in the USA and issues of
      adulteration with phenethylamines (PEAs).
AB  - The multi-billion dollar dietary supplement industry is global in reach. The
      industry has been criticized for problems related to poor quality control,
      safety, misbranding, and adulteration. In this review, we describe how the US
      Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements within the
      framework of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The Dietary
      Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), which amended the FD&C Act,
      gave the FDA the authority to promulgate Good Manufacturing Practices for dietary
      supplements and required that manufacturers provide the FDA information
      supporting a conclusion that the ingredients are reasonably expected to be safe
      if the dietary ingredients were not marketed in the USA before 15 October 1994.
      Recent amendments to the FD&C Act require that serious dietary-supplement-related
      adverse events be reported to the FDA and provide the agency with mandatory
      recall authority. We discuss the presence of naturally occurring (e.g. Ephedra,
      Citrus aurantium, Acacia) and synthetic (e.g. beta-methylphenethylamines,
      methylsynephrine, alpha-ethyl-phenethylamine) biologically active phenethylamines
      (PEAs) in dietary supplements and of PEA drugs (e.g. clenbuterol, fenfluramine,
      sibutramine, lorcaserin) in weight-loss products. Regulatory actions against
      manufacturers of products labelled as dietary supplements that contain the
      aliphatic amines 1,3-dimethylamine and 1,3-dimethylbutylamine, and PEAs such as
      beta-methylphenethylamine, aegeline, and Dendrobium illustrate the FDA's use of
      its authority under the FD&C Act to promote dietary supplement safety. Published
      2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the
      USA.

PMID- 27259163
TI  - Error in Reported Data for Dense Breast Notifications.

PMID- 27259164
TI  - Iodide Residues in Milk Vary between Iodine-Based Teat Disinfectants.
AB  - Majority of iodine found in dairy milk comes from the diet and teat disinfection
      products used during milking process. The objective of this study was to evaluate
      the effects of 4 iodine-based teat dips on milk iodide concentrations varying in
      iodine level (0.25% vs. 0.5%, w/w), normal low viscosity dip versus barrier dip,
      and application method (dip vs. spray) to ensure safe iodine levels in dairy milk
      when these products are used. The iodine exposure study was performed during a 2
      wk period. The trial farm was purged of all iodine-based disinfection products
      for 21 d during a prestudy "washout period," which resulted in baseline milk
      iodide range of 145 to 182 ppb. During the experiment, iodine-based teat dips
      were used as post-milking teat disinfectants and compared to a non-iodine control
      disinfectant. Milk iodide residue levels for each treatment was evaluated from
      composited group samples. Introduction of different iodine-based teat
      disinfectants increased iodide residue content in milk relative to the control by
      between 8 and 29 MUg/L when averaged across the full trial period. However,
      residues levels for any treatment remained well below the consumable limit of 500
      MUg/L. The 0.5% iodine disinfectant increased milk iodide levels by 20 MUg/L more
      compared to the 0.25% iodine. Compared to dip-cup application, spray application
      significantly increased milk iodide residue by 21 MUg/L and utilized
      approximately 23% more teat dip. This carefully controlled study demonstrated an
      increase in milk iodide concentrations from iodine disinfectants, but increases
      were small and within acceptable limits. 

PMID- 27259165
TI  - Alterations in regional shape on ipsilateral and contralateral cortex contrast in
      children with unilateral cerebral palsy and are predictive of multiple outcomes.
AB  - Congenital brain lesions result in a wide range of cerebral tissue alterations
      observed in children with cerebral palsy (CP) that are associated with a range of
      functional impairments. The relationship between injury severity and functional
      outcomes, however, remains poorly understood. This research investigates the
      differences in cortical shape between children with congenital brain lesions and
      typically developing children (TDC) and investigates the correlations between
      cortical shape and functional outcome in a large cohort of patients diagnosed
      with unilateral CP. Using 139 structural magnetic resonance images, including 95
      patients with clinically diagnosed CP and 44 TDC, cortical segmentations were
      obtained using a modified expectation maximization algorithm. Three shape
      characteristics (cortical thickness, curvature, and sulcal depth) were computed
      within a number of cortical regions. Significant differences in these shape
      measures compared to the TDC were observed on both the injured hemisphere of
      children with CP (P < 0.004), as well as on the apparently uninjured hemisphere,
      illustrating potential compensatory mechanisms in these children. Furthermore,
      these shape measures were significantly correlated with several functional
      outcomes, including motor, cognition, vision, and communication (P < 0.012), with
      three out of these four models performing well on test set validation. This study
      highlights that cortical neuroplastic effects may be quantified using MR imaging,
      allowing morphological changes to be studied longitudinally, including any
      influence of treatment. Ultimately, such approaches could be used for the long
      term prediction of outcomes and the tailoring of treatment to individuals. Hum
      Brain Mapp 37:3588-3603, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27259166
TI  - Resting multilayer 2D speckle-tracking transthoracic echocardiography for the
      detection of clinically stable myocardial ischemic segments confirmed by invasive
      fractional flow reserve. Part 1: Vessel-by-vessel analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To detect stable ischemic left ventricular (LV)-segments confirmed via
      invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) by quantitative longitudinal-strain (LS)
      determined using resting multilayer TTE. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 39
      stable patients (32 males; 65.8+/-11.9years) with 46 coronary arteries with >=50%
      stenosis confirmed by invasive coronary angiography who underwent invasive FFR
      measurement and TTE (Vivid E9, GE). On TTE, regional LS (absolute values) were
      calculated in whole, endocardial, and epicardial layers perfused by stenotic
      coronary arteries. RESULTS: Of the 46 vessels, FFR values of <0.75, >=0.75,
      <=0.80 and >0.80 were observed in 17, 29, 27 and 19 vessels, respectively. In a
      vessel-by-vessel analysis, the whole-layer and endocardial LS were significantly
      smaller in LV-segments perfused by vessels with an FFR<0.75 than in those with an
      FFR>=0.75, but epicardial LS was not. In ROC curves, the best cutoff values of
      whole-layer, endocardial and epicardial LS were, respectively, 14.0%
      (sensitivity, 94%; specificity 38%; area under the curve, 0.685), 10.0% (47%;
      86%; 0.664) and 14.0% (100%; 24%; 0.640) to detect LV-segments with an FFR<0.75;
      and 14.0% (82%; 37%; 0.561), 10.0% (33%; 84%; 0.573), and 14.0% (89%; 21%; 0.538)
      to detect LV-segments with an FFR<=0.80. CONCLUSION: For stable subjects with
      coronary arteries with >=50% stenosis, the regional whole-layer and endocardial
      LS were significantly smaller in LV-segments perfused by vessels with an FFR<0.75
      than in those with an FFR>=0.75, but epicardial LS was not; and that the whole
      layer and endocardial LS had a modest diagnostic efficiency in identifying LV
      segments perfused by vessels with an FFR<0.75.

PMID- 27259167
TI  - Molecular and Clinical Findings in Patients With Knobloch Syndrome.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Knobloch syndrome is a rare, recessively inherited disorder
      classically characterized by high myopia, retinal detachment, and occipital
      encephalocele, but it is now known to have an increasingly variable phenotype.
      There is a lack of reported electrophysiologic data, and some key clinical
      features have yet to be described. OBJECTIVE: To expand on current clinical,
      electrophysiologic, and molecular genetic findings in Knobloch syndrome. DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Twelve patients from 7 families underwent full
      ophthalmic examination and retinal imaging. Further investigations included
      electroretinography and neuroradiologic imaging. Bidirectional Sanger sequencing
      of COL18A1 was performed with segregation on available relatives. The study was
      conducted from July 4, 2013, to October 5, 2015. Data analysis was performed from
      May 20, 2014, to November 3, 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Results of
      ophthalmic and neuroradiologic assessment and sequence analysis of COL18A1.
      RESULTS: Of the 12 patients (6 males; mean age at last review, 16 years [range, 2
      38 years]), all had high myopia in at least 1 eye and severely reduced vision. A
      sibling pair had unilateral high myopia in their right eyes and near emmetropia
      in their left eyes from infancy. Anterior segment abnormalities included absent
      iris crypts, iris transillumination, lens subluxation, and cataract. Two patients
      with iris transillumination had glaucoma. Fundus characteristics included
      abnormal collapsed vitreous, macular atrophy, and a tesselated fundus. Five
      patients had previous retinal detachment. Electroretinography revealed a cone-rod
      pattern of dysfunction in 8 patients, was severely reduced or undetectable in 2
      patients, and demonstrated cone-rod dysfunction in 1 eye with undetectable
      responses in the other eye in 2 patients. Radiologic imaging demonstrated
      occipital encephalocele or meningocele in 3 patients, occipital skull defects in
      4 patients, minor occipital changes in 2 patients, and no abnormalities in 2
      patients. Cutaneous scalp changes were present in 5 patients. Systemic
      associations were identified in 8 patients, including learning difficulties,
      epilepsy, and congenital renal abnormalities. Biallelic mutations including 2
      likely novel mutations in COL18A1, were identified in 6 families that were
      consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance with a single mutation identified
      in a family with 2 affected children. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This report
      describes new features in patients with Knobloch syndrome, including pigment
      dispersion syndrome and glaucoma as well as cone-rod dysfunction on
      electroretinography. Two patients had normal neuroradiologic findings,
      emphasizing that some affected individuals have isolated ocular disease.
      Awareness of the ocular phenotype may aid early diagnosis, appropriate genetic
      counseling, and monitoring for potential complications.

PMID- 27259169
TI  - [Editor's Comment].

PMID- 27259168
TI  - Interleukin-36 potently stimulates human M2 macrophages, Langerhans cells and
      keratinocytes to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines.
AB  - Interleukin (IL)-36 cytokines belong to the IL-1 family and include three
      agonists, IL-36 alpha, beta and gamma and one inhibitor, IL-36 receptor
      antagonist (IL-36Ra). IL-36 and IL-1 (alpha and beta) activate similar
      intracellular pathways via their related heterodimeric receptors, IL-36R/IL-1RAcP
      and IL-1R1/IL-1RAcP, respectively. However, excessive IL-36 versus IL-1 signaling
      induces different phenotypes in humans, which may be related to differential
      expression of their respective receptors. We examined the expression of IL-36R,
      IL-1R1 and IL-1RAcP mRNA in human peripheral blood, tonsil and skin immune cells
      by RT-qPCR. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC), M0, M1 or M2-polarized
      macrophages, primary keratinocytes, dermal macrophages and Langerhans cells (LC)
      were stimulated with IL-1beta or IL-36beta. Cytokine production was assessed by
      RT-qPCR and immunoassays. The highest levels of IL-36R mRNA were found in skin
      derived keratinocytes, LC, dermal macrophages and dermal CD1a(+) DC. In the blood
      and in tonsils, IL-36R mRNA was predominantly found in myeloid cells. By
      contrast, IL-1R1 mRNA was detected in almost all cell types with higher levels in
      tonsil and skin compared to peripheral blood immune cells. IL-36beta was as
      potent as IL-1beta in stimulating M2 macrophages, keratinocytes and LC, less
      potent than IL-1beta in stimulating M0 macrophages and MDDC, and exerted no
      effects in M1 and dermal macrophages. Levels of IL-1Ra diminished the ability of
      M2 macrophages to respond to IL-1. Taken together, these data are consistent with
      the association of excessive IL-36 signaling with an inflammatory skin phenotype
      and identify human LC and M2 macrophages as new IL-36 target cells.

PMID- 27259170
TI  - [Threshold ABR Measurements in Anasthesia].

PMID- 27259171
TI  - [Inner Ear Hearing Loss].
AB  - Hearing loss is one of the most dominant handicaps in modern societies, which
      additionally very often is not realized or not admitted. About one quarter of the
      general population suffers from inner ear hearing loss and is therefore
      restricted in communicational skills. Demographic factors like increasing age
      play an important role as well as environmental influences and an increasing
      sound and noise exposure especially in leisure activities. Thus borders between a
      "classical" presbyacusis - if it ever existed - and envirionmentally induced
      hearing loss disappear. Today restrictions in hearing ability develop earlier in
      age but at the same time they are detected and diagnosed earlier. This paper can
      eventually enlighten the wide field of inner ear hearing loss only fragmentarily;
      therefore mainly new research, findings and developments are reviewed. The first
      part discusses new aspects of diagnostics of inner ear hearing loss and different
      etiologies. 

PMID- 27259172
TI  - [The New E-Health-Act What is imminent to clinics and resident physicians].

PMID- 27259173
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - The present article gives an overview of the current state of laryngeal surgery
      of benign lesions without claiming completeness and with a focus on the ENT board
      exam. Laryngeal procedures are highly endoscopic and microscopic based. New
      instruments and high-resolution endoscopic imaging techniques may substitute the
      typical Kleinsasser approach in the near future. Additionally, new flexible
      endoscopes may initiate a new era of so-called "office-based surgery".
      Furthermore, a consistent education of the public about performing vocal hygiene
      is necessary to prevent the rise of laryngeal diseases. 

PMID- 27259174
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27259175
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27259176
TI  - Temporal rhythm of petal programmed cell death in Ipomoea purpurea.
AB  - Flowers are the main sexual reproductive organs in plants. The shapes, colours
      and scents of corolla of plant flowers are involved in attracting insect
      pollinators and increasing reproductive success. The process of corolla
      senescence was investigated in Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae) in this study.
      In the research methods of plant anatomy, cytology, cell chemistry and molecular
      biology were used. The results showed that at the flowering stage cells already
      began to show distortion, chromatin condensation, mitochondrial membrane
      degradation and tonoplast dissolution and rupture. At this stage genomic DNA
      underwent massive but gradual random degradation. However, judging from the shape
      and structure, aging characteristics did not appear until the early flower
      senescence stage. The senescence process was slow, and it was completed at the
      late stage of flower senescence with a withering corolla. We may safely arrive at
      the conclusion that corolla senescence of I. purpurea was mediated by programmed
      cell death (PCD) that occurred at the flowering stage. The corolla senescence
      exhibited an obvious temporal rhythm, which demonstrated a high degree of
      coordination with pollination and fertilization. 

PMID- 27259177
TI  - The chronic syndromes after previous treatment of pituitary tumours.
AB  - Ultimately, almost all patients who are appropriately treated for pituitary
      tumours enter a chronic phase with control or cure of hormonal excess, adequate
      treatment of pituitary insufficiency and relief of mass effects. This phase is
      associated with improvement of initial signs and symptoms, but also with the
      persistent consequences of the initial disease and associated treatments.
      Pituitary insufficiency is a common denominator in many of these patients, and is
      associated with a reduction in quality of life, despite adequate endocrine
      substitution. Hypothalamic dysfunction can be present in patients previously
      treated for visual impairments caused by large suprasellar adenomas, or
      craniopharyngiomas. In addition to hypopituitarism, these patients can have
      multisystem morbidities caused by altered hypothalamic function, including weight
      gain and disturbed regulation of sleep-wake cycles. Mortality can also be
      affected. Patients cured of Cushing disease or acromegaly have chronic
      multisystem morbidities (in the case of Cushing disease, also affecting
      mortality) caused by irreversible effects of the previous excesses of cortisol in
      Cushing disease and growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 in
      acromegaly. In addition to early diagnosis and treatment of pituitary tumours,
      research should focus on the amenability of these chronic post-treatment
      syndromes to therapeutic intervention, to improve quality of life and clinical
      outcomes.

PMID- 27259178
TI  - Adrenal gland: The genetics of adrenocortical carcinoma revealed.

PMID- 27259180
TI  - Military teams - A demand for resilience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Royal Norwegian Naval Academy (RNoNA) has an interest in
      enhancing military teams' knowledge, skills and abilities to deal with complex
      situations and environments. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to document the need for
      resilience in military teams and to expand the understanding of how such behavior
      can be meaningfully instilled through team training interventions. METHOD:
      Norwegian military subject matter experts (SMEs) assessed the performance of
      military teams participating in complex military training exercises. Eight cadet
      teams at the RNoNA were assessed during two separate 4-hour simulator training
      exercises and a 48-hour live training exercise. RESULTS: Positive Spearman rank
      correlation coefficients between resilience assessments in the simulator training
      exercises and the live training exercise were strongest when the simulator
      scenario emphasized resilience factors inherent in the live exercise, and weakest
      when the simulator scenario did not facilitate the task demands in the live
      exercise. CONCLUSION: The study showed that resilience assessed in teams during
      simulator training exercises predicted their resilient behavior in a subsequent
      live training exercise and that the proper design of scenario-based simulator
      training can realistically and effectively represent resilience stressors found
      in live operations.

PMID- 27259179
TI  - Developing a workplace resilience instrument.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resilience benefits from the use of protective factors, as opposed to
      risk factors, which are associated with vulnerability. Considerable research and
      instrument development has been conducted in clinical settings for patients. The
      need existed for an instrument to be developed in a workplace setting to measure
      resilience of employees. OBJECTIVE: This study developed and tested a resilience
      instrument for employees in the workplace. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The research
      instrument was distributed to executives and nurses working in the United States
      in hospital settings. Five-hundred-forty completed and usable responses were
      obtained. The instrument contained an inventory of workplace resilience, a job
      stress questionnaire, and relevant demographics. The resilience items were
      written based on previous work by the lead author and inspired by Weick's [1]
      sense-making theory. RESULTS: A four-factor model yielded an instrument having
      psychometric properties showing good model fit. Twenty items were retained for
      the resulting Workplace Resilience Instrument (WRI). Parallel analysis was
      conducted with successive iterations of exploratory and confirmatory factor
      analyses. Respondents were classified based on their employment with either a
      rural or an urban hospital. Executives had significantly higher WRI scores than
      nurses, controlling for gender. WRI scores were positively and significantly
      correlated with years of experience and the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire.
      CONCLUSIONS: An instrument to measure individual resilience in the workplace
      (WRI) was developed. The WRI's four factors identify dimensions of workplace
      resilience for use in subsequent investigations: Active Problem-Solving, Team
      Efficacy, Confident Sense-Making, and Bricolage.

PMID- 27259181
TI  - Personal resilience and coping Part II: Identifying resilience and coping among
      U.S. military service members and veterans with implications for work.
AB  - BACKGROUND: U.S. military personnel face challenging situations including
      frequent deployments, family separations, and exposure to war. Identifying coping
      strategies used by the most resilient service members and veterans could
      positively influence military resiliency training programs. OBJECTIVE: The
      purposes of this paper are to investigate the relationship between coping and
      resilience among U.S. military active service members and veterans, to identify
      the coping strategies used by those considered most resilient, and to discuss
      coping and resilience as they relate to the workplace. METHODS: U.S. military
      active service members and veterans (N = 191) completed a demographic survey and
      two self-report questionnaires: The 14-Item Resilience Scale [1] and the Brief
      COPE [2]. RESULTS: Active duty service members had higher resilience scores than
      veterans (p < 0.05), but both fell into the moderate range. Coping strategies
      were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Active
      service members' resilience was predicted by their use of positive reframing and
      less use of self-blame as coping strategies, accounting for 52.3% of the variance
      (R2 = 0.523, F(2, 60) = 32.92, p = 0.000). Veterans' resilience was predicted by
      longer time-in-service, greater use of humor, and less use of self-blame as
      coping strategies, explaining 44.8% of the variance (R2 = 0.448, F(3, 116) =
      31.408, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: This research identifies the positive coping
      strategies, and least-used negative coping strategies, of the U.S. service
      members and veterans in our study population with higher resilience scores.
      Incorporating this information into military- or veteran-based resilience
      training is likely to increase training effectiveness.

PMID- 27259182
TI  - Organizational resilience as a human capital strategy for companies in
      bankruptcy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bankruptcy is a crisis that generates severe stress and anxiety,
      resulting in maladaptive behavior and inappropriate decision-making at both
      individual and organizational levels. There is limited research or guidance for
      management to address the consequences of bankruptcy on an organization's human
      capital. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the human capital management principle of
      organizational resilience that was employed by a company that successfully
      reorganized and emerged from bankruptcy. METHODS: This study translated seven
      principles of organizational resilience proposed by Mallak to operationalize a
      conceptual model of organizational resilience for companies operating in
      bankruptcy. The model is evaluated using a qualitative research approach
      comprised of an original case study of Integrated Electrical Services, Inc.
      RESULTS: The results of the research points to the importance of de-centralized
      operational decision making, expanding communication channels, ensuring adequate
      external resources, and engaging external stakeholders in the management of an
      organization seeking to successfully operate and ultimately emerge from
      bankruptcy. CONCLUSIONS: The research identified the central importance of
      expanding decision making boundaries in the resilience of organizations and their
      ability to adapt when under adverse conditions such as bankruptcy. The
      implications support an organization developing a human resource strategy to
      develop organizational resilience.

PMID- 27259183
TI  - Rapid Detection of Antibiotic Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria Through
      Assessment of Changes in Cellular Morphology.
AB  - Rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing has the potential to improve patient
      outcomes and reduce healthcare-associated costs. In this study, a novel assay
      based on bacterial cell elongation after exposure to an antibiotic (ceftazidime)
      was evaluated for its ability to rapidly detect resistance in Gram-negative
      bacteria. The assay was used to detect resistance in a large collection of
      strains containing 320 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii, 171 clinical
      isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 212 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa, and the results were compared to those obtained using standard
      antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods. The assay identified ceftazidime
      resistant strains with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for A. baumannii,
      100% sensitivity and 97.2% specificity for K. pneumoniae, and with 82.3%
      sensitivity and 100% specificity for P. aeruginosa. Importantly, results were
      obtained in 1 hour 15 minutes from exponentially growing cultures. This study
      demonstrates that changes in cell length are highly correlated with phenotypic
      antibiotic susceptibility determined using standard susceptibility testing
      methods. This study therefore provides proof-of-concept that changes in cell
      morphology can be used as the basis for rapid detection of antibiotic resistance
      and provides the basis for the development of novel rapid diagnostics for the
      detection of antibiotic resistance.

PMID- 27259184
TI  - Determinants of Exclusive Breast Feeding in sub-Saharan Africa: A Multilevel
      Approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study aimed to provide an overall picture of the general pattern
      of exclusive breast feeding (EBF) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by examining
      maternal sociodemographic, antenatal and postnatal factors associated with EBF in
      the region, as well as explore countries variations in EBF rates. METHODS: We
      utilised cross-sectional data from the Demographic Health Surveys in 27 SSA
      countries. Our study sample included 25 084 infants under 6 months of age. The
      key outcome variable was EBF in the last 24 h. Due to the hierarchical structure
      of the data, a multilevel logistic regression model was used to explore factors
      associated with EBF. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of EBF in SSA was 36.0%, the
      prevalence was highest in Rwanda and lowest in Gabon. In the multilevel
      regression model, factors that were associated with increased likelihood of EBF
      included secondary and above maternal education, mothers within the ages of 25-34
      years, rural residence, richer household wealth quantile, 4+ antenatal care
      visit, delivering in a health facility, singleton births, female infants, early
      initiation of breast feeding (EIBF), and younger infants. However, countries with
      higher gross national income per capita had lower EBF rates. CONCLUSIONS: To
      achieve a substantial increase in EBF rates in SSA, breast-feeding interventions
      and policies should target all women but with more emphasis to mothers with
      younger age, low educational status, urban residence, poor status, multiple
      births, and male infants. In addition, there is a need to promote antenatal care
      utilisation, hospital deliveries, and EIBF.

PMID- 27259185
TI  - Investigation on the difference between biofilm morphologies of the vermifilter
      and conventional biofilter with the flow cytometer.
AB  - With the demand of new sludge reduction processes, a vermifilter (VF) was studied
      based on a conventional biofilter (BF). The biofilm morphology was investigated
      using a new technique, the flow cytometer (FCM), to find a way to optimize VF
      structure. VF was inoculated with Eisenia fetida, packed with ceramsites, and
      operated stably at the organic load of 1.2kg-VSSm(-3)d(-1) with BF as the
      control. Compared with BF, VF had about 13% more removal efficiency of excess
      sludge and 45% shorter biofilm update period. FCM profile showed the morphology
      of microbial cells in VF biofilms was significantly different from that in BF in
      upper layers, with decreases of average refractive index (about 72%) and size
      (about 22%), and suggested it was better to keep earthworms there to remove rod
      shaped microorganisms with other filter media in lower layers to remove spherical
      ones combining the findings in SEM images and extracellular polymeric substances.

PMID- 27259186
TI  - Effect of autohydrolysis on the wettability, absorbility and further alkali
      impregnation of poplar wood chips.
AB  - Autohydrolysis with different severity factors was performed on poplar wood chips
      prior to pulping, and the wettability, absorbility and the following impregnation
      of NaOH solution for the poplar wood chips were then investigated. The results
      showed that after autohydrolysis pretreatment the porosity, shrinkage and fiber
      saturation point (FSP) of the poplar wood chips were increased, while the surface
      contact angle decreased as the severity factor was increased. The autohydrolyzed
      chips absorbed more NaOH in impregnation that resulted in a low NaOH
      concentration in the bulk impregnation liquor (i.e., the impregnation liquor
      outside wood chips), while the concentration in the entrapped liquor (i.e., the
      impregnation liquor inside wood chips) was increased. Autohydrolysis
      substantially improved the effectiveness of alkali impregnation. 

PMID- 27259187
TI  - Simultaneous enhancement of methane production and methane content in biogas from
      waste activated sludge and perennial ryegrass anaerobic co-digestion: The effects
      of pH and C/N ratio.
AB  - It is necessary to find an appropriate strategy to simultaneously enhance the
      methane production and methane content in biogas from waste activated sludge
      (WAS) and grass co-digestion. In this study an efficient strategy, i.e.,
      adjusting the initial pH 12 and C/N ratio 17/1, for simultaneous enhancement of
      methane production and methane content in biogas from WAS and perennial ryegrass
      co-digestion was reported. Experimental results indicated that the maximal
      methane production was 310mL/gVSadd at the optimum conditions after 30-d
      anaerobic digestion, which was, respectively, about 1.5- and 3.8-fold of the sole
      WAS and sole perennial ryegrass anaerobic digestion. Meanwhile, the methane
      content in biogas was about 74%, which was much higher than that of sole WAS
      (64%) or sole perennial ryegrass (54%) anaerobic digestion. 

PMID- 27259188
TI  - Techno-economic comparison of biojet fuel production from lignocellulose,
      vegetable oil and sugar cane juice.
AB  - In this study, a techno-economic comparison was performed considering three
      processes (thermochemical, biochemical and hybrid) for production of jet fuel
      from lignocellulosic biomass (2G) versus two processes from first generation (1G)
      feedstocks, including vegetable oil and sugar cane juice. Mass and energy
      balances were constructed for energy self-sufficient versions of these processes,
      not utilising any fossil energy sources, using ASPEN Plus(r) simulations. All of
      the investigated processes obtained base minimum jet selling prices (MJSP) that
      is substantially higher than the market jet fuel price (2-4 fold). The 1G process
      which converts vegetable oil, obtained the lowest MJSPs of $2.22/kg jet fuel
      while the two most promising 2G processes- the thermochemical (gasification and
      Fischer-Tropsch synthesis) and hybrid (gasification and biochemical upgrading)
      processes- reached MJSPs of $2.44/kg and $2.50/kg jet fuel, respectively.
      According to the economic sensitivity analysis, the feedstock cost and fixed
      capital investment have the most influence on the MJSP. 

PMID- 27259189
TI  - Gradient domestication of Haematococcus pluvialis mutant with 15% CO2 to promote
      biomass growth and astaxanthin yield.
AB  - In order to increase biomass yield and reduce culture cost of Haematococcus
      pluvialis with flue gas from coal-fired power plants, a screened mutant by
      nuclear irradiation was gradually domesticated with 15% CO2 to promote biomass
      dry weight and astaxanthin yield. The biomass yield of mutant after 10
      generations of 15% CO2 domestication increased to 1.3 times as that with air.
      With the optimization of nitrogen and phosphorus concentration, the biomass dry
      weight was further increased by 62%. The astaxanthin yield induced with 15% CO2
      and high light of 135 MUmol photons m(-2) s(-1) increased to 87.4mg/L, which was
      6 times higher than that induced with high light in air. 

PMID- 27259190
TI  - Co-generation of microbial lipid and bio-butanol from corn cob bagasse in an
      environmentally friendly biorefinery process.
AB  - Biorefinery process of corn cob bagasse was investigated by integrating microbial
      lipid and ABE fermentation. The effects of NaOH concentration on the
      fermentations performance were evaluated. The black liquor after pretreatment was
      used as substrate for microbial lipid fermentation, while the enzymatic
      hydrolysates of the bagasse were used for ABE fermentation. The results
      demonstrated that under the optimized condition, the cellulose and hemicellulose
      in raw material could be effectively utilized. Approximate 87.7% of the
      polysaccharides were converted into valuable biobased products (~175.7g/kg of ABE
      along with ~36.6g/kg of lipid). At the same time, almost half of the initial COD
      (~48.9%) in the black liquor could be degraded. The environmentally friendly
      biorefinery process showed promising in maximizing the utilization of biomass for
      future biofuels production. 

PMID- 27259191
TI  - Removal and biodegradation of naphthenic acids by biochar and attached
      environmental biofilms in the presence of co-contaminating metals.
AB  - This study evaluated the efficacy of using a combined biofilm-biochar approach to
      remove organic (naphthenic acids (NAs)) and inorganic (metals) contaminants from
      process water (OSPW) generated by Canada's oil sands mining operations. A
      microbial community sourced from an OSPW sample was cultured as biofilms on
      several carbonaceous materials. Two biochar samples, from softwood bark (SB) and
      Aspen wood (N3), facilitated the most microbial growth (measured by protein
      assays) and were used for NA removal studies performed with and without biofilms,
      and in the presence and absence of contaminating metals. Similar NA removal was
      seen in 6-day sterile N3 and SB assays (>30%), while biodegradation by SB
      associated biofilms increased NA removal to 87% in the presence of metals. Metal
      sorption was also observed, with up to four times more immobilization of Fe, Al,
      and As on biofilm-associated biochar. These results suggest this combined
      approach may be a promising treatment for OSPW. 

PMID- 27259193
TI  - A database of radionuclide activity and metal concentrations for the Alligator
      Rivers Region uranium province.
AB  - This paper presents a database of radionuclide activity and metal concentrations
      for the Alligator Rivers Region (ARR) uranium province in the Australian wet-dry
      tropics. The database contains 5060 sample records and 57,473 concentration
      values. The data are for animal, plant, soil, sediment and water samples
      collected by the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist
      (ERISS) as part of its statutory role to undertake research and monitoring into
      the impacts of uranium mining on the environment of the ARR. Concentration values
      are provided in the database for 11 radionuclides (227Ac, 40K, 210Pb, 210Po,
      226Ra, 228Ra, 228Th, 230Th, 232Th, 234U, 238U) and 26 metals (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd,
      Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Sr, Th, U, V, Zn).
      Potential uses of the database are discussed.

PMID- 27259192
TI  - Overcoming organic and nitrogen overload in thermophilic anaerobic digestion of
      pig slurry by coupling a microbial electrolysis cell.
AB  - The combination of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process with a microbial
      electrolysis cell (MEC) coupled to an ammonia stripping unit as a post-treatment
      was assessed both in series operation, to improve the quality of the effluent,
      and in loop configuration recirculating the effluent, to increase the AD
      robustness. The MEC allowed maintaining the chemical oxygen demand removal of the
      whole system of 46+/-5% despite the AD destabilization after doubling the organic
      and nitrogen loads, while recovering 40+/-3% of ammonia. The AD-MEC system, in
      loop configuration, helped to recover the AD (55% increase in methane
      productivity) and attained a more stable and robust operation. The microbial
      population assessment revealed an enhancement of AD methanogenic archaea numbers
      and a shift in eubacterial population. The AD-MEC combined system is a promising
      strategy for stabilizing AD against organic and nitrogen overloads, while
      improving the quality of the effluent and recovering nutrients for their
      reutilization. 

PMID- 27259194
TI  - The dissociability of lexical retrieval and morphosyntactic processes for nouns
      and verbs: A functional and anatomoclinical study.
AB  - Nouns and verbs can dissociate following brain damage, at both lexical retrieval
      and morphosyntactic processing levels. In order to document the range and the
      neural underpinnings of behavioral dissociations, twelve aphasics with
      disproportionate difficulty naming objects or actions were asked to apply
      phonologically identical morphosyntactic transformations to nouns and verbs. Two
      subjects with poor object naming and 2/10 with poor action naming made no
      morphosyntactic errors at all. Six of 10 subjects with poor action naming showed
      disproportionate or no morphosyntactic difficulties for verbs. Morphological
      errors on nouns and verbs correlated at the group level, but in individual cases
      a selective impairment of verb morphology was observed. Poor object and action
      naming with spared morphosyntax were associated with non-overlapping lesions
      (inferior occipitotemporal and fronto-temporal, respectively). Poor verb
      morphosyntax was observed with frontal-temporal lesions affecting white matter
      tracts deep to the insula, possibly disrupting the interaction of nodes in a
      fronto-temporal network.

PMID- 27259195
TI  - From Mechanism to Observation and Back Again.

PMID- 27259196
TI  - Easier, Better, Faster, Stronger: Improved Methods for RNA-Protein Interaction
      Studies.
AB  - The RNA field has been revolutionized by methods that allow genome-scale
      identification of RNA-protein interaction sites. Two reports now introduce more
      efficient approaches, opening the technology to wider adoption (Van Nostrand et
      al., 2016; Zarnegar et al., 2016).

PMID- 27259197
TI  - Visualizing Clonal Evolution in Cancer.
AB  - Rapid and inexpensive single-cell sequencing is driving new visualizations of
      cancer instability and evolution. Krzywinski discusses how to present clone
      evolution plots in order to visualize temporal, phylogenetic, and spatial aspects
      of a tumor in a single static image.

PMID- 27259198
TI  - "Cat's Cradling" the 3D Genome by the Act of LncRNA Transcription.
AB  - There is growing evidence that transcription and nuclear organization are tightly
      linked. Yet, whether transcription of thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)
      could play a role in this packaging process remains elusive. Although some
      lncRNAs have been found to have clear roles in nuclear architecture (e.g., FIRRE,
      NEAT1, XIST, and others), the vast majority remain poorly understood. In this
      Perspective, we highlight how the act of transcription can affect nuclear
      architecture. We synthesize several recent findings into a proposed model where
      the transcription of lncRNAs can serve as guide-posts for shaping genome
      organization. This model is similar to the game "cat's cradle," where the shape
      of a string is successively changed by opening up new sites for finger placement.
      Analogously, transcription of lncRNAs could serve as "grip holds" for nuclear
      proteins to pull the genome into new positions. This model could explain general
      lncRNA properties such as low abundance and tissue specificity. Overall, we
      propose a general framework for how the act of lncRNA transcription could play a
      role in organizing the 3D genome.

PMID- 27259199
TI  - Chromatin Scanning by Dynamic Binding of Pioneer Factors.
AB  - Pioneer factors such as FoxA target nucleosomal DNA and initiate cooperative
      interactions at silent genes during development, cellular reprogramming, and
      steroid hormone induction. Biophysical studies previously showed that the nuclear
      mobility of FoxA1 is slower than for many other transcription factors, whereas a
      new single molecule study (Swinstead et al., 2016, Cell) shows comparable
      chromatin residence times for FoxA1 and steroid receptors. Despite that steroid
      receptors engage nucleosome-remodeling complexes, the vast majority of co-bound
      sites with FoxA are dependent upon FoxA, not vice versa. Taken together, the
      distinguishing feature of pioneer factors remains nucleosomal access rather than
      an exceptional residence time in chromatin.

PMID- 27259200
TI  - Chromatin Domains: The Unit of Chromosome Organization.
AB  - How eukaryotic chromosomes fold inside the nucleus is an age-old question that
      remains unanswered today. Early biochemical and microscopic studies revealed the
      existence of chromatin domains and loops as a pervasive feature of interphase
      chromosomes, but the biological implications of such organizational features were
      obscure. Genome-wide analysis of pair-wise chromatin interactions using chromatin
      conformation capture (3C)-based techniques has shed new light on the organization
      of chromosomes in interphase nuclei. Particularly, the finding of cell-type
      invariant, evolutionarily conserved topologically associating domains (TADs) in a
      broad spectrum of cell types has provided a new molecular framework for the study
      of animal development and human diseases. Here, we review recent progress in
      characterization of such chromatin domains and delineation of mechanisms of their
      formation in animal cells.

PMID- 27259201
TI  - Greater Than the Sum of Parts: Complexity of the Dynamic Epigenome.
AB  - Information encoded in DNA is interpreted, modified, and propagated as chromatin.
      The diversity of inputs encountered by eukaryotic genomes demands a matching
      capacity for transcriptional outcomes provided by the combinatorial and dynamic
      nature of epigenetic processes. Advances in genome editing, visualization
      technology, and genome-wide analyses have revealed unprecedented complexity of
      chromatin pathways, offering explanations to long-standing questions and
      presenting new challenges. Here, we review recent findings, exemplified by the
      emerging understanding of crossregulatory interactions within chromatin, and
      emphasize the pathologic outcomes of epigenetic misregulation in cancer.

PMID- 27259202
TI  - Interplay between Metabolism and Epigenetics: A Nuclear Adaptation to
      Environmental Changes.
AB  - The physiological identity of every cell is maintained by highly specific
      transcriptional networks that establish a coherent molecular program that is in
      tune with nutritional conditions. The regulation of cell-specific transcriptional
      networks is accomplished by an epigenetic program via chromatin-modifying
      enzymes, whose activity is directly dependent on metabolites such as acetyl
      coenzyme A, S-adenosylmethionine, and NAD+, among others. Therefore, these
      nuclear activities are directly influenced by the nutritional status of the cell.
      In addition to nutritional availability, this highly collaborative program
      between epigenetic dynamics and metabolism is further interconnected with other
      environmental cues provided by the day-night cycles imposed by circadian rhythms.
      Herein, we review molecular pathways and their metabolites associated with
      epigenetic adaptations modulated by histone- and DNA-modifying enzymes and their
      responsiveness to the environment in the context of health and disease.

PMID- 27259205
TI  - DNA Replication-A Matter of Fidelity.
AB  - The fidelity of DNA replication is determined by many factors, here simplified as
      the contribution of the DNA polymerase (nucleotide selectivity and proofreading),
      mismatch repair, a balanced supply of nucleotides, and the condition of the DNA
      template (both in terms of sequence context and the presence of DNA lesions).
      This review discusses the contribution and interplay between these factors to the
      overall fidelity of DNA replication.

PMID- 27259204
TI  - The Aging Epigenome.
AB  - During aging, the mechanisms that normally maintain health and stress resistance
      strikingly decline, resulting in decrepitude, frailty, and ultimately death.
      Exactly when and how this decline occurs is unknown. Changes in transcriptional
      networks and chromatin state lie at the heart of age-dependent decline. These
      epigenomic changes are not only observed during aging but also profoundly affect
      cellular function and stress resistance, thereby contributing to the progression
      of aging. We propose that the dysregulation of transcriptional and chromatin
      networks is a crucial component of aging. Understanding age-dependent epigenomic
      changes will yield key insights into how aging begins and progresses and should
      lead to the development of new therapeutics that delay or even reverse aging and
      age-related diseases.

PMID- 27259203
TI  - Epigenome Maintenance in Response to DNA Damage.
AB  - Organism viability relies on the stable maintenance of specific chromatin
      landscapes, established during development, that shape cell functions and
      identities by driving distinct gene expression programs. Yet epigenome
      maintenance is challenged during transcription, replication, and repair of DNA
      damage, all of which elicit dynamic changes in chromatin organization. Here, we
      review recent advances that have shed light on the specialized mechanisms
      contributing to the restoration of epigenome structure and function after DNA
      damage in the mammalian cell nucleus. By drawing a parallel with epigenome
      maintenance during replication, we explore emerging concepts and highlight open
      issues in this rapidly growing field. In particular, we present our current
      knowledge of molecular players that support the coordinated maintenance of genome
      and epigenome integrity in response to DNA damage, and we highlight how nuclear
      organization impacts genome stability. Finally, we discuss possible functional
      implications of epigenome plasticity in response to genotoxic stress.

PMID- 27259206
TI  - Replicating Large Genomes: Divide and Conquer.
AB  - Complete duplication of large metazoan chromosomes requires thousands of
      potential initiation sites, only a small fraction of which are selected in each
      cell cycle. Assembly of the replication machinery is highly conserved and tightly
      regulated during the cell cycle, but the sites of initiation are highly flexible,
      and their temporal order of firing is regulated at the level of large-scale multi
      replicon domains. Importantly, the number of replication forks must be quickly
      adjusted in response to replication stress to prevent genome instability. Here we
      argue that large genomes are divided into domains for exactly this reason. Once
      established, domain structure abrogates the need for precise initiation sites and
      creates a scaffold for the evolution of other chromosome functions.

PMID- 27259207
TI  - Long Terminal Repeats: From Parasitic Elements to Building Blocks of the
      Transcriptional Regulatory Repertoire.
AB  - The life cycle of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), also called long terminal
      repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, begins with transcription by RNA polymerase II
      followed by reverse transcription and re-integration into the host genome. While
      most ERVs are relics of ancient integration events, "young" proviruses competent
      for retrotransposition-found in many mammals, but not humans-represent an ongoing
      threat to host fitness. As a consequence, several restriction pathways have
      evolved to suppress their activity at both transcriptional and post
      transcriptional stages of the viral life cycle. Nevertheless, accumulating
      evidence has revealed that LTR sequences derived from distantly related ERVs have
      been exapted as regulatory sequences for many host genes in a wide range of cell
      types throughout mammalian evolution. Here, we focus on emerging themes from
      recent studies cataloging the diversity of ERV LTRs acting as important
      transcriptional regulatory elements in mammals and explore the molecular features
      that likely account for LTR exaptation in developmental and tissue-specific gene
      regulation.

PMID- 27259210
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral P2Y12 inhibitors during the acute
      phase of a myocardial infarction: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The immediate administration of oral antiplatelet therapy in the form
      of aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor is the universally recognised standard of care
      for patients who present with acute myocardial infarction. Despite strong
      recommendations for their use, there are a paucity of data describing their onset
      of action and clinical efficacy during the short time frames from confirmation of
      diagnosis to reperfusion with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
      OBJECTIVES: To complete a systematic review evaluating the currently available
      evidence regarding the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activity of orally
      administered clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor during the acute phase of a
      myocardial infarction in relation to mechanical reperfusion with primary
      percutaneous coronary angioplasty. METHODS: We searched PubMed and EMBASE
      databases up to January 2016 using the terms outlined in our search strategy.
      RESULTS: Twelve papers were included in our final analysis; seven relating to
      pharmacodynamic studies, one to a pharmacokinetic study and four to
      pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that
      despite the administration of oral P2Y12 inhibitors including newer more potent
      agents that should allow for greater and more consistent levels of platelet
      inhibition, the physiological state of ST segment elevation MI (STEMI) and the co
      administration of opioid based analgesia are associated with a reduction in the
      degree of platelet inhibition achieved following their administration.

PMID- 27259211
TI  - [Immunological mechanisms involved in obesity and their role in metabolic
      syndrome].
AB  - In the past 50 years, the occurrence of human obesity has risen dramatically
      across the globe. The WHO reported that at least 1.9 billion (1.9 * 10(9)) adults
      are overweight and 600 million are obese, and the numbers are expected to rise
      dramatically in the future without intervention. The recent increase in human
      obesity is caused by increased energy intake and reduced energy expenditure that
      results in a massive increase in adipose tissue, which is generally harmful to
      our health. Indeed, the increase in human obesity is strongly associated with an
      increase in many diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), biliary disease,
      cardiovascular disease, hepatic steatosis, airway disease, neurodegeneration and
      certain cancers. The metabolic and immune systems are closely linked and
      functionally dependent. As a result, excessive nutrient consumption associated
      with obesity can be recognized as a harmful, stress-inducing biological event by
      innate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). This activates inflammatory and
      stress responses in various metabolic tissues, leading to the chronic low-grade
      inflammation called metabolic inflammation or "metainflammation". Adipose tissue
      is mainly composed of adipocytes, although other cell types contribute to its
      growth and function, including pre-adipocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes,
      fibroblasts and vascular cells. Obesity can result in profound changes in the
      cell composition of fat tissue and can lead to the modulation of individual cell
      phenotypes. Many factors are involved in development of metainflammation,
      including hypoxia of adipocytes, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress,
      activation of inflammasomes, adipocyte death, activation of TLR and abnormal gut
      flora.

PMID- 27259212
TI  - Evaluation of effect of selected trace elements on dynamics of sperm DNA
      fragmentation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lead and cadmium can lead to negative effects on sperm chromatin
      DNA integrity. Copper, zinc and selenium are essential components of many enzymes
      which are important for reproduction. The aim of this research was to evaluate
      the influence of lead, cadmium, zinc, copper and selenium on the dynamics of
      semen DNA fragmentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study concerned 85
      fertile and 131 infertile men aged 25-35. DNA fragmentation in the samples was
      determined after 3 h, 6 h and 12 h. The Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Se measurements were
      performed by the electrothermal-atomic absorption spectrometry method. RESULTS:
      We found that sperm DNA fragmentation was a dynamic process which was intensified
      with an increase in the level of lead in seminal plasma. The levels of lead and
      cadmium were higher in seminal plasma of infertile men, compared to fertile men.
      The levels of zinc, copper and selenium in seminal plasma were higher in men with
      proven fertility, compared to infertile men, and did not exert a significant
      effect on the dynamics of sperm DNA fragmentation. The level of cadmium had no
      significant effect on intensification of sperm DNA fragmentation in time.
      DISCUSSION: Reports in the literature which concern the effect of trace elements
      on human reproduction are equivocal. The present study confirmed an unfavourable
      effect, especially that of lead, on the dynamics of sperm DNA fragmentation;
      however, these studies need to be expanded and continued in the future.

PMID- 27259208
TI  - When Genome Maintenance Goes Badly Awry.
AB  - Genetic abnormalities are present in all tumor types, although the frequency and
      type can vary. Chromosome abnormalities include highly aberrant structures,
      particularly chromothriptic chromosomes. The generation of massive sequencing
      data has illuminated the scope of the mutational burden in cancer genomes,
      identifying patterns of mutations (mutation signatures), which have the potential
      to shed light on the relatedness and etiologies of cancers and impact therapy
      response. Some mutation patterns are clearly attributable to disruptions in
      pathways that maintain genomic integrity. Here we review recent advances in our
      understanding of genetic changes occurring in cancers and the roles of genome
      maintenance pathways.

PMID- 27259213
TI  - [Viral transfer of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand
      (TRAIL) in gene therapy].
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively
      induces carcinoma cell death through the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis.
      Preclinical trials of gene therapy have been conducted using viral transfer of
      the TRAIL transgene into prostate, bladder, breast, kidney, liver, non-small cell
      lung cancer and also glioblastoma cells. Experiments in vitro demonstrated the
      extensive apoptosis of target cells as well as frequent disease regression or
      remission. TRAIL transfer did not show any side effects, opposite to
      chemotherapy. Encouraging results of TRAIL-related gene therapy were observed in
      rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Adenoviral vectors (AdV) encoding TRAIL
      are the most promising tool in anti-tumor therapy. They have undergone numerous
      modifications by increasing transfection efficiency and transgene expression in
      target cells. However, only one clinical phase I trial has been performed. AdV
      encoding the TRAIL transgene caused local inflammation and apoptosis in patients
      with prostate cancer. 

PMID- 27259214
TI  - [Multifunctional ligands--a new approach in the search for drugs against multi
      factorial diseases].
AB  - Selective drugs directed at a single biological target often prove ineffective in
      the treatment of diseases with a complex pathomechanism, e.g. Alzheimer's disease
      (AD). This situation prompts researchers to design multi-target-directed ligands
      (MTDLs), capable of interacting with a number of selected biological targets. The
      paper outlines the concept of the multi-target-directed ligand design and
      examples of its use in the search of a cure for AD. In the knowledge-based
      approach for designing MTDLs, selective ligands of different targets are combined
      in one molecule. In the screening-based approach, libraries of compounds are
      screened against selected targets, which allows one to find molecules with a
      desirable pharmacological profile. It is also possible to obtain multifunctional
      ligands by performing optimization of a drug with known side activity and
      transforming it into the main activity, with a simultaneous decrease or complete
      removal of the original activity. The type of biological targets and applied MTDL
      design strategy affect the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of the
      resulting molecules. AD is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease of the
      central nervous system associated with the formation of neurofibrillary tangles
      within neurons, formed by the hyperphosphorylated tau proteins, and extracellular
      beta-amyloid deposits (senile plaques). Current AD therapy comprises symptomatic
      drugs that enhance cholinergic neurotransmission or inhibit glutamate receptors.
      The literature provides numerous examples of compounds which proved in in vitro
      tests to be multifunctional ligands. Most of them are derivatives of
      cholinesterase-inhibiting drugs, also capable of inhibiting the aggregation of
      Abeta and showing neuroprotective effects in Abeta-induced cytotoxicity assays.

PMID- 27259209
TI  - What's Luck Got to Do with It: Single Cells, Multiple Fates, and Biological
      Nondeterminism.
AB  - The field of single-cell biology has morphed from a philosophical digression at
      its inception, to a playground for quantitative biologists, to a major area of
      biomedical research. The last several years have witnessed an explosion of new
      technologies, allowing us to apply even more of the modern molecular biology
      toolkit to single cells. Conceptual progress, however, has been comparatively
      slow. Here, we provide a framework for classifying both the origins of the
      differences between individual cells and the consequences of those differences.
      We discuss how the concept of "random" differences is context dependent, and
      propose that rigorous definitions of inputs and outputs may bring clarity to the
      discussion. We also categorize ways in which probabilistic behavior may influence
      cellular function, highlighting studies that point to exciting future directions
      in the field.

PMID- 27259215
TI  - Assessment of peripheral blood and bone marrow T, NK, NKT and dendritic cells in
      patients with multiple myeloma.
AB  - Symptoms of multiple myeloma (MM) include bone destruction with pathological
      fractures, kidney failure and frequent infections, which are the major causes of
      patient mortality. In our recent research, we demonstrated that the degree of
      dendritic cell (DC) subpopulation deficit could be related to MM progression,
      which in consequence may contribute to the MM-related impairment of the immune
      responses. In the present study, we determined by flow cytometry the frequencies
      of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, NK, and NKT-like cells as well as their correlation
      with myeloid and lymphoid populations of DCs in patients with MM. The study
      involved 50 patients diagnosed with MM at the Department of Hematology in the
      Holycross Cancer Center in Kielce. The research samples were collected after the
      MM diagnosis and before the initiation of anticancer therapy. The obtained
      results revealed the relations between the percentages of DC subpopulations and
      lymphocyte subsets, especially the activated ones, in the peripheral blood (PB)
      and bone marrow (BM). The described role of DCs in the process of the
      immunological response, either adaptive or innate, leads us to conclude that the
      decrease of the number or percentage of these cells may have a negative impact on
      the process of activation of effector cells and, consequently, on the
      effectiveness of a response to foreign as well as neoplastic antigens in patients
      with MM. 

PMID- 27259216
TI  - [Proteasome inhibitors in cancer therapy].
AB  - Proteasomes are multisubunit enzyme complexes. They contain three enzymatic
      active sites which are termed chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like, and caspase-like.
      The elementary function of the proteasomes is degradation of damaged proteins.
      Proteasome inhibition leads to accumulation of damaged protein, which leads to
      caspase activation and cell death. This relationship is used in cancer therapy.
      Bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor approved by the US Food and Drug
      Administration for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
      Carfilzomib belongs to the second generation of drugs, which was approved by the
      US FDA in 2012. Currently in the study phase there are four new inhibitors:
      ixazomib (MLN9780/MLN2238), delanzomib (CEP-18770), oprozomib (ONX0912/PR-047)
      and marizomib (NPI-0052). 

PMID- 27259217
TI  - [Regulation of neurogenesis: factors affecting of new neurons formation in adult
      mammals brain].
AB  - Neurogenesis is a complex and multi-step process of generating completely
      functional neurons. This process in adult brain is based on pluripotentional
      neuronal stem cells (NSC), which are able to proliferation and differentiation
      into mature neurons or glial cells. NSC are located in subgranular zone inside
      hippocampus and in subventricular zone. The new neurons formation depends on many
      endo- and exogenous factors which modulate each step of neurogenesis. This
      article describes the most important regulators of adult neurogenesis, mainly:
      neurotrophins, growth factors, hormones, neurotransmitters and microenvironment
      of NSC. Some drugs, especially antipsychotics, antidepressants and normothymics
      may affect the neurogenic properties of adult brain. Moreover pathological
      processes such as neuroinflammation, stroke or epilepsy are able to induce
      proliferation of NSC. The proneurogenic effects of psychotropic drugs and
      pathological processes are associated with their ability to increase some
      hormones and neurotrophins level, as well as with rising the expression of
      antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein and metalloproteinase MMP-2. Additionaly, some drugs,
      for example haloperidol, are able to block prolactin and dopaminergic neuroblasts
      receptors. Down-regulation of adult neurogenesis is associated with alcohol abuse
      and high stress level. Negative effect of many drugs, such as cytostatics, COX-2
      inhibitors and opioides was also observed. The proneurogenic effect of described
      factors suggest their broad therapeutic potential and gives a new perspective on
      an effective and modern treatment of many neuropsychiatric disorders. This effect
      can also help to clarify the pathogenesis of disorders associated with
      proliferation and degeneration of adult brain cells. 

PMID- 27259218
TI  - [Glucuronidation of antitumour therapeutics--detoxification, mechanism of
      resistance or prodrug formation?].
AB  - The physiological role of phase I and II of xenobiotic biotransformations is
      their detoxification and better excretion outside the organism. UDP
      glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) being the enzymes of phase II metabolism catalyse
      the conjugation of glucuronic acid to the lipophilic substrate by its specific
      nucleophilic group. UGT isoenzymes of various substrate specificities and
      different expression profiles in selected tissues belong to the large UGT
      superfamily. Usually, glucuronidation is the detoxification process, but
      sometimes (morphine, tamoxifen) glucuronides express biological activity higher
      than or comparable to the native compound. The level of UGT gene expression is
      individual for patients, because of their genetic status as well as epigenetic
      conditions. Also, xenobiotics are able to modulate UGT level and gene expression
      by the interaction with nuclear receptors. Moreover, one can find a lower level
      of UGT in the tumour compared to normal tissue, which results in the protection
      against deactivation of the drug and in the promotion of its selective activity
      in tumor tissue. On the other hand, UGT activity is considered as the possible
      cause of resistance to chemotherapy. Metabolism by hepatic and intestinal UGT
      isoenzymes is responsible for the "first-pass effect", whereas acquired
      resistance consists in the induction of UGT gene expression by the
      chemotherapeutic or its metabolite. Moreover, UGT induction can be associated
      with the induction of membrane transporters, particularly proteins of the ABC
      family, responsible for drug excretion outside the cell. The above resistance
      effects can be fortified by the overexpression of selected UGT isoenzymes
      sometimes observed in specific types of tumours. It is also considered that many
      advanced tumours are characterized by a higher level of beta-glucuronidase. This
      enzyme has a chance to be the molecular target of directed antitumour therapy, as
      it catalyses beta-glucuronide hydrolysis, leading to active aglycones.

PMID- 27259219
TI  - Green tea extract induces protective autophagy in A549 non-small lung cancer cell
      line.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For many decades, polyphenols, including green tea
      extract catechins, have been reported to exert multiple anti-tumor activities.
      However, to date the mechanisms of their action have not been completely
      elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of green tea
      extract on non-small lung cancer A549 cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A549 cells
      following treatment with GTE were analyzed using the inverted light and
      fluorescence microscope. In order to evaluate cell sensitivity and cell death,
      the MTT assay and Tali image-based cytometer were used, respectively.
      Ultrastructural alterations were assessed using a transmission electron
      microscope. RESULTS: The obtained data suggested that GTE, even at the highest
      dose employed (150 MUM), was not toxic to A549 cells. Likewise, the treatment
      with GTE resulted in only a very small dose-dependent increase in the population
      of apoptotic cells. However, enhanced accumulation of vacuole-like structures in
      response to GTE was seen at the light and electron microscopic level.
      Furthermore, an increase in the acidic vesicular organelles and LC3-II puncta
      formation was observed under the fluorescence microscope, following GTE
      treatment. The analysis of the functional status of autophagy revealed that GTE
      induced autophagy may provide self-protection against its own cytotoxicity, since
      we observed that the blockage of autophagy by bafilomycin A1 decreased the
      viability of A549 cells and potentiated necrotic cell death induction in response
      to GTE treatment. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our results revealed that A549 cells
      are insensitive to both low and high concentrations of the green tea extract,
      probably due to the induction of cytoprotective autophagy. These data suggest
      that a potential utility of GTE in lung cancer therapy may lie in its synergistic
      combinations with drugs or small molecules that target autophagy, rather than in
      monotherapy.

PMID- 27259220
TI  - [Extracellular matrix as a microbial virulence factor in the development of human
      diseases].
AB  - Extracellular polymers which build a biofilm matrix possess a complicated
      structure, where the polysaccharide fraction, composed of homo- or
      heteropolysaccharides, is the largest. Other important components are proteins,
      eDNA, glycoproteins and lipids. The matrix has a protective function against the
      surrounding environment, plays a role in biofilm formation and maturation
      processes, stabilizes the biofilm structure, and also is a source of nutrients
      and water for the cells. It is noteworthy that the biofilm matrix is a virulence
      factor and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many human diseases.
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa growing in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis
      produces three major exopolysaccharides (Pel, Psl and alginate) and synthesizes
      numerous proteins such as lectins and enzymes, e.g. PasP, chitinase,
      aminopeptidase, and protease IV, which facilitate the tissue colonization.
      Extracellular polymers play a significant role in the course of caries, which is
      associated with the development of multi-species biofilm on the teeth surface.
      The structure of the matrix surrounding that biofilm is complicated--different
      for each patient. The components of the matrix are constantly changing depending
      on the environmental conditions, e.g. the presence of sucrose affects the
      synthesis of mutan and dextran. Infections associated with biofilm formation on
      implants pose significant medical and economic problems. The main components of
      the matrices are saccharides (e.g., PIA, EC-TA), as well as surface and
      extracellular proteins. Studies on the matrix structure and the factors
      regulating its synthesis are necessary to develop techniques for biofilm
      eradication and better control of biofilm-related infections.

PMID- 27259221
TI  - MSX1 gene in the etiology orofacial deformities.
AB  - The muscle segment homeobox (MSX1) gene plays a crucial role in epithelial
      mesenchymal tissue interactions in craniofacial development. It plays a
      regulative role in cellular proliferation, differentiation and cell death. The
      human MSX1 domain was also found in cow (Bt 302906), mouse (Mm 123311), rat
      (Rn13592001), chicken (Gg 170873) and clawed toad (XI 547690). Cleft lip and
      palate is the most common anomaly of the facial part of the skull. The etiology
      is not fully understood, but it is believed that the key role is played by the
      genetic factor activated by environmental factors. Among the candidate genes
      whose mutations could lead to formation of the cleft, the MSX1 homeobox gene is
      mentioned. Mutations in the gene MSX1 can lead to isolated cleft deformities, but
      also cause other dismorphic changes. Among the most frequently mentioned is loss
      of permanent tooth buds (mostly of less than 4 teeth - hypodontia, including
      second premolars). Mutations of MSX1 are observed in the Pierre- Robin sequence,
      which may be one of the features of congenital defects or is observed as an
      isolated defect. Mutation of the gene can lead to the occurrence of a rare
      congenital defect Wiktop (dental-nail) syndrome. Deletion of a fragment MSX1
      (4p16.3) located in the WHS critical region, may be a cause of some symptoms of
      Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. 

PMID- 27259222
TI  - [Osteoprotegerin as a marker of atherosclerosis and a prognostic factor in
      stroke].
AB  - Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability and lack of independence in
      activities of daily living in adults. One of the most important factors
      predisposing to stroke, besides hypertension and atrial fibrillation, is carotid
      atherosclerosis. Rupture of unstable plaque with formation of a platelet plug is
      the cause of about 20-25% of ischemic strokes. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is an
      important regulator of bone remodeling under physiological and disease
      conditions, as well as the regulator of osteoclast differentiation. Elevated
      plasma OPG level is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke and heart
      diseases, including atrial fibrillation, and is observed in patients with
      symptomatic carotid artery stenosis and atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques.
      Furthermore, the occurrence of certain genotypes of OPG is 10 times more common
      in people with unstable atherosclerotic plaque, making them an independent risk
      predictor of plaque instability. This article summarizes the current state of
      knowledge on the potential role of OPG as a biomarker and prognostic indicator of
      stroke. 

PMID- 27259223
TI  - Nuclear factor kappaB inhibitor BAY 11-7082 suppresses oxidative stress induced
      by endothelin-1 (ET-1) in rat kidney.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of BAY 11-7082, an NF-kappaB
      inhibitor, on basal and ET-1-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS),
      TNF-alpha and p65 protein in rat kidney. MATERIAL/METHODS: The experimental
      animals were divided into five groups (n=7) receiving: 1) saline (control); 2 and
      3) ET-1 in a dose of 3 MUg/kg body weight (b.w.) or 12.5 MUg/kg b.w.; 4) BAY 11
      7082 (10 mg/kg b.w.); 5) BAY 11-7082 (10 mg/kg b.w.) and ET-1 (12.5 MUg/kg b.w.),
      respectively. In kidney homogenates the concentration of thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances (TBARS), H2O2, TNF-alpha, p65 protein and GSH/GSSG ratio were
      determined. RESULTS: ET-1 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in TBARS and
      hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels, and a decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio when compared
      to the controls. BAY 11-7082 administered 1 h before ET-1 administration at a
      dose of 12.5 MUg/kg resulted in a decrease (P<0.001) in TBARS and H2O2 levels and
      an increase (P<0.001) in GSH/GSSG ratio compared to the ET-1 groups. The level of
      TNF-alpha was increased (P<0.001) in the presence of ET-1, while BAY 11-7082
      reduced the TNF-alpha level (P<0.001). The rats receiving BAY 11-7082 showed a
      decrease in NF-kappaB p65 protein level in the nuclear fraction and an increase
      in the cytoplasmic fraction. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that BAY 11-7082
      plays a protective role against ET-1 induced oxidative stress in kidney tissue.
      These actions of BAY 11-7082 may result from reduced activity of NF-kappaB
      signaling pathways. Inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway may be a promising
      strategy for preventing the progression of kidney damage.

PMID- 27259224
TI  - [From malaria parasite point of view--Plasmodium falciparum evolution].
AB  - Malaria is caused by infection with protozoan parasites belonging to the genus
      Plasmodium, which have arguably exerted the greatest selection pressure on humans
      in the history of our species. Besides humans, different Plasmodium parasites
      infect a wide range of animal hosts, from marine invertebrates to primates. On
      the other hand, individual Plasmodium species show high host specificity. The
      extraordinary evolution of Plasmodium probably began when a free-living red algae
      turned parasitic, and culminated with its ability to thrive inside a human red
      blood cell. Studies on the African apes generated new data on the evolution of
      malaria parasites in general and the deadliest human-specific species, Plasmodium
      falciparum, in particular. Initially, it was hypothesized that P. falciparum
      descended from the chimpanzee malaria parasite P. reichenowi, after the human and
      the chimp lineage diverged about 6 million years ago. However, a recently
      identified new species infecting gorillas, unexpectedly showed similarity to P.
      falciparum and was therefore named P. praefalciparum. That finding spurred an
      alternative hypothesis, which proposes that P. falciparum descended from its
      gorilla rather than chimp counterpart. In addition, the gorilla-to-human host
      shift may have occurred more recently (about 10 thousand years ago) than the
      theoretical P. falciparum-P. reichenowi split. One of the key aims of the studies
      on Plasmodium evolution is to elucidate the mechanisms that allow the incessant
      host shifting and retaining the host specificity, especially in the case of human
      specific species. Thorough understanding of these phenomena will be necessary to
      design effective malaria treatment and prevention strategies. 

PMID- 27259225
TI  - [Autoimmune connective tissue diseases and vaccination].
AB  - The idea that infectious agents can induce autoimmune diseases in genetically
      susceptible subjects has been a matter of discussion for years. Moreover,
      increased incidence of autoimmune diseases and introduction of prophylactic
      vaccinations from early childhood suggest that these two trends are linked. In
      the medical literature and even non-professional media, case reports or events
      temporally related to vaccination are reported. It raises the issue of
      vaccination safety. In everyday practice medical professionals, physicians,
      rheumatologists and other specialists will be asked their opinion of vaccination
      safety. The decision should be made according to evidence-based medicine and the
      current state of knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a potential
      mechanism which links infections, vaccinations and autoimmunity. We present an
      overview of published case reports, especially of systemic connective tissue
      diseases temporally related to vaccination and results from case-nested studies.
      As yet, no conclusive evidence supports a causal relationship between vaccination
      and autoimmune diseases. It has to be determined whether the performed studies
      are sufficiently sensitive to detect the link. The debate is ongoing, and new
      data may be required to explain the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. We would like
      to underscore the need for prophylactic vaccination in patients with autoimmune
      rheumatic diseases and to break down the myth that the vaccines are
      contraindicated in this target group.

PMID- 27259226
TI  - The influence of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and endothelin receptor
      blocker on the free sulfhydryl groups content in lung homogenates.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of the nitric
      oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME and the endothelin receptor blocker BQ123 on the
      free sulfhydryl (-SH) groups content in rat lung homogenates. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Experiments were performed on Wistar-Kyoto rats divided into the
      following groups: group I (control) received (i.v.) saline; group II (ET-1)
      received (i.v.) endothelin 1 (3 g MUg/kg b.w.); group III (BQ123+ET-1) received
      (i.v.) ET(A) receptor blocker (1 mg/kg b.w.) + endothelin 1 (3 g MUg/kg b.w.);
      group IV (L-NAME+ET-1) received (i.v.) nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (5 mg/kg
      b.w.) + endothelin 1 (3 MUg/kg b.w.). RESULTS: Administration of BQ123 at a dose
      of 1 mg/kg b.w. resulted in a statistically significant increase in the
      concentration of -SH groups (p<0.001 vs. ET-1). L-NAME (5 mg/kg b.w.) also
      significantly increased the level of -SH groups in the lungs of rats during
      oxidative stress induced ET-1 (p<0.001). DISCUSSION: The nitric oxide synthase
      inhibitor L-NAME at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w. and the endothelin receptor blocker
      BQ123 at a dose of 1 mg/kg b.w. showed a significant increase in the
      concentration of -SH groups in the lungs, which may be associated with an
      increase in synthesis of proteins containing sulfhydryl groups.

PMID- 27259227
TI  - Role of collagen type IV in the pathogenesis of increased prenasal thickness in
      Down syndrome fetuses: sonographic and immunohistological findings.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to compare the presence and localization of
      collagen type IV in the prenasal tissue of fetuses with and without Down syndrome
      (DS). METHODS: Products of conception were obtained from mid-gestation uterine
      evacuations of 14 DS fetuses and 15 unaffected controls. Microdissection of the
      prenasal area and an analysis of the prenasal tissue specimens were performed by
      a single pathologist, blinded to the karyotype results. Immunohistological
      presence and localization of type IV collagen were analyzed in the basement
      membrane (BM), blood vessels, and stroma of the tissues. RESULTS: There were no
      statistically significant differences in the presence and localization of
      antibodies for collagen IV in the blood vessels and stroma between the two
      groups. However, the presence and localization of type IV collagen in the BM of
      the prenasal skin were significantly higher in DS specimens compared to the
      control group (P=0.023). When combining both groups altogether, a significant
      correlation was found between the increased prenasal thickness (PT) and the high
      presence and location of collagen type IV, irrespective of the karyotype results
      (Spearman's correlation; R=0.459; P=0.012). CONCLUSION: Using the
      immunohistochemistry technique, we were able to confirm the overexpression of
      collagen type IV in the BM of the prenasal area. This may explain the sonographic
      finding of increased PT seen mainly in DS fetuses.

PMID- 27259228
TI  - Corrigendum to: Exposure to sunshine early in life prevented development of type
      1 diabetes in Danish boys.

PMID- 27259229
TI  - Hypoglycemic activity of Gleditsia caspica extract and its saponin-containing
      fraction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - The fruits of Gleditsia species (Fabaceae) have been known in traditional
      medicine as a saponin-rich herbal medicine. The present study aimed to
      investigate the effects of the total methanolic extract of Gleditsia caspica
      (MEGC) and its saponin-containing fractions (SFGC) on hyperglycemia in
      streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. A single intraperitoneal injection of
      STZ (55 mg/kg body weight) was used to induce hyperglycemia in male albino rats.
      MEGC (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg, p.o.) and SFGC (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg, p.o.) were
      administered to the diabetic rats daily for 14 days. The anti-diabetic drug
      gliclazide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a positive control. Blood samples were
      collected from overnight fasted rats for the evaluation of the antihyperglycemic,
      antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities. The levels of glucose,
      triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased
      significantly, whereas the levels of alpha-amylase, insulin and reduced
      glutathione (GSH) were decreased in the experimental diabetic rats. Pancreas and
      liver of the diabetic rats exhibited significant changes in the histopathology,
      morphology and DNA content. Administration of MEGC or SFGC led to a decrease in
      the levels of glucose, TG, TC and MDA. In addition, the levels of alpha-amylase,
      insulin and GSH were increased in MEGC and SFGC treated diabetic rats. Also, the
      histopathological and morphological changes, as well the changes in DNA were
      significantly reversed by the extracts. Thus, MEGC and SFGC exhibited potent
      hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities in STZ- induced diabetic rats. 

PMID- 27259230
TI  - Theranos phenomenon - part 4: Theranos at an International Conference.

PMID- 27259232
TI  - Characterization and use of HapT1-derived homologous tumors as a preclinical
      model to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of drugs against pancreatic tumor
      desmoplasia.
AB  - Desmoplasia in human pancreatic cancer (PC) promotes cancer progression and
      hinders effective drug delivery. The objectives of this study were to
      characterize a homologous orthotopic model of PC in Syrian golden hamster and
      investigate the effect of anti-fibrotic (pirfenidone), antioxidant (N-acetyl
      cysteine, NAC) and anti-addiction (disulfiram, DSF) drugs on desmoplasia and
      tumor growth in this model. The HapT1 PC cells when implanted orthotopically into
      hamsters formed tumors with morphological, cellular and molecular similarities to
      human PC. Protein profiling of activated hamster pancreatic stellate cells (ha
      PSCs) revealed expression of proteins involved in fibrosis, cancer cells growth
      and metastasis. Pirfenidone, suppressed growth of HapT1 cells and the
      desmoplastic response in vivo; these effects were enhanced by co-administration
      of NAC. Disulfiram alone or in combination with copper (Cu) was toxic to HapT1
      cells and PSCs in vitro; but co-administration of DSF and Cu accelerated growth
      of HapT1 cells in vivo. Moreover, DSF had no effect on tumor-associated
      desmoplasia. Overall, this study identifies HapT1-derived orthotopic tumors as a
      useful model to study desmoplasia and tumor-directed therapeutics in PC.
      Pirfenidone in combination with NAC could be a novel combination therapy for PC
      and warrants investigation in human subjects.

PMID- 27259231
TI  - Diagnostic value of microRNAs in asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma:
      systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asbestos is a harmful and exceptionally persistent natural material.
      Malignant mesothelioma (MM), an asbestos-related disease, is an insidious, lethal
      cancer that is poorly responsive to current treatments. Minimally invasive,
      specific, and sensitive biomarkers providing early and effective diagnosis in
      high-risk patients are urgently needed. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are endogenous,
      non-coding, small RNAs with established diagnostic value in cancer and pollution
      exposure. A systematic review and a qualitative meta-analysis were conducted to
      identify high-confidence miRNAs that can serve as biomarkers of asbestos exposure
      and MM. METHODS: The major biomedical databases were systematically searched for
      miRNA expression signatures related to asbestos exposure and MM. The qualitative
      meta-analysis applied a novel vote-counting method that takes into account
      multiple parameters. The most significant miRNAs thus identified were then
      subjected to functional and bioinformatic analysis to assess their biomarker
      potential. RESULTS: A pool of deregulated circulating and tissue miRNAs with
      biomarker potential for MM was identified and designated as "mesomiRs" (MM
      associated miRNAs). Comparison of data from asbestos-exposed and MM subjects
      found that the most promising candidates for a multimarker signature were
      circulating miR-126-3p, miR-103a-3p, and miR-625-3p in combination with
      mesothelin. The most consistently described tissue miRNAs, miR-16-5p, miR-126-3p,
      miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-192-5p, miR-193a-3p, miR-200b-3p, miR-203a-3p, and
      miR-652-3p, were also found to provide a diagnostic signature and should be
      further investigated as possible therapeutic targets. CONCLUSION: The qualitative
      meta-analysis and functional investigation confirmed the early diagnostic value
      of two miRNA signatures for MM. Large-scale, standardized validation studies are
      needed to assess their clinical relevance, so as to move from the workbench to
      the clinic.

PMID- 27259233
TI  - Rab25 acts as an oncogene in luminal B breast cancer and is causally associated
      with Snail driven EMT.
AB  - The Rab GTPases regulate vesicular trafficking machinery that transports and
      delivers a diverse pool of cargo, including growth factor receptors, integrins,
      nutrient receptors and junction proteins to specific intracellular sites. The
      trafficking machinery is indeed a major posttranslational modifier and is
      critical for cellular homeostasis. Deregulation of this stringently controlled
      system leads to a wide spectrum of disorders including cancer. Herein we
      demonstrate that Rab25, a key GTPase, mostly decorating the apical recycling
      endosome, is a dichotomous variable in breast cancer cell lines with higher mRNA
      and protein expression in Estrogen Receptor positive (ER+ve) lines. Rab25 and its
      effector, Rab Coupling Protein (RCP) are frequently coamplified and coordinately
      elevated in ER+ve breast cancers. In contrast, Rab25 levels are decreased in
      basal-like and almost completely lost in claudin-low tumors. This dichotomy
      exists despite the presence of the 1q amplicon that hosts Rab25 across breast
      cancer subtypes and is likely due to differential methylation of the Rab25
      promoter. Functionally, elevated levels of Rab25 drive major hallmarks of cancer
      including indefinite growth and metastasis but in case of luminal B breast cancer
      only. Importantly, in such ER+ve tumors, coexpression of Rab25 and its effector,
      RCP is significantly associated with a markedly worsened clinical outcome.
      Importantly, in claudin-low cell lines, exogenous Rab25 markedly inhibits cell
      migration. Similarly, during Snail-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition
      (EMT) exogenous Rab25 potently reverses Snail-driven invasion. Overall, this
      study substantiates a striking context dependent role of Rab25 in breast cancer
      where Rab25 is amplified and enhances aggressiveness in luminal B cancers while
      in claudin-low tumors, Rab25 is lost indicating possible anti-tumor functions.

PMID- 27259234
TI  - A novel arylbenzofuran induces cervical cancer cell apoptosis and G1/S arrest
      through ERK-mediated Cdk2/cyclin-A signaling pathway.
AB  - 7-hydroxy-5,4'-dimethoxy-2-arylbenzofuran (Ary) is purified from Livistona. It
      has been demonstrated to have anticancer activity to various tumors in including
      cervical cancer, but its mechanism is still unclear. In the present, we show that
      Ary induces cervical cancer cells apoptosis through mitochondria degradation and
      mediates cervical cancer cell arrest. Further, Ary-inducing cell cycle G1/S-phase
      arrest is associated with increased cyclin A2 and cyclin dependent kinase 2
      (Cdk2) proteins. Knockdown of cyclin A2 using small interfering RNA (siRNA), and
      inhibiting Cdk2 activity with flavopiridol, strikingly reduced G1/S-phase arrest.
      Moreover, Ary sustainedly induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal
      regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2). And ERK1/2 phosphorylation inhibition using
      specific inhibitor U0126 effectively suppressed cyclin A2 expression, and reduced
      G1/S-phase arrest induced by Ary. All the experiments in vitro and in vivo
      verified that Ary has an anticancer effect on cervical cancer. These data provide
      novel evidences that Ary induces cervical cancer cells apoptosis through
      mitochondria degradation and cell G1/S-phase arrest. These findings also suggest
      that ERK-mediated Cdk2/cyclin A signaling pathway is involved in Ary-induced G1/S
      phase arrest.

PMID- 27259235
TI  - Germline BRCA1 mutation reprograms breast epithelial cell metabolism towards
      mitochondrial-dependent biosynthesis: evidence for metformin-based "starvation"
      strategies in BRCA1 carriers.
AB  - We hypothesized that women inheriting one germline mutation of the BRCA1 gene
      ("one-hit") undergo cell-type-specific metabolic reprogramming that supports the
      high biosynthetic requirements of breast epithelial cells to progress to a fully
      malignant phenotype. Targeted metabolomic analysis was performed in isogenic
      pairs of nontumorigenic human breast epithelial cells in which the knock-in of
      185delAG mutation in a single BRCA1 allele leads to genomic instability. Mutant
      BRCA1 one-hit epithelial cells displayed constitutively enhanced activation of
      biosynthetic nodes within mitochondria. This metabolic rewiring involved the
      increased incorporation of glutamine- and glucose-dependent carbon into
      tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolite pools to ultimately generate elevated
      levels of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA, the major building blocks for lipid
      biosynthesis. The significant increase of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)
      including the anabolic trigger leucine, which can not only promote protein
      translation via mTOR but also feed into the TCA cycle via succinyl-CoA, further
      underscored the anabolic reprogramming of BRCA1 haploinsufficient cells. The anti
      diabetic biguanide metformin "reversed" the metabolomic signature and anabolic
      phenotype of BRCA1 one-hit cells by shutting down mitochondria-driven generation
      of precursors for lipogenic pathways and reducing the BCAA pool for protein
      synthesis and TCA fueling. Metformin-induced restriction of mitochondrial
      biosynthetic capacity was sufficient to impair the tumor-initiating capacity of
      BRCA1 one-hit cells in mammosphere assays. Metabolic rewiring of the breast
      epithelium towards increased anabolism might constitute an unanticipated and
      inherited form of metabolic reprogramming linked to increased risk of oncogenesis
      in women bearing pathogenic germline BRCA1 mutations. The ability of metformin to
      constrain the production of mitochondrial-dependent biosynthetic intermediates
      might open a new avenue for "starvation" chemopreventive strategies in BRCA1
      carriers.

PMID- 27259236
TI  - JARID2 promotes invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by
      facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal transition through PTEN/AKT signaling.
AB  - JARID2 is crucial for maintenance of pluripotency and differentiation of
      embryonic stem cells. However, little is known about the role of JARID2 in
      metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study found that JARID2
      expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues than that in adjacent non
      tumor liver tissues (ANLTs), and its expression level correlated with HCC
      metastasis. High JARID2 expression was significantly correlated with multiple
      tumor nodules, high Edmondson-Steiner grade, microvascular invasion, advanced TNM
      stage and advanced BCLC stage (all P < 0.05) and indicated poor prognosis of HCC
      in training and validation cohorts (all P < 0.05) totaling 182 patients. High
      JARID2 expression was an independent and significant risk factor for disease-free
      survival (DFS; P = 0.017) and overall survival (OS; P = 0.041) after curative
      liver resection in training cohort, and also validated as an independent and
      significant risk factor for DFS (P = 0.033) and OS (P = 0.031) in validation
      cohort. Moreover, down-regulation of JARID2 dramatically inhibited HCC cell
      migration, invasion, proliferation in vitro and metastasis in vivo, whereas
      overexpression of JARID2 significantly increased migration, invasion,
      proliferation in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, the data showed
      that JARID2 exerted its function by repressing PTEN expression through increasing
      H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) at PTEN promoter region, which subsequently
      resulted in activation of protein kinase B (AKT) and enhanced epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT). In conclusion, this study revealed that JARID2
      promotes invasion and metastasis of HCC by facilitating EMT through PTEN/AKT
      signaling.

PMID- 27259237
TI  - In-depth mapping of the mouse brain N-glycoproteome reveals widespread N
      glycosylation of diverse brain proteins.
AB  - N-glycosylation is one of the most prominent and abundant posttranslational
      modifications of proteins. It is estimated that over 50% of mammalian proteins
      undergo glycosylation. However, the analysis of N-glycoproteins has been limited
      by the available analytical technology. In this study, we comprehensively mapped
      the N-glycosylation sites in the mouse brain proteome by combining complementary
      methods, which included seven protease treatments, four enrichment techniques and
      two fractionation strategies. Altogether, 13492 N-glycopeptides containing 8386 N
      glycosylation sites on 3982 proteins were identified. After evaluating the
      performance of the above methods, we proposed a simple and efficient workflow for
      large-scale N-glycosylation site mapping. The optimized workflow yielded 80% of
      the initially identified N-glycosylation sites with considerably less effort.
      Analysis of the identified N-glycoproteins revealed that many of the mouse brain
      proteins are N-glycosylated, including those proteins in critical pathways for
      nervous system development and neurological disease. Additionally, several
      important biomarkers of various diseases were found to be N-glycosylated. These
      data confirm that N-glycosylation is important in both physiological and
      pathological processes in the brain, and provide useful details about numerous N
      glycosylation sites in brain proteins.

PMID- 27259238
TI  - miRNA-337-3p inhibits gastric cancer progression through repressing myeloid zinc
      finger 1-facilitated expression of matrix metalloproteinase 14.
AB  - Matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP-14), a membrane-anchored MMP that promotes the
      tumorigenesis and aggressiveness, is highly expressed in gastric cancer. However,
      the transcriptional regulators of MMP-14 expression in gastric cancer still
      remain largely unknown. In this study, through mining computational algorithm
      programs and chromatin immunoprecipitation datasets, we identified adjacent
      binding sites of myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) and miRNA-337-3p (miR-337-3p)
      within the MMP-14 promoter. We demonstrated that MZF1 directly bound to the MMP
      14 promoter to facilitate its nascent transcription and expression in gastric
      cancer cell lines. In contrast, endogenous miR-337-3p suppressed the MMP-14
      expression through recognizing its binding site within MMP-14 promoter.
      Mechanistically, miR-337-3p repressed the binding of MZF1 to MMP-14 promoter via
      recruiting Argonaute 2 and inducing repressive chromatin remodeling. Gain- and
      loss-of-function studies demonstrated that miR-337-3p suppressed the growth,
      invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in
      vivo through repressing MZF1-facilitated MMP-14 expression. In clinical specimens
      and cell lines of gastric cancer, MZF1 was highly expressed and positively
      correlated with MMP-14 expression. Meanwhile, miR-337-3p was under-expressed and
      inversely correlated with MMP-14 levels. miR-337-3p was an independent prognostic
      factor for favorable outcome of gastric cancer, and patients with high MZF1 or
      MMP-14 expression had lower survival probability. Taken together, these data
      indicate that miR-337-3p directly binds to the MMP-14 promoter to repress MZF1
      facilitatd MMP-14 expression, thus suppressing the progression of gastric cancer.

PMID- 27259240
TI  - Interaction of DNA demethylase and histone methyltransferase upregulates Nrf2 in
      5-fluorouracil-resistant colon cancer cells.
AB  - We recently reported that DNA demethylase ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1)
      upregulates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in 5-fluorouracil
      resistant colon cancer cells (SNUC5/5-FUR). In the present study, we examined the
      effect of histone modifications on Nrf2 transcriptional activation. Histone
      deacetylase (HDAC) and histone acetyltransferase (HAT) were respectively
      decreased and increased in SNUC5/5-FUR cells as compared to non-resistant parent
      cells. Mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL), a histone methyltransferase, was
      upregulated, leading to increased trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4, while
      G9a was downregulated, leading to decreased dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9.
      siRNA-mediated MLL knockdown decreased levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 to a greater
      extent than did silencing HAT1. Host cell factor 1 (HCF1) was upregulated in
      SNUC5/5-FUR cells, and we observed interaction between HCF1 and MLL. Upregulation
      of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), an activator of HCF1, was also associated with
      HCF1-MLL interaction. In SNUC5/5-FUR cells, a larger fraction of OGT was bound to
      TET1, which recruits OGT to the Nrf2 promoter region, than in SNUC5 cells. These
      findings indicate that SNUC5/5-FUR cells are under oxidative stress, which
      induces expression of histone methylation-related proteins as well as DNA
      demethylase, leading to upregulation of Nrf2 and 5-FU resistance.

PMID- 27259239
TI  - Candidate genes and pathways downstream of PAX8 involved in ovarian high-grade
      serous carcinoma.
AB  - Understanding the biology and molecular pathogenesis of ovarian epithelial cancer
      (EOC) is key to developing improved diagnostic and prognostic indicators and
      effective therapies. Although research has traditionally focused on the
      hypothesis that high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) arises from the ovarian
      surface epithelium (OSE), recent studies suggest that additional sites of origin
      exist and a substantial proportion of cases may arise from precursor lesions
      located in the Fallopian tubal epithelium (FTE). In FTE cells, the transcription
      factor PAX8 is a marker of the secretory cell lineage and its expression is
      retained in 96% of EOC. We have recently reported that PAX8 is involved in the
      tumorigenic phenotype of ovarian cancer cells. In this study, to uncover genes
      and pathways downstream of PAX8 involved in ovarian carcinoma we have determined
      the molecular profiles of ovarian cancer cells and in parallel of Fallopian tube
      epithelial cells by means of a silencing approach followed by an RNA-seq
      analysis. Interestingly, we highlighted the involvement of pathways like WNT
      signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, p53 and apoptosis. We believe that
      our analysis has led to the identification of candidate genes and pathways
      regulated by PAX8 that could be additional targets for the therapy of ovarian
      carcinoma.

PMID- 27259241
TI  - Comparative evaluation of three proliferation markers, Ki-67, TOP2A, and RacGAP1,
      in bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms: Issues and prospects.
AB  - The classification of bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms (BP-NEN) into
      four tumor entities (typical carcinoids (TC), atypical carcinoids (AC), small
      cell lung cancers (SCLC), large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinomas (LCNEC)) is
      difficult to perform accurately, but important for prognostic statements and
      therapeutic management decisions. In this regard, we compared the expression of
      three proliferation markers, Ki-67, Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A), and RacGAP1,
      in a series of tumor samples from 104 BP-NEN patients (24 TC, 21 AC, 52 SCLC, 7
      LCNEC) using different evaluation methods (immunohistochemistry (IHC): Average
      evaluation, Hotspot evaluation, digital image analysis; RT-qPCR).The results
      indicated that all three markers had increased protein and mRNA expression with
      poorer differentiation and correlated well with each other, as well as with
      grading, staging, and poor survival. Compared with Ki-67 and TOP2A, RacGAP1
      allowed for a clearer prognostic statement. The cut-off limits obtained for Ki-67
      Average (IHC) were TC-AC 1.5, AC-SCLC 19, and AC-LCNEC 23.5. The Hotspot
      evaluation generated equal to higher, the digital image analysis generally lower
      between-entity cut-off limits.All three markers enabled a clear-cut
      differentiation between the BP-NEN entities, and all methods evaluated were
      suitable for marker assessment. However, to define optimal cut-off limits, the Ki
      67 evaluation methods should be standardized. RacGAP1 appeared to be a new marker
      with great potential.

PMID- 27259242
TI  - Setup uncertainties for inter-fractional head and neck cancer in radiotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the inter-fractional motion of
      cervical spine in radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven localized head
      and neck cancer patients who were treated from April 2014 to September 2015 were
      evaluated. Every patient underwent 3 times of computed tomography (CT) simulation
      with equivalent setting. Left-right (LR, x) and antero-posterior (AP, z)
      directional shift of cervical spine were evaluated using 33 number of CT image.
      In regard to random error, geometric changes were evaluated by 22 data set
      (compared the first obtained CT to second or third CT) by one-sample T test.
      Systemic error was evaluated by each patients' data set (11 pairs) by paired T
      test. RESULTS: The mean random error of LR and AP translational shift of cervical
      spine were -0.39 +/- 3.24 mm and -0.57 +/- 0.99 mm respectively. The mean random
      error of translational change of AP direction showed statistical significance (p
      = 0.014). The mean random error of x and z rotational shift were -0.07 +/- 0.29
      degrees  and -0.05 +/- 0.35 degrees , respectively. The mean systemic error of
      translational shift of LR and AP direction were -0.64 +/- 2.57 mm and -0.33 +/-
      1.22 mm, respectively. The mean systemic error of rotational shift of x and z
      were 0.01 +/- 0.18 degrees  and -0.27 +/- 0.33 degrees , respectively. The mean
      systemic error of rotational changes of z direction showed statistical difference
      (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: We have to be aware of the inter-fractional motion of
      cervical spine in head and neck RT and give enough margins in RT planning.

PMID- 27259243
TI  - Estrogen receptor alpha inhibits senescence-like phenotype and facilitates
      transformation induced by oncogenic ras in human mammary epithelial cells.
AB  - Exposure to estrogen has long been associated with an increased risk of
      developing breast cancer. However, how estrogen signaling promotes breast
      carcinogenesis remains elusive. Senescence is known as an important protective
      response to oncogenic events. We aimed to elucidate the role of estrogen receptor
      alpha (ERalpha) on senescence in transformed human mammary epithelial cells and
      breast cancer cells. Our results show that ectopic expression of oncoprotein H
      ras-V12 in immortalized human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) significantly
      inhibited the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and increased
      the activity of the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal). These
      senescence-like phenotypes were reversed by ectopic expression of ERalpha.
      Similar inhibition of the H-ras-V12-induced SA-beta-Gal activity by ERalpha was
      also observed in the human mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells. Co-expression of
      ERalpha and H-ras-V12 resulted in HMEC anchorage-independent growth in vitro and
      tumor formation in vivo. Furthermore, inhibition of ERalpha expression induced
      senescence-like phenotypes in ERalpha positive human breast cancer cells such as
      increased activity of SA-beta-Gal, decreased phosphorylation of RB, and loss of
      mitogenic activity. Thus, the suppression of cellular senescence induced by
      oncogenic signals may be a major mechanism by which ERalpha promotes breast
      carcinogenesis.

PMID- 27259244
TI  - Careful neuropsychological testing reveals a novel genetic marker, GSTO1*C,
      linked to the pre-stage of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Approximately 30 million people currently suffer from late-onset Alzheimer's
      disease (LOAD) worldwide. Twin studies demonstrated that 60 to 80% of LOAD is
      genetically determined, 20% of which remaining unassigned. This case-control
      study included 118 cognitively healthy controls, 52 patients with mild cognitive
      impairment (MCI; the pre-stage of LOAD) and 71 LOAD patients. The participants
      were genotyped for the genetic LOAD marker apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) and the
      single-nucleotide polymorphism rs4925 in glutathione S-transferase omega-1
      (GSTO1). Additive logistic regression showed a novel, statistically significant
      association of the major allele GSTO1*C with MCI (OR1.9; p = 0.032). However,
      identification of significant SNP-disease relations required well-defined study
      groups. When classifying participants solely by the short Mini Mental State
      examination (MMSE), the associations of GSTO1*C and the reference marker APOE4
      with MCI were cancelled. Moreover, even identifying only the control group by
      MMSE nullified a statistically significant association (OR1.8; p = 0.045) between
      GSTO1*C and LOAD. In contrast, these statistical relations were retained when the
      detailed Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-Plus)
      test battery was used. Hence, besides proposing rs4925 as a genetic marker for
      cognitive impairment, this work also emphasized the importance of carefully
      characterized controls in addition to well-diagnosed patients in case-control
      studies.

PMID- 27259246
TI  - The impact of 177Lu-octreotide therapy on 99mTc-MAG3 clearance is not predictive
      for late nephropathy.
AB  - Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) for the treatment of neuroendocrine
      tumors may lead to kidney deterioration. This study aimed to evaluate the
      suitability of 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (99mTc--MAG3) clearance for the
      early detection of PRRT-induced changes on tubular extraction (TE). TE rate (TER)
      was measured prior to 128 PRRT cycles (7.6+/-0.4 GBq 177Lu-octreotate/octreotide
      each) in 32 patients. TER reduction during PRRT was corrected for age-related
      decrease and analyzed for the potential to predict loss of glomerular filtration
      (GF). The GF rate (GFR) as measure for renal function was derived from serum
      creatinine. The mean TER was 234 +/- 53 ml/min/1.73 m2 before PRRT (baseline) and
      221 +/- 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 after a median follow-up of 370 days. The age-corrected
      decrease (mean: -3%, range: -27% to +19%) did not reach significance (p=0.09) but
      significantly correlated with the baseline TER (Spearman p=-0.62, p<0.001).
      Patients with low baseline TER showed an improved TER after PRRT, high decreases
      were only observed in individuals with high baseline TER. Pre-therapeutic TER
      data were inferior to plasma creatinine-derived GFR estimates in predicting late
      nephropathy. TER assessed by 99mTc-MAG3-clearance prior to and during PRRT is not
      suitable as early predictor of renal injury and an increased risk for late
      nephropathy.

PMID- 27259245
TI  - A novel HSP90 inhibitor with reduced hepatotoxicity synergizes with radiotherapy
      to induce apoptosis, abrogate clonogenic survival, and improve tumor control in
      models of colorectal cancer.
AB  - The chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) crucially supports the maturation,
      folding, and stability of a variety of client proteins which are of pivotal
      importance for the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Consequently,
      targeting of HSP90 has emerged as an attractive strategy of anti-cancer therapy,
      and it appears to be particularly effective in the context of molecular
      sensitization towards radiotherapy as has been proven in preclinical models of
      different cancer entities. However, so far the clinical translation has largely
      been hampered by suboptimal pharmacological properties and serious hepatotoxicity
      of first- and second-generation HSP90 inhibitors. Here, we report on NW457, a
      novel radicicol-derived member of the pochoxime family with reduced
      hepatotoxicity, how it inhibits the DNA damage response and how it synergizes
      with ionizing irradiation to induce apoptosis, abrogate clonogenic survival, and
      improve tumor control in models of colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 27259248
TI  - Study of single nucleotide polymorphisms of FBW7 and its substrate genes revealed
      a predictive factor for paclitaxel plus cisplatin chemotherapy in Chinese
      patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Paclitaxel plays a major role in the treatment of advanced esophageal squamous
      cell carcinoma. However, there is no biomarker that could be used to predict the
      clinical response of paclitaxel. This work was conducted to investigate the
      association of genetic polymorphisms in FBW7 and its substrate genes and the
      clinical response of paclitaxel. Patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell
      carcinoma were treated with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3 hours day 1 and cisplatin
      75 mg/m2 day 1, every 3 weeks. The genotypes of 11 FBW7 and its substrate gene
      polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment
      length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Statistical analysis revealed that
      patients with mTOR rs1057079 AG (ORadjusted: 4.59; 95% CI: 1.78-11.86) genotype
      had significant correlation with the clinical response of paclitaxel when
      compared with AA genotype after adjustment for sex, age, and chemotherapy cycle.
      The median progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with advanced ESCC who
      received paclitaxel plus cisplatin (TP) as first-line treatment is 14.3 months
      (95% CI: 9.0-19.60 months). The median PFS (mPFS) of AG genotypes and AA
      genotypes in mTOR rs1057079 were 17.31 months (95% CI: 15.9-18.67 months) and 9.8
      months (95% CI: 8.58-11.02 months) (p=0.019), respectively.

PMID- 27259247
TI  - Positive and negative early life experiences differentially modulate long term
      survival and amyloid protein levels in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Stress has been implicated as a risk factor for the severity and progression of
      sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Early life experiences determine stress
      responsivity in later life, and modulate age-dependent cognitive decline.
      Therefore, we examined whether early life experiences influence AD outcome in a
      bigenic mouse model which progressively develops combined tau and amyloid
      pathology (biAT mice).Mice were subjected to either early life stress (ELS) or to
      'positive' early handling (EH) postnatally (from day 2 to 9). In biAT mice, ELS
      significantly compromised long term survival, in contrast to EH which increased
      life expectancy. In 4 month old mice, ELS-reared biAT mice displayed increased
      hippocampal Abeta levels, while these levels were reduced in EH-reared biAT mice.
      No effects of ELS or EH were observed on the brain levels of APP, protein tau, or
      PSD-95. Dendritic morphology was moderately affected after ELS and EH in the
      amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, while object recognition memory and open
      field performance were not affected. We conclude that despite the strong
      transgenic background, early life experiences significantly modulate the life
      expectancy of biAT mice. Parallel changes in hippocampal Abeta levels were
      evident, without affecting cognition of young adult biAT mice.

PMID- 27259250
TI  - Long noncoding RNA GAPLINC promotes invasion in colorectal cancer by targeting
      SNAI2 through binding with PSF and NONO.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the
      metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Metastasis is an important prognostic
      factor of CRC, and lncRNAs have been implicated in tumor proliferation and
      metastasis. The human CRC cell lines HCT116, HT29, SW480, DLD-1, and SW620 were
      used in the study. Genome-wide lncRNA expression patterns in metastatic lymph
      nodes compared with paired normal lymph nodes of CRC were assessed by microarray
      analysis. Gastric adenocarcinoma predictive long intergenic noncoding (GAPLINC)
      RNA was detected via functional prediction. The increased expression of GAPLINC
      was found to be positively correlated with larger tumor size, advanced tumor
      stage (T stage), advanced node stage (N stage), increased death, and shorter
      survival of patients with CRC by in situ hybridization analysis. Besides, the
      decreased expression of GAPLINC could significantly repress CRC cell invasion in
      vitro and also inhibit proliferation in vitro and in vivo. RNA pull-down with
      mass spectrum experiments revealed that PTB-associated splicing factor (PSF) and
      non-POU-domain-containing octamer-binding (NONO) protein bound to GAPLINC and
      reversed the effect of GAPLINC on cell invasion. Gene array and bioinformatics
      analyses identified that snail family zinc finger 2 (SNAI2) was involved in the
      biological processes of GAPLINC/PSF/NONO. This study indicated the importance of
      GAPLINC in promoting CRC invasion via binding to PSF/NONO and partly by
      stimulating the expression of SNAI2. Hence, GAPLINC may serve as a promising
      target for CRC diagnosis and therapy. The findings may help in developing a novel
      therapeutic strategy for patients with CRC.

PMID- 27259249
TI  - Extracellular matrix-specific Caveolin-1 phosphorylation on tyrosine 14 is linked
      to augmented melanoma metastasis but not tumorigenesis.
AB  - Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is a scaffolding protein that plays a dual role in cancer. In
      advanced stages of this disease, CAV1 expression in tumor cells is associated
      with enhanced metastatic potential, while, at earlier stages, CAV1 functions as a
      tumor suppressor. We recently implicated CAV1 phosphorylation on tyrosine 14
      (Y14) in CAV1-enhanced cell migration. However, the contribution of this
      modification to the dual role of CAV1 in cancer remained unexplored. Here, we
      used in vitro [2D and transendothelial cell migration (TEM), invasion] and in
      vivo (metastasis) assays, as well as genetic and biochemical approaches to
      address this question in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. CAV1 promoted directional
      migration on fibronectin or laminin, two abundant lung extracellular matrix (ECM)
      components, which correlated with enhanced Y14 phosphorylation during spreading.
      Moreover, CAV1-driven migration, invasion, TEM and metastasis were ablated by
      expression of the phosphorylation null CAV1(Y14F), but not the phosphorylation
      mimicking CAV1(Y14E) mutation. Finally, CAV1-enhanced focal adhesion dynamics and
      surface expression of beta1 integrin were required for CAV1-driven TEM.
      Importantly, CAV1 function as a tumor suppressor in tumor formation assays was
      not altered by the Y14F mutation. In conclusion, our results provide critical
      insight to the mechanisms of CAV1 action during cancer development. Specific ECM
      integrin interactions and Y14 phosphorylation are required for CAV1-enhanced
      melanoma cell migration, invasion and metastasis to the lung. Because Y14F
      mutation diminishes metastasis without inhibiting the tumor suppressor function
      of CAV1, Y14 phosphorylation emerges as an attractive therapeutic target to
      prevent metastasis without altering beneficial traits of CAV1.

PMID- 27259251
TI  - The isopeptidase inhibitor 2cPE triggers proteotoxic stress and ATM activation in
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.
AB  - Relapse after treatment is a common and unresolved problem for patients suffering
      of the B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Here we investigated the
      ability of the isopeptidase inhibitor 2cPE to trigger apoptosis in leukemia cells
      in comparison with bortezomib, another inhibitor of the ubiquitin-proteasome
      system (UPS). Both inhibitors trigger apoptosis in CLL B cells and gene
      expression profiles studies denoted how a substantial part of genes up-regulated
      by these compounds are elements of adaptive responses, aimed to sustain cell
      survival. 2cPE treatment elicits the up-regulation of chaperones, proteasomal
      subunits and elements of the anti-oxidant response. Selective inhibition of these
      responses augments apoptosis in response to 2cPE treatment. We have also observed
      that the product of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene (ATM) is activated in
      2cPE treated cells. Stimulation of ATM signaling is possibly dependent on the
      alteration of the redox homeostasis. Importantly ATM inhibition, mutations or
      down-modulation increase cell death in response to 2cPE. Overall this work
      suggests that 2cPE could offer new opportunities for the treatment of B-CLL.

PMID- 27259252
TI  - Virus-stimulated neutrophils in the tumor microenvironment enhance T cell
      mediated anti-tumor immunity.
AB  - The tumor microenvironment (TME) fosters tumors by attenuating anti-tumor
      immunity, reinforcing tumor cell survival and increasing angiogenesis. Among the
      constituents of the TME, here, we focused on tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs).
      First, we found that the combination of poly I:C and inactivated Sendai virus
      particles (hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope; HVJ-E) synergistically
      suppressed tumor growth in the B16-F10 melanoma mouse model. In this model, poly
      I:C contributed to the recruitment of CD11b+Ly6G+ neutrophils to the TME, and co
      injection of poly I:C and HVJ-E increased CD11b+Ly6G+FAS+ TAN in the TME.
      Depletion of neutrophils abolished the synergistic anti-tumor effect of HVJ-E and
      poly I:C in B16-F10 tumors. We revealed that C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2
      (CXCL2) is produced in the TME by poly I:C, but HVJ-E enhanced neutrophil
      infiltration of the TME does not occur. An anti-CXCL2 antibody inhibited the
      tumor suppression by HVJ-E+poly I:C. HVJ-E in combination with recombinant CXCL2
      protein or CXCL2 pDNA suppressed mouse melanoma by increasing cytotoxic T
      lymphocyte activity against B16-F10 melanoma, which was abolished by an anti-Ly6G
      antibody. HVJ-E directly and indirectly increased FAS and ICAM-1 expression in
      cultured bone marrow-derived naive neutrophils. Thus, HVJ-E activates anti-tumor
      immunity via anti-tumorigenic neutrophils in the TME. An HVJ-E vector containing
      the CXCL2 gene may be applicable as a novel cancer gene therapy strategy.

PMID- 27259253
TI  - HMGA2 sustains self-renewal and invasiveness of glioma-initiating cells.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of brain tumors with dismal
      outcomes. The mesenchymal phenotype is the hallmark of tumor aggressiveness in
      GBMs. Perivascular smooth muscle cells (pericytes) are essential in homeostasis
      of normal and glioma tissues. Here we found HMGA2, an architectural transcription
      factor that promotes mesenchymal phenotypes in a number of solid tumors, is
      highly expressed in mesenchymal subtype of GBMs and labels both glioma pericytes
      and glioma-initiating cells (GICs). Accordingly, depletion of HMGA2 in GICs
      resulted in compromised self-renewal and tumorigenic capability, as well as
      undermined mesenchymal or pericyte differentiation. We further showed HMGA2
      allows expressions of FOXM1 and PLAU to maintain GIC propagation, gliomagenesis
      and aggressiveness both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, suppressing HMGA2
      mediated GIC self-renewal and invasiveness might be a promising means to treat
      GBMs.

PMID- 27259254
TI  - Lactic acidosis switches cancer cells from aerobic glycolysis back to dominant
      oxidative phosphorylation.
AB  - While transformation of normal cells to cancer cells is accompanied with a switch
      from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to aerobic glycolysis, it is interesting
      to ask if cancer cells can revert from Warburg effect to OXPHOS. Our previous
      works suggested that cancer cells reverted to OXPHOS, when they were exposed to
      lactic acidosis, a common factor in tumor environment. However, the conclusion
      cannot be drawn unless ATP output from glycolysis and OXPHOS is quantitatively
      determined. Here we quantitatively measured ATP generation from glycolysis and
      OXPHOS in 9 randomly selected cancer cell lines. Without lactic acidosis,
      glycolysis and OXPHOS generated 23.7% - 52.2 % and 47.8% - 76.3% of total ATP,
      respectively; with lactic acidosis (20 mM lactate with pH 6.7), glycolysis and
      OXPHOS provided 5.7% - 13.4% and 86.6% - 94.3% of total ATP. We concluded that
      cancer cells under lactic acidosis reverted from Warburg effect to OXPHOS
      phenotype.

PMID- 27259255
TI  - High expression of galectin-7 associates with poor overall survival in patients
      with non-metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Galectin-7, has a controversial role in tumor progression, can either
      suppress tumor growth or induce chemoresistance depends on different tumor
      histology types. The aim was to appraise Galectin-7 expression on the overall
      survival (OS) of patients with non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma
      (ccRCC) following surgery. RESULTS: High galectin-7 expression was specifically
      correlated with necrosis (P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis confirmed galectin-7
      as an independent prognosticator for OS (P = 0.005). High galectin-7 expression
      suggested poor OS (P < 0.001), particularly with UISS intermediate and high score
      groups. Notably, the predictive accuracy of the traditional prognostic scores was
      improved when combined with galectin-7 expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively enrolled 416 patients who underwent nephrectomy at a single
      institute between 2008 and 2009 and detected their intratumor galectin-7
      expression by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier method was conducted to plot
      survival curves and multivariate cox regression analysis for potential
      independent prognostic factors on OS. A nomogram was constructed with concordance
      index (C-index) and Akaike's Information Criteria (AIC) to appraise prognostic
      accuracy of different models. CONCLUSIONS: High galectin-7 expression is an
      independent adverse predictor for survival. Evaluation of galectin-7 could help
      guide postsurgical management for non-metastatic ccRCC patients.

PMID- 27259257
TI  - Ubiquitin specific peptidase 21 regulates interleukin-8 expression, stem-cell
      like property of human renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - USP family proteins play essential roles in cancer cell proliferation and
      apoptosis and represent as candidate targets for cancer therapeutics. However,
      the effects and underlying mechanism of USP21 on renal cell carcinomas (RCC)
      remain unclear. In the present study, we investigate the effects of USP21 on
      proliferation, invasion and cancer stem cells (CSCs) property of RCC cell lines.
      As a result, siRNA-mediated depletion of USP21 inhibits cell proliferation,
      invasion ability and decreases the CSCs percentage of RCC cell lines.
      Complementarily, forced expression of USP21 leads to increase of tumorigenic
      properties. In addition, CSCs properties assessed by sphere formation assays
      demonstrated that depletion of USP21 impair the self-renewal capability of CSCs.
      Furthermore, decrease USP21 levels is associated with repression of interleukin 8
      (IL-8), a chemokine that regulates CSCs characteristics in RCC. Mechanistically,
      USP21 binds to the promoter region of IL-8 and mediates transcriptional
      initiation. These data suggest that USP21/IL-8 could be a pair of the critical
      molecular targets for the development of therapeutic strategies for RCC.

PMID- 27259258
TI  - Multi-kinase inhibitors interact with sildenafil and ERBB1/2/4 inhibitors to kill
      tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - We have recently demonstrated that multi-kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib and
      pazopanib can suppress the detection of chaperones by in situ immuno
      fluorescence, which is further enhanced by phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors.
      Sorafenib and pazopanib inhibited the HSP90 ATPase activity with IC50 values of
      ~1.0 MUM and ~75 nM, respectively. Pazopanib docked in silico with two possible
      poses into the HSP90 ATP binding pocket. Pazopanib and sildenafil combined to
      reduce the total protein levels of HSP1H/p105 and c-MYC and to reduce their co
      localization. Sorafenib/pazopanib combined with sildenafil in a [GRP78+HSP27] 
      dependent fashion to: (i) profoundly activate an eIF2alpha/Beclin1 pathway; (ii)
      profoundly inactivate mTOR and increase ATG13 phosphorylation, collectively
      resulting in the formation of toxic autophagosomes. In a fresh PDX isolate of
      NSCLC combined knock down of [ERBB1+ERBB3] or use of the ERBB1/2/4 inhibitor
      afatinib altered cell morphology, enhanced ATG13 phosphorylation, inactivated
      NFkappaB, and further enhanced [sorafenib/pazopanib + sildenafil] lethality.
      Identical data to that with afatinib were obtained knocking down PI3K
      p110alpha/beta or using buparlisib, copanlisib or the specific p110alpha
      inhibitor BYL719. Afatinib adapted NSCLC clones were resistant to buparlisib or
      copanlisib but were more sensitive than control clones to [sorafenib +
      sildenafil] or [pazopanib + sildenafil]. Lapatinib significantly enhanced the
      anti-tumor effect of [regorafenib + sildenafil] in vivo; afatinib and BYL719
      enhanced the anti-tumor effects of [sorafenib + sildenafil] and [pazopanib] in
      vivo, respectively.

PMID- 27259259
TI  - Quantitative in vivo optical tomography of cancer progression & vasculature
      development in adult zebrafish.
AB  - We describe a novel approach to study tumour progression and vasculature
      development in vivo via global 3-D fluorescence imaging of live non-pigmented
      adult zebrafish utilising angularly multiplexed optical projection tomography
      with compressive sensing (CS-OPT). This "mesoscopic" imaging method bridges a gap
      between established ~MUm resolution 3-D fluorescence microscopy techniques and
      ~mm-resolved whole body planar imaging and diffuse tomography. Implementing
      angular multiplexing with CS-OPT, we demonstrate the in vivo global imaging of an
      inducible fluorescently labelled genetic model of liver cancer in adult non
      pigmented zebrafish that also present fluorescently labelled vasculature. In this
      disease model, addition of a chemical inducer (doxycycline) drives expression of
      eGFP tagged oncogenic K-RASV12 in the liver of immune competent animals. We show
      that our novel in vivo global imaging methodology enables non-invasive
      quantitative imaging of the development of tumour and vasculature throughout the
      progression of the disease, which we have validated against established methods
      of pathology including immunohistochemistry. We have also demonstrated its
      potential for longitudinal imaging through a study of vascular development in the
      same zebrafish from early embryo to adulthood. We believe that this instrument,
      together with its associated analysis and data management tools, constitute a new
      platform for in vivo cancer studies and drug discovery in zebrafish disease
      models.

PMID- 27259260
TI  - ATM protein is deficient in over 40% of lung adenocarcinomas.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the USA and
      worldwide, and of the estimated 1.2 million new cases of lung cancer diagnosed
      every year, over 30% are lung adenocarcinomas. The backbone of 1st-line systemic
      therapy in the metastatic setting, in the absence of an actionable oncogenic
      driver, is platinum-based chemotherapy. ATM and ATR are DNA damage signaling
      kinases activated at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and stalled and collapsed
      replication forks, respectively. ATM protein is lost in a number of cancer cell
      lines and ATR kinase inhibitors synergize with cisplatin to resolve xenograft
      models of ATM-deficient lung cancer. We therefore sought to determine the
      frequency of ATM loss in a tissue microarray (TMA) of lung adenocarcinoma. Here
      we report the validation of a commercial antibody (ab32420) for the
      identification of ATM by immunohistochemistry and estimate that 61 of 147 (41%,
      95% CI 34%-50%) cases of lung adenocarcinoma are negative for ATM protein
      expression. As a positive control for ATM staining, nuclear ATM protein was
      identified in stroma and immune infiltrate in all evaluable cases. ATM loss in
      lung adenocarcinoma was not associated with overall survival. However, our
      preclinical findings in ATM-deficient cell lines suggest that ATM could be a
      predictive biomarker for synergy of an ATR kinase inhibitor with standard-of-care
      cisplatin. This could improve clinical outcome in 100,000's of patients with ATM
      deficient lung adenocarcinoma every year.

PMID- 27259261
TI  - CDH1 rs9929218 variant at 16q22.1 contributes to colorectal cancer
      susceptibility.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer. Large-scale genome-wide
      association studies (GWAS) have been performed and reported some novel CRC
      susceptibility variants in European ancestry including the CDH1 rs9929218.
      Following GWAS and candidate studies evaluated the association between the CDH1
      rs9929218 polymorphism and CRC in European, Asian and American populations.
      However, these studies reported inconsistent associations. Evidence shows that
      rs9929218 may regulate different gene expressions in different human tissues.
      Here, we reevaluated this association using large-scale samples from 16 studies
      (n=131768) using a meta-analysis method. In heterogeneity test, we did not
      identify significant heterogeneity among these studies. Meta-analysis using fixed
      effect model showed significant association between rs9929218 and CRC (P=6.16E
      21, odds ratio (OR) =0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91-0.94). In order to
      validate the effect of rs9929218 variant on CDH1 expression, we further performed
      a functional analysis using two large-scale expression datasets. We identified
      significant regulation relation between rs9929218 variant and the expression of
      CDH1, ZFP90, RP11-354M1.2 and MCOLN2 by both cis-effect and trans-effect. In
      summary, our analysis highlights significant association between rs9929218
      polymorphism and CRC susceptibility.

PMID- 27259262
TI  - MLLT11/AF1q boosts oncogenic STAT3 activity through Src-PDGFR tyrosine kinase
      signaling.
AB  - Constitutive STAT3 activation by tyrosine phosphorylation of mutated or amplified
      tyrosine kinases (pYSTAT3) is critical for cancer initiation, progression,
      invasion, and motility of carcinoma cells. We showed that AF1q is associated with
      STAT3 signaling in breast cancer cells. In xenograft models, enhanced AF1q
      expression activated STAT3 and promoted tumor growth and metastasis in
      immunodeficient NSG mice. The cytokine secretory phenotype of MDA-MB-231LN breast
      cancer cells with altered AF1q expression revealed changes in expression of
      platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGF-B). AF1q-induced PDGF-B stimulated
      motility, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231LN cells, and AF1q up-regulated
      platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) signaling. Further, AF1q-induced
      PDGFR signaling enhanced STAT3 activity through Src kinase activation, which
      could be blocked by the Src kinase inhibitor PP1. Moreover, AF1q up-regulated
      tyrosine kinase signaling through PDGFR signaling, which was blockable by
      imatinib. In conclusion, we demonstrated that enhanced AF1q expression
      contributes to persistent and oncogenic pYSTAT3 levels in invasive carcinoma
      cells by activating Src kinase through activation of the PDGF-B/PDGFR cascade.
      Therefore, AF1q plays an essential role as a cofactor in PDGF-B-driven STAT3
      signaling.

PMID- 27259264
TI  - EZH2 promotes metabolic reprogramming in glioblastomas through epigenetic
      repression of EAF2-HIF1alpha signaling.
AB  - Cancer cells prefer glycolysis for energy metabolism, even when there is
      sufficient oxygen to make it unnecessary. This is called the Warburg effect, and
      it promotes tumorigenesis and malignant progression. In this study, we
      demonstrated that EZH2, a multifaceted oncogenic protein involved in tumor
      proliferation, invasion and metastasis, promotes glioblastoma tumorigenesis and
      malignant progression through activation of the Warburg effect. We observed that
      HIF1alpha is a target of EZH2 whose activation is necessary for EZH2-mediated
      metabolic adaption, and that HIF1alpha is activated upon EZH2 overexpression.
      EZH2 suppressed expression of EAF2, which in turn upregulated HIF1alpha levels.
      We conclude from these results that EZH2 promotes tumorigenesis and malignant
      progression in part by activating glycolysis through an EAF2-HIF1alpha signaling
      axis.

PMID- 27259265
TI  - Demonstration of potential link between Helicobacter pylori related promoter CpG
      island methylation and telomere shortening in human gastric mucosa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Telomere length shortening in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
      infected gastric mucosa constitutes the earliest steps toward neoplastic
      transformation. In addition to this genotoxic changes, epigenetic changes such as
      promoter CpG island (PCGI) methylation are frequently occurred in H. pylori
      infected gastric mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate a potential
      link between H. pylori related PCGI methylation and telomere length shortening in
      the human gastric mucosa. METHODS: Telomere length was measured in non-neoplastic
      gastric mucosa from 106 cancer-free subjects. To identify H. pylori related PCGI
      methylation, bisulfite pyrosequencing was used to quantify the methylation of 49
      PCGIs from 47 genes and LINE1 repetitive elementResults: We identified five PCGIs
      (IGF2, SLC16A12, SOX11, P2RX7 and MYOD1), which the methylation is closely
      associated with H. pylori infection. Hypermethylation of all these PCGIs was
      associated with development of pathological state from normal to mild, active,
      and atrophic gastritis (P<0.001) and lower pepsinogen I/II ratio (P<0.05), an
      indicator for gastric mucosal atrophy. Telomere shortening was significantly
      associated with mean Z score methylation of five PCGIs (R=-0.39, P<0.0001) and
      four of these locus (IGF2: R=-0.35, P=0.0003, SLC16A12: R=-0.35, P=0.0002, P2RX7:
      R=-0.29, P=0.003, and MYOD1: R=-0.33, P=0.0005). Multivariate analysis revealed
      that telomere shortening held an increased risk for hypermethylation (odds ratio:
      1.71, 95% confidence interval: 1.11-2.63, P=0.016). CONCLUSION: Potential link
      between H. pylori related PCGI methylation and telomere shortening emphasize the
      importance of genotoxic-epigenetic interaction in the pathological state of H.
      pylori infected gastric mucosa.

PMID- 27259267
TI  - BET inhibition as a new strategy for the treatment of gastric cancer.
AB  - Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies and a leading cause of
      cancer death worldwide. The prognosis of stomach cancer is generally poor as this
      cancer is not very sensitive to commonly used chemotherapies. Epigenetic
      modifications play a key role in gastric cancer and contribute to the development
      and progression of this malignancy. In order to explore new treatment options in
      this target area we have screened a library of epigenetic inhibitors against
      gastric cancer cell lines and identified inhibitors for the BET family of
      bromodomains as potent inhibitors of gastric cancer cell proliferations. Here we
      show that both the pan-BET inhibitor (+)-JQ1 as well as a newly developed
      specific isoxazole inhibitor, PNZ5, showed potent inhibition of gastric cancer
      cell growth. Intriguingly, we found differences in the antiproliferative response
      between gastric cancer cells tested derived from Brazilian patients as compared
      to those from Asian patients, the latter being largely resistant to BET
      inhibition. As BET inhibitors are entering clinical trials these findings provide
      the first starting point for future therapies targeting gastric cancer.

PMID- 27259268
TI  - (-)-Oleocanthal inhibits growth and metastasis by blocking activation of STAT3 in
      human hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - We explored the anti-cancer capacity of (-)-oleocanthal in human hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). (-)-Oleocanthal inhibited proliferation and cell cycle
      progression and induced apoptosis in HCC cells in vitro and suppressed tumor
      growth in an orthotopic HCC model. (-)-Oleocanthal also inhibited HCC cell
      migration and invasion in vitro and impeded HCC metastasis in an in vivo lung
      metastasis model. ( )-Oleocanthal acted by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT) through downregulation Twist, which is a direct target of STAT3.
      (-)-Oleocanthal also reduced STAT3 nuclear translocation and DNA binding
      activity, ultimately downregulating its downstream effectors, including the cell
      cycle protein Cyclin D1, the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and survivin, and the
      invasion-related protein MMP 2. Overexpression of constitutively active STAT3
      partly reversed the anti cancer effects of (-)-oleocanthal, which inhibited STAT3
      activation by decreasing the activities of JAK1 and JAK2 and increasing the
      activity of SHP-1. These data suggest that (-)-oleocanthal may be a promising
      candidate for HCC treatment.

PMID- 27259269
TI  - Orai1 promotes tumor progression by enhancing cancer stemness via NFAT signaling
      in oral/oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Emerging evidence indicates that Orai1, a key calcium channel for store-operated
      Ca2+ entry, is associated with human cancer. However, the underlying mechanism by
      which Orai1 regulates cancer progression remains unknown. Here we report that
      intracellular level of Orai1 is increased in a stepwise manner during
      oral/oropharyngeal carcinogenesis and highly expressed in cancer stem-like cell
      (CSC)-enriched populations of human oral/oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
      (OSCC). Ectopic Orai1 expression converted non-tumorigenic immortalized oral
      epithelial cells to malignant cells that showed CSC properties, e.g., self
      renewal capacity, increased ALDH1HIGH cell population, increased key stemness
      transcription factors, and enhanced mobility. Conversely, inhibition of Orai1
      suppressed tumorigenicity and CSC phenotype of OSCC, indicating that Orai1 could
      be an important element for tumorigenicity and stemness of OSCC. Mechanistically,
      Orai1 activates its major downstream effector molecule, NFATc3. Knockdown of
      NFATc3 in the Orai1-overexpressing oral epithelial cells abrogates the effect of
      Orai1 on CSC phenotype. Moreover, antagonist of NFAT signaling also decreases CSC
      phenotype, implying the functional importance of Orai1/NFAT axis in OSCC CSC
      regulation. Our study identifies Orai1 as a novel molecular determinant for OSCC
      progression by enhancing cancer stemness, suggesting that inhibition of Orai1
      signaling may offer an effective therapeutic modality against OSCC.

PMID- 27259272
TI  - High dose and compartmental target volume may improve patient outcome after
      radiotherapy for pelvic bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pelvic bone metastases are difficult to treat because of complex pelvic
      bone anatomy and the proximity of normal organs. The adequacy of radiation dose
      and field coverage was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 146 cases of
      pelvic bone metastases from HCC treated with radiotherapy (RT). Bone metastases
      were confirmed using CT/MRI. Subjective pain response was assessed using the
      visual analogue scale, and treatment-related toxicity with the Common Terminology
      Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. Local failure free survival (LFFS) and overall
      survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The local control
      rate was 80.1% and the pain control rate was 68.5%. Compartmental target volume
      (CTV), encompassing the whole compartment of the involved bone, was found to be a
      significant factor (1-year LFFS, 78% vs. 50%; p=0.001). Sites of metastasis were
      categorized as either upper or lower pelvic bone; both categories showed improved
      local control with CTV. Metastatic lesions that received more than 50 Gy of EQD2
      showed more partial response in pain after RT (58% vs. 79%; p=0.007). No patient
      showed toxicity higher than Grade IV. CONCLUSION: Compartmental RT targeted to
      the involved bone was associated with improved local control and LFFS. High-dose
      radiation was associated with an improved treatment response.

PMID- 27259271
TI  - Identification of Glypican-3 as a potential metastasis suppressor gene in gastric
      cancer.
AB  - Gastric cancer is a prevalent tumor that is usually detected at an advanced
      metastatic stage. Currently, standard therapies are mostly ineffective. Here, we
      report that Glypican-3 (GPC3) is absent in invasive tumors and metastatic lymph
      nodes, in particular in aggressive and highly disseminated signet ring cell
      carcinomas. We demonstrate that loss of GPC3 correlates with poor overall
      survival in patients. Moreover, we show that absence of GPC3 causes up-regulation
      of MAPK/FoxM1 signaling and that blockade of this pathway alters cellular
      invasion. An inverse correlation between GPC3 and FoxM1 is also shown in patient
      samples. These data identify GPC3 as a potential metastasis suppressor gene and
      suggest its value as a prognostic marker in gastric cancer. Development of
      therapies targeting signaling downstream of GPC3 are warranted.

PMID- 27259270
TI  - BET bromodomain inhibitors suppress EWS-FLI1-dependent transcription and the IGF1
      autocrine mechanism in Ewing sarcoma.
AB  - Ewing sarcoma is driven by characteristic chromosomal translocations between the
      EWSR1 gene with genes encoding ETS family transcription factors (EWS-ETS), most
      commonly FLI1. However, direct pharmacological inhibition of transcription
      factors like EWS-FLI1 remains largely unsuccessful. Active gene transcription
      requires orchestrated actions of many epigenetic regulators, such as the
      bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family proteins. Emerging BET
      bromodomain inhibitors have exhibited promising antineoplastic activities via
      suppression of oncogenic transcription factors in various cancers. We reasoned
      that EWS-FLI1-mediated transcription activation might be susceptible to BET
      inhibition. In this study, we demonstrated that small molecule BET bromodomain
      inhibitors repressed EWS-FLI1-driven gene signatures and downregulated important
      target genes. However, expression of EWS-FLI1 was not significantly affected.
      Repression of autocrine IGF1 by BET inhibitors led to significant inhibition of
      the IGF1R/AKT pathway critical to Ewing sarcoma cell proliferation and survival.
      Consistently, BET inhibitors impaired viability and clonogenic survival of Ewing
      sarcoma cell lines and blocked EWS-FLI1-induced transformation of mouse NIH3T3
      fibroblast cells. Selective depletion of individual BET genes partially
      phenocopied the actions of BET inhibitors. Finally, the prototypical BET
      inhibitor, JQ1, significantly repressed Ewing sarcoma xenograft tumor growth.
      These findings suggest therapeutic potential of BET inhibitors in Ewing sarcoma
      and highlight an emerging paradigm of using epigenetic agents to treat cancers
      driven by fusion transcription factors.

PMID- 27259273
TI  - MDM2 knockdown mediated by a triazine-modified dendrimer in the treatment of non
      small cell lung cancer.
AB  - Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and the
      five-year survival rate is lower in advanced NSCLC patients. Chemotherapy is a
      widely used strategy in NSCLC treatment, but is usually limited by poor
      therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects. Therefore, a new therapeutic regimen is
      needed for NSCLC treatment. Gene therapy is a new strategy in the treatment of
      NSCLC. However, the lack of efficient and low toxic vectors remains the major
      obstacle. Here, we developed a biocompatible dendrimer as a non-viral vector for
      the delivery of mouse double minute2 (MDM2) siRNA in vitro and in vivo to treat
      NSCLC. The triazine-modified dendrimer efficiently stimulates the down-regulation
      of MDM2 gene in NSCLC PC9 cells, which induces significant cell apoptosis through
      the activation of apoptosis markers such as caspase-8 and poly(ADP-ribose)
      polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Furthermore, the dendrimer/MDM2 siRNA polyplexes
      showed excellent activity in the inhibition of tumor growth in a PC9 xenograft
      tumor model. These results suggested that inhibition the expression of MDM2 might
      be a potential target in NSCLC treatment.

PMID- 27259274
TI  - Folate-targeted star-shaped cationic copolymer co-delivering docetaxel and MMP-9
      siRNA for nasopharyngeal carcinoma therapy.
AB  - The co-delivery of drug and gene has become the primary strategy in cancer
      therapy. Based on our previous work, to co-deliver docetaxel (DOC) and MMP-9
      siRNA more efficiently for HNE-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma therapy, a folate
      modified star-shaped copolymer (FA-CD-PLLD) consisting of beta-cyclodextrin (CD)
      and poly(L-lysine) dendron (PLLD) was synthesized, and then used for DOC and MMP
      9 co-delivery. Different from commonly used amphiphilic copolymers micelles, the
      obtained CD derivative could be used directly for the combinatorial delivery of
      nucleic acid and hydrophobic DOC without a complicated micellization process. In
      vitro and in vivo assays are carried out to confirm the effectiveness of the
      target strategy and combined treatment. It was found that the conjugation of CD
      PLLD with FA could enhance the DOC/MMP-9 delivery effect obviously, inducing a
      more significant apoptosis and decreasing invasive capacity of HEN-1 cells. In
      vivo assays showed that FA-CD-PLLD/DOC/MMP-9 could inhibit HNE-1 tumor growth and
      decrease PCNA expression effectively, indicating a promising strategy for
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma therapy. Moreover, the in vivo distribution of DOC and
      MMP-9, blood compatibility and toxicity are also explored.

PMID- 27259275
TI  - MUC1-C induces DNA methyltransferase 1 and represses tumor suppressor genes in
      acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however,
      the regulation of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), which is responsible for
      maintenance of DNA methylation patterns, has largely remained elusive. MUC1-C is
      a transmembrane oncoprotein that is aberrantly expressed in AML stem-like cells.
      The present studies demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C with silencing or a
      pharmacologic inhibitor GO-203 suppresses DNMT1 expression. In addition, MUC1
      expression positively correlates with that of DNMT1 in primary AML cells,
      particularly the CD34+/CD38- population. The mechanistic basis for this
      relationship is supported by the demonstration that MUC1-C activates the NF
      kappaB p65 pathway, promotes occupancy of the MUC1-C/NF-kappaB complex on the
      DNMT1 promoter and drives DNMT1 transcription. We also show that targeting MUC1-C
      substantially reduces gene promoter-specific DNA methylation, and derepresses
      expression of tumor suppressor genes, including CDH1, PTEN and BRCA1. In support
      of these results, we demonstrate that combining GO-203 with the DNMT1 inhibitor
      decitabine is highly effective in reducing DNMT1 levels and decreasing AML cell
      survival. These findings indicate that (i) MUC1-C is an attractive target for the
      epigentic reprogramming of AML cells, and (ii) targeting MUC1-C in combination
      with decitabine is a potentially effective clinical approach for the treatment of
      AML.

PMID- 27259276
TI  - Chemotherapy-related cachexia is associated with mitochondrial depletion and the
      activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs.
AB  - Cachexia affects the majority of cancer patients, with currently no effective
      treatments. Cachexia is defined by increased fatigue and loss of muscle function
      resulting from muscle and fat depletion. Previous studies suggest that
      chemotherapy may contribute to cachexia, although the causes responsible for this
      association are not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
      mechanism(s) associated with chemotherapy-related effects on body composition and
      muscle function. Normal mice were administered chemotherapy regimens used for the
      treatment of colorectal cancer, such as Folfox (5-FU, leucovorin, oxaliplatin) or
      Folfiri (5-FU, leucovorin, irinotecan) for 5 weeks. The animals that received
      chemotherapy exhibited concurrent loss of muscle mass and muscle weakness.
      Consistently with previous findings, muscle wasting was associated with up
      regulation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs. No changes in ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis
      or in the expression of TGFbeta-family members were detected. Further, marked
      decreases in mitochondrial content, associated with abnormalities at the
      sarcomeric level and with increase in the number of glycolytic fibers were
      observed in the muscle of mice receiving chemotherapy. Finally, ACVR2B/Fc or
      PD98059 prevented Folfiri-associated ERK1/2 activation and myofiber atrophy in
      C2C12 cultures. Our findings demonstrate that chemotherapy promotes MAPK
      dependent muscle atrophy as well as mitochondrial depletion and alterations of
      the sarcomeric units. Therefore, these findings suggest that chemotherapy
      potentially plays a causative role in the occurrence of muscle loss and weakness.
      Moreover, the present observations provide a strong rationale for testing
      ACVR2B/Fc or MEK1 inhibitors in combination with anticancer drugs as novel
      strategies aimed at preventing chemotherapy-associated muscle atrophy.

PMID- 27259277
TI  - The transcription factor FOXN3 inhibits cell proliferation by downregulating E2F5
      expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related
      death worldwide, and the mechanisms underlying the development of HCC remain to
      be elucidated. Forkhead box N3 (FOXN3) is an important member of the FOX family
      of transcription factors that plays an essential role in several cancers but has
      not been investigated in HCC. In this study, we demonstrate that FOXN3 is
      downregulated in human primary HCC tissues compared with their matched adjacent
      liver tissues. Functional tests of FOXN3 demonstrated that FOXN3 inhibits the
      proliferation of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, FOXN3 repressed
      the mRNA and protein expression of E2F5, a reported potential oncogene, by
      inhibiting the promoter activity of E2F5. Collectively, our findings indicate
      that FOXN3 functions as a tumor suppressor in HCC by downregulating the
      expression of E2F5.

PMID- 27259281
TI  - Erratum to: Fusion transcript loci share many genomic features with non-fusion
      loci.

PMID- 27259278
TI  - Extracellular vesicles secreted by highly metastatic clonal variants of
      osteosarcoma preferentially localize to the lungs and induce metastatic behaviour
      in poorly metastatic clones.
AB  - Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common pediatric bone tumor and is associated with
      the emergence of pulmonary metastasis. Unfortunately, the mechanistic basis for
      metastasis remains unclear. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been
      shown to play critical roles in cell-to-cell communication and metastatic
      progression in other cancers, but their role in OS has not been explored. We show
      that EVs secreted by cells derived from a highly metastatic clonal variant of the
      KHOS cell line can be internalized by a poorly metastatic clonal variant of the
      same cell line and induce a migratory and invasive phenotype. This horizontal
      phenotypic transfer is unidirectional and provides evidence that metastatic
      potential may arise via interclonal co-operation. Proteomic analysis of the EVs
      secreted by highly metastatic OS clonal variants results in the identification of
      a number of proteins and G-protein coupled receptor signaling events as potential
      drivers of OS metastasis and novel therapeutic targets. Finally, multiphoton
      microscopy with fluorescence lifetime imaging in vivo, demonstrated a
      preferential seeding of lung tissue by EVs derived from highly metastatic OS
      clonal variants. Thus, we show that EVs derived from highly metastatic clonal
      variants of OS may drive metastatic behaviour via interclonal co-operation and
      preferential colonization of the lungs.

PMID- 27259280
TI  - The source of SYBR green master mix determines outcome of nucleic acid
      amplification reactions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quantitative (q) PCR by amplification of nucleic acid with a
      fluorescent dye is widely used. Selection of adequate PCR reagents and devices is
      relevant to achieve reliable and consistent data. Our main objective was to test
      the robustness of different commercial SYBR green PCR mixes with respect to
      specificity and sensitivity of the PCR assay, across various PCR machines (Light
      Cycler 96, ViiA7) and amplification protocols. Herein, we applied PCR protocols
      for determining mRNA transcript levels, DNA copy numbers, and DNA genotype.
      RESULTS: First, we set up 70 primer-based assays that targeted immune-related
      mRNA transcripts. Of the 70 assays 66 (94.3 %) resulted in a single melting curve
      peak, indicating specificity of the amplification, with PCR mixes from large
      vendors (Roche, ABI, Bio-Rad). But this was only seen when the PCR protocol that
      was indicated in the vendor's guidelines for each particular mix was applied.
      When deviating from the prescribed protocol, suboptimal melting curves were most
      often seen when using Roche SYBR green. With respect to PCR yields, the use of
      ABI mix more often led to lower Cq values. Second, we set up 20 primer-selective
      PCR assays to target different insertion-deletion and single nucleotide
      polymorphism regions throughout the genome. The variation in delta Cq between
      positive and negative DNA samples among the PCR assays was the lowest when using
      ABI master mix. Finally, the quality of high resolution melting (HRM) assays for
      DNA genotyping was compared between four commercial HRM PCR mixes (Roche,
      Bioline, PCR Biosystems, ABI). Only Roche and ABI mixes produced optimal clusters
      of melting profiles that clearly distinguished genotype variants. CONCLUSIONS:
      The current results show a preference for the use of ABI mix when it comes to
      obtaining higher sensitivity in cDNA analysis and a higher consistency among
      assays in distinguishing DNA genotypes among different individuals. For HRM
      assays, it is advisable to use master mix from a relatively large vendor.

PMID- 27259282
TI  - Maternal haemoglobin concentrations before and during pregnancy and stillbirth
      risk: a population-based case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Results of previous studies on the association between maternal
      haemoglobin concentration during pregnancy and stillbirth risk are inconclusive.
      It is not clear if haemoglobin concentration before pregnancy has a role. Using
      prospectively collected information from pre-pregnancy and antenatal visits, we
      investigated associations of maternal haemoglobin concentrations before and
      during pregnancy and haemoglobin dilution with stillbirth risk. METHODS: In a
      population-based case-control study from rural Golestan, a province in northern
      Iran, we identified 495 stillbirths (cases) and randomly selected 2,888 control
      live births among antenatal health-care visits between 2007 and 2009. Using
      logistic regression, we estimated associations of maternal haemoglobin
      concentrations, haemoglobin dilution at different stages of pregnancy, with
      stillbirth risk. RESULTS: Compared with normal maternal haemoglobin concentration
      (110-120 g/l) at the end of the second trimester, high maternal haemoglobin
      concentration (>=140 g/l) was associated with a more than two-fold increased
      stillbirth risk (OR = 2.31, 95 % CI [1.30-4.10]), while low maternal haemoglobin
      concentration (<110 g/l) was associated with a 37 % reduction in stillbirth risk.
      Haemoglobin concentration before pregnancy was not associated with stillbirth
      risk. Decreased haemoglobin concentration, as measured during pregnancy (OR =
      0.61, 95 % CI [0.46, 0.80]), or only during the second trimester (OR = 0.75, 95 %
      CI [0.62, 0.90]), were associated with reduced stillbirth risk. The associations
      were essentially similar for preterm and term stillbirths. CONCLUSIONS:
      Haemoglobin concentration before pregnancy is not associated with stillbirth
      risk. High haemoglobin level and absence of haemoglobin dilution during pregnancy
      could be considered as indicators of a high-risk pregnancy.

PMID- 27259283
TI  - Ruptured aneurysms of the intradural artery of adamkiewicz: Angiographic features
      and treatment options.
AB  - We present an unusual case of a 59year old male patient who presented with acute,
      bilateral lower extremity weakness and was found to have non-traumatic spinal
      subarachnoid hemorrhage. Diagnostic workup including MRI and angiography revealed
      an aneurysm of the artery of Ademkiewicz. This was managed conservatively and the
      patient has had marked clinical improvement. We present the details of this
      unusual case as well as a literature review related to aneurysms of the artery of
      Ademkiewicz. 

PMID- 27259285
TI  - Erratum to: Repression of chimeric transcripts emanating from endogenous
      retrotransposons by a sequence-specific transcription factor.

PMID- 27259284
TI  - Systematic review on the evaluation criteria of orphan medicines in Central and
      Eastern European countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In case of orphan drugs applicability of the standard health
      technology assessment (HTA) process is limited due to scarcity of good clinical
      and health economic evidence. Financing these premium priced drugs is more
      controversial in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region where the public
      funding resources are more restricted, and health economic justification should
      be an even more important aspect of policy decisions than in higher income
      European countries. OBJECTIVES: To explore and summarize the recent scientific
      evidence on value drivers related to the health technology assessment of ODs with
      a special focus on the perspective of third party payers in CEE countries. The
      review aims to list all potentially relevant value drivers in the reimbursement
      process of orphan drugs. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed;
      PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched for relevant
      publications until April 2015. Extracted data were summarized along key HTA
      elements. RESULTS: From the 2664 identified publications, 87 contained relevant
      information on the evaluation criteria of orphan drugs, but only 5 had direct
      information from the CEE region. The presentation of good clinical evidence seems
      to play a key role especially since this should be the basis of cost
      effectiveness analyses, which have more importance in resource-constrained
      economies. Due to external price referencing of pharmaceuticals, the relative
      budget impact of orphan drugs is expected to be higher in CEE than in Western
      European (WE) countries unless accessibility of patients remains more limited in
      poorer European regions. Equity principles based on disease prevalence and non
      availability of alternative treatment options may increase the price premium,
      however, societies must have some control on prices and a rationale based on
      multiple criteria in reimbursement decisions. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of
      orphan medicines should include multiple criteria to appropriately measure the
      clinical added value of orphan drugs. The search found only a small number of
      studies coming from CEE, therefore European policies on orphan drugs may be based
      largely on experiences in WE countries. More research should be done in the
      future in CEE because financing high-priced orphan drugs involves a greater
      burden for these countries.

PMID- 27259287
TI  - Prevalence, causes and management outcome of intestinal obstruction in Adama
      Hospital, Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Africa, acute intestinal obstruction accounts for a great
      proportion of morbidity and mortality. Ethiopia is one of the countries where
      intestinal obstruction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study
      aims to determine prevalence, causes and management outcome of intestinal
      obstruction in Adama Hospital in Oromia region, Ethiopia. METHOD: A hospital
      based cross-sectional study design was used. Data covering the past three years
      were collected from hospital medical records of sampled patients. The collected
      data were checked for any inconsistency, coded and entered into SPSS version 16.0
      for data processing and analysis. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses
      were used. Statistical significance was based on confidence interval (CI) of 95 %
      at a p-value of < 0.05. RESULT: 262 patients were admitted with intestinal
      obstruction. The prevalence of intestinal obstruction was 21.8 % and 4.8 % among
      patients admitted for acute abdomen surgery and total surgical admissions,
      respectively. The mortality rate was 2.5 % (6 of 262). The most common cause of
      small bowel obstruction was intussusceptions in 48 patients (30.9 %), followed by
      small bowel volvulus in 47 patients (30.3 %). Large bowel obstruction was caused
      by sigmoid volvulus in 60 patients (69.0 %) followed by colonic tumor in 12
      patients (13.8 %). After controlling for possible confounding factors, the major
      predictors of management outcome of intestinal obstruction were: duration of
      illness before surgical intervention (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.49, 95 % CI:
      0.25-0.97); intra-operative findings [Viable small bowel volvulus (SBV) (AOR =
      0.08, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.95) and viable (AOR = 0.17, 95 % CI: 0.03-0.88)];
      completion of intra-operative procedures (bowel resection & anastomosis (AOR =
      3.05, 95 % CI: 1.04-8.94); and length of hospital stay (AOR = 0.05, 95 % CI: 0.01
      0.16). CONCLUSION: Small bowel obstruction was more prevalent than large bowel
      obstruction. Intussusceptions and sigmoid volvulus were the leading causes of
      small and large bowel obstruction. Laparotomy was the most common methods of
      intestinal obstruction management. Bowel resection and anastomosis was the
      commonest intra-operative procedure done and is associated with postoperative
      complications. Wound infection in the affected area should be improved because it
      is the most common postoperative complication. This can be decreased by
      appropriate surgical technique and wound care with sterile techniques.

PMID- 27259286
TI  - Factors associated with high heterogeneity of malaria at fine spatial scale in
      the Western Kenyan highlands.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The East African highlands are fringe regions between stable and
      unstable malaria transmission. What factors contribute to the heterogeneity of
      malaria exposure on different spatial scales within larger foci has not been
      extensively studied. In a comprehensive, community-based cross-sectional survey
      an attempt was made to identify factors that drive the macro- and micro
      epidemiology of malaria in a fringe region using parasitological and serological
      outcomes. METHODS: A large cross-sectional survey including 17,503 individuals
      was conducted across all age groups in a 100 km(2) area in the Western Kenyan
      highlands of Rachuonyo South district. Households were geo-located and prevalence
      of malaria parasites and malaria-specific antibodies were determined by PCR and
      ELISA. Household and individual risk-factors were recorded. Geographical
      characteristics of the study area were digitally derived using high-resolution
      satellite images. RESULTS: Malaria antibody prevalence strongly related to
      altitude (1350-1600 m, p < 0.001). A strong negative association with increasing
      altitude and PCR parasite prevalence was found. Parasite carriage was detected at
      all altitudes and in all age groups; 93.2 % (2481/2663) of malaria infections
      were apparently asymptomatic. Malaria parasite prevalence was associated with
      age, bed net use, house construction features, altitude and topographical wetness
      index. Antibody prevalence was associated with all these factors and distance to
      the nearest water body. CONCLUSION: Altitude was a major driver of malaria
      transmission in this study area, even across narrow altitude bands. The large
      proportion of asymptomatic parasite carriers at all altitudes and the age
      dependent acquisition of malaria antibodies indicate stable malaria transmission;
      the strong correlation between current parasite carriage and serological markers
      of malaria exposure indicate temporal stability of spatially heterogeneous
      transmission.

PMID- 27259288
TI  - Concierge, Wellness, and Block Fee Models of Primary Care: Ethical and Regulatory
      Concerns at the Public-Private Boundary.
AB  - In bioethics and health policy, we often discuss the appropriate boundaries of
      public funding; how the interface of public and private purchasers and providers
      should be organized and regulated receives less attention. In this paper, I
      discuss ethical and regulatory issues raised at this interface by three medical
      practice models (concierge care, executive wellness clinics, and block fee
      charges) in which physicians provide insured services (whether publicly insured,
      privately insured, or privately insured by public mandate) while requiring or
      requesting that patients pay for services or for the non-insured services of the
      physicians themselves or their associates. This choice for such practice models
      is different from the decision to design an insurance plan to include or exclude
      user fees, co-payments and deductibles. I analyze the issues raised with regards
      to familiar health care values of equity and efficiency, while highlighting
      additional concerns about fair terms of access, provider integrity, and fair
      competition. I then analyze the common Canadian regulatory response to block fee
      models, considering their extension to wellness clinics, with regards to
      fiduciary standards governing the physician-patient relationship and the role of
      informed consent. I close by highlighting briefly issues that are of common
      concern across different fundamental normative frameworks for health policy.

PMID- 27259289
TI  - Capsule Commentary on Kok et al., Risk of Autoimmune Disease in Adults with
      Chronic Insomnia Requiring Sleep-Inducing Pills: A Population-Based Longitudinal
      Study.

PMID- 27259290
TI  - Variation in Specialty Outpatient Care Patterns in the Medicare Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple payment reform efforts are under way to improve the value of
      care delivered to Medicare beneficiaries, yet few directly address the interface
      between primary and specialty care. OBJECTIVE: To describe regional variation in
      outpatient visits for individual specialties and the association between
      specialty physician-specific payments and patient-reported satisfaction with care
      and health status. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. PATIENTS: A 20 %
      random sample of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in 2012. MAIN MEASURES:
      Regions were grouped into quartiles of specialist index, defined as the
      observed/expected regional likelihood of having an outpatient visit to a
      specialist, for ten common specialties, adjusting for age, sex, and race.
      Outcomes were per capita specialty-specific physician payments and Medicare
      Current Beneficiary Survey responses. KEY RESULTS: The proportion of
      beneficiaries seeing a specialist varied the most for endocrinology and
      gastroenterology (3.7- and 3.9-fold difference between the highest and lowest
      quartiles, respectively) and least for orthopedics and urology (1.5- and 1.7-fold
      difference, respectively). Multiple analyses suggested that this variation was
      not explained by prevalence of disease. Average specialty-specific payments were
      strongly associated with the likelihood of visiting a specialist. Differences in
      per capita payments from lowest (Q1) to highest quartiles (Q4) were greatest for
      cardiology ($89, $135, $172, $251) and dermatology ($46, $64, $82, $124).
      Satisfaction with overall care (median [interquartile range] across specialties:
      Q1, 93.3 % [92.6-93.7 %]; Q4, 93.1 % [92.9-93.2 %]) and self-reported health
      status (Q1, 37.1 % [36.9-37.7 %]; Q4, 38.2 % [37.2-38.4 %]) was similar across
      quartiles. Satisfaction with access to specialty care was consistently lower in
      the lowest quartile of specialty index (Q1, 89.7 % [89.2-91.1 %]; Q4, 94.5 %
      [94.4-94.8 %]). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial regional variability in outpatient
      specialist visits is associated with greater payments with limited benefits in
      terms of patient-reported satisfaction with care or reported health status.
      Reducing outpatient physician visits may represent an important opportunity to
      improve the efficiency of care.

PMID- 27259292
TI  - Propionibacterium namnetense sp. nov., isolated from a human bone infection.
AB  - A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on two Gram-positive-staining,
      anaerobic, pleomorphic, rod-shaped strains isolated from human bone and tissue
      samples. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes revealed that the strains belong to a
      novel species within the genus Propionibacterium, most closely related to
      Propionibacterium acnes subsp. acnes and Propionibacterium acnes subsp. elongatum
      with similarity values of 98.4 % and 98.1 %, respectively. In addition, protein
      coding genes for rpoB, recA and gyrB clearly separated the novel organism from
      all species and subspecies of the genus Propionibacterium. However, a DNA-DNA
      hybridization analysis between the novel organism and the type strain P. acnes
      ATCC 6919T revealed a value of only 61.1 %. Furthermore, whole genome analysis
      using the program OrthoANI gave a value of 88.5 %, which is significantly below
      the cut-off value of 95 % for species delineation. The major fatty acids were iso
      C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content of the type strain
      was 59.7 mol%. When taken collectively, phenotypic, molecular genetic,
      chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic information demonstrate that the organism
      represents a distinct, albeit close relative of P. acnes On the basis of the
      results presented, the organism represents a novel member of the genus
      Propionibacterium for which the name Propionibacterium namnetense sp. nov. is
      proposed. The type strain is NTS 31307302T (=DSM 29427T=CCUG 66358T).

PMID- 27259291
TI  - Quantifying the Severity of a Delirium Episode Throughout Hospitalization: the
      Combined Importance of Intensity and Duration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ability to determine which episodes of delirium are likely to
      lead to poor clinical outcomes has remained a major area of challenge. OBJECTIVE:
      To quantify delirium severity and course over an entire hospitalization using
      several measures, and to evaluate their predictive validity for 30- and 90-day
      outcomes post-discharge. DESIGN: Two prospective cohort studies. PARTICIPANTS:
      Analysis was conducted in two independent cohorts of adult patients aged >=70.
      MAIN MEASURES: Nine delirium episode severity measures were examined: (1)
      measures reflecting delirium intensity (peak Confusion Assessment Method-Severity
      [CAM-S] and mean CAM-S score), (2) a measure reflecting delirium intensity and
      duration (sum of all CAM-S scores, sum of all CAM-S scores on delirium days only,
      peak CAM-S score x days with delirium), (3) measures requiring information on
      delirium duration and delirium at discharge (total number of delirium days,
      percentage of delirium days, delirium at discharge), and (4) a measure of
      cognitive change. Associations of the delirium episode severity measures with 30-
      and 90-day post-hospital outcomes (death, nursing home placement, and
      readmission) relevant to delirium were examined. KEY RESULTS: The delirium
      episode severity measure that required information on both delirium intensity and
      duration (sum of all CAM-S scores) was the most strongly associated with 30- and
      90-day post-hospital outcomes. Using this measure, the relative risk [95 %
      confidence interval] for death at 30-days increased across levels of sum of all
      CAM-S scores from 1.0 (referent) to 2.1 [0.8, 5.4] for 'low,' to 2.9 [1.2, 7.1]
      for 'moderate,' to 6.4 [2.9, 14.0] for 'high' (p for trend <.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      The delirium episode severity measure that included both intensity and duration
      had the strongest association with important post-hospital outcomes.

PMID- 27259293
TI  - Canine influenza virus coinfection with Staphylococcus pseudintermedius enhances
      bacterial colonization, virus load and clinical presentation in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Canine influenza virus (CIV) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (Sp)
      are pathogens that cause respiratory disease in dogs. Considering bacterial
      infections following influenza are a leading cause of illness and death, it is of
      particular meaning to investigate the interaction between these two pathogens. In
      this study, BALB/c mice were used as a mouse model to assess whether inoculation
      with CIV H3N2 followed by S. pseudintermedius 72 h later resulted in exacerbation
      of disease. Disease was characterized by assessment of body weight loss,
      titration of virus and bacteria, histopathology, and cytokine production.
      RESULTS: There was a significantly greater decrease in body weight in the co
      infected group compared with the CIV-only and SP-only groups. CIV inoculation
      increased bacterial colonization, whereas secondary infection with S.
      pseudintermedius elevated the viral RNA load of CIV in tissues. The histological
      lesions in the brain, spleen and lung were more severe in the CIV/Sp group than
      in the singly treated groups. Infection with CIV alone, Sp alone or coinfection
      stimulated a significantly higher release of cytokines, such as interferon-gamma
      (IFN)-gamma, interleukin 6 (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and
      lymphotactin (Lptn), than was observed in the mock-infected group (PBS).
      Moreover, the levels of IFN-gamma in the spleen and lung were higher in the
      CIV/Sp group compared with the CIV-only and Sp-only groups. CONCLUSION: Our
      findings provide the first demonstration that the secondary infection of mice
      with Sp leads to increased clinical signs and lesions during canine influenza.

PMID- 27259294
TI  - Unanticipated coordination of tris buffer to the Radical SAM cluster of the RimO
      methylthiotransferase.
AB  - Radical SAM enzymes generally contain a [4Fe-4S](2+/1+) (RS cluster) cluster
      bound to the protein via the three cysteines of a canonical motif CxxxCxxC. The
      non-cysteinyl iron is used to coordinate SAM via its amino-carboxylate moiety.
      The coordination-induced proximity between the cluster acting as an electron
      donor and the adenosyl-sulfonium bond of SAM allows for the homolytic cleavage of
      the latter leading to the formation of the reactive 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical used
      for substrate activation. Most of the structures of Radical SAM enzymes have been
      obtained in the presence of SAM, and therefore, little is known about the
      situation when SAM is not present. In this report, we show that RimO, a
      methylthiotransferase belonging to the radical SAM superfamily, binds a Tris
      molecule in the absence of SAM leading to specific spectroscopic signatures both
      in Mossbauer and pulsed EPR spectroscopies. These data provide a cautionary note
      for researchers who work with coordinative unsaturated iron sulfur clusters.

PMID- 27259296
TI  - Steering intermediate courses: desert ants combine information from various
      navigational routines.
AB  - A number of systems of navigation have been studied in some detail in insects.
      These include path integration, a system that keeps track of the straight-line
      distance and direction travelled on the current trip, the use of panoramic
      landmarks and scenery for orientation, and systematic searching. A traditional
      view is that only one navigational system is in operation at any one time, with
      different systems running in sequence depending on the context and conditions. We
      review selected data suggesting that often, different navigational cues (e.g.,
      compass cues) and different systems of navigation are in operation simultaneously
      in desert ant navigation. The evidence suggests that all systems operate in
      parallel forming a heterarchical network. External and internal conditions
      determine the weights to be accorded to each cue and system. We also show that a
      model of independent modules feeding into a central summating device, the Navinet
      model, can in principle account for such data. No central executive processor is
      necessary aside from a weighted summation of the different cues and systems. Such
      a heterarchy of parallel systems all in operation represents a new view of insect
      navigation that has already been expressed informally by some authors.

PMID- 27259297
TI  - A Mouse Model of Hypospadias Induced by Estradiol Benzoate.
AB  - We wished to establish a mouse model of hypospadias using injections of estradiol
      benzoate for investigating the molecular mechanisms of hypospadias. Fifty timed
      pregnant mice were randomly divided into five study groups: A, B, C, D, and E.
      These groups were injected subcutaneously with estradiol benzoate mixed with
      sesame oil at, respectively, the doses of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 2.5, or 12.5 mg kg(-1)
      days(-1) from gestation day (GD) 12 to GD 16. The pups' mortality was recorded on
      the day of delivery. Urethras and positions of testes were examined on postnatal
      day 28. The numbers of live pups were significantly lower in the study groups D
      and E compared to study group A (p < 0.01). Hypospadias was seen in groups C (3.3
      %; 1/30), D (18.2 %; 4/22), and E (21.4 %; 3/14), while cryptorchidism was
      observed in groups C (10 %; 3/30), D (31.8 %; 7/22), and E (57.1 %; 8/14) on
      postnatal day 28. The experimental model of hypospadias induced by estradiol
      benzoate in the group D (2.5 mg kg(-1) days(-1)) was more reliable considering
      high mortality of the study group E. The dose of estradiol benzoate used in the
      group D is suitable for establishing mouse model of hypospadias. 

PMID- 27259295
TI  - Neuroprotection by Epigenetic Modulation in a Transgenic Model of Multiple System
      Atrophy.
AB  - Similar to Parkinson disease, multiple system atrophy (MSA) presents
      neuropathologically with nigral neuronal loss; however, the hallmark
      intracellular alpha-synuclein (alphaSyn) accumulation in MSA affects typically
      oligodendrocytes to form glial cytoplasmic inclusions. The underlying pathogenic
      mechanisms remain unclear. As MSA is predominantly sporadic, epigenetic
      mechanisms may play a role. We tested the effects of the pan-histone deacetylase
      inhibitor (HDACi) sodium phenylbutyrate in aged mice overexpressing alphaSyn
      under the control of the proteolipid protein promoter (PLP-alphaSyn) designed to
      model MSA and characterized by alphaSyn accumulation in oligodendrocytes and
      nigral neurodegeneration. HDACi improved motor behavior and survival of nigral
      neurons in PLP-alphaSyn mice. Furthermore, HDACi reduced the density of
      oligodendroglial alphaSyn aggregates, which correlated with the survival of
      nigral neurons in PLP-alphaSyn mice. For the first time, we suggest a role of
      HDACi in the pathogenesis of MSA-like neurodegeneration and support the future
      development of selective HDACi for MSA therapy.

PMID- 27259298
TI  - Type II Diabetes Patients with Proteinuria and the Recovery of Their Metabolic
      Parameters.
AB  - The aim of this study is to provide reasonable guidelines for type II diabetes
      patients with proteinuria to recover their metabolic parameters. A cross
      sectional study was conducted in selected groups of type 2 diabetic patients.
      Hypoglycemic and antihypertensive drug use was recorded. Certain physical
      examinations were conducted including routine urine test, urinary
      albumin/creatinine ratio, metabolic parameters of blood glucose and lipid, and
      other biochemical indicators. Medication and metabolic indicators were compared
      between the groups based on the seriousness of the proteinuria. A total of 923
      cases were selected for this study, with an average age of 63 years. Based on the
      proteinuria contents, the cases were divided into three groups of proteinuria
      negative, microalbuminuria, and clinical proteinuria. The recovery rates of the
      blood pressure control for the groups were 44.2, 35.3, and 36.3 %, respectively.
      The glycated hemoglobin control recovery rates were 22.2, 18.5, and 15.2 % in the
      groups. The groups' triglyceride control satisfaction rates were 44.4, 43.3, and
      39.8 %. The satisfaction rates of total cholesterol control were 34.5, 26.8, and
      25.7 %, respectively and the satisfaction rates of LDL-c control of the three
      groups were 30.6, 23.8, and 22.1 %. This indicated an unregulated use of
      hypoglycemic agents, antihypertensives, and lipid-lowering drugs and low recovery
      rates for metabolic indicators of the cases. Among the 923 cases, 397 had
      microalbuminuria or clinical proteinuria, and only 22 patients took angiotensin
      converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) as
      antihypertensive drugs. The use of antihypertensive drugs is not standardized,
      and only a small portion of patients were treated with ACEI or ARB drugs.
      Therefore, the proteinuria in diabetic patients should be timely screened and
      evaluated, as well as renal and metabolic function comprehensively regulated and
      antihypertensives and lipid-lowering drugs rationally used. 

PMID- 27259299
TI  - The Impact of Small RNA Interference Against Homer1 on Rats with Type 2 Diabetes
      and ERK Phosphorylation.
AB  - The objective of the study is to evaluate Homer1 expression in rats with Type 2
      diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and investigate the mechanism by which Homer1 influences
      the pathogenesis of diabetes through study on rat model with decreased Homer1
      expression. Rat model of T2DM was constructed and blood insulin concentration was
      measured. Homer1 mRNA and protein expressions in rat pancreatic tissue were
      determined using RT-PCR as well as Western blotting. Homer1 expression in human
      monocytic THP-1 cells was interfered using short hairpin RNA, and its effect on
      phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was assessed.
      Fasting glucose concentration in rat model of T2DM was significantly higher than
      that of normal rats (13.1 +/- 2.4 vs 5.1 +/- 1.1 mmol/L), and fasting blood
      insulin concentration of diabetic group was significantly lower than that of
      normal group (13.6 +/- 1.9 18.3 +/- 2.2 mIU/L) (P < 0.05). Homer1 mRNA and
      protein expressions in pancreatic tissue of rats with T2DM were significantly
      higher than those of normal rats (P < 0.05). Level of ERK phosphorylation in
      pancreatic tissue of rats with T2DM was significantly higher than that of normal
      rats. Homer1 mRNA level in rat pancreatic tissue of T2DM was positively
      correlated with the area of pancreatic islets (r = 0.526, P = 0.014). Homer1 mRNA
      level was significantly inhibited in high-glucose and high-fat stimulated human
      monotypic THP-1 cells with interfered Homer1. Compared with controls, P-ERK
      phosphorylation was significantly decreased in THP-1 cells with interfered Homer1
      (P < 0.05). Homer1 can promote the progression of T2DM, which may be achieved
      through affecting ERK phosphorylation. 

PMID- 27259300
TI  - Tirofiban Combined with Fondaparinux for Post-PCI Treatment of Patients with
      Acute Coronary Syndrome and Mild Renal Insufficiency.
AB  - Proper administration of antithrombotic and antiplatelet drugs after percutaneous
      coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and
      renal insufficiency is a challenging task. In this study, we utilized
      Fondaparinux and Tirofiban (either separately or combined) to treat post-PCI
      patients with ACS and concurrent renal insufficiency. The patients were followed
      up for 1 year. We observed that combined treatment led to a higher number of
      significant therapeutic effects and better reduced the frequency of bleeding
      events. Our findings indicate that combined antithrombotic and antiplatelet
      treatment improves the prognosis in patients with ACS and renal insufficiency who
      received PCI treatment. 

PMID- 27259301
TI  - Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide-Induced Calcium Alginate Gel Combined with
      Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Differentiating to Osteoblasts.
AB  - Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been confirmed with induction
      osteoblastic differentiation, but if it can make the three-dimensional culture of
      adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to the osteoblastic differentiation, thus
      constructing tissue-engineered bone rare reports. To investigate the feasibility
      of exogenous CGRP-induced calcium alginate gel combined with ADSCs from rabbits
      in three-dimensional condition to construct tissue-engineered bone. ADSCs were
      obtained by collagenase I digestion of the subcutaneous adipose tissue of
      inguinal region of New Zealand rabbits. At the third passage, cells were mixed
      with sodium alginate to prepare calcium alginate gel, and the cells were assigned
      into two-group cultivates in 24 orifice plates. ADSCs in the control group were
      treated with DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 10(-2) mol/L beta
      glycerophosphate sodium, 10(-7)mol/L dexamethasone, 50 mg/L ascorbic acid, 0.1 %
      volume fraction of fetal bovine serum. ADSCs in the experimental group were
      incubated with the same medium as above, and in addition 1.5 ug/L CGRP was added.
      The cells proliferation and the mRNA expressions of collagen I and osteocalcin
      were detected by MTT and RT-PCR assays, respectively and alkaline
      phosphatase(ALP)and calcium concentration at different induction time were
      detected. The cell proliferation curves were S shaped. The OD values of
      experimental group were higher than those of control group at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and
      21 days after osteogenic induction (P < 0.05). ALP and alizarin red stains of
      ADSCs were all positive, but golden round nodes became bigger and more in the
      experimental group compared with the control group after 2 weeks. At 7 and 14
      days, collagen I and osteocalcin mRNA expression were greater in the experimental
      group than the control group. ALP and calcium concentration of experimental group
      were higher than that of control group at 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks after osteogenic
      induction (P < 0.05). Thus, these results show that the CGRP-induced ADSCs
      combined with calcium alginate gel to osteoblasts differentiation. 

PMID- 27259302
TI  - Significance of Serum Procalcitonin Levels in Differential Diagnosis of Pediatric
      Pneumonia.
AB  - The objective of this study was to explore the early diagnosis methods of severe
      pediatric pneumonia. A total of 65 cases hospitalized in pediatric departments
      and ICU of our hospital because of severe pneumonia were divided into two groups
      according to pathogen detection. The groups were as follows: 34 cases of
      bacterial pneumonia, 32 cases of a non-bacterial pneumonia, and 37 cases of
      healthy children after physical examination in our hospital as the control group.
      The peripheral blood was sampled from each of the three groups for procalcitonin
      (PCT). The pediatric PCT level in peripheral blood of the bacterial pneumonia
      group was significantly higher than that of non-bacterial pneumonia group and the
      control group. The statistical differences (each at p < 0.01) and the level of
      pediatric serum PCT in the bacterial pneumonia group before treatment were
      statistically different from that in the same group after treatment (p < 0.01),
      while the level of pediatric serum PCT in non-bacterial pneumonia group before
      treatment was statistical indifferent from that in the same group after treatment
      (p > 0.01). PCT level in pediatric peripheral blood is an important diagnostic
      indicator of bacterial infection and a sensitive indicator of distinction between
      bacterial pneumonia and the non-bacterial pneumonia, thus being of great
      significance for clinical and differential diagnosis. 

PMID- 27259303
TI  - A Rapid and Sensitive UPLC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Docetaxel in Rabbit
      Plasma: Pharmacokinetic Study of New Lung-Targeting Docetaxel Liposome at Low
      Dose.
AB  - In this study, a more rapid and more sensitive ultra performance liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method is developed and
      validated for the pharmacokinetic study of a new lung-targeting docetaxel
      liposome (DTX-LP) at low dose (1 mg/kg) in rabbits. The method is reliable and
      reproducible with intra-day precision below 5.75 %, inter-day precision below
      7.57 %, and mean extraction recovery of 84.1-91.7 %. At low dose, the validated
      method is successfully applied to the comparative pharmacokinetic study of
      docetaxel (DTX) in rabbit plasma after intravenous administration of DTX-LP and
      DTX injection, respectively. The results indicate that the pharmacokinetic
      profile of DTX is completely changed when loaded in the new type of liposome,
      which can make DTX quicker distribution from the circulation to the target organ
      and slower eliminated from the body. 

PMID- 27259304
TI  - High levels of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Expression Predict Favorable
      Prognosis in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - The prognostic role of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC) has been controversial. In this study, levels of PTEN
      expression were investigated in NSCLC patients and their prognostic value in
      NSCLC was assessed. PTEN expression in tumor tissues from 68 NSCLC patients was
      analyzed using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. Survival analysis
      was performed using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression
      analysis. NSCLC patients classified as expressers of high levels of PTEN (n = 46)
      had better prognoses than those classified as expressers of low levels (mean
      survival 17.1 vs. 12.9 months, log rank P = 0.038). In patients with
      adenocarcinoma (AC), high PTEN expression (n = 9) was associated with
      significantly longer survival than low PTEN expression (mean survival 23.50 vs.
      15.54 months, log rank P = 0.043). High levels of PTEN expression resulted in 43
      % reduction in risk for all NSCLC patients (HR 0.57, 95 % CI 0.33-0.98, P =
      0.041). PTEN expression and clinical stage remained significantly associated with
      survival after adjustment for age, sex, and tumor type (HR 0.56, 95 % CI 0.32
      0.99; P = 0.048; HR 0.54, 95 % CI 0.36-0.97; P = 0.045). No significant
      difference in continuous PTEN expression levels was observed among groups with
      different clinical or pathological characteristics (P > 0.17). When levels of
      PTEN expression were binarized using the optimal cut-point, higher levels of PTEN
      expression were observed in patients with T1/T2 than in those with T3/T4 (80 and
      58 %, respectively, P = 0.049) and in patients with AC than in those with
      squamous-cell carcinoma (78 and 58 %, respectively, P = 0.08). No significant
      difference in binarized PTEN expression levels was found among groups with any
      other clinical/pathologic characteristic (P > 0.28). Our results suggest that
      high levels of PTEN expression may be favorable prognostic markers in NSCLC
      patients. 

PMID- 27259305
TI  - Study of the Changes of Acrosomal Enzyme, Nitric Oxide Synthase, and Superoxide
      Dismutase of Infertile Patients with Positive Antisperm Antibody in Seminal
      Plasma.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to study the effect of positive antisperm antibody
      (AsAb) in seminal plasma on acrosomal enzyme activity, nitric oxide synthase
      (NOS) activity, and superxide dismutase (SOD) activity of spermatozoa. A total of
      40 infertility patients with positive AsAb in seminal plasma were selected as
      experimental group, and 40 fertile males were selected as control group. Based on
      the changes in absorbance, the acrosomal enzyme activity was detected by the
      BAEE/ADH method, the NOS activity was detected by the redoxreaction assay, and
      SOD level was measured with xanthine oxidase method. Compared with the control
      group, acrosomal enzyme activity of spermatozoa of the experimental group was
      significantly decreased (P < 0.01), NOS activity was apparently increased (P <
      0.01), and the SOD level in seminal plasma was significantly decreased (P <
      0.01). The infertility caused by positive AsAb in seminal plasma may be related
      to the changes in the acrosomal enzyme of spermatozoa and the SOD and NOS
      activities in seminal plasma. 

PMID- 27259306
TI  - Comparison of SPE, IFE, and FLC in Monitoring Patients with Multiple Myeloma
      After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation.
AB  - Conventionally, serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and serum immunofixation
      electrophoresis (IFE) are used as primary methods to diagnose and monitor
      multiple myeloma (MM). Recently, serum-free light chain (FLC) assay has been
      incorporated into hematological screening programs for myeloma. The purpose of
      this study is to compare the performance of the three methods in monitoring MM
      patients after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). SPE, serum IFE and
      serum FLC assay were performed on 38 MM patients who underwent ASCT. In total,
      four patients had unexpected protein bands (UPBs) and 13 patients had relapsed
      after ASCT. Our results indicate that IFE is more sensitive than SPE and FLC
      assay in detection of UPBs and relapse. The results of IFE may provide useful
      information in advance of patient relapse. 

PMID- 27259307
TI  - Polyphenols in Health and Disease.
AB  - Deadly diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, remain the major
      health problems worldwide. Research in cardiovascular diseases and genome-wide
      association studies were successful in indentifying the gene loci associated with
      these threatening diseases. Yet, a substantial number of casual factors remain
      unexplained. Over the last decade, a better understanding of molecular and
      biochemical mechanisms of cardiac diseases led to developing a rationale for
      combining various protective agents, such as polyphenols, to target multiple
      signaling pathways. The present review article summarizes recent advances of the
      use of polyphenols against diseases, such as cardiac diseases. 

PMID- 27259308
TI  - Inhibitory Effects and Sympathetic Mechanisms of Distension in the Distal Organs
      on Small Bowel Motility and Slow Waves in Canine.
AB  - Rectal distension (RD) is known to induce intestinal dysmotility. Few studies
      were performed to compare effects of RD, colon distension (CD) and duodenal
      distension (DD) on small bowel motility. This study aimed to investigate effects
      and underlying mechanisms of distensions in these regions on intestinal motility
      and slow waves. Eight dogs chronically implanted with a duodenal fistula, a
      proximal colon fistula, and intestinal serosal electrodes were studied in six
      sessions: control, RD, CD, DD, RD + guanethidine, and CD + guanethidine.
      Postprandial intestinal contractions and slow waves were recorded for the
      assessment of intestinal motility. The electrocardiogram was recorded for the
      assessment of autonomic functions. (1) Isobaric RD and CD suppressed intestinal
      contractions (contractile index: 6.0 +/- 0.4 with RD vs. 9.9 +/- 0.9 at baseline,
      P = 0.001, 5.3 +/- 0.2 with CD vs. 7.7 +/- 0.8 at baseline, P = 0.008).
      Guanethidine at 3 mg/kg iv was able to partially block the effects. (2) RD and CD
      reduced the percentage of normal intestinal slow waves from 92.1 +/- 2.8 to 64.2
      +/- 3.4 % (P < 0.001) and from 90 +/- 2.7 to 69.2 +/- 3.7 % (P = 0.01),
      respectively. Guanethidine could eliminate these inhibitory effects. (3) DD did
      not induce any changes in small intestinal contractions and slow waves (P >
      0.05). (4) The spectral analysis of the heart rate variability showed that both
      RD and CD increased sympathetic activity (LF) and reduced vagal activity (HF) (P
      < 0.05). Isobaric RD and CD could inhibit postprandial intestinal motility and
      impair intestinal slow waves, which were mediated via the sympathetic pathway.
      However, DD at a site proximal to the measurement site did not seem to impair
      small intestinal contractions or slow waves. 

PMID- 27259309
TI  - Evaluation of Immunosuppressive Activity of Demethylzeylasteral in a Beagle Dog
      Kidney Transplantation Model.
AB  - Several monomers isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f. (Celastraceae) have
      attracted worldwide interest. In this study, we established a simple and reliable
      kidney transplantation model in beagle dog to evaluate the immunosuppressive
      activity of demethylzeylasteral (T-96), an immunosuppressive monomer isolated
      from the root xylem of T. wilfordii. Recipient and donor male beagle dogs were
      obtained from two different breeders to ensure MHC mismatching. All dogs were
      randomly divided into six groups following kidney transplantation, and different
      doses of T-96 or cyclosporine A (CsA) were administered to each group during 14
      days of observation. The results showed that T-96 alone at a dosage of 10 or 20
      mg/kg/day prolonged graft survival up to 10.83 +/- 1.47 or 11.17 +/- 1.47 days. A
      combination of T-96 and CsA significantly prolonged the survival time to 13.33 +/
      1.75 days. The results demonstrated that T-96 can inhibit acute rejection in
      kidney transplantation, and the inhibitory effect of T-96 was enhanced when
      combined with CsA, which suggests the possible use in organ transplantation to
      prevent immune rejection. 

PMID- 27259310
TI  - Curcumin Promotes Cell Cycle Arrest and Inhibits Survival of Human Renal Cancer
      Cells by Negative Modulation of the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Curcumin possesses anti-cancer effects. In the current study, we tested the
      effect of curcumin on cell proliferation, viability, apoptosis, cell cycle
      phases, and activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in the renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
      cell line RCC-949. We observed that cell proliferation and viability were
      markedly inhibited by curcumin, while cell apoptosis was promoted. The latter
      effect was associated with increased expression of Bcl-2 and diminished
      expression of Bax (both: mRNA and protein). The cells treated with curcumin
      increasingly went into cell cycle arrest, which was likely mediated by diminished
      expression of cyclin B1, as seen in curcumin-treated cells. In addition, curcumin
      decreased activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, our
      results demonstrate that curcumin exerts anti-cancer effects by negative
      modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and may represent a promising new
      drug to treat RCC. 

PMID- 27259311
TI  - The Effects of Ephedrine and Phenylephrine on Placental Vascular Resistance
      During Cesarean Section Under Epidual Anesthesia.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to study the effect of ephedrine and phenylephrine
      on placental vascular resistance during cesarean section under epidural
      anesthesia via Doppler ultrasonography. Sixty female subjects, scheduled for
      elective cesarean section and had an intrathecal injection of bupivacaine, were
      randomly divided into two groups to receive phenylephrine (50 MUg/min) or
      ephedrine (4 mg/min) via titration to maintain systolic blood pressure at
      baseline. Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure baseline vascular
      resistance values prior to administration of anesthesia, and resistance index
      (RI) and systolic peak velocity/diastolic velocity (S/D) values of umbilical
      artery and uterine artery were measured at each time point within first 20 min
      following intrathecal injection. Blood samples were collected from umbilical
      artery and umbilical vein during delivery to assess the blood gas values. No
      significant differences in RI and S/D values of umbilical artery and uterine
      artery after intrathecal injection were found between two groups. RI and S/D
      values of uterine artery slightly increased in both groups at each time point
      after anesthesia, but remained within the normal range. No significant
      differences were observed in blood gas values and the total amount of
      vasoconstriction drugs between two groups. In contrast to previous reports that
      used animal models, our study did not show increased placental vascular
      resistance in patients following phenylephrine (50 MUg/min) or ephedrine (4
      mg/min) infusion, as well as no significant differences in the effect of either
      of these two. The discrepancy between the results of human and animal studies may
      be related to species differences and the mechanism of human placental vascular
      remodeling. 

PMID- 27259312
TI  - The Effect of PSD-93 Deficiency on the Expression of Early Inflammatory Cytokines
      Induced by Ischemic Brain Injury.
AB  - The aim of the study was to explore the effect of PSD-93 deficiency on the
      expression of early inflammatory cytokines induced by cerebral
      ischemia/reperfusion injury. Ten- to twelve-week-old male PSD-93 knockout (PSD-93
      KO) mice (C57BL/6 genetic background) and wild-type (WT) littermates were
      randomly divided into sham and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group. The focal
      cerebral I/R model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)
      suture method. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-10, Cox
      2, iNOS, and TNF-alpha4h following reperfusion. Infarct volume at different time
      points after I/R was analyzed using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium staining, and
      neurological damage score (neurological severity scores, NSS) was used to
      evaluate the effect of PSD-93 gene knockout on the MCAO-induced neurological
      injury. In WT mice, early I/R injury led to the increase in the mRNA expression
      of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, Cox-2, iNOS, and TNF-alpha that coincided with
      the decrease in the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, as compared
      to the sham group (P < 0.05). This effect was markedly attenuated by depleting
      PSD-93 levels by gene knockout. As compared to sham group, in PSD-93 KO mice
      I/R4h led to downregulation of Cox-2 and iNOS expression, and increase in the
      mRNA levels of IL-10 (P < 0.05). In addition, following MCAO, PSD-93 KO mice
      exhibited improved NSS and reduced infarct volumes, as compared with WT animals.
      PSD-93 knockout may play a neuroprotective role by mediating the early release of
      inflammatory cytokines induced by cerebral ischemia. 

PMID- 27259313
TI  - Low-Dose Topical 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of
      Different Severity of Acne Vulgaris.
AB  - The objective of this article is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of
      photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 3.6 % topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and a
      short incubation time with red light in moderate to severe acne. One hundred and
      thirty-six patients with moderate to severe acne were treated with 3.6 % topical
      ALA-PDT for three sessions with an interval of 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated
      for efficacy and safety on week 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 after the initial treatment.
      Most patients showed apparent clearance of acne lesions at the treated site after
      three sessions. The effective treatment rates were increased after the multiple
      therapies. The clinical outcomes are the best at 4 weeks after the final
      treatment. The total effectiveness rate and cure rate of the low-dose ALA-PDT
      procedure is 92.65 and 47.06 %, respectively. Thirty-one patients and nineteen
      patients showed apparent exacerbation of acne lesions before the 2nd and 3rd
      treatment, respectively, but all of them showed good or excellent improvement
      after a three-course treatment. A few patients showed mild relapse including
      papules and comedos at 8 weeks after the final treatment. No significant
      differences are found in the effects of different acne severity and different
      genders. Adverse reactions are mild and transient. A 3.6 % topical ALA-PDT with a
      short time incubation with red light is a simple and an effective treatment
      option for moderate to severe acne with mild side effects in Chinese people. 

PMID- 27259314
TI  - Cardioprotective Effect of Anisodamine Against Myocardial Ischemia Injury and its
      Influence on Cardiomyocytes Apoptosis.
AB  - Anisodamine is an ancient Chinese medicine derived from Tibet as a belladonna
      alkaloid, which is usually used for improvement of blood circulation in patients
      with organ phosphorus poisoning or shock. In this study, for the first time, we
      report its cardioprotective effects on preventing ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)
      injury of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and decreasing the
      myocardial infarction area and severity in heart of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Our
      results suggest a potential molecular mechanism of anisodamine against the I/R
      injury in cardiomyocytes is associated with its anti-apoptotic effect.
      Anisodamine treatment decreases the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8, and
      increases Bcl-2/Bax ratio in cardiomyocytes. Our data suggest that anisodamine
      can provide significant cardioprotection against I/R injury, potentially through
      the suppression of cardiomyocytes apoptosis. 

PMID- 27259315
TI  - Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Levobupivacaine Used for Epidural
      Anesthesia in Patients with Liver Dysfunction.
AB  - The objective of this study was to study the pharmacodynamics and
      pharmacokinetics of levobupivacaine used for epidural anesthesia in patients with
      liver dysfunction. Twenty patients aged 20-60, American Society of
      Anesthesiologists (ASA) graded I-III according to the ASA guidelines, scheduled
      for elective upper abdominal surgery, were included in the study. They were
      divided into two groups of ten each. In group I, the patients with liver
      dysfunction were included, whereas group II was composed of those with normal
      liver function. In both groups, anesthesia was induced by general anesthesia
      combined with epidural block, given by T 8-9 interspace injection of 1.8 mg kg(
      1) levobupivacaine (0.75 %) with 5 MUg mL(-1) of adrenaline in 1.5 min. The
      sensory and motor blockade indices were recorded for 30 min after the injection.
      The plasma concentration of levobupivacaine was determined by high performance
      liquid chromatography from 0 to 1440 min after the injection and pharmacokinetics
      of the drug were calculated. The onset and recovery time from the sensory block
      in the two groups were similar with no significant difference (P > 0.05). The
      maximum spread of anesthetic effect, the number of spinal segments regressed,
      onset time, and degree of motor block after the injection were also
      insignificantly different in the two groups. The plasma levobupivacaine
      concentration/time curve of the liver dysfunction (group I) was significantly
      higher than that of the controls (group II). In the liver dysfunction patients,
      the volume of distribution (V/F) was significantly increased, the elimination
      rate, i.e., half-life (t 1/2beta ), was prolonged, and the elimination rate
      constants (K 12 and K 10) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).
      The patients with liver dysfunction injected with 0.75 % levobupivacaine
      exhibited normal onset and recovery time of the sensory and motor blocks within
      30 min. However, in these patients, the metabolism of levobupivacaine was
      significantly slower as evidenced by the higher blood concentration of the drug
      than in cases with normal functioning liver. 

PMID- 27259316
TI  - A New Ex Vivo Method for Effective Expansion and Activation of Human Natural
      Killer Cells for Anti-Tumor Immunotherapy.
AB  - Preserving the activities of natural killer (NK) cells in human peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after ex vivo expansion and activation is critical for
      NK cell-based therapy. Collected from human PBMCs, the NK cells were expanded and
      activated. The expressions of surface receptors, cytotoxicity against tumor
      cells, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of the NK cells
      before and after expansion and activation were, respectively, compared. After
      expansion, the ADCC activity of healthy human NK cells was improved by 32 %, and
      the cytotoxicity against four types of tumor cells was increased by 19, 29, 26,
      and 28 %, respectively. The positive expression rates for the activating
      receptors NKG2D, CD94, NKp46, NKp30, and NKp44 of healthy human NK cells expanded
      ex vivo were increased by 60, 40, 20, 40, and 63 %, respectively, whereas those
      for the inhibitory receptors CD158b, NKB1, and NKAT showed no significant
      changes. The addition of an immunologically active peptide, "TKD," during cell
      expansion further increased NK cytotoxicity by approximately 10 %. The expanded
      and activated NK cells from cancer patients achieved average purity which was
      greater than 90 %, and the cytotoxicity against K562 cells was increased by more
      than 17 %. Compared with resting NK cells, NK cells both from healthy volunteers
      and cancer patients expanded and activated ex vivo using our method were
      significantly more active and demonstrated significantly increased anti-tumor
      activity. This method could be therefore used as a new and effective approach to
      meet requirements for anti-tumor immunotherapy. 

PMID- 27259317
TI  - Influence of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy on the Life Quality of
      Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.
AB  - The present study intends to explore the influence of intensity-modulated
      radiation therapy on the quality of life for patients with nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma, which provides a theoretical basis and practical foundation for
      clinical practice. The present study randomly enrolled 130 cases of patients with
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in different stages who were admitted in The
      Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University and the First Affiliated
      Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from September 2007 to August 2012,
      including 65 cases in IMRT group who received intensity-modulated radiation
      therapy and 65 cases in CRT group who received conventional radiation therapy.
      The prescribed dose in the target region of radical radiation therapy was 72
      Gy/36 f; the prescribed dose in the target region at high risk was 60-64 Gy/30-32
      f; the prescribed dose in the target region at low risk was 50-54 Gy/25-27 f and
      2 Gy/f, with conventional fractionated irradiation of 1 f/d and 5 f/w. The data
      of the quality of life for patients with NPC who received intensity-modulated
      radiation therapy and conventional radiation therapy were collected and analyzed
      by filling in the questionnaire survey, including the Quality of Life
      Questionnaire of Head and Neck 35 (QLQ-H&N35) and Shot Form 36 Health Survey
      Questionnaire (SF-36). RP, VT, BP, SF, and RE scores in eight fields in SF-36
      Scale were declined during the radiation therapy and risen again after radiation
      therapy, and those measured at 6 months after radiation therapy were higher than
      those before radiation therapy (all P < 0.05). The scores in IMRT group measured
      at two and six months after radiation therapy were all higher than those in CRT
      group (all P < 0.05). The scores of head and neck pain, pararthria, dysphagia,
      social difficulty, sensory difficulty, difficulty in feeding, xerostomia, cough,
      sticky saliva, and sensory discomfort during the radiation therapy were lower
      than those before radiation therapy (all P < 0.05). Except for the scores of
      sticky saliva and xerostomia, the other scores measured at 6 months after
      radiation therapy were all lower than those before radiation therapy, and the
      scores of dysphagia, sticky saliva, and xerostomia in MRT group were lower than
      those in CRT group (all P < 0.05). Conventional radiation therapy and intensity
      modulated radiation therapy can cause a decline the quality of life for the
      patient with head and neck cancer, but intensity-modulated radiation therapy can
      improve local tumor control rate and significantly reduce the incidence of
      adverse reactions. 

PMID- 27259318
TI  - Effects of TGF-beta1 on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Human Cervical Cancer
      Hela Cells In Vitro.
AB  - To investigate the effects of TGF-beta1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of
      cervical cancer Hela cells in vitro. Human cervical cancer Hela cells were
      cultured in vitro and divided into the experimental and control groups. In the
      experimental groups, Hela cells were stimulated with different concentrations of
      TGF-beta1 (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng/mL), while Hela cells cultured in serum-free
      medium without TGF-beta1 were used as controls. The CCK8 method was adopted to
      detect the effect of TGF-beta1 on Hela cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was
      used to determine cell apoptosis 72 h after TGF-beta1 treatment. Compared with
      the control group, the CCK-8 tests showed that different concentrations of TGF
      beta1 had no obvious effect on Hela cell proliferation 24 h after treatment (P >
      0.05). However, upon 48 or 72 h of treatment, TGF-beta1 significantly inhibited
      the proliferation of Hela cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05).
      The flow cytometry results indicated that TGF-beta1 influenced the apoptosis of
      human cervical cancer Hela cells in a dose-dependent manner after 72 h of
      treatment (P < 0.05). TGF-beta1 significantly inhibited the growth and induced
      the apoptosis of human cervical Hela cells in vitro. 

PMID- 27259319
TI  - Study on Clinicopathological Features of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and
      Relevant Prognostic Factors.
AB  - The objective of the study is to investigate and analyze clinicopathological
      features of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and relevant prognostic
      factors. Between September 2008 and April 2014, 168 patients who presented with
      pathologically confirmed GIST and underwent surgical resection of the tumors in
      our institution were included in this study. A retrospective study on
      clinicopathological features of the disease and follow-up study on 1-year, 3
      year, and 5-year survival rates were performed. Of 168 patients, 113 were males
      and 55 females of age ranging from 18 to 78 years (mean age 52.6 +/- 10.1 years).
      Seventy patients (41.7 %) presented abdominal distension, 74 (44.0 %) abdominal
      pain, and 82 (48.8 %) bloody stools. Of all patients, 115 (68.4 %) developed
      tumors in GI tract, 51 (30.4 %) presented multiple tumors, 88 (52.4 %) tumors
      displayed a maximal diameter >5 cm, mitotic count >5/50HPF were observed in 80
      patients. Positive rate of CD117 was 92.9 % (156/12), DOG1 97.0 % (163/5), CD34
      53.0 % (89/79) and S-100 25.6 % (43/125). Follow-up study achieved in 149
      patients. Survival analysis and Cox regression analysis demonstrated that no
      significant prognostic effects were observed for gender, clinical presentations,
      tumor location, number of tumors, CD34 and S-100 expression (p > 0.05). However,
      tumor diameter and mitotic count were factors with significant effect on
      prognosis of GIST (p < 0.05). Tumors with diameter >5 cm and mitotic count
      >=5/50HPF resulted in poor prognosis. Common symptoms of GIST include abdominal
      pain and blood stools. Tumor diameter and mitotic count are helpful for the
      evaluation of prognosis with favorable clinical value. 

PMID- 27259320
TI  - Hypoxic Preconditioning Combined with Microbubble-Mediated Ultrasound Effect on
      MSCs Promote SDF-1/CXCR4 Expression and its Migration Ability: An In Vitro Study.
AB  - Our objective is to investigate the promoting effect of hypoxic preconditioning
      combined with microbubble (MB)-mediated ultrasound (US) on the SDF-1/CXCR4
      expression and the migration ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Based on
      the uniform design, the parameters of MB-mediated US, such as the total treatment
      time (T), acoustic intensity (Q), and the dosage of MBs, were optimized firstly.
      The results were assessed by regression analysis. Using the optimum irradiation
      parameters, the concentration of SDF-1 in the supernatant, the expression levels
      of membrane CXCR4, and the cell viability of hypoxic MSCs or normoxic MSCs were
      compared. The in vitro transwell migration assay was performed as well. The best
      combination of parameters for more SDF-1 secretion and less MSCs death was T = 30
      s, A = 0.6 W/cm(2), and MB = 10(6)/ml. After 24 h of hypoxic preconditioning, the
      expression of SDF-1 and surface CXCR4 was increased in the hypoxic MSC group as
      compared to the normoxic MSC group (P < 0.05). On the basis of that, MB-mediated
      US could further upregulate the expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 with the optimum
      parameters (P < 0.05), while the cell viability was only decreased by about 9-10
      % compared to the untreated groups. The number of successfully migrated cells was
      also the largest in the hypoxic preconditioning combined with MB-mediated US
      group than all the other groups. The results obtained indicate the combination of
      hypoxic preconditioning, and MB-mediated US can upregulate the SDF-1/CXCR4
      expression and improve the migration ability in MSCs. 

PMID- 27259321
TI  - Research on Acute Toxicity and Pharmacodynamics of Jinyulian Oral Solution.
AB  - A research on Jinyulian Oral Solution was conducted and the objectives were to
      discover its possible acute toxicity and antibacterial effects when used in vitro
      and in vivo. Regarding the acute toxicity test, Kunming mice were fed a maximum
      amount of the solution as their stomachs could hold, i.e., 40 mL kg(-1). To
      ascertain the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the solution, two types
      of germs, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were selected and
      tube dilution method was adopted. An antibacterial experimental model relying on
      animals' body was developed for the researchers to observe the solution's
      antibacterial effects. Test results showed that no abnormalities were discovered
      within 14 days after the initial date of testing and the mice grew as normal when
      fed with an amount of the solution 250 times of a normal clinical doze (In this
      case a man was assumed to weigh 60 kg.) and that the solution demonstrated
      obvious antibacterial effects on the two types of selected germs. The respective
      measured MIC50 and MIC90 values of the two germs were 3.2, 12.8, 6.4, and 25.6 mg
      L(-1). Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Jinyulian Oral Solution
      possesses no acute toxicity but obvious antibacterial effects on the two before
      mentioned germs. 

PMID- 27259322
TI  - The Expression of HSPD1, SCUBE3, CXCL14 and Its Relations with the Prognosis in
      Osteosarcoma.
AB  - The aim of the study was to explore the expression of three genes, HSPD1, SCUBE3,
      and CXCL14, in osteosarcoma cells and tissue, as well as their association with
      the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. The expression of HSPD1, SCUBE3, and
      CXCL14 in osteosarcoma cells was detected by using Western blotting method. siRNA
      was used to knockdown the expression of the three genes. CCK8 cell proliferation
      assay was used to observe the effect of siRNA interference on U2OS cell
      proliferation. The expression of the three genes in osteosarcoma tissue was
      detected employing immunohistochemical method. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was
      used to compare the relations between the expression of the three genes and
      prognosis. The Western blotting results showed that the expression of Hsp70,
      SCUBE3 protein, and CXCL14 chemotactic factor in osteosarcoma cells was
      significantly higher than that in normal osteocytes (p < 0.05). After the three
      genes were interfered by siRNA, the mRNA and protein expression levels of these
      genes in osteosarcoma cells were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The growth
      rate of U2OS cell after the siRNA interference was significantly lower than that
      before interference and that in the control group transfected with negative
      control siRNA (p < 0.05). The result of immunohistochemistry demonstrated that
      the expression of Hsp70, SCUBE3 protein, and CXCL14 chemotactic factor in
      osteosarcoma tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent muscle tissue
      (p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that the survival rate of
      the patients with high expression of those three kinds of genes was obviously
      lower than that of other patients (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference
      between the survival rates of patients with high or low expression of two genes
      (p > 0.05). The expression of HSPD1, SCUBE3, and CXCL14 was all high in
      osteosarcoma tissues and cells; moreover, the three kinds of genes had close
      correlations with the prognosis of the patients. Targeted inhibition of these
      three genes could inhibit the proliferation of the tumor, which may become a new
      therapeutic target. 

PMID- 27259323
TI  - Different Treatment Strategies for Patients with Multivessel Coronary Disease and
      High SYNTAX Score.
AB  - We sought to evaluate the prognosis of different treatment strategies on patients
      with multivessel coronary disease and high SYNTAX score. 171 patients with
      multivessel coronary disease and SYNTAX score epsilon33, who underwent coronary
      angiography between July 2009 and July 2010 at our hospital were retrospectively
      selected and divided into incomplete and complete revascularization intervention
      groups (IR), a coronary artery bypass surgery group (CABG), a conservative drug
      therapy group according to treatment strategies chosen and agreed by the
      patients. These patients were followed up for 19.44 +/- 5.73 months by telephone
      or outpatient service. We found the medical treatment group has a lower overall
      survival than the IR, CR group, and CABG group (P log-rank values are 0.03, 0.03,
      and 0.02, respectively). The medical treatment group also has a lower survival
      than the IR group, CR group, and CABG group in cerebral stroke and recurrent
      myocardial infarction (MI) (P log-rank values are 0.004, 0.03, and 0.001,
      respectively) and MACE events (P log-rank values are 0.003, 0.001 and P < 0.001,
      respectively). The medical treatment group and IR group have lower survival in
      recurrent angina pectoris than the CR group and CABG group (P log-rank values are
      0.02, 0.02 and 0.03, 0.008, respectively). There are no significant differences
      between the CR group and the CABG group in number of deaths, strokes and
      recurrent MIs, MACE events, angina pectoris (P log-rank values are 0.69, 0.53,
      and 0.86, respectively). The IR group shows a lower survival than the CR group
      and CABG group only in angina pectoris (P log-rank values are 0.03 and 0.008,
      respectively). For the patients with a high SYNTAX score, medical treatment is
      still inferior to revascularization therapy (interventional therapy or coronary
      artery bypass surgery). It appears that the CABG is not obviously superior to the
      coronary intervention therapy. Complete revascularization and coronary artery
      bypass grafting treatments simply have better survival in angina pectoris
      compared to the incomplete revascularization. Therefore, individual treatment
      strategies are recommended and more trials are required to study these effects. 

PMID- 27259324
TI  - Transforming Growth Factor beta1 Promotes Migration and Invasion of Human
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Via Up-Regulation of Connective Tissue Growth
      Factor.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with a
      poor patient survival. Expression of TGF-beta1 is up-regulated in HCC and is
      thought to play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of HCC. However,
      the mechanism of TGF-beta1-mediated facilitation of malignant growth and invasion
      remains unclear, although some previous studies highlighted a potential
      involvement of the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Here we demonstrate
      that the in vitro migration of the HCC cell line SMMC-7721 is increased in the
      presence of recombinant TGF-beta1, and that this effect is reversed by the
      specific inhibitor SB431542. Furthermore, TGF-beta1 treatment up-regulated the
      expression of its own mRNA as well as the expression of CTGF mRNA. The TGF-beta1
      stimulated migration of SMMC-7721 cells was diminished by siRNA silencing of
      CTGF. These in vitro observations were validated in a murine xenograft model. In
      particular, silencing of CTFG diminished the TGF-beta1-induced tumorigenesis in
      experimental animals. In conclusion, TGF-beta1 plays a critical role in HCC
      migration and invasion, and this effect is dependent on CTGF. 

PMID- 27259325
TI  - Non-ingested Intraperitoneal Foreign Body Extraction by Transumbilical Endoscopic
      Surgery in a 2-year-Old Girl.
AB  - In this article, we present an unusual case of a girl who had a mass present in
      the right lower quadrant of the abdomen and imaging analysis showed that to be a
      sewing needle. Patient was admitted electively and taken to the operation theater
      for removal of a foreign body under general anesthesia. The needle was extracted
      with transumbilical endoscopic surgery (TUES) without any evidence of intra
      abdominal organ injury and with a good long-term cosmetic outcome. This case
      highlights the subtleties of TUES in the management of intra-abdominal foreign
      bodies in children including rare causes such as non-ingested foreign bodies. 

PMID- 27259326
TI  - Effect of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Argon-Helium
      Cryosurgery System on the Changes of NK Cells and T Cell Subsets in Peripheral
      Blood of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive tumors in humans. T
      lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells are the body's first line of defense to
      prevent tumor cell growth. Previous studies have demonstrated that transcatheter
      arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with argon-helium cryosurgery system
      (AHCS) can effectively treat liver cancer. However, the mechanism of the
      treatment is unclear yet. In the current study, we investigated the effects of
      TACE combined with AHCS on the changes of T cell subsets and NK cells in
      peripheral blood of HCC. Our data show that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in
      peripheral blood were significantly up-regulated in HCC patients before treatment
      when compared with healthy people and reduced after TACE combined with AHCS
      treatment (P < 0.01). In addition, we found that CD4+ cells and NK cells
      decreased (P < 0.05) and CD8+ cells increased (P < 0.05) in HCC patients when
      compared with healthy people. After treatment, the CD4+ cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio,
      and NK cells were dramatically increased in HCC patients (P < 0.05). In contrast,
      CD8+ cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). TACE combined with AHCS
      treatment significantly prolonged 1-year survival rate of HCC patients and did
      not show significant side effects. Taken together, our data indicate that TACE
      combined with AHCS treatment improves patients' immune system. It is a feasible
      and effective therapeutic method for HCC patients. 

PMID- 27259327
TI  - Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ERalpha)-Associated Fibroblasts Promote Cell Growth in
      Prostate Cancer.
AB  - Estrogen receptor (ER) is expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in
      the stromal compartment of cancerous prostate. However, the effect of ERalpha in
      CAF cells on prostate cancer (PCa) cell growth remains unclear. We used
      lentiviral transduction to stably express ERalpha in CAF cells isolated from
      transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate model. MTT and 3D colony
      formation assays demonstrated that conditioned medium from ERalpha-expressing CAF
      cells (CAF-ERalpha+) promoted cell proliferation and colony growth of various PCa
      cell lines, such as PC3, LNCaP, 22RV1, and C4-2. We further confirmed the in
      vitro data by orthotopically co-implanting 22RV1, transfected with firefly
      luciferase, and CAF-ERalpha+ cells in vivo using mouse model. Mice co-implanted
      with CAF-ERalpha+ exhibited stronger luciferase signals and bigger tumor size
      compared to animals co-implanted with CAF that do not express ER. Our results
      demonstrate that ER expressed in CAF might play a pro-proliferative role in PCa. 

PMID- 27259328
TI  - Shorter EGFR Dinucleotide Repeat Length Predicts Better Response of Patients with
      Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between intron 1 CA
      repeat polymorphisms of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) and the
      clinical outcome of Chinese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We genotyped the
      intron 1 CA-repeat genetic polymorphisms of EGFR in 84 Chinese patients with
      NSCLC. The relationship between the length of the CA repeats and EGFR mutations
      in exons 18-21 in the 84 patients was elucidated. We then analyzed the
      association between the length of the CA repeats and the clinical outcome of EGFR
      TKI-treated patients with NSCLC. EGFR mutations in exon 19 were significantly
      associated with shorter CA repeats. Patients with shorter CA repeats had a
      significantly longer progression-free survival with EGFR-TKI treatment than those
      with longer CA repeats. Our results suggest that shorter CA repeats in intron 1
      of EGFR are associated with EGFR mutations and the clinical outcomes of TKI
      treated patients with NSCLC. 

PMID- 27259329
TI  - Distribution of EGFR Mutations in 10,607 Russian Patients with Lung Cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study was aimed to evaluate distribution of epidermal growth
      factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in a large series of Russian lung cancer (LC)
      patients. METHODS: 10,607 LC samples were considered for EGFR analysis; EGFR
      status was successfully determined in 10,426 cases (98.3 %), indicating
      relatively low failure rate. RESULTS: EGFR mutations (ex19del and L858R) were
      detected in 1759/8716 (20.2 %) adenocarcinomas, 28/669 (4.2 %) squamous cell
      carcinomas (SCC) and 8/119 (6.7 %) large cell carcinomas. The occurrence of EGFR
      mutations in adenocarcinomas gradually increased with age, being attributed
      mainly to the increment of the L858R frequency in non-smokers (patients aged 18
      30 years: 1/27 (3.7 %); 31-40 years: 5/98 (5.1 %); 41-50 years: 18/276 (6.5 %);
      51-60 years: 102/944 (10.8 %); 61-70 years: 138/1011 (13.7 %); 71-80 years:
      85/496 (17.1 %); 81-100 years: 5/27 (18.5 %); p < 0.0001). The EGFR mutation was
      detected in 804/2107 (38.2 %) non-smoking women versus 125/806 (15.5 %) non
      smoking men (p < 0.0001), while the corresponding figures for smokers were 60/273
      (22.0 %) versus 147/2214 (6.6 %) (p < 0.0001). The obtained gender-related data
      differ from the estimates obtained in Asian studies; they indicate that increased
      prevalence of EGFR mutations in white females may not be entirely attributed to
      the low prevalence of smoking, but is likely to be related to gender factors per
      se. CONCLUSION: Biological causes of distinct age- and gender-related
      distribution of EGFR mutations in LC deserve further investigation.

PMID- 27259331
TI  - Immunotherapy of Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - It is known that the immune response, reflected by high T cell infiltrates in
      primary tumors and metastases, influences the clinical course of colorectal
      cancer (CRC). Therefore, immunotherapy concepts have been adapted from other
      tumor entities, which typically rely on the activation of T cells in the tumor
      microenvironment (e.g. blockade of the immune checkpoint molecules PD-1 and CTLA
      4). However, most of the strategies using the approved checkpoint inhibitors
      and/or combination strategies have more or less failed to produce impressive
      results in early phase trials in CRC. Therefore, a number of novel targets for
      checkpoint inhibition are currently in early phase clinical testing (TIM-3, Lag
      3, OX40, GITR, 4-1BB, CD40, CD70). A simple activation of infiltrating T cells
      will not, however, lead to a meaningful anti-tumor response without modulating
      the environmental factors in CRC. Thus, it is absolutely necessary to improve our
      understanding of the complex regulation of the tumor microenvironment in CRC to
      design individual combination treatments leading to effective immune control. 

PMID- 27259330
TI  - Transcriptomic Segregation of Human Autoantigens Useful for the Diagnosis of
      Autoimmune Diseases.
AB  - The measurement of autoantibodies in the clinical care of autoimmune patients
      allows for diagnosis, monitoring, and even disease prediction. Despite their
      clinical utility, the functional significance of autoantibody target proteins in
      many autoimmune diseases remains unclear. Here we present a comprehensive review
      of 52 autoantigens commonly employed for the serological diagnosis of 24
      autoimmune diseases. We discuss their function, whether they have extracellular
      exposed epitopes, and whether antibodies to these proteins are known to be
      pathogenic. Transcriptomics (RNA-Seq) datasets were mined to display messenger
      RNA (mRNA) expression of the autoantigens across 32 tissues and organs. This
      analysis revealed that autoantigens cluster into one of three groups: expression
      in the tissue most strongly affected in the disease (Group I), ubiquitous
      expression with enrichment in immune tissues (Group II), or expression in other
      tissues not typically associated with the clinical presentation (Group III).
      Clustering demonstrated that the autoantigens within Group I were often proteins
      containing extracellular epitopes, many of which are targets of pathogenic
      autoantibodies. Group II autoantigens were targets for several rheumatological
      diseases, including Sjogren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, myositis, and
      systemic sclerosis, and were ubiquitously expressed with enrichment in immune
      rich tissues. This raises the possibility that immune cells in Group II disorders
      may be the source of autoimmunization and/or targets of immune cell responses.
      Since tissues showing enriched autoantigen gene expression may contribute to the
      development of autoantibodies and subsequent autoimmunity, the emergent patterns
      arising from the autoantigen transcriptomic profiles may provide a new heuristic
      framework to deconvolute these complex disorders.

PMID- 27259333
TI  - The antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina:
      an overview.
AB  - Spirulina is a species of filamentous cyanobacteria that has long been used as a
      food supplement. In particular, Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima are the
      most important. Thanks to a high protein and vitamin content, Spirulina is used
      as a nutraceutical food supplement, although its other potential health benefits
      have attracted much attention. Oxidative stress and dysfunctional immunity cause
      many diseases in humans, including atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, heart
      failure, and hypertension. Thus, the antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti
      inflammatory activities of these microalgae may play an important role in human
      health. Here, we discuss the antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory
      activities of Spirulina in both animals and humans, along with the underlying
      mechanisms. In addition, its commercial and regulatory status in different
      countries is discussed as well. Spirulina activates cellular antioxidant enzymes,
      inhibits lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, scavenges free radicals, and
      increases the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Notably, there
      appears to be a threshold level above which Spirulina will taper off the
      antioxidant activity. Clinical trials show that Spirulina prevents skeletal
      muscle damage under conditions of exercise-induced oxidative stress and can
      stimulate the production of antibodies and up- or downregulate the expression of
      cytokine-encoding genes to induce immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory
      responses. The molecular mechanism(s) by which Spirulina induces these activities
      is unclear, but phycocyanin and beta-carotene are important molecules. Moreover,
      Spirulina effectively regulates the ERK1/2, JNK, p38, and IkappaB pathways. This
      review provides new insight into the potential therapeutic applications of
      Spirulina and may provide new ideas for future studies. 

PMID- 27259332
TI  - [Rare syndromes in intensive care medicine : Presentation of two cases].
AB  - This article presents two cases of young women with spontaneous life-threatening
      bleeding events. Both had a history of gastrointestinal rupture or arterial
      dissection. Based on their medical history and genetic testing, Ehlers-Danlos
      syndrome (EDS) IV (vascular type) was diagnosed. In this very rare disorder which
      accounts for only 5 % of all EDS cases, fibroblasts synthesize reduced and
      abnormal procollagen type III. This is caused by mutations in the COL3A1 gene
      coding for type III procollagen. Life expectancy in these patients is
      significantly reduced. In many cases spontaneous arterial ruptures or dissections
      and organ ruptures are the first manifestations of this disease. More than 80 %
      of patients with EDS IV suffer from a severe complication before 40 years of age.
      Treatment options are very limited. Most important is to avoid invasive
      procedures (open surgery as well as endovascular interventions) because of its
      high morbidity and mortality. Celiprolol, a cardioselective beta-blocker, seems
      to have a beneficial effect by reducing the incidence of vascular complications. 

PMID- 27259334
TI  - 18F-FDG PET/CT and primary hepatic MALT: a case series.
AB  - Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an extremely
      rare disease and its glucidic metabolic behavior is not clear. We retrospectively
      analyzed five patients with histological diagnosis of primary hepatic MALT
      lymphoma who underwent twelve 18F-FDG PET/CT. All staging 18F-FDG PET/CT were
      positive showing 18F-FDG uptake (average SUVmax was 5.62 +/- 1.6) at the
      corresponding liver lesion. 18F-FDG PET/CT also was useful in evaluating the
      complete metabolic response after chemotherapy in three patients and radiotherapy
      in two. Besides, in one patient 18F-FDG PET/CT detected disease relapse during
      follow-up. Despite the low number of patients, our case series shows the 18F-FDG
      avidity of hepatic MALT and the possible role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the management
      of these patients, both for staging, treatment response evaluation and restaging.
      Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

PMID- 27259335
TI  - Emerging stool-based and blood-based non-invasive DNA tests for colorectal cancer
      screening: the importance of cancer prevention in addition to cancer detection.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can be undertaken utilizing a variety of
      distinct approaches, which provides both opportunities and confusion.
      Traditionally, there has often been a trade-off between the degree of
      invasiveness of a screening test and its ability to prevent cancer, with fecal
      occult blood testing (FOBT) and optical colonoscopy (OC) at each end of the
      spectrum. CT colonography (CTC), although currently underutilized for CRC
      screening, represents an exception since it is only minimally invasive, yet
      provides accurate evaluation for advanced adenomas. More recently, the FDA
      approved a multi-target stool DNA test (Cologuard) and a blood-based test (Epi
      proColon) for average-risk CRC screening. This commentary will provide an
      overview of these two new non-invasive tests, including the clinical indications,
      mechanism of action, and diagnostic performance. Relevance to radiology practice,
      including a comparison with CTC, will also be discussed.

PMID- 27259337
TI  - Erratum to: Percutaneous biopsy facilitates modern treatment of renal masses.

PMID- 27259336
TI  - Omental cake.

PMID- 27259338
TI  - Altered breathing mechanics and ventilatory response during exercise in children
      born extremely preterm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extreme preterm birth confers risk of long-term impairments in lung
      function and exercise capacity. There are limited data on the factors
      contributing to exercise limitation following extreme preterm birth. This study
      examined respiratory mechanics and ventilatory response during exercise in a
      large cohort of children born extremely preterm (EP). METHODS: This cohort study
      included children 8-12 years of age who were born EP (<=28 weeks gestation)
      between 1997 and 2004 and treated in a large regionalised neonatal intensive care
      unit in western Canada. EP children were divided into no/mild bronchopulmonary
      dysplasia (BPD) (ie, supplementary oxygen or ventilation ceased before 36 weeks
      gestational age; n=53) and moderate/severe BPD (ie, continued supplementary
      oxygen or ventilation at 36 weeks gestational age; n=50). Age-matched control
      children (n=65) were born at full term. All children attempted lung function and
      cardiopulmonary exercise testing measurements. RESULTS: Compared with control
      children, EP children had lower airway flows and diffusion capacity but preserved
      total lung capacity. Children with moderate/severe BPD had evidence of gas
      trapping relative to other groups. The mean difference in exercise capacity (as
      measured by oxygen uptake (VO2)% predicted) in children with moderate/severe BPD
      was -18+/-5% and -14+/-5.0% below children with no/mild BPD and control children,
      respectively. Children with moderate/severe BPD demonstrated a potentiated
      ventilatory response and greater prevalence of expiratory flow limitation during
      exercise compared with other groups. Resting lung function did not correlate with
      exercise capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Expiratory flow limitation and an exaggerated
      ventilatory response contribute to respiratory limitation to exercise in children
      born EP with moderate/severe BPD.

PMID- 27259339
TI  - Economic evaluation of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in combination with
      dexamethasone for the prevention of 'overall' nausea and vomiting following
      highly emetogenic chemotherapy in Chinese adult patients.
AB  - Background Two pivotal Phase III trials compared the efficacy of palonosetron,
      ondansetron and granisetron, combined with dexamethasone, for the prevention of
      nausea and vomiting following highly emetogenic chemotherapy. However, an
      economic evaluation of these three regimens in the real-world setting of Chinese
      adult patients has not been determined. Objectives To estimate, from the
      perspective of the Chinese healthcare system, which of these frequently used
      strategies consisting of 0.25 mg palonosetron (0.25P), 16 mg ondansetron (Onda),
      and 3 mg granisetron (Gran), is the most cost-effective option in patients
      following highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Methods A Markov decision-analytic
      model was developed. The health and economic outcomes of the three strategies;
      0.25P, Onda, and Gran were investigated. The clinical and utility data were taken
      from published studies. The cost data were calculated according to current local
      Chinese practices. Sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the impact of
      uncertainty regarding the results. Results The base-case analysis showed that the
      0.25P strategy yielded maximum health benefits compared with the other two
      strategies. However, the probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the
      Gran strategy was the most cost-effective approach when the willingness-to-pay
      threshold was not more than US$22,515/quality-adjusted life year. Moreover,
      palonosetron is not cost-effective in preventing 'overall' nausea and vomiting
      following highly emetogenic chemotherapy in Chinese patients. Conclusions Our
      analysis suggests that, compared with palonosetron and ondansetron, 3 mg
      granisetron may be a cost-effective treatment option in the current Chinese
      healthcare setting.

PMID- 27259340
TI  - [New aspects of compression therapy].
AB  - In this review article the mechanisms of action of compression therapy are
      summarized and a survey of materials is presented together with some practical
      advice how and when these different devices should be applied. Some new
      experimental findings regarding the optimal dosage (= compression pressure)
      concerning an improvement of venous hemodynamics and a reduction of oedema are
      discussed. It is shown, that stiff, non-yielding material applied with adequate
      pressure provides hemodynamically superior effects compared to elastic material
      and that relatively low pressures reduce oedema. Compression over the calf is
      more important to increase the calf pump function compared to graduated
      compression. In patients with mixed, arterial-venous ulcers and an ABPI over 0.6
      inelastic bandages not exceeding a sub-bandage pressure of 40 mmHg may increase
      the arterial flow and improve venous pumping function. 

PMID- 27259341
TI  - Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in a Monozygotic Twin Pair: Similarly Different.

PMID- 27259342
TI  - The need for supplemental breast cancer screening modalities: a perspective of
      population-based breast cancer screening programs in Japan.
AB  - PURPOSE: This article discusses possible supplemental breast cancer screening
      modalities for younger women with dense breasts from a perspective of population
      based breast cancer screening program in Japan. CONCLUSION: Supplemental breast
      cancer screening modalities have been proposed to increase the sensitivity and
      detection rates of early stage breast cancer in women with dense breasts;
      however, there are no global guidelines that recommend the use of supplemental
      breast cancer screening modalities in such women. Also, no criterion standard
      exists for breast density assessment. Based on the current situation of breast
      imaging in Japan, the possible supplemental breast cancer screening modalities
      are ultrasonography, digital breast tomosynthesis, and breast magnetic resonance
      imaging. An appropriate population-based breast cancer screening program based on
      the balance between cost and benefit should be a high priority. Further research
      based on evidence-based medicine is encouraged. It is very important that the
      ethnicity, workforce, workflow, and resources for breast cancer screening in each
      country should be considered when considering supplemental breast cancer
      screening modalities for women with dense breasts.

PMID- 27259343
TI  - Measurement characteristics for two health-related quality of life measures in
      older adults: The SF-36 and the CDC Healthy Days items.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthy Days items are well known measures of health
      related quality of life. The validity of the SF-36 for older adults and those
      with disabilities has been questioned. OBJECTIVE: Assess the extent to which the
      SF-36 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthy Days items
      measure the same aspects of health; whether the SF-36 and the CDC unhealthy days
      items are invariant across gender, functional status, or the presence of chronic
      health conditions of older adults; and whether each of the SF-36's eight
      subscales is independently associated with the CDC Healthy Days items. METHODS:
      We analyzed data from 66,269 adult Medicare advantage members age 65 and older.
      We used confirmatory factor analyses and regression modeling to test associations
      between the CDC Healthy Days items and subscales of the SF-36. RESULTS: The CDC
      Healthy Days items were associated with the SF-36 global measures of physical and
      mental health. The CDC physically unhealthy days item was associated with the SF
      36 subscales for bodily pain, physical role limitations, and general health,
      while the CDC mentally unhealthy days item was associated with the SF-36
      subscales for mental health, emotional role limitations, vitality and social
      functioning. The SF-36 physical functioning subscale was not independently
      associated with either of the CDC Healthy Days items. CONCLUSIONS: The CDC
      Healthy Days items measure similar domains as the SF-36 but appear to assess
      HRQOL without regard to limitations in functioning.

PMID- 27259346
TI  - Lithium attenuates lead induced toxicity on mouse non-adherent bone marrow cells.
AB  - Lead is a poisonous heavy metal that occurs in all parts of environment and
      causes serious health problems in humans. The aim of the present study was to
      investigate the possible protective effect of lithium against lead nitrate
      induced toxicity in non-adherent bone marrow stem cells. Trypan blue and MTT
      assays represented that exposure of the cells to different concentrations of lead
      nitrate decreased viability in a dose dependent manner, whereas, pretreatment of
      the cells with lithium protected the cells against lead toxicity. Lead reduced
      the number and differentiation status of bone marrow-derived precursors when
      cultured in the presence of colony stimulating factor (CSF), while the effect was
      attenuated by lithium. The cells treated with lead nitrate exhibited cell
      shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, anion superoxide production, but lithium prevented
      lead action. Moreover, apoptotic indexes such as PARP cleavage and release of
      HMGB1 induced by lead, were protected by lithium, suggesting anti-apoptotic
      effect of lithium. Immunoblot analysis of histone H3K9 acetylation indicated that
      lithium overcame lead effect on acetylation. In conclusion, lithium efficiently
      reduces lead toxicity suggesting new insight into lithium action which may
      contribute to increased cell survival. It also provides a potentially new
      therapeutic strategy for lithium and a cost-effective approach to minimize
      destructive effects of lead on bone marrow stem cells. 

PMID- 27259345
TI  - Oleuropein ameliorates arsenic induced oxidative stress in mice.
AB  - The objective of this study is to investigate the potential preventive effect of
      oleuropein in an experimental arsenic toxicity in mice. For this purpose, mice
      were exposed to 5mg/kg/day sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) in drinking water and treated
      with 30mg/kg/day oleuropein for 15 days. At the end of the experiment, animals
      were sacrificed and selected organs were processed for biochemical and
      histopahtological investigations. Blood, liver, kidney and brain malondialdehyde
      (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined by colorimetric methods.
      Protein carbonyl content is measured by a commercial kit. Liver morphology and
      immunoreactivity for inducible NOS (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) was
      evaluated microscopically. Level of NO was determined to decrease in blood and
      tissues whereas MDA increased in arsenic given mice. Tissue protein carbonyl
      content also increased in this group. Immunoreactivity for iNOS and eNOS was
      noted to increase with arsenic treatment. Oleuropein treatment had significant
      effects in normalizing the MDA and NO levels as well as protein carbonyl content.
      Immunohistochemical staining also showed reduction of the expression of iNOS and
      eNOS in liver. The results indicate that oleuropein ameliorates oxidative tissue
      damage by scavenging free radicals. 

PMID- 27259344
TI  - Anisotropic cerebral vascular architecture causes orientation dependency in
      cerebral blood flow and volume measured with dynamic susceptibility contrast
      magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - Measurements of cerebral perfusion using dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic
      resonance imaging rely on the assumption of isotropic vascular architecture.
      However, a considerable fraction of vessels runs in parallel with white matter
      tracts. Here, we investigate the effects of tissue orientation on dynamic
      susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Tissue orientation was
      measured using diffusion tensor imaging and dynamic susceptibility contrast was
      performed with gradient echo planar imaging. Perfusion parameters and the raw
      dynamic susceptibility contrast signals were correlated with tissue orientation.
      Additionally, numerical simulations were performed for a range of vascular
      volumes of both the isotropic vascular bed and anisotropic vessel components, as
      well as for a range of contrast agent concentrations. The effect of the contrast
      agent was much larger in white matter tissue perpendicular to the main magnetic
      field compared to white matter parallel to the main magnetic field. In addition,
      cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume were affected in the same way with
      angle-dependent variations of up to 130%. Mean transit time and time to maximum
      of the residual curve exhibited weak orientation dependency of 10%. Numerical
      simulations agreed with the measured data, showing that one-third of the white
      matter vascular volume is comprised of vessels running in parallel with the fibre
      tracts.

PMID- 27259347
TI  - Evidence of the direct adsorption of mercury in human hair during occupational
      exposure to mercury vapour.
AB  - We have found clear evidence of direct adsorption of mercury in human hair after
      the occupational exposure to mercury vapour. We have performed both longitudinal
      analysis of human hair by laser ablation ICP-MS and speciation analysis by gas
      chromatography ICP-MS in single hair strands of 5 individuals which were
      occupationally exposed to high levels of mercury vapour and showed acute mercury
      poisoning symptoms. Hair samples, between 3.5 and 11cm long depending on the
      individual, were taken ca. three months after exposure. Single point laser
      ablation samples of 50MUm diameter were taken at 1mm intervals starting from the
      root of the hairs. Sulfur-34 was used as internal standard. The ratio
      (202)Hg/(34)S showed a distinct pattern of mercury concentration with much lower
      levels of mercury near the root of the hair and high levels of mercury near the
      end of the hair. In all cases a big jump in the concentration of mercury in hair
      occurred at a given distance from the root, between 32 and 42mm depending on the
      individual, with a high and almost constant concentration of mercury for longer
      distances to the root. When we took into account the rate of hair growth in
      humans, 9-15mm/month, the jump in mercury concentration agreed approximately with
      the dates when the contamination occurred with the new growing hair showing much
      lower mercury concentration. In some cases the concentration of mercury at the
      tip of the hair was ca. 1000 times higher than that near the root. Additionally,
      speciation studies confirmed that mercury in all hair samples was present as
      inorganic mercury. The only explanation for these results was the direct
      adsorption of mercury vapour in hair at the time of exposure. 

PMID- 27259348
TI  - Levels of l-ascorbic acid and cadmium in the saphenous vein of patients with
      coronary artery disease are negatively correlated.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was the simultaneous determination of levels of
      cadmium and l-ascorbic Acid (AA) in human saphenous vein (SV) used in coronary
      artery bypass grafting (CABG) and check whether there is a relationship between
      these levels. METHODS: Human SV were collected from 40 patients (20 men and 20
      women; age, 40-75 years) at the time of routine coronary artery surgical
      revascularization. The concentration of cadmium in the tissue was determined
      according to the GF AAS-atomic absorption method. The concentration of AA was
      assayed in supernatant by FIA method with spectrophotometric detection. RESULTS:
      AA concentration (mean+/-SD); men: 98,7+/-13,18MUg/g tissue, women: 96,06+/
      11,98MUg/g tissue. Cadmium concentration(mean+/-SD); men: 309+/-103,71ng/g
      tissue, women: 348,5+/-255,71ng/g tissue. Correlations among concentrations of AA
      and cadmium were insignificant negative in the group of men (Pearson r=-0,1504,
      p=0,5269) and in the group women (Pearson r=-0339, p=0144). CONCLUSIONS: Negative
      correlations among concentrations of AA and cadmium in human SV obtained in our
      study may indicate a protective effect of this vitamin in relation to toxic
      cadmium.

PMID- 27259349
TI  - Alterations in blood pressure, antioxidant status and caspase 8 expression in
      cobalt chloride-induced cardio-renal dysfunction are reversed by Ocimum
      gratissimum and gallic acid in Wistar rats.
AB  - The protective abilities of the chloroform extract of Ocimum gratissimum (COG)
      and gallic acid against cobalt chloride (CoCl2) - induced cardiac and renal
      toxicity were evaluated. Rats were exposed to CoCl2 (350ppm) for 7 days, either
      alone, or in combination with COG (100 and 200mg/kg) or gallic acid (120mg/kg).
      CoCl2 given alone, caused significant increases (p<0.05) in oxidative stress
      parameters (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 and malondialdehyde, MDA) and increased
      expression of the apoptotic initiator caspase 8 in the heart and kidneys. There
      was significant reduction (p<0.05) in reduced glutathione (GSH) in cardiac and
      renal tissues; reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the kidneys
      and adaptive increases in Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT).
      CoCl2 also produced significant reduction (p<0.05) in systolic (SBP), diastolic
      (DBP) and mean arterial (MAP) blood pressures. Oral COG and gallic acid treatment
      significantly reduced (p<0.05) the levels of H2O2 and MDA; with reduced
      expression of caspase 8 and restoration of GSH levels, GPx, SOD and CAT
      activities, howbeit, to varying degrees in the heart and kidneys. COG (200mg/kg)
      was most effective in restoring the blood pressures in the rats to near control
      levels. CoCl2-induced histopathological lesions including myocardial infarction
      and inflammation and renal tubular necrosis and inflammation were effectively
      ameliorated by the treatments administered. This study provides evidence for the
      protective roles of O. gratissimum and gallic acid by modulation of CoCl2-induced
      alterations in blood pressure, antioxidant status and pro-apoptotic caspase 8 in
      Wistar rats. 

PMID- 27259350
TI  - Metal bioaccumulation in edible target tissues of mullet (Mugil liza) from a
      tropical bay in Southeastern Brazil.
AB  - The present study aimed to investigate metal bioaccumulation in mullet (M. liza)
      from a tropical bay located in Southeastern Brazil, comparing a previously
      considered reference site to a known contaminated area of the bay, as well as to
      conduct human health risk assessments with regard to the consumption of this
      species. The metal concentrations were compared to the maximum residue level
      (MRL) in foods established by the different national and international regulatory
      agencies, and the Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake (PTDI) was determined and
      compared to reference values. Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese
      (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) concentrations were determined in
      the gills, muscle and liver of 28 mullet by ICP-MS after acid digestion. Certain
      metals exceeded MRL guidelines established by different regulatory agencies,
      indicating human health risks associated to these metals. PTDI values, however,
      did not exceed corresponding metal values proposed by the World Health
      Organization. The metal concentrations found in the mullet samples indicate that
      the previously considered reference site is now showing signs of anthropogenic
      contamination. 

PMID- 27259351
TI  - ICPMS analysis of proteins separated by Native-PAGE: Evaluation of metaloprotein
      profiles in human synovial fluid with acute and chronic arthritis.
AB  - The role of trace elements bound to proteins in the etiology and pathogenesis of
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. In this sense, the identification and
      detection of metalloproteins has a strong and growing interest. Metalloprotein
      studies are currently carried out by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)
      associated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), and despite
      that complete information can be obtained for metals such as Fe, Cu and Zn,
      difficulties due to poor sensitivity for other trace elements such as Sn, As,
      etc, are currently faced. In the present work, a simple and fast method for the
      determination of trace metals bound to synovial fluid (SF) proteins was
      optimized. Proteins from SF (long and short-term RA) were separated in ten
      fractions by native PAGE, then dissolved in nitric acid and peroxide hydrogen,
      and analyzed by ICPMS. Fifteen metals were determined in each separated protein
      fraction (band). Adequate calibration of proteins molecular weight allowed
      stablishing which protein type were bound to different metals. 

PMID- 27259352
TI  - Impact of dialyzer membrane flux on metal clearance in hemodialysis patients.
AB  - Deficiency of essential trace elements (such as Cu or Zn) and accumulation of
      potentially toxic trace elements (as Cd or Pb) are both known to have adverse
      effects in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Up to our knowledge, no studies about the
      permeability of low and high flux polysulfone membranes on metal ions during
      hemodialysis are available. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to
      address this issue. Forty one hemodialysis patients (19 were using high flux
      polysulfone membrane while the remaining were using low flux one) participated in
      the study. Blood levels of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were determined by graphite furnace
      atomic absorption spectrometry among HD patients, before and after dialysis
      session, as well as among matched 40 healthy persons. Blood concentrations of Cu
      and Zn in the whole hemodialysis group was significantly lower than those of the
      healthy control group, on the other hand the toxic metals (Cd and Pb) levels were
      observed to be significantly higher among HD patients compared to the normal
      persons. Among the hemodialysis group, there were no significant differences
      between the low and high flux dialyzer groups in terms of pre-dialysis blood
      levels of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb. In addition, significantly decreased levels of all
      metal ions were observed after dialysis sessions using either low or high flux
      membranes. An exception was Pb which did not show any difference between pre
      dialysis and post-dialysis values in the low flux groupIn conclusion Zn and Cu
      deficiencies should be considered in the treatment of these patients. High flux
      membranes are more efficient than low flux ones in removing excess Cd and Pb.
      Therefore, when high flux membranes are used, chelation therapy might not be
      required for Cd and Pb overload. 

PMID- 27259353
TI  - Incidence of thyroid diseases in Zhejiang Province, China, after 15 years of salt
      iodization.
AB  - Thyroid diseases(TD) can be induced by either deficient or excessive iodine
      intake. Universal Salt Iodization(USI) program has been implemented in China
      since 1995, to prevent iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). To evaluate the current
      conditions of TD and the role of USI, a multi-stage stratified random sampling
      scheme was used to perform a cross-sectional survey on the incidence of TD among
      participants in 6600 households in Zhejiang Province, a coastal area in China.
      Iodine nutrition status of the population was assessed by dietary iodine intake
      recall and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of the participants, and TD were
      diagnosed by thyroid ultrasonography for 15122 participants and for 5873
      participants by serum criteria for thyroid function(fT3, fT4, TSH, TRAb, TgAb,
      TPOAb; see Introduction for abbreviations). The median UIC of the surveyed
      population was 163MUg iodine/L. From the participants 23.2% had UIC<100MUg/L
      which is moderately iodine-deficient according to WHO classification. Diffuse
      goiter was present in 2.3% of the population and thyroid nodule in 20.9%. The
      incidence of hyperthyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism,
      subclinical hypothyroidism, Graves' disease and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis
      was 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.6%, 7.8%, 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. The proportion of
      several TD for participants with non-iodized salt intake was higher than that for
      participants with iodized salt intake. 

PMID- 27259354
TI  - Effect of chromium supplementation on the glucose homeostasis and anthropometry
      of type 2 diabetic patients: Double blind, randomized clinical trial: Chromium,
      glucose homeostasis and anthropometry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of chromium supplementation on the glucose
      homeostasis and anthropometry of type 2 diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Fifty-six individuals with type 2 Diabetes were randomized on a double blind
      clinical trial into three groups: placebo (NC0), 50MUg (NC50) and 200MUg (NC200)
      of chromium nicotinate. Glucose homeostasis, anthropometry and physical activity
      intensity were evaluated at the beginning, at day 45 and at day 90. Energy intake
      was evaluated at the beginning, between the beginning and 45 days, and between
      days 45 and 90 of the study. RESULTS: There were no differences within or between
      groups for HOMA-IR, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass
      percentage and total energy intake during the trial. There was an increase of the
      HOMA-beta in group NC0 (p=0.0349) and a decrease of 1.08kg in group NC50
      (p=0.0048) at 90 days. The relation between body mass index, body fat percentage
      and insulin sensitivity did not change in the placebo and supplemented groups
      (p>0.05). In the effect of the intervention, for each 1cm increase in waist
      circumference there was an increase of 1.90+/-0.63 in HOMA-IR (p=0.0087) and
      16.31+/-5.27% in HOMA-beta (p=0.0073) in group NC200. No difference was seen in
      the intensity of physical activity within the groups and in the comparison
      between the supplemented groups (NC50 and NC200) and placebo (NC0) at 90 days.
      There was an increase in energy expenditure in physical activity at 90days
      (p=0.0371) of intervention in the group subjects NC50. As for total energy
      intake, there were no differences within or between the groups during the study.
      CONCLUSION: 50MUg and 200MUg supplementation with chromium nicotinate for 90days
      did not promote improvements in glucose homeostasis and anthropometry in
      individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PMID- 27259356
TI  - Validity of the copper/zinc ratio as a diagnostic marker for taste disorders
      associated with zinc deficiency.
AB  - Although zinc (Zn) deficiency is often suspected in patients with taste
      disorders, it may be difficult to diagnose Zn deficiency, especially in patients
      without any clear risk factors. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to
      detect possible markers for taste disorders or zinc deficiency. To achieve this
      aim, we analyzed data obtained from 122 Japanese men who were not using medicines
      and had no diseases requiring treatment. We evaluated the following factors:
      awareness of dysgeusia; salty taste recognition threshold (SRT); the serum
      concentrations of Zn, copper (Cu), iron, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin; and
      the Cu/Zn ratio. The serum Cu/Zn ratio was positively correlated with the both
      the SRT and the awareness of dysgeusia. The serum Zn concentration was not
      correlated with the SRT or the awareness of dysgeusia in univariate analyses.
      However, in multivariate logistic regression, the serum Zn concentration was
      associated with the awareness of dysgeusia. In conclusion, the serum Cu/Zn ratio
      is a good diagnostic marker for taste disorders and the value of 1.1 may be a
      threshold level for detecting taste disorders. 

PMID- 27259355
TI  - Boron influences immune and antioxidant responses by modulating hepatic
      superoxide dismutase activity under calcium deficit abiotic stress in Wistar
      rats.
AB  - The influence of Boron (B) supplementation on immune and antioxidant status of
      rats with or without abiotic stress induced by dietary calcium (Ca) restriction
      was studied in a feeding trial of 90 days. Wistar strain rats (3-4 wk age, n=84)
      were divided into 7 dietary groups (4 replicates of 3 each) viz., normal-calcium
      (100%) basal diet alone (NC, control) or supplemented with B at 5 (NCB-5), 10
      (NCB-10), 20 (NCB-20) and 40ppm (NCB-40) levels; low-calcium (50%) basal diet
      alone (LC) or supplemented with 40ppm B (LCB-40). After 75 days of experimental
      feeding, rats were challenged with intraperitoneal injection of sheep RBCs to
      assess their humoral immunity. At the end of the trial, cell-mediated immunity
      was assessed as foot pad reaction to sheep RBCs injected into the hind leg paws.
      Eight rats from each group were sacrificed to collect blood for estimation of
      minerals and total antioxidant activity, and liver for superoxide dismutase gene
      expression analysis. Supplementation of graded levels of B (5, 10, 20 and 40ppm)
      as borax in NC diets significantly increased (P<0.01) the footpad thickness and
      serum total antioxidant activity, hepatic expression levels of both Cu-Zn SOD
      (SOD1) and Mn-SOD (SOD2) mRNAs. The erythrocytic SOD activity and humoral
      response did not differ significantly among the dietary groups. In Ca restricted
      groups, humoral immune response was significantly decreased (P<0.01) compared to
      control but increased (P<0.05) with 40ppm B supplementation. Serum levels of
      copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) remained similar among the dietary groups, while the
      manganese (Mn) content was significantly decreased (P<0.01) with increased levels
      of dietary B. In conclusion, B supplementation increased the hepatic mRNA
      expression levels of both SOD isoenzymes, thereby improving the immune and
      antioxidant status. 

PMID- 27259357
TI  - The influence of manganese treatment on the distribution of metal elements in
      rats and the protection by sodium para-amino salicylic acid.
AB  - Manganese (Mn) overexposure induced neurological damages, which could be
      potentially protected by sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na). In this study,
      we systematically detected the changes of divalent metal elements in most of the
      organs and analyzed the distribution of the metals in Mn-exposed rats and the
      protection by PAS-Na. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats received intraperitoneal
      injections of 15mg/kg MnCl2.4H2O (5d/week for 3 weeks), followed by subcutaneous
      (back) injections of PAS-Na (100 and 200mg/kg, everyday for 5 weeks). The
      concentrations of Mn and other metal elements [Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn),
      Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca)] in major organs (liver, spleen, kidney, thighbone
      and iliac bone, cerebral cortex, hippocampus and testes) and blood by Inductively
      Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results showed that Mn
      overexposure significantly increased Mn in most organs, Fe and Zn in liver, Fe
      and Mg in blood; however decreased Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg and Ca in cortex, Cu and Zn in
      kidney, Cu and Mg in iliac bone, and Zn in blood. In contrast, PAS-Na treatment
      restored most changes particularly in cortex. In conclusion, excessive Mn
      exposure disturbed the balance of other metal elements but PAS-Na post-treatments
      could restore these alterations. 

PMID- 27259359
TI  - Technical Aspects and Benefits of Experimental Mouse Lung Transplantation.
AB  - In recent years, the number of lung transplantations performed as the last option
      for many respiratory diseases has grown considerably, both in adults and
      children. However, the causes for the relatively short survival of lungs compared
      to other organ transplants still need to be studied. Techniques have improved
      since the 1950s when experimental lung transplantation began, and the different
      animal species used now include rodents. The advantage of using these small
      species is that the surgical model has been expanded and standardized, and
      different respiratory problems can be studied. In this review we examine the
      different technical strategies used in experimental transplantation in rats and
      mice, focusing on surgical techniques and anesthesia and monitoring methods, and
      highlighting the major contributions of mouse lung transplantation to the field.

PMID- 27259358
TI  - Resolution of Novel Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Subtypes by Global
      Phosphotyrosine Profiling.
AB  - Comprehensive characterization of signaling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
      (PDAC) promises to enhance our understanding of the molecular aberrations driving
      this devastating disease, and may identify novel therapeutic targets as well as
      biomarkers that enable stratification of patients for optimal therapy. Here, we
      use immunoaffinity-coupled high-resolution mass spectrometry to characterize
      global tyrosine phosphorylation patterns across two large panels of human PDAC
      cell lines: the ATCC series (19 cell lines) and TKCC series (17 cell lines). This
      resulted in the identification and quantification of over 1800 class 1 tyrosine
      phosphorylation sites and the consistent segregation of both PDAC cell line
      series into three subtypes with distinct tyrosine phosphorylation profiles.
      Subtype-selective signaling networks were characterized by identification of
      subtype-enriched phosphosites together with pathway and network analyses. This
      revealed that the three subtypes characteristic of the ATCC series were
      associated with perturbations in signaling networks associated with cell-cell
      adhesion and epithelial-mesenchyme transition, mRNA metabolism, and receptor
      tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, respectively. Specifically, the third subtype
      exhibited enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple RTKs including the EGFR,
      ERBB3 and MET. Interestingly, a similar RTK-enriched subtype was identified in
      the TKCC series, and 'classifier' sites for each series identified using Random
      Forest models were able to predict the subtypes of the alternate series with high
      accuracy, highlighting the conservation of the three subtypes across the two
      series. Finally, RTK-enriched cell lines from both series exhibited enhanced
      sensitivity to the small molecule EGFR inhibitor erlotinib, indicating that their
      phosphosignature may provide a predictive biomarker for response to this targeted
      therapy. These studies highlight how resolution of subtype-selective signaling
      networks can provide a novel taxonomy for particular cancers, and provide
      insights into PDAC biology that can be exploited for improved patient management.

PMID- 27259360
TI  - Do COPD treatment guidelines correctly address the treatment of smoking?

PMID- 27259361
TI  - Combination therapy targeting both cancer stem-like cells and bulk tumor cells
      for improved efficacy of breast cancer treatment.
AB  - Many types of tumors are organized in a hierarchy of heterogeneous cell
      populations. The cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) hypothesis suggests that tumor
      development and metastasis are driven by a minority population of cells, which
      are responsible for tumor initiation, growth and recurrences. The inability to
      efficiently eliminate CSCs during chemotherapy, together with CSCs being highly
      tumorigenic and invasive, may result in treatment failure due to cancer relapse
      and metastases. CSCs are emerging as a promising target for the development of
      translational cancer therapies. Ideal panacea for cancer would kill all malignant
      cells, including CSCs and bulk tumor cells. Since both chemotherapy and CSCs
      specific therapy are insufficient to cure cancer, we propose combination therapy
      with CSCs-targeted agents and chemotherapeutics for improved breast cancer
      treatment. We generated in vitro mammosphere of 2 breast cancer cell lines, and
      demonstrated ability of mammospheres to grow and enrich cancer cells with stem
      like properties, including self-renewal, multilineage differentiation and
      enrichment of cells expressing breast cancer stem-like cell biomarkers
      CD44(+)/CD24(-/low). The formation of mammospheres was significantly inhibited by
      salinomycin, validating its pharmacological role against the cancer stem-like
      cells. In contrast, paclitaxel showed a minimal effect on the proliferation and
      growth of breast cancer stem-like cells. While combination therapies of
      salinomycin with conventional chemotherapy (paclitaxel or lipodox) showed a
      potential to improve tumor cell killing, different subtypes of breast cancer
      cells showed different patterns in response to the combination therapies. While
      optimization of combination therapy is warranted, the design of combination
      therapy should consider phenotypic attributes of breast cancer types.

PMID- 27259362
TI  - Identification and characterization of Dichelobacter nodosus serogroup H from
      ovine footrot in India.
AB  - A total of 56 foot swabs were collected from inter digital spaces of sheep with
      footrot lesions were screened for 16 rRNA of Dichelobacter nodosus by PCR. Out of
      the 56 samples, 38(67.85%) were found to be positive. All the positive samples
      were subjected to multiplex PCR targeting fimA gene for identification of
      serogroups of D. nodosus. Serogroup H was found along with serogroup B in 12
      (55.26%) samples and with serogroup I in 8 (22.2%) samples. The serogroup H was
      identified for the first time from the Indian subcontinent. The phylogenetic
      analysis of the present sequence with the available serogroup H sequences of
      GenBank revealed to be in close association with the serotype H1. 

PMID- 27259363
TI  - Letter to the Editor.

PMID- 27259364
TI  - sesC as a genetic marker for easy identification of Staphylococcus epidermidis
      from other isolates.
AB  - Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the major concerns with respect to hospital
      acquired infections. Therefore, a rapid and easy method to identify at species
      level S. epidermidis isolates out of a broad range of bacteria is necessary.
      Based on earlier studies, the sesC gene encoding a S. epidermidis surface protein
      revealed to be a highly conserved gene in this species. By means of an easy and
      inexpensive PCR assay, the presence of sesC was checked in 438 clinical
      staphylococcal isolates. Results showed that sesC is specifically present in all
      S. epidermidis. In conclusion, the sesC gene can be exploited as a genetic marker
      in order to distinguish S. epidermidis from other isolates.

PMID- 27259365
TI  - Tracing the origin of a singular HIV-1 CRF45_cpx clade identified in Brazil.
AB  - The HIV-1 epidemiology has changed over the past decade toward a marked increase
      in the circulation of strains previously restricted to local epidemics. Recent
      molecular epidemiological surveys identified some HIV-1 strains of probable
      African origin circulating in Brazil, including the Circulating Recombinant Form
      (CRF) 45_cpx, a complex A1/K/U recombinant that circulates in Central Africa.
      Here, we characterize partial genomic sequences and reconstruct the evolutionary
      history of HIV-1 CRF45_cpx-related recombinant samples identified in independent
      studies carried out with HIV+ individuals in Brazil. The sequences were obtained
      by overlapping PCR amplifications followed by direct sequencing. Recombination
      profiles were determined by phylogenetic and bootscaning analyses. The
      evolutionary history was estimated by a Bayesian coalescent-based method using
      datasets representing the gag, pol and env gene fragments. Six of the 10 samples
      isolated in Rio de Janeiro showed a CRF45_cpx-like pattern throughout the
      sequenced genome. The remaining were classified as second-generation
      recombinants, showing the mosaic patterns: CRF45_cpx/B/D/F1/U, CRF45_cpx/B/F1/U,
      CRF45_cpx/B/U and CRF45_cpx/F1. All Brazilian CRF45_cpx sequences, except one,
      formed a monophyletic clade (CRF45-BR), which seems to be the result of a single
      introduction event that has spread to the Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Minas
      Gerais states and is related to sequences from Argentina, Italy and Belgium. The
      Bayesian analyses pointed out quite consistent onset dates for CRF45-BR clade
      (~1984: 1976-1996) in the three gene datasets. These results indicate that the
      CRF45-BR clade has been circulating in the Southeastern Brazilian region for
      about 30years, although its presence was not detected until recently due to its
      very low prevalence. This reinforces the relevance of large-scale molecular
      surveillance data to identify the emergence of new HIV variants and their impact
      on local epidemics.

PMID- 27259366
TI  - Characterization and pathogenicity of a novel mammalian orthoreovirus from wild
      short-nosed fruit bats.
AB  - Mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRVs) have a wide range of geographic distribution and
      have been isolated from humans and various animals. This study describes the
      isolation, molecular characterization and analysis of pathogenicity of MRV
      variant B/03 from wild short-nosed fruit bats. Negative stain electron microscopy
      illustrated that the B/03 strain is a non-enveloped icosahedral virus with a
      diameter of 70nm. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS
      PAGE) migration patterns showed that the B/03 viral genome contains 10 segments
      in a 3:3:4 arrangement. The isolate belongs to MRV serotype 1 based on S1 gene
      nucleotide sequence data. BALB/c mice experimentally infected with B/03 virus by
      intranasal inoculation developed severe respiratory distress with tissue damage
      and inflammation. Lastly, B/03 virus has an increased transmission risk between
      bats and humans or animals.

PMID- 27259367
TI  - Genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection of Plasmodium falciparum isolates
      from Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
AB  - The study of genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum is necessary to
      understand the distribution and dynamics of parasite populations. The genetic
      diversity of P. falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 and 2 has been extensively
      studied from different parts of world. However, limited data are available from
      India. This study was aimed to determine the genetic diversity and multiplicity
      of infection (MOI) of P. falciparum population in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. A
      total of 80day-zero blood samples from Kolkata were collected during a
      therapeutic efficacy study in 2008-2009. DNA was extracted; allelic frequency and
      diversity were investigated by PCR-genotyping method for msp1 and msp2 gene and
      fragment sizing was done by Bio-Rad Gel-Doc system using Image Lab (version 4.1)
      software. P. falciparum msp1 and msp2 markers were highly polymorphic with low
      allele frequencies. In Kolkata, 27 msp1 different genotypes (including 11of K1, 6
      of MAD20 and 10 of Ro33 allelic families) and 30 different msp2 genotypes (of
      which 17 and 13 belonged to the FC27 and 3D7 allelic families, respectively) were
      recorded. The majority of these genotypes occurred at a frequency below 10%. The
      mean MOI for msp1 and msp2 gene were 2.05 and 3.72, respectively. The P.
      falciparum population of Kolkata was genetically diverse. As the frequencies of
      most of the msp1 and msp2 alleles were low, the probability of new infection with
      genotype identical to that in pretreatment infection was very rare. This
      information will serve as baseline data for evaluation of malaria control
      interventions as well as for monitoring the parasite population structure.

PMID- 27259370
TI  - Cinnamaldehyde and its derivatives, a novel class of antifungal agents.
AB  - The last few decades have seen an alarming rise in fungal infections, which
      currently represent a global health threat. Despite extensive research towards
      the development of new antifungal agents, only a limited number of antifungal
      drugs are available in the market. The routinely used polyene agents and many
      azole antifungals are associated with some common side effects such as severe
      hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Also, antifungal resistance continues to grow
      and evolve and complicate patient management, despite the introduction of new
      antifungal agents. This suitation requires continuous attention. Cinnamaldehyde
      has been reported to inhibit bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous molds via the
      inhibition of ATPases, cell wall biosynthesis, and alteration of membrane
      structure and integrity. In this regard, several novel cinnamaldehyde derivatives
      were synthesized with the claim of potential antifungal activities. The present
      article describes antifungal properties of cinnamaldehyde and its derivatives
      against diverse classes of pathogenic fungi. This review will provide an overview
      of what is currently known about the primary mode of action of cinnamaldehyde.
      Synergistic approaches for boosting the effectiveness of cinnamaldehyde and its
      derivatives have been highlighted. Also, a keen analysis of the pharmacologically
      active systems derived from cinnamaldehyde has been discussed. Finally, efforts
      were made to outline the future perspectives of cinnamaldehyde-based antifungal
      agents. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of current knowledge
      about the antifungal properties and antifungal mode of action of cinnamaldehyde
      and its derivatives and to identify research avenues that can facilitate
      implementation of cinnamaldehyde as a natural antifungal. 

PMID- 27259371
TI  - The adaptor molecule Trif contributes to murine host defense during Leptospiral
      infection.
AB  - Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease and is caused by pathogenic species of the
      Leptospira genus, including Leptospira interrogans (L. interrogans). Humans,
      domestic and wild animals are susceptible to acute or chronic infection. The
      innate immune response is a critical defense mechanism against Leptospira
      interrogans, and has been investigated in mouse models. Murine Toll-like
      receptors (TLRs) have been shown to be key factors in sensing and responding to
      L. interrogans infection. Specifically, TLR2, TLR4 and the TLR adaptor molecule
      MyD88 are essential for host defense against L. interrogans; however, the role of
      the TLR adaptor molecule TIR-domain-containing adaptor-inducing interferon beta
      (TRIF) in the response to L. interrogans has not been previously determined. In
      the present study, TRIF was found to play an important role during leptospiral
      infection. Following challenge with L. interrogans, Trif(-/-) mice exhibited
      delayed weight gain compared to wild-type mice. Moreover, Trif(-/-) mice
      exhibited an increase in L. interrogans burden in the kidneys, lungs, and blood
      at early time points (less than 7days post infection). Multiple components of the
      innate immune responses were dampened in response to leptospiral infection
      including transcription and production of cytokines, and the humoral response,
      which suggested that TRIF contributes to expression and production of cytokines
      important for the host defense against L. interrogans.

PMID- 27259369
TI  - CD47 regulates renal tubular epithelial cell self-renewal and proliferation
      following renal ischemia reperfusion.
AB  - Defects in renal tubular epithelial cell repair contribute to renal ischemia
      reperfusion injury, cause acute kidney damage, and promote chronic renal disease.
      The matricellular protein thrombospondin-1 and its receptor CD47 are involved in
      experimental renal ischemia reperfusion injury, although the role of this
      interaction in renal recovery is unknown. We found upregulation of self-renewal
      genes (transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and cMyc) in the kidney of CD47(-/
      ) mice after ischemia reperfusion injury. Wild-type animals had minimal self
      renewal gene expression, both before and after injury. Suggestive of cell
      autonomy, CD47(-/-) renal tubular epithelial cells were found to increase
      expression of the self-renewal genes. This correlated with enhanced proliferative
      capacity compared with cells from wild-type mice. Exogenous thrombospondin-1
      inhibited self-renewal gene expression in renal tubular epithelial cells from
      wild-type but not CD47(-/-) mice, and this was associated with decreased
      proliferation. Treatment of renal tubular epithelial cells with a CD47 blocking
      antibody or CD47-targeting small interfering RNA increased expression of some
      self-renewal transcription factors and promoted cell proliferation. In a
      syngeneic kidney transplant model, treatment with a CD47 blocking antibody
      increased self-renewal transcription factor expression, decreased tissue damage,
      and improved renal function compared with that in control mice. Thus,
      thrombospondin-1 via CD47 inhibits renal tubular epithelial cell recovery after
      ischemia reperfusion injury through inhibition of proliferation/self-renewal.

PMID- 27259368
TI  - Reduced risk of myocardial infarct and revascularization following coronary
      artery bypass grafting compared with percutaneous coronary intervention in
      patients with chronic kidney disease.
AB  - Coronary atherosclerotic disease is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease
      (CKD). Although revascularization improves outcomes, procedural risks are
      increased in CKD, and unbiased data comparing coronary artery bypass grafting
      (CABG) and percutaneous intervention (PCI) in CKD are sparse. To compare outcomes
      of CABG and PCI in stage 3 to 5 CKD, we identified randomized trials comparing
      these procedures. Investigators were contacted to obtain individual, patient
      level data. Ten of 27 trials meeting inclusion criteria provided data. These
      trials enrolled 3993 patients encompassing 526 patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD of
      whom 137 were stage 3b-5 CKD. Among individuals with stage 3 to 5 CKD, mortality
      through 5 years was not different after CABG compared with PCI (hazard ratio [HR]
      0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-1.46) or stage 3b-5 CKD (HR 1.29, CI 0.68
      2.46). However, CKD modified the impact on survival free of myocardial
      infarction: it was not different between CABG and PCI for individuals with
      preserved kidney function (HR 0.97, CI 0.80-1.17), but was significantly lower
      after CABG in stage 3-5 CKD (HR 0.49, CI 0.29-0.82) and stage 3b-5 CKD (HR 0.23,
      CI 0.09-0.58). Repeat revascularization was reduced after CABG compared with PCI
      regardless, of baseline kidney function. Results were limited by unavailability
      of data from several trials and paucity of enrolled patients with stage 4-5 CKD.
      Thus, our patient-level meta-analysis of individuals with CKD randomized to CABG
      versus PCI suggests that CABG significantly reduces the risk of subsequent
      myocardial infarction and revascularization without affecting survival in these
      patients.

PMID- 27259373
TI  - At-risk adolescents as experts in a new requirements elicitation procedure for
      the development of a smart phone psychoeducational trauma-informed care
      application.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Adolescents from urban, socioeconomically disadvantaged
      communities of color encounter high rates of adverse childhood experiences. To
      address the resulting multidimensional problems, we developed an innovative
      approach, Experiential Participatory and Interactive Knowledge Elicitation
      (EPIKE), using remote experiential needs elicitation methods to generate design
      and content requirements for a mobile health (mHealth) psychoeducational
      intervention. METHODS: At a community-based organization in a northeastern city,
      the research team developed EPIKE by incorporating elicitation of input on the
      graphics and conducting remotely recorded experiential meetings and iterative
      reviews of the design to produce an mHealth smartphone story application (app)
      prototype for the participants to critique. The 22 participants were 13- to 17
      year-olds, predominantly African American and female, from underresourced
      communities. RESULTS: The four goals of the design process were attained: 1)
      story development from participant input; 2) needs-elicitation that reflected the
      patient-centered care approach; 3) interactive story game creation that
      accommodates the participants' emotional and cognitive developmental needs; 4)
      development of a game that adolescents can relate to and that which matches their
      comfort levels of emotional intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The EPIKE approach can be
      used successfully to identify the needs of adolescents across the digital divide
      to inform the design and development of mHealth apps.

PMID- 27259374
TI  - Development and deposition of resilin in energy stores for locust jumping.
AB  - Locusts jump by using a catapult mechanism in which energy produced by slow
      contractions of the extensor tibiae muscles of the hind legs is stored in
      distortions of the exoskeleton, most notably (1) the two semi-lunar processes at
      each knee joint and (2) the tendons of the extensor muscles themselves. The
      energy is then suddenly released from these stores to power the rapid, propulsive
      movements of the hind legs. The reliance on the mechanical storage of energy is
      likely to impact on jumping because growth occurs by a series of five moults, at
      each of which the exoskeleton is replaced by a new one. All developmental stages
      (instars) nevertheless jump as a means of forward locomotion, or as an escape
      movement. Here, I show that in each instar, resilin is added to the semi-lunar
      processes and to the core of the extensor tendons so that their thickness
      increases. As the next moult approaches, a new exoskeleton forms within the old
      one, with resilin already present in the new semi-lunar processes. The old
      exoskeleton, the tendons and their resilin are discarded at moulting. The resilin
      of the semi-lunar processes and tendons of the new instar is initially thin, but
      a similar pattern of deposition results in an increase of their thickness. In
      adults, resilin continues to be deposited so that at 4 weeks old the thickness in
      the semi-lunar processes has increased fourfold. These changes in the energy
      stores accompany changes in jumping ability and performance during each moulting
      cycle.

PMID- 27259375
TI  - Disentangling the visual cues used by a jumping spider to locate its
      microhabitat.
AB  - Many arthropod species have evolved to thrive only on the leaves of a particular
      species of plant, which they must be capable of finding in order to survive
      accidental displacement, developmental transitions or the changing of the
      seasons. A number of studies have tested whether such species select leaves to
      land or oviposit on based on their color, shape or size. Unfortunately, many
      studies did not control for correlates of these characters, such as the
      brightness of different colors, the areas of different shapes, and the level of
      ambient illumination in the vicinity of different sizes of leaves. In the present
      study, we tested for leaf color, shape and size preferences in a leaf-dwelling
      jumping spider (Lyssomanes viridis) with known summer and winter host plants,
      while controlling for these correlates. First, color preferences were tested
      outdoors under the natural illumination of their forest habitat. Lyssomanes
      viridis did not prefer to perch on a green substrate compared with various shades
      of gray, but did prefer the second darkest shade of gray we presented them with.
      Of the green and gray substrates, this shade of gray's integrated photon flux
      (350-700 nm), viewed from below, i.e. the spider's perspective in the arena, was
      the most similar to that of real leaves. This relationship also held when we
      weighted the transmitted photon flux by the jumping spiders' green photopigment
      spectral sensitivity. Spiders did not prefer the star-like leaf shape of their
      summer host plant, Liquidambar styraciflua, to a green circle of the same area.
      When given a choice between a L. styraciflua leaf-shaped stimulus that was half
      the area of an otherwise identical alternative, spiders preferred the larger
      stimulus. However, placing a neutral density filter over the side of the
      experimental arena with the smaller stimulus abolished this preference, with
      spiders then being more likely to choose the side of the arena with the smaller
      stimulus. In conclusion, L. viridis appears to use ambient illumination and
      possibly perceived leaf brightness but not leaf shape or color to locate its
      microhabitat. This calls for a careful re-examination of which visual cues a
      variety of arthropods are actually attending to when they search for their
      preferred host species or microhabitat.

PMID- 27259372
TI  - Characterization of the gene encoding component C3 of the complement system from
      the spider Loxosceles laeta venom glands: Phylogenetic implications.
AB  - A transcriptome analysis of the venom glands of the spider Loxosceles laeta,
      performed by our group, in a previous study (Fernandes-Pedrosa et al., 2008),
      revealed a transcript with a sequence similar to the human complement component
      C3. Here we present the analysis of this transcript. cDNA fragments encoding the
      C3 homologue (Lox-C3) were amplified from total RNA isolated from the venom
      glands of L. laeta by RACE-PCR. Lox-C3 is a 5178 bps cDNA sequence encoding a
      190kDa protein, with a domain configuration similar to human C3. Multiple
      alignments of C3-like proteins revealed two processing sites, suggesting that Lox
      C3 is composed of three chains. Furthermore, the amino acids consensus sequences
      for the thioester was found, in addition to putative sequences responsible for FB
      binding. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Lox-C3 belongs to the same group
      as two C3 isoforms from the spider Hasarius adansoni (Family Salcitidae), showing
      53% homology with these. This is the first characterization of a Loxosceles cDNA
      sequence encoding a human C3 homologue, and this finding, together with our
      previous finding of the expression of a FB-like molecule, suggests that this
      spider species also has a complement system. This work will help to improve our
      understanding of the innate immune system in these spiders and the ancestral
      structure of C3.

PMID- 27259376
TI  - Blurred world view: A study on the relationship between television viewing and
      the perception of the justice system.
AB  - Previous studies suggest that distorted representations of reality on television
      can lead to distorted perceptions of reality among viewers. In this study, 322
      individuals in Austria reported their weekly television consumption and whether
      they believe that there is active practice of capital punishment in Austria,
      which has been abolished since 1968. The more television participants watched,
      the more likely they mistakenly believed that there is, or recently was, capital
      punishment in Austria, even when controlling for participants' age and education.
      It seems that television has the potential to influence viewers' perception and
      knowledge of core aspects of society.

PMID- 27259378
TI  - The newly appointed staff of the journal look for more reviewers.

PMID- 27259386
TI  - A nonlinear competitive model of the prostate tumor growth under intermittent
      androgen suppression.
AB  - Hormone suppression has been the primary modality of treatment for prostate
      cancer. However long-term androgen deprivation may induce androgen-independent
      (AI) recurrence. Intermittent androgen suppression (IAS) is a potential way to
      delay or avoid the AI relapse. Mathematical models of tumor growth and treatment
      are simple while they are capable of capturing the essence of complicated
      interactions. Game theory models have analyzed that tumor cells can enhance their
      fitness by adopting genetically determined survival strategies. In this paper, we
      consider the survival strategies as the competitive advantage of tumor cells and
      propose a new model to mimic the prostate tumor growth in IAS therapy. Then we
      investigate the competition effect in tumor development by numerical simulations.
      The results indicate that successfully IAS-controlled states can be achieved even
      though the net growth rate of AI cells is positive for any androgen level. There
      is crucial difference between the previous models and the new one in the phase
      diagram of successful and unsuccessful tumor control by IAS administration, which
      means that the suggestions from the models for medication can be different.
      Furthermore we introduce quadratic logistic terms to the competition model to
      simulate the tumor growth in the environment with a finite carrying capacity
      considering the nutrients or inhibitors. The simulations show that the tumor
      growth can reach an equilibrium state or an oscillatory state with the net growth
      rate of AI cells being androgen independent. Our results suggest that the
      competition and the restraint of a limited environment can enhance the
      possibility of relapse prevention.

PMID- 27259380
TI  - Positive Predictive Value of Mammographic Lymphography in the Evaluation of
      Patients with Breast Cancer: A Preliminary Study.
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to investigate the positive predictive
      value (PPV) of mammographic lymphography (MLG) for assessing malignant breast
      disease and lymphatic metastasis in patients in a typical clinical setting.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent mammography with Breast Imaging
      Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 or 5 lesions and had abnormal
      mammographic findings in the upper-outer quadrant of the breast were enrolled.
      Next, MLG was performed. A water-soluble agent was subcutaneously injected into
      the upper-outer periareolar region of the bilateral breast, and mammography was
      then performed. Morphologic characteristics, including lymphatic vessel
      development, the presence of lymphatic vessel defects, and dilation, were
      recorded for evaluation. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with BI-RADS category 4
      lesions and 40 patients with BI-RADS category 5 lesions were included in the
      study. Sixty-one patients were found to have malignant disease, whereas 30
      patients were found to have benign disease. Morphologic characteristics were
      recorded for evaluation. The interobserver agreement was evaluated and was
      classified as excellent according to kappa analysis. The PPV of MLG
      characteristics for malignant breast disease and lymphatic metastasis was
      analyzed by logistic regression, and the presentation of a lymphatic vessel
      defect was the most predictive characteristic of a malignancy (PPV: 0.89; P
      value: 0.02) in patients with BI-RADS category 4 lesions. Meanwhile, in patients
      with malignant breast disease, the PPVs for predicting lymphatic metastasis with
      lymphatic vessel defect and dilation were 0.50 (P value: 0.02) and 0.67 (P value:
      <0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: The assessment of morphologic characteristics
      by MLG has the potential to predict malignant breast disease and lymphatic
      metastasis.

PMID- 27259379
TI  - Imaging for the Pretreatment Staging of Small cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic
      Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer.
      Accurate staging is essential to select the optimal treatment plan to maximize
      survival. No consensus exists on standard imaging modalities for pretreatment
      staging of SCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the
      literature on imaging modalities in the pretreatment staging of SCLC. A
      systematic search of multiple databases identified relevant studies published
      from 2000 through June 2015. Outcomes of interest included test concordance,
      staging accuracy (sensitivity and specificity), choice of treatment, timeliness
      of treatment, and patient outcomes. RESULTS: The search identified 2880
      citations; 7 studies met inclusion criteria, n = 408 patients. Six of the seven
      studies were deemed to have moderate risk of bias, and one was deemed to have
      high risk of bias. One of the studies reported test concordance, three studies
      reported comparative accuracy of testing strategies, and four studies reported
      the accuracy of a single imaging modality. Analysis from these studies revealed
      that fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG
      PET/CT) is more sensitive than multidetector CT for detecting osseous metastases,
      more sensitive than bone scintigraphy for detecting osseous metastases, and more
      sensitive for detecting any distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence is sparse
      on the use of imaging in the pretreatment staging of SCLC. There is a lack of
      evidence on patient-oriented outcomes and a lack of evidence on whether
      comparative accuracy or effectiveness is associated with patient factors. We
      found low-strength evidence suggesting that FDG-PET/CT is more sensitive than CT
      and bone scintigraphy for detecting osseous metastases.

PMID- 27259377
TI  - Candida glabrata's recurrent infections: biofilm formation during Amphotericin B
      treatment.
AB  - Candida species are responsible for recurrent human infections, mostly in
      immunocompromised patients, due to their high vulnerability. Candida glabrata has
      a major role in systemic candidiasis and Amphotericin B (AmB), a polyene only
      used in hospitals, is frequently used to treat this disease. Lately, however,
      clinical evidences of Candida recurrent infections during these treatments are
      being described, probably due to biofilm (re)formation during this therapy. Thus,
      this work aims at inferring if C. glabrata biofilms are still being formed during
      AmB treatment. For that, C. glabrata biofilms were formed in the presence of AmB
      and analysed by dry weight. Matrix composition was analysed quantifying
      carbohydrates and, specifically, beta-1,3 glucans. Results demonstrated that,
      although in a lesser extent, C. glabrata is able to develop biofilms in the
      presence of AmB, with a thick extracellular matrix, with an increase on
      carbohydrates, especially beta-1,3 glucans. Therefore, it is confirmed that
      complex biofilms of C. glabrata can be formed during an AmB treatment.
      SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study shows new insights regarding
      recurrent candidiasis. The authors demonstrated that Amphotericin B did not
      totally prevent the development of biofilms during Candida glabrata's infection
      treatment and that the change in the biofilm matrices may have a high
      responsibility for the fail in the treatment of systemic candidiasis.

PMID- 27259381
TI  - Chitosan Promoted the Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing via Activation of ERK
      Pathway.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanism of chitosan promoting corneal wound healing
      though evaluating its effect on extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and
      p38 pathway activity in a rabbit animal model. METHODS: Cell proliferation and
      migration assay were performed 24 hours after chitosan treatment. The activity of
      ERK and p38 pathways was detected by using immunofluorescence and Western
      blotting in the presence of chitosan and an ERK inhibitor. In vivo study of
      epithelial debridement wounds was performed on 8 mm rabbit corneas in the
      presence of chitosan and an ERK pathway inhibitor. RESULTS: Immunostaining with
      Ki67 and migrating assay showed that chitosan could upregulate the cell
      proliferation and promote the cell migration. Chitosan activated the ERK pathway
      in 5 min to 30 min after treatment but did not affect the p38 pathway. ERK
      inhibitor PD98059 can inhibit the chitosan-stimulated ERK phosphorylation.
      Chitosan increased the corneal epithelial wound closure in organ culture and ERK
      inhibition with PD98059 blocked the effect of chitosan on wound healing.
      CONCLUSIONS: Chitosan promoted corneal epithelial proliferation and migration
      during the wound healing in rabbits' eye. Chitosan-stimulated epithelial wound
      healing is partially mediated through the activation of the ERK pathway but not
      the p38 pathway.

PMID- 27259383
TI  - A rare variant in CYP27A1 and its association with atopic dermatitis with high
      serum total IgE.
AB  - This study investigated rare variants associated with atopic dermatitis. We
      performed exome analyses on 37 patients who were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis
      by board-certified dermatologists and had total serum IgE levels greater than
      1000 IU/ml. The exome analysis identified seven variants with <1% allele
      frequency in Asian (ASN) population of 1000 Genomes Project phase 1 data and >5%
      allele frequency in the atopic dermatitis exome samples. We then conducted a
      replication study using 469 atopic dermatitis patients with total serum IgE
      >=1000 IU/ml and 935 Japanese controls to assess the presence of these 7
      candidate variants. The replication study confirmed that CYP27A1 rs199691576
      (A/G) was associated with atopic dermatitis with high serum IgE levels (P =
      0.012, odds ratio = 2.1). CYP27A1 is involved in the metabolism of vitamin D3,
      which plays important roles in modulating immune function. Previous studies have
      reported polymorphisms in vitamin D pathway genes that are associated with
      allergy-related phenotypes. Our data confirm the importance of genes regulating
      the vitamin D pathway in the development of atopic dermatitis.

PMID- 27259387
TI  - The intricate relationship between sexually antagonistic selection and the
      evolution of sex chromosome fusions.
AB  - Sex chromosomes are among the most evolutionarily labile features in some groups
      of animals. One of the mechanisms causing structural changes of sex chromosomes
      is fusion with an autosome. A recent study showed that the establishment rates of
      Y chromosome-autosome fusions are much higher than those of other fusions (i.e.,
      X-autosome, W-autosome, and Z-autosome fusions) in fishes and reptiles. Although
      sexually antagonistic selection may be one of the most important driving forces
      of sex chromosome-autosome fusions, a previous theoretical analysis showed that
      sexually antagonistic selection alone cannot explain the excess of Y-autosome
      fusions in these taxa. This previous analysis, however, is based on the
      assumption that sexually antagonistic selection is symmetric, sexually
      antagonistic alleles are maintained only by selection-drift balance (i.e., no
      supply of mutation), and only one type of fusion arises within a population.
      Here, we removed these assumptions and made an individual-based model to simulate
      the establishment of sex chromosome-autosome fusions. Our simulations showed that
      the highest establishment rate of Y-autosome fusion can be achieved when the
      fusion captures a rare male-beneficial allele, if the recurrent mutation rates
      are high enough to maintain the polymorphism of alleles with asymmetric, sexually
      antagonistic effects. Our results demonstrate that sexually antagonistic
      selection can influence the dynamics of sex chromosome structural changes, but
      the type of fusion that becomes the most common depends on fusion rates,
      recurrent mutation rates, and selection regimes. Because the evolutionary fate of
      sex chromosome-autosome fusions is highly parameter-sensitive, further attempts
      to empirically measure these parameters in natural populations are essential for
      a better understanding of the roles of sexually antagonistic selection in sex
      chromosome evolution.

PMID- 27259382
TI  - Nuclear Transcription Factor Kappa B Downregulation Reduces Chemoresistance in
      Bone Marrow-derived Cells Through P-glycoprotein Modulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) is
      associated with many types of refractory cancer. However, despite multiple
      strategies to treat cancer and novel target drugs, multidrug resistance still
      causes relapses. The best-characterized mechanism responsible for multidrug
      resistance involves the expression of the MDR-1 gene product, P-glycoprotein (P
      gp). Because the direct inhibition of this protein is very toxic, other methods
      of multidrug resistance (MDR) regulation have been proposed. The MDR-1 promoter
      sequence contains a kappaB site, which is recognized by NF-kappaB. The aim of
      this work was to characterize whether NF-kappaB modulation changes the response
      of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) to chemotherapy. RESULTS: We exposed BMDCs
      to etoposide and doxorubicin, two of the most used antineoplastic drugs. BMDCs
      presented high tolerance to these drugs, which correlated with high intrinsic P
      gp activity and strong protein expression of NF-kappaB. To determine the
      mechanism behind the poor sensitivity of BMDCs to chemotherapy, we blocked the
      activity of the heterodimer protein NF-kappaB using the pharmacological inhibitor
      Bay 11-7085 and through the transfection of an adenovirus negative mutant of I
      kappa B alpha. The multidrug resistance phenotype of BMDCs was reversed by
      inhibiting the NF-kappaB pathway, and this change was accompanied by a decrease
      in P-gp activity. CONCLUSIONS: NF-kappaB is a possible target for improving the
      antineoplastic response.

PMID- 27259384
TI  - Impact of rosiglitazone safety alerts on oral antidiabetic sales trends: a
      countrywide study in Portugal.
AB  - Pharmacovigilance systems are important to monitor the safety of on-market drugs
      after approval. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of rosiglitazone
      safety alerts on trends in the sale of rosiglitazone and other oral antidiabetic
      drugs. An ecological study was conducted, using temporally aggregated data and
      linking safety alerts to countrywide sales of all oral antidiabetic drugs in
      Portugal from January 2002 to December 2012. Sales figures for oral antidiabetic
      drugs marketed in Portugal were supplied by IMS Health Portugal with a breakdown
      by active substance and fixed combinations. The number of defined daily doses per
      1000 inhabitants per day (DIDs) of each oral antidiabetic drug sold to the
      estimated diabetic population using oral antidiabetic drugs in Portugal was
      calculated. Particular attention was paid to the case of rosiglitazone, with the
      results being adjusted for changes in rosiglitazone reimbursement policies. A
      total of four safety alerts were issued about rosiglitazone. Rosiglitazone sales
      registered an increase of 32.9% (0.202 DIDs; P < 0.001) after the first alert
      (risk of macular oedema or worsening of pre-existent macular oedema) in January
      2006. After subsequent alerts about cardiovascular risks, this trend was not,
      however, repeated and sales fell. Following the January 2006 and January 2008
      safety alerts, rosiglitazone sales described a long-term downward trend, with
      decreases of 3.75% (-0023 DIDs; P > 0.05) and 0.24% (-0.001 DIDs; P > 0.05),
      respectively. It is important to promote the dissemination and publication of
      drug safety alerts. 

PMID- 27259388
TI  - Fermentative production of l-galactonate by using recombinant Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae containing the endogenous galacturonate reductase gene from
      Cryptococcus diffluens.
AB  - The GAR1 gene, encoding d-galacturonate reductase in Cryptococcus diffluens, was
      isolated, and the GAR1-expression plasmid was constructed by insertion of GAR1
      downstream of the yeast constitutive promoter in the yeast-integrating vector.
      Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing C. diffluensd-galacturonate
      reductase from a genome integrated copy of the gene was cultured for use the
      conversion of d-galacturonic acid to l-galactonic acid. The optimum conditions
      for l-galactonic acid production were determined in terms of the initial
      concentration of d-galacturonic acid, fermentation pH, and mixed sugars. The
      following conditions yielded high efficiency in the conversion of d-galacturonic
      acid to l-galactonic acid in large-scale cultures: 0.1% initial d-galacturonic
      acid concentration, pH 3.5, and glucose as additional sugar. The aerobic
      condition was necessary for the conversion of d-galacturonic acid. Subculture of
      that recombinant was not showing to decrease of the d-galacturonic acid
      conversion rate even though it was repeated in ten generations. Culturing in
      scale-up, the conversion rate of d-galacturonic acid to l-galactonic acid was
      increased.

PMID- 27259390
TI  - Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients With Poliomyelitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We report our experience with outcomes of poliomyelitis in the Asian
      population. METHODS: Sixteen total knee replacements in 14 patients with polio
      affected knees were followed up for at least 18 months. Follow-up assessment
      included scoring with the American Knee Society Score (AKSS), Oxford knee score,
      and Short Form 36 Health Survey scores. RESULTS: The mean AKSS improved from
      25.59 preoperatively to 82.94 at 24 months, with greater improvement in the knee
      score. The mean Oxford knee score improved from 40.82 preoperatively to 20.53 at
      24 months. The mean AKSS pain score rose from 2.35 to 47.66 at 24 months. The
      Short Form 36 Health Survey physical functioning and bodily pain scores improved
      for all patients. CONCLUSION: Primary total knee arthroplasty of poliomyelitis
      affected limbs shows good outcomes, improving quality of life, and decreasing
      pain.

PMID- 27259385
TI  - Reduction of epithelial secretion in male rat distal colonic mucosa by bile acid
      receptor TGR5 agonist, INT-777: role of submucosal neurons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent evidence from rat neuron-free mucosa study suggests that the
      membrane bile acid receptor TGR5 decreases colonic secretion under basal and
      stimulated conditions. As submucosal neurons are key players in secretory
      processes and highly express TGR5, we investigated their role in TGR5 agonist
      induced inhibition of secretion and the pathways recruited. METHODS: TGR5
      expression and localization were assessed in rat proximal (pC) and distal (dC)
      colon by qPCR and immunohistochemistry with double labeling for cholinergic
      neurons in whole-mount preparations. The influence of a selective (INT-777) or
      weak (ursodeoxycholic acid, UDCA) TGR5 agonist on colonic secretion was assessed
      in Ussing chambers, in dC preparation removing seromuscular +/- submucosal
      tissues, in the presence of different inhibitors of secretion pathways. KEY
      RESULTS: TGR5 mRNA is expressed in full thickness dC and pC and immunoreactivity
      is located in colonocytes and pChAT-positive neurons. Addition of INT-777, and
      less potently UDCA, decreased colonic secretion in seromuscular stripped dC by 
      58.17+/- 2.6%. INT-777 effect on basal secretion was reduced in neuron-free and
      TTX-treated mucosal-submucosal preparations. Atropine, hexamethonium,
      indomethacin, and L-NAME all reduced significantly INT-777's inhibitory effect
      while the 5-HT4 antagonist, RS-39604, and lidocaine abolished it. INT-777
      inhibited stimulated colonic secretion induced by nicotine, but not cisapride,
      carbachol or PGE2. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: TGR5 activation inhibits basal and
      stimulated distal colonic secretion in rats by acting directly on epithelial
      cells and also inhibiting submucosal neurons. This could represent a counter
      regulatory mechanism, at the submucosal level, of the known prosecretory effect
      of bile acids in the colon.

PMID- 27259389
TI  - Postoperative Pain Management After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: The Value of
      Liposomal Bupivacaine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multimodal pain protocols have been proposed to achieve improved long
      acting postoperative analgesia. Controlling postoperative pain after joint
      arthroplasty is especially important as it relates to patient satisfaction and
      outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative pain, time
      to ambulation, and overall narcotic usage between patients who received either a
      femoral nerve block with a periarticular bupivacaine injection or a periarticular
      bupivacaine and extended-release liposomal bupivacaine injection after primary
      total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: A total of 597 consecutive primary total knee
      arthroplasties performed between September 1, 2012 and August 31, 2014 received
      preoperative celecoxib, oxycodone, and transdermal scopolamine. Intraoperatively,
      patients either received a single-dose bupivacaine femoral nerve block along with
      30-mL 0.25% bupivacaine periarticular injection (group A) or a 60-mL
      periarticular injection alone (20-mL liposomal bupivacaine, 30-mL 0.25%
      bupivacaine, and 10-mL saline; group B). The postoperative pain scores, narcotic
      usage, and time to ambulation were retrospectively collected from the electronic
      medical record. These outcomes were compared between treatment groups. RESULTS:
      There were 325 patients in group A compared with 272 in group B during the time
      frame. There was no difference among age, gender, race, and body mass index
      between the groups. Group B demonstrated a decreased need for breakthrough pain
      medication (16.9% vs 36.3% P < .001), decreased pain 12 hours postoperatively
      (3.2 vs 3.6 P < .003), and an earlier time to ambulation (29.5 hours vs 32.2
      hours, P < .017). There was no difference in hospital length of stay (2.8 vs 2.6
      days, P = .123). On controlling for demographic factors, patients in group B were
      able to ambulate 2.3 hours earlier than those in group A (coefficient = -2.3, P =
      .049). CONCLUSIONS: Liposomal bupivacaine resulted in a decrease need for
      breakthrough pain medication, improved pain scores at 12 hours, and an earlier
      time to ambulation compared to a combined femoral nerve block and periarticular
      bupivacaine injection.

PMID- 27259391
TI  - The Assessment of Blood Loss During Total Knee Arthroplasty When Comparing
      Intravenous vs Intracapsular Administration of Tranexamic Acid.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Administration of tranexamic acid topically and intravenously has
      demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing blood loss and transfusion rates.
      METHODS: We randomized 131 patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty to
      receive either intracapsular (69) or intravenous tranexamic acid (62).
      Postoperative blood loss was calculated using the formula derived by Nadler et
      al. The number of units transfused was recorded, as well as length of hospital
      stay. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant difference on calculated
      blood loss (postoperative day [POD] 1: 624 +/- 326 vs 644 +/- 292; P = .71, POD
      2: 806 +/- 368 vs 835 +/- 319; P = .64, and POD 3: 1076 +/- 419 vs 978 +/- 343; P
      = .55). There was no difference in number of blood transfusions, length of stay,
      or complications. CONCLUSION: Intracapsular tranexamic acid is not inferior to
      intravenous tranexamic acid in decreasing blood loss and blood transfusion rate
      in primary total knee arthroplasty.

PMID- 27259392
TI  - Preoperative Pain and Function: Profiles of Patients Selected for Total Knee
      Arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment to relieve
      pain and restore function in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. TKA
      utilization is growing rapidly, and the appropriateness of current TKA use is of
      great interest. We examined patient-reported preoperative pain and function
      profiles to understand symptom severity at the time of TKA decision. METHODS:
      Data were from the Function and Outcomes Research for Comparative Effectiveness
      in Total Joint Replacement. We included patients undergoing primary, unilateral
      TKAs between 2011 and 2014 for osteoarthritis and had data on the Knee Injury and
      Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) pain and Short-Form 36-item Physical
      Component Summary (PCS) score. We compared patient profiles across groupings by
      symptoms: (1) little pain and high function (KOOS >=70, PCS >=40); (2) little
      pain but poor function (KOOS >=70, PCS <40); (3) high pain but high function
      (KOOS <70, PCS >=40); and (4) high pain and poor function (KOOS <70, PCS <40).
      RESULTS: Of 6936 patients, 77% had high pain and poor function (group 4), 19% had
      high pain "or" poor function (groups 2-3), and 5% had little pain and high
      function before TKA (group 1). In group 1, 86% were constantly aware of their
      knee problem, 48% reported pain daily yet 5% experienced severe or extreme pain
      on stairs, and 1% pain in bed. Over half had a lot of limitations in vigorous
      activities. Compared with group 4, group 1 were older, less obese, more educated,
      and included more men and people reporting being healthy, less disabled, and
      happy (P < .05 for all). CONCLUSION: Most patients undergoing TKAs had
      significant pain and/or poor function. Our results provide critical information
      given the current debate of potentially inappropriate TKA utilization in the
      United States.

PMID- 27259393
TI  - Total Knee Arthroplasty in Obesity: In-Hospital Outcomes and National Trends.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both the prevalence of obesity and the utilization rate of total knee
      arthroplasty are increasing. The rate and proportion of total knee arthroplasty
      (TKA) performed in the setting of obesity/morbid obesity is increasing
      significantly over time. METHODS: Using International Classification of Diseases
      Ninth Revision codes, we searched the National Hospitals Discharge Survey
      national database for patients admitted for primary TKA between 2001 and 2010. We
      then used International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision codes for
      obesity (body mass index = 30-40 kg/m2) and morbid obesity (body mass index, >=
      40 kg/m2) to select the obese cohorts. RESULTS: We found 29,694 nonobese, 2645
      obese, and 1150 morbidly obese patients. There was an increase in each group over
      time. The rate of obesity/morbid obesity was strongly correlated with time. Obese
      and morbidly obese patients were more likely to be younger, female, diabetic, and
      have Medicaid than nonobese patients. Obese and morbidly obese patients had
      shorter hospital stays and higher home discharge rates than nonobese patients.
      Obese and morbidly obese patients had lower transfusion rates, shorter hospital
      stays, and no increase in inpatient wound infection or venous thromboembolic
      complications than nonobese patients. The Midwest region saw a greater burden of
      obese TKA patients. CONCLUSION: With the right measures and precautions,
      satisfactory inhospital outcomes are possible in the obese patient after primary
      TKA. A limitation of this study is short inhospital stay of the index procedure
      as complications may present later after discharge.

PMID- 27259394
TI  - [Miescher's cheilitis].

PMID- 27259395
TI  - [Gingival enlargement: Practical management].

PMID- 27259396
TI  - Insight into the mechanisms of enhanced retinal transduction by the engineered
      AAV2 capsid variant -7m8.
AB  - Recently, we described a modified AAV2 vector-AAV2-7m8-having a capsid-displayed
      peptide insertion of 10 amino acids with enhanced retinal transduction
      properties. The insertion of the peptide referred to as 7m8 is responsible for
      high-level gene delivery into deep layers of the retina when virus is delivered
      into the eye's vitreous. Here, we further characterize AAV2-7m8 mediated gene
      delivery to neural tissue and investigate the mechanisms by which the inserted
      peptide provides better transduction away from the injection site. First, in
      order to understand if the peptide exerts its effect on its own or in conjunction
      with the neighboring amino acids, we inserted the 7m8 peptide at equivalent
      positions on three other AAV capsids, AAV5, AAV8, and AAV9, and evaluated its
      effect on their infectivity. Intravitreal delivery of these peptide insertion
      vectors revealed that only AAV9 benefited from 7m8 insertion in the context of
      the retina. We then investigated AAV2-7m8 and AAV9-7m8 properties in the brain,
      to better evaluate the spread and efficacy of viral transduction in view of the
      peptide insertion. While 7m8 insertion led to higher intensity gene expression,
      the spread of gene expression remained unchanged compared to the parental
      serotypes. Our results indicate that the 7m8 peptide insertion acts by increasing
      efficacy of cellular entry, with little effect on the spread of viral particles
      in neural tissue. The effects of peptide insertion are capsid and tissue
      dependent, highlighting the importance of the microenvironment in gene delivery
      using AAV. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2712-2724. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27259397
TI  - Improving Medical Students' Application of Knowledge and Clinical Decision-Making
      Through a Porcine-Based Integrated Cardiac Basic Science Program.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Despite the concerted effort of modern undergraduate curriculum
      designers, the ability to integrate basic sciences in clinical rotations is an
      ongoing problem in medical education. Students and newly qualified doctors
      themselves report worry about the effect this has on their clinical performance.
      There are examples in the literature to support development of attempts at
      integrating such aspects, but this "vertical integration" has proven to be
      difficult. We designed an expert-led integrated program using dissection of
      porcine hearts to improve the use of cardiac basic sciences in clinical medical
      students' decision-making processes. To our knowledge, this is the first time in
      the United Kingdom that an animal model has been used to teach undergraduate
      clinical anatomy to medical students to direct wider application of knowledge.
      METHODS: Action research methodology was used to evaluate the local curriculum
      and assess learners needs, and the agreed teaching outcomes, methods, and
      delivery outline were established. A total of 18 students in the clinical years
      of their degree program attended, completing precourse and postcourse multichoice
      questions examinations and questionnaires to assess learners' development.
      RESULTS: Student's knowledge scores improved by 17.5% (p = 0.01; students t
      test). Students also felt more confident at applying underlying knowledge to
      decision-making and diagnosis in clinical medicine. An expert teacher (consultant
      surgeon) was seen as beneficial to students' understanding and appreciation.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study outlines how the development of a teaching intervention
      using porcine-based methods successfully improved both student's knowledge and
      application of cardiac basic sciences. We recommend that clinicians fully engage
      with integrating previously learnt underlying sciences to aid students in
      developing decision-making and diagnostic skills as well as a deeper approach to
      learning.

PMID- 27259399
TI  - Synthesis and evaluation of biphenyl derivatives as potential downregulators of
      VEGF protein secretion and telomerase-related gene expressions.
AB  - A group of 47 biphenyl functionalized compounds, prepared by means of Suzuki
      couplings, has been investigated for their cytotoxicity on two tumoral cell lines
      (HT-29 and MCF-7) and one non tumoral cell line (HEK-293). 29 selected compounds
      have been investigated for their ability to inhibit the production of the
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Subsequently, the capacity of the
      compounds to downregulate the expression of the VEGF, h-TERT and c-Myc genes, the
      two latter involved in the control of the activation of telomerase, has also been
      determined.

PMID- 27259400
TI  - The influence of halogen substituents on the biological properties of sulfur
      containing flavonoids.
AB  - A series of halogen-substituted tricyclic flavonoids containing a 1,3-dithiol-2
      ylium moiety has been synthesized from the corresponding 3-dithiocarbamic
      flavanones. The influence of halogen substituents on the antibacterial properties
      of the tricyclic flavonoids has been investigated against Staphylococcus aureus
      and Escherichia coli. On going from fluorine to iodine, these compounds exhibit
      good to excellent inhibitory properties against both Gram-positive and Gram
      negative pathogens. These results suggest that size is the main factor for the
      change in potency rather than polarity/electronics.

PMID- 27259401
TI  - Axial PEGylation of Tin Octabutoxy Naphthalocyanine Extends Blood Circulation for
      Photoacoustic Vascular Imaging.
AB  - Attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) can prolong blood circulation of
      biological molecules, a useful trait for a vascular imaging agent. Here, we
      present a route for modifying octabutoxy naphthalocyanine (ONc) with PEG, via
      axial conjugation following ONc chelation with Sn(IV) chloride (Sn-ONc). Tin
      chelation caused ONc absorbance to shift from 860 to 930 nm. Hydroxy terminated
      PEG was treated with sodium and then was axially attached to the tin, generating
      PEG-Sn-ONc. Unlike ONc or Sn-ONc, PEG-Sn-ONc was soluble in methanol. ONc and PEG
      Sn-ONc were dissolved in polysorbate solutions and administered to mice
      intravenously. PEG-Sn-ONc demonstrated substantially longer blood circulation
      time than ONc, with a 4 times longer half-life and a nearly 10 times greater area
      under the curve. PEG-Sn-ONc gave rise to photoacoustic contrast and could be used
      for noninvasive brain vessel imaging even 24 h following injection. This work
      demonstrates that nonmetallic naphthalocyanines can be chelated with tin, and be
      axially modified with PEG for enhanced circulation times for long-term vascular
      imaging with photoacoustic tomography.

PMID- 27259398
TI  - Delivery strategies and potential targets for siRNA in major cancer types.
AB  - Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has gained attention as a potential therapeutic
      reagent due to its ability to inhibit specific genes in many genetic diseases.
      For many years, studies of siRNA have progressively advanced toward novel
      treatment strategies against cancer. Cancer is caused by various mutations in
      hundreds of genes including both proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In
      order to develop siRNAs as therapeutic agents for cancer treatment, delivery
      strategies for siRNA must be carefully designed and potential gene targets
      carefully selected for optimal anti-cancer effects. In this review, various
      modifications and delivery strategies for siRNA delivery are discussed. In
      addition, we present current thinking on target gene selection in major tumor
      types.

PMID- 27259402
TI  - A Single Dose of Prednisolone as a Modulator of Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin and
      Insulin Sensitivity Post-Exercise in Healthy Young Men: A Study Protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) increases insulin sensitivity in
      mice. In humans, data are supportive, but the studies are mostly cross-sectional.
      Exercise increases whole-body insulin sensitivity, in part via ucOC, while acute
      glucocorticoid treatment suppresses ucOC in humans and mice. OBJECTIVES: A single
      dose of prednisolone reduces the rise in ucOC produced by exercise, which partly
      accounts for the failed increase in insulin sensitivity following exercise.
      METHODS: Healthy young men (n=12) aged 18 to 40 years will be recruited. Initial
      assessments will include analysis of fasting blood, body composition, aerobic
      power (VO2peak), and peak heart rate. Participants will then be randomly
      allocated, double-blind, to a single dose of 20 mg of prednisolone or placebo.
      The two experimental trials will involve 30 minutes of interval exercise (90%-95%
      peak heart rate), followed by 3 hours of recovery and 2 hours of euglycaemic-
      hyperinsulinaemic clamp (insulin clamp). Seven muscle biopsies and blood samples
      will be obtained at rest, following exercise and post-insulin clamps. RESULTS:
      The study is funded by the National Heart Foundation of Australia and Victoria
      University. Enrollment has already commenced and data collection will be
      completed in 2016. CONCLUSION: If the hypothesis is confirmed, the study will
      provide novel insights into the potential role of ucOC in insulin sensitivity in
      human subjects and will elucidate pathways involved in exercise-induced insulin
      sensitivity.

PMID- 27259460
TI  - A systematic review of studies examining the rate of lung function decline in
      patients with cystic fibrosis.
AB  - A systematic review was performed (i) to describe the reported overall rate of
      progression of CF lung disease quantified as FEV1%predicted decline with age,
      (ii) to summarise identified influencing risk factors and (iii) to review methods
      used to analyse CF lung disease progression data. A search of publications
      providing FEV1%predicted values over age was conducted in PUBMED and EMBASE.
      Baseline and rate of FEV1%predicted decline were summarised overall and by
      identified risk factors. Thirty-nine studies were included and reported variable
      linear rates of lung function decline in patients with CF. The overall weighted
      mean FEV1%predicted over age was graphically summarised and showed a nonlinear,
      time-variant decline of lung function. Compared to their peers, Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa infection and pancreatic insufficiency were most commonly associated
      with lower baseline and more rapid FEV1%predicted declines respectively.
      Considering nonlinear models and drop-out in lung disease progression, analysis
      is lacking and more studies are warranted.

PMID- 27259461
TI  - TERRA Incognita at chromosome ends.

PMID- 27259462
TI  - Mitochondria mediate septin cage assembly to promote autophagy of Shigella.
AB  - Septins, cytoskeletal proteins with well-characterised roles in cytokinesis, form
      cage-like structures around cytosolic Shigella flexneri and promote their
      targeting to autophagosomes. However, the processes underlying septin cage
      assembly, and whether they influence S. flexneri proliferation, remain to be
      established. Using single-cell analysis, we show that the septin cages inhibit S.
      flexneri proliferation. To study mechanisms of septin cage assembly, we used
      proteomics and found mitochondrial proteins associate with septins in S. flexneri
      infected cells. Strikingly, mitochondria associated with S. flexneri promote
      septin assembly into cages that entrap bacteria for autophagy. We demonstrate
      that the cytosolic GTPase dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) interacts with septins
      to enhance mitochondrial fission. To avoid autophagy, actin-polymerising Shigella
      fragment mitochondria to escape from septin caging. Our results demonstrate a
      role for mitochondria in anti-Shigella autophagy and uncover a fundamental link
      between septin assembly and mitochondria.

PMID- 27259464
TI  - Efficacy of parent-delivered behavioral therapy for primary complex motor
      stereotypies.
AB  - AIM: Primary complex motor stereotypies (CMS) are persistent, patterned,
      repetitive, rhythmic movements in young people with typical development. This
      study evaluated the efficacy of an instructional DVD as a home-based, parent
      administered, behavioral therapy for primary CMS. METHOD: Eighty-one children
      with primary CMS were enrolled. Primary outcome measures included the Stereotypy
      Severity Scale (SSS) - Motor and Impairment scores, and Stereotypy Linear Analog
      Scale (SLAS). Mean CMS onset was 13.4 months (SD 13.1). Eligibility required
      observed CMS. Psychiatric disorders were not exclusionary and a stable medication
      regimen was required. Intellectual disability, neurological disorder, autism
      spectrum disorder, and tics were exclusionary. Initial assessments were completed
      via REDCap before receipt of the DVD. Fifty-four of the 81 children (34 male, 20
      female; mean age 8y 2mo, SD 1.42, range 7-14y) completed assessments at 1, 2, or
      3 months after receiving the DVD. RESULTS: Reductions (baseline to last
      assessment) in SSS Motor, SSS Impairment, and SLAS scores (all p<0.001)
      represented change ratios of -15%, -24%, and a -20% respectively. Greatest
      relative treatment benefit was observed by younger children (ages 7-8y), and by 1
      month after receipt of DVD, while a parent global assessment scale showed
      progressive improvement throughout the study. INTERPRETATION: An instructional
      DVD for parent-delivered behavioral therapy was a safe, effective intervention
      for primary CMS.

PMID- 27259463
TI  - Haemodiafiltration at increased plasma ionic strength for improved protein-bound
      toxin removal.
AB  - AIM: Protein-bound uraemic toxin accumulation causes uraemia-associated
      cardiovascular morbidity. Enhancing the plasma ionic strength releases toxins
      from protein binding and makes them available for removal during dialysis. This
      concept was implemented through high sodium concentrations ([Na+ ]) in the
      substituate of pre-dilution haemodiafiltration at increased plasma ionic strength
      (HDF-IPIS). METHODS: Ex vivo HDF-IPIS with blood tested increasing [Na+ ] to
      demonstrate efficacy and haemocompatibility. Haemocompatibility was further
      assessed in sheep using two different HDF-IPIS set-ups and [Na+ ] between 350 and
      600 mmol L-1 . Safety and efficacy of para-cresyl sulphate (pCS) and indoxyl
      sulphate (IS) removal was further investigated in a randomized clinical pilot
      trial comparing HDF-IPIS to HD and HDF. RESULTS: Compared to [Na+ ] of 150 mmol L
      1 , ex vivo HDF-IPIS at 500 mmol L-1 demonstrated up to 50% higher IS removal.
      Haemolysis in sheep was low even at [Na+ ] of 600 mmol L-1 (free Hb 0.016 +/-
      0.001 g dL-1 ). In patients, compared to HD, a [Na+ ] of 240 mmol L-1 in HDF-IPIS
      resulted in 40% greater reduction (48.7 +/- 23.6 vs. 67.8 +/- 7.9%; P = 0.013) in
      free IS. Compared to HD and HDF (23.0 +/- 14.8 and 25.4 +/- 10.5 mL min-1 ), the
      dialytic clearance of free IS was 31.6 +/- 12.8 mL min-1 (P = 0.017) in HDF-IPIS,
      but [Na+ ] in arterial blood increased from 132 +/- 2 to 136 +/- 3 mmol L-1 (0
      vs. 240 min; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HDF-IPIS is technically and clinically
      feasible. More effective HDF-IPIS requires higher temporary plasma [Na+ ], but
      dialysate [Na+ ] has to be appropriately adapted to avoid sodium accumulation.

PMID- 27259465
TI  - The unexpected beneficial role of smoking in preeclampsia.
AB  - We have recently investigated the association between the risk of developing PE
      and clinical, hemostatic, inflammatory and genetic parameters of 108 severe
      preeclamptic women. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to
      assess what variables are independent risk factors for PE. Univariate analysis
      was performed including the variables in age, smoking condition, multiple
      pregnancy, blood group, phenotypes and alleles of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8,
      IL-12, IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and the plasma levels of FVII, FVIIa,
      FVIIa-AT, FVIII, FVW, ADAMTS13, D-Di, PAI-1, ADMA. Those variables whose P<0.20
      (smoking, multiple pregnancy, blood group, phenotype IL-6, IFN-gamma allele, IL
      10 allele and FVII) were selected to the multivariate logistic regression. In the
      final model, only FVII, IFN-gamma allele and smoking were independently
      associated to severe PE (P<0.0001, P<0.0001 and P=0.008, respectively). Increased
      FVII plasma levels and IFN-gamma "T" allele were associated to an increased
      probability of developing PE (OR 1.001, 95% CI [1.001-1.002], and OR 4.81 95% CI
      [2.42-9.60], respectively). On the other hand, smoker status was associated with
      a 4.72 decreased chance of PE occurrence (OR 4.72, 95% CI [1.51-14.75]). In this
      article we also reviewed the studies that investigate the risk of PE in pregnant
      women who smoked, as well as the effect of tobacco extract in cells or animal
      models. The hypotheses proposed to explain the biological mechanism by which
      smoking during pregnancy reduces the risk of PE was also discussed. 

PMID- 27259466
TI  - The clinical utility of mass spectrometry based protein assays.
AB  - Reports of mass spectrometry based assays for peptides and proteins have become
      increasingly common in the literature. The growing interest of mass spectrometry
      for use in clinical laboratories has been primarily driven by the inherent
      selectivity of the platform relative to more traditional platforms such as
      immunoassays. However, the adoption of mass spectrometry for peptide and protein
      analysis in the clinic has been relatively slow compared its adoption in non
      clinical laboratories such as in biomarker discovery efforts or within
      laboratories that support pharmaceutical and academic research. Here, we review
      some of the successful reports of MS based assays for human proteins in multiple
      stages of assay research, and describe how and why the platform was employed in
      order to demonstrate where and when mass spectrometry based assays will have
      value in the future. 

PMID- 27259467
TI  - Alpha-1 antitrypsin: Associated diseases and therapeutic uses.

PMID- 27259468
TI  - NETosis markers: Quest for specific, objective, and quantitative markers.
AB  - More than 10years have passed since the discovery of neutrophil extracellular
      traps (NETs) in 2004. NETs are extracellular web-like DNA decorated with
      antimicrobial proteins, which are released from activated neutrophils. The state
      of neutrophils with NET formation is called NETosis. It has been realized that
      NETosis includes suicidal NETosis and vital NETosis. The former state means cell
      death of neutrophils, whereas the latter state preserves living neutrophilic
      functions. Although both suicidal and vital NETosis play essential roles in
      elimination of microorganisms, excessive formation of NETs, especially the ones
      derived from suicidal NETosis, can harm the hosts. Therefore, the discovery of
      NETosis markers and development of evaluation methods are important. In this
      review, we compare the methods for evaluating NETosis, including
      immunocytological and immunohistological detection of co-localized neutrophil
      derived proteins and extracellular DNA, and citrullinated histones, detection of
      NET remnants in fluid samples, and flow cytometric detection of cell-appendant
      NET components, with focus on the specificity, objectivity, and quantitativity.
      Since the gold standard marker of NETosis or method of NET detection has not been
      established yet, researchers should choose the most appropriate marker or method
      in each situation based on the knowledge of the respective virtues and faults. 

PMID- 27259469
TI  - The need for ethics as well as evidence in evidence-based medicine.

PMID- 27259470
TI  - Most systematic reviews of adverse effects did not include unpublished data.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify the proportion of systematic reviews of adverse
      effects which search for unpublished data and the success rates of identifying
      unpublished data for inclusion in a systematic review. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:
      Two reviewers independently screened all records published in 2014 in the
      Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) for systematic reviews where
      the primary aim was to evaluate an adverse effect or effects. Data were extracted
      on the types of adverse effects and interventions evaluated, sources searched,
      how many unpublished studies were included, and source or type of unpublished
      data included. RESULTS: From 9,129 DARE abstracts, 348 met our inclusion
      criteria. Most of these reviews evaluated a drug intervention (237/348, 68%) with
      specified adverse effects (250/348, 72%). Over a third (136/348, 39%) of all the
      reviews searched, a specific source for unpublished data, such as conference
      abstracts or trial registries, and nearly half of these reviews (65/136, 48%)
      included unpublished data. An additional 13 reviews included unpublished data
      despite not searching specific sources for unpublished studies. Overall, 22%
      (78/348) of reviews included unpublished data/studies. CONCLUSION: Most reviews
      of adverse effects do not search specifically for unpublished data but, of those
      that do, nearly half are successful.

PMID- 27259471
TI  - Roles of O-GlcNAc in chronic diseases of aging.
AB  - O-GlcNAcylation, a dynamic nutrient and stress sensitive post-translational
      modification, occurs on myriad proteins in the cell nucleus, cytoplasm and
      mitochondria. O-GlcNAcylation serves as a nutrient sensor to regulate signaling,
      transcription, translation, cell division, metabolism, and stress sensitivity in
      all cells. Aberrant protein O-GlcNAcylation plays a critical role both in the
      development, as well as in the progression of a variety of age related diseases.
      O-GlcNAcylation underlies the etiology of diabetes, and changes in specific
      protein O-GlcNAc levels and sites are responsible for insulin expression and
      sensitivity and glucose toxicity. Abnormal O-GlcNAcylation contributes directly
      to diabetes related dysfunction of the heart, kidney and eyes and affects
      progression of cardiomyopathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. O-GlcNAcylation is a
      critical modification in the brain and plays a role in both plaque and tangle
      formation, thus making its study important in neurodegenerative disorders. O
      GlcNAcylation also affects cellular growth and metabolism during the development
      and metastasis of cancer. Finally, alterations in O-GlcNAcylation of
      transcription factors in macrophages and lymphocytes affect inflammation and
      cytokine production. Thus, O-GlcNAcylation plays key roles in many of the major
      diseases associated with aging. Elucidation of its specific functions in both
      normal and diseased tissues is likely to uncover totally novel avenues for
      therapeutic intervention.

PMID- 27259472
TI  - Effects of working memory training on children born preterm.
AB  - Researchers have reported benefits of working memory training in various
      populations, however, the training gains in preterm population is still
      inadequately studied. This study aimed to investigate the transfer and lasting
      effects of an online working memory training program on a group of preterm
      children aged between 4 and 6 years (mean gestational age = 28.3 weeks; mean
      birth weight = 1153 grams). Children were asked to perform the Cogmed JM at home
      for approximately 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Their nontrained
      working memory and attention were assessed pre-training, post-training, and at 5
      week follow-up. Parent ratings on children's executive functions were obtained at
      the three time points. Results revealed that significant improvements in verbal
      working memory was emerging in preterm children at 5-week follow-up, while
      significant gains in visuospatial working memory was found post-training and at 5
      week follow-up in age-matched term-born children. These results indicated that
      working memory training has benefits on preterm children; however, the gains are
      different from those observed in term-born children. No significant differences
      in attention and parent-rated EF were found in either group across time. The
      possible explanations for the training benefits observed in preterm children were
      discussed.

PMID- 27259473
TI  - Outdoor and indoor monitoring of livestock-associated Culicoides spp. to assess
      vector-free periods and disease risks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Within the last few decades Culicoides spp. (Diptera:
      Ceratopogonidae) emerged Europe-wide as a major vector for epizootic viral
      diseases e.g. caused by Bluetongue (BT) or Schmallenberg virus. In accordance
      with the EU regulation 1266/2007, veterinary authorities are requested to
      determine vector-free periods for loosing trade and movement restrictions of
      susceptible livestock. Additionally, the widely used basic reproduction number
      [Formula: see text] is optionally applied for risk assessment of vector-borne
      diseases. Values of R0 < 1 indicate periods with no disease transmission risk.
      For the determination of vector-free period and R0 a continuously operating daily
      Culicoides spp. monitoring in Vienna (Austria) was established. It covered the
      period 2009-2013 and depicts the seasonal vector abundance indoor and outdoor.
      Future BT and African horse sickness (AHS) outbreak risks were estimated by
      projecting R0 to climate change scenarios. Therefore, temperature-dependent
      vector parameters were applied. RESULTS: The vector-free period lasted about 100
      days inside stables, while less than five Culicoides were trapped outdoors on 150
      days per season, i.e. winter half year. Additionally, the potential outbreak risk
      was assessed for BT and AHS. For BT, a basic reproduction number of R0 > 1 was
      found each year between June and August. The periods without transmission risk,
      i.e. R0 < 1, were notably higher (200 days). Contrary, values of R0 < 1 were
      estimated for AHS during the whole period. Finally, the basic reproduction
      numbers were projected to the future by using temperature forecasts for the
      period 2014-2100. While the mean summer peak values for BT increase from of R0 =
      2.3 to R0 = 3.4 until 2100 (1.1/100 years), no risk for AHS was estimated even
      under climate warming assumptions. CONCLUSIONS: Restrictions to trade and
      movement are always associated with an economic impact during epidemic diseases.
      To minimize these impacts, risk assessments based on the vector-free period or
      the basic reproduction number R0 can essentially support veterinary authorities
      to improve protection and control measurements.

PMID- 27259474
TI  - Granular cell tumor presenting in the scrotum of a pediatric patient: a case
      report and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Granular cell tumors are neoplasms of Schwann cell origin. They
      typically arise in the head and neck of adults, with the tongue being the most
      common location; granular cell tumors of male genitalia are exceedingly rare. We
      identified only eight prior cases of scrotal granular cell tumor in the
      literature, and only one was in a child. Herein, we report a second case of
      childhood scrotal granular cell tumor and provide a review of the most relevant
      literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A fifteen-year-old hispanic boy was referred to
      our hospital's pediatric surgery service for a painless and firm scrotal mass.
      Clinical impression was that of an epidermal inclusion cyst. There was no
      evidence of associated medical problems from the clinical history and physical
      examination. Surgical enucleation of the lesion demonstrated a solid nodule with
      morphological and immunohistochemical features consistent with a benign granular
      cell tumor. CONCLUSIONS: This is the second case reported of a scrotal granular
      cell tumor in a child. Although genital granular cell tumors are rare, and most
      are benign, careful clinical examination, complete surgical excision, expert
      histologic evaluation, and a close follow-up are recommended for accurate
      diagnosis and to rule out eventual malignancy.

PMID- 27259476
TI  - Incorporating health literacy in education for socially disadvantaged adults: an
      Australian feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adult education institutions have been identified as potential
      settings to improve health literacy and address the health inequalities that stem
      from limited health literacy. However, few health literacy interventions have
      been tested in this setting. METHODS: Feasibility study for an RCT of the UK
      Skilled for Health Program adapted for implementation in Australian adult
      education settings. Implementation at two sites with mixed methods evaluation to
      examine feasibility, test for change in participants' health literacy and pilot
      test health literacy measures. RESULTS: Twenty-two socially disadvantaged adults
      with low literacy participated in the program and received 80-90 hours of health
      literacy instruction. The program received institutional support from Australia's
      largest provider of vocational education and training and was feasible to
      implement (100 % participation; >90 % completion; high teacher satisfaction).
      Quantitative results showed improvements in participants' health literacy skills
      and confidence, with no change on a generic measure of health literacy.
      Qualitative analysis identified positive student and teacher engagement with
      course content and self-reported improvements in health knowledge, attitudes, and
      communication with healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Positive feasibility
      results support a larger RCT of the health literacy program. However, there is a
      need to identify better, multi-dimensional measures of health literacy in order
      to be able to quantify change in a larger trial. This feasibility study
      represents the first step in providing the high quality evidence needed to
      understand the way in which health literacy can be improved and health
      inequalities reduced through Australian adult education programs.

PMID- 27259475
TI  - MDSINE: Microbial Dynamical Systems INference Engine for microbiome time-series
      analyses.
AB  - Predicting dynamics of host-microbial ecosystems is crucial for the rational
      design of bacteriotherapies. We present MDSINE, a suite of algorithms for
      inferring dynamical systems models from microbiome time-series data and
      predicting temporal behaviors. Using simulated data, we demonstrate that MDSINE
      significantly outperforms the existing inference method. We then show MDSINE's
      utility on two new gnotobiotic mice datasets, investigating infection with
      Clostridium difficile and an immune-modulatory probiotic. Using these datasets,
      we demonstrate new capabilities, including accurate forecasting of microbial
      dynamics, prediction of stable sub-communities that inhibit pathogen growth, and
      identification of bacteria most crucial to community integrity in response to
      perturbations.

PMID- 27259477
TI  - Inhibition of Notch 1 receptor influenced the differentiation of Lin-CD45RA
      dendritic cell precursors within ovarian carcinoma microenvironment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous evidence suggested that the differentiation of Lin-CD45RA-DC
      precursors were prior to plasmcytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) than myeloid
      dendritic cells (mDCs) within ovarian cancer microenvironment. However, the
      mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the function of Notch 1
      signal pathway in the differentiation of Lin-CD45RA-DC precursors. METHODS: The
      CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells were extracted from umbilical cord blood in term
      parturition, and Lin-CD45RA-DC precusors were separated and induced mature.
      Expression of Notch1 receptor and ligands in Lin-CD45RA-DC precusors was detected
      by Real-time PCR and was down-regulated by shRNA or gamma-secretase inhibitor
      (GSI). Flow cytometry was used to analyze the subset of DCs with or without SKOV3
      culture supernatants. IL-12 level was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Expression of
      Notch1 receptors and ligands were detected in Lin-CD45RA-DC precursor cells. The
      Notch1 mRNA in Lin-CD45RA-DC precursors can be down-regulated by shRNA-Notch1
      lentivirus transfection and GSI. ShRNA mediated Notch 1 knock-down significantly
      differentiated less plasmcytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), but generated more
      myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), and this would not be influenced by the
      supernatant of the ovarian carcinoma cell line. GSI had the same effect in the
      differentiation of pDC. The secretion of IL-12 significantly increased after
      Notch1 knock-down with or without SKOV3 culture supernatants. CONCLUSIONS: Notch1
      is an important signaling pathway in the differentiation of Lin-CD45RA-DC
      precursor cells to plasmcytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). And this would not be
      affected by the supernatant of the ovarian carcinoma cell line.

PMID- 27259478
TI  - The novel in vitro reanimation of isolated human and large mammalian heart-lung
      blocs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In vitro isolated heart preparations are valuable tools for the study
      of cardiac anatomy and physiology, as well as for preclinical device testing.
      Such preparations afford investigators a high level of hemodynamic control,
      independent of host or systemic interactions. Here we hypothesize that recovered
      human and swine heart-lung blocs can be reanimated using a clear perfusate and
      elicit viable cardiodynamic and pulmonic function. Further, this approach will
      facilitate multimodal imaging, which is particularly valuable for the study of
      both functional anatomy and device-tissue interactions. Five human and 18 swine
      heart-lung preparations were procured using techniques analogous to those for
      cardiac transplant. Specimens were then rewarmed and reperfused using
      modifications of a closed circuit, isolated, beating and ventilated heart-lung
      preparation. Positive pressure mechanical ventilation was also employed, and
      epicardial defibrillation was applied to elicit native cardiac sinus rhythm.
      Videoscopy, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and infrared imaging were performed for
      anatomical and experimental study. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic left
      ventricular pressures observed for human and swine specimens were 68/2 +/- 11/7
      and 74/3 +/- 17/5 mmHg, respectively, with associated native heart rates of 80 +/
      7 and 96 +/- 16 beats per minute. High-resolution imaging within functioning
      human pulmonary vasculature was obtained among other anatomies of interest. Note
      that one human specimen elicited poor cardiac performance post defibrillation.
      CONCLUSIONS: We report the first dynamic videoscopic images of the pulmonary
      vasculature during viable cardiopulmonary function in isolated reanimated heart
      lung blocs. This experimental approach provides unique in vitro opportunities for
      the study of novel medical therapeutics applied to large mammalian, including
      human, heart-lung specimens.

PMID- 27259479
TI  - Estimating epidemiological data of Multiple sclerosis using hospitalized data in
      Shandong Province, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare chronically debilitating disease.
      There are few reports on the burden of disease of MS and prevalence in China. The
      authors intended to estimate disease burden and prevalence of MS in Shandong
      Province using available epidemiologic data. METHODS: Prevalence was calculated
      using DISMOD II software based on incidence extrapolated from hospitalization
      data, case fatality and remission rate from literature as input indexes.
      Disability-adjusted life year (DALY) was computed with epidemiologic indexes
      estimated by DISMOD II program. RESULTS: The prevalence of MS was estimated to be
      3.7(95 % CI: 1.65-5.8) and 6.7(95 % CI: 2.7-9.56) cases per 100,000 people for
      males and for females, respectively. The mean age at onset of MS was 36.0(43.0 +/
      30.0 years in males and 33.7(43.4 +/- 29.7) years in females. Duration of the
      disease was estimated to be 34.0 (31.6 +/- 21.0) years for males and 39.5(34.9 +/
      21.8) years for females. The disease burden in disability-adjusted life years
      was 3316, comprised of 903 (27.2 %) years of life lost (YLL) and 2413 (72.8 %)
      years lived with disability (YLD). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted that
      population in Shandong Province had a high prevalence of MS and the patients had
      a heavy disease burden. It also revealed that the results obtained in this paper
      would be useful to provide a reference for establishing specific healthcare
      policies for this rare disease in Shandong Province.

PMID- 27259481
TI  - Overcorrecting minus lens therapy in patients with intermittent exotropia: Should
      it be the first therapeutic choice?
AB  - To evaluate medium-term outcomes of overminus lens treatment in patients with
      intermittent exotropia [X(T)]. A retrospective analysis was performed of the
      outcomes of 19 children with X(T) who were prescribed overminus lens (-2.00 to 
      4.00 D) for a median period of 18 months (6-33). The success was evaluated using
      two assessment methods: 1. Newcastle Control System (NCS), and 2. Jampolsky's
      assessment. The mean age of the patients was 6.8 +/- 3.3 years (range 3-14
      years). After the therapy, the median NCS score significantly improved from 5 to
      1 (p < 0.001). Sixteen children (84 %) showed a NCS score of 2 or less after
      overminus lens treatment. According to Jampolsky's assessment, 84 % of the
      patients showed marked improvement from the baseline (47 % had qualitative
      improvement, 37 % quantitative decrease in the angle of deviation in addition to
      a qualitative improvement). The median pre-treatment distant angle decreased from
      25 prism diopters (PD) to 18 PD after the treatment (p = 0.002). Overcorrecting
      minus lens treatment has a reasonable rate of success in the medium term and may
      be advised as primary therapeutic alternative for X(T). Both NCS and Jampolsky's
      scoring system appear to be useful and comparable for follow-up of patients with
      X(T).

PMID- 27259480
TI  - The status of maternal and newborn health care services in Zanzibar.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 287,000 women worldwide die annually from
      pregnancy and childbirth-related conditions, and 6.9 million under-five children
      die each year, of which about 3 million are newborns. Most of these deaths occur
      in sub-Saharan Africa. The maternal health situation in Tanzania mainland and
      Zanzibar is similar to other sub-Saharan countries. This study assessed the
      availability, accessibility and quality of emergency obstetric care services and
      essential resources available for maternal and child health services in Zanzibar.
      METHODS: From October and November 2012, a cross-sectional health facility survey
      was conducted in 79 health facilities in Zanzibar. The health facility tools
      developed by the Averting Maternal Death and Disability program were adapted for
      local use. RESULTS: Only 7.6 % of the health facilities qualified as functioning
      basic EmONC (Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care) facilities and 9 % were
      comprehensive EmONC facilities. Twenty-eight percent were partially performing
      basic EmONC and the remaining 55.7 % were not providing EmONC. Neonatal
      resuscitation was performed in 80 % of the hospitals and only 17.4 % of the other
      health facilities that were surveyed. Based on World Health Organisation (WHO)
      criteria, the study revealed a gap of 20 % for minimum provision of EmONC
      facilities per 500,000 population. The met need at national level (proportion of
      women with major direct obstetric complications treated in a health facility
      providing EmONC) was only 33.1 % in the 12 months preceding the survey. The study
      found that there was limited availability of human resources in all visited
      health facilities, particularly for the higher cadres, as per Zanzibar minimum
      staff requirements. CONCLUSION: There is a need to strengthen human resource
      capacity at primary health facilities through training of health care providers
      to improve EmONC services, as well as provision of necessary equipment and
      supplies to reduce workload at the higher referral health facilities and increase
      geographic access.

PMID- 27259482
TI  - [Arthroscopic subacromial decompression].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Coracoacromial ligament release to widen the subacromial space,
      resection of the anterior undersurface of the acromion and, if needed, caudal
      exophytes at the acromioclavicular joint. INDICATIONS: All types of outlet
      impingement after 3 months of conservative treatment. CONTRAINDICATIONS:
      Impingement syndrome with instability/muscular imbalance, massive rotator cuff
      tear, unstable os acromionale, posterior-superior impingement, joint infection,
      freezing phase of a secondary frozen shoulder. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Lateral
      decubitus position with traction device for the arm. Diagnostic arthroscopy of
      the glenohumeral joint via standard portals. With arthroscope moved to the
      subacromial space, bursectomy, electrosurgical release of coracoacromial
      ligament, resection of acromial hook through standard posterior portal.
      POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Physiotherapy or self-exercises on postoperative day 1,
      pain-adapted analgesia to avoid shoulder stiffness. RESULTS: Several studies
      present positive long-term results compared to conservative treatment (and open
      acromioplasty) for partial rotator cuff tears and for elderly patients. With a 20
      year follow-up, successful results have been achieved for all patients with
      isolated impingement syndrome.

PMID- 27259483
TI  - [Amputation and exarticulation of the lesser toes].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Amputations and exarticulations of the toes may be necessary due to
      several reasons. The goal is to remove necrosis or infection prior to its spread
      to the midfoot region. From a functional or cosmetic point of view,
      amputation/exarticulation of a single toe plays no major role. However, this can
      be different with exarticulation of several toes. INDICATIONS: Necrosis, trauma,
      infection, tumor, deformity. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Conditions where
      amputation/exarticulation of a toe is insufficient, e. g., in progressing
      peripheral arterial disease. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The toe can either be amputated
      through the distal phalanx or exarticulated in the metatarsophalangeal joint.
      POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Orthopedic shoes or orthotic devices are rarely
      necessary when a single toe is amputated/exarticulated. However, concomitant
      deformities of the foot have to be thoroughly addressed. If more than one toe is
      amputated, silicone spacers may be necessary to prevent the remaining toes from
      deviating. RESULTS: Amputations and exarticulations of the toes are frequent and
      the procedure is technically simple. However, the complication rate is high due
      to typical indications making amputation necessary.

PMID- 27259484
TI  - Safety and efficacy of high-rate cutoff and long detection interval ICD
      programming in secondary prevention patients.
AB  - Several trials demonstrated that a long detection interval and a high-rate cutoff
      reduced implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in primary
      prevention patients. However, only a few data are available for secondary
      prevention (SP) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether these ICD
      programming would be effective in reducing ICD therapies in SP patients. We
      enrolled 65 SP patients under ICD or cardiac resynchronization therapy with the
      defibrillator programmed with the same setting (conventional setting). During
      follow-up, we changed detection rates in each zone; cycle length (CL) <=400 to
      <=370 ms for ventricular tachycardia (VT) zone, CL <=350 to <=320 ms for fast VT
      zone, CL <=300 to <=270 ms for ventricular fibrillation (VF) zone, and number of
      intervals to detect ventricular tachyarrhythmia in VF zone: 12-24. We
      retrospectively compared the incidences of ICD therapies, syncope, and
      hospitalization due to slow VT under the detection rate between both settings.
      Median follow-up periods were 5.0 (interquartile range 2.5-7.8) and 2.5 years
      (interquartile range 2.3-2.7) in conventional and strategic settings,
      respectively. The incidence of appropriate ATP and shock significantly decreased
      in strategic setting (conventional and strategic settings: 21.2 and 4.8 ATPs per
      year, respectively, OR 0.18, 95 % CI 0.06-0.54, p = 0.002, 26.1 and 7.8 shocks
      per year, respectively, OR 0.29, 95 % CI 0.09-0.88, p = 0.03). The incidence of
      overall inappropriate therapy significantly decreased (conventional and strategic
      settings: 17.6 and 2.8 therapies per year, respectively, OR 0.14, 95 % CI 0.05
      0.44, p = 0.01). The incidence of syncope and slow VT was not significantly
      different between both settings. In conclusion, ICD programming-combined long
      detection interval with high-rate cutoff was effective in reducing appropriate
      shock and inappropriate therapy without increasing the incidence of syncope and
      slow VT in SP patients.

PMID- 27259486
TI  - The interplay of goal-driven and stimulus-driven influences on spatial orienting.
AB  - Search for a target stimulus among distractors is subject to both goal-driven and
      stimulus-driven influences. Variables that selectively modify these influences
      have shown strong interaction effects on saccade trajectories toward the target,
      suggesting the involvement of a shared spatial orienting mechanism. However,
      subsequent manual response times (RTs) have revealed additive effects, suggesting
      that different mechanisms are involved. In the present study, we tested the
      hypothesis that an interaction for RTs is obscured by preceding multisaccade
      trajectories, promoted by the continuous presence of distractors in the display.
      In two experiments, we compared a condition in which distractors were removed
      soon after the presentation of the search display to a standard condition in
      which distractors were not removed. The results showed additive goal-driven and
      stimulus-driven effects on RTs in the standard condition, but an interaction when
      distractors were removed. These findings support the view that both variables
      influence a shared spatial orienting mechanism.

PMID- 27259487
TI  - Psychosocial risk factors underlie the link between attention deficit
      hyperactivity symptoms and overweight at school entry.
AB  - The link between symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and
      increased body weight is well established, while the underlying mechanisms are
      not yet clear. Since increased body weight and ADHD symptoms have been found to
      be associated with psychosocial risk factors in childhood, we analyzed whether
      the psychosocial risks explain the association between the two conditions. The
      sample consisted of 360 children (age range 6-7 years, 173 boys) attending the
      obligatory medical health exam before school entry. The childrens' height and
      weight were measured during the examination. ADHD symptoms were ascertained by
      parent-report questionnaires. Psychosocial risks were ascertained by a structured
      interview. The link between ADHD symptoms and body weight could be completely
      explained by cumulative psychosocial risks while controlling for gender, symptoms
      of depression/anxiety and oppositional defiant disorder of the child, maternal
      smoking during pregnancy, parental body mass index, and potential diagnosis of
      ADHD in the parents. In current models pertaining to the etiology of
      overweight/obesity and ADHD, chronic stress caused by psychosocial adversity is
      assumed to act as a trigger for these conditions. Psychosocial risks experienced
      during childhood may activate processes that specifically lead to the combined
      ADHD-overweight phenotype.

PMID- 27259485
TI  - Effects of anti-depressant treatments on FADD and p-FADD protein in rat brain
      cortex: enhanced anti-apoptotic p-FADD/FADD ratio after chronic desipramine and
      fluoxetine administration.
AB  - RATIONALE: Fas-associated death domain (FADD) is an adaptor of death receptors
      that can also induce anti-apoptotic actions through its phosphorylated form (p
      FADD). Activation of monoamine receptors, indirect targets of classic anti
      depressant drugs (ADs), reduced FADD and increased p-FADD and p-FADD/FADD ratio
      in brain. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain whether ADs, which indirectly regulate
      monoamine receptors, modulate FADD protein forms to promote anti-apoptotic
      actions. METHODS: The effects of selected norepinephrine transporter (NET),
      serotonin transporter (SERT), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, atypical ADs,
      and electroconvulsive shock (ECS) or behavioral procedures (forced swim test,
      FST) on FADD forms and pro-survival FADD-like interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme
      inhibitory protein (FLIP-L) and phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes of 15 kDa
      (p-PEA-15) contents were assessed in rat brain cortex by western blot analysis.
      RESULTS: Acute NET (e.g., nisoxetine) but not SERT (e.g., fluoxetine) inhibitors
      decreased cortical FADD (up to 37 %) and increased p-FADD/FADD ratio (up to 1.9
      fold). Nisoxetine effects were prevented by alpha2-antagonist RX-821002,
      suggesting the involvement of presynaptic alpha2-autoreceptors. Immobility time
      in the FST correlated with increases of pro-apoptotic FADD and decreases of anti
      apoptotic p-FADD. The MAO-A/B inhibitor phenelzine decreased FADD (up to 33 %)
      and increased p-FADD (up to 65 %) and p-FADD/FADD (up to 2.4-fold). Other MAO
      inhibitors (clorgyline, Ro 41-1049, rasagiline), atypical ADs (ketamine and
      mirtazapine), or ECS did not modulate cortical FADD. Chronic (14 days)
      desipramine and fluoxetine, but not phenelzine, increased p-FADD (up to 59 %), p
      FADD/FADD ratio (up to 1.8-fold), and pro-survival p-PEA-15 (up to 46 %) in rat
      brain cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Multifunctional FADD protein, through an increased p
      FADD/FADD ratio, could participate in the mechanisms of anti-apoptotic actions
      induced by ADs.

PMID- 27259489
TI  - Photographing Determinants of Mental Health in Argentina Post-2002 Economic
      Crisis.

PMID- 27259488
TI  - The prospective usefulness of callous-unemotional traits and conduct disorder in
      predicting treatment engagement among detained girls.
AB  - Although treatment engagement (TE) is crucial for treatment success it is not
      well known how likely detained girls are to engage in treatment and what features
      may impede them from doing so. This study is the first to examine the prognostic
      usefulness of two features of potential interest, being callous-unemotional (CU)
      traits and conduct disorder (CD), in relation to TE. Detained girls and their
      parents (n = 75) were interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for
      Children to assess CD, and completed the Antisocial Process Screening Device to
      assess CU traits dimensionally and categorically as in the new diagnostic and
      statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) CU-based specifier.
      One to two months later, the girls reported how much they engaged in treatment.
      At the zero-order level, self-, but not parent-reported CU traits and CD were
      predictive of lower levels of TE. The incorporation of CU traits into a diagnosis
      of CD identified girls with lower levels of future TE, a finding that held across
      different informants. Of note, the aforementioned findings only became apparent
      when using a dimensional measure of CU traits, and not when using the categorical
      measure of CU traits currently included in DSM-5. This study showed that CU
      traits can help developing an understanding of what factors hinder TE among
      detained girls. Our findings also support recommendations to incorporate CU
      traits into the CD diagnosis, and suggest that dimensional approaches to do so
      may yield relevant information about future levels of TE.

PMID- 27259490
TI  - Global Mental Health.

PMID- 27259491
TI  - The Mental Health Education Gap among Primary Care Providers in Rural Nepal.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In low- and middle-income countries, the majority of individuals with
      mental illness go untreated largely because of a severe shortage of mental health
      professionals. Global initiatives to close the mental health treatment gap focus
      on primary care providers delivering this care. For this to be effective, primary
      care providers require the skills to assess, diagnose, and treat patients with
      mental illness. METHODS: To assess primary care providers' training and
      experience in caring for mental health patients, the authors conducted five focus
      groups at three isolated district hospitals in rural Nepal where there was no
      access to mental health professionals. RESULTS: Primary care providers reported
      limited training, lack of knowledge and skills, and discomfort in delivering
      mental health care. CONCLUSION: To address the mental health education gap,
      primary care providers in Nepal, and perhaps other low- and middle-income
      countries, require more training during both undergraduate and graduate medical
      education.

PMID- 27259492
TI  - Erratum to: Waves of c-Fos and Arc Proteins Expression in Neuronal Populations of
      the Hippocampus in Response to a Single Episode of New Experience.

PMID- 27259493
TI  - Experimental Simulation of Traumatic Osteomyelitis in Rats.
AB  - A model of traumatic osteomyelitis in rats is created. The disease development
      was evaluated by bone marrow myelograms, results of scintigraphy, and
      histological studies. 

PMID- 27259494
TI  - Ultrastructure of Cardiomyocytes and Blood Capillary Endotheliocytes in the
      Myocardium under Conditions of Experimental Mechanical Injury to the Heart.
AB  - We studied ultrastructural changes in cardiomyocytes and blood capillary
      endotheliocytes in the ventricular myocardium in response to mechanical injury of
      the heart of varying severity in Wistar rats. Acute alterative changes in
      cardiomyocyte and endotheliocyte ultrastructure indicate impairment of the energy
      producing, contractile, and protein-synthesizing functions of the cells after
      mechanical injury. These disorders play the key role in the development of acute
      contractile insufficiency of the myocardium in mechanical injury to the heart. 

PMID- 27259495
TI  - Kinetic Chemiluminescence as a Method for Oxidative Stress Evaluation in
      Examinations of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - We propose a new approach to evaluation of oxidative stress based on kinetic
      chemiluminescence: measurement of antioxidant and pro-oxidant activities of the
      plasma. The study included 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving
      peroral hypoglycemic therapy. In addition to the above parameters, the levels of
      TBA-reactive products, inflammation markers, clotting parameters, and biochemical
      values were studied. The new method provides information on oxidative stress in
      patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus irrespective of the clinical and
      laboratory values. The use of this method in complex with the clinical,
      laboratory, and instrumental studies allows comprehensive evaluation of patient's
      status for the diagnosis and choice of therapy. 

PMID- 27259496
TI  - Peptide Regulation of Skin Fibroblast Functions during Their Aging In Vitro.
AB  - The effect peptides KE, KED, AED and AEDG on proliferation (Ki-67), regeneration
      and aging (CD98hc), apoptosis (caspase-3), and extracellular matrix remodeling
      (MMP-9) in skin fibroblasts during their aging in culture were studied by
      immunofluorescent confocal microscopy. All studied peptides inhibited MMP-9
      synthesis that increases during aging of skin fibroblasts and enhanced the
      expression of Ki-67 and CD98hc that are less intensively synthesized during cell
      aging. Peptides AED and AEDG suppressed caspase-dependent apoptosis that
      increases during aging of cell cultures. 

PMID- 27259497
TI  - A Model of Cadmium Uptake and Transport in Caco-2 Cells.
AB  - We created a physiologically substantiated kinetic model of cadmium transport and
      toxicity in intestinal cell model (Caco-2 cells). Transcriptome profiling of Caco
      2 cells revealed high content of transporter DMT1 and ZIP14 and intensive
      expression of some calcium channels of the CACN family. The mathematical model
      describing three types of transporters, as well as intracellular cadmium binding
      with metallothionein and excretion through the basolateral membrane allowed us to
      construct cadmium uptake and transport curves that approximated the previously
      obtained experimental data. Using the proposed model, we determined toxic
      intracellular cadmium concentration leading to cell death and impairing the
      integrity of cell monolayer and described cadmium transport in this case. 

PMID- 27259498
TI  - Effect of Factors Secreted by the Placenta on Phenotype of THP-1 Cells Cultured
      on a 3D Scaffold.
AB  - We studied the effects of secretory products of the placenta obtained from women
      with normal pregnancy and preeclampsia on the expression of surface markers by
      THP-1 cells cultured on a 3D Matrigel scaffold. Secretory products of third
      trimester placentas obtained from women with normal pregnancy reduced the
      relative number of THP-1 cells expressing CD54 and CD14 molecules and expression
      of CD14 and CD95 molecules by THP-1 cells in comparison with the effect of
      secretory products first trimester placentas. In parallel, the intensity of CD49d
      expression by THP-1 cells increased in the presence of secretory products of
      third trimester placentas in comparison with the first trimester. No differences
      in the expression of the studied molecules by THP-1 cells under the effect of
      placentas from women with physiological pregnancy and patients with preeclampsia
      were found. 

PMID- 27259499
TI  - Antihypoxic and Neuroprotective Effects of Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
      (GDNF) in Cultures of Dissociated Hippocampal Cells under Conditions of
      Experimental Hypoxia.
AB  - We analyzed the effect of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on
      changes in functional bioelectric and calcium activity in dissociated hippocampal
      cell cultures under conditions of modeled acute normobaric hypoxia in vitro. GDNF
      (1 ng/ml) partially neutralized the negative effects of hypoxia on cell survival
      and parameters of functional network activity. GDNF exhibited a pronounced anti
      hypoxic effect. 

PMID- 27259500
TI  - Cervical elastography during pregnancy: a critical review of current approaches
      with a focus on controversies and limitations.
AB  - In normal pregnancy, the cervix functions as a protective mechanical barrier that
      must remain tight and closed. Premature remodeling and consecutive shortening
      occur in many cases of spontaneous preterm birth. Although the complex underlying
      physiology of normal and abnormal cervical remodeling is not fully understood, it
      is clear that cervical softening occurs prior to delivery, and inappropriate
      timing seems to be associated with preterm delivery. Also, degree of cervical
      softness is a component of the Bishop score currently used clinically to predict
      successful induction of labor. Therefore, the assessment of changes in cervical
      stiffness with ultrasound elastography techniques might be useful in the
      prediction of preterm delivery or successful induction of labor. Two different
      approaches for cervical elastography for quantitative determination of the
      physical properties of the pregnant cervix have been developed: strain
      elastography and shear wave elastography. Recently, several feasibility studies
      showed the reliability of these cervical elastography techniques for the
      prediction of preterm delivery and successful labor induction. In this review, we
      contrast strain elastography, which determines only relative values of tissue
      stiffness because the applied transducer pressure is unknown, with shear wave
      elastography, which provides, in principle at least, a more objective description
      of tissue softness. While more promising preliminary results involving these
      approaches to assessing cervical softness have been recently published, current
      limitations in technical implementation need to be addressed before elastography
      techniques will become clinically useful. We discuss these limitations and
      present challenges for future studies and equipment development. 

PMID- 27259501
TI  - Chloroplasts: state of research and practical applications of plastome
      sequencing.
AB  - MAIN CONCLUSION: This review presents origins, structure and expression of
      chloroplast genomes. It also describes their sequencing, analysis and
      modification, focusing on potential practical uses and biggest challenges of
      chloroplast genome modification. During the evolution of eukaryotes,
      cyanobacteria are believed to have merged with host heterotrophic cell.
      Afterward, most of cyanobacterial genes from cyanobacteria were transferred to
      cell nucleus or lost in the process of endosymbiosis. As a result of these
      changes, a primary plastid was established. Nowadays, plastid genome (plastome)
      is almost always circular, has a size of 100-200 kbp (120-160 in land plants),
      and harbors 100-120 highly conserved unique genes. Plastids have their own gene
      expression system, which is similar to one of their cyanobacterial ancestors. Two
      different polymerases, plastid-derived PEP and nucleus-derived NEP, participate
      in transcription. Translation is similar to the one observed in cyanobacteria,
      but it also utilizes protein translation factors and positive regulatory mRNA
      elements absent from bacteria. Plastoms play an important role in genetic
      transformation. Transgenes are introduced into them either via gene gun (in
      undamaged tissues) or polyethylene glycol treatment (when protoplasts are
      targeted). Antibiotic resistance markers are the most common tool used for
      selection of transformed plants. In recent years, plastome transformation emerged
      as a promising alternative to nuclear transformation because of (1) high yield of
      target protein, (2) removing the risk of outcrossing with weeds, (3) lack of
      silencing mechanisms, and (4) ability to engineer the entire metabolic pathways
      rather than single gene traits. Currently, the main directions of such research
      regard: developing efficient enzyme, vaccine antigen, and biopharmaceutical
      protein production methods in plant cells and improving crops by increasing their
      resistance to a wide array of biotic and abiotic stresses. Because of that, the
      detailed knowledge of plastome structure and mechanism of functioning started to
      play a major role.

PMID- 27259502
TI  - Accuracy of immunoassay and mass spectrometry urinary free cortisol in the
      diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: Urinary free cortisol (UFC) determination by highly specific methods as
      mass spectrometry instead of commercially available antibody-based immunoassays
      is increasingly recommended. However, clinical comparisons of both analytical
      approaches in the screening of Cushing's syndrome (CS) are not available. The aim
      of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of mass spectrometry versus
      immunoassay measurements of 24 h-UFC in the screening of CS. METHODS: Cross
      sectional study of 33 histologically confirmed CS patients: 25 Cushing's disease,
      5 adrenal CS and 3 ectopic CS; 92 non-CS patients; and 35 healthy controls. UFC
      by immunoassay (UFCxIA) and mass spectrometry (UFCxMS), urinary free cortisone
      (UFCo) and UFC:UFCo ratio were measured, together with creatinine-corrected
      values. Sensitivity, specificity, AUC and Landis and Koch concordance index were
      determined. RESULTS: AUC for UFCxIA and UFCxMS were 0.77 (CI 0.68-0.87) and 0.77
      (CI 0.67-0.87) respectively, with a kappa coefficient 0.60 and strong Landis and
      Koch concordance index. The best calculated cutoff values were 359 nmol/24 h for
      UFCxIA (78 % sensitivity, 62 % specificity) and 258.1 nmol/24 h for UCFxMS (53 %
      sensitivity, 86 % specificity). The upper limit of UFCxIA and UCFxMS reference
      ranges were 344.7 and 169.5 nmol/24 h respectively. Sensitivity and specificity
      for CS diagnosis at these cutpoints were 84 and 56 % for UFCxIA and 81 and 54 %
      for UFCxMS. CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, both methods present a very
      similar diagnostic value. However, results suggest that lower cutoff points for
      mass spectrometry may be necessary in order to improve clinical sensitivity.

PMID- 27259503
TI  - Enhanced cosyntropin stimulation test performance enabled by electronic medical
      record.
AB  - PURPOSE: To improve performance of the cosyntropin stimulation test (CST) used
      for diagnosis of adrenal-cortisol insufficiency by implementing an electronic
      medical record (EMR) system protocol. METHODS: We implemented a SmartForm
      protocol of the validated CST in our EMR system (CS-LinkTM, EPIC) system and
      compared medical staff test performance before and after protocol implementation.
      RESULTS: Correct performance of the CST improved significantly after EMR
      implementation. The number of correctly performed CSTs increased from 16.1 %
      before to 53.5 % after implementation (p < 0.0001) while those performed
      incorrectly and were uninterpretable decreased from 36.2 to 7.1 % (p < 0.0001).
      This performance improvement result in a calculated cost savings of $50,414 for
      every 100 tests performed. CONCLUSIONS: The EMR system is useful for guiding
      medical staff to accurately perform the CST, reduce the number of wasted tests,
      and maximize staff time and resources.

PMID- 27259504
TI  - Plasmonic Pd Nanoparticle- and Plasmonic Pd Nanorod-Decorated BiVO4 Electrodes
      with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Efficiency Across Visible-NIR
      Region.
AB  - The photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance of BiVO4 is partially
      hindered by insufficient photoresponse in the spectral region with energy below
      the band gap. Here, we demonstrate that the PEC water splitting efficiency of
      BiVO4 electrodes can be effectively enhanced by decorating Pd nanoparticles (NPs)
      and nanorods (NRs). The results indicate that the Pd NPs and NRs with different
      surface plasmon resonance (SPR) features delivered an enhanced PEC water
      splitting performance in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions,
      respectively. Considering that there is barely no absorption overlap between Pd
      nanostructures and BiVO4 and the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulation
      indicating there are substantial energetic hot electrons in the vicinity of Pd
      nanostructures, the enhanced PEC performance of Pd NP-decorated BiVO4 and Pd NR
      decorated BiVO4 could both benefit from the hot electron injection mechanism
      instead of the plasmon resonance energy transfer process. Moreover, a combination
      of Pd NPs and NRs decorated on the BiVO4 electrodes leads to a broad-band
      enhancement across visible-NIR region. 

PMID- 27259505
TI  - Quantitative assessment and characterization of glenoid bone loss in a spectrum
      of patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Eccentric posterior bone loss and associated glenoid retroversion
      represent challenges to glenoid placement during total shoulder arthroplasty.
      This bone loss can lead to poor stability and perforation of the glenoid during
      arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphology of glenoid
      bone loss for a spectrum of osteoarthritis patients using 3D computed tomography
      imaging and simulation software. METHODS: This study included 29 patients with
      glenohumeral osteoarthritis treated with shoulder arthroplasty. Three-dimensional
      reconstruction of preoperative CT images was performed. Glenoid bone loss was
      measured at ten, vertically equidistant axial planes along the glenoid surface at
      four distinct anterior-posterior points on each plane. The images were fitted
      with modeled pegged glenoid implants to predict glenoid perforation. RESULTS: The
      3D maps demonstrated greatest average bone loss posteriorly in the AP plane at
      the central axis of the glenoid in the SI plane. The average amount of bone loss
      was 3.85 mm. Walch A2 and B1 shoulders showed more central bone loss, while Walch
      B2 shoulders displayed more posterior and inferior bone loss. Patients with
      predicted peg perforation displayed significantly greater bone loss than those
      without predicted peg perforation (p = 0.037). Peg perforation was most common in
      Walch B2 shoulders occurring in the posterior direction involving the central and
      posterior-inferior peg. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate an anatomic pattern
      of glenoid bone loss for different classes of glenohumeral arthritis. These
      findings can be used to develop various models of glenoid bone loss to guide
      surgeons, predict failures, and develop better glenoid implants. This study has
      been approved by the Cleveland Clinic IRB: Number 6235.

PMID- 27259506
TI  - The right patient for the right therapy: 13th Annual Meeting of the Association
      for Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMT), Mainz, Germany, May 11-13, 2015.

PMID- 27259507
TI  - Allocation of parathyroid adenoma and suspicious thyroid nodule by real-time
      99mTc-MIBI SPECT/US fusion imaging.

PMID- 27259508
TI  - Rationale and design of the Early Sleeve gastrectomy In New Onset Diabetic Obese
      Patients (ESINODOP) trial.
AB  - No randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have yet evaluated the bariatric surgery's
      efficacy and safety in patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus
      (T2DM). The aim of this multicenter RCT is to compare bariatric surgery,
      particularly laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), with conventional medical
      therapy (CMT) in obese patients (body mass index between 30 and 42 kg/m2) newly
      diagnosed with T2DM and without any diabetes-related complications at any stage.
      A total of 100 eligible patients will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio to undergo one
      of the two planned treatments and will be followed for at least 6 years after
      randomization. The main objective of the ESINODOP trial is to investigate the
      efficacy of LSG compared with CMT alone in inducing and maintaining a remission
      of T2DM (defined as HbA1c levels <=6.0 %, without active pharmacologic therapy
      after 1 year). The remission of T2DM will also be evaluated with the criteria
      provided by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), and the additional
      parameters such as adverse event rates, micro- and macrovascular complications,
      weight loss, gastrointestinal hormones, and quality of life will be compared. The
      study started on September 2015 and the planned recruitment period is 3 years.
      Patient recruitment and follow-up take place in the two diabetology and nutrition
      centers participating in the study, which are performed on a national basis. The
      ESINODOP trial is designed with the intent of comparing the efficacy of CMT alone
      to that of CMT in conjunction with LSG performed at the time of diabetes
      diagnosis in mildly obese diabetic patients. Currently, patients with these
      characteristics are not eligible for bariatric/metabolic surgery.

PMID- 27259509
TI  - Deteriorated high-fat diet-induced diabetes caused by pancreatic beta-cell
      specific overexpression of Reg3beta gene in mice.
AB  - Reg family proteins have long been implicated in islet beta-cell proliferation,
      survival, and regeneration. In our previous study, we reported that Reg3beta
      overexpression did not increase islet growth but prevented streptozotocin-induced
      islet damage by inducing specific genes. In order to explore its role in type 2
      diabetes (T2D), we established high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and diabetes
      in RIP-I/Reg3beta mice. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests, immunofluorescence
      for insulin, eIF2alpha, and GLUT2 in islets, Western blots on phosphorylated
      AMPKalpha and hepatic histology were performed. Both RIP-I/Reg3beta and wild-type
      mice gained weight rapidly and became hyperglycemic after 10 weeks on the HFD.
      However, the transgenic mice exhibited more significant acceleration in blood
      glucose levels, further deterioration of glucose intolerance and insulin
      resistance, and a lower intensity of insulin staining. Immunofluorescence
      revealed similar magnitude of islet compensation to a wild-type HFD. The normal
      GLUT2 distribution in the transgenic beta-cells was disrupted and the staining
      was obviously diminished on the cell membrane. HFD feeding also caused a further
      decrease in the level of AMPKalpha phosphorylation in the transgenic islets. Our
      results suggest that unlike its protective effect against T1D, overexpressed
      Reg3beta was unable to protect the beta-cells against HFD-induced damage.

PMID- 27259510
TI  - Antiproliferative effects of masitinib and imatinib against canine oral
      fibrosarcoma in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Canine oral fibrosarcoma (COF) is one of the most common oral tumors
      in dogs and carries a guarded prognosis due to a lack of effective systemic
      therapeutic options. Mastinib and imatinib are two commonly used tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors (TKIs) in veterinary oncology but their potential efficacy against COF
      is uncharacterized. To begin investigating the rationale for use of these TKIs
      against COF, the present study tested for the presence TKI targets PDGFR-alpha,
      PDGFR-beta, Kit, and VEGFR-2 and examined the in vitro effects on cell viability
      after TKI treatment alone or with doxorubicin. Immunohistochemistry for PDGFR
      alpha, PDGFR-beta, Kit, and VEGFR-2 was performed in 6 COF tumor biopsies.
      Presence of these same receptors within 2 COF cell lines was probed by reverse
      transcription-polymerase chain reaction and, for those with mRNA detected,
      confirmed via western blot. Effects on cell viability were assessed using an MTS
      assay after masitinib or imatinib treatment alone (0-100 MUM), or in combination
      with doxorubicin (0-3000 nM doxorubicin). Anti-PDGFRB siRNA knockdown was
      performed and the effect on cell viability quantified. RESULTS: Expression of the
      TKI targets evaluated was similar between the 2 COF cell lines and the 6 COF
      tumor biopsies: PDGFR-alpha and PDGFR-beta were detected in neoplastic cells from
      most COF tumor biopsies (5/6 and 6/6, respectively) and were present in both COF
      cell lines; KIT and KDR were not detected in any sample. Masitinib and imatinib
      IC50 values ranged from 7.9-33.4 MUM, depending on the specific TKI and cell line
      tested. The addition of doxorubicin resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity with
      both TKIs. Anti-PDGFRB siRNA transfection reduced PDGFR-beta protein expression
      by 77% and 67% and reduced cell viability by 24% (p < 0.0001) and 28% (0 =
      0.0003) in the two cell lines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide
      rationale for further investigation into the use of TKIs, possibly in combination
      with doxorubicin, as treatment options for COF.

PMID- 27259511
TI  - The association of wildfire smoke with respiratory and cardiovascular emergency
      department visits in Colorado in 2012: a case crossover study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2012, Colorado experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons of
      the past decade. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship of
      local PM2.5 levels, modeled using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model with
      Chemistry, with emergency department visits and acute hospitalizations for
      respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes during the 2012 Colorado wildfires.
      METHODS: Conditional logistic regression was used to assess the relationship
      between both continuous and categorical PM2.5 and emergency department visits
      during the wildfire period, from June 5(th) to July 6(th) 2012. RESULTS: For
      respiratory outcomes, we observed positive relationships between lag 0 PM2.5 and
      asthma/wheeze (1 h max OR 1.01, 95 % CI (1.00, 1.01) per 10 MUg/m(3); 24 h mean
      OR 1.04 95 % CI (1.02, 1.06) per 5 MUg/m(3)), and COPD (1 h max OR 1.01 95 % CI
      (1.00, 1.02) per 10 MUg/m(3); 24 h mean OR 1.05 95 % CI (1.02, 1.08) per 5
      MUg/m(3)). These associations were also positive for 2-day and 3-day moving
      average lag periods. When PM2.5 was modeled as a categorical variable, bronchitis
      also showed elevated effect estimates over the referent groups for lag 0 24 h
      average concentration. Cardiovascular results were consistent with no
      association. CONCLUSIONS: We observed positive associations between PM2.5 from
      wildfire and respiratory diseases, supporting evidence from previous research
      that wildfire PM2.5 is an important source for adverse respiratory health
      outcomes.

PMID- 27259512
TI  - Comprehensive analysis of promoter-proximal RNA polymerase II pausing across
      mammalian cell types.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For many genes, RNA polymerase II stably pauses before transitioning
      to productive elongation. Although polymerase II pausing has been shown to be a
      mechanism for regulating transcriptional activation, the extent to which it is
      involved in control of mammalian gene expression and its relationship to
      chromatin structure remain poorly understood. RESULTS: Here, we analyze 85 RNA
      polymerase II chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-sequencing experiments from 35
      different murine and human samples, as well as related genome-wide datasets, to
      gain new insights into the relationship between polymerase II pausing and gene
      regulation. Across cell and tissue types, paused genes (pausing index > 2)
      comprise approximately 60 % of expressed genes and are repeatedly associated with
      specific biological functions. Paused genes also have lower cell-to-cell
      expression variability. Increased pausing has a non-linear effect on gene
      expression levels, with moderately paused genes being expressed more highly than
      other paused genes. The highest gene expression levels are often achieved through
      a novel pause-release mechanism driven by high polymerase II initiation. In three
      datasets examining the impact of extracellular signals, genes responsive to
      stimulus have slightly lower pausing index on average than non-responsive genes,
      and rapid gene activation is linked to conditional pause-release. Both chromatin
      structure and local sequence composition near the transcription start site
      influence pausing, with divergent features between mammals and Drosophila. Most
      notably, in mammals pausing is positively correlated with histone H2A.Z occupancy
      at promoters. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide new insights into the contribution
      of RNA polymerase II pausing in mammalian gene regulation and chromatin
      structure.

PMID- 27259514
TI  - The extremely rare vascular variant of a segmental duplicated uterine artery and
      its relevance for the interventionist and gynecologist: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anatomic variants of the uterine artery are rare, with the absence of
      one of the uterine arteries presumably being the most abundant variant. A
      duplicated uterine artery is mentioned in the medical literature, but to the best
      of our knowledge, an angiographic study has never been published. A partially
      duplicated uterine artery is an extremely rare variant not previously mentioned
      in the literature, and it could lead to technical difficulties or cause problems
      in various gynecological interventions. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of
      a 45-year-old Caucasian woman with a uterine fibroid and typical fibroid-related
      symptoms who came to our department to get treated with fibroid embolization.
      During the procedure, angiography revealed a partial or segmental duplicated left
      uterine artery. This exceptionally rare anatomic variant proved to be beneficial
      for the safety of the embolization in our case; however, it is far more likely
      that such a variant would be unfavorable in some types of gynecological operative
      and minimally invasive techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the anatomic variant
      of a partially duplicated uterine artery is important, especially for
      gynecologists performing minimally invasive surgical procedures.

PMID- 27259513
TI  - The impact of body mass index on short-term surgical outcomes after laparoscopic
      hepatectomy, a retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgeons may expect technical difficulties and worse outcomes when
      performing laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) on obese patients. The aim of this study
      is to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on short-term surgical outcomes
      and to verify risk factors of conversion rate and complications of LH. METHODS:
      Data were collected from 551 patients who underwent attempted LH between August
      1998 and April 2013. Patients were classified into four groups depending on their
      BMI according to the WHO's definition of obesity for Asia-Pacific region:
      underweight <18.5 kg/m(2) (Group1); normal 18.5-23.9 kg/m(2) (Group2); overweight
      24-27.9 kg/m(2) (Group3); obese >= 28 kg/m(2) (Group4) respectively. Short-term
      surgical outcomes were compared across the BMI categories. Possible risk factors
      concerned conversion rate and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall
      conversion rate of the 551 patients was 13.07 %. Conversion rate for Group 1, 2,
      3, and 4 were 14.3 % (n = 5), 11.2 % (n = 38), 13.0 % (n = 19), and 34.5 % (n =
      10) respectively. Patients within the obese group had a much higher conversion
      rate. The overall complications rate was 11.98 %, where the complication for
      Group 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 22.9 % (n = 8), 12.7 % (n = 43), 18.2 % (n = 12), and
      10.3 % (n = 3) respectively. Patients within the underweight group had a higher
      complication rate, but it did not reach statistic difference. Obesity and
      surgical site of left lobe were independent risk factors of conversion. Age,
      abdominal surgery history, and type of left and right lobe resection were
      independent risk factors for complications. CONCLUSIONS: In China, obesity
      increases risk of conversion rate but it dose not affect surgical complications
      and other short-outcomes after LH.

PMID- 27259515
TI  - MRI during radiotherapy of glioblastoma : Does MRI allow for prognostic
      stratification?
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a predictor for
      the clinical course in patients with glioblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 64
      patients with glioblastoma undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy MRI studies were
      obtained before radiation, after 30 gray (Gy), after 60 Gy and during follow-up.
      MRI findings were assigned to categories: definite progression, questionable
      progression, no change. Patients were followed clinically. RESULTS: At 30 Gy, 23
      of 64 patients (36 %) demonstrated definite (dp; n = 15) or questionable (qp; n =
      8) progression; in 41/64 (64 %) no change was found compared with preradiation
      MRI. After radiotherapy at 60 Gy, 26 of 64 (41 %) patients showed dp (n = 18) or
      qp (n = 8). In 2 cases with qp at the 30 Gy MRI, progress was unquestionable in
      the 60 Gy MRI study. In the 64 patients, 5 of the 60 Gy MRIs showed dp/qp after
      being classified as no change at the 30 Gy MRI, 2 of the 30 Gy MRIs showed qp,
      while the 60 Gy MRI showed tumour regression and 3 fulfilled the criteria for
      pseudoprogression during ongoing radiotherapy. The 30 Gy study allowed for
      prognostic stratification: dp/qp compared to stable patients showed median
      survival of 10.5 versus 20 months. CONCLUSION: MR follow-up after 30 Gy in
      patients undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy for glioblastoma allows prognostic
      appraisal. Pseudoprogression has to be taken into account, though rare in our
      setting. Based on these findings, early discussion of treatment modification is
      possible.

PMID- 27259516
TI  - Hypomineralised second primary molars: prevalence, pattern and associated co
      morbidities in 8- to 10-year-old children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study tries to determine the prevalence and co-morbidities
      associated with hypomineralised second primary molars (HSPM) in 8- to 10- year
      old children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria; and the co-existence of HSPM and Molar Incisor
      Hypomineralisation (MIH) in the study population. METHODS: This was a cross
      sectional study involving 8- to 10- year-old children in schooling in suburban
      Nigeria. Information was collected on the child's age, sex and socioeconomic
      status. Intraoral examination was conducted to determine the presence of HSPM,
      MIH, caries and the oral hygiene status of study participants. The severity of
      HSPM was also determined. The prevalence of HSPM, the association between HSPM,
      sex and socioeconomic status of study participants, the difference in the
      prevalence of caries and poor oral hygiene in children with and without HSPM, and
      the prevalence of HSPM and MIH co-morbidity were determined. RESULTS: Twenty
      seven of the 469 children examined (5.8 %) had HSPM. The tooth prevalence of HSPM
      was 3.9 %. There was no significant sex (p = 0.06), age (p = 0.41), and
      socioeconomic status (p = 0.67) differences between children with HSPM and
      without HSPM. More children with HSPM had caries (p <= 0.001) and poor oral
      hygiene (p = 0.01). Children with HSPM have increased odds having dental caries
      (AOR: 6.34; CI: 2.78-14.46; p = <0.001) and reduced odds of having good oral
      hygiene (AOR: 0.32; CI: 0.13-0.78; p = 0.01) when compare with children without
      HSPM. Also 77.8 % of children with HSPM also had MIH. CONCLUSION: The prevalence
      of HSPM in the study population is significantly high. The large number of
      children with HSPM and MIH also suggests that HSPM is a predisposing factor for
      MIH. The significantly higher proportion of children with HSPM who had caries and
      poor oral hygiene makes it imperative to institute screening programmes for
      HSPM/MIH in the study population.

PMID- 27259517
TI  - Possible misidentification of species in the Pseudomonas fluorescens lineage as
      Burkholderia pseudomallei and Francisella tularensis, and emended descriptions of
      Pseudomonas brenneri,Pseudomonas gessardii and Pseudomonas proteolytica.
AB  - Bacteria were isolated from an industrial water circuit in the Netherlands. These
      strains were identified using API 20 NE as possible, or likely, Burkholderia
      pseudomallei. With VITEK 2 some of these strains scored 'low discrimination' for
      Francisella tularensis, amongst others. A total of twenty-six strains were
      assigned to the species Pseudomonas brenneri, Pseudomonas gessardii or
      Pseudomonas proteolytica. Because of the possibility of misidentification of
      these environmental species as medical- and public-health relevant B.
      pseudomallei and F. tularensis, an emended description, based on tests results
      more customarily used in clinical laboratories, was suitable. For this reason,
      the strains in this study, including the type strains DSM 15294T, DSM 17152T and
      DSM 15321T, were subjected to a polyphasic identification procedure. This
      procedure consisted of multiple phenotypic tests, fatty acid analysis, 16S rDNA
      sequence analysis, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight
      mass spectronomy and various species-specific molecular tests. Based on the
      results of the polyphasic procedures, the species descriptions of P. brenneri, P.
      gessardii and P. proteolytica have been emended.

PMID- 27259518
TI  - Calcium dependent plasticity applied to repetitive transcranial magnetic
      stimulation with a neural field model.
AB  - The calcium dependent plasticity (CaDP) approach to the modeling of synaptic
      weight change is applied using a neural field approach to realistic repetitive
      transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocols. A spatially-symmetric
      nonlinear neural field model consisting of populations of excitatory and
      inhibitory neurons is used. The plasticity between excitatory cell populations is
      then evaluated using a CaDP approach that incorporates metaplasticity. The
      direction and size of the plasticity (potentiation or depression) depends on both
      the amplitude of stimulation and duration of the protocol. The breaks in the
      inhibitory theta-burst stimulation protocol are crucial to ensuring that the
      stimulation bursts are potentiating in nature. Tuning the parameters of a spike
      timing dependent plasticity (STDP) window with a Monte Carlo approach to maximize
      agreement between STDP predictions and the CaDP results reproduces a
      realistically-shaped window with two regions of depression in agreement with the
      existing literature. Developing understanding of how TMS interacts with cells at
      a network level may be important for future investigation.

PMID- 27259520
TI  - The effect of growth temperature on the nanoscale biochemical surface properties
      of Yersinia pestis.
AB  - Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, has been responsible for several
      recurrent, lethal pandemics in history. Currently, it is an important pathogen to
      study owing to its virulence, adaptation to different environments during
      transmission, and potential use in bioterrorism. Here, we report on the changes
      to Y. pestis surfaces in different external microenvironments, specifically
      culture temperatures (6, 25, and 37  degrees C). Using nanoscale imaging coupled
      with functional mapping, we illustrate that changes in the surfaces of the
      bacterium from a morphological and biochemical standpoint can be analyzed
      simultaneously using atomic force microscopy. The results from functional
      mapping, obtained at a single cell level, show that the density of
      lipopolysaccharide (measured via terminal N-acetylglucosamine) on Y. pestis grown
      at 37  degrees C is only slightly higher than cells grown at 25  degrees C, but
      nearly three times higher than cells maintained at 6  degrees C for an extended
      period of time, thereby demonstrating that adaptations to different environments
      can be effectively captured using this technique. This nanoscale evaluation
      provides a new microscopic approach to study nanoscale properties of bacterial
      pathogens and investigate adaptations to different external environments. 

PMID- 27259519
TI  - Loss of AP-2delta reduces retinal ganglion cell numbers and axonal projections to
      the superior colliculus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: AP-2delta is the most divergent member of the Activating Protein-2
      (TFAP2) family of transcription factors. AP-2delta is restricted to specific
      regions of the CNS, including a subset of ganglion cells in the retina. Retinal
      ganglion cells (RGCs), the only output neurons of the retina, are responsible for
      transmitting the visual signal to the brain. RESULTS: AP-2delta knockout results
      in loss of Brn3c (Pou4f3) expression in AP-2delta -positive RGCs. While AP-2delta
      /- mice have morphologically normal retinas at birth, there is a significant
      reduction in retinal ganglion cell numbers by P21, after eye opening. Chromatin
      immunoprecipitation indicates that Brn3c is a target of AP-2delta in the retina.
      Using fluorochrome-conjugated cholera toxin subunit B to trace ganglion cell
      axons from the eye to the major visual pathways in the brain, we found 87 % and
      32 % decreases in ipsilateral and contralateral projections, respectively, to the
      superior colliculus in AP-2delta-/- mice. In agreement with anatomical data,
      visually evoked responses recorded from the brain confirmed that retinal outputs
      to the brain are compromised. CONCLUSIONS: AP-2delta is important for the
      maintenance of ganglion cell numbers in the retina. Loss of AP-2delta alters
      retinal axonal projections to visual centers of the brain, with ipsilaterial
      projections to the superior colliculus being the most dramatically affected. Our
      results have important implications for integration of the visual signal at the
      superior colliculus.

PMID- 27259522
TI  - Association between neighbourhood air pollution concentrations and dispensed
      medication for psychiatric disorders in a large longitudinal cohort of Swedish
      children and adolescents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between exposure to air pollution and
      child and adolescent mental health. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Swedish
      National Register data on dispensed medications for a broad range of psychiatric
      disorders, including sedative medications, sleeping pills and antipsychotic
      medications, together with socioeconomic and demographic data and a national land
      use regression model for air pollution concentrations for NO2, PM10 and PM2.5.
      PARTICIPANTS: The entire population under 18 years of age in 4 major counties. We
      excluded cohort members whose parents had dispensed a medication in the same
      medication group since the start date of the register. The cohort size was 552
      221. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cox proportional hazards models to estimate HRs and
      their 95% CIs for the outcomes, adjusted for individual-level and group-level
      characteristics. RESULTS: The average length of follow-up was 3.5 years, with an
      average number of events per 1000 cohort members of ~21. The mean annual level of
      NO2 was 9.8 ug/m(3). Children and adolescents living in areas with higher air
      pollution concentrations were more likely to have a dispensed medication for a
      psychiatric disorder during follow-up (HR=1.09, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.12, associated
      with a 10 ug/m(3) increase in NO2). The association with NO2 was clearly present
      in 3 out of 4 counties in the study area; however, no statistically significant
      heterogeneity was detected. CONCLUSION: There may be a link between exposure to
      air pollution and dispensed medications for certain psychiatric disorders in
      children and adolescents even at the relatively low levels of air pollution in
      the study regions. The findings should be corroborated by others.

PMID- 27259523
TI  - Effectiveness of interventions to reduce ordering of thyroid function tests: a
      systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of behaviour changing interventions
      targeting ordering of thyroid function tests. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA
      SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database up to May 2015. ELIGIBILITY
      CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included studies evaluating the effectiveness
      of behaviour change interventions aiming to reduce ordering of thyroid function
      tests. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled studies and
      before and after studies were included. There were no language restrictions.
      STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: 2 reviewers independently screened all
      records identified by the electronic searches and reviewed the full text of any
      deemed potentially relevant. Study details were extracted from the included
      papers and their methodological quality assessed independently using a validated
      tool. Disagreements were resolved through discussion and arbitration by a third
      reviewer. Meta-analysis was not used. RESULTS: 27 studies (28 papers) were
      included. They evaluated a range of interventions including guidelines/protocols,
      changes to funding policy, education, decision aids, reminders and
      audit/feedback; often intervention types were combined. The most common outcome
      measured was the rate of test ordering, but the effect on appropriateness, test
      ordering patterns and cost were also measured. 4 studies were RCTs. The majority
      of the studies were of poor or moderate methodological quality. The interventions
      were variable and poorly reported. Only 4 studies reported unsuccessful
      interventions but there was no clear pattern to link effect and intervention type
      or other characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that behaviour change
      interventions are effective particularly in reducing the volume of thyroid
      function tests. However, due to the poor methodological quality and reporting of
      the studies, the likely presence of publication bias and the questionable
      relevance of some interventions to current day practice, we are unable to draw
      strong conclusions or recommend the implementation of specific intervention
      types. Further research is thus justified. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
      CRD42014006192.

PMID- 27259524
TI  - Prevalence of tinnitus and hyperacusis in children and adolescents: a systematic
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To systematically review studies of the epidemiology of tinnitus and
      hyperacusis in children and young people, in order to determine the
      methodological differences implicated in the variability of prevalence estimates
      and the influence of population characteristics on childhood tinnitus and
      hyperacusis. DATA SOURCES: Articles were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus
      databases and from the relevant reference lists using the methods described in
      the study protocol, which has previously been published. Reporting Items for
      Systematic Review (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
      Studies addressing childhood prevalence, for example, children and young people
      aged 5-19 years. DATA SELECTION: 2 reviewers independently assessed the studies
      for eligibility, extracted data and assessed study consistency. Owing to the
      heterogeneity in the methodologies among the reported studies, only narrative
      synthesis of the results was carried out. RESULTS: Having identified 1032
      publications, 131 articles were selected and 25 articles met the inclusion
      criteria and had sufficient methodological consistency to be included. Prevalence
      estimates of tinnitus range from 4.7% to 46% in the general paediatric population
      and among children with normal hearing, and from 23.5% to 62.2% of population of
      children with hearing loss. Reported prevalence ranged from 6% to 41.9% when
      children with hearing loss and normal hearing were both included. The prevalence
      of hyperacusis varied from 3.2% to 17.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Data on prevalence vary
      considerably according to the study design, study population and the research
      question posed. The age range of children studied was varied and a marked degree
      of variation between definitions (tinnitus, hyperacusis) and measures (severity,
      perception, annoyance) was observed. The lack of consistency among studies
      indicates the necessity of examining the epidemiology of tinnitus and hyperacusis
      in children and adolescents with a set of standardised criteria. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42014013456.

PMID- 27259525
TI  - Retrospective cross-sectional review of survival rates in critically ill children
      admitted to a combined paediatric/neonatal intensive care unit in Johannesburg,
      South Africa, 2013-2015.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Report on survival to discharge of children in a combined
      paediatric/neonatal intensive care unit (PNICU). DESIGN AND SETTING:
      Retrospective cross-sectional record review. PARTICIPANTS: All children (medical
      and surgical patients) admitted to PNICU between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2015.
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome-survival to discharge. Secondary outcomes
      disease profiles and predictors of mortality in different age categories.
      RESULTS: There were 1454 admissions, 182 missing records, leaving 1272 admissions
      for review. Overall mortality rate was 25.7% (327/1272). Mortality rate was 41.4%
      (121/292) (95% CI 35.8% to 47.1%) for very low birthweight (VLBW) babies, 26.6%
      (120/451) (95% CI 22.5% to 30.5%) for bigger babies and 16.2% (86/529) (95% CI
      13.1% to 19.3%) for paediatric patients. Risk factors for a reduced chance of
      survival to discharge in paediatric patients included postcardiac arrest (OR
      0.21, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.49), inotropic support (OR 0.085, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.17),
      hypernatraemia (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.6), bacterial sepsis (OR 0.32, 95% CI
      0.16 to 0.65) and lower respiratory tract infection (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 to
      0.97). Major birth defects (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.74), persistent pulmonary
      hypertension of the new born (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.91), metabolic acidosis
      (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.74), inotropic support (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.45)
      and congenital heart defects (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.62) predicted decreased
      survival in bigger babies. Birth weight (OR 0.997, 95% CI 0.995 to 0.999), birth
      outside the hospital (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.84), HIV exposure (OR 0.54, 95%
      CI 0.30 to 0.99), resuscitation at birth (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.94),
      metabolic acidosis (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.60) and necrotising enterocolitis
      (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.46) predicted poor survival in VLBW babies.
      CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing mortality review is essential to improve provision of
      paediatric critical care.

PMID- 27259526
TI  - Factors contributing to delayed diagnosis of cancer among Aboriginal people in
      Australia: a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Delayed presentation of symptomatic cancer is associated
      with poorer survival. Aboriginal patients with cancer have higher rates of
      distant metastases at diagnosis compared with non-Aboriginal Australians. This
      paper examined factors contributing to delayed diagnosis of cancer among
      Aboriginal Australians from patient and service providers' perspectives. METHODS:
      In-depth, open-ended interviews were conducted in two stages (2006-2007 and
      2011). Inductive thematic analysis was assisted by use of NVivo looking around
      delays in presentation, diagnosis and referral for cancer. PARTICIPANTS:
      Aboriginal patients with cancer/family members (n=30) and health service
      providers (n=62) were recruited from metropolitan Perth and six rural/remote
      regions of Western Australia. RESULTS: Three broad themes of factors were
      identified: (1) Contextual factors such as intergenerational impact of
      colonisation and racism and socioeconomic deprivation have negatively impacted on
      Aboriginal Australians' trust of the healthcare professionals; (2) health service
      related factors included low accessibility to health services, long waiting
      periods, inadequate numbers of Aboriginal professionals and high staff turnover;
      (3) patient appraisal of symptoms and decision-making, fear of cancer and denial
      of symptoms were key reasons patients procrastinated in seeking help. Elements of
      shame, embarrassment, shyness of seeing the doctor, psychological 'fear of the
      whole health system', attachment to the land and 'fear of leaving home' for
      cancer treatment in metropolitan cities were other deterrents for Aboriginal
      people. Manifestation of masculinity and the belief that 'health is women's
      domain' emerged as a reason why Aboriginal men were reluctant to receive health
      checks. CONCLUSIONS: Solutions to improved Aboriginal cancer outcomes include
      focusing on the primary care sector encouraging general practitioners to be
      proactive to suspicion of symptoms with appropriate investigations to facilitate
      earlier diagnosis and the need to improve Aboriginal health literacy regarding
      cancer. Access to health services remains a critical problem affecting timely
      diagnosis.

PMID- 27259527
TI  - Socioeconomic status and health-related quality of life among patients with
      prostate cancer 6 months after radical prostatectomy: a longitudinal analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and
      health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the explanatory contribution of
      disease, patient and healthcare factors among patients with prostate cancer.
      DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In all, 246 patients
      from 2 hospitals in Hamburg/Germany who underwent radical prostatectomy completed
      a questionnaire shortly before discharge from hospital and again 6 months later.
      OUTCOME MEASURES: HRQOL as assessed by the European Organisation for Research and
      Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C-30 including global quality of life, 5
      functional scales and 9 symptom scales/items. Generalised estimating equations
      were calculated to analyse longitudinal data. RESULTS: Lower SES measured by
      income, education and occupational status is significantly associated with lower
      HRQOL 6 months after treatment. This especially holds true for the functional
      scales. After introducing disease, patient and healthcare factors, associations
      remain significant in the majority of cases. The explanatory contribution of
      patient factors such as comorbidity or psychosocial characteristics and of
      healthcare factors is slightly stronger than that of disease factors.
      CONCLUSIONS: We identified strong social inequalities in HRQOL among patients
      with prostate cancer 6 months after surgery, in Germany. The underlying causes
      could not be sufficiently identified, and further research regarding these
      associations and their explanatory factors is needed.

PMID- 27259528
TI  - Reporting of planned statistical methods in published surgical randomised trial
      protocols: a protocol for a methodological systematic review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Poor reporting can lead to inadequate presentation of data,
      confusion regarding research methodology used, selective reporting of results,
      and other misinformation regarding health research. One of the most recent
      attempts to improve quality of reporting comes from the Standard Protocol Items:
      Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) Group, which makes
      recommendations for the reporting of protocols. In this report, we present a
      protocol for a systematic review of published surgical randomised controlled
      trial (RCT) protocols, with the purpose of assessing the reporting quality and
      completeness of the statistical aspects. METHODS: We will include all published
      protocols of randomised trials that investigate surgical interventions. We will
      search MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for relevant studies. Author pairs will
      independently review all titles, abstracts, and full texts identified by the
      literature search, and extract data using a structured data extraction form. We
      will extract the following: year of publication, country, sample size,
      description of study population, description of intervention and control, primary
      outcome, important methodological qualities, and quality of reporting of planned
      statistical methods based on the SPIRIT guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The
      results of this review will demonstrate the quality of statistical reporting of
      published surgical RCT protocols. This knowledge will inform recommendations to
      surgeons, researchers, journal editors and peer reviewers, and other knowledge
      users that focus on common deficiencies in reporting and how to rectify them.
      Ethics approval for this study is not required. We will disseminate the results
      of this review in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and at
      a doctoral independent study of oral defence.

PMID- 27259529
TI  - Central venous Access device SeCurement And Dressing Effectiveness (CASCADE) in
      paediatrics: protocol for pilot randomised controlled trials.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Paediatric central venous access devices (CVADs) are associated
      with a 25% incidence of failure. Securement and dressing are strategies used to
      reduce failure and complication; however, innovative technologies have not been
      evaluated for their effectiveness across device types. The primary aim of this
      research is to evaluate the feasibility of launching a full-scale randomised
      controlled efficacy trial across three CVAD types regarding CVAD securement and
      dressing, using predefined feasibility criteria. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Three
      feasibility randomised, controlled trials are to be undertaken at the Royal
      Children's Hospital and the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, Brisbane,
      Australia. CVAD securement and dressing interventions under examination compare
      current practice with sutureless securement devices, integrated securement
      dressings and tissue adhesive. In total, 328 paediatric patients requiring a
      peripherally inserted central catheter (n=100); non-tunnelled CVAD (n=180) and
      tunnelled CVAD (n=48) to be inserted will be recruited and randomly allocated to
      CVAD securement and dressing products. Primary outcomes will be study feasibility
      measured by eligibility, recruitment, retention, attrition, missing data,
      parent/staff satisfaction and effect size. CVAD failure and complication
      (catheter-associated bloodstream infection, local infection, venous thrombosis,
      occlusion, dislodgement and breakage) will be compared between groups. ETHICS AND
      DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval to conduct the research has been obtained. All
      dissemination will be undertaken using the CONSORT Statement recommendations.
      Additionally, the results will be sent to the relevant organisations which lead
      CVAD focused clinical practice guidelines development. TRIAL REGISTRATION
      NUMBERS: ACTRN12614001327673; ACTRN12615000977572; ACTRN12614000280606.

PMID- 27259532
TI  - The effect of buccal-lingual slot dimension size on third-order torque response.
AB  - Introduction: The focus of the presented study was to investigate the effect of
      buccal-lingual (B-L) orthodontic bracket slot dimension on third-order torque
      mechanics. Materials and methods: Three types of orthodontic brackets and two
      archwire sizes were considered. Ortho Classic H4 (0.026" B-L slot, passive),
      Ormco Damon Q (0.028" B-L slot, passive), and In-Ovation R (0.028" slot, active)
      brackets were tested using 0.017" * 0.025" and 0.019" * 0.025" beta-titanium
      archwires. An in vitro orthodontic torque simulator (OTS) was used to rotate
      archwires relative to a single bracket while recording forces and moments in
      three directions. For each bracket-archwire combination, a total of n = 47
      samples were tested. Repeated measures analysis of variance between brackets was
      conducted for third-order torque values at 3 degrees  increments between 9
      degrees  and 30 degrees  during loading and unloading for each archwire size.
      Results: Statistically significant differences between H4 and Q brackets were
      only found for 0.017" * 0.025" archwires during loading, and 0.019" * 0.025"
      archwires during unloading. Conversely, differences between H4 and R brackets
      were found for both archwires during loading and unloading phases. Finally, when
      using a 0.017" * 0.025" archwire the H4 brackets reached the 5 Nmm threshold
      before R and Q brackets; however, there was little difference found when using a
      0.019" * 0.025" archwire. Conclusions: The concept of using a smaller B-L bracket
      slot dimension in orthodontic treatment showed it may theoretically allow for
      more options, primarily using smaller archwires to correct third-order rotational
      misalignments. However, it is suspected that bracket material limitations and
      added loading on the door currently prevent this from being clinically
      applicable.

PMID- 27259530
TI  - Statin adherence and risk of acute cardiovascular events among women: a cohort
      study accounting for time-dependent confounding affected by previous adherence.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Previous studies on the effect of statin adherence on cardiovascular
      events in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease have adjusted for time
      dependent confounding, but potentially introduced bias into their estimates as
      adherence and confounders were measured simultaneously. We aimed to evaluate the
      effect when accounting for time-dependent confounding affected by previous
      adherence as well as time sequence between factors. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort
      study. SETTING: Finnish healthcare registers. PARTICIPANTS: Women aged 45-64
      years initiating statin use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in
      2001-2004 (n=42 807). OUTCOMES: Acute cardiovascular event defined as a composite
      of acute coronary syndrome and acute ischaemic stroke was our primary outcome.
      Low-energy fractures were used as a negative control outcome to evaluate the
      healthy-adherer effect. RESULTS: During the 3-year follow-up, 474 women
      experienced the primary outcome event and 557 suffered a low-energy fracture. The
      causal HR estimated with marginal structural model for acute cardiovascular
      events for all the women who remained adherent (proportion of days covered >=80%)
      to statin therapy during the previous adherence assessment year was 0.78 (95% CI:
      0.65 to 0.94) when compared with everybody remaining non-adherent (proportion of
      days covered <80%). The result was robust against alternative model
      specifications. Statin adherers had a potentially reduced risk of experiencing
      low-energy fractures compared with non-adherers (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.07).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study, which took into account the time dependence of adherence
      and confounders, as well as temporal order between these factors, is support for
      the concept that adherence to statins in women in primary prevention decreases
      the risk of acute cardiovascular events by about one-fifth in comparison to non
      adherence. However, part of the observed effect of statin adherence on acute
      cardiovascular events may be due to the healthy-adherer effect.

PMID- 27259531
TI  - Effects of ionization on stability of 1-methylcytosine - DFT and PCM studies.
AB  - Consequences of ionization were studied by quantum-chemical methods (DFT and PCM)
      for 1-methylcytosine (MC)-a model of the nucleobase cytosine (C) connected with
      sugar in DNA. For calculations, three prototropic tautomers (one amino and two
      imino forms) and two imino zwitterions were considered, including conformational
      or configurational isomerism of exo heterogroups. Ionization and interactions
      between neighboring groups affect intramolecular proton-transfers, geometric and
      thermodynamic parameters, and electron delocalization for individual isomers. We
      discovered that an imino isomer is present in the isomeric mixture in the highest
      amount for positively ionized MC. Its contribution in neutral and negatively
      ionized MC is considerably smaller. Acid-base parameters for selected radical
      ions were estimated in the gas phase and compared to those of neutral MC. Gas
      phase acidity of radical cations is close to that of the conjugate acid of MC,
      and gas-phase basicity of radical anions is close to that of the conjugate base
      of MC. Various routes of amino-imino conversion between neutral and ionized
      isomers were considered. Energetic-barrier for intramolecular proton-transfer in
      MC is close to that in the parent system-formamidine.

PMID- 27259533
TI  - The contributions of handedness and working memory to episodic memory.
AB  - Past studies have independently shown associations of working memory and degree
      of handedness with episodic memory retrieval. The current study takes a step
      ahead by examining whether handedness and working memory independently predict
      episodic memory. In agreement with past studies, there was an inconsistent-handed
      advantage for episodic memory; however, this advantage was absent for working
      memory tasks. Furthermore, regression analyses showed handedness, and complex
      working memory predicted episodic memory performance at different times. Results
      are discussed in light of theories of episodic memory and hemispheric
      interaction.

PMID- 27259534
TI  - Prediction of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer outcomes assessed by innovative
      multimarker prognostic models.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We adapted Bayesian statistical learning strategies to the prognosis
      field to investigate if genome-wide common SNP improve the prediction ability of
      clinico-pathological prognosticators and applied it to non-muscle invasive
      bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients. METHODS: Adapted Bayesian sequential threshold
      models in combination with LASSO were applied to consider the time-to-event and
      the censoring nature of data. We studied 822 NMIBC patients followed-up >10
      years. The study outcomes were time-to-first-recurrence and time-to-progression.
      The predictive ability of the models including up to 171,304 SNP and/or 6 clinico
      pathological prognosticators was evaluated using AUC-ROC and determination
      coefficient. RESULTS: Clinico-pathological prognosticators explained a larger
      proportion of the time-to-first-recurrence (3.1 %) and time-to-progression (5.4
      %) phenotypic variances than SNPs (1 and 0.01 %, respectively). Adding SNPs to
      the clinico-pathological-parameters model slightly improved the prediction of
      time-to-first-recurrence (up to 4 %). The prediction of time-to-progression using
      both clinico-pathological prognosticators and SNP did not improve. Heritability
      (h (2)) of both outcomes was <1 % in NMIBC. CONCLUSIONS: We adapted a Bayesian
      statistical learning method to deal with a large number of parameters in
      prognostic studies. Common SNPs showed a limited role in predicting NMIBC
      outcomes yielding a very low heritability for both outcomes. We report for the
      first time a heritability estimate for a disease outcome. Our method can be
      extended to other disease models.

PMID- 27259535
TI  - AMPK and HIF signaling pathways regulate both longevity and cancer growth: the
      good news and the bad news about survival mechanisms.
AB  - The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)
      signaling pathways are evolutionarily-conserved survival mechanisms responding to
      two fundamental stresses, energy deficiency and/or oxygen deprivation. The AMPK
      and HIF pathways regulate the function of a survival network with several
      transcription factors, e.g. FOXO, NF-kappaB, NRF2, and p53, as well as with
      protein kinases and other factors, such as mTOR, ULK1, HDAC5, and SIRT1. Given
      that AMPK and HIF activation can enhance not only healthspan and lifespan but
      also cancer growth in a context-dependent manner; it seems that cancer cells can
      hijack certain survival factors to maintain their growth in harsh conditions.
      AMPK activation improves energy metabolism, stimulates autophagy, and inhibits
      inflammation, whereas HIF-1alpha increases angiogenesis and helps cells to adapt
      to severe conditions. First we will review how AMPK and HIF signaling mechanisms
      control the function of an integrated survival network which is able not only to
      improve the regulation of longevity but also support the progression of
      tumorigenesis. We will also describe distinct crossroads between the regulation
      of longevity and cancer, e.g. specific regulation through the AMPKalpha and HIF
      alpha isoforms, the Warburg effect, mitochondrial dynamics, and cellular
      senescence.

PMID- 27259536
TI  - The effects of CO2 and nutrient fertilisation on the growth and temperature
      response of the mangrove Avicennia germinans.
AB  - In order to understand plant responses to both the widespread phenomenon of
      increased nutrient inputs to coastal zones and the concurrent rise in atmospheric
      CO2 concentrations, CO2-nutrient interactions need to be considered. In addition
      to its potential stimulating effect on photosynthesis and growth, elevated CO2
      affects the temperature response of photosynthesis. The scarcity of experiments
      testing how elevated CO2 affects the temperature response of tropical trees
      hinders our ability to model future primary productivity. In a glasshouse study,
      we examined the effects of elevated CO2 (800 ppm) and nutrient availability on
      seedlings of the widespread mangrove Avicennia germinans. We assessed
      photosynthetic performance, the temperature response of photosynthesis, seedling
      growth and biomass allocation. We found large synergistic gains in both growth
      (42 %) and photosynthesis (115 %) when seedlings grown under elevated CO2 were
      supplied with elevated nutrient concentrations relative to their ambient growing
      conditions. Growth was significantly enhanced under elevated CO2 only under high
      nutrient conditions, mainly in above-ground tissues. Under low-nutrient
      conditions and elevated CO2, root volume was more than double that of seedlings
      grown under ambient CO2 levels. Elevated CO2 significantly increased the
      temperature optimum for photosynthesis by ca. 4  degrees C. Rising CO2
      concentrations are likely to have a significant positive effect on the growth
      rate of A. germinans over the next century, especially in areas where nutrient
      availability is high. 

PMID- 27259537
TI  - Somatic mutations in histiocytic sarcoma identified by next generation
      sequencing.
AB  - Histiocytic sarcoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of presumed hematopoietic origin
      showing morphologic and immunophenotypic evidence of histiocytic differentiation.
      Somatic mutation importance in the pathogenesis or disease progression of
      histiocytic sarcoma was largely unknown. To identify somatic mutations in
      histiocytic sarcoma, we studied 5 histiocytic sarcomas [3 female and 2 male
      patients; mean age 54.8 (20-72), anatomic sites include lymph node, uterus, and
      pleura] and matched normal tissues from each patient as germ line controls.
      Somatic mutations in 50 "Hotspot" oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes were
      examined using next generation sequencing. Three (out of five) histiocytic
      sarcoma cases carried somatic mutations in BRAF. Among them, G464V [variant
      frequency (VF) of 43.6 %] and G466R (VF of 29.6 %) located at the P loop
      potentially interfere with the hydrophobic interaction between P and activating
      loops and ultimately activation of BRAF. Also detected was BRAF somatic mutation
      N581S (VF of 7.4 %), which was located at the catalytic loop of BRAF kinase
      domain: its role in modifying kinase activity was unclear. A similar mutational
      analysis was also performed on nine acute monocytic/monoblastic leukemia cases,
      which did not identify any BRAF somatic mutations. Our study detected several
      BRAF mutations in histiocytic sarcomas, which may be important in understanding
      the tumorigenesis of this rare neoplasm and providing mechanisms for potential
      therapeutical opportunities. 

PMID- 27259538
TI  - Comparison of parasitic mite retrieval methods in a population of community cats.
AB  - Objectives This study compared methods of mite retrieval from community cats in
      the Ohio River Valley region of the USA and determined incidence of parasitic
      mites in this region. Methods In total, 493 community cats were humanely trapped
      and anesthetized for a trap-neuter-return program. Cats received a dermatologic
      examination, ear swabs, superficial skin scraping, flea combing, acetate tape
      preparation and feces collection. All samples were examined microscopically.
      Large volumes of hair and scale from flea combing were dissolved in 10% potassium
      hydroxide and centrifuged with Sheather's solution. Fecal samples were mixed with
      Sheather's solution, filtered and centrifuged. Results Ear swabs were
      significantly ( P <0.05) better than other methods for finding chigger mites and
      Otodectes cynotis, and skin scraping was significantly better than ear swabs for
      finding Cheyletiella species. Only cats with O cynotis had clinical lesions.
      Mites remained identifiable for 6 months at room temperature. Mite incidence
      rates were as follows: Notoedres cati (1/493 cats), 0.002 (95% confidence
      interval [CI] 0-0.006); Lynxacarus radovskyi (2/493 cats), 0.004 (95% CI 0-0.01);
      Demodex gatoi (5/493 cats), 0.01 (95% CI 0.001-0.019); chigger mites (10/493
      cats), 0.02 (95% CI 0.008-0.033); Cheyletiella species (12/493 cats), 0.024 (95%
      CI 0.011-0.038); and O cynotis (124/493 cats), 0.252 (95% CI 0.213-0.29).
      Conclusions and relevance Ear swabs are recommended when O cynotis or chigger
      mites are suspected. Skin scraping is more likely to yield positive results than
      ear swabs, but was not significantly better than acetate tape preparations, flea
      combing or fecal flotation for finding Cheyletiella species. Mites can remain
      identifiable for prolonged periods at room temperature. With the exception of O
      cynotis, the incidence of feline parasitic mites in the Ohio River Valley region
      of the USA is low; however, D gatoi and L radovskyi were present in the area and
      should be considered in cats with dermatologic disease attributable to them. In
      this population of community cats, asymptomatic carriage of mites was common.

PMID- 27259539
TI  - Designing robust watermark barcodes for multiplex long-read sequencing.
AB  - Motivation: To attain acceptable sample misassignment rates, current approaches
      to multiplex single-molecule real-time sequencing require upstream quality
      improvement, which is obtained from multiple passes over the sequenced insert and
      significantly reduces the effective read length. In order to fully exploit the
      raw read length on multiplex applications, robust barcodes capable of dealing
      with the full single-pass error rates are needed. Results: We present a method
      for designing sequencing barcodes that can withstand a large number of insertion,
      deletion and substitution errors and are suitable for use in multiplex single
      molecule real-time sequencing. The manuscript focuses on the design of barcodes
      for full-length single-pass reads, impaired by challenging error rates in the
      order of 11%. The proposed barcodes can multiplex hundreds or thousands of
      samples while achieving sample misassignment probabilities as low as 10-7 under
      the above conditions, and are designed to be compatible with chemical constraints
      imposed by the sequencing process. Availability and Implementation: Software
      tools for constructing watermark barcode sets and demultiplexing barcoded reads,
      together with example sets of barcodes and synthetic barcoded reads, are freely
      available at www.cifasis-conicet.gov.ar/ezpeleta/NS-watermark . Contact:
      ezpeleta@cifasis-conicet.gov.ar.

PMID- 27259541
TI  - MetaFast: fast reference-free graph-based comparison of shotgun metagenomic data.
AB  - MOTIVATION: High-throughput metagenomic sequencing has revolutionized our view on
      the structure and metabolic potential of microbial communities. However, analysis
      of metagenomic composition is often complicated by the high complexity of the
      community and the lack of related reference genomic sequences. As a start point
      for comparative metagenomic analysis, the researchers require efficient means for
      assessing pairwise similarity of the metagenomes (beta-diversity). A number of
      approaches were used to address this task, however, most of them have inherent
      disadvantages that limit their scope of applicability. For instance, the
      reference-based methods poorly perform on metagenomes from previously unstudied
      niches, while composition-based methods appear to be too abstract for
      straightforward interpretation and do not allow to identify the differentially
      abundant features. RESULTS: We developed MetaFast, an approach that allows to
      represent a shotgun metagenome from an arbitrary environment as a modified de
      Bruijn graph consisting of simplified components. For multiple metagenomes, the
      resulting representation is used to obtain a pairwise similarity matrix. The
      dimensional structure of the metagenomic components preserved in our algorithm
      reflects the inherent subspecies-level diversity of microbiota. The method is
      computationally efficient and especially promising for an analysis of metagenomes
      from novel environmental niches. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Source code and
      binaries are freely available for download at https://github.com/ctlab/metafast
      The code is written in Java and is platform independent (tested on Linux and
      Windows x86_64). CONTACT: ulyantsev@rain.ifmo.ru SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
      Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 27259540
TI  - UniCon3D: de novo protein structure prediction using united-residue
      conformational search via stepwise, probabilistic sampling.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Recent experimental studies have suggested that proteins fold via
      stepwise assembly of structural units named 'foldons' through the process of
      sequential stabilization. Alongside, latest developments on computational side
      based on probabilistic modeling have shown promising direction to perform de novo
      protein conformational sampling from continuous space. However, existing
      computational approaches for de novo protein structure prediction often randomly
      sample protein conformational space as opposed to experimentally suggested
      stepwise sampling. RESULTS: Here, we develop a novel generative, probabilistic
      model that simultaneously captures local structural preferences of backbone and
      side chain conformational space of polypeptide chains in a united-residue
      representation and performs experimentally motivated conditional conformational
      sampling via stepwise synthesis and assembly of foldon units that minimizes a
      composite physics and knowledge-based energy function for de novo protein
      structure prediction. The proposed method, UniCon3D, has been found to (i) sample
      lower energy conformations with higher accuracy than traditional random sampling
      in a small benchmark of 6 proteins; (ii) perform comparably with the top five
      automated methods on 30 difficult target domains from the 11th Critical
      Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP) experiment and on 15 difficult
      target domains from the 10th CASP experiment; and (iii) outperform two state-of
      the-art approaches and a baseline counterpart of UniCon3D that performs
      traditional random sampling for protein modeling aided by predicted residue
      residue contacts on 45 targets from the 10th edition of CASP. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: Source code, executable versions, manuals and example data of
      UniCon3D for Linux and OSX are freely available to non-commercial users at
      http://sysbio.rnet.missouri.edu/UniCon3D/ CONTACT: chengji@missouri.edu
      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics
      online.

PMID- 27259542
TI  - Group-combined P-values with applications to genetic association studies.
AB  - MOTIVATION: In large-scale genetic association studies with tens of hundreds of
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyped, the traditional statistical
      framework of logistic regression using maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) to
      infer the odds ratios of SNPs may not work appropriately. This is because a large
      number of odds ratios need to be estimated, and the MLEs may be not stable when
      some of the SNPs are in high linkage disequilibrium. Under this situation, the P
      value combination procedures seem to provide good alternatives as they are
      constructed on the basis of single-marker analysis. RESULTS: The commonly used P
      value combination methods (such as the Fisher's combined test, the truncated
      product method, the truncated tail strength and the adaptive rank truncated
      product) may lose power when the significance level varies across SNPs. To tackle
      this problem, a group combined P-value method (GCP) is proposed, where the P
      values are divided into multiple groups and then are combined at the group level.
      With this strategy, the significance values are integrated at different levels,
      and the power is improved. Simulation shows that the GCP can effectively control
      the type I error rates and have additional power over the existing methods-the
      power increase can be as high as over 50% under some situations. The proposed GCP
      method is applied to data from the Genetic Analysis Workshop 16. Among all the
      methods, only the GCP and ARTP can give the significance to identify a genomic
      region covering gene DSC3 being associated with rheumatoid arthritis, but the GCP
      provides smaller P-value. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION:
      http://www.statsci.amss.ac.cn/yjscy/yjy/lqz/201510/t20151027_313273.html CONTACT:
      liqz@amss.ac.cn SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at
      Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 27259543
TI  - DBSI server: DNA binding site identifier.
AB  - : Protein-nucleic acid interactions are among the most important intermolecular
      interactions in the regulation of cellular events. Identifying residues involved
      in these interactions from protein structure alone is an important challenge.
      Here we introduce the webserver interface to DNA Binding Site Identifier (DBSI),
      a powerful structure-based SVM model for the prediction and visualization of DNA
      binding sites on protein structures. DBSI has been shown to be a top-performing
      model to predict DNA binding sites on the surface of a protein or peptide and
      shows promise in predicting RNA binding sites. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION:
      Server is available at http://dbsi.mitchell-lab.org CONTACT: jcmitchell@wisc.edu
      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics
      online.

PMID- 27259544
TI  - Three operational taxonomic units of Eimeria are common in Nigerian chickens and
      may undermine effective molecular diagnosis of coccidiosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chicken is fast becoming the world's most consumed meat. As a
      consequence poultry health is more important now than ever before, with pathogens
      of chickens recognised as serious threats to food security. One such threat are
      Eimeria species parasites, protozoa which can cause the disease coccidiosis.
      Eimeria can compromise economic poultry production and chicken welfare, and have
      serious consequences for poor livestock keepers. Seven Eimeria species that
      infect chickens are recognised with a global enzootic distribution. More recently
      three cryptic Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUx, y and z) have been described in
      populations of Eimeria recovered from chickens in Australia. Two of the three
      OTUs have also been detected in sub-Saharan Africa, but their occurrence,
      pathology and the risk they pose is largely unknown. RESULTS: Nigeria has
      witnessed a dramatic expansion in poultry production and is now the largest
      poultry producer in Africa. Here, faecal samples collected from nine of 12
      commercial chicken farms sampled in Kaduna state, Nigeria, were found to contain
      eimerian oocysts. After amplification by in vivo propagation all three cryptic
      OTU genotypes were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), including OTUy
      for the first time outside of Australia. Comparison with a widely used,
      established Eimeria species-specific PCR assay revealed failure to detect the OTU
      genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: All three of the Eimeria OTU genotypes appear to be
      common in north-western Nigeria. The failure of a leading species-specific
      molecular assay to detect these genotypes indicates a risk of false negative
      Eimeria diagnosis when using molecular tools and suggests that the spatial
      occurrence of each OTU may be far wider than has been recognised. The risk posed
      by these novel genotypes is unknown, but it is clear that a better understanding
      of Eimeria occurrence is required together with the validation of effective
      diagnostics.

PMID- 27259545
TI  - Appropriateness of no-fault compensation for research-related injuries from an
      African perspective: an appeal for action by African countries.
AB  - Compensation for research-related injuries (RRIs) remains a challenge in the
      current environment of global collaborative biomedical research as exemplified by
      the continued reluctance of the US government, a major player in international
      biomedical research, to enact regulation for mandatory compensation for RRIs.
      This stance is in stark contrast to the mandatory compensation policies adopted
      by other democracies like the European Union (EU) countries. These positions
      taken by the USA and the EU create a nexus of confusion when research is exported
      to low-income and middle-income countries which have no laws guiding compensation
      for RRIs. In this paper, we begin by exploring the background to policies
      concerning RRIs, how they reflect on the traditional dispute resolution
      mechanisms in African societies, and how this compares with the no-fault
      compensation model. We then explore the underlying African ethical framework of
      Ubuntu in the sub-Saharan region, guiding traditional practices of dispute
      resolution and compensation, and how this framework can help to form the moral
      justification for no-fault compensation as the preferred compensation model for
      RRIs for African countries. Finally, we call upon countries in the African Union
      (AU), to adopt a no-fault policy for compensation of RRIs, and enact it into a
      regulatory requirement for insurance-based no-fault compensation for biomedical
      research, which will then be enforced by member states of the AU.

PMID- 27259546
TI  - When to start paediatric testing of the adult HIV cure research agenda?
AB  - Ethical guidelines recommend that experimental interventions should be tested in
      adults first before they are tested and approved in children. Some challenge this
      paradigm, however, and recommend initiating paediatric testing after preliminary
      safety testing in adults in certain cases. For instance, commentators have argued
      for accelerated testing of HIV vaccines in children. Additionally, HIV cure
      research on the use of very early therapy (VET) in infants, prompted in part by
      the Mississippi baby case, is one example of a strategy that is currently being
      tested in infants before it has been well tested in adults. Because infants'
      immune systems are still developing, the timing of HIV transmission is easier to
      identify in infants than in adults, and infants who receive VET might never
      develop the viral reservoirs that make HIV so difficult to eradicate, infants may
      be uniquely situated to achieve HIV cure or sustained viral remission. Several
      commentators have now argued for earlier initiation of HIV cure interventions
      other than (or in addition to) VET in children. HIV cure research is therefore a
      good case for re-examining the important question of when to initiate paediatric
      research. I will argue that, despite the potential for HIV cure research to
      benefit children and the scientific value of involving children in this research,
      the HIV cure agenda should not accelerate the involvement of children for the
      following reasons: HIV cure research is highly speculative, risky, aimed at
      combination approaches and does not compare favourably with the available
      alternatives. I conclude by drawing general implications for the initiation of
      paediatric testing, including that interventions that have to be used in
      combination with others and cures for chronic diseases may not be valuable enough
      to justify early paediatric testing.

PMID- 27259547
TI  - [Sigmoid colon diverticulitis : Treatment modalities 2011-2013].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diverticulosis is a relevant disease in Germany with a prevalence
      of over 60 % in patients aged >=70 years. The S2k guidelines for the treatment of
      diverticulosis were recently published. Systematic epidemiological data on
      treatment modalities do not exist. METHODS: Analysis of in-hospital treatment
      modalities for diverticulosis based on data from the Federal Office of
      Statistics. RESULTS: Approximately 130,000 inpatient cases of diverticulosis are
      treated in Germany per year. Approximately 25 % undergo surgery and of these
      slightly under 50 % (12,000 procedures) are carried out by laparoscopy. The
      complication rates are 18 % in a best case scenario and up to 85 % in a worst
      case scenario. A stage-adjusted classification of treatment modalities based on
      data from the Federal Office of Statistics is currently practically impossible.
      CONCLUSION: To enable stage-adjusted epidemiological analysis of diverticulosis,
      a standardized and transparent documentation system enabling systematic analysis
      is necessary, which does not currently exist (e. g. ICD 10 coding); moreover,
      information on conservative and interventional treatment options are not included
      in the operations and procedures key (OPS) coding system.

PMID- 27259548
TI  - [Endoscopic vacuum therapy for Boerhaave's syndrome].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Operative and interventional treatment of Boerhaave's syndrome
      include closure of the esophageal defect and drainage of the septic focus.
      Initial reports on the use of endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) of Boerhaave's
      syndrome are now available. This article describes the experiences gained from
      the clinical application in two patients using this new surgical endoscopic
      procedure. The current literature regarding treatment of Boerhaave's syndrome is
      presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Open-pore drainage is endoscopically placed
      either through the transmural defect in the extraluminal wound cavity
      (intracavitary EVT) or overlapping the defect into the esophageal lumen
      (intraluminal EVT). The application of a negative pressure results in active
      drainage directed to the lumen and simultaneously in defect closure. Through
      these therapeutic measures the perforation defect and the septic focus can be
      healed. Open-pore drains are manufactured from drainage tubes and open-pore foam
      or an open-pore film. RESULTS: In both patients the distal esophageal perforation
      defects were completely healed using EVT. In 1 patient the treatment with EVT
      alone lasted 8 days. For the second patient EVT was combined with an open
      thoracotomy for decortication of pleural empyema. The treatment with EVT lasted
      23 days and 1 cycle of EVT was carried out with an new open-pore film drainage
      (OFD). Surgical treatment to close the defect or an esophageal resection was not
      necessary for both patients. In the currently available studies and single case
      reports of ETV for Boerhaave's syndrome, 11 patients (84 %) of a total of 13
      patients have been successfully treated. CONCLUSION: First clinical experiences
      have demonstrated that with EVT draining of the septic focus and closure of the
      Boerhaave defect at the gastroesophageal junction can be achieved. The EVT is an
      organ-preserving endoscopic surgical treatment, which can be an alternative and
      complementary to traditional surgery.

PMID- 27259549
TI  - [Erratum to: Report of 12 years experience in the surgical treatment of 286
      paraesophageal hernias].

PMID- 27259551
TI  - Improving end of life care in care homes; an evaluation of the six steps to
      success programme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are approximately 426,000 people residing within care homes in
      the UK. Residents often have complex trajectories of dying, which make it
      difficult for staff to manage their end-of-life care. There is growing
      recognition for the need to support care homes staff in the care of these
      residents with increased educational initiatives. One educational initiative is
      The Six Steps to Success programme. METHOD: In order to evaluate the
      implementation of Six Steps with the first cohort of care homes to complete the
      end-of-life programme in the North West of England., a pragmatic evaluation
      methodology was implemented in 2012-2013 using multiple methods of qualitative
      data collection; online questionnaire with facilitators (n = 16), interviews with
      facilitators (n = 9) and case studies of care homes that had completed the
      programme (n = 6). The evaluation explored the implementation approach and
      experiences of the programme facilitators and obtain a detailed account of the
      impact of Six Steps on individual care homes. Based upon the National Health
      Service (NHS) End of Life Care (EoLC) Programme, The Route to Success in EoLC -
      Achieving Quality in Care Homes. RESULTS: The programme was flexibly designed so
      that it could be individually tailored to the geographical location and the
      individual cohort requirements. Facilitators provided comprehensive and flexible
      support to care homes. Challenges to programme success were noted as; lack of
      time allocated to champions to devote to additional programme work, inappropriate
      staff selected as 'Champions' and staff sickness/high staff turnover presented
      challenges to embedding programme values. Benefits to completing the programme
      were noted as; improvement in Advance Care Planning, improved staff
      communication/confidence when dealing with multi-disciplinary teams, improved end
      of-life processes/documentation and increased staff confidence through
      acquisition of new knowledge and new processes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      suggested an overall positive impact from the programme. This flexibly designed
      programme continues to be dynamic, iteratively amended and improved which may
      affect the direct transferability of the results to future cohorts.

PMID- 27259553
TI  - The values of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio in
      predicting 30 day mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: vAcute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life threatening disease. The
      treatment options depend on the severity of the disease and the mortality varies
      widely depending on the severity of the condition. It is important to identify
      patients who are at high risk of mortality. The aim of the present study was to
      explore the prognostic alues of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet
      to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for 30-day mortality in patients with acute PE.
      METHODS: The study included 321 patients admitted to our university hospital
      between January 2013 and May 2015 with the diagnosis of acute PE. Multivariable
      risk models were developed to assess the predictive values of the NLR and PLR for
      30-day mortality. Discrimination was evaluated using receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-eight patients met our
      selection criteria. Twenty of them died within 30 days of hospital admission. NLR
      was found to be an independent predicator after other confounding factors were
      adjusted in the model. For 1 unit of increase of NLR, the risk of 30-day
      mortality rose about 13  % (OR = 1.13,95 % CI: 1.04-1.23). The area under ROC for
      NLR is 0.79 (95 %CI: 0.703-0.880). PLR was associated with 30-day mortality in
      univariate analysis but the predicative ability diminished with inclusion of
      other predicators in multivariable model. CONCLUSIONS: NLR is readily available
      predicator for short-term mortality. It could be a useful indicator for
      identifying high risk population and guiding clinical management of acute PE.

PMID- 27259552
TI  - Antibiotic treatment for intermittent bladder catheterisation with once daily
      prophylaxis (the AnTIC study): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clean intermittent self-catheterisation is an important management
      option for people who cannot empty their bladder effectively. Recurrent urinary
      tract infections are common in these patients. Data from recent studies suggest
      that antibiotic prophylaxis may be beneficial in reducing infection risk, but the
      effectiveness of this intervention remains uncertain. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a
      52-site, patient randomised superiority trial set in routine care comparing an
      experimental strategy of once daily antibiotic prophylaxis for 12 months against
      a control strategy of no prophylaxis in people who carry out self-catheterisation
      and suffer recurrent urinary tract infections. The primary outcome is number of
      urinary tract infections during a 12-month treatment period. Both groups will
      otherwise receive usual care including on demand treatment courses of antibiotics
      for urinary tract infection. Participants and their clinicians will not be
      blinded to the allocated intervention, but central trial staff managing and
      analysing trial data will, as far as possible, be unaware of participant
      allocation. The analysis will follow intention-to-treat principles. DISCUSSION:
      This trial was commissioned and funded by the United Kingdom National Health
      Service following prioritisation of the research question by the National
      Institute for Health and Care Excellence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN67145101
      EUDRACT2013-002556-32. Registered on 25 October 2013.

PMID- 27259554
TI  - Low vapour pressure deficit affects nitrogen nutrition and foliar metabolites in
      silver birch.
AB  - Air humidity indicated as vapour pressure deficit (VPD) is directly related to
      transpiration and stomatal function of plants. We studied the effects of VPD and
      nitrogen (N) supply on leaf metabolites, plant growth, and mineral nutrition with
      young micropropagated silver birches (Betula pendula Roth.) in a growth chamber
      experiment. Plants that were grown under low VPD for 26 d had higher biomass,
      larger stem diameter, more leaves, fewer fallen leaves, and larger total leaf
      area than plants that were grown under high VPD. Initially, low VPD increased
      height growth rate and stomatal conductance; however, the effect was transient
      and the differences between low and high VPD plants became smaller with time.
      Metabolic adjustment to low VPD reflected N deficiency. The concentrations of N,
      iron, chlorophyll, amino acids, and soluble carbohydrates were lower and the
      levels of starch, quercetin glycosides, and raffinose were higher in the leaves
      that had developed under low VPD compared with high VPD. Additional N supply did
      not fully overcome the negative effect of low VPD on nutrient status but it
      diminished the effects of low VPD on leaf metabolism. Thus, with high N supply,
      the glutamine to glutamate ratio and starch production under low VPD became
      comparable with the levels under high VPD. The present study demonstrates that
      low VPD affects carbon and nutrient homeostasis and modifies N allocation of
      plants.

PMID- 27259550
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cells in cardiac regeneration: a detailed progress report of the
      last 6 years (2010-2015).
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells have been used for cardiovascular regenerative therapy for
      decades. These cells have been established as one of the potential therapeutic
      agents, following several tests in animal models and clinical trials. In the
      process, various sources of mesenchymal stem cells have been identified which
      help in cardiac regeneration by either revitalizing the cardiac stem cells or
      revascularizing the arteries and veins of the heart. Although mesenchymal cell
      therapy has achieved considerable admiration, some challenges still remain that
      need to be overcome in order to establish it as a successful technique. This in
      depth review is an attempt to summarize the major sources of mesenchymal stem
      cells involved in myocardial regeneration, the significant mechanisms involved in
      the process with a focus on studies (human and animal) conducted in the last 6
      years and the challenges that remain to be addressed.

PMID- 27259556
TI  - Flavisolibacter tropicus sp. nov., isolated from tropical soil.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, deep yellow, rod-shaped bacterium, designated
      strain LCS9T, was isolated from a soil sample at the tropical zone within the
      Ecorium of the National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, central-western Korea.
      16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain LCS9T clustered with members
      of the genus Flavisolibacter of the family Chitinophagaceae, phylum
      Bacteroidetes. Sequence similarities between strain LCS9T and the type strains of
      the genus Flavisolibacter ranged from 94.6 to 94.9 %. Strain LCS9T grew at 10-37 
      degrees C (optimum, 25  degrees C) and at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7); was
      positive for catalase and oxidase; and negative for nitrate reduction and
      production of indole. Cells showed pigment absorbance peaks at 451 and 479 nm,
      and had 0.03 % survival following exposure to 3 kGy gamma radiation. Strain LCS9T
      had the following chemotaxonomic characteristics: the major quinone was
      menaquinone-7 (MK-7); the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3
      OH; polar lipids included phosphoatidylethanolamine, an unidentified
      aminophospholipid, unidentified aminolipidsand unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C
      content was 39.4 mol%. Based on polyphasic analysis, the type strain LCS9T (=KCTC
      42070T=JCM 19972T) represents a novel species for which the name Flavisolibacter
      tropicus sp. nov. is proposed. Radiation resistance in the genus Flavisolibacter
      has not been reported to date, and so this is the first report of low-level
      radiation resistance of a member of the genus.

PMID- 27259555
TI  - The subtilisin-like protease SBT3 contributes to insect resistance in tomato.
AB  - Subtilisin-like proteases (SBTs) constitute a large family of extracellular plant
      proteases, the function of which is still largely unknown. In tomato plants, the
      expression of SBT3 was found to be induced in response to wounding and insect
      attack in injured leaves but not in healthy systemic tissues. The time course of
      SBT3 induction resembled that of proteinase inhibitor II and other late wound
      response genes suggesting a role for SBT3 in herbivore defense. Consistent with
      such a role, larvae of the specialist herbivore Manduca sexta performed better on
      transgenic plants silenced for SBT3 expression (SBT3-SI). Supporting a
      contribution of SBT3 to systemic wound signaling, systemic induction of late
      wound response genes was attenuated in SBT3-SI plants. The partial loss of insect
      resistance may thus be explained by a reduction in systemic defense gene
      expression. Alternatively, SBT3 may play a post-ingestive role in plant defense.
      Similar to other anti-nutritive proteins, SBT3 was found to be stable and active
      in the insect's digestive system, where it may act on unidentified proteins of
      insect or plant origin. Finally, a reduction in the level of pectin
      methylesterification that was observed in transgenic plants with altered levels
      of SBT3 expression suggested an involvement of SBT3 in the regulation of pectin
      methylesterases (PMEs). While such a role has been described in other systems,
      PME activity and the degree of pectin methylesterification did not correlate with
      the level of insect resistance in SBT3-SI and SBT3 overexpressing plants and are
      thus unrelated to the observed resistance phenotype.

PMID- 27259557
TI  - Distal femur reconstruction with modular tumour prostheses: a single Institution
      analysis of implant survival comparing fixed versus rotating hinge knee
      prostheses.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of complications in distal femur
      reconstructions with modular prostheses, comparing fixed vs rotating hinge knee.
      METHODS: Retrospective analysis of implant survival, complications, and
      functional results of the Rizzoli series on distal femur megaprosthesis. Between
      1983 and 2010, 687 distal femur tumour modular prostheses were implanted: 491
      fixed hinge and 196 rotating hinge knee prostheses. Failures of the prostheses
      were classified in five types: type 1, soft tissue failure; type 2, aseptic
      loosening; type 3, structural failure; type 4, infection; type 5, tumour
      progression. RESULTS: Failure rate was 27 % (185/687). Implant survival to all
      types of failure was 70 % at ten years and 50 % at 20 years with no significant
      difference between fixed and rotating hinge knee prostheses (p = 0.0928). When
      excluding type 5 and type 1 failures, the overall survival was 78 % and 58 % at
      ten and 20 years. There was not a significant difference in implant survival to
      aseptic loosening (p = 0.5) and infection (p = 0.2) between fixed and rotating
      hinge knee prostheses. All cases of breakage of prosthetic components occurred in
      fixed hinge knee prostheses. Functional results, evaluated in 536 pts, were
      satisfactory in 91.4 % of cases with a mean score of 23.3 with a significantly
      better function for rotating hinge knee prostheses (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The
      most frequent cause of failure was infection followed by aseptic loosening. Even
      if better results were expected for rotating hinge knee prostheses, there is no
      significant difference in overall implant survival. No cases of breakage of
      prosthetic components occurred in rotating hinge knee prosthesis. Functional
      results were significantly better for the rotating hinge knee prostheses. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV (case series).

PMID- 27259558
TI  - Immunotherapy of Melanoma.
AB  - Arising from melanocytes in skin, mucosal membranes, eye, and meninges, melanoma
      is a tumor that has been associated with poor prognosis in advanced disease
      stages. Given the poor response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, new
      treatment approaches with targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and adoptive T-cell
      therapy have revolutionized the standard of care for patients with advanced
      melanoma. This review provides a short overview of past, present, and future
      immunotherapeutic approaches and their limitations, with a focus on new
      combination agents in early clinical trials. 

PMID- 27259559
TI  - Methods for determining time of death.
AB  - Medicolegal death time estimation must estimate the time since death reliably.
      Reliability can only be provided empirically by statistical analysis of errors in
      field studies. Determining the time since death requires the calculation of
      measurable data along a time-dependent curve back to the starting point. Various
      methods are used to estimate the time since death. The current gold standard for
      death time estimation is a previously established nomogram method based on the
      two-exponential model of body cooling. Great experimental and practical
      achievements have been realized using this nomogram method. To reduce the margin
      of error of the nomogram method, a compound method was developed based on
      electrical and mechanical excitability of skeletal muscle, pharmacological
      excitability of the iris, rigor mortis, and postmortem lividity. Further
      increasing the accuracy of death time estimation involves the development of
      conditional probability distributions for death time estimation based on the
      compound method. Although many studies have evaluated chemical methods of death
      time estimation, such methods play a marginal role in daily forensic practice.
      However, increased precision of death time estimation has recently been achieved
      by considering various influencing factors (i.e., preexisting diseases, duration
      of terminal episode, and ambient temperature). Putrefactive changes may be used
      for death time estimation in water-immersed bodies. Furthermore, recently
      developed technologies, such as H magnetic resonance spectroscopy, can be used to
      quantitatively study decompositional changes. This review addresses the gold
      standard method of death time estimation in forensic practice and promising
      technological and scientific developments in the field.

PMID- 27259560
TI  - Effect of colestimide on the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,
      polychlorinated dizenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls in blood of Yusho
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral colestimide was reported to lower the concentration of PCDDs,
      PCDFs, and PCB in the blood of humans. A pilot study showed that the arithmetic
      mean total TEQ concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs in the blood of subjects
      after the trial decreased approximately 20 % compared to pre-trial levels,
      suggesting that colestimide could decrease human dioxin levels. We designed the
      current clinical trial study based on this information. In this study, we
      examined whether colestimide could reduce the individual congener concentrations
      of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs in the blood of Yusho patients. METHODS: Out of the 36
      Yusho patients who participated in the clinical trial, 26 patients self
      administered colestimide 3 g/day orally for 6 months. The concentrations of
      PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in the blood of 26 Yusho patients before the trial were
      compared with those after the trial. RESULTS: The arithmetic mean total TEQ
      concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, non-ortho PCBs, and mono-ortho PCBs in the blood
      of the 26 Yusho patients before and after the clinical trial were 42-303 (mean:
      130, median: 120) and 43-283 (mean: 132, median: 118) pg TEQ/g lipid,
      respectively. The sums of the concentrations of 58 PCB congeners measured in the
      blood of Yusho patients before and after the trial were 321-2643 (mean: 957,
      median: 872) and 286-2007 (mean: 975, median: 806) ng/g lipid, respectively,
      indicating that the concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs after the trial were
      almost the same as those before the trial. Among congeners of PCDDs, PCDFs,
      dioxin-like PCBs, and non-dioxin-like PCBs, most congeners of these compounds did
      not show a statistically significant decrease after the trial. CONCLUSION:
      Colestimide may not be beneficial in reducing the high blood levels of dioxin
      like compounds in Yusho patients.

PMID- 27259561
TI  - Ex Vivo Testing of Patient-Derived Xenografts Mirrors the Clinical Outcome of
      Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Translation of the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model into a method
      for practical personalized cancer treatment is prevented by the intense resources
      and time necessary to generate and test each tumorgraft. We aimed to develop a
      high-throughput ex vivo drug testing approach that can be used for personalized
      cancer treatment design. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We developed a unique ex vivo live
      tissue sensitivity assay (LTSA), in which precision-cut and uniform small tissue
      slices derived from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma PDX tumors were arrayed in a
      96-well plate and screened against clinically relevant regimens within 3 to 5
      days. The correlation between the sensitivities of tissue slices to the regimens
      and patients' clinical responses and outcome were statistically analyzed. The
      results of LTSA assay were further confirmed with biochemical methods in vitro
      and animal PDX model in vivo RESULTS: The ex vivo tissue slices remain viable for
      at least 5 days, and the tumor parenchyma, including stroma, vascular structures,
      and signaling pathways, are all retained. The sensitivities of the ex vivo tissue
      slices to gemcitabine and irinotecan was consistent with the clinical responses
      and outcomes of the patients from whom the tumorgrafts were derived (r = 0.77; P
      = 0.0002). Retrospective analysis showed that the patients who received LTSA
      sensitive regimens had remarkably longer progression-free survival than patients
      who received LTSA-resistant regimens (16.33 vs. 3.8 months; n = 18, P = 0.011).
      CONCLUSIONS: The results from these PDX and LTSA methods reflect clinical
      patients' responses and could be used as a personalized strategy for improving
      systemic therapy effectiveness in patients with pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer
      Res; 22(24); 6021-30. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27259562
TI  - Radiotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Induces DNA Damage Response in Both
      Irradiated and Out-of-field Normal Tissues.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the response of irradiated and out-of-field normal tissues
      during localized curative intent radiotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Sixteen
      patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) received 60 Gy in 30
      fractions of definitive thoracic radiotherapy with or without concurrent
      chemotherapy. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and eyebrow hairs were sampled
      prior, during, and after radiotherapy. Clinical variables of radiotherapy
      dose/volume, patient age, and use of chemoradiotherapy were tested for
      association with gamma-H2AX foci, a biomarker of DNA damage that underlies
      cellular response to irradiation. RESULTS: Radiotherapy induced an elevation of
      gamma-H2AX foci in PBL, representing normal tissues in the irradiated volume, 1
      hour after fraction one. The changes correlated directly with mean lung dose and
      inversely with age. gamma-H2AX foci numbers returned to near baseline values in
      24 hours and were not significantly different from controls at 4 weeks during
      radiotherapy or 12 weeks after treatment completion. In contrast, unirradiated
      hair follicles, a surrogate model for out-of-field normal tissues, exhibited
      delayed "abscopal" DNA damage response. gamma-H2AX foci significantly increased
      at 24 hours post-fraction one and remained elevated during treatment, in a dose
      independent manner. This observed abscopal effect was associated with changes in
      plasma levels of MDC/CCL22 and MIP-1alpha/CCL3 cytokines. No concordant changes
      in size and concentration of circulating plasma exosomes were observed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Both localized thoracic radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy induce
      pronounced systemic DNA damage in normal tissues. Individual assessment of
      biologic response to dose delivered during radiotherapy may allow for therapeutic
      personalization for patients with NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 22(19); 4817-26.
      (c)2016 AACRSee related commentary by Verma and Lin, p. 4763.

PMID- 27259563
TI  - Programmed cell death-1 blockade in recurrent disseminated Ewing sarcoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is a malignant tumour of bone and soft tissue,
      and although many patients are cured with conventional multimodal therapy, those
      with recurrent or metastatic disease have a poor prognosis. Genomic instability
      and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression have been identified in
      EWS, providing a rationale for treatment with agents that block the programmed
      cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we describe a
      heavily pre-treated patient with recurrent metastatic EWS who achieved a clinical
      and radiological remission with PD-1 blockade. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge,
      this is the first reported case demonstrating efficacy of PD-1 blockade in EWS.
      This warrants further investigation in particular given the poor prognosis in
      patients with recurrent or metastatic disease.

PMID- 27259565
TI  - Long-Term Exposure to American and European Movies and Television Series
      Facilitates Caucasian Face Perception in Young Chinese Watchers.
AB  - Most young Chinese people now learn about Caucasian individuals via media,
      especially American and European movies and television series (AEMT). The current
      study aimed to explore whether long-term exposure to AEMT facilitates Caucasian
      face perception in young Chinese watchers. Before the experiment, we created
      Chinese, Caucasian, and generic average faces (generic average face was created
      from both Chinese and Caucasian faces) and tested participants' ability to
      identify them. In the experiment, we asked AEMT watchers and Chinese movie and
      television series (CMT) watchers to complete a facial norm detection task. This
      task was developed recently to detect norms used in facial perception. The
      results indicated that AEMT watchers coded Caucasian faces relative to a
      Caucasian face norm better than they did to a generic face norm, whereas no such
      difference was found among CMT watchers. All watchers coded Chinese faces by
      referencing a Chinese norm better than they did relative to a generic norm. The
      results suggested that long-term exposure to AEMT has the same effect as daily
      other-race face contact in shaping facial perception. 

PMID- 27259564
TI  - Cerebellar Mild Iron Accumulation in a Subset of FMR1 Premutation Carriers with
      FXTAS.
AB  - Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset
      neurodegenerative disorder associated with premutation alleles of the FMR1 gene.
      Iron is essential for many facets of cell metabolism in the brain but when
      altered is likely to contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
      We previously reported that iron accumulates in the choroid plexus and the
      putamen in FXTAS and that the level and distribution of key iron-binding proteins
      are also altered, suggesting a potential alteration of iron metabolism in the
      brain. Here, we hypothesize that iron metabolism is also altered in the FXTAS
      cerebellum. To test this hypothesis, we used cerebellum samples collected from
      FXTAS and control subjects and measured the amount of iron contained within the
      cerebellar cortex and dentate nucleus. We found that the number of iron deposits
      increased in the cerebellum only in a subset of cases of FXTAS. This accumulation
      is likely to be mediated by factors other than or in addition to CGG-repeat
      coupled pathology. Thus, iron deposition in the cerebellum cannot be used as a
      hallmark of FXTAS pathogenesis.

PMID- 27259566
TI  - Perceptual Experience of Visual Motion Activates hMT+ Independently From the
      Physical Reality: fMRI Insights From the Looming Pinna Figure.
AB  - The human motion processing area, hMT+, has been labeled the critical neural area
      for processing of real and illusory visual motion in radial 2D patterns. However,
      the activation in hMT+ during perception of illusory rotation in the looming
      double-circular Pinna Figure (PF) generated in 3D space has not been observed
      yet. To do so, an optic-flow like motion of rings (looming) in PF was generated
      on a computer screen. A psychophysically precise nulling procedure allowed
      quantifying the individual amount of the perceived illusory rotation in PF (PI)
      for each participant. The interpolation of the individual illusory motion
      parameters created a subjectively non-rotating PF and a physically rotating
      control stimulus of identical rotary strength as the PI. The physically rotating
      control was a double-circular figure which diverged from PF only in its
      arrangement of luminance gradients. In a 3-Tesla scanner, participants were
      presented with a random order of rotating and non-rotating figures (illusory,
      real, no rotation, and nulled PI). Both types, illusory and real rotation, when
      equal in perceptual strength for the observer, were found to be processed by
      hMT+.

PMID- 27259567
TI  - Influence of hospital type on survival in stage IV colorectal cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hospital factors along with various patient and surgeon factors are
      considered to affect the prognosis of colorectal cancer. Hospital volume is well
      known, but little is known regarding other hospital factors. METHODS: We reviewed
      data on 853 patients with stage IV colorectal cancer who underwent elective
      palliative primary tumor resection between January 2006 and December 2007. To
      detect the hospital factors that could influence the prognosis of incurable
      colorectal cancer, the relationships between patient/hospital factors and overall
      survival were analyzed. Among hospital factors, hospital type (Group A:
      university hospital or cancer center; Group B: community hospital), hospital
      volume, and number of colorectal surgeons were examined. RESULTS: In univariate
      analysis, Group A hospitals showed significantly better prognosis than Group B
      hospitals (p = 0.034), while hospital volume and number of colorectal surgeons
      were not associated with overall survival. After adjustment for patient factors
      in multivariate analysis, hospital type was significantly associated with overall
      survival (hazard ratio: 1.31; 95 % confidence interval: 1.05-1.63; p = 0.016).
      However, there was no significant difference in short-term outcomes between
      hospital types. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital type was identified as a hospital factor
      that possibly affects the prognosis of stage IV colorectal cancer patients.

PMID- 27259568
TI  - Impact of the introduction of a standardised ICD programming protocol: real-world
      data from a single centre.
AB  - PURPOSE: Randomised trials have shown that empiric ICD programming, using long
      detection times and high detection zones, reduces device therapy in ICD
      recipients. However, there is less data on its effectiveness in a "real-world"
      setting, especially secondary prevention patients. Our aim was to evaluate the
      introduction of a standardised programming protocol in a real-world setting of
      unselected ICD recipients. METHODS: We analysed 270 consecutive ICD recipients
      implanted in a single centre-135 implanted prior to protocol implementation
      (physician-led group) and 135 after (standardised group). The protocol included
      long arrhythmia detection times (30/40 or equivalent) and high rate detection
      zones (primary prevention lower treatment zone 200 bpm). Programming in the
      physician-led group was at the discretion of the implanter. The primary endpoint
      was time-to-any therapy (ATP or shocks). Secondary endpoints were time-to
      inappropriate therapy and time-to-appropriate therapy. The safety endpoints were
      syncopal episodes, hospital admissions and death. RESULTS: At 12 months follow
      up, 47 patients had received any ICD therapy (physician-led group, n = 31 vs.
      standardised group, n = 16). There was a 47 % risk reduction in any device
      therapy (p = 0.04) and an 86 % risk reduction in inappropriate therapy (p =
      0.009) in the standardised compared to the physician-led group. There was a non
      significant 30 % risk reduction in appropriate therapy (p = 0.32). Results were
      consistent across primary and secondary prevention patients. There were no
      significant differences in the rates of syncope, hospitalisation, and death.
      CONCLUSIONS: In unselected patients in a real-world setting, introduction of a
      standardised programming protocol, using long detection times and high detection
      zones, significantly reduces the burden of ICD therapy without an increase in
      adverse outcomes.

PMID- 27259570
TI  - Normative data for distal line bisection and baking tray task.
AB  - Line bisection is one of the tests used to diagnose unilateral spatial neglect
      (USN). Despite its wide application, no procedure or norms were available for the
      distal variant when the task was performed at distance with a laser pointer.
      Furthermore, the baking tray task was an ecological test aimed at diagnosing USN
      in a more natural context. The aim of this study was to collect normative values
      for these two tests in an Italian population. We recruited a sample of 191
      healthy subjects with ages ranging from 20 to 89 years. They performed line
      bisection with a laser pointer on three different line lengths (1, 1.5, and 2 m)
      at a distance of 3 m. After this task, the subjects performed the baking tray
      task and a second repetition of line bisection to test the reliability of
      measurement. Multiple regression analysis revealed no significant effects of
      demographic variables on the performance of both tests. Normative cut-off values
      for the two tests were developed using non-parametric tolerance intervals. The
      results formed the basis for clinical use of these two tools for assessing
      lateralized performance of patients with brain injury and for diagnosing USN. 

PMID- 27259571
TI  - Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy as a cause of relapsing lobar hemorrhage,
      convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage and cortical superficial siderosis.

PMID- 27259572
TI  - Assessment of outcome after hip fracture: development of a universal assessment
      system for hip fractures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to refine current evaluation systems used to
      assess outcome after a hip fracture and to devise a simple and practical system
      to assess all hip fracture patients. METHODS: Three continuous scales were
      defined for pain, mobility and functional independence. These were all found to
      have an acceptable degree of inter-observer agreement. The pre-fracture mobility
      and independence scores were related to the one-year mortality for a consecutive
      series of 381 patients. RESULTS: Scores for mobility and functional independence
      were highly predictive of mortality (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended
      that the outcome after hip fracture should be standardised to these principle
      outcomes of pain, regain of mobility and independence and mortality. These scores
      can be use to assess progress and identify those who may require additional
      assessment or intervention.

PMID- 27259573
TI  - Loss, transition and trust: perspectives of terminally ill patients and their
      oncologists when transferring care from the hospital into the community at the
      end of life.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Most people prefer to die at home. However, most continue to die in
      hospital. Little is known about the impact on the patient of transferring care
      from acute sector specialist follow-up to the community. In one cancer centre, a
      new service-Hospital2Home was set up to facilitate this transfer of care. This
      study aimed to explore patients' and oncologists' perspectives of the meanings
      involved in this transition. METHODS: Qualitative study using semistructured one
      to-one interviews with 8 terminally ill cancer patients and 13 oncologists. The
      interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the
      framework approach. RESULTS: 3 main themes were identified: loss, transition and
      community care. The theme of loss referred to losses associated with the end of
      treatment and losses associated with the familiar safe relationship between the
      patient and oncologist. Transition refers to the change from hospital-led to
      community-based care. Barriers to transition included patient and family
      acceptance, attachment and concerns about community services. Transition was more
      acceptable if initiated in a gradual manner. Community care: participants found
      the Hospital2Home service crucial in establishing new trustworthy relationships
      between community providers and the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Transfer of care from
      the acute sector to the community represents a delicate crossroad where complex
      notions of loss should not be underestimated. A gradual transfer of care may
      improve this if the patient's condition allows. Therefore, introductions to the
      community team should be timely, and a staggered transfer should be planned. This
      would improve the experience of the patient, carer and oncologist.

PMID- 27259574
TI  - Psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the Templer's Death Anxiety
      Scale in cancer patients.
AB  - In this study, 398 Iranian cancer patients completed the 15-item Templer's Death
      Anxiety Scale (TDAS). Tests of internal consistency, principal components
      analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to assess the internal
      consistency and factorial validity of the Persian TDAS. The construct reliability
      statistic and average variance extracted were also calculated to measure
      construct reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Principal
      components analysis indicated a 3-component solution, which was generally
      supported in the confirmatory analysis. However, acceptable cutoffs for construct
      reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were not fulfilled
      for the three subscales that were derived from the principal component analysis.
      This study demonstrated both the advantages and potential limitations of using
      the TDAS with Persian-speaking cancer patients.

PMID- 27259575
TI  - The effect of dimethyl sulfoxide on the induction of DNA strand breaks in plasmid
      DNA and colony formation of PC Cl3 mammalian cells by alpha-, beta-, and Auger
      electron emitters (223)Ra, (188)Re, and (99m)Tc.
AB  - BACKGROUND: DNA damage occurs as a consequence of both direct and indirect
      effects of ionizing radiation. The severity of DNA damage depends on the physical
      characteristics of the radiation quality, e.g., the linear energy transfer (LET).
      There are still contrary findings regarding direct or indirect interactions of
      high-LET emitters with DNA. Our aim is to determine DNA damage and the effect on
      cellular survival induced by (223)Ra compared to (188)Re and (99m)Tc modulated by
      the radical scavenger dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). METHODS: Radioactive solutions
      of (223)Ra, (188)Re, or (99m)Tc were added to either plasmid DNA or to PC Cl3
      cells in the absence or presence of DMSO. Following irradiation, single strand
      breaks (SSB) and double strand breaks (DSB) in plasmid DNA were analyzed by gel
      electrophoresis. To determine the radiosensitivity of the rat thyroid cell line
      (PC Cl3), survival curves were performed using the colony formation assay.
      RESULTS: Exposure to 120 Gy of (223)Ra, (188)Re, or (99m)Tc leads to maximal
      yields of SSB (80 %) in plasmid DNA. Irradiation with 540 Gy (223)Ra and 500 Gy
      (188)Re or (99m)Tc induced 40, 28, and 64 % linear plasmid conformations,
      respectively. DMSO prevented the SSB and DSB in a similar way for all
      radionuclides. However, with the alpha-emitter (223)Ra, a low level of DSB could
      not be prevented by DMSO. Irradiation of PC Cl3 cells with (223)Ra, (188)Re, and
      (99m)Tc pre-incubated with DMSO revealed enhanced survival fractions (SF) in
      comparison to treatment without DMSO. Protection factors (PF) were calculated
      using the fitted survival curves. These factors are 1.23 +/- 0.04, 1.20 +/- 0.19,
      and 1.34 +/- 0.05 for (223)Ra, (188)Re, and (99m)Tc, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      For (223)Ra, as well as for (188)Re and (99m)Tc, dose-dependent radiation effects
      were found applicable for plasmid DNA and PC Cl3 cells. The radioprotection by
      DMSO was in the same range for high- and low-LET emitter. Overall, the results
      indicate the contribution of mainly indirect radiation effects for each of the
      radionuclides regarding DNA damage and cell survival. In summary, our findings
      may contribute to fundamental knowledge about the alpha-particle induced DNA
      damage.

PMID- 27259576
TI  - Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and
      secondary Sjogren's syndrome treated with Infliximab: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human T lymphocytes infiltrating tissues in autoimmune diseases are
      known to express somatostatin receptors amongst other activation markers. In this
      study, we evaluated whether somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) using a
      radiolabelled somatostatin analogue ((99m)Tc-EDDA/tricine-HYNIC-tyr(3)-octreotide
      ((99m)Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC)) is able to detect the presence of immune-mediated
      processes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and secondary Sjogren's syndrome.
      We also aimed to evaluate whether positivity to SRS was predictive of therapeutic
      response and if SRS could be used for monitoring the efficacy of immunomodulatory
      treatment. METHODS: Eighteen patients with rheumatoid arthritis and secondary
      Sjogren's syndrome not responding to conventional treatment were recruited for
      treatment with infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against TNF-alpha. All patients
      had complete blood cell count, renal and liver function tests, measurements of
      ESR, CRP, ANA, ENA, and anti-dsDNA antibodies, functional salivary gland
      scintigraphy, labial biopsy, and ophthalmologic assessment with Schirmer's test
      and tear film break-up time (BUT). Diagnosis was made according to the revised
      criteria of the American-European Consensus Group. All patients underwent SRS at
      baseline and after 3-6 months of therapy with infliximab. Eleven out of 18 had
      repeat SRS images. Images of the salivary glands and major joints were acquired 3
      h after injection of 370 MBq of (99m)Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC. Image analysis was
      performed semi-quantitatively. RESULTS: All patients showed uptake of (99m)Tc
      EDDA/HYNIC-TOC in the joints. Salivary glands also showed variable
      radiopharmaceutical uptake in 12 out of 18 patients, but all patients showed
      presence of lymphocytic infiltration at labial salivary gland biopsy. All
      patients, who repeated the study after treatment, showed significant reduction of
      somatostatin uptake in the joints but not in the salivary glands. CONCLUSIONS:
      SRS using (99m)Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC may be a useful imaging tool to assess disease
      activity and extent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and may help to detect
      secondary Sjogren's syndrome. It may also aid therapy decision-making with anti
      TNFalpha antibodies in the joints but not in salivary glands.

PMID- 27259577
TI  - A functional microRNA library screen reveals miR-410 as a novel anti-apoptotic
      regulator of cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma is characterized by late diagnosis and a poor
      survival rate. MicroRNAs have been involved in the pathogenesis of different
      cancer types, including cholangiocarcinoma. Our aim was to identify novel
      microRNAs regulating cholangiocarcinoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo.
      METHODS: A functional microRNA library screen was performed in human
      cholangiocarcinoma cells to identify microRNAs that regulate cholangiocarcinoma
      cell growth. Real-time PCR analysis evaluated miR-9 and XIAP mRNA levels in
      cholangiocarcinoma cells and tumors. RESULTS: The screen identified 21 microRNAs
      that regulated >50 % cholangiocarcinoma cell growth. MiR-410 was identified as
      the top suppressor of growth, while its overexpression significantly inhibited
      the invasion and colony formation ability of cholangiocarcinoma cells.
      Bioinformatics analysis revealed that microRNA-410 exerts its effects through the
      direct regulation of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP).
      Furthermore, overexpression of miR-410 significantly reduced cholangiocarcinoma
      tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model through induction of apoptosis. In
      addition, we identified an inverse relationship between miR-410 and XIAP mRNA
      levels in human cholangiocarcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our study
      revealed a novel microRNA signaling pathway involved in cholangiocarcinoma and
      suggests that manipulation of the miR-410/XIAP pathway could have a therapeutic
      potential for cholangiocarcinoma.

PMID- 27259578
TI  - Successful laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection
      preserving the common hepatic artery branched from the left gastric artery for
      advanced gastric cancer with an Adachi type VI (group 26) vascular anomaly.
AB  - We report a case of successful laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node
      dissection preserving the common hepatic artery branched from the left gastric
      artery for advanced gastric cancer with an Adachi type VI (group 26) vascular
      anomaly. A 76-year-old female patient was admitted with a diagnosis of advanced
      gastric cancer at the anterior wall to the lesser curvature of the antrum
      (cT3N0M0 cStage IIA). Dynamic computed tomography showed the ectopia of the
      common hepatic artery branched from the left gastric artery. We made a diagnosis
      of an Adachi type VI (group 26) vascular anomaly and performed the abovementioned
      operation. In this anomaly pattern, scrupulous attention is required to remove
      the suprapancreatic lymph nodes because the portal vein is located immediately
      dorsal to those lymph nodes and is at increased risk for the injury in this
      situation. The common hepatic artery is branched from the left gastric artery,
      and the hepatic perfusion from the superior mesenteric artery is not present in
      group 26. Planning to preserve the artery will improve safety when it is possible
      oncologically. There were no postoperative complications, and the patient was
      discharged 9 days after the operation. To our knowledge, the present case is the
      first reported case of a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node
      dissection with an Adachi type VI (group 26) vascular anomaly. Preoperative
      diagnostic imaging is very important to prevent surgical complications because
      the reliable identification of vascular anomaly during an operation is very
      difficult. 

PMID- 27259579
TI  - Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer poses few
      limitations for selected elderly patients: a single-center experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy
      (LADG) for early gastric cancer have been demonstrated in clinical studies. The
      aim of this study was to clarify the safety and efficacy of LADG in patients >=80
      years of age with early gastric cancer, an American Society of Anesthesiologists
      (ASA) classification of 1-2, and a performance status (PS) of 0-1. CASE
      PRESENTATION: From April 2009 to July 2011, 12 elderly patients aged >=80 years
      and 43 younger patients underwent LADG for early gastric cancer. Seven of the 55
      patients underwent LADG and simultaneous surgery including surgery for colorectal
      cancer, cholecystectomy, or other conditions. Forty-eight of the 55 patients who
      underwent only LADG were studied. Demographics and postoperative outcomes were
      compared. RESULTS: The postoperative complication rate, time to first ambulation,
      time to first flatus, time to first fluid intake, and postoperative hospital stay
      were similar in these two groups. Nutritional status as assessed by body weight,
      serum albumin, and total protein at 1 and 3 months after surgery was also similar
      in these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative outcomes were acceptable in the
      elderly patients included in the study. LADG for early gastric cancer is a safe
      and effective treatment in elderly patients aged >=80 years with an ASA status of
      1-2 and PS of 0-1.

PMID- 27259580
TI  - Health-related quality of life in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review of
      the European literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: To summarize the data published over the last 5 years in the European
      Union related to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with
      psoriasis and its conditioning factors. METHODS: International electronic
      databases and gray literature were searched to identify studies conducted on
      patient-reported outcomes in patients with psoriasis, published in Europe between
      January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013. Bibliographic references were hand
      searched. Editorials, letters, commentaries, opinion papers, and studies related
      to specific treatments were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 46 studies met the
      inclusion criteria, 27 of them reporting data related to HRQoL or its
      conditioning factors. The publications reviewed highlighted the substantial
      negative impact of psoriasis on patients' HRQoL. Most of the studies that
      analyzed the relationship between HRQoL and sociodemographic characteristics
      described a relation between gender (female) and age (young patients) and poorer
      HRQoL. An association between HRQoL impairment and visibility of skin lesions and
      disease activity and severity was also established. Skin discomfort and pruritus
      were identified as elements that negatively influenced HRQoL. Use of biological
      agents had a positive impact on HRQoL and on treatment satisfaction, a better
      HRQoL being seen in patients treated with systemic therapies and biologics.
      CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL has been broadly addressed in patients with psoriasis in
      Europe. Several disease- and patient-related factors contributed to its
      deterioration. Therapeutic measures with proven effectiveness in controlling
      disease symptoms and reducing PASI should be considered in patients with a severe
      disease who have a poorer HRQoL.

PMID- 27259581
TI  - Stigma as a key determinant of health-related quality of life in Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: People with Parkinson's disease (PD) may experience stigma due to their
      visible features of movement and communication difficulties. This paper aimed to
      examine the role of experienced stigma in health-related quality of life (QOL),
      after controlling for personal and clinical characteristics. METHODS: This is a
      preliminary analysis of a subset of baseline data from the Social Self-Management
      of Parkinson's Disease Study (SocM-PD), an ongoing 3-year prospective cohort
      study. Seventy-three people with PD (M age = 65.72, 29 women) participated in
      this study. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to determine the
      role of stigma in QOL, after controlling for gender, disease severity,
      depression, and motor difficulties of daily living. RESULTS: Significant
      correlations were found between QOL with gender (r = .26), disease severity (r =
      .38), depression (r = .65), motor difficulties of daily living (r = .71), and
      stigma (r = .83). After controlling for the significant covariates, stigma made a
      significant and unique contribution to the explanation of QOL by 13.7 % (p <
      0.001). A final hierarchical multiple regression with stigma and the 4 covariates
      revealed an overall model that explained 77.8 % of the total variance of QOL (F
      [5, 63] = 48.79, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Experienced stigma appears to be a key
      determinant of QOL in people with PD. The results suggest the importance of
      further understanding stigma in PD to develop possible intervention strategies.
      Future work is also needed to verify the results with a larger and longitudinal
      dataset of the SocM-PD.

PMID- 27259582
TI  - RNF187 is Downregulated Following NF-kappaB Inhibition in Late Erythroblasts.
AB  - Beta (beta)-thalassaemic erythroblasts grown in vitro have reduced nuclear factor
      kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway gene expression. By inhibiting this pathway in
      erythroblasts from normal individuals, important downstream genes affected by
      this inhibition can be identified. Bay 11-7082 is a potent inhibitor of the NF
      kappaB pathway, it acts irreversibly, inhibiting NF-kappaB activation by blocking
      tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced phosphorylation of the inhibitory
      IkappaB subunit thereby preventing NF-kappaB activation. In this study,
      hematopoietic stem cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of 6 healthy
      individuals and were then cultured for 14 days in conditions which promote
      erythroid differentiation. Following erythroid lineage enrichment, these cells
      were stimulated with TNFalpha or inhibited with Bay 11-7082. Subsequent RNA
      isolation and gene expression analyses were performed using pooled cDNA with
      custom PCR arrays. Genes of interest were examined individually on non-pooled
      samples. Our data identified RNF187, a RING finger domain gene as being
      downregulated in response to NF-kappaB inhibition. 

PMID- 27259583
TI  - A randomized, controlled trial comparing topical steroid application to wet
      versus dry skin in children with atopic dermatitis (AD).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Soak and smear (SS), a technique whereby a bath is followed by
      topical corticosteroid (TCS) application to wet skin, is reported to be a
      beneficial adjunctive therapy for patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis
      (AD). OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether SS is of greater benefit than application
      of TCS to dry skin for the treatment of childhood AD. METHODS: A randomized,
      investigator-blinded, controlled study was performed in children with AD.
      Patients were randomized to apply TCS either via SS (n = 22) or to dry skin (n =
      23) for 14 days. The primary outcome was an improvement in the Eczema Area and
      Severity Index score. Secondary outcomes included assessments of disease burden,
      pruritus, and sleep; morning cortisol levels; and adverse effects. RESULTS:
      Patients with AD severity who applied TCS via SS or to dry skin improved 84.8%
      (95% confidence interval 77.5-92.1) and 81.4% (95% confidence interval 70.3-92.4)
      by Eczema Area and Severity Index score, respectively. There was no statistical
      difference between the 2 groups (P value = .85). LIMITATIONS: Small sample size
      limited the power of our study. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find that application of
      TCS to presoaked skin works better than application to dry skin for the treatment
      of AD in children.

PMID- 27259584
TI  - Task modulated brain connectivity of the amygdala: a meta-analysis of
      psychophysiological interactions.
AB  - Understanding functional connectivity of the amygdala with other brain regions,
      especially task modulated connectivity, is a critical step toward understanding
      the role of the amygdala in emotional processes and the interactions between
      emotion and cognition. The present study performed coordinate-based meta-analysis
      on studies of task modulated connectivity of the amygdala which used
      psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis. We first analyzed 49 PPI studies
      on different types of tasks using activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta
      analysis. Widespread cortical and subcortical regions showed consistent task
      modulated connectivity with the amygdala, including the medial frontal cortex,
      bilateral insula, anterior cingulate, fusiform gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus,
      thalamus, and basal ganglia. These regions were in general overlapped with those
      showed coactivations with the amygdala, suggesting that these regions and
      amygdala are not only activated together, but also show different levels of
      interactions during tasks. Further analyses with subsets of PPI studies revealed
      task specific functional connectivities with the amygdala that were modulated by
      fear processing, face processing, and emotion regulation. These results suggest a
      dynamic modulation of connectivity upon task demands, and provide new insights on
      the functions of the amygdala in different affective and cognitive processes. The
      meta-analytic approach on PPI studies may offer a framework toward systematical
      examinations of task modulated connectivity.

PMID- 27259585
TI  - Human navigation network: the intrinsic functional organization and behavioral
      relevance.
AB  - Spatial navigation is a crucial ability for living. Previous work has revealed
      multiple distributed brain regions associated with human navigation. However,
      little is known about how these regions work together as a network (referred to
      as navigation network) to support flexible navigation. In a novel protocol, we
      combined neuroimaging meta-analysis, and functional connectivity and behavioral
      data from the same subjects. Briefly, we first constructed the navigation network
      for each participant, by combining a large-scale neuroimaging meta-analysis (with
      the Neurosynth) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Then, we
      investigated multiple topological properties of the navigation networks,
      including small-worldness, modularity, and highly connected hubs. Finally, we
      explored the behavioral relevance of these intrinsic properties in a large sample
      of healthy young adults (N = 190). We found that navigation networks showed small
      world and modular organization at global level. More importantly, we found that
      increased small-worldness and modularity of the navigation network were
      associated with better navigation ability. Finally, we found that the right
      retrosplenial complex (RSC) acted as one of the hubs in the navigation network,
      and that higher betweenness of this region correlated with better navigation
      ability, suggesting a critical role of the RSC in modulating the navigation
      network in human brain. Our study takes one of the first steps toward
      understanding the underlying organization of the navigation network. Moreover,
      these findings suggest the potential applications of the novel approach to
      investigating functionally meaningful networks in human brain and their relations
      to the behavioral impairments in the aging and psychiatric patients.

PMID- 27259586
TI  - Evaluation of WGA-Cre-dependent topological transgene expression in the rodent
      brain.
AB  - Novel neuromodulation techniques in the field of brain research, such as
      optogenetics, prompt to target specific cell populations. However, not every
      subpopulation can be distinguished based on brain area or activity of specific
      promoters, but rather on topology and connectivity. A fascinating tool to detect
      neuronal circuitry is based on the transsynaptic tracer, wheat germ agglutinin
      (WGA). When expressed in neurons, it is transported throughout the neuron,
      secreted, and taken up by synaptically connected neurons. Expression of a WGA and
      Cre recombinase fusion protein using a viral vector technology in Cre-dependent
      transgenic animals allows to trace neuronal network connections and to induce
      topological transgene expression. In this study, we applied and evaluated this
      technology in specific areas throughout the whole rodent brain, including the
      hippocampus, striatum, substantia nigra, and the motor cortex. Adeno-associated
      viral vectors (rAAV) encoding the WGA-Cre fusion protein under control of a CMV
      promoter were stereotactically injected in Rosa26-STOP-EYFP transgenic mice.
      After 6 weeks, both the number of transneuronally labeled YFP+/mCherry- cells and
      the transduced YFP+/mCherry+ cells were quantified in the connected regions. We
      were able to trace several connections using WGA-Cre transneuronal labeling;
      however, the labeling efficacy was region-dependent. The observed transneuronal
      labeling mostly occurred in the anterograde direction without the occurrence of
      multi-synaptic labeling. Furthermore, we were able to visualize a specific subset
      of newborn neurons derived from the subventricular zone based on their
      connectivity.

PMID- 27259587
TI  - Yeast ABC transporters in lipid trafficking.
AB  - Throughout its evolution, the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily
      has experienced a rapid expansion in its substrate repertoire and functions. Of
      the diverse functions that these pumps offer, their drug transport properties
      have attracted considerable attention primarily owing to their clinical
      significance. Despite this fact, emerging evidence suggests that physiological
      substrates of transporters also affect the overall functioning of an organism.
      Lipids, as substrates of ABC transporters, constitute one feature found in all
      representative groups of the living kingdom. Due to the importance of lipid
      species in the cellular physiology of an organism, their proper distribution
      within cells is crucial. This fact is well exemplified by the vast number of
      medical conditions that have been caused as a result of perturbations in ABC
      transporter-mediated lipid transport in higher organisms. In yeasts, apart from
      providing transport functions, ABC transporters also coordinate regulatory
      networks with lipids. This review focuses on yeast ABC transporters involved in
      the transport of lipids and briefly discusses the integration of their regulatory
      network with that of the lipid species.

PMID- 27259589
TI  - Central venous-to-arterial CO2 difference/arterial-central venous O2 difference
      ratio: An experimental model or a bedside clinical tool?

PMID- 27259588
TI  - Rates of workplace aggression in the emergency department and nurses' perceptions
      of this challenging behaviour: A multimethod study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Over the last 10 years, the rate of people presenting with
      challenging behaviour to emergency departments (EDs) has increased and is
      recognised as a frequent occurrence facing clinicians today. Challenging
      behaviour often includes verbal aggression, physical aggression, intimidation and
      destruction of property. AIM: The aim of this research was to (i) identify the
      characteristics and patterns of ED-reported incidents of challenging behaviour
      and (ii) explore emergency nurses' perceptions of caring for patients displaying
      challenging behaviour. METHODS: This was a multi-method study conducted across
      two metropolitan Sydney district hospitals. Phase 1 involved a 12-month review of
      the hospital's incident management database. Phase 2 involved a survey of
      emergency nurses' perceptions of caring for patients displaying challenging
      behaviour. RESULTS: Over 12 months there were 34 incidents of aggression
      documented and the perpetrators were often male (n=18; 53.0%). The average age
      was 34.5 years. The majority of reported incidents (n=33; 90.1%) involved
      intimidation, verbal assault and threatening behaviour. The median time between
      patient arrival and incident was 109.5min (IQR 192min). The median length of stay
      for patients was 302.5min (IQR 479min). There was no statistical difference
      between day of arrival and time of actual incident (t-test p=0.235), length of
      stay (t-test p=0.963) or ED arrival to incident time (t-test p=0.337). The survey
      (n=53; 66.2%) identified the average ED experience was 12.2 years (SD 9.8 years).
      All participants surveyed had experienced verbal abuse and/or physical abuse.
      Participants (n=52) ranked being spat at (n=37; 71.1%) the most difficult to
      manage. Qualitative survey open-ended comments were analysed and organised
      thematically. THEMATIC ANALYSIS: The survey identified three themes which were
      (i) increasing security, (ii) open access and (iii) rostering imbalance.
      CONCLUSION: The study provides insight into emergency nurses' reported
      perceptions of patients who display challenging behaviour. All emergency nurse
      participants reported being regularly exposed to challenging behaviour and this
      involved both physical and verbal abuse. This was in contrast to a low incident
      hospital reporting rate. ED clinicians need to be better supported with targeted
      educational programmes, appropriate ED architecture and reporting mechanism that
      are not onerous.

PMID- 27259590
TI  - Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization Monitoring and Effect of Detected Early
      Responses in the Outcome of Patients With Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia:
      A Report From a Latin American Country.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The cytogenetic hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is the
      Philadelphia chromosome. Monitoring the response in patients receiving therapy is
      a standard of care. The present study was conducted to assess the monitoring
      adherence and reliableness of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) as a
      monitoring tool and the effect of a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) assessed
      by FISH on the prognosis of patients in a chronic phase (CP)-CML cohort.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 63 newly
      diagnosed CP-CML patients treated with imatinib mesylate at a dose of 400 mg/day
      as frontline therapy. The clinical data and cytogenetic test results at diagnosis
      and during monitoring were collected. The cytogenetic monitoring adherence
      assessment rates were measured. A correlation between chromosome banding analysis
      (CBA) and FISH was performed. The CCyR assessed by FISH was defined as < 1% BCR
      ABL1(+) nuclei. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for overall survival analysis
      and time-to-event estimates. RESULTS: The cytogenetic monitoring assessment
      adherence was 50.8% at 3 months, 93.5% at 6 months, 96.7% at 12 months, and 88.6%
      at 18 months. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significantly positive
      association (r = 0.84; P < .001) between CBA and FISH. The median follow-up
      duration after imatinib mesylate initiation was 60 months. A CCyR was achieved in
      90.4% of patients within the first 18 months of therapy. At 3 months, 31 patients
      underwent a FISH evaluation, and 13 (41.9%) had achieved a CCyR. The patients who
      did not achieve a CCyR at 3 months had a significantly inferior probability of 5
      year failure-free survival (38% vs. 94%; P = .001) and progression-free survival
      (80% vs. 100%; P = .043) compared with those with a CCyR. CONCLUSION: We found
      improved monitoring adherence compared with the previous reports of Latin
      American populations. In countries with a high incidence of failure for CBA and a
      lack of real-time polymerase chain reaction standardization, FISH is a sensitive
      monitoring tool. In our cohort, patients not achieving an early CCyR, as tested
      by FISH, were a poor prognosis subgroup with worse rates of failure-free survival
      and progression-free survival.

PMID- 27259635
TI  - Responses of hydraulics at the whole-plant level to simulated nitrogen deposition
      of different levels in Fraxinus mandshurica.
AB  - Nitrogen (N) deposition is expected to have great impact on forest ecosystems by
      affecting many aspects of plant-environmental interactions, one of which involves
      its influences on plant water relations through modifications of plant hydraulic
      architecture. However, there is a surprising lack of integrative study on tree
      hydraulic architecture responses to N deposition, especially at the whole-plant
      level. In the present study, we used a 5-year N addition experiment to simulate
      the effects of six different levels of N deposition (20-120 kg ha(-1) year(-1))
      on growth and whole-plant hydraulic conductance of a dominant tree species
      (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.) from the typical temperate forest of NE China. The
      results showed that alleviation of N limitation by moderate concentrations of
      fertilization (20-80 kg ha(-1) year(-1)) promoted plant growth, but further N
      additions on top of the threshold level showed negative effects on plant growth.
      Growth responses of F. mandshurica seedlings to N addition of different
      concentrations were accompanied by corresponding changes in whole-plant hydraulic
      conductance; higher growth rate was accompanied by reduced whole-plant hydraulic
      conductance (Kplant) and higher leaf water-use efficiency. A detailed analysis on
      hydraulic conductance of different components of the whole-plant water transport
      pathway revealed that changes in root and leaf hydraulic conductance, rather than
      that of the stem, were responsible for Kplant responses to N fertilization. Both
      plant growth and hydraulic architecture responses to increasing levels of N
      addition were not linear, i.e., the correlation between measured parameters and N
      availability exhibited bell-shaped curves with peak values observed at medium
      levels of N fertilization. Changes in hydraulic architecture in response to
      fertilization found in the present study may represent an important underlying
      mechanism for the commonly observed changes in water-related tree performances in
      response to N deposition.

PMID- 27259591
TI  - Breast cancer subtype predictors revisited: from consensus to concordance?
AB  - BACKGROUND: At the molecular level breast cancer comprises a heterogeneous set of
      subtypes associated with clear differences in gene expression and clinical
      outcomes. Single sample predictors (SSPs) are built via a two-stage approach
      consisting of clustering and subtype predictor construction based on the cluster
      labels of individual cases. SSPs have been criticized because their subtype
      assignments for the same samples were only moderately concordant (Cohen's
      kappa<0.6). METHODS: We propose a semi-supervised approach where for five
      datasets, consensus sets were constructed consisting of those samples that were
      concordantly subtyped by a number of different predictors. Next, nine subtype
      predictors - three SSPs, three subtype classification models (SCMs) and three
      novel rule-based predictors based on the St. Gallen surrogate intrinsic subtype
      definitions (STGs) - were constructed on the five consensus sets and their
      associated consensus subtype labels. The predictors were validated on a
      compendium of over 4,000 uniformly preprocessed Affymetrix microarrays.
      Concordance between subtype predictors was assessed using Cohen's kappa
      statistic. RESULTS: In this standardized setup, subtype predictors of the same
      type (either SCM, SSP, or STG) but with a different gene list and/or consensus
      training set were associated with almost perfect levels of agreement (median
      kappa>0.8). Interestingly, for a given predictor type a change in consensus set
      led to higher concordance than a change to another gene list. The more
      challenging scenario where the predictor type, gene list and training set were
      all different resulted in predictors with only substantial levels of concordance
      (median kappa=0.74) on independent validation data. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      demonstrate that for a given subtype predictor type stringent standardization of
      the preprocessing stage, combined with carefully devised consensus training sets,
      leads to predictors that show almost perfect levels of concordance. However,
      predictors of a different type are only substantially concordant, despite
      reaching almost perfect levels of concordance on training data.

PMID- 27259636
TI  - Overexpression of PtrMYB119, a R2R3-MYB transcription factor from Populus
      trichocarpa, promotes anthocyanin production in hybrid poplar.
AB  - Anthocyanins are a group of colorful and bioactive natural pigments with
      important physiological and ecological functions in plants. We found an MYB
      transcription factor (PtrMYB119) from Populus trichocarpa that positively
      regulates anthocyanin production when expressed under the control of the CaMV 35S
      promoter in transgenic Arabidopsis Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that
      PtrMYB119 is highly homologous to Arabidopsis PAP1 (PRODUCTION OF ANTHOCYANIN
      PIGMENT1), a well-known transcriptional activator of anthocyanin biosynthesis.
      Independently produced transgenic poplars overexpressing PtrMYB119 or PtrMYB120
      (a paralogous gene to PtrMYB119) (i.e., 35S::PtrMYB119 and 35S::PtrMYB120,
      respectively) showed elevated accumulation of anthocyanins in the whole plants,
      including leaf, stem and even root tissues. Using a reverse-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography, we confirmed that the majority of the
      accumulated anthocyanin in our transgenic poplar is cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. Gene
      expression analyses revealed that most of the genes involved in the anthocyanin
      biosynthetic pathway were highly upregulated in 35S::PtrMYB119 poplars compared
      with the nontransformed control poplar. Among these genes, expression of PtrCHS1
      (Chalcone Synthase1) and PtrANS2 (Anthocyanin Synthase2), which catalyze the
      initial and last steps of anthocyanin biosynthesis, respectively, was upregulated
      by up to 350-fold. Subsequent transient activation assays confirmed that
      PtrMYB119 activated the transcription of both PtrCHS1 and PtrANS2 Interestingly,
      expression of MYB182, a repressor of both anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin (PA)
      biosynthesis, was largely suppressed in 35S::PtrMYB119 poplars, while expression
      of MYB134, an activator of PA biosynthesis, was not changed significantly. More
      interestingly, high-level accumulation of anthocyanins in 35S::PtrMYB119 poplars
      did not have an adverse effect on plant growth. Taken together, our results
      demonstrate that PtrMYB119 and PtrMYB120 function as transcriptional activators
      of anthocyanin accumulation in both Arabidopsis and poplar.

PMID- 27259637
TI  - Impacts of prescribed fire on Pinus rigida Mill. in upland forests of the
      Atlantic Coastal Plain.
AB  - A comparative analysis of the impacts of prescribed fire on three upland forest
      stands in the Northeastern Atlantic Plain, NJ, USA, was conducted. Effects of
      prescribed fire on water use and gas exchange of overstory pines were estimated
      via sap-flux rates and photosynthetic measurements on Pinus rigida Mill. Each
      study site had two sap-flux plots, one experiencing prescribed fire and one
      control (unburned) plot for comparison before and after the fire. We found that
      photosynthetic capacity in terms of Rubisco-limited carboxylation rate and
      intrinsic water-use efficiency was unaffected, while light compensation point and
      dark respiration rate were significantly lower in the burned vs control plots
      post-fire. Furthermore, quantum yield in pines in the pine-dominated stands was
      less affected than pines in the mixed oak/pine stand, as there was an increase in
      quantum yield in the oak/pine stand post-fire compared with the control
      (unburned) plot. We attribute this to an effect of forest type but not fire per
      se. Average daily sap-flux rates of the pine trees increased compared with
      control (unburned) plots in pine-dominated stands and decreased in the oak/pine
      stand compared with control (unburned) plots, potentially due to differences in
      fuel consumption and pre-fire sap-flux rates. Finally, when reference canopy
      stomatal conductance was analyzed, pines in the pine-dominated stands were more
      sensitive to changes in vapor pressure deficit (VPD), while stomatal responses of
      pines in the oak/pine stand were less affected by VPD. Therefore, prescribed fire
      affects physiological functioning and water use of pines, but the effects may be
      modulated by forest stand type and fuel consumption pattern, which suggests that
      these factors may need to be taken into account for forest management in fire
      dominated systems.

PMID- 27259638
TI  - Physiological aspects of seed recalcitrance: a case study on the tree Aesculus
      hippocastanum.
AB  - Recalcitrant seeds are typical of some tropical and subtropical trees. Their post
      shedding life activity proceeds in humid air and wet litter. They are desiccation
      sensitive and, for this reason, have a short life span and need some special
      procedures for cryopreservation. This review is devoted to the post-shedding life
      strategy of recalcitrant seeds, which includes the maintenance of high hydration
      status, metabolic readiness and ability to rapidly germinate before desiccation
      induced damage exerts a lethal effect. The main physiological aspects of
      recalcitrant seeds are considered starting from mature seeds, followed during
      dormancy if occurs and resulting in germination. The collected data embrace the
      metabolic processes in embryonic axes and whole seeds. The up-to-date results are
      integrated covering the main metabolic processes, namely water status and
      transport, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, antioxidant defense, axis
      cotyledon relations, hormonal control and germination. Among the representatives
      of various taxa, the seeds of which exhibit recalcitrance, attention was given to
      horse chestnut seeds as one of most studied recalcitrants.

PMID- 27259639
TI  - [Preclinical models to establish innovative therapy strategies : Ex-vivo
      assessment of head and neck tumor chemo- and immune responses].
AB  - The pharmacological treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is
      currently experiencing an expansion of the spectrum of targeting therapies. It
      can be expected that use of immune modulators, e.g., checkpoint-inhibitors, and
      their combination with chemotherapy will lead to a plethora of therapeutic
      options in the near future, from which the best one for the individual patient
      can be selected. HNSCCs are heterogeneous in their biology, and responses to
      chemotherapy are nonuniform and often only observable in subgroups. It would be
      valuable to know the chance of success of a particular treatment in advance.
      Evidence-based selection of the best individual treatment is difficult, since
      predictive biomarkers which are assessable prior to the treatment decision and
      reliably indicate the suitability of particular therapeutics are lacking.
      Pretherapeutic predictive ex-vivo chemoresponse testing of HNSCC biopsy specimens
      could enable identification of responders and allow a more suitable therapy
      regimen to be chosen for potential non-responders, without exposing them to
      likely ineffective therapy attempts. However, early ex-vivo assays failed
      regarding reliable prediction of therapeutic success, even with tolerable doses
      of pharmaceuticals and, in particular, their combinations. Predictive testing was
      hence deemed improper for the clinic. Improved methodology has now led to a
      reappraisal of predictive testing and its additional use in analysis of antitumor
      immune responses ex vivo. Here we describe recent advances and new results from
      ex-vivo chemoresponse testing of HNSCC and highlight their ability to facilitate
      establishment of innovative therapy strategies. 

PMID- 27259640
TI  - [The Freiburg speech intelligibility test : A pillar of speech audiometry in
      German-speaking countries].
AB  - The Freiburg speech intelligibility test according to DIN 45621 was introduced
      around 60 years ago. For decades, and still today, the Freiburg test has been a
      standard whose relevance extends far beyond pure audiometry. It is used primarily
      to determine the speech perception threshold (based on two-digit numbers) and the
      ability to discriminate speech at suprathreshold presentation levels (based on
      monosyllabic nouns). Moreover, it is a measure of the degree of disability, the
      requirement for and success of technical hearing aids (auxiliaries directives),
      and the compensation for disability and handicap (Konigstein recommendation). In
      differential audiological diagnostics, the Freiburg test contributes to the
      distinction between low- and high-frequency hearing loss, as well as to
      identification of conductive, sensory, neural, and central disorders. Currently,
      the phonemic and perceptual balance of the monosyllabic test lists is subject to
      critical discussions. Obvious deficiencies exist for testing speech recognition
      in noise. In this respect, alternatives such as sentence or rhyme tests in closed
      answer inventories are discussed. 

PMID- 27259641
TI  - Clinical characteristics of congenital cervical atresia and associated
      endometriosis among 96 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the anatomic variety of congenital cervical atresia and to
      explore the relationship between this disorder and pelvic endometriosis. METHODS:
      In a retrospective study, records were reviewed for 96 patients with a confirmed
      diagnosis of congenital cervical atresia treated at a center in Beijing, China,
      between January 1984 and October 2014. Data on demographic parameters, symptoms,
      anatomic features, and endometriosis were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the
      96 patients, 54 (56%) had pelvic endometriosis, 23 (24%) had a uterine
      malformation, 75 (78%) had a vaginal malformation, and 12 (13%) had a urinary
      malformation. The patients with a delay from first symptoms to surgery of more
      than 1year had a higher incidence of endometriosis than did those with a delay of
      1year or less (45/71 [63%] vs 7/23 [30%]; P=0.006), and this trend was not
      related to the severity of endometriosis (P=0.658). Among the 31 patients with
      unilateral endometrial cysts, 20 (65%) had left-sided cysts and 11 (35%) had
      right-sided cysts (P=0.005). CONCLUSION: More than half of patients with
      congenital cervical atresia had pelvic endometriosis. Early diagnosis and surgery
      seem to be necessary to prevent endometriosis among patients with congenital
      cervical atresia.

PMID- 27259642
TI  - Amyloidogenic behavior of different intermediate state of stem bromelain: A
      biophysical insight.
AB  - Stem bromelain, a cysteine proteases from Ananas comosus is a widely accepted
      therapeutic drug with broad medicinal application. It exists as intermediate
      states at pH 2.0 and 10.0, where it encountered in gastrointestinal tract during
      adsorption (acidic pH) and in gut epithelium (alkaline pH), respectively. In this
      study, we monitored the thermal aggregation/amyloid formation of SB at different
      pH intermediate states. Thermal treatment of stem bromelain at pH 10.0 favors the
      fibrillation in which the extent of aggregation increases with increase in
      protein concentration. However, no fibril formation in stem bromelain at pH 2.0
      was found at all the concentration used at pH 10.0. The fibril formation was
      confirmed by various techniques such as turbidity measurements, Rayleigh light
      scattering, dye binding assays and far UV circular dichroism. The Dynamic light
      scattering confirmed the formation of aggregates by measuring the hydrodynamic
      radii pattern. Moreover, microscopic techniques were performed to analyze the
      morphology of fibrils. The aggregation behavior may be due to variation in number
      of charged amino acid residues. The less negative charge developed at pH 10.0 may
      be responsible for aggregation. This work helps to overcome the aggregation
      related problems of stem bromelain during formulations in pharmaceutical
      industry. 

PMID- 27259643
TI  - Evaluation of combined B cell specific N-terminal immunogenic domains of LipL21
      for diagnosis of leptospirosis.
AB  - Leptospiral outer membrane protein LipL21 and its truncated N-terminal
      immunogenic region (I-LipL21) were evaluated for diagnosis of leptospirosis. The
      complete coding sequence of LipL21 nucleotide sequence was subjected to BCPred
      and VaxiJen analysis for determination of B cell specific immunogenic epitopes.
      Epitope1 ACS STD TGQ KDA TTV GDG (1.8837), Epitope2 WGG PPE QRN DGK TPR DTN
      (0.9483), Epitope3 VKG VGV YEC KAT GSG SDP (1.4077) and Epitope4 NEW ECQ CVI YAK
      FPG GKD (0.4462) were predicted. LipL21 and N-terminal fragment having B-cell
      specific epitopes with higher VaxiJen score >0.9 as truncated I-LipL21 were
      cloned independently in pET15b and expressed in Escherichia coli. IgM ELISA and
      dot blot assay was performed for sera samples collected from Delhi-NCR for
      leptospiral whole cell lysate (WCL), recombinant LipL21 and I-LipL21. The
      sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative
      predictive value (NPV) were found to be 92.5%, 92.8%, 83.3%, and 97% respectively
      for recombinant I-LipL21 by IgM-ELISA. 11-14.8% increased sensitivity was
      observed over LipL21 and WCL. The I-LipL21 dot blot assay showed a further
      increased sensitivity of 3.8% over the IgM-ELISA. Therefore I-LipL21 may be the
      ideal candidate protein for diagnosis of leptospirosis. 

PMID- 27259644
TI  - Thermo- and salt-tolerant chitosan cross-linked gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase
      from Bacillus licheniformis ER15.
AB  - Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase enzyme, from Bacillus licheniformis ER15 (BLGGT),
      was produced extracellularly using a complex medium with high enzyme titers.
      Enzyme was concentrated and purified using ultra-filtration and ion exchange
      chromatography, respectively, with a purification fold of 4.6 and 50.11% yield.
      Enzyme was covalently immobilized onto chitosan microspheres (CMS).
      Immobilization was standardized with respect to pH, enzyme load and time.
      Immobilization efficiency of 11.9U/mg dry weight of microsphere was obtained in
      Tris-HCl buffer (pH 9.0) at 18 degrees C in 4h. Immobilized enzyme (CMS-GGT)
      exhibited improved thermal stability (t1/2 of 70.7min at 60 degrees C), activity
      in a broader pH range and improved salt stability in 18% (3M) sodium chloride
      solution as compared to free enzyme. Both free and immobilized enzymes
      specifically converted glutamine to glutamic acid in a mixture of amino acids.
      CMS-GGT had a better shelf life and high recyclability retaining 90% catalytic
      efficiency upto 10 reaction cycles. For long-term storage, CMS-GGT can be
      disinfected using either sodium azide or sodium hypochlorite solution without
      affecting enzyme activity. Thus, the present study provides an easy and efficient
      method for GGT enzyme immobilization that results in an improved and robust
      enzyme preparation. 

PMID- 27259645
TI  - Chitosan-derived carbonaceous material for highly efficient adsorption of
      chromium (VI) from aqueous solution.
AB  - A carbonaceous adsorbent for effectively removing Cr(VI) was synthesized by
      facile hydrothermal carbonization of chitosan (HTC-chitosan). The prepared HTC
      chitosan exhibited good stability in acid solution while the amine groups were
      retained completely after simple and green hydrothermal carbonization treatment.
      Structure characteristics of the HTC-chitosan as well as its adsorption behaviors
      for Cr(VI) in aqueous solution were investigated. Under optimal conditions, the
      adsorption capacity of the HTC-chitosan for Cr(VI) reached as high as 388.60mgg(
      1), which was much higher than that of other materials reported previously. The
      prepared HTC-chitosan adsorbent could be reused at least five times with
      adsorption efficiency more than 92%. These results indicate that HTC-chitosan
      exhibited great superiority for Cr(VI) adsoption from aqueous solution both in
      terms of the preparation process and adsorption performance. 

PMID- 27259646
TI  - Extraction, characterization and antioxidant activity of water-soluble
      polysaccharides from Tuber huidongense.
AB  - Single-factor experiment and Box-Behnken design were employed to optimize the
      ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of water-soluble polysaccharides from
      Chinese truffle Tuber huidongense (THWP). The optimal extraction conditions with
      an extraction yield of 7.17+/-0.22% crude THWP were determined as follows:
      ultrasonic power 99.65W, extraction time 40.39min, ratio of water to raw material
      24.65mL/g, and extraction temperature 70.1 degrees C. Two purified fractions,
      THWP-1 and THWP-2 with molecular weights of 128kDa and 729kDa, respectively, were
      obtained from crude THWP by Cellulose DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100 chromatography.
      Monosaccharide component analysis by high performance liquid chromatography
      (HPLC) indicated that THWP-1 was composed of Glc, Man, and Gal with their
      corresponding mole percentages of 60.56%, 20.12% and 19.32%, respectively and
      that THWP-2 contained only Glc. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity in vitro
      suggested that THWP-1 and THWP-2 had effective scavenging activity of 2,2'
      azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonicacid) (ABST), hydroxyl and 1,1-diphenyl
      2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Accordingly, the polysaccharides from Chinese
      truffle might serve as a natural antioxidant in functional foods. 

PMID- 27259647
TI  - Production of bioactive conjugated linoleic acid by the multifunctional enolase
      from Lactobacillus plantarum.
AB  - Lactobacillus plantarum alpha-enolase, a multifunctional-anchorless-surface
      protein belonging to the conserved family of enolases with a central role in
      glycolytic metabolism, was characterized to have a side role in the intricate
      metabolism of biohydrogenation of linoleic acid, catalyzing the formation of
      bioactive 9-cis-11-trans-CLA through dehydration and isomerization of 10-hydroxy
      12-cis-octadecenoic acid. The identity of the enolase was confirmed through mass
      spectrometric analysis that showed the characteristic 442 amino acid sequence
      with a molecular mass of 48.03kDa. The enolase was not capable of using linoleic
      acid directly as a substrate but instead uses its hydroxyl derivative 10-hydroxi
      12-cis-octadecenoic acid to finally form bioactive conjugated linoleic acid.
      Biochemical optimization studies were carried out to elucidate the conditions for
      maximum production of 9-cis-11-trans-CLA and maximum stability of alpha-enolase
      when catalyzing this reaction. Furthermore, through structural analysis of the
      protein, we propose the binding sites of substrate and product molecules that
      were characterized as two hydrophobic superficial pockets located at opposite
      ends of the enolase connected through a channel where the catalysis of
      dehydration and isomerization might occur. These results prove that
      multifunctional alpha-enolase also plays a role in cell detoxification from
      polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid, along with the linoleate
      isomerase complex. 

PMID- 27259648
TI  - Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of intracellular polysaccharide from
      Pleurotus eryngii SI-04.
AB  - In present study, the intracellular polysaccharide (IPS) and its two fractions of
      IPS-1 and IPS-2 were obtained and purified by DEAE-52 cellulose chromatography
      from Pleurotus eryngii SI-04 mycelia, and their hepatoprotective effects were
      also investigated. The results showed that the IPS-2 had superior
      hepatoprotective effects by increasing the serum enzyme activities and bilirubin
      (BIL) levels, decreasing the serum albumin (ALB) and triglyceride (TG) levels,
      improving the hepatic antioxidant status, and ameliorating the hepatic structure
      damage. Furthermore, the monosaccharide composition and main bond types were also
      analyzed. These conclusions demonstrated that the both IPS and its fractions
      might be suitable for functional foods and natural drugs in preventing the acute
      liver damage. 

PMID- 27259649
TI  - Defluoridation of water by Tea-bag model using La(3+) modified synthetic
      resin@chitosan biocomposite.
AB  - The aim of this work is to gain a better understanding of the formation of
      lanthanum complex onto iminodiacetic acid and chitosan (CS@La-IDAMP) composite
      for effective removal of fluoride from aqueous solution using a tea-bag model for
      the first time. The surface textural and chemical properties of the synthesized
      composites were characterized by FTIR, SEM with EDAX and mapping images. The
      experimental data revealed that the fluoride adsorption was rapid, maximum
      fluoride removal could be removed within 12min contact time at neutral pH in room
      temperature under batch equilibrium model. The equilibrium data for adsorption of
      fluoride on the synthesized blends were well represented by the Freundlich
      isotherm, giving a maximum adsorption capacity of 17.50mg/g. The adsorption
      kinetic models were also examined and it was found that all the sorption
      processes were better described by the pseudo-second-order model. This results
      suggested that the efficiency of the fluoride removal process was mainly
      controlled by electrostatic attraction and ion-exchange mechanism. Furthermore,
      the CS@La-IDAMP material was tested for the regeneration ability with the
      suitable regenerant to make this process as cost-effective. Finally, it can be
      concluded that the composite material is the potential adsorbent for the
      treatment of fluoride from water. 

PMID- 27259650
TI  - Role of Au(III) coordination by polymer in "green" synthesis of gold
      nanoparticles using chitosan derivatives.
AB  - Here we report "green" synthesis of gold nanoparticles in solutions of
      heterocyclic chitosan derivatives (N-(4-imidazolyl)methylchitosan (IMC), N-2-(2
      pyridyl)ethylchitosan (2-PEC), and N-2-(4-pyridyl)ethylchitosan (4-PEC)) and show
      how efficiency of Au(III) binding to polymer influences the Au(III) reduction
      rate and the size of the gold nanoparticles formed using only the reducing power
      of these chitosan derivatives. Rheology measurements and (1)H NMR spectroscopy
      data have confirmed that cleavage of glycosidic bond is a common mechanism of
      reducing species generation in solutions of chitosan and its N-heterocyclic
      derivatives. However, the emerging additional reducing species in 2-PEC and 4-PEC
      solutions due to vinylpyridine elimination promotes Au(III) reduction and gold
      nanoparticles growth despite lower efficiency of glycosidic bond cleavage in
      pyridyl derivatives. The decrease of the average size of gold nanoparticles in
      the row chitosan>2-PEC>IMC supported assumption that the increase of ligand
      nucleophilicity and stability of Au(III)-polymer complex results in formation of
      smaller nanoparticles. 

PMID- 27259651
TI  - Factors Affecting Quality of Life at Different Intervals After Treatment of
      Localized Prostate Cancer: Unique Influence of Treatment Decision Making
      Satisfaction, Personality and Sexual Functioning.
AB  - PURPOSE: Using patient reported outcomes measures we identified the most
      informative set of factors associated with quality of life in a large sample of
      men treated for localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined
      relationships with quality of life using FACIT (Functional Assessment of Chronic
      Illness Therapy). We also hypothesized variables in a sample of men diagnosed
      with localized prostate cancer who represented different time points since
      treatment, including less than 12 months in 70, 1 to 3 years in 344, greater than
      3 to 5 years in 291 and greater than 5 years in 97. Correlative measures included
      subscales of MAX-PC (Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer), short forms of
      PROMIS(r) and SOMS (Surgical Outcomes Measurement System), TDM-SATS (Treatment
      Decision-Making Satisfaction Scale) and subscales of the BFI (Big Five Inventory)
      of personality. RESULTS: Quality of life was significantly associated with
      hypothesized variables across different time cohorts. In regression models
      several factors accounted for most of the variability in quality of life scores
      depending on time since treatment, including 47%, 22%, 29% and 27% at less than
      12 months, 1 to 3 years, greater than 3 to 5 years and greater than 5 years,
      respectively. Upon examining the unique contribution of these variables,
      treatment decision making satisfaction was the only variable to have a
      significant and unique contribution to quality of life across all 4 time cohorts
      (standardized coefficients 0.33, 0.27, 0.31 and 0.49, respectively, p <0.01). In
      the cohort with 1 to 3 years since treatment erectile function and neurotic
      personality style also had unique associations with quality of life (standardized
      coefficients 0.25 and -0.20, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: When considering the
      short-term and the longer term quality of life of a man after treatment for
      localized prostate cancer, our findings highlight the importance of treatment
      decision making satisfaction, erectile function and personality.

PMID- 27259652
TI  - The Effect of Staged Transverse Preputial Island Flap Urethroplasty for Proximal
      Hypospadias with Severe Chordee.
AB  - PURPOSE: We compare the effects of staged tranverse preputial island flap
      urethroplasty and the Byars 2-stage procedure in patients with proximal
      hypospadias and severe chordee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 87 consecutive
      children referred for proximal hypospadias with severe chordee between March 2011
      and March 2014. Of the cases 42 were repaired with staged tranverse preputial
      island flap (group 1) and 45 were managed by 2-stage Byars urethroplasty (group
      2). Mean +/- SD age at first stage surgery was 26.6 +/- 13.3 months in group 1
      and 24.8 +/- 14.7 months in group 2. Postoperative complications in both groups
      were assessed regarding fistulas, urethral strictures, diverticula, meatal
      stenosis and glanular dehiscence. RESULTS: After the second stage 2 patients
      (4.8%) in group 1 and 10 (23.2%) in group 2 had urethrocutaneous fistulas (p
      <0.05). One patient (2.4%) in group 1 and 2 patients (4.4%) in group 2 had
      urethral strictures (p >0.05). All patients with stricture were cured by repeated
      dilation and no patient required reoperation. One patient (2.4%) in group 1 and
      no patient in group 2 had diverticulum (p >0.05). No patient in either group had
      signs or symptoms of meatal stenosis or residual chordee. Three patients (7.1%)
      in group 1 and 12 (26.7%) in group 2 needed reoperation (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Two-stage urethroplasty, particularly tranverse preputial island flap partial
      urethroplasty, is appropriate for treating patients with proximal hypospadias and
      severe chordee. Use of the tranverse preputial island flap can decrease
      complications associated with the second stage and significantly improve the
      success rate.

PMID- 27259653
TI  - Factors Impacting the Occurrence of Local, Distant and Atypical Recurrences after
      Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy: A Detailed Analysis of 310 Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Peritoneal carcinomatosis and extrapelvic lymph node metastases can be
      seen following robot-assisted radical cystectomy. In an attempt to identify
      predictors of these atypical metastases we report a detailed analysis of patients
      treated with robot-assisted radical cystectomy in whom recurrences developed.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 310 patients underwent robot-assisted radical
      cystectomy for bladder cancer from 2001 to 2015. Descriptive statistics were used
      to compare baseline variables between patients without recurrence and those with
      local, distant or atypical recurrence. Univariate and multivariable regression
      models were used to assess the effect of variables on oncologic outcomes
      including recurrence location. RESULTS: At a median followup of 24 months (IQR 14
      51) 81 patients had recurrence. On multivariable analysis tumor classification,
      lymphovascular invasion, estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60
      ml/minute/1.73 m2 and perioperative blood transfusion were significantly
      associated with any recurrence. Specific analyses showed that tumor and nodal
      classification, lymphovascular invasion and positive surgical margins were
      associated with all 3 recurrence locations (all p <0.05). Previous abdominal
      surgery was protective against atypical recurrences (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.13-0.95, p
      = 0.04). Estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 ml/minute/1.73 m2 and
      perioperative blood transfusion conferred a higher risk of distant or atypical
      recurrence but not of local recurrence (all p <0.05). Operative time and previous
      pelvic radiotherapy were not associated with any recurrence locations.
      CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of distant recurrences, peritoneal carcinomatosis and
      extrapelvic lymph node metastases after robot-assisted radical cystectomy did not
      significantly differ and were mainly dictated by pathological tumor
      characteristics. Results suggest that the risk of atypical recurrence is chiefly
      influenced by tumor biology rather than surgical aspects.

PMID- 27259654
TI  - Preventive Effects of Long-Term Caloric Restriction on Aging Related In Vivo
      Bladder Dysfunction and Molecular Biological Changes in the Bladder and Dorsal
      Root Ganglia in Rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: We evaluated aging related bladder dysfunctions and biological changes
      in the bladder and dorsal root ganglia in rats. We also investigated whether long
      term caloric restriction may have preventive effects on these changes. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Male Fischer 344 rats were divided into a young group (age 6 months)
      and an old group (age 25 to 28 months), each with free access to normal food, and
      an old group (age 25 to 28 months) with food restricted to 3 days per week.
      Conscious cystometry, cDNA microarray analysis, immunohistochemistry and
      oxidative stress measurements of the bladder and dorsal root ganglia were
      performed. RESULTS: The old group with free access to normal food showed higher
      threshold pressure, more nonvoiding contractions and lower bladder compliance
      than the young group with free access to food. Old rats with free access showed
      greater post-void residual volume and lower voiding efficiency than old rats with
      caloric restriction and young rats. In the old group with free access 83 genes in
      the bladder and 48 in the L6 dorsal root ganglia were up-regulated compared with
      old rats with caloric restriction and young rats. These genes were mostly related
      to immune and inflammatory responses. Immunohistochemistry showed stronger
      expression of the immune response protease Gzm (granzyme) B and the collagenase
      Mmp13 (matrix metalloproteinase-13) in the bladder of old rats with free access
      vs old rats with caloric restriction and young rats. The level of
      malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress marker, was higher in the bladder of old
      rats with free access than in young rats but there was no difference between old
      rats with caloric restriction and young rats with free access to food.
      CONCLUSIONS: In rats aging leads to storage and voiding dysfunctions associated
      with immune and inflammatory related responses in the bladder and dorsal root
      ganglia, and with increased oxidative stress in the bladder. Caloric restriction
      reduced these aging related changes.

PMID- 27259655
TI  - Biomarkers for Wilms Tumor: A Systematic Review.
AB  - PURPOSE: Wilms tumor is the most common childhood renal malignancy and the fourth
      most common childhood cancer. Many biomarkers have been studied but there has
      been no comprehensive summary. We systematically reviewed the literature on
      biomarkers in Wilms tumor to quantify the prognostic implications of the presence
      of individual tumor markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched for English
      language studies from 1980 to 2015 performed in patients younger than 18 years
      with Wilms tumor and prognostic data. The protocol was conducted per PRISMA
      (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.
      Two reviewers abstracted data in duplicate using a standard evaluation form. We
      performed descriptive statistics, then calculated relative risks and 95%
      confidence intervals for markers appearing in multiple level II or III studies.
      RESULTS: A total of 40 studies were included examining 32 biomarkers in 7,381
      patients with Wilms tumor. Studies had a median of 61 patients, 24 biomarker
      positive patients per series and a median followup of 68.4 months. Median
      percentages of patients with stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 tumors were 28.5%, 26.4%,
      24.5%, 14.1% and 1.7%, respectively, and 10.2% had anaplasia. The strongest
      negative prognostic association was loss of heterozygosity at 11p15, with a risk
      of recurrence of 5.00, although loss of heterozygosity at 1p and gain of function
      at 1q were also strongly linked to increased recurrence (2.93 and 2.86,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Several tumor markers are associated with an
      increased risk of recurrence or a decreased risk of overall survival in patients
      with Wilms tumor. These data suggest targets for development of diagnostic tests
      and potential therapies.

PMID- 27259657
TI  - The Orthology Ontology: development and applications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Computational comparative analysis of multiple genomes provides
      valuable opportunities to biomedical research. In particular, orthology analysis
      can play a central role in comparative genomics; it guides establishing
      evolutionary relations among genes of organisms and allows functional inference
      of gene products. However, the wide variations in current orthology databases
      necessitate the research toward the shareability of the content that is generated
      by different tools and stored in different structures. Exchanging the content
      with other research communities requires making the meaning of the content
      explicit. DESCRIPTION: The need for a common ontology has led to the creation of
      the Orthology Ontology (ORTH) following the best practices in ontology
      construction. Here, we describe our model and major entities of the ontology that
      is implemented in the Web Ontology Language (OWL), followed by the assessment of
      the quality of the ontology and the application of the ORTH to existing orthology
      datasets. This shareable ontology enables the possibility to develop Linked
      Orthology Datasets and a meta-predictor of orthology through standardization for
      the representation of orthology databases. The ORTH is freely available in OWL
      format to all users at http://purl.org/net/orth . CONCLUSIONS: The Orthology
      Ontology can serve as a framework for the semantic standardization of orthology
      content and it will contribute to a better exploitation of orthology resources in
      biomedical research. The results demonstrate the feasibility of developing
      shareable datasets using this ontology. Further applications will maximize the
      usefulness of this ontology.

PMID- 27259659
TI  - A researcher's ethical dilemma: Is self-plagiarism a condemnable practice or not?

PMID- 27259658
TI  - Implementing resources to support the diagnosis and management of Chronic Fatigue
      Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in primary care: A qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous research has highlighted that many GPs lack the confidence
      and knowledge to diagnose and manage people with CFS/ME. Following the
      development of an online training module for GPs, and an information pack and DVD
      for patients, this study explored the extent to which these resources can be
      implemented in routine primary care. METHODS: Semi structured qualitative
      interviews were completed with patients and GPs across North West England. All
      interviews were transcribed and analysed using open exploratory thematic coding.
      Following this thematic analysis, the authors conducted a further theory-driven
      analysis of the data guided by Normalisation Process Theory. RESULTS: When used
      in line with advice from the research team, the information resource and training
      were perceived as beneficial to both patients and GPs in the diagnosis and
      management of CFS/ME. However, 47 % of patients in this study did not receive the
      information pack from their GP. When the information pack was used, it was often
      incomplete, sent in the post, and GPs did not work with patients to discuss the
      materials. Only13 out of 21 practices completed the training module due to time
      pressures and the low priority placed on low prevalence, contentious, hard to
      manage conditions. When the module was completed, many GPs stated that it was not
      feasible to retain the key messages as they saw so few patients with the
      condition. Due to the complexity of the condition, GPs also believed that the
      diagnosis and management of CFS/ME should take place in a specialist care
      setting. CONCLUSION: While barriers to the implementation of training and
      resources for CFS/ME remain, there is a need to support CFS/ME patients to access
      reliable, evidence based information outside primary care. Our findings suggest
      that future research should develop an online resource for patients to support
      self-management.

PMID- 27259660
TI  - Usage patterns and attitudes towards emergency contraception: the International
      Emergency Contraception Research Initiative.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the survey was to gain understanding of women's usage
      patterns and attitudes towards emergency contraception (i.e., the 'morning after
      pill') and to gain insight into the role and attitudes of pharmacists as
      providers of emergency contraception. METHODS: As part of the International
      Emergency Contraception Research Initiative, approximately 6500 women (15-49
      years) and nearly 500 pharmacists from 14 countries in Western, Central and
      Eastern Europe, and Central Asia completed questionnaires via web-based
      interrogation or computer-assisted/paper-assisted personal interviews. RESULTS:
      Common to almost all countries and cultures was that, while awareness of
      emergency contraception was high (>=84% of respondents, except in Kazakhstan),
      usage was generally low (4-18%). In Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, and the
      UK, better underlying protection with hormonal contraceptives or male condoms
      would have meant less need for emergency contraception. In Bulgaria, Lithuania,
      Romania, and Russia, greater dependence on less reliable contraceptive methods
      such as calendar + withdrawal was associated with higher use of the emergency
      contraceptive pill (11-18%) but also with higher abortion rates (19-21%). Overt
      rejection of emergency contraception in the event of an accident was low, except
      in countries (e.g., Austria, Poland) where the misperception that it acts as an
      abortifacient was common. Except for Bulgaria, pharmacists elsewhere tended to
      have limited knowledge and moralistic attitudes towards emergency contraception.
      CONCLUSIONS: Improved educational efforts, probably country-specific, are
      required to increase the use of highly effective methods of regular contraception
      and overcome barriers to acceptance of emergency contraception as a suitable
      postcoital solution to avoid unwanted pregnancy or abortion.

PMID- 27259661
TI  - Characterization of the complete mitogenomes of two Neoscona spiders (Araneae:
      Araneidae) and its phylogenetic implications.
AB  - The complete mitogenomes of two orb-weaving spiders Neoscona doenitzi and
      Neoscona nautica were determined and a comparative mitogenomic analysis was
      performed to depict evolutionary trends of spider mitogenomes. The circular
      mitogenomes are 14,161bp with A+T content of 74.6% in N. doenitzi and 14,049bp
      with A+T content of 78.8% in N. nautica, respectively. Both mitogenomes contain a
      standard set of 37 genes typically presented in metazoans. Gene content and
      orientation are identical to all previously sequenced spider mitogenomes, while
      gene order is rearranged by tRNAs translocation when compared with the putative
      ancestral gene arrangement pattern presented by Limulus polyphemus. A comparative
      mitogenomic analysis reveals that the nucleotide composition bias is obviously
      divergent between spiders in suborder Opisthothelae and Mesothelae. The loss of D
      arm in the trnS(UCN) among all of Opisthothelae spiders highly suggested that
      this common feature is a synapomorphy for entire suborder Opisthothelae.
      Moreover, the trnS(AGN) in araneoids preferred to use TCT as an anticodon rather
      than the typical anticodon GCT. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 13 protein
      coding gene sequences consistently yields trees that nest the two Neoscona
      spiders within Araneidae and recover superfamily Araneoidea as a monophyletic
      group. The molecular information acquired from the results of this study should
      be very useful for future research on mitogenomic evolution and genetic
      diversities in spiders. 

PMID- 27259662
TI  - Old genes experience stronger translational selection than young genes.
AB  - Selection on synonymous codon usage for translation efficiency and/or accuracy
      has been identified as a widespread mechanism in many living organisms. However,
      it remains unknown whether translational selection associates closely with gene
      age and acts differentially on genes with different evolutionary ages. To address
      this issue, here we investigate the strength of translational selection acting on
      different aged genes in human. Our results show that old genes present stronger
      translational selection than young genes, demonstrating that translational
      selection correlates positively with gene age. We further explore the difference
      of translational selection in duplicates vs. singletons and in housekeeping vs.
      tissue-specific genes. We find that translational selection acts comparably in
      old singletons and old duplicates and stronger translational selection in old
      genes is contributed primarily by housekeeping genes. For young genes,
      contrastingly, singletons experience stronger translational selection than
      duplicates, presumably due to redundant function of duplicated genes during their
      early evolutionary stage. Taken together, our results indicate that translational
      selection acting on a gene would not be constant during all stages of evolution,
      associating closely with gene age. 

PMID- 27259663
TI  - Identification of the first multi-exonic WDR72 deletion in isolated amelogenesis
      imperfecta, and generation of a WDR72-specific copy number screening tool.
AB  - Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous
      disorder of tooth development which is due to aberrant deposition or composition
      of enamel. Both syndromic and isolated forms exist; they may be inherited in an X
      linked, autosomal recessive, or autosomal dominant manner. WDR72 is one of ten
      currently known genes for recessive isolated AI; nine WDR72 mutations affecting
      single nucleotides have been described to date. Based on whole exome sequencing
      in a large consanguineous AI pedigree, we obtained evidence for presence of a
      multi-exonic WDR72 deletion. A home-made multiplex ligation-dependent probe
      amplification assay was used to confirm the aberration, to narrow its extent, and
      to identify heterozygous carriers. Our study extends the mutational spectrum for
      WDR72 to include large deletions, and supports a relevance of the previously
      proposed loss-of-function mechanism. It also introduces an easy-to-use and highly
      sensitive tool for detecting WDR72 copy number alterations. 

PMID- 27259664
TI  - Sequence data mining in search of hookworm (Necator americanus) microRNAs.
AB  - The new world hookworm, Necator americanus is a soil-transmitted nematode
      responsible for Necatoriasis (a type of helminthiasis) in hosts such as humans,
      dogs, and cats. N. americanus genome and transcriptome has been sequenced and a
      draft assembly analysis has been published highlighting protein coding genes and
      possible drug target proteins. Hookworm microRNA identification, annotations and
      their public release is yet to be attempted. The same is evident from lack of
      hookworm miRNA information in related popular public nucleotide sequence
      repositories such as miRBase, GenBank, WormBase etc. Therefore, in the present
      study we addressed these issues using EST and assembled transcript sequence
      information of hookworm. Using computational approaches, we identified three
      miRNAs precursor sequences and their mature forms. We also identified their
      potential targets from hookworm ESTs and transcripts, and from human
      transcriptome. Overall, the results indicate presence of nematode specific miRNA
      homologs in N. americanus and shades light on their putative targets in worm
      itself and the human host. 

PMID- 27259665
TI  - Analysis of the structure, evolution, and expression of CD24, an important
      regulator of cell fate.
AB  - BACKGROUND: CD24 is a small, glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored cell surface
      receptor, expressed in a variety of cells types and tissues. CD24 gene and
      protein expression is highly dynamic in response to cellular differentiation and
      stimulation in a cell-specific manner. Furthermore, CD24 interacts with a diverse
      collection of ligands, including cell adhesion molecules such as P-selectin, and
      the immune-associated siglec family of transmembrane proteins. While much is
      known regarding the biological roles of CD24 in regulating cell survival, death
      and differentiation, little is known about the evolution and organization of CD24
      across species or the relationship between CD24 expression and its known ligands.
      RESULTS: We analyzed the organization and evolution of the CD24 gene from 56
      mammalian, avian and reptilian species. We further examined the mRNA expression
      of CD24 and its known ligands in Mus musculus in immune cells, immunologically
      privileged tissues, developing brain, and developing and regenerating liver. CD24
      arose prior to the reptilian-avian divergence and is conserved across many
      mammalian species, although we were unable to identify CD24 in marsupials or
      monotremes. The CD24 genomic structure is diverse between and within species,
      with varying numbers of exons, introns, and the presence of untranslated regions.
      Of note, we found no obvious criteria distinguishing CD24 genes from those
      annotated as CD24-like. The expression of CD24 is similarly complex, with immune
      cells showing dynamic changes in mRNA levels during development, while
      immunologically privileged and developing tissues show a high, static expression
      level that decreases in mature tissues. Furthermore, the expression of CD24
      correlated with some but not all of its known ligands in a tissues-specific
      manner, suggesting that novel ligands have yet to be identified and that cell
      specific ligand expression can influence CD24 function. CONCLUSIONS: We find that
      CD24 arose prior to the divergence of reptiles, birds and mammals. Furthermore,
      the most highly conserved areas of the protein are the amino acids which can be
      glycosylated. We also find that CD24 expression is highly tissue-specific and in
      many cases, not well conserved with known CD24 ligands, suggesting yet-unknown
      CD24-ligand interactions. Together, these data are a valuable resource for
      furthering studies in CD24 biology.

PMID- 27259656
TI  - Cervical cancer prevention and treatment research in Africa: a systematic review
      from a public health perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women living in Africa experience the highest burden of cervical
      cancer. Research and investment to improve vaccination, screening, and treatment
      efforts are critically needed. We systematically reviewed and characterized
      recent research within a broader public health framework to organize and assess
      the range of cervical cancer research in Africa. METHODS: We searched online
      databases and the Internet for published articles and cervical cancer reports in
      African countries. Inclusion criteria included publication between 2004 and 2014,
      cervical cancer-related content pertinent to one of the four public health
      categories (primary, secondary, tertiary prevention or quality of life), and
      conducted in or specifically relevant to countries or regions within the African
      continent. The study design, geographic region/country, focus of research, and
      key findings were documented for each eligible article and summarized to
      illustrate the weight and research coverage in each area. Publications with more
      than one focus (e.g. secondary and tertiary prevention) were categorized by the
      primary emphasis of the paper. Research specific to HIV-infected women or focused
      on feasibility issues was delineated within each of the four public health
      categories. RESULTS: A total of 380 research articles/reports were included. The
      majority (54.6 %) of cervical cancer research in Africa focused on secondary
      prevention (i.e., screening). The number of publication focusing on primary
      prevention (23.4 %), particularly HPV vaccination, increased significantly in the
      past decade. Research regarding the treatment of precancerous lesions and
      invasive cervical cancer is emerging (17.6 %), but infrastructure and feasibility
      challenges in many countries have impeded efforts to provide and evaluate
      treatment. Studies assessing aspects of quality of life among women living with
      cervical cancer are severely limited (4.1 %). Across all categories, 11.3 % of
      publications focused on cervical cancer among HIV-infected women, while 17.1 %
      focused on aspects of feasibility for cervical cancer control efforts.
      CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cancer research in African countries has increased steadily
      over the past decade, but more is needed. Tertiary prevention (i.e. treatment of
      disease with effective medicine) and quality of life of cervical cancer survivors
      are two severely under-researched areas. Similarly, there are several countries
      in Africa with little to no research ever conducted on cervical cancer.

PMID- 27259666
TI  - Sex differences in DNA methylation and expression in zebrafish brain: a test of
      an extended 'male sex drive' hypothesis.
AB  - The sex drive hypothesis predicts that stronger selection on male traits has
      resulted in masculinization of the genome. Here we test whether such
      masculinizing effects can be detected at the level of the transcriptome and
      methylome in the adult zebrafish brain. Although methylation is globally similar,
      we identified 914 specific differentially methylated CpGs (DMCs) between males
      and females (435 were hypermethylated and 479 were hypomethylated in males
      compared to females). These DMCs were prevalent in gene body, intergenic regions
      and CpG island shores. We also discovered 15 distinct CpG clusters with striking
      sex-specific DNA methylation differences. In contrast, at transcriptome level,
      more female-biased genes than male-biased genes were expressed, giving little
      support for the male sex drive hypothesis. Our study provides genome-wide
      methylome and transcriptome assessment and sheds light on sex-specific epigenetic
      patterns and in zebrafish for the first time. 

PMID- 27259667
TI  - Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and cytokeratin 20 expressions and their
      relation to prognostic variables in bladder cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumor grade and stage are currently the most important prognostic
      variables in bladder cancer but establishing additional criteria is still needed
      for effective treatment. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the
      expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and cytokeratin 20
      (CK20) in cancer bladder (CB) and to evaluate their association with the
      clinicopathological features of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study
      included 80 patients diagnosed as bladder cancer of different stages and grades
      and 80 patients with nonmalignant urothelial diseases of matched age and sex to
      the malignant group. The expressions of FGFR1 and CK20 in tissue samples were
      determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The expression levels of
      FGFR1 and CK20 were increased in the malignant group when compared to the control
      group (P<0.001 for each). Analysis of their expression showed that levels of
      FGFR1 and CK20 were significantly higher in invasive tumor stages (pT2-pT4) than
      in non-invasive stages (pTis, pTa, pT1) (P<0.001). Interestingly, the sensitivity
      and specificity of combined detection with CK20 and FGFR1 for the differentiation
      between invasive and non-invasive stages of bladder cancer reached 97.5% and
      92.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results determined overexpression of both
      FGFR1 and CK20 in CB specimens. The alterations in the expression of FGFR1 and
      CK20 were associated with disease stage and grade. Lastly, combined detection of
      FGFR1 and CK20 had a high predictive prognostic value in differentiating invasive
      from non-invasive carcinoma.

PMID- 27259668
TI  - Gene expression regulation in the plant growth promoting Bacillus atrophaeus UCMB
      5137 stimulated by maize root exudates.
AB  - Despite successful use of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in
      agriculture, little is known about specific mechanisms of gene regulation
      facilitating the effective communication between bacteria and plants during plant
      colonization. Active PGPR strain Bacillus atrophaeus UCMB-5137 was studied in
      this research. RNA sequencing profiles were generated in experiments where root
      exudate stimulations were used to mimic interactions between bacteria and plants.
      It was found that the gene regulation in B. atrophaeus UCMB-5137 in response to
      the root exudate stimuli differed from the reported gene regulation at similar
      conditions in B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42, which was considered as a paradigm
      PGPR. This difference was explained by hypersensitivity of UCMB-5137 to the root
      exudate stimuli impelling it to a sessile root colonization behavior through the
      CcpA-CodY-AbrB regulation. It was found that the transcriptional factor DegU also
      could play an important role in gene regulations during plant colonization. A
      significant stress caused by the root exudates on in vitro cultivated B.
      atrophaeus UCMB-5137 was noticed and discussed. Multiple cases of conflicted gene
      regulations showed scantiness of our knowledge on the regulatory network in
      Bacillus. Some of these conflicted regulations could be explained by interference
      of non-coding RNA (ncRNA). Search through differential expressed intergenic
      regions revealed 49 putative loci of ncRNA regulated by the root exudate stimuli.
      Possible target mRNA were predicted and a general regulatory network of B.
      atrophaeus UCMB-5137 genome was designed. 

PMID- 27259672
TI  - The Biodefense Field.

PMID- 27259669
TI  - Shared care management of patients with type 2 diabetes across the primary and
      secondary healthcare sectors: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is growing globally and
      hospital-based outpatient clinics are burdened with increasing numbers of
      patients. To ensure high quality treatment and care, it is necessary to
      structurally reorganise the management of patients with T2D. The objective of
      this study is to test if T2D patients (who are at intermediate risk of or are
      already having incipient diabetic complications) jointly managed by a hospital
      based outpatient clinic and general practitioners (shared care programme) have a
      non-inferior outcome compared to an established programme in a specialised
      (hospital based) outpatient diabetes clinic. METHODS: The study is designed as a
      randomised controlled trial. The shared care model will be tested during a period
      of 3 years, with data collection at baseline and at 12, 24 and 36 months. All
      patients will be offered four medical visits a year; the shared care intervention
      consists of one annual comprehensive check-up at the outpatient clinic and three
      quarterly visits at the general practitioners' office. The control group will be
      followed with four quarterly visits at the outpatient clinic, including an annual
      comprehensive check-up. In the outpatient clinic, the patients will be treated by
      a specialised diabetes team, including an endocrinologist. On the basis of a
      predefined stratification model, we will recruit patients stratified to be at
      intermediate risk of or already having incipient diabetic complications. We plan
      to include 140 patients. The primary outcome is glycated haemoglobin. Other
      outcome measures include (1) the proportion of patients who meet the Danish
      standard indicators reflecting quality of care; (2) quality of life measured by
      Short Form 36; and (3) the functionality of the patients' families measured by
      Family Assessment Measure III. The experiences of the patients and families when
      participating in the shared care program will be explored by collecting dyadic
      interviews. DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate the quality of a shared care
      programme for patients with T2D, and provide evidence about advantages and
      disadvantages compared with a programme in a specialised outpatient clinic. The
      results may provide important information on how to organise the care for
      patients with T2D in the future. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered
      with Clinicaltrials.gov on 21 October 2015, registration number: NCT02586545 .

PMID- 27259671
TI  - Fast (40-150Hz) oscillations are associated with positive slow waves in the ictal
      EEGs of epileptic spasms in West syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the generative mechanisms of epileptic spasms (ESs) in
      West syndrome, we investigated the temporal relationship between scalp fast (40
      150Hz) oscillations (FOs) and slow waves in the ictal electroencephalograms
      (EEGs) of ESs. METHODS: In 11 infants with WS, ictal FOs were detected in a
      bipolar montage based on spectral and waveform criteria. Their temporal
      distribution was analyzed in terms of the positive peaks (trough point, TT) of
      identical EEG data in a referential montage. Among six EEG data sections defined
      according to TT, the number of FOs, peak power values, and peak frequencies were
      compared. RESULTS: We identified a total of 1014 FOs (946 gamma and 68 ripple
      oscillations), which clustered closely at TT. The number of gamma oscillations in
      the 1s epoch including TT was significantly higher than those in the prior and
      subsequent phases. Peak power values and frequencies tended to be higher in these
      positive phase sections. CONCLUSIONS: The temporal association of FO clustering
      and positive slow waves in the ictal EEGs of ES indicated that active neuronal
      firing related to FOs underlies the generation of ESs and their ictal slow waves.

PMID- 27259673
TI  - Enhancing Beyond What Ought to be the Case - A Conceptual Clarification.
AB  - In order to do justice to the intuition that medical treatments as such do not
      form proper instances of bio-enhancement, as the notion is employed in the
      ethical debate, we should construe bio-enhancements as interventions, which do
      not aim at states that, other things being equal, ought to obtain. In the light
      of this clarification, we come to see that cases of moral enhancement are not
      covered by the notion of bio-enhancement, properly construed.

PMID- 27259674
TI  - Safety of treatment with high-dose daptomycin in 102 patients with infective
      endocarditis.
AB  - Daptomycin is commonly used at doses >6 mg/kg/day for various indications,
      including infective endocarditis (IE). A systematic assessment of skeletal
      muscle, renal, haematological, hepatic and pulmonary toxicity of high-dose
      daptomycin (HDD) in IE is lacking. A total of 102 IE patients treated with HDD
      were included in this non-comparative, observational, single-centre cohort study
      conducted from 2007 to 2014. The incidence, timing, severity and evolution of
      adverse events (AEs) were assessed. Patients had a median age of 61.5 years and a
      high prevalence of co-morbidities. Staphylococci were cultured in 87.2% of cases
      (62.2% meticillin-resistant). The median daptomycin dose was 8.2 mg/kg/day for a
      median of 20 days (range, 1-60 days). HDD was withdrawn due to AEs in 12 patients
      (11.8%). On-treatment death occurred in 4 cases (3.9%, none HDD-related). Muscle
      toxicity occurred in 15 patients in a median of 15 days after HDD starts, which
      was largely mild and reversible with ongoing HDD use. Mild renal toxicity was
      observed in 9 patients (8.8%) after a median of 12 days of HDD (RIFLE-Risk in 8,
      Injury in 1). A rise of peripheral blood eosinophils occurred in 16 patients
      (15.7%). There were three cases of eosinophilic interstitial pneumonia. Four
      patients (3.9%) had mild allergic or idiosyncratic reactions. No other hepatic or
      haematological AEs were observed. Our current experience with 102 patients
      suggests that HDD is safe in significantly ill IE patients with multiple co
      morbidities. Muscle toxicity was clinically negligible. Most importantly, there
      was no significant renal toxicity. Eosinophils should be carefully monitored. 

PMID- 27259676
TI  - Prevention of recurrence of fluid collections in walled off pancreatic necrosis
      and disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome: Comparative study of one versus two
      long term transmural stents.

PMID- 27259675
TI  - Assessment of the vaginal residence time of biomarkers of semen exposure.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this pilot study is to determine and compare
      the residence time in the vagina of biomarkers of semen exposure for up to 15
      days post exposure. The biomarkers are prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Y
      chromosome DNA, the sex determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) and testis
      specific protein Y-encoded 4 (TSPY4). The secondary objectives are to determine
      if biomarker concentrations differed between intercourse and inoculation groups,
      to establish whether the sampling frequency post exposure affected biomarker
      concentrations and decay profile and to determine if biomarker concentrations in
      vaginal swabs obtained by the participant at home were similar to swabs obtained
      by the nurse in the clinic. STUDY DESIGN: We randomized healthy women to
      unprotected intercourse (n=17) versus vaginal inoculation with the male partner's
      semen in the clinic (n=16). Women were then further randomized to have vaginal
      swabs obtained at either 7 or 4 time points after semen exposure, up to 15 days
      post exposure, either obtained at home by the participant or in the clinic by the
      research nurse. RESULTS: PSA and SRY were markers of recent semen exposure. TSPY4
      was detectable in approximately 50% of participants at 15 days post exposure.
      Unprotected intercourse resulted in significantly higher concentrations of select
      biomarkers. Sampling frequency and home versus clinic sampling had no significant
      effect on biomarker concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Objective biomarkers of recent
      or distant semen exposure may have great utility for verifying protocol
      compliance in a variety of clinical trials.

PMID- 27259677
TI  - The "tight orbit": Incidence and management of the orbital compartment syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: The orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) constitutes a severe emergency,
      requiring immediate clinical diagnosis and surgical decompression. The key
      symptom is progressive visual impairment caused by an increase in intraorbital
      pressure, impairing the perfusion of relevant neurovascular and neurosensory
      structures. Intraorbital bleeding due to trauma and surgical intervention is
      known to be the main etiological factor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective
      analysis of all patients affected by an OCS between January 1, 2012, and May 31,
      2015, was performed. Patients' records were reviewed with regard to etiology,
      initial ophthalmologic status, fracture pattern, concomitant medication, surgical
      management, and postoperative outcome. The incidence of OCS was calculated based
      on the total number of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) emergencies. RESULTS: Within 3.5
      years, a total of 18,093 CMF emergencies were registered. In 16 patients, an OCS
      was documented, corresponding to an incidence of 0.088%. The mean patient age was
      67.31 +/- 23.86 years, ranging from 22 to 102 years. The etiology varied, but
      trauma with subsequent intraorbital bleeding was the main cause. The use of
      anticoagulative medication was documented in 50% of the cases. In 14 patients,
      immediate surgical orbital decompression was performed: in 10 patients, vision
      could be preserved; in three patients, blindness resulted; and one patient was
      lost to follow-up. Two patients were managed without surgery. CONCLUSION: With
      regard to the total number of CMF emergencies, OCS is a rare condition. Early
      clinical diagnosis and surgical decompression are required to prevent permanent
      vision impairment. Anticoagulative medication must be considered as a
      predisposing factor for an orbital compartment syndrome in patients affected by
      periorbital trauma.

PMID- 27259678
TI  - Perioperative risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications after major
      oral and maxillofacial surgery with microvascular reconstruction: A retrospective
      analysis of 648 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are common and result in
      prolonged hospital stays, higher costs and increased mortality. However, data on
      the incidence and predictors of PPCs after major oral and maxillofacial surgery
      with microvascular reconstruction are rare. This retrospective analysis
      identifies perioperative risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications
      (PPCs) after major oral and maxillofacial surgery with microvascular
      reconstruction. METHODS: Perioperative data and patient records of 648 subjects
      were analyzed in the period of June 2007 to May 2013. PPCs were defined as
      pneumonia, atelectasis, pleural effusions, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary oedema,
      pneumothorax or respiratory failure. RESULTS: 18.8% of all patients developed
      PPCs. Patient-related risk factors for PPCs were male sex, advanced age, smoking,
      alcohol abuse, a body mass index >30, American Society of Anaesthesiologists
      grade higher than 2, pre-existent pulmonary diseases and preoperative
      antihypertensive medication. Among the investigated procedure-related variables,
      the length of the operation, the amount of fluid administration and blood
      transfusion and an impaired oxygenation index during surgery were shown to be
      associated with the development of PPCs. Using a multivariable logistic
      regression model, we identified a body mass index >30, American Society of
      Anaesthesiologists grade higher than 2 and alcohol abuse as independent risk
      factors for PPCs. CONCLUSIONS: Several perioperative factors can be identified
      that are associated with the development of PPCs. Patients having one or more of
      these conditions should be subjected to intensified postoperative pulmonary care.

PMID- 27259679
TI  - How reliable is the visual appraisal of a surgeon for diagnosing orbital
      fractures?
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of intra-operative
      visualisation, endoscopic assistance, and CT measurements for estimating the
      orbital fracture size and complexity. METHODS: Ten human cadaver heads were
      subjected to thin-slice computed tomography (CT). Standardised fractures were
      created using piezoelectric surgery in accordance with the Jaquiery
      classification system. Four surgeons and one anatomist used six different
      observation methods to visualise and describe the orbital defects. RESULTS: The
      intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the fracture length measurements
      were relatively low for all observation methods (range, 0.666-0.883). CT
      measurements of width showed high consistency (ICC, 0.910). The surface area of
      the defect was highly overestimated by all methods (range, 121-184%). None of the
      observers was able to accurately estimate the length or width of 95% of the
      defects within an error range of +/-0.75 cm. CONCLUSION: CT measurements are the
      most consistent and accurate tool for estimating the critical size of orbital
      factures. In daily practice, a measurement tool in a DICOM viewer could be used,
      although software packages that allow manual adjustments are advisable. Direct
      intraoperative visualisation and surgeon experience are of limited value in the
      estimation of fracture size and complexity, and endoscopy provides no additional
      advantages.

PMID- 27259680
TI  - Exploring physical therapists' perceptions of mobile application usage utilizing
      the FITT framework.
AB  - PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The use of mobile apps in clinical settings is becoming a
      widely accepted tool for many healthcare professionals. Physical therapists (PTs)
      have been underresearched in this area, leaving little information regarding the
      challenges in using mobile apps in the PT environment. The FITT framework
      provides a theoretical underpinning for this investigation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND
      METHODS: A survey was developed based on the FITT framework and research
      questions. Licensed PTs in attendance at the FPTA conference were asked to
      complete the survey. A descriptive analysis was conducted for the study and
      demographic variables. A factor analysis was performed to determine the
      appropriateness of the FITT framework. MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS: The individual
      technology dimension showed the best fit to the framework, with the weakest fit
      being the individual-task dimension. The majority of PTs surveyed do not
      currently use apps in their professional practice nor do they feel that their
      organizational leadership endorses app usage. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of
      mobile apps into physical therapy practice can improve the standard of care.
      Additional apps and marketing of these apps could elevate use of this technology.
      However, leadership support with the necessary resources for app usage will be
      key to improved overall FITT.

PMID- 27259681
TI  - 21(st) Century Research in Child Neurology.

PMID- 27259682
TI  - Lateral Approach to the Distal Femoral Artery in Femoro-Anterior-Tibial Bypass
      Surgery.

PMID- 27259683
TI  - Re: 'Editor's Choice - Management of Chronic Venous Disease: Clinical Practice
      Guidelines of the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS)'.

PMID- 27259684
TI  - Conversion to Gastric Bypass After Either Failed Gastric Band or Failed Sleeve
      Gastrectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is still considered the gold standard
      in bariatric surgery. Before, adjustable gastric banding (AGB) was regarded as an
      alternative; nowadays, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a more favorable alternative.
      In case of unsatisfactory results, RYGB is often performed as a secondary
      procedure. Conversion of an AGB is associated with a high risk of complications;
      the hypothesis was that this would be less after conversion of an SG. METHODS:
      All patients undergoing conversion to RYGB after AGB or SG between 2005 and 2012
      were included for retrospective analysis. Patient characteristics, operative
      details, postoperative complications, the relief of complaints, weight loss,
      reasons for failure, and evolution of known comorbidities up to 2 years were
      analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 178 patients were included (79.8 % female): AGB 110
      (61.8 %) versus SG 68 (38.2 %). Main reasons for conversion were weight
      regain/insufficient weight loss (48.4 %) or dysphagia/reflux complaints (39.9 %).
      Surgical complications were found in 19 patients (AGB 13 vs SG 6; p = 0.530).
      Infectious complications occurred in 13 patients (AGB 11 vs SG 2; p = 0.135).
      Total body weight loss was equal between groups after 2 years (AGB 31.6 +/- 11.0
      % vs SG 31.6 +/- 12.0 %; p = 0.998). Similar results were found in a subgroup
      analysis on patients undergoing conversion for additional weight loss (AGB 31.7
      +/- 11.7 % vs SG 27.0 +/- 13.1 %; p = 0.173). CONCLUSIONS: Conversion to RYGB
      after failed AGB or SG showed comparable short-term results in terms of
      postoperative complications and weight loss.

PMID- 27259685
TI  - Reply to the Article Chen CY. et al. "Laparoscopic Conversion of Gastric Bypass
      Complication to Sleeve Gastrectomy: Technique and Early Results." Obes Surg. 2016
      Jan 19. [Epub ahead of Print].

PMID- 27259687
TI  - Flexibility and Stability Trade-Off in Active Site of Cold-Adapted Pseudomonas
      mandelii Esterase EstK.
AB  - Cold-adapted enzymes exhibit enhanced conformational flexibility, especially in
      their active sites, as compared with their warmer-temperature counterparts.
      However, the mechanism by which cold-adapted enzymes maintain their active site
      stability is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of
      conserved D308-Y309 residues located in the same loop as the catalytic H307
      residue in the cold-adapted esterase EstK from Pseudomonas mandelii. Mutation of
      D308 and/or Y309 to Ala or deletion resulted in increased conformational
      flexibility. Particularly, the D308A or Y309A mutant showed enhanced substrate
      affinity and catalytic rate, as compared with wild-type EstK, via enlargement of
      the active site. However, all mutant EstK enzymes exhibited reduced thermal
      stability. The effect of mutation was greater for D308 than Y309. These results
      indicate that D308 is not preferable for substrate selection and catalytic
      activity, whereas hydrogen bond formation involving D308 is critical for active
      site stabilization. Taken together, conformation of the EstK active site is
      constrained via flexibility-stability trade-off for enzyme catalysis and thermal
      stability. Our study provides further insights into active site stabilization of
      cold-adapted enzymes.

PMID- 27259686
TI  - Contribution of concentration-sensitive sodium channels to the absorption of
      alveolar fluid in mice.
AB  - The concentration-sensitive sodium channel (Nac) is activated by an increase in
      the extracellular sodium concentration. Although the expression of Nac in
      alveolar type II epithelial cells (AEC II) has been reported previously, the
      physiological role of Nac in the lung has not been established. We characterized
      Nac expression and examined amiloride-insensitive sodium transport mediated by
      Nac in mouse lung. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that Nac did not
      colocalize with either aquaporin 5 or cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance
      regulator, but partially colocalized with the epithelial sodium channel gamma
      subunit. Immunoelectron microscopy studies showed that Nac localized at the
      basolateral membrane of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). Nac
      mRNA and protein were expressed in PMVECs isolated from the lungs of mice. Image
      analysis indicated that sodium influx into the alveolar wall was dependent on
      increases in extracellular sodium concentration. We conclude that Nac expressed
      in PMVECs and AEC II contributes to the reabsorption of sodium via an amiloride
      insensitive pathway during alveolar fluid clearance.

PMID- 27259688
TI  - Role of Autophagy in Hypoxia-Induced Angiogenesis of RF/6A Cells in vitro.
AB  - PURPOSE: Autophagy plays a role in the pathogenesis of tumor angiogenesis and
      cardiovascular diseases. The autophagy level in mammalian cells was found to
      increase in the state of hypoxia or ischemia reperfusion. However, the role of
      autophagy in ocular angiogenesis has not yet been elucidated. The aim of this
      study was to investigate the effects of autophagy on hypoxia-induced choroidal
      and retinal angiogenesis in vitro using a rhesus macaque choroid-retinal
      endothelial (RF/6A) cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RF/6A cells were cultured
      and randomly divided into three groups according to the different culture media:
      control, hypoxia model[adding 125MUMcobalt chloride (CoCl2) to the culture
      medium], and hypoxia with an autophagy inhibition group [pretreatment with 5
      mmol/L 3-methyladenine (3-MA) for 1.5 h and then adding125MUmol/LCoCl2 to the
      culture medium]. The impact of 3-MA's effect on the level of autophagy proteins
      (Beclin-1 and LC3) was tested by Western blot analysis. The cell proliferation
      was assessed using the chromogenicmethylthiazol tetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye
      after 24 and 48 hours. Cell migration was investigated by wound assay. The tube
      formation was measured on Matrigel. RESULTS: Under chemical hypoxia conditions,
      Beclin-1 and LC3 levels increased and this change can be inhibited by 3-MA. Cell
      viability was decreased in cells treated with CoCl2 for 24 and 48 h compared with
      the control, and pretreatment with 3-MA slightly promoted CoCl2-inhibited cell
      proliferation. Cell migration and tube formation were increased in cells treated
      with CoCl2 for 24 and 48 h compared with the control. Pretreatment with 3-MA
      significantly inhibited CoCl2-induced cell migration and tube formation.
      CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia-induced autophagy decreased the cell viability and increased
      the cell migration and tube formation of RF/6A cells. 3-MA can inhibit hypoxia
      induced angiogenesis of RF/6A cells in vitro. The present study suggests that
      autophagy plays a role in retinal and choroidal angiogenesis and the autophagy
      inhibitor can be a potential candidate for the treatment of choroidal or retinal
      neovascularization.

PMID- 27259689
TI  - Targeting highly expressed extracellular HSP90 in breast cancer stem cells
      inhibits tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) have been identified in breast carcinoma as
      CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) cells, which display tumorigenic activity and have the
      ability to self-renew, differentiate and metastasize. Previous studies showed
      that extracellular HSP90 (eHSP90) participates in the invasion and metastatic
      processes of various cancers including breast cancer. Here, we show for the first
      time that eHSP90 is over-expressed in mammosphere cultures that are derived from
      the MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. These mammospheres
      are highly enriched in cells of the CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) BCSC phenotype and
      additionally show high expression of the BCSC markers CD49f and Sox2. Thus our
      results indicate that eHSP90 represents a potential novel BCSC marker. Moreover,
      we present evidence that eHSP90 is functionally involved in BCSC activity in
      vitro and in vivo. Selective neutralization of eHSP90, using the monoclonal
      antibody mAb 4C5, has the capacity to inhibit stem cell activity in vitro because
      the formation of mammosphere-derived colonies is dramatically reduced in its
      presence. In vivo, the treatment of mice with mAb4C5 using a prophylactic
      protocol, significantly inhibited the primary growth of MDA-MB-231 and
      mammosphere-derived tumors. More importantly, administration of this antibody in
      a therapeutic protocol caused a statistically significant regression of
      established tumors derived from MDA-MB-231 originating mammospheres. Tumor
      regression was even greater when mAb 4C5 was administered in combination with
      paclitaxel. Overall, our findings implicate eHSP90 as a potential novel BCSC
      biomarker. Moreover they show that eHSP90 participates in BCSC-derived primary
      tumor growth. Finally, we provide additional support for the possible therapeutic
      value of mAb4C5 in the treatment of breast cancer.

PMID- 27259690
TI  - Oceanihabitans sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family
      Flavobacteriaceae isolated from the Yellow Sea.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated S9-10T, was
      isolated from a sediment sample from the Yellow Sea near China. Phylogenetic
      analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain S9-10T was a member of
      the family Flavobacteriaceaeand formed a distinct lineage. The genomic DNA G+C
      content of strain S9-10T was 34.2 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6.
      The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (21.1 %), iso-C15 : 1G
      (16.3 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (12.0 %). The polar lipid profile contained
      phosphatidylethanolamine, aminophospholipid, aminoglycolipid, two unidentified
      aminolipids and five unidentified polar lipids. On the basis of phenotypic,
      genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain S9-10T represents a
      novel species of a novel genus of the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the
      name Oceanihabitans sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of
      Oceanihabitans sediminis is S9-10T (=DSM 28133T =LMG 28074T).

PMID- 27259691
TI  - G protein-coupled receptor160 regulates mycobacteria entry into macrophages by
      activating ERK.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, invades
      and replicates within susceptible hosts by disturbing host antimicrobial
      mechanisms. Although G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in most
      physiological and pathological activities of mammalian cells, the roles of GPCRs
      in Mtb invasion into host cell remain elusive. Here, we report that GPR160
      expression is elevated at both mRNA and protein level in macrophages in response
      to BCG infection. Both the PiggyBac (PB) transposon-mediated mutation of gpr160
      gene in mouse primary macrophages and siRNA-mediated knockdown of GPR160 in the
      human macrophage cell line THP-1 markedly reduced the entry of green fluorescent
      protein (GFP) expressing BCG (BCG-GFP), also operative in vivo. BCG infection
      induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was significantly reduced in gpr160 mutated
      (gpr160(-/-)) macrophages relative to levels observed in wild type macrophages,
      while inhibition of ERK by specific inhibitor or knockdown ERK1/2 by specific
      siRNA markedly reduced entry of BCG. Finally, lower bacteria burdens and
      attenuated pathological impairments were observed in the lungs of BCG-infected
      gpr160(-/-) mice. Furthermore, gpr160(-/-) macrophages also exhibits reduced
      uptake of Escherichia coli and Francisella tularensis. Taken together, these
      findings suggest an important role of GPR160 in regulating the entry of BCG into
      macrophages by targeting the ERK signaling pathway. As GPCRs have proven to be
      successful drug targets in pharmaceutical industry, it's tempting to speculate
      that compounds targeting GPR160, a G protein-coupled receptor, could intervene in
      Mtb infection.

PMID- 27259694
TI  - Analysis of gene copy number changes in head and neck cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Chromosomal alterations and copy number changes are frequent events in
      tumors, leading to amplification of focal regions containing several oncogenes.
      Gains and losses of several regions have been reported in head and neck cancer
      (HNC) but the copy number changes of the individual genes located in these
      regions have not been analyzed so far. In this study we aimed to analyze the copy
      number variations in patients with HNC. DESIGN: Prospective study SETTING:
      University hospital PARTICIPANTS: 50 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the
      head and neck METHODS: Copy number changes and amplifications of 22 genes in
      tumors and matched tissue were analyzed by MLPA which allows simultaneous
      analysis of gene copy numbers in multiple genetic regions. RESULTS:
      Amplifications were observed in 52% and losses were detected in 20% of the
      samples. Chromosome 8 was found to harbor the most frequent copy number
      alterations. The most frequently amplified genes were CCND1 and the MED1 genes
      followed by the MTDH and MYC genes on the long arm and ZNF703 on the short arm of
      chromosome 8. Amplification of the ZNF703, PRDM14 and MYC genes were highly
      correlated suggesting that the genes displaying high copy number changes on
      chromosome 8 collaborate during carcinogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: The alterations
      found in our study supports the contribution of gene amplifications and indicate
      cooperation between certain oncogenes in the pathogenesis of HNSCC. Correlations
      between amplification of less familiar genes and known oncogenes warrant further
      investigation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID- 27259692
TI  - Is there a significant interaction effect between apolipoprotein E rs405509 T/T
      and epsilon4 genotypes on cognitive impairment and gray matter volume?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence demonstrates that the T allele of the single-nucleotide
      polymorphism rs405509 in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) promoter is a risk factor
      for Alzheimer's disease. However, it is unknown whether rs405509 T allele
      synergizes with the APOE epsilon4 allele in influencing cognition and brain
      structure. METHODS: We analyzed the interaction effect of the rs405509 T allele
      and the APOE epsilon4 allele on cognitive ability and brain gray matter volume
      among elderly people. The subjects were grouped into four groups according to
      APOE and rs405509 genotypes. RESULTS: Significant interaction effects were found
      between rs405509 and APOE on general mental status, memory and attention.
      Analysis of the whole brain gray matter showed a significantly positive
      interaction effect between rs405509and APOE on the right inferior temporal gyrus
      and right fusiform gyrus (alphasim correction P < 0.001). In addition, there was
      a significant relationship between cognitive ability and gray matter volume.
      CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that the APOE rs405509 T homozygote modulates the
      effect of APOE epsilon4 on both cognitive performance and brain gray matter
      structure.

PMID- 27259693
TI  - Beneficial effect of Lactococcus lactis NCC 2287 in a murine model of
      eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a severe inflammatory disease of
      the esophagus which is characterized histologically by an eosinophilic
      infiltration into the esophageal tissue. The efficacy of probiotics in the
      context of atopic diseases has been well investigated but, to date, there has
      been no study which has evaluated probiotic effects on EoE inflammation. This
      study sought to identify a probiotic which improves esophageal inflammation in
      experimental EoE. METHODS: Two candidate probiotics, Lactococcus lactis NCC 2287
      and Bifidobacterium lactis NCC 2818, were tested in a murine model of EoE
      elicited by epicutaneous sensitization with Aspergillus fumigatus protein
      extract. Administration of bacterial strains in drinking water was used,
      respectively, as a preventive or treatment measure, or continuously throughout
      the study. Inflammatory parameters were assessed in the esophagus, skin, and
      lungs after allergen challenge. RESULTS: In this EoE model, supplementation with
      L. lactis NCC 2287 significantly decreased esophageal and bronchoalveolar
      eosinophilia but only when given as a therapeutic treatment. No significant
      effect on eosinophilia was observed when NCC 2287 was given as a preventive or a
      continuous intervention. NCC 2287 supplementation had no significant effect on
      immunoglobulin levels, skin symptom scores, or on transepidermal water loss.
      Supplementation with another probiotic, B. lactis NCC 2818, had no significant
      effect on esophageal eosinophilia. CONCLUSION: We identified a L. lactis strain,
      able to attenuate esophageal eosinophilic inflammation in a preclinical model of
      EoE. This effect is strain specific and depends on the timing and duration of
      bacterial supplementation. Confirmation of these observations in human clinical
      trials is warranted.

PMID- 27259695
TI  - Checkpoint Blockade - a New Treatment Paradigm in Renal Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - Nivolumab is the first checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment of renal cell
      carcinoma (RCC), which is in line for approval in Europe. Despite its novelty in
      the treatment algorithm of RCC, it offers a whole new strategy of therapy
      management with safe applicability. The aim of this work was to review current
      data on checkpoint inhibitors in RCC and discuss future perspectives for this
      novel approach in RCC. A selective literature search was performed in the Pubmed
      database: Nivolumab is a first-in-class agent for the treatment of RCC, and its
      European label is anticipated for 2016. Contrary to many other agents, nivolumab
      was able to show a benefit in overall survival and health-related quality of life
      when compared to everolimus. Current trials focus on optimizing and expanding its
      use to metastatic RCC. In conclusion, nivolumab has already acquired a role in
      the treatment algorithm of RCC. However, which patient population derives the
      most benefit as well its optimal use in the treatment algorithm remain to be
      determined. A number of ongoing trials will provide novel insights and might help
      to untangle this novel network of therapy management for immunotherapies. 

PMID- 27259696
TI  - Bullying of Surgery Residents and Attending Staff Surgeons is a Problem!

PMID- 27259697
TI  - Idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma: case report and literature review.

PMID- 27259698
TI  - Advancing haematopoietic stem and progenitor cell biology through single-cell
      profiling.
AB  - Haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) sit at the top of the
      haematopoietic hierarchy, and their fate choices need to be carefully controlled
      to ensure balanced production of all mature blood cell types. As cell fate
      decisions are made at the level of the individual cells, recent technological
      advances in measuring gene and protein expression in increasingly large numbers
      of single cells have been rapidly adopted to study both normal and pathological
      HSPC function. In this review we emphasise the importance of combining the
      correct computational models with single-cell experimental techniques, and
      illustrate how such integrated approaches have been used to resolve
      heterogeneities in populations, reconstruct lineage differentiation, identify
      regulatory relationships and link molecular profiling to cellular function.

PMID- 27259699
TI  - Relationship Between Obesity, Hypertension, and Aldosterone Production in
      Postmenopausal African American Women: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Increased abdominal obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular risk,
      especially in African American women. The adipocyte is documented to produce a
      number of inflammatory factors including the hormone aldosterone. There are very
      few data documenting aldosterone production from adipocytes of postmenopausal
      women as well as data demonstrating the effects of angiotensin receptor blockade
      (ARB) on its production in predominately African American women. The authors
      hypothesize that increased central adipocyte mass in obese postmenopausal women
      contributes to increased production of aldosterone that is suppressed with the
      ARB azilsartan medoxomil. The authors tested this hypothesis in a double-blind,
      placebo-controlled pilot study of 34 hypertensive postmenopausal women (mean age
      57.5+/-7.5 years), 91% of whom were African American. Patients had a mean 24-hour
      ambulatory systolic blood pressure of 127+/-13 mm Hg off any blocker of the renin
      angiotensin system but while taking other antihypertensive medications. The
      authors further validated aldosterone production in a nested cohort of women
      using fat cells from a fat pad biopsy. Azilsartan reduced 24-hour urinary
      aldosterone by 47.3% from baseline (P=.03), with between-groups differences in
      urine aldosterone of -5.3+/-52.3% placebo vs -47.3+/-32.9% azilsartan (P=.07) at
      6 months. An adrenal cell line treated with adipocyte-conditioned media from
      subcutaneous abdominal adipocytes of postmenopausal women (n=3) showed an
      increase in aldosterone production blocked by an ARB (1948+/-1297 pg/mL fat alone
      vs 894+/-438 pg/mL fat + ARB; P=.022). The authors conclude that aldosterone is
      produced from subcutaneous adipocytes of obese postmenopausal women. Moreover,
      use of an ARB significantly reduces aldosterone production within 6 months of use
      in these women as well as in cells exposed to their adipocytes.

PMID- 27259700
TI  - Longitudinal study of DNA methylation during the first 5 years of life.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early life epigenetic programming influences adult health outcomes.
      Moreover, DNA methylation levels have been found to change more rapidly during
      the first years of life. Our aim was the identification and characterization of
      the CpG sites that are modified with time during the first years of life. We
      hypothesize that these DNA methylation changes would lead to the detection of
      genes that might be epigenetically modulated by environmental factors during
      early childhood and which, if disturbed, might contribute to susceptibility to
      diseases later in life. METHODS: The study of the DNA methylation pattern of
      485577 CpG sites was performed on 30 blood samples from 15 subjects, collected
      both at birth and at 5 years old, using Illumina((r)) Infinium 450 k array. To
      identify differentially methylated CpG (dmCpG) sites, the methylation status of
      each probe was examined using linear models and the Empirical Bayes Moderated t
      test implemented in the limma package of R/Bioconductor. Surogate variable
      analysis was used to account for batch effects. RESULTS: DNA methylation levels
      significantly changed from birth to 5 years of age in 6641 CpG sites. Of these,
      36.79 % were hypermethylated and were associated with genes related mainly to
      developmental ontology terms, while 63.21 % were hypomethylated probes and
      associated with genes related to immune function. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that DNA methylation alterations with age during the first years of life
      might play a significant role in development and the regulation of leukocyte
      specific functions. This supports the idea that blood leukocytes experience
      genome remodeling related to their interaction with environmental factors,
      underlining the importance of environmental exposures during the first years of
      life and suggesting that new strategies should be take into consideration for
      disease prevention.

PMID- 27259701
TI  - RNF8 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial step for solid
      tumor progression and plays an important role in cancer invasion and metastasis.
      RNF8 is an ubiquitin E3 ligase with RING domain, and plays essential roles in DNA
      damage response and cell cycle regulation. However the role of RNF8 in the
      pathogenesis of breast cancer is still unclear. METHODS: The expression of RNF8
      was examined in different types of breast cell lines by Western Blotting. EMT
      associated markers were examined by Immunofluorescence and Western Blotting in
      MCF-7 when RNF8 was ectopically overexpressed, or in MDA-MB-231 when RNF8 was
      depleted. Transwell and wound healing assays were performed to assess the effect
      of RNF8 on cell mobility. The xenograft model was done with nude mice to
      investigate the role of RNF8 in tumor metastasis in vivo. Breast tissue arrays
      were used to examine the expression of RNF8 by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier
      survival analysis for the relationship between survival time and RNF8 signature
      in breast cancer was done with an online tool ( http://kmplot.com/analysis/ ).
      RESULTS: RNF8 is overexpressed in highly metastatic breast cancer cell lines.
      Overexpression of RNF8 in MCF-7 significantly promoted EMT phenotypes and
      facilitated cell migration. On the contrary, silencing of RNF8 in MDA-MB-231
      induced MET phenotypes and inhibited cell migration. Furthermore, we proved that
      these metastatic behavior promoting effects of RNF8 in breast cancer was
      associated with the inactivation of GSK-3beta and activation of beta-catenin
      signaling. With nude mice xenograft model, we found that shRNA mediated
      downregulation of RNF8 reduced tumor metastasis in vivo. In addition, we found
      that RNF8 expression was higher in malignant breast cancer than that of the
      paired normal breast tissues, and was positively correlated with lymph node
      metastases and poor survival time. CONCLUSIONS: RNF8 induces EMT in the breast
      cancer cells and promotes breast cancer metastasis, suggesting that RNF8 could be
      used as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of breast
      cancer.

PMID- 27259702
TI  - Intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma without Helicobacter pylori infection
      successfully treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection.
AB  - A 67-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for further examination and for
      treatment of gastric neoplasia located on the posterior wall of the antrum of the
      stomach, as revealed by screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The patient had no
      history of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication. Her serum H. pylori
      antibody and urea breath test results were negative, histopathological findings
      revealed no H. pylori bacteria, and endoscopic findings revealed no chronic
      gastritis. We performed endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Histological
      examination of the resected tissues revealed the tumor to be composed of a well
      differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma with a tubular-type adenoma confined to the
      mucosa. This adenocarcinoma exhibited immunohistochemical expression of CD10,
      MUC2, and Cdx2, but not MUC5AC or MUC6. This is an extremely rare case of H.
      pylori infection-negative, intestinal-type, differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma
      revealed by detailed immunohistochemical examination that was treated with ESD.
      The patient has had no recurrence of adenocarcinoma after ESD. 

PMID- 27259704
TI  - Major components of orange oil inhibit Staphylococcus aureus growth and biofilm
      formation, and alter its virulence factors.
AB  - Bovine mastitis is a costly disease in the dairy industry and does not always
      respond to antibiotic treatment. The major components of terpeneless, cold
      pressed Valencia orange oil - citral, linalool, decanal and valencene - were
      examined as potential alternative treatments for Staphylococcus aureus-associated
      mastitis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of all four components
      against S. aureus was determined after incubation for 24 h. Growth inhibition
      assays were performed for all effective components on S. aureus for either a 3 h
      or 72 h treatment. These components were tested for the ability to disrupt pre
      formed S. aureus biofilms after 24 h of treatment by measuring absorbance at 540
      nm. Cytotoxicity against immortalized bovine mammary epithelial (MAC-T) cells was
      measured using an MTT assay following a 1 h exposure. Only concentrations below
      the 50 % cytostatic concentration (CC50) were used in an adherence and invasion
      assay of S. aureus on MAC-T cells, and for measurements of virulence and biofilm
      gene expression via qPCR. The MICs of citral and linalool were 0.02 % and 0.12 %,
      respectively, but decanal and valencene were ineffective. Citral and linalool
      were capable of inhibiting growth of S. aureus after 24 h at their MIC values and
      inhibited pre-formed biofilms of S. aureus . The concentrations below the CC50
      were 0.02 % for citral and 0.12 % for linalool. These concentrations inhibited
      the adhesion and invasion ability of S. aureus and downregulated virulence genes.
      Only 0.12 % linalool downregulated the expression of S. aureus biofilm-forming
      genes. These components should be considered for further in vivo study. 

PMID- 27259705
TI  - [Sinking incidence of dementia].

PMID- 27259703
TI  - Pedunculated-type T1 colorectal carcinoma with lung carcinoma metastasis at the
      deepest invasive portion.
AB  - We present a rare case of colorectal T1 carcinoma with metastasis of previous
      lung carcinoma found at the deepest invasive portion. A 61-year-old man presented
      with cervical lymphadenopathy 18 years after undergoing surgery for right lung
      carcinoma [poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma stage IIb (T3N0M0)]. Contrast
      enhanced computed tomography showed enlarged lymph nodes (LNs) in the neck and
      mediastinal regions. Combined hybrid-F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      computerized tomography showed increased radionuclide uptake in multiple cervical
      LNs and mediastinal LNs. LN biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated
      adenocarcinoma, suspected to be a metastatic tumor of the lung. Subsequent
      colonoscopy revealed a pedunculated-type lesion with a depressed area in the
      ascending colon. We performed polypectomy as total excisional biopsy; this tumor
      was composed mainly of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, partially mixed
      with mucinous adenocarcinoma. The pathological findings of the invasive front of
      the colorectal carcinoma showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a
      morphological pattern similar to that of the previous lung carcinoma.
      Furthermore, immunohistochemical results for the histological type of the deepest
      invasive portion of the tissue specimen were positive for thyroid transcription
      factor-1 but negative for Caudal-type homeobox 2. From these morphological and
      immunohistochemical findings, the final diagnosis was moderately differentiated
      lung carcinoma, pTX N3 M1b (LN, colon) Stage IV. 

PMID- 27259706
TI  - Robot deployment in long-term care : Case study on using a mobile robot to
      support physiotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Healthcare systems in industrialized countries face the challenge of
      providing care for a growing number of elderly people. Information technology has
      the possibility of facilitating this process by providing support for nursing
      staff and improving the well-being of the elderly through a variety of support
      systems. OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the challenges that arise from the
      deployment of technology in care settings; however, the integration of technology
      into care is one of the core determinants of successful support. This article
      presents the challenges and options associated with the integration of technology
      into care using the example of a mobile robot to support physiotherapy for
      elderly people with cognitive impairment in the European project Spatio-Temporal
      Representations and Activities for Cognitive Control in Long-Term Scenarios
      (STRANDS). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This article presents the technical challenges
      associated with the introduction of robots in the context of care as well as the
      perspectives of physiotherapists involved and an overview of information and
      experiences gained. It is hoped that this will provide useful information for the
      work of researchers and practitioners wishing to integrate robotic aids into the
      caregiving process.

PMID- 27259707
TI  - [The De Morton Mobility Index for evaluation of early geriatric rehabilitation].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The timed up and go (TUG) test and the Tinetti test are most
      frequently used in Germany to document the success of rehabilitation in early
      geriatric rehabilitation. However, there has been some uncertainty whether these
      instruments can describe the entire spectrum of mobility with adequate precision
      and whether they can be successfully applied for repeated assessments during
      rehabilitation. Against this background the De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) has
      been developed and validated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the suitability of the DEMMI compared to the TUG and Tinetti tests in early
      geriatric rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ceiling and floor effects of the
      DEMMI, the TUG test, the Tinetti test and the Barthel Index (BI) were determined.
      Correlations were calculated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Effects
      on the DEMMI were estimated through multiple linear regression. RESULTS: A total
      of 144 patients with an average age of 84.91 years (SD +/-5.77) and 65.97 %
      females participated in this study. The mean value for the DEMMI was 33.45 (SD +/
      15.37) points at admission and 43.90 (SD +/-15.55) at discharge (n = 144). Floor
      effects were observed in the TUG test in 84.72 % (n = 122) of patients at
      admission and in 60.42 % (n = 87) at discharge. The DEMMI, Tinetti test and BI
      showed no floor or ceiling effects. The correlation between the DEMMI and the TUG
      test was -0.48 at admission and -0.49 at discharge, between the DEMMI and the
      Tinetti test 0.75 and 0.82, respectively and between the DEMMI and the BI 0.54
      and 0.66, respectively (p < 0,01). CONCLUSION: Significant correlations with the
      TUG test, the Tinetti test and the BI, together with the lack of floor and
      ceiling effects provide evidence that the DEMMI is an appropriate tool to assess
      mobility in early geriatric rehabilitation. The lack of floor and ceiling effects
      appears to make the DEMMI a superior tool compared to the TUG test.

PMID- 27259708
TI  - Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for medical applications.
AB  - Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a polyaromatic semi-crystalline thermoplastic
      polymer with mechanical properties favorable for bio-medical applications.
      Polyetheretherketone forms: PEEK-LT1, PEEK-LT2, and PEEK-LT3 have already been
      applied in different surgical fields: spine surgery, orthopedic surgery, maxillo
      facial surgery etc. Synthesis of PEEK composites broadens the physicochemical and
      mechanical properties of PEEK materials. To improve their osteoinductive and
      antimicrobial capabilities, different types of functionalization of PEEK surfaces
      and changes in PEEK structure were proposed. PEEK based materials are becoming an
      important group of biomaterials used for bone and cartilage replacement as well
      as in a large number of diverse medical fields. The current paper describes the
      structural changes and the surface functionalization of PEEK materials and their
      most common biomedical applications. The possibility to use these materials in 3D
      printing process could increase the scientific interest and their future
      development as well. 

PMID- 27259709
TI  - First in man study of EP217609, a new long-acting, neutralisable parenteral
      antithrombotic with a dual mechanism of action.
AB  - EP217609 is a parenteral antithrombotic compound combining in one molecule an
      indirect anti-factor Xa inhibitor, a direct thrombin active site inhibitor and a
      biotin moiety. AIMS: The aim of the study is to investigate the safety,
      pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single ascending intravenous doses of
      EP217609. METHODS: In this randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study,
      healthy male subjects were administered intravenously single ascending doses (1,
      3 or 10 mg) of EP217609 or placebo. Each treatment group consisted of 10 subjects
      of whom 8 received EP217609 and 2 received placebo. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: All
      doses of EP217609 were well tolerated. A total of five treatment-emergent adverse
      events were reported, all considered unrelated, but no bleedings or other
      significant adverse events occurred during this study. In both plasma and urine,
      there was a strong correlation between EP217609 concentrations as measured by
      anti-factor IIa and Xa specific bioassays indicating that the two pharmacological
      activities of EP217609 did not dissociate in vivo. EP217609 pharmacokinetics were
      dose proportional and characterised by a low clearance, a small volume of
      distribution and a terminal half-life of 20.4 h. The long half-life was reflected
      in long-lasting, dose-dependent effects on activated and ecarin clotting time,
      thrombin and prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin
      generation time and anti-factor Xa activity. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic
      modelling indicated that the concentration of EP217609 producing 50 % of the
      pharmacodynamic effect was 3400 and 2210 ng/mL for activated clotting time and
      anti-factor Xa activity, respectively. These results warranted further clinical
      development of EP217609. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: * There is a
      limited number of neutralisable anticoagulants, particularly when rapid
      neutralisation is required. * Synthetic anti-Xa compounds have predictable
      pharmacokinetic profiles. However, problems with thrombin rebound remain because
      of the inability to inhibit clot-bound thrombin. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: * This
      manuscript provides a comprehensive investigation of the pharmacokinetics,
      pharmacodynamics and safety of EP217609, and the results were the basis of future
      clinical studies in both healthy subjects and patients. * The
      pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling provided information for dose selection
      in such future studies.

PMID- 27259710
TI  - Detection of Shiga toxin-producing and other diarrheagenic Escherichia coli by
      the BioFire FilmArray(r) Gastrointestinal Panel in human fecal samples.
AB  - The purpose of this investigation was the evaluation of the performance of the
      BioFire FilmArray(r) Gastrointestinal (FA-GI) Panel, a multiplexed molecular
      stool screening assay, for the detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC),
      with emphasis on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). A dilution series of 12
      STEC reference strains was tested with the FA-GI Panel to assess the analytical
      sensitivity. A total of 389 patient samples were analyzed with the FA-GI Panel
      and confirmation of the detected DEC was attempted with an in-house culture-based
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. All Shiga toxin genes, except the one
      encoding Stx2f, were detected in bacterial dilutions ranging from 10(4) to 10(2)
      colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. eae + stx2f + STEC was misclassified as
      enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). Different sensitivities for various gene targets
      present in one isolate led to differing identifications depending on the
      concentration. Using the in-house method as a reference, the FA-GI Panel had a
      sensitivity of 90.6 % [confidence interval (CI) 75.0 %-98.0 %] and a specificity
      of 97.2 % (CI 94.9 %-98.6 %) for STEC detection in feces. At least one DEC was
      reported in 35.5 % (171/389) of the patient specimens, with EPEC being the most
      prevalent (n = 71). Only 59.7 % of the detected DEC could be confirmed,
      presumably because the comparator method was not applied directly on feces. The
      FA-GI Panel could not detect the stx2f subtype, misclassified certain pathogens,
      and the high detection rate of EPEC needs further investigation. Nevertheless, we
      believe that this sensitive and convenient system will prove to be an invaluable
      tool for the rapid diagnosis of most DEC infections, but culturing of the
      detected microorganisms should always be attempted. 

PMID- 27259711
TI  - Comparative evaluation of two fully-automated real-time PCR methods for MRSA
      admission screening in a tertiary-care hospital.
AB  - We evaluated two fully-automated real-time PCR systems, the novel QIAGEN artus
      MRSA/SA QS-RGQ and the widely used BD MAX MRSA assay, for their diagnostic
      performance in MRSA admission screening in a tertiary-care university hospital.
      Two hundred sixteen clinical swabs were analyzed for MRSA DNA using the BD MAX
      MRSA assay. In parallel, the same specimens were tested with the QIAGEN artus
      MRSA/SA QS-RGQ. Automated steps included lysis of bacteria, DNA extraction, real
      time PCR and interpretation of results. MRSA culture was additionally performed
      as a reference method for MRSA detection. Sensitivity values were similar for
      both assays (80 %), while the QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ reached a slightly
      higher specificity (95.8 % versus 90.0 %). Positive (PPVs) and negative
      predictive values (NPVs) were 17.4 % and 99.4 % for the BD MAX MRSA assay and
      33.3 % and 99.5 % for the QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ, respectively. Total turn
      around time (TAT) for 24 samples was 3.5 hours for both assays. In conclusion,
      both assays represent reliable diagnostic tools due to their high negative
      predictive values, especially for the rapid identification of MRSA negative
      patients in a low prevalence MRSA area. 

PMID- 27259712
TI  - Spread of carbapenem-resistant international clones of Acinetobacter baumannii in
      Turkey and Azerbaijan: a collaborative study.
AB  - Epidemic clones of Acinetobacter baumannii, described as European clones I, II,
      and III, are associated with hospital epidemics throughout the world. We aimed to
      determine the molecular characteristics and genetic diversity between European
      clones I, II, and III from Turkey and Azerbaijan. In this study, a total of 112
      bloodstream isolates of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. were collected
      from 11 hospitals across Turkey and Azerbaijan. The identification of
      Acinetobacter spp. using conventional and sensitivity tests was performed by
      standard criteria. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect
      OXA carbapenemase-encoding genes (bla OXA-23-like, bla OXA-24-like, bla OXA-51
      like, and bla OXA-58-like). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing was
      used to investigate genetic diversity. The bla OXA-51-like gene was present in
      all 112 isolates, 75 (67 %) carried bla OXA-23-like, 7 (6.2 %) carried bla OXA-58
      like genes, and 5 (4.5 %) carried bla OXA-24-like genes. With a 90 % similarity
      cut-off value, 15 clones and eight unique isolates were identified. The largest
      clone was cluster D, with six subtypes. Isolates from clusters D and I were
      widely spread in seven different geographical regions throughout Turkey. However,
      F cluster was found in the northern and eastern regions of Turkey. EU clone I was
      grouped within J cluster with three isolates found in Antalya, Istanbul, and
      Erzurum. EU clone II was grouped in the U cluster with 15 isolates and found in
      Kayseri and Diyarbakir. The bla OXA-24-like gene in carbapenemases was identified
      rarely in Turkey and has been reported for the first time from Azerbaijan.
      Furthermore, this is the first multicenter study in Turkey and Azerbaijan to
      identify several major clusters belonging to European clones I and II of A.
      baumannii. 

PMID- 27259714
TI  - HERMIONE: a randomized Phase 2 trial of MM-302 plus trastuzumab versus
      chemotherapy of physician's choice plus trastuzumab in patients with previously
      treated, anthracycline-naive, HER2-positive, locally advanced/metastatic breast
      cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast
      cancer is a particularly aggressive form of the disease, and ultimately
      progresses in patients with metastases on standard therapies. Anthracyclines,
      such as doxorubicin, are an effective treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer,
      particularly when administered in combination with trastuzumab - however,
      doxorubicin-related cardiotoxicity has limited its use. Many patients are
      therefore never treated with anthracyclines, even upon disease progression,
      despite the potential for benefit. MM-302 is a novel, HER2-targeted antibody
      liposomal doxorubicin conjugate that specifically targets HER2-overexpressing
      cells. Preclinical and Phase 1 data suggest that MM-302, as a monotherapy or in
      combination with trastuzumab, could be effective for managing previously treated,
      anthracycline-naive, HER2-positive breast cancer, without the cardiotoxicity
      observed with free doxorubicin formulations. METHODS/DESIGN: HERMIONE is an open
      label, multicenter, randomized (1:1) Phase 2 trial of MM-302 plus trastuzumab
      versus chemotherapy of physician's choice (gemcitabine, capecitabine, or
      vinorelbine) plus trastuzumab planned to enroll 250 anthracycline-naive patients
      with locally advanced/metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Key inclusion
      criteria are: previous treatment with trastuzumab (with or without pertuzumab) in
      any setting; refractory or intolerant to pertuzumab (refractory to pertuzumab
      defined as progression in the locally advanced or metastatic setting, or disease
      recurrence during or within 12 months of completing pertuzumab-containing
      neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy); and disease progression on, or intolerant
      to, ado-trastuzumab emtansine for locally advanced or metastatic disease. The
      trial is currently being conducted at sites in the USA, Canada, and Western
      Europe. Treatment will be administered in 21-day cycles, and will be continued
      until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint is
      independently assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Tumor response will be
      assessed every 6 weeks, and defined according to RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints
      include investigator-assessed PFS, overall survival (OS), OS rates at 6 months
      and 1 year, objective response rates, safety and tolerability, quality of life,
      and the pharmacokinetic profile of MM-302 plus trastuzumab. DISCUSSION: The
      HERMIONE study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of MM-302 plus trastuzumab
      in patients with refractory HER2-positive advanced/metastatic breast cancer for
      whom there are no standard of care therapies with a proven survival advantage.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02213744 . Registration
      date: 06AUG2014.

PMID- 27259715
TI  - FAK Expression, Not Kinase Activity, Is a Key Mediator of Thyroid Tumorigenesis
      and Protumorigenic Processes.
AB  - There are limited therapy options for advanced thyroid cancer, including
      papillary and anaplastic thyroid cancer (PTC and ATC). Focal adhesion kinase
      (FAK) regulates cell signaling by functioning as a scaffold and kinase.
      Previously, we demonstrated that FAK is overexpressed and activated in thyroid
      cancer cells and human PTC clinical specimens. However, it remains unclear
      whether patients with advanced thyroid cancer will benefit from FAK inhibition.
      Therefore, the dual functions of FAK in mediating protumorigenic processes and
      thyroid tumorigenesis were investigated. Evidence here shows that FAK expression
      predominantly regulates thyroid cancer cell growth, viability, and anchorage
      independent growth. FAK inhibition, with PF-562,271 treatment, modestly reduced
      tumor volumes, while FAK depletion, through shRNA knockdown, significantly
      reduced tumor volumes in vivo A role for FAK expression in tumor establishment
      was demonstrated in a model of PTC, where FAK knockdown tumors did not develop.
      FAK depletion also led to a significant decrease in overall metastatic burden.
      Interestingly, pretreatment with a FAK inhibitor resulted in a paradoxical
      increase in metastasis in a model of ATC, but decreased metastasis in a model of
      PTC. These data provide the first evidence that FAK expression is critical for
      the regulation of thyroid tumorigenic functions. IMPLICATIONS: This study
      demonstrates that FAK expression, but not kinase activity alone, predominantly
      mediates thyroid tumor growth and metastasis, indicating that targeting the
      scaffolding function(s) of FAK may be an important therapeutic strategy for
      advanced thyroid cancer, as well as other FAK-dependent tumors. Mol Cancer Res;
      14(9); 869-82. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27259716
TI  - DNA Methylome Analyses Implicate Fallopian Tube Epithelia as the Origin for High
      Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer.
AB  - High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is the most common and lethal form of
      epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Two distinct tissues have been suggested as the
      tissue of origin: ovarian surface epithelia (OSE) and fallopian tube epithelia
      (FTE). We hypothesized that the DNA methylome of HGSC should more closely
      resemble the methylome of its tissue of origin. To this end, we profiled HGSC (n
      = 10), and patient-matched OSE and FTE (n = 5) primary fresh-frozen tissues, and
      analyzed the DNA methylome using Illumina 450K arrays (n = 20) and Agilent Sure
      Select methyl-seq (n = 7). Methylomes were compared using statistical analyses of
      differentially methylated CpG sites (DMC) and differentially methylated regions
      (DMR). In addition, methylation was evaluated within a variety of different
      genomic contexts, including CpG island shores and Homeobox (HOX) genes, due to
      their roles in tissue specification. Publicly available HGSC methylome data (n =
      628) were interrogated to provide additional comparisons with FTE and OSE for
      validation. These analyses revealed that HGSC and FTE methylomes are
      significantly and consistently more highly conserved than are HGSC and OSE.
      Pearson correlations and hierarchal clustering of genes, promoters, CpG islands,
      CpG island shores, and HOX genes all revealed increased relatedness of HGSC and
      FTE methylomes. Thus, these findings reveal that the landscape of FTE more
      closely resembles HGSC, the most common and deadly EOC subtype. IMPLICATIONS: DNA
      methylome analyses support the hypothesis that HGSC arise from the fallopian tube
      and that due to its tissue-specificity and biochemical stability, interrogation
      of the methylome may be a valuable approach to examine cell/tissue lineage in
      cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 14(9); 787-94. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27259718
TI  - Regional differences of standardised mortality rates for ischemic heart diseases
      in the Slovak Republic for the period 1996-2013 in the context of income
      inequality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of paper is to analyse the development of standardised
      mortality rates for ischemic heart diseases in relation to the income inequality
      in the regions of Slovakia. This paper assesses different types of income
      indicators, such as mean equivalised net income per household, Gini coefficient,
      unemployment rate, at risk of poverty threshold (60 % of national median),
      S80/S20 and their effect on mortality. METHODS: Using data from the Slovak
      mortality database 1996-2013, the method of direct standardisation was applied to
      eliminate variances resulted from differences in age structures of the population
      across regions and over time. To examine the relationships between income
      indicators and standardised mortality rates, we used the tools of descriptive
      statistics and methods of correlation and regression analysis. RESULTS: At first,
      we show that Slovakia has the worst values of standardised mortality rates for
      ischemic heart diseases in EU countries. Secondly, mortality rates are
      significantly higher for males compared with females. Thirdly, mortality rates
      are improving from Eastern Slovakia to Western Slovakia; additionally, high
      differences in the results of variability are seen among Slovak regions. Finally,
      the unemployment rate, the poverty rate and equivalent disposable income were
      statistically significant income indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Main contribution of
      paper is to demonstrate regional differences between mortality and income
      inequality, and to point out the long-term unsatisfactory health outcomes.

PMID- 27259717
TI  - SIX1 Oncoprotein as a Biomarker in a Model of Hormonal Carcinogenesis and in
      Human Endometrial Cancer.
AB  - The oncofetal protein sine oculis-related homeobox 1 (SIX1) is a developmental
      transcription factor associated with carcinogenesis in several human cancer types
      but has not been investigated in human endometrial cancer. In a model of hormonal
      carcinogenesis, mice neonatally exposed to the soy phytoestrogen genistein (GEN)
      or the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) develop endometrial cancer as
      adults. Previously, we demonstrated that SIX1 becomes aberrantly expressed in the
      uteri of these mice. Here, we used this mouse model to investigate the role of
      SIX1 expression in endometrial carcinoma development and used human tissue
      microarrays to explore the utility of SIX1 as a biomarker in human endometrial
      cancer. In mice neonatally exposed to GEN or DES, the Six1 transcript level
      increased dramatically over time in uteri at 6, 12, and 18 months of age and was
      associated with development of endometrial carcinoma. SIX1 protein localized
      within abnormal basal cells and all atypical hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions.
      These findings indicate that developmental estrogenic chemical exposure induces
      persistent endometrial SIX1 expression that is strongly associated with abnormal
      cell differentiation and cancer development. In human endometrial tissue
      specimens, SIX1 was not present in normal endometrium but was expressed in a
      subset of endometrial cancers in patients who were also more likely to have late
      stage disease. These findings identify SIX1 as a disease biomarker in a model of
      hormonal carcinogenesis and suggest that SIX1 plays a role in endometrial cancer
      development in both mice and women. IMPLICATIONS: The SIX1 oncoprotein is
      aberrantly expressed in the endometrium following developmental exposure to
      estrogenic chemicals, correlates with uterine cancer, and is a biomarker in human
      endometrial cancers. Mol Cancer Res; 14(9); 849-58. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27259719
TI  - Gender inequalities in mental wellbeing in 26 European countries: do welfare
      regimes matter?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nature and extent of welfare regimes and social policies are
      important determinants of health and health inequalities. This study examines the
      association of gender and mental wellbeing in European countries and investigates
      whether type of welfare regime plays a role in this association. METHOD: Data of
      19 366 women and 14 338 men of the third round of the European Quality of Life
      Survey (2011-12) was used to analyse mental wellbeing, assessed by the World
      Health Organization 5-Mental Wellbeing Index. Multilevel logistic regression
      analyses were performed to analyse the association between gender and good mental
      wellbeing first at country-level, and secondly the between country variation was
      analysed and welfare regimes were included as explanatory variables. RESULTS: We
      observed cross-national variation in good mental wellbeing. At country levels
      gender inequalities in good mental wellbeing were observed in 7 out of 26
      countries. In analyses considering all countries together gender inequalities in
      good mental wellbeing were identified independent of further individual socio
      demographic variables and independent of the welfare regimes that people lived in
      [women vs. men: OR = 0.76; (95% CI = 0.71-0.81)]. Gender inequalities in good
      mental wellbeing were not modified by welfare regimes. CONCLUSION: There are
      cross-national differences in good mental wellbeing between European countries.
      Gender inequalities with a lower prevalence of good mental wellbeing among women
      are common in European countries. This study suggests that welfare regimes do not
      modify these gender inequalities in mental wellbeing.

PMID- 27259720
TI  - Occupational, social and medical characteristics of early prenatal leave in
      France.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In France, most women of childbearing age work. The prenatal leave
      law in France protects women during pregnancy and their employment. We aimed to
      describe how long before delivery women stopped working and analyse the
      association between occupational, social and medical factors and early prenatal
      leave (before 24 weeks' gestation). METHODS: The sample was extracted from the
      2010 French National Perinatal Survey. Women were interviewed in French maternity
      units during a 1-week period. We focused on all women with a singleton live birth
      who were working during pregnancy (n = 10 149). Women were interviewed between
      delivery and discharge to collect information on employment, date of leave,
      sociodemographic and medical characteristics. RESULTS: Among women who worked
      during pregnancy, 27.5% reported early occupational leave (before 24 weeks'
      gestation). Early occupational leave was more frequent among women with unstable
      jobs (fixed-term vs. non-fixed-term contract: adjusted odds ratio aOR = 1.60 [95%
      confidence interval 1.40-1.84]) and with less-qualified occupational categories
      (manual workers vs. managers and upper-intellectual positions: aOR = 2.96 [2.30
      3.82]), even after adjusting for sociodemographic and other employment
      characteristics. Women with a pathological or at risk pregnancy left work earlier
      than other women. After stratification on type of pregnancy there was still a
      higher rate of early leave for women with less qualified occupational group.
      CONCLUSION: In France, social vulnerability of pregnant women, linked to low
      sociodemographic situation or low occupational categories, is associated with
      early leave during pregnancy, even after stratification on type of pregnancy.

PMID- 27259721
TI  - Inclusion of migrants and ethnic minorities in European birth cohort studies-a
      scoping review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Migrant and ethnic minority groups constitute substantial parts of
      European populations. They frequently experience health disadvantages relative to
      the respective majority populations. Birth cohort studies can help to disentangle
      social and biological factors producing these health inequalities over the life
      course. We investigated whether birth cohorts in European countries (i) assess
      migration history and ethnicity in the study design; and (ii) use this
      information in data analyses. METHODS: A scoping review was performed in which
      European birth cohort studies were identified using dedicated web-based
      registries, MEDLINE and EMBASE. Two reviewers systematically assessed all
      identified birth cohorts and selected those fulfilling defined inclusion criteria
      (e.g. enrolment after 1980). Publications and websites were screened for
      information on the inclusion of migrants and ethnic minorities. To obtain more
      detailed information, researchers of enrolled birth cohorts were contacted
      individually. RESULTS: Eighty-eight birth cohorts were identified in 20 European
      countries, with more than 486 250 children enrolled in total. Sixty-two studies
      (70.5%) reported collecting data about migration history or ethnic background.
      Twenty-three studies (26%) used information on migration history or ethnicity for
      data analyses or plan to do so in future. CONCLUSION: The majority of European
      birth cohorts assessed participants' migration history or ethnic background;
      however, this information was seldom used for comparative analyses in trying to
      disentangle reasons for health inequalities. Also, heterogeneous indicators were
      used. Better use of data already available, as well as harmonization of data
      collection on migration history and ethnicity, could yield interesting insights
      into the production of health inequalities.

PMID- 27259722
TI  - Trends and predictors of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its prevention and
      transmission methods among women in Tajikistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prior research on HIV infections in Tajikistan and other Central
      Asian countries has focused primarily on injection drug users. Given the recent
      rise of heterosexual transmission, especially among women, there is a need to
      assess women's knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its methods of prevention and
      transmission across two time periods to examine cross-time changes and identify
      areas that need improvements. METHODS: Logistic regression and simulation of
      predicted probability analyses were based on data from Tajik women ranging in age
      from 15 to 49 who participated in the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)
      study in 2000 and 2005. RESULTS: We found that an over 2-fold increase in general
      knowledge about HIV/AIDS was accompanied by a substantial decrease in the ability
      to identify correct methods of prevention and to reject myths regarding its
      transmission. CONCLUSION: These alarming findings should prompt policy makers and
      program implementers to shift the focus of programs from raising general
      awareness to educating women about how HIV/AIDS is transmitted. Furthermore,
      rigorous efforts should be made to provide the most disadvantaged groups,
      including women of younger ages, with lower education, and from poor households
      with accurate information and adequate access to limited resources.

PMID- 27259723
TI  - Single point mutations enhance activity of cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolase.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To enhance activity of cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolase from Klebsiella
      sp. BK-58 for converting cis-epoxysuccinate to tartrate. RESULTS: By semi
      saturation mutagenesis, all the mutants of the six important conserved residues
      almost completely lost activity. Then random mutation by error-prone PCR and high
      throughput screening were further performed to screen higher activity enzyme. We
      obtained a positive mutant F10D after screening 6000 mutations. Saturation
      mutagenesis on residues Phe10 showed that most of mutants exhibited higher
      activity than the wild-type, and the highest mutant was F10Q with activity of 812
      U mg(-1) (k cat /K m , 9.8 +/- 0.1 mM(-1) s(-1)), which was 230 % higher than
      that of wild-type enzyme 355 U mg(-1) (k cat /K m , 5.3 +/- 0.1 mM(-1) s(-1)).
      However, the thermostability of the mutant F10Q slightly decreased. CONCLUSIONS:
      The catalytic activity of a cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolase was efficient improved
      by a single mutation F10Q and Phe10 might play an important role in the
      catalysis.

PMID- 27259724
TI  - Genetic transformation of rare Verbascum eriophorum Godr. plants and metabolic
      alterations revealed by NMR-based metabolomics.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop a protocol to transform Verbascum eriophorum and to study
      the metabolic differences between mother plants and hairy root culture by
      applying NMR and processing the datasets with chemometric tools. RESULTS:
      Verbascum eriophorum is a rare species with restricted distribution, which is
      poorly studied. Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetic transformation of V.
      eriophorum and hairy root culture induction are reported for the first time. To
      determine metabolic alterations, V. eriophorum mother plants and relevant hairy
      root culture were subjected to comprehensive metabolomic analyses, using NMR (1D
      and 2D). Metabolomics data, processed using chemometric tools (and principal
      component analysis in particular) allowed exploration of V. eriophorum metabolome
      and have enabled identification of verbascoside (by means of 2D-TOCSY NMR) as the
      most abundant compound in hairy root culture. CONCLUSION: Metabolomics data
      contribute to the elucidation of metabolic alterations after T-DNA transfer to
      the host V. eriophorum genome and the development of hairy root culture for
      sustainable bioproduction of high value verbascoside.

PMID- 27259725
TI  - Enhancement of production and activity of alkaline zinc metalloprotease from
      Salinivibrio proteolyticus using low intensity direct electric current and zinc
      nanoparticles.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To improve the production and activity of an alkaline zinc
      metalloprotease from Salinivibrio proteolyticus in response to ZnSO4 (ionic and
      nanoparticle forms) and low intensity direct electric current (LIDC). RESULTS: A
      DC of 50 uA for 10 min increased enzyme production from 35 to 53 U ml(-1) when
      applied to the stationary phase bacterial cells. Zn(2+) improved enzyme
      production better than zinc nanoparticles (52 vs. 43.5 U ml(-1)). Zinc
      nanoparticles (0.5 mM) added to an enzyme reaction mixture containing casein
      (0.65 %) and 20 mM Tris/HCl buffer (pH 8) improved enzyme activity more than
      Zn(2+) (42 vs. 36 U ml(-1)). CONCLUSION: LIDC exposure (50 uA, 10 min) to the
      stationary phase bacterial cells increases metalloprotease production in
      Salinivibrio. A low concentration of zinc nanoparticles (0.5 mM) increases
      maximum enzyme activity.

PMID- 27259726
TI  - Engineering Vibrio fischeri transcriptional activator LuxR for diverse
      transcriptional activities.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To alter DNA binding specificity of Vibrio fischeri LuxR and to
      expand the toolbox for constructing synthetic networks. RESULTS: A mutation
      library (about 10,000 individuals) of the DNA binding domain of LuxR were
      generated. A genetic selection was performed to obtain LuxR mutants that
      recognize three lux box DNA variants that are not recognized by wild-type LuxR.
      Six LuxR mutants were identified. The evolved LuxR mutants were further
      characterized by measuring the transcriptional activities of different
      combinations of LuxR mutants and lux box variants. Varied transcriptional
      activities were found in these LuxR-lux box pairs. The background expressions of
      the evolved LuxR-lux box systems are more tightly regulated than the wild-type
      LuxR-lux box system. CONCLUSION: The LuxR transcriptional system was evolved to
      recognize three lux box DNAs which are not recognized by wild-type LuxR.

PMID- 27259727
TI  - Collection of Samples for DNA Analysis.
AB  - Effective sampling of biological material is critical to the ability to acquire
      DNA profiles of probative value. The main methods of collection are swabbing,
      tapelifting, or direct excision. This chapter describes the key aspects to
      consider when applying these methods, in addition to suggested procedures for
      swabbing and tapelifting. Important issues to be considered, such as exhibit
      triaging, pre-examination preparation, contamination risk reduction, sample
      localization, sample identification, and sample prioritization as well as aspects
      of record keeping, packaging, and storage, are also raised.

PMID- 27259728
TI  - Body Fluid Identification Using mRNA Profiling.
AB  - RNA analysis is a valuable tool for the identification of the forensically
      relevant body fluids, saliva, blood, menstrual blood, cervicovaginal fluid, and
      semen. Multiple human mRNA and bacterial RNA markers have been identified for
      each of these body fluids. RNA and DNA can be coextracted from the same portion
      of a sample and RNA markers for different body fluids can be multiplexed in a
      single PCR, thereby maximizing the number of analyses that can be performed with
      limited sample material.

PMID- 27259729
TI  - mRNA Profiling for Vaginal Fluid and Menstrual Blood Identification.
AB  - Recently mRNA profiling has been widely proposed as a universal tool for
      biological fluids identification. Here, we describe a test for vaginal fluid
      identification that combines detection of five markers: vaginal mRNAs and
      Lactobacilli in end-point PCR reaction. The test detects the following
      transcripts: HBD1 (Human beta-defensin 1), MUC4 (Mucin 4), MMP11 (Matrix
      metalloproteinase 11), housekeeping gene G6PDH (glucose 6-phosphate
      dehydrogenase), and the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions of L. crispatus
      and L. gasseri/L. johnsonii. Simultaneous analysis of five vaginal markers and a
      housekeeping gene ensures high specificity and reliability in the detection of
      vaginal material, which could not be obtained using detection of a single marker.

PMID- 27259730
TI  - Preservation of and DNA Extraction from Muscle Tissue.
AB  - As well as protecting DNA for subsequent analysis, tissue preservation methods
      ideally should be safe, readily available, and easy to transport at relatively
      low cost. Formalin (formaldehyde solution), used extensively to preserve medical
      and museum specimens, irreparably damages DNA. We have found four tissue
      preservatives (solid salt, salt-saturated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-EDTA
      solution, ethanol solution, and ethanol-EDTA solution) that preserved muscle
      tissue at 35  degrees C for up to 1 month: full short tandem repeat (STR)
      profiles were obtained after preservation. In addition, salt-saturated DMSO-EDTA
      solution yielded full STR profiles from aliquots of the liquid preservative
      surrounding muscle tissue.

PMID- 27259731
TI  - DNA Extraction: Organic and Solid-Phase.
AB  - DNA extraction remains a critical step in DNA profiling of biological material
      recovered from scenes of crime. In the forensic community several methods have
      gained popularity, including Chelex((r)), organic extraction, and solid-phase
      extraction. While some laboratories streamlined their processes and only use one
      method we have retained several methods and continue to use these for different
      sample types. In this chapter we present three methods that have been used for
      several years in our laboratory.

PMID- 27259732
TI  - Extraction of DNA from Skeletal Remains.
AB  - Acquisition of DNA from skeletal remains can be a delicate process. With the
      advent of improved extraction buffers that provide complete demineralization of
      the osseous materials, extraction of total genomic DNA from nearly any skeletal
      element is possible. This chapter describes both traditional organic and more
      newly developed inorganic extraction methods for fresh and dried skeletal
      remains.

PMID- 27259733
TI  - Extraction of DNA from Human Skeletal Material.
AB  - In recent years the recovery and analysis of DNA from skeletal remains has been
      applied to several contexts ranging from disaster victim identification to the
      identification of the victims of conflict. Here are described procedures for
      processing the bone and tooth samples including mechanical and chemical cleaning,
      cutting and powdering in the presence of liquid nitrogen, complete
      demineralization of bone and tooth powder, DNA extraction, DNA purification using
      magnetic beads, and the precautions and strategies implemented to avoid and
      detect contamination. It has proven highly successful in the analysis of bones
      and teeth from Second World War victims' skeletal remains that have been
      excavated from mass graves in Slovenia and is also suitable for genetic
      identification of relatively fresh human remains.

PMID- 27259734
TI  - The Development and Use of Internal Amplification Controls (IACs) with DNA
      Profiling Kits for Forensic DNA Analysis.
AB  - Biological samples recovered for forensic investigations are often degraded
      and/or have low amounts of DNA; in addition, in some instances the samples may be
      contaminated with chemicals that can act as PCR inhibitors. As a consequence this
      can make interpretation of the results challenging with the possibility of having
      partial profiles and false negative results. Because of the impact of DNA
      analysis on forensic investigations, it is important to monitor the process of
      DNA profiling, in particular the amplification reaction. In this chapter we
      describe a method for the in-house generation and use of internal amplification
      controls (IACs) with DNA profiling kits to monitor the success of the PCR proces.
      In the example we show the use of the SGM Plus(r) kit. These controls can also be
      used to aid the interpretation of the DNA profile.

PMID- 27259735
TI  - NucleoSpin((r)) XS Columns for DNA Concentration and Clean-Up.
AB  - The phenol-chloroform (organic) extraction method continues to be a preferred
      method for extraction of DNA from forensic evidence samples that may contain low
      quantities of DNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors. The aqueous
      extracts from the organic extraction of DNA require subsequent concentration and
      cleanup, which has traditionally been performed with microdialysis filter units,
      including the Centricon((r)) and Microcon((r)) centrifugal filter devices. Here,
      we describe the use of the NucleoSpin((r)) XS silica columns as an alternative
      for the concentration and purification of the aqueous extracts from the organic
      extraction and for the removal of PCR inhibitors from existing DNA extracts.

PMID- 27259736
TI  - Purification of PCR Products to Improve STR Profiles.
AB  - Forensic laboratories routinely perform STR analyses using commercially available
      STR kits. Very low levels of DNA are extracted from many forensic samples. In
      these samples, the amount of DNA that can be placed in a PCR is below the optimal
      DNA range for the commercial kits, leading to weak profiles and allelic dropout.
      STR profiles generated from poor quality samples can be improved by purification
      of the PCR product prior to capillary electrophoresis.

PMID- 27259737
TI  - Analysis of 30 Biallelic INDEL Markers Using the Investigator DIPplex((r)) Kit.
AB  - Insertion/deletion polymorphisms (INDELs) are a relatively new class of a DNA
      marker to be used in forensic casework; used most commonly as a supplementary
      method to STR-based typing. INDELs, like SNPs, are particularly useful for the
      analysis of highly degraded DNA as the amplicon sizes are typically below 160 bp;
      they can also be valuable as an additional tool to help resolve kinship cases,
      with the advantage over STRs that they do not have high mutation rates. INDELs
      have an advantage over SNPs in that they are length polymorphisms and so can be
      analyzed by simply measuring the length of the allele(s). The Qiagen
      Investigator((r)) DIPplex Kit is currently only one of two commercially available
      kits for the amplification of INDEL polymorphisms; it amplifies 30 biallelic
      INDEL loci and the amelogenin locus. The primers used are fluorescence labeled
      with 6-FAM, BTG, BTY, and BTR. This technique is robust, relatively simple, and
      the results are analyzed using the same capillary electrophoresis equipment and
      software as used for STR typing.

PMID- 27259738
TI  - Analysis of Mitochondrial Control Region Using Sanger Sequencing.
AB  - The analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is an established forensic tool and has
      been used extensively to aid with both the identification of human remains and
      evidence recovered from scenes of crime. The biology of mtDNA confers both
      advantages and disadvantages when using it as a tool for identification. It
      benefits from a high copy number, which facilitates analysis from samples with
      highly degraded DNA or trace amounts of DNA, but the maternal mode of inheritance
      restricts its power of discrimination. With Next Generation Sequencing being used
      in research and some forensic casework laboratories the scope of mtDNA analysis
      in forensic casework may expand in the near future. Currently, however, most
      casework laboratories rely on Sanger sequencing and an established method for
      analyzing the hypervariable sequence regions is described.

PMID- 27259739
TI  - Whole Human Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can help in the identification of biological evidence
      recovered from crime scenes and human remains. Typically the hypervariable
      regions are targeted for sequencing; however, more discriminating profiles are
      obtained if the whole genome is sequenced. Different approaches exist as to how
      best amplify and sequence whole mtDNA from forensic specimens. Here, we describe
      a method based on two-round PCR, combining multiplex and simplex PCRs. This
      method has been used in the analysis of mitochondrial genomes from archival
      saliva samples applied to FTA(r) cards after 10 years of transportation and
      preservation, without special protection. It is expected that this technique can
      be also used for the analysis of other old biological specimens directly or with
      modifications related to the level of DNA degradation.

PMID- 27259740
TI  - In-Solution Hybridization for the Targeted Enrichment of the Whole Mitochondrial
      Genome.
AB  - A detailed protocol is presented for the targeted enrichment of whole
      mitochondrial genomes based on an in-solution hybridization strategy. Bait is
      produced in-house by sonication of two long-range PCR amplicons and ligation of
      biotinylated double-stranded adapters. Indexed target DNA is hybridized with the
      bait in a multiplex enrichment reaction and pulled down using magnetic
      streptavidin beads followed by subsequent post-enrichment PCR and sequencing on
      an Illumina MiSeq. This strategy removes the need for expensive commercial bait
      probes while allowing enrichment of multiple samples in a single hybridization
      reaction. The method is particularly suitable for degraded DNA as it is able to
      enrich short DNA fragments and is not susceptible to polymerase artifacts
      introduced during PCR-based assays.

PMID- 27259741
TI  - Enhanced DNA Profiling of the Semen Donor in Late Reported Sexual Assaults: Use
      of Y-Chromosome-Targeted Pre-amplification and Next Generation Y-STR
      Amplification Systems.
AB  - In some cases of sexual assault the victim may not report the assault for several
      days after the incident due to various factors. The ability to obtain an
      autosomal STR profile of the semen donor from a living victim rapidly diminishes
      as the post-coital interval is extended due to the presence of only a small
      amount of male DNA amidst an overwhelming amount of female DNA. Previously, we
      have utilized various technological tools to overcome the limitations of male DNA
      profiling in extended interval post-coital samples including the use of Y
      chromosome STR profiling, cervical sample, and post-PCR purification permitting
      the recovery of Y-STR profiles of the male DNA from samples collected 5-6 days
      after intercourse. Despite this success, the reproductive biology literature
      reports the presence of spermatozoa in the human cervix up to 7-10 days post
      coitus. Therefore, novel and improved methods for recovery of male profiles in
      extended interval post-coital samples were required. Here, we describe enhanced
      strategies, including Y-chromosome-targeted pre-amplification and next generation
      Y-STR amplification kits, that have resulted in the ability to obtain probative
      male profiles from samples collected 6-9 days after intercourse.

PMID- 27259742
TI  - Analysis of Rapidly Mutating Y Chromosome Short Tandem Repeats (RM Y-STRs).
AB  - Rapidly mutating (RM) Y-STRs were recently identified and can help to
      differentiate between paternally related males in paternity and forensic
      casework. Normal Y-STRs are often used in casework due to their paternal
      inheritance, which can help to resolve kinship cases, and identify male
      components in male/female mixtures; however, more discriminating profiles are
      obtained if rapidly mutating Y-STRs are used. Previously two or three multiplex
      PCRs have been used to amplify 13 RM Y-STRs; here, an assay amplifying these 13
      markers in a single multiplex PCR is described. Commercially available male
      control DNA samples have been genotyped during the validation of this assay, thus
      providing a tool for calibrating genotyping results. It is expected that the
      assay will provide a niche tool for genotyping casework samples.

PMID- 27259743
TI  - A Practical Guide to the HIrisPlex System: Simultaneous Prediction of Eye and
      Hair Color from DNA.
AB  - The HIrisPlex system, which consists of two parts, allows the simultaneous
      prediction of eye and hair color from DNA, e.g., samples extracted from crime
      scene evidence. The first part is a highly sensitive multiplex genotyping assay
      consisting of 24 DNA markers using SNaPshotTM chemistry, for analysis on all
      Capillary Electrophoresis machines. The second part consists of statistical
      models that respectively establish eye and hair color prediction probabilities
      from complete and incomplete genotype profiles using parameters generated from
      large genotype and phenotype databases. This combined prediction tool constitutes
      the online system freely available to users. Here we provide a practical guide on
      how to use the HIrisPlex system for forensic and other DNA applications.

PMID- 27259744
TI  - Inference of Ancestry in Forensic Analysis I: Autosomal Ancestry-Informative
      Marker Sets.
AB  - An expanding choice of ancestry-informative marker single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (AIM-SNPs) is becoming available for the forensic user in the form
      of sensitive SNaPshot-based tests or in alternative single-base extension
      genotyping systems (e.g., Sequenom iPLEX) that can be adapted for analysis with
      SNaPshot. In addition, alternative ancestry-informative variation: Indels and
      STRs can be analyzed using direct PCR-to-CE techniques that offer the possibility
      to detect mixed profiles. We review the current forensically viable AIM panels,
      their optimized PCR multiplexes, and the population differentiation power they
      offer. We also describe how improved population divergence balance can be
      achieved with the enlarged multiplex scales of next-generation sequencing
      approaches to enable analysis of admixed individuals without biased estimation of
      co-ancestry proportions.

PMID- 27259745
TI  - Inference of Ancestry in Forensic Analysis II: Analysis of Genetic Data.
AB  - Three approaches applicable to the analysis of forensic ancestry-informative
      marker data-STRUCTURE, principal component analysis, and the Snipper Bayesian
      classification system-are reviewed. Detailed step-by-step guidance is provided
      for adjusting parameter settings in STRUCTURE with particular regard to their
      effect when differentiating populations. Several enhancements to the Snipper
      online forensic classification portal are described, highlighting the added
      functionality they bring to particular aspects of ancestry-informative SNP
      analysis in a forensic context.

PMID- 27259746
TI  - Species Determination: The Role and Use of the Cytochrome b Gene.
AB  - The illegal trade in ivory and rhino horn has led to a catastrophic decline in
      elephant and rhino populations worldwide. These iconic high profile species are
      one part of the illegal trade in wildlife products that threatens these species
      and the ecological balance in the habitats in which they live. Identification of
      the species present is required to determine that the trade is illegal and
      contrary to national legislation. This chapter details a robust DNA technique
      using part of the cytochrome b gene on the mitochondrial genome that will work on
      poor quality samples such as powdered horn or ivory products including statues
      and carvings. An appropriate DNA extraction technique is required to obtain at
      least 1 ng of DNA from which the amplification of part of the cytochrome b gene
      using universal primers is performed. This produces a fragment of 486 bp in size
      which can be sequenced using standard technologies. The resulting sequences are
      then aligned to voucher specimens or sequences on reliable databases. Analyses of
      the data should lead to confident species identification.

PMID- 27259747
TI  - Effect of positive airway pressure on glomerular filtration rate in patients with
      sleep-disordered breathing: a meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been suggested to be associated
      with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Positive airway pressure (PAP) is an effective
      treatment for SDB, but the impact of PAP therapy on glomerular filtration rate
      (GFR) in patients with SDB remains unclear. The present meta-analysis was
      performed to determine whether PAP therapy could increase GFR. DESIGN: A
      systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library was
      performed for literature published up to January 2016. Standardized mean
      difference (SMD) was calculated to estimate the treatment effects of pre- and
      post-PAP therapy. RESULTS: A total of eight studies with 240 patients were pooled
      into a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that there was no change of GFR
      before and after PAP treatment in SDB patients (SMD = 0.010, 95 % confidence
      interval (CI) = -0.331 to 0.350, z = 0.06, p = 0.956), Subgroup analyses
      indicated that GFR was significantly increased after PAP treatment in elder
      patients (>=55 years) (SMD = -0.283, 95 % CI = -0.518 to -0.047, z = 2.35, p =
      0.019) and patients with therapeutic duration >= 3 months (SMD = -0.276, 95 % CI
      = -0.522 to -0.031, z = 2.20, p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis
      suggested that PAP treatment had no impact on GFR in SDB patients. However,
      longer PAP usage for SDB patients significantly improved GFR. In elder SDB
      subjects, PAP was also associated with a statistically significant increase in
      GFR.

PMID- 27259749
TI  - Experimental evidence that sperm maturation drives protandry in an ectotherm.
AB  - Protandry, i.e., the earlier arrival to breeding areas of males than females, has
      attracted a lot of scientific attention. However, evidence for the evolutionary
      hypotheses of protandry is surprisingly scarce. Here, we experimentally
      manipulate the time of emergence from hibernation of males, relative to females,
      in the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara. We test whether the timing of emergence
      affects sperm maturation and mating success, to disentangle among proposed
      selective advantages of protandry. Our results experimentally demonstrate that
      the timing of emergence affects the date of sperm presence. Moreover, the degree
      of protandry affected whether males had sperm upon their first encounter with
      females, but it did not affect the probability of copulating. Mating occurred
      independent of male fertility and mating during infertility was least common in
      early emerging males. Early emergence from hibernation by males, relative to
      females, thus increases the male's chance of fertilising eggs and later emergence
      from hibernation by females reduces the female's probability of mating with
      infertile males. These results point to direct reproductive benefits of protandry
      in males and females, where earlier emergence is predicted to increase the male's
      opportunities to inseminate mates, and later emergence reduces the female's
      probability of copulating with infertile males. This suggests that protandry
      evolved due to the time required for sperm maturation after emergence from
      hibernation.

PMID- 27259748
TI  - Retinal nerve fiber layer thinning: a window into rapid eye movement sleep
      behavior disorders in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning occurs in Parkinson's disease
      (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Idiopathic RBD (iRBD) is a well
      established prodromal hallmark of synucleinopathies and occurs secondary to many
      neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. The aim of this study is to determine
      whether or not retinal structures are altered with the onset of rapid eye
      movement (REM) sleep behavior disorders (RBD). METHODS: In all, a total of 63
      patients with PD, 14 patients with idiopathic RBD, and 26 sex- and age-matched
      healthy controls were enrolled and underwent optical coherence tomography
      measurements (HD-OCT (Zeiss) ) for the average and every quadrant of RNFL
      thickness. The REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ) was
      used to classify PD patients with clinically probable RBD (PD + pRBD) or without
      probable RBD (PD - pRBD). Patients with iRBD were identified by polysomnography.
      RESULTS: For patients with RBD (idiopathic or secondary to PD), we found a
      significant decrease in RNFL thickness compared with groups without RBD (PD -
      pRBD and healthy controls) (all p < 0.05). Average RNFL thickness in patients
      with iRBD is significantly thinner than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). In PD,
      the average RNFL thickness was dramatically thinner in the PD + pRBD group than
      the PD - pRBD group (p < 0.005). Compared with healthy controls, RNFL thickness
      was slightly thinner in the drug-naive PD group but not the PD group with drug
      treatment. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that RBDSQ score was
      negatively associated with average and inferior RNFL variation in PD (all p <
      0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that RNFL was slightly but significantly
      thinner in idiopathic RBD. In PD, RNFL thickness may vary depending on the
      presence of RBD.

PMID- 27259750
TI  - 2016 consensus statement of the International Ankle Consortium: prevalence,
      impact and long-term consequences of lateral ankle sprains.
AB  - The Executive Committee of the International Ankle Consortium presents this 2016
      position paper with recommendations for information implementation and continued
      research based on the paradigm that lateral ankle sprain (LAS), and the
      development of chronic ankle instability (CAI), serve as a conduit to a
      significant global healthcare burden. We intend our recommendations to serve as a
      mechanism to promote efforts to improve prevention and early management of LAS.
      We believe this will reduce the prevalence of CAI and associated sequelae that
      have led to the broader public health burdens of decreased physical activity and
      early onset ankle joint post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Ultimately, this can
      contribute to healthier lifestyles and promotion of physical activity.

PMID- 27259752
TI  - Inflammation and the continuum model: time to acknowledge the molecular era of
      tendinopathy.

PMID- 27259753
TI  - Evidence review for the 2016 International Ankle Consortium consensus statement
      on the prevalence, impact and long-term consequences of lateral ankle sprains.
AB  - Lateral ankle sprains (LASs) are the most prevalent musculoskeletal injury in
      physically active populations. They also have a high prevalence in the general
      population and pose a substantial healthcare burden. The recurrence rates of LASs
      are high, leading to a large percentage of patients with LAS developing chronic
      ankle instability. This chronicity is associated with decreased physical activity
      levels and quality of life and associates with increasing rates of post-traumatic
      ankle osteoarthritis, all of which generate financial costs that are larger than
      many have realised. The literature review that follows expands this paradigm and
      introduces emerging areas that should be prioritised for continued research,
      supporting a companion position statement paper that proposes recommendations for
      using this summary of information, and needs for specific future research.

PMID- 27259754
TI  - Clinical Trial and Research Study Recruiters' Verbal Communication Behaviors.
AB  - The lack of accrual to research studies and clinical trials is a persistent
      problem with serious consequences: Advances in medical science depend on the
      participation of large numbers of people, including members of minority and
      underserved populations. The current study examines a critical determinant of
      accrual: the approach of patients by professional recruiters who request
      participation in research studies and clinical trials. Findings indicate that
      recruiters use a number of verbal strategies in the communication process,
      including translating study information (such as simplifying, using examples, and
      substituting specific difficult or problematic words), using linguistic reframing
      or metaphors, balancing discussions of research participation risks with
      benefits, and encouraging potential participants to ask questions. The
      identification of these verbal strategies can form the basis of new communication
      protocols that will help medical and nonmedical professionals communicate more
      clearly and effectively with patients and other potential participants about
      research studies and clinical trials, which should lead to increased accrual in
      the future.

PMID- 27259751
TI  - Return to play post-Achilles tendon rupture: a systematic review and meta
      analysis of rate and measures of return to play.
AB  - AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to identify return to play
      (RTP) rates following Achilles tendon rupture and evaluate what measures are used
      to determine RTP. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed.
      Studies were assessed for risk of bias and grouped based on repeatability of
      their measure of RTP determination. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science
      and Scopus databases were searched to identify potentially relevant articles.
      ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Studies reporting RTP/sport/sport
      activity in acute, closed Achilles tendon rupture were included. RESULTS: 108
      studies encompassing 6506 patients were included for review. 85 studies included
      a measure for determining RTP. The rate of RTP in all studies was 80% (95% CI 75%
      to 85%). Studies with measures describing determination of RTP reported lower
      rates than studies without metrics described, with rates being significantly
      different between groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: 80 per cent of patients returned
      to play following Achilles tendon rupture; however, the RTP rates are dependent
      on the quality of the method used to measure RTP. To further understand RTP after
      Achilles tendon rupture, a standardised, reliable and valid method is required.

PMID- 27259755
TI  - Elevated levels of FN1 and CCL2 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from sarcoidosis
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous systemic inflammatory disease in which
      more than 90 % of all patients develop pulmonary manifestations. Several gene
      associations have previously been described, but established and clinically
      useful biomarkers are still absent. This study aimed to find proteins in
      bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid that can be associated with the disease.
      METHODS: We developed and performed profiling of 94 selected proteins in BAL
      fluid and serum samples obtained from newly diagnosed and non-treated patients
      with sarcoidosis. Using multiplexed immunoassays, a total of 317 BAL and 217
      serum samples were analyzed, including asthmatic patients and healthy individuals
      as controls. RESULTS: Our analyses revealed increased levels of eight proteins in
      sarcoidosis patients compared to controls. Out of these, fibronectin (FN1) and C
      C motif chemokine 2 (CCL2) revealed the strongest associations. In addition,
      cadherin 5 (CDH5) was found to correlate positively with lymphocyte cell numbers
      in BAL fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Applying a high throughput proteomics screening
      technique, we found proteins of potential clinical relevance in the context of
      sarcoidosis.

PMID- 27259756
TI  - Identification of mutations in the MYO9A gene in patients with congenital
      myasthenic syndrome.
AB  - Congenital myasthenic syndromes are a group of rare and genetically heterogenous
      disorders resulting from defects in the structure and function of the
      neuromuscular junction. Patients with congenital myasthenic syndrome exhibit
      fatigable muscle weakness with a variety of accompanying phenotypes depending on
      the protein affected. A cohort of patients with a clinical diagnosis of
      congenital myasthenic syndrome that lacked a genetic diagnosis underwent whole
      exome sequencing in order to identify genetic causation. Missense biallelic
      mutations in the MYO9A gene, encoding an unconventional myosin, were identified
      in two unrelated families. Depletion of MYO9A in NSC-34 cells revealed a direct
      effect of MYO9A on neuronal branching and axon guidance. Morpholino-mediated
      knockdown of the two MYO9A orthologues in zebrafish, myo9aa/ab, demonstrated a
      requirement for MYO9A in the formation of the neuromuscular junction during
      development. The morphants displayed shortened and abnormally branched motor
      axons, lack of movement within the chorion and abnormal swimming in response to
      tactile stimulation. We therefore conclude that MYO9A deficiency may affect the
      presynaptic motor axon, manifesting in congenital myasthenic syndrome. These
      results highlight the involvement of unconventional myosins in motor axon
      functionality, as well as the need to look outside traditional neuromuscular
      junction-specific proteins for further congenital myasthenic syndrome candidate
      genes.

PMID- 27259757
TI  - A heterozygous 21-bp deletion in CAPN3 causes dominantly inherited limb girdle
      muscular dystrophy.
AB  - Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A is the most common limb girdle muscular
      dystrophy form worldwide. Although strict recessive inheritance is assumed,
      patients carrying a single mutation in the calpain 3 gene (CAPN3) are reported.
      Such findings are commonly attributed to incomplete mutation screening. In this
      investigation, we report 37 individuals (age range: 21-85 years, 21 females and
      16 males) from 10 families in whom only one mutation in CAPN3 could be
      identified; a 21-bp, in-frame deletion (c.643_663del21). This mutation co
      segregated with evidence of muscle disease and autosomal dominant transmission in
      several generations. Evidence of muscle disease was indicated by muscle pain,
      muscle weakness and wasting, significant fat replacement of muscles on imaging,
      myopathic changes on muscle biopsy and loss of calpain 3 protein on western
      blotting. Thirty-one of 34 patients had elevated creatine kinase or myoglobin.
      Muscle weakness was generally milder than observed in limb girdle muscular
      dystrophy type 2A, but affected the same muscle groups (proximal leg, lumbar
      paraspinal and medial gastrocnemius muscles). In some cases, the weakness was
      severely disabling. The 21-bp deletion did not affect mRNA maturation. Calpain 3
      expression in muscle, assessed by western blot, was below 15% of normal levels in
      the nine mutation carriers in whom this could be tested. Haplotype analysis in
      four families from three different countries suggests that the 21-bp deletion is
      a founder mutation. This study provides strong evidence that heterozygosity for
      the c.643_663del21 deletion in CAPN3 results in a dominantly inherited muscle
      disease. The normal expression of mutated mRNA and the severe loss of calpain 3
      on western blotting, suggest a dominant negative effect with a loss-of-function
      mechanism affecting the calpain 3 homodimer. This renders patients deficient in
      calpain 3 as in limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A, albeit in a milder form
      in most cases. Based on findings in 10 families, our study indicates that a
      dominantly inherited pattern of calpainopathy exists, and should be considered in
      the diagnostic work-up and genetic counselling of patients with calpainopathy and
      single-allele aberrations in CAPN3.

PMID- 27259758
TI  - Relationship between selected perinatal paratuberculosis management interventions
      and passive transfer of immunity in dairy calves.
AB  - The objective of this cohort study was to assess the relationship between
      perinatal calf management practices relevant to the control of paratuberculosis
      and passive transfer of immunoglobulin in calves born in an endemically infected
      Irish dairy herd. Data from 176 calves were used to assess the effect of time
      spent in the calving area, individual versus non-designated calving and colostrum
      pasteurisation on serum total protein, zinc sulphate turbidity, globulin and
      gamma-glutamyltransferase. In addition, the effects of colostrum quality, volume
      of colostrum fed, method of colostrum administration and calving season on
      passive transfer were quantified. Serum samples were collected as part of routine
      herd health monitoring from calves aged between one and seven days. Multivariate
      linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the effect of each
      variable on the test result and failure of passive transfer as determined using a
      cut-off point for each diagnostic test. Colostrum pasteurisation and calving area
      were not significantly associated with passive transfer, whereas increased time
      spent in the calving pen was consistently associated with a detrimental effect.
      In addition, a strong seasonal effect was apparent, which appeared to be
      unrelated to colostrum quality and calf management. The authors are unaware of
      published studies documenting such a significant seasonal effect on passive
      transfer. 

PMID- 27259759
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27259803
TI  - The default response to uncertainty and the importance of perceived safety in
      anxiety and stress: An evolution-theoretical perspective.
AB  - From a combined neurobiological and evolution-theoretical perspective, the stress
      response is a subcortically subserved response to uncertainty that is not
      'generated' but 'default': the stress response is 'always there' but as long as
      safety is perceived, the stress response is under tonic prefrontal inhibition,
      reflected by high vagally mediated heart rate variability. Uncertainty of safety
      leads to disinhibiting the default stress response, even in the absence of
      threat. Due to the stress response's survival value, this 'erring on the side of
      caution' is passed to us via our genes. Thus, intolerance of uncertainty is not
      acquired during the life cycle, but is a given property of all living organisms,
      only to be alleviated in situations of which the safety is learned. When the
      latter is deficient, generalized unsafety ensues, which underlies chronic anxiety
      and stress and their somatic health risks, as well as other highly prevalent
      conditions carrying such risks, including loneliness, obesity, aerobic unfitness
      and old age.

PMID- 27259804
TI  - A community-based cross-sectional study for relationship of frequency of
      vegetables intake and osteoporosis in a Chinese postmenopausal women sample.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The main purpose of this study was to explore the associations
      between frequency of vegetables intake and osteoporosis (OP) in Chinese
      postmenopausal women. METHODS: We conducted a large-scale, community-based, cross
      sectional study to investigate the associations by using self-report
      questionnaire to access frequency of vegetables intake. The total of 1903
      participants was available to data analysis in this study. Multiple regression
      models to include frequency of vegetables variable were performed to investigate
      the relationships for OP, after controlling for confounding factors. RESULTS:
      Multiple regression analysis indicated that the frequency of vegetables intake
      was independently and significantly associated with OP (P < 0.1 for model 1 and
      model 2). The postmenopausal women with high frequency of vegetables intake had a
      higher prevalence of OP. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that frequency of
      vegetables intake was independently and significantly associated with OP. The
      prevalence of OP was more frequent in Chinese postmenopausal women preferring
      vegetables food habits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
      NCT02451397 ; date of registration: 2015-05-28).

PMID- 27259806
TI  - Global research trends in the medical therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension
      2000-2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive disease of the
      pulmonary vasculature that affects more than 200.000 patients worldwide. Without
      medical treatment it leads to right heart failure and death. Extensive
      fundamental and clinical research has been performed throughout the globe to
      modify the disease and improve survival. METHODS: We performed a bibliometric
      study on medical treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension to identify study
      characteristics, impact factors and the countries of origin of basic and clinical
      studies that were published between 2000 and 2014. For visualization of the
      obtained data density equalizing maps were prepared. RESULTS: A total of 681
      studies were eligible, of these 56% were clinical studies that have included a
      total of 30960 patients. Most studies were performed on endothelin receptor
      antagonists, followed by prostacyclins and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.
      Impact factors did not differ between clinical and basic science studies. The
      United States for clinical studies, and China for basic science studies were
      identified as main contributors to the global scientific output. CONCLUSIONS:
      This first bibliometric study in the field of pulmonary arterial hypertension
      shows that a significant amount of scientific research was performed within the
      last 14 years mainly in North America, Asia and Europe. As current trends in this
      field of research we identified combination therapies and Asian countries being a
      new hatchery for emerging experimental and clinical studies.

PMID- 27259805
TI  - A retrospective study of two populations to test a simple rule for spirometry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic lung disease is common and often under-diagnosed. METHODS: To
      test a simple rule for conducting spirometry we reviewed spirograms from two
      populations, occupational medicine evaluations (OME) conducted by Saint Louis and
      Wake Forest Universities at 3 sites (n = 3260, mean age 64.14 years, 95 % CI
      58.94-69.34, 97 % men) and conducted by Wake Forest University preop clinic (POC)
      at one site (n = 845, mean age 62.10 years, 95 % CI 50.46-73.74, 57 % men). This
      retrospective review of database information that the first author collected
      prospectively identified rates, types, sensitivity, specificity and positive and
      negative predictive value for lung function abnormalities and associated
      mortality rate found when conducting spirometry based on the 20/40 rule (>=20
      years of smoking in those aged >= 40 years) in the OME population. To determine
      the reproducibility of the 20/40 rule for conducting spirometry, the rule was
      applied to the POC population. RESULTS: A lung function abnormality was found in
      74 % of the OME population and 67 % of the POC population. Sensitivity of the
      rule was 85 % for an obstructive pattern and 77 % for any abnormality on
      spirometry. Positive and negative predictive values of the rule for a spirometric
      abnormality were 74 and 55 %, respectively. Patients with an obstructive pattern
      were at greater risk of coronary heart disease (odds ratio (OR) 1.39 [confidence
      interval (CI) 1.00-1.93] vs. normal) and death (hazard ratio (HR) 1.53, 95 % CI
      1.20-1.84) than subjects with normal spirometry. Restricted spirometry patterns
      were also associated with greater risk of coronary disease (odds ratio (OR) 1.7
      [CI 1.23-2.35]) and death (Hazard ratio 1.40, 95 % CI 1.08-1.72). CONCLUSIONS:
      Smokers (>= 20 pack years) age >= 40 years are at an increased risk for lung
      function abnormalities and those abnormalities are associated with greater
      presence of coronary heart disease and increased all-cause mortality. Use of the
      20/40 rule could provide a simple method to enhance selection of candidates for
      spirometry evaluation in the primary care setting.

PMID- 27259807
TI  - The Proteasix Ontology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Proteasix Ontology (PxO) is an ontology that supports the
      Proteasix tool; an open-source peptide-centric tool that can be used to predict
      automatically and in a large-scale fashion in silico the proteases involved in
      the generation of proteolytic cleavage fragments (peptides) METHODS: The PxO re
      uses parts of the Protein Ontology, the three Gene Ontology sub-ontologies, the
      Chemical Entities of Biological Interest Ontology, the Sequence Ontology and
      bespoke extensions to the PxO in support of a series of roles: 1. To describe the
      known proteases and their target cleaveage sites. 2. To enable the description of
      proteolytic cleaveage fragments as the outputs of observed and predicted
      proteolysis. 3. To use knowledge about the function, species and cellular
      location of a protease and protein substrate to support the prioritisation of
      proteases in observed and predicted proteolysis. RESULTS: The PxO is designed to
      describe the biological underpinnings of the generation of peptides. The peptide
      centric PxO seeks to support the Proteasix tool by separating domain knowledge
      from the operational knowledge used in protease prediction by Proteasix and to
      support the confirmation of its analyses and results. AVAILABILITY: The Proteasix
      Ontology may be found at: http://bioportal.bioontology.org/ontologies/PXO . This
      ontology is free and open for use by everyone.

PMID- 27259809
TI  - MicroRNA-505 suppresses proliferation and invasion in hepatoma cells by directly
      targeting high-mobility group box 1.
AB  - AIMS: MicroRNA-505 (miR-505) expressions have been reported to be altered in the
      serum of HCC patients. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of miR-505 in
      hepatoma cells remains poorly understood. The present study intended to
      investigate the expression levels and the probable role and molecular basis of
      miR-505 in hepatoma cells. MAIN METHODS: Real-time PCR was used to determine the
      miR-505 expressions in hepatoma cell lines QGY-7703, SMMC-7721 and MHCC97.
      Furthermore, an up-or down-regulation of miR-505 was performed in MHCC97 by
      transfected with miR-505 mimics or anti-miR-505, respectively. Cell
      proliferation, cell invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were
      determined. Moreover, the target gene of miR-505 was also investigated. KEY
      FINDINGS: The expressions of miR-505 were down-regulated in three hepatoma cell
      lines. MHCC97 possessed the lowest miR-505 levels among the three hepatoma cell
      lines. Furthermore, the up-regulation of miR-505 suppressed, whereas the down
      regulation of miR-505 promoted proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition in MHCC97. Moreover, miR-505 could directly bind to the 3'
      untranslated region of High-Mobility Group Box 1. Notably, High-Mobility Group
      Box 1 knockdown apparently promoted cell proliferation and invasion in MHCC97.
      SIGNIFICANCE: We investigated that MiR-505 regulates proliferation and invasion
      in MHCC97 cells via targeting High-Mobility Group Box 1.

PMID- 27259808
TI  - Indolo-pyrido-isoquinolin based alkaloid inhibits growth, invasion and migration
      of breast cancer cells via activation of p53-miR34a axis.
AB  - The tumor suppressor p53 plays a critical role in suppressing cancer growth and
      progression and is an attractive target for the development of new targeted
      therapies. We synthesized several indolo-pyrido-isoquinolin based alkaloids to
      activate p53 function and examined their therapeutic efficacy using NCI-60
      screening. Here, we provide molecular evidence that one of these compounds, 11
      methoxy-2,3,4,13-tetrahydro-1H-indolo[2',3':3,4]pyrido[1,2-b]isoquinolin-6-ylium
      bromide (termed P18 or NSC-768219) inhibits growth and clonogenic potential of
      cancer cells. P18 treatment results in downregulation of mesenchymal markers and
      concurrent upregulation of epithelial markers as well as inhibition of migration
      and invasion. Experimental epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) induced by
      exposure to TGFbeta/TNFalpha is also completely reversed by P18. Importantly, P18
      also inhibits mammosphere-formation along with a reduction in the expression of
      stemness factors, Oct4, Nanog and Sox2. We show that P18 induces expression,
      phosphorylation and accumulation of p53 in cancer cells. P18-mediated induction
      of p53 leads to increased nuclear localization and elevated expression of p53
      target genes. Using isogenic cancer cells differing only in p53 status, we show
      that p53 plays an important role in P18-mediated alteration of mesenchymal and
      epithelial genes, inhibition of migration and invasion of cancer cells.
      Furthermore, P18 increases miR-34a expression in p53-dependent manner and miR-34a
      is integral for P18-mediated inhibition of growth, invasion and mammosphere
      formation. miR-34a mimics potentiate P18 efficacy while miR-34a antagomirs
      antagonize P18. Collectively, these data provide evidence that P18 may represent
      a promising therapeutic strategy for the inhibition of growth and progression of
      breast cancer and p53-miR-34a axis is important for P18 function.

PMID- 27259810
TI  - (56)Fe ion irradiation induced apoptosis through Nrf2 pathway in mouse testis.
AB  - The phenomenon has raised the concerns about the safety of an extended manned
      mission into deep space due to the high potential for exposure to high-LET
      radiation during space missions. Heavy ions such as (56)Fe are main radiation
      sources in deep space, which could pose a significant hazard to space flight
      crews during and after missions. Since the testis is a radiosensitive organ,
      which may be susceptible to space radiation-induced changes. In this study, we
      investigated the effect and potential mechanisms of (56)Fe irradiation on mouse
      testis. Pathological characteristics were measured following whole-body
      irradiation with 0.5 and 1Gy (56)Fe irradiation. Flow cytometry and terminal dUTP
      nick end-labeling (TUNEL) were performed to detect apoptotic cells. Western blot
      was applied to identify potential biomarkers. Immunofluorescence was used to
      investigate protein localization. We found that pathologic changes and apoptosis
      cells were significantly higher in 1Gy group than those in 0Gy groups. In
      addition, protein expression and localization studies confirmed Nrf2 was involved
      in this acute injury. Nrf2 and its target genes HO-1 and NQO1 were up-regulated
      in the irradiated testis in a dose-dependent manner. Nrf2 may be useful molecular
      markers in radiation-induced cellular responses and is important for detecting
      abnormal spermatogenesis following exposure to space radiation. 

PMID- 27259811
TI  - The effect of acute physical and mental stress on soluble cellular adhesion
      molecule concentration.
AB  - AIMS: This study investigated the impact of acute physical and mental stress on
      serum concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and
      CX3CL1/fractalkine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male volunteers (n=20; 21.3+/
      0.55years of age) completed a graded treadmill test to exhaustion and a 20-minute
      mental stress task (Stroop Color-Word Test, mental arithmetic) on separate, non
      consecutive days. Heart rate (HR) was measured at baseline and throughout
      exercise and mental stress. Blood was collected at baseline (PRE), immediately
      following (POST) and 30min after (POST30) exercise and mental stress. Soluble
      VCAM-1 and fractalkine were quantified in participant serum via enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assays. KEY FINDINGS: Both treadmill exercise and the mental stress
      task significantly increased participant HR; although, exercise resulted in a
      substantially greater increase in participant HR compared to mental stress
      (197.82+/-11.99 vs. 38.67+/-3.10% [p<0.001]). VCAM-1 (815.74+/-139.55 vs.
      738.67+/-131.59ng/mL [p=0.002]) and fractalkine (1.032+/-0.33 vs. 0.59+/
      0.20ng/mL [p<0.001]) were significantly elevated in participant serum POST
      maximal exercise before returning to values similar to baseline at POST30. The
      acute mental stress task did not significantly alter serum VCAM-1 or fractalkine
      at any time point. SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, maximal aerobic exercise results
      in a significant elevation of the soluble adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and
      fractalkine in the serum of adult males that does not occur following laboratory
      induced mental stress. The findings of the current investigation may suggest a
      novel protective role for acute aerobic exercise in vascular health via exercise
      induced CAM proteolysis.

PMID- 27259812
TI  - Overexpressed MALAT1 promotes invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells via
      increasing EGFL7 expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to participate
      in various cancers. Here, the role and its potential mechanism of MALAT1 in
      invasion and migration of gastric cancer (GC) were investigated. METHODS: Gastric
      adenocarcinoma tissues and matched normal adjacent tissues were isolated from 25
      patients with GC. The expression of epidermal growth factor-like domain
      containing protein 7 (EGFL7) was detected in the normal gastric mucosa epithelial
      GES-1 cell line and three different differentiation GC cell lines, including
      MKN28 (well-differentiated adenocarcinoma), SGC7901 (moderately differentiated
      adenocarcinoma) and BGC823 (poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma). Tumor
      xenotransplant mouse model was established with the injection of cell line
      pretreated with lentiviral vectors for si-MALAT1 or si-control. RESULTS: The
      expression of MALAT1 was up-regulated in GC tissues and three cell lines. Si
      MALAT1/pcDNA-MALAT1 induced the decrease of cell invasion and migration, while
      the effects were reversed by the transfection of pcDNA-EGFL7/si-EGFL7. ChIP assay
      showed that MALAT1 regulated EGFL7 expression by altering the level of H3 histone
      acetylation in EGFL7 promoter. In tumor xenotransplant mice, down-regulated
      MALAT1 contributed to the inhibition of tumor metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Up
      regulated MALAT1 promoted the invasion and metastasis of GC, and the increase of
      EGFL7 expression was a potential mechanism via altering its H3 histone
      acetylation level.

PMID- 27259813
TI  - Celecoxib promotes degranulation of CD8(+) T cells in HPV-induced lesions of K14
      HPV16 transgenic mice.
AB  - AIMS: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known biologic carcinogen which is commonly
      transmitted through sexual intercourse. CD8(+) T cells are known effectors
      against tumour cells and an important prognostic marker in HPV-induced cancers.
      COX-2 inhibitors enhance CD8(+) T cell activity against some cancers. In this
      work, we sought to study the presence and activation of CD8(+) T lymphocytes in
      lesions from K14-HPV16 transgenic mice and the immunomodulatory effect of
      celecoxib (CXB) over these cells. MAIN METHODS: Skin samples of CXB-treated and
      untreated HPV16(-/-) and HPV16(+/-) mice were enzymatically digested and analysed
      by flow cytometry to assess CD8(+) and CD8(+)CD107a(+) T cell infiltrates.
      Matched skin samples were classified histologically. KEY FINDINGS: HPV16(+/-)
      mice presented higher CD8(+) T cell infiltration than HPV16(-/-) animals
      (P<0.001). Older HPV16(+/-) animals showed epidermal dysplasia and increased
      percentages of CD8(+)CD107a(+) T cells compared with younger animals with
      hyperplasia (P<0.001), validating this model for testing the effects of celecoxib
      on CD8(+) T cells. CXB-treated HPV16(+/-) mice showed higher percentages of
      CD8(+)CD107a(+) T cells compared with untreated HPV16(+/-) animals (P<0.01), but
      no differences were observed concerning the progression of epidermal lesions.
      SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicate that celecoxib enhances the degranulation
      of CD8(+) T cells on HPV16-induced lesions, suggesting the potential clinical use
      of COX-2 inhibitors. Additionally, this study demonstrates the usefulness of the
      K14-HPV16 mouse model for testing therapeutic immunomodulatory approaches.

PMID- 27259814
TI  - Short Telomere Length and Ischemic Heart Disease: Observational and Genetic
      Studies in 290 022 Individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Short telomeres are associated with aging and have been associated
      with a high risk of ischemic heart disease in observational studies; however, the
      latter association could be due to residual confounding and/or reverse causation.
      We wanted to test the hypothesis that short telomeres are associated with high
      risk of ischemic heart disease using a Mendelian randomization approach free of
      reverse causation and of most confounding. METHODS: We genotyped 3 genetic
      variants in OBFC1 (oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding fold containing 1),
      TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), and TERC (telomerase RNA component),
      which code for proteins and RNA involved in telomere maintenance. We studied 105
      055 individuals from Copenhagen; 17 235 of these individuals were diagnosed with
      ischemic heart disease between 1977 and 2013, and 66 618 had telomere length
      measured. For genetic studies, we further included the Coronary ARtery DIsease
      Genome wide Replication and Meta-analysis (CARDIoGRAM) consortium dataset, which
      included up to 184 967 participants and 60 837 cases of ischemic heart disease.
      We conducted multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazard models for
      observational estimates, using logistic and instrumental variable analysis for
      genetic estimates. RESULTS: Observationally, a 200-bp-shorter telomere length was
      associated with a multivariable adjusted hazard ratio for ischemic heart disease
      of 1.02 (95% CI, 1.01-1.03). Per allele, telomeres were shorter by 67 bp (73-60).
      In meta-analyses of all 4 studies combined, odds ratios for ischemic heart
      disease were 1.05 (1.03-1.08) for OBCF1, 1.04 (1.02-1.06) for TERT, and 1.01
      (0.99-1.03) for TERC. A genetically determined 200-bp-shorter telomere length was
      associated with an odds ratio for ischemic heart disease of 1.10 (1.06-1.14).
      CONCLUSIONS: Shorter telomeres were associated with a higher risk of ischemic
      heart disease, both observationally and genetically.

PMID- 27259815
TI  - Prostate-Specific Antigen as a Marker of Hyperandrogenism in Women and Its
      Implications for Antidoping.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since its discovery in the 1970s, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has
      become widely known as a biomarker of prostate cancer in males but has often been
      overlooked in female malignancies. Although the serum concentration of PSA
      differs between men and women by about 1000-fold, studies have suggested that PSA
      concentrations drastically differ among healthy females and those who exhibit
      increased androgen production. CONTENT: There have been reports of increased PSA
      expression in women exhibiting hyperandrogenic states, including polycystic ovary
      syndrome and hirsutism, as well as marked increases in a subset of breast cancer
      patients. These findings have not only revealed the remarkable diagnostic
      potential of PSA in a diverse range of clinical conditions but also point to its
      potential of becoming a useful biomarker of steroid hormone doping among female
      athletes. Recently, highly sensitive assays that can measure PSA at low limits of
      detection have been developed, which will aid in the discrimination of PSA
      between these different conditions. SUMMARY: The overall aim of this review is to
      revisit the expression of PSA in hormonally-regulated tissues and in female
      malignancies, and to demonstrate how the regulation of PSA permits its use in
      antidoping initiatives.

PMID- 27259816
TI  - Circulating Tumor DNA as a Cancer Biomarker: Fact or Fiction?

PMID- 27259818
TI  - CYP2C8-mediated interaction between repaglinide and steviol acyl glucuronide: In
      vitro investigations using rat and human matrices and in vivo pharmacokinetic
      evaluation in rats.
AB  - CYP2C8 is involved in the metabolic clearance of several important drugs and
      recent reports have shown that acyl glucuronides of gemfibrozil and clopidogrel
      are potent time-dependent inhibitors of CYP2C8 activity. In the present study,
      the inhibitory effect of steviol acyl glucuronide (SVAG), a circulating
      metabolite formed after the ingestion of rebaudioside A, was investigated using
      in vitro and in vivo systems. Results indicated that SVAG was a reversible but
      not a time-dependent inhibitor of CYP2C8-mediated paclitaxel 6alpha
      hydroxylation. SVAG was also capable of inhibiting CYP2C8-mediated repaglinide 3'
      hydroxylation in human liver microsomes and recombinant human CYP2C8, with Ki
      values of 15.8 MUM and 11.6 MUM, respectively. In contrast, SVAG did not exhibit
      inhibitory effect on CYP2C8 activity in rat liver microsomes. In addition, co
      administration of rebaudioside A with repaglinide in rats did not lead to AUC and
      Cmax changes of repaglinide. Although mathematic prediction using a simplified
      mechanistic model revealed a moderate interaction potential between repaglinide
      and SVAG, cautions should be given to patients with hypoglycemia if repaglinide
      and rebaudioside A are used in combination for the blood sugar control. 

PMID- 27259819
TI  - Minimum standards of clinical practice for physiotherapists working in critical
      care settings in Australia and New Zealand: A modified Delphi technique.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Achieving competency in critical care in entry-level physiotherapy
      courses across Australia and New Zealand is not essential, and accredited
      training for qualified physiotherapists working in critical care units is
      lacking. As a result, practice standards and training may vary. The objective was
      to establish consensus-based minimum clinical practice standards for
      physiotherapists working in critical care settings in Australia and New Zealand.
      DESIGN: A modified Delphi technique, which consisted of three rounds of
      questionnaires, was used to obtain consensus on items. SETTING: Australian and
      New Zealand critical care settings. PARTICIPANTS: A panel (n = 61) was invited
      from a pool of eligible physiotherapists throughout Australia and New Zealand (n
      = 93). Eligibility criteria were defined a-priori on the basis of possession of
      expertise and experience in the practice and teaching of critical care
      physiotherapy clinical skills. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Questionnaires were
      disseminated electronically (either via email, or SurveyMonkey(r)). Items were
      designated by participants as being 'Essential/Unsure/Not Essential'. Consensus
      for inclusion was achieved when items were ranked 'Essential' by more than 70% of
      participants. RESULTS: Fifty physiotherapists consented and participated in the
      initial Delphi round, of whom 45 (90%) completed all rounds. Consensus was
      reached on 199 (89%) items. The panel agreed that 132 (58%) items were
      'Essential' items for inclusion in the final framework. CONCLUSIONS: This is the
      first study to develop a consensus framework of minimum standards of practice for
      physiotherapists working in critical care. The clinical utility of this framework
      now requires assessment.

PMID- 27259817
TI  - Decreased Numbers of Somatostatin-Expressing Neurons in the Amygdala of Subjects
      With Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia: Relationship to Circadian Rhythms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Growing evidence points to a key role for somatostatin (SST) in
      schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). In the amygdala, neurons expressing
      SST play an important role in the regulation of anxiety, which is often comorbid
      in these disorders. We tested the hypothesis that SST-immunoreactive (IR) neurons
      are decreased in the amygdala of subjects with SZ and BD. Evidence for circadian
      SST expression in the amygdala and disrupted circadian rhythms and rhythmic peaks
      of anxiety in BD suggest a disruption of rhythmic expression of SST in this
      disorder. METHODS: Amygdala sections from 12 SZ, 15 BD, and 15 control subjects
      were processed for immunocytochemistry for SST and neuropeptide Y, a neuropeptide
      partially coexpressed in SST-IR neurons. Total numbers (Nt) of IR neurons were
      measured. Time of death was used to test associations with circadian rhythms.
      RESULTS: SST-IR neurons were decreased in the lateral amygdala nucleus in BD (Nt,
      p = .003) and SZ (Nt, p = .02). In normal control subjects, Nt of SST-IR neurons
      varied according to time of death. This pattern was altered in BD subjects,
      characterized by decreases of SST-IR neurons selectively in subjects with time of
      death corresponding to the day (6:00 am to 5:59 pm). Numbers of neuropeptide Y-IR
      neurons were not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased SST-IR neurons in the amygdala
      of patients with SZ and BD, interpreted here as decreased SST expression, may
      disrupt responses to fear and anxiety regulation in these individuals. In BD, our
      findings raise the possibility that morning peaks of anxiety depend on a
      disruption of circadian regulation of SST expression in the amygdala.

PMID- 27259820
TI  - Antimicrobial susceptibility of Mycoplasma bovis isolates from veal calves and
      dairy cattle in the Netherlands.
AB  - Control of Mycoplasma bovis infections depends on good husbandry practices and
      antibiotic treatment. To allow more prudent use of antimicrobial drugs, there is
      a need for information on the susceptibility profile of this pathogen. The
      objective of the present study was to analyse the in vitro antimicrobial
      susceptibility of clinical M. bovis isolates in the Netherlands. The collection
      comprised 95 bovine isolates, originating from lungs (n=56), mastitis milk
      (n=27), and synovial fluid (n=12), collected between 2008 and 2014. Minimal
      inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were assessed by broth microdilution, both by
      using in-house prepared MIC plates and by using commercially available MIC
      plates. For each antimicrobial agent, the range of MIC results, the MIC50, and
      MIC90 values were calculated. M. bovis strains recently isolated in the
      Netherlands appeared to be characterized by relatively high MIC values for
      antimicrobial agents that, until now, have been recommended by the Dutch
      Association of Veterinarians for treating pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma species.
      Fluoroquinolones appeared to be the most efficacious in inhibiting M. bovis
      growth, followed by tulathromycin and oxytetracycline. The highest MIC values
      were obtained for erythromycin, tilmicosin, and tylosin. Future studies should be
      done on determining M. bovis specific clinical breakpoints, standardization of
      methods to determine MIC values as well as molecular studies on detection of
      antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of M. bovis isolates to develop PCR assays
      for determining resistance. 

PMID- 27259821
TI  - Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in multi
      dog households: A longitudinal study using whole genome sequencing.
AB  - Despite a worldwide increase in the presence of methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) in dogs and its potential to cause serious
      canine health problem, the understanding of the transmission and long-term
      carriage of MRSP is limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the
      transmission of MRSP to contact dogs living in multiple dog households where one
      or more of the dogs had been diagnosed with a clinically apparent infection with
      MRSP. MRSP carriage was investigated over several months in 11 dogs living in
      four separate multiple dog households where an MRSP infection in a dog had been
      diagnosed. Whole-genome sequencing was used for genotypic characterization.
      Contact dogs were only MRSP-positive if the index dog was positive on the same
      sample occasion. Three contact dogs were consistently MRSP-negative. The data
      from whole genome sequencing showed similarities between isolates within each
      family group, indicating that MRSP was transmitted within each family. The
      results show that the risk of MRSP-colonization in dogs living with an MRSP
      infected dog is reduced if the index dog becomes MRSP negative. All of the
      contact dogs will not carry MRSP continuously during the time the index dog is
      MRSP-positive. The information yielded from whole genome sequencing showed the
      methodology to be a promising additional tool in epidemiologic investigations of
      MRSP transmission. 

PMID- 27259822
TI  - Evolution of equine infectious anaemia in naturally infected mules with different
      serological reactivity patterns prior and after immune suppression.
AB  - Information on equine infectious anaemia (EIA) in mules, including those with an
      equivocal reaction in agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGIDT), is scarce. For this,
      a study was conducted to evaluate the clinical, viral loads and pathological
      findings of two groups of naturally infected asymptomatic mules, respectively
      with a negative/equivocal and positive AGIDT reactivity, which were subjected to
      pharmacological immune suppression (IS). A non-infected control was included in
      the study that remained negative during the observation period. Throughout the
      whole study, even repeated episodes of recrudescence of EIA were observed in 9
      infected mules, independently from their AGIDT reactivity. These events were
      generally characterised by mild, transient alterations, typical of the EIA acute
      form represented by hyperthermia and thrombocytopenia, in concomitance with viral
      RNA (vRNA) peaks that were higher in the Post-IS period, reaching values similar
      to those of horses during the clinical acute phase of EIA. Total tissue viral
      nucleic acid loads were greatest in animals with the major vRNA activity and in
      particular in those with negative/equivocal AGIDT reactivity. vRNA replication
      levels were around 10-1000 times lower than those reported in horses, with the
      animals still presenting typical alterations of EIA reactivation. Macroscopic
      lesions were absent in all the infected animals while histological alterations
      were characterised by lymphomonocyte infiltrates and moderate hemosiderosis in
      the cytoplasm of macrophages. On the basis of the above results, even mules with
      an equivocal/negative AGIDT reaction may act as EIAV reservoirs. Moreover, such
      animals could escape detection due to the low AGIDT sensitivity and therefore
      contribute to the maintenance and spread of the infection. 

PMID- 27259823
TI  - Lineage associated expression of virulence traits in bovine-adapted
      Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - Bovine mastitis is the most costly disease to the dairy industry worldwide with
      Staphylococcus aureus commonly associated with intramammary infections that are
      persistent and refractory to treatment. The strains of S. aureus that cause
      mastitis predominantly belong to a number of well-described bovine-adapted
      lineages. The objective of this study was to determine if a variety of potential
      virulence traits were associated with lineage. Bovine-adapted S. aureus isolates
      (n=120), belonging to lineages CC97, CC151 and ST136, were tested for their
      ability to adhere to and internalise within cultured bovine mammary epithelial
      cells (bMEC), to bind bovine fibronectin, to form a biofilm in TSB, TSB+1%
      glucose and TSB+4% NaCl, and to induce an immune response from bMEC. There were
      no significant differences between the lineages in ability to adhere to or
      internalise within bMEC although there were significant differences between
      individual isolates. For lineages CC97 and ST136, mammalian cell adherence was
      correlated with the ability to bind bovine fibronectin, however isolates from
      CC151 could not bind bovine fibronectin in vitro, but adhered to bMEC in a
      fibronectin-independent manner. There were significant differences between the
      lineages in ability to form a biofilm in all three growth media with ST136
      forming the strongest biofilm while CC151 formed the weakest biofilm. Lineages
      also differed in their ability to elicit an immune response from bMEC with CC97
      eliciting a stronger immune response than CC151 and ST136. These data indicate
      the potential for both lineage and strain-specific virulence and a strain
      specific response to infection in vivo and caution against extrapolating an
      effect from a single strain of S. aureus to draw conclusions regarding virulence
      or the host response to infection in unrelated lineages. 

PMID- 27259824
TI  - The first experimental research on the pathogenicity of Arcobacter butzleri in
      zebrafish.
AB  - This experimental study was conducted to investigate the pathogenicity and
      histopathology of Arcobacter butzleri in zebrafish model organism. Firstly, mean
      infective dose (ID50) of A. butzleri was calculated in zebrafish as
      1.3*10(8)CFU/mL and 1*10(5)CFU/mL by immersion and intraperitoneal injection,
      respectively. For histopathological trials, the ID50 of A. butzleri were given to
      zebrafish by both immersion and intraperitoneal routes and then, clinical and
      pathological findings were evaluated on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 21 of the experiment.
      During the experimental period, no clinical signs or gross lesions of disease
      were observed in the zebrafish groups infected with the ID50 of A. butzleri by
      either method. In the histopathological examination, acute inflammation
      characterized by neutrophil and plasma cells and local necrosis or congestion
      were determined in liver, kidney, spleen, gaster and other visceral organs. In
      addition peritonitis, leukocyte infiltration, villous atrophy and septicemia were
      observed in the experimental groups. Neither gross nor microscopic lesions were
      detected in the control groups. This study presented the first report of
      experimental A. butzleri infection in wild zebrafish. In the light of the
      findings obtained here, it was concluded that zebrafish could be used as a model
      organism to investigate pathogenicity and histopathology of arcobacters. 

PMID- 27259825
TI  - Aerosol transmission of foot-and-mouth disease virus Asia-1 under experimental
      conditions.
AB  - Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) control measures rely on understanding of
      virus transmission mechanisms. Direct contact between naive and infected animals
      or spread by contaminated fomites is prevented by quarantines and rigorous
      decontamination procedures during outbreaks. Transmission of FMDV by aerosol may
      not be prevented by these control measures and this route of transmission may
      allow infection of animals at distance from the infection source. Understanding
      the potential for aerosol spread of specific FMDV strains is important for
      informing control strategies in an outbreak. Here, the potential for transmission
      of an FMDV Asia 1 strain between pigs and cattle by indirect aerosol exposure was
      evaluated in an experimental setting. Four naive calves were exposed to aerosols
      emitted from three infected pigs in an adjacent room for a 10h period. Direct
      contact between pigs and cattle and fomite transfer between rooms was prevented.
      Viral titres in aerosols emitted by the infected pigs were measured to estimate
      the dose that calves were exposed to. One of the calves developed clinical signs
      of FMD, whilst there was serological evidence for spread to cattle by aerosol
      transmission in the remaining three calves. This highlights the possibility that
      this FMDV Asia 1 strain could be spread by aerosol transmission given appropriate
      environmental conditions should an outbreak occur in pigs. Our estimates suggest
      the exposure dose required for aerosol transmission was higher than has been
      previously quantified for other serotypes, implying that aerosols are less likely
      to play a significant role in transmission and spread of this FMDV strain. 

PMID- 27259826
TI  - Determining the optimal number of individual samples to pool for quantification
      of average herd levels of antimicrobial resistance genes in Danish pig herds
      using high-throughput qPCR.
AB  - The primary objective of this study was to determine the minimum number of
      individual fecal samples to pool together in order to obtain a representative
      sample for herd level quantification of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in a
      Danish pig herd, using a novel high-throughput qPCR assay. The secondary
      objective was to assess the agreement between different methods of sample
      pooling. Quantification of AMR was achieved using a high-throughput qPCR method
      to quantify the levels of seven AMR genes (ermB, ermF, sulI, sulII, tet(M),
      tet(O) and tet(W)). A large variation in the levels of AMR genes was found
      between individual samples. As the number of samples in a pool increased, a
      decrease in sample variation was observed. It was concluded that the optimal
      pooling size is five samples, as an almost steady state in the variation was
      observed when pooling this number of samples. Good agreement between different
      pooling methods was found and the least time-consuming method of pooling, by
      transferring feces from each individual sample to a tube using a 10MUl
      inoculation loop and adding 3.5ml of PBS, approximating a 10% solution, can
      therefore be used in future studies. 

PMID- 27259827
TI  - Genome-wide mining of potential virulence-associated genes in Riemerella
      anatipestifer using random transposon mutagenesis.
AB  - Riemerella anatipestifer infection is a severe disease confronting the duck
      industry worldwide. However, little is known about the molecular basis of R.
      anatipestifer pathogenesis. In this study, we screened 3580 transposon Tn4351
      insertion mutagenesis mutants of the highly virulent strain YZb1 in a duckling
      infection experiment and found 29 of them to be attenuated and 28 potential
      virulence-associated genes were identified. Molecular characterization of
      transposon insertion sites showed that of the 28 screened genes, two were
      predicted to encode TonB-dependent outer membrane receptor (plugs), sixteen
      encoded enzymes, and seven encoded hypothetical proteins. In addition, of the 28
      affected genes, 19 were only found in bacteria belonging to the phylum
      Bacteroidetes and 10 were only found in the family Flavobacteriaceae. The median
      lethal dose of the mutants M11 and M29, which was affected in Riean_0060 and
      Riean_1537 respectively, were about 1700-fold and 210-fold higher than that of
      the wild-type strain YZb1, and those of the complemented strains M11(pRES
      Riean_0060) and M29(pRES-Riean_1537) were decreased by 25- and 3-fold
      respectively compared to those of the mutants M11 and M29. Additional analysis
      indicated that the blood bacterial loading of ducklings infected with M11 or M29
      was decreased significantly, as compared with that in ducklings infected with the
      wild-type strain YZb1. Thus, our results indicate that Riean_0060 and Riean_1537
      were involved in R. anatipestifer pathogenesis. 

PMID- 27259828
TI  - Low pathogenic avian influenza (H9N2) in chicken: Evaluation of an ancestral H9
      MVA vaccine.
AB  - Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) has proven its efficacy as a recombinant vector
      vaccine for numerous pathogens including influenza virus. The present study aimed
      at evaluating a recombinant MVA candidate vaccine against low pathogenic avian
      influenza virus subtype H9N2 in the chicken model. As the high genetic and
      antigenic diversity of H9N2 viruses increases vaccine design complexity, one
      strategy to widen the range of vaccine coverage is to use an ancestor sequence.
      We therefore generated a recombinant MVA encoding for the gene sequence of an
      ancestral hemagglutinin H9 protein (a computationally derived amino acid sequence
      of the node of the H9N2 G1 lineage strains was obtained using the ANCESCON
      program). We analyzed the genetics and the growth properties of the MVA vector
      virus confirming suitability for use under biosafety level 1 and tested its
      efficacy when applied either as an intra-muscular (IM) or an oral vaccine in
      specific pathogen free chickens challenged with A/chicken/Tunisia/12/2010(H9N2).
      Two control groups were studied in parallel (unvaccinated and inoculated birds;
      unvaccinated and non-inoculated birds). IM vaccinated birds seroconverted as
      early as four days post vaccination and neutralizing antibodies were detected
      against A/chicken/Tunisia/12/2010(H9N2) in all the birds before challenge. The
      role of local mucosal immunity is unclear here as no antibodies were detected in
      eye drop or aerosol vaccinated birds. Clinical signs were not detected in any of
      the infected birds even in absence of vaccination. Virus replication was observed
      in both vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens, suggesting the MVA-ancestral H9
      vaccine may not stop virus spread in the field. However vaccinated birds showed
      less histological damage, fewer influenza-positive cells and shorter virus
      shedding than their unvaccinated counterparts. 

PMID- 27259829
TI  - The serine protease autotransporter Tsh contributes to the virulence of
      Edwardsiella tarda.
AB  - The temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (Tsh), identified as serine protease
      autotransporters of the Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) proteins, is an important
      virulence factor for avian-pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and uropathogenic
      E. coli. However, little is known about the role of Tsh as a virulence factor in
      Edwardsiella tarda, a severe fish pathogen. In this study, we characterized the
      Tsh of E. tarda (named TshEt) and examined its function and vaccine potential.
      TshEt is composed of 1224 residues and has three functional domains typical for
      autotransporters. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis
      showed that expression of tshEt was upregulated under conditions of high
      temperature, increased cell density, high pH, and iron starvation and during the
      infection of host cells. A markerless tsh in-frame mutant strain, TX01Deltatsh,
      was constructed to determine whether TshEt participates in the pathogenicity of
      E. tarda, Compared to the wild type TX01, TX01Deltatsh exhibited (i) retarded
      biofilm growth, (ii) decreased resistance against serum killing, (iii) impaired
      ability to block the host immune response, (iv) attenuated tissue and cellular
      infectivity. Introduction of a trans-expressed tsh gene restored the lost
      virulence of TX01Deltatsh. The passenger domain of TshEt contains a putative
      serine protease (PepS) that exhibits apparent proteolytic activity when expressed
      in and purified from E. coli as a recombinant protein (rPepS). When used as a
      subunit vaccine to immunize Japanese flounder, rPepS was able to induce effective
      immune protection. This is the first study of Tsh in a fish pathogen, and the
      results suggest that TshEt exerts pleiotropic effects on the pathogenesis of E.
      tarda. 

PMID- 27259830
TI  - The Chinese highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
      infection suppresses Th17 cells response in vivo.
AB  - Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has been shown to
      immunomodulate innate and adaptive immunity of pigs. The Chinese highly
      pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV) infection causes severe bacterial secondary infection
      in pigs. However, the mechanism in relation to the bacterial secondary infection
      induced by HP-PRRSV remains unknown. In the present study, Th17 cells response in
      peripheral blood, lungs, spleens and lymph nodes of piglets were analyzed, and
      bacterial loads in lungs of piglets were examined upon HP-PRRSV infection.
      Meanwhile the changes of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in peripheral blood of the
      inoculated piglets were analyzed. The results showed that HP-PRRSV-inoculated
      piglets exhibited a suppressed Th17 cells response in peripheral blood and a
      reduced number of Th17 cells in lungs, and higher bacterial loads in lungs,
      compared with low pathogenic PRRSV. Moreover, HP-PRRSV obviously resulted in
      severe depletion of porcine T cells in peripheral blood at the early stage of
      infection. These findings indicate that HP-PRRSV infection suppresses the
      response of Th17 cells that play an important role in combating bacterial
      infections, suggesting a possible correlation between the suppression of Th17
      cells response in vivo and bacterial secondary infection induced by HP-PRRSV. Our
      present study adds a novel insight into better understanding of the pathogenesis
      of the Chinese HP-PRRSV. 

PMID- 27259832
TI  - Genetic analysis of a Treponema phagedenis locus encoding antigenic lipoproteins
      with potential for antigenic variation.
AB  - Digital dermatitis (DD) is a painful and debilitating claw disease in cattle.
      Spirochetes of the genus Treponema are found in high numbers in the lesions and
      are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis. The occurrence of Treponema
      phagedenis in DD lesions, especially near the interface of healthy and diseased
      tissue, suggests that this species contributes to the development and/or
      progression of the lesions. In this study we characterized a genetic locus in T.
      phagedenis that contains coding regions for three antigenic proteins, PrrA, VpsA,
      and VpsB. Comparative analysis of homologous loci from fifteen strains suggests
      that prrA may be transposed into or out of this locus. Alterations in the copy
      number of TA repeats within the putative promoter region may regulate VpsA/B
      expression. The vpsA and prrA genes occur in allelic variants in different T.
      phagedenis isolates and may provide one explanation for the antigenic variation
      observed in T. phagedenis DD isolates. 

PMID- 27259831
TI  - National reduction in porcine circovirus type 2 prevalence following introduction
      of vaccination.
AB  - Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), a small, single-stranded circular DNA virus and
      the causative agent of porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD), was first
      observed in the mid-1990s in pigs with a post-weaning wasting disease. In 2006
      the number of PCVAD cases greatly increased, marking it as an important viral
      pathogen for the United States (US) swine industry. PCV2 vaccines were introduced
      to the US in 2006 in response to widespread outbreaks of PCVAD. These vaccines
      were effective in preventing disease, but did not eliminate virus from the
      animals. In 2006, prior to vaccine use, a study of PCV2 prevalence in pig herds
      across the US was performed in conjunction with the US National Animal Health
      Monitoring System. In 2012, 6 years after widespread PCV2 vaccination, this study
      was repeated. Since the introduction of PCV2 vaccines in 2006, viral presence and
      viral loads have greatly decreased, and a genotypic shift dominated by PCV2b has
      occurred. Antibody levels have decreased in the pig population, but approximately
      95% of sites continue to be antibody-positive. Widespread vaccination has
      controlled PCVAD and decreased PCV2 prevalence to the point that viremia is not
      detected on many sites. Thus, continued vaccination may lead to PCV2 elimination
      in the national herd over time. 

PMID- 27259833
TI  - Characterization and functional analysis of toll-like receptor 4 in Chinese soft
      shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis.
AB  - Mammalian Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) recognizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in
      initiating the innate immune responses. Early studies indicate that turtles are
      more resistant to LPS challenge than mammals. It remains unknown if turtles
      express TLR4 and why they are more resistant to LPS. In this study, TLR4 gene
      from Chinese soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, was cloned and
      characterized. The full length cDNA of turtle TLR4 (tTLR4) consists of 3396 base
      pairs with an 2499-bp open reading frame, encoding 833 amino acids. Phylogenetic
      and syntenic analyses suggest that tTLR4 is to be orthologous to human TLR4. Its
      mRNA expression was up-regulated in spleen and blood of turtles upon Aeromonas
      hydrophila infection. Stimulation of turtle peripheral blood monocytes with LPS
      significantly upregulated tTLR4 mRNA and inflammation-related gene expression,
      such as Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In tTLR4
      expressing HEK293 cells, higher concentration of LPS exposure could enhance the
      activity of the NF-kappaB promoter, but not the INF-beta promoter. Such activity
      required co-expression of turtle myeloid differentiation factor 2 (tMD2) and
      cluster of differentiation 14 (tCD14). These results provide evidence for a
      functional TLR4 in reptiles and, together with the syntenic analysis, support the
      idea that the TLR4 receptor for LPS recognition may have arisen after reptiles.

PMID- 27259834
TI  - Manganese ion concentration affects production of human core 3 O-glycan in
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Production of various mucin-like glycoproteins could be useful for
      development of antibodies specific to disease-related glycoproteins as well as
      for the biosynthesis of clinically useful glycoproteins. A Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae strain capable of in vivo production of mucin-type core 1 structure
      (Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha1-O-Ser/Thr) has been reported, but a strain producing core
      3 structure (GlcNAcbeta1-3GalNAcalpha1-O-Ser/Thr) has not been constructed.
      METHODS: To generate core 3-producing strain, genes encoding uridine diphosphate
      (UDP)-Gal-4-epimerase, UDP-GalNAc transporter, UDP-GlcNAc transporter, and two
      glycosyltransferases were integrated into the genome. A Mucin-1-derived acceptor
      peptide (MUC1ap) was expressed as an acceptor. The amount of the resulting
      modified peptide was analyzed by HPLC. RESULTS: Introduction of a codon-optimized
      UDP-GlcNAc:betaGal beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 6 (beta3Gn-T6) gene
      yielded increases in beta3Gn-T6 activity but did not alter the level of core 3
      production. The highest in vitro activity of beta3Gn-T6 was observed at Mn(2+)
      concentrations of 10mM and above. Supplementation of MnCl2 to the culture medium
      yielded increases of up to 25% in the accumulation of core 3 on the MUC1ap. The
      yeast invertase from the core 3-producing strain was less extensively N
      glycosylated; however, it was partially restored by the addition of MnCl2 to the
      medium. CONCLUSIONS: Physiological Mn(2+) concentration in S. cerevisiae was
      insufficient to facilitate optimal synthesis of core 3. Mn(2+) supplementation
      led to up-regulation of reaction of glycosylation in the Golgi, resulting in
      increases of core 3 production. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study reveals that
      control of Mn(2+) concentration is important for production of specific mammalian
      type glycans in S. cerevisiae.

PMID- 27259835
TI  - Pulmonary and pleural inflammation after intratracheal instillation of short
      single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
AB  - Relationships between the physical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and
      their toxicities have been studied. However, little research has been conducted
      to investigate the pulmonary and pleural inflammation caused by short-fiber
      single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs). This study was
      performed to characterize differences in rat pulmonary and pleural inflammation
      caused by intratracheal instillation with doses of 0.15 or 1.5mg/kg of either
      short-sized SWCNTs or MWCNTs. Data from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis,
      histopathological findings, and transcriptional profiling of rat lungs obtained
      over a 90-day period indicated that short SWCNTs caused persistent pulmonary
      inflammation. In addition, the short MWCNTs markedly impacted alveoli immediately
      after instillation, with the levels of pulmonary inflammation following MWCNT
      instillation being reduced in a time-dependent manner. MWCNT instillation induced
      greater levels of pleural inflammation than did short SWCNTs. SWCNTs and MWCNTs
      translocated in mediastinal lymph nodes were observed, suggesting that SWCNTs and
      MWCNTs underwent lymphatic drainage to the mediastinal lymph nodes after pleural
      penetration. Our results suggest that short SWCNTs and MWCNTs induced pulmonary
      and pleural inflammation and that they might be transported throughout the body
      after intratracheal instillation. The extent of changes in inflammation differed
      following SWCNT and MWCNT instillation in a time-dependent manner. 

PMID- 27259836
TI  - [Traffic accidentability and risky driving behavior in young people in New
      Caledonia. Results of study Situation Sociale et Comportements de Sante des
      Jeunes en Nouvelle-Caledonie].
AB  - BACKGROUND: New Caledonia has one of the highest global rates of death from road
      accidents: 240 deaths per million inhabitants in 2011 with a majority of young
      people. However, research on driving behaviors has remained rare. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional survey based on face-to-face questionnaire with 1400 male and
      female youth aged 16 to 25 was conducted in 2007. It was used to measure the
      frequency of accidents and to compute a score of driving behaviors and their
      associations with socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles as well as other
      health behaviors. RESULTS -  CONCLUSION: A total of 10.6% of boys and 6.5% of
      girls reported a car accident in the previous twelve months period. Among male
      participants risky driving behavior was associated with having a degree (ORa=2,
      95% CI [1.1-3.8]), sport practices (ORa=3.7, 95% CI [1.9-7.05]), involvement in a
      fight in the last twelve months (ORa=2.2, 95% CI [1.4-3.4]) and precocity of
      cannabis use (ORa=1.8, 95% CI [1.2-2.8]). Youth living in couple and those with
      children presented with higher risk-taking scores. Among female participants,
      young age at cannabis initiation (ORa=3.1, 95% CI [1.5-6.4]) and at sexual debut
      (ORa=2.4, 95% CI [1.1-5.1]) were associated with driving risk-taking. Finally,
      younger age at first alcohol intoxication was associated with risky behavior on
      the road in both sexes. These results highlighted the multidimensional nature of
      risk-taking behaviors on the road and showed that they are part of, for boys and
      girls, a larger pattern of risky behaviors. Such results suggest to include
      behaviors on the road in a comprehensive approach of prevention.

PMID- 27259838
TI  - Relationship between prefrontal hemodynamic responses and quality of life differs
      between melancholia and non-melancholic depression.
AB  - This study aimed to determine whether quality of life (QOL) reflects specific
      functional abnormalities of frontotemporal hemodynamic responses in melancholia.
      We recruited 30 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) with melancholic
      features (MDD-MF), 52 with non-melancholic features (MDD-NMF), and 68 healthy
      control subjects who were matched for age, sex ratio, and years of education. QOL
      was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey
      (SF-36), and regional hemodynamic responses during a verbal fluency task were
      monitored with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Patients with MDD-MF scored
      significantly lower than those with MDD-NMF on the role emotional domain of SF
      36. Both MDD patient groups exhibited lower hemodynamic responses in the
      frontotemporal regions than the control group. Hemodynamic responses in the
      frontotemporal regions were significantly smaller in patients with MDD-MF than in
      those with MDD-NMF. The role emotional domain of patients with MDD-MF was
      significantly and positively correlated with hemodynamic responses in the
      prefrontal region, whereas that of patients with MDD-NMF revealed no significant
      correlation. In conclusion, our results indicate that patients with MDD-MF
      exhibit qualitatively distinct prefrontal dysfunction patterns associated with
      emotional role functioning compared with patients with MDD-NMF.

PMID- 27259839
TI  - Reflectance confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of vesicobullous disorders: case
      series with pathologic and cytologic correlation and literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vesicobullous disorders are characterized by intraepidermal or
      subepidermal blistering resulting from different pathogenetic mechanisms. The
      diagnosis is generally based on clinical examination and semi-invasive/invasive
      procedures such as cytology and histopathology. In vivo reflectance confocal
      microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive technique for real-time, en face imaging of
      the epidermis and upper dermis with high resolution close to conventional
      histopathology. PURPOSE: To evaluate RCM features of different vesicobullous
      diseases and correlate with cytologic and histopathologic examination. METHODS:
      Ten patients (6M/4F, age range: 9-81 years) affected by blistering diseases, such
      as herpes simplex, herpes zoster, Kaposi's varicelliform eruption, pemphigus
      vulgaris, Hailey-Hailey disease, bullous pemphigoid, and porphyria cutanea tarda
      were evaluated using a handheld RCM device. RESULTS: In our study, a clear
      correlation between RCM and Tzanck's test and/or histopathology was observed. RCM
      allowed in all cases an easy identification of the blister spaces and of the
      split levels, and in some cases specific features were detected, such as giant
      keratinocytes in herpes infections and acantholytic cells in pemphigus vulgaris
      and Hailey-Hailey disease. CONCLUSION: Reflectance confocal microscopy may
      support the clinical diagnosis of vesicobullous disorders and indicate to the
      physician the appropriate patient management and/or the need for further
      investigation.

PMID- 27259840
TI  - Antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects of tedizolid against methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a murine model of hematogenous pulmonary
      infection.
AB  - Tedizolid (TZD) is a second-generation oxazolidinone and demonstrates potent in
      vitro activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Phase III
      studies in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections
      (ABSSSI) have demonstrated the non-inferiority of TZD to linezolid (LZD).
      However, there are only a few studies that show the effect of TZD in pulmonary
      infections. In this study, we investigated the effect of TZD in a murine model of
      hematogenous pulmonary infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus (MRSA). The mice were treated either twice daily with saline (control),
      25mg/kg of vancomycin (low-VAN), 110mg/kg of vancomycin (high-VAN), 120mg/kg of
      LZD or once daily with 20mg/kg of TZD. As compared to the control, the low- and
      high-VAN treatment groups, LZD and TZD significantly improved the survival rate,
      reduced the bacterial count in the lungs. Furthermore, TZD decreased the area of
      central bacterial colony zone (CBCZ) at 36h post-inoculation, compared with the
      control. In addition, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of TZD by
      evaluating the plasma concentrations of the inflammatory cytokines. Although
      there were no significant differences in the bacterial count in the lungs amongst
      the drugs at 26h post-inoculation, TZD and LZD significantly improved the plasma
      concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and MIP-2, in comparison with the control. In
      this study, both TZD and LZD demonstrated antimicrobial and immunomodulatory
      efficacy in a murine model of hematogenous pulmonary infection caused by MRSA. 

PMID- 27259853
TI  - The Human Thymus Is Enriched for Autoreactive B Cells.
AB  - The human thymus has been shown to host B cells, which have been implicated in
      presentation of autoantigens for negative selection of T cell progenitors.
      Although these Ags are thought to be taken up through their surface Igs, data on
      thymic Ig gene repertoires are limited and reactivity to autoantigens has not
      been demonstrated. We therefore studied the Ig gene repertoires and reactivity to
      autoantigens of single-sorted B cells from pediatric thymus, and compared these
      with mature B cells from fetal and pediatric bone marrow. Nearly all B cells in
      thymus were mature and displayed an Ig gene repertoire that was similar to
      pediatric bone marrow. Fetal mature B cells predominantly used proximal V, D, and
      J genes, and their Abs were highly reactive to dsDNA. In contrast, thymic B cells
      were enriched for autoreactive clones that showed increased specificity to
      peptide autoantigens. Thus, most B cells in the thymus are resident rather than
      developing, and are enriched for autoantigen binding. These features support
      current models for a role of thymic B cells in presentation of autoantigens to
      developing T cells during negative selection.

PMID- 27259854
TI  - Low-Dose IL-2 Induces Regulatory T Cell-Mediated Control of Experimental Food
      Allergy.
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are pivotal for maintenance of immune self-tolerance
      and also regulate immune responses to exogenous Ags, including allergens. Both
      decreased Treg number and function have been reported in allergic patients,
      offering new therapeutic perspectives. We previously demonstrated that Tregs can
      be selectively expanded and activated by low doses of IL-2 (ld-IL-2) inducing
      immunoregulation without immunosuppression and established its protective effect
      in autoimmune diseases. In this study, we evaluated the ability of ld-IL-2 to
      control allergy in an experimental model of food allergy. Ld-IL-2 induced Treg
      expansion and activation that elicited protection against clinical manifestations
      of food allergy in two mouse models with OVA and peanut. This clinical effect was
      lost in Treg-depleted mice, demonstrating the major contribution of Tregs in ld
      IL-2 efficacy. Mechanistic studies further indicated that protection from allergy
      could be explained by a Treg-dependent local modification of the Th1/Th2 balance
      and an inhibition of mast cell recruitment and activation. Preventive and
      therapeutic effects of ld-IL-2 were observed over a 7-mo-period, highlighting its
      long-term efficacy. This study demonstrated that ld-IL-2 is efficient to prevent
      and to treat allergic immune responses, and thus represents a promising
      therapeutic strategy for managing allergic diseases.

PMID- 27259855
TI  - IL-27 Induced by Select Candida spp. via TLR7/NOD2 Signaling and IFN-beta
      Production Inhibits Fungal Clearance.
AB  - Candida spp. elicit cytokine production downstream of various pathogen
      recognition receptors, including C-type lectin-like receptors, TLRs, and
      nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors. IL-12 family members IL
      12p70 and IL-23 are important for host immunity against Candida spp. In this
      article, we show that IL-27, another IL-12 family member, is produced by myeloid
      cells in response to selected Candida spp. We demonstrate a novel mechanism for
      Candida parapsilosis-mediated induction of IL-27 in a TLR7-, MyD88-, and NOD2
      dependent manner. Our data revealed that IFN-beta is induced by C. parapsilosis,
      which in turn signals through the IFN-alpha/beta receptor and STAT1/2 to induce
      IL-27. Moreover, IL-27R (WSX-1)-deficient mice systemically infected with C.
      parapsilosis displayed enhanced pathogen clearance compared with wild-type mice.
      This was associated with increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the
      serum and increased IFN-gamma and IL-17 responses in the spleens of IL-27R
      deficient mice. Thus, our data define a novel link between C. parapsilosis, TLR7,
      NOD2, IFN-beta, and IL-27, and we have identified an important role for IL-27 in
      the immune response against C. parapsilosis Overall, these findings demonstrate
      an important mechanism for the suppression of protective immune responses during
      infection with C. parapsilosis, which has potential relevance for infections with
      other fungal pathogens.

PMID- 27259856
TI  - Regulatory T Cells Control Th2-Dominant Murine Autoimmune Gastritis.
AB  - Pernicious anemia and gastric carcinoma are serious sequelae of autoimmune
      gastritis (AIG). Our study indicates that in adult C57BL/6-DEREG mice expressing
      a transgenic diphtheria toxin receptor under the Foxp3 promoter, transient
      regulatory T cell (Treg) depletion results in long-lasting AIG associated with
      both H(+)K(+)ATPase and intrinsic factor autoantibody responses. Although
      functional Tregs emerge over time during AIG occurrence, the effector T cells
      rapidly become less susceptible to Treg-mediated suppression. Whereas previous
      studies have implicated dysregulated Th1 cell responses in AIG pathogenesis,
      eosinophils have been detected in gastric biopsy specimens from patients with
      AIG. Indeed, AIG in DEREG mice is associated with strong Th2 cell responses,
      including dominant IgG1 autoantibodies, elevated serum IgE, increased Th2
      cytokine production, and eosinophil infiltration in the stomach-draining lymph
      nodes. In addition, the stomachs exhibit severe mucosal and muscular hypertrophy,
      parietal cell loss, mucinous epithelial cell metaplasia, and massive eosinophilic
      inflammation. Notably, the Th2 responses and gastritis severity are significantly
      ameliorated in IL-4- or eosinophil-deficient mice. Furthermore, expansion of both
      Th2-promoting IFN regulatory factor 4(+) programmed death ligand 2(+) dendritic
      cells and ILT3(+) rebounded Tregs was detected after transient Treg depletion.
      Collectively, these data suggest that Tregs maintain physiological tolerance to
      clinically relevant gastric autoantigens, and Th2 responses can be a pathogenic
      mechanism in AIG.

PMID- 27259858
TI  - MMP-25 Metalloprotease Regulates Innate Immune Response through NF-kappaB
      Signaling.
AB  - Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) regulate innate immunity acting over
      proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and other immune-related proteins. MMP-25
      (membrane-type 6-MMP) is a membrane-bound enzyme predominantly expressed in
      leukocytes whose biological function has remained largely unknown. We have
      generated Mmp25-deficient mice to elucidate the in vivo function of this
      protease. These mutant mice are viable and fertile and do not show any
      spontaneous phenotype. However, Mmp25-null mice exhibit a defective innate immune
      response characterized by low sensitivity to bacterial LPS,
      hypergammaglobulinemia, and reduced secretion of proinflammatory molecules.
      Moreover, these immune defects can be tracked to a defective NF-kappaB activation
      observed in Mmp25-deficient leukocytes. Globally, our findings provide new
      mechanistic insights into innate immunity through the activity of MMP-25,
      suggesting that this proteinase could be a potential therapeutic target for
      immune-related diseases.

PMID- 27259857
TI  - Multiple Inhibitory Pathways Contribute to Lung CD8+ T Cell Impairment and
      Protect against Immunopathology during Acute Viral Respiratory Infection.
AB  - Viruses are frequent causes of lower respiratory infection (LRI). Programmed cell
      death-1 (PD-1) signaling contributes to pulmonary CD8(+) T cell (TCD8) functional
      impairment during acute viral LRI, but the role of TCD8 impairment in viral
      clearance and immunopathology is unclear. We now find that human metapneumovirus
      infection induces virus-specific lung TCD8 that fail to produce effector
      cytokines or degranulate late postinfection, with minimally increased function
      even in the absence of PD-1 signaling. Impaired lung TCD8 upregulated multiple
      inhibitory receptors, including PD-1, lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3), T
      cell Ig mucin 3, and 2B4. Moreover, coexpression of these receptors continued to
      increase even after viral clearance, with most virus-specific lung TCD8
      expressing three or more inhibitory receptors on day 14 postinfection. Viral
      infection also increased expression of inhibitory ligands by both airway
      epithelial cells and APCs, further establishing an inhibitory environment. In
      vitro Ab blockade revealed that multiple inhibitory receptors contribute to TCD8
      impairment induced by either human metapneumovirus or influenza virus infection.
      In vivo blockade of T cell Ig mucin 3 signaling failed to enhance TCD8 function
      or reduce viral titers. However, blockade of LAG-3 in PD-1-deficient mice
      restored TCD8 effector functions but increased lung pathology, indicating that
      LAG-3 mediates lung TCD8 impairment in vivo and contributes to protection from
      immunopathology during viral clearance. These results demonstrate that an
      orchestrated network of pathways modifies lung TCD8 functionality during viral
      LRI, with PD-1 and LAG-3 serving prominent roles. Lung TCD8 impairment may
      prevent immunopathology but also contributes to recurrent lung infections.

PMID- 27259859
TI  - Outlet strut fracture and leaflet escape of Bjork-Shiley convexo-concave valve.
AB  - Prosthetic valve fracture is a serious complication and may arise in patient post
      valve replacement. We experienced an outlet strut fracture and leaflet escape of
      a Bjork-Shiley convexo-concave valve. We performed an emergency redo mitral valve
      replacement and successfully retrieved the fractured strut and escaped leaflet
      from superficial femoral artery and the abdominal aorta. The patient showed an
      uneventful postoperative recovery.

PMID- 27259860
TI  - Aquimarina aggregata sp. nov., isolated from seawater.
AB  - A novel Gram-stain-negative, agarolytic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, strictly
      aerobic strain with gliding motility, designated RZW4-3-2T, was isolated from
      coastal seawater of the Yellow Sea in China (119.625 degrees  E 35.517 degrees 
      N). The organism grew optimally at 28  degrees C, at pH 7.0 and in the presence
      of 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The strain required seawater or artificial seawater for
      growth, and NaCl alone did not support growth. Strain RZW4-3-2T contained MK-6 as
      the major respiratory quinone and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G
      and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH as the dominant fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain RZW4
      3-2T comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, five unknown phospholipids and one
      unknown lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain RZW4-3-2T was 32.3 mol%.
      Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel
      strain was related most closely to Aquimarina pacifica SW150T, Aquimarina
      macrocephali JCM 15542T and Aquimarina muelleri LMG 22569T with 98.1, 97.4 and
      97.1 % sequence similarities, respectively. The estimated DNA-DNA hybridization
      values were 20.00+/-2.31 %, 20.70+/-2.33 % and 20.70+/-2.32 % between strain RZW4
      3-2T and A. pacifica SW150T, A. macrocephali JCM 15542T and A. muelleri LMG
      22569T, respectively. On the basis of results of polyphasic analyses, strain RZW4
      3-2T represents a novel species of the genus Aquimarina, for which the name
      Aquimarinaaggregata sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RZW4-3-2T (=JCM
      30824T=MCCC 1K00698T).

PMID- 27259861
TI  - Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer.
AB  - Immune evasion is recognized as a key strategy for cancer survival and
      progression. Hence, various approaches to restore antitumor immune responses are
      currently being investigated. In particular, agents targeting immune checkpoints,
      such as the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 receptor and programmed
      death-1 receptor, have shown potential for improving tumor responses and survival
      in lung cancer patients. With the first immunomodulating agents having been
      approved for treatment of selected lung cancer patients, there are high
      expectations that treatment outcomes may be improved with the incorporation of
      immunotherapies into the various treatment cascades. 

PMID- 27259862
TI  - Cardiovascular magnetic resonance of mitral valve length in hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous data suggest that mitral valve leaflets are elongated in
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and mitral valve leaflet elongation may
      constitute a primary phenotypic expression of HCM. Our objective was to measure
      the length of mitral valve leaflets by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in
      subjects with HCM caused by a Finnish founder mutation in the myosin-binding
      protein C gene (MYBPC3-Q1061X), carriers of the same mutation without left
      ventricular hypertrophy, as well as in unselected consecutive patients with HCM,
      and respective controls. METHODS: Anterior mitral valve leaflet (AML) and
      posterior mitral valve leaflet (PML) lengths were measured by CMR in 47 subjects
      with the Q1061X mutation in the gene encoding MYBPC3 and in 20 healthy relatives
      without the mutation. In addition, mitral valve leaflet lengths were measured by
      CMR in 80 consecutive non-genotyped patients with HCM in CMR and 71 age- and
      gender-matched healthy subjects. RESULTS: Of the subjects with the MYBPC-Q1016X
      mutation, 32 had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, LV maximal wall thickness >=
      13 mm in CMR) and 15 had no hypertrophy. PML was longer in patients with the
      MYBPC3-Q1061X mutation and LVH than in controls of the MYBPC group (12.8 +/- 2.8
      vs 10.6 +/- 1.9 mm, P = 0.013), but the difference between the groups was not
      statistically significant when PML was indexed for BSA (P = 0.066), or when PML
      length was adjusted for BSA, age, gender, LV mass and ejection fraction (P =
      0.195). There was no significant difference in the PML length in mutation
      carriers without LVH and controls (11.1 +/- 3.4 vs 10.6 +/- 1.9, P = 0.52). We
      found no difference in AML lengths between the MYBPC mutation carriers with or
      without hypertrophy and controls. In 80 consecutive non-genotyped patients with
      HCM, there was no difference either in AML or PML lengths in subjects with HCM
      compared to respective control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with HCM caused
      by the Q1061X mutation in the MYBPC3 gene, the posterior mitral valve leaflets
      may be elongated, but mitral valve elongation does not constitute primary
      phenotypic expression of the disease. Instead, elongated mitral valve leaflets
      seem to be associated with body size and left ventricular remodeling.

PMID- 27259863
TI  - Technical and Clinical Outcomes Following Colonic Stenting: A Seven-Year Analysis
      of 268 Procedures.
AB  - AIMS: To assess the factors contributing to the technical and clinical success of
      colorectal stenting for large bowel obstruction. METHODOLOGY: 268 cases of
      colonic stenting for large bowel obstruction were performed in 249 patients of
      mean age of 72 years (28-98) between 2006 and 2013. The majority of strictures
      were due to malignant disease, 244/268 (91 %). Diverticular strictures accounted
      for 24/268 (9 %). RESULTS: Overall technical success rate was 81 % (217/268),
      with a clinical success rate of 65 % (174/268). Duration of symptoms ranged from
      0 to 180 days (mean 8 days). Technical success rate was seen to decrease with
      increasing symptom duration. For symptom duration of less than 1 week, technical
      success was 85.4 % (181/212) versus 69.6 % (39/56) for those with symptoms of
      greater than a week (p < 0.05). Clinical success rates fell from 71.3 % (107/150)
      to 59.3 % (70/118) (p < 0.05) when attempting to stent lesions of greater than 5
      cm. There was also a significant reduction in clinical success when stenting
      lesions on a bend rather than a straight segment of colon 75.7 % (109/144) versus
      59.7 % (74/124) (p < 0.05). A total of 20 (7.46 %) perforations were identified
      during the study. Stent migration occurred in 6.6 % of cases. In-stent stenosis
      occurred in 3.3 %. The overall 30-day all cause mortality rate was 9 %.
      CONCLUSION: Lesion size, location and duration of obstructive symptoms are
      statistically significant determinants of patient outcome. These factors could be
      used to advise patient selection for colonic stenting or direct progression to
      surgical intervention.

PMID- 27259864
TI  - Successful Management of Neobladder Variceal Bleeding.
AB  - Hematuria from a neobladder can occur due to a variety of pathologies including
      tumors, stones, and fistulas. Variceal bleeding in a neobladder is a very rare
      condition with only one case reported in literature. We present a case of a
      patient with cirrhosis and portal hypertension and an ileocolic orthotopic
      neobladder presenting with hematuria. Computed tomographic angiography showed
      dilated varices around the neobladder which were successfully embolized. To the
      best of our knowledge, this is the first report case of variceal bleeding in a
      neobladder successfully managed with the combination of TIPS (transjugular
      intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) procedure and embolization. 

PMID- 27259865
TI  - Looking Beyond INR of 1.5 and Fresh Frozen Plasma in Liver Disease.

PMID- 27259866
TI  - MicroRNA-655-3p functions as a tumor suppressor by regulating ADAM10 and beta
      catenin pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical
      roles in malignant transformation, tumor progression and metastasis. Aberrant miR
      655-3p expression has been associated with several cancers. However, the role and
      underlying mechanism of miR-655-3p in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC) remains unclear. METHODS: MiR-655-3p expression was detected by
      quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in human HCC tissues and cell lines. Cell
      proliferation was investigated using MTT and colony formation assays, and cell
      migration and invasion abilities were evaluated by transwell assay. ADAM10
      protein expression was detected by immunohistochemical assay. The target gene and
      downstream of miR-655-3p were determined by qRT-PCR, western blot and dual
      luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: miR-655-3p was significantly down-regulated
      in HCC tissues and HCC cell lines. Low miR-655-3p expression was negatively
      related to tumor size, portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) status, TNM stage and
      metastasis status. In addition, miR-655-3p overexpression and depletion decreased
      and increased HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively.
      Moreover, ADAM10 was identified as a direct target of miR-655-3p, and miR-655-3p
      down-regulated E-cadherin protein level and inhibits beta-catenin pathway by
      mediating ADAM10. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-655-3p might functions as a tumor suppressor
      by directly targeting ADAM10 and indirectly regulating beta-catenin pathway in
      the development of progression of HCC. It may be a novel therapeutic candidate
      target to in HCC treatment.

PMID- 27259868
TI  - Applied Use of Safety Event Occurrence Control Charts of Harm and Non-Harm
      Events: A Case Study.
AB  - Most hospitals use occurrence reporting systems that facilitate identifying
      serious events that lead to root cause investigations. Thus, the events catalyze
      improvement efforts to mitigate patient harm. A serious limitation is that only a
      few of the occurrences are investigated. A challenge is leveraging the data to
      generate knowledge. The goal is to present a methodology to supplement these
      incident assessment efforts. The framework affords an enhanced understanding of
      patient safety through the use of control charts to monitor non-harm and harm
      incidents simultaneously. This approach can identify harm and non-harm reporting
      rates and also can facilitate monitoring occurrence trends. This method also can
      expedite identifying changes in workflow, processes, or safety culture. Although
      unable to identify root causes, this approach can identify changes in near real
      time. This approach also supports evaluating safety or policy interventions that
      may not be observable in annual safety climate surveys.

PMID- 27259867
TI  - Genetic environment of the KPC gene in Acinetobacter baumannii ST2 clone from
      Puerto Rico and genomic insights into its drug resistance.
AB  - Carbapenems are considered the last-resort antibiotics to treat infections caused
      by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli. The Klebsiella pneumoniae
      carbapenemase (KPC) enzyme hydrolyses beta-lactam antibiotics including the
      carbapenems. KPC has been detected worldwide in Enterobacteriaceae and
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates associated with transposon Tn4401 commonly
      located in plasmids. Acinetobacter baumannii has become an important multidrug
      resistant nosocomial pathogen. KPC-producing A. baumannii has been reported to
      date only in Puerto Rico. The objective of this study was to determine the whole
      genomic sequence of a KPC-producing A. baumannii in order to (i) define its
      allelic diversity, (ii) identify the location and genetic environment of the
      blaKPC and (iii) detect additional mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. Next
      generation sequencing, Southern blot, PFGE, multilocus sequence typing and
      bioinformatics analysis were performed. The organism was assigned to the
      international ST2 clone. The blaKPC-2 was identified on a novel truncated version
      of Tn4401e (tentatively named Tn4401h), located in the chromosome within an
      IncA/C plasmid fragment derived from an Enterobacteriaceae, probably owing to
      insertion sequence IS26. A chromosomally located truncated Tn1 transposon
      harbouring a blaTEM-1 was found in a novel genetic environment within an
      antimicrobial resistance cluster. Additional resistance mechanisms included
      efflux pumps, non-beta-lactam antibiotic inactivating enzymes within and outside
      a resistance island, two class 1 integrons, In439 and the novel In1252, as well
      as mutations in the topoisomerase and DNA gyrase genes which confer resistance to
      quinolones. The presence of the blaKPC in an already globally disseminated A.
      baumannii ST2 presents a serious threat of further dissemination. 

PMID- 27259869
TI  - Effect of a Financial Incentive for Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence on the
      Appropriateness of Colonoscopy Orders.
AB  - Performance incentives for preventive care may encourage inappropriate testing,
      such as cancer screening for patients with short life expectancies. Defining
      screening colonoscopies for patients with a >50% 4-year mortality risk as
      inappropriate, the authors performed a pre-post analysis assessing the effect of
      introducing a cancer screening incentive on the proportion of screening
      colonoscopy orders that were inappropriate. Among 2078 orders placed by 23
      attending physicians in 4 academic general internal medicine practices, only 0.6%
      (n = 6/1057) of screening colonoscopy orders in the preintervention period and
      0.6% (n = 6/1021) of screening colonoscopy orders in the postintervention period
      were deemed "inappropriate." This study found no evidence that the incentive led
      to an increase in inappropriate screening colonoscopy orders.

PMID- 27259870
TI  - Evaluating the Effect of Physician Fellowship Programs on Surgical Outcomes for
      Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Procedures.
AB  - This study examined the relationship between fellowship training of thoracic
      surgeons and their patient outcomes following a coronary artery bypass graft
      (CABG) procedure. The study used data obtained from hospital discharges from
      Florida hospitals from 2006 to 2010 and linked them with the quality of the
      hospital wherein the physician completed his or her fellowship. Quality rankings
      were based on the hospital's national ranking among cardiovascular hospitals at
      the time when the fellowship was completed. A risk-adjusted analysis showed that
      completing a fellowship in a nationally ranked cardiovascular hospital and a
      longer time since fellowship and residency completion were associated with lower
      complication rates for CABG surgeries. This is the first study to incorporate
      hospital discharge data, external hospital quality rankings, and physician
      training characteristics to evaluate patient outcomes. Such knowledge could help
      shape the future direction of health care training and provide an objective,
      outcomes-based evaluation method for physician training programs.

PMID- 27259872
TI  - Do ACGME Physician-Patient Communication Milestones Align With HCAHPS Patient
      Satisfaction Measures for Doctor Communication?

PMID- 27259871
TI  - Development and Implementation of a Collaborative Team Care Model for Effective
      Insulin Use in an Academic Medical Center Primary Care Network.
AB  - Improving glycemic control across a primary care diabetes population is
      challenging. This article describes the development, implementation, and outcomes
      of the Diabetes Care Collaborative Model (DCCM), a collaborative team care
      process focused on promoting effective insulin use targeting patients with
      hyperglycemia in a patient-centered medical home model. After a pilot, the DCCM
      was implemented in 18 primary care practices affiliated with an academic medical
      center. Its implementation was associated with improvements in glycemic control
      and increase in insulin prescription longitudinally and across the entire
      population, with a >1% reduction in the proportion of glycated hemoglobin >9% at
      2 years after the implementation compared with the 2 years prior ( P < .001).
      Facilitating factors included diverse stakeholder engagement, institutional
      alignment of priorities, awarding various types of credits for participation and
      implementation to providers, and a strong theoretical foundation using the
      principles of the collaborative care model.

PMID- 27259873
TI  - Monthly "Grief Rounds" to Improve Residents' Experience and Decrease Burnout in a
      Medical Intensive Care Unit Rotation.

PMID- 27259874
TI  - Can Webinar-Based Education Improve Geriatrics Training in Internal Medicine
      Residency Programs?

PMID- 27259875
TI  - Optimizing Prescribing Practices of High-Cost Medications With Computerized
      Alerts in the Inpatient Setting.
AB  - Current literature does not consistently show a benefit to providing medication
      cost information to inpatient health care prescribers. This study assessed the
      effectiveness of computerized provider order entry alerts that displayed the cost
      of a high-cost medication alongside a lower cost alternative, targeting 3 high
      cost medications. Medication utilization during the one year prior to the
      intervention was compared to usage in the year after implementation. Reduced
      utilization of high-cost medications was found when comparing pre to post.
      Ipratropium hydrofluoroalkane and fluticasone hydrofluoroalkane metered dose
      inhaler utilization were reduced by 29% and 62%, respectively ( P < .001 for
      both). A 71% decrease in intravenous chlorothiazide was observed ( P < .001);
      however, its effect was unable to be separated from implementation of a heart
      failure diuretic protocol during the study period. Overall, these results suggest
      computerized medication cost alerts that recommend a lower cost therapeutic
      alternative are effective in changing prescribing practices.

PMID- 27259876
TI  - A Wireless Text Messaging System Improves Communication for Neonatal
      Resuscitation.
AB  - Handoffs for neonatal resuscitation involve communicating critical delivery
      information (CDI). The authors sought to achieve >=95% communication of CDI
      during resuscitation team requests. CDI included name of caller, urgency of
      request, location of delivery, gestation of fetus, status of amniotic fluid, and
      indication for presence of the resuscitation team. Three interventions were
      implemented: verbal scripted handoff, Spok text messaging, and Engage text
      messaging. Percentages of CDI communications were analyzed using statistical
      process control. Following implementation of Engage, the communication of all
      CDI, except for indication, was >=95%; communication of indication occurred 93%
      of the time. Control limits for most CDI were narrower with Engage, indicating
      greater reliability of communication compared to the verbal handoff and Spok.
      Delayed resuscitation team arrival, a countermeasure, was not higher with text
      messaging compared to verbal handoff ( P = 1.00). Text messaging improved
      communication during high-risk deliveries, and it may represent an effective tool
      for other delivery centers.

PMID- 27259877
TI  - Developing an Interdisciplinary, Team-Based Quality Improvement Leadership
      Training Program for Clinicians: The Partners Clinical Process Improvement
      Leadership Program.
AB  - Although there has been tremendous progress in quality improvement (QI) education
      for students and trainees in recent years, much less has been published regarding
      the training of active clinicians in QI. The Partners Clinical Process
      Improvement Leadership Program (CPIP) is a 6-day experiential program.
      Interdisciplinary teams complete a QI project framed by didactic sessions,
      interactive exercises, case-based problem sessions, and a final presentation. A
      total of 239 teams composed of 516 individuals have graduated CPIP. On
      completion, participant satisfaction scores average 4.52 (scale 1-5) and self
      reported understanding of QI concepts improved. At 6 months after graduation, 66%
      of survey respondents reported sustained QI activity. Three opportunities to
      improve the program have been identified: (1) increasing faculty participation
      through online and tiered course offerings, (2) integrating the faculty-focused
      program with the trainee curriculum, and (3) developing a postgraduate curriculum
      to address the challenges of sustained improvement.

PMID- 27259878
TI  - Impact of an Enhanced Transition Process on Patient Readiness for Discharge.

PMID- 27259879
TI  - Microplastic Ingestion by Wild and Cultured Manila Clams (Venerupis
      philippinarum) from Baynes Sound, British Columbia.
AB  - Microplastics, plastic particles <5 mm, are an emerging concern in aquatic
      ecosystems. Because microplastics are small, they are available to many filter
      feeding organisms, which can then be consumed by higher trophic level organisms,
      including humans. This study documents the quantity of microplastics present in
      wild and cultured Manila clams (Venerupis philippinarum). Three active shellfish
      farms and three reference beaches (i.e., non-shellfish farm sites) in Baynes
      Sound, British Columbia were chosen to examine the microplastic concentrations in
      wild and cultured Manila clams. Microplastics were isolated using a nitric acid
      digestion technique and enumerated from 54 clams (27 farmed and 27 non-farmed).
      Qualitative attributes, such as colour and microplastic type (fiber, fragment, or
      film) also were recorded. There was no significant difference (F = 1.29; df =
      1,4; P = 0.289) between microplastic concentrations in cultured and wild clams.
      Microplastic concentrations ranged from 0.07 to 5.47 particles/g (from reference
      beach and shellfish farm clams, respectively). Fibers were the dominant
      microplastic (90 %); colourless and dark gray fibers were the most common colours
      observed (36 and 26 %, respectively). Although this indicates that microplastics
      are definitely present in seafood consumed by humans, shellfish aquaculture
      operations do not appear to be increasing microplastic concentrations in farmed
      clams in this region. 

PMID- 27259882
TI  - The dream of imaging coronary artery inflammation with FDG PET/CT imaging.

PMID- 27259880
TI  - Effects of CYP-Induced Cystitis on Growth Factors and Associated Receptor
      Expression in Micturition Pathways in Mice with Chronic Overexpression of NGF in
      Urothelium.
AB  - We have determined if cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis produces additional
      changes in growth factor/receptors expression in the urinary bladder (urothelium,
      detrusor) and lumbosacral (L6-S1) dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in a transgenic mouse
      model with chronic urothelial overexpression of NGF (NGF-OE). Functionally, NGF
      OE mice treated with CYP exhibit significant increases in voiding frequency above
      that observed in control NGF-OE mice (no CYP). Quantitative PCR was used to
      determine NGF, BDNF, VEGF, and receptors (TrkA, TrkB, p75(NTR)) transcripts
      expression in tissues from NGF-OE and wild-type (WT) mice with CYP-induced
      cystitis of varying duration (4 h, 48 h, 8 days). In urothelium of control NGF-OE
      mice, NGF mRNA was significantly (p <= 0.001) increased. Urothelial expression of
      NGF mRNA in NGF-OE mice treated with CYP (4 h, 48 h, 8 days) was not further
      increased but maintained with all durations of CYP treatment evaluated. In
      contrast, CYP-induced cystitis (4 h, 48 h, 8 days) in NGF-OE mice demonstrated
      significant (p <= 0.05) regulation in BDNF, VEGF, TrkA, TrkB, and P75(NTR) mRNA
      in urothelium and detrusor smooth muscle. Similarly, CYP-induced cystitis (4 h,
      48 h, 8 days) in NGF-OE mice resulted in significant (p <= 0.05), differential
      changes in transcript expression for NGF, BDNF, and receptors (TrkA, TrkB,
      p75(NTR)) in S1 DRG that was dependent on the duration-of CYP-induced cystitis.
      In general, NGF, BDNF, TrkA, and TrkB protein content in the urinary bladder
      increased in WT and NGF-OE mice with CYP-induced cystitis (4 h). Changes in NGF,
      TrkA and TrkB expression in the urinary bladder were significantly (p <= 0.05)
      greater in NGF-OE mice with CYP-induced cystitis (4 h) compared to WT mice with
      cystitis (4 h). However, the magnitude of change between WT and NGF-OE mice was
      only significantly (p <= 0.05) different for TrkB expression in urinary bladder
      of NGF-OE mice treated with CYP. These studies are consistent with target-derived
      NGF and other inflammatory mediators affecting neurochemical plasticity with
      potential contributions to reflex function of micturition pathways. 

PMID- 27259883
TI  - Effect of aminophylline administration on the diagnostic yield of vasodilator
      myocardial perfusion imaging.

PMID- 27259884
TI  - [Everyday life with HIV: everything "normal"?].

PMID- 27259885
TI  - [New backbone for HIV therapy. F/TAV: long-term improved renal and osseous safety
      profile].

PMID- 27259886
TI  - [This far it can go without HIV therapy!].

PMID- 27259887
TI  - [HIV infection and pregnancy. Improved therapy management for HIV infected
      pregnant patients].

PMID- 27259888
TI  - [Attending to life style and comorbidities. Comprehensive management of HIV
      patients].

PMID- 27259889
TI  - [This is how the "gene scissors" function against HIV].

PMID- 27259890
TI  - [Healing of HIV. Legitimate hope or utopia?].

PMID- 27259891
TI  - [PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for women: what are the benefits of the vaginal
      ring?].

PMID- 27259892
TI  - [Protection against HIV - but only with good compliance!].

PMID- 27259893
TI  - [In syphilis: penicillin iv].

PMID- 27259894
TI  - [Against tripper soon almost no herb is effective].

PMID- 27259895
TI  - ["Influenza vaccination for every HIV patient"].

PMID- 27259896
TI  - [HIV in the Limelight].

PMID- 27259897
TI  - [The phenomenon of an open window].

PMID- 27259898
TI  - [HIV at the workplace: what should be considered - which problems can arise?].

PMID- 27259899
TI  - [When supplementation is needed].

PMID- 27259900
TI  - [HIV and sports: good or evil?].

PMID- 27259901
TI  - [Vaccinations and prophylaxis: what to consider].

PMID- 27259902
TI  - [HIV & relationship - what if only one of the partners is HIV positive?].

PMID- 27259903
TI  - [HIV, desire to have a child and pregnancy: new aspects].

PMID- 27259904
TI  - [HIV - Individualized therapy is announced].

PMID- 27259905
TI  - [Chronic Hepatitis C - Therapeutic Options in 2016].

PMID- 27259906
TI  - [EMA examines an application for change in authorization of truvada].

PMID- 27259907
TI  - [Optimized therapy].

PMID- 27259908
TI  - [Declining costs].

PMID- 27259909
TI  - [LDV/SOF successful in general practice test].

PMID- 27259910
TI  - [In HIV-HCV co-infection check for drug interactions].

PMID- 27259912
TI  - [Combination of tacrolimus and MMF for treatment of proliferative lupus
      nephritis].

PMID- 27259913
TI  - [Psoriatic arthritis : Overview of drug therapy options and administration
      characteristics].
AB  - Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the musculoskeletal
      system with association to skin psoriasis and is characterized by variable
      clinical symptoms with very heterogeneous degrees of disease suffering for
      patients. Clinical manifestations essentially include alterations to the skin and
      nails, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis and/or spinal involvement.
      This variability necessitates an individualized therapy of patients with
      different therapy targets. Apart from international guidelines no therapy
      recommendations are available in Germany for treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
      For this reason this article summarizes the established points, characteristics
      and aspects to be considered in the therapy of psoriatic arthritis in Germany,
      taking the various main forms of the disease into consideration. 

PMID- 27259914
TI  - Towards Consensus Gene Ages.
AB  - Correctly estimating the age of a gene or gene family is important for a variety
      of fields, including molecular evolution, comparative genomics, and
      phylogenetics, and increasingly for systems biology and disease genetics.
      However, most studies use only a point estimate of a gene's age, neglecting the
      substantial uncertainty involved in this estimation. Here, we characterize this
      uncertainty by investigating the effect of algorithm choice on gene-age inference
      and calculate consensus gene ages with attendant error distributions for a
      variety of model eukaryotes. We use 13 orthology inference algorithms to create
      gene-age datasets and then characterize the error around each age-call on a per
      gene and per-algorithm basis. Systematic error was found to be a large factor in
      estimating gene age, suggesting that simple consensus algorithms are not enough
      to give a reliable point estimate. We also found that different sources of error
      can affect downstream analyses, such as gene ontology enrichment. Our consensus
      gene-age datasets, with associated error terms, are made fully available at so
      that researchers can propagate this uncertainty through their analyses
      (geneages.org).

PMID- 27259915
TI  - Design and validation of a questionnaire to evaluate the usability of
      computerized critical care information systems.
AB  - The implementation of computerized critical care information systems (CCIS) can
      improve the quality of clinical care and staff satisfaction, but also holds risks
      of disrupting the workflow with consecutive negative impacts. The usability of
      CCIS is one of the key factors determining their benefits and weaknesses.
      However, no tailored instrument exists to measure the usability of such systems.
      Therefore, the aim of this study was to design and validate a questionnaire that
      measures the usability of CCIS. Following a mixed-method design approach, we
      developed a questionnaire comprising two evaluation models to assess the
      usability of CCIS: (1) the task-specific model rates the usability individually
      for several tasks which CCIS could support and which we derived by analyzing work
      processes in the ICU; (2) the characteristic-specific model rates the different
      aspects of the usability, as defined by the international standard "ergonomics of
      human-system interaction". We tested validity and reliability of the digital
      version of the questionnaire in a sample population. In the sample population of
      535 participants both usability evaluation models showed a strong correlation
      with the overall rating of the system (multiple correlation coefficients >=0.80)
      as well as a very high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >=0.93). The novel
      questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to measure the usability of CCIS
      and can be used to study the influence of the usability on their implementation
      benefits and weaknesses.

PMID- 27259916
TI  - Erratum to: Aggregation and Competitive Exclusion: Explaining the Coexistence of
      Human Papillomavirus Types and the Effectiveness of Limited Vaccine Conferred
      Cross-Immunity.

PMID- 27259917
TI  - Tailored flow sequestration treatment using high-flow and low-flow bypass for
      partially thrombosed giant internal carotid artery aneurysm-a technical case
      report.
AB  - Direct clipping of giant partially thrombosed intracranial internal carotid
      artery (ICA) aneurysms is challenging, especially when important perforating
      arteries are involved. Proximal occlusion with bypass represents a possible
      alternative approach. An 80-year-old female presented with worsening visual
      acuity and severe headache caused by partially thrombosed giant (38 mm in
      diameter) aneurysms of the right ICA, suggestive of impending rupture. Direct
      clipping in conjunction with temporary occlusion of the lesion involving the
      anterior choroidal artery (AChA) was considered too risky. Thus, we sequestrated
      the ipsilateral ICA flow into a low-flow and a high-flow system using two
      external carotid artery (ECA)-ICA bypasses and one in situ bypass with cervical
      ICA ligation. As a result, the low-flow system by the superficial temporal artery
      middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass perfused mainly the proximal MCA lesions and
      aneurysm, whereas the high-flow system by ECA-radial artery-M2 bypass exclusively
      supplied the residual distal MCA area. This tailored flow sequestration
      successfully interrupted intra-aneurysmal flow and accelerated near-complete
      thrombosis of the aneurysm while preserving the AChA and avoiding any significant
      neurological deterioration. We conclude that this method is effective for the
      management of giant partially thrombosed aneurysms of the ICA, especially when
      direct clipping is difficult. 

PMID- 27259918
TI  - Helios((r)) Gene Gun-Mediated Transfection of the Inner Ear Sensory Epithelium:
      Recent Updates.
AB  - The transfection of vertebrate inner ear hair cells has proven to be challenging.
      Therefore, many laboratories attempt to use and improve different transfection
      methods. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. A particular
      researcher's skills in addition to available equipment and the type of experiment
      (in vivo or in vitro) likely determine the transfection method of choice.
      Biolistic delivery of exogenous DNA, mRNA, or siRNA, also known as Helios((r))
      Gene Gun-mediated transfection, uses the mechanical energy of compressed helium
      gas to bombard tissue with micron- or submicron-sized DNA or RNA-coated gold
      particles, which can penetrate and transfect cells in vitro or in vivo.
      Helios((r)) Gene Gun-mediated transfection has several advantages: (1) it is
      simple enough to learn in a short time; (2) it is designed to overcome cell
      barriers even as tough as plant cell membrane or stratum corneum in the
      epidermis; (3) it can transfect cells deep inside a tissue such as specific
      neurons within a brain slice; (4) it can accommodate mRNA, siRNA, or DNA
      practically of any size to be delivered; and (5) it works well with various cell
      types including non-dividing, terminally differentiated cells that are difficult
      to transfect, such as neurons or mammalian inner ear sensory hair cells. The
      latter advantage is particularly important for inner ear research. The
      disadvantages of this method are: (1) low efficiency of transfection due to many
      variables that have to be adjusted and (2) potential mechanical damage of the
      tissue if the biolistic shot parameters are not optimal. This chapter provides a
      step-by-step protocol and critical evaluation of the Bio-Rad Helios((r)) Gene Gun
      transfection method used to deliver green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged full
      length cDNAs of myosin 15a, whirlin, beta-actin, and Clic5 into rodent hair cells
      of the postnatal inner ear sensory epithelia in culture.

PMID- 27259919
TI  - Tol2-Mediated Delivery of miRNAs to the Chicken Otocyst Using Plasmid
      Electroporation.
AB  - The avian embryo has a well-documented history as a model system for the study of
      neurogenesis, morphogenesis, and cell fate specification. This includes studies
      of the chicken inner ear that employ in ovo electroporation, in conjunction with
      the Tol2 system, to yield robust long-term transgene expression. Capitalizing on
      the success of this delivery method, we describe a modified version of the Tol2
      expression vector that readily accepts the insertion of a microRNA-encoding
      artificial intron. This offers a strategy to investigate the possible roles of
      different candidate microRNAs in ear development by overexpression. Here, we
      describe the general design of this modified vector and the electroporation
      procedure. This approach is expected to facilitate phenotypic screening of
      candidate miRNAs to explore their bioactivity in vivo.

PMID- 27259920
TI  - A Rapid, Cost-Effective Method to Prepare Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus for
      Efficient Gene Transfer to the Developing Mouse Inner Ear.
AB  - There is keen interest to define gene therapies aimed at restoration of auditory
      and vestibular function in the diseased or damaged mammalian inner ear. A
      persistent limitation of regenerative medical strategies that seek to correct or
      modify gene expression in the sensory epithelia of the inner ear involves
      efficacious delivery of a therapeutic genetic construct. Our approach is to
      define methodologies that enable fetal gene transfer to the developing mammalian
      inner ear in an effort to correct defective gene expression during formation of
      the sensory epithelia or during early postnatal life. Conceptually, the goal is
      to atraumatically introduce the genetic construct into the otocyst-staged mouse
      inner ear and transfect otic progenitors that give rise to sensory hair cells and
      supporting cells. Our long-term goal is to define therapeutic interventions for
      congenital deafness and balance disorders with the expectation that the approach
      may also be exploited for therapeutic intervention postnatally.In the inaugural
      volume of this series, we introduced electroporation-mediated gene transfer to
      the developing mouse inner ear that encompassed our mouse survival surgery and
      transuterine microinjection protocols (Brigande et al., Methods Mol Biol 493:125
      139, 2009). In this chapter, we first briefly update our use of sodium
      pentobarbital anesthesia, our preferred anesthetic for mouse ventral laparotomy,
      in light of its rapidly escalating cost. Next, we define a rapid, cost-effective
      method to produce recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) for efficient gene
      transfer to the developing mouse inner ear. Our immediate goal is to provide a
      genetic toolkit that will permit the definition and validation of gene therapies
      in mouse models of human deafness and balance disorders.

PMID- 27259921
TI  - Generation of Noninvasive, Quantifiable, Orthotopic Animal Models for NF2
      Associated Schwannoma and Meningioma.
AB  - Schwannomas and meningiomas are nervous system tumors that can occur sporadically
      or in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Mutations of the
      Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) gene are frequently observed in these tumors.
      Schwannomas and meningiomas cause significant morbidities, and an FDA-approved
      medical therapy is currently not available. The development of preclinical animal
      models that accurately capture the clinical characteristics of these tumors will
      facilitate the evaluation of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of these
      tumors, ultimately leading to more productive clinical trials. Here, we describe
      the generation of luciferase-expressing NF2-deficient schwannoma and meningioma
      cells and the use of these cells to establish orthotopic tumor models in
      immunodeficient mice. The growth of these tumors and their response to treatment
      can be measured effectively by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and confirmed by
      small-animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These and other animal models,
      such as genetically-engineered models, should substantially advance the
      investigation of promising therapies for schwannomas and meningiomas.

PMID- 27259922
TI  - RNA Extraction from Xenopus Auditory and Vestibular Organs for Molecular Cloning
      and Expression Profiling with RNA-Seq and Microarrays.
AB  - The amphibian Xenopus offers a unique model system for uncovering the genetic
      basis of auditory and vestibular function in an organism that is well-suited for
      experimental manipulation during animal development. However, many procedures for
      analyzing gene expression in the peripheral auditory and vestibular systems
      mandate the ability to isolate intact RNA from inner ear tissue. Methods
      presented here facilitate preparation of high-quality inner ear RNA from larval
      and post-metamorphic Xenopus specimens that can be used for a variety of
      purposes. We demonstrate that RNA isolated with these protocols is suitable for
      microarray analysis and Illumina-Solexa sequencing (RNA-Seq) of inner ear organs,
      and for cloning of large transcripts, such as those for ion channels. Genetic
      sequences cloned with these procedures can be used for transient transfection of
      Xenopus kidney cell lines with fluorescent protein fusion constructs.

PMID- 27259923
TI  - Yeast Two-Hybrid Screening to Test for Protein-Protein Interactions in the
      Auditory System.
AB  - We describe a protocol to screen for protein-protein interactions using the Gal-4
      based yeast two-hybrid system. In this protocol, we describe serial
      transformation of bait into an already constructed cDNA library in yeast AH109
      cells. We find this method gives the most number of true interactions. Where a
      premade library in yeast cells is not available, the method outlined can be
      quickly adapted. AH109 cells can be first transformed with bait containing a
      vector followed by selection of yeast containing the bait. A second
      transformation of yeast cells is then accomplished with the cDNA library. The
      method is quick and can lead to the discovery of significant interactions.

PMID- 27259924
TI  - Multiplexed Isobaric Tagging Protocols for Quantitative Mass Spectrometry
      Approaches to Auditory Research.
AB  - Modern biologists have at their disposal a large array of techniques used to
      assess the existence and relative or absolute quantity of any molecule of
      interest in a sample. However, implementing most of these procedures can be a
      daunting task for the first time, even in a lab with experienced researchers.
      Just choosing a protocol to follow can take weeks while all of the nuances are
      examined and it is determined whether a protocol will (a) give the desired
      results, (b) result in interpretable and unbiased data, and (c) be amenable to
      the sample of interest. We detail here a robust procedure for labeling proteins
      in a complex lysate for the ultimate differential quantification of protein
      abundance following experimental manipulations. Following a successful outcome of
      the labeling procedure, the sample is submitted for mass spectrometric analysis,
      resulting in peptide quantification and protein identification. While we will
      concentrate on cells in culture, we will point out procedures that can be used
      for labeling lysates generated from tissues, along with any minor modifications
      required for such samples. We will also outline, but not fully document, other
      strategies used in our lab to label proteins prior to mass spectrometric
      analysis, and describe under which conditions each procedure may be desirable.
      What is not covered in this chapter is anything but the most brief introduction
      to mass spectrometry (instrumentation, theory, etc.), nor do we attempt to cover
      much in the way of software used for post hoc analysis. These two topics are
      dependent upon one's resources, and where applicable, one's collaborators. We
      strongly encourage the reader to seek out expert advice on topics not covered
      here.

PMID- 27259925
TI  - Protein Quantitation of the Developing Cochlea Using Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Mass spectrometry-based proteomics allows for the measurement of hundreds to
      thousands of proteins in a biological system. Additionally, mass spectrometry can
      also be used to quantify proteins and peptides. However, observing quantitative
      differences between biological systems using mass spectrometry-based proteomics
      can be challenging because it is critical to have a method that is fast,
      reproducible, and accurate. Therefore, to study differential protein expression
      in biological samples labeling or label-free quantitative methods can be used.
      Labeling methods have been widely used in quantitative proteomics, however label
      free methods have become equally as popular and more preferred because they
      produce faster, cleaner, and simpler results. Here, we describe the methods by
      which proteins are isolated and identified from cochlear sensory epithelia
      tissues at different ages and quantitatively differentiated using label-free mass
      spectrometry.

PMID- 27259926
TI  - Ultrastructural Identification and Colocalization of Interacting Proteins in the
      Murine Cochlea by Post-Embedding Immunogold Transmission Electron Microscopy.
AB  - Verification of the presence and location of a protein within tissue can be
      accomplished by western blotting and immunohistochemistry, using either paraffin
      or frozen sections. Affinity purification by reciprocal coimmunoprecipitations
      using the tissue of interest can demonstrate the existence of an interacting pair
      of proteins. Ultimately, the ability to visualize the interaction at the cellular
      level is desired. Precise location(s) of interacting proteins in situ can be
      accomplished by ultrastructural localization with high-quality primary antibodies
      and small-particle-size Au-conjugated secondary antibodies. Visualization can be
      obtained with a transmission electron microscope fitted with a high-resolution
      camera permitting magnifications that exceed 2 * 10(5), and, to date, resolution
      capability of 20+ Mpixels, thus enabling localization of the target protein to
      within nanometers of the actual location. Here, we report the method by which
      immunolocalization at the level of the electron microscope is accomplished using
      the post-embedding technique, i.e., performing antibody labeling of proteins on
      ultrathin sections of tissue embedded in acrylic resin.

PMID- 27259927
TI  - Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Analysis of Binding Interactions of Inner-Ear
      Proteins.
AB  - Surface plasmon resonance is an optical technique that is utilized for detecting
      molecular interactions. Binding of a mobile molecule (analyte) to a molecule
      immobilized on a thin metal film (ligand) changes the refractive index of the
      film. The angle of extinction of light that is completely reflected after
      polarized light impinges upon the film, is altered, and monitored as a change in
      detector position for a dip in reflected intensity (the surface plasmon resonance
      phenomenon). Because the method strictly detects mass, there is no need to label
      the interacting components, thus eliminating possible changes of their molecular
      properties. We have utilized surface plasmon resonance to study interaction of
      proteins of inner-ear sensory epithelia.

PMID- 27259928
TI  - The Single-Molecule Approach to Membrane Protein Stoichiometry.
AB  - The advent of techniques for imaging solitary fluorescent molecules has made
      possible many new kinds of biological experiments. Here, we describe the
      application of single-molecule imaging to the problem of subunit stoichiometry in
      membrane proteins. A membrane protein of unknown stoichiometry, prestin, is
      coupled to the fluorescent enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and
      synthesized in the human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell line. We prepare adherent
      membrane fragments containing prestin-eGFP by osmotic lysis. The molecules are
      then exposed to continuous low-level excitation until their fluorescence reaches
      background levels. Their fluorescence decreases in discrete equal-amplitude
      steps, consistent with the photobleaching of single fluorophores. We count the
      number of steps required to photobleach each molecule. The molecular
      stoichiometry is then deduced using a binomial model.

PMID- 27259929
TI  - Visualization of Live Cochlear Stereocilia at a Nanoscale Resolution Using
      Hopping Probe Ion Conductance Microscopy.
AB  - The mechanosensory apparatus that detects sound-induced vibrations in the cochlea
      is located on the apex of the auditory sensory hair cells and it is made up of
      actin-filled projections, called stereocilia. In young rodents, stereocilia
      bundles of auditory hair cells consist of 3-4 rows of stereocilia of decreasing
      height and varying thickness. Morphological studies of the auditory stereocilia
      bundles in live hair cells have been challenging because the diameter of each
      stereocilium is near or below the resolution limit of optical microscopy. In
      theory, scanning probe microscopy techniques, such as atomic force microscopy,
      could visualize the surface of a living cell at a nanoscale resolution. However,
      their implementations for hair cell imaging have been largely unsuccessful
      because the probe usually damages the bundle and disrupts the bundle cohesiveness
      during imaging. We overcome these limitations by using hopping probe ion
      conductance microscopy (HPICM), a non-contact scanning probe technique that is
      ideally suited for the imaging of live cells with a complex topography. Organ of
      Corti explants are placed in a physiological solution and then a glass
      nanopipette-which is connected to a 3D-positioning piezoelectric system and to a
      patch clamp amplifier-is used to scan the surface of the live hair cells at
      nanometer resolution without ever touching the cell surface.Here, we provide a
      detailed protocol for the imaging of mouse or rat stereocilia bundles in live
      auditory hair cells using HPICM. We provide information about the fabrication of
      the nanopipettes, the calibration of the HPICM setup, the parameters we have
      optimized for the imaging of live stereocilia bundles and, lastly, a few basic
      image post-processing manipulations.

PMID- 27259930
TI  - Design and Construction of a Cost-Effective Spinning Disk System for Live Imaging
      of Inner Ear Tissue.
AB  - Confocal imaging of fluorescent probes offers a powerful, non-invasive tool which
      enables data collection from vast population of cells at high spatial and
      temporal resolution. Spinning disk confocal microscopy parallelizes the imaging
      process permitting the study of dynamic events in populations of living cells on
      the millisecond time scale. Several spinning disk microscopy solutions are
      commercially available, however these are often poorly configurable and
      relatively expensive. This chapter describes a procedure to assemble a cost
      effective homemade spinning disk system for fluorescence microscopy, which is
      highly flexible and easily configurable. We finally illustrate a reliable
      protocol to obtain high-quality Ca(2+) and voltage imaging data from cochlear
      preparations.

PMID- 27259932
TI  - Detection of Excitatory and Inhibitory Synapses in the Auditory System Using
      Fluorescence Immunohistochemistry and High-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy.
AB  - In sensory systems, a balanced excitatory and inhibitory circuit along the
      ascending pathway is not only important for the establishment of topographically
      ordered connections from the periphery to the cortex but also for temporal
      precision of signal processing. The accomplishment of spatial and temporal
      cortical resolution in the central nervous system is a process that is likely
      initiated by the first sensory experiences that drive a period of increased
      intracortical inhibition. In the auditory system, the time of first sensory
      experience is also the period in which a reorganization of cochlear efferent and
      afferent fibers occurs leading to the mature innervation of inner and outer hair
      cells. This mature hair cell innervation is the basis of accurate sound
      processing along the ascending pathway up to the auditory cortex. We describe
      here, a protocol for detecting excitatory and inhibitory marker proteins along
      the ascending auditory pathway, which could be a useful tool for detecting
      changes in auditory signal processing during various forms of hearing disorders.
      Our protocol uses fluorescence immunohistochemistry in combination with high
      resolution fluorescence microscopy in cochlear and brain tissue.

PMID- 27259931
TI  - Neuroanatomical Tracing Techniques in the Ear: History, State of the Art, and
      Future Developments.
AB  - The inner ear has long been at the cutting edge of tract tracing techniques that
      have shaped and reshaped our understanding of the ear's innervation patterns.
      This review provides a historical framework to understand the importance of these
      techniques for ear innervation and for development of tracing techniques in
      general; it is hoped that lessons learned will help to quickly adopt
      transformative novel techniques and their information and correct past beliefs
      based on technical limitations. The technical part of the review presents details
      of our protocol as developed over the last 30 years. We also include arguments as
      to why these recommendations work best to generate the desired outcome of
      distinct fiber and cell labeling, and generate reliable data for any
      investigation. We specifically focus on two tracing techniques, in part developed
      and/or championed for ear innervation analysis: the low molecular multicolor
      dextran amine tract tracing technique and the multicolor tract tracing technique
      with lipophilic dyes.

PMID- 27259933
TI  - Rapid and Semi-automated Extraction of Neuronal Cell Bodies and Nuclei from
      Electron Microscopy Image Stacks.
AB  - Connectomics-the study of how neurons wire together in the brain-is at the
      forefront of modern neuroscience research. However, many connectomics studies are
      limited by the time and precision needed to correctly segment large volumes of
      electron microscopy (EM) image data. We present here a semi-automated
      segmentation pipeline using freely available software that can significantly
      decrease segmentation time for extracting both nuclei and cell bodies from EM
      image volumes.

PMID- 27259934
TI  - Organotypic Culture of the Mouse Cochlea from Embryonic Day 12 to the Neonate.
AB  - The development of the mammalian cochlea is a complex process involving several
      intersecting signaling pathways to ultimately generate its highly organized
      cellular architecture. In humans, and in the mouse, there is one row of inner
      hair cells aligned next to three rows of outer hair cells. The support cells
      intercalate between the hair cells to create a cellular mosaic across the organ
      of Corti (OC). Organotypic culture of the cochlea is a valuable technique for
      investigating the early stages of OC development. Cultures can be established at
      proliferative stages and maintained in vitro until cellular differentiation
      commences. It is straightforward to monitor differentiation in response to
      perturbations of key signaling pathways using pharmacological agents. While
      postnatal cochlea organ cultures have already been adapted for in vitro studies,
      it is more challenging to establish cultures at early embryonic stages due to the
      small size of the organ primordium. The protocol described in this chapter is
      permissive for all stages of development from E12 cochleas to day 5 neonatal
      murine cochleas, allowing culture survival up to 2 weeks in vitro.

PMID- 27259935
TI  - Quantifying Spiral Ganglion Neurite and Schwann Behavior on Micropatterned
      Polymer Substrates.
AB  - The first successful in vitro experiments on the cochlea were conducted in 1928
      by Honor Fell (Fell, Arch Exp Zellforsch 7(1):69-81, 1928). Since then,
      techniques for culture of this tissue have been refined, and dissociated primary
      culture of the spiral ganglion has become a widely accepted in vitro model for
      studying nerve damage and regeneration in the cochlea. Additionally, patterned
      substrates have been developed that facilitate and direct neural outgrowth. A
      number of automated and semi-automated methods for quantifying this neurite
      outgrowth have been utilized in recent years (Zhang et al., J Neurosci Methods
      160(1):149-162, 2007; Tapias et al., Neurobiol Dis 54:158-168, 2013). Here, we
      describe a method to study the effect of topographical cues on spiral ganglion
      neurite and Schwann cell alignment. We discuss our microfabrication process,
      characterization of pattern features, cell culture techniques for both spiral
      ganglion neurons and spiral ganglion Schwann cells. In addition, we describe
      protocols for reducing fibroblast count, immunocytochemistry, and methods for
      quantifying neurite and Schwann cell alignment.

PMID- 27259936
TI  - The Use of Human Wharton's Jelly Cells for Cochlear Tissue Engineering.
AB  - Tissue engineering focuses on three primary components: stem cells, biomaterials,
      and growth factors. Together, the combination of these components is used to
      regrow and repair damaged tissues that normally do not regenerate easily on their
      own. Much attention has been focused on the use of embryonic stem cells (ESCs)
      and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), due to their broad differentiation
      potential. However, ESCs and iPSCs require very detailed protocols to
      differentiate into target tissues, which are not always successful. Furthermore,
      procurement of ESCs is considered ethically controversial in some regions and
      procurement of iPSCs requires laborious transformation of adult tissues and
      characterization. However, mesenchymal stem cells are an adult stem cell
      population that are not ethically controversial and are readily available for
      procurement. Furthermore, mesenchymal stem cells exhibit the ability to
      differentiate into a variety of cell types arising from the mesoderm. In
      particular, human Wharton's jelly cells (hWJCs) are mesenchymal-type stem cells
      found in umbilical cords that possess remarkable differentiation potential. hWJCs
      are a highly desirable stem cell population due to their abundance in supply,
      high proliferation rates, and ability to differentiate into multiple cell types
      arising from all three germ layers. hWJCs are used to generate several
      neurological phenotypes arising from the ectoderm and are considered for
      engineering mechanosensory hair cells found in the auditory complex. Here, we
      report the methods for isolating hWJCs from human umbilical cords and non-virally
      transfected for use in cochlear tissue engineering studies.

PMID- 27259937
TI  - Nanotechnology in Auditory Research: Membrane Electromechanics in Hearing.
AB  - The soft, thin membranes that envelop all living cells are 2D, nanoscale, fluid
      assemblies of phospholipids, sterols, proteins, and other molecules. Mechanical
      interactions between these components facilitate membrane function, a key example
      of which is ion flow mediated by the mechanical opening and closing of channels.
      Hearing and balance are initiated by the modulation of ion flow through
      mechanoreceptor channels in stereocilia membranes. Cochlear amplification by the
      outer hair cell involves modulation of ion movement by the membrane protein
      prestin. Voltage-gated ion channels shape the receptor potential in hair cells
      and are responsible for the initiation of action potentials that are at the heart
      of sensory processing in the brain. All three processes require a membrane and
      their kinetics are modulated by the mechanical (i.e., material) properties of the
      membrane. This chapter reviews the methodology for measuring the mechanics of
      cellular membranes and introduces a method for examining membrane
      electromechanics. The approach allows examination of electromechanically mediated
      interactions between the different molecular species in the membrane that
      contribute to the biology of hearing and balance.

PMID- 27259938
TI  - An Overview of Nanoparticle Based Delivery for Treatment of Inner Ear Disorders.
AB  - Nanoparticles offer new possibilities for inner ear treatment as they can carry a
      variety of drugs, protein, and nucleic acids to inner ear. Nanoparticles are
      equipped with several functions such as targetability, immuno-transparency,
      biochemical stability, and ability to be visualized in vivo and in vitro. A group
      of novel peptides can be attached to the surface of nanoparticles that will
      enhance the cell entry, endosomal escape, and nuclear targeting. Eight different
      types of nanoparticles with different payload carrying strategies are available
      now. The transtympanic delivery of nanoparticles indicates that, depending on the
      type of nanoparticle, different migration pathways into the inner ear can be
      employed, and that optimal carriers can be designed according to the intended
      cargo. The use of nanoparticles as drug/gene carriers is especially attractive in
      conjunction with cochlear implantation or even as an inclusion in the implant as
      a drug/gene reservoir.

PMID- 27259939
TI  - Development of Cell-Based High-Throughput Chemical Screens for Protection Against
      Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity.
AB  - Various compounds have been tested in recent years for protection against
      cisplatin-induced hearing loss, but no compound has yet been FDA approved for
      clinical use in patients. Towards this goal, we developed an unbiased, high
      throughput, mammalian cochlear cell-based chemical screen that allowed
      quantification of the protection ability of bioactive compounds and ranked them
      for future testing ex vivo in cochlear explant cultures and in vivo in animal
      models. In our primary screens, protection in the HEI-OC1 organ of Corti
      immortalized cell line was measured by the ability of each compound to inhibit
      caspase-3/7 activity triggered by cisplatin treatment (50 MUM cisplatin for 22
      h). A total of 4385 unique bioactive compounds were tested in a single dose of 8
      MUM and promising compounds were validated by dose response curves covering ten,
      1:3 serial diluted concentrations. Primary hits were defined as having more than
      60 % inhibition of the caspase-3/7 activity. Toxicity of the top compounds was
      measured by a CellTiter-Glo (CTG) assay that measured the viability of the cells
      in the presence of compound alone in similar dose responsive analysis. A
      combination of the caspase-3/7 inhibition activity assay (as measured by IC50)
      and the CTG viability assay (as determined by LD50) identified the top protective
      compounds in the HEI-OC1 cells. In the future, the top hits in our screens will
      be tested for their protective ability ex vivo in mouse cochlear explants and in
      vivo in animal models. Our mammalian cochlear cell-based, high-throughput
      chemical screening assays described here can be further modified and represent an
      initial successful step towards therapeutic intervention of hearing disorders, an
      unmet medical need of our society.

PMID- 27259940
TI  - Profiling Specific Inner Ear Cell Types Using Cell Sorting Techniques.
AB  - Studies of specific tissue cell types are becoming increasingly important in
      advancing our understanding of cell biology and gene and protein expression.
      Prospective isolation of specific cell types is a powerful technique as it
      facilitates such investigations, allowing for analysis and characterization of
      individual cell populations. Such an approach to studying inner ear tissues
      presents a unique challenge because of the paucity of cells of interest and
      limited cell markers. In this chapter, we describe methods for selectively
      labeling and isolating different inner ear cell types from the neonatal mouse
      cochlea using fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

PMID- 27259941
TI  - Optical Coherence Tomography to Measure Sound-Induced Motions Within the Mouse
      Organ of Corti In Vivo.
AB  - The measurement of mechanical vibrations within the living cochlea is critical to
      understanding the first nonlinear steps in auditory processing, hair cell
      stimulation, and cochlear amplification. However, it has proven to be a
      challenging endeavor. This chapter describes how optical coherence tomography
      (OCT) can be used to measure vibrations within the tissues of the organ of Corti.
      These experimental measurements can be performed within the unopened cochlea of
      living mice routinely and reliably.

PMID- 27259942
TI  - Method for Dissecting the Auditory Epithelium (Basilar Papilla) in Developing
      Chick Embryos.
AB  - Chickens are an invaluable model for exploring auditory physiology. Similar to
      humans, the chicken inner ear is morphologically and functionally close to
      maturity at the time of hatching. In contrast, chicks can regenerate hearing, an
      ability lost in all mammals, including humans. The extensive morphological,
      physiological, behavioral, and pharmacological data available, regarding normal
      development in the chicken auditory system, has driven the progress of the field.
      The basilar papilla is an attractive model system to study the developmental
      mechanisms of hearing. Here, we describe the dissection technique for isolating
      the basilar papilla in developing chick inner ear. We also provide detailed
      examples of physiological (patch clamping) experiments using this preparation.

PMID- 27259943
TI  - Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Recording of Mouse and Rat Inner Hair Cells in the Intact
      Organ of Corti.
AB  - Whole-cell patch clamping is a widely applied method to record currents across
      the entire membrane of a cell. This protocol describes application of this method
      to record currents from the sensory inner hair cells in the intact auditory
      sensory epithelium, the organ of Corti, isolated from rats or mice. This protocol
      particularly outlines the basic equipment required, provides instructions for the
      preparation of solutions and small equipment items, and methodology for recording
      voltage-activated and evoked synaptic currents from the inner hair cells.

PMID- 27259944
TI  - Glass Probe Stimulation of Hair Cell Stereocilia.
AB  - Hair cells are designed to sense mechanical stimuli of sound using their apical
      stereocilia hair bundles. Mechanical deflection of this hair bundle is converted
      into an electrical signal through gating of mechano-electric transduction
      channels. Stiff probe stimulation of hair bundles is an invaluable tool for
      studying the transduction channel and its associated processes because of the
      speed and ability to precisely control hair bundle position. Proper construction
      of these devices is critical to their ultimate performance as is appropriate
      placement of the probe onto the hair bundle. Here we describe the construction
      and use of a glass probe coupled to a piezo-electric actuator for stimulating
      hair bundles, including the basic technique for positioning of the stimulating
      probe onto the hair bundle. These piezo-electric stimulators can be adapted to
      other mechanically sensitive systems.

PMID- 27259945
TI  - A Walkthrough of Nonlinear Capacitance Measurement of Outer Hair Cells.
AB  - Nonlinear capacitance (NLC) measures are often used as surrogate measures of
      outer hair cell (OHC) electromotility (eM), since the two are commonly thought to
      share many biophysical features. The measurement of NLC is simpler than direct
      measurements of eM and, therefore, many investigators have adopted it. A standard
      patch-clamp hardware configuration is sufficient for recording NLC, given the
      proper software interface. Thus, the approach is cost effective. We use the
      software jClamp since it is tailored to capacitance measurement. Here we detail
      steps that we use to measure NLC. The walk through includes isolation of guinea
      pig OHCs, building voltage commands, recording, and analysis.

PMID- 27259946
TI  - In Vitro Functional Assessment of Adult Spiral Ganglion Neurons (SGNs).
AB  - Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) faithfully encode acoustic waves from hair cells
      to the cochlear nucleus (CN) using voltage-dependent ion channels. A sizable
      portion of our knowledge on SGN functions have been derived from pre-hearing
      neurons. In post-hearing SGNs, the mechanisms of how they encode the massive
      sound information without delay and precisely are largely unknown. Mature SGNs
      are housed in the central bony labyrinth of the cochlea, protected by a well
      insulated myelin sheath, making it a technical feat to isolate viable neurons for
      rigorous functional electrophysiology. Recently, we have overcome the previous
      intractable hindrance in SGN functional analyses. We provide a step-by-step user
      friendly protocol with practical applications, including patch-clamp recordings
      and imaging by using cultured SGNs.

PMID- 27259947
TI  - Mapping Auditory Synaptic Circuits with Photostimulation of Caged Glutamate.
AB  - Photostimulation of neurons with caged glutamate is a viable tool for mapping the
      strength and spatial distribution of synaptic networks in living brain slices. In
      photostimulation experiments, synaptic connectivity is assessed by eliciting
      action potentials in putative presynaptic neurons via focal photolysis of caged
      glutamate, while measuring postsynaptic responses via intracellular recordings.
      Two approaches are commonly used for delivering light to small, defined areas in
      the slice preparation; an optical fiber-based method and a laser-scanning-based
      method. In this chapter, we outline the technical bases for using
      photostimulation of caged glutamate to map synaptic circuits, and discuss the
      advantages and disadvantages of using fiber-based vs. laser-based systems.

PMID- 27259948
TI  - Protective effect of etanercept, an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, in
      a rat model of retinal ischemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess the neuroprotective effect of etanercept (Enbrel(r)) which
      is a commercialized Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitor on axonal
      injury in an animal model of acute ischemia. METHODS: Acute ischemia was induced
      by intraocular pressure elevation in 36 rats. The treatment groups underwent
      subcutaneous injection of etanercept (0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg) three times per week up
      to 4 weeks. The control groups were treated in the same manner using the same
      volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Optic nerve damage was evaluated by
      counting the number of axons under a transmission electron microscope. Microglial
      cell activity was assessed using Iba1 and CD68. RESULTS: After induction of
      ischemia, the ratio of preserved axons was significantly greater in the 2-week
      1.0-mg/kg etanercept-treated group than in the PBS-treated group (p = 0.062). The
      4-week 0.3-mg/kg and 1.0-mg/kg etanercept-treated groups also showed
      significantly higher ratios of preserved axons than did the PBS-treated group (p
      = 0.021 and 0.003, respectively). The expression of Iba1 and CD68 in the optic
      nerve was lower in the etanercept-treated groups than in the PBS-treated groups.
      Immunohistochemical staining using rabbit anti-Iba1 antibody showed that the
      amount of microglia at the optic nerve head was noticeably lower in the
      etanercept-treated groups than in the PBS-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Etanercept
      significantly suppressed optic nerve injury in this rat model of acute ischemia.
      This in vivo study suggests that etanercept might be a novel neuroprotective
      treatment agent for TNF-alpha-related disease.

PMID- 27259949
TI  - Assessment of human thermal perception in the hot-humid climate of Dar es Salaam,
      Tanzania.
AB  - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is a typical African city along the Indian Ocean coast,
      and therefore an important urban area to examine human thermal perception in the
      hot-humid tropical climate. Earlier research on human bioclimate at Dar es Salaam
      indicated that heat stress prevails during the hot season from October to March,
      peaking between December and February, particularly the early afternoons. In
      order to assess the human thermal perception and adaptation, two popular places,
      one at an urban park and another at a beach environment, were selected and
      questionnaire surveys were conducted in August-September 2013 and January 2014,
      concurrently with local micro-meteorological measurements at survey locations.
      The thermal conditions were quantified in terms of the thermal index of the
      physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) using the micro-scale climate model
      RayMan. The thermal comfort range of human thermal comfort and the local thermal
      adaptive capacity were determined in respect to the thermal index by binning
      thermal sensation votes. The thermal comfort range was found to be well above
      that in temperate climates at about 23-31  degrees C of PET. The study could
      significantly contribute to urban planning in Dar es Salaam and other coastal
      cities in the tropics.

PMID- 27259951
TI  - Database whiplash, crowdsourcing, and FungiDB.

PMID- 27259950
TI  - Exposure to common respiratory bacteria alters the airway epithelial response to
      subsequent viral infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colonization of the airways with potential pathogenic bacteria is
      observed in a number of chronic respiratory diseases, such as COPD or cystic
      fibrosis. Infections with respiratory viruses are known triggers of exacerbations
      of these diseases. We here investigated if pre-exposure to bacteria alters the
      response of lung epithelial cells to subsequent viral infection. METHODS:
      Bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells and primary bronchial epithelial cells)
      were exposed to heat-inactivated Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      or Streptococcus pneumoniae and subsequently infected with respiratory syncytial
      virus (RSV), type 2 human adenovirus or influenza B. Levels of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines, viral replication and expression of pattern recognition receptors were
      determined in culture supernatants and/or cell lysates. RESULTS: Exposure of BEAS
      2B cells to H. influenzae before and during RSV-infection synergistically
      increased the release of IL-6 (increase above calculated additive effect at 72 h:
      56 % +/- 3 %, mean +/- SEM) and IL-8 (53 % +/- 12 %). This effect was sustained
      even when bacteria were washed away before viral infection and was neither
      associated with enhanced viral replication, nor linked to increased expression of
      key pattern recognition receptors. P. aeruginosa enhanced the release of
      inflammatory cytokines to a similar extent, yet only if bacteria were also
      present during viral infection. S. pneumoniae did not enhance RSV-induced
      cytokine release. Surprisingly, adenovirus infection significantly reduced IL-6
      release in cells exposed to either of the three tested bacterial strains by on
      average more than 50 %. Infection with influenza B on the other hand did not
      affect cytokine production in BEAS-2B cells exposed to the different bacterial
      strains. CONCLUSION: Pre-exposure of epithelial cells to bacteria alters the
      response to subsequent viral infection depending on the types of pathogen
      involved. These findings highlight the complexity of microbiome interactions in
      the airways, possibly contributing to the susceptibility to exacerbations and the
      natural course of airway diseases.

PMID- 27259952
TI  - Impact of Storage Temperature on the Expression of Cell Survival Genes in
      Cultured ARPE-19 Cells.
AB  - PURPOSE: The development of a suitable storage method for retinal pigment
      epithelium (RPE) is necessary in the establishment of future RPE replacement
      therapy, and storage temperature has proven to be pivotal for cell survival. ARPE
      19, a widely used model for RPE, has been shown to yield the greatest number of
      viable cells when stored at 16 degrees C compared to other storage temperatures.
      In this study, we analyze the gene expression profile of cultured ARPE-19 cells
      after seven days of storage at different temperatures in an effort to predict the
      gene-level consequences of storage of RPE transplants. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      ARPE-19 cells were cultured until confluence and then stored in minimum essential
      medium at 4 degrees C, 16 degrees C, and 37 degrees C for seven days. The total
      RNA was isolated and the gene expression profile was determined using DNA
      microarrays. The Results were validated using qPCR. RESULTS: Principal component
      and hierarchical clustering analyses show that the gene expression profiles of
      cell cultures stored at different temperatures cluster into separate groups.
      Cultures stored at 4 degrees C cluster closest to the control cultures that were
      not stored and display the least change in gene expression after storage (157
      differentially expressed genes). Cultures stored at 16 degrees C and 37 degrees C
      display a much larger change in differential gene expression (1787 and 1357
      differentially expressed genes, respectively). At 16 degrees C, the expression of
      several genes with proposed tumor suppressor functions was markedly increased.
      Changes in regulation of several known signaling pathways and of oxidative stress
      markers were discovered at both 16 degrees C and 37 degrees C, and activation of
      the angiogenesis marker vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was discovered
      at 37 degrees C. There was no evidence of the activation of inflammatory
      processes in stored cell cultures. CONCLUSION: ARPE-19 cultures stored at 16
      degrees C show the greatest propensity to modulate their gene expression profile
      in a manner that supports cell survival during storage.

PMID- 27259953
TI  - Bioenergy and bioproducts from municipal organic waste as alternative to
      landfilling: a comparative life cycle assessment with prospective application to
      Mexico.
AB  - A life cycle assessment (LCA) of a four-stage biorefinery concept, coined H-M-Z
      S, that converts 1 t of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) into
      bioenergy and bioproducts was performed in order to determine whether it could be
      an alternative to common disposal of OFMSW in landfills in the Mexican reality.
      The OFMSW is first fermented for hydrogen production, then the fermentates are
      distributed 40 % to the methane production, 40 % to enzyme production, and 20 %
      to the saccharification stage. From hydrogen and methane, up to 267 MJ and 204
      kWh of gross heat and electricity were produced. The biorefinery proved to be
      self-sustainable in terms of power (95 kWh net power), but it presented a deficit
      of energy for heating services (-155 MJ), which was partially alleviated by
      digesting the wastes from the bioproducts stages (-84 MJ). Compared to landfill,
      biorefinery showed lower environmental impacts in global warming (down to -128 kg
      CO2-eq), ozone layer depletion (2.96 * 10-6 kg CFC11-eq), and photochemical
      oxidation potentials (0.011 kg C2H4-eq). The landfarming of the digestates
      increased significantly the eutrophication impacts, up to 20 % below the
      eutrophication from landfilling (1.425 kg PO4-eq). These results suggest that H-M
      Z-S biorefinery could be an attractive alternative compared to conventional
      landfilling for the management of municipal solid wastes, although new
      alternatives and uses of co-products and wastes should be explored and tested.
      Moreover, the biorefinery system would benefit from the integration into the
      market chain of the bioproducts, i.e., enzymes and hydrolysates among others.

PMID- 27259954
TI  - Distribution, fate, and risk assessment of antibiotics in five wastewater
      treatment plants in Shanghai, China.
AB  - The project studied the occurrence, fate, and seasonal variation of 14
      antibiotics, from five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Shanghai. The
      results indicated that ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and oxytetracycline were the
      predominant antibiotics, with maximum concentrations of 1208.20, 959.13, and
      564.30 ng/L in influents, while 916.88, 106.60, and 337.81 ng/L in effluents,
      respectively. The level of antibiotics in WWTPs obviously varied with seasonal
      changes, and higher detectable frequencies and concentrations were found in
      winter. The daily mass loads per capita of amoxicillin, enrofloxacin, and
      oxytetracycline in the study were all higher than those in other
      regions/countries, such as Hong Kong, Australia, and Italy. The elimination of
      antibiotics through these WWTPs was incomplete, and a wide range of removal
      efficiencies during the different treatment process and seasons were observed (
      500.56 to 100 % in winter and -124.24 to 94.21 % in summer). Sulfonamides were
      relatively easy to be removed in WWTPs and the ultraviolet (UV) process can
      effectively improve the removal efficiency. Risk assessment of antibiotics in
      effluents was estimated. Only AMOX's hazard quotient (HQ) was higher than 0.01.
      Even though the environmental risks in the study were estimated to be low, the
      potential negative effects on aquatic ecosystems should call our attention as
      continually discharge in the long term. 

PMID- 27259955
TI  - Assessment of the individual and mixture toxicity of cadmium, copper and
      oxytetracycline, on the embryo-larval development of the sea urchin Paracentrotus
      lividus.
AB  - Multiple pollutions by trace metals and pharmaceuticals have become one of the
      most important problems in marine coastal areas because of its excessive toxicity
      on organisms living in this area. This study aimed to assess the individual and
      mixture toxicity of Cu, Cd, and oxytetracycline frequently existing in the
      contaminated marine areas and the embryo-larval development of the sea urchin
      Paracentrotus lividus. The individual contamination of the spermatozoid for 1 h
      with the increasing concentrations of Cd, Cu, and OTC decreases the fertility
      rate and increases larvae anomalies in the order Cu > Cd > OTC. Moreover, the
      normal larva frequency and the length of spicules were more sensitive than the
      fertilization rate and normal gastrula frequency endpoints. The mixture toxicity
      assessed by multiple experimental designs showed clearly that concentrations of
      Cd, Cu, and OTC superior to 338 MUg/L, 0.56 MUg/L, and 0.83 mg/L, respectively,
      cause significant larva malformations. 

PMID- 27259956
TI  - Integrated spatial health assessment of yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
      populations from the St. Lawrence River, Quebec, Canada) part A: physiological
      parameters and pathogen assessment.
AB  - A multi-disciplinary approach was used to evaluate the health of yellow perch
      (Perca flavescens) in the St. Lawrence River (Quebec, Canada), which is
      experiencing a severe population decline in the downstream portion of the river.
      Physiological parameters, liver alterations, trace metal concentrations, parasite
      prevalence and abundance, stable isotope composition, and the presence/absence of
      the viral hemorragic septicemia virus (VHSV) were evaluated in perch collected at
      six sites along the river: Lake St. Francois, Lake St. Louis (north and south),
      Beauregard Island, and Lake St. Pierre (north and south). Trace metal
      concentrations in surface water were higher in Lake St. Louis and downstream of a
      major urban wastewater treatment plant discharge, indicating that this effluent
      was a significant source of Cu, As, Ag, Zn, and Cd. Levels of Pb in surface water
      exceeded thresholds for the protection of aquatic life in Lake St. Louis and were
      negatively correlated with body condition index in this lake. In Lake St. Pierre,
      Cu, Ag, and Cd bioaccumulated significantly in perch liver and lower body
      condition index and greater liver damage were observed compared to upstream
      sites. Parasite analyses indicated a higher abundance of metacercariae of the
      trematodes Apophallus brevis and Diplostomum spp. in Lake St. Louis, and VHSV was
      not detected in the liver of yellow perch for all studied sites. Overall, results
      suggested that the global health of yellow perch from Lake St. Pierre is lower
      compared to upstream studied sites, which could contribute to the documented
      population collapse at this site. 

PMID- 27259957
TI  - Exploitation of subabul stem lignin as a matrix in controlled release
      agrochemical nanoformulations: a case study with herbicide diuron.
AB  - The utilization of nanomaterials in the domain of agriculture is at an inception,
      especially in the development of controlled release agrochemical
      nanoformulations. The present study demonstrated the potential of subabul stem
      lignin as a matrix material in agrochemical formulations using nanotechnology. In
      this study, "nanoprecipitation" method was employed and "optimized" to fabricate
      a stable herbicide, "diuron nanoformulation" (DNF). "Optimized DNF" (ODNF) has
      5.17 +/- 0.49 % diuron loading efficiency (DLE) and 74.3 +/- 4 % encapsulation
      efficiency (EE). The size of nanoparticles in ODNF was 166 +/- 68 nm as revealed
      by FESEM/TEM studies. Physicochemical characterization of ODNF by UV, FT-IR, and
      DSC studies revealed the successful loading of diuron within the lignin matrix.
      The ODNF exhibited nonlinear biphasic release profile for diuron. Further, the
      bioefficacy of diuron released from ODNF was tested using canola (Brassica rapa).
      B. rapa seedlings grown in the soil supplemented with ODNF showed early signs of
      leaf chlorosis and mortality when compared with seedlings grown in the presence
      of commercial diuron formulation (CDF) or bulk diuron (BD), respectively. This
      study not only revealed the exploitation of subabul stem lignin as a "matrix" in
      the controlled release nanoformulation of diuron but also opened up new avenues
      for utilizing it as matrix for several other agrochemicals associated with the
      growth and development of the plant. 

PMID- 27259958
TI  - Impact of molybdenum nanoparticles on survival, activity of enzymes, and chemical
      elements in Eisenia fetida using test on artificial substrata.
AB  - The influence of molybdenum oxide nanoparticles (MoO3) on the growth and survival
      of Eisenia fetida was established. The activity of antioxidant enzymes and
      changes in concentration of molybdenum in the body of E. fetida were determined.
      The degree of bacterial bioluminescence inhibition in extracts of substrates and
      worm was studied using luminescent strain Escherichia coli K12 TG1. The enzymatic
      activity of substrates before and after exposure with nanoparticles and worms was
      assessed. Nanoparticles have concentrations of 10, 40, and 500 mg/kg of dry
      matter, and substrata are made of artificial soil (substrate A) and
      microcrystalline cellulose (substrate B). Spherical nanoparticles MoO3, yellow in
      color, with size 92 +/- 0.3 nm, Z-potential 42 +/- 0.52 mV, molybdenum content
      99.8 mass/%, and specific area 12 m(2)/g were used in the study. A significant
      decrease by 23.3 % in weight was registered (for MoO3 NPs at 500 mg/kg) on
      substrate A (p <= 0.05). On substrate B, the maximum decrease in weight by 20.5,
      33.3, and 16.9 % (p <= 0.05) was registered at a dose of 10, 40, and 500 mg/kg,
      respectively; mortality was from 6.6 to 73 %. After the assessment of bacterial
      bioluminescence inhibition in substrates A and B (extracts) and before worms were
      put, the toxicity of substrates was established at doses of 40 and 500 mg/kg,
      expressed in inhibitory concentration (IC) 30 and IC 50 values. Comparatively, on
      days 7 and 14, after exposure in the presence of E. fetida, no inhibition of
      bioluminescence was registered in extracts of substrates A and B, indicating the
      reduction in toxicity of substrates. The initial content of molybdenum in E.
      fetida was 0.9 +/- 0.018 mg/kg of dry matter. The degree of molybdenum
      accumulation in worm tissue was dependent on the dose and substrate quality. In
      particular, 2-7 mg/kg of molybdenum accumulated from substrate A, while up to 15
      kg/kg of molybdenum accumulated from substrate B (day 7). Molybdenum
      concentration decreased by 64.8 and 57.4 % at doses 40 and 500 mg/kg,
      respectively, on day 14. The reaction of antioxidant enzymes was shown in an
      insignificant increase of glutathione reductase (GSR) and catalase (CAT) at
      concentrations of 10 and 40 mg/kg in substrate A, followed by the subsequent
      reduction of their activity at the dose of 500 mg/kg MoO3. The activity of GSR in
      substrate B against the presence of MoO3 nanoparticles decreased, with
      significant difference of 33.5 % (p <= 0.05) at the dose of 500 mg/kg compared
      with untreated soil. In experiments with substrate A, an increase of catalase
      activity was registered for the control sample. The presence of MoO3
      nanoparticles at the concentration of 10 mg/kg in the environment promoted
      enzymatic activity on days 7 and 14, respectively. A further increase of
      nanoparticle concentration resulted in the decrease of catalase activity with a
      minimum value at the concentration of MoO3 of 500 mg/kg. In the experiment with
      substrate B at the concentration of MoO3 nanoparticles of 40 mg/kg, enzymatic
      activity increases on day 7 of exposure. However, the stimulating effect of
      nanoparticles stops by day 14 of the experiment and further catalase activity is
      dose dependent with the smallest value in the experiment with MoO3 having the
      concentration of 500 mg/kg. 

PMID- 27259959
TI  - Bioavailability of pollutants sets risk of exposure to biota and human population
      in reservoirs from Iguacu River (Southern Brazil).
AB  - The Iguacu River, located at the Southern part of Brazil, has a great
      socioeconomic and environmental importance due to its high endemic fish fauna and
      its potential to generate hydroelectric power. However, Iguacu River suffers
      intense discharge of pollutants in the origin of the river. In a previous report,
      the local environmental agency described water quality to improve along the river
      course. However, no study with integrated evaluation of chemical analysis and
      biological responses has been reported so far for the Iguacu River. In the
      current study, three different Brazilian fish species (Astyanax bifasciatus,
      Chrenicicla iguassuensis, and Geophagus brasiliensis) were captured in the five
      cascading reservoirs of Iguacu River for a multi-biomarker study. Chemical
      analysis in water, sediment, and muscle indicated high levels of bioavailable
      metals in all reservoirs. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected
      in the bile of the three fish species. Integration of the data through a FA/PCA
      analysis demonstrated the poorest environmental quality of the reservoir farthest
      from river's source, which is the opposite of what has been reported by the
      environmental agency. The presence of hazardous chemicals in the five reservoirs
      of Iguacu River, their bioaccumulation in the muscle of fish, and the biological
      responses showed the impacts of human activities to this area and did not confirm
      a gradient of pollution between the five reservoirs, from the source toward
      Iguacu River's mouth. Therefore, diffuse source of pollutants present along the
      river course are increasing the risk of exposure to biota and human populations. 

PMID- 27259961
TI  - An improved biofilter to control the dissolved organic nitrogen concentration
      during drinking water treatment.
AB  - Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) is a key precursor of numerous disinfection by
      products (DBPs), especially nitrogenous DBPs (N-DBPs) formed during disinfection
      in drinking water treatment. To effectively control DBPs, reduction of the DON
      concentration before the disinfection process is critical. Traditional biofilters
      can increase the DON concentration in the effluent, so an improved biofilter is
      needed. In this study, an improved biofilter was set up with two-layer columns
      using activated carbon and quartz sand under different influent patterns.
      Compared with the single-layer filter, the two-layer biofilter controlled the DON
      concentration more efficiently. The two-point influent biofilter controlled the
      DON concentration more effectively than the single-point influent biofilter. The
      improved biofilter resulted in an environment (including matrix, DO, and pH)
      suitable for microbial growth. Along the depth of the biofilter column, the
      environment affected the microbial biomass and microbial activity and thus
      affected the DON concentration. 

PMID- 27259960
TI  - Surfactant enhanced pyrene degradation in the rhizosphere of tall fescue (Festuca
      arundinacea).
AB  - The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two non ionic
      surfactants (Tween 80 and Triton X-100), a biosurfactant (Lecithin), and randomly
      methylated-beta-cyclodextrins (RAMEB) on the remediation of pyrene from soil
      planted with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Soils with pyrene concentration
      of about 243 mg kg(-1) was grown with tall fescue and were individually amended
      with 0, 200, 600, 1000, and 1500 mg kg(-1) of Tween 80, Triton X-100,
      biosurfactant, and RAMEB. The results show that all surfactants significantly
      increased plant biomass compared to unamended soil. Dehydrogenase activity was
      also stimulated as a result of surfactant addition. Only 3.9 and 3.2 % of pyrene
      was decreased in the uncovered and covered abiotic sterile control, suggesting
      that microbial degradation was the main removal mechanism of pyrene from soil. In
      the planted treatment receiving no surfactant, the remediation of pyrene was 45 %
      which is significantly higher than that of corresponding unplanted control soil,
      suggesting that the cultivation of tall fescue alone could enhance the overall
      remediation of pyrene in soil. All surfactants had significantly higher rates of
      pyrene remediation compared to the unamended planted soil. Generally, RAMEB
      displayed the highest remediation rates, i.e., 64.4-79.1 % followed by the Triton
      X-100, i.e., 60.1-74.8 %. The positive impact of surfactants on pyrene
      remediation could possibly be because of their capacities to increase its
      bioavailability in soil. The evidence from this study suggests that the addition
      of surfactants could enhance phytoremediation of PAHs polluted soil. 

PMID- 27259962
TI  - Insight into visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation of diesel oil by
      doped TiO2-PS floating composites.
AB  - TiO2-pearlstone (PS) floatable photocatalysts were synthesized using a facile sol
      gel method and confirmed by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, EDX, TEM, FT-IR,
      XPS, and UV-vis DRS measurements. It has been found that the photocatalysts
      composed of anatase TiO2 deposited on the surface of PS and formed mesoporous
      structure. By N or B/N doping, the band gap of the photocatalyst has been
      narrowed. The obtained floatable photocatalysts can be applied to solar light
      driven remediation of oil-contaminated water. Diesel oil was chosen as the model
      pollutant to evaluate the photocatalytic activity. The results showed B/N-TiO2-PS
      exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for diesel oil under visible light
      irradiation, which is 48 % removal rate for 9 h. The reaction rate constant k of
      B/N-TiO2-PS is 0.08423 h(-1), which is four times larger than that of pure TiO2
      PS. Moreover, the characteristic of floatable makes the photocatalysts easier to
      separate and reuse, which showed great potential for practical applications in
      the field of environmental cleanup and solar energy conversion. 

PMID- 27259963
TI  - Microbial disinfection of water with endotoxin degradation by photocatalysis
      using Ag@TiO2 core shell nanoparticles.
AB  - The studies on photocatalytic disinfection of water contaminated with Escherichia
      coli using Ag core and TiO2 shell (Ag@TiO2) nanoparticles under UV irradiation
      showed that these nanoparticles are very efficient in water disinfection both in
      their free and immobilised form. Complete disinfection of 40 * 10(8) CFU/mL could
      be achieved in 60 min with 0.4 g/L catalyst loading and in 35 min with 1 g/L
      catalyst loading. Ag@TiO2 nanoparticles were found to be superior to TiO2
      nanoparticles in photocatalytic disinfection of water. Kinetics of disinfection
      followed Chick's law, and the pseudo-first-order rate constant was 0.0168 min(-1)
      for a catalyst loading of 0.1 g/L. Disinfection of water and degradation of
      endotoxins (harmful disinfection residual) occurred simultaneously during
      photocatalysis thereby making the treated water safe for use. Endotoxin
      degradation showed a shifting order of kinetics. The rate of photocatalysis with
      nanoparticles immobilised in cellulose acetate film was marginally lower as
      compared to that of free nanoparticles. Negligible Ag ion leakage and re-growth
      of cells post-photo-catalytic treatment of water confirmed that complete
      disintegration of E. coli occurred during photocatalysis making the treated water
      safe for use. Therefore, Ag@TiO2 nanoparticles have a potential for large-scale
      application in drinking water treatment plants and household purification units. 

PMID- 27259965
TI  - Developing consensus for postgraduate global health electives: definitions, pre
      departure training and post-return debriefing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Global health (GH) electives are on the rise, but with little
      consensus on the need or content of pre-departure training (PDT) or post-return
      debriefing (PRD) for electives in postgraduate medical education. METHODS: Using
      a 2-iteration Delphi process to encourage discussion and consensus, participants
      from 14 medical schools across Canada provided input to promote more uniform
      policy towards defining GH electives, when PDT and PRD should be mandatory and
      what curriculum should be included. RESULTS: There is consensus that PDT and PRD
      should be mandatory for international electives. Respondents felt that PDT should
      include a broad range of topics including objectives, travel safety, personal
      health, logistics, ethics of GH, scope of practice/supervision, and cultural
      awareness. PRD should include elective evaluation, lessons learned, knowledge
      translation, review of health and safety, and issues of reintegration. The format
      of PDT and PRD needs to be individualized to each institution to fit within the
      limitations of faculty who can serve as facilitators. Global health educators
      agreed on the importance of mandatory PDT and PRD for remote Canadian aboriginal
      electives, but did not feel that they could make recommendations without
      additional input of aboriginal scholars. CONCLUSIONS: All residency programs that
      send residents on international electives should work towards instituting
      quality, mandatory PDT and PRD. PDT and PRD should be recognized by universities
      as having academic merit and by program directors as core resident learning
      activities. Curriculum and objectives could be arranged around CanMEDS
      competencies, a physician competency framework that emphasizes qualities beyond
      medical expert such as professionalism, health advocate, and collaborator.

PMID- 27259964
TI  - Cultivating Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus quadricauda microalgae to degrade
      inorganic compounds and pesticides in water.
AB  - This work evaluates the possibility of cultivating Scenedesmus quadricauda and
      Chlorella vulgaris microalgae in wastewater from the hydroponic cultivation of
      tomatoes with the aim of purifying the water. S. quadricauda and C. vulgaris were
      also used in purification tests carried out on water contaminated by the
      following active ingredients: metalaxyl, pyrimethanil, fenhexamid, iprodione, and
      triclopyr. Fifty-six days after the inoculum was placed, a reduction was found in
      the concentration of nitric nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, and soluble and total
      phosphorus. The decrease was 99, 83, 94, and 94 %, respectively, for C. vulgaris
      and 99, 5, 88, and 89 %, respectively, for S. quadricauda. When the microalgae
      were present, all the agrochemicals tested were removed more quickly from the
      water than from the sterile control (BG11). The increase in the rate of
      degradation was in the order metalaxyl > fenhexamid > iprodione > triclopyr >
      pyrimethanil. It was demonstrated that there was a real degradation of
      fenhexamid, metalaxyl, triclopyr, and iprodione, while in the case of
      pyrimethanil, the active ingredient removed from the substrate was absorbed onto
      the cells of the microalgae. It was also found that the agrochemicals used in the
      tests had no significant effect on the growth of the two microalgae. The
      experiment highlighted the possibility of using cultivations of C. vulgaris and
      S. quadricauda as purification systems for agricultural wastewater which contains
      eutrophic inorganic compounds such as nitrates and phosphates and also different
      types of pesticides. 

PMID- 27259966
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27259967
TI  - Treatment of lip florid papillomatosis with topical ALA-PDT combined with
      curettage: Outcome and safety.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a successful treatment in clinical
      practice. PDT is increasingly used to cure the patients with skin cancer,
      especially in the elder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment
      outcome and safety of PDT with aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) combined with surgical
      curettage for lip florid papillomatosis. METHODS: In this study, 4 cases of lip
      florid papillomatosis were treated with topical aminolevulinic acid photodynamic
      therapy (ALA-PDT) combined with curettage. First, the warts were removed with the
      patient under local anesthesia. The depth of the ablation and curettage reached
      the dermal layer. Then, the first session of PDT was performed after 2days. Ten
      percent 5-ALA cream was applied to lesional skin with occlusive dressing for a 3
      h incubation period and the lesions of warts were irradiated for 10min by using a
      635-nm laser beam of 177mW/cm2 intensity. The ALA-PDT was repeated after 1 and 3
      weeks and two other treatments applied if necessary. Follow-up evaluation was
      performed at our outpatient clinic at 3 and 6 months after completion of therapy.
      RESULTS: After three PDT sessions following surgical curettage, 3 patients were
      cured at 3 months off treatment, one cases relapsed, corresponding to a recurrent
      rate of 25%. There was no other recurrence at 6 months off treatment. The
      satisfaction rate of patients was 95% at 3 month and 100% at 6 months after
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The combined treatment of topical ALA-PDT and curettage
      was proven to be safe and effective in lip florid papillomatosis.

PMID- 27259968
TI  - Speckled lentiginous nevus syndrome.

PMID- 27259969
TI  - Microalbuminuria in Children With Primary Hypertension.

PMID- 27259970
TI  - Rebamipide does not protect against naproxen-induced gastric damage: a randomized
      double-blind controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rebamipide is a gastroprotective agent with promising results against
      gastric damage induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The present
      study evaluated if rebamipide protects against naproxen-induced gastric damage in
      healthy volunteers. Changes in gastric PGE2 tissue concentration were also
      evaluated. METHODS: After a preliminary endoscopy to rule out previous gastric
      macroscopic damage, twenty-four healthy volunteers of both sexes were divided
      into 2 groups. One group received sodium naproxen 550 mg b.i.d. plus placebo for
      7 days, while the other group received sodium naproxen 550 mg b.i.d. plus
      rebamipide 100 mg b.i.d. At the end of treatment, a new endoscopy was performed.
      Gastric macroscopic damage was evaluated by the Cryer score and by the modified
      Lanza score. The primary outcome measure of the trial was the macroscopic damage
      observed in each treatment group at the end of treatment. Biopsies were collected
      at both endoscopies for PGE2 quantification and histopathological analysis
      (secondary outcomes). Tissue PGE2 was quantified by ELISA. The randomization
      sequence was generated using 3 blocks of 8 subjects each. Volunteers and
      endoscopists were blind to whether they were receiving rebamipide or placebo.
      RESULTS: All recruited volunteers completed the trial. Sodium naproxen induced
      gastric damage in both groups. At the end of the study, median Cryer score was 4
      in both groups (Difference = 0; 95%CI = -1 to 0; p = 0.728). In the placebo
      group, the mean tissue PGE2 concentration was 1005 +/- 129 pg/mL before treatment
      and 241 +/- 41 pg/mL after treatment (p < 0.001). In the rebamipide group, the
      mean tissue PGE2 concentration was 999 +/- 109 pg/mL before treatment, and 168 +/
      13 pg/mL after treatment (p < 0.001). There was no difference in mean tissue
      PGE2 between the two groups (difference = 5; 95%CI from -334.870 to 345.650; p =
      0.975). No significant change was observed at the histopathological evaluation,
      despite the evident macroscopic damage induced by naproxen. CONCLUSION:
      Rebamipide does not protect against naproxen-induced gastric damage in healthy
      volunteers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02632812 . Registered 14
      December 2015.

PMID- 27259972
TI  - Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Novel Donor-Acceptor N-(Pyridin-2-yl)
      Substituted Benzo(thio)amides and Their Difluoroboranyl Derivatives.
AB  - The unprecedented N-pyridin-2-yl substituted benzo(thio)amides were prepared and
      subsequently converted into the cyclic difluoroboranyl (BF2) derivatives. Mass
      spectrometry, multinuclear NMR, IR, and elemental analysis confirmed the
      structure of these compounds. UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as
      first-principle calculations were used to study their properties. For the first
      time, the influence of both the O/S replacement and presence/absence of the BF2
      moiety on the photophysical properties of compounds exhibiting charge transfer
      properties were examined experimentally and theoretically. We show that the
      sulfur-containing compound has a much smaller emission quantum yield than its
      oxygen counterpart. The fluorescence quantum yield is much higher upon formation
      of the difluoroboranyl complex. 

PMID- 27259971
TI  - Transcriptome sequences spanning key developmental states as a resource for the
      study of the cestode Schistocephalus solidus, a threespine stickleback parasite.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Schistocephalus solidus is a well-established model organism for
      studying the complex life cycle of cestodes and the mechanisms underlying host
      parasite interactions. However, very few large-scale genetic resources for this
      species are available. We have sequenced and de novo-assembled the transcriptome
      of S. solidus using tissues from whole worms at three key developmental states -
      non-infective plerocercoid, infective plerocercoid and adult plerocercoid - to
      provide a resource for studying the evolution of complex life cycles and, more
      specifically, how parasites modulate their interactions with their hosts during
      development. FINDINGS: The de novo transcriptome assembly reconstructed the
      coding sequence of 10,285 high-confidence unigenes from which 24,765 non
      redundant transcripts were derived. 7,920 (77 %) of these unigenes were annotated
      with a protein name and 7,323 (71 %) were assigned at least one Gene Ontology
      term. Our raw transcriptome assembly (unfiltered transcripts) covers 92 % of the
      predicted transcriptome derived from the S. solidus draft genome assembly
      currently available on WormBase. It also provides new ecological information and
      orthology relationships to further annotate the current WormBase transcriptome
      and genome. CONCLUSION: This large-scale transcriptomic dataset provides a
      foundation for studies on how parasitic species with complex life cycles modulate
      their response to changes in biotic and abiotic conditions experienced inside
      their various hosts, which is a fundamental objective of parasitology.
      Furthermore, this resource will help in the validation of the S solidus gene
      features that have been predicted based on genomic sequence.

PMID- 27259973
TI  - Accounting for heterogeneity in meta-analysis using a multiplicative model-an
      empirical study.
AB  - In meta-analysis, the random-effects model is often used to account for
      heterogeneity. The model assumes that heterogeneity has an additive effect on the
      variance of effect sizes. An alternative model, which assumes multiplicative
      heterogeneity, has been little used in the medical statistics community, but is
      widely used by particle physicists. In this paper, we compare the two models
      using a random sample of 448 meta-analyses drawn from the Cochrane Database of
      Systematic Reviews. In general, differences in goodness of fit are modest. The
      multiplicative model tends to give results that are closer to the null, with a
      narrower confidence interval. Both approaches make different assumptions about
      the outcome of the meta-analysis. In our opinion, the selection of the more
      appropriate model will often be guided by whether the multiplicative model's
      assumption of a single effect size is plausible. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27259977
TI  - Patient-Reported Outcomes in Glomerular Disease.
AB  - Incorporation of the patient perspective into research and clinical practice will
      enrich our understanding of the status and management of patients with glomerular
      disease and may result in therapies that better address patient needs. In recent
      years, the importance of the patient experience of glomerular disease has become
      clear, and significant efforts have been undertaken to systematically capture and
      describe the patient's disease experience. Patient-reported outcome instruments
      provide a means to assess the patient's experience in a quantitative manner, thus
      enabling for comparisons within and between patients. Patient-reported outcome
      assessments are solely on the basis of a patient report about the status of their
      health without amendment or interpretation by a clinician or others. Patient
      reported outcome assessments provide an opportunity to incorporate the patient
      perspective into clinical care, research, and clinical trials. Our paper provides
      an overview of terminology and development methods for patient-reported outcomes
      and reviews (1) currently available patient-reported outcome instruments
      appropriate for use in glomerular disease, (2) existing patient-reported outcome
      data in glomerular disease, and (3) opportunities for incorporating patient
      reported outcome instruments into clinical care and research.

PMID- 27259978
TI  - Unresolved questions regarding human hereditary deafness.
AB  - Human hearing loss is a common neurosensory disorder about which many basic
      research and clinically relevant questions are unresolved. This review on
      hereditary deafness focuses on three examples considered at first glance to be
      uncomplicated, however, upon inspection, are enigmatic and ripe for future
      research efforts. The three examples of clinical and genetic complexities are
      drawn from studies of (i) Pendred syndrome/DFNB4 (PDS, OMIM 274600), (ii)
      Perrault syndrome (deafness and infertility) due to mutations of CLPP (PRTLS3,
      OMIM 614129), and (iii) the unexplained extensive clinical variability associated
      with TBC1D24 mutations. At present, it is unknown how different mutations of
      TBC1D24 cause non-syndromic deafness (DFNB86, OMIM 614617), epilepsy (OMIM
      605021), epilepsy with deafness, or DOORS syndrome (OMIM 220500) that is
      characterized by deafness, onychodystrophy (alteration of toenail or fingernail
      morphology), osteodystrophy (defective development of bone), mental retardation,
      and seizures. A comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted roles of each
      gene associated with human deafness is expected to provide future opportunities
      for restoration as well as preservation of normal hearing.

PMID- 27259979
TI  - GATA2 regulates dendritic cell differentiation.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical immune response regulators; however, the
      mechanism of DC differentiation is not fully understood. Heterozygous germ line
      GATA2 mutations induce GATA2-deficiency syndrome, characterized by monocytopenia,
      a predisposition to myelodysplasia/acute myeloid leukemia, and a profoundly
      reduced DC population, which is associated with increased susceptibility to viral
      infections, impaired phagocytosis, and decreased cytokine production. To define
      the role of GATA2 in DC differentiation and function, we studied Gata2
      conditional knockout and haploinsufficient mice. Gata2 conditional deficiency
      significantly reduced the DC count, whereas Gata2 haploinsufficiency did not
      affect this population. GATA2 was required for the in vitro generation of DCs
      from Lin(-)Sca-1(+)Kit(+) cells, common myeloid-restricted progenitors, and
      common dendritic cell precursors, but not common lymphoid-restricted progenitors
      or granulocyte-macrophage progenitors, suggesting that GATA2 functions in the
      myeloid pathway of DC differentiation. Moreover, expression profiling
      demonstrated reduced expression of myeloid-related genes, including mafb, and
      increased expression of T-lymphocyte-related genes, including Gata3 and Tcf7, in
      Gata2-deficient DC progenitors. In addition, GATA2 was found to bind an enhancer
      element 190-kb downstream region of Gata3, and a reporter assay exhibited
      significantly reduced luciferase activity after adding this enhancer region to
      the Gata3 promoter, which was recovered by GATA sequence deletion within Gata3
      +190. These results suggest that GATA2 plays an important role in cell-fate
      specification toward the myeloid vs T-lymphocyte lineage by regulating lineage
      specific transcription factors in DC progenitors, thereby contributing to DC
      differentiation.

PMID- 27259981
TI  - Mixed - Lineage Protein kinases (MLKs) in inflammation, metabolism, and other
      disease states.
AB  - Mixed lineage kinases, or MLKs, are members of the MAP kinase kinase kinase
      (MAP3K) family, which were originally identified among the activators of the
      major stress-dependent mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), JNK and p38.
      During stress, the activation of JNK and p38 kinases targets several essential
      downstream substrates that react in a specific manner to the unique stressor and
      thus determine the fate of the cell in response to a particular challenge.
      Recently, the MLK family was identified as a specific modulator of JNK and p38
      signaling in metabolic syndrome. Moreover, the MLK family of kinases appears to
      be involved in a very wide spectrum of disorders. This review discusses the newly
      identified functions of MLKs in multiple diseases including metabolic disorders,
      inflammation, cancer, and neurological diseases.

PMID- 27259982
TI  - Regulation of angiogenin expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by HIF
      1alpha signaling in hypoxic retinal pigment epithelial cells.
AB  - Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a major cause of vision loss in many
      retinal diseases. Hypoxia is determined to be a key inducer of CNV and hypoxia
      inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is an important transcription factor. Epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the synthesis of proangiogenic cytokines make
      great contributions to the development of CNV. In the present study, the role of
      HIF-1alpha signaling in the regulation of angiogenin (ANG) expression and EMT in
      hypoxic retinal pigment epithelial cells was investigated. A significant
      elevation expression of ANG expression level in a mouse model of laser-induced
      CNV was demonstrated. In a hypoxic model of ARPE-19, an increased expression
      level of ANG and induction of EMT accompanied with stabilization and nucleus
      translocation of HIF-1alpha. Blockage of HIF-1alpha signaling resulted in
      inhibition of high expression of ANG and EMT features. The direct interaction
      between HIF-1alpha and ANG promoter region was identified by ChIP-qPCR. The
      association of RNase 4 mRNA level with HIF-1alpha signaling was also clarified in
      APRE-19. Moreover, the exogenous ANG translocated into the nucleus, enhanced 45S
      rRNA transcription, promoted cell proliferation and tube formation in human
      retinal microvascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, the hypoxic conditions
      regulate the expression of ANG and EMT via an activation of HIF-1alpha signaling.
      It provides molecular evidence for potential therapy strategies of treating CNV.

PMID- 27259980
TI  - Immunoregulatory roles of versican proteolysis in the myeloma microenvironment.
AB  - Myeloma immunosurveillance remains incompletely understood. We have demonstrated
      proteolytic processing of the matrix proteoglycan, versican (VCAN), in myeloma
      tumors. Whereas intact VCAN exerts tolerogenic activities through Toll-like
      receptor 2 (TLR2) binding, the immunoregulatory consequences of VCAN proteolysis
      remain unknown. Here we show that human myeloma tumors displaying CD8(+)
      infiltration/aggregates underwent VCAN proteolysis at a site predicted to
      generate a glycosaminoglycan-bereft N-terminal fragment, versikine Myeloma
      associated macrophages (MAMs), rather than tumor cells, chiefly produced V1-VCAN,
      the precursor to versikine, whereas stromal cell-derived ADAMTS1 was the most
      robustly expressed VCAN-degrading protease. Purified versikine induced early
      expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-6 by
      human myeloma marrow-derived MAMs. We show that versikine signals through
      pathways both dependent and independent of Tpl2 kinase, a key regulator of
      nuclear factor kappaB1-mediated MAPK activation in macrophages. Unlike intact
      VCAN, versikine-induced Il-6 production was partially independent of Tlr2. In a
      model of macrophage-myeloma cell crosstalk, versikine induced components of "T
      cell inflammation," including IRF8-dependent type I interferon transcriptional
      signatures and T-cell chemoattractant CCL2. Thus the interplay between stromal
      cells and myeloid cells in the myeloma microenvironment generates versikine, a
      novel bioactive damage-associated molecular pattern that may facilitate immune
      sensing of myeloma tumors and modulate the tolerogenic consequences of intact
      VCAN accumulation. Therapeutic versikine administration may potentiate T-cell
      activating immunotherapies.

PMID- 27259984
TI  - Host-feeding patterns of mosquito species in Germany.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mosquito-borne pathogens are of growing importance in many countries
      of Europe including Germany. At the same time, the transmission cycles of most
      mosquito-borne pathogens (e.g. viruses or filarial parasites) are not completely
      understood. There is especially a lack of knowledge about the vector capacity of
      the different mosquito species, which is strongly influenced by their host
      feeding patterns. While this kind of information is important to identify the
      relevant vector species, e.g. to direct efficient control measures, studies about
      the host-feeding patterns of mosquito species in Germany are scarce and outdated.
      METHODS: Between 2012 and 2015, 775 blood-fed mosquito specimens were collected.
      Sampling was conducted with Heavy Duty Encephalitis Vector Survey traps, Biogents
      Sentinel traps, gravid traps, hand-held aspirators, sweep nets, and human-bait
      collection. The host species for each mosquito specimen was identified with
      polymerase chain reactions and subsequent Sanger sequencing of the cytochrome b
      gene. RESULTS: A total of 32 host species were identified for 23 mosquito
      species, covering 21 mammalian species (including humans) and eleven bird
      species. Three mosquito species accounted for nearly three quarters of all
      collected blood-fed mosquitoes: Aedes vexans (363 specimens, 46.8 % of all
      mosquito specimens), Culex pipiens pipiens form pipiens (100, 12.9 %) and
      Ochlerotatus cantans (99, 12.8 %). Non-human mammals dominated the host species
      (572 specimens, 73.8 % of all mosquito specimens), followed by humans (152, 19.6
      %) and birds (51, 6.6 %). The most common host species were roe deer (Capreolus
      capreolus; 258 mosquito specimens, 33.3 % of all mosquito specimens, 65 % of all
      mosquito species), humans (Homo sapiens; 152, 19.6 %, 90 %), cattle (Bos taurus;
      101, 13.0 %, 60 %), and wild boar (Sus scrofa; 116, 15.0 %, 50 %). There were no
      statistically significant differences in the spatial-temporal host-feeding
      patterns of the three most common mosquito species. CONCLUSIONS: Although the
      collected blood-fed mosquito species had a strong overlap of host species, two
      different host-feeding groups were identified with mosquito species feeding on
      (i) non-human mammals and humans or (ii) birds, non-human mammals, and humans,
      which make them potential vectors of pathogens only between mammals or between
      mammals and birds, respectively. Due to the combination of their host-feeding
      patterns and wide distribution in Germany, Cx. pipiens pipiens form pipiens and
      Cx. torrentium are potentially most important vectors for pathogens transmitted
      from birds to humans and the species Ae. vexans for pathogens transmitted from
      non-human mammals to humans. Finally, the presented study indicated a much
      broader host range compared to the classifications found in the literature for
      some of the species, which highlights the need for studies on the host-feeding
      patterns of mosquitoes to further assess their vector capacity and the disease
      ecology in Europe.

PMID- 27259985
TI  - Mycophenolic acid, an immunomodulator, has potent and broad-spectrum in vitro
      antiviral activity against pandemic, seasonal and avian influenza viruses
      affecting humans.
AB  - Immunomodulators have been shown to improve the outcome of severe pneumonia. We
      have previously shown that mycophenolic acid (MPA), an immunomodulator, has
      antiviral activity against influenza A/WSN/1933(H1N1) using a high-throughput
      chemical screening assay. This study further investigated the antiviral activity
      and mechanism of action of MPA against contemporary clinical isolates of
      influenza A and B viruses. The 50 % cellular cytotoxicity (CC50) of MPA in Madin
      Darby canine kidney cell line was over 50 uM. MPA prevented influenza virus
      induced cell death in the cell-protection assay, with significantly lower IC50
      for influenza B virus B/411 than that of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus H1/415
      (0.208 vs 1.510 uM, P=0.0001). For H1/415, MPA interfered with the early stage of
      viral replication before protein synthesis. For B/411, MPA may also act at a
      later stage since MPA was active against B/411 even when added 12 h post
      infection. Virus-yield reduction assay showed that the replication of B/411 was
      completely inhibited by MPA at concentrations >=0.78 uM, while there was a dose
      dependent reduction of viral titer for H1/415. The antiviral effect of MPA was
      completely reverted by guanosine supplementation. Plaque reduction assay showed
      that MPA had antiviral activity against eight different clinical isolates of
      A(H1N1), A(H3N2), A(H7N9) and influenza B viruses (IC50 <1 uM). In summary, MPA
      has broad-spectrum antiviral activity against human and avian-origin influenza
      viruses, in addition to its immunomodulatory activity. Together with a high
      chemotherapeutic index, the use of MPA as an antiviral agent should be further
      investigated in vivo.

PMID- 27259983
TI  - Autophagy regulates biliary differentiation of hepatic progenitor cells through
      Notch1 signaling pathway.
AB  - Autophagy plays important roles in self-renewal and differentiation of stem
      cells. Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are thought to have the ability of self
      renewal as well as possess a bipotential capacity, which allows them to
      differentiate into both hepatocytes and bile ductular cells. However, how
      autophagy contributes to self-renewal and differentiation of hepatic progenitor
      cells is not well understood. In this study, we use a well-established rat
      hepatic progenitor cell lines called WB-F344, which is treated with 3.75 mM
      sodium butyrate (SB) to promote the differentiation of WB-F344 along the biliary
      phenotype. We found that autophagy was decreased in the early stage of biliary
      differentiation, and maintained a low level at the late stage. Activation of
      autophagy by rapamycin or starvation suppressed the biliary differentiation of WB
      F344. Further study reported that autophagy inhibited Notch1 signaling pathway,
      which contributed to biliary differentiation and morphogenesis. In conclusions,
      autophagy regulates biliary differentiation of hepatic progenitor cells through
      Notch1 signaling pathway.

PMID- 27259986
TI  - Long-term follow-up of non-syphilitic paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria in an adult.

PMID- 27259987
TI  - Klebsiella pneumoniae primary liver abscess associated with ruxolitinib.

PMID- 27259988
TI  - Nonossifying fibromas of the distal tibia: possible etiologic relationship to the
      interosseous membrane.
AB  - PURPOSE: Nonossifying fibromas (NOFs) present in a characteristic pattern in the
      distal tibia. Their predilection to this region and etiology remain imprecisely
      defined. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients between
      January 2003 and March 2014 for distal tibial NOFs. We then reviewed radiographs
      (XRs), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for
      specific lesion characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 48 distal tibia NOFs in
      47 patients (31 male, 16 female; mean age 12.3 years, range 6.9-17.8). This was
      the second most common location in our population (30 % of NOFs), behind the
      distal femur (42 %). Thirty-four lesions had CT and nine had MRI. Thirty-one
      percent were diagnosed by pathologic fracture. Ninety-six percent of lesions were
      located characteristically in the distal lateral tibia by plain radiograph, in
      direct communication with the distal extent of the interosseous membrane on 33 of
      the 34 (97 %) lesions with CT available for review and all nine (100 %) with MRI.
      The remaining two lesions occurred directly posterior. CONCLUSIONS: The vast
      majority of distal tibial NOFs occur in a distinct anatomic location at the
      distal extent of the interosseous membrane, which may have etiologic
      implications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV (case series).

PMID- 27259989
TI  - Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification Cross-Species Products of Mouse-Adapted
      Scrapie Strain 139A and Hamster-Adapted Scrapie Strain 263K with Brain and Muscle
      Tissues of Opposite Animals Generate Infectious Prions.
AB  - Transmission of prions between mammalian species is limited by a "species
      barrier," a biological effect involving an increase in incubation period to
      decrease the percentage of animals succumbing to disease. In this study, we used
      protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technique, which accelerates the
      conversion of prion proteins in vitro. Direct interspecies PMCA involving 144
      cycles confirmed that both mouse-adapted scrapie strain 139A and hamster-adapted
      263K could use brain homogenates of opposite species to form proteinase K (PK)
      resistant PrP proteins (PrPres). Newly formed interspecies prions could stably
      propagate themselves in subsequent serial PMCA passages. The two types of PMCA
      generated cross-species PrPres changed their glycosylation profiles, which was
      similar to that observed during interspecies infection by the mouse agent 139A in
      vivo. These profiles were distinct from individual seeded PrPSc and possessed
      properties of new hosts. Comparative analysis with respect to PK resistance
      showed no significant diversity between PMCA-PrPres and native PrPSc or between
      brain and muscle PrPres. However, PrPres from the relatively early cycles of
      serial PMCA showed lower PK resistance than those from later cycles. Inoculation
      of these PMCA products amplified with homogeneous or heterogeneous brain tissues
      (cross-species products) induced experimental transmissible spongiform
      encephalopathies. These results suggested that PMCA can help prion strains to
      overcome species barrier and to propagate efficiently both in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 27259990
TI  - Establishment and characterization of a cell line (HCH-1) originating from a
      human clear cell carcinoma of the ovary.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cell lines are very useful for both clinical and basic research. The
      establishment of ovarian, malignant tumor cell lines with aggressive histology is
      especially important. We describe the establishment and characterization of a new
      human clear cell carcinoma cell line of the ovary. RESULTS: The cell line HCH-1
      was established from an ovarian tumor from a 67-year-old woman. This cell line
      has grown well for 230 months and has been subcultured more than 50 times.
      Monolayer cultured cells are polygonal in shape, showing a pavement-like
      arrangement and a tendency to pile up without contact inhibition. It exhibits a
      human karyotype with a modal chromosomal number in the hypodiploid range. The
      cells could be transplanted into the subcutis of SCID mice and produced tumors
      resembling the original tumor. HCH-1 cells produced CA125 and CA19-9, also
      identified immunohistochemically in both the original tumor and the
      heterotransplanted tumors. The cells were sensitive to actinomycin D,
      carboplatin, cisplatin and mitomycin C, drugs commonly used in the treatment of
      gynecological cancers. Variant was not found in hotspot of the 50 most commonly
      reported oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Only 12 ovarian clear cell
      carcinoma cell lines and their characteristics have thus far been reported in the
      literature. HCH-1 is the first ovarian clear cell carcinoma cell line reported in
      which the chromosome number is in the hypodiploid range and only the second cell
      line in which CA125 and CA19-9 are expressed. CONCLUSIONS: Since it is impossible
      to establish a cell line from the malignant tumor of each patient, the cell line
      that we established, characterized and report in this paper may be very useful in
      basic research on ovarian cancer. We have much to learn about the pathogenesis of
      clear cell carcinoma and this extra line of enquiry may lead us to a better
      understanding of how to treat and cure this serious disease.

PMID- 27259991
TI  - Resistive indices of cerebral arteries in very preterm infants: values throughout
      stay in the neonatal intensive care unit and impact of patent ductus arteriosus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about cerebral artery resistive index values in
      infants born extremely preterm. OBJECTIVE: To report resistive index values in
      various cerebral arteries in a prospective cohort of preterm infants born at <29
      weeks' gestation, and to compare resistive index in these arteries and assess the
      relationship between resistive index and hemodynamically significant patent
      ductus arteriosus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using Doppler imaging, we obtained
      resistive index values of internal carotid arteries, basilar artery, anterior
      cerebral artery, and pial and striatal arteries in the first 3 days of age and
      weekly thereafter until discharge or death. We analyzed paired observations using
      the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, between-group comparisons with the Mann-Whitney
      test. RESULTS: We performed 771 examinations in 235 infants. Resistive indices
      differed among arteries: vessels with larger diameters showed significantly
      higher resistive indices. Resistive index in infants without patent ductus
      arteriosus was lower than that in infants with hemodynamically significant patent
      ductus arteriosus (median in anterior cerebral artery: 0.75 and 0.82,
      respectively; P<0.001), though this was not statistically significant in all
      arteries. There was no difference in pre- and post-ligation resistive indices in
      infants who underwent patent ductus arteriosus ligation. CONCLUSION: For accurate
      follow-up and comparison of cerebral artery resistive index, the same artery
      should be examined on each occasion.

PMID- 27259993
TI  - Elevated expression of RNA methyltransferase BCDIN3D predicts poor prognosis in
      breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: BCDIN3D is a member of the Bin3 methyl-transferase family that
      targets the 5' mono-phosphate of nucleic acids. Although BCDIN3D has been shown
      to increase tumorigenic phenotypes and invasiveness in MDA-MB-231 cells, its the
      clinical implications in breast cancer remain unclear. METHODS: We screened for
      BCDIN3D using tissue microarrays constructed from 250 patients who were
      histologically confirmed to have invasive ductal breast carcinoma at the Fudan
      University Shanghai Cancer Center. RESULTS: The survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier
      and Cox regression showed that BCDIN3D expression level served as a prognostic
      factor for disease-free survival (P = 0.042). The prognostic value of BCDIN3D was
      most significant in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients (P = 0.007).
      CONCLUSIONS: BCDIN3D might serve as an important prognostic factor for TNBC
      patients.

PMID- 27259994
TI  - Endothelial SIRT1 prevents adverse arterial remodeling by facilitating HERC2
      mediated degradation of acetylated LKB1.
AB  - Aims-SIRT1 exerts potent activity against cellular senescence and vascular
      ageing. By decreasing LKB1 protein levels, it promotes the survival and
      regeneration of endothelial cells. The present study aims to investigate the
      molecular mechanisms underlying SIRT1-mediated LKB1 degradation for the
      prevention of vascular ageing.Methods and Results-Co-immunoprecipitation assay
      demonstrated that SIRT1, via its amino-terminus, binds to the DOC domain of HERC2
      [HECT and RLD domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2], which then
      ubiquitinates LKB1 in the nuclear compartment of endothelial cells. Site-directed
      mutagenesis revealed that acetylation at lysine (K) 64 of LKB1 triggers the
      formation of SIRT1/HERC2/LKB1 protein complex and subsequent proteasomal
      degradation. In vitro cellular studies suggested that accumulation of acetylated
      LKB1 in the nucleus leads to endothelial activation, in turn stimulating the
      proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the production of extracellular
      matrix proteins. Chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR confirmed that
      acetylated LKB1 interacts with and activates TGFbeta1 promoter, which is
      inhibited by SIRT1. Knocking down either SIRT1 or HERC2 results in an increased
      association of LKB1 with the positive regulatory elements of TGFbeta1 promoter.
      In mice without endothelial nitric oxide synthase, selective overexpression of
      human SIRT1 in endothelium prevents hypertension and age-related adverse arterial
      remodeling. Lentiviral-mediated knockdown of HERC2 abolishes the beneficial
      effects of endothelial SIRT1 on both arterial remodeling and arterial blood
      pressure control.Conclusion-By downregulating acetylated LKB1 protein via HERC2,
      SIRT1 fine-tunes the crosstalk between endothelial and vascular smooth muscle
      cells to prevent adverse arterial remodeling and maintain vascular homeostasis.

PMID- 27259995
TI  - Biochemical and structural characterization of a DNA N6-adenine methyltransferase
      from Helicobacter pylori.
AB  - DNA N6-methyladenine modification plays an important role in regulating a variety
      of biological functions in bacteria. However, the mechanism of sequence-specific
      recognition in N6-methyladenine modification remains elusive. M1.HpyAVI, a DNA N6
      adenine methyltransferase from Helicobacter pylori, shows more promiscuous
      substrate specificity than other enzymes. Here, we present the crystal structures
      of cofactor-free and AdoMet-bound structures of this enzyme, which were
      determined at resolutions of 3.0 A and 3.1 A, respectively. The core structure of
      M1.HpyAVI resembles the canonical AdoMet-dependent MTase fold, while the putative
      DNA binding regions considerably differ from those of the other MTases, which may
      account for the substrate promiscuity of this enzyme. Site-directed mutagenesis
      experiments identified residues D29 and E216 as crucial amino acids for cofactor
      binding and the methyl transfer activity of the enzyme, while P41, located in a
      highly flexible loop, playing a determinant role for substrate specificity. Taken
      together, our data revealed the structural basis underlying DNA N6-adenine
      methyltransferase substrate promiscuity.

PMID- 27259996
TI  - Conditioned medium derived from rat amniotic epithelial cells confers protection
      against inflammation, cancer, and senescence.
AB  - Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) are a class of fetal stem cells that derives
      from the epiblast and resides in the amnion until birth. AECs are suitable
      candidates for regenerative medicine because of the ease of collection, their low
      immunogenicity and inability to form tumors after transplantation. Even though
      human AECs have been widely investigated, the fact remains that very little is
      known about AECs isolated from rat, one of the most common animal models in
      medical testing. In this study, we showed that rat AECs retained stemness
      properties and plasticity, expressed the pluripotency markers Sox2, Nanog, and
      Oct4 and were able to differentiate toward the osteogenic lineage. The addition
      of conditioned medium collected from rat AECs to lipopolysaccharide-activated
      macrophages elicited anti-inflammatory properties through a decrease of Tnfa
      expression and slowed tumor cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The
      senescence-associated secretory phenotype was also significantly lower upon
      incubation of senescent human IMR-90 fibroblast cells with conditioned medium
      from rat AECs. These results confirm the potential of AECs in the modulation of
      inflammatory mechanisms and open new therapeutic possibilities for regenerative
      medicine and anti-aging therapies as well.

PMID- 27259997
TI  - The coexistence of MET over-expression and an EGFR T790M mutation is related to
      acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced non-small cell
      lung cancer.
AB  - MET overexpression and the EGFR T790M mutation are both associated with acquired
      resistance (AR) to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors
      (EGFR-TKIs) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We characterized the
      frequency, underlying molecular mechanisms, and subsequent treatment for AR in
      MET overexpressing NSCLC patients with or without the T790M mutation. The study
      participants were 207 patients with advanced NSCLC and AR to EGFR-TKIs. The
      percentages of MET-, T790M- and MET/T790M-positive patients were 20.3% (42/207),
      34.8% (72/207) and 6.8% (14/207), respectively. The disease control rate was 100%
      (5/5) for five patients with MET overexpression who received EGFR-TKIs plus a MET
      inhibitor. Among the MET/T790M-positive patients, seven received EGFR-TKIs plus a
      MET inhibitor and four received a T790M inhibitor, but no response was observed.
      The median post-progression survival (PPS) was 14.1, 24.5, and 10.7 months for
      MET-overexpressing, T790M-positive and MET/T790M-positive patients, respectively
      (P=0.044). c-Met, p-Met, ERBB3, and p-ERBB3 were highly expressed in MET-positive
      and MET/T790M-positive patients, but were poorly expressed in T790M-positive
      patients. EGFR, p-EGFR, AKT, p-AKT, MAPK, and p-MAPK were highly expressed in all
      three groups. These results suggest that MET/T790M-positive patients are at
      higher risk of AR to EGFR-TKIs, and have a worse PPS than patients with only MET
      overexpression or the T790M mutation alone. Clinical trials are needed to
      determine the best treatment for patients with both MET overexpression and the
      EGFR T790M mutation.

PMID- 27259998
TI  - Peroxiredoxin 1 promotes invasion and migration by regulating epithelial-to
      mesenchymal transition during oral carcinogenesis.
AB  - Tobacco smoking is the major risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
      Previously, we found that nicotine up-regulates peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1), an
      important antioxidant enzyme, and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) in OSCC
      cells. However, the molecular mechanism of Prx1 in oral carcinogenesis remains
      obscure. To improve our understanding of the functional role of Prx1 during the
      cascade of tobacco-associated oral carcinogenesis, we characterized Prx1,
      NFkappaB, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers including E
      cadherin, vimentin and Snail in 30 primary oral tumors (15 from smokers with OSCC
      and 15 from non-smokers with OSCC) and 10 normal oral mucosa specimens from
      healthy individuals. The expression levels of Prx1, nuclear NFkappaB, vimentin
      and Snail were higher in the tumors from smokers with OSCC than in those from non
      smokers with OSCC or the healthy controls. The expression levels of E-cadherin
      showed an opposite trend. Prx1 silencing suppressed the nicotine-induced EMT,
      cell invasion and migration in SCC15 cells in vitro. Furthermore, Prx1 activated
      the NFkappaB pathway in SCC15 cells. Prx1 might therefore play an oncogenic role
      in tobacco-related OSCC and thus serve as a target for chemopreventive and
      therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 27259999
TI  - 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing identifies microbiota associated with oral cancer,
      human papilloma virus infection and surgical treatment.
AB  - Systemic inflammatory events and localized disease, mediated by the microbiome,
      may be measured in saliva as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
      diagnostic and prognostic biomonitors. We used a 16S rRNA V3-V5 marker gene
      approach to compare the saliva microbiome in DNA isolated from Oropharyngeal
      (OPSCC), Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC) patients and normal
      epithelium controls, to characterize the HNSCC saliva microbiota and examine
      their abundance before and after surgical resection.The analyses identified a
      predominance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, with less frequent
      presence of Actinobacteria and Fusobacteria before surgery. At lower taxonomic
      levels, the most abundant genera were Streptococcus, Prevotella, Haemophilus,
      Lactobacillus and Veillonella, with lower numbers of Citrobacter and Neisseraceae
      genus Kingella. HNSCC patients had a significant loss in richness and diversity
      of microbiota species (p<0.05) compared to the controls. Overall, the Operational
      Taxonomic Units network shows that the relative abundance of OTU's within genus
      Streptococcus, Dialister, and Veillonella can be used to discriminate tumor from
      control samples (p<0.05). Tumor samples lost Neisseria, Aggregatibacter
      (Proteobacteria), Haemophillus (Firmicutes) and Leptotrichia (Fusobacteria).
      Paired taxa within family Enterobacteriaceae, together with genus Oribacterium,
      distinguish OCSCC samples from OPSCC and normal samples (p<0.05). Similarly, only
      HPV positive samples have an abundance of genus Gemellaceae and Leuconostoc
      (p<0.05). Longitudinal analyses of samples taken before and after surgery,
      revealed a reduction in the alpha diversity measure after surgery, together with
      an increase of this measure in patients that recurred (p<0.05). These results
      suggest that microbiota may be used as HNSCC diagnostic and prognostic
      biomonitors.

PMID- 27260000
TI  - Luminal STAT5 mediates H2AX promoter activity in distinct population of basal
      mammary epithelial cells.
AB  - Deregulated STAT5 activity in the mammary gland causes parity-dependent
      tumorigenesis. Epithelial cell cultures transfected with constitutively active
      STAT5 express higher levels of the histone H2AX than their non-transfected
      counterparts. Higher H2AX expression may be involved in tumorigenesis. Here, we
      aimed to link high STAT5 activity to H2AX-GFP expression by looking for distinct
      types of mammary cells that express these proteins. In vitro and in transgenic
      mice, only 0.2 and 0.02%, respectively, of the cells expressed the H2AX-GFP
      hybrid gene. Its expression correlated with that of the endogenous H2AX gene,
      suggesting that detectable H2AX-GFP expression marks high levels of H2AX
      transcript. Methylation of the H2AX promoter characterized non-GFP-expressing
      H2AX-GFP cells and was inversely correlated with promoter activity.
      Administration of 5-azacytidine increased H2AX promoter activity in an activated
      STAT5-dependent manner. In transgenic mice, H2AX-GFP expression peaked at
      pregnancy. The number of H2AX-GFP-expressing cells and GFP expression decreased
      in a Stat5a-null background and increased in mice expressing the hyperactivated
      STAT5. Importantly, H2AX-GFP activity was allocated to basal mammary cells
      lacking stem-cell properties, whereas STAT5 hyperactivity was detected in the
      adjacent luminal cells. Knockdown of RANKL by siRNA suggested its involvement in
      signaling between the two layers. These results suggest paracrine activation of
      H2AX via promoter demethylation in specific populations of basal mammary cells
      that is induced by a signal from neighboring luminal cells with hyper STAT5
      activity. This pathway provides an alternative route for the luminally confined
      STAT5 to affect basal mammary cell activity.

PMID- 27260001
TI  - Regulation of HK2 expression through alterations in CpG methylation of the HK2
      promoter during progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is a rate-determining enzyme in aerobic glycolysis, a process
      upregulated in tumor cells. HK2 expression is controlled by various transcription
      factors and epigenetic alterations and is heterogeneous in hepatocellular
      carcinomas (HCCs), though the cause of this heterogeneity is not known. DNA
      methylation in the HK2 promoter CpG island (HK2-CGI) and its surrounding regions
      (shore and shelf) has not previously been evaluated, but may provide clues about
      the regulation of HK2 expression. Here, we compared HK2 promoter methylation in
      HCCs and adjacent non-cancerous liver tissues using a HumanMethylation450
      BeadChip array. We found that, while the HK2-CGI N-shore was hypomethylated,
      thereby enhancing HK2 expression, the HK2-CGI was itself hypermethylated in some
      HCCs. This hypermethylation suppressed HK2 expression by inhibiting interactions
      between HIF-1alpha and a hypoxia response element (HRE) located at -234/-230.
      HCCs that were HK2negative and had distinct promoter CGI methylation were denoted
      as having a HK2-CGI methylation phenotype (HK2-CIMP), which was associated with
      poor clinical outcome. These findings indicate that HK2-CGI N-shore
      hypomethylation and HK2-CGI hypermethylation affect HK2 expression by influencing
      the interaction between HIF 1alpha and HRE. HK2-CGI hypermethylation induces HK2
      CIMP and could represent a prognostic biomarker for HCC.

PMID- 27260003
TI  - Is delayed ischemic preconditioning as effective on running performance during a
      5km time trial as acute IPC?
AB  - : Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) may enhance exercise performance.
      Cardioprotective effects of IPC are known to re-occur 24h after the stimulus.
      Whether the delayed effect of IPC has similar effects as IPC on exercise
      performance is unknown. OBJECTIVES: Examine whether IPC applied 24h (24-IPC)
      before exercise is equally effective as IPC in improving exercise performance.
      DESIGN: Randomized, cross-over study METHODS: 12 healthy participants were
      randomly exposed to SHAM-session, IPC or 24-IPC before a self-paced 5km running
      trial on a treadmill. Subjects were blinded for time, speed and heart rate.
      Furthermore, heart rate, BORG, and the local tissue saturation index were
      measured during exercise, while lactate levels were determined after running.
      Using a regression model, we explored whether these parameters predicted the
      change in running time after IPC and 24-IPC. RESULTS: We found no differences in
      finish time after IPC (SHAM: 1400+/-105s, IPC: 1381+/-112s, 24-IPC: 1385+/-113s;
      p=0.30). However, we observed a significant positive relation between the change
      in finish time after IPC and 24-IPC (p=0.016; r=0.677). Using stepwise linear
      regression, a lower post-exercise blood lactate level after IPC or 24-IPC was
      significantly related to an improvement in finish time (R2=0.47, beta=-0.687,
      p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Although no significant effect of IPC or 24-IPC on
      exercise performance was found, individual finish time after IPC and 24-IPC were
      strongly correlated. Therefore, our data suggest that, at the individual level,
      the effects of 24-IPC are closely related to the effects of IPC.

PMID- 27260002
TI  - Zinc supplementation induces CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ antigen-specific regulatory T cells
      and suppresses IFN-gamma production by upregulation of Foxp3 and KLF-10 and
      downregulation of IRF-1.
AB  - PURPOSE: The essential trace element zinc plays a fundamental role in immune
      function and regulation since its deficiency is associated with autoimmunity,
      allergies, and transplant rejection. Thus, we investigated the influence of zinc
      supplementation on the Th1-driven alloreaction in mixed lymphocyte cultures
      (MLC), on generation of antigen-specific T cells, and analyzed underlying
      molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine
      production were monitored by [3H]-thymidine proliferation assay and ELISA,
      respectively. Analysis of surface and intracellular T cell marker was performed
      by flow cytometry. Western blotting and mRNA analysis were used for Foxp3, KLF
      10, and IRF-1 expression. RESULTS: Zinc supplementation on antigen-specific T
      cells in physiological doses (50 uM) provokes a significant amelioration of cell
      proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production after reactivation
      compared to untreated controls. Zinc administration on MLC results in an
      increased induction and stabilization of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD25+CTLA-4+ T
      cells (p < 0.05). The effect is based on zinc-induced upregulation of Foxp3 and
      KLF-10 and downregulation of IRF-1. However, in resting lymphocytes zinc
      increases IRF-1. CONCLUSION: In summary, zinc is capable of ameliorating the
      allogeneic immune reaction by enhancement of antigen-specific iTreg cells due to
      modulation of essential molecular targets: Foxp3, KLF-10, and IRF-1. Thus, zinc
      can be seen as an auspicious tool for inducing tolerance in adverse immune
      reactions.

PMID- 27260004
TI  - The effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on the adaptations to sprint
      interval training in previously untrained males.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Dietary nitrate can improve repeated high-intensity and supramaximal
      exercise performance, although the effect on adaptations to training has received
      limited attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of
      dietary nitrate on the response to 3-weeks of sprint interval training (SIT).
      DESIGN: Randomized control trial. METHODS: Twenty-seven untrained males (Age:
      28+/-7 y, V?O2Max: 42+/-7mlkg-1min-1) completed an incremental exercise test at
      the beginning and end of the study. Participants were matched for V?O2Max and
      randomly assigned to a control group (CON; n=8), SIT+placebo group (PLA; n=10),
      or SIT+nitrate group (NIT; n=9). The SIT comprised 4-6 repeated 15 s all out
      sprints on a cycle ergometer, interspersed with 4min active recovery, 3-times per
      week. Approximately 2.5h prior to exercise, participants consumed gels containing
      ~0.1mmol (PLA) or ~8mmol nitrate (NIT). RESULTS: Following SIT, V?O2Max (PLA: 5%,
      p=0.057, d=0.34; NIT: 6.3%, p=0.041, d=0.34) and ventilatory threshold (VT)
      increased to a similar extent in both SIT groups. Maximum work rate tended to
      increase to a greater extent in NIT (8.7%, d=0.55) compared to PLA (4.7%, d=0.31,
      p=0.073). Fatigue index, calculated by the change in mean power from the first to
      the last sprint, tended to be reduced following SIT in NIT compared to PLA (PLA:
      7.3+/-7.4%, NIT: 0.5+/-7.1%, p=0.058). CONCLUSIONS: While dietary nitrate
      supplementation does not augment improvements to V?O2Max and VT following SIT, it
      may improve WRmax and indices of repeated high-intensity exercise.

PMID- 27260005
TI  - Visualization of perimembranous ventricular septal defect with ruptured sinus of
      Valsalva aneurysm by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and
      multidetector three-dimensional computed tomography.

PMID- 27260006
TI  - Type I interferonopathies in pediatric rheumatology.
AB  - Defective regulation of type I interferon response is associated with severe
      inflammatory phenotypes and autoimmunity. Type I interferonopathies are a
      clinically heterogenic group of Mendelian diseases with a constitutive activation
      of this pathway that might present as atypical, severe, early onset rheumatic
      diseases. Skin vasculopathy with chilblains and livedo reticularis, interstitial
      lung disease, and panniculitis are common. Recent studies have implicated
      abnormal responses to nucleic acid stimuli or defective regulation of downstream
      effector molecules in disease pathogenesis. As observed for IL1-beta and
      autoinflammatory diseases, knowledge of the defects responsible for type I
      interferonopathies will likely promote the development of targeted therapy. 

PMID- 27260008
TI  - European trainees support the new European curriculum in Obstetrics and
      Gynaecology.

PMID- 27260007
TI  - Comorbidity of Alcohol and Gambling Problems in Emerging Adults: A Bifactor Model
      Conceptualization.
AB  - Addictive disorders, such as pathological gambling and alcohol use disorders,
      frequently co-occur at greater than chance levels. Substantive questions stem
      from this comorbidity regarding the extent to which shared variance between
      gambling and alcohol use reflects a psychological core of addictive tendencies,
      and whether this differs as a function of gender. The aims of this study were to
      differentiate both common and unique variance in alcohol and gambling problems in
      a bifactor model, examine measurement invariance of this model by gender, and
      identify substantive correlates of the final bifactor model. Undergraduates (N =
      4475) from a large northwestern university completed an online screening
      questionnaire which included demographics, quantity of money lost and won when
      gambling, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the AUDIT, gambling motives, drinking
      motives, personality, and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Results suggest that the
      bifactor model fit the data well in the full sample. Although the data suggest
      configural invariance across gender, factor loadings could not be constrained to
      be equal between men and women. As such, general and specific factors were
      examined separately by gender with a more intensive subsample of females and
      males (n = 264). Correlations with motivational tendencies, personality traits,
      and mental health symptoms indicated support for the validity of the bifactor
      model, as well as gender-specific patterns of association. Results suggest
      informative distinctions between shared and unique attributes related to
      problematic drinking and gambling.

PMID- 27260009
TI  - Incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis by age in African, Asian and European
      children: Relevance for timing of rotavirus vaccination.
AB  - Variability in rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) epidemiology can influence the
      optimal vaccination schedule. We evaluated regional trends in the age of RVGE
      episodes in low- to middle- versus high-income countries in three continents. We
      undertook a post-hoc analysis based on efficacy trials of a human rotavirus
      vaccine (HRV; RotarixTM, GSK Vaccines), in which 1348, 1641, and 5250 healthy
      infants received a placebo in Europe (NCT00140686), Africa (NCT00241644), and
      Asia (NCT00197210, NCT00329745). Incidence of any/severe RVGE by age at onset was
      evaluated by active surveillance over the first two years of life. Severity of
      RVGE episodes was assessed using the Vesikari-scale. The incidence of any RVGE in
      Africa was higher than in Europe during the first year of life (<=2.78% vs.
      <=2.03% per month), but much lower during the second one (<=0.86% versus <=2.00%
      per month). The incidence of severe RVGE in Africa was slightly lower than in
      Europe during the first year of life. Nevertheless, temporal profiles for the
      incidence of severe RVGE in Africa and Europe during the first (<=1.00% and
      <=1.23% per month) and second (<=0.53% and <=1.13% per month) years of life were
      similar to those of any RVGE. Any/severe RVGE incidences peaked at younger ages
      in Africa vs. Europe. In high-income Asian regions, severe RVGE incidence
      (<=0.31% per month) remained low during the study. The burden of any RVGE was
      higher earlier in life in children from low- to middle- compared with high-income
      countries. Differing rotavirus vaccine schedules are likely warranted to maximize
      protection in different settings.

PMID- 27260010
TI  - Screening rate for hepatitis B virus infection in patients undergoing
      chemotherapy in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the screening rate for
      hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which is recommended by some guidelines for
      the prevention of HBV reactivation, in patients undergoing chemotherapy for
      malignancy in Japan. METHODS: The study subjects were 3302 patients who had
      received first-line chemotherapy for malignancy from Apr 2008 through Mar 2013
      utilizing the Claims Database of the Japan Medical Data Center. The proportion of
      patients who had been tested for HBsAg (P-HBsAg) and the proportion of HBsAg
      negative patients who had undergone tests for anti-HBc and anti-HBs (P-HBc/HBsAb)
      before chemotherapy were investigated. RESULTS: P-HBsAg and P-HBc/HBsAb in all
      3302 patients were 66.3 and 19.9 %, respectively. P-HBsAg in patients with solid
      tumors and those with hematological malignancies were 66.1 and 67.5 % (p = 0.61),
      respectively, and P-HBc/HBsAb were 12.3 and 75.8 % (p < 0.0001), respectively. P
      HBsAg in patients from cancer centers and non-cancer centers were 66.9 and 65.5 %
      (p = 0.43), respectively, and P-HBc/HBsAb were 25.1 and 12.4 % (p < 0.0001),
      respectively. P-HBsAg in patients encountered before and after the announcement
      of the Japanese guideline were 51.3 and 67.1 % (p < 0.001), respectively, and P
      HBc/HBsAb were 7.9 and 20.4 % (p = 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The
      screening rate for HBV among cancer patients scheduled for chemotherapy remains
      unsatisfactory, especially in patients with solid tumors and those from non
      cancer centers. Although the figures are improving after the announcement of the
      Japanese guideline, intensive measures to improve awareness about HBV
      reactivation during/after chemotherapy are needed.

PMID- 27260013
TI  - Erratum: The miR-17-92 cluster counteracts quiescence and chemoresistance in a
      distinct subpopulation of pancreatic cancer stem cells.

PMID- 27260011
TI  - Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial to explore the effects of
      personalized lifestyle advices and tandem skydives on pleasure in anhedonic young
      adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anhedonia is generally defined as the inability to feel pleasure in
      response to experiences that are usually enjoyable. Anhedonia is one of the two
      core symptoms of depression and is a major public health concern. Anhedonia has
      proven particularly difficult to counteract and predicts poor treatment response
      generally. It has often been hypothesized that anhedonia can be deterred by a
      healthy lifestyle. However, it is quite unlikely that a one-size-fits-all
      approach will be effective for everyone. In this study the effects of
      personalized lifestyle advice based on observed individual patterns of lifestyle
      behaviors and experienced pleasure will be examined. Further, we will explore
      whether a tandem skydive following the personalized lifestyle advice positively
      influences anhedonic young adults' abilities to carry out the recommended
      lifestyle changes, and whether this ultimately improves their self-reported
      pleasure. METHODS: Our study design is an exploratory intervention study,
      preceded by a cross-sectional survey as a screening instrument. For the survey,
      2000 young adults (18-24 years old) will be selected from the general population.
      Based on survey outcomes, 72 individuals (36 males and 36 females) with
      persistent anhedonia (i.e., more than two months) and 60 individuals (30 males
      and 30 females) without anhedonia (non-anhedonic control group) will be selected
      for the intervention study. The non-anhedonic control group will fill out
      momentary assessments of pleasure and lifestyle behaviors three times a day, for
      one month. The anhedonic individuals will fill out momentary assessments for
      three consecutive months. After the first month, the anhedonic individuals will
      be randomly assigned to (1) no intervention, (2) lifestyle advice only, (3)
      lifestyle advice plus tandem skydive. The personalized lifestyle advice is based
      on patterns observed in the first month. DISCUSSION: The present study is the
      first to examine the effects of a personalized lifestyle advice and tandem
      skydive on pleasure in anhedonic young adults. Results of the present study may
      improve treatment for anhedonia, if the interventions are found to be effective.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register, NTR5498 , registered September 22, 2015
      (retrospectively registered).

PMID- 27260012
TI  - Comments on: Arthroscopic tibiotalar and subtalar joint arthrodesis, published by
      X. Roussignol in Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2016 Feb;102(1 Suppl.):S195-203.

PMID- 27260014
TI  - Unraveling the Pivotal Role of Bradykinin in ACE Inhibitor Activity.
AB  - Historically, the first described effect of an angiotensin converting enzyme
      (ACE) inhibitor was an increased activity of bradykinin, one of the substrates of
      ACE. However, in the subsequent years, molecular models describing the mechanism
      of action of ACE inhibitors in decreasing blood pressure and cardiovascular risk
      have focused mostly on the renin-angiotensin system. Nonetheless, over the last
      20 years, the importance of bradykinin in regulating vasodilation, natriuresis,
      oxidative stress, fibrinolysis, inflammation, and apoptosis has become clearer.
      The affinity of ACE appears to be higher for bradykinin than for angiotensin I,
      thereby suggesting that ACE inhibitors may be more effective inhibitors of
      bradykinin degradation than of angiotensin II production. Data describing the
      effect of ACE inhibition on bradykinin signaling support the hypothesis that the
      most cardioprotective benefits attributed to ACE inhibition may be due to
      increased bradykinin signaling rather than to decreased angiotensin II signaling,
      especially when high dosages of ACE inhibitors are considered. In particular,
      modulation of bradykinin in the endothelium appears to be a major target of ACE
      inhibition. These new mechanistic concepts may lead to further development of
      strategies enhancing the bradykinin signaling. 

PMID- 27260016
TI  - Which items on the distress thermometer problem list are the most distressing?
AB  - PURPOSE: The importance of distress identification and management in oncology has
      been established. We examined the relationship between distress and unmet bio
      psychosocial needs, applying advanced statistical techniques, to identify which
      needs have the closest relationship to distress. METHODS: Oncology outpatients (n
      = 1066) undergoing QUICATOUCH screening in an Australian cancer centre completed
      the distress thermometer (DT) and problem list (PL). Principal component analysis
      (PCA), logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses
      tested the relationship between DT score (at a cut-off point of 4) and PL items.
      RESULTS: Sixteen items were reported by <5 % of participants. PCA analysis
      identified four major components. Logistic regression analysis indicated three of
      these component scores, and four individual items (20 items in total)
      demonstrated a significant independent relationship with distress. The best CART
      model contained only two PL items: 'worry' and 'depression'. CONCLUSIONS: The DT
      and PL function as intended, quantifying negative emotional experience (distress)
      and identifying bio-psychosocial sources of distress. We offer two suggestions to
      minimise PL response time whilst targeting PL items most related to distress,
      thereby increasing clinical utility. To identify patients who might require
      specialised psychological services, we suggest the DT followed by a short, case
      finding instrument for patients over threshold on the DT. To identify other
      important sources of distress, we suggest using a modified PL of 14 key items,
      with the 15th item 'any other problem' as a simple safety net question. Shorter
      times for patient completion and clinician response to endorsed PL items will
      maximise acceptance and clinical utility.

PMID- 27260017
TI  - Kinesiology taping as an adjunct for the management of symptoms in the continuum
      of cancer care?

PMID- 27260015
TI  - Personal history and quality of life in chronic myeloid leukemia patients: a
      cross-sectional study using narrative medicine and quantitative analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) drastically changed the outcome of
      patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Several reports indicated
      the advantage of continue long-term adherence associated with positive outcome.
      Therefore, it is important to better understand from the patient's standpoint the
      experience of living with the disease and the related treatment. OBJECTIVES: In
      this study, quantitative analysis and narrative medicine were combined to get
      insights on this issue in a population of 257 patients with CML in chronic phase
      treated with TKIs (43 % men, with a median age of 58 years, 27 % aged 31-50
      years), followed for a median time of 5 years. Sixty-one percent of patients
      enrolled were treated in first line, whereas 37 % were treated in second line.
      RESULTS: The results showed more positive perceptions and acceptance in males
      compared to females, without impact of disease on relationships. Level of
      positive acceptance was more evident in elderly compared to younger patients,
      with a close connection with median time from diagnosis. Overall, female patients
      reported negative perceptions and an impact of disease on family daily living.
      The majority of patients understood the importance of continue adherence to
      treatment, with 27 % resulting less adherent (60 % for forgetfulness), even if
      well informed and supported by his/her physician. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
      Narrative medicine, in association to quantitative analysis, can help physicians
      to understand needs of their patients in order to improve communication.

PMID- 27260019
TI  - The mathematical whisker: A review of numerical models of the rat's vibrissa
      biomechanics.
AB  - The vibrissal system of the rat refers to specialized hairs the animal uses for
      tactile sensory perception. Rats actively move their whiskers in a characteristic
      way called "whisking". Interaction with the environment produces elastic
      deformation of the whiskers, generating mechanical signals in the whisker
      follicle complex. Advances in our understanding of the vibrissal complex
      biomechanics is of interest not only for the biological research field, but also
      for biomimetic approaches. The recent development of whisker numerical models has
      contributed to comprehending its sophisticated movements and its interactions
      with the follicle. The great diversity of behavioral patterns and complexities of
      the whisker-follicle ensemble encouraged the creation of many different
      biomechanical models. This review analyzes most of the whisker biomechanical
      models that have been developed so far. This review was written so as to render
      it accessible to readers coming from different research areas.

PMID- 27260018
TI  - The association between clinician-based common terminology criteria for adverse
      events (CTCAE) and patient-reported outcomes (PRO): a systematic review.
AB  - PURPOSE: Symptomatic adverse events (AEs) are monitored by clinicians as part of
      all US-based clinical trials in cancer via the U.S. National Cancer Institute's
      Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) for the purposes of
      ensuring patient safety. Recently, there has been a charge toward capturing the
      patient perspective for those AEs amenable to patient self-reporting via patient
      reported outcomes (PRO). The aim of this review was to summarize the empirically
      reported association between analogous CTCAE and PRO ratings. METHODS: A
      systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science,
      and Cochrane databases through July 2015. From a total of 5658 articles
      retrieved, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Across studies,
      patients were of mixed cancer types, including anal, breast, cervical, chronic
      myeloid leukemia, endometrial, hematological, lung, ovarian, pelvic, pharyngeal,
      prostate, and rectal. Given this mixture, the AEs captured were variable, with
      many common across studies (e.g., dyspnea, fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, pain,
      vomiting), as well as several that were disease-specific (e.g., erectile
      dysfunction, hemoptysis). Overall, the quantified association between CTCAE and
      PRO ratings fell in the fair to moderate range and had a large variation across
      the majority of studies (n = 21). CONCLUSIONS: The range of measures used and
      symptoms captured varied greatly across the reviewed studies. Regardless of
      concordance metric employed, reported agreement between CTCAE and PRO ratings was
      moderate at best. To assist with reconciliation and interpretation of these
      differences toward ultimately improving patient care, an important next step is
      to explore approaches to integrate PROs with clinician reporting of AEs.

PMID- 27260020
TI  - Equine subchondral bone failure threshold under impact compression applied
      through articular cartilage.
AB  - Subchondral bone microdamage due to high-impact loading is a key factor leading
      to post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis. A quantified assessment of the mechanical
      characteristics of subchondral bone at the tissue-level is essential to study the
      mechanism of impact-induced microdamage. We combined mechanical impact testing of
      equine cartilage-bone with uCT image-based finite element models (MUFEM) of each
      specimen to determine subchondral bone (including calcified cartilage: CCSB)
      elastic tissue modulus and local stresses and strains associated with micro
      fractures within the CCSB tissue. The material properties of each specimen
      specific MUFEM were iteratively adjusted to match the FE-predicted stress-strain
      curves with experimental results. Isotropic homogeneous material properties for
      both uncalcified cartilage (UC) and CCSB were assumed. UC large-deformation was
      simulated using hyperelastic material properties. Final UC shear and CCSB tissue
      elastic modulus of G=38+/-20MPa and E(t)=3.3+/-0.7GPa were achieved after fit
      procedure. The results suggested that initial failure in CCSB occurred at local
      tensile and compressive stresses of 29.47+/-5.34 MPa and 64.3+/-21.3MPa, and
      tensile and compressive strains of 1.12+/-0.06% and 1.99+/-0.41%, respectively.
      Tissue-level material properties can be used in finite element modeling of
      diarthrodial joints under impact loading, and also in designing artificial
      cartilage-bone to replace the damaged tissue in the joint. Results can provide an
      estimate for the threshold of initial failure in subchondral bone tissue due to
      an impact compression transmitted through the overlying articular cartilage.

PMID- 27260021
TI  - Micro-Finite Element analysis will overestimate the compressive stiffness of
      fractured cancellous bone.
AB  - Recently, micro-Finite Element (micro-FE) analysis based on High Resolution
      peripheral Quantitative CT (HRpQCT) images was introduced to quantify the state
      of fracture healing (de Jong et al., 2014). That study suggested that the direct
      post-fracture stiffness may be overestimated by micro-FE. The aim of this study
      was to investigate this further by measuring the loss in stiffness of cancellous
      bone samples under compressive loading and to compare this with predictions based
      on micro-FE analyses and bone microstructural and fracture morphology. Sixty
      porcine trabecular cores were micro-CT scanned and tested in compression before
      and after inducing a fracture in 4 different manners. The loss in stiffness as
      measured in the experiment was compared to that calculated from micro-FE
      analysis. Additionally, bone morphology parameters and fracture thickness were
      calculated. The experimentally measured loss in stiffness ranged from 37% to 80%.
      The losses calculated from the micro-FE analyses were lower and ranged from 36%
      to 61%, while in one case an increase in stiffness was calculated. For 2 of the 4
      experiments, the results of the experiment and micro-FE analyses were
      significantly different. Only for very smooth fractures good agreement was
      obtained between FE and experimental results. The loss in stiffness did not
      correlate with any investigated bone morphology parameter or the thickness of the
      fracture region. It was concluded that micro-FE analysis can severely
      overestimate the stiffness of fractured bone depending on the type of fracture,
      but in the case of smooth fractures good estimates are possible.

PMID- 27260022
TI  - The EMPA-REG outcome study: critical appraisal and potential clinical
      implications.
AB  - Diabetes health care professionals have to face a study with results of
      incomparable success in secondary and tertiary cardiovascular disease prevention.
      In the past, no studies in patients with type 2 diabetes resulted to be
      successful in inducing an improvement of cardiovascular prognosis, no matter
      whether they were focused on a target, on life-style or on pharmacological
      intervention. On a clinical perspective, should the diabetologist's way to think
      about the anti-diabetic therapy of patients on secondary cardiovascular
      prevention change based on the results of Empa-Reg outcome? Due to the complexity
      of the clinical picture of patients with type 2 diabetes, a tailored therapy
      based on targets, complications, co-morbidity, familial and social environment,
      personal and cultural features must be conceived and applied in starting
      pharmacological therapy; however, the question whether should we consider
      empagliflozin as first choice therapy in individuals with type 2 diabetes exposed
      to high cardiovascular risk, the Empa-Reg outcome-like patient, awaits now for an
      answer. Waiting for data confirming the results of the Empa-Reg outcome study,
      this report goes through the good reasons in support of this way of thinking, but
      at the same time explores the many unanswered questions raising potential
      concerns about this clinical choice. 

PMID- 27260023
TI  - Fluorescence detection of intracellular cadmium with Leadmium Green.
AB  - Leadmium Green is a commercially available, small molecule, fluorescent probe
      advertised as a detector of free intracellular cadmium (Cd(2+)) and lead
      (Pb(2+)). Leadmium Green has been used in various paradigms, such as tracking
      Cd(2+) sequestration in plant cells, heavy metal export in protozoa, and Pb(2+)
      absorption by vascular endothelial cells. However very little information is
      available regarding its affinity and selectivity for Cd(2+), Pb(2+), and other
      metals. We evaluated the in vitro selectivity of Leadmium Green using
      spectrofluorimetry. Consistent with manufacturer's claims, Leadmium Green was
      sensitive to Cd(2+) (KD ~600 nM) and also Pb(2+) (KD ~9.0 nM) in a concentration
      dependent manner, and furthermore proved insensitive to Ca(2+), Co(2+), Mn(2+)
      and Ni(2+). Leadmium Green also responded to Zn(2+) with a KD of ~82 nM. Using
      fluorescence microscopy, we evaluated Leadmium Green in live mouse hippocampal
      HT22 cells. We demonstrated that Leadmium Green detected ionophore-mediated acute
      elevations of Cd(2+) or Zn(2+) in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the
      maximum fluorescence produced by ionophore-delivered Zn(2+) was much less than
      that produced by Cd(2+). When tested in a model of oxidant-induced liberation of
      endogenous Zn(2+), Leadmium Green responded weakly. We conclude that Leadmium
      Green is an effective probe for monitoring intracellular Cd(2+), particularly in
      models where Cd(2+) accumulates rapidly, and when concomitant fluctuations of
      intracellular Zn(2+) are minimal.

PMID- 27260080
TI  - Role of Klotho in migration and proliferation of human dermal microvascular
      endothelial cells.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the possible role of Klotho (Kl) in human microvasculature.
      METHODS: The expression level of Kl in primary human dermal microvascular
      endothelial cells (HDMECs) and primary human dermal fibroblasts (HFb) was
      detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification (qRT-PCR), Western
      blot analyses and immunohistochemistry. Migration of HDMECs and HFb was examined
      in monolayer wound healing "scratch assay" and Transwell assay. Proliferation of
      these cells was examined using Cell Proliferation BrdU incorporation assay.
      RESULTS: Our results have shown that downregulation of Kl abrogated HDMECs
      migration after 48h. On the other hand, migration of HFb significantly increased
      after blocking Kl. Lack of Kl decreased expression of genes involved in the
      activation of endothelial cells and enhanced expression of genes involved in
      extracellular matrix remodeling and organization of connective tissue.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study for the first time provides the evidence that Kl is
      expressed in HDMECs and HFb. Additionally, we have demonstrated that Kl is
      implicated in the process of angiogenesis of human dermal microvasculature.

PMID- 27260081
TI  - Citizen science or scientific citizenship? Disentangling the uses of public
      engagement rhetoric in national research initiatives.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The language of "participant-driven research," "crowdsourcing" and
      "citizen science" is increasingly being used to encourage the public to become
      involved in research ventures as both subjects and scientists. Originally, these
      labels were invoked by volunteer research efforts propelled by amateurs outside
      of traditional research institutions and aimed at appealing to those looking for
      more "democratic," "patient-centric," or "lay" alternatives to the professional
      science establishment. As mainstream translational biomedical research requires
      increasingly larger participant pools, however, corporate, academic and
      governmental research programs are embracing this populist rhetoric to encourage
      wider public participation. DISCUSSION: We examine the ethical and social
      implications of this recruitment strategy. We begin by surveying examples of
      "citizen science" outside of biomedicine, as paradigmatic of the aspirations this
      democratizing rhetoric was originally meant to embody. Next, we discuss the ways
      these aspirations become articulated in the biomedical context, with a view to
      drawing out the multiple and potentially conflicting meanings of "public
      engagement" when citizens are also the subjects of the science. We then
      illustrate two uses of public engagement rhetoric to gain public support for
      national biomedical research efforts: its post-hoc use in the "care.data" project
      of the National Health Service in England, and its proactive uses in the
      "Precision Medicine Initiative" of the United States White House. These examples
      will serve as the basis for a normative analysis, discussing the potential
      ethical and social ramifications of this rhetoric. We pay particular attention to
      the implications of government strategies that cultivate the idea that members of
      the public have a civic duty to participate in government-sponsored research
      initiatives. We argue that such initiatives should draw from policy frameworks
      that support normative analysis of the role of citizenry. And, we conclude it is
      imperative to make visible and clear the full spectrum of meanings of "citizen
      science," the contexts in which it is used, and its demands with respect to
      participation, engagement, and governance.

PMID- 27260083
TI  - [Ischemic stroke after intracranial occlusion of the left main coronary artery :
      Interventional radiological treatment versus i.v. thrombolysis therapy alone].

PMID- 27260084
TI  - Retrospective analysis of physical therapy utilization by the specificity of the
      diagnosis and order written on the referral.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arguments against reimbursement for direct access to physical therapy
      (PT) are that a physician examination is necessary to diagnose and that there is
      a potential for increased cost. OBJECTIVE: To determine what percentage of PT
      referrals had a specific diagnosis and treatment orders. Additionally, specific
      and non-specific diagnoses and treatment orders were compared in regards to PT
      units billed, average visits per referral, and average cost per referral.
      METHODS: The charts of 1,000 patients treated in outpatient PT underwent a
      retrospective chart review. Interferential statistics were used to determine if
      there was a statistically significant difference between specific and non
      specific diagnoses and treatment orders in regard to PT units billed, average
      visits per referral, and average cost per referral. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent
      of all referring diagnoses were non-specific in nature and 58% contained
      treatment orders that were non-specific. Charts with a specific diagnosis had a
      statistically significant higher utilization as compared to non-specific
      diagnoses (p <= 0.001). Patients with a specific treatment order also displayed a
      statistically significant larger average in billed units, average visits per
      referral, and average reimbursement per referral than those without a specific
      treatment order (p <= 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a physician
      diagnosis and referral may not be required to direct care for patients seeking PT
      services. Third-party payers that require a physician referral for PT services
      may be delaying access to healthcare and increasing costs.

PMID- 27260085
TI  - The development of a peak-time criterion for designing controlled-release
      devices.
AB  - This work consists of estimating dynamic characteristics for topically-applied
      drugs when the magnitude of the flux increases to a maximum value, called peak
      flux, before declining to zero. This situation is typical of controlled-released
      systems with a finite donor or vehicle volume. Laplace transforms were applied to
      the governing equations and resulted in an expression for the flux in terms of
      the physical characteristics of the system. After approximating this function by
      a second-order model, three parameters of this reduced structure captured the
      essential features of the original process. Closed-form relationships were then
      developed for the peak flux and time-to-peak based on the empirical
      representation. Three case studies that involve mechanisms, such as diffusion,
      partitioning, dissolution and elimination, were selected to illustrate the
      procedure. The technique performed successfully as shown by the ability of the
      second-order flux to match the prediction of the original transport equations. A
      main advantage of the proposed method is that it does not require a solution of
      the original partial differential equations. Less accurate results were noted for
      longer lag times. 

PMID- 27260082
TI  - American Brachytherapy Task Group Report: Adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy for
      early-stage endometrial cancer: A comprehensive review.
AB  - This article aims to review the risk stratification of endometrial cancer,
      treatment rationale, outcomes, treatment planning, and treatment recommendations
      of vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) in the postoperative management of endometrial
      cancer patients. The authors performed a thorough review of the literature and
      reference pertinent articles pertaining to the aims of this review. Adjuvant VBT
      for early-stage endometrial cancer patients results in very low rates of vaginal
      recurrence (0-3.1%) with low rates of late toxicity which are primarily vaginal
      in nature. Post-Operative Radiation Therapy in Endometrial Cancer 2 (PORTEC-2)
      supports that VBT results in noninferior rates of vaginal recurrence compared to
      external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of high-intermediate risk patients.
      VBT as a boost after external beam radiotherapy, in combination with
      chemotherapy, and for high-risk histologies have shown excellent results as well
      though randomized data do not exist supporting VBT boost. There are many
      different applicators, dose-fractionation schedules, and treatment planning
      techniques which all result in favorable clinical outcomes and low rates of
      toxicity. Recommendations have been published by the American Brachytherapy
      Society and the American Society of Radiation Oncology to help guide
      practitioners in the use of VBT. Data support that patients and physicians prefer
      joint decision making regarding the use of VBT, and patients often desire
      additional treatment for a marginal benefit in risk of recurrence. Discussions
      regarding adjuvant therapy for endometrial cancer are best performed in a
      multidisciplinary setting, and patients should be counseled properly regarding
      the risks and benefits of adjuvant therapy.

PMID- 27260086
TI  - Development of hematin conjugated PLGA nanoparticle for selective cancer
      targeting.
AB  - Targeted nanomedicine for cancer therapy has gained widespread popularity and is
      being extensively explored. Porphyrins have intrinsic tumor localizing ability
      and have been studied for photodynamic therapy. However, they have not been used
      as cancer targeting agents for nanomedicines. In this study, PLGA nanoparticles
      were formulated and an iron-containing blood porphyrin, hematin was conjugated to
      the surface of the nanoparticles to investigate selectivity towards cancer cell
      and cellular internalization. Hematin was previously shown to facilitate growth
      and proliferation of cancer cells. PLGA nanoparticles were characterized by FE
      SEM, AFM, DLS, and Zeta potential analyzer. The conjugation of hematin was
      confirmed by FTIR. HeLa cells were used to study tumor selectivity and uptake.
      Hematin conjugated particles (zeta potential: -15.19mV) showed higher affinity
      towards the cancer cells than the control particles. The result indicated that
      the particles were internalized by heme carrier protein-1. Together these data
      suggest that hematin is a promising cancer targeting material for
      nanotherapeutics. 

PMID- 27260087
TI  - The effects of chitosan/miR-200c nanoplexes on different stages of cancers in
      breast cancer cell lines.

PMID- 27260088
TI  - Effect of solubility enhancement on nasal absorption of meloxicam.
AB  - Besides the opioids the standard management of the World Health Organization
      suggests NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) alone or in combination
      to enhance analgesia in malignant and non-malignant pain therapy. The
      applicability of NSAIDs in a nasal formulation is a new approach in
      pharmaceutical technology. In order to enhance the nasal absorption of meloxicam
      (MX) as an NSAID, its salt form, meloxicam potassium monohydrate (MXP),
      registered by Egis Plc., was investigated in comparison with MX. The physico
      chemical properties of the drugs (structural analysis, solubility and dissolution
      rate) and the mucoadhesivity of nasal formulations were controlled. In vitro and
      in vivo studies were carried out to determine the nasal applicability of MXP as a
      drug candidate in pain therapy. It can be concluded that MX and MXP demonstrated
      the same equilibrium solubility at the pH5.60 of the nasal mucosa (0.017mg/ml);
      nonetheless, MXP indicated faster dissolution and a higher permeability through
      the synthetic membrane. The animal studies justified the short Tmax value (15min)
      and the high AUC of MXP, which is important in acute pain therapy. It can be
      assumed that the low mucoadhesivity of MXP spray did not increase the residence
      time in the nasal cavity, and the elimination from the nasal mucosa was therefore
      faster than in the case of MX. Further experiments are necessary to prove the
      therapeutic relevance of this MXP-containing innovative intranasal formulation.

PMID- 27260089
TI  - Supersaturation of zafirlukast in fasted and fed state intestinal media with and
      without precipitation inhibitors.
AB  - Poor water solubility is a bottle neck in the development of many new drug
      candidates, and understanding and circumventing this is essential for a more
      effective drug development. Zafirlukast (ZA) is a leukotriene antagonist marketed
      for the treatment of asthma (Accolate(r)). ZA is poorly water soluble, and is
      formulated in an amorphous form (aZA) to improve its solubility and oral
      bioavailability. It has been shown that upon dissolution of aZa, the
      concentration of ZA in solution is supersaturated with respect to its stable
      crystalline form (ZA monohydrate), and thus, in theory, the bioavailability
      increases upon amorphization of ZA. The polymers hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
      (HPMC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), often used as stabilizers of the
      supersaturated state, are in the excipient list of Accolate(r). It is not
      recommended to take Accolate(r) with food, as this reduces the bioavailability by
      40%. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of simulated fasted and
      fed state intestinal media as well as the effect of HPMC and PVP on the
      supersaturation and precipitation of ZA in vitro. Supersaturation of aZA was
      studied in vitro in a small scale setup using the MUDiss ProfilerTM. Several
      media were used for this study: One medium simulating the fasted state intestinal
      fluids and three media simulating different fed state intestinal fluids. Solid
      state changes of the drug were investigated by small angle x-ray scattering. The
      duration wherein aZA was maintained at a supersaturated state was prolonged in
      the presence of HPMC and lasted more than 20h in the presence of PVP in a fasted
      state intestinal medium. The presence of PVP increased the concentration of drug
      dissolved in the supersaturated state. The duration of supersaturation was
      shorter in fed than in a fasted state simulated intestinal media, but the
      concentration during supersaturation was higher. It was thus not possible to
      predict any positive or negative food effects from the dissolution/precipitation
      curves from different media. Lipolysis products in the fed state simulated media
      seemed to cause both a negative effect on the duration of supersaturation, and an
      increased drug concentration during supersaturation. In contrast, when testing
      the effect of a fed state simulated medium compared to the fasted state medium,
      in the presence of PVP, a clear negative effect was seen on the
      dissolution/precipitation curved of the fed state medium. The drug concentration
      during supersaturation was marginally different in the two media, but a
      precipitation of ZA was seen in the fed state medium, which was not observed in
      the fasted state medium. Solid state transformation from aZA to ZA monohydrate
      (mhZA) upon precipitation of the supersaturated solutions was confirmed by small
      angle x-ray scattering. All of these results can explain the described in vivo
      behavior of ZA. For ZA simple dissolution experiments in vitro can be used to
      examine supersaturation, effectiveness of PI and potential food effects on these.

PMID- 27260090
TI  - Vesicles Cytoplasmic Injection: An Efficient Technique to Produce Porcine
      Transgene-Expressing Embryos.
AB  - The use of vesicles co-incubated with plasmids showed to improve the efficiency
      of cytoplasmic injection of transgenes in cattle. Here, this technique was tested
      as a simplified alternative for transgenes delivery in porcine zygotes. To this
      aim, cytoplasmic injection of the plasmid alone was compared to the injection
      with plasmids co-incubated with vesicles both in diploid parthenogenic and IVF
      zygotes. The plasmid pcx-egfp was injected circular (CP) at 3, 30 and 300 ng/MUl
      and linear (LP) at 30 ng/MUl. The experimental groups using parthenogenetic
      zygotes were as follows: CP naked at 3 ng/MUl (N = 105), 30 ng/MUl (N = 95) and
      300 ng/MUl (N = 65); Sham (N = 105); control not injected (N = 223); LP naked at
      30 ng/MUl (N = 78); LP vesicles (N = 115) and Sham vesicles (N = 59). For IVF
      zygotes: LP naked (N = 44) LP vesicles (N = 94), Sham (N = 59) and control (N =
      79). Cleavage, blastocyst and GFP+ rates were analysed by Fisher's test (p <
      0.05). The parthenogenic CP naked group showed lower cleavage respect to control
      (p < 0.05). The highest concentration of plasmids to allow development to
      blastocyst stage was 30 ng/MUl. There were no differences in DNA fragmentation
      between groups. The parthenogenic LP naked group resulted in high GFP rates (46%)
      and also allowed the production of GFP blastocysts (33%). The cytoplasmic
      injection with LP vesicles into parthenogenic zygotes allowed 100% GFP
      blastocysts. Injected IVF showed higher cleavage rates than control (p < 0.05).
      In IVF zygotes, only the use of vesicles produced GFP blastocysts. The use of
      vesicles co-incubated with plasmids improves the transgene expression efficiency
      for cytoplasmic injection in porcine zygotes and constitutes a simple technique
      for easy delivery of plasmids. 

PMID- 27260091
TI  - Native recombinant kisspeptin can induce gnrh1 and kissr2 expression in
      Paralichthys olivaceus in vitro.
AB  - Kisspeptins have been described as one of the most potent activators of the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Kisspeptins control the onset of
      reproductive functions during puberty by directly stimulating the neuronal
      activity and release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The function of
      kisspeptins has been investigated in vivo and in vitro. In our study, three kinds
      of recombinant kisspeptin proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli. Kisspeptin
      fragments Kp54, Kp44, and Kp10 translated from Paralichthys olivaceus kiss2 gene
      were then obtained. Kp44 contained 44 amide acids (aa) which are the same as the
      N-terminal of Kp54; Kp10 shares the same 10 aa with the C-terminal of Kp54 but
      Kp10 also contains some other amide acids. In the dose course of treatments with
      prokaryotically expressed peptides, Kp54 and Kp10 could induce the expression of
      kissr2 and gnrh1; by contrast, Kp44 could not induce a similar expression. These
      results provided direct evidence that the core decapeptide of kisspeptin is
      necessary to ensure its biological functions. In the time course of the Kp54
      treatments on two kinds of cultured brain cells, different patterns of kissr2 and
      gnrh1 mRNA suggested that the responses of these cells to kisspeptins depends on
      cell type and treatment duration. Thus, our research provided alternative methods
      to investigate the functions of kisspeptin in vitro and to detect biological
      activities; this research also established basis for kisspeptin applications in
      production processes. 

PMID- 27260105
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27260104
TI  - NF-kappaB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide mitigates wear particle-associated bone loss
      in the murine continuous infusion model.
AB  - Total joint replacement is a cost-effective surgical procedure for patients with
      end-stage arthritis. Wear particle-induced chronic inflammation is associated
      with the development of periprosthetic osteolysis. Modulation of NF-kappaB
      signaling in macrophages, osteoclasts, and mesenchymal stem cells could
      potentially mitigate this disease. In the current study, we examined the effects
      of local delivery of decoy NF-kappaB oligo-deoxynucleotide (ODN) on wear particle
      induced bone loss in a murine continuous femoral particle infusion model. Ultra
      high molecular weight polyethylene particles (UHMWPE) with or without
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were infused via osmotic pumps into hollow titanium rods
      placed in the distal femur of mice for 4weeks. Particle-induced bone loss was
      evaluated by MUCT, and immunohistochemical analysis of sections from the femur.
      Particle infusion alone resulted in reduced bone mineral density and trabecular
      bone volume fraction in the distal femur. The decoy ODN reversed the particle
      associated bone volume fraction loss around the implant, irrespective of the
      presence of LPS. Particle-infusion with LPS increased bone mineral density in the
      distal femur compared with particle-infusion alone. NF-kappaB decoy ODN reversed
      or further increased the bone mineral density in the femur (3-6mm from the distal
      end) exposed to particles alone or particles plus LPS. NF-kappaB decoy ODN also
      inhibited macrophage infiltration and osteoclast number, but had no significant
      effects on osteoblast numbers in femurs exposed to wear particles and LPS. Our
      study suggests that targeting NF-kappaB activity via local delivery of decoy ODN
      has great potential to mitigate wear particle-induced osteolysis. STATEMENT OF
      SIGNIFICANCE: Total joint replacement is a cost-effective surgical procedure for
      patients with end-stage arthritis. Chronic inflammation is crucial for the
      development of wear particle-associated bone loss. Modulation of NF-kappaB
      signaling in macrophages (pro-inflammatory cells), osteoclasts (bone-resorbing
      cells), and osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) could potentially mitigate this
      disease. Here we demonstrated that local delivery of decoy NF-kappaB oligo
      deoxynucleotide (ODN) mitigated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
      wear particle induced bone loss in a clinically relevant murine model. The
      protective effects of decoy ODN was associated with reduced macrophage
      infiltration and osteoclast activation, but had no significant effects on
      osteoblast numbers. Our study suggests that targeting NF-kappaB activity via
      local delivery of decoy ODN has great potential to mitigate wear particle-induced
      bone loss.

PMID- 27260106
TI  - Pattern of skin cancer among Saudi patients attending a tertiary care center in
      Dhahran, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A 20-year retrospective study.
AB  - Skin cancer is the ninth most common malignancy in Saudi Arabia. It represented
      3.2% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in the year 2010. The aim of this study
      was to determine the epidemiology of skin cancer in relation to age, sex, and
      anatomic location among Saudi patients attending the Johns Hopkins Aramco
      Healthcare center in Dhahran, Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. We
      retrospectively reviewed the surgical pathology records of Saudi nationals from
      1995 to 2014 at the Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare center, which directly
      provides for the healthcare needs of Saudi Aramco company employees and
      dependents in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Tumor metastases to skin,
      skin involvement by primary breast carcinoma, and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma with
      secondary involvement by skin were excluded. The total number of primary skin
      tumors was 204. The commonest cutaneous malignancies were basal cell carcinoma
      (36%) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (23%), with the head and neck being the
      commonest location for both tumors. Mycosis fungoides (MF) was the third most
      common malignancy (11%). Malignant melanoma was the fourth commonest skin
      malignancy (7%) with the lower extremities being the commonest location. The four
      most common skin cancers in our tertiary center in the Eastern Province of Saudi
      Arabia were squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, MF, and malignant
      melanoma. Other regions of Saudi Arabia report a similar pattern of skin cancers
      as our center, with MF having a higher frequency at our center.

PMID- 27260107
TI  - Transfusion-Transmitted Babesia microti.
AB  - Because testing of donors for Babesia microti has become available, it is
      important to determine the kinds of patients who should receive B microti-tested
      blood. We searched PubMed, AABB abstracts, and FDA Web site to identify all cases
      of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB). Cases were analyzed for underlying
      medical condition, age, presence of spleen, and reason for transfusion in
      relation to 5 classes of recipient outcome severity. Sixty-seven reports included
      256 transfusion cases where donor tested positive for B microti, 165 of which
      resulted in TTB. Sixty recipients did not develop disease or become test
      positive, and test results were not known for 31 more. The 165 cases of TTB
      involved hematologic (19%), neonate (10%), cardiovascular (8%), and
      gastrointestinal (6%) patients. Thirty-two (19%) of the 165 infected patients
      died with death attributed to babesiosis in 25 of the cases. Nine (5%) were
      asymptomatic, 27 (16%) were symptomatic but had uncomplicated disease, and 16
      (10%) had complicated disease. The severity of disease was mixed among many
      disease categories. Patients >65 years of age included the largest number of
      recipients (59/165, 36%) and deaths (11/32, 34%), although deaths occurred in
      other age groups as well. TTB cases were predominantly due to red cells (133 of
      140 specified units), with red blood cell units processed in a variety of ways
      and at all storage duration. TTB with complicated babesiosis and/or death
      occurred in patients of all age groups and with a variety of underlying medical
      conditions.

PMID- 27260108
TI  - Autologous Blood Transfusion in Sports: Emerging Biomarkers.
AB  - Despite being prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, blood doping through
      erythropoietin injection or blood transfusion is frequently used by athletes to
      increase oxygen delivery to muscles and enhance performance. In contrast with
      allogeneic blood transfusion and erythropoietic stimulants, there is presently no
      direct method of detection for autologous blood transfusion (ABT) doping. Blood
      reinfusion is currently monitored with individual follow-up of hematological
      variables via the athlete biological passport, which requires further
      improvement. Microdosage is undetectable, and suspicious profiles in athletes are
      often attributed to exposure to altitude, heat stress, or illness. Additional
      indirect biomarkers may increase the sensitivity and specificity of the
      longitudinal approach. The emergence of "-omics" strategies provides new
      opportunities to discover biomarkers for the indirect detection of ABT. With the
      development of direct quantitative methods, transcriptomics based on microRNA or
      messenger RNA expression is a promising approach. Because blood donation and
      blood reinfusion alter iron metabolism, quantification of proteins involved in
      metal metabolism, such as hepcidin, may be applied in an "ironomics" strategy to
      improve the detection of ABT. As red blood cell (RBC) storage triggers changes in
      membrane proteins, proteomic methods have the potential to identify the presence
      of stored RBCs in blood. Alternatively, urine matrix can be used for the
      quantification of the plasticizer di(2-ethyhexyl)phthalate and its metabolites
      that originate from blood storage bags, suggesting recent blood transfusion, and
      have an important degree of sensitivity and specificity. This review proposes
      that various indirect biomarkers should be applied in combination with
      mathematical approaches for longitudinal monitoring aimed at improving ABT
      detection.

PMID- 27260109
TI  - The association of physical activity, cognitive processes and automobile driving
      ability in older adults: A review of the literature.
AB  - As the number of older adults in the United States grows, the number of
      automobile drivers over the age of 65 will also increase. Several cognitive
      processes necessary for automobile driving are vulnerable to age-related decline.
      These include declines in executive function, working memory, attention, and
      speed of information processing. The benefits of physical activity on physical,
      psychological and particular cognitive processes are well-documented; however few
      studies have explored the relationship between physical activity and driving
      ability in older adults or examined if cognitive processes mediate (or moderate)
      the effect of physical activity on driving ability. The purpose of this paper is
      to review the existing literature regarding physical activity, cognition and
      automobile driving. Recommendations for further research and utility of the
      findings to nursing and the health care team are provided.

PMID- 27260110
TI  - Which characteristics of nursing home residents relate to factors influencing
      their dignity?
AB  - Aim of this study was to explore which characteristics of nursing home residents
      relate to factors influencing their dignity. Questionnaires containing the
      Measurement Instrument for Dignity AMsterdam - for Long-Term Care facilities
      (MIDAM-LTC) were administered to 95 nursing home residents, residing on the
      general medical wards of six nursing homes in the Netherlands. Associations
      between residents' characteristics and each MIDAM-LTC item as well as the total
      number of items considerably influencing dignity were calculated. Results showed
      that not being optimistic, being male and/or being heavily dependent predispose
      nursing home residents to have their dignity undermined. Residents with these
      characteristics should therefore be given special attention in the provision of
      dignity-conserving care. Age, cultural background, religion, length of stay and
      socioeconomic status were very rarely related to individual MIDAM-LTC items.
      Knowledge of associations between characteristics and factors undermining dignity
      can be used to raise nursing home staff's sensitivity toward these factors.

PMID- 27260111
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27260112
TI  - Thank You ASE.

PMID- 27260113
TI  - Training Tomorrow's Cardiovascular Sonographers.

PMID- 27260114
TI  - Your Steering Committee Hard at Work.

PMID- 27260115
TI  - Development of different diagnostic techniques for Endolimax piscium
      (archamoebae) and their applicability in Solea senegalensis clinical samples.
AB  - Systemic amoebiasis of sole is caused by Endolimax piscium, a cryptic parasitic
      archamoeba whose epidemiology and pathogeny are yet unknown. To establish
      reliable detection methods for this parasite, a battery of molecular diagnostic
      tools (ISH, PCR and qPCR) were developed and evaluated with a panel of clinical
      samples from symptomatic diseased fish and from apparently normal animals of
      different stocks. As there is neither enough background information on the
      epidemiology of the disease nor a validated reference method, comparison of tests
      used a composite reference method approach. The ISH technique was the most
      specific and sensitive in intestine samples and particularly useful as a
      reference confirmatory method, while the best method in muscle samples was qPCR.
      Application of the tests to asymptomatic fish demonstrated presence of parasites
      in a large proportion (>25%) of their intestines, suggesting that this is the
      point of entry of the amoebae and the initial stage in the development of the
      disease. The triggering factors that facilitate the breaching of the intestinal
      barrier by E. piscium, causing granulomatous lesions in other organs and systemic
      spreading, are not completely understood but our results point to the connective
      tissue as a preferential target for parasite development and migration.

PMID- 27260116
TI  - False overt hyperthyroidism by interference in immunoassay.

PMID- 27260117
TI  - Dexmedetomidine Infusion may Cause Agitation During Procedural Sedation.

PMID- 27260118
TI  - Notalgia Paresthetica, A Clinical Series and Review.

PMID- 27260119
TI  - Regarding Ultrasound-Guided Pararadicular Injections in the Lumbar Spine by Kim
      et al.

PMID- 27260120
TI  - Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Needed to Manage Opioid Use in Asia
      Pacific.

PMID- 27260121
TI  - Nonylphenol effects on human prostate non tumorigenic cells.
AB  - Nonylphenol (NP) is an industrial chemical with estrogenic activity both in vivo
      and in vitro; estrogens play a critical role in the development of prostate and
      may be the cause of some pathological states, including cancer. In this study we
      examined the effects of NP on human prostate non tumorigenic epithelial cells
      (PNT1A) investigating on cell proliferation, interaction with estrogen receptors
      (ERs) and gene expression of genes involved in prostate diseases. We found that
      NP affects cell proliferation at 10(-6)M, promoting a cytoplasm-nucleus
      translocation of ERalpha and not ERbeta, like the natural estrogen 17beta
      estradiol (E2). Moreover, we showed that NP enhances gene expression of key
      regulators of cell cycle. Estrogen selective antagonist ICI182780 in part
      reverted the observed effects of NP. These results confirm the estrogenic
      activity of NP and suggest that other transduction pathways may be involved in NP
      action on prostate.

PMID- 27260122
TI  - Correlates of self-report chronic insomnia disorders with 1-6 month and 6-month
      durations in home-dwelling urban older adults - the Shih-Pai Sleep Study in
      Taiwan: a cross-sectional community study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To examine the correlates of insomnia disorder with different
      durations in home-dwelling older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey in the
      Shih-Pai area of Taipei City, Taiwan (The Shih-Pai Sleep Study). A total 4047
      subjects over the age of 65 years completed the study (2259 men and 1788 women).
      The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the duration of insomnia symptoms were
      used to identify DSM-IV 1-6 month and 6-month insomnia disorders. RESULTS: The
      prevalence of DSM-IV defined insomnia disorder was 5.8 %; two-thirds of these
      case lasted for >=6 months. The shared correlates for both 1-6 and 6-month
      insomnia disorders were gender (women), depression and moderate pain. Pulmonary
      diseases were exclusively associated with 1-6 month insomnia disorder (OR: 2.57,
      95 % CI: 1.46-4.52). In contrast, heart disease (OR: 1.73, 95 % CI: 1.21-2.49)
      and severe pain (OR: 2.34, 95 % CI: 1.14-4.40) were associated with 6-month
      insomnia disorder. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of persistent insomnia disorder is
      higher than short-term insomnia disorder. Correlates for less persistent and more
      persistent insomnia disorder appears to be partially different. Duration
      quantifiers may be important in the identification of the etiology of insomnia
      and further studies with follow-ups are needed to examine the order of developing
      insomnia disorder and associated conditions.

PMID- 27260123
TI  - Development and Testing of a Smartphone-Based Cognitive/Neuropsychological
      Evaluation System for Substance Abusers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In methamphetamine (MA) users, drug-induced neurocognitive deficits
      may help to determine treatment, monitor adherence, and predict relapse. To
      measure these relationships, we developed an iPhone app (Neurophone) to compare
      lab and field performance of N-Back, Stop Signal, and Stroop tasks that are
      sensitive to MA-induced deficits. METHODS: Twenty healthy controls and 16 MA
      dependent participants performed the tasks in-lab using a validated computerized
      platform and the Neurophone before taking the latter home and performing the
      tasks twice daily for two weeks. RESULTS: N-Back task: there were no clear
      differences in performance between computer-based vs. phone-based in-lab tests
      and phone-based in-lab vs. phone-based in-field tests. Stop-Signal task:
      difference in parameters prevented comparison of computer-based and phone-based
      versions. There was significant difference in phone performance between field and
      lab. Stroop task: response time measured by the speech recognition engine lacked
      precision to yield quantifiable results. There was no learning effect over time.
      On an average, each participant completed 84.3% of the in-field NBack tasks and
      90.4% of the in-field Stop Signal tasks (MA-dependent participants: 74.8% and
      84.3%; healthy controls: 91.4% and 95.0%, respectively). Participants rated
      Neurophone easy to use. CONCLUSION: Cognitive tasks performed in-field using
      Neurophone have the potential to yield results comparable to those obtained in a
      laboratory setting. Tasks need to be modified for use as the app's voice
      recognition system is not yet adequate for timed tests.

PMID- 27260124
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA 5178 C/A polymorphism modulates the effects of coffee
      consumption on elevated levels of serum liver enzymes in male Japanese health
      check-up examinees: an exploratory cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Longevity-associated mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenine (Mt5178
      C/A) polymorphism modulates the effects of coffee consumption on the risk of
      hypertension, dyslipidemia, and abnormal glucose tolerance. The objective of this
      study was to investigate whether Mt5178 C/A polymorphism modifies the effects of
      coffee consumption on abnormally elevated levels of serum liver enzymes in male
      Japanese health check-up examinees. METHODS: A total of 421 male subjects (mean
      age +/- SD, 54.1 +/- 7.7 years) were selected from among individuals visiting the
      hospital for regular medical check-ups. After Mt5178 C/A genotyping, a cross
      sectional study assessing the joint effects of Mt5178 C/A polymorphism and coffee
      consumption on elevated levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum
      alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was
      then conducted. RESULTS: For men with Mt5178C, after adjustment for age, body
      mass index, alcohol consumption, habitual smoking, green tea consumption,
      antihypertensive treatment, and antidiabetic treatment, elevated levels of serum
      AST, as defined as >=30 U/L; those of serum ALT, as defined as >=25 U/L; or those
      of serum GGT, as defined as >=60 or >51 U/L, may depend on coffee consumption (P
      for trend = 0.013, P for trend <0.001, P for trend = 0.002, and P for trend
      <0.001, respectively). On the other hand, no significant joint effects of Mt5178A
      genotype and coffee consumption on elevated levels of serum liver enzymes were
      observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that Mt5178 C/A polymorphism
      modifies the effects of coffee consumption on abnormally elevated levels of serum
      liver enzymes in male Japanese health check-up examinees.

PMID- 27260125
TI  - Pharmacological characterization of emerging synthetic cannabinoids in HEK293T
      cells and hippocampal neurons.
AB  - There has been a worldwide proliferation of synthetic cannabinoids that have
      become marketed as legal alternatives to cannabis (marijuana). Unfortunately,
      there is a dearth of information about the pharmacological effects of many of
      these emerging synthetic cannabinoids (ESCs), which presents a challenge for
      regulatory authorities that need to take such scientific evidence into
      consideration in order to regulate ECSs as controlled substances. We aimed to
      characterize the pharmacological properties of ten ESCs using two cell based
      assays that enabled the determination of potency and efficacy relative to a panel
      of well-characterized cannabinoids. Agonist-mediated inhibition of forskolin
      stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels was monitored in live
      HEK293T cells transfected with human cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) and
      pGloSensor-22F. Pharmacological analysis of this data indicated that all of the
      ESCs tested were full agonists, with the following rank order of potency: Win
      55212-2~5F-PB-22~AB-PINACA~EAM-2201~MAM-2201>JWH-250~ PB-22>AKB48 N-(5FP)>AKB
      48~STS-135>XLR-11. Assessment of agonist-stimulated depression of Ca(2+)
      transients was also used to confirm the efficacy of five ESCs (XLR-11, JWH-250,
      AB-PINACA, 5F-PB-22, and MAM-2201) in cultured primary hippocampal neurons. This
      work aims to help inform decisions made by regulatory agencies concerned with the
      profusion of these poorly characterized recreational drugs. 

PMID- 27260126
TI  - Cigarette smoke extract alters the cell cycle via the phospholipid transfer
      protein/transforming growth factor-beta1/CyclinD1/CDK4 pathway.
AB  - This study was aimed to investigate the effect of phospholipid transfer protein
      (PLTP) on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced alteration of the cell cycle and
      the possible mechanism. Male Wistar rats and the rat alveolar epithelial cell
      line (RLE-6TN) were exposed to normal air or different concentrations of CSE.
      Then PLTP siRNA was transfected into cells and an inhibitor of transforming
      growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was administered prior to CSE exposure.
      Histological changes and cell cycle stage were recorded, as were the expression
      levels of PLTP, TGF-beta1, CyclinD1 and CDK4. Resulting morphological changes
      included diffuse interstitial substance incrassation and elevated alveolar
      rupturing. Flow cytometry analysis revealed an increase in the number of cells in
      the G1 phase in a time- and dose-related manner. Both PLTP and TGF-beta1 were up
      regulated at protein and mRNA levels, whereas CyclinD1 and CDK4 expression was
      down-regulated after CSE exposure. Furthermore, PLTP siRNA significantly
      suppressed CSE-induced TGF-beta1 expression, resulting in up-regulation of
      CyclinD1 and CDK4, but the TGF-beta1 inhibitor was not able to abrogate CSE
      induced PLTP over-expression. In conclusion, PLTP may operate upstream of the TGF
      beta1/CyclinD1/CDK4 pathway and may mediate the CSE-induced G1 arrest in RLE-6TN
      cells. Our work provides some new insight into the relation between PLTP and cell
      cycle progression. 

PMID- 27260128
TI  - Contemporary management of benign parotid tumours - the increasing evidence for
      extracapsular dissection.
AB  - Benign parotid tumours have historically often been managed surgically by
      superficial parotidectomy. While this approach usually gives a generous cuff of
      surrounding normal parotid tissue to increase tumour margins, it requires a much
      larger incision than the increasingly used extracapsular dissection (ECD)
      technique. Furthermore, superficial parotidectomy can result in marked facial
      hollowing, Frey syndrome and an increased risk of both temporary and permanent
      facial nerve weakness. ECD has been popularised as a safe alternative to
      parotidectomy primarily for the removal of mobile, benign parotid tumours with
      safe outcomes and reduced risk to the facial nerve. In this article, we review
      the growing body of evidence for ECD and include our own experience confirming
      the move away from superficial parotidectomy in contemporary practice for the
      treatment of benign parotid tumours.

PMID- 27260127
TI  - Immunoadolescence: Neuroimmune development and adolescent behavior.
AB  - The brain is increasingly appreciated to be a constantly rewired organ that
      yields age-specific behaviors and responses to the environment. Adolescence in
      particular is a unique period characterized by continued brain maturation,
      superimposed with transient needs of the organism to traverse a leap from
      parental dependence to independence. Here we describe how these needs require
      immune maturation, as well as brain maturation. Our immune system, which protects
      us from pathogens and regulates inflammation, is in constant communication with
      our nervous system. Together, neuro-immune signaling regulates our behavioral
      responses to the environment, making this interaction a likely substrate for
      adolescent development. We review here the identified as well as understudied
      components of neuro-immune interactions during adolescence. Synaptic pruning,
      neurite outgrowth, and neurotransmitter release during adolescence all regulate
      and are regulated by-immune signals, which occur via blood-brain barrier dynamics
      and glial activity. We discuss these processes, as well as how immune signaling
      during this transitional period of development confers differential effects on
      behavior and vulnerability to mental illness.

PMID- 27260130
TI  - Advanced topical formulations (ATF).
AB  - Topical formulations aim to target the skin for a variety of cosmetic, protective
      or therapeutic needs. Despite the use of creams and ointments over the millennia,
      the bioavailability of actives from topical preparations remains quite low, often
      not exceeding 1-2% of the applied dose. In this review we examine the reasons
      underlying the poor performance of topical preparations. We also outline a
      rational approach, based on Fick's laws of diffusion, to develop advanced topical
      formulations. Methodologies which are currently used in research and development
      are critically examined and the importance of understanding the fate of the
      vehicle as well as the active is emphasised. Advanced topical formulation
      development will also be facilitated by emerging and sophisticated analytical
      techniques that are able to probe real time delivery of actives to the skin. A
      good understanding of the underlying physical chemistry of both the formulation
      and the skin is crucial in the development of optimised topical products.

PMID- 27260129
TI  - A Randomized, Open-Label, Comparative Study of Efficacy and Safety of Tolterodine
      Combined with Tamsulosin or Doxazosin in Patients with Benign Prostatic
      Hyperplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common disease in men over age
      50 years, often causes bladder outlet obstruction and lower urinary tract
      symptoms (LUTS). Alpha blockers in combination with muscarinic receptor
      antagonists may have the potential to improve symptoms. This study aimed to
      assess the efficacy and safety of doxazosin or tamsulosin combined with
      tolterodine extend release (ER) in patients with BPH and LUTS. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS In a prospective, randomized, open-label study (ChiCTR-IPR-15005763), 220
      consecutive men with BPH and LUTS were allocated to receive doxazosin 4 mg and
      tolterodine ER 4 mg per day (doxazosin group) or tamsulosin 0.2 mg and
      tolterodine ER 4 mg per day (tamsulosin group). Treatment lasted 12 weeks. The
      primary endpoint was the international prostatic symptom score (IPSS). Secondary
      endpoints were quality of life (QoL) and maximum flow rate (Qmax), which were
      evaluated at 0, 6, and 12 weeks, and urodynamic parameters assessed at 0 and 12
      weeks. RESULTS A total of 192 patients completed the trial. Baseline measurements
      showed no differences between the groups. After 6 weeks, IPSS improved in both
      groups and QoL was significantly better in the doxazosin group (P=0.01). After 12
      weeks, Qmax, IPSS, QoL, intravesical pressure (Pves), and bladder compliance (BC)
      in the doxazosin group were significantly better than in the tamsulosin group
      (P=0.03, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.027, and P=0.044, respectively). CONCLUSIONS
      Administration of alpha blockers combined with muscarinic receptor blocker for 12
      weeks improved LUTS in men with BPH. 

PMID- 27260131
TI  - Real-time monitoring of the mechanism of ibuprofen-cationic dextran crystanule
      formation using crystallization process informatics system (CryPRINS).
AB  - One step aqueous melt-crystallization and in situ granulation was utilized to
      produce ibuprofen-cationic dextran [diethylaminoethyl dextran (Ddex)] conjugate
      crystanules without the use of surfactants or organic solvents. This study
      investigates the mechanism of in situ granulation-induced crystanule formation
      using ibuprofen (Ibu) and Ddex. Laboratory scale batch aqueous crystallization
      system containing in situ monitoring probes for particle vision measurement
      (PVM), UV-vis measurement and focused beam reflectance measurements (FBRM) was
      adapted using pre-defined formulation and process parameters. Pure ibuprofen
      showed nucleation domain between 25 and 64 degrees C, producing minicrystals with
      onset of melting at 76 degrees C and enthalpy of fusion (DeltaH) of 26.22kJ/mol.
      On the other hand Ibu-Ddex crystanules showed heterogeneous nucleation which
      produced spherical core-shell structure. PVM images suggest that internalization
      of ibuprofen in Ddex corona occurred during the melting phase (before nucleation)
      which inhibited crystal growth inside the Ddex corona. The remarkable decrease in
      DeltaH of the crystanules from 26.22 to 11.96kJ/mol and the presence of broad
      overlapping DSC thermogram suggests formation of ibuprofen-Ddex complex and
      crystalline-amorphous transformation. However Raman and FTIR spectra did not show
      any significant chemical interaction between ibuprofen and Ddex. A significant
      increase in dissolution efficiency from 45 to 81% within 24h and reduced burst
      release provide evidence for potential application of crystanules in controlled
      drug delivery systems. It was evident that in situ granulation of ibuprofen
      inhibited the aqueous crystallization process. It was concluded that in situ
      granulation-aqueous crystallization technique is a novel unit operation with
      potential application in continuous pharmaceutical processing. 

PMID- 27260132
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of a PAMAM-OH derivative containing an acid-labile
      beta-thiopropionate bond for gene delivery.
AB  - The present report describes the synthesis of a hydroxyl terminal PAMAM dendrimer
      (PAMAM-OH) derivative (PAMSPF). The hydroxyls of PAMAM-OH were attached to S
      Methyl-l-cysteine (SMLC) via an acid-labile ester bond, named as beta
      thiopropionate bond, followed by modification with folic acid (FA) through a
      polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker. The degrees of attachment of SMLC and FA to the
      PAMAM-OH backbone were 83.9% and 12.8%, respectively. PAMSPF could condense DNA
      to form spherical nanoparticles with particle sizes of ~200nm and remain stable
      in the presence of heparin and nuclease. The beta-thiopropionate bond in PAMSPF
      was hydrolyzed completely and the DNA release rate was 95.8+/-3.3% after
      incubation under mildly acidic conditions at 37 degrees C for 3h. PAMSPF/DNA was
      less cytotoxic to KB and HepG2 cells and exhibited a higher gene transfection
      efficiency than native PAMAM/DNA. The uptake assays showed that PAMSPF/DNA
      entered KB cells within 0.5h through folate receptor-mediated endocytosis and
      escaped from endosomes within 2h. In addition, PAMSPF/DNA displayed long
      circulation time along with excellent targeting of tumor sites in vivo. These
      findings demonstrate that PAMSPF is an excellent carrier for safe and effective
      gene delivery. 

PMID- 27260133
TI  - Development of gellan gum containing formulations for transdermal drug delivery:
      Component evaluation and controlled drug release using temperature responsive
      nanogels.
AB  - Enhancing skin permeation is important for development of new transdermal drug
      delivery formulations. This is particularly relevant for non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). To address this, semisolid gel and solid hydrogel
      film formulations containing gellan gum as a gelling agent were developed and the
      effects of penetration enhancers (dimethyl sulfoxide, isopropyl alcohol and
      propylene glycol) on transport of the NSAID diclofenac sodium was quantified. A
      transwell diffusion system was used to accelerate formulation development. After
      4h, diclofenac flux from a superior formulation of the semisolid gel or the solid
      hydrogel film was 130+/-11MUg/cm(2)h and 108+/-7MUg/cm(2)h, respectively, and
      significantly greater than that measured for a currently available diclofenac
      sodium topical gel (30+/-4MUg/cm(2)h, p<0.05) or solution formulation (44+/
      6MUg/cm(2)h, p<0.05) under identical conditions. Over 24h diclofenac transport
      from the solid hydrogel film was greater than that measured for any new or
      commercial diclofenac formulation. Entrapment of temperature-responsive nanogels
      within the solid hydrogel film provides temperature-activated prolonged release
      of diclofenac. Diclofenac transport was minimal at 22 degrees C, when diclofenac
      is entrapped within temperature-responsive nanogels incorporated into the solid
      hydrogel film, but increased 6-fold when the temperature was increased to skin
      surface temperature of 32 degrees C. These results demonstrate the feasibility of
      the semisolid gel and solid hydrogel film formulations that can include thermo
      responsive nanogels for development of transdermal drug formulations with
      adjustable drug transport kinetics. 

PMID- 27260134
TI  - Emerging technology: A key enabler for modernizing pharmaceutical manufacturing
      and advancing product quality.
AB  - Issues in product quality have produced recalls and caused drug shortages in
      United States (U.S.) in the past few years. These quality issues were often due
      to outdated manufacturing technologies and equipment as well as lack of an
      effective quality management system. To ensure consistent supply of safe,
      effective and high-quality drug products available to the patients, the U.S. Food
      and Drug Administration (FDA) supports modernizing pharmaceutical manufacturing
      for improvements in product quality. Specifically, five new initiatives are
      proposed here to achieve this goal. They include: (i) advancing regulatory
      science for pharmaceutical manufacturing; (ii) establishing a public-private
      institute for pharmaceutical manufacturing innovation; (iii) creating incentives
      for investment in the technological upgrade of manufacturing processes and
      facilities; (iv) leveraging external expertise for regulatory quality assessment
      of emerging technologies; and (v) promoting the international harmonization of
      approaches for expediting the global adoption of emerging technologies. 

PMID- 27260135
TI  - Formulation and characterization of a 0.1% rapamycin cream for the treatment of
      Tuberous Sclerosis Complex-related angiofibromas.
AB  - Medicines for the treatment of rare diseases frequently do not attract the
      interest of the pharmaceutical industry, and hospital pharmacists are thus often
      requested by physicians to prepare personalized medicines. Tuberous Sclerosis
      Complex (TSC) is a rare disease that causes disfiguring lesions named facial
      angiofibromas. Various topical formulations of rapamycin (=sirolimus) have been
      proved effective in treating these changes in small case series. The present
      study provides for the first time characterization of a 0.1% rapamycin cream
      formulation presenting good rapamycin solubilisation. The first step of the
      formulation is solubilisation of rapamycin in Transcutol((r)), and the second
      step is the incorporation of the mixture in an oil-in-water cream. A HPLC
      stability-indicating method was developed. Rapamycin concentration in the cream
      was tested by HPLC and confirmed that it remained above 95% of the initial
      concentration for at least 85days, without characteristic degradation peaks. The
      preparation met European Pharmacopoeia microbial specifications throughout
      storage in aluminum tubes, including when patient use was simulated. Odour,
      appearance and colour of the preparation were assessed and no change was
      evidenced during storage. The rheological properties of the cream also remained
      stable throughout storage. To conclude, we report preparation of a novel cream
      formulation presenting satisfactory rapamycin solubilisation for the treatment of
      TSC cutaneous manifestations, with stability data. The cream is currently being
      used by our patients. Efficacy and tolerance will be reported later. 

PMID- 27260137
TI  - Pregnant women are too cautious about risk of medicines.

PMID- 27260136
TI  - CCL2, but not its receptor, is essential to restrict immune privileged central
      nervous system-invasion of Japanese encephalitis virus via regulating
      accumulation of CD11b(+) Ly-6C(hi) monocytes.
AB  - Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a re-emerging zoonotic flavivirus that poses
      an increasing threat to global health and welfare due to rapid changes in climate
      and demography. Although the CCR2-CCL2 axis plays an important role in
      trafficking CD11b(+) Ly-6C(hi) monocytes to regulate immunopathological diseases,
      little is known about their role in monocyte trafficking during viral
      encephalitis caused by JEV infection. Here, we explored the role of CCR2 and its
      ligand CCL2 in JE caused by JEV infection using CCR2- and CCL2-ablated murine
      models. Somewhat surprisingly, the ablation of CCR2 and CCL2 resulted in starkly
      contrasting susceptibility to JE. CCR2 ablation induced enhanced resistance to
      JE, whereas CCL2 ablation highly increased susceptibility to JE. This contrasting
      regulation of JE progression by CCR2 and CCL2 was coupled to central nervous
      system (CNS) infiltration of Ly-6C(hi) monocytes and Ly-6G(hi) granulocytes.
      There was also enhanced expression of CC and CXC chemokines in the CNS of CCL2
      ablated mice, which appeared to induce CNS infiltration of these cell
      populations. However, our data revealed that contrasting regulation of JE in CCR2
      and CCL2-ablated mice was unlikely to be mediated by innate natural killer and
      adaptive T-cell responses. Furthermore, CCL2 produced by haematopoietic stem cell
      derived leucocytes played a dominant role in CNS accumulation of Ly-6C(hi)
      monocytes in infected bone marrow chimeric models, thereby exacerbating JE
      progression. Collectively, our data indicate that CCL2 plays an essential role in
      conferring protection against JE caused by JEV infection. In addition, blockage
      of CCR2, but not CCL2, will aid in the development of strategies for
      prophylactics and therapeutics of JE.

PMID- 27260138
TI  - Adrenal insufficiency in patients on long-term opioid analgesia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Opioid analgesia has been implicated as a cause of secondary adrenal
      insufficiency, but little is known of the prevalence of this potentially serious
      adverse effect in patients with chronic pain. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of
      chronic pain patients on long-term opioid analgesia. PATIENTS: Patients attending
      tertiary chronic pain clinics at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, treated
      with long-term opioid analgesia (n = 48) with no recent exposure to exogenous
      glucocorticoids. RESULTS: Four patients (8.3%) had basal morning plasma cortisol
      concentrations below 100 nmol/l, of whom three failed to achieve a satisfactory
      cortisol response to exogenous ACTH1-24 stimulation (peak cortisol >430 nmol/l).
      Basal cortisol was positively associated with age (R = 0.398, P = 0.005) and
      negatively associated with BMI (R = -0.435, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Suppression
      of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is present in a clinically significant
      proportion of chronic pain patients treated with opioid analgesia. Studies of
      larger populations should be conducted to better define the prevalence and
      potential clinical consequences of adrenal insufficiency in this context.

PMID- 27260139
TI  - Recent developments in cyclodextrin functionalized monolithic columns for the
      enantioseparation of chiral drugs.
AB  - The use of monolithic supports containing cyclodextrins (CDs) or their
      derivatives as chiral stationary phases (CSPs) has drawn much attention in the
      field of enantioseparations. The present review summarized the recent
      developments in CD functionalized monolithic columns. After introducing their
      classification in Section 1, various strategies applied to the preparation of the
      three types of CD functionalized monoliths, i.e. silica based monoliths, organic
      polymer based monoliths and organic-silica based hybrid monoliths, are thoroughly
      summarized in Section 2. Particularly, three different preparation strategies for
      covalently immobilizing CDs onto monoliths, including multi-step strategy, single
      step strategy and one-pot strategy, are discussed. In the last section, the
      applications of CD functionalized monoliths in chiral separation of
      pharmaceuticals are highlighted.

PMID- 27260140
TI  - Marking of metabolites in the diagnostics of metabolic diseases and in the
      investigation of xenobiotics metabolism using NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - There are currently no sound estimates of the number of children born with a
      serious congenital disorder attributable to genetic or environmental causes
      (World Health Organization) but there is a supposed number of babies born with
      birth defects per year: in the world approximately 7.9 million children (6% of
      births). There is conducted population-based screening by the individual
      countries. The specialised methods are used when it is not possible to diagnose
      disease in screening. In recent years in the diagnostics of these disorders the
      methods of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the brain (in vivo1H-MRS) and high
      resolution NMR spectroscopy gain in importance. The manuscript focused on
      developing the method of marking the metabolic diseases markers of various
      origins using NMR spectroscopy (including synthesis of markers). Considering the
      disorders occurring among children, according to Hoffman, Zschocke, Nyhan, there
      are three following groups of inherited metabolic diseases: disorders of
      intermediary metabolism, disorders of the biosynthesis and breakdown of complex
      molecules and neurotransmitter defects and related disorders. The presented
      investigation is focused on: a study of selected compounds that cause disorders
      of intermediary metabolism, a study of compounds that cause disorders of the
      biosynthesis and breakdown of complex molecules and a study of compounds that
      cause neurotransmitter defects and related disorders. In the subsequent chapter
      of manuscript there are presented the results of investigation concerning the
      metabolism of xenobiotics that could potentially be used in therapy of inherited
      metabolic diseases, basing on stilbene derivatives. In the last chapter there are
      presented the results of experiments with creatinine- the metabolite produced in
      muscles.

PMID- 27260141
TI  - The B-cell response to foot-and-mouth-disease virus in cattle following
      vaccination and live-virus challenge.
AB  - Antibodies play a pivotal role against viral infection, and maintenance of
      protection is dependent on plasma and memory B-cells. Understanding antigen
      specific B-cell responses in cattle is essential to inform future vaccine design.
      We have previously defined T-cell-dependent and -independent B-cell responses in
      cattle, as a prelude to investigating foot-and-mouth-disease-virus (FMDV)
      specific B-cell responses. In this study, we have used an FMDV O-serotype
      vaccination (O1-Manisa or O SKR) and live-virus challenge (FMDV O SKR) to
      investigate the homologous and heterologous B-cell response in cattle following
      both vaccination and live-virus challenge. The FMDV O-serotype vaccines were able
      to induce a cross-reactive plasma-cell response, specific for both O1-Manisa and
      O SKR, post-vaccination. Post-FMDV O SKR live-virus challenge, the heterologous
      O1-Manisa vaccination provided cross-protection against O SKR challenge and cross
      reactive O SKR-specific plasma cells were induced. However, vaccination and live
      virus challenge were not able to induce a detectable FMDV O-serotype-specific
      memory B-cell response in any of the cattle. The aim of new FMDV vaccines should
      be to induce memory responses and increased duration of immunity in cattle.

PMID- 27260142
TI  - Leishmania infantum-specific production of IFN-gamma and IL-10 in stimulated
      blood from dogs with clinical leishmaniosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited information available on cytokine profiles in dogs
      with different degrees of disease severity due to natural infection of Leishmania
      infantum. The aim of this study was to investigate L. infantum-specific IFN-gamma
      and IL-10 production in blood from dogs with leishmaniosis at diagnosis and
      correlate these findings with disease severity, humoral immune response and blood
      parasitemia. METHODS: Sixty dogs were diagnosed based on physical examination,
      routine laboratory tests, L. infantum-specific antibody levels measured by
      quantitative ELISA and blood parasitemia by real-time PCR. Heparin whole blood
      was stimulated with L. infantum soluble antigen (LSA) and concanavalin A (ConA)
      and incubated for 5 days. IFN-gamma and IL-10 concentrations were measured in
      supernatants with sandwich ELISAs. RESULTS: The majority of dogs (n = 36) were
      classified as LeishVet stage II (moderate disease). The rest of the dogs were
      classified as stage I (n = 10), III (n = 10) and IV (n = 4). Dogs classified with
      stage I and IIa presented significantly higher (P = 0.02) LSA IFN-gamma
      concentrations, lower (P <0.0001) antibody levels and a tendency for lower blood
      parasitemia (P = 0.1) than dogs classified with stages IIb, III or IV while no
      differences in ConA IFN-gamma or IL-10 concentrations were observed among groups.
      Thirty-five dogs produced significantly higher LSA IFN-gamma (mean +/- SD: 2320
      +/- 3960 pg/ml) and ConA IFN-gamma (mean +/- SD: 7887 +/- 7273 pg/ml) when
      compared with 25 dogs that did not produce detectable LSA IFN-gamma but produced
      ConA IFN-gamma (mean +/- SD: 4917 +/- 5233 pg/ml). IFN-gamma producer dogs
      presented lower (mean +/- SD: 5750 +/- 14,082 ELISA units (EU), P = 0.001)
      antibody levels and blood parasitemia (mean +/- SD:   5 +/- 10 parasites/ml, P =
      0.001) when compared with IFN-gamma non-producers (mean +/- SD: 19,638 +/- 28,596
      EU and 1100 +/- 5112 parasites/ml), respectively. LSA IL-10 was not detectable in
      34 dogs while 49 dogs secreted ConA IL-10 (mean +/- SD of 90 +/- 103 pg/ml). LSA
      IFN-gamma concentration was negatively correlated with blood parasitemia and
      antibody levels and positively correlated with ConA IFN-gamma and LSA IL-10
      concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that sick dogs
      lacking L. infantum specific IFN-gamma production in stimulated whole blood
      produce a strong humoral response, have a high blood parasitemia and severe
      clinical disease. IL-10 does not appear to be a marker of disease severity.

PMID- 27260143
TI  - Enterococcus Xinjiangensis sp. nov., Isolated from Yogurt of Xinjiang, China.
AB  - A Gram-strain-positive bacterial strain 48(T) was isolated from traditional
      yogurt in Xinjiang Province, China. The bacterium was characterized by a
      polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, polymerase alpha
      subunit (rpoA) gene sequence analysis, determination of DNA G+C content, DNA-DNA
      hybridization with the type strain of Enterococcus ratti and analysis of
      phenotypic features. Strain 48(T) accounted for 96.1, 95.8, 95.8, and 95.7 % with
      Enterococcus faecium CGMCC 1.2136(T), Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790(T),
      Enterococcus durans CECT 411(T), and E. ratti ATCC 700914(T) in the 16S rRNA gene
      sequence similarities, respectively. The sequence of rpoA gene showed
      similarities of 99.0, 96.0, 96.0, and 96 % with that of E. faecium ATCC 19434(T),
      Enterococcus villorum LMG12287, E. hirae ATCC 9790(T), and E. durans ATCC
      19432(T), respectively. Based upon of polyphasic characterization data obtained
      in the study, a novel species, Enterococcus xinjiangensis sp. nov., was proposed
      and the type strain was 48(T)(=CCTCC AB 2014041(T) = JCM 30200(T)). 

PMID- 27260144
TI  - Changes in Corneal Densitometry in Patients with Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy
      after Endothelial Keratoplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to quantify corneal densitometry in patients
      with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED) after endothelial keratoplasty. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts and anterior segment data of
      patients with FED before and after endothelial keratoplasty. Patients were
      examined using the Scheimpflug-based Oculus Pentacam corneal densitometry module.
      Densitometry parameters in different corneal layers and in different annuli were
      extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: 27 eyes of 27 patients after endothelial
      keratoplasty (11 DSAEK, 16 DMEK) were included. After endothelial keratoplasty
      the total corneal light backscatter at total corneal thickness in the central
      cornea (0-2 mm annulus) was significantly lower than before (DSAEK: p = 0.026,
      DMEK: p = 0.001). In the entire group the total corneal light backscatter at
      total corneal thickness and at total diameter before surgery correlated with the
      postoperative values (Pearson correlation = 0.49, p = 0.01). The strongest
      correlation was found in the central layer in the DMEK group (Pearson correlation
      = 0.79, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal densitometry is a useful, objective
      method for quantification of the outcome of posterior lamellar keratoplasty
      irrespective of visual acuity. There is a significant correlation between
      preoperative and postoperative corneal light backscatter values after endothelial
      keratoplasty, especially in the case of the DMEK procedure.

PMID- 27260145
TI  - The Contribution of Diabetes Education in the Treatment of People with Type 2
      Diabetes and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.
AB  - Diabetes has caused 5.1 million deaths, primarily from cardiovascular disease.
      Large clinical studies have proven the importance of intensive control of
      diabetes from diagnosis to prevent microvascular and macrovascular complications
      of the disease in the long term. Diabetes education conducted by an
      interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, and
      others is a necessary tool to ensure effective behavioral change and help
      overcome the obstacles that may hinder self care. Several studies have been
      analyzed in this review, in which we find a variety of results. Diabetes
      education has proven to be essential to patient compliance with their T2DM
      treatment; the main objective is to prevent acute and chronic complications,
      especially cardiovascular ones, which are the main causes of mortality. 

PMID- 27260146
TI  - Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Coronary Artery Disease: a Review
      Article.
AB  - Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following an acute coronary syndrome or after
      placement of a coronary artery stent is superior to aspirin alone for prevention
      of atherothrombotic events but carries an increased bleeding risk. DAPT should be
      continued for at least 12 months based on current guidelines. Recent randomized
      trials demonstrate reduced ischemic events including myocardial infarction (MI),
      stroke, and death with continued DAPT for up to 30 months or longer, particularly
      in the post-MI population. However, this clinical benefit is accompanied by an
      increased risk of bleeding. Additional trials show mixed safety and efficacy with
      duration of DAPT of less than 12 months. The current data emphasizes the need to
      individualize DAPT duration at the patient level to balance the clinical benefits
      of a reduced risk of cardiovascular ischemic events with the greater risk of
      clinically significant bleeding. Patients at an increased risk of ischemic events
      and a lower risk of bleeding should be strongly considered for prolonged DAPT
      beyond the 1 year currently recommended in the practice guidelines. 

PMID- 27260147
TI  - Nephrotic Syndrome Associated with Multicystic Kidney Disease with Concomitant
      Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

PMID- 27260148
TI  - Ileus and Intra-Abdominal Hypertension due to Phosphate- Containing Enema.
AB  - The most well known complications of fleet enema solution are cardiac
      insufficiency, renal failure, water-electrolyte imbalance, and ileus. A 7-y-old
      girl with phenylketonuria and long-term constipation was admitted to the
      emergency department with symptoms of seizure, vomiting and abdominal distention.
      Laboratory results revealed hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. ECG findings
      showed normal sinus rhythm and prolonged QT interval. At the follow-up, the
      patient's abdominal distention was markedly increased. She was evaluated for a
      surgical pathology and, this was considered unlikely. Intra-abdominal pressure
      (IAP) was 19.5 mmHg. Gastric and colonic decompression, intravenous 10 % calcium
      gluconate were applied. After 2 d of treatment, the patient's condition became
      stable, and serum calcium and phosporus normalized to 8.8 mg/dl and 4.0 mg/dl,
      respectively. Abdominal distention regressed and the last IAP measurement was 3.5
      mmHg. Thus, IAP measurements are a useful adjunct in clinical follow-up of
      patients with progressive abdominal distention due to phosphate enema use.

PMID- 27260150
TI  - Clopidogrel Markedly Increases Plasma Concentrations of CYP2C8 Substrate
      Pioglitazone.
AB  - The glucose-lowering drug pioglitazone undergoes hepatic CYP2C8-mediated
      biotransformation to its main metabolites. The antiplatelet drug clopidogrel is
      metabolized to clopidogrel acyl-beta-d-glucuronide, which was recently found to
      be a strong time-dependent inhibitor of CYP2C8 in humans. Therefore, we studied
      the effect of clopidogrel on the pharmacokinetics of pioglitazone. In a
      randomized crossover study, 10 healthy volunteers ingested either 300 mg of
      clopidogrel on day 1, and 75 mg on days 2 and 3, or placebo. Pioglitazone 15 mg
      was administered 1 hour after placebo and clopidogrel on day 1. Plasma
      concentrations of pioglitazone, clopidogrel, and their main metabolites were
      measured up to 72 hours. Clopidogrel increased the area under the plasma
      concentration-time curve (AUC0-infinity) of pioglitazone 2.1-fold [P < 0.001, 90%
      confidence interval (CI) 1.8-2.6] and prolonged its half-life from 6.7 to 11
      hours (P = 0.002). The peak concentration of pioglitazone was unaffected but the
      concentration at 24 hours was increased 4.5-fold (range 1.6-9.8; P < 0.001, 90%
      CI 3.17-6.45) by clopidogrel. The M-IV-to-pioglitazone AUC0-infinity ratio was
      49% (P < 0.001, 90% CI 0.40-0.59) of that during the control phase, indicating
      that clopidogrel inhibited the CYP2C8-mediated biotransformation of pioglitazone.
      Clopidogrel increases the exposure to pioglitazone by inhibiting its CYP2C8
      mediated biotransformation. In consequence, use of clopidogrel may increase the
      risk of fluid retention and other concentration-related adverse effects of
      pioglitazone.

PMID- 27260149
TI  - Comparison of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine with Intranasal Clonidine as a
      Premedication in Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare effectiveness of intranasal dexmedetomidine and clonidine
      as anxiolytics and sedatives in pediatric patients undergoing various surgeries.
      METHODS: This double blind randomized placebo controlled study was conducted on
      105 surgical patients of American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical
      status I-II, aged between 2 and 9 y in a tertiary-care hospital (February 2014 to
      September 2015). Participants were randomly allocated to three groups to receive
      either intranasal dexmedetomidine 2 MUg/kg (Group I) or intranasal clonidine 3
      MUg/kg (Group II) or intranasal saline 0.5 ml (Group III). The primary outcome
      measure was proportion of patients with satisfactory anxiolysis and sedation at
      30 min after drug administration. Secondary outcome measures included time taken
      to achieve Aldrete score of 9 and number of doses of rescue analgesia required in
      12 h after surgery. RESULTS: Satisfactory anxiolysis was achieved by 88.5% in
      Group I vs. 60% in Group II (p = 0.001) and satisfactory sedation by 57.1% in
      Group I vs. 25.7% in Group II (p = 0.001) 30 min after premedication. Rescue
      analgesia requirement was significantly less in Group I as compared to Group II
      (p = 0.001) while time taken to achieve Aldrete score was comparable between the
      study groups (p = 0.185). CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal dexmedetomidine is a better
      anxiolytic and sedative as compared to clonidine. Postoperative analgesic
      requirement was also significantly decreased after intranasal dexmedetomidine.
      Thus, it can be preferred as compared to clonidine for premedication in pediatric
      surgical patients.

PMID- 27260151
TI  - A Pharmacokinetic Modeling Approach to Predict the Contribution of Active
      Metabolites to Human Efficacious Dose.
AB  - A preclinical drug candidate, MRK-1 (Merck candidate drug parent compound), was
      found to elicit tumor regression in a mouse xenograft model. Analysis of samples
      from these studies revealed significant levels of two circulating metabolites,
      whose identities were confirmed by comparison with authentic standards using
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. These metabolites were found to
      have an in vitro potency similar to that of MRK-1 against the pharmacological
      target and were therefore thought to contribute to the observed efficacy. To
      predict this contribution in humans, a pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling approach was
      developed. At the mouse efficacious dose, the areas under the plasma
      concentration time curves (AUCs) of the active metabolites were normalized by
      their in vitro potency compared with MRK-1. These normalized metabolite AUCs were
      added to that of MRK-1 to yield a composite efficacious unbound AUC, expressed as
      "parent drug equivalents," which was used as the target AUC for predictions of
      the human efficacious dose. In vitro and preclinical PK studies afforded
      predictions of the PK of MRK-1 and the two active metabolites in human as well as
      the relative pathway flux to each metabolite. These were used to construct a PK
      model (Berkeley Madonna, version 8.3.18; Berkeley Madonna Inc., University of
      California, Berkeley, CA) and to predict the human dose required to achieve the
      target parent equivalent exposure. These predictions were used to inform on the
      feasibility of the human dose in terms of size, frequency, formulation, and
      likely safety margins, as well as to aid in the design of preclinical safety
      studies.

PMID- 27260152
TI  - Moebius syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, management and early
      intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Moebius syndrome (MBS) is rare disease characterized by
      nonprogressive congenital uni- or bi-lateral facial (i. e. VII cranial nerve) and
      abducens (i. e. VI cranial nerve) palsy. Although the neurological and
      ophthalmological findings are quite well-known, data concerning the attendant
      functional difficulties and their changes over time are seldom addressed. In this
      study we attempt to estimate the prevalence of clinical and functional data in an
      Italian cohort affected by MBS. METHODS: The study included 50 children, 21 males
      and 29 females, aged 1 month to 14 years. The patients entered into a
      multidisciplinary diagnostic and follow-up protocol that had the specific purpose
      of detecting clinical and developmental deficits related to MBS. RESULTS:
      Involvement of the VII cranial nerve (total/partial, bilateral or unilateral) was
      present in 96 % of patients, and of the VI nerve in 85 %. Two patients were
      without impairment of the VII nerve and seven patients had no involvement of the
      VI nerve and were thus classified as Moebius-like because of the involvement of
      other CNs. Additional affected CNs were numbers III-IV in 16 %, V in 11 %, VIII
      and X each in 8 %, the XI in 6 %, the IX, most often partially, in 22 %, and the
      XII in 48 % of cases. Their development was characterized by global delay at one
      year of age, motor, emotional and speech difficulties at two years of age, a
      trend toward normalization at three years of age but with weakness in hand-eye
      coordination, and achieving average results at five years of age. Overall 90 % of
      children had a normal developmental quotient whereas only 10 % manifested
      cognitive deficits. CONCLUSION: Early rehabilitation may enhance the recovery of
      normal function, particularly in vulnerable areas of development. It is possible
      that early intervention that integrates sensory and visual information with
      emotional difficulties can improve the prognosis of the child with MBS.

PMID- 27260153
TI  - Differences in maternal responsive and directive behavior during free play with
      and without aided AAC.
AB  - Maternal directive and responsive behaviors were compared for 25 mothers and
      children with complex communication needs using two types of toys (familiar and
      unfamiliar toys). Each type of toy play was conducted with and without a single
      message speech-generating communication device (SGD) programmed to say "more."
      Rate percentages of coded intervals for maternal directive and responsive
      behaviors were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVAs. Results indicated that
      mothers used significantly more responsive behaviors when playing with their own
      familiar toys than with unfamiliar toys, but no differences in directiveness
      between types of play. Mothers showed no differences in responsivity or
      directiveness when the SGD was added to play interactions, indicating that the
      SGD did not introduce task features that detracted from the mothers' existing
      levels of responsivity with their children. Clinical implications are discussed.

PMID- 27260154
TI  - Functional Role of Bacteria from Invasive Phragmites australis in Promotion of
      Host Growth.
AB  - We hypothesize that bacterial endophytes may enhance the competitiveness and
      invasiveness of Phragmites australis. To evaluate this hypothesis, endophytic
      bacteria were isolated from P. australis. The majority of the shoot meristem
      isolates represent species from phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and
      Actinobacteria. We chose one species from each phylum to characterize further and
      to conduct growth promotion experiments in Phragmites. Bacteria tested include
      Bacillus amyloliquefaciens A9a, Achromobacter spanius B1, and Microbacterium
      oxydans B2. Isolates were characterized for known growth promotional traits,
      including indole acetic acid (IAA) production, secretion of hydrolytic enzymes,
      phosphate solubilization, and antibiosis activity. Potentially defensive
      antimicrobial lipopeptides were assayed for through application of co-culturing
      experiments and mass spectrometer analysis. B. amyloliquefaciens A9a and M.
      oxydans B2 produced IAA. B. amyloliquefaciens A9a secreted antifungal
      lipopeptides. Capability to promote growth of P. australis under low nitrogen
      conditions was evaluated in greenhouse experiments. All three isolates were found
      to increase the growth of P. australis under low soil nitrogen conditions and
      showed increased absorption of isotopic nitrogen into plants. This suggests that
      the Phragmites microbes we evaluated most likely promote growth of Phragmites by
      enhanced scavenging of nitrogenous compounds from the rhizosphere and transfer to
      host roots. Collectively, our results support the hypothesis that endophytic
      bacteria play a role in enhancing growth of P. australis in natural populations.
      Gaining a better understanding of the precise contributions and mechanisms of
      endophytes in enabling P. australis to develop high densities rapidly could lead
      to new symbiosis-based strategies for management and control of the host.

PMID- 27260155
TI  - Searching for a Mate: Pheromone-Directed Movement of the Benthic Diatom Seminavis
      robusta.
AB  - Diatoms are species-rich microalgae that often have a unique life cycle with
      vegetative cell size reduction followed by size restoration through sexual
      reproduction of two mating types (MT(+) and MT(-)). In the marine benthic diatom
      Seminavis robusta, mate-finding is mediated by an L-proline-derived
      diketopiperazine, a pheromone produced by the attracting mating type (MT(-)).
      Here, we investigate the movement patterns of cells of the opposite mating type
      (MT(+)) exposed to a pheromone gradient, using video monitoring and statistical
      modeling. We report that cells of the migrating mating type (MT(+)) respond to
      pheromone gradients by simultaneous chemotaxis and chemokinesis. Changes in
      movement behavior enable MT(+) cells to locate the direction of the pheromone
      source and to maximize their encounter rate towards it.

PMID- 27260156
TI  - Genomic Copy Number Dictates a Gene-Independent Cell Response to CRISPR/Cas9
      Targeting.
AB  - The CRISPR/Cas9 system enables genome editing and somatic cell genetic screens in
      mammalian cells. We performed genome-scale loss-of-function screens in 33 cancer
      cell lines to identify genes essential for proliferation/survival and found a
      strong correlation between increased gene copy number and decreased cell
      viability after genome editing. Within regions of copy-number gain, CRISPR/Cas9
      targeting of both expressed and unexpressed genes, as well as intergenic loci,
      led to significantly decreased cell proliferation through induction of a G2 cell
      cycle arrest. By examining single-guide RNAs that map to multiple genomic sites,
      we found that this cell response to CRISPR/Cas9 editing correlated strongly with
      the number of target loci. These observations indicate that genome targeting by
      CRISPR/Cas9 elicits a gene-independent antiproliferative cell response. This
      effect has important practical implications for the interpretation of CRISPR/Cas9
      screening data and confounds the use of this technology for the identification of
      essential genes in amplified regions. SIGNIFICANCE: We found that the number of
      CRISPR/Cas9-induced DNA breaks dictates a gene-independent antiproliferative
      response in cells. These observations have practical implications for using
      CRISPR/Cas9 to interrogate cancer gene function and illustrate that cancer cells
      are highly sensitive to site-specific DNA damage, which may provide a path to
      novel therapeutic strategies. Cancer Discov; 6(8); 914-29. (c)2016 AACR.See
      related commentary by Sheel and Xue, p. 824See related article by Munoz et al.,
      p. 900This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 803.

PMID- 27260163
TI  - Anthrax Edema Factor: An Ion-Adaptive Mechanism of Catalysis with Increased
      Transition-State Conformational Flexibility.
AB  - Edema Factor (EF) is one of three major toxins of anthrax. EF is an adenylyl
      cyclase that disrupts cell signaling by accelerating the conversion of ATP into
      cyclic-AMP. EF has a much higher catalytic rate than that of mammalian adenylyl
      cyclases (mACs). Crystal structures were obtained for mACs and EF, but the
      molecular basis for different catalytic activities remained poorly understood. In
      particular, the arrangement of the active site in EF is unclear in what concerns
      the number of ions present and the conformation of the substrate. Here, we use
      quantum mechanics-molecular mechanics simulations to estimate the free-energy
      profiles for the reaction catalyzed by EF and a mAC. We found that EF catalysis
      is possible, and faster than that of mACs, in both one and two Mg(2+)-ion-binding
      modes, providing adaptive plasticity to host-cell environments. In both enzymes,
      the reaction mechanisms are highly associative. However, mechanistic differences
      exist. In the mAC, the nucleophile oxygen (ATP-O3') is consistently coordinated
      to one of the Mg(2+) ions, increasing its acidity. In EF, on the other hand, this
      coordination is eventual and not essential for the reaction to proceed. The
      persistent coordination of O3' to the ion is favored in mACs by a greater ion
      partial charge. In EF, the reduced acidity of the O3' oxygen is compensated by
      the presence of the His351 residue for proton abstraction. As proton transfer in
      EF does not require persistent attachment of the substrate to an ion, the
      substrate (ATP) and transition state display greater conformational
      flexibilities. These greater flexibilities allow the sampling of lower-energy
      conformations and might represent an entropic advantage for catalytic efficiency.

PMID- 27260157
TI  - CRISPR Screens Provide a Comprehensive Assessment of Cancer Vulnerabilities but
      Generate False-Positive Hits for Highly Amplified Genomic Regions.
AB  - CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as a powerful new tool to systematically probe gene
      function. We compared the performance of CRISPR to RNAi-based loss-of-function
      screens for the identification of cancer dependencies across multiple cancer cell
      lines. CRISPR dropout screens consistently identified more lethal genes than
      RNAi, implying that the identification of many cellular dependencies may require
      full gene inactivation. However, in two aneuploid cancer models, we found that
      all genes within highly amplified regions, including nonexpressed genes, scored
      as lethal by CRISPR, revealing an unanticipated class of false-positive hits. In
      addition, using a CRISPR tiling screen, we found that sgRNAs targeting essential
      domains generate the strongest lethality phenotypes and thus provide a strategy
      to rapidly define the protein domains required for cancer dependence.
      Collectively, these findings not only demonstrate the utility of CRISPR screens
      in the identification of cancer-essential genes, but also reveal the need to
      carefully control for false-positive results in chromosomally unstable cancer
      lines. SIGNIFICANCE: We show in this study that CRISPR-based screens have a
      significantly lower false-negative rate compared with RNAi-based screens, but
      have specific liabilities particularly in the interrogation of regions of genome
      amplification. Therefore, this study provides critical insights for applying
      CRISPR-based screens toward the systematic identification of new cancer targets.
      Cancer Discov; 6(8); 900-13. (c)2016 AACR.See related commentary by Sheel and
      Xue, p. 824See related article by Aguirre et al., p. 914This article is
      highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 803.

PMID- 27260164
TI  - Relation between Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels in Colon Cancer Tissue and Serum
      Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels at Initial Surgery and Recurrence.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is widely used for postoperative
      surveillance of colon cancer. Even if serum CEA is negative at initial surgery,
      it may turn positive at recurrence. We investigated the relation between serum
      CEA levels and the immunohistochemical staining status of CEA in the primary and
      resected metastatic tissues. METHODS: Out of 224 patients with recurrent colon
      cancer between 1998 and 2012, we studied 46 patients in whom serum CEA levels
      were measured and immunohistochemical staining for CEA was possible in the
      primary and metastatic tissues. RESULTS: The positive rate of serum CEA did not
      differ between initial surgery and recurrence, regardless of whether the cutoff
      value was set at 5 or 10 ng/ml (p = 0.829, p = 0.671). There was no relation
      between the CEA staining status and serum CEA level at initial surgery. However,
      the CEA staining status of metastatic tissue was significantly related to the
      serum CEA level at recurrence (p = 0.0046 and p = 0.0026). CONCLUSIONS: The
      immunohistochemical staining status of CEA in metastatic tissue is closely
      related to the serum CEA level. This finding suggests that serum CEA levels are
      influenced not only by the CEA production capacity of cancer cells but also by
      the ability of the surrounding tissue to release CEA into the blood.

PMID- 27260165
TI  - Letter to editor on "Efficiency of bimaxillary advancement surgery in increasing
      the volume of the upper airways: a systematic review of observational studies and
      meta-analysis".

PMID- 27260167
TI  - Dissecting the regulation of bile-induced biofilm formation in Staphylococcus
      aureus.
AB  - Aspiration of bile into the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung has emerged as a prognostic
      factor for reduced microbial lung biodiversity and the establishment of often
      fatal, chronic pathogen infections. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the earliest
      pathogens detected in the lungs of children with CF, and once established as a
      chronic infection, strategies for its eradication become limited. Several lung
      pathogens are stimulated to produce biofilms in vitro in the presence of bile. In
      this study, we further investigated the effects of bile on S. aureus biofilm
      formation. Most clinical S. aureus strains and the laboratory strain RN4220 were
      stimulated to form biofilms with sub-inhibitory concentrations of bovine bile.
      Additionally, we observed bile-induced sensitivity to aminoglycosides, which we
      exploited in a bursa aurealis transposon screen to isolate mutants reduced in
      aminoglycoside sensitivity and augmented in bile-induced biofilm formation. We
      identified five mutants that exhibited hypersensitivity to bile with respect to
      bile-induced biofilm formation, three of which carried transposon insertions
      within gene clusters involved in wall teichoic acid (WTA) biosynthesis or
      transport. Strain TM4 carried an insertion between the divergently oriented tagH
      and tagG genes, which encode the putative WTA membrane translocation apparatus.
      Ectopic expression of tagG in TM4 restored a wild-type bile-induced biofilm
      response, suggesting that reduced translocation of WTA in TM4 induced sensitivity
      to bile and enhanced the bile-induced biofilm formation response. We propose that
      WTA may be important for protecting S. aureus against exposure to bile and that
      bile-induced biofilm formation may be an evolved response to protect cells from
      bile-induced cell lysis.

PMID- 27260166
TI  - Histamine induces microglia activation and dopaminergic neuronal toxicity via H1
      receptor activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Histamine is an amine widely known as a peripheral inflammatory
      mediator and as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Recently, it
      has been suggested that histamine acts as an innate modulator of microglial
      activity. Herein, we aimed to disclose the role of histamine in microglial
      phagocytic activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and to explore
      the consequences of histamine-induced neuroinflammation in dopaminergic (DA)
      neuronal survival. METHODS: The effect of histamine on phagocytosis was assessed
      both in vitro by using a murine N9 microglial cell line and primary microglial
      cell cultures and in vivo. Cells were exposed to IgG-opsonized latex beads or
      phosphatidylserine (PS) liposomes to evaluate Fcgamma or PS receptor-mediated
      microglial phagocytosis, respectively. ROS production and protein levels of NADPH
      oxidases and Rac1 were assessed as a measure of oxidative stress. DA neuronal
      survival was evaluated in vivo by counting the number of tyrosine hydroxylase
      positive neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) of mice. RESULTS: We found that
      histamine triggers microglial phagocytosis via histamine receptor 1 (H1R)
      activation and ROS production via H1R and H4R activation. By using apocynin, a
      broad NADPH oxidase (Nox) inhibitor, and Nox1 knockout mice, we found that the
      Nox1 signaling pathway is involved in both phagocytosis and ROS production
      induced by histamine in vitro. Interestingly, both apocynin and annexin V (used
      as inhibitor of PS-induced phagocytosis) fully abolished the DA neurotoxicity
      induced by the injection of histamine in the SN of adult mice in vivo. Blockade
      of H1R protected against histamine-induced Nox1 expression and death of DA
      neurons in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results highlight the relevance of
      histamine in the modulation of microglial activity that ultimately may interfere
      with neuronal survival in the context of Parkinson's disease (PD) and,
      eventually, other neurodegenerative diseases which are accompanied by microglia
      induced neuroinflammation. Importantly, our results also open promising new
      perspectives for the therapeutic use of H1R antagonists to treat or ameliorate
      neurodegenerative processes.

PMID- 27260168
TI  - Development of a measure (ICECAP-Close Person Measure) through qualitative
      methods to capture the benefits of end-of-life care to those close to the dying
      for use in economic evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: End-of-life care affects both the patient and those close to them.
      Typically, those close to the patient are not considered within economic
      evaluation, which may lead to the omission of important benefits resulting from
      end-of-life care. AIM: To develop an outcome measure suitable for use in economic
      evaluation that captures the benefits of end-of-life care to those close to the
      dying. DESIGN: To develop the descriptive system for the outcome measure, in
      depth qualitative interviews were conducted with the participants and constant
      comparative analysis methods were used to develop a descriptive system for the
      measure. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven individuals bereaved within the last 2 years
      or with a close-person currently receiving end-of-life care were purposively
      recruited into the study. Participants were recruited through newsletters,
      adverts, snowball sampling and a local hospice. RESULTS: Twenty-seven individuals
      were recruited. A measure of capability with six attributes, each with five
      levels, was developed based on themes arising from the analysis. Attributes
      comprise the following: good communication with services, privacy and space to be
      with the loved one, emotional support, practical support, being able to prepare
      and cope and being free from emotional distress related to the condition of the
      decedent. CONCLUSION: This measure is designed to capture the benefits of end-of
      life care to close-persons for use in economic evaluation. Further research
      should value the measure and develop methods for incorporating outcomes for close
      persons into economic evaluation.

PMID- 27260169
TI  - Advance care planning, palliative care, and end-of-life care interventions for
      homeless people: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Homeless individuals have a high prevalence of multiple chronic
      comorbidities and early mortality compared to the general population. They also
      experience significant barriers to access and stigmatization in the healthcare
      system. Providing advance care planning, palliative care, and end-of-life care
      for this underserved population is an important health issue. AIM: To summarize
      and evaluate the evidence surrounding advance care planning, palliative care, and
      end-of-life care interventions for homeless persons. DESIGN: A systematic review
      based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
      statement. DATA SOURCES: Articles from MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Social
      Work Abstracts, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PubMed databases were
      searched through 13 June 2015. Peer-reviewed studies that implemented advance
      care planning, palliative care, and end-of-life care interventions for homeless
      populations were included. Data from studies were independently extracted by two
      investigators using pre-specified criteria, and quality was assessed using
      modified Cochrane and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tools. RESULTS: Six
      articles met inclusion criteria. Two studies were randomized controlled trials
      involving advance directive completion. Two cohort studies investigated the costs
      of a shelter-based palliative care intervention and predictors for completing
      advance directives. These studies were rated low to fair quality. Two qualitative
      studies explored the interface between harm-reduction services and end-of-life
      care and the conditions for providing palliative care for homeless persons in a
      support home. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of advance care planning, palliative
      care, and end-of-life care interventions for homeless individuals is uncertain.
      High-quality studies of interventions that reflect the unique and complex
      circumstances of homeless populations and investigate patient-related outcomes,
      caregiver burden, and cost-effectiveness are needed.

PMID- 27260171
TI  - Venturing out safely: The biogeography of Homo erectus dispersal out of Africa.
AB  - The dispersal of Homo erectus out of Africa at some 1.9 million years ago is one
      of the most important, crucial, and yet controversial events in human evolution.
      Current opinions about this episode expose the contrast between those who see H.
      erectus as a highly social, cooperative species seeking out new ecological
      opportunities to exploit, and those preferring a passive, climate driven
      explanation for such an event. By using geostatistics techniques and
      probabilistic models, we characterised the ecological context of H. erectus
      dispersal, from its East African origin to the colonization of Eurasia, taking
      into account both the presence of other large mammals and the physical
      characteristics of the landscape as potential factors. Our model indicated that
      H. erectus followed almost passively the large herbivore fauna during its
      dispersal. In Africa, the dispersal was statistically associated with the
      presence of large freshwater bodies (Rift Valley Lakes). In Eurasia, the presence
      of H. erectus was associated with the occurrence of geological outcrops likely
      yielding unconsolidated flint. During the early phase of dispersal, our model
      indicated that H. erectus actively avoided areas densely populated by large
      carnivores. This pattern weakened as H. erectus dispersed over Europe, possibly
      because of the decreasing presence of carnivores there plus the later acquisition
      of Acheulean technology. During this later phase, H. erectus was associated with
      limestone and shaley marl, and seems to have been selecting for high-elevation
      sites. While our results do not directly contradict the idea that H. erectus may
      have been an active hunter, they clearly point to the fact that predator
      avoidance may have conditioned its long-distance diffusion as it moved outside
      Africa. The modelled dispersal route suggests that H. erectus remained
      preferentially associated with low/middle latitude (i.e., comparatively warm)
      sites throughout its colonization history.

PMID- 27260170
TI  - External Validation and Update of a Prediction Rule for the Duration of Sickness
      Absence Due to Common Mental Disorders.
AB  - Purpose The objective of the present study was to validate an existing prediction
      rule (including age, education, depressive/anxiety symptoms, and recovery
      expectations) for predictions of the duration of sickness absence due to common
      mental disorders (CMDs) and investigate the added value of work-related factors.
      Methods A prospective cohort study including 596 employees who reported sick with
      CMDs in the period from September 2013 to April 2014. Work-related factors were
      measured at baseline with the Questionnaire on the Experience and Evaluation of
      Work. During 1-year follow-up, sickness absence data were retrieved from an
      occupational health register. The outcome variables of the study were sickness
      absence (no = 0, yes = 1) at 3 and 6 months after reporting sick with CMDs.
      Discrimination between workers with and without sickness absence was investigated
      at 3 and 6 months with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve
      (AUC). Results A total of 220 (37 %) employees agreed to participate and 211 (35
      %) had complete data for analysis. Discrimination was poor with AUC = 0.69 and
      AUC = 0.55 at 3 and 6 months, respectively. When 'variety in work' was added as
      predictor variable, discrimination between employees with and without CMD
      sickness absence improved to AUC = 0.74 (at 3 months) and AUC = 0.62 (at 6
      months). Conclusions The original prediction rule poorly predicted CMD sickness
      absence duration. After adding 'variety in work', the prediction rule
      discriminated between employees with and without CMD sickness absence 3 months
      after reporting sick. This new prediction rule remains to be validated in other
      populations.

PMID- 27260172
TI  - The Chatelperronian conundrum: Blade and bladelet lithic technologies from
      Quincay, France.
AB  - The discovery of an almost complete Neanderthal skeleton in a Chatelperronian
      context at Saint-Cesaire 35 years ago changed our perspective on the beginning of
      the Upper Paleolithic in western Europe. Since then, the Chatelperronian has
      generally been considered a "transitional" industry rather than an Upper or a
      Middle Paleolithic industry because of its chronological position, and the
      association of Neanderthal remains with blades, bone tools and personal
      ornaments. Several competing hypotheses have been proposed to explain the
      association between Neanderthals and these types of artefacts including post
      depositional mixing, acculturation from anatomically modern human populations, or
      an independent technological evolution by local Neanderthal populations. Quincay
      Cave is the only Chatelperronian site where personal ornaments have been found
      that does not contain an overlying Upper Paleolithic layer. This means that the
      post-depositional mixing of later elements into the Chatelperronian may not be
      used as an explanation for the presence of these materials. We report here on a
      detailed technological analysis of lithic artefacts from the three
      Chatelperronian layers at Quincay Cave. We compare our results with the
      technology of Mousterian blade industries dating to OIS (oxygen isotope stage) 5,
      the Mousterian of Acheulian Tradition type B, and the Proto-Aurignacian. We show
      that the Chatelperronian is sufficiently divergent from the Middle Paleolithic to
      be classified as a fully Upper Paleolithic industry, with a focus on blade and
      bladelet production. We also show that the Quincay Chatelperronian includes
      retouched bladelets that resemble those found in the Proto-Aurignacian, but were
      produced in a different manner. We argue that a technological convergence cannot
      account for these behaviors, since the specific type of retouched bladelet
      associated with the Chatelperronian was also regularly used by Proto-Aurignacian
      of neighboring regions. We suggest that the idea of retouched bladelets may have
      diffused from the northern Proto-Aurignacian to the Quincay Chatelperronian and
      that the transmission of the morphology of this desired end-product without the
      transmission of its manufacturing process may point toward a low degree of social
      intimacy between these groups. We conclude that the apparent paradox of the
      Chatelperronian is the result of the complexity of interaction between
      Neanderthal and anatomically modern human groups in western Europe between 45,000
      and 40,000 years ago.

PMID- 27260173
TI  - Hominin teeth from the Middle Pleistocene site of Yiyuan, Eastern China.
AB  - In 1981-1982, some hominin fossils, including a relatively complete skull and
      seven isolated teeth, were recovered from the Middle Pleistocene site of Yiyuan
      in Eastern China. In the present study we provide a detailed metric and
      morphological comparison of the Yiyuan dental sample in order to characterize
      better the variability of the human populations that inhabited China during the
      Middle Pleistocene. Aside from taxonomic and phylogenetic questions, the lack of
      understanding and/or knowledge about the morphological variability of these
      populations have caused concern about the human versus non-human nature of some
      of the hominin dental remains found in East Asia during the Early and the Middle
      Pleistocene. Thus, our study aims to present a detailed description and
      comparison of the Yiyuan isolated teeth to 1) discuss and support their human
      nature and 2) to explore their taxonomic affinities with regard to other
      penecontemporaneous populations from Asia. Our results clearly differentiate the
      Yiyuan sample from Pongo specimens and support a human attribution for the Yiyuan
      material. Our analyses also suggest that the Yiyuan teeth form a morphologically
      coherent group together with samples from Zhoukoudian, Chaoxian and Hexian. They
      are different from the more derived specimens from Panxian Dadong, suggesting a
      pattern of biogeographic isolation and different evolutionary trends between
      northern and southern China during the Middle Pleistocene. In addition, and
      despite sharing a common morphological bauplan with Homo erectus sensu stricto
      (s.s.), the Yiyuan, Zhoukoudian and Hexian teeth are also different from the
      Indonesian Early Pleistocene samples. In particular, the expression of a highly
      crenulated or dendritic enamel-dentine surface could be unique to these groups.
      Our study supports the notion that the taxonomy of the Pleistocene hominins from
      Asia may have been oversimplified. Future studies should explore the variability
      of the Asian specimens and reconsider whether all the samples can be attributed
      to H. erectus s.s.

PMID- 27260174
TI  - Adult Neandertal clavicles from the El Sidron site (Asturias, Spain) in the
      context of Homo pectoral girdle evolution.
AB  - We undertook a three-dimensional geometric morphometric (3DGM) analysis on 12 new
      Neandertal clavicle specimens from the El Sidron site (Spain), dated to 49,000
      years ago. The 3DGM methods were applied in a comparative framework in order to
      improve our understanding of trait polarity in features related to Homo pectoral
      girdle evolution, using other Neandertals, Homo sapiens, Pan, ATD6-50 (Homo
      antecessor), and KNM-WT 15000 (Homo ergaster/erectus) in the reference
      collection. Twenty-nine homologous landmarks were measured for each clavicle.
      Variation and morphological similarities were assessed through principal
      component analysis, conducted separately for the complete clavicle and the
      diaphysis. On average, Neandertal clavicles had significantly larger muscular
      entheses, double dorsal curvature, clavicle torsion, and cranial orientation of
      the acromial end than non-Neandertal clavicles; the El Sidron clavicles fit this
      pattern. Variation within the samples was large, with extensive overlap between
      Homo species; only chimpanzee specimens clearly differed from the other specimens
      in morphometric terms. Taken together, our morphometric analyses are consistent
      with the following phylogenetic sequence. The primitive condition of the clavicle
      is manifest in the cranial orientation of both the acromial and sternal ends. The
      derived condition expressed in the H. sapiens + Neandertal clade is defined by
      caudal rotation of both the sternal and acromial ends, but with variation in the
      number of acromia remaining in a certain cranial orientation. Finally, the
      autapomorphic Neandertal condition is defined by secondarily acquired primitive
      cranial re-orientation of the acromial end, which varies from individual to
      individual. These results suggest that the pace of phylogenetic change in the
      pectoral girdle does not seem to follow that of other postcranial skeletal
      features.

PMID- 27260175
TI  - Geographic variation in gorilla limb bones.
AB  - Gorilla systematics has received increased attention over recent decades from
      primatologists, conservationists, and paleontologists. Studies of geographic
      variation in DNA, skulls, and teeth have led to new taxonomic proposals, such as
      recognition of two gorilla species, Gorilla gorilla (western gorilla) and Gorilla
      beringei (eastern gorilla). Postcranial differences between mountain gorillas (G.
      beringei beringei) and western lowland gorillas (G. g. gorilla) have a long
      history of study, but differences between the limb bones of the eastern and
      western species have not yet been examined with an emphasis on geographic
      variation within each species. In addition, proposals for recognition of the
      Cross River gorilla as Gorilla gorilla diehli and gorillas from Tshiaberimu and
      Kahuzi as G. b. rex-pymaeorum have not been evaluated in the context of
      geographic variation in the forelimb and hindlimb skeletons. Forty-three linear
      measurements were collected from limb bones of 266 adult gorillas representing
      populations of G. b. beringei, Gorilla beringei graueri, G. g. gorilla, and G. g.
      diehli in order to investigate geographic diversity. Skeletal elements included
      the humerus, radius, third metacarpal, third proximal hand phalanx, femur, tibia,
      calcaneus, first metatarsal, third metatarsal, and third proximal foot phalanx.
      Comparisons of means and principal components analyses clearly differentiate
      eastern and western gorillas, indicating that eastern gorillas have absolutely
      and relatively smaller hands and feet, among other differences. Gorilla
      subspecies and populations cluster consistently by species, although G. g. diehli
      may be similar to the eastern gorillas in having small hands and feet. The
      subspecies of G. beringei are distinguished less strongly and by different
      variables than the two gorilla species. Populations of G. b. graueri are
      variable, and Kahuzi and Tshiaberimu specimens do not cluster together. Results
      support the possible influence of higher-altitude Pleistocene refugia on patterns
      of geographic variation in gorillas.

PMID- 27260176
TI  - The age of three Middle Palaeolithic sites: Single-grain optically stimulated
      luminescence chronologies for Pech de l'Aze I, II and IV in France.
AB  - Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) measurements were made on individual,
      sand-sized grains of quartz from Middle Palaeolithic deposits at three sites
      (Pech de l'Aze I, II and IV) located close to one another in the Dordogne region
      of southwest France. We were able to calculate OSL ages for 69 samples collected
      from these three sites. These ages reveal periods of occupation between about 180
      and 50 thousand years ago. Our single-grain OSL chronologies largely support
      previous age estimates obtained by thermoluminescence dating of burnt flints at
      Pech IV, electron spin resonance dating of tooth enamel at Pech I, II and IV and
      radiocarbon dating of bone at Pech I and IV, but provide a more complete picture
      due to the ubiquitous presence of sand-sized quartz grains used in OSL dating.
      These complete chronologies for the three sites have allowed us to compare the
      single-grain ages for similar lithic assemblages among the three sites, to test
      the correlations among them previously proposed by Bordes in the 1970s, and to
      construct our own correlative chronological framework for the three sites. This
      shows that similar lithic assemblages occur at around the same time, and that
      where a lithic assemblage is unique to one or found at two of the Pech sites,
      there are no deposits of chronologically equivalent age at the other Pech
      site(s). We interpret this to mean that, at least for these Pech de l'Aze sites,
      the Mousterian variants show temporal ordering. Whether or not this conclusion
      applies to the wider region and beyond, the hypothesis that Mousterian industrial
      variation is temporally ordered cannot be refuted at this time.

PMID- 27260177
TI  - Upper third molar internal structural organization and semicircular canal
      morphology in Plio-Pleistocene South African cercopithecoids.
AB  - Despite the abundance of cercopithecoids in the fossil record, especially in
      South Africa, and the recent development of morphometric approaches,
      uncertainties regarding the taxonomic identification of isolated cranio-dental
      specimens remain. Because cercopithecoids, nearly always found in stratigraphic
      association with hominin remains in Plio-Pleistocene deposits, are considered as
      sensitive ecological and chronological biomarkers, a significant effort should be
      made to clarify their palaeobiodiversity by assessing additional reliable
      morphological diagnostic criteria. Here we test the relevance of both molar crown
      internal structure and bony labyrinth morphology for discrimination of fossil
      cercopithecoid species. We use microtomographic-based 3D virtual imaging and
      quantitative analyses to investigate tooth endostructural organization and inner
      ear shape in 29 craniodental specimens from the South African sites of Kromdraai,
      Makapansgat, Sterkfontein and Swartkrans and provide the first detailed
      description of the internal structural condition characterizing this Plio
      Pleistocene primate assemblage. Our preliminary results show that enamel-dentine
      junction morphology could be informative for discriminating highly autapomorphic
      taxa such as Theropithecus, while semicircular canal shape is tentatively
      proposed as an efficient criterion for diagnosing Dinopithecus ingens. Further
      research in virtual paleoprimatology may contribute to the identification of
      unassigned isolated fossil remains and shed new light on the internal
      craniodental morphology of extinct primate taxa.

PMID- 27260178
TI  - Adjustment of a Population of South African Children of Mothers Living With/and
      Without HIV Through Three Years Post-Birth.
AB  - Mothers living with HIV (MLH) and their children are typically studied to ensure
      that perinatal HIV transmission is blocked. Yet, HIV impacts MLH and their
      children lifelong. We examine child outcomes from pregnancy to 3 years post-birth
      among a peri-urban population of pregnant MLH and mothers without HIV (MWOH).
      Almost all pregnant women in 12 neighborhoods (98 %; N = 584) in Cape Town, South
      Africa were recruited and repeatedly assessed within 2 weeks of birth (92 %), at
      6 months (88 %), 18 months (84 %), and 3 years post-birth (86 %). There were 186
      MLH and 398 MWOH. Controlling for neighborhood and repeated measures, child and
      maternal outcomes were contrasted over time using longitudinal random effects
      regression analyses. For measures collected only at 3 years, outcomes were
      analyzed using multiple regressions. Compared to MWOH, MLH had less income, more
      informal housing and food insecurity, used alcohol more often during pregnancy,
      and were more depressed during pregnancy and over time. Only 4.8 % of MLH's
      children were seropositive; seropositive children were excluded from additional
      analyses. Children of MLH tended to have significantly lower weights (p < .10)
      over time (i.e., lower weight-for-age Z-scores) and were also hospitalized
      significantly more often than children of MWOH (p < .01). Children of MLH and
      MWOH died at similar rates (8.5 %) and were similar in social and behavioral
      adjustment, vocabulary, and executive functioning at 3 years post-birth. Despite
      living in households with fewer resources and having more depressed mothers, only
      the physical health of children of MLH is compromised, compared to children of
      MWOH. In township neighborhoods with extreme poverty, social, behavioral,
      language, and cognitive functioning appear similar over the first three years of
      life between children of MLH and MWOH.

PMID- 27260179
TI  - Trajectories of Marijuana Use among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative MSM in
      the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), 1984-2013.
AB  - To construct longitudinal trajectories of marijuana use in a sample of men who
      have sex with men living with or at-risk for HIV infection. We determined factors
      associated with distinct trajectories of use as well as those that serve to
      modify the course of the trajectory. Data were from 3658 [1439 HIV-seropositive
      (HIV+) and 2219 HIV-seronegative (HIV-)] participants of the Multicenter AIDS
      Cohort Study. Frequency of marijuana use was obtained semiannually over a 29-year
      period (1984-2013). Group-based trajectory models were used to identify the
      trajectories and to determine predictors and modifiers of the trajectories over
      time. Four distinct trajectories of marijuana use were identified:
      abstainer/infrequent (65 %), decreaser (13 %), increaser (12 %) and chronic high
      (10 %) use groups. HIV+ status was significantly associated with increased odds
      of membership in the decreaser, increaser and chronic high use groups. Alcohol,
      smoking, stimulant and other recreational drug use were associated with
      increasing marijuana use across all four trajectory groups. Antiretroviral
      therapy use over time was associated with decreasing marijuana use in the
      abstainer/infrequent and increaser trajectory groups. Having a detectable HIV
      viral load was associated with increasing marijuana use in the increaser group
      only. Future investigations are needed to determine whether long-term patterns of
      use are associated with adverse consequences especially among HIV+ persons.

PMID- 27260180
TI  - Economic Resources and HIV Preventive Behaviors Among School-Enrolled Young Women
      in Rural South Africa (HPTN 068).
AB  - Individual economic resources may have greater influence on school-enrolled young
      women's sexual decision-making than household wealth measures. However, few
      studies have investigated the effects of personal income, employment, and other
      financial assets on young women's sexual behaviors. Using baseline data from the
      HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 068 study, we examined the association of
      ever having sex and adopting sexually-protective practices with individual-level
      economic resources among school-enrolled women, aged 13-20 years (n = 2533). Age
      adjusted results showed that among all women employment was associated with ever
      having sex (OR 1.56, 95 % CI 1.28-1.90). Among sexually-experienced women, paid
      work was associated with changes in partner selection practices (OR 2.38, 95 % CI
      1.58-3.58) and periodic sexual abstinence to avoid HIV (OR 1.71, 95 % CI 1.07
      2.75). Having money to spend on oneself was associated with reducing the number
      of sexual partners (OR 1.94, 95 % CI 1.08-3.46), discussing HIV testing (OR 2.15,
      95 % CI 1.13-4.06), and discussing condom use (OR 1.99, 95 % CI 1.04-3.80).
      Having a bank account was associated with condom use (OR 1.49, 95 % CI 1.01
      2.19). Economic hardship was positively associated with ever having sex, but not
      with sexually-protective behaviors. Maximizing women's individual economic
      resources may complement future prevention initiatives.

PMID- 27260181
TI  - The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model Revisited: A Network
      Perspective Structural Equation Model Within a Public Sexually Transmitted
      Infection Clinic Sample of Hazardous Alcohol Users.
AB  - The information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model is useful for
      understanding sexual risk behavior, but has not been tested with hazardously
      drinking sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic patients, a subpopulation at
      greater HIV risk, or with a network-perspective sexual risk behavior outcome.
      Participants (N = 569) were STI clinic patients who screened positive for
      hazardous drinking and risky sexual behavior. Sexual risk behavior (SRB) was
      operationalized as a latent variable with three indicators: (1) number of sexual
      partners, (2) number of unprotected sex occasions with primary partner, and (3)
      number of unprotected sex occasions with non-primary partner(s). Preliminary
      analyses suggested SRB was best operationalized as a latent variable with two
      indicators, while unprotected sex with primary partners should be considered
      separately. In structural models with good fit, the IMB model was generally
      supported. The IMB model functioned differently for non-primary and multiple
      partners compared to primary partners in STI clinic patients with hazardous
      alcohol use.

PMID- 27260182
TI  - The dynamic relationship between health expenditure and economic growth: is the
      health-led growth hypothesis valid for Turkey?
AB  - The well-known health-led growth hypothesis claims a positive correlation between
      health expenditure and economic growth. The aim of this paper is to empirically
      investigate the health-led growth hypothesis for the Turkish economy. The bound
      test approach, autoregressive-distributed lag approach (ARDL) and Kalman filter
      modeling are employed for the 1975-2013 period to examine the co-integration
      relationship between economic growth and health expenditure. The ARDL model is
      employed in order to investigate the long-term and short-term static relationship
      between health expenditure and economic growth. The results show that a 1 %
      increase in per-capita health expenditure will lead to a 0.434 % increase in per
      capita gross domestic product. These findings are also supported by the Kalman
      filter model's results. Our findings show that the health-led growth hypothesis
      is supported for Turkey.

PMID- 27260183
TI  - Healthcare inequality issues among immigrant elders after neoliberal welfare
      reform: empirical findings from the United States.
AB  - Even with the increasing importance being placed on research into immigrant
      elders' healthcare use as countries change their policies to reflect their
      increasing immigrant and aging populations, little research has examined changes
      in healthcare use disparities between immigrant and native elders in relation to
      these policy changes. To fill this gap in the literature, this study examined
      healthcare disparities in relation to the welfare reform that the US implemented
      in 1996 and then compared significant indicators of immigrants' healthcare use
      during the pre- and post-reform periods. The difference-in-difference (DD)
      analyses and post hoc probing of the DD analyses were used in multivariate
      logistic regression of the National Health Information Survey data that were
      pooled for the pre- and post-reform periods. The results revealed that while
      inequalities in healthcare existed before the reform, they significantly
      increased after the reform. A further test showed that the changes in the
      inequalities were significant among relatively long-stay immigrants, but not
      significant among immigrants who entered the US before the reform and thus were
      exempted from the reform restrictions. During the pre-reform period, insurance,
      employment, sex, and race/ethnicity were related to healthcare use; however, the
      enabling factors (i.e., insurance, income, and education) and social structural
      factors (i.e., marital status, family structure, length of US residency,
      race/ethnicity, and geographical region) explained the post-reform immigrants'
      healthcare use, while controlling for healthcare needs factors. These findings
      suggest that welfare reform may be the driving force of inequalities in
      healthcare.

PMID- 27260184
TI  - Cross-country discrepancies on public understanding of stress concepts: evidence
      for stress-management psychoeducational programs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Negative effects of stress have pose one of the major threats to the
      health and economic well being of individuals independently of age and cultural
      background. Nevertheless, the term "stress" has been globally used unlinked from
      scientificevidence-based meaning. The discrepancies between scientific and public
      stress knowledge are focus of concern and little is know about it. This is
      relevant since misconceptions about stress may influence the effects of stress
      management psychoeducational programs and the development of best practices for
      interventions. The study aimed to analyze stress knowledge among the Canadian and
      Brazilian general public and to determine the extent to which scientific and
      popular views of stress differ between those countries. METHODS: We evaluated
      1156 healthy participants between 18 and 88 years of age recruited from Canada (n
      = 502) and Brazil (n = 654). To assess stress knowledge, a questionnaire composed
      of questions regarding stress concepts ("stress is bad" versus "stress-free life
      is good") and factors capable of triggering the stress response ("novelty,
      unpredictability, low sense of control and social evaluative threat versus "time
      pressure,work overload, conflict, unbalance and children") was used. RESULTS:
      Both Canadian and Brazilian participants showed misconceptions about stress and
      the factors capable of triggering a stress response. However, the rate of
      misconceptions was higher in Brazil than in Canada (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These
      findings suggest a lack of public understanding of stress science and its
      variance according to a country's society. Psychoeducational programs and
      vulnerability of stress-related disorder are discussed.

PMID- 27260185
TI  - Is phytoestrogen intake associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer? A
      systematic review of epidemiological studies based on 17,546 cases.
AB  - This study uses current epidemiological data to evaluate whether phytoestrogen
      intake is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. We performed a
      random-effect meta-analysis of published data retrieved from PubMed, Web of
      Science, ProQuest, and CNKI, which was supplemented by a manual search of
      relevant references. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale
      (NOS). Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to explore the source
      of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was evaluated to assess the stability of
      the results. Egger's test and funnel plots were used to detect the existence of
      publication bias. We retrieved 507 papers, and 29 studies were ultimately
      confirmed as eligible. The meta-analysis showed that phytoestrogen intake was
      significantly associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer, with an odds
      ratio (OR) of 0.77 (95% CI 0.66-0.88; I(2)  = 77.6%). The food/nutritional
      sources that were significantly associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer
      included soy and soy products, tofu, legumes, daidzein, and genistein. Subgroup
      analysis indicated that the associations were significant among Asians and
      Caucasians, but not among Africans. Meta-regression revealed that the pooled OR
      increased with the number of cases in the studies. The results might be affected
      by publication bias based on the Eggers' test (p = 0.011) and the asymmetry of
      the funnel plot. Phytoestrogen intake may reduce the risk of prostate cancer in
      Asians and Caucasians. Regular intake of food that is rich in phytoestrogens,
      such as soy/soy products or legumes, should be recommended.

PMID- 27260186
TI  - Effects of diazinon on the lymphocytic cholinergic system of Nile tilapia fish
      (Oreochromis niloticus).
AB  - Fish rearing under intensive farming conditions can be easily disturbed by
      pesticides, substances that have immunotoxic properties and may predispose to
      infections. Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are widely used in agricultural
      activities; however, the mechanism of immunotoxicity of these substances is
      unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diazinon pesticides
      (OPs) on the cholinergic system of immune cells as a possible target of OP
      immunotoxicity. We evaluated ACh levels and cholinergic (nicotinic and
      muscarinic) receptor concentration. Additionally, AChE activity was evaluated in
      mononuclear cells of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a freshwater fish
      mostly cultivated in tropical regions around the world. The obtained results
      indicate that acute exposure to diazinon induces an increase in ACh concentration
      and a decrease in nAChR and mAChR concentrations and AChE activity in fish immune
      cells, This suggests that the non-neuronal lymphocytic cholinergic system may be
      the main target in the mechanism of OP immunotoxicity. This study contributes to
      the understanding of the mechanisms of immunotoxicity of pollutants and may help
      to take actions for animal health improvement. 

PMID- 27260187
TI  - Nutrient limitation drives response of Calamagrostis epigejos to arbuscular
      mycorrhiza in primary succession.
AB  - Little is known about the functioning of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis
      over the course of primary succession, where soil, host plants, and AM fungal
      communities all undergo significant changes. Over the course of succession at the
      studied post-mining site, plant cover changes from an herbaceous community to the
      closed canopy of a deciduous forest. Calamagrostis epigejos (Poaceae) is a common
      denominator at all stages, and it dominates among AM host species. Its growth
      response to AM fungi was studied at four distinctive stages of natural
      succession: 12, 20, 30, and 50 years of age, each represented by three spatially
      separated sites. Soils obtained from all 12 studied sites were gamma-sterilized
      and used in a greenhouse experiment in which C. epigejos plants were (1)
      inoculated with a respective community of native AM fungi, (2) inoculated with
      reference AM fungal isolates from laboratory collection, or (3) cultivated
      without AM fungi. AM fungi strongly boosted plant growth during the first two
      stages but not during the latter two, where the effect was neutral or even
      negative. While plant phosphorus (P) uptake was generally increased by AM fungi,
      no contribution of mycorrhizae to nitrogen (N) uptake was recorded. Based on N:P
      in plant biomass, we related the turn from a positive to a neutral/negative
      effect of AM fungi on plant growth, observed along the chronosequence, to a shift
      in relative P and N availability. No functional differences were found between
      native and reference inocula, yet root colonization by the native AM fungi
      decreased relative to the reference inoculum in the later succession stages,
      thereby indicating shifts in the composition of AM fungal communities reflected
      in different functional characteristics of their members. 

PMID- 27260188
TI  - Association of three single nucleotide polymorphisms at the SIX1-SIX6 locus with
      primary open angle glaucoma in the Chinese population.
AB  - This study investigated the genetic association of three single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs; rs10483727, rs33912345, and rs146737847) at the SIX1-SIX6
      locus with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in the Chinese population. A total
      of 866 subjects with POAG (685 high-tension glaucoma (HTG) and 181 normal-tension
      glaucoma (NTG)) and 266 control individuals were included. Significant genetic
      association was identified for rs10483727 in HTG (P=0.02; odds ratio (OR)=1.31),
      NTG (P=7.41*10(-6); OR=2.71), and POAG (i.e., HTG and NTG combined; P=0.001;
      OR=1.44). rs33912345 was also significantly associated with HTG (P=0.008;
      OR=1.36), NTG(P=2.72*10(-6); OR=2.27), and POAG (P=3.84*10(-4); OR=1.49). The
      rare SIX6 mutation, rs146737847, was not found in the subjects enrolled in this
      study. Stratification by patient age identified that both rs10483727 and
      rs33912345 were significantly associated with NTG in patients aged above 40 years
      (P=2.08*10(-5); OR=2.28), whereas in patients aged between 20-40 years,
      rs33912345 was significantly associated with NTG (P=0.017; OR=2.06). In HTG, the
      genetic associations for both rs10483727 and rs33912345 were significant in
      patients aged between 20-40 years (P=0.006; OR=1.56) but not in those aged above
      40 years (P=0.118, OR=1.21 and P=0.042, OR=1.29, respectively). This study
      replicated the association of POAG with two SNPs at the SIX1-SIX6 locus and
      demonstrated that SNPs, rs10483727 and rs33912345, are significantly associated
      with POAG, especially with NTG in patients aged above 40 years. 

PMID- 27260189
TI  - Prognostic and predictive impacts of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes differ
      between Triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers treated with standard
      systemic therapies.
AB  - Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have potential value for stratifying the
      treatment of breast cancer (BC), though their precise use remains unclear. We
      aimed to investigate the utility of TILs using an alternative approach in
      different settings. We reviewed patients with triple-negative (TN) or human
      epithelial growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive invasive ductal carcinomas
      from a single institutional cohort and classified archived hematoxylin-eosin
      stained samples in terms of TIL score as low (<10 %), intermediate, and high (>50
      %). The prognostic and predictive values of TILs were analyzed retrospectively in
      both adjuvant and neo-adjuvant settings. In the adjuvant setting, the presence of
      TILs at primary surgery was a significant favorable prognostic factor among 154
      TNBCs [relapse-free survival (RFS): p = 0.015], but not among 183 HER2+ BCs (RFS:
      p = 0.097). The TNBC low-TIL group tended to relapse earlier. In the neo-adjuvant
      setting, detection of TILs on biopsy before primary systemic therapy was
      associated with the ratio of patients achieving pathological complete response
      among 48 TNBCs (p = 0.024), but not among 58 HER2+ BCs (p = 0.30). The presence
      of TILs in surgical specimens after systemic therapy had prognostic value in
      HER2+ BC (RFS: p = 0.007). The impact of TILs differs between patients with TN
      and HER2+ BC treated with standard therapies. Our three-grade scale for TILs may
      contribute to our understanding of the importance of the tumor microenvironment
      in routine practice. TILs after primary systemic therapy may be useful for the
      further stratification of treatment of HER2+ BC.

PMID- 27260190
TI  - Chronic Pruritus and Connective Tissue Disorders: Review, Gaps, and Future
      Directions.
AB  - Chronic itch is a common skin manifestation in many connective tissue diseases.
      However, the cause of chronic itch in these diseases is still not fully
      understood. The complex, and in some cases incomplete understanding of,
      pathogenesis in each condition makes it difficult to target specific mediators of
      chronic itch. It is important to better understand the pathophysiology of chronic
      itch in these conditions, as this information might provide a fuller
      understanding of the pathogenesis of the diseases in general and lead to the
      development of more specific treatments for connective tissue diseases in
      patients with chronic itch. We present a review of the literature on what is
      known about the prevalence, possible pathophysiology, and effect on quality of
      life of chronic itch in patients with scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome,
      dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and
      mixed connective tissue disease.

PMID- 27260192
TI  - An immunological perspective on rheumatic heart disease pathogenesis: more
      questions than answers.
AB  - Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and the related rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are
      autoimmune diseases thought to be triggered by group A streptococcal (GAS)
      pharyngitis. RHD is a leading cause of mortality in the developing world. The
      strong epidemiological association between GAS throat infection and ARF is highly
      suggestive of causation, but does not exclude other infections as contributory.
      There is good evidence of both humoral and cellular autoreactivity and GAS/self
      cross-reactivity in established RHD. RHD pathogenesis could feasibly be triggered
      and driven by humoral and/or cellular molecular cross-reactivity between GAS and
      host cardiac tissues (molecular mimicry). However, good evidence of humoral
      pathogenicity is lacking and the specific triggering event for RHD remains
      unknown. It is likely that the critical immunological events leading to ARF/RHD
      occur at the point of contact between GAS and the immune system in the throat,
      strongly implicating the mucosal immune system in RHD pathogenesis. Additionally,
      there is circumstantial evidence that continued live GAS may play a role in
      ARF/RHD pathogenesis. We suggest that future avenues for study should include the
      exclusion of GAS components directly contributing to RHD pathogenesis; large
      genome-wide association studies of patients with RHD looking for candidate genes
      involved in RHD pathogenesis; genome-wide association studies of GAS from
      patients with ARF taken at diagnosis to look for characteristics of rheumatogenic
      strains; and performing case/control studies of GAS pharyngitis/ARF/patients with
      RHD, and controls to identify microbiological, immunological and environmental
      differences to elucidate RHD pathogenesis.

PMID- 27260191
TI  - Comprehensive characterisation of hypertensive heart disease left ventricular
      phenotypes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Myocardial intracellular/extracellular structure and aortic function
      were assessed among hypertensive left ventricular (LV) phenotypes using
      cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS: An observational study from
      consecutive tertiary hypertension clinic patients referred for CMR (1.5 T) was
      performed. Four LV phenotypes were defined: (1) normal with normal indexed LV
      mass (LVM) and LVM to volume ratio (M/V), (2) concentric remodelling with normal
      LVM but elevated M/V, (3) concentric LV hypertrophy (LVH) with elevated LVM but
      normal indexed end-diastolic volume (EDV) or (4) eccentric LVH with elevated LVM
      and EDV. Extracellular volume fraction was measured using T1-mapping.
      Circumferential strain was calculated by voxel-tracking. Aortic distensibility
      was derived from high-resolution aortic cines and contemporaneous blood pressure
      measurements. RESULTS: 88 hypertensive patients (49+/-14 years, 57% men, systolic
      blood pressure (SBP): 167+/-30 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP): 96+/-14 mm
      Hg) were compared with 29 age-matched/sex-matched controls (47+/-14 years, 59%
      men, SBP: 128+/-12 mm Hg, DBP: 79+/-10 mm Hg). LVH resulted from increased
      myocardial cell volume (eccentric LVH: 78+/-19 mL/m(2) vs concentric LVH: 73+/-15
      mL/m(2) vs concentric remodelling: 55+/-9 mL/m(2), p<0.05, respectively) and
      interstitial fibrosis (eccentric LVH: 33+/-10 mL/m(2) vs concentric LVH: 30+/-10
      mL/m(2) vs concentricremodelling: 19+/-2 mL/m(2), p<0.05, respectively). LVH had
      worst circumferential impairment (eccentric LVH: -12.8+/-4.6% vs concentric LVH: 
      15.5+/-3.1% vs concentric remodelling: -17.1+/-3.2%, p<0.05, respectively).
      Concentric remodelling was associated with reduced aortic distensibility, but not
      with large intracellular/interstitial expansion or myocardial dysfunction versus
      controls. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial interstitial fibrosis varies across
      hypertensive LV phenotypes with functional consequences. Eccentric LVH has the
      most fibrosis and systolic impairment. Concentric remodelling is only associated
      with abnormal aortic function. Understanding these differences may help tailor
      future antihypertensive treatments.

PMID- 27260193
TI  - The impact of electronic records on patient safety: a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim was to explore NHS staff perceptions and experiences of the
      impact on patient safety of introducing a maternity system. METHODS: Qualitative
      semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 members of NHS staff who
      represented a variety of staff groups (doctors, midwives, health care
      assistants), staff grades (consultant and midwife grades) and wards within a
      maternity unit. Participants represented a single maternity unit at a NHS
      teaching hospital in the North of England. Interviews were conducted during the
      first 12 months of the system being implemented and were analysed thematically.
      RESULTS: Participants perceived there to be an elevated risk to patient safety
      during the system's implementation. The perceived risks were attributed to a
      range of social and technical factors. For example, poor system design and human
      error which resulted in an increased potential for missing information and
      inputting error. CONCLUSIONS: The first 12 months of introducing the maternity
      system was perceived to and in some cases had already caused actual risk to
      patient safety. Trusts throughout the NHS are facing increasing pressure to
      become paperless and should be aware of the  potential adverse impacts on patient
      safety that can occur when introducing electronic systems. Given the potential
      for increased risk identified, recommendations for further research and for NHS
      trusts introducing electronic systems are proposed.

PMID- 27260194
TI  - Microorganism-regulated mechanisms of temperature effects on the performance of
      anaerobic digestion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Temperature is an important factor determining the performance and
      stability of the anaerobic digestion process. However, the microorganism
      regulated mechanisms of temperature effects on the performance of anaerobic
      digestion systems remain further elusive. To address this issue, we investigated
      the changes in composition, diversity and activities of microbial communities
      under temperature gradient from 25 to 55  degrees C using 16S rRNA gene amplicon
      sequencing approach based on genomic DNA (refer to as "16S rDNA") and total RNA
      (refer to as "16S rRNA"). RESULTS: Microbial community structure and activities
      changed dramatically along the temperature gradient, which corresponded to the
      variations in digestion performance (e.g., daily CH4 production, total biogas
      production and volatile fatty acids concentration). The ratios of 16S rRNA to 16S
      rDNA of microbial taxa, as an indicator of the potentially relative activities in
      situ, and whole activities of microbial community assessed by the similarity
      between microbial community based on 16S rDNA and rRNA, varied strongly along the
      temperature gradient, reflecting different metabolic activities. The daily CH4
      production increased with temperature from 25 to 50  degrees C and declined at 55
      degrees C. Among all the examined microbial properties, the whole activities of
      microbial community and alpha-diversity indices of both microbial communities and
      potentially relative activities showed highest correlations to the performance.
      CONCLUSIONS: The whole activities of microbial community and alpha-diversity
      indices of both microbial communities and potentially relative activities were
      sensitive indicators for the performance of anaerobic digestion systems under
      temperature gradient, while beta-diversity could predict functional differences.
      Microorganism-regulated mechanisms of temperature effects on anaerobic digestion
      performance were likely realized through increasing alpha-diversity of both
      microbial communities and potentially relative activities to supply more
      functional pathways and activities for metabolic network, and increasing the
      whole activities of microbial community, especially methanogenesis, to improve
      the strength and efficiency in anaerobic digestion process.

PMID- 27260195
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27260196
TI  - Co-morbidities, complications and causes of death among people with femoral neck
      fracture - a three-year follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The poor outcome after a hip fracture is not fully understood. The
      aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of co-morbidities, complications
      and causes of death and to investigate factors that are able to predict mortality
      in old people with femoral neck fracture. METHODS: Data was obtained from a
      randomized, controlled trial with a 3-year follow-up at Umea University Hospital,
      Sweden, which included 199 consecutive patients with femoral neck fracture, aged
      >=70 years. The participants were assessed during hospitalization and in their
      homes 4, 12 and 36 months after surgery. Medical records and death certificates
      were analysed. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that cancer, dependence in
      P-ADL (Personal Activities of Daily Living), cardiovascular disease, dementia at
      baseline or pulmonary emboli or cardiac failure during hospitalization were all
      independent predictors of 3-year mortality. Seventy-nine out of 199 participants
      (40 %) died within 3 years. Cardiovascular events (24 %), dementia (23 %), hip
      fracture (19 %) and cancer (13 %) were the most common primary causes of death.
      In total, 136 participants suffered at least one urinary tract infection; 114
      suffered 542 falls and 37 sustained 56 new fractures, including 13 hip fractures,
      during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Old people with femoral neck fracture have multiple
      co-morbidities and suffer numerous complications. Thus randomized intervention
      studies should focus on prevention of complications that might be avoidable such
      as infections, heart diseases, falls and fractures.

PMID- 27260197
TI  - Imaging Invasion: Micro-CT imaging of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma
      highlights cell type specific spatial relationships of tissue invasion.
AB  - Tissue invasion and infiltration by brain tumours poses a clinical challenge,
      with destruction of structures leading to morbidity. We assessed whether micro-CT
      could be used to map tumour invasion in adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP),
      and whether it could delineate ACPs and their intrinsic components from
      surrounding tissue.Three anonymised archival frozen ACP samples were fixed,
      iodinated and imaged using a micro-CT scanner prior to the use of standard
      histological processing and immunohistochemical techniques.We demonstrate that
      micro-CT imaging can non-destructively give detailed 3D structural information of
      tumours in volumes with isotropic voxel sizes of 4-6 microns, which can be
      correlated with traditional histology and immunohistochemistry.Such information
      complements classical histology by facilitating virtual slicing of the tissue in
      any plane and providing unique detail of the three dimensional relationships of
      tissue compartments.

PMID- 27260198
TI  - Analysis of histone post translational modifications in primary monocyte derived
      macrophages using reverse phase*reverse phase chromatography in conjunction with
      porous graphitic carbon stationary phase.
AB  - A two dimensional-liquid chromatography (2D-LC) based approach was developed for
      the identification and quantification of histone post translational modifications
      in conjunction with mass spectrometry analysis. Using a bottom-up strategy,
      offline 2D-LC was developed using reverse phase chromatography. A porous
      graphitic carbon stationary phase in the first dimension and a C18 stationary
      phase in the second dimension interfaced with mass spectrometry was used to
      analyse global levels of histone post translational modifications in human
      primary monocyte-derived macrophages. The results demonstrated that 84 different
      histone peptide proteoforms, with modifications at 18 different sites including
      combinatorial marks were identified, representing an increase in the
      identification of histone peptides by 65% and 51% compared to two different 1D-LC
      approaches on the same mass spectrometer. The use of the porous graphitic
      stationary phase in the first dimension resulted in efficient separation of
      histone peptides across the gradient, with good resolution and is orthogonal to
      the online C18 reverse phase chromatography. Overall, more histone peptides were
      identified using the 2D-LC approach compared to conventional 1D-LC approaches. In
      addition, a bioinformatic pipeline was developed in-house to enable the high
      throughput efficient and accurate quantification of fractionated histone
      peptides. The automation of a section of the downstream analysis pipeline
      increased the throughput of the 2D-LC-MS/MS approach for the quantification of
      histone post translational modifications. 

PMID- 27260199
TI  - Center-cut separation of intermediately adsorbing target component by 8-zone
      simulated moving bed chromatography with internal recycle.
AB  - An 8-zone simulated moving bed chromatography with internal recycle (8ZSMB-IR)
      has been designed for center-cut separation, that is, for isolating an
      intermediately adsorbed component out of a multicomponent mixture. The system
      consists of two integrated subunits and operates in a fully continuous manner. In
      the first subunit the feed mixture is split into two fractions containing either
      a single component or a binary mixture. The binary mixture is recycled through
      the internal raffinate or extract port into the second subunit, where the target
      product is isolated. Additionally, the solvent is also recycled internally. For a
      case study, the separation of a ternary mixture of cycloketones as a model system
      under weakly non-linear isotherm conditions has been investigated. A few novel
      configurations of the 8ZSMB-IR unit including the arrangement of the internal
      recycle of extract, raffinate and solvent streams between two subunits have been
      examined with respect to various performance indicators for the process
      realization. The unit performed best with the developed configuration when the
      internal raffinate stream was recycled and the solvent recycling loop was closed
      between the last and the first zone of the first subunit. That configuration has
      further been analyzed experimentally and numerically. On the basis of the results
      a strategy for determining reliable operating conditions for the 8ZSMB-IR process
      has been developed. The procedure exploited a model of the process dynamics,
      which was implemented to refine the isotherm coefficients and to quantify the
      mixing effect of the liquid stream inside the recycling loops. The upgraded model
      with the adjusted parameters has been validated based on experimental data and
      successfully applied for optimizing the operating conditions of the separation. 

PMID- 27260200
TI  - GPs told to end "chemical restraint" of people with learning disabilities.

PMID- 27260201
TI  - Topically applied mesoridazine exhibits the strongest cutaneous analgesia and
      minimized skin disruption among tricyclic antidepressants: The skin absorption
      assessment.
AB  - Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are found to have an analgesic action for
      relieving cutaneous pain associated with neuropathies. The aim of this study was
      to assess cutaneous absorption and analgesia of topically applied TCAs.
      Percutaneous delivery was investigated using nude mouse and pig skin models at
      both infinite and saturated doses. We evaluated the cutaneous analgesia in nude
      mice using the pinprick scores. Among five antidepressants tested in the in vitro
      experiment, mesoridazine, promazine and doxepin showed a superior total
      absorption percentage. The drug with the lowest total absorption percentage was
      found to be fluphenazine (<7%) either at an infinite dose or at saturated
      solubility. The follicular pathway was important for mesoridazine and promazine
      delivery. Mesoridazine showed stronger skin analgesia than the other TCAs
      although the in vivo skin absorption of mesoridazine (0.34nmol/mg) was less than
      that of promazine (0.80nmol/mg) and doxepin (0.74nmol/mg). Mesoridazine had a
      prolonged duration of pain relief (165min) compared to promazine (83min) and
      doxepin (17min). The skin irritation test demonstrated an evident barrier
      function deterioration and cutaneous erythema by promazine and doxepin treatment,
      whereas mesoridazine caused no obvious adverse effect by topical application for
      up to 7days. 

PMID- 27260202
TI  - Properties and mechanisms of drug release from matrix tablets containing
      poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(acrylic acid) as release retardants.
AB  - The interactions between poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)
      in aqueous medium at pH 6.8 were investigated in the current study. We have also
      studied the effect of interpolymer interactions and various formulation
      variables, including the molecular weight of PEO, the ratio between PEO and PAA,
      the crystallinity of PEO, and the presence of an acidifying agent, on the release
      of theophylline from matrix tablets containing both PEO and PAA as release
      retardants. At pH 6.8, the synergy in solution viscosity between PEO and PAA as
      the result of ion-dipole interaction was observed in this study. The release of
      theophylline from the matrix tablets containing physical mixtures of PEO and PAA
      was found to be a function of dissolution medium pH because of the pH-dependent
      interactions between these two polymers. Because of the formation of water
      insoluble interpolymer complex between PEO and PAA in aqueous medium at pH below
      4.0, the release of theophylline was independent of PEO molecular weight and was
      controlled by Fickian diffusion mechanism in 0.01N hydrochloric acid solution. In
      comparison, the drug release was a function of PEO molecular weight and followed
      the anomalous transport mechanism in phosphate buffer pH 6.8. The presence of PAA
      exerted opposite effects on the release of theophylline in phosphate buffer pH
      6.8. In one aspect, theophylline release was accelerated because the erosion of
      PAA was much faster than that of PEO at pH6.8. On the opposite aspect,
      theophylline release was slowed down because of the formation of insoluble
      complex inside the gel layer as the result of the acidic microenvironment induced
      by PAA, and the increase in the viscosity of the gel layer as the result of the
      synergy between PEO and PAA. These two opposite effects offset each other. As a
      result, the release of theophylline remained statistically the same even when 75%
      PEO in the formulation was replaced with PAA. In phosphate buffer pH 6.8, the
      release of theophylline was independent of the crystalline form of PEO. The
      release profile remained identical whether PEO was present as a semicrystalline
      powder blend with PAA or an amorphous complex with PAA in the matrix tablets. It
      has also been observed that the presence of citric acid as an acidifying agent
      had negligible effect on the drug release rate. 

PMID- 27260205
TI  - Update on the mechanisms of homing of adipose tissue-derived stem cells.
AB  - Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which resemble bone marrow mesenchymal
      stromal cells (BMSCs), have shown great advantages and promise in the field of
      regenerative medicine. They can be readily harvested in large numbers with low
      donor-site morbidity. To date, a great number of preclinical and clinical studies
      have shown ADSCs' safety and efficacy in regenerative medicine. However, a better
      understanding of the mechanisms of homing of ADSCs is needed to advance the
      clinical utility of this therapy. In this review, the reports of the homing of
      ADSCs were searched using Pubmed and Google Scholar to update our knowledge.
      ADSCs were proved to interact with endothelial cells by expressing the similar
      integrins with BMSCs. In addition, ADSCs do not possess the dominant ligand for P
      selectin, just like BMSCs. Stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 and CXC ligand
      5 (CXCL5)/CXCR2 interactions are the two main axes governing ADSCs extravasation
      from bone marrow vessels. Some more signaling pathways involved in migration of
      ADSCs have been investigated, including LPA/LPA1 signaling pathway, MAPK/Erk1/2
      signaling pathway, RhoA/Rock signaling pathway and PDGF-BB/PDGFR-beta signaling
      pathway. Status quo of a lack of intensive studies on the details of homing of
      ADSCs should be improved in the near future before clinical application.

PMID- 27260204
TI  - Genetic dynamics in the sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) nuclear and mitochondrial
      genotypes: evidence for vector adaptation at the border of Iran with Iraq.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our investigation uses nucleotide variations of the genera
      Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia using the EF-1alpha and Cyt b genotype regions to
      describe the sand fly fauna and genetic aspects collected at war-torn sites of
      the Khuzestan boundary between Iraq and Iran. METHODS: All sand fly species were
      characterized using molecular genetics. The field work was conducted in six
      districts including 24 locations in remote areas for three years at the peak of
      sand fly activity during cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) transmission seasons. The
      distribution of CL vectors was determined based on the climatic regionalization
      using the kriging method in ArcGIS model. DNA of sand fly pools were screened via
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using neutrality (Tajima's D) and neutral allele
      frequency (Fu's F s) tests to measure the effect of randomly evolving DNA
      sequence on the genetic diversity of sand fly populations in response to habitat
      fragmentation and landscape modification. RESULTS: Among the 1213 specimens, ten
      species were identified based on morphology. The non-native species Phlebotomus
      sergenti was unequivocally found for the first time in the studied regions.
      Nucleotide substitutions of sand fly sequences varied most in the most disrupted
      districts (Dashte-Azadegan and Abadan; disparity index test: P < 0.05). The
      haplotypes of Cyt b from the subgenus Sergentomyia and P. papatasi revealed more
      heterogeneity (Tajima's D > +2) than P. alexandri (D > +1), which suggests
      widespread heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA mutations in the same mtDNA gene among
      different sand fly species. Subgenus  Sintonius exhibited greater fitness (D = 0)
      and (neutrality test; P > 0.05) no evidence of selection. The sequence of the
      nuclear gene EF-1alpha indicated similar nucleotide differences, as observed for
      the Cyt b gene, in all sand fly species, but lower levels of polymorphisms (D >
      +1) were observed compared with the mitochondrial Cyt b gene (D > +2) in the
      subgenus  Sergentomyia. CONCLUSION: Our findings describe random nucleotide
      diversity in the Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia population gene pools due to recent
      anthropogenic influence. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the closely related
      species are positioned in monophyletic clades, except for the subgenus
      Sergentomyia and P. sergenti, and highlights the importance of haplotype
      variations for the development of adaptability.

PMID- 27260203
TI  - Whole Genome Duplications Shaped the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Repertoire of Jawed
      Vertebrates.
AB  - The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) gene family, involved primarily in cell growth
      and differentiation, comprises proteins with a common enzymatic tyrosine kinase
      intracellular domain adjacent to a transmembrane region. The amino-terminal
      portion of RTKs is extracellular and made of different domains, the combination
      of which characterizes each of the 20 RTK subfamilies among mammals. We analyzed
      a total of 7,376 RTK sequences among 143 vertebrate species to provide here the
      first comprehensive census of the jawed vertebrate repertoire. We ascertained the
      58 genes previously described in the human and mouse genomes and established
      their phylogenetic relationships. We also identified five additional RTKs
      amounting to a total of 63 genes in jawed vertebrates. We found that the
      vertebrate RTK gene family has been shaped by the two successive rounds of whole
      genome duplications (WGD) called 1R and 2R (1R/2R) that occurred at the base of
      the vertebrates. In addition, the Vegfr and Ephrin receptor subfamilies were
      expanded by single gene duplications. In teleost fish, 23 additional RTK genes
      have been retained after another expansion through the fish-specific third round
      (3R) of WGD. Several lineage-specific gene losses were observed. For instance,
      birds have lost three RTKs, and different genes are missing in several fish
      sublineages. The RTK gene family presents an unusual high gene retention rate
      from the vertebrate WGDs (58.75% after 1R/2R, 64.4% after 3R), resulting in an
      expansion that might be correlated with the evolution of complexity of vertebrate
      cellular communication and intracellular signaling.

PMID- 27260206
TI  - DSP30 enhances the immunosuppressive properties of mesenchymal stromal cells and
      protects their suppressive potential from lipopolysaccharide effects: A potential
      role of adenosine.
AB  - Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are imbued with an immunosuppressive
      phenotype that extends to several immune system cells. In this study, we
      evaluated how distinct Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists impact immunosuppressive
      properties of bone marrow (BM)-MSC and explored the potential mechanisms
      involved. We show that TLR4 stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) restricted
      the ability of MSC to suppress the proliferation of T lymphocytes, increasing the
      gene expression of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6. In contrast, stimulation of
      TLR9 by DSP30 induced proliferation and the suppressive potential of BM-MSC,
      coinciding with reducing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha expression, increased
      expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, increased percentages of BM
      MSC double positive for the ectonucleotidases CD39+CD73+ and adenosine levels.
      Importantly, following simultaneous stimulation with LPS and DSP30, BM-MSC's
      ability to suppress T lymphocyte proliferation was comparable with that of non
      stimulated BM-MSC levels. Moreover, stimulation of BM-MSC with LPS reduced
      significantly the gene expression levels, on co-cultured T lymphocyte, of IL-10
      and interferon (IFN)gamma, a cytokine with potential to enhance the
      immunosuppression mediated by MSC and ameliorate the clinical outcome of patients
      with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Altogether, our findings reiterate the
      harmful effects of LPS on MSC immunosuppression, besides indicating that DSP30
      could provide a protective effect against LPS circulating in the blood of GVHD
      patients who receive BM-MSC infusions, ensuring a more predictable
      immunosuppressive effect. The novel effects and potential mechanisms following
      the stimulation of BM-MSC by DSP30 might impact their clinical use, by allowing
      the derivation of optimal "licensing" protocols for obtaining therapeutically
      efficient MSC.

PMID- 27260207
TI  - Cryopreservation of human mesenchymal stromal cells expressing TRAIL for human
      anti-cancer therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are being extensively
      researched for cell therapy and tissue engineering. We have engineered MSCs to
      express the pro-apoptotic protein tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis
      inducing ligand (TRAIL) and are currently preparing this genetically modified
      cell therapy for a phase 1/2a clinical trial in patients with metastatic lung
      cancer. To do this, we need to prepare a cryopreserved allogeneic MSCTRAIL cell
      bank for further expansion before patient delivery. The effects of
      cryopreservation on a genetically modified cell therapy product have not been
      clearly determined. METHODS: We tested different concentrations of dimethyl
      sulfoxide (DMSO) added to the human serum albumin ZENALB 4.5 and measured post
      thaw cell viability, proliferation ability and differentiation characteristics.
      In addition, we examined the homing ability, TRAIL expression and cancer cell
      killing capacities of cryopreserved genetically modified MSCs compared with
      fresh, continually cultured cells. RESULTS: We demonstrated that the post-thaw
      viability of MSCs in 5% DMSO (v/v) with 95% ZENALB 4.5 (v/v) is 85.7 +/- 0.4%,
      which is comparable to that in conventional freezing media. We show that
      cryopreservation does not affect the long-term expression of TRAIL and that
      cryopreserved TRAIL-expressing MSCs exhibit similar levels of homing and,
      importantly, retain their potency in triggering cancer cell death. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study shows that cryopreservation is unlikely to affect the therapeutic
      properties of MSCTRAIL and supports the generation of a cryopreserved master cell
      bank.

PMID- 27260208
TI  - Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in a rat model of cavernous
      nerve injury: Preclinical study for approval.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Although clinical studies using stem cells to treat erectile
      dysfunction have been performed or are ongoing, there is little consensus on the
      optimal protocol. We aimed to develop a protocol optimizing human bone marrow
      derived mesenchymal stromal cell (hBMSC) therapy in a rat model of cavernous
      nerve injury. METHODS: We performed, in order, a dose-finding study, a
      toxicokinetic study of hBMSCs, and a study to determine the timing and number of
      cell injections. RESULTS: From the dose-finding study, 1 * 10(6) cells were
      selected as the dose per hBMSC injection. From the toxicokinetic study, 14 days
      was selected as the interval between repeat treatments. In the final study, the
      ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure was
      significantly lower in the control group than in the sham group (23.4% vs. 55.1%,
      P <0.001). An immediate single injection of hBMSCs significantly improved
      erectile function compared with the control group (39.8%, P = 0.035), whereas a
      delayed single injection showed improvement with a marginal trend (38.1%, P =
      0.079). All histomorphometric changes were significantly more improved in the
      immediate or delayed single injection groups than in the control group. Repeat
      treatments did not provide any benefit for the recovery of erectile function and
      histomorphometric changes. CONCLUSIONS: Intracavernous injection of 1 * 10(6)
      hBMSCs results in a recovery of penile erection and histomorphometric changes in
      a rat model of cavernous nerve injury, even when treatment was delayed until 4
      weeks after cavernous nerve injury.

PMID- 27260209
TI  - Bioengineering and serum free expansion of blood-derived gammadelta T cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Cellular immunotherapy relies on several highly variable patient
      specific parameters, such as (i) cell number before and after expansion, (ii)
      targeting of cells to tumors, (iii) cell survival and function after infusion,
      and (iv) on- and off-target adverse events. Cellular approaches such as the
      specific expansion of gammadelta T cells as opposed to alphabeta T cells are
      being pursued. gammadelta T cells are reasonable candidates for immunotherapy
      because they (i) possess intrinsic anti-tumorigenicity, (ii) require no priming,
      (iii) direct tumor killing via recognition of stress-responsive ligands, and
      (iv), as we now show, can be expanded to clinical cell doses in current Good
      Manufacturing Practice serum-free media (SFM). METHODS: gammadelta T-cell
      expansion was evaluated in several SFMs. Additionally, the expanded gammadelta T
      cells were evaluated for their transduction efficiency using lentiviral vectors
      (LV). RESULTS: Of the SFM cultures, robust expansion was only observed in
      OpTmizer supplemented with high-dose interleukin-2. gammadelta T-cell percentages
      and numbers were sufficient for clinical use. Using cells from several donors,
      transduction efficiencies ranged from 13 to 33%, which is similar to transduction
      levels observed using alphabeta T cells with similar multiplicity of infection.
      DISCUSSION: An optimized method of gammadeltaT-cell expansion and transduction
      was developed that can be tested in early-phase clinical trials. With appropriate
      elimination of the alphabetaT cell-component, the absence of MHC-restriction
      affords the opportunity for use in the allogeneic setting with limited risk of
      graft versus host disease. Finally, the use of SFM provides clinically safer,
      widely applicable and potentially more efficacious cellular immunotherapy.

PMID- 27260210
TI  - Removal process of prion and parvovirus from human platelet lysates used as
      clinical-grade supplement for ex vivo cell expansion.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Pooled human platelet lysate (HPL) is becoming the new gold
      standard as supplement for ex vivo cell culture for clinical protocols. However,
      the risk of pathogen contamination of HPL increases with the platelet pool size.
      We hypothesized that hollow fiber anion exchange membrane chromatography using
      QyuSpeed D (QSD) could remove resistant and untested bloodborne pathogens, such
      as parvoviruses and prions, from HPL-supplemented growth media without
      substantially affecting their capacity to support ex vivo cell expansion.
      METHODS: Frozen or thawed platelet concentrates were serum-converted and
      centrifuged for obtaining HPL that was added to various growth media (ca. 100
      mL), filtered through a 0.6-mL QSD membrane and characterized for proteins,
      growth factors and chemical composition. Capacity to expand Chinese hamster
      ovary, periodontal ligament, gingival fibroblast cells and Wharton's jelly
      mesenchymal stromal cells was studied. Removal of porcine parvovirus (PPV) and of
      the 263K prion strain of hamster-adapted scrapie was studied by spiking
      experiments following international guidelines. RESULTS: QSD had minimal impact
      on HPL-supplemented medium composition in proteins, growth factors and chemical
      content, nor capacity to expand and differentiate cells. In addition, QSD could
      remove >=5.58 log10 [TCID50/mL] and >=3.72 log10 of PPV and the 263K prion,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: QSD hollow fiber chromatography can be used to improve
      the virus and prion safety of HPL-supplemented media to safely expand cells for
      clinical protocols. These data bring new perspectives for increasingly safer use
      of pooled HPL in cell therapy and regenerative medicine applications.

PMID- 27260211
TI  - Ferulic acid pretreatment could improve prognosis of autologous mesenchymal
      stromal cell transplantation for diabetic neuropathy.

PMID- 27260212
TI  - The Evolution of Physical Activity and Recommendations for Patients with Coronary
      Heart Disease.

PMID- 27260213
TI  - Cross-protective potential of anti-nucleoprotein human monoclonal antibodies
      against lethal influenza A virus infection.
AB  - The nucleoprotein (NP) possesses regions that are highly conserved among
      influenza A viruses, and has therefore been one of the target viral proteins for
      development of a universal influenza vaccine. It has been expected that human or
      humanized antibodies will be made available for the prophylaxis, pre-emptive and
      acute treatment of viral infection. However, it is still unclear whether anti-NP
      human antibody can confer protection against influenza virus infection. In this
      study, we generated transgenic mice expressing anti-NP human mAbs derived from
      lymphocytes of a patient infected with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza
      (HPAI) virus, and experimental infections were conducted to examine antiviral
      effects of the anti-NP antibodies against H5N1 HPAI viral infections with a high
      fatality rate in mammals. Transgenic mouse lines expressing the anti-NP human
      mAbs at more than 1 mg ml-1 showed marked resistance to H5N1 virus infections. In
      addition, resistance to infection with an H1N1 subtype that shows strong
      pathogenicity to mice was also confirmed. Although the anti-NP mAbs expressed in
      the transgenic mice did not neutralize the virus, the mAbs could bind to NP
      located on the surface of infected cells. These results suggested a possibility
      that the non-neutralizing anti-NP human mAbs could induce indirect antiviral
      effects, such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity or complement-dependent
      cytotoxicity. Taken together, these results demonstrated that anti-NP human mAbs
      play an important role in heterosubtypic protection against lethal influenza
      virus infections in vivo.

PMID- 27260214
TI  - Are all repeats created equal? Understanding DNA repeats at an individual level.
AB  - Repetitive DNA sequences, comprising up to 50 % of the genome in all eukaryotes,
      play important roles in a wide range of cellular functions, such as
      transcriptional regulation, genome stability, and cellular differentiation.
      However, due to technical difficulties in differentiating their sequences, DNA
      repeats remain one of the most mysterious parts of eukaryotic genomes. Key
      questions, such as how repetitive entities behave at individual level and how the
      internal architecture of these repeats is organized, are still poorly understood.
      Recent advances from our group reveal unexpected position-dependent variation
      within tandem DNA repeats in fission yeast. Despite sharing identical DNA
      sequences, the peri-centromeric repeats are organized into diverse epigenetic
      states and chromatin structures. We demonstrate that this position-dependent
      variation requires key heterochromatin factors and condensin. Our works further
      suggest that the peri-centromeric repeats are organized into distinct higher
      order structures that ensure a proper positioning of CENP-A, the centromere
      specific histone H3 variant, to centromeres. These most recent developments offer
      insights into the mechanisms underlying the position effect within tandem DNA
      arrays, and have broad implications in the field of epigenetics and chromatin
      biology.

PMID- 27260215
TI  - Advanced assessment of the physicochemical characteristics of Remicade(r) and
      Inflectra(r) by sensitive LC/MS techniques.
AB  - In this study, we demonstrate the utility of ultra-performance liquid
      chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) and ion-mobility spectrometry
      (IMS) to characterize and compare reference and biosimilar monoclonal antibodies
      (mAbs) at an advanced level. Specifically, we focus on infliximab and compared
      the glycan profiles, higher order structures, and their host cell proteins (HCPs)
      of the reference and biosimilar products, which have the brand names Remicade(r)
      and Inflectra(r), respectively. Overall, the biosimilar attributes mirrored those
      of the reference product to a very high degree. The glycan profiling analysis
      demonstrated a high degree of similarity, especially among the higher abundance
      glycans. Some differences were observed for the lower abundance glycans. Glycans
      terminated with N-glycolylneuraminic acid were generally observed to be at higher
      normalized abundance levels on the biosimilar mAb, while those possessing alpha
      linked galactose pairs were more often expressed at higher levels on the
      reference molecule. Hydrogen deuterium exchange (HDX) analyses further confirmed
      the higher-order similarity of the 2 molecules. These results demonstrated only
      very slight differences between the 2 products, which, interestingly, seemed to
      be in the area where the N-linked glycans reside. The HCP analysis by a 2D-UPLC
      IMS-MS approach revealed that the same 2 HCPs were present in both mAb samples.
      Our ability to perform these types of analyses and acquire insightful data for
      biosimilarity assessment is based upon our highly sensitive UPLC MS and IMS
      methods.

PMID- 27260216
TI  - Level 5 Lymphadenopathy Warrants Heightened Suspicion for Clinically Significant
      Pathology.
AB  - We conclude that patients presenting with level 5 lymphadenopathy should be
      investigated with heightened clinical vigilance. Our results suggest that up to
      80 % will harbour clinically significant pathology requiring further medical
      treatment, three quarters of which will be malignancy. We report an observational
      study of histological outcomes of level 5 lymph node biopsies from a regional
      histopathology department across 5 years. 184 subjects were identified as having
      a biopsy of a lymph node from the level 5 region within the study period. One
      hundred and fifty six cases (84.8 %) had clinically significant pathology on
      final histology requiring further medical treatment. Lymphoma accounted for the
      highest number of cases (n = 72, 39.1 %), followed by metastatic carcinoma (n =
      65, 35.3 %) and granulomatous change (n = 17, 9.2 %). Gender and laterality were
      not shown to be independent predictors of pathology significance (p > 0.05).

PMID- 27260217
TI  - Exclusive Primary Lesion of Oral Leishmaniasis with Immunohistochemical
      Diagnosis.
AB  - A case of oral leishmaniasis without cutaneous involvement affecting the upper
      alveolar ridge mucosa/gingiva and the hard palate is reported in a 41-year-old
      Brazilian man. Microscopic examination disclosed scarce amastigotes and the
      definitive diagnosis was facilitated by immunohistochemical analysis. The
      clinical presentation of this lesion is unusual and underlies the importance of
      considering leishmaniasis in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions,
      especially in endemic areas. A literature review of the cases of mucosal
      leishmaniasis with exclusive primary lesions of the oral mucosa was also
      performed.

PMID- 27260218
TI  - [Jejunal perforation secondary to pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma metastasis.
      Case report and review].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The first reported case of intestinal perforation secondary to
      metastatic lung carcinoma was reported in 1957. Intestinal metastases are present
      in up to 1.8% of the cases, with small bowel obstruction as the most common
      clinical presentation. CLINICAL CASE: An 89 year-old male, who was diagnosed with
      a high-grade pulmonary mucoepidermoid tumour 2 months previously. The patient was
      admitted to the hospital for 3 days due to diffuse colic abdominal pain of
      moderate to severe intensity, accompanied by nausea and gastric vomiting, as well
      as 2 episodes of bloody bowel movements. On physical examination, the patient was
      noted to have tachycardia and tachypnoea, as well as clinical signs of acute
      abdomen. He had white cells of 24,900 per mm3, and 87% neutrophils. Exploratory
      laparotomy was performed, which showed a bowel perforation associated with a
      tumour mass 15cm beyond the angle of Treitz. Bowel resection and primary
      anastomosis were performed. The histopathological analysis reported the diagnosis
      of a high-grade mucoepidermoid tumour with small bowel and mesentery with disease
      free surgical margins. Unfortunately the patient had a fatal outcome secondary to
      hospital-acquired pneumonia. CONCLUSION: The cases of metastases to small bowel
      are extremely rare, and to our knowledge this is first case reported in Mexico.
      The patient described went to the emergency room with gastrointestinal bleed and
      intestinal perforation that required urgent surgical intervention with small
      bowel resection and primary anastomosis. Unfortunately the patient died secondary
      to hospital acquired pneumonia.

PMID- 27260219
TI  - What is the effect of treating secondary lymphedema after breast cancer with
      complete decongestive physiotherapy when the bandage is replaced with Kinesio
      Textape? - A pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Secondary lymphedema (SL) following breast cancer is a well-known
      complication following surgery or radiation. SL may result in loss of functional
      ability, cosmetic deformities, physical discomfort, recurrent episodes of
      erysipelas, and psychological distress. There is no evidence as to what is the
      most effective treatment for SL. METHODS: This randomized controlled pilot study
      included 10 patients treated for SL following breast cancer. The patients were
      included and screened for SL by a physiotherapist. They were randomized to
      treatment with CDP with Kinesio Textape or bandage for 4 weeks. Endpoints were
      quality of life, circumference of the arm, costs, and working environment for the
      physiotherapist. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable according to baseline
      data. Outcomes on quality of life, costs, and working environment for the
      physiotherapist; the treatment with CDP with tape was superior to the CDP with
      bandage treatment. In regard to reducing the circumference there was no
      difference. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized controlled pilot study shows that CDP
      with tape can be an alternative to CDP with bandage. The quality of life is
      higher, the economy and working environment is better, and the effect measured by
      circumference is comparable. More RCTs are required to increase the evidence for
      CDP with tape. IMPLICATIONS: Treating lymphedema with CDP with tape after breast
      cancer is a good alternative to CDP with bandage and makes it possible to treat
      more patients with less resources.

PMID- 27260221
TI  - The evolution of sports participation guidelines and the influence of genotype
      phenotype correlation in long QT syndrome.
AB  - Congenital Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) results in abnormal ventricular repolarization
      in patients with otherwise structurally normal hearts. Following the initial
      clinical descriptions of LQTS, there has been a great deal of investigation into
      the genetic etiology and pathophysiology of these entities, with the goal of
      improved screening tools and understanding of associated risks. Through this
      work, heart rhythm experts continue to revise their recommendations regarding
      sports eligibility. We review the evolution of sports participation
      recommendations for LQTS.

PMID- 27260220
TI  - EGFR-targeted Chimeras of Pseudomonas ToxA released into the extracellular milieu
      by attenuated Salmonella selectively kill tumor cells.
AB  - Tumor-targeted Salmonella VNP20009 preferentially replicate within tumor tissue
      and partially suppress tumor growth in murine tumor models. These Salmonella have
      the ability to locally induce apoptosis when they are in direct contact with
      cancer cells but they lack significant bystander killing, which may correlate
      with their overall lack of antitumor activity in human clinical studies. In order
      to compensate for this deficiency without enhancing overall toxicity, we
      engineered the bacteria to express epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      targeted cytotoxic proteins that are released into the extracellular milieu. In
      this study, we demonstrate the ability of the Salmonella strain VNP20009 to
      produce three different forms of the Pseudomonas exotoxin A (ToxA) chimeric with
      a tumor growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) which results in its producing culture
      supernatants that are cytotoxic and induce apoptosis in EGFR positive cancer
      cells as measured by the tetrazolium dye reduction, and Rhodamine 123 and JC-10
      mitochondrial depolarization assays. In addition, exchange of the ToxA REDLK
      endoplasmic reticulum retention signal for KDEL and co-expression of the ColE3
      lysis protein resulted in an overall increased cytotoxicity compared to the wild
      type toxin. This approach has the potential to significantly enhance the
      antitumor activity of VNP20009 while maintaining its previously established
      safety profile. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2698-2711. (c) 2016 The Authors.
      Biotechnology and Bioengineering published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27260222
TI  - Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Microglia: Roles in Physiology and
      Disease.
AB  - Microglia modulate the nervous system cellular environment and induce
      neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects. Various molecules are involved in these
      processes, including families of ion channels expressed in microglial cells, such
      as transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. TRP channels comprise a family of
      non-selective cation channels that can be activated by mechanical, thermal, and
      chemical stimuli, and which contribute to the regulation of intracellular calcium
      concentrations. TRP channels have been shown to be involved in cellular processes
      such as osmotic regulation, cytokine production, proliferation, activation, cell
      death, and oxidative stress responses. Given the significance of these processes
      in microglial activity, studies of TRP channels in microglia have focused on
      determining their roles in both neuroprotective and neurotoxic processes. TRP
      channel activity has been proposed to play an important function in
      neurodegenerative diseases, ischemia, inflammatory responses, and neuropathic
      pain. Modulation of TRP channel activity may thus be considered as a potential
      therapeutic strategy for the treatment of various diseases associated with
      alterations of the central nervous system (CNS). In this review, we describe the
      expression of different subfamilies of TRP channels in microglia, focusing on
      their physiological and pathophysiological roles, and consider their potential
      use as therapeutic targets in CNS diseases.

PMID- 27260223
TI  - Zika Virus Infection and Development of a Murine Model.
AB  - In view of the recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV), there is an urgent need to
      investigate the pathogenesis of the symptoms associated with ZIKV infection.
      Since the first identification of the virus in 1947, the pathologies associated
      with ZIKV infection were thought to be limited with mild illness that presented
      fever, rashes, muscle aches, and weakness. However, ZIKV infection has been shown
      to cause Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and numerous cases of congenital microcephaly
      in children have been reported when pregnant females were exposed to the virus.
      The severity and the rate of spread of ZIKV in the last year has drawn alarming
      interest among researchers to investigate murine models to study viral
      pathogenesis and develop candidate vaccines. A recent study by Lazear and
      colleagues, in the May 2016 issue of cell host and microbe, is an effort to study
      the pathogenesis of contemporary and historical virus strains in various mouse
      models.

PMID- 27260224
TI  - FTO Genotype Interacts with Improvement in Aerobic Fitness on Body Weight Loss
      During Lifestyle Intervention.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Not every participant responds with a comparable body weight loss to
      lifestyle intervention, despite the same compliance. Genetic factors may explain
      parts of this difference. Variation in fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO)
      is the strongest common genetic determinant of body weight. The aim of the
      present study was to evaluate the impact of FTO genotype differences in the link
      between improvement of fitness and reduction of body weight during a lifestyle
      intervention. METHODS: We genotyped 292 healthy subjects for FTO rs8050136.
      Participants underwent a 9-month lifestyle intervention. Before and after
      intervention, aerobic fitness was tested by bicycle (VO2max) and treadmill
      spiroergometry (individual anaerobic threshold (IAT), subgroup of N = 192).
      RESULTS: Participants lost body weight (p < 0.0001) independent of FTO genotype
      (p = 0.5). There was a significant correlation between improvement in VO2max and
      decrease in body weight (p < 0.0001). FTO genotype interacted with this
      relationship (p = 0.0042 for VO2max, p = 0.0049 for IAT). When stratifying the
      cohort according to their improvement in VO2max, FTO obesity-risk A-allele
      carriers in the higher quartiles of improvement in fitness lost significantly
      less body weight. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal that genetic variation in FTO
      impacts on body weight reduction during lifestyle intervention only in subjects
      with marked improvement in aerobic fitness.

PMID- 27260240
TI  - Erratum to: Moderate and Vigorous Intensity Exercise During Pregnancy and
      Gestational Weight Gain in Women with Gestational Diabetes.

PMID- 27260225
TI  - The profiles of gamma-H2AX along with ATM/DNA-PKcs activation in the lymphocytes
      and granulocytes of rat and human blood exposed to gamma rays.
AB  - Establishing a rat model suitable for gamma-H2AX biodosimeter studies has
      important implications for dose assessment of internal radionuclide contamination
      in humans. In this study, gamma-H2AX, p-ATM and p-DNA-PKcs foci were enumerated
      using immunocytofluorescence method, and their protein levels were measured by
      Western blot in rat blood lymphocytes and granulocytes exposed to gamma-rays
      compared with human blood lymphocytes and granulocytes. It was found that DNA
      double-strand break repair kinetics and linear dose responses in rat lymphocytes
      were similar to those observed in the human counterparts. Moreover, radiation
      induced clear p-ATM and p-DNA-PKcs foci formation and an increase in ratio of co
      localization of p-ATM or p-DNA-PKcs with gamma-H2AX foci in rat lymphocytes
      similar to those of human lymphocytes. The level of gamma-H2AX protein in
      irradiated rat and human lymphocytes was significantly reduced by inhibitors of
      ATM and DNA-PKcs. Surprisingly, unlike human granulocytes, rat granulocytes with
      DNA-PKcs deficiency displayed a rapid accumulation, but delayed disappearance of
      gamma-H2AX foci with essentially no change from 10 h to 48 h post-irradiation.
      Furthermore, inhibition of ATM activity in rat granulocytes also decreased
      radiation-induced gamma-H2AX foci formation. In comparison, human granulocytes
      showed no response to irradiation regarding gamma-H2AX, p-ATM or p-DNA-PKcs foci.
      Importantly, incidence of gamma-H2AX foci in lymphocytes after total-body
      radiation of rats was consistent with that of in vitro irradiation of rat
      lymphocytes. These findings show that rats are a useful in vivo model for
      validation of gamma-H2AX biodosimetry for dose assessment in humans. ATM and DNA
      PKcs participate together in DSB repair in rat lymphocytes similar to that of
      human lymphocytes. Further, rat granulocytes, which have the characteristic of
      delayed disappearance of gamma-H2AX foci in response to radiation, may be a
      useful experimental system for biodosimetry studies.

PMID- 27260242
TI  - Perceived Autonomy Support and Behavioral Engagement in Physical Education:
      Comment on Yoo (2015).
AB  - The role of emotion as moderator of the relationships between perceived autonomy
      supportive behavior and autonomous motivation and between motivation and
      behavioral engagement in physical education are discussed.

PMID- 27260241
TI  - Hajj vaccinations-facts, challenges, and hope.
AB  - Vaccination is an effective preventive measure that has been used in the unique
      Hajj pilgrimage setting to control the transmission of infectious diseases. The
      current vaccination policy applied during Hajj is reviewed herein, highlighting
      the effectiveness of the approaches applied and identifying research gaps that
      need to be filled in order to improve the development and dissemination of Hajj
      vaccination strategies. 

PMID- 27260243
TI  - Non-Invasive, Focal Disconnection of Brain Circuitry Using Magnetic Resonance
      Guided Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound to Deliver a Neurotoxin.
AB  - Disturbances in the function of neuronal circuitry contribute to most neurologic
      disorders. As knowledge of the brain's connectome continues to improve, a more
      refined understanding of the role of specific circuits in pathologic states will
      also evolve. Tools capable of manipulating identified circuits in a targeted and
      restricted manner will be essential not only to expand our understanding of the
      functional roles of such circuits, but also to therapeutically disconnect
      critical pathways contributing to neurologic disease. This study took advantage
      of the ability of low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) to transiently disrupt
      the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to deliver a neurotoxin with poor BBB permeability
      (quinolinic acid [QA]) in a guided manner to a target region in the brain
      parenchyma. Ten male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups receiving
      the following treatments: (i) magnetic resonance-guided FUS + microbubbles +
      saline (n = 5), or (ii) magnetic resonance-guided FUS + microbubbles + QA (n =
      5). Systemic administration of QA was well tolerated. However, when QA and
      microbubbles were systemically administered in conjunction with magnetic
      resonance-guided FUS, the BBB was disrupted and primary neurons were destroyed in
      the targeted subregion of the hippocampus in all QA-treated animals.
      Administration of vehicle (saline) together with microbubbles and FUS also
      disrupted the BBB but did not produce neuronal injury. These findings indicate
      the feasibility of non-invasively destroying a targeted region of the brain
      parenchyma using low-intensity FUS together with systemic administration of
      microbubbles and a neurotoxin. This approach could be of therapeutic value in
      various disorders in which disturbances of neural circuitry contribute to
      neurologic disease.

PMID- 27260244
TI  - Increased Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Waves Combined with Gentamicin against
      Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms In Vitro and In Vivo.
AB  - An implant-associated bacterial infection is one of the most common and costly
      complications of orthopedic surgery. Once biofilms develop, it is extremely
      difficult to cure infections with antimicrobial agents. High-energy
      extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) treatment has been used for orthopedic-related
      diseases and has been found to be an effective bactericidal agent that is
      tolerable both in vitro and in vivo. The broad-spectrum antibiotic gentamicin
      exhibits bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and bacterial
      resistance to gentamicin is lower. We tested the effectiveness of gentamicin in
      combination with ESW treatment against S. aureus biofilms in vivo and in vitro.
      The spread plate method, crystal violet staining, confocal laser scanning
      microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microbiologic evaluation were used
      to compare the effects of combined treatment with those of either treatment
      alone. The results revealed statistically significant differences between the
      group treated with ESWs combined with gentamicin and all other groups. Our
      findings indicate that use of the combination of ESWs with gentamicin is more
      effective against S. aureus biofilms in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 27260245
TI  - Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Alters the Direction of Longitudinal Motion in the
      Artery Wall.
AB  - Longitudinal motion of the artery, a cyclical, bidirectional movement of the wall
      in the long axis of the artery, has recently gained interest in the
      characterization of artery function. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      longitudinal motion in patients with internal carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
      Speckle tracking ultrasound was used to assess common carotid artery wall motion
      in 12 patients with carotid plaque causing either moderate (50%-79%) or severe
      (80%-99%) stenosis based on the North American Carotid Endarterectomy Trial, and
      23 healthy participants. Although healthy individuals were found to have a
      retrograde wall motion pattern, a distinct anterograde pattern was noted with
      plaque presence. Importantly, patients with severe plaque stenosis had greater
      anterograde motion (0.53 +/- 0.36 mm) than those with moderate stenosis (0.17 +/-
      0.15 mm) (p < 0.05), likely owing to high wall shear stresses associated with
      greater peak systolic velocities at the site of stenosis (severe: 342.0 +/- 99.4
      cm/s, moderate: 177.5 +/- 31.2 cm/s, p < 0.01). There were no differences in peak
      systolic velocities at plaque-free segments between plaque groups (severe: 80.2
      +/- 24.8 cm/s, moderate: 92.7 +/- 23.0 cm/s). Blood flow at stenotic areas better
      predicted motion than plaque-free segments. We conclude that the presence of
      carotid plaque can have significant influence on longitudinal motion, with
      significantly greater anterograde displacements with increased stenosis. Future
      studies are needed to further investigate carotid artery wall mechanics.

PMID- 27260247
TI  - Heart rate regulation during cycle-ergometer exercise via event-driven
      biofeedback.
AB  - This paper is devoted to the problem of regulating the heart rate response along
      a predetermined reference profile, for cycle-ergometer exercises designed for
      training or cardio-respiratory rehabilitation. The controller designed in this
      study is a non-conventional, non-model-based, proportional, integral and
      derivative (PID) controller. The PID controller commands can be transmitted as
      biofeedback auditory commands, which can be heard and interpreted by the
      exercising subject to increase or reduce exercise intensity. However, in such a
      case, for the purposes of effectively communicating to the exercising subject a
      change in the required exercise intensity, the timing of this feedback signal
      relative to the position of the pedals becomes critical. A feedback signal
      delivered when the pedals are not in a suitable position to efficiently exert
      force may be ineffective and this may, in turn, lead to the cognitive
      disengagement of the user from the feedback controller. This note examines a
      novel form of control system which has been expressly designed for this project.
      The system is called an "actuator-based event-driven control system". The
      proposed control system was experimentally verified using 24 healthy male
      subjects who were randomly divided into two separate groups, along with cross
      validation scheme. A statistical analysis was employed to test the generalisation
      of the PID tunes, derived based on the average transfer functions of the two
      groups, and it revealed that there were no significant differences between the
      mean values of root mean square of the tracking error of two groups (3.9 vs. 3.7
      bpm, [Formula: see text]). Furthermore, the results of a second statistical
      hypothesis test showed that the proposed PID controller with novel synchronised
      biofeedback mechanism has better performance compared to a conventional PID
      controller with a fixed-rate biofeedback mechanism (Group 1: 3.9 vs. 5.0 bpm,
      Group 2: 3.7 vs. 4.4 bpm, [Formula: see text]).

PMID- 27260246
TI  - Ex Vivo Porcine Arterial and Chorioallantoic Membrane Acoustic Angiography Using
      Dual-Frequency Intravascular Ultrasound Probes.
AB  - The presence of blood vessels within a developing atherosclerotic plaque has been
      found to be correlated with increased plaque vulnerability and ensuing cardiac
      events, however, detection of coronary intraplaque neovascularization poses a
      significant challenge in the clinic. We describe here a new in vivo intravascular
      ultrasound imaging method using a dual-frequency transducer to visualize contrast
      flow in microvessels with high specificity. This method uses a specialized
      transducer capable of exciting contrast agents at a low frequency (5.5 MHz) while
      detecting their nonlinear superhamonics at a much higher frequency (37 MHz). In
      vitro evaluation of the approach was performed in a microvascular phantom to
      produce 3-D renderings of simulated vessel patterns and to determine image
      quality metrics as a function of depth. Furthermore, we describe the ability of
      the system to detect microvessels both ex vivo using porcine arteries and in vivo
      using the chorioallantoic membrane of a developing chicken embryo with optical
      confirmation. Dual-frequency contrast-specific imaging was able to resolve
      vessels similar in size to those found in vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques at
      clinically relevant depths. The results of this study add to the support for
      further evaluation and translation of contrast-specific imaging in intravascular
      ultrasound for the detection of vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis.

PMID- 27260248
TI  - Changing etiologies and outcome of liver failure in Southwest China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prognosis of liver failure depends greatly on the underlying
      cause, and there were few data about the prognosis, etiologies or trigger factors
      of liver failure in China based on long-term and large samples cohorts. METHODS:
      We screened out 3171 liver failure cases from 25467 patients hospitalized in our
      department between 2000 and 2012 according to Chinese criteria, and determined
      their etiologies and prognosis. RESULTS: 97.3 % cases were associated with at
      least one of 25 identified factors. The 3 leading etiologies were HBV (91.6 %),
      alcohol (18.1 %) and antiviral therapy (AVT) related hepatitis B flares (6.7 %).
      Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) accounted for 92.1 % of all cases. 96.5 %
      ACLF cases were associated with HBV, in which the percentage of AVT related
      flares increased from 0 % in 2000 up to 11.5 % in 2012, and hepatitis virus
      superinfection declined from peak 19.3 % in 2002 down to 2.5 % in 2012. Three
      month spontaneous survival (SS) rate of 3171 cases was 31.4 %, but improved from
      17.4 % in 2000 up to 40.4 % in 2012. SS was significantly different among various
      etiological groups (P = 0.000). In HBV related liver failure aged 25 to 54 years,
      males accounted for 87.6 %, and had a progressively decreased SS with increasing
      age. From 25 to 54 years, SS was lower in male than in female HBV related liver
      failure, and having significant difference in cases of ages 40 to 44 years (27.6
      % versus 50.9 %, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Etiologies of liver failure were
      numerous and varied in southwest China. HBV was the most leading cause of liver
      failure, especially in ACLF. AVT related flares had become the third leading
      cause of ACLF. The prognosis of liver failure remained poor, but had markedly
      improved in recently 3 years. Middle-aged male HBsAg carriers had an extremely
      higher risk for liver failure and worse prognosis compared to female. 1.
      Etiologies of liver failure were numerous and varied in southwest China. HBV
      infection is the main cause of liver failure in southwest China, especially the
      major cause of ACLF. Antiviral related liver failure, especially the NUCs
      withdrawal induced ACLF were extremely increased, which has replaced the
      superinfection as the third important cause of HBV-ACLF. 2. The prognosis of
      liver failure is still poor, but the spontaneous survival rate showed a trend of
      steady rise in recent years. The prognosis of patients with liver failure caused
      by different causes also exists certain difference, the more damage factors bulls
      the worse prognosis. 3. The prognosis of the HBV and HCV reactivation induced by
      the steroids was poor.Interferon treatment of CHB in ACLF although rare, but
      should be taken into consideration seriously. 4. Patients with liver failure
      caused by different etiologies showed larger differences of gender and age
      distribution. Gender and age are the important factors with the occurrence and
      prognosis of HBV-ACLF.

PMID- 27260249
TI  - Decrease in antithrombin III and prothrombin serum levels contribute to
      coagulation disorders during leptospirosis.
AB  - Pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira are the causative agent of
      leptospirosis, an emergent infectious disease that affects humans and animals
      worldwide. Severe forms of the disease in humans include jaundice, multiple organ
      failure and intense haemorrhage. Up to now, mechanisms associated with the
      haemorrhage foci are poorly understood. We report in this work that, despite the
      low levels of antithrombin III in convalescent human serum samples, virulent,
      culture-attenuated and saprophyte strains of Leptospira are unable to bind and/or
      degrade this thrombin inhibitor, suggesting an indirect mechanism of
      pathogenesis. Lower levels of prothrombin were found in serum samples at the
      onset and convalescent phase of the disease when compared to normal human sera.
      The concomitant decreased levels of antithrombin III and prothrombin suggest a
      process of stimulated coagulation, which is corroborated by the increase of
      prothrombin fragment F1+2 in the serum samples. Data obtained with hamsters
      experimentally infected with virulent Leptospira interrogans serovars Kennewicki
      and Canicola strongly point out that haemorrhage is correlated with decreased
      levels of thrombin inhibitors and prothrombin. Activated coagulation might lead
      to an overconsumption of coagulation factors ultimately leading to bleeding and
      organ failure.

PMID- 27260250
TI  - Autophagy and Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Autophagy is an essential degradation pathway in clearing abnormal protein
      aggregates in mammalian cells and is responsible for protein homeostasis and
      neuronal health. Several studies have shown that autophagy deficits occurred in
      early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Autophagy plays an important role in
      generation and metabolism of beta-amyloid (Abeta), assembling of tau and thus its
      malfunction may lead to the progress of AD. By considering the above evidences,
      autophagy may be a new target in developing drugs for AD. So far, a number of
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent and independent autophagy
      modulators have been identified to have positive effects in AD treatment. In this
      review, we summarized the latest progress supporting the role for autophagy
      deficits in AD and the potential therapeutic effects of autophagy modulators in
      AD.

PMID- 27260251
TI  - Osteoporotic thoracolumbar junctional fracture accompanied by spinous process
      fracture without posterior ligament injury: its clinical and radiologic
      significances.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the clinical and radiologic outcome of osteoporotic
      thoracolumbar junctional fracture accompanied by spinous process fracture (SPF)
      without posterior ligament injury. METHODS: A total of 391 patients with single
      level osteoporotic thoracolumbar junctional (T10-L2) fracture were selectively
      enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups by absence (group I) or
      presence (group II) of SPF. Clinical and radiologic parameters were compared
      between the two groups. RESULTS: Group I comprised of 332 patients with only
      vertebral body fracture, and group II comprised of 59 patients with both
      vertebral body and SPFs. In all cases of group II, SPFs were located just one
      level above the fractured vertebral body, and the injury of the posterior
      ligament was not found. At the time of injury, group II patients showed worse
      outcomes in anterior vertebral body compression percentage, kyphotic Cobb angle,
      cranial disk status, and the rate of the initial neurologic injury. Kyphotic
      alignment changes during 1-year follow-up were compared between the conservative
      subgroups of groups I and II. At the time of injury, there were no statistical
      differences in anterior vertebral body compression percentage and Cobb angle
      between the two conservative subgroups. However, the difference was significant
      after 1-year follow-up. Comparison of kyphotic alignment change at 12 months
      after diagnosis within group II was done according to the treatment method.
      Vertebroplasty subgroup in group II did not show benefit even in preventing such
      kyphotic alignment change, whereas instrumentation subgroup in group II showed
      lordotic alignment restoration despite more severe kyphotic alignment at the time
      of injury. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporotic thoracolumbar junctional fracture
      accompanied by spinous process fracture without posterior ligament injury
      represented more severe injury with flexion forces on the anterior column and
      tensile forces on the posterior column, and was related with more severe
      posttraumatic kyphotic changes during the 12-month follow-up.

PMID- 27260252
TI  - A formative study to inform mHealth based randomized controlled trial
      intervention to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices in Myanmar:
      incorporating qualitative study findings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a major concern for Myanmar children with low
      exclusive breastfeeding rate (24%). A formative study was conducted to explore
      the perceptions and practices relating to exclusive breastfeeding, and barriers
      and facilitators to using mobile communications for exclusive breastfeeding
      counselling. The results inform the design of a randomized control trial to
      promote exclusive breastfeeding practices among Myanmar mothers. METHODS: We
      conducted twenty in-depth interviews with pregnant women and accompanying family
      members attending an antenatal clinic at the Central Women's Hospital, Yangon,
      seven key-informant interviews and one focus group discussion with fifteen
      service providers such as nurses, doctors, managers and staff from the National
      Nutrition Centre, Department of Health, United Nations Children's Fund
      International and National Non-Government Organizations and Ooredoo, a private
      mobile company. RESULTS: Widespread practices of feeding water, honey, infant
      formula and semi-solid food were reported to be existed in the community before
      the child reaches four months, mostly influenced by grandmothers from both sides.
      All couples knew breast milk was good for baby and intended to breastfeed, though
      limited understanding of the term exclusive breastfeeding was reported.
      Perception that breast milk alone was not sufficient to provide all nutrients
      needed for the first six months of baby's life, mother had insufficient milk
      supply or breast problems, mother's back to work and grandmothers' influence
      emerged as barriers to breastfeed exclusively for six months. All women knew how
      to make basic phone calls, majority could read mobile text message in Burmese and
      possess mobile phones while a few of them shared phones with their husbands. All
      couples preferred to receive text messages 2-3 times per week in the evening.
      Institutional staff suggested messages to be simple, easily understandable and
      culturally appropriate. Perceived barriers included limited mobile network
      coverage, affordability of mobile handset and phone bills, literacy and community
      familiarity with text messages. All respondents welcomed the idea of planned
      intervention. CONCLUSION: We incorporated findings to develop messages and
      determine the modality, inclusion criteria and tailored with gestation and child
      age, to be delivered in the randomized controlled trial intervention.

PMID- 27260253
TI  - Molecular detection of tick-borne protozoan parasites in a population of domestic
      cats in midwestern Brazil.
AB  - Some tick-borne pathogens that infect domestic cats have been considered emergent
      in veterinary medicine. Occurrences of Hepatozoon spp., Babesia spp. and
      Cytauxzoon spp. have been described in several regions of Brazil. This paper
      offers a comprehensive analysis of the 18S rRNA gene of a Hepatozoon sp. strain
      detected in domestic cats in the metropolitan area of Cuiaba, in Midwestern
      Brazil. Based on a molecular analysis, we detected the presence of Hepatozoon
      species circulating among cats in this region. The aforementioned strain is
      closely related to other isolates of H. felis detected in wild felids. Moreover,
      a phylogenetic analysis indicates that this genotype is grouped into a clade of
      18S rRNA sequences previously described for the genus Hepatozoon in wild felids
      around the world. Hepatozoon felis strains detected in cats from Spain and Israel
      showed, respectively, 98% and 97% identity to our sequence and are clustered on a
      separate branch of the phylogenetic tree. This finding suggests a high diversity
      of Hepatozoon genotypes occurring in cats in Europe and South America. None of
      the analyzed cats were positive for Babesia spp. or Cytauxzoon spp. by PCR
      analysis.

PMID- 27260254
TI  - Seeing is believing: the nocturnal malarial mosquito Anopheles coluzzii responds
      to visual host-cues when odour indicates a host is nearby.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The immediate aim of our study was to analyse the behaviour of the
      malarial mosquito Anopheles coluzzii (An. gambiae species complex) near a human
      host with the ultimate aim of contributing to our fundamental understanding of
      mosquito host-seeking behaviour and the overall aim of identifying behaviours
      that could be exploited to enhance sampling and control strategies. RESULTS:
      Based on 3D video recordings of individual host-seeking females in a laboratory
      wind-tunnel, we found that despite being a nocturnal species, An. coluzzii is
      highly responsive to a visually conspicuous object, but only in the presence of
      host-odour. Female mosquitoes approached and abruptly veered away from a dark
      object, which suggests attraction to visual cues plays a role in bringing
      mosquitoes to the source of host odour. It is worth noting that the majority of
      our recorded flight tracks consisted of highly stereotyped 'dipping' sequences
      near the ground, which have been mentioned in the literature, but never before
      quantified. CONCLUSIONS: Our quantitative analysis of female mosquito flight
      patterns within ~1.5 m of a host has revealed highly relevant information about
      responsiveness to visual objects and flight height that could revolutionise the
      efficacy of sampling traps; the capturing device of a trap should be visually
      conspicuous and positioned near the ground where the density of host-seeking
      mosquitoes would be greatest. These characteristics are not universally present
      in current traps for malarial mosquitoes. The characterisation of a new type of
      flight pattern that is prevalent in mosquitoes suggests that there is still much
      that is not fully understood about mosquito flight behaviour.

PMID- 27260255
TI  - David Oliver: The pundits who do doctors down.

PMID- 27260257
TI  - Making good death more accessible: end-of-life care in the intensive care unit.

PMID- 27260256
TI  - Characterization of genome-reduced Bacillus subtilis strains and their
      application for the production of guanosine and thymidine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genome streamlining has emerged as an effective strategy to boost the
      production efficiency of bio-based products. Many efforts have been made to
      construct desirable chassis cells by reducing the genome size of microbes. It has
      been reported that the genome-reduced Bacillus subtilis strain MBG874 showed
      clear advantages for the production of several heterologous enzymes including
      alkaline cellulase and protease. In addition to enzymes, B. subtilis is also used
      for the production of chemicals. To our best knowledge, it is still unknown
      whether genome reduction could be used to optimize the production of chemicals
      such as nucleoside products. RESULTS: In this study, we constructed a series of
      genome-reduced strains by deleting non-essential regions in the chromosome of B.
      subtilis 168. These strains with genome reductions ranging in size from 581.9 to
      814.4 kb displayed markedly decreased growth rates, sporulation ratios,
      transformation efficiencies and maintenance coefficients, as well as increased
      cell yields. We re-engineered the genome-reduced strains to produce guanosine and
      thymidine, respectively. The strain BSK814G2, in which purA was knocked out, and
      prs, purF and guaB were co-overexpressed, produced 115.2 mg/L of guanosine, which
      was 4.4-fold higher compared to the control strain constructed by introducing the
      same gene modifications into the parental strain. We also constructed a thymidine
      producer by deleting the tdk gene and overexpressing the prs, ushA, thyA, dut,
      and ndk genes from Escherichia coli in strain BSK756, and the resulting strain
      BSK756T3 accumulated 151.2 mg/L thymidine, showing a 5.2-fold increase compared
      to the corresponding control strain. CONCLUSIONS: Genome-scale genetic
      manipulation has a variety of effects on the physiological characteristics and
      cell metabolism of B. subtilis. By introducing specific gene modifications
      related to guanosine and thymidine accumulation, respectively, we demonstrated
      that genome-reduced strains had greatly improved properties compared to the wild
      type strain as chassis cells for the production of these two products. These
      strains also have great potential for the production of other nucleosides and
      similar derived chemicals.

PMID- 27260259
TI  - Four situations in which ECMO might have a chance: response to Staudacher et al.

PMID- 27260260
TI  - Case studies of spinal deformities in ornamental koi, Cyprinus carpio L.
AB  - This is a study of vertebral deformities in ornamental koi based on computed
      radiography and skeletons cleaned by dermestid beetles (Dermestes maculatus). All
      koi developed gradual onset of swimming abnormalities as adults. Extensive
      intervertebral osteophyte formation correlated with age of fish and was
      associated with hindquarter paresis in one koi. Vertebral compression and fusion
      were the most common spinal deformities occurring at multiple sites, similar to
      findings in other farmed fish. Site-specific spinal deformities were thought to
      develop due to differences in swimming behaviour and rates of vertebral growth.
      One koi had offspring with spinal deformities. Spinal deformities are significant
      problems in both European and Australian food fish hatcheries. The heritability
      of vertebral deformities in farmed fish is reportedly low unless there is
      concurrent poor husbandry or nutritional deficiencies. The specific aetiologies
      for vertebral deformities in koi in this study could not be ascertained. Current
      knowledge on spinal deformities in the better studied European food fish species
      suggests multifactorial aetiologies. Future research should include prospective
      longitudinal studies of larger numbers of koi from hatch and consideration of all
      potential risk factors such as husbandry, nutrition, temperature, photoperiod and
      genetics.

PMID- 27260258
TI  - Continuous renal replacement therapy versus intermittent hemodialysis in
      intensive care patients: impact on mortality and renal recovery.
AB  - PURPOSE: The best renal replacement therapy (RRT) modality remains controversial.
      We compared mortality and short- and long-term renal recovery between patients
      treated with continuous RRT and intermittent hemodialysis. METHODS: Patients of
      the prospective observational multicenter cohort database OUTCOMEREATM were
      included if they underwent at least one RRT session between 2004 and 2014.
      Differences in patients' baseline and daily characteristics between treatment
      groups were taken into account by using a marginal structural Cox model, allowing
      one to substantially reduce the bias resulting from confounding factors in
      observational longitudinal data analysis. The composite primary endpoint was 30
      day mortality and dialysis dependency. RESULTS: Among 1360 included patients with
      RRT, 544 (40.0 %) and 816 (60.0 %) were initially treated by continuous RRT and
      intermittent hemodialysis, respectively. At day 30, 39.6 % patients were dead.
      Among survivors, 23.8 % still required RRT. There was no difference between
      groups for the primary endpoint in global population (HR 1.00, 95 % CI 0.77-1.29;
      p = 0.97). In patients with higher weight gain at RRT initiation, mortality and
      dialysis dependency were significantly lower with continuous RRT (HR 0.54, 95 %
      CI 0.29-0.99; p = 0.05). Conversely, this technique appeared to be deleterious in
      patients without shock (HR 2.24, 95 % CI 1.24-4.04; p = 0.01). Six-month
      mortality and persistent renal dysfunction were not influenced by the RRT
      modality in patients with dialysis dependence at ICU discharge. CONCLUSION:
      Continuous RRT did not appear to improve 30-day and 6-month patient outcomes. It
      seems beneficial for patients with fluid overload, but might be deleterious in
      the absence of hemodynamic failure.

PMID- 27260261
TI  - Febrile patients admitted to remote hospitals in Northeastern Kenya:
      seroprevalence, risk factors and a clinical prediction tool for Q-Fever.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Q fever in Kenya is poorly reported and its surveillance is highly
      neglected. Standard empiric treatment for febrile patients admitted to hospitals
      is antimalarials or penicillin-based antibiotics, which have no activity against
      Coxiella burnetii. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence and the
      predisposing risk factors for Q fever infection in febrile patients from a
      pastoralist population, and derive a model for clinical prediction of febrile
      patients with acute Q fever. METHODS: Epidemiological and clinical data were
      obtained from 1067 patients from Northeastern Kenya and their sera tested for IgG
      antibodies against Coxiella burnetii antigens by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and quantitative real-time
      PCR (qPCR). Logit models were built for risk factor analysis, and diagnostic
      prediction score generated and validated in two separate cohorts of patients.
      RESULTS: Overall 204 (19.1 %, 95 % CI: 16.8-21.6) sera were positive for IgG
      antibodies against phase I and/or phase II antigens or Coxiella burnetii IS1111
      by qPCR. Acute Q fever was established in 173 (16.2 %, 95 % CI: 14.1-18.7)
      patients. Q fever was not suspected by the treating clinicians in any of those
      patients, instead working diagnosis was fever of unknown origin or common
      tropical fevers. Exposure to cattle (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.09, 95 % CI:
      1.73-5.98), goats (aOR: 3.74, 95 % CI: 2.52-9.40), and animal slaughter (aOR:
      1.78, 95 % CI: 1.09-2.91) were significant risk factors. Consumption of
      unpasteurized cattle milk (aOR: 2.49, 95 % CI: 1.48-4.21) and locally fermented
      milk products (aOR: 1.66, 95 % CI: 1.19-4.37) were dietary factors associated
      with seropositivity. Based on regression coefficients, we calculated a diagnostic
      score with a sensitivity 93.1 % and specificity 76.1 % at cut off value of 2.90:
      fever >14 days (+3.6), abdominal pain (+0.8), respiratory tract infection (+1.0)
      and diarrhoea (-1.1). CONCLUSION: Q fever is common in febrile Kenyan patients
      but underappreciated as a cause of community-acquired febrile illness. The
      utility of Q fever score and screening patients for the risky social-economic and
      dietary practices can provide a valuable tool to clinicians in identifying
      patients to strongly consider for detailed Q fever investigation and follow up on
      admission, and making therapeutic decisions.

PMID- 27260262
TI  - Efficacy of tocilizumab for psychiatric symptoms associated with relapsing
      polychondritis: the first case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Relapsing polychondritis (RP) rarely affected the central nervous system (CNS).
      If the CNS is involved, it can result in psychiatric manifestations. Patients
      with RP always respond well to glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants. If the
      therapies fail, biologics can be given, such as tocilizumab, which is a humanized
      monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R). Until now, there
      have been no randomized clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of
      biologics, no reports of RP with psychiatric disorders as initial symptoms, and
      no reports of tocilizumab used for psychiatric symptoms due to RP. Here, we
      report a 60-year-old woman with mania, logomania, hallucinations, cognitive
      disorder, persecutory delusion, and violent tendency as chief complaints. The
      application of dexamethasone worsened her psychiatric symptoms. After the first
      infusion of tocilizumab, she achieved complete remission within one week. During
      the follow-up period, she sustained serological and psychiatric remission. Our
      case illustrates the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab for psychiatric symptoms
      of RP. 

PMID- 27260263
TI  - Pyrodictium delaneyi sp. nov., a hyperthermophilic autotrophic archaeon that
      reduces Fe(III) oxide and nitrate.
AB  - A hyperthermophilic, autotrophic iron and nitrate reducer, strain Su06T, was
      isolated from an active deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney on the Endeavour
      Segment in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean. It was obligately anaerobic,
      hydrogenotrophic and reduced Fe(III) oxide to magnetite and NO3- to N2.
      Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain
      was more than 97 % similar to other species of the genera Pyrodictium and
      Hyperthermus. Therefore, overall genome relatedness index analyses were performed
      to establish whether strain Su06T represents a novel species. For each analysis,
      strain Su06T was most similar to Pyrodictium occultum PL-19T. Relative to this
      strain, the average nucleotide identity score for strain Su06T was 72 %, the
      genome-to-genome direct comparison score was 13-19 % and the species
      identification score at the protein level was 89 %. For each analysis, strain
      Su06T was below the species delineation cutoff. Based on its whole genome
      sequence and its unique phenotypic characteristics, strain Su06T is suggested to
      represent a novel species of the genus Pyrodictium, for which the name
      Pyrodictium delaneyi is proposed. The type strain is Su06T (=DSM 28599T=ATCC BAA
      2559T).

PMID- 27260264
TI  - Reimbursements for telehealth services are likely to be lower than non-telehealth
      services in the United States.
AB  - Telehealth technologies promise to increase access to care, particularly in
      underserved communities. However, little is known about how private payer
      reimbursements vary between telehealth and non-telehealth services. We use the
      largest private claims database in the United States provided by the Health Care
      Cost Institute to identify telehealth claims and compare average reimbursements
      to non-telehealth claims. We find average reimbursements for telehealth services
      are significantly lower than those for non-telehealth for seven of the ten most
      common services. For example, telehealth reimbursements for office visits for
      evaluation and management of established patients with low complexity were 30%
      lower than the corresponding non-telehealth service. Reimbursements by clinical
      diagnosis code also tended to be lower for telehealth than non-telehealth claims.
      Widespread adoption of telehealth may be hampered by lower reimbursements for
      telehealth services relative to face-to-face services. This may result in lower
      incentives for providers to invest in telehealth technologies that do not result
      in significant cost savings to their practice, even if telehealth improves
      patient outcomes.

PMID- 27260265
TI  - Microbacterium gilvum sp. nov., isolated from civet faeces.
AB  - A novel aerobic, non-motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped actinobacterium,
      designated YIM 100951(T), was isolated from the faeces of civets (Viverra
      zibetha) living in the National Nature Protect Region in Selangor, Malaysia.
      Strain YIM 100951(T) shows high similarities with Microbacterium barkeri DSM
      20145(T) (97.6 %), Microbacterium oryzae MB10(T) (97.3 %), Microbacterium
      lemovicicum ViU22(T) (97.1 %) and Microbacterium indicum BBH6(T) (97.0 %) based
      on their 16S rRNA genes. However, phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YIM
      100951(T) formed a clade with Microbacterium halotolerans YIM 70130(T) (96.7 %),
      Microbacterium populi 10-107-8(T) (96.7 %) and Microbacterium sediminis YLB-01(T)
      (96.9 %). DNA-DNA hybridization was carried out between strains YIM 100951(T) and
      M. barkeri DSM 20145(T), the result showed a value of 23.2 +/- 4.5 %. In
      addition, some of the physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic
      characteristics of strain YIM 100951(T) are different from the closely related
      strains. Thus, we suggest that strain YIM 100951(T) represents a novel species of
      the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium gilvum sp. nov. is
      proposed. The type strain is YIM 100951(T) (=DSM 26235(T) = CCTCC AB 2012971(T)).

PMID- 27260266
TI  - Pitcher's elbow: medial elbow pain in the overhead-throwing athlete.
AB  - Overhead athletes subject their elbows to significant valgus stresses throughout
      the throwing cycle. A steady rise in the number of medial-sided elbow injuries
      over the years has lead to increased awareness regarding the pathophysiology of
      the "pitcher's elbow." As our understanding of the functional anatomy and
      throwing biomechanics has become more sophisticated, we have seen a concurrent
      improvement in the outcomes associated with managing these injuries. Despite this
      improvement, continued anatomical and biomechanical research is still needed to
      further optimize outcomes and return to sport. 

PMID- 27260267
TI  - Complication avoidance with pre-operative screening: insights from the Seattle
      spine team.
AB  - Complication rates for complex adult lumbar scoliosis surgery are unacceptably
      high. Standardized preoperative evaluation protocols have been shown to
      significantly reduce the likelihood of a spectrum of negative outcomes associated
      with complex adult lumbar scoliosis surgery. To increase patient safety and
      reduce complication risk, an entire medical and surgical team should work
      together to care for adult lumbar scoliosis patients. This article describes
      preoperative patient evaluation strategies with a particular focus on adult
      lumbar scoliosis surgery involving six or more levels of spinal fusion. Domains
      considered include recent preoperative evaluation literature, predictive risk
      modeling, the appropriate management of medical conditions, and the composition
      and activities of a multidisciplinary conference review team. An evidence-based
      comprehensive systematic preoperative surgical evaluation process is described. 

PMID- 27260268
TI  - The Efficacy of Propranolol in Retinopathy of Prematurity and its Correlation
      with the Platelet Mass Index.
AB  - PURPOSE: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative vitreoretinopathy
      which is one of the most frequent causes of blindness in children. In an attempt
      to find a solution to this important problem in preterm children, the search for
      new, effective treatment modalities with fewer side effects is underway. In our
      study, which was planned for this reason, we aimed to investigate the effects of
      propranolol treatment applied to cases of ROP in various stages during the second
      phase (known as the neovascularization-hypoxia phase) and to determine the
      correlation of these effects with the platelet mass index (PMI). METHOD: A total
      of 171 preterm infants at risk of ROP were selected randomly for inclusion in the
      study. All of the patients were classified according to their stage of ROP and
      were divided into control and treatment groups. While the cases in the control
      group were administered physiological saline solution, those in the treatment
      group were administered propranolol in the period that corresponded to the second
      stage of the disease. The thrombocyte and PMI values in the first and second
      stages of each study group were recorded. RESULTS: A significant difference was
      found between the control and treatment groups of the stage 2 ROP study subjects.
      In the stage 2 ROP study group, no significant difference was detected between
      the control and treatment cases in terms of platelet counts in phase 1 or in the
      PMI values and the thrombolytic counts in phase 2. On the other hand, in phase 2
      of the stage 2 ROP study subjects significant differences were detected between
      the control and treatment group in terms of PMI values. CONCLUSION: In the study,
      it was found in the stage 2 ROP study group that propranolol reduced the need for
      laser photocoagulation significantly. Also, in parallel to the efficacy of
      propranolol in this study group, a decrease was observed in PMI values.

PMID- 27260269
TI  - A cool approach to reducing electrode-induced trauma: Localized therapeutic
      hypothermia conserves residual hearing in cochlear implantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The trauma caused during cochlear implant insertion can lead to cell
      death and a loss of residual hair cells in the cochlea. Various therapeutic
      approaches have been studied to prevent cochlear implant-induced residual hearing
      loss with limited success. In the present study, we show the efficacy of mild to
      moderate therapeutic hypothermia of 4 to 6  degrees C applied to the cochlea in
      reducing residual hearing loss associated with the electrode insertion trauma.
      APPROACH: Rats were randomly distributed in three groups: control contralateral
      cochleae, normothermic implanted cochleae and hypothermic implanted cochleae.
      Localized hypothermia was delivered to the middle turn of the cochlea for 20 min
      before and after implantation using a custom-designed probe perfused with cooled
      fluorocarbon. Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded to assess the
      hearing function prior to and post-cochlear implantation at various time points
      up to 30 days. At the conclusion of the trials, inner ears were harvested for
      histology and cell count. The approach was extended to cadaver temporal bones to
      study the potential surgical approach and efficacy of our device. In this case,
      the hypothermia probe was placed next to the round window niche via the facial
      recess or a myringotomy. MAIN RESULTS: A significant loss of residual hearing was
      observed in the normothermic implant group. Comparatively, the residual hearing
      in the cochleae receiving therapeutic hypothermia was significantly conserved.
      Histology confirmed a significant loss of outer hair cells in normothermic
      cochleae receiving the surgical trauma when compared to the hypothermia treated
      group. In human temporal bones, a controlled and effective cooling of the cochlea
      was achieved using our approach. SIGNIFICANCE: Collectively, these results
      suggest that therapeutic hypothermia during cochlear implantation may reduce
      traumatic effects of electrode insertion and improve conservation of residual
      hearing.

PMID- 27260270
TI  - Impact of peripheral hearing loss on top-down auditory processing.
AB  - The auditory system consists of an intricate set of connections interposed
      between hierarchically arranged nuclei. The ascending pathways carrying sound
      information from the cochlea to the auditory cortex are, predictably, altered in
      instances of hearing loss resulting from blockage or damage to peripheral
      auditory structures. However, hearing loss-induced changes in descending
      connections that emanate from higher auditory centers and project back toward the
      periphery are still poorly understood. These pathways, which are the hypothesized
      substrate of high-level contextual and plasticity cues, are intimately linked to
      the ascending stream, and are thereby also likely to be influenced by auditory
      deprivation. In the current report, we review both the human and animal
      literature regarding changes in top-down modulation after peripheral hearing
      loss. Both aged humans and cochlear implant users are able to harness the power
      of top-down cues to disambiguate corrupted sounds and, in the case of aged
      listeners, may rely more heavily on these cues than non-aged listeners. The
      animal literature also reveals a plethora of structural and functional changes
      occurring in multiple descending projection systems after peripheral
      deafferentation. These data suggest that peripheral deafferentation induces a
      rebalancing of bottom-up and top-down controls, and that it will be necessary to
      understand the mechanisms underlying this rebalancing to develop better
      rehabilitation strategies for individuals with peripheral hearing loss.

PMID- 27260271
TI  - Gut to brain interaction in Autism Spectrum Disorders: a randomized controlled
      trial on the role of probiotics on clinical, biochemical and neurophysiological
      parameters.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms is
      frequently reported in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The GI
      disturbances in ASD might be linked to gut dysbiosis representing the observable
      phenotype of a "gut-brain axis" disruption. The exploitation of strategies which
      can restore normal gut microbiota and reduce the gut production and absorption of
      toxins, such as probiotics addition/supplementation in a diet, may represent a
      non-pharmacological option in the treatment of GI disturbances in ASD. The aim of
      this randomized controlled trial is to determine the effects of supplementation
      with a probiotic mixture (Vivomixx(r)) in ASD children not only on specific GI
      symptoms, but also on the core deficits of the disorder, on cognitive and
      language development, and on brain function and connectivity. An ancillary aim is
      to evaluate possible effects of probiotic supplementation on urinary
      concentrations of phthalates (chemical pollutants) which have been previously
      linked to ASD. METHODS: A group of 100 preschoolers with ASD will be classified
      as belonging to a GI group or to a Non-GI (NGI) group on the basis of a symptom
      severity index specific to GI disorders. In order to obtain four arms, subjects
      belonging to the two groups (GI and NGI) will be blind randomized 1:1 to regular
      diet with probiotics or with placebo for 6 months. All participants will be
      assessed at baseline, after three months and after six months from baseline in
      order to evaluate the possible changes in: (1) GI symptoms; (2) autism symptoms
      severity; (3) affective and behavioral comorbid symptoms; (4) plasmatic, urinary
      and fecal biomarkers related to abnormal intestinal function; (5)
      neurophysiological patterns. DISCUSSION: The effects of treatments with
      probiotics on children with ASD need to be evaluated through rigorous controlled
      trials. Examining the impact of probiotics not only on clinical but also on
      neurophysiological patterns, the current trial sets out to provide new insights
      into the gut-brain connection in ASD patients. Moreover, results could add
      information to the relationship between phthalates levels, clinical features and
      neurophysiological patterns in ASD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov
      Identifier: NCT02708901 . Retrospectively registered: March 4, 2016.

PMID- 27260272
TI  - Toward refined environmental scenarios for ecological risk assessment of down-the
      drain chemicals in freshwater environments.
AB  - Current regulatory practice for chemical risk assessment suffers from the lack of
      realism in conventional frameworks. Despite significant advances in exposure and
      ecological effect modeling, the implementation of novel approaches as high-tier
      options for prospective regulatory risk assessment remains limited, particularly
      among general chemicals such as down-the-drain ingredients. While reviewing the
      current state of the art in environmental exposure and ecological effect
      modeling, we propose a scenario-based framework that enables a better integration
      of exposure and effect assessments in a tiered approach. Global- to catchment
      scale spatially explicit exposure models can be used to identify areas of higher
      exposure and to generate ecologically relevant exposure information for input
      into effect models. Numerous examples of mechanistic ecological effect models
      demonstrate that it is technically feasible to extrapolate from individual-level
      effects to effects at higher levels of biological organization and from
      laboratory to environmental conditions. However, the data required to
      parameterize effect models that can embrace the complexity of ecosystems are
      large and require a targeted approach. Experimental efforts should, therefore,
      focus on vulnerable species and/or traits and ecological conditions of relevance.
      We outline key research needs to address the challenges that currently hinder the
      practical application of advanced model-based approaches to risk assessment of
      down-the-drain chemicals. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:233-248. (c) 2016
      SETAC.

PMID- 27260274
TI  - Oral Medicine-the new dental specialty.

PMID- 27260273
TI  - Acyl Chain Disorder and Azelaoyl Orientation in Lipid Membranes Containing
      Oxidized Lipids.
AB  - Oxidized phospholipids occur naturally in conditions of oxidative stress and have
      been suggested to play an important role in a number of pathological conditions
      due to their effects on a lipid membrane acyl chain orientation, ordering, and
      permeability. Here we investigate the effect of the oxidized phospholipid 1
      palmitoyl-2-azelaoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PazePC) on a model membrane of
      1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) using a combination of
      (13)C-(1)H dipolar-recoupling nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments and
      united-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The obtained experimental order
      parameter SCH profiles show that the presence of 30 mol % PazePC in the bilayer
      significantly increases the gauche content of the POPC acyl chains, therefore
      decreasing the thickness of the bilayer, although with no stable bilayer pore
      formation. The MD simulations reproduce the disordering effect and indicate that
      the orientation of the azelaoyl chain is highly dependent on its protonation
      state with acyl chain reversal for fully deprotonated states and a parallel
      orientation along the interfacial plane for fully protonated states, deprotonated
      and protonated azelaoyl chains having negative and positive SCH profiles,
      respectively. Only fully or nearly fully protonated azelaoyl chain are observed
      in the (13)C-(1)H dipolar-recoupling NMR experiments. The experiments show
      positive SCH values for the azelaoyl segments confirming for the first time that
      oxidized chains with polar termini adopt a parallel orientation to the bilayer
      plane as predicted in MD simulations.

PMID- 27260275
TI  - The efficacy of botulinum toxin for the treatment of trigeminal and postherpetic
      neuralgia: a systematic review with meta-analyses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a botulinum toxin type A (BoTN-A) in
      treating trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). STUDY
      DESIGN: Three databases were searched: Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane
      Library. The search was restricted to English-language randomized, placebo
      controlled trials. Three review authors evaluated the cases for risk of bias.
      RESULTS: Six studies were eligible for inclusion. Pooled results showed a
      difference in post-treatment pain intensity of -3.009 (95% confidence interval 
      4.566 to -1.453; P < .001) in favor of BoTN-A compared with placebo in managing
      TN or PHN. Of the six studies, five had unclear risk of bias, and one showed high
      risk. CONCLUSIONS: Although the studies had unclear or high risk of bias,
      moderate evidence regarding the efficacy of BoTN-A in treating TN and PHN was
      found. BoTN-A might be an alternative treatment to those patients who are either
      unable to manage their pain medically or would like adjunct therapy.

PMID- 27260276
TI  - Etiology and pathogenesis of oral lichen planus: an overview.
AB  - Oral lichen planus is a noninfectious, chronic inflammatory condition that
      involves the oral mucosal stratified squamous epithelium and the underlying
      lamina propria and may be accompanied by skin lesions. This overview describes
      the current understanding of the immunopathologic mechanisms implicated in oral
      lichen planus. 

PMID- 27260277
TI  - Ultrastructural evaluation of gingival connective tissue in hereditary gingival
      fibromatosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the ultrastructural features of hereditary gingival
      fibromatosis (HGF) in affected family members and compare microscopic findings
      with normal gingival (NG) tissue. STUDY DESIGN: Gingival tissue samples from nine
      patients with HGF from five unrelated families were evaluated by transmission
      electron microscopy. Nine NG tissue samples were used for comparison. RESULTS:
      Areas containing collagen fibrils forming loops and folds were observed in both
      groups, whereas oxytalan fibers were frequently identified in the HGF group. The
      diameter of collagen fibrils and the interfibrillar space among them were more
      uniform in the NG group than in the HGF group. Fibroblasts were the most common
      cells found in both the HGF and NG groups and exhibited enlarged, rough
      endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria with well-preserved crests, conspicuous
      nucleoli, and euchromatic chromatin. Other cells, such as mast cells, plasma
      cells, and macrophages, were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: HGF tissues had
      ultrastructural characteristics that were very similar to those of NG tissues.
      Oxytalan fibers were observed more frequently in the HGF samples than in the NG
      samples. Other studies of HGF in patients from different families should be
      performed to better understand the pathogenesis of this hereditary condition.

PMID- 27260278
TI  - Severity and presence of atherosclerosis signs within the segments of internal
      carotid artery: CBCT's contribution.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess with cone-beam computed tomography the
      distribution and interrelation of the presence of calcifications along the course
      of the internal carotid artery and to associate their severity with their
      allocation within the segments of internal carotid artery, gender, and age. STUDY
      DESIGN: Using a documented visual scale, 161 cone-beam computed tomography scans
      were evaluated on the allocation and severity of intracranial calcifications
      within the segments of the internal carotid artery. RESULTS: Calcifications were
      detected along the petrous (C2: 11.8%), lacerum (C3: 23.6%), cavernous (C4:
      92.5%), and ophthalmic-clinoid (C5/C6: 65.8%) segments. The Friedman test showed
      significant differences in severity distribution among these segments; the
      highest degree was found in the C4 segment (P < .05). The Wilcoxon signed-rank
      test showed no significant differences between calcifications on the right or
      left side or between severities within the C1 (extracranial) and C5/C6 segments.
      The Chi-square test showed that the severity and allocation of calcifications are
      not influenced by gender; it also showed that their severity increases with age
      (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In the cohort studied, the incidence of calcifications
      increased throughout the C1, C5/C6, and C4 segments. More severe calcifications
      were found at the C4, C1, and C5/C6 segments in decreasing order but increased
      with age, regardless of gender.

PMID- 27260279
TI  - Tissue characterization using optical coherence tomography and cone beam computed
      tomography: a comparative pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in
      differentiating human oral tissues in comparison with cone beam computed
      tomography. STUDY DESIGN: In this study, we imaged four types of tissues ex vivo:
      human enamel, human cortical bone, human trabecular bone, and fatty tissue plus
      water and air by using OCT (Axsun Inc., Billerica, MA). We then developed a
      method for qualitative and quantitative analyses of the human specimens. The same
      types of tissues were also imaged using cone beam computed tomography, and gray
      scale values were measured. RESULTS: The qualitative indices (intensity profile,
      contour plot, and histogram) for OCT images were able to provide information
      regarding surface characteristics as well as changes in tissue properties at
      different interfaces. The quantitative index (pixel intensity values) was also
      able to render information regarding the distribution and density of the pixels
      in different samples. A similar pattern was observed in the pixel intensity
      values and gray-scale values in both imaging modalities. CONCLUSIONS: Within the
      limitations of this ex vivo pilot study, OCT can reliably differentiate between a
      range of hard and soft tissues.

PMID- 27260280
TI  - Reliability of three-dimensional measurements of the upper airway on cone beam
      computed tomography images.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was (1) to assess intra- and interobserver
      reliability of the localization of anatomic landmarks of the upper airway on cone
      beam computed tomography (CBCT) images; and (2) to assess intra- and
      interobserver reliability of the three-dimensional measurements of the upper
      airway based on these landmarks. STUDY DESIGN: Fifteen NewTom 5G (QR systems,
      Verona, Italy) CBCT data sets were randomly selected from the archives of the
      Department of Oral Radiology, Academic Centre for Dentistry (ACTA) at University
      of Amsterdam and VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Three observers
      localized six anatomic landmarks that are relevant for upper airway analysis
      twice, with a 10-day interval, using 3Diagnosys software (v5.3.1, 3diemme, Cantu,
      Italy). Subsequently, the observers performed upper airway volume measurement
      based on those landmarks twice as well, again with a 10-day interval, using Amira
      software (v4.1, Visage Imaging Inc., Carlsbad, CA). The upper airway measurements
      also included the minimum cross-sectional area (CSAmin), location of the CSAmin,
      and anteroposterior and lateral dimensions of the CSAmin. RESULTS: Both
      intraobserver reliability and interobserver reliability were excellent for the
      localization of the anatomic landmarks of the upper airway (intraclass
      correlation coefficients = 0.97-1.00) as well as for the three-dimensional upper
      airway measurements (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.78-1.00).
      CONCLUSIONS: The methodology of landmark localization and upper airway
      measurements, as used in this study, showed an excellent reliability and can thus
      be recommended for upper airway analysis on CBCT images.

PMID- 27260281
TI  - Oral medicine in academia.

PMID- 27260282
TI  - Comments on "Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) sialography-an adjunct to
      salivary gland ultrasonography in the evaluation of recurrent salivary gland
      swelling".

PMID- 27260283
TI  - Reply to the queries concerning our recent paper "Cone beam computed tomography
      (CBCT) sialography-an adjunct to salivary gland ultrasonography in the evaluation
      of recurrent salivary gland swelling".

PMID- 27260284
TI  - Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of bone lesions of the jaws: a systematic
      review.
AB  - The diagnostic use of ultrasonography in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery has
      previously been described in the literature. Considering that ultrasonography may
      be useful for the diagnosis of bone lesions of the jaws, a systematic review was
      carried out to examine the evidence. This review determined that ultrasonography
      has been used effectively for the diagnosis of infective and/or inflammatory
      lesions, cysts, nonodontogenic tumors, odontogenic tumors, and arteriovenous
      malformations and for the differential diagnosis of lesions of endodontic origin,
      compared with the gold standard of histologic analysis. Ultrasonography may be a
      viable adjunct to other special tests for the diagnosis of intraosseous lesions
      of the jaws, as it is noninvasive and does not involve ionizing radiation
      exposure of the patient. 

PMID- 27260285
TI  - Amebic liver abscess in children-Experience from Central India.

PMID- 27260286
TI  - Kluyveromyces marxianus as a host for heterologous protein synthesis.
AB  - The preferentially respiring and thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus is
      an emerging host for heterologous protein synthesis, surpassing the traditional
      preferentially fermenting yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in some important
      aspects: K . marxianus can grow at temperatures 10  degrees C higher than S.
      cerevisiae, which may result in decreased costs for cooling bioreactors and
      reduced contamination risk; has ability to metabolize a wider variety of sugars,
      such as lactose and xylose; is the fastest growing eukaryote described so far;
      and does not require special cultivation techniques (such as fed-batch) to avoid
      fermentative metabolism. All these advantages exist together with a high
      secretory capacity, performance of eukaryotic post-translational modifications,
      and with a generally regarded as safe (GRAS) status. In the last years,
      replication origins from several Kluyveromyces spp. have been used for the
      construction of episomal vectors, and also integrative strategies have been
      developed based on the tendency for non-homologous recombination displayed by K.
      marxianus. The recessive URA3 auxotrophic marker and the dominant Kan(R) are
      mostly used for selection of transformed cells, but other markers have been made
      available. Homologous and heterologous promoters and secretion signals have been
      characterized, with the K. marxianus INU1 expression and secretion system being
      of remarkable functionality. The efficient synthesis of roughly 50 heterologous
      proteins has been demonstrated, including one thermophilic enzyme. In this mini
      review, we summarize the physiological characteristics of K. marxianus relevant
      for its use in the efficient synthesis of heterologous proteins, the efforts
      performed hitherto in the development of a molecular toolbox for this purpose,
      and some successful examples. 

PMID- 27260287
TI  - Role of sufficient phosphorus in biodiesel production from diatom Phaeodactylum
      tricornutum.
AB  - In order to study the role of sufficient phosphorus (P) in biodiesel production
      by microalgae, Phaeodactylum tricornutum were cultivated in six different media
      treatments with combination of nitrogen (N) sufficiency/deprivation and
      phosphorus sufficiency/limitation/deprivation. Profiles of N and P, biomass, and
      fatty acids (FAs) content and compositions were measured during a 7-day
      cultivation period. The results showed that the FA content in microalgae biomass
      was promoted by P deprivation. However, statistical analysis showed that FA
      productivity had no significant difference (p = 0.63, >0.05) under the treatments
      of N deprivation with P sufficiency (N-P) and N deprivation with P deprivation (N
      P-), indicating P sufficiency in N deprivation medium has little effect on
      increasing biodiesel productivity from P. triornutum. It was also found that the
      P absorption in N-P medium was 1.41 times higher than that in N sufficiency and P
      sufficiency (NP) medium. N deprivation with P limitation (N-P-l) was the optimal
      treatment for producing biodiesel from P. triornutum because of both the highest
      FA productivity and good biodiesel quality. 

PMID- 27260288
TI  - Fermented Yupingfeng polysaccharides enhance immunity by improving the foregut
      microflora and intestinal barrier in weaning rex rabbits.
AB  - Yupingfeng (YPF) is a kind of Astragali radix-based ancient Chinese herbal
      supplemented with Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Radix Saposhnikoviae.
      Increasing evidence has proven the beneficial immunomodulating activity of YPF.
      However, the action mechanism(s) of it is not known. Here, we explored the
      immunomodulatory activity of unfermented Yupingfeng polysaccharides (UYP) and
      fermented Yupingfeng polysaccharides (FYP) obtained using Rhizopus oligosporus SH
      in weaning Rex rabbits. The results showed that both UYP and FYP exhibited
      notable growth-promoting and immune-enhancing activities, improvement of the
      intestinal flora homeostasis, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity and
      functionality. Notably, compared with UYP, FYP effectively enhanced average daily
      gain, organ indices, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha), TLR2, and TLR4 mRNA levels in spleen, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6,
      IL-10, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma protein concentrations in serum, and TLR2
      and TLR4 mRNA expressions in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Moreover, FYP
      exhibited greater beneficial effects in improving the intestinal flora, including
      augment flora diversity and the abundance of cellulolytic bacteria, reduction the
      abundance of Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. in the GIT, particularly
      the foregut and maintaining the intestinal barrier integrity and functionality by
      upregulating zonula occludens 1, claudin, polymeric immunoglobulin receptor,
      trefoil factor, and epidermal growth factor mRNA levels in the jejunum and ileum.
      Our results indicated the immunoenhancement effect of FYP is superior over that
      of UYP, which is probably related with the amelioration of the intestinal
      microflora and intestinal barrier in the foregut. 

PMID- 27260289
TI  - Preconditioning of endoplasmic reticulum stress protects against acrylonitrile
      induced cytotoxicity in primary rat astrocytes: The role of autophagy.
AB  - This study explored the protective effects of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress
      preconditioning induced by 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) or oxidized dithiothreitol
      (DTTox) on acrylonitrile (AN)-induced cytotocity in primary rat astrocytes. Cells
      were pretreated with 2-DG or DTTox for different times at various concentration.
      Next, astrocytes were treated with 2.5mM AN for an additional 12h. Cell viability
      and cytotoxicity were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
      leakage, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane
      potential (DeltaPsim) were determined. Expression of glucose-regulated protein 78
      (GRP78), phosphorylated-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha (p
      eIF2alpha), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), P62, and Beclin1
      were used to assess autophagy. In addition, 3-methyadenine (3-MA), an autophagy
      specific inhibitor, was used to assess the role of autophagy in ER stress
      preconditioning-induced protection against AN cytotoxicity. The results showed
      that AN alone significantly decreased astrocytic viability and enhanced
      cytotoxicity. Compared to the AN-alone group, preconditioning with 2-DG or DTTox
      significantly increased cell viability and reduced cytotoxicity to
      indistinguishable levels. Decreased ROS generation and increased DeltaPsim were
      also inherent to ER stress preconditioning with these compounds. Furthermore,
      autophagy was activated by both 2-DG and DTTox. Blockage of autophagy attenuated
      the protection afforded by 2-DG or DTTox preconditioning in AN-treated
      astrocytes. These results establish that ER stress preconditioning affords
      cellular protection against AN, and that activation of autophagy mediates the
      cytoprotection. Modulation of ER stress and resultant activation of autophagy may
      be a novel target for to ameliorate AN toxicity.

PMID- 27260290
TI  - A Practical Guide to Engaging Individuals with Obesity.
AB  - Obesity is officially recognised as a chronic disease and a top public health
      priority by several global societies and healthcare bodies. In some European
      countries, the majority of the adult population is either overweight or obese,
      with major implications for patient health and healthcare systems. General
      practitioners (GPs) are well-placed to tackle this epidemic, yet their engagement
      with patients is fraught with challenges and barriers. These include time
      limitations, a lack of evidence base, sensitivities around raising the topic of
      obesity with patients, inadequate availability of supporting local weight loss
      services, a lack of training for healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the
      management of obesity and a limited number of effective therapies. A number of
      steps need to be implemented to promote engagement between GPs and individuals
      with obesity. This article provides a European perspective on the obstacles that
      patients face in accessing healthcare services and discusses a variety of
      approaches for engaging individuals with obesity and facilitating the management
      of obesity as a chronic disease.

PMID- 27260291
TI  - Cognition and eating behavior in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: effect on
      survival.
AB  - It is increasingly recognized that metabolic factors influenced by eating
      behavior, may affect disease progression in neurodegeneration. In frontotemporal
      dementia (FTD), which shares a significant overlap with Amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis (ALS), patients are well known to develop changes in eating behavior.
      Whether patients with pure ALS and those with cognitive and behavioral changes
      associated with ALS also develop similar changes is not known. The current study
      aimed to examine caloric intake, eating behavioral changes, body mass index, and
      using cox regression analyses survival across the spectrum of 118 ALS-FTD
      patients (29 pure ALS, 12 ALS-plus and 21 ALS-FTD, 56 behavioral variant FTD),
      compared with 25 control subjects. The current study found contrary to previous
      assumptions eating changes are not restricted to FTD, but a spectrum of eating
      behavioral changes occur in ALS, present in those with pure ALS and worsening as
      patients develop cognitive changes. ALS patients with cognitive impairment
      exhibited changes in food preference, with caloric intake and BMI increasing with
      the development of cognitive/behavioral changes. Both pure ALS and those with
      cognitive impairment demonstrated increased saturated fat intake. Survival
      analyses over the mean patient follow-up period of 6.9 years indicated that
      increasing eating behavioral changes were associated with an improved survival
      (threefold decrease risk of dying). Changes in eating behavior and metabolism
      occur in ALS in association with increasing cognitive impairment, perhaps
      exerting a protective survival influence. These changes provide insights into the
      common neural networks controlling eating and metabolism in FTD and ALS and
      provide potential targets to modify disease prognosis and progression. 

PMID- 27260292
TI  - A series of Greek children with pure hereditary spastic paraplegia: clinical
      features and genetic findings.
AB  - Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous
      group of neurodegenerative disorders mainly characterized by progressive
      spasticity of the lower limbs. Adult case series dominate the literature, and
      there have been only a few studies in children. The purpose of this study is to
      describe our experience with pediatric HSP in Greece. We report the clinical and
      genetic findings in our patients and aim to offer insights into the diagnostic
      difficulties of childhood-onset disease. A series of 15 Greek children affected
      by pure HSP underwent extensive diagnostic investigations. Molecular analysis
      included whole exome sequencing (WES) or consecutive screening of candidate genes
      ATL1, SPAST, REEP1, and CYP7B1. WES performed in three cases yielded previously
      reported mutations in ATL1 and CYP7B1, and a variant c.397C>T of unknown
      significance in SPG7. Candidate gene screening performed in the remaining
      patients identified previously reported mutations in ATL1 (2), SPAST (2), and
      REEP1 (1), and two novel mutations, c.1636G>A and c.1413+3_6delAAGT, in SPAST. In
      six cases, the mutations were inherited from their parents, while in three cases,
      the mutations were apparently de novo. Our data confirm the genetic heterogeneity
      of childhood-onset pure HSP, with SPG4/SPAST and SPG3A/ATL1 being the most
      frequent forms. De novo occurrence of HSP does not seem to be uncommon. Candidate
      gene studies guided by diagnostic algorithms and WES seem both to be reasonable
      genetic testing strategies. 

PMID- 27260293
TI  - Lesional cerebellar epilepsy: a review of the evidence.
AB  - Classical teaching in epileptology localizes the origins of focal seizures solely
      in the cerebral cortex, with only inhibitory effects attributed to subcortical
      structures. However, electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies over the last
      decades now provide evidence for an initiation of epileptic seizures within
      subcortical structures. Intrinsic epileptogenicity of hypothalamic hamartoma has
      already been established in recognition of subcortical epilepsy, whereas a
      seizure-generating impact of dysplastic cerebellar lesions remains to be
      clarified. Herein, we examine the supportive evidence and clinical presentation
      of cerebellar seizures and review therapy options.

PMID- 27260294
TI  - Antiplatelet drug resistance is associated with early neurological deterioration
      in acute minor ischemic stroke in the Chinese population.
AB  - To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of antiplatelet drug resistance and
      its association with early neurological deterioration (END) and recurrent
      ischemic stroke (RIS) in patients with acute minor stroke. Antiplatelet drug
      resistance was assessed by platelet aggregation assay in 426 patients with minor
      stroke who were receiving combined treatment of aspirin and clopidogrel. All
      patients were followed up for 90 days. The primary endpoint of the study was END
      within 10 days after admission. The secondary endpoints included RIS, myocardial
      infarction and death during 90 days of treatment. The safety endpoints were
      intracerebral or extracranial hemorrhagic events. Cox proportional hazard
      regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for the primary
      endpoint and secondary endpoints. Among the 426 patients, 24.4 % exhibited
      aspirin resistance, 35.9 % exhibited clopidogrel resistance, and 19.2 % displayed
      concomitant aspirin and clopidogrel resistance. In multivariate analysis,
      diabetes mellitus and high level of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were
      independent risk factors for aspirin resistance, while diabetes mellitus was the
      only independent risk factor for clopidogrel resistance. END was observed in 93
      (21.8 %) patients. Diabetes mellitus, high fasting blood glucose level, and
      concomitant aspirin and clopidogrel resistance were independent risk factors for
      END. RIS was observed in 40 (9.4 %) patients. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension,
      and concomitant aspirin and clopidogrel resistance were independent risk factors
      for RIS. Antiplatelet drug resistance is common in acute minor ischemic stroke
      patients and is associated with END and RIS after acute minor ischemic stroke in
      the Chinese population. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
      http://www.chictr.org/ . Unique Identifier: ChiCTR-OCH-14004724.

PMID- 27260295
TI  - Natalizumab discontinuation is associated with a rebound of cognitive impairment
      in multiple sclerosis patients.
AB  - Natalizumab discontinuation is associated with a disease reactivation in multiple
      sclerosis (MS) patients. Whether this reactivation involves also cognitive
      functions is not known to date. To assess the persistence of the effect of
      natalizumab on cognitive functions 1 year after its discontinuation, we compared
      the longitudinal changes of cognitive performances in two groups of patients. The
      interrupters, 30 MS patients, have stopped natalizumab due to PML concern, and
      the continuers, 28 MS patients, continued the treatment. The cognitive impairment
      index (CII) was used as main outcome measure. As expected, during the natalizumab
      treatment, we observed a significant reduction of the relapse rate and the number
      of gadolinium-enhancing lesions along with a reduction of the CII. After 1 year
      of discontinuation, the beneficial effect on cognitive functions was lost in the
      interrupters group, as the mean CII increased in comparison with the mean at the
      end of natalizumab treatment (12.2 +/- 7.9 vs 9.3 +/- 8.1, p < 0.0001). As
      opposite, in the continuers group, the CII further decreased after an additional
      year of treatment (8.4 +/- 5.1 vs 9.8 +/- 4.6, p = 0.007). A multivariate
      logistic regression model revealed as predictors of cognitive worsening male sex,
      disease duration, and the treatment discontinuation. The worsening of cognitive
      functions after natalizumab discontinuation goes in parallel with the
      clinical/radiological disease reactivation. Our data reinforce the hypothesis
      that, in the short-term, natalizumab exerts its positive impact on cognitive
      functions by means of its anti-inflammatory properties. 

PMID- 27260296
TI  - Screening tests for aphasia in patients with stroke: a systematic review.
AB  - Aphasia has a large impact on the quality of life and adds significantly to the
      costs of stroke care. Early recognition of aphasia in stroke patients is
      important for prognostication and well-timed treatment planning. We aimed to
      identify available screening tests for differentiating between aphasic and non
      aphasic stroke patients, and to evaluate test accuracy, reliability, and
      feasibility. We searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for
      published studies on screening tests aimed at assessing aphasia in stroke
      patients. The reference lists of the selected articles were scanned, and several
      experts were contacted to detect additional references. Of each screening test,
      we estimated the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio of a positive test,
      likelihood ratio of a negative test, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and rated
      the degree of bias of the validation method. We included ten studies evaluating
      eight screening tests. There was a large variation across studies regarding
      sample size, patient characteristics, and reference tests used for validation.
      Many papers failed to report on the consecutiveness of patient inclusion, time
      between aphasia onset and administration of the screening test, and blinding. Of
      the three studies that were rated as having an intermediate or low risk of bias,
      the DOR was highest for the Language Screening Test and ScreeLing. Several
      screening tools for aphasia in stroke are available, but many tests have not been
      verified properly. Methodologically sound validation studies of aphasia screening
      tests are needed to determine their usefulness in clinical practice.

PMID- 27260297
TI  - Safety and efficacy of dimethyl fumarate in multiple sclerosis: a multi-center
      observational study.
AB  - Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) was recently approved for treating patients with
      relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) based on two phase III clinical
      trials demonstrating its efficacy. This prompts the need for demonstrating the
      clinical efficacy and safety of DMF in the real world. By retrospective analysis
      of medical records at two German MS centers, 644 MS patients treated with DMF
      were identified. All were included in a safety analysis, and a subgroup of
      patients with available efficacy data during previous MS therapies (n = 352) was
      further analyzed for annualized relapse rate and disability progression assessed
      by the EDSS. In the overall DMF population studied, the annualized relapse rate
      decreased from 0.52 at baseline to 0.35, and the annualized disability
      progression from 0.15 to 0.10. Patients who were switched from interferons or
      glatiramer acetate to DMF revealed a greater benefit, whereas patients pretreated
      with more potent immunotherapies did not respond that well. Interestingly,
      patients with a lymphocyte count >=2000/ul after 0.52 years (mean, SD 0.2) of DMF
      treatment did not benefit compared to those with lower lymphocyte counts. In
      total, 22.2 % of the patients withdrew from DMF due to side effects, with
      gastrointestinal discomfort (12.7 %) and lymphopenia (5.3 %) as most frequently
      reported reasons. Our study corroborates that DMF is an overall safe and
      effective drug that reduces relapse rate as well as disability progression in MS
      patients. Further prospective studies are warranted to establish the additional
      parameters predicting DMF response, especially in patients switching from other
      first-line immunotherapies. 

PMID- 27260298
TI  - Long-term effectiveness of a school-based primary prevention program for anorexia
      nervosa: A 7-to 8-year follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: This is the first study to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a
      school-based prevention program in Germany. The aim is to determine the long-term
      effects of the primary prevention program PriMa (Primary prevention of anorexia
      nervosa in preadolescent girls) on disordered eating and body self-esteem from
      childhood to young adulthood. METHODS: PriMa was conducted and successfully
      evaluated in a quasi-experimental pre-post design with a control group from 2007
      to 2008 consisting of 11-13year old girls (N=1508) from Thuringian schools in
      Germany. Seven to eight years after the intervention, the same cohort (mean age
      19.8years) was invited to complete an online survey. Disordered eating (EAT-26),
      body self-esteem (FBeK) and BMI were assessed via self-report. The response rate
      at seven-to-eight-year follow-up was very low (7%). Data of N=100 girls were
      analyzed. RESULTS: Concerning changes in disordered eating, results revealed no
      significant long-term effect of PriMa seven to eight years after the
      intervention. During this time, disordered eating remained stable without a
      significant increase or decrease. Regarding changes in body self-esteem, group
      courses differed significantly from each other. The results revealed a
      significant main effect of group, indicating significant differences in changes
      of body self-esteem between the intervention and the control group. Following the
      analysis of these changes of body self-esteem over time, it was found that the
      intervention group revealed an increase of body self-esteem after program
      participation and remained stable over time. By contrast, the control group
      revealed a decrease of body self-esteem over time. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term
      intervention effects of PriMa could be found for body self-esteem but not for
      disordered eating. The findings suggest that PriMa prevented a decrease of body
      self-esteem from childhood to young adulthood. For a broader dissemination it is
      necessary to implement prevention programs consistently in school settings. In
      order to maintain the prevention effects, it would be interesting to investigate
      the effects of booster sessions which refresh the programs content on a regular
      basis. Furthermore, the results of this study revealed the implementation
      difficulties of primary prevention programs especially concerning the retention
      of the sample size.

PMID- 27260299
TI  - Probabilistic noninvasive prediction of wall properties of abdominal aortic
      aneurysms using Bayesian regression.
AB  - Multiple patient-specific parameters, such as wall thickness, wall strength, and
      constitutive properties, are required for the computational assessment of
      abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture risk. Unfortunately, many of these
      quantities are not easily accessible and could only be determined by invasive
      procedures, rendering a computational rupture risk assessment obsolete. This
      study investigates two different approaches to predict these quantities using
      regression models in combination with a multitude of noninvasively accessible,
      explanatory variables. We have gathered a large dataset comprising tensile tests
      performed with AAA specimens and supplementary patient information based on blood
      analysis, the patients medical history, and geometric features of the AAAs. Using
      this unique database, we harness the capability of state-of-the-art Bayesian
      regression techniques to infer probabilistic models for multiple quantities of
      interest. After a brief presentation of our experimental results, we show that we
      can effectively reduce the predictive uncertainty in the assessment of several
      patient-specific parameters, most importantly in thickness and failure strength
      of the AAA wall. Thereby, the more elaborate Bayesian regression approach based
      on Gaussian processes consistently outperforms standard linear regression.
      Moreover, our study contains a comparison to a previously proposed model for the
      wall strength.

PMID- 27260300
TI  - The adipokine Chemerin induces lipolysis and adipogenesis in bovine intramuscular
      adipocytes.
AB  - The adipokine Chemerin is reported to regulate adipogenesis and glucose
      homeostasis in vivo and in 3T3-L1 cells. Our team is focused on the role of
      Chemerin in metabolism and intramuscular adipocyte differentiation because
      intramuscular fat is the basic material for the formation of marbling in
      livestock and poultry meat. In this study, bovine intramuscular mature adipocytes
      were cultured in medium with Chemerin, and the process of lipolysis of mature
      adipocytes and the adipogenesis of de-differentiated preadipocytes were
      investigated. The results showed that Chemerin induced significant lipolytic
      metabolism in intramuscular mature adipocytes, indicated by increased levels of
      glycerol, FFA, and up-regulated expression of the lipolysis critical factors HSL,
      LPL, and leptin. Meanwhile, the expressions of adipogenic key factors PPARgamma,
      C/EBPalpha, and A-FABP were decreased by Chemerin during lipolysis or
      dedifferentiation in mature adipocytes. The de-differentiated preadipocytes could
      re-differentiate into mature adipocytes. Intriguingly, the formation of cells'
      lipid droplets was promoted by Chemerin during preadipocyte differentiation. In
      addition, mRNA and protein expressions of PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, and A-FABP were
      up-regulated by Chemerin during preadipocytes differentiation. These results
      suggest that Chemerin promotes lipolysis in mature adipocytes and induces
      adipogenesis during preadipocyte re-differentiation, further indicating a dual
      role for Chemerin in the deposition of intramuscular fat in ruminant animals. 

PMID- 27260301
TI  - Caffeic acid phenethyl ester enhances TRAIL-mediated apoptosis via CHOP-induced
      death receptor 5 upregulation in hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells.
AB  - Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) exhibits various pharmaceutical properties,
      including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer, and anti
      oxidative activity. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand
      (TRAIL) has been a promising anti-cancer agent that preferentially induces cancer
      cell apoptosis with negligible cytotoxicity toward normal cells. Therefore, the
      present study investigated whether CAPE promotes TRAIL-mediated cytotoxicity in
      hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells. The present study demonstrated that CAPE sensitized
      TRAIL-mediated cell death in Hep3B carcinoma cells. The percentages of the
      apoptotic cells and annexin-V(+) cells significantly increased in combined
      treatment with CAPE and TRAIL (CAPE/TRAIL). Treatment with pancaspase inhibitor,
      z-VAD-fmk, attenuated CAPE/TRAIL-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the combined
      treatment triggers caspase-dependent apoptosis. Additionally, we found that CAPE
      stimulated the expression of death receptor 5 (DR5) and treatment with DR5/Fc
      chimera protein significantly blocked CAPE/TRAIL-induced apoptosis, which
      indicates that CAPE/TRAIL stimulated apoptosis through the binding of TRAIL to
      DR5. Moreover, expression of transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)
      markedly increased in response to CAPE and transient knockdown of CHOP abolished
      CAPE/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. These results suggest that CHOP is a key regulator
      in CAPE/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, the present study found that
      CAPE significantly enhanced TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in Hep3B carcinoma cells and
      suggested that CAPE has promising potential in chemoprevention of hepatocellular
      carcinomas. 

PMID- 27260302
TI  - Processes of Personality Development in Adulthood: The TESSERA Framework.
AB  - The current article presents a theoretical framework of the short- and long-term
      processes underlying personality development throughout adulthood. The newly
      developed TESSERA framework posits that long-term personality development occurs
      due to repeated short-term, situational processes. These short-term processes can
      be generalized as recursive sequence of Triggering situations, Expectancy,
      States/State expressions, and Reactions (TESSERA). Reflective and associative
      processes on TESSERA sequences can lead to personality development (i.e.,
      continuity and lasting changes in explicit and implicit personality
      characteristics and behavioral patterns). We illustrate how the TESSERA framework
      facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of normative and differential
      personality development at various ages during the life span. The TESSERA
      framework extends previous theories by explicitly linking short- and long-term
      processes of personality development, by addressing different manifestations of
      personality, and by being applicable to different personality characteristics,
      for example, behavioral traits, motivational orientations, or life narratives.

PMID- 27260303
TI  - Expression of importin-alpha isoforms in human nasal mucosa: implication for
      adaptation of avian influenza A viruses to human host.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transportation into the host cell nucleus is crucial for replication
      and transcription of influenza virus. The classical nuclear import is regulated
      by specific cellular factor, importin-alpha. Seven isoforms of importin-alpha
      have been identified in human. The preference of importin-alpha3 of avian
      influenza virus and -alpha7 isoform of human strains during replication in human
      cells was previously identified. In addition, both avian and human influenza
      viruses were shown to use importin-alpha1 isoform for their replication. FINDING:
      The mRNA levels of importin-alpha1, -alpha3, and -alpha7 isoforms in human
      respiratory tract was determined by real-time RT-PCR. The results indicate that
      mRNA level of importin-alpha7 was significantly higher than that of importin
      alpha1 (p-value < 0.0001) and importin-alpha3 (p-value < 0.0001) isoforms in
      human nasal mucosa while importin-alpha1 was detected as the highest expression
      importin-alpha isoform in lung tissues. CONCLUSIONS: These results may explain
      the preference of importin-alpha7 isoforms in seasonal influenza viruses in human
      upper respiratory tract and may suggest a selective pressure toward importin
      alpha7 in human respiratory tract infection of an avian virus.

PMID- 27260304
TI  - Principles of microRNA Regulation Revealed Through Modeling microRNA Expression
      Quantitative Trait Loci.
AB  - Extensive work has been dedicated to study mechanisms of microRNA-mediated gene
      regulation. However, the transcriptional regulation of microRNAs themselves is
      far less well understood, due to difficulties determining the transcription start
      sites of transient primary transcripts. This challenge can be addressed using
      expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) whose regulatory effects represent a
      natural source of perturbation of cis-regulatory elements. Here we used
      previously published cis-microRNA-eQTL data for the human GM12878 cell line,
      promoter predictions, and other functional annotations to determine the
      relationship between functional elements and microRNA regulation. We built a
      logistic regression model that classifies microRNA/SNP pairs into eQTLs or non
      eQTLs with 85% accuracy; shows microRNA-eQTL enrichment for microRNA precursors,
      promoters, enhancers, and transcription factor binding sites; and depletion for
      repressed chromatin. Interestingly, although there is a large overlap between
      microRNA eQTLs and messenger RNA eQTLs of host genes, 74% of these shared eQTLs
      affect microRNA and host expression independently. Considering microRNA-only
      eQTLs we find a significant enrichment for intronic promoters, validating the
      existence of alternative promoters for intragenic microRNAs. Finally, in line
      with the GM12878 cell line derived from B cells, we find genome-wide association
      (GWA) variants associated to blood-related traits more likely to be microRNA
      eQTLs than random GWA and non-GWA variants, aiding the interpretation of GWA
      results.

PMID- 27260305
TI  - Developmental and Cell Cycle Quiescence Is Mediated by the Nuclear Hormone
      Receptor Coregulator DIN-1S in the Caenorhabditis elegans Dauer Larva.
AB  - When faced with suboptimal growth conditions, Caenorhabditis elegans larvae can
      enter a diapause-like stage called "dauer" that is specialized for dispersal and
      survival. The decision to form a dauer larva is controlled by three parallel
      signaling pathways, whereby a compromise of TGFbeta, cyclic guanosine
      monophosphate, or insulin/IGF-like signaling (ILS) results in dauer formation.
      Signals from these pathways converge on DAF-12, a nuclear hormone receptor that
      triggers the changes required to initiate dauer formation. DAF-12 is related to
      the vitamin D, liver-X, and androstane receptors, and like these human receptors,
      it responds to lipophilic hormone ligands. When bound to its ligand, DAF-12
      acquires transcriptional activity that directs reproductive development, while
      unliganded DAF-12 forms a dauer-specifying complex with its interacting protein
      DIN-1S to regulate the transcription of genes required for dauer development. We
      report here that din-1S is required in parallel to par-4/LKB1 signaling within
      the gonad to establish cell cycle quiescence during the onset of the dauer stage.
      We show that din-1S is important for postdauer reproduction when ILS is impaired
      and is necessary for long-term dauer survival in response to reduced ILS. Our
      work uncovers several previously uncharacterized functions of DIN-1S in executing
      and maintaining many of the cellular and physiological processes required for
      appropriate dauer arrest, while also shedding light on the coordination of
      nuclear hormone signaling, the LKB1/AMPK signaling cascade, and ILS/TGFbeta in
      the control of cell cycle quiescence and tissue growth: a key feature that is
      often misregulated in a number of hormone-dependent cancers.

PMID- 27260306
TI  - Logistic regression model can reduce unnecessary artificial liver support in
      hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure: decision curve
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several models have been proposed to predict the short-term outcome
      of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) after treatment. We aimed to determine
      whether better decisions for artificial liver support system (ALSS) treatment
      could be made with a model than without, through decision curve analysis (DCA).
      METHODS: The medical profiles of a cohort of 232 patients with hepatitis B virus
      (HBV)-associated ACLF were retrospectively analyzed to explore the role of plasma
      prothrombin activity (PTA), model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and logistic
      regression model (LRM) in identifying patients who could benefit from ALSS. The
      accuracy and reliability of PTA, MELD and LRM were evaluated with previously
      reported cutoffs. DCA was performed to evaluate the clinical role of these models
      in predicting the treatment outcome. RESULTS: With the cut-off value of 0.2, LRM
      had sensitivity of 92.6 %, specificity of 42.3 % and an area under the receiving
      operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.68, which showed superior
      discrimination over PTA and MELD. DCA revealed that the LRM-guided ALSS treatment
      was superior over other strategies including "treating all" and MELD-guided
      therapy, for the midrange threshold probabilities of 16 to 64 %. CONCLUSIONS: The
      use of LRM-guided ALSS treatment could increase both the accuracy and efficiency
      of this procedure, allowing the avoidance of unnecessary ALSS.

PMID- 27260307
TI  - SPI-9 of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi is constituted by an operon positively
      regulated by RpoS and contributes to adherence to epithelial cells in culture.
AB  - The genomic island 9 (SPI-9) from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi)
      carries three ORFs (STY2876, STY2877, STY2878) presenting 98 % identity with a
      type 1 secretory apparatus (T1SS), and a single ORF (STY2875) similar to a large
      RTX-like protein exhibiting repeated Ig domains. BapA, the Salmonella enterica
      serovar Enteritidis orthologous to S. Typhi STY2875, has been associated with
      biofilm formation, and is described as a virulence factor in mice. Preliminary in
      silico analyses revealed that S. Typhi STY2875 ORF has a 600 bp deletion compared
      with S. Enteritidis bapA, suggesting that S. Typhi STY2875 might be non
      functional. At present, SPI-9 has not been studied in S. Typhi. We found that the
      genes constituting SPI-9 are arranged in an operon whose promoter was up
      regulated in high osmolarity and low pH in a RpoS-dependent manner. All the
      proteins encoded by S. Typhi SPI-9 were located at the membrane fraction,
      consistent with their putative role as T1SS. Furthermore, SPI-9 contributed to
      adherence of S. Typhi to epithelial cells when bacteria were grown under high
      osmolarity or low pH. Under the test conditions, S. Typhi SPI-9 did not
      participate in biofilm formation. SPI-9 is functional in S. Typhi and encodes an
      adhesin induced under conditions normally found in the intestine, such as high
      osmolarity. Hence, this is an example of a locus that might be designated a
      pseudogene by computational approaches but not by direct biological assays.

PMID- 27260308
TI  - Is Telemental Health Services a Viable Alternative to Traditional Psychotherapy
      for Deaf Individuals?
AB  - Access to mental health treatment is a vital part of a comprehensive health care
      plan. Deaf individuals often have difficulty accessing mental health services.
      Four-hundred twenty-two participants completed an anonymous questionnaire about
      their perspectives of telemental health services for deaf individuals. Results
      showed that several variables, such as if the participant was unable to receive
      another type of psychotherapy and whether the therapist was ASL-fluent, were
      significantly related to whether the respondent would use TMH. The participants
      reported that TMH services are a viable option for treating a variety of mental
      health issues. Telemental health services can act as a bridge between consumers
      of mental health care and their providers allowing accessible and equitable
      healthcare opportunities.

PMID- 27260310
TI  - Influence of anti-adhesive agent on incidence of bile leakage after liver
      resection: A prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-adhesive agents are increasingly used to reduce the incidence of
      postoperative adhesions following abdominal surgery. Bile leakage after liver
      resection remains a major cause of postoperative morbidity. The aim of this study
      was to examine the effect of anti-adhesive agent on bile leakage after liver
      resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 77 patients were enrolled to receive an anti
      adhesive agent (study group) during liver resection between May 2012 and August
      2013. The study group was compared to a match-paired control group. Clinical data
      were collected including bilirubin concentration in serum and drain fluid and
      bile leakage rate. In addition, a separate analysis was performed between
      patients with and without postoperative bile leakage. RESULTS: There was no
      difference in bile leakage rate or hospital stay between the study group (n = 77)
      and control group (n = 77). Of the total number of patients (n = 154), there were
      29 patients with postoperative bile leak and 125 patients without bile leak. On
      univariate analysis, patients without history of hepatitis were significantly
      associated with bile leakage. In addition, liver resection with broader cut
      surface area was associated with bile leakage. Application of anti-adhesive agent
      was not associated with bile leakage. On multivariate analysis, resection with
      broader cut surface area (OR = 2.788, p = 0.026) and patients without history of
      hepatitis (OR = 5.153, p = 0.039) were significantly associated with bile
      leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Larger area of cut-surface and patients without history of
      hepatitis were significant risk factors for bile leakage. The use of anti
      adhesive agent was not associated with increased risk of bile leakage.

PMID- 27260309
TI  - Alterations in glucose metabolism proteins responsible for the Warburg effect in
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most frequent esophageal tumor
      in the world. ESCC presents late diagnosis, highly aggressive behavior and poor
      survival. Changes in tumor cell energy metabolism appear to have a prominent role
      in malignant transformation. Tumor cells consume glucose avidly and produce
      lactic acid, even under normoxia. Among the factors that may contribute to the
      stimulation of glycolysis in tumor cells, there are changes in the glycolytic
      pathway enzymes such as: pyruvate kinase M1 and M2 (PKM2 and PKM1), hexokinase II
      (HKII), glucose transporter isoform 1 (GLUT-1), and transcription factor induced
      by hypoxia (HIF1alpha), responsible for the transcription of proteins cited. The
      objective of this study is to evaluate the alterations of these proteins and
      their association with clinicopathological data in ESCC. We performed
      immunohistochemistry to determine HIF-1alpha, GLUT-1, PKM1, PKM2, HK2 and Ki67
      expression in ESCC patients and controls. Also, we used RT-qPCR to evaluated mRNA
      expression of GLUT-1 in esophageal mucosa of individuals without cancer, but are
      alcohol drinkers and tobacco smokers. Our results showed the exclusively
      expression of GLUT-1 in tumors cells and dysplastic samples. We also observed a
      compartmentalization of the expression of PKM1 and PKM2 in relation to tumor
      cells and stroma associated to tumor areas. All of the proteins evaluated,
      excepted GLUT-1, were frequently detected in normal mucosa. No correlations
      between clinicopathological features and protein expressions were observed. GLUT
      1 expression appears in initial tumor lesions and is maintained through ESCC
      evolution. We reported for the first time PKM1 staining in normal esophagus and
      ESCC, being mostly present in more differentiated cells.

PMID- 27260311
TI  - Preoperative assessment of chemotherapeutic associated liver injury based on
      indocyanine green retention test.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the capacity of indocyanine green
      retention test at 15 min (ICGR15) to predict chemotherapeutic-associated liver
      injuries (CALI). METHODS: Patients undergoing liver resection for CLM that
      received preoperative oxaliplatin and/or irintecan-based chemotherapy within 3
      months before surgery and scheduled first hepatectomy were considered. RESULTS:
      166 out of 983 patients treated between 01/2001 and 04/2014 fulfilled the
      inclusion criteria. The median number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy was
      6.0 +/- 4.87. Chemotherapy was mainly based on oxaliplatin in 123 (74.1%).
      Bevacizumab was associated in 51(31%) patients. A total of 102 (61.4%) patients
      had at least 1 CALI. Grade 2-3 steatosis occurred in 56 (33.7%) patients and
      steatohepatitis in19(11.5%). Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) was presented
      in 93 (56%) patients. 23(13.8%) patients had nodular regeneration hyperplasia. At
      multivariate analysis the only predictive factor of ICGR>=10% was age>=65 years
      (p = 0.001). A median split (ICGR15 = 8%) was used to categorized ICGR15 value.
      Multivariate analysis showed that age>= 65 [OR 2.530 (CI95% 1.28-4.97) p <
      0.001], male sex [OR 2.614 (CI95% 1.31-5.20) p < 0.001], SOS [OR 1.954 (CI95%
      1.00-3.81) p = 0.050] and administration of Bevacizumab [OR 2.201 (CI95% 1.07
      4.50) p = 0.031] were predictive factors for ICGR>=8%. CONCLUSIONS: ICGR15 test
      can predict the diagnosis of SOS. High ICGR15 value is more common in elderly
      male patients and after bevacizumab administration.

PMID- 27260312
TI  - Comparison of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy versus open lumbar
      microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation: A meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to perform a systematic review and meta
      analysis to evaluate the clinical results of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar
      discectomy (PELD) and open lumbar microdiscectomy (OLM) for the treatment of
      lumbar disc herniation (LDH). METHODS: Randomized controlled trials or non
      randomized controlled trials published from the time when databases were built to
      March 2016 that compared the clinical effectiveness of PELD and OLM surgical
      approaches for the treatment of LDH were acquired by a comprehensive search in
      four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane library).
      A total of 7 studies (1389 patients) were included in this systematic review and
      meta-analysis. Pooled mean differences (MD) and odds ratios (OR) and with 95% CIs
      were calculated for the outcomes. RESULT: The results showed that there were no
      statistically between the PELD group and OLM group in terms of preoperative VAS
      BP score (WMD = 0.03; 95% CI: -0.99 to 1.05; P = 0.95), postoperative VAS-BP
      score (WMD = -0.56; 95% CI: -1.43 to 0.31; P = 0.21), postoperative ODI (WMD = 
      0.98; 95% CI: -4.96 to 3.00; P = 0.63), complication rate (OR = 1.79; 95% CI:
      0.95 to 3.37; P = 0.07) or reoperation rate (OR = 1.44; 95% CI: 0.94 to 2.20; P =
      0.09). PELD group was associated with shorter operation time (WMD = -12.83; 95%
      CI: -24.79 to -0.87; P = 0.04) and hospital stay (WMD = -5.49; 95% CI: -8.63 to 
      2.35; P = 0.0006). CONCLUSION: The existing evidence indicate that no superiority
      exists between the two surgical approaches for the treatment of LDH in terms of
      functional outcome, complication rate and reoperation rate, in spite of that PELD
      surgical group can achieve shorter operation time and hospital stay than OLM
      surgical group.

PMID- 27260313
TI  - Towards a standardized informed consent procedure for live donor nephrectomy:
      What do surgeons tell their donors?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Living kidney donors comprise a unique group of "patients",
      undergoing an operation for the benefit of others. The informed consent process
      is therefore valued differently. Although this is a team effort, the surgeon is
      responsible for performing the donor nephrectomy, and often the one held
      accountable, should adverse events occur. Although there is some consensus on how
      the informed consent procedure should be arranged, practices vary. The aim of
      this study was to evaluate the surgical informed consent procedure for live donor
      nephrectomy, with special regards to disclosure of complications. METHODS: A web
      based survey was sent to all kidney transplant surgeons (n = 50) in eight
      transplant centers with questions regarding the local procedure and disclosure of
      specific details. RESULTS: Response rate was 98% (n = 49), of which 32 (65%) were
      involved in living donor education; overall, transplant- (50%), vascular- (31%),
      and abdominal surgeons (13%), and urologists (6%) performed donor nephrectomies
      in the eight centers. Informed consent procedures varied, ranging from assumed to
      signed consent. Bleeding was the only complication every surgeon mentioned. Risk
      of death was always mentioned by 16 surgeons (50%), sometimes by 13 (41%), three
      surgeons (9%) never disclosed this disastrous complication. Reported mortality
      rates ranged from 0.003% to 0.1%. Mentioning frequencies for all other
      complications varied. CONCLUSION: Important complications are not always
      disclosed during the surgical informed consent process for live donor
      nephrectomy. Informed consent procedures vary. To optimally prepare living kidney
      donors for the procedure, a standardized informed consent procedure for live
      donor nephrectomy is highly recommended.

PMID- 27260314
TI  - Feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for patients with poor physical
      status: A propensity-score matching study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopically-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) has been established to
      be a minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer. However, few studies
      have shown the feasibility of LAG in patients with risky comorbidities according
      to the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA-PS)
      classification. We performed this retrospective cohort study to assess the
      feasibility of LG in patients with an ASA-PS class of 3 or higher. METHODS: We
      retrospectively identified 214 patients with an ASA-PS class of 3 or 4 among 1192
      patients who underwent radical gastrectomy with lymph-node dissection between
      1999 and 2014 in our hospital. Finally, 106 patients were generated by propensity
      score matching between LAG and open gastrectomy (OG). Postoperative complications
      were compared between LAG and OG. RESULT: The overall incidence of complications
      was the same in LAG (30%) and OG (30%). Surgical complications were similar in
      LAG and OG (19% and 17%, p = 0.80). Medical complications also did not differ
      significantly between LAG and OG (21% and 15%, p = 0.45). CONCLUSION: LAG was a
      feasible procedure for patients with gastric cancer who had an ASA-PS class of 3
      or 4 and could undergo general anesthesia. LAG can become an optional treatment
      for such risky patients.

PMID- 27260315
TI  - Neprilysin and Natriuretic Peptide Regulation in Heart Failure.
AB  - Neprilysin is acknowledged as a key player in neurohormonal regulation, a
      cornerstone of modern drug therapy in chronic heart failure. In the
      cardiovascular system, neprilysin cleaves numerous vasoactive peptides, some with
      mainly vasodilating effects (natriuretic peptides, adrenomedullin, bradykinin)
      and other with mainly vasoconstrictor effects (angiotensin I and II, endothelin
      1). For decades, neprilysin has been an important biotarget. Academia and
      industry have combined active efforts to search for neprilysin inhibitors (NEPIs)
      that might be useful in clinical practice. NEPI monotherapy was initially tested
      with little success due to efficacy issues. Next, combination of NEPI and ACE
      inhibiting activity agents were abandoned due to safety concerns. Recently, the
      combination of NEPI and ARB, also known as ARNI, has shown better than expected
      results in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and multitude of ongoing
      studies are set to prove its value across the heart failure spectrum.

PMID- 27260316
TI  - Improving the "urinary side" of acute kidney injury monitoring.

PMID- 27260317
TI  - Anatomy of the middle rectal artery: a review of the historical literature.
AB  - The middle rectal artery is a very important anatomical structure in rectal
      cancer surgery. It is the only vessel that penetrates through the proper rectal
      fascia into the pelvic cavity, and therefore threatens the integrity of total
      mesorectal excision. Moreover, it is very closely related to the lateral
      lymphatic drainage root. The definition of the middle rectal artery is ambiguous,
      and different frequencies, origins, and trajectories have been reported in
      various papers. The frequency of the middle rectal artery is reported to range
      from 12 to 97 %. Traditionally, the middle rectal artery is described as an
      artery that penetrates the pelvic plexus from the lateral side along with the
      lateral ligament; the frequency of this lateral type of middle rectal artery
      ranges from 20 to 30 %. However, the reports that describe higher frequency
      values also consider another type of middle rectal artery, which penetrates the
      neuro-vascular bundle from the antero-lateral direction; this antero-lateral type
      of middle rectal artery tends to be a small vessel, and frequently forms a common
      trunk with the prostatic artery. With advancements in endoscopic surgery, the
      knowledge of the precise anatomy of this structure is becoming more crucial for
      optimal rectal cancer surgery.

PMID- 27260318
TI  - Regeneration of test in testate amoebae of the genus Arcella (Tubulinea,
      Arcellinida).
AB  - Although the presence of test is the most fundamental synapomorphy of arcellinid
      lobose amoebae, the significance of tests in maintenance of the biological
      functions of these organisms is still largely unclear. This paper demonstrates
      the effect of the artificial test removal on the behaviour, ultrastructure and
      reproduction of the testate lobose amoebae belonging to the two species of the
      genus Arcella. The studied cells can survive after artificial removal of their
      test, and many specimens are capable of building a test de novo. We investigated
      this process and found that test-free cells of Arcella in culture remained alive
      for weeks; they are able to move and feed, but never undergo normal cell division
      accompanied by mitosis. Test-free cells can restore the test in three different
      ways: (1) building almost normal test; (2) building a very small single-chambered
      test; (3) building a test which consisted of several small chambers attached to
      each other. Although newly constructed tests are abnormal, cells restore shape,
      size and other characteristic features of the test in the next one or two
      generations of descendants. The results obtained suggest that the test may be
      critically important for completing a life cycle of an amoeba.

PMID- 27260319
TI  - Too much medicine in older people? Deprescribing through shared decision making.

PMID- 27260320
TI  - Understanding the feasibility and implications of implementing early peanut
      introduction for prevention of peanut allergy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A recent randomized trial (the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy
      [LEAP] study) provided evidence that earlier dietary peanut introduction reduces
      peanut allergy prevalence in high-risk infants. However, questions remain as to
      how to identify and target the "at-risk" population to facilitate timely
      introduction of peanut. OBJECTIVE: We sought to use population-based infant
      peanut allergy data to understand feasibility and implications of implementing
      the LEAP trial intervention. METHODS: Using the HealthNuts study cohort (n =
      5276) of 1-year-old infants, we explored the impact of using various criteria to
      identify infants at high risk of developing peanut allergy, and the implications
      of skin prick test (SPT) screening before peanut introduction. RESULTS: Screening
      all infants with early onset eczema and/or egg allergy could require testing 16%
      of the population and would still miss 23% of peanut allergy cases; 29% of
      screened infants would require clinical follow-up because of being SPT-positive.
      Around 11% of high-risk infants were excluded from the LEAP study because of an
      SPT wheal size of more than 4 mm to peanut at baseline; data from the HealthNuts
      study suggest that 80% of these would be peanut allergic on food challenge. There
      were no life-threatening events among either low- or high-risk infants whose
      parents chose to introduce peanut at home in the first year of life, or in 150
      peanut-allergic infants during hospital-based challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Based on
      this large epidemiological study, a population program aiming to identify and
      screen all infants at risk of peanut allergy would pose major cost and logistic
      challenges that need to be carefully considered. Further research might be
      required to provide data for low-risk infants.

PMID- 27260323
TI  - Non-face-to-face treatment of stress urinary incontinence: predictors of success
      after 1 year.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to determine predictors of long
      term success in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treated with a 3
      month pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) program delivered via the Internet or a
      brochure. METHODS: We included 169 women with SUI >=1 time/week who completed the
      1-year follow-up (n = 169, mean age 50.3, SD 10.1 years). Three outcome variables
      defined success after 1 year: Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I),
      International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire Urinary
      Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF), and sufficient treatment. Using logistic
      regression, we analyzed data from the baseline, and from the 4-month and 1-year
      follow-ups, for potential predictors of success. RESULTS: Of the participants, 77
      % (129 out of 169) were successful in >=1 of the outcomes, 23 % (37 out of 160)
      were successful in all 3. Participants with successful short-term results were
      more likely to succeed in the corresponding outcome at 1 year than those without
      successful short-term results (adjusted odds ratios [ORs]: PGI 5.15, 95 %
      confidence interval [CI] 2.40-11.03), ICIQ-UI SF 6.85 (95 % CI 2.83-16.58), and
      sufficient treatment 3.78 (95 % CI 1.58-9.08). Increasing age predicted success
      in PGI-I and sufficient treatment (adjusted OR 1.06, 95 % CI 1.02-1.10, and 1.08,
      95 % CI, 1.03-1.13 respectively). Compared with not training regularly, regular
      PFMT at 1 year predicted success for PGI and sufficient treatment (adjusted OR
      2.32, 95 % CI 1.04-5.20, and 2.99, 95 % CI 1.23-7.27 respectively). CONCLUSION:
      The long-term success of a non-face-to-face treatment program for SUI with a
      focus on PFMT can be predicted by successful short-term results, increasing age,
      and the performance of regular PFMT after 1 year.

PMID- 27260322
TI  - Curcumin slows osteoarthritis progression and relieves osteoarthritis-associated
      pain symptoms in a post-traumatic osteoarthritis mouse model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Curcumin has been shown to have chondroprotective potential in vitro.
      However, its effect on disease and symptom modification in osteoarthritis (OA) is
      largely unknown. This study aimed to determine whether curcumin could slow
      progression of OA and relieve OA-related pain in a mouse model of destabilization
      of the medial meniscus (DMM). METHODS: Expression of selected cartilage
      degradative-associated genes was evaluated in human primary chondrocytes treated
      with curcumin and curcumin nanoparticles and assayed by real-time PCR. The mice
      subjected to DMM surgery were orally administered curcumin or topically
      administered curcumin nanoparticles for 8 weeks. Cartilage integrity was
      evaluated by Safranin O staining and Osteoarthritis Research Society
      International (OARSI) score, and by immunohistochemical staining of cleaved
      aggrecan and type II collagen, and levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13
      and ADAMTS5. Synovitis and subchondral bone thickness were scored based on
      histologic images. OA-associated pain and symptoms were evaluated by von Frey
      assay, and locomotor behavior including distance traveled and rearing. RESULTS:
      Both curcumin and nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin suppressed mRNA expression
      of pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, MMPs 1, 3, and 13, and
      aggrecanase ADAMTS5, and upregulated the chondroprotective transcriptional
      regulator CITED2, in primary cultured chondrocytes in the absence or presence of
      IL-1beta. Oral administration of curcumin significantly reduced OA disease
      progression, but showed no significant effect on OA pain relief. Curcumin was
      detected in the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) following topical administration of
      curcumin nanoparticles on the skin of the injured mouse knee. Compared to vehicle
      treated controls, topical treatment led to: (1) reduced proteoglycan loss and
      cartilage erosion and lower OARSI scores, (2) reduced synovitis and subchondral
      plate thickness, (3) reduced immunochemical staining of type II collagen and
      aggrecan cleavage epitopes and numbers of chondrocytes positive for MMP-13 and
      ADAMTS5 in the articular cartilage, and (4) reduced expression of adipokines and
      pro-inflammatory mediators in the IPFP. In contrast to oral curcumin, topical
      application of curcumin nanoparticles relieved OA-related pain as indicated by
      reduced tactile hypersensitivity and improved locomotor behavior. CONCLUSION:
      This study provides the first evidence that curcumin significantly slows OA
      disease progression and exerts a palliative effect in an OA mouse model.

PMID- 27260324
TI  - Which factors should be considered in choosing pessary type and size for pelvic
      organ prolapse patients in a fitting trial?
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study explored whether the optimal pessary type
      and size can be predicted using the specific pelvic organ prolapse quantification
      system (POP-Q) measurements in women with pelvic organ prolapse in a fitting
      trial. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study in women who had undergone
      pessary fitting. A total of 78 patients with stage II, III or IV symptomatic
      pelvic organ prolapse completed a detailed history. Data were analysed using
      nonparametric tests, continuity correction chi-squared tests and multivariate
      logistic regression. RESULTS: Differences in total vaginal length (TVL; p < 0.01)
      and vaginal introitus width/TVL ratio (p = 0.012) were observed between patients
      with and without a history of hysterectomy. Patients with a history of
      hysterectomy and patients with a larger vaginal introitus had more success with
      the Gellhorn pessary than with the ring pessary with support (p = 0.005 and p =
      0.01, respectively). Factors determining the size of the ring pessary with
      support were the genital hiatus (GH) width (p = 0.044), TVL (p = 0.011), vaginal
      introitus width (p < 0.001), and vaginal introitus width/TVL ratio (p = 0.025).
      Factors determining the size of the Gellhorn pessary were the GH width (p =
      0.025), GH width/TVL ratio (p = 0.013), vaginal introitus width (p = 0.003),
      vaginal introitus width/TVL ratio (p = 0.001), stage of apical prolapse (p =
      0.006) and stage of posterior prolapse (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a
      history of hysterectomy or with a larger vaginal introitus were more likely to
      achieve success with the Gellhorn pessary. The GH width and the vaginal introitus
      width influenced the size of both pessaries chosen. The TVL was predictive of the
      optimal size of the ring pessary with support but was not predictive of the
      optimal size of the Gellhorn pessary. Finally, the size of the Gellhorn pessary
      was associated with POP stage.

PMID- 27260325
TI  - Differential control of dopamine ascending pathways by serotonin2B receptor
      antagonists: New opportunities for the treatment of schizophrenia.
AB  - Recent studies suggest that the central serotonin2B receptor (5-HT2BR) could be
      an interesting pharmacological target for treating neuropsychiatric disorders
      related to dopamine (DA) dysfunction, such as schizophrenia. Thus, the present
      study was aimed at characterizing the role of 5-HT2BRs in the control of
      ascending DA pathway activity. Using neurochemical, electrophysiological and
      behavioral approaches, we assessed the effects of two selective 5-HT2BR
      antagonists, RS 127445 and LY 266097, on in vivo DA outflow in DA-innervated
      regions, on mesencephalic DA neuronal firing, as well as in behavioral tests
      predictive of antipsychotic efficacy and tolerability, such as phencyclidine
      (PCP)-induced deficit in novel object recognition (NOR) test, PCP-induced
      hyperlocomotion and catalepsy. Both RS 127445 (0.16 mg/kg, i.p.) and LY 266097
      (0.63 mg/kg, i.p.) increased DA outflow in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).
      RS 127445, devoid of effect in the striatum, decreased DA outflow in the nucleus
      accumbens, and potentiated haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.)-induced increase in mPFC
      DA outflow. Also, RS 127445 decreased the firing rate of DA neurons in the
      ventral tegmental area, but had no effect in the substantia nigra pars compacta.
      Finally, both RS 127445 and LY 266097 reversed PCP-induced deficit in NOR test,
      and reduced PCP-induced hyperlocomotion, without inducing catalepsy. These
      results demonstrate that 5-HT2BRs exert a differential control on DA pathway
      activity, and suggest that 5-HT2BR antagonists could represent a new class of
      drugs for improved treatment of schizophrenia, with an ideal profile of effects
      expected to alleviate cognitive and positive symptoms, without eliciting
      extrapyramidal symptoms.

PMID- 27260326
TI  - Alcohol drinking increases the dopamine-stimulating effects of ethanol and
      reduces D2 auto-receptor and group II metabotropic glutamate receptor function
      within the posterior ventral tegmental area of alcohol preferring (P) rats.
AB  - Repeated local administration of ethanol (EtOH) sensitized the posterior ventral
      tegmental area (pVTA) to the local dopamine (DA)-stimulating effects of EtOH.
      Chronic alcohol drinking increased nucleus accumbens (NAC) DA transmission and
      pVTA glutamate transmission in alcohol-preferring (P) rats. The objectives of the
      present study were to determine the effects of chronic alcohol drinking by P rats
      on the (a) sensitivity and response of the pVTA DA neurons to the DA-stimulating
      actions of EtOH, and (b) negative feedback control of DA (via D2 auto-receptors)
      and glutamate (via group II mGlu auto-receptors) release in the pVTA. EtOH (50 or
      150 mg%) or the D2/3 receptor antagonist sulpiride (100 or 200 MUM) was
      microinjected into the pVTA while DA was sampled with microdialysis in the NAC
      shell (NACsh). The mGluR2/3 antagonist LY341495 (1 or 10 MUM) was perfused
      through the pVTA via reverse microdialysis and local extracellular glutamate and
      DA levels were measured. EtOH produced a more robust increase of NACsh DA in the
      'EtOH' than 'Water' groups (e.g., 150 mg% EtOH: to ~ 210 vs 150% of baseline). In
      contrast, sulpiride increased DA release in the NACsh more in the 'Water' than
      'EtOH' groups (e.g., 200 MUM sulpiride: to ~ 190-240 vs 150-160% of baseline).
      LY341495 (at 10 MUM) increased extracellular glutamate and DA levels in the
      'Water' (to ~ 150-180% and 180-230% of baseline, respectively) but not the 'EtOH'
      groups. These results indicate that alcohol drinking enhanced the DA-stimulating
      effects of EtOH, and attenuated the functional activities of D2 auto-receptors
      and group II mGluRs within the pVTA.

PMID- 27260327
TI  - Recombinant Ralstonia eutropha engineered to utilize xylose and its use for the
      production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) from sunflower stalk hydrolysate solution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lignocellulosic raw materials have extensively been examined for the
      production of bio-based fuels, chemicals, and polymers using microbial platforms.
      Since xylose is one of the major components of the hydrolyzed lignocelluloses, it
      is being considered a promising substrate in lignocelluloses based fermentation
      process. Ralstonia eutropha, one of the most powerful and natural producers of
      polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), has extensively been examined for the production of
      bio-based chemicals, fuels, and polymers. However, to the best of our knowledge,
      lignocellulosic feedstock has not been employed for R. eutropha probably due to
      its narrow spectrum of substrate utilization. Thus, R. eutropha engineered to
      utilize xylose should be useful in the development of microbial process for bio
      based products from lignocellulosic feedstock. RESULTS: Recombinant R. eutropha
      NCIMB11599 expressing the E. coli xylAB genes encoding xylose isomerase and
      xylulokinase respectively, was constructed and examined for the synthesis of
      poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] using xylose as a sole carbon source. It could
      produce 2.31 g/L of P(3HB) with a P(3HB) content of 30.95 wt% when it was
      cultured in a nitrogen limited chemically defined medium containing 20.18 g/L of
      xylose in a batch fermentation. Also, recombinant R. eutropha NCIMB11599
      expressing the E. coli xylAB genes produced 5.71 g/L of P(3HB) with a P(3HB)
      content of 78.11 wt% from a mixture of 10.05 g/L of glucose and 10.91 g/L of
      xylose in the same culture condition. The P(3HB) concentration and content could
      be increased to 8.79 g/L and 88.69 wt%, respectively, when it was cultured in the
      medium containing 16.74 g/L of glucose and 6.15 g/L of xylose. Further
      examination of recombinant R. eutropha NCIMB11599 expressing the E. coli xylAB
      genes by fed-batch fermentation resulted in the production of 33.70 g/L of P(3HB)
      in 108 h with a P(3HB) content of 79.02 wt%. The concentration of xylose could be
      maintained as high as 6 g/L, which is similar to the initial concentration of
      xylose during the fed-batch fermentation suggesting that xylose consumption is
      not inhibited during fermentation. Finally, recombinant R. eutorpha NCIMB11599
      expressing the E. coli xylAB gene was examined for the production of P(3HB) from
      the hydrolysate solution of sunflower stalk. The hydrolysate solution of
      sunflower stalk was prepared as a model lignocellulosic biomass, which contains
      78.8 g/L of glucose, 26.9 g/L of xylose, and small amount of 4.8 g/L of galactose
      and mannose. When recombinant R. eutropha NCIMB11599 expressing the E. coli xylAB
      genes was cultured in a nitrogen limited chemically defined medium containing
      23.1 g/L of hydrolysate solution of sunflower stalk, which corresponds to 16.8
      g/L of glucose and 5.9 g/L of xylose, it completely consumed glucose and xylose
      in the sunflower stalk based medium resulting in the production of 7.86 g/L of
      P(3HB) with a P(3HB) content of 72.53 wt%. CONCLUSIONS: Ralstonia eutropha was
      successfully engineered to utilize xylose as a sole carbon source as well as to
      co-utilize it in the presence of glucose for the synthesis of P(3HB). In
      addition, R. eutropha engineered to utilized xylose could synthesize P(3HB) from
      the sunflower stalk hydrolysate solution containing glucose and xylose as major
      sugars, which suggests that xylose utilizing R. eutropha developed in this study
      should be useful for development of lignocellulose based microbial processes.

PMID- 27260321
TI  - MACVIA clinical decision algorithm in adolescents and adults with allergic
      rhinitis.
AB  - The selection of pharmacotherapy for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) depends
      on several factors, including age, prominent symptoms, symptom severity, control
      of AR, patient preferences, and cost. Allergen exposure and the resulting
      symptoms vary, and treatment adjustment is required. Clinical decision support
      systems (CDSSs) might be beneficial for the assessment of disease control. CDSSs
      should be based on the best evidence and algorithms to aid patients and health
      care professionals to jointly determine treatment and its step-up or step-down
      strategy depending on AR control. Contre les MAladies Chroniques pour un
      VIeillissement Actif en Languedoc-Roussillon (MACVIA-LR [fighting chronic
      diseases for active and healthy ageing]), one of the reference sites of the
      European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, has initiated an
      allergy sentinel network (the MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel Network). A CDSS is currently
      being developed to optimize AR control. An algorithm developed by consensus is
      presented in this article. This algorithm should be confirmed by appropriate
      trials.

PMID- 27260328
TI  - Dysexecutive syndrome in amnesic mild cognitive impairment: a multicenter study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Executive functions (EF) in Alzheimer's disease (AD), classically
      related to the prefrontal cortex, have been forgotten in mild stages, given more
      importance to temporal lobe associated disorders, such as memory. The study of
      disexecutive syndrome (DS) has been relegated to advanced stages of the disease.
      Our goal is to demonstrate that EF are already present in amnesic mild cognitive
      impairment (aMCI). Furthermore, we are interested in knowing whether poor scores
      in EF tests are related to the progression to AD or another kind of dementia.
      METHODS: We studied patients with aMCI (n = 81) and healthy controls (n = 142)
      from neurological departments of several centers of Basque Country with a cross
      sectional design. Patients underwent a complete neuropsychological evaluation,
      neuroimaging testing APOE genotype and 3 year of prospective follow-up. RESULTS:
      In the first visit, patients with aMCI showed more alterations in tests that
      evaluate EF such as Stroop, trail-making and categorical verbal fluency. More
      alterations were also found in NPI scale (P <0.05). Stroop and Trail-Making test
      were not associated with the future development of AD, but fluency (p = 0.01) and
      apathy (p = 0.031) did. No patient developed a different kind of dementia
      different from AD. CONCLUSIONS: DS is a broad concept not confined to frontal
      lobes, and can be found in early stages of aMCI. DS impacts negatively on patient
      autonomy and may have prognostic value.

PMID- 27260329
TI  - Non-surgical management of rectal cancer. Series of 68 cases, long follow up in
      two leading centres in Argentina.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The non-surgical management in a selected group of rectal cancer
      patients has shown promising results with adequate follow up. AIMS: describing
      the results of the non-surgical management in patients with complete clinical
      response, with a close follow up. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2015, patients with
      rectal cancer, stages I-III, without metastasis, treated with neoadjuvant CRT/CT,
      who had clinical complete response were included. CCR was defined through digital
      palpation, endoscopy-based criteria and MRI. Follow up was set according to
      institutional guidelines. RESULTS: 68 patients were included. Initial stage was
      assessed with MRI in 55/68 pts and EUS 11/68. Considering the recurrence risk
      factors 57.6% (29/68) were T2-3ab N0, 3.3% (2/68) were T4N0, 29% (20/68) were T3
      4 N1-2, with 39.7% with positive MRC. Mean distance to the anal margin was 3cm.
      Chemoradiation included radiotherapy at 50.4cGy, and concurrent capecitabine. In
      22% a fluoropirimidine and oxaliplatin-based schema was used as induction
      therapy. Median follow up was 37.5 months and response assessment time 9 weeks (5
      19). Eleven patients recurred, 6 endoluminally, 3 developed mesorectal
      recurrence, and two distant failure. Five years DFS and OS were 76.3% and 93.8%.
      CONCLUSIONS: conservative management was feasible with close follow up in leading
      cancer centres. In this series, DFS and OS were comparable to the data already
      reported in the literature.

PMID- 27260330
TI  - Early decrease of liver stiffness after initiation of antiviral therapy in
      patients with chronic hepatitis C.

PMID- 27260331
TI  - Autoimmune pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease: Case series and review of
      the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An association between autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and inflammatory
      bowel disease (IBD) has been documented, but its clinical significance remains
      unclear. AIMS: Characterize the particular phenotypes of IBD and AIP in patients
      with both diseases (IBD-AIP). METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with IBD
      AIP followed at our IBD referral centre and literature search to identify
      previous reports of IBD-AIP patients. RESULTS: We found 5 cases of IBD-AIP in our
      records and 5 prior studies reporting 47 additional IBD-AIP patients. A combined
      analysis showed that most IBD-AIP patients were young males with ulcerative
      colitis, usually extensive, and that in all Crohn's disease cases, the colon was
      involved. IBD severity was heterogeneous across studies, ranging from mild
      disease to severe disease requiring colectomy. The most frequent type of AIP was
      idiopathic duct-centric pancreatitis (type 2) and it most often occurred after
      the diagnosis of IBD. AIP presentation and treatment were similar to those in the
      general population. CONCLUSIONS: AIP occurs rarely with IBD; in the other way
      around, up to 1/3 of AIP patients, especially type 2, may have concomitant IBD.
      IBD-AIP patients are usually males presenting extensive colitis. More data are
      needed on the impact of AIP, if any, in IBD course.

PMID- 27260332
TI  - Colorectal cancer care in elderly patients: Unsolved issues.
AB  - Colorectal cancers are common in elderly patients. However, cancer screening is
      poorly used after 75. Elderly patients form a heterogeneous population with
      specific characteristics. Standards of care cannot therefore be transposed from
      young to elderly patients. Tumour resection is frequently performed but adjuvant
      chemotherapy is rarely prescribed as there are no clearly established standards
      of care. In a metastatic setting, recent phase III studies have demonstrated that
      doublet front-line chemotherapy provided no survival benefit. Moreover, several
      studies have established the benefit of bevacizumab in association with
      chemotherapy. There is a lack of evidence for the efficacy of anti-epidermal
      growth factor antibodies in elderly patients. Geriatric assessments could help to
      select the adequate treatment strategy for individual patients. Geriatric
      oncology is now the challenge we have to face, and more specific trials are
      needed. 

PMID- 27260333
TI  - Sperm Morphology Assessment in Captive Neotropical Primates.
AB  - The main objective of this study was to evaluate sperm morphology in four
      neotropical primate species to compare the sperm morphological traits and the
      sperm morphometric parameters as a basis for establishing normative sperm
      standards for each species. Data from 80 ejaculates collected from four primate
      species, Callithrix jacchus, Callimico goeldii, Alouatta caraya and Ateles
      geoffroyi, were analysed for detection of sperm morphological alterations using
      subjective World Health Organization (WHO-2010) standards and Sperm Deformity
      Index (SDI) criteria, objective computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis
      (CASMA) and subpopulation sperm determination (SSD) methods. There were multiple
      differences (p < 0.01) observed among primate species in values obtained from WHO
      2010, SDI, CASMA and SSD sperm analysis methods. In addition, multiple
      significant positive and negative correlations were observed between the sperm
      morphological traits (SDI, Sperm Deformity Index Head Defects, Sperm Deformity
      Index Midpiece Defects, Sperm Deformity Index Tail Defects, Normal Sperm, Head
      Defects, Midpiece Defects and Tail Defects) and the sperm morphometric parameters
      (SSD, Area (A), Perimeter (P), Length (L), Width (W), Ellipticity, Elongation and
      Rugosity) (p <= 0.046). In conclusion, our findings using different evaluation
      methods indicate that pronounced sperm morphological variation exists among these
      four neotropical primate species. Because of the strong relationship observed
      among morphological and morphometric parameters, these results suggest that
      application of objective analysis methods could substantially improve the
      reliability of comparative studies and help to establish valid normative sperm
      values for neotropical primates. 

PMID- 27260334
TI  - Dermatology consultations significantly contribute quality to care of
      hospitalized patients: a prospective study of dermatology inpatient consults at a
      tertiary care center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cutaneous abnormalities are common in hospitalized patients but are
      frequently missed or misdiagnosed by admitting teams. Inpatient dermatology
      consultations provide important information to help diagnose and manage these
      patients. However, few studies have analyzed dermatology inpatient consultations
      and their effect. METHODS: We prospectively collected information for 691
      consecutive dermatology consultations from November 2013 to November 2014.
      RESULTS: Patients ranged in age from newborns to 97 years old. The internal
      medicine service requested the most consultations (45%). Only 6.5% of
      consultations were requested within 24 hours of appearance of cutaneous findings.
      Before consultation, 70.3% of patients did not receive treatment for or based on
      their cutaneous findings. Dermatology consultation resulted in treatment change
      in 81.9% of patients. The most common diagnoses were drug rash and contact
      dermatitis. Biopsies confirmed 71.7% of the initial bedside diagnoses by the
      dermatology consultation team. CONCLUSIONS: Common skin diseases were responsible
      for the majority of dermatology consultations. Most patients were not treated for
      their cutaneous conditions before the dermatology consultation. Dermatology
      consultations resulted in treatment changes in the majority of cases.

PMID- 27260335
TI  - Venetoclax: First Global Approval.
AB  - Venetoclax (VenclextaTM) is an oral selective inhibitor of the prosurvival
      protein BCL-2 and therefore restores the apoptotic ability of malignant cells.
      The drug arose from research by Abbott Laboratories (now AbbVie) during a
      collaboration with Genentech and is being co-developed by AbbVie and
      Genentech/Roche primarily for the treatment of haematological malignancies.
      Venetoclax is approved in the USA for use as monotherapy in patients with chronic
      lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) with the 17p deletion (as detected by an approved FDA
      test) who have received at least one prior therapy, and is awaiting approval for
      similar indications in the EU and Canada. Venetoclax is also in phase I-III
      development as combination therapy for CLL, phase I/II development as monotherapy
      and/or combination therapy for non-Hodgkin lymphomas (including diffuse large B
      cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma) and acute myeloid
      leukaemia, and phase I development for multiple myeloma, systemic lupus
      erythematosus and breast cancer. This article summarizes the milestones in the
      development of venetoclax leading to this first approval for CLL. 

PMID- 27260336
TI  - Impact of Statin Therapy on Plasma Uric Acid Concentrations: A Systematic Review
      and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effect size of statins in
      modulating plasma uric acid concentrations. DATA SOURCES: A search was undertaken
      of the MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar electronic databases.
      STUDY SELECTION: Studies meeting the following criteria were included: (i)
      randomized controlled trials with either a parallel or crossover design; (ii)
      investigated the impact of statin therapy on plasma uric acid concentrations; and
      (iii) presentation of sufficient information on uric acid values at baseline and
      at the end of follow-up in each group, or presenting the net change. DATA
      SYNTHESIS: The present meta-analysis suggested a significant reduction in plasma
      uric acid levels following statin therapy; however, this does not seem to be a
      class effect as subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction with
      atorvastatin and simvastatin only, and not with pravastatin and rosuvastatin.
      CONCLUSIONS: Atorvastatin and simvastatin, but not the other statins, can reduce
      serum uric acid levels.

PMID- 27260338
TI  - 46,XX ovotesticular DSD associated with a SOX3 gene duplication in a SRY-negative
      boy.

PMID- 27260339
TI  - Pseudoalteromonas neustonica sp. nov., isolated from the sea surface microlayer
      of the Ross Sea (Antarctica), and emended description of the genus
      Pseudoalteromonas.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped and motile strain,
      designated PAMC 28425T, was isolated from a sea surface microlayer sample from
      the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain PAMC
      28425T showed an affiliation with the genus Pseudoalteromonas. Phylogenetic
      analyses revealed that strain PAMC 28425T formed a clade with Pseudoalteromonas
      prydzensis MB8-11T and Pseudoalteromonas mariniglutinosaKMM 3635T with 16S rRNA
      gene sequence similarities of 98.3-98.6 %. Genomic relatedness analyses based on
      the average nucleotide identity and the genome-to-genome distance showed that
      strain PAMC 28425T is clearly distinguished from the phylogenetically close
      relatives. Cells of strain PAMC 28425T grew optimally at 25  degrees C and pH 7.5
      8.5 in the presence of 1.0-3.0 % (w/v) sea salts. The major cellular fatty acids
      (>10 %) were C16 : 1omega6c and/or C16 : 1omega7c, C16 : 0, and C18 : 1omega6c
      and/or C18 : 1omega7c. The genomic DNA G+C content was 39.7 mol%. On the basis of
      the phylogenetic, genomic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data presented, we
      propose the name Pseudoalteromonas neustonica sp. nov. with the type strain PAMC
      28425T (=KCCM 43187T=JCM 31286T).

PMID- 27260337
TI  - Discrimination of amygdala response predicts future separation anxiety in youth
      with early deprivation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Significant disruption in caregiving is associated with increased
      internalizing symptoms, most notably heightened separation anxiety symptoms
      during childhood. It is also associated with altered functional development of
      the amygdala, a neurobiological correlate of anxious behavior. However, much less
      is known about how functional alterations of amygdala predict individual
      differences in anxiety. Here, we probed amygdala function following institutional
      caregiving using very subtle social-affective stimuli (trustworthy and
      untrustworthy faces), which typically result in large differences in amygdala
      signal, and change in separation anxiety behaviors over a 2-year period. We
      hypothesized that the degree of differentiation of amygdala signal to trustworthy
      versus untrustworthy face stimuli would predict separation anxiety symptoms.
      METHODS: Seventy-four youths mean (SD) age = 9.7 years (2.64) with and without
      previous institutional care, who were all living in families at the time of
      testing, participated in an fMRI task designed to examine differential amygdala
      response to trustworthy versus untrustworthy faces. Parents reported on their
      children's separation anxiety symptoms at the time of scan and again 2 years
      later. RESULTS: Previous institutional care was associated with diminished
      amygdala signal differences and behavioral differences to the contrast of
      untrustworthy and trustworthy faces. Diminished differentiation of these stimuli
      types predicted more severe separation anxiety symptoms 2 years later. Older age
      at adoption was associated with diminished differentiation of amygdala responses.
      CONCLUSIONS: A history of institutional care is associated with reduced
      differential amygdala responses to social-affective cues of trustworthiness that
      are typically exhibited by comparison samples. Individual differences in the
      degree of amygdala differential responding to these cues predict the severity of
      separation anxiety symptoms over a 2-year period. These findings provide a
      biological mechanism to explain the associations between early caregiving
      adversity and individual differences in internalizing symptomology during
      development, thereby contributing to individualized predictions of future
      clinical outcomes.

PMID- 27260340
TI  - Benchmarking pediatric cranial CT protocols using a dose tracking software
      system: a multicenter study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To benchmark regional standard practice for paediatric cranial CT
      procedures in terms of radiation dose and acquisition parameters. METHODS:
      Paediatric cranial CT-data were retrospectively collected during a 1-year period,
      in 3 different hospitals of the same country. A dose tracking system was used to
      automatically gather information. Dose (CTDI and DLP), scan length, amount of
      retakes and demographic data were stratified by age and clinical indication;
      appropriate use of child-specific protocols was assessed. RESULTS: In total, 296
      paediatric cranial CT-procedures were collected. Although the median dose of each
      hospital was below national and international diagnostic reference level (DRL)
      for all age categories, statistically significant (p-value < 0.001) dose
      differences among hospitals were observed. The hospital with lowest dose levels
      showed smallest dose variability and used age-stratified protocols for
      standardizing paediatric head exams. Erroneous selection of adult protocols for
      children still occurred, mostly in the oldest age-group. CONCLUSION: Even though
      all hospitals complied with national and international DRLs, dose tracking and
      benchmarking showed that further dose optimization and standardization is
      possible by using age-stratified protocols for paediatric cranial CT. Moreover,
      having a dose tracking system revealed that adult protocols are still applied for
      paediatric CT, a practice that must be avoided. KEY POINTS: * Significant
      differences were observed in the delivered dose between age-groups and hospitals.
      * Using age-adapted scanning protocols gives a nearly linear dose increase. *
      Sharing dose-data can be a trigger for hospitals to reduce dose levels.

PMID- 27260341
TI  - Does the high-intensity zone (HIZ) of lumbar Intervertebral discs always
      represent an annular fissure?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine high-intensity zone (HIZ)
      characteristics on both T1- and T2-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance (MR)
      images, and to reveal their exact nature. MATERIALS: Seventy-three patients with
      low back pain and HIZs (identified on T2-weighted images) were included.
      Patients, aged 25-80 years (mean 51), were divided into two groups: the 'single
      HIZ' group exhibited HIZs only on T2-weighted images, while the 'dual-HIZ' group
      exhibited HIZs on both T2-weighted and T1-weighted images. Tissue corresponding
      to the HIZ was harvested from surgery for analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-two discs
      were studied, from 39 patients with single HIZs, 30 with dual HIZs, and four with
      both in the posterior annulus. HIZ volume, volume ratio, and signal intensity on
      T2-weighted images from the dual-HIZ group were significantly greater. Surgery
      was able to successfully restore patients' ability in both groups, while
      conservative treatments were less effective for patients with dual HIZs.
      Histology revealed outer annular fissures invaded by granulation tissue in the
      single-HIZ group. In dual-HIZ discs, Von Kossa staining and CT scans showed more
      calcified or ossified lesions (94.1 vs. 0 %, P<0.001), and chemical analysis
      showed significantly higher calcium content. CONCLUSIONS: HIZs on both T2- and T1
      weighted images represent calcified tissue, possibly from a vertebral endplate. A
      new concept of dual HIZ should be defined. KEY POINTS: * Conventional definition
      of an HIZ refers to T2-weighted images only. * Dual HIZs have greater HIZ volume,
      volume ratio, and signal intensity. * HIZs on both T2- and T1-weighted images
      represent calcified tissue. * Conservative treatments are less likely to be
      effective for patients with dual HIZs.

PMID- 27260343
TI  - A novel regression model from RGB image data to spectroradiometric correlates
      optimized for tooth colored shades.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Objectives of this study were to correlate RGB data from the VITA
      Linearguide 3D Master and VITA Bleached Guide 3D Master shade guides with their
      spectroradiometric correlates through a regression model while indicating a
      methodology for validation of accuracy of digital imaging systems. Additional
      objectives were to provide summary RGB data and to determine a relationship
      between lightness and RGB values for these shade guides. METHODS: Radiant energy
      measurements and images were taken with a Canon Rebel T3i and Macro Ring Lite MR
      14EX for each shade tab. RGB data was extracted using Image J and compared with
      spectroradiometric measurements. Regression models relating the RGB data to
      spectroradiometric counterparts in CIE XYZ and absolute reflectance were
      developed using SAS 9.3. Image data was statistically analyzed to determine a
      relationship between RGB values and lightness. RESULTS: Regression models with
      R(2) values greater than 0.99 for RGB to XYZ and greater than 0.95 for RGB to
      absolute reflectance were developed. Summary RGB data for the shade guides
      including Pearson correlation coefficients ranging between -0.92 and -0.97 for
      RGB related to lightness was determined. CONCLUSIONS: A relationship between RGB
      and lightness for the shade guides was found. Regression models were developed
      that allow tooth color information to be translated from digital images to
      accurate shade tab correlates for color matching purposes in dentistry. This
      allows for optimal color accuracy when using digital imaging to translate color
      information and provides a method of validating digital imaging systems for color
      accuracy.

PMID- 27260342
TI  - Fine-needle aspiration versus core needle biopsy for diagnosis of thyroid
      malignancy and neoplasm: a matched cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic performances of fine-needle aspiration
      (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy and
      neoplasm in patients who underwent surgery for thyroid nodules. METHODS: This
      retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the need
      to obtain informed consent was waived. 3192 patients who underwent FNA (n = 3048)
      or CNB (n = 144) for diagnosis of thyroid nodules and then proceeded with surgery
      were included. Surgical pathologic diagnosis was the reference standard.
      Diagnostic performances of FNA and CNB to predict malignancy and neoplasm were
      compared. Propensity score matching was used to match patients with FNA with
      those with CNB because there were significant differences in the number of
      nodules and nodule characteristics between the FNA and CNB groups. RESULTS:
      Before matching, the sensitivity and accuracy of FNA were significantly higher or
      comparable with those of CNB, and the specificity, negative predictive value and
      positive predictive value were comparable. After matching, the diagnostic
      performances were similar, with the exception of specificity for predicting
      neoplasm being higher with CNB than with FNA. CONCLUSION: FNA showed comparable
      diagnostic performance to CNB; therefore, there may be no benefit in performing
      CNB to diagnose papillary thyroid carcinoma and neoplasm. KEY POINTS: *
      Diagnostic performances of FNA and CNB for thyroid malignancy and neoplasm were
      compared. * FNA showed comparable performances to CNB both before and after
      statistical matching. * There may be no benefit in performing CNB, given the
      comparable performances.

PMID- 27260344
TI  - [Mycetoma and their treatment].
AB  - Mycetoma are chronic subcutaneous infections, endemic in dry tropical regions. It
      can be caused either by actinomycetes or by fungi, presenting as filamentous
      grains in vivo. The foot is the most common localization. The main complication
      is osseous involvement. Patients are rural workers living in areas situated far
      from medical centers. Too often, they reach well-equipped hospitals with advanced
      mutilating lesions. Early case detection is the first condition for good
      therapeutic results. Clinical presentations of actinomycetoma and eumycetoma are
      similar, only biological diagnosis can distinguish the two etiological forms.
      This distinction is essential as medical therapy for each is radically different.
      Precise identification of the causal agent is required for targeted treatment but
      it can only be realized in rare specialized laboratories. For actinomycetoma,
      standard therapy is trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (STX). Duration of treatment
      period is one-year minimum. In case of poor response to STX or high risk of
      dissemination, a combination with amikacin gave high cure rate. Other options as
      amoxicillin-clavulanate are available. Medical cure of actinomycetoma is
      generally obtained with antibiotic treatments and surgical indications are
      exceptional. Disappointing results were observed using antifungal in the
      treatment of eumycetoma and medical therapy must be completed with surgical
      excision. Itraconazole is now the most used drug, new triazoles are on
      evaluation. 

PMID- 27260345
TI  - Evidence-Based Program Service Deserts: A Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
      Approach to Identifying Service Gaps for State-Level Implementation Planning.
AB  - The long term effects of untreated mental health need for individuals, families
      and society has prompted a number of federal policy statements encouraging the
      use of evidence-based programs (EBP) in children's healthcare. However, among
      other challenges of evidence-based practice implementation, states often do not
      know where to make investments based on population need. In this paper we present
      the use of a Geographic Information System approach to undertake a mental health
      needs assessment for Washington State. Our study found that this technology can
      be beneficially applied to conducting needs assessment for EBP implementation,
      and we provide recommendations for future applications.

PMID- 27260346
TI  - Estimation of identification limit for a small-type OSL dosimeter on the medical
      images by measurement of X-ray spectra.
AB  - Our aim in this study is to derive an identification limit on a dosimeter for not
      disturbing a medical image when patients wear a small-type optically stimulated
      luminescence (OSL) dosimeter on their bodies during X-ray diagnostic imaging. For
      evaluation of the detection limit based on an analysis of X-ray spectra, we
      propose a new quantitative identification method. We performed experiments for
      which we used diagnostic X-ray equipment, a soft-tissue-equivalent phantom (1-20
      cm), and a CdTe X-ray spectrometer assuming one pixel of the X-ray imaging
      detector. Then, with the following two experimental settings, corresponding X-ray
      spectra were measured with 40-120 kVp and 0.5-1000 mAs at a source-to-detector
      distance of 100 cm: (1) X-rays penetrating a soft-tissue-equivalent phantom with
      the OSL dosimeter attached directly on the phantom, and (2) X-rays penetrating
      only the soft-tissue-equivalent phantom. Next, the energy fluence and errors in
      the fluence were calculated from the spectra. When the energy fluence with errors
      concerning these two experimental conditions was estimated to be indistinctive,
      we defined the condition as the OSL dosimeter not being identified on the X-ray
      image. Based on our analysis, we determined the identification limit of the
      dosimeter. We then compared our results with those for the general irradiation
      conditions used in clinics. We found that the OSL dosimeter could not be
      identified under the irradiation conditions of abdominal and chest radiography,
      namely, one can apply the OSL dosimeter to measurement of the exposure dose in
      the irradiation field of X-rays without disturbing medical images. 

PMID- 27260347
TI  - Verification of the dose attenuation of a newly developed vacuum cushion for
      intensity-modulated radiation therapy of prostate cancer.
AB  - This study measured the dose attenuation of a newly developed vacuum cushion for
      intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) of prostate cancer, and verified the
      effect of dose-correction accuracy in a radiation treatment planning system
      (RTPS). The new cushion was filled with polystyrene foams inflated 15-fold (Sphi
      ? 1 mm) to reduce contraction caused by air suction and was compared to normal
      polystyrene foam inflated to 50-fold (Sphi ? 2 mm). The dose attenuation at
      several thicknesses of compression bag filled with normal and low-inflation
      materials was measured using an ionization chamber; and then the calculated RTPS
      dose was compared to ionization chamber measurements, while the new cushion was
      virtually included as region of interest in the calculation area. The dose
      attenuation rate of the normal cushion was 0.010 %/mm (R (2) = 0.9958), compared
      to 0.031 %/mm (R (2) = 0.9960) in the new cushion. Although the dose attenuation
      rate of the new cushion was three times that of the normal cushion, the high
      agreement between calculated dose by RTPS and ionization chamber measurements was
      within approximately 0.005 %/mm. Thus, the results of the current study indicate
      that the new cushion may be effective in clinical use for dose calculation
      accuracy in RTPS. 

PMID- 27260348
TI  - Greek health professionals' perceptions of the HPV vaccine, state policy
      recommendations and their own role with regards to communication of relevant
      health information.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Every year in Europe 60,000 women develop cervical cancer and 30,000
      die from the disease. HPV vaccines are currently believed to constitute an
      important element of cervical cancer control strategy. Currently in Greece, the
      HPV vaccine is given on demand after prescription by a healthcare professional.
      Health care professionals' role is key as they are in a position to discuss HPV
      vaccination with parents, adolescents and young women. This study is aiming to
      explore health care professionals' perceptions of the HPV vaccine, state policy
      recommendations and their own role with regards to communication of relevant
      health information. METHODS: This was an in-depth, qualitative study, employing a
      stratified, purposeful sampling. Fifteen face-to-face, semi-structured interviews
      were conducted with health care professionals from a variety of disciplines:
      pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, infectious diseases, pharmacy,
      dermatology, general practice. Thematic qualitative analysis was used to analyze
      participants' accounts. RESULTS: Five major themes were identified: health care
      professionals' perceptions towards the HPV vaccine (recognition of importance,
      concerns about safety, effectiveness and impact of long-term use), animosity
      between medical specialties (territorial disputes among professional bodies, role
      advocacy, role limitations), health care professionals' perceptions of the
      public's attitudes (effects of cultural beliefs, health professionals' attitudes,
      media and family), the role of the state (health policy issues, lack of guidance,
      unmet expectations) and their own role (provision of health information, sex
      education). CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals' concerns, lack of role definition
      and uniform information provision have led to territorial disputes among
      professional bodies and distrust among different medical specialties. Positive
      and negative judgements deriving from a multitude of sources have resulted in the
      confusion of the general public, as manifested by low vaccination rates. Due to
      the lack of clear regulation of vaccination prescription, administration and mode
      of delivery, factors such as lack of knowledge, cultural beliefs and personal
      attitudes have shaped the vaccination landscape. These factors have neither been
      explored nor addressed prior to the initiation of this public health effort and
      as such there is an evident less than efficient use of resources.

PMID- 27260349
TI  - Focused cardiopulmonary ultrasound for assessment of dyspnea in a resource
      limited setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and management of acutely dyspneic patients in resource
      limited developing world settings poses a particular challenge. Focused
      cardiopulmonary ultrasound (CPUS) may assist in the emergency diagnosis and
      management of patients with acute dyspnea by identifying left ventricular
      systolic dysfunction, pericardial effusion, interstitial pulmonary edema, and
      pleural effusion. We sought to assess the accuracy of emergency providers
      performing CPUS after a training intervention in a limited-resource setting; a
      secondary objective was to assess the ability of CPUS to affect change of
      clinician diagnostic assessment and acute management in patients presenting with
      undifferentiated dyspnea. METHODS AND RESULTS: After a training intervention for
      Haitian emergency providers, patients with dyspnea presenting urgently to a
      regional referral center in Haiti underwent a rapid CPUS examination by the
      treating physician. One hundred seventeen patients (median age of 36 years, 56 %
      female) were prospectively evaluated with a standardized CPUS exam. Blinded
      expert review of ultrasound images was performed by two board certified
      cardiologists and one ultrasound fellowship trained emergency physician. Inter
      observer agreement was determined using an agreement coefficient (kappa).
      Sensitivity and Specificity with confidence intervals were calculated. Pre-test
      and post-test clinician impressions and management plans were compared to assess
      for a change. We enrolled 117 patients with undifferentiated dyspnea. Upon expert
      image review, prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction was 40.2 %, and
      in those with systolic dysfunction, the average EF was 14 % (+/-9 %). The
      parasternal long axis (PLAX) single view was predictive of an overall abnormal
      echo with PPV of abnormal PLAX 95 % and NPV 93 % of normal PLAX. Weighted kappa
      for pericardial effusion between the Haitian physicians and two cardiology
      reviewers was 0.81 (95 % CI 0.75-0.87, p value <0.001) and for ejection fraction
      was 0.98 (95 % CI 0.98-0.99, p value <0.001). For lung ultrasound, a kappa
      statistic assessing agreement between the Haitian physician and the EP for
      pleural effusion was 0.73, and for interstitial syndrome was 0.49. Detailed test
      characteristics are detailed in Table 3. Overall, there was a change in treating
      clinician impression in 15.4 % (95 % CI 9-22 %) and change in management in 19.6
      % (95 % CI 12-27 %) of patients following CPUS. A significant structural heart
      disease was common: 48 % of patients were noted to have abnormal right
      ventricular systolic function, 36 % had at least moderate mitral regurgitation,
      and 7.7 % had a moderate to large pericardial effusion. CONCLUSIONS: A focused
      training intervention in CPUS was sufficient for providers in a limited-resource
      setting to accurately identify left ventricular systolic dysfunction, pericardial
      effusion, evidence of interstitial syndrome, and pleural effusions in dyspneic
      patients. Clinicians were able to integrate CPUS into their clinical impressions
      and management plans and reported a high level of confidence in their ultrasound
      findings.

PMID- 27260350
TI  - Influence of demographic and tumour variables on prostate cancer treatment with
      curative intent in Spain. Results of the 2010 national prostate cancer registry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine which cancer and demographic
      criteria influence the indication for surgery (radical prostatectomy) or
      radiation therapy (external or brachytherapy) in the treatment of prostate
      cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of the 2714 patients of the 2010
      National Prostate Cancer Registry treated with curative intent. The analysed
      variables were age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, the number
      of biopsy cores, the percentage of positive cores, the stage, Gleason score, the
      type of pathologist, the presence of perineural invasion and the study centre. We
      analysed the association among these variables and the type of treatment (surgery
      vs. radiation therapy/brachytherapy), using a univariate analysis (Student's t
      test and chi-squared) and a binary multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The
      48.12% of the patients (1306/2714) were treated with surgery, and 51.88%
      (1,408/2,714) underwent radiation therapy/brachytherapy. Differences were
      observed between the patients treated with prostatectomy and those treated with
      radiation therapy/brachytherapy (p<.05) in age (63.50+/-6.5 vs. 69.0+/-6.7), PSA
      (8.76+/-16.97 vs. 13.21+/-15.88), biopsied cores, percentage of positives cores
      (30.0+/-22 vs. 38.7+/-29), Gleason score (G6: 53.9% vs. 46.1%; G7: 45% vs. 55% G8
      10: 26.6%, 73.4%), stage (localised: 50% vs. 50%; locally advanced: 14.6% vs.
      85.4%), perineural invasion and hospital centre. In the multivariate analysis,
      the selected independent variables were age, PSA, percentage of positives cores,
      stage, Gleason score and hospital centre. CONCLUSION: According to our study,
      age, tumour aggressiveness and stage and the centre where the patient will be
      treated affect the selection of curative treatment for prostate cancer.

PMID- 27260351
TI  - Corrigendum to "Differential involvement of glutamatergic and catecholaminergic
      activity within the amygdala during taste aversion retrieval on memory expression
      and updating" [Behav. Brain Res. 307 (2016) 120-125].

PMID- 27260352
TI  - Society of Skeletal Radiology 39th Annual Meeting March 13-16, 2016.

PMID- 27260353
TI  - Screening of the TBK1 gene in familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
      patients of Chinese origin.
AB  - TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) has been recently identified as a risk gene of
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this study was to assess the
      contribution of TBK1 mutations to Chinese ALS patients. We sequenced the coding
      regions of TBK1 in a cohort of Chinese ALS patients, including 271 sporadic ALS
      patients and 23 familial ALS patients. Two potentially pathogenic mutations, L62P
      and I334T, were identified in two independent sporadic ALS patients, accounting
      for 0.7% of total ALS cases. Both mutations were absent from our 384 healthy
      controls and public single nucleotide polymorphisms databases. In conclusion, we
      propose that TBK1 is not a frequent causal gene in Chinese ALS patients.

PMID- 27260354
TI  - Periplasmic Cytophaga hutchinsonii Endoglucanases Are Required for Use of
      Crystalline Cellulose as the Sole Source of Carbon and Energy.
AB  - The soil bacterium Cytophaga hutchinsonii actively digests crystalline cellulose
      by a poorly understood mechanism. Genome analyses identified nine genes predicted
      to encode endoglucanases with roles in this process. No predicted
      cellobiohydrolases, which are usually involved in the utilization of crystalline
      cellulose, were identified. Chromosomal deletions were performed in eight of the
      endoglucanase-encoding genes: cel5A, cel5B, cel5C, cel9A, cel9B, cel9C, cel9E,
      and cel9F Each mutant retained the ability to digest crystalline cellulose,
      although the deletion of cel9C caused a modest decrease in cellulose utilization.
      Strains with multiple deletions were constructed to identify the critical
      cellulases. Cells of a mutant lacking both cel5B and cel9C were completely
      deficient in growth on cellulose. Cell fractionation and biochemical analyses
      indicate that Cel5B and Cel9C are periplasmic nonprocessive endoglucanases. The
      requirement of periplasmic endoglucanases for cellulose utilization suggests that
      cellodextrins are transported across the outer membrane during this process.
      Bioinformatic analyses predict that Cel5A, Cel9A, Cel9B, Cel9D, and Cel9E are
      secreted across the outer membrane by the type IX secretion system, which has
      been linked to cellulose utilization. These secreted endoglucanases may perform
      the initial digestion within amorphous regions on the cellulose fibers, releasing
      oligomers that are transported into the periplasm for further digestion by Cel5B
      and Cel9C. The results suggest that both cell surface and periplasmic
      endoglucanases are required for the growth of C. hutchinsonii on cellulose and
      that novel cell surface proteins may solubilize and transport cellodextrins
      across the outer membrane. IMPORTANCE: The bacterium Cytophaga hutchinsonii
      digests crystalline cellulose by an unknown mechanism. It lacks processive
      cellobiohydrolases that are often involved in cellulose digestion. Critical
      cellulolytic enzymes were identified by genetic analyses. Intracellular
      (periplasmic) nonprocessive endoglucanases performed an important role in
      cellulose utilization. The results suggest a model involving partial digestion at
      the cell surface, solubilization and uptake of cellodextrins across the outer
      membrane by an unknown mechanism, and further digestion within the periplasm. The
      ability to sequester cellodextrins and digest them intracellularly may limit
      losses of soluble cellobiose to other organisms. C. hutchinsonii uses an unusual
      approach to digest cellulose and is a potential source of novel proteins to
      increase the efficiency of conversion of cellulose into soluble sugars and
      biofuels.

PMID- 27260355
TI  - Effects of Carbohydrate Source on Genetic Competence in Streptococcus mutans.
AB  - The capacity to internalize and catabolize carbohydrates is essential for dental
      caries pathogens to persist and cause disease. The expression of many virulence
      related attributes by Streptococcus mutans, an organism strongly associated with
      human dental caries, is influenced by the peptide signaling pathways that control
      genetic competence. Here, we demonstrate a relationship between the efficiency of
      competence signaling and carbohydrate source. A significant increase in the
      activity of the promoters for comX, comS, and comYA after exposure to competence
      stimulating peptide (CSP) was observed in cells growing on fructose, maltose,
      sucrose, or trehalose as the primary carbohydrate source, compared to cells
      growing on glucose. However, only cells grown in the presence of trehalose or
      sucrose displayed a significant increase in transformation frequency. Notably,
      even low concentrations of these carbohydrates in the presence of excess glucose
      could enhance the expression of comX, encoding a sigma factor needed for
      competence, and the effects on competence were dependent on the cognate
      sugar:phosphotransferase permease for each carbohydrate. Using green fluorescent
      protein (GFP) reporter fusions, we observed that growth in fructose or trehalose
      resulted in a greater proportion of the population activating expression of comX
      and comS, encoding the precursor of comX-inducing peptide (XIP), after addition
      of CSP, than growth in glucose. Thus, the source of carbohydrate significantly
      impacts the stochastic behaviors that regulate subpopulation responses to CSP,
      which can induce competence in S. mutans IMPORTANCE: The signaling pathways that
      regulate development of genetic competence in Streptococcus mutans are intimately
      intertwined with the pathogenic potential of the organism, impacting biofilm
      formation, stress tolerance, and expression of known virulence determinants.
      Induction of the gene for the master regulator of competence, ComX, by competence
      stimulating peptide (CSP) occurs in a subpopulation of cells. Here, we show that
      certain carbohydrates that are common in the human diet enhance the ability of
      CSP to activate transcription of comX and that a subset of these carbohydrates
      stimulates progression to the competent state. The cognate
      sugar:phosphotransferase permeases for each sugar are needed for these effects.
      Interestingly, single-cell analysis shows that the carbohydrates that increase
      com gene expression do so by enhancing the proportion of cells that respond to
      CSP. A mathematical model is developed to explain how carbohydrates modulate
      bistable behavior in the system via the ComRS pathway and ComX stability.

PMID- 27260356
TI  - Influence of Host Ecology and Behavior on Campylobacter jejuni Prevalence and
      Environmental Contamination Risk in a Synanthropic Wild Bird Species.
AB  - Campylobacter jejuni is a foodborne pathogen that often leads to human infections
      through the consumption of contaminated poultry. Wild birds may play a role in
      the transmission of C. jejuni by acting as reservoir hosts. Despite ample
      evidence that wild birds harbor C. jejuni, few studies have addressed the role of
      host ecology in transmission to domestic animals or humans. We tested the
      hypothesis that host social behavior and habitat play a major role in driving
      transmission risk. C. jejuni infection and host ecology were studied
      simultaneously in wild American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) in Davis, CA, over
      3 years. We found that 178 of 337 samples tested were culture positive (53%),
      with infection varying by season and host age. Among adult crows, infection rates
      were highest during the winter, when migrants return and crows form large
      communal roosts. Nestlings had the highest risk of infection, and whole-genome
      sequencing supports the observation of direct transmission between nestlings. We
      deployed global positioning system (GPS) receivers to quantify habitat use by
      crows; space use was nonrandom, with crows preferentially occupying some habitats
      while avoiding others. This behavior drastically amplified the risk of
      environmental contamination from feces in specific locations. This study
      demonstrates that social behavior contributes to infection within species and
      that habitat use leads to a heterogeneous risk of cross-species transmission.
      IMPORTANCE: Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in
      industrialized countries. Despite efforts to reduce the colonization of poultry
      flocks and eventual infection of humans, the incidence of human C. jejuni
      infection has remained high. Because wild birds can harbor strains of C. jejuni
      that eventually infect humans, there has long been speculation that wild birds
      might act as an important reservoir in the C. jejuni infection cycle. We
      simultaneously studied infection prevalence, social behavior, and movement
      ecology in wild American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). We found that social
      behavior contributed to patterns of infection and that movement behavior resulted
      in some areas having a high risk of transmission while others had a low risk. The
      incorporation of ecological data into studies of C. jejuni in wild birds has the
      potential to resolve when and how wild birds contribute to domestic animal and
      human C. jejuni infection, leading to better control of initial poultry
      contamination.

PMID- 27260357
TI  - Phylogenetically Structured Differences in rRNA Gene Sequence Variation among
      Species of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Their Implications for Sequence
      Clustering.
AB  - Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form mutualisms with plant roots that increase
      plant growth and shape plant communities. Each AM fungal cell contains a large
      amount of genetic diversity, but it is unclear if this diversity varies across
      evolutionary lineages. We found that sequence variation in the nuclear large
      subunit (LSU) rRNA gene from 29 isolates representing 21 AM fungal species
      generally assorted into genus- and species-level clades, with the exception of
      species of the genera Claroideoglomus and Entrophospora However, there were
      significant differences in the levels of sequence variation across the phylogeny
      and between genera, indicating that it is an evolutionarily constrained trait in
      AM fungi. These consistent patterns of sequence variation across both
      phylogenetic and taxonomic groups pose challenges to interpreting operational
      taxonomic units (OTUs) as approximations of species-level groups of AM fungi. We
      demonstrate that the OTUs produced by five sequence clustering methods using 97%
      or equivalent sequence similarity thresholds failed to match the expected species
      of AM fungi, although OTUs from AbundantOTU, CD-HIT-OTU, and CROP corresponded
      better to species than did OTUs from mothur or UPARSE. This lack of OTU-to
      species correspondence resulted both from sequences of one species being split
      into multiple OTUs and from sequences of multiple species being lumped into the
      same OTU. The OTU richness therefore will not reliably correspond to the AM
      fungal species richness in environmental samples. Conservatively, this error can
      overestimate species richness by 4-fold or underestimate richness by one-half,
      and the direction of this error will depend on the genera represented in the
      sample. IMPORTANCE: Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form important mutualisms
      with the roots of most plant species. Individual AM fungi are genetically
      diverse, but it is unclear whether the level of this diversity differs among
      evolutionary lineages. We found that the amount of sequence variation in an rRNA
      gene that is commonly used to identify AM fungal species varied significantly
      between evolutionary groups that correspond to different genera, with the
      exception of two genera that are genetically indistinguishable from each other.
      When we clustered groups of similar sequences into operational taxonomic units
      (OTUs) using five different clustering methods, these patterns of sequence
      variation caused the number of OTUs to either over- or underestimate the actual
      number of AM fungal species, depending on the genus. Our results indicate that
      OTU-based inferences about AM fungal species composition from environmental
      sequences can be improved if they take these taxonomically structured patterns of
      sequence variation into account.

PMID- 27260358
TI  - Ammonia as an In Situ Sanitizer: Influence of Virus Genome Type on Inactivation.
AB  - Treatment of human excreta and animal manure (HEAM) is key in controlling the
      spread of persistent enteric pathogens, such as viruses. The extent of virus
      inactivation during HEAM storage and treatment appears to vary with virus genome
      type, although the reasons for this variability are not clear. Here, we
      investigated the inactivation of viruses of different genome types under
      conditions representative of HEAM storage or mesophilic digestion. The goals were
      to characterize the influence of HEAM solution conditions on inactivation and to
      determine the potential mechanisms involved. Specifically, eight viruses
      representing the four viral genome types (single-stranded RNA [ssRNA], double
      stranded RNA [dsRNA], single-stranded DNA [ssDNA], and double-stranded DNA
      [dsDNA]) were exposed to synthetic solutions with well-controlled temperature (20
      to 35 degrees C), pH (8 to 9), and ammonia (NH3) concentrations (0 to 40 mmol
      liter(-1)). DNA and dsRNA viruses were considerably more resistant than ssRNA
      viruses, resulting in up to 1,000-fold-longer treatment times to reach a 4-log
      inactivation. The apparently slower inactivation of DNA viruses was rationalized
      by the higher stability of DNA than that of ssRNA in HEAM. Pushing the system
      toward harsher pH (>9) and temperature (>35 degrees C) conditions, such as those
      encountered in thermophilic digestion and alkaline treatments, led to more
      consistent inactivation kinetics among ssRNA and other viruses. This suggests
      that the dependence of inactivation on genome type disappeared in favor of
      protein-mediated inactivation mechanisms common to all viruses. Finally, we
      recommend the use of MS2 as a conservative indicator to assess the inactivation
      of ssRNA viruses and the stable PhiX174 or dsDNA phages as indicators for
      persistent viruses. IMPORTANCE: Viruses are among the most environmentally
      persistent pathogens. They can be present in high concentrations in human excreta
      and animal manure (HEAM). Therefore, appropriate treatment of HEAM is important
      prior to its reuse or discharge into the environment. Here, we investigated the
      factors that determine the persistence of viruses in HEAM, and we determined the
      main mechanisms that lead to their inactivation. Unlike other organisms, viruses
      can have four different genome types (double- or single-stranded RNA or DNA), and
      the viruses studied herein represent all four types. Genome type appeared to be
      the major determinant for persistence. Single-stranded RNA viruses are the most
      labile, because this genome type is susceptible to degradation in HEAM. In
      contrast, the other genome types are more stable; therefore, inactivation is
      slower and mainly driven by the degradation of viral proteins. Overall, this
      study allows us to better understand the behavior of viruses in HEAM.

PMID- 27260359
TI  - Microbial Transformations of Selenium Species of Relevance to Bioremediation.
AB  - Selenium species, particularly the oxyanions selenite (SeO3 (2-)) and selenate
      (SeO4 (2-)), are significant pollutants in the environment that leach from rocks
      and are released by anthropogenic activities. Selenium is also an essential
      micronutrient for organisms across the tree of life, including microorganisms and
      human beings, particularly because of its presence in the 21st genetically
      encoded amino acid, selenocysteine. Environmental microorganisms are known to be
      capable of a range of transformations of selenium species, including reduction,
      methylation, oxidation, and demethylation. Assimilatory reduction of selenium
      species is necessary for the synthesis of selenoproteins. Dissimilatory reduction
      of selenate is known to support the anaerobic respiration of a number of
      microorganisms, and the dissimilatory reduction of soluble selenate and selenite
      to nanoparticulate elemental selenium greatly reduces the toxicity and
      bioavailability of selenium and has a major role in bioremediation and
      potentially in the production of selenium nanospheres for technological
      applications. Also, microbial methylation after reduction of Se oxyanions is
      another potentially effective detoxification process if limitations with low
      reaction rates and capture of the volatile methylated selenium species can be
      overcome. This review discusses microbial transformations of different forms of
      Se in an environmental context, with special emphasis on bioremediation of Se
      pollution.

PMID- 27260360
TI  - A Modular, Tn7-Based System for Making Bioluminescent or Fluorescent Salmonella
      and Escherichia coli Strains.
AB  - Our goal was to develop a robust tagging method that can be used to track
      bacterial strains in vivo To address this challenge, we adapted two existing
      systems: a modular plasmid-based reporter system (pCS26) that has been used for
      high-throughput gene expression studies in Salmonella and Escherichia coli and
      Tn7 transposition. We generated kanamycin- and chloramphenicol-resistant versions
      of pCS26 with bacterial luciferase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), and mCherry
      reporters under the control of sigma(70)-dependent promoters to provide three
      different levels of constitutive expression. We improved upon the existing Tn7
      system by modifying the delivery vector to accept pCS26 constructs and moving the
      transposase genes from a nonreplicating helper plasmid into a temperature
      sensitive plasmid that can be conditionally maintained. This resulted in a 10- to
      30-fold boost in transposase gene expression and transposition efficiencies of
      10(-8) to 10(-10) in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and E. coli APEC O1,
      whereas the existing Tn7 system yielded no successful transposition events. The
      new reporter strains displayed reproducible signaling in microwell plate assays,
      confocal microscopy, and in vivo animal infections. We have combined two flexible
      and complementary tools that can be used for a multitude of molecular biology
      applications within the Enterobacteriaceae This system can accommodate new
      promoter-reporter combinations as they become available and can help to bridge
      the gap between modern, high-throughput technologies and classical molecular
      genetics. IMPORTANCE: This article describes a flexible and efficient system for
      tagging bacterial strains. Using our modular plasmid system, a researcher can
      easily change the reporter type or the promoter driving expression and test the
      parameters of these new constructs in vitro Selected constructs can then be
      stably integrated into the chromosomes of desired strains in two simple steps. We
      demonstrate the use of this system in Salmonella and E. coli, and we predict that
      it will be widely applicable to other bacterial strains within the
      Enterobacteriaceae This technology will allow for improved in vivo analysis of
      bacterial pathogens.

PMID- 27260361
TI  - Development of a CRISPR-Cas9 Tool Kit for Comprehensive Engineering of Bacillus
      subtilis.
AB  - The establishment of a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat
      (CRISPR)-Cas9 system for strain construction in Bacillus subtilis is essential
      for its progression toward industrial utility. Here we outline the development of
      a CRISPR-Cas9 tool kit for comprehensive genetic engineering in B. subtilis In
      addition to site-specific mutation and gene insertion, our approach enables
      continuous genome editing and multiplexing and is extended to CRISPR interference
      (CRISPRi) for transcriptional modulation. Our tool kit employs chromosomal
      expression of Cas9 and chromosomal transcription of guide RNAs (gRNAs) using a
      gRNA transcription cassette and counterselectable gRNA delivery vectors. Our
      design obviates the need for multicopy plasmids, which can be unstable and impede
      cell viability. Efficiencies of up to 100% and 85% were obtained for single and
      double gene mutations, respectively. Also, a 2.9-kb hyaluronic acid (HA)
      biosynthetic operon was chromosomally inserted with an efficiency of 69%.
      Furthermore, repression of a heterologous reporter gene was achieved,
      demonstrating the versatility of the tool kit. The performance of our tool kit is
      comparable with those of systems developed for Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae, which rely on replicating vectors to implement CRISPR-Cas9 machinery.
      IMPORTANCE: In this paper, as the first approach, we report implementation of the
      CRISPR-Cas9 system in Bacillus subtilis, which is recognized as a valuable host
      system for biomanufacturing. The study enables comprehensive engineering of B.
      subtilis strains with virtually any desired genotypes/phenotypes and biochemical
      properties for extensive industrial application.

PMID- 27260362
TI  - Quantifying Variability in Growth and Thermal Inactivation Kinetics of
      Lactobacillus plantarum.
AB  - The presence and growth of spoilage organisms in food might affect the shelf
      life. In this study, the effects of experimental, reproduction, and strain
      variabilities were quantified with respect to growth and thermal inactivation
      using 20 Lactobacillus plantarum strains. Also, the effect of growth history on
      thermal resistance was quantified. The strain variability in MUmax was similar (P
      > 0.05) to reproduction variability as a function of pH, aw, and temperature,
      while being around half of the reproduction variability (P < 0.05) as a function
      of undissociated lactic acid concentration [HLa]. The cardinal growth parameters
      were estimated for the L. plantarum strains, and the pHmin was between 3.2 and
      3.5, the aw,min was between 0.936 and 0.953, the [HLamax], at pH 4.5, was between
      29 and 38 mM, and the Tmin was between 3.4 and 8.3 degrees C. The average D
      values ranged from 0.80 min to 19 min at 55 degrees C, 0.22 to 3.9 min at 58
      degrees C, 3.1 to 45 s at 60 degrees C, and 1.8 to 19 s at 63 degrees C. In
      contrast to growth, the strain variability in thermal resistance was on average
      six times higher than the reproduction variability and more than ten times higher
      than the experimental variability. The strain variability was also 1.8 times
      higher (P < 0.05) than the effect of growth history. The combined effects of
      strain variability and growth history on D value explained all of the variability
      as found in the literature, although with bias. Based on an illustrative milk
      processing chain, strain variability caused ~2-log10 differences in growth
      between the most and least robust strains and >10-log10 differences after thermal
      treatment. IMPORTANCE: Accurate control and realistic prediction of shelf life is
      complicated by the natural diversity among microbial strains, and limited
      information on microbiological variability is available for spoilage
      microorganisms. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to quantify
      strain variability, reproduction (biological) variability, and experimental
      variability with respect to the growth and thermal inactivation kinetics of
      Lactobacillus plantarum and to quantify the variability in thermal resistance
      attributed to growth history. The quantitative knowledge obtained on
      experimental, reproduction, and strain variabilities can be used to improve
      experimental designs and to adequately select strains for challenge growth and
      inactivation tests. Moreover, the integration of strain variability in prediction
      of microbial growth and inactivation kinetics will result in more realistic
      predictions of L. plantarum dynamics along the food production chain.

PMID- 27260363
TI  - Novel Feruloyl Esterase from Lactobacillus fermentum NRRL B-1932 and Analysis of
      the Recombinant Enzyme Produced in Escherichia coli.
AB  - A total of 33 Lactobacillus strains were screened for feruloyl esterase (FE)
      activity using agar plates containing ethyl ferulate as the sole carbon source,
      and Lactobacillus fermentum NRRL B-1932 demonstrated the strongest FE activity
      among a dozen species showing a clearing zone on the opaque plate containing
      ethyl ferulate. FE activities were monitored using high-performance liquid
      chromatography with an acetonitrile-trifluoroacetic acid gradient. To produce
      sufficient purified FE from L. fermentum strain NRRL B-1932 (LfFE), the cDNA
      encoding LfFE (Lffae) was amplified and cloned by using available closely related
      genome sequences and overexpressed in Escherichia coli A 29.6-kDa LfFE protein
      was detected from the protein extract of E. coli BL21(pLysS) carrying pET28bLffae
      upon IPTG (isopropyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside) induction. The recombinant
      LfFE containing a polyhistidine tag was purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid
      affinity resin. The purified LfFE showed strong activities against several
      artificial substrates, including p-nitrophenyl acetate and 4-methylumbelliferyl p
      trimethylammoniocinnamate chloride. The optimum pH and temperature of the
      recombinant LfFE were around 6.5 and 37 degrees C, respectively, as determined
      using either crude or purified recombinant LfFE. This study will be essential for
      the production of the LfFE in E. coli on a larger scale that could not be readily
      achieved by L. fermentum fermentation. IMPORTANCE: The production of feruloyl
      esterase (FE) from Lactobacillus fermentum NRRL B-1932 reported in this study
      will have immense potential commercial applications not only in biofuel
      production but also in pharmaceutical, polymer, oleo chemical, cosmetic additive,
      and detergent industries, as well as human health-related applications, including
      food flavoring, functional foods, probiotic agents, preventive medicine, and
      animal feed. Given the essential role FE plays in the production of
      hydroxycinnamic acids and ferulic acid, plus the generally regarded as safe
      status of lactobacilli, which therefore have less regulatory concerns, LfFE from
      the probiotic L. fermentum reported in this work can be directly used for
      increased production of high-value hydroxycinnamates and ferulic acid from
      natural or synthetic carbon sources.

PMID- 27260364
TI  - Biochemical Characteristics and Substrate Degradation Pattern of a Novel Exo-Type
      beta-Agarase from the Polysaccharide-Degrading Marine Bacterium Flammeovirga sp.
      Strain MY04.
AB  - Exo-type agarases release disaccharide units (3,6-anhydro-l-galactopyranose-alpha
      1,3-d-galactose) from the agarose chain and, in combination with endo-type
      agarases, play important roles in the processive degradation of agarose. Several
      exo-agarases have been identified. However, their substrate-degrading patterns
      and corresponding mechanisms are still unclear because of a lack of proper
      technologies for sugar chain analysis. Herein, we report the novel properties of
      AgaO, a disaccharide-producing agarase identified from the genus Flammeovirga
      AgaO is a 705-amino-acid protein that is unique to strain MY04. It shares
      sequence identities of less than 40% with reported GH50 beta-agarases.
      Recombinant AgaO (rAgaO) yields disaccharides as the sole final product when
      degrading agarose and associated oligosaccharides. Its smallest substrate is a
      neoagarotetraose, and its disaccharide/agarose conversion ratio is 0.5. Using
      fluorescence labeling and two-stage mass spectrometry analysis, we demonstrate
      that the disaccharide products are neoagarobiose products instead of agarobiose
      products, as verified by (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum analysis.
      Therefore, we provide a useful oligosaccharide sequencing method to determine the
      patterns of enzyme cleavage of glycosidic bonds. Moreover, AgaO produces
      neoagarobiose products by gradually cleaving the units from the nonreducing end
      of fluorescently labeled sugar chains, and so our method represents a novel
      biochemical visualization of the exolytic pattern of an agarase. Various
      truncated AgaO proteins lost their disaccharide-producing capabilities,
      indicating a strict structure-function relationship for the whole enzyme. This
      study provides insights into the novel catalytic mechanism and enzymatic
      properties of an exo-type beta-agarase for the benefit of potential future
      applications. IMPORTANCE: Exo-type agarases can degrade agarose to yield
      disaccharides almost exclusively, and therefore, they are important tools for
      disaccharide preparation. However, their enzymatic mechanisms and agarose
      degradation patterns are still unclear due to the lack of proper technologies for
      sugar chain analysis. In this study, AgaO was identified as an exo-type agarase
      of agarose-degrading Flammeovirga bacteria, representing a novel branch of
      glycoside hydrolase family 50. Using fluorescence labeling, high-performance
      liquid chromatography, and mass spectrum analysis technologies, we provide a
      useful oligosaccharide sequencing method to determine the patterns of enzyme
      cleavage of glycosidic bonds. We also demonstrate that AgaO produces
      neoagarobiose by gradually cleaving disaccharides from the nonreducing end of
      fluorescently labeled sugars. This study will benefit future enzyme applications
      and oligosaccharide studies.

PMID- 27260365
TI  - Heterologous Production and Characterization of Two Glyoxal Oxidases from
      Pycnoporus cinnabarinus.
AB  - The genome of the white rot fungus Pycnoporus cinnabarinus includes a large
      number of genes encoding enzymes implicated in lignin degradation. Among these,
      three genes are predicted to encode glyoxal oxidase, an enzyme previously
      isolated from Phanerochaete chrysosporium The glyoxal oxidase of P. chrysosporium
      is physiologically coupled to lignin-oxidizing peroxidases via generation of
      extracellular H2O2 and utilizes an array of aldehydes and alpha-hydroxycarbonyls
      as the substrates. Two of the predicted glyoxal oxidases of P. cinnabarinus,
      GLOX1 (PciGLOX1) and GLOX2 (PciGLOX2), were heterologously produced in
      Aspergillus niger strain D15#26 (pyrG negative) and purified using immobilized
      metal ion affinity chromatography, yielding 59 and 5 mg of protein for PciGLOX1
      and PciGLOX2, respectively. Both proteins were approximately 60 kDa in size and N
      glycosylated. The optimum temperature for the activity of these enzymes was 50
      degrees C, and the optimum pH was 6. The enzymes retained most of their activity
      after incubation at 50 degrees C for 4 h. The highest relative activity and the
      highest catalytic efficiency of both enzymes occurred with glyoxylic acid as the
      substrate. The two P. cinnabarinus enzymes generally exhibited similar substrate
      preferences, but PciGLOX2 showed a broader substrate specificity and was
      significantly more active on 3-phenylpropionaldehyde. IMPORTANCE: This study
      addresses the poorly understood role of how fungal peroxidases obtain an in situ
      supply of hydrogen peroxide to enable them to oxidize a variety of organic and
      inorganic compounds. This cooperative activity is intrinsic in the living
      organism to control the amount of toxic H2O2 in its environment, thus providing a
      feed-on-demand scenario, and can be used biotechnologically to supply a cheap
      source of peroxide for the peroxidase reaction. The secretion of multiple glyoxal
      oxidases by filamentous fungi as part of a lignocellulolytic mechanism suggests a
      controlled system, especially as these enzymes utilize fungal metabolites as the
      substrates. Two glyoxal oxidases have been isolated and characterized to date,
      and the differentiation of the substrate specificity of the two enzymes produced
      by Pycnoporus cinnabarinus illustrates the alternative mechanisms existing in a
      single fungus, together with the utilization of these enzymes to prepare platform
      chemicals for industry.

PMID- 27260366
TI  - Transfusion Independency and Histological Remission in a Patient with Advanced
      Primary Myelofibrosis Receiving Iron-Chelation Therapy with Deferasirox.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Iron overload is a common problem in patients with primary
      myelofibrosis and anemia due to transfusion dependency. This results in organ
      damage and toxic effects on hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow. At present,
      iron chelation therapy is not recommended in patients with myeloproliferative
      syndromes. CASE REPORT: We describe a very interesting development in a patient
      with primary myelofibrosis receiving iron chelation. Transfusion independency and
      a nearly complete histological remission of the underlying disease occurred
      within a few weeks of therapy. In addition, a change in molecular genetic
      findings was observed. Initially a JAK2 and a U2AF1 mutation were detected in the
      core biopsy. During and after therapy the U2AF1 mutation progressed, whereas the
      JAK2 mutation could no longer be verified. CONCLUSION: The improvement in
      hematopoiesis might results from reduction of oxidative stress on hematopoietic
      progenitor cells or other unclear deferasirox-mediated effects, whereas the
      reason for the change in molecular genetic findings is unclear. It appears that
      deferasirox might have a modulating effect on JAK2-kinase mutations. However,
      further investigation of selective molecular suppression properties of
      deferasirox are warranted.

PMID- 27260367
TI  - The effects of accumulated muscle fatigue on the mechanomyographic waveform:
      implications for injury prediction.
AB  - PURPOSE: Muscle fatigue has been identified as a risk factor for spontaneous
      muscle injuries in sport. However, few studies have investigated the accumulated
      effects of muscle fatigue on human muscle contractile properties. This study
      aimed to determine whether repeated bouts of exercise inducing acute fatigue
      leads to longer-term fatigue-related changes in muscle contractile properties.
      METHODS: Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), electromyographic (EMG) and
      mechanomyographic (MMG) measures were recorded in the biceps brachii of 11
      participants for 13 days, before and after a maximally fatiguing exercise
      protocol. The exercise protocol involved participants repetitively lifting a
      weight (concentric contractions only) equal to 40 % MVC, until failure. RESULTS:
      A significant (p < 0.05) acute pre- to post-exercise decline of biceps brachii
      MVC and median power frequency (MPF) was observed each day, whilst no difference
      existed between pre-exercise MVC or MPF values on subsequent days (days 2-13).
      However, decreases in number of lift repetitions and in pre-exercise MMG values
      of muscle belly displacement, contraction velocity and half-relaxation velocity
      were observed through to day 13. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst MVC and MPF measures
      resolved by the following day's test session, MMG measures indicated an ongoing
      decrement in muscle performance through days 2-13 consistent with the decline in
      lift repetitions observed. These results suggest that MMG may be more sensitive
      in detecting accumulated muscle fatigue than the 'gold standard' measures of
      MVC/MPF. Considering that muscle fatigue leads to injury, the on-going monitoring
      of MMG derived contractile properties of muscles in athletes may aid in the
      prediction of fatigued-induced muscle injury.

PMID- 27260368
TI  - Association of Hyperhomocysteinemia with Stroke Recurrence after Initial Stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Homocysteine (Hcy) is closely associated with stroke.
      Despite the fact that Hcy has consistently been shown to predict development of
      recurrent stroke, prior studies on the association of Hcy and stroke subtypes
      have been inconclusive. METHODS: Data from the Ege Stroke Registry were examined
      and 5-year follow-up data were analyzed. Multivariate survival analyses were
      undertaken using Cox proportional hazards models to determine the prognostic
      value of Hcy in different ischemic stroke subtypes. RESULTS: Of the 9522 patients
      with stroke, 307 (27%) with hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy) had recurrent stroke.
      Univariate Cox regression model showed that hHcy group was associated with
      recurrent stroke (crude hazard ratio [HR] 1.16; 95% CI 1.02-1.30). But there was
      no such association in multivariate regression models (adjusted HR 1.11; 95% CI
      .97-1.26). hHcy was not associated with any ischemic stroke subtypes at 5 years.
      Univariate Cox regression model showed that hHcy group was associated with
      overall cardiovascular events (crude HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.32-1.57). However, this
      association no longer existed in multivariate regression models (adjusted HR
      1.01; 95% CI .93-1.12). Higher plasma Hcy group was significantly associated with
      higher mortality compared with normal plasma Hcy group (OR 1.83; 95% CI .45
      2.32). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that elevated Hcy is not associated
      independently with stroke recurrence and overall cardiovascular events in
      patients with ischemic stroke. There was no association between the hHcy and
      stroke recurrence in the stroke subtypes within 5 years.

PMID- 27260369
TI  - Promoting synergies between clinical medicine and public health.

PMID- 27260370
TI  - Uncertainty and objectivity in clinical decision making: a clinical case in
      emergency medicine.
AB  - The evidence-based practice and evidence-based medicine (EBM) movements have
      promoted standardization through guideline development methodologies based on
      systematic reviews and meta-analyses of best available research. EBM has
      challenged clinicians to question their reliance on practical reasoning and
      clinical judgement. In this paper, we argue that the protagonists of EBM position
      their mission as reducing uncertainty through the use of standardized methods for
      knowledge evaluation and use. With this drive towards uniformity, standardization
      and control comes a suspicion towards intuition, creativity and uncertainty as
      integral parts of medical practice. We question the appropriateness of attempts
      to standardize professional practice through a discussion of the importance of
      uncertainty. Greenhalgh's taxonomy of uncertainty is used to inform an analysis
      of the clinical reasoning occurring in a potentially life threatening emergency
      situation with a young patient. The case analysis is further developed by the use
      of the Canadian philosopher Bernard Lonergan's theory about understanding and
      objective knowing. According to Lonergan it is not by getting rid of or even by
      reducing uncertainty, but by attending systematically to it and by relating to it
      in a self-conscious way, that objective knowledge can be obtained. The paper
      concludes that uncertainty is not a regrettable and unavoidable aspect of
      decision making but a productive component of clinical reasoning.

PMID- 27260371
TI  - Factors associated with the successful removal of indwelling urinary catheters
      post-operatively in the fragility hip fracture patient.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients presenting to hospital with a fragility hip fracture are
      routinely catheterized in the emergency department. Studies have found that the
      duration of catheterization is the greatest and most important risk factor for
      developing a urinary tract infection. Whilst there is a considerable body of
      evidence around correct techniques for insertion of urinary catheters, there
      appears to be little evidence as to the timing of their removal. AIM OF THE
      STUDY: To describe the current practice of indwelling catheter (IDC) removal post
      operatively in the fragility hip fracture patient and to identify factors
      associated with the successful removal of IDCs post operatively in the same
      cohort of patients. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort analysis of
      patients admitted to a large, tertiary hospital with an established ortho
      geriatric model of care. RESULTS: Aperient regime was the only factor that
      appeared to have a significant impact on the successful IDC removal. The patient
      commenced on the aperient regime was three times more likely to have an
      unsuccessful IDC removal than the patient on a limited or no aperient regime.
      CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for redesigning care that is patient
      focused, evidence-based, effective and efficient. The argument that a patient's
      bowel is required to be emptied prior to the successful removal of an IDC appears
      to be false, as in this study it was not identified as a predictor of successful
      IDC removal. A prospective clinical trial may be the next step forward in
      developing a clinical guideline for the successful removal of IDCs in the
      fragility hip fracture patient and/or surgical patient. Nurses have a crucial
      role to play in contributing to evidence-based practice and are continually
      challenged to do so.

PMID- 27260385
TI  - Enhancing the role of pharmacists in the cascade of tuberculosis care.

PMID- 27260384
TI  - Molecular characterization and confocal laser scanning microscopic study of
      Pygidiopsis macrostomum (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) parasites of guppies Poecilia
      vivipara.
AB  - Pygidiopsis macrostomum and Ascocotyle (Phagicola) pindoramensis (Digenea:
      Heterophyidae) parasitize guppies as intermediate hosts and, respectively, fish
      eating mammals or birds as definitive hosts. Heterophyids have zoonotic
      potential, and molecular studies associated with morphological and ecological
      aspects have helped to clarify their taxonomy and phylogeny. Poecilia vivipara
      naturally parasitized by metacercariae of both species (100% prevalence) exhibit
      no external signs of parasitism. In this work, four new sequences of P.
      macrostomum (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and ITS2 rDNA) and one new sequence of A. (P.)
      pindoramensis (mtDNA cox-1) are presented. Phylogeny reconstructions linked P.
      macrostomum to other heterophyids, but the separation of the Heterophyidae and
      Opisthorchiidae remains unclear. Additionally, we used indirect
      immunocytochemistry and the phalloidin-fluorescence techniques allied with
      confocal laser scanning microscopy to describe muscular and neuronal structures
      of P. macrostomum. A complex arrangement of muscular fibres is associated with
      the tegument, suckers, gut and reproductive system. Radial fibres around the
      ventral sucker are thick, branched and extend to the body wall. High-resolution
      confocal imaging revealed a typical digenean muscular arrangement and important
      heterophyid morphological traits. These data will support future control measures
      to reduce the parasitism in guppies reared in fish farming systems, especially
      for aquarium and experimental purposes.

PMID- 27260386
TI  - A functionally integrated thermoplastic microdevice for one-step solid-phase
      based nucleic acid purification and isothermal amplification for facile detection
      of foodborne pathogen.
AB  - In this study, we fabricate a functionally integrated monolithic thermoplastic
      microdevice for continuous operation of nucleic acid purification and
      amplification using polycarbonate (PC). A solid-phase-based purification and
      subsequent isothermal amplification, specifically, thermal helicase-dependent
      amplification (tHDA), was performed in a single operation in a valve-free manner.
      PC microdevice was assembled using modified thermal bonding process under
      relatively low temperature and pressure condition, realized by surface chemical
      modification of PC into hydrophilic property using amine-bearing
      polyethyleneimine (PEI). After the device sealing, only the microchannel parts
      were selectively modified to be hydrophobic, using epoxy-terminated
      poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) (epoxy-PDMS) on amine-coated surface for stepwise
      introduction of multiple reagents in a valve-free manner. Using the integrated PC
      microdevice, nucleic acids from genetically modified Escherichia coli (E. coli)
      O157:H7 were captured inside a chamber bearing amine functionality, by
      electrostatic interaction, and were subsequently amplified isothermally in the
      same chamber. Purified DNA captured inside the microchamber was detected directly
      inside the chamber by fluorescence measurement, and a 92-bp long EaeA gene,
      inserted into the E. coli O157:H7, was successfully amplified using the
      integrated PC microdevice in less than 90 min, paving the way for facile
      identification of foodborne pathogens with simple operation and reduced
      peripheral operations applicable for portable healthcare purposes. Biotechnol.
      Bioeng. 2016;113: 2614-2623. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27260387
TI  - Cellular Energetics as a Target for Tumor Cell Elimination.
AB  - Investigation of cancer cell metabolism has revealed variability of the metabolic
      profiles among different types of tumors. According to the most classical model
      of cancer bioenergetics, malignant cells primarily use glycolysis as the major
      metabolic pathway and produce large quantities of lactate with suppressed
      oxidative phosphorylation even in the presence of ample oxygen. This is referred
      to as aerobic glycolysis, or the Warburg effect. However, a growing number of
      recent studies provide evidence that not all cancer cells depend on glycolysis,
      and, moreover, oxidative phosphorylation is essential for tumorigenesis. Thus, it
      is necessary to consider distinctive patterns of cancer metabolism in each
      specific case. Chemoresistance of cancer cells is associated with decreased
      sensitivity to different types of antitumor agents. Stimulation of apoptosis is a
      major strategy for elimination of cancer cells, and therefore activation of
      mitochondrial functions with direct impact on mitochondria to destabilize them
      appears to be an important approach to the induction of cell death. Consequently,
      the design of combination therapies using acclaimed cytotoxic agents directed to
      induction of apoptosis and metabolic agents affecting cancer cell bioenergetics
      are prospective strategies for antineoplastic therapy. 

PMID- 27260388
TI  - Interleukins 1 and 6 as Main Mediators of Inflammation and Cancer.
AB  - The idea of a potential link between cancer and inflammation was first proposed
      by R. Virchow in the nineteenth century. However, clear evidence regarding a key
      role of inflammation in oncogenesis appeared only during the last decade. Now the
      tumor microenvironment is commonly considered as an obligatory and significant
      component of almost all types of cancer, and the cells infiltrating such
      microenvironment are a source of inflammatory cytokines. Such cytokines play a
      key role in regulating inflammation during both normal immune response and
      developing cancer. In this review, we explore the role of two inflammatory
      cytokines interleukin 1 and interleukin 6 in cancer development. These cytokines
      have pleiotropic effects on various cell types in the tumor microenvironment,
      particularly being able to regulate pro-oncogenic transcription factors NF-kappaB
      and STAT3. For this reason, such cytokines influence key parameters of
      oncogenesis, increasing cell resistance to apoptosis, proliferation of cancer
      cells, angiogenesis, invasion and malignancy as well as the ability of tumor
      cells to respond to anticancer therapy. Here we summarize novel experimental data
      regarding mechanisms underlying the interaction between chronic inflammation and
      malignant neoplasms. 

PMID- 27260389
TI  - Problems of Glioblastoma Multiforme Drug Resistance.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBL) is the most common and aggressive brain neoplasm. A
      standard therapeutic approach for GBL involves combination therapy consisting of
      surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The latter is based on temozolomide
      (TMZ). However, even by applying such a radical treatment strategy, the mean
      patient survival time is only 14.6 months. Here we review the molecular
      mechanisms underlying the resistance of GBL cells to TMZ including genetic and
      epigenetic mechanisms. Present data regarding a role for genes and proteins MGMT,
      IDH1/2, YB-1, MELK, MVP/LRP, MDR1 (ABCB1), and genes encoding other ABC
      transporters as well as Akt3 kinase in developing resistance of GBL to TMZ are
      discussed. Some epigenetic regulators of resistance to TMZ such as microRNA and
      EZH2 are reviewed. 

PMID- 27260390
TI  - Mitochondrial Genome Structure of Photosynthetic Eukaryotes.
AB  - Current ideas of plant mitochondrial genome organization are presented. Data on
      the size and structural organization of mtDNA, gene content, and peculiarities
      are summarized. Special emphasis is given to characteristic features of the
      mitochondrial genomes of land plants and photosynthetic algae that distinguish
      them from the mitochondrial genomes of other eukaryotes. The data published
      before the end of 2014 are reviewed. 

PMID- 27260391
TI  - Activity of Tissue Factor in Microparticles Produced in vitro by Endothelial
      Cells, Monocytes, Granulocytes, and Platelets.
AB  - Activity of tissue factor (TF) in membrane microparticles (MPs) produced in vitro
      by endothelial cells (ECs), monocytes, THP-1 monocytic cells, granulocytes, and
      platelets was investigated. ECs were isolated from human umbilical vein, and
      monocytes, granulocytes, and platelets - from the blood of healthy donors. ECs,
      monocytes, and THP-1 cells were activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide,
      granulocytes - by lipopolysaccharide or phorbol myristate acetate, and platelets 
      by SFLLRN, thrombin receptor-activating peptide. MPs were sedimented from the
      culture medium or supernatant of activated cells at 20,000g for 30 min.
      Coagulation activity of MPs was analyzed in a modified recalcification assay by
      assessing their effects on coagulation of donor plasma depleted of endogenous MPs
      (by centrifuging at 20,000g for 90 min). MPs from all cell types accelerated
      plasma coagulation. Antibodies blocking TF activity prolonged coagulation lag
      phase in the presence of MPs from ECs, monocytes, and THP-1 cells (by 2.7-, 2.0-,
      and 1.8-fold, respectively), but did not influence coagulation in the presence of
      MPs from granulocytes and platelets. In accordance with these data, TF activity
      measured by its ability to activate factor X was found in MPs from ECs,
      monocytes, and THP-1 cells, but not in MPs from granulocytes and platelets. The
      data obtained indicate that active TF is present in MPs produced in vitro by ECs,
      monocytes, and THP-1 cells, but not in MPs derived from granulocytes and
      platelets. 

PMID- 27260392
TI  - Structure, Chaperone Activity, and Aggregation of Wild-Type and R12C Mutant
      alphaB-Crystallins in the Presence of Thermal Stress and Calcium Ion -
      Implications for Role of Calcium in Cataract Pathogenesis.
AB  - The current study was performed with the aim to evaluate the chaperoning ability,
      structural features, and aggregation propensity of wild-type and R12C mutant
      alphaB-crystallins (alphaB-Cry) under thermal stress and in the presence of
      calcium ion. The results of different spectroscopic analyses suggest that wild
      type and mutant alphaB-Cry have dissimilar secondary and tertiary structures.
      Moreover, alphaB-Cry indicates slightly improved chaperone activity upon the R12C
      mutation. Thermal stress and calcium, respectively, enhance and reduce the extent
      of solvent-exposed hydrophobic surfaces accompanying formation of ordered and non
      ordered aggregate entities in both proteins. Compared to the wild-type protein,
      the R12C mutant counterpart shows significant resistance against thermal and
      calcium-induced aggregation. In addition, in the presence of calcium, significant
      structural variation was accompanied by reduction in the solvent-exposed
      hydrophobic patches and attenuation of chaperone activity in both proteins.
      Additionally, gel mobility shift assay indicates the intrinsic propensity of R12C
      mutant alphaB-Cry for disulfide bridge-mediated protein dimerization. Overall,
      the results of this study are of high significance for understanding the
      molecular details of different factors that are involved in the pathomechanism of
      cataract disorders. 

PMID- 27260393
TI  - Interaction between Fibrinogen and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-1
      in Human Plasma under Physiological Conditions.
AB  - Fibrinogen is a plasma glycoprotein and one of the principle participants in
      blood coagulation. It interacts with many proteins during formation of a blood
      clot, including insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins
      (IGFBP). Fibrinogen complexes were found as minor fractions in fibrinogen
      preparations independently of the coagulation process, and their presence
      influences the kinetics of polymerization. The idea of this work was to
      investigate whether fibrinogen in human plasma interacts with IGFBPs
      independently of the tissue injury or coagulation process. The results have shown
      that fibrinogen forms complexes with IGFBP-1 under physiological conditions.
      Several experimental approaches have confirmed that complexes are co-isolated
      with fibrinogen from plasma, they are relatively stable, and they appear as a
      general feature of human plasma. Several other experiments excluded the
      possibility that alpha-2 macroglobulin/IGFBP-1 complexes or IGFBP-1 oligomers
      contributed to IGFBP-1 immunoreactivity. The role of fibrinogen/IGFBP-1 complexes
      is still unknown. Further investigation in individuals expressing both impaired
      glucose control and coagulopathy could contribute to identification and
      understanding of their possible physiological role. 

PMID- 27260394
TI  - Plant DNA Methyltransferase Genes: Multiplicity, Expression, Methylation
      Patterns.
AB  - Expression and methylation patterns of genes encoding DNA methyltransferases and
      their functionally related proteins were studied in organs of Arabidopsis
      thaliana plants. Genes coding for the major maintenance-type DNA
      methyltransferases, MET1 and CMT3, and the major de novo-type DNA
      methyltransferase, DRM2, are actively expressed in all organs. Similar
      constitutively active expression was observed for genes encoding their
      functionally related proteins, a histone H3K9 methyltransferase KYP and a
      catalytically non-active protein DRM3. Expression of the MET1 and CMT3 genes is
      significantly lower in developing endosperm compared with embryo. Vice versa,
      expression of the MET2a, MET2b, MET3, and CMT2 genes in endosperm is much more
      active compared with embryo. A special maintenance DNA methylation system seems
      to operate in endosperm. The DNMT2 and N6AMT genes encoding putative
      methyltransferases are constitutively expressed at low levels. CMT1 and DRM1
      genes are expressed rather weakly in all investigated organs. Most of the studied
      genes have methylation patterns conforming to the "body-methylated gene"
      prototype. A peculiar feature of the MET family genes is methylation at all three
      possible site types (CG, CHG, and CHH). The most weakly expressed among genes of
      their respective families, CMT1 and DRM1, are practically unmethylated. The MET3
      and N6AMT genes have unusual methylation patterns, promoter region, and most of
      the gene body devoid of any methylation, and the 3'-end proximal part of the gene
      body is highly methylated. 

PMID- 27260395
TI  - Express Sequence Tag Analysis - Identification of Anseriformes Trypsin Genes from
      Full-Length cDNA Library of the Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and Characterization of
      Their Structure and Function.
AB  - Trypsins are key proteins important in animal protein digestion by breaking down
      the peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of lysine and arginine residues, hence it
      has been used widely in various biotechnological processes. In the current study,
      a full-length cDNA library with capacity of 5.10(5) CFU/ml from the duck (Anas
      platyrhynchos) was constructed. Using express sequence tag (EST) sequencing,
      genes coding two trypsins were identified and two full-length trypsin cDNAs were
      then obtained by rapid-amplification of cDNA end (RACE)-PCR. Using Blast, they
      were classified into the trypsin I and II subfamilies, but both encoded a signal
      peptide, an activation peptide, and a 223-a.a. mature protein located in the C
      terminus. The two deduced mature proteins were designated as trypsin-IAP and
      trypsin-IIAP, and their theoretical isoelectric points (pI) and molecular weights
      (MW) were 7.99/23466.4 Da and 4.65/24066.0 Da, respectively. Molecular
      characterizations of genes were further performed by detailed bioinformatics
      analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that trypsin-IIAP has an evolution
      pattern distinct from trypsin-IAP, suggesting its evolutionary advantage. Then
      the duck trypsin-IIAP was expressed in an Escherichia coli system, and its
      kinetic parameters were measured. The three dimensional structures of trypsin-IAP
      and trypsin-IIAP were predicted by homology modeling, and the conserved residues
      required for functionality were identified. Two loops controlling the specificity
      of the trypsin and the substrate-binding pocket represented in the model are
      almost identical in primary sequences and backbone tertiary structures of the
      trypsin families. 

PMID- 27260396
TI  - Role of Endonuclease G in Exogenous DNA Stability in HeLa Cells.
AB  - Endonuclease G (EndoG) is a well-conserved mitochondrial-nuclear nuclease with
      dual lethal and vital roles in the cell. The aim of our study was to examine
      whether EndoG exerts its nuclease activity on exogenous DNA substrates such as
      plasmid DNA (pDNA), considering their importance in gene therapy applications.
      The effects of EndoG knockdown on pDNA stability and levels of encoded reporter
      gene expression were evaluated in the cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. Transfection
      of pDNA vectors encoding short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) reduced levels of EndoG mRNA
      in HeLa cells. In physiological circumstances, EndoG knockdown did not have an
      effect on the stability of pDNA or the levels of encoded transgene expression as
      measured over a four-day time course. However, when endogenous expression of
      EndoG was induced by an extrinsic stimulus, targeting of EndoG by shRNA improved
      the perceived stability and transgene expression of pDNA vectors. Therefore,
      EndoG is not a mediator of exogenous DNA clearance, but in non-physiological
      circumstances, it may nonspecifically cleave intracellular DNA regardless of its
      origin. These findings make it unlikely that targeting of EndoG is a viable
      strategy for improving the duration and level of transgene expression from
      nonviral DNA vectors in gene therapy efforts. 

PMID- 27260397
TI  - 3-Acetyl-Chlorophyll Formation in Light-Harvesting Complexes of Purple Bacteria
      by Chemical Oxidation.
AB  - Dedicated to the memory of Yuriy Nikolayevich Kozlov Oxidation of
      bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) with potassium ferricyanide in membranes and LH2
      complexes (carotenoid-less and control samples) from the purple bacteria
      Allochromatium minutissimum and Rhodobacter sphaeroides as well as BChl
      photobleaching in a model system have been studied. The oxidation of BChl
      depended on the type of bacteria. BChl850 was rapidly oxidized in samples from
      Alc. minutissimum, and BChl800 and BChl850 were slowly oxidized in samples from
      Rb. sphaeroides. The carotenoids were not involved in protecting BChl from
      chemical oxidation in the light-harvesting complexes. The appearance of BChl
      oxidation product was registered in the absorption spectra (absorption maximum
      about 700 nm) and by HPLC analysis. The oxidized BChl was identified as 3-acetyl
      chlorophyll. It differed from BChl by the presence of a double bond in pyrrole
      ring II at the 7-8 position. The extinction coefficient of 3-acetyl-chlorophyll
      was about 10 times less than that of BChl850 in the LH2 complex from Alc.
      minutissimum. In the BChl -> 3-acetyl-chlorophyll transition, the binding
      constant of the latter with LH2 complex as compared with that of BChl did not
      change dramatically, as indicated by: (i) preserved electrophoretic mobility of
      the complex; (ii) the presence of 3-acetyl-chlorophyll in the complex after
      separation; (iii) the presence of a 3-acetyl-chlorophyll CD signal that was
      proportional to its absorption spectrum. 

PMID- 27260398
TI  - How Can Gastric Cancer Molecular Profiling Guide Future Therapies?
AB  - Gastric cancer is the third greatest global cause of cancer-related deaths.
      Despite its high prevalence, only recently have comprehensive genomic surveys
      shed light on its molecular alterations. As surgery is the only curative
      treatment strategy and chemotherapy has shown limited efficacy, new treatments
      are urgently needed. Many molecular therapies for gastric cancer have entered
      clinical trials but-apart from Trastuzumab and Ramucirumab-all have failed. We
      analyze the current knowledge of the genetic 'landscape' of gastric cancers,
      elaborating on novel, preclinical approaches. We posit that this knowledge lays
      the basis for identifying bona fide molecular targets and developing solid
      therapeutic approaches, requiring accurate patient selection and taking advantage
      of preclinical models to assist clinical development of novel combination
      strategies.

PMID- 27260399
TI  - Role of Bmznf-2, a Bombyx mori CCCH zinc finger gene, in masculinisation and
      differential splicing of Bmtra-2.
AB  - Deciphering the regulatory factors involved in Bombyx mori sex determination has
      been a puzzle, challenging researchers for nearly a century now. The pre-mRNA of
      B. mori doublesex (Bmdsx), a master regulator gene of sexual differentiation, is
      differentially spliced, producing Bmdsxm and Bmdsxf transcripts in males and
      females respectively. The putative proteins encoded by these differential
      transcripts orchestrate antagonistic functions, which lead to sexual
      differentiation. A recent study in B. mori illustrated the role of a W-derived
      fem piRNA in conferring femaleness. In females, the fem piRNA was shown to
      suppress the activity of a Z-linked CCCH type zinc finger (znf) gene,
      Masculiniser (masc), which indirectly promotes the Bmdsxm type of splicing. In
      this study, we report a novel autosomal (Chr 25) CCCH type znf motif encoding
      gene Bmznf-2 as one of the potential factors in the Bmdsx sex specific
      differential splicing, and we also provide insights into its role in the
      alternative splicing of Bmtra2 by using ovary derived BmN cells. Over-expression
      of Bmznf-2 induced Bmdsxm type of splicing (masculinisation) with a
      correspondingly reduced expression of Bmdsxf type isoform in BmN cells. Further,
      the site-directed mutational studies targeting the tandem CCCH znf motifs
      revealed their indispensability in the observed phenotype of masculinisation.
      Additionally, the dual luciferase assays in BmN cells using 5' UTR region of the
      Bmznf-2 strongly implied the existence of a translational repression over this
      gene. From these findings, we propose Bmznf-2 to be one of the potential factors
      of masculinisation similar to Masc. From the growing number of Bmdsx splicing
      regulators, we assume that the sex determination cascade of B. mori is quite
      intricate in nature; hence, it has to be further investigated for its
      comprehensive understanding.

PMID- 27260400
TI  - Our findings, my method: Framing science in televised interviews.
AB  - The public communication of science and technology largely depends on their
      framing in the news media, but scientists' role in this process has only been
      explored indirectly. This study focuses on storied accounts told by scientists
      when asked to present their research or provide expert advice in the course of a
      news interview. A total of 150 items from a current affairs talk show broadcast
      in the Israeli media were explored through a methodology combining narrative and
      conversation analysis. Using the concept of framing as originally proposed by
      Erving Goffman, we show that researchers use personal accounts as a way of
      reframing news stories introduced by the program hosts. Elements of method and
      rationale, which are usually considered technical and are shunned in journalistic
      reports, emerged as a crucial element in the accounts that experts themselves
      provided. The implications for framing research and science communication
      training are discussed.

PMID- 27260401
TI  - Meckel's and condylar cartilages anomalies in achondroplasia result in defective
      development and growth of the mandible.
AB  - Activating FGFR3 mutations in human result in achondroplasia (ACH), the most
      frequent form of dwarfism, where cartilages are severely disturbed causing long
      bones, cranial base and vertebrae defects. Because mandibular development and
      growth rely on cartilages that guide or directly participate to the ossification
      process, we investigated the impact of FGFR3 mutations on mandibular shape, size
      and position. By using CT scan imaging of ACH children and by analyzing
      Fgfr3Y367C/+ mice, a model of ACH, we show that FGFR3 gain-of-function mutations
      lead to structural anomalies of primary (Meckel's) and secondary (condylar)
      cartilages of the mandible, resulting in mandibular hypoplasia and
      dysmorphogenesis. These defects are likely related to a defective chondrocyte
      proliferation and differentiation and pan-FGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor NVP
      BGJ398 corrects Meckel's and condylar cartilages defects ex vivo. Moreover, we
      show that low dose of NVP-BGJ398 improves in vivo condyle growth and corrects
      dysmorphologies in Fgfr3Y367C/+ mice, suggesting that postnatal treatment with
      NVP-BGJ398 mice might offer a new therapeutic strategy to improve mandible
      anomalies in ACH and others FGFR3-related disorders.

PMID- 27260403
TI  - Altered secondary structure of Dynorphin A associates with loss of opioid
      signalling and NMDA-mediated excitotoxicity in SCA23.
AB  - Spinocerebellar ataxia type 23 (SCA23) is caused by missense mutations in
      prodynorphin, encoding the precursor protein for the opioid neuropeptides alpha
      neoendorphin, Dynorphin (Dyn) A and Dyn B, leading to neurotoxic elevated mutant
      Dyn A levels. Dyn A acts on opioid receptors to reduce pain in the spinal cord,
      but its cerebellar function remains largely unknown. Increased concentration of
      or prolonged exposure to Dyn A is neurotoxic and these deleterious effects are
      very likely caused by an N-methyl-d-aspartate-mediated non-opioid mechanism as
      Dyn A peptides were shown to bind NMDA receptors and potentiate their glutamate
      evoked currents. In the present study, we investigated the cellular mechanisms
      underlying SCA23-mutant Dyn A neurotoxicity. We show that SCA23 mutations in the
      Dyn A-coding region disrupted peptide secondary structure leading to a loss of
      the N-terminal alpha-helix associated with decreased kappa-opioid receptor
      affinity. Additionally, the altered secondary structure led to increased peptide
      stability of R6W and R9C Dyn A, as these peptides showed marked degradation
      resistance, which coincided with decreased peptide solubility. Notably, L5S Dyn A
      displayed increased degradation and no aggregation. R6W and wt Dyn A peptides
      were most toxic to primary cerebellar neurons. For R6W Dyn A, this is likely
      because of a switch from opioid to NMDA- receptor signalling, while for wt Dyn A,
      this switch was not observed. We propose that the pathology of SCA23 results from
      converging mechanisms of loss of opioid-mediated neuroprotection and NMDA
      mediated excitotoxicity.

PMID- 27260402
TI  - Differential burden of rare protein truncating variants in Alzheimer's disease
      patients compared to centenarians.
AB  - We compared coding region variants of 53 cognitively healthy centenarians and 45
      patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), all of Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) ancestry.
      Despite the small sample size, the known AD risk variant APOE4 reached genome
      wide significance, indicating the advantage of utilizing 'super-controls'. We
      restricted our subsequent analysis to rare variants observed at most once in the
      1000 Genomes database and having a minor allele frequency below 2% in our AJ
      sample. We compared the burden of predicted protein altering variants between
      cases and controls as normalized by the level of rare synonymous variants. We
      observed an increased burden among AD subjects for predicted loss-of-function
      (LoFs) variants defined as stop-gain, frame shift, initiation codon (INIT) and
      splice site mutations (n = 930, OR = 1.3, P = 1.5*E-5). There was no enrichment
      across all rare protein altering variants defined as missense plus LoFs, in frame
      indels and stop-loss variants (n = 13 014, OR = 0.97, P = 0.47). Among LoFs, the
      strongest burden was observed for INIT (OR = 2.16, P = 0.0097) and premature stop
      variants predicted to cause non-sense-mediated decay in the majority of
      transcripts (NMD) (OR = 1.98, P = 0.02). Notably, this increased burden of NMD,
      INIT and splice variants was more pronounced in a set of 1397 innate immune genes
      (OR = 4.55, P = 0.0043). Further comparison to additional exomes indicates that
      the difference in LoF burden originated both from the AD and centenarian sample.
      In summary, we observed an overall increased burden of rare LoFs in AD subjects
      as compared to centenarians, and this enrichment is more pronounced for innate
      immune genes.

PMID- 27260404
TI  - ELAVL2-regulated transcriptional and splicing networks in human neurons link
      neurodevelopment and autism.
AB  - The role of post-transcriptional gene regulation in human brain development and
      neurodevelopmental disorders remains mostly uncharacterized. ELAV-like RNA
      binding proteins (RNAbps) are a family of proteins that regulate several aspects
      of neuronal function including neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission,
      both critical to the normal function of the brain in cognition and behavior.
      Here, we identify the downstream neuronal transcriptional and splicing networks
      of ELAVL2, an RNAbp with previously unknown function in the brain. Expression of
      ELAVL2 was reduced in human neurons and RNA-sequencing was utilized to identify
      networks of differentially expressed and alternatively spliced genes resulting
      from haploinsufficient levels of ELAVL2. These networks contain a number of
      autism-relevant genes as well as previously identified targets of other important
      RNAbps implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) including RBFOX1 and FMRP.
      ELAVL2-regulated co-expression networks are also enriched for neurodevelopmental
      and synaptic genes, and include genes with human-specific patterns of expression
      in the frontal pole. Together, these data suggest that ELAVL2 regulation of
      transcript expression is critical for neuronal function and clinically relevant
      to ASD.

PMID- 27260405
TI  - Neuron-specific knock-down of SMN1 causes neuron degeneration and death through
      an apoptotic mechanism.
AB  - Spinal muscular atrophy is a devastating disease that is characterized by
      degeneration and death of a specific subclass of motor neurons in the anterior
      horn of the spinal cord. Although the gene responsible, survival motor neuron 1
      (SMN1), was identified 20 years ago, it has proven difficult to investigate its
      effects in vivo. Consequently, a number of key questions regarding the molecular
      and cellular functions of this molecule have remained unanswered. We developed a
      Caenorhabditis elegans model of smn-1 loss-of-function using a neuron-specific
      RNA interference strategy to knock-down smn-1 selectively in a subclass of motor
      neurons. The transgenic animals presented a cell-autonomous, age-dependent
      degeneration of motor neurons detected as locomotory defects and the
      disappearance of presynaptic and cytoplasmic fluorescent markers in targeted
      neurons. This degeneration led to neuronal death as revealed by positive
      reactivity to genetic and chemical cell-death markers. We show that genes of the
      classical apoptosis pathway are involved in the smn-1-mediated neuronal death,
      and that this phenotype can be rescued by the expression of human SMN1,
      indicating a functional conservation between the two orthologs. Finally, we
      determined that Plastin3/plst-1 genetically interacts with smn-1 to prevent
      degeneration, and that treatment with valproic acid is able to rescue the
      degenerative phenotype. These results provide novel insights into the cellular
      and molecular mechanisms that lead to the loss of motor neurons when SMN1
      function is reduced.

PMID- 27260407
TI  - Coacervation with surfactants: From single-chain surfactants to gemini
      surfactants.
AB  - Coacervation is a spontaneous process during which a colloidal dispersion
      separates into two immiscible liquid phases: a colloid-rich liquid phase in
      equilibrium with a diluted phase. Coacervation is usually divided into simple
      coacervation and complex coacervation according to the number of components.
      Surfactant-based coacervation normally contains traditional single-chain
      surfactants. With the development of surfactants, gemini surfactants with two
      amphiphilic moieties have been applied to form coacervation. This review
      summarizes the development of simple coacervation and complex coacervation in the
      systems of single-chain surfactants and gemini surfactants. Simple coacervation
      in surfactant solutions with additives or at elevated temperature and complex
      coacervation in surfactant/polymer mixtures by changing charge densities,
      molecular weight, ionic strength, pH, or temperature are reviewed. The comparison
      between gemini surfactants and corresponding monomeric single-chain surfactants
      reveals that the unique structures of gemini surfactants endow them with higher
      propensity to generate coacervation.

PMID- 27260406
TI  - Increased steroidogenesis promotes early-onset and severe vision loss in females
      with OPA1 dominant optic atrophy.
AB  - OPA1 mutations are responsible for autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA), a
      progressive blinding disease characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC)
      degeneration and large phenotypic variations, the underlying mechanisms of which
      are poorly understood. OPA1 encodes a mitochondrial protein with essential
      biological functions, its main roles residing in the control of mitochondrial
      membrane dynamics as a pro-fusion protein and prevention of apoptosis.
      Considering recent findings showing the importance of the mitochondrial fusion
      process and the involvement of OPA1 in controlling steroidogenesis, we tested the
      hypothesis of deregulated steroid production in retina due to a disease-causing
      OPA1 mutation and its contribution to the visual phenotypic variations. Using the
      mouse model carrying the human recurrent OPA1 mutation, we disclosed that Opa1
      haploinsufficiency leads to very high circulating levels of steroid precursor
      pregnenolone in females, causing an early-onset vision loss, abolished by
      ovariectomy. In addition, steroid production in retina is also increased which,
      in conjunction with high circulating levels, impairs estrogen receptor expression
      and mitochondrial respiratory complex IV activity, promoting RGC apoptosis in
      females. We further demonstrate the involvement of Muller glial cells as
      increased pregnenolone production in female cells is noxious and compromises
      their role in supporting RGC survival. In parallel, we analyzed ophthalmological
      data of a multicentre OPA1 patient cohort and found that women undergo more
      severe visual loss at adolescence and greater progressive thinning of the retinal
      nerve fibres than males. Thus, we disclosed a gender-dependent effect on ADOA
      severity, involving for the first time steroids and Muller glial cells,
      responsible for RGC degeneration.

PMID- 27260408
TI  - Juniperus rigida Sieb. extract inhibits inflammatory responses via attenuation of
      TRIF-dependent signaling and inflammasome activation.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Juniperus rigida Sieb. (J. rigida) is used for
      medicinal purposes in Asian countries to treat inflammation-related disorders,
      such as neuralgia, dropsy, and gout. AIM OF THE STUDY: The anti-inflammatory
      effects of J. rigida extract (JR) and its underlying mechanisms were explored
      both in in vitro cell lines and in vivo metabolic disease models. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophages were
      used to study the changes in inflammatory responses in vitro. Bone marrow-derived
      macrophages (BMDMs) were used to study the regulatory effect of JR on
      inflammasome activation. The murine model for monosodium urate (MSU)-induced
      peritonitis and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetes were employed to
      study the effect of JR on in vivo efficacy. RESULTS: JR suppressed the MSU
      induced in vivo inflammatory response by attenuation of proinflammatory
      cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha). In the in vitro study, JR suppressed IL-1beta secretion via
      regulation of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC)
      oligomerization, leading to the inhibition of inflammasome activation. JR also
      inhibited the LPS-stimulated release of proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric
      oxide (NO), TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. The inhibitory effects of JR
      were mediated through the regulation of the TRIF-dependent signaling pathway from
      JAK1/STAT1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, JR showed inhibitory effects on HFD
      induced type 2 diabetes in a mouse model through the regulation of blood glucose
      and serum IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that JR attenuates both LPS
      stimulated and danger-signal-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages via
      regulation of the key inflammatory mechanisms, providing scientific support for
      its traditional use in the treatment of various inflammation-related metabolic
      disorders.

PMID- 27260409
TI  - Black ginseng extract exerts anti-hyperglycemic effect via modulation of glucose
      metabolism in liver and muscle.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae)
      has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years for the treatment
      of a wide variety of diseases, including diabetes. Processed ginseng named Black
      ginseng exhibits more potent biological activities than white and red ginseng.
      The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of black ginseng extract
      (GBG05-FF) on hyperglycemia and glucose tolerance in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
      diabetic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Black ginseng was produced by a repeated
      steaming and drying process, subsequent extraction with 70% ethanol, filtration,
      and lyophilization. The effect of GBG05-FF on glucose uptake and related protein
      expression and phosphorylation were determined in C2C12 cells. Furthermore, we
      evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of GBG05-FF in STZ-induced diabetic mice.
      RESULTS: GBG05-FF significantly (p<0.05) increased glucose uptake in C2C12
      myotubes via AMPK, Sirt1 and PI3-K pathway. In addition, GBG05-FF improved the
      fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance in STZ-induced diabetic mice.
      GBG05-FF decreased blood parameters such as glycated hemoglobin, triglyceride and
      total cholesterol. Quantitative RT-PCR assay revealed that in the STZ-induced
      diabetic mice treated with GBG05-FF, the expression of hepatic genes involved in
      gluconeogenesis (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose 6-phosphatase
      (G6Pase)), glycogenolysis (liver glycogen phosphorylase (LGP)) and glycogenesis
      (glycogen synthase (GS)) was suppressed, while the expression of the genes
      involved in glucose uptake (glucose transporter (GLUT) 1, GLUT4) and beta
      oxidation (acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO), carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1a (CPT1a),
      mitochondrial medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD)) in muscle were
      increased. GBG05-FF delayed diabetes-associated muscle atrophy by activating
      mTOR. The major bioactive compounds including ginsenoside Rg1, Rg3(S), Rg3(R),
      Rg5, Rk1 and Rh4 were evaluated for glucose uptake effect in C2C12 myotubes; the
      data indicated that Rh4 significantly (p<0.05) increased glucose uptake.
      CONCLUSION: Collectively, the results suggested that GBG05-FF is a potentially
      useful agent for treatment of diabetes by increasing glucose uptake.

PMID- 27260410
TI  - Antiplasmodial, anti-complement and anti-inflammatory in vitro effects of
      Biophytum umbraculum Welw. traditionally used against cerebral malaria in Mali.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Biophytum umbraculum Welw. (Oxalidaceae) is a
      highly valued African medicinal plant used for treatment of cerebral malaria, a
      critical complication of falciparum malaria. AIM OF THE STUDY: To provide
      additional information about traditional use of B. umbraculum and to test plant
      extracts and isolated compounds for in vitro activities related to cerebral
      malaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The traditional practitioners were questioned
      about indication, mode of processing/application, dosage and local name of B.
      umbraculum. Organic extracts and some main constituents of the plant were
      investigated for anti-malaria, anti-complement activity and inhibition of NO
      secretion in a RAW 264.7 cell line. RESULTS: Treatment of cerebral malaria was
      the main use of B. umbraculum (fidelity level 56%). The ethyl acetate extract
      showed anti-complement activity (ICH50 5.7+/-1.6MUg/ml), inhibition of macrophage
      activation (IC50 16.4+/-1.3MUg/ml) and in vitro antiplasmodial activity (IC50 K1
      5.6+/-0.13MUg/ml, IC50 NF54 6.7+/-0.03MUg/ml). The main constituents (flavone C
      glycosides) did not contribute to the activity of the extract. CONCLUSION:
      Inhibition of complement activation and anti-inflammatory activity of B.
      umbraculum observed in this study might be possible targets for adjunctive
      therapy in cerebral malaria together with its antiplasmodial activity. However,
      clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the activity due to the complex
      pathogenesis of cerebral malaria.

PMID- 27260411
TI  - TLR2 signals via NF-kappaB to drive IL-15 production in salivary gland epithelial
      cells derived from patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome.
AB  - Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors linking innate and
      adaptive immune responses, which resulted overexpressed in primary Sjogren's
      syndrome (pSS). Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which was
      recently demonstrated to be involved in pSS pathogenesis. The study was
      undertaken to clarify whether TLR2 is involved in the production of IL-15 in
      human salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC) from pSS patients. SGEC primary cell
      cultures were established from pSS minor salivary gland tissues explanted from
      patients with a sure diagnosis of SS. After neutralization of TLR2 with a
      blocking monoclonal antibody, IL-15 production was assayed by immunoblotting and
      flow cytometry, IL-15 in the culture supernatants was measured by ELISA, and mRNA
      levels were assessed by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. The production of IL-15 by pSS
      SGEC decreased in culture supernatants and in protein lysates (p < 0.01) when
      TLR2 signaling was inhibited in pSS SGEC. In addition, a control at the
      transcriptional level was also detected; in fact, inhibition of nuclear factor
      (NF)-kappaB through the transfection of pSS SGEC with the dominant-negative
      inhibitory kappaBalpha proteins (IkappaBalpha) vector (IkappaBalphaDN) abrogated
      the stimulatory effect of TLR2 on IL-15 production. These data suggest that TLR2
      activation is involved in the induction of IL-15 production by pSS SGEC and
      promotes inflammation through NF-kappaB activation. Therefore, therapeutic
      strategies that target TLR2/IL-15 pathway might be strong candidates for
      preventing or treating pSS.

PMID- 27260412
TI  - Alkaline hydrolysis to remove potentially infectious viral RNA contaminants from
      DNA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diagnostics and research of high-consequence animal disease agents is
      often limited to laboratories with a high level of biosecurity that restrict the
      transport of biological material. Often, sharing of DNA with external partners is
      needed to support diagnostics, forensics, or research. Even in the absence of
      virus, RNA from positive-sense single stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses that may
      contaminate otherwise purified DNA preparations continues to pose a threat due to
      its potential to be infectious via direct translation to yield viral proteins.
      While the risk of animal infection or accidental reconstitution and release of a
      virus from RNA is very low, the high impact of an animal disease event associated
      with the accidental release of some + ssRNA viruses, such as classical swine
      fever or foot-and-mouth disease viruses, necessitates the precaution of having
      procedures to ensure the complete inactivation of viruses and + ssRNA viral
      genomes. RNA and DNA are differentially susceptible to enzymatic degradations;
      however, such procedures are susceptible to unintended DNA damage and/or failure
      due to enzyme or cofactor instabilities. Therefore, we describe the development
      and verification of a robust and simple chemical and physical method to
      selectively degrade RNA from purified DNA preparations. The procedure employs
      incubation of DNA in 0.25 N sodium hydroxide at 65  degrees C for 1 h followed by
      neutralization and boiling for 10 min to hydrolyze contaminating RNA and
      inactivate animal disease viruses from DNA preparations. Additional critical
      quality control elements include use of a synthetic control RNA (SCR) and an SCR
      specific real-time RT-PCR to track effectiveness of the procedure in a parallel
      treated control sample, and a pH check of reagents to ensure proper
      neutralization of alkaline conditions. RESULTS: The new procedure reduced intact
      RNA beyond the limit of detection by realtime RT-PCR and inactivated viruses by
      in vitro culture infectivity assays. CONCLUSIONS: Treated DNA, while denatured,
      remains suitable for most common molecular biology procedures including PCR,
      transformation of E. coli, and molecular sequencing. The procedure ensures not
      only the inactivation of a variety of viruses but also the degradation through
      hydrolysis of potentially contaminating infectious + ssRNA viral genomes.

PMID- 27260413
TI  - FR-900098, an antimalarial development candidate that inhibits the non-mevalonate
      isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, shows no evidence of acute toxicity and
      genotoxicity.
AB  - FR-900098 is an inhibitor of 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate (DXP)
      reductoisomerase, the second enzyme in the non-mevalonate isoprenoid biosynthesis
      pathway. In previous studies, FR-900098 was shown to possess potent antimalarial
      activity in vitro and in a murine malaria model. In order to provide a basis for
      further preclinical and clinical development, we studied the acute toxicity and
      genotoxicity of FR-900098. We observed no acute toxicity in rats, i.e. there were
      no clinical signs of toxicity and no substance-related deaths after the
      administration of a single dose of 3000 mg/kg body weight orally or 400 mg/kg
      body weight intravenously. No mutagenic potential was detected in the Salmonella
      typhimurium reverse mutation assay (Ames test) or an in vitro mammalian cell gene
      mutation test using mouse lymphoma L5178Y/TK(+/-) cells (clone 3.7.2C), both with
      and without metabolic activation. In addition, FR-900098 demonstrated no
      clastogenic or aneugenic capability or significant adverse effects on blood
      formation in an in vivo micronucleus test with bone marrow erythrocytes from NMRI
      mice. We conclude that FR-900098 lacks acute toxicity and genotoxicity,
      supporting its further development as an antimalarial drug.

PMID- 27260427
TI  - Fluorous-assisted metal chelate affinity extraction technique for analysis of
      protein kinase activity.
AB  - We have developed a fluorous affinity-based extraction method for measurement of
      protein kinase activity. In this method, a fluorescent peptide substrate was
      phosphorylated by a protein kinase, and the obtained phosphopeptide was
      selectively captured with Fe(III)-immobilized perfluoroalkyliminodiacetic acid
      reagent via a metal chelate affinity technique. Next, the captured phosphopeptide
      was selectively extracted into a fluorous solvent mixture, tetradecafluorohexane
      and 1H,1H,2H,2H-tridecafluoro-1-n-octanol (3:1, v/v), using the specificity of
      fluorous affinity (fluorophilicity). In contrast, the remained substrate peptide
      in the aqueous (non-fluorous) phase was easily measured fluorimetrically.
      Finally, the enzyme activity could be assayed by measuring the decrease in
      fluorescence. The feasibility of this method was demonstrated by applying the
      method for measurement of the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)
      using its substrate peptide (kemptide) pre-labeled with
      carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA). 

PMID- 27260428
TI  - Determination of phytate in high molecular weight, charged organic matrices by
      two-dimensional size exclusion-ion chromatography.
AB  - A two-dimensional chromatography method for analyzing phytate or other ionic
      targets in matrices containing high molecular weight, charged organic species is
      described. Prior to quantification by anion exchange chromatography, the sample
      matrix was prepared by size exclusion chromatography, which removed the majority
      of the matrix. Quantification of phytate on the AS11-HC was sensitive (0.25uM,
      0.17mg/l) and reproducible (4.6% RSD) allowing this method to provide baseline
      separation of phytate from a manure extract within 14min. The method is simple,
      requiring only sample filtering, reproducible (between-run variation 5% RSD) and
      linear from 0.38 to 76uM (0.25-50mg/l). The method is suitable for routine
      determination of phytate in high organic matrices such as manure extracts. 

PMID- 27260429
TI  - Ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor for quantitative detection of tumor
      specific growth factor by using Ag@CeO2 nanocomposite as labels.
AB  - In this paper, an ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor was developed for
      the detection of tumor specific growth factor (TSGF). Reduced graphene oxide
      tetraethylene pentamine (rGO-TEPA) was used to modify the surface of glassy
      carbon electrode (GCE). Meanwhile, Ag@CeO2 nanocomposite was synthesized and
      applied as secondary-antibody (Ab2) labels for the fabrication of the
      immunosensor. The amperometric response of the immunosensor for the reduction of
      H2O2 was recorded. Simultaneously, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
      and Cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the fabrication process of
      the immunosensor. The anti-TSGF primary antibody (Ab1) was immobilized onto the
      rGO-TEPA modified GCE via cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA). And then the
      TSGF antigen and Ab2-Ag@CeO2 were modified onto the electrode surface in
      sequence. Under the optimal conditions, the immunosensor exhibited a wide linear
      range (0.500-100pg/mL), a low detection limit (0.2pg/mL), good reproducibility,
      acceptable selectivity and excellent stability. The proposed sensing strategy may
      provide a potential application in the detection of other cancer biomarkers. 

PMID- 27260430
TI  - Fe3O4@p-Naphtholbenzein as a novel nano-sorbent for highly effective removal and
      recovery of Berberine: Response surface methodology for optimization of
      ultrasound assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction.
AB  - A hydrophobic surface modified iron oxide magnetic nano-sorbent was successfully
      synthesized, characterized and utilized for highly effective removal and recovery
      of Berberine (Brb) by Ultrasound Assisted Dispersive Magnetic Solid Phase
      Extraction (UADM-SPE). Fabrication of p-Naphtholbenzein-coated magnetic
      nanoparticles (PNB-MNPs) was certified by characteristic analyses such as:
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD),
      thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The
      characterized PNB-MNPs were utilized to develop a UADM-SPE method for Brb, a well
      known isoquinoline alkaloid with a highlighted chemical skeleton for designing
      selective and powerful bioactive molecules. Affecting parameters on the
      extraction of Brb were optimized through an orthogonal rotatable central
      composite design (CCD). The optimum condition is obtained when the variables are
      set to: pH=4, amount of MNPs=20mg, sample volume=30ml, sonication time=1min at
      room temperature, and desorbing solvent=500uL of methanol. Under the mentioned
      condition, an extraction recovery of 98.2%, with relative standard deviation of
      3.7%, was obtained via five replicated measurements on a 0.1mgL(-1) Brb standard
      solution. Finally, the method was successfully applied for determination of Brb
      in human plasma and urine samples. Regarding the method calibration graphs in
      plasma and urine matrices, spiked in the range of 0.01-200.00ugL(-1), pre
      concentration factors of 134 and 122, method detection limit (MDL) of 0.17 and
      0.19ugL(-1), and lower limit of quantification of 0.57 and 0.63ugL(-1) were
      obtained for plasma and urine samples, respectively. The method exhibits good
      potentials to be a fast, efficient and reliable method for determination of Brb
      in human biological samples. 

PMID- 27260431
TI  - Development of a MSFIA system for sequential determination of antimony, arsenic
      and selenium using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry.
AB  - This paper proposed a multisyringe flow injection analysis (MSFIA) system for
      antimony, arsenic and selenium determination in peanut samples by hydride
      generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS). The optimization step of
      the hydride generation was performed using a two-level full factorial design
      involving the parameters: hydrochloric acid, sodium tetrahydroborate and
      potassium iodide concentrations. So, using the chemical conditions optimized,
      this method allows the determination of these elements employing the external
      calibration technique using aqueous standards with limits of detection and
      quantification of 0.04 and 0.14ugL(-1) for antimony, 0.04 and 0.14ugL(-1) for
      arsenic and 0.14 and 0.37ugL(-1) for selenium, respectively. Additionally, the
      effect of vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, zinc, copper, iron and molybdenum
      on the generation of chemical vapour was also studied. The precision expressed as
      relative standard deviation varied from 1.2 to 3.6% for antimony, 1.8-3.9% for
      arsenic and 1.8-2% for selenium. The accuracy for arsenic and selenium was
      confirmed using the certified peach leaves reference material SRM 1547 produced
      by National Institute of Standard and Technology. The proposed method showed 45
      injection throughput (h(-1)) using 1.6mL sample volume for each element, 0.8mL
      NaBH4 0.5% (w/v) containing NaOH 0.05% (w/v), 0.8mL HCl 5M and 0.4mL KI 14% (w/v)
      containing L-ascorbic acid 2.5% (w/v). The method was applied to the
      determination of antimony, arsenic and selenium in peanut samples, which were
      firstly lyophilized and afterward digested using microwave assisted radiation.
      Six samples were analyzed and the contents of the elements found were: 28.7
      41.3ugkg(-1) for arsenic, 86.4-480.1ugkg(-1) for selenium and 32.6-52.4ugkg(-1)
      for antimony. Addition/recovery tests were also performed to confirm the method
      accuracy for the three elements. 

PMID- 27260426
TI  - Molecular basis for photoreceptor outer segment architecture.
AB  - To serve vision, vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptors must detect photons,
      convert the light stimuli into cellular signals, and then convey the encoded
      information to downstream neurons. Rods and cones are sensory neurons that each
      rely on specialized ciliary organelles to detect light. These organelles, called
      outer segments, possess elaborate architectures that include many hundreds of
      light-sensitive membranous disks arrayed one atop another in precise register.
      These stacked disks capture light and initiate the chain of molecular and
      cellular events that underlie normal vision. Outer segment organization is
      challenged by an inherently dynamic nature; these organelles are subject to a
      renewal process that replaces a significant fraction of their disks (up to ~10%)
      on a daily basis. In addition, a broad range of environmental and genetic insults
      can disrupt outer segment morphology to impair photoreceptor function and
      viability. In this chapter, we survey the major progress that has been made for
      understanding the molecular basis of outer segment architecture. We also discuss
      key aspects of organelle lipid and protein composition, and highlight
      distributions, interactions, and potential structural functions of key OS
      resident molecules, including: kinesin-2, actin, RP1, prominin-1, protocadherin
      21, peripherin-2/rds, rom-1, glutamic acid-rich proteins, and rhodopsin. Finally,
      we identify key knowledge gaps and challenges that remain for understanding how
      normal outer segment architecture is established and maintained.

PMID- 27260432
TI  - A sensitive acetylcholinesterase biosensor based on gold nanorods modified
      electrode for detection of organophosphate pesticide.
AB  - A sensitive amperometric acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor, based on gold
      nanorods (AuNRs), was developed for the detection of organophosphate pesticide.
      Compared with Au@Ag heterogeneous NRs, AuNRs exhibited excellent electrocatalytic
      properties, which can electrocatalytically oxidize thiocholine, the hydrolysate
      of acetylthiocholine chloride (ATCl) by AChE at +0.55V (vs. SCE). The
      AChE/AuNRs/GCE biosensor was fabricated on basis of the inhibition of AChE
      activity by organophosphate pesticide. The biosensor could detect paraoxon in the
      linear range from 1nM to 5MUM and dimethoate in the linear range from 5nM to
      1MUM, respectively. The detection limits of paraoxon and dimethoate were 0.7nM
      and 3.9nM, which were lower than the reported AChE biosensor. The proposed
      biosensor could restore to over 95% of its original current, which demonstrated
      the good reactivation. Moreover, the biosensor can be applicable to real water
      sample measurement. Thus, the biosensor exhibited low applied potential, high
      sensitivity and good stability, providing a promising tool for analysis of
      pesticides. 

PMID- 27260433
TI  - Simple sensitive rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in food samples by
      label-free immunofluorescence strip sensor.
AB  - A simple, one-step, rapid method to detect Escherichia coli O157: H7 (E. coli
      O157: H7) using a label-free immunofluorescence strip sensor is presented.
      Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was added to the sample culture medium to
      prepare the fluorescent probe for the label-free strip sensor. With the presence
      of E. coli O157: H7 in the samples, the bacteria could emit a yellow-green
      fluorescence after incubation and maintain good affinity to the monoclonal
      antibodies (McAb) against E. coli O157: H7. The direct-type immunofluorescence
      strip sensor was based on the binding between fluorescent bacteria and the
      unlabeled McAb immobilized at the test line in nitrocellulose membrane (NC
      membrane) reaction zone. The visual limit of detection (LOD) of the strip for
      qualitative detection was 10(6)cells/mL while the LOD for semi-quantitative
      detection could go down to 10(5)cells/mL by using scanning reader. The LOD was
      substantially improved to 1cells/mL of the original bacterial content after pre
      incubation of the bread, milk and jelly samples in broth for 10, 10 and 8h
      respectively, which was competitive to some current rapid E. coli O157: H7
      detection methods. Besides the obvious advantages, including reduced detection
      time and operation procedures, the results of this method meet the various
      detection requirements for E. coli O157: H7 and are comparable to the traditional
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and double antibody sandwich gold
      labeled strips. This is the first report of semi-quantitative immunofluorescence
      strip for directly detecting foodborne pathogen using only one unlabeled
      antibody. All detections could be achieved in less than 5min. In addition, this
      simple, low-cost and easy to be popularized method served as a significant step
      towards the development of monitoring foodborne pathogens in food-safety testing.

PMID- 27260434
TI  - Multiplexed detection of lung cancer biomarkers based on quantum dots and
      microbeads.
AB  - We have developed a multiplexed fluoroimmunoassay of three lung cancer biomarkers
      based on multicolor quantum dots (QDs) as detection elements and micro-magnetic
      beads as immune carriers. QDs have the ability to simplify multiplexed analysis.
      In our method, the fluorescent signals derived from three cross-talk-free QD
      conjugated probes with emission maxima at 525, 585 and 625nm could be analyzed to
      determine the concentrations of the target proteins. With this system, fragments
      of cytokeratin 19 (CYRFA 21-1), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and neuron
      specific enolase (NSE), were simultaneously detected in a single sample with a
      low detection limit down to the 1.0ng/mL level (364pg/mL for CYRFA 21-1, 38pg/mL
      for CEA, 370pg/mL for NSE in a single detection). Additional advantages of the
      presented method include ease of operation, low cost, and a very low sample
      volume (20uL). 

PMID- 27260435
TI  - Surface plasmon resonance biosensing: Approaches for screening and characterising
      antibodies for food diagnostics.
AB  - Research in biosensing approaches as alternative techniques for food diagnostics
      for the detection of chemical contaminants and foodborne pathogens has increased
      over the last twenty years. The key component of such tests is the biorecognition
      element whereby polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies still dominate the market.
      Traditionally the screening of sera or cell culture media for the selection of
      polyclonal or monoclonal candidate antibodies respectively has been performed by
      enzyme immunoassays. For niche toxin compounds, enzyme immunoassays can be
      expensive and/or prohibitive methodologies for antibody production due to
      limitations in toxin supply for conjugate production. Automated, self
      regenerating, chip-based biosensors proven in food diagnostics may be utilised as
      rapid screening tools for antibody candidate selection. This work describes the
      use of both single channel and multi-channel surface plasmon resonance (SPR)
      biosensors for the selection and characterisation of antibodies, and their
      evaluation in shellfish tissue as standard techniques for the detection of domoic
      acid, as a model toxin compound. The key advantages in the use of these biosensor
      techniques for screening hybridomas in monoclonal antibody production were the
      real time observation of molecular interaction and rapid turnaround time in
      analysis compared to enzyme immunoassays. The multichannel prototype instrument
      was superior with 96 analyses completed in 2h compared to 12h for the single
      channel and over 24h for the ELISA immunoassay. Antibodies of high sensitivity,
      IC50's ranging from 4.8 to 6.9ng/mL for monoclonal and 2.3-6.0ng/mL for
      polyclonal, for the detection of domoic acid in a 1min analysis time were
      selected. Although there is a progression for biosensor technology towards low
      cost, multiplexed portable diagnostics for the food industry, there remains a
      place for laboratory-based SPR instrumentation for antibody development for food
      diagnostics as shown herein. 

PMID- 27260436
TI  - An automated flow injection system for metal determination by flame atomic
      absorption spectrometry involving on-line fabric disk sorptive extraction
      technique.
AB  - A novel flow injection-fabric disk sorptive extraction (FI-FDSE) system was
      developed for automated determination of trace metals. The platform was based on
      a minicolumn packed with sol-gel coated fabric media in the form of disks,
      incorporated into an on-line solid-phase extraction system, coupled with flame
      atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). This configuration provides minor
      backpressure, resulting in high loading flow rates and shorter analytical cycles.
      The potentials of this technique were demonstrated for trace lead and cadmium
      determination in environmental water samples. The applicability of different sol
      gel coated FPSE media was investigated. The on-line formed complex of metal with
      ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) was retained onto the fabric surface
      and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) was used to elute the analytes prior to
      atomization. For 90s preconcentration time, enrichment factors of 140 and 38 and
      detection limits (3sigma) of 1.8 and 0.4MUgL(-1) were achieved for lead and
      cadmium determination, respectively, with a sampling frequency of 30h(-1). The
      accuracy of the proposed method was estimated by analyzing standard reference
      materials and spiked water samples. 

PMID- 27260437
TI  - Rapid estimation of readily leachable triazine residues in soils using automatic
      kinetic bioaccessibility assays followed by on-line sorptive clean-up as a front
      end to liquid chromatography.
AB  - An automatic batchwise bioaccessibility test was proposed for on-line monitoring
      of readily mobile pools of ametryn and atrazine residues in agricultural soils
      with different physicochemical properties. A 0.01molL(-1) CaCl2 solution
      mimicking rainwater percolation through the soil profiles was used for the
      herbicide extractions. The extract aliquots were successively sampled at regular
      time intervals in order to investigate the extraction kinetics. For extract clean
      up and retention of freely dissolved target species, 30mg of restricted-access
      like copolymer were used as in-line sorptive material followed by elution with
      methanol and on-line heart-cut injection towards a C18 silica reversed-phase
      monolithic column (100*4.6mm) in a liquid chromatographic system. A mathematical
      model emphasized that the readily available pools vs time can be in most
      instances described by a first-order exponential equation, thus an asymptotical
      value is approached. Consequently, the leaching assays can be performed without
      attaining chemical equilibrium. Enhancement factors and detection limits were
      10.2 and 18.8, and 0.40 and 0.37mgkg(-1) for ametryn and atrazine, respectively.
      The automatic method features good repeatability for leaching tests (r.s.d.: 11.8
      10.2% for sandy and 3.7-6.2% for clayey soil). Reliable data, demonstrated with
      relative recoveries in the soil leachates ranging from 86 to 104%, were achieved
      in less than 35min, thus avoiding the need for up to 24h as recommended by
      standard leaching methods. 

PMID- 27260438
TI  - New optical paper sensor for in situ measurement of hydrogen sulphide in waters
      and atmospheres.
AB  - A novel and low-cost colorimetric sensor for the determination of hydrogen
      sulphide in environmental samples has been developed. This sensor is based on the
      immobilization of the reagent N,N-Dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine and FeCl3 in paper
      support, in which the H2S is adsorbed in order to give rise to the formation of
      methylene blue as reaction product. The sensor has been applied to determine H2S
      in water and air samples. Two different sampling systems for H2S caption from the
      air have been assayed: active and passive sampling. The analytical properties of
      the different systems have been obtained and compared. The analytical signals,
      corresponding to the methylene blue, have been obtained measuring the absorbance
      by conventional reflectance diffuse or using different algorithms for quantifying
      color intensity. The results obtained with both measurement procedures were
      comparable, with a detection limit of 1.11 and 1.12mLm(-3) for air samples
      (active and passive), and 0.5mgL(-1) for water samples. The developed sensor
      provides good accuracy and precision (RSD<12%) and simplifies significantly the
      analytical measurements because it avoids the need of preparing derivatization
      reagents, sample handling and allows in situ measurements. The reaction product
      obtained is highly stable in this support and no provide any blank signal. Under
      the optimal conditions, the proposed method exhibit excellent visual sensitivity
      for the naked eye procedure, making the detection of H2S possible. 

PMID- 27260439
TI  - Bio-assisted potentiometric multisensor system for purity evaluation of
      recombinant protein A.
AB  - Recombinant proteins became essential components of drug manufacturing. Quality
      control of such proteins is routine task, which usually requires a lot of time,
      expensive reagents, specialized equipment and highly educated personnel. In this
      study we propose a new concept for protein purity evaluation that is based on
      application of bio-assisted potentiometric multisensor system. The model object
      for analysis was recombinant protein A from Staphylococcus aureus (SpA), which is
      commonly used for monoclonal antibody purification. SpA solutions with different
      amount of host cell related impurities (Escherichia coli, bacterial lysate) were
      analyzed. Two different bio-transducers were employed: proteinase K from
      Tritirachium album and baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It was shown that
      both bio-transducers are able to induce changes in pure and lysate-contaminated
      SpA samples. Different products of yeast digestion and proteolysis with
      proteinase of pure SpA and lysate were detected with size exclusion high
      performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC). The induced changes of chemical
      composition are detectible with potentiometric multisensor system and can be
      related to SpA purity through projection on latent structures (PLS) regression
      technique. The proposed method allows for estimation of the impurity content with
      12% accuracy using proteinase K and 16% accuracy using baker's yeast. The
      suggested approach could be useful for early contamination warning at initial
      protein purification steps. The analysis requires no expensive materials and
      equipment, no bio-material immobilization, and its duration time is comparable
      with other commonly used methods like chromatography or electrophoresis though
      the main part of this time is related to the sample preparation. 

PMID- 27260440
TI  - Comparison of the solid-phase extraction efficiency of a bounded and an included
      cyclodextrin-silica microporous composite for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      determination in water samples.
AB  - Solid-phase extraction is one of the most important techniques for sample
      purification and concentration. A wide variety of solid phases have been used for
      sample preparation over time. In this work, the efficiency of a new kind of solid
      phase extraction adsorbent, which is a microporous material made from modified
      cyclodextrin bounded to a silica network, is evaluated through an analytical
      method which combines solid-phase extraction with high-performance liquid
      chromatography to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples.
      Several parameters that affected the analytes recovery, such as the amount of
      solid phase, the nature and volume of the eluent or the sample volume and
      concentration influence have been evaluated. The experimental results indicate
      that the material possesses adsorption ability to the tested polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons. Under the optimum conditions, the quantification limits of the
      method were in the range of 0.09-2.4MUgL(-1) and fine linear correlations between
      peak height and concentration were found around 1.3-70MUgL(-1). The method has
      good repeatability and reproducibility, with coefficients of variation under 8%.
      Due to the concentration results, this material may represent an alternative for
      trace analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water trough solid-phase
      extraction. 

PMID- 27260441
TI  - Ultra-trace level speciated isotope dilution measurement of Cr(VI) using ion
      chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in environmental waters.
AB  - The reliable analysis of highly toxic hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), at ultra-trace
      levels remains challenging, given its easy conversion to non-toxic trivalent
      chromium. This work demonstrates a novel analytical method to quantify Cr(VI) at
      low ngL(-1) concentration levels in environmental water samples by using
      speciated isotope dilution (SID) analysis and double-spiking with Cr(III) and
      Cr(VI) enriched for different isotopes. Ion chromatography tandem mass
      spectrometry (IC-MS/MS) was used for the analysis of Cr(VI) as HCrO4(-) -> CrO3(
      ). Whereas the classical linear multipoint calibration (MPC) curve approach
      obtained a method detection limit (MDL) of 7ngL(-1) Cr(VI), the modified SID-MS
      method adapted from U. S. EPA 6800 allowed for the quantification of Cr(VI) with
      an MDL of 2ngL(-1) and provided results corrected for Cr(VI) loss occurred after
      sample collection. The adapted SID-MS approach proved to yield more accurate and
      precise results than the MPC method, allowed for compensation of Cr(VI) reduction
      during sample transportation and storage while eliminating the need for frequent
      external calibration. The developed method is a complementary tool to routinely
      used inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) MS and circumvents typically experienced
      interferences. 

PMID- 27260442
TI  - A single use electrochemical sensor based on biomimetic nanoceria for the
      detection of wine antioxidants.
AB  - We report the development and characterization of a disposable single use
      electrochemical sensor based on the oxidase-like activity of nanoceria particles
      for the detection of phenolic antioxidants. The use of nanoceria in the sensor
      design enables oxidation of phenolic compounds, particularly those with ortho
      dihydroxybenzene functionality, to their corresponding quinones at the surface of
      a screen printed carbon electrode. Detection is carried out by electrochemical
      reduction of the resulting quinone at a low applied potential of -0.1V vs the
      Ag/AgCl electrode. The sensor was optimized and characterized with respect to
      particle loading, applied potential, response time, detection limit, linear
      concentration range and sensitivity. The method enabled rapid detection of common
      phenolic antioxidants including caffeic acid, gallic acid and quercetin in the uM
      concentration range, and demonstrated good functionality for the analysis of
      antioxidant content in several wine samples. The intrinsic oxidase-like activity
      of nanoceria shows promise as a robust tool for sensitive and cost effective
      analysis of antioxidants using electrochemical detection. 

PMID- 27260444
TI  - Polydimethylsiloxane/metal-organic frameworks coated stir bar sorptive extraction
      coupled to gas chromatography-flame photometric detection for the determination
      of organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water samples.
AB  - In this work, the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), MIL-101-Cr-NH2 was synthesized
      via a direct hydrothermal method, and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/MIL-101-Cr
      NH2 coated stir bar was prepared by sol-gel technique. Good reproducibility was
      obtained for the preparation of PDMS/MIL-101-Cr-NH2 coated stir bar with the
      relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranging from 3.7 to 5.2% (n=7) in one batch,
      and from 5.4 to 9.2% (n=7) among different batches. With the high surface area
      and rich benzene ring structure of MIL-101-Cr-NH2, the prepared PDMS/MIL-101-Cr
      NH2 coated stir bar presented higher extraction efficiency for target
      organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs, including phorate, diazinon, malathion,
      fenthion, quinalphos and ethion) over PDMS coated stir bar. Based on it, a new
      method of PDMS/MIL-101-Cr-NH2 coated stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled
      to gas chromatography-flame photometric detection (GC-FPD) was proposed for the
      determination of six OPPs in environmental water samples. The operation
      parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of SBSE, including extraction
      time, stirring rate, desorption time and ionic strength, were investigated. Under
      the optimal conditions, the limits of detection (S/N=3) were found to be in the
      range of 0.043-0.085MUgL(-1) for the six target OPPs, and the linear range was
      0.5-100MUgL(-1) for malathion and 0.2-100MUgL(-1) for other five OPPs. The RSDs
      of the proposed method evaluated at 1ugL(-1) for each OPP were in the range of
      5.9-8.7% (intra-day, n=7) and 6.1-10.7% (inter-day, n=5), respectively. The
      enrichment factors were varied from 110 to 151-fold (theoretical enrichment
      factor was 200-fold). The proposed method was applied to the analysis of OPPs in
      East Lake and pond water samples with recoveries in the range of 89.3-115% and
      80.0-113% for the spiked East Lake and pond water samples, respectively. 

PMID- 27260443
TI  - Application of a nanostructured platform and imprinted sol-gel film for
      determination of chlorogenic acid in food samples.
AB  - Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a polyphenol derivative that widely exists in higher
      plants like fruits, vegetables, black teas, and some traditional Chinese
      medicines. In this work, we have proposed a sensitive and selective
      electrochemical sensor for detection of CGA. The sensor was based on a glassy
      carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a functional platform by grafting
      vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) in multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and
      covered by a molecularly imprinted siloxane (MIS) film prepared using the sol-gel
      process. The VTMS was grafted onto the surface of the MWCNTs via in situ free
      radical polymerization. The MIS was obtained from the acid-catalyzed
      hydrolysis/condensation of a solution consisting of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS),
      phenyltriethoxysilane (PTEOS), (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS), and CGA
      as a template molecule. The modification procedure was evaluated by differential
      pulse voltammetry (DPV) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under optimized
      operational conditions, a linear response was obtained covering a concentration
      ranging from 0.08MUmolL(-1) to 500MUmolL(-1) with a detection limit (LOD) of
      0.032MUmolL(-1). The proposed sensor was applied to CGA determination in coffee,
      tomato, and apple samples with recoveries ranging from 99.3% to 108.6%, showing a
      promising potential application in food samples. Additionally, the imprinted
      sensor showed a significantly higher affinity for target CGA than the non
      imprinted siloxane (NIS) sensor. 

PMID- 27260445
TI  - Non-enzymatic detection of glucose using poly(azure A)-nickel modified glassy
      carbon electrode.
AB  - A simple, sensitive and selective non-enzymatic glucose sensor was constructed in
      this paper. The poly(azure A)-nickel modified glassy carbon electrode was
      successfully fabricated by the electropolymerization of azure A and the
      adsorption of Ni(2+). The Ni modified electrode, which was characterized by
      scanning electron microscope, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance
      spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, respectively,
      displayed well-defined current responses of the Ni(III)/Ni(II) couple and showed
      a good activity for electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose in alkaline medium.
      Under the optimized conditions, the developed sensor exhibited a broad linear
      calibration range of 5 MUM-12mM for quantification of glucose and a low detection
      limit of 0.64MUM (3sigma). The excellent analytical performance including simple
      structure, fast response time, good anti-interference ability, satisfying
      stability and reliable reproducibility were also found from the proposed
      amperometric sensor. The results were satisfactory for the determination of
      glucose in human serum samples as comparison to those from a local hospital. 

PMID- 27260447
TI  - Polypyrrole nanowire as an excellent solid phase microextraction fiber for
      bisphenol A analysis in food samples followed by ion mobility spectrometry.
AB  - A polypyrrole nanowire coated fiber was prepared and used in head-space solid
      phase microextraction coupled with ion mobility spectrometry (HS-SPME-IMS) to the
      analysis of bisphenol A (BPA) in canned food samples, for the first time. This
      fiber was synthesized by electrochemical oxidation of the monomer in aqueous
      solution. The fiber characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
      revealed that the new fiber exhibited two-dimensional structures with a nanowire
      morphology. The effects of important extraction parameters on the efficiency of
      HS-SPME were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the
      linearity of 10-150ngg(-1) and limit of detection (based on S/N=3) of 1ngg(-1)
      were obtained in BPA analysis. The repeatability (n=5) expressed as the relative
      standard deviation (RSD%) was 5.8%. At the end, the proposed method was
      successfully applied to determine BPA in various canned food samples (peas,
      corns, beans). Relative recoveries were obtained 93-96%. Method validation was
      conducted by comparing our results with those obtained through HPLC with
      fluorescence detection (FLD). Compatible results indicate that the proposed
      method can be successfully used in BPA analysis. This method is simple and
      cheaper than chromatographic methods, with no need of extra organic solvent
      consumption and derivatization prior to sample introduction. 

PMID- 27260446
TI  - Thiazole orange as a fluorescent probe: Label-free and selective detection of
      silver ions based on the structural change of i-motif DNA at neutral pH.
AB  - Silver ions have been widely applied to many fields and have harmful effects on
      environments and human health. Herein, a label-free optical sensor for Ag(+)
      detection is constructed based on thiazole orange (TO) as a fluorescent probe for
      the recognition of i-motif DNA structure change at neutral pH. Ag(+) can fold a C
      rich single stranded DNA sequence into i-motif DNA structure at neutral pH and
      that folding is reversible by chelation with cysteine (Cys). The DNA folding
      process can be indicated by the fluorescence change of TO, which is non
      fluorescent in free molecule state and emits strong fluorescence after the
      incorporation with i-motif DNA. Thus, a rapid, sensitive, and selective method
      for the detection of Ag(+) and Cys is developed with a detection limit of 17 and
      280nM, respectively. It is worth noting that the mechanism underlying the
      increase of the fluorescence of thiazole orange in the presence of i-motif
      structure is explained. Moreover, a fluorescent DNA logic gate is successfully
      designed based on the Ag(+)/Cys-mediated reversible fluorescence changes. The
      proposed detection strategy is label-free and economical. In addition, this
      system shows a great promise for i-motif/TO complex to analyze Ag(+) in the real
      samples. 

PMID- 27260448
TI  - A sensitive and selective on-line amperometric sulfite biosensor using sulfite
      oxidase immobilized on a magnetite-gold-folate nanocomposite modified carbon
      paste electrode.
AB  - We describe a novel amperometric sulfite biosensor, comprising a carbon-paste
      electrode (Fe3O4@Au-Cys-FA/CPE) modified with immobilized sulfite oxidase (SOx)
      on a gold-coated magnetite nanoparticle core, encased within a conjugated folic
      acid (FA) cysteine (Cys) shell. The biosensor electrode was fabricated using a
      polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and mineral oil mixture as binder, which also
      enhances the physical stability and sensitivity of the electrode. The developed
      biosensor displays good electrocatalytic activity toward oxidation of H2O2, which
      occurs by an enzymatic reaction between SOx and sulfite. The Fe3O4@Au-Cys-FA
      electrode exhibits good electrocatalytic activity, and has good retention of
      chemisorbed SOx on the electrode because of its large surface area. Sulfite was
      quantified using amperometric measurements from the Fe3O4@Au-Cys-FA/CPE
      biosensor, and using an in-house assembled flow cell at +0.35V (vs. Ag/AgCl),
      with a phosphate buffer carrier (0.10M, pH 7.0) at a flow rate of 0.8mLmin(-1).
      The system detects sulfite over the range 0.1-200mgL(-1) (r(2)=0.998), with a
      detection limit of 10ugL(-1) (3sigma of blank). The system exhibits acceptable
      precision (%R.S.D.=3.1%), rapid sample throughput (109samplesh(-1)), and good
      stability (2w). The developed biosensor shows satisfactory tolerance to potential
      interferences, such as sugars, anions, ascorbic acid, and ethanol. We applied the
      developed method to the determination of sulfite content in wines and pickled
      food extracts, and our results are in good agreement with those obtained by the
      standard iodometric method. 

PMID- 27260449
TI  - Establishment of local searching methods for orbitrap-based high throughput
      metabolomics analysis.
AB  - Our method aims to establish local endogenous metabolite databases economically
      without purchasing chemical standards, giving strong bases for following orbitrap
      based high throughput untargeted metabolomics analysis. A new approach here is
      introduced to construct metabolite databases on the base of biological sample
      analysis and mathematic extrapolation. Building local metabolite databases
      traditionally requires expensive chemical standards, which is barely affordable
      for most research labs. As a result, most labs working on metabolomics analysis
      have to refer public libraries, which is time consuming and limited for high
      throughput analysis. Using this strategy, a high throughput orbitrap based
      metabolomics platform can be established at almost no cost within a couple of
      months. It enables to facilitate the application of high throughput metabolomics
      analysis to identify disease-related biomarkers or investigate biological
      functions using orbitrap. 

PMID- 27260450
TI  - An electrochemical genosensor for Leishmania major detection based on dual effect
      of immobilization and electrocatalysis of cobalt-zinc ferrite quantum dots.
AB  - Identification of Leishmania parasites is important in diagnosis and clinical
      studies of leishmaniasis. Although epidemiological and clinical methods are
      available, they are not sufficient for identification of causative agents of
      leishmaniasis. In the present study, quantum dots of magnetic cobalt-zinc ferrite
      (Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods.
      The quantum dots were then employed as an electrode modifier to immobilize a 24
      mer specific single stranded DNA probe, and fabrication of a label-free, PCR-free
      and signal-on electrochemical genosensor for the detection of Leishmania major.
      Hybridization of the complementary single stranded DNA sequence with the probe
      under the selected conditions was explored using methylene blue as a redox
      marker, utilizing the electrocatalytic effect of the quantum dots on the
      methylene blue electroreduction process. The genosensor could detect a synthetic
      single stranded DNA target in a range of 1.0*10(-11) to 1.0*10(-18)molL(-1) with
      a limit of detection of 2.0*10(-19)molL(-1), and genomic DNA in a range of
      7.31*10(-14) to 7.31*10(-6)ngMUL(-1) with a limit of detection of 1.80*10(
      14)ngMUL(-1) with a high selectivity and sensitivity. 

PMID- 27260451
TI  - Chemometric study of Andalusian extra virgin olive oils Raman spectra:
      Qualitative and quantitative information.
AB  - Authentication of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is an important topic for olive
      oil industry. The fraudulent practices in this sector are a major problem
      affecting both producers and consumers. This study analyzes the capability of FT
      Raman combined with chemometric treatments of prediction of the fatty acid
      contents (quantitative information), using gas chromatography as the reference
      technique, and classification of diverse EVOOs as a function of the harvest year,
      olive variety, geographical origin and Andalusian PDO (qualitative information).
      The optimal number of PLS components that summarizes the spectral information was
      introduced progressively. For the estimation of the fatty acid composition, the
      lowest error (both in fitting and prediction) corresponded to MUFA, followed by
      SAFA and PUFA though such errors were close to zero in all cases. As regards the
      qualitative variables, discriminant analysis allowed a correct classification of
      94.3%, 84.0%, 89.0% and 86.6% of samples for harvest year, olive variety,
      geographical origin and PDO, respectively. 

PMID- 27260452
TI  - Ultrasensitive detection of explosives and chemical warfare agents by low
      pressure photoionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - On-spot monitoring of threat agents needs high sensitive instrument. In this
      study, a low-pressure photoionization mass spectrometer (LPPI-MS) was employed to
      detect trace amounts of vapor-phase explosives and chemical warfare agent
      mimetics under ambient conditions. Under 10-s detection time, the limits of
      detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene, nitrotoluene, nitrobenzene, and dimethyl methyl
      phosphonate were 30, 0.5, 4, and 1 parts per trillion by volume, respectively. As
      compared to those obtained previously with PI mass spectrometric techniques, an
      improvement of 3-4 orders of magnitude was achieved. This study indicates that
      LPPI-MS will open new opportunities for the sensitive detection of explosives and
      chemical warfare agents. 

PMID- 27260453
TI  - Sensitive determination of As (III) and As (V) by magnetic solid phase extraction
      with Fe@polyethyleneimine in combination with hydride generation atomic
      fluorescence spectrometry.
AB  - The magnetic nanomaterial Fe@polyethyleneimine (Fe@PEI) was successfully
      synthesized and used as an effective adsorbent material for magnetic solid phase
      extraction(MSPE) of As(III) and As(V) from water samples. Fe@SiO2 nanoparticles
      were prepared by one pot synthetic method using a borohydride reduction method,
      then modified with (3-chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane to obtain Fe@SiO2-Cl by
      chloropropylation, which was reacted with PEI to achieve Fe@polyethyleneimine
      (Fe@PEI). The microstructure and morphology of Fe@PEI were characterized by
      transmission electron microscoscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimental results
      showed that Fe@PEI demonstrated excellent adsorption for As(III) and As(V). Based
      on this fact, the determination method for these two arsenic species earned good
      limits of detection (LODs) of 0.002MUgL(-1) and wide calibration curves in the
      concentration range from 0.008 to 0.2MUgL(-1). The precisions of As (III) and As
      (V)were 1.95% and 2.55% (RSD, n=6), respectively. The proposed method was
      validated with real samples and the spiked recoveries were in the range of 82.7
      98.3% and the accuracies were in the range of 2-13.3%. The results demonstrated
      that the developed MSPE method had good advantages such as simplicity, rapid
      separation, low cost, easy to reuse and high-quality analytical performances,
      which made it attractive for rapid and efficient extraction of inorganic arsenic
      species in the environmental water samples. 

PMID- 27260454
TI  - A novel procedure for phase separation in dispersive liquid-liquid
      microextraction based on solidification of the aqueous phase.
AB  - In this paper, an alternative for handling the organic phase after a dispersive
      liquid-liquid microextraction using organic solvents lighter than water is
      presented. It is based on solidification (at -18 degrees C) of the aqueous phase
      obtained after centrifugation, and the decantation, collection and analysis of
      the liquid organic layer. The extraction of nicotine in toluene, and its
      determination in eggplant samples was conducted as a proof of concept. The study
      has been carried out using standards prepared in water and the formation of the
      dispersion was assisted by sonication. The organic extract was analysed using gas
      chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Satisfactory analytical figures of
      merit as: limit of detection (0.4ugL(-1), 2ngg(-1) wet sample), limit of
      quantification (1.2ugL(-1), 6.5ngg(-1) wet sample), within-day precision
      (RSD=7%), and linearity interval (up to 384ugL(-1) nicotine) were achieved. It
      constituted a contribution to the handling of organic extracts after
      microextraction processes. 

PMID- 27260455
TI  - A novel approach for identification of biologically active phenolic compounds in
      complex matrices using hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer: A promising
      tool for testing antimicrobial activity of hops.
AB  - The phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites of hops represent a large family of
      compounds that could be subsequently divided into smaller groups based on the
      similarities between their chemical structures. The antibacterial, antifungal and
      antiviral properties of hops are well known, but there is a lack of information
      about antimicrobial activities of individual hop compounds. This study was
      carried out with an objective to identify compounds present in hops that have
      potential antibacterial activity. In the first stage of experiment, the active
      compounds with potential anti-microbial activity had to be extracted from hop
      cones. Therefore, minced hop cones were applied on solid growth medium inoculated
      with Staphylococcus aureus. The active substances that migrated into the medium
      created an inhibition zone. In the second stage of experiment, the inhibition
      zones were cut out from Petri dishes, active compounds were extracted from these
      zones and consequently analyzed using LC-HRMS. These complex assays were
      developed and optimized. The data were acquired by using a quadrupole-orbitrap
      hybrid mass spectrometer by targeted-MS2 experiment in both ionization modes. The
      MS method has been developed as a screening method with a subsequent
      fragmentation of compound of interest on the base of inclusion mass list. The
      unknown compounds extracted from inhibition zones have been identified either by
      searching against a database or their structure has been elucidated on the basis
      of their fragmentation spectra. On the basis of this experiment the list of
      active compounds with potential anti-microbial activities was enhanced. 

PMID- 27260456
TI  - Label-free electrochemical aptasensing of the human prostate-specific antigen
      using gold nanospears.
AB  - Gold nanospears were electrodeposited with the assistance of arginine as a soft
      template and precise selection of experimental parameters. The nanospears were
      then employed as a transducer to immobilize an aptamer of prostate-specific
      antigen (PSA) and fabrication of a label-free electrochemical aptasensor. The
      aptasensor was employed for the detection of PSA with a linear concentration
      range of 0.125-200ngmL(-1) and a limit of detection of 50pgmL(-1). The aptasensor
      was successfully applied to detect PSA in blood serum samples of healthy and
      patient persons. 

PMID- 27260457
TI  - Plasmonically amplified bioassay - Total internal reflection fluorescence vs.
      epifluorescence geometry.
AB  - This paper investigates plasmonic amplification in two commonly used optical
      configurations for fluorescence readout of bioassays - epifluorescence (EPF) and
      total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF). The plasmonic amplification in the
      EPF configuration was implemented by using crossed gold diffraction grating and
      Kretschmann geometry of attenuated total reflection method (ATR) was employed in
      the TIRF configuration. Identical assay, surface architecture for analyte
      capture, and optics for the excitation, collection and detection of emitted
      fluorescence light intensity were used in both TIRF and EPF configurations.
      Simulations predict that the crossed gold diffraction grating (EPF) can amplify
      the fluorescence signal by a factor of 10(2) by the combination of surface
      plasmon-enhanced excitation and directional surface plasmon-coupled emission in
      the red part of spectrum. This factor is about order of magnitude higher than
      that predicted for the Kretschmann geometry (TIRF) which only took advantage of
      the surface plasmon-enhanced excitation. When applied for the readout of sandwich
      interleukin 6 (IL-6) immunoassay, the plasmonically amplified EPF geometry
      designed for Alexa Fluor 647 labels offered 4-times higher fluorescence signal
      intensity compared to TIRF. Interestingly, both geometries allowed reaching the
      same detection limit of 0.4pM despite of the difference in the fluorescence
      signal enhancement. This is attributed to inherently lower background of
      fluorescence signal for TIRF geometry compared to that for EPF which compensates
      for the weaker fluorescence signal enhancement. The analysis of the inflammation
      biomarker IL-6 in serum at medically relevant concentrations and the utilization
      of plasmonic amplification for the fluorescence measurement of kinetics of
      surface affinity reactions are demonstrated for both EPF and TIRF readout. 

PMID- 27260458
TI  - Microwave-assisted wet digestion with H2O2 at high temperature and pressure using
      single reaction chamber for elemental determination in milk powder by ICP-OES and
      ICP-MS.
AB  - In this work a green digestion method which only used H2O2 as an oxidant and high
      temperature and pressure in the single reaction chamber system (SRC-UltraWaveTM)
      was applied for subsequent elemental determination by inductively coupled plasma
      based techniques. Milk powder was chosen to demonstrate the feasibility and
      advantages of the proposed method. Samples masses up to 500mg were efficiently
      digested, and the determination of Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na was performed by
      inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), while trace
      elements (B, Ba, Cd, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sr and Zn) were determined by inductively
      coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Residual carbon (RC) lower than
      918mgL(-1) of C was obtained for digests which contributed to minimizing
      interferences in determination by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Accuracy was evaluated
      using certified reference materials NIST 1549 (non-fat milk powder certified
      reference material) and NIST 8435 (whole milk powder reference material). The
      results obtained by the proposed method were in agreement with the certified
      reference values (t-test, 95% confidence level). In addition, no significant
      difference was observed between results obtained by the proposed method and
      conventional wet digestion using concentrated HNO3. As digestion was performed
      without using any kind of acid, the characteristics of final digests were in
      agreement with green chemistry principles when compared to digests obtained using
      conventional wet digestion method with concentrated HNO3. Additionally, H2O2
      digests were more suitable for subsequent analysis by ICP-based techniques due to
      of water being the main product of organic matrix oxidation. The proposed method
      was suitable for quality control of major components and trace elements present
      in milk powder in consonance with green sample preparation. 

PMID- 27260459
TI  - Precise and rapid isotopomic analysis by (1)H-(13)C 2D NMR: Application to
      triacylglycerol matrices.
AB  - An optimized HSQC sequence was tested and applied to triacylglycerol matrices to
      determine their isotopic and metabolomic profiles. Spectral aliasing and non
      uniform sampling approaches were used to decrease the experimental time and to
      improve the resolution, respectively. An excellent long-term repeatability of
      signal integrals was achieved enabling to perform isotopic measurements. Thirty
      two commercial vegetable oils were analyzed by this methodology. The results show
      that this method can be used to classify oil samples according to their
      geographical and botanical origins. 

PMID- 27260460
TI  - New development in carbon quantum dots technical applications.
AB  - As a newly emerged member in carbon nanomaterials family, carbon quantum dots
      (CQDs) attracted everincreasing attention owing to their ultracompact size,
      excellent photoluminescence, favorable biocompatibility, versatile surface and
      superior electron transfer ability. The past decade has witnessed continuous
      advancements in the production of CQDs with high photoluminescence quantum yields
      for various applications. Herein, we track the newest development of CQDs with
      advanced physicochemical properties and their applications in sensing,
      bioimaging, nanomedicine and catalysis, and propose the challenges and
      perspectives in this exciting and promising field. 

PMID- 27260461
TI  - Photoelectrochemical sensing of 4-chlorophenol based on Au/BiOCl nanocomposites.
AB  - The Au/BiOCl composites have been prepared by a facile one-pot ethylene glycol
      (EG) assisted solvothermal reaction in the presence of ionic liquid 1-hexadecyl-3
      methylimidazolium chloride ([C16mim]Cl). During the synthesis procedure, the
      [C16mim]Cl has been used as Cl source, solvent of this system, and dispersing
      agent to effectively disperse Au on the surface of BiOCl. The as-prepared samples
      have been systematically characterized by multiple instruments to investigate the
      structure, morphology, and photoelectrochemical properties. According to the
      photoelectrochemical data, the Au/BiOCl composites exhibit better
      photoelectrochemical performance toward the detection of 4-chlorophenol than that
      of the pure BiOCl. The photocurrent response of Au/BiOCl modified electrode is
      high and stable under light irradiation. The proposed Au/BiOCl modified electrode
      shows a wide linear response ranging from 0.16 to 20mgL(-1) with detection limit
      of 0.05mgL(-1). It indicates a dramatically promising application of bismuth
      oxyhalides in photoelectrochemical detection. It will be expected that the
      present study may be lightly extended to the monitor of other organic pollutants
      by photoelectrochemical detection of the Au/BiOCl composites. 

PMID- 27260462
TI  - Anthocyanins as inflammatory modulators and the role of the gut microbiota.
AB  - The health benefits of consuming fruits that are rich in polyphenols, especially
      anthocyanins, have been the focus of recent in vitro and in vivo investigations.
      Thus, greater attention is being directed to the reduction of the inflammatory
      process associated with the intestinal microbiota and the mechanism underlying
      these effects because the microbiota has been closely associated with the
      metabolism of these compounds in the gastrointestinal tract. Further interest
      lies in the ability of these metabolites to modulate the growth of specific
      intestinal bacteria. Thus, this review examines studies involving the action of
      the anthocyanins that are present in many fruits and their effect in the
      modulating the inflammatory process associated with the interaction between the
      host and the gut microbiota. The findings of both in vitro and in vivo studies
      suggest a potential antiinflammatory effect of these compounds, which seem to
      inhibit activation of the signaling pathway mediated by the transcription factor
      NFkappaB. This effect is associated with modulation of a beneficial gut
      microbiota, particularly an increase in Bifidobacterium strains.

PMID- 27260463
TI  - The citrus flavonone naringenin reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory
      pain and leukocyte recruitment by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation.
AB  - Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the major structural component of Gram-negative
      bacteria cell wall and a highly pro-inflammatory toxin. Naringenin is found in
      Citrus fruits and exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties through
      inhibition of NF-kappaB activation but its effects in LPS-induced inflammatory
      pain and leukocyte recruitment were not investigated yet. We investigated the
      effects of naringenin in mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia and
      leukocyte recruitment induced by intraplantar injection of LPS in mice. We found
      that naringenin reduced hyperalgesia to mechanical and thermal stimuli,
      myeloperoxidase (MPO, a neutrophil and macrophage marker) and N-acetyl-beta-D
      glucosaminidase (NAG, a macrophage marker) activities, oxidative stress and
      cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-12) production in the paw skin. In
      the peritoneal cavity, naringenin reduced neutrophil and mononuclear cell
      recruitment, and abrogated MPO and NAG activity, cytokine and superoxide anion
      production, and lipid peroxidation. In vitro, pre-treatment with naringenin
      inhibited superoxide anion and cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-12)
      production by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Finally, we demonstrated that
      naringenin inhibited NF-kappaB activation in vitro and in vivo. Therefore,
      naringenin is a promising compound to treat LPS-induced inflammatory pain and
      leukocyte recruitment.

PMID- 27260464
TI  - Cu(II)-coumestrol interaction leads to ROS-mediated DNA damage and cell death: a
      putative mechanism for anticancer activity.
AB  - Phytoestrogens have attracted considerable interest as natural alternatives to
      hormone replacement therapy and their potential as cancer therapeutic agents.
      Among phytoestrogens, coumestrol has shown multipharmacological properties such
      as antiinflammatory, neuroprotective, osteoblastic differentiation and
      anticancer. Though several studies have described anticancer effects of
      coumestrol, a clear underlying molecular mechanism has not been elucidated.
      Unlike normal cells, cancer cells contain elevated copper levels that play an
      integral role in angiogenesis. Copper is an important metal ion associated with
      the chromatin DNA, particularly with guanine. Thus, targeting copper in cancer
      cells can serve as effective anticancer strategy. Using human peripheral
      lymphocytes, we assessed lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA damage and apoptosis by coumestrol in the
      presence of exogenously added Cu(II) in cells to simulate malignancy-like
      condition. Results showed that Cu(II)-coumestrol interaction leads to lipid
      peroxidation and protein carbonylation (markers of oxidative stress), DNA
      fragmentation and apoptosis in treated lymphocytes. Further, incubation of
      lymphocytes with ROS scavengers and membrane-permeant copper chelator,
      neocuproine, resulted in inhibition of DNA damage and apoptosis. This suggests
      that coumestrol engages in redox cycling of Cu(II) to generate ROS that leads to
      DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. In conclusion, this is the first report showing
      that coumestrol targets cellular copper to induce prooxidant death in malignant
      cells. We believe that such a prooxidant cytotoxic mechanism better explains the
      anticancer activity of coumestrol. These findings will provide significant
      insights into the development of new chemical molecules with better copper
      chelating and prooxidant properties against cancer cells.

PMID- 27260465
TI  - A conjugated fatty acid present at high levels in bitter melon seed favorably
      affects lipid metabolism in hepatocytes by increasing NAD(+)/NADH ratio and
      activating PPARalpha, AMPK and SIRT1 signaling pathway.
AB  - alpha-Eleostearic acid (alpha-ESA), or the cis-9, trans-11, trans-13 isomer of
      conjugated linolenic acid, is a special fatty acid present at high levels in
      bitter melon seed oil. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of alpha
      ESA on hepatic lipid metabolism. Using H4IIEC3 hepatoma cell line, we showed that
      alpha-ESA significantly lowered intracellular triglyceride accumulation compared
      to alpha-linolenic acid (LN), used as a fatty acid control, in a dose- and time
      dependent manner. The effects of alpha-ESA on enzyme activities and mRNA profiles
      in H4IIEC3 cells suggested that enhanced fatty acid oxidation and lowered
      lipogenesis were involved in alpha-ESA-mediated triglyceride lowering effects. In
      addition, alpha-ESA triggered AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation
      without altering sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) protein levels. When cells were treated with
      vehicle control (VC), LN alone (LN; 100MUmol/L) or in combination with alpha-ESA
      (LN+alpha-ESA; 75+25MUmol/L) for 24h, acetylation of forkhead box protein O1 was
      decreased, while the NAD(+)/NADH ratio, mRNA levels of NAMPT and PTGR1 and enzyme
      activity of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase were increased by LN+alpha-ESA
      treatment compared to treatment with LN alone, suggesting that alpha-ESA
      activates SIRT1 by increasing NAD(+) synthesis and NAD(P)H consumption. The
      antisteatosis effect of alpha-ESA was confirmed in mice treated with a high
      sucrose diet supplemented with 1% alpha-ESA for 5weeks. We conclude that alpha
      ESA favorably affects hepatic lipid metabolism by increasing cellular NAD(+)/NADH
      ratio and activating PPARalpha, AMPK and SIRT1 signaling pathways.

PMID- 27260466
TI  - Cardioprotective effects of lipoic acid, quercetin and resveratrol on oxidative
      stress related to thyroid hormone alterations in long-term obesity.
AB  - This study investigated possible mechanisms for cardioprotective effects of
      lipoic acid (LA), quercetin (Q) and resveratrol (R) on oxidative stress related
      to thyroid hormone alterations in long-term obesity. Female C57BL/6 mice were fed
      on high-fat diet (HFD), HFD+LA, HFD+R, HFD+Q and normal diet for 26weeks. Body
      weight, blood pressure, thyroid hormones, oxidative stress markers, angiotensin
      converting enzyme (ACE), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and ion pump activities were
      measured, and expression of cardiac genes was analyzed by real-time polymerase
      chain reaction. HFD induced marked increase (P<.05) in body weight, blood
      pressure and oxidative stress, while plasma triidothyronine levels reduced. ACE
      activity increased (P<.05) in HFD mice (0.69+/-0.225U/mg protein) compared with
      controls (0.28+/-0.114U/mg protein), HFD+LA (0.231+/-0.02U/mg protein) and HFD+Q
      (0.182+/-0.096U/mg protein) at 26weeks. Moreover, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)
      ATPase activities increased in HFD mice whereas NOS reduced. A 1.5-fold increase
      in TRalpha1 and reduction in expression of the deiodinase iodothyronine DIO1,
      threonine protein kinase and NOS3 as well as up-regulation of AT1alpha, ACE,
      ATP1B1, GSK3beta and Cja1 genes also occurred in HFD mice. Conversely, LA, Q and
      R inhibited weight gain; reduced TRalpha1 expression as well as increased DIO1;
      reduced ACE activity and AT1alpha, ATP1B1 and Cja1 gene expression as well as
      inhibited GSK3beta; increased total antioxidant capacity, GSH and catalase
      activity; and reduced blood pressure. In conclusion, LA, resveratrol and
      quercetin supplementation reduces obesity thereby restoring plasma thyroid
      hormone levels and attenuating oxidative stress in the heart and thus may have
      therapeutic potential in heart diseases.

PMID- 27260467
TI  - Quercetin metabolites inhibit MMP-2 expression in A549 lung cancer cells by PPAR
      gamma associated mechanisms.
AB  - Our previous study demonstrated that quercetin-metabolite-enriched plasma (QP)
      but not quercetin itself upregulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
      gamma (PPAR-gamma) expression to induce G2/M arrest in A549 cells. In the present
      study, we incubated A549 cells with QP as well as quercetin-3-glucuronide (Q3G)
      and quercetin-3'-sulfate (Q3'S), two major metabolites of quercetin, to
      investigate the effects of quercetin metabolites on cell invasion and migration,
      the possible mechanisms and the role of PPAR-gamma. We also compared the effects
      of QP with those of quercetin and troglitazone (TGZ), a PPAR-gamma ligand. The
      results showed that QP significantly suppressed cell invasion and migration, as
      well as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 activity and expression in a dose
      dependent manner. The effects of 10% QP on those parameters were similar to those
      of 10MUM quercetin and 20MUM TGZ. However, QP and TGZ rather than quercetin
      itself increased the expressions of nm23-H1 and tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinase (TIMP-2). Furthermore, we demonstrated that Q3G and Q3'S also
      inhibited the protein expression of MMP-2. GW9662, a PPAR-gamma antagonist,
      significantly diminished such an effect of Q3G and Q3'S. Silencing PPAR-gamma
      expression in A549 cells also significantly diminished the suppression effect of
      Q3G and Q3'S on MMP-2 expression. Taken together, our study demonstrated that QP
      inhibited cell invasion and migration through nm23-H1/TIMP-2/MMP-2 associated
      mechanisms. The upregulation of PPAR-gamma by quercetin metabolites such as Q3G
      and Q3'S could play an important role in the effects of QP.

PMID- 27260469
TI  - Caffeine suppresses the progression of human glioblastoma via cathepsin B and
      MAPK signaling pathway.
AB  - Glioblastoma has aggressive proliferative and invasive properties. We
      investigated the effect of caffeine on the invasion and the anti-cancer effect in
      human glioblastomas. Caffeine reduced the invasion in U-87MG, GBM8401 and LN229
      cells. Caffeine decreased mRNA, protein expression, and activity of cathepsin B.
      Besides, mRNA and protein expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1
      (TIMP-1) was upregulated by caffeine treatment, whereas matrix metalloproteinase
      2 (MMP-2) was downregulated. The expression of Ki67, p-p38, phospforylated
      extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK), and membranous integrin beta1
      and beta3 was decreased by caffeine. The Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK)
      inhibitor, Y27632, blocked the caffeine-mediated reduction of cathepsin B,
      phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK), and p-ERK, and invasion. Moreover,
      caffeine decreased the tumor size, cathepsin B and Ki67 expression in animal
      model. Caffeine reduced the invasion of glioma cells through ROCK-cathepsin
      B/FAK/ERK signaling pathway and tumor growth in orthotopic xenograft animal
      model, supporting the anti-cancer potential in glioma therapy.

PMID- 27260468
TI  - Epigenetic modifications of triterpenoid ursolic acid in activating Nrf2 and
      blocking cellular transformation of mouse epidermal cells.
AB  - Ursolic acid (UA), a well-known natural triterpenoid found in abundance in
      blueberries, cranberries and apple peels, has been reported to possess many
      beneficial health effects. These effects include anticancer activity in various
      cancers, such as skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world.
      Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master regulator of antioxidative
      stress response with anticarcinogenic activity against UV- and chemical-induced
      tumor formation in the skin. Recent studies show that epigenetic modifications of
      Nrf2 play an important role in cancer prevention. However, the epigenetic impact
      of UA on Nrf2 signaling remains poorly understood in skin cancer. In this study,
      we investigated the epigenetic effects of UA on mouse epidermal JB6 P+ cells. UA
      inhibited cellular transformation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate at a
      concentration at which the cytotoxicity was no more than 25%. Under this
      condition, UA induced the expression of the Nrf2-mediated detoxifying/antioxidant
      enzymes heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 and UDP
      glucuronosyltransferase 1A1. DNA methylation analysis revealed that UA
      demethylated the first 15 CpG sites of the Nrf2 promoter region, which correlated
      with the reexpression of Nrf2. Furthermore, UA reduced the expression of
      epigenetic modifying enzymes, including the DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and
      DNMT3a and the histone deacetylases (HDACs) HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3 and HDAC8 (Class
      I) and HDAC6 and HDAC7 (Class II), and HDAC activity. Taken together, these
      results suggest that the epigenetic effects of the triterpenoid UA could
      potentially contribute to its beneficial effects, including the prevention of
      skin cancer.

PMID- 27260470
TI  - Amelioration of neuronal cell death in a spontaneous obese rat model by dietary
      restriction through modulation of ubiquitin proteasome system.
AB  - Dietary restriction (DR) has been shown to increase longevity, delay onset of
      aging, reduce DNA damage and oxidative stress and prevent age-related decline of
      neuronal activity. We previously reported the role of altered ubiquitin
      proteasome system (UPS) in the neuronal cell death in a spontaneous obese rat
      model (WNIN/Ob rat). In this study, we investigated the effect of DR on obesity
      induced neuronal cell death in a rat model. Two groups of 40-day-old WNIN/Ob rats
      were either fed ad libitum (Ob) or pair-fed with lean. The lean phenotype of
      WNIN/Ob rats served as ad libitum control. These animals were maintained for
      6.5months on their respective diet regime. At the end of the study, cerebral
      cortex was collected and markers of UPS, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and
      autophagy were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,
      immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasome
      was assayed by the fluorimetric method. Apoptotic cells were analyzed by TUNEL
      assay. DR improved metabolic abnormalities in obese rats. Alterations in UPS (up
      regulation of UCHL1, down-regulation of UCHL5, declined proteasomal activity),
      increased ER stress, declined autophagy and increased expression of alpha
      synuclein, p53 and BAX were observed in obese rats and DR alleviated these
      changes in obese rats. Further, DR decreased TUNEL-positive cells. In conclusion,
      DR in obese rats could not only restore the metabolic abnormalities but also
      preserved neuronal health in the cerebral cortex by preventing alterations in the
      UPS.

PMID- 27260471
TI  - Amelioration of obesity-associated inflammation and insulin resistance in c57bl/6
      mice via macrophage polarization by fish oil supplementation.
AB  - Enormous phenotypic plasticity makes macrophages the target cells in obesity
      associated inflammatory diseases. Thus, nutritional components that polarize
      macrophages toward antiinflammatory phenotype can partially reverse inflammatory
      diseases like insulin resistance. In the present study, macrophage-polarizing and
      insulin-sensitizing properties of fish oil (FO) were evaluated in obese insulin
      resistant c57bl/6 mice fed high-fat diet (HFD-IR) after oral supplementation with
      FO (4, 8 or 16mg/kg body weight) and compared to lean and HFD-IR mice. FO
      supplemented HFD-IR mice exhibited reduced adiposity index, serum cholesterol and
      triglycerides and increased insulin sensitization and showed improved adipose
      tissue physiology under light and transmission electron microscopy. NF-kappaB/P65
      expression showed a downward shift on FO supplementation. The surface marker of
      M1 macrophages (CD-86) and the TLR-4 expression reduced with the increased
      supplementation of FO. Expression of arginase 1, an important marker of M2
      macrophages, increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to FO dosage, which
      was observed at protein level by the western blotting and at mRNA level by real
      time PCR. The cytokine profile of adipose tissue macrophages showed a steep shift
      toward antiinflammatory ones (IL-4 and IL-10) from the inflammatory TNF-alpha,
      IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-1beta. Thus, macrophage polarization seems to be the
      plausible mechanism via which FO alleviates obesity-induced inflammation and
      insulin resistance.

PMID- 27260472
TI  - Impact of colonialism on Maori and Aboriginal healthcare access: a discussion
      paper.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Historical socio-political processes have produced gross inequity of
      health resource for Aboriginal Australians and New Zealand Maori. OBJECTIVES:
      This paper argues that socio-political factors resulting from the entrenchment of
      colonialism have produced significant personal and structural barriers to the
      utilisation of healthcare services and directly impact the health status of these
      two vulnerable groups. DESIGN: Discussion Paper. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the
      actual barriers preventing the utilisation of healthcare facilities, as perceived
      by Indigenous people, is essential in reducing the gross disparity between
      Indigenous and non-Indigenous morbidity and mortality in Australia and New
      Zealand.

PMID- 27260473
TI  - Corrigendum to "Physiological and molecular mechanisms associated with cross
      tolerance between hypoxia and low temperature in Thaumatotibia leucotreta" [J.
      Insect Physiol. 82 (2015) 75-84].

PMID- 27260474
TI  - Bioremediation of wastewater from edible oil refinery factory using oleaginous
      microalga Desmodesmus sp. S1.
AB  - Edible oil industry produced massive wastewater, which requires extensive
      treatment to remove pungent smell, high phosphate, carbon oxygen demand (COD),
      and metal ions prior to discharge. Traditional anaerobic and aerobic digestion
      could mainly reduce COD of the wastewater from oil refinery factories (WEORF). In
      this study, a robust oleaginous microalga Desmodesmus sp. S1 was adapted to grow
      in WEORF. The biomass and lipid content of Desmodesmus sp. S1 cultivated in the
      WEORF supplemented with sodium nitrate were 5.62 g.L(-1) and 14.49%, whereas
      those in the WEORF without adding nitrate were 2.98 g.L(-1) and 21.95%. More than
      82% of the COD and 53% of total phosphorous were removed by Desmodesmus sp. S1.
      In addition, metal ions, including ferric, aluminum, manganese and zinc were also
      diminished significantly in the WEORF after microalgal growth, and pungent smell
      vanished as well. In comparison with the cells grown in BG-11 medium, the cilia
      like bulges and wrinkles on the cell surface of Desmodesmus sp. S1 grown in WEORF
      became out of order, and more polyunsaturated fatty acids were detected due to
      stress derived from the wastewater. The study suggests that growing microalgae in
      WEORF can be applied for the dual roles of nutrient removal and biofuel feedstock
      production. 

PMID- 27260475
TI  - Effect of the Femtosecond Laser on an Intracorneal Inlay for Surgical
      Compensation of Presbyopia during Cataract Surgery: Scanning Electron Microscope
      Imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract
      surgery (FLACS) on porcine eyes implanted with a Kamra corneal inlay and to
      describe how the inlay may change the effect of the femtosecond laser on the
      lens. METHODS: FLACS was performed on six porcine eyes and a Kamra corneal inlay
      had been implanted, exploring the lens under the surgical microscope. Another
      Kamra corneal inlay was attached to the upper part of the transparent hemisphere
      used for calibration of the femtosecond laser. Capsulorhexis, arcuate incisions,
      and phacofragmentation were carried out. The Kamra corneal inlay was compared
      with a nontreated one using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the
      hemisphere was analyzed with a surgical microscope. RESULTS: Capsulorhexis and
      phacofragmentation were completed in all the porcine eyes, although accuracy to
      determine the exact effect on the lens was not possible to achieve. The effect of
      the femtosecond laser on the PMMA hemisphere through the Kamra corneal inlay
      showed the capsulorhexis was placed outside the outer margin of the inlay and a
      sharply sculpted fragmentation pattern with a three-dimensional (donut-shaped)
      annulus untreated beneath it. SEM images of the nontreated and the treated inlays
      were comparable. No ultrastructural changes were found in the treated Kamra
      corneal inlay. CONCLUSIONS: FLACS can be performed with a Kamra corneal inlay for
      surgical compensation of presbyopia without the risk of damaging the inlay. The
      Kamra corneal inlay acts as a screen that avoids the laser to reach the areas
      beneath its shadow, but not the exposed areas of the lens.

PMID- 27260476
TI  - How to improve vital sign data quality for use in clinical decision support
      systems? A qualitative study in nine Swedish emergency departments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vital sign data are important for clinical decision making in
      emergency care. Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) have been advocated to
      increase patient safety and quality of care. However, the efficiency of CDSS
      depends on the quality of the underlying vital sign data. Therefore, possible
      factors affecting vital sign data quality need to be understood. This study aims
      to explore the factors affecting vital sign data quality in Swedish emergency
      departments and to determine in how far clinicians perceive vital sign data to be
      fit for use in clinical decision support systems. A further aim of the study is
      to provide recommendations on how to improve vital sign data quality in emergency
      departments. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen
      physicians and nurses from nine hospitals and vital sign documentation templates
      were collected and analysed. Follow-up interviews and process observations were
      done at three of the hospitals to verify the results. Content analysis with
      constant comparison of the data was used to analyse and categorize the collected
      data. RESULTS: Factors related to care process and information technology were
      perceived to affect vital sign data quality. Despite electronic health records
      (EHRs) being available in all hospitals, these were not always used for vital
      sign documentation. Only four out of nine sites had a completely digitalized
      vital sign documentation flow and paper-based triage records were perceived to
      provide a better mobile workflow support than EHRs. Observed documentation
      practices resulted in low currency, completeness, and interoperability of the
      vital signs. To improve vital sign data quality, we propose to standardize the
      care process, improve the digital documentation support, provide workflow
      support, ensure interoperability and perform quality control. CONCLUSIONS: Vital
      sign data quality in Swedish emergency departments is currently not fit for use
      by CDSS. To address both technical and organisational challenges, we propose five
      steps for vital sign data quality improvement to be implemented in emergency care
      settings.

PMID- 27260477
TI  - Neurospora chromosomes are organized by blocks of importin alpha-dependent
      heterochromatin that are largely independent of H3K9me3.
AB  - Eukaryotic genomes are organized into chromatin domains with three-dimensional
      arrangements that presumably result from interactions between the chromatin
      constituents-proteins, DNA, and RNA-within the physical constraints of the
      nucleus. We used chromosome conformation capture (3C) followed by high-throughput
      sequencing (Hi-C) with wild-type and mutant strains of Neurospora crassa to gain
      insight into the role of heterochromatin in the organization and function of the
      genome. We tested the role of three proteins thought to be important for
      establishment of heterochromatin, namely, the histone H3 lysine 9
      methyltransferase DIM-5, Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1), which specifically
      binds to the product of DIM-5 (trimethylated H3 lysine 9 [H3K9me3]), and DIM-3
      (importin alpha), which is involved in DIM-5 localization. The average genome
      configuration of the wild-type strain revealed strong intra- and inter
      chromosomal associations between both constitutive and facultative
      heterochromatic domains, with the strongest interactions among the centromeres,
      subtelomeres, and interspersed heterochromatin. Surprisingly, loss of either
      H3K9me3 or HP1 had only mild effects on heterochromatin compaction, whereas dim-3
      caused more drastic changes, specifically decreasing interactions between
      constitutive heterochromatic domains. Thus, associations between heterochromatic
      regions are a major component of the chromosome conformation in Neurospora, but
      two widely studied key heterochromatin proteins are not necessary, implying that
      undefined protein factors play key roles in maintaining overall chromosome
      organization.

PMID- 27260478
TI  - Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for patients with malignant lung tumors: a
      phase II prospective multicenter study (JIVROSG-0702).
AB  - PURPOSE: This prospective multicenter study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and
      safety of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for lung cancer. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: From May 2008 to April 2012, 33 patients (26 men, 7 women; mean age
      70.5 years) were enrolled. RF ablation was performed using an internally cooled
      or expandable multitined electrode. The primary endpoint was complete response
      (CR) determined using (18)F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) performed 6 months after RF ablation.
      The secondary endpoint was the incidence and grade of adverse events (AEs)
      evaluated using the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0.
      RESULTS: All patients underwent RF ablation and had efficacy analyses evaluated;
      however, FDG-PET/CT images before RF ablation were not available for two
      patients. The CR rate was 68 % (21 of 31 patients). One patient had a grade 5 AE
      unrelated to RF ablation. Grade >=3 AEs occurred in 12 % of patients. During the
      follow-up period (median 37 months; range 1-55 months), five patients developed
      local tumor progression and nine (29 %) died. Overall survival at 1, 2, and 3
      years was 97, 82, and 74 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous RF ablation is
      a safe, feasible, and effective treatment for small malignant lung tumors.

PMID- 27260479
TI  - Ecotoxicological risks of the abandoned F-Ba-Pb-Zn mining area of Osor (Spain).
AB  - Due to its potential toxic properties, metal mobilization is of major concern in
      areas surrounding Pb-Zn mines. In the present study, metal contents and toxicity
      of soils, aqueous extracts from soils and mine drainage waters from an abandoned
      F-Ba-Pb-Zn mining area in Osor (Girona, NE Spain) were evaluated through chemical
      extractions and ecotoxicity bioassays. Toxicity assessment in the terrestrial
      compartment included lethal and sublethal endpoints on earthworms Eisenia fetida,
      arthropods Folsomia candida and several plant species, whereas aquatic tests
      involved bacteria Vibrio fischeri, microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata and
      crustaceans Daphnia magna. Total concentrations of Ba (250-5110 mg kg-1), Pb (940
      to >5000 mg kg-1) and Zn (2370-11,300 mg kg-1) in soils exceeded intervention
      values to protect human health. Risks for the aquatic compartment were identified
      in the release of drainage waters and in the potential leaching and runoff of
      metals from contaminated soils, with Cd (1.98-9.15 ug L-1), Pb (2.11-326 ug L-1)
      and Zn (280-2900 ug L-1) concentrations in filtered water samples surpassing US
      EPA Water Quality Criteria (2016a, b). Terrestrial ecotoxicity tests were in
      accordance with metal quantifications and identified the most polluted soil as
      the most toxic. Avoidance and reproduction tests with earthworms showed the
      highest sensitivity to metal contamination. Aquatic bioassays performed in
      aqueous extracts from soils confirmed the results from terrestrial tests and also
      detected toxic effects caused by the mine drainage waters. Algal growth
      inhibition was the most sensitive aquatic endpoint. In view of the results, the
      application of a containment or remediative procedure in the area is encouraged.

PMID- 27260480
TI  - State-of-the-lagoon reports as vehicles of cross-disciplinary integration.
AB  - An integrative approach across disciplines is needed for sustainable lagoon and
      estuary management as identified by integrated coastal zone management. The ARCH
      research project (Architecture and roadmap to manage multiple pressures on
      lagoons) has taken initial steps to overcome the boundaries between disciplines
      and focus on cross-disciplinary integration by addressing the driving forces,
      challenges, and problems at various case study sites. A model was developed as a
      boundary-spanning activity to produce joint knowledge and understanding. The
      backbone of the model is formed by the interaction between the natural and human
      systems, including economy and governance-based subsystems. The model was used to
      create state-of-the-lagoon reports for 10 case study sites (lagoons and estuarine
      coastal areas), with a geographical distribution covering all major seas
      surrounding Europe. The reports functioned as boundary objects to build joint
      knowledge. The experiences related to the framing of the model and its subsequent
      implementation at the case study sites have resulted in key recommendations on
      how to address the challenges of cross-disciplinary work required for the proper
      management of complex social-ecological systems such as lagoons, estuarine areas,
      and other land-sea regions. Cross-disciplinary integration is initially resource
      intensive and time consuming; one should set aside the required resources and
      invest efforts at the forefront. It is crucial to create engagement among the
      group of researchers by focusing on a joint, appealing overall concept that will
      stimulate cross-sectoral thinking and focusing on the identified problems as a
      link between collected evidence and future management needs. Different methods
      for collecting evidence should be applied including both quantitative (jointly
      agreed indicators) and qualitative (narratives) information. Cross-disciplinary
      integration is facilitated by functional boundary objects. Integration offers
      important rewards in terms of developing a better understanding and subsequently
      improved management of complex social-ecological systems. Integr Environ Assess
      Manag 2016;12:690-700. (c) 2016 SETAC. 

PMID- 27260483
TI  - Murine fundus fluorescein angiography: An alternative approach using a handheld
      camera.
AB  - In today's modern pharmacologic approach to treating sight-threatening retinal
      vascular disorders, there is an increasing demand for a compact, mobile,
      lightweight and cost-effective fluorescein fundus camera to document the effects
      of antiangiogenic drugs on laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in
      mice and other experimental animals. We have adapted the use of the Kowa Genesis
      Df Camera to perform Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) in mice. The 1 kg, 28
      cm high camera has built-in barrier and exciter filters to allow digital FFA
      recording to a Compact Flash memory card. Furthermore, this handheld unit has a
      steady Indirect Lens Holder that firmly attaches to the main unit, that securely
      holds a 90 diopter lens in position, in order to facilitate appropriate focus and
      stability, for photographing the delicate central murine fundus. This easily
      portable fundus fluorescein camera can effectively record exceptional central
      retinal vascular detail in murine laser-induced CNV, while readily allowing the
      investigator to adjust the camera's position according to the variable head and
      eye movements that can randomly occur while the mouse is optimally anesthetized.
      This movable image recording device, with efficiencies of space, time, cost,
      energy and personnel, has enabled us to accurately document the alterations in
      the central choroidal and retinal vasculature following induction of CNV,
      implemented by argon-green laser photocoagulation and disruption of Bruch's
      Membrane, in the experimental murine model of exudative macular degeneration.

PMID- 27260481
TI  - Inflammasome and toll-like receptor signaling in human monocytes after successful
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whole body ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) after cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation (CPR) induces a generalized inflammatory response which contributes
      to the development of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). Recently, pattern
      recognition receptors (PRRs), such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) and
      inflammasomes, have been shown to mediate the inflammatory response in IRI. In
      this study we investigated monocyte PRR signaling and function in PCAS. METHODS:
      Blood samples were drawn in the first 12 hours, and at 24 and 48 hours following
      return of spontaneous circulation in 51 survivors after cardiac arrest. Monocyte
      mRNA levels of TLR2, TLR4, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)3,
      IRAK4, NLR family pyrin domain containing (NLRP)1, NLRP3, AIM2, PYCARD, CASP1,
      and IL1B were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Ex vivo cytokine
      production in response to stimulation with TLR ligands Pam3CSK4 and
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was assessed in both whole blood and monocyte culture
      assays. Ex vivo cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)
      from a healthy volunteer in response to stimulation with patients' sera with or
      without LPS was assessed. The results were compared to 19 hemodynamically stable
      patients with coronary artery disease. RESULTS: Monocyte TLR2, TLR4, IRAK3,
      IRAK4, NLRP3, PYCARD and IL1B were initially upregulated in patients following
      cardiac arrest. The NLRP1 and AIM2 inflammasomes were downregulated in
      resuscitated patients. There was a significant positive correlation between TLR2,
      TLR4, IRAK3 and IRAK4 expression and the degree of ischemia as assessed by serum
      lactate levels and the time until return of spontaneous circulation. Nonsurvivors
      at 30 days had significantly lower mRNA levels of TLR2, IRAK3, IRAK4, NLRP3 and
      CASP1 in the late phase following cardiac arrest. We observed reduced
      proinflammatory cytokine release in response to both TLR2 and TLR4 activation in
      whole blood and monocyte culture assays in patients after CPR. Sera from
      resuscitated patients attenuated the inflammatory response in cultured PBMCs
      after co-stimulation with LPS. CONCLUSIONS: Successful resuscitation from cardiac
      arrest results in changes in monocyte pattern recognition receptor signaling
      pathways, which may contribute to the post-cardiac arrest syndrome. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (
      DRKS00009684 ) on 27/11/2015.

PMID- 27260482
TI  - Ultrashort versus Conventional Anatomic Cementless Femoral Stems in the Same
      Patients Younger Than 55 Years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because the clinical and radiographic performance of an ultrashort
      anatomic cementless stem has been investigated in only two randomized controlled
      studies, well-designed trials should aim for a thorough comparison of the
      outcomes of ultrashort anatomic cementless and conventional anatomic cementless
      stems. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purposes of this study were to compare (1) the
      clinical results, including Harris hip score, thigh pain, and WOMAC index score,
      (2) radiographic results, (3) bone mineral density; and (4) proportions of
      patients undergoing revision of a THA using an ultrashort anatomic cementless
      stem versus a conventional anatomic cementless stem in the same patients who
      underwent bilateral sequential THAs under the same anesthetic. METHODS: Two
      hundred patients (mean age, 53 years; range, 26-54 years) who underwent bilateral
      sequential THAs received an ultrashort anatomic cementless stem in one hip and a
      conventional anatomic cementless stem in the contralateral hip. From January 2004
      to December 2005, we performed 524 same-day bilateral short and conventional
      anatomic cementless THAs in 262 patients, of whom 212 (81%) participated in this
      study. Five patients were lost to followup before 2 years, five were lost between
      2 to 10 years, and two were lost between 10 to 13 years, leaving 200 patients.
      Patients who had end-stage bilateral hip disease and were younger than 55 years
      were selected for inclusion. The predominant diagnoses were osteonecrosis (118
      patients, 59%) and osteoarthritis (44 patients, 22%). One hundred thirty-eight
      were men and 62 were women. At the time of each followup, the patients were
      assessed clinically and radiographically. In addition, each patient completed the
      WOMAC and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scores. The
      minimum followup was 10 years (mean, 11.8 years; range, 10-13 years). Followups
      were done in person, with all images and followup clinic notes. Based on the
      power analysis, we estimated a sample size of 178 hips was needed in each group
      to detect a 3-point difference in the Harris hip score with 80% power. RESULTS:
      At the latest followup, there were no differences between the two groups
      regarding the mean Harris hip scores (94 versus 94 points; p = 0.189), mean WOMAC
      scores (17 versus 16 points; p = 0.191), or mean UCLA activity scores (9 versus 9
      points; p = 0.381). Two patients in the ultrashort stem group and one patient in
      the conventional stem group had severe (9 points) thigh pain, and 30 patients
      (15%) in the conventional stem group had mild thigh pain (2 or 3 points) after
      vigorous exercise. Bone mineral density in the ultrashort and conventional stem
      groups, respectively, was greater in the ultrashort stem group than in the
      conventional stem group. Bone mineral density in Zone 1 at 12 years was 3.29
      versus 1.88 g/cm(2) (p = 0.021), and 2.97 versus 0.91 g/m(2) in Zone 7 (p =
      0.001). With the numbers available, there were no differences between the stem
      designs in terms of the proportion undergoing revision (one hip, 0.5%, in the
      short-stem group versus one hip, 0.5%, in the conventional group; p = 1.881).
      CONCLUSIONS: At followup into the second decade, ultrashort stems showed no
      differences from conventional cementless stems in terms of validated outcomes
      scores or fixation, although less stress shielding was observed. Reduction of
      stress shielding may reduce the long-term risk of periprosthetic fracture, but
      this was not shown in our study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, therapeutic study.

PMID- 27260484
TI  - Solar ultraviolet radiation cataract.
AB  - Despite being a treatable disease, cataract is still the leading cause for
      blindness in the world. Solar ultraviolet radiation is epidemiologically linked
      to cataract development, while animal and in vitro studies prove a causal
      relationship. However, the pathogenetic pathways for the disease are not fully
      understood and there is still no perfect model for human age related cataract.
      This non-comprehensive overview focus on recent developments regarding effects of
      solar UV radiation wavebands on the lens. A smaller number of fundamental papers
      are also included to provide a backdrop for the overview. Future studies are
      expected to further clarify the cellular and subcellular mechanisms for UV
      radiation-induced cataract and especially the isolated or combined temporal and
      spatial effects of UVA and UVB in the pathogenesis of human cataract. Regardless
      of the cause for cataract, there is a need for advances in pharmaceutical or
      other treatment modalities that do not require surgical replacement of the lens.

PMID- 27260485
TI  - Poly (I:C)-DOTAP cationic nanoliposome containing multi-epitope HER2-derived
      peptide promotes vaccine-elicited anti-tumor immunity in a murine model.
AB  - In the current study we aimed at developing a vaccine delivery/adjuvant system to
      enhance anti-tumor immunity against the natural multi-epitope HER2/Neu-derived P5
      peptide. Polyriboinosinic: polyribocytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)] is a strong
      immunoadjuvant able to enhance specific antitumor immunity induced by peptide
      based vaccines. Nevertheless, delivering the peptide and adjuvant intracellularly
      into their target site remains a challenging issue. We hypothesized this barrier
      could be overcome through the use of a cationic nanoliposome carrier system which
      can carry and protect the antigen and adjuvant in the extracellular environment
      and augment the induction of antitumor immunity. P5 was encapsulated in cationic
      nanoliposomes composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP)
      Cholesterol either alone or complexed with Poly (I:C). Immunocompetent BALB/c
      mice were immunized with the formulations 3 times in two-week intervals and the
      efficiency and type of immune response were then evaluated both in vitro and in
      vivo. The groups immunized with Lip-P5+PIC (DOTAP-Cholestrol-P5+Poly (I:C)) and
      Lip+PIC (DOTAP-Cholestrol+Poly (I:C)) enhanced the release of Interferon (IFN)
      gamma in comparison with other groups. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that Lip
      P5+PIC formulation induced the highest level of IFN-gamma in CD8(+) lymphocytes.
      Lip-P5+PIC, Lip+PIC and Lip-P5 (DOTAP-Cholestrol-P5) provided some extent of
      protection in terms of tumor regression in TUBO tumor mice model during the first
      65days post tumor challenge but at the end only the tumors of mice immunized with
      Lip-P5+PIC were significantly smaller than all other groups. Furthermore, tumors
      of mice receiving Lip-P5+PIC grew at a significantly slower rate throughout the
      observation period. Our results showed that the combination of Poly (I:C) and
      DOTAP with the tumor antigen and without applying additional T-helper epitope
      induced strong antitumor responses. The observations presented here are of great
      interest for future vaccine studies.

PMID- 27260486
TI  - The Added Value of the CT Colonography Reporting and Data System.

PMID- 27260487
TI  - Re: Han et al.

PMID- 27260488
TI  - A Population-based Model of Local Control and Survival Benefit of Radiotherapy
      for Lung Cancer.
AB  - AIMS: To estimate the population-based locoregional control and overall survival
      benefits of radiotherapy for lung cancer if the whole population were treated
      according to evidence-based guidelines. These estimates were based on a published
      radiotherapy utilisation (RTU) model that has been used to estimate the demand
      and planning of radiotherapy services nationally and internationally. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: The lung cancer RTU model was extended to incorporate an estimate of
      benefits of radiotherapy alone, and of radiotherapy in conjunction with
      concurrent chemotherapy (CRT). Benefits were defined as the proportional gains in
      locoregional control and overall survival from radiotherapy over no radiotherapy
      for radical indications, and from postoperative radiotherapy over surgery alone
      for adjuvant indications. A literature review (1990-2015) was conducted to
      identify benefit estimates of individual radiotherapy indications and summed to
      estimate the population-based gains for these outcomes. Model robustness was
      tested through univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: If
      evidence-based radiotherapy recommendations are followed for the whole lung
      cancer population, the model estimated that radiotherapy alone would result in a
      gain of 8.3% (95% confidence interval 7.4-9.2%) in 5 year locoregional control,
      11.4% (10.8-12.0%) in 2 year overall survival and 4.0% (3.6-4.4%) in 5 year
      overall survival. For the use of CRT over radiotherapy alone, estimated benefits
      would be: locoregional control 1.7% (0.8-2.4%), 2 year overall survival 1.7% (0.5
      2.8%) and 5 year overall survival 1.2% (0.7-1.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The model
      provided estimates of radiotherapy benefit that could be achieved if treatment
      guidelines are followed for all cancer patients. These can be used as a benchmark
      so that the effects of a shortfall in the utilisation of radiotherapy can be
      better understood and addressed. The model can be adapted to other populations
      with known epidemiological parameters to ensure the planning of equitable
      radiotherapy services.

PMID- 27260489
TI  - Standardized reporting of adverse events after microvascular decompression of
      cranial nerves; a population-based single-institution consecutive series.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate frequencies of adverse events occurring within 30 days
      after microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery using a standardized report form
      of adverse events. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 98 adult
      patients (>=16 years) treated with MVD between 1 January 1994 and 1 June 2013.
      Adverse events occurring within 30 days were classified according to the Landriel
      Ibanez classification for neurosurgical complications: grade I represents any non
      life threatening complication treated without invasive procedures; grade II is
      complications requiring invasive management; grade III is life-threatening
      adverse events requiring treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU); grade IV is
      death as a result of complications. We sought to compare our results with reports
      from the literature. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 61 years (range 26-83),
      and 64 (65 %) were females. Indications for MVD were trigeminal neuralgia (n =
      77, 79 %), glossopharyngeal neuralgia (n = 4, 4 %), hemifacial spasm (n = 16, 16
      %) and combined trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm (n = 1, 1 %). The
      overall 30-day complication rate was 20 %, with 14 % grade I complications, 5 %
      grade II complications and 1 % grade III complications. The comparison with the
      literature was hampered by the diverse and unsystematic way of reporting
      complications. CONCLUSION: We provide a standardized report of postoperative
      complications in a consecutive patient series undergoing MVD. Due to the
      heterogeneous and non-standardized reporting of complications in the literature,
      it is difficult to know if our 20 % complication rate is low or high.
      Standardized reporting is a necessity for meaningful and more valid comparisons
      across studies. The safety of MVD, a fairly standardized neurosurgical procedure,
      is well suited for comparisons across centers provided that complications are
      reported in a standardized manner.

PMID- 27260490
TI  - Outcome following phrenic nerve transfer to musculocutaneous nerve in patients
      with traumatic brachial palsy: a qualitative systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The phrenic nerve can be transferred to the musculocutaneous nerve in
      patients with traumatic brachial plexus palsy in order to recover biceps
      strength, but the results are controversial. There is also a concern about
      pulmonary function after phrenic nerve transection. In this paper, we performed a
      qualitative systematic review, evaluating outcomes after this procedure. METHOD:
      A systematic review of published studies was undertaken in accordance with the
      Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
      statement. Data were extracted from the selected papers and related to:
      publication, study design, outcome (biceps strength in accordance with BMRC and
      pulmonary function) and population. Study quality was assessed using the
      "strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology" (STROBE)
      standard or the CONSORT checklist, depending on the study design. RESULTS: Seven
      studies were selected for this systematic review after applying inclusion and
      exclusion criteria. One hundred twenty-four patients completed follow-up, and
      most of them were graded M3 or M4 (70.1 %) for biceps strength at the final
      evaluation. Pulmonary function was analyzed in five studies. It was not possible
      to perform a statistical comparison between studies because the authors used
      different parameters for evaluation. Most of the patients exhibited a decrease in
      pulmonary function tests immediately after surgery, with recovery in the
      following months. Study quality was determined using STROBE in six articles, and
      the global score varied from 8 to 21. CONCLUSIONS: Phrenic nerve transfer to the
      musculocutaneous nerve can recover biceps strength >=M3 (BMRC) in most patients
      with traumatic brachial plexus injury. Early postoperative findings revealed that
      the development of pulmonary symptoms is rare, but it cannot be concluded that
      the procedure is safe because there is no study evaluating pulmonary function in
      old age.

PMID- 27260492
TI  - A pregnant woman with anaemia and thrombocytopenia.

PMID- 27260491
TI  - Low level lead exposure and pregnancy outcomes in an observational birth cohort
      study: dose-response relationships.
AB  - BACKGROUND: National and international guidelines on safe levels for blood Pb in
      pregnancy focus on a threshold above which exposure is of concern. However, it
      has recently been suggested that the decrease in birth weight per unit increase
      in blood Pb is actually greater at lower than at higher concentrations of Pb
      without evidence of a lower threshold of effect. Our aim was to investigate
      whether there was evidence for a differential effect of maternal Pb levels on
      birth outcomes and/or a threshold value for effects. METHODS: Blood samples from
      pregnant women enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
      (ALSPAC) were analysed. Data collected on the infants included anthropometric
      variables. We fitted adjusted multivariable fractional polynomial models for
      birth outcomes. RESULTS: Adjusted models that assumed a linear relationship
      between untransformed blood Pb and the outcomes provided the best fit: an
      increase of 1 ug/dl was associated with changes in birth weight of -9.93 (95 % CI
      -20.27, 0.41) g, head circumference -0.03 (95 % CI -0.06, 0.00) cm and crown-heel
      length -0.05 (95 % CI -0.10, 0.00) cm. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence in this
      study to suggest a supralinear dose-response relationship or a lower threshold
      for the effect of maternal blood Pb on birth outcomes. This has implications for
      consideration of national and international guidelines on levels of concern in
      pregnancy. Exposure to Pb should be kept as low as possible during pregnancy to
      minimise adverse outcomes.

PMID- 27260493
TI  - In vitro evidence of the promoting effect of testosterone in kidney stone
      disease: A proteomics approach and functional validation.
AB  - Incidence of kidney stone disease in males is 2- to 4-fold greater than in
      females. This study aimed to determine effects of testosterone on kidney stone
      disease using a proteomics approach. MDCK renal tubular cells were treated with
      or without 20nM testosterone for 7days. Cellular proteins were extracted,
      resolved by 2-DE, and stained with Deep Purple fluorescence dye (n=5 gels derived
      from 5 independent samples/group). Spot matching, quantitative intensity
      analysis, and statistics revealed significant changes in levels of nine protein
      spots after testosterone treatment. These proteins were then identified by nanoLC
      ESI-Qq-TOF MS/MS. Global protein network analysis using STRING software revealed
      alpha-enolase as the central node of protein-protein interactions. The increased
      level of alpha-enolase was then confirmed by Western blotting analysis, whereas
      immunofluorescence study revealed the increased alpha-enolase on cell surface and
      intracellularly. Functional analysis confirmed the potential role of the
      increased alpha-enolase in enhanced calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystal
      cell adhesion induced by testosterone. Finally, neutralization of surface alpha
      enolase using anti-alpha-enolase antibody successfully reduced the enhanced COM
      crystal-cell adhesion to the basal level. Our data provided in vitro evidence of
      promoting effect of testosterone on kidney stone disease via enhanced COM crystal
      cell adhesion by the increased surface alpha-enolase. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
      The incidence of kidney stone disease in male is 2- to 4-fold greater than in
      female. One of the possible factors of the male preference is the higher
      testosterone hormone level. However, precise molecular mechanisms that
      testosterone plays in kidney stone disease remained unclear. Our present study is
      the first exploratory investigation on such aspect using a proteomics approach.
      Our data also provide a novel mechanistic aspect of how testosterone can impact
      the risk of kidney stone formation (i.e. the discovery that testosterone
      increases alpha-enolase expression on the surface of renal tubular cells that is
      responsible, at least in part, for crystal-cell adhesion).

PMID- 27260494
TI  - A multi-model statistical approach for proteomic spectral count quantitation.
AB  - The rapid development of mass spectrometry (MS) technologies has solidified
      shotgun proteomics as the most powerful analytical platform for large-scale
      proteome interrogation. The ability to map and determine differential expression
      profiles of the entire proteome is the ultimate goal of shotgun proteomics. Label
      free quantitation has proven to be a valid approach for discovery shotgun
      proteomics, especially when sample is limited. Label-free spectral count
      quantitation is an approach analogous to RNA sequencing whereby count data is
      used to determine differential expression. Here we show that statistical
      approaches developed to evaluate differential expression in RNA sequencing
      experiments can be applied to detect differential protein expression in label
      free discovery proteomics. This approach, termed MultiSpec, utilizes open-source
      statistical platforms; namely edgeR, DESeq and baySeq, to statistically select
      protein candidates for further investigation. Furthermore, to remove bias
      associated with a single statistical approach a single ranked list of
      differentially expressed proteins is assembled by comparing edgeR and DESeq q
      values directly with the false discovery rate (FDR) calculated by baySeq. This
      statistical approach is then extended when applied to spectral count data derived
      from multiple proteomic pipelines. The individual statistical results from
      multiple proteomic pipelines are integrated and cross-validated by means of
      collapsing protein groups. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Spectral count data from
      shotgun proteomics experiments is semi-quantitative and semi-random, yet a robust
      way to estimate protein concentration. Tag-count approaches are routinely used to
      analyze RNA sequencing data sets. This approach, termed MultiSpec, utilizes
      multiple tag-count based statistical tests to determine differential protein
      expression from spectral counts. The statistical results from these tag-count
      approaches are combined in order to reach a final MultiSpec q-value to re-rank
      protein candidates. This re-ranking procedure is completed to remove bias
      associated with a single approach in order to better understand the true
      proteomic differences driving the biology in question. The MultiSpec approach can
      be extended to multiple proteomic pipelines. In such an instance, MultiSpec
      statistical results are integrated by collapsing protein groups across proteomic
      pipelines to provide a single ranked list of differentially expressed proteins.
      This integration mechanism is seamlessly integrated with the statistical analysis
      and provides the means to cross-validate protein inferences from multiple
      proteomic pipelines.

PMID- 27260495
TI  - Profiling the proteomics in honeybee worker brains submitted to the proboscis
      extension reflex.
AB  - : The proboscis extension reflex (PER) is an unconditioned stimulus (US) widely
      used to access the ability of honeybees to correlate it with a conditioned
      stimulus (CS) during learning and memory acquisition. However, little is known
      about the biochemical/genetic changes in worker honeybee brains induced by the
      PER alone. The present investigation profiled the proteomic complement associated
      with the PER to further the understanding of the major molecular transformations
      in the honeybee brain during the execution of a US. In the present study, a
      quantitative shotgun proteomic approach was employed to assign the proteomic
      complement of the honeybee brain. The results were analyzed under the view of
      protein networking for different processes involved in PER behavior. In the
      brains of PER-stimulated individuals, the metabolism of
      cyclic/heterocyclic/aromatic compounds was activated in parallel with the
      metabolism of nitrogenated compounds, followed by the up-regulation of
      carbohydrate metabolism, the proteins involved with the anatomic and
      cytoskeleton; the down-regulation of the anatomic development and cell
      differentiation in other neurons also occurred. SIGNIFICANCE: The assay of
      proboscis extension reflex is frequently used to access honeybees' ability to
      correlate an unconditioned stimulus with a conditioned stimulus (such as an odor)
      to establish learning and memory acquisition. The reflex behavior of proboscis
      extension was associated with various conditioned stimuli, and the
      biochemical/genetic evaluation of the changes occurring in honeybee brains under
      these conditions reflect the synergistic effects of both insect manipulations
      (training to answer to an unconditioned stimulus and training to respond to a
      conditioned stimulus). Little or no information is available regarding the
      biochemical changes stimulated by an unconditioned stimulus alone, such as the
      proboscis extension reflex. The present investigation characterizes the proteomic
      changes occurring in the brains of honeybee workers submitted to proboscis
      extension reflex. A series of metabolic and cellular processes were identified to
      be related to the reflex of an unconditioned stimulus. This strategy may be
      reproduced to further understand the processes of learning and memory acquisition
      in honeybees.

PMID- 27260496
TI  - Calcitonin alleviates hyperalgesia in osteoporotic rats by modulating serotonin
      transporter activity.
AB  - : Calcitonin may relieve pain by modulating central serotonin activity.
      Calcitonin partly reversed the hypersensitivity to pain induced by ovariectomy.
      This suggests that the anti-nociceptive effects of calcitonin in the treatment of
      osteoporosis may be mediated by alterations in neural serotonin transporter
      (SERT) activity. INTRODUCTION: This study used a rat model of osteoporosis to
      evaluate the role of the cerebral serotonin system in the anti-nociceptive effect
      of calcitonin, a drug used to treat post-menopausal osteoporosis. METHODS:
      Osteoporosis was induced in rats by ovariectomy (OVX). Rats were then randomized
      to the following four groups: sham operation, OVX, OVX plus calcitonin, or OVX
      plus alendronate. RESULTS: OVX led to alterations in bone micro-architecture;
      alendronate strongly reversed this effect, and calcitonin moderately reversed
      this effect. OVX increased hyperalgesia (determined as the time for hind paw
      withdrawal from a heat source); calcitonin reduced this effect, but alendronate
      had no effect. OVX increased the expression of c-Fos (a neuronal marker of pain)
      in the thalamus; calcitonin strongly reversed this effect, and alendronate
      moderately reversed this effect. OVX also reduced SERT but increased 5-HT1A
      receptor expression and activity; calcitonin aggravated this effect, but
      alendronate had no effect on recovery of SERT/5-HT1A activity and expression.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study of a rat model of osteoporosis suggests that OVX-induced
      enhancement of the serotonergic system may protect against hyperalgesia. However,
      the anti-nociceptive effects of calcitonin in osteoporosis may be mediated by
      decreased neural SERT activity and increased activation of 5-HT1 receptors in the
      thalamus.

PMID- 27260497
TI  - Nature or manufacture: What should we fear most?
AB  - Of very ancient descent, domestication switched the outcome of natural selection
      to that due to human design. A widespread fancy is that man-created contraptions
      develop dangerously on their own because of their Promethean essence. This
      assumes implicitly-how difficult is it to refrain from thinking that we are the
      sawyers of nature!-that their crafted powers would dominate the autonomy
      resulting from billions of years of evolution. Yet artifice depends on the skills
      of its creator, so that it is when coming close to nature that danger surfaces.
      Invasive species are natural, and the havoc they create is here to call for some
      modesty in the appraisal of our endeavours. The farther away, the less dangerous.
      Being distant from man, engineered plants are considerably less harmful than
      animal constructs, especially those that are close to man and meant for medical
      use. This reality contrasts with popular belief. In this misconception lies the
      danger, magnified by the present demographic explosion of the invasive species
      Homo sapiens, which develops artificial environments that provide progressively
      less room for life to evolve. 

PMID- 27260498
TI  - Gene therapy: Myth or reality?
AB  - Gene therapy has become a reality, although still a fragile one. Clinical benefit
      has been achieved over the last 17years in a limited number of medical conditions
      for which pathophysiological studies determined that they were favorable
      settings. They include inherited disorders of the immune system,
      leukodystrophies, possibly hemoglobinopathies, hemophilia B, and retinal
      dystrophies. Advances in the treatment of B-cell leukemias and lymphomas have
      also been achieved. Advances in vector development and possible usage of gene
      editing may lead to significant advances over the next years. 

PMID- 27260501
TI  - Seasonal and Ageing-Depending Changes of Aquaporins 1 and 9 Expression in the
      Genital Tract of Buffalo Bulls (Bubalus bubalis).
AB  - The presence of Aquaporins 1 (AQP1) and 9 (AQP9), integral membrane water
      channels that facilitate rapid passive movement of water and solutes, was
      immunohistochemically detected in the excurrent ducts collected from sexually
      mature buffalo bulls of proven fertility during the mating (late autumn-winter)
      and non-mating (late spring to the beginning of autumn) seasons. Furthermore, the
      research was performed also on the epididymal cauda of a senile buffalo bull with
      inactive testis. Aquaporins 1 and 9 were immunolocalized at distinct levels. In
      the efferent ducts, AQP1 immunoreactivity was strongly evidenced at the apical
      surface of the non-ciliated cells and weakly along the basal membrane of the
      epithelial cells. The latter reactivity disappeared during the non-mating season.
      No AQP1 immunoreactivity was detected in the epithelium of epididymis and vas
      deferens, whereas AQP1 was expressed in the smooth muscle layer of the vas
      deferens. Aquaporin 1 was present in the blood vessels and in small nerve bundles
      all along the genital tract. The supranuclear zone of the epididymal principal
      cells was AQP9 immunoreactive, limited to the corpus and cauda regions, and vas
      deferens. The samples collected in the two reproductive seasons showed a weaker
      AQP9 immunoreactivity during the non-mating season. A typical AQP9
      immunoreactivity was noticed in the old buffalo examined. The tested AQP
      molecules showed a different expression pattern in comparison with laboratory
      mammals, primates, equine, dog and cat. In addition, seasonal differences were
      noticed which are possibly useful in regard to the comprehension of the
      morphophysiology of reproduction in the bubaline species, which are still a
      matter of debate. 

PMID- 27260500
TI  - Can a community health worker administered postnatal checklist increase health
      seeking behaviors and knowledge?: evidence from a randomized trial with a private
      maternity facility in Kiambu County, Kenya.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since the 2009 WHO and UNICEF recommendation that women receive home
      based postnatal care within the first three days after birth, a growing number of
      low-income countries have explored integrating postnatal home visit interventions
      into their maternal and newborn health strategies. This randomized trial
      evaluates a pilot program in which community health workers (CHWs) visit or call
      new mothers three days after delivery in peri-urban Kiambu County, Kenya.
      METHODS: Participants were individually randomized to one of three groups: 1)
      early postnatal care three days after delivery provided in-person with a CHW
      using a simple checklist, 2) care provided by phone with a CHW using the same
      checklist, or 3) a standard of care group. Surveys were conducted ten days and
      nine weeks postnatal to measure outcomes related to compliance with referrals,
      self-reported health problems for mother and baby, care-seeking behaviors, and
      postnatal knowledge and practices around the recognition of danger signs,
      feeding, nutrition, infant care and family planning. RESULTS: The home visit
      administration of the checklist increased the likelihood that women recognized
      postnatal problems for themselves and their babies and increased the likelihood
      that they sought care to address those problems identified for the child. In both
      the home visit and mobile phone implementation of the checklist, actions taken
      for postnatal problems happened earlier, particularly for infants. Knowledge was
      found to be high across all groups, with limited evidence that the checklist
      impacted knowledge and postnatal practices around the recognition of danger
      signs, feeding, nutrition, infant care and family planning. CONCLUSION: We find
      evidence that CHW-administered postnatal checklists can lead to better
      recognition of postnatal problems and more timely care-seeking. Furthermore, our
      results suggest that CHWs can affordably deliver many of the benefits of
      postnatal checklists. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02104635 ;
      registered April 2, 2014.

PMID- 27260499
TI  - Managing Pediatric Pain in the Emergency Department.
AB  - Far more attention is now given to pain management in children in the emergency
      department (ED). When a child arrives, pain must be recognized and evaluated
      using a pain scale that is appropriate to the child's development and regularly
      assessed to determine whether the pain intervention was effective. At triage,
      both analgesics and non-pharmacological strategies, such as distraction,
      immobilization, and dressing should be started. For mild pain, oral ibuprofen can
      be administered if the child has not received it at home, whereas ibuprofen and
      paracetamol are suitable for moderate pain. For patients who still require pain
      relief, oral opioids could be considered; however, many EDs have now replaced
      this with intranasal fentanyl, which allows faster onset of pain relief and can
      be administered on arrival pending either intravenous access or definitive care.
      Intravenous opioids are often required for severe pain, and paracetamol or
      ibuprofen can still be considered for their likely opioid-sparing effects.
      Specific treatment should be used for patients with migraine. In children
      requiring intravenous access or venipuncture, non-pharmacological and
      pharmacological strategies to decrease pain and anxiety associated with needle
      punctures are mandatory. These strategies can also be used for laceration repairs
      and other painful procedures. Despite the gaps in knowledge, pain should be
      treated with the most up-to-date evidence in children seen in EDs. 

PMID- 27260502
TI  - Rhodovulum algae sp. nov., isolated from an algal mat.
AB  - A reddish-brown-pigmented, phototrophic bacterium, designated strain JA877T, was
      isolated from a brown algae mat sample collected from Jalandhar beach, Gujarat,
      India. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain JA877T belongs to the
      class Alphaproteobacteria and is closely related to the type strains Rhodovulum
      viride JA756T (99.0 %), Rhodovulum sulfidophilum Hansen W4T (98.9 %),
      Rhodovulumvisakhapatnamense JA181T (98.8 %),Rhodovulum kholense JA297T (97.5 %)
      and Rhodovulum salis JA746T (97.0). However, strain JA877T showed only 20-45 %
      relatedness with its phylogenetic neighbours and had a ?Tm between 5.8 and 7.0 
      degrees C. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q10), and the polar
      lipid profile was composed of the major components phosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified
      sulfolipids and five unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were C18 :
      1omega5c, C18 : 1omega7c/C18 : 1omega6c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 0. The DNA G+C content
      was 64.5 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, physiological
      data, and chemotaxonomic and molecular differences, strain JA877T is
      significantly different from other species of the genus Rhodovulum and represents
      a novel species, for which the name Rhodovulum algae sp. nov. is proposed. The
      type strain is JA877T (=LMG 29228T= KCTC 42963T).

PMID- 27260504
TI  - Erratum: Computerized Performance Monitoring Systems: Learning and Living with
      its Limitations.

PMID- 27260503
TI  - Tumor volume improves the long-term prediction of biochemical recurrence-free
      survival after radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer with positive
      surgical margins.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a novel application evaluating the effect of tumor volume
      (TV) and percentage of high-grade tumor volume (%HGTV) on long-term biochemical
      recurrence-free survival rate (BCRFS) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in
      patients with pT2 PCa. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 903 men with pT2 PCa
      between 1992 and 2004 at a single European tertiary care center was performed.
      Cox regression models identified risk factors for BCR. A nomogram was developed
      to predict the BCRFS at 5, 10 and 15 years after RP. Decision curve analyses were
      performed to identify the net increase in cases identified by the full model.
      RESULTS: BCR-free survival rates at 5, 10 and 15 years were 94, 90 and 86 %. In
      Cox regression analyses, TV, %HGTV and positive surgical margin status (SM) were
      independent predictors of BCR. Predictive accuracies (PA) at 5, 10 and 15 years
      of the base model (PSA, Gleason score, SM) were 76.8 % (95 % CI 67.9-78.2 %),
      70.5 % (95 % CI 64.9-75.0 %) and 68.1 % (95 % CI 60.6-73.5 %). The full model,
      including TV and %HGTV, achieved 76.9, 72.4 and 70.7 %. These PA differences were
      statistically significant at 10 and 15 years (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TV and
      %HGTV could potentially serve as valuable measures to stratify patients at high
      risk of BCR. The use of our nomogram should be considered to counsel patients
      with pT2 disease and SM and to design appropriate follow-up or treatment
      regimens.

PMID- 27260505
TI  - A Novel Intra-aortic Device Designed for Coronary Blood Flow Amplification in
      Unrevascularizable Patients.
AB  - Patients with unrevascularizable coronary artery disease represent a substantial
      number of all patients with coronary disease. However, their therapeutic options
      are limited; they endure recurrent hospitalizations, a poor quality of life and
      prognosis. We aim to investigate a novel alternative approach to the treatment of
      this common medical condition by using a specialized intra-aortic device with
      coiling properties capable of enhancing diastolic coronary flow. Both a
      mathematical analysis and in vitro study presented in the current study have
      yielded enhanced coronary diastolic blood flow and energetic advantages. We
      suggest that this original approach might be implicated in severely symptomatic
      unrevascularizable patients.

PMID- 27260507
TI  - [Security agents on the front line against Ebola: roles, perceptions and
      knowledge in Fann Teaching Hospital, Dakar, Senegal].
AB  - Security agents are on the front line when patients arrive at health facilities,
      giving them a potential role to play in an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak.
      The position of security agents within health services is poorly documented. A
      survey was conducted to clarify their understanding of Ebola pathology, to assess
      their need for information and to determine their role in patient management. The
      survey included both qualitative and quantitative aspects. 80 security agents of
      the Fann teaching hospital (Dakar) completed questionnaires, and 11 were
      interviewed. Qualitative analysis was performed with Dedoose and the quantitative
      analysis using Excel. The results show that security agents' activities go beyond
      their mission of security and control. They are involved in informing, orienting
      and assisting patients and those accompanying them in the hospital. The security
      agents have basic knowledge of EVD, but overestimate the risk of transmission.
      They want to be more informed and to have access to protective material. These
      results suggest that these professionals should be taken into account when
      developing response strategies to Ebola outbreaks. Their knowledge of and
      protection against the disease must be strengthened. Non-health professionals
      working in health facilities should be trained in order to be able to relay
      information to the public.

PMID- 27260506
TI  - Budesonide ameliorates lung injury induced by large volume ventilation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI) is a health problem for
      patients with acute respiratory dysfunction syndrome. The aim of this study was
      to investigate the effectiveness of budesonide in treating VILI. METHODS: Twenty
      four rats were randomized to three groups: a ventilation group,
      ventilation/budesonide group, and sham group were ventilated with 30 ml/kg tidal
      volume or only anesthesia for 4 hor saline or budesonide airway instillation
      immediately after ventilation. The PaO2/FiO2and wet-to-dry weight ratios, protein
      concentration, neutrophil count, and neutrophil elastase levels in
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the levels of inflammation-related
      factors were examined. Histological evaluation of and apoptosis measurement inthe
      lung were conducted. RESULTS: Compared with that in the ventilation group, the
      PaO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly increased by treatment with budesonide. The
      lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, total protein, neutrophil elastase level, and
      neutrophilcount in BALF were decreased in the budesonide group. The BALF and
      plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6,
      intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein
      (MIP)-2 levels were decreased, whereas the IL-10 level was increased in the
      budesonide group. The phosphorylated nuclear factor (NF)-kBlevels in lung tissue
      were inhibited by budesonide. The histological changes in the lung and apoptosis
      were reduced by budesonide treatment. Bax, caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3 were
      down-regulated, and Bcl-2 was up-regulated by budesonide. CONCLUSIONS: Budesonide
      ameliorated lung injury induced by large volume ventilation, likely by improving
      epithelial permeability, decreasing edema, inhibiting local and systemic
      inflammation, and reducing apoptosis in VILI.

PMID- 27260508
TI  - Adherence to Symptom-Based Care Guidelines for Down Syndrome.
AB  - To assess adherence to symptom-based studies recommended in the health
      supervision guidelines for Down syndrome from the American Academy of Pediatrics
      (AAP), 24 pediatric care sites participated in retrospective chart review.
      Symptom-based screening and 4 associated recommendations, including cervical
      spine radiograph, video swallow study, celiac study with tissue transglutaminase
      and sleep study were analyzed by reviewing well-child visit notes of 264 children
      with Down syndrome. Given trends toward symptom-based screens, Pearson's chi
      square test and Fisher's exact test were used to determine the association
      between symptom presence and receiving corresponding symptom-based screens.
      Adherence rates were widely variable ranging from 0% to 79% completion. Symptom
      based studies were performed in 22% to 36% of patients. Symptom screens were
      documented positive in many patients, but the presence of symptoms did not
      correlate with completion of symptom-based screens. Symptom-based screening is
      low; associated studies were performed in patients without documented symptoms
      contrary to AAP recommendation.

PMID- 27260509
TI  - Effective embryo production from Holstein cows treated with gonadotropin
      releasing hormone during early lactation.
AB  - The low efficiency of embryo production in Holstein cows during early lactation
      presents many challenges for animal production. To improve its efficiency, the
      outcomes of single GnRH injections 48 hours before each of three cycles of ovum
      pick up (OPU; weeks 2, 4, and 6) were compared with three cycles of unstimulated
      OPU (controls; weeks 1, 3, and 5) in 35 Holstein cows during 6 weeks of early
      lactation (40-80 days postpartum). More total follicle numbers (19.5 vs. 16.0; P
      < 0.05) but fewer dominant follicles (0.5 vs. 1.4; P < 0.01) were observed by
      ultrasound, and more cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected in a single OPU in
      the treatment cycles compared with controls (15.3 vs. 11.5; P < 0.05). The
      numbers of morphologically "good" cumulus-oocyte complexes graded A and B in the
      stimulated OPUs were significantly greater than in controls (2.8 vs. 1.7 and 5.8
      vs. 4.2, respectively; P < 0.05). Significantly, more oocytes stained positively
      with brilliant cresyl blue after GnRH treatment compared with the control cycles
      (13.7 vs. 9.6; P < 0.05). After in vitro fertilization, embryos in the treatment
      cycles had improved development (P < 0.01) during each developmental stage
      compared with the controls (9.0 vs. 6.2 two-cell embryos; 4.7 vs. 3.0 four-cell
      embryos; 3.3 vs. 2.0 morulae; and 3.0 vs. 1.7 blastocysts, respectively).
      Moreover, there was no significant difference in pregnancy rate of the recipient
      cows after embryo transfer (57.1% vs. 42.1%; P > 0.05) no matter if the embryos
      came from the GnRH-treated cycles or not. Thus, GnRH-stimulated OPUs improved the
      efficiency of embryo production in Holstein cows during early lactation. This
      novel method for in vitro embryo production should benefit the dairy industry. 

PMID- 27260510
TI  - Adaptations of semen characteristics and sperm motility to harsh salinity:
      Extreme situations encountered by the euryhaline tilapia Sarotherodon
      melanotheron heudelotii (Dumeril, 1859).
AB  - In most teleost fishes, sperm cells are quiescent in the seminal plasma and are
      activated by either a drop (fresh water fish) or an increase in osmolality
      (marine fish) when released in the water. It is most interesting to examine how
      the mechanisms of sperm motility activation can adapt to a broad range of
      salinities, as applies to some euryhaline species, and particularly to the
      tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron heudelotii, which can reproduce at salinities
      from 0 up to 120 in the wild. Here, the gonado-somatic index, semen
      characteristics, and the osmotic and ionic requirements of sperm motility
      activation were compared in S. m. heudelotii reared in fresh water (FW), sea
      water (SW), or hypersaline water (HW; salinities of 0, 35, and 70, respectively).
      No salinity-dependent differences were found in gonado-somatic index or semen
      characteristics, except for an increase of seminal plasma osmolality with
      increasing salinity (from 318 to 349 mOsm kg(-1) in FW and HW fish,
      respectively). The osmolality range allowing the highest percentages of sperm
      activation broadened and shifted toward higher values with increasing fish
      ambient salinity (150-300, 300-800, and 500-1200 mOsm kg(-1), for FW, SW, and HW
      fish, respectively). Nevertheless, at the three fish rearing salinities, sperm
      could be activated in media that were hypotonic, isotonic, or hypertonic relative
      to the seminal plasma, at least when some calcium was present above a threshold
      concentration. The [Ca(2+)] required for the activation of S. m. heudelotii sperm
      is (1) higher in fish reared at a higher salinity (2) higher in hypertonic than
      that in hypotonic activation media, whatever the fish rearing salinity, and (3)
      higher in the presence of Na(+) or K(+), the negative effects of which increased
      with an increase in fish rearing salinity. The [Ca(2+)]/[Na(+)]  ratios allowing
      for maximal sperm motility in SW or HW fish are close to those observed in
      natural environments, either in sea or hypersaline waters. In comparison to most
      teleosts with external fertilization, the total duration of sperm motility in S.
      m. heudelotii was exceptionally long (>2 hours regardless the fish rearing
      salinities). The decrease in sperm activity with increasing time since activation
      did not result from limiting energy reserves, as the addition of calcium in the
      activation medium caused most spermatozoa to become motile again. The comparison
      of sperm characteristics of S. m. heudelotii acclimated from FW to SW or HW with
      those of fish maintained all lifelong at their native salinity showed that
      adaptive responses were completed within 2 months or less. 

PMID- 27260511
TI  - C-Reactive Protein Identifies Low-Risk Metabolically Healthy Obese Persons: The
      European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk Prospective Population
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conflicting data exist about the cardiovascular risk of metabolically
      healthy obese persons. The prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in this
      intriguing group is unknown. We assessed the association between CRP levels and
      the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in metabolically healthy persons with
      abdominal obesity. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the European Prospective Investigation
      of Cancer-Norfolk prospective cohort, CRP levels and information on metabolic
      syndrome criteria were available for 7279 participants, of whom 825 (11%)
      developed CHD during a follow-up period of 10.9+/-1.8 years. There was a trend
      toward a higher multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for CHD in metabolically
      healthy obese participants with CRP levels >2 mg/L compared with <2 mg/L (hazard
      ratio 1.59, 95% CI 0.97-2.62, P=0.066). Metabolically unhealthy obese
      participants had significantly higher CHD risk compared with metabolically
      healthy obese participants with CRP levels <2 mg/L (hazard ratio 1.88, 95% CI
      1.20-2.94, P=0.006). Most important, we found that the risk of CHD among
      metabolically healthy obese persons with CRP levels <2 mg/L was comparable to
      that of metabolically healthy nonobese persons (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.60
      1.39, P=0.674). CONCLUSIONS: Among metabolically healthy obese persons, low CRP
      levels were associated with a CHD risk comparable to that of metabolically
      healthy nonobese persons. CRP appears to be an easy and widely available method
      for identifying a low-risk subpopulation among metabolically healthy obese
      persons.

PMID- 27260513
TI  - 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and other lesions along the coding strand of
      the exon 5 of the tumour suppressor gene P53 in a breast cancer case-control
      study.
AB  - The next-generation sequencing studies of breast cancer have reported that the
      tumour suppressor P53 (TP53) gene is mutated in more than 40% of the tumours. We
      studied the levels of oxidative lesions, including 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'
      deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), along the coding strand of the exon 5 in breast cancer
      patients as well as in a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-attacked breast cancer
      cell line using the ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction technique. We
      detected a significant 'in vitro' generation of 8-oxodG between the codons 163
      and 175, corresponding to a TP53 region with high mutation prevalence, after
      treatment with xanthine plus xanthine oxidase, a ROS-generating system. Then, we
      evaluated the occurrence of oxidative lesions in the DNA-binding domain of the
      TP53 in the core needle biopsies of 113 of women undergoing breast investigation
      for diagnostic purpose. An increment of oxidative damage at the -G- residues into
      the codons 163 and 175 was found in the cancer cases as compared to the controls.
      We found significant associations with the pathological stage and the
      histological grade of tumours. As the major news of this study, this largest
      analysis of genomic footprinting of oxidative lesions at the TP53 sequence level
      to date provided a first roadmap describing the signatures of oxidative lesions
      in human breast cancer. Our results provide evidence that the generation of
      oxidative lesions at single nucleotide resolution is not an event highly
      stochastic, but causes a characteristic pattern of DNA lesions at the site of
      mutations in the TP53, suggesting causal relationship between oxidative DNA
      adducts and breast cancer. 

PMID- 27260512
TI  - Selection for reduced translation costs at the intronic 5' end in fungi.
AB  - It is generally believed that introns are not translated; therefore, the
      potential intronic features that may be related to the translation step
      (occurring after splicing) have yet to be thoroughly studied. Here, focusing on
      four fungi, we performed for the first time a comprehensive study aimed at
      characterizing how translation efficiency is encoded in introns and affects their
      evolution. By analysing their intronome we provide evidence of selection for STOP
      codons close to the intronic 5' end, and show that the beginning of introns are
      selected for significantly high translation, presumably to reduce translation and
      metabolic costs in cases of non-spliced introns. Ribosomal profiling data
      analysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae supports the conjecture that in this
      organism intron retention frequently occurs, introns are partially translated,
      and their translation efficiency affects organismal fitness. We show that the
      reported results are more significant in highly translated and highly spliced
      genes, but are not associated only with genes with a specific function. We also
      discuss the potential relation of the reported signals to efficient nonsense
      mediated decay due to splicing errors. These new discoveries are supported by
      population-genetics considerations. In addition, they are contributory steps
      towards a broader understanding of intron evolution and the effect of silent
      mutations on gene expression and organismal fitness. 

PMID- 27260514
TI  - GenFamClust: an accurate, synteny-aware and reliable homology inference
      algorithm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Homology inference is pivotal to evolutionary biology and is
      primarily based on significant sequence similarity, which, in general, is a good
      indicator of homology. Algorithms have also been designed to utilize conservation
      in gene order as an indication of homologous regions. We have developed
      GenFamClust, a method based on quantification of both gene order conservation and
      sequence similarity. RESULTS: In this study, we validate GenFamClust by comparing
      it to well known homology inference algorithms on a synthetic dataset. We applied
      several popular clustering algorithms on homologs inferred by GenFamClust and
      other algorithms on a metazoan dataset and studied the outcomes. Accuracy,
      similarity, dependence, and other characteristics were investigated for gene
      families yielded by the clustering algorithms. GenFamClust was also applied to
      genes from a set of complete fungal genomes and gene families were inferred using
      clustering. The resulting gene families were compared with a manually curated
      gold standard of pillars from the Yeast Gene Order Browser. We found that the
      gene-order component of GenFamClust is simple, yet biologically realistic, and
      captures local synteny information for homologs. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows
      that GenFamClust is a more accurate, informed, and comprehensive pipeline to
      infer homologs and gene families than other commonly used homology and gene
      family inference methods.

PMID- 27260515
TI  - The effects of sleep restriction and altered sleep timing on energy intake and
      energy expenditure.
AB  - Experimental evidence suggests that sleep restriction increases energy intake
      (EI) and may alter energy expenditure (EE). However, it is unknown whether the
      timing of a sleep restriction period impacts EI and EE the following day. Hence,
      we examined the effects of sleep restriction with an advanced wake-time or
      delayed bedtime on next day EI and EE. Twelve men and 6 women (age: 23+/-4years,
      body fat: 18.8+/-10.1%) participated in 3 randomized crossover sessions: control
      (habitual bed- and wake-times), 50% sleep restriction with an advanced wake-time
      and 50% sleep restriction with a delayed bedtime. Outcome variables included
      sleep architecture (polysomnography), EI (food menu), total EE and activity times
      (accelerometry). Carbohydrate intake was greater on day 2 in the delayed bedtime
      vs. control session (1386+/-513 vs. 1579+/-571kcal; P=0.03). Relative moderate
      intensity physical activity (PA) time was greater in the delayed bedtime session
      vs. control and advanced wake-time sessions on day 1 (26.6+/-19.9 vs. 16.1+/-10.6
      and 17.5+/-11.8%; P=0.01), whereas vigorous-intensity PA time was greater
      following advanced wake-time vs. delayed bedtime on day 1 (2.7+/-3.0 vs. 1.3+/
      2.4%; P=0.004). Greater stage 1 sleep (beta=110kcal, 95% CI for beta=42 to
      177kcal; P=0.004), and a trend for lower REM sleep (beta=-20kcal, 95% CI for
      beta=-41 to 2kcal; P=0.07), durations were associated with greater EI between
      sleep restriction sessions. These findings suggest that the timing of a sleep
      restriction period impacts energy balance parameters. Additional studies are
      needed to corroborate these findings, given the increasing prevalence of shift
      workers and incidences of sleep disorders and voluntary sleep restriction.

PMID- 27260516
TI  - Individual differences in saccharin acceptance predict rats' food intake.
AB  - Following previous results indicating that low acceptance of saccharin-sweetened
      yoghurt was associated with slower weight gain, the aim of this experiment was to
      determine which of three measures of individual differences would predict
      subsequent chow consumption, body weight gain, and fat mass. Pre-test measures
      consisted of amount of running in an activity wheel, amount of 0.1% saccharin
      solution consumed over 24h, and performance on an elevated plus maze (EPM). Rats
      were then maintained for three weeks on a diet of standard chow and water.
      Subsequent post-testing repeated the procedures used in pre-testing. The rats
      were then culled and fat pads excised and weighed. Pre-testing revealed a
      negative correlation between saccharin acceptance and activity, while neither
      measure correlated with anxiety in the EPM. Pre-test saccharin acceptance was
      positively correlated with subsequent chow consumption, percent weight gain, and
      g/kg fat mass. Multiple regression analyses including all three pre-test measures
      confirmed saccharin acceptance as a predictor of chow consumption and,
      marginally, of fat pad mass, while high anxiety predicted low percent body weight
      gain.

PMID- 27260517
TI  - Tumor Boards from the Perspective of Ambulant Oncological Care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer therapy requires the cooperation of physicians from different
      disciplines. At the core of the collaboration are 'tumor boards' (also known as
      'multidisciplinary team meetings' and 'tumor conferences'). However, there is
      limited health care research that addresses the multiple facets of such meetings.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were analyzed from 3 routinely conducted surveys
      comprising information from (i) office-based hematologists and oncologists, (ii)
      their patients, and (iii) quality indicators. RESULTS: Most office-based
      oncologists stated that they participate in tumor boards taking place in
      hospitals. Although tumor boards are viewed as time intensive and lack financial
      compensation, they are considered as beneficial for patient care. Less than half
      of patients knew that their cases were discussed at a tumor board; those who knew
      rated the collaboration between their treating doctors as more positive, but also
      experienced slightly higher distress levels. The quality indicators showed that
      tumor board meetings were documented in three-quarters of the patient charts, but
      only half included the tumor board's recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: Participation
      in tumor boards is perceived as beneficial by oncologists and not just considered
      as a fulfillment of societies' recommendations or guidelines. The higher distress
      levels in patients who knew that their case was discussed at a tumor board may
      have occurred because more difficult cases are discussed at tumor boards and
      since the oncologists spend more time explaining the therapy process in complex
      cases, including the tumor board results.

PMID- 27260518
TI  - Serous carcinoma arising from uterine adenomyosis/adenomyotic cyst of the
      cervical stump: a report of 3 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serous carcinoma arising in adenomyosis and adenomyotic cyst is very
      rare. Only 3 serous carcinomas and 5 serous endometrial intraepithelial
      carcinomas (EIC) have been reported to date. METHODS: We reviewed the
      clinicopathological features of 2 serous carcinoma in uterine adenomyosis and 1
      serous EIC in adenomyotic cyst of the cervical stump. RESULTS: Case 1 had an
      endometrial serous carcinoma in the uterine myometrium and the left ovary. A
      minor component of benign endometrial glands with minimal endometrial stroma was
      found in the uterine mass and the surrounding myometrium. Case 2 showed 3 small
      foci of serous carcinoma, serous EIC and endometrial glandular dysplasia (EmGD)
      in the adenomyosis. Scanty serous carcinoma was present in the endometrium
      without evidence of myometrial invasion. The eutopic endometrium in both case 1
      and 2 had no evidence of neoplastic changes after complete examination. Case 3
      had 3 microscopic serous EICs in the adenomyotic cysts of the cervical stump. One
      EIC lesion coexisted with EmGD. No cancer was found in the endocervical tube
      although the preoperative endocervical biopsy showed a poorly differentiated
      endometrioid carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that serous carcinoma
      in case 1 and EIC in all 3 cases showed a characteristic pattern of p53 and p16
      over expression, high Ki67 index, and lack of WT1, ER and PR staining. EmGD in
      case 1 and 3 had a similar staining pattern except a lower Ki67 index and the
      presence of ER expression. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that this case series may
      expand our recognition on serous carcinoma arising in uterine
      adenomyosis/adenomyotic cyst including extra-uterine spread and the potential
      synchronous growth of carcinomas in eutopic endometrium.

PMID- 27260519
TI  - Effect of Voriconazole on Candida tropicalis Biofilms: Relation with ERG Genes
      Expression.
AB  - Candida tropicalis has emerged as the third most prevalent fungal pathogens and
      its ability to form biofilms has been considered one of the most important
      virulence factors, since biofilms represent high tolerance to antifungal agents.
      However, the mechanisms of C. tropicalis biofilm resistance to antifungals remain
      poorly understood. Thus, the main aim of this work was to infer about the effect
      of voriconazole on the formation and control of C. tropicalis biofilms and
      disclose its relationship with ERG genes' expression. Planktonic cells tolerance
      of several C. tropicalis clinical isolates to voriconazole was determined through
      of antifungal susceptibility test, and the effect of this azole against C.
      tropicalis biofilm formation and pre-formed biofilms was evaluated by cultivable
      cells determination and total biomass quantification. ERG genes expression was
      analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. This work showed
      that C. tropicalis resistance to voriconazole is strain dependent and that
      voriconazole was able to partially control biofilm formation, but was unable to
      eradicate C. tropicalis pre-formed biofilms. Moreover, C. tropicalis biofilms
      resistance to voriconazole seems to be associated with alterations of sterol
      content in the cell membrane, resulting in ERG genes overexpression. Voriconazole
      is unable to control C. tropicalis biofilms, and the overexpression of ERG genes
      is a possible mechanism of biofilm resistance. 

PMID- 27260520
TI  - TLG-S criteria are superior to both EORTC and PERCIST for predicting outcomes in
      patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma treated with erlotinib.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this retrospective review of prospectively collected data, we sought
      to investigate whether early FDG-PET assessment of treatment response based on
      total lesion glycolysis measured using a systemic approach (TLG-S) would be
      superior to either local assessment with EORTC (European Organization for
      Research and Treatment of Cancer) criteria or single-lesion assessment with
      PERCIST (PET Response Criteria in Solid Tumors) for predicting clinical outcomes
      in patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma treated with erlotinib. We also
      examined the effect of bone flares on tumor response evaluation by single-lesion
      assessment with PERCIST in patients with metastatic bone lesions. METHODS: We
      performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 23 patients
      with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma treated with erlotinib. All participants
      underwent FDG-PET imaging at baseline and on days 14 and 56 after completion of
      erlotinib treatment. In addition, diagnostic CT scans were performed at baseline
      and on day 56. FDG-PET response was assessed with TLG-S, EORTC, and PERCIST
      criteria. Response assessment based on RECIST 1.1 (Response Evaluation Criteria
      in Solid Tumors) from diagnostic CT imaging was used as the reference standard.
      Two-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) served as the
      main outcome measures. RESULTS: We identified 13 patients with bone metastases.
      Of these, four (31 %) with persistent bone uptake due to bone flares on day 14
      were erroneously classified as non-responders according to the PERCIST criteria,
      but they were correctly classified as responders according to both the EORTC and
      TLG-S criteria. Patients who were classified as responders on day 14 based on TLG
      S criteria had higher rates of 2-year PFS (26.7 % vs. 0 %, P = 0.007) and OS
      (40.0 % vs. 7.7 %, P = 0.018). Similar rates were observed in patients who showed
      a response on day 56 based on CT imaging according to the RECIST criteria.
      Patients classified as responders on day 14 according to the EORTC criteria on
      FDG-PET imaging had better rates of 2-year OS than did non-responders (36.4 % vs.
      8.3 %, P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: TLG-S criteria may be of greater help in
      predicting survival outcomes than other forms of assessment. Bone flares, which
      can interfere with the interpretation of treatment response based on PERCIST
      criteria, are not uncommon in patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma
      treated with erlotinib.

PMID- 27260521
TI  - Radiation dosimetry of (68)Ga-PSMA-11 (HBED-CC) and preliminary evaluation of
      optimal imaging timing.
AB  - PURPOSE: The clinical introduction of (68)Ga-PSMA-11 ("HBED-CC") ligand targeting
      the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been regarded as a significant
      step forward in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we provide
      human dosimetry and data on optimal timing of PET imaging after injection.
      METHODS: Four patients with recurrent PCa were referred for (68)Ga-PSMA-11
      PET/CT. Whole-body PET/CTlow-dose scans were conducted at 5 min, and 1, 2, 3, 4
      and 5 h after injection of 152-198 MBq (68)Ga-PSMA-11. Organs of moderate to high
      uptake were used as source organs; their total activity was determined at all
      measured time points. Time-activity curves were created for each source organ as
      well as for the remainder. The radiation exposure of a (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET was
      identified using the OLINDA-EXM software. In addition, tracer uptake was measured
      in 16 sites of metastases. RESULTS: The highest tracer uptake was observed in the
      kidneys, liver, upper large intestine, and the urinary bladder. Mean organ doses
      were: kidneys 0.262 +/- 0.098 mGy/MBq, liver 0.031 +/- 0.004 mGy/MBq, upper large
      intestine 0.054 +/- 0.041 mGy/MBq, urinary bladder 0.13 +/- 0.059 mGy/MBq. The
      calculated mean effective dose was 0.023 +/- 0.004 mSv/MBq (=0.085 +/- 0.015
      rem/mCi). Most tumor lesions (n = 16) were visible at 3 h p.i., while at all
      other time points many were not qualitatively present (10/16 visible at 1 h
      p.i.). CONCLUSIONS: The mean effective dose of a (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET is 0.023
      mSv/MBq. A 3-h delay after injection was optimal timing for (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT
      in this patient cohort.

PMID- 27260522
TI  - One registration multi-atlas-based pseudo-CT generation for attenuation
      correction in PET/MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: The outcome of a detailed assessment of various strategies for atlas
      based whole-body bone segmentation from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was
      exploited to select the optimal parameters and setting, with the aim of proposing
      a novel one-registration multi-atlas (ORMA) pseudo-CT generation approach.
      METHODS: The proposed approach consists of only one online registration between
      the target and reference images, regardless of the number of atlas images (N),
      while for the remaining atlas images, the pre-computed transformation matrices to
      the reference image are used to align them to the target image. The performance
      characteristics of the proposed method were evaluated and compared with
      conventional atlas-based attenuation map generation strategies (direct
      registration of the entire atlas images followed by voxel-wise weighting (VWW)
      and arithmetic averaging atlas fusion). To this end, four different positron
      emission tomography (PET) attenuation maps were generated via arithmetic
      averaging and VWW scheme using both direct registration and ORMA approaches as
      well as the 3-class attenuation map obtained from the Philips Ingenuity TF
      PET/MRI scanner commonly used in the clinical setting. The evaluation was
      performed based on the accuracy of extracted whole-body bones by the different
      attenuation maps and by quantitative analysis of resulting PET images compared to
      CT-based attenuation-corrected PET images serving as reference. RESULTS: The
      comparison of validation metrics regarding the accuracy of extracted bone using
      the different techniques demonstrated the superiority of the VWW atlas fusion
      algorithm achieving a Dice similarity measure of 0.82 +/- 0.04 compared to
      arithmetic averaging atlas fusion (0.60 +/- 0.02), which uses conventional direct
      registration. Application of the ORMA approach modestly compromised the accuracy,
      yielding a Dice similarity measure of 0.76 +/- 0.05 for ORMA-VWW and 0.55 +/-
      0.03 for ORMA-averaging. The results of quantitative PET analysis followed the
      same trend with less significant differences in terms of SUV bias, whereas
      massive improvements were observed compared to PET images corrected for
      attenuation using the 3-class attenuation map. The maximum absolute bias achieved
      by VWW and VWW-ORMA methods was 06.4 +/- 5.5 in the lung and 07.9 +/- 4.8 in the
      bone, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed algorithm is capable of generating
      decent attenuation maps. The quantitative analysis revealed a good correlation
      between PET images corrected for attenuation using the proposed pseudo-CT
      generation approach and the corresponding CT images. The computational time is
      reduced by a factor of 1/N at the expense of a modest decrease in quantitative
      accuracy, thus allowing us to achieve a reasonable compromise between computing
      time and quantitative performance.

PMID- 27260523
TI  - Phoma herbarum, a soil fungus able to grow on natural lignin and synthetic lignin
      (DHP) as sole carbon source and cause lignin degradation.
AB  - The fungus Phoma herbarum isolated from soil showed growth on highly pure lignin
      extracted from spruce wood and on synthetic lignin (DHP). The lignin remaining
      after cultivation was shown to have a lower molecular weight. The reduction in
      the numbers of ether linkages of the extracted lignins was also observed by
      derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) in combination with (31)P
      NMR studies. The fungal strain showed an ability to degrade synthetic lignin by
      extracellular catalysts. GC-MS was applied to study the evolution of low molar
      mass adducts, e.g., monolignols and it was shown that a reduced coniferyl alcohol
      product was produced from DHP in a cell-free environment. The work has
      demonstrated the ability of soil microbes to grow on lignin as sole carbon
      source. The potential impact is in the production of low molar mass renewable
      phenols for material application.

PMID- 27260524
TI  - Engineered biosynthesis of biodegradable polymers.
AB  - Advances in science and technology have resulted in the rapid development of
      biobased plastics and the major drivers for this expansion are rising
      environmental concerns of plastic pollution and the depletion of fossil-fuels.
      This paper presents a broad view on the recent developments of three promising
      biobased plastics, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and
      polybutylene succinate (PBS), well known for their biodegradability. The article
      discusses the natural and recombinant host organisms used for fermentative
      production of monomers, alternative carbon feedstocks that have been used to
      lower production cost, different metabolic engineering strategies used to improve
      product titers, various fermentation technologies employed to increase
      productivities and finally, the different downstream processes used for recovery
      and purification of the monomers and polymers.

PMID- 27260525
TI  - Pathologic Complete Response Is an Independent Predictor of Improved Survival
      Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Reports of improved survival in patients with pathologic complete
      response (pCR) to neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal and gastroesophageal
      junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma is extrapolated from heterogeneous studies that
      include squamous cell histology. We sought to determine if pCR is associated with
      a survival advantage in a homogenous group of patients with esophageal
      adenocarcinoma. METHODS: This is a single institution analysis of all patients
      with T2-T4 or node positive esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant
      chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy between 2004 and 2014. Patients were divided
      into two groups based on pathological response, pCR vs. incomplete pathological
      response (iPR). Survival outcomes were evaluated using standard Kaplan-Meier
      methods and multivariable Cox regression models. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients
      were included in the study: 38 (19 %) patients with pCR and 167 patients (81 %)
      with iPR. The two groups were similar with respect to clinical stage, age,
      gender, comorbid conditions, ECOG status, smoking, and alcohol use. Patients in
      the pCR group had a higher percentage of tumors located in middle third of
      esophagus (11 vs. 2 %, p = 0.04) while tumor grade was similar in both groups.
      Median follow-up was 50 months, range 2-109 months. The 3-year overall (OS) and
      recurrence-free survival (RFS) for iPR was 48 and 39 %, respectively, vs. 86 and
      80 % for pCR group, respectively. CONCLUSION: This analysis of a cohort of
      homogeneous patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma undergoing multimodality
      therapy showed that pCR is an independent predictor of improved RFS and OS. This
      data contributes to a growing body of evidence highlighting the benefits of
      neoadjuvant therapy specific to esophageal adenocarcinoma particularly when pCR
      is achieved.

PMID- 27260526
TI  - Choledochal Cyst Disease in a Western Center: A 30-Year Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report a Western experience in the
      diagnosis and management of choledochal cyst disease. RESULTS: Sixty-seven
      patients were identified including 15 children and 52 adults; 76.1 % were
      females. The median age at diagnosis was 3 [inter-quartile range (IQR) = 6.0-0.7]
      years for children, and 46 [IQR = 55.6-34.3] years for adults. Forty-eight
      patients (72 %) were symptomatic. Types of choledochal cyst included: I (n = 49,
      73.1 %), II (n = 1, 1.5 %), IV (n = 9, 13.4 %), and V (n = 8, 12 %). The median
      diameter of the type I choledochal cyst was 35 [IQR = 47-25] mm. All 48 patients
      underwent excision of cyst with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, and eight
      underwent resection with hepaticoduodenostomy. Six patients underwent liver
      resection, and five patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation.
      Malignancy was concomitant in five adult patients, being identified on
      preoperative imaging in three cases; and atypia was seen in three additional
      patients. Early morbidity included Clavien-Dindo classification grades III (n =
      7) and II (n = 5), while long-term complications consisted of Clavien-Dindo
      grades V (n = 5), IV (n = 2), III (n = 18), and II (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS:
      Presentation and management of choledochal cyst is varied. Malignant
      transformation is often detected incidentally, and so should be the driving
      source for resection when a choledochal cyst is diagnosed.

PMID- 27260527
TI  - Quality Sleep Is Associated With Overnight Metabolic Rate in Healthy Older
      Adults.
AB  - Background : Increasing age is associated with an increase in overnight metabolic
      rate. Objective : To determine the relationship between quality sleep, sleep
      efficiency, and overnight metabolic rate as measured in a respiration chamber in
      older participants. Methods : The study design was cross sectional. Forty
      participants, aged 50 to 83 years (17 males, age 63+/-7 years, body mass index
      25.7+/-2.3kg/m2) spent one night in a respiration chamber to measure sleep stages
      by polysomnography and overnight metabolic rate (OMR). Data were collected
      between 23:00 and 07:00. Subsequently basal metabolic rate (BMR) was measured
      under a ventilated hood. Quality sleep was calculated as time spent in rapid-eye
      movement (REM) sleep and slow wave sleep divided by total sleep time, and sleep
      efficiency was calculated as total sleep time divided by the sleep period time.
      Body movement was measured between 23:00 and 07:00 with an accelerometer on the
      wrist. Overnight metabolic rate was adjusted for body size by dividing by basal
      metabolic rate (OMR/BMR). Results : OMR/BMR was positively associated with age (r
      = 0.48, p < .001), and quality sleep was negatively associated with age (r = 
      0.51, p < .001). The variance of OMR/BMR was significantly explained by quality
      sleep (r = -0.58, p < 0.001). Body movement was negatively related to sleep
      efficiency (r = -0.38, p<0.01) with no effect on OMR/BMR. When OMR/BMR was
      adjusted for quality sleep, the effect of age was non significant. Conclusion :
      Quality sleep is inversely associated with the age-related rise in overnight
      metabolic rate, suggesting that increased overnight metabolic rate is a
      biological sign of ageing as a consequence of diminished quality sleep.

PMID- 27260529
TI  - Trace metal distributions in the sediments of the Little Akaki River, Addis
      Ababa, Ethiopia.
AB  - The levels and distribution of trace metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb)
      at eleven water and sediment stations on the Little Akaki River (LAR) in Addis
      Ababa, Ethiopia, were determined. The binding forms of the metals in various
      geochemical fractions of the sediments were also quantified. The molar ratio of
      the sum of the simultaneously extractable metals (?SEM) and acid-volatile
      sulphide (AVS)-as a measure for predicting metal-induced toxicity-was estimated.
      LAR trace levels in water for Cu, Zn, and, particularly Mn were, in most
      instances, higher than the recommended guidelines for healthy aquatic ecosystems.
      Total trace metal (TTM) contents in the LAR sediments at certain stations
      exceeded "threshold effect concentrations" and even "probable effect
      concentrations", especially in the cases of Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, and at all stations
      for Mn. This became more apparent after applying "normalizations" to the
      relatively lower TTM adsorption capacities of coarse-grained, organic-poor
      sediments. Sequential extraction of the sediments showed that trace metals
      generally have a higher affinity for Fe-Mn oxide and organic matter/sulphidic
      fractions, followed by the residual fraction. Mn was relatively strongly bound to
      the exchangeable, carbonate bound fractions, whereas a large proportion of Cr was
      found in the residual fraction. The Sigma[SEM]/[AVS] ratio pointed to potential
      metal-induced toxicity of sediments collected from seven out of the eleven
      stations. The results indicate that trace metal pollution pose risks to the
      health of ecosystems, and to human communities that use the river for a range of
      different purposes. 

PMID- 27260528
TI  - Multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from indoor air of an urban wastewater
      treatment plant.
AB  - Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been recognized as sources of
      bioaerosols that may act as vehicles for dissemination of pathogens and multidrug
      resistant (MDR) bacteria. The occurrence of MDR Enterobacteriaceae in indoor air
      of an urban WWTP was investigated. A possible airborne contamination with
      extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing
      Enterobacteriaceae was also explored. Fourteen of 39 Enterobacteriaceae isolates
      were MDR. These isolates were found at all sampling sites, mainly at the
      secondary sedimentation settings. The highest levels of resistance were detected
      in three different species: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, and
      Citrobacter freundii. Furthermore, one of the airborne E. coli isolates was
      phenotypically characterized as an ESBL producer. Additionally, five isolates
      showed non-susceptibility to at least one carbapenem tested. The presence of
      genes encoding relevant beta-lactamase types in these ESBL-producing and
      carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates was investigated by PCR. Results
      showed amplification for bla CTX-M and bla OXA. These findings are relevant both
      in terms of occupational/public health and of environmental dissemination of MDR
      bacteria. 

PMID- 27260531
TI  - Erratum to: 'Neutrophil CD64 expression as a diagnostic marker for sepsis in
      adult patients: a meta-analysis'.

PMID- 27260530
TI  - Selective withdrawal optimization in river-reservoir systems; trade-offs between
      maximum allowable receiving waste load and water quality criteria enhancement.
AB  - In this paper, a new systematic approach is designed to maximize the demand
      coverage and receiving waste load by river-reservoir systems while enhancing
      water quality criteria. The approach intends to control the reservoir
      eutrophication while developing a trade-off between the maximum receiving load
      and shortage on demand coverage. To simulate the system, a hybrid process-based
      and data-driven model is tailored. Initially, the two-dimensional hydrodynamics
      and water quality simulation model (CE-QUAL-W2) is linked with an effective
      single and/or multiple optimization algorithms (PSO) to evaluate the proposed
      scenarios. To increase the computational efficiencies, the simulation model is
      substituted with a surrogate model (ANN) in an adaptive-dynamically refined
      routine. The proposed method is illustrated by a case study in Iran, namely,
      Karkheh River Reservoir, for 180-monthly periods. The results showed the
      applicability of the methodology especially to solve high-dimensional multi
      period complex water resource optimization problems. Also, the results
      demonstrated that eutrophication could be reduced under the optimal inflow
      phosphate control and reservoir operation, regulating the total phosphorous
      concentration in the reservoir. 

PMID- 27260532
TI  - Aluminum Trichloride Inhibits the Rat Osteoblasts Mineralization In Vitro.
AB  - Aluminum (Al) is an accumulative toxic metal. Excessive Al accumulation inhibits
      osteoblasts mineralization and induces osteoporosis. However, the inhibition
      mechanism of Al on the mineralization is not fully understood. Thus, in this
      study, the rat osteoblasts were cultured and exposed to 0 mmol L-1 (control
      group, CG) and 0.52 mmol L-1 aluminum trichloride (AlCl3, treatment group, TG)
      for 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. We found that mineralized matrix nodules,
      the activity of bone alkaline phosphatase, the concentration of extracellular
      calcium, the mRNA expression of type-I collagen, the mRNA and protein expressions
      of osteopontin, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein were all decreased, while the
      concentration of extracellular phosphorus was increased in TG compared with CG
      with time prolonged. Taken together, these results indicated that AlCl3 inhibited
      osteoblasts mineralization in vitro.

PMID- 27260533
TI  - Promotive Effect of Zinc Ions on the Vitality, Migration, and Osteogenic
      Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Cells.
AB  - Zinc is an essential trace element for proper cellular function and bone
      formation. However, its exact role in the osteogenic differentiation of human
      dental pulp cells (hDPCs) has not been fully clarified before. Here, we
      speculated that zinc may be effective to regulate their growth and osteogenic
      differentiation properties. To test this hypothesis, different concentrations (1
      * 10-5, 4 * 10-5, and 8 * 10-5 M) of zinc ions (Zn2+) were added to the basic
      growth culture medium and osteogenic inductive medium. Cell viability and
      migration were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell migration
      assay in the basic growth culture medium, respectively. The reverse transcription
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the gene
      expression levels of selective osteogenic differentiation markers and zinc
      transporters. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity analysis and alizarin red S
      staining were used to investigate the mineralization of hDPCs. Exposure of hDPCs
      to Zn2+ stimulated their viability and migration capacity in a dose- and time
      dependent manner. RT-qPCR assay revealed elevated expression levels of osteogenic
      differentiation-related genes and zinc transporters genes in various degrees. ALP
      activity was also increased with elevated Zn2+ concentrations and extended
      culture periods, but enhanced matrix nodules formation were observed only in 4 *
      10-5 and 8 * 10-5 M Zn2+ groups. These findings suggest that specific
      concentrations of Zn2+ could potentiate the vitality, migration, and osteogenic
      differentiation of hDPCs. We may combine optimum zinc element into pulp capping
      materials to improve their biological performance.

PMID- 27260534
TI  - Effect of Molybdenum Nanoparticles on Blood Cells, Liver Enzymes, and Sexual
      Hormones in Male Rats.
AB  - Despite an increasing surge in application of nanoparticles in industries, there
      is a serious lack of information concerning their impact on human health and the
      environment. The present study investigated effects of molybdenum nanoparticles
      (Mo NPs) injected intraperitoneally into Sprague-Dawley rats at different doses
      of Mo NPs (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg BW per day) during a period of 28 days.
      Hematological and biochemical parameters as well as sexual hormones and
      histopathological examinations of the liver and testis were assessed and compared
      with control group. The results showed that the serum levels of testosterone
      decreased significantly in both groups of 10 and 15 mg (Mo NPs)/kg BW in
      comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). However, there were insignificant
      differences observed in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and hematological
      parameters when compared with the control group (p > 0.05). The results of liver
      enzymes showed that serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) decreased
      significantly in both dosage groups of 5 and 10 mg/kg BW (Mo NPs) when compared
      with the control group (p < 0.05), and significant decrease obtained in lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH) levels at dose of 5 mg/kg BW in comparison with the control
      group (p < 0.05). The histopathological examination of testis showed a decrease
      in number of Leydig cells. Also, the number of chronic inflammatory cells
      increased in portal triad and parenchyma in liver tissue of rats exposed to Mo
      NPs.

PMID- 27260535
TI  - Facial flat warts in a young patient with a previous trauma: an example of
      isotraumatopic response.

PMID- 27260536
TI  - Analysis of the coding-complete genomic sequence of groundnut ringspot virus
      suggests a common ancestor with tomato chlorotic spot virus.
AB  - Groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV) and tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV) share
      biological and serological properties, so their identification is carried out by
      molecular methods. Their genomes consist of three segmented RNAs: L, M and S. The
      finding of a reassortant between these two viruses may complicate correct virus
      identification and requires the characterization of the complete genome.
      Therefore, we present for the first time the complete sequences of all the genes
      encoded by a GRSV isolate. The high level of sequence similarity between GRSV and
      TCSV (over 90 % identity) observed in the genes and proteins encoded in the M RNA
      support previous results indicating that these viruses probably have a common
      ancestor. 

PMID- 27260547
TI  - Decreased baroreflex sensitivity is linked to the atherogenic index, retrograde
      inflammation, and oxidative stress in subclinical hypothyroidism.
AB  - : Purpose/aim of the study: The present study investigated the link of
      hyperlipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) to cardiovascular (CV)
      risks in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 81
      subclinical hypothyroid patients and 80 healthy subjects as control. Their CV and
      autonomic functions were assessed by spectral analysis of heart rate variability
      (HRV), continuous blood pressure variability (BPV) measurement and conventional
      autonomic function testing. Thyroid profile, lipid profile, immunological,
      inflammatory and OS markers were estimated and correlated with the baro-reflex
      sensitivity (BRS), the marker of sympathovagal imbalance (SVI) & CV risk.
      RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure (MAP, P<0.0001), total peripheral resistance
      (TPR, P<0.0001), ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power of HRV (LF-HF
      ratio) (P<0.0001) were significantly higher and BRS (P<0.0001) was significantly
      lower in SCH group than the control group. BRS significantly correlated with
      heart rate, MAP, LF-HF ratio, lipid risk factors, anti-thyroperoxidase antibody,
      thyroid-stimulating hormone, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP),
      malondialdehyde (MDA) and SCH. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that SVI is
      associated with SCH. Though dyslipidemia, inflammation and OS contributed to
      decreased BRS, SCH per se contributed maximally to it. Decreased BRS could be a
      physiological basis of increased CV risks in patients with SCH.

PMID- 27260548
TI  - Effects of Climate and Climate Change on Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases: Ticks
      Are Different.
AB  - There has been considerable debate as to whether global risk from vector-borne
      diseases will be impacted by climate change. This has focussed on important
      mosquito-borne diseases that are transmitted by the vectors from infected to
      uninfected humans. However, this debate has mostly ignored the biological
      diversity of vectors and vector-borne diseases. Here, we review how climate and
      climate change may impact those most divergent of arthropod disease vector
      groups: multivoltine insects and hard-bodied (ixodid) ticks. We contrast features
      of the life cycles and behaviour of these arthropods, and how weather, climate,
      and climate change may have very different impacts on the spatiotemporal
      occurrence and abundance of vectors, and the pathogens they transmit.

PMID- 27260549
TI  - Late postpartum HELLP syndrome over 10 days after delivery.

PMID- 27260550
TI  - The Orthopedic Literature 2015.

PMID- 27260551
TI  - Efficacy of loop diuretics in the management of undocumented patients with end
      stage renal disease.
AB  - An estimated 6000 patients who are undocumented immigrants have end-stage renal
      disease (ESRD) and routinely present to public safety-net hospitals for life
      saving emergent dialysis treatments. Because these patients lack a dialysis unit,
      they often do not have access to medication management consistently coordinated
      by a nephrologist, and this can result in more frequent emergency department (ED)
      utilization and cost of care. We hypothesized that patients who were taking loop
      diuretics had fewer ED visits for emergency dialysis. Loop diuretics can
      potentially take advantage of residual renal function and mitigate excess fluid
      gain that can induce heart failure and high potassium, the two most common
      indications for emergency dialysis. In our univariable analysis, patients on
      furosemide had 3.1 fewer ED visits on average compared with patients who are not
      on furosemide. After adjusting for vintage and serum potassium measures, the
      average number of ED visits was about 1.1 visits less in furosemide-treated
      patients compared with patients not receiving furosemide (95% confidence
      interval, -4.4 to 2.1). These results suggest that loop diuretics may have an
      important role in undocumented patients with ESRD with residual renal function.
      Further study to develop practical approaches to the care of undocumented
      patients with ESRD is greatly needed. 

PMID- 27260552
TI  - Shared decision making in the ED: ethical considerations.
AB  - The process of shared decision making (SDM) is an ethical imperative in the
      physician-patient relationship, especially in the emergency department (ED),
      where SDM can present unique challenges because patients and emergency physicians
      often have no established relationship and decisions about diagnosis, treatment,
      and disposition are time dependent. SDM should be guided by the ethical
      principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice and the related
      principle of stewardship of finite resources. The objective of this article is to
      outline the ethical considerations of SDM in the ED in the context of diagnostic
      evaluations, therapeutic interventions, disposition decisions, and conflict
      resolution and to explore strategies for reaching decision consensus. Several
      cases are presented to highlight the ethical principles in SDM in the ED. SDM is
      an important approach to diagnostic testing in the ED. Achieving agreement
      regarding diagnostic evaluations requires a balance of respect for patient
      autonomy and stewardship of resources. SDM regarding ED therapeutic interventions
      is an important component of the balance of respect for patient autonomy and
      beneficence. While respecting patient autonomy, emergency physicians also
      recognize the importance of the application of professional judgment to achieve
      the best possible outcome for patients. SDM as an ethical imperative in the
      context of ED disposition is especially important because of the frequent
      ambiguity of equipoise in these situations. Unique clinical situations such as
      pediatric patients or patients who lack decisional capacity merit special
      consideration. 

PMID- 27260553
TI  - Survival after profound acidosis and rhabdomyolysis due to dietary supplement
      use.

PMID- 27260554
TI  - Posttraumatic retroclival subarachnoid hemorrhage: what to do in an emergency?

PMID- 27260555
TI  - Emergent radiation therapy as definite airway management for dyspnea with
      mediastinal mass.

PMID- 27260556
TI  - Fresh frozen plasma is permissive for systemic inflammatory response syndrome,
      infection, and sepsis in multiple-injured patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The correction of coagulopathy with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is one
      of the main issues in the treatment of multiple-injured patients. Infectious and
      septic complications contribute to an adverse outcome in multiple-injured
      patients. Here, we investigated the role of FFP in the development of
      inflammatory complications given within the first 48 hours. METHODS: A total of
      2033 patients with multiple injuries and an Injury Severity Score greater than 16
      points and aged 16 years or older were included. The population was subdivided
      into 2 groups: those who received FFP and those who did not. The data were
      analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Associations between the data were tested using
      Pearson correlation. Independent predictivity was analyzed by binary logistic
      regression and multivariate regression. Data were considered as significant if
      P<.05. RESULTS: The prothrombin time at admission was significantly lower
      (68.5%+/-23.3% vs 81.8%+/-21.0% normal; P<.001) in the group receiving FFP. The
      application of FFP led to a more severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome
      (SIRS) grade (3.0+/-1.2 vs 2.2+/-1.4; P<.001), to a higher infection rate (48% vs
      28%; P<.001), and to a higher sepsis rate (29% vs 13%; P<.001) in the patients
      receiving FFP. The correlations between SIRS and the incidence of infections and
      sepsis increased with the amount of FFP applied (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment
      with FFP of bleeding patients with multiple injuries enhances the risk of SIRS,
      infection, and sepsis; however, a multifactorial genesis has to be postulated.

PMID- 27260557
TI  - Assessment of the LifeVac, an anti-choking device, on a human cadaver with
      complete airway obstruction.

PMID- 27260558
TI  - Retroorbital optic nerve cysticercosis.

PMID- 27260559
TI  - Noninvasive Failure Load Prediction of Vertebrae with Simulated Lytic Defects and
      Biomaterial Augmentation.
AB  - The spine is the most common site for secondary bone metastases, and clinical
      management for fractures is based on size and geometry of the defect. About 75%
      of the bone needs to be damaged before lesions are detectable, so clinical tools
      should measure changes in both geometry and material properties. We have
      developed an automated, user-friendly, Spine Cancer Assessment (SCA) image-based
      analysis method that builds on a platform designed for clinical practice
      providing failure characteristics of vertebrae. The objectives of this study were
      to (1) validate SCA predictions with experimental failure load outcomes; (2)
      evaluate the planning capabilities for prophylactic vertebroplasty procedures;
      and (3) investigate the effect of computed tomography (CT) protocols on predicted
      failure loads. Twenty-one vertebrae were randomly divided into two groups: (1)
      simulated defect without treatment (negative control) [n = 9] and (2) with
      treatment [n = 12]. Defects were created and a polymeric biomaterial was injected
      into the vertebrae in the treated-defect group. Spines were scanned,
      reconstructed with two algorithms, and analyzed for fracture loads. To virtually
      plan for prophylactic intervention, vertebrae with empty lesions were simulated
      to be augmented with either poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or a novel bone
      replacement copolymer, poly(propylene fumarate-co-caprolactone) [P(PF-co-CL)].
      Axial rigidities were calculated from the CT images. Failure loads, determined
      from the cross section with the lowest axial rigidity, were compared with
      experimental values. Predicted loads correlated well with experimental outcomes
      (R(2) = 0.73, p < 0.0001). Predictions from negative control specimens highly
      correlated with measured values (R(2) = 0.90, p < 0.0001). Although a similar
      correlation was obtained using both algorithms, the smooth reconstruction (B30)
      tended to underestimate predicted failure loads by ~50% compared with the ~10%
      underestimate of the sharp reconstruction (B70). Percent increase in failure
      loads after virtual vertebroplasty showed a higher increase in samples with PMMA
      compared with those with copolymer. The SCA method developed in this study
      calculated failure loads from quantitative computed tomography scans in vertebrae
      with simulated metastatic lytic defects, with or without treatment, facilitating
      clinical applicability and providing more reliable guidelines for physicians to
      select appropriate treatment options. Furthermore, the analysis could accommodate
      augmentation planning procedures that aimed to determine the optimum material
      that would increase vertebral body failure load.

PMID- 27260560
TI  - Early pregnancy thyroid hormone reference ranges in Chilean women: the influence
      of body mass index.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Thyroid dysfunction and obesity during pregnancy have been associated
      with negative neonatal and obstetric outcomes. Thyroid hormone reference ranges
      have not been established for the pregnant Hispanic population. This study
      defines thyroid hormone reference ranges during early pregnancy in Chilean women
      and evaluates associations of body mass index (BMI) with thyroid function.
      DESIGN, PATIENTS, MEASUREMENTS: This is a prospective observational study of 720
      healthy Chilean women attending their first prenatal consultation at an
      outpatient clinic. Thyroid function [TSH, Free T4, Total T4 and antithyroid
      peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb)] and BMI were assessed at 8.8 +/- 2.4 weeks of
      gestational age. RESULTS: Median, 2.5th percentile (p2.5), and 97.5th percentile
      (p97.5) TSH values were higher, while median, p2.5, and p97.5 free T4 values were
      lower in obese patients compared with normal weight patients. Obesity was
      associated with a median TSH 16% higher (P = 0.035) and a median free T4 6.5%
      lower (P < 0.01) than values from patients with normal weight. BMI had a small,
      but statistically significant effect on TSH (P = 0.04) and free T4 (P < 0.01)
      when adjusted by maternal age, TPO antibodies, parity, sex of the newborn,
      gestational age and smoking. In all TPOAb (-) patients, median (p2.5-p.97.5) TSH
      was 1.96 mIU/l (0.11-5.96 mIU/l) and median (p2.5-p.97.5) free T4 was 14.54
      pmol/l (11.1 - 19.02 pmol/l). Applying these reference limits, we found a
      prevalence of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism of 0.9% and 3.05%
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TSH distributes at higher values and free T4 at lower
      values in obese pregnant women compared to normal weight pregnant women. Thyroid
      hormone reference ranges derived from Chilean patients with negative TPOAb are
      different from the fixed internationally proposed reference ranges and may be
      used in the Hispanic population.

PMID- 27260562
TI  - Single-Fraction Spine Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of
      Chordoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Chordoma is a radioresistant tumor that presents a therapeutic challenge
      with spine involvement, as high doses of radiation are needed for local control
      while limiting dose to the spinal cord. The purpose of this study is to determine
      the efficacy and safety of single-fraction spine stereotactic body radiation
      therapy for the treatment of spine chordoma. METHODS: A retrospective review of
      our institutional database from 2006 to 2013 identified 8 patients (12 cases)
      with chordoma of the spine who were treated with spine stereotactic body
      radiation therapy. Surgical resection was performed in 7 of the 12 cases. The
      treatment volume was defined by the bony vertebral level of the tumor along with
      soft tissue extension appreciated on magnetic resonance imaging fusion. Medical
      records and imaging were assessed for pain relief and local control. Treatment
      toxicity was evaluated using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events
      version 4.0. RESULTS: Median age was 59 years (range, 17-91). Median target
      volume was 48 cm3 (1-304), and median prescription dose was 16 Gy (11-16). Median
      conformality index was 1.44 (1.14-3.21), and homogeneity index was 1.12 (1.05
      1.19). With a median follow-up time of 9.7 months (.5-84), local control was
      achieved in 75% of the cases treated. One patient developed limited grade 2
      spinal cord myelopathy that resolved with steroids. There were no other treatment
      toxicities from spine stereotactic body radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: Single
      fraction spine stereotactic body radiation therapy can be safely delivered to
      treat chordoma of the spine with the potential to improve pain symptoms. Although
      the early data are suggestive, long-term follow-up with more patients is
      necessary to determine the efficacy of spine stereotactic body radiation therapy
      in the treatment of chordoma of the spine.

PMID- 27260563
TI  - US seeks to reduce sodium consumption by one third.

PMID- 27260565
TI  - The Creation of a Pediatric Hospital Medicine Dashboard: Performance Assessment
      for Improvement.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Leaders of pediatric hospital medicine (PHM)
      recommended a clinical dashboard to monitor clinical practice and make
      improvements. To date, however, no programs report implementing a dashboard
      including the proposed broad range of metrics across multiple sites. We sought to
      (1) develop and populate a clinical dashboard to demonstrate productivity,
      quality, group sustainability, and value added for an academic division of PHM
      across 4 inpatient sites; (2) share dashboard data with division members and
      administrations to improve performance and guide program development; and (3)
      revise the dashboard to optimize its utility. METHODS: Division members proposed
      a dashboard based on PHM recommendations. We assessed feasibility of data
      collection and defined and modified metrics to enable collection of comparable
      data across sites. We gathered data and shared the results with division members
      and administrations. RESULTS: We collected quarterly and annual data from October
      2011 to September 2013. We found comparable metrics across all sites for
      descriptive, productivity, group sustainability, and value-added domains; only
      72% of all quality metrics were tracked in a comparable fashion. After sharing
      the data, we saw increased timeliness of nursery discharges and an increase in
      hospital committee participation and grant funding. CONCLUSIONS: PHM dashboards
      have the potential to guide program development, mobilize faculty to improve
      care, and demonstrate program value to stakeholders. Dashboard implementation at
      other institutions and data sharing across sites may help to better define and
      strengthen the field of PHM by creating benchmarks and help improve the quality
      of pediatric hospital care.

PMID- 27260566
TI  - Small female rib cage fracture in frontal sled tests.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The 2 objectives of this study are to (1) examine the rib and sternal
      fractures sustained by small stature elderly females in simulated frontal crashes
      and (2) determine how the findings are characterized by prior knowledge and field
      data. METHODS: A test series was conducted to evaluate the response of 5 elderly
      (average age 76 years) female postmortem human subjects (PMHS), similar in mass
      and size to a 5th percentile female, in 30 km/h frontal sled tests. The subjects
      were restrained on a rigid planar seat by bilateral rigid knee bolsters, pelvic
      blocks, and a custom force-limited 3-point shoulder and lap belt. Posttest
      subject injury assessment included identifying rib cage fractures by means of a
      radiologist read of a posttest computed tomography (CT) and an autopsy. The data
      from a motion capture camera system were processed to provide chest deflection,
      defined as the movement of the sternum relative to the spine at the level of T8. 
      A complementary field data investigation involved querying the NASS-CDS database
      over the years 1997-2012. The targeted cases involved belted front seat small
      female passenger vehicle occupants over 40 years old who were injured in 25 to 35
      km/h delta-V frontal crashes (11 to 1 o'clock). RESULTS: Peak upper shoulder belt
      tension averaged 1,970 N (SD = 140 N) in the sled tests. For all subjects, the
      peak x-axis deflection was recorded at the sternum with an average of -44.5 mm or
      25% of chest depth. The thoracic injury severity based on the number and
      distribution of rib fractures yielded 4 subjects coded as Abbreviated Injury
      Scale (AIS) 3 (serious) and one as AIS 5 (critical). The NASS-CDS field data
      investigation of small females identified 205 occupants who met the search
      criteria. Rib fractures were reported for 2.7% of the female occupants.
      CONCLUSIONS: The small elderly test subjects sustained a higher number of rib
      cage fractures than expected in what was intended to be a minimally injurious
      frontal crash test condition. Neither field studies nor prior laboratory frontal
      sled tests conducted with 50th percentile male PMHS predicted the injury severity
      observed. Although this was a limited study, the results justify further
      exploration of the risk of rib cage injury for small elderly female occupants.

PMID- 27260561
TI  - Energetic interventions for healthspan and resiliency with aging.
AB  - Several behavioral and pharmacological strategies improve longevity, which is
      indicative of delayed organismal aging, with the most effective interventions
      extending both life- and healthspan. In free living creatures, maintaining health
      and function into old age requires resilience against a multitude of stressors.
      Conversely, in experimental settings, conventional housing of rodents limits
      exposure to such challenges, thereby obscuring an accurate assessment of
      resilience. Caloric restriction (CR) and exercise, as well as pharmacologic
      strategies (resveratrol, rapamycin, metformin, senolytics), are well established
      to improve indices of health and aging, but some paradoxical effects have been
      observed on resilience. For instance, CR potently retards the onset of age
      related diseases, and improves lifespan to a greater extent than exercise in a
      variety of models. However, exercise has proven more consistently beneficial to
      organismal resilience against a broad array of stressors, including infections,
      surgery, wound healing and frailty. CR can improve cellular stress defenses and
      protect from frailty, but also impairs the response to infections, bed rest and
      healing. How an intervention will impact not only longevity, health and function,
      but also resiliency, is critical to better understanding translational
      implications. Thus, organismal robustness represents a critical, albeit
      understudied aspect of aging, which needs more careful attention in order to
      better inform on how putative age-delaying strategies will impact preservation of
      health and function in response to stressors with aging in humans.

PMID- 27260567
TI  - Seroprevalence of Leishmania infection and molecular detection of Leishmania
      tropica and Leishmania infantum in stray cats of Izmir, Turkey.
AB  - Leishmaniasis caused by more than 20 species of genus Leishmania is transmitted
      by the bite of infected phlebotomine sand flies. The studies on Leishmania
      infection in cats is very few in Turkey and therefore we aimed to screen stray
      cats living in city of Izmir located in western Turkey using nested PCR targeting
      kinetoplast DNA and serological techniques (ELISA and IFA). Leishmania DNA
      positive samples were also studied by ITS1 real time PCR. Whole blood and serum
      samples were obtained from stray cats (n: 1101) living in different counties of
      Izmir. In serological assays, a serum sample was considered positive in 1:40
      dilution in IFA and for ELISA a serum sample was accepted positive when the
      absorbance value (AV) exceeded the mean AV + Standard Deviation (SD) of the
      negative control serum samples. According to the results, the seropositivity
      rates were 10.8% (119/1101) and 15.2% (167/1101) by in house ELISA and IFA,
      respectively. Among serology coherent samples, the seropositivity rate was 11.1%
      (116/1047) as detected by both assays after discordant samples (n: 54) were
      discarded. Of the 1101 stray cats, six (0.54%) were positive by nested PCR while
      only one of these six samples was positive by ITS1 real time PCR. During PCR,
      three controls designated as Leishmania infantum, Leishmania tropica, and
      Leishmania major were used for species identification. According to nested PCR
      results, L. tropica was identified in two cats (no.76 and 95). In another cat
      (no. 269), there were two bands in which one of them was well-matched with L.
      infantum and the other band had ~850 bp size which does not match with any
      controls. Remaining three cats (no. 86, 514, and 622) also had the ~850 bp
      atypical band size. ITS1 real time PCR detected L. tropica in only one cat (no.
      622) which showed an atypical band size in nested PCR. These results indicated
      that three cats with only one atypical band (no. 86, 514, and 622) and the cat
      with mixed infection (no. 269) were infected with L. tropica. Altogether, L.
      tropica was detected in all six DNA positive cats and L. infantum was detected in
      one cat with mixed infection. In conclusion, although the reservoir role of cats
      in nature is still unclear the high seroprevalence rate against Leishmania
      parasites and detecting parasite DNA in stray cats in Izmir indicates that the
      stray cats are frequently bitten by infected sand flies. Further research
      activities are required to reveal the frequency of leishmaniasis in cats in
      different regions of Turkey where Leishmania species are endemic. 

PMID- 27260568
TI  - Ethnobotanical knowledge on botanical repellents employed in the African region
      against mosquito vectors - A review.
AB  - Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) represent a huge threat for millions of humans
      and animals worldwide, since they act as vectors for important parasites and
      pathogens, including malaria, filariasis and important arboviruses, such as
      dengue, West Nile and Zika virus. No vaccines or other specific treatments are
      available against the arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes, and avoidance of
      mosquito bites remains the best strategy. African regions are usually hit most
      whose inhabitants are poor, and the use of repellent plants is the only efficient
      protection against vectors they have. Ethnobotanical knowledge of such plants and
      their use is usually passed on orally from one generation to another. However, it
      is also important to preserve this information in a written form, as well.
      Ethnobotanical research projects carried out in the regions of today's Ethiopia,
      South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania indicate that the native inhabitants
      of the African study regions traditionally use 64 plant species, belonging to 30
      families. Aromatic plants (i.e., Citrus spp., Eucalyptus spp., Lantana camara,
      Ocimum spp. and Lippia javanica) the most commonly used in all the study regions.
      Native people know three major methods of using repellent plants: (i) production
      of repellent smoke from burning plants, (ii) hanging plants inside the house or
      sprinkling leaves on the floor, (iii) the use of plant oils, juices from crushed
      fresh parts of the plants, or various prepared extracts applied on uncovered body
      parts. Overall, this review covers studies conducted only in a limited part of
      the African continent, highlighting the importance to undertake further research
      efforts to preserve the unique knowledge and traditions of the native tribes. 

PMID- 27260569
TI  - Ankyloglossia superior syndrome: Case report and updated literature review.
AB  - Ankyloglossia superior (palatoglossal adhesion) is an extremely rare congenital
      condition with only 14 previously reported cases. When found in conjunction with
      other congenital abnormalities, such as cleft palate, gastrointestinal
      malformations, and limb malformations, this anomaly is considered part of
      ankyloglossia superior syndrome. We present a case of a newborn female found to
      have ankyloglossia superior syndrome. Surgical repair is also described. We
      review the available literature and discuss theories regarding the etiology of
      ankyloglossia superior syndrome. Clinicians should have a high degree of
      suspicion for other congenital anomalies when a neonate is found to have
      ankyloglossia superior. 

PMID- 27260570
TI  - Swallowing dynamics status post caustic ingestion in a pediatric patient: A
      multidisciplinary case report.
AB  - A case report of a 10 year old male illustrates the effect of damage to the
      tongue base, hypopharynx, cricopharyngeus, and esophagus on the sensory and motor
      components of the swallowing mechanism. The characteristics of the dysphagia were
      manifested clinically, radiographically, and endoscopically. A myectomy was
      required to restore functional swallowing as scar tissue formation in the
      cricopharyngeus severely interfered with the dynamic components of swallowing. A
      collaborative approach facilitated communication and effective treatment
      planning; the multidisciplinary components in the management of this case are
      discussed. 

PMID- 27260571
TI  - The effects of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol succinate on cisplatin-induced
      ototoxicity in HEI-OC1 auditory cells.
AB  - CONCLUSION: D-alpha-tocopherol succinate significantly reduced a cisplatin
      induced hair cell loss in HEI-OC1 cell lines. These effects were mediated by its
      scavenging activity against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibition of
      apoptosis. OBJECTIVES: Alpha-tocopherol is a class of methylated phenols, known
      as fat-soluble antioxidants, and is a different form of vitamin E, which reduces
      free radicals and acts as an antioxidant. We hypothesized that the antioxidative
      effect of alpha-tocopherol could protect against cisplastin-induced cytotoxicity,
      and thus evaluated its effects on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in HEI-OC1
      auditory cells. METHODS: HEI-OC1 cells were pretreated with D-alpha-tocopherol
      succinate at a concentration of 10 uM for 24 h, and then exposed to 15 uM
      cisplatin for 48 h. The cellular viability was measured by using the 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The
      intracellular ROS level was measured by using a fluorescent dye, 2',7'
      dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Both Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide
      (PI) staining were performed to analyze the pattern of apoptosis. The enzymatic
      activity of caspase-3 was assayed with caspase3/CPP32 fluorometric assay kit.
      Also, it was assessed by immunoblotting technique of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase
      (PARP). RESULTS: Pretreatment with 10 uM D-alpha-tocopherol succinate protected
      HEI-OC1 auditory cells against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. D-alpha-tocopherol
      succinate significantly reduced the cisplatin-induced increase in ROS. D-alpha
      tocopherol succinate treatment induced a 15% reduction of ROS and 50% decrease in
      necrosis and late apoptosis as compared to cisplatin treatment. D-alpha
      tocopherol succinate also decreased the activation of caspase-3 and reduced
      levels of cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP).

PMID- 27260572
TI  - Residual volume in the cuff of the endotracheal tube when the pilot balloon is
      torn off instead of deflated using a syringe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been a shift in airway management with the
      use of cuffed endotracheal tubes (ETT) in pediatric patients. While the use of a
      syringe to deflate the cuff is generally recommended, anecdotal observations
      suggest that some healthcare practitioners tear off the pilot balloon from ETT to
      deflate the cuff. This study was conducted to estimate the residual volume in the
      cuff when the pilot balloon is torn off for deflation. METHOD: The in vitro study
      was conducted in three phases. In phases 1 and 2, various sized cuffed ETTs (3.0,
      4.0, and 5.0 mm) were inflated to achieve an intracuff pressure of 20-30 cmH2O in
      open atmosphere (phase 1) or inside a tube to simulate external pressure from the
      tracheal wall (phase 2). The pilot balloons were ripped off and the residual
      volume in the cuff was measured. The process was repeated using 10 ETTs of each
      of the 3 sizes. In phase 3, the same process was repeated using ten, size 7.0
      cuffed ETTs inflated in an intubating mannequin. RESULTS: In phase 1, the
      percentage of the remaining residual volume was 60.7, 72.8, and 69.5% in 3.0,
      4.0, and 5.0 mm ETTs respectively. Although the percentage of residual volume in
      phases 2 and 3 was less than phase 1, the residual volume in phases 2 and 3 still
      averaged approximately 60-70% of the volume required for cuff inflation. In one
      case, the pilot balloon tube was completely occluded and the residual volume in
      the cuff could not be expelled even with external pressure. CONCLUSION: Since
      significant percentage of the volume remained in the cuff after tearing off the
      pilot balloon tube with one being completely occluded, we would not recommend
      this method for cuff deflation.

PMID- 27260573
TI  - Doxycycline: A sclerosant agent to treat a case of recurrent thyroglossal duct
      cyst.
AB  - Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is one of the most common congenital anterior
      midline neck masses in children. Sistrunk operation is considered as the
      cornerstone in TGDC removal. Nevertheless, 5% to 7 % of patients have been
      reported to show a recurrence even after adequate resection. This necessitates at
      times multiple resections with potential complications. One interesting emerging
      technique is sclerotherapy of TGDC remnants post resection. We present here a
      case of a child who had a successfully treated recurrent TGDC using sclerotherapy
      with doxycycline. 

PMID- 27260574
TI  - Cognitive functions in preschool children with specific language impairment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A growing body of research has focused on executive functions in
      children with specific language impairment (SLI). However, results show limited
      convergence, particularly in preschool age. The current neuropsychological study
      compared performance of cognitive functions focused on executive components and
      working memory in preschool children with SLI to typically developing controls.
      METHOD: Performance on the measures cognitive flexibility, inhibition, processing
      speed and phonological short-term memory was assessed. The monolingual, Caucasian
      study sample consisted of 30 children with SLI (Mage = 63.3 months, SD = 4.3
      months) and 30 healthy controls (Mage = 62.2 months, SD = 3.7 months). Groups
      were matched for age and nonverbal IQ. Socioeconomic status of the participating
      families was included. RESULTS: Children with SLI had significantly poorer
      abilities of phonological short-term memory than matched controls. A tendency of
      poorer abilities in the SLI group was found for inhibition and processing speed.
      CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed phonological short-term memory to be a reliable marker
      of SLI in preschoolers. Our results do not give definite support for impaired
      executive function in SLI, possibly owing to limited sensitivity of test
      instruments in this age group. We argue for a standardization of executive
      function tests for research use.

PMID- 27260575
TI  - Mutations in eight small DFNB genes are not a frequent cause of non-syndromic
      hereditary hearing loss in Czech patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the contribution of eight small NSHL-AR (non-syndromic
      deafness, autosomal recessive) genes to hereditary hearing loss in Czech
      patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Unrelated Czech patients, adults and children,
      diagnosed with pre-lingual hereditary hearing loss with at least one similarly
      affected deaf sibling and with previously excluded mutations in the GJB2 gene
      were investigated by Sanger sequencing of the selected eight small NSHL-AR
      associated genes (CABP2 - 51 patients, CIB2 - 45 patients, PJVK/DFNB59 - 53
      patients, GJB3 - 46 patients, ILDR1 - 48 patients, LHFPL5 - 66 patients, LRTOMT -
      60 patients, TMIE - 64 patients). RESULTS: Mutations were detected in the LHFPL5
      (DFNB67) gene. The patient is heterozygote for two already described pathogenic
      variants (p.Tyr127Cys, p.Thr165Met). In five samples, five rare heterozygous
      variants (two novel) predicted as pathogenic were detected in genes CABP2, ILDR1,
      LHFPL5 and LRTOMT. CONCLUSION: Mutations in eight small NSHL-AR genes are not a
      frequent cause of hereditary hearing loss in the Czech Republic. This diagnostic
      approach permitted the clarification of HL in only one patient - two heterozygous
      mutations were detected in LHFPL5 gene for the first time in Central Europe. As
      the use of panel base MPS certainly improves the diagnostic yield, future studies
      should rather profit from that diagnostic strategy.

PMID- 27260576
TI  - Long-term outcomes of cruciate marsupialization of intra-nasal cysts in patients
      with congenital dacryocele.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of cruciate marsupialization of
      intranasal cysts associated with congenital dacryocele. METHODS: This is a
      retrospective review of 15 patients of dacryoceles with intranasal cysts who
      underwent cruciate marsupialization of the medial wall of the cyst. Post
      operative follow up for a minimum of 9 months was an inclusion criterion for
      analysis. Data analyzed include demographics, clinical presentations, previous
      interventions, associated systemic abnormalities, clinical course following
      marsupialization and recurrences. Primary outcome measures were resolution of the
      dacryocele and symptomatic relief from epiphora. RESULTS: The mean age at
      presentation was 1.6 months with a female preponderance (60%). History of
      prematurity (pre-term) was noted in 20% (3/15). Swelling in the lacrimal sac area
      (dacryocele) was the universal presentation. Five patients (33.3%) had a prior
      conservative treatment. Four patients (26.6%) had respiratory distress with
      feeding. Acute dacryocystitis was noted in 26.6% (4/15). At a mean follow up of
      19.1 months, successful outcomes were achieved in 86.6%. CONCLUSION: Cruciate
      marsupialization of intranasal cysts achieves good results in patients with
      congenital dacryocele, which are maintained over a long period of time. Early
      diagnosis and management may prevent acute dacryocystitis in these patients.

PMID- 27260577
TI  - Reliability of the reflux finding score for infants in flexible versus rigid
      laryngoscopy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Reflux Finding Score for Infants (RFS-I) was developed to assess
      signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in infants. With flexible laryngoscopy,
      moderate inter- and highly variable intraobserver reliability was found. We
      hypothesized that the use of rigid laryngoscopy would increase reliability and
      therefore evaluated the reliability of the RFS-I for flexible versus rigid
      laryngoscopy in infants. METHODS: We established a set of videos of consecutively
      performed flexible and rigid laryngoscopies in infants. The RFS-I was scored
      twice by 4 otorhinolaryngologists, 2 otorhinolaryngology fellows, and 2
      inexperienced observers. Cohen's and Fleiss' kappas (k) were calculated for
      categorical data and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated
      for ordinal data. RESULTS: The study set consisted of laryngoscopic videos of 30
      infants (median age 7.5 (0-19.8) months). Overall interobserver reliability of
      the RFS-I was moderate for both flexible (ICC = 0.60, 95% CI 0.44-0.76) and rigid
      (ICC = 0.42, 95% CI 0.26-0.62) laryngoscopy. There were no significant
      differences in reliability of overall RFS-I scores and individual RFS-I items for
      flexible versus rigid laryngoscopy. Intraobserver reliability of the total RFS-I
      score ranged from fair to excellent for both flexible (ICC = 0.33-0.93) and rigid
      (ICC = 0.39-0.86) laryngoscopies. Comparing RFS-I results for flexible versus
      rigid laryngoscopy per observer, reliability ranged from no to substantial (k = 
      0.16-0.63, mean k = 0.22), with an observed agreement of 0.08-0.35. CONCLUSION:
      Reliability of the RFS-I was moderate and did not differ between flexible and
      rigid laryngoscopies. The RFS-I is not suitable to detect signs or to guide
      treatment of LPR in infants, neither with flexible nor with rigid laryngoscopy.

PMID- 27260578
TI  - Overview of a public health approach to pediatric hearing impairment in the
      Pacific Islands.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood hearing impairment is a significant cause of disability in
      developing countries. Otitis media and meningitis are leading infectious causes
      of preventable hearing loss in children. It is estimated that the Pacific Islands
      have among the greatest global burden of childhood hearing impairment due to
      infectious causes, and yet there is currently very little in the research
      literature on pediatric hearing disorders in this region. OBJECTIVES: (1) To
      review existing research literature on pediatric hearing impairment in the
      Pacific Islands, and (2) to present a public health approach to the development
      and improvement of childhood hearing services in the Pacific Islands. DATA: The
      primary tool was a comprehensive literature review. MEDLINE and ScienceDirect
      databases were searched for relevant journal articles. There was no limit on the
      date of publication. Any article reporting on hearing impairment in the Pacific
      Region was included. RESULTS: A total of 23 journal articles were found that
      satisfied the above inclusion criteria. The limited information available in the
      literature suggests that otitis media and vaccine-preventable infections are a
      significant cause of avoidable childhood hearing impairment in the Pacific
      Islands. Pediatric audiology services are limited in this region. Further
      research is required to develop effective public health programs that should
      reduce the burden of preventable childhood hearing loss in the Pacific Islands.
      CONCLUSIONS: There is limited information in the research literature on pediatric
      hearing impairment and audiology services in the Pacific Islands. Epidemiological
      data based on the WHO Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol are urgently
      needed, and the development of audiology services within the existing public and
      primary health care framework should reduce the burden of preventable hearing
      loss in the Pacific Islands.

PMID- 27260579
TI  - The effect of mouth breathing on exercise induced fall in lung function in
      children with allergic asthma and rhinitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) represents a common feature of
      childhood asthma which is most commonly revealed during free running. On the
      other hand aerobic exercise shows significant beneficial effects in asthmatics
      especially on the reduction of the level of systemic inflammation and is
      recommended as part of its treatment. The aim of this study was to test how
      mandatory mouth breathing influences the exercise induced level of decrease in
      lung function according to the level of severity of allergic rhinitis (AR).
      METHODS: Free 6-minute running test preceded and followed by spirometry done with
      and without a nose clip a day apart was conducted in 55 children with moderate
      persistent asthma and AR. Children were divided into two groups according to the
      severity of nasal symptoms. RESULTS: There was a greater fall in forced
      expiratory volume in one second after exercise with a nose clip in children with
      less nasal symptoms than in children with more nasal symptoms (mean +/- SD; -5.28
      (7.91) vs. -0.08 (4.58), p = 0.0228) compared to testing without the nose clip
      (mean +/- SD; LNS, -1.31 +/- 3.89%, p = 0.2408; MNS, -1.47 +/- 3.68%, p =
      0.2883). CONCLUSION: Our results show that regular mouth breathing due to nasal
      congestion may lessen the degree of EIB in patients with persistent AR and
      allergic asthma.

PMID- 27260580
TI  - Asymptomatic Group A Streptococcus carriage in children with recurrent
      tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is the most important bacterial cause of
      acute tonsillitis in children. Some children are chronic GAS carriers, and this
      carriage is poorly understood. We determined the frequency of GAS detection using
      a rapid antigen detection test in pediatric patients with indications for
      tonsillectomy due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy or recurrent GAS infections.
      METHODS: Seventy-two patients underwent a tonsil swab for a rapid antigen
      detection test. RESULTS: The GAS rapid antigen detection test was positive in
      18.1% of children. GAS was not associated with sex, age or previous history of
      recurrent tonsillitis. Also, the prevalence of GAS was similar between patients
      with either recurrent tonsillitis or tonsil hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: In our
      study, the GAS carriage rate was similar to other reports, and GAS carrier state
      was not correlated with recurrent tonsillitis.

PMID- 27260581
TI  - Orbital complications associated with paranasal sinus infections - A 10-year
      experience in Israel.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Orbital involvement is the most common complication of sinus
      infections. The epidemiology of the disease is continuously changing in the
      antibiotic era. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on patients who were hospitalized due
      to acute sinusitis and orbital complications were retrospectively collected and
      analyzed from four medical centers in Israel during the years 2002-2012. RESULTS:
      288 patients were included in the study, the average age was 14.4 years, 180 were
      males, and 220 were children. No significant annual increase in the number of
      patients was noted. The lowest number of patients was found during the summer
      19.4%. A linear direct correlation was found between older age and prolonged
      hospital stay. Children were presented with a significantly higher Chandler score
      than adults. No patient had cavernous sinus thrombosis. 101 (35%) patients
      received antibiotics before hospital admission. Their average hospital stay was
      similar to those who were not treated prior to admission. 106 patients (39.8%)
      had fever. A direct correlation was found between older age and the presence of
      fever. 102 (35.4%) patients had leukocytosis. The difference in white blood cell
      count between patients younger than two years of age to the other groups was
      statistically significant. Forty four (15.3%) patients underwent surgical
      intervention. A direct correlation was found between leukocytosis and older age
      to surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Periorbital cellulitis occurs mainly in children and
      males and is less frequent in the summer. Children tend to have worse orbital
      involvement with lower temperatures than adults. Older age and leukocytosis are
      associated with surgical intervention.

PMID- 27260582
TI  - Diverse etiologies manifesting auditory neuropathy characteristics from infants
      with profound hearing loss and clinical implications.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a hearing disorder
      with impaired signal transmission from the inner ear to the brain. The
      electrophysiological characteristics of auditory neuropathy (AN characteristics)
      are marked with presence of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) or cochlear microphonics
      (CM) in the absence of auditory brainstem response (ABR). This study aimed to
      review etiologies related to AN characteristics from infants with profound
      hearing loss (HL), either unilaterally or bilaterally. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective
      cohort study for thirty infants with prelingual profound HL. METHODS: ABR, OAE,
      and/or CM were analyzed to identify electrophysiological characteristics.
      Temporal bone computed tomography and/or internal acoustic canal magnetic
      resonance imaging were reviewed to identify anatomical abnormalities. The
      electrophysiological characteristics and cochlear nerve status were analyzed
      according to the laterality of deafness (unilateral vs bilateral). RESULTS: Among
      the total 41 ears (from 30 infants) with profound HL, 13 ears (7 (36.8%) of 19
      ears with unilateral HL and 6 (27.3%) of 22 ears associated with bilateral HL)
      showed AN characteristics (37.1%), and 21 ears showed cochlear nerve deficiency
      (CND) (51.2%). AN characteristics was detected about two times more frequently in
      cases with CND (38.1%) than with anatomically normal cochlear nerve (20.0%), the
      difference not reaching a statistical significance probably due to a small sample
      size. Detection of AN characteristics did not differ between unilateral and
      bilateral profound HL, even though presence of CND was more frequently detected
      in cases with unilateral profound HL than with bilateral cases. There were at
      least five types of etiologies related to AN characteristics in 13 ears (from 10
      infants) in our series depending on the laterality of deafness and presence of
      CND. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that there were diverse etiologies
      related to AN characteristics from infants with unilateral or bilateral profound
      HL. Association between CND and AN characteristics is suggestive but not solid at
      this moment and AN characteristics is not a fully penetrant feature of CND.

PMID- 27260583
TI  - Diphtheria: It is still prevalent!!!
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diphtheria is a respiratory infectious disease of childhood. It is a
      fatal disease and may cause complications if not recognized early and treated
      properly. Despite availability of effective vaccination it continues to be
      reported from many parts of the world particularly developing countries.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess the demographic and clinical characteristics of diphtheria
      patients, and the predictors of outcomes of respiratory diphtheria. METHODS: A
      prospective analysis of 180 patients with a clinical diagnosis of respiratory
      diphtheria admitted from 2011 to 2014 at a tertiary referral hospital. They were
      evaluated with respect to demographic details, immunization status, clinical
      features, complications and outcomes. RESULTS: Most common age group affected was
      children less than 5 years of age (87 cases, 48.33%). The peak incidence of
      diphtheria was seen in the months of September and October (111 cases, 62%).
      Majority of the patients were unimmunized (54%), followed by partially immunized
      (21%). The most common complication was respiratory in 80 cases (44%), followed
      by cardiac complications in 54 cases (30%), and renal (16%) and neurological
      complications (10%). Cardiac complications were associated with the highest
      mortality rate (63%). The presence of bull neck and pseudomembrane score >2 was
      associated with a high mortality. CONCLUSION: Diphtheria is still a preventable
      public health problem in many developing countries. Improved vaccination
      coverage, including booster dosage, coupled with early detection and effective
      treatment, may all reduce incidence and mortality.

PMID- 27260584
TI  - Surgical correction of bifid nose.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the aesthetic outcome and functional aspect after
      surgical correction of bifid nose by combined Millard forked flap with external
      rhinoplasty BACKGROUND: Bifid nose is a rare congenital anomaly that results
      during facial development but the explicit mechanism is not clearly understood.
      Clinical findings are quite variable with a wide range of severity. Surgical
      correction still represents great challenge to facial plastic surgeons; extensive
      deformities in many cases, rarity of condition and paucity of publications are
      contributing factors. METHODS: Surgical correction of six patients with bifid
      nose by a combined Millard forked flap with external rhinoplasty RESULTS: The
      aesthetic and functional outcomes were acceptable for all patients and parents.
      There were no considerable postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: This
      approach is highly effective for various grades of bifid nose. Early management
      is preferable to avoid psychological morbidity. Secondary rhinoplasty is usually
      needed for cosmetic refinement.

PMID- 27260585
TI  - Case series of congenital heterotopic neuroglial tissue in the parapharyngeal
      space.
AB  - Cases of congenital heterotopic tissue presenting in the head and neck are
      frequent in the pediatric otolaryngology literature. Heterotopic glioneuronal
      tissue is rare and fewer than 20 cases of heterotopic glioneuronal tissue in the
      parapharyngeal space have been reported. We present two cases of infant children
      who were seen at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2013 with glioneuronal
      heterotopic masses in the parapharyngeal space. 

PMID- 27260586
TI  - Management of severe congenital laryngeal webs - a 12 year review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate respiratory and voice
      outcomes after open surgery for severe congenital laryngeal web. METHODS:
      Included were all patients treated for severe congenital glottic web (Cohen type
      3 and 4) between 2002 and 2014. Demographic data, symptoms, endoscopic findings,
      type of operation, outcome and complications were analyzed. Open surgery was
      performed with division of the web and enlargement of the subglottis by a
      laryngotracheal reconstruction or an extended partial cricotracheal resection.
      RESULTS: Fourteen patients were included. Information on the pre-operative voice
      was available in 11 patients. Aphonia was present in 6 patients (55%), dysphonia
      was severe in 1 (9%), moderate in 2 (18%) and mild in 2 (18%). Median age at
      operation was 19.3 months. As a first line treatment, laryngotracheal
      reconstruction was performed in 12 patients, and an extended partial
      cricotracheal resection in 2. Median follow-up was 9.5 months. All patients were
      successfully decannulated in a median time of 4 months after first surgery. Voice
      was improved in 10/11 (91%). Post-operatively, 3 patients (27%) had good voice.
      Dysphonia was severe in 2 (18%), moderate in 3 (27%) and mild in 3 patients
      (27%). CONCLUSION: Open surgery for Cohen type 3 and 4 glottic web allowed
      establishing a patent airway with successful decannulation in all cases. Quality
      of voice was improved in 91%, however, voice results were variable. In our
      opinion a delicate operative technique described in the paper is important for
      optimal voice results.

PMID- 27260587
TI  - Peri-implant bony overgrowth as a cause of revision surgery in auditory
      osseointegrated implantation.
AB  - Implantation of auditory osseointegrated implants, also known as bone-anchored
      hearing systems (BAHS), represents a surgical option for select pediatric
      patients aged 5 years or older with hearing loss. Functional indications in this
      patient population include conductive or mixed hearing loss. Common complications
      of implantation include skin infections, chronic skin irritation, hypertrophic
      skin overgrowth, and loose abutments. In a case series of 15 pediatric patients,
      we discovered an unexpectedly high skin-related complication rate requiring
      surgical revision of 53%. During revision surgery, we discovered 5 patients who
      exhibited significant bony overgrowth at the abutment site, a complication
      infrequently noted in past literature. 

PMID- 27260588
TI  - Castleman's disease: An unusually young presentation resulting in delayed
      diagnosis of a neck mass.
AB  - We present a case report of a two year old child with an enlarging neck mass over
      a two year period. Her work-up included blood investigations, radiological
      imaging and fine needle aspirations which were non-diagnostic. At age 4 she had
      excision of her neck mass and histopathologic examination revealed unicentric
      Castleman's disease. This is one of the youngest reported cases in the literature
      and highlights the need to include CD in the differential diagnosis of neck
      masses in young children. Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare disease of benign
      lymph node enlargement which most commonly occurs in adults. While the multi
      centric variant is associated with HIV and HHV-8 infection, the aetiology of
      unicentric disease remains uncertain. 

PMID- 27260590
TI  - Corrigendum to "Does passive smoking induce sensorineural hearing loss in
      children?" [Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 78 (1) (2014) 46-49].

PMID- 27260589
TI  - Which outcome measures are reported by clinical trials investigating OME
      treatment? A case for standardised reporting.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Many different OME treatment trials have been published using
      different outcomes measures to evaluate the success of particular interventions.
      We set out to identify the variation in reporting of outcome measures in OME
      trials that exists at present. This has been achieved by reviewing published
      trials to determine which outcome measures have been reported. METHOD: The
      literature review was carried out using PUBMED database (1980 to 2013). Data were
      collected on the treatment outcomes reported, with particular focus on the
      methods of assessment and the number of treatment outcomes used in each study.
      RESULTS: The 171 studies identified used 12 broad treatment outcome measures. The
      most common outcome measure was OME resolution (48%) followed by hearing level
      (36%). Only 95 studies used a single outcome measure, with 76 studies using
      between 2 and 4 outcome measures. The method of assessment varied between studies
      that used the same treatment outcome measures. CONCLUSION: OME treatment trials
      report a wide range of measures and comparison across studies is thus difficult.
      Establishing a core set of outcome measures to be reported by all trials in the
      future could be useful, and would allow comprehensive comparison of different
      studies and minimise potential for reporting bias.

PMID- 27260591
TI  - Quality of life in children with Robin Sequence.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Parents may play an important role during the management of
      children with Robin Sequence (RS). However, so far only one study has been done
      on both parent-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and obstructive
      sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms in children with RS. METHODS: Overall, 63 children
      with RS, aged 1 and 18, were included in this cross-sectional study. Fifty-three
      parents of children with RS with a median age of 8.9 [IQR 5.1-12.7] completed
      questionnaires on HRQoL (OSA-18) and symptoms of OSA (the Brouillette score) in
      their child with RS. Ten children between 12 and 18 years filled out the self
      reported HRQoL questionnaire OSA-12. RESULTS: At cross-section, 10 children still
      had respiratory problems. Overall, parents of children with RS reported a lower
      HRQoL in their child compared with parents in the general population. Parents of
      children with RS who still had respiratory problems, i.e. OSA or airway support,
      reported significantly worse OSA-18 scores compared with parents of RS children
      without OSA. Children with RS themselves (n = 10) reported less physical
      suffering and less emotional distress on the OSA-12 compared with children in the
      norm population. Parental perceptions of OSA-related symptoms were accurate,
      except for the incidence of snoring. In assessing snoring, the multidimensional
      OSA-18 sleep domain was more informative. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of children with
      RS reported a lower HRQoL in their child compared with parents in the general
      population. Parental perceptions of health and HRQoL in children with RS might
      have an additional value to recognize and treat respiratory problems.

PMID- 27260592
TI  - Speech characteristics after articulation therapy in children with cleft palate
      and velopharyngeal dysfunction - A single case experimental design.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of an intensive 10
      week course of articulation therapy on articulation errors in cleft lip and
      palate patients who have Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI), non-oral and passive
      cleft speech characteristics. METHODS: Five children with cleft palate (+/-cleft
      lip) with VPI and non-oral and passive cleft speech characteristics underwent 40
      intensive articulation therapies over 10 weeks in a single case experimental
      design. The percentage of non-oral CSCs (NCSCs), passive CSCs (PCSCs), stimulable
      consonants (SC), correct consonants in word imitation (CCI), and correct
      consonants in picture naming (CCN) were captured at baseline, during intervention
      and in follow up phases. Visual analysis and two effect size indexes of
      Percentage of Nonoverlapping Data and Percentage of Improvement Rate Difference
      were analyzed. RESULTS: Articulation therapy resulted in visible decrease in
      NCSCs for all 5 participants across the intervention phases. Intervention was
      effective in changing percentage of passive CSCs in two different ways; it
      reduced the PCSCs in three cases and resulted in an increase in PCSCs in the
      other two cases. This was interpreted as intervention having changed the non-oral
      CSCs to consonants produced within the oral cavity but with passive
      characteristics affecting manner of production including weakness, nasalized
      plosives and nasal realizations of plosives and fricatives. Percent SC increased
      throughout the intervention period in all five patients. All participants
      demonstrated an increase in percentage of CCI and CCN suggesting an increase in
      the consonant inventory. Follow-up data showed that all the subjects were able to
      maintain their ability to articulate learned phonemes correctly even after a 4
      week break from intervention. CONCLUSION: This single case experimental study
      supports the hypothesis that speech intervention in patients with VPI can result
      in an improvement in oral placements and passive CSCs.

PMID- 27260593
TI  - Parents' decisional conflict, self-determination and emotional experiences in
      pediatric otolaryngology: A prospective descriptive-comparative study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the level of decisional conflict
      experienced by parents considering surgery for their children and to determine if
      personal characteristics and emotional experiences vary as a function of whether
      or not parents experienced clinically significant levels of decisional conflict.
      METHODS: Sixty consecutive parents of children who underwent surgical
      consultation for elective otolaryngological procedures were prospectively
      enrolled. Participants completed the Decisional Conflict Scale, Basic Needs
      Satisfaction Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Revised.
      RESULTS: Eight participants (13.3%) scored over 25 on the Decisional Conflict
      Scale, a previously defined cut-off indicating clinically significant decisional
      conflict. Parents who experienced significant decisional conflict felt less
      autonomous and less related or connected to others as compared to those who did
      not report significant decisional conflict. In addition, parents who experienced
      significant decisional conflict reported more negative emotions and fewer
      positive emotions during the surgical consultation visit. However, parents who
      reported significant decisional conflict did not report feeling less competent.
      CONCLUSIONS: Parental decision-making on whether their child should undergo
      elective pediatric otolaryngological surgery is a personal and emotional process.
      Parents' characteristics and experiences should be acknowledged and supported
      during the surgical consultation. Future research should aim to normalize the
      decision-making experience for parents, and to allow surgeons to be aware of the
      importance of decisional needs.

PMID- 27260594
TI  - Practice patterns in supraglottoplasty and perioperative care.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Supraglottoplasty is the first-line surgical treatment for severe
      laryngomalacia. The purpose of this study is to determine the current trends of
      practice patterns in managing children who require supraglottoplasty. METHODS: A
      25-question survey regarding supraglottoplasty techniques and perioperative
      management was sent by e-mail to 274 physician members of the Society for Ear,
      Nose and Throat Advances in Children (SENTAC). RESULTS: 101 surgeons responded
      and 72% of respondents were in academic practice (p < 0.0001). All four United
      States regions, Canada and the United Kingdom were represented. The most commonly
      reported age of patients undergoing supraglottoplasty was 1-3 months (62% of
      respondents). Indications include worsening airway symptoms (43%), failure to
      thrive (41%) and worsening feeding (10%). The majority of respondents (89%) treat
      these patients for reflux with 54% prescribing PPIs and 41% prescribing H2
      blockers. Cold steel is the most popular surgical technique (73%) followed by
      laser (14%), microdebrider (10%) and coblator (3%) (p < 0.0001). Most respondents
      (92%) administer intraoperative steroids with the majority of them choosing
      dexamethasone (99%). Perioperative antibiotics are administered by 23% of
      respondents. Almost all respondents admit their patients for post-operative
      observation (99%) and 53% of these admit to PICU rather than step-down or floor
      status. The level of care is associated with the number of supraglottoplasties
      performed per year (p = 0.009) and with the geographic region (p = 0.02).
      Surgeons who perform fewer supraglottoplasties tend to admit to a higher level of
      care. Those in the South and Northeast regions tend to admit more to floor
      status. Only 13% routinely keep patients intubated post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS:
      This provider survey study highlights some significant variations and trends in
      practice patterns of otolaryngologists who perform supraglottoplasty. The
      majority utilizes anti-reflux pharmacotherapy; however, there is no consensus in
      which type. The method for supraglottoplasty also varies with cold steel being
      the most popular, although no single method has been shown to be superior. There
      is variation in post-operative care with trends for keeping patients extubated
      and admitting them to an intensive care. With the importance of safe, effective,
      and also cost-conscious care, further studies are needed to understand the
      optimal management of those who undergo supraglottoplasty.

PMID- 27260595
TI  - Efficacy of auditory-verbal therapy in children with hearing impairment: A
      systematic review from 1993 to 2015.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Auditory verbal therapy (AVT) is one of the primary treatment
      approaches for developing spoken language in children with hearing impairment
      (HI), but its outcomes have not been thoroughly investigated. The current study
      aimed to systematically review past studies investigating AVT outcomes in
      children with HI. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in six databases.
      Fourteen articles that met the final inclusion criteria were grouped under three
      categories based on the outcome measures: receptive and expressive language
      development, auditory/speech perception and mainstreaming. RESULTS: Articles
      under "receptive and expressive language development" category indicated AVT can
      even help children with HI beyond three years of age to develop age appropriate
      language skills and catch up with their hearing peers. Articles under "auditory
      /speech perception" category suggested that children receiving AVT can learn to
      recognize words accurately even in the presence of background noise. Articles
      grouped under "mainstreaming" category indicated that children receiving AVT can
      be successfully mainstreamed. CONCLUSION: Although studies suggest that AVT can
      have a positive impact on developing speech and language skills in children with
      HI, it is difficult to generalize these findings due to limited evidence. Future
      studies should utilize well-controlled group designs to minimize the role of
      external variables as well as strengthen the evidence-base for AVT.

PMID- 27260596
TI  - Maxillary dentoskeletal changes 1-year after adenotonsillectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To measure the maxillary dentoskeletal and soft tissue changes of
      severely obstructed mouth breathing (MB) young children who had their mode of
      breathing normalized after adenotonsillectomy (T&A), in comparison with a matched
      group of severely obstructed untreated MB children (CG). METHODS: Seventy
      patients who had an Ear, Nose, and Throat examination (ENT), including flexible
      nasal endoscopy, to confirm the severe obstruction of the upper airways and the
      indication of T&A composed the sample. Cephalograms and dental casts were
      available from the patient's orthodontic records. Treatment group (TG) and CG
      included 35 children each. Groups were matched by gender (24 males and 11 females
      in each group), age (TG, 6.7 +/- 1.8 years; CG, 6.9 +/- 2.3 years), tooth
      development (TG, 13 primary dentition, 22 mixed dentition; CG, 14 primary
      dentition, 21 mixed dentition), and skeletal maturation status. Records were
      taken at baseline (T0) and 1-year after T&A (T1) for TG; while CG records were
      taken with a 1-year interval. Dentoskeletal measurements were performed in the
      lateral cephalograms, and dental casts were used to assess the palatal volume and
      occlusal changes. RESULTS: TG showed a significant increase (503.3 mm(3), P <
      0.001) in the palatal volume (10% of change), while CG palatal volume was stable.
      No dimensional occlusal changes were detected between T0 and T1 in both groups.
      Significant downward (point A, 2.1 mm; ANS, 2.1 mm) and forward displacements
      (point A, 0.7 mm; ANS, 1 mm) of the anterior region of the maxilla were observed
      in the TG, but CG presented only significant downward displacement (point A, 1.8
      mm; ANS, 1.4 mm). The maxillary posterior region (PNS, PTM, and Molar) displaced
      downward in both groups (P < 0.05), however no sagittal change was found. The
      palatal plane inclination was stable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: TG presented
      significant increase in the palatal volume and in the forward displacement of the
      maxilla. No other significant maxillary dentoskeletal changes were found.

PMID- 27260597
TI  - Deaf or hard of hearing children in Saudi Arabia: Status of early intervention
      services.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the status of early intervention services
      provided to children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their parents/caregivers
      from birth to five years of age at two main state hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi
      Arabia, based on their parents' perceptions. METHOD: A descriptive quantitative
      research design was used to determine the status of early intervention services
      for deaf or hard of hearing children in Saudi Arabia based on their parents'
      perceptions. Semistructured interviews based on a questionnaire were conducted
      with 60 research participants from two main state hospitals where early detection
      and intervention services are provided. A purposive sampling technique was
      employed. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed on the
      data collected. RESULTS: The participants' children were diagnosed at a
      substantially late age, resulting in delayed ages for initial hearing aid fitting
      and enrolment in early intervention services. A significant relationship was
      found between the residential area of the participants and timely access to
      intervention services. The results indicated that participants residing in Riyadh
      were fitted with hearing aids and enrolled into EI services earlier than those
      living outside of Riyadh. The delivery of information also emerged as a weakness
      in the EI system for the majority of participants. CONCLUSION: The findings of
      the study suggested that limited services of detection and intervention for deaf
      or hard of hearing children and residential area of participants are likely to be
      barriers to early access to intervention services. It is proposed that the
      benefits of UNHS accompanied by appropriate early intervention services should be
      made available in all regions throughout Saudi Arabia.

PMID- 27260598
TI  - Voice onset time of alveolar stop /t/ and realization of unaspirated affricates
      associated with Mandarin-speaking children with repaired cleft palate.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine perceptually the realization of unaspirated affricates and
      voice onset time (VOT) features of /t/ in Mandarin-speaking children with
      repaired cleft palate, and to explore the difficulties associated with
      unaspirated affricate production from the perspective of the VOT of /t/. METHOD:
      Twenty-three children with repaired cleft palate and 22 age-matched typical
      native Mandarin speakers were recruited. Speakers with cleft palate were
      allocated into two groups based on expert perceptual judgment of nasality: one
      group with perceived normal resonance (PNR) (n = 14, average age = 9.3 years),
      and another group with perceived hypernasal resonance (PHR) (n = 9, average age =
      10.3 years). INTERVENTION: Stimuli were collected through a series of picture
      naming tasks, targeting the production of initial consonants /t/ and three
      unaspirated Mandarin affricates /ts, ts, tc/. The productions of each affricate
      were evaluated by two experienced speech therapists. The VOT of /t/ was measured
      using PRAAT speech analysis software. RESULT: The majority of unaspirated
      affricates were omitted and/or weakly realized by the group of PHR speakers, but
      not for the PNR group. A significantly smaller mean VOT value associated with /t/
      was identified for the PHR group, as compared to the PNR group. A group
      difference for VOT value was not found between the PNR group and the typical
      control group. CONCLUSION: The voicing features of /t/ and omitted/weak
      realization of unaspirated affricates identified in the PHR group indicated that
      the deviant production of unaspirated affricates in the cleft palate group could
      be associated with the voicing characteristics of the alveolar stop /t/, and this
      merits further investigation.

PMID- 27260599
TI  - Wideband reflectance measurements in newborns: Relationship to otoscopic
      findings.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Newborn hearing screening includes testing with otoacoustic emissions
      and the auditory brainstem response. Unfortunately, both tests are affected by
      the presence of material in the ear canal and middle ear such as vernix,
      meconium, and amniotic fluid. The objective of this study was to determine to
      what extent occlusion of the ear canal as seen on otoscopy affects wideband
      energy reflectance measurements in newborns. A secondary objective was to obtain
      additional normative wideband reflectance data in newborns. METHODS: Newborns
      from a well-baby nursery were enrolled. Wideband energy reflectance measurements
      and otoscopy were done immediately after the hearing screening. Occlusion of the
      ear canal as seen on otoscopy was described on a scale of 0-100%. RESULTS: A
      total of 156 babies were enrolled (mean age = 25 hours). A statistically
      significant difference in the reflectance at ambient pressure was found between
      the 0-70% and 80-100% occlusion groups. There was no significant difference in
      reflectance between the right and the left ears. The median reflectance pattern
      generally followed that of previous studies but in certain frequency regions the
      present reflectance values were higher. CONCLUSION: A significant increase in
      reflectance occurs when 70%-80% of the ear-canal diameter is occluded. Taking
      otoscopy findings into account may improve the interpretation of reflectance
      measurements. However, further studies are required to better establish the
      relationship between canal occlusion and reflectance.

PMID- 27260600
TI  - The effect of device use after sequential bilateral cochlear implantation in
      children: An electrophysiological approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In many studies evaluating the effect of sequential bilateral
      cochlear implantation in congenitally deaf children, device use is not taken into
      account. In this study, however, device use was analyzed in relation to auditory
      brainstem maturation and speech recognition, which were measured in children with
      early-onset deafness, 5-6 years after bilateral cochlear implantation. We
      hypothesized that auditory brainstem maturation is mostly functionally driven by
      auditory stimulation and is therefore influenced by device use and not mainly by
      inter-implant delay. METHODS: Twenty-one children participated and had inter
      implant delays between 1.2 and 7.2 years. The electrically-evoked auditory
      brainstem response was measured for both implants separately. The difference in
      interaural wave V latency and speech recognition between both implants were used
      in the analyses. Device use was measured with a Likert scale. RESULTS: Results
      showed that the less the second device is used, the larger the difference in
      interaural wave V latencies is, which consequently leads to larger differences in
      interaural speech recognition. CONCLUSIONS: In children with early-onset
      deafness, after various periods of unilateral deprivation, full-time device use
      can lead to similar auditory brainstem responses and speech recognition between
      both ears. Therefore, device use should be considered as a relevant factor
      contributing to outcomes after sequential bilateral cochlear implantation. These
      results are indicative for a longer window between implantations in children with
      early-onset deafness to obtain symmetrical auditory pathway maturation than is
      mentioned in the literature. Results, however, must be interpreted as preliminary
      findings as actual device use with data logging was not yet available at the time
      of the study.

PMID- 27260601
TI  - Association of serum eosinophilia and total immunoglobulin E concentration with
      the risk of allergic symptoms and allergic sensitization, respectively: A 2-year
      follow-up study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Serum eosinophil percentage (SEP), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)
      concentration, and total IgE (TIgE) concentration are known to increase in
      patients with allergic disease; however, the relevance of these elevated markers
      in children with negative allergic test results remains unclear. Therefore, this
      2-year follow-up study aimed to investigate whether SEP, ECP concentration, and
      TIgE concentration are associated with an increased risk for allergic
      sensitization and allergic symptoms. METHODS: In 2012, SEP, ECP concentration,
      and TIgE concentration of third- and fourth-grade students from 6 elementary
      schools were measured. Skin prick test was performed, and the presence of
      allergic nasal symptoms was investigated using a questionnaire. In 2014, the same
      examinations were performed in the same set of students, who were then in the
      fifth and sixth grades, respectively, of the same schools. The cut-off value and
      usefulness of serologic markers (eosinophil count, ECP concentration, and TIgE
      concentration) were calculated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.
      RESULTS: Serum eosinophil percentage (cut-off value, 3.8%) was associated with
      the newly developed allergic nasal symptoms (sensitivity, 77.9; specificity,
      41.8). A high serum TIgE concentration (cut-off value, 17.7 IU/mL) was also
      associated with the risk for allergic sensitization (sensitivity, 46.3;
      specificity, 85.3). CONCLUSION: SEP and TIgE concentration were associated with
      the development of allergic symptoms and allergic sensitization, respectively, 2
      years after the first examination.

PMID- 27260602
TI  - Evaluation of olfactory function in children with allergic rhinitis and
      nonallergic rhinitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Allergic rhinitis (AR) occurs when the symptoms of rhinitis arise as
      a result of allergen-induced nasal mucosal inflammation. In the presence of
      rhinitis symptoms without infection or an allergic reaction in the nose, non
      allergic rhinitis (NAR) is considered. Adults with these diseases have increased
      frequency of olfactory dysfunction. The aim of the present study is to assess
      olfactory function in children with AR and NAR. METHODS: A total of 77 children
      (aged six to 18 years) with AR and NAR were included in the study. The control
      group consisted of 45 healthy children. Sniffin' Sticks test was applied to both
      groups. The association between odor scores and demographic, clinical, and
      laboratory results was investigated. RESULTS: Forty two patients had allergic
      rhinitis. No significant difference was observed between patients with rhinitis
      and healthy controls with respect to odor scores. No association was observed
      between odor scores and the severity of rhinitis and the laboratory results of
      the patient groups. Odor identification and total odor scores of the patients
      with rhinitis lasting for longer than three years were significantly lower than
      those in the patient group with rhinitis lasting for one to three years. In the
      AR and control groups, the odor scores were found to increase with age.
      CONCLUSIONS: When compared with healthy children, children with allergic rhinitis
      and non-allergic rhinitis were not found to have reduced olfactory function. The
      duration of rhinitis may be associated with the olfactory dysfunction in children
      with rhinitis.

PMID- 27260603
TI  - Post-intubation acute laryngeal injuries in infants and children: A new
      classification system.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the Classification of Acute Laryngeal Injuries (CALI) with
      other classifications to determine which of these offers the greatest sensitivity
      and specificity in predicting the development of subglottic stenosis. METHODS:
      All children intubated for the first time in the pediatric intensive care unit
      were included and subjected to flexible fiber-optic laryngoscopy (FFL) within 8 h
      of extubation. Their injuries were categorized using the CALI, as well as adapted
      classifications from Lindholm, Colice and Benjamin. The children were followed up
      to determine who developed subglottic stenosis. RESULTS: This study included 194
      children, with a median age of 2.67 months. The sensitivity and specificity of
      the CALI were 90% and 73%, respectively. The CALI showed greater specificity than
      the adapted classifications from Colice and Benjamin (p < 0.001 for both), and
      greater sensitivity than the adapted classification from Lindholm (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on the CALI, 90% of children who developed subglottic stenosis
      had moderate to severe injuries on the initial FFL. The CALI includes all injury
      types described by Benjamin, as well as a proposed severity scale for these
      lesions, and was predictive of the development of chronic laryngeal injury.

PMID- 27260604
TI  - Topical versus oral antibiotics, with or without corticosteroids, in the
      treatment of tympanostomy tube otorrhea.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Antibiotic treatment is the standard of care for tympanostomy tube
      otorrhea. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of topical antibiotics
      with or without corticosteroids versus oral antibiotics in the treatment of tube
      otorrhea in children. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials and ProQuest. REVIEW METHODS: The above databases were searched
      using a search strategy for randomized controlled trials for optimal treatment of
      tube otorrhea in the pediatric population. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for
      Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed. Primary outcome
      was cure (i.e. clearance of otorrhea) at 2-3 weeks. Secondary outcomes were
      microbiological eradication and complications such as dermatitis and diarrhea.
      The incidence of these events was defined as dichotomous variables and expressed
      as a risk ratio (RR) and number needed to benefit (NNTB) in a random-effects
      model. RESULTS: We identified 1491 articles and selected 4 randomized controlled
      trials which met our inclusion criteria. Topical treatment had better cure (NNTB
      = 4.7, pooled RR = 1.35, p < 0.001) and microbiological eradication (NNTB = 3.5,
      pooled RR = 1.47, p < 0.001 among 3 of the studies) than oral antibiotics. Oral
      antibiotics had higher risk of diarrhea (pooled RR = 21.5, 95% CI 8.00-58.0, p <
      0.001, Number needed to harm (NNTH) = 5.4) and dermatitis (pooled RR = 3.14, 95%
      CI 1.20-8.20, p = 0.019, NNTH = 32). The use of topical steroids in addition to
      topical antibiotics was associated with a higher cure rate (pooled RR = 1.59, p <
      0.001 vs pooled RR = 1.57, p = 0.293). CONCLUSION: Topical antibiotics should be
      the recommended treatment for management of tympanostomy tube otorrhea in view of
      its significantly improved clinical and microbiological efficacy with lower risk
      of systemic toxicity as compared to oral antibiotics. Further research is
      necessary to confirm the benefits of topical corticosteroids as an adjunct to
      topical antibiotics.

PMID- 27260605
TI  - MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry reveals a highly complex bacterial profile of otitis
      media with effusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: With conventional microbiological methods, a significant proportion
      of middle ear effusion (MEE) proves to be sterile. Accurate molecular biological
      techniques have been used to identify only pathogenic bacteria. Matrix assisted
      laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)
      is an adequate tool for the precise and simultaneous identification of a wide
      range of bacterial species from a small sample. The aim of this study was to
      explore the use of MALDI-TOF MS in revealing the frequency and complexity of
      bacterial flora in MEE in otitis media with effusion (OME). METHODS: MEEs from 40
      children with chronic otitis media with effusion were examined for 2000
      pathogenic, facultative pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacterial species using
      MALDI-TOF MS. Two middle ear samples from children who underwent cochlear
      implantation with healthy middle ear were also examined in the same way. RESULTS:
      No bacteria were found in healthy control samples and 92% of OME samples were
      positive for at least one bacterium. In 52% of the samples more than one
      bacterium was identified. In total 39 bacterial species were found in the middle
      ear samples. Of the positive samples 19% contained those pathogens which were
      previously thought to contribute OME. CONCLUSION: MALDI-TOF MS is a suitable tool
      for identifying a wide range of bacterial species in MEE. Results show that
      bacterial flora of MEE in OME is more diverse and abundant than it was formerly
      thought. This previously unreported bacterial invasion may help to obtain proper
      understanding and therapy of OME.

PMID- 27260606
TI  - Effect of adenotonsillectomy on attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in
      children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy: A prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to explore the effect of adenotonsillectomy
      on the improvement of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in
      children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. METHODS: This prospective cohort study
      was conducted on 59 children aged 6-12 years with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and
      ADHD who were candidates for adenotonsillectomy at Besat Hospital, Hamadan
      University of Medical Sciences, in 2014. The status of ADHD was evaluated at
      baseline and one and three months after surgery using Conners' Rating Scales.
      RESULTS: Of 59 children with ADHD (35 boys and 24 girls), 41 improved one month
      after surgery and 51 after three months. Only 8 children had no improvement. The
      Conners' score decreased significantly from 71.37 at baseline to 61.31 (P =
      0.001) and 49.14 (P = 0.001) one and three months after surgery, respectively.
      The score of attention deficit and hyperactivity decreased from 1.76 and 2.10 at
      baseline to 1.52 and 1.83 after one month (P = 0.001) and to 1.24 and 1.52 after
      three months (P = 0.001), respectively. The results were statistically
      significant for both boys and girls. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that
      adenotonsillectomy can significantly improve ADHD in children with adenotonsillar
      hypertrophy and help them return to normal life.

PMID- 27260607
TI  - Odontogenic lesions in a pediatric population: Review of the literature and
      presentation of 745 cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Pediatric odontogenic lesions are rare clinical entities and are not
      well addressed in the otolaryngology literature. Knowledge of the biologic and
      clinical behavior of these lesions and their basic features such as location and
      age are key aspects for otolaryngologists in developing an early clinical
      differential diagnosis, such that they can provide adequate treatment. METHODS:
      Six thousand histologically-diagnosed odontogenic lesions from a 40-year period
      were reviewed. Pediatric patients (745 cases, 12.7%) aged up to 17 years were
      selected and reevaluated. The patients were divided into three age groups
      according to dentition periods: primary dentition (0-5 years), mixed dentition (6
      12 years), and permanent dentition (13-17 years). Clinical data, including age,
      sex, and location, were collected from pathology records. RESULTS: Of the total
      of 745 cases, 596 specimens (80%) were diagnosed as odontogenic cysts and 149
      specimens (20%) were diagnosed as odontogenic tumors. The most frequent
      odontogenic cysts were radicular cysts (48.4%), followed by dentigerous cysts
      (16.7%). The most common odontogenic tumor was odontoma (8.05%). CONCLUSION: This
      study shows that all odontogenic lesions in the pediatric group are benign.
      Odontogenic tumors are relatively rare in this age group. Knowledge of the
      biological and histopathological behaviors of odontogenic lesions and their basic
      features such as location and age is a key aspect for developing an early
      clinical differential diagnosis and providing adequate treatment.

PMID- 27260608
TI  - Systematic review and case report: Intracranial complications of pediatric
      sinusitis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Intracranial complications of rhinosinusitis are rare in the post
      antibiotic era. However, due to potentially devastating outcomes, prompt
      recognition and management are essential. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to perform
      the first systematic review of the intracranial complications of rhinosinusitis
      in order to better characterize their clinical presentation, diagnosis, and
      treatment, and report a case of frontal lobe empyema secondary to pediatric
      frontoethmoid sinusitis. DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google
      Scholar. STUDY SELECTION: Full-text, peer-reviewed journal publications from 1947
      to January 1, 2015 in English; focus on intracranial complications of sinusitis;
      pediatric patients (<18 years of age); studies including data on diagnostic
      workup and treatment. DATA EXTRACTION: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
      Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RESULTS: Sixteen studies involving 180
      patients were included. An overwhelming majority of patients were young
      adolescent males (70%). The most common intracranial complications were subdural
      empyema (49%), epidural abscess (36%), cerebral abscess (21%), and meningitis
      (10%). Patients most often presented with nonspecific symptoms such as headache,
      fever, nausea and vomiting. Computed tomography with contrast or magnetic
      resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis when intracranial complications were
      suspected. Typical treatment included surgical incision and drainage, often
      involving joint neurosurgical and otolaryngological procedures, combined with a
      long course of antibiotics. The morbidity rate was 27%, and the mortality rate
      was 3.3%. LIMITATIONS: All studies were retrospective chart reviews, case series
      or case reports. CONCLUSIONS: A review of the currently available literature
      shows that with a high degree of suspicion, multidisciplinary cooperation and
      aggressive treatment, favorable outcomes are attainable. The most effective
      surgical treatment for intracranial complications remains unclear and should be
      investigated further.

PMID- 27260609
TI  - Histological analysis of retraction pocket pars tensa of tympanic membrane in
      children.
AB  - AIMS: Histological and histochemical analysis of retraction pocket of pars tensa
      of tympanic membrane in children. Identification of morphological abnormalities
      in comparison with a healthy tympanic membrane as it is described in standard
      textbook. Identification of signs typical for cholesteatoma and support for a
      retraction theory of cholesteatoma formation. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study
      analysing 31 samples of retraction pockets taken during surgery. DEPARTMENTS:
      University Hospital, Children's Medical Centre METHODS: Samples of retraction
      pockets were processed by a standard process for light microscopy, stained by
      haematoxylin-eosin. Van Gieson's stain was used for differential staining of
      collagen, Verhoeff's stain for elastic fibre tissues, Alcian blue for acidic
      polysaccharides and PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff) method for basement membrane
      polysaccharides. RESULTS: The following findings were observed in the samples of
      retraction pockets: hyperkeratosis (100%), hypervascularisations (100%),
      subepithelial fragmented elastic fibres (96%), myxoid changes (87%),
      subepithelial inflammatory infiltration (84%), rete pegs (71%), papilomatosis
      (71%), intraepithelial inflammatory cellularizations, (48%), intraepithelial
      spongiosis (16%) and parakeratosis (3%). No basement membrane continuity
      interruptions were observed. Thickness of retraction pocket, thickness of
      epidermis, occurrence of rete pegs and frequency of fragmented elastic fibres was
      higher in a Grade III stage RP than Grade II stage RP (according to Charachon).
      CONCLUSION: Morphological abnormalities in the structure of retraction pockets in
      comparison with a healthy tympanic membrane were described. The changes are
      typical for a structure of cholesteatoma (these changes are common in matrix and
      perimatrix), supporting retraction theory of its origin. Our observations show
      that it is inflammation that probably plays a key role in the pathogenesis of
      retraction pocket. The frequency of some of the changes increases with the stage
      of retraction pocket (II-III according to Charachon). Basement membrane
      continuity interruptions are not typical for retraction pockets.

PMID- 27260610
TI  - Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder of the pediatric airway:
      Presentation and management.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a rare
      complication of immunosuppression with little consensus on its evaluation and
      management. The purpose of this contemporary review is to describe a pediatric
      patient with PTLD of the airway and review the literature to provide
      multidisciplinary recommendations regarding management. DATA SOURCES:
      Retrospective chart and literature review. REVIEW METHODS: A pediatric patient
      with PTLD of the airway is described. An extensive literature search to review
      the existing data on pediatric PTLD of the upper airway was also performed.
      RESULTS: A pediatric patient with mixed fetal/embryonal hepatoblastoma developed
      laryngo-tracheal PTLD following liver transplantation. Diagnostic positron
      emission tomography (PET) scan demonstrated multiple sites of abnormal
      fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake within the larynx, distal esophagus, cervical
      lymph nodes, and abdomen concerning for PTLD. Laryngeal biopsy demonstrated
      Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive cells confirming the diagnosis. Rituximab
      therapy and reduction of immunosuppression resulted in resolution of his
      laryngeal disease in 3 months. An extensive literature search to review the
      existing data on pediatric PTLD of the larynx and trachea revealed 14 reported
      cases. CONCLUSIONS: PTLD of the pediatric airway is an EBV-associated disease
      that requires a high index of suspicion as patients can often present with non
      specific signs and symptoms but progress to have significant airway compromise.
      Evaluation consists of peripheral blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays,
      biopsy, and PET/CT imaging. Management options include reduction of
      immunosuppression and/or systemic therapies.

PMID- 27260611
TI  - General health, otitis media, nasopharyngeal carriage and middle ear microbiology
      in Northern Territory Aboriginal children vaccinated during consecutive periods
      of 10-valent or 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aims to monitor the prevalence of suppurative otitis media
      in remote Indigenous communities after introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal
      conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in October 2011. We previously reported a decline in
      suppurative OM following replacement of PCV7 by 10-valent pneumococcal
      Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV10) in October 2009.
      METHODS: We continued regular surveillance in remote Indigenous communities
      between February 2010 and August 2013. This analysis reports the general health,
      otitis media (OM), nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage and middle ear microbiology in
      children less than 36 months of age who received a primary course of at least two
      doses of PHiD-CV10 or PCV13, and not more than one dose of another pneumococcal
      vaccine. RESULTS: Mean ages of 511 PHiD-CV10- and 140 PCV13-vaccinated children
      were 19 and 13 months, respectively. Most children received 3-dose non-mixed PCV
      schedules. At the time of assessment, general health was poor and prevalence of
      risk factors was high in both groups: overall, around 14% of children had
      scabies, 20% had impetigo, 59% had runny nose and 39% had cough. Average
      household size was 8 persons, and 60% of the mothers smoked. Bilaterally normal
      middle ears were detected in 10% and 7%, respectively. OM with effusion (OME),
      almost all bilateral, was diagnosed in 52% and 50%, any suppurative OM (acute OM
      or any tympanic membrane perforation [TMP]) in 37% and 41%, and TMP in 14% and
      12%, respectively. Children in the PCV13 group had significantly less NP carriage
      of combined Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) and non-typeable Haemophilus
      influenzae (NTHi) (62% versus 51%) but significantly more polymicrobial (Spn and
      NTHi) middle ear cultures (12% versus 43%), and significantly less Staphylococcus
      aureus-positive middle ears (40% versus 7%). Although NP carriage of pneumococcal
      serotype 19A was low in the PCV13 group, serotypes 19F and 23F persist.
      CONCLUSIONS: The general health, particularly ear health, of little children in
      remote Australian Indigenous communities remains in crisis. In particular,
      transition to PCV13 did not show substantial further improvement in ear health.
      Possible vaccine-related differences in microbiology, including potential
      beneficial effects of PHiD-CV10 on NTHi infection, need to be further evaluated
      in randomised trials.

PMID- 27260612
TI  - Tips for children's better cooperation during the examination of the head and
      neck: A Delphi method.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To obtain and rate tips for the head and neck examination in children.
      METHODS: A two-round Delphi method study was conducted to survey 13 practising
      paediatric otolaryngologists (PO) in North America and Europe to obtain tips on
      how to approach a 2- to 6-year-old child for head and neck examination. The tips
      were rated by the PO according to their frequency of utilization and usefulness
      on a scale of 1 (high) to 6 (low). One-sample Wilcoxon signed rank tests were
      used to evaluate each tip according to frequency of use and success rate. "Top
      Tips" were identified when both their Wilcoxon p-values were still significant,
      after a Bonferroni correction. An exact chi-square test for equality of
      proportions was used to determine the age groups for which satisfactory tips are
      to be favoured. RESULTS: The panellists rated forty-three tips. Seven tips
      obtained a p-value <=0.001 for the frequency of use and usefulness in all age
      groups with an emphasis on the initial moments: eye contact, mood assessment,
      approach behaviour and strategy. Six more tips proved to be satisfactory for
      specific age groups without reaching the top tip significance level. CONCLUSIONS:
      Seven tips to approach a 2- to 6-year-old child reached a top consensus between
      the experts. Initial eye contact with the child and mood assessment are essential
      for a satisfactory outcome. The use of a gentle approach with explanation of each
      step of the physical exam and avoidance of pain are also important.

PMID- 27260613
TI  - Vibrant SoundBridge combined with auricle reconstruction for bilateral congenital
      aural atresia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To report an integrating surgical method of Vibrant SoundBridge (VSB)
      implant and auricle reconstruction. METHODS: 4 cases of congenital bilateral
      external/middle ear malformation were enrolled. All of them were diagnosed as
      bilateral bony atresia and grade III microtia. Stapes vibroplasty was performed
      for all subjects in one operation with auricle reconstruction stage 3. The
      clinical information and hearing outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Satisfied
      aesthetic outcomes were confirmed by sculptured outline and symmetric shape on
      both sides. Mean improvement in hearing threshold with VSB activation was 25.9 dB
      HL, while mean scores of speech recognition test were 21.8-46.3%. CONCLUSION:
      Combined surgical method of VSB implant and aesthetic reconstruction is safe and
      efficient for congenital external/middle ear malformation case.

PMID- 27260614
TI  - Family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Evidence-based guidelines?

PMID- 27260615
TI  - Performance-Based Agreements in Italy: 'Trendy Outcomes' or Mere Illusions?

PMID- 27260616
TI  - Do self-reported concussions have cumulative or enduring effects on drivers'
      anticipation of traffic hazards?
AB  - AIM: To investigate the cumulative effect of multiple self-reported concussions
      and the enduring effect of concussion on drivers' hazard perception ability. It
      was hypothesized: (1) that individuals reporting multiple previous concussions
      would be slower to anticipate traffic hazards than individuals reporting either
      one previous concussion or none; and (2) that individuals reporting a concussion
      within the past 3 months would be slower to anticipate traffic hazards than
      individuals reporting either an earlier concussion or no prior concussion.
      METHOD: Two hundred and eighty-two predominantly young drivers (nconcussed = 68,
      Mage = 21.57 years, SDage = 6.99 years, 66% female) completed a validated hazard
      perception test (HPT) and measures of emotional, cognitive, health and driving
      status. RESULTS: A one-way analysis of variance showed that there was no
      significant effect of concussion number on HPT response times. Similarly,
      pairwise comparisons showed no significant differences between the HPT response
      times of individuals reporting a concussion within the previous 3 months,
      individuals reporting an earlier concussion and the never concussed group.
      CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that previous concussions do not adversely
      affect young drivers' ability to anticipate traffic hazards; however, due to
      reliance on self-reports of concussion history, further prospective longitudinal
      research is needed.

PMID- 27260617
TI  - A novel hypoxia-induced miR-147a regulates cell proliferation through a positive
      feedback loop of stabilizing HIF-1alpha.
AB  - Hypoxia is a general event in solid tumor growth. Therefore, induced cellular
      responses by hypoxia are important for tumorigenesis and tumor growth. MicroRNAs
      (miRNAs) have recently emerged as important regulators of hypoxia induced
      cellular responses. Here we report that miR-147a is a novel and crucial hypoxia
      induced miRNA. HIF-1alpha up-regulates the expression of miR-147a, and miR-147a
      in turn stabilizes and accumulates HIF-1alpha protein via directly targeting HIF
      3alpha, a dominant negative regulator of HIF-1alpha. Subsequent studies in
      xenograft mouse model reveal that miR-147a is capable of inhibiting tumor growth.
      Collectively, these data demonstrate a positive feedback loop between HIF-1alpha,
      miR-147a and HIF-3alpha, which provide a new insight into the mechanism of miR
      147a induced cell proliferation arrest under hypoxia.

PMID- 27260618
TI  - Heterologous expression of Streptococcus mutans Cnm in Lactococcus lactis
      promotes intracellular invasion, adhesion to human cardiac tissues and virulence.
AB  - In S. mutans, the expression of the surface glycoprotein Cnm mediates binding to
      extracellular matrix proteins, endothelial cell invasion and virulence in the
      Galleria mellonella invertebrate model. To further characterize Cnm as a
      virulence factor, the cnm gene from S. mutans strain OMZ175 was expressed in the
      non-pathogenic Lactococcus lactis NZ9800 using a nisin-inducible system. Despite
      the absence of the machinery necessary for Cnm glycosylation, Western blot and
      immunofluorescence microscopy analyses demonstrated that Cnm was effectively
      expressed and translocated to the cell wall of L. lactis. Similar to S. mutans,
      expression of Cnm in L. lactis enabled robust binding to collagen and laminin,
      invasion of human coronary artery endothelial cells and increased virulence in G.
      mellonella. Using an ex vivo human heart tissue colonization model, we showed
      that Cnm-positive strains of either S. mutans or L. lactis outcompete their Cnm
      negative counterparts for tissue colonization. Finally, Cnm expression
      facilitated L. lactis adhesion and colonization in a rabbit model of infective
      endocarditis. Collectively, our results provide unequivocal evidence that binding
      to extracellular matrices mediated by Cnm is an important virulence attribute of
      S. mutans and confirm the usefulness of the L. lactis heterologous system for
      further characterization of bacterial virulence factors.

PMID- 27260619
TI  - Microbial pathogens in source and treated waters from drinking water treatment
      plants in the United States and implications for human health.
AB  - An occurrence survey was conducted on selected pathogens in source and treated
      drinking water collected from 25 drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in the
      United States. Water samples were analyzed for the protozoa Giardia and
      Cryptosporidium (EPA Method 1623); the fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus
      niger and Aspergillus terreus (quantitative PCR [qPCR]); and the bacteria
      Legionella pneumophila (qPCR), Mycobacterium avium, M. avium subspecies
      paratuberculosis, and Mycobacterium intracellulare (qPCR and culture).
      Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected in 25% and in 46% of the source water
      samples, respectively (treated waters were not tested). Aspergillus fumigatus was
      the most commonly detected fungus in source waters (48%) but none of the three
      fungi were detected in treated water. Legionella pneumophila was detected in 25%
      of the source water samples but in only 4% of treated water samples. M. avium and
      M. intracellulare were both detected in 25% of source water, while all three
      mycobacteria were detected in 36% of treated water samples. Five species of
      mycobacteria, Mycobacterium mucogenicum, Mycobacterium phocaicum, Mycobacterium
      triplex, Mycobacterium fortuitum, and Mycobacterium lentiflavum were cultured
      from treated water samples. Although these DWTPs represent a fraction of those in
      the U.S., the results suggest that many of these pathogens are widespread in
      source waters but that treatment is generally effective in reducing them to below
      detection limits. The one exception is the mycobacteria, which were commonly
      detected in treated water, even when not detected in source waters.

PMID- 27260621
TI  - Response to.

PMID- 27260620
TI  - Letter to the Editor Re: Andrew Turner, Emily R. Kearl, Kevin R. Solman Lead and
      other toxic metals in playground paints from South West England Science of the
      Total Environment 544 (2016) 460-466.
AB  - Turner's paper emphasizes "oral bioaccessibility" instead of focusing solely on
      total lead content. There is no evidence that solubility testing for lead levels
      in paint correlates with absorption or blood lead levels in exposed children.
      There are many considerations in determining exposure hazards to paint that are
      not evaluated in assessing solubility. Although we strongly support the
      conclusions and recommendations of the study, we are concerned that by reporting
      "oral bioaccessibility" others will focus on solubility in developing regulatory
      standards for lead levels in paint or in conducting exposure assessments.
      Standards for lead in paint should continue to be based on total lead content,
      not "oral bioaccessibility."

PMID- 27260622
TI  - [Confocal microscopy as an early relapse marker after keratoplasty due to
      Fusarium solani keratitis].
AB  - In the case of therapy-resistant keratitis an infection with Fusarium solani
      should be taken into consideration as a rare but very severe eye disease. In the
      majority of cases Fusarium solani keratitis will result in a protracted clinical
      course despite aggressive medicinal and surgical interventions. We describe the
      case of a referred patient after intensive topical, intracameral and systemic
      antibacterial and antimycotic therapy as well as surgical treatment with
      emergency keratoplasty a chaud because of Fusarium solani keratitis. The patient
      presented to our department with persistent discomfort for further therapeutic
      interventions. Using confocal microscopy we were able to demonstrate the presence
      of fungal hyphae in the host cornea and the graft, which was important for making
      further surgical decisions. Furthermore, this emphasizes the role of confocal
      microscopy as an early relapse marker during the clinical monitoring.

PMID- 27260623
TI  - [Vitreous metastasis of malignant cutaneous melanoma during treatment with
      ipilimumab].
AB  - An isolated metastasis of the vitreous body from a malignant cutaneous melanoma
      without involvement of the choroid is an extremely rare occurrence. We report on
      the case of a 59-year-old female patient who presented with a vitreous body
      metastasis during systemic treatment with the anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte
      associated antigen (anti-CTLA 4) antibody ipilimumab. This case report underlines
      the diagnostic difficulties in such cases and points out the risk of metastasis
      in immune-privileged sites under systemic immunotherapy.

PMID- 27260624
TI  - [Corneal donation : Dilemma between growing demand and declining donor rate].
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the most important requirements for successful corneal
      transplantation is the availability of donor tissue and thus the approval for
      postmortem corneal tissue donation. The aim of this study was to investigate
      donor willingness compared to the continuously increasing demand in recent years.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Archives of the local eye bank at the Department of
      Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Germany in the time period between 1 July
      2011 and 31 December 2015 were examined regarding the willingness for corneal
      donations in deceased patients from the University Hospital of Cologne. Absolute
      numbers of deceased, exclusion criteria for donation as well as the rate of
      negative and affirmative decisions were evaluated. RESULTS: In 235 (5.1 %) out of
      4593 deceased at the University Hospital of Cologne, corneal donation was
      accomplished during the observation period. Of the patients 2923 (63.6 %) were
      excluded because of absolute contraindications for corneal donation and the rate
      of absolute contraindications increased from 46.6 % in 2011 to 68.9 % in 2015.
      Willingness for corneal donation in potentially suitable deceased patients
      diminished from 34.9 % in 2011, to 34.3 % in 2012, 35.5 % in 2013, 28.4 % in 2014
      and to 24.1 % in 2015. In relation to the total number of deceased, the number of
      corneal tissue donations decreased from 11.5 % in 2011 to 3.5 % in 2015.
      CONCLUSION: Despite a rising demand, data from Cologne seem to indicate that the
      number of corneal donations has declined to some extent. In order to increase the
      number of corneal donors in the future, further educational work as well as
      standardization and optimization of the tissue donation process seem to be
      urgently needed.

PMID- 27260625
TI  - [Central arterial occlusion after blunt force ocular injury : Case report].
AB  - A healthy young male patient suffered a nearly complete loss of vision after a
      minor ocular injury. We describe a rare case of central arterial occlusion after
      blunt force trauma. After rheological therapy the visual acuity increased from
      perception of hand movement to 1/20, 1 month after the injury. Central artery
      occlusion is a rare but severe complication after blunt force ocular trauma that
      should be considered when patients suffer severe posttraumatic loss of vision.

PMID- 27260626
TI  - [Protection of corneal endothelium from apoptosis by gene and cell therapy].
AB  - Protection of corneal endothelium from apoptosis using gene and cell therapy is
      in a translational phase. This approach offers advantages for eye banking and
      after transplantation. Safe vehicles for gene or cell therapeutic transduction of
      corneal endothelium with nucleic acids are available. This strategy will be
      further developed in consultation with the Paul Ehrlich Institute and European
      regulatory authorities. 

PMID- 27260627
TI  - Associations of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity With Sexual Dysfunction in
      Breast Cancer Survivors.
AB  - Sexual dysfunction is a common and distressing consequence of breast cancer (BC)
      treatment. In the present study, we investigated the sexual functioning of BC
      patients and its association with women's personal characteristics and cancer
      treatments. In this cross-sectional study, sexual function was assessed using the
      Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The health-related quality of life (HRQOL)
      was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer
      (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and its breast module BR-23. Of the 235 participants approached,
      216 participants were included in the study. Of these, 63 patients reported no
      sexual activity in the last month and thus were analyzed only in relation to the
      sexual desire domain of FSFI. A total of 154 (71.3 %) patients were classified
      with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). From those patients reporting
      sexual activity in the last month, 63.3 % (97 out of 153) were classified with
      sexual dysfunction. Using hierarchical logistic regression, the variance
      explained (change in R 2) by the addition of body mass index (BMI) and mild to
      moderate physical activity in the prediction models of sexual dysfunction and
      HSDD were 6.8 and 7.2 %, respectively. Age, BMI, and physical activity were
      independently associated with sexual dysfunction and HSDD. Additionally, BC
      patients with sexual dysfunction reported lower scores on global HRQOL, role
      functioning, and fatigue. Based on our findings, BC survivors should be
      encouraged to practice regular physical activity and to lose weight in order to
      avoid sexual dysfunction. However, future clinical trials are needed to confirm
      these findings.

PMID- 27260628
TI  - The comparative effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics and muscle relaxants on
      electrical field stimulation response in rat bladder smooth muscle.
AB  - It has been reported that several aminoglycoside antibiotics have a potential of
      prolonging the action of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants by drug interactions
      acting pre-synaptically to inhibit acetylcholine release, but antibiotics itself
      also have a strong effect on relaxing the smooth muscle. In this study, four
      antibiotics of aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, streptomycin, kanamycin and
      neomycin were compared with skeletal muscle relaxants baclofen, tubocurarine,
      pancuronium and succinylcholine, and a smooth muscle relaxant, papaverine. The
      muscle strips isolated from the rat bladder were stimulated with pulse trains of
      40 V in amplitude and 10 s in duration, with pulse duration of 1 ms at the
      frequency of 1-8 Hz, at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 Hz respectively. To test the effect of four
      antibiotics on bladder smooth muscle relaxation, each of them was treated
      cumulatively from 1 MUM to 0.1 mM with an interval of 5 min. Among the four
      antibiotics, gentamicin and neomycin inhibited the EFS response. The skeletal
      muscle relaxants (baclofen, tubocurarine, pancuronium and succinylcholine) and
      inhibitory neurotransmitters (GABA and glycine) did not show any significant
      effect. However, papaverine, had a significant effect in the relaxation of the
      smooth muscle. It was suggested that the aminoglycoside antibiotics have
      inhibitory effect on the bladder smooth muscle. 

PMID- 27260629
TI  - Future Research into C4 Biology.

PMID- 27260631
TI  - Severe liver disease as first sign of a haemophagocytic syndrome.

PMID- 27260632
TI  - Faecal calprotectin, an useful marker in discriminating between inflammatory
      bowel disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic discrimination between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
      and functional gastrointestinal disorders is complex, as they cause similar signs
      and symptoms. Faecal calprotectin (FC) is a useful marker in this context, and
      can be used to select patients who will most benefit from colonoscopy. The aim of
      this study was to evaluate the utility of FC in discriminating between organic
      disease and functional disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 264
      patients presenting with gastrointestinal complaints consistent with an organic
      pathology. FC levels were determined and diagnostic accuracy was assessed using
      the area under the curve obtained from the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Calprotectin
      levels in organic bowel disease patients were significantly higher (median
      254MUg/g; 95% confidence interval [CI], interquartile range 105-588.5) than in
      functional disease patients (95MUg/g; 95% CI, 47.25-243.92) (P<.0001). Similarly,
      in patients with IBD, the values obtained were higher (270.85MUg/g; 95% CI, 96.85
      674.00) than in those with irritable bowel syndrome (79.70MUg/g; 95% CI, 36.50
      117.25) (P<.0001). For a cut-off of 150MUg/g, FC had an area under the ROC curve
      to discriminate between organic and functional disease of 0.718, and 0.872 to
      discriminate between irritable bowel syndrome and IBD. CONCLUSION: Our study
      supports the importance of FC as a marker in the evaluation of patients with IBD.
      The best diagnostic accuracy is obtained at a cut-off value of 150MUg/g.

PMID- 27260633
TI  - Capsule endoscopy: Diagnosis of lobular capillary haemangioma.

PMID- 27260630
TI  - Role of interleukin-6 in cancer progression and therapeutic resistance.
AB  - In the last several decades, the number of people dying from cancer-related
      deaths has not reduced significantly despite phenomenal advances in the
      technologies related to diagnosis and therapeutic modalities. The principal cause
      behind limitations in the curability of this disease is the reducing sensitivity
      of the cancer cells towards conventional anticancer therapeutic modalities,
      particularly in advance stages of the disease. Amongst several reasons, certain
      secretory factors released by the tumour cells into the microenvironment have
      been found to confer resistance towards chemo- and radiotherapy, besides
      promoting growth. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), one of the major cytokines in the tumour
      microenvironment, is an important factor which is found at high concentrations
      and known to be deregulated in cancer. Its overexpression has been reported in
      almost all types of tumours. The strong association between inflammation and
      cancer is reflected by the high IL-6 levels in the tumour microenvironment, where
      it promotes tumorigenesis by regulating all hallmarks of cancer and multiple
      signalling pathways, including apoptosis, survival, proliferation, angiogenesis,
      invasiveness and metastasis, and, most importantly, the metabolism. Moreover, IL
      6 protects the cancer cells from therapy-induced DNA damage, oxidative stress and
      apoptosis by facilitating the repair and induction of countersignalling
      (antioxidant and anti-apoptotic/pro-survival) pathways. Therefore, blocking IL-6
      or inhibiting its associated signalling independently or in combination with
      conventional anticancer therapies could be a potential therapeutic strategy for
      the treatment of cancers with IL-6-dominated signalling.

PMID- 27260634
TI  - Colitis cystica profunda: A report of 2 cases with a 15-year follow-up.

PMID- 27260635
TI  - Sigma receptor type 1 knockout mice show a mild deficit in plasticity but no
      significant change in synaptic transmission in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.
AB  - The sigma-1 receptor (sigma-1R) is a chaperone protein located at the endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) mitochondrial interface with roles in neuroprotection and
      cognition. Increasing evidence suggests that loss of sigma-1R function could
      contribute to neurological disease states making it a target for therapeutic
      intervention. Our objective was to elucidate the consequences to synaptic
      transmission and plasticity when sigma-1R is absent. We utilized a knockout mouse
      in which the gene encoding for sigma-1R was deleted (sigma-1R-KO mouse). Using
      whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus,
      we examined neuronal excitability and glutamatergic synaptic function.
      Surprisingly, we detected no significant change in action potential firing and
      basic cellular characteristics. Furthermore, we found no significant change to
      pre-synaptic function as indicated by a similar paired-pulse ratio and miniature
      excitatory post-synaptic current frequency in sigma-1R-KO compared to wild-type
      (WT) mice. Similarly, the glutamate gated AMPA receptor and NMDA receptors were
      unaffected with no significant difference in AMPA/NMDA ratio or decay kinetics in
      sigma-1R-KO compared to WT mice. We further examined long-term potentiation in
      extracellular field recordings in CA1 stratum radiatum following Schaffer
      collateral stimulation. Interestingly, we found a small but significant reduction
      in the magnitude of long-term potentiation in mutant compared to WT mice. The
      results of this investigation suggest that basic cellular physiology is
      unaffected by sigma-1R loss, however the neuronal network is partially
      compromised. The sigma-1 receptor (sigma-1R) is a chaperone protein with roles in
      neuroprotection and cognition. We determined the consequences to synaptic
      transmission and plasticity when sigma-1R was absent. Utilizing the sigma-1R
      knockout mouse and electrophysiological recordings, we found no change in
      neuronal excitability and glutamatergic synaptic function. However, we found a
      significant reduction in long-term potentiation.

PMID- 27260636
TI  - High-Concentration L-Menthol Exhibits Counter-Irritancy to Neurogenic
      Inflammation, Thermal and Mechanical Hyperalgesia Caused by Trans-cinnamaldehyde.
AB  - The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M 8 (TRPM8) agonist L
      menthol has been used traditionally for its topical counterirritant properties.
      Although the use of topical L-menthol for pain is casuistically established,
      evidence regarding its efficacy is negligible. This study aimed to characterize
      the effect of L-menthol as a counterirritant on cutaneous pain and hyperalgesia
      provoked by topical application of the transient receptor potential cation
      channel, subfamily A, member 1 (TRPA1) agonist trans-cinnamaldehyde (CA). In a
      randomized, double-blinded study CA was applied to a 3 * 3-cm area of the volar
      forearm evoking neurogenic inflammation, pain, mechanical, and thermal
      hyperalgesia in 14 healthy volunteers. In different sessions, 10% CA alone or 40%
      L-menthol applied simultaneously with 10% CA were administered for 20 minutes,
      throughout which the subjects rated the pain intensity on a visual analogue scale
      of 0 to 10. Extensive quantitative sensory testing was conducted and superficial
      blood flow (neurogenic inflammation) was recorded. Administration of CA evoked
      spontaneous pain, neurogenic inflammation, thermal hyperalgesia, and primary and
      secondary mechanical hyperalgesia. Coadministration of topical L-menthol reduced
      spontaneous pain intensity (P < .01), neurogenic inflammation (P < .01), primary
      mechanical hyperalgesia (P < .05), secondary mechanical hyperalgesia (P < .05),
      and heat hyperalgesia (P < .05), but not cold hyperalgesia. L-menthol exhibited
      inhibitory effects on simultaneously established pain, hypersensitivity, and
      neurogenic inflammation in a human TRPA1-induced pain model. Potent TRPM8
      agonists could be useful as topical antihyperalgesics. The study and the trial
      protocol is registered and approved by the local research ethics committee under
      the jurisdiction of the Danish Medicines Agency number N-20130005. The protocol
      also is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov under NCT02653703. PERSPECTIVE: Drugs
      interacting with transient receptor potential channels are of great therapeutic
      potential. In the present study we established cutaneous pain and hyperalgesia
      using the TRPA1 agonist CA. Subsequently, we showed that the frequently used
      topical counterirritant and TRPM8 agonist, L-menthol, decreased evoked pain,
      hyperalgesia, and inflammation, indicating direct and indirect antinociceptive
      mechanisms.

PMID- 27260637
TI  - Neural Correlates Differ in High and Low Fear-Avoidant Chronic Low Back Pain
      Patients When Imagining Back-Straining Movements.
AB  - The fear-avoidance model postulates that in an initial acute phase chronic low
      back pain (CLBP) patients acquire a fear of movement that results in avoidance of
      physical activity and contributes to the pain becoming chronic. The current
      functional magnetic resonance imaging study investigated the neural correlates of
      imagining back-straining and neutral movements in CLBP patients with high (HFA)
      and low fear avoidance (LFA) and healthy pain-free participants. Ninety-three
      persons (62 CLBP patients, 31 healthy controls; age 49.7 +/- 9.2 years)
      participated. The CLBP patients were divided into an HFA and an LFA group using
      the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The participants viewed pictures of back
      straining and neutral movements and were instructed to imagine that they
      themselves were executing the activity shown. When imagining back-straining
      movements, HFA patients as well as healthy controls showed stronger anterior
      hippocampus activity than LFA patients. The neural activations of HFA patients
      did not differ from those of healthy controls. This may indicate that imagining
      back-straining movements triggered pain-related evaluations in healthy controls
      and HFA participants, but not in LFA participants. Although heightened pain
      expectancy in HFA compared with LFA patients fits well with the fear-avoidance
      model, the difference between healthy controls and LFA patients was unexpected
      and contrary to the fear-avoidance model. Possibly, negative evaluations of the
      back-straining movements are common but the LFA patients use some kind of
      strategy enabling them to react differently to the back-straining events.
      PERSPECTIVE: It appears that low fear-avoidant back pain patients use some kind
      of strategy or underlying mechanism that enables them to react with less fear in
      the face of potentially painful movements. This warrants further investigation
      because countering fear and avoidance provide an important advantage with respect
      to disability.

PMID- 27260638
TI  - Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Phantom Limb Pain in Land Mine
      Victims: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial.
AB  - We evaluated the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
      in the treatment of phantom limb pain (PLP) in land mine victims. Fifty-four
      patients with PLP were enrolled in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo
      controlled, parallel group single-center trial. The intervention consisted of
      real or sham rTMS of M1 contralateral to the amputated leg. rTMS was given in
      series of 20 trains of 6-second duration (54-second intertrain, intensity 90% of
      motor threshold) at a stimulation rate of 10 Hz (1,200 pulses), 20 minutes per
      day, during 10 days. For the control group, a sham coil was used. The
      administration of active rTMS induced a significantly greater reduction in pain
      intensity (visual analogue scale scores) 15 days after treatment compared with
      sham stimulation (-53.38 +/- 53.12% vs -22.93 +/- 57.16%; mean between-group
      difference = 30.44%, 95% confidence interval, .30-60.58; P = .03). This effect
      was not significant 30 days after treatment. In addition, 19 subjects (70.3%)
      attained a clinically significant pain reduction (>30%) in the active group
      compared with 11 in the sham group (40.7%) 15 days after treatment (P = .03). The
      administration of 10 Hz rTMS on the contralateral primary motor cortex for 2
      weeks in traumatic amputees with PLP induced significant clinical improvement in
      pain. PERSPECTIVE: High-frequency rTMS on the contralateral primary motor cortex
      of traumatic amputees induced a clinically significant pain reduction up to 15
      days after treatment without any major secondary effect. These results indicate
      that rTMS is a safe and effective therapy in patients with PLP caused by land
      mine explosions.

PMID- 27260641
TI  - Laparoscopic partial splenectomy: Surgical technique.

PMID- 27260640
TI  - Hospital care in severe trauma: Initial strategies and life-saving surgical
      procedures.
AB  - Severe trauma patients should be received at the hospital by a multidisciplinary
      team directed by a "trauma leader" and all institutions capable of receiving such
      patients should be well organized. As soon as the patient is accepted for care,
      the entire team should be prepared so that there is no interruption in the pre
      hospital chain of care. All caregivers should thoroughly understand the pre
      established protocols of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to allow optimal
      management of unstable trauma victims in whom hemostasis must be obtained as soon
      as possible to decrease the morbid consequences of post-hemorrhagic shock. In
      patients with acute respiratory, circulatory or neurologic distress, several
      surgical procedures must be performed without delay by whichever surgeon is on
      call. Our goal is to describe these salvage procedures including invasive
      approaches to the upper respiratory tract, decompressive thoracostomy, hemostatic
      or resuscitative thoracotomy, hemostatic laparotomy, preperitoneal pelvic
      packing, external pelvic fixation by a pelvi-clamp, decompressive craniotomy. All
      of these procedures can be performed by all practitioners but they require
      polyvalent skills and training beforehand. 

PMID- 27260639
TI  - Scaphoid Waist Internal Fixation for Fractures Trial (SWIFFT) protocol: a
      pragmatic multi-centre randomised controlled trial of cast treatment versus
      surgical fixation for the treatment of bi-cortical, minimally displaced fractures
      of the scaphoid waist in adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A scaphoid fracture is the most common type of carpal fracture
      affecting young active people. The optimal management of this fracture is
      uncertain. When treated with a cast, 88 to 90 % of these fractures unite;
      however, for the remaining 10-12 % the non-union almost invariably leads to
      arthritis. The alternative is surgery to fix the scaphoid with a screw at the
      outset. METHODS/DESIGN: We will conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of
      438 adult patients with a "clear" and "bicortical" scaphoid waist fracture on
      plain radiographs to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness
      of plaster cast treatment (with fixation of those that fail to unite) versus
      early surgical fixation. The plaster cast treatment will be immobilisation in a
      below elbow cast for 6 to 10 weeks followed by mobilisation. If non-union is
      confirmed on plain radiographs and/or Computerised Tomogram at 6 to 12 weeks,
      then urgent surgical fixation will be performed. This is being compared with
      immediate surgical fixation with surgeons using their preferred technique and
      implant. These treatments will be undertaken in trauma units across the United
      Kingdom. The primary outcome and end-point will be the Patient Rated Wrist
      Evaluation (a patient self-reported assessment of wrist pain and function) at 52
      weeks and also measured at 6, 12, 26 weeks and 5 years. Secondary outcomes
      include an assessment of radiological union of the fracture; quality of life;
      recovery of wrist range and strength; and complications. We will also
      qualitatively investigate patient experiences of their treatment. DISCUSSION:
      Scaphoid fractures are an important public health problem as they predominantly
      affect young active individuals in the more productive working years of their
      lives. Non-union, if untreated, can lead to arthritis which can disable patients
      at a very young age. There is a rapidly increasing trend for immediate surgical
      fixation of these fractures but there is insufficient evidence from existing RCTs
      to support this. The SWIFFT Trial is a rigorously designed and adequately powered
      study which aims to contribute to the evidence-base to inform clinical decisions
      for the treatment of this common fracture in adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The
      trial is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial
      Register ( ISRCTN67901257 ). Date registration assigned was 13/02/2013.

PMID- 27260642
TI  - A cause of aerobilia without biliodigestive fistula: Acute cholecystitis with
      anaerobic gram-positive bacterial infection.

PMID- 27260643
TI  - Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Rhythm Control in Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and
      affects over 33 million people worldwide. AF is associated with stroke and
      systemic thromboembolism, unpleasant symptoms and reduced quality of life, heart
      failure, and increased mortality, and treatment of AF and its complications are
      associated with significant cost. Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) can suppress AF,
      allowing long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm, and have the potential to relieve
      symptoms and reverse or prevent adverse effects associated with AF. However,
      large randomized controlled studies evaluating use of AADs have not demonstrated
      a clear benefit to maintaining sinus rhythm, and AADs often have significant
      limitations, including a modest rate of overall success at maintaining sinus
      rhythm, frequent side effects, and potentially life-threatening toxicities.
      Although some of the currently available AADs have been available for almost 100
      years, better tolerated and more efficacious AADs have recently been developed
      both for long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm and for chemical cardioversion of
      AF to sinus rhythm. Advances in automated AF detection with cardiac implantable
      electronic devices have suggested that AADs might be useful for suppressing AF to
      allow safe discontinuation of anticoagulation in select patients who are in sinus
      rhythm for prolonged periods of time. AADs may also have synergistic effects with
      catheter ablation of AF. This review summarizes the pharmacology and clinical use
      of currently available AADs for treatment of AF and discusses novel AADs and
      future directions for rhythm control in AF.

PMID- 27260644
TI  - Effect of everolimus initiation and early calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal on
      myocardial FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in heart transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Through immunosuppression CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) play
      an indispensable role in allograft rejection. Post-HTx treatment with everolimus
      is associated with slower progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) -
      chronic rejection - than CNI based therapy. We hypothesized treatment with
      everolimus reduced the risk of CAV by modulating myocardial FoxP3 levels.
      METHODS: 15 patients from the Schedule trial comparing everolimus, MMF, steroid
      and early CNI (Everolimus, n=8) withdrawal to conventional CNI based
      immunosuppression (Controls, n=7) after de novo HTx were included and FoxP3+
      cells were quantified in 56 endomyocardial biopsies, and compared in the two
      patient groups. CAV was evaluated invasively using coronary intravascular
      ultrasound (IVUS). RESULTS: Baseline FoxP3 biopsy levels were similar in the two
      groups. The Everolimus group showed a significant increase in Foxp3 densities
      from baseline to time of one-year follow-up (median (IQR)=4.8*10(-7)(20.4)
      Tregs/MUm(2), P=0.046) while Controls showed no significant change (median
      (IQR)=3.1*10(-7)(6.5) Tregs/MUm(2), P=0.116). At 1-month follow-up FoxP3
      densities correlated with the observed change in TAV from baseline to time of 1
      year follow-up (r=0.641, P=0.034). FoxP3 densities at 1-week predicted acute
      cellular rejection (ACR) levels at 1month (P=0.026). No other correlations with
      ACR were found. CONCLUSION: Everolimus treatment combined with early CNI
      elimination is associated with increased densities of Tregs 12-months post-HTx
      compared to patients receiving CNI based regimen. Furthermore, the density of
      myocardial FoxP3+ cells early after transplantation appears to predict at least
      one measure of CAV burden after one year.

PMID- 27260645
TI  - Chromosomal phylogeny of Vampyressine bats (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) with
      description of two new sex chromosome systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The subtribe Vampyressina (sensu Baker et al. 2003) encompasses
      approximately 43 species and seven genera and is a recent and diversified group
      of New World leaf-nosed bats specialized in fruit eating. The systematics of this
      group continues to be debated mainly because of the lack of congruence between
      topologies generated by molecular and morphological data. We analyzed seven
      species of all genera of vampyressine bats by multidirectional chromosome
      painting, using whole-chromosome-painting probes from Carollia brevicauda and
      Phyllostomus hastatus. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using shared discrete
      chromosomal segments as characters and the Phylogenetic Analysis Using Parsimony
      (PAUP) software package, using Desmodontinae as outgroup. We also used the Tree
      Analysis Using New Technology (TNT) software. RESULTS: The result showed a well
      supported phylogeny congruent with molecular topologies regarding the sister taxa
      relationship of Vampyressa and Mesophylla genera, as well as the close
      relationship between the genus Chiroderma and Vampyriscus. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results supported the hypothesis that all genera of this subtribe have compound
      sex chromosome systems that originated from an X-autosome translocation, an
      ancestral condition observed in the Stenodermatinae. Additional rearrangements
      occurred independently in the genus Vampyressa and Mesophylla yielding the
      X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y sex chromosome system. This work presents additional data
      supporting the hypothesis based on molecular studies regarding the polyphyly of
      the genus Vampyressa and its sister relationship to Mesophylla.

PMID- 27260646
TI  - Regional differences in oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial activity among
      cortical bone osteocytes.
AB  - Metabolic oxidative stress has been implicated as a cause of osteocyte apoptosis,
      an essential step in triggering bone remodeling. However, little is known about
      the oxidative behavior of osteocytes in vivo. We assessed the redox status and
      distribution of total and active mitochondria in osteocytes of mouse metatarsal
      cortical bone in situ. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) was used to measure
      fluorescence of reduced pyridine nucleotides (NADH) under normoxic conditions and
      acutely following extreme (postmortem) hypoxic stress. Under non-hypoxic
      conditions, osteocytes exhibited no detectable fluorescence, indicating rapid
      NADH re-oxidation. With hypoxia, NADH levels peaked and returned to near baseline
      levels over 3h. Cells near the periosteal surface reached maximum NADH levels
      twice as rapidly as osteocytes near the mid-cortex, due to the time required to
      initiate NADH accumulation; once started, NADH accumulation followed a similar
      exponential relationship at all sites. Osteocytes near periosteal and endosteal
      bone surfaces also had higher mitochondrial content than those in mid-cortex
      based on immunohistochemical staining for mitochondrial ATPase-5A (Complex V
      ATPase). The content of active mitochondria, assessed in situ using the
      potentiometric dye TMRM, was also high in osteocytes near periosteum, but low in
      osteocytes near endocortical surfaces, similar to levels in mid-cortex. These
      results demonstrate that cortical osteocytes maintain normal oxidative status
      utilizing mainly aerobic (mitochondrial) pathways but respond to hypoxic stress
      differently depending on their location in the cortex, a difference linked to
      mitochondrial content. An apparently high proportion of poorly functional
      mitochondria in osteocytes near endocortical surfaces, where increased apoptosis
      mainly occurs in response to bone remodeling stimuli, further suggest that
      regional differences in oxidative function may in part determine osteocyte
      susceptibility to undergo apoptosis in response to stimuli that trigger bone
      remodeling.

PMID- 27260647
TI  - Seasonal changes in serum calcium, PTH and vitamin D levels in patients with
      primary hyperparathyroidism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Seasonal variations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, PTH and calcium levels
      are not well characterized in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Our objectives
      were to characterize seasonal changes in these parameters in PHPT patients, and
      to assess whether these seasonal changes affect clinical decision making.
      METHODS: This is a retrospective study based on the electronic medical records of
      Clalit Health service in the south of Israel between 2000 and 2012. Patients
      18years and older with PHPT (PTH>upper limit of norm (ULN) and serum
      calcium>10.5mg%) were included. Patients with renal failure or on Thiazide
      diuretics were excluded. All serum levels of calcium, PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D
      were collected and then stratified according to season. RESULTS: 792 patients
      were classified as PHPT (72.2% female) and had a total of 2659 PTH tests, 1395 25
      hydroxyvitamin D tests and 7426 calcium test. Fifty six percent of 25
      hydroxyvitamin D levels were <50nmol/L. Seasonality was demonstrated in all three
      parameters: mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 13% higher in the summer compared to the
      winter (P<0.001), median PTH values showed opposite trend with a fall of about
      8.4% in summer compared to winter (P<0.001). Calcium levels were higher during
      the autumn with a rise of about 0.2mg/dL in the mean calcium levels compared to
      spring and summer (P<0.001). The odds ratio of calcium level above 11.5mg/dL is
      highest in the autumn (OR=1.275, P=0.018). CONCLUSION: We show seasonal variation
      in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, PTH, and calcium levels in patients with PHPT.
      These seasonal variations cause transition to pathological values that may
      influence diagnosis and treatment of PHPT patients.

PMID- 27260648
TI  - Letter to the Editor, concerning: "FGF23-regulated production of fetuin-A (AHSG)
      in osteocytes".

PMID- 27260649
TI  - Covering bariatric surgery has minimal effect on insurance premium costs within
      the Affordable Care Act.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Currently, of the 51 state health exchanges operating under the
      Affordable Care Act, only 23 include benchmark plans that cover bariatric surgery
      coverage. Bariatric surgery coverage is not considered an essential health
      benefit in 28 state exchanges, and this lack of coverage has a discriminatory and
      detrimental impact on millions of Americans participating in state exchanges that
      do not provide bariatric surgery coverage. OBJECTIVES: We examined 3 state
      exchanges in which a portion of their plans provided coverage for bariatric
      surgery to determine if bariatric surgery coverage is correlated with premium
      costs. SETTING: State health exchanges; United States. METHODS: Data from the
      2015 state exchange plans were analyzed using information from the Centers for
      Medicare & Medicaid Services' Individual Market Landscape file and Benefits and
      Cost Sharing public use files. RESULTS: Only 3 states (Oklahoma, Oregon, and
      Virginia) in the analysis have 1 or more rating regions in which a portion of the
      plans cover bariatric surgery. In Oklahoma and Oregon, the average monthly
      premiums for all bronze, silver, and gold coverage levels are higher for plans
      covering bariatric surgery. Only 1 of these states included platinum plans that
      cover bariatric surgery. The average difference in premiums was between $1 to $45
      higher in Oklahoma, and $18 to $32 higher in Oregon. Conversely, in Virginia, the
      average monthly premiums are between $2 and $21 lower for each level for plans
      covering bariatric surgery. Monthly premiums for plans covering versus not
      covering bariatric surgery ranged from 6% lower to 15% higher in the same
      geographic rating region. CONCLUSIONS: Across all 3 states in the sample, the
      average monthly premiums do not differ consistently on the basis of whether the
      state exchange plans cover bariatric surgery.

PMID- 27260650
TI  - Effect of different bariatric surgery type on the leukocyte formula.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with higher leukocyte counts, whereas weight
      loss decreases these counts. It is unknown if different bariatric surgery (BS)
      types have different effects on leukocytes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was
      to determine predictors of leukocyte and their subset count variation in patients
      submitted to BS. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital, Porto, Portugal.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients submitted to Roux-en-Y
      gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), or sleeve
      gastrectomy (SG). Leukocyte and subset counts were compared between baseline and
      1-year postsurgery and between BS types. A multivariate linear regression model
      was built to study determinants of leukocyte and subset variation. RESULTS: We
      analyzed 764 patients: 238 submitted to LAGB; 452 to RYGB, and 74 to SG. Mean age
      was 42 years and 86.6% were women. All BS types were associated with a decrease
      in leukocyte and neutrophil counts but the variation in body mass index and
      homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) were the only variables independently
      associated with a decrease 1-year postsurgery. Monocytes increased in patients
      submitted to LAGB and decreased in those who underwent RYGB and SG. The BS type
      was independently associated with monocyte variation. Patients who underwent RYGB
      and SG had a decrease in monocyte counts of 77/uL and 62/uL, respectively,
      compared with LAGB. CONCLUSION: Weight and insulin resistance are the main
      predictors of leukocyte and neutrophil variation after BS. The specific type of
      BS is a determinant of monocyte count variation independent of the amount of
      weight loss or the degree of insulin resistance improvement.

PMID- 27260651
TI  - Roux-en-Y gastric bypass reversal: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to the large number of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgeries
      performed over the last decade, reversal of the bypass to normal anatomy has been
      increasingly reported. SETTING: University affiliated Teaching Hospital, United
      States. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the
      literature data regarding the indications, technical considerations, and outcomes
      of gastric bypass reversal. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE search was conducted for
      articles reporting reversal of gastric bypass to normal anatomy. Patients'
      demographic characteristics, primary reason for reversal, reversal technique, and
      postreversal events were retrieved and categorized from each eligible paper.
      RESULTS: Thirty-five articles encompassing a total of 100 patients were eligible.
      Malnutrition was the most common indication for reversal (12.3%), followed by
      severe dumping syndrome (9.4%), postprandial hypoglycemia (8.5%), and excessive
      weight loss (8.5%). Techniques for gastrogastrostomy were available in 42
      patients, with the hand-sewn technique as the most common (67.4%) followed by the
      linear stapler (23.2%) and the end-to-end anastomosis stapler used in 3 patients
      (6.9%). The reversal technique was performed endoscopically and described in 3
      studies (3 patients). Techniques for handling the Roux limb were described in 56
      patients (56%); the limb was reconnected in 32 patients (57.2%) and resected in
      24 patients (42.8%). Weight regain was the most prevalent postreversal event
      (28.8%), followed by severe gastroesophageal reflux diseases (10.2%) and
      persistent abdominal pain (6.8%). There was no reported mortality. CONCLUSION:
      Gastric bypass reversal is indicated for excessive weight loss, dumping syndrome,
      and postprandial hypoglycemia. The procedure is well tolerated and feasible when
      performed laparoscopically and has no reported mortality.

PMID- 27260652
TI  - Surgery for type 2 diabetes: the case for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
AB  - The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has traditionally been the most common
      bariatric procedure. Long-term data on the efficacy of RYGB demonstrate a long
      lasting benefit in weight loss and control of the metabolic syndrome. Although
      observations of type 2 diabetes (T2D) resolution after RYGB have been reported
      for 3 decades, it was not until recently that multiple randomized trials
      comparing RYGB to medical therapy verified the same thing: RYGB leads to
      significantly greater diabetes control and remission. Even though T2D can
      relapse, there remains a significant overall benefit of bariatric surgery
      regarding the downstream effects of T2D: cardiovascular risk and micro- and
      macrovascular complications. Limited data are available on the comparative
      effectiveness of RYGB and sleeve gastrectomy in improving glucose homeostasis,
      but studies including both surgical procedures suggest that the benefit of RYGB
      in T2D may be more profound. Although further research is needed to examine
      closely any differences between these 2 procedures, multiple studies underscore
      the unprecedented value of bariatric surgery for the control and remission of
      T2D. 

PMID- 27260653
TI  - Osteoarthritis in veterans undergoing bariatric surgery is associated with
      decreased excess weight loss: 5-year outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity exacerbates pre-existing musculoskeletal disease and joint
      pain. This may limit physical activity in obese individuals. OBJECTIVES: We
      sought to identify the disease burden and impact of osteoarthritis of the lumbar
      back, hip, knee, and ankle in veterans undergoing bariatric surgery. SETTING:
      Veterans Affairs medical center. METHODS: Retrospective review of a prospective
      bariatric database of operations performed at a single Veterans Affairs medical
      center. Patients with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, hip, knee, or ankle
      were identified and diagnosis confirmed by electronic health record review of
      prior radiographic reports. Analysis was performed using chi2 test for continuous
      variables. Student's t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare
      qualitative variables. RESULTS: Of 254 bariatric surgical patients, 83.9% had
      preoperative musculoskeletal pain before bariatric surgery and 59.1% had a
      confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, hips, knees, and/or
      ankles. Follow-up rate was 97.4%, 85.4%, and 82.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years
      respectively. Of patients with osteoarthritis, 58.6% had knee involvement and 46%
      had multiple sites involved. In the cohort without osteoarthritis, percent excess
      body mass index loss was 66.9% at 1 year versus 58.5% in the cohort with
      osteoarthritis (P = .009), 66.1% versus 51.9% (P = .001) at 3 years, and 64.3%
      versus 50.1% (P = .002) after 5 years. Percent total weight loss was 28.4% versus
      25.2%, 28.0% versus 22.8%, and 27.1% versus 22.4%, respectively, at 1, 3, and 5
      years. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoarthritis is common among veterans undergoing bariatric
      surgery. It is associated with significantly less weight loss compared to
      veterans who do not have osteoarthritis, up to 5 years after bariatric surgery.

PMID- 27260654
TI  - One-stage conversion of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to a modified biliopancreatic
      diversion with duodenal switch using a hybrid sleeve concept.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Insufficient weight loss (percentage of excess weight loss
      [%EWL]<50%) is observed in approximately 20% of patients after Roux-en-Y gastric
      bypass (RYGB). Surgical revision can be performed by various procedures including
      malabsorptive techniques. Conversion to a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal
      switch (BPD/DS) remains a complex technique which cannot always be performed as a
      one-stage procedure. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the conversion of RYGB to
      BPD/DS using a novel gastric reconstruction technique based on a "hybrid sleeve"
      using the existing gastrojejunal anastomosis of the RYGB. SETTING: All the
      procedures were performed at a private hospital. METHODS: The consecutive
      patients who were eligible for conversion since 2010 were reviewed; eligibility
      included %EWL<=50% and normal gastric pouch. The gastrojejunal anastomosis of the
      RYGB was untouched and the gastric fundus was resected. The gastric continuity
      was restored by an anastomosis between a short segment of the alimentary limb and
      the gastric antrum. A standard BPD/DS was then performed without restoration of
      the jejunal continuity. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were converted to BPD/DS for a
      mean body mass index (BMI) of 44.3+/-6.0 kg/m2, a mean %EWL of 33.4%, and a
      percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) of 15.3+/-11.7%. The BMI before RYGB was
      54.4+/-13.1 kg/m2, with half of the patients being super-obese. All but 3
      conversions were completed as a single stage and laparoscopically in a mean of
      177 minutes. The 30-day complication rate was 28.5%. No patient was lost to
      follow-up over a mean 25.8 months and the BMI of the 12 patients with a follow
      up>=3 months is 33.2+/-7.2 kg/m2. With reference to the initial weight of the
      patients, the mean %EWL is 73.5% and %TWL is 37.6+/-16.0%. On average, patients
      benefited from a 21.1% TWL through the conversion of their RYGB. CONCLUSIONS:
      This procedure allows for an easier conversion of RYGB to BPD/DS and appears to
      be the most effective procedure for resuming weight loss. Nutritional
      consequences and weight loss are similar to the primary BPD/DS results. However,
      the benefits and risks must be carefully assessed according to the definition of
      weight loss failure.

PMID- 27260655
TI  - A balanced translocation disrupting BCL2L10 and PNLDC1 segregates with affective
      psychosis.
AB  - Affective psychoses are a group of severe psychiatric disorders, including
      schizoaffective disorder and bipolar I disorder, together affecting ~1% of the
      population. Despite their high heritability, the molecular genetics and
      neurobiology of affective psychosis remain largely elusive. Here, we describe the
      identification of a structural genetic variant segregating with affective
      psychosis in a family with multiple members suffering from bipolar I disorder or
      schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. A balanced translocation involving
      chromosomes 6 and 15 was detected by karyotyping and fluorescence in-situ
      hybridization (FISH). Using whole-genome sequencing, we rapidly delineated the
      translocation breakpoints as corresponding intragenic events disrupting BCL2L10
      and PNLDC1. These data warrant further consideration for BCL2L10 and PNLDC1 as
      novel candidates for affective psychosis. (c) 2016 The Authors. American Journal
      of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics Published by Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27260656
TI  - Immunotherapy of Brain Cancer.
AB  - The brain has long been considered an immune-privileged site precluding potent
      immune responses. Nevertheless, because of the failure of conventional anti
      cancer treatments to achieve sustained control of intracranial neoplasms,
      immunotherapy has been considered as a promising strategy for decades. However,
      several efforts aimed at exploiting the immune system as a therapeutic weapon
      were largely unsuccessful. The situation only changed with the introduction of
      the checkpoint inhibitors, which target immune cell receptors that interfere with
      the activation of immune effector cells. Following the observation of striking
      effects of drugs that target CTLA-4 or PD-1 against melanoma and other tumor
      entities, it was recognized that these drugs may also be active against
      metastatic tumor lesions in the brain. Their therapeutic activity against primary
      brain tumors is currently being investigated within clinical trials. In parallel,
      other immunotherapeutics such as peptide vaccines are at an advanced stage of
      clinical development. Further immunotherapeutic strategies currently under
      investigation comprise adoptive immune cell transfer as well as inhibitors of
      metabolic pathways involved in the local immunosuppression frequently found in
      brain tumors. Thus, the ongoing implementation of immunotherapeutic concepts into
      clinical routine may represent a powerful addition to the therapeutic arsenal
      against various brain tumors. 

PMID- 27260657
TI  - Rapid detection of lineage IV peste des petits ruminants virus by real-time RT
      PCR.
AB  - Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is the cause agent of peste des petitis
      ruminants (PPR). A novel lineage IV PPRV has reemerged in China in 2013 and 2014.
      Mass vaccination was implemented in most provinces in China. In order to detect
      lineage IV PPRV in clinical samples and to distinguish rapidly it from the other
      lineages PPRVs, a real-time RT-PCR assay was developed. This assay showed high
      sensitivity, specificity and efficiency in differentiating the lineage IV PPRV
      from others. The performance of this assay was evaluated by positive clinical
      samples of lineage IV viruses. This new real-time RT-PCR assay will facilitate
      epidemiological investigations and rapid differentiatial diagnosis in areas where
      lineage IV viruses are circulating.

PMID- 27260658
TI  - Detection and transmission of Carrot torrado virus, a novel putative member of
      the Torradovirus genus.
AB  - A new Torradovirus tentatively named Carrot torrado virus (CaTV) was an
      incidental finding following a next generation sequencing study investigating
      internal vascular necrosis in carrot. The closest related viruses are Lettuce
      necrotic leaf curl virus (LNLCV) found in the Netherlands in 2011 and Motherwort
      yellow mottle virus (MYMoV) found in Korea in 2014. Primers for reverse
      transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) and RT-qPCR were designed with the aim of testing for
      the presence of virus in plant samples collected from the field. Both methods
      successfully amplified the target from infected samples but not from healthy
      control samples. The specificity of the CaTV assay was also checked against other
      known carrot viruses and no cross-reaction was seen. A comparative study between
      methods showed RT-qPCR was the most reliable method, giving positive results in
      samples where RT-PCR fails. Evaluation of the Ct values following RT-qPCR and a
      direct comparison demonstrated this was due to improved sensitivity. The previous
      published Torradovirus genus specific RT-PCR primers were tested and shown to
      detect CaTV. Also, virus transmission experiments carried out suggest that unlike
      other species of the same genus, Carrot torrado virus could be aphid-transmitted.

PMID- 27260659
TI  - A young male with more than lupus.

PMID- 27260660
TI  - ThrR, a DNA-binding transcription factor involved in controlling threonine
      biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis.
AB  - The threonine dehydratase IlvA is part of the isoleucine biosynthesis pathway in
      the Gram-positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Consequently, deletion of
      ilvA causes isoleucine auxotrophy. It has been reported that ilvA pseudo
      revertants having a derepressed hom-thrCB operon appear in the presence of
      threonine. Here we have characterized two classes of ilvA pseudo-revertants. In
      the first class the hom-thrCB operon was derepressed unmasking the threonine
      dehydratase activity of the threonine synthase ThrC. In the second class of
      mutants, threonine biosynthesis was more broadly affected. The first class of
      ilvA pseudo-revertants had a mutation in the Phom promoter (P*hom ), resulting in
      constitutive expression of the hom-thrCB operon. In the second class of ilvA
      pseudo-revertants, the thrR gene encoding a putative DNA-binding protein was
      inactivated, also resulting in constitutive expression of the hom-thrCB operon.
      Here we demonstrate that ThrR is indeed a DNA-binding transcription factor that
      regulates the hom-thrCB operon and the thrD aspartokinase gene. DNA binding
      assays uncovered the DNA-binding site of ThrR and revealed that the repressor
      competes with the RNA polymerase for DNA binding. This study also revealed that
      ThrR orthologs are ubiquitous in genomes from the Gram-positive phylum Firmicutes
      and in some Gram-negative bacteria.

PMID- 27260661
TI  - Can only one person be right? The development of objectivism and social
      preferences regarding widely shared and controversial moral beliefs.
AB  - Prior work has established that children and adults distinguish moral norms
      (e.g., hitting is wrong) from conventional norms (e.g., wearing pajamas to school
      is wrong). Specifically, moral norms are generally perceived as universal across
      time and space, similar to objective facts. We examined preschoolers' and adults'
      perceptions of moral beliefs alongside facts and opinions by asking whether only
      one person could be right in the case of disagreements. We also compared
      perceptions of widely shared moral beliefs (e.g., whether it is better to pull
      someone's hair or share with someone) and controversial moral beliefs (e.g.,
      whether it is better to help someone with a project or make cookies for someone).
      In Studies 1 and 2, preschoolers and adults were more likely to judge that only
      one person could be right in the case of widely shared versus controversial moral
      beliefs, treating the former as more objective or fact-like. Children were also
      more likely than adults to say that only one person could be right in a moral
      disagreement. Study 2 additionally revealed that adults were more likely than
      children to report preferring individuals who shared their controversial moral
      beliefs. Study 3 replicated these patterns using a different sample of widely
      shared beliefs (e.g., whether it is okay to mock a poor classmate) and
      controversial moral beliefs (e.g., whether it is okay to tell small, prosocial
      lies). While some aspects of moral cognition may depend on abundant social
      learning and cognitive development, the perception that disagreements about
      widely shared moral beliefs have only one right answer while disagreements about
      controversial moral beliefs do not emerges relatively early. We discuss
      implications for moral learning and social preferences.

PMID- 27260662
TI  - Characterization, kinetics and thermodynamics of Ag(I) sorption using novel
      sorbent: Dry wheatgrass.
AB  - In the present study, dried wheatgrass (DWG), an available and renewable biomass,
      was investigated as a novel Ag(I) sorbent. Sorption data was modeled to 11
      different kinetic and diffusion models at different DWG concentration. Pseudo
      second-order model fits the data most appropriately among these. Diffusion was
      not the sole mechanism controlling Ag(I) sorption by DWG. The enthalpy and
      entropy for Ag(I) sorption by DWG are 10.511 kJ mol(-1) and 0.065 kJ mol(-1) K(
      1), respectively. Gibbs free energy decreases with rise in temperature. Ag(I)
      sorption by DWG is spontaneous, endothermic with increased randomness at the
      interface. Characterization of DWG suggested the presence of diverse functional
      groups. Ag(I) sorption by DWG involved mechanisms such as physisorption and
      chemisorptions. DWG can be efficiently used to remediate and recover Ag(I) from
      solution in an eco-friendly manner. 

PMID- 27260663
TI  - Earmarking and the political support of fat taxes.
AB  - An unhealthy good causes health issues in the long run. It creates a misperceived
      utility loss and increases health care costs. Conversely, a healthy good provides
      misperceived utility gains and reduces health care costs. Individuals differ in
      income and in their degree of misperception; they vote over a fat tax according
      to their misperceived utility. A fraction of the tax proceeds is "earmarked" to
      reduce health insurance premiums; the remainder finances a subsidy on the healthy
      good. This earmarking rule is determined to maximize welfare, anticipating the
      induced political equilibrium. The equilibrium fat tax is always lower than the
      utilitarian level. This is not necessarily true with a Rawlsian objective. The
      determination of the earmarking rule is complex. Even in the utilitarian case, it
      is not just used to boost political support for the fat tax. Instead, it may
      involve a tradeoff between fat tax and healthy good subsidy.

PMID- 27260664
TI  - Denoising of MR spectroscopic imaging data using statistical selection of
      principal components.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a new denoising method for MR spectroscopic imaging
      (MRSI) data based on selection of signal-related principal components (SSPCs)
      from principal components analysis (PCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PCA-based
      method was implemented for selection of signal-related PCs and denoising achieved
      by reconstructing the original data set utilizing only these PCs. Performance was
      evaluated using simulated MRSI data and two volumetric in vivo MRSIs of human
      brain, from a normal subject and a patient with a brain tumor, using variable
      signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), metabolite peak areas, Cramer-Rao bounds (CRBs) of
      fitted metabolite peak areas and metabolite linewidth. RESULTS: In simulated
      data, SSPC determined the correct number of signal-related PCs. For in vivo
      studies, the SSPC denoising resulted in improved SNRs and reduced metabolite
      quantification uncertainty compared to the original data and two other methods
      for denoising. The method also performed very well in preserving the spectral
      linewidth and peak areas. However, this method performs better for regions that
      have larger numbers of similar spectra. CONCLUSION: The proposed SSPC denoising
      improved the SNR and metabolite quantification uncertainty in MRSI, with minimal
      compromise of the spectral information, and can result in increased accuracy.

PMID- 27260665
TI  - The use of DNA barcode for identifying species of Oxysarcodexia Townsend
      (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): A preliminary survey.
AB  - Oxysarcodexia is one of the Neotropical richest genera within the Sarcophagidae
      family. Medical, veterinary and forensic importance of these flies are due to
      their association with corpses, cases of myiasis in humans and domestic animals,
      and being pathogen carriers. Regarding morphological identification, molecular
      techniques, especially the DNA-based ones, arise as useful alternatives or
      complementary methodologies for species identification. Thus, in this study we
      aimed to investigate the potential of the COI marker (barcode region) to delimit
      Oxysarcodexia species in comparison with the morphological identification
      criteria. A COI fragment was amplified and the length of the sequences after
      alignment were of 648bp (149 parsimoniously informative variable sites).
      According to the Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree, specimens of the same
      morphological species were clustered in monophyletic clades (82-100% bootstrap
      branch support). Species-level resolution thus achieved was successful, despite
      low interspecific divergence (1.8-2.3%) and since interspecific variation was
      higher than intraspecific divergence (0.1-1.2%). Therefore, the use of COI
      barcode sequences supports differentiation and identification of the
      Oxysarcodexia species studied. 

PMID- 27260666
TI  - An overview on different aspects of hypodermosis: Current status and future
      prospects.
AB  - Livestock plays a vital role in economic development of a nation and is being
      used in agriculture for draft power, production of farmyard manure as well as
      milk and meat production. Bovine hypodermosis is the top culprit among all
      parasitic infections across the world. Hypodermosis is an endemic disease in the
      mountainous areas/plain areas and is regularly observed in the northern
      hemisphere of the globe affecting cattle, deer, yaks and buffaloes. There is a
      wide variation in geographical distribution of Hypoderma spp. during the years
      1945-2015. The manuscript includes a geospatial study that tries to maps the
      global distribution of hypodermosis in different areas of the world in order to
      detect hotspots or endemic areas that may be a potential source for disease
      spread. This information's are very useful to predict the potential high risk
      areas that are prone to disease outbreak. The present review aims to evaluate the
      global distribution, molecular discrimination, diagnostics and vaccination of
      hypodermosis, focusing on its current status and future perspectives towards the
      management of the disease and its control strategies. 

PMID- 27260667
TI  - Prevalence, risk factors and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon
      bieneusi in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in five provinces of Northern
      China.
AB  - The disease microsporidiosis is found worldwide and is mainly caused by
      Enterocytozoon bieneusi. E. bieneusi can infect a wide range of hosts; however,
      information regarding the prevalence and genotyping of E. bieneusi infection in
      raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is limited. Therefore, in 2015, we
      examined 305 faecel samples from 80 farmed raccoon dogs in Jilin Province, from
      54 in Hebei Province, from 72 in Liaoning Province, from 29 in Shandong Province,
      and from 40 in Heilongjiang Province. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi
      infection in farmed raccoon dogs was 22.30%. Logistic regression analysis
      suggests that age, gender and region of raccoon dogs were highly related to the
      prevalence of E. bieneusi infection. Moreover, six E. bieneusi internal
      transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences, including four known genotypes, namely
      D, CHN-DC1, NCF2, and CHN-F1, and two novel genotypes (NCR1 and NCR2), were
      identified in the present study. The present study firstly indicated the
      existence of E. bieneusi genotypes NCF2, NCR1, NCR2and CHN-F1 in infected raccoon
      dogs in Northern China. Integrated control strategies should be implemented to
      limit E. bieneusi infection in farmed raccoon dogs, and to prevent transmission
      of this disease to other animals and humans. 

PMID- 27260668
TI  - Vector competence of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) for
      the DEN2-FJ10 and DEN2-FJ11 strains of the dengue 2 virus in Fujian, China.
AB  - Dengue is an acute, emerging, infectious disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes
      that has become a serious global public health problem. The DEN2-FJ10 and DEN2
      FJ11 strains of the dengue 2 virus were originally isolated from the serum of a
      patient with dengue fever in Fujian Province, China, in 1999. Our data provide
      the first assessment of the vector competence of Aedes mosquitoes with respect to
      the DEN2-FJ10 and DEN2-FJ11 strains of the dengue virus. There were significant
      differences in the replication rates of these two viral strains in Aedes
      albopictus and Aedes aegypti (P<0.05); replication of the DEN2-FJ10 strain was
      greater in Ae. aegypti than in Ae. albopictus 5 days post infection whereas
      replication of the DEN2-FJ11 was greater in Ae. albopictus than in Ae. aegypti 7
      days post infection. The replicative ability of the DEN2-FJ11 strain was greater
      than that of the DEN2-FJ10 strain in infected Ae. albopictus. In infected Ae.
      aegypti, rapid proliferation of the DEN2-FJ10 strain occurred earlier than in the
      DEN2-FJ11 strain. There were no significant differences in the midgut and
      salivary gland infection rates of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti with respect to
      either viral strain. Although the DEN2-FJ10 and DEN2-FJ11 strains differ in their
      virulence to neonatal rats, there was no significant difference in the ability of
      either Ae. albopictus or Ae. aegypti to transmit the DEN2-FJ10 and DEN2-FJ10
      strains of the dengue 2 virus (P>0.05). In summary, our results indicate that Ae.
      albopictus and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are moderately competent vectors of the
      DEN2-FJ10 and DEN2-FJ11 strains of the dengue virus and provide the first
      evidence of the effect of these two viral strains on the vector competence of
      mosquitoes in China. 

PMID- 27260669
TI  - Does MW Radiation Affect Gene Expression, Apoptotic Level, and Cell Cycle
      Progression of Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells?
AB  - Neuroblastoma (NB) is a cancer that occurs in sympathetic nervous system arising
      from neuroblasts and nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest, or spinal
      cord. It is an embryonal malignancy and affects infants and children. In this
      study, we investigated the effects of microwave (MW) radiation on apoptotic
      activity, cell viability, and cell cycle progression in human SH-SY5Y NB cells
      which can give information about MW radiation effects on neural cells covering
      the period from the embryonic stages to infants. SH-SY5Y NB cells were exposed to
      2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated MW radiation for 24 h at a specific absorption rate of
      0.491 W/kg. Control samples were in the same conditions with MW-exposed samples
      but they were not exposed to MW radiation. The apoptotic activity of cells was
      measured by Annexin-V-FITC and propidium iodide staining. Moreover, mRNA levels
      of proliferative and cell cycle proteins were determined by real-time RT-PCR. The
      change in cell cycle progression was observed by using CycleTest-Plus DNA
      reagent. No significant change was observed in apoptotic activity of MW-exposed
      cells compared to control cells. The mRNA levels of c-myc and cyclin D1 were
      significantly reduced in MW group (p < 0.05). The percentage of MW-exposed cells
      in G1 phase was significantly higher than the percentage of control cells in G1
      phase. MW radiation caused cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. These results showed
      that 2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated MW radiation did not cause apoptotic cell death but
      changed cell cycle progression. 

PMID- 27260670
TI  - Inconsistency in the Self-report of Chronic Diseases in Panel Surveys: Developing
      an Adjudication Method for the Health and Retirement Study.
AB  - Objectives: Chronic disease data from longitudinal health interview surveys are
      frequently used in epidemiologic studies. These data may be limited by
      inconsistencies in self-report by respondents across waves. We examined disease
      inconsistencies in the Health and Retirement Study and investigated a multistep
      method of adjudication. We hypothesized a greater likelihood of inconsistences
      among respondents with cognitive impairment, of underrepresented race/ethnic
      groups, having lower education, or having less income/wealth. Method: We analyzed
      Waves 1995-2010, including adults 51 years and older (N = 24,156). Diseases
      included hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, and
      arthritis. We used questions about the diseases to formulate a multistep
      adjudication method to resolve inconsistencies across waves. Results: Thirty
      percent had inconsistency in their self-report of diseases across waves, with
      cognitive impairment, proxy status, age, Hispanic ethnicity, and wealth as key
      predictors. Arthritis and hypertension had the most frequent inconsistencies;
      stroke and cancer, the fewest. Using a stepwise method, we adjudicated 60%-75% of
      inconsistent responses. Discussion: Discrepancies in the self-report of diseases
      across multiple waves of health interview surveys are common. Differences in
      prevalence between original and adjudicated data may be substantial for some
      diseases and for some groups, (e.g., the cognitively impaired).

PMID- 27260671
TI  - The Good Clinical Practice guideline and its interpretation - perceptions of
      clinical trial teams in sub-Saharan Africa.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore the advantages and challenges of working with the Good
      Clinical Practice (GCP)-International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) E6
      guideline and its interpretation from the perspective of clinical trial teams
      based in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: We conducted 60 key informant interviews
      with clinical trial staff at different levels in clinical research centres in
      Kenya, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Senegal and thematically analysed the responses.
      RESULTS: Clinical trial teams perceived working with ICH-GCP as highly
      advantageous and regarded ICH-GCP as applicable to their setting and efficiently
      applied. Only for informed consent did some clinical trial staff (one-third)
      perceive the guideline as insufficiently applicable. Specific challenges included
      meeting the requirements for written and individual consent, conditions for
      impartial witnesses for illiterates or legally acceptable representatives for
      children, guaranteeing voluntary participation and ensuring full understanding of
      the consent given. It was deemed important to have ICH-GCP compliance monitored
      by relevant ethics committees and regulatory authorities, without having
      guidelines applied overcautiously. CONCLUSION: Clinical trial teams in sub
      Saharan Africa perceived GCP as a helpful guideline, despite having been
      developed by northern organisations and despite the high administrative burden of
      implementing it. To mitigate consent challenges, we suggest adapting GCP and
      making use of the flexibility it offers.

PMID- 27260672
TI  - Effects and mechanisms of cavidine protecting mice against LPS-induced endotoxic
      shock.
AB  - LPS sensitized mice are usually considered as an experimental model of endotoxin
      shock. The present study aims to evaluate effects of cavidine on LPS-induced
      endotoxin shock. Mice were intraperitoneally administrated with cavidine (1, 3
      and 10mg/kg) or DEX (5mg/kg) at 1 and 12h before injecting LPS (30mg/kg)
      intraperitoneally. Blood samples, liver, lung and kidney tissues were harvested
      after LPS injection. The study demonstrated that pretreatment with cavidine
      reduced the mortality of mice during 72h after endotoxin injection. In addition,
      cavidine administration significantly attenuated histological pathophysiology
      features of LPS-induced injury in lung, liver and kidney. Furthermore, cavidine
      administration inhibited endotoxin-induced production of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-6 and HMGB1. Moreover, cavidine pretreatment
      attenuated the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase primed by LPS.
      In summary, cavidine protects mice against LPS-induced endotoxic shock via
      inhibiting early pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, IL-6 and late-phase
      cytokine HMGB1, and the modulation of HMGB1 may be related with MAPK signal
      pathway.

PMID- 27260673
TI  - Inhibition by ketamine and amphetamine analogs of the neurogenic nitrergic
      vasodilations in porcine basilar arteries.
AB  - The abuse of ketamine and amphetamine analogs is associated with incidence of
      hypertension and strokes involving activation of sympathetic activities. Large
      cerebral arteries at the base of the brain from several species receive dense
      sympathetic innervation which upon activation causes parasympathetic-nitrergic
      vasodilation with increased regional blood flow via axo-axonal interaction
      mechanism, serving as a protective mechanism to meet O2 demand in an acutely
      stressful situation. The present study was designed to examine effects of
      ketamine and amphetamine analogs on axo-axonal interaction-mediated neurogenic
      nitrergic vasodilation in porcine basilar arteries using techniques of blood
      vessel myography, patch clamp and two-electrode voltage clamp, and calcium
      imaging. In U46619-contracted basilar arterial rings, nicotine (100MUM) and
      electrical depolarization of nitrergic nerves by transmural nerve stimulation
      (TNS, 8Hz) elicited neurogenic nitrergic vasodilations. Ketamine and amphetamine
      analogs concentration-dependently inhibited nicotine-induced parasympathetic
      nitrergic vasodilation without affecting that induced by TNS, nitroprusside or
      isoproterenol. Ketamine and amphetamine analogs also concentration-dependently
      blocked nicotine-induced inward currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing
      alpha3beta2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), and nicotine-induced
      inward currents as well as calcium influxes in rat superior cervical ganglion
      neurons. The potency in inhibiting both inward-currents and calcium influxes is
      ketamine>methamphetamine>hydroxyamphetamine. These results indicate that ketamine
      and amphetamine analogs, by blocking nAChRs located on cerebral perivascular
      sympathetic nerves, reduce nicotine-induced, axo-axonal interaction mechanism
      mediated neurogenic dilation of the basilar arteries. Chronic abuse of these
      drugs, therefore, may interfere with normal sympathetic-parasympathetic
      interaction mechanism resulting in diminished neurogenic vasodilation and,
      possibly, normal blood flow in the brainstem.

PMID- 27260674
TI  - Mitragynine and its potential blocking effects on specific cardiac potassium
      channels.
AB  - Mitragyna speciosa Korth is known for its euphoric properties and is frequently
      used for recreational purposes. Several poisoning and fatal cases involving
      mitragynine have been reported but the underlying causes remain unclear. Human
      ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the cardiac IKr current which is a
      determinant of the duration of ventricular action potentials and QT interval. On
      the other hand, IK1, a Kir current mediated by Kir2.1 channel and IKACh, a
      receptor-activated Kir current mediated by GIRK channel are also known to be
      important in maintaining the cardiac function. This study investigated the
      effects of mitragynine on the current, mRNA and protein expression of hERG
      channel in hERG-transfected HEK293 cells and Xenopus oocytes. The effects on
      Kir2.1 and GIRK channels currents were also determined in the oocytes. The hERG
      tail currents following depolarization pulses were inhibited by mitragynine with
      an IC50 value of 1.62MUM and 1.15MUM in the transfected cell line and Xenopus
      oocytes, respectively. The S6 point mutations of Y652A and F656A attenuated the
      inhibitor effects of mitragynine, indicating that mitragynine interacts with
      these high affinity drug-binding sites in the hERG channel pore cavity which was
      consistent with the molecular docking simulation. Interestingly, mitragynine does
      not affect the hERG expression at the transcriptional level but inhibits the
      protein expression. Mitragynine is also found to inhibit IKACh current with an
      IC50 value of 3.32MUM but has no significant effects on IK1. Blocking of both
      hERG and GIRK channels may cause additive cardiotoxicity risks.

PMID- 27260675
TI  - Investigation of Kudoa yasunagai (Hsieh & Chen, 1984) infection kinetics in
      Seriola lalandi (Valenciennes, 1833) by quantitative PCR.

PMID- 27260676
TI  - Exploring the N-terminal role of a heterologous protein in secreting out of
      Escherichia coli.
AB  - Escherichia coli is commonly used as a host for the extracellular production of
      proteins. However, its secretion capacity is often limited to a frustratingly low
      level compared with other expression hosts, because E. coli has a complex cell
      envelope with two layers. In previous report, we identified that the catalytic
      domain of a cellulase (Cel-CD) from Bacillus subtilis can be secreted into the
      medium from recombinant E. coli in large quantities without its native signal
      peptide. In this study, we proved the N-terminal sequence of the full length Cel
      CD played a crucial role in transportation through both inner and outer
      membranes. By subcellular location analysis, we verified that the secretion was a
      two-step process via the SecB-dependent pathway through the inner membrane and an
      unknown pathway through the outer membrane. However, the N-terminal region of Cel
      CD is polar and hydrophilic, which showed no similarities to other typical signal
      sequences. Random mutagenesis experiment suggested that the N-terminal sequence
      is a compromising result of transportation through inner and outer membranes.
      This is the first report that a "non-classical signal peptide" can guide
      recombinant proteins out of the cells from cytoplasm. Biotechnol. Bioeng.
      2016;113: 2561-2567. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27260677
TI  - Consensus on Recording Deep Endometriosis Surgery: the CORDES statement.

PMID- 27260678
TI  - Plantar heel pain.

PMID- 27260679
TI  - Population pharmacokinetics of arbekacin in different infectious disease settings
      and evaluation of dosing regimens.
AB  - The efficacy of arbekacin in patients with MRSA infections is influenced by the
      peak concentration (Cpeak)/MIC ratio (?8). A daily arbekacin dose of 4-6 mg/kg is
      primarily used for the treatment of MRSA infection. However, clinical
      pharmacokinetic studies of arbekacin that evaluate changes in patients with
      different infectious diseases have been limited. This study was to evaluate the
      pharmacokinetics of arbekacin in different infectious diseases and to evaluate
      its dosing regimens. This work describes a single-centre, retrospective study.
      The pharmacokinetic parameters of arbekacin were calculated from individual serum
      concentration data using WinNonlin ver. 6.3. A total of 331 serum samples were
      obtained from 170 patients. Our drug concentration-time data were well described
      by a two-compartment open model. The final model showed that drug clearance was
      related to creatinine clearance and that the total distribution volume (Vd) was
      related to actual body weight and the presence of bacteremia. The individual Vd
      in bacteremia patients was significantly higher than those of other patients
      (bacteremia: 29.7 +/- 0.5 L, pneumonia: 20.8 +/- 0.4 L, other infections: 21.4 +/
      0.4 L; p < 0.05). Additionally, Monte Carlo simulation showed that target
      (Cpeak/MIC ? 8) attainment was only 10.1%, even at a dose of 6 mg/kg, especially
      for MRSA bacteremia patients with an arbekacin MIC = 2 MUg/mL. In conclusion, our
      study revealed that the Vd may be higher in bacteremia patients than in patients
      with other infectious diseases. Therefore, an increase in the daily dose of
      arbekacin should be considered for bacteremia patients. 

PMID- 27260680
TI  - Characterization of assortative mating in medaka: Mate discrimination cues and
      factors that bias sexual preference.
AB  - Somatolactin alpha (SLalpha) is a peptide hormone that regulates skin color, and
      SLalpha-deficient and SLalpha-excess strains have been established in medaka
      (Oryzias latipes). Their skin colors differ conspicuously and males prefer to
      mate with females from the same strain. Pre-mating sexual isolation in this model
      vertebrate provides an ideal platform for investigating the molecular mechanisms
      of mate choice. Thus, we studied the sensory cues utilized by these fish to
      discriminate the same and different strains. When males were given a choice under
      monochromatic light, where the skin colors differed only in terms of brightness
      but not in hue, mating occurred but it was not assortative. This suggests that:
      (1) a visual cue is essential for mate discrimination rather than odor or
      acoustic cues; (2) the visual cue is color and not shape, size, or motion; and
      (3) the color cue needs to be perceived as the relative balance of brightness at
      multiple wavelengths rather than the brightness at a specific wavelength. In
      addition, we introduced another skin-color mutation into the SLalpha-excess
      strain and found that this new strain and the original SLalpha-excess strain,
      which also overexpressed SLalpha but exhibited distinct skin colors, preferred
      different colors. This demonstrates that SLalpha is not a primary determinant of
      sexual preference. The symmetrically biased sexual preferences of the SLalpha
      deficient and SLalpha-excess strains may be acquired postnatally depending on
      their individual skin color or that of tank mates.

PMID- 27260681
TI  - Plasma/Serum Zinc Status During Aerobic Exercise Recovery: A Systematic Review
      and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exercise and the subsequent recovery processes have been proposed to
      induce disturbances in zinc homeostasis. We previously reported acute increase in
      serum zinc concentration immediately after aerobic exercise; the change in the
      indices of zinc status during exercise recovery was not explored. OBJECTIVE: The
      aim of the current analysis is to determine the changes in zinc biomarkers during
      recovery from an aerobic exercise bout. METHODS: We conducted a systematic
      literature search on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus electronic
      databases from inception to 20 December 2014 to identify studies that
      investigated the acute effects of exercise on selected indices of zinc status.
      Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the change in serum zinc concentration
      during exercise recovery, defined as up to 4 h following exercise cessation,
      compared to pre-exercise levels. RESULTS: Forty-five studies were included in the
      systematic literature review, of which 12 studies (providing 18 comparisons)
      reported serum zinc levels after the cessation of exercise. During exercise
      recovery, serum zinc concentration was significantly lower than pre-exercise
      values (-1.31 +/- 0.22 MUmol/L, P < 0.001; mean +/- SE). Secondary analyses
      showed a significant decrease of serum zinc levels in all categories of
      participants' training status, mode of exercise and time of blood collection.
      Insufficient data were available for meta-analysis of other zinc biomarkers.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis showed that serum zinc levels decrease
      significantly during exercise recovery, compared to pre-exercise levels. This
      extends our previous report of an increase in serum zinc immediately after
      exercise. We postulate that the exercise-induced fluctuations in zinc homeostasis
      are linked to the muscle repair mechanisms following exercise; the potential for
      zinc to enhance the exercise recovery process remains to be determined.

PMID- 27260683
TI  - Socioeconomic Correlates of Sedentary Behavior in Adolescents: Systematic Review
      and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The body of evidence on associations between socioeconomic status
      (SES) and sedentary behaviors in adolescents is growing. OBJECTIVES: The overall
      aims of our study were to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of this
      evidence and to assess whether (1) the associations between SES and sedentary
      behavior are consistent in adolescents from low-middle-income and from high
      income countries, (2) the associations vary by domain of sedentary behavior, and
      (3) the associations vary by SES measure. METHODS: We performed a systematic
      literature search to identify population-based studies that investigated the
      association between SES and sedentary behavior in adolescents (aged 10-19 years).
      Only studies that presented risk estimates were included. We conducted meta
      analyses using random effects and univariate meta-regression and calculated
      pooled effect sizes (ES). RESULTS: Data from 39 studies were included; this
      provided 106 independent estimates for meta-analyses. Overall, there was an
      inverse association between SES and sedentary behavior (ES 0.89; 95 % confidence
      interval [CI] 0.81-0.98). However, the direction of the association varied: in
      high-income countries, SES was inversely associated with sedentary behavior (ES
      0.67; 95 % CI 0.62-0.73), whereas in low-middle-income countries, there was a
      positive association between SES and sedentary behavior (ES 1.18; 95 % CI 1.04
      1.34). In high-income countries, the associations were strongest for screen time
      (ES 0.68; 95 % CI 0.62-0.74) and television (TV) time (ES 0.58; 95 % CI 0.49
      0.69), whereas in low-middle-income countries, the associations were strongest
      for 'other' screen time (i.e., computer, video, study time, but not including TV
      time) (ES 1.38; 95 % CI 1.07-1.79). All indicators of SES were negatively
      associated with sedentary behavior in high-income countries, but only resources
      (income and assets indexes) showed a significant positive association in low
      middle-income countries. CONCLUSION: The associations between SES and sedentary
      behavior are different in high- and low-middle-income countries, and vary by
      domain of sedentary behavior. These findings suggest that different approaches
      may be required when developing intervention strategies for reducing sedentary
      behavior in adolescents in different parts of the world.

PMID- 27260682
TI  - The Antioxidant Effect of Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical activity has been associated with reduced oxidative stress
      (OS) in observational studies and clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this
      systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials was to determine the
      effect of physical exercise on OS parameters. METHODS: We conducted a systematic
      review of the literature up to March 2016 that included the following databases:
      PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. A keyword combination referring to exercise
      training and OS was included as part of a more thorough search process. We also
      manually searched the reference lists of the articles. From an initial 1573
      references, we included 30 controlled trials (1346 participants) in the
      qualitative analysis, 19 of which were included in the meta-analysis. All trials
      were conducted in humans and had at least one exercise intervention and a paired
      control group. Using a standardized protocol, two investigators independently
      abstracted data on study design, sample size, participant characteristics,
      intervention, follow-up duration, outcomes, and quantitative data for the meta
      analysis. Thus, the investigators independently assigned quality scores with a
      methodological quality assessment (MQA). RESULTS: The agreement level between the
      reviewers was 85.3 %. Discrepancies were solved in a consensus meeting. The MQA
      showed a total score in the quality index between 40 and 90 % and a mean quality
      of 55 %. Further, in a random-effects model, data from each trial were pooled and
      weighted by the inverse of the total variance. Physical training was associated
      with a significant reduction in pro-oxidant parameters (standard mean difference
      [SMD] -1.08; 95 % confidence interval [CI] -1.57 to -0.58; p < 0.001) and an
      increase in antioxidant capacity (SMD 1.45; 95 % CI 0.83-2.06; p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: The pooled analysis revealed that regardless of intensity, volume,
      type of exercise, and studied population, the antioxidant indicators tended to
      increase and pro-oxidant indicators tended to decrease after training. Therefore,
      we conclude that exercise training seems to induce an antioxidant effect. Thus,
      it is suggested that people practice some kind of exercise to balance the redox
      state, regardless of their health status, to improve health-related outcomes.

PMID- 27260684
TI  - Life With HIV: Insights from HIV-infected Women in Cameroon, Central Africa.
AB  - Women in Cameroon are disproportionately burdened by HIV illness. Understanding
      the impact HIV has on women is essential for developing interventions to enhance
      their quality of life. Our aim was to explore and provide an in-depth
      understanding of the daily experiences of a sample of women living with HIV in
      Cameroon. Qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with
      women (N = 30) from the northwest region of Cameroon who self-reported being
      infected with HIV. Participants shared that they had multiple challenges in their
      daily experiences living with HIV. The themes that emerged included: (a)
      receiving an HIV diagnosis is traumatic, (b) living with HIV is a constant
      struggle, (c) limited resources and support cause problems, and (d) stigma and
      powerlessness exacerbate the impact of HIV. We provide insight into the daily
      experiences of HIV-infected women in Cameroon. Implications for improving health
      care and social services to women living with HIV in Cameroon are suggested.

PMID- 27260685
TI  - Cholinergic enzymes and inflammatory markers in rats infected by Sporothrix
      schenckii.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the cholinesterase activity in serum, whole
      blood, and lymphocytes, as well as to verify its relation to immune response in
      rats experimentally infected by Sporothrix schenckii. For this study, 63 Wistar
      rats (Rattus norvegicus), male, adult were divided into three groups: the
      negative control group (GC: n = 21), the group infected subcutaneously (GSC: n =
      21), and the group infected intraperitoneally (GIP: n = 21). The groups were
      divided into subgroups and the following variables were evaluated at 15, 30, and
      40 days post-infection (PI): acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in lymphocytes
      and whole blood, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity in serum, cytokines levels
      (IL-1, IL-6, TNFalpha, and INF-gamma), immunoglobulins levels (IgA, IgG, IgM, and
      IgE), and protein profile by electrophoresis. Both infected groups showed
      increased levels of inflammatory parameters (P < 0.05) in tissue and inflammatory
      infiltrates. The activities of AChE in lymphocytes and BChE in serum increased (P
      < 0.05) significantly in animals from the GSC group on day 40 PI compared to the
      GC group. Regarding the GIP, there was a marked increase in the AChE activity in
      lymphocytes on days 30 and 40 PI, and in whole blood on days 15, 30, and 40 PI
      compared to GC. Furthermore, IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was also
      present in high levels during chronic systemic S. schenckii infections in
      animals. Therefore, it is concluded that cholinesterase has an important
      modulatory role in the immune response during granulomatous infection by S.
      schenckii. 

PMID- 27260687
TI  - Preimplantation genetic screening-23 years to navigate and translate into the
      clinical arena. We need a new roadmap!

PMID- 27260686
TI  - Diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum apolipoprotein C-I in triple
      negative breast cancer based on mass spectrometry.
AB  - Women with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have poor prognosis because of
      the aggressive nature of the tumor, delayed diagnosis and non-specific symptoms
      in the early stages. Identification of novel specific TNBC serum biomarkers for
      screening and therapeutic purposes therefore remains an urgent clinical
      requirement.We obtained serum samples from a total of 380 recruited individuals
      split into mining and testing sets, with the aim of screening for reliable
      protein biomarkers from TNBC and non-TNBC (NTNBC) sera. Samples were assessed
      using mass spectrometry, followed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC),
      survival and hazard function curve as well as multivariate Cox regression
      analyses to ascertain the potential of the protein constituents as diagnostic and
      prognostic biomarkers for TNBC.We identified upregulated apolipoprotein C-I (apoC
      I) with a validated positive effect on TNBC tumorigenesis, with confirmation in
      an independent test set and minimization of systematic bias by pre-analytical
      parameters. The apoC-I protein had superior diagnostic ability in distinguishing
      between TNBC and NTNBC cases. Moreover, the protein presented a more robust
      potential prognostic factor for TNBC than NTNBC. The apoC-I protein identified in
      this study presents an effective novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for
      TNBC, indicating that measurement of the peak intensity at 7785 Da in serum
      samples could facilitate improved early detection and estimation of postoperative
      survival prognosis for TNBC.

PMID- 27260688
TI  - MiOXSYS: a novel method of measuring oxidation reduction potential in semen and
      seminal plasma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To measure oxidative reduction potential (ORP) in semen and seminal
      plasma and to establish their reference levels. DESIGN: ORP levels were measured
      in semen and seminal plasma. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. SUBJECT(S): Twenty-six
      controls and 33 infertile men. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):
      Static ORP (sORP) and capacitance ORP (cORP) were measured in semen and seminal
      plasma at time 0 and 120 minutes. Correlation of ORP was assessed between [1]
      semen and seminal plasma and [2] time 0 and 120 minutes. The association with
      sperm parameters was studied in (a) controls and (b) infertile patients, and a
      receiver operating characteristic curve was generated to establish the sORP
      cutoff. RESULT(S): Semen sORP and cORP levels were associated with seminal plasma
      levels at time 0 and time 120 minutes. In controls and infertile patients, an
      inverse relationship of sORP levels was established with concentration and total
      sperm count in semen as well as seminal plasma at time 0 and 120 minutes.
      Classification of subjects based on sperm motility showed that subjects with
      abnormal motility present with poor concentration, total count, morphology, and
      elevated levels of semen and seminal plasma sORP at time 120 minutes. The sORP
      cutoff of 1.48 in semen and 2.09 in seminal plasma based on motility was able to
      distinguish subjects with normal semen quality from those with abnormal semen
      quality. CONCLUSION(S): The MiOXSYS System can reliably measure ORP levels in
      semen and seminal plasma. ORP levels are not affected by semen age, making this
      new technology easy to employ in a clinical setting.

PMID- 27260689
TI  - Glenohumeral Hematoma Mimicking Persisting Anterior Shoulder Dislocation After
      Reduction.

PMID- 27260690
TI  - Diagnosis of Acquired Uterine Arteriovenous Malformation by Doppler Ultrasound.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acquired uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare cause of
      postpartum vaginal bleeding and can often be confused with retained products of
      conception (RPOC). Certain findings on ultrasound (US) increase the likelihood
      for AVM, such as hypoechoic areas in the myometrium and high velocity,
      multidirectional blood flow. Recognizing these changes on bedside US can cue the
      physician to send the patient for further studying and lead to the correct
      diagnosis. CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old, multigravida, multiparous female presented
      5 weeks post-cesarean section with heavy, intermittent vaginal bleeding. Patient
      had multiple previous visits for similar bleeding, including an evaluation for
      RPOC. Upon current presentation, the patient underwent an US in the emergency
      department with color and pulse wave Doppler. US revealed a hypoechoic area
      within the myometrium, with high velocity, bidirectional blood flow, raising the
      clinical suspicion for uterine AVM. Following confirmatory studies, the patient
      underwent successful embolization of the AVM. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN
      BE AWARE OF THIS?: The proper diagnosis of AVM is crucial, because the primary
      treatment modality for the alternative diagnosis of RPOC (i.e., dilation and
      curettage) can worsen vaginal bleeding and lead to shock or death, and is
      therefore contraindicated for uterine AVM. US is a quick bedside tool that can be
      used for rapid diagnosis of uterine AVM.

PMID- 27260691
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27260692
TI  - Arizona's Emergency Medical Services for Children Pediatric Designation System
      for Emergency Departments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2012, a voluntary certification program called Pediatric Prepared
      Emergency Care (PPEC) was established in Arizona as a system for pediatric
      emergency preparedness. Emergency medicine and pediatric specialists generated
      basic, intermediate, and advanced designation criteria. Dedicated medical
      management by a pediatric emergency specialist is required for advanced centers.
      Designation follows a site visit, review, and approval by the subcommittee and
      the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. DISCUSSION: Arizona
      has 5 designated pediatric emergency departments, all of which are in the
      southeast part of the state. Therefore, a designation system was implemented so
      that all emergency departments statewide can receive more training, support, and
      supervision of pediatric care. The goal was to create a self-sustaining network
      with active participation from member institutions while fostering the pediatric
      commitment. Since its inception, 39 hospitals and 5 tribal facilities have joined
      PPEC, equating to 51% of Arizona's emergency facilities. Of the hospitals, 7 are
      advanced, 6 are intermediate, and 17 are basic centers. In 2015, all of the 9
      sites due for recertification were recertified. The multiple tiers allow for
      mutual accountability, sharing of resources, and improved quality of care for
      pediatrics in emergency departments statewide. CONCLUSION: PPEC enhances the
      quality of pediatric emergency preparedness by means of voluntary certification.
      The primary limitations are sustainability and funding, because an Emergency
      Medical Services for Children grant has offset the cost until now. The number of
      member facilities in this designation system is continually growing, and
      universal recertification shows sustainability.

PMID- 27260693
TI  - Fructose intake during gestation and lactation differentially affects the
      expression of hippocampal neurosteroidogenic enzymes in rat offspring.
AB  - Neurosteroids, steroidal hormones synthesized de novo from cholesterol within the
      brain, stimulate hippocampal functions such as neuron protection and synapse
      formation. Previously, we examined the effect of maternal fructose on the
      transcriptional regulation of neurosteroidogenic enzymes. We found that the mRNA
      expression level of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), peripheral
      benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), cytochrome P450(11beta), 11beta-hydroxysteroid
      dehydrogenase (HSD), and 17beta-HSD was altered. However, we could not determine
      whether maternal fructose intake played a role in the gestation or lactation
      period because the dam rats were fed fructose solution during both periods. Thus,
      in this study, we analyzed the hippocampi of the offspring of dams fed fructose
      during the gestation or lactation period. Maternal fructose consumption during
      either the gestation or lactation period did not affect the mRNA levels of StAR,
      P450(17alpha), 11beta-HSD-2, and 17beta-HSD-1. PBR expression was down-regulated,
      even when rats consumed fructose during the lactation period only, while fructose
      consumption during gestation tended to activate the expression of P450(11beta)-2.
      We found that maternal fructose intake during gestation and lactation
      differentially affected the expression of hippocampal neurosteroidogenic enzymes
      in the offspring.

PMID- 27260694
TI  - A Real-Time Monitoring System to Assess the Platelet Aggregatory Capacity of
      Components of a Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessel Wall.
AB  - Native blood vessels contain both an antiaggregatory intimal layer, which
      prevents platelet activation in the intact vessel, and a proaggregatory medial
      layer, which stimulates platelet aggregation upon vascular damage. Yet, current
      techniques for assessing the functional properties of tissue-engineered blood
      vessels may not be able to assess the relative effectiveness of both these pro-
      and antiaggregatory properties of the vessel construct. In this study, we present
      a novel technique for quantitatively assessing the pro- and antiaggregatory
      properties of different three-dimensional blood vessel constructs made using a
      layered fabrication method. This technique utilizes real-time measurements of
      cytosolic Ca(2+) signaling to assess platelet activation in fluorescently labeled
      human platelet suspensions using fluorescence spectrofluorimetry, while also
      permitting examination of thrombus formation upon the surface of the construct
      using fluorescent imaging of DiOC6-labeled platelets. Experiments using this
      method demonstrated that type I collagen hydrogels, commonly used as scaffolds
      for vascular tissue engineering, were unable to support significant platelet
      activation, while type I and III neo-collagen secreted from human coronary artery
      smooth muscle cells cultured within these hydrogels as the medial layer were able
      to support thrombus formation. The incorporation of an intimal layer consisting
      of human umbilical vein endothelial cells on top of the medial layer inhibited
      platelet activation and aggregation. These data demonstrate that the methodology
      presented here is able to quantitatively compare the capacity of different
      constructs to trigger or prevent platelet activation. As such, this technique may
      provide a useful tool for standardizing the assessment of the functional
      properties of tissue-engineered blood vessel constructs developed using different
      culturing techniques.

PMID- 27260696
TI  - Children's Right to Health: Implications for Decision-Making in Newborn Medical
      Care.

PMID- 27260695
TI  - Residential Moving and Preventable Hospitalizations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between moving home in the first year
      of life and subsequent emergency admissions for potentially preventable
      hospitalizations. METHODS: We undertook a cohort analysis of linked anonymized
      data on 237 842 children in the Welsh Electronic Cohort for Children. We included
      children born in Wales between April 1, 1999 and December 31, 2008. The exposure
      was the number of residential moves from birth up to 1 year. The main outcome was
      emergency admissions for potentially preventable hospitalizations (PPH) between
      the age of 1 and 5 years. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounders, we
      identified that moving home frequently in the first year of life was associated
      with an increased risk of emergency PPH between the ages of 1 and 5 when compared
      with not moving. We found significant differences associated with >=2 moves for
      the following: ear, nose, and throat infections (incidence risk ratio [IRR],
      1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-1.61); convulsions/epilepsy (IRR, 1.58;
      95% CI, 1.23-2.04); injuries (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.18-1.51);
      dehydration/gastroenteritis (IRR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.21-1.88); asthma (IRR, 1.61;
      95% CI, 1.19-2.16); influenza/pneumonia (IRR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.32); and
      dental conditions (IRR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.03-1.64) for >=1 moves. CONCLUSIONS:
      Children who move home in the first year of life are at substantially increased
      risk of emergency admissions for PPH in early childhood. Additional research that
      focuses on enhancing health and social support services for highly mobile
      families, educating parents about safety risks, and improving housing quality is
      warranted.

PMID- 27260697
TI  - Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer.
AB  - The importance of the tumor microenvironment including immune cell infiltrates in
      breast cancer has long been recognized. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are
      prognostic and predictive; however, their prevalence as well as their prognostic
      and predictive power are subtype-dependent and appear most prominent in
      aggressive subtypes like triple-negative and HER2-positive disease. The immune
      responses observed in many cancers are attracted by tumor-associated antigens
      and, as suggested by recent research, by neoantigens - immunogenic antigens
      encoded for by non-synonymous mutations. The appealing promise of cancer vaccines
      has been pursued in breast cancer for over 2 decades; however, despite much
      effort having been put into vaccine trials, their clinical benefit, with the
      exception of some encouraging preliminary results, remains disappointing. The
      main hurdles compromising the efficacy of these vaccination strategies are the
      difficulties to generate broad and robust immune responses as well as to overcome
      immune escape mechanisms. The remarkable efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors
      in melanoma and lung cancer has set the ground for a race in the clinical
      development of numerous agents targeting these immune escape mechanisms in many
      tumor entities. Early clinical data in metastatic breast cancer suggests at least
      some clinical activity. This review discusses the current status and future
      perspectives of immunotherapy in breast cancer. 

PMID- 27260698
TI  - Response to "A new approach to the management of ovarian endometrioma to prevent
      tissue damage and recurrence".

PMID- 27260699
TI  - Epilepsy in multiple sclerosis: The role of temporal lobe damage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although temporal lobe pathology may explain some of the symptoms of
      multiple sclerosis (MS), its role in the pathogenesis of seizures has not been
      clarified yet. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of temporal lobe damage in MS
      patients suffering from epilepsy, by the application of advanced multimodal 3T
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis. METHODS: A total of 23 relapsing
      remitting MS patients who had epileptic seizures (RRMS/E) and 23 disease duration
      matched RRMS patients without any history of seizures were enrolled. Each patient
      underwent advanced 3T MRI protocol specifically conceived to evaluate grey matter
      (GM) damage. This includes grey matter lesions (GMLs) identification, evaluation
      of regional cortical thickness and indices derived from the Neurite Orientation
      Dispersion and Density Imaging model. RESULTS: Regional analysis revealed that in
      RRMS/E, the regions most affected by GMLs were the hippocampus (14.2%), the
      lateral temporal lobe (13.5%), the cingulate (10.0%) and the insula (8.4%).
      Cortical thinning and alteration of diffusion metrics were observed in several
      regions of temporal lobe, in insular cortex and in cingulate gyrus of RRMS/E
      compared to RRMS ( p< 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to RRMS,
      RRMS/E showed more severe damage of temporal lobe, which exceeds what would be
      expected on the basis of the global GM damage observed.

PMID- 27260747
TI  - Simultaneous Endovascular Treatment of Tandem Internal Carotid Lesions: Case
      Report and Review of Literature.
AB  - The incidence of concomitant extracranial carotid artery stenosis and ipsilateral
      intracranial carotid aneurysm has been reported to vary between 2.8% and 5%.
      These complex lesions may present a challenge for treatment decision-making. This
      case report describes an asymptomatic male patient with severe carotid
      bifurcation stenosis, coupled with an unruptured supraclinoid internal carotid
      aneurysm. Both lesions were treated simultaneously. Patient underwent carotid
      stenting followed by aneurysm coiling in the same setting without any
      complication. 

PMID- 27260700
TI  - Mutational and clinical analysis of the ENG gene in patients with pulmonary
      arterial hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare vascular disorder
      characterized by a capillary wedge pressure <= 15 mmHg and a mean pulmonary
      arterial pressure >= 25 mmHg at rest. PAH can be idiopathic, heritable or
      associated with other conditions. The aim of this study was to analyze the
      Endoglin (ENG) gene and assess the influence of the c.572G > A (p.G191D) mutation
      in patients with idiopathic or associated PAH. The correlation between the
      pathogenic mutations and clinical and functional parameters was further analyzed.
      RESULTS: Sixteen different changes in the ENG gene were found in 44 out of 57
      patients. After in silico analysis, we classified eight mutations as pathogenic
      in 16 of patients. The c.572G>A (p.G191D) variation was observed in ten patients,
      and the analysis for the splicing process using hybrid minigenes, with pSPL3
      vector to assess splicing alterations, do not generate a new transcript. Age at
      diagnosis (p = 0.049) and the 6-min walking test (p = 0.041) exhibited
      statistically significant differences between carriers and non-carriers of
      pathogenic mutations. Patients with pathogenic mutations exhibited disease
      symptoms 8 years before non-carriers. Five patients with pathogenic mutations
      were carriers of another mutation in the BMPR2 or ACVRL1 genes. CONCLUSIONS: We
      present a series of PAH patients with mutations in the ENG gene, some of them not
      previously described, exhibiting clinical and hemodynamic alterations suggesting
      that the presence of these mutations may be associated with the severity of the
      disease. Moreover, genetic analysis in patients with PAH may be of clinical
      relevance and indicates the complexity of the genetic background.

PMID- 27260748
TI  - Single-Session Endovascular Treatment of Symptomatic Lower Extremity Deep Vein
      Thrombosis: Is it Possible Even for Aged Thrombosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Feasibility of single-session mechanical thrombetomy, without
      thrombolytics, for the treatment of the subacute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of
      the lower extremity remains poorly described. PURPOSE: To evaluate the
      feasibility and efficacy of single-session endovascular treatment of DVT of the
      lower extremity that is more than 10 days old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From
      January 2010 to December 2013, single-session endovascular treatment was
      performed in 21 limbs of 21 patients (8 men and 13 women) with DVT more than 10
      days old at our hospital. The mean age of the thrombosis was 21.5 days (range 11
      45 days). Two patients had malignancy-related obstructions. A 14F introducer
      sheath was inserted through the popliteal vein followed by aspiration
      thrombectomy with a large bore catheter. Balloon angioplasty and/or maceration of
      the thrombus were added when needed. Stent insertions were performed for patients
      with combined iliac vein stenosis. Technical success, clinical success, mean
      procedure time, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The technical success
      rate was 90.5% (19 of 21 patients). Among the 19 successful cases, aspiration
      thrombectomy alone was performed in 16 (84.2%) patients, additional balloon
      angioplasty of the femoral vein was performed in 2 (10.5%) patients, and both
      balloon angioplasty of the femoral vein and rotational thrombectomy were
      performed in 1 (5.3%) patient. Iliac vein stenting was performed due to combined
      iliac vein narrowing in 13 (68.4%) of the 19 successful cases. The mean procedure
      time was 86 minutes (26-179 minutes). All of the patients with technical success
      (19 of 21 patients) showed marked improvement in symptoms at the time of
      discharge (clinical success). Unexplained gastrointestinal hemorrhage developed
      in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Single-session endovascular treatment is feasible and
      effective even for patients with aged deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity
      more than 10 days old.

PMID- 27260749
TI  - Late Leakage of the Aortic Stump After Removal of an Infected Graft: Successful
      Surgical Treatment.
AB  - The residual stump after excision of an infected aortic graft may be subject to
      acute blowout due to chronic mechanical stress on a weak arterial wall. We
      present a case of late aortic stump disruption that required revision after 12
      months from graft removal. Our strategy consisted of avoiding reexposure of the
      pararenal aorta by creating a new supraceliac stump with healthy aortic wall
      after antegrade visceral debranching. This case confirms the need for long-term
      surveillance of aortic stumps. The use of a supraceliac approach minimizes the
      risk of intraoperative blowout and postoperative disruption. 

PMID- 27260750
TI  - Compression Stockings for Prevention of Postthrombotic Syndrome: A Systematic
      Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of
      compression stockings for postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) prevention in patients
      with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
      regarding the use of compression stockings for prevention of PTS were identified
      from the Medline, PubMed, and Embase databases as well as the Cochrane library.
      The resulting manuscripts were analyzed according to the criteria in the Cochrane
      Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. RESULTS: Six RCTs involving
      1465 patients with DVT were included. The meta-analysis indicated no statistical
      differences between the compression stocking and the control groups in PTS
      incidence, using either the Villalta scale (odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.23-1.74) or the Ginsberg scale (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.72-1.77).
      Based on the Villalta scale categorization, there were no differences in the
      incidence of mild-moderate PTS (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.36-1.41) or incidence of
      severe PTS (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.15-3.11). The difference in the recurrence of
      venous thromboembolism (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.61-1.30) was also not significant. In
      the 3 RCTs that reported side effects of compression stockings, they were
      primarily related to discomfort, including itching, erythema, and rash.
      CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis has indicated that compression stockings
      may not prevent PTS, as determined by either the Villalta or the Ginsberg scale,
      in patients with DVT. However, owing to the limited number of trials, the
      evidence is not strong enough to draw a reliable conclusion. Further larger,
      randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials are needed.

PMID- 27260751
TI  - Long-Term Outcomes of Single-Port Laparoscopic Placement of Peritoneal Dialysis
      Catheter.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic insertion of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter has
      become a preferred method compared to the traditional open technique for PD
      catheter insertion. We retrospectively report the outcome of 1-port laparoscopic
      placement PD catheters in our institution. METHODS: A total of 263 patients with
      end-stage renal disease who underwent single-trocar laparoscopic PD catheter
      insertion during a recent 6-year period were reviewed. Laparoscopic technique
      involves introducing a PD catheter over a stiff guidewire into the abdominal
      cavity through a 10-mm laparoscopic port. Pertinent clinical variables,
      procedural complications, and follow-up outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: There
      were 182 men and 81 women. The mean age was 56 years. Technical success was
      95.8%. Catheter occlusion was the most common early complications (<6 months)
      that occurred in 4 (1.5%) patients. Late complications (> 6 months) including
      catheter occlusion, cuff extrusion, catheter leakage, catheter migration,
      infection, and hernia occurred in 5 patients (1.9%), 2 patients (0.8%), 3
      patients (1.1%), 3 patients (1.1%), 6 patients (2.3%), and 4 patients (1.5),
      respectively. Mean follow-up time was 39 +/- 18 months. Catheter survival rate at
      1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 96%, 94%, 90%, 85%, and 82%, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic PD catheter implantation via a single-trocar utilizing a
      stiff guidewire technique is feasible and safe. This method can result in low
      complication and high catheter survival rate.

PMID- 27260752
TI  - Dermoscopy of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

PMID- 27260763
TI  - Confirmatory factor analysis of 12-Item World Health Organization Disability
      Assessment Schedule in patients with musculoskeletal pain conditions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factor structure of the 12 item World Health
      Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0. DESIGN: Cross-sectional
      cohort survey study. SETTING: Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine outpatient
      university clinic. SUBJECTS: The 408 consecutive patients with chronic
      musculoskeletal pain. MAIN MEASURES: Exploratory and confirmatory factor
      analysis. RESULTS: A two-factor model most accurately fit the observed data of
      musculoskeletal pain patients (root mean square error of approximation 0.049,
      relative Chi square value 1.99). Twelve WHODAS 2.0 items were distributed between
      two factors with covariance between them of 0.8. The first factor contained
      domains related mostly to physical functioning, while another was associated
      mostly with social and cognitive functioning. There were a few differences
      between single items in their importance in defining the variance within these
      two factors. Of the six International Classification of Functioning, Disability
      and Health domains belonging to the first construct, the ability to carry out
      household responsibilities explained most, 84% of the total variance in this
      construct. For the second factor, the ability to participate in community
      activities seemed to be the most important, explaining 85% of the total variance
      in this construct. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the two-factor structure model of
      the 12-item WODAS 2.0 demonstrated the most accurate fit within patients with
      musculoskeletal pain conditions.

PMID- 27260753
TI  - Spliceosomal component Sf3b1 is essential for hematopoietic differentiation in
      zebrafish.
AB  - SF3B1 (Splicing factor 3b, subunit 1) is one of the most commonly mutated factors
      in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Although the genetic correlation between SF3B1
      mutations and MDS etiology are quite strong, no in vivo model currently exists to
      explore how SF3B1 loss alters blood cell development. Using zebrafish mutants, we
      show here that proper function of Sf3b1 is required for all hematopoietic
      lineages. As in MDS patients, zebrafish sf3b1 mutants develop a macrocytic-anemia
      like phenotype due to a block in maturation at a late progenitor stage. The
      mutant embryos also develop neutropenia, because their primitive myeloid cells
      fail to mature and turn on differentiation markers such as l-plastin and
      myeloperoxidase. In contrast, production of definitive hematopoietic stem and
      progenitor cells (HSPCs) from hemogenic endothelial cells within the dorsal aorta
      is greatly diminished, whereas arterial endothelial cells are correctly fated.
      Notch signaling, imperative for the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition, is
      also normal, indicating that HSPC induction is blocked in sf3b1 mutants
      downstream or independent of Notch signaling. The data demonstrate that Sf3b1
      function is necessary during key differentiation fate decisions in multiple blood
      cell types. Zebrafish sf3b1 mutants offer a novel animal model with which to
      explore the role of splicing in hematopoietic development and provide an
      excellent in vivo system with which to delve into the question of why and how
      Sf3b1 dysfunction is detrimental to hematopoietic differentiation, which could
      improve MDS diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 27260764
TI  - Results of a Pilates exercise program in patients with chronic non-specific low
      back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a Pilates exercise program on
      disability, pain, lumbar mobility, flexibility and balance in patients with
      chronic non-specific low back pain. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING:
      University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 54 patients with chronic non
      specific low back pain. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly allocated to an
      experimental group ( n=27) included in a Pilates exercise program or to a control
      group ( n=27) receiving information in a form of a leaflet. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Oswestry
      Disability Index), current, average and pain at it least and at its worst (Visual
      Analogue Scales), lumbar mobility (modified Shober test), flexibility (finger-to
      floor test) and balance (single limb stance test) were measured at baseline and
      after the intervention. RESULTS: A between-group analysis showed significant
      differences in the intervention group compared to the control group for both
      disability scores, the Rolland-Morris questionnaire (mean change+/-standard
      deviation of 5.31+/-3.37 and 2.40+/-6.78 respectively and between-groups mean
      difference of 3.2 +/- 4.12, p=0.003) and the Oswestry Disability Index (
      p<0.001), current pain ( p=0.002) and pain at it least ( p=0.033), flexibility
      (0.032) and balance (0.043). CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week Pilates exercise program is
      effective in improving disability, pain, flexibility and balance in patients with
      chronic non-specific low back pain.

PMID- 27260765
TI  - Reverse shoulder arthroplasty after failed pectoralis major tendon transfer with
      a minimum follow-up of 5 years. A case series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment strategies after failed pectoralis major tendon transfer
      (PMTT) are scarce in literature and no information is available for patients
      treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) for failed PMTT. METHODS: We
      performed a retrospective outcome study of all patients who underwent revision
      with RSA after failed PMTT at our institution. From 1999 to 2009 we included 8
      patients (8 shoulders). The minimum follow-up was 5 years with a mean follow-up
      time of 97 months (range, 64-134). Clinical and radiological evaluation comprised
      range of motion, Constant Murley score (CMS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST) as well
      as standard X-rays in 2 planes. Pain was measured using VAS pain scale. The
      patients were asked to rate their satisfaction at final follow-up. RESULTS: All
      outcome measures improved significantly post-surgical compared to pre-surgical,
      including the CMS (17.8-62.8), SST (1.8-7.3) and VAS (7.1-1). Active abduction
      and anterior flexion improved significantly (p < .001) from 65.6 degrees  to 125
      degrees  and from 62.5 degrees  to 136.3 degrees , respectively. There were 2
      complications. One patient sustained transient musculocutaneous nerve palsy that
      resolved completely after 5 months and one patient sustained postoperative
      hematoma and had to be revised 4 days after surgery. 4 (50%) patients rated their
      results as excellent and 4 (50%) rated them as good. CONCLUSIONS: RSA is a good
      option for treating patients after failed pectoralis major tendon transfer. After
      a minimum follow-up of 5 years, functional outcome is good and patient
      satisfaction is high. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Case series, Treatment study.

PMID- 27260766
TI  - Occupational asthma.

PMID- 27260767
TI  - The Lung Microbiome, Immunity, and the Pathogenesis of Chronic Lung Disease.
AB  - The development of culture-independent techniques for microbiological analysis
      has uncovered the previously unappreciated complexity of the bacterial microbiome
      at various anatomic sites. The microbiome of the lung has relatively less
      bacterial biomass when compared with the lower gastrointestinal tract yet
      displays considerable diversity. The composition of the lung microbiome is
      determined by elimination, immigration, and relative growth within its
      communities. Chronic lung disease alters these factors. Many forms of chronic
      lung disease demonstrate exacerbations that drive disease progression and are
      poorly understood. Mounting evidence supports ways in which microbiota dysbiosis
      can influence host defense and immunity, and in turn may contribute to disease
      exacerbations. Thus, the key to understanding the pathogenesis of chronic lung
      disease may reside in deciphering the complex interactions between the host,
      pathogen, and resident microbiota during stable disease and exacerbations. In
      this brief review we discuss new insights into these labyrinthine relationships.

PMID- 27260769
TI  - Statins for primary prevention in practice: clinical use in Wales and the NICE
      guideline effect.

PMID- 27260768
TI  - What Happens in the Thymus Does Not Stay in the Thymus: How T Cells Recycle the
      CD4+-CD8+ Lineage Commitment Transcriptional Circuitry To Control Their Function.
AB  - MHC-restricted CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells are at the core of most adaptive immune
      responses. Although these cells carry distinct functions, they arise from a
      common precursor during thymic differentiation, in a developmental sequence that
      matches CD4 and CD8 expression and functional potential with MHC restriction.
      Although the transcriptional control of CD4(+)-CD8(+) lineage choice in the
      thymus is now better understood, less was known about what maintains the CD4(+)
      and CD8(+) lineage integrity of mature T cells. In this review, we discuss the
      mechanisms that establish in the thymus, and maintain in postthymic cells, the
      separation of these lineages. We focus on recent studies that address the
      mechanisms of epigenetic control of Cd4 expression and emphasize how maintaining
      a transcriptional circuitry nucleated around Thpok and Runx proteins, the key
      architects of CD4(+)-CD8(+) lineage commitment in the thymus, is critical for
      CD4(+) T cell helper functions.

PMID- 27260770
TI  - High-risk behaviors while driving: A population-based study from Iran.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Traffic injuries are becoming one of the most important challenges of
      public health systems. Because these injuries are mostly preventable, the aim of
      this study is to evaluate the four main high-risk behaviors while driving.
      METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample from the
      population of Mashhad, Iran, in 2014. A checklist and a previously validated
      questionnaire for the transtheoretical stages of change model (TTM) were used for
      data collection. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 11.5 software
      with P <.05 statistically significant. RESULTS: Totally 431 individuals were
      included with a mean age of 30 +/- 11.3 years. Forty-three percent (183) were
      male. The TTM model revealed that participants were mostly in pre-actional phases
      regarding not using a cell phone while driving (80%), fastening the driver's seat
      belt (66%), front seat belt (68%), and rear seat belt (85%) The penalty was a
      protective factor only for using cellphone (odd ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.68-0.98). Lower education (OR = 0.12, 95% CI, 0.01-0.94) and
      male gender (OR = 0.35, 95% CI, 0.14-0.83) were indicative of lower rates of
      fastening the front and rear seat belts. CONCLUSION: The stages of change model
      among study participants is a proper reflection of the effectiveness of the
      current policies. More serious actions regarding these high-risk behaviors should
      be considered in legislation.

PMID- 27260772
TI  - Advances in Cancer Therapy: Immunotherapies.

PMID- 27260771
TI  - Pharmacological Modulation of Proton Channel Hv1 in Cancer Therapy: Future
      Perspectives.
AB  - The pharmacological modulation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment
      has emerged as a relevant component for cancer therapy. Several approaches aiming
      to deplete innate and adaptive suppressive populations, to circumvent the
      impairment in antigen presentation, and to ultimately increase the frequency of
      activated tumor-specific T cells are currently being explored. In this review, we
      address the potentiality of targeting the voltage-gated proton channel, Hv1, as a
      novel strategy to modulate the tumor microenvironment. The function of Hv1 in
      immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and T cells has
      been associated with the maintenance of NADPH oxidase activity and the generation
      of reactive oxygen species, which are required for the host defense against
      pathogens. We discuss evidence suggesting that the Hv1 proton channel could also
      be important for the function of these cells within the tumor microenvironment.
      Furthermore, as summarized here, tumor cells express Hv1 as a primary mechanism
      to extrude the increased amount of protons generated metabolically, thus
      maintaining physiologic values for the intracellular pH. Therefore, because this
      channel might be relevant for both tumor cells and immune cells supporting tumor
      growth, the pharmacological inhibition of Hv1 could be an innovative approach for
      cancer therapy. With that focus, we analyzed the available compounds that inhibit
      Hv1, highlighted the need to develop better drugs suitable for patients, and
      commented on the future perspectives of targeting Hv1 in the context of cancer
      therapy. 

PMID- 27260773
TI  - [(11)C]UCB-A, a novel PET tracer for synaptic vesicle protein 2A.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Development of a selective and specific high affinity PET tracer,
      [(11)C]UCB-A, for the in vivo study of SV2A expression in humans. Radiochemistry
      and preclinical studies in rats and pigs including development of a tracer
      kinetic model to determine VT. A method for the measurement of percent intact
      tracer in plasma was developed and the radiation dosimetry was determined in
      rats. RESULTS: 3-5GBq of [(11)C]UCB-A could be produced with radiochemical purity
      exceeding 98% with a specific radioactivity of around 65GBq/MUmol. In vitro
      binding showed high selective binding towards SV2A. [(11)C]UCB-A displayed a dose
      dependent and reversible binding to SV2A as measured with PET in rats and pigs
      and the VT could be determined by Logan analysis. The dosimetry was favorable and
      low enough to allow multiple administrations of [(11)C]UCB-A to healthy
      volunteers, and the metabolite analysis showed no sign of labeled metabolites in
      brain. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed the novel PET tracer, [(11)C]UCB-A, that
      can be used to measure SV2A expression in vivo. The dosimetry allows up to 5
      administrations of 400MBq of [(11)C]UCB-A in humans. Apart from measuring drug
      occupancy, as we have shown, the tracer can potentially be used to compare SV2A
      expression between individuals because of the rather narrow range of baseline VT
      values. This will have to be further validated in human studies.

PMID- 27260774
TI  - Radiotherapeutic bandage for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the
      skin.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of
      skin cancer in the United States. The efficacy of a pharmaceutically elegant
      radiotherapeutic bandage, previously described by us for application against SCC
      of the skin, was tested for the first time in vivo using a subcutaneous SCC mouse
      model and a therapeutically relevant radiation dose. METHODS: Female athymic nude
      mice were injected with human Colo-16 SCC cells subcutaneously and after eight
      days (average tumor volume: 35+/-8.6mm(3)) received no treatment, or were exposed
      to non-radioactive or radioactive (92.5+/-18.5MBq) bandages for approximately 1h
      (n=10 per group). After treatment, tumors were measured over fifteen days, tumor
      volume ratios (TVRs) compared and histopathology performed. RESULTS: Fifteen days
      after treatment, the TVR of the radioactive bandage treatment group was 3.3+/
      4.5, while TVRs of the non-radioactive bandage treatment and no treatment control
      groups were 33.2+/-14.7 and 26.9+/-12.6, respectively. At the time of necropsy,
      there was mild focal epidermal hyperplasia surrounding a small area of epidermal
      ulceration in the radioactive bandage group. No other examined tissue (i.e.,
      muscle, liver, kidney, lung, spleen and heart) showed significant lesions.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our radiotherapeutic bandage exhibits promising efficacy against SCC
      of the skin in a mouse model. It can be individually tailored for easy
      application on tumor lesions of all shapes and sizes, and could complement or
      possibly replace surgery in the clinic.

PMID- 27260775
TI  - (99m)Tc-labeled gastrins of varying peptide chain length: Distinct impact of
      NEP/ACE-inhibition on stability and tumor uptake in mice.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In situ inhibition of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) has been recently
      shown to impressively increase the bioavailability and tumor uptake of
      biodegradable gastrin radioligands. Furthermore, angiotensin converting enzyme
      (ACE) has been previously shown to cleave gastrin analogs in vitro. In the
      present study, we have assessed the effects induced by single or dual NEP/ACE
      inhibition on the pharmacokinetic profile of three (99m)Tc-labeled gastrins of
      varying peptide chain length: [(99m)Tc]SG6 ([(99m)Tc-N4-Gln(1)]gastrin(1-17)),
      [(99m)Tc]DG2 ([(99m)Tc-N4-Gly(4),DGlu(5)]gastrin(4-17)) and [(99m)Tc]DG4
      ([(99m)Tc-N4-DGlu(10)]gastrin(10-17)). METHODS: Mouse blood samples were
      collected 5min after injection of each of [(99m)Tc]SG6/DG2/DG4 together with: a)
      vehicle, b) the NEP-inhibitor phosphoramidon (PA), c) the ACE-inhibitor
      lisinopril (Lis), or d) PA plus Lis and were analyzed by RP-HPLC for
      radiometabolite detection. Biodistribution was studied in SCID mice bearing A431
      CCK2R(+/-) xenografts at 4h postinjection (pi). [(99m)Tc]SG6 or [(99m)Tc]DG4 was
      coinjected with either vehicle or the above described NEP/ACE-inhibitor regimens;
      for [(99m)Tc]DG2 control and PA animal groups were only included. RESULTS:
      Treatment of mice with PA induced significant stabilization of (99m)Tc
      radiotracers in peripheral blood, while treatment with Lis or Lis+PA affected the
      stability of des(Glu)5 [(99m)Tc]DG4 only. In line with these findings, PA
      coinjection led to notable amplification of tumor uptake of radiopeptides
      compared to controls (P<0.01). Only [(99m)Tc]DG4 profited by single Lis (2.06+/
      0.39%ID/g vs 0.99+/-0.13%ID/g in controls) or combined Lis+PA coinjection (8.91+/
      1.61%ID/g vs 4.89+/-1.33%ID/g in PA-group). Furthermore, kidney uptake remained
      favourably low and unaffected by PA and/or Lis coinjection only in the case of
      [(99m)Tc]DG4 (<1.9%ID/g) resulting in the most optimal tumor-to-kidney ratios.
      CONCLUSIONS: In situ NEP/ACE-inhibition diversely affected the in vivo profile of
      (99m)Tc-radioligands based on different-length gastrins. Truncated [(99m)Tc]DG4
      exhibited overall the most attractive profile during combined NEP/ACE-inhibition
      in mouse models, providing new opportunities for CCK2R-expressing tumor imaging
      in man with SPECT.

PMID- 27260776
TI  - Increased choline uptake in macrophages and prostate cancer cells does not allow
      for differentiation between benign and malignant prostate pathologies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory cells may contribute to the choline uptake in
      different prostate pathologies. The aim of this study was (i) to assess if
      inflammatory cells incorporate choline and (ii) to potentially detect differences
      compared to FDG uptake. Therefore we investigated the uptake of [(3)H]choline and
      [(18)F]FDG in human prostate carcinoma cells and human inflammatory cells.
      METHODS: Macrophages were cultured from isolated mononuclear cells, gained by
      density gradient centrifugation of human buffy coats. T-lymphocytes, B
      lymphocytes and granulocytes were enriched by density gradient centrifugation
      before cell sorting by means of flow cytometry was performed. [(3)H]choline and
      [(18)F]FDG uptake of isolated inflammatory cells as well as of LNCaP and PC-3
      human prostate carcinoma cells was assessed simultaneously in dual tracer uptake
      experiments. RESULTS: Macrophages showed highest [(3)H]choline and [(18)F]FDG
      uptake compared to the tracer uptake rates of leukocytes. [(3)H]choline uptake of
      macrophages was in the same range as in prostate cancer cells. Lipopolysaccharide
      stimulation of macrophages resulted in an increase of [(18)F]FDG uptake in
      macrophages, but not in an increased [(3)H]choline uptake. CONCLUSIONS: The high
      [(3)H]choline uptake in macrophages may be a source of false-positive PET results
      in diagnosis of prostate cancer by choline-PET/CT. As already known from FDG-PET,
      discrimination between tumor and inflammation in prostate cancer patients is not
      possible via choline-PET. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT
      CARE: The application of choline-PET for reliable primary prostate cancer
      detection and delineation has to be queried.

PMID- 27260777
TI  - New (68)Ga-PhenA bisphosphonates as potential bone imaging agents.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the bone
      using [(68)Ga]bisphosphonates may be a valuable tool for cancer diagnosis and
      monitoring therapeutic treatment. We have developed new [(68)Ga]bisphosphonates
      based on the chelating group, AAZTA (6-[bis(hydroxycarbonyl-methyl)amino]-1,4
      bis(hydroxycarbonyl methyl)-6-methylperhydro-1,4-diazepine). METHOD: Phenoxy
      derivative of AAZTA (2,2'-(6-(bis(carboxymethyl)amino)-6-((4-(2
      carboxyethyl)phenoxy)methyl)-1,4-diazepane-1,4-diyl)diacetic acid), PhenA, 2,
      containing a bisphosphonate group (PhenA-BPAMD, 3, and PhenA-HBP, 4) was
      prepared. Labeling of these chelating agents with (68)Ga was evaluated. RESULTS:
      The ligands reacted rapidly in a sodium acetate buffer with [(68)Ga]GaCl3 eluted
      from a commercially available (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator (pH4, >95% labeling at room
      temperature in 5min) to form [(68)Ga]PhenA-BPAMD, 3, and [(68)Ga]PhenA-HBP, 4.
      The improved labeling condition negates the need for further purification. The
      (68)Ga bisphosphonate biodistribution and autoradiography of bone sections in
      normal mice after an iv injection showed excellent bone uptake. CONCLUSION: New
      (68)Ga labeled bisphosphonates may be useful as in vivo bone imaging agents in
      conjunction with positron emission tomography (PET).

PMID- 27260778
TI  - Noninvasive evaluation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor availability in mouse
      brain using single-photon emission computed tomography with [(123)I]5IA.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are of great interest
      because they are implicated in higher brain functions. Nuclear medical imaging is
      one of the useful techniques for noninvasive evaluation of physiological and
      pathological function in living subjects. Recent progress in nuclear medical
      imaging modalities enables the clear visualization of the organs of small
      rodents. Thus, translational research using nuclear medical imaging in transgenic
      mice has become possible and helps to elucidate human disease pathology. However,
      imaging of alpha4beta2 nAChRs in the mouse brain has not yet been performed. The
      purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of single-photon emission
      computed tomography (SPECT) with 5-[(123)I]iodo-3-[2(S)
      azetidinylmethoxy]pyridine ([(123)I]5IA) for evaluating alpha4beta2 nAChR
      availability in the mouse brain. METHODS: A 60-min dynamic SPECT imaging session
      of alpha4beta2 nAChRs in the mouse brain was performed. The regional distribution
      of radioactivity in the SPECT images was compared to the density of alpha4beta2
      nAChRs measured in an identical mouse. Alteration of nAChR density in the brains
      of Tg2576 mice was also evaluated. RESULTS: The mouse brain was clearly
      visualized by [(123)I]5IA-SPECT and probe accumulation was significantly
      inhibited by pretreatment with (-)-nicotine. The regional distribution of
      radioactivity in SPECT images showed a significant positive correlation with
      alpha4beta2 nAChR density measured in an identical mouse brain. Moreover,
      [(123)I]5IA-SPECT was able to detect the up-regulation of alpha4beta2 nAChRs in
      the brains of Tg2576 transgenic mice. CONCLUSIONS: [(123)I]5IA-SPECT imaging
      would be a promising tool for evaluating alpha4beta2 nAChR availability in the
      mouse brain and may be useful in translational research focused on nAChR-related
      diseases.

PMID- 27260779
TI  - Fully automated radiosynthesis of N(1)-[(18)F]fluoroethyl-tryptophan and study of
      its biological activity as a new potential substrate for indoleamine 2,3
      dioxygenase PET imaging.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) catalyzes the initial step in the
      catabolism of l-tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway and exerts
      immunosuppressive properties in inflammatory and tumor tissues by blocking
      locally T-lymphocyte proliferation. Recently, 1-(2-[(19)F]fluoroethyl)-dl
      tryptophan (1-[(19)F]FE-dl-Trp) was reported as a good and specific substrate of
      this enzyme. Herein, the radiosynthesis of its radioactive isotopomer (1
      [(18)F]FE-dl-Trp, dl-[(18)F]5) is presented along with in vitro enzymatic and
      cellular uptake studies. METHODS: The one-pot n.c.a. radiosynthesis of this novel
      potential PET imaging tracer, including HPLC purification and formulation, has
      been fully automated on a FASTlabTM synthesizer. Chiral separation of both
      isomers and their formulation were implemented on a second cassette. In vitro
      enzymatic and cellular uptake studies were then conducted with the d-, l- and dl
      radiotracers. RESULTS: The radiolabeling of the tosylate precursor was performed
      in DMF (in 5min; RCY: 57% (d.c.), n=3). After hydrolysis, HPLC purification and
      formulation, dl-[(18)F]5 was obtained with a global radiochemical yield of 18+/
      3% (not decay corrected, n=7, in 80min) and a specific activity of 600+/
      180GBq/MUmol (n=5). The subsequent separation of l- and d-enantiomers was
      performed by chiral HPLC and both were obtained after formulation with an RCY
      (d.c.) of 6.1% and 5.8%, respectively. In vitro enzymatic assays reveal that l
      [(18)F]5 is a better substrate than d-[(18)F]5 for human IDO. In vitro cellular
      assays show an IDO-specific uptake of the racemate varying from 30% to 50% of
      that of l-[(18)F]5, and a negligible uptake of d-[(18)F]5. CONCLUSION: In vitro
      studies show that l-[(18)F]5 is a good and specific substrate of hIDO, while
      presenting a very low efflux. These results confirm that l-[(18)F]5 could be a
      very useful PET radiotracer for IDO expressing cells in cancer imaging.

PMID- 27260780
TI  - Thermostabilization of indigenous multiplex polymerase chain reaction reagents
      for detection of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Among DNA-based techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      is the most widely accepted molecular tool for the detection of pathogens.
      However, the technique involves several reagents and multiple pipetting steps
      that often lead to error-prone results. Additionally, the reagents entail a cold
      chain facility to maintain their stability during storage and transportation. The
      main aim of the present study was to simplify the utility of a pre-optimized
      multiplex PCR format that was developed to detect toxigenic strains of
      Staphylococcus aureus by providing stable, pre-mixed, and ready-to-use master mix
      in a lyophilized formulation. METHODS: Master mix containing all reagents except
      the template was lyophilized in the presence of an excipient lyoprotectant to
      achieve long-term stability without altering the sensitivity, specificity and PCR
      performance. Bromophenol blue was also included in the master mix to reduce the
      risk of external contamination during gel loading. The stability of lyophilized
      master mix was analyzed at different temperatures. The PCR performance was also
      examined after exposure of master mix to notable temperature fluctuations during
      transportation. RESULTS: The shelf-life of lyophilized master mix was estimated
      to be 1.5 months at ambient temperature and 6 months at 4 degrees C. Stability
      was unaffected by temperature fluctuations during transportation even in cold
      chain-free conditions, thus reducing the cost required for cold storage.
      CONCLUSION: The sensitive, cost-effective, ready-to-use, and ambient temperature
      stable formulation could be implemented as a detection tool in food analysis and
      diagnostic laboratories and hospitals and for on-field application outside the
      laboratories, as well as for detection of toxigenic strains of S. aureus.

PMID- 27260781
TI  - In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of tigecycline against Vibrio
      vulnificus.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the role of
      tigecycline in Vibrio vulnificus infection. METHODS: Eight randomly selected
      clinical V. vulnificus isolates were studied to obtain the minimal inhibitory
      concentrations (MICs) of minocycline, cefotaxime, and tigecycline, and the time
      kill curves of tigecycline alone or in combination with other drugs. A
      peritonitis mouse model was used for the evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy
      of tigecycline alone or cefotaxime in combination with minocycline or
      tigecycline. RESULTS: The MIC of minocycline, cefotaxime, and tigecycline for
      eight clinical V. vulnificus isolates was 0.06-0.12 MUg/mL, 0.03-0.06 MUg/mL, and
      0.03-0.06 MUg/mL, respectively. In time-killing studies, at the concentration of
      1 * MIC, the inhibitory effect of tigecycline persisted for 24 hours in five of
      eight isolates. With 2 * MIC and trough level, the inhibitory effect was noted in
      all isolates for 24 hours. With the combination of minocycline plus cefotaxime
      and tigecycline plus cefotaxime at 1/2 * MIC, the bactericidal effect was noted
      in 25% and 62.5% of eight isolates and synergism in 50% and 75% of isolates. With
      a low (1.25 * 105 CFU/mL) inoculum, all infected mice survived with tigecycline
      alone, tigecycline plus cefotaxime, or minocycline plus cefotaxime on the 14th
      day. At the inoculum of 1.25 * 106 CFU, the survival rate was 33.3% on the 14th
      day in the tigecycline plus cefotaxime-treated group, but none of the mice
      treated by tigecycline alone or minocycline plus cefotaxime survived (33.3% vs.
      0%, p = 0.01 by Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: Our in vitro combination and
      animal studies indicate that tigecycline could be an option for the treatment of
      invasive V. vulnificus infections.

PMID- 27260782
TI  - Modeling methodology for the accurate and prompt prediction of symptomatic events
      in chronic diseases.
AB  - Prediction of symptomatic crises in chronic diseases allows to take decisions
      before the symptoms occur, such as the intake of drugs to avoid the symptoms or
      the activation of medical alarms. The prediction horizon is in this case an
      important parameter in order to fulfill the pharmacokinetics of medications, or
      the time response of medical services. This paper presents a study about the
      prediction limits of a chronic disease with symptomatic crises: the migraine. For
      that purpose, this work develops a methodology to build predictive migraine
      models and to improve these predictions beyond the limits of the initial models.
      The maximum prediction horizon is analyzed, and its dependency on the selected
      features is studied. A strategy for model selection is proposed to tackle the
      trade off between conservative but robust predictive models, with respect to less
      accurate predictions with higher horizons. The obtained results show a prediction
      horizon close to 40min, which is in the time range of the drug pharmacokinetics.
      Experiments have been performed in a realistic scenario where input data have
      been acquired in an ambulatory clinical study by the deployment of a non
      intrusive Wireless Body Sensor Network. Our results provide an effective
      methodology for the selection of the future horizon in the development of
      prediction algorithms for diseases experiencing symptomatic crises.

PMID- 27260783
TI  - Information bottleneck based incremental fuzzy clustering for large biomedical
      data.
AB  - Incremental fuzzy clustering combines advantages of fuzzy clustering and
      incremental clustering, and therefore is important in classifying large
      biomedical literature. Conventional algorithms, suffering from data sparsity and
      high-dimensionality, often fail to produce reasonable results and may even assign
      all the objects to a single cluster. In this paper, we propose two incremental
      algorithms based on information bottleneck, Single-Pass fuzzy c-means (spFCM-IB)
      and Online fuzzy c-means (oFCM-IB). These two algorithms modify conventional
      algorithms by considering different weights for each centroid and object and
      scoring mutual information loss to measure the distance between centroids and
      objects. spFCM-IB and oFCM-IB are used to group a collection of biomedical text
      abstracts from Medline database. Experimental results show that clustering
      performances of our approaches are better than such prominent counterparts as
      spFCM, spHFCM, oFCM and oHFCM, in terms of accuracy.

PMID- 27260784
TI  - Comprehensive oral-health assessment of individuals with acquired brain-injury in
      neuro-rehabilitation setting.
AB  - PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To perform a detailed clinical oral health assessment and oral
      health-related social and behavioural aspect assessment in individuals with
      acquired brain injury (ABI). RESEARCH DESIGN: Prospective observational study.
      METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Thirteen individuals with ABI were recruited.
      Individual's social and behavioural history, bed-side oral examination score
      (BOE), tooth condition and periodontal status (bleeding, plaque and clinical
      attachment loss) were thoroughly examined. The entire examination took up to 60
      minutes, using proper dental armamentarium. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: All
      evaluated individuals were diagnosed with chronic generalized periodontitis. A
      relationship between active periodontal disease and severe BOE score was observed
      (p = 0.01). Significant interaction between severe BOE scores (>= 15 or >= 14)
      and periodontal disease severity of >= 2 mm (p = 0.01) was observed. The same
      interaction was seen between severe BOE scores and the combination of 75% extent
      and 2 mm severity (p = 0.01). Severity and activity of periodontitis showed
      dependence on individual brushing frequency (p = 0.03 and p = 0.05,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with ABI had a poor status across a range
      of oral-, dental- and periodontal-related parameters. Further structured studies
      are required to define evidence-based assessment approaches for such clinical
      reality.

PMID- 27260785
TI  - Innovative use of recovered municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash as a
      component in growing media.
AB  - The utilisation of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash has been
      extensively studied, for example, in the unbound layers of roads and the products
      of cement and concrete industry. On the other hand, less attention has been given
      to other innovative utilisation possibilities, such as using the municipal solid
      waste incineration bottom ash as a component in growing media of plants. The
      municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash contains useful substances, such as
      calcium, that can influence plant growth in a positive manner. Therefore, the
      utilisation of this waste-derived material in the growing media may substitute
      the use of commercial fertilisers. Since the municipal solid waste incineration
      bottom ash also contains hazardous substances that can be toxic to plants, the
      main aim of this study was to add different amounts of recovered municipal solid
      waste incineration bottom ash in the growing media and to evaluate the effect of
      this material on plant growth. Based on the obtained results, the concentration
      of, for example copper and zinc, increased in test plants; ryegrass and barley,
      when recovered municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash was added in their
      growing media. On the other hand, this did not have a significant effect on plant
      growth, if compared with the growth of plants in commercially produced growing
      medium. Furthermore, the replacement of natural sand with municipal solid waste
      incineration bottom ash had a positive liming effect in the growing media.
      Overall, these findings suggest that the utilisation of recovered municipal solid
      waste incineration bottom ash as a component in growing media is possible and,
      thus, may allow more widespread and innovative use of this waste-derived
      material. 

PMID- 27260786
TI  - Proportion of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Cases Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis:
      Consistent Picture From Different Methods.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a leading cause of both tubal
      factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia trachomatis is an important
      risk factor for PID, but the proportion of PID cases caused by C. trachomatis is
      unclear. Estimates of this are required to evaluate control measures. METHODS: We
      consider 5 separate methods of estimating age-group-specific population excess
      fractions (PEFs) of PID due to C. trachomatis, using routine data, surveys, case
      control studies, and randomized controlled trials, and apply these to data from
      the United Kingdom before introduction of the National Chlamydia Screening
      Programme. RESULTS: As they are informed by randomized comparisons and national
      exposure and outcome estimates, our preferred estimates of the proportion of PID
      cases caused by C. trachomatis are 35% (95% credible interval [CrI], 11%-69%) in
      women aged 16-24 years and 20% (95% CrI, 6%-38%) in women aged 16-44 years in the
      United Kingdom. There is a fair degree of consistency between adjusted estimates
      of PEF, but all have wide 95% CrIs. The PEF decreases from 53.5% (95% CrI, 15.6%
      100%) in women aged 16-19 years to 11.5% (95% CrI, 3.0%-25.7%) in women aged 35
      44 years. CONCLUSIONS: The PEFs of PID due to C. trachomatis decline steeply with
      age by a factor of around 5-fold between younger and older women. Further studies
      of the etiology of PID in different age groups are required.

PMID- 27260787
TI  - [Chronic fatigue syndrome: A new disorder?]
AB  - More than 30 years after its individualization, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
      remains a debilitating condition for the patient and a confusing one to the
      physicians, both because of diagnostic difficulties and poorly codified
      management. Despite the numerous work carried out, its pathophysiology remains
      unclear, but a multifactorial origin is suggested with triggering (infections)
      and maintenance (psychological) factors as well as the persistence of
      inflammatory (low grade inflammation, microglial activation...), immunologic
      (decrease of NK cells, abnormal cytokine production, reactivity to a variety of
      allergens, role of estrogens...) and muscular (mitochondrial dysfunction and
      failure of bioenergetic performance) abnormalities at the origin of multiple
      dysfunctions (endocrine, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, digestive...). The
      complexity of the problem and the sometimes contradictory results of available
      studies performed so far are at the origin of different pathophysiological and
      diagnostic concepts. Based on a rigorous analysis of scientific data, the new
      American concept of Systemic Disease Exertion Intolerance proposed in 2015
      simplifies the diagnostic approach and breaks with the past and terminologies
      (CFS and myalgic encephalomyelitis). It is still too early to distinguish a new
      disease, but this initiative is a strong signal to intensify the recognition and
      management of patients with CFS and stimulate research.

PMID- 27260788
TI  - [Place of azathioprine in the treatment of giant cell arteritis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this bicentric retrospective study was to describe the use
      of azathioprine in giant cell arteritis, and to appreciate its corticosteroid
      sparing effect in glucocorticoid-dependent patients or with severe glucocorticoid
      related side effects. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of
      patients diagnosed with giant cell arteritis between 2000 and 2011 in two
      departments of internal medicine. Only the patients treated with azathioprine
      were included in this study. Sociodemographic, clinical, biological, radiological
      and therapeutic data were collected by a standardized questionnaire. A
      comparative analysis of daily prednisone dose at the initiation and 1 year after
      the prescription of azathioprine was made. RESULTS: Of the 28 patients included,
      21 responded to azathioprine. At 1 year of follow-up after the initiation of
      azathioprine, 18 patients (64%) were still in sustained response, asymptomatic,
      without increase in acute phase response laboratory markers, and with a daily
      dose of prednisone<10 mg. Three patients (11%) experienced a relapse during
      azathioprine treatment. Mean daily dose of prednisone were 25.4 mg at the time of
      initiation of azathioprine, and 4.7 mg at 1 year of treatment, suggesting a
      corticosteroid-sparing effect (P<0.001). Ten patients experienced azathioprine
      serious side effects, leading to discontinuation of treatment in seven cases.
      CONCLUSION: Azathioprine may be an alternative treatment for patients with giant
      cell arteritis requiring prolonged high dose glucocorticoid therapy or developing
      severe glucocorticoid related side effects. However, given the potential adverse
      effects of azathioprine, a close monitoring is necessary.

PMID- 27260790
TI  - IAPRD annual report - 2015.

PMID- 27260789
TI  - Effects of Bait Presence and Type of Preservative Fluid on Ground and Carrion
      Beetle Samples Collected by Pitfall Trapping.
AB  - Pitfall trapping is a sampling technique frequently used by entomologists around
      the world. However, there exist sampling biases linked to particular trapping
      designs, which require investigation. In this study, we compared the effects of
      the type of preservative fluid (propylene glycol or formaldehyde) and the
      presence of fish bait in pitfall traps on the number of specimens (individuals)
      collected, the species richness, and the species composition of carabid
      (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and silphid (Coleoptera: Silphidae) beetle assemblages.
      Traps containing propylene glycol collected a substantially higher number of
      individuals of both taxa and a higher number of silphid species compared with
      traps containing formaldehyde. The use of fish bait in the traps increased the
      number of individuals collected and the number of species collected for silphid
      beetles but had no effect on the collection parameters for carabids. The species
      composition of the carabid assemblages was minimally affected by the presence of
      fish bait or the type of preservative fluid, whereas the fish bait had a
      substantial effect on the species composition of silphids. The silphid species
      that feed directly on vertebrate carcasses were almost completely absent in the
      nonbaited traps. The results suggest that pitfall traps baited with fish and
      containing propylene glycol as a preservative fluid are optimal for the
      simultaneous sampling of carabid and silphid beetles, which both provide
      important ecosystem services (e.g., predation of pests and decomposition of
      vertebrate carcasses) and are therefore interesting for ecological research.

PMID- 27260791
TI  - Cognitive functioning in individuals with Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain
      injury: A longitudinal study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine longitudinal changes in cognition in individuals with
      Parkinson's disease (PD) with and without a history of traumatic brain injury
      (TBI). METHODS: Twenty-five PD participants with a history of mild-moderate post
      acute (>9 months) TBI and 25 demographically-matched PD controls without a
      history of TBI were administered measures of cognition (Mattis Dementia Rating
      Scale), mood, and motor functioning at baseline and at a two-year follow-up
      evaluation. RESULTS: Individuals with PD and a history of TBI evidenced
      significantly greater decrements in overall cognition over the two year follow-up
      period compared to those without a history of TBI. Secondary subscale analyses
      suggest cognitive decrements may be mainly in the area of executive function,
      while a trend for group differences on the memory subscale was also observed.
      Groups did not differ on demographic, motor function, disease severity,
      cognitive, and mood profiles at baseline and evidenced comparable changes in mood
      and motor symptoms from baseline to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that
      a history of mild-moderate TBI is a risk factor for cognitive decline in
      individuals with PD.

PMID- 27260792
TI  - Common variants in CACNA1C and MDD susceptibility: A comprehensive meta-analysis.
AB  - Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders
      with a relatively high heritability (35-40%). Though rs1006737 in the CACNA1C
      gene showed significant association with MDD in a British large-scale candidate
      association study, most of the replication analyses with relatively small sample
      size reported negative association. Moreover, this locus has never been
      identified in previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for MDD. Here, we
      conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of the association between CACNA1C
      variants and MDD risk by combining all published data. Genetic data from one
      European GWAS and five individual follow-up studies, which include up to 12,629
      patients of MDD and 28,653 controls, that is, the largest sample size on CACNA1C
      to date, were collected. Rs1006737 showed significant association with MDD in the
      fixed-effect model (Z = 2.56, P = 0.011, OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 1.04-1.12) and the
      association remained after reanalyzing the data according to ethnicity. We
      additionally analyzed other 25 SNPs, genotyped in only one replication study,
      across the CACNA1C locus, and found that two SNPs, rs4765905 (P = 0.041, OR =
      1.05, 95%CI 1.00-1.09) and rs4765937 (P = 0.025, OR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.09)
      showed nominal association with MDD, while rs2239073 (P = 0.002, OR = 1.07, 95%CI
      1.02-1.11) exhibited significant association with MDD, which survived from
      multiple corrections. Our study provides support for positive association between
      CACNA1C and MDD; however, the current data suggest the necessity of replication
      analyses in a larger-scale sample. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27260793
TI  - Standardization of surgical care in a high-volume center improves survival in
      resected pancreatic head cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Durable clinical gains in surgical care are frequently reliant on
      well-developed standardization of practices. We hypothesized that the
      standardization of surgical management would result in improved long-term
      survival in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Seventy-seven consecutive, eligible
      patients representing all patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and
      received comprehensive, long-term postoperative care at the University of Florida
      were analyzed. Patients were divided into prestandardization and
      poststandardization groups based on the implementation of a pancreatic surgery
      partnership, or standardization program. RESULTS: Standardization resulted in a
      reduction in median length of stay (10 vs 12 days; P = .032), as well as
      significant gains in disease-free survival (17 vs 11 months; P = .017) and
      overall survival (OS; 26 vs 16 months; P = .004). The improvement in overall
      survival remained significant on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio = .46, P =
      .005). CONCLUSIONS: Standardization of surgical management of pancreatic cancer
      was associated with significant gains in long-term survival. These results
      suggest strongly that management of pancreatic head adenocarcinoma be
      standardized likely by regionalization of care at high performing oncologic
      surgery programs.

PMID- 27260795
TI  - Enhanced postoperative recovery pathways in emergency surgery: a randomized
      controlled clinical trial.

PMID- 27260794
TI  - Successful modulation of portal inflow by somatostatin in a porcine model of
      small-for-size syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Somatostatin may prevent the small-for-size syndrome in subjects
      undergoing extended hepatectomy by decreasing portal pressure. METHODS: Twenty
      pigs underwent 70% hepatectomy (H70 group, n = 7), 90% hepatectomy (H90 group, n
      = 7), or sham laparotomy (control group, n = 6). Splanchnic hemodynamics was
      measured before and after an intraoperative infusion of somatostatin. RESULTS:
      The portal vein flow normalized to liver weight increased in both H70 and H90
      groups (from 125 +/- 42 to 342 +/- 82 mL/min/100g, P = .031 and from 140 +/- 46
      to 530 +/- 241, P = .016, respectively). The hepatic venous pressure gradient
      (HVPG) increased in the H90 group only (from 5.5 +/- 5.8 to 13 +/- 4.9 mm Hg, P =
      .004). Somatostatin decreased portal vein flow normalized to liver weight in both
      H70 and H90 groups (from 408 +/- 224 to 360 +/- 227 mL/min/100g, P = .031 and
      from 560 +/- 190 to 466 +/- 189 mL/min/100g, P = .016), and restored a normal
      HVPG in the H90 group (from 14.3 +/- 4.8 to 7.7 +/- 6.1 mm Hg, P = .047).
      CONCLUSIONS: Somatostatin restores a normal HVPG in the setting of small-for-size
      syndrome and can be considered as an effective pharmaceutical modality of portal
      inflow modulation after extended hepatectomy.

PMID- 27260796
TI  - Mesh vs suture cruroplasty in laparoscopic large hiatal hernia repair.

PMID- 27260797
TI  - David Oliver: Values statements aren't worth the paper.

PMID- 27260800
TI  - Supporting the Student's Graduated Independence in Diabetes Care.
AB  - The gradual progression to self-management is a critical milestone for
      children/adolescents with diabetes. This article provides recommendations to
      facilitate collaboration between the student's family, diabetes healthcare
      provider, and school nurse to support and implement a plan that enables the
      child/adolescent to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully
      transition to independent management of diabetes. 

PMID- 27260799
TI  - Genomic profiling of exogenous abscisic acid-responsive microRNAs in tomato
      (Solanum lycopersicum).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in various biological pathways
      and stress responses as negative regulators at the posttranscriptional level.
      Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key signaling molecule that mediates plant stress
      response by activating many stress-related genes. Although some miRNAs in plants
      are previously identified to respond to ABA, a comprehensive profile of ABA
      responsive miRNAs has not yet been elucidated. RESULTS: Here, we identified
      miRNAs responding to exogenous application of ABA, and their predicted target
      genes in the model plant organism tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Deep sequencing
      of small RNAs from ABA-treated and untreated tomatoes revealed that miRNAs can be
      up- or down-regulated upon treatment with ABA. A total of 1067 miRNAs were
      detected (including 365 known and 702 candidate novel miRNAs), of those, 416
      miRNAs which had an abundance over two TPM (transcripts per million) were
      selected for differential expression analysis. We identified 269 (180 known and
      89 novel) miRNAs that respond to exogenous ABA treatment with a change in
      expression level of |log2FC|>=0.25. 136 of these miRNAs (90 known and 46 novel)
      were expressed at significantly different levels |log2FC|>=1 between treatments.
      Furthermore, stem-loop RT-PCR was applied to validate the RNA-seq data. Target
      prediction and analysis of the corresponding ABA-responsive transcriptome data
      uncovered that differentially expressed miRNAs are involved in condition stress
      and pathogen resistance, growth and development. Among them, approximately 90
      miRNAs were predicted to target transcription factors and pathogen resistance
      genes. Some miRNAs had functional overlap in biotic and abiotic stress. Most of
      these miRNAs were down-regulated following exposure to exogenous ABA, while their
      related target genes were inversely up-regulated, which is consistent with their
      negative regulatory role in gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous ABA
      application influences the composition and expression level of tomato miRNAs. ABA
      mainly down-regulates miRNAs that their target genes involve in abiotic stress
      adaption and disease resistance. ABA might increase expression of stress-related
      genes via miRNA-mediated posttranscriptional regulation, and our results indicate
      that ABA treatment has the potential to improve both abiotic stress tolerance and
      pathogen resistance. This study presents a comprehensive profile of ABA-regulated
      miRNAs in the tomato, and provides a robust database for further investigation of
      ABA regulatory mechanisms.

PMID- 27260798
TI  - Copy number analysis of whole-genome data using BIC-seq2 and its application to
      detection of cancer susceptibility variants.
AB  - Whole-genome sequencing data allow detection of copy number variation (CNV) at
      high resolution. However, estimation based on read coverage along the genome
      suffers from bias due to GC content and other factors. Here, we develop an
      algorithm called BIC-seq2 that combines normalization of the data at the
      nucleotide level and Bayesian information criterion-based segmentation to detect
      both somatic and germline CNVs accurately. Analysis of simulation data showed
      that this method outperforms existing methods. We apply this algorithm to low
      coverage whole-genome sequencing data from peripheral blood of nearly a thousand
      patients across eleven cancer types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to identify
      cancer-predisposing CNV regions. We confirm known regions and discover new ones
      including those covering KMT2C, GOLPH3, ERBB2 and PLAG1 Analysis of colorectal
      cancer genomes in particular reveals novel recurrent CNVs including deletions at
      two chromatin-remodeling genes RERE and NPM2 This method will be useful to many
      researchers interested in profiling CNVs from whole-genome sequencing data.

PMID- 27260801
TI  - Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child-Calling School Nurses to Action.
AB  - The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model released in 2015 as a
      collaboration between associations focuses renewed attention on the importance of
      improved physical, emotional, and social health to student learning. The model
      replaces and expands upon the Coordinated School Health Model that has been
      widely implemented in schools since the late 1980s. NASN celebrates this new
      model and calls school nurses to action in advocating for the implementation of
      this model in their communities. This article not only introduces this new model
      to school nurses but shares examples of school nurse advocacy initiatives. 

PMID- 27260802
TI  - Age-related changes in mastication are not improved by tongue exercise in a rat
      model.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Aging results in progressive changes in deglutitive
      functions, which may be due in part to alterations in muscle morphology and
      physiology. Mastication is a critical component of bolus formation and
      swallowing, but aging effects on masticatory function have not been well studied.
      STUDY DESIGN: The purpose of this study was to 1) quantify the effects of aging
      on mastication, and 2) determine the effects of tongue exercise on mastication in
      young adult and old rats. We hypothesized that there would be significant
      differences in mastication characteristics (number of bites, interval between
      bites, time to eat) as a function of age, and that tongue exercise would resolve
      preexercise differences between age groups. METHODS: We expanded the established
      model of progressive, 8-week tongue exercise to include a mastication
      measurement: acoustic recordings of vermicelli pasta biting from 17 old and 17
      young adult rats, randomized into exercise and control groups. RESULTS: We found
      the following: 1) Mastication characteristics were impacted by age. Specifically
      in older rats, there was an increase in time to eat and number of bites and
      intervals between bites decreased, suggesting increased oral motor-processing
      requirements for bolus formation. 2) tongue exercise did not impact mastication
      behaviors in young adult or old rats. CONCLUSION: Tongue exercise may not have
      been specific enough to result in behavioral changes in mastication or exercise
      dose may not have been sufficient. Nevertheless, results were noteworthy in
      expanding the established rat model of aging and have relevant clinical
      implications for future translation to human populations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA
      Laryngoscope, 127:E29-E34, 2017.

PMID- 27260803
TI  - Cholinesterases as markers of the inflammatory process associated oxidative
      stress in cattle infected by Babesia bigemina.
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess the influence of an asymptomatic
      experimental infection by Babesia bigemina on cholinesterase's as markers of the
      inflammatory process and biomarkers of oxidative imbalance. For this purpose,
      eight naive animals were used, as follows: four as controls or uninfected; and
      four infected with an attenuated strain of B. bigemina. Blood samples were
      collected on days 0, 7 and 11 post-inoculation (PI). Parasitemia was determined
      by blood smear evaluation, showing that the infection by B. bigemina resulted in
      mean 0.725 and 0.025% on day 7 and 11 PI, respectively, as well as mild anemia.
      The activities of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and catalase were
      lower, while levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and superoxide
      dismutase activity were higher in infected animals, when compared with the
      control group. This attenuated strain of B. bigemina induced an oxidative stress
      condition, as well as it reduces the cholinesterases activity in infected and
      asymptomatic cattle. Therefore, this decrease of cholinesterase in infection by
      B. bigemina purpose is to inhibit inflammation, for thereby increasing
      acetylcholine levels, potent anti-inflammatory molecules. 

PMID- 27260804
TI  - Use of an attenuated live Salmonella Typhimurium vaccine on three breeding pig
      units: A longitudinal observational field study.
AB  - The study examined the effects of a licensed live Salmonella Typhimurium vaccine,
      administered to sows and gilts on three commercial pig units experiencing
      clinical salmonellosis associated with S. Typhimurium or its monophasic variant.
      After vaccination, clinical salmonellosis resolved and shedding of S. Typhimurium
      declined markedly and persistently on all breeding or breeding-finishing units,
      during the one- to two-year monitoring period. On two finishing units supplied in
      part by one of the vaccinated herds, pigs from the vaccinated herd were less
      likely to shed Salmonella than those from non-vaccinating herds, and Salmonella
      counts in faeces were also lower from the vaccine-linked animals. Non-Typhimurium
      Salmonella serovars were isolated typically in fewer than 10% of samples, and
      showed no clear temporal changes in frequency. Vaccination of dams alone with S.
      Typhimurium was associated with reduced shedding of closely-related serovars
      among all age groups in this commercial setting. 

PMID- 27260805
TI  - The detection of Vaccinia virus confirms the high circulation of Orthopoxvirus in
      buffaloes living in geographical isolation, Marajo Island, Brazilian Amazon.
AB  - In Brazil, serologic evidence of Orthopoxvirus (OPV) circulation showed
      positivity around 20% in cattle, humans, monkeys and rodents. Although OPV
      seropositivity has been described in buffalo herds in southeastern Brazil, no
      Vaccinia virus (VACV) (member of genus OPV) outbreaks in buffalo herds have been
      described in this country. This study aimed to investigate the detection of anti
      OPV antibodies and to study the OPV genome in Brazilian buffalo herds. Our
      results demonstrated a high OPV seropositivity in buffalo herds on Marajo Island
      and molecular data confirmed the circulation of VACV. The geographical isolation
      conditionmight be a sine qua non condition to explain our results. 

PMID- 27260806
TI  - Prevalence, risk factor analysis, and hematological findings of hemoplasma
      infection in domestic cats from Valdivia, Southern Chile.
AB  - Four distinct cat hemoplasma species are recognized worldwide. However, this is
      the first study to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and hematological
      findings of hemoplasmas in cats from Chile. Complete blood count and 16S rRNA
      real-time PCR for cat hemoplasma species were performed in 384 blood samples from
      domestic cats in Valdivia, Chile. Among the 384 samples the species-specific
      prevalence was as follows: 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (7.8%),
      Mycoplasma haemofelis (4.4%), 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' (1%), 'Ca. M.
      haemominutum'+M. haemofelis (0.78%), 'Ca. M. haemominutum'+'Ca. M. turicensis'
      (0.52%), 'Ca. M. haemominutum'+'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum' (0.26%) and
      'Ca. M. haemominutum'+M. haemofelis+'Ca. M. haematoparvum' (0.26%). Male sex,
      older age, outdoor access, and FIV status were risk factors for hemoplasmosis.
      Mycoplasma haemofelis-positive cats had higher mean corpuscular volume and
      monocyte count. Four hemoplasma species circulate in the cat population of
      Valdivia. 'Candidatus M. turicensis' and 'Ca. M. haematoparvum' have been
      reported for the first time in Chilean cats. 

PMID- 27260807
TI  - Virulence traits and antibiotic resistance among enterococci isolated from dogs
      with periodontal disease.
AB  - Periodontal disease - PD - is one of the most widespread diseases in dogs, but
      the role of this odontogenic infection in the dissemination of pathogenic
      bacteria present in the oral mucosa to other animals or pet owners is
      understudied. Trying to unveil the putative pathogenicity of enterococci present
      in the gums of dogs diagnosed with PD, thirty-two animals were investigated
      during routine visits to a private veterinary clinic. Seventy-one enterococci
      were recovered and characterized regarding species, genomic variability,
      virulence traits, antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-forming ability. Isolates
      were mainly identified as Enterococcus faecalis, with the large majority (95%)
      being able to produce biofilm. Regarding antibiotic resistance, all dog
      enterococci were susceptible to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, gentamicin
      120, imipenem and vancomycin; while distinct levels of resistance were observed
      for chloramphenicol (10%), erythromycin (20%), streptomycin-300 (35%) and
      tetracycline (95%). For virulence traits incidence levels of 35% were observed
      for beta-hemolysis and 25% for cylA, 25% for gelatinase and 35% for gelE; 85%
      harbor efaAfs and ebpABC; while ace, agg and esp are present respectively in 50,
      30 and 10% of the dog-enterococci; efaAfm and acm were detected in all the
      Enterococcus faecium. Overall, the widespread prevalence of PD in dogs,
      associated with the close contact between companion animals, other animals and
      humans, may act as source for the dissemination of opportunistic pathogenic
      bacteria. Hence, aforementioned data on virulence and resistance features,
      emphasizes the need for active surveillance measures, such as the diagnose of PD
      in companion animals during routine visits to the veterinary clinic. 

PMID- 27260808
TI  - Host stress physiology and Trypanosoma haemoparasite infection influence innate
      immunity in the woylie (Bettongia penicillata).
AB  - Understanding immune function is critical to conserving wildlife in view of
      infectious disease threats, particularly in threatened species vulnerable to
      stress, immunocompromise and infection. However, few studies examine stress,
      immune function and infection in wildlife. We used a flow cytometry protocol
      developed for human infants to assess phagocytosis, a key component of innate
      immunity, in a critically endangered marsupial, the woylie (Bettongia
      penicillata). The effects of stress physiology and Trypanosoma infection on
      phagocytosis were investigated. Blood and faecal samples were collected from
      woylies in a captive facility over three months. Trypanosoma status was
      determined using PCR. Faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) were quantified by enzyme
      immunoassay. Mean phagocytosis measured was >90%. An interaction between sex and
      FCM influenced the percentage of phagocytosing leukocytes, possibly reflecting
      the influence of sex hormones and glucocorticoids. An interaction between
      Trypanosoma status and FCM influenced phagocytosis index, suggesting that stress
      physiology and infection status influence innate immunity. 

PMID- 27260809
TI  - Differences in leukocyte differentiation molecule abundances on domestic sheep
      (Ovis aries) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) neutrophils identified by flow
      cytometry.
AB  - Although both domestic sheep (DS) and bighorn sheep (BHS) are affected by similar
      respiratory bacterial pathogens, experimental and field data indicate BHS are
      more susceptible to pneumonia. Cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for
      use in flow cytometry (FC) are valuable reagents for interspecies comparative
      immune system analyses. This study describes cross-reactive mAbs that recognize
      leukocyte differentiation molecules (LDMs) and major histocompatibility complex
      antigens on DS and BHS leukocytes. Characterization of multichannel eosinophil
      autofluorescence in this study permitted cell-type specific gating of
      granulocytes for evaluating LDMs, specifically on neutrophils, by single-label
      FC. Evaluation of relative abundances of LDMs by flow cytometry revealed greater
      CD11a, CD11b, CD18 (beta2 integrins) and CD 172a (SIRPalpha) on DS neutrophils
      and greater CD14 (lipopolysaccharide receptor) on BHS neutrophils. Greater CD25
      (IL-2) was identified on BHS lymphocytes following Concavalin A stimulation.
      While DS and BHS have similar total peripheral blood leukocyte counts, BHS have
      proportionately more neutrophils. 

PMID- 27260810
TI  - Oral yeast colonization in peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients and
      renal transplant recipients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the frequency of oral yeast colonization (OYC)
      and the risk factors for patients who received continuous ambulatory peritoneal
      dialysis (CAPD) or hemodialysis (HD) or were renal transplant recipients (RTRs).
      The patients admitted to the Nephrology Clinic at Ataturk University Medical
      School from January through April 2013 were included in the study. A
      questionnaire about risk factors was filled out, and swab cultures were taken
      from the tongue surface of each participant. OYC was detected in 32.1% of the
      RTRs, 40% of the HD patients, 20.9% of the CAPD patients, and 18% of the healthy
      control (HC) group. Of the 42 yeast strains isolated from the renal replacement
      therapy groups, 26 strains (61.9%) were Candida albicans, nine (21.4%) were
      Candida glabrata, two (4.7%) were Candida krusei, two (4.7%) were Candida kefyr,
      one (2.38%) was Candida parapsilosis, and two (4.7%) were Geotrichum candidum.
      Risk factors for OYC in the RTRs group included antibiotic use and the presence
      of dental prostheses; however, in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing
      CAPD, only the presence of dental prostheses was found to be a statistically
      significant risk factor. Although OYC was mostly detected in patients with
      chronic kidney disease (undergoing HD, a variety of isolated yeast strains in the
      RTRs was noted. The rates of OYC and isolated Candida species in CAPD were
      similar to those of the HC group.

PMID- 27260811
TI  - Evidence of multiple reassortment events of feline-to-human rotaviruses based on
      a rare human G3P[9] rotavirus isolated from a patient with acute gastroenteritis.
AB  - A rare human/feline-like rotavirus G3P[9] strain, CAU14-1-262, from a 2-year-old
      girl with severe gastroenteritis was isolated and sequenced. The 11 gene segments
      of the CAU14-1-262 strain possessed a novel genotype constellation, G3-P[9]-I3-R3
      C3-M3-A3-N3-T1-E3-H6, which was identified for the first time. Phylogenetic
      analysis of this strain identified the following genome origins: VP7, VP4, VP6,
      VP1-VP3, NSP1, NSP2, and NSP4 genes possessed an AU-1-like genotype 3
      constellation with high sequence identity to those of the feline and human/feline
      like rotaviruses; NSP5 possessed a H6 lineage, with highest sequence identity to
      the human/feline-like E2541 strain; and the NSP3 gene possessed a Wa-like
      genotype 1 constellation with high sequence identity to those of the of human
      rotaviruses. These results provided evidence of multiple reassortment events in
      G3P[9] rotavirus CAU14-1-262 and possibility of feline-to-human interspecies
      transmission. 

PMID- 27260812
TI  - Isolation and genetic characterization of swinepox virus from pigs in India.
AB  - Swinepox virus (SWPV), a member of the genus Suipoxvirus causes generalized pock
      like lesions on the body of domestic and wild pigs. Although outbreak has been
      reported in India since 1987, virus isolation and genetic characterization
      remained elusive. In September 2013, an outbreak of acute skin infection occurred
      in piglets in a commercial piggery unit at Rohtak district in Haryana, India. The
      presence of SWPV in scab samples collected from piglets succumbed to infection
      was confirmed by virus isolation, PCR amplification of SWPV-specific gene
      segments and nucleotide sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of host-range genes of
      the SWPV revealed that the Indian isolate is genetically closely related to
      reference isolate SWPV/pig/U.S.A/1999/Nebraska. To the best of our knowledge this
      is the first report on isolation and genetic characterization of SWPV from pigs
      in India. 

PMID- 27260813
TI  - Diagnosing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in FIV-vaccinated and
      FIV-unvaccinated cats using saliva.
AB  - We recently showed that two immunochromatography point-of-care FIV antibody test
      kits (Witness FeLV/FIV and Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV) were able to correctly assign
      FIV infection status, irrespective of FIV vaccination history, using whole blood
      as the diagnostic specimen. A third FIV antibody test kit, SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo
      (an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]), was unable to differentiate
      antibodies produced in response to FIV vaccination from those incited by FIV
      infection. The aim of this study was to determine if saliva is a suitable
      diagnostic specimen using the same well characterized feline cohort. FIV
      infection status of these cats had been determined previously using a combination
      of serology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and virus isolation. This
      final assignment was then compared to results obtained using saliva as the
      diagnostic specimen utilizing the same three point-of-care FIV antibody test kits
      and commercially available PCR assay (FIV RealPCR). In a population of cats where
      one third (117/356; 33%) were FIV-vaccinated, both immunochromatography test kits
      accurately diagnosed FIV infection using saliva via a centrifugation method,
      irrespective of FIV vaccination history. For FIV diagnosis using saliva, the
      specificity of Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV and Witness FeLV/FIV was 100%, while the
      sensitivity of these kits was 96% and 92% respectively. SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo
      respectively. SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo had a specificity of 98% and sensitivity of
      44%, while FIV RealPCR testing had a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 72%
      using saliva. A revised direct method of saliva testing was trialed on a subset
      of FIV-infected cats (n=14), resulting in 14, 7 and 0 FIV positive results using
      Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV, Witness FeLV/FIV and SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo, respectively.
      These results demonstrate that saliva can be used to diagnose FIV infection,
      irrespective of FIV vaccination history, using either a centrifugation method
      (Anigen Rapid FIV/FeLV and Witness FeLV/FIV) or a direct method (Anigen Rapid
      FIV/FeLV). Collection of a saliva specimen therefore provides an acceptable
      alternative to venipuncture (i) in fractious cats where saliva may be easier to
      obtain than whole blood, (ii) in settings when a veterinarian or trained
      technician is unavailable to collect blood and (iii) in shelters where FIV
      testing is undertaken prior to adoption but additional blood testing is not
      required. 

PMID- 27260814
TI  - High prevalence of "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" in Amblyomma ticks from a
      Spotted Fever Endemic Region in North Argentina.
AB  - Ticks from an endemic Spotted Fever region in Argentina were analysed by PCR for
      Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae. DNA of "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" was
      found in 21.3% of Amblyomma hadanii and in 44.0% of A. neumanni. Amblyomma
      sculptum (formerly A. cajennense) and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi were negative for
      rickettsial DNA. DNA of Rickettsia rickettsii, the etiological agent of the
      clinical cases reported within the studied region was not detected in the
      analysed sample. 

PMID- 27260815
TI  - Non-response to daclatasvir and asunaprevir therapy in patients co-infected with
      hepatitis C virus genotypes 1 and 2.
AB  - Direct-acting antiviral agents for hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been developed
      such as combined daclatasvir (DCV) and asunaprevir (ASV) treatment. This
      typically enables HCV serotype 1 patients to achieve a high sustained virological
      response rate, but a small number of such patients fail to respond to therapy. We
      investigated three HCV patients who showed no response to DCV and ASV therapy.
      Hepatitis C genotyping was undertaken in the three patients using nested
      polymerase chain reaction and polymerase chain reaction direct sequencing in the
      core region of the HCV genome. All three patients possessed HCV serotype 1, and
      no mutations were identified in either the non-structural protein 3 or 5A region.
      The three patients were shown to be co-infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 2
      because genotypes 2a and 2b were also identified. This is the first report into
      failed response to DCV and ASV therapy in patients co-infected with HCV genotypes
      1 and 2.

PMID- 27260816
TI  - The functioning of the Medical Council of India analysed by the Parliamentary
      Standing Committee of Health and Family Welfare.
AB  - On March 8, 2016, the 92nd report on the functioning of the Medical Council of
      India (MCI) (1) was placed before both Houses of Parliament by Professor Ram
      Gopal Yadav, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Health and
      Family Welfare. 

PMID- 27260817
TI  - The Chennai floods of 2015 and the health system response.
AB  - The Chennai floods of 2015 were a calamity of unexpected proportions (1). The
      impact on the lives of the poor has been immense. Thousands needed to abandon
      their already precarious dwellings on the banks of the Adyar River, and other low
      lying areas for temporary shelters. The differential experience and impact of
      disasters on different segments of the population helps understand the dynamics
      of sociopolitical structures and supports. 

PMID- 27260818
TI  - Ethical dilemmas among dental professionals in Davangere city- a cross-sectional
      survey.
AB  - To determine the ethical problems faced by dental practitioners, a cross
      sectional survey was conducted in Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, College of
      Dental Sciences and private dental clinics in the city of Davangere. A
      questionnaire with close-ended questions on eight scenarios was administered to
      the 135 study participants. In the case of scenario 1, 81.4% of the participants
      said that the doctor had violated the principle of truthfulness. As for scenario
      2, less than 50% of the participants replied that the doctor had breached ethical
      principles. In case scenario 3, 93% felt that the doctor should have taken the
      physician's opinion before extracting a tooth. Most dental practitioners faced
      ethical dilemmas because of the lack of awareness, and there is a need to
      introduce certain programmes to promote knowledge of ethics. 

PMID- 27260819
TI  - The Chennai floods of 2015: urgent need for ethical disaster management
      guidelines.
AB  - India has suffered several natural disasters in recent years. The super cyclone
      of Orissa in 1999 and the tsunami on the southeastern coast in 2004, both led to
      major developments in disaster management abilities in the country. Almost a
      decade after the last major disaster that hit south India, the recent floods in
      Chennai in 2015 brought to the fore a whole set of ethical considerations. There
      were issues of inequity in the relief and response activities, conflicts and lack
      of coordination between the government and non-government relief and response,
      more emphasis on short-term relief activities rather than rehabilitation and
      reconstruction, and lack of crisis standards of care in medical services. This
      paper highlights these ethical issues and the need for ethical guidelines and an
      ethical oversight mechanism for disaster management and response. 

PMID- 27260820
TI  - Robert Spitzer and psychiatric classification: technical challenges and ethical
      dilemmas.
AB  - Dr Robert Leopold Spitzer (May 22, 1932-December 25, 2015), the architect of
      modern psychiatric diagnostic criteria and classification, died recently at the
      age of 83 in Seattle. Under his leadership, the American Psychiatric
      Association's (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals (DSM) became the
      international standard. 

PMID- 27260821
TI  - Ethics tries handling inner conflicts scientifically/spiritually.
AB  - "Ethic: from ethos, character, L ethos, adopted by English especially in sense of
      'character and spirit of a people'. Intimately akin to Gr ethos, custom, Skt. sva
      dha one's own doing or action; sva self (cf suicide) + dha to self." "Sva
      dha:self-position, self-power, inherent power, custom, rule, ease, comfort,
      according to one's habit or pleasure, spontaneously, willingly, easily, freely,
      undisturbedly, wantonly, sportively." Words reveal their meanings to those who
      establish intimacy with them, as the bride unveils her face only to the beloved
      one. 

PMID- 27260822
TI  - Tubal sterilisation without consent: a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tubal sterilisation is practised all over the world. This safe,
      easy and highly effective, long-term method for birth control can be carried out
      during the hospital stay for either a normal delivery or caesarean section. In
      India, female sterilisation accounts for 37.3% of all methods of family planning.

PMID- 27260823
TI  - Tubal ligation on an unmarried girl: How and why?
AB  - After going through the case report, it seems there can be two possible
      explanations for the tubal ligation performed without the consent of the patient:
      first, absolute malafide intent and second, a medical mix-up with tragic long
      term consequences for the girl.

PMID- 27260824
TI  - The ethics of research on stored biological samples: outcomes of a Workshop.
AB  - Research is often conducted using laboratory samples and data. The ethical issues
      that arise in a study involving residual samples are considerably different from
      those arising in a prospective study. Some of these ethical issues concern the
      risks to confidentiality, individual autonomy, trust in and credibility of the
      researcher or the research, commercialisation and even the nomenclature involved.

PMID- 27260825
TI  - Diary of a daughter.
AB  - This is a personal account of my struggle as a young medical student after my
      mother was diagnosed with an incurable illness; she subsequently passed away.
      Through this story, I share my experience with the medical profession from the
      perspective of the daughter of a terminally ill mother. 

PMID- 27260826
TI  - Ethical dilemmas of medically unexplained symptoms.
AB  - Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are common across health settings. These are
      defined as "physical symptoms that prompt sufferer to seek healthcare but remain
      unexplained after an appropriate medical evaluation". Expectedly, MUS are often
      associated with significant health-seeking behaviours that add to the burden on
      health resources. 

PMID- 27260827
TI  - Interpretation: a confounding factor.
AB  - With reference to the article "Passive euthanasia in India: a critique", authored
      by Ms Rohini Shukla and published online on August 5, 2015, I would like to make
      a few comments and highlight the following points. First, the author notes that
      Section 309 IPC has been decriminalised. This is not so since there has neither
      been any amendment to the IPC, nor has any ordinance been passed regarding the
      matter. Attempting suicide is still an offence in India. Second, the author
      observes that withholding life support is an act of omission and withdrawing life
      support is an act of commission and the terms have been used interchangeably by
      the Hon'ble Court, although there is a subtle difference between the two terms.

PMID- 27260828
TI  - Milestones for the Final Mile: Interspecialty Distinctions in Primary Palliative
      Care Skills Training.
AB  - CONTEXT: Primary palliative care (PPC) skills are useful in a wide variety of
      medical and surgical specialties, and the expectations of PPC skill training are
      unknown across graduate medical education. OBJECTIVES: We characterized the
      variation and quality of PPC skills in residency outcomes-based Accreditation
      Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) milestones. METHODS: We performed
      a content analysis with structured implicit review of 2015 ACGME milestone
      documents from 14 medical and surgical specialties chosen for their exposure to
      clinical situations requiring PPC. For each specialty milestone document, we
      characterized the variation and quality of PPC skills in residency outcomes-based
      ACGME milestones. RESULTS: We identified 959 occurrences of 29 palliative search
      terms within 14 specialty milestone documents. Within these milestone documents,
      implicit review characterized 104 milestones with direct saliency to PPC skills
      and 196 milestones with indirect saliency. Initial interrater agreement of the
      saliency rating among the primary reviewers was 89%. Specialty milestone
      documents varied widely in their incorporation of PPC skills within milestone
      documents. PPC milestones were most commonly found in milestone documents for
      Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, Urology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
      PPC-relevant milestones were most commonly found in the Interpersonal and
      Communication Skills core competency with 108 (36%) relevant milestones
      classified under this core competency. CONCLUSIONS: Future revisions of specialty
      specific ACGME milestone documents should focus on currently underrepresented,
      but important PPC skills.

PMID- 27260829
TI  - Human papillomavirus and anal carcinoma knowledge in men who have sex with men in
      Belgrade, Serbia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the level of knowledge among men who have sex with men
      regarding human papillomavirus (HPV), anal cancer screening, and HPV vaccine.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 in Belgrade, Serbia,
      comprising 142 HIV-positive and 128 HIV-negative persons. RESULTS: Of all
      participants, 34.8% had never heard of HPV infection; 43.3% of participants were
      informed that HPV infection might be asymptomatic, while 30.4% knew that HPV is
      not transmitted by towels/cloth. Furthermore, 45.9% answered that HPV is a cause
      of genital warts, while 28.9%, 14.4%, and 17.4%, respectively, answered that it
      can cause anal, penile, and oral cancers. Only one-fourth of participants knew
      that anal cancer is more frequent in homosexual men. More than 50% had not heard
      of anal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears, and less than 3% had ever had it. Almost 90%
      of participants did not know which physicians provide anal Pap smears. Less than
      one-third knew that regular anal Pap smears might prevent consequences of anal
      HPV infection. The majority of participants did not know that there is a vaccine
      against HPV and anal cancer. Less than 50% reported willingness to receive HPV
      vaccine. Knowledge was slightly better in HIV-positive men in comparison with HIV
      negative ones. CONCLUSIONS: Results point out the need for community efforts to
      promote knowledge about HPV, anal carcinoma, and anal Pap screening among men who
      have sex with men and their healthcare providers, and to increase the acceptance
      of HPV vaccine by the population.

PMID- 27260830
TI  - Care coordination, medical complexity, and unmet need for prescription
      medications among children with special health care needs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) have multiple unmet
      health care needs including that of prescription medications. OBJECTIVES: The
      objectives of this study were twofold: 1) to quantify and compare unmet needs for
      prescription medications for subgroups of CSHCN without and with medical
      complexity (CMC)-those who have multiple, chronic, and complex medical conditions
      associated with severe functional limitations and high utilization of health care
      resources, and 2) to describe its association with receipt of effective care
      coordination services and level of medical complexity. METHOD: A secondary data
      analysis of the 2009/2010 National Survey of CSHCN, a nationally representative
      telephone survey of parents of CSHCN, was conducted. Logistic regression models
      were constructed to determine associations between unmet need for prescription
      medications and medical complexity and care coordination for families of CSHCN,
      while controlling for demographic variables such as race, insurance, education
      level, and household income. Analyses accounted for the complex survey design and
      sampling weights. RESULTS: CMC represented about 3% of CSHCN. CMC parents
      reported significantly more unmet need for prescription medications and care
      coordination (4%, 68%), compared to Non-CMC parents (2%, 40%). Greater unmet need
      for prescription medications was associated with unmet care coordination
      (adjusted OR 3.81; 95% CI: 2.70-5.40) and greater medical complexity (adjusted OR
      2.01; 95% CI: 1.00-4.03). CONCLUSIONS: Traditional care coordination is primarily
      facilitated by nurses and nurse practitioners with little formal training in
      medication management. However, pharmacists are rarely part of the CSHCN care
      coordination model. As care delivery models for these children evolve, and given
      the complexity of and numerous transitions of care for these patients,
      pharmacists can play an integral role to improve unmet needs for prescription
      medications.

PMID- 27260831
TI  - Characterizing the collagen stabilizing effect of crosslinked chitosan
      nanoparticles against collagenase degradation.
AB  - Antibacterial and chelating properties of chitosan has been widely studied for
      various dental applications. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the interaction between
      chitosan-nanoparticles (CSnp) and collagen, and understand their stabilizing
      effect against collagenase degradation for dentin matrix stabilization. METHODS:
      Phase-1: a single Type I collagen-fibril model was used to study the interaction
      with CSnp along with carbodiimides crosslinking treatment. Degradation of the
      crosslinked fibrils was studied with bacterial collagenase enzyme and monitored
      using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, turbidity measurement
      (400nm), ninhydrin assay and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Interaction of CSnp
      with collagenase and Type I collagen, were evaluated using SDS-PAGE, and
      proteolytic cleavage potential of a synthetic peptide. Phase-2: degradation of
      dentin collagen crosslinked with/without CSnp was evaluated using FTIR, ninhydrin
      assay and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Glutaraldehyde crosslinking was
      used as a positive control. RESULTS: Both native collagen-fibrils and dentin
      collagen after crosslinking showed higher resistance to collagenase degradation,
      as observed in turbidity measurements and FTIR spectra. AFM images showed the
      interaction of CSnp with single collagen-fibril and crosslinked collagen resisted
      collagenase degradation up to 54h. The collagen and collagenase both formed
      complexes with CSnp resulting in thickening of bands and reduction in collagen
      degradation. CSnp treated collagenase showed significantly reduced cleavage of
      the fluorescent peptides. Dentin collagen was coated with CSnp following
      crosslinking with significant increase in resistance to collagenase degradation.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Crosslinked CSnp on collagen stabilized and enhanced the resistance
      of dentin matrix against bacterial collagenase degradation due to non-specific
      interaction with both collagen and collagenase.

PMID- 27260832
TI  - The Clinical Spectrum of Zika Virus in Returning Travelers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The clinical spectrum of Zika virus had, to date, been described in
      small series from endemic/epidemic countries and is not well established.
      METHODS: We describe the clinical manifestations of laboratory-proven Zika virus
      infection in Israeli travelers during December 2015-February 2016, and review all
      published cases of travel-related Zika virus. RESULTS: During the study period, 8
      returning Israeli travelers were diagnosed with Zika virus infection. In
      addition, 41 published cases were included, mostly from Latin America to Europe
      and North America. Overall, 65.3% were diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction.
      Rash was the most frequent symptom, present in 95.7% of cases, followed by fever
      and arthralgia. Conjunctivitis was present in 53.1%; however, only 40.3%
      presented with a triad of conjunctivitis, fever, and rash. Less frequent symptoms
      included dysgeusia and nightmares, which, together with arthralgia, persisted for
      several weeks in some travelers. CONCLUSIONS: Zika virus clinical picture in
      travelers is diverse. Prolonged symptoms may occur.

PMID- 27260833
TI  - An Unexpected Pneumonitis.

PMID- 27260834
TI  - A CaV2.1 N-terminal fragment relieves the dominant-negative inhibition by an
      Episodic ataxia 2 mutant.
AB  - Episodic ataxia 2 (EA2) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in
      the gene CACNA1A that encodes the pore-forming CaV2.1 calcium channel subunit.
      The majority of EA2 mutations reported so far are nonsense or deletion/insertion
      mutations predicted to form truncated proteins. Heterologous expression of wild
      type CaV2.1, together with truncated constructs that mimic EA2 mutants,
      significantly suppressed wild-type calcium channel function, indicating that the
      truncated protein produces a dominant-negative effect (Jouvenceau et al., 2001;
      Page et al., 2004). A similar finding has been shown for CaV2.2 (Raghib et al.,
      2001). We show here that a highly conserved sequence in the cytoplasmic N
      terminus is involved in this process, for both CaV2.1 and CaV2.2 channels.
      Additionally, we were able to interfere with the suppressive effect of an EA2
      construct by mutating key N-terminal residues within it. We postulate that the N
      terminus of the truncated channel plays an essential part in its interaction with
      the full-length CaV2.1, which prevents the correct folding of the wild-type
      channel. In agreement with this, we were able to disrupt the interaction between
      EA2 and the full length channel by co-expressing a free N-terminal peptide.

PMID- 27260835
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA in CSF distinguishes LRRK2 from idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA regulates mitochondrial function which is altered in both
      idiopathic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease. To investigate whether
      these two disease forms exhibit an altered regulation of mitochondrial DNA we
      measured cell free mitochondrial DNA content in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from
      idiopathic and LRRK2-related Parkinson's disease patients. The concentration of
      mitochondrial DNA was measured using a digital droplet polymerase chain reaction
      technique in a total of 98 CSF samples from a cohort of subjects including: 20
      LRRK2(G2019S) mutation carriers with Parkinson's disease, 26 asymptomatic
      LRRK2(G2019S) mutation carriers, 31 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease
      and 21 first-degree relatives of LRRK2 Parkinson's disease patients without the
      mutation. Here we report that LRRK2(G2019S) mutation carriers with Parkinson's
      disease exhibit a high concentration of mitochondrial DNA in CSF compared with
      asymptomatic LRRK2(G2019S) mutation carriers and with idiopathic Parkinson's
      disease patients. In addition, idiopathic, but not LRRK2 Parkinson's disease is
      associated with low CSF concentration of alpha-synuclein. These results show that
      high mitochondrial DNA content in CSF distinguishes idiopathic from LRRK2-related
      Parkinson's disease suggesting that different biochemical pathways underlie
      neurodegeneration in these two disorders. 

PMID- 27260836
TI  - Level of PICALM, a key component of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, is correlated
      with levels of phosphotau and autophagy-related proteins and is associated with
      tau inclusions in AD, PSP and Pick disease.
AB  - Single nucleotide polymorphisms in PICALM, a key component of clathrin-mediated
      endocytosis machinery, have been identified as genetic susceptibility loci for
      late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). We previously reported that PICALM protein
      levels were decreased in AD brains and that PICALM was co-localised with
      neurofibrillary tangles in LOAD, familial AD with PSEN1 mutations and Down
      syndrome. In the present study, we analysed PICALM expression, cell localisation
      and association with pathological cellular inclusions in other tauopathies and in
      non-tau related neurodegenerative diseases. We observed that PICALM was
      associated with neuronal tau pathology in Pick disease and in progressive
      supranuclear palsy (PSP) and co-localised with both 3R and 4R tau positive
      inclusions unlike in corticobasal degeneration (CBD) or in frontotemporal lobar
      degeneration (FTLD)-MAPT P301L. PICALM immunoreactivities were not detected in
      tau-positive tufted astrocytes in PSP, astrocytic plaques in CBD, Lewy bodies in
      Lewy body disease, diffuse type (LBD) and in TDP-43-positive inclusions in FTLD.
      In the frontal cortex in tauopathies, the ratio of insoluble to soluble PICALM
      was increased while the level of soluble PICALM was decreased and was inversely
      correlated with the level of phosphotau. PICALM decrease was also significantly
      correlated with increased LC3-II and decreased Beclin-1 levels in tauopathies and
      in non-tau related neurodegenerative diseases. These results suggest that there
      is a close relationship between abnormal PICALM processing, tau pathology and
      impairment of autophagy in human neurodegenerative diseases. 

PMID- 27260837
TI  - Cognitive deficits triggered by early life stress: The role of histone
      deacetylase 1.
AB  - Studies showed that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can reverse cognitive
      deficits found in neurodegenerative disorders and age-related memory decline.
      However, the role of HDACs in stress-induced cognitive deficits has not been
      investigated. In the stress-susceptible mouse strain Balb/c, early life stress
      triggers a persistent decrease in HDAC expression in the forebrain neocortex,
      including reduced expression of class I HDACs. The same mice show pronounced
      cognitive deficits in adulthood, namely deficits in working memory and attention
      set-shifting. Here we show that these mice also exhibit reduced association of
      HDAC1 with promotor III of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene, and
      that cognitive testing leads to abnormally increased Bdnf mRNA expression. A
      pharmacological reduction of Bdnf-tropomyosine kinase B receptor signaling
      effectively reverses the cognitive deficits, indicating that enhanced
      transcriptional activation of the Bdnf gene contributes to their emergence. In
      contrast to Balb/c mice, C57Bl/6 mice only develop attention set-shifting
      deficits when raised by Balb/c foster mothers during the time the pups are
      exposed to early life stress. HDAC1 levels at Bdnf promotor III are unaltered in
      such C57Bl/6 mice, although they exhibit decreased levels of HDAC1 at the
      promotor of the early-growth response gene 2 (Egr2) and abnormally increased Egr2
      mRNA expression after cognitive testing. Hence, contrary to the beneficial
      effects of HDAC inhibition in neurodegenerative diseases, the reduced HDAC1
      levels at promotors of distinct plasticity-associated genes predispose animals
      exposed to early life stress to enhanced expression of these genes upon cognitive
      challenge, an effect that negatively influences cognitive task performance. 

PMID- 27260838
TI  - Pathological conformations involving the amino terminus of tau occur early in
      Alzheimer's disease and are differentially detected by monoclonal antibodies.
AB  - Conformational changes involving the amino terminus of the tau protein are among
      the earliest alterations associated with tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease and
      other tauopathies. This region of tau contains a phosphatase-activating domain
      (PAD) that is aberrantly exposed in pathological forms of the protein, an event
      that is associated with disruptions in anterograde fast axonal transport. We
      utilized four antibodies that recognize the amino terminus of tau, TNT1, TNT2 (a
      novel antibody), Tau12, and Tau13, to further study this important region. Using
      scanning alanine mutations in recombinant tau proteins, we refined the epitopes
      of each antibody. We examined the antibodies' relative abilities to specifically
      label pathological tau in non-denaturing and denaturing assays to gain insight
      into some of the mechanistic details of PAD exposure. We then determined the
      pattern of tau pathology labeled by each antibody in human hippocampal sections
      at various disease stages in order to characterize PAD exposure in the context of
      disease progression. The characteristics of reactivity for the antibodies fell
      into two groups. TNT1 and TNT2 recognized epitopes within amino acids 7-12 and
      specifically identified recombinant tau aggregates and pathological tau from
      Alzheimer's disease brains in a conformation-dependent manner. These antibodies
      labeled early pre-tangle pathology from neurons in early Braak stages and
      colocalized with thiazine red, a marker of fibrillar pathology, in classic
      neurofibrillary tangles. However, late tangles were negative for TNT1 and TNT2
      indicating a loss of the epitope in later stages of tangle evolution. In
      contrast, Tau12 and Tau13 both identified discontinuous epitopes in the amino
      terminus and were unable to differentiate between normal and pathological tau in
      biochemical and tissue immunohistological assays. Despite the close proximity of
      these epitopes, the antibodies demonstrated remarkably different abilities to
      identify pathological changes in tau indicating that detection of conformational
      alterations involving PAD exposure is not achieved by all N-terminal tau
      antibodies and that a relatively discrete region of the N-terminus (i.e., amino
      acids 7-12, the TNT1 and TNT2 epitope) is central to the differences between
      normal and pathological tau. The appearance of PAD in early tau pathology and its
      disappearance in late-stage tangles suggest that toxic forms of tau are
      associated with the earliest forms of tau deposits. Collectively, these findings
      demonstrate that the TNT antibodies are useful markers for early conformational
      display of PAD and provide information regarding conformational changes that have
      potential implications in the toxic mechanisms of tau pathology. 

PMID- 27260840
TI  - Erratum to "Predictors and Rates of Delayed Symptomatic Hyponatremia after
      Transsphenoidal Surgery: A Systematic Review" [World Neurosurg. 88 (2016) 1-6].

PMID- 27260839
TI  - Randomized Controlled Trial of Talactoferrin Oral Solution in Preterm Infants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and explore the efficacy of recombinant human
      lactoferrin (talactoferrin [TLf]) to reduce infection. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted
      a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial in infants with birth weight
      of 750-1500 g. Infants received enteral TLf (n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) on days
      1 through 28 of life; the TLf dose was 150 mg/kg every 12 hours. Primary outcomes
      were bacteremia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, meningitis, and necrotizing
      enterocolitis (NEC). Secondary outcomes were sepsis syndrome and suspected NEC.
      We recorded clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings, along with diseases
      and adverse events, in a database used for statistical analyses. RESULTS:
      Demographic data were similar in the 2 groups of infants. We attributed no
      enteral or organ-specific adverse events to TLf. There were 2 deaths in the TLf
      group (1 each due to posterior fossa hemorrhage and postdischarge sudden infant
      death), and 1 death in the placebo group, due to NEC. The rate of hospital
      acquired infections was 50% lower in the TLf group compared with the placebo
      group (P < .04), including fewer blood or line infections, urinary tract
      infections, and pneumonia. Fourteen infants in the TLf group weighing <1 kg at
      birth had no gram-negative infections, compared with only 3 of 14 such infants in
      the placebo group. Noninfectious outcomes were not statistically significantly
      different between the 2 groups, and there were no between-group differences in
      growth or neurodevelopment over a 1-year posthospitalization period. CONCLUSION:
      We found no clinical or laboratory toxicity and a trend toward less infectious
      morbidity in the infants treated with TLf. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00854633.

PMID- 27260841
TI  - Serum response factor provokes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in renal tubular
      epithelial cells of diabetic nephropathy.
AB  - We investigated the role of serum response factor (SRF) in epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) in diabetic nephropathy
      (DN). The expression of SRF, epithelial markers (E-cadherin and ZO-1), and
      mesenchymal markers (fibronectin, collagen-1, alpha-SMA, FSP-1) was examined in
      human proximal renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells) or renal medulla
      tissues following high glucose. SRF was upregulated by SRF plasmids and
      downregulated by CCG-1423 (a small molecule inhibitor of SRF) to investigate how
      SRF influenced EMT in TECs of DN. Streptozotocin was used to generate DM in rats.
      In HK-2 cells after high-glucose treatment and renal medulla tissues of diabetic
      rats, SRF, fibronectin, collagen-1, alpha-SMA, and FSP-1 increased, while E
      cadherin and ZO-1 declined. SRF overexpression in HK-2 cells induced expression
      of Snail, an important transcription factor mediating EMT. Blockade of SRF by CCG
      1423 reduced Snail induction and protected TECs from EMT both in vitro and in
      vivo. Together, increased SRF activity promotes EMT in TECs and dysfunction in
      DN. Targeting SRF by small molecule inhibitor may be an attractive therapeutic
      strategy for DN.

PMID- 27260842
TI  - Genome-wide identification of quantitative trait transcripts for blood traits in
      the liver samples of a White Duroc * Erhualian F2 pig resource population.
AB  - Blood cell counts are important clinical indicators for health status. The liver
      plays a crucial role in food digestion and metabolism and is also a blood-forming
      organ. Here, we conducted a whole-genome quantitative trait transcript (QTT)
      analysis on 497 liver samples for 16 hematological traits in a White Duroc *
      Erhualian F2 pig resource population. A total of 20,108 transcripts were explored
      to detect their association with hematological traits. By using Spearman
      correlation coefficients, we identified 1,267 QTTs for these 16 hematological
      traits at the significance threshold of P < 0.001. We found 31 candidate genes
      for erythrocyte and leukocyte-related traits by a look-up of human and pig genome
      wide association study results. Furthermore, we constructed coexpression networks
      for leukocyte-related QTTs using weighted gene coexpression analysis. These QTTs
      were clustered into two to eight modules. The highest connection strength in
      intramodules was identified in a module for white blood cell count. In the
      module, USP18, RSAD2, and OAS1 appeared to be important genes involved in
      interferon-stimulated innate immune system. The findings improve our
      understanding of intrinsic relationships between the liver and blood cells and
      provide novel insights into the potential therapeutic targets of hematologic
      diseases.

PMID- 27260844
TI  - Too strong? Barriers from getting support before a suicide attempt in Lithuania.
AB  - The study aimed to understand the tendencies of help seeking before a suicide
      attempt in Lithuania. An analysis of interviews with 21 Lithuanian adults
      demonstrated strong avoidance of seeking help. The main reasons for avoidance
      included a lack of trust in other people, thinking that one must solve problems
      independently without sharing them, avoiding troubling others, and a belief that
      showing genuine emotions is a sign of weakness. These findings may contribute to
      suicide prevention by more deeply understanding the barriers to help seeking
      among high suicide risk groups, particularly in countries with a traumatic
      historical experience.

PMID- 27260843
TI  - Preeclampsia, of mice and women.
AB  - Preeclampsia (PE) is a devastating disorder of pregnancy that affects up to 8% of
      pregnant women in the United States. The diagnosis of PE is made by the
      presentation of new-onset hypertension, >=140 mmHg systolic blood pressure (BP)
      or >=90 mmHg diastolic BP, and either proteinuria or another accompanying
      sign/symptom, such as renal insufficiency, thrombocytopenia, hepatic dysfunction,
      pulmonary edema, or cerebral/visual. These signs can occur suddenly and without
      warning. PE that presents before 34 wk of gestation is considered early onset and
      carries a greater risk for perinatal morbidity/mortality than late-onset PE that
      occurs at or after 34 wk of gestation. At this time there is no cure for PE, and
      the only effective treatment is delivery of the baby and placenta. If allowed to
      progress to eclampsia (PE with neurologic involvement), seizures will occur and
      possibly death through stroke. PE also carries the risk of significant fetal and
      neonatal morbidity/mortality in addition to long-term health risks for mother and
      child. Despite significant research efforts to accurately predict, diagnose, and
      treat PE, a cure eludes us. Elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms that
      can cause PE will aid in our ability to accurately prevent, manage, and treat PE
      to avoid maternal and fetal losses. Intense research efforts are focused on PE,
      and the mouse has proven to be a useful animal model for investigating molecular
      mechanisms that may hold the key to unraveling the mysteries of PE in women.

PMID- 27260845
TI  - Pseudopilin residue E5 is essential for recruitment by the type 2 secretion
      system assembly platform.
AB  - Type II secretion systems (T2SSs) promote secretion of folded proteins playing
      important roles in nutrient acquisition, adaptation and virulence of Gram
      negative bacteria. Protein secretion is associated with the assembly of type 4
      pilus (T4P)-like fibres called pseudopili. Initially membrane embedded,
      pseudopilin and T4 pilin subunits share conserved transmembrane segments
      containing an invariant Glu residue at the fifth position, E5. Mutations of E5 in
      major T4 pilins and in PulG, the major pseudopilin of the Klebsiella T2SS abolish
      fibre assembly and function. Among the four minor pseudopilins, only PulH
      required E5 for secretion of pullulanase, the substrate of the Pul T2SS. Mass
      spectrometry analysis of pili resulting from the co-assembly of PulG(E5A) variant
      and PulG(WT) ruled out an E5 role in pilin processing and N-methylation. A
      bacterial two-hybrid analysis revealed interactions of the full-length
      pseudopilins PulG and PulH with the PulJ-PulI-PulK priming complex and with the
      assembly factors PulM and PulF. Remarkably, PulG(E5A) and PulH(E5A) variants were
      defective in interaction with PulM but not with PulF, and co-purification
      experiments confirmed the E5-dependent interaction between native PulM and PulG.
      These results reveal the role of E5 in a recruitment step critical for assembly
      of the functional T2SS, likely relevant to T4P assembly systems.

PMID- 27260846
TI  - Management of disappearing colorectal liver metastases.
AB  - The development of new potent systemic treatment modalities has led to a
      significant increase in survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases. In
      the neo-adjuvant setting, these modalities can be used for patient selection,
      down staging, and conversion from non-resectable to resectable liver metastases.
      In addition, complete radiological disappearance of metastases can occur, the
      phenomenon of disappearing liver metastases. Because only a small percentage of
      these patients (0-8%) have a complete radiological response of all liver
      metastases, most patients will undergo surgery. At laparotomy, local residual
      disease at the site of the disappeared metastasis is still found in 11-67%, which
      highlights the influence of the imaging modalities used at (re)staging. When the
      region of the disappeared liver metastasis was resected, microscopically residual
      disease was found in up to 80% of the specimens. Alternatively, conservative
      management of radiologically disappeared liver metastases resulted in 19-74%
      local recurrence, mostly within two years. Obviously, these studies are highly
      dependent on the quality of the imaging modalities utilised. Most studies
      employed CT as the modality of choice, while MRI and PET was only used in
      selective series. Overall, the phenomenon of disappearing liver metastases seems
      to be a radiological rather than an actual biological occurrence, because the
      rates of macroscopic and microscopic residual disease are high as well as the
      local recurrence rates. Therefore, the disappeared metastases still require an
      aggressive surgical approach and standard (re)staging imaging modalities should
      include at least CT and MRI.

PMID- 27260847
TI  - Revisiting the treatment strategy for rectal cancer through the pattern of local
      recurrence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Local recurrence after rectal cancer surgery is categorized as
      lymphatic spread (pelvic sidewall node (PSN)) and other types. This study aimed
      to investigate the risk factors associated with different patterns of local
      recurrence and to optimize the treatment strategy after rectal cancer surgery.
      METHODS: Patients with cStage I-III rectal cancer who underwent surgery at our
      institute were included in this study. Local recurrence was categorized as
      follows: (1) PSN recurrence and (2) "other" types of local recurrence. The risk
      factors associated with each type of recurrence (metastasis) were investigated.
      RESULTS: A total of 212 patients with mid/low rectal cancer were included in this
      study (cStage I: 66; cStage II/III: 146). Additional treatment was employed in
      selected patients with high-risk features (n = 45; pelvic sidewall dissection:
      18; preoperative chemo (radio)therapy: 37). Potential lateral node metastasis was
      significantly associated with PSN enlargement on imaging findings (no/yes, odds
      ratio (OR): 9.1; p = 0.007). The "other" local recurrence type was significantly
      associated with 3 different factors as follows: clinical circumferential
      resection margin (no/yes; OR: 18.0; p = 0.001), tumor histology (well and
      moderately/poorly differentiated, OR: 17.3; p = 0.008), and tumor diameter (p =
      0.018). Among 146 cStage II/III patients, 66 (45.2%) who did not have any of the
      abovementioned 4 risk factors experienced no local recurrence even when no
      additional treatment was employed. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors may differ for
      different types of postoperative local recurrence patterns in rectal cancer.
      Recognizing these risk factors based on pretreatment findings can allow the
      optimization of treatment strategies for rectal cancer.

PMID- 27260848
TI  - Serial MRI scans help in assessing early response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and
      tailoring breast cancer treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tailoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) during breast cancer
      treatment is performed to improve overall tumour response, with increasing
      evidence to support its role. This study evaluates our breast unit's experience
      in MRI assessment of tumour response as an aid in tailoring NAC. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients treated with NAC for breast
      cancer between 2005 and 2009 who underwent MRI to assess tumour response.
      Response to NAC was monitored before NAC and after 2 and/or 4 cycles of
      anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) chemotherapy. Taxane was substituted for
      AC if MRI response was deemed inadequate. Tumour response on last MRI was
      correlated with final pathology against different tumour subtypes and in
      inflammatory tumours. Strength of agreement was measured using Kappa analysis.
      Potential predictive factors for MRI response were assessed for significance.
      RESULTS: 166 tumours were assessed with serial MRI scans. MRI showed high
      sensitivity rate (93.1%) in predicting response to NAC particularly for tumours
      showing partial (PR) or complete (CR) response on pathology (p < 0.001) with fair
      agreement on Kappa analysis (K = 0.31). MRI seems more accurate in triple
      negative, HR+/HER2+ and high-grade tumours. Early identification of non
      responders on MRI resulted in early tailoring of NAC, with improved rates of
      tumour response seen in 74.2% following switching NAC. Logistic regression showed
      that PR or CR observed on MRI after 2 NAC cycles significantly predicted pCR (p <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: Serial MRI can be used to assess patterns of tumour response
      to NAC. This study shows that tailoring NAC according to pattern of response can
      improve overall tumour response rates.

PMID- 27260849
TI  - Surgical margins do not affect prognosis in high grade myxofibrosarcoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is one of the most common soft tissue
      sarcomas (STS) in elderly patients and it primarily affects the extremities. The
      aim of this retrospective analysis is to understand the natural history of MFS
      and whether adequate treatment influence prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      reviewed 129 adult patients with primary, localized, FNCLCC grade 3 MFS of the
      extremities operated at Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna. Sarcoma specific
      survival (SS), local recurrence (LR) and distant metastasis (DM) were analyzed.
      RESULTS: Among excised MFS (119), 106 (89.9%) had R0 margins, 13 (10.1%) R1
      margins. No significant correlation between margins adequacy and tumor depth,
      location and size was found. Estimated SS was 73.2% at 5 years and 66.3% at 10
      years, with a better SS in superficial MFS (p = 0.011). Local recurred MFS had a
      worse SS (p = 0.049). Local recurrence-free rate was 74.3% at 5 and 10 years.
      Even if not significant, a better outcome in term of LR was observed in
      superficial MFS and R0 margins. Distant metastasis-free survival was 75.6% at 5
      years and 72.9% at 10 years, with a better outcome in superficial MFS (p =
      0.012). DISCUSSION: Myxofibrosarcoma remain a debated entity with specific
      behavior features. Myxofibrosarcoma tends to local recur due to its infiltrative
      grow pattern making difficult to achieve "safe margins". To date, surgical
      margins as classified for other STS are not predictive of LR and patients'
      survival. Tumor grade and depth are still the most important prognostic factors.

PMID- 27260850
TI  - Newly identified bacteriolytic enzymes that target a wide range of clinical
      isolates of Clostridium difficile.
AB  - Clostridium difficile has emerged as a major cause of infectious diarrhea in
      hospitalized patients, with increasing mortality rate and annual healthcare costs
      exceeding $3 billion. Since C. difficile infections are associated with the use
      of antibiotics, there is an urgent need to develop treatments that can inactivate
      the bacterium selectively without affecting commensal microflora. Lytic enzymes
      from bacteria and bacteriophages show promise as highly selective and effective
      antimicrobial agents. These enzymes often have a modular structure, consisting of
      a catalytic domain and a binding domain. In the current work, using consensus
      catalytic domain and cell-wall binding domain sequences as probes, we analyzed in
      silico the genome of C. difficile, as well as phages infecting C. difficile. We
      identified two genes encoding cell lytic enzymes with possible activity against
      C. difficile. We cloned the genes in a suitable expression vector, expressed and
      purified the protein products, and tested enzyme activity in vitro. These newly
      identified enzymes were found to be active against C. difficile cells in a dose
      dependent manner. We achieved a more than 4-log reduction in the number of viable
      bacteria within 5 h of application. Moreover, we found that the enzymes were
      active against a wide range of C. difficile clinical isolates. We also
      characterized the biocatalytic mechanism by identifying the specific bonds
      cleaved by these enzymes within the cell wall peptidoglycan. These results
      suggest a new approach to combating the growing healthcare problem associated
      with C. difficile infections. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2568-2576. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27260851
TI  - Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits events related with the metastatic process in
      breast tumor cell lines.
AB  - Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an adrenal hormone, has a protective role against
      cancer. We previously shown that DHEA inhibits the proliferation and migration of
      cell lines derived from breast cancer; however, the role of DHEA in others events
      related with these effects are unknown. We hypothesized that DHEA inhibits the
      expression of proteins and some events related with cell migration and
      metastasis. We determined the migration in Boyden chambers, the invasion in
      matrigel, anchorage-independent growth and the formation of spheroids in 3 cell
      lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, ZR-75-30) derived from breast cancer exposed to DHEA.
      The secretion of metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of
      metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and several pro-inflammatory molecules in the
      secretome of these cells was also evaluated.  DHEA inhibited the migration in
      transwells and the invasion in matrigel of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Besides,
      DHEA inhibited the anchorage-independent growth on agar and decreased the size of
      spheroids, and also reduced the secretion of IL-1alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha
      in all cell lines. Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secretion was slightly decreased
      by DHEA treatment in MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results also showed that inhibition of
      migration and invasion induced by DHEA in breast cancer cells is correlated with
      the decrease of cytokine/chemokine secretion and the diminution of tumor cells
      growth.  MCF-7 cells were the most responsive to the exposure to DHEA, whereas ZR
      75-30 cells responded less to this hormone, suggesting that DHEA could be used in
      the treatment of breast cancer in early stages.

PMID- 27260852
TI  - A method for in situ monitoring of the isotope composition of tree xylem water
      using laser spectroscopy.
AB  - Field studies analyzing the stable isotope composition of xylem water are
      providing important information on ecosystem water relations. However, the
      capacity of stable isotopes to characterize the functioning of plants in their
      environment has not been fully explored because of methodological constraints on
      the extent and resolution at which samples could be collected and analysed. Here,
      we introduce an in situ method offering the potential to continuously monitor the
      stable isotope composition of tree xylem water via its vapour phase using a
      commercial laser-based isotope analyser and compact microporous probes installed
      into the xylem. Our technique enables efficient high-frequency measurement with
      intervals of only a few minutes per sample while eliminating the need for costly
      and cumbersome destructive collection of plant material and laboratory-based
      processing. We present field observations of xylem water hydrogen and oxygen
      isotope compositions obtained over several days including a labelled irrigation
      event and compare them against results from concurrent destructive sampling with
      cryogenic distillation and mass spectrometric analysis. The data demonstrate that
      temporal changes as well as spatial patterns of integration in xylem water
      isotope composition can be resolved through direct measurement. The new technique
      can therefore present a valuable tool to study the hydraulic architecture and
      water utilization of trees.

PMID- 27260853
TI  - Pitfall in the remote imaging of pyloric stenosis.

PMID- 27260855
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and tissue diffusion of ganciclovir in mice and rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading infectious
      cause of birth defects, mental retardation and non-genetic sensorineural hearing
      loss. Murine models have been developed in order to understand the
      pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these lesions. These models are being
      proposed for the validation of therapeutic protocols for clinical use. The aim of
      this preclinical study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of the reference
      antiviral molecule, ganciclovir, in order to optimize these protocols and confirm
      the diffusion of the molecule to the appropriate target zones. METHODS:
      Transplacental and intracochlear diffusion of ganciclovir was evaluated in mice
      and rats. Pharmacokinetics was assessed in adult mice and pups after 5
      consecutive days of intraperitoneal injection of ganciclovir. The occurrence of
      hematological side effects of ganciclovir was evaluated in the different blood
      cell lineages. RESULTS: In adult rats, the intracochlear diffusion of ganciclovir
      was shown to achieve the same concentration as in blood. In gestating mice,
      transplacental diffusion was observed, with a fetal-to-maternal blood ratio of
      0.5. In newborn mice, the plasma concentration profile of ganciclovir showed a
      peak at 2 h followed by a gradual decrease. In adult mice, the concentration
      peaked at 1 h, but became undetectable by 2 h after injection. Counts of white
      blood cells, red blood cells and platelets decreased significantly in ganciclovir
      treated newborn mice. CONCLUSION: Our data provide evidence for the intracochlear
      diffusion of the molecule, which may be relevant for the treatment of
      sensorineural hearing loss in congenitally-infected children.

PMID- 27260854
TI  - FoxO1 antagonist suppresses autophagy and lipid droplet growth in adipocytes.
AB  - Obesity and related metabolic disorders constitute one of the most pressing heath
      concerns worldwide. Increased adiposity is linked to autophagy upregulation in
      adipose tissues. However, it is unknown how autophagy is upregulated and
      contributes to aberrant adiposity. Here we show a FoxO1-autophagy-FSP27 axis that
      regulates adipogenesis and lipid droplet (LD) growth in adipocytes. Adipocyte
      differentiation was associated with upregulation of autophagy and fat specific
      protein 27 (FSP27), a key regulator of adipocyte maturation and expansion by
      promoting LD formation and growth. However, FoxO1 specific inhibitor AS1842856
      potently suppressed autophagy, FSP27 expression, and adipocyte differentiation.
      In terminally differentiated adipocytes, AS1842856 significantly reduced FSP27
      level and LD size, which was recapitulated by autophagy inhibitors (bafilomycin
      A1 and leupeptin, BL). Similarly, AS1842856 and BL dampened autophagy activity
      and FSP27 expression in explant cultures of white adipose tissue. To our
      knowledge, this is the first study addressing FoxO1 in the regulation of adipose
      autophagy, shedding light on the mechanism of increased autophagy and adiposity
      in obese individuals. Given that adipogenesis and adipocyte expansion contribute
      to aberrant adiposity, targeting the FoxO1-autophagy-FSP27 axis may lead to new
      anti-obesity options. 

PMID- 27260856
TI  - Abacavir and cardiovascular disease: A critical look at the data.
AB  - Most HIV-infected subjects will receive a treatment regimen including abacavir or
      tenofovir. Therefore, clarifying if there is an increased risk of acute
      myocardial infarction (AMI) among those exposed to abacavir is of the utmost
      importance. Due to the low frequency of AMI in this young population (2-5 per
      1000 patients/year), efforts to clarify this have been quite controversial. While
      some observational cohorts have found a statistically significant association,
      others have not. Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials offering the highest
      scientific evidence found no association at all, but with a limited statistical
      power to definitely rule out a small effect. A channelling or selection bias has
      been demonstrated in cohort studies, favouring the prescription of abacavir to
      subjects with or at risk for chronic kidney disease, and therefore, with an
      intrinsic increased cardiovascular risk. The recent NA-ACCORD cohort study does
      not identify an increased risk for AMI associated with recent abacavir use in a
      fully adjusted model (HR 1.33; 95%CI:0.96, 1.88). However, it does find an
      association in a second analysis restricted to treatment-naive persons, with
      higher differences in baseline characteristics among compared arms. A critical
      review of the compiled available evidence is therefore mandatory, particularly in
      light of the first single-tablet regimen to receive approval that does contain
      abacavir.

PMID- 27260857
TI  - Male Reproductive Morphology Across Latitudinal Clines and Under Long-Term Female
      Sex-Ratio Bias.
AB  - SynopsisRecent work in evolutionary ecology has capitalized on the species
      specific, rapidly evolving nature of male reproductive traits, but it is unclear
      how the strength of sexual selection mechanisms, such as female choice and
      intersexual conflict, changes with ecological factors-shifts in latitude,
      elevation, and sex-ratio. Marginal habitats, such as those found at high
      elevation or latitude, might be expected to exert energetic hardships on males
      such that they do not invest heavily in reproductive structures. Conversely,
      males in these habitats may adapt to limited breeding opportunities, evolving
      morphologies with efficacy in antagonistic mating. Sex-ratio biases elicited by
      facultative parthenogenesis may also signal increasing selective pressure for
      reproductive organs that improve coercion ability, as males must capitalize on
      mating opportunities when females have alternate reproductive options. We studied
      the reproductive organs of males of five species of a group of polygynandrous
      Japanese harvestmen, collected from populations that varied in their elevation,
      latitude, and observed male: female ratio. Morphological data were analyzed with
      modern comparative methods, using a phylogenomic framework built with molecular
      data from double-digest restriction associated DNA sequencing. Although no
      features with hypothesized utility in coercive mating significantly covaried with
      elevational change, penis length was found to decrease with increasing latitude,
      supporting the existence of physiological constraints in marginal habitats. We
      also found males of parthenogenetic species, with primarily female-biased
      populations, had potentially greater precopulatory clasping ability, as compared
      to males of non-parthenogenetic species with more even sex-ratios. Ultimately,
      our findings suggest long-term sex-ratio biases are one of many factors with the
      potential to influence evolution of primary and secondary reproductive
      morphology.

PMID- 27260858
TI  - Do Developmental Constraints and High Integration Limit the Evolution of the
      Marsupial Oral Apparatus?
AB  - Developmental constraints can have significant influence on the magnitude and
      direction of evolutionary change, and many studies have demonstrated that these
      effects are manifested on macroevolutionary scales. Phenotypic integration, or
      the strong interactions among traits, has been similarly invoked as a major
      influence on morphological variation, and many studies have demonstrated that
      trait integration changes through ontogeny, in many cases decreasing with age.
      Here, we unify these perspectives in a case study of the ontogeny of the
      mammalian cranium, focusing on a comparison between marsupials and placentals.
      Marsupials are born at an extremely altricial state, requiring, in most cases,
      the use of the forelimbs to climb to the pouch, and, in all cases, an extended
      period of continuous suckling, during which most of their development occurs.
      Previous work has shown that marsupials are less disparate in adult cranial form
      than are placentals, particularly in the oral apparatus, and in forelimb ontogeny
      and adult morphology, presumably due to functional selection pressures on these
      two systems during early postnatal development. Using phenotypic trajectory
      analysis to quantify prenatal and early postnatal cranial ontogeny in 10 species
      of therian mammals, we demonstrate that this pattern of limited variation is also
      apparent in the development of the oral apparatus of marsupials, relative to
      placentals, but not in the skull more generally. Combined with the observation
      that marsupials show extremely high integration of the oral apparatus in early
      postnatal ontogeny, while other cranial regions show similar levels of
      integration to that observed in placentals, we suggest that high integration may
      compound the effects of the functional constraints for continuous suckling to
      ultimately limit the ontogenetic and adult disparity of the marsupial oral
      apparatus throughout their evolutionary history.

PMID- 27260859
TI  - Unravelling the Costs of Flight for Immune Defenses in the Migratory Monarch
      Butterfly.
AB  - Migratory animals undergo extreme physiological changes to prepare for and
      sustain energetically costly movements; one potential change is reduced
      investment in immune defenses. However, because some migrants have evolved to
      minimize the energetic demands of movement (for example, through the temporary
      atrophy of non-essential organs such as those involved in reproduction),
      migratory animals could potentially avoid immunosuppression during long-distance
      journeys. In this study, we used a tethered flight mill to examine immune
      consequences of experimentally induced powered flight in eastern North American
      monarch butterflies. These butterflies undergo an annual two-way long-distance
      migration each year from as far north as Canada to wintering sites in Central
      Mexico. We quantified immune measures as a function of categorical flight
      treatment (flown versus control groups) and continuous measures of flight effort
      (e.g., flight distance, duration, and measures of efficiency). We also examined
      whether relationships between flight and immune measures depended on reproductive
      investment by experimentally controlling whether monarchs were reproductive or in
      state of reproductive diapause (having atrophied reproductive organs) prior to
      flight. Of the three immune responses we measured, hemocyte concentration (the
      number of immune cells) was lower in flown monarchs relative to controls but
      increased with flight distance among flown monarchs; the other two immune
      measures showed no relationship to monarch flight. We also found that monarchs
      that were reproductively active were less efficient fliers, as they exerted more
      power during flight than monarchs in reproductive diapause. However, reproductive
      status did not modify relationships between flight and immune measures. Results
      of this study add to a growing body of work suggesting that migratory monarchs
      like some other animals that travel vast distances-can complete their journeys
      with efficient use of resources and minimal costs.

PMID- 27260860
TI  - Biting into the Genome to Phenome Map: Developmental Genetic Modularity of
      Cichlid Fish Dentitions.
AB  - Within vertebrates, teleost fishes provide a rich evolutionary context for
      studying the mechanisms of dental divergence because of the numerous axes along
      which their teeth have diverged phenotypically and presumably developmentally.
      Using both a review of teleost in situ hybridization and de novo transcriptome
      sequencing in a cichlid fish, we examined whether 341 gene homologs thought to
      play a role in developing mice teeth are expressed in the tooth-bearing jaws of
      teleosts. The similarities and putative differences in gene expression documented
      between the two most commonly used models, zebrafish and cichlids, highlight what
      can be learned from using a greater diversity of teleost model systems in studies
      of tooth development. Both types of gene expression analysis also provide
      substantial evidence for conservation of tooth gene expression from teleosts to
      mammals as well as between initial and replacement teeth. Additionally, we found
      that the cichlid oral and pharyngeal jaws share expression for a large percentage
      of genes that influence tooth development. Our transcriptome analyses also
      suggest sub-functionalization between gene paralogs expressed in teeth and
      paralogs expressed in other structures is likely a common pattern across teleost
      diversity. Teleost dentitions will continue to provide a potent system in which
      to examine the importance of both gene duplication as well as the conservation of
      gene expression for phenotypic diversification.

PMID- 27260861
TI  - Schistosomes with wings: how host phylogeny and ecology shape the global
      distribution of Trichobilharzia querquedulae (Schistosomatidae).
AB  - Migratory waterfowl play an important role in the maintenance and spread of
      zoonotic diseases worldwide. An example is cercarial dermatitis, caused when
      larval stages of schistosomes that normally develop in birds penetrate human
      skin. Members of the genus Trichobilharzia (Schistosomatidae), transmitted mainly
      by ducks, are considered to be major etiological agents of cercarial dermatitis
      globally. To better understand the diversity and distribution of Trichobilharzia
      spp., we surveyed ducks from the United States, eastern Canada, Argentina, South
      Africa and New Zealand. To aid in species identification of the Trichobilharzia
      worms recovered, regions of the Cox1, ND4 and ITS1 were sequenced. Furthermore,
      we provide molecular phylogenetic evidence for the cosmopolitan distribution and
      trans-hemispheric gene flow for one species, Trichobilharzia querquedulae,
      previously thought to be restricted to North America. These new samples from
      endemic non-migratory duck species indicate that T. querquedulae transmission
      occurs within each of the regions we sampled and that it is specific to the blue
      winged+silver teal duck clade. Prevalence within this host group is >95% across
      the known range of T. querquedulae, indicating that transmission is common.
      Genetic divergence is evenly distributed among continents, and no phylogenetic
      structure associated with geography was observed. The results provide strong
      support for the global distribution and transmission of T. querquedulae and
      represent, to our knowledge, the first report of a cosmopolitan schistosome
      confirmed by genetic data. These data are the first known to support trans
      hemispheric genetic exchange in a species responsible for causing cercarial
      dermatitis, indicating that the epidemiology of this group of poorly known
      zoonotic parasites is more complex than previously expected.

PMID- 27260862
TI  - Effects of potassium citrate or potassium chloride in patients with combined
      glucose intolerance: A placebo-controlled pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Experimental K(+) depletion reversibly inhibits insulin secretion,
      while chronic metabolic acidosis decreases insulin sensitivity. We aimed to
      investigate the effects of potassium supplementation and alkali supplementation
      in non-acidotic, normokalemic humans with combined glucose intolerance. STUDY
      DESIGN AND RESULTS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 11 subjects
      (7 male, 4 female, ages 47-63 years), 90meqs of oral KCl or Kcitrate per day for
      2weeks each increased insulin production as measured by homeostasis model
      assessment Beta [KCl=86 (CI 81-91), Kcitrate=88 (82-94), placebo=78 (73-83)%,
      p<0.04], but only Kcitrate attenuated insulin resistance as assessed by HOMA-IR
      (insulin resistance, Kcitrate=2.8 (2.5-3.1), placebo=3.2 (2.9-3.5), p<0.03) and
      only Kcitrate increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (Quicki,
      Kcitrate=0.355 (0.305-0.405), placebo=0.320 (0.265-0.375) p<0.04). These results
      were confirmed by independent measurements, i.e. HOMA C-peptide and whole body
      insulin sensitivity index measured during oral glucose tolerance testing.
      Kcitrate significantly decreased systolic and diastolic 24-hour ambulatory blood
      pressures (-4.0 (-3 to -5) and -2.7 (-1.9 to -3.5), respectively as compared to
      placebo, p<0.02) while KCl was without a significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: K(+)
      supplementation in the absence of overt K(+) depletion improves beta-cell
      function in subjects with combined glucose intolerance. The insulin-sensitizing
      and hypotensive effect, however, depend on citrate as the accompanying anion.

PMID- 27260863
TI  - Hidden wholesale: The drug diffusing capacity of online drug cryptomarkets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In spite of globalizing processes 'offline' retail drug markets
      remain localized and - in recent decades - typically 'closed', in which dealers
      sell primarily to known customers. We characterize drug cryptomarkets as
      'anonymous open' marketplaces that allow the diffusion of drugs across locales.
      Where cryptomarket customers make stock-sourcing purchases for offline
      distribution, the cryptomarket may indirectly serve drug users who are not
      themselves cryptomarket customers, thereby increasing the drug diffusing capacity
      of these marketplaces. Our research aimed to identify wholesale activity on the
      first major cryptomarket, Silk Road 1. METHODS: Data were collected 13-15
      September 2013. A bespoke web crawler downloaded content from the first major
      drug cryptomarket, Silk Road 1. This generated data on 1031 vendors and 10,927
      drug listings. We estimated monthly revenues to ascertain the relative importance
      of wholesale priced listings. RESULTS: Wholesale-level revenue generation (sales
      for listings priced over USD $1000.00) accounted for about a quarter of the
      revenue generation on SR1 overall. Ecstasy-type drugs dominated wholesale
      activity on this marketplace, but we also identified substantial wholesale
      transactions for benzodiazepines and prescription stimulants. Less important, but
      still generating wholesale revenue, were cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.
      Although vendors on the marketplace were located in 41 countries, wholesale
      activity was confined to only a quarter of these, with China, the Netherlands,
      Canada and Belgium prominent. CONCLUSIONS: The cryptomarket may function in part
      as a virtual broker, linking wholesalers with offline retail-level distributors.
      For drugs like ecstasy, these marketplaces may link vendors in producer countries
      directly with retail level suppliers. Wholesale activity on cryptomarkets may
      serve to increase the diffusion of new drugs - and wider range of drugs - in
      offline drug markets, thereby indirectly serving drug users who are not
      cryptomarket customers themselves. Cryptomarkets provide researchers and policy
      makers with a rich source of drug monitoring information. Further research should
      ascertain whether their virtual location may reduce the violence associated with
      middle market drug activity. We caution that conflict may instead manifest in
      other ways, including threats, fraud, and blackmail.

PMID- 27260871
TI  - Risk of second primary cancers after malignant mesothelioma and vice versa.
AB  - We aimed at investigating risk of specific second primary cancers (SPCs) after
      malignant mesothelioma (MM) and vice versa, which has not been reported. Among
      survivors of 3672 pleural MM and 895 peritoneal MM, overall 113 and 28 SPCs were
      recorded, respectively, while reverse analyses included overall 431 pleural and
      88 peritoneal MMs after any first cancers. We found a bidirectional association
      of pleural MM with kidney cancer for overall [for second kidney cancer after
      pleural MM: standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) = 4.4, 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs): 2.0-8.3; for second pleural MM after kidney cancer: 2.3 (1.3-3.9)] and for
      <1 year follow-up [5.4 (2.0-12) and 4.9 (2.0-10), respectively, according to the
      2-way analyses]. In contrast, a bidirectional association of pleural MM with
      unknown primary cancer was found only for follow-up >=1 year [3.9 (1.1-10) and
      2.8 (1.3-5.1), respectively]. We found a bidirectional association of pleural MM
      with kidney cancer for overall and for <1 year follow-up, suggesting the
      involvement of germline BAP1 mutations and increased medical surveillance, while
      the bidirectional association of pleural MM with unknown primary cancer suggests
      shared genetic or environmental risk factors.

PMID- 27260872
TI  - Human metapneumovirus infections in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and
      hematologic malignancy patients: A systematic review.
AB  - Over the past decade, reported incidence of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has
      increased owing to the use of molecular assays for diagnosis of respiratory viral
      infections in cancer patients. The seasonality of these infections, differences
      in sampling strategies across institutions, and small sample size of published
      studies make it difficult to appreciate the true incidence and impact of hMPV
      infections. In this systematic review, we summarized the published data on hMPV
      infections in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and patients with
      hematologic malignancy, focusing on incidence, hMPV-associated lower respiratory
      tract infection (LRTI), mortality, prevention, and management with ribavirin
      and/or intravenous immunoglobulins. Although the incidence of hMPV infections and
      hMPV-associated LRTI in this patient population is similar to respiratory
      syncytial virus or parainfluenza virus and despite lack of directed antiviral
      therapy, the mortality rate remains low unless patients develop LRTI. In the
      absence of vaccine to prevent hMPV, infection control measures are recommended to
      reduce its burden in cancer patients.

PMID- 27260873
TI  - Opinions of Brazilian resuscitation instructors regarding resuscitation in the
      delivery room of extremely preterm newborns.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the opinions of pediatricians who teach resuscitation in
      Brazil on initiating and limiting the delivery room resuscitation of extremely
      preterm infants. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with electronic questionnaire
      (Dec/2011-Sep/2013) sent to pediatricians who are instructors of the Neonatal
      Resuscitation Program of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, containing three
      hypothetical clinical cases: (1) decision to start the delivery room
      resuscitation; (2) limitation of neonatal intensive care after delivery room
      resuscitation; (3) limitation of advanced resuscitation in the delivery room. For
      each case, it was requested that the instructor indicate the best management for
      each gestational age between 23 and 26 weeks. A descriptive analysis was
      performed. RESULTS: 560 (82%) instructors agreed to participate. Only 9% of the
      instructors reported the existence of written guidelines at their hospital
      regarding limitations of delivery room resuscitation. At 23 weeks, 50% of the
      instructors would initiate delivery room resuscitation procedures. At 26 weeks,
      2% would decide based on birth weight and/or presence of fused eyelids. Among the
      participants, 38% would re-evaluate their delivery room decision and limit the
      care for 23-week neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. As for advanced
      resuscitation, 45% and 4% of the respondents, at 23 and 26 weeks, respectively,
      would not apply chest compressions and/or medications. CONCLUSION: Difficulty can
      be observed regarding the decision to not resuscitate a preterm infant with 23
      weeks of gestational age. At the same time, a small percentage of pediatricians
      would not resuscitate neonates of unquestionable viability at 26 weeks of
      gestational age in the delivery room.

PMID- 27260874
TI  - The role of compassion, suffering, and intrusive thoughts in dementia caregiver
      depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Exposure to suffering of a relative or friend increases the risk for
      psychological and physical morbidity. However, little is known about the
      mechanisms that account for this effect. We test a theoretical model that
      identifies intrusive thoughts as a mediator of the relation between perceived
      physical and psychological suffering of the care recipient and caregiver
      depression. We also assess the role of compassion as a moderator of the relation
      between perceived suffering and intrusive thoughts. METHODS: Hispanic and African
      American caregivers (N = 108) of persons with dementia were assessed three times
      within a one-year period. Using multilevel modeling, we assessed the mediating
      role of intrusive thoughts in the relation between perceived physical and
      psychological suffering and CG depression, and we tested moderated mediation to
      assess the role of caregiver compassion in the relation between perceived
      suffering and intrusive thoughts. RESULTS: The effects of perceived physical
      suffering on depression were completely mediated through intrusive thoughts, and
      compassion moderated the relation between physical suffering and intrusive
      thoughts. Caregivers who had greater compassion reported more intrusive thoughts
      even when perceived physical suffering of the CR was low. For perceived
      psychological suffering, the effects of suffering on depression were partially
      mediated through intrusive thoughts. DISCUSSION: Understanding the role of
      intrusive thoughts and compassion in familial relationships provides new insights
      into mechanisms driving caregiver well-being and presents new opportunities for
      intervention.

PMID- 27260875
TI  - The efficacy and safety of sumatriptan intranasal powder in adults with acute
      migraine.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There are multiple choices of agents for the acute management of
      migraine available. Patient-specific factors such as associated symptoms
      including nausea, vomiting, and gastroparesis are important considerations. Oral
      administration may often be the patient-preferred route of delivery because of
      comfort or convenience but when it is important to bypass gut absorption then
      either parenteral or intranasal administration may be appropriate delivery
      approaches. A new formulation of a low-dose sumatriptan intranasal powder
      administered via a novel breath-powered delivery device may be a viable option
      Areas covered: Our search of the available literature pertaining to the topic of
      intranasal sumatriptan powder yielded pharmacokinetic studies and randomized,
      double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (including The TARGET Study, The COMPASS
      study) published between 2010 and 2015. Expert commentary: A new formulation of a
      low-dose sumatriptan intranasal powder administered via a novel breath-powered
      delivery device appears to be a safe and efficacious option for the acute
      management of a migraine ideally suited for this situation. It appears to have
      superior efficacy to sumatriptan 100 mg oral tablets with superior pain freedom
      by 15 minutes and pain relief over the initial 30 minutes post-dose.

PMID- 27260936
TI  - Single-Cell RNA-Seq Steps Up to the Growth Plate.
AB  - Single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology is hitting its stride and is
      beginning to be widely adopted. One of the major challenges faced by this rapidly
      growing field lies in data analysis. Li et al. now present Sinova, a single-cell
      analytical platform offering temporal, spatial, and regulatory reconstruction of
      developmental processes. 

PMID- 27260937
TI  - Initiation of strong prescription opioids in Australia: cohort characteristics
      and factors associated with the type of opioid initiated.
AB  - AIMS: To describe the characteristics of Australians initiating strong opioids
      and examine the factors associated with the type of opioid initiated. METHODS:
      Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme dispensing records were extracted for a 10% sample
      of people who initiated a strong opioid treatment episode (buprenorphine,
      fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone) between 29 September 2009 and 31
      December 2013, as evidenced by the absence of a strong opioid dispensing for at
      least 90 days. The cohort was restricted to people with complete medicines
      ascertainment. Socio-demographic characteristics, previous dispensing histories
      and index opioid use were examined. Multinomial logistic regression was used to
      calculate adjusted relative risk ratios (aRRRs) and 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs) to determine the factors associated with the type of opioid medicine
      initiated, relative to oxycodone. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 125 335
      people: 58.3% were female and 63.7% were aged >=65 years. The most commonly
      initiated strong opioid was oxycodone (72.8%), usually 5 mg immediate-release
      tablets (76.1%). Compared to people aged 18-44 years, those >=85 years were 14.18
      times as likely (95% CI 12.67-15.87) to initiate morphine than oxycodone.
      Compared to people without a cancer treatment history, those with a cancer
      treatment history were 2.34 times as likely (95% CI 2.11-2.60) to initiate
      morphine than oxycodone. CONCLUSIONS: The most commonly initiated strong opioid
      was oxycodone, usually at lower strengths. Those who initiated oxycodone were
      more likely to be younger with no previous cancer treatment history. As these are
      high-risk characteristics for potential harms, a judicious approach when
      initiating strong opioids for this group is necessary.

PMID- 27260938
TI  - Resuming anticoagulant therapy after intracerebral bleeding.
AB  - The clinical benefit of resuming anticoagulant treatment after an anticoagulants
      associated intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is debated. No randomized trial has been
      conducted on this particular clinical issue. The risk of ICH recurrence from
      resuming anticoagulant therapy is expected to be higher after index lobar than
      deep ICH and in patients with not amendable risk factors for ICH. Retrospective
      studies have recently shown improved survival with resumption of treatment after
      index anticoagulants-associated ICH. Based on these evidences and on the risk for
      thromboembolic events without anticoagulant treatment, resumption of
      anticoagulation should be considered in all patients with mechanical heart valve
      prosthesis and in those with amendable risk factors for anticoagulants-associated
      ICH. Resumption with direct oral anticoagulants appears a reasonable option for
      non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients at moderate to high
      thromboembolic risk after deep ICH and for selected NVAF patients at high
      thromboembolic risk after lobar ICH. For VTE patients at high risk for
      recurrence, resumption of anticoagulation or insertion of vena cava filter should
      be tailored on the estimated risk for ICH recurrence.

PMID- 27260939
TI  - Where do we stand on vascular calcification?
AB  - Vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis and diabetic vasculopathy, is
      frequently complicated by vascular calcification. Previously believed to be an
      end-stage process of unregulated mineral precipitation, it is now well
      established to be a multi-faceted disease influenced by the characteristics of
      its vascular location, the origins of calcifying cells and numerous regulatory
      pathways. It reflects the fundamental plasticity of the vasculature that is
      gradually being revealed by progress in vascular and stem cell biology. This
      review provides a brief overview of where we stand in our understanding of
      vascular calcification, facing the challenge of translating this knowledge into
      viable preventive and therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 27260941
TI  - WITHDRAWN: World Apheresis Association Newsletter: April 1, 2016.
AB  - This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor.
      The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier
      Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at
      http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

PMID- 27260940
TI  - Regulation of arterial reactivity by concurrent signaling through the E
      prostanoid receptor 3 and angiotensin receptor 1.
AB  - Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a cyclooxygenase metabolite that generally acts as a
      systemic vasodepressor, has been shown to have vasopressor effects under certain
      physiologic conditions. Previous studies have demonstrated that PGE2 receptor
      signaling modulates angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension, but the
      interaction of these two systems in the regulation of vascular reactivity is
      incompletely characterized. We hypothesized that Ang II, a principal effector of
      the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, potentiates PGE2-mediated
      vasoconstriction. Here we demonstrate that pre-treatment of arterial rings with
      1nM Ang II potentiated PGE2-evoked constriction in a concentration dependent
      manner (AUC-Ang II 2.778+/-2.091, AUC+Ang II 22.830+/-8.560, ***P<0.001). Using
      genetic deletion models and pharmacological antagonists, we demonstrate that this
      potentiation effect is mediated via concurrent signaling between the angiotensin
      II receptor 1 (AT1) and the PGE2 E-prostanoid receptor 3 (EP3) in the mouse
      femoral artery. EP3 receptor-mediated vasoconstriction is shown to be dependent
      on extracellular calcium in combination with proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2
      (Pyk2) and Rho-kinase. Thus, our findings reveal a novel mechanism through which
      Ang II and PGE2 regulate peripheral vascular reactivity.

PMID- 27260942
TI  - RepeatAnalyzer: a tool for analysing and managing short-sequence repeat data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Short-sequence repeats (SSRs) occur in both prokaryotic and
      eukaryotic DNA, inter- and intragenically, and may be exact or inexact copies.
      When heterogeneous SSRs are present in a given locus, we can take advantage of
      the pattern of different repeats to genotype strains based on the SSRs.
      Cataloguing and tracking these repeats can be difficult as diverse groups of
      researchers are involved in the identification of the repeats. Additionally, the
      task is error-prone when done manually. RESULTS: We developed RepeatAnalyzer, a
      new software tool capable of tracking, managing, analysing and cataloguing SSRs
      and genotypes using Anaplasma marginale as a model species. RepeatAnalyzer's
      analysis capability includes novel metrics for measuring regional genetic
      diversity (corresponding to variety and regularity of SSR occurrence). As a part
      of its visualization capabilities, RepeatAnalyzer produces high quality maps of
      the geographic distribution of genotypes or SSRs over a region of interest.
      RepeatAnalyzer's repeat identification functionality was validated for all SSRs
      and genotypes reported in 21 publications, using 380 A. marginale isolates
      gathered from the five publications within that list that provided access to
      their isolates. The tool produced accurate genotyping results in every case. In
      addition, it uncovered a number of errors in the published literature: 11 cases
      where SSRs were misreported, 5 cases where two different SSRs had been given the
      same name, and 16 cases where two or more names had been given to a single SSR.
      The analysis and visualization functionalities of the tool are demonstrated using
      several examples. CONCLUSIONS: RepeatAnalyzer is a robust software tool that can
      be used for storing, managing, and analysing short-sequence repeats for the
      purpose of strain identification. The tool can be used for any set of SSRs
      regardless of species. When applied to A. marginale, our test case, we show that
      genotype lengths for a given region follow a normal distribution, while SSR
      frequencies follow a power-law-like distribution. Further, we find that over 90 %
      of repeats are 28 to 29 amino acids long, which is in agreement with conventional
      wisdom. Lastly, our analysis reveals that the most common edit distance is five
      or six, which is counter-intuitive since we expected that result to be closer to
      one, resulting from the simplest change from one repeat to another.

PMID- 27260943
TI  - HIF-1 alpha as a Key Factor in Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although several studies suggested hypoxia as an important
      microenvironmental factor contributing to inflammation and fibrosis in chronic
      liver diseases, the mechanism of this process is not fully understood. We
      considered hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1alpha) as a key transcription factor in
      liver fibrosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the mechanisms of signaling
      pathway during bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. METHODS:
      BDL animal model of liver fibrosis was used in the study. Male Wistar rats were
      divided randomly into two experimental groups: sham group (n = 15), BDL group (n
      = 30). Hydroxyproline (Hyp) content as a marker of collagen accumulation in liver
      of rats subjected to BDL was evaluated according to the method described by
      Gerling B et al. Expression of signaling proteins [integrin beta1 receptor, HIF
      1alpha, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), and transforming growth factor (TGF
      beta)] was evaluated applying Western-immunoblot analysis. In all experiments,
      the mean values for six assays +/- standard deviations (SD) were calculated. The
      results were submitted to the statistical analysis using the Student's "t" test,
      accepting p < 0.05 as significant. RESULTS: Ligation of bile ducts was found to
      increase Hyp content in rat liver, accompanied by increase of HIF-1alpha
      expression during 10 weeks after BDL. The Hyp level was time dependent. There was
      not such a difference in control group (p < 0.001). Simultaneously expression of
      NF-kappaB, TGF-beta, beta1-integrin receptor was significantly elevated starting
      from sixth week after ligation. Activity of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the
      livers were increased 1 week after surgery and remained increased until the end
      of the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism of development of liver fibrosis
      involves activation of Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and Matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), upregulation of HIF-1alpha transcriptional activity
      and its related factors, NF-kappaB and TGF-beta. It suggests that they may
      represent targets for the treatment of the disease.

PMID- 27260944
TI  - Using alcohol intoxication goggles (Fatal Vision(r) goggles) to detect alcohol
      related impairment in simulated driving.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fatal vision goggles (FVGs) are image-distorting equipment used within
      driver education programs to simulate alcohol-related impairment. However, there
      is no empirical evidence comparing the behavioral effects associated with wearing
      FVGs to alcohol intoxication. The purpose of this study was to determine the
      validity of FVGs in producing alcohol-related impairment in simulated driving.
      METHODS: Twenty-two healthy males (age: 23 +/- 3 years, mean +/- SD) participated
      in a placebo-controlled crossover design study involving 4 experimental trials.
      In each trial, participants completed a baseline level simulated driving task
      followed by an experimental driving task, involving one of 4 treatments: (1) a
      dose of alcohol designed to elicit 0.080% breath alcohol concentration (BrAC;
      AB), (2) an alcohol placebo beverage (PB), (3) FVG (estimated % blood alcohol
      concentration [BAC] 0.070-0.100+), and (4) placebo goggles (PGs). The driving
      tasks included 3 separate scenarios lasting ~5 min each; these were a simple
      driving scenario, a complex driving scenario, and a hazard perception driving
      scenario. Selected lateral control parameters (standard deviation of lane
      position [SDLP]; total number of lane crossings [LCs]) and longitudinal control
      parameters (average speed; standard deviation of speed [SDSP]; distance headway;
      minimum distance headway) were monitored during the simple and complex driving
      scenarios. Latency to 2 different stimuli (choice reaction time [CRT]) was tested
      in the hazard perception driving scenario. Subjective ratings of mood and
      attitudes toward driving were also provided during each of the trials. RESULTS:
      Neither placebo treatment influenced simulated driving performance. Mean BrAC was
      0.060 +/- 0.010% at the time of driving on the AB trial. Lateral control: In the
      simple driving scenario, SDLP and LC were not affected under any of the
      experimental treatments. However, in the complex driving scenario, significantly
      greater SDLP was observed on both the FVG and AB trials compared to their
      respective baseline drives. LC increased significantly from baseline on the AB
      trial only. Longitudinal control: Speed was not affected by any of the
      experimental treatments; however, SDSP increased significantly from baseline on
      the FVG trial. A significant reduction in distance headway and minimum distance
      headway was detected on the FVG trial compared to baseline. Hazard perception:
      Neither AB nor FVG trials were influential on CRT. Subjective mood ratings were
      significantly altered on the AB and FVG trials compared to baseline and placebo
      conditions. Participants reported reduced willingness and ability to drive under
      the active treatments (AB and FVG) than the placebo treatments (PB and PG).
      CONCLUSIONS: FVGs may have some utility in replicating alcohol-related impairment
      on specific driving performance measurements. Hence, the equipment may offer an
      alternative approach to researching the impact of alcohol intoxication on
      simulated driving performance among populations where the provision of alcohol
      would otherwise be unethical (e.g., prelicensed drivers).

PMID- 27260945
TI  - Readability, relevance and quality of the information in Spanish on the Web for
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Education is a major health determinant and one of the main
      independent outcome predictors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The use of the
      Internet by patients has grown exponentially in the last decade. OBJECTIVE: To
      assess the characteristics, legibility and quality of the information available
      in Spanish in the Internet regarding to rheumatoid arthritis. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: The search was performed in Google using the phrase rheumatoid
      arthritis. Information from the first 30 pages was evaluated according to a pre
      established format (relevance, scope, authorship, type of publication and
      financial objective). The quality and legibility of the pages were assessed using
      two validated tools, DISCERN and INFLESZ respectively. Data extraction was
      performed by senior medical students and evaluation was achieved by consensus.
      RESULTS: The Google search returned 323 hits but only 63% were considered
      relevant; 80% of them were information sites (71% discussed exclusively RA, 44%
      conventional treatment and 12% alternative therapies) and 12.5% had a primary
      financial interest. 60% of the sites were created by nonprofit organizations and
      15% by medical associations. Web sites posted by medical institutions from the
      United States of America were better positioned in Spanish (Arthritis Foundation
      4th position and American College of Rheumatology 10th position) than web sites
      posted by Spanish speaking countries. CONCLUSIONS: There is a risk of
      disinformation for patients with RA that use the Internet. We identified a window
      of opportunity for rheumatology medical institutions from Spanish-speaking
      countries to have a more prominent societal involvement in the education of their
      patients with RA.

PMID- 27260946
TI  - PD-L1 expression is associated with massive lymphocyte infiltration and histology
      in gastric cancer.
AB  - The mechanism of carcinogenesis of gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear now. This
      study aimed to explore the correlations among PD-L1, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
      infection, lymphocyte infiltration, HER2 expression, HER2 gene status, histology,
      and other clinicopathological factors in GC. A total of 44 GC patients with
      massive lymphocyte infiltration (GC-MLI) and 93 GC patients without massive
      lymphocyte infiltration were involved in this study. Immunohistochemical analysis
      was used to test the expression levels of PD-L1 and HER2. Fluorescence in situ
      hybridization was used on HER2-positive cases with a score of 2+ to test the HER2
      gene status. EBV-encoded RNA was used to test for EBV infection. In univariate
      analysis, PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with GC-MLI (P<.001),
      lower age (P=.019), EBV infection (P<.001), lower HER2 expression (P=.011), and
      diffuse/mixed type of histology (P=.022). EBV-encoded RNA-positive cases were
      significantly associated with GC-MLI (P<.001), lower age (P=.016), diffuse/mixed
      type of histology (P=.011), and lower HER2 expression (P=.032). In the
      multivariate logistic regression model, GC-MLI and the diffuse/mixed type
      histology were identified as 2 independent factors that affected PD-L1 expression
      (P<.001). Furthermore, PD-L1-positive cases have worse overall survival than do
      PD-L1-negative cases (P=.011). These results suggest that massive lymphocyte
      infiltration and the diffuse/mixed type histology of GC should be taken into
      consideration to select the appropriate patients for PD-L1 inhibitory treatment
      in the future.

PMID- 27260947
TI  - Dicer expression in estrogen receptor-positive versus triple-negative breast
      cancer: an antibody comparison.
AB  - Dicer is an RNase III enzyme responsible for cleaving double-stranded RNAs into
      small interfering RNAs and microRNAs, which either target messenger RNA
      transcripts for degradation or inhibit translation. Dicer protein levels have
      been examined in breast cancer with contradictory results. Our goal was to
      resolve whether Dicer levels differ in breast cancer versus normal breast
      epithelium and between estrogen receptor-alpha-positive (ER+) or estrogen
      receptor-alpha-negative (ER-) primary breast cancers. We compared 3 different
      Dicer antibodies: Abcam 4A6, Abcam ab5818, and Sigma HPA000694, using
      immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. All 3 Dicer antibodies detected
      higher levels of Dicer in ER+ breast cancer cell lines versus ER-, and all 3
      recognized exogenous overexpressed Dicer. In clinical specimens, all 3 antibodies
      detected higher Dicer in ER+ breast cancers versus triple-negative breast cancer
      (TNBC) but had very different staining patterns by immunohistochemistry on the
      same tumor samples. Using the optimal antibody, ab5818, selected for its
      sensitivity and specificity, Dicer protein expression was significantly higher in
      ER+ versus TNBC clinical specimens of primary tumor (P<.0001, unpaired t test).
      Dicer was also significantly higher in adjacent normal breast epithelium versus
      TNBC (P<.0001, paired t test; n=18 pairs). Differences in antibody performance
      may explain contrasting results observed in the literature regarding Dicer
      protein in breast cancer. If Dicer becomes more clinically relevant as a
      prognostic indicator, further antibody optimization and standardization will be
      critical.

PMID- 27260948
TI  - Notch signalling in ventricular chamber development and cardiomyopathy.
AB  - The vertebrate heart is the first organ to form and function during
      embryogenesis. Primitive streak-derived cardiac progenitors located bilaterally
      move rostral to form the primitive heart tube that subsequently undergoes
      rightward looping, remodelling and septation to give rise to the mature four
      chambered heart. Tightly regulated tissue interactions orchestrate the
      patterning, proliferation and differentiation processes that give rise to the
      adult ventricles. Studies in animal models have demonstrated the crucial function
      of the Notch signalling pathway in ventricular development and how alterations in
      human NOTCH signalling may lead to disease in the form of cardiomyopathies, such
      as left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). In this review, we discuss how during
      trabecular formation and ventricular compaction, Dll4-Notch1 signals from chamber
      endocardium to regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation and differentiation in a
      noncell autonomous fashion and how, at later stages, myocardial Jag1 and Jag2
      activate Notch1 in chamber endocardium to sustain chamber patterning and
      compaction with simultaneous coronary vessel development mediated by Dll4-Notch1.
      We suggest that alterations in these molecular mechanisms underlie MIB1-related
      familial LVNC and favour the hypothesis that this cardiomyopathy has a congenital
      nature.

PMID- 27260949
TI  - [Prevalence of peripheral artery disease among diabetics in Parakou in 2013].
AB  - We aimed to determine the prevalence of peripheral artery disease and its
      associated factors among diabetics. The cross-sectional study was conducted and
      included all diabetics admitted to the diabetic clinic at the Parakou University
      hospital during the period of 1st February and 31st July 2013. The diagnosis of
      peripheral artery disease was based on the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)<0.9. The
      socio-demographics data, the data concerning the diabetes and its complications
      were recorded in each patient. They were 401 diabetics and 59.5 % were females.
      The mean age was 53.7+/-11.5 years. Among the diabetics, 168 fulfilled the
      criteria of PAD, the overall prevalence was 41.9 %. In total, 31.5 % were
      symptomatics according to Leriche and Fontaine classification. The main
      associated factors were the increase of age (P=0.01), the absence of activity
      with high income (P=0.004), the absence of physical activity (P=0.023), the
      duration of diabetes (P=0.007), the presence of peripheral neuropathy (P=0.003),
      the glycosylated hemoglobin>=7 % (P<0.001). After a multivariate analysis, only
      diabetes control was independently associated with arteriopathy (P=0,004). The
      PAD was more frequent among diabetics in Parakou. The associated factors must be
      taken into account in order to improve the management of the disease and to
      reduce the burden of the PAD. 

PMID- 27260950
TI  - Transoral laser microsurgery for managing laryngeal stenosis after reconstructive
      partial laryngectomies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To retrospectively analyze our experience of transoral
      laser microsurgery (TLM) for treating postoperative laryngeal obstruction (POLO)
      after supracricoid and supratracheal laryngectomy (open partial horizontal
      laryngectomy [OPHL]) types 2 and 3, and to investigate potential relationships
      between patients' clinical features and their functional outcomes. STUDY DESIGN:
      A retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The prognostic influence of clinical and
      surgical parameters on functional outcomes was investigated in a univariate
      statistical setting in terms of decannulation rate (DR), time to tracheostomy
      closure (TTC), and number of laser procedures required (NLP). RESULTS: OPHL type
      2 was associated with a better functional outcome than OPHL type 3 in terms of
      DR, TTC, and NLP (P = .03, P = .02, and P = .02, respectively). Annular and
      semicircumferential stenoses developed more frequently after OPHL type 3, and
      were particularly difficult to manage with TLM. Fixation of the residual
      arytenoid was a negative prognostic factor in terms of functional outcome in
      terms of DR, TTC, and NLP (P = .0002, P = .08, and P = .08, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: There is no standardized laser treatment for POLO; it must be
      tailored to individual patients. Identifying prognostic factors influencing
      functional outcome could help surgeons to earmark patients less likely to benefit
      from TLM for the treatment of POLO, and enable an adequate preoperative
      counseling, given the high probability of repeat postoperative TLM procedures.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2016 127:359-365, 2017.

PMID- 27260951
TI  - A biopsychosocial analysis of sexuality in adult males and their partners after
      severe traumatic brain injury.
AB  - PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to investigate changes in sexual
      function in males and their partners following severe TBI. Secondary aims of the
      study were to explore the relationship between selected sociodemographic,
      emotional/behavioural and sexual function variables. METHODS: Twenty males with a
      history of severe TBI and 20 healthy controls (HC) and their respective partners
      were recruited. Sexual life was assessed with the Sexuality Evaluation Schedule
      Assessment Monitoring (SESAMO). Study participant level of self-awareness was
      evaluated by the Awareness Questionnaire, whereas their neuropsychiatric and
      psychopathological statuses were assessed by the NPI, the HAM-D and STAI.
      RESULTS: A reduction in desire and frequency of sexual intercourse was found in
      all survivors and their partners. Moreover, higher levels of survivor depression
      correlated with lower partner harmony. Survivor feelings toward their partners
      gradually decreased over time, as did the ability to make decisions as a couple.
      The comparison with HC couples revealed that both survivors' and their partners'
      exaggerated the extent of disease. CONCLUSIONS: After male severe TBI, men appear
      to have a reduced quality of their sexual life, which may be more a result of
      relationship dysfunction than a sexual performance deficit related to their brain
      injury history.

PMID- 27260952
TI  - Health Information Brokers in the General Population: An Analysis of the Health
      Information National Trends Survey 2013-2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health information exchanged between friends or family members can
      influence decision making, both for routine health questions and for serious
      health issues. A health information broker is a person to whom friends and family
      turn for advice or information on health-related topics. Characteristics and
      online behaviors of health information brokers have not previously been studied
      in a national population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine
      sociodemographic characteristics, health information seeking behaviors, and other
      online behaviors among health information brokers. METHODS: Data from the Health
      Information National Trends Survey (2013-2014; n=3142) were used to compare
      brokers with nonbrokers. Modified Poisson regression was used to examine the
      relationship between broker status and sociodemographics and online information
      seeking. RESULTS: Over half (54.8%) of the respondents were consulted by family
      or friends for advice or information on health topics (ie, they acted as health
      information brokers). Brokers represented 54.1% of respondents earning <$20,000
      yearly and 56.5% of respondents born outside the United States. Women were more
      likely to be brokers (PR 1.34, 95% CI 1.23-1.47) as were those with education
      past high school (PR 1.42, CI 1.22-1.65). People aged >=75 were less likely to be
      brokers as compared to respondents aged 35-49 (PR 0.81, CI 0.67-0.99). Brokers
      used the Internet more frequently for a variety of online behaviors such as
      seeking health information, creating and sharing online content, and downloading
      health information onto a mobile device; and also reported greater confidence in
      obtaining health information online. CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% of adults who
      responded to this national survey, including those with low income and those born
      abroad, were providing health information or advice to friends and family. These
      individuals may prove to be effective targets for initiatives supporting patient
      engagement and disease management, and may also be well-positioned within their
      respective social networks to propagate health messages.

PMID- 27260953
TI  - Post-transplant monitoring of NK cell counts as a simple approach to predict the
      occurrence of opportunistic infection in liver transplant recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Monitoring of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulation (PBLS) counts
      might be useful for estimating the risk of infection after liver transplantation
      (LT). METHODS: We prospectively measured total lymphocyte and PBLS counts at
      baseline and post-transplant months 1 and 6 in 92 LT recipients. PBLS were
      enumerated by single-platform 6-color flow cytometry technology. Areas under
      receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the accuracy
      of different PBLS for predicting cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and overall
      opportunistic infection (OI). Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for both outcomes
      were estimated by Cox regression. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 730.0
      days, 29 patients (31.5%) developed 38 episodes of OI (including 22 episodes of
      CMV disease). The counts of CD3(+) , CD4(+) , and CD8(+) T cells, and CD56(+)
      CD16(+) natural killer (NK) cells at month 1 were significantly lower in patients
      subsequently developing OI. The NK cell count was the best predictive parameter
      (area under ROC curve for predicting CMV disease: 0.78; P-value = 0.001).
      Patients with an NK cell count <0.050 * 10(3) cells/MUL had higher cumulative
      incidences of CMV disease (P-value = 0.001) and overall OI (P-value <0.001). In
      the multivariate models, an NK cell count <0.050 * 10(3) cells/MUL at month 1
      post transplantation remained as an independent risk factor for CMV disease (aHR:
      5.54; P-value = 0.003) and overall OI (aHR: 7.56; P-value <0.001). CONCLUSION:
      Post-transplant kinetics of NK cell counts may be used as a simple and affordable
      proxy to the cell-mediated immunity status in LT recipients and to their
      associated risk of OI.

PMID- 27260954
TI  - Frontline Science: ATF3 is responsible for the inhibition of TNF-alpha release
      and the impaired migration of acute ethanol-exposed monocytes and macrophages.
AB  - Binge drinking represses host innate immunity and leads to a high risk of
      infection. Acute EtOH-pretreated macrophages exhibit a decreased production of
      proinflammatory mediators in response to LPS. ATF3 is induced and counter
      regulates the LPS/TLR4 inflammatory cascade. Here, we investigated the potential
      role of ATF3 in LPS tolerance in acute ethanol-pretreated macrophages. We found
      that there was an inverse correlation between ATF3 and LPS-induced TNF-alpha
      production in acute ethanol-pretreated murine monocytes and macrophages. The
      knockdown of ATF3 attenuated the inhibitory effects of acute ethanol treatment on
      LPS-induced TNF-alpha production. Furthermore, ChIP assays and co-IP demonstrated
      that ATF3, together with HDAC1, negatively modulated the transcription of TNF
      alpha. In binge-drinking mice challenged with LPS, an up-regulation of ATF3 and
      HDAC1 and a concomitant decrease in TNF-alpha were observed. Given that HDAC1 was
      concomitantly induced in acute ethanol-exposed monocytes and macrophages, we used
      the HDACi TSA or silenced HDAC1 to explore the role of HDAC1 in acute ethanol
      treated macrophages. Our results revealed that TSA treatment and HDAC1 knockdown
      prevented acute ethanol-induced ATF3 expression and the inhibition of TNF-alpha
      transcription. These data indicated a dual role for HDAC1 in acute ethanol
      induced LPS tolerance. Furthermore, we showed that the induction of ATF3 led to
      the impaired migration of BM monocytes and macrophages. Overall, we present a
      novel role for ATF3 in the inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-alpha and in the
      impairment of monocyte and macrophage migration.

PMID- 27260955
TI  - Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-8 limits tissue damage through
      inflammasome modulation during renal injury.
AB  - Mediators released by apoptotic renal resident cells play a crucial role in
      modification of the inflammatory microenvironment. We have demonstrated that milk
      fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) is released by apoptotic cells,
      which results in reduced proinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages. The
      present study was designed to study the role of MFG-E8 on the modulation of
      tissue damage and macrophage phenotype in a renal inflammatory model, unilateral
      ureteral obstruction (UUO). C57BL/6 WT or MFG-E8 KO mice underwent ureteral
      ligation for 3, 7, and 14 d to evaluate renal injury. MFG-E8 (30 ug/kg) or
      vehicle was also administered i.p. MFG-E8 administration reduced kidney damage
      and fibrosis compared with control, whereas its absence in MFG-E8 KO mice was
      associated with more severe disease. Moreover, MFG-E8 administration was
      associated with decreased inflammasome activation in the kidney. Furthermore,
      adoptive transfer of MFG-E8-stimulated macrophages reduced activation of
      inflammasome and tissue damage. In all cases, both the systemic administration of
      MFG-E8 and MFG-E8-treated macrophages promoted accumulation of anti-inflammatory
      CD206+ macrophages. We propose that the protective role of MFG-E8 is mediated
      through anti-inflammatory macrophage reprogramming which results in decreased
      inflammasome activation, preventing severe tissue damage. These data provide
      valuable insight for identification of MFG-E8 as a novel target in modulation of
      inflammatory diseases.

PMID- 27260956
TI  - [Medicine 2.0].

PMID- 27260958
TI  - Blue is the new black.

PMID- 27260957
TI  - Outcomes of ring versus suture annuloplasty for tricuspid valve repair in
      patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is controversy regarding the comparative effectiveness of
      methods of tricuspid valve (TV) repair-prosthetic ring versus suture annuloplasty
      in patients undergoing operation for primary mitral valve (MV) disease. In this
      study, we analyzed factors associated with patient survival and recurrent
      tricuspid regurgitation (TR) following TV repair and focused on results
      stratified by method of tricuspid valve repair. METHODS: We reviewed patients who
      underwent TV repair with suture (De Vega) or flexible ring annuloplasties at the
      time of MV surgery from 1995 to 2010. Patients with prior cardiac or concomitant
      aortic valve operations were excluded. Propensity matching was performed to
      account for potential differences in baseline characteristics between the groups.
      Primary outcomes were long-term mortality and postoperative TR grade. RESULTS: In
      the overall study, there were 415 patients with median age 72 years (range, 63-78
      years), from which 148 matched pairs were identified by propensity score
      analysis. In the overall cohort, patients in the ring annuloplasty group more
      often had preoperative transvenous pacemakers (P = .05), lower ejection fractions
      (P = .028), and more recent years of operation (P < .001). For patients who had
      De Vega suture annuloplasty, long-term mortality was not different from that of
      patients who had ring annuloplasty (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval,
      0.67-1.30). Older age, preoperative diabetes, and preoperative right ventricular
      dysfunction were predictors for long-term mortality. Durability of the
      annuloplasty methods was similar with no significant difference in trend of
      recurrent TR grades over follow-up (P = .807). Etiology of mitral regurgitation
      was not associated with recurrent TR during follow-up (P = .857). CONCLUSIONS:
      Late survival and TV durability following concomitant TV repair during MV surgery
      did not differ with respect to TV repair technique. In this series of patients
      with repaired tricuspid valves, etiology of MV disease did not influence
      postoperative changes in TR.

PMID- 27260959
TI  - Y-en-Y airway stents: A complex solution for a complex problem.

PMID- 27260960
TI  - Resect them all.

PMID- 27260961
TI  - Profiling of the toxicity mechanisms of coated and uncoated silver nanoparticles
      to yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741 using a set of its 9 single-gene
      deletion mutants defective in oxidative stress response, cell wall or membrane
      integrity and endocytosis.
AB  - The widespread use of nanosilver in various antibacterial, antifungal, and
      antiviral products warrants the studies of the toxicity pathways of nanosilver
      enabled materials toward microbes and viruses. We profiled the toxicity
      mechanisms of uncoated, casein-coated, and polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver
      nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Saccharomyces cerevisiae wild-type (wt) and its 9
      single-gene deletion mutants defective in oxidative stress (OS) defense, cell
      wall/membrane integrity, and endocytosis. The 48-h growth inhibition assay in
      organic-rich growth medium and 24-h cell viability assay in deionized (DI) water
      were applied whereas AgNO3, H2O2, and SDS served as positive controls. Both
      coated AgNPs (primary size 8-12nm) were significantly more toxic than the
      uncoated (~85nm) AgNPs. All studied AgNPs were ~30 times more toxic if exposed to
      yeast cells in DI water than in the rich growth medium: the IC50 based on nominal
      concentration of AgNPs in the growth inhibition test ranged from 77 to 576mg Ag/L
      and in the cell viability test from 2.7 to 18.7mg Ag/L, respectively. Confocal
      microscopy showed that wt but not endocytosis mutant (end3Delta) internalized
      AgNPs. Comparison of toxicity patterns of wt and mutant strains defective in OS
      defense and membrane integrity revealed that the toxicity of the studied AgNPs to
      S. cerevisiae was not caused by the OS or cell wall/membrane permeabilization. 

PMID- 27260962
TI  - Clinical and immunological study of mucous membrane pemphigoid in a cohort of
      Indian patients.

PMID- 27260963
TI  - Microglial number is related to the number of tyrosine hydroxylase neurons in SHR
      and normotensive rats.
AB  - Microglia are ubiquitously distributed throughout the central nervous system
      (CNS) and play a critical role in the maintenance of neuronal homeostasis. Recent
      advances have shown that microglia, never resting cells of the CNS, continuously
      monitor and influence neuronal/synaptic activity levels, by communicating with
      neurons with the aid of their dynamic processes. The brainstem contains many
      catecholaminergic nuclei that are key to many aspects of brain function. This
      includes C1 neurons of the ventrolateral medulla that are thought to play a
      critical role in control of the circulation. Despite the role of
      catecholaminergic brainstem neurons in normal physiology, the presence of
      microglia that surrounds them is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the
      spatial distribution and morphology of microglia in catecholaminergic nuclei of
      the brainstem in 3 strains of rat: Sprague-Dawley (SD), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and
      spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Our data reveal that microglia are
      heterogeneously distributed within and across different strains of rats.
      Interestingly, intra-strain comparison of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH
      ir) neuronal and microglial number reveals that microglial number varies with the
      TH-ir neuronal number in the brainstem. Even though microglial spatial
      distribution varies across brainstem nuclei, microglial morphology (% area
      covered, number of end point processes and branch length) does not differ
      significantly. This work provides the first evidence that even though microglia,
      in their surveilling state, do not vary appreciably in their morphology across
      brainstem areas, they do have a heterogeneous pattern of distribution that may be
      influenced by their local environment.

PMID- 27260965
TI  - Questioning risk-based fire and life safety education age priorities.

PMID- 27260964
TI  - The actions of isoprenaline and mirabegron in the isolated whole rat and guinea
      pig bladder.
AB  - beta3-adrenoceptor agonists influence overactive bladder in humans and animal
      models. However, data is emerging that the mode of action of these drugs is
      complex. The present study explored the actions of the beta3-adrenergic agonist
      mirabegron and the non-selective agonist isoprenaline on the contractile systems
      in the rat and guinea pig bladder. Intravesical pressure was measured in isolated
      whole bladders from female adult animals. In both species spontaneous contractile
      activity was observed. The muscarinic agonist arecaidine produced complex
      responses consisting of an initial transient pressure rise followed by complex
      phasic activity. Three contractile elements were identified: intrinsic micro
      contractile activity, initial transient response and steady state phasic
      activity. The intrinsic and steady state activity could be further divided into a
      baseline pressure with superimposed phasic activity. The effects of isoprenaline
      and mirabegron were investigated on these elements. In the rat, the micro
      contractile activity could be completely inhibited by isoprenaline (full
      agonist). The arecaidine-induced initial and steady state baseline pressures were
      partially reduced, while the phasic activity was little affected. In the guinea
      pig, both the arecaidine-induced baseline pressure and the phasic activity were
      affected by isoprenaline. Mirabegron didn't produce significant inhibitory
      effects in any of the contractile elements in either species. These results show
      that complex contractile systems operate in the rat and guinea pig bladder that
      can be modulated by beta1/beta2-adrenoceptor mechanisms. No evidence was obtained
      for any beta3-dependent regulation of contraction. These data support similar
      data in humans. Therefore the primary site of therapeutic action of beta3
      adrenergic agonists remains unknown.

PMID- 27260966
TI  - Therapeutic innovations in endocrine diseases - Part 2: Modified-release
      glucocorticoid compounds: What good do they provide to the adrenal insufficient
      patient?
AB  - Intensive researches on modified-release hydrocortisone compounds developed in
      the last decade have paved the way for obtaining near-physiological
      glucocorticoid replacement in the adrenal insufficient patient. The dual-release
      Duocort (Plenadren) allows a unique morning intake and closely mimics the
      circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion, except for the progressive nocturnal
      increase and the morning cortisol peak observed in healthy subjects. Duocort
      treatment during a 6-month period was associated with favorable changes in
      weight, blood pressure and glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus.
      Chronocort, a multiparticulate formulation with sustained-release properties
      replaces endogenous cortisol in a near-physiologic manner and fully restores the
      end of night cortisol peak. A twice-daily Chronocort regimen was effective in
      controlling androgen excess in adults with CAH. Recently, the new
      multiparticulate formulation Infacort was designed for the treatment of adrenal
      insufficiency during infancy. Long term effectiveness and safety studies are
      needed until these promising hydrocortisone formulations become routine
      therapeutic tools in adrenal insufficiency. 

PMID- 27260967
TI  - Recombinant expression, refolding, purification and characterization of
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa protease IV in Escherichia coli.
AB  - Several protease IV enzymes are widely used in proteomic research. Specifically,
      protease IV from Pseudomonas aeruginosa has lysyl endopeptidase activity. Here,
      we report the recombinant expression, refolding, activation, and purification of
      this protease in Escherichia coli. Proteolytic instability of the activated
      intermediate, a major obstacle for efficient production, is controlled through
      ammonium sulfate precipitation. The purified protease IV exhibits superior lysyl
      endopeptidase activity compared to a commercial product.

PMID- 27260968
TI  - Energy transfer between fusion biliproteins co-expressed with phycobiliprotein in
      Escherichia coli.
AB  - In cyanobacteria, phycobiliproteins (PBS) show excellent energy transfer among
      the chromophores absorbing over most of the visible. The energy transfers are
      used to study phycobilisome assembly and bioimaging. Using All4261GAF2(C81L) as
      energy donor, ApcE(1-240/Delta87-130) as energy acceptor, we co-expressed fusion
      protein ApcE(1-240/Delta87-130)::All4261GAF2(C81L) with phycobiliprotein in
      Escherichia Coli and studied the energy transfer between two protein domains.
      With N-terminal His6 tag, ApcE(1-240/Delta87-130)::All4261GAF2(C81L) cannot be
      purified by nickel-affinity column. We added six histidines in the C-terminal of
      ApcE(1-240/Delta87-130)::All4261GAF2(C81L) and co-expressed it with
      phycobiliprotein. ApcE(1-240/Delta87-130)::PCB-All4261GAF2(C81L)His6 was purified
      successfully and only singly chromophorylated at All4261GAF2(C81L)His6 domain.
      The singly chromophorylate ApcE(1-240/Delta87-130)::PCB-All4261GAF2(C81L)His6 was
      incubated with fresh PCB and the doubly chromophorylated PCB-ApcE(1-240/Delta87
      130)::PCB-All4261GAF2(C81L)His6 was obtained. The double chromophored fusion
      protein absorbed light in the range of 615-660 nm, and fluoresced only at 668 nm.
      Photochemistry analysis showed that excitation energy transfer from the short
      wavelength absorbing at All4261GAF2(C81L) domain was achieved successfully to the
      long-wavelength absorbing at the ApcE(1-240/Delta87-130) domain.

PMID- 27260969
TI  - Production of soluble truncated spike protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
      from inclusion bodies of Escherichia coli through refolding.
AB  - The emergence of highly pathogenic variant porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)
      strains, from 2013 to 2014, in North American and Asian countries have greatly
      threatened global swine industry. Therefore, development of effective vaccines
      against PEDV variant strains is urgently needed. Recently, it has been reported
      that the N-terminal domain (NTD) of S1 domain of PEDV spike protein is
      responsible for binding to the 5-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), a possible
      sugar co-receptor. Therefore, the NTD of S1 domain could be an attractive target
      for the development of subunit vaccines. In this study, the NTD spanning amino
      acid residues 25-229 (S25-229) of S1 domain of PEDV variant strain was expressed
      in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) in the form of inclusion bodies (IBs). S25-229 IBs
      were solubilized in 20 mM sodium acetate (pH 4.5) buffer containing 8 M urea and
      1 mM dithiothreitol with 95% yield. Solubilized S25-229 IBs were refolded by 10
      fold flash dilution and purified by one-step cation exchange chromatography with
      >95% purity and 20% yield. The CD spectrum of S25-229 showed the characteristic
      pattern of alpha helical structure. In an indirect ELISA, purified S25-229 showed
      strong reactivity with mouse anti-PEDV sera. In addition, immunization of mice
      with 20 MUg of purified S25-229 elicited highly potent serum IgG titers. Finally,
      mouse antisera against S25-229 showed immune reactivity with native PEDV S
      protein in an immunofluorescence assay. These results suggest that purified S25
      229 may have potential to be used as a subunit vaccine against PEDV variant
      strains.

PMID- 27260970
TI  - Quality of death among hospice decedents: Proxy observations from a survey of
      community-dwelling adults in the contiguous United States.
AB  - This study examines hospice service experience and quality of death. A survey of
      123 community-dwelling adults in the United States found that physical comfort,
      pain-free, and spiritual peace were more important to respondents reporting a
      personal experience with hospice. A "good death" was associated with older
      patients who died at home, and respondent satisfaction with hospice service. A
      "good death" was mapped as 29 nodes and 79 links using semantic network analysis.
      Three subjects (patient, family, hospice), three timeframes (end-of-life, moment
      of dying, death), and four central causes (home, peaceful, pain-free, and
      expected) were identified.

PMID- 27260971
TI  - Intraoperative spinal digital subtraction angiography: indications, technique,
      safety, and clinical impact.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cerebral intraoperative DSA (IODSA) is a well-described, routinely
      performed procedure that allows the effectiveness of cerebrovascular
      interventions to be evaluated in the operating room. Spinal IODSA, on the other
      hand, is infrequently obtained and has received less attention. OBJECTIVE: To
      discuss the indications, technique, safety, and clinical impact of spinal IODSA.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients underwent 45 thoracic and/or lumbar
      spinal IODSA between 2005 and 2016, either immediately before surgery for lesion
      localization or after the intervention to evaluate its effectiveness. Indications
      included 21 vascular malformations and 2 diaphragmatic crus compression
      syndromes. A long femoral arterial sheath with its hub positioned on the lateral
      surface of the thigh was used to allow catheter manipulations in the prone
      position. RESULTS: All targeted intersegmental arteries (ISAs) were successfully
      catheterized. The course of surgery was changed in 6 instances (26.1%). In 4
      cases of epidural or perimedullary arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs), a residual
      lesion required additional intervention. In one case of epidural AVF, initial
      IODSA revealed spontaneous resolution of the lesion, preventing unnecessary
      surgery. Finally, angiography performed in a case of diaphragmatic crus syndrome
      showed thrombosis of the ISA and non-visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz.
      Recanalization was obtained by IA thrombolysis, with excellent clinical outcome.
      No intraprocedural or postprocedural complication was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal
      IODSA is a safe technique that offers an immediate assessment of the
      effectiveness of a spinovascular surgical procedure, notably epidural and
      perimedullary AVFs. Spinal IODSA was technically successful in all cases,
      influencing the surgical strategy in 6 of 23 patients, including one patient who
      benefited from intraoperative endovascular therapy.

PMID- 27260972
TI  - Aneurysm outflow angle at MRA as discriminant for accurate diagnosis and
      differentiation between small sidewall cerebral aneurysms and infundibula.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the aneurysm outflow angle (OA) at MR angiography
      (MRA) might serve as discriminant for accurate diagnosis of, and differentiation
      between, small sidewall cerebral aneurysms (SCAs) and infundibula. METHODS:
      Between June 2007 and July 2015, 426 consecutive patients with SCAs completed
      both an MRA and DSA examination. Of these, 156 patients with small SCAs and 52
      patients with infundibula were included in this study. A patient with an OA >=90
      degrees  was defined as having a SCA, while those with OA <90 degrees  were
      defined as having an infundibulum. RESULTS: DSA identified 172 SCAs in 156
      patients and 55 infundibula in 52 patients. The average OA on MRA was 102.96
      degrees +/-13.36 degrees  (range 60 degrees -151 degrees ) in 172 SCAs of 156
      patients. An OA of >=90 degrees  was seen for 159 (92.4%) small SCAs in 147
      patients, while an OA of <90 degrees  was observed for 13 SCAs. The average OA on
      MRA was 69.05 degrees +/-14.26 degrees  (range 35-107 degrees ) in 55 infundibula
      of 52 patients. An OA of >=90 degrees  was seen in one patient with one
      infundibulum; while an OA of <90 degrees  was observed for 54 infundibula (98.2%)
      in 51 patients. The average OA in SCAs (n=172) was greater than the average OA in
      infundibula (n=55; 102.96 degrees  vs 69.05 degrees , p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The
      OA at MRA could serve as discriminant for accurate diagnosis of, and
      differentiation between, small SCAs and infundibula.

PMID- 27260973
TI  - Clinical outcomes following corticosteroid administration in patients with
      delayed diagnosis of spinal arteriovenous fistulas.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There have been several previously reported cases of
      acute progression of myelopathic symptoms in patients with spinal arteriovenous
      fistula (SAVF) treated with intravenous methylprednisolone. This usually occurs
      during or immediately following steroid administration. We examined a small case
      series of patients with SAVF treated with epidural, oral, or intravenous steroids
      to determine the association between steroid administration and clinical outcomes
      in these patients. METHODS: Following Institutional Review Board approval, we
      conducted a retrospective review of patients with angiographically-confirmed SAVF
      who received intravenous, oral, or epidural corticosteroids for treatment of
      their symptoms. We studied patient-reported motor and sensory function following
      steroid administration using both the modified Rankin Scale and the Aminoff Motor
      Disability Scale. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with SAVF were included in this
      study. Thirteen patients (61.9%) had intravenous methylprednisolone administered,
      four patients (19.0%) had epidural steroid injections, and six patients (28.6%)
      had oral prednisone. Among patients who received intravenous methylprednisolone,
      seven (53.8%) reported acute worsening of symptoms during or immediately
      following steroid administration. Among the patients receiving epidural steroids,
      none reported worsening and one patient reported short-term relief. Among the
      patients receiving oral steroids, one reported acute worsening of symptoms.
      Worsened deficits did not consistently resolve after steroid discontinuation.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that intravenous methylprednisolone can cause
      immediate worsening of motor and sensory symptoms when administered to patients
      with SAVF. Steroid administration should be avoided in patients with a myelopathy
      secondary to an untreated SAVF because neurological worsening may not be fully
      reversible.

PMID- 27260974
TI  - The role of antenatal corticosteroids in twin pregnancies complicated by preterm
      birth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data regarding the effects of antenatal corticosteroids in twin
      pregnancies are limited because of the insufficient number of women with twins
      enrolled in randomized controlled trials on antenatal corticosteroids.
      Furthermore, the interpretation of available data is limited by the fact that the
      interval from the administration of antenatal corticosteroids to delivery is
      greater than 7 days in a large proportion of twins, a factor that has been shown
      to affect the efficacy of antenatal corticosteroids and has not been controlled
      for in previous studies. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare
      neonatal mortality and morbidity in preterm twins receiving a complete course of
      antenatal corticosteroids 1-7 days before birth to those who did not receive
      antenatal corticosteroids and to compare these outcome effects with those
      observed in singletons. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study
      using data collected on singleton and twin neonates born between 24(0/7) and
      33(6/7) weeks' gestational age and were admitted to tertiary neonatal units in
      Canada between 2010 and 2014. A comparison of neonatal outcomes between twin
      neonates who received a complete course of antenatal corticosteroids 1-7 days
      before birth (n = 1758) and those who did not receive antenatal corticosteroids
      (n = 758) and between singleton neonates who received a complete course of
      antenatal corticosteroids 1-7 days before birth (n = 4638) and those did not
      receive antenatal corticosteroids (n = 2312) was conducted after adjusting for
      gestational age, sex, hypertension, outborn status, small for gestational age,
      parity, and cesarean birth. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for
      various neonatal outcomes were calculated. RESULTS: Administration of a complete
      course of antenatal corticosteroids within 1-7 days before birth in both twins
      and singletons was associated with similar reduced odds of neonatal death (for
      twins adjusted odds ratio 0.42 [95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.76] and for
      singletons adjusted odds ratios, 0.38 [95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.50]; P =
      .7 for comparison of twins vs singletons), mechanical ventilation (for twins
      adjusted odds ratio, 0.47 [95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.63] and for singletons
      adjusted odds ratio, 0.47 [95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.55]; P = .9),
      respiratory distress syndrome (for twins adjusted odds ratio, 0.53 [95%
      confidence interval, 0.40-0.69], and for singletons adjusted odds ratio, 0.54
      [95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.62]; P = .9) and severe neurological injury (for
      twins adjusted odds ratio, 0.50 [95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.83] and for
      singletons adjusted odds ratio, 0.45 [95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.59]; P =
      .7). Administration of a complete course of antenatal corticosteroids was not
      associated with a reduced odds of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe retinopathy
      of prematurity, or necrotizing enterocolitis in both twins and singletons.
      CONCLUSION: Administration of a complete course of antenatal corticosteroids 1-7
      days before birth in twin pregnancies is associated with a clinically significant
      decrease in neonatal mortality, short-term respiratory morbidity, and severe
      neurological injury that is similar in magnitude to that observed among
      singletons.

PMID- 27260985
TI  - System dynamics-based evaluation of interventions to promote appropriate waste
      disposal behaviors in low-income urban areas: A Baltimore case study.
AB  - Inappropriate waste disposal is a serious issue in many urban neighborhoods,
      exacerbating environmental, rodent, and public health problems. Governments all
      over the world have been developing interventions to reduce inappropriate waste
      disposal. A system dynamics model is proposed to quantify the impacts of
      interventions on residential waste related behavior. In contrast to other models
      of municipal solid waste management, the structure of our model is based on
      sociological and economic studies on how incentives and social norms
      interactively affect waste disposal behavior, and its parameterization is
      informed by field work. A case study of low-income urban neighborhoods in
      Baltimore, MD, USA is presented. The simulation results show the effects of
      individual interventions, and also identify positive interactions among some
      potential interventions, especially information and incentive-based policies, as
      well as their limitations. The model can help policy analysts identify the most
      promising intervention packages, and then field test those few, rather than
      having to pilot test all combinations. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate large
      uncertainties about behavioral responses to some interventions, showing where
      information from survey research and social experiments would improve policy
      making. 

PMID- 27260975
TI  - PGRMC1 participates in late events of bovine granulosa cells mitosis and oocyte
      meiosis.
AB  - Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 (PGRMC1) is expressed in both oocyte
      and ovarian somatic cells, where it is found in multiple cellular sub
      compartments including the mitotic spindle apparatus. PGRMC1 localization in the
      maturing bovine oocytes mirrors its localization in mitotic cells, suggesting a
      possible common action in mitosis and meiosis. To test the hypothesis that
      altering PGRMC1 activity leads to similar defects in mitosis and meiosis, PGRMC1
      function was perturbed in cultured bovine granulosa cells (bGC) and maturing
      oocytes and the effect on mitotic and meiotic progression assessed. RNA
      interference-mediated PGRMC1 silencing in bGC significantly reduced cell
      proliferation, with a concomitant increase in the percentage of cells arrested at
      G2/M phase, which is consistent with an arrested or prolonged M-phase. This
      observation was confirmed by time-lapse imaging that revealed defects in late
      karyokinesis. In agreement with a role during late mitotic events, a direct
      interaction between PGRMC1 and Aurora Kinase B (AURKB) was observed in the
      central spindle at of dividing cells. Similarly, treatment with the PGRMC1
      inhibitor AG205 or PGRMC1 silencing in the oocyte impaired completion of meiosis
      I. Specifically the ability of the oocyte to extrude the first polar body was
      significantly impaired while meiotic figures aberration and chromatin scattering
      within the ooplasm increased. Finally, analysis of PGRMC1 and AURKB localization
      in AG205-treated oocytes confirmed an altered localization of both proteins when
      meiotic errors occur. The present findings demonstrate that PGRMC1 participates
      in late events of both mammalian mitosis and oocyte meiosis, consistent with
      PGRMC1's localization at the mid-zone and mid-body of the mitotic and meiotic
      spindle. 

PMID- 27260986
TI  - Production of high quality brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and
      tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) RNA from isolated populations of rat spinal
      cord motor neurons obtained by Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM).
AB  - The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is composed of multiple cellular
      elements, making it challenging to segregate one particular cell type to study
      their gene expression profile. For instance, as motor neurons represent only 5
      10% of the total cell population of the spinal cord, meaningful transcriptional
      analysis on these neurons is almost impossible to achieve from homogenized spinal
      cord tissue. A major challenge faced by scientists is to obtain good quality RNA
      from small amounts of starting material. In this paper, we used Laser Capture
      Microdissection (LCM) techniques to identify and isolate spinal cord motor
      neurons. The present analysis revealed that perfusion with paraformaldehyde (PFA)
      does not alter RNA quality. RNA integrity numbers (RINs) of tissue samples from
      rubrospinal tract (RST)-transected, intact spinal cord or from whole spinal cord
      homogenate were all above 8, which indicates intact, high-quality RNA. Levels of
      mRNA for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or for its tropomyosin receptor
      kinase B (TrkB) were not affected by rubrospinal tract (RST) transection, a
      surgical procedure that deprive motor neurons from one of their main supraspinal
      input. The isolation of pure populations of neurons with LCM techniques allows
      for robust transcriptional characterization that cannot be achieved with spinal
      cord homogenates. Such preparations of pure population of motor neurons will
      provide valuable tools to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms
      underlying spinal cord injury and neuromuscular diseases. In the near future, LCM
      techniques might be instrumental to the success of gene therapy for these
      debilitating conditions.

PMID- 27260987
TI  - Neural activity during self-referential working memory and the underlying role of
      the amygdala in social anxiety disorder.
AB  - Self-referential processing, theory of mind, and working memory are distorted in
      social anxiety disorder (SAD). This study aimed to investigate characteristics of
      altered self-referential working memory processing and resting-state functional
      connectivity in patients with SAD. Twenty patients and 20 healthy controls
      underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging at resting-state and while
      performing a working memory task containing faces with self-referential positive
      or negative comments and three memory phases (encoding, maintenance, and
      retrieval). Task-related results were compared between groups and tested for
      correlations. Resting-state connectivity between amygdala subregions and regions
      showing a task-related difference was also compared between groups. Patients
      compared to controls showed augmented memory for the negative comments,
      hyperactivation of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and temporo-parietal
      junction during encoding, and hypoactivation of the dorsolateral prefrontal
      cortex and insula during retrieval. At resting-state, increased connectivity of
      amygdala subregions with multiple task-related regions was found in patients.
      These findings suggest that the encoding process in SAD is accompanied by altered
      involvement of self-referential processing and theory of mind, whereas the
      retrieval process reflects impaired cognitive control. These memory-related
      processing may be affected by predisposing resting-state hyperconnectivity with
      the amygdala, and may underlie a hypersensitivity to negative comments and post
      event reflection in SAD.

PMID- 27260988
TI  - Up-regulation of stem cell markers by P21-activated kinase 1 contributes to 5
      fluorouracil resistance of colorectal cancer.
AB  - Cancer stem cells (CSC) are tumorigenic and resistant to chemotherapy. In
      colorectal cancer (CRC), CSCs have been identified by the expression of specific
      markers, including CD44, Bmi1 and Nanog. Although p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1),
      acting downstream of Ras, stimulates Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and is known to
      play an important role in CRC development and progression, the role of PAK1 in
      the expression of CSC markers has not previously been investigated. The effect of
      PAK1 over-expression, knockdown or inhibition on the expression or alteration (in
      the case of CD44) of CSC markers in human CRC cell lines was measured by
      immunofluorescence and Western blotting. The effect of PAK1 modulation on
      tumorigenesis, and on resistance to treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), was
      measured by sphere formation in vitro and by growth of xenografted tumors in
      vivo. The results show that PAK1 activity correlated with the expression of CSC
      markers and the CD44 isoform profile, and with tumor growth both in vitro and in
      vivo. Furthermore PAK overexpression partially overcame the inhibition of CRC
      growth by 5-FU, and PAK inhibition was synergistic with 5-FU treatment. Our
      findings lay the foundation for a combination therapy in which PAK1 inhibitors
      targeting CSCs may be combined with conventional 5-FU-based chemotherapy for the
      treatment of CRC.

PMID- 27260989
TI  - Rapid and reliable identification of waterborne Legionella species by MALDI-TOF
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - Detection and enumeration of Legionella bacteria in drinking water is regulated
      in Germany by ISO 11731-2. The mandatory method for species identification
      employs parallel subculturing of suspicious colonies on selective media requiring
      the handling of a large number of cultivation plates. After changes to the
      drinking water quality regulation in Germany in 2012 the demand for Legionella
      contamination testing increased drastically. A more reliable, faster and less
      laborious method for species identification is therefore desirable. Matrix
      assisted laser desorption ionization followed by time of flight detection mass
      spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) promises an accelerated identification of bacteria
      with high reliability and reduced expenditure. Our study shows that MS-based
      species identification results are in full concordance with cultural and
      biochemical detection and differentiation and that valuable additional
      information can be gained, even though the ISO regulation demands an extended
      incubation period for primary bacterial cultures that is actually in contrast to
      the prerequisites of the MALDI Biotyper system. In addition, the established
      identification algorithm is very economical and improves time-to-result. Based on
      our findings, the amendment of MALID-TOF MS identification to ISO11731-2 as an
      alternative identification method should be taken into consideration.

PMID- 27260990
TI  - The effect of direct and counter-current flow-through delignification on
      enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat straw, and flow limits due to compressibility.
AB  - This article compares the processes for wheat straw lignocellulose fractionation
      by percolation, counter-current progressing batch percolation and batch reaction
      at low NaOH-loadings (3-6% of DM). The flow-through processes were found to
      improve delignification and subsequent enzymatic saccharification, reduce NaOH
      consumption and allow reduction of thermal severity, whereas hemicellulose
      dissolution was unaffected. However, contrary to previous expectations, a counter
      current process did not provide additional benefits to regular percolation. The
      compressibility and flow properties of a straw bed were determined and used for
      simulation of the packing density profile and dynamic pressure in an industrial
      scale column. After dissolution of 30% of the straw DM by delignification, a
      pressure drop above 100 kPa m-1 led to clogging of the flow due to compaction of
      straw. Accordingly, the maximum applicable feed pressure and volumetric straw
      throughput was determined as a function of column height, indicating that a 10 m
      column can be operated at a maximum feed pressure of 530 kPa, corresponding to an
      operation time of 50 min and a throughput of 163 kg m-3  h-1 . Biotechnol.
      Bioeng. 2016;113: 2605-2613. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27260991
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 27260992
TI  - Reply by Authors.

PMID- 27260993
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 27260994
TI  - Conversion to hemiarthroplasty as a salvage procedure for failed reverse shoulder
      arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Optimal treatment of a failed reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is
      unclear. In the case of poor glenoid bone stock, retaining a RSA may be
      infeasible. We report our experience with conversions to hemiarthroplasty.
      METHODS: Within 7 years, 16 patients underwent conversion to hemiarthroplasty
      after failed RSA. All patients had insufficient bone stock for reimplantation of
      another RSA. Standard radiographs and Constant, Shoulder Pain and Disability
      Index, and the 11-item version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand
      scores were assessed preoperatively and up to a minimum of 24 months after
      surgery. Postoperative superior migration and complications were also documented.
      RESULTS: Glenoid loosening was the primary reason for RSA failure in 11 patients.
      Three required revision surgery because of infection. Postoperative functional
      outcome was generally poor at the latest follow-up, with mean Constant, Shoulder
      Pain and Disability Index, and 11-item version of the Disabilities of the Arm,
      Shoulder and Hand scores of 25, 37, and 63 points, respectively. Baseline pain
      also did not improve. Medialization progressed beyond the coracoid in 6 patients,
      and complete anterosuperior escape was reported in 3 patients. Three
      postoperative complications were recorded by the final follow-up, including 2
      periprosthetic humeral fractures treated conservatively and 1 patient with
      painful humeral component medialization leading to resection arthroplasty.
      CONCLUSION: With excessive bone stock loss, hemiarthroplasty remains an option,
      despite the associated risks of uncertain pain relief and poor functional
      outcome. This technique offers a lower likelihood of undertaking further surgical
      interventions within the short-term to midterm postoperative period.
      Nevertheless, resection arthroplasty may still be considered another valuable
      solution.

PMID- 27260995
TI  - Intra-articular lesions and their relation to arthroscopic stabilization failure
      in young patients with first-time and recurrent shoulder dislocations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the frequency of intra-articular lesions
      between young patients with first-time shoulder dislocations and those with
      recurrent shoulder dislocations and to assess the correlation between intra
      articular lesions and failure of arthroscopic stabilization. METHODS: The study
      enrolled 33 patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair after first-time
      shoulder dislocation before the age of 30 years. There were 89 age-matched
      patients who were treated arthroscopically for recurrent dislocation included as
      a control group. RESULTS: Among intra-articular pathologic findings, anterior
      glenoid erosion (P = .043) and anterior labral periosteal sleeve avulsion lesions
      (P = .048) were found more frequently in the recurrent dislocation group. There
      was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in American
      Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (P = .675) and Rowe (P = .132) scores at the last
      follow-up. However, there was a significant difference in the failure rate after
      operation between the 2 groups (P = .039). In the first-time dislocation group, 1
      patient had redislocation and none showed positive apprehension. In the recurrent
      dislocation group, 6 patients had redislocation and 10 patients had positive
      apprehension. Eight of 10 patients who showed positive apprehension had either
      anterior labral periosteal sleeve avulsion lesions or anterior glenoid erosion.
      The patients' satisfaction with daily activities was significantly better in the
      first-time dislocation group (93.0 +/- 5.2) than in the recurrent dislocation
      group (82.7 +/- 7.2; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary surgical treatment for first
      time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation provided satisfactory functional
      outcomes and improved quality of life. Primary arthroscopic stabilization can be
      considered one of the treatment options in patients younger than 30 years with
      first-time shoulder dislocation to prevent further intra-articular injuries that
      may contribute to recurrence.

PMID- 27260996
TI  - Heterotopic ossification of the long head of the triceps after reverse total
      shoulder arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heterotopic ossification (HO) around shoulder arthroplasty is a
      frequent finding with unclear clinical relevance. This study evaluated the
      incidence, relevance, and predisposing factors of HO in the long head of the
      triceps tendon after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: Retrospective chart
      review was conducted to identify patients who had a reverse shoulder arthroplasty
      performed between 2008 and 2012. Patient demographics, implant types, and
      diagnoses were noted. Three fellowship-trained shoulder/elbow surgeons
      independently evaluated postoperative Grashey radiographs using a novel
      classification system. RESULTS: Within a 164-patient cohort, the overall HO rate
      in the long head of the triceps tendon was 61.6%; 23.2% of osteophytes were
      considered impinging, 14.6% had notching, 14.0% were free-floating, and 3.0%
      appeared ankylosed. Although not statistically significant, revision surgery had
      a higher rate of HO (68.3%) compared with primary surgery (59.4%). There was no
      difference in HO rates between diagnoses or implant types. Male and female HO
      rates were 74.0% and 56.1%, respectively (P = .0304). Between patients with and
      without HO, forward elevation was 121 degrees  compared with 133 degrees  (P =
      .0087) and external rotation was 19 degrees  compared with 25 degrees  (P =
      .0266); however, HO size did not significantly affect motion. CONCLUSIONS: Using
      our novel classification scheme, HO was a common finding in this series. Men had
      a higher rate of HO formation, and HO formation was associated with worse
      postoperative motion. Further study is needed to fully characterize the clinical
      implications of HO involving the long head of the triceps tendon and to explore
      potential preventive measures.

PMID- 27260997
TI  - Patient resistance as a resource: candidate obstacles in diabetes consultations.
AB  - This study uses conversation analysis to explore 'candidate obstacles', a
      practice observed in sequences of patient resistance to lifestyle advice within
      health professional consultations. This article presents illustrative analyses of
      selected data excerpts drawn from audio-visual recordings of 116 tracked
      consultations between health professionals and 34 patients newly diagnosed with
      type 2 diabetes mellitus in New Zealand. The analysis shows that in consultations
      where health promotion activities are central, patient resistance can provide
      space for patients to identify obstacles to their compliance with lifestyle
      advice. Identifying candidate obstacles provides opportunities for health
      professionals to align advice with concerns of patients and potentially improve
      patient outcomes.

PMID- 27260998
TI  - Lipotoxicity: Many Roads to Cell Dysfunction and Cell Death: Introduction to a
      Thematic Review Series.

PMID- 27260999
TI  - A Genome-Wide Screen for Dendritically Localized RNAs Identifies Genes Required
      for Dendrite Morphogenesis.
AB  - Localizing messenger RNAs at specific subcellular sites is a conserved mechanism
      for targeting the synthesis of cytoplasmic proteins to distinct subcellular
      domains, thereby generating the asymmetric protein distributions necessary for
      cellular and developmental polarity. However, the full range of transcripts that
      are asymmetrically distributed in specialized cell types, and the significance of
      their localization, especially in the nervous system, are not known. We used the
      EP-MS2 method, which combines EP transposon insertion with the MS2/MCP in vivo
      fluorescent labeling system, to screen for novel localized transcripts in
      polarized cells, focusing on the highly branched Drosophila class IV dendritic
      arborization neurons. Of a total of 541 lines screened, we identified 55 EP-MS2
      insertions producing transcripts that were enriched in neuronal processes,
      particularly in dendrites. The 47 genes identified by these insertions encode
      molecularly diverse proteins, and are enriched for genes that function in
      neuronal development and physiology. RNAi-mediated knockdown confirmed roles for
      many of the candidate genes in dendrite morphogenesis. We propose that the
      transport of mRNAs encoded by these genes into the dendrites allows their
      expression to be regulated on a local scale during the dynamic developmental
      processes of dendrite outgrowth, branching, and/or remodeling.

PMID- 27261000
TI  - A Population of Deletion Mutants and an Integrated Mapping and Exome-seq Pipeline
      for Gene Discovery in Maize.
AB  - To better understand maize endosperm filling and maturation, we used gamma
      irradiation of the B73 maize reference line to generate mutants with opaque
      endosperm and reduced kernel fill phenotypes, and created a population of 1788
      lines including 39 Mo17 * F2s showing stable, segregating, and viable kernel
      phenotypes. For molecular characterization of the mutants, we developed a novel
      functional genomics platform that combined bulked segregant RNA and exome
      sequencing (BSREx-seq) to map causative mutations and identify candidate genes
      within mapping intervals. To exemplify the utility of the mutants and provide
      proof-of-concept for the bioinformatics platform, we present detailed
      characterization of line 937, an opaque mutant harboring a 6203 bp in-frame
      deletion covering six exons within the Opaque-1 gene. In addition, we describe
      mutant line 146 which contains a 4.8 kb intragene deletion within the Sugary-1
      gene and line 916 in which an 8.6 kb deletion knocks out a Cyclin A2 gene. The
      publically available algorithm developed in this work improves the identification
      of causative deletions and its corresponding gaps within mapping peaks. This
      study demonstrates the utility of gamma-irradiation for forward genetics in large
      nondense genomes such as maize since deletions often affect single genes.
      Furthermore, we show how this classical mutagenesis method becomes applicable for
      functional genomics when combined with state-of-the-art genomics tools.

PMID- 27261001
TI  - A Genetic Screen for Mutants with Supersized Lipid Droplets in Caenorhabditis
      elegans.
AB  - To identify genes that regulate the dynamics of lipid droplet (LD) size, we have
      used the genetically tractable model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, whose wild
      type LD population displays a steady state of size with an upper limit of 3 MUm
      in diameter. From a saturated forward genetic screen of 6.7 * 10(5) mutagenized
      haploid genomes, we isolated 118 mutants with supersized intestinal LDs often
      reaching 10 MUm. These mutants define nine novel complementation groups, in
      addition to four known genes (maoc-1, dhs-28, daf-22, and prx-10). The nine
      groups are named drop (lipid droplet abnormal) and categorized into four classes.
      Class I mutants drop-5 and drop-9, similar to prx-10, are up-regulated in ACS-22
      DGAT-2-dependent LD growth, resistant to LD hydrolysis, and defective in
      peroxisome import. Class II mutants drop-2, drop-3, drop-6, and drop-7 are up
      regulated in LD growth, are resistant to LD hydrolysis, but are not defective in
      peroxisome import. Class III mutants drop-1 and drop-8 are neither up-regulated
      in LD growth nor resistant to LD hydrolysis, but seemingly up-regulated in LD
      fusion. Class IV mutant drop-4 is cloned as sams-1 and, different to the other
      three classes, is ACS-22-independent and hydrolysis-resistant. These four classes
      of supersized LD mutants should be valuable for mechanistic studies of LD
      cellular processes including growth, hydrolysis, and fusion.

PMID- 27261003
TI  - MeSH-Informed Enrichment Analysis and MeSH-Guided Semantic Similarity Among
      Functional Terms and Gene Products in Chicken.
AB  - Biomedical vocabularies and ontologies aid in recapitulating biological
      knowledge. The annotation of gene products is mainly accelerated by Gene Ontology
      (GO), and more recently by Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Here, we report a
      suite of MeSH packages for chicken in Bioconductor, and illustrate some features
      of different MeSH-based analyses, including MeSH-informed enrichment analysis and
      MeSH-guided semantic similarity among terms and gene products, using two lists of
      chicken genes available in public repositories. The two published datasets that
      were employed represent (i) differentially expressed genes, and (ii) candidate
      genes under selective sweep or epistatic selection. The comparison of MeSH with
      GO overrepresentation analyses suggested not only that MeSH supports the findings
      obtained from GO analysis, but also that MeSH is able to further enrich the
      representation of biological knowledge and often provide more interpretable
      results. Based on the hierarchical structures of MeSH and GO, we computed
      semantic similarities among vocabularies, as well as semantic similarities among
      selected genes. These yielded the similarity levels between significant
      functional terms, and the annotation of each gene yielded the measures of gene
      similarity. Our findings show the benefits of using MeSH as an alternative choice
      of annotation in order to draw biological inferences from a list of genes of
      interest. We argue that the use of MeSH in conjunction with GO will be
      instrumental in facilitating the understanding of the genetic basis of complex
      traits.

PMID- 27261002
TI  - Transcriptome Profiling Identifies Multiplexin as a Target of SAGA Deubiquitinase
      Activity in Glia Required for Precise Axon Guidance During Drosophila Visual
      Development.
AB  - The Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex is a transcriptional
      coactivator with histone acetylase and deubiquitinase activities that plays an
      important role in visual development and function. In Drosophila melanogaster,
      four SAGA subunits are required for the deubiquitination of monoubiquitinated
      histone H2B (ubH2B): Nonstop, Sgf11, E(y)2, and Ataxin 7. Mutations that disrupt
      SAGA deubiquitinase activity cause defects in neuronal connectivity in the
      developing Drosophila visual system. In addition, mutations in SAGA result in the
      human progressive visual disorder spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7). Glial
      cells play a crucial role in both the neuronal connectivity defect in nonstop and
      sgf11 flies, and in the retinal degeneration observed in SCA7 patients. Thus, we
      sought to identify the gene targets of SAGA deubiquitinase activity in glia in
      the Drosophila larval central nervous system. To do this, we enriched glia from
      wild-type, nonstop, and sgf11 larval optic lobes using affinity-purification of
      KASH-GFP tagged nuclei, and then examined each transcriptome using RNA-seq. Our
      analysis showed that SAGA deubiquitinase activity is required for proper
      expression of 16% of actively transcribed genes in glia, especially genes
      involved in proteasome function, protein folding and axon guidance. We further
      show that the SAGA deubiquitinase-activated gene Multiplexin (Mp) is required in
      glia for proper photoreceptor axon targeting. Mutations in the human ortholog of
      Mp, COL18A1, have been identified in a family with a SCA7-like progressive visual
      disorder, suggesting that defects in the expression of this gene in SCA7 patients
      could play a role in the retinal degeneration that is unique to this ataxia.

PMID- 27261004
TI  - Septate Junction Proteins Play Essential Roles in Morphogenesis Throughout
      Embryonic Development in Drosophila.
AB  - The septate junction (SJ) is the occluding junction found in the ectodermal
      epithelia of invertebrate organisms, and is essential to maintain chemically
      distinct compartments in epithelial organs, to provide the blood-brain barrier in
      the nervous system, and to provide an important line of defense against invading
      pathogens. More than 20 genes have been identified to function in the
      establishment or maintenance of SJs in Drosophila melanogaster Numerous studies
      have demonstrated the cell biological function of these proteins in establishing
      the occluding junction, whereas very few studies have examined further
      developmental roles for them. Here we examined embryos with mutations in nine
      different core SJ genes and found that all nine result in defects in embryonic
      development as early as germ band retraction, with the most penetrant defect
      observed in head involution. SJ genes are also required for cell shape changes
      and cell rearrangements that drive the elongation of the salivary gland during
      midembryogenesis. Interestingly, these developmental events occur at a time prior
      to the formation of the occluding junction, when SJ proteins localize along the
      lateral membrane and have not yet coalesced into the region of the SJ. Together,
      these observations reveal an underappreciated role for a large group of SJ genes
      in essential developmental events during embryogenesis, and suggest that the
      function of these proteins in facilitating cell shape changes and rearrangements
      is independent of their role in the occluding junction.

PMID- 27261005
TI  - Mutations in Dnaaf1 and Lrrc48 Cause Hydrocephalus, Laterality Defects, and
      Sinusitis in Mice.
AB  - We have previously described a forward genetic screen in mice for abnormalities
      of brain development. Characterization of two hydrocephalus mutants by whole
      exome sequencing after whole-genome SNP mapping revealed novel recessive
      mutations in Dnaaf1 and Lrrc48 Mouse mutants of these two genes have not been
      previously reported. The Dnaaf1 mutant carries a mutation at the splice donor
      site of exon 4, which results in abnormal transcripts. The Lrrc48 mutation is a
      missense mutation at a highly conserved leucine residue, which is also associated
      with a decrease in Lrrc48 transcription. Both Dnaaf1 and Lrrc48 belong to a
      leucine-rich repeat-containing protein family and are components of the ciliary
      axoneme. Their Chlamydomonas orthologs are known to be required for normal
      ciliary beat frequency or flagellar waveform, respectively. Some Dnaaf1 or Lrrc48
      homozygote mutants displayed laterality defects, suggesting a motile cilia defect
      in the embryonic node. Mucus accumulation and neutrophil infiltration in the
      maxillary sinuses suggested sinusitis. Dnaaf1 mutants showed postnatal lethality,
      and none survived to weaning age. Lrrc48 mutants survive to adulthood, but had
      male infertility. ARL13B immunostaining showed the presence of motile cilia in
      the mutants, and the distal distribution of DNAH9 in the axoneme of upper airway
      motile cilia appeared normal. The phenotypic abnormalities suggest that mutations
      in Dnaaf1 and Lrrc48 cause defects in motile cilia function.

PMID- 27261006
TI  - Characterization of a Single Genomic Locus Encoding the Clustered Protocadherin
      Receptor Diversity in Xenopus tropicalis.
AB  - Clustered protocadherins (cPcdhs) constitute the largest subgroup of the cadherin
      superfamily, and in mammals are grouped into clusters of alpha-, beta-, and gamma
      types. Tens of tandemly arranged paralogous Pcdh genes of the Pcdh clusters
      generate a substantial diversity of receptor isoforms. cPcdhs are known to have
      important roles in neuronal development, and genetic alterations of cPcdhs have
      been found to be associated with several neurological diseases. Here, we present
      a first characterization of cPcdhs in Xenopus tropicalis We determined and
      annotated all cPcdh isoforms, revealing that they are present in a single
      chromosomal locus. We validated a total of 96 isoforms, which we show are
      organized in three distinct clusters. The X. tropicalis cPcdh locus is composed
      of one alpha- and two distinct gamma-Pcdh clusters (pcdh-gamma1 and pcdh-gamma2).
      Bioinformatics analyses assisted by genomic BAC clone sequencing showed that the
      X. tropicalis alpha- and gamma-Pcdhs are conserved at the cluster level, but,
      unlike mammals, X. tropicalis does not contain a beta-Pcdh cluster. In contrast,
      the number of gamma-Pcdh isoforms has expanded, possibly due to lineage-specific
      gene duplications. Interestingly, the number of X. tropicalis alpha-Pcdhs is
      identical between X. tropicalis and mouse. Moreover, we find highly conserved as
      well as novel promoter elements potentially involved in regulating the cluster
      specific expression of cPcdh isoforms. This study provides important information
      for the understanding of the evolutionary history of cPcdh genes and future
      mechanistic studies. It provides an annotated X. tropicalis cPcdh genomic map and
      a first molecular characterization essential for functional and comparative
      studies.

PMID- 27261007
TI  - Relationships Between RNA Polymerase II Activity and Spt Elongation Factors to
      Spt- Phenotype and Growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - The interplay between adjacent transcription units can result in transcription
      dependent alterations in chromatin structure or recruitment of factors that
      determine transcription outcomes, including the generation of intragenic or other
      cryptic transcripts derived from cryptic promoters. Mutations in a number of
      genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae confer both cryptic intragenic transcription
      and the Suppressor of Ty (Spt(-)) phenotype for the lys2-128? allele of the LYS2
      gene. Mutants that suppress lys2-128? allow transcription from a normally
      inactive Ty1 ? promoter, conferring a LYS(+) phenotype. The arrangement of
      transcription units at lys2-128? is reminiscent of genes containing cryptic
      promoters within their open reading frames. We set out to examine the
      relationship between RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) activity, functions of Spt
      elongation factors, and cryptic transcription because of the previous observation
      that increased-activity Pol II alleles confer an Spt(-) phenotype. We identify
      both cooperating and antagonistic genetic interactions between Pol II alleles and
      alleles of elongation factors SPT4, SPT5, and SPT6 We find that cryptic
      transcription at FLO8 and STE11 is distinct from that at lys2-128?, though all
      show sensitivity to reduction in Pol II activity, especially the expression of
      lys2-128? found in Spt(-) mutants. We determine that the lys2-128? Spt(-)
      phenotypes for spt6-1004 and increased activity rpo21/rpb1 alleles each require
      transcription from the LYS2 promoter. Furthermore, we identify the Ty1
      transcription start site (TSS) within the ? element as the position of Spt(-)
      transcription in tested Spt(-) mutants.

PMID- 27261055
TI  - Perceived needs for mental health care and barriers to treatment across age
      groups.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess responses to a structured measure of
      perceived need for treatment to understand whether differences in treatment
      uptake across age groups are related to differences in: (1) perceived need for
      mental health care; (2) perceptions of treatment needs being met; and/or (3)
      perceived attitudinal and structural treatment barriers. METHODS: Data from a
      nationally representative sample of the Australian population (2007 National
      Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing) were analysed using logistic and
      multinomial regression. All participants potentially benefiting from mental
      health services were included in analyses; including those reporting symptoms of
      mental disorders, using mental health services, or self-reporting significant
      mental health problems in the past 12 months (n = 5733). All regression analyses
      were adjusted for gender, the presence of chronic physical health conditions,
      disorder type, and disorder severity. RESULTS: Older adults were the least likely
      to report any perceived need for mental health care, and specifically reported
      lower needs for psychotherapy, information about available services, and support
      improving their ability to work. Older adults perceiving a need for mental health
      care were also the most likely to report having these needs met. There were no
      differences in attitudinal and structural barriers to treatment across age
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight that age needs to be considered in
      strategies for improving engagement and efficacy of mental health services, as
      well as the need for further research to understand what drives age differences
      in perceived need for mental health care.

PMID- 27261008
TI  - Achieving Synergy: Linking an Internet-Based Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort to
      a Community-Based Inception Cohort and Multicentered Cohort in Inflammatory Bowel
      Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traditional cohort studies are important contributors to our
      understanding of inflammatory bowel diseases, but they are labor intensive and
      often do not focus on patient-reported outcomes. Internet-based studies provide
      new opportunities to study patient-reported outcomes and can be efficiently
      implemented and scaled. If a traditional cohort study was linked to an Internet
      based study, both studies could benefit from added synergy. Existing cohort
      studies provide an opportunity to develop and test processes for cohort linkage.
      The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America's (CCFA) Partners study is an
      Internet-based cohort of more than 14,000 participants. The Ocean State Crohn's
      and Colitis Area Registry (OSCCAR) is an inception cohort. The Sinai-Helmsley
      Alliance for Research Excellence (SHARE) is a multicentered cohort of
      inflammatory bowel disease patients. Both the later cohorts include medical
      record abstraction, patient surveys, and biospecimen collection. OBJECTIVE: Given
      the complementary nature of these existing cohorts, we sought to corecruit and
      link data. METHODS: Eligible OSCCAR and SHARE participants were invited to join
      the CCFA Partners study and provide consent for data sharing between the 2
      cohorts. After informed consent, participants were directed to the CCFA Partners
      website to complete enrollment and a baseline Web-based survey. Participants were
      linked across the 2 cohorts by the matching of an email address. We compared
      demographic and clinical characteristics between OSCCAR and SHARE participants
      who did and did not enroll in CCFA Partners and the data linkage. RESULTS: Of 408
      participants in the OSCCAR cohort, 320 were eligible for participation in the
      CCFA Partners cohort. Of these participants, 243 consented to participation;
      however, only 44 enrolled in CCFA Partners and completed the linkage. OSCCAR
      participants who enrolled in CCFA Partners were better educated (17% with
      doctoral degrees) than those who did not (3% with doctoral degrees, P=.01). In
      the SHARE cohort, 436 participants enrolled and linked to the Partners cohort.
      More women (60% vs 50%) linked and those who linked were predominantly white
      (96%; P<.01). Crohn's disease patients who linked had lower mean scores on the
      Harvey-Bradshaw Index (3.6 vs 4.4, P<.01). Ulcerative colitis patients who linked
      had less extensive disease than those who did not link (45% vs 60%, P<.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Linkage of CCFA Partners with cohorts such as OSCCAR and SHARE may
      be a cost-effective way to expand the infrastructure for clinical outcomes and
      translational research. Although linkage is feasible from a technical, legal, and
      regulatory perspective, participant willingness appears to be a limiting factor.
      Overcoming this barrier will be needed to generate meaningful sample sizes to
      conduct studies of biomarkers, natural history, and clinical effectiveness using
      linked data.

PMID- 27261056
TI  - Taking Aim at the Cognitive Side of Learning in Sensorimotor Adaptation Tasks.
AB  - Sensorimotor adaptation tasks have been used to characterize processes
      responsible for calibrating the mapping between desired outcomes and motor
      commands. Research has focused on how this form of error-based learning takes
      place in an implicit and automatic manner. However, recent work has revealed the
      operation of multiple learning processes, even in this simple form of learning.
      This review focuses on the contribution of cognitive strategies and heuristics to
      sensorimotor learning, and how these processes enable humans to rapidly explore
      and evaluate novel solutions to enable flexible, goal-oriented behavior. This new
      work points to limitations in current computational models, and how these must be
      updated to describe the conjoint impact of multiple processes in sensorimotor
      learning.

PMID- 27261057
TI  - The Functional Anatomy of Time: What and When in the Brain.
AB  - This Opinion article considers the implications for functional anatomy of how we
      represent temporal structure in our exchanges with the world. It offers a
      theoretical treatment that tries to make sense of the architectural principles
      seen in mammalian brains. Specifically, it considers a factorisation between
      representations of temporal succession and representations of content or,
      heuristically, a segregation into when and what. This segregation may explain the
      central role of the hippocampus in neuronal hierarchies while providing a
      tentative explanation for recent observations of how ordinal sequences are
      encoded. The implications for neuroanatomy and physiology may have something
      important to say about how self-organised cell assembly sequences enable the
      brain to exhibit purposeful behaviour that transcends the here and now.

PMID- 27261058
TI  - Effects of prenatal substance exposure on neurocognitive correlates of inhibitory
      control success and failure.
AB  - Adolescents with prenatal substance (drug and alcohol) exposure exhibit
      inhibitory control (IC) deficits and aberrations in associated neural function.
      Nearly all research to date examines exposure to individual substances, and a
      minimal amount is known about the effects of heterogeneous exposure-which is more
      representative of population exposure levels. Using functional magnetic resonance
      imaging (fMRI), we investigated IC (Go/NoGo) in heterogeneously exposed (n = 7)
      vs. control (n = 7) at-risk adolescents (ages 13-17). The fMRI results indicated
      multiple IC processing differences consistent with a more immature developmental
      profile for exposed adolescents (Exposed  >  Nonexposed: NoGo > Go: right
      ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, right cuneus, and left inferior parietal lobe;
      NoGo > false alarm: occipital lobe; Go > false alarm: right anterior prefrontal
      cortex). Simple effects suggest exposed adolescents exhibited exaggerated correct
      trial but decreased incorrect trial activation. Results provide initial evidence
      that prenatal exposure across substances creates similar patterns of atypical
      brain activation to IC success and failure.

PMID- 27261059
TI  - Effects of abnormal temperature and starvation on the internal defense system of
      the schistosome-transmitting snail Biomphalaria glabrata.
AB  - Climate change may affect the internal defense system (IDS) of freshwater snails,
      and as a result their capacity to transmit disease. We examined effects of short
      term exposure to supra- and sub-optimal temperatures or starvation on 3
      parameters of the IDS of the schistosome-resistant Salvador strain of
      Biomphalaria glabrata - hemocyte concentrations, cell division in the amebocyte
      producing organ (APO), and resistance to infection with Schistosoma mansoni.
      Adult snails were exposed to 1 of 3 temperatures, 20 degrees C, 27 degrees C
      (controls), or 33 degrees C, for 1 or 2weeks, with food. A fourth group was
      maintained at 27 degrees C, but without food. Compared to the controls, starved
      snails had significantly higher hemocyte counts at both 1 and 2weeks, although
      mitotic activity in the APO was significantly lower at both time periods.
      Exposure to 20 degrees C or 33 degrees C for 1 or 2weeks did not affect hemocyte
      numbers. However, APO mitotic activity in snails exposed to 20 degrees C was
      significantly higher at both 1 and 2weeks, whereas mitotic activity in snails
      exposed to 33 degrees C was significantly lower at 1week but normal at 2weeks.
      None of the treatments altered the resistance phenotype of Salvador snails. In a
      follow-up experiment, exposure to 33 degrees C for 4-5h, a treatment previously
      reported to both induce expression of heat shock proteins (Hsps) and abrogate
      resistance to infection, caused immediate upregulation of Hsp 70 and Hsp 90
      expression, but did not alter resistance, and Hsp expression levels returned to
      baseline after 2weeks at 33 degrees C. Results of this study indicate that
      abnormal environmental conditions can have both stimulatory and inhibitory
      effects on the IDS in adult B. glabrata, and that some degree of acclimation to
      abnormal temperatures may occur.

PMID- 27261060
TI  - Gene expression patterns in response to pathogen challenge and interaction with
      hemolin suggest that the Yippee protein of Antheraea pernyi is involved in the
      innate immune response.
AB  - Yippee was first identified as a protein that physically interacts with the
      Hemolin protein of Hyalophora cecropia. In this study, we identified a gene with
      a 366bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a 121 amino acid protein containing
      a conserved Yippee domain. We named this gene Ap-Yippee (Yippee gene from
      Antheraea pernyi), and investigated the role of the protein in the host immune
      response. A recombinant Ap-Yippee protein was expressed in Escherichia coli
      cells, and polyclonal antibodies were produced against the recombinant protein.
      Real-time PCR and a Western blot analysis revealed that Ap-Yippee is expressed in
      the hemocytes, Malpighian tubules, midgut, silk gland, epidermis, and fat bodies
      of A. pernyi, with the highest expression level observed in Malpighian tubules.
      The fifth instar larvae of A. pernyi were challenged by injecting them with
      nucleopolyhedrovirus (AP-NPV), the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli, the Gram
      positive bacterium Micrococcus luteus, or the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria
      bassiana. These challenges with diverse pathogens resulted in differential
      expression patterns of the protein. A knockdown of the Ap-Yippee gene by small
      interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection had a significant influence on the
      expression of the hemolin in the pupae which was confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western
      blot. Furthermore, a possible protein-protein interaction between Ap-Yippee and
      Hemolin was explored by Far-Western blotting. Therefore, our data suggest that
      the Ap-Yippee protein is involved in a pathway that regulates the immune response
      of insects.

PMID- 27261061
TI  - Preliminary evaluation of a differential effect of an alpha-linolenate-rich
      supplement on ketogenesis and plasma omega-3 fatty acids in young and older
      adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of an alpha
      linolenic acid-rich supplement (ALA-RS) on the ketogenic response and plasma long
      chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in healthy young adults and older
      individuals. METHODS: Ten young (25 +/- 0.9 y) and 10 older adults (73.1 +/- 2.2
      y) consumed a flaxseed oil supplement providing 2 g/d of ALA for 4 wk. Plasma
      ketones, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), triacylglycerols, glucose, and insulin
      were measured over 6 h, before and after supplementation. Total body fat mass was
      assessed before and after the ALA-RS. RESULTS: The ALA-RS did not significantly
      modify fasting ketones but postprandial production of beta-hydroxybutyrate was
      increased by 26% (P = 0.037) only in the young adult group. Fasting plasma
      ketones were positively correlated to fasting plasma NEFA (P < 0.01) in both
      groups. However, the relation was shifted to the right in the older group,
      suggesting that older adults needed higher plasma NEFA levels to achieve the same
      ketone amounts as young adults. At baseline, the older group had 47% higher total
      plasma fatty acids than the young group (P = 0.007). After the ALA-RS, plasma ALA
      doubled in both groups (P < 0.01), an effect that was associated in the older
      group with a 40% higher eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; P = 0.004), but no difference
      in docosahexaenoic acid. The postsupplementation increase in plasma ALA
      correlated positively with percent total body fat, especially in the older group
      (r(2) = 0.77; P = 0.0016). CONCLUSION: In young adults, ALA-RS mildly stimulated
      postprandial ketogenesis, whereas in the older group, it favored increased plasma
      ALA and EPA.

PMID- 27261062
TI  - A high visceral adipose tissue-to-skeletal muscle ratio as a determinant of major
      complications after pancreatoduodenectomy for cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Complication rates after pancreatic resections remain high despite
      improvement in perioperative management. The effects of body composition and the
      relationship among different body compartments on surgical morbidity are not
      comprehensively investigated. The aim of this study was to assess whether the
      evaluation of different body compartments and their relationship was associated
      with the development of major postoperative complications after
      pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 124
      patients who underwent PD and had a staging computed tomography (CT) scan at our
      center. CT scan was used to measure abdominal skeletal muscle area and volume, as
      well as visceral fat area (VFA) and volume. The total abdominal muscle area
      (TAMA) was then normalized for height. The severity of complications was
      assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate
      correlations between the above variables and postoperative complications. The
      receiver operating characteristic curve methodology was used to investigate the
      predictive ability of each parameter. RESULTS: Major complications occurred in 42
      patients (33.9%). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 24.2%. Regression analyses
      revealed no correlation between abdominal muscular and adipose tissue areas.
      Univariate analysis showed that the depletion of muscle area normalized for
      height was not per se predictive of complications (P = 0.318). Multivariate
      logistic regression showed that the VFA/TAMA was the only determinant of major
      complications (odds ratio, 3.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-7.60; P = 0.008).
      The model predictive performance was 0.735 (area under the curve) with a
      sensitivity of 64.3% and a specificity of 74.4%. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenic obesity
      is a strong predictor of major complications after PD for cancer.

PMID- 27261063
TI  - The Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase AHA1 Plays a Major Role in Stomatal Opening in
      Response to Blue Light.
AB  - Stomata open in response to a beam of weak blue light under strong red light
      illumination. A blue light signal is perceived by phototropins and transmitted to
      the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase that drives stomatal opening. To identify the
      components in this pathway, we screened for mutants impaired in blue light
      dependent stomatal opening. We analyzed one such mutant, provisionally named
      blus2 (blue light signaling2), and found that stomatal opening in leaves was
      impaired by 65%, although the magnitude of red light-induced opening was not
      affected. Blue light-dependent stomatal opening in the epidermis and H(+) pumping
      in guard cell protoplasts were inhibited by 70% in blus2 Whole-genome
      resequencing identified a mutation in the AHA1 gene of the mutant at Gly-602. T
      DNA insertion mutants of AHA1 exhibited a similar phenotype to blus2; this
      phenotype was complemented by the AHA1 gene. We renamed blus2 as aha1-10 T-DNA
      insertion mutants of AHA2 and AHA5 did not show any impairment in stomatal
      response, although the transcript levels of AHA2 and AHA5 were higher than those
      of AHA1 in wild-type guard cells. Stomata in ost2, a constitutively active AHA1
      mutant, did not respond to blue light. A decreased amount of H(+)-ATPase in aha1
      10 accounted for the reduced stomatal blue light responses and the decrease was
      likely caused by proteolysis of misfolded AHA1. From these results, we conclude
      that AHA1 plays a major role in blue light-dependent stomatal opening in
      Arabidopsis and that the mutation made the AHA1 protein unstable in guard cells.

PMID- 27261064
TI  - A Collection of Conserved Noncoding Sequences to Study Gene Regulation in
      Flowering Plants.
AB  - Transcription factors (TFs) regulate gene expression by binding cis-regulatory
      elements, of which the identification remains an ongoing challenge owing to the
      prevalence of large numbers of nonfunctional TF binding sites. Powerful
      comparative genomics methods, such as phylogenetic footprinting, can be used for
      the detection of conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs), which are functionally
      constrained and can greatly help in reducing the number of false-positive
      elements. In this study, we applied a phylogenetic footprinting approach for the
      identification of CNSs in 10 dicot plants, yielding 1,032,291 CNSs associated
      with 243,187 genes. To annotate CNSs with TF binding sites, we made use of
      binding site information for 642 TFs originating from 35 TF families in
      Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). In three species, the identified CNSs were
      evaluated using TF chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data, resulting in
      significant overlap for the majority of data sets. To identify ultraconserved
      CNSs, we included genomes of additional plant families and identified 715 binding
      sites for 501 genes conserved in dicots, monocots, mosses, and green algae.
      Additionally, we found that genes that are part of conserved mini-regulons have a
      higher coherence in their expression profile than other divergent gene pairs. All
      identified CNSs were integrated in the PLAZA 3.0 Dicots comparative genomics
      platform (http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/plaza/versions/plaza_v3_dicots/)
      together with new functionalities facilitating the exploration of conserved cis
      regulatory elements and their associated genes. The availability of this data set
      in a user-friendly platform enables the exploration of functional noncoding DNA
      to study gene regulation in a variety of plant species, including crops.

PMID- 27261065
TI  - Alarm Photosynthesis: Calcium Oxalate Crystals as an Internal CO2 Source in
      Plants.
AB  - Calcium oxalate crystals are widespread among animals and plants. In land plants,
      crystals often reach high amounts, up to 80% of dry biomass. They are formed
      within specific cells, and their accumulation constitutes a normal activity
      rather than a pathological symptom, as occurs in animals. Despite their ubiquity,
      our knowledge on the formation and the possible role(s) of these crystals remains
      limited. We show that the mesophyll crystals of pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus)
      exhibit diurnal volume changes with a gradual decrease during daytime and a total
      recovery during the night. Moreover, stable carbon isotope composition indicated
      that crystals are of nonatmospheric origin. Stomatal closure (under drought
      conditions or exogenous application of abscisic acid) was accompanied by crystal
      decomposition and by increased activity of oxalate oxidase that converts oxalate
      into CO2 Similar results were also observed under drought stress in Dianthus
      chinensis, Pelargonium peltatum, and Portulacaria afra Moreover, in A. hybridus,
      despite closed stomata, the leaf metabolic profiles combined with chlorophyll
      fluorescence measurements indicated active photosynthetic metabolism. In
      combination, calcium oxalate crystals in leaves can act as a biochemical
      reservoir that collects nonatmospheric carbon, mainly during the night. During
      the day, crystal degradation provides subsidiary carbon for photosynthetic
      assimilation, especially under drought conditions. This new photosynthetic path,
      with the suggested name "alarm photosynthesis," seems to provide a number of
      adaptive advantages, such as water economy, limitation of carbon losses to the
      atmosphere, and a lower risk of photoinhibition, roles that justify its vast
      presence in plants.

PMID- 27261066
TI  - A ROS-Assisted Calcium Wave Dependent on the AtRBOHD NADPH Oxidase and TPC1
      Cation Channel Propagates the Systemic Response to Salt Stress.
AB  - Plants exhibit rapid, systemic signaling systems that allow them to coordinate
      physiological and developmental responses throughout the plant body, even to
      highly localized and quickly changing environmental stresses. The propagation of
      these signals is thought to include processes ranging from electrical and
      hydraulic networks to waves of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytoplasmic
      Ca(2+) traveling throughout the plant. For the Ca(2+) wave system, the
      involvement of the vacuolar ion channel TWO PORE CHANNEL1 (TPC1) has been
      reported. However, the precise role of this channel and the mechanism of cell-to
      cell propagation of the wave have remained largely undefined. Here, we use the
      fire-diffuse-fire model to analyze the behavior of a Ca(2+) wave originating from
      Ca(2+) release involving the TPC1 channel in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana).
      We conclude that a Ca(2+) diffusion-dominated calcium-induced calcium-release
      mechanism is insufficient to explain the observed wave transmission speeds. The
      addition of a ROS-triggered element, however, is able to quantitatively reproduce
      the observed transmission characteristics. The treatment of roots with the ROS
      scavenger ascorbate and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyliodonium and analysis
      of Ca(2+) wave propagation in the Arabidopsis respiratory burst oxidase homolog D
      (AtrbohD) knockout background all led to reductions in Ca(2+) wave transmission
      speeds consistent with this model. Furthermore, imaging of extracellular ROS
      production revealed a systemic spread of ROS release that is dependent on both
      AtRBOHD and TPC1 These results suggest that, in the root, plant systemic
      signaling is supported by a ROS-assisted calcium-induced calcium-release
      mechanism intimately involving ROS production by AtRBOHD and Ca(2+) release
      dependent on the vacuolar channel TPC1.

PMID- 27261068
TI  - Maternal influenza immunisation in resource-limited settings.

PMID- 27261069
TI  - The "Ethics" Expertise in Clinical Ethics Consultation.
AB  - The nature, possibility, and implications of ethics expertise (or moral
      expertise) in general and of bioethics expertise in particular has been the focus
      of extensive debate for over thirty years. What is ethics expertise and what does
      it enable experts to do? Knowing what ethics expertise is can help answer another
      important question: What, if anything, makes a claim of expertise legitimate? In
      other words, how does someone earn the appellation "ethics expert?" There remains
      deep disagreement on whether ethics expertise is possible, and if so, what
      constitutes such expertise and what it entails and legitimates. Discussion of
      bioethics expertise has become particularly important given the growing presence
      of bioethicists in the clinical setting as well as efforts to professionalize
      bioethics through codes of ethics and certification (or quasi-certification)
      efforts. Unlike in the law or in engineering, where there may be a body of
      knowledge that professional organizations or others have articulated as important
      for education and training of experts, ethics expertise admits of no such body of
      knowledge or required experience. Nor is there an entity seen as having the
      authority to articulate the necessary scope of knowledge. Questions about whether
      there is such a body of knowledge for particular areas within bioethics have
      emerged and played a central role in professionalization efforts in recent years,
      especially in the area of clinical ethics. 

PMID- 27261067
TI  - Maternal immunisation with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine for prevention
      of influenza in infants in Mali: a prospective, active-controlled, observer
      blind, randomised phase 4 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the heightened risk of serious influenza during infancy,
      vaccination is not recommended in infants younger than 6 months. We aimed to
      assess the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of maternal immunisation with
      trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine for protection of infants against a first
      episode of laboratory-confirmed influenza. METHODS: We did this prospective,
      active-controlled, observer-blind, randomised phase 4 trial at six referral
      centres and community health centres in Bamako, Mali. Third-trimester pregnant
      women (>=28 weeks' gestation) were randomly assigned (1:1), via a computer
      generated, centre-specific list with alternate block sizes of six or 12, to
      receive either trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine or quadrivalent
      meningococcal vaccine. Study personnel administering vaccines were not masked to
      treatment allocation, but allocation was concealed from clinicians, laboratory
      personnel, and participants. Infants were visited weekly until age 6 months to
      detect influenza-like illness; laboratory-confirmed influenza diagnosed with RT
      PCR. We assessed two coprimary objectives: vaccine efficacy against laboratory
      confirmed influenza in infants born to women immunised any time prepartum
      (intention-to-treat population), and vaccine efficacy in infants born to women
      immunised at least 14 days prepartum (per-protocol population). The primary
      outcome was the occurrence of a first case of laboratory-confirmed influenza by
      age 6 months. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number
      NCT01430689. FINDINGS: We did this trial from Sept 12, 2011, to Jan 28, 2014.
      Between Sept 12, 2011, and April 18, 2013, we randomly assigned 4193 women to
      receive trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (n=2108) or quadrivalent
      meningococcal vaccine (n=2085). There were 4105 livebirths; 1797 (87%) of 2064
      infants in the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine group and 1793 (88%) of
      2041 infants in the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine group were followed up
      until age 6 months. We recorded 5279 influenza-like illness episodes in 2789
      (68%) infants, of which 131 (2%) episodes were laboratory-confirmed influenza.
      129 (98%) cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza were first episodes (n=77 in
      the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine group vs n=52 in the trivalent inactivated
      influenza vaccine group). In the intention-to-treat population, overall infant
      vaccine efficacy was 33.1% (95% CI 3.7-53.9); in the per-protocol population,
      vaccine efficacy was 37.3% (7.6-57.8). Vaccine efficacy remained robust during
      the first 4 months of follow-up (67.9% [95% CI 35.1-85.3] by intention to treat
      and 70.2% [35.7-87.6] by per protocol), before diminishing during the fifth month
      (57.3% [30.6-74.4] and 60.7 [33.8-77.5], respectively). Adverse event rates in
      women and infants were similar among groups. Pain at the injection site was more
      common in women given quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine than in those given
      trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (n=253 vs n=132; p<0.0001), although 354
      [92%] reactions were mild. Obstetrical and non-obstetrical serious adverse events
      were reported in 60 (3%) women in the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine group
      and 61 (3%) women in the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine group. Presumed
      neonatal infection was more common in infants in the trivalent inactivated
      influenza vaccine group than in those in the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine
      group (n=60 vs n=37; p=0.02). No serious adverse events were related to
      vaccination. INTERPRETATION: Vaccination of pregnant women with trivalent
      inactivated influenza vaccine in Mali-a poorly resourced country with high infant
      mortality-was technically and logistically feasible and protected infants from
      laboratory-confirmed influenza for 4 months. With adequate financing to procure
      the vaccine, implementation will parallel the access to antenatal care and
      immunisation coverage of pregnant women with tetanus toxoid. FUNDING: Bill &
      Melinda Gates Foundation.

PMID- 27261070
TI  - Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 promotes cementoblast proliferation via MAP
      kinase signaling pathways.
AB  - PURPOSE/AIM: Glutamate is one of the signaling molecules responsible for
      transmission in the central nervous system. Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were
      recently reported to express metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). However,
      the functions of mGluR signaling in PDL cells or PDL-related cells remain largely
      unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and function of
      mGluRs in PDL-related cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: OCCM-30 cells, immortalized
      murine cementoblasts, were stimulated with l-glutamate or mGluRs antagonists. The
      cells' proliferative response was evaluated using a colorimetric assay and gene
      expression was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The nuclear
      translocation of cyclin D1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: l
      Glutamate promoted the proliferation of OCCM-30 cells, which expressed mGluR1,
      but not mGluR5. Dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), an agonist of group I mGluRs
      (mGluR1 and mGluR5), also promoted cell proliferation, and this was inhibited by
      LY456236, an mGluR1 antagonist. DHPG increased the expression of cyclin D1, a key
      regulator of cell proliferation, and its nuclear translocation. DHPG also
      increased the expression of Bcl2A1, an antiapoptotic oncogene and simultaneously
      reduced the expression of Bax, a pro-apoptotic marker. Furthermore, the DHPG
      induced proliferation of OCCM-30 cells was reduced by pretreatment with SB203580,
      SP600125, and PD98059, inhibitors of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that activation of mGluR1 expressed by OCCM
      30 cells induces cell proliferation in a manner that is dependent on mitogen
      activated protein kinase pathways and that cyclin D1 and Bcl2A1/Bax may be
      involved. Our results provide useful information for elucidating the mechanisms
      underlying cementum homeostasis and regeneration.

PMID- 27261071
TI  - Ejectable loop recorders?

PMID- 27261073
TI  - Perioperative echocardiographic assessment of mitral valve regurgitation: a
      comprehensive review.
AB  - Cardiac ultrasound allows comprehensive analysis of the complex structure of the
      mitral valve. Transoesophageal echocardiography is the preferred diagnostic and
      monitoring technique both in the intraoperative phase and in the immediate
      postoperative phase. Besides two-dimensional imaging, the 3D approach offers
      clear advantages in visualizing different aspects of pathology and facilitating
      interpretation of pathophysiological features. This review comprehensively
      summarizes anatomical and physiological characteristics, the value of 2D imaging
      in diagnosis and follow-up and the supplementary significance of 3D
      echocardiography.

PMID- 27261072
TI  - Rabbit models to study atherosclerosis and its complications - Transgenic
      vascular protein expression in vivo.
AB  - Animal models of atherosclerosis often present limitations of transferability,
      since important hallmarks of human disease are not completely reproduced in other
      species. Rabbits have been used in several approaches: 1) inbred strains:
      Watanabe hereditary hyperlipidemic animals which express a defect in the LDL
      receptor, 2) transgenic rabbits, which overexpress human lipoproteins, and first
      knock-out rabbits. 3) native New Zealand white rabbits (NZW) fed with cholesterol
      rich diet for at least 8 weeks represent the quickest way to establish
      arteriosclerosis. Rabbits are arguably the most sensitive animal species to
      cholesterol overload. Interventions in native or arteriosclerotic arteries are
      used to induce local thrombus formation, e.g. endothelial denudation or
      photochemical injury. In contrast to smaller animals, catheterisation of coronary
      arteries is feasible, whose external ligation serves to induce myocardial
      infarction. As biological endpoints, arterial vasoreactivity/endothelial
      dysfunction can be studied in analogy to measurements of brachial artery
      vasomotion in humans in response to increasing doses of acetylcholine or volume
      challenges. Tissue fixation allows studying vascular morphology, plaque sizes and
      thrombi after local interventions. Macrophage and T lymphocyte invasion can be
      investigated histologically. Positron emission tomography (PET/MRI) offers to
      measure plaques and content in vivo serially in the same animals. Local virally
      mediated gene transfer to atherosclerotic rabbit arteries has been established as
      a rapid and reproducible method to test interesting transgenes. Histological
      plaque features correspond well to alterations in patients (inflammation and
      lipid load). Thus, effects of any proteins can be studied directly in the
      arteriosclerotic disease background - much quicker than after germline
      transgenesis and cross-breeding.

PMID- 27261074
TI  - The angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker losartan attenuates bioprosthetic
      valve leaflet calcification in a rabbit intravascular implant model.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There is evidence that angiotensin II type I receptor blocker (ARB)
      could reduce structural valve deterioration. However, the anticalcification
      effect on the bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) has not been investigated. Thus, we
      investigated the effects of losartan (an ARB) on calcification of implanted
      bovine pericardial tissue in a rabbit intravascular implant model. METHODS: A
      total of 16 male New Zealand White rabbits (20 weeks old, 2.98-3.34 kg) were used
      in this study. Commercially available BHV leaflet of bovine pericardium was
      trimmed to the shape of a 3-mm triangle and implanted to both external jugular
      veins of the rabbit. The ARB group (n = 8) was given 25 mg/kg of powdered
      losartan daily until 6 weeks after surgery by direct administration in the buccal
      pouch of the animals. The control group (n = 8) was given 5 ml of normal saline
      by the same method. After 6 weeks, quantitative calcium determination,
      histological evaluation and western blot analysis of interleukin-6 (IL-6),
      osteopontin and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) were performed to
      investigate the mechanisms of the anticalcification effect of losartan. RESULTS:
      No deaths or complications such as infection or haematoma were recorded during
      the experiment. All animals were euthanized on the planned date. The calcium
      measurement level in the ARB group (2.28 +/- 0.65 mg/g) was significantly lower
      than that in the control group (3.68 +/- 1.00 mg/g) (P = 0.0092).
      Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that BMP-2-positive reactions were
      significantly attenuated in the ARB group. Western blot analysis showed that
      losartan suppressed the expression of IL-6, osteopontin and BMP-2. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results indicate that losartan significantly attenuates postimplant
      degenerative calcification of a bovine pericardial bioprosthesis in a rabbit
      intravascular implant model. Further studies are required to assess the effects
      of ARBs on BHV tissue in orthotopic implantations using a large animal model.

PMID- 27261075
TI  - Growth and pectus excavatum: is there a relation?

PMID- 27261076
TI  - Missed diagnosis of atresia of the right pulmonary artery in woman with left
      sided pneumothorax.
AB  - Isolated pulmonary atresia is an uncommon condition, which can go undiagnosed for
      a long time in asymptomatic patients. Sometimes, diagnosis can be made at
      pregnancy due to respiratory symptoms. There is no known increased risk of
      pneumothorax. We here present a case where a second-time pregnant woman with an
      unknown atresia of the right pulmonary artery received a left-sided pneumothorax.
      The diagnosis was initially missed in spite of adequate imaging and the condition
      progressed to respiratory stop. We describe the course of diagnostics and the
      chosen strategy of treatment.

PMID- 27261077
TI  - A matched pairs analysis of non-rib-spreading, fully endoscopic, mini-incision
      technique versus conventional mini-thoracotomy for mitral valve repair.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Advances in video-assistance lead to an increase in minimal access
      mitral valve surgery (MAMVS) with decreased incision size yet maintaining the
      same quality of surgery. Further reduction in surgical trauma and at the same
      time improved visual guidance can be achieved by a non-rib-spreading fully 3D
      endoscopic technique (NRS-3D). We compared patients who underwent MAMVS either
      through an NRS fully 3D endoscopic or rib-spreading (RS) access in a
      retrospective matched-pair analysis. METHODS: A matched pairs analysis was
      undertaken of retrospectively collected data of 284 consecutive patients having
      received an MAMVS between January 2011 and May 2015. Fifty patients with an RS
      procedure were compared with 50 patients with an NRS fully 3D endoscopic
      operation. For all patients, access was made through a 3-4 cm incision in the
      inframammary fold through the fourth intercostal space. In the NRS-3D group, only
      a soft-tissue protector, and no additional rib-spreader, was used. Operative
      visualization was provided by 3D endoscopy in the NRS-3D group. RESULTS: The NRS
      as well as the RS procedure was successful in all patients without technical
      repair limitations. Mortality was 0% in both groups. Significant differences were
      seen for operation times (39.0 min mean shorter operation time in the NRS-3D
      group; P < 0.001), and length of stay on intensive care unit (1.0 day mean
      shorter stay in the NRS-3D group; P = 0.002) and in the hospital (1.4 days mean
      shorter stay in the NRS-3D group; P = 0.003). Postoperative analgesics doses were
      significantly lower in the NRS-3D group [P = 0.007 (paracetamol); P = 0.123
      (metamizole); P = 0.013 (piritramide)]. Postoperative pain rated on a pain-scale
      from 0 to 10 was significantly lower in the NRS-3D group (mean difference of 1.8;
      P = 0.006). Patient satisfaction regarding cosmetic results was comparable in
      both the groups. Repair results, ejection fraction, perioperative morbidity and
      MACCE during follow-up showed no significant differences between both groups.
      Early postoperative and follow-up echocardiography showed sufficient repair in
      all patients of both groups with no case of >mild recurrent mitral regurgitation.
      CONCLUSIONS: An endoscopic procedure supported by 3D-visualization enables
      superior depth perception, facilitating an excellent quality of repair results.
      3D-visualization is a helpful tool especially for complex reconstruction cases
      and exact placement of artificial neochordae. With this, an experienced mitral
      valve surgeon takes shorter operation times. Patients benefit from shorter
      hospitalization with reduced postoperative pain and early mobilization.

PMID- 27261078
TI  - Preserved brain morphology after controlled automated reperfusion of the whole
      body following normothermic circulatory arrest time of up to 20 minutes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Clinical outcomes following cardiac arrest (CA) and resuscitation
      remain a cause for concern. The use of Controlled Automated Reperfusion of the
      whoLe body (CARL) confers superior neurological outcome even after extended
      periods of CA. We aimed at investigating clinical outcome and brain morphology
      preservation when employing CARL following CA periods of 20 min. METHODS: Twenty
      eight pigs were allocated to four extracorporeal circulation treatment
      strategies; seven others served as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) controls. In
      prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR; n = 6), induced circulatory arrest was
      followed immediately by open cardiac massage of 15 min, thereafter by CARL for 60
      min. In delayed CPR (n = 6), induced CA was maintained for 15 min, after that
      open cardiac massage of 10 min duration was performed prior to extracorporeal CPR
      (ECPR) of 60 min. Induced CA times of 15 min in the ECPR 15' group (n = 6) and CA
      of 20 min in the CARL 20' group (n = 10) were followed by ECPR of 60 min and CARL
      of 60 min, respectively, without prior CPR. Daily neurological deficit scoring
      (NDS) up to the seventh day, markers of cellular injury [alanine transaminase
      (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE)] and brain
      MRI were performed. RESULTS: 100% survival and normal NDSs were achieved in all
      animals in the prompt CPR and ECPR 15' groups. In CARL 20', nine animals
      survived. In contrast, only one animal in the delayed CPR group survived; three
      animals died within 24 h with a further two dying on Days 4 and 5, respectively.
      All markers of cellular injury were elevated in the delayed CPR group, ALT [38
      (20.3) to 206 U/l (158.2); P = 0.0095], AST [26 (18.8) to 97 U/l (1965.8); P =
      0.0095] and NSE [0.45 (0.25) to 7.95 ug/l (24.03); P = 0.0095]. In the ECPR 15'
      group, only NSE [0.45 (0.15) to 1.20 ug/l (2.40); P = 0.0065] remained elevated.
      In the CARL 20' group, differences in ALT [36 (10) to 53 U/l (20); P = 0.0005]
      and NSE [0.50 (0.40) to 1.5 ug/l (0.40); P < 0.0001] values were evident. T2
      weighted MR images of the cerebellum [454 (28) to 495 mm2/s (55); U = 11; P =
      0.0311], caudate nucleus [400 (59) to 467 mm2/s (42); U = 9; P = 0.0156],
      lentiform nucleus [377 (89) to 416 mm2/s (55); U = 11; P = 0.0311] and
      hippocampus [421 (109) to 511 mm2/s (58); U = 9; P = 0.0164] in the CARL 20'
      group showed higher signal intensities compared with controls. In delayed CPR,
      corresponding regions of interest on early apparent diffusion coefficient images
      showed a restricted diffusion. CONCLUSIONS: In our experimental animal model of
      CA, CARL results in satisfactory survival at CA periods of 20 min despite
      detected enzyme and morphological changes. These changes did not translate to
      clinical neurological deficits.

PMID- 27261079
TI  - Two-stage free anterolateral thigh flap in the management of full-thickness chest
      wall resection.
AB  - Free tissue transfers are sometimes required in the reconstruction of large full
      thickness chest wall defects. To minimize the risk of viscera exposure in case of
      free flap complications, we describe a two-stage procedure using an anterolateral
      thigh flap.

PMID- 27261080
TI  - Assessing pruritus as a quality of life metric in the teledermatology setting.

PMID- 27261081
TI  - Diversity and divergence of the glioma-infiltrating T-cell receptor repertoire.
AB  - Although immune signaling has emerged as a defining feature of the glioma
      microenvironment, how the underlying structure of the glioma-infiltrating T-cell
      population differs from that of the blood from which it originates has been
      difficult to measure directly in patients. High-throughput sequencing of T-cell
      receptor (TCR) repertoires (TCRseq) provides a population-wide statistical
      description of how T cells respond to disease. We have defined immunophenotypes
      of whole repertoires based on TCRseq of the alpha- and beta-chains from glioma
      tissue, nonneoplastic brain tissue, and peripheral blood from patients. Using
      information theory, we partitioned the diversity of these TCR repertoires into
      that from the distribution of VJ cassette combinations and diversity due to VJ
      independent factors, such as selection due to antigen binding. Tumor-infiltrating
      lymphocytes (TILs) possessed higher VJ-independent diversity than nonneoplastic
      tissue, stratifying patients according to tumor grade. We found that the VJ
      independent components of tumor-associated repertoires diverge more from their
      corresponding peripheral repertoires than T-cell populations in nonneoplastic
      brain tissue, particularly for low-grade gliomas. Finally, we identified a
      "signature" set of TCRs whose use in peripheral blood is associated with patients
      exhibiting low TIL divergence and is depleted in patients with highly divergent
      TIL repertoires. This signature is detectable in peripheral blood, and therefore
      accessible noninvasively. We anticipate that these immunophenotypes will be
      foundational to monitoring and predicting response to antiglioma vaccines and
      immunotherapy.

PMID- 27261083
TI  - Long-Term Survival After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the long-term survival rates of
      patients undergoing isolated first-time coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by
      off-pump CABG with the long-term survival rates in patients undergoing CABG using
      cardioplegic cardiopulmonary bypass techniques. METHODS: All patients undergoing
      isolated CABG at a single center (Manchester Heart Centre, Manchester, United
      Kingdom) between 2000 and 2014 were included. Propensity score matching was
      performed on the basis of on demographic variables. The in-hospital morbidity and
      long-term all-cause mortality rates for matched patients were compared. RESULTS:
      A total of 8,055 patients were identified, with a median follow-up of 7.0 years.
      With patients matched for preoperative patient characteristics, there was no
      significant difference in long-term survival between cardiopulmonary bypass and
      off-pump CABG (n = 2,082 each; 11.5 years vs 11.3 years; p = 0.178). In the off
      pump CABG group, there were significantly fewer in-hospital cerebrovascular
      complications (0.5% vs 1.1%; p = 0.017), and mean length of stay was shorter (7.6
      days vs 8.1 days; p < 0.0001). Arterial conduit use was significantly higher in
      the off-pump group, with more right mammary artery grafts (16.3% vs 4.3%; p <
      0.0001) and sequential grafts (27.1% vs 13.5%; p < 0.0001). The mean number of
      grafts was higher in the on-pump group (3.28 +/- 0.94 vs 3.10 +/- 1.10; p <
      0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival after off-pump CABG is not inferior to
      long-term survival after on-pump CABG despite a lower mean number of grafts. A
      statistically significant difference in cerebrovascular complications may be
      related to conduit choice and reduced aortic manipulation.

PMID- 27261082
TI  - A Preoperative Risk Model for Postoperative Pneumonia After Coronary Artery
      Bypass Grafting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative pneumonia is the most prevalent of all hospital
      acquired infections after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).
      Accurate prediction of a patient's risk of this morbid complication is hindered
      by its low relative incidence. In an effort to support clinical decision making
      and quality improvement, we developed a preoperative prediction model for
      postoperative pneumonia after CABG. METHODS: We undertook an observational study
      of 16,084 patients undergoing CABG between the third quarter of 2011 and the
      second quarter of 2014 across 33 institutions participating in the Michigan
      Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons Quality Collaborative. Variables
      related to patient demographics, medical history, admission status, comorbid
      disease, cardiac anatomy, and the institution performing the procedure were
      investigated. Logistic regression through forward stepwise selection (p < 0.05
      threshold) was utilized to develop a risk prediction model for estimating the
      occurrence of pneumonia. Traditional methods were used to assess the model's
      performance. RESULTS: Postoperative pneumonia occurred in 3.30% of patients.
      Multivariable analysis identified 17 preoperative factors, including
      demographics, laboratory values, comorbid disease, pulmonary and cardiac
      function, and operative status. The final model significantly predicted the
      occurrence of pneumonia, and performed well (C-statistic: 0.74). These findings
      were confirmed through sensitivity analyses by center and clinically important
      subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: We identified 17 readily obtainable preoperative
      variables associated with postoperative pneumonia. This model may be used to
      provide individualized risk estimation and to identify opportunities to reduce a
      patient's preoperative risk of pneumonia through prehabilitation.

PMID- 27261084
TI  - Randomized Study of a New Noninvasive Skin Closure Device for Use After
      Congenital Heart Operations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We report a new, noninvasive Zip surgical skin closure device
      (ZipLine Medical, Campbell, CA). This device is considered to have good cosmetic
      outcomes after operations and reduces surgical time. In this study, skin closure
      using the Zip device was compared with subcuticular sutures and the usefulness
      and safety of this new device was evaluated. METHODS: This was a prospective,
      randomized study of 214 patients who underwent cardiac operations through a
      median sternotomy from June 2014 to December 2015. In 136 patients, this was a
      first operation group of which 71 patients underwent Zip surgical skin closure
      (Zip group), and 65 patients underwent subcuticular sutures (suture group). In 78
      patients, this was a reoperation group, of which 42 patients were in the Zip
      group and 36 patients were in the suture group. Cosmetic results using the
      Vancouver Scar Scale were evaluated separately in the first operation group and
      reoperation group. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the total
      Vancouver Scar Scale score between the first operation group (p < 0.001) and
      reoperation group (p = 0.007). The skin closure time was significantly shorter in
      the Zip group than in the suture group (113.0 +/- 9.1 seconds vs 375.9 +/- 60.2
      seconds, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found regarding the rate of
      surgical site infection between the groups. Complications peculiar to this device
      included skin discoloration (0.9%), epidermolysis (0.9%), and exfoliation of the
      device (1.8%); however, no serious complications developed. CONCLUSIONS: In
      congenital heart operations through a median sternotomy, the Zip surgical skin
      closure device was an excellent choice for improving the cosmetic appearance and
      reducing the wound closure time. In addition, it proved to be a device that could
      be used safely.

PMID- 27261085
TI  - At the Root of the Repair Debate: Outcomes After Elective Aortic Root
      Replacements for Aortic Insufficiency With Aneurysm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in aortic valve-sparing and valve repair
      operations, but the ideal operation and timing of intervention in these generally
      younger patients undergoing operations for aortic insufficiency (AI) and dilated
      ascending aorta remains controversial. METHODS: Root replacements at a single
      institution from 2002 to 2014 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were age younger
      than 70 and presence of moderate or greater aortic insufficiency (AI), with or
      without aortic aneurysm. Of 1,425 root replacements, 220 patients were considered
      in the final analysis. RESULTS: Moderate AI was present in 87 patients and severe
      AI in 133 patients. The 30-day mortality was 0% in moderate AI patients and 2% (n
      = 3) in severe AI patients (p = 0.3). Freedom from reoperation was 95% at 10
      years. Severe preoperative AI was associated with worse long-term survival
      compared with moderate AI (hazard ratio, 2.6; p = 0.04). Patients undergoing root
      replacement with moderate AI had similar survival compared with the age- and
      gender-matched United States population (log-rank p = 0.93), whereas patients
      with severe AI had significantly worse survival (log-rank p = 0.02). Other
      multivariable predictors of decreased long-term survival were age (hazard ratio,
      1.1; p = 0.01) and preoperative renal failure (hazard ratio, 6.9; p < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Elective root replacement operations in patients younger than 70 are
      associated with low rates of mortality and reoperation, which should be
      considered the benchmark operation for aortic valve-sparing or repair operations
      in similar patients. Worse survival was associated with severe AI and older age,
      suggesting earlier intervention may be an appropriate therapeutic strategy in
      selected patients.

PMID- 27261086
TI  - Bicuspid Aortic Insufficiency With Aortic Root Aneurysm: Root Reimplantation
      Versus Bentall Root Replacement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with a bicuspid aortic valve presenting with aortic
      insufficiency (AI) and root aneurysm, we assessed whether outcomes with primary
      cusp repair with root reimplantation were equivalent to the gold standard Bentall
      procedures. METHODS: From 2002 to 2014, 710 patients with bicuspid aortic valve
      underwent aortic root procedures. Of these, only patients presenting with
      noncalcified type I bicuspid aortic valve with AI (n = 165) were included to
      maintain anatomic and physiologic homogeneity between the groups. Aortic
      stenosis, endocarditis, redo root, and emergency cases were excluded. Patients
      undergoing valve-sparing root reimplantation (VSRR group, n = 45) were
      retrospectively compared with those undergoing Bentall root replacement (Bentall
      group, n = 120). RESULTS: Patients in the Bentall group were older (52 +/- 13 vs
      46 +/- 12 years; p <= 0.01) and had a lower ejection fraction (0.53 +/- 0.12
      versus 0.58 +/- 0.08; p < 0.01), but left ventricular diastolic diameter was
      similar (58 +/- 10 mm versus 57 +/- 9 mm; p = 0.5). Thirty-day and in-hospital
      mortality was zero; in-hospital stroke rate was 0.8% (n = 1) in the Bentall group
      (0 in the VSRR group; p = 0.54). Permanent pacemaker rate was 6% (n = 7) in the
      Bentall group (0 in the VSRR group; p = 0.2). On discharge echocardiography, AI
      grade <= 1+ (100%; p = 1) and transvalvular gradients (mean gradient 7 +/- 3
      versus 6 +/- 3 mm Hg; p = 0.14) were similar. Mean follow-up was 7.5 +/- 3.2 and
      3.4 +/- 2.9 years (p < 0.001). There were 14 transient ischemic attacks or stroke
      events in the Bentall group, and none in the VSRR group. One patient in each
      group exhibited AI >= 3+. Five-year actuarial survival (100% versus 98% +/- 2%; p
      = 0.8) and freedom from aortic reoperation (98% +/- 2% versus 100%; p = 0.8) were
      similar. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with bicuspid aortic valve AI with root
      aneurysm, primary cusp repair with root reimplantation achieves equivalent
      midterm outcomes compared with Bentall root replacement.

PMID- 27261088
TI  - Cannabinoid receptor-2 stimulation suppresses neuroinflammation by regulating
      microglial M1/M2 polarization through the cAMP/PKA pathway in an experimental GMH
      rat model.
AB  - Excessive inflammatory responses are involved in secondary brain injury during
      germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH). The process of microglial polarization to the
      pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes is considered to occur in
      a major immunomodulatory manner during brain inflammation. We previously found
      that cannabinoid receptor-2 (CB2R) stimulation attenuated microglial accumulation
      and brain injury following experimental GMH. However, whether CB2R has effects on
      microglial polarization after GMH remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the
      effects of CB2R stimulation on neuroinflammation after experimental GMH and the
      potential mechanisms that mediate M1/M2 microglial phenotype regulation. The
      results indicated that during the GMH acute phase, microglia primarily polarized
      to the M1 phenotype and induced an overwhelming release of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines. However, JWH133, a selective CB2R agonist, significantly prevented the
      pro-inflammatory cytokine release while promoting an M1 to M2 phenotype
      transformation in microglia, resulting in an increased anti-inflammatory cytokine
      release. Moreover, in thrombin-induced rat primary microglial cells, JWH133
      reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and M1 phenotype by enhancing the
      acquisition of the M2 phenotype. Additionally, JWH133 facilitated synthesis of
      cyclic AMP (cAMP) and its downstream effectors, phosphorylated cAMP-dependent
      protein kinase (p-PKA) and exchange protein activated by cyclic-AMP 1 (Epac1).
      The promoting effects of JWH133 on M2 polarization were attenuated with a
      specific PKA inhibitor but not with an Epac inhibitor, indicating that the
      cAMP/PKA signaling pathway was involved in the JWH133 effects. This is the first
      study to propose that promotion of microglial M2 polarization through the
      cAMP/PKA pathway participates in the CB2R-mediated anti-inflammatory effects
      after GMH induction. The results will help to further understand the mechanisms
      that underlie neuroprotection by CB2R in GMH and promote clinical translational
      research for CB2R agonists.

PMID- 27261087
TI  - RubisCO selection using the vigorously aerobic and metabolically versatile
      bacterium Ralstonia eutropha.
AB  - Recapturing atmospheric CO2 is key to reducing global warming and increasing
      biological carbon availability. Ralstonia eutropha is a biotechnologically useful
      aerobic bacterium that uses the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle and the enzyme
      ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) for CO2 utilization,
      suggesting that it may be a useful host to bioselect RubisCO molecules with
      improved CO2 -capture capabilities. A host strain of R. eutropha was constructed
      for this purpose after deleting endogenous genes encoding two related RubisCOs.
      This strain could be complemented for CO2 -dependent growth by introducing native
      or heterologous RubisCO genes. Mutagenesis and suppressor selection identified
      amino acid substitutions in a hydrophobic region that specifically influences
      RubisCO's interaction with its substrates, particularly O2 , which competes with
      CO2 at the active site. Unlike most RubisCOs, the R. eutropha enzyme has evolved
      to retain optimal CO2 -fixation rates in a fast-growing host, despite the
      presence of high levels of competing O2 . Yet its structure-function properties
      resemble those of several commonly found RubisCOs, including the higher plant
      enzymes, allowing strategies to engineer analogous enzymes. Because R. eutropha
      can be cultured rapidly under harsh environmental conditions (e.g., with toxic
      industrial flue gas), in the presence of near saturation levels of oxygen,
      artificial selection and directed evolution studies in this organism could
      potentially impact efforts toward improving RubisCO-dependent biological CO2
      utilization in aerobic environments. ENZYMES: d-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase/oxygenase, EC 4.1.1.39; phosphoribulokinase, EC 2.7.1.19.

PMID- 27261089
TI  - GPs' experiences with enhanced collaboration between psychiatry and general
      practice for children with ADHD.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most general practitioners (GPs) do not feel comfortable with
      diagnosing and treating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
      (ADHD). This is problematic since ADHD is a prevalent disorder and an active role
      of GPs is desired. In the Netherlands a collaborative ADHD programme was
      established, comprising of shortened diagnostic assessment in specialized mental
      healthcare followed by psycho-education in mental healthcare and pharmacological
      treatment by pre-trained GPs. OBJECTIVES: To explore the experiences of GPs
      regarding the diagnosis and treatment of children with uncomplicated ADHD within
      this programme. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 15 GPs were conducted.
      The GPs participated in an evaluation of the collaborative ADHD programme. Data
      was analysed using the principles of constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: Most
      participating GPs expressed reluctance to diagnose ADHD themselves. The
      reluctance was due to a lack of time, knowledge and experience. The GPs welcomed
      the collaborative programme because it met their need for both quick and adequate
      diagnosis by a specialist. Furthermore, an online ADHD course, offered by the
      programme, gave them the confidence to start and monitor ADHD medication.
      Finally, they appreciated the possibility of consulting a specialist when
      necessary. CONCLUSION: GPs preferred that ADHD was diagnosed by a specialist. In
      the context of the ADHD collaborative programme, they felt competent and
      comfortable to start and monitor medication in children with uncomplicated ADHD.
      Key Messages Within a collaborative ADHD programme for children, participating
      GPs were positive about a quick and specialist diagnostic process within
      secondary care. After an online course, GPs felt confident to start and monitor
      ADHD medication in children with uncomplicated ADHD. GPs were content about the
      collaboration between primary and secondary care.

PMID- 27261090
TI  - Mitogen-activated protein kinases as key players in osmotic stress signaling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osmotic stress arises from the difference between intracellular and
      extracellular osmolality. It induces cell swelling or shrinkage as a consequence
      of water influx or efflux, which threatens cellular activities. Mitogen-activated
      protein kinases (MAPKs) play central roles in signaling pathways in osmotic
      stress responses, including the regulation of intracellular levels of inorganic
      ions and organic osmolytes. SCOPE OF REVIEW: The present review summarizes the
      cellular osmotic stress response and the function and regulation of the
      vertebrate MAPK signaling pathways involved. We also describe recent findings
      regarding apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 3 (ASK3), a MAP3K member, to
      demonstrate its regulatory effects on signaling molecules beyond MAPKs. MAJOR
      CONCLUSIONS: MAPKs are rapidly activated by osmotic stress and have diverse
      roles, such as cell volume regulation, gene expression, and cell survival/death.
      There is significant cell type specificity in the function and regulation of
      MAPKs. Based on its activity change during osmotic stress and its regulation of
      the WNK1-SPAK/OSR1 pathway, ASK3 is expected to play important roles in
      osmosensing mechanisms and cellular functions related to osmoregulation. GENERAL
      SIGNIFICANCE: MAPKs are essential for various cellular responses to osmotic
      stress; thus, the identification of the upstream regulators of MAPK pathways will
      provide valuable clues regarding the cellular osmosensing mechanism, which
      remains elusive in mammals. The elucidation of in vivo MAPK functions is also
      important because osmotic stress in physiological and pathophysiological
      conditions often results from changes in the intracellular osmolality. These
      studies potentially contribute to the establishment of therapeutic strategies
      against diseases that accompany osmotic perturbation.

PMID- 27261091
TI  - A paler shade of green? The toxicology of biodiesel emissions: Recent findings
      from studies with this alternative fuel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biodiesel produced primarily from plants and algal feedstocks is
      believed to have advantages for production and use compared to petroleum and to
      some other fuel sources. There is some speculation that exposure to biodiesel
      combustion emissions may not induce biological responses or health effects or at
      a minimum reduce the effects relative to other fuels. In evaluating the overall
      environmental and health effects of biodiesel production to end use scenario,
      empirical data or modeling data based on such data are needed. SCOPE OF REVIEW:
      This manuscript examines the available toxicology reports examining combustion
      derived biodiesel emissions since approximately 2007, when our last review of the
      topic occurred. Toxicity derived from other end uses of biodiesel - e.g., spills,
      dermal absorption, etc. - are not examined. Findings from biodiesel emissions are
      roughly divided into three areas: whole non-human animal model exposures; in
      vitro exposures of mammalian and bacterial cells (used for mutation studies
      primarily); and human exposures in controlled or other exposure fashions. MAJOR
      CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these more current studies clearly demonstrate that
      biodiesel combustion emission exposure- to either 100% biodiesel or a blend in
      petroleum diesel- can induce biological effects. There are reports that show
      biodiesel exposure generally induces more effects or a greater magnitude of
      effect than petroleum diesel, however there are also a similar number of reports
      showing the opposite trend. It is unclear whether effects induced by exposure to
      a blend are greater than exposure to 100% biodiesel. Taken together, the evidence
      suggest biodiesel emissions can have some similar effects as diesel emissions on
      inflammatory, vascular, mutagenic, and other responses. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE:
      While acute biodiesel exposures can show toxicity with a variety of endpoints,
      the potential effects on human health need further validation. Additionally there
      are few or no findings to date on whether biodiesel emissions can induce effects
      or even a weaker response that petroleum diesel with repeated exposure scenarios
      such as in an occupational setting. This article is part of a Special Issue
      entitled Air Pollution, edited by Wenjun Ding, Andrew J. Ghio and Weidong Wu.

PMID- 27261093
TI  - Augmentation and impulsive behaviors in restless legs syndrome: Coexistence or
      association?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the frequency of impulse control disorders (ICDs) in
      patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) with and without augmentation under
      dopaminergic therapy in a case-control study. Augmentation and ICDs are both
      serious complications of dopaminergic treatment of RLS but little is known about
      possible associations between these drug-induced disorders. METHODS: In total, 58
      patients with idiopathic RLS diagnosed according to the International Restless
      Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria were recruited. Of these, 35 patients had
      augmentation. The frequency of ICD symptoms was assessed using semi-structural
      interviews. RESULTS: Demographic variables did not differ between patients with
      RLS with and without augmentation but those with augmentation took higher
      dopaminergic medication than patients without augmentation. Twenty-three patients
      with RLS (39.7%) had ICD symptoms, with 12 patients (20.7%) having definitive
      ICDs. Patients with augmentation had an increased risk of expressing ICD symptoms
      (p = 0.007, odds ratio 5.64, 95% confidence interval 1.59-20.02). CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with RLS with augmentation have an almost 6-fold increased risk of
      exhibiting ICD symptoms. This implies that augmentation and ICDs are related and
      may share a common pathophysiology. Moreover, our results have clinical
      implications, suggesting that patients with RLS with augmentation should be
      screened for ICD symptoms.

PMID- 27261094
TI  - Augmentation and impulsivity in restless legs syndrome patients: A complex
      interaction.

PMID- 27261092
TI  - Gamma-irradiation produces active chlorine species (ACS) in physiological
      solutions: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) scavenges ACS - A novel
      mechanism of DNA radioprotection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), the main lignan in whole
      grain flaxseed, is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger with known
      radioprotective properties. However, the exact mechanism of SDG radioprotection
      is not well understood. The current study identified a novel mechanism of DNA
      radioprotection by SDG in physiological solutions by scavenging active chlorine
      species (ACS) and reducing chlorinated nucleobases. METHODS: The ACS scavenging
      activity of SDG was determined using two highly specific fluoroprobes:
      hypochlorite-specific 3'-(p-aminophenyl) fluorescein (APF) and hydroxyl radical
      sensitive 3'-(p-hydroxyphenyl) fluorescein (HPF). Dopamine, an SDG structural
      analog, was used for proton (1)H NMR studies to trap primary ACS radicals.
      Taurine N-chlorination was determined to demonstrate radiation-induced generation
      of hypochlorite, a secondary ACS. DNA protection was assessed by determining the
      extent of DNA fragmentation and plasmid DNA relaxation following exposure to ClO(
      ) and radiation. Purine base chlorination by ClO(-) and gamma-radiation was
      determined by using 2-aminopurine (2-AP), a fluorescent analog of 6-aminopurine.
      RESULTS: Chloride anions (Cl(-)) consumed >90% of hydroxyl radicals in
      physiological solutions produced by gamma-radiation resulting in ACS formation,
      which was detected by (1)H NMR. Importantly, SDG scavenged hypochlorite- and
      gamma-radiation-induced ACS. In addition, SDG blunted ACS-induced fragmentation
      of calf thymus DNA and plasmid DNA relaxation. SDG treatment before or after ACS
      exposure decreased the ClO(-) or gamma-radiation-induced chlorination of 2-AP.
      Exposure to gamma-radiation resulted in increased taurine chlorination,
      indicative of ClO(-) generation. NMR studies revealed formation of primary ACS
      radicals (chlorine atoms (Cl) and dichloro radical anions (Cl2-)), which were
      trapped by SDG and its structural analog dopamine. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate
      that gamma-radiation induces the generation of ACS in physiological solutions.
      SDG treatment scavenged ACS and prevented ACS-induced DNA damage and chlorination
      of 2-aminopurine. This study identified a novel and unique mechanism of SDG
      radioprotection, through ACS scavenging, and supports the potential usefulness of
      SDG as a radioprotector and mitigator for radiation exposure as part of cancer
      therapy or accidental exposure.

PMID- 27261095
TI  - Gallbladder and the risk of polyps and carcinoma in metachromatic leukodystrophy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess frequency of gallbladder polyposis and carcinoma in
      metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). METHODS: We evaluated 34 patients with MLD
      (average age 16.7 years, age range 2-39 years) screened for gallbladder
      abnormalities by ultrasound. In the case of cholecystectomy, findings at
      pathology were reviewed. RESULTS: Only 8 of 34 patients (23%) had a normal
      gallbladder at ultrasound. Gallbladder polyps were visible in 8 patients (23%).
      Cholecystectomy was performed in 11 patients (32%). In these, pathology revealed
      various abnormalities, including hyperplastic polyps, intestinal metaplasia,
      prominent Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses, and sulfatide storage. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results demonstrate that gallbladder involvement is the rule rather than the
      exception in MLD. The high prevalence of hyperplastic polyps, a known
      precancerous condition, and one death from gallbladder carcinoma at a young age
      suggest that MLD predisposes to neoplastic gallbladder abnormalities. As novel
      therapies for this patient group are emerging leading to increased life
      expectancy, we recommend screening for gallbladder abnormalities by ultrasound in
      order to prevent early death.

PMID- 27261096
TI  - Assessing the Relationship of Mammographic Breast Density and Proliferative
      Breast Disease.
AB  - Increased breast density and a history of benign breast biopsy are both
      considered risk factors for developing breast cancer. Understanding the specifics
      of these risk factors and their relationship to each other can lead to a better
      understanding of a patient's propensity for breast cancer development and
      improved surveillance strategies. We included 245 women who underwent a benign
      breast biopsy without atypia between October 2011 and June 2013. Biopsies were
      performed for suspicious calcifications as well as masses and architectural
      distortion. Lesions biopsied were divided into two groups: calcified and
      noncalcified lesions. The patient's breast density was assessed on most recent
      mammogram and was classified using the American College of Radiology BI-RADS
      density categories. Based on histologic diagnosis, each case was classified as
      proliferative or nonproliferative breast disease. The median age of the cohort (n
      = 245) was 55 years (range, 40-84 years). There were 162 (66%) postmenopausal
      women in the study. A core biopsy was performed for calcifications in 33.5% cases
      and for noncalcified lesions in 58% cases. In patients with dense breast tissue,
      an underlying proliferative histology was found significantly more frequently
      with calcifications (66.7%) as opposed to noncalcified lesions (35.9%) (RR = 2.3
      (1.3-4.0); chi(2) = 8.7; p = 0.003). In nondense breast patients, there was no
      significant difference (RR = 1.1 (0.7-1.8); chi(2) = 0.1; p = 0.738). In the
      postmenopausal group, women with dense breasts had proliferative histology
      significantly more frequently than women with nondense breasts (55.3% versus
      38.3%; p < 0.05), regardless of the underlying lesion type. Postmenopausal women
      with dense breasts who underwent a breast biopsy with benign histology had a
      significantly higher likelihood of having proliferative breast disease,
      regardless of underlying lesion type. Women with dense breasts also showed
      proliferative histology significantly more often for calcifications as opposed to
      noncalcified lesions. 

PMID- 27261097
TI  - Corona discharges with water electrospray for Escherichia coli biofilm
      eradication on a surface.
AB  - Low-temperature plasma (cold), a new method for the decontamination of surfaces,
      can be an advantageous alternative to the traditional chemical methods, autoclave
      or dry heat. Positive and negative corona discharges in air were tested for the
      eradication of 48-h Escherichia coli biofilms grown on glass slides. The biofilms
      were treated by cold corona discharge plasma for various exposure times. Water
      electrospray from the high voltage electrode was applied in some experiments.
      Thermostatic cultivation of the biofilm, and confocal laser scanning microscopy
      (CLSM) of the biofilm stained with fluorescent dyes were used for biocidal
      efficiency quantification. Up to 5 log10 reduction of bacterial concentration in
      the biofilm was measured by thermostatic cultivation after exposure to both
      corona discharges for 15min. This decontamination efficiency was significantly
      enhanced by simultaneous water electrospray through the plasma. CLSM showed that
      the live/dead ratio after treatment remained almost constant inside the biofilm;
      only cells on the top layers of the biofilm were affected. DAPI fluorescence
      showed that biofilm thickness was reduced by about 1/3 upon exposure to the
      corona discharges with electrospray for 15min. The biofilm biomass loss by about
      2/3 was confirmed by crystal violet assay. 

PMID- 27261098
TI  - Targeted genetics in Drosophila cell lines: Inserting single transgenes in vitro.
AB  - A long-standing problem with analyzing transgene expression in tissue-culture
      cells is the variation caused by random integration of different copy numbers of
      transfected transgenes. In mammalian cells, single transgenes can be inserted by
      homologous recombination but this process is inefficient in Drosophila cells. To
      tackle this problem, our group, and the Cherbas group, used recombination
      mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) to introduce single-copy transgenes into
      specific locations in the Drosophila genome. In both cases, phiC31 was used to
      catalyze recombination between its target sequences attP in the genome, and attB
      flanking the donor sequence. We generated cell lines de novo with a single attP
      flanked cassette for recombination, whereas, Cherbas et al. introduced a single
      attP-flanked cassette into existing cell lines. In both approaches, a 2-drug
      selection scheme was used to select for cells with a single copy of the donor
      sequence inserted by RMCE and against cells with random integration of multiple
      copies. Here we describe the general advantages of using RMCE to introduce genes
      into fly cells, the different attributes of the 2 methods, and how future work
      could make use of other recombinases and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to further
      enable genetic manipulation of Drosophila cells in vitro.

PMID- 27261100
TI  - 2016 Wellcome Image Awards, across the UK and beyond.

PMID- 27261099
TI  - Effects of postnatal bromocriptine injection on thyroid function and
      prolactinemia of rats at adulthood.
AB  - Previously, we demonstrated that maternal prolactin inhibition at the end of
      lactation, using bromocriptine (BRO), leads to an increase in leptin transfer via
      milk and induces the adult progeny to present hypothyroidism, leptin resistance
      and metabolic syndrome (obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, lower HDL).
      To test if these alterations are due to direct BRO action on the pups, in the
      present study we evaluated the long-term effects of direct injection of BRO
      (0.1MUg/once daily) in male Wistar rats from postnatal (PN) day 1 to 10 (early
      treatment) or from PN11 to 20 (late treatment) on: food intake, body mass,
      cardiovascular parameters, hormone profile, hypothalamic leptin signaling,
      glucose homeostasis and thyroid hormone-dependent proteins. The respective
      controls were injected with methanol-saline. Offspring were killed at adulthood
      (PN180). Adult PN1-10 BRO-treated animals had lower food intake,
      hypoprolactinemia, lower leptin action (lower OBR-b, STAT-3 and SOCS-3 mRNA
      levels in the arcuate nucleus), lower TRH-TSH-thyroid axis as well as lower
      thyroid hormone markers. On the other hand, adult animals that were BRO-treated
      during the PN11-20 period showed hyperphagia, higher blood pressure, higher
      prolactinemia and OBR-b, higher TRH and plasma T3, hypercorticosteronemia as well
      as higher Dio2 and UCP1 mRNA expression in the brown adipose tissue. Glucose
      homeostasis was not changed treatment in either period. Our data show that early
      and late dopamine overexposure during lactation induces diverse metabolic
      disturbances later in life, increasing the risk of thyroid dysfunction and,
      consequently, changes in prolactinemia.

PMID- 27261101
TI  - Outcomes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in liver transplant recipients with
      allograft failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) carries appreciable morbidity
      and mortality in the pre-liver transplant (LT) setting. However, the occurrence
      of SBP and its consequences in the post-LT setting have not been well
      characterized. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of SBP occurring in post-LT
      patients between January 2007 and December 2012. Outcomes were compared to a
      cohort of post-LT patients with allograft failure and ascites without SBP.
      RESULTS: The most common indication for liver transplantation in this cohort was
      hepatitis C. A total of 29 episodes of SBP in 21 patients were identified.
      Escherichia coli (19%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (10%) were the most frequent
      pathogens identified. Six patients died during their first episode of SBP. Ten
      patients were eventually listed for liver re-transplantation (re-LT) after their
      first episode of SBP; 5 of these patients were transplanted and the other 5 died.
      Of the 5 who were transplanted, 2 died shortly after re-transplant, and 3 are
      still alive. The cause of death in the majority of patients was infection
      (83.3%). The median time from onset of ascites to death was 214 days (range: 10
      1085 days) and from the first episode of SBP to death was 50.5 days (range: 4-549
      days). In contrast, the median time from onset of ascites to death in patients
      with allograft failure and ascites without SBP was 331.5 days (45-2400 days).
      CONCLUSIONS: Allograft failure with ascites is a poor prognostic factor and these
      patients should be considered high risk for re-LT. SBP may accelerate the time to
      mortality.

PMID- 27261102
TI  - Bifunctional role of pro-inflammatory cytokines after traumatic brain injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pro-inflammatory cytokines play an essential role in maintenance of
      normal brain function as well as in repair after traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
      However, massive and uncontrolled release of these cytokines, particularly
      interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, can also
      result in a great deal of additional brain damage. Levels of these cytokines may
      increase in the brain thousands of times more than do the corresponding levels in
      serum. RESEARCH DESIGN: Narrative literature review. Outcome and conclusions:
      Strategies to control the levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines and to
      reduce the cytokine-induced brain damage are discussed. There is extensive
      evidence from experiments in animal models that suppression of cytokines is
      effective in ameliorating neurologic damage after TBI. However, the efficacy of
      this approach remains to be proven in patient trials.

PMID- 27261103
TI  - Intercalated chemotherapy and erlotinib for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations.
AB  - Among attempts to delay development of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors
      (TKIs) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with
      activating mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), intercalated
      therapy has not been properly evaluated. In a phase II trial, 38 patients with
      EGFR mutated NSCLC in advanced stage were treated with 4 to 6 3-weekly cycles of
      intercalated schedule with gemcitabine (1250 mg/m2, days 1 and 4), cisplatin (75
      mg/m2, day 2) and erlotinib (150 mg, days 5 - 15), followed by continuous
      erlotinib as maintenance. In addition to standard radiologic evaluation according
      to RECIST, PET/CT was done prior to treatment and at 6 months, using PERCIST as a
      method for assessment of response. The primary endpoint was progression-free
      survival (PFS). In general, tolerance to treatment was good, even among 8
      patients with performance status 2-3 and 13 patients with brain metastases; grade
      4 toxicity included 2 cases of neutropenia and 4 thrombo-embolic events. Complete
      response (CR) or partial response (PR) were seen in 15 (39.5%) and 17 (44.7%)
      cases, respectively. All cases of CR were confirmed also by PET/CT. Median PFS
      was 23.4 months and median overall survival (OS) was 38.3  months. After a median
      follow-up of 35 months, 8 patients are still in CR and on maintenance erlotinib.
      In conclusion, intercalated treatment for treatment-naive patients with EGFR
      activating mutations leads to excellent response rate and prolonged PFS and
      survival. Comparison of the intercalated schedule to monotherapy with TKIs in a
      randomized trial is warranted.

PMID- 27261153
TI  - Restricted ADP movement in cardiomyocytes: Cytosolic diffusion obstacles are
      complemented with a small number of open mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion
      channels.
AB  - Adequate intracellular energy transfer is crucial for proper cardiac function. In
      energy starved failing hearts, partial restoration of energy transfer can rescue
      mechanical performance. There are two types of diffusion obstacles that interfere
      with energy transfer from mitochondria to ATPases: mitochondrial outer membrane
      (MOM) with voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) permeable to small hydrophilic
      molecules and cytoplasmatic diffusion barriers grouping ATP-producers and 
      consumers. So far, there is no method developed to clearly distinguish the
      contributions of cytoplasmatic barriers and MOM to the overall diffusion
      restriction. Furthermore, the number of open VDACs in vivo remains unknown. The
      aim of this work was to establish the partitioning of intracellular diffusion
      obstacles in cardiomyocytes. We studied the response of mitochondrial oxidative
      phosphorylation of permeabilized rat cardiomyocytes to changes in extracellular
      ADP by recording 3D image stacks of NADH autofluorescence. Using cell-specific
      mathematical models, we determined the permeability of MOM and cytoplasmatic
      barriers. We found that only ~2% of VDACs are accessible to cytosolic ADP and
      cytoplasmatic diffusion barriers reduce the apparent diffusion coefficient by 6
      10*. In cardiomyocytes, diffusion barriers in the cytoplasm and by the MOM
      restrict ADP/ATP diffusion to similar extents suggesting a major role of both
      barriers in energy transfer and other intracellular processes.

PMID- 27261154
TI  - Primary care physicians' perspectives on the prescription opioid epidemic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prescription opioid use disorder and overdose have risen
      substantially in the U.S. Primary care physicians are critical to many ongoing
      and proposed efforts to address the prescription opioid epidemic. Yet, little is
      known about their attitudes and beliefs surrounding this issue. This study aimed
      to determine primary care physicians' perceptions of the seriousness of the
      problem, its causes, groups responsible for addressing it, attitudes toward
      individuals with prescription opioid use disorder, beliefs about the
      effectiveness of addiction treatments, and support for various policies. METHODS:
      We conducted a national web-based survey in 2014 among 1010 primary care
      physicians. We gauged responses to attitude and belief items on 7-point Likert
      scales. We examined the proportion agreeing with each statement, and whether
      responses differed among physicians prescribing higher and lower volumes of
      opioids. RESULTS: Respondents largely attributed the causes of prescription
      opioid use disorder to individual-oriented factors and certain physician-oriented
      factors, and believed that individuals with prescription opioid use disorder and
      physicians were primarily responsible for addressing the problem. Negative
      attitudes toward people with prescription opioid use disorder were prevalent, but
      a majority believed that treatment could be effective. There was majority support
      for all measured policies, with the highest levels of support for policies to
      monitor prescribing among patients potentially at risk for an opioid use disorder
      and to improve physician education and training. CONCLUSIONS: Given strong
      endorsement of recommended policies, physician support could be leveraged to
      advance efforts to curb prescription opioid use disorder and overdose.

PMID- 27261155
TI  - Survalytics: An Open-Source Cloud-Integrated Experience Sampling, Survey, and
      Analytics and Metadata Collection Module for Android Operating System Apps.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We describe here Survalytics, a software module designed to address
      two broad areas of need. The first area is in the domain of surveys and app
      analytics: developers of mobile apps in both academic and commercial environments
      require information about their users, as well as how the apps are being used, to
      understand who their users are and how to optimally approach app development. The
      second area of need is in the field of ecological momentary assessment, also
      referred to as experience sampling: researchers in a wide variety of fields,
      spanning from the social sciences to psychology to clinical medicine, would like
      to be able to capture daily or even more frequent data from research subjects
      while in their natural environment. OBJECTIVE: Survalytics is an open-source
      solution for the collection of survey responses as well as arbitrary analytic
      metadata from users of Android operating system apps. METHODS: Surveys may be
      administered in any combination of one-time questions and ongoing questions. The
      module may be deployed as a stand-alone app for experience sampling purposes or
      as an add-on to existing apps. The module takes advantage of free-tier NoSQL
      cloud database management offered by the Amazon Web Services DynamoDB platform to
      package a secure, flexible, extensible data collection module. DynamoDB is
      capable of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant storage
      of personal health information. RESULTS: The provided example app may be used
      without modification for a basic experience sampling project, and we provide
      example questions for daily collection of blood glucose data from study subjects.
      CONCLUSIONS: The module will help researchers in a wide variety of fields rapidly
      develop tailor-made Android apps for a variety of data collection purposes.

PMID- 27261156
TI  - Neurochemistry of lead and manganese.

PMID- 27261157
TI  - Military suicide coverage: AP news wire & suicide guidelines.
AB  - The authors evaluated how well Associated Press News Wire stories adhered to the
      Recommendations for Reporting on SuicideTM during 2012, a peak year of military
      suicide. They included individual suicide stories (N = 167) from randomly
      selected days. They also evaluated differences in the military versus civilian
      coverage. Military and civilian stories typically had about five negative
      practices, and less than one positive practice, with military stories
      significantly more likely to miss valuable opportunities to promote help-seeking.
      The findings, combined with previous evidence, suggest the need for the
      development of specific military suicide reporting guidelines.

PMID- 27261158
TI  - Reliable individual-level neural markers of high-level language processing: A
      necessary precursor for relating neural variability to behavioral and genetic
      variability.
AB  - The majority of functional neuroimaging investigations aim to characterize an
      average human brain. However, another important goal of cognitive neuroscience is
      to understand the ways in which individuals differ from one another and the
      significance of these differences. This latter goal is given special weight by
      the recent reconceptualization of neurological disorders where sharp boundaries
      are no longer drawn either between health and neuropsychiatric and
      neurodevelopmental disorders, or among different disorders (e.g., Insel et al.,
      2010). Consequently, even the variability in the healthy population can inform
      our understanding of brain disorders. However, because the use of functional
      neural markers is still in its infancy, no consensus presently exists about which
      measures (e.g., effect size?, extent of activation?, degree of lateralization?)
      are the best ones to use. We here attempt to address this question with respect
      to one large-scale neural system: the set of brain regions in the frontal and
      temporal cortices that jointly support high-level linguistic processing (e.g.,
      Binder et al., 1997; Fedorenko, Hsieh, Nieto-Castanon, Whitfield-Gabrieli, &
      Kanwisher, 2010). In particular, using data from 150 individuals all of whom had
      performed a language "localizer" task contrasting sentences and nonword sequences
      (Fedorenko et al., 2010), we: a) characterize the distributions of the values for
      four key neural measures of language activity (region effect sizes, region
      volumes, lateralization based on effect sizes, and lateralization based on
      volumes); b) test the reliability of these measures in a subset of 32 individuals
      who were scanned across two sessions; c) evaluate the relationship among the
      different regions of the language system; and d) evaluate the relationship among
      the different neural measures. Based on our results, we provide some
      recommendations for future studies of brain-behavior and brain-genes
      relationships. Although some of our conclusions are specific to the language
      system, others (e.g., the fact that effect-size-based measures tend to be more
      reliable than volume-based measures) are likely to generalize to the rest of the
      brain.

PMID- 27261159
TI  - Perceptual demand and distraction interactions mediated by task-control networks.
AB  - Modulation of selective attention appears to be under the guidance of a cluster
      of distinct task-control networks, the frontroparietal (FPN) and cingulo
      opercular (CON). Yet, their role in mediating the relationship between task
      perceptual load and presence/absence of distraction in the auditory modality is
      unclear. Here, we examined this interaction using functional magnetic resonance
      imaging (fMRI) and an auditory signal detection task. The auditory stimulus
      signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was parametrically manipulated, by varying the
      amplitude of the Tone while holding the Noise constant, to create four perceptual
      load conditions presented in combination with or without acoustic distraction.
      Regions of the FPN (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inferior parietal
      lobule) and CON (e.g., dorsal anterior cingulate cortex/medial superior frontal
      cortex, anterior prefrontal cortex, anterior insula/frontal operculum) were
      modulated by perceptual load and distraction, such that lower loads induced a
      pattern of increased activity when there was no distraction. On the other hand, a
      trend of augmented activity was found in higher loads during distraction. These
      findings suggest a role for the FPN and CON in mediating the allocation of
      attentional resources to competing auditory information under varying degrees of
      perceptual demand. 

PMID- 27261161
TI  - Uncertainty and expectancy deviations require cortico-subcortical cooperation.
AB  - In a dynamic and uncertain environment it is beneficial to learn the causal
      structure of the environment in order to minimize uncertainty. This requires
      determining estimates of probable outcomes, which will guide expectations about
      incoming information. One key factor in this learning process is to detect
      whether an unexpected event constitutes a low probability, but valid outcome, or
      an outright error. The present 7T-fMRI study investigated the role of subcortical
      structures in regulating this probabilistic inferential learning process. A new
      task was designed, in which participants learned to calculate the value, and
      therefore to anticipate the outcome of different visual sequences. Three types of
      sequences provided unambiguous, ambiguous, and incongruent contextual evidence
      and each sequence had two outcomes, which differed in their probability of
      occurrence. We hypothesized that subcortical regions are necessary when
      expectations are violated, and that their involvement will depend on the nature
      of the unexpected event. The results show increased dorsomedial striatal and
      thalamic activation for less probable sequences; in addition, ambiguous sequences
      also display larger activation in the red nuclei. Incongruent sequences displayed
      a pattern of subcortical activation restricted to the dorsolateral and the
      posterior dorsomedial striatum. These results confirm that different subcortical
      structures regulate uncertainty and expectancy deviations; this is crucial not
      only for learning to predict events in the environment, but also for flexible
      cognitive control in general.

PMID- 27261160
TI  - Heart rate variability is associated with amygdala functional connectivity with
      MPFC across younger and older adults.
AB  - The ability to regulate emotion is crucial to promote well-being. Evidence
      suggests that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and adjacent anterior cingulate
      (ACC) modulate amygdala activity during emotion regulation. Yet less is known
      about whether the amygdala-mPFC circuit is linked with regulation of the
      autonomic nervous system and whether the relationship differs across the adult
      lifespan. The current study tested the hypothesis that heart rate variability
      (HRV) reflects the strength of mPFC-amygdala interaction across younger and older
      adults. We recorded participants' heart rates at baseline and examined whether
      baseline HRV was associated with amygdala-mPFC functional connectivity during
      rest. We found that higher HRV was associated with stronger functional
      connectivity between the amygdala and the mPFC during rest across younger and
      older adults. In addition to this age-invariant pattern, there was an age-related
      change, such that greater HRV was linked with stronger functional connectivity
      between amygdala and ventrolateral PFC (vlPFC) in younger than in older adults.
      These results are in line with past evidence that vlPFC is involved in emotion
      regulation especially in younger adults. Taken together, our results support the
      neurovisceral integration model and suggest that higher heart rate variability is
      associated with neural mechanisms that support successful emotional regulation
      across the adult lifespan.

PMID- 27261162
TI  - Detection of functional brain network reconfiguration during task-driven
      cognitive states.
AB  - Network science offers computational tools to elucidate the complex patterns of
      interactions evident in neuroimaging data. Recently, these tools have been used
      to detect dynamic changes in network connectivity that may occur at short time
      scales. The dynamics of fMRI connectivity, and how they differ across time
      scales, are far from understood. A simple way to interrogate dynamics at
      different time scales is to alter the size of the time window used to extract
      sequential (or rolling) measures of functional connectivity. Here, in n=82
      participants performing three distinct cognitive visual tasks in recognition
      memory and strategic attention, we subdivided regional BOLD time series into
      variable sized time windows and determined the impact of time window size on
      observed dynamics. Specifically, we applied a multilayer community detection
      algorithm to identify temporal communities and we calculated network flexibility
      to quantify changes in these communities over time. Within our frequency band of
      interest, large and small windows were associated with a narrow range of network
      flexibility values across the brain, while medium time windows were associated
      with a broad range of network flexibility values. Using medium time windows of
      size 75-100s, we uncovered brain regions with low flexibility (considered core
      regions, and observed in visual and attention areas) and brain regions with high
      flexibility (considered periphery regions, and observed in subcortical and
      temporal lobe regions) via comparison to appropriate dynamic network null models.
      Generally, this work demonstrates the impact of time window length on observed
      network dynamics during task performance, offering pragmatic considerations in
      the choice of time window in dynamic network analysis. More broadly, this work
      reveals organizational principles of brain functional connectivity that are not
      accessible with static network approaches.

PMID- 27261163
TI  - Improved multi-shot diffusion imaging using GRAPPA with a compact kernel.
AB  - In multi-shot diffusion imaging, motion induced phase variations are
      traditionally seen as a source of artifacts and corrected in the image domain
      using SENSE-based methods. This correction usually requires image echo and
      navigator echo to be geometrically matched. Recently, a k-space based method,
      realigned GRAPPA, has been proposed. It realigns data from different shots into
      the same k-space locations, and then synthesizes the missing data using GRAPPA
      algorithm. In this study, we refined the theory for GRAPPA-based method. In the
      revised theory, phase variations are treated as a kind of encoding, similar to
      coil sensitivity encoding. Based on this, the missing data can be synthesized
      using k-space correlations among different shots and channels. Then a compact
      kernel is used which only includes acquired data with significant contribution
      for the data synthesis, and can generate accurate weights without strict
      navigator size requirements. Simulation studies as well as brain and cervical
      spine experiments demonstrate that the proposed reconstruction method can
      effectively suppress artifacts caused by phase variations, and provide diffusion
      images with high resolution and low distortion. Compared with SENSE-based
      methods, the proposed method is less sensitive to mismatch between image echo and
      navigator echo. 

PMID- 27261164
TI  - Piezoelectric surgery and navigation: a safe approach for complex cases of Eagle
      syndrome.
AB  - Eagle syndrome was first described by Eagle in 1937. It is associated with an
      elongated styloid process and/or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament, mainly
      resulting in pain in the orofacial region. The treatment of Eagle syndrome
      includes conservative treatment with physical therapy supported by medication, or
      surgical removal of the styloid process. Two different surgical approaches are
      described in the literature: the transoral and transcervical approaches. Both
      have their limitations and specific intraoperative risks. A modification of the
      transcervical approach that adds an extra security measure to the treatment of
      complex cases of Eagle syndrome is presented herein. The styloid process was
      removed by combining piezoelectric surgery, preoperative digital planning, and
      surgical navigation. No complication was noted, and the patient recovered quickly
      after surgery. A follow-up visit 2 months later showed no remaining symptoms of
      Eagle syndrome on the treated side. Therefore, digital planning and surgical
      navigation could add valuable safety measures to the treatment of complex cases
      of Eagle syndrome. 

PMID- 27261165
TI  - The bony cartilaginous unit: the missing graft in septorhinoplasty.
AB  - To achieve the desired nasoseptal refinements in septorhinoplasty, sufficient
      septal cartilage is needed. There are many cases in which septal cartilage is
      insufficient, especially in revision surgery. To obtain an optimal outcome, a
      bony cartilaginous unit is proposed as a versatile graft for various parts of the
      nose. This bony cartilaginous unit is extracted using the open septorhinoplasty
      approach in which the bilateral septal flaps are elevated over the entire
      cartilaginous and bony part; however, the cartilaginous septum and posterior bony
      part are not separated and are removed as an integrated unit. These bony
      cartilaginous units can be used as various types of grafts at different sites in
      the nose. In the present study, the bony cartilaginous units were used as caudal
      extension grafts, spreader grafts, lateral crural strut grafts, and for the
      closure of septal perforations. This research has shown the advantage of using
      septal bone in conjunction with cartilage as an integrated unit to correct
      external nose and septal deformities, especially in cartilage-depleted patients. 

PMID- 27261166
TI  - 3-O-Laurylglyceryl ascorbate reinforces skin barrier function through not only
      the reduction of oxidative stress but also the activation of ceramide synthesis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A higher trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) occurs in rough skin, in
      elder skin and also in atopic dermatitis. An impaired skin barrier function is
      considered to be caused by an incomplete construction of the intercellular
      lamellar structure due to the quantitative reduction of ceramides. Since these
      symptoms coexist with oxidative stress, we hypothesized that impairment of the
      skin barrier function is accelerated by oxidative stress. Thus, the purpose of
      this study was to clarify the effect of oxidative stress on ceramide synthesis
      and to characterize whether antioxidants can improve skin barrier function. 3-O
      Laurylglyceryl ascorbate (VC-3LG), which is a newly amphipathic derivative of
      ascorbic acid, was evaluated as a candidate antioxidant. METHODS: We
      characterized the mRNA expression levels of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) in
      normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) treated with H2 O2 using real-time
      PCR analysis. In order to evaluate the effect of VC-3LG on skin barrier function,
      we used several assays with reconstructed human epidermis equivalents (RHEEs).
      RESULTS: Ceramide synthesis was down-regulated in NHEKs by oxidative stress.
      Treatment with VC-3LG abrogated the down-regulation of SPT mRNA in NHEKs caused
      by oxidative stress, and stimulated SPT mRNA expression levels. In experiments
      characterizing the antioxidative properties of VC-3LG, VC-3LG reduced oxidative
      stress in NHEKs by up-regulating catalase mRNA expression. In addition, VC-3LG
      stimulated the skin barrier function in RHEEs, which had lower TEWL values
      compared with untreated RHEEs. Furthermore, VC-3LG increased the quantity of
      ceramide in RHEEs. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we conclude that VC-3LG reinforces
      the skin barrier function due to its reduction of oxidative stress and its
      promotion of ceramide synthesis.

PMID- 27261167
TI  - Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644 on fresh-cut tomato using nisin
      in combinations with organic salts.
AB  - The inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644 on fresh-cut tomato was
      investigated using nisin alone, and in combinations with organic salts. Nisin at
      a concentration of 5000UI/mL was introduced alone or in combination with an
      organic salt (sodium citrate or sodium acetate each at 3 and 5g/100mL each) on
      fresh-cut tomato previously inoculated with 10(8)CFU/mL of L. monocytogenes ATCC
      7644. Chlorine at 200ppm was used as a control. The inoculated samples were
      incubated at different temperatures (4, 10 and 25 degrees C) and examined at 0,
      24, 48 and 72h. The effects of the antimicrobial treatments on quality parameters
      of tomato (pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity and vitamin C) were also
      evaluated, and colour parameters were observed at the lowest storage temperature
      for 10 days. Both nisin and the organic salts inhibited growth of L.
      monocytogenes, but the combinations of two compounds were more effective. The
      nisin-sodium citrate (5%) combination was significantly (p<=0.05) effective,
      while chlorine was least effective against L. monocytogenes. The quality
      parameters were substantially retained, especially at 4 degrees C, suggesting
      good shelf stability at a low temperature. These results substantiate the use of
      the cheap and eco-friendly approach to reducing this pathogen of health concern
      in common fresh produce. 

PMID- 27261168
TI  - Laryngeal Electromyographic findings in patients with vocal fold motion
      asymmetry.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Vocal fold motion asymmetry (VFMA) is often attributed to
      vocal fold paresis or an anatomical variant. Although laryngeal electromyography
      (LEMG) may be used to evaluate patients with vocal fold paresis,
      electrodiagnostic findings in VFMA have not been well defined. STUDY DESIGN:
      Review of a case series METHODS: Twenty-five symptomatic patients with VFMA were
      examined by LEMG, and the findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Although all were
      thought to have unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis, LEMG showed only
      nine to have unilateral recurrent nerve paresis. There were nine with both
      ipsilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal nerve paresis, four
      with bilateral paresis, and three were normal. Reduced total number of units,
      reduced recruitment, motor units firing fast, and polyphasic units were more
      common, whereas fibrillation potentials, fasciculation, positive sharp waves, and
      complex repetitive discharges were uncommon. The LEMG findings are most
      consistent with old, healed neuropathy. McNemar's test for the acute versus
      chronic denervation potentials showed significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: VFMA
      has a high incidence of vocal fold paresis that can be better defined by LEMG.
      The site and side of paresis is often wrong based on laryngoscopy findings alone.
      The LEMG findings of VFMA appear to be consistent with old, healed neuropathy
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 126:E273-E277, 2016.

PMID- 27261169
TI  - Porcine epidemic diarrhea in China.
AB  - Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a contagious intestinal disease caused by
      Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) that characterized by vomiting, diarrhea,
      and dehydration. PEDV was first identified in the 1980s in China, and since then,
      it has become one of the most common viral causes of diarrhea. In October 2010, a
      large-scale outbreak of PED caused by a PEDV variant occurred in China, resulting
      in tremendous economic losses. This review presents a comprehensive description
      of PEDV history, prevalence, molecular features, and prevention and control
      strategies in China.

PMID- 27261170
TI  - Impact of aerobic exercise training during chemotherapy on cancer related
      cognitive impairments in patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia or
      myelodysplastic syndrome - Study protocol of a randomized placebo-controlled
      trial.
AB  - Cancer related cognitive impairments (CRCI) are frequently reported by patients
      prior to, during and after medical treatment. Although this cognitive decline
      severely affects patients' quality of life, little is known about effective
      treatments. Exercise programs represent a promising supportive strategy in this
      field. However, evidence is sparse and existing studies display methodological
      limitations. In the planned study, 83 men and women newly diagnosed with acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) will be randomized into
      one of three treatment groups. During 4weeks of induction chemotherapy with
      Anthracycline and Cytarabin patients allocated to exercise group will cycle
      3*/week for 30min at moderate to vigorous intensity on an ergometer. Patients
      allocated to placebo group will receive a supervised myofascial release training
      (3*/week, approx. 30min) and patients at control group will get usual care. As
      primary endpoints a cognitive test battery will be conducted measuring
      performances depending on verbal/spatial memory and executive functioning.
      Secondary endpoints will be self-perceived cognitive functioning, as well as
      neurotrophic and inflammatory serum markers. All assessments will be conducted
      immediately after hospitalization and before chemotherapy is commenced,
      immediately before discharge of hospital after 4-5weeks as well as before
      continuing medical treatment 3-4weeks after discharge. This will be the first
      study investigating the impact of an aerobic exercise training on CRCI in AML/MDS
      patients. We hope that the study design and the state-of-the-art assessments will
      help to increase knowledge about CRCI in general and exercise as potential
      treatment option in this under investigated population.

PMID- 27261171
TI  - A cybercycling intervention to improve behavioral regulation and classroom
      functioning among children with behavioral health disorders: Pragmatic randomized
      trial design for Manville Moves.
AB  - While positive and clinically meaningful effects of exercise on cognition and
      behavior in children have been demonstrated in controlled experimental settings,
      they have rarely been translated and rigorously evaluated in real-world
      environments. In particular, there is a lack of research on school-based
      approaches to sustainable physical activity and exercise interventions targeting
      children with behavioral health disorders. Manville Moves is an exercise
      intervention designed to improve behavioral regulation and classroom functioning
      among children with neurodevelopmental and affective disorders within a
      therapeutic day-school environment. The curriculum is built around virtual
      reality exergaming bicycles (cybercycles) and integrated into physical education
      (PE) classes. Manville Moves was developed using community based participatory
      research (CBPR) and implemented as a pragmatic trial. In this paper, we describe
      (a) the background, theoretical framework and intervention setting, (b) the
      Manville Moves curriculum, (c) the study design and outcome and process measures,
      and (d) the strategies used to support implementation compliance and intervention
      uptake by a population with a variety of behavioral challenges. We conclude with
      a detailed description of the participatory process by which the intervention was
      developed and integrated into school programming and a review of the program's
      key innovations and approaches to addressing threats to internal and external
      validity.

PMID- 27261172
TI  - Clinical and molecular heterogeneity of head and neck spindle cell and sclerosing
      rhabdomyosarcoma.

PMID- 27261173
TI  - Venous aneurysm of the facial vein that presented as a lump in the neck: a case
      report.

PMID- 27261174
TI  - Interdental application of bone reduction forceps: a simple alternative to a
      bridle wire.

PMID- 27261175
TI  - Ilko Dacowo: The practice of iatrogenic tooth enucleation.

PMID- 27261176
TI  - Genome-scale CRISPR pooled screens.
AB  - Genome editing technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short
      palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems have ushered in a new era of targeted DNA
      manipulation. The easy programmability of CRISPR using short oligonucleotides
      enables rapid synthesis of large-scale libraries for functional genetic screens.
      Here we present fundamental concepts and methods for pooled CRISPR screens and
      review biological results from recent genome-scale loss-of-function and gain-of
      function screens. We also discuss new frontiers in pooled screens, including
      novel effector domains for functional screens and applications in the noncoding
      genome.

PMID- 27261177
TI  - 3-O-Alkyl-2,3-dehydrosilibinins: Two synthetic approaches and in vitro effects
      toward prostate cancer cells.
AB  - Eight 3-O-alkyl-2,3-dehydrosilibinins have been synthesized from commercially
      available silibinin through two synthetic approaches. A one-pot reaction,
      starting with aerobic oxidation of silibinin followed by direct alkylation of the
      phenolic hydroxyl group in the subsequent 2,3-dehydrosilibinin, furnishes the
      desired derivatives in 11-16% yields. The three-step procedure employing benzyl
      ether to protect 7-OH in silibinin generates the desired derivatives in 30-46%
      overall yields. The antiproliferative activity of the 2,3-dehydrosilibinin
      derivatives against both androgen-sensitive and androgen-insensitive prostate
      cancer cells have been assessed using a WST-1 cell proliferation assay. All
      derivatives exhibited greater antiproliferative potency than silibinin, with 2,3
      dehydrosilibinins each possessing a three- to five-carbon linear alkyl group to 3
      OH (IC50 values in a range of 1.71-3.06MUM against PC-3 and LNCaP cells) as the
      optimal derivatives. The optimal potency was reached with three- to five-carbon
      alkyl groups. Our findings suggest that 3-O-propyl-2,3-dehydrosilibinin
      effectively inhibits the growth of PC-3 prostate cancer cells by arresting cell
      cycle in the G0/G1 phase, but not by activating PC-3 cell apoptosis.

PMID- 27261178
TI  - Novel JAK1-selective benzimidazole inhibitors with enhanced membrane
      permeability.
AB  - The previously identified Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)-selective inhibitor, 1-(2
      aminoethyl)-2-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxamide (2), suffered
      from low cell permeability, which resulted in poor pharmacokinetic properties. In
      this study, by introducing less polar hydrogen bond donors at N(1) (a
      hydroxyalkyl or a methylaminoalkyl group) and C2 (a cyclohexanol group)
      positions, a series of novel benzimidazole derivatives were prepared, which
      exhibited selective JAK1 inhibitory activity (IC50 against JAK1=0.08-0.15MUM;
      JAK1-selectivity=26-40 fold vs JAK2, 12-23 fold vs JAK3, and 38-54 fold vs Tyk2)
      along with significantly increased lipophilicity (3.3-15.8 times) as well as
      membrane permeability (6.3-12 times).

PMID- 27261179
TI  - Identification of potent and selective retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARgamma)
      antagonists for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain using structure based drug
      design.
AB  - A series of triaryl pyrazoles were identified as potent pan antagonists for the
      retinoic acid receptors (RARs) alpha, beta and gamma. X-ray crystallography and
      structure-based drug design were used to improve selectivity for RARgamma by
      targeting residue differences in the ligand binding pockets of these receptors.
      This resulted in the discovery of novel antagonists which maintained RARgamma
      potency but were greater than 500-fold selective versus RARalpha and RARbeta. The
      potent and selective RARgamma antagonist LY2955303 demonstrated good
      pharmacokinetic properties and was efficacious in the MIA model of osteoarthritis
      like joint pain. This compound demonstrated an improved margin to RARalpha
      mediated adverse effects.

PMID- 27261180
TI  - Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of hydrazinyl phthalazines against malaria
      parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.
AB  - In this report, we describe the synthesis of 1-(Phthalazin-4-yl)-hydrazine using
      bronsted acidic ionic liquids and demonstrate their ability to inhibit asexual
      stage development of human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Through
      computational studies, we short-listed chemical scaffolds with potential binding
      affinity to an essential parasite protein, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH).
      Further, these compounds were synthesized in the lab and tested against P.
      falciparum. Several compounds from our library showed inhibitory activity at low
      micro-molar concentrations with minimal cytotoxic effects. These results indicate
      the potential of hydralazine derivatives as reference scaffolds to develop novel
      antimalarials.

PMID- 27261181
TI  - New halogenated tris-(phenylalkyl)amines as h5-HT2B receptor ligands.
AB  - A series of compounds in which various halogen substituents were incorporated
      into a phenyl ring of a tris-(phenylalkyl)amine scaffold, was synthesized and
      evaluated for affinity to h5-HT2 receptors. In general, all compounds were found
      to have good affinity for the 5-HT2B receptor and were selective over 5-HT2A and
      5-HT2C receptors. Compound 9i was the most selective compound in this study and
      is the highest affinity 5-HT2B receptor ligand bearing a tris-(phenylalkyl)amine
      scaffold to date.

PMID- 27261182
TI  - Urethral Foreign Bodies: Clinical Presentation and Management.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review a single institution's 15-year experience with urethral
      foreign bodies, including evaluation, clinical findings, and treatment. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In total, 27 patients comprising 35 episodes of inserted urethral
      foreign bodies were reviewed at Cook County Hospital between 2000 and 2015.
      Retrospective chart review was performed to describe the clinical presentation,
      rationale for insertion, management, recidivism, and sequelae. RESULTS: Median
      patient age was 26 (range 12-60). Twenty-six patients (97 %) were male, 1 was
      female (3%). Items inserted included pieces of plastic forks, spoons, metal
      screws and aluminum, pieces of cardboard or paper, staples, writing utensils such
      as pens and pencils, as well as coaxial cable and spray foam sealant. Reported
      reasons for insertion were self-stimulation, erectile enhancement, and attention
      seeking. Presenting symptoms included dysuria, gross hematuria, urinary
      retention, urinary tract infection, and penile discharge. The most common
      technique for removal was manual extraction with extrinsic pressure (n = 19,
      54%). Other methods include endoscopic retrieval (n = 8, 23%), open cystotomy (n
      = 1, 3%), and voiding to expel the foreign body (n = 7, 20%). Postremoval
      complications included urinary tract infection (n = 7), sepsis (n = 4), urethral
      false passage (n = 5), laceration (n = 5), and stricture (n = 1). CONCLUSION: We
      present the largest single-institutional series of urethral foreign bodies to
      date. Urethral foreign body insertion is a relatively rare occurrence and,
      commonly, is a recurrent behavior. Urethral trauma related to foreign body
      insertion is associated with significant risk of infection and urethral injury
      with long-term sequelae.

PMID- 27261183
TI  - Use of a Non-cross-linked Xenograft (Xenform) in Surgical Treatment of Peyronie's
      Disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness in Peyronie's disease surgical treatment
      using Xenform, a non-cross-linked graft derived from dermal bovine tissue, to
      close the defect obtained after plaque incision, without penile prosthesis
      implant. A further objective is to evaluate the satisfaction of patients.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated with plaque incision 28 patients with a stable
      penile curvature >=60 degrees  hindering penetration and with erectile function
      conserved. International Index of Erectile Function-15 and a not-validated
      questionnaire constituted of 7 questions about their satisfaction were
      administered after 1 year of follow-up. Furthermore, specific questions were
      relative about penile straightening, penile postoperative length, glandular
      sensitivity, and feeling palpability. RESULTS: Graft is resulted compatible with
      albugineal features, like thickness, consistency, and elasticity; it is
      waterproof, allowing the visualization of complete correction of the curvature
      after the suture. No severe complications were observed except 1 hematoma
      requiring surgical revision. Sixteen patients were seen after at least 1 year of
      follow-up. Curvature improvement was obtained in all cases, with the complete
      straightening in 75%; we did not observe any retraction of the graft and any
      recurrence on the curvature. Significant reduced glans sensibility and erectile
      dysfunction were the more frequent postoperative complications, resulting in
      43.8% and 25%, respectively. All patients are satisfied with the straightening.
      Only 2 patients are dissatisfied about the overall result. CONCLUSION: Plaque
      incision corporoplasty with Xenform graft is an effective and safe surgical
      treatment. Xenform is a secure and a reliable albugineal substitute, comparable
      to other heterologous graft. We have not observed any retraction. Patient's
      satisfaction is linked to the treatment result and to sexual life.

PMID- 27261184
TI  - Genetic Basis of Posterior Urethral Valves Inheritance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To highlight genetic pattern of posterior urethral valves (PUVs), we
      performed a genetic study on 2 siblings affected. PUVs are the most common
      congenital cause of lower urinary tract obstruction and an important cause of
      renal failure in infants (50% progress to end-stage renal disease in 10 years).
      PUVs occur in 1 of 5000-8000 male infants, but real incidence is arduous to
      determine because of the wide spectrum of possible clinical presentation. A
      different recurrence rate is reported in African Americans and children with Down
      syndrome, although usually PUVs are not found in syndromic conditions but
      constitute an isolated disorder. Although most cases appear to be sporadic, some
      reports in literature suggest a partial genetic etiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      We report 2 brothers with PUVs. The children's mother was a healthy woman but had
      a history of urinary tract infections of unknown etiology. We investigated
      possible familial genetic anomalies using a DNA array comparative genomic
      hybridization technique. RESULTS: We identified 2 partial duplications in the
      short arm of chromosome 11 recurring in both children and mother. CONCLUSION:
      This finding, not previously reported to our knowledge, adds new data to support
      the hypothesis of the presence of a hereditary component in the occurrences of
      PUVs.

PMID- 27261185
TI  - Unexpected High Rates of Angiography and Angioembolization for Isolated Low-grade
      Renal Trauma: Results From a Large, Statewide, Trauma Database.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate usage of diagnostic angiography (DA) and renal
      angioembolization (RAE) for isolated renal injuries while assessing differences
      in utilization based on trauma-level designation. METHODS: Isolated renal
      injuries from 2000 to 2013 were identified in the prospectively maintained
      Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database and stratified by the American
      Association for the Surgery of Trauma kidney injury grade. Therapeutic
      intervention and International Classification of Diseases-9 codes identified DA
      and/or RAE performance, whereas renal injury was designated through Abbreviated
      Injury Scale codes. Univariate and multivariate models identified factors
      associated with utilization of DA or RAE. RESULTS: Of 449,422 patients entered
      into the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study from 2000 to 2013, 1628 (0.4%)
      isolated kidney injuries were identified. The majority of patients (1190/1628,
      73.1%) experienced low-grade (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma I
      III) renal trauma. Although isolated grade IV (41/350, 11.7%) or grade V (10/88,
      11.4%) renal trauma patients underwent DA or RAE at a greater rate (P < .001),
      low-grade patients still underwent DA or RAE 4.3% (51/1190) of the time. Patients
      with grade I injuries were significantly more likely to undergo DA or RAE at
      level 1 trauma centers (odds ratio 5.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2-23.8, P =
      .03). CONCLUSION: Despite overwhelming evidence supporting conservative
      management for patients with isolated, low-grade traumatic renal injuries,
      contemporary utilization of DA and RAE in such patients treated at trauma centers
      is surprisingly high. Factors accounting for a significant increase in
      utilization at Level 1 trauma centers need to be further elucidated.

PMID- 27261186
TI  - The impact of long-term secukinumab treatment on Epstein-Barr virus and
      cytomegalovirus loads in patients with psoriasis.

PMID- 27261193
TI  - Peroxiredoxin-2 nitrosylation facilitates cardiomyogenesis of mouse embryonic
      stem cells via XBP-1s/PI3K pathway.
AB  - Protein nitrosylation is a ubiquitous post-translational modification in almost
      all biological systems. However, its function on stem cell biology is so far
      incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrated that peroxiredoxin 2 (Prdx-2)
      nitrosylation was involved in cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic
      stem (ES) cells induced by S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). We found that temporary
      GSNO exposure could promote ES cell-derived cardiomyogenesis. Using a stable
      isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based proteomics
      approach, coupled with biotin switch technique, a total of 104 nitrosylated
      proteins were identified. Specifically, one of the antioxidant enzymes, Prdx-2,
      was abundantly nitrosylated and temporarily reduced in antioxidant activity,
      causing transient endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation and subsequent
      X-box binding protein-1s/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway activation. The
      present study reveals the mechanism in which GSNO favors cardiomyocyte
      differentiation. Prdx-2 nitrosylation could be a potent strategy to affect the
      pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyogenesis.

PMID- 27261194
TI  - Real-time and high-throughput analysis of mitochondrial metabolic states in
      living cells using genetically encoded NAD+/NADH sensors.
AB  - Mitochondria are central organelles that regulate cellular bioenergetics,
      biosynthesis, and signaling processes. NADH, a key player in cell metabolism, is
      often considered as a marker of mitochondrial function. However, traditional
      methods for NADH measurements are either destructive or unable to distinguish
      between NADH and NADPH. In contrast to traditional methods, genetically encoded
      NADH sensors can be used for the real-time tracking and quantitative measurement
      of subcellular NADH levels in living cells. Therefore, these sensors provide
      innovative tools and address the limitations of current techniques. We herein
      summarize the properties of different types of recently developed NADH
      biosensors, discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and focus on the high
      throughput analysis of mitochondrial function by using highly responsive
      NAD+/NADH sensors.

PMID- 27261195
TI  - The contribution of Glycobiology to the Zika outbreak in the Americas.

PMID- 27261196
TI  - Inhibition of hyaluronic acid formation sensitizes chronic myelogenous leukemia
      to treatment with doxorubicin.
AB  - In the current study we examined the ability of 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU),
      which can inhibit hyaluronic acid synthesis, to sensitize K562 chronic
      myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells to doxorubicin therapy. Exposure of K562 cells
      to doxorubicin led to increased hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) gene expression
      and increased levels of cell surface hyaluronic acid. Furthermore, exposure of
      K562 cells to exogenous HA caused resistance to doxorubicin-induced cell death.
      The combination of low dose 4-MU and doxorubicin led to increased apoptosis when
      compared to higher doses of any agent alone. Additionally, treatment with 4-MU
      led to a significant reduction in doxorubicin-induced increase in HA cell surface
      expression. Mechanistically, 4-MU treatment led to an increase in p38 activation
      and PARP cleavage. The role of p38 in 4-MU/doxorubicin-treated K562 cells was
      confirmed when p38 inhibitors led to protection from 4-MU/doxorubicin-induced
      apoptosis. Together, results from this study suggest that treatment with 4-MU
      increases the sensitivity of CML to chemotherapeutics by decreasing their HA
      mediated resistance to apoptosis.

PMID- 27261197
TI  - Dopamine signaling promotes the xenobiotic stress response and protein
      homeostasis.
AB  - Multicellular organisms encounter environmental conditions that adversely affect
      protein homeostasis (proteostasis), including extreme temperatures, toxins, and
      pathogens. It is unclear how they use sensory signaling to detect adverse
      conditions and then activate stress response pathways so as to offset potential
      damage. Here, we show that dopaminergic mechanosensory neurons in C. elegans
      release the neurohormone dopamine to promote proteostasis in epithelia. Signaling
      through the DA receptor DOP-1 activates the expression of xenobiotic stress
      response genes involved in pathogenic resistance and toxin removal, and these
      genes are required for the removal of unstable proteins in epithelia. Exposure to
      a bacterial pathogen (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) results in elevated removal of
      unstable proteins in epithelia, and this enhancement requires DA signaling. In
      the absence of DA signaling, nematodes show increased sensitivity to pathogenic
      bacteria and heat-shock stress. Our results suggest that dopaminergic sensory
      neurons, in addition to slowing down locomotion upon sensing a potential
      bacterial feeding source, also signal to frontline epithelia to activate the
      xenobiotic stress response so as to maintain proteostasis and prepare for
      possible infection.

PMID- 27261199
TI  - Is there a role for the use of aviation assessment instruments in surgical
      training preparation? A feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selection for surgical residency programmes could potentially be
      improved through pretraining preparation, after assessment of surgical
      candidates' sensorimotor skills and personality traits. Existing aviation pilot
      selection instruments are available to test sensorimotor skills and personality
      traits. This study examined selected instruments to assess medical trainees'
      sensorimotor skills and personality traits. METHODS: Aviation's validated
      computer-based Computerized Pilot Aptitude and Screening System (COMPASS) and
      Checklist Professional Profile (CPP) were applied to 166 final year medical
      students during a surgical clerkship between 2013 and 2015. RESULTS: All trainees
      completed COMPASS and CPP within the prescribed 2 hours. Compared with an age
      matched and gender-matched cohort of 165 pilot candidates, medical trainees
      scored significantly higher on eye-hand coordination (p<0.001), need for
      variation (p<0.001), empathy (p=0.006), helpfulness (p<0.001) and autonomy
      (p<0.001). Pilot candidates scored higher on eye-hand-foot coordination
      (p<0.001), spatial orientation (p<0.001), persuasiveness (p<0.001), stress
      tolerance (p<0.001), dominance (p<0.001), ambition (p<0.001) and resilience
      (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Final year medical trainees from one medical school were
      able to complete aviation's sensorimotor skills and personality traits selection
      instruments within the set time frame. They scored differently from aviation
      trainees on selected skills and personality traits. The applicability and utility
      of aviation instruments to presurgical training preparation remains to be tested.

PMID- 27261200
TI  - Rapidly progressive dementia and unilateral jerky movements: a case of
      Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

PMID- 27261198
TI  - DnaJ/Hsc70 chaperone complexes control the extracellular release of
      neurodegenerative-associated proteins.
AB  - It is now known that proteins associated with neurodegenerative disease can
      spread throughout the brain in a prionlike manner. However, the mechanisms
      regulating the trans-synaptic spread propagation, including the neuronal release
      of these proteins, remain unknown. The interaction of neurodegenerative disease
      associated proteins with the molecular chaperone Hsc70 is well known, and we
      hypothesized that much like disaggregation, refolding, degradation, and even
      normal function, Hsc70 may dictate the extracellular fate of these proteins.
      Here, we show that several proteins, including TDP-43, alpha-synuclein, and the
      microtubule-associated protein tau, can be driven out of the cell by an Hsc70 co
      chaperone, DnaJC5. In fact, DnaJC5 overexpression induced tau release in cells,
      neurons, and brain tissue, but only when activity of the chaperone Hsc70 was
      intact and when tau was able to associate with this chaperone. Moreover, release
      of tau from neurons was reduced in mice lacking the DnaJC5 gene and when the
      complement of DnaJs in the cell was altered. These results demonstrate that the
      dynamics of DnaJ/Hsc70 complexes are critically involved in the release of
      neurodegenerative disease proteins.

PMID- 27261201
TI  - Shear stress-induced angiogenesis in mouse muscle is independent of the
      vasodilator mechanism and quickly reversible.
AB  - AIM: Is modulation of skeletal muscle capillary supply by altering blood flow due
      to a presumptive shear stress response per se, or dependent on the vasodilator
      mechanism? METHODS: The response to four different vasodilators, and cotreatment
      with blockers of NO and prostaglandin synthesis, was compared. Femoral artery
      blood flow was correlated with capillary-to-fibre ratio (C:F) and protein levels
      of putative angiogenic compounds. RESULTS: All vasodilators induced a similar
      increase in blood flow after 14 days, with a similar effect on C:F (1.62 +/-
      0.05, 1.60 +/- 0.01, 1.57 +/- 0.06, 1.57 +/- 0.07, respectively, all P < 0.05 vs.
      control 1.20 +/- 0.01). Concomitant inhibitors revealed differential effects on
      blood flow and angiogenesis, demonstrating that a similar response may have
      different signalling origins. The time course of this response with the most
      commonly used vasodilator, prazosin, showed that blood flow increased from 0.40
      mL min-1 to 0.61 mL min-1 by 28 days (P < 0.05), dropped within 1 week after the
      cessation of treatment (0.54 mL min-1 ; P < 0.05) and returned to control levels
      by 6 weeks. In parallel with FBF, capillary rarefaction began within 1 week (P <
      0.05), giving C:F values similar to control by 2 weeks. Of the dominant
      signalling pathways, prazosin decreased muscle VEGF, but increased its cognate
      receptor Flk-1 (both P < 0.01); levels of eNOS varied with blood flow (P < 0.05),
      and Ang-1 initially increased, while its receptor Tie-2 was unchanged, with only
      modest changes in the antiangiogenic factor TSP-1. CONCLUSION: Hyperaemia-induced
      angiogenesis, likely in response to elevated shear stress, is independent of the
      vasodilator involved, with a rapid induction and quick regression following the
      stimulus withdrawal.

PMID- 27261203
TI  - Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in
      vivo.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Retinoic acid has been shown to improve the aged-appearing skin.
      However, less is known about the anti-ageing effects of retinol (ROL, vitamin A),
      a precursor of retinoic acid, in aged human skin in vivo. This study aimed to
      investigate the molecular basis of ROL anti-ageing properties in naturally aged
      human skin in vivo. METHODS: Sun-protected buttock skin (76 +/- 6 years old, n =
      12) was topically treated with 0.4% ROL and its vehicle for 7 days. The effects
      of topical ROL on skin epidermis and dermis were evaluated by
      immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, Northern analysis, real-time RT-PCR
      and Western analysis. Collagen fibrils nanoscale structure and surface topology
      were analysed by atomic force microscopy. RESULTS: Topical ROL shows remarkable
      anti-ageing effects through three major types of skin cells: epidermal
      keratinocytes, dermal endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Topical ROL
      significantly increased epidermal thickness by stimulating keratinocytes
      proliferation and upregulation of c-Jun transcription factor. In addition to
      epidermal changes, topical ROL significantly improved dermal extracellular matrix
      (ECM) microenvironment; increasing dermal vascularity by stimulating endothelial
      cells proliferation and ECM production (type I collagen, fibronectin and elastin)
      by activating dermal fibroblasts. Topical ROL also stimulates TGF-beta/CTGF
      pathway, the major regulator of ECM homeostasis, and thus enriched the deposition
      of ECM in aged human skin in vivo. 0.4% topical ROL achieved similar results as
      seen with topical retinoic acid, the biologically active form of ROL, without
      causing noticeable signs of retinoid side effects. CONCLUSION: 0.4% topical ROL
      shows remarkable anti-ageing effects through improvement of the homeostasis of
      epidermis and dermis by stimulating the proliferation of keratinocytes and
      endothelial cells, and activating dermal fibroblasts. These data provide evidence
      that 0.4% topical ROL is a promising and safe treatment to improve the naturally
      aged human skin.

PMID- 27261204
TI  - A Predictive Model to Estimate Cost Savings of a Novel Diagnostic Blood Panel for
      Diagnosis of Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: A high incidence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with
      significant medical costs. Diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) is diagnosed on the
      basis of clinical presentation and diagnostic test results and procedures that
      exclude other conditions. This study was conducted to estimate the potential cost
      savings of a novel IBS diagnostic blood panel that tests for the presence of
      antibodies to cytolethal distending toxin B and anti-vinculin associated with IBS
      D. METHODS: A cost-minimization (CM) decision tree model was used to compare the
      costs of a novel IBS diagnostic blood panel pathway versus an exclusionary
      diagnostic pathway (ie, standard of care). The probability that patients proceed
      to treatment was modeled as a function of sensitivity, specificity, and
      likelihood ratios of the individual biomarker tests. One-way sensitivity analyses
      were performed for key variables, and a break-even analysis was performed for the
      pretest probability of IBS-D. Budget impact analysis of the CM model was
      extrapolated to a health plan with 1 million covered lives. FINDINGS: The CM
      model (base-case) predicted $509 cost savings for the novel IBS diagnostic blood
      panel versus the exclusionary diagnostic pathway because of the avoidance of
      downstream testing (eg, colonoscopy, computed tomography scans). Sensitivity
      analysis indicated that an increase in both positive likelihood ratios modestly
      increased cost savings. Break-even analysis estimated that the pretest
      probability of disease would be 0.451 to attain cost neutrality. The budget
      impact analysis predicted a cost savings of $3,634,006 ($0.30 per member per
      month). IMPLICATIONS: The novel IBS diagnostic blood panel may yield significant
      cost savings by allowing patients to proceed to treatment earlier, thereby
      avoiding unnecessary testing.

PMID- 27261202
TI  - The democratization of gene editing: Insights from site-specific cleavage and
      double-strand break repair.
AB  - DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are dangerous lesions that if not properly
      repaired can lead to genomic change or cell death. Organisms have developed
      several pathways and have many factors devoted to repairing DSBs, which broadly
      occurs by homologous recombination, which relies on an identical or homologous
      sequence to template repair, or nonhomologous end-joining. Much of our
      understanding of these repair mechanisms has come from the study of induced DNA
      cleavage by site-specific endonucleases. In addition to their biological role,
      these cellular pathways can be co-opted for gene editing to study gene function
      or for gene therapy or other applications. While the first gene editing
      experiments were done more than 20 years ago, the recent discovery of RNA-guided
      endonucleases has simplified approaches developed over the years to make gene
      editing an approach that is available to the entire biomedical research
      community. Here, we review DSB repair mechanisms and site-specific cleavage
      systems that have provided insight into these mechanisms and led to the current
      gene editing revolution.

PMID- 27261205
TI  - Cardiovascular Disease Risk Associated With Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A
      Systematic Review of the Literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to determine cardiovascular disease (CVD)
      risk associated with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). METHODS: A systematic
      review of the published literature was conducted. All publications describing FH
      risk from PubMed ("cardiovascular disease risk + familial hypercholesterolaemia,"
      2004-2015), Internet and Medline search of FH registries, and associated
      references were screened for FH-related CVD risk in titles, abstracts, and study
      methods. CVD risk expressed as rates, odds, or ratios of mortality and morbidity
      were extracted. Each article was reviewed for bias by 2 reviewers within 17 items
      in 7 categories; a modified Newcastle-Ottawa assessment scale was used for
      nonrandomized studies. FINDINGS: The complete literature search identified 712
      potential publications: 549 from PubMed (Medline), 150 from registries, and 13
      from references. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria: 8 from registries
      in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain; 5 from single
      hospitals or families in Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom;
      and a population survey in Denmark. Across studies, attrition bias was low in 22
      (80%) of 28 items. Risk of selection bias was high in 35 (63%) of 56 items.
      Selection bias risk was due to low representativeness and lack of a non-FH
      comparator group within the same study; detection bias risk was due to variable
      definitions of CVD outcomes/measurement; and performance bias risk was due to
      long-term, intensive treatment, the most common limitations for registries.
      Studies from single hospitals and families lacked generalizability. In contrast,
      the Danish study revealed a low bias in each of the 4 selection bias criteria and
      2 attrition risk criteria. Fatal and nonfatal CVD events were collected in the
      study. Comparing patients with FH versus non-FH patients, the odds ratios for
      coronary artery disease were 10.3 (95% CI, 7.8-13.8) and 13.2 (95% CI, 10.0-17.4)
      in subjects treated and not treated with lipid-lowering therapy, respectively.
      These ratios fall within the ranges of ratios reported in other studies but are
      generally higher than the ratios from registries and clinics, in which intensive
      specialized management is available. IMPLICATIONS: There is a lack of available
      data describing CVD risk in patients with FH, and many of the existing studies
      have biases in their design that could affect their risk estimates. A Danish
      study had the highest quality based on a predefined quality check list, providing
      the most credible estimates of the increase in CVD risk in patients with FH. The
      CVD risk due to FH is high and represents unmet medical need for patients with
      FH. Further research is warranted to validate the magnitude of risk.

PMID- 27261206
TI  - Pure and Mixed Mucinous Carcinoma of the Breast: A Comparison of Clinical
      Outcomes and Treatment Results.
AB  - Mucinous breast carcinoma (MBC) carcinoma represents approximately 1-6% of all
      malignant breast carcinoma and is divided into pure (PMBC) and mixed (MMBC)
      subtypes. This study presents the comparison of clinical characteristics and
      treatment results in 70 patients with PMBC and 40 patients with MMBC, treated at
      a single institution during 25 years. Performed analyses showed that only nodal
      status was different in both subtypes. Patients with MMBC showed a significantly
      higher incidence of axillary nodal metastases in comparison to PMBC (25% versus
      10%, respectively). Instead, the 10-year disease-free survival rate was
      significant higher in PMBC than MMBC (85.7% versus 65%, p < 0.02, test log rank).
      Authors own observations and data from literature proved that MMBC should be
      considered as subtypes of mucinous breast cancer. 

PMID- 27261207
TI  - Triple-site pacing for cardiac resynchronization in atrial fibrillation - an
      opening onto different scenarios.

PMID- 27261208
TI  - Severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

PMID- 27261209
TI  - Risk stratification in acute coronary syndromes - when perfect is the enemy of
      good.

PMID- 27261210
TI  - BRAF V600E mutation in metastatic colorectal cancer: Methods of detection and
      correlation with clinical and pathologic features.
AB  - The screening for BRAF V600E mutation is employed in clinical practice for its
      prognostic and potentially predictive role in patients with metastatic colorectal
      carcinoma (mCRC). Little information is available on the sensitivity and
      specificity of the testing methods to detect this mutation in CRC. By using
      serial dilution of BRAF mutant DNA with wild type DNA, we found that the
      sensitivity of allelic discrimination-Real Time PCR was higher than PCR
      Sequencing (10% vs 20%). In agreement, the Real Time PCR assay displayed
      increased analytical sensitivity in detecting the BRAF V600E mutation as compared
      with PCR-Sequencing in a cohort of 510 consecutive CRCs (21 vs 16 cases).
      Targeted resequencing demonstrated that all cases negative by PCR-Sequencing had
      an allelic frequency of the BRAF mutation <20%, thus suggesting tumor
      heterogeneity. The association of BRAF mutations with clinical and pathological
      features was assessed next in a cohort of 840 KRAS exon 2 wild type CRC patients
      screened with the Real Time PCR assay. The BRAF V600E mutation frequency in this
      cohort was 7.8% that increased to 33.4% in females over 70 y of age with right
      sided tumor location. BRAF mutations were also detected in 4.4% of male patients
      with left-sided tumors and aged <70 y. Fourteen of 61 (22.9%) BRAF V600E mutation
      bearing patients exhibited microsatellite instability (MSI) as assessed by T17
      mononucleotide sequence within intron 8 of HSP110. Our study indicates that Real
      Time PCR-based assays are more sensitive than PCR-Sequencing to detect the BRAF
      V600E mutation in CRC and that BRAF mutations screening should not be restricted
      to selected patients on the basis of the clinical-pathological characteristics.

PMID- 27261211
TI  - Editorial on "What is a potentially damaging vaccination delay in children
      younger than 2 years?"
AB  - Control of hepatitis B through routine infant immunization in more than 95% of
      countries has reduced the prevalence of chronic hepatitis carriers to less than
      1%-2% in immunized cohorts of children even in high endemicity countries. In that
      context the authors of this editorial found the results of a paper by Gras et al
      in this issue concerning. They performed a Delphi survey of 37 French
      immunization experts and the results concluded that delayed hepatitis B
      immunization would cause "potential damage" only after 11 years. Large cohorts of
      French children and adolescents remain susceptible to hepatitis B infection.
      Given the high rates of immigration to France from areas of higher endemicity,
      the higher birth rate and degree of integration of these groups into the health
      system, plus the lower age of sexual debut and the use of injectable drugs in the
      general population, we cannot agree that a delay of 11 years is acceptable. Rates
      of adolescent immunization are quite low so relying on protection at this age
      will yield little in terms of population protection. Loss of confidence in
      Hepatitis B vaccine following disproved allegations that the vaccine caused
      Multiple Sclerosis persists in France, and we believe the results of this paper
      sends a damaging message to health workers and parents in France and beyond.

PMID- 27261212
TI  - Testing the fading affect bias for healthy coping in the context of death.
AB  - Affect fades faster for unpleasant events than for pleasant events (e.g., Walker,
      Vogl, & Thompson, 1997 ), which is referred to as the fading affect bias (FAB;
      Walker, Skowronski, Gibbons, Vogl, & Thompson, 2003 ). Although research has
      generally shown that the FAB is a healthy coping mechanism, this same finding has
      not been demonstrated at a specific level of analysis accounting for particular
      event types and related individual differences (e.g., Gibbons et al., 2013 ).
      Given the strong unpleasant emotions associated with death (Rask, Kaunonen, &
      Paunonen-Ilmonen, 2002 ), the current study examined FAB in the context of death
      events and participant attitudes toward death. General healthy coping was shown
      by robust FAB across death and control (i.e., everyday) events and by a negative
      correlation between negative religious coping and FAB. Although healthy coping at
      a specific level of analysis was supported by increased FAB for participants who
      held accepting attitudes toward death when they recalled everyday events, it was
      not supported by decreased FAB for the same participants when they recalled death
      events. This effect was mediated by rehearsal ratings, not depression.
      Implications are discussed.

PMID- 27261213
TI  - New insights on amygdala: Basomedial amygdala regulates the physiological
      response to social novelty.
AB  - The amygdala has been associated with a variety of functions linked to
      physiological, behavioral and endocrine responses during emotional situations.
      This brain region is comprised of multiple sub-nuclei. These sub-nuclei belong to
      the same structure, but may be involved in different functions, thereby making
      the study of each sub-nuclei important. Yet, the involvement of the basomedial
      amygdala (BMA) in the regulation of emotional states has yet to be defined.
      Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the regulatory role of the BMA
      on the responses evoked during a social novelty model and whether the regulatory
      role depended on an interaction with the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). Our
      results showed that the chemical inhibition of the BMA by the microinjection of
      muscimol (gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) agonist) promoted increases in mean
      arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), whereas the chemical inhibition of
      regions near the BMA did not induce such cardiovascular changes. In contrast, the
      BMA chemical activation by the bilateral microinjection of bicuculline methiodide
      (BMI; GABAA antagonist), blocked the increases in MAP and HR observed when an
      intruder rat was suddenly introduced into the cage of a resident rat, and
      confined to the small cage for 15min. Additionally, the increase in HR and MAP
      induced by BMA inhibition were eliminated by DMH chemical inhibition. Thus, our
      data reveal that the BMA is under continuous GABAergic influence, and that its
      hyperactivation can reduce the physiological response induced by a social novelty
      condition, possibly by inhibiting DMH neurons.

PMID- 27261214
TI  - When an Intrauterine Device Is Not Intrauterine.

PMID- 27261215
TI  - Opportunistic Salpingectomy: We Chose to Act, Not Wait.

PMID- 27261216
TI  - La salpingectomie opportuniste : Nous choisissons d'agir, pas d'attendre.

PMID- 27261217
TI  - Determination of Gestational Age by Ultrasound: In Response.

PMID- 27261218
TI  - Management of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes: A Comparison of Inpatient
      and Outpatient Care.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the safety of outpatient management of
      pregnancy complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). STUDY
      DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study of women with PPROM and a
      latency period of at least one week in one provincial health region between
      January 2007 and December 2012. We evaluated pregnancy outcomes for 133 women
      whose cases were managed using specialized community care and compared these with
      outcomes of a similar group of 122 women whose cases were managed entirely in the
      hospital. The primary outcome measured was the difference in the latency period
      between the two groups. For categorical variable outcomes, data were analyzed
      using chi-square tests, and continuous variable outcomes were compared using t
      tests. RESULTS: The median latency period for inpatients was 11 days compared
      with 18 days for patients in the community (P < 0.001). The most common reason
      for delivery was spontaneous labour (57% of inpatients and 50% of outpatients).
      Rates of stillbirth and neonatal mortality were similar between the two groups
      (3% in the inpatient group and 4% in the outpatient group). Precipitous vaginal
      delivery of a preterm breech infant was associated with mortality. Umbilical cord
      pH was < 7.10 in 5% of the inpatient group and 3% of the outpatient group. Median
      Apgar scores were slightly higher among the outpatient group. CONCLUSION: The
      safety of outpatient management of appropriately selected patients with PPROM is
      comparable with the safety of in-hospital management. Patients with PPROM and a
      fetus in breech presentation may not be appropriate for outpatient management,
      especially prior to 28 weeks' gestation. The decision to manage a patient with
      PPROM on an outpatient basis must be made after careful evaluation, with a
      thorough discussion of the risks and benefits and with serial reassessment of
      patient suitability.

PMID- 27261219
TI  - Chorionic Villus Sampling, Early Amniocentesis, and Termination of Pregnancy
      Without Diagnostic Testing: Comparison of Fetal Risk Following Positive Non
      invasive Prenatal Testing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With the increased accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
      based on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) techniques, the likelihood of false-positive
      screening results has been reduced for high-risk populations. Following a
      positive screening test, a diagnostic procedure to confirm the result is strongly
      recommended, although some patients have terminated pregnancies because of a
      positive NIPT alone. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), the diagnostic procedure of
      choice in the first trimester, is not available in all locations. Amniocentesis
      before 15 weeks, referred to as early amniocentesis (EA), is associated with a 1%
      rate of talipes and an increased rate of early pregnancy loss compared with CVS.
      Our objective was to compare the level of risk for euploid pregnancies following
      a positive NIPT based on the invasive procedure chosen. METHOD: Using data from a
      2003 meta-analysis, we estimated the rates of adverse pregnancy outcome in
      euploid pregnancies based on the positive predictive value (PPV) of NIPT and the
      invasive procedure used-that is, CVS, EA, or termination of pregnancy (TOP).
      RESULTS: Following NIPT, we found that the rate of adverse fetal outcomes in
      euploid pregnancies was lower for CVS than for EA at all PPV levels. As the PPV
      of NIPT increased, the difference in risk between EA and CVS decreased. The risk
      to euploid pregnancies of TOP was excessive at all PPVs. CONCLUSION: CVS is the
      recommended diagnostic test in the first trimester because it is safer than EA
      for the fetus. However, EA is better than no testing when early TOP is planned.
      Patients should be strongly counselled against TOP without confirmatory testing.

PMID- 27261220
TI  - A Streamlined Surgical Approach to Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy for Post
      Hysterectomy Vault Prolapse.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe a streamlined laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSCP) surgical
      technique in women with post-hysterectomy vault prolapse and to evaluate the
      functional outcomes, complication rates, and surgical morbidity within our
      centre. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 180 patients scheduled
      for LSCP between November 2002 and May 2013 in a tertiary care centre. Patients
      were followed-up at six weeks, six months, and yearly after surgery. We reviewed
      patient demographics, preoperative and postoperative symptoms, and perioperative
      variables. Objective success of the surgery was defined as having a less than
      stage 2 vault prolapse, and subjective success was defined as the absence of
      bulge or prolapse symptoms. Success and complication rates were calculated.
      RESULTS: Of the 180 patients who underwent surgery, 144 patients underwent the
      procedure as planned and had at least six months of follow-up. At the last follow
      up visit, 133 of these 144 patients (92.4%) were free of prolapse symptoms.
      Several bladder and bowel symptoms showed significant improvement. Anatomical
      success of vault support was achieved in 140 of 144 patients (97.2%), and 119
      patients (82.6%) had no prolapse beyond the hymen. Early complications (within
      the first 6 weeks) occurred in 8.3% of 162 patients with limited outcome data,
      and late complications (after 6 weeks) occurred in 11.5% of the 144 patients with
      long-term data. There were no cystotomies or mesh exposures. CONCLUSION: At an
      average of 32 months, this cohort of patients had low prolapse recurrence rates
      and no reports of cystotomy or mesh erosion. The abridged LSCP technique, as
      practised in our institution, is safe and effective in the surgical management of
      post-hysterectomy vault prolapse.

PMID- 27261221
TI  - Intrauterine Adhesions Following Miscarriage: Look and Learn.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of intrauterine adhesions (IUA) following the
      management of miscarriage in women with previously documented normal uterine
      cavities. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from two fertility
      clinics with standard practice protocols for evaluating the uterine cavity prior
      to infertility treatment and following clinical pregnancy loss. A database query
      and manual chart review identified 144 women with normal uterine cavities who
      experienced a miscarriage between January 2010 and November 2012 and returned to
      the clinic for follow-up hysteroscopy. Following documentation of a non-viable
      clinical pregnancy using transvaginal ultrasound, patients chose expectant,
      medical, or surgical management according to standardized clinical protocols. The
      primary outcome was the detection of IUA. Secondary outcomes included the
      presence of retained products of conception and various risk factors associated
      with the development of IUA. RESULTS: The incidence of IUA following early
      pregnancy loss was 6.3%. There were no significant differences in patient
      characteristics between those with and without IUA. There was a significant
      association between IUA and increasing uterine size, particularly in the presence
      of multiple gestation (P = 0.039). Mechanical suction dilatation and curettage
      (D&C) was a risk factor for IUA, but manual vacuum aspiration was not a risk
      factor (P = 0.003). Retained products of conception were found in 13.9% of study
      participants, and the incidence did not differ among management options.
      CONCLUSIONS: This appears to be the first documentation of IUA that were entirely
      attributable to the index miscarriage or its management. There appears to be an
      increased risk of IUA following D&C with larger uteri and multiple pregnancies
      and following mechanical suction D&C.

PMID- 27261223
TI  - Early Short Stimulation Modified Natural Cycle IVF With GnRH Agonist Trigger and
      In Vitro Maturation in a Woman with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) triggering of final
      oocyte maturation has been used successfully in GnRH antagonist IVF cycles. It
      has not been used to date in cycles in which immature oocytes are matured in
      vitro. CASE: We report here for the first time that GnRHa triggering in a
      variation on the modified natural IVF cycle can be used as a strategy in the
      treatment of infertility secondary to polycystic ovary syndrome. In this
      approach, follicles were stimulated with gonadotropins for three to five days
      when they were small, and triggering of ovulation occurred when the largest
      follicles were 10 to 12 mm in diameter. This was followed by retrieval of many
      immature oocytes that were matured in vitro and subsequently developed to form
      blastocysts that resulted in a live birth. CONCLUSION: This is the first human
      evidence that GnRHa triggering of ovulation can be used successfully when the aim
      is in vitro maturation of oocytes.

PMID- 27261222
TI  - Randomized Trial Comparing the Effect of Endometrial Shedding With
      Medroxyprogesterone Acetate With Random Start of Clomiphene Citrate for Ovulation
      Induction in Oligo-ovulatory and Anovulatory Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A recent retrospective study demonstrated that anovulatory infertile
      women who did not have a progestogen-induced withdrawal bleed before treatment
      with clomiphene citrate (CC) had higher pregnancy rates than women who had a
      withdrawal bleed and those who had spontaneous menstrual bleeding. We sought to
      assess endometrial thickness at the time of ovulation in oligo-ovulatory and
      anovulatory women who took CC with or without a preceding progestogen-induced
      withdrawal bleed. METHODS: We conducted a pilot randomized trial in which women
      with infertility and oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea were randomly assigned to take
      either CC after a withdrawal bleed induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)
      10 mg daily for 10 days or to take CC without such a bleed. Study participants
      underwent cycle monitoring with ultrasound assessment of endometrial thickness at
      the time of LH surge or a human chorionic gonadotropin trigger, followed by timed
      intercourse or intrauterine insemination. Women who had not ovulated by cycle day
      21 took an increased dose of CC, with or without an MPA-induced withdrawal bleed,
      to a maximum of three cycles. Participants and nurses were asked to complete a
      questionnaire about the study. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in
      endometrial thickness on the day of LH surge or human chorionic gonadotropin
      trigger between women who had a progestogen-induced withdrawal bleed and those
      who did not (P = 0.65). On average, the time to ovulation was 15 days longer in
      women who took MPA than in women who did not, but this difference was not
      statistically significant (P = 0.65). Satisfaction with the study was reported as
      high by both patients and nurses. CONCLUSION: In anovulatory or oligo-ovulatory
      women treated with CC, we found no significant difference in endometrial
      thickness whether or not the use of CC was preceded by a withdrawal bleed induced
      by MPA.

PMID- 27261225
TI  - Readiness for malignant hyperthermia can be survey stumbling block.

PMID- 27261224
TI  - A Review of Consent Documents From Canadian IVF Clinics, 1991 to 2014.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the content of IVF consent documents (i.e., consent forms
      and accompanying information sheets) used by Canadian IVF clinics in 1991, 2004,
      and 2014, paying particular attention to the inclusion of information that should
      be provided to patients in accordance with minimum ethical standards for
      disclosure. METHODS: We contacted all Canadian IVF clinics in operation in 1991
      (17 clinics), 2004 (24 clinics), and 2014 (35 clinics) by mail and requested
      blank copies of their IVF consent documents. Documents received were reviewed for
      the inclusion of information about the nature of IVF, the potential benefits of
      IVF, the potential harms and inconveniences of IVF, confidentiality,
      voluntariness, and options for the use or discarding of embryos not transferred
      in the original stimulated cycle (sometimes referred to as supernumerary, excess,
      or spare embryos). RESULTS: We received responses from 11 of 17 clinics operating
      in 1991 (response rate 65%), 14 of 24 clinics operating in 2004 (response rate
      58%), and 11 of 35 clinics operating in 2014 (response rate 31%). In general,
      comparisons of the 1991, 2004, and 2014 data sets showed a long-term decrease in
      documented disclosure of information that should be provided to patients in
      accordance with minimum ethical standards. The only cases in which this trend
      appeared to be reversed was with disclosure about the probability of
      supernumerary embryos, long-term risks of treatment, the right to revoke consent
      to the use or discarding of supernumerary embryos, and some of the options for
      the use of supernumerary embryos. In these few instances, there was a notable
      improvement in the disclosure of relevant information between 1991 and 2014.
      CONCLUSION: The disclosure of information relevant to the interests of those
      undergoing IVF and those who are born as a result of IVF appears to be
      decreasing. Furthermore, the information that increasingly is being disclosed in
      consent documents appears to be directing the orientation and content of these
      documents away from the primary interests of the relevant women, couples, and
      children. These two trends are inconsistent with the goal of informed consent.

PMID- 27261226
TI  - Pimavanserin approved for Parkinson's-related hallucinations, delusions.

PMID- 27261227
TI  - Maine enacts statewide limits on opioid prescribing.

PMID- 27261228
TI  - New drugs and dosage forms.

PMID- 27261229
TI  - In Indiana, decongestant access hinges partly on pharmacists' judgment.

PMID- 27261231
TI  - Phytonadione oral liquid.

PMID- 27261232
TI  - Is i.v. acetaminophen really superior?

PMID- 27261233
TI  - Effect of breastfeeding on neonatal abstinence syndrome.

PMID- 27261234
TI  - Prospective inventory management systems for preempting problems related to
      medication unavailability.

PMID- 27261235
TI  - Facilitating alteplase delivery for patients with stroke.

PMID- 27261236
TI  - Pharmacy's influence and opportunity in public health.

PMID- 27261237
TI  - Pharmacologic management of angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme
      inhibitors.
AB  - PURPOSE: The published evidence on pharmacologic approaches to the management of
      angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)-induced angioedema is reviewed.
      SUMMARY: Angioedema is a serious, potentially life-threatening adverse effect of
      ACEI use. Although the underlying mechanism is not fully understood, excess
      bradykinin produced through a complex interplay between the kallikrein-kinin and
      renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems is thought to play a major role. The
      nonallergic nature of the reaction renders traditional therapies (corticosteroids
      and antihistamines) ineffective because those agents do not modify the proposed
      pathophysiology. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) provides kinase II, a protein that
      breaks down bradykinin. Case reports support FFP as a treatment for ACEI-induced
      angioedema, but no formal evaluations have been completed to date. Both
      ecallantide and complement 1 esterase (C1) inhibitor concentrate reduce
      bradykinin production through upstream inhibition of kallikrein. C1 inhibitor
      concentrate has been used successfully to manage ACEI-induced angioedema in a few
      reported cases, but robust supportive studies are lacking. Conversely,
      ecallantide has been evaluated in multiple randomized trials but has not been
      shown to offer advantages over traditional therapies. The use of icatibant, a
      direct antagonist of bradykinin B2 receptors, was reported to be beneficial in
      several case reports and in a small Phase II study, safely and rapidly reducing
      symptoms of ACEI-induced angioedema. An ongoing Phase III trial (NCT01919801)
      will better define the role of icatibant in the management of ACEI-induced
      angioedema. CONCLUSION: FFP, C1 inhibitor, and icatibant appear to be safe and
      effective therapeutic options for the management of ACEI-induced angioedema,
      whereas it appears ecallantide should be avoided.

PMID- 27261238
TI  - Intravenous lipid emulsion and high-dose insulin as adjunctive therapy for
      propranolol toxicity in a pediatric patient.
AB  - PURPOSE: The concurrent use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) and high-dose
      insulin (HDI) for the management and treatment of propranolol toxicity in a
      pediatric patient is described. SUMMARY: A seven-month-old infant (weight, 6.1
      kg) was admitted to a hospital emergency department with lethargy and bradycardia
      after an unintentional overdose of propranolol suspension, which had been
      prescribed several days previously for treatment of a scalp hemangioma. Notable
      physical examination and laboratory findings were as follows: blood pressure,
      121/84 mm Hg (normal range, 90 +/- 30/60 +/- 10 mm Hg); heart rate, 62 beats/min
      (normal range, 100-150 beats/min); respiratory rate, 24 breaths/min (normal
      range, 25-35 breaths/min); oxygen saturation, 100% on room air; and rectal
      temperature, 35.7  degrees C (normal range, 36.6-38.0  degrees C). The patient
      was lethargic. Treatment included i.v. fluid boluses of 0.9% sodium chloride
      injection and i.v. boluses and continuous infusions of HDI, dextrose, and ILE.
      After the completion of these treatments, hemodynamic stability was regained. The
      case is believed to be the first reported case in which a pediatric patient less
      than one year of age regained hemodynamic stability after administration of ILE
      and HDI rescue therapy. Monitoring blood glucose frequently with HDI is essential
      to avoid hypoglycemia. The rationale for using ILE and HDI for reversal of drug
      toxicities is discussed. CONCLUSION: A symptomatic pediatric patient with acute
      propranolol toxicity exhibited clinical improvement with the administration of
      ILE in conjunction with HDI.

PMID- 27261239
TI  - Risk factors for i.v. compounding errors when using an automated workflow
      management system.
AB  - PURPOSE: Results of a study to determine the frequency of and risk factors for
      errors in automated compounding of i.v. medication doses at a pediatric hospital
      are presented. METHODS: Data compiled by the hospital's automated i.v.
      compounding workflow management system over a 12-month period were analyzed. A
      descriptive analysis was conducted to characterize intercepted errors by
      frequency and type. Multivariate regression analysis via a backward stepwise
      procedure was performed to identify notable risk factors for i.v. compounding
      errors. RESULTS: Among the 421,730 i.v. doses evaluated, there were 3,101
      documented errors (an overall error rate of 0.74%). The automated system
      intercepted 72.27% of the errors, mainly those containing an incorrect drug or
      diluent. The remaining 27.73% of i.v. compounding errors, primarily dose
      preparation in the wrong volume (21.51%) or damage to the final product (0.93%),
      were identified during final inspection by a pharmacist. The logistic regression
      model showed that four factors were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with an
      increased risk of compounding errors: dose preparation during the morning shift
      (relative risk [RR], 1.84; 95% CI, 1.68-2.02) or on a Sunday (RR, 1.28; 95% CI,
      1.11-1.47), preparation of doses for use in critical care units (RR, 1.17; 95%
      CI, 1.07-1.28), and technician versus pharmacist compounding (RR, 1.17; 95% CI,
      1.04-1.32). CONCLUSION: Analysis of error reports generated by an i.v.
      compounding workflow management system at a large pediatric hospital over one
      year found an overall rate of detected errors of 0.74%. Four factors were
      identified as significant predictors of increased error risk.

PMID- 27261240
TI  - Impact of resident research publication on early-career publication success.
AB  - PURPOSE: The impact of resident research publication on early-career publication
      success is evaluated. METHODS: This study included a retrospective cohort of
      pharmacy residents' abstracts presented at the Great Lakes Pharmacy Resident
      Conference (GLPRC). Published residency research projects at GLPRC (n = 76) were
      matched 1:1 to unpublished projects. Residents were followed forward for five
      years to identify early-career publications (postresidency publication positive)
      versus no publications (postresidency publication negative). The following
      characteristics of postresidency publication-positive and publication-negative
      residents were compared: publication of residency project, university-affiliated
      residencies, median number and interquartile range of coinvestigators, presence
      of a physician coinvestigator, highest nonphysician H-index of coinvestigators,
      and nonphysician H-index of >=1 for any coinvestigator (indicating that a
      coinvestigator has previously published and been cited). RESULTS: A total of 152
      abstracts were reviewed (76 published and 76 unpublished projects). Using a
      predefined systematic search strategy, 55 former residents had a postresidency
      publication within five years after presenting their project at the GLPRC. Of the
      former residents who published their residency project, 38 (50%) were
      postresidency publication positive, while 17 former residents (22.4%) who did not
      publish resident research projects were postresidency publication positive.
      Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that publication of the pharmacy
      resident research project and a university-affiliated residency program was
      positively associated with postresidency publication success. CONCLUSION:
      Pharmacy residents who published their residency research project after its
      presentation at the GLPRC were twice as likely to have publication success within
      five years compared with residents who did not publish their residency research
      project. A university-affiliated residency was associated with postresidency
      publication success within five years after project presentation.

PMID- 27261241
TI  - Opioid prescription fill rates after emergency department discharge.
AB  - PURPOSE: Opioid prescription fill rates and the time to fill after emergency
      department (ED) discharge were studied. METHODS: Data were evaluated for all
      patients discharged from the ED between September 1, 2011, who were February 1,
      2012, who were diagnosed with one of the following: dental pain, jaw pain, flank
      pain, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, headache,
      fracture, or sprain. Clinical information was abstracted via computer algorithm,
      and prescription filling within 100 days of prescription writing was determined
      by cross-referencing patient demographics with the state prescription drug
      monitoring program. Logistic regression analysis and a Cox proportional hazards
      model were used to determine if any clinical and demographic characteristics were
      associated with fill rates or the time to fill, respectively. RESULTS: Of the
      2243 patients who received an opioid prescription at ED discharge, 1775 (79%)
      filled it, with a median time to fill of 0 days. On adjusted analysis,
      characteristics associated with filling the opioid prescriptions included
      Caucasian race, being insured by the federal government or through a state
      indigent assistance program, a chief complaint of back pain, and a history of
      filling an opioid prescription within the past year. No characteristics were
      predictive of a prolonged time to filling. CONCLUSION: One in five patients who
      received an opioid prescription at discharge from an urban academic ED did not
      fill it. Several factors may be associated with a greater likelihood of filling,
      such as insurance status and history of filling an opioid prescription within the
      past year.

PMID- 27261242
TI  - ASHP Guidelines on Evaluating and Using Home or Alternate-Site Infusion Service
      Providers.

PMID- 27261243
TI  - ASHP Statement on the Roles of Pharmacy Technicians.

PMID- 27261244
TI  - Creating an animation-enhanced video library of hepato-pancreato-biliary and
      transplantation surgical procedures.
AB  - The potential for integrating real-time surgical video and state-of-the art
      animation techniques has not been widely applied to surgical education. This
      paper describes the use of new technology for creating videos of liver, pancreas
      and transplant surgery, annotating them with 3D animations, resulting in a freely
      accessible online resource: The Toronto Video Atlas of Liver, Pancreas and
      Transplant Surgery ( http://tvasurg.ca ). The atlas complements the teaching
      provided to trainees in the operating room, and the techniques described in this
      study can be readily adapted by other surgical training programmes. 

PMID- 27261245
TI  - Intranasal volume increases with age: Computed tomography volumetric analysis in
      adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: It is theorized that intranasal cavity volumes change
      throughout the aging process, possibly secondary to hormonal changes and atrophy
      of the sinonasal mucosa. Our objective is to compare intranasal volumes from
      different age groups to test the hypothesis that intranasal cavity volume
      increases with age. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: An analysis of computed
      tomography (CT) scans performed for reasons other than sinonasal complaints.
      Intranasal volumes of three groups (age 20-30 years, 40-50 years, and 70 years
      and above) were calculated using Vitrea software. The total intranasal volume was
      measured from the nasal vestibule anteriorly, the nasopharynx posteriorly, the
      olfactory cleft superiorly, and the nasal floor inferiorly. The total volume
      included the sum of the right and left sides. RESULTS: Sixty-two CT scans were
      analyzed. There was a progressive, relatively linear, increase in intranasal
      volume with increasing age: 20 to 30 years = 15.73 mL, 40 to 50 years = 17.30 mL,
      and 70 years and above = 18.38 mL. Mean intranasal volume for males was 19.07 mL,
      and for females was 15.23 mL. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant group
      differences in mean intranasal volume for age (P = .003) and gender (P < .001),
      with moderate-to-large effect size of 0.206 and 0.289 (partial eta(2) ),
      respectively. Post hoc testing revealed a significant difference between the 20
      to 30-year and >70-year age groups (P = .006). There was no significant
      difference in intranasal volume dependent upon body mass index. CONCLUSIONS:
      Intranasal volume increases with age and is larger in males. Specific etiologies
      responsible for increased intranasal cavity volume with age are actively being
      evaluated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 126:2212-2215, 2016.

PMID- 27261246
TI  - Family needs of critically ill patients in the emergency department.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Family members' experience a range of physiological, psychological
      and emotional impacts when accompanying a critically ill relative in the
      emergency department. Family needs are influenced by their culture and the
      context of care, and accurate clinician understanding of these needs is essential
      for patient- and family-centered care delivery. The aim of this study was to
      describe the needs of Taiwanese family members accompanying critically ill
      patients in the emergency department while waiting for an inpatient bed and
      compare these to the perceptions of emergency nurses. METHODS: A prospective
      cross-sectional survey was conducted in a large medical center in Taiwan. Data
      were collected from 150 family members and 150 emergency nurses who completed a
      Chinese version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. RESULTS: Family
      members ranked needs related to 'communication with family members,' as most
      important, followed by 'family member participation in emergency department
      care', 'family member support' and 'organizational comfort'; rankings were
      similar to those of emergency nurses. Compared to nurses, family members reported
      higher scores for the importance of needs related to 'communication with family
      members' and 'family members' participation in emergency department care'.
      CONCLUSIONS: Family members place greater importance than emergency nurses on the
      need for effective communication.

PMID- 27261247
TI  - The prognostic impact of uric acid in patients with severely decompensated acute
      heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The serum level of uric acid (UA) is a well-known prognostic factor
      for heart failure (HF) patients. However, the prognostic impact of hyperuricemia
      and the factors that induce hyperuricemia in acute HF (AHF) patients are not well
      understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eight hundred eighty-nine AHF patients were
      enrolled in this study. The patients were assigned into a low UA group
      (UA<=7.0mg/dl, n=495) or a high UA group (UA>7.0mg/dl, n=394) according to their
      UA level on admission. A Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the survival rate of the
      low UA group was significantly higher than that of the high UA group. A
      multivariate Cox regression model identified that a high UA level (HR: 1.192,
      95%CI 1.112-1.277) was an independent predictor of 180-day mortality. A
      multivariate logistic regression model for a high serum UA level on admission
      indicated that chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR: 2.030, 95%CI: 1.298-3.176,
      p=0.002) and the administration of loop diuretics before admission (OR: 1.556,
      95%CI: 1.010-2.397, p=0.045) were independent factors. The prognosis, including
      all-cause death and HF events, was significantly poorer among patients who had a
      high UA level who had previously used loop diuretics and among CKD patients with
      a high UA level than among other patients. CONCLUSIONS: The serum UA level was an
      independent predictor in patients who were hospitalized during an emergent
      situation for AHF. An elevated serum UA level on admission was associated with
      the presence of CKD and the use of loop diuretics. These factors were also
      associated with adverse outcomes in hyperuricemic patients with AHF.

PMID- 27261248
TI  - Good responders to catheter ablation for long-standing persistent atrial
      fibrillation: Clinical and genetic characteristics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for long-standing persistent
      atrial fibrillation (L-PeAF) is challenging and has a relatively high recurrence
      rate. We explored clinical and genetic characteristics associated with being good
      responders (no early or clinical recurrence within 12 months in the absence of
      anti-arrhythmic drugs) to RFCA among patients with L-PeAF. METHODS: Of 1319
      patients in the Yonsei AF Ablation Cohort, this study included 141 consecutive
      patients with L-PeAF (80.9% male, age 57.8+/-9.7 years) who were followed >12
      months after RFCA. RESULTS: During 25 (19-35) months follow-up, the recurrence
      rate was 39%, and 38 patients (27%) were categorized as good responders, those
      had a shorter AF duration (p=0.010), and smaller left atrial (LA) size (p=0.033)
      than others. The rs2106216 (16q22/ZFHX3) genetic polymorphism was independently
      associated with being a good responder in multivariate analysis (adjusted
      OR=2.70, 95% CI 1.41-5.14, p=0.003), after adjusting for LA size and AF duration.
      The rs2106261 had predictive value for clinical recurrence of AF after RFCA among
      patients with an AF duration 12-65 months (log rank, p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS:
      Despite a relatively high recurrence rate after RFCA for L-PeAF, patients with a
      shorter AF duration and smaller LA size showed a more favorable outcome. The
      rs2106216 polymorphism (ZFHX3) was independently associated with being good
      responders to RFCA for L-PeAF, especially with AF duration 12-65 months.

PMID- 27261249
TI  - A Novel Tool for the Assessment Oxidative Stress in Age-Related Macular
      Degeneration: Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis Revisited.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate thiol/disulfide status using a novel automated assay in
      patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared to age-matched
      healthy controls. METHODS: A total of 64 AMD patients [51 (79%) non-exudative, 13
      (21%) exudative AMD] and 21 age-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in
      this study. Plasma total thiol, native thiol, disulfide levels were measured and
      native thiol/disulfide ratio (TDR) was calculated using a novel
      spectrophotometric assay. RESULTS: Patients with AMD had significantly lower
      levels of total thiol (434.8 +/- 7.0 MUmol/L vs. 472.2 +/- 7.9 MUmol/L, p <
      0.001), native thiol (393.6 +/- 6.5 MUmol/L vs. 437.5 +/- 7.1 MUmol/L, p = 0.004)
      compared to healthy controls. However, plasma disulfide levels were higher in AMD
      patients (20.6 +/- 0.9 MUmol/L vs. 17.3 +/- 1.3 MUmol/L, p = 0.113) compared to
      healthy controls. The TDR was not statistically different between the early AMD
      group and healthy controls (24.2 +/- 2.3 vs. 29.5 +/- 3.1, p = 0.345). However,
      intermediate and advanced stage AMD groups had significantly lower levels of TDR
      compared to healthy controls (21.6 +/- 2.6 vs. 29.5 +/- 3.1, p = 0.023 and 20.3
      +/- 1.2 vs. 29.5 +/- 3.1, p = 0.005, respectively). Native TDR was significantly
      lower in patients with exudative and non-exudative AMD (19.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 29.5 +/-
      3.1, p = 0.024 and 21.8 +/- 1.14 vs. 29.47 +/- 3.1 respectively, p = 0.011).
      CONCLUSION: A greater extent of thiol consumption occurred in AMD patients
      compared to age-matched healthy controls. However, despite the similar levels of
      total thiol levels between several grades of AMD, the plasma native TDR value was
      decreased in accordance with the severity of the disease, which reflected the
      disease grade better.

PMID- 27261250
TI  - Ancient mitochondrial genomes clarify the evolutionary history of New Zealand's
      enigmatic acanthisittid wrens.
AB  - The New Zealand acanthisittid wrens are the sister-taxon to all other "perching
      birds" (Passeriformes) and - including recently extinct species - represent the
      most diverse endemic passerine family in New Zealand. Consequently, they are
      important for understanding both the early evolution of Passeriformes and the New
      Zealand biota. However, five of the seven species have become extinct since the
      arrival of humans in New Zealand, complicating evolutionary analyses. The results
      of morphological analyses have been largely equivocal, and no comprehensive
      genetic analysis of Acanthisittidae has been undertaken. We present novel
      mitochondrial genome sequences from four acanthisittid species (three extinct,
      one extant), allowing us to resolve the phylogeny and revise the taxonomy of
      acanthisittids. Reanalysis of morphological data in light of our genetic results
      confirms a close relationship between the extant rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris)
      and an extinct Miocene wren (Kuiornis indicator), making Kuiornis a useful
      calibration point for molecular dating of passerines. Our molecular dating
      analyses reveal that the stout-legged wrens (Pachyplichas) diverged relatively
      recently from a more gracile (Xenicus-like) ancestor. Further, our results
      suggest a possible Early Oligocene origin of the basal Lyall's wren (Traversia)
      lineage, which would imply that Acanthisittidae survived the Oligocene marine
      inundation of New Zealand and therefore that the inundation was not complete.

PMID- 27261251
TI  - Rapid divergence and gene flow at high latitudes shape the history of Holarctic
      ground squirrels (Urocitellus).
AB  - Across the animal tree of life, the prevalence and evolutionary role(s) of
      hybridization remain incompletely understood. Rapidly radiating clades can serve
      as important systems for investigating these issues; however, such groups are
      often characterized by additional, widespread sources of gene tree discordance
      (e.g., incomplete lineage sorting). In this paper, we employed a multilocus
      dataset, Bayesian gene tree inference, and multiple species tree reconstruction
      methods to infer phylogeny of Holarctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus). We tested
      phylogenetic hypotheses based on previous morphological, cytological and single
      locus datasets, and began to parse the causes of pervasive gene tree discordance
      that was observed. There is widespread incomplete lineage sorting in Urocitellus,
      consistent with rapid diversification embedded within the larger radiation of
      marmotine ground squirrels. We also recovered strong support for 2 instances of
      mitonuclear discord due to ancient hybridization among members of the high
      latitude parryii-richardsonii-elegans clade. These results add to a growing
      number of documented hybridization events in ground squirrels, suggesting their
      radiation is a fertile system for understanding the interplay of diversification
      and hybridization in animal evolution.

PMID- 27261252
TI  - Phylogeography of endemic Xantus' hummingbird (Hylocharis xantusii) shows a
      different history of vicariance in the Baja California Peninsula.
AB  - Studies of phylogeographic patterns provide insight into the processes driving
      lineage divergence in a particular region. To identify the processes that caused
      phylogeographic breaks, it is necessary to use historical information and a set
      of appropriate molecular data to explain current patterns. To understand the
      influence of geological or ecological processes on the phylogeography of the only
      species of hummingbird endemic to the Baja California Peninsula, Hylocharis
      xantusii, mitochondrial DNA sequences of three concatenated genes (Cyt-b, COI and
      ND2; 2297bp in total) in 100 individuals were analyzed. The spatial analyses of
      genetic variation showed phylogeographic structure consisting of a north, central
      and south regions. According to estimated divergence times, two vicariant events
      are supported, permanent separation of the peninsula and formation of the Gulf of
      California at 5mya and temporary isolation of the southern region at the Isthmus
      of La Paz at 3mya. The temporal frame of genetic differentiation of intraspecific
      haplotypes indicates that 90% of haplotypes diverged within the last
      500,000years, with a population expansion 80,000years ago. Only four haplotypes
      diverged ~2.2 my and occurred in the south (Hxan_36, 38 and 45), and north
      (Hxan_45 and 56) regions; only haplotype 45 is shared between south and north
      populations. These regions also have the most recent haplotypes from 12,500 to
      16,200years ago, and together with high levels of genetic diversity, we suggest
      two refuge areas, the Northern and Southern regions. Our results indicate that
      the phylogeographic pattern first results from vicariance processes, then is
      followed by historical and recent climate fluctuations that influenced conditions
      on the peninsula, and it is also related to oases distribution. This study
      presents the first investigation of phylogeography of the peninsular' endemic
      Xantus' hummingbird.

PMID- 27261253
TI  - Molecular phylogeny and species delimitation within the ciliate genus Spirostomum
      (Ciliophora, Postciliodesmatophora, Heterotrichea), using the internal
      transcribed spacer region.
AB  - Morphological and molecular delimitation of Spirostomum species is currently
      under debate. We addressed species boundaries within the genus Spirostomum, using
      the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and the secondary structure of the ITS2 molecule, and
      18S and 28S (D1D2) sequences additionally. The Spirostomum ITS region is among
      the shortest within the ciliates hitherto studied. The Spirostomum ITS2 molecule
      matches the "ring model", but exhibits only two helices radiating from a common
      loop. According to comparative analyses, they very likely correspond to helices
      II and III of other eukaryotes. Our phylogenetic analyses of the ITS region
      revealed a complex genealogical structure within the genus Spirostomum. However,
      boundaries among Spirostomum species could not be unambiguously determined either
      by phylogenetic trees, networks or sequence divergence cutoffs, because ITS2
      sequences transcended species boundaries of the following morphospecies: S.
      ambiguum, S. minus, S. subtilis and S. teres. According to molecular diversity
      analysis, this is very likely caused by polymorphism in S. minus and S. teres,
      and by the lack of variability in S. ambiguum and S. subtilis. No compensatory
      base changes (CBCs) were detected in helices of the ITS2 molecule between
      different Spirostomum species, documenting that CBC analysis per se is not able
      to effectively discriminate Spirostomum species.

PMID- 27261255
TI  - Connections Underlying Translation and mRNA Stability.
AB  - Gene expression and regulation in organisms minimally depends on transcription by
      RNA polymerase and on the stability of the RNA product (for both coding and non
      coding RNAs). For coding RNAs, gene expression is further influenced by the
      amount of translation by the ribosome and by the stability of the protein
      product. The stabilities of these two classes of RNA, non-coding and coding, vary
      considerably: tRNAs and rRNAs tend to be long lived while mRNAs tend to be more
      short lived. Even among mRNAs, however, there is a considerable range in
      stability (ranging from seconds to hours in bacteria and up to days in
      metazoans), suggesting a significant role for stability in the regulation of gene
      expression. Here, we review recent experiments from bacteria, yeast and metazoans
      indicating that the stability of most mRNAs is broadly impacted by the actions of
      ribosomes that translate them. Ribosomal recognition of defective mRNAs triggers
      "mRNA surveillance" pathways that target the mRNA for degradation [Shoemaker and
      Green (2012) ]. More generally, even the stability of perfectly functional mRNAs
      appears to be dictated by overall rates of translation by the ribosome [Herrick
      et al. (1990), Presnyak et al. (2015) ]. Given that mRNAs are synthesized for the
      purpose of being translated into proteins, it is reassuring that such intimate
      connections between mRNA and the ribosome can drive biological regulation. In
      closing, we consider the likelihood that these connections between protein
      synthesis and mRNA stability are widespread or whether other modes of regulation
      dominate the mRNA stability landscape in higher organisms.

PMID- 27261254
TI  - Gangliosides of the Vertebrate Nervous System.
AB  - Gangliosides, sialylated glycosphingolipids, found on all vertebrate cells and
      tissues, are major molecular determinants on the surfaces of vertebrate nerve
      cells. Composed of a sialylated glycan attached to a ceramide lipid, the same
      four structures-GM1, GD1a, GD1b, and GT1b-represent the vast majority (>90%) of
      gangliosides in the brains of all mammals and birds. Primarily found on the outer
      surface of the plasma membrane with their glycans facing outward, gangliosides
      associate laterally with each other, sphingomyelin, cholesterol, and select
      proteins in lipid rafts-the dynamic functional subdomains of the plasma membrane.
      The functions of gangliosides in the human nervous system are revealed by
      congenital mutations in ganglioside biosynthetic genes. Mutations in ST3GAL5,
      which codes for an enzyme early in brain ganglioside biosynthesis, result in an
      early-onset seizure disorder with profound motor and cognitive decay, whereas
      mutations in B4GALNT1, a gene encoding a later step, result in hereditary spastic
      paraplegia accompanied by intellectual deficits. The molecular functions of brain
      gangliosides include regulation of receptors in the same membrane via lateral
      (cis) associations and regulation of cell-cell recognition by trans interaction
      with ganglioside binding proteins on apposing cells. Gangliosides also affect the
      aggregation of Abeta (Alzheimer's disease) and alpha-synuclein (Parkinson's
      Disease). As analytical, biochemical, and genetic tools advance, research on
      gangliosides promises to reveal mechanisms of molecular control related to nerve
      and glial cell differentiation, neuronal excitability, axon outgrowth after
      nervous system injury, and protein folding in neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID- 27261257
TI  - Overview of Nucleotide Sugar Transporter Gene Family Functions Across Multiple
      Species.
AB  - Glycoproteins and glycolipids are crucial in a number of cellular processes, such
      as growth, development, and responses to external cues, among others.
      Polysaccharides, another class of sugar-containing molecules, also play important
      structural and signaling roles in the extracellular matrix. The additions of
      glycans to proteins and lipids, as well as polysaccharide synthesis, are
      processes that primarily occur in the Golgi apparatus, and the substrates used in
      this biosynthetic process are nucleotide sugars. These proteins, lipids, and
      polysaccharides are also modified by the addition of sulfate groups in the Golgi
      apparatus in a series of reactions where nucleotide sulfate is needed. The
      required nucleotide sugar substrates are mainly synthesized in the cytosol and
      transported into the Golgi apparatus by nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs),
      which can additionally transport nucleotide sulfate. Due to the critical role of
      NSTs in eukaryotic organisms, any malfunction of these could change glycan and
      polysaccharide structures, thus affecting function and altering organism
      physiology. For example, mutations or deletion on NST genes lead to pathological
      conditions in humans or alter cell walls in plants. In recent years, many NSTs
      have been identified and functionally characterized, but several remain
      unanalyzed. This study examined existing information on functionally
      characterized NSTs and conducted a phylogenetic analysis of 257 NSTs predicted
      from nine animal and plant model species, as well as from protists and fungi.
      From this analysis, relationships between substrate specificity and the primary
      NST structure can be inferred, thereby advancing understandings of nucleotide
      sugar gene family functions across multiple species.

PMID- 27261256
TI  - Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli modulates an ARF6:Rab35 signaling axis to prevent
      recycling endosome maturation during infection.
AB  - Enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC/EHEC) manipulate a
      plethora of host cell processes to establish infection of the gut mucosa. This
      manipulation is achieved via the injection of bacterial effector proteins into
      host cells using a Type III secretion system. We have previously reported that
      the conserved EHEC and EPEC effector EspG disrupts recycling endosome function,
      reducing cell surface levels of host receptors through accumulation of recycling
      cargo within the host cell. Here we report that EspG interacts specifically with
      the small GTPases ARF6 and Rab35 during infection. These interactions target EspG
      to endosomes and prevent Rab35-mediated recycling of cargo to the host cell
      surface. Furthermore, we show that EspG has no effect on Rab35-mediated uncoating
      of newly formed endosomes, and instead leads to the formation of enlarged
      EspG/TfR/Rab11 positive, EEA1/Clathrin negative stalled recycling structures.
      Thus, this paper provides a molecular framework to explain how EspG disrupts
      recycling whilst also reporting the first known simultaneous targeting of ARF6
      and Rab35 by a bacterial pathogen.

PMID- 27261258
TI  - The Termination Phase in Protein Synthesis is not Obligatorily Followed by the
      RRF/EF-G-Dependent Recycling Phase.
AB  - It is general wisdom that termination of bacterial protein synthesis is
      obligatorily followed by recycling governed by the factors ribosomal recycling
      factor (RRF), EF-G, and IF3, where the ribosome dissociates into its subunits. In
      contrast, a recently described 70S-scanning mode of initiation holds that after
      termination, scanning of 70S can be triggered by fMet-tRNA to the initiation site
      of a downstream cistron. Here, we analyze the apparent conflict. We constructed a
      bicistronic mRNA coding for luciferases and showed with a highly resolved in
      vitro system that the expression of the second cistron did not at all depend on
      the presence of active RRF. An in vivo analysis cannot be performed in a
      straightforward way, since RRF is essential for viability and therefore, the RRF
      gene cannot be knocked out. However, we found an experimental window, where the
      RRF amount could be reduced to below 2.5%, and in this situation, the expression
      of the second cistron of a bicistronic luciferase mRNA was only moderately
      reduced. Both in vitro and in vivo results suggested that RRF-dependent recycling
      is not an obligatory step after termination, in agreement with the previous
      findings concerning 70S-scanning initiation. In this view, recycling after
      termination is a special case of the general RRF function, which happens whenever
      fMet-tRNA is not available for triggering 70S scanning.

PMID- 27261259
TI  - Crystal Structure of the Wild-Type Human GlyRS Bound with tRNA(Gly) in a
      Productive Conformation.
AB  - Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are essential components of the protein translational
      machinery in all living species, among which the human glycyl-tRNA synthetase
      (hGlyRS) is of great research interest because of its unique species-specific
      aminoacylation properties and noncanonical roles in the Charcot-Marie-Tooth
      neurological disease. However, the molecular mechanisms of how the enzyme carries
      out its classical and alternative functions are not well understood. Here, we
      report a complex structure of the wild-type hGlyRS bound with tRNA(Gly) at 2.95A.
      In the complex, the flexible Whep-TRS domain is visible in one of the subunits of
      the enzyme dimer, and the tRNA molecule is also completely resolved. At the
      active site, a glycyl-AMP molecule is synthesized and is waiting for the transfer
      of the glycyl moiety to occur. This cocrystal structure provides us with new
      details about the recognition mechanism in the intermediate stage during
      glycylation, which was not well elucidated in the previous crystal structures
      where the inhibitor AMPPNP was used for crystallization. More importantly, the
      structural and biochemical work conducted in the current and previous studies
      allows us to build a model of the full-length hGlyRS in complex with tRNA(Gly),
      which greatly helps us to understand the roles that insertions and the Whep-TRS
      domain play in the tRNA-binding process. Finally, through structure comparison
      with other class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases bound with their tRNA substrates,
      we found some commonalities of the aminoacylation mechanism between these
      enzymes.

PMID- 27261260
TI  - Molecular characterization and developmental expression patterns of
      apolipoprotein A-I in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup).
AB  - The apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) is an essential component of the high density
      lipoproteins (HDL). In this study, the cDNA and genomic sequences of this
      apolipoprotein were characterized for first time in Solea senegalensis. The
      predicted polypeptide revealed conserved structural features including ten
      repeats in the lipid-binding domain and some residues involved in cholesterol
      interaction and binding. The gene structure analysis identified four exons and
      three introns. Moreover, the synteny analysis revealed that apoA-I did not
      localize with other apolipoproteins indicating a divergent evolution with respect
      to the apoA-IV and apoE cluster. The phylogenetic analyses identified two
      distinct apoA-I paralogs in Ostariophysi (referred to as Ia and Ib) and only one
      (Ib) in Acanthopterygii. Whole-mount in situ hybridization located the apoA-I
      signal mainly in the yolk syncytial layer in lecitotrophic larval stages. Later
      at mouth opening, the mRNA signals were detected mainly in liver and intestine
      compatible with its role in the HDL formation. Moreover, a clear signal was
      detected in some regions of the brain, retina and neural cord suggesting a role
      in local regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. After metamorphosis, apoA-I was
      also detected in other tissues such as gills, head kidney and spleen suggesting a
      putative role in immunity. Expression analyses in larvae fed two diets with
      different triacylglycerol levels indicated that apoA-I mRNA levels were more
      associated to larval size and development than dietary lipid levels. Finally,
      qPCR analyses of immature and mature transcripts revealed distinct expression
      profiles suggesting a posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism.

PMID- 27261261
TI  - Complete sequence of an IncFII plasmid harbouring the colistin resistance gene
      mcr-1 isolated from Belgian pig farms.

PMID- 27261262
TI  - Emergence of the colistin resistance mcr-1 determinant in commensal Escherichia
      coli from residents of long-term-care facilities in Italy.

PMID- 27261263
TI  - Detection of the plasmid-mediated colistin-resistance gene mcr-1 in clinical
      isolates and stool specimens obtained from hospitalized patients using a newly
      developed real-time PCR assay.

PMID- 27261264
TI  - A novel resistance mutation in eccC5 of the ESX-5 secretion system confers
      ofloxacin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fluoroquinolone resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is often
      conferred by DNA gyrase mutations. However, a substantial proportion of
      fluoroquinolone-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates do not have such mutations.
      METHODS: Ofloxacin-resistant and lineage-matched ofloxacin-susceptible M.
      tuberculosis isolates underwent WGS. Novel candidate resistance mutations were
      confirmed by Sanger sequencing and conferral of resistance was assessed via site
      directed mutagenesis and allelic exchange. Ofloxacin MIC was determined by
      resazurin microtitre assay (REMA) and the effects on MICs of efflux pump
      inhibitors (CCCP, reserpine and verapamil) were determined. RESULTS: Of 26
      ofloxacin-resistant isolates, 8 (31%) did not have resistance-conferring DNA
      gyrase mutations. The V762G mutation in Rv1783 (eccC5, encoding a protein in the
      ESX-5 membrane complex secretion system) was present on WGS in 8/26 (31%)
      resistant isolates and 0/11 susceptible isolates (P = 0.005). The mutation was
      identified in five isolates without DNA gyrase mutations and three isolates with
      such mutations; it was identified in both European-American and East Asian M.
      tuberculosis lineages. The ofloxacin MIC increased from 1 to 32 mg/L after
      introduction of the V762G mutation into M. tuberculosis H37Rv. In this strain
      with the V762G mutation, ofloxacin MIC did not change in the presence of efflux
      pump inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: A novel V762G mutation in Rv1783 conferred
      ofloxacin resistance in M. tuberculosis by a mechanism other than drug efflux.
      This occurred in a substantial proportion of resistant isolates, particularly
      those without DNA gyrase mutations.

PMID- 27261265
TI  - Ten years later: still a high prevalence of MRSA in slaughter pigs despite a
      significant reduction in antimicrobial usage in pigs the Netherlands.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In 2005, 39% of pigs and 81% of the slaughter batches at Dutch
      slaughterhouses were MRSA positive. The objective of the present study was to
      investigate whether the 50% reduction of antimicrobial usage in finishing pigs in
      2014 compared with 2009 in the Netherlands has led to a lower MRSA prevalence
      among Dutch slaughter pigs. METHODS: Nasal swabs from eight slaughter batches of
      on average 10 animals at seven slaughterhouses were taken and cultured using
      method 1, which was used in 2005, and method 2, using high-salt pre-enrichment.
      Suspected isolates were confirmed by PCR for two Staphylococcus aureus-specific
      DNA fragments and the mecA gene. A subset of MRSA isolates were further
      investigated using spa typing, multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat
      analysis (MLVA) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. RESULTS: Using methods
      1 and 2, we found 461 of 558 (83%) and 552 of 558 (99%) of the pigs to carry MRSA
      in their nares, respectively. All 56 slaughter batches were MRSA positive. All
      MRSA isolates belonged to the livestock-associated MLVA complex 398, had a non-WT
      phenotype for tetracycline and spa type t011 predominated. CONCLUSIONS: A very
      high prevalence of nasal MRSA carriage was found in Dutch slaughter pigs and
      therefore the reduction in antimicrobial usage at the national level has not yet
      had an effect on the MRSA carriage rate of pigs entering the slaughterhouse.
      Therefore, there is still an increased risk of MRSA carriage for personnel
      working at pig slaughterhouses, particularly those having contact with living
      animals. Method 2, using high salt pre-enrichment, detected more MRSA-positive
      pigs and is currently the preferred method for screening of MRSA in livestock in
      the Netherlands.

PMID- 27261266
TI  - Comment on: Resistance gene naming and numbering: is it a new gene or not?

PMID- 27261267
TI  - Glutathione-S-transferase FosA6 of Klebsiella pneumoniae origin conferring
      fosfomycin resistance in ESBL-producing Escherichia coli.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to elucidate the genetic context of
      a novel plasmid-mediated fosA variant, fosA6, conferring fosfomycin resistance
      and to characterize the kinetic properties of FosA6. METHODS: The genome of
      fosfomycin-resistant Escherichia coli strain YD786 was sequenced. Homologues of
      FosA6 were identified through BLAST searches. FosA6 and FosA(ST258) were purified
      and characterized using a steady-state kinetic approach. Inhibition of FosA
      activity was examined with sodium phosphonoformate. RESULTS: Plasmid-encoded
      glutathione-S-transferase (GST) FosA6 conferring high-level fosfomycin resistance
      was identified in a CTX-M-2-producing E. coli clinical strain at a US hospital.
      fosA6 was carried on a self-conjugative, 69 kb IncFII plasmid. The DeltalysR
      fosA6-DeltayjiR_1 fragment, located between IS10R and DeltaIS26, was nearly
      identical to those on the chromosomes of some Klebsiella pneumoniae strains
      (MGH78578, PMK1 and KPPR1). FosA6 shared >99% identity with chromosomally encoded
      FosA(PMK1) in K. pneumoniae of various STs and 98% identity with FosA(ST258),
      which is commonly found in K. pneumoniae clonal complex (CC) 258 including ST258.
      FosA6 and FosA(ST258) demonstrated robust GST activities that were comparable to
      each other. Sodium phosphonoformate, a GST inhibitor, reduced the fosfomycin MICs
      by 6- to 24-fold for K. pneumoniae and E. coli strains carrying fosA genes on the
      chromosomes and plasmids, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: fosA6, probably captured
      from the chromosome of K. pneumoniae, conferred high-level fosfomycin resistance
      in E. coli. FosA6 functioned as a GST and inactivated fosfomycin efficiently. K.
      pneumoniae may serve as a reservoir of fosfomycin resistance for E. coli.

PMID- 27261268
TI  - Sulphonamide resistance associated with integron derivative Tn6326 in
      Actinotignum schaalii.

PMID- 27261269
TI  - Important prognostic significance of lymph node density in patients with node
      positive oral tongue cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymph node density (LND) has been described as a prognostic factor
      for survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly
      of the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic
      significance of LND in patients with node positive oral tongue squamous cell
      carcinoma (OTSCC). METHODS: Patients with pathological node positive OTSCC were
      identified in a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. The optimal
      cut-point for LND was determined using the minimum P-value method and the log
      rank test. The impact of this LND cut-point on time to disease progression and
      overall survival was determined. RESULTS: In 72 patients with OTSCC, an LND of
      14.3% was found to have the greatest separation using the log-rank test (P <
      0.001). LND <=14.3% was predicted for longer time to disease progression with a
      median time of 73 months compared to 9.4 months in patients with an LND >14.3%
      (hazard ratio: 3.43; 95% confidence interval: 1.76-6.70; P < 0.001). LND was also
      a significant predictor of overall survival with a median overall survival with
      LND <=14.3% of 82.3 months, compared with 14.7 months in patients with an LND
      >14.3% (hazard ratio: 3.28; 95% confidence interval: 1.61-6.68; P = 0.001).
      Patients with an LND >14.3% experienced a higher rate of regional recurrence.
      CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the prognostic significance of LND in patients
      with node positive OTSCC, with a similar LND cut-point value to other published
      series. Improving regional control in these high-risk patients may improve
      outcome.

PMID- 27261271
TI  - A Web-Based Platform for Patients With Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee: A
      Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic conditions are the leading cause of disability throughout the
      world and the most expensive problem facing the health care systems. One such
      chronic condition is osteoarthritis (OA), a frequent cause of major disability.
      OBJECTIVE: To describe the effect on joint pain for the first users of a newly
      developed Web-based osteoarthritis self-managing program, Joint Academy, and to
      examine whether these patients would recommend other OA patients to use the
      program. METHODS: Patients with clinically established knee or hip OA according
      to national and international guidelines were recruited from an online
      advertisement. A trained physiotherapist screened the eligible patients by
      scrutinizing their answers to a standardized questionnaire. The 6-week program
      consisted of eight 2- to 5-minute videos with lectures about OA, effects of
      physical activity, self-management, and coping strategies. In addition, exercises
      to improve lower extremity physical function were introduced in daily video
      activities. During the course of the program, communication between
      physiotherapist and patients was based on an asynchronous chat. After 6 weeks,
      patients were able to continue without support from the physiotherapist. Patients
      reported their current pain weekly by using a numeric rating scale (range 0-10;
      0=no pain, 10=worst possible pain) as long as they were in the program. In
      addition, after 6 weeks patients answered the question "What is the probability
      that you would recommend Joint Academy to a friend?" RESULTS: The eligible cohort
      consisted of 53 individuals (39 women; body mass index: mean 27, SD 5; age: mean
      57, SD 14 years). With the continued use of the program, patients reported a
      constant change in pain score from mean 5.1 (SD 2.1) at baseline to mean 3.6 (SD
      2.0) at week 12. Six patients participated for 30 weeks (mean 3.2, SD 2.1).
      Overall, the patients would highly recommend Joint Academy to other OA patients,
      suggesting that the platform may be useful for at least some in the vast OA
      population. CONCLUSIONS: Joint Academy, a Web-based platform for OA therapy, has
      the potential to successfully deliver individualized online treatment to many
      patients with OA that presently lack access to treatment.

PMID- 27261270
TI  - VBP15, a novel dissociative steroid compound, reduces NFkappaB-induced expression
      of inflammatory cytokines in vitro and symptoms of murine trinitrobenzene
      sulfonic acid-induced colitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The goal of this study was to assess the capacity of VBP15,
      a dissociative steroidal compound, to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine expression
      in vitro, to reduce symptoms of colitis in the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid
      induced murine model, and to assess the effect of VBP15 on growth stunting in
      juvenile mice. MATERIALS: In vitro studies were performed in primary human
      intestinal epithelial cells. Colitis was induced in mice by administering
      trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Growth stunting studies were performed in wild
      type outbred mice. TREATMENT: Cells were treated with VBP15 or prednisolone (10
      MUM) for 24 h. Mice were subjected to 3 days of VBP15 (30 mg/kg) or prednisolone
      (30 mg/kg) in the colitis study. In the growth stunting study, mice were
      subjected to VBP15 (10, 30, 45 mg/kg) or prednisolone (10 mg/kg) for 5 weeks.
      METHODS: Cytokines were measured by PCR and via Luminex. Colitis symptoms were
      evaluated by assessing weight loss, intestinal blood, and stool consistency.
      Growth stunting was assessed using an electronic caliper. RESULTS: VBP15
      significantly reduced the in vitro production of CCL5 (p < 0.001) IL-6 (p <
      0.001), IL-8 (p < 0.05) and reduced colitis symptoms (p < 0.05). VBP15 caused
      less growth stunting than prednisolone (p < 0.001) in juvenile mice. CONCLUSION:
      VBP15 may reduce symptoms of IBD, while decreasing or avoiding detrimental side
      effects.

PMID- 27261272
TI  - Vegetarian diets and gut microbiota: important shifts in markers of metabolism
      and cardiovascular disease.
AB  - Vegetarian diets have been associated with a lower incidence of several chronic
      diseases. The benefits of plant-based diets are related mainly to the improvement
      of metabolic parameters that can indicate risk for such diseases. Some metabolic
      factors, such as oxidative balance, lipid profile, and glucose homeostasis, can
      be improved directly by diet, but paradoxically, some characteristics of
      vegetarian diets may promote a negative scenario that increases the risk of
      certain chronic diseases. Additionally, many benefits of a vegetarian diet are
      mediated by the gut microbiota, members of which not only have taxonomic and
      functional differences but also produce diverse, specific metabolites that vary
      according to whether the host consumes an omnivorous or a vegetarian diet. This
      review examines the modulation of human metabolism and gut microbiota by
      vegetarian and omnivorous dietary patterns and explores how this modulation may
      affect the risk of cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 27261273
TI  - Chromium supplements for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: limited evidence of
      effectiveness.
AB  - Some adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) believe that chromium-containing
      supplements will help control their disease, but the evidence is mixed. This
      narrative review examines the efficacy of chromium supplements for improving
      glycemic control as measured by decreases in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or
      hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Using systematic search criteria, 20 randomized
      controlled trials of chromium supplementation in T2DM patients were identified.
      Clinically meaningful treatment goals were defined as an FPG of <=7.2 mmol/dL, a
      decline in HbA1c to <=7%, or a decrease of >=0.5% in HbA1c. In only a few
      randomized controlled trials did FPG (5 of 20), HbA1c (3 of 14), or both (1 of
      14) reach the treatment goals with chromium supplementation. HbA1c declined by
      >=0.5% in 5 of 14 studies. On the basis of the low strength of existing evidence,
      chromium supplements have limited effectiveness, and there is little rationale to
      recommend their use for glycemic control in patients with existing T2DM. Future
      meta-analyses should include only high-quality studies with similar forms of
      chromium and comparable inclusion/exclusion criteria to provide scientifically
      sound recommendations for clinicians.

PMID- 27261274
TI  - The placenta: the forgotten essential organ of iron transport.
AB  - Optimal iron nutrition in utero is essential for development of the fetus and
      helps establish birth iron stores adequate to sustain growth in early infancy. In
      species with hemochorial placentas, such as humans and rodents, iron in the
      maternal circulation is transferred to the fetus by directly contacting placental
      syncytiotrophoblasts. Early kinetic studies provided valuable data on the initial
      uptake of maternal transferrin, an iron-binding protein, by the placenta.
      However, the remaining steps of iron trafficking across syncytiotrophoblasts and
      through the fetal endothelium into the fetal blood remain poorly characterized.
      Over the last 20 years, identification of transmembrane iron transporters and the
      iron regulatory hormone hepcidin has greatly expanded the knowledge of cellular
      iron transport and its regulation by systemic iron status. In addition, emerging
      human and animal data demonstrating comprised fetal iron stores in severe
      maternal iron deficiency challenge the classic dogma of exclusive fetal control
      over the transfer process and indicate that maternal and local signals may play a
      role in regulating this process. This review compiles current data on the
      kinetic, molecular, and regulatory aspects of placental iron transport and
      considers new questions and knowledge gaps raised by these advances.

PMID- 27261275
TI  - Chemopreventive properties of 3,3'-diindolylmethane in breast cancer: evidence
      from experimental and human studies.
AB  - Diet is a modifiable factor associated with the risk of several cancers, with
      convincing evidence showing a link between diet and breast cancer. The role of
      bioactive compounds of food origin, including those found in cruciferous
      vegetables, is an active area of research in cancer chemoprevention. This review
      focuses on 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), the major bioactive indole in crucifers.
      Research of the cancer-preventive activity of DIM has yielded basic mechanistic,
      animal, and human trial data. Further, this body of evidence is largely supported
      by observational studies. Bioactive DIM has demonstrated chemopreventive activity
      in all stages of breast cancer carcinogenesis. This review describes current
      evidence related to the metabolism and mechanisms of DIM involved in the
      prevention of breast cancer. Importantly, this review also focuses on current
      evidence from human observational and intervention trials that have contributed
      to a greater understanding of exposure estimates that will inform recommendations
      for DIM intake.

PMID- 27261276
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide-Induced CD300b Receptor Binding to Toll-like Receptor 4 Alters
      Signaling to Drive Cytokine Responses that Enhance Septic Shock.
AB  - Receptor CD300b is implicated in regulating the immune response to bacterial
      infection by an unknown mechanism. Here, we identified CD300b as a
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding receptor and determined the mechanism underlying
      CD300b augmentation of septic shock. In vivo depletion and adoptive transfer
      studies identified CD300b-expressing macrophages as the key cell type augmenting
      sepsis. We showed that CD300b, and its adaptor DAP12, associated with Toll-like
      receptor 4 (TLR4) upon LPS binding, thereby enhancing TLR4-adaptor MyD88- and
      TRIF-dependent signaling that resulted in an elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine
      storm. LPS engagement of the CD300b-TLR4 complex led to the recruitment and
      activation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5
      bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K). This resulted in an inhibition of the ERK1/2
      protein kinase- and NF-kappaB transcription factor-mediated signaling pathways,
      which subsequently led to a reduced interleukin-10 (IL-10) production.
      Collectively, our data describe a mechanism of TLR4 signaling regulated by CD300b
      in myeloid cells in response to LPS.

PMID- 27261278
TI  - Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Lebanese surficial
      sediments: A focus on the regions of Tripoli, Jounieh, Dora, and Tyre.
AB  - This paper aims to identify the concentrations of PAHs in the sediments of four
      coastal zones in Lebanon and determine their possible sources and effects. For
      each region (Tripoli, Jounieh, Dora, and Tyre), sampling, lyophilization, Soxhlet
      extraction, rotary evaporation, and gas chromatography were performed on 11, 10,
      7, and 11 samples, respectively. The total PAHs concentrations ranged from 1.22
      to 731.93MUg/kg dry weight. The lowest concentrations were found in Tyre and the
      highest in Dora and Jounieh. The level of PAHs was classified as low to moderate
      and their source was mainly pyrogenic. 

PMID- 27261279
TI  - The impact of onsite wastewater disposal systems on groundwater in areas
      inundated by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey.
AB  - Coastal onsite wastewater disposal systems (OWDS) were inundated by Hurricane
      Sandy's storm tide. This study compares the shallow groundwater quality
      (nutrients, pharmaceuticals, and hormones) downgradient of OWDS before and after
      Hurricane Sandy, where available, and establishes a baseline for wastewater
      influence on groundwater in coastal communities inundated by Hurricane Sandy.
      Nutrients and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) were detected in shallow
      groundwater downgradient of OWDS in two settings along the New Jersey and New
      York coastlines: 1) a single, centralized OWDS in a park; and 2) multiple OWDS
      (cesspools) in low-density residential and mixed-use/medium density residential
      areas. The most frequently detected pharmaceuticals were lidocaine (40%),
      carbamazepine (36%), and fexofenadine, bupropion, desvenlafaxine, meprobamate,
      and tramadol (24-32%). Increases in the number and total concentration of
      pharmaceuticals after Hurricane Sandy may reflect other factors (seasonality,
      usage) besides inundation, and demonstrate the importance of analyzing for a wide
      variety of CECs in regional studies. 

PMID- 27261277
TI  - Store-Operated Ca(2+) Entry in Follicular T Cells Controls Humoral Immune
      Responses and Autoimmunity.
AB  - T follicular helper (Tfh) cells promote affinity maturation of B cells in
      germinal centers (GCs), whereas T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells limit the GC
      reaction. Store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) through Ca(2+) release-activated
      Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels mediated by STIM and ORAI proteins is a fundamental
      signaling pathway in T lymphocytes. Conditional deletion of Stim1 and Stim2 genes
      in T cells abolished SOCE and strongly reduced antibody-mediated immune responses
      following viral infection caused by impaired differentiation and function of Tfh
      cells. Conversely, aging Stim1Stim2-deficient mice developed humoral autoimmunity
      with spontaneous autoantibody production due to abolished Tfr cell
      differentiation in the presence of residual Tfh cells. Mechanistically, SOCE
      controlled Tfr and Tfh cell differentiation through NFAT-mediated IRF4, BATF, and
      Bcl-6 transcription-factor expression. SOCE had a dual role in controlling the GC
      reaction by regulating both Tfh and Tfr cell differentiation, thus enabling
      protective B cell responses and preventing humoral autoimmunity.

PMID- 27261280
TI  - Can environmental DNA (eDNA) be used for detection and monitoring of introduced
      crab species in the Baltic Sea?
AB  - The need to detect and monitor introduced marine species has increased with the
      increasing number of marine invasions. To complement standard detection and
      monitoring techniques, new approaches using environmental DNA (eDNA) have
      recently been developed. However, most of the eDNA work has focused on vertebrate
      species in spatially limited freshwater habitats while benthic invertebrates in
      coastal environments have received much less attention. Here, we evaluated the
      suitability of the eDNA approach for detecting benthic, hard-shelled, crustacean
      mud crab species in a brackish water environment. We demonstrated for the first
      time that eDNA from an introduced mud crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii can be
      successfully amplified in aquarium water samples and detected in the brackish
      water environment. However, the detection rate was rather low. This suggests that
      in contrast to freshwater vertebrates, it may be more challenging to develop a
      highly sensitive eDNA method for detecting crustacean species in a marine
      environment. 

PMID- 27261324
TI  - Using Electronic Medical Records to Assess the Effectiveness of Pharmacotherapy
      in Pain: A Review of Recent Observational Studies.
AB  - Pain disorders affect a large number of individuals throughout the world and are
      costly. Although randomized clinical trials assess the efficacy (i.e., how well
      treatments work in controlled settings) of pain pharmacotherapy, clinical trials
      do not assess effectiveness (i.e., how well treatments work in real-world
      settings). The number of observational studies that use real-world data to assess
      the effectiveness of medications is increasing rapidly in many disease areas. It
      is important for clinicians to understand how real-world data may be used to
      assess the effectiveness of medications. This paper aims to review the current
      body of literature assessing the effectiveness of pain pharmacotherapy using
      medical records. To do this, a literature search was conducted to identify papers
      published between January 2013 and September 2015 that examined the effectiveness
      of pain pharmacotherapy using electronic medical records. The search found only
      three papers meeting these criteria, which were described, reviewed, and
      critiqued in this paper. Electronic medical records are an underutilized source
      of data to assess pain outcomes in real-world settings. Although there are many
      methodological challenges in using these data, there is also great opportunity to
      impact clinical practice and explore the real-world effectiveness of
      pharmacotherapy used in pain management. 

PMID- 27261325
TI  - Diverting ileostomy during primary debulking surgery for ovarian cancer:
      Associated factors and postoperative outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the use, as well as postoperative and long-term oncologic
      outcomes of diverting loop ileostomy (DI) during primary debulking surgery (PDS)
      for ovarian cancer. METHODS: Patients with stage II-IV ovarian, fallopian tube,
      or primary peritoneal carcinoma who underwent colon resection during PDS from
      1/2005-1/2014 were identified. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed.
      RESULTS: Of 331 patients, 320 (97%) had stage III/IV disease and 278 (84%) had
      disease of high-grade serous histology. Forty-four (13%) underwent a DI. There
      were no significant differences in age, comorbidity index, smoking status, serum
      albumin, or attending surgeon between the DI and non-DI groups. Operative time
      (OR=1.21; 95% CI, 1.03-1.42; p=0.02) and length of rectosigmoid resection
      (OR=1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08; p=0.02) were predictors of DI on multivariable
      analysis. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 6%. A comparison of groups (DI vs
      non-DI) showed no significant differences in major complications (30% vs 23%;
      p=0.41), anastomotic leak rate (5% vs 7%; p=0.60), hospital length of stay (10 vs
      9days; p=0.25), readmission rate (23% vs 17%; p=0.33), or interval to
      postoperative chemotherapy (41 vs 40days; p=0.20), respectively. Ileostomy
      reversal was successful in 89% of patients. Median follow-up was 52.6months.
      There were no differences in median progression-free (17.9 vs 18.6months; p=0.88)
      and overall survival (48.7 vs 63.8months; p=0.25) between the groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing PDS, those with longer operative time and
      greater length of rectosigmoid resection more commonly underwent DI. DI does not
      appear to compromise postoperative outcomes or long-term survival.

PMID- 27261326
TI  - Lymphovascular space invasion in uterine corpus cancer: What is its prognostic
      significance in the absence of lymph node metastases?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is a poor prognostic indicator in
      uterine cancer, primarily due to its association with lymph node metastases. We
      sought to determine if LVSI provides any prognostic information for uterine
      cancer subjects in the absence of nodal disease. METHODS: A retrospective review
      was performed using a database of women treated for uterine cancer at MUSC from
      2005 to 2012. Subjects with negative nodes after complete staging were
      identified. Multiple regression modeling was used to adjust for demographic and
      histopathologic covariates. The C-index was calculated for models of survival
      that included LVSI and those that did not. Competing risks analysis was conducted
      to examine factors associated with time to recurrence. RESULTS: Two hundred and
      five subjects were completely staged and had negative nodes, 24 with LVSI and 181
      without. Factors significantly associated with survival included age, race,
      stage, grade, histology, and LVSI. Regression models for recurrence-free survival
      (RFS) and overall survival (OS) had similar C-indices regardless of whether LVSI
      was included. Competing risks analysis confirmed no significant difference in
      time to recurrence for subjects with LVSI compared to those without, after
      adjusting for other prognostic factors (P=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: LVSI is associated
      with shorter recurrence-free and overall survival in uterine cancer subjects with
      negative lymph nodes. However, after adjusting for other prognostic factors, LVSI
      status does not provide additional prognostic information. This finding suggests
      that recurrence-free and overall survival for uterine cancer patients with
      negative lymph nodes can be estimated without factoring in LVSI.

PMID- 27261327
TI  - Endosalpingiosis: More than just an incidental finding at the time of gynecologic
      surgery?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with
      endosalpingiosis (ES) and examine its association with endometriosis and
      gynecologic malignancies. METHODS: We queried the medical record for patients who
      underwent gynecologic surgery (Gynecologic Surgery Cohort (GSC), n=58,161) from
      1998 to 2013 at a single institution for the presence of "endosalpingiosis" (ES).
      Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected for patients with
      pathologically confirmed ES (n=838). Within GSC, we compared the frequency of
      endometriosis and gynecologic malignancies with and without ES. We estimated the
      expected distribution of ovarian cancer subtypes using cases from the New England
      Case Control Study (NECC). We used chi-square tests to test for significant
      differences in frequency distributions and unconditional logistic regression to
      calculate multivariate odds ratios for the association between ES and ovarian
      cancer subtypes. RESULTS: We observed concurrent endometriosis (p<0.0001),
      uterine cancer (p<0.0001), and ovarian cancer (p<0.0001) more frequently in women
      with ES. Women from the GSC with ES and ovarian cancer were more likely to have
      serous borderline (OR=10.2, 95% CI=5.1-20.7), clear cell (OR=3.0, 95% CI=1.1
      8.0), and invasive mucinous tumors (OR=5.0, 95% CI=1.5-16.6) as compared to
      ovarian cancer cases from the NECC without ES, after accounting for age, race,
      menopausal status, parity, tubal ligation, and endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Women
      with ES are more likely to also be diagnosed with endometriosis, uterine, and
      ovarian cancers. Further study is needed to understand these associations so we
      may appropriately counsel patients with ES diagnosed at time of gynecologic
      surgery.

PMID- 27261329
TI  - Pityriasis lichenoides chronica responds to minocycline in three patients.

PMID- 27261328
TI  - Targeting Intrinsic and Extrinsic Vulnerabilities for the Treatment of Multiple
      Myeloma.
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell disorder, clinically
      characterized by osteolytic lesions, immunodeficiency, and renal disease. Over
      the past decade, MM therapy is significantly improved by the introduction of
      novel therapeutics such as immunomodulatory agents (thalidomide, lenalidomide,
      and pomalidomide), proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib, carfilzomib, and ixazomib),
      monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab and elotuzumab), histone deacetylase (HDAC)
      inhibitors (Panobinostat). The clinical success of these agents has clearly
      identified vulnerabilities intrinsic to the MM cell, as well as targets that
      emanate from the tumor microenvironment. Despite these significant improvements,
      MM remains incurable due to the development of drug resistance. This perspective
      will discuss more recent strategies which take advantage of multiple targets
      within the proteome recycling pathway, chromatin remodeling, and disruption of
      nuclear export. In addition, we will review the development of strategies
      designed to block opportunistic survival signaling that occurs between the MM
      cell and the tumor microenvironment including strategies for inhibiting myeloma
      induced immune suppression. It has become clear that MM tumors continue to evolve
      on therapy leading to drug resistance. It will be important to understand the
      emerging drug resistant mechanisms and additional vulnerabilities that occur due
      to the development of clinical resistance. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 15-25, 2017.
      (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27261330
TI  - Serum Magnesium Levels and Hospitalization and Mortality in Incident Peritoneal
      Dialysis Patients: A Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prior studies have shown the association of low serum magnesium
      levels with adverse health outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis. There is
      a paucity of such studies in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). STUDY
      DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 10,692 patients treated with PD
      from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2011, in facilities operated by a
      single large dialysis organization in the United States. PREDICTOR: Baseline
      serum magnesium levels, examined as 5 categories (<1.8, 1.8-<2.0, 2.0-<2.2
      [reference], 2.2-<2.4, and >=2.4mg/dL). OUTCOMES: Time to first hospitalization
      and time to death using competing-risks regression models. RESULTS: The
      distribution of baseline serum magnesium levels in the cohort was <1.8mg/dL,
      1,928 (18%); 1.8 to <2.0mg/dL, 2,204 (21%); 2.0 to <2.2mg/dL, 2,765 (26%); 2.2 to
      <2.4mg/dL, 1,765 (16%); and >=2.4mg/dL, 2,030 (19%). Of 10,692 patients, 6,465
      (60%) were hospitalized at least once and 1,392 (13%) died during follow-up
      (median, 13; IQR, 7-23 months). Baseline serum magnesium level < 1.8mg/dL was
      associated with higher risk for hospitalization and all-cause mortality after
      adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics (adjusted HRs of 1.23
      [95% CI, 1.14-1.33] and 1.21 [95% CI, 1.03-1.42], respectively). The higher risk
      for hospitalization persisted upon adjustment for laboratory variables, whereas
      that for all-cause mortality was attenuated to a nonsignificant level. The
      greatest risk for hospitalization was in patients with low serum albumin levels
      (<3.5g/dL; P for interaction < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: Possibility of residual
      confounding by unmeasured variables cannot be excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Lower serum
      magnesium levels may be associated with higher risk for hospitalization in
      incident PD patients, particularly those with hypoalbuminemia. Additional studies
      are needed to confirm these findings and investigate whether correction of
      hypomagnesemia reduces these risks.

PMID- 27261332
TI  - New Peptides Under the s(ORF)ace of the Genome.
AB  - Hundreds, perhaps thousands of previously unidentified functional small peptides
      could exist in most genomes, but these sequences have been generally overlooked.
      The discovery of genes encoding small peptides with important functions in
      different organisms has ignited the interest in these sequences and led to an
      increasing amount of effort towards their identification. Here, we review the
      advances, both computational and biochemical, that are leading the way in the
      discovery of putatively functional small open reading frame genes (smORFs), as
      well as the functional studies that have been carried out as a consequence of
      these searches. The evidence suggests that smORFs form a substantial part of our
      genomes, and that their encoded peptides could have a variety of important
      cellular functions.

PMID- 27261331
TI  - Dietary Guideline Adherence Index and Kidney Measures in the Framingham Heart
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No observational studies have directly considered dietary guidelines
      when examining the prospective association between dietary intake and kidney
      measures. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: We
      examined participants who attended examinations 7 (1998-2001) and 8 (2005-2008)
      in the Framingham Offspring Cohort. PREDICTORS: Individual components of Dietary
      Guidelines for Americans Adherence Index (DGAI) that reflect adherence to key
      dietary recommendations based on the 2005 guideline. OUTCOMES & MEASURES: The
      primary outcome was incident low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at
      follow-up after exclusion of prevalent low eGFR at baseline. Low eGFR was defined
      as serum creatinine-based eGFR<60mL/min/1.73m2. RESULTS: Among 1,822 participants
      (mean age, 59.4 years; 54.6% women), 181 incident cases of low eGFR were
      identified. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared to optimal
      adherence to meat and legume recommendations, low adherence was associated with
      higher odds of incident low eGFR (P for trend = 0.01); ORs in the lowest and
      intermediate adherence categories were 2.98 (95% CI, 1.13-7.92) and 1.65 (95% CI,
      1.02-2.66), respectively. Low adherence to dairy product recommendations was also
      associated with higher odds of incident low eGFR compared to optimal adherence (P
      for trend = 0.03); ORs in the lowest and intermediate adherence categories were
      1.98 (95% CI, 1.03-3.82) and 1.59 (95% CI, 0.81-3.11), respectively. In addition,
      low adherence to meat and legume recommendations was associated with rapid eGFR
      decline (P for trend = 0.01), and low adherence to dairy product recommendations
      was associated with rapid eGFR decline (P for trend = 0.01) and incident
      albuminuria (P for trend = 0.03). LIMITATIONS: The DGAI was developed based on
      the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. CONCLUSIONS: Better adherence to
      dietary recommendations for both meat and legumes and dairy products was
      associated with lower risk for developing adverse kidney measures.

PMID- 27261333
TI  - Delivery of LLKKK18 loaded into self-assembling hyaluronic acid nanogel for
      tuberculosis treatment.
AB  - Tuberculosis (TB), a disease caused by the human pathogen Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis, recently joined HIV/AIDS on the top rank of deadliest infectious
      diseases. Low patient compliance due to the expensive, long-lasting and multi
      drug standard therapies often results in treatment failure and emergence of multi
      drug resistant strains. In this scope, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) arise as
      promising candidates for TB treatment. Here we describe the ability of the
      exogenous AMP LLKKK18 to efficiently kill mycobacteria. The peptide's potential
      was boosted by loading into self-assembling Hyaluronic Acid (HA) nanogels. These
      provide increased stability, reduced cytotoxicity and degradability, while
      potentiating peptide targeting to main sites of infection. The nanogels were
      effectively internalized by macrophages and the peptide presence and co
      localization with mycobacteria within host cells was confirmed. This resulted in
      a significant reduction of the mycobacterial load in macrophages infected in
      vitro with the opportunistic M. avium or the pathogenic M. tuberculosis, an
      effect accompanied by lowered pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF
      alpha). Remarkably, intra-tracheal administration of peptide-loaded nanogels
      significantly reduced infection levels in mice infected with M. avium or M.
      tuberculosis, after just 5 or 10 every other day administrations. Considering the
      reported low probability of resistance acquisition, these findings suggest a
      great potential of LLKKK18-loaded nanogels for TB therapeutics.

PMID- 27261334
TI  - l-DOPA as a small molecule surrogate to promote angiogenesis and prevent
      dexamethasone-induced ischemia.
AB  - The foreign body response to implantable biosensors has been successfully
      countered through the use of corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone. However,
      while controlling inflammation, dexamethasone also decreases angiogenesis, which
      may lead to delayed analyte readings. The concurrent application of VEGF with
      dexamethasone increases angiogenesis, but VEGF has physical stability issues and
      is not cost-effective. The use of l-DOPA, a small molecule drug shown to up
      regulate VEGF in the Parkinsonian brain, can potentially resolve these issues by
      substituting for VEGF. In this work, l-DOPA was used for the first time as a pro
      angiogenic agent to counteract dexamethasone-induced ischemia. Angiogenesis was
      modeled using the CAM assay and changes in blood vessel formation were recorded
      with both manual and digital techniques. As expected, dexamethasone reduced blood
      vessel formation in the CAM. Application of l-DOPA, on the other hand, increased
      blood vessel formation when dexamethasone and l-DOPA were administered
      simultaneously. This novel finding suggests the utility of l-DOPA in the field of
      implantable medical devices, such as biosensors, as well as tissue engineering
      applications where both a vascularized tissue environment and control of tissue
      response is desired.

PMID- 27261335
TI  - RGD liposome-protamine-siRNA (LPR) nanoparticles targeting PAX3-FOXO1 for
      alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma therapy.
AB  - Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) are aggressive soft tissue tumors harboring
      specific fusion transcripts, notably PAX3-FOXO1 (P3F). Current therapy concepts
      result in unsatisfactory survival rates making the search for innovative
      approaches necessary: targeting PAX3-FOXO1 could be a promising strategy. In this
      study, we developed integrin receptor-targeted Lipid-Protamine-siRNA (LPR)
      nanoparticles using the RGD peptide and validated target specificity as well as
      their post-silencing effects. We demonstrate that RGD-LPRs are specific to ARMS
      in vitro and in vivo. Loaded with siRNA directed against the breakpoint of P3F,
      these particles efficiently down regulated the fusion transcript and inhibited
      cell proliferation, but did not induce substantial apoptosis. In a xenograft ARMS
      model, LPR nanoparticles targeting P3F showed statistically significant tumor
      growth delay as well as inhibition of tumor initiation when injected in parallel
      with the tumor cells. These findings suggest that RGD-LPR targeting P3F are
      promising to be highly effective in the setting of minimal residual disease for
      ARMS.

PMID- 27261336
TI  - Insights into zinc and cadmium biology in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - Zinc is an essential metal that is involved in a wide range of biological
      processes, and aberrant zinc homeostasis is implicated in multiple human
      diseases. Cadmium is chemically similar to zinc, but it is a nonessential
      environmental pollutant. Because zinc deficiency and excess are deleterious,
      animals require homeostatic mechanisms to maintain zinc levels in response to
      dietary fluctuations. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a
      powerful model system to investigate zinc trafficking and homeostasis as well as
      cadmium toxicity. Here we review genetic and molecular studies that have combined
      to generate a picture of zinc homeostasis based on the transcriptional control of
      zinc transporters in intestinal cells. Furthermore, we summarize studies of
      cadmium toxicity that reveal intriguing parallels with zinc biology.

PMID- 27261337
TI  - Asia-Pacific consensus on the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: an
      update focusing on refractory reflux disease and Barrett's oesophagus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Since the publication of the Asia-Pacific consensus on gastro
      oesophageal reflux disease in 2008, there has been further scientific advancement
      in this field. This updated consensus focuses on proton pump inhibitor-refractory
      reflux disease and Barrett's oesophagus. METHODS: A steering committee identified
      three areas to address: (1) burden of disease and diagnosis of reflux disease;
      (2) proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux disease; (3) Barrett's oesophagus.
      Three working groups formulated draft statements with supporting evidence.
      Discussions were done via email before a final face-to-face discussion. We used a
      Delphi consensus process, with a 70% agreement threshold, using Grading of
      Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria to
      categorise the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. RESULTS: A
      total of 32 statements were proposed and 31 were accepted by consensus. A rise in
      the prevalence rates of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in Asia was noted, with
      the majority being non-erosive reflux disease. Overweight and obesity contributed
      to the rise. Proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux disease was recognised to be
      common. A distinction was made between refractory symptoms and refractory reflux
      disease, with clarification of the roles of endoscopy and functional testing
      summarised in two algorithms. The definition of Barrett's oesophagus was revised
      such that a minimum length of 1 cm was required and the presence of intestinal
      metaplasia no longer necessary. We recommended the use of standardised endoscopic
      reporting and advocated endoscopic therapy for confirmed dysplasia and early
      cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines standardise the management of patients with
      refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's oesophagus in the Asia
      Pacific region.

PMID- 27261339
TI  - Robots in elder care: Some ethical questions.

PMID- 27261342
TI  - Letter From the Editor: The Mediastinum.

PMID- 27261338
TI  - Incidence of and survival after subsequent cancers in carriers of pathogenic MMR
      variants with previous cancer: a report from the prospective Lynch syndrome
      database.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Today most patients with Lynch syndrome (LS) survive their first
      cancer. There is limited information on the incidences and outcome of subsequent
      cancers. The present study addresses three questions: (i) what is the cumulative
      incidence of a subsequent cancer; (ii) in which organs do subsequent cancers
      occur; and (iii) what is the survival following these cancers? DESIGN:
      Information was collated on prospectively organised surveillance and
      prospectively observed outcomes in patients with LS who had cancer prior to
      inclusion and analysed by age, gender and genetic variants. RESULTS: 1273
      patients with LS from 10 countries were followed up for 7753 observation years.
      318 patients (25.7%) developed 341 first subsequent cancers, including colorectal
      (n=147, 43%), upper GI, pancreas or bile duct (n=37, 11%) and urinary tract
      (n=32, 10%). The cumulative incidences for any subsequent cancer from age 40 to
      age 70 years were 73% for pathogenic MLH1 (path_MLH1), 76% for path_MSH2 carriers
      and 52% for path_MSH6 carriers, and for colorectal cancer (CRC) the cumulative
      incidences were 46%, 48% and 23%, respectively. Crude survival after any
      subsequent cancer was 82% (95% CI 76% to 87%) and 10-year crude survival after
      CRC was 91% (95% CI 83% to 95%). CONCLUSIONS: Relative incidence of subsequent
      cancer compared with incidence of first cancer was slightly but insignificantly
      higher than cancer incidence in patients with LS without previous cancer (range
      0.94-1.49). The favourable survival after subsequent cancers validated continued
      follow-up to prevent death from cancer. The interactive website
      http://lscarisk.org was expanded to calculate the risks by gender, genetic
      variant and age for subsequent cancer for any patient with LS with previous
      cancer.

PMID- 27261343
TI  - Pathology of the Trachea and Central Bronchi.
AB  - A wide variety of disorders can affect the trachea and central bronchi. Computed
      tomography is the imaging modality of choice in the evaluation of
      tracheobronchial disease. Tracheobronchial abnormalities are sometimes
      incidentally detected on routine imaging or when imaging is performed for another
      reason. Abnormalities of the tracheobronchial tree, however, can be easily missed
      because they can be subtle. Furthermore, because symptoms in patients with
      tracheobronchial disorders often overlap symptoms of lung disease, radiologists
      may focus their attention on the lungs and overlook the tracheobronchial tree. In
      this article, we review a wide range of tracheobronchial diseases with emphasis
      on their computed tomographic appearances. 

PMID- 27261344
TI  - Tracheal Diverticula.
AB  - Extraluminal paratracheal air bubbles are occasionally seen on computed
      tomography (CT) studies that include the thoracic inlet (ie, CT of the neck, of
      the cervical spine, and of the chest). In most cases, these paratracheal air
      bubbles are tracheal diverticula (TD), sometimes also referred to as tracheal
      pouch, tracheocele, and tracheogenic cyst. TD are most commonly seen at the right
      posterolateral aspect of the upper trachea at the level T1-T3. Because of their
      typical location and appearance, they are easily recognized and should not be
      confused with pneumomediastinum or other causes of air bubbles in the same
      region. This article describes the prevalence, possible pathophysiology, and
      associated complications of TD and illustrates the spectrum of their appearance
      on CT. 

PMID- 27261345
TI  - Solid Tumors of the Mediastinum in Adults.
AB  - A wide spectrum of solid tumors can develop in the mediastinum of adults. Like
      for any other tumor evaluation, the location and morphology play equally
      important role for lesion characterization. Compartmentalizing the mediastinal
      masses greatly narrows the number of possible differential diagnosis. Cross
      sectional imaging mainly with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) are the preferred modalities of choice as they can establish the
      presence, location and morphology of the lesion allowing to suggest a possible
      diagnosis. 

PMID- 27261346
TI  - Cystic Lesions of the Mediastinum.
AB  - Cystic lesions are commonly seen in the mediastinum, and they may arise from
      virtually any organ. The vast majority of these lesions are benign and result in
      no symptoms. When large, cysts may produce symptoms related to compression of
      adjacent structures. The most common mediastinal cysts are pericardial and
      foregut duplication cysts. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance are
      routinely used to evaluate these lesions. Although computed tomography offers
      superior spatial resolution, magnetic resonance is useful in differentiating
      cysts that contain proteinaceous material from solid lesions. Occasionally, cysts
      arise from solid lesions, such as thymoma or teratoma. Although cysts are alike
      in appearance, location helps narrowing the differential diagnoses. 

PMID- 27261347
TI  - Pediatric Mediastinal Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions.
AB  - This article reviews the imaging findings of pediatric mediastinal tumors and
      tumor-like lesions. The classification of the mediastinum is discussed with
      normal imaging appearance of the thymus in pediatric age group followed by a
      discussion on multiple mediastinal lesions in different compartments with
      emphasis on their imaging characteristics. 

PMID- 27261348
TI  - Imaging of Pericardial Diseases.
AB  - Given the widespread use of cross-sectional imaging modalities, specifically
      multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance, to evaluate thoracic
      disease, the pericardium is frequently imaged. Knowledge of the normal appearance
      and anatomical boundaries is vital for radiologists to avoid confusion with more
      sinister pathology. A variety of disorders and diseases of the pericardium can
      bring a patient to clinical attention from inflammatory conditions, resulting in
      pericarditis and pericardial effusion, to malignancy. This article discusses the
      anatomy and conditions that affect the pericardium, emphasizing the role imaging
      plays in diagnosis and management. 

PMID- 27261349
TI  - Mediastinal Imaging Pitfalls.
AB  - Potential pitfalls in the interpretation of diseases involving the mediastinum
      are seen when imaging with computed tomography and [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose
      positron emission tomography. These pitfalls can involve any mediastinal
      structure, including the mediastinal vessels, heart, lymph nodes, thymus,
      trachea, esophagus, and fat. Misinterpretation of normal variants or benign
      conditions as pathology can affect staging and alter treatment. After reading
      this review, the reader should be able to identify common mediastinal imaging
      pitfalls and apply ancillary measures to confirm the correct diagnosis and thus
      reach an accurate diagnosis to facilitate correct patient treatment. 

PMID- 27261350
TI  - Radiation Effects in the Mediastinum and Surroundings: Imaging Findings and
      Complications.
AB  - Radiotherapy is one of the cornerstones for treatment of patients with cancer.
      Although advances in radiotherapy technology have considerably improved radiation
      delivery, potential adverse effects are still common. Postradiation changes to
      the mediastinum can include different structures such as the heart, great
      vessels, and esophagus. The purpose of the article was to illustrate the expected
      variety of changes to the mediastinum and adjacent lung resulting from external
      beam radiotherapy and radiotherapy-induced complications to the mediastinum and
      to discuss different radiotherapy delivery techniques. 

PMID- 27261351
TI  - Pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, produce persistent compromise
      in tonic immobility defensive behaviour in endotoxemia guinea-pigs.
AB  - AIM: Sepsis has been associated with acute behavioural changes in humans and
      rodents, which consists of a motivational state and an adaptive response that
      improve survival. However, the involvement of peripheral cytokines synthesized
      during systemic inflammation as modulators of the tonic immobility (TI) defensive
      behaviour remains a literature gap. Our purposes were to characterize the TI
      defensive behaviour in endotoxemia guinea-pigs at acute phase and after recovery
      from the initial inflammatory challenge. Furthermore, we investigated whether
      peri-aqueductal grey matter (PAG) exists as a brain structure related to this
      behaviour and also pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha
      and interleukin (IL)-1beta, act at this mesencephalic nucleus. METHODS:
      Endotoxemia was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration in guinea
      pigs. The parameters evaluated included TI defensive behaviour, survival,
      cytokines production, as well as neuronal activation and apoptosis in the PAG.
      RESULTS: Endotoxemia guinea-pigs exhibited a reduction in the duration of TI
      episodes, starting at 2 h after LPS administration and persisting throughout the
      experimental period evaluated over 7 days. Moreover, endotoxemia increased the c
      FOS immunoreactivity of neurones in the ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG), as well as the
      caspase-3 expression. The LPS microinjection into vlPAG reproduces the same
      compromise, that is a decrease in the duration of TI defensive behaviour,
      observed after the peripheral administration. The immunoneutralization against IL
      1beta and TNF-alpha into vlPAG reverts all the effects produced by peripheral LPS
      administration. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that vlPAG is an important brain
      structure involved in the behavioural alterations induced by endotoxemia,
      possibly changing the neuronal activity caused by pro-inflammatory cytokines
      produced peripherally.

PMID- 27261362
TI  - Isolation, identification and oenological characterization of non-Saccharomyces
      yeasts in a Mediterranean island.
AB  - We isolated, identified and characterized yeast strains from grapes, and their
      fermented musts, sampled in the small island of Linosa, where there are no
      wineries and therefore the possibility of territory contamination by industrial
      strains is minimal. By traditional culture-dependent methods, we isolated 3805
      colonies, distinguished by molecular methods in 17 different species. Five
      hundred and forty-four isolates were analysed for the main oenological
      characteristics such as fermentative vigour with and without sulphites, sugar
      consumption and production of alcohol, volatile acidity, hydrogen sulphide,
      glycerol and beta-glucosidase. This analysis identified Kluyveromyces marxianus
      (seldomly used in winemaking) as the most interesting candidate yeast for the
      production of innovative wines. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In recent
      years, interest is growing for wine production by non-Saccharomyces yeasts, both
      in research and in the industry. This study describes the yeast population of the
      grapes in a small-secluded island in the Mediterranean Sea, useful site for the
      search of new strains. Evaluation of fundamental oenological characters
      identifies potential best yeasts to assay in experimental vinifications. We also
      describe, for the first time, 14 new colony morphologies on WL Nutrient Agar,
      culture medium used to monitor the yeast population dynamics.

PMID- 27261363
TI  - Cell adhesion during bullet motion in capillaries.
AB  - A numerical analysis is presented of cell adhesion in capillaries whose diameter
      is comparable to or smaller than that of the cell. In contrast to a large number
      of previous efforts on leukocyte and tumor cell rolling, much is still unknown
      about cell motion in capillaries. The solid and fluid mechanics of a cell in flow
      was coupled with a slip bond model of ligand-receptor interactions. When the size
      of a capillary was reduced, the cell always transitioned to "bullet-like" motion,
      with a consequent decrease in the velocity of the cell. A state diagram was
      obtained for various values of capillary diameter and receptor density. We found
      that bullet motion enables firm adhesion of a cell to the capillary wall even for
      a weak ligand-receptor binding. We also quantified effects of various parameters,
      including the dissociation rate constant, the spring constant, and the reactive
      compliance on the characteristics of cell motion. Our results suggest that even
      under the interaction between P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) and P
      selectin, which is mainly responsible for leukocyte rolling, a cell is able to
      show firm adhesion in a small capillary. These findings may help in understanding
      such phenomena as leukocyte plugging and cancer metastasis.

PMID- 27261364
TI  - Acetylation and succinylation contribute to maturational alterations in energy
      metabolism in the newborn heart.
AB  - Dramatic maturational changes in cardiac energy metabolism occur in the newborn
      period, with a shift from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation. Acetylation and
      succinylation of lysyl residues are novel posttranslational modifications
      involved in the control of cardiac energy metabolism. We investigated the impact
      of changes in protein acetylation/succinylation on the maturational changes in
      energy metabolism of 1-, 7-, and 21-day-old rabbit hearts. Cardiac fatty acid
      beta-oxidation rates increased in 21-day vs. 1- and 7-day-old hearts, whereas
      glycolysis and glucose oxidation rates decreased in 21-day-old hearts. The fatty
      acid oxidation enzymes, long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD) and beta
      hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (beta-HAD), were hyperacetylated with maturation,
      positively correlated with their activities and fatty acid beta-oxidation rates.
      This alteration was associated with increased expression of the mitochondrial
      acetyltransferase, general control of amino acid synthesis 5 like 1 (GCN5L1),
      since silencing GCN5L1 mRNA in H9c2 cells significantly reduced acetylation and
      activity of LCAD and beta-HAD. An increase in mitochondrial ATP production rates
      with maturation was associated with the decreased acetylation of peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha, a transcriptional
      regulator for mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition, hypoxia-inducible factor
      1alpha, hexokinase, and phosphoglycerate mutase expression declined postbirth,
      whereas acetylation of these glycolytic enzymes increased. Phosphorylation rather
      than acetylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) increased in 21-day-old hearts,
      accounting for the low glucose oxidation postbirth. A maturational increase was
      also observed in succinylation of PDH and LCAD. Collectively, our data are the
      first suggesting that acetylation and succinylation of the key metabolic enzymes
      in newborn hearts play a crucial role in cardiac energy metabolism with
      maturation.

PMID- 27261365
TI  - Outcome of pN0 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer with or without Lymph Node
      Irradiation: A Single Institution Experience.
AB  - The optimal management of patients with pathologically node-negative triple
      negative breast cancer (pN0 TNBC) remains unclear. We hypothesized that lymph
      node irradiation (LNI; internal mammary chain/periclavicular irradiation) had an
      impact on outcomes of pN0 TNBC. A cohort of 126 consecutive patients with pN0
      TNBC treated between 2007 and 2010 at a single institute were included. All
      radiotherapy (breast/chest wall, +/-LNI) was delivered adjuvantly, following
      completion of surgery +/- chemotherapy. Tumors were reviewed and histologic
      features were described. Tissue microarrays were constructed and tumors were
      assessed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67,
      cytokeratins 5/6, 14, epidermal growth factor receptor and androgen receptor.
      Patients were divided into two groups for statistical analysis: LNI (LNI+) or no
      LNI (LNI-). We focused on disease-free survival (DFS), metastasis-free survival
      (MFS), and overall survival (OS). Fifty-seven and 69 patients received or not
      LNI, respectively. Median age was 52 (range [25-76]) and 55 (range [29-79]) in
      LNI+ and LNI- group (p = 0.23). LNI was associated with larger tumors (p =
      0.033), central/internal tumors (33 versus 4, p < 0.01) and more chemotherapy
      (86% versus 59.4% p < 0.01). The median follow-up was 53.5 months. The rate of
      first regional relapse (associated or not with distant relapse) was low in both
      groups. There was no difference in 4-year DFS (82.2% versus 89.9%; p = 0.266),
      MFS (87.0% versus 91.1%; p = 0.286) and OS (85.8% versus 89.9%; p = 0.322)
      between LNI+ and LNI- group, respectively. In univariate analysis, only clinical
      size (T >10 mm versus <=10 mm), histologic size (pT >10 mm versus <=10 mm) and
      grade 3 (versus grade 2) were found to be significantly associated with shorter
      DFS. Omission of LNI in patients with pN0 TNBC does not seem to result in poorer
      outcome. Further studies are needed to specifically evaluate LNI in pN0 TNBC with
      histologic grade 3 and/or (p)T >10 mm. 

PMID- 27261366
TI  - Newborn screening and population carrier screening for cystic fibrosis: Two ends
      of the same rope.

PMID- 27261367
TI  - Ketamine abuse potential and use disorder.
AB  - Ketamine is a noncompetitive antagonist of N-methyl-d-asparate (NMDA) receptor
      and has been long used as an anesthetic agent in humans and veterinary medicine.
      The present article reviews the epidemiology, pharmacology, neurochemistry, and
      treatment of ketamine abuse. Ketamine has a unique mood controlling property and
      a number of studies have demonstrated a significant and rapid antidepressant
      effect of ketamine. However, the therapeutic value of ketamine to treat
      psychiatric disorders faces a major challenge that ketamine also owns significant
      reinforcing and toxic effects. Its abuse has posted severe harms on individuals
      and society. Disrupted learning and memory processing has long been related with
      ketamine use. It is hypothesized that ketamine blocks NMDA receptors on gamma
      aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons inside the thalamic reticular nucleus, which
      leads to disinhibition of dopaminergic neurons and increased release of dopamine.
      Currently, there is no specific treatment for treating every ketamine patient
      presenting peripheral toxicity. Interestingly, ketamine psychotherapy has been
      suggested to be a promising approach to treat addiction of other drugs. Future
      research can continue to develop creative ways to investigate potential mechanism
      and treatments related to ketamine abuse that have posted severe individual and
      social harms.

PMID- 27261370
TI  - Parent Perspectives of Neonatal Intensive Care at the End-of-Life.
AB  - This descriptive qualitative study explored parent experiences related to their
      infant's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization, end-of-life care,
      and palliative care consultation. "Life and death in the NICU environment"
      emerged as the primary theme with the following categories: ups and downs of
      parenting in the NICU, decision-making challenges in the NICU, and parent
      support. Parents encountered challenges with areas for improvement for end-of
      life and palliative care in the NICU. Further research is necessary to understand
      barriers with integrating palliative care and curative care in the NICU, and how
      NICU care affects bereavement and coping outcomes after infant death. 

PMID- 27261371
TI  - Upregulation of Thrombin/Matrix Metalloproteinase-1/Protease-Activated Receptor-1
      Chain in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Selective proteolytic activation of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1)
      by thrombin and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) plays a central role in
      enhancing angiogenesis. We investigated the expression levels of thrombin, MMP-1,
      and PAR1 and correlated these levels with vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In addition, we examined the
      expression of PAR1 and thrombin in the retinas of diabetic rats and PAR1 in human
      retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC) following exposure to high
      glucose, the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the hypoxia mimetic agent cobalt chloride
      (CoCl2). METHODS: Vitreous samples from 32 PDR and 23 nondiabetic patients,
      epiretinal membranes from 10 patients with PDR, retinas of rats, and HRMEC were
      studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry, and
      Western blot analysis. An assay for in vitro cell migration angiogenesis was
      performed in HRMEC. RESULTS: In epiretinal membranes, PAR1 was expressed in
      vascular endothelial cells, CD45-expressing leukocytes, and myofibroblasts. ELISA
      and Western blot assays revealed significant increases in the expression levels
      of thrombin, MMP-1, and VEGF in vitreous samples from PDR patients compared to
      nondiabetic controls. Significant positive correlations were found between the
      levels of VEGF and the levels of thrombin (r = 0.41; p = 0.006) and MMP-1 (r =
      0.66; p < 0.0001). Significant increases of cleaved PAR1 (approximately 50 kDa)
      and the proteolytically active thrombin (approximately 50 kDa) were detected in
      rat retinas after induction of diabetes. The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta
      and TNF-alpha, but not high-glucose and CoCl2, induced upregulation of cleaved
      PAR1 (approximately 30 kDa) in HRMEC. In addition, thrombin and MMP-1 induced
      VEGF in HRMEC and vorapaxar, a PAR1 inhibitor, inhibited thrombin-induced
      migration in HRMEC. CONCLUSIONS: Interactions among thrombin, MMP-1, PAR1, and
      VEGF might facilitate angiogenesis in PDR.

PMID- 27261369
TI  - Modeling simple repeat expansion diseases with iPSC technology.
AB  - A number of human genetic disorders, including Huntington's disease, myotonic
      dystrophy type 1, C9ORF72 form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and several
      spinocerebellar ataxias, are caused by the expansion of various microsatellite
      sequences in single implicated genes. The neurodegenerative and neuromuscular
      nature of the repeat expansion disorders considerably limits the access of
      researchers to appropriate cellular models of these diseases. This limitation,
      however, can be overcome by the application of induced pluripotent stem cell
      (iPSC) technology. In this paper, we review the current knowledge on the modeling
      of repeat expansion diseases with human iPSCs and iPSC-derived cells, focusing on
      the disease phenotypes recapitulated in these models. In subsequent sections, we
      provide basic practical knowledge regarding iPSC generation, characterization and
      differentiation into neurons. We also cover disease modeling in iPSCs, neuronal
      stem cells and specialized neuronal cultures. Furthermore, we also summarize the
      therapeutic potential of iPSC technology in repeat expansion diseases.

PMID- 27261372
TI  - High Quality Independent From a Donor: Human Amniotic Fluid Derived Stem Cells-A
      Practical Analysis Based on 165 Clinical Cases.
AB  - The aim of the study was to extend the potential use of human stem cells isolated
      from amniotic fluid in medical applications by confirming their high homogeneity
      and quality. Amniotic fluid samples were collected during amniocentesis from 165
      women during pregnancy. The proliferation rate, clonogenicity, karyotype, aging
      process, pluripotent cell markers, expression of surface markers, and the
      potential to differentiate into adipose, bone and cartilage cells of hAFSCs were
      analyzed. Obtained results revealed that mesenchymal stem cells could be derived
      successfully from amniotic fluid, which exhibit properties comparable with MSCs
      of other origins. It is the first study, in which such a large group of patients
      was involved. Comprehensive statistical and biological analysis were conducted
      some of which clearly being innovative in relation to human amniotic fluid
      derived stem cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 116-126, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27261368
TI  - Evolution of the archaeal and mammalian information processing systems: towards
      an archaeal model for human disease.
AB  - Current evolutionary models suggest that Eukaryotes originated from within
      Archaea instead of being a sister lineage. To test this model of ancient
      evolution, we review recent studies and compare the three major information
      processing subsystems of replication, transcription and translation in the
      Archaea and Eukaryotes. Our hypothesis is that if the Eukaryotes arose within the
      archaeal radiation, their information processing systems will appear to be one of
      kind and not wholly original. Within the Eukaryotes, the mammalian or human
      systems are emphasized because of their importance in understanding health.
      Biochemical as well as genetic studies provide strong evidence for the functional
      similarity of archaeal homologs to the mammalian information processing system
      and their dissimilarity to the bacterial systems. In many independent instances,
      a simple archaeal system is functionally equivalent to more elaborate eukaryotic
      homologs, suggesting that evolution of complexity is likely an central feature of
      the eukaryotic information processing system. Because fewer components are often
      involved, biochemical characterizations of the archaeal systems are often easier
      to interpret. Similarly, the archaeal cell provides a genetically and
      metabolically simpler background, enabling convenient studies on the complex
      information processing system. Therefore, Archaea could serve as a parsimonious
      and tractable host for studying human diseases that arise in the information
      processing systems.

PMID- 27261406
TI  - Association between Florida's smoke-free policy and acute myocardial infarction
      by race: A time series analysis, 2000-2013.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Racial disparities in acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) are
      increasing over time. Previous studies have shown that the implementation of
      smoke-free policies is associated with reduced AMI rates. The objective of this
      study was to determine the association between smoke-free policy and AMI
      hospitalization rates and smoking by race. METHODS: Healthcare Cost and
      Utilization Project data from Florida from 2000-2013 were analyzed using
      interrupted time series analysis to determine the relationship between Florida's
      smoke-free restaurant and workplace laws and AMI among the total adult population
      (aged >=18years), by age, race, and gender. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
      System data from Florida from 2000 to 2010 were analyzed using logistic
      regression to determine the association between policy and the adult smoking
      prevalence. RESULTS: After implementation of the smoke-free policy, no
      statistically significant associations between AMI hospitalization rates or
      smoking prevalence were detected in the total population. In the subgroup
      analysis, the policy was associated with declines in AMI hospitalization rates
      among non-Hispanic white adults aged 18-44years (beta=-0.001 per 10,000, p
      value=0.0083). No other relationships with AMI hospitalization rates and smoking
      prevalence were found in the subgroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: More comprehensive
      smoke-free and tobacco control policies are needed to further reduce AMI
      hospitalization rates, particularly among minority populations. Further research
      is needed to understand and address how the implementation of smoke-free policies
      affects secondhand smoke exposure among racial and ethnic minorities.

PMID- 27261407
TI  - Correlates of physical activity in children and adolescents with physical
      disabilities: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The benefits of physical activity (PA) for children with disabilities
      are well documented, and children with physical disabilities (PD) are often less
      active than peers with other disability types. Various correlates associated with
      PA in children with PD have been identified in separate studies, and a thorough
      analysis of these correlates could aid in understanding and designing
      interventions that promote children with PD to be more physically active. The
      purpose of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive summary of the
      correlates of PA in children with PD. METHOD: A systematic search using PubMed,
      CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, Eric, and EMbase was initiated in October
      2014 to identify studies examining the correlates of PA in children with PD aged
      6-18years. Two researchers independently screened studies, assessed their
      methodological quality, and extracted relevant data. The correlates were
      synthesized and further assessed semi-quantitatively. RESULTS: A total of 45
      articles were included in the detailed review. Several modifiable physical,
      psychological, and environmental correlates were consistently and positively
      associated with PA in children with PD. Some non-modifiable correlates (e.g.,
      intellectual ability, parents' ethnicity) were found to be consistently and
      negatively associated with PA. CONCLUSIONS: The correlates of PA in children with
      PD are multifaceted and along many dimensions. This review can have implications
      for future studies and these may confirm the consistency of variables related to
      PA. Insights derived from the outcomes may also foster the measurement of the
      magnitude of associations that could assist the development of future
      interventions.

PMID- 27261408
TI  - The association between midlife cardiorespiratory fitness and later life chronic
      kidney disease: The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem,
      particularly in older age and in those with diabetes mellitus (DM), with high
      comorbidity and treatment costs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort
      study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 17,979 participants, 22% women with a mean age of
      50.0 (SD 8.8), in the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study (CCLS) seen initially
      between 1971 to 2009 who also received Medicare coverage from 1999 to 2009.
      PREDICTORS: Age, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels,
      current tobacco use, and cardiorespiratory fitness. OUTCOMES: Incident CKD and DM
      were determined from Medicare administrative claims data. RESULTS: During
      116,973person-years of observation, 2022 cases of incident CKD occurred.
      Multivariable-adjusted proportional hazards models revealed a 24% lower risk of
      CKD among moderate fit (hazards ratio[HR] 0.76, 95% CI 0.67-0.85 compared to low
      fit) and a 34% lower risk of CKD among high fit (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58-0.76
      compared to low fit). Even following the development of DM, fitness was
      associated with lower risk of CKD (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.99) per 1-MET
      increment. LIMITATIONS: Relatively homogeneous population of well-educated
      Caucasians. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study suggest that higher fitness
      is associated with lower risk of CKD decades later even in at-risk populations
      such as diabetics. The findings support a role for enhancing fitness through
      regular physical activity in preventive strategies for CKD including those who
      may develop DM in later life.

PMID- 27261410
TI  - Objectively measured physical activity, sedentary time and subclinical vascular
      disease: Cross-sectional study in older British men.
AB  - Low physical activity (PA) and high levels of sedentary time (ST) are associated
      with higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among older people. However, their
      independent contribution and importance of duration of PA and ST bouts remain
      unclear. We investigated associations between objectively measured PA, ST and non
      invasive vascular measures, markers of CVD risk. Cross-sectional study of 1216
      men from the British Regional Heart Study, mean age 78.5years, measured in 2010
      2012. Carotid intima thickness (CIMT), distensibility coefficient (DC) and plaque
      presence were measured using ultrasound; pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and
      augmentation index (AIx) using a Vicorder. PA and ST were measured using hip-worn
      ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers. After adjusting for covariates, each additional
      1000 steps per day was associated with a 0.038m/s lower cfPWV (95% CI=-0.076,
      0.0003), 0.095 10(-3) kPa(-1) higher DC (95% CI=0.006, 0.185), 0.26% lower AIx
      (95% CI=-0.40, -0.12) and a 0.005mm lower CIMT (95% CI=-0.008, -0.001). Moderate
      and vigorous PA (MVPA) was associated with lower AIx and CIMT, light PA (LPA)
      with lower cfPWV and CIMT and ST with higher cfPWV, AIx and CIMT and lower DC.
      LPA and ST were highly correlated (r=-0.62). The independence of MVPA and ST or
      MVPA and LPA was inconsistent across vascular measures. Bout lengths for both PA
      and ST were not associated with vascular measures. In our cross-sectional study
      of older men, all PA regardless of intensity or bout duration was beneficially
      associated with vascular measures, as was lower ST. LPA was particularly relevant
      for cfPWV and CIMT.

PMID- 27261411
TI  - Shared vision, shared vulnerability: A content analysis of corporate social
      responsibility information on tobacco industry websites.
AB  - Tobacco companies rely on corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to
      improve their public image and advance their political objectives, which include
      thwarting or undermining tobacco control policies. For these reasons,
      implementation guidelines for the World Health Organization's Framework
      Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recommend curtailing or prohibiting tobacco
      industry CSR. To understand how and where major tobacco companies focus their CSR
      resources, we explored CSR-related content on 4 US and 4 multinational tobacco
      company websites in February 2014. The websites described a range of CSR-related
      activities, many common across all companies, and no programs were unique to a
      particular company. The websites mentioned CSR activities in 58 countries,
      representing nearly every region of the world. Tobacco companies appear to have a
      shared vision about what constitutes CSR, due perhaps to shared vulnerabilities.
      Most countries that host tobacco company CSR programs are parties to the FCTC,
      highlighting the need for full implementation of the treaty, and for funding to
      monitor CSR activity, replace industry philanthropy, and enforce existing bans.

PMID- 27261412
TI  - Commentary: U.S. mortality, geography, and the anti-social determinants of
      health.
AB  - Drug-related overdoses appear to be a major factor behind an historic pause or
      even a reversal in the predominant downward trend over time in U.S. mortality
      rates, a departure that is especially evident among non-Hispanic white females of
      middle age. The new geography of accidental poisoning deaths and their covariates
      suggests that we should reassess traditional policies and perspectives in order
      to combat this threat to public health. 

PMID- 27261409
TI  - Multilevel factors associated with long-term adherence to screening mammography
      in older women in the U.S.
AB  - In the U.S., guidelines recommend that women continue mammography screening until
      at least age 74, but recent evidence suggests declining screening rates in older
      women. We estimated adherence to screening mammography and multilevel factors
      associated with adherence in a longitudinal cohort of older women. Women aged 66
      75years receiving screening mammography within the Breast Cancer Surveillance
      Consortium were linked to Medicare claims (2005-2010). Claims data identified
      baseline adherence, defined as receiving subsequent mammography within
      approximately 2years, and length of time adherent to guidelines. Characteristics
      associated with adherence were investigated using logistic and Cox proportional
      hazards regression models. Analyses were stratified by age to investigate
      variation in relationships between patient factors and adherence. Among 49,775
      women, 89% were adherent at baseline. Among women 66-70years, those with less
      than a high school education were more likely to be non-adherent at baseline
      (odds ratio [OR] 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.65-2.33) and remain
      adherent for less time (hazard ratio [HR] 1.41; 95% CI 1.11-1.80) compared to
      women with a college degree. Women with >=1 versus no Charlson co-morbidities
      were more likely to be non-adherent at baseline (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.31-1.62) and
      remain adherent for less time (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.24-1.66). Women aged 71-75 had
      lower adherence overall, but factors associated with non-adherence were similar.
      In summary, adherence to guidelines is high among Medicare-enrolled women in the
      U.S. receiving screening mammography. Efforts are needed to ensure that
      vulnerable populations attain these same high levels of adherence.

PMID- 27261413
TI  - A systematic review of the parenting and outcomes experienced by offspring of
      mothers with borderline personality pathology: Potential mechanisms and clinical
      implications.
AB  - There is growing interest in whether the parenting strategies and offspring
      outcomes of mothers with borderline personality disorder (BPD) differ from those
      of mothers without BPD. We searched PsychINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science,
      Scopus and ASSIA databases for studies examining parenting skills and attitudes
      among mothers with BPD/BPD symptoms and/or offspring outcomes. PRISMA reporting
      guidelines were followed. Of 10,067 abstracts screened, 101 full-text articles
      were retrieved and 33 met pre-determined criteria for qualitative synthesis.
      Overall, studies suggest that mothers with BPD/BPD symptoms are more likely to
      engage in maladaptive interactions with their offspring characterised by
      insensitive, overprotective, and hostile parenting compared to mothers without
      BPD/BPD symptoms. Adverse offspring outcomes include BPD symptoms, internalising
      (including depression) and externalising problems, insecure attachment patterns,
      and emotional dysregulation. Findings suggest that vulnerability from mother to
      offspring may be partly transmitted via maladaptive parenting and maternal
      emotional dysfunction. Conclusions were limited by study heterogeneity in
      methodology and construct definitions, as well as a paucity of clinical
      comparison groups. Prospective studies of mothers with BPD and their offspring
      from pregnancy onwards may further elucidate mechanisms of transmission and
      identify resilience factors across development. Parenting behaviour awareness,
      improving attachment behaviours and emotional regulation strategies may be
      important intervention targets.

PMID- 27261414
TI  - Vulnerable Hospitals and Cancer Surgery Readmissions: Insights into the
      Unintended Consequences of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Penalties from the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program can push
      financially strained, vulnerable patient-serving hospitals into additional
      hardship. In this study, we quantified the association between vulnerable
      hospitals and readmissions and examined the respective contributions of patient-
      and hospital-related factors. METHODS: A total of 110,857 patients who underwent
      major cancer operations were identified from the 2004-2011 State Inpatient
      Database of California. Vulnerable hospitals were defined as either self
      identified safety net hospitals (SNHs) or hospitals with a high percentage of
      Medicaid patients (high Medicaid hospitals [HMHs]). We used multivariable
      logistic regression to determine the association between vulnerable hospitals and
      readmission. Patient and hospital contributions to the elevation in odds of
      readmission were assessed by comparing estimates from models with different
      subsets of predictors. RESULTS: Of the 355 hospitals, 13 were SNHs and 31 were
      HMHs. After adjusting for Hospital Readmission Reduction Program variables, SNHs
      had higher 30-day (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.18-1.47), 90-day (OR = 1.28;
      95% CI, 1.18-1.38), and repeated readmissions (OR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.18-1.49);
      HMHs also had higher 30-day (OR = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.32), 90-day (OR = 1.28;
      95% CI, 1.16-1.42), and repeated readmissions (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01-1.54).
      Compared with patient characteristics, hospital factors accounted for a larger
      proportion of the increase in odds of readmission among SNHs (60% to 93% vs 24%
      to 39%), but a smaller proportion among HMHs (9% to 15% vs 60% to 115%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Vulnerable status of hospitals is associated with higher readmission
      rates after major cancer surgery. These findings reinforce the call to account
      for socioeconomic variables in risk adjustments for hospitals who serve a
      disproportionate share of disadvantaged patients.

PMID- 27261416
TI  - Treatment of rhinosinusitis and histopathology of nasal mucosa: A controlled,
      randomized, clinical study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To study the pathology of upper airway mucosa, as well as
      valuate and compare changes in pathology after the treatment of chronic
      rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients with balloon sinuplasty versus uncinectomy.
      METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial in patients with CRS of the
      maxillary sinuses without severe pathology of other sinuses. Patients were
      randomized into two groups: uncinectomy and balloon sinuplasty. The main
      variables in our study are histopathology of nasal mucosa and expression of
      metalloproteinase-9 protein. These parameters were analyzed preoperatively and at
      3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Thickened epithelium,
      absence of cilia, metaplasia of epithelium, hyperplasia of mucosal glands,
      angiogenesis, and increased inflammatory cells were observed in the majority of
      preoperative samples. History of allergy was associated with a higher number of
      goblet cells, and shedding of epithelium was associated with worse quality of
      life. A higher number of inflammatory cells were associated with an increased
      number of goblet cells preoperatively, as well as after treatment. Both
      treatments resulted in a decrease of inflammation in the mucosa and epithelium.
      Hypertrophy of the mucosal glands, hyperplasia of blood vessels, and mucosal
      edema decreased after treatment. These changes were more noticeable in
      uncinectomy group. Balloon sinuplasty was associated with a higher number of
      inflammatory cells at 6 months after treatment (P = 0.05). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.
      Laryngoscope, 126:2652-2658, 2016.

PMID- 27261415
TI  - A diet-induced animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and
      hepatocellular cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The lack of a preclinical model of progressive non-alcoholic
      steatohepatitis (NASH) that recapitulates human disease is a barrier to
      therapeutic development. METHODS: A stable isogenic cross between C57BL/6J (B6)
      and 129S1/SvImJ (S129) mice were fed a high fat diet with ad libitum consumption
      of glucose and fructose in physiologically relevant concentrations and compared
      to mice fed a chow diet and also to both parent strains. RESULTS: Following
      initiation of the obesogenic diet, B6/129 mice developed obesity, insulin
      resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and increased LDL-cholesterol. They sequentially
      also developed steatosis (4-8weeks), steatohepatitis (16-24weeks), progressive
      fibrosis (16weeks onwards) and spontaneous hepatocellular cancer (HCC). There was
      a strong concordance between the pattern of pathway activation at a
      transcriptomic level between humans and mice with similar histological phenotypes
      (FDR 0.02 for early and 0.08 for late time points). Lipogenic, inflammatory and
      apoptotic signaling pathways activated in human NASH were also activated in these
      mice. The HCC gene signature resembled the S1 and S2 human subclasses of HCC (FDR
      0.01 for both). Only the B6/129 mouse but not the parent strains recapitulated
      all of these aspects of human NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: We here describe a diet-induced
      animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (DIAMOND) that recapitulates
      the key physiological, metabolic, histologic, transcriptomic and cell-signaling
      changes seen in humans with progressive NASH. LAY SUMMARY: We have developed a
      diet-induced mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatic
      cancers in a cross between two mouse strains (129S1/SvImJ and C57Bl/6J). This
      model mimics all the physiological, metabolic, histological, transcriptomic gene
      signature and clinical endpoints of human NASH and can facilitate preclinical
      development of therapeutic targets for NASH.

PMID- 27261417
TI  - What symptom domains are associated with patient distress in schizophrenia?

PMID- 27261418
TI  - Characteristics and clinical correlates of dimensions of delusional experience in
      schizophrenia and delusional disorder.

PMID- 27261419
TI  - How much physical activity do people with schizophrenia engage in? A systematic
      review, comparative meta-analysis and meta-regression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Physical activity (PA) improves health outcomes in people with
      schizophrenia. It is unclear how much PA people with schizophrenia undertake and
      what influences PA participation. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate PA
      levels and predictors in people with schizophrenia. METHOD: Major databases were
      searched from inception till 02/2016 for articles measuring PA (self-report
      questionnaire (SRQ) or objective measure (e.g. accelerometer)) in people with
      schizophrenia, including first episode psychosis (FEP). A random effects meta
      analysis and meta-regression analysis were conducted. RESULTS: 35 studies
      representing 3453 individuals with schizophrenia (40.0years; 64.0% male) were
      included. Engagement in light PA was 80.44min (95% CI 68.32-92.52, n=2658),
      47.1min moderate-vigorous PA (95% CI 31.5-62.8, n=559) and 1.05min (95% CI 0.48
      1.62, n=2533) vigorous PA per day. People with schizophrenia engaged in
      significantly less moderate (hedges g=-0.45, 95% CI -0.79 to -0.1, p=0.01) and
      vigorous PA (g=-0.4, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.18) versus controls. Higher light to
      moderate, but lower vigorous PA levels were observed in outpatients and in
      studies utilizing objective measures versus SRQ. 56.6% (95% CI 45.8-66.8,
      studies=12) met the recommended 150min of moderate physical activity per week.
      Depressive symptoms and older age were associated with less vigorous PA in meta
      regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm that people with schizophrenia
      engage in significantly less moderate and vigorous PA versus controls.
      Interventions aiming to increase PA, regardless of intensity are indicated for
      people with schizophrenia, while specifically increasing moderate-vigorous PA
      should be a priority given the established health benefits.

PMID- 27261420
TI  - Geographical variation in the management of urolithiasis in Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To examine any geographical variation in the management of
      urolithiasis amongst the Australian states and territories. METHODS:
      Retrospective study with data obtained from the Medicare Australia database, the
      Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Urological Society of Australia
      and New Zealand. RESULTS: Minimally invasive stone treatment with shock wave
      lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) accounted for the majority of stone
      treatments in Australia (98%). Variation of stone treatment modalities exists
      amongst the Australian states and territories with an inverse relationship
      between the use of SWL and URS. We compared Western Australia (WA) and Queensland
      (QLD) which have a comparable geographical area. SWL accounts for 1% and 22% of
      stone treatments in WA and QLD, respectively. In WA, urologists are concentrated
      in two cities with no SWL available in the private sector. In QLD, urologists are
      distributed in 11 cities with SWL available in both the public and private
      sector. The three largest states or territories by geographical area - the
      Northern Territory, WA and QLD - have stone treatment rates of 1:1337, 1:1110 and
      1:2432 per capita of privately insured patients, respectively. In comparison,
      smaller Australian states/territories such as Tasmania and Victoria have stone
      treatment rates of 1:619 and 1:765 per capita of privately insured patients,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The distribution of urologists and treatment modalities
      available in each state or territory appear to play a contributory role in choice
      of treatment modality. In addition, inequality to stone treatment access exists
      in geographically large Australian states/territories.

PMID- 27261421
TI  - Maps of heavy metals in the soils of the European Union and proposed priority
      areas for detailed assessment.
AB  - Soil contamination is one of the greatest concerns among the threats to soil
      resources in Europe and globally. Despite of its importance there was only very
      course scale (1/5000km(2)) data available on soil heavy metal concentrations
      prior to the LUCAS topsoil survey, which had a sampling density of 200km(2).
      Based on the results of the LUCAS sampling and auxiliary information detailed and
      up-to-date maps of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn, Sb, Co and Ni) in
      the topsoil of the European Union were produced. Using the maps of heavy metal
      concentration in topsoil we made a spatial prediction of areas where local
      assessment is suggested to monitor and eventually control the potential threat
      from heavy metals. Most of the examined elements remain under the corresponding
      threshold values in the majority of the land of the EU. However, one or more of
      the elements exceed the applied threshold concentration on 1.2Mkm(2), which is
      28.3% of the total surface area of the EU. While natural backgrounds might be the
      reason for high concentrations on large proportion of the affected soils,
      historical and recent industrial and mining areas show elevated concentrations
      (predominantly of As, Cd, Pb and Hg) too, indicating the magnitude of
      anthropogenic effect on soil quality in Europe. 

PMID- 27261422
TI  - One-year study of polycyclic aromatic compounds at an urban site in Grenoble
      (France): Seasonal variations, gas/particle partitioning and cancer risk
      estimation.
AB  - 21 PAHs, 27 oxy-PAHs and 32 nitro-PAHs were measured every third day over a year
      in both gaseous (G) and particulate PM10 (P) phases in ambient air of Grenoble
      (France). Mean total concentrations (G+P) of PAHs and oxy-PAHs were in the same
      range and about 10ngm(-3). Nitro-PAHs were 50 to 100 times less concentrated
      averaging 100pgm(-3). Polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) concentrations were 5 to
      7 times higher in "cold" period (October to March) than in "warm" period (April
      to September). Seasonal variations may be explained by higher primary emissions
      from residential heating, especially biomass burning in "cold" season.
      Meteorological conditions and influence of the geomorphology around Grenoble,
      with the formation of thermal inversion layers leading to the stagnation of
      pollutants, were additional key parameters. Maximum individual PAC concentrations
      were observed during two PM10 pollution events in December and February-March.
      Chemical processes and secondary formation of oxy- and nitro-PAH were probably
      enhanced by the accumulation of the pollutants during these events. PAC
      gas/particle partitioning depended on compound molecular weight and vapour
      pressure. Gas/particle partitioning of oxy- and nitro-PAHs were evaluated using a
      multi-phase poly-parameter linear free energy relationship model. The PAC cancer
      risk was assessed using toxic equivalency factors available in the literature (19
      PAHs, 10 nitro-PAHs and 1 oxy-PAH). Overall, particle-bound PACs contributed
      about 76% of the cancer risk. While PAHs accounted for most of the total PAC
      cancer risk, oxy- and nitro-PAHs could account for up to 24%. The risk
      quantification across substance classes is limited by toxicological data
      availability. 

PMID- 27261423
TI  - Changes in the CO2 dynamics in near-surface cavities under a future warming
      scenario: Factors and evidence from the field and experimental findings.

PMID- 27261424
TI  - Observation of aerosol size distribution and new particle formation at a coastal
      city in the Yangtze River Delta, China.
AB  - Aerosol number size distribution in the range of 10nm-10MUm, trace gases (O3, CO,
      SO2 and NO2), particular matter (PM: PM2.5 and PM10) and meteorological elements
      were measured from the 1st to the 31st of May, 2015, in the coastal city of
      Jiaxing in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). The average number concentration and
      surface area concentration were 19,639cm(-3) and 427MUm(2)cm(-3) during the
      observation period. The different mode particle concentrations ranked in the
      order of Aitken mode (12,361cm(-3))>nucleation (4926.7cm(-3))>accumulation
      (2349.3cm(-3))>coarse mode (1.7cm(-3)). The average concentrations of CO, SO2,
      NO2, O3, PM2.5 and PM10 were 0.545mgm(-3), 14.7, 35.1, 89.8, 43.5 and 64.6MUgm(
      3), respectively. Eight precipitation processes and 15 new particle formation
      (NPF) events (3 NPF events occurred on a rainy day) were observed. Results show
      that the precipitation process had greater scavenging effects on particles
      smaller than 120nm and larger than 2MUm. The spectral distributions of number
      concentrations were unimodal at different weather conditions, with peaks at 20nm,
      40-60nm, 50-80nm on NPF days, rainy days and normal days. During the NPF events,
      the formation rate (FR), growth rate (GR), condensational sink (CS), vapor source
      rate (Q) and condensing vapor concentration (C) were in the range of 4.0-17.0cm(
      3)s(-1), 2.2-15.7nmh(-1), 1.5-5.8*10(-2)s(-1), 0.5-7.7*10(6)cm(-3)s(-1) and 3.0
      21.5*10(7)cm(-3), with mean values of 9.6cm(-3)s(-1), 6.8nmh(-1), 3.4*10(-2)s(
      1), 3.3*10(6)cm(-3)s(-1) and 9.4*10(7)cm(-3), respectively. NPF events normally
      occurred under clean atmospheric conditions with low PM concentrations but high
      levels of trace gases. It was also found that SO2 plays an important role in NPF
      and growth in Jiaxing. 

PMID- 27261425
TI  - Watershed-scale impacts of stormwater green infrastructure on hydrology, nutrient
      fluxes, and combined sewer overflows in the mid-Atlantic region.
AB  - Stormwater green infrastructure (SGI), including rain gardens, detention ponds,
      bioswales, and green roofs, is being implemented in cities across the globe to
      reduce flooding, combined sewer overflows, and pollutant transport to streams and
      rivers. Despite the increasing use of urban SGI, few studies have quantified the
      cumulative effects of multiple SGI projects on hydrology and water quality at the
      watershed scale. To assess the effects of SGI, Washington, DC, Montgomery County,
      MD, and Baltimore County, MD, were selected based on the availability of data on
      SGI, water quality, and stream flow. The cumulative impact of SGI was evaluated
      over space and time by comparing watersheds with and without SGI, and by
      assessing how long-term changes in SGI impact hydrologic and water quality
      metrics over time. Most Mid-Atlantic municipalities have a goal of achieving 10
      20% of the landscape drain runoff through SGI by 2030. Of these areas,
      Washington, DC currently has the greatest amount of SGI (12.7% of the landscape
      drained through SGI), while Baltimore County has the lowest (7.9%). When
      controlling for watersheds size and percent impervious surface cover, watersheds
      with greater amounts of SGI have less flashy hydrology, with 44% lower peak
      runoff, 26% less frequent runoff events, and 26% less variable runoff. Watersheds
      with more SGI also show 44% less NO3(-) and 48% less total nitrogen exports
      compared to watersheds with minimal SGI. There was no significant reduction in
      phosphorus exports or combined sewer overflows in watersheds with greater SGI.
      When comparing individual watersheds over time, increases in SGI corresponded to
      non-significant reductions in hydrologic flashiness compared to watersheds with
      no change in SGI. While the implementation of SGI is somewhat in its infancy in
      some regions, cities are beginning to have a scale of SGI where there are
      statistically significant differences in hydrologic patterns and water quality. 

PMID- 27261427
TI  - The magnitude and relevance of the February 2014 radiation release from the Waste
      Isolation Pilot Plant repository in New Mexico, USA.
AB  - After almost fifteen years of successful waste disposal operations, the first
      unambiguous airborne radiation release from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
      (WIPP) was detected beyond the site boundary on February 14, 2014. It was the
      first accident of its kind in the 15-year operating history of the WIPP. The
      accident released moderate levels of radioactivity into the underground air. A
      small but measurable amount of radioactivity also escaped to the surface through
      the ventilation system and was detected above ground. The dominant radionuclides
      released were americium and plutonium, in a ratio consistent with the known
      content of a breached drum. The radiation release was caused by a runaway
      chemical reaction inside a transuranic (TRU) waste drum which experienced a seal
      and lid failure, spewing radioactive materials into the repository. According to
      source-term estimation, approximately 2 to 10Ci of radioactivity was released
      from the breached drum into the underground, and an undetermined fraction of that
      source term became airborne, setting off an alarm and triggering the closure of
      seals designed to force exhausting air through a system of filters including high
      efficiency-particulate-air (HEPA) filters. Air monitoring across the WIPP site
      intensified following the first reports of radiation detection underground to
      determine the extent of impact to WIPP personnel, the public, and the
      environment, if any. This article attempts to compile and interpret analytical
      data collected by an independent monitoring program conducted by the Carlsbad
      Environmental Monitoring & Research Center (CEMRC) and by a compliance-monitoring
      program conducted by the WIPP's management and operating contractor, the Nuclear
      Waste Partnership (NWP), LLC., in response to the accident. Both the independent
      and the WIPP monitoring efforts concluded that the levels detected were very low
      and localized, and no radiation-related health effects among local workers or the
      public would be expected. 

PMID- 27261426
TI  - Double pulse laser induced breakdown spectroscopy: A potential tool for the
      analysis of contaminants and macro/micronutrients in organic mineral fertilizers.
AB  - Organic fertilizers are obtained from waste of plant or animal origin. One of the
      advantages of organic fertilizers is that, from the composting, it recycles waste
      organic of urban and agriculture origin, whose disposal would cause environmental
      impacts. Fast and accurate analysis of both major and minor/trace elements
      contained in organic mineral and inorganic fertilizers of new generation have
      promoted the application of modern analytical techniques. In particular, laser
      induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is showing to be a very promising, quick
      and practical technique to detect and measure contaminants and nutrients in
      fertilizers. Although, this technique presents some limitations, such as a low
      sensitivity, if compared to other spectroscopic techniques, the use of double
      pulse (DP) LIBS is an alternative to the conventional LIBS in single pulse (SP).
      The macronutrients (Ca, Mg, K, P), micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Na, Mn, Zn) and
      contaminant (Cr) in fertilizer using LIBS in SP and DP configurations were
      evaluated. A comparative study for both configurations was performed using
      optimized key parameters for improving LIBS performance. The limit of detection
      (LOD) values obtained by DP LIBS increased up to seven times as compared to SP
      LIBS. In general, the marked improvement obtained when using DP system in the
      simultaneous LIBS quantitative determination for fertilizers analysis could be
      ascribed to the larger ablated mass of the sample. The results presented in this
      study show the promising potential of the DP LIBS technique for a qualitative
      analysis in fertilizers, without requiring sample preparation with chemical
      reagents. 

PMID- 27261428
TI  - Geochemical record of high emperor penguin populations during the Little Ice Age
      at Amanda Bay, Antarctica.
AB  - Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) are sensitive to the Antarctic climate
      change because they breed on the fast sea ice. Studies of paleohistory for the
      emperor penguin are rare, due to the lack of archives on land. In this study, we
      obtained an emperor penguin ornithogenic sediment profile (PI) and performed
      geochronological, geochemical and stable isotope analyses on the sediments and
      feather remains. Two radiocarbon dates of penguin feathers in PI indicate that
      emperor penguins colonized Amanda Bay as early as CE 1540. By using the bio
      elements (P, Se, Hg, Zn and Cd) in sediments and stable isotope values
      (delta(15)N and delta(13)C) in feathers, we inferred relative population size and
      dietary change of emperor penguins during the period of CE 1540-2008,
      respectively. An increase in population size with depleted N isotope ratios for
      emperor penguins on N island at Amanda Bay during the Little Ice Age (CE 1540
      1866) was observed, suggesting that cold climate affected the penguin's breeding
      habitat, prey availability and thus their population and dietary composition. 

PMID- 27261429
TI  - Effects of prenatal phthalate exposure on thyroid hormone levels, mental and
      psychomotor development of infants: The Hokkaido Study on Environment and
      Children's Health.
AB  - Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is commonly used phthalates and concerns of
      adverse effects of prenatal DEHP exposure on neonatal thyroid hormone (TH) and
      neurodevelopment are increasing. However, there is no report regarding
      association between prenatal DEHP exposure and infant neurodevelopment including
      TH levels in Japanese population. Thus the aim of present study was to evaluate
      the associations between prenatal DEHP exposure and mental and psychomotor
      development of infants 6 and 18months along with investigating influence on
      neonatal free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the
      prospective birth cohort study. Maternal blood samples collected between 23 and
      41weeks of gestation was analyzed for mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP),
      metabolite of DEHP levels. Neonatal FT4 and TSH were obtained from mass screening
      data. Infant neurodevelopment was assessed by Bayley Scale of Infant Development
      second edition at 6 and 18month of age. For the final analysis, 328 participants
      were included. The median levels of maternal MEHP was 10.6ng/ml, neonatal TSH and
      FT4 was 2.20 MUU/ml and 2.03ng/ml, respectively. We did not find any associations
      between prenatal DEHP exposure and neonatal TH levels or infant mental and
      psychomotor development at 6 and 18month. In this study, prenatal DEHP exposure
      did not show adverse effects on infant TH levels or mental and psychomotor
      development in early life stage. However, our previous study revealed negative
      effects of prenatal DEHP exposure on sex hormone levels, continuous investigation
      on neurodevelopment in later life in association with prenatal DEHP exposure is
      necessary. 

PMID- 27261430
TI  - Occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in surface waters near
      industrial hog operation spray fields.
AB  - Industrial hog operations (IHOs) have been identified as a source of antibiotic
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus
      (MRSA). However, few studies have investigated the presence of antibiotic
      resistant S. aureus in the environment near IHOs, specifically surface waters
      proximal to spray fields where IHO liquid lagoon waste is sprayed. Surface water
      samples (n=179) were collected over the course of approximately one year from
      nine locations in southeastern North Carolina and analyzed for the presence of
      presumptive MRSA using CHROMagar MRSA media. Culture-based, biochemical, and
      molecular tests, as well as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of
      flight mass spectrometry were used to confirm that isolates that grew on
      CHROMagar MRSA media were S. aureus. Confirmed S. aureus isolates were then
      tested for susceptibility to 16 antibiotics and screened for molecular markers of
      MRSA (mecA, mecC) and livestock adaptation (absence of scn). A total of 12
      confirmed MRSA were detected in 9 distinct water samples. Nine of 12 MRSA
      isolates were also multidrug-resistant (MDRSA [i.e., resistant to >=3 antibiotic
      classes]). All MRSA were scn-positive and most (11/12) belonged to a
      staphylococcal protein A (spa) type t008, which is commonly associated with
      humans. Additionally, 12 confirmed S. aureus that were methicillin-susceptible
      (MSSA) were recovered, 7 of which belonged to spa type t021 and were scn-negative
      (a marker of livestock-adaptation). This study demonstrated the presence of MSSA,
      MRSA, and MDRSA in surface waters adjacent to IHO lagoon waste spray fields in
      southeastern North Carolina. To our knowledge, this is the first report of
      waterborne S. aureus from surface waters proximal to IHOs. 

PMID- 27261431
TI  - A Systematic Review on the Acceptability and Tolerability of Transcranial Direct
      Current Stimulation Treatment in Neuropsychiatry Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive
      brain stimulation investigated as a treatment for several neuropsychiatric
      disorders. Notwithstanding tDCS-induced adverse events (AEs) are considered to be
      low and transient, systematic review analyses on safety and tolerability of tDCS
      derive mostly from single-session studies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
      tolerability (rate of AEs) and acceptability (rate of dropouts) of tDCS. METHODS:
      Systematic review and meta-analysis of tDCS randomized, sham-controlled trials in
      healthy or neuropsychiatric adult samples from the first date available to March
      9, 2016. We only included parallel studies performing at least 5 tDCS sessions.
      An adapted version of CONSORT guidelines for reporting harms outcomes was used to
      evaluate AE reporting. RESULTS: Sixty-four studies (2262 participants) were
      included. They had a low risk of publication bias and methodological bias for the
      items assessed. Dropout rates in active and sham tDCS groups were, respectively,
      6% and 7.2% (OR = 0.82 [0.59-1.14]). However, almost half of studies reported no
      dropouts and only 23.4% reported its reasons; when reported, the most frequent
      reasons were AEs and protocol violation. A tolerability meta-analysis was not
      performed, as most studies did not report AEs. The quality of AEs reporting was
      also limited, particularly in smaller studies and stroke studies. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although overall dropout rate was low and similar in active and sham groups,
      studies did not adequately describe AEs. An updated questionnaire and guidelines
      for assessment of AEs in tDCS trials are proposed in order to standardize the
      reporting of AE in the field.

PMID- 27261432
TI  - Identification of poly(rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) as a target protein of
      immunosuppressive agent 15-deoxyspergualin.
AB  - 15-Deoxyspergualin (DSG) is an immunosuppressive agent being clinically used.
      Unlike tacrolimus and cyclosporine A, it does not inhibit the calcineurin
      pathway, and its mechanism of action and target molecule have not been
      elucidated. Therefore, we previously prepared biotinylated derivative of DSG
      (BDSG) to fish up the target protein. In the present research, we identified
      poly(rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) as a DSG-binding protein using this probe. DSG
      was confirmed to bind to PCBP2 by pull-down assay. Intracellular localization of
      PCBP2 was changed from the nucleus to the cytoplasm by DSG treatment. DSG
      inhibited the cell growth, and over-expression of PCBP2 reduced the anti
      proliferative activity of DSG. PCBP2 is known to regulate various proteins
      including STAT1/2. Thus, we found PCBP2 as the first target protein of DSG that
      can explain the immunosuppressive activity.

PMID- 27261433
TI  - Retention of gene expression in porcine islets after agarose encapsulation and
      long-term culture.
AB  - Agarose encapsulation of porcine islets allows extended in vitro culture,
      providing ample time to determine the functional capacity of the islets and
      conduct comprehensive microbiological safety testing prior to implantation as a
      treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, the effect that agarose
      encapsulation and long-term culture may have on porcine islet gene expression is
      unknown. The aim of the present study was to compare the transcriptome of
      encapsulated porcine islets following long-term in vitro culture against free
      islets cultured overnight. Global gene expression analysis revealed no
      significant change in the expression of 98.47% of genes. This indicates that the
      gene expression profile of free islets is highly conserved following
      encapsulation and long-term culture. Importantly, the expression levels of genes
      that code for critical hormones secreted by islets (insulin, glucagon, and
      somatostatin) as well as transcripts encoding proteins involved in their
      packaging and secretion are unchanged. While a small number of genes known to
      play roles in the insulin secretion and insulin signaling pathways are
      differentially expressed, our results show that overall gene expression is
      retained following islet isolation, agarose encapsulation, and long-term culture.

PMID- 27261434
TI  - Transcriptional regulation of bone sialoprotein gene expression by Osx.
AB  - Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease characterized by decreased
      bone mass, decreased bone strength, and increased risk of fracture. It is due to
      unbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. Bone formation is a complex
      process which involves the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to
      osteoblasts. Osteoblasts produce a characteristic extracellular collagenous
      matrix that subsequently becomes mineralized. Osterix (Osx) is an osteoblast
      specific transcription factor required for osteoblast differentiation. Bone
      sialoprotein (Bsp) is a member of the SIBLING gene family. Expression of Bsp
      correlates with the differentiation of osteoblasts and the onset of
      mineralization. Our preliminary data showed that Bsp was abolished in Osx-null
      mice; however, the detailed mechanism of Osx regulation on Bsp is not fully
      understood. In this study, regulation of Bsp expression by Osx was further
      characterized. It was shown that overexpression of Osx led to Bsp upregulation.
      Inhibition of Osx by small interfering RNA resulted in Bsp downregulation in
      osteoblast. Transfection assay demonstrated that Osx was able to activate Bsp
      promoter reporter in a dose-dependent manner. To define minimal region of Bsp
      promoter activated by Osx, a series of deletion mutants of Bsp promoter were
      generated, and the minimal region was narrowed down to the proximal 100 bp. Point
      mutagenesis studies showed that one GC-rich site was required for Bsp promoter
      activation by Osx. ChIP assays demonstrated that endogenous Osx associated with
      native Bsp promoter in primary osteoblasts. Our observations provide evidence
      that Osx targets Bsp expression directly.

PMID- 27261445
TI  - Towards an Inclusive Occupational Health and Safety For Informal Workers.
AB  - Large numbers of workers worldwide work informally. Yet the discipline and
      practice of occupational health and safety covers largely only formal workers, in
      formal work places. A comprehensive approach would have to take into account
      specific hazards faced by those in different occupations, working in "atypical"
      work places. Local authorities exert significant influence in the provision of
      infrastructure that impacts on health and safety, such as water and sanitation.
      Examples from Brazil and Ghana show that positive interventions are possible so
      long as informal workers are recognized as contributing to the economy. A more
      inclusive occupational health and safety is most likely to happen in contexts
      where informal workers have an organized voice and where there are responsive
      health and safety personnel who understand that the world of work has changed.
      Some policy interventions that impact on healthy and safe work will need to
      involve multiple stakeholders and institutions. 

PMID- 27261446
TI  - The Effect of Smoking on Corneal Biomechanics.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the effect of smoking on corneal biomechanical behavior.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of consecutive patients that presented
      to the ophthalmology department were reviewed. History of smoking and
      ophthalmological examination findings were recorded. The smoking group met the
      following criteria: a clear history of and present smoking habit, negative
      history of corneal disease and surgery, ocular response analyzer measurement at
      the time of examination, and a waveform score >=3.7. Nonsmokers (never smoked or
      quit smoking >=6 months earlier) that met the same criteria constituted the
      control group. Corneal biomechanical parameters were measured using ocular
      response analyzer. Data were analyzed using Pearson's chi2 test, Mann-Whitney U
      test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The smoking group included
      166 eyes of 166 patients with a mean age of 38.7 +/- 11.95 years, and the control
      group consisted of 170 eyes of 170 patients with a mean age of 38.40 +/- 12.2
      years. Mean cumulative smoking dose in the smoking group was 9.59 +/- 11.87 pack
      years (0.04- 75.00). There was no significant correlation between cumulative
      smoking dose and corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor (P = 0.382 and
      0.074, respectively). There were no significant differences in corneal hysteresis
      or the corneal resistance factor between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no
      significant difference in corneal hysteresis between those in the smoking group
      aged 18-44 years and those aged 45-64 years (P = 0.258), whereas in the control
      group mean corneal hysteresis was significantly lower in the 45-64 year olds than
      in the 18-44 year olds (P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no
      significant difference in corneal biomechanics between smoking and control
      groups, the decrease in corneal hysteresis with aging was less apparent in the
      smoking group, which may be due to the potential changes in the cornea's
      microstructure induced by smoking during aging and the effect of smoking in aged
      corneal tissue viscosity.

PMID- 27261447
TI  - Letter Regarding: The Internet for Patient Education: A Friend or Foe?

PMID- 27261448
TI  - Response to "Letter Regarding: The Internet for Patient Education: A Friend or
      Foe?".

PMID- 27261451
TI  - Personalized medicine in cystic fibrosis: genistein supplementation as a
      treatment option for patients with a rare S1045Y-CFTR mutation.
AB  - Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening disease caused by the mutations that
      generate nonfunctional CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. A
      rare serine-to-tyrosine (S1045Y) CFTR mutation was earlier reported to result in
      CF-associated fatality. We identified an African-American patient with the S1045Y
      mutation in CFTR, as well as a stop-codon mutation, who has a mild CF phenotype.
      The underlying mechanism of CF caused by S1045Y-CFTR has not been elucidated. In
      this study, we determined that S1045Y-CFTR exhibits twofold attenuated function
      compared with wild-type (WT)-CFTR. We report that serine-to-tyrosine mutation
      leads to increased tyrosine phosphorylation of S1045Y-CFTR, followed by
      recruitment and binding of E3-ubiquitin ligase c-cbl, resulting in enhanced
      ubiquitination and passage of S1045Y-CFTR in the endosome/lysosome degradative
      compartments. We demonstrate that inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation
      partially rescues S1045Y-CFTR surface expression and function. Based on our
      findings, it could be suggested that consuming genistein (a tyrosine
      phosphorylation inhibitor) would likely ameliorate CF symptoms in individuals
      with S1045Y-CFTR, providing a unique personalized therapy for this rare CF
      mutation. 

PMID- 27261450
TI  - The quantity and quality of alpha-gal-specific antibodies differ in individuals
      with and without delayed red meat allergy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: IgG to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) are highly abundant
      natural antibodies (Ab) in humans. alpha-Gal-specific IgE Ab cause a special form
      of meat allergy characterized by severe systemic reactions 3-7 h after
      consumption of red meat. We investigated 20 patients who experienced such
      reactions and characterized their alpha-gal-specific IgE and IgG responses in
      more detail. METHODS: alpha-Gal-specific IgE was determined by ImmunoCAP. IgE
      reactivity to meat extract and bovine gamma globulin (BGG) was assessed by
      immunoblotting and ELISA, respectively. In some experiments, sera were pre
      incubated with alpha-gal or protein G to deplete IgG Ab. alpha-Gal-specific IgG1
      4 Ab in individuals with and without meat allergy were assessed by ELISA.
      RESULTS: In immunoblots, BGG was the most frequently recognized meat protein.
      Binding of IgE and IgG to BGG was confirmed by ELISA and completely abolished
      after pre-incubation with alpha-gal. Neither the depletion of autologous alpha
      gal-specific IgG Ab nor the addition of alpha-gal-specific IgG Ab from
      nonallergic individuals changed the IgE recognition of BGG of meat-allergic
      patients. Meat-allergic patients showed significantly higher alpha-gal-specific
      IgG1 and IgG3 Ab than nonallergic individuals, whereas the latter showed
      significantly higher levels of alpha-gal-specific IgG4 Ab. CONCLUSION: Patients
      with delayed meat allergy display IgE and IgG Ab that selectively recognize the
      alpha-gal epitope on BGG. Their enhanced alpha-gal-specific IgE levels are
      accompanied by high levels of alpha-gal-specific IgG1 devoid of IgE-blocking
      activity. This subclass distribution is atypical for food allergies and distinct
      from natural alpha-gal IgG responses in nonallergic individuals.

PMID- 27261453
TI  - Shaping risky choices: Ethics and the effects of organizational decisions.
AB  - Choices to live "at risk" are complex and challenging and can be structured by
      organizational policy. Some individuals genuinely wish to live in situations that
      are, or are perceived to be, high risk because this affords them an important
      benefit. However, it is likely that these choices are significantly affected by
      context and might not be made under different circumstances. The following argues
      for a responsibility to be attentive to the effects of organizational decisions
      on choices to live at risk and the overall distribution of risk. 

PMID- 27261452
TI  - Activation of calpain by renin-angiotensin system in pleural mesothelial cells
      mediates tuberculous pleural fibrosis.
AB  - Pleural fibrosis is defined as an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix
      (ECM) components that results in destruction of the normal pleural tissue
      architecture. It can result from diverse inflammatory conditions, especially
      tuberculous pleurisy. Pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) play a pivotal role in
      pleural fibrosis. Calpain is a family of calcium-dependent endopeptidases, which
      plays an important role in ECM remodeling. However, the role of calpain in
      pleural fibrosis remains unknown. In the present study, we found that tuberculous
      pleural effusion (TPE) induced calpain activation in PMCs and that inhibition of
      calpain prevented TPE-induced collagen-I synthesis and cell proliferation of
      PMCs. Moreover, our data revealed that the levels of angiotensin (ANG)-converting
      enzyme (ACE) were significantly higher in pleural fluid of patients with TPE than
      those with malignant pleural effusion, and ACE-ANG II in TPE resulted in
      activation of calpain and subsequent triggering of the phosphatidylinositol 3
      kinase (PI3K)/Akt/NF-kappaB signaling pathway in PMCs. Finally, calpain
      activation in PMCs and collagen depositions were confirmed in pleural biopsy
      specimens from patients with tuberculous pleurisy. Together, these studies
      demonstrated that calpain is activated by renin-angiotensin system in pleural
      fibrosis and mediates TPE-induced collagen-I synthesis and proliferation of PMCs
      via the PI3K/Akt/NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Calpain in PMCs might be a novel
      target for intervention in tuberculous pleural fibrosis.

PMID- 27261454
TI  - The influence of anthropometrics on physical employment standard performance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) recently implemented the Fitness for
      Operational Requirements of CAF Employment (FORCE), a new physical employment
      standard (PES). Data collection throughout development included anthropometric
      profiles of the CAF. AIMS: To determine if anthropometric measurements and
      demographic information would predict the performance outcomes of the FORCE
      and/or Common Military Task Fitness Evaluation (CMTFE). METHODS: We conducted a
      secondary analysis of data from FORCE research. We obtained bioelectrical
      impedance and segmental analysis. Statistical analysis included correlation and
      linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Among the 668 study subjects, as predicted,
      any task requiring lifting, pulling or moving of an object was significantly and
      positively correlated (r > 0.67) to lean body mass (LBM) measurements. LBM
      correlated with stretcher carry (r = 0.78) and with lifting actions such as sand
      bag drag (r = 0.77), vehicle extrication (r = 0.71), sand bag fortification (r =
      0.68) and sand bag lift time (r = -0.67). The difference between the correlation
      of dead mass (DM) with task performance compared with LBM was not statistically
      significant. CONCLUSIONS: DM and LBM can be used in a PES to predict success on
      military tasks such as casualty evacuation and manual material handling. However,
      there is no minimum LBM required to perform these tasks successfully. These data
      direct future research on how we should diversify research participants by
      anthropometrics, in addition to the traditional demographic variables of gender
      and age, to highlight potential important adverse impact with PES design. In
      addition, the results can be used to develop better training regimens to
      facilitate passing a PES.

PMID- 27261455
TI  - Comprehensive and Holistic Analysis of HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cells and Tumor
      Bearing Nude Mouse Model: Interactions Among Fractions Derived From the Chinese
      Medicine Formula Tian Xian Liquid in Effects on Human Colorectal Carcinoma.
AB  - The Chinese medicine formula Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) has been used clinically for
      cancer therapy in China for more than 25 years. However, the comprehensive and
      holistic effects of its bioactive fractions for various antitumor therapeutic
      effects have not been unraveled. This is the first study to scientifically
      elucidate the holistic effect of Chinese medicine formula for treating colon
      cancer, hence allowing a better understanding of the essence of Chinese medicine
      formula, through the comparison of the actions of TXL and its functional
      constituent fractions, including ethyl acetate (EA), butanol (BU), and aqueous
      (WA) fractions. Tissue-specific proliferative/antiproliferative effects of these
      fractions on human colorectal carcinoma HT-29 cells and splenocytes were studied
      by using the MTT assay. Their modulations on the expression of markers of
      antiproliferation, antimetastasis, reversion of multidrug resistance in treated
      HT-29 cells were examined with real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western
      blot analysis, and their modulations in a xenografted nude mouse model were
      examined by Western blot analysis. Results revealed that EA fraction slightly
      inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells, but tissue-specifically exerted the
      most potent antiproliferative effect on splenocytes. On the contrary, only TXL
      and BU fraction tissue-specifically contributed to the proliferation of
      splenocytes, but inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells. WA fraction exerted
      the most potent antiproliferative effect on HT-29 cells and also the strongest
      inhibitory action on tumor size in the nude mouse model in our previous study. In
      the HT-29 model, TXL and WA fraction exerted the most pronounced effect on
      upregulation of p21 mRNA and protein; TXL, and EA and WA fractions exerted the
      effect on downregulation of G1 phase cell cycle protein, cyclin D1 mRNA and
      protein; EA and BU fractions exerted the most prominent anti-invasive effect on
      anti-invasion via downregulation of MMP-1 mRNA; TXL potently reversed most
      multidrug resistance via downregulation of MDR-1 protein. In conclusion, the
      comprehensive and holistic effects of TXL were demonstrated with ( a) mutual
      accentuation and mutual enhancement, ( b) mutual counteraction and mutual
      suppression, and ( c) mutual antagonism among the 3 constituent fractions.
      Moreover, the design of the present study may lead to further development of more
      tissue-specific effective drugs with minimal side effects for clinical use in
      combating carcinoma.

PMID- 27261456
TI  - ANTICALIgN: visualizing, editing and analyzing combined nucleotide and amino acid
      sequence alignments for combinatorial protein engineering.
AB  - ANTIC ALIGN: is an interactive software developed to simultaneously visualize,
      analyze and modify alignments of DNA and/or protein sequences that arise during
      combinatorial protein engineering, design and selection. ANTIC ALIGN: combines
      powerful functions known from currently available sequence analysis tools with
      unique features for protein engineering, in particular the possibility to display
      and manipulate nucleotide sequences and their translated amino acid sequences at
      the same time. ANTIC ALIGN: offers both template-based multiple sequence
      alignment (MSA), using the unmutated protein as reference, and conventional
      global alignment, to compare sequences that share an evolutionary relationship.
      The application of similarity-based clustering algorithms facilitates the
      identification of duplicates or of conserved sequence features among a set of
      selected clones. Imported nucleotide sequences from DNA sequence analysis are
      automatically translated into the corresponding amino acid sequences and
      displayed, offering numerous options for selecting reading frames, highlighting
      of sequence features and graphical layout of the MSA. The MSA complexity can be
      reduced by hiding the conserved nucleotide and/or amino acid residues, thus
      putting emphasis on the relevant mutated positions. ANTIC ALIGN: is also able to
      handle suppressed stop codons or even to incorporate non-natural amino acids into
      a coding sequence. We demonstrate crucial functions of ANTIC ALIGN: in an example
      of Anticalins selected from a lipocalin random library against the fibronectin
      extradomain B (ED-B), an established marker of tumor vasculature. Apart from
      engineered protein scaffolds, ANTIC ALIGN: provides a powerful tool in the area
      of antibody engineering and for directed enzyme evolution.

PMID- 27261457
TI  - Tumor Progression Locus 2 (Tpl2) Activates the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin
      (mTOR) Pathway, Inhibits Forkhead Box P3 (FoxP3) Expression, and Limits
      Regulatory T Cell (Treg) Immunosuppressive Functions.
AB  - The serine/threonine kinase tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl2, also known as
      Map3k8/Cot) is a potent inflammatory mediator that drives the production of
      TNFalpha, IL-1beta, and IFNgamma. We previously demonstrated that Tpl2 regulates
      T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and modulates T helper cell differentiation.
      However, very little is known about how Tpl2 modulates the development of
      regulatory T cells (Tregs). Tregs are a specialized subset of T cells that
      express FoxP3 and possess immunosuppressive properties to limit excess
      inflammation. Because of the documented role of Tpl2 in promoting inflammation,
      we hypothesized that Tpl2 antagonizes Treg development and immunosuppressive
      function. Here we demonstrate that Tpl2 constrains the development of inducible
      Tregs. Tpl2(-/-) naive CD4(+) T cells preferentially develop into FoxP3(+)
      inducible Tregs in vitro as well as in vivo in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)
      induced systemic tolerance. Treg biasing of Tpl2(-/-) T cells depended on TCR
      signal strength and corresponded with reduced activation of the mammalian target
      of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Importantly, Tpl2(-/-) Tregs have basally increased
      expression of FoxP3 and immunosuppressive molecules, IL-10 and cytotoxic T
      lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Furthermore, they were more
      immunosuppressive in vivo in a T cell transfer model of colitis, as evidenced by
      reduced effector T cell accumulation, systemic production of inflammatory
      cytokines, and colonic inflammation. These results demonstrate that Tpl2 promotes
      inflammation in part by constraining FoxP3 expression and Treg immunosuppressive
      functions. Overall, these findings suggest that Tpl2 inhibition could be used to
      preferentially drive Treg induction and thereby limit inflammation in a variety
      of autoimmune diseases.

PMID- 27261458
TI  - Nitrogen Starvation-induced Phosphorylation of Ras1 Protein and Its Potential
      Role in Nutrient Signaling and Stress Response.
AB  - Ras1 is a small GTPase in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that
      regulates nutrient signaling. It has been shown that Ras1 undergoes
      phosphorylation, but the functional consequences and regulation of Ras1
      phosphorylation remain unknown. Here we identify Ser-226 as an important residue
      for Ras1 phosphorylation, as mutating this residue to an alanine drastically
      diminishes the level of Ras1 phosphorylation. Notably, phosphorylated Ras1
      accumulates as the cells approach the stationary phase of growth. Likewise,
      subjecting cells to nitrogen starvation also elevates the level of Ras1
      phosphorylation. Interestingly, blocking Ras1 phosphorylation diminishes the
      level of autophagy and also renders the cells more sensitive to heat shock.
      Together, these data suggest a role of Ras1 phosphorylation in modulating
      nutrient signaling and stress response.

PMID- 27261459
TI  - miR-30 Family Controls Proliferation and Differentiation of Intestinal Epithelial
      Cell Models by Directing a Broad Gene Expression Program That Includes SOX9 and
      the Ubiquitin Ligase Pathway.
AB  - Proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) occur in
      part through precise regulation of key transcription factors, such as SOX9.
      MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as prominent fine-tuners of transcription factor
      expression and activity. We hypothesized that miRNAs, in part through the
      regulation of SOX9, may mediate IEC homeostasis. Bioinformatic analyses of the
      SOX9 3'-UTR revealed highly conserved target sites for nine different miRNAs. Of
      these, only the miR-30 family members were both robustly and variably expressed
      across functionally distinct cell types of the murine jejunal epithelium.
      Inhibition of miR-30 using complementary locked nucleic acids (LNA30bcd) in both
      human IECs and human colorectal adenocarcinoma-derived Caco-2 cells resulted in
      significant up-regulation of SOX9 mRNA but, interestingly, significant down
      regulation of SOX9 protein. To gain mechanistic insight into this non-intuitive
      finding, we performed RNA sequencing on LNA30bcd-treated human IECs and found
      2440 significantly increased genes and 2651 significantly decreased genes across
      three time points. The up-regulated genes are highly enriched for both predicted
      miR-30 targets, as well as genes in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Chemical
      suppression of the proteasome rescued the effect of LNA30bcd on SOX9 protein
      levels, indicating that the regulation of SOX9 protein by miR-30 is largely
      indirect through the proteasome pathway. Inhibition of the miR-30 family led to
      significantly reduced IEC proliferation and a dramatic increase in markers of
      enterocyte differentiation. This in-depth analysis of a complex miRNA regulatory
      program in intestinal epithelial cell models provides novel evidence that the miR
      30 family likely plays an important role in IEC homeostasis.

PMID- 27261460
TI  - Regulation of the Yeast Hxt6 Hexose Transporter by the Rod1 alpha-Arrestin, the
      Snf1 Protein Kinase, and the Bmh2 14-3-3 Protein.
AB  - Cell viability requires adaptation to changing environmental conditions.
      Ubiquitin-mediated endocytosis plays a crucial role in this process, because it
      provides a mechanism to remove transport proteins from the membrane. Arrestin
      related trafficking proteins are important regulators of the endocytic pathway in
      yeast, facilitating selective ubiquitylation of target proteins by the E3
      ubiquitin ligase, Rsp5. Specifically, Rod1 (Art4) has been reported to regulate
      the endocytosis of both the Hxt1, Hxt3, and Hxt6 glucose transporters and the
      Jen1 lactate transporter. Also, the AMP kinase homologue, Snf1, and 14-3-3
      proteins have been shown to regulate Jen1 via Rod1. Here, we further
      characterized the role of Rod1, Snf1, and 14-3-3 in the signal transduction route
      involved in the endocytic regulation of the Hxt6 high affinity glucose
      transporter by showing that Snf1 interacts specifically with Rod1 and Rog3
      (Art7), that the interaction between the Bmh2 and several arrestin-related
      trafficking proteins may be modulated by carbon source, and that both the 14-3-3
      protein Bmh2 and the Snf1 regulatory domain interact with the arrestin-like
      domain containing the N-terminal half of Rod1 (amino acids 1-395). Finally, using
      both co-immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation, we
      demonstrated the interaction of Rod1 with Hxt6 and showed that the localization
      of the Rod1-Hxt6 complex at the plasma membrane is affected by carbon source and
      is reduced upon overexpression of SNF1 and BMH2.

PMID- 27261461
TI  - Cellular Redox Systems Impact the Aggregation of Cu,Zn Superoxide Dismutase
      Linked to Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
AB  - Protein misfolding is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, where
      mutations of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) account for about 20% of the inherited
      mutations. Human SOD1 (hSOD1) contains four cysteines, including Cys(57) and
      Cys(146), which have been linked to protein stability and folding via forming a
      disulfide bond, and Cys(6) and Cys(111) as free thiols. But the roles of the
      cellular oxidation-reduction (redox) environment in SOD1 folding and aggregation
      are not well understood. Here we explore the effects of cellular redox systems on
      the aggregation of hSOD1 proteins. We found that the known hSOD1 mutations G93A
      and A4V increased the capability of the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems to
      reduce hSOD1 compared with wild-type hSOD1. Treatment with inhibitors of these
      redox systems resulted in an increase of hSOD1 aggregates in the cytoplasm of
      cells transfected with mutants but not in cells transfected with wild-type hSOD1
      or those containing a secondary C111G mutation. This aggregation may be coupled
      to changes in the redox state of the G93A and A4V mutants upon mild oxidative
      stress. These results strongly suggest that the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin
      systems are the key regulators for hSOD1 aggregation and may play critical roles
      in the pathogenesis of ALS.

PMID- 27261464
TI  - ESUS and INTERACT.

PMID- 27261462
TI  - 14-3-3sigma Gene Loss Leads to Activation of the Epithelial to Mesenchymal
      Transition Due to the Stabilization of c-Jun Protein.
AB  - Loss of 14-3-3sigma has been observed in multiple tumor types; however, the
      mechanisms by which 14-3-3sigma loss leads to tumor progression are not
      understood. The experiments in this report demonstrate that loss of 14-3-3sigma
      leads to a decrease in the expression of epithelial markers and an increase in
      the expression of mesenchymal markers, which is indicative of an induction of the
      epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The EMT was accompanied by an
      increase in migration and invasion in the 14-3-3sigma(-/-) cells. 14-3-3sigma(-/
      ) cells show increased stabilization of c-Jun, resulting in an increase in the
      expression of the EMT transcription factor slug. 14-3-3sigma induces the
      ubiquitination and degradation of c-Jun in an FBW7-dependent manner. c-Jun
      ubiquitination is dependent on the presence of an intact nuclear export pathway
      as c-Jun is stabilized and localized to the nucleus in the presence of a nuclear
      export inhibitor. Furthermore, the absence of 14-3-3sigma leads to the nuclear
      accumulation and stabilization of c-Jun, suggesting that 14-3-3sigma regulates
      the subcellular localization of c-Jun. Our results have identified a novel
      mechanism by which 14-3-3sigma maintains the epithelial phenotype by inhibiting
      EMT and suggest that this property of 14-3-3sigma might contribute to its
      function as a tumor suppressor gene.

PMID- 27261463
TI  - The Structurally Plastic CH2 Domain Is Linked to Distinct Functions of
      Fimbrins/Plastins.
AB  - Fimbrins/plastins have been implicated in the generation of distinct actin
      structures, which are linked to different cellular processes. Historically,
      fimbrins/plastins were mainly considered as generating tight actin bundles. Here,
      we demonstrate that different members of the fimbrin/plastin family have diverged
      biochemically during evolution to generate either tight actin bundles or loose
      networks with distinct biochemical and biophysical properties. Using the
      phylogenetically and functionally distinct Arabidopsis fimbrins FIM4 and FIM5 we
      found that FIM4 generates both actin bundles and cross-linked actin filaments,
      whereas FIM5 only generates actin bundles. The distinct functions of FIM4 and
      FIM5 are clearly observed at single-filament resolution. Domain swapping
      experiments showed that cooperation between the conformationally plastic calponin
      homology domain 2 (CH2) and the N-terminal headpiece determines the function of
      the full-length protein. Our study suggests that the structural plasticity of
      fimbrins/plastins has biologically meaningful consequences, and provides novel
      insights into the structure-function relationship of fimbrins/plastins as well as
      shedding light on how cells generate distinct actin structures.

PMID- 27261465
TI  - Assistant Professor Dar Dowlatshahi.

PMID- 27261466
TI  - Corrigendum to an article by J David Spence.

PMID- 27261468
TI  - Mental health literacy in Hong Kong.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate Hong Kong
      nationals' ability to recognize 13 different mental disorders and to examine
      whether there may be a relationship between their mental health literacy (MHL)
      and their tendency to describe/explain symptoms of mental disorders in physical
      terms. METHODS: A total of 299 participants took part in this study and the
      vignettes depict post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive
      disorder (OCD), dependent personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder,
      generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, bipolar disorder, social phobia, panic
      disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, schizophrenia and antisocial
      personality disorder. RESULTS: Overall, OCD was the best identified and the
      personality disorders were the worst. A significant negative correlation was
      found between participants' MHL and the rate of offering a 'physical' rather than
      a 'psychological' explanation. Some mental disorders were better recognized than
      others such as OCD (40.1%) and depression (36.3%). However, the majority of the
      other disorders were very poorly recognized and labelled with the rest having
      'correct response' rates of lower than 15%. Over half of the mental disorders had
      'correct' response rates of lower than 5%. CONCLUSION: In accordance with many
      other studies in the area, this study found Asian participants poor at
      recognizing mental disorders. This is probably due to the fact that mental
      illnesses of all kinds remain a taboo topic.

PMID- 27261467
TI  - A Phase II Trial of a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Panobinostat in Patients With
      Low-Grade Neuroendocrine Tumors.
AB  - LESSONS LEARNED: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors versus carcinoid tumors should
      be examined separately in clinical trials.Progression-free survival is more
      clinically relevant as the primary endpoint (rather than response rate) in phase
      II trials for low-grade neuroendocrine tumors. BACKGROUND: The most common
      subtypes of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are pancreatic islet cell tumors and
      carcinoids, which represent only 2% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Histone
      deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have already been shown to suppress tumor growth
      and induce apoptosis in various malignancies. In NET cells, HDAC inhibitors have
      resulted in increased Notch1 expression and subsequent inhibition of growth. We
      present here a phase II study of the novel HDAC inhibitor panobinostat in
      patients with low-grade NET. METHODS: Adult patients with histologically
      confirmed, metastatic, low-grade NETs and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
      (ECOG) performance status of <=2 were treated with oral panobinostat 20 mg once
      daily three times per week. Treatment was continued until patients experienced
      unacceptable toxicities or disease progression. The study was stopped at planned
      interim analysis based on a Simon two-stage design. RESULTS: Fifteen patients
      were accrued, and 13 were evaluable for response. No responses were seen, but the
      stable disease rate was 100%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.9
      months, and the median overall survival was 47.3 months. Fatigue (27%),
      thrombocytopenia (20%), diarrhea (13%), and nausea (13%) were the most common
      related grade 3 toxicities. There was one grade 4 thrombocytopenia (7%). These
      results did not meet the prespecified criteria to open the study to full accrual.
      CONCLUSION: The HDAC inhibitor panobinostat has a high stable disease rate and
      reasonable PFS in low-grade NET, but has a low response rate.

PMID- 27261469
TI  - The mental health of sexually trafficked female survivors in Nepal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite further recent research into the consequences associated with
      human sex trafficking, scant evidence associated with the mental health outcomes
      among victims of sex trafficking remains, including within Nepal where
      trafficking continues to be a growing problem. AIM: To investigate the prevalence
      and explanatory factors of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder
      (PTSD) symptoms among female survivors being housed and supported by two non
      governmental organisations (NGOs) in Nepal. METHODS: A total of 66 female sex
      trafficking survivors being housed by two NGOs were purposively sampled. Anxiety
      and depression symptomatology were measured using the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist
      25 instrument and PTSD symptomatology was measured using the PTSD Checklist
      Civilian Version. RESULTS: In all, 87%, 85.5% and 29.7% of the sample scored
      above anxiety, depression and PTSD thresholds, respectively. HIV-positive status
      and length of workday during trafficking period significantly associated with at
      least one outcome measure. CONCLUSION: The results contribute further evidence of
      how damaging sex trafficking can be to victims, particularly in terms of being at
      risk of clinical depression and/or anxiety. Continued efforts to prevent
      trafficking from occurring as well as effective, timely intervention for
      survivors are needed.

PMID- 27261470
TI  - Reply to Naudet and Colleagues. Cost-Effectiveness in Health Technology
      Assessment-A Case in Alcohol Dependence.

PMID- 27261471
TI  - Homocysteine, Liver Function Derangement and Brain Atrophy in Alcoholics.
AB  - AIMS: Hyperhomocysteinemia may be involved in the development of brain atrophy in
      alcoholics. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial. In the present study, we analyse
      the relationship between homocysteine levels and brain atrophy, and the relative
      weight of co-existing factors such as liver function impairment, the amount of
      ethanol consumed, serum vitamin B12, B6, and folic acid levels on homocysteine
      levels and brain alterations in alcoholic patients. METHODS: We included 59
      patients admitted to this hospital for major withdrawal symptoms and 24 controls.
      The mini-mental state examination test and a brain computed tomography (CT) scan
      were performed and several indices were calculated. Serum levels of homocysteine,
      folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 were determined. Liver function was
      assessed by Child-Pugh score. The daily consumption of ethanol in grams per day
      and years of addiction were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 83.6% and 80% of the
      patients showed cerebellar or frontal atrophy, respectively. Patients showed
      altered values of brain indices, higher levels of homocysteine and vitamin B12,
      but lower levels of folic acid, compared with controls. Homocysteine, B12 and
      liver function variables showed significant correlations with brain CT indices.
      Multivariate analyses disclosed that Pugh's score, albumin and bilirubin were
      independently related to cerebellar atrophy, frontal atrophy, cella index or
      ventricular index. Serum vitamin B12 was the only factor independently related to
      Evans index. It was also related to cella index, but after bilirubin.
      Homocysteine levels were independently related to ventricular index, but after
      bilirubin. CONCLUSION: Vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels are higher among
      alcoholics. Liver function derangement, vitamin B12 and homocysteine are all
      independently related to brain atrophy, although not to cognitive alterations.
      SHORT SUMMARY: Hyperhomocysteinemia has been described in alcoholics and may be
      related to brain atrophy, a reversible condition with an obscure pathogenesis. We
      studied 59 patients and found that liver function derangement, vitamin B12 and
      homocysteine levels are all independently related to brain atrophy assessed by
      computed tomography, although we found no association between these parameters
      and cognitive alterations.

PMID- 27261472
TI  - Underestimating the Alcohol Content of a Glass of Wine: The Implications for
      Estimates of Mortality Risk.
AB  - AIMS: Increases in glass sizes and wine strength over the last 25 years in the UK
      are likely to have led to an underestimation of alcohol intake in population
      studies. We explore whether this probable misclassification affects the
      association between average alcohol intake and risk of mortality from all causes,
      cardiovascular disease and cancer. METHODS: Self-reported alcohol consumption in
      1997-1999 among 7010 men and women in the Whitehall II cohort of British civil
      servants was linked to the risk of mortality until mid-2015. A conversion factor
      of 8 g of alcohol per wine glass (1 unit) was compared with a conversion of 16 g
      per wine glass (2 units). RESULTS: When applying a higher alcohol content
      conversion for wine consumption, the proportion of heavy/very heavy drinkers
      increased from 28% to 41% for men and 15% to 28% for women. There was a
      significantly increased risk of very heavy drinking compared with moderate
      drinking for deaths from all causes and cancer before and after change in wine
      conversion; however, the hazard ratios were reduced when a higher wine conversion
      was used. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study, assuming higher alcohol
      content in wine glasses changed the estimates of mortality risk. We propose that
      investigator-led cohorts need to revisit conversion factors based on more
      accurate estimates of alcohol content in wine glasses. Prospectively, researchers
      need to collect more detailed information on alcohol including serving sizes and
      strength. SHORT SUMMARY: The alcohol content in a wine glass is likely to be
      underestimated in population surveys as wine strength and serving size have
      increased in recent years. We demonstrate that in a large cohort study, this
      underestimation affects estimates of mortality risk. Investigator-led cohorts
      need to revisit conversion factors based on more accurate estimates of alcohol
      content in wine glasses.

PMID- 27261473
TI  - Cost-Effectiveness of Nalmefene: Exaggerated Expectations or Fallacy?

PMID- 27261474
TI  - Italian Credit Mobility Students Significantly Increase Their Alcohol Intake,
      Risky Drinking and Related Consequences During the Study Abroad Experience.
AB  - AIMS: To examine changes in alcohol intake and consequences in Italian students
      studying abroad. METHODS: Italian exchange students planning to study abroad were
      invited to report on their drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences
      before and after their time abroad. RESULTS: After excluding those who abstained
      throughout, data on 121 students were analysed and showed that they tended to
      consume more alcohol and experience more alcohol-related negative consequences
      compared to their pre-departure levels. CONCLUSION: The added alcohol risk of
      study abroad for Italian students merits consideration of possible opportunities
      for intervention.

PMID- 27261475
TI  - Femoral Neck Stress Fracture: Can MRI Grade Help Predict Return-to-Running Time?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited research is available regarding return-to-running (RTR) time
      after femoral neck stress fractures. While studies have shown the prognostic
      value of image-based grading scales for stress fractures at other sites, few have
      included femoral neck stress fractures. PURPOSE: To determine if the grade of
      femoral neck stress fractures based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      characteristics correlates with RTR time. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of
      evidence, 3. METHODS: This study included 24 patients (mean age, 32.9 years;
      range, 18-51 years) who were diagnosed with 27 femoral neck stress fractures by
      MRI from 2009 to 2015 at a single sports medicine clinic. All fractures were
      compression sided and were treated nonoperatively. Charts were reviewed for
      patient demographics and RTR time. Images were graded from 1 to 4 using the
      Arendt stress fracture severity scale. Statistical analysis was performed using
      survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard model to compare the RTR time
      between grades. Cox regression was repeated, adjusted for age, bone mineral
      density (BMD), and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: The mean (+/-standard error of
      the mean) RTR time in weeks for patients with fractures graded 1 to 4 was 7.4 +/-
      2.7 (range, 4-11), 13.8 +/- 3.8 (range, 6-21), 14.7 +/- 3.5 (range, 8.5-24), and
      17.5 +/- 3.4 (range, 10-32), respectively. Survival analysis indicated that there
      was a statistically significant effect of fracture grade on RTR time (P = .0065).
      The Cox model indicated a statistically significant difference in RTR time
      between grades 1 and 2 (P = .036), 1 and 3 (P = .014), and 1 and 4 (P = .002).
      The unadjusted hazard ratio was significant (P = .037). There were no
      statistically significant differences between the remaining grades (P = .82 for
      grades 2 and 3, P = .37 for grades 2 and 4, and P = .31 for grades 3 and 4). Age
      (P = .71) and BMD (P = .81) did not have an effect on RTR time. The hazard ratio
      remained significant (P = .05) after adjusting for age and BMD. BMI tended to
      have an effect on RTR time (P = .09). After adding BMI to the adjustment, the
      hazard ratio decreased in significance (P = .13), although sample size also
      decreased. CONCLUSION: Grade 2 to 4 femoral neck stress fractures require longer
      RTR time than do grade 1 injuries. Patients with lower BMI tend to require a
      longer RTR time.

PMID- 27261476
TI  - Are Female Soccer Players at an Increased Risk of Second Anterior Cruciate
      Ligament Injury Compared With Their Athletic Peers?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Female soccer players have a well-known risk for anterior cruciate
      ligament (ACL) injury, but few studies have reported on second ACL injuries in
      this population. PURPOSE: To (1) report the rates of subsequent ACL injury
      (ipsilateral graft rupture or contralateral tear) in competitive female soccer
      players, (2) compare these rates with those of other female athletes of similar
      competitive level, (3) determine risk factors for second ACL injury, and (4)
      report clinical outcome scores in this population. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study;
      Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: The medical records at a single institution were
      reviewed for female patients who were injured during a competitive athletic event
      and treated with primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) between 1998 and 2013.
      Patients were followed for a mean of 68.8 months postoperatively (range, 24-115.2
      months). Clinical outcome was obtained via Lysholm and International Knee
      Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. Soccer players were matched 1:1 to non
      soccer athletes for age, activity level, and graft type. RESULTS: A total of 180
      female ACLR patients with a mean +/- SD age of 19.6 +/- 6.9 years met the study
      inclusion and exclusion criteria (90 soccer players and 90 non-soccer players).
      Soccer players sustained more second ACL injuries, including both graft failures
      (11% vs 1%; P < .01) and contralateral ACL tears (17% vs 4%; P < .01), compared
      with non-soccer players. Of the 67 patients who returned to soccer after ACLR
      (mean age, 17.5 years; range, 13-27 years), significantly more had graft tears
      compared with those who did not return to soccer (15% vs 0%, respectively; P =
      .04); however, the difference in contralateral ACL tears (19% for returning
      players vs 9% for those who did not return; P = .34) was not significant.
      Relatively older age (odds ratio, 1.5 per year; P = .03) was a significant risk
      factor for ACL graft tear but not for contralateral ACL injury. Both groups had
      similar mean Lysholm (96 vs 95) and IKDC scores (95 vs 96) at final follow-up.
      CONCLUSION: Twenty-eight percent of all female soccer players and 34% of those
      players who returned to soccer had a second ACL tear. Soccer players had an
      increased rate of both graft tear and contralateral ACL injury compared with
      similar non-soccer athletes. Older age and return to soccer were significant risk
      factors for graft rupture.

PMID- 27261479
TI  - Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Fused: Novel EGFR
      Rearrangements in Lung Adenocarcinomas.
AB  - Mutations in EGFR stand as the archetype for somatic alterations that lead to
      oncogene addiction and that predict for response to targeted therapies. In this
      issue of Cancer Discovery, Konduri and colleagues report on a pair of novel
      oncogenic and actionable EGFR fusion events in a series of patients with lung
      adenocarcinomas, casting new light on this model gene. Cancer Discov; 6(6); 574
      5. (c)2016 AACRSee related article by Konduri et al., p. 601.

PMID- 27261480
TI  - Senescence Can Be BETter without the SASP?
AB  - Global remodeling of the chromatin landscape occurs during senescence, although
      its functional consequence is still unclear. In this issue, Tasdemir and
      colleagues show that the epigenetic regulator BRD4 is required for expression of
      the proinflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype and immune
      clearance of senescent cells in vitro and in vivo Their results could be useful
      in the design of novel therapies to treat aging-related diseases, including
      cancer.Cancer Discov; 6(6); 576-8. (c)2016 AACR.See related article by Tasdemir
      et al., p. 612.

PMID- 27261481
TI  - Forecasting Cytokine Storms with New Predictive Biomarkers.
AB  - T cells genetically modified with CD19 chimeric antigen receptors have produced
      impressive clinical responses in patients with refractory B-cell malignancies,
      but therapeutic responses are often accompanied by cytokine release syndrome
      (CRS), which can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Teachey and
      colleagues have identified predictive biomarkers for this complication that may
      allow testing of earlier intervention with agents such as the IL6 receptor
      blocker tocilizumab to evaluate whether CRS can be ameliorated without
      jeopardizing clinical responses. Cancer Discov; 6(6); 579-80. (c)2016 AACR.See
      related article by Teachey et al., p. 664.

PMID- 27261483
TI  - Exercise Training and Cognitive Rehabilitation: A Symbiotic Approach for
      Rehabilitating Walking and Cognitive Functions in Multiple Sclerosis?
AB  - The current review develops a rationale and framework for examining the
      independent and combined effects of exercise training and cognitive
      rehabilitation on walking and cognitive functions in persons with multiple
      sclerosis (MS). To do so, we first review evidence for improvements in walking
      and cognitive outcomes with exercise training and cognitive rehabilitation in MS.
      We then review evidence regarding cognitive-motor coupling and possible cross
      modality transfer effects of exercise training and cognitive rehabilitation. We
      lastly present a macro-level framework for considering mechanisms that might
      explain improvements in walking and cognitive dysfunction with exercise and
      cognitive rehabilitation individually and combined in MS. We conclude that
      researchers should consider examining the effects of exercise training and
      cognitive rehabilitation on walking, cognition, and cognitive-motor interactions
      in MS and the possible physiological and central mechanisms for improving these
      functions.

PMID- 27261482
TI  - So You Can Teach Old Fibroblasts New Tricks.
AB  - New data show that as dermal fibroblasts grow old, they increase their secretion
      of the WNT antagonist sFRP2 to drive melanoma cell metastasis. sFRP2 suppresses
      beta-catenin and MITF signaling in melanoma cells, downregulating the redox
      regulator APE1, making melanoma cells more sensitive to oxidative stress and
      driving resistance to BRAF inhibitors. Thus, the aging microenvironment in
      elderly patient skin activates a signaling pathway that drives more aggressive
      melanoma cell behavior. Cancer Discov; 6(6); 581-3. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27261484
TI  - Recurrent transient ischemic attack as the initial manifestation of Takayasu
      arteritis.

PMID- 27261485
TI  - NGS-based molecular diagnosis of hereditary ataxia is cost-efficient: an
      illustrative family.

PMID- 27261486
TI  - Reply to recurrent transient ischemic attack as the initial manifestation of
      Takayasu arteritis.

PMID- 27261487
TI  - Eccentric target sign of cerebral toxoplasmosis.

PMID- 27261488
TI  - 'Epidemic' of hand deformities in the French Renaissance paintings of Jean and
      Francois Clouet.
AB  - This article analyses the nature of the multiple finger anomalies found in
      portraits by the French Renaissance artistic dynasty, the Clouets. The
      multiplicity of finger anomalies could be either innocent congenital variants, or
      pathological and traumatic deformities. In view of the presence of such
      'beautifying variations' in the works of other Renaissance artists, the authors
      decided that these features were not the result of an epidemic of deformities,
      but instead represented a stylistic approach in paintings of this period at the
      French Court. 

PMID- 27261489
TI  - Incidence, care quality and outcomes of patients with acute kidney injury in
      admitted hospital care.
AB  - BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in acute hospital
      admission and associated with worse patient outcomes. AIM: To measure incidence,
      care quality and outcome of AKI in admitted hospital care. DESIGN: Forty-six of
      168 acute NHS healthcare trusts in UK caring for 2 million acute hospital
      admissions per annum collected information on adults identified with AKI stage 3
      (3-fold rise in serum creatinine or creatinine >354 umol/l) through routine
      biochemical testing over a 5-month period in 2012. METHODS: Information was
      collected on patient and care characteristics. Primary outcomes were survival and
      recovery of kidney function at 1 month. RESULTS: A total of 15 647 patients were
      identified with biochemical AKI stage 3. Case note reviews were available for
      7726 patients. In 80%, biochemical AKI stage 3 was confirmed clinically. Among
      this group, median age was 75 years, median length of stay was 12 days and the
      overall mortality within 1 month was 38%. Significant factors in a multivariable
      model predicting survival included age and some causes of AKI. Dipstick
      urinalysis, medication review, discussion with a nephrologist and acceptance for
      transfer to a renal unit were also associated with higher survival, but not early
      review by a senior doctor, acceptance for transfer to critical care or
      requirement for renal replacement therapy. Eighteen percent of people did not
      have their kidney function checked 1 month after the episode had resolved.
      DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: This large study of in-hospital AKI supports the efficacy
      of biochemical detection of AKI in common usage. AKI mortality remains
      substantial, length of stay comparable with single-centre studies, and much of
      the variation is poorly explained (model Cox and Snell R2 = 0.131) from current
      predictors.

PMID- 27261490
TI  - Behavioral and neuronal determinants of negative reciprocity in the ultimatum
      game.
AB  - The rejection of unfair offers in the ultimatum game (UG) indicates negative
      reciprocity. The model of strong reciprocity claims that negative reciprocity
      reflects prosociality because the rejecting individual is sacrificing resources
      in order to punish unfair behavior. However, a recent study found that the
      rejection rate of unfair offers is linked to assertiveness (status defense
      model). To pursue the question what drives negative reciprocity, the present
      study investigated individual differences in the rejection of unfair offers along
      with their behavioral and neuronal determinants. We measured fairness preferences
      and event-related potentials (ERP) in 200 healthy participants playing a
      computerized version of the UG with pictures of unfair and fair proposers.
      Structural equation modeling (SEM) on the behavioral data corroborated both the
      strong reciprocity and the status defense models of human cooperation: Not only
      more prosocial but also more assertive individuals were more likely to show
      negative reciprocity by rejecting unfair offers. Experimental ERP results
      confirmed the feedback negativity (FN) as a neural signature of fairness
      processing. Multilevel SEM of brain-behavior relationships revealed that negative
      reciprocity was significantly associated with individual differences in FN
      amplitudes in response to proposers. Our results confirm stable individual
      differences in fairness processing at the behavioral and neuronal level.

PMID- 27261491
TI  - Gene Methylation and Cytological Atypia in Random Fine-Needle Aspirates for
      Assessment of Breast Cancer Risk.
AB  - Methods to determine individualized breast cancer risk lack sufficient
      sensitivity to select women most likely to benefit from preventive strategies.
      Alterations in DNA methylation occur early in breast cancer. We hypothesized that
      cancer-specific methylation markers could enhance breast cancer risk assessment.
      We evaluated 380 women without a history of breast cancer. We determined their
      menopausal status or menstrual cycle phase, risk of developing breast cancer
      (Gail model), and breast density and obtained random fine-needle aspiration
      (rFNA) samples for assessment of cytopathology and cumulative methylation index
      (CMI). Eight methylated gene markers were identified through whole-genome
      methylation analysis and included novel and previously established breast cancer
      detection genes. We performed correlative and multivariate linear regression
      analyses to evaluate DNA methylation of a gene panel as a function of clinical
      factors associated with breast cancer risk. CMI and individual gene methylation
      were independent of age, menopausal status or menstrual phase, lifetime Gail risk
      score, and breast density. CMI and individual gene methylation for the eight
      genes increased significantly (P < 0.001) with increasing cytological atypia. The
      findings were verified with multivariate analyses correcting for age, log (Gail),
      log (percent density), rFNA cell number, and body mass index. Our results
      demonstrate a significant association between cytological atypia and high CMI,
      which does not vary with menstrual phase or menopause and is independent of Gail
      risk and mammographic density. Thus, CMI is an excellent candidate breast cancer
      risk biomarker, warranting larger prospective studies to establish its utility
      for cancer risk assessment. Cancer Prev Res; 9(8); 673-82. (c)2016 AACR. 

PMID- 27261494
TI  - Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.

PMID- 27261493
TI  - Tapering biologic and conventional DMARD therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: current
      evidence and future directions.
AB  - Improvements in the control of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by
      conventional synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
      (DMARDs) have led to a substantial change in the clinical outcomes of patients
      during the last 30 years. Current treatment can lead to sustained remission in
      some patients raising questions about the optimal management strategies in this
      subgroup of patients. Today, tapering of DMARDs and even their discontinuation
      appears as an interesting concept for achieving a more tailored and dynamic
      treatment approach of RA, especially in patients, who achieved full disease
      control by DMARD treatment. In this review article, current developments of DMARD
      tapering are discussed. The article provides an overview of existing studies on
      this topic and addresses new strategies to reach drug-free remission.
      Furthermore, concepts for defining patients eligible for DMARD tapering are
      described and potential future strategies in using biomarkers in predicting the
      risk for disease relapse after initiation of DMARD tapering are addressed. These
      findings are finally considered in light of the vision to achieve cure as an
      ultimate goal in patients with RA achieving full control of inflammation.

PMID- 27261495
TI  - Being Passionate About Nuclear Medicine Technology.

PMID- 27261492
TI  - Are Hallucinations Due to an Imbalance Between Excitatory and Inhibitory
      Influences on the Brain?
AB  - This review from the International Consortium on Hallucinations Research intends
      to question the pertinence of the excitatory-to-inhibitory (E/I) imbalance
      hypothesis as a model for hallucinations. A large number of studies suggest that
      subtle impairments of the E/I balance are involved in neurological and
      psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia. Emerging evidence also points to a
      role of the E/I balance in maintaining stable perceptual representations,
      suggesting it may be a plausible model for hallucinations. In support,
      hallucinations have been linked to inhibitory deficits as shown with impairment
      of gamma-aminobutyric acid transmission, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor
      plasticity, reductions in gamma-frequency oscillations, hyperactivity in sensory
      cortices, and cognitive inhibition deficits. However, the mechanisms by which E/I
      dysfunctions at the cellular level might relate to clinical symptoms and
      cognitive deficits remain unclear. Given recent data advances in the field of
      clinical neuroscience, it is now possible to conduct a synthesis of available
      data specifically related to hallucinations. These findings are integrated with
      the latest computational frameworks of hallucinations, and recommendations for
      future research are provided.

PMID- 27261496
TI  - Progress on Strategic Goals.

PMID- 27261497
TI  - Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with
      schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of premature death
      in patients with schizophrenia. We aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk factors
      in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia using methods proven effective in
      short-term trials. Furthermore, we examined whether any baseline characteristics
      were associated with positive outcomes. METHODS: All outpatients treated for
      schizophrenia at two Danish hospitals were included in this 1-year follow-up
      study. The patients were offered health interventions both individually and in
      groups. Weight, waist circumference, blood glucose and lipids and information on
      smoking and alcohol were obtained. RESULTS: On average, small significant
      increases in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumferences were observed while
      small non-significant improvements in other cardiovascular risk factors were
      seen. Patients with high baseline BMI and patients with duration of treated
      illness beyond 2 years had significantly better intervention outcomes.
      CONCLUSION: Our results show that it was difficult to improve physical health in
      a group of non-selected patients with schizophrenia as part of routine care. The
      patients were not easily motivated to participate in the interventions, and it
      was difficult to monitor the recommended metabolic risk measures in the patient
      group. Future research should focus on simple strategies in health promotion that
      can be integrated into routine care.

PMID- 27261499
TI  - Factors Associated With Discrepancy in Parent-Teacher Reporting of Symptoms of
      ADHD in a Large Clinic-Referred Sample of Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with discrepancy in parent-teacher
      reporting of symptoms of ADHD. METHOD: Parents and teachers rated 1,364 children
      using an ADHD rating scale. Data were analyzed using multiple regressions and
      ANOVA. RESULTS: Demographic variables predicted greater parent-teacher
      discrepancy for ethnic minority families than for Caucasian families. Comorbidity
      variables predicted greater discrepancy for children who had a comorbid
      externalizing disorder. Academic performance variables predicted discrepancy for
      children who showed more homework problems. When all significant predictors were
      entered together, externalizing disorders and homework problems emerged as
      significant predictors. Participants whose parents reported higher levels of
      symptoms were of significantly higher socioeconomic status. Participants whose
      teachers reported higher levels of symptoms were significantly less likely to
      have a comorbid externalizing disorder and parent-reported homework problems.
      CONCLUSION: Parent-teacher discrepancies are likely to occur when the child has
      significant homework and externalizing behavior problems.

PMID- 27261501
TI  - Why patients with dementia need a motor examination.

PMID- 27261502
TI  - Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are associated with weight loss in older people
      with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the influence of
      acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) therapy on nutritional status and weight
      across observational and interventional studies. Two authors searched major
      electronic databases from inception until 10/14/2015 for longitudinal, open-label
      and randomised double-blind placebo controlled (randomised controlled trials
      (RCTs)) studies of AChEIs in patients with dementia reporting nutritional status
      outcome data. Out of 3551 initial hits, 25 studies (12 open-label trials, 9 RCTs
      and 4 longitudinal studies) including 10 792 patients with dementia were meta
      analysed. In longitudinal studies (median follow-up 6 months), a significant
      cumulative incidence of weight loss between baseline and follow-up evaluation was
      observed (studies=2; 5%; 95% CI 1% to 34%, p<0.0001; I2=95%). These findings were
      confirmed in open-label trials (6%; 95% CI 4% to 7%, p<0.0001; I2=78%). In 9 RCTs
      (median follow-up 5 months), those taking AChEIs more frequently experienced
      weight loss than participants taking placebo (OR=2.18; 95% CI 1.50 to 3.17,
      p<0.0001; I2=29%). AChEIs therapy contributes to weight loss in patients with
      dementia, with a 2-fold increased risk observed in the meta-analysis of RCTs.
      Clinicians should carefully consider the benefit and risk of prescribing AChEIs.
      Nutritional status should be routinely evaluated in patients with dementia
      treated with AChEIs.

PMID- 27261500
TI  - Defining SOD1 ALS natural history to guide therapeutic clinical trial design.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Understanding the natural history of familial amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis (ALS) caused by SOD1 mutations (ALSSOD1) will provide key information
      for optimising clinical trials in this patient population. OBJECTIVE: To
      establish an updated natural history of ALSSOD1. DESIGN, SETTING AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective cohort study from 15 medical centres in North America
      evaluated records from 175 patients with ALS with genetically confirmed SOD1
      mutations, cared for after the year 2000. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Age of
      onset, survival, ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALS-FRS) scores and respiratory
      function were analysed. Patients with the A4V (Ala-Val) SOD1 mutation (SOD1A4V),
      the largest mutation population in North America with an aggressive disease
      progression, were distinguished from other SOD1 mutation patients (SOD1non-A4V)
      for analysis. RESULTS: Mean age of disease onset was 49.7+/-12.3 years (mean+/
      SD) for all SOD1 patients, with no statistical significance between SOD1A4V and
      SOD1non-A4V (p=0.72, Kruskal-Wallis). Total SOD1 patient median survival was 2.7
      years. Mean disease duration for all SOD1 was 4.6+/-6.0 and 1.4+/-0.7 years for
      SOD1A4V. SOD1A4V survival probability (median survival 1.2 years) was
      significantly decreased compared with SOD1non-A4V (median survival 6.8 years;
      p<0.0001, log-rank). A statistically significant increase in ALS-FRS decline in
      SOD1A4V compared with SOD1non-A4V participants (p=0.02) was observed, as well as
      a statistically significant increase in ALS-forced vital capacity decline in
      SOD1A4V compared with SOD1non-A4V (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: SOD1A4V is
      an aggressive, but relatively homogeneous form of ALS. These SOD1-specific ALS
      natural history data will be important for the design and implementation of
      clinical trials in the ALSSOD1 patient population.

PMID- 27261503
TI  - Cerebral microbleeds and neuropsychiatric symptoms in an elderly Asian cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are commonly found in patients with
      cerebral small vessel disease such as white matter hyperintensities and lacunar
      infarcts. However, the association between cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and NPS
      has not been examined. Hence the present study sought to investigate the relation
      between CMBs and NPS in an elderly population. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional
      study of elderly Asians living in the community, who were assessed on a
      comprehensive neuropsychological battery and underwent clinical examinations as
      well as brain MRI scans. The 12-item neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) was
      administered to a reliable informant. Total scores for individual symptoms and
      for NPI global performance were calculated and compared across three groups: no
      CMB, presence of 1 CMB and presence of multiple CMBs, controlling for
      demographics, vascular risk factors and other MRI markers. RESULTS: A total of
      802 participants were included in the analysis. Participants with multiple CMBs
      had higher NPI total score compared to those with no CMB (1.06 vs 2.66, p=0.03).
      On individual symptom scores, higher score on depression (0.16 vs 0.53, p=0.02)
      and disinhibition (0.01 vs 0.14, p=0.04) was found in those elderly with multiple
      CMBs, independent of demographic and vascular risk factors, history of stroke,
      and other small vessel and large vessel disease markers. CONCLUSIONS: The
      presence of multiple CMBs is associated with high global neuropsychiatric
      disorder burden, in particular symptoms of depression and disinhibition. Future
      studies are recommended to investigate the importance of CMBs in the pathogenesis
      and longitudinal progression of neuropsychiatric disorders in the general elderly
      population.

PMID- 27261504
TI  - Design and Reporting of Targeted Anticancer Preclinical Studies: A Meta-Analysis
      of Animal Studies Investigating Sorafenib Antitumor Efficacy.
AB  - The validity of preclinical studies of candidate therapeutic agents has been
      questioned given their limited ability to predict their fate in clinical
      development, including due to design flaws and reporting bias. In this study, we
      examined this issue in depth by conducting a meta-analysis of animal studies
      investigating the efficacy of the clinically approved kinase inhibitor,
      sorafenib. MEDLINE, Embase, and BIOSIS databases were searched for all animal
      experiments testing tumor volume response to sorafenib monotherapy in any cancer
      published until April 20, 2012. We estimated effect sizes from experiments
      assessing changes in tumor volume and conducted subgroup analyses based on
      prespecified experimental design elements associated with internal, construct,
      and external validity. The meta-analysis included 97 experiments involving 1,761
      animals. We excluded 94 experiments due to inadequate reporting of data. Design
      elements aimed at reducing internal validity threats were implemented only
      sporadically, with 66% reporting animal attrition and none reporting blinded
      outcome assessment or concealed allocation. Anticancer activity against various
      malignancies was typically tested in only a small number of model systems. Effect
      sizes were significantly smaller when sorafenib was tested against either a
      different active agent or combination arm. Trim and fill suggested a 37%
      overestimation of effect sizes across all malignancies due to publication bias.
      We detected a moderate dose-response in one clinically approved indication,
      hepatocellular carcinoma, but not in another approved malignancy, renal cell
      carcinoma, or when data were pooled across all malignancies tested. In support of
      other reports, we found that few preclinical cancer studies addressed important
      internal, construct, and external validity threats, limiting their clinical
      generalizability. Our findings reinforce the need to improve guidelines for the
      design and reporting of preclinical cancer studies. Cancer Res; 76(16); 4627-36.
      (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27261505
TI  - A Radiotracer Strategy to Quantify PARP-1 Expression In Vivo Provides a Biomarker
      That Can Enable Patient Selection for PARP Inhibitor Therapy.
AB  - Despite the availability of PARP inhibitors for cancer therapy, a biomarker to
      clearly stratify patients for selection of this treatment remains lacking. Here
      we describe a radiotracer-based method that addresses this issue, using the novel
      compound [(125)I] KX1: as a PARP-1-selective radiotracer that can accurately
      measure PARP-1 expression in vitro and in vivo The pharmacologic properties of
      the PARP radiotracer [(125)I] KX1: was characterized in multiple cell lines where
      single-agent sensitivity was correlated with [(125)I] KX1: binding to PARP-1. In
      vivo evaluation of [(125)I] KX1: verified in vitro results, validating PARP
      radiotracers to define PARP-1 enzyme expression as an in vivo biomarker. Notably,
      PARP-1 expression as quantified by [(125)I] KX1: correlated positively with the
      cytotoxic sensitivity of cell lines evaluated with PARP inhibitors. Overall, our
      results defined a novel technology with the potential to serve as a companion
      diagnostic to identify patients most likely to respond therapeutically to a PARP
      inhibitor. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4516-24. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27261506
TI  - Incipient Melanoma Brain Metastases Instigate Astrogliosis and Neuroinflammation.
AB  - Malignant melanoma is the deadliest of skin cancers. Melanoma frequently
      metastasizes to the brain, resulting in dismal survival. Nevertheless, mechanisms
      that govern early metastatic growth and the interactions of disseminated
      metastatic cells with the brain microenvironment are largely unknown. To study
      the hallmarks of brain metastatic niche formation, we established a
      transplantable model of spontaneous melanoma brain metastasis in immunocompetent
      mice and developed molecular tools for quantitative detection of brain
      micrometastases. Here we demonstrate that micrometastases are associated with
      instigation of astrogliosis, neuroinflammation, and hyperpermeability of the
      blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, we show a functional role for astrocytes in
      facilitating initial growth of melanoma cells. Our findings suggest that
      astrogliosis, physiologically instigated as a brain tissue damage response, is
      hijacked by tumor cells to support metastatic growth. Studying spontaneous
      melanoma brain metastasis in a clinically relevant setting is the key to
      developing therapeutic approaches that may prevent brain metastatic relapse.
      Cancer Res; 76(15); 4359-71. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27261507
TI  - Definition of a Novel Feed-Forward Mechanism for Glycolysis-HIF1alpha Signaling
      in Hypoxic Tumors Highlights Aldolase A as a Therapeutic Target.
AB  - The hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF1alpha drives expression of many
      glycolytic enzymes. Here, we show that hypoxic glycolysis, in turn, increases
      HIF1alpha transcriptional activity and stimulates tumor growth, revealing a novel
      feed-forward mechanism of glycolysis-HIF1alpha signaling. Negative regulation of
      HIF1alpha by AMPK1 is bypassed in hypoxic cells, due to ATP elevation by
      increased glycolysis, thereby preventing phosphorylation and inactivation of the
      HIF1alpha transcriptional coactivator p300. Notably, of the HIF1alpha-activated
      glycolytic enzymes we evaluated by gene silencing, aldolase A (ALDOA) blockade
      produced the most robust decrease in glycolysis, HIF-1 activity, and cancer cell
      proliferation. Furthermore, either RNAi-mediated silencing of ALDOA or systemic
      treatment with a specific small-molecule inhibitor of aldolase A was sufficient
      to increase overall survival in a xenograft model of metastatic breast cancer. In
      establishing a novel glycolysis-HIF-1alpha feed-forward mechanism in hypoxic
      tumor cells, our results also provide a preclinical rationale to develop aldolase
      A inhibitors as a generalized strategy to treat intractable hypoxic cancer cells
      found widely in most solid tumors. Cancer Res; 76(14); 4259-69. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27261508
TI  - Melanoma Lesions Independently Acquire T-cell Resistance during Metastatic
      Latency.
AB  - Melanoma often recurs after a latency period of several years, presenting a T
      cell-edited phenotype that reflects a role for CD8(+) T cells in maintaining
      metastatic latency. Here, we report an investigation of a patient with multiple
      recurrent lesions, where poorly immunogenic melanoma phenotypes were found to
      evolve in the presence of autologous tumor antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells.
      Melanoma cells from two of three late recurrent metastases, developing within a 6
      year latency period, lacked HLA class I expression. CD8(+) T cell-resistant, HLA
      class I-negative tumor cells became clinically apparent 1.5 and 6 years into
      stage IV disease. Genome profiling by SNP arrays revealed that HLA class I loss
      in both metastases originated from a shared chromosome 15q alteration and
      independently acquired focal B2M gene deletions. A third HLA class I haplotype
      deficient lesion developed in year 3 of stage IV disease that acquired resistance
      toward dominant CD8(+) T-cell clonotypes targeting stage III tumor cells. At an
      early stage, melanoma cells showed a dedifferentiated c-Jun(high)/MITF(low)
      phenotype, possibly associated with immunosuppression, which contrasted with a c
      Jun(low)/MITF(high) phenotype of T cell-edited tumor cells derived from late
      metastases. In summary, our work shows how tumor recurrences after long-term
      latency evolve toward T-cell resistance by independent genetic events, as a means
      for immune escape and immunotherapeutic resistance. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4347-58.
      (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27261509
TI  - DNMT1 Inhibition Reprograms Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells via Upregulation of the
      miR-17-92 Cluster.
AB  - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and other carcinomas are hierarchically
      organized, with cancer stem cells (CSC) residing at the top of the hierarchy,
      where they drive tumor progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. As CSC and
      non-CSC share an identical genetic background, we hypothesize that differences in
      epigenetics account for the striking functional differences between these two
      cell populations. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, play an
      important role in maintaining pluripotency and regulating the differentiation of
      stem cells, but the role of DNA methylation in pancreatic CSC is obscure. In this
      study, we investigated the genome-wide DNA methylation profile of PDAC CSC, and
      we determined the importance of DNA methyltransferases for CSC maintenance and
      tumorigenicity. Using high-throughput methylation analysis, we discovered that
      sorted CSCs have a higher level of DNA methylation, regardless of the
      heterogeneity or polyclonality of the CSC populations present in the tumors
      analyzed. Mechanistically, CSC expressed higher DNMT1 levels than non-CSC.
      Pharmacologic or genetic targeting of DNMT1 in CSCs reduced their self-renewal
      and in vivo tumorigenic potential, defining DNMT1 as a candidate CSC therapeutic
      target. The inhibitory effect we observed was mediated in part through epigenetic
      reactivation of previously silenced miRNAs, in particular the miR-17-92 cluster.
      Together, our findings indicate that DNA methylation plays an important role in
      CSC biology and also provide a rationale to develop epigenetic modulators to
      target CSC plasticity and improve the poor outcome of PDAC patients. Cancer Res;
      76(15); 4546-58. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27261511
TI  - Erratum: Cemento-ossifying fibroma of the jaw.

PMID- 27261510
TI  - MSH2 Dysregulation Is Triggered by Proinflammatory Cytokine Stimulation and Is
      Associated with Liver Cancer Development.
AB  - Inflammation predisposes to tumorigenesis in various organs by potentiating a
      susceptibility to genetic aberrations. The mechanism underlying the enhanced
      genetic instability through chronic inflammation, however, is not clear. Here, we
      demonstrated that TNFalpha stimulation induced transcriptional downregulation of
      MSH2, a member of the mismatch repair family, via NF-kappaB-dependent miR-21
      expression in hepatocytes. Liver cancers developed in ALB-MSH2(-) (/) (-)AID(+),
      ALB-MSH2(-) (/) (-), and ALB-AID(+) mice, in which MSH2 is deficient and/or
      activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AICDA) is expressed in cells with albumin
      producing hepatocytes. The mutation signatures in the tumors developed in these
      models, especially ALB-MSH2(-) (/) (-)AID(+) mice, closely resembled those of
      human hepatocellular carcinoma. Our findings demonstrated that inflammation
      mediated dysregulation of MSH2 may be a mechanism of genetic alterations during
      hepatocarcinogenesis. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4383-93. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27261512
TI  - Radiological presentation of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia mimicking bacterial
      pneumonia.

PMID- 27261513
TI  - Severe tumefactive rebound of multiple sclerosis following fingolimod cessation.

PMID- 27261514
TI  - Diagnostic Accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Infective Endocarditis and Implantable
      Cardiac Electronic Device Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - : Early diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) is based on the yielding of
      blood cultures and echocardiographic findings. However, they have limitations and
      sometimes the diagnosis is inconclusive, particularly in patients with prosthetic
      valves (PVs) and implantable cardiac electronic devices (ICEDs). The primary aim
      of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in
      patients with suspected IE and ICED infection. METHODS: A prospective study with
      80 consecutive patients with suspected IE and ICED infection (65 men and 15 women
      with a mean age of 68 +/- 13 y) between June 2013 and May 2015 was performed in
      our hospital. The inclusion criteria were clinically suspected IE and ICED
      infection at the following locations: native valve (NV) (n = 21), PV (n = 29), or
      ICED (n = 30) (automatic implantable defibrillator [n = 11] or pacemaker [n =
      19]). Whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT with a myocardial uptake suppression protocol
      with unfractionated heparin was performed in all patients. The final diagnosis of
      infection was established by the IE Study Group according to the clinical,
      echocardiographic, and microbiologic findings. RESULTS: A final diagnosis of
      infection was confirmed in 31 patients: NV (n = 6), PV (n = 12), and ICED (n =
      13). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive
      value for 18F-FDG PET/CT were 82%, 96%, 94%, and 87%, respectively. 18F-FDG
      PET/CT was false-negative in all cases with infected NV. 18F-FDG PET/CT was able
      to reclassify 63 of 70 (90%) patients initially classified as possible IE by
      modified Duke criteria. In 18 of 70 cases, 18F-FDG PET/CT changed possible to
      definite IE (26%) and in 45 of 70 cases changed possible to rejected IE (64%).
      Additionally, 18F-FDG PET/CT identified 8 cases of septic embolism and 3 of
      colorectal cancer in patients with a final diagnosis of IE. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG
      PET/CT proved to be a useful diagnostic tool in suspected IE and ICED infection
      and should be included in the diagnostic algorithm for early diagnosis. 18F-FDG
      PET/CT is not useful in the diagnosis of IE in NV but should be also considered
      in the initial assessment of this complex scenario to rule out extracardiac
      complications and possible neoplasms.

PMID- 27261515
TI  - Multiscale Texture Analysis: From 18F-FDG PET Images to Histologic Images.
AB  - : Characterizing tumor heterogeneity using texture indices derived from PET
      images has shown promise in predicting treatment response and patient survival in
      some types of cancer. Yet, the relationship between PET-derived texture indices,
      precise tracer distribution, and biologic heterogeneity needs to be clarified. We
      investigated this relationship using PET images, autoradiographic images, and
      histologic images. METHODS: Three mice bearing orthotopically implanted mammary
      tumors derived from transgenic MMTV-PyMT mice were scanned with 18F-FDG PET/CT.
      The tumors were then sliced, and the slices were imaged with autoradiography and
      stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Six texture indices derived from the PET
      images, autoradiographic images, and histologic images were compared for their
      ability to capture heterogeneity on different scales. RESULTS: The PET-derived
      indices correlated significantly with the autoradiography-derived ones (R = 0.57
      0.85), but the values differed in magnitude. The histology-derived indices
      correlated poorly with the autoradiography- and PET-derived ones (R = 0.06-0.54).
      All indices were slightly to moderately influenced by the difference in voxel
      size and spatial resolution in the autoradiographic images. The autoradiography
      derived indices differed significantly (P < 0.05) between regions with a high
      density of cells and regions with a low density and between regions with
      different spatial arrangements of cells. CONCLUSION: Heterogeneity derived in
      vivo from PET images accurately reflects the heterogeneity of tracer uptake
      derived ex vivo from autoradiographic images. Various tumor-cell densities and
      spatial cell distributions seen on histologic images can be distinguished using
      texture indices derived from autoradiographic images despite the difference in
      voxel size and spatial resolution. Yet, tumor texture derived from PET images
      only coarsely reflects the spatial distribution and density of tumor cells.

PMID- 27261517
TI  - Getting the Most out of 18F-FDG PET Scans: The Predictive Value of 18F-FDG PET
      Derived Blood Flow Estimates for Breast Cancer.

PMID- 27261516
TI  - Reduced Periprocedural Analgesia After Replacement of Water for Injection with
      Glucose 5% Solution as the Infusion Medium for 90Y-Resin Microspheres.
AB  - : The primary aim of our study was to compare the need for periinterventional on
      demand analgesia when water for injection (WFI) was replaced with glucose 5% (G5)
      for 90Y-resin microsphere administration. METHODS: Forty-one patients who
      received 77 radioembolization procedures with G5 (2014-2015) were retrospectively
      matched with 41 patients (77 radioembolization procedures) who received
      radioembolization with WFI (2011-2014) at our center. The need for on-demand pain
      medication was chosen as an objective and accessible measure of periprocedural
      pain experienced by patients. RESULTS: Patients were well matched according to
      sex, age, tumor type and involvement, and prior antiangiogenic therapies.
      Periinterventional analgesic requirements were significantly lower for
      radioembolization procedures performed with G5 than WFI: 5 of 77 (6.5%) versus 29
      of 77 (37.7%), P <= 0,001, respectively. Early stasis (defined as slowed
      antegrade flow, before total vascular stasis) occurred in 12 of 154 (7.8%)
      radioembolization procedures overall and was not different (P <= 0.229) between
      the 2 groups (4/77 [5.2%] vs. 8/77 [10.4%]). CONCLUSION: Slow pulsatile
      administration of 90Y-resin microspheres with WFI is associated with a low rate
      of stasis. Replacement of WFI with G5 significantly reduces the need for
      periprocedural analgesia. These data favor the use G5 for 90Y-resin microsphere
      implantation in daily practice.

PMID- 27261518
TI  - 18F-FDG PET/CT in the Diagnostic Workup of Infective Endocarditis and Related
      Intracardiac Prosthetic Material: A Clear Message.

PMID- 27261519
TI  - Remodeling the Vascular Microenvironment of Glioblastoma with alpha-Particles.
AB  - : Tumors escape antiangiogenic therapy by activation of proangiogenic signaling
      pathways. Bevacizumab is approved for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma,
      but patients inevitably develop resistance to this angiogenic inhibitor. We
      previously investigated targeted alpha-particle therapy with 225Ac-E4G10 as an
      antivascular approach and showed increased survival and tumor control in a high
      grade transgenic orthotopic glioblastoma model. Here, we investigated changes in
      tumor vascular morphology and functionality caused by 225Ac-E4G10. METHODS: We
      investigated remodeling of the tumor microenvironment in transgenic Ntva
      glioblastoma mice using a therapeutic 7.4-kBq dose of 225Ac-E4G10.
      Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical analyses imaged morphologic changes in
      the tumor blood-brain barrier microenvironment. Multicolor flow cytometry
      quantified the endothelial progenitor cell population in the bone marrow.
      Diffusion-weighted MR imaged functional changes in the tumor vascular network.
      RESULTS: The mechanism of drug action is a combination of remodeling of the
      glioblastoma vascular microenvironment, relief of edema, and depletion of
      regulatory T and endothelial progenitor cells. The primary remodeling event is
      the reduction of both endothelial and perivascular cell populations. Tumor
      associated edema and necrosis were lessened, resulting in increased perfusion and
      reduced diffusion. Pharmacologic uptake of dasatinib into tumor was enhanced
      after alpha-particle therapy. CONCLUSION: Targeted antivascular alpha-particle
      radiation remodels the glioblastoma vascular microenvironment via a multimodal
      mechanism of action and provides insight into the vascular architecture of
      platelet-derived growth factor-driven glioblastoma.

PMID- 27261520
TI  - 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT Detects the Location and Extent of Primary Prostate Cancer.
AB  - : We evaluated the accuracy of PET/CT with 68Ga-PSMA-HBED-CC-a 68Ga-conjugated
      ligand of human prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-to localize cancer in
      the prostate and surrounding tissue at initial diagnosis. METHODS: Twenty-one
      patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer underwent 68Ga-PSMA-HBED-CC (68Ga
      PSMA) PET/CT at a median of 4 d (range, 0-47 d) before radical prostatectomy.
      Based on a 6-segment model, the Gleason score and proportion of tumor tissue
      within each segment (segmental tumor burden, or STB) as determined by
      histopathology (STBHP) were correlated with SUVmax and STB as determined by
      different SUV cutoffs for 68Ga-PSMA PET (STBPET1-6). Furthermore, the involvement
      of seminal vesicles and other extracapsular extension were assessed by
      histopathology and PET/CT. RESULTS: Histopathology-positive segments (n = 100 of
      126; 79%) demonstrated a significantly higher mean +/- SD SUVmax (11.8 +/- 7.6)
      than histopathology-negative segments (4.9 +/- 2.9; P < 0.001). Receiver
      operating-characteristic analysis revealed an optimal SUVmax cutoff of 6.5 for
      discrimination of histopathology-positive segments from histopathology-negative
      segments (area under the curve, 0.84; P < 0.001), which gave 67% sensitivity, 92%
      specificity, a 97% positive predictive value, a 42% negative predictive value,
      and 72% accuracy. STBPET3 as determined by (2 * blood SUV) + (2 * SD) correlated
      best with STBHP (Pearson rho = 0.68; P < 0.001; mean difference +/- SD, 19% +/-
      15%). PET/CT correctly detected invasion of seminal vesicles (n = 11 of 21
      patients; 52%) with 86% accuracy and tumor spread through the capsule (n = 12;
      57%) with 71% accuracy. CONCLUSION: 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT accurately detected the
      location and extent of primary prostate cancer. Our preliminary findings warrant
      further investigation of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in conjunction with needle biopsy.

PMID- 27261521
TI  - Parametric Binding Images of the TSPO Ligand 18F-DPA-714.
AB  - : 18F-labeled N,N-diethyl-2-(2-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)phenyl]-5,7
      dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-alpha]pyrimidine-3-yl)acetamide (DPA-714) is a radioligand
      for the 18-kDa translocator protein. The purpose of the present study was to
      identify the best method for generating quantitative parametric images of 18F-DPA
      714 binding. METHODS: Ninety-minute dynamic 18F-DPA-714 PET scans with full
      arterial sampling from 6 healthy subjects and 9 Alzheimer disease (AD) patients
      were used. Plasma-input-based Logan graphical analysis and spectral analysis were
      used to generate parametric volume of distribution (VT) images. Five versions of
      Ichise, reference Logan, and 2 basis function implementations (receptor
      parametric mapping and simplified reference tissue model 2 [SRTM2]) of SRTM, all
      using gray matter cerebellum as the reference region, were applied to generate
      nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND) images. RESULTS: Plasma-input Logan
      analysis (r2 = 0.99; slope, 0.88) and spectral analysis (r2 = 0.99, slope, 0.93)
      generated estimates of VT that correlated well with values obtained using
      nonlinear regression. BPND values generated using SRTM2 (r2 = 0.83; slope, 0.95)
      and reference Logan analysis (r2 = 0.88; slope, 1.01) correlated well with
      nonlinear regression-based estimates. CONCLUSION: Both Logan analysis and
      spectral analysis can be used to obtain quantitatively accurate VT images of 18F
      DPA-714. In addition, SRTM2 and reference Logan analysis can provide accurate
      BPND images. These parametric images could be used for voxel-based comparisons.

PMID- 27261522
TI  - New Fetal Dose Estimates from 18F-FDG Administered During Pregnancy:
      Standardization of Dose Calculations and Estimations with Voxel-Based
      Anthropomorphic Phantoms.
AB  - : Data from the literature show that the fetal absorbed dose from 18F-FDG
      administration to the pregnant mother ranges from 0.5E-2 to 4E-2 mGy/MBq. These
      figures were, however, obtained using different quantification techniques and
      with basic geometric anthropomorphic phantoms. The aim of this study was to
      refine the fetal dose estimates of published as well as new cases using realistic
      voxel-based phantoms. METHODS: The 18F-FDG doses to the fetus (n = 19; 5-34 wk of
      pregnancy) were calculated with new voxel-based anthropomorphic phantoms of the
      pregnant woman. The image-derived fetal time-integrated activity values were
      combined with those of the mothers' organs from the International Commission on
      Radiological Protection publication 106 and the dynamic bladder model with a 1-h
      bladder-voiding interval. The dose to the uterus was used as a proxy for early
      pregnancy (up to 10 wk). The time-integrated activities were entered into
      OLINDA/EXM 1.1 to derive the dose with the classic anthropomorphic phantoms of
      pregnant women, then into OLINDA/EXM 2.0 to assess the dose using new voxel-based
      phantoms. RESULTS: The average fetal doses (mGy/MBq) with OLINDA/EXM 2.0 were
      2.5E-02 in early pregnancy, 1.3E-02 in the late part of the first trimester, 8.5E
      03 in the second trimester, and 5.1E-03 in the third trimester. The differences
      compared with the doses calculated with OLINDA/EXM 1.1 were +7%, +70%, +35%, and 
      8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Except in late pregnancy, the doses estimated with
      realistic voxelwise anthropomorphic phantoms are higher than the doses derived
      from old geometric phantoms. The doses remain, however, well below the threshold
      for any deterministic effects. Thus, pregnancy is not an absolute
      contraindication of a clinically justified 18F-FDG PET scan.

PMID- 27261523
TI  - Flutriciclamide (18F-GE180) PET: First-in-Human PET Study of Novel Third
      Generation In Vivo Marker of Human Translocator Protein.
AB  - : Neuroinflammation is associated with neurodegenerative disease. PET
      radioligands targeting the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) have been used as
      in vivo markers of neuroinflammation, but there is an urgent need for novel
      probes with improved signal-to-noise ratio. Flutriciclamide (18F-GE180) is a
      recently developed third-generation TSPO ligand. In this first study, we
      evaluated the optimum scan duration and kinetic modeling strategies for 18F-GE180
      PET in (older) healthy controls. METHODS: Ten healthy controls, 6 TSPO high
      affinity binders, and 4 mixed-affinity binders were recruited. All subjects
      underwent detailed neuropsychologic tests, MRI, and a 210-min 18F-GE180 dynamic
      PET/CT scan using metabolite-corrected arterial plasma input function. We
      evaluated 5 different kinetic models: irreversible and reversible 2-tissue
      compartment models, a reversible 1-tissue model, and 2 models with an extra
      irreversible vascular compartment. The minimal scan duration was established
      using 210-min scan data. The feasibility of generating parametric maps was also
      investigated using graphical analysis. RESULTS: 18F-GE180 concentration was
      higher in plasma than in whole blood during the entire scan duration. The volume
      of distribution (VT) was 0.17 in high-affinity binders and 0.12 in mixed-affinity
      binders using the kinetic model. The model that best represented brain 18F-GE180
      kinetics across regions was the reversible 2-tissue-compartment model (2TCM4k),
      and 90 min resulted as the optimum scan length required to obtain stable
      estimates. Logan graphical analysis with arterial input function gave a VT highly
      consistent with VT in the kinetic model, which could be used for voxelwise
      analysis. CONCLUSION: We report for the first time, to our knowledge, the kinetic
      properties of the novel third-generation TSPO PET ligand 18F-GE180 in humans:
      2TCM4k is the optimal method to quantify the brain uptake, 90 min is the optimal
      scan length, and the Logan approach could be used to generate parametric maps.
      Although these control subjects have shown relatively low VT, the methodology
      presented here forms the basis for quantification for future PET studies using
      18F-GE180 in different pathologies.

PMID- 27261524
TI  - Value of 68Ga-PSMA HBED-CC PET for the Assessment of Lymph Node Metastases in
      Prostate Cancer Patients with Biochemical Recurrence: Comparison with
      Histopathology After Salvage Lymphadenectomy.
AB  - : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Glu-NH-CO-NH-Lys
      (Ahx)-[68Ga(HBED-CC)] PET compared with morphologic imaging for the assessment of
      lymph node metastases (LNM) in patients with recurrent prostate cancer. METHODS:
      Forty-eight patients (median age, 71 y; interquartile range, 66-74 y) with
      biochemical recurrence (median prostate-specific antigen level, 1.31 ng/mL;
      interquartile range, 0.75-2.55 ng/mL) who underwent 68Ga-prostate-specific
      membrane antigen (PSMA) HBED-CC PET/CT or PET/MR and salvage lymphadenectomy were
      retrospectively included. Institutional review board approval and written
      informed consent were obtained from all patients for the purpose of anonymized
      evaluation and publication of their data. Standardized predefined lymph node (LN)
      template fields (n = 10) were evaluated in 68Ga-PSMA HBED-CC PET and morphologic
      imaging for the presence of LNM using a 5-point-scale. Additionally, SUVmean/max
      and size of suspicious lesions were determined. Specificity of 68Ga-PSMA HBED-CC
      PET imaging for PET-positive LNs was defined by comparison to histopathology. The
      diagnostic accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA HBED-CC PET compared with morphologic imaging
      alone was assessed, and areas under the receiver-operating-characteristic curves
      are presented. RESULTS: LNM were found histologically in 68 of 179 resected
      anatomic LN fields (38.0%). The specificity of 68Ga-PSMA HBED-CC PET and
      morphologic imaging was 97.3% and 99.1%, respectively. However, 68Ga-PSMA HBED-CC
      PET detected LNM in 53 of 68 histopathologically proven metastatic LN fields
      (77.9%) whereas morphologic imaging was positive in only 18 of 67 (26.9%). 68Ga
      PSMA HBED-CC PET imaging performed significantly superior to morphologic imaging
      for detection of LNM (difference in the areas under the receiver-operating
      characteristic curves, 0.139; 95% confidence interval, 0.063-0.214; P < 0.001).
      In 68Ga-PSMA HBED-CC PET, the mean size of PET-positive LN measured by CT or MRI
      was 8.3 +/- 4.3 mm (range, 4-25 mm), and LNs, which were suspicious only in CT or
      MRI, presented with a mean size of 13.0 +/- 4.9 mm (range, 8-25 mm). CONCLUSION:
      68Ga-PSMA HBED-CC PET imaging is a promising method for early detection of LNM in
      patients with biochemical recurrent prostate cancer. It is more accurate than
      morphologic imaging and thus might represent a valuable tool for guiding salvage
      lymphadenectomy.

PMID- 27261525
TI  - The N-Methyl d-Aspartate Glutamate Receptor Antagonist Ketamine Disrupts the
      Functional State of the Corticothalamic Pathway.
AB  - The non-competitive N-methyl d-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist
      ketamine elicits a brain state resembling high-risk states for developing
      psychosis and early stages of schizophrenia characterized by sensory and
      cognitive deficits and aberrant ongoing gamma (30-80 Hz) oscillations in cortical
      and subcortical structures, including the thalamus. The underlying mechanisms are
      unknown. The goal of the present study was to determine whether a ketamine
      induced psychotic-relevant state disturbs the functional state of the
      corticothalamic (CT) pathway. Multisite field recordings were performed in the
      somatosensory CT system of the sedated rat. Baseline activity was challenged by
      activation of vibrissa-related prethalamic inputs. The sensory-evoked thalamic
      response was characterized by a short-latency (~4 ms) prethalamic-mediated
      negative sharp potential and a longer latency (~10 ms) CT-mediated negative
      potential. Following a single subcutaneous injection of ketamine (2.5 mg/kg),
      spontaneously occurring and sensory-evoked thalamic gamma oscillations increased
      and decreased in power, respectively. The power of the sensory-related gamma
      oscillations was positively correlated with both the amplitude and the area under
      the curve of the corresponding CT potential but not with the prethalamic
      potential. The present results show that the layer VI CT pathway significantly
      contributes in thalamic gamma oscillations, and they support the hypothesis that
      reduced NMDAR activation disturbs the functional state of CT and corticocortical
      networks.

PMID- 27261526
TI  - Host Habitat Volatiles Enhance the Olfactory Response of the Larval Parasitoid
      Holepyris sylvanidis to Specifically Host-Associated Cues.
AB  - Host foraging of parasitic wasps attacking insects living in stored food may be
      guided by volatile cues emanating from these postharvest products. However,
      little knowledge is available as to how habitat odor released from noninfested
      stored food affects the parasitoid's response to host-specific chemicals. In this
      study, we investigated the impact of wheat grist odor on the olfactory host
      search by the ectoparasitoid Holepyris sylvanidis This parasitoid attacks larvae
      of the confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum, a common pest of grain products.
      Olfactometer bioassays showed that female H. sylvanidis were attracted by
      volatiles released from host larval feces, whereas odor of noninfested wheat
      grist was neither attractive nor did it mask the host-indicating cues. We
      analyzed the odor of host larval feces and wheat grist by coupled
      gaschromatography-mass spectrometry and recorded the parasitoid's
      electroantennographic (EAG) responses to the detected volatiles. Two specifically
      host-associated components of the fecal odor, (E)-2-nonenal and 1-pentadecene,
      elicited strong EAG responses. Both components were attractive when tested
      individually, but less than larval feces. Attraction of parasitoids to these host
      specific key compounds was enhanced by addition of (i) noninfested habitat
      substrate odor or (ii) a blend of 3 EAG-active (but not behaviorally active)
      volatiles that had been identified in odor of noninfested grist (benzaldehyde, 1
      tetradecene, 1-hexadecene), but were also detected in the host fecal odor. The
      impact of these volatiles ubiquitously released in a food store by noninfested
      habitat substrate on the parasitoid's orientation to host-specific volatile cues
      is discussed.

PMID- 27261527
TI  - Simultaneous Determination of Genotoxic Impurities in Fudosteine Drugs by GC-MS.
AB  - A simple, sensitive and reliable gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
      method has been developed, optimized and validated for the simultaneous
      determination of 3-chloro-1-propanol (CHP), 1,3-dichloropropane (DCP), 3
      chloropropylacetate (CPA) and chloropropyl hydroxypropyl ether (CHE) contents in
      fudosteine, using chlorobenzene as internal standard. Efficient chromatographic
      separations were achieved on an Agilent J&W DB-WAXetr, 30 m long with 0.32 mm
      i.d., 1.0 um particle diameter column that consists of bonded and cross-linked
      polyethylene glycol as a stationary phase by passing helium as the carrier gas.
      The analytes were extracted in dichloromethane and monitored by gas
      chromatography electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) with selective
      ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The performance of the method was assessed by
      evaluating specificity, precision (repeatability and reproducibility),
      sensitivity, linearity and accuracy. The limit of detection and limit of
      quantification established for CHP, DCP, CPA and CHE were in the range of 0.05
      0.08 ug mL(-1) and 0.10-0.17 ug mL(-1), respectively. The recoveries for CHP,
      DCP, CPA and CHE were in the range of 92.0-101.5%. The results proved that the
      method is suitable for the simultaneous determination of contents of CHP, DCP,
      CPA and CHE in fudosteine. 

PMID- 27261528
TI  - Astrocyte resilience to oxidative stress induced by insulin-like growth factor I
      (IGF-I) involves preserved AKT (protein kinase B) activity.

PMID- 27261529
TI  - Ambient temperature as a trigger of preterm delivery in a temperate climate.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that elevated ambient temperatures may
      trigger preterm delivery. Since results from studies in temperate climates are
      inconclusive, we investigated the association between temperature and the risk of
      preterm birth in Flanders (Belgium). METHODS: We used data on 807 835 singleton
      deliveries (January 1998-July 2011). We combined a quasi-Poisson model with
      distributed lag non-linear models to allow for delayed and non-linear temperature
      effects, accounting for the daily pregnancies at risk and their gestational age
      distribution. RESULTS: For moderate heat (95th vs 50th centile) up to 1 day
      before delivery (lag 0-1), the risk of preterm birth increased by 8.5% (95% CI
      2.4% to 15.0%) when minimum temperature increased from 8.3 degrees C to 16.3
      degrees C and by 9.6% (95% CI 1.1% to 18.7%) when maximum temperature increased
      from 14.7 degrees C to 26.5 degrees C. Corresponding estimates for extreme heat
      (99th vs 50th centile) were 15.6% (95% CI 4.8% to 27.6%) for minimum temperature
      (19.0 degrees C vs 8.3 degrees C) and 14.5% (95% CI 0.5% to 30.6%) for maximum
      temperature (30.7 degrees C vs 14.7 degrees C). Despite the increased risk of
      preterm birth associated with cold at lag 2 (and lag 1 for minimum temperature),
      cumulative cold effects were small. The per cent change in preterm birth
      associated with moderate cold (5th vs 50th centile) up to 3 days before delivery
      (lag 0-3) was 2.1% (95% CI -4.1% to 8.7%) for minimum temperature (-2.0 degrees C
      vs 8.3 degrees C) and 0.6% (95% CI -7.3% to 9.2%) for maximum temperature (2.5
      degrees C vs 14.7 degrees C). CONCLUSIONS: Even in a temperate climate, ambient
      temperature may trigger preterm delivery, suggesting that pregnant women should
      avoid temperature extremes.

PMID- 27261530
TI  - Molecular functions of the transcription factors E2A and E2-2 in controlling
      germinal center B cell and plasma cell development.
AB  - E2A is an essential regulator of early B cell development. Here, we have
      demonstrated that E2A together with E2-2 controlled germinal center (GC) B cell
      and plasma cell development. As shown by the identification of regulated E2A,E2-2
      target genes in activated B cells, these E-proteins directly activated genes with
      important functions in GC B cells and plasma cells by inducing and maintaining
      DNase I hypersensitive sites. Through binding to multiple enhancers in the Igh 3'
      regulatory region and Aicda locus, E-proteins regulated class switch
      recombination by inducing both Igh germline transcription and AID expression. By
      regulating 3' Igk and Igh enhancers and a distal element at the Prdm1 (Blimp1)
      locus, E-proteins contributed to Igk, Igh, and Prdm1 activation in plasmablasts.
      Together, these data identified E2A and E2-2 as central regulators of B cell
      immunity.

PMID- 27261531
TI  - The effect of metropolitan-area mortgage delinquency on health behaviors, access
      to health services, and self-rated health in the United States, 2003-2010.
AB  - The recent housing crisis offers the opportunity to understand the effects of
      unique indicators of macroeconomic conditions on health. We linked data on the
      proportion of mortgage borrowers per US metropolitan-area who were at least 90
      days delinquent on their payments with individual-level outcomes from a
      representative sample of 1,021,341 adults surveyed through the Behavioral Risk
      Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) between 2003 and 2010. We estimated the
      effects of metropolitan-area mortgage delinquency on individual health behaviors,
      medical coverage, and health status, as well as whether effects varied by
      race/ethnicity. Results showed that increases in the metropolitan-area
      delinquency rate resulted in decreases in heavy alcohol consumption and increases
      in exercise and health insurance coverage. However, the delinquency rate was also
      associated with increases in smoking and obesity in some population groups,
      suggesting the housing crisis may have induced stress-related behavioral change.
      Overall, the effects of metropolitan-area mortgage delinquency on population
      health were relatively modest.

PMID- 27261532
TI  - Identifying components in consent information needed to support informed decision
      making about trial participation: An interview study with women managing cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research governance requires patients give informed consent to
      participate in clinical trials. However, there are concerns that consent
      information may not support patient participation decisions. This study
      investigates the utility of consent information in supporting women's trial
      participation decisions when receiving treatment for cancer. DESIGN: An interview
      study with women receiving cancer treatments at a medical oncology outpatient
      clinic in Yorkshire (UK). All women over 18 years, not admitted to a hospital
      ward and who had currently or previously been invited to take part in a trial
      were invited to take part in the study over a three month period. Interviews were
      audio-tape recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS:
      Of those eligible (n = 41), 21 women with breast (n = 11), ovarian (n = 8) and
      endometrial (n = 2) cancer participated (mean age = 57 years). Eighteen had made
      at least one trial decision and three were considering taking part in a trial.
      Findings are synthesised under two analytical themes: 1) Influence of the cancer
      and cancer treatment context on decision making for trial participation; and 2)
      Experiences of the consenting process and their influence on decision making.
      CONCLUSIONS: Designing trial information to represent explicitly the trial
      participation decision as being between standard care and study-related care
      options is more likely to effectively support patients in making informed
      decisions between standard care treatments and taking part in a trial.

PMID- 27261533
TI  - Regional inequalities in self-rated health in Russia: What is the role of social
      and economic capital?
AB  - Using the data from the European Social Survey (round 6, 2012), this article
      studies regional inequalities in self-rated health in Russia and examines the
      role that socio-demographic factors and economic and social capital play in these
      differences. Also, the regional variation in the determinants of self-rated
      health is analysed. The article argues that there are considerable and
      statistically significant unadjusted differences in self-rated health across
      Russian Federal Districts. We elaborated these differences by regression
      adjustments, with the result that some of the differences were explained by our
      predictors and some were amplified. The odds for good self-rated health were
      lower in the Volga than in Central Russia due to age and socio-economic
      composition. In contrast, the regression adjustments amplified the differences of
      the Northwest and the South in comparison to the Central District. The odds for
      good self-rated health were considerably lower in the Far Eastern part of the
      country than in the Central District, independently of the adjustments. While
      social and economic capital predicted good self-rated health at the individual
      level, they did not explain regional differences. Interaction analyses revealed
      regional variation in some of the determinants of self-rated health. Most
      notably, the effects of age, trade union membership and volunteering depended on
      the regional context. This article argues that the healthcare reforms that
      transfer funding responsibilities to regional administration may be dangerous for
      the already less affluent and less healthy rural regions. Thus, regional
      governance has a growing importance in preventing increases in health
      inequalities.

PMID- 27261534
TI  - The social life of the dead: The role of post-mortem examinations in medical
      student socialisation.
AB  - Dissection has held a privileged position in medical education although the
      professional values it inculcates have been subject to intense debate. Claims
      vary from it generating a dehumanising level of emotional detachment, to
      promotion of rational and dispassionate decision-making, even to being a positive
      vehicle for ethical education. Social scientists have positioned dissection as a
      critical experience in the emotional socialisation of medical students. However,
      curricular revision has provoked debate about the style and quantity of anatomy
      teaching thus threatening this 'rite of passage' of medical students.
      Consequently, some UK medical schools do not employ dissection at all. In its
      place, observation of post-mortem examinations - a long established, if
      underutilised, practice - has re-emerged in an attempt to recoup aspects of
      anatomical knowledge that are arguably lost when dissection is omitted. Bodies
      for post-mortem examinations and bodies for dissection, however, have striking
      differences, meaning that post-mortem examinations and dissection cannot be
      considered comparable opportunities to learn anatomy. In this article, we explore
      the distinctions between dissection and post-mortem examinations. In particular,
      we focus on the absence of a discourse of consent, concerns about bodily
      integrity, how the body's shifting ontology, between object and person, disrupts
      students' attempts to distance themselves, and how the observation of post-mortem
      examinations features in the emotional socialisation of medical students.

PMID- 27261535
TI  - Multimodality imaging for solution of the old dilemma: Pannus or thrombus.

PMID- 27261536
TI  - Oral butyrate reduces oxidative stress in atherosclerotic lesion sites by a
      mechanism involving NADPH oxidase down-regulation in endothelial cells.
AB  - Butyrate is a 4-carbon fatty acid that has antiinflammatory and antioxidative
      properties. It has been demonstrated that butyrate is able to reduce
      atherosclerotic development in animal models by reducing inflammatory factors.
      However, the contribution of its antioxidative effects of butyrate on
      atherogenesis has not yet been studied. We investigated the influence of butyrate
      on oxidative status, reactive oxygen species (ROS) release and oxidative enzymes
      (NADPH oxidase and iNOS) in atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE(-/-) mice and in
      oxLDL-stimulated peritoneal macrophages and endothelial cells (EA.hy926). The
      lesion area in aorta was reduced while in the aortic valve, although lesion area
      was unaltered, superoxide production and protein nitrosylation were reduced in
      butyrate-supplemented mice. Peritoneal macrophages from the butyrate group
      presented a lower free radical release after zymosan stimulus. When endothelial
      cells were pretreated with butyrate before oxLDL stimulus, the CCL-2 and
      superoxide ion productions and NADPH oxidase subunit p22phox were reduced. In
      macrophage cultures, in addition to a reduction in ROS release, nitric oxide and
      iNOS expression were down-regulated. The data suggest that one mechanism related
      to the effect of butyrate on atherosclerotic development is the reduction of
      oxidative stress in the lesion site. The reduction of oxidative stress related to
      NADPH oxidase and iNOS expression levels associated to butyrate supplementation
      attenuates endothelium dysfunction and macrophage migration and activation in the
      lesion site.

PMID- 27261537
TI  - Pharmacogenetics of dabigatran etexilate interindividual variability.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Dabigatran etexilate is given in fixed doses without coagulation
      monitoring for the prevention of blood clots in at risk adults. A high inter
      individual variability in blood concentrations of the active metabolite of
      dabigatran has been reported. ABCB1 and CES1 exert an important effect in the
      metabolism of dabigatran etexilate and allele variants at these two loci are
      likely to play a pivotal role. To investigate whether screening for polymorphisms
      within the ABCB1 and the CES1 genes would explain a portion of the inter
      individual variability in blood concentrations of the active metabolite of
      dabigatran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a cohort of patients who had atrial
      fibrillation and on anticoagulant prophylaxis with dabigatran etexilate, we
      investigated whether genotypes at rs4148738 (ABCB1), rs8192935 (CES1), and
      rs2244613 (CES1) loci would affect plasma dabigatran trough and peak
      concentrations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Among 92 patients (median age: 72.0years,
      range: 52-92) analyzed, no clinical variable or genotype was associated with a
      significant difference in dabigatran peak concentrations. As for trough
      concentrations, in addition to creatinine clearance, and sex a significant
      association with the CES1 SNP rs8192935 (p=0.023) was detected. The mean adjusted
      plasma levels were higher among patients with the CC genotype (86.3ng/dl) than in
      those carrying the T allele (62.1ng/dl). No significant effect was found for the
      ABCB1 SNP rs4148738. The CES1 SNP rs8192935 significantly influenced the
      dabigatran trough concentrations and carriers of the T allele showed
      significantly lower concentrations than did carriers of the CC genotype.

PMID- 27261538
TI  - High-dose corticosteroid associated with catheter-related thrombosis after
      allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT)
      recipients are at an increased risk of thrombotic complications, most of which
      are catheter-related and present a substantial challenge. The incidence of CRT
      varies considerably depending on clinical factors. However, the underlying
      pathogenesis and risk factors remain unclear. METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective nested case-control study in patients following allo-HSCT.
      Thrombotic episodes were diagnosed based on the clinical suspicion of the
      physician (pain, swelling, etc.) with subsequent CVC or PICC thrombosis confirmed
      via duplex ultrasound. Cases with CRT and controls were matched for time of HSCT,
      age at HSCT, donor source and type of insertion (CVCs or PICC). RESULTS: During
      the 8-year period, catheters were placed in 2896 patients, with a total of 40
      patients (1.38%) developed CRT, among which 11 were associated with CVCs and 29
      were associated with PICCs. The median duration from catheter insertion to
      thrombosis was 97days. Despite reports of an association between thrombosis and
      infection, central line-associated bloodstream infection was comparable between
      groups. No significant differences were noted in terms of primary disease, donor
      type, conditioning regimen or catheter type between the cases and controls. A
      multivariate regression analysis identified high-dose corticosteroids as
      independent risk factors for the development of CRT. CRT seems to negatively
      affect prognosis in allo-HSCT patients. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we demonstrate
      that the use of high-dose corticosteroids is correlated with the onset of CRT.
      However, the efficacy and safety of thromboprophylaxis in this population require
      further investigation.

PMID- 27261539
TI  - Do people reason rationally about causally related events? Markov violations,
      weak inferences, and failures of explaining away.
AB  - Making judgments by relying on beliefs about the causal relationships between
      events is a fundamental capacity of everyday cognition. In the last decade,
      Causal Bayesian Networks have been proposed as a framework for modeling causal
      reasoning. Two experiments were conducted to provide comprehensive data sets with
      which to evaluate a variety of different types of judgments in comparison to the
      standard Bayesian networks calculations. Participants were introduced to a
      fictional system of three events and observed a set of learning trials that
      instantiated the multivariate distribution relating the three variables. We
      tested inferences on chains X1->Y->X2, common cause structures X1<-Y->X2, and
      common effect structures X1->Y<-X2, on binary and numerical variables, and with
      high and intermediate causal strengths. We tested transitive inferences,
      inferences when one variable is irrelevant because it is blocked by an
      intervening variable (Markov Assumption), inferences from two variables to a
      middle variable, and inferences about the presence of one cause when the
      alternative cause was known to have occurred (the normative "explaining away"
      pattern). Compared to the normative account, in general, when the judgments
      should change, they change in the normative direction. However, we also discuss a
      few persistent violations of the standard normative model. In addition, we
      evaluate the relative success of 12 theoretical explanations for these
      deviations.

PMID- 27261540
TI  - Effects of rhythm on memory for spoken sequences: A model and tests of its
      stimulus-driven mechanism.
AB  - Immediate memory for spoken sequences depends on their rhythm - different levels
      of accuracy and patterns of error are seen according to the way in which items
      are spaced in time. Current models address these phenomena only partially or not
      at all. We investigate the idea that temporal grouping effects are an emergent
      property of a general serial ordering mechanism based on a population of
      oscillators locally-sensitive to amplitude modulations on different temporal
      scales. Two experiments show that the effects of temporal grouping are
      independent of the predictability of the grouping pattern, consistent with this
      model's stimulus-driven mechanism and inconsistent with alternative accounts in
      terms of top-down processes. The second experiment reports detailed and
      systematic differences in the recall of irregularly grouped sequences that are
      broadly consistent with predictions of the new model. We suggest that the bottom
      up multi-scale population oscillator (or BUMP) mechanism is a useful starting
      point for a general account of serial order in language processing more widely.

PMID- 27261542
TI  - From Bench to Bedside: Understanding Stress-Obesity Research Within the Context
      of Translation to Improve Pediatric Behavioral Weight Management.
AB  - A growing body of literature suggests that stress, including chronic stress and
      acute physiologic stress reactivity, is one contributor to the development and
      maintenance of obesity in youth. Little has been done to apply the literature on
      stress and obesity risk to inform the development of pediatric behavioral weight
      control (BWC) interventions. The aims of this review are to (1) discuss research
      linking stress and pediatric obesity, (2) provide examples of the implications of
      the stress-obesity research for pediatric BWC development, and (3) propose that a
      mindfulness-based approach may be useful in targeting stress reduction within
      pediatric BWC.

PMID- 27261541
TI  - National Institutes of Health Update: Translating Basic Behavioral Science into
      New Pediatric Obesity Interventions.
AB  - Pediatric obesity increases the risk of later-life obesity and chronic diseases.
      Basic research to better understand factors associated with excessive weight gain
      in early life and studies translating research findings into preventive and
      therapeutic strategies are essential to our ability to better prevent and treat
      childhood obesity. This overview describes several National Institutes of Health
      efforts designed to stimulate basic and translational research in childhood
      obesity prevention and treatment. These examples demonstrate the value of
      research in early phase translational pediatric obesity research and highlight
      some promising directions for this important area of research.

PMID- 27261543
TI  - Behavioral Economic Factors Related to Pediatric Obesity.
AB  - Behavioral economics (BE) suggests that food and activity choices are governed by
      costs, available alternatives, and reinforcement. This article reviews basic,
      translational, and intervention research using a BE framework with overweight or
      obese children up to age 18. We address BE concepts and methods, and discuss
      developmental issues, the continuum of BE intervention approaches, findings of
      studies focused on increasing the cost of unwanted behaviors (ie, energy-dense
      food intake and sedentary behavior) and decreasing the cost of desired behaviors
      (ie, healthy food intake and PA), and our team's recent basic behavioral studies
      using BE approaches with minority adolescents.

PMID- 27261544
TI  - Neurocognitive Processes and Pediatric Obesity Interventions: Review of Current
      Literature and Suggested Future Directions.
AB  - Childhood obesity is a significant problem in the United States, but current
      childhood obesity prevention approaches have limited efficacy. Self-regulation
      processes organize behavior to achieve a goal and may shape health behaviors and
      health outcomes. Obesity prevention approaches that focus on the cognitive and
      behavioral mechanisms that underlie self-regulation early in life may therefore
      lead to better outcomes. This article reviews the development of executive
      functioning (EF), identifies influences on EF development, discusses aspects of
      EF relating to increased risk for childhood obesity, and considers how EF-weight
      associations may change across development. Implications for intervention are
      discussed.

PMID- 27261545
TI  - Physical Activity Interventions for Neurocognitive and Academic Performance in
      Overweight and Obese Youth: A Systematic Review.
AB  - This article examines cognitive, academic, and brain outcomes of physical
      activity in overweight or obese youth, with attention to minority youth who
      experience health disparities. Physically active academic lessons may have
      greater immediate cognitive and academic benefits among overweight and obese
      children than normal-weight children. Quasi-experimental studies testing physical
      activity programs in overweight and obese youth show promise; a few randomized
      controlled trials including African Americans show efficacy. Thus, making
      academic lessons physically active may improve inhibition and attentiveness,
      particularly in overweight youngsters. Regular physical activity may be
      efficacious for improving neurologic, cognitive, and achievement outcomes in
      overweight or obese youth.

PMID- 27261547
TI  - Development of a Behavioral Sleep Intervention as a Novel Approach for Pediatric
      Obesity in School-aged Children.
AB  - Despite being the focus of widespread public health efforts, childhood obesity
      remains an epidemic worldwide. Given the now well-documented consequences of
      obesity for childhood health and psychosocial functioning, as well as associated
      morbidity in adulthood, identifying novel, modifiable behaviors that can be
      targeted to improve weight control is imperative. Enhancing children's sleep may
      show promise in assisting with weight regulation. The present paper describes the
      development of a brief behavioral sleep intervention for school-aged children,
      including preliminary findings of this work as well as areas for future study.

PMID- 27261546
TI  - Treating Obesity in Preschoolers: A Review and Recommendations for Addressing
      Critical Gaps.
AB  - Developing interventions targeting obesity reduction in preschoolers is an
      emergent area. Although intensive, multicomponent interventions seem a promising
      approach to preschool obesity reduction, this review identifies and discusses
      approaches to 3 critical gaps (poor reach to families from low-income and
      minority backgrounds, lack of sufficient evidence to determine the most effective
      and efficient treatment components and approaches to treating obesity in early
      childhood, and lack of consensus on how best to discern intervention
      effectiveness) that need to be addressed to advance the preschool obesity
      literature.

PMID- 27261548
TI  - Effective Patient-Provider Communication in Pediatric Obesity.
AB  - Effective patient-provider communication is not a primary focus of medical school
      curricula. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered, directive
      communication framework appropriate for in health care. Research on MI's causal
      mechanisms has established patient change talk as a mediator of behavior change.
      Current MI research focuses on identifying which provider communication skills
      are responsible for evoking change talk. MI recommends informing, asking, and
      listening. Research provides evidence that asking for and reflecting patient
      change talk are effective communication strategies, but cautions providers to
      inform judiciously. Supporting a patient's decision making autonomy is an
      important strategy to promote health behaviors.

PMID- 27261549
TI  - Advances in Motivational Interviewing for Pediatric Obesity: Results of the Brief
      Motivational Interviewing to Reduce Body Mass Index Trial and Future Directions.
AB  - Rates of childhood obesity in the United States remain at historic highs. The
      pediatric primary care office represents an important yet underused setting to
      intervene with families. One factor contributing to underuse of the primary care
      setting is lack of effective available interventions. One evidence-based method
      to help engage and motivate patients is motivational interviewing, a client
      centered and goal-oriented style of counseling used extensively to increase
      autonomous motivation and modify health behaviors. This article summarizes the
      methods and results from a large trial implemented in primary care pediatric
      office and concludes with recommendations for improving the intervention and
      increasing its dissemination.

PMID- 27261550
TI  - New Directions in Behavioral Intervention Development for Pediatric Obesity.

PMID- 27261551
TI  - From Bench to Bedside: T1 Translation of Basic Behavioral Science into Novel
      Pediatric Obesity Interventions.

PMID- 27261552
TI  - Errata.

PMID- 27261553
TI  - Development of sleep/wake, activity and temperature rhythms in newborns
      maintained in a neonatal intensive care unit and the impact of feeding schedules.
AB  - Biological rhythms in infants are described as evolving from an ultradian to a
      circadian pattern along the first months of life. Recently, the use of actigraphy
      and thermistors with memory has contributed to the understanding of temporal
      relations of different variables along development. The aim of this study was to
      describe and compare the development of the rhythmic pattern of wrist
      temperature, activity/rest cycle, sleep/wake and feeding behavior in term and
      preterm newborns maintained in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS:
      Nineteen healthy preterm and seven fullterm newborns had the following variables
      monitored continuously while they were in the NICU: activity recorded by
      actigraphy, wrist temperature recorded with a thermistor and observed sleep and
      feeding behavior recorded by the NICU staff with diaries. Subjects were divided
      in 3 groups according to their gestational age at birth and rhythmic parameters
      were compared. RESULTS: A dominant daily rhythm was observed for wrist
      temperature since the first two weeks of life and no age relation was
      demonstrated. Otherwise, a daily pattern in activity/rest cycle was observed for
      most preterm newborns since 35 weeks of postconceptional age and was more robust
      in term babies. Feeding and sleep/wake data showed an almost exclusive 3h rhythm,
      probably related to a masking effect of feeding schedules. CONCLUSIONS: We found
      that wrist temperature develops a daily pattern as soon as previously reported
      for rectal temperature, and with acrophase profile similar to adults. Moreover,
      we were able to find a daily rhythm in activity/rest cycle earlier than
      previously reported in literature. We also suggest that sleep/wake rhythm and
      feeding behavior follow independent developmental courses, being more suitable to
      masking effects.

PMID- 27261555
TI  - The influence of pedestrian countdown signals on children's crossing behavior at
      school intersections.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that pedestrian countdown signals had different
      influences on pedestrian crossing behavior. The purpose of this study was to
      examine the effects of the installation of countdown signals at school
      intersections on children's crossing behavior. A comparison analysis was carried
      out on the basis of observations at two different school intersections with or
      without pedestrian countdown signals in the city of Jinan, China. Four types of
      children's crossing behavior and child pedestrian-vehicle conflicts were analyzed
      in detail. The analysis results showed that using pedestrian countdown timers
      during the Red Man phase led to more children's violation and running behavior.
      Theses violators created more conflicts with vehicles. However, pedestrian
      countdown signals were effective at helping child pedestrian to complete crossing
      before the red light onset, avoid getting caught in the middle of crosswalk. No
      significant difference was found in children who started crossing during Flashing
      Green Man phase between the two types of pedestrian signals. Moreover, analysis
      results indicated that children who crossed the road alone had more violation and
      adventure crossing behavior than those had companions. Boys were found more
      likely to run crossing than girls, but there was no significant gender difference
      in other crossing behavior. Finally, it's recommended to remove countdown at the
      end of the Red Man phase to improve children's crossing behavior and reduce the
      conflicts with vehicles. Meanwhile other measures are proposed to improve
      children safety at school intersections. 

PMID- 27261554
TI  - Determinants of road traffic safety: New evidence from Australia using state
      space analysis.
AB  - This paper examines the determinants of road traffic crash fatalities in
      Queensland for the period 1958-2007 using a state-space time-series model. In
      particular, we investigate the effects of policies that aimed to reduce drink
      driving on traffic fatalities, as well as indicators of the economic environment
      that may affect exposure to traffic, and hence affect the number of accidents and
      fatalities. The results show that the introduction of a random breath testing
      program in 1988 was associated with a 11.3% reduction in traffic fatalities; its
      expansion in 1998 was associated with a 26.2% reduction in traffic fatalities;
      and the effect of the "Safe4life" program, which was introduced in 2004, was a
      14.3% reduction in traffic fatalities. Reductions in economic activity are also
      associated with reductions in road fatalities: we estimate that a one percent
      increase in the unemployment rate is associated with a 0.2% reduction in traffic
      fatalities. 

PMID- 27261556
TI  - Less is better in geriatrics.

PMID- 27261557
TI  - A meta-analysis synthesizing the effects of pesticides on swim speed and activity
      of aquatic vertebrates.
AB  - Pesticide contaminants are ubiquitous in aquatic environments and pose a threat
      to biodiversity. Pesticides also have diverse mechanisms of action that make it
      difficult to identify impacts on exposed wildlife. Behavioral measures represent
      an important link between physiological and ecological processes, and are often
      used to generalize sub-lethal effects of pesticide exposure. In order to bridge
      the toxicological and behavioral literature, and identify chemical classes that
      denote the largest threat, we conducted a meta-analysis summarizing the effects
      of pesticides on swim speed and activity of aquatic vertebrates. We found that
      exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of pesticides reduced the
      swim speed of exposed amphibians and fish by 35%, and reduced overall activity by
      72%. There were also differences in the magnitude of this effect across chemical
      classes, which likely reflect underlying physiological processes. Pyrethroids,
      carbamates, and organophosphates all produced a large decrease in swim speed,
      where as phosphonoglycines and triazines showed no overall effect. Pyrethroids,
      carbamates, organophosphates, organochlorines, and organotins also produced a
      large decrease in activity, while phosphonoglycines had no overall effect, and
      triazines had the opposite effect of increasing activity. Our results indicate
      that even sub-lethal concentrations of pesticides have a strong effect on
      critical behaviors of aquatic vertebrates, which can affect fitness and alter
      species interactions. We expect our synthesis can be used to identify chemical
      classes producing the largest sub-lethal effects for further research and
      management. 

PMID- 27261558
TI  - Resokaempferol-mediated anti-inflammatory effects on activated macrophages via
      the inhibition of JAK2/STAT3, NF-kappaB and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathways.
AB  - The excessive or prolonged production of inflammatory mediators can result in
      numerous chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis,
      diabetes, and cancer. Therefore, for many inflammatory-related diseases,
      pharmaceutical intervention is required to restrain the excessive release of such
      inflammatory mediators. Novel therapeutics and mechanistic insight are sought for
      the management of chronic inflammatory diseases. Resokaempferol (RES) is a type
      of flavonoid recently reported to demonstrate anti-cancer properties. However,
      the anti-inflammatory capacity of RES has not been studied to date. Therefore,
      this study investigated whether RES is capable of suppressing the inflammatory
      response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and the
      mechanism by which this is achieved. We found that RES attenuated the LPS-induced
      production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),
      cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and IL
      6. RES also inhibited the nuclear translocation of signal transducer and
      activator of transcription (STAT) 3 and reduced the LPS-mediated phosphorylation
      of Janus kinase (JAK) 2 and STAT3 at the sites of Ser727 and Tyr705. RES also
      inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathways in LPS
      induced RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, RES inhibited the activation of the
      JAK2/STAT3 pathway in exogenous IL-6-activated RAW264.7 macrophages. We conclude
      that RES inhibits the inflammatory response in activated macrophages by blocking
      the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway by both LPS and IL-6 signaling. 

PMID- 27261559
TI  - Rate of increase of lung-to-head ratio over the course of gestation is predictive
      of survival in left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with high postnatal
      mortality because of pulmonary hypoplasia. The prognostic utility of serial lung
      to-head circumference measurements as a marker of lung growth has not been
      described. Our objective was to examine the relationship between the rate of
      interval increase of LHR and postnatal survival in left-sided CDH. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed charts of all left-sided CDH patients from January 2004
      to July 2014. All ultrasound studies performed at our institution (n=473) were
      reviewed. Categorical and continuous data were analyzed by chi-square and Mann
      Whitney t-test, respectively, and slope analysis was performed by linear
      regression analysis (p<0.05). RESULTS: A total of 226 patients were studied, with
      154 long-term survivors and 72 non-survivors. Established markers of CDH
      severity, including intrathoracic liver position and requirement for patch
      repair, were significantly increased in non-survivors (p<0.0001). The rate of LHR
      increase as measured by linear regression and slope analysis was significantly
      increased in long-term survivors (p=0.0175). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate
      that the interval increase in LHR levels over the course of gestation correlate
      with survival in left-sided CDH patients. Regular ultrasonographic re-evaluation
      of LHR throughout gestation following diagnosis of CDH may provide prognostic
      insight and help guide patient management.

PMID- 27261560
TI  - The treatment of abdominoscrotal hydrocele: Is there a role for nonoperative
      management?
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) is an uncommon entity. Until
      now, the recommended treatment has been surgical. There is only one successful
      case of nonoperative management reported in literature. We report the largest
      series of children with ASH, and provide evidence in support of an initial
      nonoperative approach. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review of
      patients treated from 1994 to 2015 with ASH at a single institution. RESULTS:
      Thirty patients were identified with ASH, with 29 included in the analysis. Nine
      patients (30%) had operative management with an 80% complication rate. Twenty out
      of 29 patients (70%) were initially managed expectantly. Sixteen (80%) had
      resolution of their abdominal component, twelve (60%) of which went on to have
      full resolution of ASH. Four patients (20%) in this group required operative
      management of ASH. CONCLUSIONS: ASH should be included in the differential
      diagnosis of pediatric scrotal swelling. The "Springing Back Ball Sign" should be
      used as a screening tool. If it is positive, a dynamic ultrasound should be
      performed to confirm the diagnosis. We recommend observation as the first step in
      the management of uncomplicated ASH. It can result in avoidance of operation or
      at least lower the complication risk significantly if operation is required.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 27261561
TI  - Timing of bariatric surgery for severely obese adolescents: a Markov decision
      analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although controversial, bariatric surgery is increasingly being
      performed in adolescents. We developed a model to simulate the effect of timing
      of gastric bypass in obese adolescents on quantity and quality of life. METHODS:
      A Markov state-transition model was constructed comparing two treatment
      strategies: gastric bypass surgery at age 16 versus delayed surgery in adulthood.
      The model simulated a hypothetical cohort of adolescents with body mass index of
      45kg/m(2). Model inputs were derived from current literature. The main outcome
      measure was quality and quantity of life, measured using quality-adjusted life
      years (QALYs). RESULTS: For females, early gastric bypass surgery was favored by
      2.02 QALYs compared to delaying surgery until age 35 (48.91 vs. 46.89 QALYs). The
      benefit was even greater for males, where early surgery was favored by 2.9 QALYs
      (48.30 vs. 45.40 QALYs). The absolute benefit of surgery at age 16 increased; the
      later surgery was delayed into adulthood. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that
      adult surgery was favored only when the values for adverse events were
      unrealistically high. CONCLUSIONS: In our model, early gastric bypass in obese
      adolescents improved both quality and quantity of life. These findings are useful
      for surgeons and pediatricians when counseling adolescents considering weight
      loss surgery.

PMID- 27261562
TI  - Transdiagnostic versus disorder-specific and clinician-guided versus self-guided
      internet-delivered treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder and comorbid disorders:
      A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - Disorder-specific (DS-CBT) and transdiagnostic (TD-CBT) cognitive behaviour
      therapy have both been used to treat social anxiety disorder (SAD). This study
      compared internet-delivered DS-CBT and TD-CBT for SAD across clinician-guided (CG
      CBT) and self-guided (SG-CBT) formats. Participants with SAD (n=233) were
      randomly allocated to receive internet-delivered TD-CBT or DS-CBT and CG-CBT or
      SG-CBT. Large reductions in symptoms of SAD (Cohen's d>=1.01; avg.
      reduction>=30%) and moderate-to-large reductions in symptoms of comorbid
      depression (Cohen's d>=1.25; avg. reduction>=39%), generalised anxiety disorder
      (Cohen's d>=0.86; avg. reduction>=36%) and panic disorder (Cohen's d>=0.53; avg.
      reduction>=25%) were found immediately post-treatment and were maintained or
      further improved to 24-month follow-up. No marked differences were observed
      between TD-CBT and DS-CBT or CG-CBT and SG-CBT highlighting the potential of each
      for the treatment of SAD and comorbid disorders.

PMID- 27261563
TI  - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications in children with heart
      disease.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is quite
      common in the general pediatric population, Its incidence is thought to be even
      higher in the population of patients with congenital heart disease, especially in
      those patients with complex disease and who have had cardiac surgical
      interventions early in life. There has been controversy as to the safety of ADHD
      medications, especially in the latter population of patients. This compendium is
      meant to review the effects of the ADHD medications and the safety of these
      medications in patients with either known or undiagnosed congenital heart
      disease. RECENT FINDINGS: The concern with regard to the use of ADHD medications
      has been as a result of the reports of sudden unexpected deaths among patients
      taking stimulant drugs for ADHD. Therefore, the question of whether or not
      stimulant drugs increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events has led to a
      discussion of the appropriate use of these drugs in patients with known
      cardiovascular disease, as well as a discussion as to the appropriate evaluation
      in order to identify undiagnosed 'at-risk' patients with congenital heart disease
      or arrhythmias. This article will review and amplify these discussions, as well
      as the conclusions that have come forth as a result of these discussions.
      SUMMARY: Currently available data suggest that there is no evidence for serious
      adverse cardiovascular complications in children with known cardiovascular
      diseases including patients of congenital heart disease who are treated with
      stimulant medications. Despite this, if the patient does have known cardiac
      disease, or if the history and physical examination is suggestive of cardiac
      disease, it is suggested that consultation/evaluation with a pediatric
      cardiologist occur. It is extremely unlikely that stimulant medications would be
      contraindicated in almost any condition that falls under this category. However,
      a few specific cardiac conditions might tailor the choice of the specific ADHD
      medication. Therefore the coordination of care between the primary care
      physician, the ADHD medication-prescribing physician, and the pediatric
      cardiologist may be very important in this circumstance.

PMID- 27261564
TI  - White matter integrity in major depressive disorder: Implications of childhood
      trauma, 5-HTTLPR and BDNF polymorphisms.
AB  - This study examined the impact of childhood neglect, serotonin transporter (5
      HTTLPR) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphisms on white
      matter (WM) integrity in major depressive disorder (MDD) using diffusion tensor
      imaging (DTI). Fifty-five medication-free MDD patients and 18 controls underwent
      diffusion tensor imaging scanning, genotyping and completed the Childhood Trauma
      Questionnaire. Tract based spatial statistics (TBSS) findings revealed reduced
      fractional anisotropy (FA) in the MDD group in the anterior internal capsule. 5
      HTTLPR-S'L' heterozygotes in the MDD group exhibited reduced FA in the internal
      capsule relative to S'S' and reduced FA in corona radiata compared to L'L'.
      Probabilistic tractography revealed higher FA in the uncinate fasciculus (UF) for
      BDNF val/val genotype relative to met-carriers, particularly in individuals with
      high depression severity. High depression severity and experiences of childhood
      physical or emotional neglect predicted higher FA in the UF and superior
      longitudinal fasciculus. Reductions in FA were identified for subgroups of MDD
      patients who were 5-HTTLPR heterozygotes and BDNF-met carriers. An association
      between emotional/physical neglect and FA was observed in subjects with high
      depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest that WM connectivity within frontal and
      limbic regions are affected by depression and influenced by experiences of
      neglect and genetic risk factors.

PMID- 27261565
TI  - Automated development of artificial neural networks for clinical purposes:
      Application for predicting the outcome of choledocholithiasis surgery.
AB  - Among various expert systems (ES), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has shown to
      be suitable for the diagnosis of concurrent common bile duct stones (CBDS) in
      patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy. However, their application in
      practice remains limited since the development of ANNs represents a slow process
      that requires additional expertize from potential users. The aim of this study
      was to propose an ES for automated development of ANNs and validate its
      performances on the problem of prediction of CBDS. Automated development of the
      ANN was achieved by applying the evolutionary assembling approach, which assumes
      optimal configuring of the ANN parameters by using Genetic algorithm. Automated
      selection of optimal features for the ANN training was performed using a Backward
      sequential feature selection algorithm. The assessment of the developed ANN
      included the evaluation of predictive ability and clinical utility. For these
      purposes, we collected data from 303 patients who underwent surgery in the period
      from 2008 to 2014. The results showed that the total bilirubin, alanine
      aminotransferase, common bile duct diameter, number of stones, size of the
      smallest calculus, biliary colic, acute cholecystitis and pancreatitis had the
      best prognostic value of CBDS. Compared to the alternative approaches, the ANN
      obtained by the proposed ES had better sensitivity and clinical utility, which
      are considered to be the most important for the particular problem. Besides the
      fact that it enabled the development of ANNs with better performances, the
      proposed ES significantly reduced the complexity of ANNs' development compared to
      previous studies that required manual selection of optimal features and/or ANN
      configuration. Therefore, it is concluded that the proposed ES represents a
      robust and user-friendly framework that, apart from the prediction of CBDS, could
      advance and simplify the application of ANNs for solving a wider range of
      problems.

PMID- 27261566
TI  - Electrocatalytic processes promoted by diamond nanoparticles in enzymatic
      biosensing devices.
AB  - We have developed a biosensing platform for lactate determination based on gold
      electrodes modified with diamond nanoparticles of 4nm of nominal diameter,
      employing the enzyme lactate oxidase and (hydroxymethyl)ferrocene (HMF) as redox
      mediator in solution. This system displays a response towards lactate that is
      completely different to those typically observed for lactate biosensors based on
      other nanomaterials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles or
      even diamond nanoparticles of greater size. We have observed by cyclic
      voltammetry that, under certain experimental conditions, an irreversible wave
      (E(0)=+0.15V) appears concomitantly with the typical Fe(II)/Fe(III) peaks
      (E(0)=+0.30V) of HMF. In this case, the biosensor response to lactate shows
      simultaneous electrocatalytic peaks at +0.15V and +0.30V, indicating the
      concurrence of different feedback mechanisms. The achievement of a biosensor
      response to lactate at +0.15V is very convenient in order to avoid potential
      interferences. The developed biosensor presents a linear concentration range from
      0.02mM to 1.2mM, a sensitivity of 6.1MUAmM(-1), a detection limit of 5.3MUM and
      excellent stability. These analytical properties compare well with those obtained
      for other lactate-based biosensors that also include nanomaterials and employ HMF
      as redox mediator. 

PMID- 27261567
TI  - Investigation of polymer-shelled microbubble motions in acoustophoresis.
AB  - The objective of this paper is to explore the trajectory motion of microsize
      (typically smaller than a red blood cell) encapsulated polymer-shelled gas
      bubbles propelled by radiation force in an acoustic standing-wave field and to
      compare the corresponding movements of solid polymer microbeads. The experimental
      setup consists of a microfluidic chip coupled to a piezoelectric crystal (PZT)
      with a resonance frequency of about 2.8MHz. The microfluidic channel consists of
      a rectangular chamber with a width, w, corresponding to one wavelength of the
      ultrasound standing wave. It creates one full wave ultrasound of a standing-wave
      pattern with two pressure nodes at w/4 and 3w/4 and three antinodes at 0, w/2,
      and w. The peak-to-peak amplitude of the electrical potential over the PZT was
      varied between 1 and 10V. The study is limited to no-flow condition. From
      Gor'kov's potential equation, the acoustic contrast factor, Phi, for the polymer
      shelled microbubbles was calculated to about -60.7. Experimental results
      demonstrate that the polymer-shelled microbubbles are translated and accumulated
      at the pressure antinode planes. This trajectory motion of polymer-shelled
      microbubbles toward the pressure antinode plane is similar to what has been
      described for other acoustic contrast particles with a negative Phi. First,
      primary radiation forces dragged the polymer-shelled microbubbles into proximity
      with each other at the pressure antinode planes. Then, primary and secondary
      radiation forces caused them to quickly aggregate at different spots along the
      channel. The relocation time for polymer-shelled microbubbles was 40 times
      shorter than that for polymer microbeads, and in contrast to polymer microbeads,
      the polymer-shelled microbubbles were actuated even at driving voltages
      (proportional to radiation forces) as low as 1V. In short, the polymer-shelled
      microbubbles demonstrate the behavior attributed to the negative acoustic
      contrast factor particles and thus can be trapped at the antinode plane and
      thereby separated from particles having a positive acoustic contrast factor, such
      as for example solid particles and cells. This phenomenon could be utilized in
      exploring future applications, such as bioassay, bioaffinity, and cell
      interaction studies in vitro in a well-controlled environment.

PMID- 27261568
TI  - The Risk of Cancer With the Use of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein
      in Spine Fusion.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using the Washington State Comprehensive
      Hospital Abstract Reporting System, the Washington State Cancer Registry, and
      Washington State death certificates. OBJECTIVE: To study the possible association
      between recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) and cancer risk.
      SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The use of rhBMP in spine fusion surgery remains
      controversial with respect to its possible role in tumorigenesis. METHODS: We
      compared adults who underwent spine fusion for degenerative disease with and
      without rhBMP between 2002 and 2010. Patients were matched on the basis of age,
      sex, and year of treatment. We excluded patients with a diagnosis of cancer
      before or at the index procedure. The primary outcome was the first diagnosis of
      cancer as identified in the records of the cancer registry. RESULTS: We included
      16,914 patients who had spine fusion, of whom 4246 received rhBMP. During the
      study period, 449 patients received a diagnosis of cancer: 117 (2.76% of 4246) in
      the rhBMP group and 332 (2.62% of 12 668) in the no rhBMP group. The incidence
      rate was similar between the rhBMP and no rhBMP 9.5 and 9.0 per 1000 person
      years, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-1.30).
      There were no differences in the rate of cancer between the two groups in
      subgroups defined on the basis of site of fusion or surgical method. CONCLUSION:
      There was no increase in overall cancer incidence among those receiving rhBMP. An
      important limitation of this and other studies of rhBMP and cancer that have been
      conducted to date is their relatively limited duration of follow-up. The
      examination of cancer incidence following rhBMP administration must continue
      beyond just the first several years to adequately assess the potential of rhBMP
      to influence the occurrence of one or more types of malignancy. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 27261569
TI  - MRI-compatible bone phantom for evaluating ultrasonic thermal exposures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The goal of the proposed study was the development of a magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) compatible bone phantom suitable for evaluating focused
      ultrasound protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High resolution CT images were used
      to segment femur bone. The segmented model was manufactured with (Acrylonitrile
      Butadiene Styrene) ABS plastic using a 3-D printer. The surrounding skeletal
      muscle tissue was mimicked using an agar-silica-evaporated milk gel (2% w/v-2%
      w/v-40% v/v). MR thermometry was used to evaluate the exposures of the bone
      phantom to focused ultrasound. RESULTS: The estimated agar-silica-evaporated milk
      gel's T1 and T2 relaxation times in a 1.5T magnetic field were 776ms and 66ms
      respectively. MR thermometry maps indicated increased temperature adjacent to the
      bone, which was also shown in situations of real bone/tissue interfaces.
      CONCLUSION: Due to growing interest of using MRI guided Focused Ultrasound
      Surgery (MRgFUS) in palliating bone cancer patients at terminal stages of the
      disease, the proposed bone phantom can be utilized as a very useful tool for
      evaluating ultrasonic protocols, thus minimizing the need for animal models. The
      estimated temperature measured and its distribution near the bone phantom/agar
      interface which was similar to temperatures recorded in real bone ablation with
      FUS, confirmed the phantom's functionality.

PMID- 27261570
TI  - PEBP4 silencing inhibits hypoxia-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in
      prostate cancer cells.
AB  - Hypoxia induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to facilitate the
      tumor biology. Phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 (PEBP4) is a member of
      the PEBP family and has been reported to be upregulated in various cancer types.
      The definite function of PEBP4 in regulating the EMT of prostate cancer, however,
      is still unclear. Here, we examined the functional role of PEBP4 and the
      underlying molecular mechanisms in hypoxia-induced EMT in prostate cancer cells.
      Our results showed that PEBP4 mRNA and protein expression was markedly increased
      in the human prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of PEBP4
      significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced migration/invasion and EMT program.
      Furthermore, knockdown of PEBP4 prevented hypoxia-induced the expression of p-Akt
      and p-mTOR in prostate cancer cells. Taken together, this study reported here
      provided evidence that knockdown of PEBP4 inhibited hypoxia-induced EMT in
      prostate cancer cells. Our study uncovered a novel role for PEBP4 in prostate
      cancer progression, which might support the potential for PEBP4 targeting in
      prostate cancer therapy. 

PMID- 27261571
TI  - Cordycepin protects PC12 cells against 6-hydroxydopamine induced neurotoxicity
      via its antioxidant properties.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is
      characterized by degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia
      nigra. Increasing evidence has indicated that oxidative stress plays a pivotal
      role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Therapeutic options that
      target the antioxidant machinery may have potential in the treatment of PD.
      Cordycepin, a nucleoside isolated from Cordyceps species displayed potent
      antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. However, its
      neuroprotective effect against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity as well as underlying
      mechanisms is still unclear. In this present study, we investigated the
      protective effect of cordycepin against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced
      neurotoxicity and its underlying mechanism. We observed that cordycepin
      effectively inhibited 6-OHDA-induced cell death, apoptosis and mitochondrial
      dysfunction. Cordycepin also inhibited cell apoptosis induced by 6-OHDA as
      observed in the reduction of cytochrome c release from the mitochondrial as well
      as the inhibition of caspase-3. In addition cordycepin markedly reduced cellular
      malondialdehyde (MDA) content and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      level. Cordycepin also significantly increased the antioxidant enzymes;
      superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in 6
      OHDA-treated cells. The results obtained unambiguously demonstrated that
      cordycepin protects PC12 cells against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity through its
      potent antioxidant activity. 

PMID- 27261572
TI  - Procyanidins, from Castanea mollissima Bl. shell, induces autophagy following
      apoptosis associated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibition in HepG2 cells.
AB  - Procyanidins from Castanea mollissima Bl. shell (CSPCs) induced autophagy and
      apoptosis in HepG2 cells and its mechanism remains to be examined. In this paper,
      autophagy was measured by the lipid modification of light chain-3 (LC3) and the
      formation of autophagosomes. Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometer analysis
      were used to measure apoptosis. The western blot analysis was used to examine the
      effects of CSPCs on the expression of LC3, PI3K, phosphorylation of AKT, mTOR,
      Bcl-2, Bad, Bax, BID and cleaved caspase 3 in HepG2 cells. The results showed
      that 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and apoptosis inhibitor (Z-VAD) could inhibited the
      death of HepG2 induced by CSPCs for 48h (150MUg/mL). CSPCs induced the
      accumulation of autophagosomes and microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3
      II (LC3-II, a marker of autophagy). P-AKT, PI3K and mTOR were significantly
      decreased on CSPCs exposure. However, these phenomena were not observed in the
      group pretreated with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA and Z-VAD. CSPCs also induced
      the expression of Bad, Bax and Beclin-1 proteins and decreased the expression of
      Bcl-2, which was inhibited by 3-MA and Z-VAD. Moreover the apoptotic cell death
      could be inhibited by 3-MA. In addition, inhibition of LC3-II by siRNA-dependent
      knockdown attenuated the cleavage of caspase 3. These results suggested CSPCs
      could trigger autophagy via inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,
      enhanced apoptosis in HepG2 cells which may be associated with the mitochondria
      dependent signaling way. 

PMID- 27261573
TI  - miR-1301 promotes prostate cancer proliferation through directly targeting
      PPP2R2C.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the worldwide,
      it's important to find new prognostic factors and therapeutic targets. microRNAs
      play critical roles in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Here
      we revealed miR-1301 promoted prostate cancer progression. miR-1301 was
      upregulated in prostate cancer tissues and cells, overexpression of miR-1301
      promoted anchorage-dependent and -independent growth using MTT analysis, colony
      formation analysis and soft agar growth analysis, whereas knockdown of miR-1301
      suppressed anchorage-dependent and -independent growth. We also found
      overexpression of miR-1301 inhibited p27 expression and promoted Cyclin D1
      expression, whereas knockdown of miR-1301 reduced this effect, suggesting miR
      1301 promoted the G1/S transition. These results suggested miR-1301 promoted cell
      proliferation of prostate cancer. microRNAs can inhibit target mRNA translation
      or/and induce mRNA degradation, we found tumor suppresser PPP2R2C was the target
      of miR-1301, simultaneous downregualtion of PPP2R2C and miR-1301 promoted
      anchorage-dependent and -independent growth. These findings suggested miR-1301
      promoted prostate cancer proliferation by inhibiting PPP2R2C, and might a
      therapeutic target for prostate cancer. 

PMID- 27261574
TI  - Curcumin and Ellagic acid synergistically induce ROS generation, DNA damage, p53
      accumulation and apoptosis in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells.
AB  - Cervical cancer and precancerous lesions of the cervix continue to be a global
      health issue, and the medication for the treatment for chronic HPV infection so
      far has not been effective. Potential anticancer and anti HPV activities of two
      known phytochemicals, Curcumin and Ellagic acid were evaluated in HeLa cervical
      cancer cells. Curcumin is a natural compound found in the root of Curcuma longa
      plant and Ellagic acid a polyphenol found in fruits of strawberries, raspberries
      and walnuts. The combination of Curcumin and Ellagic acid at various
      concentrations showed better anticancer properties than either of the drug when
      used alone as evidenced by MTT assay. Besides this, Curcumin and Ellagic acid
      also restore p53, induce ROS formation and DNA damage. Mechanistic study further
      indicated that Curcumin and Ellagic acid show anti-HPV activity as evidenced by
      decrease in the HPV E6 oncoprotein on HeLa cells. 

PMID- 27261575
TI  - Drug membrane transporters and CYP3A4 are affected by hypericin, hyperforin or
      aristoforin in colon adenocarcinoma cells.
AB  - Our previous results have shown that the combination of hypericin-mediated
      photodynamic therapy (HY-PDT) at sub-optimal dose with hyperforin (HP) (compounds
      of Hypericum sp.), or its stable derivative aristoforin (AR) stimulates
      generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to antitumour activity. This
      enhanced oxidative stress evoked the need for an explanation for HY accumulation
      in colon cancer cells pretreated with HP or AR. Generally, the therapeutic
      efficacy of chemotherapeutics is limited by drug resistance related to the
      overexpression of drug efflux transporters in tumour cells. Therefore, the impact
      of non-activated hypericin (HY), HY-PDT, HP and AR on cell membrane transporter
      systems (Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1-MRP1/ABCC1, Multidrug
      resistance-associated protein 2-MRP2/ABCC2, Breast cancer resistance protein -
      BCRP/ABCG2, P-glycoprotein-P-gp/ABCC1) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) was
      evaluated. The different effects of the three compounds on their expression,
      protein level and activity was determined under specific PDT light (T0+, T6+) or
      dark conditions (T0- T6-). We found that HP or AR treatment affected the protein
      levels of MRP2 and P-gp, whereas HP decreased MRP2 and P-gp expression mostly in
      the T0+ and T6+ conditions, while AR decreased MRP2 in T0- and T6+. Moreover, HY
      PDT treatment induced the expression of MRP1. Our data demonstrate that HP or AR
      treatment in light or dark PDT conditions had an inhibitory effect on the
      activity of individual membrane transport proteins and significantly decreased
      CYP3A4 activity in HT-29 cells. We found that HP or AR significantly affected
      intracellular accumulation of HY in HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cells. These
      results suggest that HY, HP and AR might affect the efficiency of anti-cancer
      drugs, through interaction with membrane transporters and CYP3A4. 

PMID- 27261576
TI  - Combinatorial effects of geopropolis produced by Melipona fasciculata Smith with
      anticancer drugs against human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma (HEp-2) cells.
AB  - The identification of natural products exerting a combined effect with
      therapeutic agents could be an alternative for cancer treatment, reducing the
      concentration of the drugs and side effects. Geopropolis (Geo) is produced by
      some stingless bees from a mixture of vegetable resins, gland secretions of the
      bees and soil. It has been used popularly as an antiseptic agent and to treat
      respiratory diseases and dermatosis. To determine whether Geo enhances the
      anticancer effect of carboplatin, methotrexate and doxorubicin (DOX), human
      laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma (HEp-2) cells were treated with Geo alone or in
      combination with each drug. Cell growth, cytotoxicity and apoptosis were
      evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide
      (MTT) assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and flow cytometry. Scratch
      assay was used to analyze cell migration and transmission electron microscopy to
      observe morphologic alterations. The influence of Geo on drug resistance was also
      investigated assessing P-glycoprotein (P-gp) action. Geo inhibited cell
      proliferation and migration. The combination Geo+DOX led to the highest cytotoxic
      activity and induced apoptosis, leading to loss of membrane integrity. Geo had no
      effect on P-gp-mediated efflux of DOX. Data indicate that Geo combined with DOX
      could be a potential clinical chemotherapeutic approach for laryngeal cancer
      treatment. 

PMID- 27261577
TI  - Caffeic acid attenuates oxidative stress, learning and memory deficit in intra
      cerebroventricular streptozotocin induced experimental dementia in rats.
AB  - Oxidative stress has been implicated in cognitive decline as seen during normal
      aging and in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Caffeic acid, a polyphenolic
      compound, has been reported to possess potent antioxidant and neuroprotective
      properties. The role of caffeic acid in experimental dementia is not fully
      understood. Thus the present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic
      potential of caffeic acid in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental dementia
      of Alzheimer's type in rats. Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered
      intracerebroventrically (ICV) on day 1 and 3 (3mg/kg, ICV bilaterally) in Wistar
      rats. Caffeic acid was administered (10, 20 and 40mg/kg/day p.o.) 1h following
      STZ infusion upto 21st day. Morris water maze and object recognition task were
      used to assess learning and memory in rats. Terminally, acetylcholinesterase
      (AChE) activity and the levels of oxido-nitrosative stress markers were
      determined in cortical and hippocampal brain regions of rats. STZ produced
      significant (p<0.001) learning and memory impairment, oxido-nitrosative stress
      and cholinergic deficit in rats. Whereas, caffeic acid treatment significantly
      (p<0.001) and dose dependently attenuated STZ induced behavioral and biochemical
      abnormalities in rats. The observed cognitive improvement following caffeic acid
      in STZ treated rats may be due to its antioxidant activity and restoration of
      cholinergic functions. Our results suggest the therapeutic potential of caffeic
      acid in cognitive disorders such as AD. 

PMID- 27261578
TI  - MicroRNA-128a-induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells contributes to
      pre-eclampsia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pre-eclampsia (PE) can endanger the survival of the mother and
      fetus. Currently, the pathogenesis of PE is not completely understood and no
      fundamental therapeutics are available. The present study was performed to
      determine the function of miR-128a in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells and to
      ascertain its underlying role in the pathogenesis of PE. METHODS: We investigated
      the function of miR-128a in HTR-8/SVneo cells by overexpressing. We analyzed the
      apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo cells by performing apoptosis assays and measured the
      loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltaym), the generation of reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) and caspase activity. In addition, miR-128a target genes
      were predicted. RESULTS: Using computer-based programs, we identified Bax as a
      direct target of miR-128a. In the apoptosis assays of HTR-8/SVneo cells, miR-128a
      decreased the Deltapsim, depleted ATP levels and increased ROS generation,
      cytochrome c release as well as caspase activation. Further studies showed that
      miR-128a induced the apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo cells by down-regulating Bax
      through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. CONCLUSIONS: miR-128a is an up
      regulated miRNA in patient with PE. Our study demonstrated that the miR-128a
      induced apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo cells may contribute to PE and miR-128a may be a
      novel potential therapeutic target for PE.

PMID- 27261579
TI  - Ginkgolide B functions as a determinant constituent of Ginkgolides in alleviating
      lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury.
AB  - Ginkgolides are the major bioactive components of Ginkgo biloba extracts,
      however, the exact constituents of Ginkgolides contributing to their
      pharmacological effects remain unknown. Herein, we have determined the anti
      inflammatory effects of Ginkgolide B (GB) and Ginkgolides mixture (GM) at
      equivalent dosages against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. RAW
      264.7 cell culture model and mouse model of LPS-induced lung injury were used to
      evaluate in vitro and in vivo effects of GB and GM, respectively. In RAW 264.7
      cells, GB and GM at equivalent dosages exhibit an identical capacity to attenuate
      LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein expression and
      subsequent NO production. Likewise, GB and GM possess almost the same potency in
      attenuating LPS-induced expression and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (p65)
      and subsequent increases in tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA levels. In LPS
      induced pulmonary injury, GB and GM at the equivalent dosages have equal
      efficiency in attenuating the accumulation of inflammatory cells, including
      neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages, and in improving the histological
      damage of lungs. Moreover, GB and GM at equivalent dosages decrease the exudation
      of plasma protein to the same degree, whereas GM is superior to GB in alleviating
      myeloperoxidase activities. Finally, though GB and GM at equivalent dosages
      appear to reduce LPS-induced IL-1beta mRNA and protein levels and IL-10 protein
      levels to the same degree, GM is more potent than GB to attenuate the IL-10 mRNA
      levels. Taken together, this study demonstrates that GB functions as the
      determinant constituent of Ginkgolides in alleviating LPS-induced lung injury. 

PMID- 27261580
TI  - MiR-454 promotes the progression of human non-small cell lung cancer and directly
      targets PTEN.
AB  - PURPOSE: MicroRNA-454 has been proven dysregulated in some human malignancies and
      correlated with tumor progression. However, its expression and function in non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was
      to explore the effects of miR-454 in NSCLC tumorigenesis and development.
      METHODS: Using quantitative RT-PCR, we detected miR-454 expression in NSCLC cell
      lines and primary tumor tissues. The association of miR-454 expression with
      clinicopathological factors and prognosis was also analyzed. Then, the effects of
      miR-454 on the biological behavior of NSCLC cells were investigated. At last, the
      potential regulatory function of miR-454 on PTEN expression was confirmed.
      RESULTS: miR-454 was found to be up-regulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines.
      High miR-454 expression was closely correlated with lymph node metastasis,
      advanced TNM stage, and shorter overall survival. Multivariate regression
      analysis corroborated that miR-454 overexpression was an independent unfavourable
      prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC. Down-regulation of miR-454 could
      significantly reduce NSCLC cell proliferation, enhance cell apoptosis, and impair
      cell invasion and migration in vitro, while up-regulation of miR-454 showed
      opposite effects. Further, PTEN was confirmed as a direct target of miR-454 by
      using Luciferase Reporter Assay. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that miR
      454 may act as an oncogene in NSCLC and would serve as a potential therapy target
      for this disease.

PMID- 27261581
TI  - Embryonic develop-associated gene 1 is overexpressed and acts as a tumor promoter
      in thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - Embryonic develop-associated gene 1 (EDAG-1), a hematopoietic tissue-specific
      protein, is usually highly expressed in the placenta, fetal liver, bone marrow
      and leukemia cells, but the expression status in normal or solid tumor tissues is
      rarely reported. In this study, we found that EDAG-1 was up-regulated in thyroid
      carcinoma tissues and cells. Knockdown of EDAG-1 suppressed proliferation and
      enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis of thyroid carcinoma cells. We also
      demonstrated that knockdown of EDAG-1 inactivated the phosphatidylinositol-3
      kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, knockdown of
      EDAG-1 suppressed tumorigenesis of thyroid carcinoma in vivo. Taken together,
      these results suggest that EDAG-1 regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of
      thyroid carcinoma via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27261582
TI  - Silymarin-loaded Eudragit((r)) RS100 nanoparticles improved the ability of
      silymarin to resolve hepatic fibrosis in bile duct ligated rats.
AB  - Some nano-formulations of silymarin (SM), a drug commonly used for liver
      diseases, were developed to overcome its poor solubility and poor
      bioavailability; antifibrotic effect of these formulations has not been tested
      yet. In this study we aimed to formulate and evaluate silymarin-loaded
      Eudragit((r)) RS100 nanoparticles (SMnps) and to test the capability of SMnps to
      reverse an established fibrosis model. SMnps were prepared by solvent evaporation
      and nano-precipitation techniques. The influence of drug:polymer ratio,
      concentration of surfactant in the aqueous phase on particle size, drug
      entrapment efficiency (EE) % and in vitro drug releases were investigated. For in
      vivo evaluation, bile duct ligated (BDL)-rats were treated with either SM or
      SMnps every other day (125mg/kg) orally for 3 weeks started 3 weeks after BDL.
      Liver function tests, oxidative stress and fibrosis/fibrogenesis process were
      evaluated using biochemical and histopathological techniques. The formulation No
      (F4) of SMnps showed an average particle size of 632.28+/-12.15nm, a drug EE% of
      89.47+/-1.65% and released the drug in a prolonged manner over 24h. The prepared
      SMnps were nearly spherical with smooth surfaces. In BDL-rats, treatments with
      either SM or SMnps corrected liver function and oxidative stress. Only SMnps was
      able to reverse the induced fibrosis; SMnps significantly decreased serum tumor
      necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-alpha), serum transforming growth factor- beta1 (TGF
      beta1), hepatic hydroxyproline and downregulated the hepatic expression of tissue
      inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and cytokeratin-19 (CK-19), whilst
      increased hepatic hepatocytes growth factor (HGF) and upregulated the hepatic
      expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and increased MMP-2/TIMP-1 ratio
      at mRNA level. Livers of rats treated with SMnps showed very little collagen in
      ECM and restored hepatic architecture as compared to either BDL rats or rats
      treated with SM. CONCLUSION: Formulation of silymarin as nanoparticles improved
      its ability to resolve cholestasis-induced liver fibrosis by restoring hepatic
      regenerative capabilities. Therefore, formulation of SMnps may represent a step
      forward in the field of anti-fibrotic drug development.

PMID- 27261583
TI  - Nobiletin protects against murine l-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in
      association with downregulating p38MAPK and AKT.
AB  - Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease characterized by acinar cell
      damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation of the pancreas. Nobiletin
      (3',4',5,6,7,8-hexamethoxyflavone), a major polymethoxy flavone, has shown health
      promoting properties in previous studies. Therefore, in this study, we
      investigated whether nobiletin protects against experimental AP induced with l
      arginine. C57BL/6 mice were treated with 25 or 50mg/kg nobiletin by
      intraperitoneal injection once daily for 14 consecutive days. AP was then induced
      in the mice with two intraperitoneal injections of l-arginine (4g/kg). The
      nobiletin treatment significantly reduced the plasma amylase levels, pancreatic
      myeloperoxidase activity, percentage of pancreatic necrosis, plasma
      proinflammatory factors, the generation of reactive oxygen species, cell
      apoptosis, tissue damage, and the expression of phosphorylated p38MAPK (p
      p38MAPK) and p-AKT. These results suggest that nobiletin is a new therapeutic
      method for l-arginine-induced AP in mice. 

PMID- 27261584
TI  - The inhibiting effect of the Coptis chinensis polysaccharide on the type II
      diabetic mice.
AB  - In this paper, we investigated the effects of Coptis chinensis polysaccharide
      (CCP) on hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced
      diabetic C57BL/6J mice. CCP was prepared by extraction from Coptis chinensis and
      oral given to the mice. C57BL/6J mice in each of the 5 groups (eight mice per
      group) were given either the normal diet (ND) (D12450B, 10% kcal% fat; Research
      diet, New Brunswick, NJ, USA), HFD (D12451, 45% kcal% fat; Research diet, New
      Brunswick, NJ, USA), or HFD with CCP of differing hardness (500, 1000, and
      2000ppm) for 20 weeks. Mice given an HFD with CCP showed lowered fasting plasma
      glucose levels compared to HFD-fed mice. Oral and intraperitoneal glucose
      tolerance tests showed that CCP improves impaired glucose tolerance in HFD-fed
      mice. Histopathological evaluation of the pancreas showed that CCP recovers the
      size of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, and increases the secretion of
      insulin and glucagon in HFD-fed mice. Quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction results revealed that the expression of hepatic genes
      involved in glucogenesis, glycogenolysis and glucose oxidation were suppressed,
      while those in glucose uptake, beta-oxidation, and glucose oxidation in muscle
      were increased in mice fed HFD with CCP. CCP increased AMP-dependent kinase
      (AMPK) phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 pre- and mature adipocytes and improved impaired
      AMPK phosphorylation in the muscles and livers of HFD-induced diabetic mice. CCP
      stimulated phosphoinositol-3-kinase and AMPK pathway-mediated glucose uptake in
      3T3-L1 adipocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that CCP has potential
      as an anti-diabetic agent, given its ability to suppress hyperglycemia and
      improve glucose intolerance by increasing glucose uptake. 

PMID- 27261585
TI  - Lobetyol activate MAPK pathways associated with G1/S cell cycle arrest and
      apoptosis in MKN45 cells in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - AIM: The agent lobetyol, which is isolated from Lobelia chinensis, was previously
      shown to be cytotoxicity againts several cancer cell lines in published report.
      Today, we perform a study in vitro and in vivo to analyze its anti-carcinoma
      effect in MKN45 cells and to explore the molecular mechanism. MAIN METHODS: The
      growth inhibition of lobetyol on MKN45 cells was analyzed with MTT and flow
      cytometry. Hoechst 33342 staining and TUNEL cover glass staining were used to
      provide the visual evidence of apoptosis. Western blotting assay was performed to
      study the activation or blocking of related signaling pathways. KEY FINDINGS:
      Lobetyol induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in a time- and dose-dependent
      manner in MKN45 cells in our study. This process is mediated by the MAPK
      signaling pathways. This study confirmed the cytotoxicity of lobetyol in MKN45
      cells and provided an insight into the molecular mechanism, which demonstrates
      the potential of lobetyol as an anti-tumor agent.

PMID- 27261586
TI  - Advances in biomarkers of biliary tract cancers.
AB  - Tumor biomarkers can be applied for early diagnosis or precise treatment, thereby
      leading to personalized treatment and better outcomes. Biliary tract cancers
      (BTCs) are a group of cancers that occurs in different locations and have
      different clinical or genetic properties. Though the incidence of BTCs is rare,
      BTCs are among the most lethal cancers in the world and all have very low 5-year
      survivals. Lack of efficient early diagnostic approaches or adjuvant therapies
      for BTCs are main reasons. These urge us to broaden the researches into BTC
      biomarkers. Although few progresses of diagnostic biomarkers for BTCs have been
      achieved, there are still some advances in prognostic, predictive and therapeutic
      areas. In this review, we will focus on these achievements. 

PMID- 27261587
TI  - Combination of telmisartan with sildenafil ameliorate progression of diabetic
      nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic model.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease in the
      world. Several signaling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of DN
      including elevation in level of angiotensin II, formation of advanced glycation
      end products (AGE), activation of protein kinase c (PKC), and lipid accumulation.
      These pathways activate one another mutually leading to oxidative stress,
      increasing expression of transforming growth factor beta-1(TGF-beta 1) and
      release of interleukins and adhesion molecules, so the aim of this study is to
      interrupt more than pathogenic pathway to ameliorate the progression of DN. In
      the present study, white male rats (N=48) were divided into six groups (8 rats
      each), the first two groups served as normal control and a control vehicle group
      while the remaining four groups were rendered diabetic by a single
      intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) and being left for 4 weeks to
      develop DN. Thereafter, the rats were divided into DN group, DN group receiving
      Telmisartan or Sildenafil or Telmisartan Sildenafil combination. After the
      specified treatment period, urine samples were collected (using metabolic cages)
      to measure proteinuria, animals were then euthanized, blood and tissue samples
      were collected for measurement of Blood glucose,BUN, S.Cr, LDL, NO, TGF-beta1, IL
      1beta, AGEPs, and SOD. The combination therapy showed significant decrease in
      BUN, S.Cr,LDL, TGF-beta1, IL-1beta, Proteinuria and AGEPs and significant
      increase in SOD and NO. The findings showed that combination therapy was able to
      ameliorate DN and that the effects were superior to the single drugs alone. 

PMID- 27261588
TI  - Extracellular matrix protein ITGBL1 promotes ovarian cancer cell migration and
      adhesion through Wnt/PCP signaling and FAK/SRC pathway.
AB  - Despite the advances in cancer treatment and the progresses in tumor biological,
      ovarian cancer remains a bad situation. In current study, we found a novel
      extracellular matrix protein, ITGBL1, which is highly expressed in ovarian cancer
      tissues by immunohistochemistry examination. The expression pattern of ITGBL1 in
      malignant tissues inspired us to investigate its role in ovarian cancer
      progression. Both loss- and gain-function assays revealed that ITGBL1 could
      promote ovarian cancer cell migration and adhesion. As it's a secreted protein,
      we further used recombinant ITGBL1 protein treated cancer cells and found that
      ITGBL1 promotes cell migration and adhesion in a concentration dependent manner.
      Furthermore, we found that ITGBL1 not only influences the activity of Wnt/PCP
      signaling but also affects FAK/src pathway in vitro. Taken together, our results
      suggest that highly expressed ITGBL1 could promotes cancer cell migration and
      adhesion in ovarian cancer and as a secreted protein, ITGBL1 might be a novel
      biomarker for ovarian cancer diagnosis. 

PMID- 27261589
TI  - Overexpression of lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 correlates with poor prognosis and promotes
      tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer.
AB  - Accumulating evidence has shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging
      as key molecules in human malignancies. The lncRNA actin filament associated
      protein 1 antisense RNA1 (AFAP1-AS1) was recently found deregulated in several
      cancers. However, its expression pattern, clinical performance and functional
      roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) had not been addressed. In this study, we found
      that AFAP1-AS1 was aberrantly over-expressed in CRC tissues and closely
      correlated with tumor size, TNM stage and distant metastasis. Kaplan-Meier
      analysis indicated that patients with high level of AFAP1-AS1 expression had
      poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Univariate and
      multivariable Cox regression analyses further identified that up-regulated AFAP1
      AS1 might act as an independent prognostic factor for CRC patients. Moreover,
      AFAP1-AS1 depletion resulted in the inhibition of CRC cell proliferation and
      colony formation. In addition, AFAP1-AS1 knockdown induced G0/G1 cell cycle
      arrest in CRC cells. Taken together, our findings indicate that AFAP1-AS1 is
      significantly up-regulated in CRC, which may act as an oncogene and correlate
      with tumor malignant progression and poor prognosis of CRC. This study may shed a
      new light on better understanding the pathogenesis of CRC. Moreover, AFAP1-AS1
      also may be a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target for this deadly
      disease. 

PMID- 27261591
TI  - AstragalosideII inhibits autophagic flux and enhance chemosensitivity of
      cisplatin in human cancer cells.
AB  - Inhibition of autophagy has been daily served as a promising anti-cancer
      treatment strategies. AstragalosideII (ASII), a main compound isolated from
      traditional Chinese medicine Radix Astragali, has been demonstrated to inhibit
      autophagy and reverse multidrug resistance in human hepatic cancer cells Bel
      7402/5-FU. In this study, we inspected the function and mechanisms of ASII and
      cisplatin on autophagy in human cancer cells, and assessed the effect of ASII on
      cisplatin-induced apoptosis. We found ASII increased LC3II protein level, p62
      protein level and GFP-LC3 puncta accumulation in human cancer cells. Furthermore,
      we found that ASII downregulated the expression of lysosomal cathepsinB/L
      (CTSB/L) in EBSS medium and affected the lysosomal acidification. Finally, we
      demonstrated that cisplatin induced protective autophagy which was involved of
      PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Moreover, ASII in conjunction with cisplatin significant
      reduced cell viability, arrested in S phase and increased apoptosis. In
      conclusion, these findings suggested that ASII served as autophagy inhibitor
      which restored chemosensitivity of anticancer agent cisplatin and enhanced tumor
      cell death. 

PMID- 27261590
TI  - Marine drug Haishengsu increases chemosensitivity to conventional chemotherapy
      and improves quality of life in patients with acute leukemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pharmacological management of acute leukemia remains a challenge. A
      seashell protein Haishengsu (HSS) has been found to exert anticancer activities
      in recent in vitro studies. The aim of this study was to determine whether the
      addition of HSS to the conventional chemotherapies would increase
      chemosensitivity and improves quality of life in patients with acute leukemia.
      METHODS: Two hundred and forty-eight patients with acute leukemia were enrolled
      in a double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. In addition to conventional
      chemotherapy, 142 patients received HSS and 106 received placebo. In an in vitro
      study, the expression of P-gp was evaluated by flow cytometry in a drug-resistant
      leukemia cell line (K562/ADM cells). Sorcin was examined by Western blot.
      RESULTS: The complete remission rates in the HSS treatment group were all higher
      than in the placebo group with non-relapsing leukemia and relapsed leukemia
      (p<0.05). Less patients in the HSS group experienced gastrointestinal side
      effects from chemotherapy, whereas more patients had increased food take and an
      increase in Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score (p<0.01). In vitro, the
      expression of P-gp and sorcin in the HSS treated cells were lower than in the
      control group cells (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: When added to conventional
      chemotherapy, HSS improves the complete remission rates and quality of life in
      patients with acute leukemia. The in vitro findings indicate that suppression of
      P-gp and sorcin genes in leukemia cells may be involved in the beneficial effects
      of HSS.

PMID- 27261592
TI  - Investigation of the anti-glioma activity of Oviductus ranae protein hydrolysate.
AB  - Oviductus Ranae is the dry oviducts of Rana temporaria chensinensis, and it has
      been reported to have a range of biological activities. This study aimed to
      investigate the effects of Oviductus Ranae protein hydrolysate (ORPH) on human
      glioma C6 cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Following in
      vitro treatment, cell viability and colony formation assays showed that ORPH
      inhibited C6 cell proliferation. In addition, the results of western blotting
      also demonstrated that ORPH effectively regulated the expression of the apoptosis
      related proteins, cleaved caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2, DNA staining and flow
      cytometry analysis demonstrated that ORPH significantly promoted apoptosis in
      this cell line, a finding that was confirmed in vivo using terminal
      deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. Further investigation
      demonstrated that ORPH increased apoptosis by modulating the release of
      inflammatory cytokines and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling
      pathway; this was demonstrated using a PI3K/AKT inhibitor (NVP-BEZ235). In
      summary, the present study suggested that ORPH promoted apoptosis and inhibited
      glioma cell proliferation by influencing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27261593
TI  - Quantitative methods in electroencephalography to access therapeutic response.
AB  - Pharmacometrics or Quantitative Pharmacology aims to quantitatively analyze the
      interaction between drugs and patients whose tripod: pharmacokinetics,
      pharmacodynamics and disease monitoring to identify variability in drug response.
      Being the subject of central interest in the training of pharmacists, this work
      was out with a view to promoting this idea on methods to access the therapeutic
      response of drugs with central action. This paper discusses quantitative methods
      (Fast Fourier Transform, Magnitude Square Coherence, Conditional Entropy,
      Generalised Linear semi-canonical Correlation Analysis, Statistical Parametric
      Network and Mutual Information Function) used to evaluate the EEG signals
      obtained after administration regimen of drugs, the main findings and their
      clinical relevance, pointing it as a contribution to construction of different
      pharmaceutical practice. Peter Anderer et. al in 2000 showed the effect of 20mg
      of buspirone in 20 healthy subjects after 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8h after oral ingestion
      of the drug. The areas of increased power of the theta frequency occurred mainly
      in the temporo-occipital - parietal region. It has been shown by Sampaio et al.,
      2007 that the use of bromazepam, which allows the release of GABA (gamma amino
      butyric acid), an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system could
      theoretically promote dissociation of cortical functional areas, a decrease of
      functional connectivity, a decrease of cognitive functions by means of smaller
      coherence (electrophysiological magnitude measured from the EEG by software)
      values. Ahmad Khodayari-Rostamabad et al. in 2015 talk that such a measure could
      be a useful clinical tool potentially to assess adverse effects of opioids and
      hence give rise to treatment guidelines. There was the relation between changes
      in pain intensity and brain sources (at maximum activity locations) during
      remifentanil infusion despite its potent analgesic effect. The statement of
      mathematical and computational aspects in the use of clinical data is frequent
      and elucidation of these aspects we use PhysioNet https://www.physionet.org/,
      Clinical Database online supported by the National Institutes of Health (National
      Institutes of Health of United States of America/NIH-USA) for the acquisition of
      EEG data and the Matlab program to do the simulations with the methods and thus
      create opportunities greater understanding. 

PMID- 27261594
TI  - Clinical aspects of urea cycle dysfunction and altered brain energy metabolism on
      modulation of glutamate receptors and transporters in acute and chronic
      hyperammonemia.
AB  - In living organisms, nitrogen arise primarily as ammonia (NH3) and ammonium
      (NH4(+)), which is a main component of the nucleic acid pool and proteins.
      Although nitrogen is essential for growth and maintenance in animals, but when
      the nitrogenous compounds exceeds the normal range which can quickly lead to
      toxicity and death. Urea cycle is the common pathway for the disposal of excess
      nitrogen through urea biosynthesis. Hyperammonemia is a consistent finding in
      many neurological disorders including congenital urea cycle disorders, reye's
      syndrome and acute liver failure leads to deleterious effects. Hyperammonemia and
      liver failure results in glutamatergic neurotransmission which contributes to the
      alteration in the function of the glutamate-nitric oxide-cGMP pathway, modulates
      the important cerebral process. Even though ammonia is essential for normal
      functioning of the central nervous system (CNS), in particular high
      concentrations of ammonia exposure to the brain leads to the alterations of
      glutamate transport by the transporters. Several glutamate transporters have been
      recognized in the central nervous system and each has a unique physiological
      property and distribution. The loss of glutamate transporter activity in brain
      during acute liver failure and hyperammonemia is allied with increased
      extracellular brain glutamate concentrations which may be conscientious for the
      cerebral edema and ultimately cell death. 

PMID- 27261595
TI  - MDC1-AS, an antisense long noncoding RNA, regulates cell proliferation of glioma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Growing number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as new
      modulators in cancer origination and progression. A lncRNA, mediator of DNA
      damage checkpoint protein 1antisense RNA (MDC1-AS), with unknown function, is the
      antisense transcript of tumor suppressor MDC1. METHOD: In this study, we
      investigated the expression pattern and functional role of lncRNA MDC1-AS in
      glioma by using real time PCR and gain-/loss-of-function studies. RESULT: The
      results showed that the expression levels of lncRNA MDC1-AS and MDC1 were
      significantly downregulated in glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues,
      and in glioma cell lines U87MG, U251 and HEB. Overexpression of MDC1-AS resulted
      in significant inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle in U87MG and U251.
      We also found that MDC1-AS expression was positively correlated with MDC1
      expression. In addition, the inhibitory role of MDC1-AS was remarkably diminished
      when MDC1 was knockdown. CONCLUSION: Together, the results suggest that MDC1-AS
      is a novel tumor suppressor through up-regulation of its antisense tumor
      suppressing gene MDC1 in glioma and leads us to propose that MDC1-AS may serve as
      a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for glioma.

PMID- 27261596
TI  - Prognostic value of plasma D-dimer levels in patients with small-cell lung
      cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little data exists with respect to the relationship between the level
      of plasma D-dimer and prognosis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC).The aim of this
      study was to investigate whether the levels of plasma D-dimer could be served as
      a prognostic factor in patients with SCLC. METHODS: A total of 393 patients with
      SCLC were addressed in the present retrospective study. Plasma D-dimer levels
      were measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. The correlation between plasma D
      dimer levels and other clinical features, progression free survival (PFS) and
      overall survival (OS) was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The plasma D-dimer
      levels were significantly correlated with karnofsky performance status (KPS),
      tumor stage, number of metastatic sites, and treatment response. The PFS and OS
      of patients with elevated D-dimer levels before chemotherapy were significantly
      shorter than that of patients with normal D-dimer levels (PFS: 6.2 months versus
      9.6 months, P<0.001; OS: 15.7 months versus 24.4 months, P<0.001). The patients
      with D-dimer levels converting from high to normal had better PFS and OS than
      those with D-dimer levels remaining high after two cycles of chemotherapy.
      According to multivariate analysis, elevated D-dimer level was confirmed to be an
      independent prognostic factor for worse survival. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated plasma D
      dimer level could be served as an independent determinant of poor prognosis in
      patients with SCLC.

PMID- 27261597
TI  - Effects of chemotherapy agents on Sphingosine-1-Phosphate receptors expression in
      MCF-7 mammary cancer cells.
AB  - Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a potent bioactive sphingolipid involved in the
      regulation of cell proliferation and cancer progression. Increased expression of
      S1P receptors has been detected in advanced breast tumours with poor prognosis
      suggesting that S1P receptors might control tumour response to chemotherapy.
      However, it remains unclear how the levels of S1P receptor expression are
      influenced by chemotherapy agents. Western immunoblotting, PCR analysis and
      fluorescent microscopy techniques were used in this study to analyze expression
      patterns of S1P receptors 2 and 3 (S1P2/S1P3) in MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma
      cells treated by Tamoxifen (TAM) and/or Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). We
      found that TAM/MPA induce downregulation of S1P3 receptors, but stimulate
      expression of S1P2. According to cell viability and caspase activity analyses, as
      expected, TAM activated apoptosis. We also detected TAM/MPA-induced autophagy
      marked by formation of macroautophagosomes and increased level of Beclin 1.
      Combined application of TAM and MPA resulted in synergistic apoptosis- and
      autophagy-stimulating effects. Assessed by fluorescent microscopy with
      autophagosome marker LAMP-2, changes in S1P receptor expression coincided with
      activation of autophagy, suggestively, directing breast cancer cells towards
      death. Further studies are warranted to explore the utility of manipulation of
      S1P2 and S1P3 receptor expression as a novel treatment approach. 

PMID- 27261598
TI  - Effects of nitric oxide system and osmotic stress on Aquaporin-1 in the postnatal
      heart.
AB  - Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is expressed in the heart and its relationship with NO system
      has not been fully explored. The aims of this work were to study the effects of
      NO system inhibition on AQP1 abundance and localization and evaluate AQP1 S
      nitrosylation in a model of water restriction during postnatal growth. Rats aged
      25 and 50days (n=15) were divided in: R: water restriction; C: water ad libitum;
      RL: L-NAME (4mg/kgday)+water restriction; CL: L-NAME+water ad libitum. AQP1
      protein levels, immunohistochemistry and S-nitrosylation (colocalization of AQP1
      and S-nitrosylated cysteines by confocal microscopy) were determined in cardiac
      tissue. We also evaluated the effects of NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on
      osmotic water permeability of cardiac membrane vesicles by stopped-flow
      spectrometry. AQP1 was present in cardiac vascular endothelium and endocardium in
      C and CL animals of both ages. Cardiac AQP1 levels were increased in R50 and RL50
      and appeared in cardiomyocyte plasma membrane. No changes in AQP1 abundance or
      localization were observed in R25, but RL25 group showed AQP1 presence on
      cardiomyocyte sarcolemma. AQP1 S-nitrosylation was increased in R25 group,
      without changes in the 50-day-old group. Cardiac membrane vesicles expressing
      AQP1 presented a high water permeability coefficient and pretreatment with SNP
      decreased water transport. Age-related influence of NO system on AQP1 abundance
      and localization in the heart may affect cardiac water homeostasis during
      hypovolemic state. Increased AQP1 S-nitrosylation in the youngest group may
      decrease osmotic water permeability of cardiac membranes, having a negative
      impact on cardiac water balance. 

PMID- 27261599
TI  - 5,7,4'-Trihydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone and lupalbigenin, active components of
      Derris scandens, induce cell death on breast cancer cell lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Natural products are a potential source for cancer chemotherapeutic
      development. This current study was performed to investigate the anti-tumor
      potential of 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone (TD) and lupalbigenin (LB),
      plant flavonoids found in Derris scandens Benth (family: Leguminosae), in cancer
      and normal cell lines. METHODS: The human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB
      231 and MDA-MB-468, the human colon cancer cell line SW-620, and the mouse
      fibroblast cell line L-929 were used to test their anti-cancer activity.
      Apoptotic cell levels were measured by staining with annexin-V and propidium
      iodide and Western blot analysis was performed to confirm the apoptotic
      mechanism. RESULTS: The results revealed that TD and LB showed specific
      cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. To elucidate mode of cell death
      via cytotoxic activities, breast cancer cell lines were treated. TD and LB
      induced MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells to apoptosis, with the highest number of
      apoptotic cells at 24 and 72h, respectively. Furthermore, TD and LB inhibited
      cell cycle progression via up-regulation of p21. Both compounds stimulated
      apoptosis through down-regulation of bcl-2, up-regulation of bax and releasing of
      cytochrome C proteins. CONCLUSIONS: TD and LB have significant anti-cancer
      effects against human breast cancer cells via cell cycle arrest and the induction
      of apoptosis through mitochondria signaling pathways, and may be potential anti
      cancer agents for the treatment of breast cancer.

PMID- 27261600
TI  - Grape seed and skin extract protects against bleomycin-induced oxidative stress
      in rat lung.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lung fibrosis is a common side effect of the chemotherapeutic agent
      bleomycin and current evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species play a key
      role in the development of lung injury. We examined whether grape seed and skin
      extract (GSSE), a polyphenolic mixture exhibiting antioxidant properties, is able
      to protect against bleomycin-induced lung oxidative stress and injury. METHODS:
      Rats were pre-treated during three weeks either with vehicle (ethanol 10%
      control) or GSSE (4g/kg), then administered with a single high dose bleomycin
      (15mg/kg) at the 7th day. RESULTS: Bleomycin increased lung lipoperoxidation,
      carbonylation and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities as catalase (CAT),
      superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Bleomycin also
      induced copper depletion from the lung and iron accumulation within the lung, but
      had no effect on either zinc nor manganese. Correlatively bleomycin decreased the
      copper associated enzyme tyrosinase, increased the zinc dependent lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH) and did not affect the manganese dependent glutamine
      synthetase. GSSE efficiently counteracted almost all bleomycin-induced oxidative
      stress, biochemical and morphological changes of lung tissue. CONCLUSION: Data
      suggest that GSSE exerts potent antioxidant properties that could find potential
      application in the protection against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis.

PMID- 27261601
TI  - Histone deacetylase inhibitor sulforaphane: The phytochemical with vibrant
      activity against prostate cancer.
AB  - Epigenetic modifications are closely involved in the patho-physiology of prostate
      cancer. Histone deacetylases (HDACs), the transcriptional corepressors have
      strong crosstalk with prostate cancer progression as they influence various genes
      related to tumour suppression. HDACs play a marked role in myriad of human
      cancers and as such are emerging as striking molecular targets for anticancer
      drugs and therapy. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), the small-molecules
      interfering HDACs are emerging as promising chemotherapeutic agents. These
      inhibitors have shown multiple effects including cell growth arrest,
      differentiation and apoptosis in prostate cancer. The limited efficacy of HDACi
      as single agents in anticancer therapy has been strongly improved via novel
      therapeutic strategies like doublet therapy (combined therapy). More than 20HDACi
      have already entered into the journey of clinical trials and four have been
      approved by FDA against diverse cancers. This review deals with plant derived
      HDACi sulphoraphane (SFN; 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)-butane) and its
      potential role in prostate cancer therapy along with the underlying molecular
      mechanism being involved. The article further highlights the therapeutic strategy
      that can be utilized for sensitizing conventional therapy resistant cases and for
      acquiring the maximum therapeutic benefit from this promising inhibitor in the
      upcoming future. 

PMID- 27261602
TI  - Curcumin protects cardiac myocyte against hypoxia-induced apoptosis through
      upregulating miR-7a/b expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Curcumin has properties of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti
      infection and anti-tumor, benefiting for the treatment of many diseases. The
      present study was aimed to investigate the role of curcumin in myocardial
      infarction (MI) and its potential mechanism involving transcription factor
      specific protein 1 (SP1). METHODS: After receiving curcumin, C57BL/6 mice
      subjected to left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion to induce
      MI model. Infarct size was measured by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining.
      In vitro experiments, mouse cardiac myocytes (MCM) subjected to hypoxia after the
      incubation of curcumin, miR-7a/b and SP1 expression levels were detected by real
      time PCR and western blot. Caspase-3 activity and TUNEL assay were performed to
      assess the cell apoptosis. RESULTS: In animal experiments, curcumin significantly
      reduced the infarct size compared with the control. It also up-regulated miR-7a/b
      expression and down-regulated SP1 expression. In hypoxia-induced MCM, curcumin
      led to the decrease of cell apoptosis. Transfected MCM with miR-7a/b inhibitor,
      curcumin induced the decrease of cell apoptosis and SP1 expression was reversed.
      Transfected with pcDNA-SP1, the decrease of cardiac myocytes apoptosis after the
      treatment of curcumin was also reversed. CONCLUSION: Curcumin pre-treatment
      protected against hypoxia-induced cardiac myocytes apoptosis through the up
      regulation of miR-7a/b and the down-regulation of SP1 expression.

PMID- 27261603
TI  - Photodynamic efficiency of a chlorophyll-a derivative in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - This paper reports the antitumor activity of a chlorophyll-a derivative, 2-[1
      hydroxyethyl]-2-devinylpyropheophorbide-a (HEPa). Photophysical characteristics
      of HEPa were measured. And its cytotoxicity, intracellular localization,
      biodistribution, efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT), histological analysis
      were investigated using human bile duct carcinoma cells (QBC-939) and QBC-939
      tumor bearing BABL/c nude mice as animal model. The results showed that HEPa was
      localized mainly within the cytoplasmic region and partially in lysosome.
      Biodistribution of HEPa in QBC-939 tumor bearing BABL/c nude mice showed its fast
      rate of clearance and high tumor selectivity. In vitro, HEPa had low dark
      toxicity and high photoxicity against QBC-939 cells. The inhibition rate of QBC
      939 tumor could increase up to 92.3%, and H&E staining confirmed that HEPa could
      cause serious damage to the tumor with light dose of 100J/cm(2), implying that
      HEPa has potential to be a new antitumor candidate for photodynamic therapy
      (PDT). 

PMID- 27261604
TI  - Long-term exercise training as a modulator of mammary cancer vascularization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of death by cancer worldwide.
      It is commonly accepted that angiogenesis and the expression of angiogenic
      factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is associated with
      the increased risk of metastasis and poor patient outcome. OBJECTIVE: This work
      aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term exercise training on the growth and
      vascularization of mammary tumors in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty
      female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: two N-methyl-N
      nitrosourea (MNU)-exposed groups (exercised and sedentary) and two control groups
      (exercised and sedentary). MNU was administered once, intraperitoneally at 7
      weeks-old. Animals were then exercised on a treadmill for 35 weeks. Mammary
      tumors were evaluated using thermography, ultrasonography [Power Doppler (PDI), B
      Flow and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)], and immunohistochemistry (VEGF-A).
      RESULTS: Both, MNU sedentary and exercised groups showed 100% of tumor incidence,
      but exercised animals showed less tumors with an increased latency period.
      Exercise training also enhanced VEGF-A immunoexpression and vascularization
      (microvessel density, MVD) (p<0.05), and reduced histological aggressiveness.
      Ultrasound and thermal imaging analysis confirmed the enhanced vascularization of
      tumors on exercised animals. CONCLUSION: Long-term exercise training increased
      VEGF-A expression, leading to enhanced tumor vascularization and reduced tumor
      burden, multiplicity and histological aggressiveness.

PMID- 27261606
TI  - Selective inhibition of EZH2 by ZLD10A blocks H3K27 methylation and kills mutant
      lymphoma cells proliferation.
AB  - EZH2 (Enhancer of zeste homolog 2) is the catalytic subunit of the polycomb
      repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which is involved in repressing gene expression by
      methylating lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27) and regulates cell proliferation.
      EZH2 overexpression is implicated in tumorigenesis and has been a candidate
      oncogene in several tumor types. Recently, point mutations of EZH2 at Tyr641 and
      Ala677 were identified in diffuse large B cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma,
      where they drive H3K27 hypertrimethylation and cancer progression. Here, we
      reported a novel, highly potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of EZH2,
      ZLD10A, which inhibited wild-type and mutant versions of EZH2 with nanomolar
      potency and had greater than 1000-fold selectivity against 10 other histone
      methyltransferases. Our results have shown that the compound suppressed global
      H3K27 methylation and cause the anti-proliferation effects in a concentration-
      and time-dependent manner in DLBCL cell lines. These results demonstrated that
      ZLD10A, as a novel EZH2 inhibitor, could be a potential promising agent for the
      treatment of EZH2 mutant lymphoma. 

PMID- 27261605
TI  - Saikosaponin a functions as anti-epileptic effect in pentylenetetrazol induced
      rats through inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Saikosaponin a (SSa), which is one major bioactive compound isolated
      from radix bupleuri, has been demonstrated to exhibit the properties of
      anticonvulsant and antiepileptic in few reports. This study aims to clarify the
      molecular mechanism by which SSa protects against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced
      epileptic seizure. METHODS: PTZ induced rat and hippocampal neuron were
      established. Treated rats or hippocampal neuron with SSa, and mTOR, P70S6K, IL
      1beta and TNF-alpha were then determined. RESULTS: In PTZ induced rat, SSa
      significantly reduced seizure severity and duration while markedly elevated
      seizure latency, and it also down-regulated hippocampal p-mTOR, p-70S6K, L-1beta
      and TNF-alpha expression. In hippocampal neurons exposed to PTZ, p-mTOR and p
      70S6K expression levels were also decreased by SSa. Pre-incubated hippocampal
      neurons with leucine, an mTOR agonist, reversed the effects of SSa on decreasing
      cytokines expression and inhibiting cell apoptosis. The treatment of mTOR
      inhibitor rapamycin prevented against the increase of cytokines expression and
      hippocampal neuron apoptosis induced by PTZ. Leucine also canceled the
      alleviation of seizures and induction of hippocampal caspase-3 activity in PTZ
      induced rat with the treatment of SSa. CONCLUSION: SSa protects against PTZ
      induced epileptic seizure and hippocampal neuron apoptosis through inhibiting
      mTOR signaling pathway.

PMID- 27261607
TI  - Antidepressant effect of pramipexole in mice forced swimming test: A cross talk
      between dopamine receptor and NMDA/nitric oxide/cGMP pathway.
AB  - Pramipexole is a dopamine D2 receptor agonist indicated for treating Parkinson
      disorder. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of pramipexole in forced
      swimming test (FST) in mice and the possible involvement of activation of D2
      receptors and inhibition of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and nitric
      oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) on this effect. Intraperitoneal
      administration of pramipexole (1-3mg/kg) reduced the immobility time in the FST
      similar to fluoxetine (20mg/kg, i.p.). This effect of pramipexole (1mg/kg, i.p.)
      was ceased when mice were pretreated with haloperidol (0.15mg/kg, i.p,) and
      sulpiride (5mg/kg, i.p) as D2 receptor antagonists, NMDA (75mg/kg,i.p.), l
      arginine (750mg/kg, i.p., a substrate for nitric oxide synthase) or sildenafil
      (5mg/kg, i.p., a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor). The administration of MK-801
      (0.05mg/kg, i.p., a NMDA receptor antagonist) l-NG-Nitro arginine methyl ester (l
      NAME, 10mg/kg, i.p., a non-specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor), 7
      nitroindazole (30mg/kg, i.p., a neuronal NOS inhibitor) and methylene blue
      (10mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of both NOS and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in
      combination with the sub-effective dose of pramipexole (0.3mg/kg, i.p.) reduced
      the immobility. Altogether, our data suggest that the antidepressant-like effect
      of pramipexole is dependent on the activation of D2 receptor and inhibition of
      either NMDA receptors and/or NO-cGMP synthesis. These results contribute to the
      understanding of the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant-like effect of
      pramipexole and reinforce the role of D2 receptors, NMDA receptors and l-arginine
      NO-GMP pathway in the antidepressant mechanism of this agent. 

PMID- 27261608
TI  - Tumor suppressor microRNAs: Targeted molecules and signaling pathways in breast
      cancer.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women whose prevalence is
      increasing every year. Common strategies for diagnosis, prognosis and specific
      treatment of breast cancer need improvements to increase patients' survival. For
      this reason, there is growing number of efforts world-wide with molecular
      approaches. With the advent of microRNAs (miRNAs), they have been interested for
      almost all aspects of tumorgenesis and correlation of breast cancer and microRNAs
      was discovered for the first time in 2005. MiRNAs form a group of small noncoding
      RNAs which participate in regulation of gene expression and subsequently several
      biological processes and pathogenesis of various diseases. As other cancers,
      miRNAs involved in breast cancer are classified in two groups: the first group is
      tumor inducing miRNAs (also called oncomirs) that can induce tumor initiation and
      progression, and their expression is increased in cancerous cells. The second
      group is tumor suppressor miRNAs. In normal situation, tumor suppressor miRNAs
      prevent beginning and progression of breast cancer through suppressing the
      expression of various oncogenes. In this review we will give a general overview
      about miRNAs and breast cancer, and in the following, more discussion about tumor
      suppressor miRNAs, with focus on the best known of them and their targeted
      oncogenes and signaling pathways. Finally, we will point to application of this
      group of miRNAs in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of patients. 

PMID- 27261609
TI  - The protective effect of juglanin on fructose-induced hepatitis by inhibiting
      inflammation and apoptosis through TLR4 and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways in
      fructose-fed rats.
AB  - High fructose-feeding is an essential causative factor leading to the development
      and progression of hepatitis associated with high levels of endotoxin (LPS).
      Juglanin, as a natural compound extracted from the crude Polygonum aviculare,
      displayed inhibitory activity against inflammation response and cancer growth.
      However, researches about its role on anti-inflammation and apoptosis are far
      from available. Here, it is the first time that juglanin was administrated to
      investigate whether it inhibits fructose-feeding-induced hepatitis in rats and to
      elucidate the possible mechanism by which juglanin might recover it. Fructose
      feeding rats were orally administrated with juglanin of 5, 10 and 20mg/kg for 6
      weeks, respectively. Juglanin exerted prevention of fructose-feeding-stimulated
      increased LPS levels, accelerated alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate
      transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and up-regulated inflammatory
      cytokines expression in serum, mainly including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF
      a), Interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Interleukin 18 (IL
      18). Meanwhile, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-modulated mitogen-activated protein
      kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and apoptosis-related Janus
      kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)
      signaling pathway are involved in the progression of hepatic injury and
      inflammation. And juglanin was found to suppress fructose-feeding-induced
      activation of these signaling pathways compared with the model group
      administrated only with fructose. These results indicate that juglanin represses
      inflammatory response and apoptosis via TLR4-regulated MAPK/NF-kappaB and
      JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway respectively in rats with hepatitis induced by LPS
      for fructose-feeding. Treatment of juglanin might be an effective therapeutic
      strategy for preventing hepatitis. 

PMID- 27261610
TI  - Protective effect of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract against Paraquat-induced
      pulmonary fibrosis in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis induced by paraquat (PQ) has caused a large number
      of human fatalities all over the world, especially in Asian region. The main
      potential mechanism of PQ toxicity has been thought to be mediated by ROS. The
      present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the Berberis vulgaris
      fruit extract (BVFE) against PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. METHODS:
      Forty male rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups each
      containing eight rats. Groups 1 and 2, served as a negative and positive control
      and received a single dose of intratracheal instillation of saline and PQ
      (20mg/kg), respectively. Groups 3-5 were treated with different doses of BVFE
      (100, 200, 400mg/kg/day, orally) 1 week before the PQ injection and continued for
      3 weeks. The rats were sacrificed 21days after PQ. Malondialdehyde (MDA),
      Hydroxyproline, inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
      alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in lung
      tissue were determined. Presence of fibrosis, inflammatory cells, connective
      tissue and collagen deposition in lung were evaluated microscopically by
      hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Dried extract was standardized by amount of
      berberine by HPTLC methods by silica gel plate. RESULTS: The results showed that
      PQ could significantly increase the lung MDA, hydroxyproline, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and
      TGF-beta1 levels. BVFE ameliorated the biochemical and histological lung
      alterations induced by PQ. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates the
      hydroalcolic extract of Berberis vulgaris fruit has beneficial effects in rat
      pulmonary fibrosis induced by PQ in a dose-dependent manner, possibly by anti
      oxidant and anti- inflammatory properties, which might be due to its berberine
      alkaloid content.

PMID- 27261611
TI  - Protection of rats spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibition of MiR
      497 on inflammation and apoptosis: Possible role in pediatrics.
AB  - MicroRNAs are extensively included in the pathogenesis and progression of many
      diseases by inhibiting target gene expression. Recently, studies have
      demonstrated that microRNA-497 (miR-497) may be implicated in human breast cancer
      that miR-497 predicts the prognosis of breast cancer patients from the
      posttranscriptional level. However, the specific function of miR-497 in spinal
      cord ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is far from clear nowadays. The present
      study was designed to determine the role of miR-497 in spinal cord IR injury and
      investigate the underlying spinal cord protective mechanism. The rat spinal cord
      IR injury model was performed by occluding the left anterior descending coronary
      artery for 30 min, which is then followed by 12h reperfusion. As predicted, miR
      497 over-expression markedly decreased the expression of IL-1 receptor associated
      kinase (IRAK1) and Cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB). Moreover,
      Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and Caspase-3, as
      miR-497 potential targets were significantly suppressed after miR-497
      transfection, then preventing inflammatory cytokines and factors regulating
      apoptosis. We also found that tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) and interleukin
      1beta (IL-1beta) activity, pro-apoptotic related genes, such as extracellular
      regulated protein kinases (ERK), Bcl-2 Associated X Protein (Bax), Bcl-2, Bcl-xL
      levels were all decreased associated with the down-regulation of IRAK1 and CREB.
      In conclusion, our data demonstrate that miR-497 could inhibit inflammation and
      apoptosis of spinal cord IR through its targets, IRAK1 of TLR4 and CREB signaling
      pathway. Thus, miR-497 may constitute a new therapeutic target for the prevention
      of spinal cord IR injury. 

PMID- 27261612
TI  - Pterostilbene, a novel natural plant conduct, inhibits high fat-induced
      atherosclerosis inflammation via NF-kappaB signaling pathway in Toll-like
      receptor 5 (TLR5) deficient mice.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is a specific form of an artery wall thickens, a syndrome
      affecting arterial blood vessels due to a chronic inflammatory response in the
      walls of arteries, which is promoted by fat accumulation. Toll-like receptors
      (TLRs) play prominent roles in inflammatory responses. And TLR5 is overexpressed
      in several diseases. Here in our study, we investigated the effect of TLR5 in
      high fat-induced atherosclerosis via NF-kappaB signaling pathway modulating pro
      inflammatory cytokines releasing. Our results found that high fat induced
      atherosclerosis in wild type mice with fat accumulation and inflammatory response
      through NF-kappaB activation. Contrastly, TLR5 knockout mice displayed lower fat
      accumulation and ameliorated inflammation after high fat feeding with NF-kappaB
      inactivation. In addition, pterostilbene, as a natural dimethyl ether derivative
      of resveratrol mainly from blueberries, has diverse pharmacological activities,
      especially anti-inflammation. Our study also found that pterostilbene displayed
      inhibited role in suppressing inflammatory response through inactivating NF
      kappaB signaling pathway regulated by TLR5 down-regulation in high fat-induced
      mice. Moreover, in vitro experiments of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs)
      challenged with LPS or TNF-alpha, further indicated that NF-kappaB was involved
      in atherosclerosis progression, leading to high secretion of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines. However, VSMCs from TLR5 deficient mice inhibited phosphorylated
      levels of NF-kappaB signalilng pathway, finally resulting in down-regulation of
      inflammatory cytokines. Notably, pterostilbene also displayed suppressed role in
      inflammatory response via NF-kappaB inactivity in LPS or TNF-alpha-induced VSMCs
      by decreasing TLR5 expression. The results above indicated a novel therapeutic
      strategy of pterostilbene to protect against atherosclerosis via TLR5 regulation
      for clinic treatment in the future. 

PMID- 27261613
TI  - Effect of isoorientin on intracellular antioxidant defence mechanisms in hepatoma
      and liver cell lines.
AB  - Isoorientin (ISO) is considered one of the most important flavonoid-like
      compounds responsible for health benefits, including the prevention of liver
      damage as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive
      activities. Our previous study showed that ISO inhibited the proliferation of
      hepatoma cells through increasing intracellular ROS levels. Interestingly, ISO
      protects rat liver cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidation stress by
      decreasing intracellular ROS levels. Why are there different effects of ISO on
      ROS in different physiological and pathophysiological circumstances? The present
      study investigated the effect of ISO on mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes
      and phase II detoxifying enzyme activities in human hepatoblastoma cancer cells
      (HepG2), buffalo rat liver cells (BRL-3A) and human liver cancer cells (HL-7702).
      The results showed that intracellular ROS levels and the protein expression of
      the respiratory chain complexes was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the HepG2
      cells than in the BRL-3A and HL-7702 cells. Additionally, ISO notably (p<0.01)
      increased ROS levels in the HepG2 cells, while no significance was found in the
      BRL-3A and HL-7702 cells. Furthermore, in the HepG2 cells, the protein expression
      of the respiratory chain complexes and the phase II detoxifying enzyme activities
      and GSH content were decreased by ISO (p<0.01), while ISO, in a certain range,
      enhanced the expression of the protein complexes and the phase II detoxifying
      enzyme activities and GSH content in BRL-3A and HL-7702 cells. All of these
      results demonstrated, for the first time, that ISO possesses a notable
      hepatoprotective effect, which might be mediated through the respiratory chain
      complexes and phase II detoxifying enzyme activities. 

PMID- 27261614
TI  - Effects of chlorogenic acid on adenine nucleotides hydrolyzing enzyme activities
      and expression in platelets of rats experimentally demyelinated with ethidium
      bromide.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effects of chlorogenic acid (one of the major phenolic acid found
      in human diets) were investigated on the adenine nucleotides hydrolyzing enzymes;
      ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phophodiesterase (E-NPP), ecto-nucleoside
      triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDase), E-5'- nucleotidase and ecto
      adenosine deaminase (E-ADA) activities and expression in platelets of rats
      experimentally demyelinated with ethidium bromide. METHODS: Rats were divided
      into four groups of eight animals each. Group I rats were control rats; injected
      with saline (CT), group II rats were injected with saline and treated with
      chlorogenic acid (AC), group III rats were injected with 0.1% ethidium bromide
      (EB) and group IV rats were injected with 0.1% EB and treated with chlorogenic
      acid (EB+AC). The activities of the enzymes were analyzed using colorimetric
      methods, and the gene expression of NTPDase 1, 2 and 3 were analyzed using the
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The results revealed that there was a
      significant (P<0.01) reduction in E-NPP activity in EB group (1.63+/-0.10nmol p
      nitrophenol released/min/mg protein) when compared to CT group (2.33+/-0.14nmol p
      nitrophenol released/min/mg protein). However, treatment with chlorogenic acid
      significantly (P<0.05) increased E-NPP activity in EB group. Furthermore, no
      significant (P>0.05) change was observed in the E-NPP activity of EB+AC group
      (2.19+/-0.08nmol p-nitrophenol released/min/mg protein) when compared to CT group
      (2.33+/-0.14nmol p-nitrophenol released/min/mg protein). In addition, there was a
      significant (P<0.05) increase in AMP hydrolysis in EB rat group when compared to
      CT group. No significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in AMP hydrolysis
      between AC, AC+EB and CT groups. Conversely, there were no significant (P>0.05)
      differences in ATP and ADP hydrolyses between all the groups (AC, EB, AC+EB and
      CT groups). Likewise, there were no significant (P>0.05) changes in E-ADA
      activity and percentage platelet aggregation among all groups studied. Similarly,
      no significant (P>0.05) change was observed in the expression of E-NTPDase 1, 2
      and 3 in all the groups tested. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that chlorogenic
      acid may modulate the hydrolysis of adenine nucleotides in platelets of rats
      demyelinated and treated with chlorogenic acid via alteration of E-NPP and ecto
      5'-nucleotidase activities.

PMID- 27261615
TI  - Polyphenols of Cassia tora leaves prevents lenticular apoptosis and modulates
      cataract pathology in Sprague-Dawley rat pups.
AB  - Cataract is a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide with multifactorial
      etiology and is a significant global health problem with increasing prevalence
      with age. Currently, no pharmacological measures are discovered to prevent and
      treat cataract and a significant number of epidemiological studies have suggested
      the potential role of antioxidants in the prevention of cataract by scavenging
      free radicals and preventing lens protein derangement and lenticular cell damage.
      The main goal of the present study is to evaluate Cassia tora leaves; an edible
      leafy vegetable employed in Ayurvedic and Chinese system of medicine for eye
      rejuvenation in preventing selenite-induced cataract in rat pups and to identify
      the active components that produce the effect. ECT pre-treatment effectively
      restored both enzymatic and metabolic antioxidant levels, membrane integrity and
      reduced metal accumulation and thus down-regulate epithelial cell death. Gene
      expression studies also confirmed these findings. ESI-MS analysis of ECT revealed
      the presence of chrysophanol, emodin, kaemferol, quercetin, stigmasterol and
      isoquercetin. The study suggests the possible role of C. tora in alleviating
      cataract pathology and presence of many anthraquinones and flavonoids. As it is
      an edible plant, the incorporation of these leaves in daily vegetables might
      prevent or delay the onset and maturation of cataract. 

PMID- 27261616
TI  - MicroRNA-744 inhibited cervical cancer growth and progression through apoptosis
      induction by regulating Bcl-2.
AB  - Growing evidence suggests that microRNA plays an essential role in the
      development and metastasis of many tumor progressions, including cervical cancer.
      Aberrant miR-744 expression has been indicated in many growth of tumor, the
      mechanism of miR-744 inhibits both the proliferation and metastatic ability for
      cervical cancer remains unclear. Accumulating evidences reported that Bcl-2
      signal pathway plays an important role in the cellular process, such as
      apoptosis, cell growth and proliferation. The goal of this study was to identify
      miR-744 that could inhibit the growth, migration, invasion, proliferation and
      metastasis of gastric cancer through targeting Bcl-2 expression. Real-time PCR
      (RT-qPCR) was used to quantify miR-744 expression in vitro and vivo experiments.
      The biological functions of miR-744 were determined via cell proliferation. Our
      study indicated that miR-744 targeted on Bcl-2, which leads to the inactivation
      of apoptosis signaling and the cell proliferation of cervical cancer cells,
      ameliorating cervical cancer growth and progression. In addition, both up
      regulation of miR-744 and down-regulation of Bcl-2 could stimulate Caspase-3
      expression, promoting apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. Therefore, our research
      revealed the mechanistic links between miR-744 and Bcl-2 in the pathogenesis of
      cervical cancer through modulation of Caspase-3, leading to the inhibition of
      cervical cancer cell growth. And targeting miR-744 could be served as a novel
      strategy for future cervical cancer therapy clinically. 

PMID- 27261617
TI  - Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of LDHA reverses tumor progression of
      pediatric osteosarcoma.
AB  - Reprogrammed energy metabolism is an emerging hallmark of cancer. Lactate
      dehydrogenase A (LDHA), a key enzyme involved in anaerobic glycolysis, is
      frequently deregulated in human malignancies. However, limited knowledge is known
      about its roles in the progression of osteosarcoma (OS). In this study, we found
      that LDHA is commonly upregulated in four OS cell lines compared with the normal
      osteoblast cells (hFOB1.19). Treatment with FX11, a specific inhibitor of LDHA,
      significantly reduced LDHA activity, and inhibited cell proliferation and
      invasive potential in a dose dependent manner. Genetic silencing of LDHA resulted
      in a decreased lactate level in the culture medium, reduced cell viability and
      decreased cell invasion ability. Meanwhile, silencing of LDHA also compromised
      tumorigenesis in vivo. Furthermore, knockdown of LDHA remarkably reduced
      extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) as well as glucose consumption. In the
      presence of 2-DG, a glycolysis inhibitor, LDHA-mediated cell proliferation and
      invasion were completely blocked, indicating the oncogenic activities of LDHA may
      dependent on Warburg effect. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of c-Myc or
      HIF1alpha significantly attenuated LDHA expression. Taken together, upregulated
      LDHA facilitates tumor progression of OS and might be a potential target for OS
      treatment. 

PMID- 27261618
TI  - Targeted nano-delivery of novel omega-3 conjugate against hepatocellular
      carcinoma: Regulating COX-2/bcl-2 expression in an animal model.
AB  - The present approach enumerates the effectiveness of tuftsin tagged nano-liposome
      for the cytosolic transport of 2,6-di-isopropylphenol-linolenic acid conjugate
      against liver cancer in mice. Initially, the conjugate in its free form was
      examined for anticancer potential on HepG2 liver cancer cells. Induction of
      apoptosis and suppression of migration and adhesion of HepG2 cells confirmed the
      effectiveness of conjugate as an anticancer agent. After this, role of the
      conjugate entrapped in a nano-carrier was evaluated in animal model. The nano
      formulation comprising of conjugate bearing tuftsin tagged liposome was firsly
      characterized and then its therapeutic effect was determined. The nano
      formulation had 100-130nm size nanoparticles and showed sustained release of the
      conjugate in the surrounding milieu. The nano-formulation distinctly reduced the
      expression of COX-2, an important molecule that is vastly expressed in
      hepatocellular carcinoma. The utilization of in-house engineered nano-formulation
      was also successful in significantly up-regulating Bax and down-regulating bcl-2
      gene expression eventually helping in better survival of treated mice.
      Histopathological analysis also revealed positive recovery of the general
      architecture and the violent death of cancer cells by apoptosis at tumor specific
      site. The site specific delivery of conjugate entrapped in tuftsin tagged
      liposomes was highly safe as well as efficaceous. Nano-formulation based approach
      showed a visible chemotherapeutic effect on liver cancer progression in
      experimental mice thereby making it a potential candidate for treatment of liver
      cancer in clinical settings. 

PMID- 27261619
TI  - Neuroinformatics analyses reveal GABAt and SSADH as major proteins involved in
      anticonvulsant activity of valproic acid.
AB  - The unequivocal hypotheses about anticonvulsant activity of valproic acid (VPA)
      have always been a basic hurdle in designing next generation neurotherapeutics,
      particularly the anti-epileptic drugs. The present study reports about a
      comprehensive in-silico investigation into qualitative and quantitative binding
      of VPA and corresponding natural ligands of four major enzymes involved in
      neurotransmissions, namely-GABA transaminase (GABAt), alpha-keto glutarate
      dehydrogenase (alpha-KGDH), Succinate Semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) and
      Glutamate Decarboxylase (GAD), respectively. The molecular docking analyses
      revealed that VPA inhibits GABAt and alpha-KGDH through allosteric while SSADH
      through competitive mode of binding. There is an observed elevation in binding of
      glutamate over GAD in the presence of VPA. The docking inhibition constant (Ki)
      of VPA to all the studied enzymatic receptors were observed to be well below the
      therapeutic concentration of VPA in blood, except for alpha-KGDH, thus favouring
      GABAergic over glutamatergic mode of anticonvulsant activity of VPA. The report
      is probably the first comprehensive in-silico molecular study about VPA action. 

PMID- 27261620
TI  - Clozapine and olanzapine are better antioxidants than haloperidol, quetiapine,
      risperidone and ziprasidone in in vitro models.
AB  - Although the etiopathogenic mechanisms of schizophrenia (SCZ) are unknown,
      evidences suggest that excessive free radical production or oxidative stress may
      be involved in the pathophysiology of SCZ. Antipsychotics are the drugs used in
      the treatment of SCZ but it remains controversial the impact that typical vs.
      atypical antipsychotics has on the oxidative stress status in SCZ patients. In
      vitro, the antioxidant capacity of six antipsychotics was assessed by their
      ability to: decrease or scavenge reactive oxygen species in the neutrophil
      respiratory burst; donate hydrogen and stabilize the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1
      picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH); and scavenge 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6
      sulphonic acid) (ABTS(+)). This study demonstrated that both clozapine and
      olanzapine have antioxidant effects, in vitro, by scavenging superoxide anion on
      the respiratory burst, donating electron in the ABTS(+) assay and stabilizing the
      radical DPPH. Ziprasidone significantly scavenged ABTS(+) and stabilized the
      radical DPPH whereas risperidone significantly reduced the respiratory burst.
      Haloperidol and quetiapine lacked antioxidant effects. The chemical structure
      related antioxidant capacity suggests a possible neuroprotective mechanism of
      these drugs on the top of their antipsychotic mechanism of action. 

PMID- 27261621
TI  - Cissus quadrangularis prevented the ovariectomy induced oxidative stress in the
      femur of adult albino rats.
AB  - The increasing evidence suggesting the role of free radicals in bone resorption
      and bone loss prompted us to explore whether the consumption of antioxidant rich
      medicinal plant C. quadrangularis modifies antioxidant status in ovariectomized
      rats. METHODS: Twenty four female adult rats, 90days old showing regular estrous
      cycles were used for the present study. The animals were divided into two groups.
      The Group-1 rats (n=6) were sham operated and Group-II rats were bilaterally
      ovariectomized (n=18) and treated with C. quadrangularis for sixty days (100mg/kg
      body weight and 250mg/kg body weight). After sixty days, the rats were killed,
      femora were dissected out, minced and homogenized in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) and
      the supernatant was collected and used for biochemical assays. RESULTS:
      Ovariectomy registered a decrease (p<0.05) in the activities of SOD, GPx, GST,
      ALP, collagen content and increased (p<0.05) the activities of TRAP and lipid
      peroxidation. Simultaneous administration of C. quadrangularis maintained the
      enzyme activities in ovariectomized rats. CONCLUSION: C. quadrangularis, a
      natural herb may be used to treat the estrogen deficiency/menopause onset and
      ovariectomy induced oxidative stress.

PMID- 27261622
TI  - Anti-inflammatory effect of taurocholate on TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in
      mice.
AB  - Taurocholate is a natural conjugated bile acid. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of taurocholate in TNBS-induced ulcerative
      colitis in mice. The colitis were induced by rectal administration of TNBS. After
      24h, the experimental animals were treated with sulfasalazine (SASP,
      500mg/kg/day) and taurocholate (20, 40 and 60mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days. The
      anti-inflammatory effects of taurocholate for colitis were assessed by body
      weight, colonic weight and length, macroscopic scores, and histopathological
      examinations. In addition, the colonic tissue levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO)
      activity, interleukin (IL)-1beta, interferon (IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were also determined to assess the effect of
      taurocholate. Compared with the model group, treatment with taurocholate (20, 40
      and 60mg/kg) significantly inhibited the body weight loss, improved colonic
      weight and length, and decreased macroscopic and histopathological scores.
      Furthermore, the activity accumulation of MPO and the colonic tissue levels of IL
      1beta, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were also decreased by administration of
      taurocholate. All the findings of this study suggested that taurocholate has the
      anti-inflammatory effect in ulcerative colitis in mice and indicated it as a good
      candidate to treat inflammatory bowel disease. 

PMID- 27261623
TI  - miR-663a inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion by
      targeting HMGA2.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive solid malignancy throughout
      the world. Dysregulation of miRNAs play essential roles in HCC progression via
      aberrant regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, as well as metastasis. miR
      663a is a poorly investigated miRNA. Whether miR-663a regulates HCC development
      remains unknown. The aim of the study was to explore the role of miR-663a in HCC
      development. To determine the expression level of miR-663a in HCC, we analyzed
      the data from GSE21362 and TCGA. The results showed that miR-663a was
      significantly down-regulated in HCC tissue compared with adjacent non-tumor
      tissue. Gain of function and loss of function assays revealed that miR-663a
      distinctly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistic
      investigations demonstrated that miR-663a modulated cell functions through
      targeting and suppressing high mobility group A2 (HMGA2). In addition,
      overexpression of HMGA2 remarkably attenuated the tumor repressive effect of miR
      663a. Taken together, miR-663a inhibits HCC cell proliferation and motility by
      targeting HMGA2. 

PMID- 27261624
TI  - Protective effect of aqueous seed extract of Vitis Vinifera against oxidative
      stress, inflammation and apoptosis in the pancreas of adult male rats with
      diabetes mellitus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Protective effects of Vitis Vinifera seed aqueous extract (VVSAE)
      against pancreatic dysfunctions and elevation of oxidative stress, inflammation
      and apoptosis in the pancreas in diabetes were investigated. Histopathological
      changes in the pancreas were examined under light microscope. METHODS: Blood and
      pancreas were collected from adult male diabetic rats receiving 28days treatment
      with VVSAE orally. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c),
      insulin and lipid profile levels and activity levels of anti-oxidative enzymes
      (superoxide dismutase-SOD, catalase-CAT and glutathione peroxidase-GPx) in the
      pancreas were determined by biochemical assays. Histopathological changes in the
      pancreas were examined under light microscopy and levels of insulin, glucose
      transporter (GLUT)-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, Ikkbeta and caspase-3
      mRNA and protein were analyzed by real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry
      respectively. Radical scavenging activity of VVSAE was evaluated by in-vitro anti
      oxidant assay while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to
      identify the major compounds in the extract. RESULTS: GC-MS analyses indicated
      the presence of compounds that might exert anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and
      anti-apoptosis effects. Near normal FBG, HbAIc, lipid profile and serum insulin
      levels with lesser signs of pancreatic destruction were observed following
      administration of VVSAE to diabetic rats. Higher insulin, GLUT-2, SOD, CAT and
      GPx levels but lower TNF-alpha, Ikkbeta and caspase-3 levels were also observed
      in the pancreas of VVSAE-treated diabetic rats (p<0.05 compared to non-treated
      diabetic rats). The extract possesses high in-vitro radical scavenging
      activities. CONCLUSION: In conclusions, administration of VVSAE to diabetic rats
      could help to protect the pancreas against oxidative stress, inflammation and
      apoptosis-induced damage while preserving pancreatic function near normal in
      diabetes.

PMID- 27261625
TI  - RETRACTED: Twist2 promotes kidney cancer cell proliferation and invasion via
      regulating ITGA6 and CD44 expression in the ECM-Receptor-Interaction pathway.
AB  - Twist2 is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family and plays a
      critical role in tumorigenesis. Growing evidence proves that Twist2 involves in
      tumor progression; however, the role of Twist2 in human kidney cancer and its
      underlying mechanisms remain unclear. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used
      to detect the expression of Twist2 in kidney cancer cells and tissues. Cell
      proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration and invasion assay was measured
      by the Cell Count Kit-8 (CCK8), flow cytometry, wound healing and transwell
      analysis, respectively. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to identify
      correlation of Twist2 with ECM-Receptor-Interaction pathway. In this report, we
      show that Twist2 up-regulated in human kidney cancer tissues compared with normal
      kidney tissues. Twist2 promotes cell proliferation, inhibits cell apoptosis,
      augments cell migration and invasion in human kidney cancer-derived cell in
      vitro, and promotes tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, we found that knockdown of
      Twist2 decreased the levels of ITGA6 and CD44 which contribute to cell migration
      and invasion correlated with ECM-Receptor-Interaction pathway. This result
      indicates Twist2 may promote migration and invasion of kidney cancer cells by
      regulating ITGA6 and CD44 expression. Therefore, our data demonstrated that
      Twist2 involves in kidney cancer progression. The identification of the role
      Twist2 on the migration and invasion of kidney cancer provides a potential
      appropriate treatment after radical nephrectomy to get a better prognosis that
      reducing recurrence.

PMID- 27261626
TI  - Silymarin suppressed lung cancer growth in mice via inhibiting myeloid-derived
      suppressor cells.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of Silymarin in a mouse
      model of colon cancer xenograft of Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells. Silymarin
      significantly suppressed tumor growth and induced apoptosis of cells in tumor
      tissues at a dose of 25 and 50mg/kg. Silymarin treatment enhanced the
      infiltration and function of CD8(+) T cells. In the meantime, Silymarin decreased
      the level of IL-10 while elevated the level of IL-2 and IFN-gamma in the serum of
      tumor-bearing mice. Finally, Silymarin reduced the proportion of myeloid-derived
      suppressor cells (MDSC) in the tumor tissue and also the mRNA expressions of
      inducible nitric oxide synthases-2 (iNOS2), arginase-1 (Arg-1) and MMP9, which
      indicated that the function of MDSC in tumor tissues were suppressed. Altogether,
      our data here showed that Silymarin inhibited the MDSC and promoted the
      infiltration and function of CD8(+) T cells thus suppressed the growth of LLC
      xenografts, which provides evidence for the possible use of Silymarin against
      lung cancer. 

PMID- 27261627
TI  - Anti-atherosclerosis effect of different doses of CETP vaccine in rabbit model of
      atherosclerosis.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate atheroprotective effects of different doses of cholesteryl ester
      transfer protein (CETP) vaccine, three doses of Tetanus toxoid-CETP (TT-CETP)
      peptide including 10, 50 and 100/rabbit, termed FA10, FA50, FA100, respectively,
      were administered in rabbit model of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Animals were
      vaccinated subcutaneously (S.C.) with 100MUl of vaccine in presence of complete
      Freund's adjuvant (CFA) for the first administration. Rabbits were boosted 4
      times at 3 weeks intervals with the same peptide dose formulated in incomplete
      Freund's adjuvant (IFA). Animals were fed with diet supplemented with 2%
      cholesterol from week 11 to week 19. Anti-TT-CETP specific antibody and CETP
      activity in sera were determined. Therapeutic response was examined by tracking
      plasma lipoprotein levels (HDL-C, LDL-C and total cholesterol), and pathologic
      observation of intima/media thickness at the site of aortic lesions. RESULTS: All
      TT-CETP vaccine doses generated strong anti TT-CETP antibody response. CETP
      activity reduced in rabbits vaccinated with FA100 (P=0.031). FA100 showed
      significant increase in level of HDL-C rather than control group (P=0.006).
      However, no significant reduction were found in atherosclerotic lesion when
      compared to control. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of CETP activity and increased HDL-C
      were found with FA100, but the vaccine failed to prevent aortic lesion
      development in immunized rabbits when compared to control. Our result supports
      the hypothesis stated that CETP may not be an attractive therapeutic target for
      the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 27261628
TI  - Obestatin attenuated doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy via enhancing long
      noncoding Mhrt RNA expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The emergence of side-effect of doxorubicin in cardiomyopathy and
      heart failure has led to the search for diverse strategies to prevent its
      cytotoxic effects. This study was to determine the role of obestatin on
      doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis and possible underlying mechanism.
      METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups and received treatment
      for a total of 6 weeks: group1, untreated normal rats; group2, Doxorubicin
      induced heart cardiomyopathy (DC) rats; and group3, obestatin treated HC rats.
      Doxorubicin (2.5mg/kg) or obestatin (100MUg/kg/d) were discontinuously
      administered via intraperitoneal injection. Primary cardiomyocytes and H9C2 cell
      line were used for in vitro experiments. Mhrt and Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid
      2 -related factor 2) mRNA expressions were determined using qRT-PCR. Expression
      of Nrf2 protein was determined using western blotting. TUNEL assay was performed
      to evaluate cell apoptosis. RESULTS: Administration of obestatin significantly
      improved doxorubicin-induced dysfunction of left ventricular contractility
      function, moreover, resulted in upregulation of Mhrt and Nrf2 in failing
      myocardial tissue. Co-incubation of obestatin and doxorubicin in primary
      cardiomyocytes also enhanced Mhrt and Nrf2 expression as well as prevented cell
      apoptosis in comparison with doxorubicin only. Manipulation of cellular Mhrt by
      pcDNA-Mhrt or si-Mhrt transfection positively regulated Nrf2 expression in
      doxorubicin-incubated cardiomyocytes. Silencing Mhrt reversed cardioprotective
      effects of obestatin both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION: Administration of
      obestatin attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction via preservation of
      cardiomyocytes apoptosis in a Mhrt-Nrf2 dependent pathway.

PMID- 27261629
TI  - A novel small-molecule YLT256 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis both
      in vitro and in vivo in solid tumors.
AB  - Pancreatic carcinoma is a still unsolved health problem all over the world with
      poor prognosis and high mortality rate. YLT256, a novel synthesized chemical
      small inhibitor, displays potent antineoplastic activities via inducing apoptosis
      both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we found that YLT256 showed growth
      inhibition against a broad spectrum of human cancer cell lines and pancreatic
      cancer cell line BxPc-3 was the most sensitive with an IC50 of 0.42MUM. We also
      found YLT256 could induce apoptosis of BxPc-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner.
      Western blot analysis revealed that the occurrence of its apoptosis was
      associated with activation of caspases-3 and -9, up-regulation of pro-apoptotic
      Bak, and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Moreover, YLT256-treated
      resulted in changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim), and
      generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, our data also revealed
      that YLT256 suppressed the growth of established tumor-bearing xenograft models
      without obvious side effects. Immunohistochemical analyses and TUNEL assay
      revealed an increase in cleaved caspase-3-positive cells and TUNEL-positive
      cells, a decrease in Ki67-positive cells upon YLT256. Together, all the results
      of present study provided evidence demonstrating that YLT256 could be a promising
      potential drug candidate for pancreatic cancer therapy. 

PMID- 27261630
TI  - Tangeretin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through upregulation of PTEN
      expression in glioma cells.
AB  - Tangeretin (TANG), present in peel of citrus fruits, has been shown to various
      medicinal properties such as chemopreventive and neuroprotective. However, the
      chemopreventive effect of TANG on glioblastoma cells has not been examined. The
      present study was designed to explore the anticancer potential of TANG in
      glioblastoma cells and to investigate the related mechanism. Human glioblastoma U
      87MG and LN-18 cells were treated with 45MUM concentration of TANG and cell
      growth was measured by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution and cell death were
      measured by flow cytometry. The expression of cell cycle and apoptosis related
      genes were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot. The cells treated
      with TANG were significantly increased cell growth suppression and cell death
      effects than vehicle treated cells. Further, TANG treatment increases G2/M arrest
      and apoptosis by modulating PTEN and cell-cycle regulated genes such as cyclin-D
      and cdc-2 mRNA and protein expressions. Moreover, the ability of TANG to decrease
      cell growth and to induce cell death was compromised when PTEN was knockdown by
      siRNA. Taken together, the chemopreventive effect of TANG is associated with
      regulation of cell-cycle and apoptosis in glioblastoma, thereby attenuating
      glioblastoma cell growth. Hence, the present findings suggest that TANG may be a
      therapeutic agent for glioblastoma treatment. 

PMID- 27261632
TI  - Giant Meckel's diverticulum torsion that mimics adnexal pathology.
AB  - Meckel's diverticulum is a real diverticulum located at the antimesenteric
      portion of intestinal loops and including all layers of the intestinal wall. It
      is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, and its
      incidence is 1-3%. Many asymptomatic cases are diagnosed when complications
      occur. A 23-year-old female patient applied to gynaecology emergency clinic with
      pelvic pain complaint. Laparotomy was performed with the diagnosis of acute
      abdomen because the physical examination and imaging studies did not exclude
      tuboovary pathology. Giant Meckel's diverticulitis and ischemic bowel loops that
      had been torsion were observed. Obstruction is the most common complication and
      generally originates from inflammation, adhesions, intussusception and omphalo
      mesenteric band. In this case, it was seen that mobilized diverticulitis can be
      complicated without any fibrous band or adhesion to adjacent organs. This case
      supports that there can be torsion of bowel in free Meckel's diverticulum.
      Meckel's diverticulum settled in the pelvic region can make a clinical
      manifestation that is difficult to distinguish from adnexal diseases. It should
      be kept in mind for cases that start with pelvic pain, form adnexal pathology
      suspicion and cause an acute abdomen. 

PMID- 27261631
TI  - Post-cocaine changes in regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins in the
      dorsal striatum: Relevance for cocaine-seeking and protein kinase C-mediated
      phosphorylation.
AB  - Persistent cocaine-induced neuroadaptations within the cortico-striatal circuitry
      might be related to elevated risk of relapse observed in human addicts even after
      months or years of drug-free abstinence. Identification of these neuroadaptations
      may lead development of novel, neurobiologically-based treatments of relapse. In
      the current study, 12 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered cocaine
      (or received yoked-saline) for two weeks followed by three weeks of home-cage
      abstinence. At this point, we analyzed expression of proteins involved in
      regulation of Galphai- and Galphaq-protein signaling in the dorsal striatum
      (dSTR). Animals abstinent from chronic cocaine showed decreased expression of
      regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) and RGS4, as well as upregulation of
      RGS9. These data, together with the increased ratio of Galphaq-to-Galphai
      proteins indicated, "sensitized" Galphaq signaling in the dSTR of abstinent
      cocaine animals. To evaluate activation of Galphaq signaling during relapse,
      another group of abstinent cocaine animals (and yoked saline controls, 22 rats
      together) was reintroduced to the cocaine context and PKC-mediated
      phosphorylation in the dSTR was analyzed. Re-exposure to the cocaine context
      triggered cocaine seeking and increase in phosphorylation of cellular PKC
      substrates, including phospho-ERK and phospho-CREB. In conclusion, this study
      demonstrates persistent dysregulation of RGS proteins in the dSTR of abstinent
      cocaine animals that may produce an imbalance in local Galphaq-to-Galphai
      signaling. This imbalance might be related to augmented PKC-mediated
      phosphorylation during relapse to cocaine-seeking. Future studies will address
      whether selective targeting of RGS proteins in the dSTR can be utilized to
      suppress PKC-mediated phosphorylation and relapse to cocaine-seeking.

PMID- 27261633
TI  - Computer tomography navigation for the transoral anterior release of a complex
      craniovertebral junction deformity: A report of two cases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The surgical correction of deformities of the craniovertebral
      junction (CVJ) remains a challenge due to its complex anatomy. Despite the well
      known usefulness of computed tomography (CT) navigation in posterior spinal
      surgery, it is applied far less frequently in anterior spinal surgery, mainly due
      to registration difficulties. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: Case 1 was a 68-year-old
      female with rheumatoid arthritis, with a complaint of neck pain, motor weakness,
      and dysesthesia in the upper extremities. Case 2 was a 61-year-old male with
      Chiari malformation, with a complaint of neck pain and gait disturbance after a
      fall. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed severe atlantoaxial dislocation and
      multilevel cervical spinal cord compression in both patients. Continuous halo
      traction failed to reduce atlantoaxial dislocation, even under general
      anesthesia, and they were treated with combined anterior release and posterior
      decompression and fixation using CT navigation. Occipitocervical assimilation,
      which was present in both patients, enabled precise registration for navigation.
      DISCUSSION: The lack of anatomically characteristic landmarks on the vertebral
      surface makes obtaining accurate registration difficult in anterior CVJ surgery
      using CT navigation. The remaining mobility in the occipitocervical joint
      precludes the use of facial or cranial landmarks. However, occipitocervical
      assimilation, which is not uncommon in patients with CVJ deformities, enables
      accurate navigation during transoral surgery. CONCLUSION: Transoral anterior
      release using CT navigation is an effective treatment option for rigid complex
      CVJ deformities. The accurate identification of the patients' anatomical features
      such as occipitoatlantal assimilation, is crucial for the conducting accurate
      preoperative CT-based navigation during transoral surgery.

PMID- 27261634
TI  - Residential buffer, perceived neighborhood, and individual activity space: New
      refinements in the definition of exposure areas - The RECORD Cohort Study.
AB  - Neighborhood effects on health have been widely investigated; yet the definition
      of neighborhoods is usually arbitrary. This study analyses how disparities in
      environmental exposure according to urbanicity vary when considering a home
      centered network-buffer, the perceived residential neighborhood, or the activity
      space. Exposures to the density of destinations and proportion of green space
      were compared for three spatial definitions of exposure areas, overall and
      stratified by urbanicity of the residence. Environmental exposure levels and
      gradients by urbanicity were found to vary depending on the spatial definition of
      the exposure area.

PMID- 27261635
TI  - Census tract correlates of vape shop locations in New Jersey.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vape shops are opening across the USA, but little is known about
      the types of neighborhoods where they are located. This study explores community
      level predictors of vape shop locations in New Jersey, USA. METHODS: Vape shops
      were identified in July 2015 using a validated systematic online search protocol
      and geocoded using Google Earth Pro. Multivariable logistic regression identified
      demographic and other predictors of vape shop presence at the census tract level.
      RESULTS: Tobacco outlet density was consistently associated with higher odds of
      vape shop presence after adjusting for covariates (p<0.05). However, factors
      traditionally associated with tobacco retail were negatively associated with
      vapor outlets. Census tracts with a higher proportion of non-Hispanic black
      residents had significantly lower odds of having a vape shop (beta=-0.03,
      p<0.001). DISCUSSION: Vape shops are commonly located in census tracts where
      tobacco retail is high, but where fewer racial minorities live. The retail
      environment may communicate social norms regarding vaping and ultimately
      influence use behaviors of community residents.

PMID- 27261636
TI  - Prototype End-of-Life Quality Measures Based on MDS 3 Data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Nursing Home Compare (NHC) report card does not include end-of
      life (EOL) quality measures (QMs). OBJECTIVES: To develop and examine the
      properties of EOL QMs. SUBJECTS: A total of 39,590 nursing home decedents in 626
      facilities in New York State in fiscal year 2012. DESIGN: Statistical analyses of
      Minimum Data Set 3 data, including multivariable regression analyses and
      descriptive statistics. MEASURES: Death in the hospital, number of
      hospitalizations, pain, and depression during the last 90 days before death.
      RESULTS: Overall, 32% of residents died in the hospital. They averaged 0.49
      hospitalizations in the last 90 days before death, 10% reported moderate to
      severe pain, and 17% had depressive symptoms. The EOL QMs exhibited variation
      across facilities similar to that observed for other QMs. They showed low or
      moderate correlations. The pain and depression QMs were significantly better
      among nursing homes ranked by NHC as 4 and 5 stars compared with those ranked as
      1 and 2 stars for most dimensions. The hospitalizations QMs were significantly
      better among nursing homes ranked by NHC as 4 and 5 stars compared with those
      ranked as 1 and 2 stars only when compared on the staffing dimension.
      CONCLUSIONS: The Minimum Data Set 3 includes much information that can be used to
      assess quality of EOL care in nursing homes. The prototype measures we developed
      could be improved if information about advance directives and the nonclinical
      aspects of care, such as comfort and emotional support for both the resident and
      the family and respect for resident and family preferences, were collected.

PMID- 27261637
TI  - Hospital Phenotypes in the Management of Patients Admitted for Acute Myocardial
      Infarction.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To characterize hospital phenotypes by their combined utilization
      pattern of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), coronary artery bypass
      grafting (CABG) procedures, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions for patients
      hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). RESEARCH DESIGN: Using the
      Premier Analytical Database, we identified 129,138 hospitalizations for AMI from
      246 hospitals with the capacity for performing open-heart surgery during 2010
      2013. We calculated year-specific, risk-standardized estimates of PCI procedure
      rates, CABG procedure rates, and ICU admission rates for each hospital, adjusting
      for patient clinical characteristics and within-hospital correlation of patients.
      We used a mixture modeling approach to identify groups of hospitals (ie, hospital
      phenotypes) that exhibit distinct longitudinal patterns of risk-standardized PCI,
      CABG, and ICU admission rates. RESULTS: We identified 3 distinct phenotypes among
      the 246 hospitals: (1) high PCI-low CABG-high ICU admission (39.2% of the
      hospitals), (2) high PCI-low CABG-low ICU admission (30.5%), and (3) low PCI-high
      CABG-moderate ICU admission (30.4%). Hospitals in the high PCI-low CABG-high ICU
      admission phenotype had significantly higher risk-standardized in-hospital costs
      and 30-day risk-standardized payment yet similar risk-standardized mortality and
      readmission rates compared with hospitals in the low PCI-high CABG-moderate ICU
      admission phenotype. Hospitals in these phenotypes differed by geographic region.
      CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals differ in how they manage patients hospitalized for AMI.
      Their distinctive practice patterns suggest that some hospital phenotypes may be
      more successful in producing good outcomes at lower cost.

PMID- 27261639
TI  - Measuring Health-related Quality of Life in Teens With and Without Depression.
AB  - PURPOSE: To provide empirical evidence on the performance of common measures in
      assessing health-related quality of life (HRQL) in depressed and nondepressed
      youth. These measures can be used in research trials, cost-effectiveness studies,
      and to help develop policy for treating youth depression. BACKGROUND: Depression
      is one of the most common mental disorders among adolescents, with a chronic,
      episodic course marked by considerable impairment. Data on HRQL for teens with
      depression could more fully demonstrate the burden of depression and help to
      evaluate the comparative effectiveness of teen depression services, which in turn
      can be used to inform public and clinical policies. METHODS: We collected data on
      depression and HRQL from 392 depressed and nondepressed teens aged 13-17.
      RESULTS: Generic mental health, disease-specific, and generic preference-based
      measures of HRQL all do a reasonable job of distinguishing teens with and without
      depression and between teens with differing levels of depression. Generic mental
      health and disease-specific measures provide valuable information on burden of
      disease and perform well. For the purpose of economic evaluation, the HUI-3 and
      EQ-5D perform somewhat better than other preference-based measures. These results
      can aid future research on teens with depression by helping to guide which HRQL
      instruments are most useful in this population and can help to quantify the
      burden of depression in teens for policy and clinical planning.

PMID- 27261638
TI  - Massachusetts Health Reform's Effect on Hospitals' Racial Mix of Patients and on
      Patients' Use of Safety-net Hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because of residential segregation and a lack of health insurance,
      minorities often receive care in different facilities than whites. Massachusetts
      (MA) health reform provided insurance to previously uninsured patients, which
      enabled them to potentially shift inpatient care to nonminority-serving or
      nonsafety-net hospitals. OBJECTIVES: Examine whether MA health reform affected
      hospitals' racial mix of patients, and individual patients' use of safety-net
      hospitals. RESEARCH DESIGN: Difference-in-differences analysis of 2004-2009
      inpatient discharge data from MA, compared with New York (NY), and New Jersey
      (NJ), to identify postreform changes, adjusting for secular changes. SUBJECTS:
      (1) Hospital-level analysis (discharges): 345 MA, NY, and NJ hospitals; (2)
      patient-level analysis (patients): 39,921 patients with >=2 hospitalizations at a
      safety-net hospital in the prereform period. MEASURES: Prereform to postreform
      changes in percentage of discharges that are minority (black and Hispanic) at
      minority-serving hospitals; adjusted odds of patient movement from safety-net
      hospitals (prereform) to nonsafety-net hospitals (postreform) by age group and
      state. RESULTS: Treating NJ as the comparison state, MA reform was associated
      with an increase of 5.8% (95% CI, 1.4%-10.3%) in the percentage of minority
      discharges at MA minority-serving hospitals; with NY as the comparison state, the
      change was 2.1% (95% CI, -0.04% to 4.3%). Patient movement from safety-net to
      nonsafety-net hospitals was greater in MA than comparison states (difference-in
      differences adjusted OR=1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.7; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Following MA
      health reform, the safety-net remains an important component of the health care
      system.

PMID- 27261641
TI  - Comparison of Long-run Trends in 30-day Readmission by Degrees of Medicare
      Payment Cuts.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Affordable Care Act enacted significant Medicare
      payment reductions to providers, yet long-term effects of such major reductions
      on patient outcomes remain uncertain. Using the 1997 Balanced Budget Act (BBA) as
      an experiment, we compare long-run trends in 30-day readmission across hospitals
      with different amount of payment cuts. RESEARCH DESIGN, SUBJECTS, AND MEASURES:
      Using 100% Medicare claims between 1995 and 2011 and instrumental variable
      hospital fixed-effects regression models, we compared changes in 30-day
      readmission trends for 5 leading Medicare conditions between urban hospitals
      facing small, moderate, and large BBA payment reductions across 4 periods [1995
      1997 (pre-BBA period), 1998-2000, 2001-2005, 2006-2001]. Patient sample includes
      Medicare patients who were admitted to general, acute, urban, short-stay
      hospitals in the United States 1995-2011. Sample size ranges from 1.4 million
      patients for acute myocardial infarction to 3 million for pneumonia. RESULTS: We
      found that 30-day readmission trends diverged post-BBA (2001-2005) between
      hospitals facing small and large payment cuts, where large-cut hospitals
      experience slower improvement in readmission rates relative to small-cut
      hospitals. The gap between small-cut and large-cut hospitals readmission trend
      was 6% for acute myocardial infarction, 4% for congestive heart failure and
      pneumonia (all P<0.01) in the 2001-2005 period. The gaps between hospitals were
      eliminated by the 2006-2011 period as the effect of BBA naturally dissipated over
      time. CONCLUSIONS: Although payment-cut differences are associated with widening
      gaps in readmission rates across hospitals, the negative association appears to
      dissipate in the long run.

PMID- 27261640
TI  - The Effects of the Transition From Medicaid to Medicare on Health Care Use for
      Adults With Mental Illness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The transition from Medicaid-only to dual Medicare/Medicaid coverage
      has the potential to reduce financial barriers to health care for patients with
      serious mental illness through increased coverage or expanded access to
      clinicians as their reimbursement increases. AIMS: To estimate the effect of dual
      coverage after Medicaid enrollment during the required waiting period among
      adults with serious mental illness on health care use, overall and related to
      mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUD). METHODS: Data include
      enrollment and claims from Medicaid and Medicare in Missouri and South Carolina,
      from January 2004 to December 2007. We used an interrupted time-series design to
      estimate the effect of dual coverage on average use of outpatient, emergency
      department (ED), and inpatient care/month. RESULTS: After 12 months of dual
      coverage, the probability of outpatient care use increased in both states from 4%
      to 9%. In Missouri, the mean probability and frequency of ED visits, total and
      MHSUD related, increased by 21%-32%; the probability of all-cause and MHSUD
      related inpatient admissions increased by 10% and 19%, respectively. In South
      Carolina, the mean probability of any inpatient admission increased by 27% and of
      any MHSUD-related inpatient admission by 42%. DISCUSSION: The increase in use of
      outpatient care is consistent with the expected increase in coverage of, and
      payment for, outpatient services under dual coverage relative to Medicaid-only.
      Sustained increases in ED and inpatient admissions raise questions regarding the
      complexity of obtaining care under 2 programs, pent-up demand among beneficiaries
      pretransition, and the complementarity of outpatient and inpatient service use.

PMID- 27261642
TI  - Intraoperative ECoG During MRI-Guided Laser-Interstitial Thermal Therapy for
      Intractable Epilepsy.
AB  - MRI-guided laser-interstitial thermal therapy is a new modality for epilepsy
      surgery. In patients with intractable localization-related seizures, it has been
      used to ablate epileptogenic lesions with less morbidity than conventional
      craniotomies, and with potentially similar rates of seizure freedom. It is
      gaining favor in the treatment of mesial temporal sclerosis, in which the
      circumscribed epileptic focus is amenable to a stereotactic approach. In some
      centers, intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) is a standard procedure
      during tailored temporal lobectomies that include resection of mesial temporal
      structures. Results of intraoperative ECoG have been used to guide the extent of
      resection of mesial temporal structures and for prognostication. Given the
      limitations of burr-hole access during laser-interstitial thermal therapy, ECoG
      has not previously been applied. We present two case reports involving
      intraoperative ECoG monitoring with a depth electrode placed into the
      parahippocampal region, with recording before and immediately after thermal
      ablation of the mesial temporal region. In each case, there were decreases in the
      mesial temporal spike activity after laser ablation of the hippocampus. This is
      the first demonstration of intraoperative neurophysiologic motoring during laser
      interstitial thermal therapy. The role of intraoperative ECoG for guiding the
      extent of ablation and determining prognosis during MRI-guided laser-interstitial
      thermal therapy remains to be determined. 

PMID- 27261643
TI  - Neonatal EEG: An Update.

PMID- 27261644
TI  - Description of PICU Unplanned Readmission.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: ICU readmission within 48 hours of discharge is associated with
      increased mortality. The objectives of this study were to describe the frequency
      of, factors associated with, and outcomes associated with unplanned PICU
      readmission. DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study was performed. We
      evaluated 13 candidate risk factors and report patient outcomes following
      readmission. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients discharged from the
      cardiac PICU and medical-surgical PICU. SETTING: The study was undertaken at the
      Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Critical Care Medicine. PATIENTS:
      Eligible patients were discharged from the PICU to an inpatient ward between
      December 2006 and January 2013. Case patients were readmitted to the PICU within
      48 hours of discharge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 10,422 eligible
      patient discharges; 264 (2.5%) were readmitted within 48 hours. In the
      univariable analysis, unplanned readmission was associated with PICU patient
      admissions of younger age, lower weight, greater duration of PICU stay, greater
      cumulative stay in PICU in the past 2 years, higher Pediatric Logistic Organ
      Dysfunction score on PICU discharge, discharge outside goal discharge time (06:00
      11:59 hr), use of extracorporeal organ support during ICU stay, greater Bedside
      Pediatric Early Warning Score, at discharge and discharge from the cardiac PICU.
      In the multivariable analysis, the factors most significantly associated with
      unplanned PICU readmission were length of stay more than 48 hours, greater
      cumulative length of PICU stay in the past 2 years, discharge from cardiac PICU,
      and higher Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction and Bedside Pediatric Early
      Warning Scores on index discharge. Mortality was 1.8 times (p = 0.03) higher in
      patients with an unplanned PICU readmission compared with patients during their
      index PICU admission. CONCLUSIONS: The only potentially modifiable factors we
      found associated with PICU readmission within 48 hours of discharge were
      discharge time of day and the Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction and Bedside
      Pediatric Early Warning Scores at the time of PICU discharge.

PMID- 27261645
TI  - Volume-Outcome Relationships in Pediatric Intensive Care.

PMID- 27261646
TI  - Patient-Centered Communication in the PICU: Where, When, and How.

PMID- 27261647
TI  - Does Telemedicine Really Improve the Status of Critically Ill Children?

PMID- 27261648
TI  - Sepsis Care Differences Unlike Beauty Are Not Skin Deep.

PMID- 27261649
TI  - Predicting the Outcome of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a SNAP (Score for
      Neonatal Acute Physiology).

PMID- 27261650
TI  - Electroencephalographic Monitoring for Prognostication Following Cardiac Arrest:
      Ready for Prime Time?

PMID- 27261651
TI  - PICU Readmissions: Not Just Output but Patient Throughput.

PMID- 27261652
TI  - Caring for Long-Stay Critically Ill Children and Infants Refers Back to the
      Fundamentals of Patient- and Family-Centered Care.

PMID- 27261653
TI  - Outcomes After Pediatric Critical Illness: Important to Be Accurate.

PMID- 27261654
TI  - Less Is More-Revisiting Burn Resuscitation.

PMID- 27261655
TI  - Acute Kidney Injury in Newborns: The Evolution for Optimization of Diagnosis.

PMID- 27261656
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 27261657
TI  - Procalcitonin for Bacterial Infection Management: A Comprehensive Understanding
      May Clarify Its Due Value.

PMID- 27261658
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 27261659
TI  - Severity of Illness Confusion.

PMID- 27261660
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 27261661
TI  - What Is the Purpose of Using an Old Biomarker in the Prognosis in PICUs?

PMID- 27261662
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 27261663
TI  - Multiplex Tests in Critically Ill Children With Severe Lower Respiratory Tract
      Infections.

PMID- 27261664
TI  - Ventilator-Associated Infections Need a New Approach.

PMID- 27261665
TI  - Blood Volume, Plasma Volume, and RBC Volume in Polycythaemic Neonates After
      Palliative Congenital Heart Surgery.

PMID- 27261666
TI  - Who Fears Propofol Infusion in Children? The Actual Practice of Propofol Use in
      PICUs.

PMID- 27261667
TI  - The Challenges of Caring for Long-Stay Patients in the PICU.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Compared to shorter-stay patients, caring for long-stay patients in
      the ICU entails a disproportionate burden for staff. Our objective was to gain a
      deeper understanding of the impact on staff of caring for children who have a
      prolonged stay on the PICU. DESIGN: Qualitative study based on semi-structured
      interviews. Data were analyzed using the Framework approach. SETTING: Children's
      tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen members of staff (7 psychosocial
      staff, 7 nurses, 3 consultants) working in the PICU, neonatal ICU, or cardiac ICU
      (PICU will be used to encompass neonatal ICU, cardiac ICU, and PICU for the
      remainder of this article). INTERVENTIONS: Semi-structured, tape-recorded
      interviews. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Staff reported both positive and
      challenging aspects of caring for long-stay patients in the PICU. Five key areas
      relating to the challenges of caring for long-stay patients were identified:
      staff expectations about their work, characteristics of the patient group, the
      impact on staff, the impact on the wider unit, and the availability of support.
      Staff views were often compounded by individual cases they had been involved with
      or had heard about which fell at either end of the spectrum of "good" and "bad".
      CONCLUSIONS: Whilst there are reported benefits associated with caring for long
      stay patients, there are a number of challenges reported that may have
      implications for staff and the wider unit. When caring for a particular sub-group
      of long-stay patients, staff may be more likely to experience negative impacts. A
      key priority for the PICU is to ensure that support mechanisms are timely,
      accessible, and allow staff to explore their own reactions to their work.

PMID- 27261668
TI  - Construct Validity and Responsiveness of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory
      4.0 Generic Core Scales and Infant Scales in the PICU.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the construct validity and the responsiveness of the
      Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales and Infant Scales in
      the medical-surgical (PICU) and cardiac PICU. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS:
      Prospective cohort study of 367 inpatients admitted either to the PICU or the
      cardiac ICU at Seattle Children's Hospital from January 2012 to June 2013.
      Parent/caregiver and child (>= 8 yr old, developmentally appropriate, and
      critical illness resolved) Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores were
      obtained within 24 hours of PICU/cardiac ICU discharge and subsequently at 4-12
      weeks following hospital discharge. Of the 491 eligible participants invited to
      participate, 367 (74.7% response rate) completed the Pediatric Quality of Life
      Inventory survey at ICU discharge, and of these, 263 (71.7% follow-up response
      rate) completed the follow-up survey 4-12 weeks after hospital discharge.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Responsiveness was assessed by calculating
      improvement scores (difference between follow-up and ICU discharge scores, Delta
      Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory). Construct validity was examined by
      comparing mean improvement scores for known groups differing by medical
      complexity. At follow-up, [INCREMENT] Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores
      were as follows (mean +/- SD): physical domain, 34.8 +/- 32.0; and psychosocial
      domain, 23.1 +/- 23.5. Patients with complex chronic or noncomplex chronic
      disease had physical functioning improvement scores that were 17.4 points (95%
      CI, -28.3 to -6.5; p < 0.001) and 19.5 points (95% CI, -30.4 to -8.5; p < 0.002)
      lower than children with no chronic illness, respectively. Patients with complex
      chronic disease exhibited psychosocial improvement scores that were 9.6 points
      (95% CI, -18.4 to -0.8; p < 0.033) lower than patients without chronic disease.
      Patients with noncomplex chronic disease had similar psychosocial improvement
      scores when compared with patients without chronic disease. CONCLUSIONS: As a
      measure of health-related quality of live, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory
      demonstrated responsiveness and construct validity in a broad population of
      critically ill children. This measure represents a patient-centered clinically
      meaningful patient-or-parent-reported outcome measure for pediatric research
      assessing the clinical effectiveness of PICU/cardiac ICU interventions. When
      using health-related quality of life recovery as an outcome measure to assess
      clinical effectiveness in the PICU/cardiac ICU setting, measuring and controlling
      for the level of medical complexity is important in order to understand the true
      impact of clinical interventions.

PMID- 27261669
TI  - Prescribe to Prevent: Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Rescue Kits for
      Prescribers and Pharmacists.
AB  - In March of 2015, the United States Department of Health and Human Services
      identified 3 priority areas to reduce opioid use disorders and overdose, which
      are as follows: opioid-prescribing practices; expanded use and distribution of
      naloxone; and expansion of medication-assisted treatment. In this narrative
      review of overdose prevention and the role of prescribers and pharmacists in
      distributing naloxone, we address these priority areas and present a clinical
      scenario within the review involving a pharmacist, a patient with chronic pain
      and anxiety, and a primary care physician. We also discuss current laws related
      to naloxone prescribing and dispensing. This review was adapted from the
      Prescribe to Prevent online continuing medical education module created for
      prescribers and pharmacists (http://www.opioidprescribing.com/naloxone_module_1
      landing).

PMID- 27261670
TI  - Sativex Associated With Behavioral-Relapse Prevention Strategy as Treatment for
      Cannabis Dependence: A Case Series.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug; a substantial
      minority of users develop dependence. The current lack of pharmacological
      treatments for cannabis dependence warrants the use of novel approaches and
      further investigation of promising pharmacotherapy. In this case series, we
      assessed the use of self-titrated dosages of Sativex (1:1, Delta
      tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]/cannabidiol [CBD] combination) and motivational
      enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (MET/CBT) for the treatment
      of cannabis dependence among 5 treatment-seeking community-recruited cannabis
      dependent subjects. METHODS: Participants underwent a 3-month open-label self
      titration phase with Sativex (up to 113.4 of THC/105 mg of CBD) and weekly
      MET/CBT, with a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Sativex was well-tolerated by all
      participants (average dosage 77.5 THC/71.7 mg CBD). The combination of Sativex
      and MET/CBT reduced the amount of cannabis use and progressively reduced craving
      and withdrawal scores. THC/CBD metabolite concentration indicated reduced
      cannabis use and compliance with medication. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this pilot
      study found that with Sativex in combination with MET/CBT reduced cannabis use
      while preventing increases in craving and withdrawal in the 4 participants
      completing the study. Further systematic exploration of Sativex as a
      pharmacological treatment option for cannabis dependence should be performed.

PMID- 27261672
TI  - Taxon interactions control the distributions of cryoconite bacteria colonizing a
      High Arctic ice cap.
AB  - Microbial colonization of glacial ice surfaces incurs feedbacks which affect the
      melting rate of the ice surface. Ecosystems formed as microbe-mineral aggregates
      termed cryoconite locally reduce ice surface albedo and represent foci of
      biodiversity and biogeochemical cycling. Consequently, greater understanding the
      ecological processes in the formation of functional cryoconite ecosystems upon
      glacier surfaces is sought. Here, we present the first bacterial biogeography of
      an ice cap, evaluating the respective roles of dispersal, environmental and
      biotic filtration occurring at local scales in the assembly of cryoconite
      microbiota. 16S rRNA gene amplicon semiconductor sequencing of cryoconite
      colonizing a Svalbard ice cap coupled with digital elevation modelling of
      physical parameters reveals the bacterial community is dominated by a ubiquitous
      core of generalist taxa, with evidence for a moderate pairwise distance-decay
      relationship. While geographic position and melt season duration are prominent
      among environmental predictors of community structure, the core population of
      taxa appears highly influential in structuring the bacterial community. Taxon co
      occurrence network analysis reveals a highly modular community structured by
      positive interactions with bottleneck taxa, predominantly Actinobacteria
      affiliated to isolates from soil humus. In contrast, the filamentous
      cyanobacterial taxon (assigned to Leptolyngbya/Phormidesmis pristleyi) which
      dominates the community and binds together granular cryoconite are poorly
      connected to other taxa. While our study targeted one ice cap, the prominent role
      of generalist core taxa with close environmental relatives across the global
      cryosphere indicate discrete roles for cosmopolitan Actinobacteria and
      Cyanobacteria as respective keystone taxa and ecosystem engineers of cryoconite
      ecosystems colonizing ice caps.

PMID- 27261671
TI  - Computational modeling of Repeat1 region of INI1/hSNF5: An evolutionary link with
      ubiquitin.
AB  - The structure of a protein can be very informative of its function. However,
      determining protein structures experimentally can often be very challenging.
      Computational methods have been used successfully in modeling structures with
      sufficient accuracy. Here we have used computational tools to predict the
      structure of an evolutionarily conserved and functionally significant domain of
      Integrase interactor (INI)1/hSNF5 protein. INI1 is a component of the chromatin
      remodeling SWI/SNF complex, a tumor suppressor and is involved in many protein
      protein interactions. It belongs to SNF5 family of proteins that contain two
      conserved repeat (Rpt) domains. Rpt1 domain of INI1 binds to HIV-1 Integrase, and
      acts as a dominant negative mutant to inhibit viral replication. Rpt1 domain also
      interacts with oncogene c-MYC and modulates its transcriptional activity. We
      carried out an ab initio modeling of a segment of INI1 protein containing the
      Rpt1 domain. The structural model suggested the presence of a compact and well
      defined betabetaalphaalpha topology as core structure in the Rpt1 domain of INI1.
      This topology in Rpt1 was similar to PFU domain of Phospholipase A2 Activating
      Protein, PLAA. Interestingly, PFU domain shares similarity with Ubiquitin and has
      ubiquitin binding activity. Because of the structural similarity between Rpt1
      domain of INI1 and PFU domain of PLAA, we propose that Rpt1 domain of INI1 may
      participate in ubiquitin recognition or binding with ubiquitin or ubiquitin
      related proteins. This modeling study may shed light on the mode of interactions
      of Rpt1 domain of INI1 and is likely to facilitate future functional studies of
      INI1.

PMID- 27261673
TI  - Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) boll rotting bacteria vectored by the brown stink
      bug, Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).
AB  - AIM: To determine the capacity of the brown stink bug (BSB) (Euschistus servus)
      to transmit an infective Pantoea agglomerans strain Sc 1-R into cotton (Gossypium
      hirsutum) bolls. METHODS AND RESULTS: A laboratory colony of BSB was maintained
      on fresh green beans. Either sterile or Sc 1-R contaminated beans were offered to
      adult insects. Strain Sc 1-R holds rifampicin resistance (Rif(r) ). Insects were
      then caged with unopened greenhouse-grown bolls. After 2 days, BSB were surface
      sterilized, ground, and then plated on media with and without Rif. Two weeks
      later, seed with lint were ground and plated on media with and without Rif.
      Microbes were recovered on nonselective media from all BSBs and from seed/lint at
      concentrations reaching 10(9)  CFU g(-1) tissue. Rif(r) bacteria were recovered
      strictly from insects exposed to Sc1-R and from diseased seed/lint of respective
      bolls. CONCLUSIONS: Euschistus servus was capable of transmitting strain Sc 1-R
      into bolls resulting in disease. Insects not exposed to the pathogen deposited
      bacteria yet the nonpathogenic microbes produced insignificant damage to the boll
      tissue. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: This is the first study to concretely
      show the capacity of the BSB to transmit an infective P. agglomerans strain
      resulting in boll disease.

PMID- 27261677
TI  - Multiple Approaches to Multiple Sclerosis (and Other Demyelinating Diseases).

PMID- 27261678
TI  - New Approaches to the Diagnosis, Clinical Course, and Goals of Therapy in
      Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.
AB  - The diagnosis, categorization, and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other
      demyelinating diseases have shifted over the past decade, and many of the
      fundamental principles of MS pathogenesis and clinical course are being
      rewritten. Fundamental issues include selecting the right disease-modifying
      therapy for someone with active disease and how, or even if, patients with purely
      progressive MS should be treated. This article provides an overview and
      introduction to the current thinking in MS diagnosis and therapy with an emphasis
      on the data-driven and proactive approach that has come to define the current
      state of the art. 

PMID- 27261679
TI  - Incidental Lesions Suggesting Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Neurologists are frequently asked to consult on patients with
      incidentally observed anomalies on brain MRI that may be suggestive of multiple
      sclerosis (MS). The identification of such findings has important clinical
      management implications. This review provides an overview and practical clinical
      approach options for clinicians. RECENT FINDINGS: An increase in the number of
      brain MRI studies performed annually is expected to result in detection of a
      corresponding greater number of unanticipated anomalies. A disproportionate
      number of patients referred to neurologists for this reason have punctate
      subcortical T2 hyperintensities that appear nonspecific in origin rather than
      having imaging features concerning for MS. However, in some instances, the MRI
      characteristics appear to be typical for demyelination. When these features are
      observed, efforts should be pursued to identify an accurate explanation for the
      preclinical findings through rigorous clinical evaluation, paraclinical testing,
      and utilization of longitudinal imaging. SUMMARY: The identification of subjects
      with incidental T2 hyperintensities highly suggestive of MS is important for
      patient counseling and management. Continued neurologic evaluations and
      reassessment of the original clinical impression are recommended to ensure
      accurate interpretation of the available data.

PMID- 27261680
TI  - Early Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article provides an evidence-based approach to the
      management of patients with early relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). RECENT
      FINDINGS: Numerous clinical trials have shown the role of disease-modifying
      therapies in reducing relapses and new MRI lesions in patients with relapsing MS.
      Many of these trials also show the ability of these agents to delay disability
      progression, and a few suggest that disease-modifying therapies may slow brain
      atrophy in relapsing MS; however, very few suggest that disease-modifying
      therapies can improve symptoms or disability. The therapeutic armamentarium of
      disease-modifying therapies includes five interferon formulations, two versions
      of glatiramer acetate, mitoxantrone, natalizumab, fingolimod, teriflunomide,
      dimethyl fumarate, and alemtuzumab. SUMMARY: Although multiple disease-modifying
      therapies exist, the risks of these vary markedly, head-to-head comparator trials
      are limited, and no prospective biomarkers for treatment efficacy exist;
      therefore, choosing a disease-modifying therapy for an individual patient with MS
      is a difficult decision. This difficulty is compounded by limitations in
      predicting a patient's disease course, and the risk tolerance of the patient and
      opinions of the care partner need to be factored into the decision analysis as
      well. After a disease-modifying therapy is chosen, vigilance for clinical or
      radiographic breakthrough disease is very important, as this may suggest a
      suboptimal response to the chosen therapy. Furthermore, the role of symptom
      management and wellness should always remain part of the approach to the patient
      with MS.

PMID- 27261681
TI  - Severe, Highly Active, or Aggressive Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite the efficacy of current therapies for relapsing forms
      of multiple sclerosis (MS), there remains a group of patients whose disease fails
      to respond and warrants a different approach to treatment. This article reviews
      this form of aggressive MS and proposes a definition and new treatment algorithm.
      Failing to recognize aggressive MS and initiate more effective therapy will
      result in a lost opportunity to effectively treat the disease. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Natural history studies, together with the results of contemporary clinical
      trials, help to identify and profile a subset of patients with relapsing MS who
      have a much poorer prognosis and for whom conventional treatment tends to fail.
      Therapies that have shown success in the treatment of this patient group with
      aggressive MS are reviewed and discussed. SUMMARY: It is imperative to recognize
      aggressive MS to effectively treat it before patients progress. Recognizing
      aggressive MS as early as possible is the key to successful implementation of a
      proposed algorithm.

PMID- 27261682
TI  - Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Many therapeutic advances for relapsing-remitting multiple
      sclerosis (MS) have occurred in the past 25 years. Although similar advances in
      disease-modifying therapies have not been realized in progressive MS, many
      symptomatic therapeutic strategies can benefit patients with progressive MS. Few
      guidelines exist for management of patients with progressive MS. RECENT FINDINGS:
      The classification of progressive MS was revised in 2013 to include a description
      of inflammatory disease activity determined by clinical relapses or imaging
      findings. Developing knowledge about the pathogenesis of progressive MS and the
      role of comorbidities in modifying the disease course has implications for the
      clinical management of patients with progressive MS as well as for clinical trial
      design. Current and upcoming clinical trials will assess a wide range of
      interventions, including immunomodulatory agents, putative neuroprotective
      molecules, stem cell therapy, nutrition, and rehabilitation techniques. SUMMARY:
      None of the therapies currently approved for use in relapsing-remitting MS have
      been shown to slow the gradual progression of disability that occurs in the
      absence of recent relapses or changes in MRI. A multidisciplinary approach is
      needed to address the many symptoms that impact quality of life for patients with
      progressive MS.

PMID- 27261683
TI  - Acute Multiple Sclerosis Relapse.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article discusses acute exacerbations (relapses) of
      multiple sclerosis (MS). Relapses are a hallmark of MS and are often associated
      with significant functional impairment and decreased quality of life. This review
      discusses the proposed pathophysiology of MS relapses, triggering factors,
      associated markers, variants of clinical presentation, and diagnostic
      recommendations. RECENT FINDINGS: Most MS exacerbations are followed by a period
      of repair leading to clinical remission; however, residual deficits may persist
      after MS relapse and contribute to the stepwise progression of disability.
      Treatment of MS relapses is important as it helps to shorten the duration of
      disability associated with their course. Successful treatment of relapse helps
      patients with MS obtain a vital sense of being able to gain control over the
      disease. Patients with relapsing MS who receive treatment report better outcomes
      than those who are simply observed. This article discusses treatment options for
      MS relapse, including systemic corticosteroids, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and
      plasma exchange. Recent findings related to the mechanisms of action of steroids
      and adrenocorticotropic hormone are also reviewed, and other potential therapies
      are assessed. A proposed algorithm for MS relapse management is presented,
      including strategies for steroid-resistant MS exacerbations. SUMMARY: MS relapses
      need to be recognized in a timely manner and treated using recommended
      therapeutic methods.

PMID- 27261684
TI  - Symptom Management and Lifestyle Modifications in Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the rationale and approach to symptom
      management and lifestyle modifications in multiple sclerosis (MS). RECENT
      FINDINGS: MS symptoms are important to treat because they affect quality of life
      and daily activity. Appreciation of cluster symptoms (where one symptom
      contributes to another), changes over time, and multimodality therapeutic
      approaches are guiding optimized symptom management. Equally important are
      lifestyle modifications that enhance central nervous system reserve and function.
      These modifications are the foundation for a health maintenance, wellness, and
      vascular risk factor control program. SUMMARY: Symptom management and lifestyle
      modifications are important therapeutic targets to improve the lives of patients
      with MS.

PMID- 27261685
TI  - Pregnancy in the Setting of Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article provides a review of the available data on
      reproductive issues that arise in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). RECENT
      FINDINGS: Recent findings have replicated earlier findings that pregnancy and
      possibly breast-feeding bring about a favorable immunomodulatory effect in
      patients with MS. Use of disease-modifying therapies prior to pregnancy may
      further decrease a patient's risk for postpartum disease activity. SUMMARY: The
      annualized relapse rate in MS decreases during pregnancy, with a nadir in the
      third trimester, and rebounds significantly in the 3-month postpartum period.
      Exclusive breast-feeding may exert a beneficial effect in decreasing the
      postpartum risk for relapse. Certain assisted reproductive technology methods are
      thought to increase the risk for relapse. Disease-modifying therapies are
      generally discontinued during pregnancy and lactation with a few exceptions. The
      pregnancy course is usually routine without significant obstetric complications,
      and babies, although slightly smaller, are typically healthy.

PMID- 27261686
TI  - Switching or Discontinuing Disease-Modifying Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the reasons for discontinuation or
      switching of multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapy as well as procedures
      that might mitigate risk to the patient under such circumstances. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Recent review of the literature, as well as the author's extensive
      clinical experience, indicate that the discontinuation of multiple sclerosis
      disease-modifying therapies occurs for many reasons. Often one medication is
      stopped at the recommendation of the physician in order to switch to another
      medication. However, often the decision to discontinue medication is made by the
      patient. Unfortunately, in still other situations, treatment is stopped because
      of circumstances beyond the control of either patient or physician (eg, a loss of
      insurance coverage). Currently available data do not permit a conclusion about
      whether it is ever safe to discontinue disease-modifying therapy in a stable
      patient without the expectation of return of disease activity. SUMMARY:
      Clinicians must help patients avoid unnecessary and undesirable cessation of
      disease-modifying therapy. While switches of therapy are often necessary, steps
      to minimize both adverse events and the risk of recurrent disease should be
      undertaken. Whether disease-modifying therapy can ever be purposely discontinued
      without incurring a significant risk of disease recurrence remains to be
      determined.

PMID- 27261687
TI  - Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article provides a practical approach for providers
      caring for patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorders. Clinical
      and imaging features, diagnostic criteria, treatment of acute exacerbations,
      chronic preventive therapy, and symptom management in NMO spectrum disorders are
      discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: The rapid pace of research in NMO spectrum disorders
      has led to many recent advances. A broader understanding of the clinical spectrum
      of the disease as well as improvements in anti-aquaporin-4 antibody assays have
      led to recent revision of the diagnostic criteria. Several recent studies have
      expanded the knowledge base regarding the efficacy and safety of current
      therapies for NMO spectrum disorders. SUMMARY: An NMO spectrum disorder is an
      inflammatory disorder affecting the central nervous system, previously thought to
      be closely related to multiple sclerosis but more recently demonstrated to
      represent a distinct clinical and pathophysiologic entity. As NMO spectrum
      disorders carry significant morbidity and, at times, mortality, prompt and
      accurate diagnosis followed by swift initiation of therapy for both treatment of
      acute exacerbations and prevention of further relapses is critical. This article
      provides a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of NMO spectrum
      disorders.

PMID- 27261688
TI  - Pediatric Demyelination.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes a general approach to pediatric
      demyelination as well as specific features of each of the acquired demyelinating
      syndromes to help clinicians in their evaluation of children with these
      disorders. Case studies are included to illustrate the expanding phenotype of
      many of these syndromes. RECENT FINDINGS: With the creation of consensus
      definitions for the pediatric acquired demyelinating syndromes, recognition of
      demyelination in children has increased, as has understanding of the clinical and
      radiologic features, prognosis, and response to treatment. Collaborative studies
      and multicenter clinical trials are ongoing and needed to appropriately evaluate
      emerging therapies for some of the chronic demyelinating disorders, such as
      multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorder. SUMMARY:
      This review will aid the clinician in identifying key features of the pediatric
      acquired demyelinating syndromes and highlights a general approach for the
      diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.

PMID- 27261689
TI  - Genetic Leukoencephalopathies in Adults.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: More than 100 heritable disorders can present with abnormal
      white matter on neuroimaging. While acquired disorders remain a more common cause
      of leukoencephalopathy in the adult than genetic causes, the clinician must
      remain aware of features that suggest a possible genetic etiology. RECENT
      FINDINGS: The differential diagnosis of heritable white matter disorders in
      adults has been revolutionized by next-generation sequencing approaches and the
      recent identification of the molecular cause of a series of adult-onset
      disorders. SUMMARY: The identification of a heritable etiology of white matter
      disease will often have important prognostic and family counseling implications.
      It is thus important to be aware of the most common hereditary disorders of the
      white matter and to know how to distinguish them from acquired disorders and how
      to approach their diagnosis.

PMID- 27261690
TI  - Palliative Care in Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - Collaboration between the neurologist and palliative care team in the care of
      patients with severe demyelinating disease can result in improved patient care,
      and discussion of the complex ethical issues that arise when a patient expresses
      a wish to die may be rewarding for both patients and caregivers.

PMID- 27261691
TI  - Health Literacy and Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - Health literacy is an important consideration when managing patients with
      multiple sclerosis. Literacy impacts comprehension about patient condition,
      participation in medical decision making, and compliance with treatment plans.
      Awareness of health literacy allows clinicians to tailor their approach to
      individual patients and improve the overall care of patients.

PMID- 27261692
TI  - Coding in Multiple Sclerosis and Other Demyelinating Diseases.

PMID- 27261696
TI  - Patient Management Problem.

PMID- 27261697
TI  - Patient Management Problem-Preferred Responses.

PMID- 27261699
TI  - Review on the delivery of steroids by carrier proteins.
AB  - Due to the poor solubility of steroids in aqueous solution, delivery of these
      biomaterials is of major biomedical importance. We have reviewed the conjugation
      of testosterone and it aliphatic dimer and aromatic dimer with several carrier
      proteins, human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and milk beta
      lactoglobulin (b-LG) in aqueous solution at physiological pH. The results of
      multiple spectroscopic methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and
      molecular modeling were compared here. Steroid-protein bindings are via
      hydrophilic and H-bonding contacts. HSA forms more stable conjugate than BSA and
      b-LG. The stability of steroid-protein conjugates is testosterone>dimer
      aromatic>dimer-aliphatic. Encapsulation of steroids by protein is shown by TEM
      images. Modeling showed the presence of H-bonding, which stabilized testosterone
      protein complexes with the free binding energy of -12.95 for HSA and -11.55 for
      BSA and -8.92kcal/mol for b-LG conjugates. Steroid conjugation induced major
      perturbations of serum protein conformations. Serum proteins can transport
      steroids to the target molecules. 

PMID- 27261700
TI  - Bacteriophytochromes control conjugation in Agrobacterium fabrum.
AB  - Bacterial conjugation, the transfer of single stranded plasmid DNA from donor to
      recipient cell, is mediated through the type IV secretion system. We performed
      conjugation assays using a transmissible artificial plasmid as reporter. With
      this assay, conjugation in Agrobacterium fabrum was modulated by the phytochromes
      Agp1 and Agp2, photoreceptors that are most sensitive in the red region of
      visible light. In conjugation studies with wild-type donor cells carrying a pBIN
      GUSINT plasmid as reporter that lacked the Ti (tumor inducing) plasmid, no
      conjugation was observed. When either agp1(-) or agp2(-) knockout donor strains
      were used, plasmid DNA was delivered to the recipient, indicating that both
      phytochromes suppress conjugation in the wild type donor. In the recipient
      strains, the loss of Agp1 or Agp2 led to diminished conjugation. When wild type
      cells with Ti plasmid and pBIN-GUS reporter plasmid were used as donor, a high
      rate of conjugation was observed. The DNA transfer was down regulated by red or
      far-red light by a factor of 3.5. With agp1(-) or agp2(-) knockout donor cells,
      conjugation in the dark was about 10 times lower than with the wild type donor,
      and with the double knockout donor no conjugation was observed. These results
      imply that the phytochrome system has evolved to inhibit conjugation in the
      light. The decrease of conjugation under different temperature correlated with
      the decrease of phytochrome autophosphorylation. 

PMID- 27261701
TI  - Phyto-mediated biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the rind extract of
      watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) under photo-catalyzed condition and investigation
      of its antibacterial, anticandidal and antioxidant efficacy.
AB  - The biological synthesis of nanoparticles has gained tremendous interest, and
      plants and plant extracts are preferred over other biological sources for this
      process because of their rich content of bioactive metabolites. In this study,
      silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were produced utilizing the aqueous extract of
      watermelon rind (WRA), an agricultural waste material under photo exposed
      condition at room temperature, and tested for their antibacterial, anticandidal
      and antioxidant activities. The synthesized AgNPs showed surface plasmon
      resonance at 425nm with an average size of 109.97nm. The morphology and elemental
      composition was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy
      dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT
      IR) and thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG)
      confirmed that the bioactive compounds from the WRA extract were involved in the
      synthesis and capping of AgNPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the crystallite
      nature of the AgNPs. The AgNPs exhibited strong broad spectrum antibacterial
      activity against five different foodborne bacteria with zones of inhibition 9.12
      14.54mm in diameter. When AgNPs were mixed with kanamycin and rifampicin the
      mixture exhibited strong antibacterial synergistic activity. The AgNPs also
      exerted strong synergistic anticandidal activity when they were combined with
      amphotericin b. The AgNPs had high antioxidant activity and reducing power.
      Overall, the results confirmed the bio-potentials of the synthesized AgNPs using
      WRA, which could have applications in the biomedical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical,
      food preservation and packaging industries. 

PMID- 27261724
TI  - Preparation and characterization of cationic and amphoteric mannans from Candida
      albicans.
AB  - Cationic and amphoteric mannans from Candida albicans were prepared by chemical
      modification with (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)trimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC)
      and sodium chloroacetate under aqueous alkaline conditions. The optimal reaction
      conditions for mannan cationization were found to be 6h, 60 degrees C, and
      NaOH/CHPTAC ratio of 1.0. Adjusting the molar ratio of cationization agent to
      anhydromannose unit, cationic and amphoteric mannans with degree of substitution
      ranging from 0.07 to 0.57 were obtained. Their structure was confirmed by
      elemental analysis as well as FTIR and NMR spectroscopies. Moderate decrease of
      molecular weight of both cationic and amphoteric mannans was recorded by size
      exclusion chromatography. With increasing level of modification, reduction of the
      antibody-binding capacity was observed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

PMID- 27261725
TI  - Morphological, physical, antimicrobial and release properties of ZnO
      nanoparticles-loaded bacterial cellulose films.
AB  - Bacterial cellulose (BC) monolayer and multilayer films, incorporating 5wt.% ZnO
      nanoparticles (NPs) have been obtained. Ultrasound (US) irradiation (40kHz) was
      applied during ZnO-BC nanocomposites preparation. X-ray diffraction (XRD)
      patterns showed that ZnO NPs were crystallized in their pure phase. SEM scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM) results indicated that US treatment causes to decrease
      ZnO particle size, forming a stable hybrid nanostructure and evenly distributed
      ZnO NPs coated BC nanofibers. ZnO NPs enhanced the mechanical properties and
      diminished water vapor permeability and moisture absorption of BC films.
      Antibacterial activity of ZnO-BC films against Staphylococcus aureus was more
      than Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity was enhanced with the
      utilization of US irradiation. The ZnO release was influenced by films
      composition; the multilayer and US treated films being promising in order to
      achieve controlled release of ZnO. Results suggest that ZnO-BC films may be used
      as controlled release antimicrobial food active packaging. 

PMID- 27261726
TI  - Coaggregation of mineral filler particles and starch granules as a basis for
      improving filler-fiber interaction in paper production.
AB  - The sustainable, efficient use of renewable bio-based additives in the production
      of various materials fits well into the concept of sustainability. Here, the
      concept of coaggregation of mineral filler particles and starch granules for
      improving filler-fiber interaction in paper-based cellulosic networks is
      presented. Coaggregation of precipitated calcium carbonate filler particles and
      uncooked, unmodified corn starch granules by cationic polyacrylamide (a cationic
      high molecular weight polymer flocculant) in combination with bentonite (an
      anionic microparticle) prior to addition to cellulosic fiber slurry delivered
      enhanced filler bondability with cellulosic fibers. For instance, under the
      conditions studied, preaggregation resulted in an increase in filler bondability
      factor from 9.24 to 15.21 at starch dosage of 1% (on the basis of the dry weight
      of papermaking stock). The swelling and gelatinization of the starch granules in
      starch-filler preaggregates or hybrids enabled the "bridging" of the gaps in
      cellulosic networks, leading to structural consolidation and strength
      enhancement.

PMID- 27261727
TI  - Biological evaluation of N-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan
      as a carrier for the delivery of live Newcastle disease vaccine.
AB  - Mucosal immune system plays a very important role in antiviral immune response.
      We prepared Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) encapsulated in N-2-hydroxypropyl
      trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (N-2-HACC) nanoparticles (NDV/La Sota-N-2
      HACC-NPs) by an ionic cross linking method, and assessed the potential of N-2
      HACC-NPs as a mucosal immune delivery carrier. The properties of the
      nanoparticles were determined by transmission electron microscopy, Zeta potential
      and particle size analysis, encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity. NDV/La
      Sota-N-2-HACC-NPs have regular spherical morphologies and high stability; with
      303.88+/-49.8nm mean diameter, 45.77+/-0.75mV Zeta potential, 94.26+/-0.42%
      encapsulation efficiency and 54.06+/-0.21% loading capacity. In vitro release
      assay indicated that the release of NDV from NDV/La Sota-N-2-HACC-NPs is slow.
      The NDV/La Sota-N-2-HACC-NPs have good biological characteristics, very low
      toxicity and high level of safety. Additionally, specific pathogen-free chickens
      immunized with NDV/La Sota-N-2-HACC-NPs showed much stronger cellular, humoral
      and mucosal immune responses than commercial attenuated live Newcastle disease
      vaccine, and NDV/La Sota-N-2-HACC-NPs reached the sustainable release effect. Our
      study here provides a foundation for the further development of mucosal vaccines
      and drugs, and the N-2-HACC-NPs should be a potential drug delivery carrier with
      immense potential in medical applications.

PMID- 27261728
TI  - Active bio-based food-packaging: Diffusion and release of active substances
      through and from cellulose nanofiber coating toward food-packaging design.
AB  - Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were recently investigated for the elaboration of new
      functional food-packaging materials. Their nanoporous network was especially of
      interest for controlling the release of active species. Qualitative release
      studies were conducted, but quantification of the diffusion phenomenon observed
      when the active species are released from and through CNF coating has not yet
      been studied. Therefore, this work aims to model CNF-coated paper substrates as
      controlled release system for food-packaging using release data obtained for two
      model molecules, namely caffeine and chlorhexidine digluconate. The applied
      mathematical model - derived from Fickian diffusion - was validated for caffeine
      only. When the active species chemically interacts with the release device,
      another model is required as a non-predominantly diffusion-controlled release was
      observed. From caffeine modeling data, a theoretical active food-packaging
      material was designed. The use of CNFs as barrier coating was proved to be the
      ideal material configuration that best meets specifications. 

PMID- 27261729
TI  - Silver coated anionic cellulose nanofiber composites for an efficient
      antimicrobial activity.
AB  - Herein, we report a comparative study of silver coated anionic cellulose
      nanocomposite before (CMC-Ag) and after (AgNPs/CMC) chemical reduction for
      antibacterial activity. Cellulose nanofibers were prepared by deacetylation of
      electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibers, which were then treated with sodium
      chloroacetate to prepare anionic cellulose nanofibers (CMC). Aqueous AgNO3
      solution with different concentrations was employed to produce nanofiber
      composites. To obtain AgNPs/CMC, the resultant Ag/CMC nanofibers were chemically
      reduced with NaBH4. The nanocomposites were characterized by FE-SEM, FTIR, XPS
      and SEM-EDS. Antimicrobiality tests were conducted using S. aureus and
      Escherichia coli bacteria following standard test method JIS L1902, 2008. The EDS
      results confirmed higher silver content in CMC-Ag nanofibers than AgNPs/CMC
      nanofibers. The antimicrobial test and EDS results demonstrated higher silver
      release (larger halo width) by the former in comparison to later which confers
      better antimicrobiality by CMC-Ag nanofibers. 

PMID- 27261730
TI  - Water-soluble cellulose acetate from waste cotton fabrics and the aqueous
      processing of all-cellulose composites.
AB  - The objective of this study is to explore the possibility of using waste cotton
      fabrics (WCFs) as low cost feedstock for the production of value-added products.
      Our previous study (Tian et al., 2014) demonstrated that acidic ionic liquids
      (ILs) can be highly efficient catalysts for controllable synthesis of cellulose
      acetate (CA) due to their dual function of swelling and catalyzing. In this
      study, an optimized "quasi-homogeneous" process which required a small amount of
      acidic ILs as catalyst was developed to synthesize water-soluble CA from WCFs.
      The process was optimized by varying the amounts of ILs and the reaction time.
      The highest conversion of water-soluble CA from WCFs reached 90.8%. The structure
      of the obtained water-soluble CA was characterized and compared with the original
      WCFs. Moreover, we demonstrate for the first time that fully bio-based and
      transparent all-cellulose composites can be fabricated by simple aqueous blending
      of the obtained water-soluble CA and two kinds of nanocelluloses (cellulose
      nanocrystals and cellulose nanofibrils), which is attractive for the applications
      in disposable packaging materials, sheet coating and binders, etc.

PMID- 27261731
TI  - New blends of ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymers with thermoplastic starch.
      Characterization and bacterial biodegradation.
AB  - Ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer (EBA) with 13% of butyl acrylate content was
      used to produce blends with 10, 30 and 60% of thermoplastic starch (TPS)
      plasticized with glycerol. Ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) was used as
      compatibilizer at 20% content with respect to EBA. The blends were characterized
      by X-ray diffraction, ATR-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR),
      Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), water-Contact Angle measurements (CA),
      Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Stress-strain mechanical tests.
      Initiated autoxidation of the polymer blends was studied by chemiluminescence
      (CL) confirming that the presence of the polyolefin-TPS interphase did not
      substantially affect the oxidative thermostability of the materials. Three
      bacterial species have been isolated from the blend films buried in soil and
      identified as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus borstelensis and Bacillus
      licheniformis. Biodegradation of the blends (28days at 45 degrees C) was
      evaluated by carbon dioxide measurement using the indirect impedance technique.

PMID- 27261732
TI  - Antibiofilm activity of carboxymethyl chitosan on the biofilms of non-Candida
      albicans Candida species.
AB  - Although most cases of candidiasis have been attributed to Candida albicans, non
      C. albicans Candida species have been isolated in increasing numbers in patients.
      In this study, we determined the inhibition of carboxymethyl chitosan (CM
      chitosan) on single and mixed species biofilm of non-albicans Candida species,
      including Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei and Candida
      glabrata. Biofilm by all tested species in microtiter plates were inhibited
      nearly 70%. CM-chitosan inhibited mixed species biofilm in microtiter plates and
      also on medical materials surfaces. To investigate the mechanism, the effect of
      CM-chitosan on cell viability and biofilm growth was employed. CM-chitosan
      inhibited Candida planktonic growth as well as adhesion. Further biofilm
      formation was inhibited with CM-chitosan added at 90min, 12h or 24h after biofilm
      initiation. CM-chitosan was not only able to inhibit the metabolic activity of
      Candida cells, but was also active upon the establishment and the development of
      biofilms. 

PMID- 27261733
TI  - Processing and characterization of polyols plasticized-starch reinforced with
      microcrystalline cellulose.
AB  - Biocomposites suitable for short-life applications such as food packaging were
      prepared by melt processing and investigated. Biocomposites studied are wheat
      starch plasticized with two different molecular weight polyols (glycerol and
      sorbitol) and reinforced with various amounts of microcrystalline cellulose. The
      effect of the plasticizer type and the filler amount on the processing
      properties, the crystallization behavior and morphology developed for the
      materials, and the influence on thermal stability, dynamic mechanical properties
      and water absorption behavior were investigated. Addition of microcrystalline
      cellulose led to composites with good filler-matrix adhesion where the stiffness
      and resistance to humidity absorption were improved. The use of sorbitol as a
      plasticizer of starch also improved the stiffness and water uptake behavior of
      the material as well as its thermal stability. Biodegradable starch-based
      materials with a wide variety of properties can be tailored by varying the polyol
      plasticizer type and/or by adding microcrystalline cellulose filler.

PMID- 27261734
TI  - Maleimide-grafted cellulose nanocrystals as cross-linkers for bionanocomposite
      hydrogels.
AB  - This article deals with the preparation of bionanocomposite hydrogels from
      natural polymers and nanoentities, an emerging class of materials for
      biotechnological and biomedical applications. Herein, the applicability of the
      Diels-Alder "click" reaction to the design of bionanocomposite hydrogels from
      furan modified gelatin using maleimide-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals as
      multifunctional cocross-linkers is demonstrated. The functionalization of
      cellulose nanocrystals with maleimide moieties was confirmed by XPS. The swelling
      and rheological properties of the resulting bionanocomposite confirmed the
      formation of hydrogel networks with covalently embedded nanoentities. The Diels
      Alder reaction resulted in the formation of stiffer networks with lower swelling
      ratios due to the formation of additional cross-linking points. The designed
      "click" strategy proved to be a promising candidate for the formation of fully
      renewable bionanocomposite hydrogels.

PMID- 27261735
TI  - 3,6-O-[N-(2-Aminoethyl)-acetamide-yl]-chitosan exerts antibacterial activity by a
      membrane damage mechanism.
AB  - A novel chitosan derivative, 3,6-O-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-acetamide-yl]-chitosan
      (AACS), was successfully prepared to improve water solubility and antibacterial
      activity of chitosan. AACS had good antibacterial activity, with minimum
      inhibitory concentrations of 0.25mg/mL, against Escherichia coli and
      Staphylococcus aureus. Cell membrane integrity, electric conductivity and NPN
      uptake tests showed that AACS caused quickly increasing the release of
      intracellular nucleic acids, the uptake of NPN, and the electric conductivity by
      damaging membrane integrity. On the other hand, hydrophobicity, cell viability
      and SDS-PAGE experiments indicated that AACS was able to reduce the surface
      hydrophobicity, the cell viability and the intracellular proteins through
      increasing membrane permeability. SEM observation further confirmed that AACS
      could kill bacteria via disrupting their membranes. All results above verified
      that AACS mainly exerted antibacterial activity by a membrane damage mechanism,
      and it was expected to be a new food preservative.

PMID- 27261737
TI  - Purification, characterization and anti-proliferation activities of
      polysaccharides extracted from Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai.
AB  - Three polysaccharides, VCP1, VCP2 and VCP3 were isolated from Viscum coloratum
      (Kom.) Nakai using DEAE-cellulose chromatography. VCP1 (32KDa) was composed of
      glucose, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose and mannose, while VCP2 (280KDa) and VCP3
      (21KDa) were consisted of glucose, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, mannose,
      glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid. The optical rotation was measured at 20+1
      degrees C. The characteristic absorptive bands of purified fraction were
      determined by FT-IR. (13)C NMR spectroscopy analysis showed that VCP1 was a
      neutral polysaccharide, and VCP2 and VCP3 were RG-I type pectin. The linkage
      patterns of VCP2 were evaluated by methylation analysis: 1,5-linked Araf, 1,4
      linked Galp, 1,2-linked Rhap, and 1,2,4-linked Rhap. The degree of esterification
      was 50%. The anti-proliferation ability against HepG2 cells and HepG2.2.15 cells
      of VCP2 was stronger than VCP1 and VCP3. So the polysaccharides from Viscum
      coloratum (Kom.) Nakai could be used as potential natural sources with inhibiting
      tumor cells proliferation.

PMID- 27261736
TI  - Exopolysaccharide from Trichoderma pseudokoningii induces macrophage activation.
AB  - In this study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory activity of an exopolysaccharide
      (EPS) derived from Trichoderma pseudokoningii and investigated the molecular
      mechanism of EPS-mediated activation of macrophages. Results revealed that EPS
      could significantly induce the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis
      factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta and enhance phagocytic activity in
      RAW 264.7 cells. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that EPS promoted the
      nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB p65 subunit. Western blot
      analysis showed that EPS increased the expression of inducible nitric oxide
      synthase (iNOS) protein, the degradation of IkappaB-alpha and the phosphorylation
      of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Furthermore, pretreatment of RAW
      264.7 cells with specific inhibitors of NF-kappaB and MAPKs significantly
      attenuated EPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-1beta production. EPS also induced the
      inhibition of cytokine secretion by special antibodies against Toll-like receptor
      4 (TLR4) and Dectin-1. These data suggest that EPS from Trichoderma
      pseudokoningii activates RAW 264.7 cells through NF-kappaB and MAPKs signaling
      pathways via TLR4 and Dectin-1.

PMID- 27261739
TI  - New studies on basil (Ocimum bacilicum L.) seed gum: Part II-Emulsifying and
      foaming characterization.
AB  - BSG is composed of two major fractions with different molecular weight: PER-BSG
      (5980kgmol(-1)) and SUPER-BSG (1045kgmol(-1)). In the present work, the
      emulsifying and foaming properties of BSG and its fractions were investigated as
      a function of molecular weight, chain flexibility and physicochemical features
      (protein and acid uronic content). BSG prevented creaming of emulsion for 4
      weeks. This high stabilization may be related to formation a solid-like structure
      and viscoelastic film of BSG around oil droplets which protected oil droplets
      against aggregation. The low molecular weight fraction (SUPER-BSG) created more
      stable emulsion than high molecular weight fraction (PER-BSG). The foam capacity
      and stability of albumin solution increased by adding BSG. The highest foam
      stability was observed at the highest gum concentration (0.3% w/v). Removing
      protein moieties of BSG led to emulsion and foam stabilization properties of BSG
      weakened, which presents the importance of protein in emulsifying and foaming
      properties of BSG. 

PMID- 27261738
TI  - Methylated 4-N,N dimethyl aminobenzyl N,O carboxymethyl chitosan as a new
      chitosan derivative: Synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity and antibacterial
      activity.
AB  - Chitosan, as a biocompatible polymer, is very attractive for biomedical
      applications. Continues studies are performing for improving its physicochemical
      features in order to make it more suitable for such approaches. In this study,
      methylated 4-N,N dimethyl aminobenzyl N,O carboxymethyl chitosan (MABCC) was
      synthesized,as a new chitosan derivative, in three steps. The investigations were
      carried out using FTIR, NMR, TGA and zeta potential measurement. Antibacterial
      and cell viability assessments were performed on four bacterial strains and two
      cell lines respectively. FTIR and NMR results showed that all substitution
      reactions were successfully carried out. Zeta potential of MABCC at various pH
      especially alkaline pH was greater than chitosan and it revealed increasing the
      solubility of the derivative. Antibacterial activity of MABCC was extremely
      greater than chitosan especially in Gram positive bacteria.Furthermore,it had no
      significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and Skov-3 cell lines in comparison to
      chitosan. These findings confirm that this new derivative can be introduced as a
      suitable compound for biomedical purposes.

PMID- 27261740
TI  - Modification mechanism of sesbania gum, and preparation, property, adsorption of
      dialdehyde cross-linked sesbania gum.
AB  - This paper studied the modification mechanism of Sesbania gum (SG) by means of
      the variations in the numbers of surface hydroxyl groups on the granules,
      Schiff's agent coloration of aldehyde groups, Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrum
      (EDS), etc., and also examined the preparation, property and adsorption of
      dialdehyde cross-linked sesbania gum (DCLSG). The results showed that the surface
      hydroxyl numbers of cross-linked sesbania gum (CLSG) decreased with increasing
      the cross-linking degree. The distribution of the aldehyde groups on the DCLSG
      particles was nonuniform because most of aldehyde groups mainly located on the
      edge of particles. The cross-linking occurred only on the surface of SG
      particles. The oxidization occurred not only on the surface of SG particles, but
      also in the interior of particles. The cross-linking or oxidization changed the
      thermal properties, and reduced the swelling power, viscosity, alkali and acid
      resistance of SG. 

PMID- 27261741
TI  - A thermo-responsive and photo-polymerizable chondroitin sulfate-based hydrogel
      for 3D printing applications.
AB  - The aim of this study was to design a hydrogel system based on methacrylated
      chondroitin sulfate (CSMA) and a thermo-sensitive poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)
      methacrylamide-mono/dilactate)-polyethylene glycol triblock copolymer (M15P10) as
      a suitable material for additive manufacturing of scaffolds. CSMA was synthesized
      by reaction of chondroitin sulfate with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in
      dimethylsulfoxide at 50 degrees C and its degree of methacrylation was tunable up
      to 48.5%, by changing reaction time and GMA feed. Unlike polymer solutions
      composed of CSMA alone (20% w/w), mixtures based on 2% w/w of CSMA and 18% of
      M15P10 showed strain-softening, thermo-sensitive and shear-thinning properties
      more pronounced than those found for polymer solutions based on M15P10 alone.
      Additionally, they displayed a yield stress of 19.2+/-7.0Pa. The 3D printing of
      this hydrogel resulted in the generation of constructs with tailorable porosity
      and good handling properties. Finally, embedded chondrogenic cells remained
      viable and proliferating over a culture period of 6days. The hydrogel described
      herein represents a promising biomaterial for cartilage 3D printing applications.

PMID- 27261742
TI  - Novel cross linked guar gum-g-poly(acrylate) porous superabsorbent hydrogels:
      Characterization and swelling behaviour in different environments.
AB  - A new series of eco-friendly cross linked guar gum-g-poly(acrylate) porous
      superabsorbent hydrogels was prepared by in situ grafting polymerization and
      cross-linking on to a natural guar gum employing N,N-methylene bis acrylamide as
      cross linker. Morphological and structural characterization of the prepared
      hydrogels (SPHs) done by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM) and solid state C(13) NMR spectroscopy confirmed
      formation of porous grafted and crosslinked hydrogel structure. Increase in cross
      linker concentration in the feed mass exhibited decrease in porosity and increase
      in density of the hydrogels. Swelling of an optimized hydrogel (SPH) in response
      to external stimuli namely, salt solutions, fertilizer solutions, temperature,
      and pH exhibited high swelling ratios in various environments. Swelling rate of
      the SPH was faster than the corresponding nonporous superabsorbent hydrogel. The
      prepared hydrogels can serve as excellent carriers of pesticides, fertilizers and
      agriculturally important microbes. Biocontrol formulations based on a
      representative SPH exhibited excellent shelf-life characteristics and bioefficacy
      against phytopathogenic fungus Pythium aphanidermatum. 

PMID- 27261743
TI  - Toll-like receptor 4-related immunostimulatory polysaccharides: Primary
      structure, activity relationships, and possible interaction models.
AB  - Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 is an important polysaccharide receptor; however, the
      relationships between the structures and biological activities of TLR4 and
      polysaccharides remain unknown. Many recent findings have revealed the primary
      structure of TLR4/MD-2-related polysaccharides, and several three-dimensional
      structure models of polysaccharide-binding proteins have been reported; and these
      models provide insights into the mechanisms through which polysaccharides
      interact with TLR4. In this review, we first discuss the origins of
      polysaccharides related to TLR4, including polysaccharides from higher plants,
      fungi, bacteria, algae, and animals. We then briefly describe the glucosidic bond
      types of TLR4-related heteroglycans and homoglycans and describe the typical
      molecular weights of TLR4-related polysaccharides. The primary structures and
      activity relationships of polysaccharides with TLR4/MD-2 are also discussed.
      Finally, based on the existing interaction models of LPS with TLR4/MD-2 and
      linear polysaccharides with proteins, we provide insights into the possible
      interaction models of polysaccharide ligands with TLR4/MD-2. To our knowledge,
      this review is the first to summarize the primary structures and activity
      relationships of TLR4-related polysaccharides and the possible mechanisms of
      interaction for TLR4 and TLR4-related polysaccharides.

PMID- 27261744
TI  - Self-sterilized composite membranes of cellulose acetate/polyethylene glycol for
      water desalination.
AB  - Cellulose acetate/Polyethylene glycol-600 composite membranes were fabricated by
      two step phase inversion procedure and modified by in-situ reduction of silver
      nitrate. FTIR spectra demonstrated the existence of functional groups for bonding
      of silver with oxygen at 370cm(-1), 535cm(-1). The XRD diffractogram indicates
      characteristic peaks at 2theta values of 38.10 degrees , 44.30 degrees , 64.40
      degrees , and 77.30 degrees  which confirm the successful incorporation of silver
      within matrix of composite membranes. The morphology of composite membranes with
      appearances of spongy voids was exemplified from the scanning electron
      microscope. The atomic force microscopy was used to determine the increase in the
      surface roughness of the membranes. The increase in hydrophilicity, measured
      through contact angle, is rendered to the embedment of silver. The modification
      of membranes increased the flux from 0.80 to 0.95L/hr.m(2). The resulting
      membranes have outstanding ability to fight against gram negative Escherichia
      Coli and Bacillus Sabtilus. The novel cellulose acetate/polyethylene glycol
      membranes customized with silver have paved the path for evolution of axenic
      membranes. 

PMID- 27261745
TI  - Mechanically flexible and optically transparent three-dimensional nanofibrous
      amorphous aerocellulose.
AB  - Aerocelluloses are considered as "third generation" aerogels after the silica and
      synthetic polymer-based ones. However, their brittleness and low optical
      translucency keep quite narrow their fields of applications. Here, both issues
      are addressed successfully through the fabrication of flexible and mechanically
      robust amorphous aerocellulose with high optical transparency, using
      trifluoroacetic acid as a solvent and ethanol as a non-solvent. The developed
      aerocellulose displays a meso-macroporous interconnected nanofibrous cellulose
      skeleton with low density and high specific surface area. We demonstrate its high
      efficiency as supporting matrix for nanoscale systems by incorporating a variety
      of colloidal quatum dots, that provide bright and stable photoluminescence to the
      flexible aerocellulose host.

PMID- 27261746
TI  - Preparation and evaluation of naringenin-loaded sulfobutylether-beta
      cyclodextrin/chitosan nanoparticles for ocular drug delivery.
AB  - The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize the naringenin-loaded
      sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin/chitosan nanoparticles (Nag-CD/CS-NPs) and
      evaluate their potential for the topical ophthalmic delivery. Naringenin was
      first complexed with sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBE-beta-CD), which can
      significantly enhance the solubility of poorly soluble drugs. Then, nanoparticles
      were prepared by ionic gelation of chitosan with SBE-beta-CD, and their in vitro
      and vivo properties were investigated, respectively. The resulting nanoparticles
      showed an average size of 446.4+/-112.8nm and zeta potential of +22.5+/-4.91mV
      with predominant spherical in shape. The FT-IR and DSC confirmed the formation of
      Nag-CD/CS-NPs. The in vitro release study indicated that Nag-CD/CS-NPs achieved
      moderate sustained-release effect, and the in vivo study revealed that the
      prepared nanoparticles was nonirritating to rabbit's eye and had better ability
      to prolong the residence time than the naringenin suspension, which can
      significantly increase naringenin bioavailability in the aqueous humor. In
      conclusion, the developed CD/CS nanoparticles offer a potential alternative for
      the ocular administration of poorly soluble drugs.

PMID- 27261747
TI  - Polysaccharide structures and interactions in a lithium chloride/urea/water
      solvent.
AB  - The molten salt hydrate, lithium chloride (LiCl)/urea/water has previously been
      shown to swell cellulose, but there has so far been no work done to explore its
      effect on other polysaccharides. In this paper we have investigated the solvent
      effects of LiCl/urea/water on four natural polysaccharides. Fenugreek gum and
      xyloglucan, which are both highly branched, were found to increase in viscosity
      in LiCl/urea/water relative to water, possibly due to the breakage of all intra
      molecular associations whereas the viscosity of konjac glucomannan which is
      predominantly unbranched did not change. Locust bean gum (LBG) had a lower
      viscosity in LiCl/urea/water compared to water due to the disruption of
      aggregates. Confocal microscopy showed that fenugreek gum and LBG are able to
      bind to cellulose in water, however, the conformational change of fenugreek gum
      in these solvent conditions inhibited it from binding to cellulose in
      LiCl/urea/water whereas conformational change allowed xyloglucan to bind to
      cellulose in LiCl/urea/water whilst it was unable to bind in water. Konjac
      glucomannan did not bind to cellulose in either solvent system. These results
      provide new insights into the impact of polysaccharide fine structure on
      conformational change in different solvent environments.

PMID- 27261748
TI  - Fabrication of magnetic hydroxypropyl cellulose-g-poly(acrylic acid) porous
      spheres via Pickering high internal phase emulsion for removal of Cu(2+) and
      Cd(2.).
AB  - A series of magnetic hydroxypropyl cellulose-g-poly(acrylic acid) porous spheres
      were prepared via O/W Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) integrated
      precipitation polymerization. The structure and composition of modified Fe3O4 and
      porous structures were characterized by TEM, XRD, TGA and SEM. The results
      indicated that the silanized Fe3O4 can influence greatly the pore structure of
      magnetic porous sphere in addition to non-negligible impacts of the proportion of
      mixed solvent and co-surfactant. The adsorption experiment demonstrated that the
      adsorption equilibrium can be reached within 40min and the maximal adsorption
      capacity was 300.00mg/g for Cd(2+) and 242.72mg/g for Cu(2+), suggesting its fast
      adsorption kinetics and high adsorption capacity. After five adsorption
      desorption cycles, no significant changes in the adsorption capacity were
      observed, suggesting its excellent reusability. The magnetic porous sphere can be
      easily separated from the solution and then find its potential as a recyclable
      material for highly efficient removal of heavy metals.

PMID- 27261749
TI  - Enhanced surface functionality and microbial fuel cell performance of chitosan
      membranes through phosphorylation.
AB  - The effects of plasticization and cross-linking on the performance of chitosan as
      promising proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for bioelectricity generation in
      microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were investigated. The physico-chemical properties of
      chitosan (CS), sorbitol-chitosan (S-CS), phosphorylated-chitosan (CS-P) and
      phosphorylated-sorbitol-chitosan (S-CS-P) membranes were investigated by FESEM
      EDS, FTIR-ATR, XRD, TGA, tensile strength and sorption studies. The performance
      of the fabricated PEMs was assessed by power density and cation exchange capacity
      (CEC). Maximum power densities achieved were 130.03, 20.76, 94.59 and 7.42mW/m(2)
      for CS-P, S-CS-P, S-CS and CS membranes respectively. Phosphorylation of the CS
      membranes increased CEC and tensile strength, attributed to an increase in bonded
      amide and phosphate ionic surface groups. Further, 49.07% COD removal from
      municipal wastewater was achieved with CS-P membranes. Thus, through chemical
      modifications, the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of natural abundant
      biopolymer chitosan can be enhanced for its use as an environmentally sustainable
      PEM in MFC technology. 

PMID- 27261750
TI  - Injectable long acting chitosan/tripolyphosphate microspheres for the intra
      articular delivery of lornoxicam: Optimization and in vivo evaluation.
AB  - Chitosan microspheres were formulated for the intra-articular delivery of
      lornoxicam in knee osteoarthritis, to minimize associated side-effects after
      prolonged oral administration. Ionotropic-gelation technique was employed using
      tripolyphosphate as anionic cross-linker. Full-factorial design experiment was
      conducted to optimize lornoxicam entrapment-efficiency%. Formulations were
      assessed for their particle size, in-vitro drug release, Scanning electron
      microscopy, Differential-scanning-calorimetry and Fourier transform infra-red
      spectroscopy studies. Changing independent variables, chitosan pH, TPP pH and
      lornoxicam concentration resulted in different values of entrapment-efficiency%
      ranging from 13.5%+/-0.35 to 59.5%+/-2.2. Particle size ranged from 3.57MUm+/
      0.02 to 6.12MUm+/-0.00 and lornoxicam%release was prolonged for up to 8days. SEM
      results showed spherical shape of the microspheres. FTIR and DSC studies
      confirmed the crosslinking of chitosan with tripolyphosphate. In-vivo therapeutic
      effect of lornoxicam microspheres was investigated using Monosodiumiodoacetate
      (MIA) induced osteoarthritis model in rats. Optimized formula showed long-term in
      vivo anti-inflammatory effect relative to lornoxicam solution injected intra
      articularly with significant reduction of histological, inflammatory and
      biochemical parameters of osteoarthritis. 

PMID- 27261751
TI  - A facile route to prepare cellulose-based films.
AB  - Cellulose is the most abundant renewable and biodegradable material available in
      nature. Its insoluble character in water as well as common organic and inorganic
      liquids, however, curtails the wholesome utility. The continuous rise for
      biodegradable products based on cellulose coupled with its intrinsic ability to
      form a viable substitute for the petroleum-based materials necessitates the
      critical need for solubilizing the cellulose. Herein, we demonstrate the
      feasibility of ZnCl2 solutions, especially the 64-72% concentrations, to dissolve
      cellulose. FTIR results suggest that Zn(2+) ions promote Zn?O3H interactions,
      which in-turn weaken the intrinsic O3H?O5 hydrogen bonds that are responsible for
      strengthening the cellulose chains. Interestingly, Ca(2+) ions promote
      interactions among the Zn-cellulose chains leading to the formation of nano
      fibrils and yield gelling solutions. The tensile strength of the Ca(2+) added Zn
      cellulose films increases by around 250% compared to the Zn-cellulose films.
      Overall, utilization of inorganic salt solutions to solubilize and crosslink
      cellulose is cost-effective, recyclable and certainly stands out tall among the
      other available systems. More importantly, the proposed protocol is simple and is
      a "green" process, and thus its large-scale adaptability is quite feasible. We
      strongly believe that the outcome opens up a new window of opportunities for
      cellulose in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, food and non-food applications.

PMID- 27261752
TI  - Dosage effects of Waxy gene on the structures and properties of corn starch.
AB  - The objective of this study was to understand dosage effects of the Waxy gene on
      the structures of amylose and amylopectin and on the properties of corn starch.
      Reciprocal crossing of isogenic normal and waxy corn lines was conducted to
      develop hybrids with different dosages (0, 1, 2, 3) of Waxy gene in the
      endosperm. The amylose content of starch and proportions of branch chains of DP
      17-30 and extra-long branch chains (DP>100) of amylopectin were positively
      correlated with the Waxy-gene dosage. Proportions of short (DP<17) and long
      branch-chains (DP 30-80), however, were negatively correlated with the Waxy-gene
      dosage. The gelatinization conclusion-temperature and temperature-range of the
      starch were negatively correlated with the Waxy-gene dosage, indicating that
      amylose facilitated dissociation of the surrounding crystalline regions. These
      results helped us understand the function of granule-bound starch synthase I in
      the biosynthesis of amylose and amylopectin and impacts of Waxy-gene dosages on
      the properties of corn starch.

PMID- 27261753
TI  - Sulfated levan from Halomonas smyrnensis as a bioactive, heparin-mimetic glycan
      for cardiac tissue engineering applications.
AB  - Chemical derivatives of levan from Halomonas smyrnensis AAD6(T) with low, medium
      and high levels of sulfation were synthesized and characterized by FTIR and 2D
      NMR. Sulfated levan samples were found to exhibit anticoagulation activity via
      the intrinsic pathway like heparin in a dose-dependent manner. Exceptionally high
      heparin equivalent activity of levan sulfate was shown to proceed via thrombin
      inhibition where decreased Factor Xa activity with increasing concentration was
      observed in antithrombin tests and above a certain concentration, levan sulfate
      showed a better inhibitor activity than heparin. In vitro experimental results
      were then verified in silico by docking studies using equilibrium structures
      obtained by molecular dynamic simulations and results suggested a sulfation
      dependent binding mechanism. With its high biocompatibility and heparin mimetic
      activity, levan sulfate can be considered as a suitable functional biomaterial to
      design biologically active, functionalized, thin films and engineered smart
      scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering applications.

PMID- 27261754
TI  - The physico-chemical properties of chia seed polysaccharide and its microgel
      dispersion rheology.
AB  - The polysaccharide gel layer surrounding hydrated chia seeds was extracted using
      water and isolated by ethanol precipitation. The freeze-dried sample consisted of
      ~95% non-starch polysaccharides (35% w/w neutral soluble fraction and 65% w/w
      negatively charged insoluble fraction). The soluble polysaccharide fraction has
      molar mass, root-mean square radius and intrinsic viscosity of ~5*10(5)g/mol,
      39nm and 719mL/g, respectively. The whole polysaccharide (included soluble and
      insoluble fractions) when dispersed in water showed presence of irregular shape,
      fibrous microgel particles with an average size (D4,3) of ~700MUm. Rheological
      measurements indicated a 'weak' viscoelastic gel and strong shear dependent
      properties even at low concentration (0.05% w/w). The viscosity of the dispersion
      was fairly resistant to variations in temperatures (20-80 degrees C), pH (4-12),
      ionic strengths (0.01-0.5M NaCl) and cation types (MgCl2, CaCl2, NaCl and KCl).
      The swollen microgel particles dispersed in soluble polysaccharide continuous
      phase provided complex and potentially useful rheological properties in food
      systems.

PMID- 27261755
TI  - Preparation and characterization of superhydrophobic organic-inorganic hybrid
      cotton fabrics via gamma-radiation-induced graft polymerization.
AB  - A new kind of non-fluorine-based organic-inorganic hybrid superhydrophobic cotton
      fabric was successfully prepared by simultaneous radiation-induced graft
      polymerization of gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (MAPS) and
      subsequent end-capping modification with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). The
      chemical structure and surface topography of the pristine and modified cotton
      fabrics were investigated in detail by ATR-FTIR, XPS, (29)Si NMR, SEM and TGA to
      confirm that the graft reaction and end-capping modification had taken place. The
      above results demonstrated that the grafting polymerization and following end
      capping reaction were completed, and a grafting layer was immobilized onto the
      surface of the cotton fabric. Surface wettability measurement and oil-water
      separation showed that the modified cotton surface not only exhibited the
      superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 165 degrees , but also afforded
      a high efficiency of oil-water separation (96%). In particular, this modified
      cotton fabric retains superhydrophobicity even after 30 laundering cycles or 400
      cycles of abrasion.

PMID- 27261756
TI  - Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of anionic dyes on Chitosan/PVA/Na
      Titanate/TiO2 composites synthesized by solution casting method.
AB  - Chitosan/PVA/Na-titanate/TiO2 composite was synthesized by solution casting
      method. The composite was analyzed via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X
      ray diffraction, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Thermal gravimetric
      analysis and water stability test. Incorporation of Na-titanate shown decrease of
      crystallinity for chitosan but increase water stability. However, the composite
      structure was deteriorated with considerable weight loss in acidic medium. Two
      anionic dyes, methyl orange and congo red were used for the adsorption test. The
      adsorption behavior of the composites were described by pseudo-second-order
      kinetic model and Lagergren-first-order model for methyl orange and congo red,
      respectively. For methyl orange, adsorption was started with a promising
      decolorization rate. 99.9% of methyl orange dye was removed by the composite
      having higher weightage of chitosan and crystalline TiO2 phase. On the other
      hand, for the congo red the composite having higher chitosan and Na-titanate
      showed an efficient removal capacity of 95.76%. UV-vis results showed that the
      molecular backbone of methyl orange and congo red was almost destroyed when
      equilibrium was obtained, and the decolorization rate was reaching 100%. Kinetic
      study results showed that the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange and
      congo red could be explained by Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Thus, chitosan/PVA/Na
      titanate/TiO2 possesses efficient adsorptivity and photocatalytic property for
      dye degradation.

PMID- 27261757
TI  - Functionalization of MWCNT and their application in properties development of
      green wood nanocomposite.
AB  - Starch based wood nanocomposites (WSNC) were prepared successfully from starch
      and soft wood with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as nano reinforcing agent
      through a completely green path. The most important part of this scheme was the
      use of water as the solvent. In this technique, starch was grafted with
      methylmethacrylate (MMA) and MWCNT was functionalised with hydroxyl groups (f
      MWCNT). Dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) was used as a cross-linker to
      prepare the green material from methylmethacrylate grafted starch (MMA-g-starch),
      soft wood flour and functionalised MWCNT. The functionalization of MWCNT was
      confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric
      analysis (TGA) and Raman analysis. Different properties of the WSNC were
      investigated by varying the concentration of f-MWCNT. The prepared nanocomposites
      exhibited outstanding thermal stability, mechanical properties and water
      resistance capacity compared to untreated wood composites. The flammability of
      the wood composites decreased up to 30% with just addition of 0.50phr f-MWCNT.

PMID- 27261758
TI  - pH and temperature stability of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate-beta-cyclodextrin
      inclusion complex-loaded chitosan nanoparticles.
AB  - The oxidative stability of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) incorporated as
      inclusion complexes (ICs) in sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin sodium (SBE-beta
      CD) and then ionotropically crosslinked with chitosan hydrochloride (CSH) into
      nanoparticles were investigated. EGCG-loaded CSH-SBE-beta-CD nanoparticles (CSNs)
      were physically unstable at higher pH and temperature. The particle size of CSNs
      was unchanged in the pH range of 3-5, but the microenvironment of EGCG-IC
      appeared to be intact until the pH increased to 6.5 by fluorescence spectroscopy.
      The physical structure of EGCG-ICs was also affected during storage in addition
      to CSNs, which was further affected as temperature increased from 25 to 55
      degrees C. The decrease in antioxidant activities of EGCG-ICs and free EGCG with
      increasing pH, storage time and temperature were modest compared to the prominent
      decreases in antioxidant activities of EGCG-loaded CSNs. The extreme entrapment
      of EGCG-ICs and/or free EGCG in the aggregated CSNs restricted the release of
      EGCG, thus inhibiting the antioxidant activities.

PMID- 27261759
TI  - Cellobiose as a model system to reveal cellulose dissolution mechanism in acetate
      based ionic liquids: Density functional theory study substantiated by NMR
      spectra.
AB  - Cellulose dissolution mechanism in acetate-based ionic liquids was systematically
      studied in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra and Density Functional Theory
      (DFT) methods by using cellobiose and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate
      (BmimAc) as a model system. The solubility of cellulose in ionic liquid increased
      with temperature increase in the range of 90-140 degrees C. NMR spectra suggested
      OAc(-) preferred to form stronger hydrogen bonds with hydrogen of hydroxyl in
      cellulose. Electrostatic potential method was employed to predict the most
      possible reaction sites and locate the most stable configuration. Atoms in
      molecules (AIM) theory was used to study the features of bonds at bond critical
      points and the variations of bond types. Simultaneously, noncovalent interactions
      were characterized and visualized by employing reduced density gradient analysis
      combined with Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD) program. Natural bond orbital (NBO)
      theory was applied to study the noncovalent nature and characterize the orbital
      interactions between cellobiose and Bmim[OAc].

PMID- 27261760
TI  - Revalorization of sunflower stalks as novel sources of cellulose nanofibrils and
      nanocrystals and their effect on wheat gluten bionanocomposite properties.
AB  - Novel gluten based bionanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF)
      and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) extracted from sunflower stalks by respectively
      a steam explosion treatment and a hydrolysis procedure, were prepared by
      casting/evaporation. The extracted cellulose nanomaterials, both CNC and CNF,
      were embedded in gluten matrix and their effect was investigated. Morphological
      investigations highlighted that gluten based bionanocomposites showed a
      homogenous morphology, the absence of visible cellulose nanoreinforcements, and
      the presence of holes for Gluten_CNF nanocomposites. Gluten_CNF showed a
      reduction of water vapour permeability coefficients but the values are higher
      respect to gluten reinforced with CNC. This behaviour could be related to the
      ability of CNC to increase the tortuous path of gas molecules. Moreover, the
      results from thermal, mechanical and barrier properties confirmed the strong
      interactions obtained between CNC and gluten matrix during the process. The study
      suggested the possibility to re-valorise agricultural wastes with potential
      applications as reinforcement in polymer matrix bionanocomposites. 

PMID- 27261761
TI  - Ionic liquid pretreatment of biomass for sugars production: Driving factors with
      a plausible mechanism for higher enzymatic digestibility.
AB  - In this study, five ionic liquids (ILs) have been explored for biomass
      pretreatment for the production of fermentable sugar. We also investigated the
      driving factors responsible for improved enzymatic digestibility of various ILs
      treated biomass along with postulating the plausible mechanism thereof. Post
      pretreatment, mainly two factors impacted the enzymatic digestibility (i)
      structural deformation (cellulose I to II) along with xylan/lignin removal and
      (ii) properties of ILs; wherein, K-T parameters, viscosity and surface tension
      had a direct influence on pretreatment. A systematic investigation of these
      parameters and their impact on enzymatic digestibility is drawn. [C2mim][OAc]
      with beta-value 1.32 resulted 97.7% of glucose yield using 10 FPU/g of biomass. A
      closer insight into the cellulose structural transformation has prompted a
      plausible mechanism explaining the better digestibility. The impact of these
      parameters on the digestibility can pave the way to customize the process to make
      biomass vulnerable to enzymatic attack.

PMID- 27261762
TI  - Thermal and magnetic properties of chitosan-iron oxide nanoparticles.
AB  - Chitosan is a biopolymer widely used for biomedical applications such as drug
      delivery systems, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Chitosan can be used as
      coating for other types of materials such as iron oxide nanoparticles, improving
      its biocompatibility while extending its range of applications. In this work iron
      oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) produced by chemical precipitation and thermal
      decomposition and coated with chitosan with different molecular weights were
      studied. Basic characterization on bare and chitosan-Fe3O4 NPs was performed
      demonstrating that chitosan does not affect the crystallinity, chemical
      composition, and superparamagnetic properties of the Fe3O4 NPs, and also the
      incorporation of Fe3O4 NPs into chitosan nanoparticles increases the later
      hydrodynamic diameter without compromising its physical and chemical properties.
      The nano-composite was tested for magnetic hyperthermia by applying an
      alternating current magnetic field to the samples demonstrating that the heating
      ability of the Fe3O4 NPs was not significantly affected by chitosan.

PMID- 27261763
TI  - Identification and determination of the inulin content in the roots of the
      Northeast Brazilian species Pombalia calceolaria L.
AB  - A polysaccharide was extracted from the roots of Pombalia calceolaria, a plant
      used in folk medicine in Northeastern Brazil, by decoction followed by
      precipitation with methanol, yielding a concentration of 13.0% w/w, and
      purification with acetone. The molar mass peak was estimated to be 4.0*10(3)Da
      using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Polarized light photomicrography of
      histological sections revealed the presence of inulin in the cortical parenchyma.
      The chemical composition of inulin was identified by 1D and 2D NMR and FT-IR
      spectroscopy and the findings were compared with the literature. This is the
      first time inulin has been identified on FT-IR and NMR for the species Pombalia
      calceolaria.

PMID- 27261764
TI  - Structural characterization and antidiabetic activity of a glucopyranose-rich
      heteropolysaccharide from Catathelasma ventricosum.
AB  - Polysaccharides, which are the main bioactive constituents of edible mushrooms,
      have been shown to have a variety of useful biological activities. In this study,
      a polysaccharide fraction from the edible mushroom Catathelasma ventricosum was
      purified using anion exchange and size exclusion chromatographies. The structure
      of the resulting polysaccharide, named CVP-1S, was characterized on the basis of
      partial acid hydrolysis, periodic acid oxidation, methylation analysis, gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, 1D/2D
      NMR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force spectroscopy.
      The results showed that CVP-1S is a heteropolysaccharide consisting of glucose
      (94.2%), galactose (3.51%) and fucose (1.3%) with a molecular weight of
      1.5*10(4)Da. Its backbone is mainly linked by (1->6)-beta-d-Glcp glycosidic
      bonds, and branches are attached to the backbone through 1,3-linked glycosidic
      bonds. CVP-1S was also found to have antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic
      activities in the streptozoicin-induced diabetic mouse model. From these results,
      we conclude that CVP-1S should receive further attention as a potential agent for
      the treatment and prevention of diabetes.

PMID- 27261765
TI  - Modification biological activity of S and R forms of Proteus mirabilis and
      Burkholderia cepacia lipopolysaccharides by carrageenans.
AB  - The modification of biological features of S and R forms of Proteus mirabilis and
      Burkholderia cepacia LPS by kappa/iota and kappa/beta carrageenans was shown in
      Limulus activation test, ELISA, human complement activation and apoptotic assay.
      The role of positively charged substituent Ara4N in lipid A was evaluated as a
      suspected major domain for interactions with sulphate groups of carrageenans.The
      experiments obtained by three serological methods indicated that not only lipid A
      part of LPS but also polysaccharide elements such as core and O-specific chain
      are involved in interaction with carrageenes. Carrageenans turned out to be non
      cytotoxic for A549 cells and were able to inhibit the apoptotic effect caused by
      lipid A of P. mirabilis and B. cepacia.

PMID- 27261766
TI  - AR-V7 Protein in Circulating Tumor Cells-The Decider for Therapy?

PMID- 27261767
TI  - Use of Schizosaccharomyces strains for wine fermentation-Effect on the wine
      composition and food safety.
AB  - Schizosaccharomyces was initially considered as a spoilage yeast because of the
      production of undesirable metabolites such as acetic acid, hydrogen sulfide, or
      acetaldehyde, but it currently seems to be of great value in enology.o ced
      Nevertheless, Schizosaccharomyces can reduce all of the malic acid in must,
      leading to malolactic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is a highly
      complicated process in enology and leads to a higher concentration of biogenic
      amines, so the use of Schizosaccharomyces pombe can be an excellent tool for
      assuring wine safety. Schizosaccharomyces also has much more potential than only
      reducing the malic acid content, such as increasing the level of pyruvic acid and
      thus the vinylphenolic pyranoanthocyanin content. Until now, few commercial
      strains have been available and little research on the selection of appropriate
      yeast strains with such potential has been conducted. In this study, selected and
      wild Sc. pombe strains were used along with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain to
      ferment red grape must. The results showed significant differences in several
      parameters including non-volatile and volatile compounds, anthocyanins, biogenic
      amines and sensory parameters. 

PMID- 27261768
TI  - Isolation and characterization of Arcobacter spp. from fresh seafood and the
      aquatic environment.
AB  - Arcobacter is an emerging pathogen associated with foods of animal origin.
      Members of the genus Arcobacter are increasingly being isolated from fish,
      shellfish and the aquatic environment. In the present study, we analyzed fish,
      shellfish and water samples for the presence of Arcobacter spp. by conventional
      isolation as well as by direct PCR on the enrichment broth. Of 100 samples
      comprising of 42 finfish, 34 shellfish and 24 water samples analyzed, Arcobacter
      spp. was isolated from 8 (19%) finfish, 5 (14.7%) shellfish and 5 (20.8%) water
      samples. Arcobacter DNA was detected in 24 (24%) samples by direct PCR on the
      enrichment broth. Based on m-PCR specific to different Arcobacter spp. and 16S
      rRNA sequence analyses, majority (19) of the isolates were identified as
      Arcobacter butzleri, while two isolates were Arcobacter mytili. All Arcobacter
      butzleri isolates harbored putative virulence genes cadF, ciaB, mviN, pldA, tlyA
      and cj1349. The two isolates of A. mytili harbored mviN and cj1349 genes only.
      The study highlights emerging problem of the contamination of aquatic environment
      and fresh seafood with potentially pathogenic Arcobacter spp. 

PMID- 27261769
TI  - Comparison between external fixation and elastic stable intramedullary nailing
      for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children younger than 8 years of
      age.
AB  - The main objective of this study was to compare external fixation (EF) with
      elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) for the treatment of femoral shaft
      fractures in children aged 8 or younger. Fifteen children with femoral shaft
      fractures treated by EF and 23 children with femoral shaft fractures treated by
      ESIN were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were pain free at the last
      follow-up, with good ranges of motion in the hip and knee. Partial and full
      weight bearing occurred sooner in patients treated with EF than with ESIN,
      although more polytrauma patients were present in the ESIN group. In conclusion,
      EF and ESIN can be considered as safe and effective methods for femoral shaft
      fracture treatment in children younger than 8 years of age. 

PMID- 27261770
TI  - Determinants of hepatotoxicity after repeated supratherapeutic paracetamol
      ingestion: systematic review of reported cases.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate the role of reported daily dose, age and other risk factors,
      and to assess the value of quantifying serum transaminase activity and
      paracetamol (acetaminophen) concentration at initial assessment for identifying
      patients at risk of hepatotoxicity following repeated supratherapeutic
      paracetamol ingestion (RSPI). METHODS: Systematic literature review with
      collation and analysis of individual-level data from reported cases of RSPI
      associated with liver damage. RESULTS: In 199 cases meeting the selection
      criteria, severe liver damage (ALT/AST >=1000 IU l(-1) , liver failure or death)
      was reported in 186 (93%) cases including 77/78 (99%) children aged <=6 years.
      Liver failure occurred in 127 (64%) cases; of these 49 (39%) died. Maximum
      ingested daily paracetamol doses were above UK recommendations in 143 (72%)
      patients. US-Australasian thresholds for repeated supratherapeutic ingestions
      requiring intervention were not met in 71 (36%) cases; of these 35 (49%)
      developed liver failure and 10 (14%) died. No cases developing liver damage had
      paracetamol concentration < 20 mg l(-1) and a normal ALT/AST on initial
      presentation or when RSPI was first suspected, but both of these values were only
      available for 79 (40%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Severe liver damage is reported after
      RSPI in adults and children, sometimes involving reported doses below current
      thresholds for intervention. Paracetamol concentrations <20 mg l(-1) with normal
      serum ALT/AST activity on initial assessment suggests a low risk of subsequent
      liver damage. These findings are, however, limited by low patient numbers,
      publication bias and the accuracy of the histories in reported cases.

PMID- 27261771
TI  - On methylene-bridged cysteine and lysine residues in proteins.
AB  - Cysteine residues ubiquitously stabilize tertiary and quaternary protein
      structure by formation of disulfide bridges. Here we investigate another linking
      interaction that involves sulfhydryl groups of cysteines, namely intra- and
      intermolecular methylene-bridges between cysteine and lysine residues. A number
      of crystal structures possessing such a linkage were identified in the Protein
      Data Bank. Inspection of the electron density maps and re-refinement of the
      nominated structures unequivocally confirmed the presence of Lys-CH2 -Cys bonds
      in several cases.

PMID- 27261773
TI  - Considerations for Completion Biopsy of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PMID- 27261774
TI  - Validated Assessment Scales for Decollete Wrinkling and Pigmentation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decollete aging includes skin dyspigmentation, laxity, and visible
      wrinkling. The development of globally accepted scales for the assessment of
      decollete aging is essential for aesthetic research and patient evaluation.
      OBJECTIVE: To develop a set of grading scales for the objective assessment of
      decollete aging criteria and establish the reliability and validity of these
      scales. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To describe age-related changes to the decollete,
      3 photonumeric grading scales were created and validated: decollete wrinkles-at
      rest, decollete wrinkles-dynamic, and decollete pigmentation-at rest. Thirteen
      aesthetic experts rated photographs of the decollete of 50 women at rest and at
      dynamic "hand-to-elbow" positions in 2 validation sessions. Responses were
      analyzed to assess interrater and intrarater reliability. RESULTS: Interrater and
      intrarater reliability were both "almost perfect" (>=0.81, intraclass correlation
      coefficient and weighted kappa) for decollete wrinkles-dynamic, summary score for
      decollete, and estimated age. Reliability was "substantial" (0.61-0.80) for all
      other decollete assessments. There was high correlation between all decollete
      scales, estimated age, and estimated aesthetic treatment effort. CONCLUSION:
      Consistent outcomes between raters and by individual raters at different time
      points confirm the reliability of the decollete grading scales, indicating that
      they will be a valuable tool for use in clinical research and practice.

PMID- 27261772
TI  - Pesticide exposures and the risk of multiple myeloma in men: An analysis of the
      North American Pooled Project.
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) has been consistently linked with agricultural activities,
      including farming and pesticide exposures. Three case-control studies in the
      United States and Canada were pooled to create the North American Pooled Project
      (NAPP) to investigate associations between pesticide use and haematological
      cancer risk. This analysis used data from 547 MM cases and 2700 controls.
      Pesticide use was evaluated as follows: ever/never use; duration of use (years);
      and cumulative lifetime-days (LD) (days/year handled * years of use). Odds ratios
      (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression
      adjusted for age, province/state of residence, use of proxy respondents and
      selected medical conditions. Increased MM risk was observed for ever use of
      carbaryl (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.28-3.21), captan (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.04-3.77)
      and DDT (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.05-1.97). Using the Canadian subset of NAPP data,
      we observed a more than threefold increase in MM risk (OR = 3.18, 95% CI = 1.40
      7.23) for <=10 cumulative LD of carbaryl use. The association was attenuated but
      remained significant for >10 LD of carbaryl use (OR = 2.44; 95% CI = 1.05-5.64;
      ptrend  = 0.01). For captan, <=17.5 LD of exposure was also associated with a
      more than threefold increase in risk (OR = 3.52, 95% CI = 1.32-9.34), but this
      association was attenuated in the highest exposure category of >17.5 LD (OR =
      2.29, 95% CI = 0.81-6.43; ptrend  = 0.01). An increasing trend (ptrend  = 0.04)
      was observed for LD of DDT use (LD > 22; OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 0.95-3.88). In this
      large North American study of MM and pesticide use, we observed significant
      increases in MM risk for use of carbaryl, captan and DDT.

PMID- 27261775
TI  - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome After Nail Surgery.

PMID- 27261776
TI  - Activation of proteinase 3 contributes to Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
      (NAFLD) and insulin resistance.
AB  - Activation of inflammatory pathways is known to accompany development of obesity
      induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), insulin resistance and type 2
      diabetes. In addition to caspase-1, the neutrophil serine proteases proteinase 3,
      neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G are able to process the inactive pro
      inflammatory mediators IL-1beta and IL-18 to their bioactive forms, thereby
      regulating inflammatory responses. In the present study, we investigated whether
      proteinase 3 is involved in obesity-induced development of insulin resistance and
      NAFLD. We investigated the development of NAFLD and insulin resistance in mice
      deficient for neutrophil elastase/proteinase 3 and neutrophil elastase/cathepsin
      G and in wild-type mice treated with the neutrophil serine proteinase inhibitor
      human alpha-1 antitrypsin. Expression profiling of metabolically relevant tissues
      obtained from insulin resistant mice showed that expression of proteinase 3 was
      specifically upregulated in the liver, whereas neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G
      and caspase-1 were not. Neutrophil elastase/proteinase 3 deficient mice showed
      strongly reduced levels of lipids in the liver after fed a high fat diet.
      Moreover, these mice were resistant to high fat diet-induced weight gain,
      inflammation and insulin resistance. Injection of proteinase 3 exacerbated
      insulin resistance in caspase-1(-/-) mice, indicating that proteinase 3 acts
      independently of caspase-1. Treatment with alpha-1 antitrypsin during the last 10
      days of a 16 week high fat diet reduced hepatic lipid content and decreased
      fasting glucose levels. We conclude that proteinase 3 is involved in NAFLD and
      insulin resistance and that inhibition of proteinase 3 may have therapeutic
      potential.

PMID- 27261777
TI  - Body Mass Index and Risk for Mental Stress Induced Ischemia in Coronary Artery
      Disease.
AB  - Acute emotionally reactive mental stress (MS) can provoke prognostically relevant
      deficits in cardiac function and myocardial perfusion, and chronic inflammation
      increases risk for this ischemic phenomenon. We have described parasympathetic
      withdrawal and generation of inflammatory factors in MS. Adiposity is also
      associated with elevated markers of chronic inflammation. High body mass index
      (BMI) is frequently used as a surrogate for assessment of excess adiposity, and
      associated with traditional CAD risk factors, and CAD mortality. BMI is also
      associated with autonomic dysregulation, adipose tissue derived proinflammatory
      cytokines, which are also attendant to emotion provoked myocardial ischemia.
      Thus, we sought to determine if body mass index (BMI) contributes to risk of
      developing myocardial ischemia provoked by mental stress. We performed a
      prospective interventional study in a cohort of 161 patients with stable CAD.
      They completed an assessment of myocardial blood flow with single photon emission
      computed tomography (SPECT) simultaneously during 2 conditions: laboratory mental
      stress and at rest. Multivariate logistic regression determined the independent
      contribution of BMI to the occurrence of mental-stress induced ischemia. Mean age
      was 65.6 +/-9.0 years; 87.0% had a history of hypertension, and 28.6% had
      diabetes. Mean BMI was 30.4 +/- 4.7. Prevalence of mental stress ischemia was
      39.8%. BMI was an independent predictor of mental stress ischemia, OR=1.10, 95%
      CI [1.01-1.18] for one-point increase in BMI and OR=1.53, 95% CI [1.06-2.21] for
      a 4.7 point increase in BMI (one standard deviation beyond the cohort BMI mean),
      p=0.025 for all. These data suggest that BMI may serve as an independent risk
      marker for mental stress ischemia. The factors attendant with greater BMI, which
      include autonomic dysregulation and inflammation, may represent pathways by which
      high BMI contribute to this risk and serve as a conceptual construct to replicate
      these findings in larger CAD populations.

PMID- 27261778
TI  - Receptor-mediated reticulophagy: a novel promising therapy target for diseases.

PMID- 27261779
TI  - Short-term serum deprivation causes no significant mitochondrial DNA mutation in
      vascular smooth muscle cells revealed by a new next generation sequencing
      technology.

PMID- 27261780
TI  - Formaldehyde accelerates cellular senescence in HT22 cells: possible involvement
      of the leptin pathway.

PMID- 27261781
TI  - Plant-Microbiota Interactions as a Driver of the Mineral Turnover in the
      Rhizosphere.
AB  - A major challenge facing agriculture in the 21st century is the need to increase
      the productivity of cultivated land while reducing the environmentally harmful
      consequences of mineral fertilization. The microorganisms thriving in association
      and interacting with plant roots, the plant microbiota, represent a potential
      resource of plant probiotic function, capable of conjugating crop productivity
      with sustainable management in agroecosystems. However, a limited knowledge of
      the organismal interactions occurring at the root-soil interface is currently
      hampering the development and use of beneficial plant-microbiota interactions in
      agriculture. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the recruitment cues of
      the plant microbiota and the molecular basis of nutrient turnover in the
      rhizosphere will be required to move toward efficient and sustainable crop
      nutrition. In this chapter, we will discuss recent insights into plant-microbiota
      interactions at the root-soil interface, illustrate the processes driving mineral
      dynamics in soil, and propose experimental avenues to further integrate the
      metabolic potential of the plant microbiota into crop management and breeding
      strategies for sustainable agricultural production.

PMID- 27261782
TI  - Familiar Stranger: Ecological Genomics of the Model Saprotroph and Industrial
      Enzyme Producer Trichoderma reesei Breaks the Stereotypes.
AB  - The filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) has
      properties of an efficient cell factory for protein production that is exploited
      by the enzyme industry, particularly with respect to cellulase and hemicellulase
      formation. Under conditions of industrial fermentations it yields more than 100g
      secreted protein L(-1). Consequently, T. reesei has been intensively studied in
      the 20th century. Most of these investigations focused on the biochemical
      characteristics of its cellulases and hemicellulases, on the improvement of their
      properties by protein engineering, and on enhanced enzyme production by
      recombinant strategies. However, as the fungus is rare in nature, its ecology
      remained unknown. The breakthrough in the understanding of the fundamental
      biology of T. reesei only happened during 2000s-2010s. In this review, we compile
      the current knowledge on T. reesei ecology, physiology, and genomics to present a
      holistic view on the natural behavior of the organism. This is not only critical
      for science-driven further improvement of the biotechnological applications of
      this fungus, but also renders T. reesei as an attractive model of filamentous
      fungi with superior saprotrophic abilities.

PMID- 27261783
TI  - Analysis of Low-Biomass Microbial Communities in the Deep Biosphere.
AB  - Over the past few decades, the subseafloor biosphere has been explored by
      scientific ocean drilling to depths of about 2.5km below the seafloor. Although
      organic-rich anaerobic sedimentary habitats in the ocean margins harbor large
      numbers of microbial cells, microbial populations in ultraoligotrophic aerobic
      sedimentary habitats in the open ocean gyres are several orders of magnitude less
      abundant. Despite advances in cultivation-independent molecular ecological
      techniques, exploring the low-biomass environment remains technologically
      challenging, especially in the deep subseafloor biosphere. Reviewing the
      historical background of deep-biosphere analytical methods, the importance of
      obtaining clean samples and tracing contamination, as well as methods for
      detecting microbial life, technological aspects of molecular microbiology, and
      detecting subseafloor metabolic activity will be discussed.

PMID- 27261784
TI  - The Impact of Oxygen on Bacterial Enteric Pathogens.
AB  - Bacterial enteric pathogens are responsible for a tremendous amount of foodborne
      illnesses every year through the consumption of contaminated food products.
      During their transit from contaminated food sources to the host gastrointestinal
      tract, these pathogens are exposed and must adapt to fluctuating oxygen levels to
      successfully colonize the host and cause diseases. However, the majority of
      enteric infection research has been conducted under aerobic conditions. To raise
      awareness of the importance in understanding the impact of oxygen, or lack of
      oxygen, on enteric pathogenesis, we describe in this review the metabolic and
      physiological responses of nine bacterial enteric pathogens exposed to
      environments with different oxygen levels. We further discuss the effects of
      oxygen levels on virulence regulation to establish potential connections between
      metabolic adaptations and bacterial pathogenesis. While not providing an
      exhaustive list of all bacterial pathogens, we highlight key differences and
      similarities among nine facultative anaerobic and microaerobic pathogens in this
      review to argue for a more in-depth understanding of the diverse impact oxygen
      levels have on enteric pathogenesis.

PMID- 27261785
TI  - Urologic Emergencies.
AB  - The diagnosis and management of urologic emergencies are incorporated into the
      basic training of all urology residents. In institutions without access to
      urologic services, it is usually left to the General Surgeon or Emergency
      Medicine physician to provide timely care. This article discusses diagnoses that
      are important to recognize and treatment that is practically meaningful for the
      non-Urologist to identify and treat. The non-Urology provider, after reading this
      article, will have a better understanding and a higher comfort level with
      treating patients with urologic emergencies. 

PMID- 27261786
TI  - Surgical Management of Urologic Trauma and Iatrogenic Injuries.
AB  - Genitourinary trauma usually occurs in the setting of multisystem trauma,
      accounting for approximately 10% of all emergency department admissions. Timely
      evaluation and management of the trauma patient have the potential to minimize
      urologic morbidity and mortality. New imaging modalities and a growing emphasis
      on nonoperative expectant management of both upper and lower urinary tract
      injuries have changed the field of urologic trauma. Concomitant injury to both
      the upper and the lower urinary tract is rare, but careful evaluation is critical
      to identify these devastating injuries. 

PMID- 27261787
TI  - Diagnosis and Management of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction.
AB  - Lower urinary tract dysfunction is an umbrella diagnosis that covers difficulty
      evacuating urine from the bladder. In its most simple form, it is either an
      inability to store urine or an inability to empty the bladder of urine
      appropriately. The normal and the abnormal bladder, the role of urodynamics in
      evaluation of lower urinary tract dysfunction, and the medical and behavioral
      management of some of these disorders are reviewed. 

PMID- 27261788
TI  - Urinary Retention in Surgical Patients.
AB  - Urinary retention is an important and potentially avoidable postoperative
      complication. Identifying risk factors for retention is important given expedient
      bladder decompression is important for long-term outcomes. Age, benign prostatic
      hyperplasia, and lower urinary tract symptoms are patient factors that predispose
      to retention. Surgery-related factors include operative time, intravenous fluid
      administration, type of anesthesia, and procedure type. The mainstay for
      treatment in the acute setting is Foley catheter placement. Starting alpha
      blockers in men is also indicated as they increase voiding trial success. Long
      term solutions for chronic retention include a variety of surgeries, with
      transurethral prostatectomy as the gold standard. 

PMID- 27261789
TI  - Surgical Management of Female Voiding Dysfunction.
AB  - Surgical intervention for female voiding dysfunction is common, involving a
      single or multifaceted approach affecting multiple organ systems in the pelvis.
      Surgical success relies on knowledge of surgical history, anatomic approaches,
      and judicious use of supports or materials. Owing to the varied repairs used over
      the last few decades, it is important for the general surgeon to understand both
      current and historic approaches. This understanding will help in planning future
      pelvic surgery as well as in evaluating current ramifications of prior surgery. 

PMID- 27261790
TI  - Surgical Management of Male Voiding Dysfunction.
AB  - Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a common cause of voiding dysfunction. BPH
      may lead to bladder outlet obstruction and resultant troublesome lower urinary
      tract symptoms. Initial management of BPH and bladder outlet obstruction is
      typically conservative. However, when symptoms are severe or refractory to
      medical therapy or when urinary retention, bladder stone formation, recurrent
      urinary tract infections, or upper urinary tract deterioration occur, surgical
      intervention is often necessary. Numerous options are available for surgical
      management of BPH ranging from simple office-based procedures to transurethral
      operative procedures and even open and robotic surgeries. This article reviews
      the current, most commonly used techniques available for surgical management of
      BPH. 

PMID- 27261791
TI  - Diagnosis and Management of Hematuria.
AB  - Microscopic and gross hematuria present unique and difficult diagnostic and
      management challenges in the already complex general surgery patient. This
      article provides the general surgeon with relevant knowledge in the
      pathophysiology, anatomy, etiologies, workup, and treatments of hematuria. In
      addition common causes of hematuria that may be encountered by the general
      surgeon (including trauma, urinary tract infection, urolithiasis, and
      malignancy), the difficult to manage clinical situation of clot urinary retention
      is presented. This article provides a urologic framework of thinking for the
      clinician to best manage a general surgery patient who has hematuria. 

PMID- 27261792
TI  - Diagnosis and Management of Nephrolithiasis.
AB  - Nephrolithiasis is a common affliction, affecting approximately 10% of adults.
      Potentially presenting with acute abdominal or flank pain, nausea, or emesis, it
      may pose as a general surgical condition. Therefore, recognition, diagnosis, and
      management concerns are pertinent to the general surgeon. Furthermore, the risk
      of nephrolithiasis is increased in common general surgical conditions, including
      inflammatory bowel disease, hyperparathyroidism, and short gut. Nephrolithiasis
      may be induced as a result of general surgical interventions, including gastric
      bypass and bowel resection with ileostomy. An understanding of this common
      disease will improve coordination of patient care between urologists and general
      surgeons. 

PMID- 27261793
TI  - Genitourinary Prosthetics: A Primer for the Non-urologic Surgeon.
AB  - Genitourinary prosthetics are used for correction of functional deficits and to
      improve the quality of lives of affected patients. General surgeons must evaluate
      patients scheduled for nonurologic surgery with urologic devices that can impact
      their perioperative management. Lack of recognition of these prosthetics
      preoperatively can lead to unnecessary morbidity for the patient and have legal
      implications for the surgeon. Close consultation with a urologist may avoid
      common complications associated with these devices and allows for surgical
      assistance when operative misadventures do occur. This article reviews 3 common
      urologic prosthetics: testicular prosthesis, artificial urinary sphincter, and
      penile prosthesis. 

PMID- 27261794
TI  - Pediatric Urology for the General Surgeon.
AB  - Pediatric urology spans the neonatal period through the transition into early
      adulthood. There are a variety of common pediatric urologic conditions that
      overlap significantly with pediatric surgery. This article reviews the pertinent
      pathophysiology of a few key disease processes, including the pediatric inguinal
      hernia and/or hydrocele, cryptorchidism, and circumcision. General surgeons may
      find themselves in the position of managing these problems primarily,
      particularly in rural areas that may lack pediatric subspecialization. An
      understanding of the fundamentals can guide appropriate initial management.
      Additional focus is devoted to the management of genitourinary trauma to guide
      the general surgeon in more acute, emergent settings. 

PMID- 27261795
TI  - The Use of Bowel in Urologic Reconstructive Surgery.
AB  - Intestinal surgery involves an operative space shared by both general surgeons
      and urologists and is a border region where these 2 surgical disciplines often
      intersect. Urologists routinely use both small and large bowel for reconstructive
      procedures and surgeons often encounter such reconstructions of the urinary
      tract. It is essential for surgeons to understand the urologic indications for
      using intestinal segments for reconstructive procedures, the variety of such
      reconstructions, the anatomic landmarks and potential pitfalls that should be
      considered when intraoperatively encountering such reconstructions, and the
      potential metabolic consequences of the incorporation of bowel segments into the
      urinary collecting system. 

PMID- 27261796
TI  - Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Uroenteric Fistula.
AB  - Uroenteric fistulae can occur between any part of the urinary tract and the small
      and large bowel. Classification is generally based on the organ of origin in the
      urinary tract and the termination of the fistula in the segment of the
      gastrointestinal tract. Surgery is often necessary. Congenital fistulae are rare,
      with most being acquired. Uroenteric fistulae most frequently occur in a setting
      of inflammatory bowel disease. Imaging often helps in the diagnosis. Management
      of urinary fistulae includes adequate nutrition, diversion of the urinary tract,
      diversion of the gastrointestinal tract, treatment of underling inflammatory
      process or malignancy, and surgery. 

PMID- 27261797
TI  - Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Male Pelvic, Inguinal, and Testicular Pain.
AB  - Pain occurs in the male genitourinary organs as for any organ system in response
      to traumatic, infectious, or irritative stimuli. A knowledge and understanding of
      chronic genitourinary pain can be of great utility to practicing nonurologists.
      This article provides insight into the medical and surgical management of
      subacute and chronic pelvic, inguinal, and scrotal pain. The pathophysiology,
      diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment options of each are discussed. 

PMID- 27261798
TI  - Robotic Surgery of the Kidney, Bladder, and Prostate.
AB  - Robot-assisted surgery offers the advantages of a minimally invasive approach
      with greater technical ease and a shorter learning curve than pure laparoscopy.
      Fueled by the success of the robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy,
      urologists are increasingly using the robotic platform for other advanced
      operations involving the kidney, ureters, bladder, and prostate. Robotic surgery
      has been shown to be safe and effective, with good perioperative, functional, and
      oncologic outcomes. Although cost continues to be a major concern regarding the
      use of robotic technology, improved efficiency and reduced hospital stays
      associated with the minimally invasive approach are allowing for better cost
      effectiveness. 

PMID- 27261799
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 27261800
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 27261801
TI  - Characteristic CT and MR imaging findings of cerebral paragonimiasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The early diagnosis of cerebral paragonimiasis (CP) is
      essential for a good prognosis. We seek to provide references for early diagnosis
      by analyzing the imaging characteristics of cerebral paragonimiasis. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Images of 27 patients with CP (22 males and 5 females; median age
      20.3 years; range: 4 to 47 years) were retrospectively evaluated. All patients
      underwent head computed tomography (CT) scans; 22 patients underwent conventional
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, including contrast-enhanced MRI for
      20 patients and diffusion-weighted-imaging (DWI) for 1 patient. The diagnosis was
      confirmed based on a positive antibody test using enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA) for paragonimiasis in the serum. RESULTS: The most common imaging
      findings of CP were isodense or hypodense lesions combined with extensive
      hypodense areas of perilesional edema on CT scans and a large mass composed of
      multiple ring-shaped lesions with surrounding edema on MRI images. The
      conglomeration of multiple ring-shaped lesions (n=11 patients), "tunnel signs"
      (n=12 patients) and worm-eaten signs (n=5 patients) were characteristic of most
      CP images. In 14 patients, contrast-enhanced MRI showed varying degrees of
      contrast enhancement combined with adjacent meningeal enhancement (n=10).
      CONCLUSIONS: A large mass comprising multiple ring-shaped lesions of different
      sizes, "tunnel signs" and worm-eaten signs with surrounding edema are the most
      characteristic features of CP. Extensive invasions of the adjacent meninges and
      ventricular wall (19 patients), multiple intracerebral lesions, bilateral
      hemispheric involvement, and lesion migration are other noteworthy imaging
      characteristics.

PMID- 27261802
TI  - Controversies and Trends in United Kingdom Bunion Surgery.
AB  - Current practice and controversies in UK bunion surgery are discussed. Patients
      tend to be offered a distally based metatarsal osteotomy, such as a chevron or
      scarf osteotomy, for mild to moderate symptomatic bunions. Greater deformities
      are managed with a more extreme scarf, supplemented with a proximal phalangeal
      osteotomy. A proximal fusion in the form of the Lapidus-type procedure is still
      reserved for the most severe, hypermobile, or arthritic cases. Minimally invasive
      techniques for bunions have failed to disseminate into common UK practice. The
      trends in the United Kingdom regarding litigation, venous thromboembolism, and
      osteodesis for bunion surgery are also discussed. 

PMID- 27261804
TI  - Recent Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery in Mainland China: Correction of Severe
      Foot and Ankle Deformities.
AB  - Foot and ankle physicians in China encounter quite a large amount of severe and
      complex deformities. The main cause of severe ankle and foot deformity is trauma,
      while the other causes may be neuromuscular diseases, improper reduction and
      fixation and so on. Staged procedure may sometimes be a safer way to correct
      deformities in the presence of severe soft tissue contracture. Periarticular
      osteotomy combined with soft tissue balancing can be used in treating severe
      varus ankle arthritis, including stage IIIb cases and patients with talar tilt of
      more than 10 degrees. 

PMID- 27261803
TI  - What's New in Severe Deformity Correction: The German Perspective.
AB  - Foot deformities are found in several neurologic conditions, most typically, but
      not exclusively, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Posttraumatic deformities and
      undercorrection or overcorrection of congenital talipes equinovarus are also
      encountered. A severely deformed foot that cannot fit into normal shoes presents
      a significant day-to-day challenge to the young and active patient. This article
      presents some basic principles for evaluating the deformity and a toolkit of
      procedures to deal with these complex cases. 

PMID- 27261805
TI  - Total Toe Replacement in the United States: What Is Known and What Is on the
      Horizon.
AB  - Arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal is a common problem of the forefoot.
      The gold standard surgical treatment has been fusion of the first
      metatarsophalangeal joint. Many patients are unwilling to accept pain relief at
      the expense of loss of motion and the corresponding loss of shoe wear choices and
      activities requiring dorsiflexion of the hallux. Early implants were plagued with
      loosening and continued pain but implants have evolved. Current implants use
      modern bearing surfaces with press-fit fixation. These implants have renewed
      optimism for total toe arthroplasty. This article reviews the literature for
      implants currently available and describes the surgical techniques. 

PMID- 27261806
TI  - Total Ankle Arthroplasty: An Overview of the Canadian Experience.
AB  - Total ankle arthroplasty use has increased across Canada over the last two
      decades. Multiple implant designs are readily available and implanted across
      Canada. Although arthrodesis is a reliable procedure for treating end-stage ankle
      arthritis, ankle replacement is often the preferred surgical treatment by
      patients. A recent prospective study evaluated intermediate-term outcomes of
      ankle replacement and arthrodesis at multiple centers across Canada, with
      variability in prosthesis type, surgeon, and surgical technique. Intermediate
      term clinical outcomes of total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis were
      comparable in a diverse cohort in which treatment was tailored to patient
      presentation; however, rates of reoperation and major complications were higher
      after ankle replacement. 

PMID- 27261807
TI  - Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Treatment of the Foot and Ankle: What Is New and
      Current in Singapore.
AB  - Foot and ankle abnormalities are common in Singapore because of the compulsory
      conscription, the slipper-wearing culture, and the promotion of healthy living
      through exercise. The rapidly aging population, lack of elite sportsmen, and
      social and cultural norms pose unique challenges to foot and ankle surgery.
      Orthopedic surgery in Singapore has progressed because of the good infrastructure
      and modern practices executed by fellowship-trained surgeons. Evolving local
      practices are polarized by practice trends emulated from North America and
      Europe. The small community of foot and ankle surgeons currently practicing in
      Singapore allows for easier communication, corroborative educational events, and
      research initiatives. 

PMID- 27261808
TI  - My Experience as a Foot and Ankle Trauma Surgeon in Montreal, Canada: What's Not
      in the Books.
AB  - Foot and ankle fractures are sometimes seen as routine and easy to treat.
      However, many fractures vary from typical patterns and require more complex
      management. Obtaining good outcomes in these situations can be challenging.
      Often, the difference between average and good results has to do with
      preoperative planning and good surgical technique. This article outlines numerous
      techniques and tricks that are not always mentioned in classic textbooks. It
      focuses on ankle, talus, calcaneus, and midfoot fractures, and discusses numerous
      techniques and aids to avoid potential problems that may be encountered
      intraoperatively. 

PMID- 27261809
TI  - Current Swiss Techniques in Management of Lisfranc Injuries of the Foot.
AB  - The outcome after Lisfranc injuries correlates with anatomic and stable
      reduction. The best surgical treatment, particularly for the ligamentous Lisfranc
      injuries, remains controversial. Recent publications suggest that the ligamentous
      injuries may benefit from primary partial Lisfranc arthrodesis. Most surgeons
      agree that an appropriate reduction is better and easier achieved by open
      reduction and stable temporary screw or dorsal plate fixation or by open primary
      partial arthrodesis than by closed reduction or Kirschner wire fixation. Despite
      correct surgical technique and postoperative management, symptom-free recovery is
      uncommon. This article outlines current techniques in the management of Lisfranc
      injuries and resultant postoperative outcomes in a level I trauma center. 

PMID- 27261810
TI  - Minimally Invasive Forefoot Surgery in France.
AB  - Study groups have been formed in France to advance the use of minimally invasive
      surgery. These techniques are becoming more frequently used and the technique
      nuances are continuing to evolve. The objective of this article was to advance
      the awareness of the current trends in minimally invasive surgery for common
      diseases of the forefoot. The percutaneous surgery at the forefoot is less
      developed at this time, but also will be discussed. 

PMID- 27261811
TI  - State-of-the-Art in Ankle Fracture Management in Chile.
AB  - The ankle represents the most commonly injured weightbearing joint in the human
      body. They are typically the result of low-energy, rotational injury mechanisms.
      However, ankle fractures represent a spectrum of injury patterns from simple to
      very complex, with varying incidence of posttraumatic arthritis. Stable injury
      patterns can be treated nonoperatively; unstable injury patterns are typically
      treated operatively given that they could lead to severe arthritis if not
      properly addressed. 

PMID- 27261812
TI  - Foot and Ankle Injuries in Professional Soccer Players: Diagnosis, Treatment, and
      Expectations.
AB  - Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. It has undergone many
      changes in recent years, mainly because of increased physical demands, and this
      has led to an increased injury risk. Direct contact accounts for half of all
      injuries in both indoor and outdoor soccer and ankle sprains are the most common
      foot and ankle injury. There is a spectrum of foot and ankle injuries and their
      treatment should be individualized in these high-demand patients. An injury
      prevention program is also important and should the players, the trainer,
      responsible physician, and physical therapists. 

PMID- 27261813
TI  - Recent Advances in Egypt for Treatment of Talar Osteochondral Lesions.
AB  - Treatment of osteochondral defects (OCLs) of the talus is a challenging
      orthopedic surgery. Treatment of talar OCLs has evolved through the 3 "R"
      paradigm: reconstruction, repair, and replacement. This article highlights
      current state-of-the-art techniques and reviews recent advances in the literature
      about articular cartilage repair using various novel tissue engineering
      approaches, including various scaffolds, growth factors, and cell niches; which
      include chondrocytes and culture-expanded bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem
      cells. 

PMID- 27261814
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 27261815
TI  - Single-molecule detection and tracking of RNA transcripts in living cells using
      phosphorothioate-optimized 2'-O-methyl RNA molecular beacons.
AB  - Molecular Beacons (MBs) composed of 2'-O-methyl RNA (2Me) and phosphorothioate
      (PS) linkages throughout the backbone (2Me/PSFULL MBs) have enabled long-term
      imaging of RNA in living cells, but excess PS modification can induce nonspecific
      binding, causing false-positive signals. In this study, we evaluate the
      intracellular stability of MBs composed of 2Me with various PS modifications, and
      found that false-positive signals could be reduced to marginal levels when the
      MBs possess a fully PS-modified loop domain and a phosphodiester stem (2Me/PSLOOP
      MB). Additionally, 2Me/PSLOOP MBs exhibited uncompromised hybridization kinetics,
      prolonged functionality and >88% detection accuracy for single RNA transcripts,
      and could do so without interfering with gene expression or cell growth. Finally,
      2Me/PSLOOP MBs could image the dynamics of single mRNA transcripts in the nucleus
      and the cytoplasm simultaneously, regardless of whether the MBs targeted the 5'-
      or the 3'-UTR. Together, these findings demonstrate the effectiveness of loop
      domain PS modification in reducing nonspecific signals and the potential for
      sensitive and accurate imaging of individual RNAs at the single-molecule level.
      With the growing interest in the role of RNA localization and dynamics in health
      and disease, 2Me/PSLOOP MBs could enable new discoveries in RNA research.

PMID- 27261816
TI  - Obstetric and neonatal outcome following minor trauma in pregnancy. Is
      hospitalization warranted?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if hospitalization of pregnant women, involved in minor
      trauma, for 24h of surveillance, is warranted. STUDY DESIGN: The medical files of
      pregnant women involved in minor trauma, during 2009-2014, at 22-42 gestational
      weeks, were reviewed. Minor trauma was defined as an injury severity score <3, no
      immediate complains, normal ultrasound evaluation, reactive non-stress test, and
      no regular contractions. Patients were divided into those who, according to our
      departmental protocol, were hospitalized for 24h observation (hospitalized
      group), and those who refused to be hospitalized, (non-hospitalized group).
      Pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes were compared between the groups.
      RESULTS: Included in the study were 946 minor trauma patients that met the
      inclusion criteria. Gestational age (GA) at the trauma event was lower in the non
      hospitalized group (n=331) compared to the hospitalized group (n=615), 29.1 vs.
      30.8 weeks, p<0.001, respectively. There were no between-groups differences in
      the rate of preterm birth, vaginal bleeding, GA at delivery, or cesarean
      delivery. There were no cases of placental abruption or intrauterine fetal death
      in both groups. Neonatal outcome did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION:
      Minor trauma during pregnancy, with normal initial assessment, is not associated
      with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, routine hospitalization is probably
      not warranted.

PMID- 27261817
TI  - Efficacy, tolerability and safety of a new medical device, Monurelle Biogel((r))
      vaginal gel, in the treatment of vaginal dryness: a randomized clinical trial in
      women of reproductive age.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To prove the efficacy, tolerability and safety of Monurelle
      Biogel((r)) (ZP-025) vaginal gel, which contains a purified, dialyzed,
      lyophilized bovine colostrum, in women of reproductive age suffering from vaginal
      dryness. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial (RCT) (Z7213M01). SETTING: Five
      University Gynaecological Units. PATIENTS: Ninety-five subjects were allocated at
      random to receive either ZP-025 (n=48) for about 23 intermenstrual days (1 or 2
      times/daily intra-vaginally) or no treatment (lubricants on demand were allowed).
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change of Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) total and single score
      for vaginal symptoms, Vaginal Health Index (VHI) score, Female Sexual Function
      index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-revised (FSDS-R) scores. RESULTS: A
      total number of 85 subjects was evaluable for primary analyses. Symptoms (VRS) of
      vaginal discomfort improved significantly already after 11 days, as compared to
      the control arm (p<0.0001). The mean VHI score was also significantly higher in
      ZP-025 group (p<0.001) at the end of the study. The analysis of covariance with
      the baseline value as covariate carried out on the FSFI Total Score showed a
      statistically significant difference in favour of the ZP-025 arm (p<0.032). A
      shift from presence to absence of sexual distress (<=11 points) was more
      prominent in the ZP-025 arm [10 subjects (40%) in the ZP-025 arm (p<0.0001) and 6
      subjects (21.4%) in the control arm (p=0.01)]. Women reported a compliance rate
      of 100% for one ZP-025 application/day. Local tolerability of ZP-025 was
      excellent or good in 82.9% of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The present multicentre
      RCT supports the use of Monurelle Biogel((r)) in women of reproductive age
      reporting symptoms of vaginal dryness. A positive impact on vaginal health and
      sexual function was also evident.

PMID- 27261818
TI  - The association between a low cerebro-umbilical ratio at 30-34 weeks gestation,
      increased intrapartum operative intervention and adverse perinatal outcomes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between
      the cerebro-umbilical ratio (CUR), measured at 30-34 weeks, and adverse
      intrapartum and perinatal outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross
      sectional cohort study of women delivering at the Mater Mothers' Hospital in
      Brisbane, Australia. Fetal Doppler indices for 1224 singleton pregnancies were
      correlated with maternal demographics and intrapartum and perinatal outcomes.
      Only women who attempted vaginal delivery were included in the study. RESULTS:
      Infants delivered by emergency cesarean section for fetal compromise had the
      lowest median CUR, 1.65 (IQR 1.17-2.12), compared to any other delivery group.
      The proportion of infants with a CUR <=1 who required emergency cesarean section
      for fetal compromise was 33.3% compared to 9.3% of infants with a CUR >1
      (adjusted OR 6.92 (95% CI 2.04-25.75), p<0.001). However, the detection rate of
      CUR <=1 as a predictor for emergency cesarean delivery for fetal compromise was
      poor (18.9%). Detection rates increased in cohorts of infants born within two
      weeks of the scan or with birth weights <10th centile or <5th centile.
      Additionally, a CUR <=1 was associated with lower median birth weight, higher
      rates of admission to the neonatal critical care unit and increased neonatal
      mortality. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that a CUR <=1, measured at 30-34
      weeks, is associated with a greater risk of emergency cesarean delivery for fetal
      compromise and a number of other adverse perinatal outcomes. The association was
      strongest in low birth weight babies.

PMID- 27261819
TI  - Analysis of the cell-free amniotic fluid transcriptome expressed during the
      euploid mid-trimester of pregnancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The amniotic fluid (AF) contains cell-free RNAs (cfRNAs), which are
      considered to reflect the fetal status in utero. However, there are limited
      numbers of data to examine the AF cell-free transcriptome because amniocentesis
      is an invasive procedure. In this study, the AF transcriptome expressed during
      the euploid mid-trimester of pregnancy was characterized. STUDY DESIGN: Fourteen
      AF samples were collected. RNA was extracted from AF supernatant, hybridized to
      Affymetrix GeneChip Human arrays, and the transcriptome was analyzed by using the
      DAVID toolkit. RESULT: We detected 1069 genes in the 14 AF samples. The GNF atlas
      mapping showed that genes present in the AF were annotated with endocrine organs
      and blood components, including the pancreas, adrenal gland, thyroid, ovary and
      monocytes. The proteins encoded by the transcriptome were localized to several
      organs, which are directly in contact with the AF, including the placenta, lung,
      skin, epithelium, and kidney. During the early fetal period, there is a bi
      directional diffusion between the fetus and AF. Therefore, the AF composition is
      similar to that of the fetal plasma. In addition, fetal urine, swallowing,
      pulmonary secretion, and diffusion across the placenta contribute to produce
      amniotic fluid by directly excreting fluid. The KEGG pathway analysis with
      placenta specific genes revealed that focal adhesion and extracellular matrix
      receptor interaction pathways were enriched. These pathways are important for the
      placental development. CONCLUSION: cfRNA in the amniotic fluid originates from
      placenta and fetal organs directly contacting the amniotic fluid as well as from
      diffusion of the fetal plasma across the placenta. AF transcriptome may reflect
      not only fetal development, but also placental development.

PMID- 27261820
TI  - Molecular Basis of Functional Myocardial Potassium Channel Diversity.
AB  - Multiple types of voltage-gated K(+) and non-voltage-gated K(+) currents have
      been distinguished in mammalian cardiac myocytes based on differences in time
      dependent and voltage-dependent properties and pharmacologic sensitivities. Many
      of the genes encoding voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) and non-voltage-gated K(+) (Kir and
      K2P) channel pore-forming and accessory subunits are expressed in the heart, and
      a variety of approaches have been, and continue to be, used to define the
      molecular determinants of native cardiac K(+) channels and to explore the
      molecular mechanisms controlling the diversity, regulation, and remodeling of
      these channels in the normal and diseased myocardium. 

PMID- 27261822
TI  - Genetic Control of Potassium Channels.
AB  - Approximately 80 genes in the human genome code for pore-forming subunits of
      potassium (K(+)) channels. Rare variants (mutations) in K(+) channel-encoding
      genes may cause heritable arrhythmia syndromes. Not all rare variants in K(+)
      channel-encoding genes are necessarily disease-causing mutations. Common variants
      in K(+) channel-encoding genes are increasingly recognized as modifiers of
      phenotype in heritable arrhythmia syndromes and in the general population.
      Although difficult, distinguishing pathogenic variants from benign variants is of
      utmost importance to avoid false designations of genetic variants as disease
      causing mutations.

PMID- 27261821
TI  - Molecular Basis of Cardiac Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channel Function and
      Pharmacology.
AB  - Human cardiomyocytes express 3 distinct types of delayed rectifier potassium
      channels. Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels conduct the rapidly
      activating current IKr; KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels conduct the slowly activating
      current IKs; and Kv1.5 channels conduct an ultrarapid activating current IKur.
      Here the authors provide a general overview of the mechanistic and structural
      basis of ion selectivity, gating, and pharmacology of the 3 types of cardiac
      delayed rectifier potassium ion channels. Most blockers bind to S6 residues that
      line the central cavity of the channel, whereas activators interact with the
      channel at 4 symmetric binding sites outside the cavity. 

PMID- 27261825
TI  - Potassium Channel Remodeling in Heart Disease.
AB  - Heart disease produces substantial remodeling of K(+) channels that in general
      promotes arrhythmia occurrence. In the case of ventricular arrhythmias, K(+)
      channel remodeling contributes to the arrhythmic risk and increases vulnerability
      to torsades de pointes with K(+) channel inhibiting drugs. Atrial K(+) channel
      remodeling caused by atrial fibrillation promotes arrhythmia stability and
      presents opportunities for the development of new drugs targeting atrial inward
      rectifier K(+) currents. A better understanding of K(+) channel remodeling will
      help clinicians to appreciate arrhythmia mechanisms and determinants in a variety
      of clinical situations and to better manage arrhythmia therapy in patients with
      heart disease.

PMID- 27261823
TI  - Cardiac Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels in Health and Disease.
AB  - Cardiac delayed rectifier potassium channels conduct outward potassium currents
      during the plateau phase of action potentials and play pivotal roles in cardiac
      repolarization. These include IKs, IKr and the atrial specific IKur channels. In
      this article, we will review their molecular identities and biophysical
      properties. Mutations in the genes encoding delayed rectifiers lead to loss- or
      gain-of-function phenotypes, disrupt normal cardiac repolarization and result in
      various cardiac rhythm disorders, including congenital Long QT Syndrome, Short QT
      Syndrome and familial atrial fibrillation. We will also discuss the prospect of
      using delayed rectifier channels as therapeutic targets to manage cardiac
      arrhythmia.

PMID- 27261824
TI  - Adenosine Triphosphate-Sensitive Potassium Currents in Heart Disease and
      Cardioprotection.
AB  - The subunit makeup of the family of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium
      channel (KATP) channels is more complex and labile than thought. The growing
      association of Kir6.1 and SUR2 variants with specific cardiovascular electrical
      and contractile derangements and the clear association with Cantu syndrome
      establish the importance of appropriate activity in normal function of the heart
      and vasculature. Further studies of such patients will reveal new mutations in
      KATP subunits and perhaps in proteins that regulate KATP synthesis, trafficking,
      or location, all of which may ultimately benefit therapeutically from the unique
      pharmacology of KATP channels.

PMID- 27261827
TI  - Clinical Features of Genetic Cardiac Diseases Related to Potassium
      Channelopathies.
AB  - Genetic cardiac diseases related to potassium channelopathies are a group of
      relatively rare syndromes that includes long QT syndrome, short QT syndrome,
      Brugada syndrome, and early repolarization syndrome. Patients with these
      syndromes share a propensity for the development of life-threatening ventricular
      arrhythmias in the absence of significant cardiac structural abnormalities.
      Familial atrial fibrillation has also been associated with potassium channel
      dysfunction but differs from the other syndromes by being a rare cause of a
      common condition. This article focuses on the clinical features, diagnosis, and
      management of these syndromes.

PMID- 27261826
TI  - Modulation of Cardiac Potassium Current by Neural Tone and Ischemia.
AB  - The cardiac action potential is generated by intricate flows of ions across
      myocyte cell membranes in a coordinated fashion to control myocardial contraction
      and the heart rhythm. Modulation of the flow of these ions in response to a
      variety of stimuli results in changes to the action potential. Abnormal or
      altered ion currents can result in cardiac arrhythmias. Abnormalities of
      autonomic regulation of potassium current play a role in the genesis of cardiac
      arrhythmias, and alterations in acetylcholine-activated potassium channels may
      play a key role in atrial fibrillation. Ischemia is another important modulator
      of cardiac cellular electrophysiology.

PMID- 27261828
TI  - Potassium Channel Block and Novel Autoimmune-Associated Long QT Syndrome.
AB  - This article reviews advances in the pathogenesis of anti-SSA/Ro antibody-induced
      corrected QT (QTc) prolongation in patients with autoimmune diseases;
      particularly connective tissue disease (CTD). Evidence shows that anti-SSA/Ro
      antibody-positive patients with CTD show QTc prolongation and complex ventricular
      arrhythmias. Molecular and functional data provide evidence that the human ether
      a-go-go-related gene potassium channel conducting the rapidly activating delayed
      rectifier potassium current is directly inhibited by anti-SSA/Ro antibodies,
      resulting in action potential duration prolongation leading to QT interval
      lengthening. Routine electrocardiogram screening in anti-SSA/Ro antibody-positive
      patients and counseling for patients with other QTc prolonging risk factors is
      recommended.

PMID- 27261830
TI  - Mechanism of Proarrhythmic Effects of Potassium Channel Blockers.
AB  - Any disturbance of electrical impulse formation in the heart and of impulse
      conduction or action potential (AP) repolarization can lead to rhythm disorders.
      Potassium (K(+)) channels play a prominent role in the AP repolarization process.
      In this review we describe the causes and mechanisms of proarrhythmic effects
      that arise as a response to blockers of cardiac K(+) channels. The largest and
      chemically most diverse groups of compound targets are Kv11.1 (hERG) and Kv7.1
      (KvLQT1) channels. Finally, the proarrhythmic propensity of atrial-selective K(+)
      blockers inhibiting Kv1.5, Kir3.1/3.4, SK, and K2P channels is discussed.

PMID- 27261829
TI  - Pharmacogenetics of Potassium Channel Blockers.
AB  - The QT interval on surface electrocardiograms provides a model of a
      multicomponent integrated readout of many biological systems, including ion
      channels, modulatory subunits, signaling systems that modulate their activity,
      and mechanisms that regulate the expression of their responsible genes. The
      problem of drug exposure causing exaggerated QT interval prolongation and
      torsades de pointes highlights the multicomponent nature of cardiac
      repolarization and the way in which simple perturbations can yield exaggerated
      responses. Future directions will involve cellular approaches coupled to evolving
      technologies that can interrogate multicellular systems and provide a
      sophisticated view of mechanisms in this previously idiosyncratic drug reaction.

PMID- 27261831
TI  - Atrial-Selective Potassium Channel Blockers.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
      Atrial-selective potassium (K(+)) channel blockers may represent a novel
      therapeutic target. The best validated atrial-specific ion currents are the
      acetylcholine-activated inward-rectifier K(+) current IK,ACh and ultrarapidly
      activating delayed-rectifier K(+) current IKur. Two-pore domain and small
      conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels and Kv1.1 channels may also contribute
      to the atrial repolarization. We review the molecular and electrophysiologic
      characteristics of atrial-selective K(+) channels and their potential
      pathophysiologic role in AF. We summarize currently available K(+) channel
      blockers focusing on the most important compounds.

PMID- 27261832
TI  - Dofetilide: Electrophysiologic Effect, Efficacy, and Safety in Patients with
      Cardiac Arrhythmias.
AB  - Dofetilide is a class III antiarrhythmic agent with a selective blockade of rapid
      component of delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr). Dofetilide was found to
      be safe in patients after myocardial infarction and those with congestive heart
      failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction of less than
      35%). An important adverse effect of dofetilide is its potential proarrhythmic
      risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias, mostly torsades de pointes. Because
      dofetilide has about an 80% renal excretion, dose adjustment is required in
      patients with impaired renal function. Dofetilide should not be given or
      discontinued if the QTc is greater than 500 ms. 

PMID- 27261833
TI  - Sotalol.
AB  - Sotalol is effective for treating atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular
      tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, and supraventricular
      tachycardia. Racemic (DL) sotalol inhibits the rapid component of the delayed
      rectifier potassium current. There is a near linear relationship between sotalol
      dosage and QT interval prolongation. However, in dose ranging trials in patients
      with AF, low-dose sotalol was not more effective than placebo. Orally
      administered sotalol has a bioavailability of nearly 100%. The only significant
      drug interactions are the need to avoid or limit use of concomitant drugs that
      cause QT prolongation, bradycardia, and/or hypotension. 

PMID- 27261834
TI  - Dronedarone: Basic Pharmacology and Clinical Use.
AB  - Dronedarone is the newest antiarrhythmic drug approved for the maintenance of
      sinus rhythm in patients with nonpermanent atrial fibrillation (AF). It is a
      multi-channel blocker with diverse electrophysiologic properties. Dronedarone
      decreases the incidence of AF recurrence and the ventricular rate during
      recurrence. Dronedarone decreases rates of cardiovascular hospitalizations in
      patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF. Dronedarone increases mortality in
      patients with permanent AF and those with moderate-severe heart failure, and
      should thus be avoided in these populations. Dronedarone is less effective than
      amiodarone but also has less toxicity. Direct comparison with other
      antiarrhythmic drugs is not available.

PMID- 27261835
TI  - Ranolazine: Electrophysiologic Effect, Efficacy, and Safety in Patients with
      Cardiac Arrhythmias.
AB  - Ranolazine is currently approved as an antianginal agent in patients with chronic
      angina (class IIA). Ranolazine exhibits antiarrhythmic effects that are related
      to its multichannel blocking effect, predominantly inhibition of late sodium
      (late INa) current and the rapid potassium rectifier current (IKr), as well as
      ICa, late ICa, and INa-Ca. It also suppresses the early and delayed after
      depolarizations. Ranolazine is effective in the suppression of atrial and
      ventricular arrhythmias (off-label use) without significant proarrhythmic effect.
      Currently, ongoing trials are evaluating the efficacy and safety of ranolazine in
      patients with cardiac arrhythmias; preliminary results suggest that ranolazine,
      when used alone or in combination with dronedarone, is safe and effective in
      reducing atrial fibrillation. Ranolazine is not currently approved by the US Food
      and Drug Administration as an antiarrhythmic agent.

PMID- 27261837
TI  - Guidelines for Potassium Channel Blocker Use.
AB  - This article summarizes recommendations for the clinical use of antiarrhythmic
      drugs for the treatment and prevention of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias
      based on current guideline and consensus documents. The choice of antiarrhythmic
      drug is based on the efficacy and safety profile and influenced by the presence
      or absence of structural heart disease. Because of its adverse side-effect
      profile, amiodarone is recommended for the management of atrial fibrillation only
      when other agents have failed or are contraindicated. For treatment of
      symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias in the setting of structural heart disease,
      amiodarone is generally the preferred agent.

PMID- 27261838
TI  - The K(+) Channel: One Channel, Many Arrhythmias!

PMID- 27261836
TI  - Proarrhythmic and Torsadogenic Effects of Potassium Channel Blockers in Patients.
AB  - The most common arrhythmia requiring drug treatment is atrial fibrillation (AF),
      which affects 2 to 5 million Americans and continues to be a major cause of
      morbidity and increased mortality. Despite recent advances in catheter-based and
      surgical therapies, antiarrhythmic drugs continue to be the mainstay of therapy
      for most patients with symptomatic AF. However, many antiarrhythmics block the
      rapid component of the cardiac delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr) as a
      major mechanism of action, and marked QT prolongation and pause-dependent
      polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes) are major class
      toxicities.

PMID- 27261839
TI  - Cardiac Potassium Channel Disorders: From Basics to Clinics.

PMID- 27261840
TI  - Gambling problems in treatment for affective disorders: Results from the National
      Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gambling problems co-occur frequently with other psychiatric
      difficulties and may complicate treatment for affective disorders. This study
      evaluated the prevalence and correlates of gambling problems in a U. S.
      representative sample reporting treatment for mood problems or anxiety. METHODS:
      n=3007 respondents indicating past-year treatment for affective disorders were
      derived from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions
      (NESARC). Weighted prevalence estimates were produced and regression analyses
      examined correlates of gambling problems. RESULTS: Rates of lifetime and past
      year problem gambling (3+DSM-IV symptoms) were 3.1% (95% CI=2.4-4.0%) and 1.4%
      (95% CI=0.9-2.1%), respectively, in treatment for any disorder. Rates of lifetime
      problem gambling ranged from 3.1% (95% CI=2.3-4.3%) for depression to 5.4% (95%
      CI=3.2-9.0%) for social phobia. Past-year conditions ranged from 0.9% (95% CI=0.4
      2.1%) in dysthymia to 2.4% (95% CI=1.1-5.3%) in social phobia. Higher levels were
      observed when considering a spectrum of severity (including 'at-risk' gambling),
      with 8.9% (95% CI=7.7-10.2%) of respondents indicating a history of any gambling
      problems (1+ DSM-IV symptoms). Lifetime gambling problems predicted interpersonal
      problems and financial difficulties, and marijuana use, but not alcohol use,
      mental or physical health, and healthcare utilisation. LIMITATIONS: Data were
      collected in 2001-02 and were cross-sectional. CONCLUSIONS: Gambling problems
      occur at non-trivial rates in treatment for affective disorders and have mainly
      psychosocial implications. The findings indicate scope for initiatives to
      identify and respond to gambling problems across a continuum of severity in
      treatment for affective disorders.

PMID- 27261842
TI  - Can oocyte quality be augmented?

PMID- 27261841
TI  - Breastfeeding and mental health in adulthood: A birth cohort study in Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is negatively associate with behavioral and
      internalization problems, psychological stress, and depressive/anxiety symptoms.
      However, studies evaluating specific mental health disorders are scarce. We aimed
      to assess the association between breastfeeding and mental health outcomes in
      young adults. METHODS: In 1982, hospital deliveries in Pelotas (Southern Brazil)
      were identified; liveborns were examined and their mothers interviewed (n=5914).
      Information on breastfeeding was collected in early childhood. In 2012-13, at 30
      years of age, we used the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
      for the diagnosis of major depression (MD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
      and social anxiety disorder (SAD). In addition, we used the Beck Depression
      Inventory (BDI-II) and the Self-reported Questionnaire (SRQ-20), to evaluate
      depressive symptoms severity and common mental disorders (CMD), respectively. We
      used multivariable regression models to evaluate the association between
      breastfeeding and mental health outcomes. RESULTS: We evaluated 3657 individuals.
      Prevalence of CMD, MD, GAD and SAD was 24.3%, 7.9%, 12.7% and 3.6%, respectively.
      In multivariable models the odds of having a more severe case of depression (BDI
      II) was smaller among those breastfed for 6 or more months (OR=0.69 95%CI [0.53
      0.89]). We observed a similar pattern for MD and CMD, however, confidence
      intervals included the reference. LIMITATIONS: We had no information on home
      environment characteristics during childhood. Lack of power and a small effect
      size could explain why we did not detect an association between breastfeeding and
      MD. CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding reduced the odds of having more severe depressive
      symptoms.

PMID- 27261843
TI  - Commentary on Classification of patients with incident non-specific low back
      pain: implications for research.
AB  - COMMENTARY ON: Norton G, McDonough CM, Cabral HJ, Shwartz M, Burgess JF Jr.
      Classification of patients with incident non-specific low back pain: implications
      for research. Spine J 2016;16:567-76 (in this issue).

PMID- 27261844
TI  - Consensus at last! Long-term results of all randomized controlled trials show
      that fusion is no better than non-operative care in improving pain and disability
      in chronic low back pain.
AB  - Commentary On: Hedlund R, Johansson C, Hagg O, Fritzell P, Tullberg T. Swedish
      Lumbar Spine Study Group. The long-term outcome of lumbar fusion in the Swedish
      lumbar spine study. Spine J 2016;16:579-87 (in this issue).

PMID- 27261845
TI  - Consensus building in metastatic spine disease.
AB  - COMMENTARY ON: Arana E, Kovacs FM, Royuela A, Asenjo B, Perez-Ramirez U, Zamora
      J, the Spanish Back Pain Research Network Task Force for the Improvement of Inter
      Disciplinary Management of Spinal Metastasis. Spine Instability Neoplastic Score:
      agreement across different medical and surgical specialties. Spine J 2016;16:591
      9 (in this issue).

PMID- 27261846
TI  - Bringing truths from evidence: novel ways to detect pain derivation of low back.

PMID- 27261847
TI  - Gastric acid inhibitory and gastric protective effects of Cannabis and
      cannabinoids.
AB  - Cannabis sativa has long been known for its psychotropic effect. Only recently
      with the discovery of the cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous legends and the
      enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation, the role of this
      'endocannabinoid system' in different pathophysiologic processes is beginning to
      be delineated. There is evidence that CB1 receptor stimulation with synthetic
      cannabinoids or Cannabis sativa extracts rich in Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol
      inhibit gastric acid secretion in humans and experimental animals. This is
      specially seen when gastric acid secretion is stimulated by pentagastrin,
      carbachol or 2-deoxy-d-glucose. Cannabis and/or cannabinoids protect the gastric
      mucosa against noxious challenge with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
      ethanol as well as against stress-induced mucosal damage. Cannabis/cannabinoids
      might protect the gastric mucosa by virtue of its antisecretory, antioxidant,
      anti-inflammatory, and vasodilator properties. 

PMID- 27261848
TI  - Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Ajuga nipponensis extract by
      ultrasonic-assisted extraction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate suitable condition for extraction of the active
      components from Ajuga nipponensis (A. nipponensis). METHODS: Orthogonal
      experimental design was used to determine the optimal extraction parameters for
      ecdysterones and flavonoids. Finally, the hepatoprotective abilities of A.
      nipponensis extracts were evaluated by CCl4-induced animal models. RESULTS:
      Maximum yields of flavonoids (7.87 +/- 0.10) mg/g and ecdysterones (0.73 +/-
      0.02) mg/g could be obtained when the extraction time was 50 min, the extraction
      temperature was 60  degrees C, and the ratio of sample to 70% (v/v) ethanol was
      1:20 (w/w). The antioxidant property of A. nipponensis was correlated to the
      concentration of its extracts. At 5 mg/mL, A. nipponensis extract scavenged 84.8%
      of DPPH radical and had absorbance values of 2.43 +/- 0.04 reducing power. Upon
      CCl4-induced liver injury, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic
      transaminase decreased significantly after the mice were treated with A.
      nipponensis. Histological researches also explained that A. nipponensis reduced
      the extent of liver lesions induced by CCl4. CONCLUSIONS: A. nipponensis
      exhibited potent antioxidant activity in chemical experimental models and
      hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced liver damage.

PMID- 27261849
TI  - Anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oils of Cymbopogon validus (Stapf)
      Stapf ex Burtt Davy from Eastern Cape, South Africa.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the essential oil composition and the anti-inflammatory
      activity of Cymbopogon validus (C. validus) leaves and flowers. METHODS: A total
      of 300 g of fresh or dry (leaves and flowers) of C. validus were cut into small
      pieces and subjected to hydro-distillation method for approximately 5 h using the
      Clevenger apparatus. The extracted essential oils were then used for testing the
      anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using
      egg albumin-induced paw edema. RESULTS: The extracted oils had the following
      yields 2.2% for fresh leaves, 2.0% for dry leaves and 2.4% v/w for dry flowers.
      GC-MS results revealed that the oils contained artemisia ketone (37.5%), linalool
      (3.2%-29.6%), northujane (4.4%-16.8%), verbenone (13.5%), naphthalene (1.7%
      9.6%), delta-cadinene (0.5%-8.1%), hedycaryol (5.4%-7.6%) and alpha-eudesmol
      (6.5%-6.7%) as the major constituents. C. validus essential oils showed
      significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effects from the first 30 min after
      albumin injection compared to aspirin which had a later onset of effect.
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show that the essential oil extracted
      from C. validus fresh or dry leaves and flowers have anti-inflammatory
      properties; that might be associated with the major components and the minor
      components found in the essential oils.

PMID- 27261850
TI  - Hydroethanolic extract of Smallanthus sonchifolius leaves improves hyperglycemia
      of streptozotocin induced neonatal diabetic rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of hydroethanolic extract of yacon on the
      hyperglycemia induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in neonatal rats. METHODS: Wistar
      rats aged two days old received an intraperitoneal injection of STZ (160 mg/kg);
      after seven weeks, glycosuria was determined and animals with glucose levels
      above 250 mg/dL were included in the study. Groups of diabetic and non-diabetic
      rats were treated orally with yacon extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg/d for 14 d.
      Tests were made for phytochemical characterization, glucose tolerance and
      toxicity. RESULTS: The results showed that treatment with the extract reduced the
      glucose levels of fed diabetic rats and did not change the glucose levels of
      fasting diabetic and normal rats. Additionally, also it was observed that
      treatment with the extract reduced blood glucose levels of diabetic rats during
      the oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests. There was no change in body
      weight, liver enzymes or mortality with yacon extract treatment. The
      phytochemical screening revealed the presence of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid,
      ferulic acid and gallic acid. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that yacon extract
      reduces hyperglycemia, possibly by improving insulin sensibility through its
      phytochemicals constituents (phenolic compounds).

PMID- 27261851
TI  - Effects of feeding a diet containing Gymnema sylvestre extract: Attenuating
      progression of obesity in C57BL/6J mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Gymnema sylvestre extract (GS) on initial
      anti-obesity, liver injury, and glucose homeostasis induced by a high-fat diet
      (HFD). METHODS: The dry powder of GS was extracted with methanol, and gymnemic
      acid was identified by high performance liquid chromatography as deacyl gymnemic
      acid. Male C57BL/6J mice that fed on either a normal diet, normal diet containing
      1 g/kg GS (CON+GS), HFD, or HFD containing 1.0 g/kg GS (HFD + GS) for 4 weeks
      were used to test the initial anti-obesity effect of GS. Body weight gain and
      food intake, and serum levels about lipid and liver injury markers were measured.
      Histopathology of adipose tissue and liver stained with hematoxylin and eosin
      (H&E) and oil-red O were analyzed. After 4 weeks of GS extract feeding,
      intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed. RESULTS: The
      methanol extracts of GS exerted significant anti-obesity effects in HFD + GS
      group. They decreased body weight gain, a lower food and energy efficiency ratio,
      and showed lower serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low
      density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL)
      cholesterol and leptin compared with the HFD group. The decreases of abdominal as
      well as epididymal fat weight and adipocyte hypertrophy, lipid droplets in liver,
      and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase
      (ALT) were also observed. The CON + GS group showed an effect of glucose
      homeostasis compared to the CON group. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that GS
      provide the possibility as a key role in an initial anti-obesity effects feeding
      with a HFD.

PMID- 27261852
TI  - Zika Virus spreading in South America: Evolutionary analysis of emerging
      neutralizing resistant Phe279Ser strains.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic diversity of Zika Virus (ZIKV) and the
      relationships existing among these circulating viruses worldwide. To evaluate the
      genetic polymorphisms harbored from ZIKV that can have an influence on the virus
      circulation. METHODS: Three different ZIKV dataset were built. The first dataset
      included 63 E gene sequences, the second one 22 NS3 sequences and the third
      dataset was composed of 108 NS5 gene sequences. Phylogenetic and selective
      pressure analysis was performed. The edited nucleic acid alignment from the
      Envelope dataset was used to generate a conceptual translation to the
      corresponding peptide sequences through UGene software. RESULTS: The
      phylogeographic reconstruction was able to discriminate unambiguously that the
      Brazilian strains are belonged to the Asian lineage. The structural analysis
      reveals instead the presence of the Ser residue in the Brazilian sequences
      (however already observed in other previously reported ZIKV infections) that
      could suggest the presence of a neutralization-resistant population of viruses.
      CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetic, evolutionary and selective pressure analysis
      contributed to improve the knowledge on the circulation of ZIKV.

PMID- 27261853
TI  - Evaluation of hypolipidemic Marrubium vulgare effect in Triton WR-1339-induced
      hyperlipidemia in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic activities
      of four Marrbium vulgare herb extracts using Triton WR-1339-induced
      hyperlipidemia in mice. METHODS: Hyperlipidemia was developed by intraperitoneal
      injection of Triton (200 mg/kg body weight). The animals were divided into main
      four groups of eight mice each: normal control group, hyperlipidemic control
      group, hyperlipidemic plus tween-40 control and treated group. The fourth one was
      divided into four subgroups, petroleum ether extract group, chloroform extract
      group, ethyl acetate extract group and methanol extract treated group each of
      them contains two sub-sub group for treating animals with two doses at 0.1 and
      0.25 LD50. RESULTS: After 7 h and 24 h of treatment, the intragastric
      administration of all extracts caused a significant decrease of plasma total
      cholesterol. Triglyceride levels were also significantly lowered by all extracts
      while petroleum ether produced the lowest decreasing level. Similar results were
      observed for LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Furthermore, more polar extracts
      (methanol and ethyl acetate)-soluble fractions showed a significant ameliorative
      action on elevated atherogenic index (AI) and LDL/HDL-C ratios, while these
      atherogenic markers were not statistically suppressed by the chloroform and
      petroleum ether-soluble extract. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that
      Marrubium may contain polar products able to lower plasma lipid concentrations
      and might be beneficial in treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

PMID- 27261854
TI  - Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies prevalence and associated risk factors among HIV
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of
      toxoplasmosis among HIV patients in Agaro Town Health Center of Jimma zone.
      METHODS: Convenient sampling was used to collect blood samples from 135 patients
      attending anti-retroviral therapy from February to March 2015. Serum samples were
      tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) antibody by using latex
      agglutination test. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio
      demographic and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis. RESULTS: Overall
      seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 80.7% (109/135, CI: 74.04-87.36). In
      multivariate analysis significant association was observed between anti-T. gondii
      seropositivity and raw meat consumption (OR: 3.514, CI: 1.167-10.581, P = 0.025),
      knowledge about toxoplasmosis (OR: 5.225, CI: 1.382, P = 0.015) and sex (OR:
      4.023, CI: 1.382-19.762, P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Immuno compromised patients
      showed high rate of seropositivity and thus, it is highly advisable to introduce
      routine anti-T. gondii antibodies serological screening test prior to ART
      commencement.

PMID- 27261855
TI  - Serological survey on some pathogens in wild brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in
      Central Italy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the exposure of wild brown hares [Lepus europaeus (L.
      europaeus), pallas] to Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum), Borrelia
      burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) sensu lato, Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi),
      Leishmania sp., Neospora caninum (N. caninum) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii).
      METHODS: Two hundred twenty-two blood serum samples of wild brown hares captured
      in protected areas of the province of Pisa (Central Italy) were tested to detect
      antibodies against the reported pathogens. RESULTS: Thirty one (14.0%) animals
      resulted positive for at least one tested agent, with antibody titres ranging
      from 1:20 to 1:320. In particular, 13 (5.8%) samples were positive to B.
      burgdorferi s.l., 11 (4.9%) to N. caninum, 3 (1.3%) to T. gondii, 2 (0.9%) to A.
      phagocytophilum and 2 (0.9%) to Leishmania sp. No samples scored positive to E.
      cuniculi. Four animals (14.8%) resulted coinfected with 2 different pathogens.
      CONCLUSION: The obtained results showed that B. burgdorferi s.l. N. caninum, T.
      gondii, A. phagocytophilum and Leishmania sp. circulate in wild brown hares in
      Central Italy, suggesting a possible role of L. europaeus as reservoir of these
      pathogens. The obtained results showed that autochthonous wild brown hares living
      in Central Italy have been exposed to several pathogens circulating in this area,
      suggesting a possible role of L. europaeus as reservoir.

PMID- 27261856
TI  - Exploration of the regulatory effect of miR-21 on breast cancer cell line
      proliferation and invasion as well as the downstream target genes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the regulatory effects of miR-21 on breast cancer cell line
      proliferation and invasion as well as the downstream target genes. METHODS:
      Breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 were cultured and transfected with miR-21 mimics
      and the corresponding negative control mimics (NC mimics), and then MTS kits were
      used to detect cell viability. Transwell experiment was used to detect cell
      invasion ability, and fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the
      expression of proliferation and invasion-related genes in cells. RESULTS: 24 h
      after transfection of miR-21 mimics and NC mimics, cell OD value and the number
      of invasive cells of miR-21 group were significantly higher than those of NC
      group, and mRNA contents of PDCD-4, FasL, PTEN, RhoB, Maspin, TIMP3 and RECK in
      cells were significantly lower than those of NC group. CONCLUSION: miR-21 can
      promote the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cell lines, and its
      downstream target genes include PDCD-4, FasL, PTEN, RhoB, Maspin, TIMP3 and RECK.

PMID- 27261857
TI  - Mechanism of low molecular weight GTP binding protein RAC1 in injury of neural
      function of rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the mechanism of low molecular weight GTP binding protein
      RAC1 in the injury of neural function based on building the rat model of cerebral
      ischemia reperfusion. METHODS: Middle cerebral artery of rats was ligated and the
      ligature was released to restore the perfusion after 2 h, the rat model of
      cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury was built, while the middle cerebral artery
      was ligated. The rats were randomly divided into the sham group, cerebral
      ischemia reperfusion group (I/R group) and the group with the injection of RAC1
      activity inhibitor NSC23766 (NSC group). The survival and neurological severity
      score of rats in each group were observed and recorded. Nissl staining was
      employed to observe the nerve cells, and Western blot to detect expression of
      RAC1, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde. RESULTS: Number of nerve cells
      for rats in NSC group was significantly more than that in I/R group, but
      significantly less than that in sham group, with the statistical difference (P <
      0.05). The brain water content for rats in NSC group was significantly lower than
      that in I/R group, but significantly higher than that in sham group, with the
      statistical difference (P < 0.05). The expression of RAC1 and malondialdehyde for
      rats in NSC group was significantly lower than that in I/R group, but higher than
      that in sham group; while the expression of superoxide dismutase was lower than
      that in sham group, but higher than that in I/R group, with the statistical
      difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of RAC1 activity can reduce
      the oxidative stress, reduce the neurologic impairment because of cerebral
      ischemia reperfusion and thus protect the neural function.

PMID- 27261858
TI  - Involvement of alpha5 integrin in survivin-mediated osteosarcoma metastasis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of survivin in osteosarcoma metastasis.
      METHODS: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knockdown the expression of
      survivin and alpha5 integrin in the human osteosarcoma cell line MG63. Western
      blotting and immunostaining methods were used to assessed the effect of survivin
      knockdown on the expression of alpha5 integrin through flow cytometry and
      fluorescence microscopy detection. Meanwhile, the invasion and migration of
      transfected cells in Transwell and wound healing assays were probed, and the
      growth situation of these cells transplanted into nude mice was monitored.
      RESULTS: Knockdown of survivin expression could inhibit the invasion and
      migration of osteosarcoma MG64 cells in vitro and the expression of alpha5
      integrin on osteosarcoma MG64 cell surface, suggesting that survivin can inhibit
      the invasion and migration of osteosarcoma cells through downregulation of alpha5
      integrin. Anti-alpha5 integrin antibody could also markedly decrease the
      capability of invasion and migration of osteosarcoma MG64 cells. Additionally,
      knockdown of survivin expression could slow the growth of osteosarcoma MG63 cells
      transplanted into nude mice. CONCLUSIONS: Survivin-directed anti-tumor strategies
      might be an effective method in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

PMID- 27261859
TI  - Polarization of M1 tumor associated macrophage promoted by the activation of TLR3
      signal pathway.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between activation of toll-like
      receptors 3 (TLR3) signaling pathway and tumor-associated macrophage and its
      effect on the tumor growth. METHODS: The mice Lewis lung cancer cell lines 3LL
      and melanoma B16H10 were used to construct the subcutaneous transplantation tumor
      models and then they were treated with Poly-ICLC. The curative effect was
      observed and then the T cell and macrophage phenotypes infiltrated in local tumor
      were detected by flow cytometry. After the in vitro culture of mouse bone marrow
      derived macrophage, the real-time PCR and western blot were applied to detect the
      expression of macrophage activation markers and the activation of intracellular
      signaling pathways. RESULTS: The survival time of mice with brown tumor treated
      with Poly-ICLC significantly increased and the tumor growth was inhibited. The
      ratio of local tumor-infiltrated Treg decreased, while the ratio of CD8(+) T cell
      increased significantly. The macrophages surface CD206 expression was down
      regulated while the expression of iNOS increased. The Poly-ICLC could promote the
      expression of M1 markers (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and iNOS) in bone marrow-derived
      macrophage and inhibited the expression of M2 molecules (Arg-1, YM-1 and CD206).
      The phosphorylation level of downstream p65, TBK1 and IRF3 increased
      significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The Poly-ICLC can activate the TLR3 downstream
      signaling pathway to induce a M1 polarization of tumor associated macrophage,
      thereby inhibiting the tumor growth.

PMID- 27261860
TI  - Influence of hydrogen sulfide on zymogen activation of homocysteine-induced
      matrix metalloproteinase-2 in H9C2 cardiocytes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of different concentrations of homocysteine
      (Hcy) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the secretion and activation of matrix
      metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in cardiocytes so as to search for new ways to fight
      against myocardial tissue fibrosis. METHODS: Cardiocytes H9C2 was cultured in
      vitro and different concentrations of Hcy and H2S were added for 6-h and 24-h
      cultivation. MTT cell proliferation assay was applied to test the activation
      change of cardiocytes H9C2 after affecting by different concentrations of Hcy and
      H2S. ELISA and MTT were employed to detect the expression and enzymatic activity
      of MMP-2. RESULTS: The H9C2 cell inhibition of activity was more significant with
      1000 MUmol/L of Hcy as compared with other concentrations (P < 0.001). With 2.5
      100.0 MUmol/L Hcy and 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mmol/L H2S, the activity of H9C2 did not
      change significantly (P > 0.05). Hcy with concentrations of 10, 50 and 100
      MUmol/L could increase the quantity of MMP-2 secreted by cardiocytes H9C2, and
      the interaction strength was concentration-dependent (P < 0.05). After
      interacting with 100 MUmol/L of Hcy for 6 h, the zymogen activation effect of MMP
      2 was stronger than that of the 2.5-25 MUmol/L group (P < 0.05). After
      interacting with Hcy and H2S (1.0 mmol/L) for 6 h and 24 h, the activation effect
      of MMP-2 was stronger than those interacted with 10, 25, 50 and 100 MUmol/L of
      Hcy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hcy can increase the production of MMP-2 secreted by
      H9C2 cell and improve its zymogen activation. Besides, the interaction strength
      is concentration-dependent; while H2S can up-regulate the activation of MMP-2 and
      co-promote the activation of MMP-2 with Hcy as well.

PMID- 27261861
TI  - Effect and mechanism of miR-34a on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of
      laryngeal carcinoma cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect and mechanism of miR-34a on the proliferation,
      apoptosis and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells. METHODS: The laryngeal
      squamous carcinoma Hep2 cells were transiently transfected with miR-34a mimics
      and miR-34a NC. The MTT, colony-forming assay, Hoechst staining and AnnexinV-PI
      double staining flow cytometry were employed to detect the effect of miR-34a on
      the viability and apoptosis of laryngeal squamous carcinoma Hep2 cells; Transwell
      assay to defect the effect of miR-34a on the migration and invasion of laryngeal
      squamous carcinoma Hep2 cells; western blot and RT-PCR assay to defect the effect
      of miR-34a mimics on the expression of survivin and Ki-67 mRNA in laryngeal
      squamous carcinoma Hep2 cells. RESULTS: Compared with miR-34a NC group, the cell
      viability in miR-34 mimics group was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the cell
      apoptosis rate was significantly increased (P < 0.01), the abilities of cell
      migration and invasion were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) and the expression
      of survivin and Ki-67 mRNA was significantly decreased (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      The increased expression of miR-34a can induce the apoptosis of Hep2 laryngeal
      carcinoma cells and inhibit the cell proliferation and invasion, which is related
      to the down-regulated expression of survivin and Ki-67.

PMID- 27261862
TI  - Study on the role of Cathepsin B and JNK signaling pathway in the development of
      cerebral aneurysm.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between JNK signal and the apoptosis of
      VSMC as well as the expression of Cathepsin B and to explore the role of JNK
      signal in the development of cerebral aneurysm. METHODS: Rat models of cerebral
      aneurysm were established and histopathologic changes of cerebral aneurysm and
      the apoptosis of VSMC were analyzed. Rat models were respectively subject to
      subcutaneous injection of Cathepsin B siRNA and JNK inhibitor SP600125. Western
      blot technique was used to detect the expression of proteins like Cathepsin B,
      Caspase-3, and p-JNK. Spearman's rho was used to examine the correlation between
      p-JNK and Cathepsin B, as well as the expression of relevant proteins. RESULTS:
      The success rate of modeling rats with cerebral aneurysm was 88.75%. After the
      respective injection of Cathepsin B siRNA, SP600125 and their combination, the
      cell densities of VSMC of rats with cerebral aneurysm all increased significantly
      (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but the apoptosis rate of VSMC decreased significantly (P
      < 0.01). Compared with normal rats, the expression of Cathepsin B, Caspase-3 and
      p-JNK in Cerebral aneurysm models increased significantly. Effectively
      intervening Cathepsin B genes with Cathepsin B siRNA could significantly inhibit
      the expression of Cathepsin B and Caspase-3, but hardly influence the expression
      of p-JNK. JNK inhibitor SP600125 had no influence on the expression of Cathepsin
      B and Caspase-3, but effectively inhibited the expression of p-JNK. In cerebral
      aneurysm tissues, positive correlation was observed between the expression of p
      JNK and Cathepsin B, the correlation coefficient was r = 0.640. CONCLUSION: After
      the attack of cerebral aneurysm, proteins like Cathepsin B, Caspase-3 and p-JNK
      are all involved in the apoptosis of VSMCs. This process may be realized by
      Cathepsin B which activates the apoptosis mechanism of Caspase-3 and mediate the
      apoptosis of VSMC through the JNK signaling pathway. Therefore, silencing
      Cathepsin B gene or inhibiting the conduction through JNK signaling pathway can
      mitigate the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells in cerebral aneurysm.

PMID- 27261863
TI  - Mechanism of TLR-4/NF-kappaB pathway in myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury of
      mouse.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and NF-kappaB
      and to discuss the mechanism of TLR-4/NF-kappaB pathway in the myocardial
      ischemia reperfusion injury of mouse. METHODS: TLR-4 mutant mice and wild
      homozygous mice were divided into the model group and sham group. Mice in the
      model group were given the ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery
      for the modeling, while mice in the sham group were not given the ligation after
      threading. The cardiac muscle tissues were collected for the morphological
      observation. The immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of NF
      kappaB, Western blot was used to detect the expression of TLR-4 and ELISA to
      detect the expression of serum inflammatory factors. RESULTS: The expression of
      NF-kappaB in TLR-4 null mice after the myocardial ischemia reperfusion was
      significantly lower than that in wild homozygous mice. For the model group and
      sham group, the expression of TLR-4 in wild homozygous mice was all significantly
      higher than that in TLR-4 null mice, while the expression of TLR-4 in TLR-4 null
      mice in the model group was significantly higher than that in sham group, with
      the statistical difference (P < 0.05). The expression of inflammatory factors in
      TLR-4 null mice and wild homozygous mice in the model group was significantly
      higher than that in sham group. The expression of all factors in group A with TLR
      4 null was significantly lower than that in group B with wild homozygous type,
      with the statistical difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TLR-4/NF-kappaB pathway
      is closely related to the myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury, which plays its
      role through the release of inflammatory cytokines.

PMID- 27261864
TI  - Inhibition of long non-coding RNA TUG1 on gastric cancer cell transference and
      invasion through regulating and controlling the expression of miR-144/c-Met axis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the expression of long noncoding RNA TUG1 (lncRNA-TUG1) in
      gastric carcinoma (GC) and its effects on the transferring and invading capacity
      of gastric carcinoma cells. METHODS: Forty cases of carcinoma tissue and para
      carcinoma tissue were selected from GC patients who underwent surgical removal in
      Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Traditional Medicine and Wenzhou Central
      Hospital from January, 2013 to December, 2014; the expressing level of lncRNA
      TUG1 in GC and para-C tissues was detected by applying the qRT-PCR technique. The
      correlation between lncRNA-TUG1 expression and patients' clinical data was
      classified and analyzed. SGC-7901 cells were transfected using lncRNA-TUG1
      specific siRNA. Changes of the transferring and invading capacity of siRNA
      transfected SGC-7901 cells were scratch-tested and transwell-detected. qRT-PCR
      was applied to detect the expression level of microRNA-144 after lncRNA-TUG1 was
      silenced. Changes of c-Met mRNA and protein expressions was detected by qRT-PCR
      and western-blot test. RESULTS: The expression level of lncRNA-TUG1 in GC tissue
      was significant higher than that in para-C tissue (P < 0.05) and the high
      expression level of lncRNA-TUG1 in GC tissue was significantly correlated with
      tumor lymph nodes metastasis and advance TNM phasing (P < 0.05). The transferring
      and invading capacity of SGC-7901 cells was highly inhibited after being
      transfected by lncRNA-TUG1 specific siRNA (P < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR and
      western-blot proved that the expression of microRNA-144 was significantly boosted
      and the expression level of c-Met mRNA and protein was inhibited after lncRNA
      TUG1 was silenced (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: lncRNA-TUG1 shows an up-regulated
      expression in GC tissue and that bears a correlation with clinicopathological
      features of malignant tumor. lncRNA-TUG1 can promote the transferring and
      invading capacity of GC by inhibiting the pathway of microRNA-144/c-Met.

PMID- 27261865
TI  - Afebrile, asymptomatic and non-thrombocytopenic Zika virus infection: Don't miss
      it!

PMID- 27261866
TI  - The UK Cancer Drugs Fund Experiment and the US Cancer Drug Cost Problem: Bearing
      the Cost of Cancer Drugs Until It Is Unbearable.

PMID- 27261868
TI  - Emergency Contraception.
AB  - Emergency contraception (EC) may help prevent pregnancy in various circumstances,
      such as contraceptive method failure, unprotected sexual intercourse, or sexual
      assault, yet it remains underused. There are 4 approved EC options in the United
      States. Although ulipristal acetate requires a provider's prescription, oral
      levonorgestrel (LNG) is available over the counter for women of all ages. The
      most effective method of EC is the copper intrauterine device, which can be left
      in place for up to 10 years for efficacious, cost-effective, hormone-free, and
      convenient long-term primary contraception. Ulipristal acetate tends to be more
      efficacious in pregnancy prevention than is LNG, especially when taken later than
      72 hours postcoitus. The mechanism of action of oral EC is delay of ovulation,
      and current evidence reveals that it is ineffective postovulation. Women who
      weigh more than 75 kg or have a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m(2) may have
      a higher risk of unintended pregnancy when using oral LNG EC; therefore,
      ulipristal acetate or copper intrauterine devices are preferable in this setting.
      Providers are often unaware of the range of EC options or are unsure of how to
      counsel patients regarding the access and use of EC. This article critically
      reviews current EC literature, summarizes recommendations, and provides guidance
      for counseling women about EC. Useful tips for health care providers are
      provided, with a focus on special populations, including breast-feeding women and
      those transitioning to long-term contraception after EC use. When treating women
      of reproductive age, clinicians should be prepared to counsel them about EC
      options, provide EC appropriately, and, if needed, refer for EC in a timely
      manner.

PMID- 27261869
TI  - Association of Objectively Measured Physical Activity With Objectively Measured
      Visual Acuity Among a Population-Based Sample of Patients With Coronary Artery
      Disease and Congestive Heart Failure: the Cardio-ocular Paradigm.

PMID- 27261867
TI  - My Approach to the Patient With Familial Hypercholesterolemia.
AB  - Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a relatively common Mendelian genetic
      disorder, is associated with a dramatically increased lifetime risk of premature
      atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to elevated plasma low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The diagnosis of FH is based on clinical
      presentation or genetic testing. Early identification of patients with FH is of
      great public health importance because preventive strategies can lower the
      absolute lifetime cardiovascular risk and screening can detect affected
      relatives. However, low awareness, detection, and control of FH pose hurdles in
      the prevention of FH-related cardiovascular events. Of the estimated 0.65 million
      to 1 million patients with FH in the United States, less than 10% carry a
      diagnosis of FH. Based on registry data, a substantial proportion of patients
      with FH are receiving no or inadequate lipid-lowering therapy. Statins remain the
      mainstay of treatment for patients with FH. Lipoprotein apheresis and newly
      approved lipid-lowering drugs are valuable adjuncts to statin therapy,
      particularly when the LDL-C-lowering response is suboptimal. Monoclonal
      antibodies targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 provide an
      additional approximately 60% lowering of LDL-C levels and are approved for use in
      patients with FH. For homozygous FH, 2 new drugs that work independent of the LDL
      receptor pathway are available: an apolipoprotein B antisense oligonucleotide
      (mipomersen) and a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor
      (lomitapide). This review attempts to critically examine the available data to
      provide a summary of the current evidence for managing patients with FH,
      including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance. 

PMID- 27261870
TI  - Body Fat Percentage Should Not Be Confused With Lifestyle Behaviors.

PMID- 27261871
TI  - In Reply-Body Fat Percentage Should Not Be Confused With Lifestyle Behaviors.

PMID- 27261872
TI  - Epidemiology of Sarcoidosis.

PMID- 27261873
TI  - In Reply-Epidemiology of Sarcoidosis.

PMID- 27261874
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27261875
TI  - Fanconi Anemia-Protean Manifestations of Defective DNA Repair.

PMID- 27261876
TI  - An Adult Male With Hypophosphatemic Osteomalacia.

PMID- 27261877
TI  - VR-28 Nova Fahrenheit by Jimmy Descant.
AB  - Recognizing the contribution art has had in the Mayo Clinic environment since the
      original Mayo Clinic Building was finished in 1914, Mayo Clinic Proceedings
      features some of the numerous works of art displayed throughout the buildings and
      grounds on Mayo Clinic campuses as interpreted by the author. 

PMID- 27261878
TI  - Prefrontal activity during working memory is modulated by the interaction of
      variation in CB1 and COX2 coding genes and correlates with frequency of cannabis
      use.
AB  - The CB1 cannabinoid receptor is targeted in the brain by endocannabinoids under
      physiological conditions as well as by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol under cannabis
      use. Furthermore, its signaling appears to affect brain cognitive processing.
      Recent findings highlight a crucial role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the
      mechanism of intraneuronal CB1 signaling transduction, while others indicate that
      two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs1406977 and rs20417) modulate
      expression of CB1 (CNR1) and COX-2 (PTGS2) coding genes, respectively. Here, our
      aim was to use fMRI to investigate in healthy humans whether these SNPs interact
      in modulating prefrontal activity during working memory processing and if this
      modulation is linked with cannabis use. We recruited 242 healthy subjects
      genotyped for CNR1 rs1406977 and PTGS2 rs20417 that performed the N-back working
      memory task during fMRI and were interviewed using the Cannabis Experience
      Questionnaire (CEQ). We found that the interaction between CNR1 rs1406977 and
      PTGS2 rs20417 is associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity
      such that specific genotype configurations (CNR1 C carriers/PTGS2 C carriers and
      CNR1 TT/PTGS2 GG) predict lower cortical response versus others in spite of
      similar behavioral accuracy. Furthermore, DLPFC activity in the cluster
      associated with the CNR1 by PTGS2 interaction was negatively correlated with
      behavioral efficiency and positively correlated with frequency of cannabis use in
      cannabis users. These results suggest that a genetically modulated balancing of
      signaling within the CB1-COX-2 pathway may reflect on more or less efficient
      patterns of prefrontal activity during working memory. Frequency of cannabis use
      may be a factor for further modulation of CNR1/PTGS2-mediated cortical processing
      associated with this cognitive process.

PMID- 27261879
TI  - Genotoxic effects induced by the exposure to an environmental mixture of illicit
      drugs to the zebra mussel.
AB  - Despite the growing interest on the presence of illicit drugs in freshwater
      ecosystems, just recently the attention has been focused on their potential
      toxicity towards non-target aquatic species. However, these studies largely
      neglected the effects induced by exposure to complex mixtures of illicit drugs,
      which could be different compared to those caused by single psychoactive
      molecules. This study was aimed at investigating the genetic damage induced by a
      14-day exposure to a realistic mixture of the most common illicit drugs found in
      surface waters worldwide (cocaine, benzoylecgonine, amphetamine, morphine and 3,4
      methylenedioxymethamphetamine) on the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). The
      mixture caused a significant increase of DNA fragmentation and triggered the
      apoptotic process and micronuclei formation in zebra mussel hemocytes, pointing
      out its potential genotoxicity towards this bivalve species. 

PMID- 27261880
TI  - Effects of erythromycin, trimethoprim and clindamycin on attached microbial
      communities from an effluent dominated prairie stream.
AB  - In this study, differing metrics were utilized to measure effects of erythromycin
      (ER), trimethoprim (TR) and clindamycin (CL) on the structure and function of
      attached Wascana Creek, SK microbial communities. All three test antibiotics,
      especially ER, affected community structure and function of biofilms grown in
      rotating annular reactors. Biofilm thickness, bacterial biomass, and lectin
      binding biovolume (exopolymeric substances) were consistently less in ER treated
      biofilms when compared to the control. As well negative effects on protozoan
      numbers, and carbon utilization were detected. Finally, PCA analyses of DGGE
      results indicated that bacterial community diversity in ER exposed biofilms was
      always different from the control. ER exhibited toxic effects even at lower
      concentrations. Observations on TR and CL exposed biofilms indicated that
      bacterial biomass, lectin binding biovolume and carbon utilization were
      negatively affected as well. In terms of bacterial community diversity, however,
      CL exposed biofilms tended to group with the control while TR grouped with
      nutrient additions suggesting both nutritive and toxic effects. This study
      results represent an important step in understanding antibiotic effects,
      especially ER, on aquatic microbial communities. And because ER is so ubiquitous
      in receiving water bodies worldwide, the Wascana study results suggest the
      possibility of ecosystem disturbance elsewhere. CAPSULE ABSTRACT: Erythromycin
      (ER) is ubiquitous in waterbodies receiving sewage effluent. Structure and
      function of microbial communities from an effluent dominated stream were
      negatively affected by ER, at realistic concentrations.

PMID- 27261881
TI  - Transcriptional response of four C1q domain containing protein (C1qDC) genes from
      Venerupis philippinarum exposed to the water soluble fraction of No.0 diesel oil.
AB  - As pattern recognitionreceptors, the C1q-domain-containing (C1qDC) proteins play
      an important role in the pathogen recognition and complement pathway activation.
      In the present study, four novel C1q domain containing proteins (designated as
      VpC1qDC1, VpC1qDC2, VpC1qDC3 and VpC1qDC4) were cloned and characterized from
      clam Venerupis philippinarum. The four VpC1qDCs all possessed the conserved
      features critical for the fundamental structure and function of the C1q family.
      The four VpC1qDCs genes showed differential response profiles after exposure to
      the water soluble fraction of No.0 diesel oil (WSFD). More notably, VpC1qDC1 and
      VpC1qDC3 were more sensitive to low concentration of WSFD, as their mRNA level
      changed by higher magnitudes. In addition, VpC1qDC2 and VpC1qDC4 displayed
      notable increases with larger amplitude to high concentration of WSFD. All these
      results suggested that the transcriptional response of VpC1qDCs genes were
      probably a protective mechanism of the cell to oils pollution. The diverse
      expression patterns of VpC1qDCs demonstrated that VpC1qDC1 and VpC1qDC3 were
      sensitive responders to environmental stress in V. philippinarum. 

PMID- 27261882
TI  - Allotype specific interactions of drugs and HLA molecules in hypersensitivity
      reactions.
AB  - It is hypothesised that associations between adverse drug reactions and specific
      alleles of the human leukocyte antigens arise due to specific interactions
      between the human leukocyte antigen molecules and the causative drug that
      stimulate immune responses targeting drug exposed tissues. To date this has only
      been definitively demonstrated for abacavir, an antiretroviral that causes a
      systemic adverse drug reaction, abacavir hypersensitivity syndrome, solely in HLA
      B*57:01+ individuals. Whilst this has informed the modification of abacavir to
      remove immunogenicity, there remains an imperative to define other interactions
      between drugs and specific HLA in order to understand the scope of interactions
      that can drive T cell mediated drug hypersensitivity. Here we review the current
      state of understanding of these interactions.

PMID- 27261883
TI  - Measurements of major VOCs released into the closed cabin environment of
      different automobiles under various engine and ventilation scenarios.
AB  - Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in automobile cabins were measured
      quantitatively to describe their emission characteristics in relation to various
      idling scenarios using three used automobiles (compact, intermediate sedan, and
      large sedan) under three different idling conditions ([1] cold engine off and
      ventilation off, [2] exterior air ventilation with idling warm engine, and [3]
      internal air recirculation with idling warm engine). The ambient air outside the
      vehicle was also analyzed as a reference. A total of 24 VOCs (with six functional
      groups) were selected as target compounds. Accordingly, the concentration of 24
      VOC quantified as key target compounds averaged 4.58 +/- 3.62 ppb (range: 0.05
      (isobutyl alcohol) ~ 38.2 ppb (formaldehyde)). Moreover, if their concentrations
      are compared between different automobile operational modes: the 'idling engine'
      levels (5.24 +/- 4.07) was 1.3-5 times higher than the 'engine off' levels (4.09
      +/- 3.23) across all 3 automobile classes. In summary, automobile in-cabin VOC
      emissions are highly contingent on changes in engine and ventilation modes. 

PMID- 27261884
TI  - Changes in leaf area, nitrogen content and canopy photosynthesis in soybean
      exposed to an ozone concentration gradient.
AB  - Influences of ozone (O3) on light-saturated rates of photosynthesis in crop
      leaves have been well documented. To increase our understanding of O3 effects on
      individual- or stand level productivity, a mechanistic understanding of factors
      determining canopy photosynthesis is necessary. We used a canopy model to scale
      photosynthesis from leaf to canopy, and analyzed the importance of canopy
      structural and leaf ecophysiological characteristics in determining canopy
      photosynthesis in soybean stands exposed to 9 concentrations of [O3] (37-116 ppb;
      9-h mean). Light intensity and N content peaked in upper canopy layers, and
      sharply decreased through the lower canopy. Plant leaf area decreased with
      increasing [O3] allowing for greater light intensity to reach lower canopy
      levels. At the leaf level, light-saturated photosynthesis decreased and dark
      respiration increased with increasing [O3]. These data were used to calculate
      daily net canopy photosynthesis (Pc). Pc decreased with increasing [O3] with an
      average decrease of 10% for an increase in [O3] of 10 ppb, and which was similar
      to changes in above-ground dry mass production of the stands. Absolute daily net
      photosynthesis of lower layers was very low and thus the decrease in
      photosynthesis in the lower canopy caused by elevated [O3] had only minor
      significance for total canopy photosynthesis. Sensitivity analyses revealed that
      the decrease in Pc was associated with changes in leaf ecophysiology but not with
      decrease in leaf area. The soybean stands were very crowded, the leaves were
      highly mutually shaded, and sufficient light for positive carbon balance did not
      penetrate to lower canopy leaves, even under elevated [O3]. 

PMID- 27261885
TI  - Electrochemical immunosensor constructed using TiO2 nanotubes as immobilization
      scaffold and tracing tag.
AB  - A ternary TiO2 nanotube (TNT) composite and a signal antibody and horseradish
      peroxidase (HRP) functionalized TNT were designed as an electrode scaffold for
      immobilization of high quantity of capture antibody and a tracing tag for
      immunosensing, respectively. The polyaniline (PANI) was coated on TNTs by
      chemical oxidative polymerization, and gold nanoparticles were deposited on TNT
      PANI with a routine chemical reduction. Various techniques including scanning
      electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, transmission electron microscope, X
      ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectra,
      impedance and electrochemical techniques were used to characterize the nano
      materials. Using bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate as amino cross-linker, the TNT
      composite could be further functionalized with protein G' for oriented
      immobilization of capture antibody on electrode surface. Upon sandwich-type
      immunoreaction, the signal antibody on the tracing tag was quantitatively
      captured on the surface to generate sensitive electrochemical response with a
      H2O2 mediated HRP catalytic reaction. With alpha-fetoprotein as an analyte model,
      the immunosensor showed a linear range of 0.01-350ngmL(-1) with a detection limit
      of 1.5pgmL(-1). The accelerated electron transfer by the ternary composite,
      oriented immobilization of capture antibody and high loading of HRP on the TNT
      tracing tag greatly amplified the electrochemical signal, and led to the superior
      performance of the immunoassay. 

PMID- 27261886
TI  - Novel surface antigen based impedimetric immunosensor for detection of Salmonella
      typhimurium in water and juice samples.
AB  - A specific surface antigen, OmpD has been reported first time as a surface
      biomarker in the development of selective and sensitive immunosensor for
      detecting Salmonella typhimurium species. The OmpD surface antigen extraction was
      done from Salmonella typhimurium serovars, under the optimized growth conditions
      for its expression. Anti-OmpD antibodies were generated and used as detector
      probe in immunoassay format on graphene-graphene oxide (G-GO) modified screen
      printed carbon electrodes. The water samples were spiked with standard Salmonella
      typhimurium cells, and detection was done by measuring the change in impedimetric
      response of developed immunosensor to know the concentration of serovar
      Salmonella typhimurium. The developed immunosensor was able to specifically
      detect S. typhimurium in spiked water and juice samples with a sensitivity upto
      10(1)CFUmL(-1), with high selectivity and very low cross-reactivity with other
      strains. This is the first report on the detection of Salmonella typhimurum
      species using a specific biomarker, OmpD. The developed technique could be very
      useful for the detection of nontyphoidal Salmonellosis and is also important from
      an epidemiological point of view. 

PMID- 27261887
TI  - Highly engineered biocatalysts for efficient small molecule pharmaceutical
      synthesis.
AB  - Technologies for the engineering of biocatalysts for efficient synthesis of
      pharmaceutical targets have advanced dramatically over the last few years.
      Integration of computational methods for structural modeling, combined with high
      through put methods for expression and screening of biocatalysts and algorithms
      for mining experimental data, have allowed the creation of highly engineered
      biocatalysts for the efficient synthesis of pharmaceuticals. Methods for the
      synthesis of chiral alcohols and amines have been particularly successful, along
      with the creation of non-natural activities for such desirable reactions as
      cyclopropanation and esterification.

PMID- 27261888
TI  - Salt or cocrystal of salt? Probing the nature of multicomponent crystal forms
      with infrared spectroscopy.

PMID- 27261889
TI  - An investigation of the effect of silicone oil on polymer intraocular lenses by
      means of PALS, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies.
AB  - The effect of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based silicone oil, that is widely
      used in vitreoretinal surgery, on internal structures of the polymer intraocular
      lenses was investigated. The effect of PDMS was studied on the polymethyl
      methacrylate (PMMA) rigid lenses and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA)
      flexible lenses. The research was carried out by means of the positron lifetime
      spectroscopy (PALS) as well as the infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the Raman
      spectroscopy (RS). The studies involving the use of PALS and FT-IR methods have
      revealed that the PHEMA based lenses absorbed, whereas the PMMA lenses did not
      absorb, silicone oil. The results obtained with the use of the RS method were
      inconclusive, probably due to the too low intensity of the characteristic PDMS
      bands. The evidence from this study was discussed in terms of physics and related
      to the clinical use of both silicone oil and intraocular lenses.

PMID- 27261890
TI  - A highly selective colorimetric and "turn-on" fluorimetric chemosensor for
      detecting CN(-) based on unsymmetrical azine derivatives in aqueous media.
AB  - A novel highly selective chemosensor S1 for cyanide based on unsymmetrical azine
      derivative was successfully designed and synthesized, which showed both
      colorimetric and fluorescence turn-on responses for cyanide ions in aqueous. This
      structurally simple chemosensor could detect CN(-) anion over other anions in
      aqueous solution DMSO/H2O (v/v=3:2) undergo deprotonation reaction. Results
      showed that the chemosensor S1 exhibited 50 fold enhancement in fluorescence at
      530nm and showed an obvious change in color from colorless to yellow that could
      be detected by naked eye under the UV-lamp after the addition of CN(-) in aqueous
      solution. Moreover, the detection limit on fluorescence response of the sensor to
      CN(-) is down to 6.17*10(-8)M by titration method. Test strips based on S1 were
      obtain, which could be used as a convenient and efficient CN(-) test kit to
      detect CN(-) in aqueous solution.

PMID- 27261891
TI  - Sin Nombre hantavirus nucleocapsid protein exhibits a metal-dependent DNA
      specific endonucleolytic activity.
AB  - We demonstrate that the nucleocapsid protein of Sin Nombre hantavirus (SNV-N) has
      a DNA-specific endonuclease activity. Upon incubation of SNV-N with DNA in the
      presence of magnesium or manganese, we observed DNA digestion in sequence
      unspecific manner. In contrast, RNA was not affected under the same conditions.
      Moreover, pre-treatment of SNV-N with RNase before DNA cleavage increased the
      endonucleolytic activity. Structure-based protein fold prediction using known
      structures from the PDB database revealed that Asp residues in positions 88 and
      103 of SNV-N show sequence similarity with the active site of the restriction
      endonuclease HindIII. Crystal structure of HindIII predicts that residues Asp93
      and Asp108 are essential for coordination of the metal ions required for HindIII
      DNA cleavage. Therefore, we hypothesized that homologous residues in SNV-N, Asp88
      and Asp103, may have a similar function. Replacing Asp88 and Asp103 by alanine
      led to an SNV-N protein almost completely abrogated for endonuclease activity.

PMID- 27261892
TI  - A novel cell-based assay to measure activity of Venezuelan equine encephalitis
      virus nsP2 protease.
AB  - The encephalitic alphaviruses encode nsP2 protease (nsP2pro), which because of
      its vital role in virus replication, represents an attractive target for
      therapeutic intervention. To facilitate the discovery of nsP2 inhibitors we have
      developed a novel assay for quantitative measurement of nsP2pro activity in a
      cell-based format. The assay is based on a substrate fusion protein consisting of
      eGFP and Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) linked together by a small peptide containing
      a VEEV nsp2pro cleavage sequence. The expression of the substrate protein in
      cells along with recombinant nsP2pro results in cleavage of the substrate protein
      resulting in extracellular release of free Gluc. The Gluc activity in
      supernatants corresponds to intracellular nsP2pro-mediated substrate cleavage;
      thus, providing a simple and convenient way to quantify nsP2pro activity. Here,
      we demonstrate potential utility of the assay in identification of nsP2pro
      inhibitors, as well as in investigations related to molecular characterization of
      nsP2pro.

PMID- 27261893
TI  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Female Patients.
AB  - Irritable bowel syndrome is probably the most common functional gastrointestinal
      disorder and is characterized by abdominal pain along with altered bowel
      function. It is a disorder of female predominance. This article focuses on how
      being female influences the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and treatment
      of this common disorder and discusses the evidence and important controversies
      related to these areas.

PMID- 27261894
TI  - Chronic Constipation.
AB  - Chronic constipation is a common disorder that affects approximately 20% of the
      population and significantly impacts an individual's quality of life. The
      diagnosis can be made using standard criteria, and in the absence of alarm signs
      or symptoms, a determination of the underlying etiology/etiologies should be
      undertaken. In many instances, these will be gleaned from the history and
      physical examination. Specialized diagnostic testing may be warranted after the
      failure of initial laxative trials. Many therapeutic classes of laxatives exist
      with recent analyses indicating that practicing physicians prefer to use over-the
      counter therapies in lieu of more strongly evidence-based prescription
      pharmaceuticals.

PMID- 27261895
TI  - Fecal Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Women: A Review.
AB  - Pelvic floor dysfunction and fecal incontinence is a common and debilitating
      condition in women, particularly as women age, and often goes under-reported to
      health care providers. It is important for providers to ask patients about
      possible symptoms. An algorithm for evaluation and treatment is presented.
      Current and future therapies are described and discussed.

PMID- 27261896
TI  - Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Motility Disorders in Women, Gastroparesis, and
      Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
AB  - This article reviews the sex differences in upper gastrointestinal (GI) motility
      for both healthy and common dysmotility conditions. It focuses on
      gastroesophageal reflux disease and other esophageal motor disorders for the
      esophagus and on gastroparesis and accelerated gastric emptying for the stomach.
      It also describes differences in upper GI motility signs and symptoms during each
      female hormonal stage (ie, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause)
      for both healthy participants and those suffering from one of the aforementioned
      upper GI dysmotility conditions. More research still needs to be conducted to
      better understand sex differences in upper GI motility.

PMID- 27261897
TI  - Complex Relationships Between Food, Diet, and the Microbiome.
AB  - Diet is a risk factor in several medically important disease states, including
      obesity, celiac disease, and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Modification
      of diet can prevent, treat, or alleviate some of the symptoms associated with
      these diseases and improve general health. It is important to provide patients
      with simple dietary recommendations to increase the probability of successful
      implementation. These recommendations include increasing vegetable, fruit, and
      fiber intake, consuming lean protein sources to enhance satiety, avoiding or
      severely limiting highly processed foods, and reducing portion sizes for
      overweight and obese patients.

PMID- 27261898
TI  - Gastrointestinal Diseases in Pregnancy: Nausea, Vomiting, Hyperemesis Gravidarum,
      Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Constipation, and Diarrhea.
AB  - Many disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are common in pregnancy. Elevated
      levels of progesterone may lead to alterations in gastrointestinal motility which
      could contribute to nausea, vomiting, and/or GERD. Pregnancy-induced diarrhea may
      be due to elevated levels prostaglandins. This article reviews the normal
      physiologic and structural changes associated with pregnancy that could
      contribute to many of the common gastrointestinal complaints in pregnant
      patients. Additionally, the appropriate clinical and laboratory evaluations,
      other pathologic conditions that should be included in the differential, as well
      as the nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies for each of these conditions
      is discussed.

PMID- 27261899
TI  - Pregnancy and the Patient with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Fertility, Treatment,
      Delivery, and Complications.
AB  - For many women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the illness coincides with
      their childbearing years. IBD increases the risk of pregnancy complications and
      adverse pregnancy outcomes. The multidisciplinary care team should emphasize the
      importance of medication adherence to achieve preconception disease control and
      maintain corticosteroid-free remission throughout pregnancy. Medication
      adjustments to reduce fetal exposure may be considered on an individualized basis
      in quiescent disease; however, any benefits of such adjustments remain theoretic
      and there is risk of worsening disease activity. Mode of delivery is determined
      by obstetric indications, except for women with active perianal disease who
      should consider cesarean delivery.

PMID- 27261900
TI  - Caring for Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - Ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease are chronic inflammatory diseases with
      typical onset in early adulthood. These diseases, therefore, can affect a woman
      throughout the many stages of her life, including menstruation, sexuality,
      pregnancy, and menopause. Unique health issues face women during these stages and
      can affect the course of their inflammatory bowel disease as well as treatment
      strategies and health maintenance. This article covers the non-pregnancy-related
      issues that are important in caring for women with inflammatory bowel disease.
      The topics of pregnancy and fertility are covered in a separate review.

PMID- 27261901
TI  - Obesity in Women: The Clinical Impact on Gastrointestinal and Reproductive Health
      and Disease Management.
AB  - Approximately 36% of adult women in the United States are obese. Although obesity
      affects women similarly to men in terms of prevalence, there seem to be gender
      specific differences in the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and
      treatment of obesity. Obesity is linked to comorbid diseases involving multiple
      organ systems, including the gastrointestinal tract, like gastroesophageal reflux
      disease, fatty liver disease, and gallstones. This article focuses on obesity in
      women, specifically the impact of obesity on gastrointestinal diseases and
      reproductive health, as well as the treatment of obesity in women.

PMID- 27261902
TI  - Metabolic Bone Disease in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.
AB  - Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a liver-specific autoimmune disease that
      primarily affects women (female-to-male ratio, 10:1) between 40 and 60 years of
      age. Metabolic bone disease is a common complication of PBC, affecting 14% to 52%
      of patients, depending on the duration and severity of liver disease. The
      osteoporosis seen in PBC seems mainly due to low bone formation, although
      increased bone resorption may contribute. Treatment of osteoporosis consists
      primarily of antiresorptive agents. Additional large prospective, long-term
      studies in patients with PBC are needed to determine efficacy in improving bone
      density as well as reducing fracture risk.

PMID- 27261903
TI  - Women with Cirrhosis: Prevalence, Natural History, and Management.
AB  - Cirrhosis is less frequent in women than in men, in large part due to the lower
      prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcohol use in women. The most common
      causes of cirrhosis among women are hepatitis C, autoimmune etiologies,
      nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and alcoholic liver disease. For most chronic liver
      diseases, the risk of progression to cirrhosis and rates of liver failure and
      hepatocellular carcinoma are lower in women than in men. Pregnancy is very
      infrequent in women with cirrhosis due to reduced fertility, but when it occurs,
      requires specialized management.

PMID- 27261904
TI  - Hepatitis B in the Female Population.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis B infection in the female population has implications not just
      for the individual but for her children as well. This article discusses the
      natural history of hepatitis B and how it plays an important role in hepatitis B
      virus (HBV) transmission, the current strategies and new strategies to control
      HBV and reduce transmission, and the updated guidelines for the management of
      HBV.

PMID- 27261905
TI  - View from the Top: Perspectives on Women in Gastroenterology from Society
      Leaders.
AB  - Women are making great strides at all levels of medicine, including
      gastroenterology. The proportion of women members in gastroenterology societies
      has increased nearly 2-fold and the percent of women trainees is 36%. Although
      there continue to be challenges for women in academic and community practice, the
      American Gastroenterological Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal
      Endoscopy, and other gastroenterology societies have dedicated substantial
      resources to foster careers of women in gastroenterology and develop women as
      leaders in our societies. This article outlines ongoing challenges for women in
      gastroenterology and some key initiatives addressing barriers to success.

PMID- 27261906
TI  - Women's Gastrointestinal Health in 2016: An Introduction to an Expanding Field in
      Gastroenterology.

PMID- 27261907
TI  - Epidemiology of Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer has been transformed from a rare disease into a global problem and
      public health issue. The etiologic factors of lung cancer become more complex
      along with industrialization, urbanization, and environmental pollution around
      the world. Currently, the control of lung cancer has attracted worldwide
      attention. Studies on the epidemiologic characteristics of lung cancer and its
      relative risk factors have played an important role in the tertiary prevention of
      lung cancer and in exploring new ways of diagnosis and treatment. This article
      reviews the current evolution of the epidemiology of lung cancer.

PMID- 27261908
TI  - Classification and Pathology of Lung Cancer.
AB  - Advancement in the understanding of lung tumor biology enables continued
      refinement of lung cancer classification, reflected in the recently introduced
      2015 World Health Organization classification of lung cancer. In small biopsy or
      cytology specimens, special emphasis is placed on separating adenocarcinomas from
      the other lung cancers to effectively select tumors for targeted molecular
      testing. In resection specimens, adenocarcinomas are further classified based on
      architectural pattern to delineate tissue types of prognostic significance.
      Neuroendocrine tumors are divided into typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid,
      small cell carcinoma, and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma based on a
      combination of features, especially tumor cell proliferation rate.

PMID- 27261909
TI  - Screening for Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is a global health burden and is among the most common and deadliest
      of all malignancies worldwide. The goal of screening programs is to detect tumors
      in earlier, curable stages, consequently reducing disease-specific mortality. The
      issue of screening has great relevance to thoracic surgeons, who should play a
      leading role in the debate over screening and its consequences. The burden is on
      thoracic surgeons to work in a multidisciplinary setting to guide and treat these
      patients safely and responsibly, ensuring low morbidity and mortality of
      potential diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 27261910
TI  - Bronchoscopy: Diagnostic and Therapeutic for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - The bronchoscope has gone through much advancement from its origin as a thin
      metal tube. It has become a highly sophisticated tool for clinicians. Both rigid
      and the flexible bronchoscopes are invaluable in the diagnosis and treatment of
      non-small cell lung cancer. Treatment of this disease process hinges on accurate
      diagnosis and lymph node staging. Technologies, such as endobronchial ultrasound,
      navigational bronchoscopy, and autofluorescence, have improved efficacy of
      endobronchial diagnosis and sample collection. If a patient is not a candidate
      for surgery and has a complication from a centrally located mass, the
      bronchoscope has been used to deliver palliative therapies.

PMID- 27261911
TI  - Mediastinal Staging in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - In the absence of distant metastases, lung cancer treatment is determined by the
      results of mediastinal lymph node staging. Occult mediastinal lymph node
      metastases can be missed by radiologic and needle-based staging methods.
      Aggressive staging of mediastinal lymph nodes improves staging accuracy. Improved
      accuracy of mediastinal lymph node staging results in more appropriate lung
      cancer treatment. Improved accuracy of mediastinal lymph node staging can improve
      stage-specific survival from lung cancer.

PMID- 27261912
TI  - Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lobectomy is the gold standard treatment in operable patients with surgically
      resectable non-small cell lung cancer. Thoracoscopic lobectomy has emerged as an
      option for surgeons facile with the technique. Video-assisted thoracoscopic
      surgery (VATS) is used for a variety of indications, but its efficacy as a
      reliable oncologic procedure makes it appealing in the treatment of non-small
      cell lung cancer. Fewer postoperative complications and decreased postoperative
      pain associated with VATS procedures can lead to shorter lengths of stay and
      lower overall costs. Thoracoscopic surgery continues to evolve, and uniportal,
      robot-assisted, and awake thoracoscopic procedures have all shown promising
      results.

PMID- 27261913
TI  - Robotic Lung Resection for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy can be considered for patients able to
      tolerate conventional lobectomy. Contraindications to resection via thoracotomy
      apply to patients undergoing robotic lobectomy. Team training, familiarity with
      equipment, troubleshooting, and preparation are critical for successful robotic
      lobectomy. Robotic lobectomy is associated with decreased rates of blood loss,
      blood transfusion, air leak, chest tube duration, length of stay, and mortality
      compared with thoracotomy. Robotic lobectomy offers many of the same benefits in
      perioperative morbidity and mortality, and additional advantages in optics,
      dexterity, and surgeon ergonomics as video-assisted thoracic lobectomy. Long-term
      oncologic efficacy and cost implications remain areas of study.

PMID- 27261914
TI  - Pneumonectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and its incidence continues to
      increase. Emerging therapies as part of a multimodal approach are making more
      patients eligible for surgical resection. As more surgeons are treating locally
      advanced non-small cell lung cancer they find themselves recommending
      pneumonectomy as the surgical component of the multidisciplinary plan. Performing
      a pneumonectomy is technically demanding and is associated with many potential
      perioperative comorbidities. With the proper preparation, experience, and
      attention to perioperative care, pneumonectomy can be carried out safely with
      excellent outcomes and a good quality of life.

PMID- 27261915
TI  - Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy and Ablative Therapies for Lung Cancer.
AB  - The treatment paradigm for early stage lung cancer and oligometastatic disease to
      the lung is rapidly changing. Ablative therapies, especially stereotactic body
      radiation therapy, are challenging the surgical gold standard and have the
      potential to be the standard for operable patients with early stage lung cancer
      who are high risk due to co- morbidities. The most commonly used ablative
      modalities include stereotactic body radiation therapy, microwave ablation, and
      radiofrequency ablation.

PMID- 27261916
TI  - Neoadjuvant Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Locally advanced (stage IIIA) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is confined to
      the chest, but requires more than surgery to maximize cure. Therapy given
      preoperatively is termed neoadjuvant, whereas postoperative therapy is termed
      adjuvant. Trimodality therapy (chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery) has become
      the standard treatment regimen for resectable, locally advanced NSCLC. During the
      past 2 decades, several prospective, randomized, and nonrandomized studies have
      explored various regimens for preoperative treatment of NSCLC. The evaluation of
      potential candidates with NSCLC for neoadjuvant therapy as well as the currently
      available therapeutic regimens are reviewed.

PMID- 27261917
TI  - Adjuvant Therapy for Stage I and II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Patients with stage I and stage II non-small cell lung cancer undergoing complete
      resection have a 40% to 70% 5-year overall survival despite optimal local
      therapy. Chemotherapy administered after complete resection has been shown to
      improve overall survival at 5 years by approximately 5%. This improvement in
      survival may be confined to patients with stage IB disease 4 cm or greater, and
      to those with hilar or mediastinal lymph node involvement. The optimal
      chemotherapy regimen appears to be cisplatin-based doublet or triplet
      chemotherapy for 3 to 4 cycles. The addition of biologic agents has failed to
      improve outcomes.

PMID- 27261918
TI  - Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer.
AB  - Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have changed the treatment paradigm of non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Distinct molecular subtypes of NSCLC have been
      described over the past 20 years, enabling the emergence of treatments specific
      to that subtype. Agents targeting the driver mutations in NSCLC have
      revolutionized the approach to patients with metastatic disease, because
      oncologists now select a treatment based on the profile of that particular tumor.
      More recently, an understanding of immune checkpoints has led to the development
      of checkpoint inhibitors that enable the host immune system to better recognize
      tumor cells as foreign and to destroy them.

PMID- 27261919
TI  - Local Therapy Indications in the Management of Patients with Oligometastatic Non
      Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Advances in surgical, radiation, and interventional radiology therapies carry a
      reduction in morbidity associated with therapy. Aggressive management of patients
      with oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer offers the potential for improved
      disease-free survival and quality of life compared with traditional systemic
      therapy alone.

PMID- 27261920
TI  - Lung Cancer.

PMID- 27261921
TI  - Lung Cancer.

PMID- 27261923
TI  - Size and thickness effect on creep behavior in conventional and vitamin E
      diffused highly crosslinked polyethylene for total hip arthroplasty.
AB  - Since the early 2000s, the use of large femoral heads is becoming increasingly
      popular in total hip arthroplasty (THA), which provides an improved range of
      motion and joint stability. Large femoral heads commonly necessitate to be
      coupled with thinner acetabular liners than the conventionally used because of
      the limited sizes of outer shells (especially for patients with small pelvic
      size). However, the influence of the liner thinning on the mechanical performance
      is still not clearly understood. The objective of this study was to
      experimentally clarify the size and thickness effect on the rates of compressive
      creep strain in conventional (virgin low-crosslinked) and vitamin E-diffused
      highly crosslinked, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular
      liners. We applied uniaxial compression to these liners of various internal
      diameters (28, 32 and 36mm) and thicknesses (4.8, 6.8 and 8.9mm) up to 4320min
      under the constant load of 3000N. Vitamin E-diffused highly crosslinked UHMWPE
      components showed significantly greater creep resistance than the conventional
      ones. In the both types of UHMWPE, the rates of creep strain significantly
      decreased by increasing the internal diameter and thickness. Varying the
      component thickness contributed more largely to the creep behavior rather than
      the internal diameter. Our results suggest the positive mechanical advantage of
      using large femoral heads, but at the same time, a considerable liner thinning is
      not recommended for minimizing creep strain. Therefore, the further in-vitro as
      well as in-vivo research are necessary to conclude the optimal balance of head
      diameter and liner thickness within the limited sizes of outer shells.

PMID- 27261922
TI  - Executive functioning and diabetes: The role of anxious arousal and inflammation.
AB  - Individuals who perform poorly on measures of the executive function of
      inhibition have higher anxious arousal in comparison to those with better
      performance. High anxious arousal is associated with a pro-inflammatory response.
      Chronically high anxious arousal and inflammation increase one's risk of
      developing type 2 diabetes. We sought to evaluate anxious arousal and
      inflammation as underlying mechanisms linking inhibition with diabetes incidence.
      Participants (N=835) completed measures of cognitive abilities, a self-report
      measure of anxious arousal, and donated blood to assess interleukin-6 (IL-6) and
      glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Individuals with low inhibition were more likely to
      have diabetes than those with high inhibition due to the serial pathway from high
      anxious arousal to IL-6. Findings remained when entering other indicators of
      cognitive abilities as covariates, suggesting that inhibition is a unique
      cognitive ability associated with diabetes incidence. On the basis of our
      results, we propose several avenues to explore for improved prevention and
      treatment efforts for type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27261924
TI  - Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections detected
      by real-time PCR among individuals reporting sexual assaults in the Paris, France
      area.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) are the
      most common bacteria involved in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In
      France, combined screening for CT and NG using nucleic acid amplification tests
      is recommended in populations that are considered at risk. However, no data have
      been published about victims of sexual assaults. The aim of this retrospective
      study was to assess the usefulness of real-time PCR for the rapid detection of CT
      and NG genomic DNA, and the prevalence of CT/NG infections in a sample of sexual
      assault victims examined at a department of forensic medicine. METHODS: Between
      July 2012 and July 2013, 326 adults and adolescents aged over 12 years reported a
      sexual assault and they were referred to the Department of Forensic Medicine for
      a medical and forensic examination. Secretions from urogenital (cervix or
      vagina), anorectal, or pharyngeal sites were collected for CT/NG assays. RESULTS:
      CT and NG were detected in 48/326 (15%) and 16/326 patients (5%), respectively,
      where 10 (3%) had a CT/NG co-infection. Among 48 patients with CT infection, 13
      (27.1%) patients had co-occurring genital and anorectal infections. For the
      pharyngeal sites, 3/21 men (14.3%) were NG-positive. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high
      prevalence of CT and NG infections, systematic screening of both pathogens at the
      time of forensic examination should provide an opportunity for the early
      treatment of diagnosed STIs.

PMID- 27261925
TI  - Do more intelligent brains retain heightened plasticity for longer in
      development? A computational investigation.
AB  - Twin studies indicate that the heritability of general cognitive ability - the
      genetic contribution to individual differences - increases with age. Brant et al.
      (2013) reported that this increase in heritability occurs earlier in development
      for low ability children than high ability children. Allied with structural brain
      imaging results that indicate faster thickening and thinning of cortex for high
      ability children (Shaw et al., 2006), Brant and colleagues argued higher
      cognitive ability represents an extended sensitive period for brain development.
      However, they admitted no coherent mechanistic account can currently reconcile
      the key empirical data. Here, computational methods are employed to demonstrate
      the empirical data can be reconciled without recourse to variations in sensitive
      periods. These methods utilized population-based artificial neural network models
      of cognitive development. In the model, ability-related variations stemmed from
      the timing of the increases in the non-linearity of computational processes,
      causing dizygotic twins to diverge in their behavior. These occurred in a
      population where: (a) ability was determined by the combined small contributions
      of many neurocomputational factors, and (b) individual differences in ability
      were largely genetically constrained. The model's explanation of developmental
      increases in heritability contrasts with proposals that these increases represent
      emerging gene-environment correlations (Haworth et al., 2010). The article
      advocates simulating inherited individual differences within an explicitly
      developmental framework.

PMID- 27261927
TI  - Neural correlates of retaliatory and prosocial reactions to social exclusion:
      Associations with chronic peer rejection.
AB  - Social exclusion is a distressing experience and can lead to both retaliatory and
      prosocial reactions toward the sources of exclusion. The way people react to
      social exclusion has been hypothesized to be shaped through chronic exposure to
      peer rejection. This functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging study examined
      associations between chronic peer rejection and retaliatory (i.e. punishing) and
      prosocial (i.e. forgiving) reactions to social exclusion and the neural processes
      underlying them. Chronically rejected (n=19) and stably highly accepted
      adolescents (n=27) distributed money between themselves and unknown others who
      previously included or excluded them in a virtual ball-tossing game (Cyberball).
      Decreasing the excluders' monetary profits (i.e., punishment) was associated with
      increased activity in the ventral striatum, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC)
      and parietal cortex in both groups. Compared to stably highly accepted
      adolescents, chronically rejected adolescents exhibited higher activity in the
      dorsal striatum and lateral prefrontal cortex - brain regions implicated in
      cognitive control - when they refrained from punishment and shared their money
      equally with (i.e. forgave) the excluders. These results provide insights into
      processes that might underlie the maintenance of peer rejection across
      development, such as difficulties controlling the urge to retaliate after
      exclusion.

PMID- 27261928
TI  - Effects of suboccipital release with craniocervical flexion exercise on
      craniocervical alignment and extrinsic cervical muscle activity in subjects with
      forward head posture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Forward head posture is a head-on-trunk malalignment, which results
      in musculoskeletal dysfunction and neck pain. To improve forward head posture,
      both the craniocervical flexion exercise and the suboccipital release technique
      have been used. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the
      immediate effects of craniocervical flexion exercise and suboccipital release
      combined with craniocervical flexion exercise on craniovertebral angle, cervical
      flexion and extension range of motion, and the muscle activities of the
      sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene, and splenius capitis during craniocervical
      flexion exercise in subjects with forward head posture. METHODS: In total, 19
      subjects (7 males, 12 females) with forward head posture were recruited using G
      power software. Each subject performed craniocervical flexion exercise and
      suboccipital release combined with craniocervical flexion exercise in random
      order. After one intervention was performed, the subject took a 20min wash out
      period to minimize any carry-over effect between interventions. Craniovertebral
      angle, cervical flexion and extension range of motion, and the muscle activities
      of the sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene, and splenius capitis were measured.
      A one-way, repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess differences between the
      effects of the craniocervical flexion exercise and suboccipital release combined
      with craniocervical flexion exercise interventions in the same group. RESULTS:
      Craniovertebral angle (p<0.05), cervical flexion range of motion (p<0.05), and
      cervical extension range of motion (p<0.001) were significantly greater after
      suboccipital release combined with craniocervical flexion exercise compared to
      craniocervical flexion exercise alone. The muscle activities of the
      sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene, and splenius capitis were significantly
      lower during suboccipital release combined with craniocervical flexion exercise
      than during craniocervical flexion exercise alone across all craniocervical
      flexion exercise phases except the first (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition
      of suboccipital release to craniocervical flexion exercise provided superior
      benefits relative to craniocervical flexion exercise alone as an intervention for
      subjects with forward head posture.

PMID- 27261926
TI  - Mu desynchronization during observation and execution of facial expressions in 30
      month-old children.
AB  - Simulation theories propose that observing another's facial expression activates
      sensorimotor representations involved in the execution of that expression,
      facilitating recognition processes. The mirror neuron system (MNS) is a potential
      mechanism underlying simulation of facial expressions, with like neural processes
      activated both during observation and performance. Research with monkeys and
      adult humans supports this proposal, but so far there have been no investigations
      of facial MNS activity early in human development. The current study used
      electroencephalography (EEG) to explore mu rhythm desynchronization, an index of
      MNS activity, in 30-month-old children as they observed videos of dynamic
      emotional and non-emotional facial expressions, as well as scrambled versions of
      the same videos. We found significant mu desynchronization in central regions
      during observation and execution of both emotional and non-emotional facial
      expressions, which was right-lateralized for emotional and bilateral for non
      emotional expressions during observation. These findings support previous
      research suggesting movement simulation during observation of facial expressions,
      and are the first to provide evidence for sensorimotor activation during
      observation of facial expressions, consistent with a functioning facial MNS at an
      early stage of human development.

PMID- 27261929
TI  - Blood pressure response to six-minute walk test in hypertensive subjects exposed
      to high altitude: effects of antihypertensive combination treatment.

PMID- 27261930
TI  - Effectiveness and Safety of Bivalirudin During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
      in Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Real World: CARTAGOMAX Study.
AB  - The CARTAGOMAX study assessed the safety and efficacy of bivalirudin during real
      world cardiac intervention. This was a single-center prospective study. Patients
      with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were
      anticoagulated with bivalirudin alone or unfractionated heparin plus a
      glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor. Propensity score matching was performed to
      control for baseline imbalances and yielded 1168 patients. There was lower
      incidence of the composite outcome of death from any cause or major bleeding at
      30 days (P = 0.005), 6 months (P = 0.005), and 12 months (P = 0.001) of follow-up
      in the bivalirudin group, compared with the heparin plus glycoprotein inhibitor
      group. The administration of bivalirudin was associated with lower rate of all
      cause mortality at 1 year of follow-up (P = 0.009). The incidence of major
      bleeding was lower in the bivalirudin group at 1, 6, and 12 months of follow-up
      (P = 0.002, P = 0.013 and P = 0.017, respectively). The incidence of stroke and
      reinfarction were similar between groups during follow-up. The rate of stent
      thrombosis were slightly higher in the bivalirudin group, without reaching
      statistical significance at 1 and 12 months of follow-up (P = 0.06, P = 0.04, P =
      0.07 at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively). The CARTAGOMAX study found that the
      use of bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with
      lower incidence of the composite outcome of death from any cause or major
      bleeding during follow-up. The use of bivalirudin was associated with similar
      rates of stroke, reinfarction, and stent thrombosis compared with heparin plus
      glycoprotein inhibitor. Bivalirudin proved to be a safe and effective
      anticoagulant during percutaneous coronary intervention. 

PMID- 27261931
TI  - Assessment and consequences of cell senescence in atherosclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cell senescence is a major process regulating tissue mass,
      architecture and function, and underlies many diseases of ageing. Recent studies
      have elucidated some of the regulatory pathways leading to cell senescence, and
      senescence has also been found in the vasculature. However, assessment of cell
      senescence is problematic, and the effects of vascular cell senescence are in
      most cases unproven. The present article will review how senescence is assessed,
      how it is regulated, where senescence has been described, and the role of cell
      senescence in atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Senescence results in expression
      of multiple proteins, both intracellular and secreted. However, to date, none of
      these are specific for senescence, and multiple markers must be used together for
      positive identification. Despite these shortfalls, cell senescence is detectable
      in the vasculature in ageing and in human atherosclerosis, and recent studies in
      mice have indicated that cell senescence promotes both atherogenesis and multiple
      features of 'vulnerable' lesions in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. SUMMARY:
      The almost ubiquitous presence of cell senescence in atherosclerosis and the
      fundamental role of senescence in regulating plaque development and stability
      suggest that prevention or amelioration of senescence in atherosclerosis is a
      viable therapeutic target.

PMID- 27261932
TI  - Subglottic Hemangioma.

PMID- 27261933
TI  - Role of Transbronchial Needle Core Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal
      Diseases: Experience With an Innovative Endoscopic Technique Using a Rigid Tru
      Cut Needle.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Enlarged lymph nodes or mediastinal masses diagnosed by computed
      tomographic scan before the advent of bronchoscopic procedures (TBNA or EBUS)
      were usually investigated using a thoracic surgical approach. In this paper, we
      report the experience with the use of a modified rigid tru-cut needle in the
      bioptical approach to mediastinal masses; to determine whether it could be
      considered a valid alternative to surgery, we investigated the diagnostic
      accuracy of this new endoscopic technique. METHODS: A total of 156 selected
      patients with radiographic evidence of lymphadenopathy or mediastinal masses
      (subcarinal and paratracheal with a short-axis diameter >3 cm) were studied in
      our center by rigid bronchoscopy using a 18-G tru-cut needle to obtain a core
      biopsy of the lesion. RESULTS: In 140 of 156 cases (89.7%), a histologically
      correct diagnosis was reached without perioperative or postoperative
      complications. A total of 114 (81.4%) malignant and 26 (18.6%) benign lesions
      were diagnosed avoiding further invasive surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results confirm that, in selected cases, transbronchial rigid core biopsy could
      be considered a safe and valid alternative technique to more invasive surgical
      approach in the diagnosis of mediastinal diseases.

PMID- 27261934
TI  - Intrapulmonary Recombinant Factor VII as an Effective Treatment for Diffuse
      Alveolar Hemorrhage: A Case Series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) syndrome is a life-threatening
      pulmonary complication related to systemic vasculitides, posthematopoietic stem
      cell transplantation, drugs, or toxins. Once DAH develops, the mortality rate is
      as high as 50% to 80%. Initial treatment consists of high-dose steroids and
      supportive measures, including mechanical ventilation. We present a case series
      of 6 patients treated with intrapulmonary recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) to
      treat refractory DAH. METHODS: Six patients with DAH were treated with
      intrapulmonary instillation of rFVIIa. Doses were divided equally between the
      right and the left lungs. Doses were 30, 50, or 60 mcg/kg and frequencies varied
      from a single administration to repeated doses on subsequent days on the basis of
      the clinical response. All patients received high-dose steroids, and 4 also
      received an aminocaproic acid infusion. RESULTS: Intrapulmonary rVFIIa treated
      DAH effectively in 5 of 6 patients. Doses used were smaller and less frequent
      than those described previously. CONCLUSIONS: Intrapulmonary factor VII is an
      effective adjunctive treatment for DAH. We achieved treatment success with both
      smaller and less frequent doses than those described previously. This may be a
      good therapeutic option for DAH, particularly when standard therapies have failed
      or bleeding is immediately life threatening. It is possible that intrapulmonary
      rFVIIa could save costs, while improving the intensive care unit length of stay.
      Further prospective studies are needed to assess the optimal dose and frequency
      for adequate therapeutic efficacy.

PMID- 27261935
TI  - Site of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Via Flexible Bronchoscopy and Fluid Return in
      Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite its widespread use as a diagnostic tool, the procedure for
      bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) via flexible bronchoscopy is not standardized in
      children. Our objective was to examine the dissimilarities in fluid return
      between the different lobes in children undergoing flexible bronchoscopies with
      BAL. METHODS: We conducted a review of all pediatric flexible bronchoscopies with
      BAL conducted at a single institution over a 2-year period. Our predictor of
      interest was the site of the BAL. Our outcome of interest was the percent of
      fluid return. We used 1-way analysis of variance with subsequent pairwise
      comparisons for unadjusted analyses and multivariable linear regression for
      adjusted analyses. RESULTS: We identified 529 procedures that met prespecified
      criteria. The mean (SD) percent of fluid return was 52.1 (14.4) for the right
      middle lobe, 50.7 (16.0) for the lingula (LIN), 50.5 (18.6) for the right or left
      upper lobes other than LIN (R/L-UL), and 42.2 (18.7) for the right or left lower
      lobes (R/L-LL). The R/L-LL had significantly lower fluid return when compared
      with each of the other lobes (P<0.05 for all pairwise comparisons); in contrast,
      there was no significant difference in fluid return between the other lobes. In
      our main analysis adjusting for potential confounders, performing the BAL in the
      right middle lobe, LIN, or R/L-UL increased the fluid return by 11.1% [95%
      confidence interval (CI), 6.2-16.1], 9.5% (95% CI, 3.2-15.8), and 8.7% (95% CI,
      0.9-16.5%), respectively, when compared with the R/L-LL. CONCLUSION: Our results
      suggest that the lower lobes provide the lowest BAL fluid return in children,
      whereas the other lobes seem to perform similarly.

PMID- 27261936
TI  - Topical Lidocaine Does Not Exaggerate Laryngomalacia in Infants During Flexible
      Bronchoscopy Under Propofol Anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Topical lidocaine has been found to result in overestimation of the
      severity of laryngomalacia in infants undergoing flexible bronchoscopy under
      conscious sedation with midazolam and nalbuphine. This effect has never been
      confirmed and may depend on the level of sedation and the drugs used. We assessed
      the effect of topical lidocaine on laryngomalacia in infants undergoing flexible
      bronchoscopy under general anesthesia with propofol. METHODS: Thirteen infants
      with congenital stridor referred to diagnostic flexible video-bronchoscopy were
      studied under propofol anesthesia before and 3 minutes after topical lidocaine
      administration to the larynx at a dose of 3 mg/kg body weight. Laryngomalacia was
      scored using 60 seconds video recordings of the larynx before and after lidocaine
      administration in random order by 2 independent blinded observers using the
      previously described arytenoid score (AS), epiglottis score (ES), and the total
      score (TS=AS+ES). RESULTS: No significant differences in AS, ES, and
      laryngomalacia score were found between the prelidocaine and postlidocaine
      assessments by the 2 raters. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.995
      (95% confidence interval, 0.986-0.998) and 0.975 (0.930-0.991) and 0.989 (0.971
      996) for AS, ES, and TS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of
      laryngomalacia is not affected by topical lidocaine under propofol anesthesia.
      The lidocaine effect on laryngomalacia may vary depending on the medication
      regime used and the depth of procedural sedation.

PMID- 27261937
TI  - Transbronchial Cryobiopsy in Interstitial Lung Disease: Are We on the Right Path?
AB  - BACKGROUND: A definitive and specific diagnosis of interstitial lung disease
      (ILD) often requires a histologic analysis of the lung parenchyma. A
      transbronchial biopsy with forceps has a limited diagnostic yield for idiopathic
      interstitial pneumonias. The incorporation of a transbronchial lung cryobiopsy
      for diagnosing ILD appears to be very promising, although there are only a few
      published studies in this regard. Our paper shows the results of using this
      technique in our center. METHODS: This was a prospective study including 55
      patients with ILD diagnosed from January 2012 to January 2015. The methodology
      used, the overall diagnostic yield, and the number and the location of samples,
      in addition to complications, have been reported. RESULTS: In 38 (69%), 10
      (20.8%), and 7 (12.7%) cases, we obtained a certain, highly likely, and
      unclassifiable diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia, respectively. With 18 cases,
      usual interstitial pneumonia was the most common diagnosis. The most common
      complication was a pneumothorax in 8 patients (14.5%). CONCLUSIONS: A
      transbronchial lung cryobiopsy using a flexible cryoprobe has a good diagnostic
      yield and might be an alternative to consider in cases of diffuse ILD in which a
      histologic sample is required for diagnosis. This technique could avoid a large
      number of surgical biopsies.

PMID- 27261938
TI  - Air Bubble-Induced High Intraocular Pressure After Descemet Membrane Endothelial
      Keratoplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of pupillary block caused
      by an air bubble in the anterior chamber in the early postoperative period after
      Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). METHODS: A retrospective
      review was conducted in 306 eyes that underwent DMEK from September 2009 through
      October 2014 at the Tubingen Eye Hospital. Intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation
      was defined as a spike above 30 mm Hg. In the first 190 eyes, an intraoperative
      peripheral iridectomy was performed at the 12-o'clock position and in the other
      116 eyes at the 6-o'clock position. If possible, reasons for IOP elevation were
      identified. For all eyes, preoperative and postoperative slit-lamp examinations
      and IOP measurements were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 30 eyes (9.8%) showed a
      postoperative IOP elevation within the first postoperative day. The incidence of
      IOP elevation was 13.9% (5/36) in the triple DMEK group, and 2 of 5 phakic eyes
      (40%) developed an air bubble-induced IOP elevation. All eyes presented with a de
      novo IOP elevation, associated in 25 patients with pupillary block from air
      anterior to iris and in 5 patients with angle closure from air migration
      posterior to the iris. All of them had an iridectomy at the 12-o'clock position.
      CONCLUSIONS: A postoperative pupillary block with IOP elevation caused by the
      residual intraoperative air bubble may be an important complication that could be
      avoided by close and frequent observations, especially in the first postoperative
      hours and by an inferior peripheral iridectomy and an air bubble with a volume of
      <=80% of the anterior chamber.

PMID- 27261939
TI  - Diurnal Tracking of Blink and Relationship to Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess diurnal changes in the signs and symptoms of dry eyes and
      their relationship to diurnal interblink interval (IBI) in normal subjects and in
      subjects with dry eye. METHODS: Blink data were collected from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
      during 2 days of normal activity using an electrocardiogram monitoring device.
      All subjects recorded ocular discomfort (0-5 scale) and primary activity hourly
      each day in a diary. Inferior and central fluorescein staining was graded by slit
      lamp (0-4) at the start and end of each day. Blink activity was detected using an
      algorithm based on recognition of the waveform corresponding to the kinematic
      properties of the blink signal. RESULTS: Normal subjects (N = 12) reported
      negligible symptoms, and results did not show a diurnal change in group hourly
      IBI. Mean daily IBI for the group with dry eye (N = 15) (4.63 +/- 1.63 s) was
      shorter than that for the normal group (5.28 +/- 1.48 s) (P = 0.0483).
      Correlation of diurnal symptoms and mean hourly IBI was relatively weak (r = 
      0.248). A repeated-measures model found IBI to be significantly associated with
      the time of day (P = 0.0028). Inferior corneal staining showed a small but
      significant diurnal increase for both normal group and group with dry eyes.
      CONCLUSIONS: Diurnal blink tracking reveals significant trending with symptoms.
      Diurnal change in IBI may be an appropriate surrogate for symptoms in the study
      of dry eye.

PMID- 27261940
TI  - Tolerance of Micronized Mineral Pigments for Intrastromal Keratopigmentation: A
      Histopathology and Immunopathology Experimental Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the tolerance and biocompatibility of mineral pigments for
      corneal pigmentation histopathologically and immunologically in an experimental
      animal model. METHODS: Manual intralamellar keratopigmentation was performed in
      28 New Zealand white rabbits using micronized mineral pigments. Histopathological
      examination was performed 3 months after the surgery to determine the level of
      pigment diffusion, the level of inflammation, and the presence/absence of
      neovascularization. An immunological analysis was also performed. RESULTS: No
      pigment diffusion or changes in color, inflammation, or neovascularization were
      detected in the treated eyes. Histopathological examination corroborated clinical
      results regarding inflammation. Pigmented corneas showed a good cosmetic
      appearance without signs of ocular toxicity. From the immunological perspective,
      the pigments do not generate an inflammatory response in the rabbit cornea or in
      vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Micronized mineral pigments could be a valid alternative
      treatment for corneal pigmentation. Manual intralamellar keratopigmentation
      technique presented good cosmetic appearance without adverse effects in the
      treated eyes.

PMID- 27261941
TI  - Partial Lamellar Sclerokeratouvectomy for Management of Epithelial Downgrowth.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe a method of surgical management for cases of localized
      epithelial downgrowth (EDG). METHODS: Single-center retrospective chart review of
      patients with histologically confirmed localized EDG of stratified squamous
      epithelium. Each patient underwent a partial lamellar sclerokeratouvectomy
      encompassing the area of suspected EDG. The main outcome measure was recurrence
      of EDG. RESULTS: At a mean of 51 months of postoperative follow-up (range: 31
      86), no patient had evidence of recurrent EDG. One eye developed worsening of
      preexisting glaucoma. All 3 eyes developed localized corneal edema, but only 1
      required corneal transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: EDG is a potentially devastating
      complication of intraocular surgery or penetrating injury. In cases of localized
      involvement of the anterior chamber structures, definitive management of EDG can
      be achieved via resection of the involved scleral, corneal, and uveal tissue. A
      lamellar approach minimizes tissue loss and maintains a structurally sound,
      pressurized globe.

PMID- 27261942
TI  - Update in alar base reduction in rhinoplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to further explore the
      techniques available for alar base reduction by a recent review in this topic,
      focusing in the current advances in the field, in a clear and readable format.
      RECENT FINDINGS: Among the numerous techniques available, the management of cases
      with wide nasal base and alar flaring remains limited to three options: cinching
      sutures to pull in the alae together; or to use alar base excisions that remove
      tissue from the alar lobule to decrease flare and from inside the nostril to
      decrease width; and flap advancement. SUMMARY: Surgical modification of the nasal
      base is not a routine part of rhinoplasty and should be performed in a
      conservative manner to prevent complications like nasal stenosis. Moreover, this
      maneuver should always be the last one in rhinoplasty, as alar base modifications
      cannot be properly assessed until all other steps have been carried out. VIDEO
      ABSTRACT.

PMID- 27261943
TI  - Simulation in craniomaxillofacial training.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Simulation in healthcare is no longer a novel idea. Simulation
      continues to rapidly permeate and transform both clinical practice and medical
      education. Craniomaxillofacial surgery is comprised of multiple surgical
      disciplines, including neurosurgery, plastic surgery, otolaryngology,
      ophthalmology, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. All of these specialties are
      performing surgery in an era of evolving technology, cost containment, reduced
      resident work hours, and a focus on patient safety. As a result, the purpose of
      this manuscript is to review the most recent literature and trends in
      craniomaxillofacial surgery simulation as it pertains to advances in: teaching
      methodology, technology for training, and professional development, including
      lifelong learning and certificate maintenance. RECENT FINDINGS: The Halstedian
      model of education is no longer valid in isolation as simulation continues to
      evolve. Advances are occurring in craniomaxillofacial simulation fidelity, via
      technology, validation, and implementation, though significant opportunity still
      exists toward total integration into training, as procedural models are limited.
      SUMMARY: Simulation in craniomaxillofacial training is not fully pervasive or
      integrated, but evidence exists that simulation is rapidly evolving via
      improvements in innovation, fidelity, teaching methodology, and ultimately,
      commitment to simulation as a means to improve surgical education as well as
      patient safety and quality.

PMID- 27261944
TI  - New biomaterials versus traditional techniques: advances in cleft palate
      reconstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cleft lip and palate still remains one of the most common
      congenital anomalies, and consequently surgical correction of these anomalies is
      still commonplace. Despite numerous existing surgical techniques having good
      outcomes, it is still recognized that the morbidity of certain surgical
      procedures and success rates regarding outcomes can be improved. The purpose of
      this review is to evaluate new literature and techniques compared with the time
      tested procedures that are commonly used. RECENT FINDINGS: As technology
      continues to advance, the understanding of details regarding biochemical pathways
      responsible for the development of cleft defects and also the efficacy of
      biomaterials that can be used in their correction are being discovered and better
      understood. Many studies have been conducted in both animal and human study
      participants that further the understanding of these questions. The efficacy and
      benefit of newly devised biomaterials seems to indicate that these biomaterials
      are a viable adjunct and often an alternative in the treatment of cleft palate
      patients. SUMMARY: In this review of recent literature, the discussion begins
      with a review of the more traditional and widely accepted iliac crest bone
      grafting and then evolves into a discussion of several animal and human studies
      to delineate the progress being made in this field. The literature exploring the
      details regarding biochemical pathways and cellular mediators that are involved
      in cleft formation, as well as biomaterials used in surgical repair are
      evaluated. The findings in the literature suggest that there is a bright future
      in better understanding the cause of cleft formation on a molecular level and
      associated attempts that can be made in altering some of these factors along with
      discovering new biomaterials that can be a useful adjunct to existing techniques.

PMID- 27261945
TI  - Advances in eyelid reconstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the principles of eyelid reconstruction that must
      balance aesthetic and functional concerns of one of the most important areas of
      physical beauty on the human body. Our review seeks to give an overview of how to
      utilize a variety of techniques along the reconstructive ladder from direct
      closure to complex grafts and local flaps. RECENT FINDINGS: We describe novel
      modifications of existing flaps that have been traditionally used in eyelid
      reconstruction along with analysis of many time honored techniques and current
      research in improving our understanding of the factors which allow a successful
      reconstruction. SUMMARY: A familiarity with the variety of options for
      reconstruction will give the surgeon the fluidity to analyze a defect and choose
      the best possible method.

PMID- 27261946
TI  - Central Retinal Artery Occlusion With Subsequent Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
      in Biopsy-Proven Giant Cell Arteritis.
AB  - Central retinal artery occlusion with subsequent central retinal vein occlusion
      in the same eye is a rare entity. We present a 72-year-old man with biopsy-proven
      giant cell arteritis who developed bilateral arteritic anterior ischemic optic
      neuropathy and a left central retinal artery occlusion. Subsequently, he
      developed a left central retinal vein occlusion within 2 weeks of his initial
      vision loss. His vision did not improve with corticosteroids.

PMID- 27261947
TI  - Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension-A Comparison of Clinical Characteristics
      Between 4 Medical Centers in Different Geographic Regions of the World.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a well-characterized
      syndrome, most commonly affecting obese women of childbearing age. Differences in
      its prevalence have been reported in various populations. The aim of this article
      was to determine whether differences in clinical presentation and management
      exist for patients with IIH between different regions the world. METHODS:
      Retrospective database analysis of adult patients with IIH from 4 different neuro
      ophthalmology clinics. The data collected included gender, age of onset, body
      mass index (BMI), lumbar puncture opening pressure, initial visual acuity (VA),
      initial visual field (VF) mean deviation (MD), pharmacological or surgical
      treatment, length of follow-up, final VA, and final VF MD. RESULTS: The study
      population consisted of 244 patients, with significant regional variations of
      female to male ratio. Overall, there was no significant difference regarding the
      age of diagnosis or the BMI. Acetazolamide was the first line of treatment in all
      groups but there was a difference between countries regarding second-line
      treatment, including the use of surgical interventions. Mean initial VA differed
      between groups but the final change in VA was the same among all the study
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in IIH presentation, treatment, and
      response to therapy among different countries. International prospective studies
      involving multiple centers are needed to determine the potential influence of
      environmental and genetic factors on the development of IIH and to improve the
      management of this potentially blinding disorder.

PMID- 27261948
TI  - Dyschromatopsia in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Marker of Subclinical
      Involvement?
AB  - BACKGROUND: In multiple sclerosis (MS), even in the absence of a clinical episode
      of optic neuritis (ON), the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) may
      be damaged leading to dyschromatopsia. Subclinical dyschromatopsia has been
      described in MS associated with lower motor and cognitive performances.
      OBJECTIVES: To set the prevalence of dyschromatopsia in eyes of MS patients
      without a history of ON, to compare its prevalence in patients with and without
      ON history, and to explore the association between dyschromatopsia and disease
      duration, average peripapillary RNFL thickness, macular volume, and cognitive and
      motor performances. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted
      at multiple medical centers. Data were collected after single neurological and
      ophthalmological evaluations. Dyschromatopsia was defined by the presence of at
      least 1 error using Hardy-Rand-Rittler plates. RESULTS: In our population of 125
      patients, 79 patients (63.2%) never had ON and 35 (28.8%) had unilateral ON. The
      prevalence of dyschromatopsia in eyes of patients without ON was 25.7%. Patients
      with dyschromatopsia had a statistically significant lower RNFL thickness (P =
      0.004 and P = 0.040, right and left eyes, respectively) and worse performance in
      symbol digit modalities test (P = 0.012). No differences were found in macular
      volume or motor function tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Dyschromatopsia occurs frequently in
      MS patients. It may be associated with a worse disease status and possibly serve
      as a marker for the detection of subclinical disease progression since it was
      detected even in the absence of ON. It correlated with thinner peripapillary RNFL
      thickness and inferior cognitive performance.

PMID- 27261949
TI  - Age and clear eyes are associated with an increased risk of cutaneous squamous
      cell carcinomas in vemurafenib-treated melanoma patients.
AB  - Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a frequent side-effect of vemurafenib
      treatment. The main aim of this study was to identify the clinical risk factors
      associated with the development of cSCC in melanoma patients treated with
      vemurafenib. We carried out a retrospective study, including 63 consecutive
      melanoma patients treated with vemurafenib for BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma in
      an oncodermatological department. Clinical and follow-up data were collected and
      analysed, and a comparison of the subgroups who did and did not develop cSCC was
      performed. A total of 42.9% of patients (n=27) treated with vemurafenib developed
      one or more cSCC. Patients with cSCC were significantly older (P=0.01). Clear
      eyes were also associated with a higher risk of developing cSCC (odds ratio=3.50;
      95% confidence interval: 1.08-12.43). Three patients developed cSCC more than 1
      year after the initiation of treatment (12, 16 and 18 months, respectively).
      Clinicians should be vigilant in older patients undergoing vemurafenib therapy as
      well as patients with clear eyes as they seem to be at increased risk of
      developing cSCC, even late after the initiation of treatment.

PMID- 27261950
TI  - Essential and toxic trace element concentrations in different commercial veal
      cuts in Spain.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate essential and toxic element concentration
      of ten commercially available veal cuts, together with diaphragm, cardiac muscle
      and liver tissue from 10 animals of "Galician Supreme Veal". Essential trace
      elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se and Zn) and toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg
      and Pb) were determined by ICP-MS. Essential trace element concentrations ranged
      from 0.002-55.64mg/kg between muscles. Toxic element concentrations were very
      low, and high numbers of samples showed unquantifiable residues of Cd and Pb.
      Veal cuts including muscles with a high proportion of oxidative slow-twitch
      fibers (diaphragm and cardiac muscle) showed significantly higher essential trace
      element concentrations, the lower concentrations being found in veal cuts
      including glycolytic fast-twitch fibers (eye round). Our results suggest that
      essential and toxic trace element concentration could be used as a new meat
      quality parameter, or to add further value to certain products (i.e. livestock
      reared on extensive systems with high physical activity). 

PMID- 27261951
TI  - Ethics in practice: is it futile to talk about 'futility'?

PMID- 27261952
TI  - The Effectiveness of Remote Facilitation in Simulation-Based Pediatric
      Resuscitation Training for Medical Students.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of pediatric simulation by remote
      facilitation. We hypothesized that simulation by remote facilitation is more
      effective compared to simulation by an on-site facilitator. We defined remote
      facilitation as a facilitator remotely (1) introduces simulation-based learning
      and simulation environment, (2) runs scenarios, and (3) performs debriefing with
      an on-site facilitator. METHODS: A remote simulation program for medical students
      during pediatric rotation was implemented. Groups were allocated to either remote
      or on-site facilitation depending on the availability of telemedicine technology.
      Both groups had identical 1-hour simulation sessions with 2 scenarios and
      debriefing. Their team performance was assessed with behavioral assessment tool
      by a trained rater. Perception by students was evaluated with Likert scale (1-7).
      RESULTS: Fifteen groups with 89 students participated in a simulation by remote
      facilitation, and 8 groups with 47 students participated in a simulation by on
      site facilitation. Participant demographics and previous simulation experience
      were similar. Both groups improved their performance from first to second
      scenario: groups by remote simulation (first [8.5 +/- 4.2] vs second [13.2 +/-
      6.2], P = 0.003), and groups by on-site simulation (first [6.9 +/- 4.1] vs second
      [12.4 +/- 6.4], P = 0.056). The performance improvement was not significantly
      different between the 2 groups (P = 0.94). Faculty evaluation by students was
      equally high in both groups (7 vs 7; P = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: A pediatric acute
      care simulation by remote facilitation significantly improved students'
      performance. In this pilot study, remote facilitation seems as effective as a
      traditional, locally facilitated simulation. The remote simulation can be a
      strong alternative method, especially where experienced facilitators are limited.

PMID- 27261953
TI  - Streptococcus constellatus Tubo-ovarian Abscess in a Non-Sexually Active
      Adolescent Female.
AB  - Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) in non-sexually active female adolescents is a rare
      presentation to the pediatric emergency department. In the following case,
      bilateral TOA secondary to Streptococcus constellatus was diagnosed in a 13-year
      old virginal female. The patient was seen 4 months before presentation for
      interventional radiology-guided drainage and antibiotic treatment for an intra
      abdominal abscess due to suspected appendiceal rupture. Exploratory laparotomy on
      the most recent presentation demonstrated an appendix with inflammation and
      serositis on pathology report, a concern for chronic appendicitis with
      microperforation and subsequent bacterial translocation of the bilateral ovaries.
      This case report identifies a rare cause, pathogen, and the patient's
      demographics presenting with bilateral TOA. Most importantly, this case
      demonstrates the need for emergency medicine physicians to have a high index of
      suspicion for TOA in patients with a significant medical history of intra
      abdominal pathology to promptly diagnose and treat high-morbidity pathology.

PMID- 27261954
TI  - Efficiency of Using Pediatrics Emergency Services and Triage Evaluation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the pediatric emergency
      department (PED) in a main teaching hospital. METHOD: Retrospective review of all
      children presented to PED at King Abdulaziz University Hospital from September to
      November 2014 was performed. We classified priority into the following 5 stages:
      1, need resuscitation; 2, emergent; 3, urgent; 4, less urgent; and 5, nonurgent.
      RESULTS: A total of 2567 children (58.9% boys) attended PED for 3 months. Toddler
      age group was the highest. Respiratory complaints were the commonest (36%),
      followed by gastrointestinal complaints (20%). The majority were classified as
      priority 3 (52.3%) and priority 4 (30.7%). The admission rate was 12.3% and the
      mean (range) length of stay (LOS) was 5.85 (0.2-25) hours. Saudi nationals were
      less likely to wait for 5 hours or longer, less likely to be admitted, but more
      likely to leave PED without being evaluated. There was a negative correlation
      between higher priorities and time from triage to PED. There was a positive
      correlation between the higher priorities and LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Most children who
      were seen in PED were priority 3 and therefore needed to be seen. However, a
      considerable percentage of priority 4 and 5 could have been seen in ambulatory
      clinics. Most lower priorities were Saudi nationals who were most likely to leave
      without being seen. Prolonged LOS, overcrowding, and high percentage of admission
      are the main challenges.

PMID- 27261955
TI  - Factors Predicting Lung Contusions in Critically Ill Trauma Children: A
      Multivariate Analysis of 330 Cases.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to identify factors predicting lung contusion
      in trauma children. METHODS: Retrospective study conducted for a period of 8
      years (January 01, 2005-December 31, 2012) in a medical surgical intensive care
      unit. All trauma patients younger than 15 years were included. Two groups were
      compared: those with lung contusions (C+ group) and those without lung contusions
      (C- group). RESULTS: We included 330 patients. The mean (SD) age was 7.6 (4.3)
      years. Chest injury was diagnosed in 70 patients (21.2%). All our patients needed
      mechanical ventilation. Lung contusions were diagnosed in 43 patients (13% of all
      patients and 61.4% of patients with chest trauma). In multivariate analysis,
      independent factors predicting lung contusion were road traffic accident (odds
      ratio [OR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-8.6; P = 0.019), increased
      Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.1-1.2; P = 0.017),
      hepatic contusion (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.3-17.1; P = 0.017), and pelvic ring
      fracture (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.1-10.5; P = 0.026). Death occurred in 46 patients
      (13.9%). Intensive care unit mortality was significantly higher in the C+ group
      (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2-5.4; P = 0.021). However, mortality was not different
      between the 2 groups after adjusting for PRISM score (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.5-2.9; P
      = 0.752) or after adjusting for Injury Severity Score (OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.3-2.1;
      P = 0.565). CONCLUSIONS: Lung contusion is common in critically ill children with
      chest trauma. The diagnosis should be considered in patients with road traffic
      accident, increased PRISM score, hepatic contusion, and pelvic ring fracture.

PMID- 27261956
TI  - Effect of Intravenous Ondansetron on the QT Interval of Patients'
      Electrocardiograms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Ondansetron improves the success of oral rehydration in children with
      gastroenteritis. In postoperative adults, ondansetron has been shown to prolong
      the corrected QT (QTc). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of
      ondansetron on the QT at peak effect and at 1-hour postpeak effect in pediatric
      patients. METHODS: This was an observational study looking at patients aged 6
      months to 18 years receiving intravenous ondansetron for nausea, vomiting, or the
      inability to take fluids in the emergency department. Patients had
      electrocardiogram performed at baseline, at ondansetron's peak effect, and 1 hour
      postpeak effect. A paired samples Student t test compared QTc change at peak
      effect to zero. Peak effect of intravenous ondansetron is 3 minutes. RESULTS: One
      hundred patients were included. Fifty-five percent of patients were female with a
      mean age of 8.3 years. The mean (range) baseline QTc was 435 (388 to 501)
      milliseconds. The mean (range) change in QTc at peak effect of ondansetron was 3
      (-40 to 65) milliseconds (P = 0.072). The change in QTc 1-hour postpeak effect of
      ondansetron was 3 (-43 to 45) milliseconds (P = 0.082). No change at peak effect
      or 1-hour postpeak effect was clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Ondansetron
      does not affect the QTc of pediatric patients receiving the medication for
      nausea, vomiting, or inability to take fluids in the emergency department. No
      changes in the QTc are clinically significant. To date, there have been no
      studies evaluating the effect of ondansetron in this acutely ill population;
      therefore, a larger study should be completed to confirm these data.

PMID- 27261957
TI  - Pre-Trauma Center Management of Intracranial Pressure in Severe Pediatric
      Traumatic Brain Injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Pre-trauma center care is a critical component in severe pediatric
      traumatic brain injury (TBI). For geographically large trauma catchment areas,
      optimizing increased intracranial pressure (ICP) management may potentially
      improve outcomes. This retrospective study examined ICP management in nontrauma
      centers and during interfacility transport to the trauma center. METHODS: Charts
      from a pediatric level I trauma center were reviewed for admissions between 2008
      and 2013. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less, head Abbreviated
      Injury Scale score of 3 or higher, and requiring intubation at a nontrauma center
      were included. Exclusion criteria included head injury secondary to drowning,
      stroke, obstetrical complications, asphyxia, and afflicted head trauma (younger
      than 5 years). Trauma center charts contained coalesced data from first
      responders, nontrauma centers, and transport. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (74%)
      had increased ICP upon admission at trauma center, 48% experienced ICPs greater
      than 20 cm H2O within 12 hours of admission, 12% required an urgent craniotomy,
      and 16% had herniation syndromes on neuroimaging. Pre-trauma center ICP
      management included osmotherapy and head-of-bed elevation. Sixty-four percent of
      patients with increased ICP at trauma center admission received pre-trauma center
      ICP management. CONCLUSIONS: Early increased ICP is a common presentation of
      severe pediatric TBI during pre-trauma center management. However, what
      constitutes optimal care remains unknown. Given the difficulties of diagnosing
      early increased ICP in this setting, prophylactic raising ICP-lowering strategies
      may be considered.

PMID- 27261958
TI  - The "Double Medial Malleolus": A New Physical Finding in Talocalcaneal Coalition.
AB  - PURPOSE: It has been the observation of the senior author that there is a bony
      fullness or "double medial malleolus" over the middle facet as a consistent
      finding with most talocalcaneal coalitions (TCC). To document this observation,
      we reviewed records and radiographs in 3 patient groups. METHODS: Part 1:
      retrospective chart review was completed for 111 feet to determine the clinical
      presence of a palpable "double medial malleolus." Part 2: computed tomography
      (CT) scans for evaluation of tarsal coalition or symptomatic flatfoot between
      January 2006 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed for the same cohort.
      Soft tissue thickness was measured as the shortest distance between bone and skin
      surface at both the medial malleolus and the middle facet/coalition. The volume
      of the middle facet or coalition was measured at their midpoint. These findings
      were compared among feet with TCC (n=53), calcaneonavicular coalition (CNC)
      (n=20), and flatfoot (n=38). RESULTS: Part 1-clinical: from medical records, 38
      feet (34%) had documented record of a palpable medial prominence. Of the feet
      reviewed with a "double medial malleolus," all had TCC (no false positives or
      false negatives). Clinical and CT prominence demonstrated significant correlation
      (rs=0.519, P=0.001). Part 2-radiographic: CT observation of "double medial
      malleolus" is significantly associated with TCC (P<0.001). CT observation of
      double medial malleolus is 81% sensitive and 79% specific as a predictive test
      for TCC. The middle facet-to-skin distance was significantly closer in those with
      TCC versus controls (P<0.001). The ratio was larger in patients with TCC versus
      CNC (P=0.006) or flatfeet (P<0.001). Volume was nearly twice the size in patients
      with TCC versus the controls (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TCCs have a bony prominence
      below the medial malleolus on clinical exam and CT scan not present in flatfeet
      or CNCs. This abnormal middle facet is almost twice the size of the normal middle
      facet. Obesity or severe valgus may mask this finding. If a palpable bony
      prominence is noted just below the medial malleolus during examination of a
      painful foot with a decrease in subtalar motion, the likely diagnosis is TCC.
      With this added clinical finding, appropriate images can be ordered to confirm
      the diagnosis of the latter. We advise CT scans with 3D images for surgical
      planning. The primary finding for tarsal coalitions in textbooks is decreased
      subtalar motion. This new finding of a palpable enlarged medial prominence just
      below the medial malleolus is highly associated with TCCs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Level III.

PMID- 27261959
TI  - What's New in Pediatric and Adolescent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in children and adolescent
      patients are being diagnosed and treated at an ever-increasing rates. We
      performed a review of recent literature regarding care of children and adolescent
      athletes with an ACL injury. METHODS: PubMed database was searched for all papers
      related to treatment of children and adolescents with ACL injuries from October
      1, 2012 to September 30, 2015, yielding 114 publications. RESULTS: A total of 59
      papers were found to have contributed important new findings. Papers were
      selected based on new findings in the following categories: epidemiology,
      anatomy, risk factors, sex disparity, prevention, surgical outcomes, timing and
      associated pathologies, and rehabilitation and return to sport. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pediatric ACL injuries continue to rise and there are multiple surgical
      procedures that restore clinical function with good outcomes. Early surgical
      treatment is favored to prevent concomitant articular injuries. Early return to
      play can increase risk of reinjury and should be met with caution in this age
      group. Prevention strategies should be further studied and implemented in hopes
      of decreasing the incidence of this injury and the long-term potential damage.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4-titerature review.

PMID- 27261960
TI  - rhBMP-2 and Intramedullary Fixation in Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia, use of intramedullary (IM)
      fixation and autogenous bone graft has long been the standard of care. This study
      was undertaken to determine whether the addition of rhBMP-2 to this treatment
      method further enhances healing potential. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with
      congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia were evaluated. Fifteen of these patients
      had neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). All had IM fixation and autogenous bone
      graft, followed by a BMP-soaked collagen sponge wrapped around both the fracture
      site and bone graft. A minimum 2 years' follow-up was required. RESULTS: Follow
      up averaged 7.2 years (range, 2.1 to 12.8 y). Sixteen of 21 tibias achieved bone
      union following the index surgery, at an average 6.6 months postoperatively. The
      5 persistent nonunions occurred in NF1 patients. Further surgery was undertaken
      in these 5 NF1 patients, including the use of BMP. One of the 5 healed, 1 had
      persistent nonunion, and 3 eventually had amputation. Of the 16 patients who
      healed initially following the index surgery, 5 refractured (3 had NF1). Of these
      5 patients, the IM fixation at the index surgery did not cross the ankle joint,
      and refracture occurred at the rod tip in 4. Three of these 5 patients healed
      following further surgery, 1 had persistent nonunion, and 1 had amputation. All
      of those with eventual amputation had NF1. No deleterious effects related to the
      use of BMP-2 were recognized in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of rhBMP-2
      appears to be helpful in shortening the time required to achieve fracture union
      in those who healed, but its use does not insure that healing will occur. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic, case series.

PMID- 27261961
TI  - Continued Growth of the Femoral Neck Leads to Improved Remodeling After In Situ
      Fixation of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Globally, the most common method for in situ fixation of slipped
      capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a threaded screw, which causes physeal
      arrest. The standard treatment in Sweden is unthreaded fixation using the Hansson
      hook-pin, which leads to continued growth of the femoral neck. Our purpose was to
      study remodeling during the remaining growth after fixation with the Hansson hook
      pin. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 54 patients with SCFE who
      were treated with the Hansson hook-pin between 2001 and 2009. The immediate
      postoperative radiograph and the radiograph taken after physeal closure (mean
      interval, 34 mo) were analyzed. Three radiographic assessments were used: the
      head-shaft angle (HSA), the alpha angle (Notzli), and the displacement from
      Klein's line. RESULTS: Significant remodeling was detected in all measured
      parameters. The mean postoperative HSA decreased by 9.0 degrees (P<0.001). The
      alpha angle improved by a mean of 14.5 degrees (P<0.001). Significant
      correlations were found between the reduction of the alpha angle and age
      (P<0.001, R=0.48) and longitudinal growth of the femoral neck (P<0.001, R=0.67).
      Displacement from Klein's line increased by a mean of 1.6 mm (P=0.006).
      CONCLUSIONS: Unthreaded fixation of SCFE using the Hansson hook-pin leads to
      substantial remodeling of the femoral neck. The positive correlation observed
      between the improvement of the alpha angle and femoral neck growth supports the
      use of a method that allows continuous growth, to reduce the risk of
      femoroacetabular impingement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective
      comparative study.

PMID- 27261962
TI  - Treatment of Pediatric and Adolescent Pelvic Ring Injuries With Percutaneous
      Screw Placement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pediatric and adolescent pelvic ring injuries are frequently treated
      without surgery. In patients with unstable injuries to the pelvic ring, surgical
      stabilization aids in resuscitation, provides pain relief, and allows for
      mobilization. Percutaneous pelvic screw fixation is commonly performed in adult
      patients for unstable pelvic ring injuries, but a paucity of literature exists
      regarding their use in pediatric patients. The purpose of this study is to review
      the use, outcome, and management of percutaneous posterior pelvic screws in
      pediatric patients with unstable pelvic ring injuries. METHODS: A retrospective
      review of a prospectively collected orthopaedic trauma database was performed
      over a 7-year period at a regional level-1 trauma center. All patients between
      the ages of 7 and 17 who sustained an injury to the pelvic ring and were treated
      with percutaneous fixation of the posterior pelvic ring were identified. We
      evaluated the frequency of this technique in the described patient population,
      incidence of nerve injury, infection, loss of fixation, and need for hardware
      removal. RESULTS: A total of 238 pediatric patients who sustained a pelvic ring
      injury were initially identified; following application of study criteria, 67
      (28.1%) patients were included in the study. Additional anterior ring fixation
      was performed in 33 (49.2%) patients. There were no iatrogenic nerve injuries, no
      infections, and surgical blood loss was <50 mL in all cases. Clinical and
      radiographic follow-up averaged 33 weeks. No loss of reduction was observed.
      Eight patients (13%) reported persistent low back pain at last follow-up.
      Elective hardware removal was performed in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The majority
      of pediatric pelvic ring injuries can be treated without surgery. In the setting
      of instability, percutaneous pelvic screw fixation can be performed safely. A
      computed tomography scan is used to evaluate the available osseous pathways for
      screws and intraoperative fluoroscopy is used to safely perform this technique.
      Screw removal should be discussed in select patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level
      IV.

PMID- 27261963
TI  - Normal Percentile Reference Curves and Correlation of Acetabular Index and
      Acetabular Depth Ratio in Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiographic surveillance of the hip is vital in the diagnosis and
      treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children. The acetabular
      index (AI) and the acetabular depth ratio (ADR) are radiographic parameters for
      evaluation of acetabular morphology. Normal reference curves for these parameters
      that allow for serial evaluation of acetabular development in a manner that is
      independent of age are necessary and clinically useful. The purpose of this study
      was (1) to establish normal values of AI and ADR in the normally developing
      pediatric hip up to age 14, (2) to generate percentile reference curves of both
      parameters, (3) to determine the extent of correlation between AI and ADR, and
      (4) to assess intrarater and interrater reliability of AI measurement. METHODS:
      We identified 1734 patients who underwent anterior-posterior pelvic radiography
      between 2004 and 2014. A total of 1152 patients (age range, 0.15 to 13.97 y; 2304
      hips) were identified as radiographically normal in the radiology report, signed
      by the attending pediatric radiologist on the basis of the absence of structural
      deformity of the hip and previously established reference values for DDH
      assessment. A review of the medical records confirmed that patients had no
      diagnosis of DDH or any other orthopaedic hip pathology. The AI and ADR were
      measured in all radiographs. Normal values and fully parametric percentile curves
      were generated from birth to skeletal maturity. Correlation between AI and ADR
      was assessed using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Normal AI decreased, and
      ADR increased, with age. Percentile curves were generated for AI and ADR. Using
      the provided equations, measured values can be converted to age-appropriate
      percentile and Z-score. The 2 parameters exhibited strong correlation (Pearson
      correlation=-0.789, P<0.001). For every unit increase in ADR, AI decreased by
      0.94 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: We present updated normative values of AI that expand
      up to age 14, and novel reference values for ADR. The reference curves allow for
      the easy conversion of measured values to percentile and Z-score. Using the
      presented method during surveillance of the pathologic hip, change in acetabular
      development can now be assessed in a manner that is independent of age and the
      natural development of the acetabulum. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

PMID- 27261964
TI  - Correction of Angular Deformities Due to Focal Fibrocartilaginous Dysplasia Using
      Guided Growth: A Preliminary Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia (FFCD) is a rare benign disorder
      that may result in tethering of the physis. These most commonly occur around the
      knee and may result in angular deformities of the involved extremity. To date
      treatment has ranged from observation, to curettage, to osteotomy. Our goal with
      this study is to evaluate the efficacy of guided growth in treating patients with
      angular deformity due to FFCD. METHODS: This is a retrospective review, we
      included 3 patients with angular deformities due to FFCD who had undergone 8
      plate placement. We reviewed their preoperative and postoperative radiographs,
      assessed their sagittal and coronal balance and number of procedures. RESULTS:
      Three patients with FFCD of the femur with an average of 14 months underwent
      guided growth to correct their angular deformity. Once appropriate correction was
      achieved the hardware was removed. At final follow-up none of the patients
      required further surgical intervention for their angular deformity nor had they
      shown any evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: FFCD is a rare benign disorder,
      they most commonly affects the proximal tibia and distal femur and can result in
      significant angular deformities. Our review of the literature found all of the
      cases involving the femur progressed to the point where they needed surgical
      intervention. This ranged from curettage to osteotomy. In this case series we
      present 3 cases of FFCD of the distal femur that were treated minimally
      invasively with guided growth. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

PMID- 27261965
TI  - Performing a Definitive Fusion in Juvenile CP Patients is a Good Surgical Option.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In juveniles with progressive curves, there is debate regarding the
      use of growth friendly implants versus definitive fusion. This study presents
      outcomes of juvenile cerebral palsy (CP) scoliosis patients who underwent
      definitive fusion before age 11. METHODS: A review of a prospective, multicenter
      registry identified patients 10 years and younger who had a definitive posterior
      fusion for their CP scoliosis. Preoperative and postoperative demographic and
      radiographic changes were evaluated with descriptive statistics. Repeated
      measures analysis of variance were utilized to compare outcome scores. RESULTS:
      Fourteen children with a mean age of 9.7 years (8.3 to 10.8 y) and a minimum of 2
      years follow-up (range 2 to 3 y) were identified. The mean preoperative curve
      magnitude and pelvic obliquity was 84+/-25 degrees (range 63 to 144 degrees) and
      25+/-14 degrees, respectively. All patients were skeletally immature with open
      triradiate cartilage. Three patients had unit rods with wires while the rest
      incorporated pedicle screws. Immediately postoperation, the average major curve
      was 25+/-17 degrees (P<=0.001, 71% correction rate). At most recent follow-up,
      the average major curve increased to 30+/-18 degrees (P<=0.001) for a 65%
      correction rate. Pelvic obliquity improved to 4+/-4 degrees (84% correction,
      P<=0.001) immediately postoperation and to 6+/-5 degrees (P=0.002) at latest
      follow-up for a 76% correction rate. None of the patients required revision
      surgery for progression. From pre to most recent follow-up, the CPchild Health
      outcome scores improved from 47 to 58 (P=0.019). One patient had a deep
      infection, and 1 patient had a broken rod that did not require any further
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Progressive scoliosis in juvenile CP patients requires
      the surgeon to balance the need for further growth with the risks of progression
      or repeated surgical procedures. Our study demonstrates that definitive fusion
      once the curves approach 90 degrees results in significant radiographic and
      quality of life improvements, but further follow-up is needed to determine
      whether those results remain after skeletal maturity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV
      therapeutic.

PMID- 27261966
TI  - Long-term Outcomes of Operative and Nonoperative Treatment of Congenital Coxa
      Vara.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Congenital coxa vara (CCV) is a rare hip condition with few long-term
      studies. The purpose of this study was to assess clinical, radiographic, and
      functional outcomes after operative and nonoperative treatment of CCV, assess
      reliability of radiographic parameters, and investigate risk factors for
      recurrence after surgery. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of all CCV
      patients treated at 1 institution from 1980 to 2010. In addition, patients were
      recalled for additional follow-up x-rays, modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), and
      gait analysis. Radiographic measurements [neck-shaft angle (NSA), head-shaft
      angle (HSA), Hilgenreiner-epiphyseal angle (HEA), and femoral neck length (FNL)]
      were assessed for reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients.
      Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for recurrence after
      surgery. RESULTS: Forty-six hips in 32 patients were reviewed. Mean age at
      presentation was 5.4+/-4.9 years. Mean follow-up was 11.8+/-5.8 years. Valgus
      proximal femoral osteotomy was performed in 27 hips (20 patients). Initial
      deformity was greater in the operative group (NSA 90+/-17 degrees, HEA 68+/-19
      degrees) versus nonoperative patients (NSA 122+/-19 degrees, HEA 34+/-14 degrees)
      (P<0.0001), but radiographic outcomes were similar at follow-up. Most
      nonoperative hips had normal FNL growth rates (80%), but resolution of varus NSA
      occurred in only 21%. In contrast, 56% of operative hips showed decreased FNL
      growth rates. Interobserver reliability was excellent for HEA (0.98), NSA (0.90),
      and FNL (0.89), and good for HSA (0.79). Repeat osteotomy was performed in 6
      cases (22%). No significant predictors for recurrence were identified. At long
      term follow-up for recalled patients, 72% had significantly abnormal gait, and
      50% had fair-poor functional outcomes (mHHS<79). CONCLUSIONS: Valgus osteotomy
      corrects severe deformity in CCV with improved clinical and radiographic
      outcomes. HEA and NSA are the most reliable radiographic measurements of proximal
      femoral deformity in CCV. Recurrence is not uncommon, but no predictors were
      identified. Many patients have persistent gait abnormalities and functional
      impairment at long-term follow-up, regardless of prior treatment. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective cohort.

PMID- 27261967
TI  - Chronic C1-C2 Rotatory Subluxation Reduced by C1 Lateral Mass Screws and C2
      Translaminar Screws: A Case Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: C1-C2 rotatory subluxation can result from a variety or etiologies.
      Pediatric patients are particularly susceptible to C1-C2 rotatory subluxation. If
      left untreated the condition is termed an atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF)
      and chronic neck pain and deformity can result. Patients failing conservative
      treatment or those with recurrent or chronic rotatory subluxation may require
      halo treatment or surgical intervention. This illustrative case report is about a
      patient with chronic C1-C2 AARF who was treated with C1 lateral mass screws and
      C2 translaminar screws, a treatment that has not been addressed by this technique
      in a pediatric population. METHODS: This is a retrospective case review. RESULTS:
      After an unsuccessful attempt at reduction, an 11-year-old girl underwent surgery
      to treat her C1-C2 AARF. Through an all posterior approach, screws were placed
      bilaterally into the C1 lateral masses followed by the placement of C2
      translaminar screws bilaterally. A small amount of distraction was applied
      through the screw construct to open up the C1-C2 articulation and the AARF was
      open reduced and fused. A detailed postoperative computed tomographic scan
      focused on the occiput C1-C2 joint confirmed the anatomical reduction of the
      joint complex. CONCLUSIONS: The patient had cosmetically pleasing relief of her
      torticollis and was doing well at 60 months after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Level IV.

PMID- 27261968
TI  - Age Predicts Disruption of the Articular Surface of the Femoral Condyles in Knee
      OCD: Can We Reduce Usage of Arthroscopy and MRI?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine if patient age could
      accurately identify disrupted articular cartilage overlying an osteochondritis
      dissecans (OCD) lesion of the femoral condyle in adolescents. This could have
      important implications for imaging and treatment decisions. METHODS: All patients
      from 2001 to 2014 who were arthroscopically treated for a femoral condyle OCD
      were included in this Institutional Review Board-approved study. Exclusion
      criteria were trochlear and patellar OCD lesions, idiopathic arthritis, and
      traumatic osteochondral injuries. Arthroscopy was performed to visualize and
      probe the articular surface. Arthroscopic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      findings were recorded as "intact" or "disrupted" cartilage. Extra-articular
      drilling was performed when the articular cartilage was intact. RESULTS: There
      were 119 patients (81 male, 68%) with 139 OCD lesions in 136 knees. The mean age
      at time of surgery was 13.0 years (range, 7.2 to 19.3 y). At arthroscopy, 115
      knees had intact cartilage and 24 had disrupted cartilage. There was a
      significant difference in age between patients with intact versus disrupted
      cartilage at arthroscopy (12.5 vs. 15.3 y; P<0.0001). Eighty-eight OCD lesions
      had MRIs preoperatively, showing 69 as intact and 19 (24%) disrupted. MRI reading
      for cartilage status had 94% sensitivity and 97% specificity. Multivariable
      regression analysis revealed that age (P<0.01) and MRI status (P<0.0001) were
      strong predictors of cartilage status. Sixteen years was the critical age in
      which both sensitivity was maximized and false positive probability was
      minimized. Over the age of 17 years, 7 of 7 (100%) had disrupted cartilage. Age
      alone was 100% sensitive for children below the age of 10, and 96% sensitive
      below the age of 13. CONCLUSIONS: Age was a good predictor of cartilage status in
      both younger (<13 y) and older (>=17 y) patients in this study. For patients in
      the mid-range group (13 through 16 y), age alone is not an adequate predictor of
      cartilage status, but adding MRI increased accuracy. SIGNIFICANCE: Age can be
      used to stratify patients and thereby influence diagnostic and treatment
      strategies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

PMID- 27261969
TI  - Incidence of and Risk Factors for Loss of 1 Blood Volume During Spinal Fusion
      Surgery in Patients With Cerebral Palsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spinal fusion surgery is associated with greater blood loss in
      patients with cerebral palsy (CP) than in patients with adolescent idiopathic
      scoliosis. Risk factors for loss of 1 blood volume (LOBV) in patients with CP
      have not been well studied. We investigated the incidence of and risk factors for
      LOBV during spinal fusion surgery in young patients with CP. METHODS: We queried
      a multicenter registry of CP patients for all patients 21 years or younger who
      had undergone spinal fusion from 2008 through 2013; 272 patients met these
      criteria. We analyzed data on patient characteristics, preoperative laboratory
      values, radiographic measures, and surgical characteristics. For univariate
      analysis, we used chi tests and logistic regression models. Factors that were
      significant in the univariate analysis were used to construct a multivariate
      logistic regression model. Significance was set at P<0.01. RESULTS: Incidence of
      LOBV was 39.7%. On multivariate analysis, unit rod construct and coronal curve
      magnitude were significantly associated with LOBV (P<0.01). The multivariate
      model accounted for 32.2% of variance in LOBV. Compared with patients with
      pedicle screw-rod constructs, patients with unit rod constructs had 12.6-fold
      higher odds of LOBV (P<0.01). For each 1-degree increase in coronal curve
      magnitude, odds of LOBV increased 1.03-fold (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients
      with CP, there is a substantial risk of LOBV during spinal fusion surgery. Use of
      unit rod constructs and greater preoperative coronal curves were significant risk
      factors for LOBV during surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

PMID- 27261970
TI  - Early MRI Detection and Closed Bone Graft Epiphysiodesis May Alter the Course of
      Avascular Necrosis Following Unstable Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) has an increased
      incidence of avascular necrosis (AVN). Early identification and surgical
      intervention for AVN may help preserve the femoral head. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed 48 patients (50 hips) with unstable SCFE managed between
      2000 and 2014. AVN was diagnosed based on 2 different postoperative protocols.
      Seventeen patients (17 hips) had a scheduled magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      between 1 and 6 months from initial surgery, and the remaining 31 patients (33
      hips) were evaluated by plain radiographs alone. If AVN was diagnosed, we offered
      core decompression and closed bone graft epiphysiodesis (CBGE) to mitigate its
      affects. At final follow-up, we assessed progression of AVN using the Steinberg
      classification. RESULTS: Overall 13 hips (26%) with unstable SCFEs developed AVN.
      MRI revealed AVN in 7 of 17 hips (41%) at a mean of 2.5 months postoperatively
      (range, 1.0 to 5.2 mo). Six hips diagnosed by MRI received surgical intervention
      (4 CBGE, 1 free vascularized fibula graft, and 1 repinning due to screw cutout)
      at a mean of 4.1 months (range, 1.3 to 7.2 mo) postoperatively. None of the 4
      patients treated with CBGE within 2 months postoperatively progressed to stage
      IVC AVN. The 2 patients treated after 4 months postoperatively both progressed to
      stage VC AVN.Plain radiographs demonstrated AVN in 6 of 33 hips (18%) at a mean
      of 6.8 months postoperatively (range, 2.1 to 21.1 mo). One patient diagnosed with
      stage IVB AVN at 2.4 months had screw cutout and received CBGE at 2.5 months from
      initial pinning. The remaining 5 were not offered surgical intervention. Five of
      the 6 radiographically diagnosed AVN, including the 1 treated with CBGE,
      progressed to stage IVC AVN or greater. CONCLUSIONS: Although all patients with
      positive MRI scans developed radiographic AVN, none of the 4 patients treated
      with CBGE within 2 months after pinning developed grade IVC or greater AVN. Early
      MRI detection and CBGE may mitigate the effects of AVN after SCFE. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective comparative study.

PMID- 27261971
TI  - Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes After Submuscular Plating (SMP) of Pediatric
      Femoral Shaft Fractures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate lower extremity strength and alignment among children who
      underwent submuscular plating (SMP). METHODS: Subjects who underwent SMP for a
      length unstable femoral fracture returned for isokinetic strength testing >=2
      years after surgery. Extensor and flexor strength deficits (percent difference)
      between the operative and nonoperative limbs were evaluated. Radiographic
      measurements of mechanical alignment [anatomic lateral distal femoral angle
      (aLDFA)] and qualitative measurements (The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection
      Instrument, PODCI) were obtained from all subjects. The upper 97.5% confidence
      interval approach to establishing clinical equivalency was utilized to compare
      differences in strength and alignment between the operative and nonoperative
      limbs. An extensor strength deficit of >19% and an aLDFA discrepancy of >5
      degrees were considered to be clinically significant. RESULTS: The average age at
      surgery of the 10 subjects included in the study was 8.7 years. The hardware was
      placed an average of 27.9 mm from the distal femoral physis and was removed 6.4
      months postsurgery. Among all subjects, the median PODCI scores were >=97
      according to all subscales. There was no significant difference in extension
      torque between the operative versus nonoperative limbs at 60 degrees/s
      (P=0.5400), 120 degrees/s (P=0.4214), or 180 degrees/s (P=0.8166). More
      importantly, extension strength deficits between the operative and nonoperative
      limbs were not clinically significant at 60 degrees/s [upper 97.5% confidence
      interval (CI), 10.9%], 120 degrees/s (upper 97.5% CI, 11.0%), or 180 degrees/s
      (upper 97.5% CI, 10.7%). The difference in aLDFA between the operative and
      nonoperative limb was less than the predefined clinically significant threshold
      of 5 degrees for all subjects. CONCLUSIONS: SMP achieves satisfactory clinical
      and functional results. In this series, extensor strength deficits and/or lower
      extremity malalignment were not clinically meaningful. High patient satisfaction
      can be expected after implant removal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

PMID- 27261972
TI  - Detection of Femoral Neck Fractures in Pediatric Patients With Femoral Shaft
      Fractures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ipsilateral femoral neck fractures occur in 1% to 9% of adult trauma
      patients with femoral shaft fractures making dedicated imaging important. This is
      not as clear in children. Our purpose is to establish the incidence of
      ipsilateral femoral neck fractures in children with femoral shaft fractures and
      to provide recommendations regarding diagnostic imaging protocols. METHODS: A
      retrospective analysis of medical records was performed for pediatric patients
      (below 18 y) with femoral shaft fractures seen at our trauma center over a 10
      year period. Mechanism of injury, associated injuries, procedures, and follow-up
      data were collected, and all radiographs reviewed. Exclusion criteria included
      peri-implant fractures or evidence of pathologic fracture. A similar
      retrospective analysis was performed in a cohort of adult patients. RESULTS: Of
      267 pediatric patients with femoral shaft fractures, 2 patients (0.7%) had
      ipsilateral femoral neck fractures. One femoral neck fracture was detected on
      initial plain radiographs and the other on a pelvic computed tomography (CT)
      scan. Both of these fractures resulted from high-energy trauma, which accounted
      for 92 (42%) of pediatric femoral shaft fractures. The cohort of 100 adults aged
      18 to 89 years with femoral shaft fractures revealed 6 adult patients (6%) with
      ipsilateral femoral neck fractures, all from high-energy trauma. High-energy
      trauma accounted for 85% of the adult femoral shaft fractures, and was more
      common than in the pediatric population (P<0.005). The difference in incidence of
      ipsilateral femoral neck fracture between the pediatric (0.7%) and the adult
      group (6%) was significant (P=0.007). No missed or delayed diagnoses were
      identified. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of associated ipsilateral femoral neck
      fracture in pediatric patients with femoral shaft fracture is very low (0.7%).
      Most (58%) pediatric femur fractures are caused by low-energy trauma. We were
      unable to demonstrate a need for routine CT scanning of the femoral neck in
      children with femoral shaft fractures. Given the increased risks of radiation
      exposure with younger and smaller patients, it does not appear that routine CT
      scanning low-energy pediatric femoral shaft fractures to evaluate for femoral
      neck fractures is justified unless there is a high level of clinical suspicion.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

PMID- 27261974
TI  - Novel sequence variations in the thymidine phosphorylase gene causing
      mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy.

PMID- 27261973
TI  - Mutations in the Na(+)/citrate cotransporter NaCT (SLC13A5) in pediatric patients
      with epilepsy and developmental delay.
AB  - Mutations in the SLC13A5 gene that codes for the Na(+)/citrate cotransporter,
      NaCT, are associated with early onset epilepsy, developmental delay and tooth
      dysplasia in children. In the present study we identify additional SLC13A5
      mutations in nine epilepsy patients from six families. To better characterize the
      syndrome, families with affected children answered questions about the scope of
      illness and treatment strategies. There are currently no effective treatments,
      but some anti-epileptic drugs targeting the GABA system reduce seizure frequency.
      Acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and atypical anti-seizure
      medication decreases seizures in 4 patients. In contrast to previous reports, the
      ketogenic diet and fasting produce worsening of symptoms. The effects of the
      mutations on NaCT transport function and protein expression were examined by
      transient transfections of COS-7 cells. There was no transport activity from any
      of the mutant transporters, although some of the mutant transporter proteins were
      present on the plasma membrane. The structural model of NaCT suggests that these
      mutations can affect helix packing or substrate binding. We tested various
      treatments, including chemical chaperones and low temperatures, but none improve
      transport function in the NaCT mutants. Interestingly, coexpression of NaCT and
      the mutants results in decreased protein expression and activity of the wild-type
      transporter, indicating functional interaction. In conclusion, our study has
      identified additional SLC13A5 mutations in patients with chronic epilepsy
      starting in the neonatal period, with the mutations producing inactive
      Na(+)/citrate transporters.

PMID- 27261975
TI  - Effects of mindfulness-based therapy for patients with breast cancer: A
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effects of mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) on physical
      health, psychological health and quality of life (QOL) in patients with breast
      cancer. METHOD: Studies were identified through a systematic search of six
      electronic databases. Randomized control trials (RCTs) examining the effects of
      MBT, versus a control group receiving no intervention on physical health,
      psychological health and QOL in breast cancer patients were included. Two authors
      independently assessed the methodological quality of included studies using a
      quality-scoring instrument developed by Jadad et al. and extracted relevant
      information according to a predesigned extraction form. Data was analysed using
      the Cochrane Collaboration's Revman5.1. RESULT: Finally, seven studies involving
      951 patients were included. While limited in power, the results of meta-analysis
      indicated a positive effect of MBT in reducing anxiety [SMD -0.31, 95% CI -0.46
      to -0.16, P<0.0001], depression[SMD -1.13, 95% CI -1.85 to -0.41, P=0.002], fear
      of recurrence[SMD -0.71, 95% CI -1.05 to -0.38, P<0.0001], and fatigue[SMD -0.88,
      95% CI -1.71 to -0.05, P=0.04] associated with breast cancer, and improving
      emotional well-being [SMD 0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.58, P=0.0001], physical
      function[SMD 0.42, 95% CI 0.19-0.65, P=0.0004], and physical health [SMD 0.31,
      95% CI 0.08-0.54, P=0.009] in these patients. Although the effects on stress,
      spirituality, pain and sleep were in the expected direction, they were not
      statistically significant (P>0.05). Moreover, there is limited evidence from a
      narrative synthesis that MBT can improve QOL of breast cancer patients.
      CONCLUSION: The present data indicate that MBT is a promising adjunctive therapy
      for patients with breast cancer. Due to some methodological flaws in the
      literature, further well-designed RCTs with large sample sizes are needed to
      confirm these preliminary estimates of effectiveness.

PMID- 27261976
TI  - A systematic review of acupuncture for sleep quality in people with insomnia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture is widely used in Asia and increasingly in Western
      countries. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the
      effects of acupuncture for insomnia. METHODS: We identified randomized controlled
      trials from English and Chinese databases. Data were extracted using a predefined
      form and analysed using RevMan 5.2. We included studies that compared acupuncture
      to sham/placebo, standard pharmacotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Risk
      of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary outcome
      was sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS:
      A total of 30 studies involving 2363 participants were included. Acupuncture
      point combinations included the use of at least one of the recommended points for
      insomnia, HT7, GV20, SP6. Pharmacotherapy control was used in 27 studies and
      sham/placebo in three studies. Cognitive behavioral therapy was not used in any
      of the studies. Pharmacotherapies in all studies were benzodiazepine receptor
      agonists, except for one that used an antidepressant. Acupuncture was superior to
      sham/placebo in terms of PSQI (MD -0.79, 95% CI -1.38, -0.19, I(2)=49%).
      Acupuncture was also more effective than pharmacotherapy (MD -2.76, 95% CI -3.67,
      -1.85, I(2)=94%). Most studies were at risk of bias. Some mild adverse events
      were reported but they were not causally related to the acupuncture treatments.
      CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture compared to sham/placebo and pharmacotherapy showed
      statistically significant results. However, the evidence is limited by bias in
      the included studies and heterogeneity. Well-designed studies are needed to
      confirm the results identified in this review.

PMID- 27261977
TI  - Oral Chinese herbal medicine in combination with phototherapy for vitiligo: A
      systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of oral Chinese herbal
      medicine (CHM) combined with phototherapy for vitiligo. METHODS: We undertook a
      meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and searched eight
      bibliographic databases from inception to December 2015. RESULTS: A total of 5
      RCTs with 513 participants which assessed the efficacy of oral CHM in combination
      with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in treating vitiligo were included. The
      meta-analysis revealed a superior effectiveness in those receiving oral CHM plus
      NB-UVB when compared to phototherapy alone (risk difference 0.22, 95% confidence
      interval 0.14 to 0.29, P<0.00001). Only mild adverse events were reported without
      significant renal or liver function impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence
      demonstrates that oral CHM in combination with NB-UVB has a superior
      effectiveness in terms of repigmentation rate of vitiligo when compared to NB-UVB
      alone. Although the overall quality of included trials was low, oral CHM in
      combination with NB-UVB may be an alternative option of treatment for vitiligo.
      As to safety, there were only mild adverse events reported without significant
      renal or liver function impairment. However, there is limited available evidence
      of long-term follow-up and poor methodological quality of the available trials.
      Well-designed RCTs of adequate length and sample size that include life quality
      as an outcome are warranted.

PMID- 27261978
TI  - Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture and myofascial trigger needling: The
      same stimulation points?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acupuncture originates in China, and its effectiveness has been well
      documented in musculoskeletal pain disorders and other conditions. A widely
      accepted contemporary medical treatment option for myofascial pain is trigger
      point needling. Although there are many differences between Traditional Chinese
      Medicine acupuncture theory and the myofascial trigger point needling framework,
      it is argued that the stimulation sites for these two needling modalities are
      similar. DISCUSSION: In this paper we examined the correspondence between
      Traditional Chinese Medicine acupoints and myofascial trigger points. Based on
      this correspondence, we considered exploration of Ah-shi points from four
      aspects: pain recognition, distal Ah-shi points, Anti-Ah-shi points, and
      management approaches. SUMMARY: The extent of correspondence is influenced by
      definitions of acupoints. Myofascial trigger points are significantly correlated
      to Traditional Chinese Medicine acupoints, including primary channel acupoints,
      extra acupoints, and Ah-shi points. Considering the correlation between MTrPs and
      acupoints and the rarely-studied research area of Ah-shi points, it may be
      reasonable to incorporate research findings of myofascial trigger points into
      further investigations into Ah-shi points. Correspondence between myofascial
      trigger points and acupoints enhances contemporary understanding of the mechanism
      of action of acupuncture, and may serve to facilitate increased integration of
      acupuncture into clinical management.

PMID- 27261979
TI  - Effects of progressive muscle relaxation on cerebral activity: An fMRI
      investigation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is one of the self-management
      relaxation techniques that can be used in the general population and patients
      with specific issues. However, no study to date has revealed the brain activity
      associated with PMR. Therefore, we assessed the changes in brain activity induced
      by PMR using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). DESIGN AND SETTING: We
      conducted an intervention study with PMR and control sessions. The subjects were
      twelve healthy adult men who had no prior experience of PMR. INTERVENTIONS:
      Subjects performed a control session in which muscles were repeatedly simply
      tensed and relaxed. Subsequently, a PMR session took place, during which muscle
      tension was reduced through a systematic procedure of tensing and relaxing of
      muscle groups combined with structured breathing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We
      identified and visualised brain activity based on individual and group-level
      analysis of fMRI data. RESULTS: Eleven subjects' data were analysed. In the
      control session, brain activity broadly changed, while the change was limited to
      specific parts of the cerebral cortex and limbic system in the PMR session. PMR
      gradually decreased activity in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG), inferior
      frontal gyrus (IFG), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). In a region of
      interest (ROI) analysis, interactions between sessions were observed in the
      putamen, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), postcentral gyrus (PCG), and insula.
      CONCLUSIONS: That PMR led to few areas showing changed activity suggests that the
      technique may suppress brain activity. Even novices may be able to induce such a
      focused mental state.

PMID- 27261980
TI  - The effects of footbath on sleep among the older adults in nursing home: A quasi
      experimental study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the long-term effects of foot-bathing therapy, using
      different water temperatures, on the sleep quality of older adults living in
      nursing homes. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study design with non-equivalent
      control group. SETTINGS: Thirty participants were recruited from a nursing home
      in Gyeong-gi Province, South Korea. INTERVENTIONS: The participants were randomly
      assigned to experimental, placebo, and control groups. The foot-bathing therapy
      was performed for 30min daily for four weeks. Water at 40 degrees C was used for
      the experimental group, while water at 36.5 degrees C was used for the placebo
      group. The control group did not receive any intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      The participants' sleep patterns (total sleep amount, sleep efficiency, and sleep
      latency) and sleep-disturbed behaviors were compared based on group, using
      actigraphy and a sleep disorder inventory. RESULTS: The total amount of sleep and
      sleep efficiency were significantly different for the experimental group,
      especially those with poor sleep quality. There were no differences in sleep
      latency or sleep-disturbed behaviors among the groups. The long-term effect of
      the therapy decreased in the third week of the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Daily, 30
      min foot-bathing therapy sessions with water at 40 degrees C were effective in
      improving sleep quality for older adults. The therapy was more effective for
      participants with poor sleep quality at baseline assessment than those with
      relatively good sleep quality. The long-term effects of foot-bathing therapy
      decreased three weeks after initiation; therefore, it might be desirable to
      deliver the therapy for two weeks, pause it for a week, and then resume it.

PMID- 27261981
TI  - Effect of oil pulling in promoting oro dental hygiene: A systematic review of
      randomized clinical trials.
AB  - AIM: To critically appraise and evaluate the evidence from randomized clinical
      trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of oil pulling on oro dental hygiene.
      METHODS: We conducted electronic searches in Medline, Embase, Amed, The Cochrane
      Library and Cinahl databases from inception to February 2015, and assessed
      reporting quality using the Cochrane risk of bias criteria. We included RCTs that
      compared oil pulling using conventional cooking oils with a control intervention.
      Our primary outcomes were measures of oro dental hygiene using validated scales.
      RESULTS: Electronic searches yielded 26 eligible studies, of which five RCTs
      comprising a total of 160 participants were included. The studies varied in
      reporting quality, lasted between 10 and 45 days, and compared oil pulling with
      chlorhexidine, placebo or routine dental hygiene practice. Three studies reported
      no significant differences in post intervention plaque index scores between oil
      pulling and control groups (Chlorhexidine mouthwash +/- Placebo): p=0.28, 0.94,
      and 0.38, respectively. Two studies reported no significant difference in post
      intervention modified gingival index score between oil pulling and Chlorhexidine
      mouthwash groups (p=0.32 and 0.64). CONCLUSION: The limited evidence to date from
      clinical trials suggests that oil pulling may have beneficial effects on oro
      dental hygiene as seen for the short period of time investigated. Given that this
      is a potentially cost-effective intervention, this practice might be of
      particular benefit. Future clinical trials should be more rigorous and better
      reported.

PMID- 27261982
TI  - Synergistic effect of moxibustion and rehabilitation training in functional
      recovery of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic benefit of combining moxibustion and
      rehabilitation training for functional recovery in post-stroke spastic hemiplegic
      patients. METHODS: We randomly divided 84 cases subjecting to inclusion criteria
      into moxibustion plus rehabilitation training group (MRT group, n=44) and
      rehabilitation training group (RT group, n=40). Evaluation of therapeutic effect
      was observed before treatment, 2 weeks during treatment and 6 months after
      treatment. Spasticity was evaluated using modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and
      Clinical Spasticity Index (CSI), recovery of motor function was assessed by
      Brunnstrom recovery stages and Simplified Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale, and performance
      of activities of daily living (ADL) was measured, and the quality of life was
      assessed by Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO). RESULTS: Evaluation of upper limbs,
      hands and lower limbs based on CSI and MAS revealed significant improvements in
      patients treated with MRT, compared to RT alone, both during and after therapy.
      CSI and MAS also showed significant improvement in patients at each time point in
      the MRT group, compared to RT group. Marked improvement in Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale
      was also observed in MRT group at each time point. Based on Brunnstrom grades of
      upper limbs, hands and lower limbs, significant differences between the two
      groups were recorded at all time points during and after therapy. Barthel index
      (BI) and PRO also confirmed the dramatic differences between the two therapy
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that combination therapy with
      moxibustion and rehabilitation training offers greater clinical benefits in
      relieving spasticity, promoting function recovery of motion, improving the
      performance of ADL, and increasing quality of life in post-stroke spastic
      hemiplegic patients, compared to RT alone.

PMID- 27261983
TI  - Auricular acupuncture diagnosis in patients with lumbar hernia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Auricular Acupuncture Diagnosis is a diagnostic method which is
      essential for the topographic identification on the auricle of the anatomical
      parts of the body carrying a particular ailment or dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To
      identify the specific zones related to lumbar hernia in patients treated with a
      series of epidural infiltrations with corticosteroids. METHODS: In a consecutive
      group of thirty patients with lumbar hernia 2 diagnostic methods used in
      Auricular Acupuncture Diagnosis, Pain Pressure Test and Electric Skin Resistance
      Test, were applied before the first infiltration (T0), before the second and the
      third infiltration (T1, T2) and one week after the third infiltration (T3). The
      parameters, whose variations were analyzed at T0-T3, were the following: the
      number of points identified; the intensity of pain on a verbal rating scale and
      the foot-hand distance in cm with bent spine and extended knees. The identified
      points were reported on the Auricular Sectogram which is a validated graphic
      system suitable for a correct transcription of the points and indicated for a
      statistical analysis of their distribution on the different sectors. RESULTS: A
      significant association was found for some auricular areas, along the series of
      epidural infiltrations, with a progressive reduction in the number of tender and
      low electrical resistance points together with a decrease of pain and hand-foot
      distance. CONCLUSIONS: The auricular zones found with Auricular Acupuncture
      Diagnosis in our group of patients seem of clinical relevance and could be
      included in the complementary treatment of lumbar-sciatic pain in lumbar hernia.

PMID- 27261985
TI  - Osteopathic manipulative treatment in gynecology and obstetrics: A systematic
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the review was to evaluate the effects of the osteopathic
      manipulative treatment (OMT) on women with gynaecological and obstetric
      disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive search from inception to April
      2014 was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane library using MeSH and free
      terms. Clinical studies investigating the effect of OMT in gynaecologic and
      obstetric conditions were included as well as unpublished works. Reviews and
      personal contributions were excluded. Studies were screened for population,
      outcome, results and adverse effects by two independent reviewers using an ad-hoc
      data extraction form. The high heterogeneity of the studies led to a narrative
      review. RESULTS: 24 studies were included (total sample=1840), addressing back
      pain and low back functioning in pregnancy, pain and drug use during labor and
      delivery, infertility and subfertility, dysmenorrhea, symptoms of (peri)menopause
      and pelvic pain. Overall, OMT can be considered effective on pregnancy related
      back pain but uncertain in all other gynaecological and obstetrical conditions.
      Only three studies (12.5%) mentioned adverse events after OMT. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although positive effects were found, the heterogeneity of study designs, the low
      number of studies and the high risk of bias of included trials prevented any
      indication on the effect of osteopathic care. Further investigation with more
      pragmatic methodology, better and detailed description of interventions and
      systematic reporting of adverse events are recommended in order to obtain solid
      and generalizable results.

PMID- 27261984
TI  - A yoga & exercise randomized controlled trial for vasomotor symptoms: Effects on
      heart rate variability.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects the integration of the
      parasympathetic nervous system with the rest of the body. Studies on the effects
      of yoga and exercise on HRV have been mixed but suggest that exercise increases
      HRV. We conducted a secondary analysis of the effect of yoga and exercise on HRV
      based on a randomized clinical trial of treatments for vasomotor symptoms in
      peri/post-menopausal women. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial of behavioral
      interventions in women with vasomotor symptoms (n=335), 40-62 years old from
      three clinical study sites. INTERVENTIONS: 12-weeks of a yoga program, designed
      specifically for mid-life women, or a supervised aerobic exercise-training
      program with specific intensity and energy expenditure goals, compared to a usual
      activity group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time and frequency domain HRV measured at
      baseline and at 12 weeks for 15min using Holter monitors. RESULTS: Women had a
      median of 7.6 vasomotor symptoms per 24h. Time and frequency domain HRV measures
      did not change significantly in either of the intervention groups compared to the
      change in the usual activity group. HRV results did not differ when the analyses
      were restricted to post-menopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: Although yoga and exercise
      have been shown to increase parasympathetic-mediated HRV in other populations,
      neither intervention increased HRV in middle-aged women with vasomotor symptoms.
      Mixed results in previous research may be due to sample differences. Yoga and
      exercise likely improve short-term health in middle-aged women through mechanisms
      other than HRV.

PMID- 27261986
TI  - Effectiveness of focused meditation for patients with chronic low back pain-A
      randomized controlled clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week meditation
      program (focused meditation) in patients with chronic low-back pain. DESIGN: A
      randomized clinical trial was conducted on 68 patients (55 years;75% female) with
      chronic low-back pain who scored >40mm on a 100mm Visual-Analogue-Scale. Subjects
      were allocated to an 8-week meditation program (focused meditation) with weekly
      75min classes or to a self-care exercise program with a wait-list offer for
      meditation. Both groups were instructed to practice at home. Outcomes were
      assessed baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the
      change in mean back pain at rest after 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes included
      function, pain-related bothersomeness, perceived stress, quality-of-life (QOL),
      and psychological outcomes. RESULTS: Twelve (meditation) and 4 (exercise)
      patients were lost to follow-up. The primary outcome, pain at rest after 8 weeks,
      was reduced from 59.3+/-13.9mm to 40.8+/-21.8mm with meditation vs. 52.9+/-11.8mm
      to 37.3+/-18.2mm with exercise (adjusted group difference: -1.4
      (95%CI:11.6;8.8;p=n.s.) Perceived stress was significantly more reduced with
      meditation (p=0.011). No significant treatment effects were found for other
      secondary outcomes as pain-related bothersomeness, function, quality-of-life and
      psychological scores, although the meditation group consistently showed non
      significant better improvements compared to the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS:
      Focused meditation and self-care exercise lead to comparable, symptomatic
      improvements in patients with chronic low back pain. Future studies should
      include longer-term follow-ups and develop guided meditation programs to support
      compliance.

PMID- 27261987
TI  - Mindfulness-based yoga intervention for women with depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a 12-week
      mindfulness-based yoga intervention on depressive symptoms and rumination among
      depressed women. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled 12 week intervention
      pilot study. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline, post-intervention (12
      weeks), and one-month follow-up. SETTING: Women with a history of diagnosed
      depression and currently depressed were randomized to a mindfulness-based yoga
      condition or a walking control. INTERVENTIONS: The mindfulness-based yoga
      intervention consisted of a home-based yoga asana, pranayama and meditation
      practice with mindfulness education sessions delivered over the telephone. The
      walking control condition consisted of home-based walking sessions and health
      education sessions delivered over the phone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Beck
      Depression Inventory (BDI) and Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS). RESULTS: Both
      groups reported decreases in depressive symptoms from baseline to post
      intervention, f(1,33)=34.83, p<0.001, and from baseline to one-month follow-up,
      f(1,33)=37.01, p<0.001. After controlling for baseline, there were no significant
      between group differences on depression scores at post-intervention and the one
      month follow-up assessment. The mindfulness-based yoga condition reported
      significantly lower levels of rumination than the control condition at post
      intervention, after controlling for baseline levels of rumination, f(1,31)=6.23,
      p<0.01. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that mindfulness-based yoga may
      provide tools to manage ruminative thoughts among women with elevated depressive
      symptoms. Future studies, with larger samples are needed to address the effect of
      yoga on depression and further explore the impact on rumination.

PMID- 27261989
TI  - A randomized controlled trial of two simple mind-body programs, Kirtan Kriya
      meditation and music listening, for adults with subjective cognitive decline:
      Feasibility and acceptability.
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), we assessed the
      feasibility and acceptability of two simple home-based relaxation programs in
      adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline, a strong predictor of
      Alzheimer's disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty participants were randomized to a
      beginner Kirtan Kriya meditation (KK) program or a music listening (ML) program.
      Participants were asked to practice 12min daily for the first 12 weeks, then as
      often as they liked for the following 3 months. Participants underwent
      assessments at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months to evaluate changes in key
      outcomes. Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated by measuring recruitment
      and retention rates, assessment visit attendance, practice adherence, and
      treatment expectancy; exit questionnaires completed at 12 weeks and 6 months
      provided additional data regarding participant experience with the study,
      perceived barriers to and facilitators of practice, reasons for drop-out, and
      views regarding the assigned intervention. RESULTS: Fifty-three participants
      (88%) completed the 6 month study. Adherence in both groups was excellent, with
      participants completing 93% (91% KK, 94% ML) of sessions on average in the first
      12 weeks, and 71% (68% KK, 74% ML) during the 3 month, practice-optional, follow
      up period. At week 12, over 80% of participants indicated they were likely to
      continue practicing following study completion. Responses to both structured and
      open-ended exit questionnaire items also suggested high satisfaction with both
      programs. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this RCT of a beginner meditation practice and
      a simple ML program suggest that both programs were well accepted and the
      practices are feasible in adults with early memory loss.

PMID- 27261988
TI  - Effects of Buddhist walking meditation on glycemic control and vascular function
      in patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the effects of Buddhist walking meditation
      and traditional walking on glycemic control and vascular function in patients
      with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Twenty three patients with type 2
      diabetes (50-75 years) were randomly allocated into traditional walking exercise
      (WE; n=11) or Buddhism-based walking meditation exercise (WM; n=12). Both groups
      performed a 12-week exercise program that consisted of walking on the treadmill
      at exercise intensity of 50-70% maximum heart rate for 30min/session, 3
      times/week. In the WM training program, the participants performed walking on the
      treadmill while concentrated on foot stepping by voiced "Budd" and "Dha" with
      each foot step that contacted the floor to practice mindfulness while walking.
      RESULTS: After 12 weeks, maximal oxygen consumption increased and fasting blood
      glucose level decreased significantly in both groups (p<0.05). Significant
      decrease in HbA1c and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed
      only in the WM group. Flow-mediated dilatation increased significantly (p<0.05)
      in both exercise groups but arterial stiffness was improved only in the WM group.
      Blood cortisol level was reduced (p<0.05) only in the WM group. CONCLUSION:
      Buddhist walking meditation exercise produced a multitude of favorable effects,
      often superior to traditional walking program, in patients with type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27261990
TI  - Use of electronic personal health records (PHRs) for complementary and
      alternative medicine (CAM) disclosure: Implications for integrative health care.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To test a hypothesis that patients' use of Internet-based personal
      health records (PHRs) will be positively related to their disclosure of their CAM
      use to medical doctors, controlling for covariates' effects (e.g., health, human
      capital, and demographics), and to examine the factors influencing patients' CAM
      use disclosures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: We analyzed data in a
      subsample of CAM users who used both the internet and healthcare services
      (n=1457) from the Health Information National Trends Survey, a nationally
      representative study of U.S. adults (>=18), by using a multivariate logistic
      analysis. RESULTS: Among the subsample, 52.7% disclosed their use of CAM to their
      doctors and 19.3% used PHRs. Both the bivariate (64.1% vs. 35.9%, p<0.01) and
      multivariate (beta=0.558, SE=0.220, OR=1.75, p<0.05) analyses revealed a positive
      relationship between PHR use and CAM use disclosure. Other significant factors
      for CAM use disclosure included being older, being a female, having insurance,
      and having regular source of care. Particularly, foreign-born adults had
      significantly lower odds of disclosing their CAM use than U.S.-born adults.
      CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients' PHR use facilitated their disclosure of CAM
      use to medical doctors. To ensure integrative healthcare and integrative medicine
      in the healthcare sector and optimum care for patients, education for CAM users
      regarding PHR adoption is encouraged. Next-generation PHR designs should consider
      incorporating domains for CAM data that allow patients to store CAM data and also
      incorporating 'intelligent' PHRs, whose contents can be converted into the
      patient's first language.

PMID- 27261991
TI  - Dancer perceptions of the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits of
      modern styles of partnered dancing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study dancers' perceptions of the physical, cognitive, affective,
      and social benefits of partnered dancing. METHOD: 225 dancers (71% female) were
      recruited through a community ballroom dance center and completed an online
      survey designed to measure their perceptions of the physical, cognitive,
      affective, and social benefits of modern, partnered dance styles (swing, Lindy
      Hop, and ballroom dancing). Subgroups were formed for analyses. For one set of
      analyses, groups based on length of dance participation were formed: experienced
      (dancing for more than 2 years) or novice (dancing for less than a year) dancers.
      For another set of analyses, groups based on frequency of dance practice were
      formed: committed (dancing at least one or more times per week) or occasional
      (dancing two or fewer times per month). RESULTS: The majority of participants
      reported perceived benefits in physical fitness, cognition, affect, and social
      functioning. Experienced dancers reported significantly greater self-perceived
      physical, social, and cognitive benefits than novice dancers. Committed dancers
      were more likely than occasional dancers to report improvements in physical
      fitness, U=6942, z=2.38, r=0.16, p<0.05. A Mann-Whitney test indicated that self
      reported improvements in mood (i.e., feeling less depressed and more happy) were
      greater for women than for men, U=3945, z=-3.07, r=0.20, p<0.001. Length and
      frequency of dance participation significantly predicted perceived physical
      benefits [Chi(2) (1,6)=35.463, p <0.001, R(2)=0.16] and social benefits [Chi(2)
      (1,6)=15.776, p<0.05, R(2)=0.07], but not cognitive benefits. CONCLUSIONS:
      Results suggest that participation in partnered dance styles is associated with
      perceived improvements in physical fitness, cognitive functioning, social
      functioning, mood, and self-confidence, and that perceived benefits may increase
      as individuals dance more frequently and over longer periods of time.

PMID- 27261992
TI  - The relationship between yoga involvement, mindfulness and psychological well
      being.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine how different levels of yoga
      involvement are related to different parameters of mental health and illness.
      DESIGN AND SETTING: A total sample of 455 participants (410 females) were
      investigated by means of an internet survey. 362 yoga practitioners (327 females)
      rated their degree of yoga involvement on the Yoga Immersion Scale. A control
      group was comprised of 93 gymnastics practitioners (83 females). MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: All participants completed the Multidimensional Inventory for
      Religious/Spiritual Well-Being, the Freiburger Mindfulness Inventory and the
      Brief Symptom Inventory for psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS: Highly involved yoga
      practitioners exhibited a significantly increased amount of mindfulness and
      religious/spiritual well-being (both p<0.01) and lower psychiatric symptoms such
      as depression (p<0.01) compared to those who were only marginally/moderately yoga
      involved or who were in the gymnastics control group. CONCLUSIONS: In accordance
      with the literature, yoga practice might have its biggest impact on mental health
      when it is part of a practitioner's worldview. Further research focusing on the
      impact of yoga involvement in clinical groups is encouraged.

PMID- 27261993
TI  - Hatha Yoga practice decreases menopause symptoms and improves quality of life: A
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Yoga practice includes a group of specific psychophysical techniques.
      Although previous studies showed beneficial effects of yoga for health and
      rehabilitation, improving quality of life, there are few studies on the possible
      therapeutic application of yoga during the climacteric period. The purpose of
      this study was to investigate the psychophysiological effects of Hatha Yoga
      regular practice in post-menopausal women. METHODS: Eighty-eight post-menopausal
      women volunteered for this 12-week trial. They were randomly assigned to one of
      three groups: control (no intervention), exercise, and yoga. Questionnaires were
      applied in order to evaluate climacteric syndrome (Menopause Rating Scale),
      stress (Lipp Stress Symptom Inventory), quality of life (Brief World Health
      Organization Quality of Life), depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and anxiety
      (State/Trait Anxiety Inventories). Physiological changes were evaluated through
      hormone levels (cortisol, FSH, LH, progesterone and estradiol). RESULTS: At 12
      weeks, yoga practitioners showed statistically lower scores for menopausal
      symptoms, stress levels and depression symptoms, as well as significantly higher
      scores in quality of life when compared to control and exercise groups. Only
      control group presented a significant increase in cortisol levels. The yoga and
      exercise groups showed decreased levels of FSH and LH when compared to control
      group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that yoga promotes positive
      psychophysiological changes in post-menopausal women and may be applied as a
      complementary therapy towards this population.

PMID- 27261994
TI  - Lemon balm: A promising herbal therapy for patients with borderline
      hyperlipidemia-A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Melissa officinalis is a perennial herb from the Lamiaceae family
      which has shown to have modulating effects on serum lipid profile. The aim of the
      current study is to explore the effects of M. officinalis supplementation on
      serum biochemical parameters of patients with borderline hyperlipidemia. METHODS:
      58 hyperlipidemic patients were allocated randomly to 2 groups: first group
      received capsules containing 1000mg M. officinalis leaf powder (MO group), and
      the second group received placebo capsules (P group) 3 times per day for 2
      months. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HDL, LDL, Triglyceride, Creatinine and liver
      function enzymes including AST and ALT were evaluated before and after study.
      RESULTS: The mean of LDL in MO group significantly decreased compared with P
      group after the supplementation (P=0.02). Although the level of Cholesterol, FBG,
      HDL, Triglyceride, Creatinine and ALT did not show significant difference between
      two groups after 2 months (P>=0.05), the level of AST exhibited a significant
      difference between two groups (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated
      that M. officinalis supplementation as a rich source of antioxidants and
      bioactive compounds can be effective in remission of LDL and AST levels in
      patients with borderline hyperlipidemia.

PMID- 27261995
TI  - Active versus receptive group music therapy for major depressive disorder-A pilot
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of 1) active group music therapy and 2)
      receptive group music therapy to group counseling in treatment of major
      depressive disorder (MDD). DESIGN & SETTING: On top of standard care, 14 MDD
      outpatients were randomly assigned to receive 1) active group music therapy
      (n=5), 2) receptive group music therapy (n=5), or 3) group counseling (n=4).
      There were 12 one-hour weekly group sessions in each arm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Participants were assessed at baseline, 1 month (after 4 sessions), 3 months (end
      of interventions), and 6 months. Primary outcomes were depressive scores measured
      by Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Thai version. Secondary
      outcomes were self-rated depression score and quality of life. RESULTS: At 1
      month, 3 months, and 6 months, both therapy groups showed statistically non
      significant reduction in MADRS Thai scores when compared with the control group
      (group counseling). The reduction was slightly greater in the active group than
      the receptive group. Although there were trend toward better outcomes on self
      report depression and quality of life, the differences were not statistically
      significant. CONCLUSION: Group music therapy, either active or receptive, is an
      interesting adjunctive treatment option for outpatients with MDD. The receptive
      group may reach peak therapeutic effect faster, but the active group may have
      higher peak effect. Group music therapy deserves further comprehensive studies.

PMID- 27261996
TI  - Adverse effects of homeopathy, what do we know? A systematic review and meta
      analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Homeopathy is a popular treatment modality among patient, however
      there is sparse research about adverse effects of homeopathy. A concept unique
      for homeopathy, is homeopathic aggravation that is understood as a transient
      worsening of the patients' symptoms before an expected improvement occurs. From a
      risk perspective it is vital that a distinction between homeopathic aggravations
      and adverse effects is established. There is a lack of systematic information on
      how frequent adverse effects and homeopathic aggravations are reported in
      studies. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. DESIGN
      AND SETTING: Sixteen electronic databases were searched for Randomized Controlled
      Trials (RCTs). The searches were limited from the year 1995 to January 2011.
      Forty-one RCTs, with a total of 6.055 participants were included. A subtotal of
      39 studies was included in the additional meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 28
      trials (68%) reported adverse effects and five trials (12%) reported homeopathic
      aggravations. The meta-analysis (including six subgroup comparisons) demonstrated
      that no significant difference was found between homeopathy and control with OR
      0.99, 95% CI 0.86-1.14, I(2)=54%. More than two third of the adverse effects were
      classified as grade 1 (68%) and two third were classified as grade 2 (25%) and
      grade 3 (6%) according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Effects.
      Homeopathic aggravation was classified as grade 1 (98%) and grade 3 (2%),
      suggesting that homeopathic aggravations were reported to be less severe than
      adverse effects. The methodological quality according to a method recommended in
      the Cochrane handbook for RCTs, was high. CONCLUSION: Adverse effects including
      the concept of homeopathic aggravations are commonly reported in trials. The meta
      analysis demonstrated that the proportion of patients experiencing adverse
      effects to be similar for patients randomized to homeopathic treatment compared
      to patients randomized to placebo and conventional medicine.

PMID- 27261997
TI  - Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse freeze-dried aqueous extract versus sertraline
      in the treatment of major depression: A double blind randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in the world. The
      conventional medications for depression, however, often have significant side
      effects. These adverse effects of conventional therapies, have motivated
      researchers to study alternative options including complementary and traditional
      treatments for solving the problem. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of Nepeta
      menthoides Boiss. & Buhse freeze-dried aqueous extract with sertraline in the
      treatment of major depression. DESIGN AND SETTING: From April to September of
      2015, 72 patients from two psychiatry clinics of Shiraz University of Medical
      Sciences who met the criteria for major depression based on the structured
      clinical interview as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
      Disorders, 5th edition, participated in a two-armed double-blind randomized
      controlled trial. INTERVENTION: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive Nepeta
      menthoides or sertraline for four weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were
      evaluated in terms of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) total score and
      common side effects of medications at the base line, the second and fourth weeks,
      and two weeks following the intervention (i.e. in the sixth week). RESULTS: The
      mean changes in the Beck Depression Inventory scores in Nepeta menthoides group
      were significantly higher in terms of the BDI-II scores diminution as compared to
      that of the control (p<=0.001). Two weeks follow up after intervention showed a
      lower recurrence rate in the Nepeta menthoides group (p<=0.001). CONCLUSION:
      Nepeta menthoides may have potential benefits in the control of mood in patients
      suffering from major depression. Sustention of antidepressant effect and delay in
      the recurrence of depression could be considered worthwhile using this herb.

PMID- 27261998
TI  - Efficacy and safety of Ayurvedic herbs in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel
      syndrome: A randomised controlled crossover trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Herbal medicines have been used widely for the treatment of irritable
      bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. The aim of this study is to investigate efficacy
      and safety of an Ayurvedic herbal compound preparation made from: Murraya
      koenigii (curry), Punica granatum (pomegranate) and Curcuma longa (turmeric),
      compared to a placebo in patients with diarrhoea predominant IBS. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: This trial was conducted as a randomised placebo-controlled crossover
      trial with randomised sequence of verum and placebo for each patient. Verum and
      placebo were provided as ground powders and delivered in sealed containers.
      Patients and outcome assessors were blinded. Patients were advised to ingest the
      decoction twice daily for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was IBS symptom
      intensity; secondary outcomes included: quality of life, anxiety and depression,
      compliance and safety. RESULTS: 32 IBS patients were included in the trial (19
      females, mean age 50.3+/-11.9years). Eleven people dropped out during the trial
      resulting in 37 complete verum and 35 complete placebo phases. No group
      differences were found between verum and placebo for IBS symptom intensity
      (difference 24.10; 95% CI: -17.12; 65.32, p=0.26). The same was true for
      secondary outcomes. Compliance was satisfactory to good and the preparation
      appeared to be safe, but one third of the patients registered at least one minor
      adverse event that might be related to the study interventions. CONCLUSION: An
      Ayurvedic herbal preparation made from Murraya koenigii, Punica granatum and
      Curcuma longa appeared to be no more effective in improving diarrhoea predominant
      irritable bowel symptoms than placebo.

PMID- 27261999
TI  - Diagnose and dispense vs. envision and empower-Integrating yang and yin in health
      care.

PMID- 27262000
TI  - Integrated Care and the Evolution of the Multidisciplinary Team.
AB  - The primary care medical home continues to adapt by applying new research to
      population health approaches to care. With the discovery that life experiences
      trigger a chain of biologic events linked to chronic illnesses, the role of
      patient-centered multidisciplinary care teams becomes of paramount importance.
      Subsequently, mental health professionals are being incorporated into the primary
      care setting, using their skills in nontraditional models to customize care for
      each patient. This "integration" of primary care and unique mental health
      services engenders opportunity for enhanced clinical care, professional workforce
      development and support, more effective population health initiatives, and
      informed health care policy. 

PMID- 27262001
TI  - Behavioral Health in Prevention and Chronic Illness Management: Motivational
      Interviewing.
AB  - This article reviews the history, methodology, and evidence related to the
      effective use of motivational interviewing (MI) in the primary care setting. MI
      has been shown to have a positive effect in promotion and modification of health
      habits and to increase treatment engagement. MI is also effective when used in
      conjunction with other treatment modalities, such as educational programs and
      cognitive behavioral therapy. Practical application of MI can be accomplished in
      a variety of primary care settings by a wide range of practitioners, incorporates
      nicely into new health care delivery models, and may improve the patient-provider
      relationship. 

PMID- 27262002
TI  - Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness Techniques in the Management of
      Chronic Pain in Primary Care.
AB  - Chronic pain and its associated syndrome have become increasingly prevalent in
      primary care. With the increase in narcotic use and subsequent adverse events,
      primary care physicians often seek safer alternatives to treating this condition.
      Prescribing narcotics necessitates using methods to screen for high abuse risk
      and protect against misuse. With the understanding of how chronic pain is related
      to mental illnesses such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder,
      mindfulness techniques and behavioral therapy can be used to help decrease the
      dependence on dangerous opioid medications and help patients understand, accept,
      and cope with their chronic pain. 

PMID- 27262003
TI  - Substance Abuse Screening and Treatment.
AB  - One of the more prevalent and often undiagnosed problems seen by primary care
      clinicians is substance misuse. Resulting in increased morbidity and mortality,
      loss of productivity, and increased health care costs, substance misuse in our
      society remains a significant public health issue. Primary care physicians are on
      the front lines of medical care, and as such, are in a distinctive position to
      recognize potential problems in this area and assist. This article outlines
      office-based screening approaches and strategies for managing and treating this
      complex issue confronting primary care. 

PMID- 27262004
TI  - Depression Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Across the Lifespan.
AB  - This article focuses on six basic components of more effective depression care,
      emphasizing systems of team-based and collaborative care for diagnosis,
      monitoring, and follow-up. It also emphasizes the principles of stepped care and
      proactive and timely intensification of treatment, and discusses various
      augmentation strategies that all primary care providers could more readily
      employ. 

PMID- 27262005
TI  - Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care.
AB  - Investigation for a possible anxiety disorder should be considered in patients
      with multiple or persistent anxiety symptoms or multiple somatic complaints
      without a clear somatic etiology. The ideal treatment for anxiety disorders is a
      combination of pharmacologic and behavioral strategies. As primary care health
      care evolves, it is expected that the management of mental health disorders
      (including anxiety disorders) will largely occur in the context of collaborative
      care models in which patients and primary care clinicians are assisted by trained
      case managers who help facilitate a more comprehensive, holistic treatment plan
      between primary care and mental health providers. 

PMID- 27262006
TI  - Pearls for Working with People Who Have Personality Disorder Diagnoses.
AB  - Personality disorders are a group of diagnostic categories applicable when people
      show personality traits that are so extreme they cause clear difficulties in
      their lives and relationships. More widespread agreement is found on sorting by
      three broad categories (odd/eccentric, dramatic/emotional/erratic, and
      anxious/fearful) than by more specific subtypes. Primary care physicians need to
      recognize when extreme personality traits are causing difficulties in their
      relationships with patients and to have a way to approach these difficulties when
      they arise. This article reviews current thinking on the diagnosis and treatment
      of personality disorders, focusing especially on dramatic/emotional/erratic
      disorders, which are those most often problematic in clinical settings. 

PMID- 27262007
TI  - Bipolar Disorder.
AB  - Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health disorder that is frequently
      encountered in primary care. Many patients with depression may actually have
      bipolar disorder. The management of bipolar disorder requires proper diagnosis
      and awareness or referral for appropriate pharmacologic therapy. Patients with
      bipolar disorder require primary care management for comorbidities such as
      cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. 

PMID- 27262008
TI  - Autism Spectrum/Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorder is a complex disorder that is becoming more prevalent.
      Because of this increased prevalence, primary care providers must become more
      knowledgeable about the disorder so they can provide appropriate screening,
      evaluation, and treatment as part of an interdisciplinary team and to serve
      patients and families within the medical home. 

PMID- 27262009
TI  - Eating Disorders in the Primary Care Setting.
AB  - Eating disorders are a complex set of illnesses most commonly affecting white
      adolescent girls and young women. The most common eating disorders seen in the
      primary care setting are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating
      disorder. Treatment in the primary care environment ideally involves a physician,
      therapist, and nutritionist, although complex cases may require psychiatric and
      other specialist care. Early diagnosis and treatment are associated with improved
      outcomes, whereas the consequences of untreated eating disorders, particularly
      anorexia nervosa, can be devastating, including death. 

PMID- 27262010
TI  - Childhood Sexual Abuse: Identification, Screening, and Treatment Recommendations
      in Primary Care Settings.
AB  - It is estimated that 8% to 12% of American youths have experienced at least one
      sexual assault in their lifetime, making childhood sexual abuse (CSA) an
      important public health problem that is likely to be encountered by primary care
      providers. Use of screening tools and understanding the principles behind
      targeted clinical evaluation can aid in identification of CSA victims despite
      highly variable presentation. The primary care provider must be aware of
      potential signs and symptoms as well as differential diagnoses in order to
      identify children who may benefit from further mental health evaluation and
      intervention. 

PMID- 27262011
TI  - Psychopharmacology in Primary Care Settings.
AB  - Psychopharmacology requires clinicians to stay current on the latest guidelines
      and to use dynamic treatment strategies. Psychiatric conditions are prevalent in
      the primary care population. Choice of treatment with psychopharmacology should
      be based on controlling the patient's predominant symptoms while taking into
      consideration patient age, treatment compliance, patient past response to
      treatments, dosing frequency, patient preference, medication side effects,
      potential medication interactions, drug precautions/warnings, and cost. Response
      to therapy, as well as side effects, needs to be evaluated at regular intervals.
      The goal is to minimize symptoms and return patients to their maximal level of
      functioning. 

PMID- 27262012
TI  - Psychiatric Emergencies.
AB  - Psychiatric emergencies are acute disturbances in thought, behavior, mood, or
      social relationship that require immediate intervention as defined by the
      patient, family, or social unit to save the patient and/or others from imminent
      danger. Ensuring the safety of the patient, surrounding persons, and the medical
      team is the first step of evaluation. Treatment focuses on stabilization of the
      patient, then on specific symptoms and ultimately the cause of symptoms. There
      are important legal considerations, particularly regarding involuntary
      admissions. It is important to debrief with the patient, surrounding family, and
      the health care team to ensure a continued therapeutic alliance and the emotional
      health of all involved. 

PMID- 27262013
TI  - Physician Wellness Across the Professional Spectrum.
AB  - Physician wellness and burnout are areas of increasing exploration. Physicians
      are more likely than the general population to suffer the effects of burnout and
      neglect their own wellness; medicine and its training are deeply engrained with
      the care of others, often to the detriment of self. The effects vary based on the
      stage of career for medical trainees and physicians. However, strategies exist to
      screen for and help alleviate the negative effects of burnout and to improve
      wellness among physicians. This will continue to be an area warranting further
      exploration despite increasing awareness regarding the health and well-being of
      physicians. 

PMID- 27262014
TI  - Objectivity and Compassion.

PMID- 27262015
TI  - Integrating Psychiatric Care into Primary Care Practice.

PMID- 27262016
TI  - Omission of axillary dissection after a positive sentinel lymph-node:
      Implications in the multidisciplinary treatment of operable breast cancer.
AB  - Omission of axillary dissection in women with breast cancer and one or two
      positive sentinel-node biopsy is a major advancement in the management of this
      disease. Supported by a sound rationale and confirmed by prospective, randomized
      trials, omission of axillary dissection is now recommended in women who have
      undergone breast conserving surgery and who are candidate to adjuvant
      radiotherapy. Because breast cancer is best managed in the context of a
      multidisciplinary team, this surgical shift in the paradigm is expected to have
      implications that extend also to the other specialties involved in the team. In
      fact, the full evaluation of the axillary tumor burden has been historically
      considered an essential part of tumor staging and the absolute number of involved
      node critical information to tailor post-surgical treatments. Lack of this
      information in a patient with axillary involvement documented by a positive
      sentinel lymph-node biopsy may represent a challenge when deciding on further,
      post-surgical treatments. This review will address the critical aspects and the
      potential implications of omission of axillary dissection in the context of the
      multidisciplinary breast team. 

PMID- 27262017
TI  - Can the response to a platinum-based therapy be predicted by the DNA repair
      status in non-small cell lung cancer?
AB  - Preclinical evidence has been accumulating on the impact of the DNA repair status
      on the sensitivity/resistance to anticancer agents in different tumor types,
      including lung cancer. The possibility to predict the response to therapy, and
      specifically to platinum agents, based on tumor specific DNA repair functionality
      would enable to tailor its use only in those patients with maximum chances to
      respond, avoiding the burden of toxicity in those ones with lesser chances. We
      here reviewed the clinical evidence on the prognostic role of DNA repair markers
      and/or functional assays in predicting the response to a platinum-based
      chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. Consequently, we focused on those proteins
      involved in pathways repairing platinum induced DNA inter-strand and intra-strand
      crosslinks. Most promising clinical trials targeting the nucleotide repair
      protein ERCC1 in non-small cell lung cancer later on suffered from serious
      drawbacks. Nevertheless, these results spurred a variety of preclinical studies
      on a multitude of alternative DNA repair markers. However so far, no one of the
      analyzed DNA repair markers can be considered a reliable and mature biomarker for
      selecting patients. We discuss the reasons for such failure which discloses novel
      strategies for the future. 

PMID- 27262018
TI  - Perivascular administration: The outside-in concept.

PMID- 27262019
TI  - Tumor targeting of gene expression through metal-coordinated conjugation with
      dextran [J. Control. Release (2003) 88 297-312].

PMID- 27262020
TI  - Enhanced expression of plasmid dna - cationized gelatin complex by ultrasound in
      murine muscle [J. Control. Release 80 (2002) 345-356].

PMID- 27262021
TI  - Retraction notice to "In vitro gene expression by cationized derivatives of an
      artificial protein with repeated RGD sequences, pronectin(r)" [J. Control.
      Release 86 (2002) 169-182].

PMID- 27262022
TI  - Retraction notice to "Ultrasound enhances in vivo tumor expression of plasmid DNA
      by PEG-introduced cationized dextran" [J. Control. Release 108 (2005) 540-556].

PMID- 27262023
TI  - Retraction notice to "PEGylation enhances tumor targeting of plasmid DNA by an
      artificial cationized protein with repeated RGD sequences, Pronectin(r)" [J.
      Control. Release 97 (2004) 157-171].

PMID- 27262024
TI  - "Bone regeneration through controlled release of bone morphogenetic protein-2
      from 3-D tissue engineered nano-scaffold" [J. Control. Release 117 (2006) 380
      386].

PMID- 27262025
TI  - Generation of HLA-Universal iPSC-Derived Megakaryocytes and Platelets for
      Survival Under Refractoriness Conditions.
AB  - Platelet (PLT) transfusion is indispensable to maintain homeostasis in
      thrombocytopenic patients. However, PLT transfusion refractoriness is a common
      life-threatening condition observed in multitransfused patients. The most
      frequent immune cause for PLT transfusion refractoriness is the presence of
      alloantibodies specific for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I epitopes. Here,
      we have silenced the expression of HLA class I to generate a stable HLA-universal
      induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line that can be used as a renewable cell
      source for the generation of low immunogenic cell products. The expression of HLA
      class I was silenced by up to 82% and remained stable during iPSC cultivation. In
      this study, we have focused on the generation of megakaryocytes (MK) and PLTs
      from a HLA-universal iPSC source under feeder- and xeno-free conditions. On d 19,
      differentiation rates of MKs and PLTs with means of 58% and 76% were observed,
      respectively. HLA-universal iPSC-derived MKs showed polyploidy with DNA contents
      higher than 4n and formed proPLTs. Importantly, differentiated MKs remained
      silenced for HLA class I expression. HLA-universal MKs produced functional PLTs.
      Notably, iPSC-derived HLA-universal MKs were capable to escape antibody-mediated
      complement- and cellular-dependent cytotoxicity. Furthermore, HLA-universal MKs
      were able to produce PLTs after in vivo transfusion in a mouse model indicating
      that they might be used as an alternative to PLT transfusion. Thus, in vitro
      produced low immunogenic MKs and PLTs may become an alternative to PLT donation
      in PLT-based therapies and an important component in the management of severe
      alloimmunized patients.

PMID- 27262026
TI  - Plasma Fibrinogen Is a Natural Deterrent to Amyloid Beta-Induced Platelet
      Activation.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder,
      characterized by extensive loss of neurons, and deposition of amyloid beta
      (Abeta) in the form of extracellular plaques. Abeta is considered to have
      critical role in synaptic loss and neuronal death underlying cognitive decline.
      Platelets contribute to 95% of circulating amyloid-precursor protein that
      releases Abeta into circulation. We have recently demonstrated that, Abeta active
      fragment containing amino acid sequence 25-35 (Abeta25-35) is highly thrombogenic
      in nature, and elicits strong aggregation of washed human platelets in RhoA
      dependent manner. In the present study we evaluated the influence of fibrinogen
      on Abeta-induced platelet activation. Intriguingly, Abeta failed to induce
      aggregation of platelets suspended in plasma but not in buffer. Fibrinogen
      brought about dose-dependent decline in aggregatory response of washed human
      platelets elicited by Abeta25-35, which could be reversed by increasing doses of
      Abeta. Fibrinogen also attenuated Abeta-induced platelet responses like
      secretion, clot retraction, rise in cytosolic Ca+2 and reactive oxygen species
      (ROS). Fibrinogen prevented intracellular accumulation of full length amyloid
      beta peptide (Abeta42) in platelets as well as neuronal cells. We conclude that
      fibrinogen serves as a physiological check against the adverse effects of Abeta
      by preventing its interaction with cells.

PMID- 27262027
TI  - Smart hyaluronidase-actived theranostic micelles for dual-modal imaging guided
      photodynamic therapy.
AB  - We here report smart hyaluronidase-actived theranostic nanoparticles based on
      hyaluronic acid (HA) coupled with chlorin e6 (Ce6) via adipic dihydrazide (ADH)
      forming HA-ADH-Ce6 conjugates and self-assembling into HACE NPs. The resulting
      nanoparticles showed stable nano-structure in aqueous condition with uniform size
      distribution and can be actively disassembled in the presence of hyaluronidase
      (over-expressed in tumor cells), exhibiting hyaluronidase-responsive "OFF/ON"
      behavior of fluorescence signal. The HACE NPs were rapidly taken up to human lung
      cancer cells A549 via CD44 (the HA receptor on the surface of tumor cells)
      receptor mediated endocytosis. Upon laser irradiation, the HACE NPs realized good
      near-infrared fluorescence imaging and photoacoustic imaging in the tumor bearing
      mice, which showed 5-fold higher fluorescence intensity and 3-fold higher
      photoacoustic (PA) intensity than free Ce6, respectively. In addition, under low
      dose of laser power, the HACE NPs presented more effective photodynamic therapy
      to suppression of tumor growth than free Ce6 in vitro and in vivo. Overall, these
      results suggest that the well-defined HACE NPs is a biocompatible theranostic
      nanoplatform for in vivo dual-modal tumor imaging and phototherapy
      simultaneously.

PMID- 27262028
TI  - Differential expression of postsynaptic NMDA and AMPA receptor subunits in the
      hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the flinders sensitive line rat model of
      depression.
AB  - Glutamatergic abnormalities have recently been implicated in the pathophysiology
      of depression, and the ionotropic glutamate receptors in particular have been
      suggested as possible underlying molecular determinants. The Flinders Sensitive
      Line (FSL) rats constitute a validated model of depression with dysfunctional
      regulation of glutamate transmission relatively to their control strain Flinders
      Resistant Line (FRL). To gain insight into how signaling through glutamate
      receptors may be altered in the FSL rats, we investigated the expression and
      phosphorylation of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits in an enriched postsynaptic
      fraction of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Compared to the hippocampal
      postsynaptic fractions of FRL rats, FSL rats exhibited decreased and increased
      levels of the NMDA receptor subunits GluN2A and GluN2B, respectively, causing a
      lower ratio of GluN2A/GluN2B. The GluA2/GluA3 AMPA receptor subunit ratio was
      significantly decreased while the expression of the individual GluA1, GluA2, and
      GluA3 subunits were unaltered including phosphorylation levels of GluA1 at S831
      and S845. There were no changes in the prefrontal cortex. These results support
      altered expression of postsynaptic glutamate receptors in the hippocampus of FSL
      rats, which may contribute to the depressive-like phenotype of these rats.

PMID- 27262029
TI  - Depth-dependent plasticity in opsin gene expression varies between damselfish
      (Pomacentridae) species.
AB  - Phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in adapting the visual capability
      of many animal species to changing sensory requirements. Such variability may be
      driven by developmental change or may result from environmental changes in light
      habitat, thereby improving performance in different photic environments. In this
      study, we examined inter- and intraspecific plasticity of visual sensitivities in
      seven damselfish species, part of the species-rich and colourful fish fauna of
      the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Our goal was to test whether the visual
      systems of damselfish were tuned to the prevailing light environment in different
      habitats and/or other aspects of their lifestyle. More specifically, we compared
      the opsin gene expression levels from individuals living in different photic
      habitats. We found that all species expressed rod opsin (RH1) used for dim-light
      vision, and primarily three cone opsins (SWS1, RH2B and RH2A) used for colour
      vision. While RH1 levels changed exclusively following a diurnal cycle, cone
      opsin expression varied with depth in four of the seven species. Estimates of
      visual pigment performance imply that changes in opsin expression adjust visual
      sensitivities to the dominant photic regime. However, we also discovered that
      some species show a more stable opsin expression profile. Further, we found
      indication that seasonal changes, possibly linked to changes in the photic
      environment, might also trigger opsin expression. These findings suggest that
      plasticity in opsin gene expression of damselfish is highly species-specific,
      possibly due to ecological differences in visual tasks or, alternatively, under
      phylogenetic constraints.

PMID- 27262030
TI  - Multiple cryptic species of sympatric generalists within the avian blood parasite
      Haemoproteus majoris.
AB  - The avian haemosporidian parasite Haemoproteus majoris has been reported to
      infect a wide range of passerine birds throughout the Holarctic ecozone. Five
      cytochrome b (cyt b) lineages have been described as belonging to the
      morphological species H. majoris, and these form a tight phylogenetic cluster
      together with 13 undescribed lineages that differ from each other by < 1.2% in
      sequence divergence. Records in a database (MalAvi) that contains global findings
      of haemosporidian lineages generated by universal primers suggest that these
      lineages vary substantially in host distribution. We confirm this pattern in a
      data set collected at Lake Kvismaren, Sweden, where three of the generalist
      lineages have local transmission. However, whether these lineages represent
      intraspecific mitochondrial diversity or clusters of cryptic species has
      previously not been examined. In this study, we developed novel molecular markers
      to amplify the partial segments of four nuclear genes to determine the level of
      genetic diversity and gene phylogenies among the five morphologically described
      cyt b lineages of H. majoris. All five cyt b lineages were strongly associated
      with unique nuclear alleles at all four nuclear loci, indicating that each
      mitochondrial lineage represents a distinct biological species. Within lineages,
      there was no apparent association between nuclear alleles and host species,
      indicating that they form genetically unstructured populations across multiple
      host species.

PMID- 27262031
TI  - Optimal conservation resource allocation under variable economic and ecological
      time discounting rates in boreal forest.
AB  - Resource allocation to multiple alternative conservation actions is a complex
      task. A common trade-off occurs between protection of smaller, expensive, high
      quality areas versus larger, cheaper, partially degraded areas. We investigate
      optimal allocation into three actions in boreal forest: current standard forest
      management rules, setting aside of mature stands, or setting aside of clear-cuts.
      We first estimated how habitat availability for focal indicator species and
      economic returns from timber harvesting develop through time as a function of
      forest type and action chosen. We then developed an optimal resource allocation
      by accounting for budget size and habitat availability of indicator species in
      different forest types. We also accounted for the perspective adopted towards
      sustainability, modeled via temporal preference and economic and ecological time
      discounting. Controversially, we found that in boreal forest set-aside followed
      by protection of clear-cuts can become a winning cost-effective strategy when
      accounting for habitat requirements of multiple species, long planning horizon,
      and limited budget. It is particularly effective when adopting a long-term
      sustainability perspective, and accounting for present revenues from timber
      harvesting. The present analysis assesses the cost-effective conditions to
      allocate resources into an inexpensive conservation strategy that nevertheless
      has potential to produce high ecological values in the future. 

PMID- 27262032
TI  - Assessing the relation of USDA conservation expenditures to suspended sediment
      reductions in an Iowa watershed.
AB  - From 1936 to 2010, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies spent $293.7
      billion (value adjusted for inflation at the 2009 level) on conservation
      programs. Of these expenditures, $75.2 billion (26%) were allocated for technical
      assistance (TA; it is related to costs associated with USDA field staff providing
      their expert advice to farmers) and $218.5 billion (74%) for financial assistance
      (FA; monetary incentives for farmers to adopt conservation programs). A major
      environmental goal of these programs was to reduce soil erosion and sediment
      leaving the land. In this study, we correlate expenditures on FA and TA programs
      to a unique long (1937-2009) record of total suspended solids (TSS) and sediment
      load (SL) for the Raccoon River at Van Meter, Iowa. Study results suggest that
      three predictors (rainfall, TA and FA) are important in explaining the temporal
      changes in annual TSS and SL and provide evidence that USDA expenditures helped
      reduce TSS and SL in the Raccoon River. TA was more effective than FA in reducing
      TSS levels in the watershed. Our empirical model represents an initial, broad
      scale attempt to correlate conservation expenditures to a specific water quality
      outcome, although more work is needed to disentangle the impacts associated with
      other unexplored factors. 

PMID- 27262033
TI  - Optimization of operating parameters of hybrid vertical down-flow constructed
      wetland systems for domestic sewerage treatment.
AB  - In this work, three hybrid vertical down-flow constructed wetland (HVDF-CW)
      systems with different compound substrates were fed with domestic sewage and
      their pollutants removal performance under different hydraulic loading and step
      feeding ratio was investigated. The results showed that the hydraulic loading and
      step-feeding ratio were two crucial factors determining the removal efficiency of
      most pollutants, while substrate types only significantly affected the removal of
      COD and NH4(+)-N. Generally, the lower the hydraulic loading, the better removal
      efficiency of all contaminants, except for TN. By contrast, the increase of step
      feeding ratio would slightly reduce the removal rate of ammonium and TP but
      obviously promoted the TN removal. Therefore, the optimal operation of this CWs
      could be achieved with low hydraulic loading combined with 50% of step-feeding
      ratio when TN removal is the priority, whereas medium or low hydraulic loading
      without step-feeding would be suitable when TN removal is not taken into
      consideration. The obtained results in this study can provide us with a guideline
      for design and optimization of hybrid vertical flow constructed wetland systems
      to improve the pollutants removal from domestic sewage. 

PMID- 27262034
TI  - Electricity generation through degradation of organic matters in medicinal herbs
      wastewater using bio-electro-Fenton system.
AB  - In the present study, the potential application of the bio-electro-Fenton (BEF)
      process for the treatment of medicinal herbs wastewater in a mediator-less
      microbial fuel cell (MFC) system is investigated. This process is operated in a
      dual-chamber MFC with anaerobic seed sludge as biocatalyst in an anode chamber
      under conditions of neutral pH, an aerobic cathode chamber equipped with a
      Fe@Fe2O3/graphite composite cathode and a Nafion membrane as a separator. The
      performance of the MFC is determined in three different mixed liquor suspended
      solids (MLSS) loadings, Nafions (112, 115) and a salt bridge in an air-cathode
      BEF process, in terms of power generation, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal
      efficiency, columbic and energy efficiencies. Under optimal conditions, the batch
      experiment results show that the cathode chamber of the BEF reactor, equipped
      with Nafion 112 and inoculated with seed sludge at 3000 mg L(-1) MLSS
      concentration, produces the maximum power density of 49.76 mW m(-2), 0.56 mg L(
      1) and 29 mol L(-1) of H2O2 and Fe(2+), respectively. Under these conditions, the
      MFC achieves COD removal 78.05% in the anaerobic anode chamber and 84.02% as a
      result of aerobic processes from the air-cathode BEF chamber, whilst the maximum
      voltage epsiloncb and epsilonE values are 600 mV, 4.09% and 1.37%, respectively. 

PMID- 27262035
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27262036
TI  - Naming names.

PMID- 27262037
TI  - Zeroing in on violent recidivism among released prisoners.

PMID- 27262038
TI  - A global mental health fund for serious mental illness in low-income and middle
      income countries.

PMID- 27262039
TI  - When can neurofeedback join the clinical armamentarium?

PMID- 27262041
TI  - Corrections.

PMID- 27262040
TI  - Corrections.

PMID- 27262042
TI  - Selection of cognitive tests for trials of therapeutic agents.

PMID- 27262043
TI  - Selection of cognitive tests for trials of therapeutic agents - Authors' reply.

PMID- 27262044
TI  - Homelessness and mental health in India.

PMID- 27262045
TI  - Violence against nurses in China undermines task-shifting implementation.

PMID- 27262046
TI  - NICE guidance: why not clozapine for treatment-refractory bipolar disorder?

PMID- 27262047
TI  - The birth of a psychiatric orphan disorder: postpartum psychosis.

PMID- 27262048
TI  - NICE guidance: why not clozapine for treatment-refractory bipolar disorder? -
      Authors' reply.

PMID- 27262050
TI  - Flavio Kapczinski.

PMID- 27262051
TI  - A rabbit model of cerebral microembolic signals for translational research:
      preclinical validation for aspirin and clopidogrel.
AB  - Essentials Microembolic signal (MES) is an independent predictor of stroke risk
      in patients. A rabbit model of cerebral microembolic signals was established.
      Therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated for aspirin and clopidogrel on microembolic
      signals. Potential translational value of this preclinical model of MES was
      demonstrated. SUMMARY: Objectives Cerebral microembolic signals (MESs) detected
      by transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound constitute an independent predictor of
      stroke risk and prognosis. The aim of this study was to develop a novel
      preclinical model of MESs to facilitate translational research. Methods A
      clinical TCD ultrasound machine was used to detect MESs in the cerebral
      circulation of New Zealand White rabbits. Technical feasibility was assessed for
      the measurement of MESs in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by TCD. FeCl3 
      induced carotid arterial thrombosis was optimized for the generation of
      endogenous microemboli. Ascending doses of two antithrombotic agents (aspirin and
      clopidogrel) were evaluated individually and in combination for their effects on
      both arterial thrombosis and MESs in a 30% FeCl3 -induced carotid arterial
      thrombosis model, along with ex vivo functional assays. Results Dose-dependent
      FeCl3 -induced arterial thrombosis studies showed that 30% FeCl3 resulted in the
      most consistent and reproducible MESs in the MCA (3.3 +/- 0.7 MESs h(-1) ).
      Ascending-dose studies showed that the effective doses for 50% inhibition (ED50 )
      of thrombus formation, based on integrated blood flow and thrombus weight,
      respectively, were 3.1 mg kg(-1) and 4.2 mg kg(-1) orally for aspirin, and 0.3 mg
      kg(-1) and 0.28 mg kg(-1) orally for clopidogrel. The ED50 values for MES
      incidence were 12.7 mg kg(-1) orally for aspirin, and 0.25 mg kg(-1) orally for
      clopidogrel. Dual treatment with aspirin (5 mg kg(-1) ) and clopidogel (0.3 mg
      kg(-1) ) resulted in significant reductions in cerebral MESs (P < 0.05) as
      compared with monotherapy with either agent. Conclusions Our study demonstrated
      the successful establishment of the MES model in rabbits, and it may provide
      translational value for MESs and ischemic stroke research.

PMID- 27262052
TI  - Destruction-and-diffraction by X-ray free-electron laser.
AB  - It is common knowledge that macromolecular crystals are damaged by the X-rays
      they are exposed to during conventional data collection. One of the claims made
      about the crystallographic data collection now being collected using X-ray free
      electron lasers (XFEL) is that they are unaffected by radiation damage. XFEL data
      sets are assembled by merging data obtained from a very large number of crystals,
      each of which is exposed to a single femtosecond pulse of radiation, the duration
      of which is so short that diffraction occurs before the damage done to the
      crystal has time to become manifest, i.e. "diffraction-before-destruction."
      However, recent theoretical studies have shown that many of the elemental
      electronic processes that ultimately result in the destruction of such crystals
      occur during a single pulse. It is predicted that the amplitudes of atomic
      scattering factor could be reduced by as much as 75% within the first 5
      femtoseconds of such pulses, and that different atoms will respond in different
      ways. Experimental evidence is provided here that these predictions are correct.

PMID- 27262054
TI  - Radiation Dose Management: Are We Doing Enough to Ensure Adoption of Best
      Practices?

PMID- 27262053
TI  - Characterization of the cyanobacteria and associated bacterial community from an
      ephemeral wetland in New Zealand.
AB  - New Zealand ephemeral wetlands are ecologically important, containing up to 12%
      of threatened native plant species and frequently exhibiting conspicuous
      cyanobacterial growth. In such environments, cyanobacteria and associated
      heterotrophs can influence primary production and nutrient cycling. Wetland
      communities, including bacteria, can be altered by increased nitrate and
      phosphate due to agricultural practices. We have characterized cyanobacteria from
      the Wairepo Kettleholes Conservation Area and their associated bacteria. Use of
      16S rRNA amplicon sequencing identified several operational taxonomic units
      (OTUs) representing filamentous heterocystous and non-heterocystous
      cyanobacterial taxa. One Nostoc OTU that formed macroscopic colonies dominated
      the cyanobacterial community. A diverse bacterial community was associated with
      the Nostoc colonies, including a core microbiome of 39 OTUs. Identity of the core
      microbiome associated with macroscopic Nostoc colonies was not changed by the
      addition of nutrients. One OTU was highly represented in all Nostoc colonies
      (27.6%-42.6% of reads) and phylogenetic analyses identified this OTU as belonging
      to the genus Sphingomonas. Scanning electron microscopy showed the absence of
      heterotrophic bacteria within the Nostoc colony but revealed a diverse community
      associated with the colonies on the external surface.

PMID- 27262055
TI  - Strange Bedfellows.

PMID- 27262057
TI  - The Nationwide Evaluation of X-Ray Trends, Part I: More Than 40 Years of
      Surveying the US Radiology Practice.

PMID- 27262058
TI  - Deal or No Deal? Negotiation 101.

PMID- 27262059
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27262056
TI  - ACR Appropriateness Criteria Head Trauma.
AB  - Neuroimaging plays an important role in the management of head trauma. Several
      guidelines have been published for identifying which patients can avoid
      neuroimaging. Noncontrast head CT is the most appropriate initial examination in
      patients with minor or mild acute closed head injury who require neuroimaging as
      well as patients with moderate to severe acute closed head injury. In short-term
      follow-up neuroimaging of acute traumatic brain injury, CT and MRI may have
      complementary roles. In subacute to chronic traumatic brain injury, MRI is the
      most appropriate initial examination, though CT may have a complementary role in
      select circumstances. Advanced neuroimaging techniques are areas of active
      research but are not considered routine clinical practice at this time. In
      suspected intracranial vascular injury, CT angiography or venography or MR
      angiography or venography is the most appropriate imaging study. In suspected
      posttraumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak, high-resolution noncontrast skull base CT
      is the most appropriate initial imaging study to identify the source, with
      cisternography reserved for problem solving. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are
      evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed
      every three years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development
      and review include 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 in which evidence is lacking or not definitive,
      expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment. 

PMID- 27262061
TI  - Pitfalls and optimal approaches to diagnose melioidosis.
AB  - Melioidosis is a severe and fatal infectious disease in the tropics and
      subtropics. It presents as a febrile illness with protean manifestation ranging
      from chronic localized infection to acute fulminant septicemia with dissemination
      of infection to multiple organs characterized by abscesses. Pneumonia is the most
      common clinical presentation. Because of the wide range of clinical
      presentations, physicians may often misdiagnose and mistreat the disease for
      tuberculosis, pneumonia or other pyogenic infections. The purpose of this paper
      is to present common pitfalls in diagnosis and provide optimal approaches to
      enable early diagnosis and prompt treatment of melioidosis. Melioidosis may occur
      beyond the boundaries of endemic areas. There is no pathognomonic feature
      specific to a diagnosis of melioidosis. In endemic areas, physicians need to
      expand the diagnostic work-up to include melioidosis when confronted with
      clinical scenarios of pyrexia of unknown origin, progressive pneumonia or sepsis.
      Radiological imaging is an integral part of the diagnostic workup. Knowledge of
      the modes of transmission and risk factors will add support in clinically
      suspected cases to initiate therapy. In situations of clinically highly probable
      or possible cases where laboratory bacteriological confirmation is not possible,
      applying evidence-based criteria and empirical treatment with antimicrobials is
      recommended. It is of prime importance that patients undergo the full course of
      antimicrobial therapy to avoid relapse and recurrence. Early diagnosis and
      appropriate management is crucial in reducing serious complications leading to
      high mortality, and in preventing recurrences of the disease. Thus, there is a
      crucial need for promoting awareness among physicians at all levels and for
      improved diagnostic microbiology services. Further, the need for making the
      disease notifiable and/or initiating melioidosis registries in endemic countries
      appears to be compelling. 

PMID- 27262060
TI  - Revisiting the mechanisms of copper toxicity to rainbow trout: Time course,
      influence of calcium, unidirectional Na(+) fluxes, and branchial Na(+), K(+)
      ATPase and V-type H(+) ATPase activities.
AB  - In order to resolve uncertainties as to the mechanisms of toxic action of Cu and
      the protective effects of water [Ca], juvenile rainbow trout were acclimated to
      baseline soft water (SW, [Na(+)]=0.07, [Ca(2+)]=0.15, [Mg(2+)]=0.05mmolL(-1)) and
      then exposed to Cu with or without elevated [Ca] but at constant titratable
      alkalinity (0.27mmolL(-1)). The 96-h LC50 was 7-fold higher (63.8 versus
      9.2MUgCuL(-1); 1.00 versus 0.14MUmolCuL(-1)) at [Ca]=3.0 versus 0.15mmolL(-1).
      Gill Cu burden increased with exposure concentration, and higher [Ca] attenuated
      this accumulation. At 24h, the gill Cu load (LA50~0.58MUgCug(-1); 9.13nmolCug(
      1)) predictive of 50% mortality by 96h was independent of [Ca], in accord with
      Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) theory. Cu exposure induced net Na(+) losses (J(Na)net)
      by increasing unidirectional Na(+) efflux rates (J(Na)out) and inhibiting
      unidirectional Na(+) uptake rates (J(Na)in). The effect on J(Na)out was virtually
      immediate, whereas the effect on J(Na)in developed progressively over 24h and was
      associated with an inhibition of branchial Na(+), K(+) ATPase activity. The
      J(Na)in inhibition was eventually significant at a lower Cu threshold
      concentration (15MUgCuL(-1)) than the J(Na)out stimulation (100MUg Cu L(-1)).
      Elevated Ca protected against both effects, as well as against the inhibition of
      Na(+), K(+) ATPase activity. Branchial V-type H(+) ATPase activity was also
      inhibited by Cu exposure (100MUgCuL(-1)), but only after 24h at high [Ca]
      (3.0mmolL(-1)). These novel results therefore reinforce the applicability of BLM
      theory to Cu, clarify that whether Na(+) influx or efflux is more sensitive
      depends on the duration of Cu exposure, show that elevated water [Ca],
      independent of alkalinity, is protective against both mechanisms of Cu toxicity,
      and identify V-type H(+)ATPase as a new Cu target for future investigation. 

PMID- 27262062
TI  - Insights into the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway of human malaria parasite
      Plasmodium falciparum as chemotherapeutic target.
AB  - Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. Artemisinins
      remain as the first-line treatment for Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum)
      malaria although drug resistance has already emerged and spread in Southeast
      Asia. Thus, to fight this disease, there is an urgent need to develop new
      antimalarial drugs for malaria chemotherapy. Unlike human host cells, P.
      falciparum cannot salvage preformed pyrimidine bases or nucleosides from the
      extracellular environment and relies solely on nucleotides synthesized through
      the de novo biosynthetic pathway. This review presents significant progress on
      understanding the de novo pyrimidine pathway and the functional enzymes in the
      human parasite P. falciparum. Current knowledge in genomics and metabolomics are
      described, particularly focusing on the parasite purine and pyrimidine nucleotide
      metabolism. These include gene annotation, characterization and molecular
      mechanism of the enzymes that are different from the human host pathway. Recent
      elucidation of the three-dimensional crystal structures and the catalytic
      reactions of three enzymes: dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, orotate
      phosphoribosyltransferase, and orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase, as well
      as their inhibitors are reviewed in the context of their therapeutic potential
      against malaria. 

PMID- 27262063
TI  - Methanol extract of Codium fragile inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced
      matrix metalloproteinase-9 and invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells by suppressing
      nuclear factor-kappaB activation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the methanol extract of Codium fragile (MECF)
      regulates tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced invasion of human
      breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9).
      METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western
      blot analysis were performed to analyze the expression of MMP-9 and nuclear
      factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) subunits, p65 and p50, and IkappaB in MDA-MB-231 cells.
      3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was
      used for cell viability. MMP-9 activity and invasion were measured by gelatin
      zymography and a matrigel invasion assay, respectively. NF-kappaB activity was
      measured by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and luciferase activity.
      RESULTS: MECF had no effect on cell viability up to a concentration of 100 MUg/mL
      in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells regardless of the presence of TNF-alpha.
      MDA-MB-231 cells that were stimulated with TNF-alpha showed a marked increase of
      invasion compared to the untreated control, whereas pretreatment with MECF
      downregulated the TNF-alpha-induced invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally,
      zymography, western blot analysis, and RT-PCR confirmed that MECF decreased TNF
      alpha-induced MMP-9 expression and activity which is a key regulator for cancer
      invasion. According to an electrophoretic morbidity shift assay, pretreatment
      with MECF in MDA-MB-231 cells significantly decreased the TNF-alpha-induced DNA
      binding activity of NF-kappaB, which is an important transcription factor for
      regulating cancer invasion-related genes such as MMP-9. Furthermore, treatment
      with MECF sustained the expression of p65 and p50 in response to TNF-alpha in the
      cytosolic compartment. The luciferase assay demonstrated that MECF attenuated TNF
      alpha-induced NF-kappaB luciferase activity. CONCLUSION: MECF exhibited its anti
      invasive capability by downregulating TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 expression,
      resulting from the suppression of NF-kappaB activity in the human breast cancer
      cell line MDA-MB-231.

PMID- 27262064
TI  - The inhibition effect of Chlorpromazine against the beta-lactam resistance of
      MRSA.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gene related to beta-lactam resistance and to
      confirm the mechanism about a synergy effect between CPZ and beta-lactam
      antibiotics. METHODS: To measure antibacterial activity, we performed a minimum
      inhibitory concentration (MIC) and synergy test. Transmission electron microscopy
      (TEM) was used in morphological analysis. To analyze gene expression, we
      conducted reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: We
      confirmed a synergy effect between CPZ and beta-lactam antibiotics. Furthermore,
      we observed that CPZ affect the cell envelope of MRSA by using TEM. At the gene
      level, CPZ reduced the expression of resistance genes. CONCLUSIONS: Through this
      result, we hypothesize that a decrease of resistance factor expressions was
      caused by CPZ because it disrupts the activity of a sensor protein located in the
      cell membrane.

PMID- 27262065
TI  - Nevirapine induces apoptosis in liver (HepG2) cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To generate insights into the mechanism of NVP induced hepatotoxicity.
      METHODS: Liver (HepG2) cells were cultured with various concentrations of NVP.
      This cell line was chosen because it has low expression of cytochrome P450,
      allowing evaluation of the effects of NVP rather than specific metabolites.
      Cytotoxicity was determined using a proliferation assay and cell numbers were
      monitored using trypan blue exclusion assay for long term culture experiments and
      apoptosis induction was determined by morphological and biochemical
      investigation. RESULTS: HepG2 cells treated with the highest concentration of NVP
      tested (819 MUM) initially showed a rounded morphology and all cells had died by
      week three of exposure. Nuclear condensation and fragmentation, increased Annexin
      V/propidium iodide staining and caspase 9 activation all supported the induction
      of apoptosis in HepG2 cells in response to NVP treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There is a
      clear induction of apoptosis in response to NVP which suggests that NVP has
      significant cytotoxicity, over and above any cytotoxicity of metabolites and may
      contribute directly to patient hepatotoxicity.

PMID- 27262066
TI  - Chemical constituents, cytotoxic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties of
      Centaurea diluta Ait. subsp. algeriensis (Coss. & Dur.) Maire.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical composition of a moderately polar extract
      (CHCl3 soluble part of the MeOH-H2O extract) obtained from the aerial parts
      (leaves and flowers) of Centaurea diluta Ait. subsp. algeriensis (Coss. & Dur.)
      Maire, a species endemic to Algeria and Morocco on which no reports are available
      to date. To evaluate in vitro the cytotoxic, antifungal and antimicrobial
      activities of this extract and the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of its
      isolated secondary metabolites. METHODS: The cytotoxic effects of the extract
      were investigated on 3 human cancer cell lines i.e. the A549 non-small-cell lung
      carcinoma (NSCLC), the MCF7 breast adenocarcinoma and the U373 glioblastoma using
      a MTT colorimetric assay. Biological data allowed to guide the fractionation of
      the extract by separation and purification on silica gel 60 (CC and TLC). The
      isolated compounds which were characterized by spectral analysis, mainly HR
      ESIMS, HR-EIMS, UV and NMR experiments ((1)H, (13)C, COSY, ROESY, HSQC and HMBC)
      and comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature,
      were evaluated for cytotoxic activities on six cancer cell lines (A549, MCF7,
      U373, Hs683 human glioma, PC3 human prostate and B16-F10 murine melanoma). The
      direct and indirect antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined using
      microdilution methods for the raw extract and TLC-bioautography and microdilution
      methods against standard and clinical strains for the isolated compounds.
      RESULTS: The raw extract reduced cell viability with IC50s of 27, 25 and 21
      MUg/mL on A549, MCF7 and U373, respectively. Five secondary metabolites: two
      phenolic compounds (vanillin 1, paridol 3), a lignan [(-)-arctigenin 2] and two
      flavonoid aglycones (eupatilin 4 and jaceosidin 5), were then isolated from this
      extract. Moderate cytotoxic effects were observed for (-)-arctigenin 2 (IC50s: 28
      and 33 MUM on Hs683 and B16-F10, respectively), eupatilin 4 (IC50s: 33 and 47 MUM
      on B16-F10 and PC3, respectively) and jaceosidin 5 (IC50s: 32 and 40 MUM on PC3
      and B16-F10, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: All the isolated compounds were
      described for the first time from this species. Although inactive against 7
      tested microorganisms (fungi, bacteria and yeast, human or plant pathogens), the
      raw extract was able to potentiate the effect of beta-lactam antibiotics on
      methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), reducing the minimal
      inhibitory concentrations (MICs) by a factor of 2-32-fold. No synergy was found
      between the extract and streptomycin. From the five isolated compounds only
      jaseosidin 5 showed a moderate antimicrobial activity.

PMID- 27262067
TI  - Oyster is an effective transmission vehicle for Cryptosporidium infection in
      human.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of oysters to trap and maintain viable
      Cryptosporidium oocysts, and the feasibility of Cryptosporidium multiplication in
      oysters' organs. METHODS: Seventy oysters were raised in experimentally seeded
      natural seawater for up to 3 months, with weekly oocysts inoculations.
      Cryptosporidium oocysts, viable and non-viable, as well as other stages were
      detected using two immunofluorescence vital staining techniques (Sporo-Glo and
      Merifluor((r))) with confocal microscopy. Viability rate at various times after
      inoculations were calculated. RESULTS: Cryptosporidium oocysts were found most
      concentrated in oysters' digestive organs than in gill and water inside the
      oysters. Oocysts numbers were 857.33 at 24 h after inoculation and strikingly
      decreased to 243.00 and 126.67 oocysts at 72 h and 7 days, respectively. The
      oocysts in oyster were also less viable over time; 70%, 60% and 30% viable at 24
      h, 72 h and 7 days after inoculation, respectively. At 77 days, the number of
      oocysts was very low and none was found at 84 days onwards. Although some oocysts
      were ruptured with released sporozoites, there was no evidence throughout the
      study of sporozoites multiplication to indicate that oyster is a biological host.
      Despite the significant reduction in oocysts number after 7 days of inoculation,
      the remained viable oocysts can still cause cryptosporidiosis. CONCLUSION: The
      findings confirm that Cryptosporidium parvum does not multiply in oyster, and is
      therefore not a biological host. Nevertheless, the results suggest that oyster
      can be an effective transmission vehicle for Cryptosporidium oocysts, especially
      within 24-72 h of contamination, with viable oocysts present at up to 7 days post
      infection. Unless consuming well-cooked oyster dishes, eating raw oyster remains
      a public health concern and at least 3 days of depuration in clean sea water
      prior to consumption is recommended.

PMID- 27262068
TI  - Effect of hypoxia on expression of placental trophoblast cells SATB1 and beta
      catenin and its correlation with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of hypoxia on the expression of placental
      trophoblast cells SATB1 and beta-catenin and its correlation with the
      pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS: Trophoblastic cell lines HRT8/SVneo were
      cultured, SATB1 and beta-catenin expression and cell biological behavior were
      determined after hypoxia reoxygenation treatment; cell biological behavior and
      the expression of related genes were determined after the transfection of SATB1
      and beta-catenin siRNA; preeclampsia placenta and normal placenta tissues were
      collected and the expression of SATB1 and beta-catenin were determined. RESULTS:
      OD value, cell migration rate, mRNA contents of SATB1 and beta-catenin of H/R
      group were significantly lower than those of Nor group, cell apoptosis rate was
      higher than that of Nor group and the number of invasive cells was less than that
      of Nor group; OD value and bcl-2 mRNA content of SATB1-siRNA group were lower
      than those of NC group; cell apoptosis rate as well as Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-6
      and Caspase-9 mRNA contents were higher than those of NC group; cell migration
      rate as well as CTSB, CTSD, MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA contents of beta-catenin-siRNA
      group were lower than those of NC group; the number of invasive cells was less
      than that of NC group; the expression levels of SATB1 and beta-catenin in
      preeclampsia placenta tissue were significantly lower than those in normal
      placenta tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia can inhibit the expression of SATB1 and
      beta-catenin in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, which can affect the
      proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of cells.

PMID- 27262069
TI  - Protection mechanism of deacetylase inhibitor on spleen of rats with severe
      hemorrhagic shock.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the protection and molecular mechanism of histone
      deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) on the spleen of rats with hemorrhagic shock.
      METHODS: A total of 60 SPF male SD rats were selected for the modeling of severe
      hemorrhagic shock using the method of arterial and venous cannulation with the
      time-divided bleeding. The measurement of mean arterial blood pressure and blood
      lactic acid was used to verify the modeling. The modeled rats were randomly
      divided into shock group, shock + suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) group,
      shock + autogenous transfusion group and shock + SAHA + autogenous transfusion
      group. Three hours after the treatment, the spleen of rats was collected and
      TUNEL method was employed to detect the apoptosis of spleen cells in each group.
      The statistical analysis was performed. Afterwards, real-time PCR and western
      blot were employed to detect the expression of BCL-2, BAX and caspass3 in the
      spleen of rats in each group. RESULTS: A total of 53 rats had successful modeling
      of severe hemorrhagic shock, with success rate of 88%. Cell apoptosis in the
      severe hemorrhagic model group was the most serious. After the intervention of
      HDACIs and the autogenous transfusion, the tissue injury was a bit recovered.
      Cell apoptosis was least in the shock + SAHA + autogenous transfusion group (P <
      0.05). After the intervention of HDACIs and the autogenous transfusion, the
      relative expression of BCL-2 was significantly increased (P < 0.05), with highest
      relative expression of BCL-2 in shock + SAHA + autogenous transfusion group (P <
      0.05). After the intervention of HDACIs and the autogenous transfusion, the
      relative expression of BAX was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), with lowest
      relative expression of BAX in the intervention group of single HDACIs. The change
      in the expression of caspass3 was similar to BAX, namely the relative expression
      of caspass3 was significantly decreased after the intervention of HDACIs and the
      autogenous transfusion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HDACIs and autogenous transfusion
      can all protect the spleen injury because of the severe hemorrhagic shock. Its
      molecular mechanism may be related to the regulation on the expression of BCL
      2/BAX and caspass3, which may affect the apoptosis process of cells.

PMID- 27262070
TI  - Study on prevention effect of Zishen Yutai pill combined with progesterone for
      threatened abortion in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe preventive and therapeutic effects and the mechanism of
      actions on Zishen Yutai pill combined with progesterone on threatened abortion in
      rats. METHODS: After pregnancy, 50 SPF female SD rats were selected and divided
      into control group, model group, progesterone group, Zishen Yutai pill group, and
      progesterone plus Zishen Yutai pill group (combination group), with 10 rats in
      each group. The rats of control group and abortion model group were lavaged with
      2 mL/kg normal saline on pregnancy day 1 for continuous 10 days. Rats in Zishen
      Yutai pill group were given 1.575 g/kg/d of Zishen Yutai pill for intragastric
      administration for continuous 10 days. Rats in progesterone group were given
      intramuscular injection treatment of 0.1 mL/d progestin, continuous for 10 days.
      Rats in combination group were given injection therapy of aqueous solution of
      Zishen Yutai pill for continuous 10 days, and other treatments were the same as
      previous two groups. Abortion model were established then and live births,
      numbers of abortion and average rate of abortion were compared between the five
      groups. Peripheral blood was collected to detect the estradiol (E2) and
      progestational hormone (P), and obtain ratio of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-2, INF
      gamma, IL-4, IL-10). RESULTS: Significant more live births of rats were found in
      the control group compared with other four groups (P < 0.05) (P < 0.05). The
      numbers of live births of the rats in abortion model group were significantly
      less than that of progesterone group, Zishen Yutai pill group and joint group (P
      < 0.05). The numbers of live births of rats in joint group were significant more
      than that of progesterone group and Zishen Yutai pill group. The serum E2 level
      of P of rats in the control group, progesterone group, Zishen Yutai pill group
      and joint group were significant higher than that of abortion model group (P <
      0.05). Serum levels of E2 and P of rats in the control group, progesterone group,
      Zishen Yutai pill group and joint group were not significant different (P > 0.05)
      but these levels in the control group and Zishen Yutai pill group were
      significant lower than that of progesterone group and joint group (P < 0.05). The
      maternal-fetal interface IL - 4/IL - 2, IL - 10/IL - 2 of model group were
      balanced deviating to Th1, while the IL-4/IL-2, IL-10/IL-2 of progesterone group,
      Zishen Yutai pill group and joint group were balanced deviating to Th2, and joint
      group' deviation was better than progesterone group and Zishen Yutai pill group
      (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Zishen Yutai pill combined with progesterone has a
      significant control effect for threatened abortion, which can obviously increase
      contents of maternal serums E2 and P, and regulate the Th1/Th2 balance with a
      remarkable effect.

PMID- 27262071
TI  - Correlation study of biological characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer
      A549 cells after transfecting plasmid by microbubble ultrasound contrast agent.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of the abnormal expression of miRNAs in the
      development process of non-small cell lung cancer and the feasibility of
      ultrasound microbubble-mediated gene therapy after transfecting antisense miRNA
      224 and miRNA-122a plasmids into non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. METHODS:
      Antisense miRNA-224 and miRNA-122a plasmids were transfected into non-small cell
      lung cancer A549 cells on the optimal ultrasound microbubble-mediated condition.
      We set up a control group. The cell proliferation activity, apoptosis, invasion
      ability were detected by MTT assay, Annexin V-PE, Transwell invasion experiment
      and colony formation assay, respectively. RESULTS: The expression of miRNA-224
      decreased and the expression of miRNA-122a rose after the plasmids of target
      genes were transfected into non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells, and there were
      significant differences when compared with those of the control group (P < 0.05).
      After the plasmids of target genes were transfected into A549 cells, the growth
      of antisense miRNA-224 and miRNA-122a were inhibited, and the differences were
      significant as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Besides, the
      inhibition of miRNA-122a group was the most significant and there was
      statistically significant difference as compared with miRNA-224 group (t = 
      4.694, P = 0.009). After the plasmids of target genes were transfected into A549
      cells, the proportion of apoptotic cells increased, the invasive cells were
      decreased and the clone ability reduced, and also there was a significant
      difference as compared with those of the control group (P < 0.05). What's more,
      the apoptotic peak appeared in miRNA-122a group. Its invasion ability decreased
      most obviously (40.25 +/- 3.97/visual field), the number of clone ability was
      104.93 +/- 4.87 and the inhibitory effect was the most obviously. There was
      statistically significant difference as compared with other groups (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: A549 cells transfected by ultrasound microbubble-mediated antisense
      miRNA-224 and miRNA-122a plasmids possessed good transfection efficiency. The
      cell growth, invasion and colony-forming abilities of transfected A549 cells were
      suppressed, which laid a solid foundation for the gene therapy of non-small cell
      lung cancer.

PMID- 27262072
TI  - Expression and significance of angiostatin, vascular endothelial growth factor
      and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in brain tissue of diabetic rats with ischemia
      reperfusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the expression and significance of angiostatin, vascular
      endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the brain tissue of
      diabetic rats with ischemia reperfusion. METHODS: A total of 60 male Wistar rats
      were randomly divided into the normal group, sham group, diabetic cerebral
      infarction group and single cerebral infarction group according to the random
      number table, with 15 rats in each group. The high sucrose diet and
      intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin were performed for the modeling of
      diabetic rats, while the thread-occlusion method was employed to build the model
      of cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The immunohistochemical staining was performed
      to detect the expression of angiostatin, vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the brain tissue. RESULTS: The
      expression of angiostatin after the reperfusion in the brain tissue of rats in
      the single cerebral infarction group and diabetic cerebral infarction group was
      increased 6 h after the reperfusion, reached to the peak on 1 d and then
      decreased gradually. The expression of angiostatin in the diabetic cerebral
      infarction group 6 h, 1 d, 3 d and 7 d after the reperfusion was significantly
      higher than that in the single cerebral infarction group (P < 0.05). VEGF began
      to be increased 1 h after the reperfusion in the single cerebral infarction group
      and diabetic cerebral infarction group, reached to the peak at 6 h and then
      decreased gradually. The expression of VEGF in the diabetic cerebral infarction
      group at each time point after the reperfusion was significantly lower than that
      in the single cerebral infarction group (P < 0.05). MMP-9 began to be increased 1
      h after the reperfusion in the single cerebral infarction group and diabetic
      cerebral infarction group, reached to the peak on 1 d and then decreased
      gradually. The expression of MMP-9 in the diabetic cerebral infarction group at
      each time point after the reperfusion was significantly higher than that in the
      single cerebral infarction group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The high glucose
      environment in which the diabetic cerebral infarction is occurred is to induce
      the formation of MMP-9 at first and then activate and increase the expression of
      angiostatin. Afterwards, the expression of VEGF is inhibited, resulting in the
      poor angiogenesis after cerebral infarction, which thus makes the injury of brain
      tissue after cerebral infarction even worse than the non-diabetes mellitus.

PMID- 27262073
TI  - Change of the peripheral blood immune pattern and its correlation with prognosis
      in patients with liver cancer treated by sorafenib.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the change of the peripheral blood immune pattern and its
      correlation with prognosis in patients with liver cancer after treated by
      sorafenib. METHODS: Patients with advanced liver cancer admitted in our hospital
      were enrolled and treated with sorafenib. After two months of the treatment,
      their peripheral blood was collected. The immune cell subset and cytokines level
      were determined by flow cytometry and luminex technology. According to the
      reaction expressed by patients towards sorafenib, patients were divided into the
      response group and the no response group. The changes of the peripheral blood
      immune pattern and its correlation with prognosis of patients in the two groups
      were compared. RESULTS: Before and after treatment of sorafenib, there was no
      significant difference in the ratios of T cells, NK cells and their subtypes in
      peripheral blood of patients between the two groups; while after treatment the
      ratio of B cells and regulatory B cells (Breg) of patients in the response group
      was significant higher than that of the no response group (P < 0.05), and the
      prognosis conditions of patients with decreased ratio of Breg cells were better
      than other patients after undergoing chemotherapy. The levels of plasma cytokines
      IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL17, FIL-3L, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, MCP-1 and VEGF showed no
      significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: After treatment of sorafenib, the prognosis
      conditions of patients of advanced liver cancer with a reduced Breg ratio are
      better than patients with an unaltered or increased Breg ratio. The ratio of Breg
      in peripheral blood may be considered as early biological indicator for the
      prediction of the curative effects of sorafenib.

PMID- 27262074
TI  - The expression of MYH9 in osteosarcoma and its effect on the migration and
      invasion abilities of tumor cell.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of non-muscle myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9)
      in osteosarcoma and its effect on the migration and invasion abilities of tumor
      cell. METHODS: A total of 65 cases of osteosarcoma and 20 cases with benign
      osteochondroma who underwent resection operation in the Orthopaedics Department
      of our hospital from January 1st 2009 to January 1st 2015 were selected. Their
      mRNA levels of MYH9 were tested by qrt-PCR. Immunohistochemical method was used
      to examine the expression of MYH9 in osteosarcoma and the correlation between the
      positive expression of MYH9 and the clinicopathological features of patients was
      illustrated by statistical analysis. MYH9 was compounded artificially. The
      expression of MYH9 in SAOS2 osteosarcoma cells was decreased by siRNA. Scratch
      test was used to determine the change of SAOS2 cell migration ability after MYH9
      silence. Transwell assay was employed to detect the change of cell invasion
      ability after MYH9 silence. RESULTS: The expression levels of mRNA of MYH9 and
      protein in osteosarcoma tissues were significantly higher than those in benign
      osteochondroma tissues. The high expression of MYH9 in osteosarcoma tissues was
      apparently related to the high Enneking classification (III classification) and
      lung metastasis. SiRNA of MYH9 could evidently decrease the expression level of
      MYH9 in SAOS2. The down-regulated expression of MYH9 could inhibit the migration
      and invasion abilities of SAOS2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: MYH9 shows a trend of high
      expression in osteosarcoma tissues, and its high expression is associated with
      features such as tumor invasion and metastasis. The down-regulated MYH9 can
      realize an anti-tumor effect by inhibiting the migration and invasion of
      osteosarcoma cells.

PMID- 27262075
TI  - Comparative study of the chitooligosaccharides effect on the proliferation
      inhibition and radiosensitization of three types of human gastric cancer cell
      line.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the chitooligosaccharides (COS) effect on the proliferation
      inhibition and radiosensitivity of three types of human gastric cancer cell line.
      MOTHODS: CCK-8 assay was employed to obtain the inhibition ratio of COS on BGC823
      cells, MKN45 cells and SGC7901 cells at 48 h after treatment and the
      proliferation-inhibition curve was drawn with the inhibition ratio of COS on
      three types of cells. The clonogenic assay was used to detect the cell viability
      of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy (6 dose grades) in RAY group and RAY + COS group after
      X-ray, and the cell survival curve was used to analyze the sensitization
      enhancement ratio of COS. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle and
      apoptosis rate in control group, RAY group and RAY + COS group after 48 h
      treatment. RESULTS: COS inhibited the proliferation of three types of cells. The
      inhibition rate was positively correlated with the concentration of COS, and the
      susceptibility of MKN45 cells, SGC7901 cells and BGC823 cells to COS decreased in
      turn. The cell viability decreased gradually with the increasing radiation dose
      in RAY group and RAY + COS group (P < 0.01). The cell viabilities of RAY + COS
      group were lower than those of RAY group at all the dose grades under X-ray
      exposure (P < 0.01), and the sensitization enhancement ratios of COS on BGC823
      cells, MKN45 cells and SGC7901 cells were 1.06, 1.28 and 1.15, respectively. In
      controlled trials, apoptosis rate and percentage in the G2/M phase of three types
      of cells in RAY + COS group were higher than those in control group and RAY
      group, and percentage in the S phase and the G0/G1 phase in RAY + COS group were
      lower than those in the other two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: COS can inhibit
      the proliferation of three types of human gastric cancer cells and enhance the
      radiosensitivity by inducing apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest.

PMID- 27262076
TI  - Experiment research of cisplatin implants inhibiting transplantation tumor growth
      and regulating the expression of KLK7 and E-cad of tumor-bearing mice with
      gastric cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of cisplatin implants on transplantation tumor
      growth and the expression of tissue kallikrein-7 (KLK7) and E-cadherin (E-cad) in
      tumor-bearing mice with gastric cancer. METHODS: BALB/c nude mice were collected
      as experimental animal and were randomly divided into model control group (Group
      A), tail intravenous injection of cisplatin group (Group B), intratumor injection
      of cisplatin group (Group C) and cisplatin implants treatment group (Group D).
      After the drugs intervening, the weight and volume of transplantation tumors were
      measured on Day 20, Day 30 and Day 40 and serum and KLK7 and E-cad contents in
      transplanted tumor tissue were examined. RESULTS: On Day 20, Day 30 and Day 40
      after treatment, the weight and volume of transplantation tumors of tumor-bearing
      mice in four groups were different (Group A > Group B > Group C > Group D). The
      contents of KLK-7 and E-cad in tumor tissue and serum of tumor-bearing mice in
      four groups were different (Group A > Group B > Group C > Group D in KLK-7) and
      (Group A < Group B < Group C < Group D in E-cad). The weight and volume, and KLK7
      and E-cad contents of transplantation tumors in four groups were significant
      difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cisplatin implants can inhibit the growth of
      transplanted tumor tissue and down-regulated KLK7 expression and up-regulated E
      cad expression of tumor-bearing mice with gastric cancer.

PMID- 27262077
TI  - Encephalitis with convulsive status in an immunocompetent pediatric patient
      caused by Bartonella henselae.
AB  - Cat scratch's disease caused by Bartonella henselae, is known to be a self
      limited benign process in immunocompetent children. The association with
      neurologic manifestations is very uncommon especially in patient with no
      immunologic defects and in cases without specific treatment. A 7 years old male
      patient, without any immunocompromised defect, presented an atypic presentation
      of the cat scratch disease. The patient came to the hospital in two opportunities
      in a status epilepticus, in both cases the diagnosis was encephalitis by
      Bartonella henselae and the evolution with treatment was monitored with PCR
      (polymerase chain reaction) in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, as well as IFI
      (IgM, IgG) serology (indirect immunofluorescence). The patient had a favorable
      clinical and laboratory evolution for 6 months showing no recurrence of the
      disease. 

PMID- 27262078
TI  - ZIka virus infection in Asia: Reappraisal on phylogenetic data of Asian lineage.

PMID- 27262079
TI  - Are efforts up to the mark? A cirrhotic state and knowledge about HCV prevalence
      in general population of Pakistan.

PMID- 27262080
TI  - Taeniasis vs cysticercosis infection routes.

PMID- 27262081
TI  - Light-responsive multillamellar vesicles in coumaric acid/alkyldimethylamine
      oxide binary systems: Effects of surfactant and hydrotrope structures.
AB  - Herein, we report a series of novel light-responsive multilamellar vesicles based
      on the surfactant/hydrotrope binary systems. The phase behaviors of
      alkyldimethylamine oxide (CmDMAO, m=10, 12, 14) and trans-coumaric acid (trans
      CA) isomerides, including trans-ortho-coumaric acid (trans-OCA), trans-meta
      coumaric acid (trans-MCA) and trans-para-coumaric acid (trans-PCA), show that the
      multilamellar vesicle (MLV) formation region is commonly presented in the trans
      CA/CmDMAO systems except trans-PCA/C12DMAO. Moreover, the molecular structures of
      CmDMAO and trans-CA affect the multilamellar vesicle formation region
      significantly. Generally speaking, the bigger the m, the larger the MLV region.
      Various techniques such as rheology, polarized optical microscopy (POM), (1)H
      NMR, (2)H NMR, cryogen transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and freeze
      fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF-TEM) are used to characterize the
      aggregate structures. The multilamellar vesicles can transform into a homogeneous
      and transparent micelle phase or a two-phase system in the trans-OCA/CmDMAO
      binary systems under UV light irradiation, which depends on the chain length of
      CmDMAO and the molar ratio of [trans-OCA]/[CmDMAO]. Specifically, the light
      stimuli response of multilamellar vesicles in the trans-OCA/C12DMAO system is
      representatively studied in detail. UV-vis spectra and (1)H NMR measurements
      illustrate that the light-induced trans-OCA to cis-OCA isomerization is essential
      during the transitions and the light-induced two-phase formation is attributed to
      the enrichment of surfactants, because the trans-cis isomerization can not only
      strengthen the hydrophilicity of cis-OCA but also increase the steric hindrance
      between cis-OCA and C12DMAO, and thereby altering the morphology of aggregate and
      the rheological response of bulk phase significantly. 

PMID- 27262082
TI  - Screening and identification of the metabolites in rat urine and feces after oral
      administration of Lycopus lucidus Turcz extract by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Lycopus lucidus Turcz has been used as a kind of edible and medicinal material in
      eastern Asian countries. It has various bioactivities, including treatment of
      menstrual disorder, amenorrhea, menstrual cramps, inflammation, and
      cardiovascular diseases. However, the in vivo metabolism of L. lucidus Turcz
      extract is still not well described. In this study, L. lucidus Turcz extracts
      were administered to rats. Urine and fecal samples were collected at the
      difference periods (0-12h, 12-24h, and 24-36h). Ultra-high performance liquid
      chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem quadrupole time-of
      flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) method was developed to characterize
      and identify the metabolites. A total of 17 metabolites in feces and 19
      metabolites in urine were tentatively identified by means of accurate mass and
      characteristic fragment ions. The results show that glucuronidation and sulfation
      are the major metabolic reactions. This study is the first reported analysis and
      characterization of the metabolites and the proposed metabolic pathways of
      bioactive components might provide further understanding of the metabolic fate of
      the chemical constituents after oral administration of L. lucidus Turcz extract
      in rats. 

PMID- 27262083
TI  - Monitoring of antifungal drugs in biological samples using ultrasonic-assisted
      supramolecular dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification
      of a floating organic droplet.
AB  - A new method for the simultaneous determination of the three antifungal drugs
      using ultrasonic-assisted supramolecular dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction
      based on solidification of a floating organic droplet (UASMDLLME-SFO) was
      proposed. The supramolecular solvents produced from reversed micelles of 1
      dodecanol (extraction solvent) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) were injected into the
      aqueous sample solution. Reverse micelle coacervates were produced in situ
      through self-assembly processes. The antifungal drugs were extracted from the
      aqueous sample into a supramolecular solvent. Sonication accelerated the mass
      transfer of the target analytes into the supramolecular solvent phase and
      enhanced the dispersion process. Some parameters affecting the extraction
      efficiency such as type and volume of the extraction solvent, pH, volume of the
      disperser solvent and ultrasound extraction time were investigated. Under optimum
      conditions, the limits of detections for ketoconazole, clotrimazole and
      miconazole ranged from 0.08 to 1.3MUgL(-1) and the relative standard deviations
      (RSDs, n=5)<6% were obtained. The method was successfully applied for
      preconcentration of the three drugs in biological and water samples. 

PMID- 27262084
TI  - Lactobacillus acidophilus attenuates Aeromonas hydrophila induced cytotoxicity in
      catla thymus macrophages by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation.
AB  - The pathogenesis of Aeromonas hydrophila, a potent fish pathogen, is attributed
      to its ability to cause motile aeromonad septicaemia leading to apoptosis in a
      myriad of fish species, including freshwater carp Catla catla. However, the
      underlying mechanism of antagonistic activity of probiotics against A. hydrophila
      induced apoptosis is not elucidated due to lack of appropriate in-vitro models.
      This study reported that the exposure of catla thymus macrophages (CTM) to A.
      hydrophila markedly induced cellular injuries as evidenced by elevated levels of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), increased
      apoptosis, DNA damage and decreased cellular viability. Flow cytometry analysis
      and Annexin-V/propidium iodide assay further confirmed increased ROS positive
      cells leading to cell death after infection. The quantitative real-time PCR
      analysis, also revealed upregulation of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS),
      pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNFalpha), cyclooxygenase2 (COX-2) and downregulation
      of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Pretreatment of cells with probiotic,
      Lactobacillus acidophilus attenuated A. hydrophila induced apoptosis as evident
      from the decrease in the levels of ROS, RNS and DNA damage. Significant increase
      (P<=0.05) in expression of TNFalpha and IL-10 and decrease in iNOS and COX-2 was
      observed on probiotic stimulation. In-vivo study using catla fingerlings
      confirmed similar pattern of ROS, iNOS, NO production and cytokine expression in
      thymus. This study provides a comprehensive insight into the mechanistic basis of
      L. acidophilus induced macrophage mediated inflammatory response against A.
      hydrophila in CTM cells. Further, it speculates the possibility of using cost
      effective in-vitro models for screening probiotic candidates of therapeutic
      potential in aquaculture industry.

PMID- 27262085
TI  - Nursing students' perceptions of community care and other areas of nursing
      practice - A review of the literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To review recent literature on student nurses' perceptions of
      different areas of nursing practice, in particular community care. Healthcare is
      changing from care delivery in institutional settings to care to patients in
      their own homes. Problematic is that nursing students do not see community care
      as an attractive line of work, and their perceptions of community care do not
      reflect the realities of the profession. Understanding the factors influencing
      the perception of the professional field is important to positively influence
      students' willingness to see community nursing as a future profession. DESIGN:
      Literature search with accompanying narrative synthesis of primary research. DATA
      SOURCES: ERIC((r)), PsycInfo((r)), Pubmed((r)), and CINAHL((r)) (2004-2014)
      databases using the search terms: 'nursing student', 'student nurse', 'community
      care', 'community nurse', 'image', 'attitude', and 'perception'. REVIEW METHODS:
      After screening 522 retrieved article titles with abstracts, the number of
      articles was reduced based upon specified inclusion/exclusion criteria leading to
      inclusion of 34. Evaluation of the references in those articles yielded an
      additional 5 articles. A narrative synthesis of those articles was created to
      uncover students' perception of community care, other areas of professional
      practice, and the factors influencing those perceptions. RESULTS: 39 articles
      were selected. Results show that many nursing students begin their education with
      a lay person's conception of the profession, shaped by media representations.
      Work placements in different settings offer clinical experience that helps
      students orient themselves towards a future profession. Students prefer hospitals
      as a place of work, because of the acute nature and technologically advanced
      level of care offered there. Few students perceive mental health and elderly care
      as appealing. Perceptions of community care can vary widely, the most prevalent
      view being that it is unattractive because of its chronic care profile, with
      little technical skill, untrained workers, and a high workload. However, another
      view is that it offers challenging and meaningful work because of the variety of
      caregiving roles and the opportunity to work independently. CONCLUSIONS: Few
      nursing students choose community nursing as a future profession. They have a
      limited and often mistaken view of community care, and they underestimate the
      field's complexity because it is less visible than in the environment of acute
      care. Providing students with specific curricular content and employing a
      structured approach to preparation for work placement could help build a more
      positive perception of community care, leading to more students seeing/choosing
      community care as a desirable field of work.

PMID- 27262086
TI  - BDNF serum levels in schizophrenic patients during treatment augmentation with
      sarcosine (results of the PULSAR study).
AB  - AIM: Finding a relationship between schizophrenia symptoms severity and initial
      level of BDNF and its changes during augmentation of antipsychotic treatment with
      sarcosine. METHOD: 57 individuals with schizophrenia with predominantly negative
      symptoms completed a 6-month RCT prospective study. The patients received 2g of
      sarcosine (n=27) or placebo (n=30) daily. At the beginning, after 6 weeks and 6
      months BDNF levels were measured. Severity of symptoms was assessed using the
      Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Calgary Depression Scale for
      Schizophrenia (CDSS). RESULTS: BDNF serum levels were stable after 6 weeks and 6
      months in both groups. We noted improvement in negative symptoms, general
      psychopathology and total PANSS score in sarcosine group comparing to placebo,
      however there was no correlations between serum BDNF concentrations and PANSS
      scores in all assessments. Initial serum BDNF concentrations cannot be used as a
      predictor of the improvement resulting from adding sarcosine. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results indicate that either BDNF is not involved in the NMDA-dependent mechanism
      of sarcosine action or global changes in BDNF concentrations induced by amino
      acid cannot be detected in blood assessments.

PMID- 27262087
TI  - Patients with schizophrenia are less prone to interpret virtual others'
      empathetic questioning as helpful.
AB  - Individuals with schizophrenia are impaired in their neurocognition and present
      cognitive biases. These impairments may lead to a deficit in recognizing helping
      intentions of others. To investigate recognition of help, we designed a card
      guessing game (Virtual Help Recognition Paradigm) involving two successive
      virtual agents asking questions to the participant at different moments of the
      game. These questions were either empathetic (i.e. on the subject's feelings) or
      non-empathetic (i.e. on technical aspects of the game). We assessed how much the
      participant felt that the virtual agent had helped him and, her attitude and
      personality traits. We measured how much the participant trusted the virtual
      agent with a monetary allocation procedure. Twenty individuals with schizophrenia
      and twenty healthy controls were recruited. The controls' ratings demonstrated
      that they interpreted empathetic questioning as helping and rewarded it
      positively with an increased monetary allocation. Participants with schizophrenia
      had a reduced perception of the differences between the two agents. Only the
      rating concerning the "interest/attention" of the agent toward these participants
      yielded significant differences among conditions. Hypothetically, individuals
      with schizophrenia take into account the fact they are the object of another's
      attention, but may fail to infer a helping intention and to behave accordingly.

PMID- 27262088
TI  - Differences in knowledge of dementia among older adults with normal cognition,
      mild cognitive impairment, and dementia: A representative nationwide sample of
      Korean elders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Lack of knowledge about a disease could impede early diagnosis and may
      lead to delays in seeking appropriate medical care. The aim of this study was to
      explore knowledge of dementia (KOD) and to find the determinants of KOD among
      three groups: older adults with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment
      (MCI), and dementia. METHODS: A representative nationwide sample of 6141 Korean
      elders aged 65 years or older participated in face-to-face interviews and
      answered 14 questions pertaining to general information, etiology, symptoms, and
      treatment of dementia. Stepwise multiple regressions and path analyses probed the
      relationships between various sociodemographic variables and KOD. RESULTS: The
      percentage of correct responses was only 62%. The item 'A person who remembers
      things that happened in the past does not have dementia' was answered correctly
      (false) by only 24.8-27% of the respondents in all groups. Older adults with
      normal cognition had higher KOD scores than those with MCI or dementia. In the
      normal-cognition group, KOD scores were higher among highly educated, younger,
      and literate women with no depression and a family history of dementia. In
      contrast with the determinants in the normal-cognition group, only the ability to
      read and write predicted KOD scores in the dementia group. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts
      to enhance KOD in elder adults are needed. Public education regarding the
      differences between dementia and healthy aging may increase KOD among normal
      elders and those with MCI. Among elders with dementia, educational materials that
      do not require literacy may be more helpful in increasing KOD with the aim of
      preventing treatment delay.

PMID- 27262089
TI  - Exposure to physical and sexual violence prior to imprisonment predicts mental
      health and substance use treatments in prison populations.
AB  - The present study aimed to establish rates of exposure to physical or sexual
      violence (PSV) prior to imprisonment for prisoners in Spain and to explore
      whether people exposed to PSV access mental health treatment during imprisonment.
      In a sample of 2484 male and 225 female prisoners, socio-demographic variables,
      exposure to PSV prior to imprisonment and mental health treatments during
      imprisonment were assessed. Frequencies were calculated as per cent values with
      95% confidence intervals (CI). The Risk Ratio (RR) of PSV and other socio
      demographic variables to associate with mental health treatment during
      imprisonment was established. History of PSV was present in 35.2% (95% CI: 33.3
      37.0) of the male and 40.0% (95% CI: 33.9-46.8) of the female prisoners. 70.7%
      (95% CI: 67.8-73.9) of the male and 76.9% (95% CI: 67.7-86.0) of the female
      prisoners with prior exposure to PSV were in mental health treatment during
      imprisonment. PSV was a significant predictor of mental health treatment during
      imprisonment in male (RR: 2.79; 95% CI 2.44-2.92) and female (RR: 1.94; 95% CI
      1.76-2.23) prisoners. Most people with exposure to PSV prior to imprisonment
      access mental health treatment during imprisonment. Treatments may have to focus
      more on traumatic experiences. 

PMID- 27262090
TI  - The current state of accidents involving choking on mochi (glutinous rice cakes)
      during New Year's in Japan and measures to prevent them: A study focusing on the
      elderly.

PMID- 27262091
TI  - Hydrothermal carbonisation of poultry litter: Effects of treatment temperature
      and residence time on yields and chemical properties of hydrochars.
AB  - In this study, hydrochars were prepared by hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) of
      poultry litter (PL) at temperatures between 150-300 degrees C with residence
      times of 30, 120 and 480min. The effects of treatment temperature and residence
      time on the yield and composition of hydrochar were investigated. Both treatment
      temperature and residence time effects were observed however, the effect of
      residence time was lower. The results indicated that the HHV was improved by up
      to 25.17% and the overall ash in hydrochar was significantly lower compared to
      PL, however this coincided with a lower hydrochar yield. 

PMID- 27262092
TI  - Evaluation of the integrated hydrothermal carbonization-algal cultivation process
      for enhanced nitrogen utilization in Arthrospira platensis production.
AB  - Sustainable microalgal cultivation at commercial scale requires nitrogen
      recycling. This study applied hydrothermal carbonization to recover N of hot
      water extracted Arthrospira platensis biomass residue into aqueous phase (AP)
      under different operation conditions and evaluated the N utilization, biomass
      yield and quality of A. platensis cultures using AP as the sole N source. With
      the increase of temperature at 190-210 degrees C or reaction time of 2-3h, the N
      recovery rate decreased under nitrogen-repletion (+N) cultivation, while
      contrarily increased under nitrogen-limitation (-N) cultivation. Under +N biomass
      accumulation in the cultures with AP under 190 degrees C was enhanced by 41-67%
      compared with that in NaNO3, and the highest protein content of 51.5%DW achieved
      under 200 degrees C-2h was also 22% higher. Carbohydrate content of 71.4%DW under
      -N cultivation achieved under 210 degrees C-3h was 14% higher than that in NaNO3.
      HTC-algal cultivation strategy under -N mode could save 60% of conventional N. 

PMID- 27262093
TI  - Facile synthesis of pectin-stabilized magnetic graphene oxide Prussian blue
      nanocomposites for selective cesium removal from aqueous solution.
AB  - This work focused on the development of pectin-stabilized magnetic graphene oxide
      Prussian blue (PSMGPB) nanocomposites for removal of cesium from wastewater. The
      PSMGPB nanocomposite showed an improved adsorption capacity of 1.609mmol/g for
      cesium, compared with magnetic graphene oxide Prussian blue, magnetic pectin
      Prussian blue, and magnetic Prussian blue nanocomposites, which exhibited
      adsorption capacities of 1.230, 0.901, and 0.330mmol/g, respectively. Increased
      adsorption capacity of PSMGPB nanocomposites was attributed to the pectin
      stabilized separation of graphene oxide sheets and enhanced distribution of
      magnetites on the graphene oxide surface. Scanning electron microscopy images
      showed the effective separation of graphene oxide sheets due to the incorporation
      of pectin. The optimum temperature and pH for adsorption were 30 degrees C and
      7.0, respectively. A thermodynamic study indicated the spontaneous and the
      exothermic nature of cesium adsorption. Based on non-linear regression, the
      Langmuir isotherm fitted the experimental data better than the Freundlich and
      Tempkin models. 

PMID- 27262095
TI  - Surface sorption and nanoparticle production as a silver detoxification mechanism
      of the freshwater alga Parachlorella kessleri.
AB  - SEM, EDS, TEM, FTIR and UV-vis analysis were used to investigate the biosorption,
      bioaccumulation and bioreduction of silver by the freshwater green alga
      Parachlorella kessleri. The dead algal biomass showed high potential for silver
      removal; 75% of silver was removed within 2min. Surface sorption was the main
      mechanism; bioreduction contributed to the biosorption only to a small extent. In
      the presence of living P. kessleri cells a 68% decrease of silver concentration
      was observed within 24h, but subsequently the majority of silver was released
      back into the solution within the next 14days. According to UV-vis spectrometry,
      silver nanoparticles were formed in that time. The nanoparticles produced by the
      alga exhibited a lower toxicity against algal cells than silver ions at the same
      silver concentrations. The study demonstrated that living algal cells used a
      combination of two main mechanisms (sorption and reduction) for silver
      detoxification in their environment. 

PMID- 27262094
TI  - Effects of salinity build-up on the performance of an anaerobic membrane
      bioreactor regarding basic water quality parameters and removal of trace organic
      contaminants.
AB  - The effects of elevated inorganic salt concentration on anaerobic membrane
      bioreactor (AnMBR) treatment regarding basic biological performance and trace
      organic contaminant (TrOC) removal were investigated. A set of 33 TrOCs were
      selected to represent pharmaceuticals, steroids, and pesticides in municipal
      wastewater. Results show potential adverse effects of increase in the bioreactor
      salinity to 15g/L (as NaCl) on the performance of AnMBR with respect to chemical
      oxygen demand removal, biogas production, and the removal of most hydrophilic
      TrOCs. Furthermore, a decrease in biomass production was observed as salinity in
      the bioreactor increased. The removal of most hydrophobic TrOCs was high and was
      not significantly affected by salinity build-up in the bioreactor. The
      accumulation of a few persistent TrOCs in the sludge phase was observed, but such
      accumulation did not vary significantly as salinity in the bioreactor increased. 

PMID- 27262096
TI  - Structure modification and extracellular polymeric substances conversion during
      sewage sludge biodrying process.
AB  - Biodrying, an economical and energy-saving biomass waste treatment, removes water
      from waste using the biological heat generated by organic matter degradation.
      Technical limitations associated with dewatering complicate the biodrying of
      sewage sludge. This study investigated the sludge alteration associated with its
      water removal, focusing on sludge form, extracellular polymeric substances, and
      free water release. An auto-feedback control technology was used for the
      biodrying; a scanning electron microscope was used to record the morphological
      change; three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy
      was used to analyze extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) variation, and time
      domain reflectometry was used to assess the free water release. Over the 20-day
      biodrying, there was a 62% water removal rate during the first thermophilic
      phase. Biodrying created a hollow and stratified sludge structure. Aromatic
      proteins and soluble microbial byproducts in the EPS were significantly degraded.
      The thermophilic phase was the phase resulting in the greatest free water
      release. 

PMID- 27262097
TI  - Development of a real-time bioprocess monitoring method for docosahexaenoic acid
      production by Schizochytrium sp.
AB  - Oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) are key respiratory
      parameters for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) production by Schizochytrium sp. HX-308
      under dissolved oxygen limited conditions. To investigate the relationship of OUR
      and RQ with culture status, three independent cultures with different aeration
      rates were performed in a 50L bioreactor. OUR was found to be positively
      correlated with the aeration rate, which reflected the oxygen supply level in
      each culture. The highest biomass, reaching 124.5g/L, was achieved under the
      highest OUR. DHA content was found to be highly correlated with the RQ value, and
      the highest DHA content (44.85% in total fatty acids, w/w) was achieved in the
      highest RQ level, which implies that the polyketide synthase pathway was more
      active. OUR and RQ, which reflect the physiological state of microorganisms, are
      suggested as synergistic real-time bioprocess monitoring parameters for DHA
      fermentation. 

PMID- 27262099
TI  - Prevalence of Autoimmune Disease Among Patients With Lung Cancer: Implications
      for Immunotherapy Treatment Options.

PMID- 27262098
TI  - Long-term effects of ZnO nanoparticles on nitrogen and phosphorus removal,
      microbial activity and microbial community of a sequencing batch reactor.
AB  - The performance, microbial activity, and microbial community of a sequencing
      batch reactor (SBR) were investigated under the long-term exposure of ZnO
      nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Low ZnO NPs concentration (less than 5mg/L) had no
      obvious effect on the SBR performance, whereas the removals of COD, NH4(+)-N, and
      phosphorus were affected at 10-60mg/L ZnO NPs. The variation trend of nitrogen
      and phosphorus removal rate was similar to that of microbial enzymatic activity
      with the increase of ZnO NPs concentrations. The richness and diversity of
      microbial community showed obvious variations at different ZnO NPs
      concentrations. ZnO NPs appeared on the surface and cell interior of activated
      sludge, and the Zn contents in the effluent and activated sludge increased with
      the increase of ZnO NPS concentration. The present results provide use
      information to understand the effect of ZnO NPS on the performance of wastewater
      biological treatment systems. 

PMID- 27262100
TI  - rs11895168 C allele and the increased risk of breast cancer in Isfahan
      population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Some of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in EebB4 gene have been
      studied to date in order for finding their relevance to the risk of breast
      cancer. However, no study has been conducted to investigate the importance of
      rs11895168, a microRNA-related SNP located in ErbB4 3'UTR, in breast tumors. In
      this paper, we investigated the frequency and association between rs11895168 and
      breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rs11895168 was genotyped in 364 samples
      collected from 172 breast cancer patients and 192 healthy participants, using
      Tetra-primer ARMS PCR. The frequency of genotypes was analyzed to find the
      association between rs11895168 and breast cancer risk and also
      clinicopathological characteristics of patients. RESULTS: our in silico studies
      suggested that different alleles at rs11895168 affect the binding strength of miR
      1276, a potential tumor suppressor. Statistical analysis showed a significant
      association between rs11895168 C allele-harboring genotypes and increased breast
      cancer risk. CONCLUSION: rs11895168 C allele is strongly and significantly
      associated with the increased risk of breast cancer and positivity of ER/PR tumor
      cells.

PMID- 27262101
TI  - Analysis of the carbohydrate-binding-module from Fragaria x ananassa alpha-L
      arabinofuranosidase 1.
AB  - alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases (EC 3.2.1.55) are enzymes involved in the catabolism
      of several cell-wall polysaccharides such as pectins and hemicelluloses,
      catalyzing the hydrolysis of terminal non-reducing alpha-L-arabinofuranosil
      residues. Bioinformatic analysis of the aminoacidic sequences of Fragaria x
      ananassa alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases predict a putative carbohydrate-binding
      module of the family CBM_4_9, associated to a wide range of carbohydrate
      affinities. In this study, we report the characterization of the binding affinity
      profile to different cell wall polysaccharides of the putative CBM of alpha-L
      arabinofuranosidase 1 from Fragaria x ananassa (CBM-FaARA1). The sequence
      encoding for the putative CBM was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and
      the resultant recombinant protein was purified from inclusion bodies by a Nickel
      affinity chromatography under denaturing conditions. The refolded recombinant
      protein was then subjected to binding assays and affinity gel electrophoresis,
      which indicated its ability to bind cellulose and also high affinity for
      homogalacturonans. 

PMID- 27262102
TI  - Clinical and analytical performance of the PapilloCheck HPV-Screening assay using
      the VALGENT framework.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The benefit of HPV testing for cervical cancer screening and disease
      management has been shown in many recent studies and is part of several new
      evidence-based guidelines. Assessment of emerging HPV tests in this context is
      essential, using well-annotated samples, such as those generated via the
      Validation of Genotyping Tests-HPV (VALGENT) framework. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to
      assess the PapilloCheck HPV assay in terms of absolute and relative accuracy for
      primary cervical cancer screening, using a standard comparator test
      (GP5+/6+EIA)already validated in randomised trials. STUDY DESIGN: Type-specific
      HPV prevalence was stratified by age and cytology grade and compared with the
      luminex typing assay incorporating a GP5+6+ PCR (GP5+/6+ LMNX Assay). Clinical
      outcomes were compared with GP5+/6+EIA. RESULTS: Prevalence of hrHPV types (high
      risk HPV) increased with severity of cytology. The concordance between
      PapilloCheck and the GP5+/6+ LMNX Assay was excellent when assessed at the
      qualitative hrHPV presence/absence level also at the type-specific level in the
      whole population and in women over 30 years of age. Absolute clinical sensitivity
      and specificity of the PapilloCheck was high and ranged between 95.5% and 98.2%
      for sensitivity and between 82.7% and 91.6% for specificity, depending on the
      outcome and population. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of this assay
      for the outcomes of CIN2+ were similar to those of the standard comparator assay,
      GP5+/6+ EIA.

PMID- 27262103
TI  - From BPA to its analogues: Is it a safe journey?
AB  - Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of the most abundant synthetic chemicals in the world
      due to its uses in plastics. Its widespread exposure vis-a-vis low dose effects
      led to a reduction in its safety dose and imposition of ban on its use in infant
      feeding bottles. This restriction paved the way for the gradual market entry of
      its analogues. However, their structural similarity to BPA has put them under
      surveillance for endocrine disrupting potential. The application of these
      analogues is increasing and so are the studies reporting their toxicity. This
      review highlights the reasons which led to the ban of BPA and also reports the
      exposure and toxicological data available on its analogues. Hence, this
      compilation is expected to answer in a better way whether the replacement of BPA
      by these analogues is safer or more harmful? 

PMID- 27262104
TI  - Perfluorooctanoic acid exposure alters polyunsaturated fatty acid composition,
      induces oxidative stress and activates the AKT/AMPK pathway in mouse epididymis.
AB  - Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a degradation-resistant compound with a carbon
      fluorine bond. Although PFOA emissions have been reduced since 2000, it remains
      persistent in the environment. Several studies on laboratory animals indicate
      that PFOA exposure can impact male fertility. Here, adult male mice received
      either PFOA (1.25, 5 or 20 mg/kg/d) or an equal volume of water for 28 d
      consecutively. PFOA accumulated in the epididymis in a dose-dependent manner and
      resulted in reduced epididymis weight, lower levels of triglycerides (TG),
      cholesterol (CHO), and free fatty acids (FFA), and activated AKT/AMPK signaling
      in the epididymis. Altered polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) compositions, such
      as a higher arachidonic acid:linoleic acid (AA:LA) ratio, concomitant with
      excessive oxidative stress, as demonstrated by increased malonaldehyde (MDA) and
      decreased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the epididymis, were observed in
      epididymis tissue following treatment with PFOA. These results indicate that the
      epididymis is a potential target of PFOA. Oxidative stress and PUFA alteration
      might help explain the sperm injury and male reproductive dysfunction induced by
      PFOA exposure. 

PMID- 27262105
TI  - Determination of n-alkanes contamination in soil samples by micro gas
      chromatography functionalized by multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
AB  - A new method for separation of 11 n-alkanes: octane, o-nonane, n-decane, n
      undecane, n-dodecane, n-tridecane, n-tetradecane, n-pentdecne, n-hexadecath,
      heptadecane, n-octadecane in soil samples was developed. Kuderna-Danish (K.D.)
      concentrator enrichment prior to ultrasonic extraction and the silicone
      chromatography column purification and with gas chromatography flame ionization
      detection (GC-FID) could be used for n-alkanes determination. The micro channels
      of open tubular column were fabricated onto a silicon wafer to replace the quartz
      capillary chromatographic column. The column structure and analysis parameters
      that affected the column separation were investigated and optimized. Under
      optimal conditions, the extract reagent was centrifuged and collected. A silicone
      chromatography column and a K.D. concentrator were used for further clean-up and
      enrichment. Using this method, the limits of detection (LOD) and limits of
      quantification (LOQ) were obtained in the range of 0.03-0.15 and 0.1-0.5 mg kg(
      1) in soil samples, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was under
      12%. The optimized procedure that presented good analytical performance (with
      recoveries ranging from 56.5% to 89.2%), was successfully applied to determine n
      alkane content in farmland soil samples adjacent to a highway. The results showed
      that the MWCNTs-functionalized column is capable of separating the alkane
      contaminations with high resolution in about 3 min, which is much shorter than
      that of GC-MS and other conventional analytical methods, demonstrating its great
      potential for rapid analysis. 

PMID- 27262106
TI  - Bioanalytical method development and validation for the determination of glycine
      in human cerebrospinal fluid by ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography
      tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - A LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the determination of
      glycine in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The validated method used artificial
      cerebrospinal fluid as a surrogate matrix for calibration standards. The
      calibration curve range for the assay was 100-10,000ng/mL and (13)C2, (15)N
      glycine was used as an internal standard (IS). Pre-validation experiments were
      performed to demonstrate parallelism with surrogate matrix and standard addition
      methods. The mean endogenous glycine concentration in a pooled human CSF
      determined on three days by using artificial CSF as a surrogate matrix and the
      method of standard addition was found to be 748+/-30.6 and 768+/-18.1ng/mL,
      respectively. A percentage difference of -2.6% indicated that artificial CSF
      could be used as a surrogate calibration matrix for the determination of glycine
      in human CSF. Quality control (QC) samples, except the lower limit of
      quantitation (LLOQ) QC and low QC samples, were prepared by spiking glycine into
      aliquots of pooled human CSF sample. The low QC sample was prepared from a
      separate pooled human CSF sample containing low endogenous glycine
      concentrations, while the LLOQ QC sample was prepared in artificial CSF. Standard
      addition was used extensively to evaluate matrix effects during validation. The
      validated method was used to determine the endogenous glycine concentrations in
      human CSF samples. Incurred sample reanalysis demonstrated reproducibility of the
      method. 

PMID- 27262107
TI  - Development and validation of a selective, sensitive and stability indicating
      UPLC-MS/MS method for rapid, simultaneous determination of six process related
      impurities in darunavir drug substance.
AB  - In this study a sensitive and selective gradient reverse phase UPLC-MS/MS method
      was developed for the simultaneous determination of six process related
      impurities viz., Imp-I, Imp-II, Imp-III, Imp-IV, Imp-V and Imp-VI in darunavir.
      The chromatographic separation was performed on Acquity UPLC BEH C18 (50
      mm*2.1mm, 1.7MUm) column using gradient elution of acetonitrile-methanol (80:20,
      v/v) and 5.0mM ammonium acetate containing 0.01% formic acid at a flow rate of
      0.4mL/min. Both negative and positive electrospray ionization (ESI) modes were
      operated simultaneously using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for the
      quantification of all six impurities in darunavir. The developed method was fully
      validated following ICH guidelines with respect to specificity, linearity, limit
      of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision,
      robustness and sample solution stability. The method was able to quantitate Imp
      I, Imp-IV, Imp-V at 0.3ppm and Imp-II, Imp-III, and Imp-VI at 0.2ppm with respect
      to 5.0mg/mL of darunavir. The calibration curves showed good linearity over the
      concentration range of LOQ to 250% for all six impurities. The correlation
      coefficient obtained was >0.9989 in all the cases. The accuracy of the method
      lies between 89.90% and 104.60% for all six impurities. Finally, the method has
      been successfully applied for three formulation batches of darunavir to determine
      the above mentioned impurities, however no impurity was found beyond the LOQ.
      This method is a good quality control tool for the trace level quantification of
      six process related impurities in darunavir during its synthesis. 

PMID- 27262108
TI  - Arachidonic acid metabolomic study of BPH in rats and the interventional effects
      of Zishen pill, a traditional Chinese medicine.
AB  - Zishen pill (ZSP) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used to treat benign
      prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study used a metabolomic approach based on UHPLC
      MS/MS to profile arachidonic acid (AA) metabolic changes and to investigate the
      interventional mechanisms of ZSP in testosterone- induced BPH rats. In order to
      explore the potential therapeutic effect of ZSP, rat models were constructed and
      orally administrated with ZSP. Plasma and urine samples were collected after four
      weeks and then eleven potential biomarkers (15-HETE, 12-HETE, TXA2, 5-HETE, AA,
      PGI2, PGF2alpha, 8-HETE, PGD2, PGE2 and LTB4) were identified and quantified by
      UHPLC-MS/MS. The chromatographic separation was carried out with gradient elution
      using a mobile phase comprised of 0.05% formic acid aqueous solution (pH=3.3) (A)
      and acetonitrile: methanol (80:20, V/V) (B), and each AA metabolites was measured
      using electrospray ionization source with negative mode and multiple reaction
      monitoring. The eleven biomarkers in BPH group rat plasma and urine were
      significant higher than those in sham group rats. Using the potential biomarkers
      as a screening index, the results suggest that ZSP can potentially reverse the
      process of BPH by partially regulating AA metabolism through refrain the
      expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). This study
      demonstrates that a metabolomic strategy is useful for identifying potential BPH
      biomarkers and investigating the underlying mechanisms of a TCM in BPH treatment.

PMID- 27262109
TI  - Systematic development of a group quantification method using evaporative light
      scattering detector for relative quantification of ginsenosides in ginseng
      products.
AB  - The determination for the contents of multi-components in ginseng products has
      come to the fore by demands of in-depth information, but the associated
      industries confront the high cost of securing pure standards for the continuous
      quality evaluation of the products. This study aimed to develop a prospective
      high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector
      (HPLC-ELSD) method for relative quantification of ginsenosides in ginseng
      products without a considerable change from the conventional gradient analysis.
      We investigated the effects of mobile phase composition and elution bandwidth,
      which are potential variables affecting the ELSD response in the gradient
      analysis. Similar ELSD response curves of nine major ginsenosides were obtained
      under the identical flow injection conditions, and the response increased as the
      percentage of organic solvent increased. The nine ginsenosides were divided into
      three groups to confirm the effect of elution bandwidth. The ELSD response
      significantly decreased in case of the late eluted ginsenoside in the individual
      groups under the isocratic conditions. With the consideration of the two
      important effects, stepwise changes of the gradient condition were carried out to
      reach a group quantification method. The inconsistent responses of the nine
      ginsenosides were reconstituted to three normalized responses by the stepwise
      changes of the gradient condition, and this result actualized relative
      quantification in the individual groups. The availability was confirmed by
      comparing the ginsenoside contents in a base material of ginseng products
      determined by the direct and group quantification method. The largest difference
      in the determination results from the two methods was 8.26%, and the difference
      of total contents was only 0.91%. 

PMID- 27262110
TI  - The impact of partial hepatectomy on oxidative state in the liver remnant - An in
      vivo swine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies on oxidative state after partial hepatectomy (PHx)
      report conflicting data on levels of glutathione (GSH) and are mainly presented
      in rodent models by methodology less sensitive than the present technologies. The
      current swine model presents GSH levels and the following genetic response post
      PHx, utilizing an analytical platform more sensitive and precise than earlier
      available. METHOD: Twelve pigs were randomized to a PHx- and a control group (n=6
      in each). The PHx group had a 60% hepatectomy. Serial in vivo liver biopsies
      during 12h of anaesthesia post-PHx were analyzed for GSH by liquid chromatography
      mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Transcriptional alterations of genes (GS, GCLM,
      GCLC, GR, HGF, NFE2L2, TGFbeta1) regulating GSH synthesis were measured by real
      time PCR. RESULTS: No difference was detected between the GSH levels in the PHx-
      and the control group during the experiment (P=0.247). Still, decreased gene
      expression of GS (P=0.026) and NFE2L2 (P=0.014) the first nine hours, and a
      decrease of TGFbeta1 (P=0.029) the first seven hours post-PHx was seen in the
      liver remnant. CONCLUSION: The results show that the liver has an extended
      capacity to maintain GSH homeostasis during major stress and parenchymal loss,
      even at the early onset of such trauma. This observation was not explained by
      increased expression of key genes in GSH pathways. Consequently, the results
      indicate an inherent compensatory capacity to maintain GSH homeostasis in the
      reduced organ.

PMID- 27262111
TI  - Engineering AAV receptor footprints for gene therapy.
AB  - Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are currently at the forefront of human gene
      therapy clinical trials as recombinant vectors. Significant progress has been
      made in elucidating the structure, biology and tropisms of different naturally
      occurring AAV isolates in the past decade. In particular, a spectrum of AAV
      capsid interactions with host receptors have been identified and characterized.
      These studies have enabled a better understanding of key determinants of AAV cell
      recognition and entry in different hosts. This knowledge is now being applied
      toward engineering new, lab-derived AAV capsids with favorable transduction
      profiles. The current review conveys a structural perspective of capsid-glycan
      interactions and provides a roadmap for generating synthetic strains by
      engineering AAV receptor footprints.

PMID- 27262112
TI  - BDNF Val66Met Genotype Interacts With a History of Simulated Stress Exposure to
      Regulate Sensorimotor Gating and Startle Reactivity.
AB  - Reduced expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has been
      implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The BDNF Val66Met
      polymorphism, which results in deficient activity-dependent secretion of BDNF, is
      associated with clinical features of schizophrenia. We investigated the effect of
      this polymorphism on Prepulse Inhibition (PPI), a translational model of
      sensorimotor gating which is disrupted in schizophrenia. We utilized humanized
      BDNFVal66Met (hBDNFVal66Met) mice which have been modified to carry the Val66Met
      polymorphism, as well as express humanized BDNF in vivo. We also studied the long
      term effect of chronic corticosterone (CORT) exposure in these animals as a model
      of history of stress. PPI was assessed at 30ms and 100ms interstimulus intervals
      (ISI). Analysis of PPI at the commonly used 100ms ISI identified that,
      irrespective of CORT treatment, the hBDNFVal/Met genotype was associated with
      significantly reduced PPI. In contrast, PPI was not different between
      hBDNFMet/Met and hBDNFVal/Val genotype mice. At the 30ms ISI, CORT treatment
      selectively disrupted sensorimotor gating of hBDNFVal/Met heterozygote mice but
      not hBDNFVal/Val or hBDNFMet/Met mice. Analysis of startle reactivity revealed
      that chronic CORT reduced startle reactivity of hBDNFVal/Val male mice by 51%.
      However, this was independent of the effect of CORT on PPI. In summary, we
      provide evidence of a distinct BDNFVal66Met heterozygote-specific phenotype using
      the sensorimotor gating endophenotype of schizophrenia. These data have important
      implications for clinical studies where, if possible, the BDNFVal/Met
      heterozygote genotype should be distinguished from the BDNFMet/Met genotype.

PMID- 27262113
TI  - Interferon-gamma Production by Peripheral Lymphocytes Predicts Survival of Tumor
      Bearing Mice Receiving Dual PD-1/CTLA-4 Blockade.
AB  - Immune checkpoint inhibitors are transforming the way cancer is treated. However,
      these therapies do not benefit all patients and frequently cause significant
      immune-related adverse events. Biomarkers that identify patients with a favorable
      early response to therapy are essential for guiding treatment decisions and
      improving patient outcomes. In this report of our study, we present evidence that
      shortly after administration of dual PD-1/CTLA-4 blockade, the proinflammatory
      capacity of peripheral lymphocytes is predictive of tumor progression and
      survival outcomes in multiple murine models. Specifically, we observed that the
      quantity of interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) produced by peripheral lymphocytes in
      response to CD3/CD28 stimulation was robustly correlated with subsequent survival
      outcomes. In the tumor models and early time points assessed in this study, this
      relationship was considerably more predictive than a host of other potential
      biomarkers, several of which have been previously reported. Overall, these
      findings suggest that measuring the capacity of peripheral lymphocytes to produce
      IFNgamma may help identify which patients are benefitting from combination anti
      PD-1/anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(8); 650-7. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27262115
TI  - Utility of graded prognostic assessment in evaluation of patients with brainstem
      metastases treated with radiosurgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Prospective data regarding the safety and efficacy of stereotactic
      radiosurgery (SRS) for patients with metastatic disease involving the brainstem
      are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of SRS
      for patients with brainstem metastases treated at our institution. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: From September 2007 to October 2015, patients treated with SRS for brain
      metastases were prospectively entered into an institutional database. Forty eight
      patients with 51 lesions involving the brainstem with clinical follow-up were
      identified. Local control (LC), elsewhere brain failure (EBF) and overall
      survival (OS) were assessed from the date of radiosurgery using the Kaplan-Meier
      method. Univariate and multivariate analyses of factors related to OS were
      performed using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Median clinical follow
      up was 4.8 months. Median patient age was 62 (range: 28-87); non-small cell lung
      and breast cancer were the most common primaries at 54% and 21% respectively.
      Median brainstem lesion volume was 0.12cm(3) (range: 0.01-3.67cm(3)). Whole brain
      radiotherapy was previously utilized in 19 patients (40%). The median OS was 7.6
      months and the 12 month LC rate was 89%. Only 2 patients (4%) experienced grade 3
      motor toxicity secondary to SRS. 11 of the 16 patients (69%) initially presenting
      with symptoms related to brainstem metastases had symptom improvement or
      resolution following SRS. On multivariate analysis, graded prognostic assessment
      (GPA) score>2 was predictive of improved survival (p<0.01) while prior
      chemotherapy use predicted decreased survival (p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: SRS is
      associated with high LC rates and low toxicity for brainstem metastases. Improved
      OS was seen for patients with GPA score>2. GPA appears to be a useful tool for
      assessing prognosis in patients with brainstem metastases. Small volume lesions
      were safely treated with or without prior whole brain radiotherapy.

PMID- 27262114
TI  - Molecular Pathways: Endothelial Cell FAK-A Target for Cancer Treatment.
AB  - The nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase, focal adhesion kinase (FAK, also known
      as PTK2), is a key mediator of signal transduction downstream of integrins and
      growth factor receptors in a variety of cells, including endothelial cells. FAK
      is upregulated in several advanced-stage solid tumors and has been described to
      promote tumor progression and metastasis through effects on both tumor cells and
      stromal cells. This observation has led to the development of several FAK
      inhibitors, some of which have entered clinical trials (GSK2256098, VS-4718, VS
      6062, VS-6063, and BI853520). Resistance to chemotherapy is a serious limitation
      of cancer treatment and, until recently, most studies were restricted to tumor
      cells, excluding the possible roles performed by the tumor microenvironment. A
      recent report identified endothelial cell FAK (EC-FAK) as a major regulator of
      chemosensitivity. By dysregulating endothelial cell-derived paracrine (also known
      as angiocrine) signals, loss of FAK solely in the endothelial cell compartment is
      able to induce chemosensitization to DNA-damaging therapies in the malignant cell
      compartment and thereby reduce tumor growth. Herein, we summarize the roles of EC
      FAK in cancer and development and review the status of FAK-targeting anticancer
      strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 22(15); 3718-24. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27262116
TI  - Water quality permitting: From end-of-pipe to operational strategies.
AB  - End-of-pipe permitting is a widely practised approach to control effluent
      discharges from wastewater treatment plants. However, the effectiveness of the
      traditional regulation paradigm is being challenged by increasingly complex
      environmental issues, ever growing public expectations on water quality and
      pressures to reduce operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions. To minimise
      overall environmental impacts from urban wastewater treatment, an operational
      strategy-based permitting approach is proposed and a four-step decision framework
      is established: 1) define performance indicators to represent stakeholders'
      interests, 2) optimise operational strategies of urban wastewater systems in
      accordance to the indicators, 3) screen high performance solutions, and 4) derive
      permits of operational strategies of the wastewater treatment plant. Results from
      a case study show that operational cost, variability of wastewater treatment
      efficiency and environmental risk can be simultaneously reduced by at least 7%,
      70% and 78% respectively using an optimal integrated operational strategy
      compared to the baseline scenario. However, trade-offs exist between the
      objectives thus highlighting the need of expansion of the prevailing wastewater
      management paradigm beyond the narrow focus on effluent water quality of
      wastewater treatment plants. Rather, systems thinking should be embraced by
      integrated control of all forms of urban wastewater discharges and coordinated
      regulation of environmental risk and treatment cost effectiveness. It is also
      demonstrated through the case study that permitting operational strategies could
      yield more environmentally protective solutions without entailing more cost than
      the conventional end-of-pipe permitting approach. The proposed four-step
      permitting framework builds on the latest computational techniques (e.g.
      integrated modelling, multi-objective optimisation, visual analytics) to
      efficiently optimise and interactively identify high performance solutions. It
      could facilitate transparent decision making on water quality management as
      stakeholders are involved in the entire process and their interests are
      explicitly evaluated using quantitative metrics and trade-offs considered in the
      decision making process. We conclude that the operational strategy-based
      permitting shows promising for regulators and water service providers alike.

PMID- 27262117
TI  - Characteristics of meso-particles formed in coagulation process causing
      irreversible membrane fouling in the coagulation-microfiltration water treatment.
AB  - In coagulation-membrane filtration water treatment processes, it is still
      difficult to determine the optimal coagulation condition to minimize irreversible
      membrane fouling. In microfiltration (MF), meso-particles (i.e., 20 nm-0.5 MUm)
      are thought to play an important role in irreversible membrane fouling,
      especially their characteristics of particle number (PN) and zeta potential (ZP).
      In this study, a new nanoparticle tracker combined a high-output violet laser
      with a microscope was developed to identify the physicochemical characteristics
      of these microscopic and widely dispersed meso-particles. The effects of pH and
      coagulant dose on ZP and PN of micro-particles (i.e., >0.5 MUm) and meso
      particles were investigated, and then coagulation-MF tests were conducted. As the
      result, irreversible membrane fouling was best controlled for both types of
      membranes, while meso-particle ZP approached zero at around pH 5.5 for both types
      of natural water. Since PN was greatest under these conditions, ZP is more
      important in determining the extent of irreversible membrane fouling than PN.
      However, the acidic condition to neutralize meso-particles is not suitable for
      actual operation, as considering residual aluminum concentration, pipe corrosion,
      and chlorination efficiency. It is therefore necessary to investigate coagulants
      or other methods for the appropriate modification of meso-particle
      characteristics.

PMID- 27262118
TI  - Autotrophic nitrogen assimilation and carbon capture for microbial protein
      production by a novel enrichment of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria.
AB  - Domestic used water treatment systems are currently predominantly based on
      conventional resource inefficient treatment processes. While resource recovery is
      gaining momentum it lacks high value end-products which can be efficiently
      marketed. Microbial protein production offers a valid and promising alternative
      by upgrading low value recovered resources into high quality feed and also food.
      In the present study, we evaluated the potential of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria
      to upgrade ammonium and carbon dioxide under autotrophic growth conditions. The
      enrichment of a generic microbial community and the implementation of different
      culture conditions (sequenced batch resp. continuous reactor) revealed surprising
      features. At low selection pressure (i.e. under sequenced batch culture at high
      solid retention time), a very diverse microbiome with an important presence of
      predatory Bdellovibrio spp. was observed. The microbial culture which evolved
      under high rate selection pressure (i.e. dilution rate D = 0.1 h(-1)) under
      continuous reactor conditions was dominated by Sulfuricurvum spp. and a highly
      stable and efficient process in terms of N and C uptake, biomass yield and
      volumetric productivity was attained. Under continuous culture conditions the
      maximum yield obtained was 0.29 g cell dry weight per gram chemical oxygen demand
      equivalent of hydrogen, whereas the maximum volumetric loading rate peaked 0.41 g
      cell dry weight per litre per hour at a protein content of 71%. Finally, the
      microbial protein produced was of high nutritive quality in terms of essential
      amino acids content and can be a suitable substitute for conventional feed
      sources such as fishmeal or soybean meal.

PMID- 27262119
TI  - Kinetic and microbiological characterization of aerobic granules performing
      partial nitritation of a low-strength wastewater at 10  degrees C.
AB  - A granular airlift reactor enriched in ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) was
      operated at 10  degrees C performing stable partial nitritation in the long-term.
      The reactor treated a synthetic low-strength influent during 250 days with an
      average nitrogen loading rate of 0.63 +/- 0.06 g N L(-1) d(-1). Nitrate
      production was barely detected, being the average concentration in the effluent
      of 0.6 +/- 0.3 mg N-NO3 L(-1). Furthermore, a suitable effluent for a subsequent
      reactor performing the anammox process was achieved. A maximum specific growth
      rate as high as 0.63 +/- 0.05 d(-1) was determined by performing kinetic
      experiments with the granular sludge in a chemostat and fitting the results to
      the Monod model. Pyrosequencing analysis showed a high enrichment in AOB (41 and
      65% of the population were identified as Nitrosomonas genus on day 98 and 233,
      respectively) and an effective repression of nitrite oxidizing bacteria in the
      long-term. Pyrosequencing analysis also identified the coexistence of nitrifying
      bacteria and heterotrophic psychrotolerant microorganisms in the granular sludge.
      Some psychrotolerant microorganisms are producers of cryoprotective extracellular
      polymeric substances that could explain the better survival of the whole
      consortia at cold temperatures.

PMID- 27262120
TI  - Pilot-scale UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation process for municipal reuse water:
      Assessing micropollutant degradation and estrogenic impacts on goldfish
      (Carassius auratus L.).
AB  - Low concentrations (ng/L-MUg/L) of emerging micropollutant contaminants in
      municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents affect the possibility to reuse
      these waters. Many of those micropollutants elicit endocrine disrupting effects
      in aquatic organisms resulting in an alteration of the endocrine system. A
      potential candidate for tertiary municipal wastewater treatment of these
      micropollutants is ultraviolet (UV)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an advanced
      oxidation process (AOP) which was currently applied to treat the secondary
      effluent of the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant (GBWWTP) in Edmonton, AB,
      Canada. A new approach is presented to predict the fluence-based degradation rate
      constants (kf') of environmentally occurring micropollutants including
      carbamazepine [(0.87-1.39) * 10(-3) cm(2)/mJ] and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
      (2,4-D) [(0.60-0.91) * 10(-3) cm(2)/mJ for 2,4-D] in a medium pressure (MP)
      UV/H2O2 system based on a previous bench-scale investigation. Rather than using
      removal rates, this approach can be used to estimate the performance of the MP
      UV/H2O2 process for degrading trace contaminants of concern found in municipal
      wastewater. In addition to the ability to track contaminant removal/degradation,
      evaluation of the MP UV/H2O2 process was also accomplished by identifying
      critical ecotoxicological endpoints (i.e., estrogenicity) of the treated
      wastewater. Using quantitative PCR, mRNA levels of estrogen-responsive (ER) genes
      ERalpha1, ERalpha2, ERbeta1, ERbeta2 and NPR as well as two aromatase encoding
      genes (CYP19a and CYP19b) in goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) were measured during
      exposure to the GBWWTP effluent before and after MP UV/H2O2 treatment (a fluence
      of 1000 mJ/cm(2) and 20 mg/L of H2O2) in spring, summer and fall. Elevated
      expression of estrogen-responsive genes in goldfish exposed to UV/H2O2 treated
      effluent (a 7-day exposure) suggested that the UV/H2O2 process may induce acute
      estrogenic disruption to goldfish principally because of the possible formation
      of various oxidation by-products. However, prolonged exposure of goldfish (60
      days) in UV/H2O2 treated effluent showed a restoration trend of ER gene
      expressions, especially in the summer. Collectively, our findings provide
      valuable indications regarding the long-term in vivo assessment of the MP UV/H2O2
      process for removing/degrading endocrine disrupting compounds detected in the
      municipal wastewater effluents.

PMID- 27262121
TI  - High nutrient concentration and temperature alleviated formation of large
      colonies of Microcystis: Evidence from field investigations and laboratory
      experiments.
AB  - Correlations between Microcystis colony size and environmental factors were
      investigated in Meiliang Bay and Gonghu Bay of Lake Taihu (China) from 2011 to
      2013. Compared with Gonghu Bay, both nutrient concentrations and Microcystis
      colony sizes were greater in Meiliang Bay. The median colony size (D50: 50% of
      the total mass of particles smaller than this size) increased from April to
      August and then decreased until November. In both bays, the average D50 of
      Microcystis colonies were <100 MUm in spring, but colonies within moderate-size
      (100-500 MUm) dominated in summer. The differences in colony size in Meiliang Bay
      and Gonghu Bay were probably due to horizontal drift driven by the prevailing
      south wind in summer. Redundancy analysis (RDA) of field data indicated that
      colony size was negatively related to nutrient concentrations but positively
      related to air temperature, suggesting that low nutrient concentrations and high
      air temperature promoted formation of large colonies. To validate the field
      survey, Microcystis colonies collected from Lake Taihu were cultured at different
      temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30  degrees C) under high and low nutrient
      concentrations for 9 days. The size of Microcystis colonies significantly
      decreased when temperature was above 20  degrees C but had no significant change
      at 15  degrees C. The differences in temperature effects on colony formation
      shown from field and laboratory suggested that the larger colonies in summer were
      probably due to the longer growth period rather than the higher air temperature
      and light intensity. In addition, colony size decreased more significantly at
      high nutrient levels. Therefore, it could be concluded that high nutrient
      concentration and temperature may alleviate formation of large colonies of
      Microcystis.

PMID- 27262122
TI  - N-Nitrosamines and halogenated disinfection byproducts in U.S. Full Advanced
      Treatment trains for potable reuse.
AB  - Water utilities are increasingly considering indirect and direct potable reuse of
      municipal wastewater effluents. Disinfection byproducts (DBPs), particularly N
      nitrosamines, are key contaminants of potential health concern for potable reuse.
      This study quantified the concentrations of N-nitrosamines and a suite of
      regulated and unregulated halogenated DBPs across five U.S. potable reuse Full
      Advanced Treatment trains incorporating microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and UV
      based advanced oxidation. Low MUg/L concentrations of trihalomethanes, haloacetic
      acids, dichloroacetonitrile, and dichloroacetamide were detected in the secondary
      or tertiary wastewater effluents serving as influents to potable reuse treatment
      trains, while the concentrations of N-nitrosamines were more variable (e.g., <2
      320 ng/L for N-nitrosodimethylamine). Ozonation promoted the formation of N
      nitrosamines, haloacetaldehydes, and haloacetamides, but biological activated
      carbon effectively reduced concentrations of these DBPs. Application of
      chloramines upstream of microfiltration for biofouling control increased DBP
      concentrations to their highest levels observed along the treatment trains.
      Reverse osmosis rejected DBPs to varying degrees, ranging from low for some
      (e.g., N-nitrosamines, trihalomethanes, and haloacetonitriles) to high for other
      DBPs. UV-based advanced oxidation eliminated N-nitrosamines, but only partially
      removed halogenated DBPs. Chloramination of the treatment train product waters
      under simulated distribution system conditions formed additional DBPs, with
      concentrations often equaling or exceeding those in the treatment train
      influents. Overall, the concentration profiles of DBPs were fairly consistent
      within individual treatment trains for sampling campaigns separated by months and
      across different treatment trains for the same sampling time window. Weighting
      DBP concentrations by their toxic potencies highlighted the potential
      significance of haloacetonitriles, which were not effectively removed by reverse
      osmosis and advanced oxidation, to the DBP-associated toxicity in potable reuse
      waters.

PMID- 27262123
TI  - Adsorption dynamics of methyl violet onto granulated mesoporous carbon: Facile
      synthesis and adsorption kinetics.
AB  - A new and facile one-step synthesis method for preparing granulated mesoporous
      carbon (GMC) with three-dimensional spherical mesoporous symmetry is prepared to
      remove large molecular weight organic compounds in aqueous phase. GMC is
      synthesized in a single step using as-synthesized mesoporous carbon particles and
      organic binders through a simple and economical synthesis approach involving a
      simultaneous calcination and carbonization process. Characterization results
      obtained from SEM, XRD, as well as surface and porosity analysis indicate that
      the synthesized GMC has similar physical properties to those of the powdered
      mesoporous carbon and maintains the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and
      pore volume because the new synthesis method prevents the collapse of the pores
      during the granulation process. Batch adsorption experiments revealed GMC showed
      a substantial adsorption capacity (202.8 mg/g) for the removal of methyl violet
      as a target large molecular contaminant in aqueous phase. The mechanisms and
      dynamics modeling of GMC adsorption were also fully examined, which revealed that
      surface diffusion was rate limiting step on adsorption process of GMC. Adsorption
      kinetics of GMC enables 3 times faster than that of granular activated carbon in
      terms of surface diffusion coefficient. This is the first study, to the best of
      our knowledge, to synthesize GMC as an adsorbent for water purification by using
      facile granulation method and to investigate the adsorption kinetics and
      characteristics of GMC. This study introduces a new and simple method for the
      synthesis of GMC and reveals its adsorption characteristics for large molecular
      compounds in a water treatment.

PMID- 27262124
TI  - Students with autism spectrum disorder in college: Results from a preliminary
      mixed methods needs analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a growing call for empirically based programming to support
      the success of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they transition to
      college. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to identify the needs and challenges
      faced by adolescents and young adults with ASD in postsecondary education.
      METHODS: A mixed methods approach was taken to explore the needs of college-bound
      and college-enrolled students with ASD. Primary stakeholders (i.e., parents,
      educators/support staff from secondary and postsecondary institutions, and
      students) participated in an online survey (n=67) and focus groups (n=15).
      RESULTS: Across the stakeholder groups, commonly identified areas of difficulty
      included limited interpersonal competence, managing competing demands in
      postsecondary education, and poor emotional regulation. There was a high degree
      of agreement across stakeholders in the identified needs and challenges.
      IMPLICATIONS: Findings from this preliminary needs analysis will inform the
      development of programming to support students with ASD.

PMID- 27262125
TI  - A speech pronunciation practice system for speech-impaired children: A study to
      measure its success.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The speech pronunciation practice (SPP) system enables children with
      speech impairments to practise and improve their speech pronunciation. However,
      little is known about the surrogate measures of the SPP system. AIMS: This
      research aims to measure the success and effectiveness of the SPP system using
      three surrogate measures: usage (frequency of use), performance (recognition
      accuracy) and satisfaction (children's subjective reactions), and how these
      measures are aligned with the success of the SPP system, as well as to each
      other. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We have measured the absolute change in the word
      error rate (WER) between the pre- and post-training, using the ANOVA test.
      Correlation co-efficiency (CC) analysis was conducted to test the relation
      between the surrogate measures, while a Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used
      to investigate the causal relations between the measures. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS:
      The CC test results indicate a positive correlation between the surrogate
      measures. The SEM supports all the proposed gtheses. The ANOVA results indicate
      that SPP is effective in reducing the WER of impaired speech. CONCLUSIONS AND
      IMPLICATIONS: The SPP system is an effective assistive tool, especially for high
      levels of severity. We found that performance is a mediator of the relation
      between "usage" and "satisfaction".

PMID- 27262127
TI  - Receptor-mediated sorting of soluble vacuolar proteins: myths, facts, and a new
      model.
AB  - To prevent their being released to the cell exterior, acid hydrolases are
      recognized by receptors at some point in the secretory pathway and diverted
      towards the lytic compartment of the cell (lysosome or vacuole). In animal cells,
      the receptor is called the mannosyl 6-phosphate receptor (MPR) and it binds
      hydrolase ligands in the trans-Golgi network (TGN). These ligands are then
      sequestered into clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) because of motifs in the
      cytosolic tail of the MPR which interact first with monomeric adaptors (Golgi
      localized, Gamma-ear-containing, ARF-binding proteins, GGAs) and then with
      tetrameric (adaptin) adaptor complexes. The CCVs then fuse with an early
      endosome, whose more acidic lumen causes the ligands to dissociate. The MPRs are
      then recycled back to the TGN via retromer-coated carriers. Plants have vacuolar
      sorting receptors (VSRs) which were originally identified in CCVs isolated from
      pea (Pisum sativum L.) cotyledons. It was therefore assumed that VSRs would have
      an analogous function in plants to MPRs in animals. Although this dogma has
      enjoyed wide support over the last 20 years there are many inconsistencies.
      Recently, results have been published which are quite contrary to it. It now
      emerges that VSRs and their ligands can interact very early in the secretory
      pathway, and dissociate in the TGN, which, in contrast to its mammalian
      counterpart, has a pH of 5.5. Multivesicular endosomes in plants lack proton pump
      complexes and consequently have an almost neutral internal pH, which discounts
      them as organelles of pH-dependent receptor-ligand dissociation. These data force
      a critical re-evaluation of the role of CCVs at the TGN, especially considering
      that vacuolar cargo ligands have never been identified in them. We propose that
      one population of TGN-derived CCVs participate in retrograde transport of VSRs
      from the TGN. We also present a new model to explain how secretory and vacuolar
      cargo proteins are effectively separated after entering the late Golgi/TGN
      compartments.

PMID- 27262126
TI  - Evolutionary divergence of phytochrome protein function in Zea mays PIF3
      signaling.
AB  - Two maize phytochrome-interacting factor (PIF) basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)
      family members, ZmPIF3.1 and ZmPIF3.2, were identified, cloned and expressed in
      vitro to investigate light-signaling interactions. A phylogenetic analysis of
      sequences of the maize bHLH transcription factor gene family revealed the extent
      of the PIF family, and a total of seven predicted PIF-encoding genes were
      identified from genes encoding bHLH family VIIa/b proteins in the maize genome.
      To investigate the role of maize PIFs in phytochrome signaling, full-length cDNAs
      for phytochromes PhyA2, PhyB1, PhyB2 and PhyC1 from maize were cloned and
      expressed in vitro as chromophorylated holophytochromes. We showed that ZmPIF3.1
      and ZmPIF3.2 interact specifically with the Pfr form of maize holophytochrome B1
      (ZmphyB1), showing no detectable affinity for the Pr form. Maize holophytochrome
      B2 (ZmphyB2) showed no detectable binding affinity for PIFs in either Pr or Pfr
      forms, but phyB Pfr from Arabidopsis interacted with ZmPIF3.1 similarly to
      ZmphyB1 Pfr. We conclude that subfunctionalization at the protein-protein
      interaction level has altered the role of phyB2 relative to that of phyB1 in
      maize. Since the phyB2 mutant shows photomorphogenic defects, we conclude that
      maize phyB2 is an active photoreceptor, without the binding of PIF3 seen in other
      phyB family proteins.

PMID- 27262128
TI  - Prevalence and Correlates of HIV Disclosure Among Children and Adolescents in Low
      and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Disclosure of HIV status among children and adolescents living with
      HIV has both beneficial and challenging aspects. To address existing knowledge
      gaps and update the literature on childhood disclosure, we conducted a systematic
      review on caregivers' perceptions and practices of HIV disclosure in low- and
      middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: Standard databases were searched for
      studies conducted in LMICs, published in English between 2004 and 2015. Excluded
      articles were reviews or case reports, and those not reporting childhood
      disclosure. Data regarding prevalence, correlates and impact of disclosure, were
      presented as frequencies. RESULTS: Two authors independently screened 982
      articles. After applying eligibility criteria, 22 articles representing 12
      countries and 2,843 children were reviewed. The proportion of fully disclosed
      children ranged from 1.7% to 41.0%. Up to 49.5% children were provided
      "deflected" information (use of a non-HIV-related reason for explaining illness
      and health care visits). Factors associated with full disclosure included
      antiretroviral treatment initiation and caregivers' felt need for maintaining
      optimal adherence. Barriers to disclosure included fear of negative psychological
      reactions and inadvertent disclosure to others. Caregivers perceived a strong
      need for active participation from health care providers to aid the process of
      disclosure. CONCLUSIONS: Full disclosure of HIV status was not common among
      children and adolescents in LMICs, while the practice of deflected disclosure was
      prominent. Caregivers perceived the need for support from health care providers
      during the disclosure process. Evidence-based guidelines incorporating the
      developmental status of the child, locally prevalent cultures, and caregiver
      perceptions are prerequisite to enhancing disclosure in these settings.

PMID- 27262129
TI  - Bioaccumulation and metabolomics responses in oysters Crassostrea hongkongensis
      impacted by different levels of metal pollution.
AB  - Jiulong River Estuary, located in southern China, was heavily contaminated by
      metal pollution. In this study, the estuarine oysters Crassostrea hongkongensis
      were transplanted to two sites with similar hydrological conditions but different
      levels of metal pollution in Jiulong River Estuary over a six-month period. We
      characterized the time-series change of metal bioaccumulation and final
      metabolomics responses of oysters. Following transplantation, all metals (Cd, Cu,
      Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the oyster digestive glands had elevated concentrations
      over time. By the end of six-month exposure, Cu, Zn and Cd were the main metals
      significantly differentiating the two sites. Using (1)H NMR metabolite approach,
      we further demonstrated the disturbance in osmotic regulation, energy metabolism,
      and glycerophospholipid metabolism induced by metal contaminations. Six months
      later, the oysters transplanted in the two sites showed a similar metabolite
      variation pattern when compared with the initial oysters regardless of different
      metal levels in the tissues. Interestingly, by comparing the oysters from two
      sites, the more severely polluted oysters accumulated significantly higher
      amounts of osmolytes (betaine and homarine) and lower energy storage compounds
      (glycogen) than the less polluted oysters; these changes could be the potential
      biomarkers for different levels of metal pollution. Our study demonstrated the
      complexity of biological effects under field conditions, and NMR metabolomics
      provides an important approach to detect sensitive variation of oyster inner
      status. 

PMID- 27262130
TI  - Environmentally relevant impacts of nano-TiO2 on abiotic degradation of bisphenol
      A under sunlight irradiation.
AB  - Understanding the effects of nano-TiO2 particles on the environmental behaviors
      of organic pollutants in natural aquatic environments is of paramount importance
      considering that large amount of nano-TiO2 is being released in the environment.
      In this study, the effect of nano-TiO2 on the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in
      water was investigated under simulated solar light irradiation. The results
      indicated that nano-TiO2 at environmentally relevant concentration (1 mg/L) could
      significantly facilitate the abiotic degradation of BPA (also at low
      concentration) under mild solar light irradiation, with the pseudo first-order
      rate constant (kobs) for BPA degradation raised by 1-2 orders of magnitude. As
      reflected by the inhibition experiments, hydroxyl radicals (OHs) and superoxide
      radical species were the predominant active species responsible for BPA
      degradation. The reaction was affected by water pH, and the degradation rate was
      higher at acidic or alkaline conditions than that at neutral condition. Humic
      acid (HA) also affected the reaction rate, depending on its concentration. At
      lower concentration (the mass ratio of HA/nano-TiO2 was 0.1:1), HA improved the
      dispersion and stability of nano-TiO2 in aquatic environment. As a result, the
      yield of OHs by nano-TiO2 under sunlight irradiation increased and BPA
      degradation was facilitated. When the HA concentration increased, a coating of HA
      formed on the surface of nano-TiO2. Although nano-TiO2 became more stable, the
      light absorption by nano-TiO2 was significantly reduced due to the strong light
      absorption of the HA coated on the surface. As a consequence, the yield of OH
      decreased and BPA degradation was depressed. The results imply that nano-TiO2 at
      low concentration may distinctly mediate BPA degradation, and can contribute to
      the natural attenuation of some organic pollutants in aquatic environment with
      low level of HA. However, this process would be significantly reduced in the
      presence of high level of HA. 

PMID- 27262131
TI  - Levoglucosan evidence for biomass burning records over Tibetan glaciers.
AB  - Intense biomass burning (BB) events are widespread in tropical and subtropical
      Asia. However, the impact of BB aerosols on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), especially
      on Tibetan glaciers, is poorly understood. In this study, BB signals are revealed
      using the specific molecular tracer levoglucosan in snow and ice samples from
      different Tibetan glaciers. Tibetan glaciers mainly act as receptors of BB
      emissions from surrounding regions. Significant differences in levoglucosan
      concentrations in glacier samples collected from two slopes on the same mountain
      range indicate that high mountains can act as natural barriers to block the
      transport of smoke aerosols to the TP. Levoglucosan concentrations show a
      decreasing trend from west to east on glaciers impacted by the Indian summer
      monsoon on the southern edge of the TP, while the opposite pattern was observed
      on glaciers under the prevailing westerlies along the northern edge. The emission
      sources, the controlling climate system, as well as deposition and degradation
      during transport determined the spatial distribution regimes of levoglucosan
      concentration on Tibetan glaciers. 

PMID- 27262132
TI  - Gas flaring and resultant air pollution: A review focusing on black carbon.
AB  - Gas flaring is a prominent source of VOCs, CO, CO2, SO2, PAH, NOX and soot (black
      carbon), all of which are important pollutants which interact, directly and
      indirectly, in the Earth's climatic processes. Globally, over 130 billion cubic
      metres of gas are flared annually. We review the contribution of gas flaring to
      air pollution on local, regional and global scales, with special emphasis on
      black carbon (BC, "soot"). The temporal and spatial characteristics of gas
      flaring distinguishes it from mobile combustion sources (transport), while the
      open-flame nature of gas flaring distinguishes it from industrial point-sources;
      the high temperature, flame control, and spatial compactness distinguishes gas
      flaring from both biomass burning and domestic fuel-use. All of these
      distinguishing factors influence the quantity and characteristics of BC
      production from gas flaring, so that it is important to consider this source
      separately in emissions inventories and environmental field studies. Estimate of
      the yield of pollutants from gas flaring have, to date, paid little or no
      attention to the emission of BC with the assumption often being made that flaring
      produces a smokeless flame. In gas flares, soot yield is known to depend on a
      number of factors, and there is a need to develop emission estimates and
      modelling frameworks that take these factors into consideration. Hence, emission
      inventories, especially of the soot yield from gas flaring should give adequate
      consideration to the variation of fuel gas composition, and to combustion
      characteristics, which are strong determinants of the nature and quantity of
      pollutants emitted. The buoyant nature of gas flaring plume, often at
      temperatures in the range of 2000 K, coupled with the height of the stack enables
      some of the pollutants to escape further into the free troposphere aiding their
      long-range transport, which is often not well-captured by model studies. 

PMID- 27262133
TI  - Effects of Lumbriculus variegatus (Annelida, Oligochaete) bioturbation on zinc
      sediment chemistry and toxicity to the epi-benthic invertebrate Chironomus
      tepperi (Diptera: Chironomidae).
AB  - Classical laboratory-based single-species sediment bioassays do not account for
      modifications to toxicity from bioturbation by benthic organisms which may impact
      predictions of contaminated sediment risk to biota in the field. This study aims
      to determine the effects of bioturbation on the toxicity of zinc measured in a
      standard laboratory bioassay conducted with chironomid larvae (Chironomus
      tepperi). The epi-benthic chironomid larvae were exposed to two different levels
      of sediment contamination (1600 and 1980 mg/kg of dry weight zinc) in the
      presence or absence of annelid worms (Lumbriculus variegatus) which are known to
      be tolerant to metal and to have a large impact on sediment properties through
      bioturbation. Chironomids had 5-6x higher survival in the presence of L.
      variegatus which shows that bioturbation had a beneficial effect on the
      chironomid larvae. Chemical analyses showed that bioturbation induced a flux of
      zinc from the pore water into the water column, thereby reducing the
      bioavailability of zinc in pore water to the chironomid larvae. This also
      suggested that pore water was the major exposure path for the chironomids to
      metals in sediment. During the study, annelid worms (Oligochaetes) produced a
      thin layer of faecal pellets at the sediment surface, a process known to: (i)
      create additional adsorption sites for zinc, thus reducing its availability, (ii)
      increase the microbial abundance that in turn could represent an additional food
      source for opportunistic C. tepperi larvae, and (iii) modify the microbial
      community's structure and alter the biogeochemical processes it governs thus
      indirectly impact zinc toxicity. This study represents a contribution in
      recognising bioturbating organisms as "ecological engineers" as they directly and
      indirectly influence metal bioavailability and impact other sediment-inhabiting
      species. This is significant and should be considered in risk assessment of zinc
      levels (and other metals) in contaminated sediment when extrapolating from
      laboratory studies to the field. 

PMID- 27262134
TI  - Is standard deviation of daily PM2.5 concentration associated with respiratory
      mortality?
AB  - Studies on health effects of air pollution often use daily mean concentration to
      estimate exposure while ignoring daily variations. This study examined the health
      effects of daily variation of PM2.5. We calculated daily mean and standard
      deviations of PM2.5 in Hong Kong between 1998 and 2011. We used a generalized
      additive model to estimate the association between respiratory mortality and
      daily mean and variation of PM2.5, as well as their interaction. We controlled
      for potential confounders, including temporal trends, day of the week,
      meteorological factors, and gaseous air pollutants. Both daily mean and standard
      deviation of PM2.5 were significantly associated with mortalities from overall
      respiratory diseases and pneumonia. Each 10 MUg/m(3) increment in daily mean
      concentration at lag 2 day was associated with a 0.61% (95% CI: 0.19%, 1.03%)
      increase in overall respiratory mortality and a 0.67% (95% CI: 0.14%, 1.21%)
      increase in pneumonia mortality. And a 10 MUg/m(3) increase in standard deviation
      at lag 1 day corresponded to a 1.40% (95% CI: 0.35%, 2.46%) increase in overall
      respiratory mortality, and a 1.80% (95% CI: 0.46%, 3.16%) increase in pneumonia
      mortality. We also observed a positive but non-significant synergistic
      interaction between daily mean and variation on respiratory mortality and
      pneumonia mortality. However, we did not find any significant association with
      mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Our study suggests that,
      besides mean concentration, the standard deviation of PM2.5 might be one
      potential predictor of respiratory mortality in Hong Kong, and should be
      considered when assessing the respiratory effects of PM2.5. 

PMID- 27262135
TI  - Influence of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation on neural plasticity in
      the motor cortex related to swallowing.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of repetitive peripheral
      magnetic stimulation at two different frequencies (20 and 30 Hz) on cortical
      excitability in motor areas related to swallowing in healthy individuals. The
      study participants were 10 healthy normal volunteers (two women and eight men,
      age range 25-36 years). Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation was applied to
      the submandibular muscle using a parabolic coil at the site where contraction of
      the suprahyoid muscles was elicited. Stimulation was continued for 10 min (total
      1200 pulses) at 20 Hz on 1 day and at 30 Hz on another day, with the stimulation
      strength set at 90% of the intensity that elicited pain. The motor-evoked
      potential amplitude of suprahyoid muscles was assessed before, immediately after,
      and 30 min after stimulation. Stimulations at both 20 and 30 Hz significantly
      increased motor-evoked potential amplitude (P<0.05), with the increase maintained
      until 30 min after stimulation. The motor-evoked potential amplitude immediately
      after stimulation was not significantly different between the 20 and 30 Hz
      frequencies. The results indicated that repetitive magnetic stimulation increased
      motor-evoked potential amplitude of swallowing muscles, suggesting facilitation
      of the motor cortex related to swallowing in healthy individuals. 

PMID- 27262136
TI  - Measuring functioning and disability after a disaster: results from the typhoon
      Haiyan/Yolanda-affected areas of the Philippines.
AB  - The most commonly reported data after natural disasters are the number of
      deceased and displaced and the structural and economic damage, whereas disability
      data are often lacking. Our study assessed disability among the survivors of the
      Haiyan/Yolanda typhoon that struck Philippines in 2013 and is aimed to identify
      which context-level variables are associated with higher disability. We used a
      cross-sectional design and administered a household questionnaire, an individual
      sociodemographic questionnaire, and the WHODAS 2.0 to 1982 adults. Logistic
      regression analysis was carried out to address the degree to which demographic
      variables, effects of the typhoon, individual health state, and rural or urban
      residence were associated with higher disability. Those aged above 65, employed
      individuals, students, those not living in their households, and those with one
      or more health condition or rating their own as health moderate or very poor had
      higher likelihood of having severe disability. Survivors living in rural contexts
      and those who received tools/materials to repair their houses were less likely to
      have higher disability. This study outlines that disability can and should be
      used as an indicator in surveys after emergencies to identify the most vulnerable
      groups, thus guiding policies, reconstruction strategies, and health and social
      interventions. 

PMID- 27262137
TI  - Reproducibility and Inter-rater Reliability of 2 Paediatric Nutritional Screening
      Tools.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess reproducibility and inter
      rater reliability of 2 nutritional screening tools (NST): Screening Tool for Risk
      on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids) and Screening Tool for the
      Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics (STAMP). METHODS: Prospective
      observational multicentre study. Patients ages 1 month or older admitted to
      paediatric or surgical wards were tested within 24 hours of admission by 2
      independent observers: experts specialized in paediatric nutrition (physicians or
      dieticians) and clinical staff nonexpert in nutrition. Diagnosis on admission,
      underlying diseases, and length of stay were registered. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:
      Kappa index (kappa) to evaluate agreement between observers. RESULTS: A total of
      223 patients were included (53.4% boys), with mean age of 5.59 (95% confidence
      interval 4.94-6.22) years. Experts classified 9.9% of patients at high risk with
      STRONGkids and 19.7% using STAMP, whereas nonexpert staff assigned 6.7% of
      patients to the high-risk category with STRONGkids and 21.9% with STAMP.
      Agreement between expert and nonexpert staff was good: 94.78% for STRONGkids
      (kappa 0.72 [P < 0.001]); 92.55% for STAMP (kappa 0.74 [P < 0.001]). The rate of
      malnutrition was significantly higher among high-risk patients with both NST,
      independent of examiner experience. After adjusting for age, both STRONGkids and
      STAMP high-risk scores predicted longer length of stay, whether assessed by
      experts or nonexperts, although differences were higher with STRONGkids.
      CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between experts and nonexpert staff in nutrition was good,
      producing a similar high-risk patient profile. Our results demonstrate that these
      NSTs are appropriate for nutritional screening in settings in which users have no
      previous experience in the field.

PMID- 27262139
TI  - Novel imaging in renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Renal cell carcinoma is a heterogeneous disease with a
      spectrum of subtypes and clinical behavior. Quantitative and qualitative imaging
      biomarkers are sought to correlate with genetic and histologic features and
      complement pathologic analysis. RECENT FINDINGS: Texture analysis, radiogenomics,
      and modality-specific advancements have yielded an array of renal cell carcinoma
      imaging biomarkers in the research domain. Although many techniques are
      promising, standardization and validation of these procedures are needed prior to
      implementation into clinical practice. SUMMARY: We introduce novel imaging
      techniques and analytic methods which have been shown to contribute to
      characterization of renal cell carcinoma and its subtypes, aggressiveness, and
      responsiveness to therapy, including associated advantages and limitations.

PMID- 27262138
TI  - Beyond prostate-specific antigen: utilizing novel strategies to screen men for
      prostate cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to review blood and urine tests
      that are currently available and under investigation for a role in prostate
      cancer screening and detection. RECENT FINDINGS: Compared with total prostate
      specific antigen (PSA) alone, its combination with percentage free-to-total PSA
      contributes greater specificity for prostate cancer, and is a component of two
      newer blood tests called the 4kScore and Prostate Health Index. All three tests
      improve the prediction of high-grade disease and are commercially available
      options to aid in initial or repeat prostate biopsy decisions. PCA3 is a urinary
      marker that is currently available for repeat prostate biopsy decisions. Although
      PCA3 alone has inferior prediction of clinically significant disease and requires
      collection of urine after digital rectal examination, it may be combined with
      other clinical variables or other urine markers like TMPRSS2:ERG to improve
      performance. Little data are available to support a role for single nucleotide
      polymorphisms or other investigational markers in early detection. SUMMARY:
      Several commercially available blood and urine tests have been shown to improve
      specificity of PSA for high-grade prostate cancer. Use of such tests would
      decrease unnecessary biopsy and overdiagnosis of indolent disease. Biopsy of men
      with moderately elevated PSA without use of such a reflex test should be
      discouraged.

PMID- 27262140
TI  - Lymph node dissection for renal cell carcinoma: what are we missing?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The role of lymph node dissection (LND) is uncertain for
      patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The aim of the current review
      is to discuss the available literature considering the role and the impact of LND
      in RCC patients elected for surgical treatment. Controversies, uncertainties as
      well as outstanding research questions were assessed. RECENT FINDINGS: Anatomical
      and biological peculiarities of RCC make difficult to localize a sentinel lymph
      node. Cross-sectional imaging as well as preoperative risk score showed limited
      applicability in determining which patients may benefit from LND. In patients
      with larger tumors, locally advanced disease or in the presence of unfavorable
      characteristics (e.g., lymphadenopathy, high grade, tumor necrosis, and
      sarcomatoid features), LND has a role mainly for staging purposes. In this
      specific scenario, a potential effect on the natural history of the disease has
      been suggested, as well. Salvage LND has been increasingly considered, although
      no definitive recommendation can be nowadays provided. SUMMARY: The assessment of
      the role and the effect of LND in RCC is still affected by the presence of
      limited and flawed data available. Further efforts in terms of basic,
      translational, and imaging research are urgently needed.

PMID- 27262141
TI  - Update on active surveillance for clinical T1 renal tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose is to discuss current data on the utilization and
      outcomes of active surveillance for T1a renal masses. Specifically, to address
      which patients are optimal for active surveillance and how their outcomes differ
      from those undergoing immediate treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: Although nephron
      sparing surgery is the standard of care for small renal masses (SRMs), active
      surveillance is becoming a more popular intervention given the results of
      prospective studies revealing active surveillance to be safe and have excellent
      cancer-specific survival with intermediate follow-up. Older and sicker patients
      have competing risk of death from other causes when diagnosed with a SRM.
      SUMMARY: Active surveillance is becoming a more popular treatment modality for
      SRMs given the increasing number of incidental diagnoses and better understanding
      of their often indolent course. Active surveillance with delayed intervention is
      a well-tolerated treatment modality and appears to have the most benefit for
      those patients that are older with more comorbidities.

PMID- 27262142
TI  - Diagnosis and management of spermatic cord tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Spermatic cord tumors (SCT) are very rare. The present review
      discusses the most recent literature regarding clinical presentation,
      pathological characteristics, diagnosis, and management of SCT. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Although the majority of SCT are benign, when malignant almost all SCT are
      sarcomas. Liposarcomas are the most common; whereas rhabdomyosarcomas recorded
      the highest tendency of develop distant metastases. The clinical presentation is
      usually a unilateral solid slow-growing mass at the level of the inguinal canal
      and of the scrotum. Surgical excision represents the most common used treatment,
      and considering the risk in developing local recurrence, radical inguinal
      orchiectomy and resection of the tumor with negative microscopic surgical margins
      is mandatory. Adjuvant therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been
      suggested in selected patients, but clear data to demonstrate any improvement in
      survival are not available. SUMMARY: SCT are rare tumors with high risk of
      misdiagnosis or mistreatment. The majority are benign, but when malignant almost
      all are sarcomas. A surgical excision is the treatment of choice; however, no
      clear data exists documenting the efficacy of a multimodal treatment in reducing
      high local recurrence rates after surgery.

PMID- 27262143
TI  - Novel immunotherapeutic strategies to target alloantibody-producing B and plasma
      cells in transplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is an unmet need for immunotherapeutic agents that
      target humoral alloimmunity in solid organ transplantation. This includes
      sensitized patients with preformed donor-specific human leucocyte antigen
      antibodies and patients who develop de-novo donor-specific antibodies, both of
      which are associated with acute and chronic antibody-mediated rejection and
      allograft loss. RECENT FINDINGS: In this review, we discuss recent progress in
      the generation of B-cell and plasma cell-targeted therapeutics, with an emphasis
      on novel agents. To deplete or inhibit B cells, B-cell-specific mAbs have been
      developed, including CD20, CD22, CD19 and bi-specific antibodies that target two
      B-cell antigens. In addition, inhibition of B-cell-activating cytokines, such as
      B cell-activating factor, may also reduce allo-B-cell activation. Plasma cells
      remain a difficult therapeutic target, but inhibition of germinal centre
      responses via costimulatory blockade or IL21 neutralization, induction of plasma
      cell apoptosis using proteasome inhibitors or disruption of the plasma cell niche
      are potential avenues being explored. SUMMARY: The ultimate aim of these animal
      and human studies is to develop agents that efficiently target humoral effectors,
      whilst sparing B and plasma cells with a regulatory capacity to promote long-term
      allograft survival, but we remain some distance away from this goal.

PMID- 27262144
TI  - Invasive Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia Masquerading as Nodular Scleritis.
AB  - The authors report a rare case of ocular surface squamous neoplasia with
      intraocular involvement that had an initial masquerade presentation of recurrent
      anterior nodular scleritis. A 35-year-old male patient presented with right eye
      recurrent anterior nodular scleritis for which a lamellar patch graft was done.
      Two months later, the patient presented with recurrence of symptoms.
      Histopathology review revealed the presence of well-differentiated squamous cell
      malignancy. A high index of suspicion for malignancy is required in such cases
      when they do not respond to conventional therapy.

PMID- 27262145
TI  - Automated Quantitative Plaque Analysis for Discrimination of Coronary Chronic
      Total Occlusion and Subtotal Occlusion in Computed Tomography Angiography.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of automated plaque
      analysis in differentiating chronic total occlusion (CTO) from subtotal occlusion
      (SO) in patients with ambiguous coronary lesions on coronary computed tomography
      angiography (CTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 63 patients with 63
      ambiguous coronary lesions on CTA were included. The lesion length (LL), diameter
      stenosis, plaque volume and composition, remodeling index, and contrast density
      difference (CDD) (reflecting intraluminal contrast kinetics over the lesion) were
      assessed using an automatic software tool. All patients underwent invasive
      coronary angiography. RESULTS: Coronary angiography confirmed 28 CTOs and 35 SOs.
      CTOs showed significantly longer LL (6.4+/-12.3 vs. 1.0+/-2.2 mm, P=0.03) and
      higher CDD (74%+/-31% vs. 55%+/-32%, P=0.02) compared with SO. The optimal
      thresholds for prediction of CTO for CDD and LL were >=43% and >=1 mm,
      respectively (max. sensitivity: 82% for CDD, max. specificity: 77% for LL). The
      guidewire manipulation time correlated with LL (r=0.529, P=0.004) and CDD
      (r=0.435, P=0.021) in lesions attempted by percutaneous coronary intervention.
      CONCLUSIONS: Automated computed tomography plaque analysis may be applied as a
      noninvasive tool to differentiate CTO from SO.

PMID- 27262146
TI  - Automated Quantitative Computed Tomography Versus Visual Computed Tomography
      Scoring in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Validation Against Pulmonary Function.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine whether a novel computed
      tomography (CT) postprocessing software technique (CALIPER) is superior to visual
      CT scoring as judged by functional correlations in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
      (IPF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 283 consecutive patients with IPF had CT
      parenchymal patterns evaluated quantitatively with CALIPER and by visual scoring.
      These 2 techniques were evaluated against: forced expiratory volume in 1 second
      (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide
      (DLco), carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (Kco), and a composite physiological
      index (CPI), with regard to extent of interstitial lung disease (ILD), extent of
      emphysema, and pulmonary vascular abnormalities. RESULTS: CALIPER-derived
      estimates of ILD extent demonstrated stronger univariate correlations than visual
      scores for most pulmonary function tests (PFTs): (FEV1: CALIPER R=0.29, visual
      R=0.18; FVC: CALIPER R=0.41, visual R=0.27; DLco: CALIPER R=0.31, visual R=0.35;
      CPI: CALIPER R=0.48, visual R=0.44). Correlations between CT measures of
      emphysema extent and PFTs were weak and did not differ significantly between
      CALIPER and visual scoring. Intriguingly, the pulmonary vessel volume provided
      similar correlations to total ILD extent scored by CALIPER for FVC, DLco, and CPI
      (FVC: R=0.45; DLco: R=0.34; CPI: R=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: CALIPER was superior to
      visual scoring as validated by functional correlations with PFTs. The pulmonary
      vessel volume, a novel CALIPER CT parameter with no visual scoring equivalent,
      has the potential to be a CT feature in the assessment of patients with IPF and
      requires further exploration.

PMID- 27262147
TI  - The nonmotor features of Parkinson's disease: pathophysiology and management
      advances.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years progress has been made in the detection and
      evaluation of nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. The pathophysiology is
      better understood and new treatment is available, which will be discussed in this
      review. RECENT FINDINGS: The most intriguing recent finding is the fact that
      Parkinson's disease may be a spreading disease. From the environment a toxin,
      bacteria, or virus may start in genetically susceptible patients a cascade of
      alpha-synuclein aggregation which reaches via the olfactory and the enteric
      system of the gut the brain where further spreading causes symptoms, such as
      sleep disturbances, motor impairment, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. New
      treatment should address the abnormal alpha-synuclein folding. If this would be
      achieved premotor signs, such as hyposmia, rapid eye movement-sleep behavior
      disorder, constipation, or depression may be a kind of biomarkers which allow
      together with other diagnostic tools, such as parenchymal sonography,
      iodobenzamide-scintigraphy and dopamine transporter scans the prediction whether
      somebody might be under way to develop the full-blown Parkinson's disease
      syndrome. SUMMARY: Parkinson's disease seems to be a spreading disease which
      causes not only a dopaminergic deficit as major cause for the movement disorder
      but also impairs function of many other brain centers which leads to a
      multitransmitter malfunction.

PMID- 27262150
TI  - Articles I Would Like to See in JCEHP.

PMID- 27262149
TI  - Stiff person syndrome and other immune-mediated movement disorders - new
      insights.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the recent developments in immune
      mediated movement disorders and how they reflect on clinical practice and our
      understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. RECENT FINDINGS:
      The antibody spectrum associated with stiff person syndrome and related disorders
      (SPSD) has broadened and, apart from the classic glutamic acid decarboxylase
      (GAD)- and amphiphysin-antibodies, includes now also antibodies against
      dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein-6 (DPPX), gamma-aminobutyric acid type A
      receptor (GABAAR), glycine receptor (GlyR) and glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2). The
      field of movement disorders with neuronal antibodies keeps expanding with the
      discovery for example of antibodies against leucine rich glioma inactivated
      protein 1 (LGI1) and contactin associated protein 2 (Caspr2) in chorea, or
      antibodies targeting ARHGAP26- or Na/K ATPase alpha 3 subunit (ATP1A3) in
      cerebellar ataxia. Moreover, neuronal antibodies may partly account for movement
      disorders attributed for example to Sydenham's chorea, coeliac disease, or
      steroid responsive encephalopathy with thyroid antibodies. Lastly, there is an
      interface of immunology, genetics and neurodegeneration, e.g. in Aicardi
      Goutieres syndrome or the tauopathy with IgLON5-antibodies. SUMMARY: Clinicians
      should be aware of new antibodies such as dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein-6,
      gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor and glycine transporter 2 in stiff person
      syndrome and related disorders, as well as of the expanding spectrum of immune
      mediated movement disorders.

PMID- 27262148
TI  - Four-dimensional MRI flow examinations in cerebral and extracerebral vessels -
      ready for clinical routine?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate the feasibility of 4-dimensional (4D) flow MRI for
      the clinical assessment of cerebral and extracerebral vascular hemodynamics in
      patients with neurovascular disease. RECENT FINDINGS: 4D flow MRI has been
      applied in multiple studies to qualitatively and quantitatively study
      intracranial aneurysm blood flow for potential risk stratification and to assess
      treatment efficacy of various neurovascular lesions, including intraaneurysmal
      and parent artery blood flow after flow diverter stent placement and staged
      embolizations of arteriovenous malformations and vein of Galen aneurysmal
      malformations. Recently, the technique has been utilized to characterize age
      related changes of normal cerebral hemodynamics in healthy individuals over a
      broad age range. SUMMARY: 4D flow MRI is a useful tool for the noninvasive,
      volumetric and quantitative hemodynamic assessment of neurovascular disease
      without the need for gadolinium contrast agents. Further improvements are
      warranted to overcome technical limitations before broader clinical
      implementation. Current developments, such as advanced acceleration techniques
      (parallel imaging and compressed sensing) for faster data acquisition, dual or
      multiple velocity encoding strategies for more accurate arterial and venous flow
      quantification, ultrahigh-field strengths to achieve higher spatial resolution
      and streamlined postprocessing workflow for more efficient and standardized flow
      analysis, are promising advancements in 4D flow MRI.

PMID- 27262151
TI  - Improving Health Care Providers' Capacity for Self-Regulated Learning in Online
      Continuing Pharmacy Education: The Role of Internet Self-Efficacy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although Internet-based learning is widely used to improve health
      professionals' knowledge and skills, the self-regulated learning (SRL) activities
      of online continuing education in pharmacy are seldom discussed. The main purpose
      of this study was to explore the relationships between pharmacists' Internet self
      efficacy (ISE) and their SRL in online continuing education. METHODS: A total of
      164 in-service pharmacists in Taiwan were surveyed with the Internet Self
      Efficacy Survey, including basic ISE (B-ISE), advanced ISE (A-ISE) and
      professional ISE (P-ISE), as well as the Self-Regulated Learning Questionnaire
      consisting of preparatory SRL (P-SRL) and enactment SRL (E-SRL). RESULTS: Results
      of a 1-by-3 (educational levels: junior college versus bachelor versus master)
      analysis of variance and a 1-by-4 (institutions: community-based versus hospital
      versus clinic versus company) analysis of variance revealed that there were
      differences in ISE and SRL among different education levels and working
      institutions. The hierarchical regression analyses indicated that B-ISE and P-ISE
      were significant predictors of P-SRL, whereas P-ISE was a critical predictor of E
      SRL. Moreover, the interaction of P-ISE * age was linked to E-SRL, implying that
      P-ISE has a stronger influence on E-SRL for older pharmacists than for younger
      pharmacists. However, the interactions between age and ISE (A-ISE, B-ISE, and P
      ISE) were not related to P-SRL. DISCUSSION: This study highlighted the importance
      of ISE and age for increasing pharmacists' SRL in online continuing education.

PMID- 27262152
TI  - Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Approach to Cultural
      Competence Training: The Veterans Affairs' "Caring for Women Veterans" Program.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although providing culturally sensitive health care is vitally
      important, there is little consensus regarding the most effective strategy for
      implementing cultural competence trainings in the health care setting. Evidence
      based quality improvement (EBQI), which involves adapting evidence-based
      practices to meet local needs, may improve uptake and effectiveness of a variety
      of health care innovations. Yet, to our knowledge, EBQI has not yet been applied
      to cultural competence training. To evaluate whether EBQI could enhance the
      impact of an evidence-based training intended to improve veterans affairs health
      care staff gender sensitivity and knowledge (Caring for Women Veterans; CWV), we
      compared the reach and effectiveness of EBQI delivery versus standard web-based
      implementation strategies of CWV and assessed barriers and facilitators to EBQI
      implementation. METHODS: Workgroups at four diverse veterans affairs health care
      sites were randomized to either an EBQI or standard web-based implementation
      condition (SI). All EBQI sites selected a group-based implementation strategy.
      Employees (N = 84) completed pretraining and posttraining assessments of gender
      sensitivity and knowledge, and focus groups/interviews were conducted with
      leadership and staff before and after implementation. RESULTS: Reach of CWV was
      greater in the EBQI condition versus the SI condition. Whereas both gender
      sensitivity and knowledge improved in the EBQI condition, only gender sensitivity
      improved in the SI condition. Qualitative analyses revealed that the EBQI
      approach was well received, although a number of barriers were identified.
      DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that EBQI can enhance the uptake and effectiveness
      of employee trainings. However, the decision to pursue EBQI must be informed by a
      consideration of available resources.

PMID- 27262153
TI  - Dissemination of Evidence From Systematic Reviews Through Academic CME Providers:
      A Feasibility Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although systematic reviews represent a source of best evidence to
      support clinical decision-making, reviews are underutilized by clinicians.
      Barriers include lack of awareness, familiarity, and access. Efforts to promote
      utilization have focused on reaching practicing clinicians, leaving unexplored
      the roles of continuing medical education (CME) directors and faculty in
      promoting systematic review use. This study explored the feasibility of working
      with CME directors and faculty for that purpose. METHODS: A convenience sample of
      five academic CME directors and faculty agreed to participate in a feasibility
      study exploring use in CME courses of systematic reviews from the Agency for
      Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ-SRs). AHRQ-SR topics addressed the
      comparative effectiveness of health care options. Participants received access to
      AHRQ-SR reports, associated summary products, and instructional resources. The
      feasibility study used mixed methods to assess 1) implementation of courses
      incorporating SR evidence, 2) identification of facilitators and barriers to
      integration, and 3) acceptability to CME directors, faculty, and learners.
      RESULTS: Faculty implemented 14 CME courses of varying formats serving 1700
      learners in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Facilitators included
      credibility, conciseness of messages, and availability of supporting materials;
      potential barriers included faculty unfamiliarity with SRs, challenges in
      maintaining review currency, and review scope. SR evidence and summary products
      proved acceptable to CME directors, course faculty, and learners by multiple
      measures. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of approaches to
      use AHRQ-SRs in CME courses/programming. Further research is needed to
      demonstrate generalizability to other types of CME providers and other systemic
      reviews.

PMID- 27262154
TI  - Value of General Medical Knowledge Examinations in Performance Assessment of
      Practicing Physicians With Potential Competence and Performance Deficiencies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Problems with a physician's performance may arise at any point
      during their career. As such, there is a need for effective, valid tools and
      processes to accurately assess and identify deficiencies in competence or
      performance. Although scores on multiple-choice questions have been shown to be
      predictive of some aspects of physician performance in practicing physicians,
      their relationship to overall clinical competence is somewhat uncertain
      particularly after the first 10 years of practice. As such, the purpose of this
      study was to examine how a general medical knowledge multiple-choice question
      examination is associated with a comprehensive assessment of competence and
      performance in experienced practicing physicians with potential competence and
      performance deficiencies. METHODS: The study included 233 physicians, of varying
      specialties, assessed by the University of California, San Diego Physician
      Assessment and Clinical Education Program (PACE), between 2008 and 2012, who
      completed the Post-Licensure Assessment System Mechanisms of Disease (MoD)
      examination. Logistic regression determined if the examination score
      significantly predicted passing assessment outcome after correcting for gender,
      international medical graduate status, certification status, and age. RESULTS:
      Most physicians (89.7%) received an overall passing assessment outcome on the
      PACE assessment. The mean MoD score was 66.9% correct, with a median of 68.0%.
      Logistic regression (P = .038) was significant in indicating that physicians with
      higher MoD examination scores had an increased likelihood of achieving a passing
      assessment outcome (odds ratio = 1.057). DISCUSSION: Physician MoD scores are
      significant predictors of overall physician competence and performance as
      evaluated by PACE assessment.

PMID- 27262155
TI  - Performance of Certification and Recertification Examinees on Multiple Choice
      Test Items: Does Physician Age Have an Impact?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The development of recertification programs (now referred to as
      Maintenance of Certification or MOC) by the members of the American Board of
      Medical Specialties provides the opportunity to study knowledge base across the
      professional lifespan of physicians. Research results to date are mixed with some
      studies finding negative associations between age and various measures of
      competency and others finding no or minimal relationships. METHODS: Four groups
      of multiple choice test items that were independently developed for certification
      and MOC examinations in psychiatry and neurology were administered to
      certification and MOC examinees within each specialty. Percent correct scores
      were calculated for each examinee. Differences between certification and MOC
      examinees were compared using unpaired t tests, and logistic regression was used
      to compare MOC and certification examinee performance on the common test items.
      RESULTS: Except for the neurology certification test items that addressed basic
      neurology concepts, the performance of the certification and MOC examinees was
      similar. The differences in performance on individual test items did not
      consistently favor one group or the other and could not be attributed to any
      distinguishable content or format characteristics of those items. DISCUSSION: The
      findings of this study are encouraging in that physicians who had recently
      completed residency training possessed clinical knowledge that was comparable to
      that of experienced physicians, and the experienced physicians' clinical
      knowledge was equivalent to that of recent residency graduates. The role testing
      can play in enhancing expertise is described.

PMID- 27262156
TI  - Academic Peer Detailing-The Preparation and Experience of Detailers Involved in a
      Project to Disseminate a Comparative Effectiveness Module.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Academic detailing uses communication skills, relationship
      building, and feedback to facilitate behavior change. This report, part of a
      larger initiative to disseminate evidence summaries of systematic reviews,
      demonstrates the feasibility of disseminating a comparative effectiveness module
      to physicians using peer detailers and examines the development of faculty for
      this process. We describe planning and implementation of a train-the-detailer
      session, detailer reactions to the process, and results of the dissemination
      project. METHODS: We recruited 10 experienced primary care clinical faculties in
      Family and Social Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Detailers
      attended a 90-minute train-the-detailer session and detailed 150 practitioners at
      community practices. We evaluated the experiences of the learners and detailers
      with questionnaires, a focus group, and individual interviews of the detailers.
      RESULTS: The experiences of detailing in different contexts were uniformly
      positive. Learners felt the materials were valuable, and that they would
      implement them or already had implemented them. In the postsurvey completed by 65
      of the 150 detailed learners, 97% percent stated that they changed their practice
      or had already incorporated the practice change before the detailing. All
      detailers reported a change in their own practice. Detailers found the teaching
      materials and detailers' guide helpful. Some initially expressed a concern about
      not knowing enough, which lessened with detailing experience. DISCUSSION: Peer
      detailing seems doable and well received, especially with the availability of
      high quality, previously prepared, and tested evidence-based content and
      materials. Detailers were easily recruited and trained to apply their teaching
      skills in this new format. The amount of time spent in training sessions on
      detailing training as opposed to content mastery can be adjusted depending on
      faculty needs.

PMID- 27262157
TI  - Building and Participating in a Simulation: Exploring a Continuing Education
      Intervention Designed to Foster Reflective Practice Among Experienced Clinicians.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Engaging health professionals in the processes of first building
      and then participating in simulations has not yet been explored. This qualitative
      study explored the experience of building and participating in a simulation as an
      educational intervention with experienced clinicians. METHODS: Pediatric
      rehabilitation clinicians, along with a patient facilitator and standardized
      patients, created simulations and subsequently participated in a live simulation.
      The educational content of the simulation was culturally sensitive communication.
      We collected participants' perspectives about the process from individual journal
      entries and focus groups. A thematic analysis of these data sources was
      conducted. RESULTS: Participants described a process of building and
      participating in a simulation that provided: 1) a unique opportunity for
      clinicians to reflect on their current practice; 2) a venue to identify different
      perspectives through discussion and action in a group; and 3) a safe environment
      for learning. DISCUSSION: The combined process of building and participating in a
      simulation stimulated reflection about the clinicians' own abilities in
      culturally sensitive communication through discussion, practice, and feedback. It
      provided a safe environment for participants to share their multiple perspectives
      and to develop new ways of communicating. This type of educational intervention
      may contribute to the continuing education of experienced clinicians in both
      academic and community settings.

PMID- 27262158
TI  - Influences on the Patient-Physician Relationship: No Quick Fix.

PMID- 27262159
TI  - The prognostic yield of biomarkers harvested in chemotherapy-naive stage II colon
      cancer: can we separate the wheat from the chaff?
AB  - The TNM-system fails to accurately predict disease recurrence in a considerate
      number of patients. While node-negative (stage II) colon cancer is considered to
      have an overall good prognosis, the 5-year cancer-specific survival is reported
      at 81-83% in patients who did not have adjuvant chemotherapy. Thus, reliance on
      node-status alone has lead to under-treatment in a subgroup of stage II patients
      with an unfavorable prognosis. The search for new and better prognosticators in
      stage II colon cancer has suggested several proposed biomarkers of better
      prognostication and prediction. However, few such biomarkers have reached
      widespread clinical utility. For the clinician swimming in the sea of emerging
      biomarkers, it may be hard to recognize the true floating aid from the
      surrounding debris in the search for more precise decision-making. Proposed
      markers include microsatellite instability (MSI), KRAS mutations and BRAF
      mutations, but a number of gene panels and consensus molecular subtypes are
      proposed for clinical prediction and prognostication as well. While several
      studies suggest such biomarkers or panels to have a prognostic role in subgroups
      of patients, a number of studies are reported in heterogeneous groups with in
      part discordant findings, which again distorts the predictive and prognostic
      ability of each marker. Lack of homogeneous cohorts, underpowered studies in
      strict subgroups and challenges in analytical and clinical validity may hamper
      the progress towards widespread clinical utility. The harvest of prognostic
      biomarkers in colon cancer has yielded a huge number of candidates for which it
      is now time to separate the wheat from the chaff.

PMID- 27262160
TI  - Prognostic Factors, Treatment, and Survival in Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans.
AB  - Importance: There is limited information regarding the influence of patient
      demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment type on the survival of
      patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Objective: To assess
      prognostic factors and to evaluate the influence of treatment modality on overall
      survival of patients with DFSP. Design, Setting, and Participants: We examined
      DFSP using data for 3686 patients with histologically confirmed cases of DFSP
      diagnosed between 1972 and 2012 from the 18 US regional registries of the
      National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)
      Program, with linkage to demographic data from the US Census Bureau for median
      household income (MHI). The analysis was performed in February 2016. Main
      Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome measures were tumor characteristics,
      prognostic factors, and overall survival in months. Results: There were 3686
      cases of DFSP examined. Older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10; P
      < .001), male sex (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.09-3.55; P = .03), and tumor size (HR,
      1.09; 95% CI, 1.01-1.18; P = .04) were significantly associated with poorer
      overall survival in a controlled analysis. Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95%
      CI, 1.00-1.02; P = .01), male sex (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.57-2.42; P < .001), and
      black race (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.37-2.32; P < .001) were associated with larger
      (>=3.0 cm) tumors at presentation. Treatment modality did not influence overall
      survival; however, differences in patient characteristics affected the treatment
      received. Older age at presentation (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03; P =.01), black
      race (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.13-2.92; P = .01), large tumor size (OR, 1.15; 95% CI,
      1.09-1.21; P < .001), and head or neck location (OR, 4.63; 95% CI, 2.66-8.07; P
      <.001) increased the likelihood of a patient receiving surgery and radiation over
      surgery alone. In addition, white patients (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30-0.87; P=.01),
      women (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36-0.78; P <.001), and patients with a higher MHI (OR,
      1.27; 95% CI, 1.11-1.46; P <.001) were more likely to receive Mohs micrographic
      surgery (MMS) over excision. Conclusions and Relevance: Age at diagnosis, male
      sex, and DFSP tumor size appear to be important prognostic factors. Treatment
      modality did not significantly influence survival; however, patient and tumor
      characteristics influence treatment modality.

PMID- 27262162
TI  - Genetic variability, local selection and demographic history: genomic evidence of
      evolving towards allopatric speciation in Asian seabass.
AB  - Genomewide analysis of genetic divergence is critically important in
      understanding the genetic processes of allopatric speciation. We sequenced RAD
      tags of 131 Asian seabass individuals of six populations from South-East Asia and
      Australia/Papua New Guinea. Using 32 433 SNPs, we examined the genetic diversity
      and patterns of population differentiation across all the populations. We found
      significant evidence of genetic heterogeneity between South-East Asian and
      Australian/Papua New Guinean populations. The Australian/Papua New Guinean
      populations showed a rather lower level of genetic diversity. FST and principal
      components analysis revealed striking divergence between South-East Asian and
      Australian/Papua New Guinean populations. Interestingly, no evidence of
      contemporary gene flow was observed. The demographic history was further tested
      based on the folded joint site frequency spectrum. The scenario of ancient
      migration with historical population size changes was suggested to be the best
      fit model to explain the genetic divergence of Asian seabass between South-East
      Asia and Australia/Papua New Guinea. This scenario also revealed that
      Australian/Papua New Guinean populations were founded by ancestors from South
      East Asia during mid-Pleistocene and were completely isolated from the ancestral
      population after the last glacial retreat. We also detected footprints of local
      selection, which might be related to differential ecological adaptation. The
      ancient gene flow was examined and deemed likely insufficient to counteract the
      genetic differentiation caused by genetic drift. The observed genomic pattern of
      divergence conflicted with the 'genomic islands' scenario. Altogether, Asian
      seabass have likely been evolving towards allopatric speciation since the split
      from the ancestral population during mid-Pleistocene.

PMID- 27262163
TI  - The context dependence of assortative mating: a demonstration with conspecific
      salmonid populations.
AB  - Assortative mating is thought to play a key role in reproductive isolation.
      However, most experimental studies of assortative mating do not take place in
      multiple natural environments, and hence, they ignore its potential context
      dependence. We implemented an experiment in which two populations of brown trout
      (Salmo trutta) with different natural flow regimes were placed into semi-natural
      stream channels under two different artificial flow regimes. Natural reproduction
      was allowed, and reproductive isolation was measured by means of parentage
      assignment to compare within-population vs. between-population male-female mating
      and relative offspring production. For both metrics, reproductive isolation was
      highly context dependent: no isolation was evident under one flow regime, but
      strong isolation was evident under the other flow regime. These patterns were
      fully driven by variance in the mating success of males from one of the two
      populations. Our results highlight how reproductive isolation through assortative
      mating can be strongly context dependent, which could have dramatic consequences
      for patterns of gene flow and speciation under environmental change.

PMID- 27262161
TI  - Developmental and Functional Effects of Steroid Hormones on the Neuroendocrine
      Axis and Spinal Cord.
AB  - This review highlights the principal effects of steroid hormones at central and
      peripheral levels in the neuroendocrine axis. The data discussed highlight the
      principal role of oestrogens and testosterone in hormonal programming in relation
      to sexual orientation, reproductive and metabolic programming, and the
      neuroendocrine mechanism involved in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome
      phenotype. Moreover, consistent with the wide range of processes in which steroid
      hormones take part, we discuss the protective effects of progesterone on
      neurodegenerative disease and the signalling mechanism involved in the genesis of
      oestrogen-induced pituitary prolactinomas.

PMID- 27262164
TI  - Chronic hepatitis B in children: Therapeutic challenges and perspectives.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and HBV-related hepatitis in children
      remains an unmet medical need, as current treatments are only partially
      effective, and only in a limited number of affected children. So-called
      "immunotolerant" children have not shown increased serological responses to
      available treatments. In cases involving more active disease, serological
      response has only been obtained in approximately one-third of patients when using
      interferon, while other cases exhibited virological response solely under
      continuous treatment with nucleoside analogs. Guidelines have recently been
      established to aid pediatricians in effectively managing this condition. With the
      available medications, no treatment is so far indicated for immunotolerant
      children, but only for cases presenting increased alanine aminotransferase levels
      to over 1.5-2 times the upper limit of normal for over 6 months, and without
      spontaneous HB envelope antigen to antibody seroconversion. The therapeutic
      arsenal approved by the Food and Drugs Administration and European Medicines
      Agency for children remains limited because of the lack of large-scale clinical
      trials validating treatments already approved for the adult population. Yet, the
      recent discovery of a specific HBV-cell surface receptor, NTCP, allows for new
      treatment perspectives regarding the future.

PMID- 27262165
TI  - Insight from Frogs: Sonic Hedgehog Gene Expression and a Re-evaluation of the
      Vertebrate Odontogenic Band.
AB  - While the identification of conserved processes across multiple taxa leads to an
      understanding of fundamental developmental mechanisms, the ways in which
      different animals fail to conform to common developmental processes can elucidate
      how evolution modifies development to result in the vast array of morphologies
      seen today-the developmental mechanisms that lead to anatomical variation.
      Odontogenesis-how teeth are initiated and formed-is well suited to the
      examination of both developmental conservation and phenotypic diversity. We
      suggest here that the study of early tooth development, the period of odontogenic
      band development, reveals departures from conserved mechanisms that question the
      role of players in the developmental process. In the earliest stages of
      odontogenesis, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) gene expression is interpreted as critical
      evidence of tooth initiation prior to any histological indication. However, a
      detailed examination of studies of tooth development across a wide range of taxa
      reveals that several vertebrate species fail to conform to the expectations of
      the Shh Consensus Model, calling for a reconsideration of the assumed causality
      of epithelial Shh in tooth initiation. We present new Shh gene expression data
      for an amphibian, the frog Silurana (Xenopus) tropicalis. In these animals,
      craniofacial and odontogenic developmental processes are more disjunct, and
      thereby provide a natural test of the hypothesis that Shh is immediately required
      for subsequent tooth development. Our results suggest that Shh expression may
      actually be related to the formation of the mouth rather than a required
      precursor to subsequent tooth formation. Anat Rec, 299:1099-1109, 2016. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27262166
TI  - Sonoembryology of the fetal posterior fossa at 11 + 3 to 13 + 6 gestational weeks
      on three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the sonographic appearance and temporal changes of the
      structures of the posterior cranial fossa in fetuses at a crown-rump length (CRL)
      between 45 and 84 mm in transvaginal acquired three-dimensional volume blocks.
      METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study including
      80 fetuses, whose mothers attended Kepler University Hospital Linz or the
      Ambulatorium fur Fetalmedizin Feldkirch for first-trimester sonography. Three
      dimensional volume blocks were acquired in a standardized way and after
      processing the sonographic characteristics of the brainstem, cerebellar vermis,
      choroid plexus, anterior membranous area (AMA) and Blake's metapore were
      described. Measurements of the length of the cerebellar vermis, the length of the
      AMA and the medulla-oblongata-pons angle (MOPA) were performed. In 20 fetuses the
      intra- and interobserver repeatability was calculated. RESULTS: The
      sonomorphologic characteristics of posterior fossa structures as cerebellar
      vermis, AMA, Blake's metapore, choroid plexus, pons and medulla oblongata were
      described. There is a significant correlation between CRL and vermis length, CRL
      and MOPA and CRL and AMA. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal three-dimensional sonography
      allows a detailed depiction of the structures of the posterior fossa and their
      temporal course in early pregnancy. (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27262167
TI  - Current view on regulation of voltage-gated sodium channels by calcium and
      auxiliary proteins.
AB  - In cardiac and skeletal myocytes, and in most neurons, the opening of voltage
      gated Na(+) channels (NaV channels) triggers action potentials, a process that is
      regulated via the interactions of the channels' intercellular C-termini with
      auxiliary proteins and/or Ca(2+) . The molecular and structural details for how
      Ca(2+) and/or auxiliary proteins modulate NaV channel function, however, have
      eluded a concise mechanistic explanation and details have been shrouded for the
      last decade behind controversy about whether Ca(2+) acts directly upon the NaV
      channel or through interacting proteins, such as the Ca(2+) binding protein
      calmodulin (CaM). Here, we review recent advances in defining the structure of
      NaV intracellular C-termini and associated proteins such as CaM or fibroblast
      growth factor homologous factors (FHFs) to reveal new insights into how Ca(2+)
      affects NaV function, and how altered Ca(2+) -dependent or FHF-mediated
      regulation of NaV channels is perturbed in various disease states through
      mutations that disrupt CaM or FHF interaction.

PMID- 27262169
TI  - Endovascular treatment of posterior condylar canal dural arteriovenous fistula.
AB  - Posterior condylar canal dural arteriovenous fistulas (PCC DAVFs) are rare
      lesions that may present with pulse-synchronous bruit. In cases with venous
      reflux there is a risk of haemorrhage or even dementia. Diagnosis and
      endovascular treatment require a profound knowledge of the vascular anatomy of
      the craniocervical junction and comprehensive neurovascular imaging. We describe
      the clinical presentation, angiographic imaging and endovascular treatment of a
      PCC DAVF in a female patient with pulse-synchronous bruit as the presenting
      symptom. The fistula drained almost exclusively into the sigmoid sinus and
      internal jugular vein. There was no intracranial reflux. The PCC DAVF was treated
      with transvenous coil occlusion of the fistulous pouch in the condylar canal.
      Symptoms resolved immediately after intervention and the patient recovered
      quickly without any neurological deficits. MR angiography confirmed occlusion of
      the DAVF. The dural sinus was patent with normal blood flow.

PMID- 27262170
TI  - Effects on Deaf Patients of Medication Education by Pharmacists.
AB  - Deaf people often experience difficulty in understanding medication information
      provided by pharmacists due to communication barriers. We held medication
      education lectures for deaf and hard of hearing (HH) individuals and examined the
      extent to which deaf participants understood medication-related information as
      well as their attitude about medication. We used two questionnaires to compare
      the results from the deaf participants with those from the HH and hearing
      participants. We found that before the lecture, the deaf participants'
      understanding of medication use was lower than that of the HH and hearing
      participants. The deaf participants' knowledge increased after the lecture, but
      did not improve to the level exhibited by the HH participants. However, the deaf
      participants felt confident using medication despite their low comprehension
      levels. In conclusion, adjusting the medication information provided by
      pharmacists according to the recipient's reading level could help improve deaf
      patients' knowledge; however, such measures might not increase deaf patients'
      comprehension levels sufficiently. 

PMID- 27262168
TI  - Association of AR-V7 on Circulating Tumor Cells as a Treatment-Specific Biomarker
      With Outcomes and Survival in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.
AB  - Importance: A critical decision in the management of metastatic castration
      resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is when to administer an androgen receptor
      signaling (ARS) inhibitor or a taxane. Objective: To determine if pretherapy
      nuclear androgen-receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) protein expression and
      localization on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is a treatment-specific marker for
      response and outcomes between ARS inhibitors and taxanes. Design, Setting, and
      Participants: For this cross-sectional cohort study at Memorial Sloan Kettering
      Cancer Center, 265 men with progressive mCRPC undergoing a change in treatment
      were considered; 86 were excluded because they were not initiating ARS or taxane
      therapy; and 18 were excluded for processing time constraints, leaving 161
      patients for analysis. Between December 2012 and March 2015, blood was collected
      and processed from patients with progressive mCRPC immediately prior to new line
      of systemic therapy. Patients were followed up to 3 years. Main Outcomes and
      Measures: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, time receiving therapy,
      radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), and overall survival (OS).
      Results: Overall, of 193 prospectively collected blood samples from 161 men with
      mCRPC, 191 were evaluable (128 pre-ARS inhibitor and 63 pretaxane). AR-V7
      positive CTCs were found in 34 samples (18%), including 3% of first-line, 18% of
      second-line, and 31% of third- or greater line samples. Patients whose samples
      had AR-V7-positive CTCs before ARS inhibition had resistant posttherapy PSA
      changes (PTPC), shorter rPFS, shorter time on therapy, and shorter OS than those
      without AR-V7-positive CTCs. Overall, resistant PTPC were seen in 65 of 112
      samples (58%) without detectable AR-V7-positive CTCs prior to ARS inhibition.
      There were statistically significant differences in OS but not in PTPC, time on
      therapy, or rPFS for patients with or without pretherapy AR-V7-positive CTCs
      treated with a taxane. A multivariable model adjusting for baseline factors
      associated with survival showed superior OS with taxanes relative to ARS
      inhibitors when AR-V7-positive CTCs were detected pretherapy (hazard ratio, 0.24;
      95% CI, 0.10-0.57; P = .035). Conclusions and Relevance: The results validate CTC
      nuclear expression of AR-V7 protein in men with mCRPC as a treatment-specific
      biomarker that is associated with superior survival on taxane therapy over ARS
      directed therapy in a clinical practice setting. Continued examination of this
      biomarker in prospective studies will further aid clinical utility.

PMID- 27262171
TI  - EF Hand Protein IBA2 Promotes Cell Proliferation in Breast Cancers via
      Transcriptional Control of Cyclin D1.
AB  - EF hand (EFh) domain-containing proteins have been implicated in malignant
      progression, but their precise functional contributions are uncertain. Here, we
      report evidence that the EFh protein IBA2 promotes the proliferation of breast
      cancer cells by facilitating their transit through the G1-S cell-cycle
      transition. Mechanistic investigations revealed that IBA2 acted at the
      transcriptional level to promote the expression of the critical cell-cycle
      regulator cyclin D1. Clinically, we found that levels of IBA2 were significantly
      upregulated in breast cancer specimens, where its expression correlated
      positively with histologic grade. Our results suggest a key role for IBA2 in
      mammary tumorigenesis. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4535-45. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27262173
TI  - AIMP2 Controls Intestinal Stem Cell Compartments and Tumorigenesis by Modulating
      Wnt/beta-Catenin Signaling.
AB  - Wnt/beta-catenin (CTNNB1) signaling is crucial for the proliferation and
      maintenance of intestinal stem cells (ISC), but excessive activation leads to ISC
      expansion and eventually colorectal cancer. Thus, negative regulators are
      required to maintain optimal levels of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Aminoacyl-tRNA
      synthetase-interacting multifunctional proteins (AIMP) function in protein
      synthesis, but have also been implicated in signaling cascades affecting
      angiogenesis, immunity, and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the
      relationship between AIMP2 and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in a murine model of
      intestinal homeostasis and tumorigenesis. Hemizygous deletion of Aimp2 resulted
      in enhanced Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, increased proliferation of cryptic
      epithelial cells, and expansion of ISC compartments. In an Apc(Min/+) background,
      Aimp2 hemizygosity increased adenoma formation. Mechanistically, AIMP2 disrupted
      the interaction between AXIN and Dishevelled-1 (DVL1) to inhibit Wnt/beta-catenin
      signaling by competing with AXIN. Furthermore, AIMP2 inhibited intestinal
      organoid formation and growth by suppressing Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in an
      Aimp2 gene dosage-dependent manner. Collectively, our results showed that AIMP2
      acts as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor that fine-tunes Wnt/beta-catenin
      signaling in the intestine, illuminating the regulation of ISC abundance and
      activity. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4559-68. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27262174
TI  - Three-dimensional planning and printing of guides and templates for
      reconstruction of the mandibular ramus and condyle using autogenous costochondral
      grafts.

PMID- 27262172
TI  - A Novel Chemotherapeutic Agent to Treat Tumors with DNA Mismatch Repair
      Deficiencies.
AB  - Impairing the division of cancer cells with genotoxic small molecules has been a
      primary goal to develop chemotherapeutic agents. However, DNA mismatch repair
      (MMR)-deficient cancer cells are resistant to most conventional chemotherapeutic
      agents. Here we have identified baicalein as a small molecule that selectively
      kills MutSalpha-deficient cancer cells. Baicalein binds preferentially to
      mismatched DNA and induces a DNA damage response in a MMR-dependent manner. In
      MutSalpha-proficient cells, baicalein binds to MutSalpha to dissociate CHK2 from
      MutSalpha leading to S-phase arrest and cell survival. In contrast, continued
      replication in the presence of baicalein in MutSalpha-deficient cells results in
      a high number of DNA double-strand breaks and ultimately leads to apoptosis.
      Consistently, baicalein specifically shrinks MutSalpha-deficient xenograft tumors
      and inhibits the growth of AOM-DSS-induced colon tumors in colon-specific MSH2
      knockout mice. Collectively, baicalein offers the potential of an improved
      treatment option for patients with tumors with a DNA MMR deficiency. Cancer Res;
      76(14); 4183-91. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27262175
TI  - Balaclava bandage: a new method to support dressings after surgery on head and
      neck.

PMID- 27262176
TI  - Gender differences in management and clinical outcomes of atrial fibrillation
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prior research has identified gender differences in the epidemiology
      and clinical management of atrial fibrillation (AF). The primary aim of this
      study is to systematically analyze a cohort of AF men and women and evaluate
      their baseline demographics, treatment, and clinical outcomes by gender. METHODS:
      We examined the records of 5976 (42% women) consecutive AF patients who were
      prescribed at least one anti-arrhythmic drug between 2006 and 2013. From this
      cohort, 4311 (72%) patients had anticoagulation data available and were included
      in the final analysis. Time to clinical events was assessed using survival
      analysis and adjusted for covariates using Cox regression. RESULTS: Compared to
      men, women were older (73 years vs. 67 years, p<0.001), had higher CHADS2 scores
      (1.9 vs. 1.5, p<0.001), and fewer cardiac comorbidities. Compared to men, women
      were more often prescribed sotalol and less often dofetilide (p<0.001). Women
      were also less likely to be anticoagulated (76.8% vs. 82.5%, p<0.001). Over a
      mean follow-up of 40 months, women were more likely to die (HR 1.21, p=0.037) or
      to have an ischemic stroke (HR 1.35, p=0.058). Women also had higher rates of
      atrioventricular-nodal ablation (adjusted HR 2.11, p<0.001) and pacemaker
      implantation (adjusted HR 1.69, p<0.001) procedures, but lower rates of
      electrical cardioversions, AF ablations, and maze surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: There
      are significant gender differences in baseline demographics and clinical outcomes
      of AF patients. Women have higher mortality and ischemic strokes and are less
      often prescribed anticoagulation therapy despite higher CHADS2 scores. These data
      have important clinical implications.

PMID- 27262178
TI  - Solid anaerobic digestion batch of bio-waste as pre-treatment for improving
      amendment quality: The effect of inoculum recirculation.
AB  - The effect of solid anaerobic digestion batch (SADB) on bio-waste performed with
      and without inoculum on the quality of the final amendment was investigated by
      means of determining the content of organic carbon, humic and fulvic acids and
      the degree of humification. Two different processes were compared: composting and
      SADB with post-composting. Six parallel tests were performed. In three of these
      tests the SADB was inoculated mixing the bio-waste with the digestate from the
      previous run in a 1:1 ratio by weight. The amendment obtained by the SADB with
      post-composting treatment, in which the SADB was not inoculated, had an organic
      carbon content ranging from 15.5% TS to 30.3% TS resulting from 1% up to 14%
      higher than that of the corresponding composting processes. Similar results were
      achieved for the degree of humification. On the other hand SADB in which the
      inoculum was used generated about 300NL/kgVS of biogas instead of about
      267NL/kgVS for non-inoculated runs. 

PMID- 27262179
TI  - Guidelines for professional practice in reporting information about measurement
      instruments in health research.

PMID- 27262177
TI  - The Neural Consequences of Age-Related Hearing Loss.
AB  - During hearing, acoustic signals travel up the ascending auditory pathway from
      the cochlea to auditory cortex; efferent connections provide descending feedback.
      In human listeners, although auditory and cognitive processing have sometimes
      been viewed as separate domains, a growing body of work suggests they are
      intimately coupled. Here, we review the effects of hearing loss on neural systems
      supporting spoken language comprehension, beginning with age-related
      physiological decline. We suggest that listeners recruit domain general executive
      systems to maintain successful communication when the auditory signal is
      degraded, but that this compensatory processing has behavioral consequences: even
      relatively mild levels of hearing loss can lead to cascading cognitive effects
      that impact perception, comprehension, and memory, leading to increased listening
      effort during speech comprehension.

PMID- 27262180
TI  - Male and female physical intimate partner violence and socio-economic position: a
      cross-sectional international multicentre study in Europe.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This work explores the association between socio-economic position
      (SEP) and intimate partner violence (IPV) considering the perspectives of men and
      women as victims, perpetrators and as both (bidirectional). STUDY DESIGN: Cross
      sectional international multicentre study. METHODS: A sample of 3496 men and
      women, (aged 18-64 years), randomly selected from the general population of
      residents from six European cities was assessed: Athens; Budapest; London;
      Ostersund; Porto; and Stuttgart. Their education (primary, secondary and
      university), occupation (upper white collar, lower white collar and blue collar)
      and unemployment duration (never, <=12 months and >12 months) were considered as
      SEP indicators and physical IPV was measured with the Revised Conflict Tactics
      Scales. RESULTS: Past year physical IPV was declared by 17.7% of women (3.5%
      victims, 4.2% perpetrators and 10.0% bidirectional) and 19.8% of men (4.1%
      victims, 3.8% perpetrators and 11.9% bidirectional). Low educational level
      (primary vs university) was associated with female victimisation (adjusted odds
      ratio, 95% confidence interval: 3.2; 1.3-8.0) and with female bidirectional IPV
      (4.1, 2.4-7.1). Blue collar occupation (vs upper white) was associated with
      female victimisation (2.1, 1.1-4.0), female perpetration (3.0, 1.3-6.8) and
      female bidirectional IPV (4.0, 2.3-7.0). Unemployment duration was associated
      with male perpetration (>12 months of unemployment vs never unemployed: 3.8; 1.7
      8.7) and with bidirectional IPV in both sex (women: 1.8, 1.2-2.7; men: 1.7, 1.0
      2.8). CONCLUSIONS: In these European centres, physical IPV was associated with a
      disadvantaged SEP. A consistent socio-economic gradient was observed in female
      bidirectional involvement, but victims or perpetrators-only presented gender
      specificities according to levels of education, occupation differentiation and
      unemployment duration potentially useful for designing interventions.

PMID- 27262181
TI  - Development of a protocol to quantify local bone adaptation over space and time:
      Quantification of reproducibility.
AB  - In vivo micro-computed tomography (uCT) scanning of small rodents is a powerful
      method for longitudinal monitoring of bone adaptation. However, the life-time
      bone growth in small rodents makes it a challenge to quantify local bone
      adaptation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a protocol, which can
      take into account large bone growth, to quantify local bone adaptations over
      space and time. The entire right tibiae of eight 14-week-old C57BL/6J female mice
      were consecutively scanned four times in an in vivo uCT scanner using a nominal
      isotropic image voxel size of 10.4um. The repeated scan image datasets were
      aligned to the corresponding baseline (first) scan image dataset using rigid
      registration. 80% of tibia length (starting from the endpoint of the proximal
      growth plate) was selected as the volume of interest and partitioned into 40
      regions along the tibial long axis (10 divisions) and in the cross-section (4
      sectors). The bone mineral content (BMC) was used to quantify bone adaptation and
      was calculated in each region. All local BMCs have precision errors (PE%CV) of
      less than 3.5% (24 out of 40 regions have PE%CV of less than 2%), least
      significant changes (LSCs) of less than 3.8%, and 38 out of 40 regions have
      intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of over 0.8. The proposed protocol
      allows to quantify local bone adaptations over an entire tibia in longitudinal
      studies, with a high reproducibility, an essential requirement to reduce the
      number of animals to achieve the necessary statistical power.

PMID- 27262182
TI  - Multi-segment analysis of spinal kinematics during sit-to-stand in patients with
      chronic low back pain.
AB  - While alterations in spinal kinematics have been frequently reported in patients
      with chronic low back pain (CLBP), a better characterization of the kinematics
      during functional activities is needed to improve our understanding and
      therapeutic solutions for this condition. Recent studies on healthy subjects
      showed the value of analyzing the spine during sit-to-stand transition (STST)
      using multi-segment models, suggesting that additional knowledge could be gained
      by conducting similar assessments in CLBP patients. The objectives of this study
      were to characterize three dimensional kinematics at the lower lumbar (LLS),
      upper lumbar (ULS), lower thoracic (LTS) and upper thoracic (UTS) joints during
      STST, and to test the hypothesis that CLBP patients perform this movement with
      smaller angle and angular velocity compared to asymptomatic controls. Ten CLBP
      patients (with minimal to moderate disability) and 11 asymptomatic controls with
      comparable demographics (52% male, 37.4+/-5.6 years old, 22.5+/-2.8kg/m(2)) were
      tested using a three-dimensional camera-based system following previously
      proposed protocols. Characteristic patterns of movement were identified at the
      LLS, ULS and UTS joints in the sagittal plane only. Significant differences in
      the form of smaller sagittal-plane angle and smaller angular velocity in the
      patient group compared to the control group were observed at these three joints.
      This indicated a more rigid spine in the patient group and suggested that CLBP
      rehabilitation could potentially be enhanced by targeting movement deficits in
      functional activities. The results further recommended the analysis of STST
      kinematics using a pelvis-lumbar-thoracic model including lower and upper lumbar
      and thoracic segments.

PMID- 27262183
TI  - [ISO 45001: Opportunity for healthcare organizations in improving occupational
      health].

PMID- 27262184
TI  - A Detailed Analysis of Mandibular Angle Fractures: Epidemiology, Patterns,
      Treatments, and Outcomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose was to analyze mandibular angle fractures by examining
      epidemiologic trends and mechanisms of injury and to determine whether a
      statistically meaningful relation existed between certain treatment modalities
      and patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis was
      performed, and data were limited to 1 operator. Treatment variables were methods
      of fixation, postoperative intermaxillary fixation (IMF), and retention versus
      extraction of teeth in the line of fracture. Outcomes were rates of postoperative
      infection, fracture healing, and overall patient comfort. Analysis was performed
      using the Fisher exact test, Wald test, and chi(2) test, with a P value less than
      .05 considered significant. RESULTS: One hundred three patients were included in
      this study. The mean age was 30.4 years, most patients were men, and most
      injuries occurred during physical altercations and on the left side of the face.
      The most common concomitant fracture was of the contralateral parasymphysis. A
      statistically meaningful relation was noted between methods of fixation and
      healing and overall patient comfort, with the Champy technique and reconstruction
      plate being associated with the highest rates of bony union and patient comfort.
      No statistically relevant correlation was found between methods of fixation and
      rates of infection. There was no statistically relevant link for extraction
      versus retention of healthy teeth in the line of fracture or use of IMF with
      patient comfort, postoperative infection, or fracture healing. CONCLUSION:
      Although the Champy technique and reconstruction plates were associated with
      better postoperative outcomes, such as patient comfort and fracture healing,
      these should not be used interchangeably. IMF and extraction versus retention of
      teeth in the line of fracture did not influence any of the outcomes.

PMID- 27262185
TI  - Doing the counter-regulation shuffle: The importance of flexibility and hunger
      for predicting food consumption following a preload.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study utilised the preload paradigm to evaluate whether trait
      like dieting attitudes and behaviours (dietary restraint and flexibility in
      dieting rules) and context-specific factors (negative mood and hunger) predict
      food consumption among male and female participants. METHODS: Following a high
      calorie preload, 79 participants aged 18-40 completed a deceptive taste test in
      which they were encouraged to eat as much of the taste test foods as desired, and
      this ad libitum intake was measured. RESULTS: Although each predictor (except
      negative mood) predicted consumption when tested individually, regression
      analyses revealed that dieting flexibility and current hunger were the strongest
      unique predictors of intake. Mood failed to directly predict food consumption,
      nor did it moderate the relationship between restraint and food intake.
      CONCLUSION: Collectively, findings suggest that emphasis on dietary restraint in
      preload studies may be misplaced, as other proximal and stable factors may better
      predict food consumption.

PMID- 27262186
TI  - Pacemaker extrusion.

PMID- 27262188
TI  - Overview of Fusion Tags for Recombinant Proteins.
AB  - Virtually all recombinant proteins are now prepared using fusion domains also
      known as "tags". The use of tags helps to solve some serious problems: to
      simplify procedures of protein isolation, to increase expression and solubility
      of the desired protein, to simplify protein refolding and increase its
      efficiency, and to prevent proteolysis. In this review, advantages and
      disadvantages of such fusion tags are analyzed and data on both well-known and
      new tags are generalized. The authors own data are also presented. 

PMID- 27262189
TI  - Chlorophylls d and f and Their Role in Primary Photosynthetic Processes of
      Cyanobacteria.
AB  - The finding of unique Chl d- and Chl f-containing cyanobacteria in the last
      decade was a discovery in the area of biology of oxygenic photosynthetic
      organisms. Chl b, Chl c, and Chl f are considered to be accessory pigments found
      in antennae systems of photosynthetic organisms. They absorb energy and transfer
      it to the photosynthetic reaction center (RC), but do not participate in electron
      transport by the photosynthetic electron transport chain. However, Chl d as well
      as Chl a can operate not only in the light-harvesting complex, but also in the
      photosynthetic RC. The long-wavelength (Qy) Chl d and Chl f absorption band is
      shifted to longer wavelength (to 750 nm) compared to Chl a, which suggests the
      possibility for oxygenic photosynthesis in this spectral range. Such expansion of
      the photosynthetically active light range is important for the survival of
      cyanobacteria when the intensity of light not exceeding 700 nm is attenuated due
      to absorption by Chl a and other pigments. At the same time, energy storage
      efficiency in photosystem 2 for cyanobacteria containing Chl d and Chl f is not
      lower than that of cyanobacteria containing Chl a. Despite great interest in
      these unique chlorophylls, many questions related to functioning of such pigments
      in primary photosynthetic processes are still not elucidated. This review
      describes the latest advances in the field of Chl d and Chl f research and their
      role in primary photosynthetic processes of cyanobacteria. 

PMID- 27262187
TI  - Membrane prestin expression correlates with the magnitude of prestin-associated
      charge movement.
AB  - Full expression of electromotility, generation of non-linear capacitance (NLC),
      and high-acuity mammalian hearing require prestin function in the lateral wall of
      cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs). Estimates of the number of prestin molecules in
      the OHC membrane vary, and a consensus has not emerged about the correlation
      between prestin expression and prestin-associated charge movement in the OHC.
      Using an inducible prestin-expressing cell line, we demonstrate that the charge
      density, but not the voltage at peak capacitance, directly correlates with the
      amount of prestin in the plasma membrane. This correlation is evident in studies
      involving a controlled increase of prestin expression with time after induction
      and inducer dose-response. Conversely, membrane prestin levels and charge density
      gradually decline together following the reduction of prestin levels from a
      steady state by removal of the inducer. Thus, charge density directly correlates
      with the level of membrane prestin expression, whereas changing membrane levels
      of prestin have no effect on the voltage at peak capacitance in this inducible
      prestin-expressing cell line.

PMID- 27262190
TI  - Structure and Functions of Linker Histones.
AB  - Linker histones such as variants H1, H5, and other similar proteins play an
      important role in regulation of chromatin structure and dynamics. However,
      interactions of linker histones with DNA and proteins, as well as specific
      functions of their different variants, are poorly studied. This is because they
      acquire tertiary structure only when interacting with a nucleosome, and because
      of limitations of currently available methods. However, deeper investigation of
      linker histones and their interactions with other proteins will address a number
      of important questions - from structure of compacted chromatin to regulation of
      early embryogenesis. In this review, structures of histone H1 variants and its
      interaction with chromatin DNA are considered. A possible functional significance
      of different H1 variants, a role of these proteins in maintaining interphase
      chromatin structure, and interactions of linker histones with other cellular
      proteins are also discussed. 

PMID- 27262191
TI  - Age-Related Changes in Antioxidant and Glutathione S-Transferase Enzyme
      Activities in the Asian Clam.
AB  - Aging is accompanied by increased production of free oxygen radicals and
      impairment of normal cellular functions. The aim of this work was to provide
      preliminary data on age-related differences in the activities of antioxidant
      enzymes and phase II biotransformation enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) in
      a wild population of the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea. The antioxidant enzymes
      superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX),
      glutathione reductase (GR), and GST were assessed in visceral mass of four age
      classes (0+-, 1+-, 2+-, and 3+-year-old) of C. fluminea clams. Age-related
      changes were seen in antioxidant enzyme status: levels of total SOD (totSOD) (P <
      0.05), MnSOD, and CuZnSOD (P < 0.05) activities increased progressively during
      aging from younger to older clams. Changes in CAT and GR activities with
      advancing age were found, the levels being the highest in age class II, then
      being lower in age classes III and IV (P < 0.05). Activities of GPX and GST were
      lower in the senescent individuals (2+- and 3+-year-old clams) compared with
      young individuals (0+- and 1+-year-old clams). Overall, the decline of
      glutathione-dependent enzyme activities, coupled with higher and lower activities
      of totSOD and CAT, respectively, as the individual grows older, may render the
      older animals more susceptible to oxidative stress. Data reported here are not
      intended to be exhaustive since they concern only age/size structure of the
      population at one locality, so more detailed studies on both the developmental
      stages and levels of antioxidant enzymes of this new alien species in Serbian
      rivers are required. 

PMID- 27262192
TI  - Interaction of Nucleotide Excision Repair Protein XPC-RAD23B with DNA Containing
      Benzo[a]pyrene-Derived Adduct and Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Site within a Cluster.
AB  - The combined action of reactive metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and
      oxidative stress can lead to cluster-type DNA damage that includes both a bulky
      lesion and an apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site, which are repaired by the
      nucleotide and base excision repair mechanisms - NER and BER, respectively.
      Interaction of NER protein XPC-RAD23B providing primary damage recognition with
      DNA duplexes containing a B[a]P-derived residue linked to the exocyclic amino
      group of a guanine (BPDE-N(2)-dG) in the central position of one strand and AP
      site in different positions of the other strand was analyzed. It was found that
      XPC-RAD23B crosslinks to DNA containing (+)-trans-BPDE-N(2)-dG more effectively
      than to DNA containing cis-isomer, independently of the AP site position in the
      opposite strand; protein affinity to DNA containing one of the BPDE-N(2)-dG
      isomers depends on the AP site position in the opposite strand. The influence of
      XPC-RAD23B on hydrolysis of an AP site clustered with BPDE-N(2)-dG catalyzed by
      the apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) was examined. XPC-RAD23B was
      shown to stimulate the endonuclease and inhibit the 3'-5' exonuclease activity of
      APE1. These data demonstrate the possibility of cooperation of two proteins
      belonging to different DNA repair systems in the repair of cluster-type DNA
      damage. 

PMID- 27262193
TI  - Effect of Thrombin Inhibitors on Positive Feedback in the Coagulation Cascade.
AB  - The coagulation cascade is a series of sequential reactions of limited
      proteolysis of protein factors resulting in generation of thrombin. Thrombin
      mediates both positive and negative feedback in regulating this cascade by taking
      part in activation of several factors. Some thrombin inhibitors, by affecting
      positive feedback, inhibit generation of thrombin itself. In the current study,
      we used two thrombin inhibitors: argatroban, a low molecular weight reversible
      competitive inhibitor that binds to the active site, and bivalirudin, a bivalent
      oligopeptide that blocks the active site and binding center of protein substrates
      (exosite I). Appearance rate and total amount of thrombin were measured in a
      thrombin generation assay (TGA) using a fluorescent substrate. We found that
      argatroban slows the appearance of thrombin and lowers its amount. Bivalirudin
      also slows appearance of thrombin, but it does not decrease its amount, perhaps
      because the region being bound to the active site undergoes hydrolysis so that
      the inhibitor stops binding to thrombin. Many reactions of the coagulation
      cascade proceed on the surface of phospholipid micelles (PLMs). In the case of
      argatroban, PLMs do not affect the results of the TGA, whereas for bivalirudin
      they lower its inhibitory activity. It seems that PLMs stabilize protein
      complexes (wherein thrombin exosite I is hindered) mediating positive feedback in
      the coagulation cascade, e.g. complexes of thrombin with factor V and VIII. 

PMID- 27262194
TI  - Identification of a Region of the Polypeptide Chain of Na,K-ATPase alpha-Subunit
      Interacting with 67-kDa Melittin-Like Protein.
AB  - It was shown earlier that a 67-kDa protein purified from mouse kidney using
      polyclonal antibodies against melittin (a peptide from bee venom) interacted with
      Na,K-ATPase from rabbit kidney. In this study, a 43-kDa proteolytic fragment of
      Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit interacting with the 67-kDa melittin-like protein was
      found. The alpha-subunit was hydrolyzed by trypsin in the presence of 0.5 mM
      ouabain (E2-conformation of Na,K-ATPase). A proteolytic fragment interacting with
      the 67-kDa melittin-like protein that was identified by mass-spectrometry is a
      region of the cytoplasmic domain of Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit located between
      amino acid residues 591 and 775. The fragment includes a conservative DPPRA motif
      that occurs in many P-type ATPases. It was shown earlier that this motif of H,K
      ATPase from gastric mucosa binds to melittin. We suggest that namely this motif
      of P-type ATPases is able to interact with proteins containing melittin-like
      modules. 

PMID- 27262195
TI  - Tankyrase Activity in Organs and Tissues of Mice.
AB  - Tankyrase, one of the NAD+ ADP-ribosyltransferases, is a target for drugs
      developed for their anticancer and other pharmacological activities. We designed
      an assay for estimation of the inhibition or activation of the enzyme in
      preclinical studies. In mice, the highest specific activity of tankyrase was
      observed in thymus, spleen, pancreas, and bone marrow. In murine liver, tankyrase
      is active in ontogenesis and during reparative regeneration; however, the basal
      activity is hardly detectable in normal liver and most of other organs of adult
      animals. We suggest that tankyrase is a part of the tissue growth and repair
      machinery, while its age-dependent inhibition, when an organism stops growing,
      turns on phenoptosis. 

PMID- 27262196
TI  - DNA with Damage in Both Strands as Affinity Probes and Nucleotide Excision Repair
      Substrates.
AB  - Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a multistep process of recognition and
      elimination of a wide spectrum of damages that cause significant distortions in
      DNA structure, such as UV-induced damage and bulky chemical adducts. A series of
      model DNAs containing new bulky fluoro-azidobenzoyl photoactive lesion dC(FAB)
      and well-recognized nonnucleoside lesions nFlu and nAnt have been designed and
      their interaction with repair proteins investigated. We demonstrate that modified
      DNA duplexes dC(FAB)/dG (probe I), dC(FAB)/nFlu+4 (probe II), and dC(FAB)/nFlu-3
      (probe III) have increased (as compared to unmodified DNA, umDNA) structure
      dependent affinity for XPC-HR23B (Kdum > KdI > KdII ~ KdIII) and differentially
      crosslink to XPC and proteins of NER-competent extracts. The presence of dC(FAB)
      results in (i) decreased melting temperature (DeltaTm = -3 degrees C) and (ii) 12
      degrees  DNA bending. The extended dC(FAB)/dG-DNA (137 bp) was demonstrated to be
      an effective NER substrate. Lack of correlation between the affinity to XPC-HR23B
      and substrate properties of the model DNA suggests a high impact of the
      verification stage on the overall NER process. In addition, DNAs containing
      closely positioned, well-recognized lesions in the complementary strands
      represent hardly repairable (dC(FAB)/nFlu+4, dC(FAB)/nFlu-3) or irreparable
      (nFlu/nFlu+4, nFlu/nFlu-3, nAnt/nFlu+4, nAnt/nFlu-3) structures. Our data provide
      evidence that the NER system of higher eukaryotes recognizes and eliminates
      damaged DNA fragments on a multi-criterion basis. 

PMID- 27262198
TI  - Mathematical Model of Self-Oscillations of Activity of Kai Proteins.
AB  - A non-autocatalytic mathematical model of self-oscillations in vitro in solutions
      of cyanobacterial Kai proteins (KaiA, KaiB, KaiC) and ATP is suggested. This
      model describes the process of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of KaiC protein,
      which is accelerated by KaiA and inhibited by KaiB. The method of metabolic
      control analysis is used to show that frequency (period) as well as amplitude of
      self-oscillations of components of Kai proteins are temperature-compensated. 

PMID- 27262197
TI  - Dynamics of Antagonistic Potency of Rhodobacter capsulatus PG Lipopolysaccharide
      against Endotoxin-Induced Effects.
AB  - The dynamics of antagonistic potency of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from
      Rhodobacter capsulatus PG on the synthesis of proinflammatory (TNF-alpha, IL
      1beta, IL-8, IL-6, IFN-gamma) and antiinflammatory (IL-10, IL-1Ra) cytokines
      induced by highly stimulatory endotoxins from Escherichia coli or Salmonella
      enterica have been studied. Using human whole blood, we have shown that R.
      capsulatus PG LPS inhibited most pronouncedly the endotoxin-induced synthesis of
      TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, and IL-6 during the first 6 h after endotoxin
      challenge. Similarly, the endotoxin-induced release of IFN-gamma was abolished by
      R. capsulatus PG LPS as well (24 h). In contrast to the above-mentioned
      cytokines, the relatively weak antagonistic activity of R. capsulatus PG LPS
      against endotoxin-triggered production of IL-6 and IL-8 was revealed. Since R.
      capsulatus PG LPS displays more potent antagonistic activity against deleterious
      effects of S. enterica LPS than those of E. coli LPS in the cases of such
      cytokines as IL-1beta (6 and 24 h), IL-6 and IL-8 (4 h), we conclude that the
      effectiveness of protective action of antagonist is mostly determined by the
      primary lipid A structure of the employed agonist. 

PMID- 27262199
TI  - Isoferulic Acid Action against Glycation-Induced Changes in Structural and
      Functional Attributes of Human High-Density Lipoprotein.
AB  - Glycation-induced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) modification by aldehydes can
      result in loss of its antiinflammatory/antioxidative properties, contributing to
      diabetes-associated cardiovascular diseases. Isoferulic acid, a major active
      ingredient of Cimicifuga heracleifolia, shows antiinflammatory, antiviral,
      antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties. Thus, this study investigated the
      antiglycation effect of isoferulic acid against compositional modifications of
      HDL and loss of biological activity of HDL-paraoxonase induced on incubation with
      different aldehydes. Protective effect of isoferulic acid was assessed by
      subjecting purified HDL from human plasma to glycation with methylglyoxal,
      glyoxal, or glycolaldehyde and varying concentrations of isoferulic acid. The
      effect of isoferulic acid was analyzed by determining amino group number,
      tryptophan and advanced glycation end-product fluorescence, thermal denaturation
      studies, carboxymethyl lysine content, and activity of HDL-paraoxonase.
      Concentration-dependent inhibitory action of isoferulic acid was observed against
      extensive structural perturbations, decrease in amino group number, increase in
      carboxymethyl lysine content, and decrease in the activity of HDL-paraoxonase
      caused by aldehyde-associated glycation in the HDL molecule. Isoferulic acid,
      when taken in concentration equal to that of aldehydes, was most protective, as
      82-88% of paraoxonase activity was retained for all studied aldehydes. Isoferulic
      acid shows antiglycation action against aldehyde-associated glycation in HDL,
      which indicates its therapeutic potential for diabetic patients, especially those
      with micro-/macrovascular complications. 

PMID- 27262200
TI  - Development of novel electrospun dual-drug fiber mats loaded with a combination
      of ampicillin and metronidazole.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our study was performed with the aim of preparing electrospun
      polylactide fibers with a combination of ampicillin (AMP) and metronidazole (MNZ)
      and investigating their drug release behavior and the antibacterial effect on
      Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and other oral pathogens. METHODS: AMP and
      MNZ were integrated as a combination in two separate fibers (dual fiber mats -
      DFW mix) of electrospun PLA fiber mats by means of multijet electrospinning and
      in a single fiber (single fiber mats - SFW mix). HPLC (high-performance liquid
      chromatography) was used to measure the released drug quantities. Agar diffusion
      tests were used to determine the antibacterial effect of the eluates on A.
      actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and
      Enterococcus faecalis. The neutral red test was made to examine the
      cytocompatibility of the eluates with human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs). RESULTS:
      The release of the active agents varied with the antibiotic concentrations
      initially used in the fiber mats, but also with the distribution of the active
      agents in one or two fibers. Of the total quantity of MNZ (AMP), the SFW mix
      fiber mats released >60% (>70%) within a span of 5min, and 76% (71%) after 96h.
      With these drug concentrations released by the fiber mats (>=5m%), an
      antibacterial effect was achieved on A. actinomycetemcomitans and on all other
      species tested. Fiber mats and their eluates have no cytotoxic influence on human
      gingival fibroblasts (hGFs). SIGNIFICANCE: Electrospun AMP/MNZ-loaded polymer
      fibers are a potential drug delivery system for use in periodontal and endodontic
      infections.

PMID- 27262201
TI  - Development of a Support Vector Machine-Based System to Predict Whether a
      Compound Is a Substrate of a Given Drug Transporter Using Its Chemical Structure.
AB  - The aim of this study was to develop an in silico prediction system to assess
      which of 7 categories of drug transporters (organic anion transporting
      polypeptide [OATP] 1B1/1B3, multidrug resistance-associated protein [MRP] 2/3/4,
      organic anion transporter [OAT] 1, OAT3, organic cation transporter [OCT]
      1/2/multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] 1/2-K, multidrug resistance protein 1
      [MDR1], and breast cancer resistance protein [BCRP]) can recognize compounds as
      substrates using its chemical structure alone. We compiled an internal data set
      consisting of 260 compounds that are substrates for at least 1 of the 7
      categories of drug transporters. Four physicochemical parameters (charge,
      molecular weight, lipophilicity, and plasma unbound fraction) of each compound
      were used as the basic descriptors. Furthermore, a greedy algorithm was used to
      select 3 additional physicochemical descriptors from 731 available descriptors.
      In addition, transporter nonsubstrates tend not to be in the public domain; we,
      thus, tried to compile an expert-curated data set of putative nonsubstrates for
      each transporter using personal opinions of 11 researchers in the field of drug
      transporters. The best prediction was finally achieved by a support vector
      machine based on 4 basic and 3 additional descriptors. The model correctly judged
      that 364 of 412 compounds (internal data set) and 111 of 136 compounds (external
      data set) were substrates, indicating that this model performs well enough to
      predict the specificity of transporter substrates.

PMID- 27262202
TI  - Design of an In Situ Cross-Linked Eutectic Tablet for Enhanced Delivery of Gastro
      Sensitive Proteins and Peptides.
AB  - In the present study, a eutectic platform was designed as an in situ cross-linked
      eutectic tablet for structural protection, enhanced intestinal permeation, and
      controlled release of proteins after oral administration. Physicochemical and
      physicomechanical analyses of the eutectic tablets were undertaken to elucidate
      the in situ cross-linking mechanism, thermal transitions, crystallinity, ex vivo
      permeation, and in vitro release of the protein. Following thermal
      characterization, results revealed successful eutectic formation with a melting
      point to 37 degrees C. Protein release from the formulation was controlled over
      24 h with a maximum fractional release of +/-0.8 for all formulations. The
      release pattern alternated between phases of burst and slow release which was
      attributed to the combined effects of swelling, surface erosion, and in situ
      cross-linking. Mathematical modeling of the protein release kinetics corresponded
      best with the Higuichi model with near zero-order (R(2) ~ 0.9787) release. The
      permeation-enhancing effect of menthol contained within the eutectic powder blend
      was investigated and results showed an enhanced protein flux (0.0576-0.0720
      mg.cm(-2) h(-1)) across the intestinal tissue model compared with a control
      formulation. Extensive in vitro characterization highlighted the successful
      design of the eutectic tablets as a potential oral delivery system for proteins
      with structural protection, enhanced intestinal permeation, and controlled
      release.

PMID- 27262203
TI  - Use of Activated Carbon in Packaging to Attenuate Formaldehyde-Induced and Formic
      Acid-Induced Degradation and Reduce Gelatin Cross-Linking in Solid Dosage Forms.
AB  - Formaldehyde and formic acid are reactive impurities found in commonly used
      excipients and can be responsible for limiting drug product shelf-life. Described
      here is the use of activated carbon in drug product packaging to attenuate
      formaldehyde-induced and formic acid-induced drug degradation in tablets and
      cross-linking in hard gelatin capsules. Several pharmaceutical products with
      known or potential vulnerabilities to formaldehyde-induced or formic acid-induced
      degradation or gelatin cross-linking were subjected to accelerated stability
      challenges in the presence and absence of activated carbon. The effects of time
      and storage conditions were determined. For all of the products studied,
      activated carbon attenuated drug degradation or gelatin cross-linking. This novel
      use of activated carbon in pharmaceutical packaging may be useful for enhancing
      the chemical stability of drug products or the dissolution stability of gelatin
      containing dosage forms and may allow for the 1) extension of a drug product's
      shelf-life when the limiting attribute is a degradation product induced by a
      reactive impurity, 2) marketing of a drug product in hotter and more humid
      climatic zones than currently supported without the use of activated carbon, and
      3) enhanced dissolution stability of products that are vulnerable to gelatin
      cross-linking.

PMID- 27262205
TI  - An Overview of Pharmaceutical Excipients: Safe or Not Safe?
AB  - A medicine consists of 2 fundamental parts: the active pharmaceutical ingredient
      and the excipient. Most, if not all, medicines could not be made without the use
      of excipients. In the early times, the safety of excipients was overlooked and no
      specific safety tests were generally conducted. This fact has been changed over
      times and is currently being recognized that the excipient's toxicity is not
      negligible, because its direct interaction with the active pharmaceutical
      ingredient or between other excipients may occur, leading to a potential change
      in the relationship between effectiveness and toxicity. This review is intended
      to address the general status of the pharmaceutical excipients and to describe
      the safety assessment. As a summary, this review suggests the interest of
      simplifying the formulations as much as possible and the interest of reducing the
      number of excipients necessary to strictly meet the required functions. The
      risk/benefit ratio of an excipient should be always evaluated on the basis of not
      only its production and quality but also of its safety. Further research
      according to Good Manufacturing Practices, Guiding Principles in Toxicology
      Assessment, Good Laboratory Practices, and Good Distribution Practices
      requirements are needed and are fundamental for health safety, contributing to a
      comprehensive picture of this matter.

PMID- 27262204
TI  - Evaluation of Heavy-Chain C-Terminal Deletion on Product Quality and
      Pharmacokinetics of Monoclonal Antibodies.
AB  - Due to their potential influence on stability, pharmacokinetics, and product
      consistency, antibody charge variants have attracted considerable attention in
      the biotechnology industry. Subtle to significant differences in the level of
      charge variants and new charge variants under various cell culture conditions are
      often observed during routine manufacturing or process changes and pose a
      challenge when demonstrating product comparability. To explore potential
      solutions to control charge heterogeneity, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with
      native, wild-type C-termini, and mutants with C-terminal deletions of either
      lysine or lysine and glycine were constructed, expressed, purified, and
      characterized in vitro and in vivo. Analytical and physiological characterization
      demonstrated that the mAb mutants had greatly reduced levels of basic variants
      without decreasing antibody biologic activity, structural stability,
      pharmacokinetics, or subcutaneous bioavailability in rats. This study provides a
      possible solution to mitigate mAb heterogeneity in C-terminal processing, improve
      batch-to-batch consistency, and facilitate the comparability study during process
      changes.

PMID- 27262207
TI  - An Investigation Into Vortioxetine Salts: Crystal Structure, Thermal Stability,
      and Solubilization.
AB  - Three 1:1 salts containing vortioxetine (VOT), an orally antidepressant drug, and
      3 aryl monoacids have been designed and successfully prepared by liquid-assisted
      grinding based on the DeltapKa rule. The C-O bond lengths (~1.25 A) in the COOH
      groups show that the proton transfer has occurred from aryl monoacid to
      piperazine N1 atom of vortioxetine in the crystal structures. Three salts feature
      cyclic [2 + 2] structural units through R(4)4 (12) N-H...O hydrogen bonding
      interactions which result in the remarkable thermal stabilities, and VOT-p
      aminobenzoic acid shows 2-dimensional framework by linking cyclic [2 + 2] units
      through additional hydrogen bonding interactions. The equilibrium solubility of
      VOT in VOT-p-aminobenzoic acid salt can be largely improved up to 0.50 mg/mL
      (about 450% above the free base) at 25 degrees C in water, which also accelerates
      the intrinsic dissolution rate.

PMID- 27262206
TI  - The Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-6 Regulates Nanoparticle Transport
      Across Model Follicle-Associated Epithelium Cells.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate whether the pro-inflammatory cytokines
      improved the function of the cell monolayer model of the human follicle
      associated epithelium (FAE) of co-culture of Caco-2 cells on permeable filters
      with Raji B-cells underneath from the viewpoint of particle transport. Exposure
      to tumor necrosis factor-alpha resulted in an almost maintained epithelial
      integrity/paracellular permeability combined with an increased nanoparticle
      transport in a dose-dependent manner while the effects of interleukin (IL)-1beta
      were limited. Exposure to IL-6 significantly enhanced the nanoparticle transport
      with the limited disruption of the cell monolayer integrity. The addition of IL-6
      or tumor necrosis factor-alpha to Caco-2 monolayers without Raji B-cells did not
      enhance nanoparticle transport. In our IL-6 treated FAE model, the nanoparticle
      transport almost disappeared at 4 degrees C or after the addition of 5-(N-ethyl-N
      isopropyl) amiloride, an inhibitor of macropinocytosis. Furthermore, IgA binding,
      presumably by a secretory IgA receptor, a marker of M-cells was observed on the
      apical side of our model FAE. These results indicate that the combined effect of
      IL-6 with unknown factors from Raji-B cells made the FAE model more functional
      with regard to nanoparticle transport. The IL-6 enhanced FAE model will be a
      useful platform for nanoparticle drug delivery research across the intestinal
      epithelium.

PMID- 27262209
TI  - Subgingival microbiota in individuals with severe chronic periodontitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Subgingival microorganisms are potentially associated with
      periodontal diseases. However, the correlation between the variance in the
      periodontal microbiome and the prevalence and severity of periodontitis remains
      unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the subgingival microbiota in
      Taiwanese individuals with severe chronic periodontitis (SP). METHODS: The
      composition of the subgingival microbiota in healthy and diseased individuals was
      compared using a 16S rRNA metagenomic approach and quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction (qPCR). A total of 20 samples, including 10 from healthy individuals and
      10 from SP patients, were analyzed. RESULTS: We found high microbial diversity,
      with an average of 774 classified phylotypes per sample and a total of six
      bacterial phyla across all samples. Cluster analysis by principal component
      analysis and heat map showed that the bacterial communities were different in the
      two groups. Streptococcus dominated across all the healthy samples, whereas
      Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Treponema were highly abundant across all diseased
      samples. At least 13 bacterial genera were conserved among all the samples. Only
      eight genera, including Lautropia, Parvimonas, Actinomyces, Capnocytophaga,
      Paludibacter, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, and Corynebacterium, were significantly
      enriched in the healthy group, and six genera, including Porphyromonas,
      Treponema, Tannerella, Aggregatibacter, Peptostreptococcus, and Filifactor, were
      significantly enriched in the diseased group. Furthermore, a trend of abundance
      of bacteria at the species level measured by qPCR in all samples was consistent
      with the 16S rRNA metagenomics results. CONCLUSION: This study is the first in
      Taiwan to provide a picture of the microbiome in SP via 16S rRNA metagenomics.

PMID- 27262208
TI  - Bio-Kil, a nano-based disinfectant, reduces environmental bacterial burden and
      multidrug-resistant organisms in intensive care units.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This prospective before-after study was intended to
      investigate the effect of Bio-Kil on reducing environmental bacterial burden and
      healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in intensive care units (ICUs) at the
      Municipal Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan in 2014. METHODS: Four rooms in the
      medical and surgical ICUs were investigated and designated as study rooms (n = 2)
      or control rooms (n = 2). Routine disinfection was performed during the pre
      intervention period in both room types. Bio-Kil was applied to the fomites and
      surroundings of the study rooms during the intervention period. Total bacterial
      burden and proportion of colonization of fomites and surroundings by multidrug
      resistance organisms (MDROs) were determined before and after the intervention.
      The demographic characteristics, underlying conditions, and clinical outcomes of
      patients were analyzed. RESULTS: After application of Bio-Kil, the bacterial
      burden declined in both groups, although the reduction was greater in the study
      rooms as compared with the control rooms (p = 0.001). During the pre-intervention
      period, 16 patients were admitted to control rooms and 18 patients to study
      rooms. After the intervention, 22 patients were admitted to control rooms and 21
      patients to study rooms. The number of cases of new-onset sepsis declined in the
      intervention group (from 33% to 23.8%), but increased in the control group (from
      25% to 40.9%); however, there was no significant difference in incidence of new
      onset sepsis between the study and control rooms after intervention. CONCLUSION:
      Application of Bio-Kil reduced the environmental bacterial burden and MDROs in
      ICUs. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this nanotechnology
      based disinfectant in reducing HAIs.

PMID- 27262210
TI  - Rapid identification of Streptococcus intermedius by multiplex polymerase chain
      reaction 1 week before culture positivity in a patient with antibiotic-treated
      thalamic brain abscess.

PMID- 27262211
TI  - Toward sustainable and effective control: Experience of China Ebola Treatment
      Center in Liberia.

PMID- 27262213
TI  - Asymmetric ground reaction forces and knee kinematics during squat after anterior
      cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This bilateral squat study tests whether people with anterior
      cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have symmetric three-dimensional ground
      reaction forces (GRFs) and symmetric anterior-posterior (AP) translation rates of
      the femur with respect to the tibia when compared with healthy control subjects.
      We hypothesized that there would be no long-term asymmetry in knee kinematics and
      kinetics in ACL reconstructed subjects following surgery and rehabilitation.
      METHODS: Position and GRF data were collected on eight ACL reconstructed and
      eight control subjects during bilateral squat. The rate of relative AP
      translation was determined for each subject. Principal component models were
      developed for each of the three GRF waveforms. Principal component scores were
      used to assess symmetry within the ACL reconstructed group and within the control
      group. RESULTS: ACL reconstructed knees analyzed in early flexion during squat
      descent displayed a four-fold greater rate of change in anterior translation in
      the reconstructed knee relative to the contralateral side than did a similar
      comparison of normal knees. Differences were found between the ACL reconstructed
      subjects' injured and uninjured limbs for all GRFs. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects
      following ACL reconstruction had asymmetric GRFs and relative rates of AP
      translation at an average of seven years after ACL reconstructive surgery when
      compared with control subjects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These alterations in loading
      may lead to altered load distributions across the knee joint and may put some
      subjects at risk for future complications such as osteoarthritis.

PMID- 27262212
TI  - Identifying the Appropriate FISH Criteria for Defining MET Copy Number-Driven
      Lung Adenocarcinoma through Oncogene Overlap Analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor gene (MET) gene copy
      number gain may be a predictive biomarker for mesenchymal-epithelial transition
      factor (MET) inhibition in lung cancer, but the most appropriate method and
      criteria for defining MET positivity are uncertain. METHODS: MET copy number was
      assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization in lung adenocarcinoma. Positivity
      criteria included mean MET per cell values greater than 5 (low [>=5 to <6],
      intermediate [>=6 to <7], and high [>=7]) and mean MET-to-chromosome 7 centromere
      ratios (MET/CEP7) of at least 1.8 (low [>=1.8 to <=2.2], intermediate [>2.2 to
      <5], and high [>=5]). Associated clinical and molecular characteristics were
      captured. RESULTS: Of 686 cases, 99 (14%) had a mean MET per cell value of 5 or
      greater, 52 of 1164 (4.5%) had a MET/CEP7 ratio of 1.8 or higher. Other oncogenic
      drivers (in EGFR, KRAS, anaplastic lymphoma receptor tyrosine kinase gene [ALK],
      erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 gene [ERBB2], BRAF, NRAS, ROS1, or ret proto
      oncogene [RET]) were detectable in 56% of the group with a mean MET per cell
      value of 5 or higher and 47% of the group with a MET/CEP7 ratio of 1.8 or higher,
      suggesting that many MET-positive cases are not truly MET addicted. The rates of
      concomitant drivers in the groups of patients in the low, indeterminate, and high
      categories of mean MET per cell were 32 of 52 (62%), 12 of 19 (63%), and 11 of 27
      (41%) (p = 0.2), and the rates of concomitant drivers in the low, intermediate,
      and high categories of MET/CEP7 ratios were 15 of 29 (52%), 9 of 18 (50%), and 0
      of 4 (0%), respectively (p = 0.04). A MET/CEP7 ratio of 1.8 or higher in the
      absence of other oncogenes was associated with a higher rate of adrenal
      metastases (p = 0.03) but not with never-smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: A
      fluorescence in situ hybridization MET/CEP7 ratio of 5 or higher defined a "MET
      positive" group with no oncogenic overlap. As this method and criteria are also
      associated with the highest response rate to MET inhibition, it represents the
      clearest definition of a MET copy number gain-addicted state. However, a MET
      associated phenotype may also exist across cases with a MET/CEP7 of 1.8 or higher
      when no other oncogene overlap occurs.

PMID- 27262214
TI  - Reduction of dioxin-like toxicity in effluents by additional wastewater treatment
      and related effects in fish.
AB  - Efficiency of advanced wastewater treatment technologies to reduce
      micropollutants which mediate dioxin-like toxicity was investigated. Technologies
      compared included ozonation, powdered activated carbon and granular activated
      carbon. In addition to chemical analyses in samples of effluents, surface waters,
      sediments, and fish, (1) dioxin-like potentials were measured in paired samples
      of effluents, surface waters, and sediments by use of an in vitro biotest
      (reporter gene assay) and (2) dioxin-like effects were investigated in exposed
      fish by use of in vivo activity of the mixed-function, monooxygenase enzyme,
      ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) in liver. All advanced technologies studied,
      based on degradation or adsorption, significantly reduced dioxin-like potentials
      in samples and resulted in lesser EROD activity in livers of fish. Results of in
      vitro and in vivo biological responses were not clearly related to quantification
      of targeted analytes by use of instrumental analyses. 

PMID- 27262215
TI  - Sub-lethal effects of cadmium and copper on RNA/DNA ratio and energy reserves in
      the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis.
AB  - This study aims to test if RNA/DNA ratio and various energy reserve parameters
      (i.e., glycogen, lipid, protein content and total energy reserves) are sensitive
      biomarkers for indicating stresses induced by metal contaminants in the green
      lipped mussel Perna viridis, a common organism for biomonitoring in Southeast
      Asia. This study was, therefore, designed to examine the effects of cadmium (Cd)
      and copper (Cu) on these potential biomarkers in two major energy storage
      tissues, adductor muscle (AM) and hepatopancreas (HP), of P. viridis after sub
      lethal exposure to either metal for 10 days. The results showed that neither Cd
      nor Cu treatments affected the RNA/DNA ratio, glycogen and protein contents in AM
      and HP. As the most sensitive biomarker in P. viridis, the total lipid content in
      both AM and HP was significantly decreased in the treatment of 5MUg Cu/L and 0.01
      0.1MUgCd/L, respectively. However, soft-tissue body burdens of Cu or Cd did not
      significantly correlate with each of the four biomarkers regardless of the tissue
      type. In addition, AM generally stored more glycogen than HP, whereas HP stored
      more lipids than AM. We proposed that multiple biomarkers may be employed as an
      integrated diagnostic tool for monitoring the health condition of the mussels. 

PMID- 27262217
TI  - Cognitive functions and cerebral oxygenation changes during acute and prolonged
      hypoxic exposure.
AB  - The present study aimed to assess specific cognitive processes (cognitive control
      and time perception) and hemodynamic correlates using functional near-infrared
      spectroscopy (fNIRS) during acute and prolonged high-altitude exposure. Eleven
      male subjects were transported via helicopter and dropped at 14 272 ft (4 350
      meters) of altitude where they stayed for 4 days. Cognitive tasks, involving a
      conflict task and temporal bisection task, were performed at sea level the week
      before ascending to high altitude, the day of arrival (D0), the second (D2) and
      fourth (D4) day at high altitude. Cortical hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal
      cortex (PFC) area were monitored with fNIRS at rest and during the conflict task.
      Results showed that high altitude impacts information processing in terms of
      speed and accuracy. In the early hours of exposure (D0), participants displayed
      slower reaction times (RT) and decision errors were twice as high. While error
      rate for simple spontaneous responses remained twice that at sea level, the slow
      down of RT was not detectable after 2 days at high-altitude. The larger fNIRS
      responses from D0 to D2 suggest that higher prefrontal activity partially
      counteracted cognitive performance decrements. Cognitive control, assessed
      through the build-up of a top-down response suppression mechanism, the early
      automatic response activation and the post-error adjustment were not impacted by
      hypoxia. However, during prolonged hypoxic exposure the temporal judgments were
      underestimated suggesting a slowdown of the internal clock. A decrease in
      cortical arousal level induced by hypoxia could consistently explain both the
      slowdown of the internal clock and the persistence of a higher number of errors
      after several days of exposure.

PMID- 27262216
TI  - Effect of ruthenium red, a ryanodine receptor antagonist in experimental diabetes
      induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and associated dementia in rats.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus is considered as a main risk factor for vascular dementia. In
      the past, we have reported the induction of vascular dementia by experimental
      diabetes. This study investigates the efficacy of a ruthenium red, a ryanodine
      receptor antagonist and pioglitazone in the pharmacological interdiction of
      pancreatectomy diabetes (PaD) induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and
      subsequent vascular dementia in rats. Attentional set shifting and Morris water
      maze test were used for assessment of learning and memory. Vascular endothelial
      function, blood brain barrier permeability, serum glucose, serum nitrite/nitrate,
      oxidative stress (viz. aortic superoxide anion, brain thiobarbituric acid
      reactive species and brain glutathione), brain calcium and inflammation
      (myeloperoxidase) were also estimated. PaD rats have shown impairment of
      endothelial function, blood brain barrier permeability, learning and memory along
      with an increase in brain inflammation, oxidative stress and calcium.
      Administration of ruthenium red and pioglitazone has significantly attenuated PaD
      induced impairment of learning, memory, blood brain barrier permeability,
      endothelial function and biochemical parameters. It may be concluded that
      ruthenium red, a ryanodine receptor antagonist and pioglitazone, a PPAR-gamma
      agonist may be considered as potent pharmacological agent for the management of
      PaD induced endothelial dysfunction and subsequent vascular dementia. Ryanodine
      receptor may be explored further for their possible benefits in vascular
      dementia.

PMID- 27262218
TI  - Terminal differentiation induction as DNA damage response in hematopoietic stem
      cells by GADD45A.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) sustain lifelong blood cell regeneration by
      balancing their ability for self-renewal with their ability to differentiate into
      all blood cell types. To prevent organ exhaustion and malignant transformation,
      long-lived HSCs, in particular, must be protected from exogenous and endogenous
      stress, which cause severe DNA damage. When DNA is damaged, distinct DNA repair
      mechanisms and cell fate controls occur in adult HSCs compared with committed
      cells. Growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45 alpha (GADD45A) is known to
      coordinate a variety of cellular stress responses, indicating the molecule is an
      important stress mediator. So far, the function of GADD45A in hematopoietic stem
      and progenitor cells is controversial and appears highly dependent on the cell
      type and stress stimulus. Recent studies have analyzed its role in cell fate
      decision control of prospectively isolated HSCs and have revealed unexpected
      functions of GADD45A, as discussed here. The upregulation of GADD45A by DNA
      damage-causing conditions results in enhanced HSC differentiation, probably to
      efficiently eliminate aberrant HSCs from the system. These findings, in concert
      with a few studies on other stem cell systems, have led us to propose DNA damage
      induced differentiation as a novel DNA damage response mechanism in stem cells
      that circumvents the fatal consequences of cumulative DNA damage in the stem cell
      compartment.

PMID- 27262219
TI  - Transposition of lingual thyroid gland to the submandibular region by transoral
      approach.
AB  - The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate surgical technique of only
      functional but symptomatic lingual thyroid gland transposition to submandibular
      region by transoral approach without mandibulotomy and tongue-splitting. A 37
      year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with dysphagia and apnea
      symptoms. Physical examination revealed 3cm*3cm lingual thyroid gland was
      detected at the tongue base. The patient was euthyroid and thyroid gland was not
      detected in the neck. Under general anesthesia, right submandibular gland
      excision and transposition of lingual thyroid tissue to submandibular region with
      dorsal lingual artery axis flap were performed by transoral approach. Thyroid
      hormones remained normal in the postoperative period. In conclusion transoral
      transposition of lingual thyroid to submandibular region as a flap without
      mandibulotomy is a minimally invasive and function preserving alternative
      approach. Besides preserving thyroid functions, this transoral surgical technique
      can be preferred by patients who avoid skin incision for esthetic concerns.

PMID- 27262221
TI  - Endoscopic cartilage butterfly myringoplasty in children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the results of the graft success rate and
      hearing gain of children who underwent endoscopic inlay butterfly myringoplasty
      due to chronic otitis media. METHODS: The study included 32 pediatric patients
      aged between 8 and 17, who had endoscopic inlay butterfly myringoplasty with the
      diagnosis of chronic otitis media between September 2012 and January 2015 in
      Elazig Training and Research Hospital Otorhinolaryngology Clinic and Firat
      University Otorhinolaryngology Clinic. All patients' demographics, perforation
      size, and hearing status were examined. RESULTS: Tympanic membrane perforation
      was <=3mm in 12 patients and between 3 and 6mm in 20 patients. The air-bone gap
      (ABG) of the patients was 18.5+/-6.29dB preoperatively, 8.81+/-3.53dB
      postoperatively second month, 8.09+/-3.55dB postoperatively sixth month, and
      7.96+/-3.32dB postoperatively 12th month. Two (6.3%) of the patients had
      postoperative myringitis. Two (6.3%) patients had recurrent perforation in the
      postoperative follow-ups. CONCLUSION: In children, endoscopic inlay butterfly
      tympanoplasty is a surgical technique with short duration, high graft success,
      effective hearing reconstruction, and high levels of postoperative patient
      comfort.

PMID- 27262220
TI  - Laryngeal myofascial pain syndrome as a new diagnostic entity of dysphonia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To consider the feasibility of diagnosing intrinsic laryngeal muscle
      myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in dysphonic patients who demonstrated immediate
      symptom and stroboscopic finding improvement after laryngeal electromyography
      (LEMG) without further treatment. METHODS: A chart review of patients who showed
      subtle vocal fold movement abnormalities on a stroboscopic examination and
      underwent ultrasonography (US)-guided LEMG was performed. Patients with vocal
      fold paralysis, mucosal lesions, spasmodic dysphonia, and vocal tremor on
      stroboscopic examination were excluded. Among them, patients with normal EMG
      findings were included in this study. The patients who reported voice symptom
      improvement after LEMG without further treatment were placed in laryngeal MPS
      (LMPS) group and the other patients were placed in non-laryngeal MPS (non-MPS)
      group. Predisposing factors, voice symptom, symptom-duration, and stroboscopic
      findings of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 16 patients, LEMG
      findings were normal, five (31%) were included in the LMPS group and the other 11
      patients (69%) were included in the non-MPS group. All LMPS group patients had a
      history of voice abuse and reported odynophonia. The Korean Voice Handicap Index
      10 score decreased significantly after US-guided LEMG without additional
      treatment in the LMPS group. The stroboscopic findings revealed that vocal fold
      hypomobility was the most common finding in the LMPS group, and two patients
      showed a muscle tension dysphonia pattern. The LMPS groups showed improvement of
      vocal fold mobility on 1-week stroboscopic evaluation. CONCLUSION: LMPS is a
      potential diagnosis for patients with vocal fold hypomobility finding on
      stroboscopic findings but with normal EMG results. Diagnosis of LMPS could be
      considered in patients who showed symptom and vocal fold movement improvement
      after LEMG.

PMID- 27262222
TI  - Modulating the endometrial epithelial proteome and secretome in preparation for
      pregnancy: The role of ovarian steroid and pregnancy hormones.
AB  - Dialogue between an appropriately developed embryo and hormonally-primed
      endometrium is essential to achieve implantation and establish pregnancy.
      Importantly, the point-of-first-contact between the embryo and the maternal
      endometrium occurs at the endometrial luminal epithelium (LE). Implantation
      events occur within the uterine cavity microenvironment regulated by local
      factors. Defects in embryo-endometrial communication likely underlie unexplained
      infertility; enhanced knowledge of this communication, specifically at initial
      maternal-fetal contact may reveal targets to improve fertility. Using a human
      endometrial luminal-epithelial (LE) cell line (ECC1), this targeted proteomic
      study reveals unique protein changes in both cellular (98% unique
      identifications) and secreted (96% unique identifications) proteins in the
      transition to the progesterone-dominated secretory (receptive) phase and
      subsequently to pregnancy, mediated by embryo-derived human chorionic
      gonadotropin (hCG). This analysis identified 157 progesterone-regulated cellular
      proteins, with further 193 significantly altered in response to hCG. Cellular
      changes were associated with metabolism, basement membrane and cell connectivity,
      proliferation and differentiation. Secretome analysis identified 1059 proteins;
      123 significantly altered by progesterone, and 43 proteins altered by hCG,
      including proteins associated with cellular adhesion, extracellular-matrix
      organization, developmental growth, growth factor regulation, and cell signaling.
      Collectively, our findings reveal dynamic intracellular and secreted protein
      changes in the endometrium that may modulate successful establishment of
      pregnancy. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides unique insights into the
      developmental biology of embryo implantation using targeted proteomics by
      identifying endometrial epithelial cellular and secreted protein changes in
      response to ovarian steroid hormones and pregnancy hormones that are essential
      for receptivity and implantation.

PMID- 27262224
TI  - Opioids and Sleep-Disordered Breathing.
AB  - Opioid use for chronic pain analgesia, particularly chronic noncancer pain, has
      increased greatly since the late 1990s, resulting in an increase in opioid
      associated morbidity and mortality. A clear link between opioid use and sleep
      disordered breathing (SDB) has been established, with the majority of chronic
      opioid users being affected by the condition, and dose-dependent severity
      apparent for some opioids. More evidence is currently needed on how to
      effectively manage opioid-induced SDB. This review summarizes the current state
      of knowledge relating to management of patients undergoing chronic opioid therapy
      who have SDB. Initial management of these patients requires a thorough
      biopsychosocial assessment of their need for opioid therapy, consideration of
      reduction or cessation of the opioid if possible, and analysis of alternative
      therapies for treatment of their pain. If opioid therapy must be continued, then
      management of the associated SDB may be important. Several small- to medium-scale
      studies have examined the efficacy of noninvasive ventilation, particularly
      adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) for the treatment of opioid-associated SDB. This
      research is particularly important because opioids predispose predominantly to
      central sleep apnea and also, to a lesser extent, OSA. Generally, these studies
      have found positive results in treating opioid-associated SDB with ASV in terms
      of improving outcome measures such as central apnea index and the apnea-hypopnea
      index. Larger studies that measure longer term health outcomes, patient
      sleepiness, and compliance are needed, however. Registries of health outcomes of
      ASV-treated patients may assist with future treatment planning.

PMID- 27262223
TI  - A proteomic road to acquire an accurate serological diagnosis for human
      tegumentary leishmaniasis.
AB  - : Diagnostic tools are important for clinical management and epidemiological
      evaluation of Tegumentary (TL) and Visceral (VL) Leishmaniasis. Serology is not
      frequently used for the diagnosis of the TL form because low antibody titers and
      cross-reaction with VL. Therefore, it is crucial to identify specific and
      immunogenic antigens from species associated with the TL form. Here we employed a
      proteomic approach coupled to an in silico analysis and identified the most
      abundant and immunogenic proteins from Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania
      braziliensis and Leishmania infantum. Of 16 species specific proteins, nine were
      from the species causative of the TL form (L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis).
      In silico analysis revealed 18 B-cell epitopes with 0% similarity to Trypanosoma
      cruzi orthologs and, therefore, less likely to crossreact with sera of patients
      with Chagas disease. Two proteins reacted exclusively with serum from TL patients
      and presented several B-cell epitopes without similarity to T. cruzi orthologs:
      the hypothetical protein GI 134063939 and the metallo-peptidase Clan MA(E)-Family
      M3. The immunoassay revealed nine peptides with strong reactivity to sera from TL
      patients. These proteins and peptides may be good candidates to improve the
      specificity and sensibility of serological tests aiming to diagnose the TL of
      this neglected human disease. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: As no gold-standard test
      for tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) exists, a combination of different diagnostic
      techniques is often necessary to obtain precise results. Thus, the identification
      of species-specific, highly immunogenic and abundant proteins that stimulate the
      humoral immune response in the host should help in the development of serological
      tests for human TL. Herein we searched for these potential antigens in Leishmania
      species related to American Leishmaniasis (L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis and L.
      infantum). To this end, we employed an immunoproteomic approach using proteins
      from these Leishmania species and sera from TL and Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL)
      patients. Our study unveils specific proteins and peptides that may represent
      antigens that will help the efforts to improve the accuracy of serological tests
      to diagnose the TL form.

PMID- 27262225
TI  - Long-term Anticoagulation With Rivaroxaban for Preventing Recurrent VTE: A
      Benefit-Risk Analysis of EINSTEIN-Extension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Short-term anticoagulant treatment for acute DVT or pulmonary
      embolism (PE) effectively reduces the risk of recurrent disease during the first
      6 to 12 months of therapy. Continued anticoagulation often is not instituted
      because of the perception among physicians that the risk of major bleeding will
      outweigh the risk of new venous thrombotic episodes. METHODS: The authors
      performed a benefit-risk analysis by using the randomized EINSTEIN-Extension
      trial, which compared continued rivaroxaban with placebo in 1,197 patients with
      symptomatic DVT or PE who had completed 6 to 12 months of anticoagulation and in
      whom physicians had equipoise with respect to the need for continued
      anticoagulation. One-year Kaplan-Meier rates and rate differences of recurrent
      VTE and major bleeding were calculated. Benefits and risks were assessed using
      rate differences scaled to a population size of 10,000 patients treated for 1
      year. RESULTS: Recurrent VTE occurred in eight recipients of rivaroxaban and 42
      patients receiving placebo. In a population of 10,000 patients treated for 1
      year, rivaroxaban treatment would have resulted in 665 (95% CI, 246-1,084) fewer
      recurrent VTEs than would placebo (number needed to treat = 15). Major bleeding
      occurred in four (0.7%) and zero patients, respectively. Rivaroxaban treatment
      would have resulted in 68 (95% CI, 2-134) more major bleeding events than would
      placebo (number needed to harm = 147). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed early
      recurrent VTE reduction with rivaroxaban that continued to improve throughout
      treatment; major bleeding increased gradually, plateauing at approximately 100
      days. CONCLUSIONS: A clinically important benefit and a favorable benefit-risk
      profile of continued rivaroxaban anticoagulation was observed. TRIAL REGISTRY:
      ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00439725; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

PMID- 27262226
TI  - Determinants of Smoking Cessation in Patients With COPD Treated in the Outpatient
      Setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of smoking cessation on the progression of
      COPD are well established. Nevertheless, many patients with COPD continue to
      smoke. METHODS: In this nationwide hospital-based prospective follow-up study, we
      examined rates of smoking cessation and clinical and sociodemographic
      determinants of smoking cessation in 3,233 patients with COPD who smoked on
      outpatient contact during 2008 to 2012. Using multivariate Cox regression, we
      calculated hazard ratios (HRs) of quitting. RESULTS: Within 1 and 5 years from
      first outpatient contact, the probability of quitting was 19% and 45%,
      respectively. In adjusted analyses, patients were less likely to quit if they
      were younger, with an HR of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.71-0.99) for patients aged 50 to 69
      years and 0.53 (95% CI, 0.37-0.76) for patients aged 30 to 49, compared with
      those aged 70 years or older, who had lower income (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.67-0.94),
      lived alone (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64-0.88), were unemployed (HR, 0.70; 95% CI,
      0.54-0.90), had milder COPD with an HR of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.53-0.84) for Global
      Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) A and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.47
      0.80) for GOLD B compared with GOLD D, had Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea
      scale score < 4 (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68-0.95), or no history of exacerbations
      treated on an outpatient basis. (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings reinforce that young and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients have
      more difficulties achieving timely smoking cessation. A novel finding is that
      patients with milder COPD are less likely to quit. The findings suggest a need
      for interventional studies focusing on these subgroups to ensure abstinence to
      halt disease progression.

PMID- 27262227
TI  - Risks of Venous Thromboembolism After Cesarean Sections: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cesarean sections (CS) are believed to be associated with greater
      risks of postpartum VTE. Our objective was to systematically review the evidence
      on this association and on the absolute risk of VTE following CS. METHODS: We
      searched PubMed, Embase, and conference proceedings from 1980 to November 2015
      for reports on the associations of delivery methods with postpartum VTE and on
      the incidence of VTE following CS. Studies on thrombophilia or recurrent VTE were
      excluded, and the search was restricted to prospective studies when assessing the
      incidence of VTE. Pooled relative and absolute risks were estimated with random
      effects models. RESULTS: The search retrieved 28 mostly retrospective
      observational studies comparing risks of VTE following CS and following vaginal
      deliveries (VD) (> 53,000 VTE events) and 32 prospective studies reporting risks
      of VTE following CS (218 VTE events). Compared with VD, the relative risk of VTE
      following CS ranged from 1 to 22, with a meta-analytic OR of 3.7 (95% CI, 3.0
      4.6). Adjustment for age and BMI had a marginal influence on the estimated pooled
      OR. Associations were observed for both elective and emergency CS, with stronger
      estimates of associations for emergency CS. The pooled incidence was 2.6 VTE per
      1,000 CS (95% CI, 1.7-3.5) and was greater in studies with a longer and better
      follow-up in the postpartum period (4.3 per 1,000 CS). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of
      VTE was fourfold greater following CS than following VD; seemed independent of
      other VTE risk factors; and was greater following emergency CS than following
      elective CS. On average, three in 1,000 women will develop a VTE following CS.

PMID- 27262228
TI  - Commentary regarding Schayek et al., entitled "The rate of recurrent BRCA1,
      BRCA2, and TP53 mutations in the general population, and unselected ovarian
      cancer cases, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil".

PMID- 27262229
TI  - [Management of gastrinoma].
AB  - Gastrinoma is a very rare tumor leading to gastrin hypersecretion and
      characterised by Zollinger-Ellisson syndrome (ZES) i.e. severe gastric and
      duodenal ulceration and profuse diarrhea. This disease can be sporadic or
      familial within a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) syndrome. Diagnosis
      is based on hypergastrinemia/hypercholrhydria. Tumors are usually located in the
      duodeno-pancreas. Preoperative tumor location by CT, echoendoscopy and fibroscopy
      is not always possible because of the small size of the lesion that are
      frequently multiple. The aim of gastrinoma treatment is 1/to control the hormonal
      hypersecretion 2/to remove the neoplasm when it is possible. Surgery is the only
      chance to cure. Gastrinoma is a slow-growing tumor, and overall survival is good
      with a median survival above 10years and a 5-year survival above 80 % in
      surgically resected patients. Recurrence is frequent, a biochemical recurrence is
      observed in 65 % of cases and morphological recurrence in 40 % of patients at
      2years. Metastases are associated with a dismal prognosis.

PMID- 27262230
TI  - Mathematical analysis of multi-antibiotic resistance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multi-antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections is a growing
      threat to public health. Some experiments were carried out to study the multi
      antibiotic resistance. METHODS: The changes of the multi-antibiotic resistance
      with time were achieved by numerical simulations and the mathematical models,
      with the calculated temperature field, velocity field, and the antibiotic
      concentration field. RESULTS: The computed results and experimental results are
      compared. CONCLUSIONS: Both numerical simulations and the analytic models suggest
      that minor low concentrations of antibiotics could induce antibiotic resistance
      in bacteria.

PMID- 27262231
TI  - Accuracy of remote chest X-ray interpretation using Google Glass technology.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to explore the accuracy of remote chest X-ray reading using
      hands-free, wearable technology (Google Glass, Google, Mountain View,
      California). METHODS: We compared interpretation of twelve chest X-rays with 23
      major cardiopulmonary findings by faculty and fellows from cardiology, radiology,
      and pulmonary-critical care via: (1) viewing the chest X-ray image on the Google
      Glass screen; (2) viewing a photograph of the chest X-ray taken using Google
      Glass and interpreted on a mobile device; (3) viewing the original chest X-ray on
      a desktop computer screen. One point was given for identification of each correct
      finding and a subjective rating of user experience was recorded. RESULTS: Fifteen
      physicians (5 faculty and 10 fellows) participated. The average chest X-ray
      reading score (maximum 23 points) as viewed through the Google Glass, Google
      Glass photograph on a mobile device, and the original X-ray viewed on a desktop
      computer was 14.1+/-2.2, 18.5+/-1.5 and 21.3+/-1.7, respectively (p<0.0001
      between Google Glass and mobile device, p<0.0001 between Google Glass and desktop
      computer and p=0.0004 between mobile device and desktop computer). Of 15
      physicians, 11 (73.3%) felt confident in detecting findings using the photograph
      taken by Google Glass as viewed on a mobile device. CONCLUSION: Remote chest X
      ray interpretation using hands-free, wearable technology (Google Glass) is less
      accurate than interpretation using a desktop computer or a mobile device,
      suggesting that further technical improvements are needed before widespread
      application of this novel technology.

PMID- 27262232
TI  - Corrigendum to "The influence of androstadienone during psychosocial stress is
      modulated by gender, trait anxiety and subjective stress: An fMRI study"
      [Psychoneuroendocrinology 68 (2016) 126-139].

PMID- 27262233
TI  - Preparation of a partially carboxymethylated cotton gauze and study of its
      hemostatic properties.
AB  - In this study, we attempted to modify cotton gauze by partial carboxymethylation
      by varying the reaction time and concentration of monochloroacetic acid and
      sodium hydroxide. For each experiment, the relative value of the degree of
      substitution (DS) of the modified cotton gauze was evaluated and the whole blood
      clotting time (WBCT) and water absorption property were compared with cotton
      gauze and Surgicel. This revealed that, following an initial decrease, WBCT
      gradually increased. Using rabbit ear artery and liver haemorrhage models, the
      performance of the optimal modified gauze was compared to that of Surgicel and
      unmodified cotton gauze. The average bleeding times in the presence of modified
      cotton gauze in the rabbit ear arteries and the liver were 51.7s and 60.6s, while
      those with Surgicel and the unmodified cotton gauze were 76.8s and 95.5s, and
      93.2s and 129.2s, respectively. The hemostatic and biocompatibility properties
      were evaluated using in vivo degradation experiments. This revealed that the
      modified gauze and Surgicel were totally degraded within 6 weeks.

PMID- 27262234
TI  - ErbB receptors and tetraspanins: Casting the net wider.

PMID- 27262235
TI  - Tamoxifen-induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells is mediated by glucose
      regulated protein 78 (GRP78) via AKT (Thr308) regulation.
AB  - Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) has recently been suggested to be associated
      with drug resistance in breast cancer patients. However, the precise role of
      GRP78 in drug resistance and the involved signaling pathways are not clearly
      understood. In the present study, we show that among a panel of drugs, namely
      Paclitaxel (TAX), Doxorubicin (DOX), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), UCN-01 and Tamoxifen
      (TAM) used, TAM alone up-regulated the expression of GRP78 significantly and
      induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Interestingly, inhibition of
      GRP78 by a specific pharmacological inhibitor, VER-155008 augmented TAM-induced
      apoptosis, and overexpression of GRP78 rendered the cells resistant to TAM
      induced cell death suggesting a role for GRP78 in TAM-induced cytotoxicity.
      Mechanistically, the expression of phosphorylated AKT as determined by Western
      blot analyses revealed that TAM selectively upregulated phosphorylation of AKT at
      Thr308 but not at Ser473, and siRNA silencing of GRP78 resulted in inhibition of
      AKT phosphorylation at Thr308 but not at Ser473. Further, a GRP78 inhibitor,
      VER155008 inhibited TAM-induced phosphorylation of GSK3beta, a downstream
      substrate of AKT. These results, thus suggests a role for GRP78 in TAM-induced
      AKT activation. Additionally, co-localization studies by immunofluorescence, and
      immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated a complex formation of AKT and
      GRP78. Furthermore, in glucose-free medium, the cells were sensitized to TAM
      induced cell death that was associated with reduced AKT phosphorylation at
      Thr308, thus strengthening the association of AKT regulation with drug response.
      Collectively, our findings identify a role of GRP78 in AKT regulation in response
      to TAM in breast cancer cells.

PMID- 27262236
TI  - Partial ileal bypass affords protection from onset of type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Partial ileal bypass (PIB) in the National Institutes of Health
      sponsored Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH)
      randomized controlled trial was found to reduce plasma cholesterol, in particular
      low density lipoprotein cholesterol, with concomitant retardation of
      atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and increased life expectancy. Glucagon
      like peptide-1, related to amelioration of type 2 diabetes, is increased over 5
      fold after PIB. We hypothesized that PIB, in addition to its action on
      cholesterol metabolism, may also prevent type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We surveyed by
      telephone inquiry of former POSCH patients the 30+year posttrial incidence of
      type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, the presence of which was a trial exclusion
      criteria. We were able to contact 17.4% (n = 838) of the original POSCH
      population. RESULTS: Of 66 control responders, 17 contracted type 2 diabetes
      (25.8%); of 80 PIB responders, 8 contracted type 2 diabetes (10%). The difference
      between groups was significant (P = .015 by Fisher exact test) with an odds ratio
      of .320 for the PIB group and an over 2-fold (2.6) increase in the incidence of
      type 2 diabetes in the controls. Including borderline type 2 diabetes
      (prediabetic) patients, these values were 22 of 66 controls (33.3%) and 10 of 80
      PIB patients (12.5%), with an odds ratio of .286 and a P<.004, and again an over
      2-fold (2.7) increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in the control
      patients. CONCLUSION: PIB appears to afford partial protection from the onset of
      type 2 diabetes for over 30 years.

PMID- 27262237
TI  - Geographic and temporal validity of prediction models: different approaches were
      useful to examine model performance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Validation of clinical prediction models traditionally refers to the
      assessment of model performance in new patients. We studied different approaches
      to geographic and temporal validation in the setting of multicenter data from two
      time periods. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We illustrated different analytic methods
      for validation using a sample of 14,857 patients hospitalized with heart failure
      at 90 hospitals in two distinct time periods. Bootstrap resampling was used to
      assess internal validity. Meta-analytic methods were used to assess geographic
      transportability. Each hospital was used once as a validation sample, with the
      remaining hospitals used for model derivation. Hospital-specific estimates of
      discrimination (c-statistic) and calibration (calibration intercepts and slopes)
      were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis methods. I2 statistics and
      prediction interval width quantified geographic transportability. Temporal
      transportability was assessed using patients from the earlier period for model
      derivation and patients from the later period for model validation. RESULTS:
      Estimates of reproducibility, pooled hospital-specific performance, and temporal
      transportability were on average very similar, with c-statistics of 0.75. Between
      hospital variation was moderate according to I2 statistics and prediction
      intervals for c-statistics. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates how performance of
      prediction models can be assessed in settings with multicenter data at different
      time periods.

PMID- 27262238
TI  - Bias was reduced in an open-label trial through the removal of subjective
      elements from the outcome definition.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether modifying an outcome definition to remove
      subjective elements reduced bias in a trial that could not use blinded outcome
      assessment. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Reanalysis of an open-label trial comparing
      a restrictive vs. liberal transfusion strategy for gastrointestinal bleeding. The
      usual definition of the primary outcome, further bleeding, allows subjective
      clinical symptoms to be used alone for diagnosis, whereas the definition used in
      the trial required more objective confirmation by endoscopy. We compared
      treatment effect estimates for these two definitions. RESULTS: Fewer subjective
      symptom-identified events were confirmed using more objective methods in the
      restrictive arm (18%) than in the liberal arm (56%), indicating differential
      assessment between arms. An analysis using all events (both subjective and more
      objective) led to an odds ratio of 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50
      1.37). When only events confirmed using more objective methods were included, the
      odds ratio was 0.50 (95% CI: 0.32-0.78). The ratio of the odds ratios was 1.66,
      indicating that including unconfirmed events in the definition biased the
      treatment effect upward by 66%. CONCLUSION: Modifying the outcome definition to
      exclude subjective elements substantially reduced bias. This may be a useful
      strategy for reducing bias in trials that cannot blind outcome assessment.

PMID- 27262240
TI  - Sparse asynchronous cortical generators can produce measurable scalp EEG signals.
AB  - We investigate to what degree the synchronous activation of a smooth patch of
      cortex is necessary for observing EEG scalp activity. We perform extensive
      simulations to compare the activity generated on the scalp by different models of
      cortical activation, based on intracranial EEG findings reported in the
      literature. The spatial activation is modeled as a cortical patch of constant
      activation or as random sets of small generators (0.1 to 3cm(2) each)
      concentrated in a cortical region. Temporal activation models for the generation
      of oscillatory activity are either equal phase or random phase across the
      cortical patches. The results show that smooth or random spatial activation
      profiles produce scalp electric potential distributions with the same shape.
      Also, in the generation of oscillatory activity, multiple cortical generators
      with random phase produce scalp activity attenuated on average only 2 to 4 times
      compared to generators with equal phase. Sparse asynchronous cortical generators
      can produce measurable scalp EEG. This is a possible explanation for seemingly
      paradoxical observations of simultaneous disorganized intracranial activity and
      scalp EEG signals. Thus, the standard interpretation of scalp EEG might
      constitute an oversimplification of the underlying brain activity. 

PMID- 27262239
TI  - How reliable are MEG resting-state connectivity metrics?
AB  - MEG offers dynamic and spectral resolution for resting-state connectivity which
      is unavailable in fMRI. However, there are a wide range of available network
      estimation methods for MEG, and little in the way of existing guidance on which
      ones to employ. In this technical note, we investigate the extent to which many
      popular measures of stationary connectivity are suitable for use in resting-state
      MEG, localising magnetic sources with a scalar beamformer. We use as empirical
      criteria that network measures for individual subjects should be repeatable, and
      that group-level connectivity estimation shows good reproducibility. Using
      publically-available data from the Human Connectome Project, we test the
      reliability of 12 network estimation techniques against these criteria. We find
      that the impact of magnetic field spread or spatial leakage artefact is profound,
      creates a major confound for many connectivity measures, and can artificially
      inflate measures of consistency. Among those robust to this effect, we find poor
      test-retest reliability in phase- or coherence-based metrics such as the phase
      lag index or the imaginary part of coherency. The most consistent methods for
      stationary connectivity estimation over all of our tests are simple amplitude
      envelope correlation and partial correlation measures. 

PMID- 27262241
TI  - Domain adaptation for Alzheimer's disease diagnostics.
AB  - With the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, research focuses on the
      early computer-aided diagnosis of dementia with the goal to understand the
      disease process, determine risk and preserving factors, and explore preventive
      therapies. By now, large amounts of data from multi-site studies have been made
      available for developing, training, and evaluating automated classifiers. Yet,
      their translation to the clinic remains challenging, in part due to their limited
      generalizability across different datasets. In this work, we describe a compact
      classification approach that mitigates overfitting by regularizing the
      multinomial regression with the mixed l1/l2 norm. We combine volume, thickness,
      and anatomical shape features from MRI scans to characterize neuroanatomy for the
      three-class classification of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and
      healthy controls. We demonstrate high classification accuracy via independent
      evaluation within the scope of the CADDementia challenge. We, furthermore,
      demonstrate that variations between source and target datasets can substantially
      influence classification accuracy. The main contribution of this work addresses
      this problem by proposing an approach for supervised domain adaptation based on
      instance weighting. Integration of this method into our classifier allows us to
      assess different strategies for domain adaptation. Our results demonstrate (i)
      that training on only the target training set yields better results than the
      naive combination (union) of source and target training sets, and (ii) that
      domain adaptation with instance weighting yields the best classification results,
      especially if only a small training component of the target dataset is available.
      These insights imply that successful deployment of systems for computer-aided
      diagnostics to the clinic depends not only on accurate classifiers that avoid
      overfitting, but also on a dedicated domain adaptation strategy. 

PMID- 27262242
TI  - The neurophysiological basis of reward effects on backward inhibition processes.
AB  - The ability to flexibly switch between tasks is an important faculty in daily
      life. One process that has been suggested to be an important aspect of flexible
      task switching is the inhibition of a recently performed task. This is called
      backward inhibition. Several studies suggest that task switching performance can
      be enhanced by rewards. However, it is less clear in how far backward inhibition
      mechanisms are also affected by rewards, especially when it comes to the neuronal
      mechanisms underlying reward-related modulations of backward inhibition. We
      therefore investigated this using a system neurophysiological approach combining
      EEG recordings with source localization techniques. We demonstrate that rewards
      reduce the strength of backward inhibition processes. The neurophysiological data
      shows that these reward-related effects emerge from response and/or conflict
      monitoring processes within medial frontal cortical structures. Upstream
      processes of perceptual gating and attentional selection, as well as downstream
      processes of context updating and stimulus-response mapping are not modulated by
      reward, even though they also play a role in backward inhibition effects.

PMID- 27262243
TI  - Screening for parasitic infections: One doctor's experience.

PMID- 27262244
TI  - Forget EHRs--Let us get back to the practice of medicine.

PMID- 27262245
TI  - An unconscious bias in this EHR study?

PMID- 27262246
TI  - Tips and algorithms to get your patient's BP to goal.
AB  - Having diagnosed, treated, and studied hypertension for more than 3 decades, this
      author offers advice and 3 handy algorithms to help you optimize your care.

PMID- 27262247
TI  - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: What's in our arsenal?
AB  - Lifestyle changes and metabolic syndrome management are the best interventions
      for NAFLD. Less clear is which agents to use for liver-directed pharmacotherapy. 

PMID- 27262248
TI  - Anxiety and depression: Easing the burden in COPD patients.
AB  - Anxiety and depression are common comorbidities of COPD. The simple evaluation
      tools and therapy options described here can help improve patients' quality of
      life. 

PMID- 27262249
TI  - Uninjured athlete with edematous arm . Dx?
AB  - A 16-year-old boy presented to the emergency room (ER) with pain, redness, and
      swelling of his right upper arm that had been bothering him for 2 days.

PMID- 27262250
TI  - PURLs: Resistant hypertension? Time to consider this fourth-line drug.
AB  - For most adults with resistant hypertension, spironolactone is superior to
      doxazosin and bisoprolol as an adjunct to triple therapy. 

PMID- 27262251
TI  - Patient with intractable nausea and vomiting.
AB  - A chest x-ray--followed by further questioning about the patient's medical
      history--revealed the cause of this woman's symptoms.

PMID- 27262252
TI  - Help Desk Answers: Are IV fluids better than oral rehydration for children with
      acute diarrhea and vomiting?
AB  - Intravenous fluid therapy (IVF) has a slightly lower failure rate than oral
      replacement therapy (ORT) in children with acute gastroenteritis, but the
      clinical significance is questionable. IVF takes longer to initiate than ORT and
      lengthens the hospital stay. 

PMID- 27262254
TI  - Help Desk Answers: Surgery vs conservative management for AC joint repair: How do
      the 2 compare?
AB  - When not considering the grade of acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation, both
      conservative and surgical management lead to positive outcomes, although
      surgically managed patients require more time out of work. 

PMID- 27262253
TI  - Why the AMA is (now) worth joining.
AB  - The AMA is partnering with several public health-oriented organizations,
      including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to reach out to
      individuals with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cardiac risk factors to
      promote primary and secondary prevention strategies at a population level.

PMID- 27262255
TI  - An unconventional approach to chest wall pain.
AB  - Would acupuncture provide some relief while this patient waited for an x-ray to
      identify the source of his left lateral chest wall pain?

PMID- 27262256
TI  - Pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes: The Evolution of Our Understanding.
AB  - This review article explores scientists' current understanding of type 2 diabetes
      as a complex disorder that involves not just the pancreas and insulin system but
      also the liver, kidneys, gut, muscle, fat cells, and even the brain. An
      appreciation of the complex pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes allows the primary
      care practitioner to best manage patients with this common and serious disorder. 

PMID- 27262257
TI  - Zinc and diabetes.
AB  - Zn2+ ions are essential for the normal processing and storage of insulin and
      altered pancreatic insulin content is associated with all forms of diabetes
      mellitus. Work of the past decade has identified variants in the human SLC30A8
      gene, encoding the zinc transporter ZnT8 which is expressed highly selectively on
      the secretory granule of pancreatic islet beta and alpha cells, as affecting the
      risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Here, we review the regulation and roles of Zn2+ ions in
      islet cells, the mechanisms through which SLC30A8 variants might affect glucose
      homeostasis and diabetes risk, and the novel technologies including recombinant
      targeted zinc probes and knockout mice which have been developed to explore these
      questions.

PMID- 27262258
TI  - Stimulus responsive nanogel with innate near IR fluorescent capability for drug
      delivery and bioimaging.
AB  - A brighter, non toxic and biocompatible optical imaging agent is one of the major
      quests of biomedical research. Here in, we report a photoluminescent comacromer
      [PEG-poly(propylene fumarate)-citric acid-glycine] and novel stimulus (pH)
      responsive nanogel endowed with excitation wavelength dependent fluorescence
      (EDF) for combined drug delivery and bioimaging applications. The comacromer when
      excited at different wavelengths in visible region from 400nm to 640nm exhibits
      fluorescent emissions from 510nm to 718nm in aqueous condition. It has high
      Stokes shift (120nm), fluorescent lifetime (7 nanoseconds) and quantum yield
      (50%). The nanogel, C-PLM-NG, prepared with this photoluminescent comacromer and
      N,N-dimethyl amino ethylmethacrylate (DMEMA) has spherical morphology with
      particle size around 100nm and 180nm at pH 7.4 (physiological) and 5.5
      (intracellular acidic condition of cancer cells) respectively. The studies on
      fluorescence characteristics of C-PLM NG in aqueous condition reveal large red
      shift with emissions from 523nm to 700nm for excitations from 460nm to 600nm
      ascertaining the EDF characteristics. Imaging the near IR emission with
      excitation at 535nm was accomplished using cut-off filters. The nanogel undergoes
      pH responsive swelling and releases around 50% doxorubicin (DOX) at pH 5.5 in
      comparison with 15% observed at pH 7.4. The studies on in vitro cytotoxicity with
      MTT assay and hemolysis revealed that the present nanogel is non-toxic. The DOX
      loaded C-PLM-NG encapsulated in Hela cells induces lysis of cancer cells. The
      inherent EDF characteristics associated with C-PLM NG enable cellular imaging of
      Hela cells. The studies on biodistribution and clearance mechanism of C-PLM-NG
      from the body of mice reveal bioimaging capability and safety of the present
      nanogel. This is the first report on a polymeric nanogel with innate near IR
      emissions for bioimaging applications. 

PMID- 27262259
TI  - Surface functionalization with strontium-containing nanocomposite coatings via
      EPD.
AB  - Metal orthopedic implants still face challenges in some compromised conditions,
      partly due to bio-inertness. The present study aimed to functionalize metallic
      implants with organic-inorganic nanocomposite (strontium-containing
      chitosan/gelatin) coatings through a simple single-step electrophoretic
      deposition under mild conditions. The surface characterization and in vitro
      cellular response were studied and compared with chitosan/gelatin (CS/G)
      coatings. SEM images suggested the inorganic nanoparticles may be encapsulated
      within or mixed with organic polymers. The XRD patterns showed that strontium
      carbonate was generated in the coatings. The TEM images revealed strontium
      containing nanoparticles were released from the coatings in PBS. The continuous
      release after the initial burst release ensured the enduring effects of the
      functionalized surface. The tensile bond strength of the coatings to the
      substrates increased after the addition of strontium. In vitro cellular study
      confirmed that strontium-containing coatings supported the proliferation of MC3T3
      E1 cells and exhibited excellent ability to enhance the differentiation of such
      pre-osteoblasts. Therefore, such organic-inorganic nanocomposite coatings are a
      promising candidate to functionalize orthopedic implant surfaces. 

PMID- 27262261
TI  - Likelihood of Death Within One Year Among a National Cohort of Hospital
      Inpatients in Scotland.

PMID- 27262260
TI  - Nanogels fabricated from bovine serum albumin and chitosan via self-assembly for
      delivery of anticancer drug.
AB  - In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and chitosan (CS) were used to prepare
      BSA-CS nanogels by a simple green self-assembly technique. Then the nanogels were
      successfully used to entrap doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) with an entrapment
      ratio of 46.3%, aiming to realize the slow-release effect and lower the
      cytotoxicity of DOX. The IC50 values of DOX-loaded BSA-CS (DOX-BSA-CS) and free
      DOX obtained by MTT assay in SGC7901 cells were 0.22 and 0.05MUg/mL,
      respectively. The cytotoxicity of DOX significantly decreased within 24h after
      encapsulation by the nanogels, indicating that the loaded drug could slowly
      release within 24h and the BSA-CS was a good slow release system. The cellular
      uptake experiments indicated DOX-BSA-CS diffused faster into the cancer cell than
      the bare drug. The flow cytometry and TUNEL assay proved DOX-BSA-CS could induce
      a larger apoptosis proportion of gastric cancer cells 7901 than the bare drug and
      it is promising to be used for curing gastric cancer. 

PMID- 27262262
TI  - Catalytic properties, localization, and in vivo role of Px IV, a novel
      tryparedoxin peroxidase of Trypanosoma brucei.
AB  - Px IV is a distant relative of the known glutathione peroxidase-type enzymes of
      African trypanosomes. Immunofluorescence microscopy of bloodstream cells
      expressing C-terminally Myc6-tagged Px IV revealed a mitochondrial localization.
      Recombinant Px IV possesses very low activity as glutathione peroxidase but
      catalyzes the trypanothione/tryparedoxin-dependent reduction of hydrogen peroxide
      and, even more efficiently, of arachidonic acid hydroperoxide. Neither
      overexpression in bloodstream cells nor the deletion of both alleles in
      bloodstream or procyclic parasites affected the in vitro proliferation.
      Trypanosoma brucei Px IV shares 58% of all residues with TcGPXII. The orthologous
      enzymes have in common their substrate preference for fatty acid hydroperoxides.
      However, the T. cruzi protein has been reported to be localized in the
      endoplasmic reticulum and to be specific for glutathione as reducing agent. Taken
      together, our data show that Px IV is a low abundant tryparedoxin peroxidase of
      T. brucei that is not essential, at least under culture conditions.

PMID- 27262263
TI  - Medicolegal consequences of thoracic gossypiboma: A case report.
AB  - The term gossypiboma is used to describe a retained surgical sponge after
      operation. It is a rare but it is associated with severe medical and legal
      consequences. The diagnosis can be missed despite radiological investigations. We
      report a case of a 15-year-old female who presented with fever, cough, dyspnea
      and hemoptysis. She had a history of hydatid cyst operation 2 years ago. Post
      discharge follow up occurred for two years on hospital where hydatid cyst surgery
      had been done. Radiological investigations were inconclusive in detecting the
      retained sponge despite radiopaque marker. So gossypiboma should be kept in mind
      as a differential diagnosis in postoperative cases presenting as persistent
      respiratory symptoms after the operation. 

PMID- 27262264
TI  - Development and evaluation of a double antibody sandwich ELISA for the detection
      of human sDC-SIGN.
AB  - sDC-SIGN is the soluble form of dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion
      molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN, CD209), which is a molecule involved
      with pathogen recognition and immune regulation. However, there is no
      commercially available ELISA kit for detecting human sDC-SIGN, and the normal
      range of this molecule is unknown. Here, we describe an ELISA for detecting human
      sDC-SIGN with high specificity. First, sDC-SIGN protein was expressed and
      purified. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were then raised against the
      purified protein and subsequently characterized. A sandwich ELISA was developed
      using polyclonal antibodies specific for sDC-SIGN for capture and a biotin
      labeled monoclonal antibody specific for sDC-SIGN for detection of protein. This
      method has sensitivity up to 0.2 ng/ml. Using this ELISA, we found that the
      concentration of sDC-SIGN in sera of healthy volunteers ranges from 0-319 ng/ml
      with a mean concentration of 27.14 ng/ml. Interestingly, the concentration of sDC
      SIGN in sera from patients with cancer or chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB)
      infection was lower than that of health controls. The mean concentrations of sDC
      SIGN in cancer patients and chronic hepatitis B virus infection patients were 3.2
      ng/ml and 3.8 ng/ml, respectively. We developed a sandwich ELISA for detecting
      human sDC-SIGN and demonstrated its use by assessing sera concentrations of sDC
      SIGN in patients with cancer and chronic CHB infection compared to that of
      healthy controls.

PMID- 27262265
TI  - Concurrent and longitudinal effects of maternal and paternal warmth on depression
      symptoms in children and adolescents.
AB  - The main aim of this study is to examine the concurrent and longitudinal effects
      of perceived affection of mothers and fathers separately on the self-reported
      symptoms of children's depression. Data were obtained from a 3-wave study of 535
      families with children (41.3% boys) aged 9-15 years of age. Structural equation
      models were performed to test different models. Significant effects of mothers'
      and fathers' affection on depression symptomatology over the three years were
      found. The longitudinal effects of parental warmth on the child's depression
      symptoms were mediated over time by the previous levels of the mother's and
      father's warmth. The presence of parental warmth can lessen the severity of
      depression symptoms, especially when paternal and maternal warmth are applied
      consistently over a long period of time. These results were invariant across the
      child's sex. Treatments for childhood depression should take place over extended
      periods of time including both fathers and mothers.

PMID- 27262266
TI  - Racial-ethnic related clinical and neurocognitive differences in adults with
      gambling disorder.
AB  - Recent epidemiological data suggest that the lifetime prevalence of gambling
      problems differs depending on race-ethnicity. Understanding variations in disease
      presentation in blacks and whites, and relationships with biological and
      sociocultural factors, may have implications for selecting appropriate prevention
      strategies. 62 non-treatment seeking volunteers (18-29 years, n=18 [29.0%]
      female) with gambling disorder were recruited from the general community. Black
      (n=36) and White (n=26) participants were compared on demographic, clinical and
      cognitive measures. Young black adults with gambling disorder reported more
      symptoms of gambling disorder and greater scores on a measure of compulsivity. In
      addition they exhibited significantly higher total errors on a set-shifting task,
      less risk adjustment on a gambling task, greater delay aversion on a gambling
      task, and more total errors on a working memory task. These findings suggest that
      the clinical and neurocognitive presentation of gambling disorder different
      between racial-ethnic groups.

PMID- 27262267
TI  - Individual and environmental contingencies associated with multiple suicide
      attempts among U.S. military personnel.
AB  - Suicidal behavior among U.S. military personnel persists as a significant public
      health issue. Previous research indicates the primary motive for suicide attempts
      among military personnel is the desire to reduce or alleviate emotional distress,
      a finding that converges with studies in nonmilitary samples. Much less is
      understood about the consequences of a first suicide attempt that could influence
      the occurrence of additional suicide attempts. In order to identify these
      contingencies, 134 active duty Soldiers who had attempted suicide (n=69 first
      time attempters, n=65 multiple attempters) participated in structured interviews
      focused on their experiences immediately following their first attempt. Soldiers
      were more likely to have made multiple suicide attempts if they were younger at
      the time of their first attempt, were not admitted to a hospital or treatment
      program after their first attempt, or experienced emotional and psychological
      relief immediately afterwards. Results suggest that Soldiers who experience
      emotional and/or psychological relief immediately after their first suicide
      attempt or do not receive treatment are more likely to make additional suicide
      attempts.

PMID- 27262268
TI  - Hollow mesoporous silica as a high drug loading carrier for regulation insoluble
      drug release.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to develop a high drug loading hollow mesoporous
      silica nanoparticles (HMS) and apply for regulation insoluble drug release. HMS
      was synthesized using hard template phenolic resin nanoparticles with the aid of
      cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), which was simple and inexpensive. To
      compare the difference between normal mesoporous silica (NMS) and hollow
      mesoporous silica in drug loading efficiency, drug release behavior and solid
      state, NMS was also prepared by soft template method. Transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM), specific surface area analysis, FT-IR and zeta potential were
      employed to characterize the morphology structure and physicochemical property of
      these carriers. The insoluble drugs, carvedilol and fenofibrate(Car and Fen),
      were chosen as the model drug to be loaded into HMS and NMS. We also chose
      methylene blue (MB) as a basic dye to estimate the adsorption ability of these
      carriers from macroscopic and microscopic view, and the drug-loaded carriers were
      systematically studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray
      diffraction (XRD) and UV-vis spectrophotometry. What' more, the in vivo process
      of HMS was also study by confocal microscopy and in vivo fluorescence imaging. In
      order to confirm the gastrointestinal safety of HMS, the pathological examination
      of stomach and intestine also be evaluated. HMS allowed a higher drug loading
      than NMS and exhibited a relative sustained release curve, while NMS was
      immediate-release. And the effect of preventing drugs crystallization was weaker
      than NMS. As for in vivo process, HMS was cleared relatively rapidly from the
      mouse gastrointestinal and barely uptake by intestinal epithelial cell in this
      study due to its large particle size. And the damage of HMS to gastrointestinal
      could be ignored. This study provided a simple method to obtain high drug loading
      and regulation insoluble drug release, expanded the application of inorganic
      carriers in drug delivery system and pharmaceutic adjuvant. 

PMID- 27262269
TI  - From single excipients to dual excipient platforms in dry powder inhaler
      products.
AB  - Recent years have seen a marked diversification of excipient based formulation
      strategies used for the development and commercialisation of dry powder inhaler
      (DPI) products. These innovative approaches not only provide benefits to patients
      and health care professionals through the availability of a wider range of
      therapeutic DPI products, but, importantly, also allow formulators to exploit the
      potential opportunities that excipients provide for the development of DPIs.
      Whilst many DPI products have, and continue to be developed using a single
      formulation excipient, the commercialisation of DPI products which contain the
      two excipients lactose monohydrate and magnesium stearate, namely the 'dual
      excipient platform' has recently been achieved. This article provides an overview
      of the background and current status of the development of such 'dual excipient
      platform' based DPI products.

PMID- 27262270
TI  - Solvent database and in silico classification: A new methodology for solvent
      substitution and its application for microencapsulation process.

PMID- 27262271
TI  - Application of X-ray microtomography for the characterisation of hollow polymer
      stabilised spray dried amorphous dispersion particles.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the capability of X-ray microtomography
      to obtain information relating to powder characteristics such as wall thickness
      and solid volume fraction for hollow, polymer-stabilised spray dried dispersion
      (SDD) particles. SDDs of varying particle properties, with respect to shell wall
      thickness and degree of particle collapse, were utilised to assess the capability
      of the approach. The results demonstrate that the approach can provide insight
      into the morphological characteristics of these hollow particles, and thereby a
      means to understand/predict the processability and performance characteristics of
      the bulk material. Quantitative assessments of particle wall thickness,
      particle/void volume and thereby solid volume fraction were also demonstrated to
      be achievable. The analysis was also shown to be able to qualitatively assess the
      impact of the drying rate on the morphological nature of the particle surfaces,
      thus providing further insight into the final particle shape. The approach
      demonstrated a practical means to access potentially important particle
      characteristics for SDD materials which, in addition to the standard bulk powder
      measurements such as particle size and bulk density, may enable a better
      understanding of such materials, and their impact on downstream processability
      and dosage form performance. 

PMID- 27262272
TI  - Photocatalytic activity of porous multiwalled carbon nanotube-TiO2 composite
      layers for pollutant degradation.
AB  - TiO2 nanoparticles are suitable building blocks nanostructures for the synthesis
      of porous functional thin films. Here we report the preparation of films using
      brookite, P25 titania and anatase pristine nanoparticles and of nanocomposite
      layers combining anatase nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)
      at various concentrations. The structure and phase composition of the layers were
      characterized by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Their morphology and
      texture properties were determined by scanning electron microscopy and krypton
      adsorption experiments, respectively. Additionally to a strong absorption in the
      UV range, the composites exhibited light absorption in the visible range as well.
      The photocatalytic performance of the layers was tested in the degradation of
      aqueous solutions of 4-chlorophenol serving as a model of an eco-persistent
      pollutant. Besides the determination of the decrease in the concentration of 4
      chlorophenol, also the formation of intermediate degradation products, namely
      hydroquinone and benzoquinone, was followed. The presence of MWCNTs had a
      beneficial effect on the photocatalytic performance, a marked increase in the
      photocatalytic degradation rate constant being observed even at very low
      concentrations of MWCNTs. Compared to a P25 reference layer, the first order rate
      reaction constant increased by about 100% for the composite films containing
      MWCNTs at concentrations above 0.6 wt%. The key parameters for the enhancement of
      the photocatalytic performance are discussed. The presence of carbon nanotubes
      influences beneficially the degradation of 4-chlorophenol by an attack of the
      primarily photoproduced hydroxyl radicals onto the 4-chlorophenol molecules. The
      degradation due to the direct charge transfer is practically not influenced at
      all.

PMID- 27262273
TI  - Novel polyvinylidene fluoride nanofiltration membrane blended with functionalized
      halloysite nanotubes for dye and heavy metal ions removal.
AB  - Membrane separation is an effective method for the removal of hazardous materials
      from wastewater. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were functionalized with 3
      aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and novel polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)
      nanofiltration membranes were prepared by blending with various concentrations of
      APTES grafted HNTs (A-HNTs). The morphology structure of the membranes were
      characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy
      (AFM). The contact angle (CA), pure water flux (PWF) and antifouling capacity of
      membranes were investigated in detail. In addition, the separation performance of
      membranes were reflected by the removal of dye and heavy metal ions in simulated
      wastewater. The results revealed that the hydrophilicity of A-HNTs blended PVDF
      membrane (A-HNTs@PVDF) was enhanced significantly. Owing to the electrostatic
      interaction between membrane surface and dye molecules, the dye rejection ratio
      of 3% A-HNTs@PVDF membrane reached 94.9%. The heavy metal ions rejection ratio
      and adsorption capacity of membrane were also improved with the addition of A
      HNTs. More importantly, A-HNTs@PVDF membrane exhibited excellent rejection
      stability and reuse performances after several times fouling and washing tests.
      It can be expected that the present work will provide insight into a new method
      for membrane modification in the field of wastewater treatment.

PMID- 27262274
TI  - Graphene/biofilm composites for enhancement of hexavalent chromium reduction and
      electricity production in a biocathode microbial fuel cell.
AB  - In this study, a simple method of biocathode fabrication in a Cr(VI)-reducing
      microbial fuel cell (MFC) is demonstrated. A self-assembling graphene was
      decorated onto the biocathode microbially, constructing a graphene/biofilm, in
      situ. The maximum power density of the MFC with a graphene biocathode is 5.7
      times that of the MFC with a graphite felt biocathode. Cr(VI) reduction was also
      enhanced, resulting in 100% removal of Cr(VI) within 48h, at 40mg/L Cr(VI),
      compared with only 58.3% removal of Cr(VI) in the MFC with a graphite felt
      biocathode. Cyclic voltammogram analyses showed that the graphene biocathode had
      faster electron transfer kinetics than the graphite felt version. Energy
      dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analysis
      revealed a possible adsorption-reduction mechanism for Cr(VI) reduction via the
      graphene biocathode. This study attempts to improve the efficiency of the
      biocathode in the Cr(VI)-reducing MFC, and provides a useful candidate method for
      the treatment of Cr(VI) contaminated wastewater, under neutral conditions.

PMID- 27262276
TI  - Precipitation of organic arsenic compounds and their degradation products during
      struvite formation.
AB  - Roxarsone (ROX) and arsanilic acid (ASA) have been extensively used as
      organoarsenic animal feed additives. Organic arsenic compounds and their
      degradation products, arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)), exist in the
      effluent from anaerobic reactors treating animal manure contaminated by ROX or
      ASA with ammonium (NH4(+)-N) and phosphate (PO4(3-)-P) together. Therefore,
      arsenic species in the effluent might be involved in the struvite formation
      process. In this study, the involvement of organic arsenic compounds and their
      degradation products As(V) and As(III) in the struvite crystallization was
      investigated. The results demonstrated that arsenic compounds did not
      substantially affect the PO4(3-)-P recovery, but confirmed the precipitation of
      arsenic during struvite formation. The precipitation of arsenic compounds in
      struvite was considerably affected by a solution pH from 9.0 to 11.0. With an
      increase in pH, the content of ASA and ROX in the precipitation decreased, but
      the contents of As(III) and As(V) increased. In addition, the arsenic content of
      As(V) in the struvite was higher than that of As(III), ASA and ROX. The results
      indicated that the struvite could be contaminated when the solution contains
      arsenic species, but that could be minimized by controlling the solution pH and
      maintaining anaerobic conditions during struvite formation.

PMID- 27262275
TI  - Laccase-catalyzed removal of the antimicrobials chlorophene and dichlorophen from
      water: Reaction kinetics, pathway and toxicity evaluation.
AB  - As active agents in cleaning and disinfecting products, antimicrobials have been
      widely spread in the environment and have drawn extensive attention as potential
      threats to the ecological system and human health. In this study, the laccase
      catalyzed removal of two emerging antimicrobials, chlorophene (CP) and
      dichlorophen (DCP), was investigated under simulated environmental conditions.
      Intrinsic reaction kinetics showed that the removal of CP and DCP followed second
      order reaction kinetics, first-order with respect to both the enzyme and the
      substrate concentration. It was also found that fulvic acid could suppress the
      transformation of CP and DCP by reversing the oxidation reactions through its
      action as a scavenger of the free radical intermediates produced from reactions
      between laccase and the substrates. Several reaction products were identified by
      a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer, and detailed reaction pathways
      were proposed. For both CP and DCP, direct polymerization was the principal
      pathway, and the coupling patterns were further corroborated based on molecular
      modeling. The nucleophilic substitution of chlorine by the hydroxyl group was
      observed, and further oxidation products capable of coupling with each other were
      also found. Additionally, toxicity evaluation tests using Scenedesmus obliquus
      confirmed that the toxicity of CP and DCP was effectively eliminated during the
      reaction processes.

PMID- 27262277
TI  - Characterising legacy spent nuclear fuel pond materials using microfocus X-ray
      absorption spectroscopy.
AB  - Analysis of a radioactive, coated concrete core from the decommissioned, spent
      nuclear fuel cooling pond at the Hunterston-A nuclear site (UK) has provided a
      unique opportunity to study radionuclides within a real-world system. The core,
      obtained from a dividing wall and sampled at the fill level of the pond,
      exhibited radioactivity (dominantly (137)Cs and (90)Sr) heterogeneously
      distributed across both painted faces. Chemical analysis of the core was
      undertaken using microfocus spectroscopy at Diamond Light Source, UK. Mapping of
      Sr across the surface coatings using microfocus X-ray fluorescence (MUXRF)
      combined with X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed that Sr was bound to TiO2
      particles in the paint layers, suggesting an association between TiO2 and
      radiostrontium. Stable Sr and Cs sorption experiments using concrete coupons were
      also undertaken to assess their interactions with the bulk concrete in case of a
      breach in the coating layers. MUXRF and scanning electron microscopy showed that
      Sr was immobilized by the cement phases, whilst at the elevated experimental
      concentrations, Cs was associated with clay minerals in the aggregates. This
      study provides a crucial insight into poorly understood infrastructural
      contamination in complex systems and is directly applicable to the UK's nuclear
      decommissioning efforts.

PMID- 27262278
TI  - Morphological and elemental properties of urban aerosols among PM events and
      different traffic systems.
AB  - Morphology and elemental composition of individual fine ambient particles varied
      among types of PM events and between two different urban environments having
      different major transportation systems (gasoline/diesel vehicles versus
      motorcycles). Carbonaceous particles were the most dominant in PM events, whereas
      S-rich particles were the highest in non-events at urban Gwangju in Korea. The
      aged soot, semi-volatile organic (SVO), and non-volatile organic (NVO) particles
      were more abundant in the polluted-long range transport (LTP) event than those in
      the dust-LTP event and non-event. In the dust-LTP event, the aged mineral dust
      particles outnumbered the fresh ones, suggesting the mineral dust particles were
      aged during their long-range transport. At HoChiMinh (HCM) in Vietnam, the
      fraction of carbonaceous particles was much higher than Gwangju (66% versus 30%)
      possibly due to more abundant two-stroke motor vehicles at HCM. Of the
      carbonaceous particles, combustion soot (19%) was the highest, followed by NVO
      (18%), SVO (17%), and biological particles (11%) at HCM, whereas SVO (11%) and
      NVO (10%) particles were the highest, followed by combustion soot particles (8%)
      at Gwangju. The higher fraction of mineral dust particles was also observed at
      HCM, indicating the sampling site was influenced by dust from unpaved roads and
      construction sites.

PMID- 27262279
TI  - Size dependent effect of ZnO nanoparticles on endoplasmic reticulum stress
      signaling pathway in murine liver.
AB  - ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been assessed to show adverse effects on the liver,
      but the molecular mechanisms and the role of nanoparticle properties in these
      adverse reactions have not been sufficiently studied. In this study, the toxicity
      of various sizes of ZnO particles (bulk, 90nm, and 30nm) that were ingested
      orally over a period of 3days were evaluated in mice. The blood biochemistry,
      hematological analyses, and histopathological evaluation showed that there was
      apparent toxicity caused by smaller ZnO NPs (30nm) in liver. The smallest ZnO NPs
      showed highest accumulation in the mice liver. The RT-qPCR data indicated that
      30nm ZnO NPs can induce significant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses.
      The ER stress marker of PERK, eIF2alpha, ATF4, Chop, JNK, caspase-12, caspase-9,
      GRP94, and Bax at the mRNA levels were higher expression in 30nm ZnO NP than that
      in bulk or 90nm ZnO. These findings implied that the smaller ZnO NPs (30nm)
      activated ER stress responses that signified severe apoptosis in murine liver.

PMID- 27262281
TI  - Removal of pesticides from white and red wines by microfiltration.
AB  - The aim of this work is the investigation of microfiltration in removing
      pesticides from a white and a red Greek wine. Six membranes with pore size
      0.45MUm were investigated. Two mixtures of 23 and 9 pesticides, and single
      pesticide solutions were added in the wine. The pesticides tested belong to 11
      chemical groups. Solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by gas chromatography (GC)
      with electron capture detector (ECD) were performed to analyze pesticide residues
      of the filtered fortified wine. Distinct behavior was exhibited by each membrane.
      Cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate showed higher mean pesticide removal for
      both wines, followed by polyethersulfone, regenerated cellulose, and polyamides.
      The filtration effectiveness was correlated to the membrane type and to the
      pesticide chemical structure and properties (octanol-water partition coefficient,
      water solubility) and compared for the wines tested. In most cases, the more
      hydrophobic pesticides (pyrethroids and aldrin) showed higher removal from red
      wine than white wine. Adsorption on membranes was increased by increasing
      hydrophobicity and decreasing hydrophilicity of organic pesticide molecule. The
      removal of each pesticide from its single solution was generally higher than that
      from its mixtures, allowing the estimation of the antagonistic and synergistic
      effects of pesticides in the mixtures.

PMID- 27262280
TI  - Combined use of flow cytometry and microscopy to study the interactions between
      the gram-negative betaproteobacterium Acidovorax facilis and uranium(VI).
AB  - The former uranium mine Konigstein (Saxony, Germany) is currently in the process
      of remediation by means of controlled underground flooding. Nevertheless, the
      flooding water has to be cleaned up by a conventional wastewater treatment plant.
      In this study, the uranium(VI) removal and tolerance mechanisms of the gram
      negative betaproteobacterium Acidovorax facilis were investigated by a
      multidisciplinary approach combining wet chemistry, flow cytometry, and
      microscopy. The kinetics of uranium removal and the corresponding mechanisms were
      investigated. The results showed a biphasic process of uranium removal
      characterized by a first phase where 95% of uranium was removed within the first
      8h followed by a second phase that reached equilibrium after 24h. The bacterial
      cells displayed a total uranium removal capacity of 130mgU/g dry biomass. The
      removal of uranium was also temperature-dependent, indicating that metabolic
      activity heavily influenced bacterial interactions with uranium. TEM analyses
      showed biosorption on the cell surface and intracellular accumulation of uranium.
      Uranium tolerance tests showed that A. facilis was able to withstand
      concentrations up to 0.1mM. This work demonstrates that A. facilis is a suitable
      candidate for in situ bioremediation of flooding water in Konigstein as well as
      for other contaminated waste waters.

PMID- 27262282
TI  - Study of the leaching behaviour of ladle slags by means of leaching tests
      combined with geochemical modelling and mineralogical investigations.
AB  - In this study, the leachability of freshly produced ladle slag derived from both
      austenitic and ferritic stainless steel production, and from electrical and
      structural steel production, was investigated, in order to determine whether
      variations in the chemical and mineralogical composition of these slags affect
      their leaching behaviour. The effect of the method used for slag cooling was also
      studied. The results obtained by using the single batch test were combined with
      those obtained by means of more sophisticated characterisation leaching tests,
      which, in combination with geochemical speciation modelling, helped to better
      identify the release mechanisms and phases that control the release of individual
      elements. It was found that, although variations in the chemical composition of
      the slag can affect the slag's minerology, neither such variations, nor the
      choice of the slag cooling treatment, have a significant effect on the
      leachability of individual elements, since the leaching is governed by surface
      phenomena. In fact, the mineral transformations on the slag surface, rather than
      the bulk mineral composition, dictate the release of these elements from the
      ladle slag. The solubility-controlling phases were predicted by multi-element
      modelling, and verified to the extent made possible by the performed
      mineralogical investigations.

PMID- 27262283
TI  - Frequency and risk factors of functional gastro-intestinal disorders in a rural
      Indian population.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: As best estimates on functional gastrointestinal disorders
      (FGIDs) prevalence are expected from community studies, which are scanty from
      Asia, we evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of FGIDs in a rural Indian
      community. METHODS: House-to-house survey was undertaken by trained interviewers
      using translated-validated Rome III and hospital anxiety and depression
      questionnaires. RESULT: Among 3426 subjects >= 18 years old from 3 villages in
      Uttar Pradesh, 84% participated, of whom 80% were finally analyzed. Of these 2774
      subjects (age 38.4 +/- 16.5 years, 1573 [56.7%] male), 2654 [95.7%] were
      vegetarian and 120 [4.3%] non-vegetarian. Socioeconomic classes were upper
      (16.7%), upper middle (15.1%), lower middle (22%), upper lower (22.2%), and lower
      (24%) using Prasad's Classification; 603 (21.7%) had FGIDs (413 [14.9%]
      dyspepsia, 75 [2.7%] irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 115 [4.1%] dyspepsia-IBS
      overlap), by Rome III criteria. In subjects with dyspepsia, 49/528 (9%) had
      epigastric pain, 141 (27%) postprandial distress syndromes (EPS, PDS) and 338
      (64%) EPS-PDS overlap. IBS was more often diarrhea than constipation-predominant
      subtype. On univariate analysis, chewing tobacco, aerated drink, tea/coffee,
      disturbed sleep, vegetarianism, and anxiety parameters and presence of dyspepsia
      predicting occurrence of IBS were associated with FGIDs. On multivariate
      analysis, chewing tobacco, aerated soft drink, tea/coffee, vegetarianism, anxiety
      parameters, and presence of dyspepsia predicting IBS were significant.
      CONCLUSION: Functional gastrointestinal disorders, particularly dyspepsia-IBS
      overlap, are common in rural Indian population; the risk factors included chewing
      tobacco, aerated soft drink, tea/coffee, vegetarian diet, disturbed sleep,
      anxiety, and dyspepsia predicting occurrence of IBS.

PMID- 27262284
TI  - The rate of training response to aerobic exercise affects brain function of rats.
AB  - There is an increasing volume of data connecting capacity to respond to exercise
      training with quality of life and aging. In this study, we used a rat model in
      which animals were selectively bred for low and high gain in running distance to
      test t whether genetic segregation for trainability is associated with brain
      function and signaling processes in the hippocampus. Rats selected for low
      response (LRT) and high response training (HRT) were randomly divided into
      control or exercise group that trained five times a week for 30 min per day for
      three months at 70% VO2max. All four groups had similar running distance before
      training. With training, HRT rats showed significantly greater increases in
      VO2max and running distance than LRT rats (p < 0.05). On the reverse Morris Maze
      test HRT-trained rats outperformed HRT control ones. Significant difference was
      noted between LRT and HRT groups in redox milieu as assessed by levels of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS), carbonylation of proteins, nNOS and S-nitroso
      cysteine. Moreover the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ratio of phospho and total cAMP-response element
      binding protein (CREB), and apoptotic index, also showed significant differences
      between LRT and HRT groups. These findings suggest that aerobic training
      responses are not localized to skeletal muscle, but differently involve signaling
      processes in the brain of LRT and HRT rats.

PMID- 27262285
TI  - Sparteine as an anticonvulsant drug: Evidence and possible mechanism of action.
AB  - Sparteine is a quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from Lupinus that has numerous
      pharmacological properties both in humans and animal models. In the central
      nervous system, sparteine reduces locomotor activity, has light analgesic
      effects, also has no effects on short-term memory or spatial learning and does
      not induce changes in behavior or electroencephalographic (EEG) activity.
      However, the anticonvulsant profile of sparteine is not fully characterized in
      experimental animals and there are no data in humans. Therefore, the present
      review focuses on the experimental evidence supporting the anticonvulsant action
      of sparteine in models of acute seizures and status epilepticus (SE), as well as
      its possible mechanisms of action. The evidence that supports the anticonvulsant
      effect of (-)-Sparteine sulfate includes the inhibition of seizures induced by
      maximal electro-stimulation, a delay in the onset of convulsive behavior and the
      prolongation of survival time in mice treated with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ).
      Additionally, sparteine delays the onset of convulsive behavior and decreases the
      severity and mortality of rats treated with PTZ and pilocarpine. Sparteine
      decreases amplitude and frequency or blocks the epileptiform activity induced by
      PTZ, pilocarpine and kainic acid. Sparteine may decrease hyperexcitability
      through the activation of the M2 and M4 subtypes of mAChRs, which is a probable
      mechanism of action that together with its systemic effects may favor its
      anticonvulsant effects against seizures and SE. 

PMID- 27262286
TI  - Rumpel-Leede phenomenon in a hypertensive patient due to mechanical trauma: a
      case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this report, we present an interesting case of a patient with
      Rumpel-Leede phenomenon, a rare occurrence that can result in significant delays
      in medical treatment. This phenomenon is characterized by the presence of a
      petechial rash that results from acute dermal capillary rupture. In our patient,
      it occurred secondary to raised pressure in the dermal vessels caused by repeated
      inflation of a sphygmomanometer cuff. Contributory factors in Rumpel-Leede
      phenomenon include prevalent conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension,
      thrombocytopenia, chronic steroid use, antiplatelets, and anticoagulants. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old Russian woman with diabetes and hypertension
      presented to our hospital with a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, and she
      subsequently developed a petechial rash on her distal upper limbs. A vasculitic
      screen was performed, with normal results. CONCLUSIONS: Given the timing and
      distribution of the rash, it was felt that this was an example of Rumpel-Leede
      phenomenon in a susceptible individual. This is an important diagnosis to be
      aware of in patients with vascular risk factors presenting for acute medical care
      who subsequently develop a petechial rash.

PMID- 27262287
TI  - The comparison of adductor canal block with femoral nerve block following total
      knee arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although several studies have compared the clinical efficacy of an
      adductor canal block (ACB) to that of a femoral nerve block (FNB) for analgesia
      after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), disputes mainly exist in the recovery of
      quadriceps strength and mobilization ability between the two methods. The aim of
      the present study was to compare, in a systematic review and meta-analysis, the
      clinical efficacy of ACB with that of FNB. METHODS: We systematically searched
      randomized controlled trials comparing FNB with ACB for analgesia after TKA in
      Pubmed and the Cochrane Library from inception to April 30th 2015. There was no
      limitation of publication language. Trial quality was assessed using the modified
      Jadad scale, and eligible data were pooled for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Five
      studies of 348 patients were included. Outcomes showed that patients who received
      ACB had similar or better recovery of quadriceps strength and mobilization
      ability than those that underwent FNB. Similar efficacy was found between the two
      strategies regarding adductor strength, pain scores [at rest (p = 0.86), at or
      after knee flexion (p = 0.31)], opioid consumption (p = 0.99), opioid-associated
      adverse effects (p = 0.60), length of hospital stay (p = 0.42), patient
      satisfaction (p = 0.57), and success rate of blockade (p = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS:
      The present study suggests that TKA patients who receive ACB can achieve similar
      or even better recovery of quadriceps strength and mobilization ability than
      those treated with FNB. Taken as a whole, ACB may be a better analgesia strategy
      after TKA at present.

PMID- 27262288
TI  - Switching therapy from intravenous beta blocker to bisoprolol transdermal patch
      for atrial fibrillation tachycardia.
AB  - Beta-blockers are important for severe-status patients with atrial fibrillation
      related tachycardia. Beta 1-selective intravenous injection are routinely used,
      but long-term administration is difficult due to cost-performance- or management
      related issues. A bisoprolol patch, a beta-blocker to be percutaneously absorbed,
      recently became commercially available in Japan. As it may facilitate effective
      absorption and a mild elevation of the blood concentration, we retrospectively
      analyzed 16 patients with atrial fibrillation-related tachycardia who were
      admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Hitachi General Hospital Emergency and
      Critical Care Center, and underwent switching therapy from landiolol to a
      bisoprolol patch. For switching, the bisoprolol patch (4 mg) was attached to each
      patient. The bisoprolol patch was introduced 88 h after the start of landiolol
      administration, when the rate was approximately 3 MUg/kg/min. Landiolol injection
      was combined with bisoprolol for 15.4 +/- 17.5 h. Switching therapy was
      successful in all subjects. The introduction of the bisoprolol patch did not
      induce any significant changes in the blood pressure or heart rate. After the
      completion of landiolol administration, there were also no significant changes in
      either parameter. There were no adverse events. In severe-status patients,
      switching therapy from landiolol injection to the bisoprolol patch can be
      conducted safely, and might be useful for heart-rate control.

PMID- 27262289
TI  - A new turtle confirms the presence of Bothremydidae (Pleurodira) in the Cenozoic
      of Europe and expands the biostratigraphic range of Foxemydina.
AB  - Pleurodira is a clade of Gondwanan turtles that reached Europe at the beginning
      of the Late Cretaceous. It is recognized as the most abundant and diverse group
      of freshwater turtles in the uppermost Cretaceous record of this continent, being
      represented by several members of Bothremydidae. Two well-preserved and
      relatively complete skulls are studied in this paper. They come from lower Eocene
      levels of the French locality of Saint-Papoul (Aude). These specimens are
      recognized as attributable to a new taxon, Tartaruscola teodorii gen. et sp.
      nov., identified as a bothremydid. This new form constitutes the only known
      unambiguous and valid representative of Bothremydidae in the Cenozoic of Europe.
      The new taxon is diagnosed by several autapomorphies and also by an exclusive
      combination of characters. It is one of the few members of Bothremydini
      identified in the Cenozoic record and the only one described for the Eocene
      outside of the Ouled Abdoun Basin of Morocco. Tartaruscola teodorii is identified
      as a member of Foxemydina, a clade recognized here as exclusive of the European
      record, and whose presence in post-Mesozoic levels is demonstrated in this paper.
      The European Foxemydina T. teodorii and the African Bothremydina Bothremys
      kellyi, both from the Ypresian, are the youngest members of Bothremydini hitherto
      known. 

PMID- 27262290
TI  - Multiple paternity in a viviparous toad with internal fertilisation.
AB  - Anurans are renowned for a high diversity of reproductive modes, but less than 1
      % of species exhibit internal fertilisation followed by viviparity. In the live
      bearing West African Nimba toad (Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis), females produce
      yolk-poor eggs and internally nourish their young after fertilisation. Birth of
      fully developed juveniles takes place after 9 months. In the present study, we
      used genetic markers (eight microsatellite loci) to assign the paternity of
      litters of 12 females comprising on average 9.7 juveniles. In 9 out of 12
      families (75 %), a single sire was sufficient; in three families (25 %), more
      than one sire was necessary to explain the observed genotypes in each family.
      These findings are backed up with field observations of male resource defence
      (underground cavities in which mating takes place) as well as coercive mating
      attempts, suggesting that the observed moderate level of multiple paternity in a
      species without distinct sperm storage organs is governed by a balance of female
      mate choice and male reproductive strategies. 

PMID- 27262291
TI  - A structural colour ornament correlates positively with parasite load and body
      condition in an insular lizard species.
AB  - Pigment-based ornaments in vertebrates may reflect the body condition or health
      status of the individual in correlation with environmental stress and hormonal
      balance. Among the environmental factors shaping sexual colouration, parasitic
      infections have been stressed as an important evolutionary pressure constraining
      the maintenance of pigment-based ornaments. However, the honesty of structure
      based ornaments in vertebrates is still under debate. Structural UV-biased
      ornaments in Gallotia lizards were described as a trait used by conspecifics
      during mate and rival assessment suggesting the reliability of these signals. We
      investigated the relationship between parasitaemia, body condition and a
      structural-based ornament present in the cheek of the sexually dichromatic
      Canarian lacertid Gallotia galloti in a population with an almost 100 %
      prevalence of haemoparasites. Using spectrophotometric techniques, we found that
      males with higher values of cheek UV chroma were infected with more
      haemoparasites. No significant relationship was found between haemoparasite load
      and body condition. However, males with higher cheek UV chroma showed
      significantly better body condition. In addition, we found that cheek hue was
      significantly related to body condition of individuals in both sexes. In males,
      cheek reflectivity biased towards the UV range was significantly related to
      better body condition. In females, those individuals with better body condition
      showed more whitish cheeks with less UV suggesting that cheek hue serves as an
      intersexual signal for sex recognition. We conclude that the positive
      relationship between cheek chroma and parasite load in male lizards is compatible
      with both differential density of melanin and iridophore arrangement in the
      dermis conveying an individual's ability to cope with environmental stress. 

PMID- 27262292
TI  - Simulation-optimization model for production planning in the blood supply chain.
AB  - Production planning in the blood supply chain is a challenging task. Many complex
      factors such as uncertain supply and demand, blood group proportions, shelf life
      constraints and different collection and production methods have to be taken into
      account, and thus advanced methodologies are required for decision making. This
      paper presents an integrated simulation-optimization model to support both
      strategic and operational decisions in production planning. Discrete-event
      simulation is used to represent the flows through the supply chain, incorporating
      collection, production, storing and distribution. On the other hand, an integer
      linear optimization model running over a rolling planning horizon is used to
      support daily decisions, such as the required number of donors, collection
      methods and production planning. This approach is evaluated using real data from
      a blood center in Colombia. The results show that, using the proposed model, key
      indicators such as shortages, outdated units, donors required and cost are
      improved.

PMID- 27262293
TI  - Production of 4-androstene-3,17-dione and 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione from rice
      germ and wheat germ extracts by Mycobacterium sp.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the biotransformation of phytosterol and phytosterol
      containing rice germ and wheat germ ethanolic extracts to produce 4-androstene
      3,17-dione (AD) and 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione (ADD) by Mycobacterium sp. DSM
      2966 using phytosterol to hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (2:1, 1:1 and 1:2
      mol/mol) and 2 % (w/v) Tween 80 as solubilizing agents. RESULTS: A maximum yield
      of 180 +/- 27 mg AD l(-1) and 31 +/- 11.4 mg ADD l(-1) with a total conversion of
      65 % (day 12) was obtained using 1 g phytosterol l(-1) and hydroxypropyl-beta
      cyclodextrin (2 : 1 mol/mol) with 2 % (w/v) Tween 80 in the fermentation medium.
      The most appropriate conditions for rice germ extract and wheat germ extract
      which gave the maximum conversion of 22 and 43 % (day 14) were obtained by using
      2 % (w/v) Tween 80. CONCLUSIONS: Phytosterol and wheat germ are effective sources
      for AD and ADD production while rice germ required further development.
      Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (2 :1 mol/mol) and/or 2 % (w/v) Tween 80 in the
      biotransformation process could improve AD and ADD yields, depending on
      substrates and biotransformation conditions.

PMID- 27262294
TI  - Enterococcus faecalis promotes osteoclast differentiation within an
      osteoblast/osteoclast co-culture system.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis ATCC
      29212 and P25RC clinical strain (derived from an obturated root canal with apical
      periodontitis) on osteoclast differentiation within an osteoblast/osteoclast co
      culture system. RESULTS: Heat-killed E. faecalis significantly increased the
      proportion of multinucleated osteoclastic cells (MNCs) within the co-culture
      system. The IL-6 level was significantly increased upon exposure to heat-killed
      E. faecalis. Gene expression levels of NFATc1 and cathepsin K were significantly
      up-regulated compared to the untreated control. EphrinB2 and EphB4 expressions at
      both the mRNA and protein levels were also significantly upregulated compared to
      the untreated control. CONCLUSIONS: Heat-killed E. faecalis can induce osteoclast
      differentiation within the osteoblast/osteoclast co-culture system in vitro,
      possibly through ephrinB2-EphB4 bidirectional signaling.

PMID- 27262295
TI  - Rapid and efficient degradation of bisphenol A by chloroperoxidase from
      Caldariomyces fumago: product analysis and ecotoxicity evaluation of the degraded
      solution.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To degrade enzymatically bisphenol A (BPA) that causes serious
      environmental concerns and is difficult to be degraded by chemical or physical
      methods. RESULTS: BPA (150 mg l(-1)) was completely degraded by chloroperoxidase
      (CPO)/H2O2 within 7 min at room temperature, atmospheric pressure with the enzyme
      at 6 MUg CPO ml(-1). The degradation products were identified by HPLC-MS, which
      suggested involvement of multiple steps. Enzymatic treatment followed by existing
      bioremediation technologies (activated sludge) enhanced removal of COD from 9 to
      54 %. Using an ecotoxicity evaluation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa, the degradation
      products had a lower toxicity than BPA. CONCLUSION: BPA can be degraded rapidly
      and efficiently under mild conditions with chloroperoxidase at 6 MUg ml(-1). The
      degradation products had a lower toxicity than BPA.

PMID- 27262296
TI  - Establishing an efficient gene-targeting system in an itaconic-acid producing
      Aspergillus terreus strain.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop an efficient gene-targeting platform in an excellent
      itaconic acid producing strain Aspergillus terreus CICC40205. RESULTS: The
      frequency of homologous recombination was improved by deleting the ku80 gene. A
      nutritional transformation system based on the bidirectionally selectable marker,
      pyrG An , was established in the ku80-/pyrG-double mutant which is convenient for
      following marker rescue. The modified Cre/loxP recombination system was applied
      for the excision of the pyrG An marker by directly introducing Cre recombinase
      into the protoplasts. CONCLUSIONS: This gene-targeting system is an efficient
      platform for sequential and multiple genetic modifications in A. terreus and is
      conducive to study biosynthesis mechanisms and to improve the production ability
      of itaconic acid and other products.

PMID- 27262298
TI  - A novel alpha-glucosidase inhibitory constituent from Uncaria gambir.
AB  - Bioactivity-guided fractionation of an aqueous methanolic extract of manufactured
      gambir product from Uncaria gambir with in vitro alpha-glucosidase inhibitory
      activity was performed to isolate a novel prenyl resorcinol derivative (1)
      together with seven known compounds, including two flavone glycosides (2, 3),
      three catechin analogues (4-6), and two simple phenolics (7, 8). Structures of
      the isolated compounds were determined by analysis of physical and spectroscopic
      data (NMR, UV, [alpha]D, and MS). All isolates were evaluated for in vitro alpha
      glucosidase inhibitory activity. Among the compounds, novel compound 1,
      possessing an unprecedented spirocyclopropane ring in the molecule, showed the
      most potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity in this assay. On the other
      hand, compounds 4 and 7 showed less potent inhibitory effects in this same
      bioassay, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 17.3 +/- 1.0 MUM
      and 27.0 +/- 0.9 MUM, respectively. 

PMID- 27262297
TI  - Estimation of genetic parameters for longevity considering the cow's age at last
      calving.
AB  - The aim of this study was to estimate heritability and predict breeding values
      for longevity among cows in herds of Nellore breed, considering the trait cow's
      age at last calving (ALC), by means of survival analysis methodology. The records
      of 11,791 animals from 22 farms were used. The variable ALC has been used by a
      criterion that made it possible to include cows not only at their first calving
      but also at their ninth calving. The criterion used was the difference between
      the date of each cow's last calving and the date of the last calving on each
      farm. If this difference was greater than 36 months, the cow was considered to
      have failed and uncensored. If not, this cow was censored, thus indicating that
      future calving remained possible for this cow. The survival model used for the
      analyses was the proportional hazards model, and the base risk was given by a
      Weibull distribution. The heritability estimate obtained was equal to 0.25. It
      was found that the ALC variable had the capacity to respond to selection for the
      purpose of increasing the longevity of the cows in the herds.

PMID- 27262299
TI  - Antioxidative activities of 62 wild mushrooms from Nepal and the phenolic profile
      of some selected species.
AB  - Mushrooms have garnered immense popularity for their nutritional as well as
      medicinal values. The therapeutic potential of mushrooms in Nepal, a country well
      known for its biodiversity and natural medicinal resources, remains largely
      unstudied. Therefore, this study attempts to unveil the antioxidative properties
      of Nepalese wild mushrooms. Sixty-two wild mushroom samples were collected from
      several forests in different parts of Nepal. Ethanol and water extracts of the
      dried samples were tested for their antioxidative activities using total phenolic
      content (TPC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1
      picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)
      (ABTS), and reducing power (RP) assays. Ethanol extracts of samples belonging to
      the order Hymenochaetales showed significantly high activity in all the assays.
      Inonotus clemensiae had an exceptionally high TPC of 643.2 mg gallic acid
      equivalent (GAE)/g extract and also exhibited the lowest EC50 values in DPPH
      (0.081 mg/mL), ABTS (0.409 mg/mL), and EC0.5 value in reducing power (RP; 0.031
      mg/mL) assays. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the top
      ten samples with the highest TPC was done to identify the phenolic compounds in
      the extracts, followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
      analysis for some unknown compounds. These findings highlight the very strong
      antioxidative activity of Nepalese mushrooms, and paves the way for further
      research to explore their economic potential. 

PMID- 27262300
TI  - TRPA1 and TRPM8 Receptors May Promote Local Vasodilation that Aggravates
      Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Amenable to 17beta-Estradiol Treatment.
AB  - Oxaliplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent that induces both acute and
      chronic peripheral neuropathy. Based on previous research indicating that
      estrogen replacement may attenuate some forms of pain in ovariectomized animals,
      we examined the effects of 17beta-estradiol in OXAIPN. We discovered that local
      cold exposure induces an abnormal vascular response in both acute and chronic
      models of OXAIPN (oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy) that may be used as
      an easy and non-invasive method to predict which patients may be susceptible to
      the development of severe, chronic OXAIPN. Neuropathy was induced by injection of
      oxaliplatin on the first two days for the short-term OXAIPN group and twice a
      week for 3 weeks for the long-term OXAIPN group. Local cold-induced vascular
      responses were recorded in the presence or absence of subcutaneously injected
      transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) antagonist HC033031 or transient
      receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) antagonist AMTB using laser Doppler
      flowmetry. Both short-term and long-term OXAIPN groups exhibited abnormal local
      cold-induced vascular responses, characterized by initial vasodilation followed
      by vasoconstriction. Local blockade of TRPA1 or TRPM8 receptors attenuated the
      initial vasodilation. Changes in release of calcitonin gene related peptide
      (CGRP) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites due to local cold exposure at the hind
      paw were also involved. Administration of 17beta-estradiol resulted in an anti
      nociceptive effect and attenuating abnormal vasodilation.

PMID- 27262301
TI  - Pretreatment quality of life, performance status and their relation to treatment
      discontinuation and treatment changes in high-risk breast cancer patients
      receiving chemotherapy: results from the prospective randomized ADEBAR trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (QoL) is a self-assessed construct
      indicating how people feel in regard to aspects of their health. Performance
      status (PS) is evaluated by the treating physician. We examined whether
      pretreatment QoL and PS are related to subsequent treatment discontinuation and
      treatment changes in high-risk breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
      METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study with data from a randomized
      phase III trial comparing FEC- and EC-DOC-chemotherapy in patients with primary
      breast cancer (ADEBAR). We examined the patient's request to discontinue the
      study, discontinuation due to toxicity, the prolongation of therapy, and dose
      reduction. Baseline QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30. PS was evaluated
      using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Scale (ECOG). Four QoL scales were
      selected prior to analysis as outcomes: global health, physical functioning,
      emotional functioning, and fatigue. Multivariate binary logistic regression
      analyses were used to test for differences within the independent variables. MAIN
      RESULTS: 1322 patients were included. 1094 (82.8 %) patients completed therapy
      according to protocol. 6.3 % stopped therapy due to toxicity and 4.4 % refused
      treatment. Global health was not related to any of the four QoL outcomes.
      Physical functioning had the strongest impact on QoL, when comparing the fittest
      group to the lowest quintile [OR 2.14 (95 % CI 1.00-4.60)]. ECOG 0 compared to
      worse than 1 was strongly correlated to therapy discontinuation due to toxicity
      [OR 20.15 (95 % CI 9.48-42.83)] and treatment refusal [OR 8.32 (95 % CI 3.81
      18.14)]. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment QoL, especially physical functioning, is
      associated with subsequent therapy discontinuation due to toxicity and with
      changes of the treatment protocol. Pretreatment performance status is strongly
      associated with therapy discontinuation due to toxicity and with treatment
      refusal.

PMID- 27262303
TI  - Why have a special issue on methods used in clinical pharmacy practice research?

PMID- 27262302
TI  - Influence of ACE gene on differential response to sertraline versus fluoxetine in
      patients with major depression: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extensive distribution of the different components of renin
      angiotensin system (RAS) in the brain, along with their roles in promoting
      anxiety, depression and brain inflammation, opposes RAS as a potential
      therapeutic target in major depression. Actions of angiotensin II, the main
      product of RAS, are reduced by antidepressants and this signifies the complex
      interplay of different mechanisms involved in response to therapy. Here, we
      hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms of RAS may affect the outcome of therapy
      in depressed patients. METHODS: The frequencies of variants of genes encoding for
      angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D), rs4291 and rs4343
      polymorphisms were determined in extracted DNAs of 200 newly diagnosed depressed
      patients. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, one treated with
      fluoxetine and the other treated with sertraline for 12 weeks. Responsive
      patients were determined by psychiatrist using Hamilton questionnaire and were
      compared with regard to their genetic variants. RESULTS: Carriers of the D allele
      and patients with DD genotype responded significantly better to sertraline than
      to fluoxetine (P = 0.0006, odds ratio (OR) = 3.0, 95 % confidence interval (CI) =
      1.80-5.08; P = 0.006, OR = 3.7, 95 % CI = 1.66-8.29, respectively). Mutant
      genotypes (GG and TT) of rs4343 and rs4291 polymorphisms were also more frequent
      in patients responding to sertraline, though not achieving the significance level
      (P = 0.162 and P = 0.256, respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that
      special genetic variants of RAS may influence or be an indicator for better
      response to sertraline.

PMID- 27262305
TI  - Induced Folding Under Membrane Mimetic and Acidic Conditions Implies Undiscovered
      Biological Roles of Prokaryotic Ubiquitin-Like Protein Pup.
AB  - Ubiquitin-like proteins play important roles in diverse biological processes. In
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pup (prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein), a
      functional homologue of eukaryotic ubiquitin, interacts with the proteasome
      ATPase subunit Mpa to recognize and unfold substrates, and then translocate them
      into the proteasome core for degradation. Previous studies revealed that, Pup, an
      intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), adopts a helical structure upon binding
      to the N-terminal coiled-coil domain of Mpa, at its disordered C-terminal region.
      In the present study, using circular dichroism (CD), surface plasmon resonance
      (SPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we show that membrane mimetic and
      acidic conditions also induce Pup to adopt helical conformations. Moreover, at
      low pH, Pup, via both of its N- and C-terminal regions, binds to Mpa on sites
      from the N-terminal region in addition to the C-terminal region of the coiled
      coil domain. Our results imply Pup may play undiscovered roles in some biological
      processes e.g. those involve in membrane. 

PMID- 27262306
TI  - The Amazing World of Peptide Engineering: the Example of Antimicrobial Peptides
      from Frogs and Their Analogues.
AB  - This review discusses the importance and properties of antimicrobial peptides
      from frogs and their synthetic analogues as potential therapeutic alternatives in
      fighting not only bacterial infections, but also protozoans involved with the
      major neglected diseases, which afflict human populations (e.g., Chagas disease,
      African sleeping sickness, Leishmaniasis and malaria). Here, we emphasize their
      multifunctional properties such as promising broad-spectrum drugs that target
      protozoan parasites too. 

PMID- 27262307
TI  - High-Level Secretory Expression and Purification of Recombinant Human Interleukin
      1 Beta in Pichia pastoris.
AB  - As an important pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)
      participates in a variety of physiological and pathological responses. In order
      to obtain higher yielded recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (rhIL-1beta), we
      cloned hIL-1beta cDNA sequences based on the coding sequence of human mature IL
      1beta. After recombinant pPICZalphaA/hIL-1beta was separated and sequenced, we
      transformed recombinant pPICZalphaA/hIL-1beta into Pichia pastoris GS115, SMD1168
      and X-33 strain via electroporation. The results showed that recombinant
      pPICZalphaA/ hIL-1beta had the highest expression level in X-33 Pichia pastoris.
      Subsequently, rhIL-1beta was purified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide
      gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and identified by Western blot. Then the
      fermentation process was optimized to increase product yield. Under the
      fermentation conditions of the absorption value of fermentation liquor before
      induction of 600, oxygen concentration of 20%, methanol concentration of 0.25%
      with pH 5.0, the yield of rhIL-1beta reached to 250 mg/L after 72 h induction at
      26 degrees C. After aqueous two-phase extraction combined with chromatography,
      the purity of rhIL-1beta was 95% and the yield was up to 85%. The biological
      activity of rhIL-1beta was detected by MTT assay, and the result showed that rhIL
      1beta significantly inhibited the growth and proliferation of B16 melanoma cells.

PMID- 27262308
TI  - An extremely rare case report of surgery of lung cancer with the absence of
      azygos vein.
AB  - In thoracic surgery, we occasionally encounter vessel anomalies. We herein report
      an extremely rare surgical case with the absence of the azygos vein. Mediastinal
      vascular abnormalities are said to be rare. The etiology of vascular
      abnormalities of the whole body, including the chest is known gene mutations,
      hormone abnormalities, infection, and trauma. But, many causes have been unknown.
      In thoracic surgery field, there is some reports and literature about pulmonary
      arteriovenous malformation, pulmonary sequestration, and partial anomalous
      pulmonary venous return. But reports about absence of azygos vein are not much.
      It is considered that it is less likely to become a problem in clinical. As we
      discussed in the paper, it will be more interesting if the association with PLSVC
      reveals from more cases. A 58-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in order
      to undergo operation for the treatment of lung cancer. We detected absence of the
      azygos vein by preoperative computed tomography (CT). Furthermore, three
      dimensional angiography (3D-angiography) showed that the right superior
      intercostal vein and hemiazygos vein in the left thoracic cavity were more
      developed than usual. Then, we discuss the key points during surgery and suggest
      the potential association between the absence of the azygos vein and a persistent
      left superior vena cava (PLSVC).

PMID- 27262309
TI  - Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway vs traditional care in
      laparoscopic rectal resection: a single-center experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of an enhanced
      recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway with traditional perioperative care in
      laparoscopic rectal resection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively
      collected data was conducted. Single-center consecutive patients who underwent
      laparoscopic rectal surgery after an ERAS program were compared with patients who
      received traditional care over an 8-year period. Primary and total length of
      stay, and readmission, morbidity and mortality rates were analyzed. For ERAS
      group, the actual adherence to protocol was also evaluated. RESULTS: Two hundred
      and ninety-seven patients, 162 in the ERAS group and 135 in conventional care,
      were studied. Median primary and total length of stay were significantly shorter
      in the ERAS group (9 vs 12 days; p = 0.0001; 10 vs 12 days; p = 0.01;
      respectively). The ERAS group experienced a faster recovery of bowel function
      than the traditional care group (p = 0.0001). A similar morbidity rate was
      observed in the two groups (32.3 % in ERAS vs 36.1 % in traditional care p =
      0.41). Readmission rates were 4.9 % in the ERAS versus 1.5 % in the traditional
      care group (p = 0.19). There was no mortality in either group. Overall mean
      compliance with the ERAS protocol was 85.7 % (range 54.4-100 %). CONCLUSIONS: The
      introduction of the ERAS protocol in laparoscopic rectal resection led to a
      reduction in primary and total length of hospital stay without an increase in
      morbidity or readmission rates when compared to traditional care.

PMID- 27262310
TI  - Antiamnesic properties of analogs and mimetics of the tripeptide human urocortin
      3.
AB  - Amnesia is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage, disease, or trauma. Until
      now, there are no successful medications on the drug market available to treat
      amnesia. Short analogs and mimetics of human urocortin 3 (Ucn 3) tripeptide were
      synthetized and tested for their action against amnesia induced by
      eletroconvulsion in mice. Among the 16 investigated derivatives of Ucn 3
      tripeptide, eight compounds displayed antiamnesic effect. Our results proved that
      the configuration of chiral center of glutamine does not affect the antiamnesic
      properties. Alkyl amide or isoleucyl amide at the C-terminus may lead to
      antiamnesic compounds. As concerned the N-terminus, acetyl, Boc, and alkyl ureido
      moieties were found among the active analogs, but the free amino function at the
      N-terminus usually led to an inactive derivatives. These observations may lead to
      the design and synthesis of small peptidomimetics and amino acid derivatives as
      antiamnesic drug candidates, although the elucidation of the mechanism of the
      action requires further investigations.

PMID- 27262311
TI  - Syndrome of transient headache with neurologic deficits and cerebrospinal fluid
      lymphocytosis: SPECT usefulness in the diagnosis.

PMID- 27262312
TI  - Delayed diagnosis of cervical spinal cord transection without radiographic
      abnormality in a 3-year-old child after a motor vehicle accident.

PMID- 27262313
TI  - Venous anomaly analogous to vertical embryonic positioning of the straight sinus
      associated with atretic cephalocele at the suboccipital region.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The coexistence of venous anomalies, such as vertical embryonic
      positioning of the straight sinus (VEP of SS), has been reported in patients with
      atretic cephalocele (AC). VEP of SS has been exclusively encountered when the AC
      is found above the torcular. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report a patient with
      suboccipital AC associated with venous anomalies analogous to VEP of SS,
      consisted of the Galenic venous system which did not drain into the straight
      sinus in the tentorium, but into the falcine sinus instead. Differences with VEP
      of SS in our case had no anatomical relationship between the falcine sinus and
      the suboccipital AC and no large cerebrospinal fluid space around the falcine
      sinus. A detailed neuroradiological examination was helpful for detecting these
      minute anomalies.

PMID- 27262314
TI  - Apricot Kernel Oil Ameliorates Cyclophosphamide-Associated Immunosuppression in
      Rats.
AB  - The effects of dietary apricot kernel oil (AKO), which contains high levels of
      oleic and linoleic acids and lower levels of alpha-tocopherol, were evaluated in
      a rat model of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. Rats had
      intraperitoneal injection with cyclophosphamide to induce immunosuppression and
      were then infused with AKO or normal saline (NS) for 4 weeks. Enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assays were used to detect antimicrobial factors in lymphocytes and
      anti-inflammatory factors in hepatocytes. Hematoxylin & eosin staining was
      conducted prior to histopathological analysis of the spleen, liver, and thymus.
      Significant differences were observed between the immune functions of the healthy
      control group, the normal saline group, and the AKO group. Compared to the normal
      saline-treated group, lymphocytes isolated from rats administered AKO showed
      significant improvement in immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgM, IgG, interleukin (IL)-2, IL
      12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels (p < 0.01). Liver tissue
      levels of malondialdehyde and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione
      peroxidase indicated reduced oxidative stress in rats treated with AKO (p <
      0.01). Dietary AKO positively affected rat growth and inhibited cyclophosphamide
      associated organ degeneration. These results suggested that AKO may enhance the
      immune system in vivo. These effects may reflect the activities of intermediate
      oleic and linoleic acid metabolites, which play a vital role in the immune
      system, and the alpha-tocopherol in AKO may further enhance this phenomenon.
      Thus, the use of AKO as a nutritional supplement can be proposed to ameliorate
      chemotherapy-associated immunosuppression.

PMID- 27262315
TI  - Flow cytometry-assisted quantification of gammaH2AX expression has potential as a
      rapid high-throughput biodosimetry tool.
AB  - Large-scale radiological events require immediate and accurate estimates of doses
      received by victims, and possibly the first responders, to assist in treatment
      decisions. Although there are numerous efforts worldwide to develop biodosimetric
      tools to adequately handle triage needs during radiological incidents, such
      endeavours do not seem to actively involve sub-Saharan Africa which currently has
      a significant level of nuclear-related activity. To initiate a similar interest
      in Africa, ex vivo radiation-induced gammaH2AX expression in peripheral blood
      lymphocytes from fourteen healthy donors was assessed using flow cytometry. While
      the technique shows potential for use as a rapid high-throughput biodosimetric
      tool for radiation absorbed doses up to 5 Gy, significant inter-individual
      differences in gammaH2AX expression emerged. Also, female donors exhibited higher
      levels of gammaH2AX expression than their male counterparts. To address these
      shortcomings, gender-based in-house dose-response curves for gammaH2AX induction
      in lymphocytes 2, 4, and 6 h after X-ray irradiation are proposed for the South
      African population. The obtained results show that gammaH2AX is a good candidate
      biomarker for biodosimetry, but might need some refinement and validation through
      further studies involving a larger cohort of donors.

PMID- 27262316
TI  - Nonlinear transfer of elements from soil to plants: impact on radioecological
      modeling.
AB  - In radioecology, transfer of radionuclides from soil to plants is typically
      described by a concentration ratio (CR), which assumes linearity of transfer with
      soil concentration. Nonlinear uptake is evidenced in many studies, but it is
      unclear how it should be taken into account in radioecological modeling. In this
      study, a conventional CR-based linear model, a nonlinear model derived from
      observed uptake into plants, and a new simple model based on the observation that
      nonlinear uptake leads to a practically constant concentration in plant tissues
      are compared. The three models were used to predict transfer of (234)U, (59)Ni
      and (210)Pb into spruce needles. The predictions of the nonlinear and the new
      model were essentially similar. In contrast, plant radionuclide concentration was
      underestimated by the linear model when the total element concentration in soil
      was relatively low, but within the range commonly observed in nature. It is
      concluded that the linear modeling could easily be replaced by a new approach
      that more realistically reflects the true processes involved in the uptake of
      elements into plants. The new modeling approach does not increase the complexity
      of modeling in comparison with CR-based linear models, and data needed for model
      parameters (element concentrations) are widely available.

PMID- 27262318
TI  - Urinary Bladder Paragangliomas: Analysis of Succinate Dehydrogenase and Outcome.
AB  - Paragangliomas of the urinary bladder can arise sporadically or as a part of
      hereditary syndromes including those with underlying mutations in the succinate
      dehydrogenase (SDH) genes, which serve as tumor suppressors. SDH deficiency can
      be screened for by absence of immunohistochemical detection of SDHB. In this
      study of 11 cases, clinical follow-up was available for 9/11 cases. The cases
      were reviewed and graded based on the grading system for adrenal
      pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (GAPP) criteria. Immunohistochemistry was
      performed for Ki67 and SDHB. Proliferative index was calculated by quantification
      of Ki67-positive cells at hot spots. The medical record was accessed for
      documentation of germline SDH mutations. Urinary bladder paragangliomas had a
      female predilection (8/11 cases), and 5/11 cases exhibited metastatic behavior.
      Patients with metastatic disease tended to be younger (mean age 43 vs 49 years),
      have larger lesions (5.8 vs 1.5 cm), and presented with catecholamine excess (4/4
      vs 2/6 patients with non-metastatic lesions). Patients with metastatic disease
      had a higher mean Ki67 proliferation rate (4.9 vs 1.3 %) and GAPP score (mean of
      5.8 vs 3.8) (p = 0.01). IHC for SDHB expression revealed loss of expression in
      2/6 cases of non-metastatic paragangliomas compared to 4/5 patients with
      metastatic paragangliomas. Interestingly, of these four patients, two had a
      documented mutation of SDHB, one patient had a SDHC mutation, and another patient
      had a history of familial disease without mutation analysis being performed. Our
      study, suggests that SDH loss was suggestive of metastatic behavior in addition
      to younger age at diagnosis, larger tumor size, and higher Ki67 proliferation
      rate and catecholamine type. 

PMID- 27262319
TI  - Molecular Targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Human Colorectal Carcinoma
      (LoVo) Cells Using Novel Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide- Loaded Nanovesicles: In
      Vitro and in vivo Studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)
      nanoparticles (SPIO) as a magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent to enhance tumor
      imaging in vivo. METHODS: Hydrophobic SPIO (oil-soluble SPIO; OSPIO) and
      hydrophilic SPIO (water-soluble SPIO; WSPIO) were loaded in methoxy-poly(ethylene
      glycol)-block-poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PEG-PDLLA) nanovesicles. Three groups of
      nude mice (n=12/group) xenografted with human colorectal carcinoma (LoVo) cells
      were injected into the caudal vein with WSPIO, OSPIO-loaded nanovesicles, or
      WSPIO-loaded nanovesicles. MRI scans were performed on all of the mice, and the
      relative T2 values were measured in the tumor and the liver. The differences in
      these T2 values between the three groups were compared. RESULTS: The peak
      relative T2 values in the tumors detected by the OSPIO- or WSPIO-loaded contrast
      agents were reduced by 10.12% and 11.40%, respectively. The relative T2 values in
      the WSPIO- and OSPIO-loaded polymeric nanovesicle groups were more pronounced
      than the relative T2 value in the WSPIO group (P<0.05), but there was no
      significant difference in the T2 value between the OSPIO- and WSPIO-loaded
      vesicle groups (P>0.05). The greatest T2 value decreases in the liver in the
      WSPIO, OSPIO-loaded and WSPIO-loaded vesicle groups were 32.85%, 52.77% and
      56.89%, respectively. The decrease in the T2 values was more pronounced in the
      WSPIO- and OSPIO-loaded nanovesicle groups than in the WSPIO group (P<0.05) and
      was more apparent in the WSPIO-loaded nanovesicle group than in the OSPIO-loaded
      nanovesicle group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SPIO-loaded polymeric nanovesicles
      generate significant T2WI signal intensity decreases in vivo and are anticipated
      to be used as novel and effective contrast agents for tumor imaging.

PMID- 27262317
TI  - Expanded CD4(+) Effector/Memory T Cell Subset in APECED Produces Predominantly
      Interferon Gamma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED)
      is a rare human autoimmune disorder caused by mutations in the AIRE (autoimmune
      regulator) gene. Loss of AIRE disrupts thymic negative selection and gives rise
      to impaired cytotoxic and regulatory T cell populations. To date, CD4(+) T helper
      (Th) cells remain little studied. This study aims to elucidate their role in
      APECED pathogenesis. METHODS: Th cells were explored in ten APECED patients and
      ten healthy controls using cell culture assays, multiparameter flow cytometry,
      and transcriptome analysis. RESULTS: The proportions of effector/memory
      populations were increased while the fraction of naive cells was diminished. The
      naive population was abnormally activated, with an increased number of cells
      expressing characteristic Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines. No clear deviation to any
      Th subclass was observed, but transcriptome analysis suggested abnormalities in
      the Th1 cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) pathway and flow cytometry showed
      that INF-gamma had the highest expression. The augmented INF-gamma signaling may
      promote the function of the putative pathogenic CD8(+) cytotoxic population in
      the patients. In addition, the frequency of CD4(+) recent thymic emigrants (RTEs)
      was decreased in the patients, and RTEs also contained cytokine-producing cells
      at an increased frequency. CONCLUSION: These data reveal abnormalities in the Th
      population and suggest that they may in part be traced to premature activation
      already in the thymus.

PMID- 27262320
TI  - Targeting Key Metabolic Enzymes Involved in Lipid and Protein Biosyntheses for
      Breast Anticancer Therapies.
AB  - The evolution of genomic research enabled the genetic and molecular profiling of
      breast cancer and revealed the profound complexity and heterogeneity of this
      disease. Subtypes of breast cancer characterized by mutations and/or
      amplifications of some proto-oncogenes are associated with an increased rate of
      recurrence and poor prognosis. They represent a challenge in the clinic with
      limited arsenal to attack them. Nowadays, metabolic reprogramming is firmly
      established as a hallmark of cancer. An increased rate of lipid and protein
      syntheses in cancerous tissues, a direct consequence of alterations in key
      metabolic enzymes involved in these pathways, is now recognized as an important
      aspect of the rewired metabolism of neoplastic cells. Over the past several
      years, accumulating evidence has revealed that mutations or amplifications of
      some proto-oncogenes are primarily involved in this metabolic dysregulation. It
      is thus critically important to dissect the molecular mechanisms tumors use to
      link metabolic reprogramming with upstream altered signaling. In this article, we
      review the recent findings that support the importance of lipid and protein
      biosyntheses in breast tumorigenesis, discuss the crosstalk between growth factor
      signal transduction and key metabolic enzymes involved in these processes, and
      point out the potentials of developing new strategies and therapeutics to target
      these key parameters in order to help breast cancer patients by providing new
      therapeutic opportunities.

PMID- 27262321
TI  - Antihyperlipidemic, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Methanolic and
      Aqueous Extracts of Different Parts of Star Fruit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) is a well-known plant in Malaysia
      which bears a great significance in traditional medicine. OBJECTIVES: This study
      aimed to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic effect, antioxidant potential and
      cytotoxicity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of ripe and unripe fruits, leaves
      and stem of A. carambola. METHODS: Antihyperlipidemic activity was assessed in
      poloxamer-407 (P-407) induced acute hyperlipidemic rat's model. The antioxidant
      activity was assessed in vitro using 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6
      sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, 1-diphenyl-2-dipicrylhydrazyl radical
      scavenging (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. In
      addition, cytotoxicity of A. carambola extracts was assessed using MTS assay on
      four leukemic cell lines (human colon cancer, human promyeloid leukemia,
      erythroid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia) and one normal cell (human umbilical
      vein endothelial cells). RESULTS: Methanolic extract of leaves had the most
      potent antihyperlipidemic activity in P-407 model, whereby it significantly
      reduced serum levels of total cholesterol (P<0.01), triglycerides (P<0.01), low
      density lipoprotein (P<0.05), verylow- density lipoprotein (P<0.01) and
      atherogenic index (P<0.01). On the other hand, methanolic extracts of A.
      carambola stem and leaves showed the strongest antioxidant activity. Total
      phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts exhibited significant
      correlations with antioxidant but not with antihyperlipidemic activities. All
      plant parts showed no cytotoxic effect on the selected cancer or normal cell
      lines. CONCLUSION: Antihyperlipidemic activity of different parts of A. carambola
      is greatly affected by extraction solvents used. Methanolic extract of A.
      carambola leaves exhibited higher antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant potentials
      compared to other parts of the plant.

PMID- 27262322
TI  - Psychoactive substances use and associated factors among middle and high school
      students in the North Center of Morocco: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data on psychoactive substance (PAS) consumption among adolescents in
      the North Center of Morocco are not at all available. Therefore, the current
      study aimed at investigating the prevalence and the determinants of psychoactive
      substances use among middle and high school students in this region. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2012 to November 2013 in public
      middle and high schools in the North Central Region of Morocco. An anonymous self
      administered questionnaire was used to assess psychoactive substances use among a
      representative sample of school students from the 7th to the 12th grade, aged 11
      23 years, selected by stratified cluster random sampling. Factors associated with
      psychoactive substance use were identified using multivariate stepwise logistic
      regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 3020 school students completed the
      questionnaires, 53.0 % of which were males. The overall lifetime smoking
      prevalence was 16.1 %. The lifetime, annual and past month rates of any
      psychoactive substance use among the study subjects were 9.3, 7.5, and 6.3 %
      respectively. Cannabis recorded the highest lifetime prevalence of 8.1 %,
      followed by alcohol 4.3 %, inhalants 1.7 %, psychotropic substances without
      medical prescription 1.0, cocaine 0.7, heroine 0.3, and amphetamine with only 0.2
      %. Psychoactive substance use was associated with males more than females. The
      risk factors identified by multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses
      were being male, studying in secondary school level, smoking tobacco, living with
      a family member who uses tobacco, and feeling insecure within the family.
      CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence among all school students reported by the current
      study was comparable to the national prevalence. Efforts to initiate psychoactive
      substance prevention programs among school students should be made by designing
      such programs based on the significant factors associated with psychoactive
      substance use identified in this study.

PMID- 27262325
TI  - Challenges and Strategies in Precision Medicine for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer- related death worldwide, causing
      over 1.2 million deaths each year. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) consists of
      a group of malignancies that are pathologically and molecularly diverse but that
      are all characterised by a poor prognosis. Survival rates for lung cancer
      patients have improved very slowly and only to a modest degree owing partly to
      poor funding for research into this malignancy and stigma associated with
      smoking, as well as relative chemo-resistance. However, in recent years, NSCLC
      has become an exemplar for precision medicine, mainly following development of
      drugs targeting the receptors of epidermal growth factor and anaplastic lymphoma
      kinase. While epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase
      inhibitors are only applicable to a minority of patients and benefits are almost
      invariably short-lived, current studies indicate that at least 50% of patients
      with NSCLC have a targetable mutation. With a growing armamentarium of inhibitors
      against these targets in development, there is a hope that a greater proportion
      of patients will benefit from precision medicine and that such benefits will be
      sustained. However, there remain significant challenges in the development of
      precision medicine in NSCLC. These include: identification and validation of new
      targets; ensuring biopsies are fit for purpose; tumour heterogeneity;
      requirements for serial tumour assessments; and not least cost. In this review,
      we will discuss the current status of precision medicine in NSCLC as well as how
      basic and translational research are paving the way towards overcoming the above
      challenges. In addition, we will pay attention to clinical strategies in respect
      to liquid biopsies and the potential use of extracellular vesicles such as
      exosomes in cancer therapeutics.

PMID- 27262324
TI  - Microemulsion and Microemulsion-Based Gels for Topical Antifungal Therapy with
      Phytochemicals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Skin fungal infections are regular injuries suffered by people living
      in tropical areas. Most common pathogens are Trichophyton, Microsporum and
      Epidermophyton which can cause skin lesions in many parts of body. Topical
      antifungal phytochemicals are commonly used to avoid systemic adverse events and
      are more convenient for patient application than those administered by other
      routes. However, the effectiveness of topical treatments in eradicating fungal
      infection is more limited since the stratum corneum acts as the skin barrier,
      resulting in long treatment duration and low patient's compliance. METHODS: The
      goal of this work is to identify optimized drug delivery systems to improve topic
      clinical efficacy. Microemulsions i.e. liquid dispersions of oil and water
      stabilized with an interfacial film of surfactant are well known drug delivery
      systems. RESULTS: A thickening agent may be included to form microemulsion-based
      gels to increase skin adhesion. Microemulsions and microemulsion-based gels can
      be loaded with several hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs because they are composed
      of both water and oil phases. CONCLUSION: Microemulsions and microemulsion-based
      gels can also be used for the delivery of many drugs including antifungal drugs
      through stratum corneum due to their capacity to act as skin penetration
      enhancement. In addition to a comprehensive review of microemulsion and
      microemulsion-based gels as suitable carriers for skin delivery of various
      antifungal drugs, this review also aims to discuss the delivery of antifungal
      phytochemicals.

PMID- 27262326
TI  - Exploring Nanotechnologies for the Effective Therapy of Malaria Using Plant-Based
      Medicines.
AB  - Malaria is a potentially lethal disease caused by species of the plasmodium
      parasite. Despite the advances in the interventions for its control and
      approaches to manage fatality, morbidity and mortality rates associated with
      malaria are still high. At present, artemisinin-based combination therapy is the
      first line of treatment. However, there is the need to explore newer approaches
      as reduced effectiveness and multi-drug resistance (even to artemisinin) has been
      reported in some regions and is expected to widen in scope. Phytomedicines have
      shown promise for the management of this debilitating disease and there are
      abundant resources in most of the areas where this disease is endemic. This
      report would systematically review the literature, emphasizing the challenges
      encountered in the control of malaria, active phytochemicals currently utilised
      in the management, drug delivery approaches as well as the nanotechnology-based
      systems that could be exploited in its treatment. These phytomedicines, either
      delivered conventionally or via the use of advanced delivery systems may suggest
      new strategies towards the better management of malaria.

PMID- 27262327
TI  - Oral Antiplatelet Treatment in STEMI: Current Practice and Future Considerations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction represent a
      high-risk population and an effective antiplatelet treatment adjunctive to
      primary percutaneous coronary intervention is of paramount importance. METHODS:
      This topic will review the current evidence on clinical efficacy and safety of
      oral antiplatelet therapy in patients with an acute ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction. Unsettled issues and future perspectives for their use in
      these patients are also discussed. RESULTS: Added to aspirin, clopidogrel,
      prasugrel and ticagrelor represent viable options regarding oral P2Y12
      inhibition, with prasugrel and ticagrelor being preferred over clopidogrel,
      according to results of large randomized clinical trials. Early clinical efficacy
      of oral antiplatelet agents in STEMI patients has been questioned, mainly because
      of their delayed onset of action in the clinical setting of ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction and the recently described adverse effect of morphine on
      their pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic profile. Whether these agents should be
      administered beyond 1 year after the index event is also under discussion, as
      there is clinical evidence that prolonged administration may be associated with
      clinical benefit. CONCLUSION: Use of oral P2Y12 inhibitors in patients with ST
      segment elevation myocardial infarction still faces questions and future research
      is needed to establish which, when and how should be administered in this
      clinical setting.

PMID- 27262328
TI  - Dual or Single Antiplatelet Therapy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve
      Implantation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has undeniably earned
      a prestigious post in the quiver of interventional cardiologists against
      symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Cerebrovascular events are listed within the
      most frequent complications. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of EMBASE,
      MEDLINE, and the Cochrane library from inception to March 2016 for the following
      search terms (transcatheter AND antiplatelet) OR (transcatheter AND
      antithrombotic) to retrieve studies of dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) and
      single antiplatelet treatment (SAPT) in patients after TAVI to study thrombotic,
      hemorrhagic and cardiovascular events at 30 days post procedure. From a total of
      208 records 4 studies met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: In the included studies,
      286 patients were enrolled in the DAPT group and 354 patients in the SAPT group.
      There was no difference in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, stroke,
      and myocardial infraction 30 days post TAVI between DAPT and SAPT. However,
      patients in the DAPT group had a significantly increased incidence of lethal and
      major bleeding at 30 days of follow-up and the incidence of the combined end
      point of stroke, spontaneous MI, all-cause mortality and major bleeding was
      significantly higher in the DAPT group in comparison to the SAPT group.
      CONCLUSION: DAPT compared to SAPT in patients after TAVI increases incidence of
      hemorrhagic events with no benefits in terms of thrombotic events and
      cardiovascular mortality. However, these data must be interpreted cautiously and
      the choice of DAPT over SAPT must be based on an individual patient
      characteristic according to medical practice criteria.

PMID- 27262329
TI  - Genetics in Anti-Platelet Treatment.
AB  - Anti-platelet drugs are necessary in treating patients with coronary artery
      disease, ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial disease. However, despite the
      use of adequate anti-platelet therapy, some patients will experience a recurrent
      atherothrombotic vascular event. These patients are characterized as low- or non
      responders to therapy. Individual responsiveness to anti-platelet therapy as the
      use of clopidogrel and/or aspirin varies widely among patients. Such an
      individual variability is mainly determined by environmental and genetic factors.
      In this review, we focused on the underlying genetic mechanisms that might
      influence response to anti-platelet drugs.

PMID- 27262323
TI  - Incorporating Natural Products, Pharmaceutical Drugs, Self-Care and
      Digital/Mobile Health Technologies into Molecular-Behavioral Combination
      Therapies for Chronic Diseases.
AB  - Merging pharmaceutical and digital (mobile health, mHealth) ingredients to create
      new therapies for chronic diseases offers unique opportunities for natural
      products such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), curcumin,
      resveratrol, theanine, or alpha-lipoic acid. These compounds, when combined with
      pharmaceutical drugs, show improved efficacy and safety in preclinical and
      clinical studies of epilepsy, neuropathic pain, osteoarthritis, depression,
      schizophrenia, diabetes and cancer. Their additional clinical benefits include
      reducing levels of TNFalpha and other inflammatory cytokines. We describe how
      pleiotropic natural products can be developed as bioactive incentives within the
      network pharmacology together with pharmaceutical drugs and self-care
      interventions. Since approximately 50% of chronically-ill patients do not take
      pharmaceutical drugs as prescribed, psychobehavioral incentives may appeal to
      patients at risk for medication non-adherence. For epilepsy, the incentive-based
      network therapy comprises anticonvulsant drugs, antiseizure natural products (n-3
      PUFA, curcumin or/and resveratrol) coupled with disease-specific behavioral
      interventions delivered by mobile medical apps. The add-on combination of
      antiseizure natural products and mHealth supports patient empowerment and
      intrinsic motivation by having a choice in self-care behaviors. The incentivized
      therapies offer opportunities: (1) to improve clinical efficacy and safety of
      existing drugs, (2) to catalyze patient-centered, disease self-management and
      behavior-changing habits, also improving health-related quality-of-life after
      reaching remission, and (3) merging copyrighted mHealth software with natural
      products, thus establishing an intellectual property protection of medical
      treatments comprising the natural products existing in public domain and
      currently promoted as dietary supplements. Taken together, clinical research on
      synergies between existing drugs and pleiotropic natural products, and their
      integration with self-care, music and mHealth, expands precision/personalized
      medicine strategies for chronic diseases via pharmacological-behavioral
      combination therapies.

PMID- 27262330
TI  - Historical Spice as a Future Drug: Therapeutic Potential of Piperlongumine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spice and spice-derived compounds have been identified and explored
      for their health benefits since centuries. One of the spice long pepper has been
      traditionally used to treat chronic bronchitis, asthma, constipation, gonorrhea,
      paralysis of the tongue, diarrhea, cholera, malaria, viral hepatitis, respiratory
      infections, stomach ache, diseases of the spleen, cough, and tumors. METHODS: In
      this review, the evidences for the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential
      of piperlongumine have been described. RESULTS: The active component
      piperlonguime has shown effective against various ailments including cancer,
      neurogenerative disease, arthritis, melanogenesis, lupus nephritis, and
      hyperlipidemic. These beneficial effects of piperlongumine is attributed to its
      ability to modulate several signaling molecules like reactive oxygen species,
      kinases, proteasome, proto-oncogenes, transcription factors, cell cycle,
      inflammatory molecules and cell growth and survival molecules. Piperlongumine
      also chemosensitizes to drugs resistant cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Overall the
      consumption of long peppers is therefore recommended for the prevention and
      treatment of various diseases including cancer, and thus piperlongumine may be a
      promising future candidate drug against cancer.

PMID- 27262331
TI  - Phytochemicals as Inhibitors of Candida Biofilm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Candida biofilm and associated infections is a serious threat to the
      large population of immunocompromised patients. Biofilm growth on prosthetic
      devices or host tissue shows reduced sensitivity to antifungal agents and
      persists as a reservoir of infective cells. Options for successful treatment of
      biofilm associated Candida infections are restricted because most of the
      available antifungal drugs fail to eradicate biofilms. OBJECTIVE: Various plant
      actives are known to possess interesting antifungal properties. To explore and
      review the potential of phytochemicals as a novel strategy against Candida
      biofilms is the intent of present article. METHOD: Thorough literature search is
      performed to identify Candida biofilm inhibitors of plant origin. An account of
      efficacy of selected phytochemicals is presented taking into consideration their
      biofilm inhibitory concentrations. RESULTS: This review discusses biofilm
      formation by Candida species, their involvement in human infections, and
      associated drug resistance. It gives insight into the biofilm inhibitory
      potential of various phytochemicals. Based on the available reports including the
      work done in our laboratory, several plant extracts, essential oils and
      phytomolecules have been identified as excellent inhibitors of biofilms of C.
      albicans and non-albicans Candida species (NACS). CONCLUSION: Selected
      phytochemicals which exhibit activities at low concentrations without displaying
      toxicity to host are potential therapeutic agents against biofilm associated
      Candida infections. In vivo testing in animal models and clinical trials in
      humans are required to be taken up seriously to propose few of the phytochemicals
      as candidate drug molecules.

PMID- 27262332
TI  - Phytochemicals as Adjunctive with Conventional Anticancer Therapies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer is defined as the abnormal proliferations of cells which could
      occur in any tissue and can cause life-threatening malignancies with high
      financial costs for both patients and health care system. Plant-derived secondary
      metabolites are shown to have positive role in various diseases and conditions.
      The aim of the present study is to summarize clinical evidences on the benefits
      of phytochemicals as adjuvant therapy along with conventional anticancer
      therapies. METHODS: Electronic databases including Pubmed, Scopus and Cochrane
      library were searched with the keywords "chemotherapeutic", "anticancer",
      "antineoplastic" or "radiotherapy" with "plant", "extract", "herb", or
      "phytochemical", until July 2015. Only clinical studies were included in this
      review. RESULTS: The findings showed that positive effects of phytochemicals are
      due to their direct anticarcinogenic activity, induction of relief in cancer
      complications, as well as their protective role against side effects of
      conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Results obtained from current review
      demonstrated that numerous phytochemical agents from different chemical
      categories including alkaloid, benzopyran, coumarin, carotenoid, diarylheptanoid,
      flavonoid, indole, polysaccharide, protein, stilbene, terpene, and xanthonoid
      possess therapeutic effect in patients with different types of cancer.
      Polyphenols are the most studied components. Curcumin, ginsenosides, lycopene,
      homoharringtonine, aviscumine, and resveratrol are amongst the major components
      with remarkable volumes of clinical evidence indicating their direct anticancer
      activities in different types of cancer including hepatocarcinoma, prostate
      cancer, leukemia and lymphoma, breast and ovarian cancer, and gastrointestinal
      cancers. Cannabinoids, cumarin, curcumin, ginsenosides, epigallocatechin gallate,
      vitexin, and salidroside are phytochemicals with significant alleviative effect
      on synthetic chemotherapy- induced toxicities. CONCLUSION: There is lack of
      evidence from clinical trials in case of a large number of phytochemicals and
      further human studies are recommended to confirm the role of plant metabolites in
      the management of cancer.

PMID- 27262333
TI  - Polyketide Natural Products, Acetogenins from Graviola (Annona muricata L), its
      Biochemical, Cytotoxic Activity and Various Analyses Through Computational and
      Bio-Programming Methods.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plants became the basis of traditional medicine system throughout the
      world for thousands of years and continue to provide mankind with new remedies.
      Annona muricata, the plant of Annonaceae family, is also known as sour sop or
      Graviola. In recent years, many compounds have been reported and have gained
      organic chemist's and biochemist's attention because of their novel structure and
      wide range of bioactivity. Local populations have used the bark, leaves, roots,
      fruit, seeds and flowers for thousands of years to treat everything from
      arthritis to liver problems. Annonaceous acetogenins found only in the Annonaceae
      family kill malignant cells of 12 different types of cancer including Breast,
      Ovarian, Colon, Prostate, Liver, Lung, Pancreatic and Lymphoma. METHODS: Hence,
      the study was initiated to identify, fractionate and validate compounds of
      pharmaceutical importance from the leaf extract. Research was made for the
      phytochemical screening using different solvents and the metabolites were
      screened using TLC. RESULTS: The presence of acetogenins was confirmed using PMA
      5% spray. The anti-cancer activity studies were done for Breast Cancer cell
      lines, MCF-7 and the cell inhibition activity was 98%. We were curious to study
      the computational part of the aetogenins; hence, apart from the experimental
      studies, various computational studies were progressed using Schrodinger and
      other computational tools to validate the key target protein and the potent
      molecule "Coronin" and Annonaine. CONCLUSION: To predict and decipher the
      activity of various acetogenins in Annona muricata and its potent activity
      towards the inhibition of cancer cell lines, it is interesting to look out for
      the potent lead compound against the disease.

PMID- 27262334
TI  - Discriminating Drug-Like Compounds by Partition Trees with Quantum Similarity
      Indices and Graph Invariants.
AB  - The search for new drug candidates in databases is of paramount importance in
      pharmaceutical chemistry. The selection of molecular subsets is greatly optimized
      and much more promising when potential drug-like molecules are detected a priori.
      In this work, about one hundred thousand molecules are ranked following a new
      methodology: a drug/non-drug classifier constructed by a consensual set of
      classification trees. The classification trees arise from the stochastic
      generation of training sets, which in turn are used to estimate probability
      factors of test molecules to be drug-like compounds. Molecules were represented
      by Topological Quantum Similarity Indices and their Graph Theoretical
      counterparts. The contribution of the present paper consists of presenting an
      effective ranking method able to improve the probability of finding drug-like
      substances by using these types of molecular descriptors.

PMID- 27262335
TI  - The Impact of Antiplatelet Treatment on Endothelial Function.
AB  - The vascular endothelium comprises a continuous single cell layer of endothelial
      cells which line the entire cardiovascular system. Impaired endothelial function
      underlies the pathogenesis and contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis.
      Oxidative stress, vasoconstriction, inflammation, proliferation and thrombosis
      occur in dysfunctional endothelium while the latter, is primarily mediated by
      platelet activation and adherence to vascular wall. Despite the primary action of
      antiplatelet agents including aspirin, P2Y12 ADP receptor antagonists and
      glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, a growing body of literature suggests that an
      important mechanism of their action involves complex modulation of endothelial
      function via platelet-endothelial interactions, modification of the inflammatory
      cytokine cascade and nitric oxide mediated effects. These agents represent the
      mainstay in pharmacological treatment of all aspects of cardiovascular disease
      both in primary and secondary prevention. However beyond these properties, it is
      important to note that pharmacological modification of endothelial dysfunction
      has been postulated as a therapeutic target for reduction of cardiovascular
      events.

PMID- 27262336
TI  - Treatment Options for Persistent Coagulase Negative Staphylococcal Bacteremia in
      Neonates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are the leading cause of late
      onset sepsis in neonatal intensive-care units (NICUs). Despite adequate
      therapeutic levels and in vivo susceptibility, vancomycin is not always adequate
      in clearing CoNS bacteremias and other theurapeutic regimens are warranted
      especially when dealing with persistent CoNS bacteremias. METHODS: Retrospective
      analysis of neonates with persistent CoNS bacteremias in a tertiary NICU in two
      study periods (January 2006 to December 2007 and January 2011 to December 2012).
      Demographics, clinical characteristics and antibiotics used were recorded. We
      also performed a literature review on the treatment options for persistent CoNS
      bacteremia. RESULTS: Out of the 1485 admissions during the 4 years, 121 (8,1%)
      neonates developed CoNS bacteremia and 42 of them (34.7%) were persistent. The
      most common CoNS species was S.epidermidis (91%). Apart from the shorter mean
      duration of bacteremia (p = 0.003), during the second part of the study, no other
      differences were observed between the two study periods. Ten (23.8%) neonates
      were treated with vancomycin monotherapy. In 23 (54.7%) neonates, rifampicin was
      added to vancomycin. Linezolid was given to seven neonates (16.6%), whereas
      daptomycin was given to two neonates (4.7%). No differences were found when we
      compared the characteristics of neonates treated with different antibiotics. All
      neonates tolerated treatment well. Our literature review revealed 16 relevant
      studies, the majority of which are small case series. CONCLUSION: The addition of
      rifampicin, linezolid and daptomycin in neonates with persistent CoNS bacteremia
      can provide useful therapeutic alternatives. Further studies are required to
      bring more insight into the field.

PMID- 27262337
TI  - Implications of Kidney Disease on Metabolic Reduction.
AB  - Chronic kidney disease (CKD) modulates the nonrenal clearance of drugs by
      altering their metabolism and/or transport. While the effects of CKD on pathways
      of oxidative and conjugative metabolism in the liver are generally understood,
      the impact of CKD on hepatic reduction is not. Reduction is a critically
      important pathway for the metabolism of several drugs and endogenous compounds.
      Multiple clinical pharmacokinetic studies have reported changes in the
      disposition of hepatic reductase drug substrates in patients with CKD. More
      recently, data from experimental studies have shown that kidney disease alters
      the functional expression of hepatic reductases. Together, these data suggest
      that kidney disease may impair the nonrenal clearance of drugs mediated by
      reductive pathways. This review synthesizes the current evidence available
      regarding the effect of CKD on hepatic reduction. Areas for future investigations
      are also highlighted. The growing knowledge of the impact of impaired kidney
      function on nonrenal drug clearance may facilitate optimal drug therapy in this
      patient population. 

PMID- 27262338
TI  - A live attenuated Salmonella Enteritidis secreting detoxified heat labile toxin
      enhances mucosal immunity and confers protection against wild-type challenge in
      chickens.
AB  - A live attenuated Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) capable of constitutively secreting
      detoxified double mutant Escherichia coli heat labile toxin (dmLT) was developed.
      The biologically adjuvanted strain was generated via transformation of a highly
      immunogenic SE JOL1087 with a plasmid encoding dmLT gene cassette; the resultant
      strain was designated JOL1641. A balanced-lethal host-vector system stably
      maintained the plasmid via auxotrophic host complementation with a plasmid
      encoded aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (asd) gene. Characterization by
      western blot assay revealed the dmLT subunit proteins in culture supernatants of
      JOL1641. For the investigation of adjuvanticity and protective efficacy, chickens
      were immunized via oral or intramuscular routes with PBS, JOL1087 and JOL1641.
      Birds immunized with JOL1641 showed significant (P <= 0.05) increases in
      intestinal SIgA production at the 1(st) and 2(nd) weeks post-immunization via
      oral and intramuscular routes, respectively. Interestingly, while both strains
      showed significant splenic protection via intramuscular immunization, JOL1641
      outperformed JOL1087 upon oral immunization. Oral immunization of birds with
      JOL1641 significantly reduced splenic bacterial counts. The reduction in
      bacterial counts may be correlated with an adjuvant effect of dmLT that increases
      SIgA secretion in the intestines of immunized birds. The inclusion of detoxified
      dmLT in the strain did not cause adverse reactions to birds, nor did it extend
      the period of bacterial fecal shedding. In conclusion, we report here that dmLT
      could be biologically incorporated in the secretion system of a live attenuated
      Salmonella-based vaccine, and that this construction is safe and could enhance
      mucosal immunity, and protect immunized birds against wild-type challenge.

PMID- 27262339
TI  - Development of an innovative decentralized treatment system for the reclamation
      and reuse of strong wastewater from rural community: Effects of elevated CO2
      concentrations.
AB  - In a previous study, a soil-plant-based natural treatment system was successfully
      developed for post-treatment of anaerobically digested strong wastewater full of
      potential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). For upgraded
      performance, an innovative decentralized treatment system was further developed,
      in which an anaerobic digestion stage and a natural treatment system stage are
      placed within a greenhouse. This allows the CO2 generated by the processing of
      wastewater and biogas consumption to be sequestrated within the greenhouse for
      elevating its concentration level and potentially enhance nutrient removal and
      recovery from the applied wastewater. To investigate the feasibility of the
      system, a bench-scale experiment was conducted using CO2 chambers. Valuable
      Kentucky bluegrass was planted in two soil types (red ball earth and black soil)
      at three CO2 concentrations (340 ppm, 900 ppm, and 1400 ppm). The results
      confirmed the positive effects of elevated CO2 concentration on the biomass
      production and turf quality of Kentucky bluegrass as well as the resulting higher
      nutrient recovery efficiencies. More importantly, it was demonstrated that the
      elevated CO2 concentration significantly stimulated the soil nitrifying
      microorganisms and thus improved the nitrogen removal efficiency (a critical
      issue in ecological wastewater treatment). A CO2 concentration of 1400 ppm is
      therefore recommended for use in the system. The mechanism underlying this
      phenomenon was shown to be an indirect effect, in which the higher CO2
      concentration first positively influenced growing plants, which then stimulated
      the soil nitrifier communities. The effects of soil type (a design parameter) and
      hydraulic and nutrient loading rates (an operational parameter) on system
      performance were also examined. The results favored black soil for system
      establishment. Based on the findings of this study, our proposed system is
      thought to have the potential to be scaled up and adopted by rural communities
      worldwide for the reclamation and reuse of strong wastewater, addressing the
      agricultural non-point source pollution, and achieving the sustainable
      development. 

PMID- 27262340
TI  - Global direct pressures on biodiversity by large-scale metal mining: Spatial
      distribution and implications for conservation.
AB  - Biodiversity loss is widely recognized as a serious global environmental change
      process. While large-scale metal mining activities do not belong to the top
      drivers of such change, these operations exert or may intensify pressures on
      biodiversity by adversely changing habitats, directly and indirectly, at local
      and regional scales. So far, analyses of global spatial dynamics of mining and
      its burden on biodiversity focused on the overlap between mines and protected
      areas or areas of high value for conservation. However, it is less clear how
      operating metal mines are globally exerting pressure on zones of different
      biodiversity richness; a similar gap exists for unmined but known mineral
      deposits. By using vascular plants' diversity as a proxy to quantify overall
      biodiversity, this study provides a first examination of the global spatial
      distribution of mines and deposits for five key metals across different
      biodiversity zones. The results indicate that mines and deposits are not randomly
      distributed, but concentrated within intermediate and high diversity zones,
      especially bauxite and silver. In contrast, iron, gold, and copper mines and
      deposits are closer to a more proportional distribution while showing a high
      concentration in the intermediate biodiversity zone. Considering the five metals
      together, 63% and 61% of available mines and deposits, respectively, are located
      in intermediate diversity zones, comprising 52% of the global land terrestrial
      surface. 23% of mines and 20% of ore deposits are located in areas of high plant
      diversity, covering 17% of the land. 13% of mines and 19% of deposits are in
      areas of low plant diversity, comprising 31% of the land surface. Thus, there
      seems to be potential for opening new mines in areas of low biodiversity in the
      future. 

PMID- 27262342
TI  - Type and severity of septal deviation are not related with the degree of
      subjective nasal obstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Septoplasty is a frequently performed operation by otolaryngologists
      to relieve nasal obstruction complaints. When objective measurements tools are
      not available, preoperative decision-making is based on careful clinical
      examination. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between type and severity
      of septal deviation and patient-reported nasal obstruction. METHODOLOGY: 196
      Patients of a general otolaryngology population were included. Patients indicated
      subjective nasal obstruction experienced during the past 1 month on a Visual
      Analog Scale (VAS). Patients underwent clinical examination to evaluate type and
      severity of septal deviation. We compared clinical examination findings with
      patients VAS. RESULTS: We did not find a statistical difference of VAS score
      between the different types and severities of septal deviation. In 33.9% of the
      cases without septal deviation, there was a corresponding VAS score of 0. In
      26,8% of the cases with septal deviation, there was no complaint of nasal
      obstruction (VAS = 0). In 7,4% of the cases, there was moderate to severe nasal
      obstruction complaint (VAS over 4) though no septal deviation was found.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that patient-reported nasal obstruction
      varies greatly among patients with similar type of deviation and similar degree
      of deviation. Classification of septal deviation into type and severity cannot
      predict the degree of subjective nasal obstruction. Therefore, the decision to
      proceed to septoplasty has to be thoughtful, with as much as information, based
      on the combination of patients history, clinical examination, surgeons experience
      and cautious interpretation of objective measurement tools.

PMID- 27262341
TI  - Who benefited from the New Rural Cooperative Medical System in China? A case
      study on Anhui Province.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The goal of the New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NCMS) is to
      decrease the financial burden and improve the health of rural areas. The purpose
      of the present study is to determine how government subsidies vary between poorer
      and wealthier groups, especially in low-income regions in rural China. METHODS:
      The distribution, amount, and equity of government subsidies delivered via NCMS
      to rural residents at different economic levels were assessed using benefit
      incidence analysis, concentration index, Kakwani index, Gini index, Lorenz curve,
      and concentration curve. Household and health institution surveys were conducted
      in 2010, covering 9701 residents. Household socio-economic status, healthcare
      costs, out-of-pocket payments, and utilization information were collected in
      household interviews, and reimbursement policy was provided by institutional
      survey. RESULTS: The government subsidy concentration index was -0.055 for
      outpatients and 0.505 for inpatients; and the outpatient and inpatient subsidy
      Kakwani indexes were -0.376 and 0.184, respectively. The poorest 20 % of
      populations received 3.4 % of the total subsidy output; while the wealthiest 20 %
      received 54.3 %. The results showed that the distribution of outpatient subsidies
      was equitable, but the hospital subsidies disproportionally benefited wealthier
      people. CONCLUSIONS: Wealthier people benefited more than poorer people from the
      NCMS in terms of inpatient and total subsidies. For outpatients, the subsidies
      were unrelated to ability to pay. This contradicts the common belief that the
      NCMS does not exacerbate benefit inequity. Long-term policy is required to tackle
      this problem, specifically of redesign the NCMS reimbursement system.

PMID- 27262343
TI  - Salivary latent trait cortisol (LTC): Relation to lipids, blood pressure, and
      body composition in middle childhood.
AB  - Adversity experienced early in life has the potential to influence physical
      health later in life. The stress-health relation may be partially explained by
      stress-related effects on cardiovascular risk factors. This study explored links
      between individual differences in trait-like variation in the activity of the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis with cardiovascular risk factors in
      children. 474 children (M age=9.22years; 54% female; 83% Caucasian) were included
      in this study, in which cardiovascular risk was assessed using the following
      indices - triglycerides (TG), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose (Glu); resting
      systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio,
      and % fat. Saliva samples were measured 3 times a day (waking, 30min post-waking
      and bedtime) over 3days (later assayed for cortisol). A latent trait cortisol
      (LTC) factor explained 43% of the variance in cortisol levels within and across
      days. Confirmatory factor analysis identified three cardiovascular risk factors:
      lipids (i.e., TG and HDL-C), blood pressure (i.e., systolic and diastolic), and
      body composition (i.e., BMI, Waist-to-hip ratio, and % fat). Lower salivary LTC
      was associated with higher lipids, higher blood pressure, and higher body
      composition. The findings further support the internal and external validity of
      the LTC construct, and may also advance our understanding of the link between
      interindividual differences in HPA axis activity and cardiovascular risk in
      middle childhood.

PMID- 27262344
TI  - Basal autonomic activity, stress reactivity, and increases in metabolic syndrome
      components over time.
AB  - CONTEXT: Basal autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning has been linked to the
      metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the role of ANS reactivity in response to stress
      remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine cross-sectionally and longitudinally to
      what extent ANS basal level and stress reactivity are related to MetS. DESIGN: 2
      year and 6-year data from a prospective cohort: the Netherlands Study of
      Depression and Anxiety. SETTING: Participants were recruited from the general
      community, primary care, and mental health care organizations. PARTICIPANTS: 1922
      respondents (mean age=43.7years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Indicators of ANS
      functioning were heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and pre
      ejection period (PEP). ANS stress reactivity was measured during a cognitively
      challenging stressor and a personal-emotional stressor. MetS components included
      triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose and
      waist circumference. RESULTS: Cross-sectional analyses indicated that higher
      basal HR, lower basal values of RSA and PEP, and higher RSA reactivity during
      cognitive challenge were related to less favorable values of almost all
      individual MetS components. Longitudinal analyses showed that higher basal HR and
      shorter basal PEP predicted 4-year increase in many MetS abnormalities. Higher
      RSA stress reactivity during cognitive challenge predicted 4-year increase in
      number of MetS components. CONCLUSION: Higher basal sympathetic, lower basal
      parasympathetic activity, and increased parasympathetic withdrawal during stress
      are associated with multiple MetS components, and higher basal sympathetic
      activity predicts an increase in metabolic abnormalities over time. These
      findings support a role for ANS dysregulation in the risk for MetS and,
      consequently, the development of cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 27262345
TI  - Dysfunctional stress responses in chronic pain.
AB  - Many dysfunctional and chronic pain conditions overlap. This review describes the
      different modes of chronic deregulation of the adaptive response to stress which
      may be a common factor for these conditions. Several types of dysfunction can be
      identified within the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis: basal hypercortisolism,
      hyper-reactivity, basal hypocortisolism and hypo-reactivity. Neuroactive steroid
      synthesis is another component of the adaptive response to stress.
      Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form DHEA-S, and progesterone and
      its derivatives are synthetized in cutaneous, nervous, and adipose cells. They
      are neuroactive factors that act locally. They may have a role in the
      localization of the symptoms and their levels can vary both in the central
      nervous system and in the periphery. Persistent changes in neuroactive steroid
      levels or precursors can induce localized neurodegeneration. The autonomic
      nervous system is another component of the stress response. Its dysfunction in
      chronic stress responses can be expressed by decreased basal parasympathethic
      activity, increased basal sympathetic activity or sympathetic hyporeactivity to a
      stressful stimulus. The immune and genetic systems also participate. The helper-T
      cells Th1 secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1-beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8,
      IL-12, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha, whereas Th2 secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines:
      IL-4, IL-10, IGF-10, IL-13. Chronic deregulation of the Th1/Th2 balance can occur
      in favor of anti- or pro-inflammatory direction, locally or systemically.
      Individual vulnerability to stress can be due to environmental factors but can
      also be genetically influenced. Genetic polymorphisms and epigenetics are the
      main keys to understanding the influence of genetics on the response of
      individuals to constraints.

PMID- 27262346
TI  - Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor presenting as ileocecal intussusception-A case
      report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMFT) is an uncommon
      mesenchymal solid tumor commonly documented in children and young adults. It is
      usually located in lungs however, extrapulmonary involvement has also been
      reported. Here we report a case of IMFT presenting as an ileocecal
      intussusception. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 55-year-old man presented with a two
      months history of colicky abdominal pain, more intense at the right inferior
      abdominal quadrant, and unintentional weight loss of 8kg in the previous four
      months. Computer tomography showed an image of intussusception at the cecum.
      Colonoscopy demonstrated a pediculated tubular lesion, with the base near
      ileocecal valve. We performed a right hemicolectomy. Histopathological
      examination of the tumor revealed an IMFT. DISCUSSION: IMFT usually affects lungs
      with rare gastrointestinal involvement. Clinical presentation is related with
      location of the neoplasm. Intussusception in adults presents with non-specific
      symptoms and classical image signs facilitate preoperative diagnosis. IMFT
      diagnosis is histopathological which usually implies surgical resection. Complete
      surgical excision, with microscopically clear margins, is the mainstain of
      treatment, with virtually no local recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSION:
      Gastrointestinal IMFT are rare in the adult population and clinical features
      depend on its location. Surgical approach with total excision of the neoplasm
      confirms the diagnosis. Prognosis is good with the main prognostic indicator
      being the adequacy of the primary excision.

PMID- 27262347
TI  - A primary cellular fibrohistiocytoma of the lung: Report of a case.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cellular fibrohistiocytoma (CFH) is a type of fibrohistiocytic
      tumor that commonly occurs in the dermis and superficial subcutis. The
      designation is used for lesions that show increased cellularity with a fascicular
      growth pattern and frequent extension. Our search of literature only revealed one
      case of a primary CFH of the lung. We experienced a rare patient with a primary
      CFH of the lung. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We herein present a rare case of a 77-year
      old female patient without a cutaneous lesion, who underwent resection for what
      was considered to be a primary CFH of the lung. There has been no recurrence
      including a cutaneous lesion in a year after surgery. DISCUSSION: CFH is
      considered to be benign, but rare cases showing multiple recurrences and
      involving metastasis to the lymph nodes and internal organs have been reported.
      At present, it is not possible to predict this aggressive biological behavior
      based on the tumor histology. CONCLUSION: It is essential to perform resection
      with an adequate margin with close clinical follow-up.

PMID- 27262348
TI  - Bilateral V-Y flap for a perianal basal cell carcinoma: A case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinomas are rare in non-sun-exposed skin, and are even
      rarer in the perianal region. Alertness to the unusual occurrence of this tumor
      at perianal site, with understanding of its clinical course, can prevent delay in
      its diagnosis and morbid aggressiveness in the management of the disease.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 93 year old female, referred to our hospital because of a
      three month bleeding ulcerative lesion, with a diameter approximately of
      4.5*3.2cm, located in the perianal region. DISCUSSION: Tumors of the anus and
      perianal are infrequent neoplasms of the digestive tract. There are many diseases
      that can be confused with this diagnosis and it is commonly delayed because the
      tumor is rarely thought of in this particular cutaneous topography. Suspicion and
      early diagnosis, give the opportunity for a timely and appropriate treatment and
      also prevent tumor extension. CONCLUSION: Treatment modalities include early wide
      local excision to clear margins, ensuring further local recurrence and distant
      metastasis. The use of local V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flaps may be another
      valid option for the reconstruction of perianal skin defects, with less morbidity
      than other flaps described in the literature.

PMID- 27262349
TI  - ECAP analysis in cochlear implant patients as a function of patient's age and
      electrode-design.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Electric compound action potentials (ECAPs) provide information
      about the nerve's and device's function in and after cochlear implantation. In
      general, lower ECAP values are expected to generate better results. Aim was an
      analysis of ECAPs in the course of time as a function of the patient's age and
      electrode design. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2013, 168 patients of
      eight defined age groups were included into the investigation. NRTs were measured
      intraoperatively, after 6 and after 12months. RESULTS: The intraoperative mean
      value of ECAP was 174.14CL (current level) and decreased after 6months to
      156.38CL. Highest ECAPs were achieved intraoperatively in the clusters "younger
      than 18months" (181.04CL) and "older than 80 years" (190.45CL). CI 422 showed
      apparently higher ECAP thresholds (182.69) during surgery than CI 24 RE (171.47)
      and CI 512 (170.64). CONCLUSION: ECAPs are a well-established method to get
      information about the CI's and nerve's function during and after surgery. After
      initial higher values NRTs decrease after 6months and remain stable in the
      following controls. Very young and older patients tend to have higher thresholds
      than middle-aged groups. Perimodiolar electrodes are significantly attached to
      lower values because there is a closer nerve-electrode interaction.

PMID- 27262350
TI  - Active inhibition of the first over the second ear implanted sequentially.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the influence of the first implanted ear on the
      performance of the delayed sequentially implanted ear in pediatric patients.
      STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series review. SETTING: Outpatient Cochlear
      Implant (CI) center. PATIENTS: Congenitally deaf children who underwent
      unilateral implant at various ages followed by sequential implant of the
      contralateral ear with various delays were enrolled in the study. Children were
      divided into two groups based on the retention of the first implant or its
      removal, creating a sequential unilateral user group (USG) and a sequential
      bilateral user group (BSG). Both groups reflect differing durations of auditory
      deprivation in each ear, being relatively longer for the USG group for each ear
      than for the BSG group. INTERVENTION: Rehabilitative. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All
      patients underwent periodic speech recognition testing for two years after the
      second surgery. The results for each implanted ear in both groups were evaluated
      and an index score representing the Difference Between the Ears, (DBE), was
      calculated. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference results was obtained
      between the groups. Both groups reached interaural equivalence (i.e. DBE=0%),
      after two years post-sequential implant. The USG patients achieved interaural
      equivalence at a faster rate than the BSG patients with 85% USG subjects
      demonstrating it at 6months compared to the majority of BSG patients
      demonstrating equivalence at one-year post-sequential implant. CONCLUSIONS: The
      performance of the sequentially implanted ear depends to an extent on a negative
      influence, which could be considered as a type of inhibition, of the first
      implanted ear over the second ear. It appears that the role of the unilateral
      auditory deprivation is not the primary influencing factor. These findings have
      driven us clinically to redefine some important considerations for rehabilitation
      management of the deaf children in the cases of delayed sequential implant.

PMID- 27262351
TI  - Death and Plasticity in Clones Influence Invasion Success.
AB  - Although invasion processes have been intensely studied, the mechanisms
      underlying the success of some invasive clonal species remain a mystery. Using
      the specific example of Carpobrotus edulis, we illustrate how invasion success
      can be facilitated by a unique spatiotemporal regulation of growth and senescence
      of plant parts.

PMID- 27262352
TI  - Measurement of corneal tangent modulus using ultrasound indentation.
AB  - Biomechanical properties are potential information for the diagnosis of corneal
      pathologies. An ultrasound indentation probe consisting of a load cell and a
      miniature ultrasound transducer as indenter was developed to detect the force
      indentation relationship of the cornea. The key idea was to utilize the
      ultrasound transducer to compress the cornea and to ultrasonically measure the
      corneal deformation with the eyeball overall displacement compensated. Twelve
      corneal silicone phantoms were fabricated with different stiffness for the
      validation of measurement with reference to an extension test. In addition,
      fifteen fresh porcine eyes were measured by the developed system in vitro. The
      tangent moduli of the corneal phantoms calculated using the ultrasound
      indentation data agreed well with the results from the tensile test of the
      corresponding phantom strips (R(2)=0.96). The mean tangent moduli of the porcine
      corneas measured by the proposed method were 0.089+/-0.026MPa at intraocular
      pressure (IOP) of 15mmHg and 0.220+/-0.053MPa at IOP of 30mmHg, respectively. The
      coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of
      tangent modulus were 14.4% and 0.765 at 15mmHg, and 8.6% and 0.870 at 30mmHg,
      respectively. The preliminary study showed that ultrasound indentation could be
      applied to the measurement of corneal tangent modulus with good repeatability and
      improved measurement accuracy compared to conventional surface displacement-based
      measurement method. The ultrasound indentation can be a potential tool for the
      corneal biomechanical properties measurement in vivo.

PMID- 27262353
TI  - A Volterra series-based method for extracting target echoes in the seafloor
      mining environment.
AB  - The purpose of this research was to evaluate the applicability of the Volterra
      adaptive method to predict the target echo of an ultrasonic signal in an
      underwater seafloor mining environment. There is growing interest in mining of
      seafloor minerals because they offer an alternative source of rare metals. Mining
      the minerals cause the seafloor sediments to be stirred up and suspended in sea
      water. In such an environment, the target signals used for seafloor mapping are
      unable to be detected because of the unavoidable presence of volume reverberation
      induced by the suspended sediments. The detection of target signals in
      reverberation is currently performed using a stochastic model (for example, the
      autoregressive (AR) model) based on the statistical characterisation of
      reverberation. However, we examined a new method of signal detection in volume
      reverberation based on the Volterra series by confirming that the reverberation
      is a chaotic signal and generated by a deterministic process. The advantage of
      this method over the stochastic model is that attributions of the specific
      physical process are considered in the signal detection problem. To test the
      Volterra series based method and its applicability to target signal detection in
      the volume reverberation environment derived from the seafloor mining process, we
      simulated the real-life conditions of seafloor mining in a water filled tank of
      dimensions of 5*3*1.8m. The bottom of the tank was covered with 10cm of an
      irregular sand layer under which 5cm of an irregular cobalt-rich crusts layer was
      placed. The bottom was interrogated by an acoustic wave generated as 16MUs pulses
      of 500kHz frequency. This frequency is demonstrated to ensure a resolution on the
      order of one centimetre, which is adequate in exploration practice. Echo signals
      were collected with a data acquisition card (PCI 1714 UL, 12-bit). Detection of
      the target echo in these signals was performed by both the Volterra series based
      model and the AR model. The results obtained confirm that the Volterra series
      based method is more efficient in the detection of the signal in reverberation
      than the conventional AR model (the accuracy is 80% for the PIM-Volterra
      prediction model versus 40% for the AR model).

PMID- 27262354
TI  - Integrating molecular epidemiology and social network analysis to study
      infectious diseases: Towards a socio-molecular era for public health.
AB  - The number of public health applications for molecular epidemiology and social
      network analysis has increased rapidly since the improvement in computational
      capacities and the development of new sequencing techniques. Currently, molecular
      epidemiology methods are used in a variety of settings: from infectious disease
      surveillance systems to the description of disease transmission pathways. The
      latter are of great epidemiological importance as they let us describe how a
      virus spreads in a community, make predictions for the further epidemic
      developments, and plan preventive interventions. Social network methods are used
      to understand how infections spread through communities and what the risk factors
      for this are, as well as in improved contact tracing and message-dissemination
      interventions. Research is needed on how to combine molecular and social network
      data as both include essential, but not fully sufficient information on infection
      transmission pathways. The main differences between the two data sources are
      that, firstly, social network data include uninfected individuals unlike the
      molecular data sampled only from infected network members. Thus, social network
      data include more detailed picture of a network and can improve inferences made
      from molecular data. Secondly, network data refer to the current state and
      interactions within the social network, while molecular data refer to the time
      points when transmissions happened, which might have happened years before the
      sampling date. As of today, there have been attempts to combine and compare the
      data obtained from the two sources. Even though there is no consensus on whether
      and how social and genetic data complement each other, this research might
      significantly improve our understanding of how viruses spread through
      communities.

PMID- 27262356
TI  - Genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum over space
      and time in an African archipelago.
AB  - The archipelago of Sao Tome and Principe (STP), West Africa, has suffered the
      heavy burden of malaria since the 16th century. Until the last decade, when after
      a successful control program STP has become a low transmission country and one of
      the few nations with decreases of more than 90% in malaria admission and death
      rates. We carried out a longitudinal study to determine the genetic structure of
      STP parasite populations over time and space. Twelve microsatellite loci were
      genotyped in Plasmodium falciparum samples from two islands collected in 1997,
      2000 and 2004. Analysis was performed on proportions of mixed genotype
      infections, allelic diversity, population differentiation, effective population
      size and bottleneck effects. We have found high levels of genetic diversity and
      minimal inter-population genetic differentiation typical of African continental
      regions with intense and stable malaria transmission. We detected significant
      differences between the years, with special emphasis for 1997 that showed the
      highest proportion of samples infected with P. falciparum and the highest mean
      number of haplotypes per isolate. This study establishes a comprehensive genetic
      data baseline of a pre-intervention scenario for future studies; taking into
      account the most recent and successful control intervention on the territory.

PMID- 27262355
TI  - The global spread of HIV-1 subtype B epidemic.
AB  - Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was discovered in the early 1980s
      when the virus had already established a pandemic. For at least three decades the
      epidemic in the Western World has been dominated by subtype B infections, as part
      of a sub-epidemic that traveled from Africa through Haiti to United States.
      However, the pattern of the subsequent spread still remains poorly understood.
      Here we analyze a large dataset of globally representative HIV-1 subtype B
      strains to map their spread around the world over the last 50years and describe
      significant spread patterns. We show that subtype B travelled from North America
      to Western Europe in different occasions, while Central/Eastern Europe remained
      isolated for the most part of the early epidemic. Looking with more detail in
      European countries we see that the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland
      exchanged viral isolates with non-European countries than with European ones. The
      observed pattern is likely to mirror geopolitical landmarks in the post-World War
      II era, namely the rise and the fall of the Iron Curtain and the European
      colonialism. In conclusion, HIV-1 spread through specific migration routes which
      are consistent with geopolitical factors that affected human activities during
      the last 50years, such as migration, tourism and trade. Our findings support the
      argument that epidemic control policies should be global and incorporate
      political and socioeconomic factors.

PMID- 27262357
TI  - Cell cycle activation in p21 dependent pathway: An alternative mechanism of
      organophosphate induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration.
AB  - In the previous study, we demonstrated that dichlorvos induces oxidative stress
      in dopaminergic neuronal cells and subsequent caspase activation mediates
      apoptosis. In the present study, we evaluated the effect and mechanism of
      dichlorvos induced oxidative stress on cell cycle activation in NGF
      differentiated PC12 cells. Dichlorvos exposure resulted in oxidative DNA damage
      along with activation of cell cycle machinery in differentiated PC12 cells.
      Dichlorvos exposed cells exhibited an increased expression of p53, cyclin-D1, pRb
      and decreased expression of p21suggesting a re-entry of differentiated cells into
      the cell cycle. Cell cycle analysis of dichlorvos exposed cells revealed a
      reduction of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle (25%), and a concomitant
      increase of cells in S phase (30%) and G2/M phase (43.3%) compared to control
      PC12 cells. Further, immunoblotting of cytochrome c, Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved
      caspase-3 revealed that dichlorvos induces a caspase-dependent cell death in PC12
      cells. These results suggest that Dichlorvos exposure has the potential to
      generate oxidative stress which evokes activation of cell cycle machinery leading
      to apoptotic cell death via cytochrome c release from mitochondria and subsequent
      caspase-3 activation in differentiated PC12 cells.

PMID- 27262358
TI  - Recent Patents for the Treatment of Asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite adequate adherence and completion of anti-asthmatic
      treatment, many patients remain poorly controlled or uncontrolled. Asthma
      management is based on the use of medication to reverse the bronchial obstruction
      and eliminate the airway inflammation. New drug development is expected in the
      future as a consequence of discoveries in the pathophysiology and mechanisms of
      asthma. Currently, a good and effective set of treatments is available for these
      diseases. However, the search for new treatment modalities to improve the
      currently available is especially important for those patients unresponsive to
      current therapy. OBJECTIVE: In this review, we summarize new anti-cytokines
      therapies, anti-leucotrienes molecules, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory
      agents, researched for treatment of asthma. METHOD: Database patents were used
      for searching new patents from 2015 and from the beginning of 2016 about
      treatment of asthma. CONCLUSION: Pharmacogenomic point of view is now being
      considered by most major pharmaceutical companies as line of investigation
      without end in the nearest horizon. Pharmacogenomics has the potential to notably
      improve the safety and effectiveness of medications.

PMID- 27262359
TI  - Clinical Experience and Evaluation of Patient Treatment Verification With a
      Transit Dosimeter.
AB  - PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate a protocol for transit dosimetry on a patient
      population undergoing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and to assess
      the issues in clinical implementation of electronic portal imaging devices
      (EPIDs) for treatment verification. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty-eight patients
      were enrolled in the study. Amorphous silicon EPIDs were calibrated for dose and
      used to acquire images of delivered fields. Measured EPID dose maps were back
      projected using the planning computed tomographic (CT) images to calculate dose
      at prespecified points within the patient and compared with treatment planning
      system dose offline using point dose difference and point gamma analysis. The
      deviation of the results was used to inform future action levels. RESULTS: Two
      hundred twenty-five transit images were analyzed, composed of breast, prostate,
      and head and neck IMRT fields. Patient measurements demonstrated the potential of
      the dose verification protocol to model dose well under complex conditions: 83.8%
      of all delivered beams achieved the initial set tolerance level of DeltaD of 0 +/
      5 cGy or %DeltaD of 0% +/- 5%. Importantly, the protocol was also sensitive to
      anatomic changes and spotted that 3 patients from 20 measured prostate patients
      had undergone anatomic change in comparison with the planning CT. Patient data
      suggested an EPID-reconstructed versus treatment planning system dose difference
      action level of 0% +/- 7% for breast fields. Asymmetric action levels were more
      appropriate for inversed IMRT fields, using absolute dose difference (-2 +/- 5
      cGy) or summed field percentage dose difference (-6% +/- 7%). CONCLUSIONS: The in
      vivo dose verification method was easy to use and simple to implement, and it
      could detect patient anatomic changes that impacted dose delivery. The system
      required no extra dose to the patient or treatment time delay and so could be
      used throughout the course of treatment to identify and limit systematic and
      random errors in dose delivery for patient groups.

PMID- 27262360
TI  - Vibrio ishigakensis sp. nov., in Halioticoli clade isolated from seawater in
      Okinawa coral reef area, Japan.
AB  - Five novel strains showing non-motile, alginolytic, halophilic and fermentative
      features were isolated from seawater samples off Okinawa in coral reef areas.
      These strains were characterized by an advanced polyphasic taxonomy including
      genome based taxonomy using multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and in silico DNA
      DNA similarity (in silico DDH). Phylogenetic analyses on the basis of 16S rRNA
      gene sequences revealed that the isolates could be assigned to the genus Vibrio,
      however they were not allocated into any distinct cluster with known Vibrionaceae
      species. MLSA based on eight protein-coding genes (gapA, gyrB, ftsZ, mreB, pyrH,
      recA, rpoA, and topA) showed the vibrios formed an outskirt branch of Halioticoli
      clade. The experimental DNA-DNA hybridization data revealed that the five strains
      were in the range of being defined as conspecific but separate from nine
      Halioticoli clade species. The G+C contents of the Vibrio ishigakensis strains
      were 47.3-49.1mol%. Both Amino Acid Identity and Average Nucleotide Identity of
      the strain C1(T) against Vibrio ezurae HDS1-1(T), Vibrio gallicus HT2-1(T),
      Vibrio halioticoli IAM 14596(T), Vibrio neonatus HDD3-1(T) and Vibrio superstes
      G3-29(T) showed less than 95% similarity. The genome-based taxonomic approach by
      means of in silico DDH values also supports the V. ishigakensis strains being
      distinct from the other known Halioticoli clade species. Sixteen traits (growth
      temperature range, DNase and lipase production, indole production, and
      assimilation of 10 carbon compounds) distinguished these strains from Halioticoli
      clade species. The names V. ishigakensis sp. nov. is proposed for the species of
      Halioticoli clade, with C1(T) as the type strain (JCM 19231(T)=LMG 28703(T)). 

PMID- 27262361
TI  - Exploring the learning curve for minimally invasive sutureless aortic valve
      replacement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to assess the learning process and quality of
      care of right minithoracotomy aortic valve replacement with a sutureless
      bioprosthesis at a single institution. METHODS: We performed an analysis of the
      first 300 consecutive patients (aged 76 +/- 6 years; logistic European System for
      Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation 9 +/- 6) who underwent sutureless valve
      implantation via a right minithoracotomy by 6 surgeons at the G. Pasquinucci
      Heart Hospital between 2011 and 2015. The learning curve was analyzed by dividing
      the study population into tertiles of 100 patients each. Departmental and
      individual learning curves were calculated using sequential probability
      cumulative sum failure analysis. Quality indicators were 2 composite end points
      reflecting the technical success and 30-day complications. RESULTS: The overall
      mortality was 0.7% (2 patients). No significant differences were noted in terms
      of mortality and complications between tertiles. The sutureless valve was
      implanted successfully in 99% of patients (298/300). Cumulative sum analysis
      failed to identify any significant learning effects for technical success.
      Nevertheless, surgeons A, B, and C had a small initial learning curve, and
      surgeons D, E, and F did not, reflecting a trend toward a positive effect of
      cumulative institutional experience on the individual learning curve. The 30-day
      complications analysis revealed a cluster of failures at the beginning of the
      experience. This cluster prompted an internal audit and modification of the
      patients' selection process. Consecutively, the procedure returned in control.
      CONCLUSIONS: Right minithoracotomy sutureless valve implantation can be performed
      safely without learning curve effects. Cumulative sum analysis is a valuable tool
      to describe and monitor the learning process. The analysis can identify periods
      of less than expected performance and alert the team to react.

PMID- 27262362
TI  - Survival status and functional outcome of children who required prolonged
      intensive care after cardiac surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children who require prolonged intensive care after cardiac surgery
      are at risk of high mortality. The long-term survival and functional outcome of
      these children have not been studied in detail. METHODS: Children who stayed in
      intensive care for >28 days after cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2012 were studied
      in a single institution. A total of 116 patients were identified; 107 (92%) were
      <1 year of age and 63 (54%) had univentricular physiology. RESULTS: The incidence
      of children requiring prolonged intensive care increased from 1.01/100 undergoing
      cardiac surgery in 1997 to 2000 to 2.66/100 in 2009 to 2012 (P trend = .002).
      This increase coincided with an increase in the number of children with
      hypoplastic left heart syndrome having prolonged intensive care during the same
      period (0.13/100 in 1997-2000 to 1.0/100 in 2009-2012; P trend = .001). Survival
      to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) discharge was 74% (95% confidence
      interval [CI], 65-82) and 51% (95% CI, 41-59) at 3 years. Factors associated with
      mortality were univentricular repair (hazard ratio [HR], 2.12; 95% CI, 1.21-3.70;
      P = .008) and acute renal failure (HR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.77-5.12; P < .001), but
      era did not influence mortality (1997-2005 vs 2006-2012; log-rank P = .66). Among
      PICU survivors, 3-year survival in those who did not need early reoperation was
      81% (95% CI, 66-90), compared with 58% (95% CI, 42-71) in those who required
      early reoperation (log-rank P = .01). Among survivors, 36% had either moderate or
      severe disability and 13% had poor quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of
      children requiring prolonged intensive care after cardiac surgery has increased
      in our institution. Our data suggest that the long-term outcome for most of these
      children is poor, especially after univentricular repair.

PMID- 27262363
TI  - The Spanish standard patch test series: 2016 update by the Spanish Contact
      Dermatitis and Skin Allergy Research Group (GEIDAC).
AB  - The Spanish standard patch test series, as recommended by the Spanish Contact
      Dermatitis and Skin Allergy Research Group (GEIDAC), has been updated for 2016.
      The new series replaces the 2012 version and contains the minimum set of
      allergens recommended for routine investigation of contact allergy in Spain from
      2016 onwards. Four haptens -clioquinol, thimerosal, mercury, and primin- have
      been eliminated owing to a low frequency of relevant allergic reactions, while 3
      new allergens -methylisothiazolinone, diazolidinyl urea, and imidazolidinyl urea-
      have been added. GEIDAC has also modified the recommended aqueous solution
      concentrations for the 2 classic, major haptens methylchloroisothiazolinone and
      methylisothiazolinone, which are now to be tested at 200ppm in aqueous solution,
      and formaldehyde, which is now to be tested in a 2% aqueous solution. Updating
      the Spanish standard series is one of the functions of GEIDAC, which is
      responsible for ensuring that the standard series is suited to the country's
      epidemiological profile and pattern of contact sensitization. 

PMID- 27262365
TI  - An international observational study suggests that artificial intelligence for
      clinical decision support optimizes anemia management in hemodialysis patients.
AB  - Managing anemia in hemodialysis patients can be challenging because of competing
      therapeutic targets and individual variability. Because therapy recommendations
      provided by a decision support system can benefit both patients and doctors, we
      evaluated the impact of an artificial intelligence decision support system, the
      Anemia Control Model (ACM), on anemia outcomes. Based on patient profiles, the
      ACM was built to recommend suitable erythropoietic-stimulating agent doses. Our
      retrospective study consisted of a 12-month control phase (standard anemia care),
      followed by a 12-month observation phase (ACM-guided care) encompassing 752
      patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy in 3 NephroCare clinics located in
      separate countries. The percentage of hemoglobin values on target, the median
      darbepoetin dose, and individual hemoglobin fluctuation (estimated from the
      intrapatient hemoglobin standard deviation) were deemed primary outcomes. In the
      observation phase, median darbepoetin consumption significantly decreased from
      0.63 to 0.46 MUg/kg/month, whereas on-target hemoglobin values significantly
      increased from 70.6% to 76.6%, reaching 83.2% when the ACM suggestions were
      implemented. Moreover, ACM introduction led to a significant decrease in
      hemoglobin fluctuation (intrapatient standard deviation decreased from 0.95 g/dl
      to 0.83 g/dl). Thus, ACM support helped improve anemia outcomes of hemodialysis
      patients, minimizing erythropoietic-stimulating agent use with the potential to
      reduce the cost of treatment.

PMID- 27262364
TI  - An NLRP3-specific inflammasome inhibitor attenuates crystal-induced kidney
      fibrosis in mice.
AB  - Intrarenal crystal formation activates the Nlrp3 inflammasome in myeloid cells
      and triggers a profound inflammatory response. Here, we studied whether a
      specific inhibitor of the Nlrp3 inflammasome, CP-456,773, can prevent kidney
      fibrosis in a murine model of crystal nephropathy induced by diets rich in
      oxalate or adenine. Inflammasome activation in renal dendritic cells and the
      resulting interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18 production were markedly reduced by CP
      456,773 treatment both ex vivo and in vivo. We directly visualized intrarenal
      inflammasome activation and its inhibition by CP-456,773 in vivo by adoptive
      transfer of bone marrow cells transduced with interleukin-1beta-Gaussia
      luciferase, a proteolytic luciferase-based reporter for inflammasome activation,
      into irradiated mice. CP-456,773 treatment strongly attenuated kidney fibrosis
      when given early in the genesis of crystal nephropathy, but was unable to reverse
      established crystal-induced fibrosis. The urinary IL-18 concentration appeared to
      be a useful noninvasive biomarker for renal inflammasome activation. Finally,
      NLRP3 inhibition did not compromise adaptive immune responses as previously
      reported for the global inhibition of IL-1 signaling. Thus, early NLRP3
      inhibition by CP-456,773 may be an effective treatment for crystal nephropathy.
      Use of iGLuc transfected cells introduces a novel imaging technique for
      inflammasome activation in mice.

PMID- 27262367
TI  - Relationship between HHV8 infection markers and insulin sensitivity in ketosis
      prone diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peripheral tissue resistance to insulin action is a
      characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It has also been reported that
      some chronic viral infections can contribute to insulin resistance. Human
      herpesvirus (HHV)-8 infection has been detected in T2DM patients in previous
      studies. Our study investigated whether the presence of the virus is associated
      with insulin resistance in patients with ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes (KPD), as
      reported with other viruses. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 11 insulin
      free KPD patients positive (+) and seven patients who were negative (-) for HHV-8
      infection were recruited; the latter had KPD that was well controlled
      (HbA1c=6.2+/-0.7%). A two-step euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp test coupled
      with deuterated [6,6-2H2]glucose was used to assess insulin sensitivity, non
      esterified fatty acid (NEFA) suppression and endogenous glucose production.
      RESULTS: In KPD patients, whether HHV-8+ or HHV-8-, there were no differences in
      NEFA release, endogenous glucose production or insulin sensitivity (M value).
      CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic HHV-8 infection does not appear to be associated with
      decreased insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients. These results should now be
      confirmed in a larger sample population.

PMID- 27262366
TI  - Clinical, biopsy, and mass spectrometry characteristics of renal apolipoprotein A
      IV amyloidosis.
AB  - Apolipoprotein A-IV associated amyloidosis (AApoAIV amyloidosis) is a rare cause
      of amyloidosis with only a single reported case. Here we describe the clinical,
      biopsy, and mass spectrometry characteristics of 11 cases of renal AApoAIV
      amyloidosis encompassing 9 men and 2 women with a mean age at diagnosis of 63.5
      years. Progressive chronic kidney disease (mean serum creatinine 2.9 mg/dl) was
      the most common cause for biopsy with proteinuria absent or minimal in all except
      one. Hematological and serological evaluation was negative in 9 patients, while 2
      had a monoclonal gammopathy. The renal biopsy findings were striking and showed
      large amounts of eosinophilic Congo-red positive amyloid deposits restricted to
      the renal medulla with sparing of the renal cortex. In 6 cases, peritubular
      amyloid was noted in addition to the interstitial involvement. Immunofluorescence
      studies were negative for immunoglobulins. Electron microscopy showed
      nonbranching fibrils measuring 7 to 10 nm in diameter. Laser microdissection of
      the amyloid deposits followed by mass spectrometry showed large spectra number (a
      semiquantitative measure of abundance) for AApoAIV protein ranging from 49 to 169
      (average 85), serum amyloid protein (average 19), and apolipoprotein E (average
      48). Importantly, no peptides were detected for any other forms of known
      amyloidogenic precursor proteins. Thus, renal AApoAIV amyloidosis typically
      presents with progressive chronic kidney disease and histologically exhibits
      extensive medullary involvement with sparing of the cortex. The diagnosis is best
      established by mass spectrometry. Hence, a high degree of suspicion and
      examination of the renal medulla is required to make the diagnosis.

PMID- 27262368
TI  - The vitamin D metabolites 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D are not related to either
      glucose metabolism or insulin action in obese women.
AB  - AIM: Vitamin D deficiency has been proposed to be involved in obesity-induced
      metabolic disease. However, data on the relationship between 25
      hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) and insulin resistance have been inconsistent,
      and few studies have investigated the active vitamin D metabolite, 1,25
      dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D). This study aimed to determine the
      relationship between circulating levels of both 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D and direct
      measures of glucose metabolism and insulin action in obese women. METHODS: Serum
      levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D, and glucose metabolism and tissue-specific
      insulin action, as assessed in the basal state and during a two-step euglycaemic
      hyperinsulinaemic clamp study with [6,6-2H2]glucose infusion, were measured in 37
      morbidly obese women (age: 43+/-10 years; body mass index: 44+/-6kg/m2). RESULTS:
      Sixteen subjects had circulating 25(OH)D levels<50nmol/L, consistent with vitamin
      D deficiency, and 21 had normal 25(OH)D levels. There were no differences in
      either baseline characteristics or parameters of glucose metabolism and insulin
      action between the groups. Serum 25(OH)D, but not 1,25(OH)2D, was negatively
      correlated with both body mass index (r=-0.42, P=0.01) and total body fat (r=
      0.46, P<0.01). Neither 25(OH)D nor 1,25(OH)2D levels were related to any measured
      metabolic parameters, including fasting glucose, fasting insulin, basal
      endogenous glucose production, and hepatic, adipose-tissue and skeletal muscle
      insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Obesity was associated with lower levels of
      circulating 25(OH)D, but not with the hormonally active metabolite 1,25(OH)2D.
      Neither 25(OH)D nor 1,25(OH)2D were related to glucose metabolism and tissue
      specific insulin sensitivity in obese women, suggesting that vitamin D does not
      play a major role in obesity-related insulin resistance.

PMID- 27262370
TI  - Histopathologic Characteristics of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma With an
      Emphasis on Their Effect on Cancer Survival: A Single-Institute Experience With
      305 Patients With Long-Term Follow-Up.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tumor stage and grade represent the best established predictors for
      the prognosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). However, controversies
      still exist regarding the role of tumor necrosis, location, and multifocality in
      the prognosis of UTUC. We share our experience with 305 patients, reporting on
      the pathologic features in detail, cancer characteristics, and survival.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data from patients who had
      undergone surgery for UTUC from 1983 to 2013. The tumors were staged according to
      the 1997 TNM classification and the 3-tiered World Health Organization grading
      system. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier
      method. RESULTS: A total of 305 patients were eligible for analysis. The 5-year
      CSS for grade 1, 2, and 3 was 88%, 84%, and 60%, respectively. The CSS for stage
      pT1, T2, T3, and T4 was 82%, 70%, 62%, and 0%, respectively. On univariate
      analysis, tumor stage, tumor grade, positive lymph node status, and
      micropapillary invasion had adverse effects on survival (P = .006, P = .045, P =
      .01, and P = .005, respectively). On multivariate analysis, only stage and
      micropapillary variant maintained significance (P = .01). Multicentricity and
      tumor location affected CSS in the early follow-up period but did not in the late
      follow-up period. Neither carcinoma in situ nor adverse pathologic variants
      affected survival. CONCLUSION: The tumor stage and presence of a micropapillary
      variant are of paramount prognostic significance for survival in patients with
      UTUC. The tumor grade and lymph node status are also good predictors. In our
      series, multifocality and tumor location affected early and mid-term survival
      with no significant effects on late survival.

PMID- 27262369
TI  - Impact of Prior Platinum-Based Therapy on Patients Receiving Salvage Systemic
      Treatment for Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trials of salvage therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma have
      required prior platinum-based therapy. This practice requires scrutiny because
      non-platinum-based first-line therapy may be offered to cisplatin-ineligible
      patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of patients receiving salvage systemic
      chemotherapy were collected. Data on prior first-line platinum exposure were
      required in addition to treatment-free interval, hemoglobin, Eastern Cooperative
      Oncology Group performance status, albumin, and liver metastasis status. Cox
      proportional hazard regression was used to evaluate their association with
      overall survival (OS) after accounting for salvage single-agent or combination
      chemotherapy. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 455 patients previously exposed to
      platinum-based therapy and 37 not exposed to platinum. In the group exposed to
      prior platinum therapy, salvage therapy consisted of a single-agent taxane (n =
      184) or a taxane-containing combination chemotherapy (n = 271). In the group not
      exposed to prior platinum therapy, salvage therapy consisted of taxane or
      vinflunine (n = 20), 5-fluorouracil (n = 1), taxane-containing combination
      chemotherapy (n = 12), carboplatin-based combinations (n = 2), and cisplatin
      based combinations (n = 2). The median OS for the prior platinum therapy group
      was 7.8 months (95% confidence interval, 7.0, 8.1), and for the group that had
      not received prior platinum therapy was 9.0 months (95% confidence interval, 6.0,
      11.0; P = .50). In the multivariable analysis, prior platinum therapy versus no
      prior platinum exposure did not confer an independent impact on OS (hazard ratio,
      1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.75, 1.64; P = .62). CONCLUSION: Prior platinum-
      versus non-platinum-based chemotherapy did not have a prognostic impact on OS
      after accounting for major prognostic factors in patients receiving salvage
      systemic chemotherapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma. Lack of prior platinum
      therapy should not disqualify patients from inclusion onto trials of salvage
      therapy.

PMID- 27262371
TI  - Determination of methacrylic acid in food simulants by pyrolytic butylation-gas
      chromatography.
AB  - An on-line pyrolytic butylation approach was proposed to determine methacrylic
      acid (MA) in food simulants by gas chromatography (GC) without an expensive
      pyrolyzer. MA in food simulants was converted into butyl methacrylate in the
      presence of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) without any pretreatment at 330
      degrees C in the injection-port, contributing to high GC signal response. The
      derivatizing conditions for the proposed method were optimized, namely the
      injection-port temperature, type and amount of the organic alkaline used for
      derivatization. A series of standard solutions of MA in the range of 1.0-50mg/kg
      were analyzed with correlation coefficient r>=0.9975. The limits of detection
      (LODs) were less than 0.15mg/kg for MA in four matrix simulants (distilled water,
      3%w/v acetic acid, 10%v/v ethanol, and isooctane). Relative standard deviations
      (RSDs) for retention time, peak height and peak area were all less than 3.88%.
      The technique was successfully applied to the analysis of MA migrating from
      plastic cup samples, with recoveries of added MA in the range of 96.5-123.0%.
      Direct injection of the simulants into the GC system after migration tests,
      without any pretreatment step, makes the developed method of great value for
      rapid screening analysis of samples in bulks. 

PMID- 27262372
TI  - Simultaneous quantification of 50 bioactive compounds of the traditional Chinese
      medicine formula Gegen-Qinlian decoction using ultra-high performance liquid
      chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - The quality evaluation of patent drugs derived from traditional Chinese medicine
      (TCM) compound formulas has been challenging due to their complex chemical
      composition. In this study, we developed a solution to evaluate the quality of
      Gegen-Qinlian Decoction (GQD), an ancient four-herb TCM formula for the treatment
      of diarrhea and diabetes, together with its derived patent drugs by
      simultaneously quantifying 50 bioactive compounds. The samples were extracted by
      100% methanol (for hydrophobic compounds) and 50% methanol in water (for
      hydrophilic compounds), respectively, and were separated on a Waters Acquity
      charged surface hybrid C18 column (2.1*100mm, 1.7MUm) eluted with gradients of
      acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 400MUL/min.
      The analytes were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography
      coupled with tandem mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode.
      The 50 compounds (including acidic and alkaline, hydrophilic and hydrophobic)
      were well resolved within 14min, and were determined using an internal standard
      method. The method was fully validated for precision, repeatability, and
      recovery. The limits of detection were 0.3-10.0ng/mL. Finally, this method was
      used to analyze 24 batches of GQD samples, including water decoction, pills,
      tablets, and oral solutions. Principal component analysis indicated significantly
      varied chemical compositions among these formulations. The tablets and pills
      contained higher concentrations of Scutellaria and Coptis compounds than the oral
      solutions, and the water decoction contained abundant glycosides and saponins.
      Moreover, the contents of flavanones and flavone O-glucuronides varied
      remarkably. This study provides a feasible solution for the comprehensive quality
      control of TCM patent drugs. 

PMID- 27262373
TI  - Analytical and preparative enantioseparation and main chiroptical properties of
      Iridium(III) bis(4,6-difluorophenylpyridinato)picolinato.
AB  - Almost all Iridium(III) complexes employed both as dopants in PhOLEDs and as
      pharmaceuticals and fluorescence bioprobes are racemic mixtures. In this study
      the single enantiomers of the most stable diastereomeric form fac-trans-N-N,
      bis[2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-C2,N](picolinato)iridium(III) (FIrpic) were
      separated and analysed. The data obtained showed that the complex can be
      separated into stable optically active Lambda and Delta isomers employing
      cellulose based chiral stationary phase both in normal and polar phase mode.
      Their chirality was confirmed and their absolute configuration assigned employing
      several methods (DFT and TDDFT calculations, CD and VCD). The CPL spectroscopy of
      the isolated enantiomers of FIrpic was also recorded due to its possible value in
      the OLEDs field. The chromatographic method was applied for a semipreparative
      purpose demonstrating that polar organic solvent chromatography (POSC) could be
      used to avoid the low-solubility issues associated with these Iridium(III)
      complexes. Finally, the chemical and stereochemical stability of the single
      isomers was evaluated under thermal stress by liquid chromatography coupled to
      high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF) on both chiral and achiral columns.
      No racemization and/or isomerization was observed; however, the dissociation of
      the ancillary ligand was demonstrated employing LC-QTOF.

PMID- 27262374
TI  - A review of methods for nematode identification.
AB  - Nematodes are non-segmented roundworms found in soil, aquatic environment,
      plants, or animals. Either useful or pathogenic, they greatly influence
      environmental equilibrium, human and animal health, as well as plant production.
      Knowledge on their taxonomy and biology are key issues to answer the different
      challenges associated to these organisms. Nowadays, most of the nematode taxonomy
      remains unknown or unclear. Several approaches are available for parasite
      identification, from the traditional morphology-based techniques to the
      sophisticated high-throughput sequencing technologies. All these techniques have
      advantages or drawbacks depending on the sample origin and the number of
      nematodes to be processed. This review proposes an overview of all newly
      available methods available to identify known and/or unknown nematodes with a
      specific focus on emerging high-throughput molecular techniques.

PMID- 27262375
TI  - Development and evaluation of different complex media for phytoplasma isolation
      and growth.
AB  - The focus of this research was the development and evaluation of different
      complex liquid and solid media for the isolation and growth of phytoplasma
      strains infecting grapevine plants. Previously reported media supporting
      phytoplasma isolation are commercial and not easy to modify in order to improve
      performance and selectivity towards obtaining pure cultures of 'Candidatus
      Phytoplasma' species. Three media (Piv(r), CB and MB) were therefore evaluated
      for phytoplasma isolation and colony formation under microaerophilic growing
      conditions, using grapevine canes from plants showing yellows symptoms, and
      infected by "flavescence doree", "bois noir" and aster yellows phytoplasmas as
      sources. The newly developed methodology was applied for two years at three
      sample collection times. Broad applicability and a good repeatability in
      supporting phytoplasma colony formation were obtained in Pivs(r) and CBs media.
      While the MB medium did not support phytoplasma isolation and growth, the CB
      media support a phytoplasma growth comparable to the one obtained in the
      previously reported media. This medium has the advantage of a formulation that
      allow its modification to implement specificity towards selective phytoplasma
      growth. Moreover preliminary trials on serial dilutions and tetracycline addition
      confirmed some phytoplasma growth behaviours.

PMID- 27262376
TI  - Erythropoietin increases macrophage-mediated T cell suppression.
AB  - Erythropoietin (EPO), used to treat anemia in cancer patients, has been reported
      to accelerate tumor progression and increase mortality. Research of the mechanism
      for this effect has focused upon EPOR expression by tumor cells. We model the
      high macrophage to lymphocyte ratio found in tumor microenvironments (TMEs) by
      culturing peritoneal cavity (PerC) cells that naturally have a high macrophage to
      T cell ratio. Following TCR ligation, C57BL/6J PerC T cell proliferation is
      suppressed due to IFNgamma-triggered inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)
      expression. EPO was tested in the PerC culture model and found to increase T cell
      suppression. This effect could be abrogated by inhibiting iNOS by enzyme
      inhibition, genetic ablation, or blocking IFNgamma signaling. Flow cytometry
      revealed the EPOR on CD11b(+)F4/80(+) macrophages. These results suggest that EPO
      could increase T cell suppression in the TME by acting directly on macrophages.

PMID- 27262377
TI  - Insights into anticancer activity and mechanism of action of a ruthenium(II)
      complex in human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC109 cells.
AB  - A ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(p-cymene)(NHC)Cl2] (NHC=1,3-bis(4-(tert
      butyl)benzylimidazol-2-ylidene), referred to as L-4, has been designed and
      synthesized recently in order to look for new anticancer drugs with high efficacy
      and low side effects. The anticancer activity and mechanism of action of L-4 in
      human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC109 cells were systematically investigated.
      The results revealed that L-4 exerted strong inhibitory effect on the
      proliferation of EC109 cells, and it arrested EC109 cells at G2/M phase,
      accompanied with the up-regulation of p53 and p21 and the down-regulation of
      cyclin D1. The results also showed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      dependent apoptosis of EC109 can be induced by L-4 via inhibiting the activity of
      glutathione reductase (GR), decreasing the ratio of glutathione to oxidized
      glutathione (GSH/GSSG), and leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species.
      The mitochondria-mediated apoptosis of EC109 induced by L-4 was also observed
      from the increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, overload of Ca(2+), disruption of
      mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), redistribution of cytochrome c, and
      activation of caspase-3/-9. However, the effects of L-4 on the cell viability, GR
      activity, GSH/GSSG ratio, reactive oxygen species level, mitochondria dysfunction
      and apoptosis induction were remarkably attenuated by adding the reactive oxygen
      species scavenger, NAC. Therefore, it was concluded that L-4 can inhibit the
      proliferation of EC109 cells via blocking cell cycle progression and inducing
      reactive oxygen species-dependent and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. These
      findings suggested that the ruthenium(II) complex might be a potential effective
      chemotherapeutic agent for human esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC) and worthy
      of further investigation. 

PMID- 27262378
TI  - Ferulic acid reverses ABCB1-mediated paclitaxel resistance in MDR cell lines.
AB  - Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a major obstacle in cancer chemotherapy. The
      use of the dietary phytochemicals as chemosensitizing agents to enhance the
      efficacy of conventional cytostatic drugs has recently gained the attention as a
      plausible approach for overcoming the drug resistance. The aim of this study was
      to investigate whether a naturally occurring diet-based phenolic acid, ferulic
      acid, could sensitize paclitaxel efficacy in ABCB1 overexpressing (P
      glycoprotein) colchicine selected KB Ch(R)8-5 cell line. In vitro drug efflux
      assays demonstrated that ferulic acid inhibits P-glycoprotein transport function
      in drug resistant KB Ch(R)8-5 cell lines. However, ferulic acid significantly
      downregulates ABCB1 expression in a concentration dependent manner. Cytotoxicity
      assay reveals that ferulic acid decreased paclitaxel resistance in KBCh(R)8-5 and
      HEK293/ABCB1 cells, which indicates its chemosensitizing potential. Clonogenic
      cell survival assay and apoptotic morphological staining further confirm the
      chemosensitizing potential of ferulic acid in drug resistant KB Ch(R)8-5 cell
      lines. Ferulic acid treatment enhances paclitaxel mediated cell cycle arrest and
      upregulates paclitaxel-induced apoptotic signaling in KB resistant cells. Hence,
      it has been concluded that downregulation of ABCB1 and subsequent induction of
      paclitaxel-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptotic signaling may be the cause
      for the chemosensitizing potential of ferulic acid in P-gp overexpressing cell
      lines. 

PMID- 27262379
TI  - Adalimumab ameliorates OVA-induced airway inflammation in mice: Role of CD4(+)
      CD25(+) FOXP3(+) regulatory T-cells.
AB  - Asthma is a chronic inflammatory heterogeneous disorder initiated by a
      dysregulated immune response which drives disease development in susceptible
      individuals. Though T helper 2 (TH2) biased responses are usually linked to
      eosinophilic asthma, other Th cell subsets induce neutrophilic airway
      inflammation which provokes the most severe asthmatic phenotypes. A growing
      evidence highlights the role of T regulatory (Treg) cells in damping abnormal Th
      responses and thus inhibiting allergy and asthma. Therefore, strategies to induce
      or augment Treg cells hold promise for treatment and prevention of allergic
      airway inflammation. Recently, the link between Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF
      alpha) and Treg has been uncovered, and TNF-alpha antagonists are increasingly
      used in many autoimmune diseases. Yet, their benefits in allergic airway
      inflammation is not clarified. We investigated the effect of Adalimumab, a TNF
      alpha antagonist, on Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway inflammation in CD1
      mice and explored its impact on Treg cells. Our results showed that Adalimumab
      treatment attenuated the OVA-induced increase in serum IgE, TH2 and TH1 derived
      inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-gamma, respectively) in bronchoalveolar
      lavage (BAL) fluid, suppressed recruitment of inflammatory cells in BAL fluid and
      lung, and inhibited BAL fluid neutrophilia. It also ameliorated goblet cell
      metaplasia and bronchial fibrosis. Splenocytes flow cytometry revealed increased
      percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) Treg cells by Adalimumab that was
      associated with increase in their suppressive activity as shown by elevated BAL
      fluid IL-10. We conclude that the beneficial effects of Adalimumab in this CD1
      neutrophilic model of allergic airway inflammation are attributed to augmentation
      of Treg cell number and activity. 

PMID- 27262380
TI  - Effect of synthetic cannabinoids on spontaneous neuronal activity: Evaluation
      using Ca(2+) spiking and multi-electrode arrays.
AB  - Activation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) inhibits synaptic transmission in
      hippocampal neurons. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of
      benchmark and emerging synthetic cannabinoids to suppress neuronal activity in
      vitro using two complementary techniques, Ca(2+) spiking and multi-electrode
      arrays (MEAs). Neuron culture and fluorescence imaging conditions were
      extensively optimized to provide maximum sensitivity for detection of suppression
      of neural activity by cannabinoids. The neuronal Ca(2+) spiking frequency was
      significantly suppressed within 10min by the prototypic aminoalkylindole
      cannabinoid, WIN 55,212-2 (10uM). Suppression by WIN 55,212-2 was not improved by
      pharmacological intervention with signaling pathways known to interfere with CB1
      signaling. The naphthoylindole CB1 agonist, JWH-018 suppressed Ca(2+) spiking at
      a lower concentration (2.5uM), and the CB1 antagonist rimonabant (5uM), reversed
      this suppression. In the MEA assay, the ability of synthetic CB1 agonists to
      suppress spontaneous electrical activity of hippocampal neurons was evaluated
      over 80min sessions. All benchmark (WIN 55,212-2, HU-210, CP 55,940 and JWH-018)
      and emerging synthetic cannabinoids (XLR-11, JWH-250, 5F-PB-22, AB-PINACA and MAM
      2201) suppressed neural activity at a concentration of 10uM; furthermore, several
      of these compounds also significantly suppressed activity at 1uM concentrations.
      Rimonabant partially reversed spiking suppression of 5F-PB-22 and, to a lesser
      extent, of MAM-2201, supporting CB1-mediated involvement, although the inactive
      WIN 55,212-3 also partially suppressed activity. Taken together, synthetic
      cannabinoid CB1-mediated suppression of neuronal activity was detected using
      Ca(2+) spiking and MEAs. 

PMID- 27262381
TI  - Prophylactic acetylsalicylic acid attenuates the inflammatory response but fails
      to protect exercise-induced liver damage in exercised rats.
AB  - This study evaluated the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on exercise
      induced inflammatory response, muscle damage, and liver injury in rats. Wistar
      Kyoto (WKY) rats were divided into six groups: control (C), exercise (E), C+20mg
      ASA, E+20mg ASA, C+100mg/kg ASA, and E+100mg ASA groups. ASA or a vehicle was
      orally administered through gavage 1h before a treadmill test. Upon trial
      completion, blood was drawn at 1, 12, and 24h for biochemical analysis, and
      livers were excised at 24h for a histological assessment. Our results revealed
      that 100mg/kg ASA significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis
      factor (TNF)-alpha levels in the E groups; however, the IL-10 level was
      considerably increased. Moreover, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT) levels and histological hepatic damage increased
      significantly in the E+100mg ASA group compared with the corresponding changes in
      the E group. These results suggest that the prophylactic administration of
      particularly high-dose ASA alleviates exercise-induced inflammatory response but
      exacerbates liver injury. 

PMID- 27262382
TI  - SERCA, complex I of the respiratory chain and ATP-synthase inhibition are
      involved in pleiotropic effects of NS1619 on endothelial cells.
AB  - A large conductance potassium (BKCa) channel opener, NS1619 (1,3-dihydro-1- [2
      hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-benzimidazole-2-one),
      is well known for its protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury;
      however, the exact mode of its action remains unclear. The aim of this study was
      to characterize the effect of NS1619 on endothelial cells. The endothelial cell
      line EA.hy926, guinea pig hearts and submitochondrial particles isolated from the
      heart were used. In the isolated guinea pig hearts, which were perfused using the
      Langendorff technique, NS1619 caused a dose-dependent increase in coronary flow
      that was inhibited by L-NAME. In EA.hy926 cells, NS1619 also caused a dose
      dependent increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration [Ca(2+)]i, as
      measured using the FURA-2 fluorescent probe. Moreover, NS1619 decreased the
      oxygen consumption rate in EA.hy926 cells, as assessed using a Clark-type oxygen
      electrode. However, when NS1619 was applied in the presence of oligomycin, the
      oxygen consumption increased. NS1619 also decreased the mitochondrial membrane
      potential, as measured using a JC-1 fluorescent probe in the presence and absence
      of oligomycin. Additionally, the application of NS1619 to submitochondrial
      particles inhibited ATP synthase. In summary, NS1619 has pleiotropic actions on
      EA.hy926 cells and acts not only as an opener of the BKCa channel in EA.hy926
      cells but also as an inhibitor of the respiratory chain component, sarcoplasmic
      reticulum ATPase, which leads to the release of Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic
      reticulum. Furthermore, NS1619 has the oligomycin-like property of inhibiting
      mitochondrial ATP synthase. 

PMID- 27262384
TI  - The association among smoking, HSV-1 exposure, and cognitive functioning in
      schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and non-psychiatric controls.
AB  - Previous investigations have found that smokers with schizophrenia demonstrate
      reduced performance on cognitive tasks compared to non-smokers. However previous
      studies have not taken into account other environmental factors associated with
      cognitive functioning such as exposure to Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1). We
      examined these factors in a sample consisting of individuals with schizophrenia
      (n=773), bipolar disorder (n=493), or controls without a psychiatric disorders
      (n=548). Participants were assessed on a cognitive battery, the Repeatable
      Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and had a blood
      sample drawn to measure seropositivity to HSV-1. Within each group linear
      regression models were constructed to determine whether cigarette smoking and HSV
      1 seropositivity were jointly associated with cognitive functioning after
      adjusting for relevant covariates. Within the schizophrenia group, the effect
      size of lower total cognitive score was -0.279 (p<0.0001) for individuals who
      were both smokers and HSV-1 seropositive and a significant effect was found in
      all cognitive domains. The odds of being in the highest quartile of RBANS Total
      score were significantly lower for smokers (OR=0.58, 95% CI 0.41, 0.82, p=0.002).
      Smoking was not as consistently associated with levels of cognitive functioning
      in the bipolar disorder or the non-psychiatric control group. While experimental
      studies show that nicotine transiently improves functioning on sensory gating and
      attention tasks known to be deficient in schizophrenia, long-term nicotine
      exposure via smoking appears to have an adverse effect on cognitive functioning.

PMID- 27262385
TI  - An early intervention for psychosis and its effect on criminal accusations and
      suicidal behaviour using a matched-cohort design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early interventions for psychosis have been shown to reduce psychotic
      symptoms and hospital use for first-episode patients, but the effect on suicidal
      and criminal behaviour has not been reliably determined. This study aimed to
      examine whether an early intervention for psychosis program (EPPIS) reduced
      criminal behaviour, suicide attempts, and hospital-based service use. METHODS:
      The study utilized administrative data to match clients of EPPIS to historical
      controls. Regression was used to determine the effect of treatment by EPPIS on
      inpatient use, emergency department use, suicide attempts/deaths, and criminal
      accusations. RESULTS: A sample of 244 patients was matched to 449 controls. EPPIS
      patients had lower odds of being accused of a crime both during and after
      treatment. Suicidal behavior was less frequent among patients, both during
      treatment (p<0.0001) and after (HR=0.39; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.94). During treatment
      there were more emergency department visits for the patients (RR=2.54; 95% CI:
      1.56 to 4.58), but no difference in inpatient usage compared to controls. Post
      treatment, both emergency department and inpatient usage were higher among
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: EPPIS patients had reduced suicide attempts and criminal
      accusations. Increased emergency department use could indicate that encouraging
      treatment during a crisis may increase service use, while reducing suicidal and
      criminal behaviour.

PMID- 27262386
TI  - Sleep Ecophysiology: Integrating Neuroscience and Ecology.
AB  - Here, we propose an original approach to explain one of the great unresolved
      questions in animal biology: what is the function of sleep? Existing ecological
      and neurological approaches to this question have become roadblocks to an answer.
      Ecologists typically treat sleep as a simple behavior, instead of a heterogeneous
      neurophysiological state, while neuroscientists generally fail to appreciate the
      critical insights offered by the consideration of ecology and evolutionary
      history. Redressing these shortfalls requires cross-disciplinary integration. By
      bringing together aspects of behavioral ecology, evolution, and conservation with
      neurophysiology, we can achieve a more comprehensive understanding of sleep,
      including its implications for adaptive waking behavior and fitness.

PMID- 27262383
TI  - A Systematic Review to Assess Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Interventions for Children
      and Adolescents across the Socioecological Model.
AB  - Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among children and adolescents is a
      determinant of childhood obesity. Many programs to reduce consumption across the
      socioecological model report significant positive results; however, the
      generalizability of the results, including whether reporting differences exist
      among socioecological strategy levels, is unknown. This systematic review aimed
      to examine the extent to which studies reported internal and external validity
      indicators defined by the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and
      maintenance (RE-AIM) model and assess reporting differences by socioecological
      level: Intrapersonal/interpersonal (Level 1), environmental/policy (Level 2), and
      multilevel (Combined Level). A systematic literature review was conducted in six
      major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cinahl, CAB Abstracts, Education
      Research Information Center, and Arcola) to identify studies from 2004-2015
      meeting inclusion criteria (children aged 3 to 12 years, adolescents aged 13 to
      17 years, and young adults aged 18 years, experimental or quasiexperimental, and
      substantial SSB component). Interventions were categorized by socioecological
      level, and data were extracted using a validated RE-AIM protocol. One-way
      analysis of variance assessed differences between levels. There were 55 eligible
      studies accepted, including 21 Level 1, 18 Level 2, and 16 Combined Level
      studies. Thirty-six studies (65%) were conducted in the United States, 19 studies
      (35%) were conducted internationally, and 39 studies (71%) were implemented in
      schools. Across levels, reporting averages were low for all RE-AIM dimensions
      (reach=29%, efficacy or effectiveness=45%, adoption=26%, implementation=27%, and
      maintenance=14%). Level 2 studies had significantly lower reporting on reach and
      effectiveness (10% and 26%, respectively) compared with Level 1 (44% and 57%,
      respectively) or Combined Level studies (31% and 52%, respectively) (P<0.001).
      Adoption, implementation, and maintenance reporting did not vary among levels.
      Interventions to reduce SSB consumption in children and adolescents across the
      socioecological spectrum do not provide the necessary information for
      dissemination and implementation in community nutrition settings. Future
      interventions should address both internal and external validity to maximize
      population influence.

PMID- 27262387
TI  - The Ecological Role of Sharks on Coral Reefs: Response to Roff et al.

PMID- 27262388
TI  - Update on the Diagnosis and Management of Familial Long QT Syndrome.
AB  - This update was reviewed by the CSANZ Continuing Education and Recertification
      Committee and ratified by the CSANZ board in August 2015. Since the CSANZ 2011
      guidelines, adjunctive clinical tests have proven useful in the diagnosis of LQTS
      and are discussed in this update. Understanding of the diagnostic and risk
      stratifying role of LQTS genetics is also discussed. At least 14 LQTS genes are
      now thought to be responsible for the disease. High-risk individuals may have
      multiple mutations, large gene rearrangements, C-loop mutations in KCNQ1,
      transmembrane mutations in KCNH2, or have certain gene modifiers present,
      particularly NOS1AP polymorphisms. In regards to treatment, nadolol is preferred,
      particularly for long QT type 2, and short acting metoprolol should not be used.
      Thoracoscopic left cardiac sympathectomy is valuable in those who cannot adhere
      to beta blocker therapy, particularly in long QT type 1. Indications for ICD
      therapies have been refined; and a primary indication for ICD in post-pubertal
      females with long QT type 2 and a very long QT interval is emerging. 

PMID- 27262389
TI  - mHealth in Cardiovascular Health Care.
AB  - Mobile health (mHealth) has been defined as medical and public health practice
      supported by mobile devices, such as mobile phones, patient monitoring devices
      and personal digital assistants. Cardiovascular mHealth is, arguably, leading the
      mHealth space, through innovation, research and implementation, and especially in
      the areas of prevention, cardiac rehabilitation and education. mHealth includes
      simple strategies, such as the use of short message service (SMS) or text
      messages in successful short-term smoking-cessation, weight loss and diabetes
      management programs. The recent Australian Tobacco, Exercise and Diet Messages
      (TEXT ME) randomised clinical trial addressed multiple cardiovascular risk
      factors. mHealth can also involve more complex strategies, such as smart phone
      applications (apps), global positioning systems (GPS) and Bluetooth technologies.
      Although many apps could be considered suitable for primary prevention, they are
      largely unregulated and most are not evidence-based. Some have been well
      developed, such as the Food Switch app and an iPhone electrocardiogram (ECG)
      system. The "explosion" of apps has driven initiatives such as the Mobile
      Applications Rating Scale (MARS). More recently, the use of sensors to monitor
      and provide feedback to patients and healthcare providers is being explored. With
      almost two billion people currently owning a Smartphone, and 50% of adults
      (globally) predicted to own one by 2018, mHealth provides the prospect of
      delivering efficient, affordable healthcare services to widespread populations
      both locally and globally. In particular, it has the potential to reduce
      socioeconomic disparity and alleviate the burden of cardiovascular disease. There
      is now a need to rethink traditional health service structures and bioengineering
      capacity, to ensure mHealth systems are also safe, secure and robust. 

PMID- 27262390
TI  - Qua Vadimus: Heart, Lung and Circulation in 2040.

PMID- 27262391
TI  - Therapeutic Prospects of Gene Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common types of cardiac arrhythmias
      experienced in clinical practice, increasing the risk of stroke, dementia,
      myocardial infarction and death. Currently available options for the treatment of
      AF use either pharmacological agents or catheter-based ablation therapies to
      restore sinus rhythm or control the ventricular response rate. These current
      treatment options are suboptimal at best, motivating research into discovering
      more effective and innovative ways to treat AF. Gene therapy is being explored
      for its potential to treat various human conditions including cardiac
      arrhythmias. Gene transfer vectors with increasing transduction efficiency and
      biosafety have been developed and trialled for cardiovascular disease treatment.
      With an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms of AF, several gene
      therapy targets have been identified and evaluated in an attempt to rate or
      rhythm control the heart during AF. This review will discuss the gene therapy
      vectors in use today and methods for delivery of these vectors to the atrium.
      Further, it will evaluate several gene therapy strategies and approaches for
      sinus rhythm restoration and ventricular rate control that have the potential to
      emerge as a therapy for AF. 

PMID- 27262392
TI  - Television Viewing Time and 13-year Mortality in Adults with Cardiovascular
      Disease: Data from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study
      (AusDiab).
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the general population, excessive sedentary behaviour is
      associated with increased all-cause mortality. Few studies have examined this
      relationship in people with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Using a sample of
      people with CVD who were excluded from an analysis of the Australian Diabetes,
      Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study, we examined the relationship between
      sedentary behaviour and 13-year all-cause mortality. METHODS: In the original
      AusDiab study, television viewing time was used as a marker of sedentary
      behaviour in 609 adults (>=45 years of age) with CVD. During 6,291 person-years
      of follow-up (median follow-up 13 years), there were 294 deaths (48% of sample).
      Using the time scale of attained age, the Cox proportional hazards model
      predicting all-cause mortality adjusted for sex, self-rated general health,
      leisure-time physical activity, smoking status, education, household income, body
      mass index, lipid levels, blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus was used.
      RESULTS: Compared with a TV viewing time of <2hours per day, the fully adjusted
      hazard ratios for all-cause mortality were 1.18 (95% CI, 0.88 to 1.57) for >=2 to
      <4hours per day and 1.52 (95% CI, 1.09 to 2.13) for >4hours per day. CONCLUSIONS:
      Sedentary behaviour was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in
      people with CVD, independent of physical activity and other confounders. In
      addition to the promotion of regular physical activity, cardiac rehabilitation
      efforts which also focus on reducing sedentary behaviour may be beneficial.

PMID- 27262394
TI  - Reply to Re: The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Recommendations for
      Prostate Cancer Screening.

PMID- 27262393
TI  - Comparison of Percutaneous Renal Mass Biopsy and R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometry Score
      Nomograms for Determining Benign Vs Malignant Disease and Low-risk Vs High-risk
      Renal Tumors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracies of renal mass biopsy (RMB) and R.E.N.A.L.
      nephrometry score (RNS) nomograms for predicting benign vs malignant disease, and
      low- vs high-risk renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 281 renal
      masses in 277 patients who had complete RNS, preoperative RMB, and final
      pathology from renal surgery for clinically localized renal tumors. RMB and final
      pathology were determined to be benign or malignant, and malignancies were
      classified as low-risk (Fuhrman grade I/II) or high-risk (Fuhrman grade III/IV)
      (benign included in low-risk group). Previously published RNS nomograms were used
      to determine probabilities of any cancer and high-risk cancer. The gamma
      statistic was used to assess strength of association between RMB or RNS with
      final pathology. RESULTS: Of the 281 masses, 13 (5%) and 268 (95%) were confirmed
      benign and malignant, respectively, and 155 (55%) and 126 (45%) were confirmed
      low-risk and high-risk, respectively, on final pathology. The areas under the
      curve of the RNS nomograms for benign vs malignant disease and for low-risk vs
      high-risk renal tumors were 0.56 and 0.64, respectively. Concordances for
      predicting benign vs malignant disease were 99% for RMB (P < .01, gamma 0.99) and
      29% for RNS nomogram (P = .16, gamma 0.38). Concordances for predicting low-risk
      vs high-risk renal tumors were 67% for RMB (P < .01, gamma 0.97) and 61% for RNS
      nomogram (P < .01, gamma 0.47), respectively. CONCLUSION: Although RNS nomograms
      are useful for discriminating between benign vs malignant renal masses, and low
      risk vs high-risk renal tumors, they are outperformed by RMB.

PMID- 27262395
TI  - Differences in Overall and Cancer-specific Survival of Patients Presenting With
      Chromophobe Versus Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matched
      Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate prognostic parameters for the oncological outcome of
      patients treated for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) in comparison with
      patients treated for clear cell RCC (ccRCC) using propensity score matching for
      survival analysis. METHODS: From 1969 to 2009, we identified 1010 from 3567
      patients with RCC. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimate for
      histological subtypes including 109 chRCC and 901 ccRCC. Uni- and multivariate
      Cox regression was used to analyze prognostic factors for overall survival (OS)
      and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Propensity score matching was performed to
      adjust for differences in patient characteristics among histological subgroups.
      RESULTS: The median follow-up was 61 months (range 0-289). chRCC showed longer OS
      (5 year, 90.1%; 10 year, 74.2%; 15 year, 61.4%) and CSS (94.2%, 89.7%, 89.7%)
      compared with ccRCC (OS 75.7%, 54.9%, 46.1% and CSS 84.7%, 75.4%, 72.2%; P =
      .002). Multivariate Cox regression revealed histology as a significant prognostic
      factor. Propensity score matching showed a difference in 72.4% (OS) and 87.2%
      (CSS) of matching attempts confirming the significant impact of histology.
      Univariate Cox regression showed nephron sparing surgery, no metastasis and no
      symptoms at presentation, age <65, eosinophilic features, low American Society of
      Anesthesiologists score, and Charlson Comorbidity Index to be beneficial for CSS.
      Only age at surgery, metastasis at presentation, and American Society of
      Anesthesiologists and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were significant factors
      for OS in chRCC patients. CONCLUSION: ChRCC appears to have a favorable outcome
      compared with ccRCC. Even after adjustment for differences in characteristics
      known to have an influence on survival by propensity score matching, histology
      remains a significant prognostic factor.

PMID- 27262396
TI  - Re: Vickers et al: The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Recommendations for
      Prostate Cancer Screening (Urology 2016;91:12-18).

PMID- 27262397
TI  - [Difficulty in surrogate decision making in spinal muscular atrophy type 1.
      Author's response].

PMID- 27262398
TI  - Integrated chemical and biological assessment of contaminant impacts in selected
      European coastal and offshore marine areas.
AB  - This paper reports a full assessment of results from ICON, an international
      workshop on marine integrated contaminant monitoring, encompassing different
      matrices (sediment, fish, mussels, gastropods), areas (Iceland, North Sea,
      Baltic, Wadden Sea, Seine estuary and the western Mediterranean) and endpoints
      (chemical analyses, biological effects). ICON has demonstrated the use of a
      framework for integrated contaminant assessment on European coastal and offshore
      areas. The assessment showed that chemical contamination did not always
      correspond with biological effects, indicating that both are required. The
      framework can be used to develop assessments for EU directives. If a 95% target
      were to be used as a regional indicator of MSFD GES, Iceland and offshore North
      Sea would achieve the target using the ICON dataset, but inshore North Sea,
      Baltic and Spanish Mediterranean regions would fail.

PMID- 27262399
TI  - Effect of water temperature on survival of early-life stages of marbled flounder
      Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae in Tokyo Bay, Japan.
AB  - We investigated factors that might have disturbed the stock recovery of marbled
      flounder in Tokyo Bay by focusing on the early life stages. Field surveys in
      Tokyo Bay from 2006 to 2011 revealed that mature adult biomass increased from
      2006 to 2008 and decreased thereafter. Meanwhile, larval and juvenile densities
      were high in 2006 and 2008 but low in other years. Discrepancies in the yearly
      trends of these parameters suggest that mortality during life stages between
      spawning and early larval phases might have affected the abundance of the
      subsequent life stages. Monthly mean water temperature between January and
      February, in which hatching and pelagic larvae occur in the bay, was lower in
      2006 (8.6  degrees C) and 2008 (9.6  degrees C) than was observed in other years
      (10.4-11.4  degrees C). Significant negative correlation between water
      temperature and larval density implies that mortality during pre- and post-larval
      stages would be higher in warmer winter years (>10  degrees C). To test this
      hypothesis, we examined the effects of water temperature on mortality and
      development in egg and larval stages under controlled laboratory conditions.
      Hatching rate was high in a water temperature range of 9.2-12.7  degrees C (66.6
      82.5%), whereas it decreased in cooler (3.7% at 5.9  degrees C) or warmer (33.9%
      at 14.8  degrees C) conditions. Meanwhile, days from fertilization to hatching,
      size of larvae at hatching and survival rate of larvae after 18 d from hatching
      were monotonically and significantly decreased as water temperature was elevated.
      Combined evidence of the field and laboratory studies suggests that a warmer
      reproductive season (>10  degrees C) might induce mortalities of marbled flounder
      larvae in Tokyo Bay.

PMID- 27262400
TI  - The origin of renal fibroblasts/myofibroblasts and the signals that trigger
      fibrosis.
AB  - Renal fibrosis is a common characteristic of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
      Aberrant and excessive depositions of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in both
      glomeruli and interstitial regions are typical hallmarks of renal fibrosis and
      amplify the severity of kidney injury. To date, an approved therapy specifically
      targeted to renal fibrosis is needed to mitigate or even retard renal fibrosis.
      Recent findings have identified a unique population of myofibroblasts as a
      primary source of ECM in scar tissue formation. However, the origin of
      myofibroblasts in renal fibrosis remains the subject of controversial debates.
      The advancement in lineage tracing and immunofluorescent microscopy technologies
      have suggested that myofibroblasts may arise from a number of sources such as
      activated renal fibroblasts, pericytes, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
      (EMT), endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), bone marrow derived cells
      and fibrocytes. Recent studies also indicate that multiple ligands of TGF
      beta/Smads are the direct mediators for renal fibrosis. Consistently, inhibition
      of the TGF-beta/Smads signaling pathway using various strategies significantly
      reduce renal fibrotic lesions and ameliorate kidney injury, suggesting that
      targeting the TGF-beta/Smads signaling pathway could be a new strategy for
      effective therapies. In this review, we will briefly discuss the diverse origins
      of myofibroblasts and molecular pathways triggering renal fibrosis. Prospective
      therapeutic approaches based on those molecular mechanisms will hopefully offer
      exciting insights in the development of new therapeutic interventions for
      patients in the near future.

PMID- 27262401
TI  - Sox9 overexpression in uterine epithelia induces endometrial gland hyperplasia.
AB  - SOX9 is a high mobility group transcription factor that is required in many
      biological processes, including cartilage differentiation, endoderm progenitor
      maintenance, hair differentiation, and testis determination. SOX9 has also been
      linked to colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer. We found that SOX9 is expressed
      in the epithelium of the adult mouse and human uterus, predominantly marking the
      uterine glands. To determine if SOX9 plays a role in the development of
      endometrial cancer we overexpressed Sox9 in the uterine epithelium using a
      progesterone receptor-Cre mouse model. Sox9 overexpression in the uterine
      epithelium led to the formation of simple and complex cystic glandular structures
      in the endometrium of aged-females. Histological analysis revealed that these
      structures appeared morphologically similar to structures present in patients
      with endometrial hyperplastic lesions and endometrial polyps that are thought to
      be precursors of endometrial cancer. The molecular mechanisms that cause the
      glandular epithelium to become hyperplastic, leading to endometrial cancer are
      still poorly understood. These findings indicate that chronic overexpression of
      Sox9 in the uterine epithelium can induce the development of endometrial
      hyperplastic lesions. Thus, SOX9 expression may be a factor in the formation of
      endometrial cancer.

PMID- 27262402
TI  - In vitro models for assessing therapeutic angiogenesis.
AB  - Arterial obstruction leading to ischemia causes a reduction of oxygen and
      nutrient supply to distal tissues. The physiological response to tissue ischemia
      triggers a cascade of events that results in the development of accessory
      vasculature to increase local tissue perfusion and to salvage tissue. However,
      this adaptive mechanism of repair is suboptimal in some patients. Therapeutic
      angiogenesis aims to stimulate new blood vessel formation via the local
      administration of proangiogenic agents or cell therapy products (CTPs). In this
      review, we provide a summary of the current understanding of in vitro models for
      assessing the angiogenic potential of a product.

PMID- 27262403
TI  - Transcriptional control of transglutaminase 2 expression in mouse apoptotic
      thymocytes.
AB  - Transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) is a ubiquitously expressed multifunctional protein,
      which participates in various biological processes including thymocyte apoptosis.
      As a result, the transcriptional regulation of the gene is complex and must
      depend on the cell type. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that in
      dying thymocytes the expression of Tgm2 is induced by external signals derived
      from engulfing macrophages, such as retinoids, transforming growth factor (TGF)
      beta and adenosine, the latter triggering the adenylate cyclase signaling
      pathway. The existence of TGF-beta and retinoid responsive elements in the
      promoter region of Tgm2 has already been reported, but the intergenic regulatory
      elements participating in the regulation of Tgm2 have not yet been identified.
      Here we used publicly available results from DNase I hypersensitivity analysis
      followed by deep sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep
      sequencing against CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), H3K4me3, H3K4me1 and H3K27ac to
      map a putative regulatory element set for Tgm2 in thymocytes. By measuring eRNA
      expressions of these putative enhancers in retinoid, rTGF-beta or dibutiryl cAMP
      exposed thymocytes we determined which of them are functional. By applying ChIP
      qPCR against SMAD4, retinoic acid receptor, retinoid X receptor, cAMP response
      element binding protein, P300 and H3K27ac under the same conditions, we
      identified two enhancers of Tgm2, which seem to act as integrators of the TGF
      beta, retinoid and adenylate cyclase signaling pathways in dying thymocytes. Our
      study describes a novel strategy to identify and characterize the signal-specific
      functional enhancer set of a gene by integrating genome-wide datasets and
      measuring the production of enhancer specific RNA molecules.

PMID- 27262404
TI  - Lithium toxicity in plants: Reasons, mechanisms and remediation possibilities - A
      review.
AB  - Lithium (Li) is a naturally occurring element; however, it is one of the non
      essential metals for life. Lithium is becoming a serious matter of discussion for
      the people who do research on trace metals and environmental toxicity in plants.
      Due to limited information available regarding its mobility from soil to plants,
      the adverse effects of Li toxicity to plants are still unclear. This article
      briefly discusses issues around Li, its role and its essentiality in plants and
      research directions that may assist in inter-disciplinary studies to evaluate the
      importance of Li's toxicity. Further, potential remediation approaches will also
      be highlighted in this review. Briefly, Li influenced the growth of plants in
      both stimulation and reduction ways, depending on the concentration of Li in
      growth medium. On the negative side, Li reduces the plant growth by interrupting
      numerous physiological processes and altering metabolism in plant. The
      contamination of soil by Li is becoming a serious problem, which might be a
      threat for crop production in the near future. Additionally, lack of considerable
      information about the tolerance mechanisms of plants further intensifies the
      situation. Therefore, future research should emphasize in finding prominent and
      approachable solutions to minimize the entry of Li from its sources (especially
      from Li batteries) into the soil and food chain. 

PMID- 27262405
TI  - Photosynthetic adaptation strategy of Ulva prolifera floating on the sea surface
      to environmental changes.
AB  - For 8 consecutive years, a green tide has originated in the southern Yellow Sea
      and spread to the Qingdao offshore area. The causative species, Ulva prolifera,
      always forms a very thick thallus mat that is capable of drifting long distances
      over long periods. During this process, although the thalli face disturbance by
      complex environmental factors, they maintain high biomass and proliferation. We
      hypothesized that some form of photosynthetic adaptation strategy must exist to
      protect the thalli. Therefore, we studied the different photosynthetic response
      characteristics of the surface and lower layers of the floating thallus mats, and
      investigated the physiological and molecular-level adaptation mechanisms. The
      results showed that: (1) U. prolifera has strong photosynthetic capability that
      ensures it can gain sufficient energy to increase its biomass and adapt to long
      distance migration. (2) Surface layer thalli adapt to the complex environment by
      dissipating excess energy via photosynthetic quantum control (energy quenching
      and energy redistribution between PSII/PSI) to avoid irreversible damage to the
      photosynthetic system. (3) Lower layer thalli increase their contents of
      Chlorophyll a (Chl a) and Chlorophyll b (Chl b) and decrease their Chl a/Chl b
      ratio to improve their ability to use light energy. (4) U. prolifera has strong
      photosynthetic plasticity and can adapt to frequent exchange between the surface
      and lower layer environments because of wave disturbance. Pigment component
      changes, energy quenching, and energy redistribution between PSII/PSI contribute
      to this photosynthetic plasticity. 

PMID- 27262407
TI  - Three-dimensional evaluation of heel raise test in pediatric planovalgus feet and
      normal feet.
AB  - Planovalgus foot is a common pediatric deformity which may be associated with
      pain. To evaluate flexibility of the foot, the heel raise test is used. During
      this test the arch and hindfoot are assessed. Several studies have described
      planovalgus foot based on 3D gait and standing analysis. However, no studies have
      evaluated foot flexibility during heel raise using an objective 3D analysis.
      Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the flexibility of
      planovalgus feet during the heel raise test using an objective 3D assessment and
      to determine whether any hypotheses can be generated about potential differences
      between painful and painless flexible planovalgus feet and reference feet. Here,
      3D foot analysis was conducted in 33 children (7 reference feet, 16 painless, and
      10 painful flexible planovalgus feet) during the heel raise test. To identify the
      characteristics of planovalgus foot, the concept of 3D projection angles was used
      as introduced in the Heidelberg Foot Measurement Method (HFMM), with a modified
      marker set. All feet showed dynamic movements of the medial arch and hindfoot
      from valgus to varus position during heel raise. Reference feet had the smallest
      range of motion, perhaps due to joint stability and absence of foot deformity.
      Painful and painless flexible planovalgus feet demonstrated similar movements. No
      significant differences were found between the painful and painless groups.
      However, the kinematics of the pain group seemed to differ more from those of the
      reference group than did kinematics of the painless group. This assessment is a
      new, practical, and objective method to measure the flexibility of small
      children's feet.

PMID- 27262406
TI  - From tamoxifen to dendrogenin A: The discovery of a mammalian tumor suppressor
      and cholesterol metabolite.
AB  - Tamoxifen (Tam) was developed as a ligand and modulator of estrogen receptor
      alpha (ERalpha) and is one of the main drugs used globally for the hormonotherapy
      of breast cancers. Besides ERalpha, Tam also binds with high affinity to the
      microsomal antiestrogen binding site (AEBS). The AEBS is a hetero-oligomeric
      proteinaceous complex with cholesterol-5,6-epoxide hydrolase (ChEH) activity that
      is associated with an intracellular histamine (HA) binding site. The enzymatic
      activities of the ChEH subunits control developmental programs in mammals and
      transform cholesterol-5,6-epoxides (5,6-EC) into cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6beta
      triol. Inhibition of the ChEH activity by pharmacological agents such as Tam
      induce cancer cell re-differentiation through the accumulation of 5,6-EC. A few
      years ago, the putative chemical reactivity of the 5,6-EC epoxide group towards
      nucleophiles led our group to hypothesize that 5,6-EC could react with HA that
      was co-localized at the AEBS to give a new molecule involved in cell
      differentiation. This hypothesis was chemically tested and the conjugation of
      5,6alpha-EC: with HA was found possible but only under catalytic conditions. It
      gave a stereo-selective single product of transformation which was named
      dendrogenin A (DDA). DDA was found to display potent cancer cell differentiation
      and anticancer properties in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that it was a tumor
      suppressor metabolite. The presence of DDA was then established in several
      mammalian tissues, providing the first evidence of a steroidal alkaloid
      metabolite in mammals. The discovery of DDA highlights a new metabolic pathway in
      mammals which lies at the crossroads of cholesterol and histamine metabolism and
      produces this tumor suppressor metabolite.

PMID- 27262408
TI  - A new semisynthetic 1-O-acetyl-6-O-lauroylbritannilactone induces apoptosis of
      human laryngocarcinoma cells through p53-dependent pathway.
AB  - Initiation of apoptosis is an important event for chemoprevention and
      chemotherapy of cancer. Naturally derived products had drawn growing attention as
      lead compounds for anticancer drug discovery. ABL-L, a semisynthetic analogue of
      natural sesquiterpenoid 1-O-acetylbritannilactone (ABL) isolated from Inula
      britannica, showed stronger suppression against three solid tumor cell lines with
      4-10 fold improvement than ABL. However, its molecular mechanism of cell death
      induction has still not been determined. The present study evaluated the
      anticancer efficacy of ABL-L and its biological activities mechanism on human
      laryngocarcinoma cells HEp-2 in vitro. We found that ABL-L-induced inhibition of
      cell proliferation was associated with an increase in G1-phase arrest. Typical
      apoptotic morphological and biochemical features were also observed in treated
      cells. Furthermore, the levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, pro-caspase 3/8/9 and
      poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP decreased, and the level of pro-apoptotic Bax
      increased. Involvement of the caspase-mediated apoptosis was confirmed using
      caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK pretreatment. In addition, ABL-L induced a tumor
      suppressor p53 and its target genes expression p21, fas, noxa and puma. The
      results of p53 knockdown suggest that caspase-mediated apoptosis induced by ABL-L
      was in p53-dependent pathway on HEp-2 cells. Our data indicate that the
      cytotoxicity of the novel semisynthetic analogue ABL-L involved G1 cell cycle
      arrest and apoptosis via a p53-dependent, caspase-mediated pathway on human
      laryngocarcinoma cells. 

PMID- 27262409
TI  - Grade of coracoacromial ligament degeneration as a predictive factor for
      impingement syndrome and type of partial rotator cuff tear.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of
      coracoacromial ligament degeneration and specific anatomic parameters in the
      etiology of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      study retrospectively assessed 96 patients (mean age, 50.1 years [17-76]; 34 men,
      62 women) diagnosed with bursal-side and articular-side rotator cuff tears with a
      history of failed conservative treatment and persistent shoulder pain who
      underwent arthroscopic surgery. Video records of the surgery were used to
      evaluate the type of cuff tear, grade of coracoacromial ligament degeneration,
      and associated pathologic changes; preoperative magnetic resonance images were
      used to measure acromioglenoid angle, supraspinatus glenoid angle, and
      subacromial distance. RESULTS: Most of the patients with articular-side tears
      demonstrated grade 0 and grade 1 coracoacromial ligament degeneration, whereas
      patients with bursal-side tears had grade 1 and grade 2. There was a significant
      positive correlation between the grade of coracoacromial ligament degeneration
      and bursal-side partial rotator cuff tears, whereas no correlation was observed
      with articular-side tears. There was no significant difference between bursal
      side and articular-side partial cuff tears regarding acromioglenoid angle,
      supraspinatus glenoid angle, and subacromial distance. CONCLUSIONS: Grade 1 and
      grade 2 coracoacromial ligament degeneration is a strong predictive factor for
      impingement syndrome in the etiology of bursal-side partial cuff tears and can
      guide the surgeon to consider ligament release and debridement or acromioplasty
      in these patients.

PMID- 27262411
TI  - Reproducibility of isometric shoulder protraction and retraction strength
      measurements in normal subjects and individuals with winged scapula.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The strength of the shoulder protractors and retractors may be
      compromised in individuals with winged scapula (IwWS). However, no standard
      approach to measuring the strength of these muscles has been described. The aim
      of this study was to study the intra-rater and inter-rater reproducibility of a
      fixed-base isometric dynamometer and to describe cutoff scores for clinically
      meaningful change for protraction and retraction isometric strength. METHOD:
      Twice during a week, 20 normal subjects and 20 IwWS were tested by 2 independent
      raters. RESULTS: IwWS were significantly weaker (P < .001) than control subjects
      in their protraction and retraction isometric strength. Excellent intra-rater and
      inter-rater correlations were obtained in most combinations, leading to low
      cutoff scores for meaningful change expressed in terms of the smallest real
      difference. CONCLUSION: When it is properly used, the technique described in this
      paper is recommended as an effective clinical tool for the quantitative
      assessment of protraction and retraction isometric strength, both for status
      determination and for monitoring of change in IwWS during and after
      rehabilitation.

PMID- 27262410
TI  - Impaction autografting: bone-preserving, secure fixation of a standard humeral
      component.
AB  - BACKGROUND: When fixed with bone ingrowth, a tight diaphyseal press fit, or
      cement, the humeral component of a shoulder arthroplasty may present problems of
      malposition, stress shielding, or periprosthetic fracture or difficulty with
      removal at revision arthroplasty. We have avoided the need for these fixation
      methods by using impaction cancellous autografting of the humeral stem,
      minimizing contact between the prosthetic stem and the humeral cortex. This study
      presents the radiographic survivorship of impaction-autografted humeral implants
      using component subsidence as the primary endpoint. METHODS: We reviewed 286
      primary anatomic shoulder arthroplasties having an average follow-up of 4.9 +/-
      2.7 years. Initial postoperative radiographs and minimum 2-year follow-up
      radiographs were evaluated by 3 observers to assess subsidence. RESULTS: Two
      different implants (Humeral Replacement Prosthesis [HRP] and Global Advantage
      prosthesis) were used. Of 286 stems, 267 (93.4%) had not subsided. The Global
      Advantage prosthesis had a subsidence-free survival rate of 98.5% at 5 years. The
      stiffer-stemmed HRP used early during the study had a higher rate of subsidence
      compared with the currently used Global Advantage stem (hazard ratio, 5.6; P =
      .001). Radiolucent lines of 2 mm or greater were less common for the Global
      Advantage prosthesis than for the HRP in each of 7 zones (P < .001). Total
      shoulder arthroplasty was associated with a higher rate of subsidence compared
      with hemiarthroplasty (hazard ratio, 2.6; P = .12). CONCLUSIONS: Impaction
      autografting provides a secure, durable, bone-preserving means of humeral
      component fixation in anatomic shoulder arthroplasty.

PMID- 27262412
TI  - Does application of moderately concentrated platelet-rich plasma improve clinical
      and structural outcome after arthroscopic repair of medium-sized to large rotator
      cuff tear? A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has the potential to improve tendon-bone
      healing. The evidence is still controversial as to whether PRP application after
      repair of medium-sized to large cuff tears leads to superior structural and
      clinical outcome, especially after single-row repair. METHODS: In a randomized
      study, 102 patients (PRP group, 52 patients; control group, 50 patients) with
      medium-sized and large degenerative posterosuperior tears were included for
      arthroscopic repair with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Patients were evaluated
      with clinical scores (visual analog scale score, Constant-Murley score,
      University of California-Los Angeles score, and American Shoulder and Elbow
      Surgeons score) and ultrasound to assess retear and vascularity pattern of the
      cuff. RESULTS: Visual analog scale scores were significantly lower in the PRP
      group than in controls at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months but not later. Constant
      Murley scores were significantly better in the PRP group compared with controls
      at 12 and 24 months, whereas University of California-Los Angeles scores were
      significantly higher in the PRP group at 6 and 12 months (P < .05). The American
      Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score in both groups was comparable at all the times.
      At 24 months, retear in the PRP group (n = 2; 3.8%) was significantly lower than
      in the control group (n = 10; 20%; P = .01). The retear difference was
      significant only for large tears (PRP:control group, 1:6; P = .03). Doppler
      ultrasound examination showed significant vascularity in the PRP group repair
      site at 3 months postoperatively (P < .05) and in peribursal tissue until 12
      months. CONCLUSION: Application of moderately concentrated PRP improves clinical
      and structural outcome in large cuff tears. PRP also enhances vascularity around
      the repair site in the early phase.

PMID- 27262413
TI  - Tobacco use is associated with increased rates of infection and revision surgery
      after primary superior labrum anterior and posterior repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the general health consequences of tobacco use have been
      well defined, the effects of perioperative tobacco use on arthroscopic shoulder
      procedures remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to use a national
      database to investigate the relationship between tobacco use and rates of
      superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) repair failure and postoperative
      infection after primary SLAP repair compared with matched controls. METHODS: A
      national private-payer insurance database was queried for patients who underwent
      arthroscopic primary SLAP from 2005-2012. These patients were divided into
      tobacco use and non-tobacco use cohorts using International Classification of
      Diseases, Ninth Revision coding. The non-tobacco use patients were then matched
      to the patients with coded tobacco use. Both cohorts were assessed for
      postoperative infection within 90 days and subsequent ipsilateral revision SLAP
      repair or biceps tenodesis within up to 7 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The
      incidences of revision SLAP repair or revision to a biceps tenodesis (P = .023)
      and postoperative infection (P = .034) were significantly higher in patients who
      used tobacco versus matched controls. CONCLUSIONS: SLAP repair in patients who
      use tobacco is associated with significantly increased rates of postoperative
      infection and revision SLAP repair or conversion to a biceps tenodesis.

PMID- 27262414
TI  - Relationship between the water-exchangeable fraction of PAH and the organic
      matter composition of sediments.
AB  - The sorption of PAH on 12 different sediments was investigated and was correlated
      to their corresponding organic matter (OM) content and quality. For this purpose,
      the OM was precisely characterized using thermal analysis consisting in the
      successive combustion and quantification of the increasingly thermostable
      fractions of the OM. Simultaneously, the water-exchangeable fraction of the
      sorbed PAH defined as the amount of PAH freely exchanged between the water and
      the sediment (by opposition to the PAH harshly sorbed to the sediments particles)
      was determined using a passive sampler methodology recently developed. The water
      concentrations, when the sediment-water system is equilibrated, were also
      assessed which allows the determination of the sediment-water distribution
      coefficients without artifacts introduced by the non water-exchangeable fraction
      of PAH. Hence, the present study provides the distribution coefficients of PAH
      between the water and 4 different OM fractions combusted at a specific
      temperature range. The calculated distribution coefficients demonstrate that the
      sedimentary OM combusted at the intermediate temperature range (between 300 
      degrees C and 450  degrees C) drives the reversible sorption of PAH while the
      inferred sorption to the OM combusted at a lower and higher temperature range
      does not dominate the partitioning process.

PMID- 27262415
TI  - On the importance of modelling the internal spatial dynamics of biological cells.
AB  - Spatial effects such as cell shape have very often been considered negligible in
      models of cellular pathways, and many existing simulation infrastructures do not
      take such effects into consideration. Recent experimental results are reversing
      this judgement by showing that very small spatial variations can make a big
      difference in the fate of a cell. This is particularly the case when considering
      eukaryotic cells, which have a complex physical structure and many subtle control
      mechanisms, but bacteria are also interesting for the huge variation in shape
      both between species and in different phases of their lifecycle. In this work we
      perform simulations that measure the effect of three common bacterial shapes on
      the behaviour of model cellular pathways. To perform these experiments we develop
      ReDi-Cell, a highly scalable GPGPU cell simulation infrastructure for the
      modelling of cellular pathways in spatially detailed environments. ReDi-Cell is
      validated against known-good simulations, prior to its use in new work. We then
      use ReDi-Cell to conduct novel experiments that demonstrate the effect that three
      common bacterial shapes (Cocci, Bacilli and Spirilli) have on the behaviour of
      model cellular pathways. Pathway wavefront shape, pathway concentration
      gradients, and chemical species distribution are measured in the three different
      shapes. We also quantify the impact of internal cellular clutter on the same
      pathways. Through this work we show that variations in the shape or configuration
      of these common cell shapes alter model cell behaviour. 

PMID- 27262416
TI  - The acoustic communities: Definition, description and ecological role.
AB  - An acoustic community is defined as an aggregation of species that produces sound
      by using internal or extra-body sound-producing tools. Such communities occur in
      aquatic (freshwater and marine) and terrestrial environments. An acoustic
      community is the biophonic component of a soundtope and is characterized by its
      acoustic signature, which results from the distribution of sonic information
      associated with signal amplitude and frequency. Distinct acoustic communities can
      be described according to habitat, the frequency range of the acoustic signals,
      and the time of day or the season. Near and far fields can be identified
      empirically, thus the acoustic community can be used as a proxy for biodiversity
      richness. The importance of ecoacoustic research is rapidly growing due to the
      increasing awareness of the intrusion of anthropogenic sounds (technophonies)
      into natural and human-modified ecosystems and the urgent need to adopt more
      efficient predictive tools to compensate for the effects of climate change. The
      concept of an acoustic community provides an operational scale for a non
      intrusive biodiversity survey and analysis that can be carried out using new
      passive audio recording technology, coupled with methods of vast data processing
      and storage. 

PMID- 27262417
TI  - Malaria vaccines and human immune responses.
AB  - Despite reductions in malaria episodes and deaths over the past decade, there is
      still significant need for more effective tools to combat this serious global
      disease. The positive results with the Phase III trial of RTS,S directed to the
      circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum have established that a vaccine
      against malaria can provide partial protection to children in endemic areas, but
      its limited efficacy and relatively short window of protection mandate that new
      generations of more efficacious vaccines must be sought. Evidence shows that anti
      parasite immune responses can control infection against other stages as well, but
      translating these experimental findings into vaccines for blood stages has been
      disappointing and clinical efforts to test a transmission blocking vaccine are
      just beginning. Difficulties include the biological complexity of the organism
      with a large array of stage-specific genes many of which in the erythrocytic
      stages are antigenically diverse. In addition, it appears necessary to elicit
      high and long-lasting antibody titers, address the redundant pathways of
      merozoite invasion, and still seek surrogate markers of protective immunity. Most
      vaccine studies have focused on a single or a few antigens with an apparent
      functional role, but this is likely to be too restrictive, and broad, multi
      antigen, multi-stage vaccines need further investigation. Finally, novel tools
      and biological insights involving parasite sexual stages and the mosquito vector
      will provide new avenues for reducing or blocking malaria transmission.

PMID- 27262418
TI  - Isolated pure verbal amnesia as the disease onset of probable multiple sclerosis
      with a left forniceal black hole.

PMID- 27262420
TI  - Quantifying and Predicting Surgeon Work Effort for Primary and Revision Total
      Knee Arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to quantify increased utilization
      of resources in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared with primary TKA,
      determine preoperative factors that predict outcome measures, and compare
      Medicare reimbursement for each procedure. METHODS: Seventy-eight revision TKA
      patients were compared with 80 primary TKA patients. Outcomes measured were
      surgical time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, and complications. RESULTS:
      Revision TKA showed 49% increased surgical time compared with primary TKA.
      Estimated blood loss was increased 91%. Tibial and femoral bone loss was
      associated with increased surgical time as was use of longer stemmed tibial
      components. Average Medicare hospital payment increased 29% ($13,464 for primary,
      $17,331 for revision). Average physician reimbursement represented a 36%
      increase. Relative value units were increased to 31%. CONCLUSION: There was
      substantial increase in work effort not commensurate with current Medicare
      reimbursement, which may limit patient access to revision TKA.

PMID- 27262419
TI  - Multiple Boluses of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid to Reduce Hidden Blood Loss After
      Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty Without Tourniquet: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal dosage and timing of tranexamic acid (TXA) in total knee
      arthroplasty (TKA) are undetermined. The purpose of this study was to explore the
      effect of multiple boluses of intravenous TXA on hidden blood loss (HBL),
      inflammatory response, and knee function after primary TKA without tourniquet.
      METHODS: A total of 151 patients were randomly divided into 3 groups to receive
      single bolus of 20 mg/kg IV-TXA before skin incision (group A), or another bolus
      of 10 mg/kg IV-TXA 3 hours later (group B), or another 2 boluses of 10 mg/kg IV
      TXA 3 hours and 6 hours later (group C). TKAs without tourniquet were operated by
      1 single surgeon. The primary outcomes were HBL and maximum hemoglobin drop.
      Other outcome measurements such as total blood loss, transfusion rate,
      inflammation markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin 6), visual analog scale
      pain score, limb swelling ratio, Hospital for Surgery Score, range of motion,
      length of hospital stay (LOH), and deep venous thrombosis were also compared.
      RESULTS: The mean HBL and maximum Hb drop in group C (467.6 +/- 305.9 and 20.9 +/
      9.3) was lower than those in group A (763.0 +/- 373.3, P < .001; 28.7 +/- 12.2,
      P < .001) and group B (637.5 +/- 303.5, P = .010; 25.2 +/- 8.4, P = .036).
      However, such differences were not detected between groups A and B (P = .058 and
      P = .080, respectively). The mean value of total blood loss in the groups A, B,
      and C were 967.2 +/- 380.1, 803.7 +/- 321.8, and 677.6 +/- 326.0 mL,
      respectively, with a significant intergroup difference (P < .001). The mean serum
      level of C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 in group C were lower than those in
      group A and group B on postoperative days 1 and 2. The visual analog scale pain
      score and swelling ratio were also lower in group C than in the other 2 groups
      with statistical significance on POD 1-3. Moreover, the Hospital for Surgery
      Score, range of motion, and LOH were better in group C. No episodes of
      transfusion or deep venous thrombosis had occurred. CONCLUSION: Multiple boluses
      of IV-TXA can effectively reduce HBL after primary TKA without tourniquet. What
      is the most important is that, by adding another bolus of IV-TXA, patients can
      gain a smaller decline of Hb, less postoperative inflammatory response, less
      pain, less knee swelling, better knee function, and shorter LOH.

PMID- 27262421
TI  - "How do I feel today?" An Analysis of HRQOL Variability among Institutionalized
      Older Adults.
AB  - Intra-individual variability is a central topic in Nonlinear Dynamical Systems
      (NDS) studies of human development, because the theory predicts that particular
      forms or properties of intra-individual variability will serve as indicators or
      predictors of bifurcations, and stable states in individual development.
      Currently, there are almost no studies that address intra-individual changes and
      variability of Health Related Quality of Life in old age. The main aim of this
      paper is to analyze the role of day-to-day HRQOL variability and long term HRQOL
      and disability development in a sample of institutionalized older adults. 22
      older adults took part in this longitudinal study. Daily diary-based assessments
      were made for a period of 100 days. Furthermore, monthly assessments of HRQOL and
      disability with validated questionnaires were performed. The intra individual
      variability on a day-to-day basis was found to be related to HRQOL and disability
      development. Furthermore, life events as operationalized by extreme values in
      HRQOL were related to the level of day-to-day HRQOL variability. As predicted by
      NDS theory, day-to-day variability emerges as an important indicator of levels of
      and changes in HRQOL and disability and as such, it may be an important indicator
      of developmental processes in old age. 

PMID- 27262422
TI  - Combination of sLORETA and Nonlinear Coupling for Emotional EEG Source
      Localization.
AB  - The objective of the present study is to investigate the anatomical distribution
      of the cortical sources of emotional response to music videos by means of
      electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis. A novel methodology is introduced to
      determine the nonlinear couplings between different brain regions based on the
      coherence analysis, nonlinear features of EEG recordings and a source
      localization method, standard low resolution electromagnetic tomography
      (sLORETA). 32 channels of EEG time series of 32 subjects available in DEAP
      database were studied. The Lyapunov exponents and approximate entropy were
      applied to the EEG. The coherence for Lyapunov exponents and approximate entropy
      were calculated between each electrode paired to all other electrodes.
      Considering valence and arousal related effects, the sLORETA was applied to each
      above mentioned feature to determine emotional processing cortices. Using the
      proposed methodology, significant differences in sLORETA activity are observed
      between different emotional states. These changes were dominantly localized in
      the Brodmann 11 area (frontal lobe). In addition, some evidences provided that
      the left hemisphere is more activated to valence and arousal-related effects.
      Results suggest that considering two dimensions of emotions concurrently, a wider
      brain region was dominated in synchronization: superior frontal gyrus, middle
      frontal gyrus, and superior parietal lobule. Cooperating nonlinear coupling along
      with EEG source localization methods could provide an interesting tool for
      understanding the cortical specialization in emotional processes. 

PMID- 27262423
TI  - The Mathematics of Psychotherapy: A Nonlinear Model of Change Dynamics.
AB  - Psychotherapy is a dynamic process produced by a complex system of interacting
      variables. Even though there are qualitative models of such systems the link
      between structure and function, between network and network dynamics is still
      missing. The aim of this study is to realize these links. The proposed model is
      composed of five state variables (P: problem severity, S: success and therapeutic
      progress, M: motivation to change, E: emotions, I: insight and new perspectives)
      interconnected by 16 functions. The shape of each function is modified by four
      parameters (a: capability to form a trustful working alliance, c: mentalization
      and emotion regulation, r: behavioral resources and skills, m: self-efficacy and
      reward expectation). Psychologically, the parameters play the role of
      competencies or traits, which translate into the concept of control parameters in
      synergetics. The qualitative model was transferred into five coupled,
      deterministic, nonlinear difference equations generating the dynamics of each
      variable as a function of other variables. The mathematical model is able to
      reproduce important features of psychotherapy processes. Examples of parameter
      dependent bifurcation diagrams are given. Beyond the illustrated similarities
      between simulated and empirical dynamics, the model has to be further developed,
      systematically tested by simulated experiments, and compared to empirical data. 

PMID- 27262424
TI  - Addressing the Policy Churn in Public Education in the United States.
AB  - Educational organizations, public schools in particular, are seen as being
      notoriously inert and resistant to change. While school reform efforts are
      widespread, educational outcomes such as high school graduation rates and
      achievement in reading and math continue to show disparity between socio-economic
      groups. Why is educational change so hard to accomplish? This article approaches
      the question from two perspectives: the school reform literature that identifies
      the factors inhibiting change in school systems, and the literature on complex
      dynamical systems (CDS), which facilitates understanding of the dynamics
      underlying inertia and transformation. The need is articulated for empirical
      research that focuses on reform as an implementation process, to provide further
      insight in what we know about its impact on educational outcomes. 

PMID- 27262425
TI  - Structure-activity relationships of dibenzoylhydrazines for the inhibition of P
      glycoprotein-mediated quinidine transport.
AB  - We previously demonstrated that dibenzoylhydrazines (DBHs) are not only P
      glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates, but also inhibitors. In the present study, we
      evaluated the inhibition of P-gp-mediated quinidine transport by two series of
      DBHs and performed a classical QSAR analysis and docking simulation in order to
      investigate the mechanisms underlying P-gp substrate/inhibitor recognition. The
      results of the QSAR analysis identified the hydrophobic factor as the most
      important for inhibitory activities, while electronic and steric effects also
      influenced the activities. The different substituent effects observed in each
      series suggested the different binding modes of each series of DBHs, which was
      supported by the results of the docking simulation.

PMID- 27262426
TI  - New bifunctional antioxidant/sigma1 agonist ligands: Preliminary chemico-physical
      and biological evaluation.
AB  - We previously reported bifunctional sigma-1 (sigma1) ligands endowed with
      antioxidant activity (1 and 2). In the present paper, pure enantiomers (R)-1 and
      (R)-2 along with the corresponding p-methoxy (6, 11), p-fluoro derivatives (7,
      12) were synthesized. sigma1 and sigma2 affinities, antioxidant properties, and
      chemico-physical profiles were evaluated. Para derivatives, while maintaining
      strong sigma1 affinity, displayed improved sigma1 selectivity compared to the
      parent compounds 1 and 2. In vivo evaluation of compounds 1, 2, (R)-1, 7, and 12
      showed sigma1 agonist pharmacological profile. Chemico-physical studies revealed
      that amides 2, 11 and 12 were more stable than corresponding esters 1, 6 and 7
      under our experimental conditions. Antioxidant properties were exhibited by
      fluoro derivatives 7 and 12 being able to increase total antioxidant capacity
      (TAC). Our results underline that p-substituents have an important role on sigma1
      selectivity, TAC, chemical and enzymatic stabilities. In particular, our data
      suggest that new very selective compounds 7 and 12 could be promising tools to
      investigate the disorders in which sigma1 receptor dysfunction and oxidative
      stress are contemporarily involved.

PMID- 27262427
TI  - Inhibiting DNA methylation alters olfactory extinction but not acquisition
      learning in Apis cerana and Apis mellifera.
AB  - DNA methylation plays a key role in invertebrate acquisition and extinction
      memory. Honey bees have excellent olfactory learning, but the role of DNA
      methylation in memory formation has, to date, only been studied in Apis
      mellifera. We inhibited DNA methylation by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase
      (DNMT) with zebularine (zeb) and studied the resulting effects upon olfactory
      acquisition and extinction memory in two honey bee species, Apis cerana and A.
      mellifera. We used the proboscis extension reflex (PER) assay to measure memory.
      We provide the first demonstration that DNA methylation is also important in the
      olfactory extinction learning of A. cerana. DNMT did not reduce acquisition
      learning in either species. However, zeb bidirectionally and differentially
      altered extinction learning in both species. In particular, zeb provided 1h
      before acquisition learning improved extinction memory retention in A. mellifera,
      but reduced extinction memory retention in A. cerana. The reasons for these
      differences are unclear, but provide a basis for future studies to explore
      species-specific differences in the effects of methylation on memory formation.

PMID- 27262428
TI  - Molecular phylogenetics of the Neotropical fish family Prochilodontidae
      (Teleostei: Characiformes).
AB  - Migratory detritivores of the characiform family Prochilodontidae occur
      throughout the freshwaters of much of South America. Prochilodontids often form
      massive populations and many species achieve substantial body sizes; a
      combination that makes them one of the most commercially important fish groups on
      the continent. Their economic significance notwithstanding, prochilodontids have
      never been the subject of a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis. Using
      three mitochondrial and three nuclear loci spanning all prochilodontid species,
      we generated a novel phylogenetic hypothesis for the family. Our results strongly
      support monophyly of the family and the three included genera. A novel, highly
      supported placement of Ichthyoelephas sister to the clade containing Prochilodus
      and Semaprochilodus diverges from a previous morphological hypothesis. Most
      previously hypothesized interspecific relationships are corroborated and some
      longstanding polytomies within Prochilodus and Semaprochilodus are resolved. The
      morphologically similar P. brevis, P. lacustris, P. nigricans and P.
      rubrotaeniatus are embedded within what is herein designated as the P. nigricans
      group. Species limits and distributions of these species are problematic and the
      group clearly merits taxonomic revision.

PMID- 27262429
TI  - The use of statistical methods for censored data to evaluate the activity
      concentration of Pb-210 in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).
AB  - A survey of 210Pb activity concentration, one of the major internal natural
      radiation sources to man, has been carried in the most common species of beans
      (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown and consumed in Brazil. The representative bean
      types chosen, Carioca beans and black type sown in the Brazilian Midwestern and
      Southern regions, have been collected in this study and 210Pb determined by
      liquid scintillation spectrometry after separation with chromatographic
      extraction using Sr-resin. Available values in data set of radioactivity in
      Brazil (GEORAD) on the 210Pb activity concentration in black beans grown in
      Southeastern region have been added to the results of this study with the purpose
      of to amplify the population considered. Concerning the multiple detection limits
      and due to the high level of censored observations, a robust semi-parametric
      statistical method called regression on order statistics (ROS) has been employed
      to provide a reference value of the 210Pb in Brazilian beans, which amounted to
      41 mBq kg-1 fresh wt. The results suggest that the 210Pb activity concentration
      in carioca beans is lower than in black beans. Also evaluated was the 210Pb
      activity concentration in vegetable component of a typical diet, which displays
      lower values than those shown in the literature for food consumed in Europe.

PMID- 27262430
TI  - Chemical distribution of hazardous natural radionuclides during monazite mineral
      processing.
AB  - It is very important to calculate the radioactivity concentration for low-grade
      monazite ore (50%) and different other materials produced as results of chemical
      processing stages to avoid the risk to workers. Chemical processing of low-grade
      monazite pass through different stages, washing by hydrochloric acid and digested
      with sulfuric acid and influence of pH on the precipitation of rare earth
      elements has been studied. The radioactivity concentrations of 238U(226Ra) and
      232Th as well as 40K were calculated in crude low-grade ore and found to be
      54,435 +/- 3138, 442,105 +/- 29,200 and 5841 +/- 345 Bq/kg, respectively. These
      values are greatly higher than the exempt levels 25 Bq/kg. After chemical
      digestion of the ore, the results demonstrated that un-reacted material contains
      significant radioactivity reached to approximately 8, 13 and 23% for 238U, 232Th
      and 40K, respectively. The results show that 60% of 232Th are located in the
      digested white slurry with small portions of 238U and 40K. Most of 238U
      radioactivity is extracted in the green phosphoric acid which produced from
      conversion of P2O5 by H2SO4 into phosphoric acid. The average values of the Raeq
      for monazite ore, un-reacted black precipitate, white precipitate, brown
      precipitate and crystalline material samples were calculated and found to be
      687,095 +/- 44,921, 85,068 +/- 5339, 388,381 +/- 22,088, 313,046 +/- 17,923 and
      4531 +/- 338 Bq/kg, respectively. The calculated values of Raeq are higher than
      the average world value (it must be less than 370 Bq/kg). Finally the external
      hazardous, internal hazardous and Igammar must be less than unity. This means
      that specific radiation protection program must be applied and implemented during
      monazite processing.

PMID- 27262432
TI  - A State Transition Model for Health Outcomes Associated with Vorapaxar Treatment
      as an Add-on to Standard Care Antiplatelet Therapy in the Prevention of
      Thrombotic Events for Patients with a Recent Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The TRA 2 degrees P-TIMI 50 trial showed the addition of vorapaxar to
      standard care (SC) antiplatelet therapy reduced the combined risk of death,
      myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke, while exhibiting an increase in moderate,
      but not other bleeding events. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to estimate the long
      term health benefits and risks of vorapaxar as an add-on to SC treatment
      (lifetime aspirin and up to 12 months of clopidogrel) for patients with a prior
      MI and without a history of cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: In the state
      transition model we developed, the patients transition between states due to
      recurrent MI, stroke, or death, and are at risk of non-fatal bleeding. Risk
      equations were developed from individual patient-level data from the TRA 2
      degrees P-TIMI 50 trial to predict long-term cardiovascular (CV) outcomes.
      Additional sources informed inputs for case fatality, bleeding rates on SC, risk
      of non-CV death, and utilities. RESULTS: Over a lifetime horizon, fewer CV events
      and more bleeding events occurred in the vorapaxar (VOR) + SC arm, relative to
      the SC-only arm. These results were ultimately accompanied by an increase in life
      expectancy and health benefits associated with add-on vorapaxar treatment, as the
      VOR + SC arm yielded an average of 8.27 discounted quality-adjusted life-years
      (QALYs) compared with an average of 7.96 discounted QALYs in the SC-only arm.
      CONCLUSION: This model framework leveraged novel risk equations to make long-term
      projections of CV events in a population at high risk of recurrence. Model
      results suggest vorapaxar is most effective as add-on therapy to SC antiplatelet
      treatment when initiated upon hospital discharge post-MI.

PMID- 27262433
TI  - A Summary of the Literature Evaluating Adherence and Persistence with Oral
      Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing public health concern and remains an
      independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Warfarin, a commonly used oral
      anticoagulant, is associated with a 60-70 % relative reduction in stroke risk and
      a reduction in mortality of 26 %. However, warfarin has several limitations,
      including a narrow therapeutic window, variable dose response, multiple
      interactions with other drugs and concurrent illnesses, and the need for frequent
      laboratory monitoring. In recent years, the direct acting oral anticoagulants
      (DOACs), including dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban, have been
      developed to overcome the limitations of warfarin therapy. These treatment
      strategies are either comparable or superior to warfarin in stroke prevention in
      AF. Despite the documented effectiveness of oral anticoagulants in AF, patients
      may not derive optimal benefit if they fail to adhere or fail to continue with
      their medication. This may lead to treatment failure, increased hospitalization
      and mortality. This review summarizes the literature regarding adherence and
      persistence (or discontinuation) rates with oral anticoagulants in the management
      of AF; the impact of non-adherence and non-persistence on treatment outcomes; and
      the effectiveness of strategies to improve adherence and persistence with oral
      anticoagulant therapy. 

PMID- 27262431
TI  - Pharmacological Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Activation Attenuates Neutrophil
      Recruitment by a Mechanism Dependent on Nicotinic Receptor and the Spleen.
AB  - The aim of this study was to identify the effect of beta-adrenergic receptor
      activation on neutrophil migration in experimental peritonitis elucidating the
      neuroimmune components involved such as nicotinic receptors and the spleen. Mice
      pre-treated with mecamylamine (nicotinic antagonist) and propranolol (beta
      adrenergic antagonist) or splenectomized animals were treated with isoproterenol
      (beta-adrenergic agonist) prior to intraperitoneal injection of carrageenan.
      After 4 h, the infiltrating neutrophils and the local cytokine/chemokine levels
      were evaluated in the peritoneal lavage. The effect of isoproterenol on
      neutrophil chemotaxis was investigated in a Boyden chamber. Isoproterenol
      inhibited neutrophil trafficking, reducing the cytokine/chemokine release and
      neutrophil chemotaxis. Surprisingly, the isoproterenol effect on neutrophil
      migration was totally reverted by splenectomy and mecamylamine pre-treatment. In
      contrast, the inhibitory effect of nicotine on neutrophil migration was abrogated
      only by splenectomy but not by propranolol pre-treatment. Collectively, our data
      show that beta-adrenergic receptor activation regulates the acute neutrophil
      recruitment via splenic nicotinic receptor. 

PMID- 27262434
TI  - Beneficial native bacteria improve survival and mycorrhization of desert truffle
      mycorrhizal plants in nursery conditions.
AB  - Sixty-four native bacterial colonies were isolated from mycorrhizal roots of
      Helianthemum almeriense colonized by Terfezia claveryi, mycorrhizosphere soil,
      and peridium of T. claveryi to evaluate their effect on mycorrhizal plant
      production. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA partial sequence,
      45 different strains from 17 genera were gathered. The largest genera were
      Pseudomonas (40.8 % of the isolated strains), Bacillus (12.2 % of isolated
      strains), and Varivorax (8.2 % of isolated strains). All the bacteria were
      characterized phenotypically and by their plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria
      (PGPR) traits (auxin and siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, and
      ACC deaminase activity). Only bacterial combinations with several PGPR traits or
      Pseudomonas sp. strain 5, which presents three different PGPR traits, had a
      positive effect on plant survival and growth. Particularly relevant were the
      bacterial treatments involving auxin release, which significantly increased the
      root-shoot ratio and mycorrhizal colonization. Moreover, Pseudomonas mandelii
      strain 29 was able to considerably increase mycorrhizal colonization but not
      plant growth, and could be considered as mycorrhiza-helper bacteria. Therefore,
      the mycorrhizal roots, mycorrhizosphere soil, and peridium of desert truffles are
      environments enriched in bacteria which may be used to increase the survival and
      mycorrhization in the desert truffle plant production system at a semi-industrial
      scale. 

PMID- 27262435
TI  - Glutathione peroxidase 4 and vitamin E cooperatively prevent hepatocellular
      degeneration.
AB  - The selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) is an essential mammalian
      glutathione peroxidase, which protects cells against detrimental lipid
      peroxidation and governs a novel form of regulated necrotic cell death, called
      ferroptosis. To study the relevance of Gpx4 and of another vitally important
      selenoprotein, cytosolic thioredoxin reductase (Txnrd1), for liver function, mice
      with conditional deletion of Gpx4 in hepatocytes were studied, along with those
      lacking Txnrd1 and selenocysteine (Sec) tRNA (Trsp) in hepatocytes. Unlike Txnrd1
      and Trsp-deficient mice, Gpx4-/- mice died shortly after birth and presented
      extensive hepatocyte degeneration. Similar to Txnrd1-deficient livers, Gpx4-/-
      livers manifested upregulation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived)-like 2
      (Nrf2) response genes. Remarkably, Gpx4-/- pups born from mothers fed a vitamin E
      enriched diet survived, yet this protection was reversible as subsequent vitamin
      E deprivation caused death of Gpx4-deficient mice ~4 weeks thereafter. Abrogation
      of selenoprotein expression in Gpx4-/- mice did not result in viable mice,
      indicating that the combined deficiency aggravated the loss of Gpx4 in liver. By
      contrast, combined Trsp/Txnrd1-deficient mice were born, but had significantly
      shorter lifespans than either single knockout, suggesting that Txnrd1 plays an
      important role in supporting liver function of mice lacking Trsp. In sum our
      study demonstrates that the ferroptosis regulator Gpx4 is critical for hepatocyte
      survival and proper liver function, and that vitamin E can compensate for its
      loss by protecting cells against deleterious lipid peroxidation.

PMID- 27262436
TI  - Genomic selection for wheat traits and trait stability.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Based on the estimates of accuracy, genomic selection would be
      useful for selecting for improved trait values and trait stability for agronomic
      and quality traits in wheat. Trait values and trait stability estimated by two
      methods were generally independent indicating a breeder could select for both
      simultaneously. Genomic selection (GS) is a new marker-assisted selection tool
      for breeders to achieve higher genetic gain faster and cheaper. Breeders face
      challenges posed by genotype by environment interaction (GEI) pattern and
      selecting for trait stability. Obtaining trait stability is costly, as it
      requires data from multiple environments. There are few studies that evaluate the
      efficacy of GS for predicting trait stability. A soft winter wheat population of
      273 lines was genotyped with 90 K single nucleotide polymorphism markers and
      phenotyped for four agronomic and seven quality traits. Additive main effect and
      multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model and  Eberhart and Russell regression
      (ERR) were used to estimate trait stability. Significant GEI variation was
      observed and stable lines were identified for all traits in this study. The
      accuracy of GS ranged from 0.33 to 0.67 for most traits and trait stability.
      Accuracy of trait stability was greater than trait itself for yield (0.44 using
      AMMI versus 0.33) and heading date (0.65 using ERR versus 0.56). The opposite
      trend was observed for the other traits. GS did not predict the stability of the
      quality traits except for flour protein, lactic acid and softness equivalent.
      Significant GS accuracy for some trait stability indicated that stability was
      under genetic control for these traits. The magnitude of GS accuracies for all
      the traits and most of the trait stability index suggests the possibility of
      rapid selection for these trait and trait stability in wheat breeding.

PMID- 27262437
TI  - The crystal structure of an inactive dimer of PDZ-binding kinase.
AB  - The overexpression of PDZ-binding kinase/T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase
      (PBK/TOPK) has been associated with hematologic tumors, breast cancer and various
      other cancers. However, the three-dimensional structure of PBK has not been
      solved. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of human PBK, which
      has two phospho-mimicking mutations T9E and T198E. The structural data indicated
      that PBK may assemble into an inactive dimer in alkaline conditions. Analytical
      size-exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation confirmed that
      PBK exists in a conformational transition between dimers and monomers at
      different pH conditions. Co-IP and kinase assays suggested that the active state
      of PBK is a monomer and does not form a dimer even under alkaline conditions.
      These results showed that the conformational transition of PBK is important for
      its kinase activity regulation. Collectively, our observations may provide a
      novel starting point for structure-based functional studies.

PMID- 27262438
TI  - MiR-485 inhibits metastasis and EMT of lung adenocarcinoma by targeting Flot2.
AB  - Lung adenocarcinoma, as a common form of non-small cell lung cancer, poses a
      significant threat to public health worldwide. Previous studies have reported
      that flotillin-2 (Flot2) is often overexpressed in various tumors and is h
      correlated with tumor progression and patient survival. Dysregulated microRNA
      (miRNA) is associated with various cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma.
      However, little is known about the miRNAs targeting Flot2 in lung adenocarcinoma.
      In this study, we found that the expression level of miR-485 was downregulated in
      four lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and tissues and that the reduced miR-485
      expression was associated with tumor metastasis. Luciferase assay revealed that
      Flot2 is direct target of miR-485, while the expression levels of Flot2 were
      inversely correlated with the expression levels of miR-485 in lung adenocarcinoma
      tissues. Ectopic Flot2 could significantly reverse miR-485-mediated inhibition of
      metastasis and EMT, demonstrating Flot2 downregulation is involved in function of
      miR-485. Subsequently, we found that miR-485 suppressed the activity of
      PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in lung adenocarcinoma cells. In conclusion, the present
      study provided novel insight into the molecular mechanism of lung adenocarcinoma
      progression and demonstrating miR-485 as a potential therapeutic target in human
      lung adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 27262439
TI  - Contrasting intra- and extracellular distribution of catalytic ferrous iron in
      ovalbumin-induced peritonitis.
AB  - Iron is an essential nutrient for every type of life on earth. However, excess
      iron is cytotoxic and can lead to an increased cancer risk in humans. Catalytic
      ferrous iron [Fe(II)] is an initiator of the Fenton reaction, which causes
      oxidative stress by generating hydroxyl radicals. Recently, it became possible to
      localize catalytic Fe(II) in situ with a turn-on fluorescent probe, RhoNox-1.
      Here, we screened each organ/cell of rats to globally evaluate the distribution
      of catalytic Fe(II) and found that eosinophils showed the highest abundance. In
      various cells, lysosomes were the major organelle, sharing ~40-80% of RhoNox-1
      fluorescence. We then used an ovalbumin-induced allergic peritonitis model to
      study the dynamics of catalytic Fe(II). Peritoneal lavage revealed that the total
      iron contents per cell were significantly decreased, whereas an increase in the
      number of inflammatory cells (macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils and
      lymphocytes) resulted in an increased total iron content of the peritoneal
      inflammatory cells. Notably, macrophages, eosinophils and neutrophils exhibited
      significantly increased catalytic Fe(II) with increased DMT1 expression and
      decreased ferritin expression, though catalytic Fe(II) was significantly
      decreased in the peritoneal lavage fluid. In conclusion, catalytic Fe(II) in situ
      more directly reflects cellular activity and the accompanying pathology than
      total iron does.

PMID- 27262440
TI  - Increased copper toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking VPS35, a component
      of the retromer and monogenic Parkinson disease gene in humans.
AB  - The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene VPS35 encodes a component of the retromer
      complex which is involved in vesicle transport from endosomes to the trans-Golgi
      network. Yeast and human VPS35 orthologs are highly conserved and mutations in
      human VPS35 cause an autosomal dominant form of late-onset Parkinson disease
      (PD). We now show that deletion of VPS35 in yeast (vps35Delta) leads to a dose
      dependent growth defect towards copper. This increased sensitivity could be
      rescued by transformation with yeast wild-type VPS35 but not by the expression of
      a construct harboring the yeast equivalent (i.e. D686N) of the most commonly
      identified VPS35-associated PD mutation, p.D620N. In addition, we show that
      expression of one copy of alpha-synuclein, which is known to directly interact
      with copper, leads to a pronounced aggravation of copper toxicity in vps35Delta
      cells, thereby linking the regulation of copper homeostasis by Vps35p in yeast to
      one of the key molecules in PD pathophysiology.

PMID- 27262443
TI  - Physical activity during school and after school among youth with and without
      intellectual disability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about physical activity (PA) among children with
      intellectual disability (ID) or their reasons to take part in PA and sport. AIMS:
      To investigate PA and PA patterns during school and after school among Icelandic
      children with mild-to-severe ID. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Ninety-one children with
      ID and a matched group of 93 typically developed individuals (TDI) took part. PA
      was assessed with accelerometers and a questionnaire was used to collect data on
      PA behavior. RESULTS AND OUTCOMES: TDI children were more active and less
      sedentary than children with ID (p<0.001). Both sexes with ID were more active
      and less sedentary during school than after school (p<0.003) but no difference
      was found among TDI children. Children with ID (60%) were more likely to name
      weight loss as a reason to participate in PA than TDI children (34%, p=0.002) but
      a higher proportion (96%) of TDI children than children with ID (50%)
      participated in PA to improve skills (p<0.001). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS:
      Children with ID depend more on schools to accumulate their PA and their reasons
      for PA participation differ from TDI children. This needs to be considered when
      designing and implementing PA promotion campaigns for children with ID.

PMID- 27262441
TI  - Effect of mild temperature shift on poly(ADP-ribose) and gammaH2AX levels in
      cultured cells.
AB  - Poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) is rapidly synthesized by PAR polymerases (PARPs) upon
      activation by DNA single- and double-strand breaks. In this study, we examined
      the quantitative amount of PAR in HeLa cells cultured within the physiological
      temperatures below 41  degrees C for verification of the effect of shifting-up or
      -down the temperature from 37.0  degrees C on the DNA breaks, whether the
      temperature-shift caused breaks that could be monitored by the level of PAR.
      While PAR level did not change significantly when HeLa cells were cultured at
      33.5  degrees C or 37.0  degrees C, it was significantly increased 2- and 3-fold
      when cells were cultured for 12 h and 24 h, respectively, at 40.5  degrees C as
      compared to 37.0  degrees C. Similar to the results with HeLa cells, PAR level
      was increased 2-fold in CHO-K1 cells cultured at 40.5  degrees C for 24 h as
      compared to 37.0  degrees C. As the cellular levels of PAR polymerase1 (PARP1)
      and PAR glycohydrolase (PARG), a major degradation enzyme for PAR, did not seem
      to change significantly, this increase could be caused by activation of PARP1 by
      DNA strand breaks. In fact, gammaH2AX, claimed to be a marker of DNA double
      strand breaks, was found in cell extracts of HeLa cells and CHO-K1 cells at
      elevated temperature vs. 37.0  degrees C, and these gammaH2AX signals were
      intensified in the presence of 3-aminobenzamide, a PARP inhibitor. The gammaH2AX
      immunohistochemistry results in HeLa cells were consistent with Western blot
      analyses. In HeLa cells, proliferation was significantly suppressed at 40.5 
      degrees C in 72 h-continuous cultures and decreased viabilities were also
      observed after 24-72 h at 40.5  degrees C. Flow cytometric analyses showed that
      the HeLa cells were arrested at G2/M after temperature shift-up to 40.5  degrees
      C. These physiological changes were potentiated in the presence of 3
      aminobenzamide. Decrease in growth rates, increased cytotoxicity and G2/M arrest,
      were associated with the temperature-shift to 40.5  degrees C and are indirect
      evidence of DNA breaks. In addition to gammaH2AX, PAR could be a sensitive marker
      for DNA single- and double-strand breaks. These two molecular markers provide
      evidence of physiological changes occurring within cells.

PMID- 27262442
TI  - Benzimidazole Based 'Turn on' Fluorescent Chemodosimeter for Zinc Ions in Mixed
      Aqueous Medium.
AB  - Benzimidazole based compound 3 is designed and synthesized. The compound 3 is
      evaluated as fluorogenic sensor for metal ions in mixed aqueous solutions. Among
      all the metal ions tested, the compound 3 selectively senses Zn(2+) ions. The
      imine bond of 3 gets cleaved by Zn(2+) ions. Thus, 3 behave as 'turn on'
      fluorescent chemodosimeter for Zn(2+) ions with limit of detction in micromolar
      range. Furthurmore, we demonstated that 3 can detect Zn(2+) ions in cells of
      Allium cepa. Graphical Abstract Benzimidazole based ligand 3 is designed and
      synthesized which behave as chemodosimeter for Zn(2+) ions. We further
      demonstrated that 3 can detect Zn(2+) ions in cells of Allium cepa. 

PMID- 27262444
TI  - The socio-behavioral development of children with symptoms of attachment
      disorder: An observational study of teacher sensitivity in special education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) have serious socio
      behavioral problems and often rely on socially abnormal, aggressive, and
      manipulative forms of communication. Little is known, however, about the
      influence of teachers on the socio-behavioral development of children with
      symptoms of RAD. AIMS: This longitudinal study examined the influence of teacher
      sensitivity on the socio-behavioral development of children with symptoms of RAD
      across one school year. METHOD: The sample included 85 Belgian children and 70
      teachers from special education schools. In the previous school year, teachers
      rated Inhibited and Disinhibited RAD symptoms. In the next school year, teacher
      Sensitivity was observed in interactions with individual children in the first
      trimester. Teacher-rated Overt aggression, Relational aggression, and Prosocial
      behavior was assessed in the first, second, and third trimester. RESULTS: We
      found no effects of Sensitivity on Prosocial behavior. Also, no effects were
      found for children with Disinhibited RAD symptoms. For children with Inhibited
      RAD symptoms, increases in Overt and Relational aggression were observed when
      Sensitivity was low, whereas decreases were observed when Sensitivity was high.
      CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The results suggest that teacher sensitivity is
      associated with the socio-behavioral development of children with Inhibited RAD
      symptoms but not with the socio-behavioral development of children with
      Disinhibited RAD symptoms. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Children with Reactive
      Attachment Disorder (RAD) exhibit socio-behavioral problems that hinder their
      school adjustment. These socio-behavioral problems appear relatively stable and
      it is not known what influence special education teachers might have on the
      development of these problems across a school year. This study suggests that
      teacher sensitivity is associated with changes in the socio-behavioral
      development of children with Inhibited RAD symptoms. Whereas high sensitivity was
      associated with improvements, low sensitivity appeared to exaggerate the socio
      behavioral problems of these children. As children with Inhibited RAD symptoms
      have difficulties communicating their needs and wishes in socially adaptive ways,
      it may not be easy for teachers to understand these children. Teachers may
      misinterpret a child's behavior and consequently will fail to respond to the
      child's underlying needs. This may reinforce the child's socio-behavioral
      problems and increase the child's reliance on egocentric and aggressive means in
      interactions with others. This study therefore highlights the need to support
      teachers in interactions with children with Inhibited RAD symptoms in order to
      help them understand how the children's observable behaviors in the classroom may
      convey their underlying socio-emotional needs and how they can respond to these
      needs. Importantly, teacher sensitivity was not associated with the socio
      behavioral development of children with Disinhibited RAD symptoms (e.g.,
      indiscriminate friendliness). Consistent with previous research, this study
      suggests that children with Inhibited RAD symptoms are more susceptible to the
      quality of the caregiving environment than children with Disinhibited RAD
      symptoms and extends this finding to the school context.

PMID- 27262445
TI  - Measuring intellectual ability in cerebral palsy: The comparison of three tests
      and their neuroimaging correlates.
AB  - Standard intelligence scales require both verbal and manipulative responses,
      making it difficult to use in cerebral palsy and leading to underestimate their
      actual performance. This study aims to compare three intelligence tests suitable
      for the heterogeneity of cerebral palsy in order to identify which one(s) could
      be more appropriate to use. Forty-four subjects with bilateral dyskinetic
      cerebral palsy (26 male, mean age 23 years) conducted the Raven's Coloured
      Progressive Matrices (RCPM), the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-3rd (PPVT-III)
      and the Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability (WNV). Furthermore, a comprehensive
      neuropsychological battery and magnetic resonance imaging were assessed. The
      results show that PPVT-III gives limited information on cognitive performance and
      brain correlates, getting lower intelligence quotient scores. The WNV provides
      similar outcomes as RCPM, but cases with severe motor impairment were unable to
      perform it. Finally, the RCPM gives more comprehensive information on cognitive
      performance, comprising not only visual but also verbal functions. It is also
      sensitive to the structural state of the brain, being related to basal ganglia,
      thalamus and white matter areas such as superior longitudinal fasciculus. So, the
      RCPM may be considered a standardized easy-to-administer tool with great
      potential in both clinical and research fields of bilateral cerebral palsy. 

PMID- 27262446
TI  - Innovation in the management of intensive care units: This is the right time.

PMID- 27262447
TI  - Dietary inflammatory index and ovarian cancer risk in a large Italian case
      control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While inflammation has been shown to play an important etiologic role
      in ovarian carcinogenesis, little is known about the association between
      inflammatory properties of diet and ovarian cancer risk. METHODS: We explored the
      association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and ovarian cancer risk
      in a multicentric Italian case-control study conducted between 1992 and 1999.
      Cases were 1,031 women with incident, histologically confirmed ovarian cancer
      from four areas in Italy. Controls were 2,411 women admitted to the same network
      of hospitals as the cases for acute, non-malignant and non-gynecological
      conditions, unrelated to hormonal or digestive-tract diseases or committed to
      long-term modifications of diet. DII scores were computed based on 31 nutrients
      and food items assessed using a reproducible and validated 78-item food frequency
      questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated through logistic regression
      models adjusting for age, total energy intake and other recognized confounding
      factors. RESULTS: Subjects in the highest quartile of DII scores (i.e., with the
      most pro-inflammatory diets) had a higher risk of ovarian cancer compared to
      subjects in the lowest quartile (i.e., with an anti-inflammatory diet)
      (ORQuartile4vs1 1.47, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.07, 2.01; p trend = 0.009).
      When analyses were carried out using continuous DII, a significant positive
      association with ovarian cancer was observed: the OR for one-unit increment in
      DII score (corresponding to approximately 8 % of its range in the current study,
      +6.0 to -6.20) was 1.08 (95% CI 1.02, 1.14). CONCLUSION: A pro-inflammatory diet
      as indicated by higher DII scores is associated with increased ovarian cancer
      risk.

PMID- 27262448
TI  - Linkage Study Revealed Complex Haplotypes in a Multifamily due to Different
      Mutations in CAPN3 Gene in an Iranian Ethnic Group.
AB  - Calpainopathy is an autosomal recessive form of limb girdle muscular dystrophies
      which is caused by mutation in CAPN3 gene. In the present study, co-segregation
      of this disorder was analyzed with four short tandem repeat markers linked to the
      CAPN3 gene. Three apparently unrelated Iranian families with same ethnicity were
      investigated. Haplotype analysis and sequencing of the CAPN3 gene were performed.
      DNA sample from one of the patients was simultaneously sent for next-generation
      sequencing. DNA sequencing identified two mutations. It was seen as a homozygous
      c.2105C>T in exon 19 in one family, a homozygous novel mutation c.380G>A in exon
      3 in another family, and a compound heterozygote form of these two mutations in
      the third family. Next-generation sequencing also confirmed our results. It was
      expected that, due to the rare nature of limb girdle muscular dystrophies,
      affected individuals from the same ethnic group share similar mutations.
      Haplotype analysis showed two different homozygote patterns in two families, yet
      a compound heterozygote pattern in the third family as seen in the mutation
      analysis. This study shows that haplotype analysis would help in determining
      presence of different founders. 

PMID- 27262449
TI  - Origin of the thalamic projection to dorsal auditory cortex in hearing and
      deafness.
AB  - While it is now well accepted that the brain reorganizes following sensory loss,
      the neural mechanisms that give rise to this plasticity are not well understood.
      Anatomical tract tracing studies have begun to shed light on the structural
      underpinnings of cross-modal reorganization by comparing cerebral connectivity in
      sensory-deprived animals to that of their non-deprived counterparts. However, so
      far, full documentation of connectional patterns within hearing, congenitally
      deaf, as well as animals deafened early versus later in life exist only for
      primary auditory cortex, a region not known to undergo cross-modal reorganization
      in the deaf. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine thalamo
      cortical patterns of connectivity in hearing, late- and early-deafened cats to
      the dorsal zone (DZ), a region of auditory cortex that cross-modally reorganizes
      to mediate enhanced visual motion perception following deafness. In hearing cats,
      the largest projections to DZ arose from the dorsal division of the medial
      geniculate body (MGB) with lesser projections originating in the medial and
      ventral MGB and from the suprageniculate and the lateral posterior nuclei. In
      general, while some variations in the strength of specific thalamic projections
      were noted, the pattern of projections arising from the thalamus in early- and
      late-deafened animals remained consistent with that of hearing subjects. These
      results complement the existing thalamic connectivity data described for
      congenitally deaf animals, which together demonstrate that thalamo-cortical
      connectivity patterns to DZ are conserved following deafness, irrespective of the
      time of onset and etiology of deafness.

PMID- 27262450
TI  - Detection efficiency of auditory steady state evoked by modulated noise.
AB  - AIM: This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of Magnitude Squared
      Coherence (MSC) and Spectral F test (SFT) for the detection of auditory steady
      state responses (ASSR) obtained by amplitude-modulated noises. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Twenty individuals (12 women) without any history of neurological or
      audiological diseases, aged from 18 to 59 years (mean +/- standard deviation =
      26.45 +/- 3.9 years), who provided written informed consent, participated in the
      study. The Audiostim system was used for stimulating and ASSR recording. The
      tested stimuli were amplitude-modulated Wide-band noise (WBN), Low-band noise
      (LBN), High-band noise (HBN), Two-band noise (TBN) between 77 and 110 Hz, applied
      in intensity levels of 55, 45, and 25 dB sound pressure level (SPL). MSC and SFT,
      two statistical-based detection techniques, were applied with a significance
      level of 5%. Detection times and rates were compared using the Friedman test and
      Tukey-Kramer as post hoc analysis. Also based on the stimulation parameters
      (stimuli types and intensity levels) and detection techniques (MSC or SFT), 16
      different pass/fail protocols, for which the true negatives (TN) were calculated.
      RESULTS: The median detection times ranged from 68 to 157s for 55 dB SPL, 68-99s
      for 45 dB SPL, and 84-118s for 25 dB SPL. No statistical difference was found
      between MSC and STF considering the median detection times (p > 0.05). The
      detection rates ranged from 100% to 55.6% in 55 dB SPL, 97.2%-38.9% in 45 dB SPL
      and 66.7%-8.3% in 25 dB SPL. Also for detection rates, no statistical difference
      was observed between MSC and STF (p > 0.05). True negatives (TN) above 90% were
      found for Protocols that employed WBN or HBN, at 55 dB SPL or that used WBN or
      HBN, at 45 dB SPL. For Protocols employing TBN, at 55 dB SPL or 45 dB SPL TN
      below 60% were found due to the low detection rates of stimuli that included low
      band frequencies. CONCLUSION: The stimuli that include high-frequency content
      showed higher detection rates (>90%) and lower detection times (<3 min). The
      noise composed by two bands applied separately (TBN) is not feasible for clinical
      applications since it requires prolonging the exam duration, and also led to a
      reduced percentage of true negatives. On the other hand, WBN and HBN achieved
      high detection performance and high TN and should be investigated to implement
      pass/fail protocol for hearing screening with clinical population. Finally, both
      WBN and HBN seemed to be indifferent to the employed technique (SFT or MSC),
      which can be seen as another advantage of ASSR employment.

PMID- 27262451
TI  - Comparison of Extracellular Matrix Patch and Standard Patch Material in the
      Pulmonary Arteries.
AB  - After pulmonary artery (PA) patch augmentation, surgical or catheterization
      reintervention to address PA stenosis is not uncommon. Multiple patch materials
      are available and the need for reintervention may be related to characteristics
      of the patch material. In this retrospective chart review of patients who
      underwent PA augmentation from 2004 through 2013, we compare outcomes after PA
      augmentation with standard patch (SP) material and extracellular matrix (ECM)
      patch material. The primary outcome was reintervention-free survival (surgery or
      catheterization) using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with the log-rank test.
      Risk factors for reintervention were assessed with Cox proportional hazard
      analyses. Baseline characteristics between groups were similar, except single
      ventricle (SV) patients were more likely to have SP, and duration of follow-up
      was longer in the SP group. Median time to reintervention for all patients was
      1099 days (95 % CI 646-1552 days). There was no difference in reintervention-free
      survival between the patch groups (p = 0.12); however, in multivariable analysis
      controlling for surgeon and patch, longer reintervention-free survival was
      associated with SV physiology (HR 0.57 95 % CI 0.34-0.95, p = 0.03) and aortic
      cross-clamp (XC) use (HR 0.52, 95 % CI 0.32-0.84, p = 0.008). Since there is no
      difference in median time to reintervention following PA augmentation with SP or
      ECM, patch choice should be determined by other factors, such as surgeon
      preference and cost. Longer reintervention-free survival in SV patients may be
      related to the set schedule of staged palliation. XC use may allow more extensive
      PA augmentation, thus protecting against the need for reintervention. 

PMID- 27262452
TI  - Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of a Live-Attenuated Herpes Zoster Vaccine: A
      Comprehensive Review.
AB  - Herpes zoster (HZ) is a common, painful and debilitating disease caused by the
      reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus in ganglia. This clinical event
      occurs more frequently in the elderly and those who are immunocompromised. The
      most common complication of HZ is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) which is
      responsible for the highest HZ-related burden of illness and is challenging to
      treat. Due to the important clinical and economic impact of HZ and PHN, and the
      suboptimal treatments that are currently available, HZ vaccination is an
      important approach to reduce the burden of illness. Currently, one-dose, live
      attenuated vaccine is licensed in the United States and Europe to prevent HZ and
      it is included in some national immunization programs. The clinical efficacy,
      safety and tolerability of the vaccine has been demonstrated in two large phase
      III clinical trials, involving more than 38,000 and 22,000 individuals aged >=60
      and 50-59 years, respectively. This comprehensive review summarizes the extensive
      "real-world" effectiveness and safety data from both immunocompetent and
      immunocompromised individuals. These data confirm those from the clinical trials,
      supporting the use of HZ vaccine in clinical practice and provide evidence that
      the current recommendations for immunocompromised individuals should be revised.
      FUNDING: Funding for the editorial assistance, article processing charges, and
      open access fee for this publication was provided by Sanofi Pasteur MSD.

PMID- 27262453
TI  - Enhancing NK cell cytotoxicity by miR-182 in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: NK-cells are the principle defense line against different
      malignancies. Their activation status is determined by the balance between
      activating and inhibitory receptors such as NKG2D and NKG2A, respectively.
      MicroRNAs are crucial post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, playing
      key roles in modulating NK-cell development and function. The aim of this study
      is to investigate the role of miRNAs in regulating the activation and cytotoxic
      function of NK-cells in HCC. METHODS: In silico analysis was performed to predict
      a potential miRNA that might target NKG2D and NKG2A mRNAs. NK-cells were isolated
      from HCC patients and healthy controls, after which miRNA and mRNA were
      quantified. Manipulating miRNA expression was performed followed by investigating
      downstream targets and the cytotoxic activity of NK-cells against Huh-7 cell
      lines. RESULTS: NK-cells of HCC patients showed miR-182 overexpression compared
      to controls. NKG2D and NKG2A were upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in
      HCC NK-cells. Upon forcing miR-182 expression in the HCC NK-cells, upregulation
      of both receptors was observed. Finally, miR-182 was reported to induce NK-cell
      cytotoxicity represented in Perforin-1 upregulation and increase in cytolytic
      killing of co-cultured Huh-7 cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that miR-182
      may augment NK-cell cytotoxicity against liver cancer via modulating NKG2D and
      NKG2A expressions.

PMID- 27262454
TI  - HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies in a population
      of 432 healthy unrelated individuals from Albania.
AB  - This paper reports the HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 allele and haplotype
      polymorphism in a population of 432 healthy individuals from Albania. First-field
      HLA genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific
      priming and/or oligonucleotide methods. The data were analyzed statistically
      using gene counting and Arlequin software packages. No deviation from Hardy
      Weinberg Equilibrium was detected at any of the loci studied. The HLA genotypic
      data of the population sample reported here are available publicly in the Allele
      Frequencies Net Database and they can serve as a reference database for further
      HLA-based population genetics studies including the Albanian population. 

PMID- 27262456
TI  - Marijuana-Related Posts on Instagram.
AB  - Instagram is a highly visual social networking site whose audience continues to
      grow, especially among young adults. In the present study, we examine marijuana
      related content on Instagram to better understand the varied types of marijuana
      related social networking occurring on this popular social media platform. We
      collected 417,561 Instagram posts with marijuana-related hashtags from November
      29 to December 12, 2014. We assessed content of a random sample (n = 5000) of
      these posts with marijuana-related hashtags. Approximately 2136 (43 %) were
      explicit about marijuana and further analyzed. Of the 2136 marijuana-related
      posts, images of marijuana were common (n = 1568). Among these 1568 marijuana
      images, traditional forms (i.e., buds/leaves) were the most common (63 %),
      followed by some novel forms of marijuana, including marijuana concentrates (20
      %). Among the 568 posts that displayed marijuana being ingested, 20 % showed
      someone dabbing marijuana concentrates. Marijuana-related advertisements were
      also observed among the 2136 marijuana-related posts (9 %). Our findings signal
      the promotion of marijuana use in its traditional plant-based form; trendy and
      novel modes of marijuana ingestion were also endorsed. This content along with
      the explicit marketing of marijuana that we observed on Instagram have potential
      to influence social norms surrounding marijuana use.

PMID- 27262455
TI  - Multidimensional reduction of multicentric cohort heterogeneity: An alternative
      method to increase statistical power and robustness.
AB  - Modern clinical research takes advantage of multicentric cohorts to increase
      sample size and gain in statistical power. However, combining individuals from
      different recruitment centers provides heterogeneity in the dataset that needs to
      be accounted for to obtain robust results. Sophisticated statistical multivariate
      models adjusting for center effect can be implemented, but they can become
      unstable and can be complex to interpret with the increasing number of covariates
      to consider. Here, we present a multidimensional reduction technique to identify
      heterogeneity in a French multicentric cohort of hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantations and characterize a homogeneous subgroup prior to performing
      simple statistical univariate analyses. The exclusion of outliers allowed the
      identification of two genetic factors associated with post-transplantation
      overall survival. We therefore provide proof-of-concept that a sample size
      reduction method can efficiently account for heterogeneity and center effect in
      multicentric cohorts while increasing statistical power and robustness for
      discovery of new association signals.

PMID- 27262457
TI  - The effect of resin coating on the shear punch strength of restorative glass
      ionomer cements.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to examine the shear punch strength
      (SPS) of high-strength glass ionomer cements (HSGICs) in relation to coating
      applications and duration of coating. MATERIALS AND METHODS: I-Ninety specimens
      each of Fuji IX GP Fast (FIX Fast), Ionofil Molar AC (IM), Riva Self Cure (R) and
      Ketac Molar (KM) were prepared and divided into uncoated and coated groups, sub
      divided into three sub-groups and incubated for 24 h, 1 week or 8 weeks
      (distilled water, 37  degrees C) before SPS. II-Ninety specimens each of uncoated
      and coated Fuji IX GP Extra were similarly prepared, divided into six sub-groups
      and incubated for 2 h, 24 h, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months or 3 months (artificial
      saliva, 37  degrees C) before SPS. Another 90 specimens were coated for 2 h, 24
      h, 1 week, 1 month or 2 months, after which the coating was removed. Specimens
      were re-incubated in artificial saliva until the end of the 3-month period and
      then subjected to SPS. RESULTS: None of the materials gained extra strength when
      coated. Uncoated KM, IM (at all times) and FIX Fast (at 24 h) were stronger. Fuji
      IX GP Extra achieved 11.5 MPa after 2 h, which increased to 56.7 MPa after 24 h.
      The highest strength after 3 months was achieved when the coating was retained
      for 2 h (71.7 MPa). CONCLUSION: A resin coating will not positively affect the
      SPS of HSGICs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is no need to protect HSGICs from water
      to gain extra strength unless the coating is retained for 2 h.

PMID- 27262458
TI  - Neighbourhood search feature selection method for content-based mammogram
      retrieval.
AB  - Content-based image retrieval plays an increasing role in the clinical process
      for supporting diagnosis. This paper proposes a neighbourhood search method to
      select the near-optimal feature subsets for the retrieval of mammograms from the
      Mammographic Image Analysis Society (MIAS) database. The features based on grey
      level cooccurrence matrix, Daubechies-4 wavelet, Gabor, Cohen-Daubechies-Feauveau
      9/7 wavelet and Zernike moments are extracted from mammograms available in the
      MIAS database to form the combined or fused feature set for testing various
      feature selection methods. The performance of feature selection methods is
      evaluated using precision, storage requirement and retrieval time measures. Using
      the proposed method, a significant improvement is achieved in mean precision rate
      and feature dimension. The results show that the proposed method outperforms the
      state-of-the-art feature selection methods.

PMID- 27262459
TI  - Efficacy of vacuum-assisted closure therapy on rehabilitation during the
      treatment for surgical site infection after cardiovascular surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Surgical site infection (SSI) after cardiovascular procedures is a
      severe complication, potentially leading to high morbidity and mortality. In
      addition, during the treatment of SSI, rehabilitation is delayed, which can
      severely impair postoperative recovery. The aim of this study was to assess the
      effect of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy on rehabilitation during the
      treatment of SSI after cardiovascular surgery. METHODS: From January 2008 to
      March 2015, 10 patients underwent VAC therapy for SSI after cardiovascular
      operations. The patient characteristics, duration of VAC therapy, time interval
      from the implementation of VAC to physical therapy (PT) (T1), ambulation (T2) and
      walking (T3), functional independent measure (FIM), and maximum consecutive
      walking capacity (MCWC) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Nine patients
      underwent mid-sternal incision and one patient underwent thoraco-abdominal
      incision. The mean time interval from the beginning of VAC therapy to PT,
      ambulation, and walking was 0.38 +/- 0.50, 0.63 +/- 0.71, and 1.38 +/- 1.86 days,
      respectively. The average FIM was 84.5 +/- 14.0 at the beginning of VAC therapy
      and 106.7 +/- 18.5 at the end of VAC therapy (P = 0.000494). On average, MCWC was
      52.3 +/- 54.6 m at the installation of VAC therapy and 189.7 +/- 152.8 m at the
      completion of VAC therapy (P = 0.0169). FIM and MCWC improvement rate was better
      in VAC group than non-VAC group although these data are not suitable for
      statistical analysis because of a small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Although
      further studies are warranted, VAC therapy may have a role in facilitating
      rehabilitation and improving the prognosis of SSI cases after major
      cardiovascular operations.

PMID- 27262460
TI  - Description of Sphingomonas mohensis sp. nov., Isolated from Sediment.
AB  - An aerobic, gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain
      Z6(T), was isolated from sediment collected at Mohe Basin, China. And its
      taxonomic position was investigated by applying a polyphasic approach. Growth
      occurs at 10-45  degrees C (optimum, 30  degrees C), at pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, pH
      7.0) and in the presence of 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). The polar lipid
      profile of strain Z6(T) revealed the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid and two unidentified phospholipids,
      and the major quinone was Q-10. The major fatty acids were C18:1 omega7c and/or
      C18:1 omega6c (summed feature 8) and C16:1 omega6c and/or C16:1 omega7c (summed
      feature 3). The predominant polyamine was homospermidine. The DNA G + C content
      of strain Z6(T) is 65.2 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented,
      strain Z6(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the
      name Sphingomonas mohensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Z6(T) (=CGMCC
      1.12891(T) = JCM 19983(T)). 

PMID- 27262461
TI  - Protective Effects of Extracellular and Intracellular Polysaccharides on
      Hepatotoxicity by Hericium erinaceus SG-02.
AB  - The protective effects of extracellular and intracellular polysaccharides from
      Hericium erinaceus SG-02 on the CCl4-induced hepatic injury of mice were
      investigated in this work. By the analysis of GC, the extracellular
      polysaccharides (EPS) were composed of arabinose, mannose, galactose, and glucose
      with a ratio of 1:7:14:52, and the composition of intracellular polysaccharides
      (IPS) was rhamnose, xylose, mannose, galactose, and glucose with a ratio of
      3:4:7:14:137. The model of hepatic injury of mice was induced by CCl4 and three
      tested levels (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) of EPS and IPS were set as the
      experimental group. Results showed that the aspartate aminotransferase and
      glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities in serum were reduced by the supplement
      of EPS and IPS, while the blood lipid levels including cholesterol, triglyceride,
      and albumin were improved. In liver tissue, the lipid peroxidation and
      malondialdehyde were largely decreased, and the superoxide dismutase and catalase
      activities were significantly increased. The evidence demonstrated that the EPS
      and IPS of H. erinaceus SG-02 were protective for liver injury. The
      histopathological observations of mice liver slices indicated that EPS and IPS
      had obvious effects on liver protection. 

PMID- 27262463
TI  - Is Too Much Enough?
AB  - When the Elwood boys advanced beyond the toddler stage and acquired a prolific
      ability to wreak havoc on their domestic surroundings, this Journal's editor
      would try in vain to reduce the amount of destruction by offering the following
      sage parental advice, "Too much is enough boys, too much is enough." Although the
      words produced little effect, they have remained with this editor over the
      decades, particularly in the context of the exponential growth in the number of
      periodicals and the manuscripts contained in them. It is estimated that there are
      more than 34,000 scientific, medical, and technical peer-reviewed scholarly
      journals that publish nearly 2.5 million articles a year, the equivalent of a
      manuscript every 13 seconds. Moreover, according to the International Association
      of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers, the number of journals and
      articles published in those fields has grown by between 3 and 3.5% a year for the
      past two centuries. A question that may be worth pondering is whether this growth
      is good or bad. 

PMID- 27262464
TI  - Many College Students Underestimate Diabetes Risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: College students form long-lasting diet and health behaviors that are
      associated with an increased lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes. Thus, colleges and
      universities can be critical settings to increase awareness of diabetes risk and
      for nutrition education and health interventions. However, it is not clear if
      high-risk students recognize the likelihood of diabetes in their future.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess personal risk perceptions of a sample of multiracial college
      students with three or more known risk factors for diabetes, and to identity
      characteristics of students with an unrealistic perception of their future risk.
      DESIGN: Self-reported data on health and behavior were collected from 1,579
      students from three urban colleges. The students at high risk (n=541) for
      diabetes were categorized as having either a realistic or unrealistic perception
      of their future risk of diabetes. Characteristics of the two groups were examined
      using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Approximately 61% of the high
      risk students recognized they were more likely to develop diabetes than others,
      while the remaining 39% did not perceive their personal risk to be high. The
      under-estimators were significantly more likely to be male (p=0.010), have no
      family history of diabetes (p=0.029), and be born outside the United States
      (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The under-estimators, an unrealistically optimistic high
      risk group, warrant attention, as an unrealistic perception may reduce their
      likelihood of taking preventive actions to diminish the threat. There is a
      pressing need to heighten knowledge and awareness of diabetes risk and to develop
      models of health education and behavior change that are both relevant and
      effective for young adults.

PMID- 27262465
TI  - Reassessment of Allied Health Professionals' Level of Self-Efficacy in, Outcome
      Expectancy in, and Use of Evidence-Based Practice.
AB  - AIM: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is fundamental to improving patient outcomes.
      Factors affecting EBP capabilities are linked with institutional culture and
      barriers, personal self-belief, and individual ability. To effect change in
      capabilities, interventions must target barriers and be informed by behaviour
      change theory. This study measured the effect of training and organisational
      change on EBP measures amongst allied health professionals. METHODS: All allied
      health staff (n=196) employed across the Mater Health Services (Brisbane,
      Queensland) were invited to complete a survey assessing EBP self-efficacy,
      outcome expectancy and use, as well as EBP training undertaken. Data were
      compared with those of surveys from 2010 and 2011. RESULTS: Response rate was
      70.9% (n=139/196); 32 staff completed all surveys. Significant improvements were
      observed in staff undertaking training (EBP, p=0.008; research design and
      analysis, p=0.003) since the first survey. The significant increase in EBP self
      efficacy that occurred from T1 to T2 remained at T3 (p=0.008). Fewer between
      department differences were observed over time. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      identified sustained EBP self-efficacy improvements in this cohort and found that
      between-department differences have virtually disappeared. Ongoing interventions
      are required to sustain and improve staff's belief in their ability to deliver
      EBP.

PMID- 27262462
TI  - Genome-wide association of familial prostate cancer cases identifies evidence for
      a rare segregating haplotype at 8q24.21.
AB  - Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of prostate cancer risk focused
      on cases unselected for family history and have reported over 100 significant
      associations. The International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ICPCG)
      has now performed a GWAS of 2511 (unrelated) familial prostate cancer cases and
      1382 unaffected controls from 12 member sites. All samples were genotyped on the
      Illumina 5M+exome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) platform. The GWAS
      identified a significant evidence for association for SNPs in six regions
      previously associated with prostate cancer in population-based cohorts, including
      3q26.2, 6q25.3, 8q24.21, 10q11.23, 11q13.3, and 17q12. Of note, SNP rs138042437
      (p = 1.7e(-8)) at 8q24.21 achieved a large estimated effect size in this cohort
      (odds ratio = 13.3). 116 previously sampled affected relatives of 62 risk-allele
      carriers from the GWAS cohort were genotyped for this SNP, identifying 78
      additional affected carriers in 62 pedigrees. A test for an excess number of
      affected carriers among relatives exhibited strong evidence for co-segregation of
      the variant with disease (p = 8.5e(-11)). The majority (92 %) of risk-allele
      carriers at rs138042437 had a consistent estimated haplotype spanning
      approximately 100 kb of 8q24.21 that contained the minor alleles of three rare
      SNPs (dosage minor allele frequencies <1.7 %), rs183373024 (PRNCR1), previously
      associated SNP rs188140481, and rs138042437 (CASC19). Strong evidence for co
      segregation of a SNP on the haplotype further characterizes the haplotype as a
      prostate cancer predisposition locus.

PMID- 27262466
TI  - Student Physical Therapists' Competence and Self-Confidence in Basic Clinical
      Assessment and Musculoskeletal Differential Diagnosis.
AB  - Student physical therapists are expected to learn and confidently perform
      technical skills while integrating nontechnical behavioral and cognitive skills
      in their examinations and interventions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was
      to compare the self-confidence of entry-level doctoral student physical
      therapists during foundational assessment and musculoskeletal differential
      diagnosis courses and the students' competencies based on skills examinations.
      DESIGN: Methods using qualitative and quantitative procedures. METHODS: Student
      physical therapists (n=27) participated in a basic assessment course followed by
      a musculoskeletal differential diagnosis course. The students completed
      confidence surveys prior to skills examinations in both courses. A random sample
      of students participated in focus groups, led by a researcher outside the
      physical therapy department. RESULTS: Student confidence did not correlate with
      competency scores. At the end of the basic clinical assessment course and the
      beginning of the differential diagnosis course, students' confidence was
      significantly below baseline. However, by the end of the differential diagnosis
      course, student confidence had returned to original baseline levels. CONCLUSIONS:
      Over three semesters, the students lost confidence and then regained confidence
      in their abilities. Additional experience and practice influenced perceived
      confidence. However, increased competence may have been associated with poor self
      appraisal skills instead of increased competency.

PMID- 27262467
TI  - Student Outcomes Associated with an Interprofessional Program Incorporating
      TeamSTEPPS(r).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interprofessional education (IPE) of health professions students is a
      starting point for developing collaborative-practice-ready healthcare
      professionals, ultimately leading to improved patient care. The purpose of this
      study was to develop and evaluate a novel, foundational, IPE pilot program that
      incorporates TeamSTEPPS(r) for health professions students. METHODS: Students
      representing 13 different health professions programs participated in successive
      Level 1 and Level 2 "Foundations of Interprofessional Collaboration: Introduction
      to TeamSTEPPS(r)" half-day activities (n = 241). Students' satisfaction with the
      pilot program, changes in attitudes toward teamwork from before to after
      participation, TeamSTEPPS(r) knowledge acquisition, and anticipated future
      interprofessional collaboration-oriented behavior change were assessed through
      online surveys. RESULTS: Overall, students were highly satisfied with the pilot
      program and reported that learning from other professions was valuable.
      Statistically significant positive changes were noted in attitudes toward
      teamwork, most notably with the Level 1 pilot. Greater than 80% of students who
      completed the surveys demonstrated acquisition of TeamSTEPPS(r) knowledge.
      Students also reported feeling more prepared to collaborate interprofessionally
      in their future practice. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the two-level
      foundational pilot program is feasible and had the intended effects with regards
      to moving health professions students toward becoming collaborative-practice
      ready healthcare professionals.

PMID- 27262468
TI  - Student Reflections on Interprofessional Education: Moving from Concepts to
      Collaboration.
AB  - PURPOSE: We analyzed student reflection essays to evaluate the impact of an
      interprofessional education (IPE) curriculum on what students value and
      personally learn from their participation. METHODS: After completing a 2-year IPE
      curriculum in the Health Mentors Program (HMP), while partnered with a mentor
      with chronic disease(s), 264 students from six health professions submitted
      personal reflection papers, using the Rolfe Reflection-in-Action model. A sample
      of 60 essays was analyzed using conventional content analysis guided by grounded
      theory. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis revealed 15 themes and 14 subthemes in the
      essays. The themes and subthemes were organized into four main categories:
      program, mentor, team, and self. Most students viewed the HMP curricular design
      positively. In particular, they cited the team-based home visit as a critical
      piece in changing their perceptions of the impact of chronic disease on their
      health mentor. Mentors' positive attitude and approach toward life also had a
      profound impact on students. Approximately half of the students identified
      positive team dynamics as a key component for optimal patient care and better
      health outcomes, noting improved understanding of team members' professional
      roles and responsibilities after working together in this longitudinal IPE
      program. The "self" category had the highest frequency count, with students
      describing positive changes in self-assessed knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that reflective writing is an effective
      exercise through which students can explore their attitudes toward IPE and team
      based care of individuals with chronic diseases. After participation in this IPE
      curriculum, students identified having an improved understanding of collaborative
      practice goals, indicative of meeting an IPE core competency, and described a new
      understanding of patient-centeredness.

PMID- 27262469
TI  - Effectiveness of Clinical Supervision of Allied Health Professionals: A Survey.
AB  - The practice of clinical supervision (CS) is recommended for allied health
      professionals. Preliminary evidence suggests that CS can be effective, but it is
      unknown for which allied health professions it is most effective. METHOD: The
      effectiveness of CS was measured using the allied health-specific modified
      Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS-26). Subscales of the MCSS-26 were
      summed for three domain scores (normative, restorative and formative). RESULTS:
      One hundred ninety-six allied health professionals working in seven disciplines
      completed the survey. Allied health profession and supervisor experience had a
      significant effect on total MCSS-26 score (p=0.004 and 0.001, respectively).
      Allied health professions scored significantly lower in the normative domain than
      the restorative domain (mean diff 6.0%, 95%CI 3.3 to 8.7, p<0.001) and the
      formative domain (mean diff 7.9%, 95%CI 5.7 to 10.1, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A
      significant difference exists between allied health professions in the
      effectiveness of CS, with social workers, psychologists, and occupational
      therapists reporting effective supervision, while the effectiveness of CS for
      physiotherapists, dieticians, podiatrists, and speech-language pathologists was
      uncertain. All professions reported that CS was least effective in the normative
      domain, indicating that it was difficult to find time to participate in CS.

PMID- 27262470
TI  - Perceived Leadership Practices in Year-One Students Enrolled in Professional
      Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leadership has been identified as an important attribute for health
      care professionals. Assessing leadership practices can help identify areas of
      strength or needed improvement for the development of leaders. OBJECTIVES: To
      describe the perceived leadership practices of year-1 Doctor of Physical Therapy
      (DPT) students, to determine if the participants' demographic variables were
      related to their perceived leadership practices, and to explore differences
      between participants and the general population. METHODS: The Leadership
      Practices Inventory (LPI Self) developed by Kouzes and Posner was used to assess
      leadership practices of year-1 DPT students at six Midwestern universities.
      RESULTS: The leadership practices of 192 DPT students in highest to lowest order
      were Enable, Encourage, Model, Challenge, and Inspire. Age was found to be
      significantly correlated with the Challenge leadership practice. The order and
      means of some leadership practices of the DPT students were different than the
      general population. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a baseline description of
      how year-1 DPT students perceived their leadership behaviors and how the LPI Self
      can be used to facilitate the development of leadership skills.

PMID- 27262471
TI  - Factors Influencing Texas Physical Therapy Students' Membership in the American
      Physical Therapy Association and the Texas Physical Therapy Association:
      Implications for Academicians, Clinicians, and Professional Associations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors impacting the decisions of student physical
      therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) to join and maintain
      membership in the American Physical Therapy Association and the Texas Physical
      Therapy Association, in light of a membership initiative of Reach 100 that was
      adopted in Texas. STUDY DESIGN: Survey, descriptive. METHODS: An online
      membership survey invitation was distributed to Texas PT and PTA students.
      RESULTS: A total of 479 students responded to the survey. A majority of
      participants (67%) reported being members, while 33% reported being non-members.
      The primary reason students (74%) reported for being a member was that they were
      encouraged by their academic program. Students who are not members (87%) cited
      the high cost of national dues. A majority of participants (n=379, 83%) rated
      faculty promotion of membership as somewhat high to high. In contrast, only 26%
      rated the promotion of membership by their clinical education sites as somewhat
      high to high. Professional growth and development was cited as the main reason to
      maintain membership. CONCLUSIONS: Although students are being encouraged to join,
      a third of the respondents still do not belong. It is imperative that clinical
      mentors model and support membership activities. Association leadership may use
      this information to develop strategic plans to be inclusive of the student and
      new professional.

PMID- 27262472
TI  - Comparison of Teaching Strategies for Cultural Humility in Physical Therapy.
AB  - Cultural competence and cultural humility are ongoing processes that healthcare
      professionals should continually strive for in order to provide effective and
      comprehensive plans of care for patients. METHODS: This 2-year, longitudinal,
      educational pilot study describes the levels of competency in second-year entry
      level physical therapy students and compares the outcomes of three teaching
      strategies for cultural competence and cultural humility. All students received a
      standard 2-hour lecture; study volunteers were randomly assigned to one of two
      enriched educational groups, involving a standardized patient or a paper case
      enrichment. RESULTS: Students shifted from initial levels of "culturally
      incompetent" and/or "culturally aware" to "culturally competent" as measured by
      the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence Among Healthcare
      Professionals-Revised. This shift was maintained after 1.5 yrs following the
      exposure. Because the enriched educational groups were underpowered, preliminary
      quantitative data are inconclusive, but qualitative feedback from students is
      strongly positive. DISCUSSION: A minimal dose of a structured 2-hr lecture with a
      skilled instructor, who creates a safe environment for cultural learning,
      produced positive shifts toward greater cultural competence. Five processes
      emerged for teaching cultural humility that may assist in designing comprehensive
      educational experiences on this topic. A framework for organizing course content
      is presented.

PMID- 27262473
TI  - Teaching Collaboration Competencies to Healthcare Provider Students Through
      Simulation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although interprofessional collaboration has been proven to reduce the
      number of errors, few programs have incorporated interprofessional training into
      their programs. The purpose of this study was to determine if attitudes and
      observed collaborative behaviors among an interprofessional group of students
      improved or increased following an intervention that included a didactic session
      on the process of collaboration, a low-fidelity simulation of interprofessional
      patient care rounds, and facilitated debriefing sessions. METHODS: In this mixed
      methods study, two scales from the TeamSTEPPSTM Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire
      (TAQ) were used as a pre- and post-test to assess attitude and behavior changes
      in students. Qualitative data were also collected via semi-structured
      interviewing and observation. RESULTS: Students (n=515) from eight professional
      healthcare programs participated in the study. Statistical significance (p<0.001)
      was reached in 10 of the 12 TAQ questions, indicating that attitudes towards
      teamwork and collaboration improved substantially. All observed collaborative
      behaviors increased between 3 to 18% pre- to posttest. Students reported that the
      intervention taught them about other provider roles and gave them the language
      they needed to collaborate. CONCLUSIONS: Low-fidelity scripted simulation of
      patient care rounds is a cost-effective and time-efficient method to teach
      interprofessional collaboration simultaneously to large groups of students in
      diverse healthcare professional programs.

PMID- 27262474
TI  - Examining the Phenomenon of the Administrative Burden in Health Care, Allied
      Health, and Respiratory Care.
AB  - Documentation expectations for allied health professional appears to have changed
      dramatically in the past decade. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the
      literature related to clinician perceptions of these documentation expectations
      and changes in the workload attributable to such administrative duties, review
      the results of a recent pilot project surveying respiratory therapists'
      perception of documentation, and reflect upon the potential ramifications of
      excessive documentation. This commentary also discusses some recommendations for
      the future in terms of the design of documentation systems and the need for
      additional research to further explore this area. 

PMID- 27262475
TI  - Students' Readiness and Perception of Interprofessional Learning in an
      Undergraduate Swiss Healthcare Student Context: A Cross Sectional Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess attitudes toward
      interprofessional education (IPE) among undergraduate health students in
      Switzerland after 2 weeks of IPE training during the first year of their
      bachelor's curriculum. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a convenience
      sample of first-year undergraduate healthcare students assessed using the RIPLS
      scale. RESULTS: A total of 140 students participated in this study.
      Physiotherapist students achieved the highest mean scores for the total RIPLS.
      However, the total mean score for RIPLS for nurse students was statistically
      lower (p<0.001) in comparison to the other departments. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      are inspiring in that students demonstrated positive attitudes, perceptions, and
      attributes toward IPE activities. This study contributes to the development of
      innovative IPE activities.

PMID- 27262476
TI  - Academicians and Neurologic Physical Therapy Residents Partner to Expand Clinical
      Reflection Using the SOLO Taxonomy: A Novel Approach.
AB  - Creating curriculums that develop physical therapy (PT) students into evidenced
      based, critically reflective, entry-level practitioners is one of the primary
      goals for PT programs. Academic faculty partnering with neurologic residency
      programs to design learning environments that capitalize upon the strengths of
      both can create insightful educational experiences for students during their
      didactic training. These partnerships support the development of critical
      thinking skills and provide mentorship for residents transitioning from their
      role as a clinician to that of an educator. Using the SOLO (structure of observed
      learning outcomes) taxonomy as a framework for developing learning experiences,
      Seton Hall University neurologic academic faculty and program directors from the
      Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation Residency in Neurologic Physical Therapy
      have built a partnership that seeks to develop critical reflection skills in both
      the neurologic resident and entry-level PT students. While integration of
      residents into entry-level PT curriculum may not be novel, we believe that
      utilizing the SOLO model within this partnership is unique. This paper describes
      the partnership and learning experiences rooted in the SOLO taxonomy theoretical
      framework and discusses perceived benefits of this learning experience across
      professional health science programs. 

PMID- 27262477
TI  - An Innovative Program in the Science of Health Care Delivery: Workforce Diversity
      in the Business of Health.
AB  - According to the most recent statistics from the National Center for Education
      Statistics, disparities in enrollment in undergraduate and graduate education are
      significant and not improving commensurate with the national population.
      Similarly, only 12% of graduating medical students and 13% of graduating
      physician assistant students are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
      Established in 2012 to promote health care transformation at the organization and
      system levels, the School for the Science of Health Care Delivery is aligned with
      the university and college missions to create innovative, interdisciplinary
      curricula that meet the needs of our diverse patient and community populations.
      Three-year enrollment trends in the program exceed most national benchmarks,
      particularly among students who identify as Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska
      Native. The Science of Health Care Delivery program provides students a seamless
      learning experience that prepares them to be solutions-oriented leaders
      proficient in the business of health care, change management, innovation, and
      data-driven decision making. Defined as the study and design of systems,
      processes, leadership and management used to optimize health care delivery and
      health for all, the Science of Health Care Delivery will prepare the next
      generation of creative, diverse, pioneering leaders in health care. 

PMID- 27262478
TI  - Perceptions of Graduating Health Professional Students of Their Interprofessional
      Education Experiences during Pre-Licensure Education.
AB  - The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to identify graduating
      students' perspectives on what makes prelicensure interprofessional education
      (IPE) and interprofessional collaboration (IPC) experiences valuable and
      effective and to identify other opportunities for effective IPE. We conducted
      telephone interviews with 12 students in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and
      physiotherapy during their final year of training and thematically analyzed the
      verbatim transcripts. We found factors that make existing IPE experiences
      valuable and effective and could facilitate leverage of other curricular
      opportunities include: 1) experiential learning in clinical and classroom
      contexts, 2) relevancy of the IPE experiences, 3) opportunities for role
      clarification, 4) supervisors' influence (e.g., modeling collaborative skills),
      and 5) integration of IPE and IPC experiences into the existing curriculum. 

PMID- 27262479
TI  - Quality improvement program reduces venous thromboembolism in infants and
      children with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA).
AB  - PURPOSE: Patients with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) treated with the Foker
      process are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). An institutional
      quality improvement program to decrease VTE risk factor exposure and utilize
      prophylactic anticoagulation was implemented. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and
      safety of a VTE risk-reduction program in patients with LGEA. METHODS:
      Implementation and evaluation of a VTE risk-reduction program in patients with
      LGEA from 2012 to 2015 was performed. Symptomatic VTE with radiographic
      confirmation were defined as events. Post-program characteristics were evaluated
      and compared to a historical cohort. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were
      identified. Two developed VTE (7 %) post-program implementation; compared to
      13/40 (33 %) VTE incidence in the historical cohort (p = 0.018). Baseline
      demographics were similar, including age, esophageal atresia type and gap length.
      Post-protocol patients had fewer paralysis episodes (p = 0.004), paralysis days
      (p = 0.003), central venous catheters (p = 0.003), thoracotomies (p < 0.001),
      ventilator hours (p = 0.02), and decreased hospital (p < 0.001) and ICU stay (p <
      0.001). All patients in the VTE risk-reduction program were exposed to
      prophylactic anticoagulation. No bleeding complications and/or thrombosis-related
      mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: VTE risk-reduction program implementation
      decreased symptomatic VTE incidence with associated decreases in ICU and hospital
      length of stay. Prophylactic anticoagulation can be utilized safely in a
      complicated pediatric surgical population.

PMID- 27262480
TI  - Validation and comparison of the psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-3L and EQ
      5D-5L instruments in Greece.
AB  - PURPOSE: To validate and compare the psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-3L with
      the EQ-5D-5L classification systems in Greece. METHODS: Participants (n = 2279)
      over 40 years old, sampled from the greater area of Athens using a multistage
      stratified quota sampling method, completed both EQ-5D versions, while
      information was also collected on socio-demographics and health-related
      characteristics. The EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L were evaluated in terms of agreement,
      ceiling effects, redistribution and inconsistency, informativity, and convergent
      and known-groups validity. RESULTS: The agreement between the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D
      5L was high (ICC = 0.85). Ceiling effects decreased significantly in the EQ-5D-5L
      in all domains (P < 0.001), with "usual activities" (-21.4 %) and "self-care" (
      20.1 %) showing the highest absolute and "anxiety/depression" the highest
      relative reduction (-32.46 %). Inconsistency was low (5.7 %). The increase in
      prevalence of problems was larger than the decrease in their severity, resulting
      in a lower mean health utility for the EQ-5D-5L. Overall absolute and relative
      informativity improved by 70.5 % and 16.4 %, respectively, in the EQ-5D-5L. Both
      instruments exhibited good convergent and known-groups validity, with evidence of
      a considerably better convergent performance and discriminatory ability of the EQ
      5D-5L. CONCLUSIONS: Both EQ-5D versions demonstrated good construct validity and
      had consistent redistribution. The EQ-5D-5L system may be preferable to the EQ-5D
      3L, as it exhibited superior performance in terms of lower ceiling effects,
      higher absolute and relative informativity, and improved convergent and known
      groups validity efficiency.

PMID- 27262481
TI  - Estimating the postmortem interval of human skeletal remains by analyzing their
      optical behavior.
AB  - The aim of this study was to figure out a new practically applicable method to
      distinguish between historical and recent human skeletal remains. Therefore, the
      optical behavior of bone cross sections was investigated using the combination of
      two methods: a modification of an already established test (UV-induced
      fluorescence) and a new method (490 nm-induced fluorescence). We evaluated the
      areal extent of fluorescence of 30 bone cross sections with known postmortem
      interval (PMI) using ultraviolet light and 490 nm light. For analysis, the areal
      extend of fluorescent surface was determined using photos of the samples and an
      image editing software. The results prove that there is a correlation between PMI
      and the areal extent of fluorescent surface in both tests. Furthermore, the
      combination of both methods is a good indicator to distinguish within the
      forensic relevant post mortem interval between PMI < 30 years and PMI > 30 years.

PMID- 27262482
TI  - Blood identification and discrimination between human and nonhuman blood using
      portable Raman spectroscopy.
AB  - Raman spectroscopy is commonly used in chemistry to identify molecular structure.
      This technique is a nondestructive analysis and needs no sample preparation.
      Recently, Raman spectroscopy has been shown to be effective as a multipurpose
      analytical method for forensic applications. In the present study, blood
      identification and discrimination between human and nonhuman blood were performed
      by a portable Raman spectrometer, which can be used at a crime scene. To identify
      the blood and to discriminate between human and nonhuman blood, Raman spectra of
      bloodstains from 11 species (human, rat, mouse, cow, horse, sheep, pig, rabbit,
      cat, dog, and chicken) were taken using a portable Raman spectrometer. Raman
      peaks for blood (742, 1001, 1123, 1247, 1341, 1368, 1446, 1576, and 1619 cm-1)
      could be observed by the portable Raman spectrometer in all 11 species, and the
      human bloodstain could be distinguished from the nonhuman ones by using a
      principal component analysis. This analysis can be performed on a bloodstain
      sample of at least 3 months old. The portable Raman spectrometer can be used at a
      crime scene, and this analysis is useful for forensic examination.

PMID- 27262483
TI  - Expelled uninsured patients in a less-competitive hospital market in Florida,
      USA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This research evaluates the effect of hospital competition on inward
      and outward patient transfers for different types of payers including the
      uninsured. Although it is a less spotlighted issue, an equally important topic is
      the likelihood of inter-hospital patient transfers of the insured and the
      uninsured. This study attempts to fill a gap in the research about the
      relationship between hospital competition and patient transfers. METHODS: By
      developing the payer-specific level of hospital competition, this research
      evaluates the effect of hospital competition on inward and outward patient
      sharing (or patient transfers) for different types of payers including the
      uninsured. For patient transfers, instead of focusing on whether a patient is
      transferred from one hospital to another hospital at the patient level, we
      measure the numbers of patient transfers between hospitals (both inward and
      outward) at the hospital level. These dependent variables-the numbers of outward
      and inward patient transfers by the principal payers-are count variables, and we
      employ either a Poisson regression model or a negative binomial regression model.
      RESULTS: Controlling for hospital characteristics, when the uninsured Hirschman
      Herfindahl Index (HHI) increased by 0.01, the uninsured were 593 % more likely to
      be transferred to another hospital. When a hospital dominates its market, it
      tends to expel uninsured patients to other hospitals. CONCLUSION: If patient
      transfers are medically unnecessary and primarily due to financial incentives,
      health administrators and policymakers should minimize such events. Since the
      uninsured who are admitted to a hospital that dominates its hospital market are
      likely to be much more vulnerable in their access to health care services, the
      state government of Florida needs to move toward increased health insurance
      coverage for eligible Floridians.

PMID- 27262485
TI  - Bioinspired Platform Conjugated Active Drug Delivery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rapid emergence of nanotechnology and biotechnology has enabled
      revolutionary developments for drug delivery systems. Recently, drug delivery has
      attracted extensive research interest; applied to improve the functions of these
      carriers and their applications. OBJECTIVE: Active drug delivery is currently
      approved as an ideal approach for targeted transport in a biological entity and
      can cooperate with therapeutic mediums in transporting cargoes. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSION: In this review, several active targeted cargomediated drug delivery
      patterns have been summarized, including molecular motors, bio-camouflaged
      particles, and self-propelled nanomotors. Subsequently, a series of active
      targeted carriers for drug delivery were introduced, and their ability for
      targeted binding was discussed. Furthermore, the mechanism of active targeted
      transport was exposited in detail, and some promising works are highlighted.

PMID- 27262484
TI  - Proteomic and peptidomic differences and similarities between four muscle types
      from New Zealand raised Angus steers.
AB  - Four muscles from New Zealand-raised Angus steers were evaluated (musculus
      semitendinosus, m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum, m. psoas major and m.
      infraspinatus) to test their differences and common features in protein and
      peptide abundances. The ultimate goal of such a comparison is to match muscle
      types to products with targeted properties. Protein profiling based on two
      dimensional electrophoresis showed that the overall profiles were similar, but,
      between muscle types, significant (p<0.05) intensity differences were observed in
      twenty four protein spots. Profiling of endogenous peptides allowed
      characterisation of 346 peptides. Quantitative analysis showed a clear
      distinction between the muscle types. Forty-four peptides were identified that
      showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) and substantial (>2-fold change)
      difference between at least two muscle types. These analyses demonstrate
      substantial similarities between these four muscle types, but also clear
      distinctions in their profiles; specifically a 25% difference between at least
      two muscles at the peptidomic level, and a 14% difference at the proteomic level.

PMID- 27262486
TI  - Recent Advances in pH-Sensitive Polymeric Nanoparticles for Smart Drug Delivery
      in Cancer Therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapid developments in the field of nanoparticles during the last
      decades have led to its increased application in drug delivery approaches. The
      advantages of nano-based drug delivery systems include improved therapeutic
      efficacy of drugs and the reduction of side effects. OBJECTIVE: This review aims
      to highlight advances in stimuli-triggered drug delivery approaches using
      polymeric nanoparticles with a focus on pH-sensitive drug- and theranostic
      delivery systems. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Of the various organic/inorganic
      nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles have fulfilled an integral role in the
      advancement of drug delivery systems by virtue of the ease to incorporate and
      modify targeting moieties in combination with controlled drug release over
      prolonged periods. Furthermore, polymeric nanoparticles facilitate theranostic
      treatment by the incorporation of imaging agents in addition to therapeutics.
      Recently, stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles emerged as smart drug
      carriers, in which drug release is affected by physical and/or chemical
      structural changes induced by a specific stimulus (e.g. pH, temperature, and
      specific enzymes). The use of these nanocomposites reduces premature drug release
      and maintains effective drug levels at the pathological target.

PMID- 27262488
TI  - Targeted Mesoporous Silica Nanocarriers in Oncology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the major leading causes of death worldwide and its
      prevalence will be higher in the coming years due to the progressive aging of the
      population. The development of nanocarriers in oncology has provided a new hope
      in the fight against this terrible disease. OBJECTIVE: Among the different types
      of nanoparticles which have been reported in the scientific literature,
      mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are very promising materials due to their
      inherent properties such as high loading capacity of many different drugs,
      excellent biocompatibility and easy functionalization. RESULTS: This review
      presents the current state of the art related to the development of mesoporous
      silica nanocarriers for antitumoral therapy paying special attention on targeted
      MSN able to selectively destroy tumoral cells, reducing the side damage in
      healthy ones, and the basic principles of targeting tumoral tissues and cells.
      CONCLUSIONS: MSNs constitute a promising nanomaterial for drug delivery
      applications in antitumoral therapy as a consequence of its unique properties
      such as excellent biocompatibility, high loading capacity, robustness, easy
      production and existence of multiple strategies for their functionalization with
      a myriad of bio-organic moieties. In the coming years, the clever application of
      this material would provide novel alternatives for the treatment of this complex
      disease.

PMID- 27262489
TI  - The variability of corneal and anterior segment parameters in keratoconus.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyse, describe and test diverse corneal and anterior segment
      parameters in normal and keratoconic eyes to better understand the geometry of
      the keratoconic cornea. METHOD: 44 eyes from 44 keratoconic patients and 44 eyes
      from 44 healthy patients were included in the study. The Pentacam System was used
      for the analysis of the anterior segment parameters. New ad-hoc parameters were
      defined by measuring the distances on the Scheimpflug image at the horizontal
      diameter, with chamber depth now comprising of two distinctive distances: corneal
      sagittal depth and the distance from the endpoint of this segment to the anterior
      surface of the lens (DL). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p<0.05)
      between normal and keratoconic eyes were found in all of the analysed corneal
      parameters. Anterior chamber depth presented statistical differences between
      normal and keratoconic eyes (3.06+/-0.43mm versus 3.34+/-0.45mm, respectively;
      p=0.004). This difference was found to originate in an increase of the DL
      distance (0.40+/-0.33mm in normal eyes against 0.61+/-0.45mm in keratoconic eyes;
      p=0.014), rather than in the changes in corneal sagittal depth. CONCLUSION: These
      findings indicate that keratoconus results in central and peripheral corneal
      manifestations, as well as changes in the shape of the scleral limbus. The DL
      parameter was useful in describing the forward elongation and advance of the
      scleral tissue in keratoconic eyes. This finding may help in the monitoring of
      disease progression and contact lens design and fitting.

PMID- 27262490
TI  - Infective Endocarditis due to Listeria Monocytogenes: A Report of 4 Patients.

PMID- 27262491
TI  - Immunohistochemical differentiation of eosinophilic esophageal myositis from
      eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a Th2-mediated allergic
      disease of the esophageal epithelium, associated with antigen. We previously
      reported a case series for eosinophilic esophageal myositis (EoEM)-a novel
      eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder defined as eosinophilic infiltration
      localized in the esophageal muscle layer-and diagnosed it by peroral endoscopic
      muscle biopsy. Here, we investigated the immunopathology of EoEM to differentiate
      it from EoE. METHODS: Histological analysis was performed for three cases of EoEM
      and EoE, respectively. The results were compared with those of two control
      samples (non-eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder full-layer esophagus). Using
      immunofluorescence, we analyzed the expression of the chemokine receptor CCR3 and
      its ligands eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-3 to investigate the eosinophilic reaction.
      Additionally, we determined the expression patterns of desmoglein-1 in the
      esophageal epithelium, which shows dysregulated expression in EoE. RESULTS:
      Eosinophil infiltration was observed in the muscle layer (maximum number, 30, 36,
      73/high-power field) and the epithelium (50, 44, 40/high-power field) for EoEM
      and EoE, respectively. In EoE esophageal epithelium, the number of eotaxin-3
      positive epithelial cells was significantly increased together with CCR3-positive
      infiltrating cells. However, in EoEM, a number of eotaxin-1-positive and eotaxin
      3-positive myocytes and vascular endothelial cells were increased in the
      esophageal muscle layer. A significant loss of desmoglein-1 expression was only
      observed in EoE, not in EoEM. CONCLUSIONS: Eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-3 expression on
      the smooth muscle and vessels plays a role in the pathogenesis of EoEM, while EoE
      shows an epithelial eotaxin-3-dominant immunoreaction. Thus, the EoEM
      immunological pattern displays clear differences from that of EoE.

PMID- 27262492
TI  - Down-regulation of let-7a-5p predicts lymph node metastasis and prognosis in
      colorectal cancer: Implications for chemotherapy.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) guidelines recommend adjuvant chemotherapy according to
      the level of lymph node metastasis. Let-7a-5p is a microRNA, which inhibits
      migration, invasion, as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition by
      targeting HMGA2. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of let-7a-5p
      in the clinical impact of CRC. In this study, one hundred and ninety-two CRC
      patients were enrolled. The expression of let-7a-5p and HMGA2 in serum and tumour
      tissues were analysed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier
      analysis was used to analyse primary outcomes, including the survival and tumour
      recurrence. The expression of let-7a-5p in tumour tissues was significantly
      negative correlated with the tumour size, stage and lymph node metastasis in CRC
      patients (p = 0.024 for tumour size, p < 0.0001 for stage and p < 0.0001 for
      lymph node metastasis). There was a negative correlation between the levels of
      let-7a-5p and the HMGA2 protein (p < 0.0001). The overall survival (OS) and
      disease-free survival (DFS) rates of patients with let-7a-5p low/HMGA2 high were
      poorer than those with let-7a-5p high/HMGA2 high, let-7a-5p high/HMGA2 low and
      let-7a-5p low/HMGA2 low. In addition, the expression levels of let-7a-5p in
      serums were positively correlated with let-7a-5p in the tumour tissues of the CRC
      patients. The expression levels of let-7a-5p in serums also could be used as a
      biomarker to predict clinical outcome. We suggest that down-regulation of let-7a
      5p in serums and tumour tissues of CRC patients could be used to predict lymph
      node metastasis and the disease prognosis. These results could be implicated for
      chemotherapy suggestion.

PMID- 27262493
TI  - Letter-to-the-Editor "Laparoscopic treatment of early-stage endometrial cancer
      with and without uterine manipulator: Our experience and review of literature" by
      Tinelli R et al. (Surgical Oncology 25 (2016) 98-103).

PMID- 27262494
TI  - Sarcopenia in Elderly Diabetic Patients: Role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4
      Inhibitors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to investigate the effect of dipeptidyl peptidase 4
      inhibitors (DPP4-I) on sarcopenic parameters in elderly type 2 diabetic patients.
      DESIGN: All elderly diabetic patients were invited to present themselves at our
      outpatient Geriatric Centre to undergo to evaluation of glycemic, inflammatory,
      and sarcopenic parameters and to perform a meal test for glucagon-like peptide-1
      analogue (GLP-1) activity evaluation. SETTING: According to European Working
      Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria, sarcopenic parameters were
      assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and Kern dynamometer and 4-m
      gait speed tests. All patients received standardized meals for the assessment of
      postprandial levels of GLP-1 activity. PARTICIPANTS, MEASUREMENTS: Data of 80
      elderly diabetic patients treated with oral glucose-lowering drugs (DPP4-I or
      Sulfonylureas Group) for at least 24 months before enrollment were analyzed.
      RESULTS: The DPP4-I Group showed appropriate glycemic control, lower levels of
      inflammatory parameters, a significant and greater increase, during interprandial
      periods, of GLP-1 activity, and better sarcopenic parameters (fat-free mass,
      skeletal muscle mass, and related indices, muscle strength, and gait speed)
      compared with the Sulfonylureas Group. Univariate analysis showed that sarcopenic
      parameters correlated with glycemic control and with GLP-1 area under the curve
      values. Multivariate analysis confirms these relationships. CONCLUSION: The
      results are consistent with the hypothesis that DPP4-I use might have a positive
      effect on the loss of muscle mass and its function.

PMID- 27262495
TI  - Macular thickness and volume in the elderly: A systematic review.
AB  - Ageing leads to a number of changes in the body including the macula. Detailed
      imaging using optical coherence tomography have enabled in vivo studies of how
      macula changes with age. Here we systematically review 49 studies (9115
      participants and 11,577 eyes) to provide an overview of how ageing manifests in
      the macula of the elderly focusing on clinical relevant measures that are
      thicknesses and volumes of different macular areas. Ageing seems to increase
      center point foveal thickness. Ageing does not seem to change the center subfield
      thickness significantly. Ageing decreases the inner and outer macular thickness,
      and the overall macular thickness and volume. Studies find that specific retinal
      layers at specific locations seem to be the contributor to these changes. These
      findings confirm that age-related changes suggested in histological studies are
      measurable in vivo on thickness and volume and differ depending on location.
      Studies are needed to explore reasons for the large variance in measurements and
      how ageing by itself contributes to development of macular disease.

PMID- 27262496
TI  - Toxicity of an herbicide and adjuvant to saltmarsh invertebrates in the
      management of invasive grass; Comparative laboratory and field tests.
AB  - Coastal weeds are often treated with herbicides without knowledge of non-target
      impacts, and toxicity data from standardized test species can have limited
      applicability. We evaluated toxicity to invertebrates from Fusilade Forte(r) and
      the adjuvant Hasten(r) in the control of invasive salt marsh grass, Spartina
      anglica. For 3 of 4 local invertebrates, Fusilade Forte(r) was moderately toxic
      (96h LC50 5.4-144mgL(-1)), whereas Hasten(r) was less toxic (14.2-450mgL(-1)).
      For most species, the mixture was more toxic than the herbicide alone, with 96h
      LC50 reduced 23-45%. However, a field experiment applying typical concentrations
      (1000*the lowest 96h LC50) showed low concentrations of herbicide residues and no
      detrimental impacts on invertebrates over 6months. The results reveal the
      importance of testing locally relevant species for potential toxicity, and of
      comparison tests with field exposures to determine the realised toxicity in
      nature. 

PMID- 27262497
TI  - Responses of bacterial and archaeal communities to nitrate stimulation after oil
      pollution in mangrove sediment revealed by Illumina sequencing.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate microbial responses to nitrate stimulation in
      oiled mangrove mesocosm. Both supplementary oil and nitrate changed the water and
      sediment chemical properties contributing to the shift of microbial communities.
      Denitrifying genes nirS and nirK were increased several times by the interaction
      of oil spiking and nitrate addition. Bacterial chao1 was reduced by oil spiking
      and further by nitrate stimulation, whereas archaeal chao1 was only inhibited by
      oil pollution on early time. Sampling depth explained most of variation and
      significantly impacted bacterial and archaeal communities, while oil pollution
      only significantly impacted bacterial communities (p<0.05). Despite explaining
      less variation, nitrate addition coupled with oil spiking enhanced the growth of
      hydrocarbon degraders in mangrove. The findings demonstrate the impacts of
      environmental factors and their interactions in shaping microbial communities
      during nitrate stimulation. Our study suggests introducing genera Desulfotignum
      and Marinobacter into oiled mangrove for bioaugmentation. 

PMID- 27262498
TI  - Temporal and spatial changes in persistent organic pollutants in Vietnamese
      coastal waters detected from plastic resin pellets.
AB  - Plastic resin pellets collected at Minh Chau island and Ba Lat estuary between
      2007 and 2014 in Vietnam were analyzed for dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes
      (DDTs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs). The
      study was carried out as part of the International Pellet Watch program for
      monitoring the global distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
      Higher levels of DDTs compared to PCBs indicated agricultural inputs rather than
      industrial discharges in the region. Most POP concentrations on both beaches
      decreased over the period, with the exception of HCH isomers. Though the
      concentration of DDTs showed a drastic decline on both beaches between 2007/2008
      and 2014, DDTs accounted for 60-80% of total DDTs, suggesting that there is still
      a fresh input of these chemicals in the region. This study strongly recommends
      further investigations to track temporal and spatial patterns of POP levels in
      the marine environment using plastic resin pellets. 

PMID- 27262499
TI  - Date-prints on stranded macroplastics: Inferring the timing and extent of
      overwash deposition on the Skallingen peninsula, Denmark.
AB  - The presented study shows that the delivery of marine macrodebris to a high
      energy coastal environment has been abundant enough over the last three decades
      as to allow a spatial reconstruction of morphological change based on production
      date prints. A dataset of >110 spatially discrete samples has been collected in
      an area affected by overwashing on the Skallingen peninsula, SW Denmark. A
      conceptual model for the chronological interpretation of the date prints is
      proposed and cross-compared with a dense time-series of satellite images and
      orthophotos. It appears that the litter-derived ages are capable of reproducing
      information on both the timing and the extent of overwash occurrence. Despite the
      usefulness of the method as a tool for rapidly assessing the approximate age of
      recent coastal deposits, the study shows the alarming degree and long-standing of
      marine-litter pollution on the eastern board of the southern North Sea. 

PMID- 27262500
TI  - Risk of peripartum hysterectomy in births after assisted reproductive technology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether women who conceive after assisted reproductive
      technology (ART) are at higher risk for emergency peripartum hysterectomy.
      DESIGN: A case-control study using a prospectively maintained institutional
      database. SETTING: A tertiary referral university teaching maternity hospital.
      PATIENT(S): Thirty-one women who underwent peripartum hysterectomy for management
      of hemorrhage, and 19,902 control women. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE(S): Association between potential predictors and peripartum hysterectomy.
      RESULT(S): The incidence of peripartum hysterectomy was 1.7 cases per 1,000
      births (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.4). After adjustment for maternal age
      and twin pregnancy, placenta previa (odds ratio [OR] 50.78, 95% CI 23.30-110.68),
      prior cesarean delivery (OR 6.72, 95% CI 2.99-15.09 for one cesarean; OR 6.80,
      95% CI 1.45-31.90 for two or more cesareans), previous myomectomy (OR 24.59, 95%
      CI 6.70-90.19), and ART conception (OR 5.98, 95% CI 2.18-16.40) were all
      antenatal predictors for peripartum hysterectomy. In women having a peripartum
      hysterectomy, 13.4% of the risk is attributable to mode of conception.
      CONCLUSION(S): A history of ART increases the likelihood of needing a peripartum
      hysterectomy to control hemorrhage. Further investigation is needed to determine
      whether ART conception should be included in algorithms of risk stratification
      for emergency cesarean hysterectomy and plan of care be modified accordingly.

PMID- 27262501
TI  - Freeze-all, oocyte vitrification, or fresh embryo transfer? Lessons from an egg
      sharing donation program.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of ETs using cryopreserved embryos,
      cryopreserved oocytes, or fresh embryos. DESIGN: Observational, cohort study.
      SETTING: Private university-affiliated fertility center. PATIENT(S): This study
      included 8,210 mature oocytes obtained from 425 oocyte donors. Of those, 5,440
      were used for the donors' own cycles (Fresh Oocyte Cycles Group), and 2,770 were
      cryobanked for 425 recipients (Banked Donor Egg Group). All of the oocytes were
      sperm injected, resulting in 4,585 embryos from the donors' own cycles and 2,128
      embryos from the recipients' cycles. For the donor cycles, embryos were either
      cryopreserved and transferred during a subsequent cycle (Thaw Cycles Group, 3,209
      embryos), or they were transferred during a fresh cycle (Fresh Cycles Group,
      1,307 embryos). For the recipient cycles, embryos derived from vitrified oocytes
      were transferred (Vitrified Oocytes Group, n = 425 cycles, 2,128 embryos).
      INTERVENTION(S): Oocyte/embryo vitrification and intracytoplasmic sperm
      injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Embryo quality, pregnancy, and implantation
      rates. RESULT(S): Decreased embryo quality and lower rates of blastocyst
      formation were observed among embryos derived from vitrified oocytes. The highest
      pregnancy and implantation rates were noted for the Thaw Cycles Group, followed
      by the Banked Donor Egg Group; the Fresh Cycles Group had the lowest rates.
      CONCLUSION(S): Oocyte vitrification followed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection
      leads to lower embryo developmental competence compared with when fresh
      insemination methods are used. However, pregnancy and implantation rates are
      higher when embryos are transferred into a "more receptive" endometrium, free of
      the adverse effects of gonadotropin. Moreover, the freeze-all method leads to
      exceptional clinical outcomes.

PMID- 27262502
TI  - Corrigendum to "Mangiferin corrects the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells in mice with
      TNBS-induced colitis" [Int. Immunopharmacol. (2016) 220-228].

PMID- 27262503
TI  - Anaemia, Serum Iron Concentrations and delta-Aminolevulinate Dehydratase Activity
      in Laying Hens Infected Naturally by Salmonella Gallinarum.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate anaemia, serum iron concentrations and
      delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D) activity in laying hens infected
      naturally by Salmonella Gallinarum and having severe hepatic lesions. Liver and
      serum samples were collected from 27 laying hens (20 infected and seven
      uninfected). The delta-ALA-D activity, haematocrit and serum iron concentrations
      were evaluated. There were significant decreases in delta-ALA-D activity,
      haematocrit and serum iron concentrations (P <0.01) in birds infected by S.
      Gallinarum when compared with uninfected birds. There was a positive correlation
      (P <0.001) between serum iron concentration, haematocrit (r(2) = 0.82) and delta
      ALA-D activity (r(2) = 0.75). A positive correlation was also observed between
      delta-ALA-D activity and haematocrit (r(2) = 0.78; P <0.01). Liver samples showed
      moderate focal coagulative necrosis associated with infiltration of
      lymphoplasmacytic cells, macrophages and heterophils. The anaemia in the infected
      hens may be related to reduction in delta-ALA-D activity and serum iron
      concentrations, since both are important for haemopoiesis. 

PMID- 27262504
TI  - Targeted genome editing in the rare actinomycete Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 by
      using the CRISPR/Cas9 System.
AB  - The application of genome editing technologies, like CRISPR/Cas9 for industrially
      relevant microorganisms, is becoming increasingly important. Compared to other
      methods of genetic engineering the decisive factor is that CRISPR/Cas9 is
      relatively easy to apply and thus time and effort can be significantly reduced in
      organisms, which are otherwise genetically difficult to access. Because of its
      many advantages and opportunities, we adopted the CRISPR/Cas9 technology for
      Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110, the producer of the diabetes type II drug acarbose.
      The functionality of genome editing was successfully shown by the scarless and
      antibiotic marker-free deletion of the gene encoding the tyrosinase MelC, which
      catalyzes the formation of the dark pigment eumelanin in the wild type strain.
      The generated DeltamelC2 mutant of Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 no longer produces
      this pigment and therefore the supernatant does not darken. Furthermore, it was
      shown that the plasmid containing the gene for the Cas9 protein was removed by
      increasing the temperature due to its temperature-sensitive replication. The
      precision of the intended mutation was proven and possible off-target effects
      caused by the genome editing system were ruled out by genome sequencing of
      several mutants. 

PMID- 27262505
TI  - Acute Physical Stress Increases Serum Levels of Specific microRNAs.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: MicroRNA (miR) is non-coding small RNA that regulate mRNA at the
      post-transcriptional level by degradation or inhibition. To find physical stress
      markers, we developed a rat model involving a simple and complicated stress and
      measured serum miR levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To demonstrate changes in serum
      miR levels when physical stress is applied, we constructed three stress
      modalities using rats: alcohol intake, treadmill running and restraint. After
      alcohol administration, the rats were made to run on a treadmill and some of the
      rats were further stressed by restraining with a 2 kg water bag immediately after
      the treadmill run. The rats were grouped as follows: control, run for 20 min, run
      for 90 min, run and restrained for 20 min, run and restrained for 90 min. Using
      total RNA extracted from sera, expression levels of eight miRs were measured by
      real-time PCR. RESULTS: The level of miR-199a was increased by 20 min stress
      procedures and the levels of miR-1, miR-24a and miR-133a/b were increased by 90
      min stress procedures. No change in the levels of miR-208, miR-212 or miR-296-5p
      was seen under any stress conditions. There was no significant difference between
      a treadmill run only and a combination of treadmill run and being restrained by a
      2 kg water bag. DISCUSSION: We demonstrated that a combination of these serum
      miRs might indicate the intensity of stress experienced.

PMID- 27262506
TI  - Resistance to ursolic acid-induced apoptosis through involvement of melanogenesis
      and COX-2/PGE2 pathways in human M4Beu melanoma cancer cells.
AB  - Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer with a continuously
      growing incidence worldwide and is usually resistant to chemotherapy agents,
      which is due in part to a strong resistance to apoptosis. Previously, we had
      showed that B16-F0 murine melanoma cells undergoing apoptosis are able to delay
      their own death induced by ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid
      compound. We had demonstrated that tyrosinase and TRP-1 up-regulation in
      apoptotic cells and the subsequent production of melanin were implicated in an
      apoptosis resistance mechanism. Several resistance mechanisms to apoptosis have
      been characterized in melanoma such as hyperactivation of DNA repair mechanisms,
      drug efflux systems, and reinforcement of survival signals (PI3K/Akt, NF-kappaB
      and Raf/MAPK pathways). Otherwise, other mechanisms of apoptosis resistance
      involving different proteins, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), have been
      described in many cancer types. By using a strategy of specific inhibition of
      each ways, we suggested that there was an interaction between melanogenesis and
      COX-2/PGE2 pathway. This was characterized by analyzing the COX-2 expression and
      activity, the expression of tyrosinase and melanin production. Furthermore, we
      showed that anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effects of UA were mediated
      through modulation of multiple signaling pathways including Akt and ERK-1/2
      proteins. Our study not only uncovers underlying molecular mechanisms of UA
      action in human melanoma cancer cells but also suggest its great potential as an
      adjuvant in treatment and cancer prevention.

PMID- 27262507
TI  - Divided Infringement in the Limelight of the Patent Battle Field.
AB  - Diagnostic patents usually comprise multiple steps and can be jointly implemented
      by different parties. However, in the USA, joint implementation may render
      diagnostic patents unenforceable in light of recent court opinions. Here, I
      explain how inappropriate claim drafting may render a diagnostic patent
      vulnerable to joint implementation.

PMID- 27262508
TI  - Revisiting the 'One Material Fits All' Rule for Cancer Nanotherapy.
AB  - The promise of (nano)biomaterials for the treatment of cancer can only be
      realized following a comprehensive scrutiny of the tumor microenvironment. The
      generic use of 'inert' vehicles that deliver a specific cargo to treat a range of
      cancer types and disease states obeys the 'one material fits all' rule. However,
      this approach leads to suboptimal and unpredictable clinical outcomes. The key
      factors constructing the tumor milieu should guide the design of disease
      responsive materials. Given the growing availability of nanomaterials for cancer
      therapy, a material that responds to each patient's needs and, hence, reacts in a
      graded manner based on disease cues, would pave the way to precision materials
      for cancer therapy.

PMID- 27262509
TI  - Patients' perspective on the impact of sentinel node biopsy in oral cancer
      treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the impact of a sentinel node biopsy (SNB)-based
      strategy in cT1/T2 N0 oral cancer on the course of health related quality of
      life, psychological distress, and shoulder disability, and evaluation of the
      patients' perspective on neck management strategies. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-two
      patients (39 SNB negative; 13 SNB positive) completed the European Organization
      for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaires-QLQ-C30 and QLQ
      H&N35, and the HADS, IES, and SDQ questionnaires at baseline, after SNB diagnosis
      and at 6 months of follow-up. Objective shoulder measurements were performed
      after 2 years and interviews were conducted after 4.5 months of follow-up.
      RESULTS: All the scores of the questionnaires were not significantly different
      between SNB negative and SNB positive patients. Objective shoulder functioning
      was similar. Most patients preferred a SNB-based strategy to an elective neck
      dissection strategy. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of a SNB-based strategy in patients
      with cT1/T2 N0 oral cancer is comparable for SNB-negative and SNB-positive
      patients in terms of health-related quality of life, psychological distress and
      shoulder functioning. Most patients preferred the SNB-based strategy over the
      elective neck dissection strategy.

PMID- 27262510
TI  - ADORA2A genotype modulates interoceptive and exteroceptive processing in a fronto
      insular network.
AB  - Facilitated processing of interoceptive and exteroceptive information in the
      salience network is suggested to promote the development of anxiety and anxiety
      disorders. Here, it was investigated whether the adenosine 2 A receptor gene
      (ADORA2A) 1976T/C (rs5751876) variant - previously associated with anxiety
      disorders and anxiety-related phenotypes as well as general attentional
      efficiency -was involved in the regulation of this network. In detail, fMRI
      recordings of 65 healthy participants (female=35) were analyzed regarding ADORA2A
      genotype effects on brain connectivity related to (1) interoceptive processing in
      terms of functional connectivity resting-state fMRI, and (2) exteroceptive
      processing using dynamic causal modeling in task-based fMRI. In a subsample,
      cardiac interoceptive accuracy was furthermore measured via the Mental Tracking
      Task. ADORA2A genotype was found to modulate a fronto-insular network at rest
      (interoceptive processing) and while performing an executive control task
      (exteroceptive processing). Across both modalities, the ADORA2A TT risk genotype
      was associated with increased connectivity between the insula and the prefrontal
      cortex. The strength in connectivity correlated with interoceptive accuracy. It
      is concluded that alterations in fronto-insular connectivity are modulated by
      both the adenosinergic system and interoceptive accuracy. Thus, fronto-insular
      connectivity in synopsis with ADORA2A genotypic information could serve as
      combined biomarkers for personalized treatment approaches in anxiety disorders
      targeting exteroceptive and interoceptive dysfunction.

PMID- 27262511
TI  - Complement factor H interferes with Mycobacterium bovis BCG entry into
      macrophages and modulates the pro-inflammatory cytokine response.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an accomplished intracellular pathogen,
      particularly within the macrophage and this is of the utmost importance in the
      host-pathogen stand-off observed in the granuloma during latent tuberculosis.
      Contact with innate immune molecules is one of the primary interactions that can
      occur with the pathogen M. tuberculosis once inhaled. Complement proteins may
      play a role in facilitating M. tuberculosis interactions with macrophages. Here,
      we demonstrate that factor H, a complement regulatory protein that down-regulates
      complement alternative pathway activation, binds directly to the model organism
      M. bovis BCG. Binding of factor H reaches saturation at 5-10MUg of factor H/ml,
      well below the plasma level. C4 binding protein (C4BP) competed with factor H for
      binding to mycobacteria. Factor H was also found to inhibit uptake of M. bovis
      BCG by THP-1 macrophage cells in a dose-dependent manner. Real-time qPCR analysis
      showed stark differential responses of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines
      during the early stages of phagocytosis, as evident from elevated levels of TNF
      alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6, and a concomitant decrease in IL-10, TGF-beta and IL-12
      levels, when THP-1:BCG interaction took place in the presence of factor H. Our
      results suggest that factor H can interfere with mycobacterial entry into
      macrophages and modulate inflammatory cytokine responses, particularly during the
      initial stages of infection, thus affecting the extracellular survival of the
      pathogen. Our results offer novel insights into complement activation-independent
      functions of factor H during the host-pathogen interaction in tuberculosis.

PMID- 27262512
TI  - Testicular expression of SP-A, SP-D and MBL-A is positively regulated by
      testosterone and modulated by lipopolysaccharide.
AB  - Pattern recognition proteins viz., Surfactant Protein-A (SP-A), Surfactant
      Protein-D (SP-D) and Mannan Binding Lectin-A (MBL-A) regulate inflammatory immune
      responses. In view of their plausible contribution to immune privilege in testis,
      the present study explored their expression and regulation in murine testis. The
      testicular expression of SP-A, SP-D and MBL-A significantly increased at puberty
      and was significantly down-regulated in testosterone suppression model. Of the
      isolated germ cells, Sertoli cells, myoid cells and Leydig cells, germ cells
      expressed SP-A, SP-D and MBL-A while myoid cells were found to express MBL-A. SP
      A and SP-D were localised on head and tail of murine caudal sperm, whereas MBL-A
      was observed on the connecting piece and tail. Systemic lipopolysaccharide
      challenge significantly up-regulated SP-A and SP-D levels in murine testis after
      24h. Positive regulation of collectins by testosterone and their modulation in
      response to inflammation implicates their involvement in testicular immune
      privilege.

PMID- 27262513
TI  - Immune-inflammatory responses in atherosclerosis: Role of an adaptive immunity
      mainly driven by T and B cells.
AB  - Adaptive immune response plays an important role in atherogenesis. In
      atherosclerosis, the proinflammatory immune response driven by Th1 is predominant
      but the anti-inflammatory response mediated mainly by regulatory T cells is also
      present. The role of Th2 and Th17 cells in atherogenesis is still debated. In the
      plaque, other T helper cells can be observed such as Th9 and Th22 but is little
      is known about their impact in atherosclerosis. Heterogeneity of CD4(+) T cell
      subsets presented in the plaque may suggest for plasticity of T cell that can
      switch the phenotype dependening on the local microenvironment and
      activating/blocking stimuli. Effector T cells are able to recognize self-antigens
      released by necrotic and apoptotic vascular cells and induce a humoral immune
      reaction. Tth cells resided in the germinal centers help B cells to switch the
      antibody class to the production of high-affinity antibodies. Humoral immunity is
      mediated by B cells that release antigen-specific antibodies. A variety of B cell
      subsets were found in human and murine atherosclerotic plaques. In mice, B1 cells
      could spontaneously produce atheroprotective natural IgM antibodies. Conventional
      B2 lymphocytes secrete either proatherogenic IgG, IgA, and IgE or
      atheroprotective IgG and IgM antibodies reactive with oxidation-specific epitopes
      on atherosclerosis-associated antigens. A small population of innate response
      activator (IRA) B cells, which is phenotypically intermediate between B1 and B2
      cells, produces IgM but possesses proatherosclerotic properties. Finally, there
      is a minor subset of splenic regulatory B cells (Bregs) that protect against
      atherosclerotic inflammation through support of generation of Tregs and
      production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-beta and proapoptotic
      molecules.

PMID- 27262514
TI  - Human amniotic epithelial cells attenuate TGF-beta1-induced human dermal
      fibroblast transformation to myofibroblasts via TGF-beta1/Smad3 pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Keloids are raised dermal scars that extend beyond the
      boundaries of the initial injury. To date, there is no treatment to erase scars
      completely in humans. Growing evidence has shown that the human amniotic
      epithelial cells have anti-fibrotic properties and can reduce the fibrosis of
      lung and liver. However, it is unknown whether and how they can influence human
      keloids. The aim of this study was to investigate whether factors secreted by
      human amniotic epithelial cells have anti-fibrotic effects on human keloids and
      to clarify the potential transduction mechanism. METHODS: Human amniotic
      epithelial cells were isolated and identified both with flow cytometry and
      immunofluorescent. The alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen-I and III gene and
      protein expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1-treated human adult
      dermal fibroblasts were partly abolished by human amniotic epithelial cells
      conditioned medium through stimulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase
      (MMP). Furthermore, human amniotic epithelial cells conditioned medium
      effectively attenuated nuclear import of the Smad2/3 complex. RESULTS: Soluble
      human leukocyte antigen G, a human amniotic epithelial cell-derived factor,
      significantly decreased collagen production in TGF-beta1-induced human dermal
      fibroblasts, although the effect on collagen production was less than that of
      human amniotic epithelial cell-conditioned medium. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrates that human amniotic epithelial cells conditioned medium could down
      regulate the expression of fibrosis-related molecules by regulating MMP and
      tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase levels, and suppress TGF-beta1-induced
      fibroblast transition, in which the TGF-beta1/Smad3 pathway is likely involved.
      These findings suggest that human amniotic epithelial cells are a potential
      therapeutic compound for the treatment of keloids.

PMID- 27262515
TI  - Structural analysis of beta-prism lectin from Colocasia esculenta (L.) S chott.
AB  - The Mannose-binding beta-Prism Colocasia esculenta lectin (beta-PCL) was purified
      from tubers using ion exchange chromatography. The purified beta-PCL appeared as
      a single band of ~12kDa on SDS-PAGE. beta-PCL crystallizes in trigonal space
      group P3121 and diffracted to a resolution of 2.1A. The structure was solved
      using Molecular replacement using Crocus vernus lectin (PDB: 3MEZ) as a model.
      From the final refined model to an R-factor of 16.5% and an Rfree of 20.4%, it
      has been observed that the biological unit consists of two beta-Prism domains
      augmented through C-terminals swap over to form one of faces for each domain.
      Calpha superposition of individual domains of beta-PCL with individual domains of
      other related structures and superposition of whole protein structures were
      carried out. The higher RMS deviation for the superposition of whole structures
      suggest that beta-prism domains assume different orientation in each structure. 

PMID- 27262516
TI  - Exploration of chlorinated thienyl chalcones: A new class of monoamine oxidase-B
      inhibitors.
AB  - Chalcone has been reported to be a valid scaffold for the design of monoamine
      oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. This scenario has amplified the momentum for the
      discovery of heteroaryl based chalcone MAO inhibitors. In the present study, we
      have synthesized a series of eleven chlorinated thienyl chalcone derivatives
      substituted with a different functional groups at the para- position on the ring
      B and investigated for their ability to inhibit human MAO-A and -B. With the
      exception of compound (2E)-1-(4-chlorocyclopenta-1,3-dien-1-yl)-3-(4
      nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (TC7), which was a selective MAO-A inhibitor, all the
      other derivatives inhibited hMAO-B potently and selectively with competitive mode
      of inhibition. The most potent compound (2E)-1-(4-chlorocyclopenta-1,3-dien-1-yl)
      3-(4-ethylphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (TC6) was found to be the best activity and
      higher selectivity towards hMAO-B with Ki and SI values of 0.31+/-0.02MUM and
      16.84, respectively. All the compounds presented in the current study are
      completely non-toxic with 74-88% viable cells to hepatic cells at 100MUM
      concentration. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies were
      carried out using Autodock-4.2 and Amber 14 to understand the molecular level
      interaction and energy relation of MAO isoforms with selective MAO-B inhibitor
      TC6. 

PMID- 27262517
TI  - Cutaneous manifestations in antiphospholipid syndrome.

PMID- 27262518
TI  - Leukocytoclastic vasculitis and infection. Report of a case.
AB  - Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is the most common cause of cutaneous vasculitis in
      clinical practice. Its causes are various, among which are certain infections. We
      report the case of a man (28 years old) who debuted with vasculitic lesions in
      inferior members compatibles leukocytoclastic vasculitis on pathology. The study
      of causation is the presence of a positive urethral discharge to Ureaplasma
      urealyticum, dramatically improving lesions after treatment thereof.

PMID- 27262519
TI  - Ultrasound and Point Shear Wave Elastography in Livers of Patients with Primary
      Sclerosing Cholangitis.
AB  - Point shear wave elastography (pSWE) is an ultrasound-based method for non
      invasive quantification of liver fibrosis. The objective of this study was to
      explore liver pSWE in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) for
      assessment of fibrosis. Fifty-five non-transplant patients with PSC (38 males, 17
      females; mean age: 46.4 y) were included and compared with 24 matched controls.
      Median (range) PSC duration was 8.1 (0-33) y. Ultrasonographic scanning followed
      by liver stiffness measurement by pSWE was performed using a conventional
      ultrasound system (Philips iU22). Signs of liver fibrosis on B-mode were
      identified in 21 patients (38%). Splenomegaly was found in 19 patients (35%) and
      ascites in two patients (4%). Successful pSWE measurements were achieved in the
      right liver lobe of all individuals and in the left liver lobe of 36 patients
      (65.5%). PSC patients had significantly higher median shear wave velocity (SWV)
      than controls in the right liver (median [range] SWV 1.26 [0.73-2.57] m/s vs.
      1.09 [0.88-1.25] m/s, p < 0.001). SWV measured in the left liver lobe and spleen
      did not differ between PSC patients and controls. Our findings indicate that PSC
      patients have increased median SWV, indicating more fibrosis compared with
      controls; however, a wide range of SWV values were obtained among PSC patients,
      possibly reflecting the various stages in disease development.

PMID- 27262520
TI  - Feasibility and Usefulness of Intra-Cavitary Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in
      Percutaneous Nephrostomy.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and utility of intra
      cavitary contrast enhanced ultrasound (ICCEUS) in guiding percutaneous
      nephrostomy (PCN) and assessing complications. Forty-five ultrasound-guided PCNs
      were performed in 35 patients with hydronephrosis resulting from urinary tract
      obstruction. Ultrasound contrast agent (0.1 mL diluted in 20-30 mL saline) was
      injected through the puncture needle and the drainage tube to precisely locate
      the device and obstruction, with the fluoroscopy results considered the gold
      standard. ICCEUS was performed again the next day to assess complications. All 45
      PCNs were successfully performed under the guidance of ultrasound. With ICCEUS,
      we could confirm the correct insertion of needle and catheter and locate the
      obstruction in all 35 patients, with fluoroscopic results as the gold standard.
      Catheter dislodgement was diagnosed by administration of ultrasound contrast
      agent in 5 patients. Hematoma (1 patient) and urine leakage (1 patient) were also
      observed. With the advantages of lack of exposure to radiation, performance in
      real time and bedside availability, ICCEUS has the potential to become a new
      modality to guide PCN and assess catheter-related complications.

PMID- 27262521
TI  - Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy and Efficiency of Categories 4 and 5 of the
      Second Edition of the BI-RADS Ultrasound Lexicon in Diagnosing Breast Lesions.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency
      of categories 4 and 5 of the second edition of the Breast Imaging Reporting and
      Data System (BI-RADS) ultrasound (US) lexicon in diagnosing breast lesions. In
      our retrospective study, 579 lesions in 544 patients were assessed by US as the
      preliminary diagnosis and classified in subcategories 4a-4c and category 5 based
      on the second edition of the BI-RADS US lexicon with some obvious changes, such
      as the redefined margin, new calcification type, associated features and some
      special cases. Inter-observer agreement was determined. Ultrasound results were
      compared with the pathologic results for confirmation. Positive predictive values
      (PPVs) of subcategories 4a-4c were compared with theoretical values using the
      chi(2) test; the binomial test was used for category 5 lesions. Of the 579
      lesions, 212 were confirmed as benign (36.61%), and the remaining 367 lesions
      were confirmed as borderline/malignant (63.39%). Inter-observer agreement was
      moderate for subcategories 4a-4c (kappa = 0.52), moderate for subcategories 4a-4c
      and category 5 (kappa = 0.56) and substantial for categories 4 and 5 (kappa =
      0.67). The PPVs for subcategories 4a-4c were 23.74%, 70.67% and 81.25%,
      respectively. In addition, the total PPV for category 4 was 46.92% (183/390), and
      the total PPV for category 5 was 97.35% (184/189). Statistical results revealed
      that the PPVs of subcategories 4a and 4b differed significantly from the
      theoretical values (p < 0.05); the PPVs of subcategory 4c and category 5 were
      significantly correlated with the theoretical PPVs (p > 0.05). In conclusion,
      subcategories 4a and 4b have lower diagnostic efficiency than subcategory 4c and
      category 5. Inter-observer agreement for subcategories 4a-4c remains to be
      improved. The most common features of subcategories 4a-4c differ, but overlap. It
      is recommended that inexperienced doctors in primary hospitals not classify
      lesions into subcategories in clinical practice.

PMID- 27262522
TI  - Pinworm diversity in free-ranging howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.) in Mexico:
      Morphological and molecular evidence for two new Trypanoxyuris species (Nematoda:
      Oxyuridae).
AB  - Two new species of Trypanoxyuris are described from the intestine of free-ranging
      howler monkeys in Mexico, Trypanoxyuris multilabiatus n. sp. from the mantled
      howler Alouatta palliata, and Trypanoxyuris pigrae n. sp. from the black howler
      Alouatta pigra. An integrative taxonomic approach is followed, where conspicuous
      morphological traits and phylogenetic trees based on DNA sequences are used to
      test the validity of the two new species. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase
      subunit 1 gene, and the nuclear ribosomal 18S and 28S rRNA genes were used for
      evolutionary analyses, with the concatenated dataset of all three genes used for
      maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses. The two new species of
      pinworms from howler monkeys were morphologically distinct and formed
      reciprocally monophyletic lineages in molecular phylogenetic trees. The three
      species from howler monkeys, T. multilabiatus n. sp., T. pigrae n. sp., and
      Trypanoxyuris minutus, formed a monophyletic group with high bootstrap and
      posterior probability support values. Phylogenetic patterns inferred from
      sequence data support the hypothesis of a close evolutionary association between
      these primate hosts and their pinworm parasites. The results suggest that the
      diversity of pinworm parasites from Neotropical primates might be underestimated.

PMID- 27262524
TI  - How do young children expect others to address resource inequalities between
      groups?
AB  - Age-related changes in young children's expectations for others' resource
      allocation decisions were investigated. Children ages 3 to 6years (N=80) were
      introduced to an inequality of resources between two groups. Participants gave
      their expectations for (a) how a member of the group with more resources
      (advantaged group) and a member of the group with fewer resources (disadvantaged
      group) would evaluate the inequality (okay or not okay), (b) which group each of
      the two individuals would prefer (ingroup or outgroup), and (c) how each of the
      two individuals would allocate subsequent resources between the groups. Findings
      revealed children's differing expectations for how others would address resource
      inequalities based on group status. Children expected that if the disadvantaged
      group member evaluated the inequality negatively then he or she would reduce the
      disparity. But children expected that if the advantaged group member evaluated
      the inequality positively then he or she would increase the disparity.
      Furthermore, 5- and 6-year-olds, but not 3- and 4-year-olds, expected individuals
      to seek more for their ingroup if they preferred their ingroup over the outgroup.
      Different from previous research on children's own resource allocation decisions,
      these findings reveal the circumstances under which children expect others to
      perpetuate or attenuate resource inequalities between groups.

PMID- 27262523
TI  - Programmed cell death 4 in bacterially-challenged Apostichopus japonicus:
      Molecular cloning, expression analysis and functional characterization.
AB  - Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) plays a crucial role in modulating cellular
      signals, mainly via TOLL cascades during the immune response. In the present
      study, a novel PDCD4 homologue gene (denoted as AjPDCD4) was cloned from the sea
      cucumber Apostichopus japonicus using RACE. The full-length AjPDCD4 cDNA
      comprised a 366bp 5'-UTR, a 418bp 3'-UTR, and a 1353bp open reading frame
      encoding a 450 amino acid residue protein with two typical MA3 domains.
      Phylogenetic analysis revealed that AjPDCD4 belonged to the invertebrate PDCD4
      family. Spatial expression analysis indicated that AjPDCD4 mRNA transcripts are
      expressed at a high level in the tentacles and at a low level in muscle compared
      with coelomocytes. Vibrio splendidus challenge and LPS exposure could both
      significantly down-regulate AjPDCD4 mRNA expression. More importantly, we found
      that ultraviolet (UV)-induced ROS production and DNA damage were greatly
      repressed in AjPDCD4-knockdown coelomocytes. Meanwhile, the expression levels of
      the NF-kappa B homologue, p105, were synchronously up-regulated in the same
      conditions. All of these results indicated that AjPDCD4 is involved in modulating
      DNA damage and ROS production in sea cucumber, perhaps by affecting the TLR
      pathway.

PMID- 27262525
TI  - Building on the Shoulders of Giants: A Model for Developing Medical Education
      Scholarship Using I-PASS.

PMID- 27262526
TI  - Old dogs and new tricks in antimicrobial discovery.
AB  - The discovery of new antibiotics is crucial if we are to avoid a future in which
      simple infections once again lead to death. New antibiotics were traditionally
      discovered by analyzing extracts from cultured soil-derived microbes. However, in
      the last few years only a few new antibiotic classes have been identified using
      this method. Attempts to apply target-based screening approaches to antibiotic
      discovery have also proven to be unproductive. In this article, we describe how
      DNA sequencing and bioinformatic techniques are revolutionizing natural product
      discovery leading to new natural product antibiotics sourced from both cultivated
      and uncultivated microbes. New chemical structures are also being 'crowd sourced'
      from chemists around the world, and 'forgotten' antibiotics repositioned for
      clinical trials after chemical or biochemical modification of the original
      natural product. Collectively such approaches have the potential to revamp
      antibiotic lead discovery and re-invigorate the antibiotic pipeline.

PMID- 27262527
TI  - BIM (BCL-2 interacting mediator of cell death) SAHB (stabilized alpha helix of
      BCL2) not always convinces BAX (BCL-2-associated X protein) for apoptosis.
AB  - The interaction of BAX (BCL-2-associated X protein) with BIM (BCL-2 interacting
      mediator of cell death) SAHB (stabilized alpha helix of BCL2) directly initiates
      BAX-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. This molecular dynamics study reveals that
      BIM SAHB forms a stable complex with BAX but it remains in a non-functional
      conformation. N terminal of BAX folds towards the core which has been reported
      exposed in the functional monomer. The alpha1-alpha2 loop, which has been
      reported in open conformation in functional BAX, acquires a closed conformation
      during the simulation. BH3/alpha2 remains less exposed as compared to initial
      structure. The hydrophobic residues of BIM accommodates in the rear pocket of BAX
      during the simulation. A steep decrease in radius of gyration and solvent
      accessible surface area (SASA) indicates the complex folding to acquire a more
      stable but inactive conformation. Further the covariance matrix reveals that the
      backbone atoms' motions favour the inactive conformation of the complex. This is
      the first report on the non-functional BAX-BIM SAHB complex by molecular dynamics
      simulation in the best of our knowledge.

PMID- 27262528
TI  - Towards cheminformatics-based estimation of drug therapeutic index: Predicting
      the protective index of anticonvulsants using a new quantitative structure-index
      relationship approach.
AB  - The overall efficacy and safety profile of a new drug is partially evaluated by
      the therapeutic index in clinical studies and by the protective index (PI) in
      preclinical studies. In-silico predictive methods may facilitate the assessment
      of these indicators. Although QSAR and QSTR models can be used for predicting PI,
      their predictive capability has not been evaluated. To test this capability, we
      developed QSAR and QSTR models for predicting the activity and toxicity of
      anticonvulsants at accuracy levels above the literature-reported threshold (LT)
      of good QSAR models as tested by both the internal 5-fold cross validation and
      external validation method. These models showed significantly compromised PI
      predictive capability due to the cumulative errors of the QSAR and QSTR models.
      Therefore, in this investigation a new quantitative structure-index relationship
      (QSIR) model was devised and it showed improved PI predictive capability that
      superseded the LT of good QSAR models. The QSAR, QSTR and QSIR models were
      developed using support vector regression (SVR) method with the parameters
      optimized by using the greedy search method. The molecular descriptors relevant
      to the prediction of anticonvulsant activities, toxicities and PIs were analyzed
      by a recursive feature elimination method. The selected molecular descriptors are
      primarily associated with the drug-like, pharmacological and toxicological
      features and those used in the published anticonvulsant QSAR and QSTR models.
      This study suggested that QSIR is useful for estimating the therapeutic index of
      drug candidates.

PMID- 27262529
TI  - Second-order nonlinear optical responses of carboranyl-substituted
      indole/indoline derivatives: impact of different substituents.
AB  - Carborane has been the subject of great interest over the last decades due to its
      high structural, chemical, biological stability and diverse applications. In the
      present work, carboranyl-substituted indole/indoline compounds and their
      functionalized derivatives have been systematically investigated by density
      functional theory (DFT) method with the view of assessing their electronic
      structures and first hyperpolarizabilities. Significantly, the first
      hyperpolarizabilities can be obviously enhanced by the introduction of a strong
      electron-withdrawing group for closed-ring forms, while the strong electron
      donating group is beneficial for large first hyperpolarizabilities for open-ring
      forms. It indicates that the NLO properties of these compounds can be enhanced by
      controlling their relative substituent groups. Furthermore, the time-dependent
      DFT calculation illustrates that the enhancement of the first
      hyperpolarizabilities are found due to the obvious charge transfer (CT)
      transition, and closed-ring forms have a significant difference on the CT
      patterns versus open-ring ones. Investigation of the structure-property
      relationship and substituent effects at the molecular level can benefit for
      further exploration of carboranyl-substituted indole/indoline derivatives with
      versatile and fascinating NLO properties.

PMID- 27262530
TI  - Survival advantage with para aortic lymphadenectomy in peri-ampullary cancer: A
      retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metastatic para aortic lymph nodes (PALN) in patients with peri
      ampullary cancer entail poor prognosis. Role of curative surgery in these
      patients remains debatable. The objective of the current study was to evaluate
      outcome after extended pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients with and without
      positive PALN. METHODS: We reviewed 65 patients who underwent extended PD with
      PALN removal between 2011 and 2014. Patients were divided into two groups; those
      with positive PALN and those without. Patients were sub classified for pancreatic
      and non-pancreatic cancer. Outcome was determined based on median and estimated 3
      year overall survival. RESULTS: Median age was 57 (32-85) years. PALN were
      involved in 15 (23%) patients. Overall 3 year survival for patients with and
      without positive PALN was 60% and 54% (P = 0.7). Significant difference in
      survival was present between patients with pancreatic cancer and positive PALN [9
      (3-12) months] versus non-pancreatic cancers with positive PALN [17.5 (13-38)
      months] (P = 0.02). Four out of five patients with pancreatic cancer and positive
      PALN had survival >6 months and 3 out of these 5 patients were alive at the last
      follow up. CONCLUSION: Curative surgery may benefit some patients with pancreatic
      cancer and positive PALN and should be considered selectively.

PMID- 27262531
TI  - Spinal versus brain microglial and macrophage activation traits determine the
      differential neuroinflammatory responses and analgesic effect of minocycline in
      chronic neuropathic pain.
AB  - Substantial evidence indicates involvement of microglia/macrophages in chronic
      neuropathic pain. However, the temporal-spatial features of microglial/macrophage
      activation and their pain-bound roles remain elusive. Here, we evaluated
      microglia/macrophages and the subtypes in the lumbar spinal cord (SC) and
      prefrontal cortex (PFC), and analgesic-anxiolytic effect of minocycline at
      different stages following spared nerve injury (SNI) in rats. While SNI enhanced
      the number of spinal microglia/macrophages since post-operative day (POD)3, pro
      inflammatory MHCII+ spinal microglia/macrophages were unexpectedly less abundant
      in SNI rats than shams on POD21. By contrast, less abundant anti-inflammatory
      CD172a (SIRPalpha)+ microglia/macrophages were found in the PFC of SNI rats.
      Interestingly in naive rats, microglial/macrophage expression of CD11b/c, MHCII
      and MHCII+/CD172a+ ratio were higher in the SC than the cortex. Consistently,
      multiple immune genes involved in anti-inflammation, phagocytosis, complement
      activation and M2 microglial/macrophage polarization were upregulated in the
      spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia but downregulated in the PFC of SNI
      rats. Furthermore, daily intrathecal minocycline treatment starting from POD0 for
      two weeks alleviated mechanical allodynia most robustly before POD3 and
      attenuated anxiety on POD9. Although minocycline dampened spinal MHCII+
      microglia/macrophages until POD13, it failed to do so on cortical
      microglia/macrophages, indicating that dampening only spinal inflammation may not
      be enough to alleviate centralized pain at the chronic stage. Taken together, our
      data provide the first evidence that basal microglial/macrophage traits underlie
      differential region-specific responses to SNI and minocycline treatment, and
      suggest that drug treatment efficiently targeting not only spinal but also brain
      inflammation may be more effective in treating chronic neuropathic pain.

PMID- 27262532
TI  - End-processing nucleases and phosphodiesterases: An elite supporting cast for the
      non-homologous end joining pathway of DNA double-strand break repair.
AB  - Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) is an error-prone DNA double-strand break repair
      pathway that is active throughout the cell cycle. A substantial fraction of NHEJ
      repair events show deletions and, less often, insertions in the repair joints,
      suggesting an end-processing step comprising the removal of mismatched or damaged
      nucleotides by nucleases and other phosphodiesterases, as well as subsequent
      strand extension by polymerases. A wide range of nucleases, including Artemis,
      Metnase, APLF, Mre11, CtIP, APE1, APE2 and WRN, are biochemically competent to
      carry out such double-strand break end processing, and have been implicated in
      NHEJ by at least circumstantial evidence. Several additional DNA end-specific
      phosphodiesterases, including TDP1, TDP2 and aprataxin are available to resolve
      various non-nucleotide moieties at DSB ends. This review summarizes the
      biochemical specificities of these enzymes and the evidence for their
      participation in the NHEJ pathway.

PMID- 27262533
TI  - Management of large incisional hernias with loss of domain: A prospective series
      of patients prepared by progressive preoperative pneumoperitoneum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of giant incisional hernias with loss of
      domain is challenging due to the possibility of intra-abdominal hypertension
      after the herniated content is returned to the peritoneal cavity. Progressive
      preoperative pneumoperitoneum has been described before repair of the hernia,
      although its efficacy has not been demonstrated clearly. Our aim was to evaluate
      the efficacy of preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum in expanding the volume
      of the peritoneal cavity and the outcomes after surgical treatment of incisional
      hernias with loss of domain. METHODS: All consecutive patients with incisional
      hernias with loss of domain undergoing preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum
      and operative repair were included in a prospective observational study. All
      patients had pre- and postoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum computed
      tomography of the abdomen. Open incisional hernias with loss of domain repair
      consisted of anatomic reconstruction of the abdominal wall by complete closure of
      the defect and reinforcement with a sublay synthetic mesh, whenever possible.
      RESULTS: The cohort was composed of 45 patients (mean age, 60.5 years). Before
      the preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum, the mean volume of the herniated
      content was 38% of the total peritoneal volume. The mean abdominal volume
      increased by 53% after the preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum. One patient
      died during preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum, but the postoperative
      mortality was zero, giving a mortality rate of 2% to the treatment using
      preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum. Complete reduction of the herniated
      content intraperitoneally with primary closure of the fascia was achieved in 42
      out of 45 patients (94%). Reinforcement by a synthetic mesh was possible in 37
      patients (84%). Overall, surgical complications related directly to the operative
      procedure occured in 48% of cases. The rates of overall and severe morbidity were
      75 and 34%, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 18.6 months, the recurrence rate
      was 8% (3 out of 37 patients) with non-absorbable meshes and 57% (4 out of 7
      patients) with absorbable mesh. CONCLUSION: Preoperative progressive
      pneumoperitoneum increased the volume of the abdominal cavity in patients with
      incisional hernias with loss of domain, allowing complete reduction of the
      herniated content and primary fascial closure in 94% of patients, with acceptable
      overall morbidity.

PMID- 27262534
TI  - Student perceptions of a simulation-based flipped classroom for the surgery
      clerkship: A mixed-methods study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The flipped classroom, a blended learning paradigm that uses pre
      session online videos reinforced with interactive sessions, has been proposed as
      an alternative to traditional lectures. This article investigates medical
      students' perceptions of a simulation-based, flipped classroom for the surgery
      clerkship and suggests best practices for implementation in this setting.
      METHODS: A prospective cohort of students (n = 89), who were enrolled in the
      surgery clerkship during a 1-year period, was taught via a simulation-based,
      flipped classroom approach. Students completed an anonymous, end-of-clerkship
      survey regarding their perceptions of the curriculum. Quantitative analysis of
      Likert responses and qualitative analysis of narrative responses were performed.
      RESULTS: Students' perceptions of the curriculum were positive, with 90% rating
      it excellent or outstanding. The majority reported the curriculum should be
      continued (95%) and applied to other clerkships (84%). The component received
      most favorably by the students was the simulation-based skill sessions. Students
      rated the effectiveness of the Khan Academy-style videos the highest compared
      with other video formats (P < .001). Qualitative analysis identified 21 subthemes
      in 4 domains: general positive feedback, educational content, learning
      environment, and specific benefits to medical students. The students reported
      that the learning environment fostered accountability and self-directed learning.
      Specific perceived benefits included preparation for the clinical rotation and
      the National Board of Medical Examiners shelf exam, decreased class time,
      socialization with peers, and faculty interaction. CONCLUSION: Medical students'
      perceptions of a simulation-based, flipped classroom in the surgery clerkship
      were overwhelmingly positive. The flipped classroom approach can be applied
      successfully in a surgery clerkship setting and may offer additional benefits
      compared with traditional lecture-based curricula.

PMID- 27262535
TI  - Ethanol extract of Cyclolepis genistoides D. Don (palo azul) induces formation of
      myotubes, which involves differentiation of C2C12 myoblast cells.
AB  - In this study, we examined the cell differentiation effect of an ethanol extract
      of Cyclolepis genistoides D. Don, a herbaceous perennial belonging to the family
      Asteraceae (vernacular name: palo azul). Palo azul has numerous physiological
      effects that contribute to the prevention of metabolic syndromes, although the
      mechanism remains unclear. We previously suggested that palo azul has
      antidiabetic activity via an adipose differentiation effect. Here, we focused on
      whether palo azul promoted the differentiation of myoblasts. The mouse muscle
      myoblast cell line C2C12 was cultured and differentiated using horse serum with
      or without an ethanol extract of palo azul (12.5-200 MUg/mL). Quantitative real
      time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate differentiation markers,
      including insulin-like growth factor-1 and myogenin. To evaluate myotube
      formation, myosin heavy-chain (MHC) expression and localization were detected by
      immunohistochemistry. Palo azul increased the expression of the differentiation
      markers. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry analysis revealed increased formation
      of MHC myotubes after palo azul treatment along with increased diameter and
      fusion indices of the myotubes. The expression level of MHC was also increased.
      In conclusion, palo azul may increase muscle mass in the body and improve insulin
      resistance conditions by facilitating the formation of myotubes by promoting
      myocyte differentiation.

PMID- 27262538
TI  - Assessment of lutein and zeaxanthin status and dietary markers as predictors of
      the contrast threshold in 2 age groups of men and women.
AB  - Lutein and zeaxanthin (L + Z) status is associated with the macular pigment (MP).
      The relationship between MP and visual function is controversial. We hypothesized
      that, within the framework of nutrition, visual function was related to MP and
      nutritional and/or/dietary factors influencing it. A cross-sectional study was
      performed in 108 volunteers divided into 2 age groups (20-35 years; 45-65 years),
      each 27 women and 27 men, to assess the relationship between MP optical density
      (MPOD) and contrast threshold (CT), considering the influence of L + Z and, fruit
      and vegetable (F + V) intake. MPOD, L + Z in serum and dietary intake were
      determined using heterochromatic flicker photometry, high-performance liquid
      chromatography and 3-day food records, respectively. CT was measured with the CGT
      1000 Contrast Glaretester at 6 stimulus sizes, with and without glare. Spearman
      correlation coefficient and a generalized linear model were used for the
      statistical study. MPOD and CT were higher and lower, respectively in younger
      than in elder individuals (P < .000) and were correlated only in the older group.
      CT were higher under glare conditions, at the intermediate and smaller visual
      angles, with greater differences in the older (P < .003) than the younger group
      (P < .014). In the total sample, CT correlated inversely with MPOD (correlation
      coefficients and P values ranging from -.245 to -.152 and from .000 to .026,
      respectively) and directly with F + V intake (correlation coefficients and P
      values ranging from -.265 to -.176 and from .000 to .010, respectively). As
      predictors of CT in the total sample, MPOD, F + V (every 100 g/d) and sex were
      identified (beta coefficients ranged from -0.01 to -1.86; from 0.01 to 0.08 and
      from 0.01 to 0.40, respectively). CT revealed age-specific nutritional
      predictors: MPOD and serum lutein in the 45- to 65-year group, and F + V intake
      in the 20- to 35-year group.

PMID- 27262537
TI  - Mulberry ethanol extract attenuates hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in
      high-fat diet-fed mice.
AB  - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most common complications of
      obesity. Mulberry is an important source of phytochemicals, such as anthocyanins,
      polyphenols and flavonoids, which are related to its antioxidant activity. In
      this study, we developed a hypothesis that mulberry exerted beneficial effects on
      metabolic disorders and evaluated the influence of the mulberry ethanol extract
      (MEE) on high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in mice.
      Thirty-six male C57BL/6J mice were assigned into 3 groups and fed either a low
      fat diet or a high-fat diet with or without supplementation with MEE. Our results
      showed that administration of MEE reduced diet-induced body weight gain, improved
      high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and adipose hypertrophy, alleviated
      insulin resistance, and improved glucose homeostasis. Analysis of hepatic gene
      expression indicated that MEE treatment changed the expression profile of genes
      involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism. In conclusion, the present study
      demonstrated that MEE supplementation protected mice from high-fat diet-induced
      obesity, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance. Moreover, the protective
      effects of MEE were associated with the induction of fatty acid oxidation and
      decreased fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis.

PMID- 27262536
TI  - High fat diet enriched with saturated, but not monounsaturated fatty acids
      adversely affects femur, and both diets increase calcium absorption in older
      female mice.
AB  - Diet induced obesity has been shown to reduce bone mineral density (BMD) and Ca
      absorption. However, previous experiments have not examined the effect of high
      fat diet (HFD) in the absence of obesity or addressed the type of dietary fatty
      acids. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of
      different types of high fat feeding, without obesity, on fractional calcium
      absorption (FCA) and bone health. It was hypothesized that dietary fat would
      increase FCA and reduce BMD. Mature 8-month-old female C57BL/6J mice were fed one
      of three diets: a HFD (45% fat) enriched either with monounsaturated fatty acids
      (MUFAs) or with saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and a normal fat diet (NFD; 10%
      fat). Food consumption was controlled to achieve a similar body weight gain in
      all groups. After 8wk, total body bone mineral content and BMD as well as femur
      total and cortical volumetric BMD were lower in SFA compared with NFD groups
      (P<.05). In contrast, femoral trabecular bone was not affected by the SFAs,
      whereas MUFAs increased trabecular volume fraction and thickness. The rise over
      time in FCA was greater in mice fed HFD than NFD and final FCA was higher with
      HFD (P<.05). Intestinal calbindin-D9k gene and hepatic cytochrome P450 2r1
      protein levels were higher with the MUFA than the NFD diet (P<.05). In
      conclusion, HFDs elevated FCA overtime; however, an adverse effect of HFD on bone
      was only observed in the SFA group, while MUFAs show neutral or beneficial
      effects.

PMID- 27262540
TI  - Early switch in tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for patients with chronic
      myeloid leukemia: An emerging clinical question.
AB  - Response to frontline BCR-ABL1-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy
      is associated with an improved prognosis for patients with chronic myeloid
      leukemia (CML). Accordingly, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and
      European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommend the use of specific response milestones (eg,
      BCR-ABL1<=10% on the International Scale at 3 months) to assess treatment success
      and inform follow-up care, including potentially switching to another TKI
      therapy. However, prior to any treatment change, the potential benefits and risks
      of each TKI and the goals of the patient must be considered. Here we review
      current NCCN and ELN response recommendations for patients with CML, highlight
      the impact of early responses on long-term prognosis, and discuss several reasons
      patients may consider a switch in TKI therapy. We also review completed and
      ongoing clinical studies involving a switch in frontline therapy for patients
      with CML, including those with a treatment-free remission phase. 

PMID- 27262539
TI  - Monitoring drug induced apoptosis and treatment sensitivity in non-small cell
      lung carcinoma using dielectrophoresis.
AB  - Non-invasive real time methods for characterizing biomolecular events that
      contribute towards apoptotic kinetics would be of significant importance in the
      field of cancer biology. Effective drug-induced apoptosis is an important factor
      for establishing the relationship between cancer genetics and treatment
      sensitivity. The objective of this study was to develop a non-invasive technique
      to characterize cancer cells that are undergoing drug-induced apoptosis. We used
      dielectrophoresis to determine apoptotic cells as early as 2h post drug treatment
      as compared to 24h with standard flow cytometry method using non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma cell line (HCC1833) as a study model. Our studies
      have shown significant differences in apoptotic cells by chromatin condensation,
      formation of apoptotic bodies and exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the
      extracellular surface when the cells where treated with a potent Bcl-2 family
      inhibitor drug (ABT-263). Time lapse dielectrophoretic studies were performed
      over 24h period after exposure to ABT-263 at clinically relevant concentrations.
      The dielectrophoretic studies were compared to Annexin-V FITC flow assay for the
      detection of PS in mid-stage apoptosis using flow cytometry. As a result of
      physical and biochemical changes, inherent dielectric properties of cells
      undergoing varying stages of apoptosis showed amplified changes in their
      cytoplasmic and membrane capacitance. In addition, zeta potential of these fixed
      isolated cells was measured to obtain direct correlation to biomolecular events.

PMID- 27262541
TI  - Regenerated cellulose capsules for controlled drug delivery: Part III. Developing
      a fabrication method and evaluating extemporaneous utility for controlled
      release.
AB  - In this article, we describe a method to utilize cellulose dissolved in dimethyl
      sulfoxide and paraformaldehyde solvent system to fabricate two-piece regenerated
      cellulose hard shell capsules for their potential use as an oral controlled drug
      delivery a priori vehicle. A systematic evaluation of solution rheology as well
      as resulting capsule mechanical, visual and thermal analysis was performed to
      develop a suitable method to repeatedly fabricate RC hard shell capsule halves.
      Because of the viscoelastic nature of the cellulose solution, a combination of
      dip-coating and casting method, herein referred to as dip-casting method, was
      developed. The dip-casting method was formalized by utilizing two-stage 2(2) full
      factorial design approach in order to determine a suitable approach to fabricate
      capsules with minimal variability. Thermal annealing is responsible for imparting
      shape rigidity of the capsules. Proof-of-concept analysis for the utility of
      these capsules in controlled drug delivery was performed by evaluating the
      release of KCl from them as well as from commercially available USP equivalent
      formulations. Release of KCl from cellulose capsules was comparable to extended
      release capsule formulation. 

PMID- 27262543
TI  - Unusual Case of Multiple Lateral Spinal Dermal Sinuses in a Child.

PMID- 27262542
TI  - A novel hybrid drug between two potent anti-tubulin agents as a potential
      prolonged anticancer approach.
AB  - We report the design, synthesis and biological characterisation of a novel hybrid
      drug by conjugation of two tubulin inhibitors, a hemiasterlin derivative A (H-Mpa
      Tle-Aha-OH), obtained by condensation of three non-natural amino acids, and cis
      3,4',5-trimethoxy-3'aminostilbene (B). As we have previously demonstrated synergy
      between A and B, we used a monocarbonyl derivative of triethylene glycol as
      linker (L) to synthesise compounds A-L and A-L-B; via HPLC we analysed the
      release of its potential hydrolysis products A, A-L, B and B-L in physiological
      fluids: the hybrid A-L-B undergo hydrolysis in rat whole blood of the ester bond
      between A and L (half-life=118.2+/-9.5min) but not the carbamate bond between B
      and L; the hydrolysis product B-L was further hydrolyzed, but with a slower rate
      (half-life=288+/-12min). The compound A-L was the faster hydrolyzed conjugate
      (half-life=25.4+/-1.1min). The inhibitory activity of the compounds against SKOV3
      ovarian cancer cell growth was analysed. The IC50 values were 7.48+/-1.27nM for
      A, 40.3+/-6.28nM for B, 738+/-38.5nM for A-L and 37.9+/-2.11nM for A-L-B. The
      anticancer effect of A-L-B was evidenced to be obtained via microtubule dynamics
      suppression. Finally, we stated the expression of the active efflux transporters
      P-gp (ABCB1) and MRP1 (ABCC1) in the human normal colon epithelial NCM460 cell
      line by reverse-transcription PCR. Via permeation studies across NCM460
      monolayers we demonstrate the poor aptitude of A to interact with active efflux
      transporters (AET): indeed, the ratio between its permeability coefficients for
      the basolateral (B)->apical (A) and B->A transport was 1.5+/-0.1, near to the
      ratio of taltobulin (1.12+/-0.06), an hemiasterlin derivative able to elude AETs,
      and significantly different form the ratio of celiprolol (3.4+/-0.2), an AET
      substrate. 

PMID- 27262544
TI  - Acid Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Apparent Life-Threatening Events:
      Simultaneous pH-metry and Cardiorespiratory Monitoring.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the prevalence and the characteristics of gastroesophageal
      reflux disease (GERD) in infants with apparent life threatening events (ALTE).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infants with at least one episode of ALTE in absence of
      predisposing factors were included. All infants underwent a cardiorespiratory
      recording with simultaneous 24-hour pH-monitoring. Patients were divided into 3
      groups according to the severity of GERD: A. Reflux Index (RI) <3%, B. RI = 3-7%,
      C. RI >7%. Monthly evaluations were performed and the anti-reflux therapy was
      maintained till normalization of monitoring and clinic. RESULTS: 41 infants were
      enrolled. GERD was found in 80% of patients (moderate in 54%, severe in 27%). A
      normalization of the cardiorespiratory tracks was recorded on average after 1
      month for group A, 7 months for the group B and 9.5 months for group C. A
      significant difference was registered between group A and both group B and C (P <
      0.0001), as well as between the group B and C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GERD
      influences significantly the time of normalization of the cardiorespiratory
      monitoring in infants with ALTE. GERD diagnosis and treatment are mandatory in
      these patients.

PMID- 27262545
TI  - Re-Epithelialization of Pathological Cutaneous Wounds Is Improved by Local
      Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism.
AB  - Impaired cutaneous wound healing is a social burden. It occurs as a consequence
      of glucocorticoid treatment in several pathologies. Glucocorticoids (GC) bind not
      only to the glucocorticoid receptor but also to the mineralocorticoid receptor
      (MR), both expressed by keratinocytes. In addition to its beneficial effects
      through the glucocorticoid receptor, GC exposure may lead to inappropriate MR
      occupancy. We hypothesized that dermatological use of MR antagonists (MRA) might
      be beneficial by overcoming the negative impact of GC treatment on pathological
      wounds. The potent GC clobetasol, applied as an ointment to mouse skin, or added
      to cultured human skin explants, induced delayed wound closure and outgrowth of
      epidermis with reduced proliferation of keratinocytes. Delayed wound re
      epithelialization was rescued by local MRA application. Normal skin was
      unaffected by MRA. The benefit of MR blockade is explained by the increased
      expression of MR in clobetasol-treated mouse skin. Blockade of the epithelial
      sodium channel by phenamil also rescued cultured human skin explants from GC
      impaired growth of the epidermis. MRA application over post-biopsy wounds of
      clobetasol-treated skin zones of healthy volunteers (from the Interest of Topical
      Spironolactone's Administration to Prevent Corticoid-induced Epidermal Atrophy
      clinical trial) also accelerated wound closure. In conclusion, we propose
      repositioning MRA for cutaneous application to improve delayed wound closure
      occurring in pathology.

PMID- 27262546
TI  - Evolution of synovitis in osteoarthritic knees and its association with clinical
      features.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the course of synovitis on contrast-enhanced magnetic
      resonance images (CE-MRI) in osteoarthritic knees over 2 years, and its
      association with pain and cartilage deterioration. DESIGN: Consecutive patients
      (n = 39, mean age 61 years, 79% woman, median (range) body mass index (BMI) 29
      (24-48) kg/mm2) with clinical osteoarthritis (OA) were included. Baseline and
      follow-up CE-MRI (3 T) were scored paired in chronological order for synovitis
      (semi-quantitatively at 11 sites (range 0-22)), cartilage deterioration and bone
      marrow lesions (BMLs) (semi-quantitatively according to Knee Osteoarthritis
      Scoring System (KOSS)). Changes in sum scores were calculated. Cartilage
      deterioration was defined as change of >=2 above the smallest detectable change
      (SDC). Pain was assessed by standardized questionnaires. Analysis of covariance
      (ANCOVA) and linear regression models were used to investigate association
      between synovitis change and cartilage deterioration and between synovitis change
      or cartilage deterioration and change in pain. RESULTS: The total synovitis score
      did not change over 2 years (mean change 0.2 (standard deviation (SD) 3.2)),
      although changes in individual patients were observed. Cartilage deterioration
      was observed in 51% of patients. Synovitis change score was lower in patients
      without compared to patients with cartilage deterioration, taking BML change in
      account (mean difference -2.1 (-4.1 to -0.1)). Change in synovitis was not
      associated with change in pain, whereas cartilage deterioration was associated
      with change in Intermittent and Constant OsteoArthritis Pain (ICOAP) constant
      pain in adjusted models (unstandardised coefficient (B) (95% confidence interval
      (CI)) 2.8 (0.4-5.3)). CONCLUSIONS: In individual patients synovitis fluctuates
      during disease course. Synovitis change was not associated with change in pain.
      Increase in synovitis is associated with cartilage deterioration, suggesting a
      role for synovitis as a target for disease-modifying treatment.

PMID- 27262547
TI  - Reductive transformation of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) by FeS.
AB  - Both iron monosulfide (FeS) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are widely
      found at relatively high levels in anoxic sediments, but little is known about
      the reactions of FeS with BFRs. Prior studies showed that FeS was variously
      reactive with chlorinated organic pollutants in many anoxic environments. It is
      intuitive that FeS is also reactive with BFRs under anoxic conditions. This study
      was initiated to test such a hypothesis by quantifying the rates of reductive
      transformation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), decabrominated diphenyl ether
      (decaBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) using synthetic FeS as the reactive
      agent. The results showed that over 90% of HBCD was transformed by FeS within 24
      h, whereas both TBBPA and decaBDE were found nonreactive within 2 days. The
      transformation of HBCD followed a pseudo-first-order rate kinetic and the
      observed rate constants were dependent on the initial concentrations of FeS and
      HBCD. The transformation rates of beta- and gamma-HBCD were significantly faster
      than that of alpha-HBCD. Analysis of bromine ion and other transformation
      products suggested that sequential dibromoelimination to form 1,5,9
      cyclododecatriene was likely to be a dominant pathway for the reductive
      transformation of HBCD by FeS. Surface characterization of FeS by XPS indicated
      that both Fe(II) and S(-II) on the FeS surface might have contributed
      considerably to the transformation of HBCD. These findings imply that FeS may
      play an important role in natural attenuation of HBCD and that it may be used as
      a reactive agent for treating HBCD-contaminated sediments.

PMID- 27262548
TI  - Contribution of assimilable organic carbon to biological fouling in seawater
      reverse osmosis membrane treatment.
AB  - Biological fouling occurs on RO membranes when bacteria and nutrients are present
      in conditions that are conducive to growth and proliferation of the bacteria.
      Controlling microbial growth on the membranes is typically limited to biocide
      application (i.e., disinfectants) in seawater RO plants. However, biological
      growth and subsequent fouling has not been well-managed. Pretreatment has not
      been focused on nutrient limitation. This project used a biological assay, the
      assimilable organic carbon (AOC) test to evaluate pretreatment effects on the
      nutrient supply. The AOC test provided a useful surrogate measurement for the
      biodegradability or biofouling potential of RO feed water. Biofouling observed in
      controlled conditions at the bench- and pilot-scale resulted in statistically
      significant correlations between AOC and the operational effects caused by
      biofouling. Membrane fouling rates are observed through operational changes over
      time such as increased differential pressure between the membrane feed and
      concentrate locations and decreased permeate flux through the membrane. In full
      scale plants there were strong correlations when AOC was used as a predictor
      variable for increased differential pressure (0.28-0.55 bar from September
      December 2012) and decreased specific flux (1.40 L per hour/(m(2) . bar)).
      Increased differential pressure was associated with RO membrane biological
      fouling when the median AOC was 50 MUg/L during pilot testing. Conditions were
      also evaluated at the bench-scale using a flat sheet RO membrane. In a comparison
      test using 30 and 1000 MUg/L AOC, fouling was detected on more portions of the
      membrane when AOC was higher. Biofilm and bacterial deposits were apparent from
      scanning electron microscope imaging and biomass measurements using ATP.

PMID- 27262550
TI  - Propidium monoazide RTqPCR assays for the assessment of hepatitis A inactivation
      and for a better estimation of the health risk of contaminated waters.
AB  - The waterborne transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV), the main cause of acute
      hepatitis, is well documented. Recently, two ISO proposals for sensitive
      determination of this pathogen by RTqPCR in water and food have been published
      (ISO/TS 15216-1 and ISO/TS 15216-2), and could enable the formulation of
      regulatory standards for viruses in the near future. However, since detected
      viral genomes do not always correlate with virus infectivity, molecular
      approaches need to be optimized to better predict infectivity of contaminated
      samples. Two methods involving the use of propidium monoazide (PMA), with or
      without Triton X-100, prior to RTqPCR amplification were optimized and adapted to
      infer the performance of infectious viral inactivation upon two different water
      treatments: free chlorine and high temperature. Significant correlations between
      the decrease of genome copies and infectivity were found for both inactivation
      procedures. The best procedure to infer chlorine inactivation was the PMA-RTqPCR
      assay, in which 1, 2 or 3-log genome copies reductions corresponded to reductions
      of infectious viruses of 2.61 +/- 0.55, 3.76 +/- 0.53 and 4.92 +/- 0.76 logs,
      respectively. For heat-inactivated viruses, the best method was the PMA/Triton
      RTqPCR assay, with a 1, 2 or 3-log genome reduction corresponding to reductions
      of infectious viruses of 2.15 +/- 1.31, 2.99 +/- 0.79 and 3.83 +/- 0.70 logs,
      respectively. Finally, the level of damaged virions was evaluated in distinct
      types of water naturally contaminated with HAV. While most HAV genomes quantified
      in sewage corresponded to undamaged capsids, the analysis of a river water sample
      indicated that more than 98% of viruses were not infectious. Although the
      PMA/Triton-RTqPCR assay may still overestimate infectivity, it is more reliable
      than the RTqPCR alone and it seems to be a rapid and cost-effective method that
      can be applied on different types of water, and that it undeniably provides a
      more accurate measure of the health risk associated to contaminated waters.

PMID- 27262549
TI  - Comparison of microbial communities of activated sludge and membrane biofilm in
      10 full-scale membrane bioreactors.
AB  - Operation of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for wastewater treatment is hampered by
      the membrane biofouling resulting from microbial activities. However, the
      knowledge of the microbial ecology of both biofilm and activated sludge in MBRs
      has not been sufficient. In this study, we scrutinized microbial communities of
      biofilm and activated sludge from 10 full-scale MBR plants. Overall,
      Flavobacterium, Dechloromonas and Nitrospira were abundant in order of abundance
      in biofilm, whereas Dechloromonas, Flavobacterium and Haliscomenobacter in
      activated sludge. Community structure was analyzed in either biofilm or activated
      sludge. Among MBRs, as expected, not only diversity of microbial community but
      also its composition was different from one another (p < 0.05). Between the
      biofilm and activated sludge, community composition made significant difference,
      but its diversity measures (i.e., alpha diversity, e.g., richness, diversity and
      evenness) did not (p > 0.05). Effects of ten environmental factors on community
      change were investigated using Spearman correlation. MLSS, HRT, F/M ratio and
      SADm explained the variation of microbial composition in the biofilm, whereas
      only MLSS did in the activated sludge. Microbial networks were constructed with
      the 10 environmental factors. The network results revealed that there were
      different topological characteristics between the biofilm and activated sludge
      networks, in which each of the 4 factors had different associations with
      microbial nodes. These results indicated that the different microbial
      associations were responsible for the variation of community composition between
      the biofilm and activated sludge.

PMID- 27262551
TI  - Fate and implication of acetylacetone in photochemical processes for water
      treatment.
AB  - Acetylacetone (AA), due to the peculiar enol-keto structures, has attracted wide
      scientific interests. In terms of photo-decolorization, it works much more
      efficiently than the well-known H2O2. However, there is very limited information
      on the photochemistry of AA in aqueous solutions. Herein, the photolysis
      kinetics, quantum yield, mass balance, decomposition pathway, and bioavailability
      of AA during UV irradiation were systematically investigated. It seems that
      photophysical processes predominated over photochemical ones when AA was
      irradiated with UV light. Although the quantum yield of AA (0.116) was much lower
      than that of H2O2 (1.0), the stronger light absorption of AA and the better
      overlap of the AA absorption spectrum with the solar emission spectrum, as well
      as the direct energy/electron transfer mechanisms, ensured its high efficiency in
      photochemical processes. The main degradation products of AA in photochemical
      processes were similar to the metabolic products in bio-fermentation. Besides,
      the irradiated AA solution showed a high bioavailability to the cells in
      activated sludge. Therefore, the UV/AA process might be a promising pre-treatment
      approach for bio-treatment. The results provide new insights into the
      photochemical fate and implication of beta-diketones in aqueous solutions.

PMID- 27262552
TI  - Evaluating Contaminants of Emerging Concern as tracers of wastewater from septic
      systems.
AB  - Bacterial and nutrient contamination from anthropogenic sources impacts fresh and
      marine waters, reducing water quality and restricting recreational and commercial
      activities. In many cases the source of this contamination is ambiguous, and a
      tracer or set of tracers linking contamination to source would be valuable. In
      this work, the effectiveness of utilizing a suite of Contaminants of Emerging
      Concern (CECs) as tracers of bacteria from human septic system effluent is
      investigated. Field sampling was performed at more than 20 locations over
      approximately 18 months and analyzed for a suite of CECs and fecal coliform
      bacteria. The sampling locations included seeps and small freshwater discharges
      to the shoreline. Sites were selected and grouped according to level of impact by
      septic systems as determined by previous field sampling programs. A subset of
      selected locations had been positively identified as being impacted by effluent
      from failing septic systems through dye testing. The CECs were selected based on
      their predominant use, their frequency of use, and putative fate and transport
      properties. In addition, two rounds of focused sampling were performed at
      selected sites to characterize short-term variations in CEC and fecal coliform
      concentrations, and to evaluate environmental persistence following source
      correction activities. The results indicate that a suite of common use compounds
      are suitable as generalized tracers of bacterial contamination from septic
      systems and that fate and transport properties are important in tracer selection.
      Highly recalcitrant or highly labile compounds likely follow different loss
      profiles in the subsurface compared to fecal bacteria and are not suitable
      tracers. The use of more than one tracer compound is recommended due to source
      variability of septic systems and to account for variations in the subsurface
      condition. In addition, concentrations of some CECs were measured in receiving
      waters at levels which suggested the potential for environmental harm, indicating
      that the possible risk presented from these sources warrants further
      investigation.

PMID- 27262553
TI  - Real-time monitoring of beta-d-glucuronidase activity in sediment laden streams:
      A comparison of prototypes.
AB  - Detection of enzymatic activities has been proposed as a rapid surrogate for the
      culture-based microbiological pollution monitoring of water resources. This paper
      presents the results of tests on four fully automated prototype instruments for
      the on-site monitoring of beta-d-glucuronidase (GLUC) activity. The tests were
      performed on sediment-laden stream water in the Hydrological Open Air Laboratory
      (HOAL) during the period of March 2014 to March 2015. The dominant source of
      faecal pollution in the stream was swine manure applied to the fields within the
      catchment. The experiments indicated that instrument pairs with the same
      construction design yielded highly consistent results (R(2) = 0.96 and R(2) =
      0.94), whereas the results between different designs were less consistent (R(2) =
      0.71). Correlations between the GLUC activity measured on-site and culture-based
      Escherichia coli analyses over the entire study period yielded R(2) = 0.52 and
      R(2) = 0.47 for the two designs, respectively. The correlations tended to be
      higher at the event scale. The GLUC activity was less correlated with suspended
      sediment concentrations than with E. coli, which is interpreted in terms of
      indicator applicability and the time since manure application. The study shows
      that this rapid assay can yield consistent results over a long period of on-site
      operation in technically challenging habitats. Although the use of GLUC activity
      as a proxy for culture-based assays could not be proven for the observed habitat,
      the study results suggest that this biochemical indicator has high potential for
      implementation in early warning systems.

PMID- 27262554
TI  - GPCRs in invertebrate innate immunity.
AB  - G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a privileged point of contact
      between cells and their surrounding environment. They have been widely adopted in
      vertebrates as mediators of signals involved in both innate and adaptive
      immunity. Invertebrates rely on innate immune defences to resist infection. We
      review here evidence from a number of different species, principally the
      genetically tractable Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster that
      points to an important role for GPCRs in modulating innate immunity in
      invertebrates too. In addition to examples of GPCRs involved in regulating the
      expression of defence genes, we discuss studies in C. elegans addressing the role
      of GPCR signalling in pathogen aversive behaviour. Despite the many lacunae in
      our current knowledge, it is clear that GPCR signalling contributes to host
      defence across the animal kingdom.

PMID- 27262555
TI  - [Severe chronic hypocalcaemia in an asymptomatic patient].

PMID- 27262556
TI  - Limiting Free Pricing of New Innovative Drugs After Launch: A Necessity for
      Payers?

PMID- 27262557
TI  - Microfluidic integrated acoustic waving for manipulation of cells and molecules.
AB  - Acoustophoresis with its simple and low-cost fabrication, rapid and localized
      fluid actuation, compatibility with microfluidic components, and biocompatibility
      for cellular studies, has been extensively integrated into microfluidics to
      provide on-chip microdevices for a variety of applications in biology,
      bioengineering and chemistry. Among different applications, noninvasive
      manipulation of cells and biomolecules are significantly important, which are
      addressed by acoustic-based microfluidics. Here in this paper, we briefly explain
      the principles and different configurations of acoustic wave and acoustic
      streaming for the manipulation of cells and molecules and overview its
      applications for single cell isolation, cell focusing and sorting, cell washing
      and patterning, cell-cell fusion and communication, and tissue engineering. We
      further discuss the application of acoustic-based microfluidic systems for the
      mixing and transport of liquids, manipulation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and
      ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules, followed by explanation on the present
      challenges of acoustic-based microfluidics for the handling of cells and
      molecules, and highlighting the future directions. 

PMID- 27262558
TI  - Highly sensitive and selective detection of nitrite ions using Fe3O4@SiO2/Au
      magnetic nanoparticles by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
AB  - A novel and pragmatic method was developed to detect the concentration of nitrite
      ions using Fe3O4@SiO2/Au magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) by surface-enhanced Raman
      scattering (SERS). The as-prepared bifunctional nanocomposites can be used to
      simultaneously purify target molecules using external magnetic field and produce
      Raman fingerprint spectrum with trace level of target molecules. In acidic media,
      4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) molecules conjugated on Fe3O4@SiO2/Au MNPs were
      triggered by nitrite ions to form azo bonds, resulting in three new marker peaks
      on the SERS spectrum. Under optimized conditions, the detection limit based on
      the three marker peaks were 15.63, 13.69, and 17.77MUM, which was much lower than
      the maximum NO2(-) concentration of 1.0mgL(-1) (71.4MUM) allowed in drinking
      water as defined by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The specificity
      of this proposed method to detect nitrite ions was demonstrated using common ions
      as competitors. In addition, the SERS-based technique was successfully employed
      to detect nitrite ions in pond water, a synthetic urine solution, and pickle
      brine. Considering its good sensitivity and selectivity, the detection method is
      well suited for the detection of nitrite ions in real samples without
      pretreatment steps. 

PMID- 27262559
TI  - Effect of myopic anisometropia on anterior and posterior ocular segment
      parameters.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in anterior and
      posterior segment parameters of more myopic eyes compared to fellow eyes using
      spectral domain optical coherence tomography and optical biometer device in
      patients with myopic anisometropia. This prospective cross-sectional study
      included 42 myopic anisometropic patients with and without amblyopia, aged
      between 7 and 40 years old. The refractive error and keratometry values, axial
      length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber
      layer thickness (RNFLT), and central macular thickness (CMT) were evaluated.
      Eighteen of the patients had myopic anisometropia with amblyopia, and the
      remaining 24 had myopic anisometropia without amblyopia. There were 23 female and
      19 male patients with a mean age as 23.67 +/- 10.12 years (range 7-40). The right
      eyes of the subjects significantly had a higher degree of myopia. There was a
      significant difference in mean best-corrected visual acuity (0.195 +/- 0.234 vs.
      0.011 +/- 0.025 logMAR, p < 0.001), spherical equivalent refraction (-3.95 +/-
      1.38 vs. -1.04 +/- 0.99 D, p < 0.001), AL (25.06 +/- 1.27 vs. 23.99 +/- 0.98 mm,
      p < 0.001), and RNFLT (89.24 +/- 12.84 vs. 94.57 +/- 10.81 MUm, p < 0.001)
      between the more myopic and fellow eyes in all patients. On the contrary, there
      was no significant difference in CMT and anterior segment parameters including
      mean keratometry and CCT in all patients and either group. During the development
      of the myopic anisometropia, more myopic eyes have significantly more myopic
      refraction, longer AL and thinner RNFLT compared to the fellow eyes.

PMID- 27262560
TI  - Total en bloc spondylectomy for locally aggressive and primary malignant tumors
      of the lumbar spine.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report outcomes after total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) for primary
      aggressive/malignant tumors of the lumbar spine. METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective review of 23 neurosurgical patients operated between 2004 and 2014.
      Outcomes included perioperative complication rates and reoperation rates for
      instrumentation failure. The relationship between patient/operative parameters
      and complication development/instrumentation failure was investigated. RESULTS:
      There were 15 men (65.2 %) and eight women (24.8 %), with a median of 47 years.
      The most common tumor was chordoma in 11 patients (47.8 %), followed by sarcoma
      in four (17.4 %), and giant cell tumor in three (13.0 %). All patients but one
      underwent a two-staged operation; median total estimated blood loss was 3200 mL
      and median total operative time was 18.5 h. Fifteen patients developed at least
      one perioperative complication (65.2 %), with the most common being wound
      infection and ileus (26.1 % each). There was one case of intraoperative iliac
      vein injury (4.4 %). Instrumentation failure occurred in 9 patients (39.1 %) at a
      median time of 23 months after index spondylectomy. Following logistic
      regression, there were no factors associated with complication development. On
      the other hand, postoperative radiation was significantly associated with
      instrumentation failure (OR 7.49; 95 % CI, 1.02-54.9). Local recurrence and 5
      year survival was 8.7 and 84.4 %, respectively. Median follow-up time was 50
      months. CONCLUSIONS: Although favorable oncological outcomes after en bloc
      resection of spinal tumors may be achieved in terms of recurrence and survival,
      TES in the lumbar spine remains a challenging procedure. Future investigation
      into complication avoidance and reconstruction techniques is encouraged.

PMID- 27262561
TI  - Does surgical technique influence clinical outcome after lumbar spinal stenosis
      decompression? A comparative effectiveness study from the Norwegian Registry for
      Spine Surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of spinal
      process osteotomy with two other midline-retaining methods, bilateral laminotomy
      and unilateral laminotomy with crossover, among patients undergoing surgery for
      lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: This cohort study was based on data from the
      Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery (NORspine). Patients were operated on
      between 2009 and 2013 at 31 Norwegian hospitals. The patients completed
      questionnaires at admission for surgery, and after 3 and 12 months. The Oswestry
      Disability Index (ODI) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were duration
      of surgery and hospital stay, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for back pain and leg
      pain, and EQ-5D and EQ-VAS. The patients were classified into one of three
      treatment groups according to the surgery they had received, and a propensity
      score was utilized to minimize bias. The three treatment groups were divided into
      subgroups based on Propensity Scores, and the statistical analyses were performed
      with and within the Propensity Score stratified subgroups. RESULTS: 103 patients
      had spinal process osteotomy, 966 patients had bilateral laminotomy, and 462
      patients had unilateral laminotomy with crossover. Baseline clinical scores were
      similar in the three groups. There were no differences in improvement after 3 and
      12 months between treatment groups. At 12 months, mean ODI improvement was 15.2
      (SD 16.7) after spinous process osteotomy, 16.9 (SD 17.0) after bilateral
      laminotomy, and 16.7 (SD 16.9) after unilateral laminotomy with crossover. There
      were no differences in the secondary clinical outcomes or complication rates.
      Mean duration of surgery was greatest for spinal process osteotomy (p < 0.05).
      Length of stay was 2.1 days (SD 2.1) in the bilateral laminotomy group, 3.5 (SD
      2.4) days for unilateral laminotomy, and 6.9 days (SD 4.1) for spinous process
      osteotomy group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In a propensity scored matched cohort,
      there were no differences in the clinical outcome 12 months after surgery for
      lumbar spinal stenosis performed using the three different posterior
      decompression techniques. Bilateral laminotomy had shortest duration of surgery
      and shortest length of hospital stay. Surgical technique does not seem to affect
      clinical outcome after three different midline-retaining posterior decompression
      techniques.

PMID- 27262563
TI  - Factors Affecting Dental Attendance of Children of New Immigrant Parents: A Cross
      Sectional Study.
AB  - To explore factors affecting children's dental attendance among new immigrants.
      Participants in this cross-sectional study were 314 new immigrant child-parent
      pairs. Parents' demographics, oral health knowledge, perceptions, child's caries
      status, and oral health behaviours were analysed as determinants for dental
      attendance. Only 43 % of children had a dental visit within the year. Parents
      believing in the effectiveness of parental checking were four times more likely
      to seek dental care for their child [adjusted OR (adOR) 4.48, 95 % CI 1.79
      11.13]. Parents perceiving dental check-up as a painful experience were 67 % less
      likely to visit the dentist (adOR 0.33, 95 % CI 0.17-0.63). Lack of insurance and
      time reduced the odds of a dental visit by 65 and 59 %, respectively (adOR 0.35,
      95 % CI 0.16-0.68; adOR 0.41, 95 % CI 0.12-0.99). The care-seeking behaviour of
      new immigrant children was determined by parents' perceived ability to detect
      caries, availability of time and dental insurance, and their perceived dental
      experience.

PMID- 27262562
TI  - Using virtual reality to investigate psychological processes and mechanisms
      associated with the onset and maintenance of psychosis: a systematic review.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the last decade researchers have embraced virtual reality to explore
      the psychological processes and mechanisms that are involved in the onset and
      maintenance of psychosis. A systematic review was conducted to synthesise the
      evidence of using virtual reality to investigate these mechanisms. METHODS: Web
      of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, and Medline were searched. Reference lists of
      collected papers were also visually inspected to locate any relevant cited
      journal articles. In total 6001 articles were potentially eligible for inclusion;
      of these, 16 studies were included in the review. RESULTS: The review identified
      studies investigating the effect of interpersonal sensitivity, childhood bullying
      victimisation, physical assault, perceived ethnic discrimination, social defeat,
      population density and ethnic density on the real-time appraisal of VR social
      situations. Further studies demonstrated the potential of VR to investigate
      paranoid ideation, anomalous experiences, self-confidence, self-comparison,
      physiological activation and behavioural response. CONCLUSIONS: The reviewed
      studies suggest that VR can be used to investigate psychological processes and
      mechanisms associated with psychosis. Implications for further experimental
      research, as well as for assessment and clinical practise are discussed. The
      present review has been registered in the PROSPERO register: CRD42016038085.

PMID- 27262564
TI  - Antimycobacterial activity of medicinal plants used by the Mayo people of Sonora,
      Mexico.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease mainly
      caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which generates 9 million new cases
      worldwide each year. The Mayo ethnicity of southern Sonora, Mexico is more than
      2000 years old, and the Mayos possess extensive knowledge of traditional
      medicine. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the antimycobacterial activity levels of
      extracts of medicinal plants used by the Mayos against Mtb and Mycobacterium
      smegmatis (Msm) in the treatment of TB, respiratory diseases and related
      symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 plant species were collected, and
      191 extracts were created with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc),
      methanol and water. Their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum
      bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined against Mtb H37Rv using the
      microplate alamar blue assay (MABA) and against Msm using the resazurin
      microplate assay (REMA) at 6 and 2 days of exposure, respectively, and at
      concentrations of 250-1.9ug/mL (n-hexane extracts) and 1000-7.81ug/mL (extracts
      obtained with dichloromethane, EtOAc, methanol and water). RESULTS: Rhynchosia
      precatoria (Willd.) DC. (n-hexane root extract), Euphorbia albomarginata Torr.
      and A. Gray. (EtOAc shoot extract) and Helianthus annuus L. (n-hexane stem
      extract) were the most active plants against Mtb H37Rv, with MICs of 15.6, 250,
      250ug/mL and MBCs of 31.25, 250, 250ug/mL, respectively. R. precatoria (root) was
      the only active plant against Msm, with MIC and MBC values of >=250ug/mL. None of
      the aqueous extracts were active. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the medicinal
      use of certain plants used by the Mayo people in the treatment of TB and related
      symptoms. R. precatoria, E. albomarginata and H. annuus are promising plant
      sources of active compounds that act against Mtb H37Rv. To our knowledge, this is
      the first time that their antimycobacterial activity has been reported. Crude
      extracts obtained with n-hexane, EtOAc and dichloromethane were the most active
      against Mtb H37Rv.

PMID- 27262565
TI  - Empathic Responses to Mother's Emotions Predict Internalizing Problems in
      Children of Depressed Mothers.
AB  - Recent theories posit that empathy, typically an adaptive characteristic, may be
      associated with internalizing problems when children are chronically exposed to
      mother's depression. We tested this postulation in a sample of children (N = 82,
      M age = 5 years). Children witnessed their mothers express sadness, anger, and
      happiness during a simulated phone conversation, and researchers rated children's
      negative affective empathy, positive affective empathy, and information-seeking
      (cognitive empathy) in response to their mother's emotions. The chronicity of
      mother's depression during the child's lifetime moderated associations between
      children's empathy and internalizing problems. As predicted, all three empathy
      measures were related to greater mother-rated internalizing problems in children
      of chronically (i.e., 2-3 years) depressed mothers. Greater positive empathy was
      related to lower internalizing problems in children of nondepressed mothers.
      Positive empathy may contribute to adaptive processes when mothers are not
      depressed, and positive, negative, and cognitive empathy may contribute to
      maladaptive processes when mothers are chronically depressed.

PMID- 27262567
TI  - Systematic development and optimization of chemically defined medium supporting
      high cell density growth of Bacillus coagulans.
AB  - With determined components and experimental reducibility, the chemically defined
      medium (CDM) and the minimal chemically defined medium (MCDM) are used in many
      metabolism and regulation studies. This research aimed to develop the chemically
      defined medium supporting high cell density growth of Bacillus coagulans, which
      is a promising producer of lactic acid and other bio-chemicals. In this study, a
      systematic methodology combining the experimental technique with flux balance
      analysis (FBA) was proposed to design and simplify a CDM. The single omission
      technique and single addition technique were employed to determine the essential
      and stimulatory compounds, before the optimization of their concentrations by the
      statistical method. In addition, to improve the growth rationally, in silico
      omission and addition were performed by FBA based on the construction of a medium
      size metabolic model of B. coagulans 36D1. Thus, CDMs were developed to obtain
      considerable biomass production of at least five B. coagulans strains, in which
      two model strains B. coagulans 36D1 and ATCC 7050 were involved. 

PMID- 27262566
TI  - Neuropeptide Y1 receptor inhibits cell growth through inactivating mitogen
      activated protein kinase signal pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers, and its
      incidence is increasing worldwide. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) broadly expressed in the
      central and peripheral nervous system. It participates in multiple physiological
      and pathological processes through specific receptors. Evidences are accumulating
      that NPY is involved in development and progression in neuro- or endocrine
      related cancers. However, little is known about the potential roles and
      underlying mechanisms of NPY receptors in HCC. In this study, we analyzed the
      expression of NPY receptors by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot,
      and immunohistochemical staining. Correlation between NPY1R levels and
      clinicopathological characteristics, and survival of HCC patients were explored,
      respectively. Cell proliferation was researched by CCK-8 in vitro, and tumor
      growth was studied by nude mice xenografts in vivo. We found that mRNA and
      protein level of NPY receptor Y1 subtype (NPY1R) significantly decreased in HCC
      tissues. Low expression of NPY1R closely correlated with poor prognosis in HCC
      patients. Proliferation of HCC cells was significantly inhibited by recombinant
      NPY protein in vitro. This inhibitory effect could be blocked by selected NPY1R
      antagonist BIBP3226. Furthermore, overexpression of NPY1R could significantly
      inhibit HCC cell proliferation. Knockdown of NPY1R promoted cell multiplication
      in vitro and increased tumorigenicity and tumor growth in vivo. NPY1R was found
      to participate in the inhibition of cell proliferation via inactivating mitogen
      activated protein kinase signal pathway in HCC cells. Collectively, NPY1R plays
      an inhibitory role in tumor growth and may be a promising therapeutic target for
      HCC. 

PMID- 27262569
TI  - Growth inhibition of S. cerevisiae, B. subtilis, and E. coli by lignocellulosic
      and fermentation products.
AB  - This paper describes the effect of several inhibiting components on three
      potential hosts for the bio-based production of methyl propionate, namely, wild
      type Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, and evolved Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      IMS0351. The inhibition by the lignocellulose-derived products 5-hydroxymethyl-2
      furaldehyde, vanillin, and syringaldehyde and the fermentation products 2
      butanol, 2-butanone, methyl propionate, and ethyl acetate has been assessed for
      these strains in defined medium. Multiple screenings were performed using small
      scale cultures in both shake flasks and microtiter plates. Technical drawbacks
      revealed the limited applicability of the latter in this study. The microbial
      growth was characterized by means of a lag-time model, and the inhibitory
      thresholds were determined using product-inhibition models. The lignocellulose
      derived products were found to be highly inhibitory, and none of the strains
      could grow in the presence of 2.0 g L-1 of product. From the fermentation
      products tested, methyl propionate had the most severe impact resulting in
      complete inhibition of all the strains when exposed to concentrations in the
      range of 12-18 g L-1. In general, S. cerevisiae and B. subtilis were
      comparatively more tolerant than E. coli to all the fermentation products,
      despite E. coli's lower sensitivity towards vanillin. The results suggest that,
      overall, the strains investigated have good potential to be engineered and
      further established as hosts for the bio-based production of methyl esters.

PMID- 27262571
TI  - [Fulminant sepsis due to Ralstonia pickettii].

PMID- 27262570
TI  - Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the pancreas with similar genetic alterations to
      invasive ductal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the pancreas is very rare, and its origin is
      not fully elucidated. Here, we present a case of a small-size NEC of the pancreas
      that is genetically similar to invasive ductal adenocarcinoma (IDA). A 65-year
      old man was referred to our hospital due to obstructive jaundice and found to
      have a 12-mm solid tumor in the pancreas head. The tumor exhibited low
      vascularity on enhanced computed tomography, and endoscopic retrograde
      pancreatographic imaging revealed an irregular obstruction in a branch duct of
      the pancreas. The patient was thereby diagnosed with a pancreatic ductal cancer,
      and stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymph node resection
      was performed. Histochemical analysis of the resected tumor showed that the
      neoplastic cells with scanty cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei strongly
      expressed chromogranin A and synaptophysin. The Ki-67 index was 40 % in the most
      proliferative tumor regions, and the tumor was diagnosed as a NEC of the
      pancreas. However, in the analysis of genetic alterations of the tumor tissue,
      the neoplastic cells showed altered KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4/DPC4, suggesting that
      the NEC in our case is genetically related to IDA. Our data suggest that poorly
      differentiated IDAs may transform into NECs. 

PMID- 27262568
TI  - Persisters-as elusive as ever.
AB  - Persisters-a drug-tolerant sub-population in an isogenic bacterial culture-have
      been featured throughout the last decade due to their important role in recurrent
      bacterial infections. Numerous investigations detail the mechanisms responsible
      for the formation of persisters and suggest exciting strategies for their
      eradication. In this review, we argue that the very term "persistence" is
      currently used to describe a large and heterogeneous set of physiological
      phenomena that are functions of bacterial species, strains, growth conditions,
      and antibiotics used in the experiments. We caution against the
      oversimplification of the mechanisms of persistence and urge for a more rigorous
      validation of the applicability of these mechanisms in each case. 

PMID- 27262572
TI  - [Urinary infection due to Mycobacterium fortuitum in a patient with HIV
      infection].

PMID- 27262573
TI  - [Myeloradiculitis due to Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in a Hodgkin's lymphoma
      patient].

PMID- 27262574
TI  - The validity of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in adolescents and a comparison
      with single-item life satisfaction measures: a preliminary study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The validity of the life satisfaction measures commonly used among
      adults has been rarely examined in adolescent samples. The present research had
      two main goals: (1) to evaluate the structural validity of the Satisfaction with
      Life Scale (SWLS) among adolescents and to test measurement invariance across
      gender; (2) to compare the criterion and convergent validity of the SWLS and
      single-item life satisfaction measures among adolescents. METHODS: Three samples
      of Serbian adolescents were recruited for the present research. Study 1 (N = 481,
      M age = 17.01 years) examined the structure of the SWLS via confirmatory factor
      analysis (CFA) and evaluated measurement invariance of the SWLS across gender by
      a multi-group CFA. Study 2 (N = 283, M age = 17.34 years) and Study 3 (N = 220, M
      age = 16.73 years) compared the convergent validity of the SWLS and single-item
      life satisfaction measures. RESULTS: The results of Study 1 supported the
      original one-factor model of the SWLS among adolescents and provided evidence for
      strong measurement invariance of the SWLS across gender. The findings of Study 2
      and Study 3 showed that the SWLS and single-item measures were equally valid and
      strongly associated (r = .734 in Study 2 and r = .668 in Study 3). No substantial
      differences in correlations with school success and well-being indicators were
      found between the SWLS and single-item measures. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      support the use of the SWLS among adolescents and indicate that single-item life
      satisfaction measures perform as well as the SWLS in adolescent samples.

PMID- 27262575
TI  - Molecular dynamics study of the behavior of nitromethanes enclosed inside carbon
      nanotube containers.
AB  - We utilized molecular dynamics (MD) to investigate the behavior of nitromethane
      molecules (NMs) enclosed inside carbon nanotube (CNT) containers sealed with
      buckybowl caps. Two different sizes of CNT containers, i.e., (10,10) and (20,20),
      were employed to contain the energetic NMs. After loading the NMs into these
      containers, MD simulations were carried out at different loading densities. The
      loading density was changed from 0.4 to 2.0 g/cc. At low loading densities, NMs
      preferentially resided near the surface of the CNT wall (orienting themselves in
      the cylindrical direction) and near the buckybowl caps (orienting themselves in
      the principal-axis direction). This behavior suggests the buckybowl caps and the
      CNT wall have attractive interactions with the NMs. The distribution of the NMs
      inside the containers did not change upon increasing the temperature from ambient
      to 100  degrees C. However, the positional preference of the NMs found at ambient
      temperature to 100  degrees C was not the same as that observed at 1000  degrees
      C due to the increased thermal motions of the NMs. The size of the CNT container
      had a significant effect on the fluidity of the NMs. From 25 to 100  degrees C,
      the NMs inside the (10,10) CNT container were only mobile at low loading
      densities. On the other hand, in the (20,20) CNT container, the NMs showed good
      mobility up to a loading density of 1.6 g/cc. Graphical Abstract Attractive
      interactions between the nitromethanes and the buckybowl caps as well as the
      carbon nanotube wall.

PMID- 27262576
TI  - Modeling prepolymerization step of a serotonin imprinted polymer.
AB  - Studies on generating artificial macromolecular receptors by molecular imprinting
      of synthetic polymers significantly emerged in the literature during last
      decades. The non-covalent approach, one of the three methods used in MIP
      synthesis, is more flexible for the choice of functional monomers, possible
      target molecules, and use of the imprinted materials. This study aims to
      investigate a serotonin imprinted polymer prepared by non-covalent approach using
      molecular modeling. The calculations were carried out by using density functional
      theory at omegaB97XD/6-31++G(d,p) level and the polarizable continuum model was
      used for solvent calculations. Computational results showed that DMSO plays an
      important role in the MIP formation as it seems to control the size and the shape
      of the cavity. DMSO performs these tasks through hydrogen bonding and dispersive
      interactions. Although experimental IR could not verify the specific interaction
      modes because of broadband structure, computational IR results showed these modes
      clearly indicating the interactions leading to MIP formation. This model is
      specific to the studied serotonin-acrylamide-DMSO system but further studies may
      reveal a general computational protocol for other MIP systems.

PMID- 27262577
TI  - Placement of integrated self-expanding Y-shaped airway stent in management of
      carinal stenosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of integrated self
      expanding Y-shaped airway stent placement for patients with carinal stenosis.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2010 to March 2015, 12 consecutive patients with
      carinal stenosis, treated by placement of integrated self-expanding Y-shaped
      airway stent, were included this retrospective study. Data on technical success,
      clinical success, and follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Technical success was 100
      %. Eleven uncovered stents and one covered stent placed in 12 patients. Eleven
      patients underwent stent insertion under local pharyngeal anesthesia, and one
      patient underwent stent insertion under general anesthesia. Clinical success was
      100 %. The respiratory difficulty improved instantly after treatment. The average
      Hugh-Jones classification grade and arterial oxygen saturation improved from 4.3
      +/- 0.6 and 83.0 +/- 2.6 % before treatment to 1.4 +/- 0.5 (p < 0.001) and 95.4
      +/- 1.2 % (p < 0.001) after treatment, respectively. During 3-15 months (mean 6.5
      +/- 3.3 months) of follow-up, two patients experienced the re-stenosis of the
      stent 75 and 78 days after treatment. All patients died during the follow-up.
      Survival after stent insertion ranged from 96 to 432 days (median 165 days). The
      cumulative 6- and 12-month survival rates were 41.7 and 8.3 %, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Placement of integrated self-expanding Y-shaped airway stent is a
      simple, safe, and effective method for patients with carinal stenosis.

PMID- 27262578
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of oxidized regenerated cellulose in breast
      cancer surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients who
      underwent breast-conserving surgery followed by oxidized regenerated cellulose
      (ORC) implantation in surgical cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed 51 MRI examinations performed between January 2009 and January 2014 in
      51 patients who underwent BCS with ORC implantation. RESULTS: In 29/51 (57 %)
      cases, MRIs showed abnormal findings with three main MRI patterns: (1) complex
      masses: hyperintense collections on T2-weighted (w) images with internal round
      hypointense nodules without contrast enhancement (55 %); (2) completely
      hyperintense collections (17 %); and (3) completely hypointense lesions (28 %).
      All lesions showed rim enhancement on T1w images obtained in the late phase of
      the dynamic study with a type 1 curve. Diffusion-weighted imaging was negative in
      all MRIs and, in particular, 22/29 (76 %) lesions were hyperintense but showing
      ADC values >1.4 * 10(-3) mm(2)/s, while the remaining 7/29 (24 %) lesions were
      hypointense. In four cases, linear non-mass-like enhancement was detected at the
      periphery of surgical cavity; these patients were addressed to a short-term
      follow-up, and the subsequent examinations showed the resolution of these
      findings. CONCLUSION: When applied to surgical residual cavity, ORC can lead
      alterations in surgical scar. This could induce radiologists to misinterpret
      ultrasonographic and mammographic findings, addressing patients to MRI or biopsy;
      so knowledge of MRI specific features of ORC, it is essential to avoid
      misdiagnosis of recurrence.

PMID- 27262579
TI  - Pre-surgical assessment of mandibular bone invasion from oral cancer: comparison
      between different imaging techniques and relevance of radiologist expertise.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare diagnostic performance between computed tomography (CT) and
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of bone infiltration from oral
      cancer, and to test interobserver agreement between radiologists with different
      expertises. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-surgical CT and MRI were reviewed
      independently by two radiologists with different expertises in head and neck
      oncology. A third radiologist reviewed CT and MRI simultaneously. Interobserver
      agreement was calculated by Cohen test. Association between radiological evidence
      of bone infiltration and histological reference was tested by Fisher's exact test
      or Chi-squared test, as appropriate. Receiving operator curve was calculated and
      area under the curve (AUC) was compared between CT, MRI, and both methods
      together. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was moderate: the trainee under
      reported periosteal reaction on CT and inferior alveolar canal involvement on
      MRI. Imaging findings associated with histologic evidence of bone infiltration
      were: periosteal reaction and cortical erosion on CT; bone marrow involvement,
      contrast enhancement within bone; and inferior alveolar canal involvement on MRI.
      Sensitivity of MRI alone (74 %) was higher than CT (52 %). Simultaneous review of
      CT and MRI showed the highest specificity (91 %), with the increase of diagnostic
      performance in the subgroup of subjects with positive MRI (AUC = 0.689; p =
      0.044). CONCLUSION: Higher expertise allows pre-surgical detection of clinically
      relevant signs of bone infiltration sensitivity of MRI alone is higher than CT
      for the detection of bone infiltration from oral cancer. In MRI positive cases,
      diagnostic integration with combined review of CT and MRI is suggested for
      optimal diagnostic performance.

PMID- 27262581
TI  - Multiple roles of the general regulatory factor Abf1 in yeast ribosome
      biogenesis.
AB  - In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the large majority of the genes coding for
      cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins (RPs) depend on the general regulatory factor Rap1
      for their transcription, but a small cohort of them relies on Abf1 regulatory
      activity. A recent study showed that unlike Rap1, whose association with RP gene
      promoters is not affected by environmental changes causing RP gene
      repression/reactivation, Abf1 association with both RP gene and ribosome
      biogenesis (Ribi) gene promoters dynamically responds to changes in growth
      conditions. This observation changes the paradigm of general regulatory factors
      as relatively static DNA-binding proteins constitutively bound to highly active
      promoters, and point to Abf1, which binds hundreds of non-RPG promoters within
      the yeast genome, as a possible key regulatory switch in nutrient- and stress
      dependent transcriptional modulation. Moreover, the frequent presence of Abf1
      binding sites in the promoters of mitochondrial RP genes evokes the possibility
      that Abf1 might orchestrate still unexplored levels of co-regulation involving
      growth-related gene networks in yeast cells.

PMID- 27262580
TI  - Long-term functional outcomes and quality of life in adult survivors of childhood
      extremity sarcomas: a report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study compared measured physical performance, health-related
      quality of life (HRQOL), and social role attainment between extremity sarcoma
      survivors and controls, and evaluated associations between disease and treatment
      exposures, health conditions, and performance measures. METHODS: Survivors of
      extremity sarcoma from the St. Jude Lifetime cohort and controls frequency
      matched by age-, sex-, and race completed physical performance testing and
      questionnaires. Survivors with Z-scores on outcome measures <= -2.0 SD (compared
      to controls) were categorized with severe impairment/limitation. RESULTS: Among
      206 survivors (52.4 % male median age 36 years (range 19-65)), 37 % had low
      relative lean mass, 9.7 % had an ejection fraction <50 %, 51.5 % had diffusion
      capacity for carbon monoxide <75 %, 27.7 % had sensory and 25.2 % motor
      neuropathy, and 78.2 % had musculoskeletal complications. Severe
      impairments/limitations were present among >=25 % of survivors on fitness,
      balance, and physical HRQOL measures, and among >=15 % on strength and activity
      of daily living measures. Lower extremity tumor location (OR 8.23, 95 % CI 2.54
      26.67, P value 0.0004) and amputation (OR 8.07, 95 % CI 3.06-21.27, P value
      <0.0001) were associated with poor fitness. Poor fitness was associated with
      increased odds of scoring <40 on the SF-36 physical component summary (OR 4.83,
      95 % CI 1.95-11.99, P value 0.001) and role-physical subscale (OR 3.34, 95 % CI
      1.33-8.43, P value 0.01). Survivors and controls had similar rates of marriage,
      independent living, employment, and college attendance. CONCLUSIONS: Extremity
      sarcoma survivors experience high rates of physical impairment and report lower
      than expected physical HRQOL. However, they are as likely as peers to be married,
      live independently, be employed, and attend college. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER
      SURVIVORS: Follow-up for extremity sarcoma survivors should include assessment of
      need for further orthopedic care and rehabilitation to address cardiopulmonary
      and musculoskeletal health.

PMID- 27262582
TI  - Light-exposed shoots of seven coexisting deciduous species show common
      photosynthetic responses to tree height.
AB  - Functional traits of light-exposed leaves have been reported to show tree height
      dependent change. However, it remains unknown how plastic response of leaf traits
      to tree height is linked with shoot-level carbon gain. To answer this question,
      we examined the photosynthetic properties of fully lit current-year shoots in
      crown tops with various heights for seven deciduous broad-leaved species
      dominated in a cool-temperate forest in northern Japan. We measured leaf mass,
      stomatal conductance, nitrogen content, light-saturated net photosynthetic rate
      (all per leaf lamina area), foliar stable carbon isotope ratio, and shoot mass
      allocation to leaf laminae. We employed hierarchical Bayesian models to
      simultaneously quantify inter-trait relationships for all species. We found that
      leaf and shoot traits were co-varied in association with height, and that there
      was no quantitative inter-specific difference in leaf- and shoot-level plastic
      responses to height. Nitrogen content increased and stomatal conductance
      decreased with height. Reflecting these antagonistic responses to height,
      photosynthetic rate was almost unchanged with height. Photosynthetic rate divided
      by stomatal conductance as a proxy of photosynthetic water use efficiency
      sufficiently explained the variation of foliar carbon isotope ratio. The increase
      in mass allocation to leaves in a shoot compensated for the height-dependent
      decline in photosynthetic rate per leaf lamina mass. Consequently, photosynthetic
      gain at the scale of current-year shoot mass was kept unchanged with tree height.
      We suggest that the convergent responses of shoot functional traits across
      species reflect common requirements for trees coexisting in a forest.

PMID- 27262583
TI  - Habitat moisture is an important driver of patterns of sap flow and water balance
      in tropical montane cloud forest epiphytes.
AB  - Microclimate in the tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF) is variable on both
      spatial and temporal scales and can lead to large fluctuations in both leaf-level
      transpiration and whole plant water use. While variation in transpiration has
      been found in TMCFs, the influence of different microclimatic drivers on plant
      water relations in this ecosystem has been relatively understudied. Within the
      TMCF, epiphytes may be particularly affected by natural variation in microclimate
      due to their partial or complete disassociation from soil resources. In this
      study, we examined the effects of seasonal microclimate on whole plant water
      balance in epiphytes in both an observational and a manipulative experiment. We
      also evaluated the effects of different microclimatic drivers using three
      hierarchical linear (mixed) models. On average, 31 % of total positive sap flow
      was recovered via foliar water uptake (FWU) over the course of the study. We
      found that precipitation was the greatest driver of foliar water uptake and
      nighttime sap flow in our study species and that both VPD and precipitation were
      important drivers to daytime sap flow. We also found that despite adaptations to
      withstand seasonal drought, an extended dry period caused severe desiccation in
      most plants despite a large reduction in leaf-level and whole plant
      transpiration. Our results indicate that the epiphytes studied rely on FWU to
      maintain positive water balance in the dry season and that increases in dry
      periods in the TMCF may be detrimental to these common members of the epiphyte
      community.

PMID- 27262584
TI  - Enhancement of Lipid Production of Chlorella Pyrenoidosa Cultivated in Municipal
      Wastewater by Magnetic Treatment.
AB  - Despite the significant breakthroughs in research on microalgae as a feedstock
      for biodiesel, its production cost is still much higher than that of fossil
      diesel. One possible solution to overcome this problem is to optimize algal
      growth and lipid production in wastewater. The present study examines the
      feasibility of using magnetic treatment for enhancement of algal lipid production
      and wastewater treatment in outdoor-cultivated Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Results
      confirmed that magnetic treatment significantly enhances biomass and lipid
      productivity of C. pyrenoidosa by 12 and 10 %, respectively. Application of
      magnetic field in a semi-continuous culture resulted in highly treated wastewater
      with total nitrogen maintained under 15 mg L-1, ammonia nitrogen below 5 mg L-1,
      total phosphorus less than 0.5 mg L-1, and CODCr less than 50 mg L-1. In
      addition, magnetic treatment resulted in a decrease of wastewater turbidity, an
      increase of bacterial numbers, and an increase of active oxygen in wastewater
      which might be attributed to the enhancement of growth and lipid production of C.
      pyrenoidosa.

PMID- 27262585
TI  - SATB2 is expressed in Merkel cell carcinoma.
AB  - Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive skin cancer with neuroendocrine
      differentiation. With immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells stain for both
      neuroendocrine (i.e., synaptophysin and chromogranin A) and epithelial markers.
      The epithelial marker cytokeratin 20 (CK20) stains positive with
      immunohistochemistry in a vast majority of MCCs. The expression of the special AT
      rich sequence-binding protein (SATB2) was analyzed in MCC (n = 20) together with
      other forms of skin cancer and neuroendocrine tumors (n = 51) using
      immunohistochemistry. The results were compared to the expression of CK20,
      synaptophysin, and chromogranin A. The majority of the MCCs stained positive for
      synaptophysin and chromogranin A (95 vs 80 % respectively), and 75 % of the MCCs
      showed cytoplasmic positivity for CK20 and nuclear positivity for SATB2, with two
      discordant cases lacking expression of one of these markers. We conclude that
      immunohistochemistry for SATB2 can be used as an additional marker with similar
      sensitivity and specificity as CK20 for the diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma,
      suggesting a clinical utility in difficult cases where MCC is suspected. 

PMID- 27262586
TI  - Low levels of glutathione are sufficient for survival of keratinocytes after UV
      irradiation and for healing of mouse skin wounds.
AB  - Reduced levels of the cellular antioxidant glutathione are associated with
      premature skin aging, cancer and impaired wound healing, but the in vivo
      functions of glutathione in the skin remain largely unknown. Therefore, we
      analyzed mice lacking the modifier subunit of the glutamate cysteine ligase
      (Gclm), the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of glutathione
      biosynthesis. Glutathione levels in the skin of these mice were reduced by 70 %.
      However, neither skin development and homeostasis, nor UVA- or UVB-induced
      apoptosis in the epidermis were affected. Histomorphometric analysis of
      excisional wounds did not reveal wound healing abnormalities in young Gclm
      deficient mice, while the area of hyperproliferative epithelium as well as
      keratinocyte proliferation were affected in aged mice. These findings suggest
      that low levels of glutathione are sufficient for wound repair in young mice, but
      become rate-limiting upon aging. 

PMID- 27262587
TI  - A Curious Case of Inhalation Fever Caused by Synthetic Cannabinoid.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This case report describes inhalation fever as an uncommon pulmonary
      adverse effect of synthetic cannabinoids. CASE REPORT: A 29-year-old man was
      brought in for severe agitation after smoking K2, a synthetic cannabinoid. He
      required multiple doses of lorazepam and haloperidol for sedation. His vital
      signs were notable for a mild fever and tachycardia. Otherwise, the rest of his
      exam was unremarkable. The laboratory test was significant for leucocytosis and
      diffuse reticular-nodular and interstitial infiltrates on chest radiograph. Urine
      drug toxicology was negative. Interestingly, his symptoms and pulmonary
      infiltrates on the chest radiograph resolved spontaneously after 24 hours of
      observation. CONCLUSIONS: This patient developed transient pulmonary infiltrates
      and fever following the synthetic cannabinoid inhalation, as seen in self
      limiting inhalation fever. Inhalation fever as a consequence of synthetic
      cannabinoid has not been described previously and there is a need for further
      research in this field.

PMID- 27262588
TI  - Extensive investigation of the sap flow of maize plants in an oasis farmland in
      the middle reach of the Heihe River, Northwest China.
AB  - A better understanding of the sap flow characteristics of maize plants is
      critical for improving irrigation water-use efficiency, especially for regions
      facing water resource shortages. In this study, sap flow rates, related soil
      physics and plant-growth parameters, and meteorological factors, were
      simultaneously monitored in a maize field in two consecutive years, 2011 and
      2012, and the sap flow rates of the maize plants were extensively analyzed based
      on the monitored data. Seasonal and daily variational characteristics were
      identified at different growth stages and under different weather conditions,
      respectively. The analyses on the relationships between sap flow rate and
      reference evapotranspiration (ET0), as well as several plant-growth parameters,
      indicate that the irrigation schedule can exert an influence on sap flow, and can
      consequently affect crop yield. The ranking of the main meteorological factors
      affecting the sap flow rate was: net radiation > air temperature > vapor pressure
      deficit > wind speed. For a quick estimation of sap flow rates, an empirical
      formula based on the two top influencing factors was put forward and verified to
      be reliable. The sap flow rate appeared to show little response to irrigation
      when the water content was relatively high, implying that some of the irrigation
      in recent years may have been wasted. These results may help to reveal the bio
      physical processes of maize plants related to plant transpiration, which could be
      beneficial for establishing an efficient irrigation management system in this
      region and also for providing a reference for other maize-planting regions. 

PMID- 27262589
TI  - Identifying sex in non-fertile individuals of the moss Drepanocladus turgescens
      (Bryophyta: Amblystegiaceae) using a novel molecular approach.
AB  - Sex identification before sexual maturity is notoriously difficult in plants with
      separate sexes, but is crucial to address many life history related issues. To
      study the performance of the two sexes in the rarely sexually reproducing
      dioecious moss Drepanocladus turgescens a molecular sex marker is needed. The
      female-targeting marker previously developed for D. trifarius and D.
      lycopodioides amplifies for a few D. turgescens males, which can thus not be
      distinguished from females. In a significant addition to the earlier developed
      method we sequenced the portion successfully amplified by the primers PT-3f and
      PT-3r for six females and three males. Differences between males and females were
      revealed at five sequence positions. Examination of a total of fourteen females
      and seven marker amplifying males confirm that females and such males differ
      consistently at these positions. The usefulness of a previous protocol for moss
      sex identification is thus extended to another dioecious moss by the addition of
      a step where a portion of the sex-correlated region is sequenced. 

PMID- 27262590
TI  - Magnitude of negative interpretation bias depends on severity of depression.
AB  - The present study investigated the hypothesis that the magnitude of negative
      interpretation bias displayed by those with depression is related to the degree
      of depression they experience. Seventy one depressed participants (scoring 14 and
      above on the Beck Depression Inventory II) completed tasks spanning three domains
      of possible negative interpretations: semantic ambiguity; nonverbal ambiguity and
      situational ambiguity. Regression analyses revealed that just under half of the
      variance in depressive symptom severity was explained by the combination of
      negative interpretation bias tasks, with the strongest predictor of depressive
      symptom severity being negative interpretation of semantic ambiguity when reading
      ambiguous text descriptions. Subsidiary group analyses confirmed that severely
      depressed individuals interpreted emotionally ambiguous information in a more
      negative way than did their mildly or moderately depressed counterparts. These
      findings indicate that the degree of negative interpretive bias is closely
      related to depression severity and that bias manifests especially strongly at the
      most severe levels of depression. Our findings may help us to refine cognitive
      theories of depression and be helpful in guiding therapy.

PMID- 27262591
TI  - New generation indirect calorimeters for measuring energy expenditure in the
      critically ill: a rampant or reticent revolution?
AB  - To lower the risk of incorrectly feeding critically ill patients, indirect
      calorimetry (IC) is proposed as the most ideal method to evaluate energy
      expenditure and to establish caloric goals. New IC devices are progressively
      introduced but validation of this new generation remains challenging and arduous.

PMID- 27262592
TI  - Absence of ALK and MET alterations in head and neck sarcomatoid carcinoma.

PMID- 27262593
TI  - Medical Student Presyncope and Syncope in the Operating Room: A Mixed Methods
      Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Medical students often feel faint (presyncopal) in the operating room
      (OR). Despite mandatory surgical rotations in clerkship, there is little formal
      training and acclimatization to the operating suite in the first 2 years of
      medical school. This study aimed to assess presyncope and syncope in the OR in
      first, second, third, and fourth year medical students at a large Canadian
      academic center. DESIGN: Following an extensive literature review, we developed a
      mixed methods survey de novo to assess medical students' experience in the OR and
      determine the frequency of presyncopal and syncopal events. RESULTS: A total of
      180 students (106 females, 59%), evenly distributed among all 4 years of medical
      school, responded to the survey (response rate 40%, n = 180/454). In total, 75
      students (42%) had experienced presyncope, and 10 students (6%) had experienced
      syncope in the OR. Female medical students were more likely to experience both
      presyncope (p < 0.001) and syncope (p = 0.011) relative to their male colleagues.
      They were also more likely to report that these experiences had an effect on
      their attitude toward the OR (p < 0.001) and their career choice (p < 0.001).
      Half of respondents believed that the undergraduate medical preclerkship
      curriculum did not provide adequate exposure to the OR. Students consistently
      expressed the desire for more preclinical OR exposure and formal instruction
      concerning OR etiquette. Only 28% of students reported receiving information on
      how to avoid syncope, and their classmates were the number one source (59%) for
      this advice. The most commonly employed preventative measures were eating before
      the OR and staying well hydrated. Presyncope had a negative effect on attitudes
      toward the OR in 28% of students. CONCLUSION: Although true loss of consciousness
      (syncope) among medical students in the OR is uncommon, presyncope is a highly
      prevalent phenomenon. It is most prevalent in female students, and may have a
      negative effect on overall student well-being. All students may benefit from
      normalization of this very common experience by staff surgeons or residents.
      Formal instruction regarding the common symptoms, triggers, and methods for
      preventing presyncope and syncope is an essential supplement to the current
      preclinical medical curriculum.

PMID- 27262594
TI  - Weak evidence on nalmefene creates dilemmas for clinicians and poses questions
      for regulators and researchers.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nalmefene has been approved in Europe for the treatment of
      alcohol dependence and subsequently recommended by the UK National Institute for
      Health and Care Excellence (NICE). This study examines critically the evidence
      base underpinning both decisions and the issues arising. METHODS: Published
      studies of nalmefene were identified through a systematic search, with documents
      from the European Medicines Agency, the NICE appraisal and public clinical trial
      registries also examined to identify methodological issues. RESULTS: Efficacy
      data used to support the licensing of nalmefene suffer from risk of bias due to
      lack of specification of a priori outcome measures and sensitivity analyses, use
      of post-hoc sample refinement and the use of inappropriate comparators. Despite
      this, evidence for the efficacy of nalmefene in reducing alcohol consumption in
      those with alcohol dependence is, at best, modest, and of uncertain significance
      to individual patients. The relevance of existing trial data to routine primary
      care practice is doubtful. CONCLUSIONS: Problems with the registration, design,
      analysis and reporting of clinical trials of nalmefene did not prevent it being
      licensed and recommended for treating alcohol dependence. This creates dilemmas
      for primary care clinicians and commissioning organisations where nalmefene has
      been heavily promoted, and poses wider questions about the effectiveness of the
      medicines regulation system and how to develop the alcohol treatment evidence
      base.

PMID- 27262595
TI  - Discovery of selective inhibitors of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 by targeting
      the enzyme DNA-binding cleft.
AB  - Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2) processes protein/DNA adducts resulting
      from abortive DNA topoisomerase II (Top2) activity. TDP2 inhibition could provide
      synergism with the Top2 poison class of chemotherapeutics. By virtual screening
      of the NCI diversity small molecule database, we identified selective TDP2
      inhibitors and experimentally verified their selective inhibitory activity. Three
      inhibitors exhibited low-micromolar IC50 values. Molecular dynamics simulations
      revealed a common binding mode for these inhibitors, involving association to the
      TDP2 DNA-binding cleft. MM-PBSA per-residue energy decomposition identified
      important interactions of the compounds with specific TDP2 residues. These
      interactions could provide new avenues for synthetic optimization of these
      scaffolds.

PMID- 27262596
TI  - Investigation of the apoptotic pathway induced by benzimidazole-oxindole
      conjugates against human breast cancer cells MCF-7.
AB  - In our previous studies, benzimidazole-oxindole conjugates were synthesized and
      evaluated by National Cancer Institute (NCI) for their cytotoxic activity and the
      new molecules like 5c and 5p were considered as potential leads. These conjugates
      arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase and inhibited tubulin polymerization. These
      observations prompted us to investigate the apoptotic mechanism induced by these
      lead molecules against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Studies like
      measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim), generation of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Annexin V-FITC assay revealed that these
      compounds induced mitochondrial mediated (intrinsic apoptotic pathway) apoptosis
      in human breast cancer cells. It was further confirmed by western blot analysis
      of pro apoptotic protein Bax, anti apoptotic protein Bcl-2, cytochrome c release,
      caspase-9 activity and cleavage of PARP.

PMID- 27262597
TI  - Gastroprotective effects of new diterpenoid derivatives from Azorella
      cuatrecasasii Mathias & Constance obtained using a beta-cyclodextrin complex with
      microbial and chemical transformations.
AB  - Mulinane diterpenoids isolated from Azorella species have displayed
      gastroprotective effects in animal models. In this study we have transformed the
      main constituent, mulin-11,13-dien-20 oic acid from this plant using the
      filamentous fungus Mucor plumbeus and a beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex and
      we have obtained two main products with good yields (33% and 15% for compound 4
      and 5, respectively) for further preparation of semisynthetic derivatives to
      evaluate their gastroprotective effects. In addition, one of the compounds
      isolated from Azorella cuatrecasasii was new (9-epi-13alpha-hydroxymulinene 1).
      Six new derivatives 4a-4c and 5a-5c were then prepared by simple chemical
      transformations. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic
      means based on 1D and 2D-NMR techniques. Some 8 diterpenes were evaluated for
      their gastroprotective effects in the ethanol/HCl-induced ulcer model in mice at
      20mg/kg. The highest gastroprotective activity was shown by 7alpha,16
      dihydroxymulin-11,13-dien-20-oic acid 5, which was higher than the reference drug
      lansoprazole, while 16-hydroxymulin-11,13-dien-20-oic acid 4 was as active as
      lansoprazole.

PMID- 27262598
TI  - An alternative route to the arylvinyltriazole nucleosides.
AB  - A new pathway to synthesis of arylvinyl ribavirin analogues is developed which
      makes it possible to obtain not only trans- but also cis-isomers at vinyl bond.
      By this route eight ribavirin 5-arylvinyl analogues are synthesized and their
      antiviral activity is evaluated.

PMID- 27262599
TI  - Design, synthesis and anti-cancer activity evaluation of podophyllotoxin
      norcantharidin hybrid drugs.
AB  - In this study, we designed and synthesized eighteen podophyllotoxin
      norcantharidin hybrid drugs which could exhibit more potent anti-cancer activity
      than the parent drugs. Through the anti-proliferation assay, the most potent anti
      cancer agent was screened out, namely Q9 (IC50=0.88+/-0.18MUM against MCF-7 cell
      line), and it showed lower cytotoxicity against non-cancer cells, human embryonic
      kidney cells (293T) (IC50=54.38+/-3.78MUM). Additionally, based on the flow
      cytometry analysis result, it can cause a remarkable cell cycle arrest at G2/M
      phase and induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells more significantly than podophyllotoxin
      or norcantharidin per se. Moreover, the expression of cell cycle relative protein
      CDK1 was up regulated while a protein required for mitotic initiation, Cyclin B1
      was down regulated. Furthermore, according to the confocal microscopy observation
      results, it was shown that Q9 was a potent tubulin polymerization inhibitor and
      the effect is comparable to that of colchicine. For further investigation on the
      aforementioned mechanisms, we performed western blot experiments, thus finding
      the increase of the cleavage of PARP. Consistent with these new findings,
      molecular docking observations suggested that compound Q9 could be developed as a
      potential anticancer agent.

PMID- 27262600
TI  - Synthesis, antitumor activity and mechanism of action of novel 1,3-thiazole
      derivatives containing hydrazide-hydrazone and carboxamide moiety.
AB  - A series of novel 2,4,5-trisubstituted 1,3-thiazole derivatives containing
      hydrazide-hydrazine, and carboxamide moiety including 46 compounds T were
      synthesized, and evaluated for their antitumor activity in vitro against a panel
      of five human cancer cell lines. Eighteen title compounds T displayed higher
      inhibitory activity than that of 5-Fu against MCF-7, HepG2, BGC-823, Hela, and
      A549 cell lines. Especially, T1, T26 and T38 exhibit best cytotoxic activity with
      IC50 values of 2.21MUg/mL, 1.67MUg/mL and 1.11MUg/mL, against MCF-7, BCG-823, and
      HepG2 cell lines, respectively. These results suggested that the combination of
      1,3-thiazole, hydrazide-hydrazone, and carboxamide moiety was much favorable to
      cytotoxicity activity. Furthermore, the flow cytometry analysis revealed that
      compounds T1 and T38 could induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells, and it was confirmed
      T38 led the induction of cell apoptosis by S cell-cycle arrest.

PMID- 27262602
TI  - Provider familiarity with specialty society guidelines for risk stratification
      and management of patients with febrile neutropenia.

PMID- 27262601
TI  - Gap Junction Blockers: An Overview of their Effects on Induced Seizures in Animal
      Models.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gap junctions are clusters of intercellular channels allowing the
      bidirectional pass of ions directly into the cytoplasm of adjacent cells.
      Electrical coupling mediated by gap junctions plays a role in the generation of
      highly synchronized electrical activity. The hypersynchronous neuronal activity
      is a distinctive characteristic of convulsive events. Therefore, it has been
      postulated that enhanced gap junctional communication is an underlying mechanism
      involved in the generation and maintenance of seizures. There are some chemical
      compounds characterized as gap junction blockers because of their ability to
      disrupt the gap junctional intercellular communication. OBJECTIVE: Hence, the aim
      of this review is to analyze the available data concerning the effects of gap
      junction blockers specifically in seizure models. RESULTS: Carbenoxolone,
      quinine, mefloquine, quinidine, anandamide, oleamide, heptanol, octanol,
      meclofenamic acid, niflumic acid, flufenamic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid and
      retinoic acid have all been evaluated on animal seizure models. In vitro, these
      compounds share anticonvulsant effects typically characterized by the reduction
      of both amplitude and frequency of the epileptiform activity induced in brain
      slices. In vivo, gap junction blockers modify the behavioral parameters related
      to seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine, pentylenetetrazole, pilocarpine,
      penicillin and maximal electroshock. CONCLUSION: Although more studies are still
      required, these molecules could be a promising avenue in the search for new
      pharmaceutical alternatives for the treatment of epilepsy.

PMID- 27262603
TI  - Discontinuing oral anti-coagulants in a patient with a cardiac valve prosthesis
      after a traumatic intracranial hemorrhage.

PMID- 27262604
TI  - Surfing USA: an epidemiological study of surfing injuries presenting to US EDs
      2002 to 2013.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Surfing is a popular recreational and competitive sport in the
      United States and worldwide. Previous studies indicate surfers are frequently
      injured, but most studies are survey based, and little is known about surfing
      injuries that present to emergency departments (EDs). AIMS: This study examines
      the epidemiology of surfing injuries presenting to US EDs. METHODS: A
      retrospective analysis was performed using data from the National Electronic
      Injury Surveillance System database from the US Consumer Product Safety
      Commission from 2002 to 2013. RESULTS: A total of 2072 cases were analyzed,
      corresponding to a national estimate of 131 494 total injuries over the 12-year
      period (95% confidence interval, 34 515-228 473). The median age of included
      cases was 27 years (interquartile range, 19-37). Lower extremity injuries were
      most common (25.9%), followed by the face (23.1%) and head and neck (22.7%).
      Lacerations were the most common injury type (40.7%), followed by sprains and
      strains (14.4%), contusions (12.9%), and fractures (11.9%); 95.7% of cases were
      treated and released. Patients older than 60 years, those injured to the trunk,
      and those suffering fractures or internal organ injuries were admitted at a
      statistically significant increased frequency (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Surfing
      injuries are common but rarely serious. The injuries most commonly affect the
      lower extremity, head, neck, and face and are most frequently lacerations. Age
      older than 60 years, injuries to the trunk, and internal organ injuries were
      associated with a statistically significant increased frequency of hospital
      admission.

PMID- 27262606
TI  - Association of adverse childhood experiences with shaking and smothering
      behaviors among Japanese caregivers.
AB  - Shaking and smothering in response to infant crying are life-threatening child
      abuse. Parental childhood abuse history is known to be one of the most robust
      risk factors for abusing their offspring. In addition to childhood abuse history,
      other adverse childhood exposures (ACEs) need to be considered due to co
      occurrence. However, few studies have investigated the impact of ACEs on
      caregivers shaking and smothering their infant. This study aims to investigate
      the association of ACEs with shaking and smothering among caregivers of infants
      in Japan. A questionnaire was administered to caregivers participating in a four
      month health checkup between September 2013 and August 2014 in Chiba City, Japan,
      to assess their ACEs (parental death, parental divorce, mentally ill parents,
      witness of intimate partner violence, physical abuse, neglect, psychological
      abuse and economic hardship), and shaking and smothering toward their infants
      (N=4297). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the cumulative and
      individual impacts of ACEs on shaking and smothering. Analyses were conducted in
      2015. A total of 28.3% reported having experienced at least one ACE during their
      childhood. We found that only witness of IPV had a significant association with
      shaking of infant (OR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.03-3.61). The total number of ACEs was not
      associated with either shaking or smothering. Our findings suggest that shaking
      and smothering in response to crying can occur regardless of ACEs. Population
      based strategies that target all caregivers to prevent shaking and smothering of
      infants are needed.

PMID- 27262605
TI  - External validation of the STONE score and derivation of the modified STONE
      score.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The STONE score is a clinical prediction rule for the presence of
      uncomplicated ureter stones with a low probability of acutely important
      alternative findings. This study performed an external validation of the STONE
      score, focusing on the Korean population, and a derivation of the modified STONE
      score for better specificity and sensitivity. METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed medical records of patients complaining of flank pain at a single
      emergency department from January 2013 to December 2014. Patients were
      categorized into 3 groups according to their STONE score. The prevalence of
      ureter stones and other alternative findings were calculated in each group. We
      derived a modified STONE score based on a multivariable analysis and performed an
      interval validation. RESULTS: From the 700 patients included in the analysis, 555
      patients (79%) had a ureter stone. The area under the receiver operating
      characteristic curve of the STONE score was 0.92. The sensitivity of the high
      stone score was 0.56. In the modified STONE score, nausea, vomiting, and racial
      predictors were substituted by C-reactive protein and previous stone history. The
      area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and sensitivity of the
      modified STONE score in the internal validation group significantly increased to
      0.94 and 0.80, respectively. CONCLUSION: The STONE score can be used to predict a
      ureter stone with a low probability of other alternative findings. The modified
      STONE score might increase the diagnostic performance in suspicious urinary stone
      cases. KEY POINTS: We performed external validation of the STONE score and
      derivation of the modified STONE score. This scoring system could help the
      clinicians with radiation reducing decision making.

PMID- 27262607
TI  - Plant Perceptions of Extracellular DNA and RNA.

PMID- 27262609
TI  - Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Children are not little Adults.
AB  - During a child's development, several important developmental physiological sleep
      processes occur, and, occasionally, pathological disorders occur, which results
      in differences between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in adults and children.
      There are major differences in sleep and respiratory physiology as well as OSA
      symptoms and treatment options between children and adults. Many practitioners do
      not realize these differences, which results in delays in the diagnosis and
      treatment of OSA in children. The treatment options for OSA in children are
      markedly different compared with adults, effective in most children. The use of
      positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy delivered through continuous or bi-level
      positive airway pressure modes is successful in children and even in infants;
      however, there are several challenges facing parents and practitioners to achieve
      good compliance. The early recognition and treatment of paediatric OSA are
      essential to prevent deleterious consequences. This article discusses the major
      differences between paediatric and adult OSA and demonstrates why children are
      not little adults.

PMID- 27262608
TI  - Development of diabetes-induced acidosis in the rat retina.
AB  - We hypothesized that the retina of diabetic animals would be unusually acidic due
      to increased glycolytic metabolism. Acidosis in tumors and isolated retina has
      been shown to lead to increased VEGF. To test the hypothesis we have measured the
      transretinal distribution of extracellular H(+) concentration (H(+)-profiles) in
      retinae of control and diabetic dark-adapted intact Long-Evans rats with ion
      selective electrodes. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of
      streptozotocin. Intact rat retinae are normally more acidic than blood with a
      peak of [H(+)]o in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) that averages 30 nM higher than
      H(+) in the choroid. Profiles in diabetic animals were similar in shape, but
      diabetic retinae began to be considerably more acidic after 5 weeks of diabetes.
      In retinae of 1-3 month diabetics the difference between the ONL and choroid was
      almost twice as great as in controls. At later times, up to 6 months, some
      diabetics still demonstrated abnormally high levels of [H(+)]o, but others were
      even less acidic than controls, so that the average level of acidosis was not
      different. Greater variability in H(+)-profiles (both between animals and between
      profiles recorded in one animal) distinguished the diabetic retinae from
      controls. Within animals, this variability was not random, but exhibited regions
      of higher and lower H(+). We conclude that retinal acidosis begins to develop at
      an early stage of diabetes (1-3 months) in rats. However, it does not progress,
      and the acidity of diabetic rat retina was diminished at later stages (3-6
      months). Also the diabetes-induced acidosis has a strongly expressed local
      character. As result, the diabetic retinas show much wider variability in [H(+)]
      distribution than controls. pH influences metabolic and neural processes, and
      these results suggest that local acidosis could play a role in the pathogenesis
      of diabetic retinopathy.

PMID- 27262610
TI  - Nevoid iris melanoma, case report.
AB  - CASE REPORT: The case is presented of a patient with diagnosis of iris nevus in
      the left eye in youth with a poor follow-up, who referred a decreased visual
      acuity in that eye. A hyphaema and a 3*4*3mm nodule with irregular pigmentation
      was observed. Excision of the tumour and histological analysis confirmed the
      suspicion of iris melanoma in stage Ia. DISCUSSION: Despite the low grade
      malignancy of iris melanoma and the low frequency of transformation of iris nevus
      into melanoma, a follow-up is required for its early diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 27262611
TI  - Role of XPD in cellular functions: To TFIIH and beyond.
AB  - XPD, as part of the TFIIH complex, has classically been linked to the damage
      verification step of nucleotide excision repair (NER). However, recent data
      indicate that XPD, due to its iron-sulfur center interacts with the iron sulfur
      cluster assembly proteins, and may interact with other proteins in the cell to
      mediate a diverse set of biological functions including cell cycle regulation,
      mitosis, and mitochondrial function. In this perspective, after first reviewing
      the function and some of the key disease causing variants that affect XPD's
      interaction with TFIIH and the CDK-activating kinase complex (CAK), we
      investigate these intriguing cellular roles of XPD and highlight important
      unanswered questions that provide a fertile ground for further scientific
      exploration.

PMID- 27262613
TI  - High-resolution genomic assays provide insight into the division of labor between
      TLS and HDR in mammalian replication of damaged DNA.
AB  - The multitude of DNA lesions that continuously form in DNA cannot all be detected
      and removed prior to replication. Thus, encounters of the replication fork with
      DNA damage become inevitable. Such encounters inhibit fork progression, leading
      to replication fork arrest or to replication re-priming downstream of the damage
      site. Either of these events will result in the formation of gap-lesion
      structures, in which a damaged base is located in a single stranded stretch of
      DNA, that is vulnerable to subsequent nicking. The double strand break that would
      ensue if ssDNA becomes nicked constitutes escalation of the damage from
      nucleotide(s)-specific to chromosomal scale. Cells employ two universal DNA
      damage tolerance (DDT) strategies to resolve these situations, by converting the
      gap-lesion structures into dsDNA without repairing the damage. The first is
      translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), in which a specialized low-fidelity DNA
      polymerase inserts a nucleotide opposite the damaged one. TLS is inherently
      mutagenic, due to the miscoding nature of most damaged nucleotides. The second
      strategy is homology-dependent repair (HDR), which relies on the presence of an
      identical intact sister chromatid. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the
      division of labor between these pathways are poorly understood. This review
      focuses on the balance between TLS and HDR in mammalian cells, discussing recent
      findings that were made possible thanks to newly developed high resolution
      genomic assays, and highlighting the role of the DNA lesion's properties in DDT
      pathway choice.

PMID- 27262612
TI  - Chemical excitation of electrons: A dark path to melanoma.
AB  - Sunlight's ultraviolet wavelengths induce cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs),
      which then cause mutations that lead to melanoma or to cancers of skin
      keratinocytes. In pigmented melanocytes, we found that CPDs arise both
      instantaneously and for hours after UV exposure ends. Remarkably, the CPDs
      arising in the dark originate by a novel pathway that resembles bioluminescence
      but does not end in light: First, UV activates the enzymes nitric oxide synthase
      (NOS) and NADPH oxidase (NOX), which generate the radicals nitric oxide (NO) and
      superoxide (O2(-)); these combine to form the powerful oxidant peroxynitrite
      (ONOO(-)). A fragment of the skin pigment melanin is then oxidized, exciting an
      electron to an energy level so high that it is rarely seen in biology. This
      process of chemically exciting electrons, termed "chemiexcitation", is used by
      fireflies to generate light but it had never been seen in mammalian cells. In
      melanocytes, the energy transfers radiationlessly to DNA, inducing CPDs.
      Chemiexcitation is a new source of genome instability, and it calls attention to
      endogenous mechanisms of genome maintenance that prevent electronic excitation or
      dissipate the energy of excited states. Chemiexcitation may also trigger
      pathogenesis in internal tissues because the same chemistry should arise wherever
      superoxide and nitric oxide arise near cells that contain melanin.

PMID- 27262614
TI  - Reprint of: Equal egocentric bias in school-aged children with and without autism
      spectrum disorders.
AB  - Egocentric bias is a core feature of autism. This phenomenon has been studied
      using the false belief task. However, typically developing children who pass
      categorical (pass or fail) false belief tasks may still show subtle egocentric
      bias. We examined 7- to 13-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD;
      n=76) or typical development (n=113) using tasks with a continuous response
      scale: a modified false belief task and a visual hindsight bias task. All
      children showed robust egocentric bias on both tasks, but no group effects were
      found. Our large sample size, coupled with our sensitive tasks and resoundingly
      null group effects, indicate that children with and without ASD possess more
      similar egocentric tendencies than previously reported. 

PMID- 27262615
TI  - Clinical and neuroimaging findings in children with gray matter heterotopias: A
      single institution experience of 36 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical spectrum and neuroimaging features of
      childhood gray matter heterotopias in a single tertiary hospital in Taiwan.
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and magnetic resonance
      images (MRI) of 36 patients with gray matter heterotopias, 19 females and 17
      males, between July 1999 and June 2014. The MRI morphologic findings of gray
      matter heterotopias were recorded along with the presence of associated cerebral
      malformations. The clinical, electrophysiological and associated systemic
      malformation data were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients were
      included in the study. Their ages ranged from 1 month to 18 years with a mean age
      of 3 years 6 months. According to the location of gray matter heterotopias,
      patients were classified into two groups: periventricular (26) and band (10). The
      phenotypic spectrum in our population differed from that described previously. In
      the periventricular group, additional cerebral malformations were found in 18/26
      (69%) and systemic malformations in 14/26 (54%). In the band group, additional
      cerebral malformations were found in 5/10 (50%) and systemic malformations in
      2/10 (20%). The majority of patients had developmental delay and intellectual
      deficit. Twenty-two patients suffered from epileptic seizures with 12 developing
      refractory epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: In periventricular heterotopias, the most
      common associated cerebral malformation was ventriculomegaly, followed by
      agenesis of corpus callosum. Congenital heart disease was the most common
      additional systemic malformation. However, the most common associated cerebral
      malformation was pachygyria in band form. The majority of patients had
      developmental delay, intellectual deficit, especially in band heterotopias.

PMID- 27262616
TI  - Neurological complications after gamma-knife radiosurgery for hypothalamic
      hamartoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Gamma-knife technique is a safe and effective option for the
      treatment of hypothalamic hamartomas that produce epileptic seizures refractory
      to medical treatment and/or serious behavioral disorders. After this type of
      radiosurgery, an adequate symptomatic control is normally achieved, with notable
      decrease or even disappearance of the seizures. Radiological changes, such as a
      decrease in the size of the tumor or adjacent edema secondary to non-necrotizing
      radioinduced inflammatory reaction are unusual consequences. Side effects and
      neurological complications are also rare events. CASE PRESENTATION: This report
      describes an unusual case of complete radiological resolution of a hypothalamic
      hamartoma as well as neurological complications after Gamma-knife surgery
      (receiving 13 Gy to the 85% isodose line, 1 cm(3) of tumor volume) in a 8-year
      old boy who suffered from severe refractory seizures. After radiosurgery, the
      patient experienced a notable improvement in his symptoms, achieving seizure
      cessation within 3 months. However, 4 months after the procedure he presented
      drowsiness, fever and decreased level of consciousness due to a direct effect on
      the hypothalamus with local and regional edema secondary to the radiosurgery that
      was performed. He was successfully treated with corticosteroids (with a total
      duration of 11 months), and twelve months after the surgery, complete
      disappearance of both the nodular lesion and the secondary edema was observed.
      The patient remains seizure-free in the last 16 months, with remarkable changes
      in his behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The present case shows that complete radiological
      resolution of a hypothalamic hamartoma after Gamma-knife technique is unusual but
      possible, without long-term neurological consequences. Nevertheless, despite its
      low incidence, if a patient presents neurological symptoms, primarily during the
      first year after intervention, possible complications of this type of surgery
      must be taken into account.

PMID- 27262617
TI  - Comparison of carbon-ion passive and scanning irradiation for pancreatic cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare carbon-ion beam dose distribution between passive and
      scanning radiation therapies for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Thirteen pancreatic cancer patients were included in this study.
      Four types of treatment planning with respiratory gating were calculated for each
      patient: a four-field box with passive irradiation (Plan 1), scanning irradiation
      (Plan 2), a three-field (150 degrees , 180 degrees  and 210 degrees ) protocol
      with passive irradiation (Plan 3), and scanning irradiation (Plan 4). The
      irradiation plans each delivered 55.2Gy (RBE) to the planning target volume (PTV)
      and were compared with respect to doses to the PTV and organs at risk (OARs).
      RESULTS: Plan 3 exceeded the dose assessment metrics to the spinal cord. Scanning
      irradiation plans (Plan 2 and, particularly, Plan 4) offered significantly
      reduced dosage to the stomach and the duodenum compared with passive irradiation.
      CONCLUSION: Three-field oblique scanning irradiation for pancreatic cancer has
      the potential to reduce gastrointestinal exposure and influence of peristalsis on
      dose distribution.

PMID- 27262619
TI  - Short-Term Changes in Choroidal Thickness After Aflibercept Therapy for
      Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PMID- 27262618
TI  - A panel study of airborne particulate matter composition versus concentration:
      Potential for inflammatory response and impaired pulmonary function in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between airborne particulate matter (PM) and
      pulmonary function in children has not been consistent among studies, potentially
      owing to differences in the inflammatory response to PM, based on PM types and
      sources. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of airborne PM
      on pulmonary function in schoolchildren and its potential for an inflammatory
      response. METHODS: Daily morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured in 339
      schoolchildren in February 2015. Interleukin (IL)-8 production was assessed in
      THP1 cells stimulated by airborne PM collected every day during the study period,
      and these IL-8 concentrations are described as the daily IL-8 levels. A linear
      mixed model was used to estimate the association between PEF values and the daily
      levels of suspended PM (SPM), PM diameters smaller than 2.5 MUm (PM2.5), and IL
      8. RESULTS: The daily IL-8 levels were significantly associated with those of SPM
      and PM2.5. A 0.83 MUg/mL increase in IL-8 levels was significantly associated
      with a -1.07 L/min (95% confidence interval, -2.05 to -0.08) decrease in PEF. A
      12.0 MUg/m3 increase in SPM and a 10.0 MUg/m3 increase in PM2.5 were associated
      with a -1.36 L/min (-2.93 to 0.22) and -1.72 L/min (-3.82 to 0.36) decreases in
      PEF, respectively. There were no significant relationships between PEF, SPM, and
      PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the effects of airborne PM on
      pulmonary function in schoolchildren might depend more on the pro-inflammatory
      response than the mass concentration of the PM.

PMID- 27262620
TI  - Computational predictions suggest that structural similarity in viral polymerases
      may lead to comparable allosteric binding sites.
AB  - The identification of ligand-binding sites is often the first step in drug
      targeting and design. To date there are numerous computational tools available to
      predict ligand binding sites. These tools can guide or mitigate the need for
      experimental methods to identify binding sites, which often require significant
      resources and time. Here, we evaluate four ligand-binding site predictor (LBSP)
      tools for their ability to predict allosteric sites within the Hepatitis C Virus
      (HCV) polymerase. Our results show that the LISE LBSP is able to identify all
      three target allosteric sites within the HCV polymerase as well as a known
      allosteric site in the Coxsackievirus polymerase. LISE was then employed to
      identify novel binding sites within the polymerases of the Dengue, West Nile, and
      Foot-and-mouth Disease viruses. Our results suggest that all three viral
      polymerases have putative sites that share structural or chemical similarities
      with allosteric pockets of the HCV polymerase. Thus, these binding locations may
      represent an evolutionarily conserved structural feature of several viral
      polymerases that could be exploited for the development of small molecule
      therapeutics.

PMID- 27262622
TI  - [Cirsoid aneurysm: Angiographic and OCT patterns].

PMID- 27262621
TI  - A novel emaravirus is associated with redbud yellow ringspot disease.
AB  - Yellow ringspot is the only virus-like disease reported in redbud (Cercis spp.)
      with symptoms including vein clearing, chlorotic ringspots and oak-leaf pattern.
      A putative new emaravirus was present in all trees displaying typical yellow
      ringspot symptoms and the name redbud yellow ringspot associated virus is
      proposed. The virus genome is composed of at least five RNA segments. Two coding
      regions were studied to determine isolate diversity with results pointing to a
      homogeneous virus population. Host range was evaluated using graft transmission
      and by testing species found in close proximity to infected trees. Mite
      transmission with Aculops cercidis, the predominant species found in redbud trees
      in the epicenter of the disease, was evaluated but was not found to be a vector
      of the virus. Based on this study and the accumulated knowledge on emaravirus
      evolution we propose that speciation is allopatric, with vectors being a major
      component of the process.

PMID- 27262623
TI  - Mydriasis revealing vascular and osteodural compression of the oculomotor nerve:
      An observational study on five cases.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe a form of neurovascular compression of the third cranial
      nerve (CNIII) in idiopathic mydriasis, in which a neurovascular "conflict" exists
      between the oculomotor nerve, the posterior communicating artery and the clinoid
      process, using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with fast imaging
      employing steady acquisition (FIESTA) sequences. METHODS: An 18-month
      prospective, observational and monocentric case series report was performed. MRI
      was performed on 5 consecutive patients with idiopathic, unilateral, persistent
      and nonreactive mydriasis (pure intrinsic palsy of the CNIII). Patients with
      diplopia, ptosis or ophthalmoplegia were excluded. Cerebral MRI focused on the
      CNIII pathway from the mesencephalon to the cavernous sinus entry, particularly
      on the cisternal segment: image acquisition was performed on a 3 Tesla MRI; the
      protocol included fast imaging employing steady acquisition (FIESTA) and three
      dimension time of flight (3D TOF) sequences. RESULTS: All patients presented a
      neurovascular compression point, involving the CNIII clamped between a tortuous
      posterior communicating artery (PCoA) and the posterior clinoid process at the
      entrance of the cavernous sinus. No cases occurred in the root entry zone. There
      was no compression on the contralateral side. No tumors or aneurysms were found.
      Thus, the mydriasis was caused by CNIII compression. CONCLUSION: MRI, including
      FIESTA sequences, revealed a new type of neurovascular conflict between the
      CNIII, PCoA and posterior clinoid process in patients with incomplete oculomotor
      palsy. Non-aneurysmal CNIII compression should be considered as a differential
      diagnosis in the work-up of idiopathic mydriasis. The role of MRI in the work-up
      of anisocoria should be considered.

PMID- 27262624
TI  - Toxicology of potassium channel-directed compounds in mosquitoes.
AB  - Potential targets for new vector control insecticides are nerve and muscle
      potassium channels. In this study, the activities of known potassium channel
      blockers (4-aminopyridine, quinidine, and tetraethylammonium) and the insecticide
      propoxur were compared to three experimental catechols and several other
      compounds against Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Experimental
      catechol 1 was the most toxic experimental compound in all of the mortality
      assays conducted, but was at least 100-fold and 39-fold less toxic than propoxur
      against Ae. aegypti and An. gambiae, respectively. Injection treatment and
      synergist (piperonyl butoxide) bioassays found that catechol toxicity was not
      unduly impacted by cuticular transport or oxidative metabolism.
      Electrophysiological studies showed a decrease in amplitude of evoked muscle
      contractions, along with an increase in twitch duration at concentrations that
      increased basal muscle tension (mM). High concentration effects on basal muscle
      tension were matched by complete depolarization of the muscle membrane potential.
      Effects on muscle physiology and blockage of Kv2.1 potassium channels in patch
      clamp experiments were generally consistent with in vivo toxicity, except for 4
      aminopyridine, which suggest the involvement of other potassium channel subtypes.
      Extensive melanization of Anopheles larvae, but not Aedes larvae, occurred from
      exposure to catechol compounds. Interaction with the phenol oxidase system within
      insects may be the cause of this melanization, but any contribution to toxicity
      requires further investigation.

PMID- 27262626
TI  - Trefoil factor 3 related to gastrointestinal failure in pediatric critical
      illness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To determine the relationship between the serum concentration of
      trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and gastrointestinal failure (GIF) in pediatric critical
      illness in order to provide knowledge for disease management. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We enrolled 137 cases and divided them into three groups, including a
      control group (group A), critical illness without GIF (group B), and critical
      illness with GIF (group C). The serum TFF3 concentration was determined by ELISA
      and compared among the groups. RESULTS: Serum TFF3 concentrations measured before
      the occurrence of GIF in group C were significantly higher than in groups A and B
      (P<0.01). Under the conditions of GIF in group C, serum TFF3 concentration was
      significantly related to the gastrointestinal tract function score (r=-0.712).
      Cox's proportional hazards model analysis showed that the serum TFF3
      concentrations at the time of occurrence of GIF, and 48hours later, could be used
      as prognostic factors in critically ill pediatric patients with GIF (r=1.443 and
      1.872, respectively). CONCLUSION: TFF3 may play an important role in predicting
      GIF in pediatric critical illness and has a protective function in the mucosal
      repair process.

PMID- 27262625
TI  - The effect of ankle taping on functional performance in participants with
      functional ankle instability.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of rigid ankle tape on functional
      performance, self-efficacy and perceived stability, confidence and reassurance
      during functional tasks in participants with functional ankle instability.
      DESIGN: Clinical measurement, crossover design. METHODS: Participants (n = 25)
      with functional ankle instability (Cumberland Ankle Instability Score < 25) were
      recruited from university students and sporting clubs. Participants performed
      five functional tests with and without the ankle taped. The tests were: figure-8
      hopping test, hopping obstacle course, star excursion balance test (SEBT), single
      leg stance and stair descent test. Secondary outcome measures were self-efficacy
      and perception measures. RESULTS: Rigid tape significantly decreased the stair
      descent time by 4% (p = 0.014), but had no effect on performance in the other
      tests. Self-efficacy increased significantly (p < 0.001). Perceived stability,
      confidence and reassurance also increased with the ankle taped (p < 0.05) during
      the stair and two hopping tasks, but not during the SEBT or single-leg stance
      test. CONCLUSION: Although taping the ankle did not affect performance, except to
      improve stair descent, it increased self-efficacy and perceived confidence in
      dynamic tasks. These findings suggest that taping may reduce apprehension without
      affecting functional performance in those with functional ankle instability and
      permit continued physical activity or sport participation.

PMID- 27262627
TI  - [Perception of adolescent medicine among French pediatric residents].
AB  - PURPOSE: The perception of adolescent medicine (AM) among future pediatricians in
      France has scarcely been explored although adolescent health care is an integral
      part of the pediatrician's job. Moreover, pediatric residents seem to have a lack
      of enthusiasm for this field. The aim of this study was to assess the beliefs and
      perceptions of fourth-year French pediatric residents regarding adolescents and
      AM. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a national electronic survey among French pediatric
      residents in their last year of residency. An original 51-item, open-ended
      declarative questionnaire was sent out including questions on demographics,
      career expectations, AM block rotation experiences, and perceptions and beliefs
      regarding adolescents and AM. Difficulties and barriers experienced in this field
      were investigated. Queries about residents' specific AM courses and about their
      educational needs were also explored. RESULTS: The survey was conducted online
      between January and March 2015. There were 121 respondents, achieving a 43%
      response rate. The majority of respondents perceived teens as interesting (75%),
      vulnerable (83%), and time-consuming (84%). Up to four fifths of respondents
      (81%) considered AM to be a skill that all pediatricians should acquire. A
      subgroup analysis showed that the residents who had not experienced an AM block
      rotation did not seem to be convinced of the need for training in this field
      (P=0.09). The following issues were reported as major difficulties by residents:
      providing care for teens reluctant to seek health care (65%), managing violent
      behavior among adolescents in the emergency ward (98%), and managing adolescents
      who attempt suicide (80%). Less than half (45%) of the residents reported their
      residency program had a specific AM course. Among them, 73% attended the lectures
      and 57% found them useful. One third (32%) of the respondents had experienced a 2
      month block rotation in the field of AM during their residency. DISCUSSION: This
      is the first nationwide study in France in this field. Although the response rate
      is below 50%, it exceeded our expectations. Our results are in line with previous
      studies showing that pediatric residents report a high interest in working with
      adolescents and yet their educational needs in AM are unmet. The limitations of
      this study include the self-selection bias and implicit limitations carried by
      the phrasing of the survey questions. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to devise a
      better educational approach combining a broader proposal of AM block rotations
      together with a specific competency framework in adolescent health, since we know
      it improves the quality of health care delivered to adolescents. Moreover,
      training pediatricians in AM is a public health priority so as to comply with
      medical schools' principles of social accountability and address the priority
      health needs for an efficient, equitable, and sustainable health system. At a
      time when postgraduate reform is being made, the inclusion of an AM curriculum in
      the general pediatrician course is necessary.

PMID- 27262628
TI  - Dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion imaging in biopsy-proved adult
      medulloblastoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Medulloblastoma (MB) is a high-grade rare brain tumor in adults, with
      heterogeneous imaging features and variable enhancing patterns. Diffusion and
      spectroscopy multimodal imaging have already been described in adult MB, yet
      perfusion has not been explored. This study aimed to evaluate vascularity in
      adult classic and desmoplastic MB, using perfusion-weighted dynamic
      susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI and histopathology. METHODS: Six histologically
      proved MB patients were classified as classic (n=3) and desmoplastic (n=3). DSC
      perfusion MRI was performed in three centers and retrospectively evaluated.
      Postprocessing included automatic arterial input function, motion and contrast
      leakage correction. Region of interest (ROI) delineation was performed on three
      perfusion slices to obtain a total of three cerebral blood volume ratios (rCBV)
      that were averaged to serve as the main rCBV. Permeability was evaluated on K2
      maps. RESULTS: Low rCBVs were observed in all cases (mean rCBV=1.19+/-0.39). rCBV
      values were lower than 2 for classic MB and lower than 1 for desmoplastic MB. All
      cases showed an increase of permeability on K2 maps. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary
      results suggest that MB exhibits rCBV values close to 1 and increased
      permeability on DSC perfusion imaging, especially in desmoplastic cases, which
      could be explained by fibrous matrix. This type of perfusion pattern contrasts
      with those given by other enhancing subtentorial tumors such as metastasis, high
      grade gliomas or hemangioblastomas.

PMID- 27262629
TI  - Nanotechnology and Nanopore Sequencing.
AB  - DNA sequencing is one of the crucially important tasks in the fields of genetics
      and cellular biology, which is benefiting from nanotechnology. DNA carries
      genetic information and sequencing it in a quick way helps researchers in
      achieving essential goals, including personalized medicine. Solid state nanopores
      potentially can offer more durability, in sequencing biomolecules, over the
      proteinbased nanopores. In recent years, various ideas are introduced towards the
      goal of fast and low cost sequencing. In this review article recent advances
      presented in journal articles as well as patents in this field, including
      sequencing methods, membrane materials and their fabrication techniques, drilling
      methods, and biomolecule translocation speed control ideas are investigated.

PMID- 27262630
TI  - Re: Jeffrey J. Tosoian, Debasish Sundi, Bruce J. Trock, et al. Pathologic
      Outcomes in Favorable-risk Prostate Cancer: Comparative Analysis of Men Electing
      Active Surveillance and Immediate Surgery. Eur Urol 2016;69:576-81.

PMID- 27262631
TI  - Survival at extreme altitude - The misery and miracle of aircraft stowaways.

PMID- 27262632
TI  - The potential association between obesity and bipolar disorder: A meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several epidemiological studies have found that the prevalence of
      bipolar disorder (BD) is significantly higher in obese population than non-obese
      population. However, no meta-analysis has been published to quantitatively
      summarize the related literature. METHODS: In this study, we conducted a meta
      analysis to explore the association between obesity and BD by combining 9 cross
      sectional studies with a total of 12,259 BD cases and 615,490 non-BD controls.
      The meta-analysis was performed using the effect estimates and 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) to calculate the pooled odds ratio (OR), while the heterogeneity
      was assessed using I(2) and Q statistic. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis suggests that
      obesity is associated with increased prevalence of BD by a random-effect model
      (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.40-2.23; Q=44.62, P<0.001, I(2)=82.1%). LIMITATION: Without
      prospective studies, we cannot determine whether obesity increased the risk of
      developing BD or vice-versa. CONCLUSION: Obesity is positively associated with
      BD.

PMID- 27262634
TI  - Paternal depression during pregnancy and postpartum: An international Delphi
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fathers are at risk for depression during a mother's gestation and
      postpartum. Assessment, detection, and treatment are hampered by the lack of
      consensus on this issue. The purpose of this study was to reach expert consensus
      through the Delphi method on the defining factors of depression in peripartum
      fathers. METHODS: Purposive sampling resulted in the surveying of 14
      international expert panelists. The study used a modified Delphi approach in
      which experts participated in two rounds of open-ended and scale questionnaires,
      followed by two rounds of opportunities to adjust their responses and/or comment
      on evolving data until consensus was achieved. RESULTS: Experts responded to 10
      questions on terminology, diagnostics, symptomology, risk/protective factors,
      biological factors, assessment tools/protocol, cost implications, and key
      stakeholders. Of these 10 questions presented for discussion, the analysis
      resulted in 197 coded themes. Consensus was met for 119 of the 197 coded
      responses (60.41%). LIMITATIONS: Diversity of opinion within this Delphi Study
      was excluded for the sake of consensus. Regression to the mean may have occurred
      after continuous surveying and when evolving results were shared with panelists.
      Critics of Delphi methodologies have pointed to the issue of small expert samples
      typically used and the subjectivity of "expert." CONCLUSION: Consensus identified
      diagnostic criteria and symptomology that differentiates the paternal experience
      of peripartum depression. Experts indicated the importance of a father's social
      context, biological risk factors, limitations of current assessment tools, key
      stakeholders, and potential financial costs. Stakeholders on this issue would
      benefit from translating consensus into assessment and treatment.

PMID- 27262633
TI  - Socio-economic status influences the relationship between obesity and antenatal
      depression: Data from a prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity has been associated with increased risk of antenatal
      depression, but little is known about this relationship. This study tested
      whether socio-economic status (SES) influences the relationship between obesity
      and antenatal depression. METHODS: Data were taken from the Screening for
      Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) cohort. BMI was calculated from measured height and
      weight at 15+/-1 weeks' gestation. Underweight women were excluded. SES was
      indicated by self-reported household income (dichotomised around the median: low
      SES <=L45,000; high SES >L45,000). Antenatal depression was defined as scoring
      >=13 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at both 15+/-1 and 20+/-1 weeks'
      gestation, to identify persistently elevated symptoms of depression. RESULTS:
      Five thousand five hundred and twenty two women were included in these analyses
      and 5.5% had persistently elevated antenatal depression symptoms. There was a
      significant interaction between SES and BMI on the risk of antenatal depression
      (p=0.042). Among high SES women, obese women had approximately double the odds of
      antenatal depression than normal weight controls (AOR 2.11, 95%CI 1.16-3.83,
      p=0.014, adjusted for confounders). Among low SES women there was no association
      between obesity and antenatal depression. The interaction effect was robust to
      alternative indicators of SES in sensitivity analyses. LIMITATIONS: 1) Antenatal
      depression was assessed with a self-reported screening measure; and 2) potential
      mediators such as stigma and poor body-image could not be examined. CONCLUSIONS:
      Obesity was only associated with increased risk of antenatal depression among
      high SES women in this sample. Healthcare professionals should be aware that
      antenatal depression is more common among low SES women, regardless of BMI
      category.

PMID- 27262635
TI  - Deliberate self-harm among Chinese medical students: A population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The phenomenon of deliberate self-harm (DSH) among college students
      has received increased attention in recent decades. Adopting a psychosocial
      perspective, this study aims to describe self-reported DSH among Chinese medical
      college students, assess respective associations between uncertainty stress and
      social capital with DSH, and explore the mechanism linking these three phenomena.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional survey employing multi-stage, sampling was conducted.
      4446 undergraduate students were recruited from 22 participating Chinese medical
      universities. Perceived stress from uncertainty and social capital were assessed
      among the students. The Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression models
      assessed correlates of DSH. Relationship among social capital, uncertainty
      stress, and DSH were examined by means of Structural Equation Modeling. RESULTS:
      The prevalence of DSH in the past 12 months among Chinese students was 9.6%. The
      most common types of physical DSH reported were scratching, cutting, and
      pinching. Age (chi(2)=26.63, p<0.01), gender (chi(2)=30.24, p<0.01), major field
      (chi(2)=28.13, p<0.01), and annual household income (chi(2)=11.10, p<0.05) were
      statistically associated with DSH. Uncertainty stress is a unique correlate of
      DSH, and shows a stronger association than do three certainty stressors. Social
      capital is also a strong correlate of DSH, especially cognitive social capital.
      Moreover, social capital may be indirectly associated with DSH through impacting
      uncertainty stress. LIMITATIONS: This study was a cross-sectional and thus could
      not evaluate causal relationships. CONCLUSION: We recommend that a DSH
      intervention study should target uncertainty stress management and social capital
      accumulation. This study provides scientific evidence and theoretical foundation
      for future DSH interventions, with a view to enhancing the mental health of
      medical college students.

PMID- 27262636
TI  - Pharmacological and psychosocial treatment of depression in primary care: Low
      intensity and poor adherence and continuity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary health care bears the main responsibility for treating
      depression in most countries. However, few studies have comprehensively
      investigated provision of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments, their
      continuity, or patient attitudes and adherence to treatment in primary care.
      METHODS: In the Vantaa Primary Care Depression Study, 1111 consecutive primary
      care patients in the City of Vantaa, Finland, were screened for depression with
      Prime-MD, and 137 were diagnosed with DSM-IV depressive disorders via SCID-I/P
      and SCID-II interviews. The 100 patients with current major depressive disorder
      (MDD) or partly remitted MDD at baseline were prospectively followed up to 18
      months, and their treatment contacts and the treatments provided were
      longitudinally followed. RESULTS: The median number of patients' visits to a
      general practitioner during the follow-up was five; of those due to depression
      two. Antidepressant treatment was offered to 82% of patients, but only 50%
      commenced treatment and adhered to it adequately. Psychosocial support was
      offered to 49%, but only 29% adhered to the highly variable interventions.
      Attributed reasons for poor adherence varied, including negative attitude, side
      effects, practical obstacles, or no perceived need. About one-quarter (23%) of
      patients were referred to specialized care at some time-point. LIMITATIONS:
      Moderate sample size. Data collected in 2002-2004. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of
      depressive patients in primary health care had been offered pharmacotherapy,
      psychotherapeutic support, or both. However, effectiveness of these efforts may
      have been limited by lack of systematic follow-up and poor adherence to both
      pharmacotherapy and psychosocial treatment.

PMID- 27262637
TI  - The effect of psychotherapeutic interventions on positive and negative affect in
      depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is a mental disorder characterized by high and
      dysregulated negative affect in addition to diminished positive affect. To our
      knowledge, there has been no systematic review of the impact of psychotherapeutic
      interventions on these affective dimensions. METHODS: Two comprehensive
      literature searches for all randomized controlled trials of psychotherapy in
      adults with depression were performed. The first from 1996 to December 31, 2014
      and the second from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. The primary outcome was
      the mean score of positive and negative affect. Depressive symptoms were measured
      to be included as a predictor in the meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: Ten
      studies with 793 adults with depression were included. All studies assessed
      positive and negative affect. Psychotherapeutic interventions resulted in
      significantly increased positive affect (g=0.41; 95% CI: 0.16-0.66 p=0.001), and
      significantly decreased negative affect (g=0.32; 95% CI: 0.15-0.78, p=0.001) in
      depressed adults. Because of the small number and substantial heterogeneity of
      the existing studies the meta-regression analyses produced conflicting results.
      As a consequence, we were unable to sufficiently demonstrate whether NA and
      depressive symptoms are in fact correlated or not. LIMITATIONS: Given the small
      number and heterogeneity of the included studies, the findings should be
      considered with caution. CONCLUSIONS: Psychotherapeutic interventions demonstrate
      low to moderate effects in enhancing positive and reducing negative affect in
      depressed adults.

PMID- 27262638
TI  - Exploring the excess mortality due to depressive symptoms in a community-based
      sample: The role of Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression has been associated with increased risk of death. However,
      there is lack of studies exploring such relationship in the context of dementia.
      Given the high prevalence of both depression and Alzheimer's Disease (AD),
      investigating their temporal association with mortality is of public health
      relevance. METHODS: Longitudinal data from the WHICAP study were analyzed (1958
      individuals aged >=65 years). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 10-item
      Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Respondents were
      identified as having AD if they satisfied the criteria of the National Institute
      on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for
      Alzheimer's disease. Cox regressions analyses were performed to determine the
      association between depressive symptoms and risk of all-cause mortality using the
      overall sample, and by AD status. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were significantly
      associated with higher mortality risk after adjusting for all potential
      covariates in the overall sample (HR=1.22; 95% CI=1.02, 1.46) and in individuals
      with incident AD (HR=1.88; 95% CI=1.12, 3.18). LIMITATIONS: The CES-D does not
      measure clinical depression but depressive symptomatology. Since those who were
      exposed to known risk factors for mortality are likely to die prematurely, our
      results may have been skewed to the individuals with longer survival.
      CONCLUSIONS: Strategies focusing on prevention and early treatment of depression
      in the elderly may have a beneficial effect not only on patient quality of life
      and disability, but may also increase survival in the context of AD.

PMID- 27262640
TI  - The association between comorbid anxiety disorders and the risk of stroke among
      patients with diabetes: An 11-year population-based retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes and anxiety disorders are independent risk factors for
      stroke. However, it remains unclear whether the risk of stroke is higher among
      diabetic patients with comorbid anxiety than without comorbid anxiety. Therefore,
      the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between comorbid
      anxiety and the risk of stroke among patients with diabetes. METHODS: This is a
      retrospective cohort study. We used the National Health Insurance Research
      Database in Taiwan to identify a diabetes cohort with a new diagnosis of an
      anxiety disorder but without a history of stroke. The enrollment period was 2001
      2006 with up to 11 years of follow-up data. Comorbid anxiety was defined by both
      a clinical diagnosis of the DSM-IV (ICD-9-CM) and prescriptions for anxiolytic
      medications. Propensity score matching was performed to balance the selected
      confounders between the anxiety-exposed group and anxiety non-exposed group. Cox
      propositional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the association
      between comorbid anxiety and the risk of stroke. RESULTS: Among patients with
      diabetes (N=40,846), an estimated 5.8% (N=2374) of patients had comorbid anxiety
      disorders. Diabetic patients with comorbid anxiety were significantly associated
      with a higher risk of stroke compared to patients without comorbid anxiety
      (hazard ratio: 1.33, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.72). LIMITATIONS: The
      severity of anxiety or diabetes could not be measured from the claims data.
      Residual confounding may still exist. CONCLUSION: A significantly elevated risk
      of stroke was observed in association with comorbid anxiety among patients with
      diabetes. Psychiatrists should consider routine screening for anxiety disorders
      to prevent a stroke event among patients with diabetes.

PMID- 27262639
TI  - Retrospective age-of-onset and projected lifetime prevalence of psychiatric
      disorders among U.S. Army National Guard soldiers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study of military-related mental health has been
      disproportionately focused on current symptomology rather than potentially more
      informative life course mental health. Indeed, no study has assessed age-of-onset
      and projected lifetime prevalence of disorders among reservists. METHODS: Age-of
      onset and projected lifetime DSM-IV anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders
      were assessed in 671 Ohio Army National Guard soldiers aged 17-60 years. Between
      2008 and 2012, face-to-face clinical assessments and surveys were conducted using
      the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and Clinician-Administered PTSD
      Scale. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 61%. Alcohol
      abuse/dependence (44%) and major depressive disorder (23%) were the most common
      disorders. The majority (64%) of participants reported disorders antedating
      enlistment. Median age-of-onset varied with anxiety disorders - particularly
      phobias and OCD - having the earliest (median=15 years) and mood disorders the
      latest median age-of-onset (median=21 years). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited
      by both the retrospective investigation of age-of-onset and the location of our
      sample. As our sample may not represent the general military population, our
      findings need to be confirmed in additional samples. CONCLUSIONS: Each
      psychiatric disorder exhibited a distinct age-of-onset pattern, such that phobias
      and OCD onset earliest, substance use disorders onset during a short interval
      from late-adolescence to early-adulthood, and mood disorders onset the latest.
      Our finding that the majority of participants reported disorders antedating
      enlistment suggests that an assessment of lifetime psychopathology is essential
      to understanding the mental health burden of both current and former military
      personnel.

PMID- 27262641
TI  - The inference-based approach to obsessive-compulsive disorder: A comprehensive
      review of its etiological model, treatment efficacy, and model of change.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The inference-based approach (IBA) postulates that individuals with
      obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) confuse a possibility with reality
      (inferential confusion) according to specific inductive reasoning devices and act
      as if this possibility were true. A new treatment modality, the inference-based
      therapy (IBT), was developed. The aim of this study was to critically review
      empirical evidence regarding the etiological model, treatment efficacy, and model
      of change of IBA. METHODS: A search of the literature was conducted using
      PsycINFO and Medline. RESULTS: Thirty-four articles were included in the review.
      The review reveals that intrusive thoughts of non-clinical and OCD individuals
      may occur in different contexts. There is support for a specific inductive
      reasoning style in OCD. Inferential confusion is associated with OCD symptoms.
      There is good evidence that IBT is an efficacious treatment for OCD, including
      two randomized controlled trials showing that IBT was as efficacious as cognitive
      behavior therapy. There is some but limited evidence that the process of change
      during treatment is coherent with IBA's assumptions. LIMITATIONS: Key premises
      were investigated in only a few studies. Some of these studies were conducted in
      non-clinical samples or did not include an anxious control group. CONCLUSIONS:
      IBA's etiological model, treatment modality, and model of change make a
      significant contribution to OCD.

PMID- 27262642
TI  - Ethnic and racial differences in mental health service utilization for suicidal
      ideation and behavior in a nationally representative sample of adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examined racial/ethnic differences in mental health
      treatment utilization for suicidal ideation and behavior in a nationally
      representative sample of adolescents. METHOD: Data were drawn from the National
      Survey on Drug Use and Health. Participants included 4176 depressed adolescents
      with suicidal ideation and behavior in the previous year. Weighted logistic
      regressions were estimated to examine whether adolescent racial/ethnic minorities
      had lower rates of past-year treatment for suicidal ideation and behavior in
      inpatient or outpatient settings, while adjusting for age, depressive symptom
      severity, family income, and health insurance status. RESULTS: Among adolescents
      with any suicidal ideation and behavior, and suicide attempts specifically, non
      Hispanic blacks and Native Americans were less likely than whites to receive
      outpatient treatment, and multiracial adolescents were less likely to be admitted
      to inpatient facilities. Apart from Hispanics, racial/ethnic minorities were
      generally less likely to receive mental health care for suicidal ideation,
      particularly within psychiatric outpatient settings. A pattern emerged with
      racial/ethnic differences in treatment receipt being greatest for adolescents
      with the least severe suicidal ideation and behavior. LIMITATIONS: The cross
      sectional data limits our ability to form causal inferences. CONCLUSION:
      Strikingly low rates of treatment utilization for suicidal ideation and behavior
      were observed across all racial/ethnic groups. Certain racial/ethnic minorities
      may be less likely to seek treatment for suicidal ideation and behavior when
      symptoms are less severe, with this gap in treatment use narrowing as symptom
      severity increases. Native Americans were among the racial/ethnic groups with
      lowest treatment utilization, but also among the highest for rates of suicide
      attempts, highlighting the pressing need for strategies to increase mental health
      service use in this particularly vulnerable population.

PMID- 27262643
TI  - Results of National, Cluster-Randomized Trial of Duty-Hour Flexibility in
      Surgical Training: Reflection in Neurosurgery.

PMID- 27262644
TI  - Tuberculosis Treatment and Traumatic Brain Injury: Where Is the Link?

PMID- 27262645
TI  - CT Hounsfield Units as a Predictor for the Worsening of Traumatic Vertebral
      Compression Fractures.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: With vertebral compression fractures (VCF), height loss has been
      associated with kyphotic deformity and intractable pain, 2 indications for
      potential surgical intervention. Consequently, assessment of factors associated
      with continual height loss can provide insights regarding management. Computed
      tomography (CT) Hounsfield units (HU), a measure of radiodensity, have been
      implicated for the assessment of bone quality. No studies have assessed the
      relationship between CT HU and traumatic VCF. Consequently, the objective of this
      study was to evaluate this relationship. METHODS: Patients who sustained a
      traumatic VCF from a motor vehicle accident from 2006 to 2015 were reviewed
      retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were single VCF from L1 to L4, appropriate
      imaging, and appropriate follow-up. Clinical data were extracted (age, gender,
      history of osteoporosis, body mass index [BMI], and length of follow-up). Initial
      CT imaging was evaluated for averaged HU at the levels above and below the index
      level of the VCF. Interval percentage change (Delta%) in anterior compression was
      evaluated between radiographs obtained during initial presentation and at follow
      up. RESULTS: Age, BMI, and CT HU significantly correlated with Delta% (P < 0.01),
      whereas initial height loss, history of osteoporosis, and length of follow-up did
      not. A multiple linear regression for Delta% that combined age, BMI, and CT HU
      values elicited a regression model with R(2) 0.648, and adjusted R(2) 0.606; each
      variable in the model showed P < 0.05. A receiver operating characteristic
      analysis to predict Delta% < 10% from Delta% >=10% showed an area under the curve
      0.983 (P < 0.01), where CT HU at 171.58 showed a combination of sensitivity at
      0.923 and specificity at 0.91. CONCLUSIONS: Age, BMI, and CT HU values are
      independent predictors of worsening VCF. These factors can help determine
      appropriate clinical follow-up and need for surgical intervention.

PMID- 27262646
TI  - July 2016 Editor-in-Chief Letter.

PMID- 27262647
TI  - The Clinical Significance of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae on the Surgical
      Outcomes of Lumbar Discectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Young Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the presence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae
      (LSTV) affects the clinical outcomes of microdiscectomy (MD) in young adults with
      lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: We retrospectively included 398 patients who
      were followed-up for at least 2 years after MD for lumbar disc herniation at L4/5
      (disc above the LSTV). The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A was made
      up of 31 patients in whom LSTV was detected. Group B, in contrast, was made up of
      35 patients in whom LSTV was not detected. The LSTV were classified using plain
      radiographs and three-dimensional computed tomography by Castellvi et al. The
      primary outcome measure was pain intensity at each follow-up visit assessed with
      visual analog scale for back and leg. Secondary outcome measures included the
      Oswestry Disability Index, a 12-item short-form health survey for quality of
      life, complications, and recurrence rate. RESULTS: After surgery, the visual
      analog scale scores for the back and leg decreased significantly in both groups.
      However, the back pain intensity in group A worsened at 12 and 24 months
      postoperatively. The Oswestry Disability Index scores and 12-item short-form
      health survey (both mental and physical) worsened at 12 and 24 months
      postoperatively in group A. Two cases of reherniation (6.5 %) were observed in
      group A, who required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: LSTV can limit a patient's
      clinical improvement after MD with regard to pain intensity and recurrence.
      Caution must be taken when a patient is scheduled to undergo surgery.

PMID- 27262648
TI  - Alu Methylation in Peripheral Blood Shows Promise for the Diagnosis and
      Prognostication of Glioma Patients.

PMID- 27262649
TI  - Endovascular Stenting versus Carotid Endarterectomy for Treatment of Severe
      Carotid Stenosis: Recent Results from ACT I and the Updated CREST Studies.

PMID- 27262650
TI  - De Novo Aneurysm Associated with Superficial Temporal Artery to Middle Cerebral
      Artery Bypass: Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: De novo aneurysm formation has been reported as a rare complication
      of superficial temporal artery (STA) to middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass
      surgery. CASE DESCRIPTION: The first patient with intracerebral hemorrhage had a
      ruptured de novo aneurysm arising from the recipient MCA at 6 years after
      undergoing STA-MCA bypass for hemispheric hemodynamic insufficiency. In the
      second case, an enlarging unruptured STA aneurysm was detected by follow-up
      magnetic resonance angiography at 8 years after the patient underwent STA-MCA
      bypass for moyamoya disease. Both patients were successfully treated by surgical
      clipping. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent hemodynamic stress with hypertension in an
      artificial T-shaped vasculature and traumatic injury during surgical manipulation
      are the most important causes for de novo aneurysms after STA-MCA bypass. Follow
      up magnetic resonance and computed tomography angiography examinations, along
      with appropriate blood pressure control, are recommended for patients who have
      undergone STA-MCA bypass surgery.

PMID- 27262652
TI  - Surgeon's and Patient's Radiation Exposure Through Vertebral Body Cement
      Augmentation Procedures: A Prospective Multicentric Study of 49 Cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Vertebral body cement augmentation as a treatment option for
      osteoporotic or traumatic fractures has become increasingly popular during the
      past decade. However, these surgical procedures require numerous fluoroscopic
      examinations, resulting in high radiation exposure for the patient and the
      surgical team. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of radiation
      exposure of the spine surgeon and the patient during these percutaneous
      procedures. METHODS: Forty-nine patients admitted for single- or 2-level
      vertebral compression fracture were prospectively included and treated with
      vertebral body cement augmentation. For each procedure, radiation dose was
      measured on the surgeon's whole body, lens, and extremities as well as patient
      irradiation. Each surgeon wore 2 thermoluminescent dosimeters to measure lens and
      extremities radiation exposure and 1 electronic personal dosimeter. Patient
      clinical and surgical data, effective dose to patient, and surgeon were analyzed.
      RESULTS: Mean operative time was 31.5 +/- 11.7 minutes. The average fluoroscopic
      time was 61.0 +/- 27.1 seconds. The average whole-body radiation dose per
      procedure was 1.4 +/- 2.1 MUSv. The average equivalent dose to lens and
      extremities were 44 MUSv and 59 MUSv, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Values of
      radiation doses for surgeon and patient were lower than those reported in the
      previous literature. The recommended annual dose limit is set to 500 mSv for
      extremities and 150 mSv for lens. According to our results, the exposure dose to
      the eye exceeds the annual limit after 3500 procedures. However, there is
      increasing concern among surgeons about radiation exposure, and there is still a
      need for solutions as preventive measures.

PMID- 27262651
TI  - Bracing After Surgical Stabilization of Thoracolumbar Fractures: A Systematic
      Review of Evidence, Indications, and Practices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of spinal orthotic braces after surgical stabilization is
      not clearly defined. We systematically reviewed the published literature to
      determine patterns of practice, indications, and current evidence for the use of
      orthotic braces after surgical thoracolumbar fracture stabilization. METHODS: A
      search was performed for publications including descriptions of postoperative
      management and outcomes after surgical stabilization of thoracolumbar injuries.
      Differences between wearing versus not wearing a postoperative brace were
      examined with regard to loss of deformity correction, pain, return to previous
      work activity, functional improvement, instrumentation failure rate,
      pseudoarthrosis, and the percentage of reported complications. RESULTS: This
      search yielded 76 pertinent studies. Postoperative bracing (POB) was adopted in
      62 studies for a median wear time of 13.3 weeks. No significant differences in
      terms of pain, return to work, Frankel score improvement, or instrumentation
      failure were found between the POB and non-POB groups. Loss of surgical kyphotic
      reduction was slightly greater in the POB group (4.79 degrees  vs. 3.77 degrees ;
      P < 0.001). The overall complication rate was also higher in the POB group (16.3%
      vs. 11.9%; P < 0.01). The pseudoarthrosis rate was lower in the braced group
      (2.4% vs. 6.0%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most surgeons use braces for 3 months
      after surgical thoracolumbar fracture stabilization. Given the lack of clinical
      or biomechanical evidence for this, and the additional costs and potential
      discomfort to patients, further investigation is warranted to determine when and
      if POB for surgically stabilized thoracolumbar fractures is indicated. Controlled
      studies should include a careful analysis of pseudoarthrosis and complication
      rates.

PMID- 27262653
TI  - Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma: A Surgical Case Series of Ten Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SS-EDH) is a rare neurosurgical
      emergency. Little is known about predictive factors of outcome in patients with
      SS-EDH. Here, we present a case series of patients operated on for an SS-EDH.
      METHODS: We reviewed all cases of patients operated on for an SS-EDH between
      January 2009 and February 2016 in a large academic neurosurgical center. We
      recorded preadmission functional status, bleeding characteristics, and
      postsurgery outcome. Good outcome was defined, according to the Nurick score, as
      at least being able to walk in a way that did not prevent employment. Mean follow
      up time was 19 months (standard deviation, 25 months). RESULTS: Ten patients,
      with a mean age of 70 years (standard deviation, 10), with SS-EDH were included.
      The location of SS-EDH was binomially distributed, with the highest frequencies
      in the upper thoracic region (Th3-5) and middle to low cervical region (C4-6).
      Five patients had a poor outcome. Of these, 3 remained chair bound or bedridden.
      No statistically significant association could be found between preoperative
      characteristics and outcome, but patients with poor preoperative motor function,
      thoracic hematoma, and more than 4 involved segments had a high rate of poor
      neurologic outcome. We could not establish any association between time delay
      from symptom onset to surgery and outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, half of
      the patients with SS-EDH recovered well after surgery. Although no statistically
      significant association could be established, hematoma location, size, and
      preoperative motor function seem to be some of the most important predictive
      factors of postoperative recovery.

PMID- 27262654
TI  - Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in Sphenopetroclival Meningiomas: Preliminary Experience
      at the Iran Gamma Knife Center.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to characterize the epidemiologic,
      histologic, and radiologic aspects of sphenopetroclival meningiomas (SpPCMs) and
      to evaluate the outcome of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) either as an adjunct
      to microsurgery or as a primary SpPCM treatment modality. METHODS: In this
      retrospective study, medical records of patients with SpPCM who underwent GKRS at
      the Iran Gamma Knife Center between April 2003 and March 2012 were analyzed.
      RESULTS: We assessed 122 patients with SpPCMs, including 101 women and 21 men,
      aged 24-94 years. The mean tumor volume was 12.24 +/- 9.30 mL. Patients received
      22.32 +/- 3.29 Gy and 13.18 +/- 1.02 Gy maximal and average marginal dose of
      GKRS, respectively. The most common complaint was visual impairment, followed by
      facial sensory impairment and headache. The most frequently involved cranial
      nerves were III, IV, and VI in 72.1% of patients, followed by II in 52.9%, and V
      in 35.5%. After radiosurgery, headaches improved in 90.0%, diplopia in 75.0%, and
      ptosis in 63.0% of patients. On magnetic resonance imaging, tumor size was
      reduced, unchanged, or increased in 77, 44, and 1 patient, respectively.
      Progression-free survival at the 5-year follow-up was 56.6%. Younger age (hazard
      ratio = 0.972, P = 0.011) and lower tumor volume (hazard ratio = 0.959, P =
      0.009) were the main prognostic factors for progression-free survival.
      CONCLUSION: GKRS can be an effective alternative treatment for controlling the
      progression of SpPCM tumors, producing appropriate clinical outcomes and few
      complications.

PMID- 27262655
TI  - How Best to Manage the Spinal Epidural Abscess? A Current Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A spinal epidural abscess is a medical emergency. Despite urgent
      surgical intervention and adjuvant antibiotic therapy, neurologic prognosis
      remains variable and guarded. The optimal approach to managing this condition is
      debated with substantial variability in clinical practice, dependent on patient
      demographic and pretreatment neurologic status as well as radiologic appearance.
      METHODS: A systematic search in MEDLINE and similar databases was conducted for
      literature published from 1990 to 2015 using the search term "spinal epidural
      abscess", limiting the search results to human studies published in the English
      language. Case series that consisted of fewer than 10 patients were excluded. The
      evidence strength was graded according to the Grades of Recommendation
      Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria. RESULTS: The search yielded
      1843 patients from 34 retrospective case series. Ten studies compared surgical
      and medical management, with no significant difference in patients with good
      outcome (odds ratio, 0.65; P = 0.11) or neurologic improvement (odds ratio, 1.11;
      P = 0.69). However, failure rates after initial medical management requiring
      surgical intervention ranged from 10% to 50%. Three of 4 studies evaluating
      timing of surgery reported large effect sizes for neurologic outcome if early
      surgery was performed (P < 0.01). Other prognostic factors from a neurologic
      perspective included admission neurologic status, patient age, and diabetes
      mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery with adjuvant antibiotics remains the optimal
      treatment for the neurologically symptomatic patient with spinal epidural
      abscess. If antibiotic therapy alone is considered for the neurologically intact
      patient, we recommend interdisciplinary medical and surgical consultations with
      an in-depth dialogue on the potential for failure in isolated medical management
      and the recommendation for close neurologic monitoring.

PMID- 27262656
TI  - Element decoupling of 7T dipole body arrays by EBG metasurface structures:
      Experimental verification.
AB  - Metasurfaces are artificial electromagnetic boundaries or interfaces usually
      implemented as two-dimensional periodic structures with subwavelength periodicity
      and engineered properties of constituent unit cells. The electromagnetic bandgap
      (EBG) effect in metasurfaces prevents all surface modes from propagating in a
      certain frequency band. While metasurfaces provide a number of important
      applications in microwave antennas and antenna arrays, their features are also
      highly suitable for MRI applications. In this work we perform a proof-of
      principle experiment to study finite structures based on mushroom-type EBG
      metasurfaces and employ them for suppression of inter-element coupling in dipole
      transceive array coils for body imaging at 7T. We firstly show experimentally
      that employment of mushroom structures leads to reduction of coupling between
      adjacent closely-spaced dipole antenna elements of a 7T transceive body array,
      which reduces scattering losses in neighboring channels. The studied setup
      consists of two active fractionated dipole antennas previously designed by the
      authors for body imaging at 7T. These are placed on top of a body-mimicking
      phantom and equipped with the manufactured finite-size periodic structure tuned
      to have EBG properties at the Larmor frequency of 298MHz. To improve the
      detection range of the B1+ field distribution of the top elements, four
      additional elements were positioned along the bottom side of the phantom. Bench
      measurements of a scattering matrix showed that coupling between the two top
      elements can be considerably reduced depending on the distance to the EBG
      structure. On the other hand, the measurements performed on a 7T MRI machine
      indicated redistribution of the B1+ field due to interaction between the dipoles
      with the structure. When the structure is located just over two closely spaced
      dipoles, one can reach a very high isolation improvement of -14dB accompanied by
      a strong field redistribution. In contrast, when put at a certain height over the
      antennas the structure provides a moderate isolation improvement together with a
      slight increase of B1+ level. This study provides a tool for the decoupling of
      dipole antennas in ultrahigh field transceive arrays, possibly resulting in
      denser element placement and/or larger subject-element spacing.

PMID- 27262657
TI  - Parameterized signal calibration for NMR cryoporometry experiment without
      external standard.
AB  - In cryoporometric experiments non-linear effects associated with the sample and
      the probehead bring unwanted contributions to the total signal along with the
      change of temperature. The elimination of these influences often occurs with the
      help of an intermediate measurement of a separate liquid sample. In this paper we
      suggest an alternative approach under certain assumptions, solely based on data
      from the target experiment. In order to obtain calibration parameters the method
      uses all of these raw data points. Its reliability is therefore enhanced as
      compared to other methods based on lesser number of data points. Presented
      approach is automatically valid for desired temperature range. The need for
      intermediate measurement is removed and parameters for such a calibration are
      naturally adapted to the individual sample-probehead combination.

PMID- 27262658
TI  - Determination of sunset yellow in soft drinks based on fluorescence quenching of
      carbon dots.
AB  - Fluorescent carbon dots was prepared by heating N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylene
      diaminetriacetic acid in air. The carbon dots were not only highly soluble in
      water but also uniform in size, and possessed strong blue fluorescence and
      excitation wavelength-dependent emission properties with the maximum excitation
      and emission wavelength at 366nm and 423nm, respectively. Food colorant sunset
      yellow whose excitation and emission wavelength at 303nm and 430nm could
      selectively quench the fluorescence of carbon dots, efficient fluorescent
      resonance energy transfer between the carbon dots and sunset yellow is achieved.
      This was exploited to design a method for the determination of sunset yellow in
      the concentration range from 0.3 to 8.0MUmolL(-1), with a limit of detection
      (3sigma/k) of 79.6nmolL(-1). Furthermore the fluorimetric detection method was
      established and validated for sunset yellow in soft drinks samples with
      satisfactory results.

PMID- 27262659
TI  - Enhanced spectrophotometric detection of Hg in water samples by surface plasmon
      resonance of Au nanoparticles after preconcentration with vortex-assisted liquid
      liquid microextraction.

PMID- 27262660
TI  - An easy prepared dual-channel chemosensor for selective and instant detection of
      fluoride based on double Schiff-base.
AB  - A colorimetric and fluorescent dual-channel fluoride chemosensor N,N'-bis (4
      diethylaminosalicylidene) hydrazine (sensor S) bearing two imine groups has been
      designed and synthesized. This structurally simple probe displays rapid response
      and high selectivity for fluoride over other common anions (Cl(-), Br(-), I(-),
      AcO(-), H2PO4(-), HSO4(-), ClO4(-), CN(-) and SCN(-)) in a highly polar aqueous
      DMSO solution. Mechanism studies suggested that the sensor firstly combined with
      F(-) through hydrogen bonds and then experienced the deprotonation process at
      higher concentrations of F(-) anion to the two Ar-OH groups. The detection limit
      was 5.78*10(-7)M of F(-), which points to the high detection sensitivity. Test
      strips based on sensor S were fabricated, which could act as a convenient and
      efficient F(-) test kit to detect F(-) for "in-the-field" measurement.

PMID- 27262661
TI  - A facile fluorescent chemosensor based on a water-soluble porphyrin for Mo(6+) in
      aqueous solution.
AB  - A novel water-soluble porphyrin (5,10,15,20-tetra(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-5-sulfonate)
      phenylporphyrin, H2TEHPPS) was synthesized. H2TEHPPS exhibited high sensitivity
      and selectivity towards Mo(6+). The enhanced fluorescence response of H2TEHPPS
      after titration with Mo(6+) in aqueous solution at pH3.5 was attributed to the
      formation of an inclusion complex between the porphyrin ring and Mo(6+), which
      R(2)=0.999 from 10 to 1000MUgL(-1), providing a detection limit of 1.5MUgL(-1).
      The fluorescence response of H2TEHPPS towards Mo(6+) showed excellent selectivity
      over other transition metal cations.

PMID- 27262662
TI  - Exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and proximity to the coast:
      A rural/urban perspective.
AB  - Childhood obesity is one of the 21st century's most serious global health
      challenges. Research suggests that better access to 'greenspace' (e.g. parks) may
      encourage physical activity and reduce the risk of obesity amongst children. We
      extend earlier work by considering childhood obesity in relation to proximity to
      the coast, using data from England's National Child Measurement Programme.
      Results suggest that although the overall prevalence of childhood obesity is
      slightly lower at the coast (-0.68% points comparing <1km to >20km, p<0.001), the
      relationship depends on area type. Specifically, although a coastal proximity
      gradient (lower obesity rates nearer the coast) was found for rural areas and
      smaller cities and towns, it was not present among large urban conurbations
      (interaction p-value<0.001). Coastal environments and access to them are changing
      in many areas, and research to explore potential impacts on child health is
      warranted.

PMID- 27262663
TI  - On the use of juvenile animal studies to support oncology medicine development in
      children.

PMID- 27262664
TI  - The effects of maternal smoking on pregnancy outcome and placental histopathology
      lesions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of maternal smoking on pregnancy outcome and
      placental histopathology findings. MATERIALS & METHODS: Maternal and labor
      characteristics and pathological reports were compared between term placentas of
      complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies of: heavy smokers (>10 cigarettes per
      day, H-smokers), moderate smokers (<10 cigarettes per day, M-smokers) and non
      smokers (controls, N-smokers). RESULTS: Birth-weights were lower in the H-smokers
      and M-smokers as compared to the N-smokers (p<0.001), with a higher rate of small
      for gestational age (SGA): 18.2%, 19.2% and 11.4%, respectively (p=0.01).
      Deliveries among smokers were characterized by higher rates of abnormal fetal
      heart rate tracings during labor as compared to non-smokers (p=0.01). Rates of
      placental maternal and fetal stromal-vascular supply lesions was similar between
      the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal smoking is associated with higher rates of SGA.
      Tobacco's potential influence is probably through the disruption of normal
      placental epigenetic patterns, not expressed in placental histopathology lesions.

PMID- 27262665
TI  - Clinical and Research Considerations for Patients With Hypertensive Acute Heart
      Failure: A Consensus Statement from the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine
      and the Heart Failure Society of America Acute Heart Failure Working Group.
AB  - Management approaches for patients in the emergency department (ED) who present
      with acute heart failure (AHF) have largely focused on intravenous diuretics.
      Yet, the primary pathophysiologic derangement underlying AHF in many patients is
      not solely volume overload. Patients with hypertensive AHF (H-AHF) represent a
      clinical phenotype with distinct pathophysiologic mechanisms that result in
      elevated ventricular filling pressures. To optimize treatment response and
      minimize adverse events in this subgroup, we propose that clinical management be
      tailored to a conceptual model of disease based on these mechanisms. This
      consensus statement reviews the relevant pathophysiology, clinical
      characteristics, approach to therapy, and considerations for clinical trials in
      ED patients with H-AHF. 

PMID- 27262666
TI  - Aqueous two-phase flotation for primary recovery of bacteriocin-like inhibitory
      substance (BLIS) from Pediococcus acidilactici Kp10.
AB  - An aqueous two-phase flotation (ATPF) system based on polyethylene glycol (PEG)
      and sodium citrate (NaNO3C6H5O7.2H2O) was considered for primary recovery of
      bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) from Pediococcus acidilactici Kp10.
      The effects of ATPF parameters namely phase composition, tie-line length (TLL),
      volume ratio between the two phases (VR), amount of crude load (CL), pH, nitrogen
      gas flow rate (FR) and flotation time (FT) on the performance of recovery were
      evaluated. BLIS was mainly concentrated into the upper PEG-rich phase in all
      systems tested so far. The optimum conditions for BLIS purification, which
      composed of PEG 8000/sodium citrate, were: TLL of 42.6, VR of 0.4, CL of 22%
      (w/w), pH 7, average FT of 30min and FR of 20mL/min. BLIS was partially purified
      up to 5.9-fold with a separation efficiency of 99% under this optimal conditions.
      A maximum yield of BLIS activity of about 70.3% was recovered in the PEG phase.
      The BLIS from the top phase was successfully recovered with a single band in SDS
      gel with molecular weight of about 10-15kDa. ATPF was found to be an effective
      technique for the recovery of BLIS from the fermentation broth of P. acidilactici
      Kp10. 

PMID- 27262667
TI  - Educational Placement After Pediatric Intracerebral Hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study describes educational placement of school-aged children
      after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and examines whether educational
      placement is associated with severity of neurological deficits. METHODS: Children
      with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage presenting from 2007 to 2013 were
      prospectively enrolled at three tertiary children's hospitals. The Pediatric
      Stroke Outcome Measure and parental interview gathered information about
      neurological outcome, school attendance, and educational placement. RESULTS: The
      cohort of 92 enrolled children included 42 school-aged children (6 to 17 years)
      with intracerebral hemorrhage. Four children died; one was excluded because of
      preexisting cognitive deficits. Thirty-seven children completed three-month
      follow-up, and 30 completed 12-month follow-up. At 12 months, 14 children (46.7%)
      received regular age-appropriate programming, 12 (40%) attended school with in
      class services, three (10%) were in special education programs, and one child
      (3.3%) received home-based services because of intracerebral hemorrhage-related
      deficits. Of 30 children with three- and 12-month follow-up, 14 (46.7%) improved
      their education status, 13 (43.3%) remained at the same education level, and
      three (10%) began to receive in-class services. An increasing Pediatric Stroke
      Outcome Measure score predicted the need for educational modifications at three
      months (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 7.9; P = 0.007) and at
      12 months (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 3.9; P = 0.025).
      CONCLUSIONS: Most children returned to school within a year after intracerebral
      hemorrhage, and many had a reduction in the intensity of educational support.
      However, a great need for educational services persisted at 12 months after
      intracerebral hemorrhage with fewer than half enrolled in regular age-appropriate
      classes. Worse deficits on the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure were associated
      with remedial educational placement.

PMID- 27262668
TI  - Meiofauna distribution in a mangrove forest exposed to shrimp farm effluents (New
      Caledonia).
AB  - Meiofauna abundance, biomass and individual size were studied in mangrove
      sediments subjected to shrimp farm effluents in New Caledonia. Two strategies
      were developed: i) meiofauna examination during the active (AP) and the non
      active (NAP) periods of the farm in five mangrove stands characteristics of the
      mangrove zonation along this coastline, ii) meiofauna examination every two
      months during one year in the stand the closest to the pond (i.e. Avicennia
      marina). Thirteen taxonomic groups of meiofauna were identified, with nematodes
      and copepods being the most abundant ones. Meiofauna abundance and biomass
      increased from the land side to the sea side of the mangrove probably as a result
      of the increased length of tidal immersion. Abundance of total meiofauna was not
      significantly different before and after the rearing period. However, the
      effluent-receiving mangrove presented twice the meiofauna abundance and biomass
      than the control one. Among rare taxa, mites appeared extremely sensitive to this
      perturbation. 

PMID- 27262670
TI  - [Seizure after salmon calcitonin administration: A case report].

PMID- 27262669
TI  - Identifying the drivers of abundance and size of the invasive ctenophore
      Mnemiopsis leidyi in Northwestern Mediterranean lagoons.
AB  - Acknowledged as among the worst invasive marine species, Mnemiopsis leidyi has
      spread through European Seas since the mid-1980's. Here we report a bimonthly
      survey conducted in 2010-11 in three lagoons (Bages-Sigean, Thau and Berre) and
      at two adjacent coastal stations (Sete and SOMLIT-Marseille) along the French
      Mediterranean coast. M. leidyi was present only in Berre and Bages-Sigean with
      maximum abundances observed in late summer. M. leidyi adults were present year
      round in Berre with the largest organisms (~6 cm) observed in April. In Bages
      Sigean, they occurred in sufficient abundance to be recorded by fishermen between
      August and November. Multiple linear regressions highlighted that abundance in
      both lagoons was mainly influenced by direct effects of salinity and chlorophyll
      a, and temperature to a lesser extent. While M. leidyi has not yet been recorded
      in Thau, the lagoon is continually monitored to detect the potential
      establishment of M. leidyi. 

PMID- 27262671
TI  - Amygdala electrical stimulation inducing spatial memory recovery produces an
      increase of hippocampal bdnf and arc gene expression.
AB  - Amygdala seems to promote the consolidation of plastic modification in different
      brain areas and these long-term brain changes require a rapid de novo RNA and
      protein synthesis. We have previously shown that basolateral amygdala electrical
      stimulation produces a partial recovery of spatial memory in fimbria-fornix
      lesioned animals and it is also able to increase the BDNF protein content in the
      hippocampus. The emerging question is whether these increased BDNF protein
      content arises from previously synthesized RNA or from de novo RNA expression.
      Now we address the question if amygdala electrical stimulation 15min after daily
      water maze training produces a rapid de novo RNA synthesis in the hippocampus, a
      critical brain area for spatial memory recovery in fimbria-fornix lesioned
      animals. In addition, we also study RNA arc expression, a gene which is essential
      for memory and neural plasticity processes. To this purpose, we study amygdala
      stimulation effects on the expression of plasticity related-early-genes bdnf and
      arc in the hippocampus of fimbria-fornix lesioned animals trained in a water-maze
      for 4days. We also checked on the expression of both genes in non-lesioned,
      untrained animals (acute condition) at 0.5, 1, 2 and 24h after basolateral
      amygdala electrical stimulation. Our data from trained animals confirm that daily
      amygdala electrical stimulation 15min after water maze training produces a
      partial memory recovery and that is coupled to an increase of bdnf and arc genes
      expression in the hippocampus. Additionally, the acute study shows that a single
      session of amygdala stimulation induces a transient increase of both genes
      (peaking at 30min). These results confirm the memory improving effect of amygdala
      stimulation in fimbria-fornix-lesioned animals and sustain the assumption that
      the memory improving effect is mediated by newly synthetized BDNF acting on a
      memory relevant structure like the hippocampus. The increased amount of BDNF
      within the hippocampus seems to be locally synthetized by mechanisms activated by
      the amygdala stimulation.

PMID- 27262672
TI  - Cardiac macrophages adopt profibrotic/M2 phenotype in infarcted hearts: Role of
      urokinase plasminogen activator.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Macrophages (mac) that over-express urokinase plasminogen activator
      (uPA) adopt a profibrotic M2 phenotype in the heart in association with cardiac
      fibrosis. We tested the hypothesis that cardiac macs are M2 polarized in
      infarcted mouse and human hearts and that polarization is dependent on mac
      derived uPA. METHODS: Studies were performed using uninjured (UI) or infarcted
      (MI) hearts of uPA overexpressing (SR-uPA), uPA null, or nontransgenic littermate
      (Ntg) mice. At 7days post-infarction, cardiac mac were isolated, RNA extracted
      and M2 markers Arg1, YM1, and Fizz1 measured with qrtPCR. Histologic analysis for
      cardiac fibrosis, mac and myofibroblasts was performed at the same time-point.
      Cardiac macs were also isolated from Ntg hearts and RNA collected after primary
      isolation or culture with vehicle, IL-4 or plasmin and M2 marker expression
      measured. Cardiac tissue and blood was collected from humans with ischemic heart
      disease. Expression of M2 marker CD206 and M1 marker TNFalpha was measured.
      RESULTS: Macs from WT mice had increased expression of Arg1 and Ym1 following MI
      (41.3+/-6.5 and 70.3+/-36, fold change vs UI, n=8, P<0.007). There was
      significant up-regulation of cardiac mac Arg1 and YM1 with MI in both WT and uPA
      null mice (n=4-9 per genotype and condition). Treatment with plasmin increased
      expression of Arg1 and YM1 in cultured cardiac macs. Histologic analysis revealed
      increased density of activated fibroblasts and M2 macs in SR-uPA hearts post
      infarction with associated increases in fibrosis. Cardiac macs isolated from
      human hearts with ischemic heart disease expressed increased levels of the M2
      marker CD206 in comparison to blood-derived macs (4.9+/-1.3). CONCLUSIONS:
      Cardiac macs in mouse and human hearts adopt a M2 phenotype in association with
      fibrosis. Plasmin can induce an M2 phenotype in cardiac macs. However, M2
      activation can occur in the heart in vivo in the absence of uPA indicating that
      alternative pathways to activate plasmin are present in the heart. Excess uPA
      promotes increased fibroblast density potentially via potentiating fibroblast
      migration or proliferation. Altering macrophage phenotype in the heart is a
      potential target to modify cardiac fibrosis.

PMID- 27262674
TI  - Physiological and pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
AB  - The heart must continuously pump blood to supply the body with oxygen and
      nutrients. To maintain the high energy consumption required by this role, the
      heart is equipped with multiple complex biological systems that allow adaptation
      to changes of systemic demand. The processes of growth (hypertrophy),
      angiogenesis, and metabolic plasticity are critically involved in maintenance of
      cardiac homeostasis. Cardiac hypertrophy is classified as physiological when it
      is associated with normal cardiac function or as pathological when associated
      with cardiac dysfunction. Physiological hypertrophy of the heart occurs in
      response to normal growth of children or during pregnancy, as well as in
      athletes. In contrast, pathological hypertrophy is induced by factors such as
      prolonged and abnormal hemodynamic stress, due to hypertension, myocardial
      infarction etc. Pathological hypertrophy is associated with fibrosis, capillary
      rarefaction, increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cellular
      dysfunction (impairment of signaling, suppression of autophagy, and abnormal
      cardiomyocyte/non-cardiomyocyte interactions), as well as undesirable epigenetic
      changes, with these complex responses leading to maladaptive cardiac remodeling
      and heart failure. This review describes the key molecules and cellular responses
      involved in physiological/pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

PMID- 27262673
TI  - Mitochondrial therapy improves limb perfusion and myopathy following hindlimb
      ischemia.
AB  - Critical limb ischemia is a devastating manifestation of peripheral arterial
      disease with no effective strategies for improving morbidity and mortality
      outcomes. We tested the hypothesis that cellular mitochondrial function is a key
      component of limb pathology and that improving mitochondrial function represents
      a novel paradigm for therapy. BALB/c mice were treated with a therapeutic
      mitochondrial-targeting peptide (MTP-131) and subjected to limb ischemia (HLI).
      Compared to vehicle control, MTP-131 rescued limb muscle capillary density and
      blood flow (64.7+/-11% of contralateral vs. 39.9+/-4%), and improved muscle
      regeneration. MTP-131 also increased electron transport system flux across all
      conditions at HLI day-7. In vitro, primary muscle cells exposed to experimental
      ischemia demonstrated markedly reduced (~75%) cellular respiration, which was
      rescued by MTP-131 during a recovery period. Compared to muscle cells,
      endothelial cell (HUVEC) respiration was inherently protected from ischemia (~30%
      reduction), but was also enhanced by MTP-131. These findings demonstrate an
      important link between ischemic tissue bioenergetics and limb blood flow and
      indicate that the mitochondria may be a pharmaceutical target for therapeutic
      intervention during critical limb ischemia.

PMID- 27262675
TI  - Cell sheet technology for the regeneration of gastrointestinal tissue using a
      novel gastric perforation rat model.
AB  - PURPOSE: Anastomotic leakage is a major postoperative complication. While cell
      sheet technology has been gaining popularity in the clinical field, the utility
      of cell sheets for containing contaminated enteral perforation remains unclear.
      We established a new gastric perforation rat model and evaluated the efficacy of
      the myoblast cell sheet to prevent leakage. METHODS: To establish a suitable rat
      model, perforations of various sizes were made in the stomach. We then pasted the
      sheet onto the perforated stomach in our new model. After the operation, the rats
      were sacrificed and analyzed macroscopically and histologically. Serum levels of
      C-related protein and hyaluronic acid in the peritoneal cavity washing lavage
      were also evaluated. RESULTS: An incision 5 mm in length was found to be the most
      suitable for evaluation of the cell sheet performance. In the rats where the cell
      sheet had been pasted onto the perforation site, we noted less adhesion in the
      abdominal cavity and a significant reduction in the hyaluronic acid levels in the
      peritoneal cavity washing lavage. CONCLUSIONS: We evaluated the efficacy of cell
      sheets for preventing leakage of enteral contents in a gastric perforation rat
      model. Myoblast cell sheets were able to markedly reduce the degree of both intra
      abdominal adhesion and inflammation.

PMID- 27262676
TI  - Clinical outcomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma resection following
      neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy vs. chemotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: We compared the clinical outcomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
      (PDAC) resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) vs.
      chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: The study population comprised 81 patients with UICC
      stage T3/4 PDAC, treated initially by NACRT with S-1 in 40 and by NAC with
      gemcitabine + S-1 in 41. This was followed by pancreatectomy with routine nerve
      plexus resection in 35 of the patients who had received NACRT and 32 of those who
      had received NAC. We compared the survival curves and clinical outcomes of these
      two groups. RESULTS: The rates of clinical response, surgical resectability, and
      margin-negative resection were similar. The NACRT group patients had
      significantly higher rates of Evans stage >=IIB tumors (29 vs. 0 %, respectively,
      p = 0.010) and negative lymph nodes (49 vs. 16 %, respectively, p = 0.021) than
      the NAC group patients. There was no difference in disease-free survival between
      the groups, but the disease-specific survival of the NAC group patients was
      better than that of the NACRT group patients (p = 0.034). Patients undergoing
      pancreatectomy with nerve plexus resection following NACRT had significantly
      higher rates of intractable diarrhea and ascites but consequently received
      significantly less adjuvant chemotherapy and therapeutic chemotherapy for
      relapse. CONCLUSION: NACRT followed by pancreatectomy with nerve plexus resection
      is superior for achieving local control, but postoperative diarrhea and ascites
      may prohibit continuation of adjuvant chemotherapy or chemotherapy for relapse
      (UMIN4148).

PMID- 27262677
TI  - The cryoablation of lung tissue using liquid nitrogen in gel and in the ex vivo
      pig lung.
AB  - PURPOSES: To examine the efficiency of cryoablation using liquid nitrogen in lung
      tissue, we measured the size and temperature distribution of the frozen area
      (iceball) in gel and in the ex vivo pig lungs. METHODS: Cryoprobes with diameters
      of 2.4 and 3.4 mm (2.4D and 3.4D, respectively) were used. Three temperature
      sensors were positioned at the surface of the cryoprobe and at distances of 0.5
      and 1.5 cm from the cryoprobe. The ex vivo pig lungs were perfused with 37 
      degrees C saline and inflated using ventilator to simulate in vivo lung
      conditions. RESULTS: In gel, the 2.4D and 3.4D probes made iceballs of 3.9 +/-
      0.1 and 4.8 +/- 0.3 cm in diameter, respectively, and the temperature at 1.5 cm
      from those probes reached -32 +/- 8 and -53 +/- 5  degrees C, respectively. In
      the pig lung, the 2.4D and 3.4D probes made iceballs of 5.2 +/- 0.1 and 5.5 +/-
      0.4 cm in diameter, respectively, and the temperature at 1.5 cm from these probes
      reached -49 +/- 5 and -58 +/- 3  degrees C, respectively. CONCLUSION: Liquid
      nitrogen cryoablation using both 2.4D and 3.4D probes made iceballs that were of
      sufficient size, and effective temperatures were reached in both gel and the ex
      vivo pig lung.

PMID- 27262678
TI  - Are fluoxetine's effects due to sigma-1 receptor agonism?

PMID- 27262679
TI  - The unusual pharmacokinetics of meldonium: Implications for doping.

PMID- 27262680
TI  - Pimavanserin: First Global Approval.
AB  - Pimavanserin (NuplazidTM) is a selective and potent serotonin 2A (5-HT2A)
      receptor inverse agonist and antagonist developed by ACADIA Pharmaceuticals that
      has been approved in the US as a treatment for patients with hallucinations and
      delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis. Up to 60 % of patients
      with Parkinson's disease may develop Parkinson's disease psychosis, which is
      associated with increased morbidity and mortality and has few treatment options.
      This article summarizes the milestones in the development of pimavanserin leading
      to this first approval for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions in
      patients with Parkinson's disease psychosis. 

PMID- 27262681
TI  - Emerging Roles of Adipose Progenitor Cells in Tissue Development, Homeostasis,
      Expansion and Thermogenesis.
AB  - Stem or progenitor cells are an essential component for the development,
      homeostasis, expansion, and regeneration of many tissues. Within white adipose
      tissue (WAT) reside vascular-resident adipose progenitor cells (APCs) that can
      proliferate and differentiate into either white or beige/brite adipocytes, which
      may control adiposity. Recent studies have begun to show that APCs can be
      manipulated to control adiposity and counteract 'diabesity'. However, much
      remains unknown about the identity of APCs and how they may control adiposity in
      response to homeostatic and external cues. Here, we discuss recent advances in
      our understanding of adipose progenitors and cover a range of topics, including
      the stem cell/progenitor lineage, their niche, their developmental and adult
      roles, and their role in cold-induced beige/brite adipocyte formation.

PMID- 27262682
TI  - [Implementation of Multiprofessional Teaching Units of Family and Community Care
      in Catalonia].

PMID- 27262683
TI  - CB1 receptor antagonism prevents long-term hyperexcitability after head injury by
      regulation of dynorphin-KOR system and mGluR5 in rat hippocampus.
AB  - Both endocannabinoids and dynorphin are feedback messengers in nervous system
      that act at the presynaptic nerve terminal to inhibit transmitter release. Many
      studies showed the cannabinoid-opioid cross-modulation in antinociception,
      hypothermia, sedation and reward. The aim of this study was to assess the
      influence of early application of cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor antagonism
      SR141716A after brain injury on dynorphin-kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system and
      the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in a rat model of
      fluid percussion injury (FPI). Firstly, seizure latency induced by
      pentylenetetrazole was significantly prolonged 6 weeks after brain injury in
      group of SR141716A treatment. Then, PCR and western blot showed that SR141716A
      inhibited the long-term up-regulation of CB1 receptors in hippocampus. However,
      SR141716A resulted in long-term potentiation of dynorphin release and did not
      influence the up-regulation of KOR in hippocampus after brain injury.
      Furthermore, SR141716A reverse the overexpression of mGluR5 in the late stage of
      brain injury. We propose that during the induction of epileptogenesis after brain
      injury, early application of CB1 receptor antagonism could prevent long-term
      hyperexcitability by up-regulation of dynorphin-KOR system and prevention of
      mGluR5 induced epileptogenesis in hippocampus.

PMID- 27262685
TI  - The effect of solvent grade on thin layer chromatographic analysis of writing
      inks.
AB  - The effects on the separation of writing ink dyes and the repeatability of the Rf
      values from using different grades of chemicals used in solvent system I (SSI)
      and solvent system II (SSII) for thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) ink analysis
      were studied. Solvent system I consists of a 70:35:30 mixture of ethyl acetate,
      ethanol, and water. Solvent system II consists of a 50:10:15 mixture of ethanol,
      water, and n-butanol. Since 1991, the ASTM International Guideline E 1422 has
      recommended that the purity of solvents should be "reagent grade" and that water
      quality should be "distilled or equivalent." A total of 25 blue and 25 black inks
      were selected for analysis. Thirteen of each color ink were ballpoint and the
      remainder were non-ballpoint. The observations show that there is a solvent grade
      effect on both the separation and clarity of the ink dyes and the repeatability
      of their Rf values. These results indicate that the grades and manufacturers of
      solvents used in solvent systems for thin-layer chromatography must be
      consistent. This is especially critical for searching TLC plates against those
      from a large ink library in casework. Overall, the combination of solvents that
      produced the best results for solvent system I consisted of denatured ethanol,
      HPLC grade water, and ACS grade ethyl acetate. There was no consensus for the
      best combination of solvent grades for solvent system II; however, it was shown
      that different grades did have an effect on the separation of ink components. 

PMID- 27262684
TI  - Water content of latent fingerprints - Dispelling the myth.
AB  - Changing procedures in the handling of rare and precious documents in museums and
      elsewhere, based on assumptions about constituents of latent fingerprints, have
      led the author to an examination of available data. These changes appear to have
      been triggered by one paper using general biological data regarding eccrine sweat
      production to infer that deposited fingerprints are mostly water. Searching the
      fingerprint literature has revealed a number of reference works similarly quoting
      figures for average water content of deposited fingerprints of 98% or more.
      Whilst accurate estimation is difficult there is no evidence that the residue on
      fingers could be anything like 98% water, even if there were no contamination
      from sebaceous glands. Consideration of published analytical data of real
      fingerprints, and several theoretical considerations regarding evaporation and
      replenishment rates, indicates a probable initial average water content of a
      fingerprint, soon after deposition, of 20% or less. 

PMID- 27262686
TI  - Toxicity evaluation of wastewater collected at different treatment stages from a
      pharmaceutical industrial park wastewater treatment plant.
AB  - The toxicity of water-receiving bodies, the effluent and other treatment stages
      in wastewater treatment plants has recently been of interest to the public due to
      the lack of a regulated toxicity-based index for wastewater discharge in China.
      This study aimed to evaluate the conventional pollution parameters and toxicities
      of wastewaters collected at different treatment stages from a pharmaceutical
      industrial park wastewater treatment plant through dehydrogenase activity (DHA)
      and bioluminescent bacteria (Vibrio qinghaiensis) tests. The results of an
      analysis of conventional parameters indicated that the total suspended solids
      (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen
      (NH3N), and total phosphorus (TP) were largely removed after various treatments.
      However, the TN, NH3N and COD still exceeded the regulated standards. The tested
      pharmaceutical park effluents were mainly polluted with organic pollutants and
      nitrogenous. The toxicity test results indicated that the toxicities could be
      markedly reduced after treatment, with the toxicities of two out of the six
      effluent samples at different treatment stages being greater than the influent
      toxicity. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients indicated a significantly
      positive correlation between the toxicity values obtained using the DHA and
      Vibrio qinghaiensis tests. Compared with the DHA measurement, the Vibrio
      qinghaiensis test was faster and more sensitive. Meanwhile, the toxicity
      indicators were significantly and positively correlated with the TSS, TN, TP and
      COD concentrations. These results may aid the understanding of the toxicity of
      pharmaceutical industrial park wastewaters and toxicity removal using the
      treatment techniques that are currently utilized in China. 

PMID- 27262687
TI  - Lowering detection limits for 1,2,3-trichloropropane in water using solid phase
      extraction coupled to purge and trap sample introduction in an isotope dilution
      GC-MS method.
AB  - Purge and trap sample introduction (PTI) has been the premier sampling and
      preconcentration technique for gas chromatographic determination of volatile
      organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water for almost 50 years. PTI affords sub
      parts-per-billion (ppb) detection limits for purgeable VOCs including fixed gases
      and higher boiling hydrocarbons and halocarbons. In this study the coupling of
      solid phase extraction (SPE) to PTI was investigated as a means to substantially
      increase enrichment and lower detection limits for the emerging contaminant,
      1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP). Water samples (500 mL) were dechlorinated,
      preserved with a biocide, and spiked with the isotope labeled internal standard,
      d5-TCP. The entire 500 mL sample was extracted with activated carbon or carbon
      molecular sieve SPE cartridges, and then eluted with dichloromethane -- excess
      solvent was removed in a nitrogen evaporator and diethylene glycol "keeper"
      remaining was dispersed in 5 mL of water for PTI GC-MS analysis. The experimental
      Method Detection Limit (MDL) for TCP was 0.11 ng/L (ppt) and accuracy was 95-103%
      in sub-ppt determinations. Groundwater samples including impaired California
      sources and treated water (n = 21) were analyzed with results ranging from below
      the method reporting limit (0.30 ng/L) to > 250 ng/L. Coupling of SPE with PTI
      may provide similar reductions in detection limits for other VOCs with
      appropriate physical-chemical properties. 

PMID- 27262688
TI  - Is pain sensitivity altered in people with Alzheimer's disease? A systematic
      review and meta-analysis of experimental pain research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical studies suggest people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have
      altered pain sensitivity. Experimental pain research is equivocal. OBJECTIVE:
      Conduct a meta-analysis to investigate if people with AD have altered pain
      sensitivity compared to healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: Three authors searched
      electronic databases from inception till November 2015 for experimental pain
      studies in AD vs. HCs. Outcome measures were pain threshold, tolerance, pain
      ratings, heart rate response to noxious stimuli and the Facial Action Coding
      System (FACS). Random effect meta-analysis calculating Hedges' g+/-95% confidence
      intervals (CI) was conducted. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were identified,
      including 256 people with AD (74.6 (+/-5.6) years, 59% females with a mean mini
      mental state examination (MMSE) score of 19.2) and 260 HCs. Meta-analysis
      demonstrated no significant difference in pain threshold (g=0.025, 95% CI -0.315
      0.363, p=0.88, n AD=135, n HCs=157), pain tolerance (g=-0.363, 95% CI -2.035
      1.309, p=0.67, n AD=41, n HCs=53) or pain intensity ratings (g=0.03, p=0.89, n
      AD=138, n HCs=135). Heart rate response to pain was less pronounced in AD but not
      significant (g=-0.746, p=0.11). People with AD (n=90) had significantly higher
      FACS scores versus HCs (n=109) (g=0.442, p=0.03) indicating increased pain. Meta
      regression demonstrated that an increasing percentage of AD female participants
      moderated pain threshold (p=0.02) whilst MMSE scores did not (p=0.19).
      CONCLUSION: People with AD have a greater sensitivity to pain when validated
      observer ratings of facial expressions are used. Verbal response to painful
      stimuli, even under experimental conditions, may mean pain is not identified in
      people with AD. Clinically useful observer rated pain tools may be the most
      appropriate way to assess pain in AD.

PMID- 27262689
TI  - Older adults demonstrate superior vestibular perception for virtual rotations.
AB  - Adult ageing results in a progressive loss of vestibular hair cell receptors and
      afferent fibres. Given the robustness of vestibulo-ocular and vestibular-evoked
      whole-body responses to age-related deterioration, it was proposed that the
      vestibular system compensates centrally. Here we examine the potential for
      central compensation in vestibular sensitivity with adult ageing by using a
      combination of real and virtual rotation-based psychophysical testing at two
      stimulus frequencies (0.1 & 1Hz). Real rotations activate semi-circular canal
      hair cell receptors naturally via mechanotransduction, while electrical current
      used to evoke virtual rotations does not rely on mechanical deformation of hair
      cell receptors to activate vestibular afferents. This two-pronged approach allows
      us to determine the independent effects of age-related peripheral afferent
      receptor loss and potential compensatory mechanisms. Older adults had thresholds
      for discriminating real rotations that were significantly greater than young
      adults at 0.1Hz (7.2 vs. 3 degrees /s), but the effect of age was weaker (non
      significant) at 1Hz (2.4 vs. 1.3 degrees /s). For virtual rotations, older adults
      had greater thresholds than young adults at 0.1Hz (1.2 vs. 0.5mA), however, older
      adults outperformed young adults at 1Hz (0.6 vs. 1.1mA). Based on these
      thresholds, we argue that central vestibular processing gain is enhanced in older
      adults for 1Hz real and virtual rotations, partially offsetting the negative
      impact of normal age-related hair cell receptor and primary afferent loss. We
      propose that the frequency dependence of this compensation reflects the
      physiological importance of the 1-5Hz range in natural vestibular input.

PMID- 27262691
TI  - The nature of primary consciousness. A new synthesis.
AB  - While the philosophical puzzles about "life" that once confounded biology have
      all been solved by science, much of the "mystery of consciousness" remains
      unsolved due to multiple "explanatory gaps" between the brain and conscious
      experience. One reason for this impasse is that diverse brain architectures both
      within and across species can create consciousness, thus making any single
      neurobiological feature insufficient to explain it. We propose instead that an
      array of general biological features that are found in all living things,
      combined with a suite of special neurobiological features unique to animals with
      consciousness, evolved to create subjective experience. Combining philosophical,
      neurobiological and evolutionary approaches to consciousness, we review our
      theory of neurobiological naturalism that we argue closes the "explanatory gaps"
      between the brain and subjective experience and naturalizes the "experiential
      gaps" between subjectivity and third-person observation of the brain.

PMID- 27262690
TI  - Implicit learning: A way to improve visual search in spatial neglect?
AB  - Studies have shown that neglect patients are able to use stimulus regularities to
      orient faster toward the neglected side, without necessarily being aware of that
      information, or at the very least without being able to verbalize their
      knowledge. In order to better control for the involvement of explicit processes,
      the present study sought to test neglect patients' ability to detect more complex
      associations between stimuli using tasks similar to those used in implicit
      learning studies. Our results demonstrate that neglect patients had difficulties
      implicitly learning complex associations, contrary to what we found with
      controls. The possible influence of attentional and working memory impairments
      are discussed.

PMID- 27262692
TI  - Protective effect of metformin against tuberculosis in diabetic patients.

PMID- 27262693
TI  - Mass gathering medicine (Hajj Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia): The clinical pattern
      of pneumonia among pilgrims during Hajj.
AB  - The planned annual Hajj to the holy shrines in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is
      recognized as one of the largest recurring religious mass gatherings globally,
      and the outbreak of infectious diseases is of major concern. We aim to study the
      incidence, etiology, risk factors, length of hospital stay, and mortality rate of
      pneumonia amongst pilgrims admitted to Al-Ansar general hospital, Madinah, Saudi
      Arabia during the Hajj period of December 2004-November 2013. A retrospective
      analysis of all patients diagnosed and admitted as pneumonia was done. Patients
      were assessed according to the CURB-65 scoring system and admitted to the ward or
      intensive care unit accordingly. Throat and nasopharyngeal swabs, sputum, and
      blood culture were collected prior to antibiotic treatment. 1059 patients were
      included in the study (23% of total hospital admissions and 20% of ICU
      admissions). The mean age of participants was 56.8 years, the Male:Female ratio
      was 3:1, and the lengths of stay in the ward and intensive care units were 5 and
      14.5 days, respectively. The main organisms cultured from sputum were Klebsiella
      Pneumoniae, Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Haemophilus Influenzae, Staphylococcus
      Aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and community-acquired MRSA. The mortality rate
      in the ward was 2.4%, while the rate in the ICU was 21.45%. The organisms which
      caused pneumonia were found to be different during Hajj. The usual standard
      guideline for the treatment of pneumonia was ineffective for the causative
      organisms. Therefore, specific adjustments in the guidelines are needed. All
      efforts should be made to determine the infectious agent. Healthcare workers and
      pilgrims should adhere to preventive measures.

PMID- 27262694
TI  - Development of SYN-004, an oral beta-lactamase treatment to protect the gut
      microbiome from antibiotic-mediated damage and prevent Clostridium difficile
      infection.
AB  - The gut microbiome, composed of the microflora that inhabit the gastrointestinal
      tract and their genomes, make up a complex ecosystem that can be disrupted by
      antibiotic use. The ensuing dysbiosis is conducive to the emergence of
      opportunistic pathogens such as Clostridium difficile. A novel approach to
      protect the microbiome from antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis is the use of beta
      lactamase enzymes to degrade residual antibiotics in the gastrointestinal tract
      before the microflora are harmed. Here we present the preclinical development and
      early clinical studies of the beta-lactamase enzymes, P3A, currently referred to
      as SYN-004, and its precursor, P1A. Both P1A and SYN-004 were designed as orally
      delivered, non-systemically available therapeutics for use with intravenous beta
      lactam antibiotics. SYN-004 was engineered from P1A, a beta-lactamase isolated
      from Bacillus licheniformis, to broaden its antibiotic degradation profile. SYN
      004 efficiently hydrolyses penicillins and cephalosporins, the most widely used
      IV beta-lactam antibiotics. In animal studies, SYN-004 degraded ceftriaxone in
      the GI tract of dogs and protected the microbiome of pigs from ceftriaxone
      induced changes. Phase I clinical studies demonstrated SYN-004 safety and
      tolerability. Phase 2 studies are in progress to assess the utility of SYN-004
      for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile
      disease.

PMID- 27262695
TI  - Potential involvement of serotonergic signaling in ketamine's antidepressant
      actions: A critical review.
AB  - A single i.v. infusion of ketamine, classified as an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)
      receptor antagonist, may alleviate depressive symptoms within hours of
      administration in treatment resistant depressed patients, and the antidepressant
      effect may last for several weeks. These unique therapeutic properties have
      prompted researchers to explore the mechanisms mediating the antidepressant
      effects of ketamine, but despite many efforts, no consensus on its antidepressant
      mechanism of action has been reached. Recent preclinical reports have associated
      the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) with the
      antidepressant-like action of ketamine. Here, we review the current evidence for
      a serotonergic role in ketamine's antidepressant effects. The pharmacological
      profile of ketamine may include equipotent activity on several non-NMDA targets,
      and the current hypotheses for the mechanisms responsible for ketamine's
      antidepressant activity do not appear to preclude the possibility that non
      glutamate neurotransmitters are involved in the antidepressant effects. At
      multiple levels, the serotonergic and glutamatergic systems interact, and such
      crosstalk could support the notion that changes in serotonergic neurotransmission
      may impact ketamine's antidepressant potential. In line with these prospects,
      ketamine may increase 5-HT levels in the prefrontal cortex of rats, plausibly via
      hippocampal NMDA receptor inhibition and activation of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5
      methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. In addition, a number of
      preclinical studies suggest that the antidepressant-like effects of ketamine may
      depend on endogenous activation of 5-HT receptors. Recent imaging and behavioral
      data predominantly support a role for 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B receptors, but the full
      range of 5-HT receptors has currently not been systematically investigated in
      this context. Furthermore, the nature of any 5-HT dependent mechanism in
      ketamine's antidepressant effect is currently not understood, and therefore, more
      studies are warranted to confirm this hypothesis and explore the specific
      pathways that might implicate 5-HT.

PMID- 27262696
TI  - Sex differences in femoral deformity determined using three-dimensional
      assessment for osteoarthritic knees.
AB  - PURPOSE: To characterize femoral deformities and determine sex differences in
      varus knee osteoarthritis (OA), femoral morphology and limb alignment were
      evaluated by using three-dimensional (3D) assessment, comparing healthy, elderly
      volunteers with osteoarthritic knees. METHODS: A total of 178 lower limbs of 169
      subjects with knee osteoarthritis (136 women, 33 men; mean age 74.9 +/- 5.2
      years) and 80 lower limbs of 45 healthy, elderly subjects (24 women, 21 men; mean
      age 65 +/- 4.9 years) were examined. A 3D extremity alignment assessment system
      was used to examine the subjects under weight-bearing conditions on biplanar long
      leg radiographs using a 3D-to-2D image registration technique. The evaluation
      parameters were (1) femoral bowing in the coronal plane, (2) femoral bowing in
      the sagittal plane, (3) femoral neck anteversion, (4) hip-knee-ankle angle, and
      (5) femoral torsion. RESULTS: Higher femoral lateral bowing and slightly higher
      femoral internal torsion in the proximal diaphysis were observed in women with OA
      compared with healthy subjects. No difference in the higher varus malalignment,
      no alteration in the femoral anterior bowing, and no difference in the lower
      femoral neck anteversion were found between men and women when comparing healthy
      and OA subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The higher femoral lateral bowing and slightly
      higher femoral internal torsion in the proximal diaphysis in women are possibly a
      structural adaptation to mechanical use. The clinical significance is that the
      femoral deformities and the sex differences in knee OA have the potential to
      improve the understanding of the aetiology of primary varus knee OA. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: IV.

PMID- 27262697
TI  - Early Adolescents' Unique Perspectives of Maternal and Paternal Rejection:
      Examining Their Across-Dyad Generalizability and Relations with Adjustment 1 Year
      Later.
AB  - Parental rejection is linked to deep and enduring adjustment problems during
      adolescence. This study aims to further clarify this relation by demonstrating
      what has long been posited by parental acceptance/rejection theory but never
      validated empirically-namely that adolescents' unique or subjective experience of
      parental rejection independently informs their future adjustment. Among a
      longitudinal, multi-informant sample of 161 families (early adolescents were 47 %
      female and 40 % European American) this study utilized a multitrait-multimethod
      confirmatory factor analysis to isolate for each early adolescent-parent dyad,
      the adolescent's distinct view of parental rejection (i.e., the adolescent unique
      perspective) from the portion of his or her view that overlaps with his or her
      parent's view. The findings indicated that adolescents' unique perspectives of
      maternal rejection were not differentiated from their unique perspectives of
      paternal rejection. Also, consistent with parental acceptance-rejection theory,
      early adolescents' unique perspectives of parental rejection were associated with
      worse adjustment (internalizing and externalizing) 1 year later. This study
      further demonstrates the utility and validity of the multitrait-multimethod
      confirmatory factor analysis approach for identifying and examining adolescent
      unique perspectives. Both conceptually and analytically, this study also
      integrates research focused on unique perspectives with a distinct but related
      line of research focused on discrepancies in perspectives.

PMID- 27262698
TI  - A Social Domain Approach to Informant Discrepancies in Parental Solicitation and
      Family Rules.
AB  - An extensive body of research has explored the effects of parental monitoring on
      adolescent outcomes, but studies consistently find substantial discrepancies
      between parent and adolescent reports of different monitoring behaviors. Little
      research has examined whether parents and adolescents are more or less discrepant
      when reporting on parents' rules or solicitation for different adolescent problem
      and health risk behaviors and few studies have explored potential explanatory
      variables to explicate individual variability in parent-adolescent discrepant
      reporting. To address this gap in the literature, the current study examined
      discrepancies in mother-adolescent reports of family rules and solicitation
      across five distinct adolescent behaviors: personal behaviors and four different
      risk behaviors (alcohol-related, cyber, over- and under-eating). Participants
      were 143 mother-adolescent dyads (Adolescent M age  = 14.42, SD = 1.73, range =
      12-18, 81 % white, 60 % female). Mean-level discrepancies between maternal and
      adolescent reports significantly differed by category of adolescent behavior and
      also varied as a function of reported parental monitoring behavior (rules vs.
      solicitation). Discrepancies in mother-adolescent reports of behavior-specific
      rules and solicitation were positively associated with discrepancies in mother
      and adolescent judgments of the harmfulness of the activities. The results
      demonstrate that discrepancies in mother-adolescent reports of family process
      differ by category of adolescent behavior and may be undergirded by differences
      in mother and adolescent informational assumptions about the potential harm
      involved with different activities.

PMID- 27262699
TI  - A Successful Implementation Strategy to Support Adoption of Decision Making in
      Mental Health Services.
AB  - Individual involvement in treatment decisions with providers, often through the
      use of decision support aids, improves quality of care. This study investigates
      an implementation strategy to bring decision support to community mental health
      centers (CMHC). Fifty-two CMHCs implemented a decision support toolkit supported
      by a 12-month learning collaborative using the Breakthrough Series model.
      Participation in learning collaborative activities was high, indicating
      feasibility of the implementation model. Progress by staff in meeting process
      aims around utilization of components of the toolkit improved significantly over
      time (p < .0001). Survey responses by individuals in service corroborate
      successful implementation. Community-based providers were able to successfully
      implement decision support in mental health services as evidenced by improved
      process outcomes and sustained practices over 1 year through the structure of the
      learning collaborative model.

PMID- 27262700
TI  - Biology and clinical application of CAR T cells for B cell malignancies.
AB  - Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells have generated broad interest in
      oncology following a series of dramatic clinical successes in patients with
      chemorefractory B cell malignancies. CAR therapy now appears to be on the cusp of
      regulatory approval as a cell-based immunotherapy. We review here the T cell
      biology and cell engineering research that led to the development of second
      generation CARs, the selection of CD19 as a CAR target, and the preclinical
      studies in animal models that laid the foundation for clinical trials targeting
      CD19+ malignancies. We further summarize the status of CD19 CAR clinical therapy
      for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, including their
      efficacy, toxicities (cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity and B cell
      aplasia) and current management in humans. We conclude with an overview of recent
      pre-clinical advances in CAR design that argues favorably for the advancement of
      CAR therapy to tackle other hematological malignancies as well as solid tumors. 

PMID- 27262701
TI  - The EANM practice guidelines for bone scintigraphy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The radionuclide bone scan is the cornerstone of skeletal nuclear
      medicine imaging. Bone scintigraphy is a highly sensitive diagnostic nuclear
      medicine imaging technique that uses a radiotracer to evaluate the distribution
      of active bone formation in the skeleton related to malignant and benign disease,
      as well as physiological processes. METHODS: The European Association of Nuclear
      Medicine (EANM) has written and approved these guidelines to promote the use of
      nuclear medicine procedures of high quality. CONCLUSION: The present guidelines
      offer assistance to nuclear medicine practitioners in optimizing the diagnostic
      procedure and interpreting bone scintigraphy. These guidelines describe the
      protocols that are currently accepted and used routinely, but do not include all
      existing procedures. They should therefore not be taken as exclusive of other
      nuclear medicine modalities that can be used to obtain comparable results. It is
      important to remember that the resources and facilities available for patient
      care may vary.

PMID- 27262703
TI  - A yo-yo in the heart: a rare presentation of primary cardiac sarcoma as a
      serpiginous mobile left atrioventricular mass.

PMID- 27262704
TI  - Erratum to: Unique carbohydrate binding platforms employed by the glucan
      phosphatases.

PMID- 27262702
TI  - Amyloid- and FDG-PET imaging in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to study brain metabolism and presence of beta-amyloid deposits
      using positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study included 18
      patients with definite or probable ALS according to the revised El Escorial
      diagnostic criteria, and 24 healthy controls. Patients underwent neurological and
      neuropsychological assessments, PET with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), and
      amyloid-PET with (18)F-florbetaben. RESULTS: Patients with ALS showed
      hypometabolism in the frontal area and hypermetabolism in the cerebellum compared
      to healthy controls. Four patients (22 %) displayed cognitive impairment and
      decreased metabolism in the frontal area extending bilaterally to the parietal
      regions, and increased metabolism in the posterior area of the cerebellum. In
      patients with no cognitive impairment, metabolism was lower in the left superior
      frontal gyrus and higher in the anterior and posterior lobes of the cerebellum.
      In the individual analysis, six patients (35 %) displayed more anterior
      involvement with hypometabolism affecting the superior frontal, medial, and
      inferior gyri; six patients (35 %) exhibited a more posterior pattern with
      hypometabolism in the precentral and postcentral gyri and in the superior and
      inferior parietal lobules; two patients (11 %) showed a mixed pattern; and three
      patients (17 %) showed no alterations in brain metabolism. Three (16 %) showed
      increased (18)F-florbetaben uptake compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: We have
      identified two main patterns of brain metabolism with an association to cognitive
      status. Only a subgroup of patients showed an increased uptake of the amyloid
      tracer. Our results suggest that ALS is heterogeneous from a clinical, metabolic,
      and molecular standpoint.

PMID- 27262705
TI  - Impact of TLR5 rs5744174 on stroke risk, gene expression and on inflammatory
      cytokines, and lipid levels in stroke patients.
AB  - Many studies reported that toll-like receptors (TLRs) played an important role in
      the process of ischemic stroke (IS). However, the impact of TLR5 rs5744174 on
      stroke risk, gene expression and on inflammatory cytokines, and lipid levels in
      ischemic stroke patients has not yet been reported and was therefore the subject
      of this study. In this case-control study, a total of 816 ischemic stroke
      patients and 816 healthy controls were genotyped using Sequenom MassArray
      technology. The mRNA expression of TLR5 was detected through quantitative real
      time PCR among 52 ischemic stroke patients. The levels of IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, and
      TNFalpha were measured by ELISA among 62 IS patients. Total cholesterol (TC),
      triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were determined among 816 IS patients using a
      Hitachi 7600 Automatic Biochemistry Analyzer. Our result showed TLR5 rs5744174
      polymorphism was not associated with stroke risk, TLR5 mRNA expression and
      inflammatory cytokines of IS patients (P > 0.050), but was significantly
      associated with HDL-C (recessive model: beta = - 0.14, 95 % CI: -0.24 to -0.03, P
      = 0.009). TLR5 rs5744174 polymorphism may have no impact on the stroke risk, gene
      expression and inflammatory cytokines, but may influence the HDL-C serum level of
      IS patients in Chinese Han population. 

PMID- 27262706
TI  - Effect of Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma on Burn Healing After Partial-Thickness
      Burn Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND To investigate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on tissue
      maturation and burn healing in an experimental partial-thickness burn injury
      model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups
      of 10 rats each. Group 1 (platelet-rich plasma group) was exposed to burn injury
      and topical platelet-rich plasma was applied. Group 2 (control group) was exposed
      to burn injury only. Group 3 (blood donor group) was used as blood donors for
      platelet-rich plasma. The rats were killed on the seventh day after burn injury.
      Tissue hydroxyproline levels were measured and histopathologic changes were
      examined. RESULTS Hydroxyproline levels were significantly higher in the platelet
      rich plasma group than in the control group (P=.03). Histopathologically, there
      was significantly less inflammatory cell infiltration (P=.005) and there were no
      statistically significant differences between groups in fibroblast development,
      collagen production, vessel proliferations, or epithelization. CONCLUSIONS
      Platelet-rich plasma seems to partially improve burn healing in this experimental
      burn injury model. As an initial conclusion, it appears that platelet-rich plasma
      can be used in humans, although further studies should be performed with this
      type of treatment. 

PMID- 27262707
TI  - Genetics of Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma: From Bench to Bedside.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are non-Hodgkin lymphomas
      of skin homing T cells. Although early-stage disease may be limited to the skin,
      tumor cells in later stage disease can populate the blood, the lymph nodes, and
      the visceral organs. Unfortunately, there are few molecular biomarkers to guide
      diagnosis, staging, or treatment of CTCL. Diagnosis of CTCL can be challenging
      and requires the synthesis of clinical findings, histopathology, and T cell
      clonality studies; however, none of these tests are entirely sensitive or
      specific for CTCL. Treatment of CTCL is often empiric and is not typically based
      on specific molecular alterations, as is common in other cancers. In part,
      limitations in diagnosis and treatment selection reflect the limited insight into
      the genetic basis of CTCL. Recent next-generation sequencing has revolutionized
      our understanding of the mutational landscape in this disease. These analyses
      have uncovered ultraviolet radiation and recombination activating gene (RAG)
      endonucleases as important mutagens. Furthermore, these studies have revealed
      potentially targetable oncogenic mutations in the T cell receptor complex, NF
      kappaB, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Collectively, these somatic mutations
      drive lymphomagenesis via cancer-promoting changes in proliferation, apoptosis,
      and T cell effector function. We expect that these genetic findings will launch a
      new era of precision medicine in CTCL.

PMID- 27262708
TI  - Management of High-Risk Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignancy
      in the USA, with cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) constituting
      approximately 20 % of all NMSC. While cSCCs typically behave in an indolent
      fashion and can be cured with local destructive or surgical methods, a small
      subset metastasizes and induces significant morbidity and mortality. Identifying
      and aggressively treating these "high-risk" cSCCs (HRcSCCs) is thus paramount.
      Recent improvements in staging cSCCs appear to offer better risk stratification
      than earlier staging criteria. Radiologic imaging and sentinel lymph node biopsy
      may be beneficial in certain cases of HRcSCC, although more studies are needed
      before these techniques should be uniformly incorporated into management. Surgery
      with complete margin control, such as that offered by the Mohs micrographic
      technique, represents the first-line treatment for these tumors. Radiation
      therapy is likely most beneficial in the adjuvant setting. Chemotherapy is
      typically best reserved for patients with metastatic or locally advance disease
      that is not controllable with surgical and/or radiation therapies. Newer targeted
      treatments, such as EGFR inhibitors and immunotherapies may offer greater
      efficacy in these settings, although further evaluation is needed.

PMID- 27262709
TI  - Assessment of Brain Tumor Response: RANO and Its Offspring.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Treatment options for most nervous system tumors remain
      limited and patients are often confronted with significant morbidity and reduced
      life expectancy. However, significant efforts are underway to find more effective
      therapies for patients with primary and secondary brain tumors. As more and more
      clinical trials for nervous system tumors are being conducted, it is increasingly
      important to optimize the conduct of clinical trials in neuro-oncology. One of
      the key aspects in this regard is the development of objective and standardized
      criteria that allow for accurate response assessment in clinical trials and
      prevent the misclassification of responders and non-responders. Such
      misclassification may lead to premature discontinuation of an actually effective
      agent, thereby withholding a potentially active treatment from the patient.
      Conversely, patients may be inappropriately continued on an inactive treatment.
      Moreover, such misclassification may confound the data obtained in such studies
      and may lead to false conclusions with regards to the efficacy of the
      investigated drug. Therefore, reliable response assessment criteria are necessary
      that not only accurately capture radiographic changes but also account for
      treatment-related changes and incorporate the assessment of clinical status and
      quality of life (QoL). The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) working
      group is an international collaboration of neuro-oncologists, medical
      oncologists, radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, and
      regulatory groups (among others) commissioned to develop objective and tumor
      specific response criteria for various tumor subtypes. This article reviews the
      currently available response criteria for high-grade glioma, low-grade glioma,
      and brain metastases and discusses some of the barriers to accurate assessment of
      treatment response in neuro-oncology.

PMID- 27262710
TI  - Merkel Cell Carcinoma Therapeutic Update.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive
      neuroendocrine tumor of the skin. Early-stage disease can be cured with surgical
      resection and radiotherapy (RT). Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an
      important staging tool, as a microscopic MCC is frequently identified. Adjuvant
      RT to the primary excision site and regional lymph node bed may improve
      locoregional control. However, newer studies confirm that patients with biopsy
      negative sentinel lymph nodes may not benefit from regional RT. Advanced MCC
      currently lacks a highly effective treatment as responses to chemotherapy are not
      durable. Recent work suggests that immunotherapy targeting the programmed cell
      death receptor 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) checkpoint holds
      great promise in treating advanced MCC and may provide durable responses in a
      portion of patients. At the same time, high-throughput sequencing studies have
      demonstrated significant differences in the mutational profiles of tumors with
      and without the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV). An important secondary endpoint
      in the ongoing immunotherapy trials for MCC will be determining if there is a
      response difference between the virus-positive MCC tumors that typically lack a
      large mutational burden and the virus-negative tumors that have a large number of
      somatic mutations and predicted tumor neoantigens. Interestingly, sequencing
      studies have failed to identify a highly recurrent activated driver pathway in
      the majority of MCC tumors. This may explain why targeted therapies can
      demonstrate exceptional responses in case reports but fail when treating all
      comers with MCC. Ultimately, a precision medicine approach may be more
      appropriate for treating MCC, where identified driver mutations are used to
      direct targeted therapies. At a minimum, stratifying patients in future clinical
      trials based on tumor viral status should be considered as virus-negative tumors
      are more likely to harbor activating driver mutations.

PMID- 27262712
TI  - Functional limitations in children and adolescents suffering from chronic pain:
      validation and psychometric properties of the German Functional Disability
      Inventory (FDI-G).
AB  - Our objective was to translate the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) into
      German, to evaluate its validity and to assess functional limitation in a large
      cohort of children and adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (jFMS). We
      administered several questions (e.g., sociodemographics, school-related issues)
      and questionnaires to 329 patients and one parent. The questionnaires included,
      among others, a German version of the FDI, the CHAQ (parent report), KIDSCREEN,
      tender point score (TPS), Depression Inventory for Children and Adolescents
      (DIKJ) and others. Patients were asked about the severity of pain today (NRS =
      numerical rating scale) and other symptoms. Internal consistency was evaluated
      with Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity of the FDI was evaluated by correlating
      the FDI with the questionnaires as well as with the pain and other variables,
      e.g., days missed school. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was also
      performed. Mean age was 13.9 years (SD +/-2.48). Means were for pain today 5.37
      (+/-2.39) and for the TPS 39.71 (+/-21.56). Internal consistency was alpha = .90.
      Low-to-moderate correlations were obtained between the FDI and the CHAQ (rho =
      .51**), KIDSCREEN (e.g., physical well-being rho = -.62**; peers and social
      support rho = -.28**) as well as the pain variables (NRS rho = .24**; TPS rho =
      .38**). Psychological variables were also correlated with the FDI (e.g., DIJK rho
      = .28**). An EFA suggested a two-factor solution. The FDI is a valid instrument
      for measuring functional limitations in German children and adolescents with
      jFMS. 

PMID- 27262711
TI  - Targeting the Tumor Environment in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: The survival rate for patients with advanced stages of
      squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) remains poor despite
      multimodal treatment options. Cetuximab, an anti-EGFR inhibitor, is the only FDA
      approved targeted agent for this disease. Recent findings have implicated
      modifications of the microenvironment and, consequently, phenotypical
      modifications of the cancer cell, in treatment resistance mechanisms. For many
      years, cancer research has focused mainly on targetable sites on or inside the
      cancer cell. Nowadays, in preclinical and clinical studies, a greater emphasis is
      being placed on drugs that target the tumor microenvironment. Potential targets
      relate to tumor vascularization, immunology, extracellular matrix components, or
      cancer-associated fibroblasts. The combination of these new agents with standard
      treatment options is of particular interest to overcome resistance mechanisms
      and/or to increase treatment efficacy. Whereas antiangiogenic agents show poor
      clinical activity, immunotherapy seems to be a more promising tool with an
      objective response rate (ORR) of 20 % in patients with recurrent and/or
      metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (R/M SCC). Other targets, located inside the
      extracellular matrix or on cancer associated fibroblasts, are under preclinical
      investigation. These new agents all need to be tested in clinical trials alone,
      or in combination with standard treatment modalities, based on preclinical data.
      To increase our knowledge of the complex network between the cancer cell and its
      environment, preclinical studies should consider co-culture models, and clinical
      studies should incorporate a translational research objective.

PMID- 27262713
TI  - Prevalence and predictors of unsupervised walking and physical activity in a
      community population of women with fibromyalgia.
AB  - Physical exercise is recognized as a component of the evidence-based guidelines
      for treatment of fibromyalgia. Walking is a low-moderate intensity exercise
      easily adaptable to a fibromyalgia patient's situation. The present study aims to
      estimate the prevalence of unsupervised walking for exercise in women with
      fibromyalgia, to describe their level of physical activity and to identify their
      predictors among socio-demographic, symptom perception and medical advice to
      walk. A cross-sectional survey with 920 women (all members of fibromyalgia
      associations) completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short
      Form and self-reported scales to assess symptom perception, walking, medical
      advice to walk and physical comorbidity. The prevalence of reported walking
      regularly as physical exercise was 30.8 % and it was predicted by medical advice
      (odds ratio, OR 1.876), age (OR 1.021) and fatigue intensity (OR 0.912). The
      prevalence of physical activity was 16 % for high-intensity activity, 40 % for
      moderate activity and 44 % for low activity. Predictors of low versus moderate
      and high physical activity were pain intensity (OR 1.171) and fatigue impact
      perception (OR 1.076). Evidence shows a low percentage of women with fibromyalgia
      walking regularly for physical exercise. Most reported low or moderate physical
      activity. The results indicate the importance of doctors' advice in promoting
      walking. Symptom perception and socio-demographic characteristics were weak
      predictors. Further work is required to examine other determinants of these low
      levels. 

PMID- 27262714
TI  - Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the reliability of the Thai version
      of the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS).
AB  - HOOS was developed as an extension of the Western Ontario and McMaster
      Universities' Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire for measuring symptoms and
      functional limitations related to the hip(s) of patients with osteoarthritis. To
      determine the validity and reliability of the Thai version of the Hip disability
      and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) vis-a-vis hip osteoarthritis, the
      original HOOS was translated into a Thai version of HOOS, according to
      international recommendations. Patients with hip osteoarthritis (n = 57; 25
      males) were asked to complete the Thai version of HOOS twice: once then again
      after a 3-week interval. The test-retest reliability was analyzed using the
      intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Internal consistencies were analyzed
      using Cronbach's alpha, while the construct validity was tested by comparing the
      Thai HOOS with the Thai modified SF-36 and calculating the Spearman's rank
      correlation coefficients. The Thai HOOS produced good reliability (i.e., the ICC
      was greater than 0.9 in all five subscales). All of the Cronbach's alpha showed
      that the Thai HOOS had high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha greater than
      0.8), especially for the pain and ADL subscales (0.89 and 0.90, respectively).
      The Spearman's rank correlation for all five subscales of the Thai HOOS had
      moderate correlation with the Bodily Pain subscale of the Thai SF-36. The pain
      subscale of the Thai HOOS had a high correlation with the Vitality and Social
      Function subscales of the Thai SF-36 (r = 0.55 and 0.54)-with which the symptom
      subscale had a moderate correlation. The Thai version of HOOS had excellent
      internal consistency, excellent test-retest reliability, and good construct
      validity. It can be used as a reliable tool for assessing quality of life for
      patients with hip osteoarthritis in Thailand. 

PMID- 27262715
TI  - Improvement of radio frequency (RF) heating-assisted alkaline pretreatment on
      four categories of lignocellulosic biomass.
AB  - Pretreatment plays an important role in making the cellulose accessible for
      enzyme hydrolysis and subsequent conversion because it destroys more or less
      resistance and recalcitrance of biomass. Radio frequency (RF)-assisted dielectric
      heating was utilized in the alkaline pretreatment on agricultural residues (corn
      stover), herbaceous crops (switchgrass), hardwood (sweetgum) and softwood
      (loblolly pine). Pretreatment was performed at 90  degrees C with either RF or
      traditional water bath (WB) heating for 1 h after overnight soaking in NaOH
      solution (0.2 g NaOH/g Biomass). Pretreated materials were characterized by
      chemical compositional analysis, enzyme hydrolysis, scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The glucan yields of RF
      heated four categories of hydrolysates were 89.6, 72.6, 21.7, and 9.9 %.
      Interestingly, RF heating raised glucan yield on switchgrass and sweetgum but not
      on corn stover or loblolly pine. The SEM images and FTIR spectra agreed with
      results of composition analysis and hydrolysis. GC-MS detected some compounds
      only from RF-heated switchgrass. These compounds were found by other researchers
      only in high-temperature (150-600  degrees C) and high-pressure pyrolysis
      processes. 

PMID- 27262716
TI  - 3-Chloro-1,2-propanediol biodegradation by Ca-alginate immobilized Pseudomonas
      putida DSM 437 cells applying different processes: mass transfer effects.
AB  - 3-Chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-CPD) biodegradation by Ca-alginate immobilized
      Pseudomonas putida cells was performed in batch system, continuous stirred tank
      reactor (CSTR), and packed-bed reactor (PBR). Batch system exhibited higher
      biodegradation rates and 3-CPD uptakes compared to CSTR and PBR. The two
      continuous systems (CSTR and PBR) when compared at 200 mg/L 3-CPD in the inlet
      exhibited the same removal of 3-CPD at steady state. External mass-transfer
      limitations are found negligible at all systems examined, since the observable
      modulus for external mass transfer Omega ? 1 and the Biot number Bi > 1. Intra
      particle diffusion resistance had a significant effect on 3-CPD biodegradation in
      all systems studied, but to a different extent. Thiele modulus was in the range
      of 2.5 in batch system, but it was increased at 11 when increasing cell loading
      in the beads, thus lowering significantly the respective effectiveness factor.
      Comparing the systems at the same cell loading in the beads PBR was less affected
      by internal diffusional limitations compared to CSTR and batch system, and, as a
      result, exhibited the highest overall effectiveness factor. 

PMID- 27262717
TI  - Kinetic modeling of Moorella thermoacetica growth on single and dual-substrate
      systems.
AB  - Acetic acid is an important chemical raw material that can be produced directly
      from sugars in lignocellulosic biomass. Development of kinetic models that
      capture the bioconversion dynamics of multiple sugar systems will be critical to
      optimization and process control in future lignocellulosic biorefinery processes.
      In this work, a kinetic model was developed for the single- and dual-substrate
      conversion of xylose and glucose to acetic acid using the acetogen Moorella
      thermoacetica. Batch fermentations were performed experimentally at 20 g L(-1)
      total sugar concentration using synthetic glucose, xylose, and a mixture of
      glucose and xylose at a 1:1 ratio. The product yield, calculated as total product
      formed divided by total sugars consumed, was 79.2, 69.9, and 69.7 % for
      conversion of glucose, xylose, and a mixture of glucose and xylose (1:1 ratio),
      respectively. During dual-substrate fermentation, M. thermoacetica demonstrated
      diauxic growth where xylose (the preferred substrate) was almost entirely
      consumed before consumption of glucose began. Kinetic parameters were similar for
      the single-substrate fermentations, and a strong linear correlation was
      determined between the maximum specific growth rate MU max and substrate
      inhibition constant, K s . Parameters estimated for the dual-substrate system
      demonstrated changes in the specific growth rate of both xylose and glucose
      consumption. In particular, the maximum growth rate related to glucose tripled
      compared to the single-substrate system. Kinetic growth is affected when multiple
      substrates are present in a fermentation system, and models should be developed
      to reflect these features. 

PMID- 27262719
TI  - Influent wastewater microbiota and temperature influence anaerobic membrane
      bioreactor microbial community.
AB  - Sustainable municipal wastewater recovery scenarios highlight benefits of
      anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs). However, influences of continuous
      seeding by influent wastewater and temperature on attached-growth AnMBRs are not
      well understood. In this study, four bench-scale AnMBR operated at 10 and 25
      degrees C were fed synthetic (SPE) and then real (PE) primary effluent municipal
      wastewater. Illumina sequencing revealed different bacterial communities in each
      AnMBR in response to temperature and bioreactor configuration, whereas
      differences were not observed in archaeal communities. Activity assays revealed
      hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis was the dominant methanogenic pathway at 10
      degrees C. The significant relative abundance of Methanosaeta at 10 degrees C
      concomitant with low acetoclastic methanogenic activity may indicate possible
      Methanosaeta-Geobacter direct interspecies electron transfer. When AnMBR feed was
      changed to PE, continual seeding with wastewater microbiota caused AnMBR
      microbial communities to shift, becoming more similar to PE microbiota.
      Therefore, influent wastewater microbiota, temperature and reactor configuration
      influenced the AnMBR microbial community. 

PMID- 27262718
TI  - Maleic acid treatment of biologically detoxified corn stover liquor.
AB  - Elimination of microbial and enzyme inhibitors from pretreated lignocellulose is
      critical for effective cellulose conversion and yeast fermentation of liquid hot
      water (LHW) pretreated corn stover. In this study, xylan oligomers were
      hydrolyzed using either maleic acid or hemicellulases, and other soluble
      inhibitors were eliminated by biological detoxification. Corn stover at 20% (w/v)
      solids was LHW pretreated LHW (severity factor: 4.3). The 20% solids (w/v)
      pretreated corn stover derived liquor was recovered and biologically detoxified
      using the fungus Coniochaeta ligniaria NRRL30616. After maleic acid treatment,
      and using 5 filter paper units of cellulase/g glucan (8.3mg protein/g glucan),
      73% higher cellulose conversion from corn stover was obtained for biodetoxified
      samples compared to undetoxified samples. This corresponded to 87% cellulose to
      glucose conversion. Ethanol production by yeast of pretreated corn stover solids
      hydrolysate was 1.4 times higher than undetoxified samples, with a reduction of
      3h in the fermentation lag phase. 

PMID- 27262720
TI  - Effect of light intensity on the degree of ammonia toxicity on PSII activity of
      Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris.
AB  - Herein the effect of increasing light intensity on the degree of ammonia toxicity
      and its impact on the photosynthetic performance of Arthrospira and Chlorella was
      investigated using Chl fluorescence as a technique to characterize their
      photosystem II (PSII) activity. The results revealed that the increase of light
      intensity amplifies the ammonia toxicity on PSII. Chl fluorescence transients
      shown that at a given free ammonia (FA) concentration (100mg-N/L), the
      photochemistry potential decreased by increasing light intensity. The inhibition
      of the PSII was not reversible either by re-incubating the cells under dark or
      under decreased FA concentration. Moreover, the decrease of photochemical and non
      photochemical quenching (NPQ) of fluorescence suggest that ammonia toxicity
      decreases the open available PSII centers, as well the inability of PSII to
      transfer the generated electrons beyond QA. The collapse of NPQ suggests that
      ammonia toxicity inhibits the photoprotection mechanism(s) and hence renders PSII
      more sensitive to photoinhibition. 

PMID- 27262721
TI  - Integrated biorefinery concept for grass silage using a combination of adapted
      pulping methods for advanced saccharification and extraction of lignin.
AB  - An integrated refining and pulping process for ensiled biomass from permanent
      grassland was established on laboratory scale. The liquid phase, containing the
      majority of water-soluble components, including 24% of the initial dry matter
      (DM), was first separated by mechanical pressing. The fiber fraction was
      subjected to high solid load saccharification (25% DM) to enhance the lignin
      content in the feed for subsequent organosolvation. The saccharification enzymes
      were pre-selected applying experimental design approaches. Cellulose
      convertibility was improved by a secondary pressing step during liquefaction.
      Combined saccharification and organosolvation showed high degree of saccharide
      solubilization with recovery of 98% of the glucan and 73% of the xylan from the
      fiber fraction in the hydrolysates, and enabled the recovery of 41% of the grass
      silage lignin. The effects of the treatment were confirmed by XRD and SEM
      tracking of cellulose crystallinity and fiber morphology throughout the pulping
      procedure. 

PMID- 27262722
TI  - Enhanced methane production via repeated batch bioaugmentation pattern of
      enriched microbial consortia.
AB  - Using batch and repeated batch cultivations, this study investigated the effects
      of bioaugmentation with enriched microbial consortia (named as EMC) on methane
      production from effluents of hydrogen-producing stage of potato slurry, as well
      as on the indigenous bacterial community. The results demonstrated that the
      improved methane production and shift of the indigenous bacterial community
      structure were dependent on the EMC/sludge ratio and bioaugmentation patterns.
      The methane yield and production rate in repeated batch bioaugmentation pattern
      of EMC were, respectively, average 15% and 10% higher than in one-time
      bioaugmentation pattern of EMC. DNA-sequencing approach showed that the enhanced
      methane production in the repeated batch bioaugmentation pattern of EMC mainly
      resulted from the enriched iron-reducing bacteria and the persistence of the
      introduced Syntrophomonas, which led to a rapid degradation of individual VFAs to
      methane. The findings contributed to understanding the correlation between the
      bioaugmentation of microbial consortia, community shift, and methane production. 

PMID- 27262723
TI  - Corrigendum to "Phenolic acid protects of renal damage induced by ochratoxin A in
      a 28-days-oral treatment in rats" [Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 43 (2016) 105
      111].

PMID- 27262724
TI  - N-terminal region of human ameloblastin synthetic peptide promotes bone
      formation.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 16 amino acids of the N
      terminal region of human ameloblastin (16N-AMBN) synthetic peptide, on the
      proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and bone regeneration. While
      16N-AMBN did not affect the proliferation, it induced mRNA expression of type I
      collagen, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin. 16N
      AMBN also stimulated ALP activity and promoted mineralized nodule formation. On
      the other hand, these activities were inhibited by anti-16N-AMBN antibody.
      Treatment of rat calvarial bone defects with 16N-AMBN resulted in almost complete
      healing compared to that of the control treatments. These findings suggest that
      16N-AMBN may be applicable for regeneration therapy of bone defects.

PMID- 27262725
TI  - Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Improves Paretic Limb Force Production: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) facilitates motor improvements
      post stroke. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive
      transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are representative NIBS techniques
      frequently used in stroke motor rehabilitation. Our primary question is: Do these
      two techniques improve force production capability in paretic limbs? OBJECTIVE:
      The current systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of tDCS
      and rTMS on paretic limb force production in stroke survivors. METHODS: Our
      comprehensive search identified 23 studies that reported changes in force
      production following tDCS or rTMS interventions. Each used random assignment and
      a sham control group. The 23 qualified studies in our meta-analysis generated 29
      comparisons: 14 tDCS and 15 rTMS comparisons. RESULTS: Random effects models
      indicated improvements in paretic limb force after tDCS and rTMS rehabilitation.
      We found positive effects on force production in the two sets of stimulation
      protocols: (a) increasing cortical activity in the ipsilesional hemisphere and
      (b) decreasing cortical activity in the contralesional hemisphere. Moreover,
      across acute, subacute, and chronic phases, tDCS and rTMS improved force
      production. CONCLUSION: Cumulative meta-analytic results revealed that tDCS and
      rTMS rehabilitation protocols successfully improved paretic limb force production
      capabilities.

PMID- 27262726
TI  - Re: A randomized controlled experimental study of the efficacy of platelet-rich
      plasma and hyaluronic acid for the prevention of adhesion formation in a rat
      uterine horn model.

PMID- 27262727
TI  - Delivering elsewhere between the first and second deliveries is a risk marker for
      obstetric complications in the second delivery.
AB  - PURPOSE: We speculate that parturients who deliver elsewhere between the first
      and second deliveries compose a unique clinical group, characterized by higher
      rates of cesarean section (CS) both in the first and second deliveries, compared
      with parturients who deliver both deliveries at the same hospital. METHODS: A
      retrospective study conducted at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in a tertiary
      university-affiliated hospital. The cohort included all women in the second
      delivery, aged <=24 years with a singleton pregnancy who delivered their second
      child in our medical center during 2010-2012. Parturients who delivered both the
      first and second children in our medical center ("stayers") were compared with
      parturients who delivered their first child in a different hospital
      ("switchers"). Groups were compared in regard to history of CS in the first
      delivery and obstetric complications in the second delivery, including CS,
      instrumental vaginal delivery (IVD), preterm delivery (PTD), and postpartum
      hemorrhage (PPH). Logistic regressions were constructed to study if delivering
      elsewhere between the first and second deliveries was a risk for adverse
      pregnancy outcome, followed by multivariate analysis controlling for confounders.
      RESULTS: In all, 4166 parturients were included: "stayers" = 3163 and "switchers"
      = 1003. History of CS in the first delivery was approximately twice as prevalent
      in "switchers" (12 versus 6.3 %, p < 0.000). "Switchers" experienced higher rates
      of CS: OR = 1.8 (95 % CI 1.2-2.3); IVD: OR = 1.3 (95 % CI 0.8-2.1); and PTD
      (<37w): OR = 1.4 (95 % CI 1.0-1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Parturients who deliver
      elsewhere between the first and second childbirth are at increased risk for CS
      and PTD in the second delivery; hence, the decision to deliver elsewhere after
      the first delivery should be considered as a risk marker for obstetric
      complication.

PMID- 27262728
TI  - Ocriplasmin - variable efficacy?

PMID- 27262729
TI  - Psychological impact of anti-VEGF treatments for wet macular degeneration-a
      review.
AB  - PURPOSE: To review the current literature on the psychological impact of anti
      VEGF treatments for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD), in terms of
      patients' experiences of receiving these treatments, and the impact of these
      treatments for patients' mental health and quality of life. METHODS: We
      critically analyzed current literature evaluating psychological impact of anti
      VEGF treatments for wAMD. Primary searches of PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of
      Science were conducted in July and August of 2015. We reviewed all papers on the
      topic published until August 5, 2015. RESULTS: Our literature search found 14
      papers addressing the psychological impact of anti-VEGF treatments for wAMD.
      Results highlighted potential anxieties and experiences of pain caused by
      receiving regular intravitreal injections. A positive visual outcome of anti-VEGF
      therapy is associated with positive vision-related QOL outcomes, although such
      association seems to be dependent on improvements on visual acuity. In the
      literature reviewed, patients receiving anti-VEGF treatments showed a prevalence
      rate of depression between 20 and 26 %. CONCLUSIONS: Although anti-VEGF
      treatments can cause some anxiety and being experienced as a stressful event,
      especially in the beginning of the treatment, preliminary findings suggest a
      potential benefit for long-term vision-related quality of life. Further
      longitudinal and qualitative research should bring more evidence on the positive
      and negative effects of these treatments on patients' long-term mental health.

PMID- 27262730
TI  - Estimated increase in cross-border purchases by Washington residents following
      liquor privatization and implications for alcohol consumption trends.
AB  - AIMS: To estimate changes in liquor sales occurring in Washington, USA and
      bordering states following the privatization of government controlled liquor
      stores. DESIGN: Trend analyses of data from January 2009 to October 2014 of a
      natural experiment beginning 1 June 2012, when liquor prices increased and the
      number of stores selling liquor increased in the state of Washington. Difference
      in-differences (DID) models and interrupted time-series methods were used.
      SETTING: Washington and bordering counties in Oregon and Idaho. MEASUREMENTS:
      Monthly liquor sales in 9-l cases. FINDINGS: DID model estimates of adjusted
      change in liquor sales as a result of privatization produced a cross-model
      average increase of 10.1% in Oregon and 8.2% in Idaho (both P < 0.001). Similar
      results were found using interrupted time-series. This represents a total loss to
      Washington of 89 865 l of liquor, 0.226% of total Washington sales, for June 2012
      to May 2013. Adding these sales to Washington totals for fiscal years 2013 and
      2014, we find that per-capita spirits sales were 5.80 l in both 2012 and 2013,
      declining slightly to 5.76 l in 2014. CONCLUSIONS: The privatization of liquor
      sales in the state of Washington, USA in 2012 and the price increases associated
      with this resulted in a significant increase in sales in bordering counties in
      the states of Oregon and Idaho. However, the amount of alcohol sales and revenue
      lost by Washington was relatively small. Per-capita liquor sales in Washington
      appear to have remained flat after privatization.

PMID- 27262732
TI  - Comment on Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Intrauterine Fetal Decapitation
      Secondary to Amniotic Band Sequence: A Case Report.

PMID- 27262733
TI  - The Clay Shoveler's Fracture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A clay-shoveler's fracture is a very rarely occurring stress-type
      avulsion fracture of the lower cervical or upper thoracic spinous processes owing
      its name to the clay shovelers of past times. Currently, this type of injury is
      mainly encountered in individuals practicing sports involving rotational
      movements of the upper spine. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a man sustaining
      a clay-shoveler's injury during his work in a horse-riding school. Treatment
      consisted of a period of rest and analgesics, followed by mobilization as was
      tolerated. We give a brief historical account of clay shoveler's fractures. WHY
      SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Clay-shoveler's fractures are
      frequently overlooked due to their rareness; however, they have specific clinical
      features that should alert an attending physician to set the correct diagnosis.
      This report describes a typical case of a clay-shoveler's fracture, relates to
      the historical entity of clay-shoveler's fractures, and summarizes existing
      literature on this topic.

PMID- 27262734
TI  - Neck Pain in a 12-Year-Old Female: An Unusual Diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neck pain in the pediatric population has a broad differential
      diagnosis, ranging from benign to imminently life-threatening causes. Trauma and
      infection represent the most common etiologies of pediatric neck pain in the
      pediatric emergency department (PED) setting. Malignancy, though a rare cause of
      pediatric neck pain, is important to consider in patients with acquired
      torticollis or focal neurologic signs. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a
      previously healthy 12-year-old female who presented to the PED with neck pain
      radiating down her upper extremities. The physical examination revealed
      diminished strength in her upper extremities compared to her lower extremities.
      Further evaluation revealed lymphadenopathy in the cervical and mediastinal areas
      and an epidural tumor in the cervical spinal column. The ultimate diagnosis was
      Hodgkin lymphoma presenting in an unusual manner with cervical spinal cord
      compression. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Neck pain is a
      common chief complaint among pediatric patients in the emergency setting. This
      case of spinal cord compression caused by malignancy illustrates the necessity of
      detailed spinal imaging in patients with neck pain and "red flag" signs,
      including but not limited to an abnormal neurologic examination.

PMID- 27262731
TI  - DNA Polymerases Divide the Labor of Genome Replication.
AB  - DNA polymerases synthesize DNA in only one direction, but large genomes require
      RNA priming and bidirectional replication from internal origins. We review here
      the physical, chemical, and evolutionary constraints underlying these
      requirements. We then consider the roles of the major eukaryotic replicases, DNA
      polymerases alpha, delta, and E, in replicating the nuclear genome. Pol alpha has
      long been known to extend RNA primers at origins and on Okazaki fragments that
      give rise to the nascent lagging strand. Taken together, more recent results of
      mutation and ribonucleotide incorporation mapping, electron microscopy, and
      immunoprecipitation of nascent DNA now lead to a model wherein Pol E and Pol
      delta, respectively, synthesize the majority of the nascent leading and lagging
      strands of undamaged DNA.

PMID- 27262735
TI  - Red Blood Cell Transfusion in the Emergency Department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) is the primary management of
      anemia, which affects 90% of critically ill patients. Anemia has been associated
      with a poor prognosis in various settings, including critical illness. Recent
      literature has shown a hemoglobin transfusion threshold of 7 g/dL to be safe.
      This review examines several aspects of transfusion. OBJECTIVE: We sought to
      provide emergency physicians with an updated review of indications for RBC
      transfusion in the emergency department. DISCUSSION: The standard hemoglobin
      transfusion threshold was 10 g/dL. However, the body shows physiologic
      compensatory adaptations to chronic anemia. Transfusion reactions and infections
      are rare but can have significant morbidity and mortality. Products stored for
      <21 days have the lowest risk of reaction and infection. A restrictive threshold
      of 7 g/dL is recommended in the new American Association of Blood Banks
      guidelines and multiple meta-analyses and supported in gastrointestinal bleeding,
      sepsis, critical illness, and trauma. Patients with active ischemia in acute
      coronary syndrome and neurologic injury require additional study. The physician
      must consider the patient's hemodynamic status, comorbidities, risks and benefits
      of transfusion, and clinical setting in determining the need for transfusion.
      CONCLUSIONS: RBC transfusion is not without risks, including transfusion
      reaction, infection, and potentially increased mortality. The age of transfusion
      products likely has no effect on products before 21 days of storage. A hemoglobin
      level of 7 g/dL is safe in the setting of critical illness, sepsis,
      gastrointestinal bleeding, and trauma. The clinician must evaluate and transfuse
      based on the clinical setting and patient hemodynamic status rather than using a
      specific threshold.

PMID- 27262737
TI  - Transforming veterans health care through academic-practice partnerships.
AB  - The Veterans Health Affairs Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) has invested in
      the creation of academic-practice partnerships to transform the care of veterans
      and their families. This article details how a long-standing relationship between
      the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing and the Birmingham
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center grew into such a partnership. The three programs
      that now exist within the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Nursing Academic
      Partnership (VANAP) umbrella are described, including an undergraduate VA nurse
      scholars program that has sustained beyond OAA funding, a VANAP graduate
      education program for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (NPs), and a
      Mental Health NP Residency. Key features of the programs are noted as are
      outcomes and lessons learned for building mutual goals and a sustainable academic
      practice partnership. With the recent passage of the Veterans Choice Program, the
      importance of educating all nurses about veterans and veterans' health is
      stressed.

PMID- 27262736
TI  - Structural equation modelling exploration of the key pathophysiological processes
      involved in cardiac surgery-related acute kidney injury in infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uncertainties about the pathophysiological processes resulting in
      cardiac surgery-related acute kidney injury (AKI) in infants concern the relative
      impact of the most prominent risk factors, the clinical relevance of changes in
      glomerular filtration rate vs tubular injury, and the usefulness of available
      diagnostic tools. Structural equation modelling could allow for the assessment of
      these complex relationships. METHODS: A structural model was specified using data
      from a prospective observational cohort of 200 patients <1 year of age undergoing
      cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. It included four latent variables: AKI, modelled
      as a construct of perioperative creatinine variation, of oliguria and of urine
      neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) concentrations; the
      cardiopulmonary bypass characteristics; the occurrence of a post-operative low
      cardiac output syndrome and the post-operative outcome. RESULTS: The model showed
      a good fit, and all path coefficients were statistically significant. The bypass
      was the most prominent risk factor, with a path coefficient of 0.820 (95 % CI
      0.527-0.979), translating to a 67.2 % explanation for the risk of AKI. A strong
      relationships was found between AKI and early uNGAL excretion, and between AKI
      and the post-operative outcome, with path coefficients of 0.611 (95 % CI 0.347
      0.777) and 0.741 (95 % CI 0.610-0.988), respectively. The path coefficient
      between AKI and a >50 % increase in serum creatinine was smaller, with a path
      coefficient of 0.443 (95 % CI 0.273-0.596), and was intermediate for oliguria,
      defined as urine output <0.5 ml kg(-1) h(-1), with a path coefficient of 0.495
      (95 % CI 0.250-0.864). A path coefficient of -0.229 (95 % CI -0.319 to 0.060)
      suggested that the risk of AKI during the first year of life did not increase
      with younger age at surgery. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that cardiac
      surgery-related AKI in infants is a translation of tubular injury, predominately
      driven by the cardiopulmonary bypass, and linked to early uNGAL excretion and to
      post-operative outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
      NCT01219998 . Registered 11 October 2010.

PMID- 27262738
TI  - Utilizing MOST frameworks and SMART designs for intervention research.

PMID- 27262739
TI  - Organizational climate and self-efficacy as predictors of staff strain in caring
      for dementia residents: A mediation model.
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To date, no research has investigated how the
      organizational climate of aged care influences the self-efficacy of staff in
      caring for residents with dementia, or, how self-efficacy is associated with the
      strain experienced by staff. This study sought to investigate the extent to which
      the self-efficacy of aged care staff mediates the association between
      organizational climate variables (such as autonomy, trusting and supportive
      workplace relations, and the recognition of competence and ability, and
      perceptions of workplace pressure) and staff strain. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross
      sectional survey design was implemented in which 255 residential aged care staff
      recruited across aged care facilities in Melbourne, Australia. Staff completed
      self-report measures of organizational climate, self-efficacy, and strains in
      caring for residents with dementia. RESULTS: Indirect effects analyses using
      bootstrapping indicated that self-efficacy of staff mediated the association
      between the organizational climate variables of autonomy, trust, support,
      pressure, and staff strain. IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study emphasize
      that the aged care sector needs to target organizational climate variables that
      enhance the self-efficacy of staff, and that this in turn, can help ameliorate
      the strain experienced by staff caring for residents experiencing dementia.

PMID- 27262740
TI  - Synthesis and application of poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(beta-amino ester)
      copolymers for small cell lung cancer gene therapy.
AB  - The design of polymeric nanoparticles for gene therapy requires engineering of
      polymer structure to overcome multiple barriers, including prolonged colloidal
      stability during formulation and application. Poly(beta-amino ester)s (PBAEs)
      have been shown effective as polymeric vectors for intracellular DNA delivery,
      but limited studies have focused on polymer modifications to enhance the
      stability of PBAE/DNA polyplexes. We developed block copolymers consisting of
      PBAE oligomer center units and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) end units. We
      fabricated a library of PEG-PBAE polyplexes by blending PEGylated PBAEs of
      different PEG molecular weights and non-PEGylated PBAEs of different structures
      at various mass ratios of cationic polymer to anionic DNA. Non-PEGylated PBAE
      polyplexes aggregated following a 24h incubation in acidic and physiological
      buffers, presenting a challenge for therapeutic use. In contrast, among 36 PEG
      PBAE polyplex formulations evaluated, certain polyplexes maintained a small size
      under these conditions. These selected polyplexes were further evaluated for
      transfection in human small cell lung cancer cells (H446) in the presence of
      serum, and the best formulation transfected ~40% of these hard-to-transfect cells
      while preventing polymer-mediated cytotoxicity. When PEG-PBAE polyplex delivered
      Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase plasmid in combination with the prodrug
      ganciclovir, the polyplexes killed significantly more H446 cancer cells (35%)
      compared to healthy human lung fibroblasts (IMR-90) (15%). These findings
      indicate that PEG-PBAE polyplexes can maintain particle stability without
      compromising their therapeutic function for intracellular delivery to human small
      cell lung cancer cells, demonstrate potential cancer specificity, and have
      potential as safe materials for small cell lung cancer gene therapy. STATEMENT OF
      SIGNIFICANCE: Many natural and synthetic biomaterials have been investigated as
      non-viral vectors to deliver nucleic acids for cancer therapy. However, there are
      multiple hurdles to successful transfection including achieving particle
      stability, efficient delivery to cancer cells, and low cytotoxicity. In
      particular, engineering the physicochemical surface properties of a nanoparticle
      to improve stability is often offset by a decrease in the cellular entry and
      transfection efficiency. We developed stable polymeric nanoparticles that
      demonstrate high transfection efficiency by modifying synthetic biodegradable
      cationic polymers and engineering nanoparticle formulations using a combinatorial
      approach. The results of this study show the potential of biodegradable surface
      modified polymeric nanoparticles as clinically translatable, biomaterial-based
      vehicles for cancer gene therapy.

PMID- 27262741
TI  - Vascularization of three-dimensional engineered tissues for regenerative medicine
      applications.
AB  - Engineering of three-dimensional (3D) tissues is a promising approach for
      restoring diseased or dysfunctional myocardium with a functional replacement.
      However, a major bottleneck in this field is the lack of efficient
      vascularization strategies, because tissue constructs produced in vitro require a
      constant flow of oxygen and nutrients to maintain viability and functionality.
      Compared to angiogenic cell therapy and growth factor treatment, bioengineering
      approaches such as spatial micropatterning, integration of sacrificial materials,
      tissue decellularization, and 3D bioprinting enable the generation of more
      precisely controllable neovessel formation. In this review, we summarize the
      state-of-the-art approaches to develop 3D tissue engineered constructs with
      vasculature, and demonstrate how some of these techniques have been applied
      towards regenerative medicine for treatment of heart failure. STATEMENT OF
      SIGNIFICANCE: Tissue engineering is a promising approach to replace or restore
      dysfunctional tissues/organs, but a major bottleneck in realizing its potential
      is the challenge of creating scalable 3D tissues. Since most 3D engineered
      tissues require a constant supply of nutrients, it is necessary to integrate
      functional vasculature within the tissues in order to facilitate the transport of
      nutrients. To address these needs, researchers are employing biomaterial
      engineering and design strategies to foster vessel formation within 3D tissues.
      This review highlights the state-of-the-art bioengineering tools and technologies
      to create vascularized 3D tissues for clinical applications in regenerative
      medicine, highlighting the application of these technologies to engineer
      vascularized cardiac patches for treatment of heart failure.

PMID- 27262742
TI  - An injectable silk sericin hydrogel promotes cardiac functional recovery after
      ischemic myocardial infarction.
AB  - Acute myocardial infarction (MI) leads to morbidity and mortality due to cardiac
      dysfunction. Here we identify sericin, a silk-derived protein, as an injectable
      therapeutic biomaterial for the minimally invasive MI repair. For the first time,
      sericin prepared in the form of an injectable hydrogel has been utilized for
      cardiac tissue engineering and its therapeutical outcomes evaluated in a mouse MI
      model. The injection of this sericin hydrogel into MI area reduces scar formation
      and infarct size, increases wall thickness and neovascularization, and inhibits
      the MI-induced inflammatory responses and apoptosis, thereby leading to a
      significant functional improvement. The potential therapeutical mechanisms have
      been further analyzed in vitro. Our results indicate that sericin downregulates
      pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-18) and chemokine (CCL2) and reduces
      TNF-alpha expression by suppressing the TLR4-MAPK/NF-kappaB pathways. Moreover,
      sericin exhibits angiogenic activity by promoting migration and tubular formation
      of human umbilical vessel endothelial cells (HUVECs). Also, sericin stimulates
      VEGFa expression via activating ERK phosphorylation. Further, sericin protects
      endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes from apoptosis by inhibiting the activation
      of caspase 3. Together, these diverse biochemical activities of sericin protein
      lead to a significant recovery of cardiac function. This work represents the
      first study reporting sericin as an effective therapeutic biomaterial for
      ischemic myocardial repair in vivo. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Intramyocardial
      biomaterial injection is thought to be a potential therapeutic approach to
      improve cardiac performance after ischemic myocardial infarction. In this study,
      we report the successful fabrication and in vivo application of an injectable
      sericin hydrogel for ischemic heart disease. We for the first time show that the
      injection of in situ forming crosslinked sericin hydrogel promotes heart
      functional recovery accompanied with reduced inflammatory responses, attenuated
      apoptosis and increased microvessel density in the infarcted hearts. Further, we
      reveal that the improvement in those aspects is ascribed to sericin protein's
      functional bioactivities that are comprehensively uncovered in this study. Thus,
      we identify sericin, a natural protein, as a biomaterial suitable for myocardial
      repair and demonstrate that the in vivo application of this injectable sericin
      hydrogel can be an effective strategy for treating MI.

PMID- 27262743
TI  - Frequent use of household cleaning products is associated with rhinitis in
      Chinese children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the popular use of household cleaning products worldwide,
      there is no published study investigating the health effects of these products on
      rhinitis in children. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the household use of
      cleaning products and rhinitis patterns in Chinese children. METHODS: A total of
      2299 children were recruited from 21 primary schools with wide geographic
      coverage in Hong Kong. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by
      parents/guardians to collect detailed information on respiratory symptoms and
      household use of 14 types of chemical cleaning products, as well as clean water.
      Students were categorized into 4 mutually exclusive rhinitis patterns (never,
      occasional, frequent, and persistent). The total chemical burden (TCB) score was
      used as the exposure indicator by calculating the total time of exposure to the
      14 cleaning products. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the
      relationship between rhinitis patterns and the use of household cleaning
      products. RESULTS: Every 10-unit increment of TCB score was associated with an
      increase in the odds of occasional (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.05-1.41),
      frequent (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.13-1.60), and persistent (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.01
      1.56) rhinitis after adjustment for a wide range of potential confounders.
      Compared with the children within the lowest tertile of TCB scores, the adjusted
      ORs of occasional, frequent, and persistent rhinitis in children within the
      highest tertile were 1.29 (95% CI, 1.01-1.65), 1.97 (95% CI, 1.40-2.76), and 1.67
      (95% CI, 1.10-2.54), respectively. CONCLUSION: Frequent use of chemical cleaning
      products at home is associated with an increase in the odds of rhinitis in
      Chinese primary school children.

PMID- 27262744
TI  - Synergistic effects of air pollution and psychosocial stressors on adolescent
      lung function.

PMID- 27262746
TI  - 5-lipoxygenase pathway is essential for the control of granuloma extension
      induced by Schistosoma mansoni eggs in lung.
AB  - According to WHO, it is estimated that approximately 2 billion people are
      infected with intestinal helminths worldwide and the number of people who are
      cured of these diseases is relatively low, resulting in a large percentage of
      chronically infected individuals. Schistosomiasis is one of the most important
      parasitic diseases present in developing countries configuring it as a serious
      public health problem, directly related to poverty and social disadvantage. Once
      the parasite infection is established, Schistosoma mansoni eggs fall into the
      bloodstream and are trapped in the liver microcirculation where a strong
      granulomatous response and fibrosis formation occurs. In the experimental model,
      granulomas develop in the mouse lung after intravenous injection of purified
      eggs. Here we aim to understand how leukotrienes are involved in the granuloma
      formation. Leukotrienes are lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid
      metabolites via 5-lipoxygenase (5LO) enzyme. They are potent proinflammatory
      agents and induce recruitment, cell activation, regulation of microbicidal
      activity of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells. In this study, 5LO deficient
      mice (5LO(-/-)) were inoculated with S. mansoni eggs for evaluation of
      immunopathological parameters involved in the induction of type 2 granulomas. We
      showed that in the absence of leukotrienes, the size of granulomas were decreased
      comparing to the wild type mice and the inflammatory compromised areas had a
      lower extension. In 5LO(-/-) mice granulomas presented extensive areas of
      fibrosis, detected by alpha-SMA expression along the lesions, indicating
      remodeling in attempt to reestablish the normal tissue. Also, comparing to WT
      mice we detected decrease of IL-4 and IL-13 and increase of TGF-beta in the lung
      of 5LO(-/-), but these mice failed to produce protective IFN-gamma and IL-12.
      These results evidenced 5-Lipoxygenase as an important pathway during lung injury
      due to Schistosoma-eggs injection. 

PMID- 27262745
TI  - Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium (PIDTC) update.
AB  - The Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium (PIDTC) is a collaboration of
      41 North American centers studying therapy for rare primary immune deficiency
      diseases (PIDs), including severe combined immune deficiency (SCID), Wiskott
      Aldrich syndrome (WAS), and chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). An additional 3
      European centers have partnered with the PIDTC to study CGD. Natural history
      protocols of the PIDTC analyze outcomes of treatment for rare PIDs in multicenter
      longitudinal retrospective, prospective, and cross-sectional studies. Since 2009,
      participating centers have enrolled more than 800 subjects on PIDTC protocols for
      SCID, and enrollment in the studies on WAS and CGD is underway. Four pilot
      projects have been funded, and 12 junior investigators have received fellowship
      awards. Important publications of the consortium describe the outcomes of
      hematopoietic cell transplantation for SCID during 2000-2009, diagnostic criteria
      for SCID, and the pilot project of newborn screening for SCID in the Navajo
      Nation. The PIDTC Annual Scientific Workshops provide an opportunity to
      strengthen collaborations with junior investigators, patient advocacy groups, and
      international colleagues. Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and
      Infectious Diseases and the Office of Rare Diseases Research, National Center for
      Advancing Translational Sciences, the PIDTC has recently received renewal for
      another 5 years. Here we review accomplishments of the group, projects underway,
      highlights of recent workshops, and challenges for the future.

PMID- 27262747
TI  - Metal artefact reduction algorithm for correction of bone biopsy needle artefact
      in paediatric C-arm CT images: a qualitative and quantitative assessment.

PMID- 27262748
TI  - Cystic fibrosis in Latin America-Improving the awareness.
AB  - The burden of cystic fibrosis (CF) in Latin America is being increasingly
      recognized and is significant compared with other regions of the world. In this
      short communication, we assess the current situation in some Latin American
      countries and make suggestions for possible directions for future focus. We
      discuss the work that remains in deciphering how the various genetic,
      environmental and medical factors interact and influence outcomes in different
      ethnic groups. We also consider the need for consistency in both research and
      access to services across Latin America, including CF registries, neonatal
      screening programs, access to specialized CF healthcare practitioners, transition
      to adult clinics and treatment regimens. Progress in these areas is likely to
      build on the advances to date, and improve the lives of patients in Latin America
      who are affected by this debilitating and life-limiting disorder.

PMID- 27262750
TI  - Handball Practice Enhances Bone Mass in Specific Sites Among Prepubescent Boys.
AB  - This investigation's purpose is to focus on the effects of practicing handball
      for at least 2 yr on bone acquisition among prepubescent boys. One hundred
      prepubescent boys aged 10.68 +/- 0.85 yr were divided into 2 groups: 50 handball
      players (HP group) and 50 controls (C group). Bone mineral density (BMD), bone
      mineral content (BMC), and bone area (BA) were evaluated by using dual-photon X
      ray absorptiometry on the whole body, lumbar spine (L2-L4), legs, arms, femoral
      necks, hips and radiuses. Results showed greater values of BMD in both right and
      left femoral neck and total hip in handball players than in controls. In
      addition, handball players had higher values of legs and right total hip BMC than
      controls without any obvious variation of BA measurement in all sites between
      groups. All results of the paired t-test displayed an obviously marked variation
      of bone mass parameters between the left and right sides in the trained group
      without any marked variation among controls. Data showed an increased BMD of the
      supporting sites between the left and the right leg among handball players.
      However, "BMC" results exhibited higher values in the right than in the left
      total hip, and in the right total radius than in the left correspondent site. In
      addition, differences in the "BA" measurements were observed in the left total
      hip and in the right arm. Specific bone sites are markedly stimulated by handball
      training in prepubescent boys.

PMID- 27262749
TI  - [A case of partial 1p36.1 deletion and partial trisomy 6p diagnosed by
      karyotype].
AB  - : The deletion of chromosomal region 1p36 is one of the most common sub-telomeric
      microdeletion syndromes and has distinctive dysmorphic features. On the other
      hand, partial trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 6 is a rare chromosomal
      abnormality with a variable phenotype. OBJECTIVE: To report a case with both
      chromosome abnormalities, and to highlight the importance of the karyotype as a
      diagnostic tool in dysmorphology. CLINICAL CASE: The case of is presented of a
      two month-old infant with several craniofacial anomalies, neck haemangioma,
      sacral pit, rhizomelic shortening, small hands and feet, left unilateral
      cryptorchidism, and hypotonia. The infant also suffered intrauterine growth
      restriction and is the product of the eighth pregnancy of a 28 years old woman.
      Due to the unspecific findings in phenotype, a karyotype was requested, which
      showed a partial deletion of 1p36.1 and a partial trisomy of chromosome 6.
      CONCLUSION: The development of new techniques in molecular biology has improved
      diagnostic possibilities in medical genetics. However, the traditional karyotype
      remains as an important diagnostic tool in patients with multiple congenital
      anomalies.

PMID- 27262751
TI  - Nontuberculous mycobacteria in cystic fibrosis patients on the Island of Gran
      Canaria. A population study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)
      colonization and disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      All the CF patients followed-up from 2002 to 2012 with three acid-fast bacilli
      (AFB) cultures were included. The American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria for
      NTM lung disease were applied. RESULTS: Forty-four of the 53 patients being
      followed-up were included. The mean time of follow-up was 7.0 years. A total of
      18 patients (40.9%) were NTM positive. The NTN mean annual prevalence was 14.1%.
      The risk of Mycobacterium abscessus complex was higher in the group of 10-14
      years-old (p < 0.001). Ten patients (22.7% of the entire cohort) met the ATS
      microbiological criteria. The mean annual prevalence of NTM disease was 10.4%.
      Seven patients (four with Mycobacterium simiae and three with M. abscessus
      complex) with multiple positive cultures, positive AFB smears and clinical
      worsening were treated. Three patients with M. simiae and none of those with M.
      abscessus were cured. CONCLUSIONS: Overall NTM prevalence of colonization and
      disease were high in our CF patients. Patients <15 years old had a higher risk of
      M. abscessus complex colonization. Multiple positive cultures or positive AFB
      smears were associated with disease.

PMID- 27262752
TI  - Do gallstones found before sleeve gastrectomy behave the same as those formed
      after surgery due to weight loss?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gallstone formation is prevalent in the bariatric population and
      after weight loss. We believe that gallstones found preoperatively behave
      differently and may not cause significant complications as those developing after
      weight loss. Thus, prophylactic cholecystectomy before or during sleeve
      gastrectomy (SG) may not be necessary. METHODS: Patients undergoing SG from
      January 2011 to May 2012 were evaluated for the presence of gallstones and
      development of symptoms or need for cholecystectomy postoperatively. RESULTS:
      Group 1 (n = 18) had gallstones preoperatively. Group 2 (n = 29) developed
      gallstones after weight loss. Both groups' demographics were similar. Symptomatic
      gallstones occurred in 1 patient (5.6%) in group 1 and in 9 patients (31.0%) in
      group 2 (P = .19). Percent excess body mass index loss (%EBL) was 58 +/- 24% vs
      70 +/- 22% (P = .11) with a mean follow-up of 8.9 +/- 6.2 and 14.7 +/- 3.9 months
      for group 1 and group 2, respectively (P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic
      gallstones found before SG tend to have less risk of becoming symptomatic than
      those formed after weight loss. There was no statistical significant difference
      because of small sample. Prophylactic cholecystectomy, however, may not be
      warranted in these patients.

PMID- 27262753
TI  - Outcomes of early ileocolectomy after percutaneous drainage for perforated
      ileocolic Crohn's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for an intra-abdominal abscess/infection
      secondary to perforating ileocolic Crohn's disease (PCD) is unclear. METHODS:
      Forty-seven consecutive PCD patients treated via an institutional protocol of
      ileocolectomy after a 7-day period of percutaneous abscess drainage were
      retrospectively compared with 160 consecutive patients who underwent an elective
      ileocolectomy for Crohn's disease (ECD) between 1992 and 2014. Outcomes were
      compared using univariate analysis and propensity score matching. RESULTS:
      Univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences in ileostomy rates (PCD:
      48.9% vs ECD: 18.8%; P = .001), 30-day readmissions (PCD: 38.3% vs ECD: 18.8%; P
      = .01), and overall 30-day postoperative complications (PCD: 29.8% vs ECD: 15%; P
      = .03). After matching, a statistically significant difference was retained in
      ileostomy rates (P = .02) and 30-day readmissions (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Early
      operative intervention after percutaneous drainage in perforating CD may be
      associated with a high incidence of diversions and readmissions.

PMID- 27262754
TI  - Is there value in alvimopan in minimally invasive colorectal surgery?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alvimopan's goal is to minimize postoperative ileus and optimize
      outcomes; however, evidence in laparoscopic surgery is lacking. Our goal was to
      evaluate the benefit of alvimopan in laparoscopic colorectal surgery with an
      enhanced recovery pathway (ERP). METHODS: Laparoscopic colorectal cases were
      stratified into alvimopan and control cohorts, then case-matched for
      comparability. All followed an identical ERP. The main outcomes were length of
      stay, complications, readmissions, and costs in the alvimopan and control groups.
      RESULTS: About 321 patients were analyzed in each cohort. Operative times were
      comparable (P = .08). Postoperatively, complication rates were similar (P = .29),
      with no difference in ileus (P = 1.00). The length of stay (3.69 vs 3.49 days; P
      = .16), readmission (2.8% vs 3.7%; P = .66) and reoperation rates (2.2% vs 1.6%;
      P = .77) were comparable for alvimopan and controls, respectively. Total costs
      were similar ($14,932.47 alvimopan vs $14,846.56 controls; P = .90), but the
      additional costs in the alvimopan group could translate to savings of $27,577 in
      the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Alvimopan added no benefit in patient outcomes in
      laparoscopic colorectal surgery with an ERP. These results could drive a change
      in current practice. Controlled studies are warranted to define the cost and/or
      benefit in clinical practice.

PMID- 27262755
TI  - Is a surgical approach justified for octogenarians with pancreatic carcinoma?
      Projecting surgical decision making for octogenarian patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, more elderly patients have undergone surgery for
      pancreatic cancer, although the safety and efficacy of performing complex
      pancreatic resections in patients older than 80 years remain controversial.
      METHODS: Patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent curative surgical
      treatment were divided into 2 subgroups: the younger group (<80 years) and the
      octogenarian group (>=80 years). RESULTS: From March 2005 to December 2013, 194
      consecutive surgically curable patients with diagnosed pancreatic cancer were
      studied, among which 34 (17.5%) were of 80 years or older. There were no
      significant differences in postoperative severe complication rates for younger
      and octogenarian groups (16% vs 20%, respectively) or perioperative mortality
      rates (1.3% vs .0%). The incidence of postoperative delirium in the octogenarian
      group was greater than that in the younger group (23.5% vs 3.8%). CONCLUSIONS:
      Octogenarian pancreatic cancer patients should not be denied a priori the
      opportunity for surgery, particularly if the patient represents an ideal
      candidate and if the co-operation of the family can be obtained.

PMID- 27262756
TI  - Genetic profiling of hepatocellular carcinoma using next-generation sequencing.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous disease, both clinically
      and from a molecular standpoint. The advent of next-generation sequencing
      technologies has provided new opportunities to extensively analyze molecular
      defects in HCC samples. This has uncovered major cancer driver genes and
      associated oncogenic pathways operating in HCC. More sophisticated analyses of
      sequencing data have linked specific nucleotide patterns to external toxic agents
      and defined so-called 'mutational signatures' in HCC. Molecular signatures,
      taking into account intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity, and their functional
      validation could provide useful data to predict treatment response to molecular
      therapies. In this review we will focus on the current knowledge of deep
      sequencing in HCC and its foreseeable clinical impact.

PMID- 27262757
TI  - Bone marrow-derived and resident liver macrophages display unique transcriptomic
      signatures but similar biological functions.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Kupffer cells (KCs), the resident tissue macrophages of the
      liver, play a crucial role in the clearance of pathogens and other particulate
      materials that reach the systemic circulation. Recent studies have identified KCs
      as a yolk sac-derived resident macrophage population that is replenished
      independently of monocytes in the steady state. Although it is now established
      that following local tissue injury, bone marrow derived monocytes may infiltrate
      the tissue and differentiate into macrophages, the extent to which newly
      differentiated macrophages functionally resemble the KCs they have replaced has
      not been extensively studied. METHODS: We studied the two populations of KCs
      using intravital microscopy, morphometric analysis and gene expression profiling.
      An ion homeostasis gene signature, including genes associated with scavenger
      receptor function and extracellular matrix deposition, allowed discrimination
      between these two KC sub-types. RESULTS: Bone marrow derived "KCs" accumulating
      as a result of genotoxic injury, resemble but are not identical to their yolk sac
      counterparts. Reflecting the differential expression of scavenger receptors, yolk
      sac-derived KCs were more effective at accumulating acetylated low density
      lipoprotein, whereas surprisingly, they were poorer than bone marrow-derived KCs
      when assessed for uptake of a range of bacterial pathogens. The two KC
      populations were almost indistinguishable in regard to i) response to
      lipopolysaccharide challenge, ii) phagocytosis of effete red blood cells and iii)
      their ability to contain infection and direct granuloma formation against
      Leishmania donovani, a KC-tropic intracellular parasite. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow
      derived KCs differentiate locally to resemble yolk sac-derived KC in most but not
      all respects, with implications for models of infectious diseases, liver injury
      and bone marrow transplantation. In addition, the gene signature we describe adds
      to the tools available for distinguishing KC subpopulations based on their
      ontology. LAY SUMMARY: Liver macrophages play a major role in the control of
      infections in the liver and in the pathology associated with chronic liver
      diseases. It was recently shown that liver macrophages can have two different
      origins, however, the extent to which these populations are functionally distinct
      remains to be fully addressed. Our study demonstrates that whilst liver
      macrophages share many features in common, regardless of their origin, some
      subtle differences in function exist. DATA REPOSITORY: Gene expression data are
      available from the European Bioinformatics Institute ArrayExpress data repository
      (accession number E-MTAB-4954).

PMID- 27262758
TI  - Multicentre experience using daclatasvir and sofosbuvir to treat hepatitis C
      recurrence - The ANRS CUPILT study.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: HCV recurrence remains a major issue in the liver transplant
      field, as it has a negative impact on both graft and patient survival. The
      purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of treating HCV
      recurrence with sofosbuvir (SOF) and daclatasvir (DCV) combination therapy.
      METHODS: From October 2013 to March 2015, 559 liver recipients were enrolled in
      the prospective multicentre France REcherche Nord&Sud Sida-hiv Hepatites (ANRS)
      Compassionate use of Protease Inhibitors in viral C Liver Transplantation cohort.
      We selected 137 patients with an HCV recurrence receiving SOF and DCV, whatever
      the genotype or fibrosis stage. The use of ribavirin and the duration of therapy
      were at the investigator's discretion. The primary efficacy end point was a
      sustained virological response (SVR) 12weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS:
      The SVR rate 12weeks after completing treatment was 96% under the intention-to
      treat analysis and 99% when excluding non-virological failures. Only two patients
      experienced a virological failure. The serious adverse event (SAE) rate reached
      17.5%. Four patients (3%) stopped their treatment prematurely because of SAEs.
      Anaemia was the most common AE, with significantly more cases in the ribavirin
      group (56% vs. 18%; p<0.0001). A slight but significant reduction in creatinine
      clearance was reported. No clinically relevant drug-drug interactions were noted,
      but 52% of patients required a change to the dosage of immunosuppressive drugs.
      CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with SOF plus DCV was associated with a high SVR12 and low
      rates of serious adverse events among liver recipients with HCV recurrence. LAY
      SUMMARY: The recurrence of hepatitis C used to be the first cause of graft
      failure in infected liver transplanted recipients. Our study demonstrates the
      great efficacy of one combination of new all-oral direct-acting antiviral,
      sofosbuvir and daclatasvir, to treat the recurrence of hepatitis C on the graft.
      Ninety-six per cent of recipients were cured. The safety profile of this
      combination seemed to be good, especially no relevant drug-drug interaction with
      immunosuppressive drugs.

PMID- 27262760
TI  - Exercise-Dependent Regulation of NK Cells in Cancer Protection.
AB  - Natural killer (NK) cells are the most responsive immune cells to exercise,
      displaying an acute mobilization to the circulation during physical exertion.
      Recently, exercise-dependent mobilization of NK cells was found to play a central
      role in exercise-mediated protection against cancer. Here, we review the link
      between exercise and NK cell function, focusing on circulating exercise factors
      and additional effects, including vascularization, hypoxia, and body temperature
      in mediating the effects on NK cell functionality. Exercise-dependent
      mobilization and activation of NK cells provides a mechanistic explanation for
      the protective effect of exercise on cancer, and we propose that exercise
      represents a potential strategy as adjuvant therapy in cancer, by improving NK
      cell recruitment and infiltration in solid tumors.

PMID- 27262761
TI  - Re: Zhu M, Xie Y, Zhu Y, Chai G, Li Q. A novel noninvasive three-dimensional
      volumetric analysis for fat graft survival in facial recontouring using the 3L
      and 3M technique. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2016;69(2):248-54.

PMID- 27262759
TI  - Occupation and relative risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC): A 45
      year follow-up study in 4 Nordic countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The age-adjusted incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
      (cSCC) in the Nordic countries has increased during the last 60 years, and the
      identification of occupational variation in the relative risk of cSCC may have
      preventive implications. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe variation in the
      relative risk of cSCC between occupational categories in Finland, Iceland,
      Norway, and Sweden. METHODS: This is a historical prospective cohort study based
      on record linkages between census data for 12.9 million people and cancer
      registry data from 1961 to 2005. Standardized incidence ratios for cSCC were
      estimated for 53 occupational categories with the cSCC incidence rates for the
      national population of each country used as reference. RESULTS: During follow-up,
      87,619 incident cases of cSCC were reported to the national cancer registries. In
      all countries combined, significant increased standardized incidence ratios were
      observed among seamen, military personnel, public safety workers, technical
      workers, teachers, transport workers, physicians, dentists, nurses, other health
      workers, religious workers, clerical workers, administrators, and sale agents
      (standardized incidence ratios between 1.08 and 1.77). LIMITATIONS: Information
      on occupation was based on 1 point in time only. CONCLUSION: The occupational
      variation of the relative risk of cSCC might be associated with socioeconomic
      factors, and to some extent to occupational exposures.

PMID- 27262762
TI  - Exploration of more effective neurorrhaphy in facial nerve reconstruction: A
      comparison focusing on the difference of neural window size and condition of the
      neurorrhaphy site.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Various techniques have been introduced for reconstruction of
      the facial nerve. An improved method of neurorrhaphy to achieve satisfactory
      mimetic muscle function is required. We made and compared three different
      neurorrhaphy models to elucidate the effect of neural window size and condition
      of the neurorrhaphy site on axonal regeneration. METHODS: Rats were divided into
      four groups: group A, untreated incomplete palsy; group B, treatment by end-to
      side neurorrhaphy through a small perineural window; group C, treatment by side
      to-side neurorrhaphy through a large perineural window; and group D, treatment by
      side-to-side neurorrhaphy through a small perineural window. After surgery,
      mimetic muscle movement was evaluated. Retrograde-labeled neurons through the
      facial nuclei were counted, and mimetic muscle specimens were examined. The axon
      number was counted in nerve specimens. RESULTS: The facial palsy scores of groups
      B and C were significantly greater than those of groups A and D. With regard to
      the number of neurons at the facial nuclei, groups B and C had more neurons than
      groups A and D. Group D had significantly more neurons than group A. With respect
      to the number of axons, groups B, C, and D had significantly greater numbers than
      group A, but there were no significant differences between the reconstructed
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: Window size and condition of the neurorrhaphy site, which
      affected mainly the number of axons, influenced axonal regeneration in nerve
      reconstruction. This result indicates the possibility of obtaining a better
      result for facial nerve or other peripheral nerve reconstruction with a tidbit of
      operative artifice.

PMID- 27262763
TI  - Correlation of Insurance, Race, and Ethnicity with Pathologic Risk in a
      Controlled Retinoblastoma Cohort: A Children's Oncology Group Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether insurance status, race, and ethnicity correlate
      with increased retinoblastoma invasiveness as a marker of both risk and time to
      diagnosis. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: All 203
      patients from the United States enrolled in the Children's Oncology Group (COG)
      trial ARET0332, a study of patients with unilateral retinoblastoma requiring
      enucleation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All surgical specimens underwent pathologic
      review to determine the presence of well-defined histopathologic features
      correlating with a higher risk of disease progression. Insurance status, race,
      and ethnicity were compiled from the study record for each patient. RESULTS: On
      institutional pathologic review, nonprivate insurance, nonwhite race, and
      Hispanic ethnicity all correlated significantly with a greater rate of high-risk
      pathologic findings. Hispanic ethnicity remained a significant predictor on
      multivariate analysis. On central pathologic review, these correlations remained
      but did not reach statistical significance. The differences in results from
      institutional versus central pathologic reviews appeared to be due to a higher
      likelihood of patients in minority groups of being misclassified as high risk by
      institutional pathologists. CONCLUSIONS: In this controlled study population of
      patients with retinoblastoma who had central pathologic review, our findings
      suggest a higher rate of more advanced disease associated with nonprivate
      insurance, nonwhite race, and Hispanic ethnicity; these findings may be due to
      delays in diagnosis for these groups. Future work should use direct methods to
      study the impact of other variables, including English-language proficiency and
      socioeconomic status. Further effort also should focus on where in the diagnostic
      process potential delays exist, so that interventions can be designed to overcome
      barriers to care for these groups. In addition, potential systematic differences
      in pathologic reads based on demographic variables deserve further study.

PMID- 27262764
TI  - Five-Year Graft Survival Comparing Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial
      Keratoplasty and Penetrating Keratoplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare 5-year graft survival after Descemet stripping automated
      endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in Asian eyes.
      DESIGN: Prospective, nested, cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients who
      underwent DSAEK (423 eyes) or PK (405 eyes) for Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy
      (FED) or bullous keratopathy (BK). METHODS: Clinical data and donor and recipient
      characteristics were recorded from our prospective cohort from the Singapore
      Corneal Transplant Registry. All surgeries were performed by the corneal surgeons
      at our center, which included cases performed or partially performed by corneal
      fellows in training under direct supervision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five-year
      cumulative graft survival. RESULTS: Overall mean age was 67.8+/-9.8 years, and
      50.1% of patients were men. There were no significant differences in age (P =
      0.261) or gender (P = 0.78) between PK and DSAEK groups in our predominantly
      Chinese (76.6%) Asian cohort, with more BK compared with FED (68.1% vs. 31.9%; P
      < 0.001). Overall 5-year graft survival was superior for DSAEK compared with PK
      (79.4% vs. 66.5%; P < 0.001, log-rank test). Median 5-year percent endothelial
      cell density loss was significantly greater in PK compared with DSAEK (60.9% vs.
      48.7%; P = 0.007). Cox regression analysis revealed that BK was a significant
      factor associated with graft failure (hazard ratio [HR], 3.30; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 2.05-5.33; P < 0.001), and PK was more likely to fail compared
      with endothelial keratoplasty (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.08-2.41; P = 0.02) adjusting
      for confounders such as recipient age, gender, and donor factors. Five-year
      cumulative incidence of complications such as graft rejection (P < 0.001),
      epitheliopathy (P < 0.001), suture-related corneal infections (P < 0.001), and
      wound dehiscence (P = 0.002) were greater in the PK group compared with the DSAEK
      group. CONCLUSIONS: In Asian eyes from the same study cohort with standardized
      surgical and postoperative regimes, 5-year graft survival was superior for DSAEK
      compared with PK in eyes with FED and BK.

PMID- 27262765
TI  - Fully Automated Prediction of Geographic Atrophy Growth Using Quantitative
      Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Biomarkers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a predictive model based on quantitative characteristics of
      geographic atrophy (GA) to estimate future potential regions of GA growth.
      DESIGN: Progression study and predictive model. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred
      eighteen spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of 38 eyes
      in 29 patients. METHODS: Imaging features of GA quantifying its extent and
      location, as well as characteristics at each topographic location related to
      individual retinal layer thickness and reflectivity, the presence of pathologic
      features (like reticular pseudodrusen or loss of photoreceptors), and other known
      risk factors of GA growth, were extracted automatically from 118 SD OCT scans of
      38 eyes from 29 patients collected over a median follow-up of 2.25 years. We
      developed and evaluated a model to predict the magnitude and location of GA
      growth at given future times using the quantitative features as predictors in 3
      possible scenarios. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Potential regions of GA growth.
      RESULTS: In descending order of out-of-bag feature importance, the most
      predictive SD OCT biomarkers for predicting the future regions of GA growth were
      thickness loss of bands 11 through 14 (5.66), reflectivity of bands 11 and 12
      (5.37), thickness of reticular pseudodrusen (5.01), thickness of bands 5 through
      11 (4.82), reflectivity of bands 7 through 11 (4.78), GA projection image (4.73),
      increased minimum retinal intensity map (4.59), and GA eccentricity (4.49). The
      predicted GA regions in the 3 tested scenarios resulted in a Dice index mean +/-
      standard deviation of 0.81+/-0.12, 0.84+/-0.10, and 0.87+/-0.06, respectively,
      when compared with the observed ground truth. Considering only the regions
      without evidence of GA at baseline, predicted regions of future GA growth showed
      relatively high Dice indices of 0.72+/-0.18, 0.74+/-0.17, and 0.72+/-0.22,
      respectively. Predictions and actual values of GA growth rate and future GA
      involvement in the central fovea showed high correlations. CONCLUSIONS:
      Experimental results demonstrated the potential of our predictive model to
      predict future regions where GA is likely to grow and to identify the most
      discriminant early indicator (thickness loss of bands 11 through 14) of regions
      susceptible to GA growth.

PMID- 27262766
TI  - Corneal Endothelium in Patients with Anterior Uveitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate a possible effect of intraocular inflammation on corneal
      endothelium by describing corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) and morphologic
      variables in eyes with anterior uveitis, and to investigate factors that may
      influence these findings. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational study. Observers
      were not masked. PARTICIPANTS: Volunteers with histories of unilateral or
      bilateral anterior segment inflammation (anterior, intermediate, or panuveitis);
      included were 52 patients (84 eyes with uveitis). METHODS: Endothelial cell
      density and morphologic variables of both eyes of all study participants were
      determined by specular microscopy; central corneal thickness was determined by
      ultrasound pachymetry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Central corneal ECD, coefficient of
      variability, percentage hexagonality, and central corneal thickness. RESULTS:
      Central ECD was lower among eyes that had undergone cataract or glaucoma surgery
      or both (n = 28; P = 0.0004). After exclusion of eyes with surgery, variables for
      eyes with uveitis (n = 56) were compared with 2 historical populations of normal,
      age-matched controls and with contralateral eyes in individuals with unilateral
      uveitis. Central ECD was lower in eyes with uveitis than in control eyes for all
      age groups (P <= 0.01 for four of six 10-year age intervals compared with the
      primary control group). Among patients with unilateral uveitis who had not
      undergone surgery in either eye (n = 12), central ECD was lower in eyes with
      uveitis (2324 cells/mm(2) [range, 1543-3289 cells/mm(2)]) than in contralateral
      eyes (2812.5 cells/mm(2) [range, 1887-3546 cells/mm(2)]; P = 0.0005), and
      percentage hexagonality was lower in eyes with uveitis (54% [range, 33%-66%])
      than in contralateral eyes (58.5% [range, 52%-82%]; P = 0.004). There was no
      significant difference in central corneal thickness between eyes with and without
      uveitis (P = 0.27). No eyes had clinically apparent central corneal edema.
      Relationships remained unchanged after exclusion of eyes with herpetic anterior
      uveitis. Host and disease-related characteristics were evaluated as risk factors
      for variations in outcome measures. Central ECD was correlated to the duration of
      active uveitis (r = -0.41; P < 0.0001), maximum intraocular pressure during the
      course of disease (r = -0.40; P = 0.0002), and maximum laser flare photometry
      value (r = -0.26; P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Observed relationships suggest that
      anterior segment inflammation adversely affects the corneal endothelium.
      Longitudinal studies are warranted to determine whether long-standing anterior
      uveitis increases risk of endothelial dysfunction, especially in the setting of
      intraocular surgery.

PMID- 27262768
TI  - Denoising time-resolved microscopy image sequences with singular value
      thresholding.
AB  - Time-resolved imaging in microscopy is important for the direct observation of a
      range of dynamic processes in both the physical and life sciences. However, the
      image sequences are often corrupted by noise, either as a result of high frame
      rates or a need to limit the radiation dose received by the sample. Here we
      exploit both spatial and temporal correlations using low-rank matrix recovery
      methods to denoise microscopy image sequences. We also make use of an unbiased
      risk estimator to address the issue of how much thresholding to apply in a robust
      and automated manner. The performance of the technique is demonstrated using
      simulated image sequences, as well as experimental scanning transmission electron
      microscopy data, where surface adatom motion and nanoparticle structural dynamics
      are recovered at rates of up to 32 frames per second.

PMID- 27262767
TI  - Evaluation of a novel high-resolution mapping technology for ablation of
      recurrent scar-related atrial tachycardias.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rhythmia is a new technology capable of rapid and high-resolution
      mapping. However, its potential advantage over existing technologies in mapping
      complex scar-related atrial tachycardias (ATs) has not yet been evaluated.
      OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of Rhythmia for
      mapping scar-related ATs in patients who had failed previous ablation
      procedure(s). METHODS: This multicenter study included 20 patients with recurrent
      ATs within 2 years after a previous ablation procedure (1.8 +/- 0.7 per patient).
      In all cases, the ATs could not be adequately mapped during the index procedure
      because of scar with fractionated electrograms, precluding accurate time
      annotation, frequent change in the tachycardia in response to pacing, and/or
      degeneration into atrial fibrillation. These patients underwent repeat mapping
      and ablation procedure with Rhythmia. RESULTS: From a total of 28 inducible ATs,
      24 were successfully mapped. Eighteen ATs (75%) terminated during radiofrequency
      ablation and 4 (16.6%) with catheter pressure or entrainment from the site of
      origin or isthmus. Two ATs that were mapped to the interatrial septum slowed but
      did not terminate with ablation. In 21 of 24 ATs the mechanism was macroreentry,
      while in 3 of 24 the mechanism was focal. Interestingly, in 5 patients with
      previously failed ablation of an allegedly "focal" tachycardia, high-resolution
      mapping demonstrated macroreentrant arrhythmia. The mean mapping time was 28.6 +/
      17 minutes, and the mean radiofrequency ablation time to arrhythmia termination
      was 3.2 +/- 2.6 minutes. During a mean follow-up of 7.5 +/- 3.1 months, 15 of 20
      patients (75%) were free of AT recurrences. CONCLUSION: The Rhythmia mapping
      system may be advantageous for mapping complex scar-related ATs.

PMID- 27262769
TI  - Repetitive reduction lead to significant elevated IL-6 and decreased IL-10 levels
      in femoral osteotomies: A quantitative analysis of a robot-assisted reduction
      process in a rat model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The field of robot-assisted fracture reduction has been developed
      by several research groups over more than one decade by now, with the main goals
      of increasing the fracture reduction accuracy. However, the influence of
      different reduction paths to patients' physiology is not fully known yet. The aim
      of our study was to compare the impacts of a robot-assisted direct reduction path
      versus an artificially prolonged reduction path by measuring the cytokine
      responses in an in vivo rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six male CD((c))
      rats were assigned into three groups with an external fixator and osteotomy on
      the left femur. Seven days later, the robot was attached and one group was
      reduced in a single attempt, while the other group underwent 10 attempts by the
      robot. The third group was the control group without reduction. Before, and as
      well as 6, 24 and 48h after the reduction process blood samples were collected.
      IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and MCP-1 concentrations where analysed via ELISA or
      cytometric bead assay. Muscle biopsies in the osteotomy area were collected 48h
      after the reduction process for histological analyses. Statistical significance
      was set at p<=0.05. RESULTS: Analysis of the cytokines showed that the pro
      inflammatory cytokine IL-6 of the Ten-Attempts reduction group significantly
      increased 6h after reduction compared to the control group. IL-6 further showed
      markedly elevated levels 6h after surgery in the Ten-Attempts reduction group
      compared to the Single-Attempt reduction group. On the anti-inflammatory side, IL
      10 showed a significant decrease in the Ten-Attempts reduction group 6h after
      reduction compared to the Single-Attempt reduction and control group. Muscle
      biopsies showed a significant increase of pathological changes in both reduction
      groups and an increase in the severity of bleedings of the Ten-Attempts reduction
      group compared to the Single-Attempt reduction and control group. CONCLUSION: A
      direct and gentle reduction procedure as feasible by the aid of a robot is
      preferable over a prolonged reduction in terms of cytokine response and tissue
      changes.

PMID- 27262770
TI  - Unplanned 30-day readmissions in orthopaedic trauma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: 30-day readmission is increasingly used as a hospital quality
      metric. The objective of this study was to describe the patient factors
      associated with unplanned 30-day hospital readmission of orthopaedic trauma
      patients. METHODS: A statewide observational study was undertaken using data from
      all acute hospitals in California. All hospital inpatients with a primary
      diagnosis of fracture or dislocation (ICD-9-CM codes 800-829) were included,
      except for those with isolated injuries to the skull, face, or ribs. The primary
      outcome measure was unplanned 30-day readmission to any hospital in California.
      RESULTS: 416,568 trauma admissions were available for analysis. The overall
      readmission rate was 6.5%, and 27.3% of readmitted patients presented to a
      different hospital. Factors significantly associated with readmission were male
      sex (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.19-1.27), age 46-65 (2.61 [2.27-2.99]), black race (1.19
      [1.11-1.27]), entitlement to publicly funded healthcare (1.38 [1.25-1.52]),
      Charlson Comorbidity Index >=2 (1.84 [1.79-1.90]), discharge against medical
      advice (3.13 [2.67-3.68]), and spinal fracture (1.42 [1.34-1.49]). Major reasons
      for readmission included: cardiopulmonary disease (25.6%), infections (20.1%),
      musculoskeletal problems (18.1%), and procedural complications (12.0%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Many orthopaedic trauma readmissions are potentially unrelated to
      the initial hospitalization. Penalties for unplanned readmissions risk penalizing
      hospitals that serve disadvantaged communities and treat a high proportion of
      trauma patients.

PMID- 27262771
TI  - A new technique to close open abdomen using negative pressure therapy and elastic
      gums.

PMID- 27262772
TI  - Incidence and risk factors for removal of an internal fixation following surgery
      for ankle fracture: A retrospective cohort study of 997 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Implant removal in ankle fractures treated by open reduction and
      fixation is often based on diffuse complaints. This study determined the
      incidence of implant removal and identified risk factors for two principal causes
      for removal: complaints and surgical site infection (SSI). METHODS: Retrospective
      cohort study involving 997 patients operated on 2009-2011 with follow-up through
      to 2013. The incidence of implant removal was analysed using competing risk
      analysis. Risk factors for implant removal were assessed using cause-specific
      hazard ratios (HRs) from a Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age at
      surgery was 51.6 years, 550 (55%) of the patients were female, and 170 patients
      (17%) had implant removal: 144 due to complaints and 26 due to infection.
      Multivariable HRs for implant removal due to complaints were 0.70 for male sex
      (p=0.047), 0.79 for each 10-year increase in age (p<0.001), 0.70 for treatment
      with a syndesmosis screw (p=0.038), and 1.09 for each 15-min increase in
      operation duration (p=0.007). HRs for hardware removal due to infection were 1.42
      for each 10-year increase in age (p=0.006) and 3.15 for current smoking
      (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: In total 17% of patients had implant removal after open
      reduction and fixation; the majority because of subjective complaints. The risk
      factors for implant removal were different for removal due to complaints than for
      those removed due to infection. This information may be used to inform patients
      about the risk and risk factors for future implant removal.

PMID- 27262773
TI  - Efficacy of knee joint aspiration in patients with acute ACL injury in the
      emergency department.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of joint aspiration on the sensitivity of
      physical examination for diagnosing acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lesion
      in the second outpatient-department (OPD) follow-up referred from emergency
      department (ED). METHODS: This retrospective study included sixty patients
      underwent ACL reconstruction with initial visit at ED. They were divided into two
      groups based on the presence or absence of joint aspiration at ED. All
      participants were referred to second OPD follow-up within 7-14days after the
      injury. Clinical manifestation (including visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain,
      range of motion (ROM), and severity of knee effusion) and physical examination
      (Lachman test and pivot shift test) were checked in ED and the second OPD follow
      up. RESULTS: The group of patients with joint aspiration (G1) showed substantial
      decreases in mean values of VAS for pain (p=0.005), ROM (p=0.001), and effusion
      level (p<0.001), even higher VAS and effusion level and lower ROM at the initial
      visit of ED than the other group (G2). The sensitivity of positive Lachman and
      pivot shift test was significantly (p<0.05) increased following knee joint
      aspiration. Positive Lachman test was recorded at 76.5% in the second follow-up
      in G1, which was significantly (p=0.047) higher than that (47.6%) in G2. The
      percentage of positive pivot shift test was recorded at 76.5% in the second
      follow-up in G1, which as significantly (p<0.001) higher than that (31.0%) in G2.
      CONCLUSIONS: Knee joint aspiration in acute ACL injury with suspected
      hemarthrosis could be considered as a diagnostic procedure. Joint aspiration in
      early medical attendance might be able to lower pain scores or raise the
      sensitivity of physical examination for diagnosing acute ACL injury at follow up
      visit in orthopedic outpatient department. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective
      cohort study III.

PMID- 27262774
TI  - Treatment of dysphasia with rTMS and language therapy after childhood stroke:
      Multimodal imaging of plastic change.
AB  - Expressive dysphasia accompanies left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG/Broca) injury.
      Recovery may relate to interhemispheric balance with homologous, contralesional
      IFG but is unexplored in children. We evaluated effects of inhibitory rTMS to
      contralesional IFG combined with intensive speech therapy (SLT). A 15year-old,
      right-handed male incurred a left middle cerebral artery stroke. After 30months,
      severe non-fluent dysphasia impacted quality of life. Language networks, neuronal
      metabolism and white matter pathways were explored using MRI. Language function
      was measured longitudinally. An intensive SLT program was combined with
      contralesional inhibitory rTMS of right pars triangularis. Procedures were well
      tolerated. Language function improved persisting to four months. Post-treatment
      fMRI demonstrated increased left perilesional IFG activations and connectivity at
      rest. Bilateral changes in inositol and glutamate metabolism were observed.
      Contralesional, inhibitory rTMS appears safe in childhood stroke-induced
      dysphasia. We observed clinically significant improvements after SLT coupled with
      rTMS. Advanced neuroimaging can evaluate intervention-induced plasticity.

PMID- 27262775
TI  - Clinical effectiveness of bisphosphonates for the prevention of fragility
      fractures: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the relative efficacy of bisphosphonates (alendronate,
      risedronate, ibandronate and zoledronic acid) for the treatment of osteoporosis
      using network meta-analysis (NMA). METHODS: A systematic review of the literature
      was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. A network meta-analysis was used to
      determine the relative efficacy of treatments on four fracture outcomes
      (vertebral, non-vertebral, hip and wrist) and percentage change in femoral neck
      bone mineral density (BMD). Treatment effects were modelled using an exchangeable
      treatment effects model. Heterogeneity in treatment effects was explored by
      considering potential treatment effect modifiers using meta-regression. Where
      appropriate, inconsistency between direct and indirect evidence was assessed
      using node-splitting. RESULTS: 46 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were
      identified. Twenty seven RCTs provided fracture data and 35 RCTs provided BMD
      data for analysis. Zoledronic acid was associated with the greatest treatment
      effect on vertebral fractures (HR 0.41, 95% CrI: 0.28, 0.56) and percentage
      change in BMD (3.21, 95%: CrI 2.52, 3.86) compared to placebo. The greatest
      treatment effect on non-vertebral and wrist fractures was given by risedronate
      (HR 0.72, 95%: CrI 0.53, 0.89 and HR 0.77, 95%: CrI 0.44, 1.24, respectively).
      For hip fractures the greatest treatment effect was given by alendronate (HR
      0.78, 95% CrI: 0.44, 1.30). CONCLUSIONS: All treatments examined were associated
      with beneficial effects on fractures and femoral neck BMD relative to placebo.
      For vertebral fractures and percentage change in femoral neck BMD the treatment
      effects were statistically significant for all treatments. Pairwise comparisons
      between treatments indicated that no active treatment was statistically
      significantly more effective than any other active treatment for fracture
      outcomes. There was some heterogeneity in treatment effects between studies
      suggesting differential treatment effects according to study characteristics;
      however, there was no evidence of differential treatment effects with respect to
      gender and age.

PMID- 27262777
TI  - Rictor/mTORC2 loss in osteoblasts impairs bone mass and strength.
AB  - Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a Ser/Thr kinase conserved through
      evolution that coordinates extra cellular signals associated with cell growth.
      Main functions of mTOR present in the form of two complexes, namely mTORC1 and
      mTORC2, which are distinct in their unique components, raptor and rictor. In the
      current study, using a Cre/loxp system, we found an anabolic effect of mTORC2
      signaling on skeleton. Osteoblast differentiation was reduced, with down
      regulation of mTORC2 signaling activity in primary cultures of osteoblasts that
      did not contain rictor. Mice with a specific deletion of rictor in mature
      osteoblasts showed a significant reduction in lean mass and bone mineral density
      by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry analysis. Micro-computed tomography,
      histomorphometric, and molecular biological analyses revealed a marked impairment
      of the cortical bone mass and microarchitecture, as well as minor changes in
      trabecular bone, of the Rictorob(-/-) mice. Cortical bone mass and thickness of
      the femoral mid-shaft were dramatically reduced, with unusual increases in
      porosity and marrow area in Rictorob(-/-) mice. Thinner trabeculae were found in
      the L4 vertebrae with relatively normal structural indices of trabecular numbers
      and separation. A lower rate of bone turnover was observed, as the consequence of
      the decreased individual osteoblast activity and bone resorption. Furthermore,
      these changes were associated with significantly decreased bone biomechanical
      properties. In conclusion, expression of rictor in osteoblasts is essential for
      the maintenance of normal bone remodeling and microarchitecture, especially for
      the maintenance of the cortical bone.

PMID- 27262778
TI  - P2 receptors in cancer progression and metastatic spreading.
AB  - Tumor microenvironment is nucleoside and nucleotide rich. Adenosine is a key
      determinant of the highly immunosuppressive tumor interstitium. Extracellular ATP
      also affects anti-tumor immunity, albeit its effects on host-tumor interaction
      are incompletely understood. We give here an overview of recent literature
      covering the role of nucleotide-selective (P2) plasma membrane receptors in tumor
      growth and progression. P2 receptors are expressed on both host and cancer cells,
      where depending on the receptor subtype, the inflammatory infiltrate and the
      tumor cell type they may drive an anti-tumor response or promote tumor
      progression. It is anticipated that knowledge of the pharmacology, biochemistry
      and functional activity of the P2 receptors will allow a better understanding of
      host-tumor interaction and the development of innovative anti-cancer therapy.

PMID- 27262776
TI  - Low intensity vibration mitigates tumor progression and protects bone quantity
      and quality in a murine model of myeloma.
AB  - Myeloma facilitates destruction of bone and marrow. Since physical activity
      encourages musculoskeletal preservation we evaluated whether low-intensity
      vibration (LIV), a means to deliver mechanical signals, could protect bone and
      marrow during myeloma progression. Immunocompromised-mice (n=25) were injected
      with human-myeloma cells, while 8 (AC) were saline-injected. Myeloma-injected
      mice (LIV; n=13) were subjected to daily-mechanical loading (15min/d; 0.3g @
      90Hz) while 12 (MM) were sham-handled. At 8w, femurs had 86% less trabecular bone
      volume fraction (BV/TV) in MM than in AC, yet only a 21% decrease in LIV was
      observed in comparison to AC, reflecting a 76% increase versus MM. Cortical BV
      was 21% and 15% lower in MM and LIV, respectively, than in AC; LIV showing 30%
      improvement over MM. Similar outcomes were observed in the axial skeleton,
      showing a 35% loss in MM with a 27% improved retention of bone in the L5 of LIV
      treated mice as compared to MM. Transcortical-perforations in the femur from
      myeloma-induced osteolysis were 9* higher in MM versus AC, reduced by 57% in LIV.
      Serum-TRACP5b, 61% greater in MM versus AC, rose by 33% in LIV compared to AC, a
      45% reduction in activity when compared to MM. Histomorphometric analyses of
      femoral trabecular bone demonstrated a 70% elevation in eroded surfaces of MM
      versus AC, while measures in LIV were 58% below those in MM. 72% of marrow in the
      femur of MM mice contained tumor, contrasted by a 31% lower burden in LIV. MM
      mice (42%) presented advanced-stage necrosis of tibial marrow while present in
      just 8% of LIV. Myeloma infiltration inversely correlated to measures of bone
      quality, while LIV slowed the systemic, myeloma-associated decline in bone
      quality and inhibited tumor progression through the hindlimbs.

PMID- 27262780
TI  - Genetically Informed Medicine.

PMID- 27262779
TI  - YAP/TAZ as therapeutic targets in cancer.
AB  - The biology and regulation of YAP and TAZ, two closely related transcriptional
      regulators, are receiving increasing attention owing to their fundamental roles
      in organ growth, tissue repair and cancer. In particular, the widespread
      activation of YAP/TAZ in carcinomas, and the crucial role of YAP/TAZ activation
      for many 'hallmarks' of cancer are indicating YAP/TAZ as prime targets for
      designing anti-cancer drugs. Here, we start from the known modalities to regulate
      YAP/TAZ to highlight possible routes of therapeutic intervention.

PMID- 27262782
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants After
      Cardioversion for Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are proven alternatives to
      vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for the prevention of thromboembolism in patients
      with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. However, there are few data on the efficacy
      and safety of NOAC therapy after cardioversion, where the risk of thromboembolic
      events is heightened. METHODS: We performed a random-effects meta-analysis of
      patients who underwent both electrical and pharmacologic cardioversion for atrial
      fibrillation in the RE-LY, ROCKET-AF, ARISTOTLE, ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48, and X-VeRT
      trials. We assessed Mantel-Haenszel pooled estimates of risk ratio (RR) and 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs) for stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding at
      <=42 days of follow-up. RESULTS: The analysis pooled 3949 patients in whom a
      total of 4900 cardioversions for atrial fibrillation were performed. Compared
      with VKAs, NOAC therapy was associated with a similar risk of stroke/systemic
      embolism (RR 0.84; 95% CI, 0.34-2.04) and major bleeding (RR 1.12; 95% CI, 0.52
      2.42); no significant statistical heterogeneity was found among studies (Cochrane
      Q P = .59, I(2) = 0% for stroke/systemic embolism; P = .47; I(2) = 0% for major
      bleeding). CONCLUSIONS: The short-term incidences of thromboembolic and major
      hemorrhagic events after cardioversion on NOACs were low and comparable to those
      observed on dose-adjusted VKA therapy. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants are a
      reasonable alternative to VKAs in patients undergoing cardioversion.

PMID- 27262781
TI  - Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibition and Lower 30-Day All-Cause Readmission in
      Medicare Beneficiaries with Heart Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heart failure is the leading cause for 30-day all-cause readmission,
      the reduction of which is a goal of the Affordable Care Act. There is a growing
      interest in understanding the impact of evidence-based heart failure therapy on
      30-day all-cause readmission. In the current study, we examined the impact of
      angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI
      ARBs) on 30-day all-cause readmission in heart failure. METHODS: Of the 1384
      hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure and left ventricular
      ejection fraction <45% discharged alive from 106 Alabama hospitals (1998-2001)
      without prior ACEI-ARB use and without known contraindications to ACEI-ARB use;
      734 received new predischarge prescriptions for these drugs. Using propensity
      scores for ACEI-ARB initiation, we assembled a matched cohort of 477 pairs of
      patients balanced on 32 baseline characteristics (mean age 75 years, 46% women,
      26% African American). RESULTS: Thirty-day all-cause readmissions occurred in 18%
      and 24% of matched patients receiving and not receiving ACEI-ARBs, respectively
      (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.97; P = .030). ACEI
      ARB use was also associated with lower risk of 30-day all-cause mortality (HR
      0.56; 95% CI, 0.33-0.98; P = .041) and of the combined endpoint of 30-day all
      cause readmission or 30-day all-cause mortality (HR 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56-0.94; P =
      .017). All associations remained significant at 1 year post discharge.
      CONCLUSIONS: Among hospitalized patients with heart failure and reduced ejection
      fraction, the use of ACEI-ARBs was associated with a significantly lower risk of
      30-day all-cause readmission and 30-day all-cause mortality; both beneficial
      associations persisted during long-term follow-up.

PMID- 27262783
TI  - Comparing glutamatergic neuron population in the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus of
      genetic absence epilepsy rats from strasbourg (GAERS) and normal control Wistar
      rats.
AB  - An imbalance between GABAergic inhibition and glutamatergic excitation is
      suspected to play a role in the genesis of epileptic processes. In the present
      study we quantified the number of glutamate+ve neurons in the mediodorsal
      thalamic nucleus (MD) of genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS)
      and compared these with values for normal Wistar rats. The MD thalamic nucleus
      was removed from each animal and the glutamatergic neurons were labelled using
      light-microscopy glutamate immunohistochemistry. The disector method was used to
      quantify the glutamate+ve neurons in the MD thalamic nucleus of GAERS and Wistar
      rats. The data were statistically analyzed. In the Wistar animals glutamate+ve
      neurons formed 89% and in GAERS 92.3% of the total neurons in 1000MUm3 of MD
      thalamic nucleus. In GAERS glutamate+ve neurons showed statistically significant
      increase in the MD thalamic nucleus compared to Wistar animals. In Wistar animals
      the glutamate-ve neurons formed 11% and in GAERS 7.7% of the total neurons in
      1000MUm3 of MD thalamic. No significant difference was observed in glutamate-ve
      neurons between the two strains. The average diameter of glutamate+ve neurons
      showed no significance, while glutamate-ve neurons were significant between the
      two strains. The results of the present study, on genetic absence epilepsy model,
      GAERS, confirms the role of MD thalamic nucleus in chemically induced absence
      epilepsy.

PMID- 27262784
TI  - Consumptive water footprint and virtual water trade scenarios for China - With a
      focus on crop production, consumption and trade.
AB  - The study assesses green and blue water footprints (WFs) and virtual water (VW)
      trade in China under alternative scenarios for 2030 and 2050, with a focus on
      crop production, consumption and trade. We consider five driving factors of
      change: climate, harvested crop area, technology, diet, and population. Four
      scenarios (S1-S4) are constructed by making use of three of IPCC's shared socio
      economic pathways (SSP1-SSP3) and two of IPCC's representative concentration
      pathways (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5) and taking 2005 as the baseline year. Results show
      that, across the four scenarios and for most crops, the green and blue WFs per
      tonne will decrease compared to the baseline year, due to the projected crop
      yield increase, which is driven by the higher precipitation and CO2 concentration
      under the two RCPs and the foreseen uptake of better technology. The WF per
      capita related to food consumption decreases in all scenarios. Changing to the
      less-meat diet can generate a reduction in the WF of food consumption of 44% by
      2050. In all scenarios, as a result of the projected increase in crop yields and
      thus overall growth in crop production, China will reverse its role from net VW
      importer to net VW exporter. However, China will remain a big net VW importer
      related to soybean, which accounts for 5% of the WF of Chinese food consumption
      (in S1) by 2050. All scenarios show that China could attain a high degree of food
      self-sufficiency while simultaneously reducing water consumption in agriculture.
      However, the premise of realizing the presented scenarios is smart water and
      cropland management, effective and coherent policies on water, agriculture and
      infrastructure, and, as in scenario S1, a shift to a diet containing less meat.

PMID- 27262786
TI  - Propelling plastics into the circular economy - weeding out the toxics first.
AB  - The Stockholm Convention bans toxic chemicals on its persistent organic
      pollutants (POPs) list in order to promote cleaner production and prevent POPs
      accumulation in the global environment. The original 'dirty dozen' set of POPs
      has been expanded to include some of the brominated diphenyl ether flame
      retardants (POP-BDEs). In addition to cleaner production, there is an urgent need
      for increased resource efficiency to address the finite amount of raw materials
      on Earth. Recycling plastic enhances resource efficiency and is part of the
      circular economy approach, but how clean are the materials we are recycling? With
      the help of a new screening method and detailed analyses, we set out to
      investigate where these largely obsolete BDEs were showing up in Dutch automotive
      and electronics waste streams, calculate mass flows and determine to what extent
      they are entering the new product chains. Our study revealed that banned BDEs and
      other toxic flame retardants are found at high concentrations in certain plastic
      materials destined for recycling markets. They were also found in a variety of
      new consumer products, including children's toys. A mass flow analysis showed
      that 22% of all the POP-BDE in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
      is expected to end up in recycled plastics because these toxic, bioaccumulative
      and persistent substances are currently not effectively separated out of plastic
      waste streams. In the automotive sector, this is 14%, while an additional 19% is
      expected to end up in second-hand parts (reuse). These results raise the issue of
      delicate trade-offs between consumer safety/cleaner production and resource
      efficiency. As petroleum intensive materials, plastic products ought to be
      repaired, reused, remanufactured and recycled, making good use of the 'inner
      circles' of the circular economy. Keeping hazardous substances - whether they are
      well known POPs or emerging contaminants - out of products and plastic waste
      streams could make these cycles work better for businesses, people and nature.

PMID- 27262787
TI  - Two new cyclopentenones and a new furanone from Baeckea frutescens and their
      cytotoxicities.
AB  - Two new cyclopentenones, frutescencenones A (1) and B (2), and a new furanone
      derivative, frutescencenone C (3), together with two known cyclopentenones (4 and
      5), were isolated from the leaves of Baeckea frutescens. Their structures were
      deduced by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, and
      HREIMS data. Frutescencenone A (1) showed moderate growth inhibitory activity
      against human lung A549, pancreatic PSN-1, and breast MDA-MB-231 cancer cell
      lines, with IC50 values of 36.3MUM, 38.2MUM, and 29.3MUM, respectively. In
      contrast, frutescencenone C (3) showed selective cytotoxic activity against PSN
      1, with an IC50 value of 20.1MUM. 

PMID- 27262785
TI  - Polymorphisms in ATP-binding cassette transporters associated with maternal
      methylmercury disposition and infant neurodevelopment in mother-infant pairs in
      the Seychelles Child Development Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters have been associated with
      methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity in experimental animal models. AIMS: To evaluate
      the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in maternal ABC
      transporter genes with 1) maternal hair MeHg concentrations during pregnancy and
      2) child neurodevelopmental outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nutrition Cohort 2
      (NC2) is an observational mother-child cohort recruited in the Republic of
      Seychelles from 2008-2011. Total mercury (Hg) was measured in maternal hair
      growing during pregnancy as a biomarker for prenatal MeHg exposure (N=1313) (mean
      3.9ppm). Infants completed developmental assessments by Bayley Scales of Infant
      Development II (BSID-II) at 20months of age (N=1331). Genotyping for fifteen SNPs
      in ABCC1, ABCC2 and ABCB1 was performed for the mothers. RESULTS: Seven of
      fifteen ABC SNPs (ABCC1 rs11075290, rs212093, and rs215088; ABCC2 rs717620; ABCB1
      rs10276499, rs1202169, and rs2032582) were associated with concentrations of
      maternal hair Hg (p<0.001 to 0.013). One SNP (ABCC1 rs11075290) was also
      significantly associated with neurodevelopment; children born to mothers with
      rs11075290 CC genotype (mean hair Hg 3.6ppm) scored on average 2 points lower on
      the Mental Development Index (MDI) and 3 points lower on the Psychomotor
      Development Index (PDI) than children born to mothers with TT genotype (mean hair
      Hg 4.7ppm) while children with the CT genotype (mean hair Hg 4.0ppm) had
      intermediate BSID scores. DISCUSSION: Genetic variation in ABC transporter genes
      was associated with maternal hair Hg concentrations. The implications for MeHg
      dose in the developing child and neurodevelopmental outcomes need to be further
      investigated.

PMID- 27262788
TI  - Melatonin protects female rats against steatosis and liver oxidative stress
      induced by oestrogen deficiency.
AB  - AIMS: Melatonin has been shown to protect cells against oxidative and
      inflammatory damage via endocrine, paracrine and autocrine actions.
      Postmenopausal condition is associated with a high incidence of many features of
      metabolic syndrome including obesity, steatosis and liver oxidative injuries. The
      aim of this work was to investigate whether treatment with melatonin improves
      metabolic disturbances associated with oestrogen deficiency in ovariectomised
      (OVX) rats. MAIN METHODS: OVX and control (CON) female rats were treated with
      melatonin (10mg/kg*day for 3weeks, p.o.). Body weight gain, adiposity index,
      plasma biochemical parameters, liver lipid content, hepatic mitochondrial
      respiration, fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial H2O2 generation and the
      activity of the most important enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) scavenger systems were measured. KEY FINDINGS: In OVX rats,
      melatonin suppressed lipid accumulation and cellular oxidative stress in the
      liver. There was a reduction in the levels of carbonylated proteins in the
      mitochondria and cytosol, reduction in the malondialdehyde contents in the liver
      homogenates, stimulation of cytosolic glutathione peroxidase and glutathione
      reductase activities and restoration of reduced glutathione contents to normal
      levels. SIGNIFICANCE: Exogenous melatonin protects the liver of OVX rats against
      steatosis and cellular oxidative stress, possibly via activation of antioxidant
      enzymes related to glutathione metabolism and by a direct radical scavenging
      activity.

PMID- 27262789
TI  - The Third Tomoh Masaki Award (2015).

PMID- 27262791
TI  - Introduction.

PMID- 27262790
TI  - Lycium barbarum polysaccharides ameliorates renal injury and inflammatory
      reaction in alloxan-induced diabetic nephropathy rabbits.
AB  - AIMS: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of Lycium barbarum
      polysaccharides (LBP) on renal function and inflammatory reaction in rabbits with
      diabetic nephropathy. MAIN METHODS: Diabetes was induced by injecting alloxan
      (ALX). Japanese male white rabbits were randomly assigned into 5 groups: normal
      control group, diabetic nephropathy (DN) model group, LBP prevention group,
      positive control group and LBP treatment group. LBP (10mg/kg) was given to the
      LBP prevention group after diabetes mellitus (DM) model succeeded for 12weeks and
      to the LBP treatment group after DN model succeeded for 4weeks. Telmisartan
      (3.7mg/kg) was given to the positive group after DN model succeeded for 4weeks,
      and the same volume of balanced saline was given to the normal group and DN group
      for 12weeks. Urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (SCr), and C-reaction protein (CRP)
      in serum were detected at the end of the 12th week. The expression of MCP-1 mRNA
      and ICAM-1 mRNA extracted from cortex were detected by RT-PCR. Western blot
      analysis was carried out to examine NF-kappaB p65 protein expression. KEY
      FINDINGS: LBP improves the renal function and alleviates the inflammatory
      reaction in the kidneys of diabetic rabbits. In addition, the prevention effect
      of LBP is better than the treatment effect of LBP. SIGNIFICANCE: LBP has obvious
      protective effect on the diabetic nephropathy rabbits' renal function and
      postpones the appearance and development of DN. The mechanisms may be related to
      the reduction the expression of MCP-1mRNA and ICAM-1mRNA by restraining the
      expression of NF-kappaB and AngII.

PMID- 27262792
TI  - Mechanisms of NF-kappaB deregulation in lymphoid malignancies.
AB  - Deregulations promoting constitutive activation of canonical and non-canonical NF
      kappaB signaling are a common feature of many lymphoid malignancies. Due to their
      cellular origin and the pivotal role of NF-kappaB for the normal function of B
      lymphocytes, B-cell malignancies are particularly prone to genetic aberrations
      that affect the pathway. Key positive regulators of NF-kappaB signaling can act
      as oncogenes that are often prone to chromosomal translocation, amplifications or
      activating mutations. Negative regulators of NF-kappaB have tumor suppressor
      functions and are frequently inactivated either by genomic deletions or point
      mutations. Whereas some aberrations are found in a variety of different lymphoid
      malignancies, some oncogenic alterations are very restricted to distinct lymphoma
      subsets, reflecting the clonal and cellular origin of specific lymphoma entities.
      NF-kappaB activation in many lymphoma cells is also driven by the
      microenvironment or chronic signaling that does not rely on genetic alterations.
      A number of drugs that target the NF-kappaB pathway are in preclinical or
      clinical development, revealing that there will be new options for therapies in
      the future. Since each lymphoma entity utilizes distinct mechanisms to activate
      NF-kappaB, a major challenge is to elucidate the exact pathological processes in
      order to faithfully predict clinical responses to the different therapeutic
      approaches.

PMID- 27262793
TI  - Non-canonical programmed cell death mechanisms triggered by natural compounds.
AB  - Natural compounds are the fundament of pharmacological treatments and more than
      50% of all anticancer drugs are of natural origins or at least derived from
      scaffolds present in Nature. Over the last 25 years, molecular mechanisms
      triggered by natural anticancer compounds were investigated. Emerging research
      showed that molecules of natural origins are useful for both preventive and
      therapeutic purposes by targeting essential hallmarks and enabling
      characteristics described by Hanahan and Weinberg. Moreover, natural compounds
      were able to change the differentiation status of selected cell types. One of the
      earliest response of cells treated by pharmacologically active compounds is the
      change of its morphology leading to ultra-structural perturbations: changes in
      membrane composition, cytoskeleton integrity, alterations of the endoplasmic
      reticulum, mitochondria and of the nucleus lead to formation of morphological
      alterations that are a characteristic of both compound and cancer type preceding
      cell death. Apoptosis and autophagy were traditionally considered as the most
      prominent cell death or cell death-related mechanisms. By now multiple other cell
      death modalities were described and most likely involved in response to
      chemotherapeutic treatment. It can be hypothesized that especially necrosis
      related phenotypes triggered by various treatments or evolving from apoptotic or
      autophagic mechanisms, provide a more efficient therapeutic outcome depending on
      cancer type and genetic phenotype of the patient. In fact, the recent discovery
      of multiple regulated forms of necrosis and the initial elucidation of the
      corresponding cell signaling pathways appear nowadays as important tools to
      clarify the immunogenic potential of non-canonical forms of cell death induction.

PMID- 27262794
TI  - Epicardial adipose tissue volume a diagnostic study for independent predicting
      disorder of circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with essential
      hypertension.
AB  - The aim of the study was to determine whether epicardial adipose tissue volume
      (EATV), a new cardiometabolic risk factor, is associated with circadian changes
      of blood pressure (BP) in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.
      Ninety patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension underwent ambulatory
      blood pressure monitoring for 24 h. EATV was measured using cardiac computed
      tomography. These patients were categorized into three groups according to their
      BP patterns (group 1, n=46, dipper hypertension, also called normal pattern;
      group 2, n=24, non-dipper hypertension; group 3, n=20, anti-dipper hypertension;
      group 2 and 3 are also called abnormal pattern). Data were collected
      retrospectively and compared between hypertensive patients with normal pattern
      and abnormal pattern. The normal pattern hypertensive patient had significant
      lower mean EATV and BP ((EATV, 91.3+/-29.4 cm3) than those of abnormal pattern
      patients including group 2 (EATV, 116.2+/-31.06cm3, <0.01) and group 3 (EATV,
      124.8+/-28.5cm3, P<0.01). Mean systolic BP over 24 h (BPs24) and mean diastolic
      BP over 24 h (BPd24) of group 1 (BPs24, 135.7 +/- 12.6 mmHg; BPd24, 83.6 +/- 10.6
      mmHg) were significantly lower than those of group 2 (BPs24, 150.1+/- 17.6 mmHg,
      P<0.01; BPd24, 93.2 +/- 16.5 mmHg, P<0.01) and group 3 (BPs24, 154.1 +/-
      16.6mmHg, P<0.01; BPd24, 93.8 +/- 17.5 mmHg; P<0.01). Bivariate correlation
      analysis showed that correlation coefficient of EATV with abnormal blood pressure
      mode was 0.500 (p<0.001), partial correlation coefficient after adjustment for
      waist circumference and body mass index was 0.469 (p<0.001). When multivariate
      backward logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation of
      BP pattern with EAT volume, it showed that the prevalence of abnormal BP pattern
      (non-dipper and anti-dipper BP pattern) increased by 1.54 times after adjusting
      for age and gender per additional 10 cm3 of EAT volume. Receiver operating
      characteristic curve for EAT alone indicated that the cutoff value of 95.17cm3
      had the best performance in predicting abnormal BP pattern with a sensitivity of
      75.0% and a specificity of 72.7%. EATV was elevated in newly diagnosed and
      untreated patients with non-dipper hypertension and anti-dipper hypertension.
      EATV measured by cardiac computed tomography can be used to indicate the
      increased risk of circadian rhythm of blood pressure. 

PMID- 27262796
TI  - Mapping of protein-protein interaction network of Alexander disease.
AB  - Alexander disease (ALXD) is slowly progressive neurodegenerative disorder which
      affects white matter of the central nervous system. The main cause of disorder is
      mutation in GFAP gene and mutation in some other genes were also reported. This
      study was aimed at getting a better insight into ALXD pathogenesis and
      identifying the important functional and highly interconnected nodes in human
      protein interaction network, identifying the important sub-networks in the system
      could be helpful in understanding the underlying molecular mechanism. The
      topological analysis of human protein interaction network strategy to identify
      highly interconnected sub-network modules from which six proteins are found i.e.
      GFAP, PLEC, CRYAB, NDUFV1, CASP3 and MAPK14 plays important role in disease.
      Further, the enrichment analysis of interaction network identifies crucial
      pathways in which most of the diseased proteins overlaps. Through system biology
      approach, the undirected human protein interaction network of ALXD is buildup
      with the help of Cytoscape tool and its various plugins helps to investigate
      network further. The systematic approach suggests the finding of previously known
      proteins, GFAP, PLEC, CRYAB, NDUFV1, CASP3 and MAPK14 can be used as a drug
      targets and potential treatment discovered also enrichment analysis will provide
      guidance for the future study on Alexander disease. 

PMID- 27262795
TI  - Mutagenic, antimutagenic, antioxidant, anti-lipoxygenase and antimicrobial
      activities of Scandix pecten-veneris L.
AB  - Scandix pecten-veneris L. or Shepherd's-needle is a weed species used in some
      countries for medicinal purposes. In this study S. pecten-veneris leaves were
      shade dried, powdered and extracted with methanol. The purpose of this study was
      to assay the in vitro mutagenic, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antilipoxygenase and
      antimicrobial activities of S. pecten-veneris leaf extract. The methanolic
      extract indicated no mutagenicity when tested with Salmonella typhimurium strains
      TA98 and TA100. Antimutagenic activity was reported with inhibition of
      mutagenicity in a concentration dependent fashion. The methanolic extract
      demonstrated antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical-scavenging test (IC50 =
      4.57 mg/mL), comparable to ascorbic acid and BHT. Moreover, the extract presented
      a remarkable and potent inhibition against soybean lipoxygenase (IC50 = 641.57
      ug/mL). The methanolic extract was examined for its antimicrobial powers against
      four different bacteria with MIC values >100. Our results introduced this plant
      as a useful factor for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory and infectious
      diseases. 

PMID- 27262797
TI  - Some heavy metals in the muscle of Capoeta trutta: risk assessment for the
      consumers.
AB  - This study was carried out to detect the concentrations of some heavy metals
      (copper, iron, zinc, cadmium and chromium) in the muscle of Capoeta trutta
      (Heckel, 1843) and in their surrounding water in order to study the potential
      human risk of consumption. The relationship between the heavy metal load of fish
      and some of their biological aspects (weight, length and sex) was also examined.
      In addition, the accumulation factors of heavy metals in this species were
      determined. The concentrations of Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd and Cr in water and muscle
      samples were analysed using ICP. Cu, Zn and Fe were detected in all samples, but
      Cd and Cr were not found in detectable levels. The results showed that heavy
      metals accumulation in muscle of fish was higher than that in the water. It was
      found that the level of heavy metals in the muscle of fish showed differences
      according to weight, length and sex of fish. 

PMID- 27262798
TI  - Argatroban more effectively inhibits the thrombin activity in synovial fluid than
      naturally occurring thrombin inhibitors.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to clarify the precise effect of argatroban on the
      inhibition of cytokine secretion induced by thrombin on synovial cells. The
      efficiency of thrombin inactivation by thrombin inhibitors was evaluated in human
      synovial fluids (SFs). In SFs from 13 osteoarthritis (OA) and 11 rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA) patients, thrombin, Factor Xa (FXa), plasmin activity, IL-6, MMP
      3, VEGF, and D-dimer concentrations were measured. Tissue factor (TF) activity or
      IL-6, MMP-3, and VEGF secretion of human synovial cells with or without thrombin
      and argatroban were measured. The efficiency of thrombin inactivation in SFs was
      compared for thrombin inhibitors: argatroban, antithrombin III (ATIII), or
      heparin cofactor II (HCII). In SFs, thrombin, FXa, plasmin, D-dimer, IL-6, and
      MMP-3 were significantly higher in RA than in OA. In synovial cell experiments,
      TNF-alpha and thrombin enhanced TF activity on the cell surface, and IL-6, MMP-3,
      and VEGF secretion were enhanced by thrombin. Increased TF activity, and IL-6,
      MMP-3, and VEGF secretion induced by thrombin were inhibited by argatroban. In
      SFs, argatroban inactivated thrombin more effectively than ATIII or HCII. Since
      thrombin plays an important role in the disease activity of OA and RA, it is a
      potential therapeutic molecular target. Argatroban was the most effective
      anticoagulant to inhibit thrombin activity in SF. Intra-articular injection is
      ideal administration because it can deliver high dose of argatroban without high
      risk of systematic complication. 

PMID- 27262799
TI  - TSG-6 treatment promoted apoptosis in human fibroblasts of pathological scar.
AB  - Pathological scars are characterized by excessive fibrosis and extracellular
      matrix (ECM) deposition and can be functionally and cosmetically problematic;
      however, there are few satisfactory treatments for controlling pathological
      scars. The proliferation of fibroblast during wound healing play an important
      role in pathologic scar formation. Therefore, the promotion of fibroblast
      apoptosis may be a new point to inhibit scar formation. In this study,
      pathological scar fibroblasts were treated with TSG-6 in monolayer culture and
      subjected to examination for cell apoptosis and associated proteins involved in
      cell apoptosis. We found that TSG-6 significantly promoted cell apoptosis of
      pathological scar fibroblasts. Meanwhile, expression level of cell apoptosis
      related cytokine protein Bax increased and cell proliferation related signal
      transduction pathways are blocked since the expression level of Bcl-2 was
      decreased. 

PMID- 27262800
TI  - The individual or combinational effects of Hesperetin and Letrozole on the
      activity and expression of aromatase in MCF-7 cells.
AB  - Aromatase catalyzes the last and rate-limiting step in estrogen biosynthesis.
      Inhibition of estrogen production is a common strategy for breast cancer
      treatment. Citrus flavonoids have been confirmed to exhibit efficacious
      biological activities, particularly in cancer therapy. This study was carried out
      to investigate the effect of hesperetin on the activity and expression of
      aromatase and compare this property with letrozole as an aromatase inhibitor in
      MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl
      tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays in this study demonstrated that hesperetin at a
      concentration of 200 MUM decreased cell viability in a time dependent manner
      (P<0.05). Aromatase activity assay, based on 17beta-Estradiol (E2) production
      from testosterone, revealed that hesperetin had no effect. Real-time PCR results
      indicated that treatment with 1MUM concentration of hesperetin for 48 h
      significantly decreased relative aromatase expression (P =0.004). Combination of
      letrozole and hesperetin also had no effect on aromatase. The changes in activity
      paralleled the expression of aromatase. Likely, the reduction in aromatase
      activity was delayed in time along with the reduction in expression ratio;
      however additional studies are needed to confirm this. In conclusion, the present
      study showed that hesperetin could decrease expression of aromatase at low
      concentrations in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. 

PMID- 27262801
TI  - siRNA-mediated inhibition of survivin gene enhances the anti-cancer effect of
      etoposide in U-937 acute myeloid leukemia cells.
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most frequent types of leukemia which
      mostly affects adult people. Resistance to therapeutic drugs is considered as a
      major clinical concern resulting in a weaker response to chemotherapy, disease
      relapse and decreased survival rate. Survivin, a member of Inhibitor of Apoptosis
      Proteins (IAPs), is associated with drug resistance and inhibition of apoptotic
      mechanisms in numerous hematological malignancies. In the present study, we
      examined the combined effect of etoposide and siRNA-mediated silencing of
      survivin on U-937 acute myeloid leukemia cells. The AML cells were transfected
      with survivin specific siRNA and gene knockdown was confirmed by quantitative
      real time PCR and western blotting. Subsequently, U-937 cells were assessed for
      response to etoposide treatment and apoptosis rate was measured with
      flowcytometery. The cytotoxic effects in siRNA-etoposide group were measured and
      compared to etoposide single therapy group. Survivin siRNA effectively knocked
      down the mRNA and protein levels of survivin, which led to lower cell
      proliferation and enhanced apoptosis. Furthermore, combined treatment of
      etoposide and survivin siRNA synergistically increased the cell toxic effects of
      etoposide and its ability to induce apoptosis. 

PMID- 27262802
TI  - Syringic acid protects retinal ganglion cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis
      through the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
AB  - Oxidative damage is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic
      retinopathy. Syringic acid (SA), a naturally occurring O-methylated
      trihydroxybenzoic acid monomer extracted from Herba dendrobii, has been shown to
      possess antioxidant activity. However, the effects of SA on apoptosis of retinal
      ganglion cells (RGCs) induced oxidative damages have not yet been explored. The
      present study aimed to detect the effects of SA against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
      induced cell damage in RGCs and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved
      in this process. In the present study, we revealed that SA pretreatment obviously
      inhibited H2O2-induced RGC-5 cell injury. SA pretreatment also decreased H2O2
      induced ROS production and MDA content in RGC-5 cells. In addition, SA
      pretreatment increased Bcl-2 expression and decreased the expression of Bax and
      cleaved caspase-3 in H2O2-induced RGC-5 cells. Moreover, SA pretreatment
      obviously increased PI3K and Akt phosphorylation in H2O2-induced RGC-5 cells. In
      conclusion, our results suggest that SA may protect RGC-5 cells against apoptosis
      induced by H2O2 through the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, SA
      may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. 

PMID- 27262803
TI  - Effect of copper sulphate on the antioxidant parameters in the rainbow trout fry,
      Oncorhynchus mykiss.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant responses of rainbow trout
      (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to different concentrations of copper sulphate
      (CuSO4). Fish were exposed to 0 (Group I-control), 5 (Group II), 15 (Group III)
      and 30 ug/L (Group IV) concentrations of CuSO4 for 14 days. Liver and gills
      samples were collected at the end of the experiment, and analysed for their
      oxidant-antioxidant status, including the malondialdehyde (MDA) level, the
      catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities as well as the
      reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration. Results obtained showed that the levels
      of MDA increased in tissues of fish. Compared to control, GSH level and GSH-Px
      and CAT activities were significantly reduced in the fish that were exposed to
      different concentrations of CuSO4. The result demonstrated that CuSO4 has an
      oxidative-stress-inducing potential in fish. 

PMID- 27262804
TI  - Hydrogen inhibits cytotrophoblast cells apoptosis in hypertensive disorders
      complicating pregnancy.
AB  - Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy (HDCP) is one of the most serious
      medical disorders during pregnancy. Hydrogen is a therapeutic antioxidant and
      used to treat HDCP effectively. However, the molecular mechanism about the effect
      of hydrogen on HDCP still remains unclear. In this study, we found ROS content in
      HDCP group was significantly higher than that in the control and was reduced
      markedly in the presence of 100MUmol/L hydrogen. IL6, Caspase3, Bax1, P-JAK2, P
      Stat3 and P-p38 expression was much higher than the control, and was notably
      decreasedby the application of 100MUmol/L hydrogen. Bcl2 expression in HDCP group
      was notably lower than the control and was increased by 100 MUmol/L hydrogen. The
      apoptosis rate of cytotrophoblast cells was decreased, andratio of
      cytotrophoblast cells at G1 and G2 phase was increased and decreased by hydrogen,
      respectively. All those data indicated a potential molecular mechanism of
      hydrogen-mediated treatment in HDCP. 

PMID- 27262805
TI  - Induction of linalool as a pharmaceutical and medicinal metabolite via cell
      suspension culture of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.).
AB  - Cumin is an important medicinal plant in Iran. Plant cell suspension culture is a
      method for the production of medicinal and secondary metabolites. The linalool is
      a plant secondary metabolite that has been recognized as a neuroprotective agent.
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of salicylic acid elicitor
      on induction of linalool in cell suspension culture of cumin. For this purpose,
      the cumin seeds were prepared, to obtain sterile seedling, were disinfected with
      sodium hypochlorite and alcohol, and were cultured on MS basal medium. This
      research was conducted in two separate experiments including callus induction and
      suspension cultures. Leaf explants were prepared from sterile seedlings and used
      to produce callus on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l BAP. In
      order to establish suspension culture, the appropriate calli were transferred to
      liquid medium. Then cell cultures were treated with elicitors. The effects of
      elicitor on the production of linalool secondary metabolite and cell viability
      were assessed by GC-Mass and tetrazolium test respectively. For this purpose, the
      salicylic acid (at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/l) was used. The
      experimental design was a completely randomized design with five treatments and
      three replications. The results of cell culture and GC-Mass analysis showed that
      salicylic acid had significant effects on the linalool production (<0.01). At all
      concentrations of salicylic acid, viability of the cells in suspension culture
      experiments was lower than control. Increasing the elicitor concentrations lead
      to reduction in cell survival. In conclusion it is possible to produce linalool
      as a secondary metabolite and pharmaceutical agent in cell culture of cumin. It
      is necessary to determine the best combination of medium and elicitor. 

PMID- 27262806
TI  - Usnea cornuta Korb. and Usnea glabrescens (Vainio) Vainio sens. Lat.: Species to
      be protected in the peninsula of Edough (Algeria).
AB  - In the Mediterranean region, Edough Peninsula (Algerian Northeast) has a
      significant procession of rare plant species biogeographical interest. This
      communication is based on specimens collected by the author during the
      realization of a lichen herbarium when her attention was attracted by the
      striking presence of a fruticose lichen of Usnea genus, on a hawthorn at the
      entrance of a private neglected garden. One of the harvested species proved to be
      after identification, Usnea glabrescens (Vainio) Vainio sens. Lat. A second
      species was harvested meanwhile a few meters away, on a cork oak and identified
      as Usnea cornuta Korber species ever recorded in Algeria before. 

PMID- 27262807
TI  - The capacity of some newly bacteria and fungi for biodegradation of herbicide
      trifluralin under agiated culture media.
AB  - Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms to degrade environmental contaminants
      (pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons etc.) into less toxic forms or compounds.
      In this study microbial biodegradation of trifluralin was performed in liquid
      media with 11 different types of identified fungi and bacteria cultures and their
      mixtures in agiated culture media. The isolated fungi and bacteria mixtures
      showed the highest degradation, reaching 93% in the chemical oxygen demand (COD)
      parameter in four days and 82% as trifluralin active ingredient in five days.
      Bacteria and fungi mixtures achieved 69% and 66% degradations of trifluralin
      active ingredient respectively. In the fungi studies, the best removal was
      achieved by M.Chlamydosporia at 80%, in the bacteria studies, the best removal
      was achieved by Bacillus simplex about 95% in five days. These different removal
      rates were due to the microbial differencies. 

PMID- 27262808
TI  - Inhibitory activity on type 2 diabetes and hypertension key-enzymes, and
      antioxidant capacity of Veronica persica phenolic-rich extracts.
AB  - Veronica genus (Plantaginaceae) is broadly distributed in different habitats. In
      this study, the inhibitory activity of free soluble and conjugated phenolic
      extracts of Veronica persica on key enzymes associated to type 2 diabetes (alpha
      glucosidase and alpha-amylase) and hypertension (angiotensin I converting enzyme,
      ACE) was assessed, as well as their antioxidant power. Our results showed that
      both the extracts inhibited alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase and ACE in a dose
      dependent manner. In particular, free phenolic extract significantly (P<0.05)
      inhibited alpha-glucosidase (IC50 532.97 ug/mL), whereas conjugated phenolic
      extract significantly (P<0.05) inhibited alpha-amylase (IC50 489.73 ug/mL) and
      ACE (290.06 ug/mL). The enzyme inhibitory activities of the extracts were not
      associated with their phenolic content. Anyway, the inhibition of alpha-amylase,
      alpha-glucosidase and ACE, along with the antioxidant capacity of the phenolic
      rich extracts, could represent a putative mechanism through which V. persica
      exerts its antidiabetes and antihypertension effects. 

PMID- 27262809
TI  - Raf-kinase inhibitor protein attenuates microglia inflammation in an in vitro
      model of intracerebral hemorrhage.
AB  - Microglia mediated neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in intracerebral
      hemorrhage (ICH). Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), a member of the
      phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family, is a negative regulator
      of inflammatory responses. However, the expression and anti-inflammatory effects
      of RKIP in microglia after ICH have not been reported. Therefore, in the current
      study, we investigated the effects of RKIP on inflammatory responses in
      erythrocyte lysate-treated BV2 microglia. Furthermore, we analyzed the detailed
      molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of RKIP in
      microglia. Our results showed that the expression level of RKIP was significantly
      decreased by erythrocyte lysate treatment in BV2 microglia. Overexpression of
      RKIP inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory molecules. In addition,
      overexpression of RKIP attenuated neuronal cell death induced by activated
      microglia. Moreover, RKIP suppressed the activation of NF-kappaB signaling
      pathway in erythrocyte lysis-treated BV2 cells. In conclusion, these data suggest
      that overexpression of RKIP attenuated microglia inflammation through inhibiting
      the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in erythrocyte lysis-treated BV2 cells. The
      present study provides evidence that RKIP may be used as an effective molecular
      target for the treatment of ICH. 

PMID- 27262810
TI  - Efficiency of some soil bacteria for chemical oxygen demand reduction of
      synthetic chlorsulfuron solutions under agiated culture conditions.
AB  - This study searches the efficiency of certain soil bacteria on chemical oxygen
      demand (COD) reduction of synthetic chlorsulfuron solutions under agitated
      culture conditions. It also aims to determine the turbidity of liquid culture
      medium with chlorsulfuron during bacterial incubation for 120 hours. As a result
      the highest and lowest COD removal efficiency of bacteria was determined for
      Bacillus simplex as 94% and for Micrococcus luteus as 70%, respectively at the
      end of the 96th hour. It was found that COD removal efficiency showed certain
      differences depend on the bacterial species. It was also observed that B. simplex
      had the highest COD removal efficiency and it was a suitable bacterium species
      for bioremediation of a chlorsulfuron contaminated soils. 

PMID- 27262811
TI  - Thymoquinone induces apoptosis and increase ROS in ovarian cancer cell line.
AB  - Nigella sativa is also known for its properties as a traditional herbal healing
      for many ailments. In this study, the anticancer properties of thyomquinone (TQ),
      the active ingredient of N. sativa, were studied using ovarian cancer cell line
      (Caov-3 cells). The anti-proliferative activity of TQ was determined using MTT
      and the apoptosis was investigated using Flowcytometry and Annexin-V Assays.
      Multiparameteric cytotoxicity bioassays were used to quantify the changes in cell
      permeability and mitochondrial membrane potential. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      and apoptosis-involved cell markers were examined to verify cell death mechanism.
      The MTT-assay showed that TQ induces anti-proliferative activity on Caov-3 with
      an IC50 of 6.0+/-0.03 MUg/mL, without any cytotoxic activity towards WRL-68
      normal hepatocytes. A significant induction of early phase of apoptosis was shown
      by annexin-V analysis. Treatment of Caov-3 cells with TQ induces decreases in
      plasma membrane permeability and mitochondrial membrane potential. Visible
      decrease in the nuclear area was also observed. A significant decrease is
      observed in Bcl-2 while Bax is down-regulated. TQ-triggered ROS-mediated has
      found to be associated with Hsp70 dysregulation, an indicator of oxidative
      injury. We found that TQ induced anti-cancer effect involves intrinsic pathway of
      apoptosis and cellular oxidative stress. Our results considered collectively
      indicated that thyomquinone may be a potential agent for ovarian cancer drug
      development. 

PMID- 27262812
TI  - Human amniotic fluid derived mesenchymal stem cells cause an anti-cancer effect
      on breast cancer cell line in vitro.
AB  - Human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) have the ability to self-renew, and
      multipotent differentiation into three germ layer cells. We obtained 5 ml
      amniotic fluid from ten 16-20 week pregnant women undergoing amniocentesis.
      hAFSCs were isolated from all samples, co-cultured with T47D breast cancer cell
      line and characterized using flow cytometry and RT-PCR. After 3, 4 and 5 days,
      T47D and HSFCs viability were evaluated with MTT assay. After 5 days of co
      culture T47D cells viability were decreased. Our findings showed that hAFSCs can
      release soluble factors in cell culture, causing an efficient anticancer effect. 

PMID- 27262813
TI  - Knockdown of eIF3a attenuates the pro-fibrogenic response of hepatic stellate
      cells induced by TGF-beta1.
AB  - Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays an important role in the
      development of liver fibrosis. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)
      3a is the largest subunit of the eIF3 complex and has been involved in pulmonary
      fibrosis. However, the role of eIF3a in liver fibrosis remains largely unknown.
      Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of eIF3a in transforming
      growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1)-induced HSC activation. Our results demonstrated
      that the expression of eIF3a was up-regulated in human liver fibrotic tissues and
      activated HSCs. In addition, knockdown of eIF3a suppressed TGF-beta-induced HSC
      proliferation and the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and
      collagen I. Furthermore, knockdown of eIF3a inhibited the expression of p-Smad3
      induced by TGF-beta1 in HSCs. These results suggest that eIF3a may function as a
      novel regulator to modulate HSC activation, potentially through inhibiting the
      TGF-beta1/Smad3 signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27262814
TI  - The effect of Morus alba leaves extract and powder on resistin levels and liver
      transaminase enzymes activities in diabetes.
AB  - The current study was designed to investigate the changes of the resistin,
      aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of
      diabetic rats after treatment with Morus alba leaves flavonoid extract (MLE) and
      Morus alba leaves powder (MLP). Thirty male wistar rats in five groups including
      control and diabetic groups were included. Diabetic groups consisted of diabetic
      control, sham and treated group with MLE and MLP. Type 2 diabetes was induced in
      rats by administration of streptozotocin (STZ) and - nicotinamide. The serum
      concentrations of resistin and insulin in the study groups were identified by
      ELISA. ALT and AST activities were assayed by spectrophotometer. For the first
      time, it was shown that the uptake of MLE and MLP by diabetic rats could
      significantly decrease the serum fasting blood sugar (FBS), resistin levels and
      enzymes activity of ALT and AST and increases the concentration of serum insulin
      significantly (P<0.05). in comparison with the sham group and diabetic control.
      The results showed that there was no significant difference between the anti
      diabetic and inflammatory properties of MLE and MLP. In this study, the possible
      protective effect of MLE and MLP administration was evaluated against destructive
      effect of STZ on liver and pancreas function in diabetic rats. The results showed
      that these effects may play an important role in the regulating of adipokines
      secretion such as resistin and insulin secretion which are involved in the
      control of diabetes and obesity. MLE and MLP treatment could be useful agents in
      combination with other therapies in diabetes improvement. 

PMID- 27262815
TI  - PFKFB3 potentially contributes to paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer cells
      through TLR4 activation by stimulating lactate production.
AB  - Paclitaxel is a commonly used agent for breast cancer therapy, which comes across
      the obstacle "drug resistance", resulting in shortened overall survival of
      patients. Warburg effect has become one character of cancer cell and was reported
      to induce paclitaxel resistance, the mechanism of which is poorly understood. In
      this study, we sought to examine the role of 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFKFB3), a
      critical regulator of glycolysis, in paclitaxel resistance development. Two
      clones of paclitaxel resistant breast cancer cells, MCF-7RA and MCF-7RB, were
      established by a long term exposure of MCF-7 cells to paclitaxel. Consequently,
      PFKFB3 expression was found to be increased in MCF-7RA and MCF-7RB cells compared
      with MCF-7 cells. Silencing PFKFB3 expression markedly reduced the IC50
      concentrations of MCF-7RA and MCF-7RB cells. Moreover, PFKFB3 modulated toll like
      receptor 4 (TLR4) and MyD88 expression as well as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8
      release from breast cancer cells in response to paclitaxel exposure. In addition,
      PFKFB3 overexpression boosted up fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6BP) and lactate
      production. The enhanced lactate contributed to TLR4 signaling activation, IL-6
      and IL-8 generation, and cell viability promotion in MCF-7 cells. In all, we
      characterized the novel role of PFKFB3 in induction of paclitaxel resistance by
      raising lactate production and activating TLR4 signaling. 

PMID- 27262816
TI  - Basal cell skin cancer and the risk of second primary cancers: a cancer registry
      based study in Lithuania.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this population-based cohort study was to determine the risk
      of second primary cancer in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) patients in Lithuania.
      METHODS: This analysis was based on patients diagnosed with BCC in Lithuania
      between 1998 and 2007 and followed until 2011. Standardized incidence ratios for
      subsequent cancers as a ratio of observed number of cancer cases in people with
      previous BCC diagnosis to the expected number of cancer cases in the underlying
      general population were calculated. RESULTS: After diagnosis of BCC, 1442 new
      cases of selected cancers were diagnosed. Compared with the general population,
      the incidence of all new primaries combined after BCC was very close to expected.
      Statistically meaningful increase in developing subsequent cancer was obtained
      for Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, and leukemia in men, and for cancers of
      the lip, lung, and breast in women. Risk of melanoma and thyroid cancer was
      significantly elevated in both sexes. Relative risk of cancer of the eye was
      increased although not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we found increased
      cancer risk for cancers related to sun exposure. In addition, increased risks
      were identified for Hodgkin's lymphoma, thyroid cancer, leukemia, prostate, and
      breast cancer in BCC patients.

PMID- 27262817
TI  - Pregnancy loss history at first parity and selected adverse pregnancy outcomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between pregnancy loss history and adverse
      pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Pregnancy history was captured during a computer
      assisted personal interview for 21,277 women surveyed in the National Survey of
      Family Growth (1995-2013). History of pregnancy loss (<20 weeks) at first parity
      was categorized in three ways: number of losses, maximum gestational age of
      loss(es), and recency of last pregnancy loss. We estimated risk ratios for a
      composite measure of selected adverse pregnancy outcomes (preterm, stillbirth, or
      low birthweight) at first parity and in any future pregnancy, separately, using
      predicted margins from adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: At first
      parity, compared with having no loss, having 3+ previous pregnancy losses
      (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 1.66 [95% CI = 1.13, 2.43]), a maximum gestational
      age of loss(es) at >=10 weeks (aRR = 1.28 [1.04, 1.56]) or having experienced a
      loss 24+ months ago (aRR = 1.36 [1.10, 1.68]) were associated with increased
      risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. For future pregnancies, only having a
      history of 3+ previous pregnancy losses at first parity was associated with
      increased risks (aRR = 1.97 [1.08, 3.60]). CONCLUSION: Number, gestational age,
      and recency of pregnancy loss at first parity were associated with adverse
      pregnancy outcomes in U.S. women.

PMID- 27262819
TI  - Epidemiology of measles in vaccinated people, Spain 2003-2014.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: During the final phase of measles elimination rigorous
      investigation of each individual case becomes fundamental to confirm or discard
      cases, particularly among vaccinated people, since they experience a milder
      disease, and laboratory diagnosis is more complex. Our study focused in the
      epidemiology of measles in vaccinated people. METHODS: Longitudinal study on
      measles cases in two dose vaccinated people in Spain from 2003 to 2014. RESULTS:
      We confirmed 138 measles cases (90 of them, laboratory confirmed) in people with
      two doses of vaccine. The median of time from last vaccination to rash onset
      showed a lineal trend (P<.001), in parallel with the number of doses of vaccine
      received (0, 1, 2 doses). Among confirmed cases, the hospitalization risk
      decreased inversely proportional to the number of administered vaccine doses
      (linear trend, P<.001). Only in 23.9% of confirmed cases and 50% of discarded
      cases the guidelines about sample taking were fulfilled. 50% of samples in two
      dose vaccinated people were taken without fulfilling time delay criteria. 16.7%
      (36/215) of discarded cases with a negative IgM result did correspond to samples
      taken early (first 72h after rash) and could represent false negatives.
      CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the importance of fulfilling properly the
      guidelines for laboratory diagnosis in order to confirm or discard every measles
      case, especially in two dose vaccinated people. When a negative IgM result is
      obtained in early samples a new IgM test should be practiced, as well as a PCR
      test, in order to avoid infra-detection of cases.

PMID- 27262818
TI  - Astrocytic and microglial nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: an overlooked issue
      in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - It is increasingly recognized that astrocytes and microglia-associated
      dysfunction contribute to AD pathology. In addition, glial nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a role in AD-related phenomena, such as
      neuron survival, synaptic plasticity, and memory. From mechanistic point of view,
      the glial regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as common contributors in AD,
      is modulated by nAChRs. Astrocytic and microglial nAChRs contribute to Abeta
      metabolism, including Abeta phagocytosis and degradation as well as Abeta-related
      oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. These receptors are also involved in
      neurotransmission and gliotransmission through indirect interaction with N-Methyl
      D-aspartate (NMDA) and a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4 isoxazolepropionic acid
      (AMPA) receptors as well as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and intracellular
      calcium regulation. In addition, glial nAChRs participate in trophic factors
      induced neuroprotection. This review gathers the most recent advances along with
      the previous data on astrocytic and microglial nAChRs role in AD pathogenesis.

PMID- 27262820
TI  - Development of a Certified Reference Material for myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil
      cytoplasmic autoantibodies (MPO-ANCA).
AB  - A serum Certified Reference Material (CRM) for supporting reliable autoimmune
      diagnostics was recently released by the Institute for Reference Materials and
      Measurements (IRMM) of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. It
      was produced in collaboration with a Working Group on the Harmonisation of
      Autoimmune Tests of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and
      Laboratory Medicine (IFCC WG-HAT). This material is aimed at facilitating the
      standardisation of measurements of anti-myeloperoxidase immunoglobulin G
      antibodies. The CRM could be used as a common calibrant by clinicians and
      manufacturers thereby significantly improving the comparability of results from
      commercial immunoassays used for IgG anti-MPO measurements. This paper provides
      information on the new CRM and its intended use.

PMID- 27262821
TI  - The VCS parameters: Potential hematological indicators for predicting
      antituberculosis drug-induced neutropenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The morphological changes in activated neutrophils associated with
      antituberculosis drugs can be measured by volume, conductivity, and scatter (VCS)
      technology on the Coulter LH750 hematology analyzer. We conducted the current
      study to further validate the clinical usefulness of the neutrophil VCS
      parameters in predicting drug-induced neutropenia. METHODS: Peripheral blood
      samples were collected from 52 patients with drug-induced neutropenia, 309
      patients without any abnormal CBC, and 237 healthy controls. The mean neutrophil
      volume (MNV) with its distribution width (NDW) and the mean neutrophil scatter
      (MNS) were studied. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in the MNV and
      NDW as well as a significant decrease in the MNS in neutropenia patients
      approximately one week prior to development of neutropenia compared to healthy
      controls as well as to case controls. In addition, the delta MNV and delta MNS
      were respectively correlated well with delta absolute neutrophil counts when
      neutropenia occurred. The ROC curve analyses showed that the MNV,NDW and MNS had
      larger areas under curves compared to conventional parameters. With a cutoff of
      150.15 for the MNV, a sensitivity of 84.4% and specificity of 75.7% were achieved
      prior to neutropenia. CONCLUSION: The neutrophil VCS parameters may be clinically
      useful as potential hematological indicators for predicting antituberculosis drug
      induced neutropenia.

PMID- 27262822
TI  - Pretreatment C-reactive protein was an independent prognostic factor for patients
      with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with RCHOP.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We assessed the prognostic significance of pretreatment C-reactive
      protein (CRP) concentration in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients.
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 156 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL.
      Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to generate a
      cutoff value for CRP. Both log-rank test and multivariable analysis by Cox
      regression model were used to assess the impact of pretreatment CRP
      concentrations on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
      RESULTS: Among those 156 patients enrolled, increased CRP concentration was seen
      in 51 patients before treatment (>=20mg/l), while the other 105 patients were
      considered with low CRP concentration. There was no obvious difference in the
      baseline characteristics between two groups. Increased CRP concentration was
      significantly associated with poorer OS and PFS than those patients with low CRP
      concentration (P=0.001 and P=0.000, respectively). Multivariable analysis further
      showed that CRP concentration was an independent predictor of OS (hazard ratio
      [HR]=0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.24-0.92, P=0.028) and PFS (HR=0.37; 95%
      CI=0.30-0.87, P=0.013). CONCLUSION: CRP concentration before treatment was an
      independent prognostic factor in patients with DLBCL.

PMID- 27262823
TI  - A simplified assay for the quantification of circulating activated protein C.
AB  - Available assays for circulating levels of activated protein C (APC) are either
      time-consuming or difficult to use in a routine laboratory, or have a detection
      limit above normal levels. We have developed a simplified assay that measures
      both the in vivo free APC and the in vivo APC complexed to PC inhibitor (PCI). We
      measured APC levels, with both assays, in 339 plasma samples, 165 from patients
      with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and 174 from healthy individuals. The mean APC
      level in the 339 samples was 0.038+/-0.010 nM, using a previous assay that
      measures only the in vivo APC level, and 0.041+/-0.010 nM with the present new
      assay. The coefficient of correlation between assays was r=0.954 (P<0.001). The
      mean APC level in VTE patients was 0.034+/-0.009 nM (previous assay) and 0.037+/
      0.009 nM (new assay), significantly lower than those in controls (P<0.001). In
      both groups there was a significant correlation between the levels obtained by
      the two assays (P<0.001). These results show that both assays are equivalent, and
      confirm that the APC level is lower in VTE patients than in healthy individuals.
      Therefore, the new simplified assay, which measures the sum of circulating free
      APC and APC complexed to PCI, may be used to estimate the level of circulating
      APC, and will allow its use in routine laboratories. 

PMID- 27262825
TI  - Changing pattern in the clinical presentation of breast cancer in the absence of
      a screening program over a period of thirty-three years in Iran.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To survey the proportion of stages at the presentation of the disease
      without a screening program, among a population of breast cancer patients that is
      as a representative sample of the country in a distinct period. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The population of the current study is found among the female breast
      cancer patients who were referred to oncology centers in northeastern Iran over a
      thirty-three-year period from 1980 to 2012. RESULTS: Four thousand patients were
      divided into three time periods consisting of 521 cases from 1980 to 1990, 1178
      cases from 1991 to 2001, and 2302 cases from 2002 to 2012. While there was no
      difference in the proportions of T1 and T3 tumors, T2 tumors showed an increase
      (P = 0.001) and T4 tumors a decrease (P = 0.000) during these periods. There was
      no change in the proportion of stage I, however the proportion of stage II had
      risen (P = 0.000), while that of stage III (P = 0.002), and stage IV (P = 0.000)
      had fallen. The study's urban and rural populations experienced a similar trend
      in this respect, with the exception that the rural population exhibited more
      striking changes during the study's recent years. CONCLUSION: After a thirty
      three-year follow up on breast cancer in northeastern Iran, it is obvious that
      this disease is now presented in its earlier stages even in the absence of a
      screening program. In spite of this, the proportion of T1 disease and those
      tumors are discovered by a screening program has not significantly changed.

PMID- 27262824
TI  - Effect of VKORC1, CYP2C9, CFP4F2, and GGCX Gene Polymorphisms on Warfarin Dose in
      Japanese Pediatric Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Warfarin dosage requirements show considerable inter-individual
      variability. There are some reports of warfarin dose regimens correlating with
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) for CYP2C9, VKORC1 and other genes in
      adults. In children, however, reports are scarcer than in adults and the number
      of genes examined is more limited. We explored the effects of genetic variation
      on warfarin dose requirement in Japanese pediatric patients. METHODS: A total of
      45 patients who were prescribed warfarin at the Yokohama City University Hospital
      were included in this study. The influence of genetic polymorphisms on stable
      warfarin dosage requirement was investigated by genotyping SNPs of the VKORC1,
      CYP2C9, CYP4F2, and GGCX genes (rs9923231, rs1057910, rs2108622, and rs699664,
      respectively) in each patient. RESULTS: Patients with the TT genotype in
      rs9923231 in VKORC1 required significantly lower maintenance dosages than those
      with the TC genotype (p = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that, while
      VKORC1 status and patient height account for 78.2 % of the variability in
      maintenance warfarin dosage, genetic polymorphisms in VKORC1 account for 27 %,
      although polymorphisms in CYP4F2 and GGCX had no effect on dosage and the effect
      of CYP2C9 could not be evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in VKORC1 partially
      affected daily warfarin dosage requirements. VKORC1 genotype and height are the
      primary determinants influencing warfarin dosage in Japanese pediatric patients.
      Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our results.

PMID- 27262827
TI  - Excess of (236)U in the northwest Mediterranean Sea.
AB  - In this work, we present first (236)U results in the northwestern Mediterranean.
      (236)U is studied in a seawater column sampled at DYFAMED (Dynamics of
      Atmospheric Fluxes in the Mediterranean Sea) station (Ligurian Sea, 43 degrees
      25'N, 07 degrees 52'E). The obtained (236)U/(238)U atom ratios in the dissolved
      phase, ranging from about 2*10(-9) at 100m depth to about 1.5*10(-9) at 2350m
      depth, indicate that anthropogenic (236)U dominates the whole seawater column.
      The corresponding deep-water column inventory (12.6ng/m(2) or 32.1*10(12)
      atoms/m(2)) exceeds by a factor of 2.5 the expected one for global fallout at
      similar latitudes (5ng/m(2) or 13*10(12) atoms/m(2)), evidencing the influence of
      local or regional (236)U sources in the western Mediterranean basin. On the other
      hand, the input of (236)U associated to Saharan dust outbreaks is evaluated. An
      additional (236)U annual deposition of about 0.2pg/m(2) based on the study of
      atmospheric particles collected in Monaco during different Saharan dust
      intrusions is estimated. The obtained results in the corresponding suspended
      solids collected at DYFAMED station indicate that about 64% of that (236)U stays
      in solution in seawater. Overall, this source accounts for about 0.1% of the
      (236)U inventory excess observed at DYFAMED station. The influence of the so
      called Chernobyl fallout and the radioactive effluents produced by the different
      nuclear installations allocated to the Mediterranean basin, might explain the
      inventory gap, however, further studies are necessary to come to a conclusion
      about its origin. 

PMID- 27262826
TI  - Fatigue, anxiety and depression overrule the role of oncological treatment in
      predicting self-reported health complaints in women with breast cancer compared
      to healthy controls.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women with breast cancer often attribute their health problems as
      side effects caused by oncological treatments. The aim of the study was to
      examine and compare self-reported health complaints (SHC) in postmenopausal
      patients with breast cancer to healthy controls. METHOD: Women with breast cancer
      (N = 196) filled in 5 questionnaires 1-2 years after surgery; SHC Inventory,
      Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Endocrine Subscale (FACT-ES), Fatigue -
      Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue subscale (FACIT-F), Fatigue
      Visual Analog Scale (Fatigue VAS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
      (HADS). Controls comprised 101 blood donors who reported on the questionnaires
      except for HADS. Bonferroni adjustment and p < 0.0017 was considered
      statistically significant for SHC Inventory, p < 0.05 for the remaining
      questionnaires. RESULTS: The patients, mean age 58.0 (SD 9.5), reported
      significantly more self-reported health complaints, whereof 6 of 29 complaints
      were significantly elevated compared to the controls, mean age 57.0 (SD 5.8) (p <
      0.001). HADS scores in patients fell into normal range, mean 6.3 (SD 5.7). A
      subgroup of 48 patients experienced more frequent and severe symptoms in all the
      questionnaires compared to the remaining 148 patients, and the 101 controls.
      Among the patients, fatigue, anxiety and depression explained 49% of the total
      variance in self-reported health complaints (p <= 0.001). CONCLUSION: Most women
      with breast cancer (76%) reported health complaints equal to the healthy
      controls. Fatigue, anxiety and depression, not oncological treatments, were
      significant predictors for the complaints.

PMID- 27262828
TI  - MRI-based estimation of liver function by intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion
      weighted imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore the usefulness of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) to
      evaluate the hepatic functional reserve as expressed by the model for Child-Pugh
      class. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IVIM diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using 10
      different b values were performed on a Philips 3.0T MR scanner in 70 patients
      with liver cirrhosis and 60 healthy volunteers as the control group. Patients
      with liver cirrhosis were subdivided into three groups: Child-Pugh class A: 29
      cases; Child-Pugh class B: 19 cases; Child-Pugh class C: 22 cases. Pure molecular
      diffusion (D), pseudo-diffusion (D*), perfusion fraction (f) and apparent
      diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated, and used to determine liver
      function, as indicated by the Child-Pugh class. RESULTS: The ICC values of D, D*,
      f and ADC between two radiologists were 0.997, 0.986, 0.985 and 0.995,
      respectively. D*, f and ADC values of liver cirrhosis group were significantly
      lower than control group (P<0.001, P=0.016, P=0.042, respectively). D*, f and ADC
      values significantly decreased with increasing Child-Pugh scores (p<0.05). Child
      Pugh scores were inversely correlated with D* and f values (r=-0.423, r=-0.620,
      respectively). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of D* and f for evaluating liver
      function were 0.67-0.90 and 0.78-0.89, respectively. CONCLUSION: IVIM DWI may be
      a useful image-based method for assessing liver function.

PMID- 27262829
TI  - Vectorial total generalized variation for accelerated multi-channel multi
      contrast MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop and implement an efficient reconstruction technique to
      improve accelerated multi-channel multi-contrast MRI. THEORY AND METHODS: The
      vectorial total generalized variation (TGV) operator is used as a regularizer for
      the sensitivity encoding (SENSE) technique to improve image quality of multi
      channel multi-contrast MRI. The alternating direction method of multipliers
      (ADMM) is used to efficiently reconstruct the data. The performance of the
      proposed method (MC-TGV-SENSE) is assessed on two healthy volunteers at several
      acceleration factors. RESULTS: As demonstrated on the in vivo results, MC-TGV
      SENSE had the lowest root-mean-square error (RMSE), highest structural similarity
      index, and best visual quality at all acceleration factors, compared to other
      methods under consideration. MC-TGV-SENSE yielded up to 17.3% relative RMSE
      reduction compared to the widely used total variation regularized SENSE.
      Furthermore, we observed that the reconstruction time of MC-TGV-SENSE is reduced
      by approximately a factor of two with comparable RMSEs by using the proposed ADMM
      based algorithm as opposed to the more commonly used Chambolle-Pock primal-dual
      algorithm for the TGV-based reconstruction. CONCLUSION: MC-TGV-SENSE is a better
      alternative than the existing reconstruction methods for accelerated multi
      channel multi-contrast MRI. The proposed method exploits shared information among
      the images (MC), mitigates staircasing artifacts (TGV), and uses the encoding
      power of multiple receiver coils (SENSE).

PMID- 27262830
TI  - Radiologic adjacent segment degeneration 2 years after lumbar fusion for
      degenerative spondylolisthesis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lumbar fusion is now a currently accepted treatment for
      degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLSP), but may induce adjacent segment
      degeneration (ASD). The present study hypothesis was that there are radiological
      parameters associated with ASD. The study objective was to determine predictive
      factors of ASD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study
      included patients operated on between 2006 and 2013 for DLSP. Radiological
      parameters were analyzed on preoperative, immediate postoperative and final
      follow-up lateral X-ray. ASD was defined by the following adjacent segment
      criteria:>3mm anteroposterior translation,>10 degrees  segmental kyphosis, or>50%
      loss of disc height. RESULTS: One hundred and seven patients were included: 79%
      female; mean age, 67+/-10.2 years. Fusion involved 1 level in 67% of cases and 2
      or more in 33%, with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in 27% of
      cases. There was overall significant gain in lumbar lordosis (mean, 3.1 degrees ;
      P=0.04). At a mean 27.8 months' follow-up, 29% of cases showed ASD and 10%
      required surgical reintervention. Preoperative anterior imbalance and long fusion
      (>2 levels) were significantly associated with ASD (OR=2.81, 95% CI [1.17-6.74]
      versus OR=2.76, 95% CI [1.15-6.63]). There were no significant differences
      according to postoperative radiological parameters, or to TLIF (OR=1.8, 95% CI
      [0.7-4.4]). CONCLUSION: Twenty-nine percent of patients developed ASD, with a
      surgical revision rate of 10%. ASD risk factors comprised high number of
      instrumented levels and preoperative sagittal imbalance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV,
      retrospective cohort.

PMID- 27262831
TI  - Congenital dislocation of the knee at birth - Part 2: Impact of a new
      classification on treatment strategies, results and prognostic factors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An original classification of congenital dislocation of the knee
      (CDK) was drawn up, based on neonatal semiology. The objective of the present
      study was to assess impact on treatment decision-making and prognosis. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Fifty-one CDKs in 40 patients were classified neonatally into 3
      types: I, reducible (n=28); II, recalcitrant (n=16); and III, irreducible (n=7).
      Number of anterior skin grooves, range of motion (RoM), flexion deficit and
      reduction stability were recorded. Depending on reducibility, treatment
      comprised: physiotherapy with splints, traction with cast immobilization, or
      surgery. At follow-up, knees were assessed in terms of RoM and stability.
      RESULTS: Mean age at first consultation was 5.6 days (range: 0-30). Mean age at
      follow-up was 9 years (range: 1-26). Physiotherapy with splinting achieved stable
      reduction in all type-I knees. Five type-II knees (31%) required traction, none
      of which needed surgery. Four type-III knees (57%) required surgery. Outcome was
      good or excellent in 82% of type-I knees, good in 68% of type II and poor in all
      type-III knees. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed the relevance of the present
      neonatal classification to treatment, with increasing rates of surgical
      indication and decreasing rates of satisfactory outcome from types I to III.
      Therapeutic attitude can be graded according to severity of CDK. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: IV, single-center retrospective series.

PMID- 27262832
TI  - Iron Deficiency without Anemia: A Common Yet Under-Recognized Diagnosis in Young
      Women with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the proportion of iron deficiency that is not detected
      with a screening hemoglobin or complete blood count (CBC) alone in young women
      with heavy menstrual bleeding. DESIGN: Retrospective review of electronic medical
      records. SETTING: Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. PARTICIPANTS,
      INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: One hundred fourteen young women aged 9
      19 years consecutively referred to a young women's hematology clinic with a
      complaint of heavy menstrual bleeding. RESULTS: Fifty-eight (50.9%) of all
      patients had ferritin <20 ng/mL indicating iron deficiency. Of the 58 patients
      with iron deficiency, only 24 (41.4%) were anemic and 25 (46.3%) were microcytic.
      The sensitivity of hemoglobin alone and CBC alone for identifying women with
      ferritin <20 ng/mL was 41.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 28.7-54.1) and 46.3%
      (95% CI, 33.0-59.6), respectively. Both tests had reasonable specificity at 91.1%
      (95% CI, 83.6-98.5) for hemoglobin and 83.9% for CBC (95% CI, 74.3-93.6).
      Patients had significantly higher odds of having iron deficiency if they were
      overweight or obese (odds ratio, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.25-6.29) compared with patients
      with normal body mass index. Age at presentation for heavy menstrual bleeding,
      presence of an underlying bleeding disorder, and median household income were not
      significantly associated with iron deficiency. CONCLUSION: In adolescents with
      heavy menstrual bleeding, fewer than half of iron deficiency cases are detected
      when screening is performed with hemoglobin or blood count alone. Measuring
      ferritin levels in at-risk patients might allow for earlier implementation of
      iron therapy and improvement in symptoms.

PMID- 27262833
TI  - Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents and Young Adults with Polycystic
      Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To review recent data exploring the relationship between
      polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in
      adolescents and its implication for management of adolescents with this syndrome.
      DESIGN AND SETTING: We performed a systematic literature search in MedLine,
      Embase and PsychInfo from 1980 to September 2015 and manual search in reference
      lists of selected articles. Inclusion criteria were articles in English or French
      with a focus on HRQoL in patients with PCOS aged between 13 and 24 years.
      Qualitative, cross-sectional, or interventional studies were considered as
      eligible. Two reviewers each independently selected and reviewed the relevant
      articles. RESULTS: Of a total of 93 publications, 7 were selected through a
      systematic search, and 2 were added after a manual search. Seven studies used
      quantitative methods and 2 studies used a qualitative one. A meta-analysis was
      not possible because of the methodological diversity among the selected articles.
      All articles showed that PCOS has a negative influence on HRQoL in adolescents.
      Body weight issues and body mass index (BMI) appeared to have the strongest
      effect on HRQoL; some studies reported a normalization of HRQoL scores after
      adjustment for BMI. Patient information and patient-provider relationship were
      also reported to affect HRQoL. Elements in favor of the effectiveness of
      multidisciplinary management, associated lifestyle modifications, and
      psychological support, in improving HRQoL were identified. CONCLUSION: PCOS
      significantly reduces HRQoL in adolescent girls. The extent to which body weight
      issues and BMI mediate this effect deserves further evaluation. A detailed
      understanding of the psychosocial challenges that patients with PCOS face is
      limited, mainly because of the small number of studies available, restricted
      sample size, and the methodological diversity of the questionnaires used. The
      effect of early lifestyle modification, and medical and psychological treatment
      should continue to be explored.

PMID- 27262834
TI  - Laparoscopic Treatment of Mixed Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumor in a 16-Year
      Old Female Adolescent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors are rare entities, although they
      account for a large proportion of ovarian masses in young women. These tumors
      have traditionally been removed via laparotomy, because of their large size and
      solid nature. The use of laparoscopy for treatment of adnexal masses in
      adolescents has been heavily debated and poorly studied to date. CASE: A 16-year
      old female patient presented with abdominal pain and an 11-cm adnexal mass on
      ultrasound. An emergent laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy was performed without
      complication. Pathology revealed a mixed malignant ovarian germ cell tumor.
      SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic fertility-sparing surgery offers many
      benefits over laparotomy, and should be considered in cases of young women with
      large adnexal masses, even if potential for malignancy exists.

PMID- 27262835
TI  - Adolescent Deliveries in a Secondary-Level Care Hospital of Cameroon: A
      Retrospective Analysis of the Prevalence, 6-Year Trend, and Adverse Outcomes.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Adolescents are generally ill-equipped to deal with the burden
      of a pregnancy. A high prevalence of adolescent pregnancies is among the
      indicators of limitations toward the achievement of the Millennium Development
      Goals in most developing countries. We sought to determine the prevalence, 6-year
      trend, and adverse outcomes of adolescent deliveries. We also tested whether
      being married decreased the risk of adverse fetal outcomes in these adolescents.
      DESIGN: A 6-year retrospective register analysis. SETTING: Buea Regional
      Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Birth records from 2007 to 2012. INTERVENTIONS: None.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and 6-year trend in the rate of adolescent
      deliveries; adverse fetal outcomes. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of adolescent
      deliveries was 9.9% (491 of 4941). There was no significant change in the annual
      prevalence of adolescent deliveries over 6 years (P trend = .8). Adolescent
      pregnancies were at higher risk of preterm deliveries (deliveries at gestational
      age <37 completed weeks; odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3
      2.2; P < .01), low birth weight (defined as birth weight <2600 g; OR, 1.8; 95%
      CI, 1.4-2.3; P < .01), and neonatal asphyxia (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7; P < .01).
      There was no significant difference in the frequency of adverse outcomes between
      married and single adolescents. CONCLUSION: One of every 10 babies is born from
      adolescent mothers in the Buea Regional Hospital. Whether these mothers are
      married or not, their neonates are exposed to higher morbidity. This emphasizes
      the need for more adolescent-friendly public health policies geared toward
      reducing the prevalence of this condition to improve the chances of attaining the
      Millennium Development Goals in Cameroon.

PMID- 27262836
TI  - Laparoscopic Myomectomy of a Symptomatic Uterine Leiomyoma in a 15-Year-Old
      Adolescent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although adnexal masses and ovarian torsion are common causes of
      acute pain in the female adolescent, fibroids are an uncommon etiology and little
      is reported in the literature. Because of the rarity of adolescent leiomyomas,
      the best surgical management is still unknown. CASE: To our knowledge, this is
      the first case report of a laparoscopic myomectomy in the adolescent population.
      The removed fibroid is one of the largest documented cases of uterine leiomyoma
      in adolescents. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Degenerative fibroids, albeit less
      common, should be kept on the differential diagnosis, as a possible cause of
      pelvic mass and pain in the adolescent population. Fibroids in the adolescent
      patient, like the adult, can be managed with minimally invasive surgery with
      excellent clinical outcomes.

PMID- 27262837
TI  - Cytotoxicity mechanism of alpha-MMC in normal liver cells through LRP1 mediated
      endocytosis and JNK activation.
AB  - Alpha-momorcharin (alpha-MMC), a type I ribosome-inactivating protein isolated
      from Momordica charantia, is a potential drug candidate with strong anti-tumor
      activity. However, alpha-MMC has a severe hepatotoxicity when applied in vivo,
      which may greatly hinders its use in clinic in the future. The biological
      mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by alpha-MMC is largely unknown, especially
      the mechanism by which alpha-MMC enters the hepatocytes. In this study, we
      investigated alpha-MMC-induced cytotoxicity in normal liver L02 cell line as well
      as the mechanism underlying it. As expected, alpha-MMC is more toxic in L02 cells
      than in various normal cells from other organs. The cytotoxic effect of alpha-MMC
      on L02 cells is found to be mediated through cell apoptosis as detected by flow
      cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Importantly, alpha-MMC was shown to bind
      to a specific receptor on cell membrane, as the density of the cell membrane
      receptor is closely related to both the amount of alpha-MMC endocytosed and the
      cytotoxicity in different cell lines. By using LRP1 competitive inhibitor alpha2
      M or siRNA targeting LRP1, we further identified that LRP1 protein served as the
      membrane receptor for alpha-MMC. Both alpha2-M and siRNA targeting LRP1 can
      significantly inhibit alpha-MMC's endocytosis as well as its cytotoxicity in L02
      cells. In addition, it was found that alpha-MMC can activate the JNK signalling
      pathways via LRP1 in L02 cells. As JNK activation often leads to cell apoptosis,
      the activation of JNK may play an important role in alpha-MMC-induced
      cytotoxicity. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that LRP1
      mediates the cytotoxicity of alpha-MMC through (1) endocytosis and induced
      apoptosis and (2) the activation of the JNK pathway. Our findings shed light on
      the fundamental mechanism of hepatotoxicity of alpha-MMC and offer reference to
      understand its mechanism of lymphocytotoxicity and neurotoxicity.

PMID- 27262838
TI  - Is it the egg or the endometrium? Elevated progesterone on day of trigger is not
      associated with embryo ploidy nor decreased success rates in subsequent embryo
      transfer cycles.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to determine if progesterone (P4) values on
      day of trigger affect certain cycle outcome parameters, ploidy status of embryos,
      as well as pregnancy outcomes in the subsequent first frozen embryo transfer
      cycle. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-eight patients undergoing pre-gestational
      screening and freeze all protocol at our fertility center from 2013 to 2014 were
      included. Excluded patients were those whom had cancelled cycles prior to egg
      retrieval as well as cycles utilizing donor eggs. Once patients were identified
      as eligible for this study, frozen serum from the day of trigger was identified
      and analyzed using the Siemens Immulite 2000. Number of eggs retrieved, number of
      available embryos for biopsy, and number of euploid/aneuploid embryos were
      analyzed. The first frozen embryo transfer cycle was linked to the initial egg
      retrieval and outcomes including pregnancy rates, and live birth/ongoing
      pregnancy rates were calculated and analyzed. A discriminatory P4 value of 1.5
      ng/ml was set. Group A had P4 values of less than 1.5 ng/ml and group B had P4
      values greater than or equal to 1.5 ng/ml. T tests and chi-squared tests were
      used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Group A had an average trigger P4 value
      of 0.87 +/- 0.3 and group B had an average trigger P4 of 2.1 +/- 0.8. Table 1
      shows the baseline characteristics of both group A and group B. The only
      significant difference between the two groups was total gonadotropin dosage (IU)
      with a p value of 0.02 and estradiol (pg/ml) at trigger, also with a p value of
      0.02 (Table 1). Number of eggs retrieved, number of embryos biopsied, number
      euploid/aneuploid, and non-diagnosis embryos were all non-significant. Chi-square
      analysis was used to compare pregnancy rates between the two groups after the
      first frozen embryo transfer cycle. Group A had a pregnancy rate of 72 % and
      Group B had a pregnancy rate of 66.7 %, which was not significant. Ongoing
      pregnancy/live birth rates were 65.6 % in group A and 66.67 % in group B, also
      not significant (Table 2). CONCLUSIONS: P4 values on day of trigger do not affect
      number of eggs retrieved and number of chromosomally normal embryos available for
      transfer in a subsequent embryo transfer cycle. Elevated P4 values (>=1.5 ng/ml)
      also do not affect pregnancy rates or live birth/ongoing pregnancy rates in the
      first subsequent frozen embryo transfer cycle.

PMID- 27262839
TI  - Serum hCG-beta levels of postovulatory day 12 and 14 with the sequential
      application of hCG-beta fold change significantly increased predictability of
      pregnancy outcome after IVF-ET cycle.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate hCG-beta level on postovulatory day (POD) 12 and its fold
      increase as predictors for pregnancy outcome after in vitro fertilization (IVF)
      cycles. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in total 1408 fresh
      and 598 frozen cycles between November 2008 and October 2011, which resulted in
      biochemical pregnancy, early pregnancy loss, or live birth of singleton
      pregnancy. The serum hCG-beta levels of POD 12 and 14 were compared among
      biochemical pregnancy, early pregnancy loss, and live birth groups. The cutoff
      values of POD 12 and 14 hCG-beta levels and the degree of hCG-beta increase from
      POD 12 to 14 were determined for each pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: POD 12 and 14
      hCG-beta levels stratified based on pregnancy outcomes were significantly
      different among the biochemical pregnancy, early pregnancy loss, and live birth
      in both fresh and frozen cycles. Serum hCG-beta levels of POD 12 and 14 and the
      fold increase of hCG-beta levels from POD 12 to 14 significantly predict
      pregnancy outcomes after fresh and frozen cycles. Among these, the cutoff value
      of POD 14 hCG-beta had the highest sensitivity and positive predictive value
      (PPV). In fresh cycles, the cutoff values of POD 12 and 14 serum hCG-beta levels
      for clinical pregnancies were 30.2 mIU/mL (sensitivity 81.3 %, specificity 79.6
      %, and PPV 92.3 %) and 70.5 mIU/mL (sensitivity 88.4 %, specificity 85.2 %, and
      PPV 94.7 %). In pregnancies with POD 12 serum hCG-beta levels >=30.2 mIU/mL, the
      cutoff level of increase of hCG-beta for clinical pregnancy was 2.56 (sensitivity
      73.6 %, specificity 72.4 %, and PPV 97.8 %). Sequential application of cutoff
      values such as POD 12 hCG-beta and fold increase of hCG-beta improved
      predictability of pregnancy outcome as compared with that of POD 12 hCG-beta
      alone. The cutoff values of POD 12 and 14 serum hCG-beta levels for live birth
      were 40.5 mIU/mL (sensitivity 75.2 %, specificity 72.6 %, PPV 78.9 %) and 104.5
      mIU/mL (sensitivity 80.3 %, specificity 74.1 %, PPV 80.8 %). In the frozen
      cycles, the cutoff values of POD 12 and 14 serum hCG-beta level for clinical
      pregnancy were 31.5 IU/L (sensitivity 80.4 %, specificity 71.1 % and PPV 90 %)
      and 43.5 mIU/mL (sensitivity 72.6 %, specificity 71.7 %, PPV 77.2 %). In
      pregnancies with POD 12 serum hCG-beta level >=31.5 mIU/mL, the cutoff value for
      fold increase of hCG-beta was 2.38 for clinical pregnancy (sensitivity 81.6 %,
      specificity 71.4 % and PPV 87.9 %). The cutoff values of POD 12 and 14 for live
      birth were 43.5 mIU/mL (sensitivity 72.6 %, specificity 71.7 %, PPV 77.2 %) and
      101.6 mIU/mL (sensitivity 79.6 %, specificity 71.1 %, PPV 78.4 %). Sequential
      application of cutoff values for POD 12 hCG-beta level and fold increase of hCG
      beta significantly increased PPV for live birth but not clinical pregnancy in
      frozen cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Early prediction of pregnancy outcome by using POD 12
      and 14 cutoff levels and sequential application of cutoff value of fold increase
      could provide appropriate reference to health care providers to initiate earlier
      management of high-risk pregnancies and precise follow-up of abnormal
      pregnancies.

PMID- 27262840
TI  - Health-related quality of life in older people with osteoporotic vertebral
      fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Health-related quality of life in osteoporotic patients with vertebral fracture
      is of increasing interest, but relevant studies have yielded debatable results.
      This systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 observational studies demonstrate
      a clear association between physical health status and presence of vertebral
      fracture after accounting for age. This meta-analysis was conducted to identify
      if there are any differences between physical and/or mental health-related
      quality of life (HRQoL) in older people with osteoporosis based on conventional T
      score definitions and the presence or absence of vertebral fracture. A
      comprehensive search was undertaken using the databases of PubMed, Embase,
      Medline, Web of Science, and the "grey" literature from 1950 to the end of April
      2015. Search terms for vertebral fracture (VF) included VF, osteoporotic
      fracture, fragility fracture, and spinal fracture. Quality of life was searched
      using the following terms: quality of life, health-related quality of life,
      HRQoL, and QoL. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were used. The
      standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated for each HRQoL domain by the
      difference in means between case and control groups divided by the pooled SD of
      participants. Sixteen eligible studies were identified involving 3131 men and
      women. There was evidence of publication bias and heterogeneity. The meta
      analysis showed worse physical (SMD = 0.53, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.38 to
      0.68; P < 0.001) and mental (SMD = 0.19, 95 % CI 0.05 to 0.33; P = 0.009) HRQoL
      in osteoporotic older people with vertebral fracture compared to those without
      fracture. Similar differences were observed for physical HRQoL in further
      analyses accounting for possible confounding effects of age. Sub-analysis to
      assess associations between number/severity of fractures and time since fracture
      was not possible due to small numbers of studies that accounted for age.
      Osteoporotic older people with vertebral fracture have worse physical HRQoL than
      osteoporotic older people without vertebral fracture, even after accounting for
      age differences.

PMID- 27262841
TI  - High density lipoprotein subfractions and paraoxonase 1 in children.
AB  - The Lipoprint system (Quantimetrix Corp., CA, USA), enables the determination of
      10 high density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions in contrast to the 5 HDL
      subfractions that can be determined by ultracentrifuge analysis. HDL
      subfractions, and their relationships to the arylesterase (PON1-A) and lactonase
      (PON1-L) activities of paraoxonase 1 (PON1), together with total-, very low
      density lipoprotein- and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and LDL
      subfractions were investigated in the serum of 27 mildly hypercholesterolemic
      children and 21 healthy controls. Our results suggest the antiatherogenity of
      large HDL (L-HDL) subfractions and the atherogenity of small HDL (S-HDL)
      subfractions in the study groups. However, the relationship between the
      intermediate HDL (I-HDL) subfractions with the LDL subfractions and other
      lipoproteins did not suggest that I-HDL subfractions are antiatherogenic. No
      significant association between PON1-A and the HDL subfractions was found. In
      contrast, PON1-L activity positively correlated with the antiatherogenic large
      HDL1 subfraction and negatively with intermediate HDL subfractions 4, 5 and 6.
      Our results contribute to the knowledge of the roles of total HDL and ten
      individual HDL subfractions in children and adolescents. 

PMID- 27262842
TI  - Hepatokines and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
AB  - Nowadays non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming the most common
      chronic liver pathology both in adults and children. NAFLD manifestation ranges
      from a simple liver steatosis to steatohepatitis (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis -
      NASH), which may progress to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis and end-stage liver
      disease. Due to the coexistence of visceral obesity, insulin resistance and
      dyslipidemia, NAFLD is considered to be the hepatic manifestation of metabolic
      syndrome. In recent years, in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, type 2
      diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and also NAFLD, more and more attention
      has been paid to the so-called organokines, proteins with both paracrine or/and
      endocrine activities. These include most known adipokines (mainly produced by
      adipose tissue), myokines (mainly produced by skeletal muscles) and hepatokines
      exclusively or predominantly produced by the liver. It was shown that the liver
      may affect the lipids and glucose metabolism by hepatokines released into the
      blood and NAFLD seems to be associated with altered hepatokines production.
      Fetuin-A, fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21), selenoprotein P, sex hormone
      binding globulin (SHBG), angiopoietin-related growth factor (also known as
      angiopoietin-related protein 6) and leukocyte derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) are
      considered as the most important hepatokines. In this review, we provide an
      overview of the main hepatokines and we summarize the association of liver
      derived proteins with the development and progression of NAFLD. 

PMID- 27262843
TI  - Osteopontin-stimulated apoptosis in cardiac myocytes involves oxidative stress
      and mitochondrial death pathway: role of a pro-apoptotic protein BIK.
AB  - Increased osteopontin (OPN) expression in the heart, specifically in myocytes,
      associates with increased myocyte apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction. Recently,
      we provided evidence that OPN interacts with CD44 receptor, and induces myocyte
      apoptosis via the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial
      death pathways. Here we tested the hypothesis that OPN induces oxidative stress
      in myocytes and the heart via the involvement of mitochondria and NADPH oxidase-4
      (NOX-4). Treatment of adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs) with OPN (20 nM)
      increased oxidative stress as analyzed by protein carbonylation, and
      intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as analyzed by ROS detection
      kit and dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate staining. Pretreatment with NAC
      (antioxidant), apocynin (NOX inhibitor), MnTBAP (superoxide dismutase mimetic),
      and mitochondrial KATP channel blockers (glibenclamide and 5-hydroxydecanoate)
      decreased OPN-stimulated ROS production, cytosolic cytochrome c levels, and
      apoptosis. OPN increased NOX-4 expression, while decreasing SOD-2 expression. OPN
      decreased mitochondrial membrane potential as measured by JC-1 staining, and
      induced mitochondrial abnormalities including swelling and reorganization of
      cristae as observed using transmission electron microscopy. OPN increased
      expression of BIK, a pro-apoptotic protein involved in reorganization of
      mitochondrial cristae. Expression of dominant-negative BIK decreased OPN
      stimulated apoptosis. In vivo, OPN expression in cardiac myocyte-specific manner
      associated with increased protein carbonylation, and expression of NOX-4 and BIK.
      Thus, OPN induces oxidative stress via the involvement of mitochondria and NOX-4.
      It may affect mitochondrial morphology and integrity, at least in part, via the
      involvement of BIK. 

PMID- 27262844
TI  - Natural History of Patients Presenting with Autoimmune Hepatitis and Coincident
      Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the increase of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the
      general population, a similar rise might be expected in autoimmune hepatitis
      (AIH) patients. AIMS: We sought to determine the clinical outcome of patients
      with coincident AIH and NAFLD. METHODS: We identified all intradepartmental AIH
      cases, and those meeting study criteria were placed into one of three cohorts:
      AIH only, AIH and simple steatosis (SS), and AIH and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
      (NASH). The following outcome and clinical data were analyzed: incidence of all
      cause mortality, incidence of liver-related mortality, incidence of liver-related
      adverse outcomes, and prevalence of cirrhosis at index biopsy. RESULTS: Out of a
      total 73 study patients, 14 % classified as AIH with SS and 16 % as AIH and NASH.
      Fifty percent of AIH and NASH patients had cirrhosis at index biopsy as compared
      to 18 % of AIH-only patients (p = 0.032). Patients with AIH and NASH had a
      relative risk of 7.65 (95 % CI 1.43-40.8) for liver-related mortality and 2.55
      (95 % CI 0.92-7.09) for liver-related adverse outcomes, as compared to the AIH
      only cohort. No significant difference in outcome measures existed in comparing
      (AIH only) with (AIH and SS) cohorts. DISCUSSION: Patients with coincident AIH
      and NASH were more likely to present with cirrhosis and more likely to develop
      adverse clinical outcome with decreased survival as compared to AIH-only
      patients. These findings suggest that simultaneous exposure confers a clinically
      significant increased risk, which may warrant closer follow-up and surveillance.

PMID- 27262846
TI  - Regulation of CD40 signaling in colon cancer cells and its implications in
      clinical tissues.
AB  - CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. We reveal here a
      correlation between CD40 expression and colon cancer differentiation. Upon CD40
      ligand (CD40L) binding, CD40/CD40L signaling inhibited colon cancer
      proliferation, induced apoptosis, stalled cells at G0/G1, and influenced cell
      adhesion and metastasis. Clustering analysis identified the elevation of aryl
      hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) expression along with activation of
      CD40/CD40L signaling. Examination of clinical specimens revealed that both AHR
      and AHRR levels correlated with colon cancer histological grade. In addition,
      high expression of AHRR was associated with high expression of CD40 in tumor
      cells, with CD40L expression being particularly high in the tumor interstitium.
      Real-time PCR and western blotting analysis showed that AHRR expression in colon
      cancer cells was up-regulated by CD40L binding. The likely mediating signaling
      pathways for the effects of CD40 are described herein.

PMID- 27262845
TI  - Aspirin-induced heat stress resistance in chicken myocardial cells can be
      suppressed by BAPTA-AM in vitro.
AB  - Our recent studies have displayed the protective functions of aspirin against
      heat stress (HS) in chicken myocardial cells, and it may be associated with heat
      shock proteins (HSPs). In this study, we further investigated the potential role
      of HSPs in the aspirin-induced heat stress resistance. Four of the most important
      HSPs including HspB1 (Hsp27), Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90 were induced by aspirin
      pretreatment and were suppressed by BAPTA-AM. When HSPs were induced by aspirin,
      much slighter HS injury was detected. But more serious damages were observed when
      HSPs were suppressed by BAPTA-AM than those cells exposed to HS without BAPTA-AM,
      even the myocardial cells have been treated with aspirin in prior. Comparing to
      other HSPs, HspB1 presented the largest increase after aspirin treatments, 86
      fold higher than the baseline (the level before HS). These findings suggested
      that multiple HSPs participated in aspirin's anti-heat stress function but HspB1
      may contribute the most. Interestingly, during the experiments, we also found
      that apoptosis rate as well as the oxidative stress indicators (T-SOD and MDA)
      was not consistently responding to heat stress injury as expected. By selecting
      from a series of candidates, myocardial cell damage-related enzymes (CK-MB and
      LDH), cytopathological tests, and necrosis rate (measured by flow cytometry
      assays) are believed to be reliable indicators to evaluate heat stress injury in
      chicken's myocardial cells and they will be used in our further investigations.

PMID- 27262847
TI  - Effects and biological limitations of +Gz acceleration on the autonomic functions
      related circulation in rats.
AB  - The effects of gravitational loading (G load) on humans have been studied ever
      since the early 20th century. After the dangers of G load in the vertical head-to
      leg direction (+Gz load) became evident, many animal experiments were performed
      between 1920 and 1945 in an effort to identify the origins of high G-force
      induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC), which led to development of the anti-G
      suit. The establishment of norms and training for G-LOC prevention resulted in a
      gradual decline in reports of animal experiments on G load, a decline that
      steepened with the establishment of anti-G techniques in humans, such as special
      breathing methods and skeletal muscle contraction, called an anti-G straining
      maneuver, which are voluntary physiological functions. Because the issue involves
      humans during flight, the effects on humans themselves are clearly of great
      importance, but ethical considerations largely preclude any research on the human
      body that probes to any depth the endogenous physiological states and functions.
      The decline in reports on animal experiments may therefore signify a general
      decline in research into the changes seen in the various involuntary, autonomic
      functions. The declining number of related reports on investigations of
      physiological autonomic systems other than the circulatory system seems to bear
      this out. In this review, we therefore describe our findings on the effects of G
      load on the autonomic nervous system, cardiac function, cerebral blood flow,
      tissue oxygen level, and other physiological autonomic functions as measured in
      animal experiments, including denervation or pharmacological blocking, in an
      effort to present the limits and the mechanisms of G-load response extending
      physiologically. We demonstrate previously unrecognized risks due to G load, and
      also describe fundamental research aimed at countering these effects and
      development of a scientific training measure devised for actively enhancing +Gz
      tolerance in involuntary, autonomic system functions. The research described here
      is rough and incomplete, but it is offered as a beginning, in the hope that
      researchers may find it of reference and carry the effort toward completion. The
      advances described here include (1) a finding that cerebral arterial perfusion
      pressure decreases to nearly zero under +5.0 Gz loads, (2) indications that G
      load may cause myocardial microinjuries, (3) detection of differences between
      cerebral regions in tissue-oxygen level under +3.0 Gz load, (4) discovery that
      hypotension is deeper under decreasing +Gz loads than increasing +Gz loads with
      use of an anti-G system, due in part to suppression of baroreceptor reflex, and
      (5) revelations and efforts investigating new measures to reduce cerebral
      hypotension, namely the "teeth-clenching pressor response" and preconditioning
      with slight but repeated G loads.

PMID- 27262849
TI  - A propensity score-matched comparison of surgical precision obtained by using
      volumetric analysis between robot-assisted laparoscopic and open partial
      nephrectomy for T1 renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective non-randomized
      observational study of initial outcomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: We compared surgical outcomes between robot-assisted laparoscopic
      partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and open partial nephrectomy (OPN) by using volumetric
      analysis in a propensity score-matched analysis. METHODS: We analyzed the records
      of 279 patients with normal contralateral kidneys who underwent RAPN or OPN for
      T1 renal tumors between 2012 and 2014. Volumetric studies to assess the
      vascularized parenchymal volume of the operated kidney were performed 2 months
      preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Patient data, including age, body
      mass index, presence of hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus, American Society
      of Anesthesiologists score, tumor size, preoperative estimated glomerular
      filtration rate, and tumor complexity using the renal nephrometry score, were
      matched 1:1 using propensity score matching between groups. RESULTS: This cohort
      included 100 patients who underwent RAPN and 179 who underwent OPN. After
      matching, 48 patients were included in each group. Mean tumor diameter was 31 mm,
      and about 14 % were high-complexity tumors (RENAL score 10-12). The RAPN and OPN
      groups showed no significant differences in the rate of preservation of global
      renal function (95 vs. 92 %) and parenchymal volume of the operated kidney (84
      vs. 79 %). Similarly, urological complications did not significantly differ
      between groups. Surgical margins were negative in all tumors. Patients who
      underwent RAPN had lower estimated blood loss (p < 0.0001) and shorter
      postoperative length of hospital stay (p < 0.0001) than those who underwent OPN.
      CONCLUSION: RAPN can offer acceptable surgical outcomes and precision, compared
      to OPN, with decreased estimated blood loss and hospital stay.

PMID- 27262848
TI  - The role of biofilm on orthopaedic implants: the "Holy Grail" of post-traumatic
      infection management?
AB  - The development of post-traumatic infection is potentially a limb threatening
      condition. The orthopaedic trauma literature lags behind the research performed
      by our arthroplasty colleagues on the topic of implant-related infections.
      Surgical site infections in the setting of a recent ORIF are notoriously hard to
      eradicate due to biofilm formation around the implant. This bacteria-friendly,
      dynamic, living pluri-organism structure has the ability to morph and adapt to
      virtually any environment with the aim to maintain the causative organism alive.
      The challenges are twofold: establishing an accurate diagnosis with
      speciation/sensitivity and eradicating the infection. Multiple strategies have
      been researched to improve diagnostic accuracy, to prevent biofilm formation on
      orthopaedic implants, to mobilize/detach or weaken the biofilm or to target
      specifically bacteria embedded in the biofilm. The purpose of our paper is to
      review the patho-physiology of this mysterious pluri-cellular structure and to
      summarize some of the most pertinent research performed to improve diagnostic and
      treatment strategies in biofilm-related infections. 

PMID- 27262850
TI  - Ultrasound induces contraction of the bladder smooth muscle.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether the treatment of overt postpartum urinary
      retention (PUR) with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) was clinically
      effective and whether LIPUS could accelerate bladder smooth muscle (BSM)
      contraction by opening the L-type calcium channels and activating the Ca(2+)
      signaling pathway. METHODS: Records of 136 patients undergoing PUR were
      retrospectively reviewed in two different groups for LIPUS and neostigmine
      between from 2014 to July 2015. The rats BSM strips in vitro were irradiated by
      LIPUS. The contraction frequency and amplitude were recorded with BL-410F
      biological experimental system. The BSM cells were constructed and identified by
      alpha-actin-specific antibody staining, and the intracellular Ca(2+)
      concentration was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The clinical trial
      indicated that LIPUS had potential therapeutic effect on PUR (80.6 vs. 64.1 %, p
      < 0.05), and the BSM strip contractility was increased by LIPUS (p < 0.001), and
      the concentration of Ca(2+) was markedly enhanced by about twofold than that
      without LIPUS exposure (p < 0.01). Besides, nimodipine could suppress the
      contraction of BSM and the concentration of intracellular Ca(2+) which was caused
      by ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested LIPUS had potential therapeutic
      effect on PUR and the Ca(2+) signaling pathway was involved in the mechanism. The
      ultrasound irradiation may provide a new method for PUR therapy.

PMID- 27262851
TI  - Relationship of serum levels and dietary intake of isoflavone, and the novel
      bacterium Slackia sp. strain NATTS with the risk of prostate cancer: a case
      control study among Japanese men.
AB  - PURPOSE: Isoflavones may play a role in the prevention of hormone-related
      cancers. Equol is an isoflavone metabolized from daidzein in the presence of
      certain intestinal bacteria. Slackia sp. strain NATTS, a newly identified equol
      producing bacterium, was recently isolated from human feces in Japan. We
      investigated the association of serum levels and dietary intake of isoflavones
      and Slackia sp. strain NATTS with the risk of prostate cancer in a case-control
      study among Japanese men. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with newly diagnosed
      prostate cancer and 56 hospital controls were enrolled in this study. Isoflavones
      were assessed by measurement of serum levels and administration of a food
      frequency questionnaire. Slackia sp. strain NATTS in feces was also measured. The
      odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for prostate cancer were
      then determined using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: The adjusted ORs for
      prostate cancer in comparison with the highest to lowest categories were 0.06 (95
      % CI 0.02-0.24) for serum genistein, 0.18 (95 % CI 0.06-0.52) for daidzein, 0.16
      (95 % CI 0.06-0.46) for glycitein, 0.52 (95 % CI 0.22-1.22) for equol, 0.86 (95 %
      CI 0.30-2.48) for dietary genistein, and 0.80 (95 % CI 0.28-2.28) for dietary
      daidzein. The adjusted OR for prostate cancer in comparison with values above
      versus below the median was 0.95 (95 % CI 0.42-2.16) for Slackia sp. strain
      NATTS. CONCLUSION: Our study findings suggest that high serum levels of
      genistein, daidzein, and glycitein are significantly associated with a decreased
      risk of prostate cancer among Japanese men.

PMID- 27262853
TI  - Nelumbo Nucifera leaf protects against UVB-induced wrinkle formation and loss of
      subcutaneous fat through suppression of MCP3, IL-6 and IL-8 expression.
AB  - Nelumbo nucifera has long been used in traditional medicine in East Asian
      countries such as China and Korea. In this study, we report the different
      property of several Nelumbo nucifera leaf (NNL) extracts on adipocyte
      differentiation. Adipogenesis was stimulated by administration of dichloromethyl
      (DCM) or n-hexan extract of NNL but attenuated by that of water extract. We also
      show that topical administration of DCM extract of NNL attenuated ultraviolet-B
      (UVB)-mediated wrinkle formation and reduction of subcutaneous (SC) fat in vivo.
      Interestingly, UVB-induced blood contents of triglyceride (TG) were attenuated
      significantly by topical administration of the DCM extract. In addition, we found
      that UVB-induced expression of cytokines (interleukin-6; IL-6, interleukin-8; IL
      8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-3; MCP3), which were reported as regulators
      in SC fat metabolism, was attenuated in mouse skin fibroblast cells upon
      administration of the DCM extract. Collectively, our data suggest that topical
      administration of DCM extract of NNL, which plays a regulatory role in
      adipogenesis, could attenuate UVB-induced wrinkle formation and the metabolism of
      blood lipids by regulating the expression of cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, and
      MCP3 in skin fibroblast cells. Our findings support further development of DCM
      extract of NNL as a potential therapeutic agent for prevention of photoaging
      related disorders. 

PMID- 27262852
TI  - Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolates causing skin and
      soft tissue infections in patients from Malakand, Pakistan.
AB  - Comparatively few studies have been published describing Staphylococcus
      aureus/MRSA epidemiology in Central Asia including Pakistan. Here, we report the
      genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus strains (that include both methicillin
      susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) from community- and
      hospital-acquired skin and soft-tissue infections in a tertiary care hospital in
      the Malakand district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. Forty-five
      isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were characterized by microarray hybridization.
      Twenty isolates (44 %) were MRSA, whereas 22 (49 %) were PVL-positive. Fourteen
      isolates (31 %) harboured both mecA and PVL genes. The dominant clones were CC121
      MSSA (n = 15, 33 %) and the PVL-positive "Bengal Bay Clone" (ST772-MRSA-V; n =
      13, 29 %). The PVL-positive CC8-MRSA-IV strain "USA300" was found once. The
      pandemic ST239-MRSA-III strain was absent, although it has previously been
      observed in Pakistan. These observations require a re-assessment of schemes for
      initial antibiotic therapy to cover MRSA and they emphasise the need for a rapid
      and non-molecular test for PVL. 

PMID- 27262854
TI  - Preparation and characterization of zinc and copper co-doped WO3 nanoparticles:
      Application in photocatalysis and photobiology.
AB  - In this study, pure, Zn, Cu, Zn,Cu co-doped WO3 nanoparticles samples were
      prepared by precipitation and co-precipitation methods. These nanoparticles were
      characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray
      diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), Dynamic light
      scattering (DLS), UV-visible and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The
      synthesized pure, Zn, Cu, Zn,Cu co-doped WO3 nanoparticles have smart optical
      properties and average sizes with 3.2, 3.12, 3.08 and 2.97eV of band-gap, 18.1,
      23.2, 25.7 and 30.2nm, respectively. Photocatalytic activity of four
      nanoparticles was studying towards degradation of gentamicin antibiotic under
      ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. The result showed that Zn,Cu co-doped
      WO3 possessed high photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity of WO3
      nanoparticles could be remarkably increased by doping the Zn and Cu impurity.
      This can be attributed to the fact that the red shift of absorption edge and the
      trapping effect of the mono and co-doped WO3 nanoparticles. The research result
      presents a general and effective way to prepare different photocatalysts with
      enhanced visible and UV light-driven photocatalytic performance. Antibacterial
      activity of four different WO3 nanoparticles against Escherichia coli bacterium
      has been assessed by the agar disc method under light irradiation and dark
      medium. It is concluded from the present findings that WO3 nanoparticles can be
      used as an efficient antibacterial agent. 

PMID- 27262855
TI  - Value Based Care and Patient-Centered Care: Divergent or Complementary?
AB  - Two distinct but overlapping care philosophies have emerged in cancer care:
      patient-centered care (PCC) and value-based care (VBC). Value in healthcare has
      been defined as the quality of care (measured typically by healthcare outcomes)
      modified by cost. In this conception of value, patient-centeredness is one
      important but not necessarily dominant quality measure. In contrast, PCC includes
      multiple domains of patient-centeredness and places the patient and family
      central to all decisions and evaluations of quality. The alignment of PCC and VBC
      is complicated by several tensions, including a relative lack of patient
      experience and preference measures, and conceptions of cost that are payer
      focused instead of patient-focused. Several strategies may help to align these
      two philosophies, including the use of patient-reported outcomes in clinical
      trials and value determinations, and the purposeful integration of patient
      preference in clinical decisions and guidelines. Innovative models of care,
      including accountable care organizations and oncology patient-centered medical
      homes, may also facilitate alignment through improved care coordination and
      quality-based payment incentives. Ultimately, VBC and PCC will only be aligned if
      patient-centered outcomes, perspectives, and preferences are explicitly
      incorporated into the definitions and metrics of quality, cost, and value that
      will increasingly influence the delivery of cancer care.

PMID- 27262856
TI  - A multi-institutional survey of interventional radiology for type II endoleaks
      after endovascular aortic repair: questionnaire results from the Japanese Society
      of Endoluminal Metallic Stents and Grafts in Japan.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the current status of interventional radiology (IR)
      procedures for a type II endoleak (T2EL) in Japan, and to identify the technical
      aspects that affect treatment results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective
      survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires to 25 institutions. The
      eligibility criteria were endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) performed using
      commercial stent grafts and IR performed for T2EL between January 2007 and
      December 2013. Technical success was defined as disappearance of the EL on
      digital subtraction angiography immediately after embolization, and imaging
      success was defined as no EL on contrast-enhanced computed tomography within 6
      months. Statistical comparisons of the number of involved branches, embolization
      level, embolic material, and changes in aneurysm size were made between the
      imaging success and imaging failure groups. The technical and imaging success
      rates were also compared between the initial therapy and repeat groups. RESULTS:
      A total of 166 cases were investigated. Initial therapy was performed in 147
      cases (88.6 %), with repeat therapy in 19 cases (11.4 %). Transcatheter arterial
      embolization (TAE) was used most frequently, in 161 cases (97 %), with direct
      puncture (DP) used in 5 cases (3 %). Both coil embolization for the branches and
      NBCA embolization for the sac were frequently chosen. The technical success rate
      was 83.2 % (TAE group), and the imaging success rate was 46.5 % (TAE + DP
      groups). Branch + sac embolization was performed more frequently in the imaging
      success group. There was no significant difference in the number of involved
      branches or embolic material between the imaging success and imaging failure
      groups. Enlargement of the aneurysm was more frequently seen in the imaging
      failure group. There were no significant differences in the technical success and
      imaging success rates between the initial therapy and repeat groups. CONCLUSION:
      This is the first report of a multi-institutional questionnaire survey of IR
      procedures for T2EL after EVAR in Japan that was conducted to determine the
      current status. Enlargement of aneurysm size after embolization was more
      frequently seen in the imaging failure group. It is important to embolize both
      branch and sac to achieve imaging success, regardless of embolic material. Long
      term outcomes need to be investigated.

PMID- 27262857
TI  - Persistent truncus arteriosus on dual source CT.
AB  - Persistent truncus arteriosus is a rare congenital cardiac disease with variable
      presentation. The exact preoperative diagnosis and delineation of anatomy are
      very important because the optimal timing and procedure for truncus arteriosus
      repair are decided on the basis of the morphological characteristics. Moreover,
      the presence of associated anomalies influences the surgical outcome and
      mortality in these patients. Dual-source computed tomographic evaluation with
      three-dimensional post-processing is highly valuable for delineating its precise
      morphology and to identify and characterize the associated anomalies. Also
      depiction of the precise aortic arch morphology and simultaneous evaluation of
      the airway are very useful in treatment planning. This pictorial review provides
      an overview of the imaging spectrum of truncus arteriosus and various associated
      anomalies as seen on dual-source computed tomography. 

PMID- 27262859
TI  - Working in the Mirror: Left Atrial Appendage Closure in a Patient With
      Dextrocardia.

PMID- 27262858
TI  - INFRAFRONTIER: a European resource for studying the functional basis of human
      disease.
AB  - Ageing research and more generally the study of the functional basis of human
      diseases profit enormously from the large-scale approaches and resources in mouse
      functional genomics: systematic targeted mutation of the mouse genome, systemic
      phenotyping in mouse clinics, and the archiving and distribution of the mouse
      resources in public repositories. INFRAFRONTIER, the European research
      infrastructure for the development, systemic phenotyping, archiving and
      distribution of mammalian models, offers access to sustainable mouse resources
      for biomedical research. INFRAFRONTIER promotes the global sharing of high
      quality resources and data and thus contributes to data reproducibility and
      animal welfare. INFRAFRONTIER puts great effort into international
      standardisation and quality control and into technology development to improve
      and expand experimental protocols, reduce the use of animals in research and
      increase the reproducibility of results. In concert with the research community
      and the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC), INFRAFRONTIER is
      currently developing new pilot platforms and services for the research on ageing
      and age-related diseases.

PMID- 27262860
TI  - Stent Thrombosis With Drug-Eluting Stents and Bioresorbable Scaffolds: Evidence
      From a Network Meta-Analysis of 147 Trials.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to perform a systematic review and network meta
      analysis to compare the relative safety and efficacy of contemporary DES and BVS.
      BACKGROUND: To improve outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary
      revascularization, there have been advances in the design of drug-eluting stents
      (DES), including the development of drug-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds
      (BVS). METHODS: Prospective, randomized, controlled trials comparing bare-metal
      stents (BMS), paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), sirolimus-eluting stents (SES),
      Endeavor zotarolimus-eluting stents (E-ZES), cobalt-chromium (CoCr) everolimus
      eluting stents (EES), platinum-chromium (PtCr)-EES, biodegradable polymer (BP)
      EES, Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents (R-ZES), BP biolimus-eluting stents (BP
      BES), hybrid sirolimus-eluting stents (H [Orsiro]-SES), polymer-free sirolimus-
      and probucol-eluting stents, or BVS were searched in online databases. The
      primary endpoint was definite or probable stent thrombosis at 1 year. RESULTS: A
      total of 147 trials including 126,526 patients were analyzed in this study. All
      contemporary DES were superior to BMS and PES in terms of definite or probable
      stent thrombosis at 1 year. CoCr-EES, PtCr-EES, and H-SES were associated with
      significantly lower risk than BVS. CoCr-EES and H-SES were superior to SES and BP
      BES. The risk of myocardial infarction was significantly lower with H-SES than
      with BVS. There were no significant differences regarding all-cause or cardiac
      mortality. Contemporary devices including BVS showed comparably low risks of
      repeat revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary DES, including biocompatible
      DP-DES, BP-DES, and polymer-free DES, showed a low risk of definite or probable
      stent thrombosis at 1 year. BVS had an increased risk of device thrombosis
      compared with CoCr-EES, PtCr-EES, and H-SES. Data from extended follow-up are
      warranted to confirm the long-term safety of contemporary coronary devices.

PMID- 27262862
TI  - Imaging Comparisons of Coregistered Native and Stented Coronary Segments by High
      Definition 60-MHz Intravascular Ultrasound and Optical Coherence Tomography.

PMID- 27262861
TI  - The Impact of Post-Procedural Asymmetry, Expansion, and Eccentricity of
      Bioresorbable Everolimus-Eluting Scaffold and Metallic Everolimus-Eluting Stent
      on Clinical Outcomes in the ABSORB II Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study sought to investigate the relationship between post
      procedural asymmetry, expansion, and eccentricity indices of metallic everolimus
      eluting stent (EES) and bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) and their
      respective impact on clinical events at 1-year follow-up. BACKGROUND: Mechanical
      properties of a fully BVS are inherently different from those of permanent
      metallic stent. METHODS: The ABSORB II (A bioresorbable everolimus-eluting
      scaffold versus a metallic everolimus-eluting stent for ischaemic heart disease
      caused by de-novo native coronary artery lesions) trial compared the BVS and
      metallic EES in the treatment of a de novo coronary artery stenosis. Protocol
      mandated intravascular ultrasound imaging was performed pre- and post-procedure
      in 470 patients (162 metallic EES and 308 BVS). Asymmetry index (AI) was
      calculated per lesion as: (1 - minimum scaffold/stent diameter/maximum
      scaffold/stent diameter). Expansion index and optimal scaffold/stent expansion
      followed the definition of the MUSIC (Multicenter Ultrasound Stenting in
      Coronaries) study. Eccentricity index (EI) was calculated as the ratio of minimum
      and maximum scaffold/stent diameter per cross section. The incidence of device
      oriented composite endpoint (DoCE) was collected. RESULTS: Post-procedure, the
      metallic EES group was more symmetric and concentric than the BVS group. Only
      8.0% of the BVS arm and 20.0% of the metallic EES arm achieved optimal
      scaffold/stent expansion (p < 0.001). At 1 year, there was no difference in the
      DoCE between both devices (BVS 5.2% vs. EES 3.1%; p = 0.29). Post-procedural
      devices asymmetry and eccentricity were related to higher event rates while there
      was no relevance to the expansion status. Subsequent multivariate analysis
      identified that post-procedural AI >0.30 is an independent predictor of DoCE
      (hazard ratio: 3.43; 95% confidence interval: 1.08 to 10.92; p = 0.037).
      CONCLUSIONS: BVS implantation is more frequently associated with post-procedural
      asymmetric and eccentric morphology compared to metallic EES. Post-procedural
      devices asymmetry were independently associated with DoCE following percutaneous
      coronary intervention. However, this approach should be viewed as hypothesis
      generating due to low event rates. (ABSORB II Randomized Controlled Trial [ABSORB
      II]; NCT01425281).

PMID- 27262863
TI  - Revisiting the Network of Drug-Eluting Stent Trials: Bioresorbable Scaffolds
      Enter the Arena.

PMID- 27262864
TI  - Does Asymmetric Expansion of Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds Cause Stent
      Failure?

PMID- 27262865
TI  - Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

PMID- 27262866
TI  - Integrated 3D Echo-X-Ray Navigation Guided Transcatheter Closure of Complex
      Multiple Atrial Septal Defects.

PMID- 27262867
TI  - In Vivo Molecular Imaging of Ruptured Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Using IVUS,
      OCT, and FDG-PET/CT.

PMID- 27262868
TI  - The Reliability of Oral and Pharyngeal Dimensions Captured with Acoustic
      Pharyngometry.
AB  - Acoustic Pharyngometry (APh) is a method for quantifying oropharyngeal tract
      configuration using sound wave reflection and is commonly used in diagnostics and
      research of sleep apnea. The standard preset output of APh (minimal cross
      sectional area) has been established as reliable. However, by conducting post
      processing measures on specific breathing tasks, APh data can also reveal oral
      length, oral volume, pharyngeal length, and pharyngeal volume. Given that these
      measures may have utility in dysphagia research, the reliability of these
      measures is unknown and is the focus of the current study. Ten young healthy
      female volunteers completed two sessions of APh data collection to obtain
      measures of oral length, oral volume, pharyngeal length, and pharyngeal volume 1
      week apart. Two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to
      establish intra-rater reliability, inter-rater reliability, and test-retest
      reliability. Results revealed excellent levels of agreement within and across
      raters for all oropharyngeal tract parameters. Levels of test-retest agreement
      for oral length and oral volume indicated these parameters are appropriate for
      monitoring change within an individual. All parameters were deemed to have
      acceptable test-retest values as outcome measures in group-level analysis.

PMID- 27262869
TI  - Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iran: A 2011 update.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of
      metabolic syndrome and its individual components among the Iranian adult
      population in 2011 and to investigate changes between 2007 and 2011. METHODS:
      Data from two rounds of the Surveillance of Risk Factors of Non-communicable
      Diseases national surveys conducted in 2007 and 2011 were pooled. Metabolic
      syndrome was defined according to International Diabetes Federation criteria.
      RESULTS: In 2007, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults aged 25-64
      years was 35.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.27-37.63), which decreased to
      32.96 (95% CI 30.73-35.18) in 2011 (P = 0.0108). Despite this overall decline,
      the prevalence of central obesity (P = 0.1383), raised triglycerides (P =
      0.3058), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; P = 0.5595)
      remained constant. There was a trend towards a decline in the proportion of
      individuals with increased blood pressure (P = 0.0978), and the proportion of
      adults with increased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) increased (P < 0.0001). In
      2011, the prevalence of central obesity, raised triglycerides, reduced HDL-C,
      increased blood pressure and increased FPG was 51.88 (95% CI 48.97-54.79), 36.99
      (95% CI 34.52-39.45), 54.72 (95% CI 50.87-58.57), 38.92 (95% CI 36.19-41.64), and
      24.97 (95% CI 22.02-27.93) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Over the period 2007-11,
      the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has decreased slightly in Iran, although
      prevalence of increased FPG has increased significantly. One-third of the Iranian
      adult population is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 27262870
TI  - Comparison of enteral ethanol and benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal in
      neurocritical care patients.
AB  - We designed a study to evaluate the use of benzodiazepines and ethanol in
      patients being assessed for alcohol withdrawal and compare outcomes between the
      two agents. This is a retrospective chart review of patients admitted to
      neurocritical care or neurosurgical services who were at risk for ethanol
      withdrawal between June 2011 and September 2015. Patients were divided into two
      groups based on the first medication administered for alcohol withdrawal
      management, either benzodiazepine (n=50) or enteral ethanol (n=50). The primary
      endpoint was the maximum change in Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of
      Alcohol scale (CIWA) score within the first 24hours. Secondary endpoints included
      maximum and minimum CIWA score in 5days, length of stay, and change in Glasgow
      Coma Scale. Study groups differed by mortality risk, level of coma at admission,
      and other clinical characteristics, with the ethanol group appearing less
      severely ill. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the
      maximum change in CIWA score at 24hours (-0.97, 95%CI: -3.21 to 1.27, p=0.39).
      Hospital and intensive care unit length of stay was 6.5 days and 1 day shorter
      for the ethanol group (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively). In summary, enteral
      ethanol was preferentially used in patients who are more likely to be capable of
      tolerating oral intake. We found that the change from baseline in CIWA score or
      other physiologic variables was not substantially different between the two
      agents. The overall utility of benzodiazepines and enteral ethanol remains
      unclear for this population and further study is needed to determine superiority.

PMID- 27262871
TI  - Blood mitochondrial enzymatic assay as a predictor of long-term outcome in severe
      traumatic brain injury.
AB  - Recent studies have observed the central role of mitochondrial dysfunction in
      severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). One hundred and seven sTBI patients (18
      65years old, presenting within 8hours of injury) were randomised for a placebo
      controlled phase II trial of progesterone with or without hypothermia. We
      serially analysed blood mitochondrial enzymes (Complex I [C1], Complex IV [C4]
      and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex [PDH]) using a dipstick assay at admission and
      7days later for 37 patients, irrespective of assigned group. Favorable Glasgow
      Outcome Scale (GOS) at 1year was associated with admission C1 levels above
      0.19MUg, admission C4 levels above 0.19MUg and day 7 C1 levels above 0.17MUg, all
      per 25MUl of blood. Unfavorable GOS at 1year was associated with admission serum
      PDH levels above 0.23MUg/25MUl of blood. Survivors at 1year had significantly
      higher admission serum C1 levels above 0.19MUg/25MUl and day 7 C1 levels above
      0.17MUg/25MUl. To our knowledge this is the first clinical trial associating
      blood mitochondrial enzymes with long-term outcome in sTBI. Serial monitoring and
      optimisation of blood C1, C4 and PDH levels could aid in prognostication and
      potentially guide in using mitochondrial targeted therapies. Blood mitochondrial
      enzymatic assay might suggest global reduction-oxidation status. 

PMID- 27262872
TI  - Clinical significance of intra-nodal naevi in sentinel node biopsies for
      malignant melanoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intra-nodal naevi (INN) identified during assessment of a sentinel
      lymph node for melanoma are not an uncommon finding. Little is known about their
      clinical significance. Patients with INN are treated as sentinel node biopsy
      (SNB) negative currently. Our aim was to assess the significance of INN in
      patients who undergo SNB for melanoma. METHODS: 353 melanoma patients who
      underwent a SNB between November 1999 and June 2012 were retrospectively analysed
      from a prospectively collected database. The patients were divided into SNB
      negative, INN, isolated tumour cells (ITC) and SNB positive groups. Outcome
      measures of nodal recurrence, distal recurrence and survival were used to assess
      the differences between the groups. RESULTS: 203 patients were SNB negative, 103
      were positive of which 13 had ITC, 47 had INN (13%). Overall median follow up was
      2.3 years (range 0.1-14.1 years). Our data demonstrated a statistically
      significant survival benefit for patients who had an INN compared to the SNB
      positive and ITC group. INN patients also had significantly better nodal and
      regional recurrence compared to SNB positive patients. There was no difference
      between INN and SNB negative patients. CONCLUSION: We have clinically
      demonstrated that patients with INN on SNB can be adequately treated as SNB
      negative patients.

PMID- 27262874
TI  - Erratum to: Awareness of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV, Willingness to Use It
      and Potential Barriers or Facilitators to Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex with Men
      in Spain.

PMID- 27262873
TI  - Effect of Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 Expression on Intracellular Granule Movement
      in Pancreatic alpha Cells.
AB  - Although glucagon secreted from pancreatic alpha cells plays a role in increasing
      glucose concentrations in serum, the mechanism regulating glucagon secretion from
      alpha cells remains unclear. Cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1), identified as an
      adhesion molecule in alpha cells, has been reported not only to communicate among
      alpha cells and between nerve fibers, but also to prevent excessive glucagon
      secretion from alpha cells. Here, we investigated the effect of CADM1 expression
      on the movement of intracellular secretory granules in alpha cells because the
      granule transport is an important step in secretion. Spinning disk microscopic
      analysis showed that granules moved at a mean velocity of 0.236 +/- 0.010 MUm/s
      in the mouse alpha cell line alphaTC6 that expressed CADM1 endogenously. The mean
      velocity was significantly decreased in CADM1-knockdown (KD) cells (mean
      velocity: 0.190 +/- 0.016 MUm/s). The velocity of granule movement decreased
      greatly in alphaTC6 cells treated with the microtubule-depolymerizing reagent
      nocodazole, but not in alphaTC6 cells treated with the actin-depolymerizing
      reagent cytochalasin D. No difference in the mean velocity was observed between
      alphaTC6 and CADM1-KD cells treated with nocodazole. These results suggest that
      intracellular granules in pancreatic alpha cells move along the microtubule
      network, and that CADM1 influences their velocity. 

PMID- 27262875
TI  - HIV Status Communication with Sex Partners and Associated Factors Among High-Risk
      MSM and Transgender Women in Lima, Peru.
AB  - Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) are key populations in
      the HIV epidemic. HIV status communication between sex partners can inform
      decisions regarding sexual behavior. MSM and TW were asked about HIV status
      communication with sex partners at baseline, 9- and 18-months. GEE models
      assessed associations with HIV status communication at baseline using prevalence
      ratios (PRs) and longitudinally using odds ratios (ORs). At baseline, those who
      had previously had an HIV test, disclosed their HIV status to 42 % of their sex
      partners. HIV status communication was associated with knowing their sex
      partner's HIV status at baseline (aPR 5.20) and longitudinally (aOR 1.86). HIV
      positivity at baseline was negatively associated with HIV status communication
      during follow-up (aOR 0.55). All reported aPRs and aORs have p < 0.05.
      Interventions promoting HIV status communication and more frequent HIV testing
      should be explored as current efforts are insufficient.

PMID- 27262876
TI  - Cytotoxic triterpenoid saponins from Clematis tangutica.
AB  - Eight previously undescribed oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins,
      clematangoticosides A-H, together with eight known saponins, were isolated from
      the whole plants of Clematis tangutica (Maxim.) Korsh. Their structures were
      elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, in combination with chemical
      methods (acid hydrolysis and mild alkaline hydrolysis). Clematangoticosides D-G
      were found to be unusual 23, 28-bidesmosidic glycosides. The cytotoxic activities
      of all of the isolated saponins were evaluated against the four human cancer cell
      lines SGC-7901, HepG2, HL-60 and U251MG. Clematoside S, sapindoside B, kalopanax
      saponin A, and koelreuteria saponin A exhibited cytotoxicity against all of the
      test cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 1.88-27.20 MUM, while
      clematangoticoside D and F showed selective cytotoxicity against SGC-7901 with
      IC50 values of 24.22 and 21.35 MUM, respectively. 

PMID- 27262877
TI  - Natural variability in acyl moieties of sugar esters produced by certain tobacco
      and other Solanaceae species.
AB  - A unique feature of glandular trichomes of plants in the botanical family
      Solanaceae is that they produce sugar esters (SE), chemicals that have been shown
      to possess insecticidal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Sugar esters
      of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) provide pest resistance, and are important flavor
      precursors in oriental tobacco cultivars. Acyl moieties of SEs in Nicotiana spp.,
      petunia, and tomato are shown to vary with respect to carbon length and isomer
      structure (2-12 carbon chain length; anteiso-, iso-, and straight-chain). Sugar
      esters and their acyl groups could serve as a model to explore the basis of
      phenotypic diversity and adaptation to natural and agricultural environments.
      However, information on the diversity of acyl composition among species,
      cultivars, and accessions is lacking. Herein, described is the analysis of SE
      acyl groups found in 21 accessions of Nicotiana obtusifolia (desert tobacco), six
      of Nicotiana occidentalis subsp. hesperis, three of Nicotiana alata, two of N.
      occidentalis, four modern tobacco cultivars, five petunia hybrids, and one
      accession each of a primitive potato (Solanum berthaultii) and tomato (Solanum
      pennellii). A total of 20 different acyl groups was observed that were
      represented differently among cultivars, species, and accessions. In Nicotiana
      species, acetate and iso- and anteiso-branched acids prevailed. Straight-chain
      groups (2-8 carbons) were prominent in petunias, while octanoic acid was
      prominent in N. alata and N. * sanderae. Two unexpected acyl groups, 8-methyl
      nonanoate and decanoate were found in N. occidentalis subsp. hesperis. Longer
      chain groups were found in the petunia, tomato, and potato species studied. 

PMID- 27262878
TI  - Protocol for the development of a core outcome set for autologous fat grafting to
      the breast.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
      Reconstruction is routinely offered to patients and can be autologous and/or
      implant based. One area of growing interest in autologous fat grafting (AFG). Our
      group recently published a systematic review and meta-analysis of this topic
      which showed 51 different outcomes were being utilized in the published
      literature, with substantial heterogeneity in their definitions. METHODS AND
      ANALYSIS: A Delphi consensus exercise amongst key stakeholders will be conducted
      using the long list of 51 outcomes generated through our previous work. We will
      first group these according to the six domains previously identified;
      oncological, clinical, aesthetic and functional, patient-reported, process and
      radiological. Through sequential rounds of voting, the long list of outcomes will
      be narrowed down using predefined rules of agreement. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:
      No patients will be involved in this study and ethical approval is not required.
      The research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. It will also be
      presented at national and international conferences in the fields of plastic,
      reconstructive and aesthetic surgery as well as breast surgery and at more
      general surgical and methodological conferences. It will be disseminated
      electronically and in print. Brief reports of the review findings will be
      disseminated directly to the appropriate audiences of surgeons and societies
      through email and other modes of communication.

PMID- 27262879
TI  - Primary and recurrent sporadic desmoids: Prognostic factors influencing
      recurrence-free survival after complete gross resection.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is continuing controversy over the significance of prognostic
      factors in sporadic desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF). Further, only limited data is
      available in the literature concerning second recurrence in patients with
      recurrent DF. The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors
      influencing recurrence-free survival (RFS) and to determine rates of local
      recurrence (LR) in patients with primary and recurrent DF. METHODS: Fifty-three
      consecutive patients with DF who underwent surgery at a single institution were
      identified. As a result of strict exclusion criteria, a homogeneous cohort of
      thirty-two patients who received macroscopically complete resection was included
      in this study and split into a primary (PG) and recurrent disease (RG) group.
      Clinicopathological parameters and immunohistochemical markers were
      retrospectively and independently analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: The local
      recurrence rate was 35% for the PG and 33% for the RG. The PG's calculated median
      time to relapse was 17 months, and the RG's was 29 months. The estimated 1-, 5-,
      and 8-year RFS rates for the PG were 75%, 64%, and 55% while the corresponding
      RFS rates for the RG were 69%, 69%, and 52%, respectively. In primary disease,
      extraabdominal tumor location was the only significant adverse prognostic factor
      associated with worse RFS (p = 0.008). Whereas in recurrent disease, age >=40 yrs
      (p = 0.022) and R0 margin status (p = 0.049) correlated with a significantly
      better outcome. CONCLUSION: Recurrence in primary and recurrent DF is
      characterized by different predictive factors and benefits from distinct
      therapeutic strategies. Immunohistochemical markers are valuable tools in the
      diagnosis of DF, although have limited potential in predicting the outcome.

PMID- 27262880
TI  - Challenging situations in partial nephrectomy.
AB  - Although most partial nephrectomies are performed as primary procedures in the
      elective or semi-imperative setting on kidneys with relatively normal anatomy,
      this is not always the case. The indications for partial nephrectomy continue to
      expand and it is becoming particularly relevant in patients with single
      functioning kidneys, poor kidney function, anatomical anomalies and hereditary
      syndromes predisposing to multiple kidney cancers, such as Von Hippel-Lindau
      syndrome. These, along with previous abdominal surgery, pose surgical challenges.
      In this article we offer advice as to how to tackle these unusual situations. An
      ability to master the whole range of indications will allow the modern upper
      renal tract surgeon to offer partial nephrectomy to a wider range of patients.

PMID- 27262881
TI  - Intravenous versus topical tranexamic acid in primary total hip replacement: A
      systemic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with substantial blood
      loss. Tranexamic acid (TXA) could reduce perioperative blood loss. The optimal
      administration routine of TXA remains controversial. The objective of the present
      systemic review and meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness and safety of
      various application methods of tranexamic acid in primary THA. METHODS: Potential
      relevant literature was identified from electronic databases including Medline,
      PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, web of science and Cochrane Library. Grey academic
      studies were also identified from the references of the included literature.
      There was no language restriction. The pooling of data was carried out by using
      RevMan 5.1. RESULTS: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two non-RCTs
      involving 1614 patients met the inclusion criteria. Current meta-analysis
      indicated that there were no significant differences in terms of total blood loss
      (MD = -30.04, 95% CI: -114.67 to 54.59, P = 0.49), postoperative hemoglobin level
      (MD = -0.29, 95% CI: -0.68 to 0.10, P = 0.14), transfusion rate (RD = -0.02, 95%
      CI: -0.5 to -0.00, P = 0.09), length of stay ((MD = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.30 to 0.01,
      P = 0.07) or operation time ((MD = 1.00, 95% CI: -0.31 to 2.31, P = 0.14) between
      treatment groups. No significant differences were found regarding the incidence
      of adverse effects such as wound infection (RD = -0.01, 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.04, P
      = 0.66), myocardial infarction (MI) (RD = -0.01, 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.02, P =
      0.61), deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (RD = 0.00, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.01, P = 0.51)
      or pulmonary embolism (PE) (RD = RD = 0.00, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.01, P = 0.63)
      between groups. CONCLUSION: The topical administration of TXA in THA carried
      similar hemostasis effects compared with intravenous use without an increased
      risk of thrombotic complications. No other adverse effect was identified. Topical
      TXA application was a simple, safe, effective and cost-effective adjunct for
      blood management following primary THA. For patients with a high risk of
      thromboembolic events, there may be benefits with topical administration.

PMID- 27262882
TI  - Low vs. standard dose computed tomography in suspected acute appendicitis: Is it
      time for a change?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical diagnosis is accurate in only 80% of patients with suspected
      appendicitis with negative appendectomy rates of up to 21%. In the UK the use of
      standard-dose CT (SDCT) is conservative due to concerns over radiation exposure
      and resource implications. The use of low dose computer tomography (LDCT) instead
      of standard dose computer tomography (SDCT) may partially address these concerns.
      AIM: To compare LDCT and SDCT in the diagnosis of appendicitis. METHODS: A
      literature search of the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases in July 2015 was conducted
      using the keywords 'low dose CT' and 'appendicitis'. Data were analysed and p
      values calculated using the Chi-square test. P values less than 0.05 were
      considered to be significant. RESULTS: LDCT (1.2-5.3 mSv) was not inferior to
      SDCT (5.2-10.2 mSv) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and proposing
      alternative diagnoses. SDCT was superior to LDCT in the negative predictive value
      of diagnosis of appendiceal perforation. There was no significant difference
      between LDCT and SDCT in negative appendectomy rate, appendiceal perforation rate
      and the need for additional imaging. CONCLUSION: LDCT is not inferior to SDCT in
      the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and proposing alternative diagnoses. Further
      studies are recommended to further assess the potential role of LDCT & its cost
      effectiveness. Its use may improve the current management of patients with
      suspected acute appendicitis.

PMID- 27262883
TI  - Immune responses to different patterns of exposure to ovalbumin in a mouse model
      of allergic rhinitis.
AB  - Allergic rhinitis (AR) has been a significant healthcare burden on individuals
      and society. However, the detailed effect of different patterns of allergen
      exposure on the development of AR remains controversial. A mouse model of AR was
      established to address the complex relationships between allergen exposure and
      the development of AR. Allergic symptom, OVA-specific IgE in serum and nasal
      lavage fluid, allergic inflammation in nasal tissues were evaluated after
      intranasal sensitization and challenge of ovalbumin (OVA) in mice treated with
      two different doses of allergen for different sensitized durations. Exposure to
      different doses and sensitized durations of OVA were capable of inducing allergic
      nasal response. Repetitive OVA exposure in the sensitization phase induced the
      recruitment of eosinophils and goblet cell hyperplasia. The level of OVA-specific
      IgE in serum depended on OVA exposure and was mediated in a duration-related
      manner. In addition, mice treated with low-dose OVA for prolonged duration
      manifested the major features of human local allergic rhinitis. There were dose-
      and duration-related effects of allergen exposure on the development of AR. LAR
      was associated with repetitive exposure to low-dose allergen. Thus, allergen
      avoidance should be an important aim of AR management.

PMID- 27262884
TI  - Steroid hormones in bovine oviductal fluid during the estrous cycle.
AB  - Ovarian steroid hormones are major regulators of the physiology of the oviduct
      and reproductive events occurring within the oviduct. To establish a whole
      steroid profiling of the bovine oviductal fluid (OF) during the estrous cycle,
      contralateral and ipsilateral (to the corpus luteum or preovulatory follicle)
      oviducts were classified into four stages of the estrous cycle (n = 18-27 cows
      per stage): postovulatory (Post-ov), mid-luteal (Mid-lut), late luteal (Late
      lut), and preovulatory on the basis of the ovarian morphology and intrafollicular
      steroid concentrations. Steroids were extracted from pools of 150 to 200 MUL OF
      (three to 10 cows per pool; three to four pools per "stage * side" group),
      purified, fractioned by high-performance liquid chromatography, and analyzed by
      gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The concentrations of
      progesterone (P4) in ipsilateral OF increased from Post-ov (56.9 +/- 13.4 ng/mL)
      to Mid-lut (120.3 +/- 34.3 ng/mL), then decreased from Late-lut (76.7 +/- 1.8
      ng/mL) to Pre-ov (6.3 +/- 1.7 ng/mL), and were four to 16 times higher than in
      contralateral OF. Most P4 metabolites followed similar patterns of variation.
      Concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E2) were significantly higher at Pre-ov
      (290.5 +/- 63.2 pg/mL) compared with all other stages (<118.3 pg/mL), with no
      difference regarding the side of ovulation. Concentrations of androstenedione
      displayed a pattern similar to that of E2, whereas other androgens, estrone, and
      corticoids did not vary between stages or sides. In conclusion, a highly
      concentrated and fluctuating hormonal environment was evidenced in the bovine OF.
      These results could be useful to improve media for IVF, embryo development, and
      culture of oviductal cells. 

PMID- 27262885
TI  - Pregnancy prediction on the day of embryo transfer (Day 7) and Day 14 by
      measuring luteal blood flow in dairy cows.
AB  - This study aimed to assess the suitability of luteal blood flow analyses measured
      by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), to predict pregnancy at pre- and post
      embryo transfer (ET) in dairy cows, and to compare with the established criterion
      like luteal size and plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations. Lactating Holstein
      cows (n = 65) with spontaneous (n = 34) or synchronized estrus (n = 31) were
      examined. Cows with a CL greater than or equal to 20 mm in diameter (n = 58)
      received embryo transfer on Day 7 (Day 0 = estrus). Brightness mode images were
      captured for calculation of the CL area, luteal cavity area, and dominant
      follicle area on Days 3, 5, 7, and 14. Color Doppler ultrasonography examinations
      were conducted to determine the blood flow area (BFA) within the CL at the
      maximum diameter and the time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV) of the base of the
      spiral artery on the same days. Plasma P4 concentrations were determined from
      blood samples collected at each ultrasound examination. Pregnancy was diagnosed
      by an ultrasound on Day 30. There was no significant difference in the proportion
      of cows received embryo (91.2% vs. 87.1%, P = 0.70) and pregnancy rate (58.1% vs.
      59.3%, P = 1.00) between the spontaneous estrus and synchronized groups. The BFA
      values of the pregnant group (n = 34) were approximately 1.42 and 1.54 times
      higher than those of the nonpregnant group (n = 24) on Days 7 (0.54 +/- 0.04
      cm(2) vs. 0.38 +/- 0.02 cm(2); P < 0.01) and 14 (0.80 +/- 0.23 cm(2) vs. 0.52 +/-
      0.22 cm(2); P < 0.01), respectively. The TAMV of the pregnant group was
      approximately 1.45 times higher than that of the nonpregnant group on Day 14
      (57.8 +/- 3.5 cm/s vs. 40.0 +/- 3.3 cm/s; P < 0.01). However, no differences were
      found in the CL area, CL tissue area, dominant follicle area, and plasma P4
      concentrations among these groups. In addition, the best logistic regression
      model to predict pregnancy included scores for BFA on Day 7, BFA and TAMV on Day
      14. Setting the cutoff value of BFA at 0.43 cm(2) yielded the highest sensitivity
      (79.4%) and specificity (75.0%) on Day 7, indicating the effectiveness of using
      BFA data for predicting pregnancy on Day 7. Furthermore, setting the cutoff value
      at one obtained from a sample with BFA 0.63 cm(2) and TAMV 50.60 cm/s yielded the
      highest sensitivity (85.3%) and specificity (91.7%) on Day 14. In conclusion, the
      evaluations of BFA on Day 7, and paired BFA and TAMV on Day 14 represent reliable
      predictors of pregnancy in the cow. 

PMID- 27262886
TI  - Dietary conjugated linoleic acid supplementation alters the expression of genes
      involved in the endocannabinoid system in the bovine endometrium and increases
      plasma progesterone concentrations.
AB  - Endocannabinoids are derived from phospholipids and reduce fertility by
      interfering with implantation. Identification of changes in the expression of
      genes of the endocannabinoid system as a result of dietary inclusion of
      conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is critical to the advancement of our
      understanding of the nutritional regulation of uterine function. An experiment
      was conducted on transition cows to evaluate the expression of key
      endocannabinoid genes in bovine endometrium in response to dietary
      supplementation with CLA. A total of 16 cows were randomly assigned to two
      treatments: (1) control (75 g/day palm oil) and (2) CLA (75 g/day CLA) from 21
      days prepartum to Day 42 postpartum. Cows underwent uterine biopsy on days 21 and
      42 postpartum. The abundance of mRNA encoding endocannabinoid receptor (CNR2), N
      acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPEPLD), fatty acid amide
      hydrolase (FAAH), N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA), and monoglyceride
      lipase (MGLL) was measured by real-time PCR. Results reported that relative
      levels of mRNA encoding CNR2 and NAPEPLD were decreased (P < 0.05) compared with
      control cows between Days 21 and 42 postpartum. Relative levels of mRNA coding
      for NAAA and MGLL were not different (P > 0.05) in the same situation. Mean
      plasma progesterone concentrations were higher in CLA-fed cows compared with
      control cows at Day 42 postpartum (3.51 and 1.42 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.05).
      In conclusion, we suggest that the beneficial effects of a diet enriched with CLA
      are the result of a decrease in relative gene expression of the endocannabinoid
      receptor (CNR2) and enzymes that synthesize fatty acid amides (NAPEPLD) and of an
      increase in the expression of PTGS2 that in turn can oxidate endocannabinoids and
      consequently resulted in increased plasma progesterone concentrations during
      early lactation. 

PMID- 27262887
TI  - Concomitant application of sprint and high-intensity interval training on maximal
      oxygen uptake and work output in well-trained cyclists.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this study, we compared the effects of two different training
      modalities on maximal oxygen uptake and work output. METHODS: Participants
      included 26 well-trained mountain bike cyclists were divided into two groups. The
      first group trained using a conventional endurance protocol at steady-state
      (moderate) intensity and variable-intensity (high-moderate-low) free of maximal
      efforts. The second group combined endurance training with a sprint and high
      intensity interval training protocol, which, respectively, were based on 30 s
      maximal repetitions and 4 min high intensity repetitions. Training duration was 8
      weeks. A graded exercise test was administered pre- and post-training. Work
      output, oxygen uptake, minute pulmonary ventilation, heart rate and stroke volume
      were determined during the test. RESULTS: While work output significantly
      increased post-training in both groups (P < 0.05), the interval training group
      showed a greater magnitude of change (from 284.4 +/- 91.9 to 314.2 +/- 95.1 kJ)
      than the endurance training group (from 271.8 +/- 73.3 to 283.4 +/- 72.3 kJ).
      Significant increases in maximal oxygen uptake (from 57.9 +/- 6.8 to 66.6 +/- 5.3
      ml kg(-1) min(-1)), maximal pulmonary ventilation and stroke volume were observed
      only in the interval training group. CONCLUSIONS: An exercise protocol involving
      endurance and sprint and high-intensity interval training was found to induce
      positive effects on maximal oxygen uptake in a group of well-trained cyclists
      with several years athletic experience.

PMID- 27262888
TI  - Cortisol and testosterone dynamics following exhaustive endurance exercise.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) are impacted significantly by
      prolonged endurance exercise with inverse responses. Increases in C are witnessed
      concurrently with decrements in T, possibly impacting recovery. This study was
      conducted to assess the dynamics of C and free T (fT) concentration and recovery
      time following an exhaustive endurance exercise session (EES). METHODS: 12
      endurance-trained males (X +/- SD: VO2max 66.3+/-4.8 ml/kg/min, age 22.8 +/- 3.1
      years, body fat 11.0 +/- 1.4 %, training 7.1 +/- 3.2 years) completed a treadmill
      EES at ventilatory threshold (74.7 +/- 4.6 % of VO2max; 96.9 +/- 10.8 min). Basal
      blood C and fT were collected at baseline: -48, -24 h, and immediately before (0
      h) the EES as well as immediately (+0 h), +24 h, +48 h, and +72 h after the EES.
      Blood glucose (G) was measured to confirm no undue influence on C. Statistically
      data were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA (LSD post hoc). RESULTS: C
      (nmol/L) increased significantly from -48 h (321 +/- 59) to +0 h (701 +/- 178) (p
      < 0.001), and displayed a baseline overshoot with +24 h (209 +/- 67) being
      significantly lower than -48 and +0 h (p < 0.03). fT (pmol/L) decreased
      significantly from -48 h (161 +/- 40) to +0 h (106 +/- 38) (p < 0.01) and
      remained lower at +24 h (110 +/- 33) and +48 h (129 +/- 30) (p < 0.001). G
      remained stable throughout. A moderately negative correlation (r = -0.636, p <
      0.026) was found between C and fT at +0 h. CONCLUSIONS: EES recovery may require
      48 h for C and 72 h for fT to return to baseline values. Furthermore, C and fT
      were only correlated immediately post-exercise. Future research should perform
      more frequent measurements throughout time course.

PMID- 27262889
TI  - Erratum to Sclerostin antibody prevented progressive bone loss in combined
      ovariectomized and concurrent functional disuse [Bone 87 (2016) 161-168].

PMID- 27262890
TI  - Corrigendum to "Trabecular microfractures in the femoral head with osteoporosis:
      Analysis of microcallus formations by synchrotron radiation micro CT" [Bone,
      volume 64 (2014) 82-87].

PMID- 27262891
TI  - Covered self-expanding metal stents for the management of common bile duct
      stones.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Little medical literature exists for the use of fully
      covered self-expanding metal stents (CSEMSs) in the management of retained common
      bile duct (CBD) stones. Our aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of CSEMSs
      for the indication of retained "difficult" CBD stones. METHODS: This
      retrospective cases series included 44 patients (30 women; median age, 69 years
      [range, 24-88]) who underwent CSEMS insertion for the indication of retained
      "difficult" CBD stones in 2 tertiary referral centers. Patients underwent
      temporary placement of CSEMSs after incomplete stone clearance at ERCP. Follow-up
      ERCP was arranged for stent removal and subsequent attempt at duct clearance.
      Procedure-related adverse events were also recorded. RESULTS: Successful biliary
      drainage was achieved in all cases after CSEMS placement. Forty-two stents were
      removed with successful duct clearance achieved in 36 cases (82%) after a median
      in-stent duration of 8 weeks. There were 10 cases (22.7%) of stent migration, all
      noted incidentally during follow-up. One patient died of nonbiliary causes before
      attempted removal. CONCLUSION: This is the largest published retrospective case
      series for use of CSEMSs for management of retained CBD stone disease to date. We
      have shown high success rates for this indication. A well-designed, multicenter,
      randomized controlled trial might address the uncertainty of cost-to-benefit
      ratio and appropriate duration for CSEMSs to be left in situ. Specific stent
      modification for this indication, including wider distal flare and retrieval
      purse string loop, may also be useful.

PMID- 27262892
TI  - Exercise therapy after ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections in patients
      with subacromial pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) accounts for around 50 % of all
      cases of shoulder pain. The most commonly used treatments are glucocorticosteroid
      (steroid) injections and exercise therapy; however, despite treatment SAPS
      patients often experience relapse of their symptoms. Therefore the clinical
      effect of combining steroid and exercise therapy is highly relevant to clarify.
      The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate if exercise
      therapy added to steroid injection in patients with SAPS will improve the effect
      of the injection therapy on shoulder pain. METHODS: In this two-arm randomized
      trial running over 26 weeks, patients with unilateral shoulder pain (> 4 weeks)
      and thickened subacromial bursa (> 2 mm on US) were included. At baseline all
      participants received two steroid injections into the painful shoulder with an
      interval of one week. Subsequently they were randomized (1:1) to either 10 weeks
      exercise of the involved shoulder (intervention group) or exercise of the
      uninvolved shoulder (control group). The patients were re-examined after the
      exercise program (at week 13) and again at week 26. The primary outcome assessed
      after 26 weeks was change in shoulder pain analyzed using the intention-to-treat
      principle (non-responder imputation). RESULTS: Ninety-nine SAPS patients (58
      female) participated (49 intervention/50 control). At both follow up visits (week
      13 and 26) no statistically significant between-group differences in pain changes
      on a visual analog scale (mm) were seen (13 weeks: pain at rest 1.7 (95 % CI -3.6
      to 7.0; P = 0.53); pain in activity 2.2 (95 % CI -6.5 to 10.9; P = 0.61), 26
      weeks: rest 5.6 (95 % CI -0.9 to 12.1; P = 0.09); activity 2.2 (95 % CI -6.8 to
      11.2; P = 0.62). The reduction in pain was most evident in the control group at
      all four pain measurements. The only difference between groups was seen by US
      examination at week 13, where fewer participants with impingement were observed
      in the intervention group compared with the controls (9 vs. 19 participants; P =
      0.03). CONCLUSION: Exercise therapy in the painful shoulder in SAPS patients did
      not improve the effectiveness of steroid injections for shoulder pain in patients
      with unilateral SAPS and enlarged subacromial bursa on US examination. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01506804 ). Registration date 5 May 2011.

PMID- 27262893
TI  - SW43-DOX +/- loading onto drug-eluting bead, a potential new targeted drug
      delivery platform for systemic and locoregional cancer treatment - An in vitro
      evaluation.
AB  - Treatment of unresectable primary cancer and their distant metastases, with the
      liver representing one of the most frequent location, is still plagued by
      insufficient treatment success and poor survival rates. The Sigma-2 receptor is
      preferentially expressed on many tumor cells making it an appealing target for
      therapy. Thus, we developed a potential targeted drug conjugate consisting of the
      Sigma-2 receptor ligand SW43 and Doxorubicin (SW43-DOX) for systemic cancer
      therapy and for locoregional treatment of primary and secondary liver
      malignancies when loaded onto drug-eluting bead (DEB) which was compared in vitro
      to the treatment with Doxorubicin alone. SW43-DOX binds specifically to the Sigma
      2 receptor expressed on hepatocellular (Hep G2, Hep 3B), pancreatic (Panc-1) and
      colorectal (HT-29) carcinoma cell lines with high affinity and subsequent early
      specific internalization. Free SW43-DOX showed superior concentration and time
      depended cancer toxicity than treatment with Doxorubicin alone. Action mechanisms
      analysis revealed an apoptotic cell death with increased caspase 3/7 activation
      and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Only ROS scavenging with alpha
      Tocopherol, but not the caspase inhibition (Z-VAD-FMK), partly reverted the
      effect. SW43-DOX could successfully be loaded onto DEB and showed prolonged
      eluting kinetics compared to Doxorubicin. SW43-DOX loaded DEB vs. Doxorubicin
      loaded DEB showed a significantly greater time dependent toxicity in all cell
      lines. In conclusion, the novel conjugate SW43-DOX +/- loading onto DEB is a
      promising drug delivery platform for targeted systemic and locoregional cancer
      therapy.

PMID- 27262894
TI  - Angiotensinogen and HLA class II predict bevacizumab response in recurrent
      glioblastoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab combination therapy is among the most frequently used
      treatments in recurrent glioblastoma and patients who achieve response to
      bevacizumab have improved survival as well as quality of life. Accordingly, the
      aim of this study was to identify predictive biomarkers for bevacizumab response
      in recurrent glioblastoma patients. METHODS: The study included a total of 82
      recurrent glioblastoma patients treated with bevacizumab combination therapy whom
      were both response and biomarker evaluable. Gene expression of tumor tissue was
      analyzed by using a customized NanoString platform covering 800 genes. Candidate
      gene predictors associated with response were analyzed by multivariate logistic
      and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Two genes were independently associated
      with response: Low expression of angiotensinogen (2-fold decrease in AGT; OR =
      2.44; 95% CI: 1.45-4.17; P = 0.0009) and high expression of a HLA class II gene
      (2-fold increase in HLA-DQA1; OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.01-1.47; P = 0.04). These two
      genes were included in a model that is able predict response to bevacizumab
      combination therapy in clinical practice. When stratified for a validated
      prognostic index, the predictive model for response was significantly associated
      with improved overall survival. CONCLUSION: Two genes (low angiotensinogen and
      high HLA-class II expression) were predictive for bevacizumab response and were
      included in a predictive model for response. This model can be used in clinical
      practice to identify patients who will benefit from bevacizumab combination
      therapy.

PMID- 27262895
TI  - Phase 2 Trial of Metformin Combined With 5-Fluorouracil in Patients With
      Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Observational and preclinical studies have suggested that metformin
      has antitumor effects in solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC).
      However, the effects of metformin in CRC have not been tested in clinical trials.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-center, single-arm phase 2 clinical trial
      where histologically confirmed CRC patients with measurable and progressing
      metastatic disease previously treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), irinotecan,
      oxaliplatin, and an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (if the tumor was RAS
      wild type) were enrolled to receive metformin 850 mg orally continuously 2 times
      a day plus 5-FU 425 mg/m2 and leucovorin 50 mg intravenously weekly until disease
      progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. The primary end
      point was disease control rate at 8 weeks. RESULTS: Among 50 patients included,
      11 (22%) met the primary end point. The median progression-free survival was 1.8
      months and the median overall survival 7.9 months. Analyzing only the 11 patients
      who experienced disease control at 8 weeks, their median progression-free
      survival was 5.6 months and their median overall survival was 16.2 months. There
      was a trend for prolonged median survival for obese patients (12.4 vs. 5.8
      months) and those longer off 5-FU. The treatment was well tolerated; the main
      adverse effects were diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and myelotoxicity. CONCLUSION:
      Metformin and 5-FU showed an overall modest but intriguing activity in patients
      with refractory CRC in this phase 2 study. Some patients experienced long-term
      disease control. Further trials are needed to confirm these results, particularly
      in obese patients with CRC.

PMID- 27262898
TI  - Training law enforcement to respond to opioid overdose with naloxone: Impact on
      knowledge, attitudes, and interactions with community members.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Training law enforcement officers (LEOs) to administer naloxone to
      opioid overdose victims is increasingly part of comprehensive efforts to reduce
      opioid overdose deaths. Such efforts could yield positive interactions between
      LEOs and community members and might ultimately help lower overdose death rates.
      METHODS: We evaluated a pilot LEO naloxone program by (1) assessing opioid
      overdose knowledge and attitudes (competency in responding, concerns about
      naloxone administration, and attitudes towards overdose victims) before and after
      a 30min training on overdose and naloxone administration, and (2) conducting
      qualitative interviews with LEOs who used naloxone to respond to overdose
      emergencies after the training. RESULTS: Eighty-one LEOs provided pre- and post
      training data. Nearly all (89%) had responded to an overdose while serving as an
      LEO. Statistically significant increases were observed in nearly all items
      measuring opioid overdose knowledge (p's=0.04 to <0.0001). Opioid overdose
      competencies (p<0.001) and concerns about naloxone administration (p<0.001)
      significantly improved after the training, while there was no change in attitudes
      towards overdose victims (p=0.90). LEOs administered naloxone 11 times; nine
      victims survived and three of the nine surviving victims made at least one visit
      to substance abuse treatment as a result of a LEO-provided referral. Qualitative
      data suggest that LEOs had generally positive experiences when they employed the
      skills from the training. CONCLUSIONS: Training LEOs in naloxone administration
      can increase knowledge and confidence in managing opioid overdose emergencies.
      Perhaps most importantly, training LEOs to respond to opioid overdose emergencies
      may have positive effects for LEOs and overdose victims.

PMID- 27262897
TI  - Personality profile of binge drinking in university students is modulated by sex.
      A study using the Alternative Five Factor Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of binge drinking (BD), found especially among young
      people, is increasing worldwide and has become an important social and health
      concern. We studied, for the first time, the personality profile, using the
      Alternative Five Factor Model, among university students with BD and healthy
      controls, taking into account the possible influence of sex. METHODS: 70
      participants with BD (30 men) and 70 healthy controls (30 men) were included,
      selected to control for characteristics that are known to be related to BD
      (physical and mental disorders, consumption of other drugs, circadian rhythms),
      completed the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ). RESULTS: The
      scores on Neuroticism-Anxiety and Impulsive Sensation-Seeking were higher in the
      BD group compared to the controls (p<0.001 in both cases). The higher scores in
      the BD group in Neuroticism-Anxiety are due to higher scores in the women's group
      (p=0.014), while those in Impulsive Sensation-Seeking are due to higher scores in
      the men's group (p=0.009), both in the Impulsivity and in the Sensation-Seeking
      subscales (p<0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Sex could be a factor that modulates the
      endophenotype of drug dependence (impulsive and anxious personality) and the
      prevention and/or treatment programs for BD should include not only the
      management of the personality risk factors but also different tailored approaches
      according to sex.

PMID- 27262899
TI  - Tobacco control policy and socio-economic inequalities in smoking in 27 European
      countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Higher Tobacco Control Scale (TCS) scores, in the early 2000s were
      associated with higher smoking cessation rates across Europe, both among lower
      and higher educated people. We aimed to assess if this association held in recent
      years. METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional Eurobarometer surveys were used, in 27
      European countries from 2006 to 2012 (study sample=73,617 adults). We used
      multilevel regression to model associations between the TCS (ranging from 0 to
      100, quantifying: tobacco price, smoke-free laws, mass-media campaigns,
      advertising bans, warning labels, and cessation support) and both smoking
      cessation and cigarettes smoked per day. We modelled associations according to
      respondents' education and occupation, with adjustment for age, sex, and survey
      wave. RESULTS: We found no association between the TCS and smoking cessation for
      lower or middle educated respondents, but we did find an association for higher
      educated respondents (OR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.08 to 1.19). For smoking intensity, we
      observed no associations with the TCS for lower educated respondents (beta: 0.04,
      95%CI: -0.33 to 0.41) but we did observe significant associations for middle
      (beta: -0.25, 95%CI: -0.47 to -0.03) and higher educated respondents (beta: 
      0.27, 95%CI: -0.55 to -0.01). Associations were observed for both manual and non
      manual classes, but not for those not working for pay. Of the TCS domains, none
      were associated with smoking cessation for lower educated respondents, but five
      were for higher educated respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between tobacco
      control policies and smoking cessation were found mostly among higher
      socioeconomic groups. This underlines the need for specific tobacco control
      policies that explicitly focus on reaching low socio-economic groups.

PMID- 27262896
TI  - Pancreas Adenocarcinoma: Ascites, Clinical Manifestations, and Management
      Implications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ascites develops in a subset of patients with pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma (PAC) at presentation or as the disease advances. Limited data
      exist on the prognostic importance of malignant ascites in PAC. Our hypothesis is
      that this information will provide an understanding of the natural history and
      facilitate management decisions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis
      of 180 patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center diagnosed
      between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014, with PAC and with ascites either
      at presentation or that developed during the disease course. RESULTS: For the 180
      patients, the overall survival was 15 months. The time from diagnosis to ascites
      presentation was 11 months, and the survival time after ascites development was
      1.8 months (range, 1.6-2.3 months; 95% confidence interval). Of 62 patients (34%)
      who had ascitic fluid analyzed, 36 (58%) had positive cytology. Fifty-one (82%)
      patients had a serum ascites albumin gradient >= 1, and 11 (18%) had serum
      ascites albumin gradient < 1. Sixty-four (36%) patients had their ascites managed
      solely by serial paracenteses. A total of 116 patients required a catheter; of
      these, 108 (93%) had a Tenckhoff catheter, 4 (3%) a Pleurx catheter, 4 (3%) a
      pigtail catheter, and 1 (1%) a Denver catheter. Eight (7%) patients required 2
      catheters to be placed, and in 6 (5%), Tenckhoff catheters had to be removed. The
      main observed complications were spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in 7 (11%)
      managed with paracenteses versus 26 (23%) who had a catheter placed, catheter
      malfunction in 8 (7%), and acute renal failure in 6 (3%). After ascites
      development, 79 (44%) patients received active anti-cancer therapy, and 101 (56%)
      patients were managed with supportive care alone. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with
      PAC who presented with or developed ascites, serial paracenteses and indwelling
      catheters are common methods used for providing symptomatic relief. The
      complication rate was higher with indwelling catheters, primarily related to
      infection (eg, bacterial peritonitis). Overall, ascites has a significantly
      negative prognostic import with a short median survival.

PMID- 27262900
TI  - Polaprezinc reduces paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in rats without
      affecting anti-tumor activity.
AB  - Paclitaxel, an anticancer drug, frequently causes painful peripheral neuropathy.
      In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of polaprezinc on paclitaxel
      induced peripheral neuropathy in rats. Polaprezinc (3 mg/kg, p.o., once daily)
      inhibited the development of mechanical allodynia induced by paclitaxel (4 mg/kg,
      i.p., on days 1, 3, 5 and 7) and suppressed the paclitaxel-induced increase in
      macrophage migration in dorsal root ganglion cells. In addition, polaprezinc did
      not affect the anti-tumor activity of paclitaxel in cultured cell lines or tumor
      bearing mice. These results suggest a clinical indication for polaprezinc in the
      prevention of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. 

PMID- 27262901
TI  - Metformin enhances anti-tumor effect of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)
      inhibitor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In many cancer cells, L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)
      transports neutral amino acids with bulky side chain, which activate mammalian
      target of rapamycin (mTOR) to cause cell proliferation. An anti-diabetic drug,
      metformin, has been shown to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which
      leads to inhibition of mTOR. LAT1 inhibition in combination with metformin could
      result in more prominent suppression of mTOR activity. PURPOSE: Anti
      proliferative effect of a newly developed LAT1 specific inhibitor JPH203 in
      combination with metformin is evaluated in 2 head and neck cancer cell lines, Ca9
      22 and HEp-2 cells and in nude mice inoculated with Ca9-22 cells. RESULTS AND
      DISCUSSION: By MTT assay, 0.5 mM metformin inhibited proliferation of Ca9-22
      cells to 70% of control. In the presence of 100 MUM JPH203, proliferation of Ca9
      22 cells was inhibited to 60% of control. By combining these 2 drugs,
      proliferation of Ca9-22 was significantly inhibited to 40% of control. However,
      this regimen was not very effective against HEp-2 cells. This combination also
      suppressed in vivo growth of Ca9-22 cells in a xenotransplant model. A
      combination of anti-LAT1 drug with metformin may be an effective anti
      proliferative therapy for certain subsets of cancers.

PMID- 27262902
TI  - Possibility as an anti-cancer drug of astemizole: Evaluation of arrhythmogenicity
      by the chronic atrioventricular block canine model.
AB  - Since astemizole in an oral dose of 50 mg/kg/day was recently reported to exert
      anti-cancer effect in mice, we evaluated its proarrhythmic potential using the
      atrioventricular block dogs in order to clarify its cardiac safety profile. An
      oral dose of 3 mg/kg prolonged the QT interval without affecting the QTc (n = 4),
      whereas that of 30 mg/kg increased the short-term variability of repolarization
      and induced premature ventricular contractions in each animal, resulting in the
      onset of torsade de pointes in 1 animal (n = 4). Thus, proarrhythmic dose of
      astemizole would be lower than anti-cancer one, limiting its re-profiling as an
      anti-cancer drug. 

PMID- 27262903
TI  - Identification and functional analysis of choline transporter in tongue cancer: A
      novel molecular target for tongue cancer therapy.
AB  - We examined the functional characteristics of choline uptake in human tongue
      carcinoma using the cell line HSC-3. Furthermore, we explored the possible
      correlation between the inhibition of choline uptake and apoptotic cell death.
      Both choline transporter-like protein 1 (CTL1) and CTL2 mRNAs and proteins were
      expressed, and were located in plasma membrane and mitochondria, respectively.
      Choline uptake was saturable and mediated by a single transport system, which is
      pH-dependent. Several cationic drugs inhibited cell viability and [(3)H]choline
      uptake. Choline uptake inhibitors and choline deficiency inhibited cell viability
      and increased caspase-3/7 activity. We conclude that extracellular choline is
      mainly transported via a CTL1 that relies on a directed H(+) gradient as a
      driving force. The functional inhibition of CTL1 by cationic drugs could promote
      apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, CTL2 may be the major site for the control of
      choline oxidation in mitochondria and hence for the supply of endogenous betaine
      and S-adenosyl methionine, which serves as a major methyl donor. Identification
      of this CTL1- and CTL2-mediated choline transport system provides a potential new
      target for tongue cancer therapy. 

PMID- 27262904
TI  - A novel rare sugar inhibitor of murine herpes simplex keratitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the therapeutic efficacy of a novel rare sugar, l-psicose,
      for the treatment of HSV-1 induced herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) in a mouse
      eye model. METHODS: One rare sugar l-psicose was assayed for HSV-1 inhibition of
      in vitro virus adsorption. The IC50 and IC90 values of l-psicose were determined
      using plaque reduction assay (PRA) in CV-1 cell. Female Balb/c mice were
      corneally infected with HSV-1, strain KOS-GFP; A topical eye drop treatment of l
      psicose was started 24 h after infection and continued four times daily for ten
      consecutive days. The severity of HSK was monitored by slit lamp examination in a
      masked fashion and Infectious HSV-1 shedding was determined by PRA. RESULTS: l
      psicose was found to have anti-viral activity in vitro at an IC50 dose of 99.5 mM
      and an IC90 dose of 160 mM. Topical eye drop treatment with 200 mM l-psicose in
      PBS solution significantly reduced the severity of HSK compared to the mock
      treatment group. The in vivo mouse ocular model results of l-psicose therapy
      correlated with accelerated clearance of virus from eye swabs. CONCLUSION: The
      results suggest that topical treatment with rare sugar l-psicose has efficacy
      against HSK through inhibition of HSV-1.

PMID- 27262905
TI  - In vivo analysis of torsadogenic potential of an antipsychotic drug paliperidone
      using the acute atrioventricular block rabbit as a proarrhythmia model.
AB  - We assessed electrophysiological effects of an atypical antipsychotic drug
      paliperidone in acute atrioventricular block rabbits. Intravenous administration
      of paliperidone at a clinically relevant dose (0.06 mg/kg) hardly affected the QT
      interval or monophasic action potential (MAP) duration, and the higher doses (0.6
      and 6 mg/kg) prolonged the QT interval and MAP duration. Meanwhile, premature
      ventricular contractions with R on T phenomenon were observed in 3 out of 6
      animals at the middle dose, and torsades de pointes (TdP) episodes were detected
      in 2 out of 6 animals at the high dose. Intravenous administration of its
      chemically related compound risperidone at a clinically relevant dose (0.03
      mg/kg) hardly affected the electrophysiological parameters, and the higher doses
      (0.3 and 3 mg/kg) prolonged the QT interval and MAP duration. Meanwhile, the
      premature ventricular contractions with R on T were observed in 2 out of 6
      animals at the middle dose, and TdP episodes were detected in 4 out of 6 animals
      at the high dose. These results suggest that paliperidone showed torsadogenic
      potential at supra-therapeutic doses, whose potency can be estimated to be equal
      or slightly subordinate in comparison with that of risperidone.

PMID- 27262906
TI  - Interventions to improve patient hand hygiene: a systematic review.
AB  - Nosocomial pathogens may be acquired by patients via their own unclean hands, but
      there has been relatively little emphasis on patient hand hygiene as a tool for
      preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). The aim of this systematic
      review was to determine the efficacy of patient hand hygiene interventions in
      reducing HCAIs and improving patient hand hygiene rates compared to usual care.
      Electronic databases and grey literature were searched to August 2014.
      Experimental and quasi-experimental studies were included if they evaluated a
      patient hand hygiene intervention conducted in an acute or chronic healthcare
      facility and included HCAI incidence and/or patient hand hygiene rates as an
      outcome. All steps were performed independently by two investigators. Ten studies
      were included, most of which were uncontrolled before-after studies (N=8). The
      majority of interventions (N=7) were multi-modal, with components similar to
      healthcare worker hand hygiene programmes, including education, reminders, audit
      and feedback, and provision of hand hygiene products. Six studies reported HCAI
      outcomes and four studies assessed patient hand hygiene rates; all demonstrated
      improvements but were at moderate to high risk of bias. In conclusion,
      interventions to improve patient hand hygiene may reduce the incidence of HCAIs
      and improve hand hygiene rates, but the quality of evidence is low. Future
      studies should use stronger designs and be more selective in their choice of
      outcomes. 

PMID- 27262907
TI  - Patient-reported outcome studies in hospitalized patients isolated due to multi
      drug-resistant organisms: how representative are they and who can be included in
      respective studies?

PMID- 27262908
TI  - Survival Implications of Variation in the Thoroughness of Pathologic Lymph Node
      Examination in American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0030 (Alliance).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate pathologic nodal staging mandates effective collaboration
      between surgeons and pathologists. The American College of Surgeons Oncology
      Group Z0030 trial (ACOSOG Z0030) tightly controlled surgical lymphadenectomy
      practice but not pathologic examination practice. We tested the survival impact
      of the thoroughness of pathologic examination (using the number of examined lymph
      nodes as a surrogate). METHODS: We re-analyzed the mediastinal lymph node
      dissection arm of ACOSOG Z0030, using logistic regression and Cox proportional
      hazards models. RESULTS: Of 513 patients, 435 were pN0, 60 were pN1, and 17 were
      pN2. The mean number of mediastinal lymph nodes examined was 13.5, 13.1, and
      17.1; station 10 lymph nodes were 2.4, 2.7, and 2.6; station 11 to 14 nodes were
      4.6, 6.1, and 6.7; and total lymph nodes were 19.7, 21.3, and 25.4 respectively.
      The pN category and histologic evaluation were associated with increased number
      of examined intrapulmonary lymph nodes. Patients with pN1 had more non-hilar N1
      nodes than patients with pN0, patients with N2 had more N2 nodes examined than
      patients with pN0 or pN1. Patients with pN0 had better survival with examination
      of more N1 nodes; patients with pN1 had better survival with increased
      mediastinal nodal examination; the likelihood of discovering N2 disease was
      significantly associated with increased examination of mediastinal and non-hilar
      N1 lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Despite rigorously standardized surgical
      hilar/mediastinal lymphadenectomy, the number of lymph nodes examined was
      associated with the likelihood of detecting nodal metastasis and survival. This
      may indicate an effect of incomplete pathologic examination.

PMID- 27262909
TI  - The Feasibility of Median Sternotomy With or Without Thoracotomy for Locally
      Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Induction Chemoradiotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the morbidity and mortality of a median
      sternotomy approach and a lateral thoracotomy and to investigate the feasibility
      of a median sternotomy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      after induction chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: The medical records of patients with
      locally advanced NSCLC who underwent induction chemoradiotherapy followed by
      surgery at our institution between January 1999 and September 2014 were reviewed.
      We compared the morbidity and mortality of a median sternotomy approach and a
      lateral thoracotomy. RESULTS: A total of 102 NSCLC patients were the subjects of
      this study. Among them, 31 patients underwent surgery with a median sternotomy
      approach and 71 patients underwent surgery with a lateral thoracotomy. Patients
      in the median sternotomy group had a significantly higher rate of postoperative
      arrhythmia than those in the lateral thoracotomy group (p = 0.0028). However, all
      the complications were manageable, and no treatment-related deaths occurred in
      the median sternotomy group. Regarding the prognosis, the 5-year overall survival
      rate was 72.7%, and the 2-year recurrence-free survival rate was 66.5% in the
      entire population. No significant differences in overall survival or recurrence
      free survival were observed between the 2 approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the
      lateral thoracotomy approach is a standard procedure, our experience suggests
      that a median sternotomy approach for locally advanced NSCLC after induction
      chemoradiotherapy is a feasible procedure and can be a surgical option.

PMID- 27262910
TI  - Contributions of Respiration and Heartbeat to the Pulmonary Blood Flow in the
      Fontan Circulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the Fontan circulation, driving forces with respiration,
      heartbeat, and lower limb muscle pump are relevant. However, the mechanics of
      these forces has not been proven, and their effects on the Fontan circulation
      remain unclear. METHODS: We performed catheter examinations and measured pressure
      and flow velocity simultaneously in the bilateral pulmonary arteries of 12 Fontan
      patients 1 year after the operation. The pulmonary pressure and flow velocity
      data were decomposed into respiratory and heartbeat components by discrete
      Fourier analysis. We then calculated respiratory and cardiac wave intensity (WI)
      based on the respiratory and heartbeat components of pressure and flow velocity
      data. RESULTS: Respiratory WI formed 2 negative peaks, a backward expansion wave
      during the inspiratory phase, and then a backward compression wave during the
      expiratory phase. In 2 phrenic nerve palsy cases and 1 case of a patient on a
      respirator, respiratory WI showed disturbed patterns and a negative pattern,
      respectively. Cardiac WI showed 2 or 4 negative peaks, the time phase of which
      matched that of the atrial contractions. CONCLUSIONS: WI analysis elucidated that
      inspiration acts as a sucking driving force and increases the pulmonary blood
      flow in the Fontan circulation. Respiratory complications compromise efficiency
      in the Fontan circulation. It was also revealed that the pulmonary blood flow was
      mutually dammed up and sucked in by increases and decreases in atrial pressure.

PMID- 27262911
TI  - Impact of Moodle-Based Online Curriculum on Thoracic Surgery In-Training
      Examination Scores.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The feasibility and efficacy of a web-based curriculum in
      supplementing thoracic surgical training was previously shown. However, the
      impact of curricular participation on validated knowledge tests remains unknown.
      We compared in-service training examination (ITE) results among trainees,
      stratified by curricular use. METHODS: The national online curriculum was
      implemented in August 2013. We retrospectively reviewed trainees who participated
      in thoracic surgical training programs in both 2012 to 2013 and 2013 to 2014.
      Scores from the 2013 and 2014 ITEs were obtained, and curricular usage data were
      collected from site analytics. Trainees were separated into three groups
      according to 2013 ITE scores; within each group, changes in score for high-
      versus low-volume users were compared. RESULTS: 187 trainees took the ITE both
      years, with exposure to the online curriculum during only the second year. High
      volume users' scores trended toward greater improvement than scores of low-volume
      users (+18.2% versus +13.0%, p = 0.199). When stratified by 2013 score, the
      lowest scoring quartile improved substantially, and the highest scoring quartile
      improved modestly, regardless of curricular use. However, for those individuals
      who achieved mid-range scores in 2013, there was a trend toward much greater
      improvement in score with heavier use of the curriculum (+17.0% versus +7.0%, p =
      0.094). CONCLUSIONS: Among trainees who had access to the novel online curriculum
      during the second of 2 consecutive years, we evaluated the impact of curricular
      participation on ITE scores. The effect appears to be most pronounced in
      individuals with mid-range scores, in whom high curricular use led to the
      greatest improvement.

PMID- 27262912
TI  - Branched Endovascular Therapy of the Distal Aortic Arch: Preliminary Results of
      the Feasibility Multicenter Trial of the Gore Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment for aortic arch aneurysms often requires
      adjunctive use of hybrid debranching procedures to maintain branch vessel
      perfusion. This study describes early results with a novel branched arch
      endograft for total endovascular repair of distal arch aneurysms. METHODS: This
      US feasibility multicenter clinical trial evaluated 22 patients (mean age, 74.1
      +/- 10.5 years; 54.5% male) undergoing branched thoracic endovascular aortic
      repair in Ishimaru zone 2. This endograft was designed with a single side branch
      designed to facilitate aortic coverage proximal to the left subclavian artery
      while maintaining branch vessel patency. The pathologic features treated included
      fusiform (n = 10) and saccular (n = 12) aneurysms, with a mean aortic diameter of
      5.7 +/- 1.1 cm. The mean preoperative left-to-right brachial index was 1.0 +/-
      0.1. RESULTS: The mean total treatment length was 17.6 +/- 8.9 cm; 8 patients
      were treated with a single 10-cm graft for isolated arch disease. The primary
      endpoint of device delivery and branch vessel patency was achieved in 100% of
      patients, without 30-day death, stroke, or permanent paraplegia. The median
      duration of hospitalization was 4.0 days. Type I endoleaks at completion
      angiography were observed in 4 patients, and all resolved by 1 month without
      reintervention. All side branches were patent at 1 month. The Kaplan-Meier
      survival rate at 6 months was 94.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Total endovascular repair of
      distal zone 2 arch aortic aneurysms can be achieved with a novel branched arch
      endograft. Future studies will evaluate the feasibility of this approach for
      aneurysms encompassing the brachiocephalic trunk and left carotid artery.

PMID- 27262913
TI  - The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database: 2016 Update on
      Research.
AB  - The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Database (ACSD) is an
      international voluntary effort that is the foundation of our specialty's efforts
      in clinical performance assessment and quality improvement. Containing nearly
      6,000,000 patient records, the ACSD is a robust resource for clinical research.
      Seven major original publications and four review articles were generated from
      the ACSD in 2015. The risk-adjusted outcome analyses and quality measures
      reported in these studies have made substantial contributions to inform daily
      clinical practice. This report summarizes the ACSD-based research efforts
      published in 2015. 

PMID- 27262914
TI  - Long-Term Outcome of Arterial Switch Operation Conversion After Failed
      Senning/Mustard Procedure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated long-term outcomes of the arterial switch operation
      (ASO) conversion after a failed Senning/Mustard operation among patients with
      dextro-transposition of the great arteries. METHODS: Between 1986 and 2006, 9
      patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries underwent ASO conversion
      at our institute. All patients had systemic right ventricle failure, 6 had
      supraventricular tachycardia, and 8 had moderate or severe tricuspid valve
      regurgitation. All patients had New York Heart Association classification II or
      III. The median age of patients at the ASO conversion operation was 7.4 years
      (range, 0.6 to 32.4 years). Pulmonary artery banding for left ventricle training
      was performed in 8 of the 9 patients before conversion. RESULTS: There was 1
      early death from low-output syndrome at 5 days postoperatively and 1 late sudden
      death at 5 months. Median follow-up time was 23.1 years (range, 0.08 to 28.0
      years). The actuarial survival rate was 76.1% at 20 years. Long-term survivors
      revealed good New York Heart Association classification (class I, 6 patients;
      class II, 1 patient), with less than mild tricuspid regurgitation and brain
      natriuretic peptide levels of 40.6 +/- 16.2 pg/mL. Cardiac catheterization
      revealed significant improvements of right ventricle end-diastolic volume
      (decreased from 243.2% to 117.7% of normal), and right ventricle ejection
      fraction (increased from 0.42 to 0.572; p < 0.05). Three patients underwent new
      pacemaker implantation for sick sinus syndrome, and moderate neoaortic valve
      regurgitation developed in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent long-term outcomes
      can be achieved after ASO conversion; however, careful observation for new-onset
      sick sinus syndrome and aortic regurgitation is mandatory.

PMID- 27262915
TI  - Prognostic Significance of Sleep Apnea Syndrome on False Lumen Aortic Expansion
      in Post-Acute Aortic Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a risk factor for
      resistant arterial hypertension and aortic dilatation. We assessed the value of
      systematic screening for OSAS in patients soon after the onset of acute aortic
      syndrome (AAS). METHODS: Between January 2010 and June 2014, patients were
      prospectively screened for post AAS OSAS. The severity of OSAS was defined by the
      Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and the Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI). Blood
      pressure control was assessed with 24-h ambulatory monitoring. RESULTS: The study
      population comprised 71 patients (males: 64.7%; median age [interquartile range]:
      57 [49 to 64] years; type A AAS: 49.3%; type B AAS: 50.7%). According to the AHI,
      58 patients (81.7%) had OSAS and 31 (43.6%) had severe OSAS. A prognostic
      analysis revealed that the descending thoracic false lumen dilatation rate rose
      significantly with the severity of OSAS (p = 0.0008 for the AHI and p = 0.0284
      for the ODI). The median rate of increase was 7.5 (5 to 10) mm/year in the AHI
      greater than 30 events/h group and 5.0 (0 to 8) mm/year in the ODI greater than
      30 events/h group. With regard to blood pressure control, the diastolic blood
      pressure varied as function of the ODI category (p = 0.0074). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results suggest that systematic screening for post-ASS OSAS is of value. The
      false lumen dilatation rate appears to be related to the severity of OSAS. It
      remains to be seen whether treatment of OSAS would modify the false lumen
      dilatation rate.

PMID- 27262917
TI  - Transmission Dynamics of Rhodesian Sleeping Sickness at the Interface of Wildlife
      and Livestock Areas.
AB  - Many wilderness areas of East and Southern Africa are foci for Rhodesian sleeping
      sickness, a fatal zoonotic disease caused by trypanosomes transmitted by tsetse
      flies. Although transmission in these foci is traditionally driven by wildlife
      reservoirs, rising human and livestock populations may increase the role of
      livestock in transmission cycles. Deciphering transmission dynamics at wildlife
      and livestock interface areas is key to developing appropriate control. Data are
      lacking for key parameters, including host distributions, tsetse density, and
      mortality rates, and the relative roles of livestock and wildlife as hosts in
      fragmented habitats, limiting the development of meaningful models to assist in
      the assessment and implementation of control strategies.

PMID- 27262919
TI  - Monique Capron: Science, Strength, and Elegance.

PMID- 27262916
TI  - Incidence and Risk Factors Related to Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolic Events
      After Esophagectomy for Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major oncologic surgery is associated with a high incidence of venous
      thromboembolic events (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary
      embolism (PE). However, the incidence and risk factors for symptomatic VTE during
      curative treatment for patients with esophageal cancer are poorly documented.
      METHODS: Data were collected from 30 European centers from 2000 to 2010. The
      incidence of in-hospital VTE was assessed in 2,944 patients with esophageal
      cancer having surgery with curative intent, and 50 clinically relevant parameters
      were assessed as potential risk factors for VTE. Patients received low molecular
      weight heparin prophylaxis during hospital stay and for 4 weeks after surgery.
      RESULTS: Eighty-four patients (2.9%) developed a symptomatic VTE; all of them had
      a DVT and 44 were also diagnosed with a PE. In the VTE group there were 19
      postoperative deaths recorded, 5 of which (26.3%) were directly caused by PE at
      postoperative days 7, 10, 21, 45, and 48 despite VTE prophylaxis. In-hospital
      postoperative mortality was significantly higher in VTE patients (23% versus 7%,
      p < 0.001) and mean hospital stay was also longer in this group (33 +/- 24 versus
      25 +/- 21 days, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that high American
      Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class (p = 0.008), pneumopathy (p = 0.002), or
      an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (p = 0.015) were significantly
      associated with VTE. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ASA class III or IV and those who
      present a postoperative pneumopathy or ARDS seem to be at higher risk for VTE.
      Thus, current VTE screening and thromboprophylaxis for these patients might be
      inadequate and needs further investigation.

PMID- 27262918
TI  - Eosinophils in Helminth Infection: Defenders and Dupes.
AB  - Eosinophilia is a central feature of the host response to helminth infection.
      Larval stages of parasitic worms are killed in vitro by eosinophils in the
      presence of specific antibodies or complement. These findings established host
      defense as the paradigm for eosinophil function. Recently, studies in eosinophil
      ablated mouse strains have revealed an expanded repertoire of immunoregulatory
      functions for this cell. Other reports document crucial roles for eosinophils in
      tissue homeostasis and metabolism, processes that are central to the
      establishment and maintenance of parasitic worms in their hosts. In this review,
      we summarize current understanding of the significance of eosinophils at the host
      parasite interface, highlighting their distinct functions during primary and
      secondary exposure.

PMID- 27262920
TI  - Relationship between knee osteoarthritis and the locomotive syndrome risk tests:
      A cross-sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between locomotive syndrome (LS) risk
      tests and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study.
      METHODS: In 2015, 225 people (male 84, females 141, mean age 67.9, range 30-90)
      were examined using LS risk tests, including the stand-up test, the two-step
      test, and the 25-question risk assessment, in Katashina Village in Gunma
      prefecture. The Japanese orthopaedic association defined LS risk test stage 1,
      difficulty with standing from a 40-cm-high seat using one-leg in the stand-up
      test, two-step test <1.3, the 25-question risk assessment ?7, and defined stage
      2, difficulty with standing from a 20-cm-high seat using both legs in the stand
      up test, two-step test <1.1, the 25-question risk assessment ?16. Persons with
      two or more of the following on the ultrasound (US) assessment were defined as
      having KOA: peripheral joint space (PJS) < 5 mm during weight-bearing; medial
      radial displacement (MRD) > 5 mm during weight-bearing; and osteophytes > 2 mm.
      If the residents had KOA in either knee, they were defined as having KOA.
      RESULTS: 45 residents had KOA in either knee. Logistic regression analysis
      adjusted for age, height, weight, gender, and knee pain was performed with stage
      0 as reference. On the stand-up test, the odds ratio was 5.484 (95% confidence
      interval (CI) 1.966-15.297) for stage 1 and 2.067 (95% CI 0.426-10.017) for stage
      2. On the two-step test, the odds ratio was 1.497 (95% CI 0.557-4.021) for stage
      1 and 0.71 (95% CI 0.210-2.395) for stage 2. On the 25-question risk assessment,
      the odds ratio was 1.73 (95% CI 0.646-4.631) for stage 1 and 1.5 (95% CI 0.508
      4.433) for stage 2. CONCLUSIONS: A stand-up test of stage 1 had a significant
      relationship with KOA. This might suggest that proper care of KOA is needed to
      prevent progressive disability.

PMID- 27262921
TI  - Delivering RapidArc(r): A comprehensive study on accuracy and long term
      stability.
AB  - PURPOSE: To establish the reliability and accuracy of a UNIQUE Linac in
      delivering RapidArc treatments and assess its long term stability. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: UNIQUE performance was monitored and analyzed for a period of nearly two
      years. 2280 Dynalog files, related to 179 clinical RapidArc treatments were
      collected. Different tumor sites and dose scheduling were included, covering the
      full range of our treatment plans. Statistical distributions of MLC motion error,
      gantry rotation error and MU delivery error were evaluated. The stochastic and
      systematic nature of each error was investigated together with their variation in
      time. RESULTS: All the delivery errors are found to be small and more stringent
      tolerances than those proposed by TG142 are suggested. Unlike MLC positional
      errors, where a linear relationship with leaf speed holds, other Volumetric
      Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) parameters reveal a random nature and, consequently,
      a reduced clinical relevance. MLC errors are linearly related only to leaf speed
      no matter the shape of the MLC apertures. Gantry rotation and MU delivery are as
      accurate as major competing Linacs. UNIQUE was found to be reliable and accurate
      throughout the investigation period, regardless of the specific tumor sites and
      fractionation schemes. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of RapidArc treatments delivered
      with UNIQUE has been established. The stochastic nature of delivery errors is
      proven. Long term statistics of the delivery parameter errors do not show
      significant variations, confirming the reliability of the VMAT delivery system.

PMID- 27262922
TI  - Functionalized graphene nanocomposites for enhancing photothermal therapy in
      tumor treatment.
AB  - Graphene and its derivatives have unique physical and chemical properties that
      make them promising vehicles for photothermal therapy (PTT)-based cancer
      treatment. With intrinsic near-infrared (NIR) absorption properties, graphene
      based nanomaterials can be used for PTT and other therapeutics, particularly in
      combination therapy, to provide successful thermal ablation of cancer cells. In
      the recent years, advances in graphene-based PTT have produced efficient and
      efficacious tumor inhibition via nanomaterial structural design and different
      functionalizations of graphene-derived nanocomposites. Graphene-based nanosystems
      exhibit multifunctional properties that are useful for PTT applications including
      enhancement of multimodalities, guided imaging, enhanced chemotherapy and low
      power efficient PTT for optimum therapeutic efficiency. Therefore, in this
      review, we address critical issues and future aspects of PTT-based combination
      therapy.

PMID- 27262923
TI  - Radiation effects on the tumor microenvironment: Implications for nanomedicine
      delivery.
AB  - The tumor microenvironment has an important influence on cancer biological and
      clinical behavior and radiation treatment (RT) response. However, RT also
      influences the tumor microenvironment in a complex and dynamic manner that can
      either reinforce or inhibit this response and the likelihood of long-term disease
      control in patients. It is increasingly evident that the interplay between RT and
      the tumor microenvironment can be exploited to enhance the accumulation and intra
      tumoral distribution of nanoparticles, mediated by changes to the vasculature and
      stroma with secondary effects on hypoxia, interstitial fluid pressure (IFP),
      solid tissue pressure (STP), and the recruitment and activation of bone marrow
      derived myeloid cells (BMDCs). The use of RT to modulate nanoparticle drug
      delivery offers an exciting opportunity to improve antitumor efficacy. This
      review explores the interplay between RT and the tumor microenvironment, and the
      integrated effects on nanoparticle drug delivery and efficacy.

PMID- 27262926
TI  - Recent advances in degradable lactide-based shape-memory polymers.
AB  - Biodegradable polymers are versatile polymeric materials that have a high
      potential in biomedical applications avoiding subsequent surgeries to remove, for
      example, an implanted device. In the past decade, significant advances have been
      achieved with poly(lactide acid) (PLA)-based materials, as they can be equipped
      with an additional functionality, that is, a shape-memory effect (SME). Shape
      memory polymers (SMPs) can switch their shape in a predefined manner upon
      application of a specific external stimulus. Accordingly, SMPs have a high
      potential for applications ranging from electronic engineering, textiles,
      aerospace, and energy to biomedical and drug delivery fields based on the
      perspectives of new capabilities arising with such materials in biomedicine. This
      study summarizes the progress in SMPs with a particular focus on PLA, illustrates
      the design of suitable homo- and copolymer structures as well as the link between
      the (co)polymer structure and switching functionality, and describes recent
      advantages in the implementation of novel switching phenomena into SMP
      technology.

PMID- 27262924
TI  - Advances in biosensing strategies for HIV-1 detection, diagnosis, and therapeutic
      monitoring.
AB  - HIV-1 is a major global epidemic that requires sophisticated clinical management.
      There have been remarkable efforts to develop new strategies for detecting and
      treating HIV-1, as it has been challenging to translate them into resource
      limited settings. Significant research efforts have been recently devoted to
      developing point-of-care (POC) diagnostics that can monitor HIV-1 viral load with
      high sensitivity by leveraging micro- and nano-scale technologies. These POC
      devices can be applied to monitoring of antiretroviral therapy, during mother-to
      child transmission, and identification of latent HIV-1 reservoirs. In this
      review, we discuss current challenges in HIV-1 diagnosis and therapy in resource
      limited settings and present emerging technologies that aim to address these
      challenges using innovative solutions.

PMID- 27262925
TI  - PLA micro- and nano-particles.
AB  - Poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PLA) has been widely used for various biomedical
      applications for its biodegradable, biocompatible, and nontoxic properties.
      Various methods, such as emulsion, salting out, and precipitation, have been used
      to make better PLA micro- and nano-particle formulations. They are widely used as
      controlled drug delivery systems of therapeutic molecules, including proteins,
      genes, vaccines, and anticancer drugs. Even though PLA-based particles have
      challenges to overcome, such as low drug loading capacity, low encapsulation
      efficiency, and terminal sterilization, continuous innovations in particulate
      formulations will lead to development of clinically useful formulations.

PMID- 27262928
TI  - HLA-G coding region and 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) in two Chinese Han
      populations.
AB  - In this study, exons 2-4 and 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of human leukocyte
      antigen (HLA)-G gene were investigated for 201 and 104 healthy unrelated Han
      samples recruited from Hunan Province, southern China and central Inner Mongolia
      Autonomous Region, northern China, respectively, using sequence-based typing and
      cloning methods. Totally 12 HLA-G alleles in the coding region, 9 variable sites
      in 3'UTR, 8 3'UTR haplotypes and 15 HLA-G extended haplotypes (EHs) incorporating
      the coding region and 3'UTR were observed. Very strong linkage disequilibrium
      (LD) was observed between HLA-A and HLA-G, and between HLA-G coding region and
      3'UTR in each population (all global P=0.0000). Seven HLA-A-G haplotypes showed
      significant LD in both populations. Three HLA-G alleles in the coding region, 4
      polymorphic sites in the 3'UTR, 3 3'UTR haplotypes and 4 HLA-G EHs differed
      significantly in their distributions between the 2 Chinese Han populations (all
      P<=0.0001). There was evidence for balancing selection acting on HLA-G 3'UTR
      positions +3010, +3142 and +3187 in the two populations. The NJ dendrograms
      demonstrated the existence of two basic HLA-G lineages and indicated that, HLA
      G*01:01:01, the most common HLA-G allele, formed a separate lineage from other
      alleles. Our results shed new lights into HLA-G genetics among Chinese Han
      populations. The findings reported here are of importance for future studies
      related to post-transcriptional regulation of HLA-G allelic expression and the
      potential role of HLA-G in disease association in populations of Chinese
      ancestry.

PMID- 27262927
TI  - Fine-tuning neutrophil activation: Strategies and consequences.
AB  - In spite of their important role in host defense, neutrophils can also cause
      severe morbidity and mortality. Neutrophils have an extensive armory necessary to
      eradicate pathogens, but neutrophil infiltration and activation also induces
      major tissue injury associated with acute and chronic inflammatory disorders.
      Here, we review neutrophil anti-microbial functions and discuss their individual
      contribution to disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the
      anti-inflammatory drugs that can dampen neutrophil transmigration, elastase
      activity, and the production of reactive oxygen species which are already in
      clinical trials. The discovery of potential inhibitors of the release of
      neutrophil extracellular trap is still in its infancy. Here, we discuss small
      molecule inhibitors and inhibitory receptors that show promising results in
      reducing neutrophil extracellular trap formation in vitro and in vivo and discuss
      the advantages and drawbacks of inhibiting the release of neutrophil
      extracellular traps as a therapeutic treatment. Specific suppression of
      neutrophil extracellular trap formation, preferably while other antimicrobial
      functions are preserved, would be an ideal approach to treat neutrophilic
      inflammation, since it prevents acute as well as chronic neutrophil-associated
      pathology.

PMID- 27262929
TI  - Chemokine genetic polymorphism in human health and disease.
AB  - Chemokine receptor-ligand interaction regulates transmigration of lymphocytes and
      monocytes from circulation to the inflammatory sites. CC chemokine receptors,
      chemokine receptor 2(CCR2) and 5 (CCR5) are important in recruitment of immune
      cells as well as non-immune cells under pathological condition. CCR2, CCR5 and
      their ligands (CCL2 and CCL5) are major contributor to the autoimmune and
      inflammatory diseases and cancer. Currently studies are being done to explore
      genetic variations in chemokine genes and their involvement in diseases that
      could make clear disease severity and deaths. Conflicting results of studies in
      different populations and diseases promoted to investigate chemokines genetic
      polymorphisms in miscellaneous diseases. This study is aimed to evaluate the
      influence of chemokines genetic polymorphisms in pathogenesis and outcome of
      prevalent non infectious diseases. Present study demonstrates the likely role
      played by genetic variations in drug response and evolution. Moreover this study
      highlights chemokine as therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker in
      pathological condition.

PMID- 27262930
TI  - A reduced population of CD103(+)CD11b(+) dendritic cells has a limited impact on
      oral Salmonella infection.
AB  - CD103(+)CD11b(+) dendritic cells (DC) are the major migratory DC subset in the
      small intestine lamina propria (siLP) and their survival is dependent on the
      transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4). Mice with a DC
      specific deletion of irf4 (CD11c-cre.Irf4 mice) have reduced mucosal
      CD103(+)CD11b(+) DC and altered T cell differentiation to protein antigen. The
      influence of CD103(+)CD11b(+) DC on oral infection with the gastrointestinal
      pathogen Salmonella, however, is poorly understood and is investigated here. We
      show that, despite being infected with Salmonella, CD11c-cre.Irf4 mice (called
      Cre(+) mice) conserve the reduction in CD103(+)CD11b(+) DC observed in naive
      Cre(+) mice, particularly in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) but also in the
      siLP at day 3 post infection. Moreover, Salmonella-infected Cre(+) mice have a
      similar bacterial burden in intestinal tissues (siLP, MLN and Peyer's patches) as
      well as the spleen compared to infected Cre(-) controls. The T cell compartment,
      including the frequency of IFN-gamma and IL-17-producing T cells, is not altered
      in intestinal tissues of Salmonella-infected Cre(+) mice relative to infected
      Cre(-) controls. In addition, no difference between infected Cre(+) and Cre(-)
      mice was observed in either the concentration of IL-6 or IL-17 in whole tissue
      lysates of siLP, MLN or Peyer's patches or in the serum concentration of
      Salmonella-specific IgG and IgM. Overall the data suggest that the reduction of
      CD103(+)CD11b(+) DC in Cre(+) mice has little if any impact on Salmonella burden
      in infected tissues or eliciting effector functions important in host survival at
      later stages of the infection.

PMID- 27262931
TI  - Gender differences in burns: A study from emergency centres in the Western Cape,
      South Africa.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Little is known about gender differences in aetiology and
      management of acute burns in resource-constrained settings in South Africa.
      METHOD: This cross-sectional study is based on burn case reports (n=1915) from
      eight emergency centres in Western Cape, South Africa (June 2012-May 2013).
      Male/female rate ratios by age group and age-specific incidence rates were
      compiled for urban and rural areas along with gender differences in proportions
      between children and adults for injury aetiology, burn severity, length of stay
      and patient disposition. RESULTS: Children 0-4 years in urban areas had the
      highest burn incidence but only among adults did male rates surpass females, with
      fire burns more common among men 20-39 years and hot liquid burns among men 55+
      years. Men had a higher proportion of burns during weekends, from interpersonal
      violence and suspected use of alcohol/other substances, with more pronounced
      differences for hot liquid burns. Despite similar Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS)
      scores, men were more often transferred to higher levels of care and women more
      often treated and discharged. CONCLUSION: Burns were far more common among
      children although gender differences arose only among adults. Men sustained more
      injuries of somewhat different aetiology and were referred to higher levels of
      care more often for comparable wound severity. The results suggest different
      disposition between men and women despite similar AIS scores. However, further
      studies with more comprehensive information on severity level and other care- and
      patient-related factors are needed to explore these results further.

PMID- 27262932
TI  - Response of heterogeneous cancer cells on targeted nanoparticles.
AB  - Heterogenous cancer cells possess cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) due to their
      relative quiescence and ABC-transporter expression. Heterogenous cancer cells can
      be detected by an Rh123 exclusion assay for identifying Rh123low population. In
      the present study, we fabricated targeted nanoparticles entrapped with Rh123
      (Rh123 NPs) to investigate the effect of these targeted nanoparticles on an
      Rh123low population. The Rh123low population stained by Rh123 NPs exhibited
      similar heterogeneity to that stained by Rh123. In addition, the ABC-transporters
      did not contribute to the uptake of Rh123 or Rh123 NPs. Interestingly, ABC
      transporters in the Rh123low population stained by Rh123 were possibly
      responsible for Rh123 efflux, while Rh123 NPs were not susceptible to ABC
      transporters in the Rh123low population. It is plausible that the synergistic
      effect of NPs caused a targeted and endocytic effect which promoted the cellular
      uptake of Rh123 NPs, and the targeted effect played a more important role.

PMID- 27262934
TI  - Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among youth who report bully
      victimization, bully perpetration and/or low social connectedness.
AB  - The current study examined characteristics of bullying involvement and social
      connectedness in relation to suicide ideation and attempts in a sample of youth
      who report bully victimization, bully perpetration, and/or low social
      connectedness. The sample was comprised of 321 youth (67% female), ages 12-15
      years (M = 13.6), recruited from an emergency department in the Midwest region of
      the United States. Results indicated that lower levels of social connectedness
      and higher levels of bully victimization and perpetration were significantly
      associated with suicide ideation and attempts. Level of social connectedness did
      not moderate the relationship between bullying involvement and suicide risk. The
      associations between the severity of subtypes of bully victimization and
      perpetration (verbal, relational, physical), electronic bullying involvement, and
      suicide risk were examined. Results highlight a continuum in severity of bullying
      involvement and social connectedness associated with suicide risk. Implications
      of these results are discussed.

PMID- 27262933
TI  - Restoring the oncosuppressor activity of microRNA-34a in glioblastoma using a
      polyglycerol-based polyplex.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary neoplasm
      of the brain. Poor prognosis is mainly attributed to tumor heterogeneity,
      invasiveness, and drug resistance. microRNA-based therapeutics represent a
      promising approach due to their ability to inhibit multiple targets. In this
      work, we aim to restore the oncosuppressor activity of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) in
      GBM. We developed a cationic carrier system, dendritic polyglycerolamine (dPG
      NH2), which remarkably improves miRNA stability, intracellular trafficking, and
      activity. dPG-NH2 carrying mature miR-34a targets C-MET, CDK6, Notch1 and BCL-2,
      consequently inhibiting cell cycle progression, proliferation and migration of
      GBM cells. Following complexation with dPG-NH2, miRNA is stable in plasma and
      able to cross the blood-brain barrier. We further show inhibition of tumor growth
      following treatment with dPG-NH2-miR-34a in a human glioblastoma mouse model. We
      hereby present a promising technology using dPG-NH2-miR-34a polyplex for brain
      tumor treatment, with enhanced efficacy and no apparent signs of toxicity.

PMID- 27262935
TI  - [Bile salt nephropathy/cholemic nephrosis].
AB  - Bile cast nephropathy is a tubulo-interstitial nephropathy. Its diagnosis may be
      under-estimated. It develops in patients who have cholestatic jaundice, with high
      bilirubinemia. Bile salts are freely filtered through glomerulus. Under certain
      circumstances, it forms casts into the tubule and cause an acute tubular
      necrosis. The diagnosis evidence is histologic, but fulfilment of renal biopsy is
      often made difficult, because of the hemostatic abnormalities that patients with
      hepatocellular injury develop. The treatment is supportive and etiological. We
      report here the case of a patient who presented a drug-induced hepatic jaundice,
      complicated with acute kidney failure secondary to bile cast nephropathy. We
      present the histological diagnosis evidence.

PMID- 27262936
TI  - The synthetic gestagen levonorgestrel directly affects gene expression in thyroid
      and pituitary glands of Xenopus laevis tadpoles.
AB  - The synthetic gestagen levonorgestrel (LNG) was previously shown to perturb
      thyroid hormone-dependent metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis. However, so far the
      mechanisms underlying the anti-metamorphic effects of LNG remained unknown.
      Therefore, a series of in vivo and ex vivo experiments was performed to identify
      potential target sites of LNG action along the pituitary-thyroid axis of X.
      laevis tadpoles. Prometamorphic tadpoles were treated in vivo with LNG (0.01
      10nM) for 72h and brain-pituitary and thyroid tissue was analyzed for marker gene
      expression. While no treatment-related changes were observed in brain-pituitary
      tissue, LNG treatment readily affected thyroidal gene expression in tadpoles
      including decreased slc5a5 and iyd mRNA expression and a strong induction of dio2
      and dio3 expression. When using an ex vivo organ explant culture approach, direct
      effects of LNG on both pituitary and thyroid gland gene expression were
      detecTable Specifically, treatment of pituitary explants with 10nM LNG strongly
      stimulated dio2 expression and concurrently suppressed tshb expression. In
      thyroid glands, ex vivo LNG treatment induced dio2 and dio3 mRNA expression in a
      thyrotropin-independent manner. When thyroid explants were cultured in
      thyrotropin-containing media, LNG caused similar gene expression changes as seen
      after 72h in vivo treatment including a very strong repression of thyrotropin
      induced slc5a5 expression. Concerning the anti-thyroidal activity of LNG as seen
      under in vivo conditions, our ex vivo data provide clear evidence that LNG
      directly affects expression of genes important for thyroidal iodide handling as
      well as genes involved in negative feedback regulation of pituitary tshb
      expression. 

PMID- 27262938
TI  - Response of AMP-activated protein kinase and energy metabolism to acute nitrite
      exposure in the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.
AB  - Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a prevalent mammalian
      energy metabolism sensor, but little is known about its role as an energy sensor
      in fish experiencing stress. We aimed to study AMPK in Oreochromis niloticus on
      both the molecular and the physical level. We found that the cDNAs encoding the
      AMPKalpha1 and AMPKalpha2 variants of the O. niloticus catalytic alpha subunit
      were 1753bp and 2563 bp long and encoded 571 and 557 amino acids, respectively.
      Both the AMPKalpha1 and the AMPKalpha2 isoform possess structural features
      similar to mammalian AMPKalpha, including a phosphorylation site at Thr172 in the
      N-terminus, and exhibit high homology with other fish and vertebrate AMPKalpha
      sequences (81.3%-98.1%). mRNA encoding the AMPKalpha isoforms was widely
      expressed in various tissues with distinctive patterns. AMPKalpha1 and AMPKalpha2
      were primarily expressed in the intestines and brain, respectively. Under acute
      nitrite challenge, the mRNA encoding the AMPKalpha isoforms, as well as AMPK
      activity, changed over time. Its recovery period in freshwater, combined with the
      fact that it is highly conserved, suggests that fish AMPK, like its mammalian
      orthologues, acts as an energy metabolism sensor. Furthermore, subsequent
      decreases in AMPK mRNA levels and activity suggested that its action was
      transient but efficient. Physically, glucose, lactic acid and TGs in plasma, as
      well as energy materials in the hepatopancreas and muscle, were significantly
      altered over time, indicating changes in energy metabolism during the
      experimental period. These data have enabled us to characterize energy
      utilization in O. niloticus and further illustrate the role of fish AMPK as an
      energy sensor. This study provides new insight into energy metabolism and sensing
      by AMPK in teleost and necessitates further study of the multiple physiologic
      roles of AMPK in fish. 

PMID- 27262937
TI  - AHR-related activities in a creosote-adapted population of adult atlantic
      killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, two decades post-EPA superfund status at the
      Atlantic Wood Site, Portsmouth, VA USA.
AB  - Atlantic killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, are adapted to creosote-based PAHs at
      the US EPA Superfund site known as Atlantic Wood (AW) on the southern branch of
      the Elizabeth River, VA USA. Subsequent to the discovery of the AW population in
      the early 1990s, these fish were shown to be recalcitrant to CYP1A induction by
      PAHs under experimental conditions, and even to the time of this study, killifish
      embryos collected from the AW site are resistant to developmental deformities
      typically associated with exposure to PAHs in reference fish. Historically,
      however, 90 +% of the adult killifish at this site have proliferative hepatic
      lesions including cancer of varying severity. Several PAHs at this site are known
      to be ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). In this study, AHR-related
      activities in AW fish collected between 2011 and 2013 were re-examined nearly 2
      decades after first discovery. This study shows that CYP1A mRNA expression is
      three-fold higher in intestines of AW killifish compared to a reference
      population. Using immunohistochemistry, CYP1A staining in intestines was
      uniformly positive compared to negative staining in reference fish. Livers of AW
      killifish were examined by IHC to show that CYP1A and AHR2 protein expression
      reflect lesions-specific patterns, probably representing differences in intrinsic
      cellular physiology of the spectrum of proliferative lesions comprising the
      hepatocarcinogenic process. We also found that COX2 mRNA expression levels were
      higher in AW fish livers compared to those in the reference population,
      suggesting a state of chronic inflammation. Overall, these findings suggest that
      adult AW fish are responsive to AHR signaling, and do express CYP1A and AHR2
      proteins in intestines at a level above what was observed in the reference
      population. 

PMID- 27262939
TI  - Lethal and sub-lethal effects on the Asian common toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus
      from exposure to hexavalent chromium.
AB  - Chromium discharged in industrial effluents frequently occurs as an environmental
      pollutant, but the lethal and sub-lethal effects the heavy metal might cause in
      animals exposed to it have been insufficiently investigated. Selecting the
      amphibian Duttaphrynus melanostictus, we carried out laboratory tests to
      investigate the effects of short and long term exposure to hexavalent chromium
      (Cr(VI)) in both tadpoles and adult toads. The concentrations used were 0.002,
      0.02, 0.2, 1.0 and 2.0mg/L, the first three corresponding to field levels. In
      vitro exposures were also carried out using toad erythrocytes and Cr(VI)
      concentrations of 0.0015, 0.003, 0.015, 0.03, 0.15mg/L. Mortality, growth
      retardation, developmental delays and structural aberrations were noted in the
      metal-treated tadpoles, with increasing incidence corresponding to increase in
      Cr(VI) level and duration of exposure. Many of the sub-lethal effects were
      evident with long term exposure to environmentally relevant levels of the
      toxicant. Changes in selected blood parameters and erythrocyte morphometry were
      also detected in Cr(VI) exposed toads, indicating anaemic and leucopenic
      conditions. In the genotoxicity study, DNA damage indicated by comet assay and
      increased micronuclei frequency, occurred at the low Cr(VI) concentrations
      tested. The multiple deleterious effects of exposure to chromium signal the need
      for monitoring and controlling the discharge of chromium to the environment. The
      dose-dependency and genotoxic effects observed in this widely distributed Asian
      toad indicates its suitability for monitoring heavy metal pollution in aquatic
      systems. 

PMID- 27262940
TI  - Comparison of stillbirth rates by cause among Haitians and non-Haitians in
      Canada.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of stillbirth among Haitians and non-Haitians in
      Canada. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using data on all
      stillborn and live-born singletons weighing at least 500 g in the province of
      Quebec, Canada, from 1981 to 2010. Stillbirth rates were computed, and hazard
      ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for Haitians
      relative to non-Haitians. The main outcome measure was stillbirth by cause of
      death. RESULTS: Data for 9657 stillbirths (124 Haitian) and 2 414 751 live births
      (17 165 Haitian) were included. Stillbirth rates were higher for Haitians than
      non-Haitians (7.17 [95% CI 5.91-8.43] vs 3.96 [95% CI 3.88-4.04] per 1000
      births), particularly for cord prolapse (adjusted HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.10-3.18) and
      placental abruption (adjusted HR 2.84, 95% CI 1.95-4.15). Haitians had higher
      risks of stillbirth due to cord prolapse and abruption at every week of
      pregnancy. Risks were not elevated for stillbirth due to congenital anomaly, a
      cause less responsive to urgent intervention. CONCLUSION: Stillbirth rates among
      Haitians are disproportionately high in Canada, particularly fetal death due to
      cord prolapse and placental abruption. The potential to reduce stillbirth rates
      through optimal emergency care in vulnerable minorities requires further
      investigation.

PMID- 27262941
TI  - Retention of skills 2 years after completion of a postpartum hemorrhage
      simulation training program in rural Rwanda.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term retention of skills gained by rural
      physicians who completed a postpartum hemorrhage simulation-training program.
      METHODS: A quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study enrolled a convenience
      sample of generalist physicians in rural Rwanda. Participants underwent initial
      simulation training including pre- and post-training testing in February 2012.
      Simulation drills to assess skill retention were conducted in March 2014.
      Participants were scored based on their communication, evaluation, and management
      skills. Median scores and inter-quartile ranges were calculated and the Wilcoxon
      signed-rank sum test was used to compare the pre-training, post-training, and
      retention scores. Physician confidence was assessed using a survey. RESULTS: In
      total, 11 physicians were enrolled; eight were available for the 2-year skill
      retention evaluation. Significant improvements were observed when comparing
      participants' pre-training and post-training communication (P=0.03), evaluation
      (P=0.05), and management (P=0.02) scores, and there were no changes between
      participants' post-training and 2-year communication (P>0.99), evaluation
      (P=0.16), and management (P=0.46) scores. There were no differences in the self
      reported confidence measures across the duration of the study. CONCLUSION:
      Simulation training is an effective method for teaching postpartum hemorrhage
      management skills to generalist physicians in rural areas and skills are retained
      for at least 2 years. Further studies could determine the optimal time intervals
      for refresher training.

PMID- 27262942
TI  - Validation of specific questionnaires to assess nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
      in a French population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To validate the modified Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and
      Nausea (PUQE) score and the Health-Related Quality of Life for Nausea and
      Vomiting of Pregnancy (NVP-QOL) score in a French population. METHODS: A
      retrospective study was conducted of data for women who delivered at a tertiary
      care hospital in La Roche sur Yon, France, between November 1, 2012, and April 1,
      2013. Only women who reported nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) in the first
      trimester were invited to respond to the two questionnaires. RESULTS: Overall,
      complete questionnaires were available from 399 women, 238 (59.6%) of whom
      reported NVP in the first trimester. The modified-PUQE score was associated with
      the self-reported symptom severity (P<0.001). A relationship was also noted when
      either the NVP-QOL score or the modified-PUQE score was compared with the symptom
      intensity (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Furthermore, a high NVP-QOL score was
      associated with a high modified-PUQE score (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The modified
      PUQE and NVP-QOL scores provided valid indices for assessing NVP severity and
      alterations in quality of life. Owing to its simplicity, the modified-PUQE score
      might be used routinely among women experiencing NVP in the first trimester of
      pregnancy.

PMID- 27262943
TI  - A comparison of plants and animals in their responses to risk of consumption.
AB  - Both plants and animals reduce their risk of being eaten by detecting and
      responding to herbivore and predator cues. Plants tend to be less mobile and rely
      on more local information perceived with widely dispersed and redundant tissues.
      As such, plants can more easily multi-task. Plants are more tolerant of damage
      and use damage to their own tissues as reliable cues of risk; plants have a
      higher threshold before responding to the threat of herbivory. Plants also use
      diverse cues that include fragments of plant tissue and molecular patterns from
      herbivores, herbivore feeding, or microbial associates of herbivores. Instead of
      fleeing from attackers, plants reallocate valuable resources to organs at less
      risk. They minimize unnecessary defenses against unrealized risks and costs of
      failing to defend against actual risk. Plants can remember and learn, although
      these abilities are poorly understood.

PMID- 27262944
TI  - Complete genome sequence of a new bipartite begomovirus infecting fluted pumpkin
      (Telfairia occidentalis) plants in Cameroon.
AB  - The complete genome sequence was determined and characterized for a previously
      unreported bipartite begomovirus from fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis,
      family Cucurbitaceae) plants displaying mosaic symptoms in Cameroon. The DNA-A
      and DNA-B components were ~2.7 kb and ~2.6 kb in size, and the arrangement of
      viral coding regions on the genomic components was like those characteristic of
      other known bipartite begomoviruses originating in the Old World. While the DNA-A
      component was more closely related to that of chayote yellow mosaic virus
      (ChaYMV), at 78 %, the DNA-B component was more closely related to that of
      soybean chlorotic blotch virus (SbCBV), at 64 %. This newly discovered bipartite
      Old World virus is herein named telfairia mosaic virus (TelMV). 

PMID- 27262945
TI  - Profile of expression of certain markers of apoptosis in chronic hepatitis C and
      hepatitis B patients in an Egyptian population.
AB  - Increased peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) apoptosis during viral
      hepatitis has been suggested to cause impaired regulation of the immune response
      and maintenance of the infection. The purpose of this work was to study the
      expression of some apoptotic markers in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and C (CHC)
      infections in order to understand the underlying mechanisms of immune failure and
      viral persistence. This study aims to evaluate the level of PBMC apoptosis and
      the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Fas and Bcl-2 in CHB and CHC
      patients. This case control study was carried out on 38 cases (group I: 20
      chronic HCV patients; group II: 18 chronic HBV patients) attending the Tropical
      Medicine Clinic, Mansoura University Hospital, in addition to 10 healthy
      controls. Morphological assessment of apoptosis of cultured PBMCs was done. The
      level of Fas and Bcl-2 expression by PBMCs was detected using flow cytometry. An
      increased level of apoptosis correlated with increased Fas expression, but no
      increase in Bcl-2 expression was found on the surface of PBMCs in CHC and CHB
      patients compared to controls. No significant difference in the level of
      apoptosis, Fas, or Bcl2 expression between CHC and CHB patients was detected.
      Modulation of apoptosis, particularly by manipulation of Fas receptor activation,
      may be of therapeutic benefit in chronic CHB and CHC. 

PMID- 27262946
TI  - Genipin alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting NF-kappaB and
      NLRP3 signaling pathways.
AB  - Genipin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effect. However, its role on
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) has not been explored.
      This study aimed to evaluate the effect of genipin on murine model of acute lung
      injury induced by LPS. The mice were treated with genipin 1h before LPS
      administration. 12h later, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissues and lung
      wet/dry ratio were detected. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by ELISA. Apart from this, we
      use western blot to detect the protein expression in the NF-kappaB and NLRP3
      signaling pathways. The results showed that the treatment of genipin markedly
      attenuated the lung wet/dry ratio and the MPO activity. Moreover, it also
      inhibited the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 in the BALF. In addition,
      genipin significantly inhibited LPS-induced NF-kappaB and NLRP3 activation. In
      conclusion, these results demonstrate that genipin protected against LPS-induced
      ALI through inhibiting NF-kappaB and NLRP3 signaling pathways. 

PMID- 27262947
TI  - Proteomic analysis of Mortierella isabellina M6-22 during cold stress.
AB  - We aimed to gain a better understanding of cold adaption in Mortierella
      isabellina M6-22 by using proteomics approaches. The temperature range and
      optimal temperature for M6-22 growth were investigated, and composition changes
      in fatty acids were analyzed. Accompanied with the 2-D gel electrophoresis, MALDI
      TOF/TOF-MS analysis was conducted to characterize alterations in protein
      profiling in M6-22 cultured at 30  degrees C for 24 h and 15  degrees C for
      another 24 h when compared with those cultured at 30  degrees C for 48 h. Gene
      Ontology (GO) cluster analysis was finally conducted for successfully identified
      proteins. M6-22 cells could grow well at temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 
      degrees C. As temperature decreased from 30 to 15  degrees C, LA and GLA
      significantly increased from 11.63 to 17.85 % and from 9.12 to 13.19 %,
      respectively, while oleic acid significantly decreased from 47.25 to 36.53 %.
      Proteomics analyses revealed 111 differentially expressed protein spots, among
      which 5 unique proteins (A38, A40, A47, A49 and A58), 29 up-regulated proteins
      and 10 down-regulated proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. GO enrichment
      analysis demonstrated that these proteins mainly involved in glycolytic pathway
      (A34 and A50), electron transport (A28), ATP production (A35 and B39) and protein
      modification (A38). A total of 44 differentially expressed proteins have been
      successfully identified in M. isabellina M6-22 cultured at 15  degrees C. These
      proteins may play important roles in cold adaption via regulation of ATP
      synthesis, activation of cold-adaptive proteins, degradation of needless protein,
      accumulation of PUFAs, etc. 

PMID- 27262949
TI  - The dynamic changes of X chromosome inactivation during early culture of human
      embryonic stem cells.
AB  - X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is required for dosage compensation of X-linked
      genes in human female cells. Several previous reports have described the
      promiscuous XCI status in long-term cultured female human embryonic stem cells
      (hESCs), and the majority of them exhibit non-random XCI. However, when and how
      such female hESCs acquire the aberrant XCI states during culture is unknown.
      Herein, through comparing the XCI states in 18 paired hES cell lines throughout
      early culture, we revealed a uniform dynamic change during this culture period
      under a widely used culture condition. The female initial hESCs (ihESCs, P4-P9)
      expressed XIST RNA, H3K27me3 punctate enrichment and displayed random XCI
      pattern. By further culturing, the female early hESCs (ehESCs, P20-P30) lost the
      expression of XIST RNA, H3K27me3 punctate enrichment and exhibited a completely
      skewed XCI pattern. Importantly, a subset of X-linked genes was up-regulated in
      ehESCs, including some cancer-related genes. At last, we found 5% physiological
      oxygen was beneficial for the expression of XIST and H3K27me3 punctate
      enrichment, but not for the XCI pattern. We conclude that the XCI dynamic change
      is a frequent epigenetic instability event during early culture, which is
      accompanied by the up-regulation of some X-linked genes. Furthermore, we
      emphasize that physiological oxygen is beneficial for XCI fidelity.

PMID- 27262948
TI  - The role of Proteus mirabilis cell wall features in biofilm formation.
AB  - Biofilms formed by Proteus mirabilis strains are a serious medical problem,
      especially in the case of urinary tract infections. Early stages of biofilm
      formation, such as reversible and irreversible adhesion, are essential for
      bacteria to form biofilm and avoid eradication by antibiotic therapy. Adhesion to
      solid surfaces is a complex process where numerous factors play a role, where
      hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions with solid surface seem to be
      substantial. Cell surface hydrophobicity and electrokinetic potential of
      bacterial cells depend on their surface composition and structure, where
      lipopolysaccharide, in Gram-negative bacteria, is prevailing. Our studies focused
      on clinical and laboratory P. mirabilis strains, where laboratory strains have
      determined LPS structures. Adherence and biofilm formation tests revealed
      significant differences between strains adhered in early stages of biofilm
      formation. Amounts of formed biofilm were expressed by the absorption of crystal
      violet. Higher biofilm amounts were formed by the strains with more negative
      values of zeta potential. In contrast, high cell surface hydrophobicity
      correlated with low biofilm amount. 

PMID- 27262951
TI  - The role of particular tick developmental stages in the circulation of tick-borne
      pathogens affecting humans in Central Europe. 2. Tick-borne encephalitis virus.
AB  - Hard-bodied ticks transmit various pathogens, such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu
      lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., and carry
      numerous other microorganisms with an unknown pathogenic potential. Among them,
      tick-borne encephalitis virus has great importance. In Central European
      conditions all developmental stages of ticks participate in the zoonotic cycle of
      the TBE virus. According to pathogen and tick biology, the roles of larvae,
      nymphs and adults are different. Larvae and nymphs of Ixodes ricinus ticks are
      responsible for circulation in rodents and medium sized mammals; adults transfer
      the infection to ruminants and to next generations via transovarial transmission.
      All active developmental stages of I. ricinus can play role of the bridge vector,
      transmitting the infection to humans apart males which don't feed. The late
      summer peak of human infectivity is caused by the summer peak of I. ricinus
      nymphs' activity. The Dermacentor reticulatus tick attacks humans infrequently,
      but does participate in the circulation of the virus in the zoonotic foci; larvae
      and nymphs of the D. reticulatus ticks are responsible for circulation in
      rodents, mainly Microtinae, while adults transmit the infection to ruminants.

PMID- 27262950
TI  - Nutritional status, physical performance and disability in the elderly of the
      Peruvian Andes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although nutritional status plays an important part in the physical
      performance and disability of older people, this relationship has been little
      studied in developing countries. AIMS: A study on the effects of nutritional
      status on the physical performance and functional status of elderly people living
      in rural areas of the Peruvian Andes. METHODS: The study concerned 222 people
      aged >=65 years living in a rural area of the Peruvian Andes. The Mini
      Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to classify participants as malnourished
      (MNA <= 17), at risk of malnutrition (MNA 18-23), or well-nourished (MNA>= 24).
      The short physical performance battery (SPPB) and six-minute walking test (6MWT)
      were used to measure participants' physical performance. Disabilities were
      investigated by assessing participants' self-reported difficulty in performing
      one or more basic activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activities
      of daily living (IADL). RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition was 9.4 %, and
      more than half of our samples were at risk of malnutrition. After adjusting for
      potential confounders, malnourished individuals performed significantly worse
      than the other MNA groups in the SPPB (p for trend=0.001), 6MWT and IADL (p for
      trend < 0.0001 for both outcomes), but not in the ADL (p for trend = 0.23).
      Taking the well-nourished for reference, and after adjusting for potential
      confounders, malnutrition was significantly associated with disability in IADL
      (OR 5.36, 95 % CI 1.02-56.94; p = 0.05), and poor performance in the 6MWT (OR
      2.73, 95 % CI 1.06-12.08; p = 0.03) and SPPB (OR 4.94, 95 % CI 1.01-24.07; p =
      0.04). CONCLUSION: Poor nutritional status was found significantly associated
      with poor physical performance and poor functional status in elderly Peruvian
      individuals.

PMID- 27262952
TI  - Transporter protein and drug resistance of Trypanosoma.
AB  - Trypanosoma infection is one of the most important infections in livestock and
      humans. One of the main problems of its therapeutic control and treatment is the
      resurgence of drug resistance. One of the most studied causes of such resistance
      is the function of its adenosine transporter gene. A trypanosomal gene TbAT1 from
      Trypanosoma brucei has been cloned in yeast to demonstrate its function in the
      transport of adenosine and trypanocidal agents. Drug resistant trypanosomes
      showed a defective TbAT1 variant; furthermore, deletion of the gene and set point
      mutations in the transporter gene has been demonstrated from isolates from
      relapse patients. The molecular understanding of the mechanism of action
      trypanocidal agents and function of transporter gene can lead to control of drug
      resistance of Trypanosomes.

PMID- 27262953
TI  - Lessons learnt from 20 years surveillance of malaria drug resistance prior to the
      policy change in Burkina Faso.
AB  - The history of drug resistance to the previous antimalarial drugs, and the
      potential for resistance to evolve to Artemisinin-based combination therapies,
      demonstrates the necessity to set-up a good surveillance system in order to
      provide early warning of the development of resistance. Here we report a review
      summarizing the history of the surveillance of drug resistance that led to the
      policy change in Burkina Faso. The first Plasmodium falciparum Chloroquine
      Resistance strain identified in Burkina Faso was detected by an in vitro test
      carried out in Koudougou in 1983. Nevertheless, no further cases were reported
      until 1987, suggesting that resistant strains had been circulating at a low
      prevalence before the beginning of the systematic surveillance system from 1984.
      We observed a marked increase of Chloroquine-Resistance in 2002-2003 probably due
      to the length of follow-up as the follow-up duration was 7 or 14 days before 2002
      and 28 days from 2002 onwards. Therefore, pre-2002 studies have probably under
      estimated the real prevalence of Chloroquine-Resistance by not detecting the late
      recrudescence. With a rate of 8.2% treatment failure reported in 2003,
      Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine was still efficacious for the treatment of
      uncomplicated malaria in Burkina Faso but this rate might rapidly increase as the
      result of its spreading from neighboring countries and due to its current use for
      both the Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnant women and Seasonal Malaria
      Chemoprophylaxis. The current strategy for the surveillance of the Artemisinin
      based combination treatments resistance should build on lessons learnt under the
      previous period of 20 years surveillance of Chloroquine and Sulfadoxine
      Pyrimethamine resistance (1994-2004). The most important aspect being to extend
      the number of sentinel sites so that data would be less patchy and could help
      understanding the dynamic of the resistance.

PMID- 27262954
TI  - Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of
      the sexually-transmitted parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis.
AB  - A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed to detect the
      sexually-transmitted parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis in vaginal swabs. The
      presence of T. vaginalis was detected from 121 female sex workers attending a
      social hygiene clinic in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines using
      culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the developed LAMP assay. The high
      analytical sensitivity of LAMP detected a higher prevalence of T. vaginalis
      (42.06%) compared to culture (8.26%) and PCR (7.44%). Additionally, this assay
      did not cross-react with DNAs of other trichomonads that can infect humans such
      as Trichomonas tenax and Pentatrichomonas hominis as well as the pathogens,
      Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. The LAMP assay developed had a limit
      of detection (0.036 ng/MUl) lower than that of PCR using the primers TvK3 and
      TvK7 (0.36 ng/MUl). Prevalence of T. vaginalis in female sex workers in this area
      of the Philippines may be higher than previously estimated. Discordant results of
      PCR and LAMP may be due to different reactions to different kinds of inhibitors
      in the vaginal swabs.

PMID- 27262955
TI  - First detailed data on metazoan parasites of the rare species short beaked
      garfish Belone svetovidovi (Teleostei: Belonidae) from Tunisian coast, Central
      Mediterranean Sea.
AB  - Forty five specimens of the short beaked garfish Belone svetovidovi, a rare
      belonid species largely confused with the garfish Belone belone from Tunisian
      coast Sea were examined for metazoan parasite. Nine metazoan parasites species
      were identified: one monogenean (Axine sp.), 4 digeneans (Lecithostaphylus
      retroflexus, Tergestia acanthocephala, Aponurus laguncula and Condylocotyla
      pilodora metacercaria), one copepod (Bomolochus bellones), one isopod (Irona
      nana), one acanthocephalan (Telosentis exiguus) and one nematod Hysterotylacium
      sp. Most of parasite species were new records for B. svetovidovi in Tunisia. In
      the parasite fauna of B. svetovidovi, digenean C. pilodora metacercaria was the
      most prevalent species (42%) followed by Monogenea Axine sp. (36%). The total
      length of the host did not influence parasitic infection in B. svetovidovi. The
      metazoan parasite composition of B. svetovidovi revealed great similarity than
      those of B. belone from Tunisia supporting same ecological behavior of both
      hosts.

PMID- 27262956
TI  - The pulmonary involvement in Theileria lestoquardi naturally infected sheep.
AB  - Malignant Ovine Theileriosis (MOT) caused by Theileria lestoquardi is considered
      a major constraint for sheep production in many areas of the world including
      Sudan. Pulmonary oedema is thought to be the main cause of animal death, but the
      mechanism, the cell types involved and/or the probable cause of this pneumonia
      has yet to be defined. The present study was carried out to investigate the
      pulmonary involvement post T. lestoquardi infection and to identify the cell
      types involved in pneumonia. Apparently healthy sheep were exposed to ticks
      challenge in T. lestoquardi endemic area. Lungs impression smears and tissue
      sections for histopathology were processed. At necropsy, fifteen infected sheep
      revealed severe pneumonia associated with oedema and accumulation of creamy
      grayish frothy exudates. The microscopic findings of examined lungs showed
      emphysema, congestion, collapse and proliferation of immense amount of different
      kinds of cells. The current study indicates that T. lestoquardi infections are
      accompanied with remarkable pulmonary involvements and may lead to respiratory
      failure and death.

PMID- 27262957
TI  - Molecular identification of different Theileria and Babesia species infecting
      sheep in Sudan.
AB  - The epidemiological aspects of sheep piroplasmosis in Sudan are poorly studied,
      and further investigations using sensitive and precise techniques are required.
      In this study, the Reverse Line Blot (RLB) hybridization assay was used to detect
      and simultaneously differentiate between Theileria and Babesia species. DNA was
      extracted from blood collected on filter paper (n=219) from apparently healthy
      sheep from six different geographical localities in Sudan. Results indicated that
      Theileria ovis (88.6%), T. separata (20.1%), T. lestoquardi (16.4%) and T.
      annulata (16.4%) DNA could be detected in the blood samples. Single and mixed
      Theileria infections were detected in 74 (33.8%) and 124 (56.6%) respectively and
      T. ovis being the most prevalent species in the country. T. ovis and T. separata
      were reported for the first time in sheep in Sudan.

PMID- 27262958
TI  - Molecular and morphological characterization of Parabronema skrjabini of sheep
      and goats at three different geographical zones in Iran.
AB  - Parabronema skrjabini is a spirurid nematode of the family Habronematidae that
      lives in the abomasum of ruminants such as sheep and goats. The purpose of this
      study was to investigate the molecular and morphological aspects of Parabronema
      skrjabini in sheep and goats in Iran. The worms were collected from these animal
      species from three different regions. An internal transcribed spacer 2 ribosomal
      DNA (ITS2-rDNA) fragment of Parabronema skrjabini was amplified by polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR) using a pair of specific primers (Para-Ir-R and Para-Ir-F).
      Morphological studies based on the body length, the frontal shield, spicules of
      male and egg dimensions were performed. ITS2-rDNA sequences were between 167 and
      299 bp in different isolates. ITS2 homology in different isolates was between 68%
      and 77% compared with the sequence data in GenBank. Morphological results showed
      that the average length of male and female worms in sheep were 16.5 mm and 36 mm
      and in goats 16 mm and 35.5 mm, respectively. The average length of the small and
      large spicules in sheep were 657.5 MUm and 304.07 MUm and in goats 653.08 MUm and
      302.66 MUm, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the world
      exploring the genetic diversity of Parabronema in sheep and goats. Add this
      sentence in discussion: the low ITS2-rDNA identity in different isolates from
      Iran as compared to the reference sequence in GenBank (68-77%) raise questions
      regarding the species identity of the parasites isolated in Iran.

PMID- 27262959
TI  - Lungworm (Nematoda: Protostrongylidae) infection in wild and domestic ruminants
      from Malopolska region of Poland.
AB  - The conducted study has focused on domestic, as well as wild ruminant species.
      The post mortem examination was carried out on 68 animals, including three wild
      species: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (25 indyviduals), red deer (Cervus
      elaphus) (6), fallow deer (Dama dama) (5) and two domestic: sheep (Ovis aries)
      (14) and cattle (Bos taurus) (18). Some of the species have also been
      investigated in the field by the coproscopical analyses. The faecal samples from
      roe deer (27), fallow deer (20), red deer (36) and moose (Alces alces) (10) were
      collected from the environment, while from sheep (10) and goat (Capra hircus)
      (10)--per rectum. Based on the obtained results the following values were
      calculated: prevalence, mean intensity and intensity range. The post mortem
      examination did not reveal pulmonary nematodes neither in domestic nor in wild
      ungulates, however, the larvae of aforementioned parasites were often stated in
      the stool samples taken from the environment. All wild species, except fallow
      deer were infected. Consequently, six species of lungworms have been identified.
      The first stage larvae of Varestrongylus capreoli occurred in 11 samples of roe
      deer and Varestrongylus alces in one moose. The larvae of Elaphostrongylus cervi
      were found in 19 red deer and Varestrongylus sagittatus in 3. Furthermore,
      Elaphostrongylus alces larvae were noted in 6 moose. Within domestic ruminants
      only one sheep and two goats were infected by Muellerius capillaris.

PMID- 27262960
TI  - Endoparasites of exotic ungulates from the Giraffidae and Camelidae families kept
      ex situ.
AB  - Giraffes and camels are popular attractions at zoological gardens. In order to
      present the diversity of parasites infecting exotic ungulates from zoos, faecal
      samples from three giraffes and six camels from both the Silesian Zoological
      Garden in Chorzow, and Krakow Zoological Garden, were examined. The research was
      carried out over a ten-month period in 2013 and 2014. In total, 100 faecal
      samples from 18 animals were analysed with the use of the McMaster method.
      Moreover, coccidian oocysts were incubated to investigate their development and
      larvoscopic examination was conducted to detect the presence of nematode species.
      Giraffes were infected with coccidia from the genus Eimeria, and gastrointestinal
      nematodes from the Strongylida order, and Trichuris and Aonhotheca genera. One
      male giraffe was uninfected. The level of infection in giraffes was low when
      compared to camels kept in both of the zoos. Limited contact with other animal
      species contributed greatly to the lower level of infection in camels from Krakow
      Zoo than those from Chorzow, which were kept in the same enclosure as alpacas and
      Shetland ponies.

PMID- 27262961
TI  - Evaluation of selected oral cavity microbiota--risk factors of management
      complications in patients with masticatory system disorders.
AB  - The retrospective analysis of data on oral cavity clinical status in relation to
      microbiota species composition is presented. The research regards patients of
      different age, with and without congenital malformation, pretreatment assessed
      for occurrence of pathological changes in the masticatory system. Samples of the
      swabs collected from each patient (from dental plaque, periodontium and dental
      pockets) were used for identification of oral protozoans in wet slides and
      stained preparations; additionally, transmission electron microscope examination
      was performed. The material was used for in vitro cultures to identify bacteria
      strains. Clinically, intensity of tissue deteriorations was higher in patients
      with a congenital disease. Alive Trichomonas tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis,
      species with confirmed pathogenic impact on oral cavity and neighboring
      structures, were detected with higher prevalence in older patients. Enterococci,
      Staphylococcus aureus, various Enterobacteriaceae were more frequently detected
      in patients with somatic and mental retardations; in mouths of those patients,
      Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa opportunistic strains occurred.
      Masticatory system abnormalities favor colonization of oral cavity by exogenous
      species and dissemination of infections, especially dangerous for patients with
      congenital diseases. Oral microbiota assessment and preventive measures may be
      helpful to avoid subsequent peri-surgery complications.

PMID- 27262962
TI  - Trichinella spiralis in road-killed raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in
      western Poland.
AB  - Trichinellosis is still one of the most important food-borne parasitic zoonoses
      and is considered as a threat to public health worldwide. The aim of this study
      was to use genotyping techniques to determine the prevalence of Trichinella
      species in wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in western Poland. The
      infection rate in raccoon dogs was 0.8%. All infections were due to T. spiralis.

PMID- 27262963
TI  - Unusual clinical presentation of spinal echinococcal cyst imitating a malignant
      tumour.
AB  - Spinal echinococcal cyst is very uncommon and may have variable clinical
      presentations. We describe an exceptional case of intradural and extramedullary
      spinal echinococcal cyst, misguided as a spinal tumour on radiological
      examination and was diagnosed as echinococcal cyst on fine needle aspiration
      biopsy smears and subsequently on histopathological examination.

PMID- 27262964
TI  - Comparing adults who use cannabis medically with those who use recreationally:
      Results from a national sample.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cannabis has been legalized for medical use in almost half of the
      states in the U.S. Although laws in these states make the distinction between
      medical and recreational use of cannabis, the prevalence of people using medical
      cannabis and how distinct this group is from individuals using cannabis
      recreationally is unknown at a national level. METHODS: Data came from the 2013
      National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). All adults endorsing past year
      cannabis use who reported living in a state that had legalized medical cannabis
      were divided into recreational cannabis use only and medical cannabis use.
      Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared across these two groups.
      RESULTS: 17% of adults who used cannabis in the past year used cannabis
      medically. There were no significant differences between those who used medically
      versus recreationally in race, education, past year depression and prevalence of
      cannabis use disorders. In adjusted analyses, those with medical cannabis use
      were more likely to have poorer health and lower levels of alcohol use disorders
      and non-cannabis drug use. A third of those who reported medical cannabis use
      endorsed daily cannabis use compared to 11% in those who reported recreational
      use exclusively. CONCLUSIONS: Adults who use medical and recreational cannabis
      shared some characteristics, but those who used medical cannabis had higher
      prevalence of poor health and daily cannabis use. As more states legalize
      cannabis for medical use, it is important to better understand similarities and
      differences between people who use cannabis medically and recreationally.

PMID- 27262965
TI  - Reducing drinking to cope among heavy episodic drinking college women: Secondary
      outcomes of a web-based combined alcohol use and sexual assault risk reduction
      intervention.
AB  - College students are at high risk for engaging in heavy episodic drinking and for
      experiencing sexual assault. Further, drinking to cope with anxiety motives are
      associated with sexual assault history and drinking, and thus should be examined
      when targeting both sexual assault and drinking in college populations. The
      current study examined the effectiveness of decreasing coping with anxiety
      drinking motives among underage heavy episodic drinking college women (n=264).
      Results indicate that a web-based combined alcohol use and sexual assault risk
      reduction intervention was effective at decreasing drinking to cope with anxiety
      motives among those with stronger drinking to cope with anxiety motives at
      baseline. However, the alcohol-only and sexual assault-only interventions were
      not. Decreases in drinking motives were associated with decreases in heavy
      episodic drinking. This suggests that alcohol interventions in college
      populations may not be effectively targeting drinking motives and this
      preliminary study provides evidence indicating that targeting alcohol and sexual
      assault together may decrease drinking to cope motives among a high risk
      population.

PMID- 27262966
TI  - Fibrillatory excitation in the pulmonary vein is associated with the presence of
      dissociated pulmonary vein activity after isolation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Circumferential pulmonary vein (PV) isolation has been widely accepted
      for catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Dissociated PV
      activity might appear after PV isolation (PVI). However, little is known of
      dissociated PV activity. This study aimed to reveal the electrophysiological
      properties and clinical implications of dissociated PV activity. METHODS: The
      study subjects were 52 patients (62 +/- 7 years, 38 men) who underwent PVI for
      AF. Electrophysiological properties of the left atrium (LA) and PVs during and
      after PVI were investigated. RESULTS: Out of 181 targeted PVs, 177 with
      successful isolation were analyzed. Dissociated PV activity appeared in 14 PVs (8
      %) in 12 patients (23 %) after PVI; from the left superior PV in eight, right
      superior PV in five, and left inferior PV in one. The mean cycle length of
      dissociated PV activity was 4277 +/- 2565 ms. The presence of AF prior to
      achieving PVI was significantly higher in PV without dissociated PV activity (105
      out of 163, 64 %) than in PV with dissociated PV activity (five out of 14, 36 %,
      P = 0.03). The observed dissociated PV activity was enhanced (new appearance or
      reduced cycle length) by isoproterenol and suppressed by pacing within the
      isolated PV. CONCLUSION: Dissociated PV activity, although influenced by
      uncertain factors such as overdrive suppression and autonomic situations, would
      be an indicator of LA-PV bidirectional block and might not be the target of
      additional ablation after PVI.

PMID- 27262968
TI  - Rural-urban differences in the prevalence of cognitive impairment in independent
      community-dwelling elderly residents of Ojiya city, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine rural-urban differences in the prevalence
      of cognitive impairment in Japan. METHODS: We targeted 592 residents aged 65
      years and older who did not use long-term care insurance services in one rural
      and two urban areas in Ojiya City, Japan. Of these, 537 (90.7 %) participated in
      the study. The revised Hasegawa's dementia scale (HDS-R) was used to assess
      cognitive function, and cognitive impairment was defined as a HDS-R score <=20.
      Lifestyle information was obtained through interviews. The prevalence of
      cognitive impairment was compared according to the levels of predictor variables
      by odds ratios (ORs) calculated by a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Mean
      age of participants was 75.7 years (SD 7.0). The prevalence of cognitive
      impairment was 20/239 (8.4 %) in the rural area and 6/298 (2.0 %) in the urban
      areas, for a total of 26/537 (4.8 %) overall. Men tended to have a higher
      prevalence of cognitive impairment (P = 0.0628), and age was associated with
      cognitive impairment (P for trend <0.0001). The rural area had a significantly
      higher prevalence of cognitive impairment (age- and sex-adjusted OR = 4.04, 95 %
      CI: 1.54-10.62) than urban areas. This difference was significant after adjusting
      for other lifestyle factors. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cognitive impairment
      was higher in the rural area relative to urban areas in Ojiya city. This regional
      difference suggests the existence of potentially modifiable factors other than
      lifestyle in relation to cognitive impairment.

PMID- 27262967
TI  - Behavioral profile assessment in offspring of Swiss mice treated during pregnancy
      and lactation with caffeine.
AB  - The association between caffeine consumption and various psychiatric
      manifestations has long been observed. The objective was to assess the behavioral
      profile in offspring of Swiss mice treated during pregnancy and lactation with
      caffeine. For this purpose, two groups (n = 6 each and BW ~ 35 g) of female mice
      were treated during pregnancy and lactation by: tap water and caffeine solution
      at a concentration of 0.3 mg/mL through oral route. The offspring obtained, by
      completing 70 days of life, was underwent a behavioral battery test. Statistical
      analysis was performed by student t test and the different significance adopted
      was p < 0.05. According to our results, it was not found any significant
      differences in tail suspension and forced swimming tests. In anxiety related
      responses however, the mice of caffeine group had greater number of fecal pellets
      (178 %, p = 0.001) in the open field test, higher number of attempts (51 %, p =
      0.03) in light-dark box and decreased percentage of entries in open arms (41 %, p
      = 0.01) in elevated plus maze test. Moreover, in the marble burying test, there
      was a significant decrease in the number of buried marbles compared with controls
      (110 %, p = 0,002). In the meantime, in the von Frey test, it was observed an
      exacerbation of mechanical allodynia both in basal conditions and after the
      carrageenan administration (p < 0.001). Furthermore, caffeine treatment during
      pregnancy and lactation causes long-term behavioral changes in the mice offspring
      that manifest later in life.

PMID- 27262969
TI  - The use of the marine gastropod, Cellana tramoserica, as a biomonitor of metal
      contamination in near shore environments.
AB  - The use of the marine gastropod, Cellana tramoserica, as a biomonitor of metal
      exposure was investigated. The factors influencing metal concentrations, such as
      mass, gender, substrate, shoreline position and temporal variation were examined.
      Tissue metal concentrations were mostly found to be independent of mass and
      gender. When metal concentrations were significantly correlated with mass,
      correlations were low and explained little variability. The underlying substrate
      and position in the littoral zone had only a small influence on metal
      concentrations. Variation between individuals, inherent variability due to
      genetic variability, was the most significant contribution to the overall
      variation in metal concentrations, resulting in positive skewing of population
      distributions. The mean metal concentrations varied temporally; metal masses were
      relatively constant with fluctuations in metal concentrations related to
      fluctuations in metal body burdens. The populations from a metal-contaminated
      site had significantly higher tissue Cu, Zn, As and Pb concentrations than the
      populations from relatively uncontaminated locations. C. tramoserica therefore
      can be considered to be a net accumulator of metals. A sample number of >10 is
      required to detect changes of 25 % from the mean concentrations at uncontaminated
      locations. This species meets the requirements of a suitable biomonitor for metal
      contaminants in the environment i.e. hardy, sessile, widespread, sufficient
      tissue mass and a metal accumulator. As the measurement of metal concentrations
      in C. tramesoria were influenced by substrate and shore position and, sometimes,
      mass, sites with similar substrates and organisms of similar mass and shoreline
      position should be chosen for comparison. When comparing metal concentrations in
      gastropods from different locations, they should be collected over the same
      period to minimise variability due to mass differences, spawning and other
      seasonal/temporal effects. 

PMID- 27262970
TI  - Bioefficacy and persistence of acephate in mungbean Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.
AB  - The bioefficacy, persistence and metabolism of foliar application of acephate 75
      SP at the respective recommended and double doses of 1500 and 3000 g a.i. ha(-1)
      were studied on kharif mungbean crop. Acephate gave a very effective control of
      the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) at the tested doses on mungbean crop
      throughout the cropping season, besides recording lower percent pod damage and
      higher grain yield. The recommended dose of acephate also recorded higher net
      returns and thus indicating its superiority. Persistence of acephate in mungbean
      leaves and soil was studied following applications of acephate @ 1500 and 3000 g
      a.i. ha(-1) at 30 days after sowing. Residues of acephate in mungbean leaves and
      soil were estimated using gas liquid chromatograph (GLC) and confirmed on gas
      chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Half-life periods for acephate in
      mungbean leaves were observed to be 2.98 and 3.27 days at single and double the
      application rates, respectively. Residues of acephate dissipated below its limit
      of quantification (LOQ) of 0.05 mg kg(-1) after 20 and 25 days at single and
      double the application dosage, respectively. Similarly, half-life periods for
      acephate in mungbean soil were observed to be 1.86 and 1.94 days at single and
      double the application rates, respectively. Residues of acephate dissipated below
      its LOQ of 0.05 mg kg(-1) after 10 and 15 days at single and double the
      application dosage, respectively. 

PMID- 27262971
TI  - A prediction model of vaginal birth after cesarean in the preterm period.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A validated model exists that predicts the probability of vaginal
      birth after cesarean delivery in patients at term who are undergoing a trial of
      labor after cesarean delivery. However, a model that predicts the success of a
      vaginal birth after cesarean delivery in the preterm period has not been
      developed. OBJECTIVE: We sought to develop and validate a predictive model for
      vaginal birth after cesarean delivery for women undergoing a trial of labor after
      cesarean delivery during the preterm period. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a
      secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study designed to evaluate perinatal
      outcomes in women with a prior cesarean scar. We included women with 1 prior low
      transverse cesarean delivery undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean delivery
      with a vertex singleton pregnancy in the preterm period (26-36 weeks). Using
      multivariable logistic regression modeling, we constructed a predictive model for
      vaginal birth after cesarean delivery with information known at admission for
      preterm delivery. Using a 70% to 30% random split of the data, the model was
      developed in the training data and subsequently confirmed in the validation data.
      Predictions and area under the curve were based on a 10-fold cross-validated
      jackknife estimation and based on 1000 bootstrap resampling methods. The adequacy
      of all models was evaluated based on the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test.
      RESULTS: One thousand two hundred ninety-five women met our criteria for
      analysis. The significant predictors of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery
      success were chronic hypertension, hypertensive disease of pregnancy (gestational
      hypertension or preeclampsia), prior vaginal delivery, dilation on cervical
      examination at admission, prior vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, a
      recurring indication in a prior cesarean delivery, and induction of labor as well
      as a 2-way interactions between dilation and hypertensive disease of pregnancy,
      dilation and diabetes mellitus (pregestational or gestational), and induction of
      labor and hypertensive disease of pregnancy. The area under the curve from the
      prediction model was 0.80 (95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.83) and the model fit
      the data well (Hosmer-Lemeshow P = .367). The bootstrap and 10-fold cross
      validated jackknife estimates of the corrected area under the curve of the model
      were 0.78 (95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.82) and 0.77 (95% confidence interval,
      0.73-0.82), respectively, following incorporation of regression shrinkage.
      CONCLUSION: A cross-validated predictive model was created for patients
      undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean delivery in the preterm period using 8
      variables known on admission. These factors were notably different from factors
      used in the model for term patients. This new model can be used to counsel
      patients in the preterm period who want to undergo a trial of labor after
      cesarean delivery on their predicted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery
      success.

PMID- 27262972
TI  - Detoxification from opiates during pregnancy: stressing the fetal brain.

PMID- 27262973
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27262974
TI  - Randomized controlled trial of prolonged second stage: extending the time limit
      vs usual guidelines.

PMID- 27262975
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27262976
TI  - Infrainguinal Vein Graft Stenoses: Long-Term Outcomes of Graft Angioplasty.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Graft angioplasty combines the durability and ability of surgical
      bypasses to treat long arterial occlusions with the minimally invasive nature of
      endovascular procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy
      of single and repeated graft angioplasty in revising failing infrainguinal vein
      bypass grafts and to determine predictors of medium- and long-term freedom from
      revision after graft angioplasty. METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis from
      a prospectively maintained database. Consecutive endovascular revisions of graft
      threatening lesions identified by duplex ultrasound surveillance were reviewed
      from 2003 to 2010. Patients were followed up until death, major amputation, or
      the end of follow-up, with the data last updated on January 1, 2013. RESULTS: 178
      graft angioplasty procedures performed in 114 bypass grafts in 103 limbs from 98
      patients were studied. At 5 years, freedom from revision was 22.6%, graft
      survival was 45.8%, amputation-free survival was 57.9%, and patient survival was
      64.9%. Analysis of repeated angioplasties found no evidence that effectiveness
      diminishes significantly with the number of previous angioplasties performed
      (p=.892). Higher Rutherford Grade of ischemia and longer time interval from index
      surgery to first angioplasty were significant positive predictors of medium- and
      long-term patency. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of
      infrainguinal vein grafts is safe and effective in the treatment of failing
      grafts identified by duplex surveillance. Graft angioplasties do not lose
      effectiveness when repeated and have shown cumulative benefit in prolonging graft
      survival. Treatment of claudicants and time interval from graft implantation of
      more than 6 months at the time of first angioplasty are positive predictors of at
      least medium-term patency after graft angioplasty.

PMID- 27262978
TI  - Superficial warming and cooling of the leg affects walking speed and
      neuromuscular impairments in people with spastic paraparesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with hereditary and spontaneous spastic paraparesis (HSSP)
      report that their legs are stiffer and walking is slower when their legs are
      cold. OBJECTIVES: This study explored the effects of prolonged superficial
      cooling and warming of the lower leg on walking speed and local measures of
      neuromuscular impairments. METHODS: This was a randomised pre- and post
      intervention study of 22 HSSP participants and 19 matched healthy controls. On 2
      separate occasions, one lower leg was cooled or warmed. Measurements included
      walking speed and measures of lower limb impairment: ankle movement, passive
      muscle stiffness, spasticity (stretch reflex size), amplitude and rate of force
      generation in dorsi- and plantarflexors and central and peripheral nerve
      conduction time/velocity. RESULTS: For both participants and controls, cooling
      decreased walking speed, especially for HSSP participants. For both groups,
      cooling decreased the dorsiflexor rate and amplitude of force generation and
      peripheral nerve conduction velocity and increased spasticity. Warming increased
      dorsiflexor rate of force generation and nerve conduction velocity and decreased
      spasticity. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial cooling significantly reduced walking speed
      for people with HSSP. Temperature changes were associated with changes in
      neuromuscular impairments for both people with spastic paraparesis and controls.
      This study does not support the use of localised cooling in rehabilitation for
      people with spastic paraparesis as reported in other neurological conditions.
      Rehabilitation interventions that help prevent heat loss (insulation) or improve
      limb temperature via passive or active means, particularly when the legs and/or
      environment are cool, may benefit people with spastic paraparesis.

PMID- 27262977
TI  - Commentary on 'Predictors for Recanalization of the Great Saphenous Vein in RCTs
      1 Year After Endovenous Thermal Ablation': The Dark Side of Systematic Reviews.

PMID- 27262979
TI  - Factors associated with not meeting the recommendations for micronutrient intake
      in critically ill children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Children admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk of not
      meeting their nutritional requirements. This study aimed to identify factors
      associated with failure to meet the dietary recommended intake (DRI) of zinc,
      selenium, cholecalciferol, and thiamine in critically ill children receiving
      enteral tube feeding during their stay in the ICU. METHODS: We analyzed
      prospectively 260 cases, corresponding to 206 patients who received enteral tube
      feeding for a minimum of 3 days up to 10 days during the first 10 d of ICU stay.
      Individual intake was compared to estimated average requirement (EAR) and
      adequate intake (AI) values during the first 10 d of ICU stay. The outcome
      variable was defined as not meeting the recommended intake of the micronutrients
      studied. Potential explanatory variables for the outcome were age <1 year,
      malnutrition (WHO), clinical severity scores, heart disease, severe sepsis or
      septic shock, use of alpha-adrenergic drugs, and renal replacement therapy (RRT).
      The effect of the explanatory variables on the outcome was analyzed by logistic
      regression analysis. RESULTS: The majority of patients did not meet the
      recommendations for micronutrients. After adjusting for covariates, age <1 year,
      malnutrition, heart disease, use of alpha-adrenergic drugs, and renal replacement
      therapy were associated with failure to meet the recommendations for at least one
      of the micronutrients studied. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with failure to
      meet the recommendations for micronutrient intake in children receiving enteral
      tube feeding during their ICU stay are linked to patients' low weight,
      restriction in fluid intake, and clinical severity of the disease.

PMID- 27262980
TI  - Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) mothers huddle with their young offspring
      instead of adult females for thermoregulation.
AB  - It is unclear whom animals select to huddle with for thermoregulation. In this
      study, we investigated whom Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) mothers huddled
      with-their young offspring or other adult group members-when there is need for
      thermoregulation. We used a focal-animal sampling method, targeting 17 females at
      Katsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. A majority of huddling among adult females
      was recorded during winter season (December, January, and February). Females who
      had young (0- or 1-year-old) offspring huddled less frequently with other adult
      females compared to females who did not have young offspring in winter. However,
      including young offspring, the frequency of huddling with any other individuals
      did not differ by whether females had young offspring. Moreover, the females who
      did not have young offspring huddled with other adult females more often in
      cloudy than in sunny weather during winter season. In contrast, females who had
      young offspring increased huddling with their young offspring in cloudy than in
      sunny weather, but did not do so with other adult females. This study indicates
      that Japanese macaque mothers huddle with their young offspring instead of other
      adult females when there is need for thermoregulation. 

PMID- 27262981
TI  - Epidermal growth factor-induced hydrogen peroxide production is mediated by dual
      oxidase 1.
AB  - Stimulation of mammalian cells by epidermal growth factor (EGF) elicits complex
      signaling events, including an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production.
      Understanding the significance of this response is limited by the fact that the
      source of EGF-induced H2O2 production is unknown. Here we show that EGF-induced
      H2O2 production in epidermal cell lines is dependent on the agonist-induced
      calcium signal. We analyzed the expression of NADPH oxidase isoforms and found
      both A431 and HaCaT cells to express the calcium-sensitive NADPH oxidase, Dual
      oxidase 1 (Duox1) and its protein partner Duox activator 1 (DuoxA1). Inhibition
      of Duox1 expression by small interfering RNAs eliminated EGF-induced H2O2
      production in both cell lines. We also demonstrate that H2O2 production by Duox1
      leads to the oxidation of thioredoxin-1 and the cytosolic peroxiredoxins. Our
      observations provide evidence for a new signaling paradigm in which changes of
      intracellular calcium concentration are transformed into redox signals through
      the calcium-dependent activation of Duox1.

PMID- 27262982
TI  - Future hydrological regimes and glacier cover in the Everest region: The case
      study of the upper Dudh Koshi basin.
AB  - Assessment of future water resources under climate change is required in the
      Himalayas, where hydrological cycle is poorly studied and little understood. This
      study focuses on the upper Dudh Koshi river of Nepal (151km(2), 4200-8848ma.s.l.)
      at the toe of Mt. Everest, nesting the debris covered Khumbu, and Khangri Nup
      glaciers (62km(2)). New data gathered during three years of field campaigns (2012
      2014) were used to set up a glacio-hydrological model describing stream flows,
      snow and ice melt, ice cover thickness and glaciers' flow dynamics. The model was
      validated, and used to assess changes of the hydrological cycle until 2100.
      Climate projections are used from three Global Climate Models used in the recent
      IPCC AR5 under RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Flow statistics are estimated for two
      reference decades 2045-2054, and 2090-2099, and compared against control run CR,
      2012-2014. During CR we found a contribution of ice melt to stream flows of 55%
      yearly, with snow melt contributing for 19%. Future flows are predicted to
      increase in monsoon season, but to decrease yearly (-4% vs CR on average) at 2045
      2054. At the end of century large reduction would occur in all seasons, i.e. -26%
      vs CR on average at 2090-2099. At half century yearly contribution of ice melt
      would be on average 45%, and snow melt 28%. At the end of century ice melt would
      be 31%, and snow contribution 39%. Glaciers in the area are projected to thin
      largely up to 6500ma.s.l. until 2100, reducing their volume by -50% or more, and
      their ice covered area by -30% or more. According to our results, in the future
      water resources in the upper Dudh Koshi would decrease, and depend largely upon
      snow melt and rainfall, so that adaptation measures to modified water
      availability will be required. 

PMID- 27262983
TI  - Sorption, photodegradation, and chemical transformation of naproxen and ibuprofen
      in soils and water.
AB  - Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) are released into the environment where
      they undergo soil sorption, photodegradation, and chemical transformation into
      structurally similar compounds. Here we report on studies of naproxen (NAP) and
      ibuprofen (IBP), two widely-used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS),
      in soils and water. Organic matter (OM) was observed to play an important role in
      each of these processes. Sorption was observed to be stronger and nonlinear in
      higher OM soils while weaker but still significant in lower OM, higher clay
      soils; the amphiphilic nature of these two PhACs combined with the complex
      charged and nonpolar surfaces available in the soil was observed to control the
      sorption behavior. Simulated solar photodegradation rates of NAP and IBP in water
      were observed to change in the presence of humic acid or fulvic acid. Structural
      analogs of each compound were observed as the result of chemical transformation
      in both photoexposed aqueous solutions and non-photoexposed soil. Two of these
      transformation products were detected as both soil and photo transformation
      products for both PhACs. OM was observed to influence the chemical transformation
      of both pharmaceuticals. 

PMID- 27262984
TI  - Fluid mechanical dispersion of airborne pollutants inside urban street canyons
      subjecting to multi-component ventilation and unstable thermal stratifications.
AB  - The pedestrian level pollutant transport in street canyons with multiple aspect
      ratios (H/W) is numerically investigated in the present work, regarding of
      various unstable thermal stratification scenarios and plain surrounding. Non
      isothermal turbulent wind flow, temperature field and pollutant spread within and
      above the street canyons are solved by the realizable k-epsilon turbulence model
      along with the enhanced wall treatment. One-vortex flow regime is observed for
      shallow canyons with H/W=0.5, whereas multi-vortex flow regime is observed for
      deep canyons with H/W=2.0. Both one-vortex and multi-vortex regimes could be
      observed for the street canyons with H/W=1.0, where the secondary vortex could be
      initiated by the flow separation and intensified by unstable thermal
      stratification. Air exchange rate (AER) and pollutant retention time are adopted
      to respectively evaluate the street canyon ventilation and pollutant removal
      performance. A second-order polynomial functional relationship is established
      between AER and Richardson number (Ri). Similar functional relationship could be
      established between retention time and Ri, and it is only valid for canyons with
      one-vortex flow regime. In addition, retention time could be prolonged abruptly
      for canyons with multi-vortex flow regime. Very weak secondary vortex is
      presented at the ground level of deep canyons with mild stratification, where
      pollutants are highly accumulated. However, with the decrease of Ri, pollutant
      concentration adjacent to the ground reduces accordingly. Present research could
      be applied to guide the urban design and city planning for enhancing pedestrian
      environment. 

PMID- 27262985
TI  - Oxidative stress mediates dibutyl phthalateinduced anxiety-like behavior in
      Kunming mice.
AB  - Among all phthalate esters, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is only second to di-(2
      ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in terms of adverse health outcomes, and its
      potential cerebral neurotoxicity has raised concern in recent years. DBP exposure
      has been reported to be responsible for neurobehavioral effects and related
      neurological diseases. In this study, we found that neurobehavioral changes
      induced by DBP may be mediated by oxidative damage in the mouse brain, and that
      the co-administration of Mangiferin (MAG, 50mg/kg/day) may protect the brain
      against oxidative damage caused by DBP exposure. The results of ethological
      analysis (elevated plus maze test and open-field test), histopathological
      examination of the brain, and assessments of oxidative stress (OS) in the mouse
      brain showed that there is a link between oxidative stress and anxiety-like
      behavior produced by DBP at higher doses (25 or 125mg/kg/day). Biomarkers of
      oxidative stress encompass reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH),
      malondialdehyde (MDA) and DPC coefficients (DPC). MAG (50mg/kg/day),administered
      as an antioxidant,can attenuatetheanxiety-like behavior of the tested mice. 

PMID- 27262986
TI  - Impact of high-fat diet on liver genes expression profiles in mice model of
      nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
AB  - Evidences have shown that NAFLD influences expression of some drug metabolic
      enzyme genes. This study aims to investigate the role of HFD-induced NAFLD in
      regulating the transcription of genes, particularly the drug metabolizing genes
      variation. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that HFD feeding caused the 150
      genes expression to change, most genes associated with lipid metabolism,
      inflammatory, oxidative stress and oxidoreductase activity up-regulated, whereas
      most genes involved in nucleic acid metabolism repressed. The genes involved in
      drug metabolism had 16 down-regulated and 21 up-regulated in NAFLD. The over-4
      fold change genes included the down-regulation of Cyp8b1, Cyp7a1, Sult3a1,
      Sult1e1, Cyp17a1, Cyp3a41a, Gstt3, Cyp51, Cyp2c54 and Cyp4f14, and the up
      regulation of Asns, Past1, Cyp2c55, Gstm2, Cyp2e1 and Gstaalpha1. In conclusion,
      significant alterations in the expression of drug metabolizing enzymes may affect
      the clearance of therapeutic drugs, with the potential to result in adverse drug
      reactions or drug toxicity in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 

PMID- 27262987
TI  - Lead selenide nanoparticles-induced oxidative damage of kidney in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of lead selenide nanoparticles (nano PbSe)
      on kidney in rats. METHOD: Specific pathogen free SD rats were randomly divided
      into 4 groups (8 rats/group), and injected with of 0mg/kg (control group),
      10mg/kg (low dose group), 20mg/kg (middle dose group), or 30mg/kg (high dose
      group) nano PbSe respectively. Seven weeks after injection, the serum was taken
      from rats for the detection of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and
      uric acid (UA). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px),
      malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels were detected
      using renal tissue homogenate. Pathological examination was performed on kidney
      sections. RESULTS: The levels of BUN and Cr in three exposure groups were
      significantly increased compared with those of control group. Levels of UA in
      middle dose and high dose group were higher than those in the control group.
      Levels of SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC in three exposure groups were markedly decreased
      compared with those in the control group. Levels of MDA in three exposure groups
      were higher than those in the control group. Pathological changes at different
      levels of kidneys were observed, and the damage was more serious with the
      increase of concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Nano PbSe can lead to oxidative damage to
      the kidney, with the toxicity positively correlates to the dosage.

PMID- 27262988
TI  - Evaluation of urinary metal concentrations and sperm DNA damage in infertile men
      from an infertility clinic.
AB  - This study aimed to examine associations between urinary metal concentrations and
      sperm DNA damage. Thirteen metals [arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co),
      chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), molybdenum
      (Mo), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn)] were detected in
      urine samples of 207 infertile men from an infertility clinic using inductively
      coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and also, sperm DNA damage (tail length,
      percent DNA tail, and tail distributed moment) were assessed using neutral comet
      assay. We found that urinary Hg and Ni were associated with increasing trends for
      tail length (both p for trend<0.05), and that urinary Mn was associated with
      increasing trend for tail distributed moment (p for trend=0.02). These
      associations did persist even when considering multiple metals. Our results
      suggest that environmental exposure to Hg, Mn, and Ni may be associated with
      increased sperm DNA damage. 

PMID- 27262989
TI  - Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs (including dl-PCBs) in human milk samples
      collected from multiparae from Croatia and comparison with primiparae.
AB  - This study investigated the levels of 20 congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls
      (PCBs), including toxic dioxin-like PCBs and 7 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)
      in 33 human milk samples collected in 2011 from multiparae living in Zadar,
      Croatia. Concentrations of ?PCBs, ?DDTs, ?HCHs and HCB in samples ranged from
      11.7 to 146.3, 8.7 to 89.2, 0.9 to 28.4, and <LOD to 8.0ngg(-1) milk fat,
      respectively. PCB congeners -153, -138, -180 and -170 dominated in the PCB
      profiles, while p,p-DDE was the most abundant OCP. PCB-126 was the most abundant
      non-ortho PCB, while among mono-ortho PCBs, the congeners -118, -105 and -156
      equally contributed to the mono-ortho PCB fraction. TEQs for dl-PCBs ranged
      between 0 and 13.3pgg(-1) milk fat. The calculated estimated daily intakes for
      all compound groups were below the tolerable daily intake indicating no risk for
      breastfed infants. A comparison of our results with our previous study on
      primiparae revealed that the concentrations of the main contaminant groups are
      lower in the milk of multiparae, with the exception of toxic mono-ortho PCBs
      whose concentrations and TEQ remained similar among the groups, and HCB whose
      concentrations were found to be higher in multiparae. Concentrations of PCBs and
      OCPs found in the samples from this study did not exceed those from other parts
      of the world. This study revealed that there are differences in contaminant
      concentrations depending on the mothers' parity and that this fact should be
      taken into account when risk assessment studies are conducted. 

PMID- 27262990
TI  - Three components of cigarette smoke altered the growth and apoptosis of
      metastatic colon cancer cells via inducing the synthesis of reactive oxygen
      species and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
AB  - Cigarette smoke (CS) is a well-known risk factor for carcinogenesis and has been
      found to be related to the occurrence and development of colon cancer. In this
      study, the effect of formaldehyde (FA), benzene (Bz), and isoprene (IP), which
      are included in main components of CS, on cell viability and apoptosis of SW620
      colorectal cancer cells was examined to identify the connection between CS
      components and colon cancer. In cell viability assay, FA, Bz, and IP decreased
      cell viability of SW620 cells in a dose dependent manner. In Western blot assay,
      the protein expression of cell cycle related genes, cyclin D1 & E1, was decreased
      by FA, Bz, and IP, which corresponded to their inhibitory effect on cell
      viability. In addition, FA, Bz, and IP increased the protein expression of pro
      apoptotic genes, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and Bax, and reduced the protein
      expression of anti-apoptotic gene, Bcl-2. In reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay
      using dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA), FA, Bz, and IP increased the ROS
      production in SW620 cells. In the measurement of apoptotic cells, the numbers of
      apoptotic cells were increased by the treatment of FA, Bz, and IP. As CHOP is an
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress related apoptosis marker of which production is
      induced by ROS, it was considered that these CS components induce apoptosis of
      SW620 cells by increasing ROS synthesis and ER-stress. Taken together, these
      results showed that CS components, i.e., FA, Bz, and IP, inhibited the cell
      viability of SW620 cells by down-regulating the protein expression of cyclin D1 &
      E1 and induced apoptosis of SW620 cells by increasing ROS production and
      simultaneously activating ER-stress. 

PMID- 27262991
TI  - Ultrasound-guided intra-articular tenotomy of the long head of the biceps: a
      cadaveric feasibility study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Isolated tenotomy of the long head of the biceps (LHB) is known to
      improve function in patients with massive and non-reparable cuff tears without
      osteoarthritis. This two step cadaveric study was performed with the purpose to
      identify the best surgical technique for isolated LHB tenotomy under USG guidance
      (pilot study) and evaluate its feasibility (subsequent study). METHODS: Pre
      operative ultrasonographic evaluation of the rotator cuff was performed and any
      specimens whose long head of the biceps was not found to be intact during the pre
      operative ultrasound evaluation were excluded. In the pilot study, nine scar-free
      cadaveric shoulders underwent ultrasound-guided tenotomy through a single
      percutaneous portal to determine the best instrument and approach which ensure
      elective and complete LHB tenotomy. Using it, a second series of 12 cadaveric
      shoulders were operated following a similar protocol to evaluate the feasibility
      of this technique. RESULT: Pilot study: The use of a backward endoscopic cutter
      through a posterior percutaneous portal was found to be the safest. Control of
      the tenotomy was possible by manipulating the intra-articular part of the tendon
      with the instrument ("Groove Alone" test). Subsequent study: The tenotomy of the
      LHB was complete in all cases. Mean length of the proximal LHB stump was 0.3 cm
      (range, 0-0.8 cm). No iatrogenic lesion was observed when using the backward
      endoscopic cutter. On the other hand, the use of straight endoscopic scissors led
      to severe damage to the rotator cuff and the conjoined tendon. The "Groove Alone"
      test checked against iatrogenic injury. This was not done in one of the cases and
      it led to a partial section of the superior half of the tendon of the
      subscapularis. CONCLUSION: By the use of both appropriate endoscopic
      instrumentation and the newly described "Groove Alone" test, ultrasound-guided
      LHB tenotomy through a single percutaneous portal appears to be a feasible and
      reliable procedure that could be an alternative to isolated arthroscopic
      tenotomy. The choice of a posterior portal (soft point) may increase the safety
      and precision of this procedure and decrease the length of the proximal stump of
      the LHB.

PMID- 27262992
TI  - A false sense of security? Can tiered approach be trusted to accurately classify
      immunogenicity samples?
AB  - Detecting and characterizing of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) against a protein
      therapeutic are crucially important to monitor the unwanted immune response.
      Usually a multi-tiered approach that initially rapidly screens for positive
      samples that are subsequently confirmed in a separate assay is employed for
      testing of patient samples for ADA activity. In this manuscript we evaluate the
      ability of different methods used to classify subject with screening and
      competition based confirmatory assays. We find that for the overall performance
      of the multi-stage process the method used for confirmation is most important
      where a t-test is best when differences are moderate to large. Moreover we find
      that, when differences between positive and negative samples are not sufficiently
      large, using a competition based confirmation step does yield poor classification
      of positive samples. 

PMID- 27262993
TI  - Teratogenic study of phenobarbital and levamisole on mouse fetus liver tissue
      using biospectroscopy.
AB  - Biospectroscopic investigations have attracted attention of both the clinicians
      and basic sciences researchers in recent years. Scientists are discovering new
      areas for FTIR biospectroscopy applications in medicine. The aim of this study
      was to measure the possibility of FTIR-MSP application for the recognition and
      detection of fetus abnormalities after exposure of pregnant mouse to
      phenobarbital (PB) and levamisole (LEV) alone or in combination. PB is one of the
      most widely used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), with sedative and hypnotic effects.
      When used by pregnant women, it is known to be a teratogenic agent. LEV is an
      antihelminthic drug with some applications in immune-deficiency as well as colon
      cancer therapy. Four groups of ten pregnant mice were selected for the
      experiments as follows: one control group received only standard diet, one group
      was injected with 120mg/kg of BP, one group was injected with 10mg/kg of LEV, and
      the last group was treated simultaneously with both BP and LEV at the above
      mentioned doses. Drugs administration was performed on gestation day 9 and
      fetuses were dissected on pregnancy day 15. Each dissected fetus was fixed,
      dehydrated and embedded in paraffin. Sections of liver (10MUm) were prepared from
      control and treated groups by microtome and deparaffinized with xylene. The
      spectra were taken by FTIR-MSP in the region of 4000-400cm(-1). All the spectra
      were normalized based on amide II band (1545cm(-1)) after baseline correction of
      the entire spectrum, followed by classification using PCA, ANN and SVM. Both
      morphological and spectral changes were shown in the treated fetuses as compared
      to the fetuses in the control group. While cleft palate and C-R elongation were
      seen in PB injected fetuses, developmental retardation was mostly seen in the LEV
      injected group. Biospectroscopy revealed that both drugs mainly affected the
      cellular lipids and proteins, with LEV causing more changes in amide I and lipid
      regions than PB. Application of PCA, ANN and SVM methods were able to
      successfully classify these FTIR spectroscopic data and discriminate between
      control and treated groups of fetuses, making it a new potential tool for drugs
      teratogenic investigations. 

PMID- 27262994
TI  - Simultaneous quantification of vortioxetine, carvedilol and its active metabolite
      4-hydroxyphenyl carvedilol in rat plasma by UPLC-MS/MS: Application to their
      pharmacokinetic interaction study.
AB  - To establish a rapid and sensitive ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem
      mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of vortioxetine,
      carvedilol and its metabolite 4-hydroxyphenyl carvedilol in rat plasma. The
      analytes and the internal standard (diazepam) were separated on an Acquity UPLC
      BEH C18 chromatography column (2.1mm*50mm, 1.7MUm) using gradient elution with a
      mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water at a flow rate of
      0.4mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass
      spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to monitor the precursor
      to-product ion transitions of m/z 299.2->150.1 for vortioxetine, m/z 407.2->100.3
      for carvedilol, m/z 423.2->100.1 for 4-hydroxyphenyl carvedilol and m/z 285.2
      >193.1 for diazepam (IS) using a positive electrospray ionization interface. The
      method was validated over a concentration range of 0.5-100ng/mL for vortioxetine,
      0.5-1000ng/mL for carvedilol and 0.1-50ng/mL for 4-hydroxyphenyl carvedilol.
      Total time for each chromatograph was 3.0min. The intra- and inter-day precision
      and accuracy of the quality control samples at low, medium, and high
      concentration levels exhibited relative standard deviations (RSD)<11.6% and the
      accuracy values ranged from -12.2% to 11.3%. The analytical method was
      successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic interaction study of vortioxetine and
      carvedilol after oral administration vortioxetine and carvedilol in rats. Results
      suggested that the co-administration of vortioxetine and carvedilol results in a
      significant drug interaction in rats. 

PMID- 27262995
TI  - Microvascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Vildagliptin
      vs. Sulfonylurea: A Retrospective Study Using German Electronic Medical Records.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Preliminary data suggest that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)
      inhibitors may reduce microvascular events, but there is a little evidence to
      support this from adequate real-world studies. This study aimed to compare
      microvascular outcomes between patients-prescribed vildagliptin and those
      prescribed sulfonylurea (SU). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was
      conducted on a large sample from the German electronic medical records database
      IMS Lifelink Disease Analyzer. We used propensity score-matched samples of
      patients prescribed either vildagliptin or SU. Exposure was defined as therapy
      (SU or vildagliptin); primary outcomes were a diagnosis of retinopathy,
      nephropathy, neuropathy, or diabetic foot ulcer over the observation period in
      patients with no previous record of these outcomes. Secondary outcome was a
      composite of any primary outcome occurring in the observation period. RESULTS: In
      total, 16,321 patients prescribed SU and 4481 prescribed vildagliptin met the
      inclusion criteria. After propensity score matching, each sample comprised 3015
      patients. Mean age was 63.7/64.6 years for SU/vildagliptin, respectively, with
      mean disease duration of 3.2/3.1 years, and mean treatment duration of 2.5/2.3
      years. Treatment with vildagliptin was associated with a significant lower
      incidence of retinopathy [odds ratio (OR) = 0.55, P = 0.0004], neuropathy (OR
      0.71, P = 0.0001), and composite outcome (OR 0.70, P < 0.0001). Incidences of
      nephropathy and diabetic foot ulcer were lower for vildagliptin, but not
      significantly so (OR 0.90, P = 0.3920; OR 0.76, P = 0.0742, respectively). There
      were no significant differences in incident rate ratios (all P > 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Treatment with vildagliptin was associated with a reduced incidence
      of microvascular complications, especially neuropathy and retinopathy, compared
      to treatment with SU in this clinical practice setting. FUNDING: Novartis Pharma
      AG.

PMID- 27262996
TI  - Pivotal role of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) signaling pathways in glioma
      development and progression.
AB  - Human gliomas represent the most common type of intracranial tumors, with highest
      morbidity and mortality. They are characterized by excessive invasiveness and
      cell proliferation while their unclear boundaries predispose to tumor recurrence
      soon after conventional treatment. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms
      implicated in their development and/or treatment resistance is highly demanded.
      The high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, a highly conserved nuclear protein
      that functions as a chromatin-binding factor, facilitating nucleosome
      stabilization and regulating gene transcription, has been implicated in glioma
      formation and progression. Extracellular released HMGB1 binds to high-affinity
      receptors, including the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and
      toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR-4, and TLR-9. Upon receptor binding, HMGB1
      triggers the activation of key signaling pathways and immune responses, involved
      in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, motility, and apoptosis. Based
      on the type of receptor and/or cell, HMGB1 is capable to promote oncogenesis or
      suppress tumor growth, thus affecting treatment efficacy. Herein, we discuss
      recent evidence implicating HMGB1 in glioma cell differentiation, proliferation,
      and metastasis with both clinical and prognostic significance. In addition,
      potential therapeutic approaches to target this protein in order to reduce
      chemoresistance of glioma cells are also addressed.

PMID- 27262997
TI  - Obesity-Induced Hypertension: Brain Signaling Pathways.
AB  - Obesity greatly increases the risk for cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal
      diseases and is one of the most significant and preventable causes of increased
      blood pressure (BP) in patients with essential hypertension. This review
      highlights recent advances in our understanding of central nervous system (CNS)
      signaling pathways that contribute to the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity
      induced hypertension. We discuss the role of excess adiposity and activation of
      the brain leptin-melanocortin system in causing increased sympathetic activity in
      obesity. In addition, we highlight other potential brain mechanisms by which
      increased weight gain modulates metabolic and cardiovascular functions.
      Unraveling the CNS mechanisms responsible for increased sympathetic activation
      and hypertension and how circulating hormones activate brain signaling pathways
      to control BP offer potentially important therapeutic targets for obesity and
      hypertension.

PMID- 27262999
TI  - Microbial production of propanol.
AB  - Both, n-propanol and isopropanol are industrially attractive value-added
      molecules that can be produced by microbes from renewable resources. The
      development of cost-effective fermentation processes may allow using these
      alcohols as a biofuel component, or as a precursor for the chemical synthesis of
      propylene. This review reports and discusses the recent progress which has been
      made in the biochemical production of propanol. Several synthetic propanol
      producing pathways were developed that vary with respect to stoichiometry and
      metabolic entry point. These pathways were expressed in different host organisms
      and enabled propanol production from various renewable feedstocks. Furthermore,
      it was shown that the optimization of fermentation conditions greatly improved
      process performance, in particular, when continuous product removal prevented
      accumulation of toxic propanol levels. Although these advanced metabolic
      engineering and fermentation strategies have facilitated significant progress in
      the biochemical production of propanol, the currently achieved propanol yields
      and productivities appear to be insufficient to compete with chemical propanol
      synthesis. The development of biosynthetic pathways with improved propanol
      yields, the breeding or identification of microorganisms with higher propanol
      tolerance, and the engineering of propanol producer strains that efficiently
      utilize low-cost feedstocks are the major challenges on the way to industrially
      relevant microbial propanol production processes.

PMID- 27262998
TI  - Evolution and Distribution of Teleost myomiRNAs: Functionally Diversified myomiRs
      in Teleosts.
AB  - Myosin heavy chain (MYH) genes belong to a multigene family, and the regulated
      expression of each member determines the physiological and contractile muscle
      properties. Among these, MYH6, MYH7, and MYH14 occupy unique positions in the
      mammalian MYH gene family because of their specific expression in slow/cardiac
      muscles and the existence of intronic micro(mi) RNAs. MYH6, MYH7, and MYH14
      encode miR-208a, miR-208b, and miR-499, respectively. These MYH encoded miRNAs
      are designated as myomiRs because of their muscle-specific expression and
      functions. In mammals, myomiRs and host MYHs form a transcription network
      involved in muscle fiber-type specification; thus, genomic positions and
      expression patterns of them are well conserved. However, our previous studies
      revealed divergent distribution and expression of MYH14/miR-499 among teleosts,
      suggesting the unique evolution of myomiRs and host MYHs in teleosts. Here, we
      examined distribution and expression of myomiRs and host MYHs in various teleost
      species. The major cardiac MYH isoforms in teleosts are an intronless gene,
      atrial myosin heavy chain (amhc), and ventricular myosin heavy chain (vmhc) gene
      that encodes an intronic miRNA, miR-736. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that
      vmhc/miR-736 is a teleost-specific myomiR that differed from tetrapoda
      MYH6/MYH7/miR-208s. Teleost genomes also contain species-specific orthologs in
      addition to vmhc and amhc, indicating complex gene duplication and gene loss
      events during teleost evolution. In medaka and torafugu, miR-499 was highly
      expressed in slow/cardiac muscles whereas the expression of miR-736 was quite low
      and not muscle specific. These results suggest functional diversification of
      myomiRs in teleost with the diversification of host MYHs. 

PMID- 27263000
TI  - Plant biomass degrading ability of the coprophilic ascomycete fungus Podospora
      anserina.
AB  - The degradation of plant biomass is a major challenge towards the production of
      bio-based compounds and materials. As key lignocellulolytic enzyme producers,
      filamentous fungi represent a promising reservoir to tackle this challenge. Among
      them, the coprophilous ascomycete Podospora anserina has been used as a model
      organism to study various biological mechanisms because its genetics are well
      understood and controlled. In 2008, the sequencing of its genome revealed a great
      diversity of enzymes targeting plant carbohydrates and lignin. Since then, a
      large array of lignocellulose-acting enzymes has been characterized and genetic
      analyses have enabled the understanding of P. anserina metabolism and development
      on plant biomass. Overall, these research efforts shed light on P. anserina
      strategy to unlock recalcitrant lignocellulose deconstruction.

PMID- 27263001
TI  - Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Botryosphaeria dothidea.
AB  - Botryosphaeria dothidea is a severe causal agent of die-back and cankers of many
      woody plants and causes great losses in many regions. The pathogenic mechanism of
      this pathogen has not been well explored due to lack of mutants and genetic
      information. In this study, we developed an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated
      transformation (ATMT) protocol for B. dothidea protoplasts using vector pBHt2
      containing the hph gene as a selection marker under the control of trp C
      promoter. Using this protocol we successfully generated the B. dothidea
      transformants with efficiency about 23 transformants per 10(5) protoplasts. This
      is the first report of genetic transformation of B. dothidea via ATMT and this
      protocol provides an effective tool for B. dothidea genome manipulation, gene
      identification and functional analysis. 

PMID- 27263002
TI  - Renewable microbial lipid production from Oleaginous Yeast: some surfactants
      greatly improved lipid production of Rhodosporidium toruloides.
AB  - Microbial oil is drawing increasing interest worldwide as an alternative non-food
      oil feedstock for biodiesel industry. Nowadays researchers have been increasingly
      focused on the improvement of microbial oil production process. Oleaginous yeast
      Rhodosporidium toruloides (R. toruloides) is considered an important candidate
      due to its excellent capabilities of lipid accumulation, broad adaptabilities to
      various carbon substrates, and the potential of co-production of some pigments.
      In present work, the individual effects of non-ionic, cationic, and anionic
      surfactant on cell growth and lipid accumulation of R. toruloides were
      investigated for the first time. Interesting results were noticed when some
      anionic surfactants were supplemented. The most significant effect was observed
      with addition of 0.2 % (w/v) sodium lignosulfonate, that biomass concentration,
      lipid concentration, and lipid yield was increased by 25.1, 44.9, and 15.7 %,
      respectively. The fatty acid compositions of R. toruloides lipids remained
      unchanged, which is similar to that of vegetable oils, and is considered
      potential feedstock for biodiesel preparation. 

PMID- 27263003
TI  - Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of coconut root
      wilt disease and arecanut yellow leaf disease phytoplasma.
AB  - The coconut root wilt disease (RWD) and the arecanut yellow leaf disease (YLD)
      are two major phytoplasma associated diseases affecting palms in South India.
      Greatly debilitating the palm health, these diseases cause substantial yield
      reduction and economic loss to farmers. A rapid and robust diagnostic technique
      is crucial in efficient disease management. We established phytoplasma 16S rDNA
      targeted loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and real time LAMP based
      diagnostics for coconut RWD and arecanut YLD. The LAMP reaction was set at 65 
      degrees C and end point detection made using hydroxynaphthol blue (HNB) and
      agarose gel electrophoresis. Molecular typing of LAMP products were made with
      restriction enzyme HpyCH4 V. Conventional PCR with LAMP external primers and
      sequencing of amplicons was carried out. Real time LAMP was performed on the
      Genei II platform (Optigene Ltd., UK). An annealing curve analysis was programmed
      at the end of the incubation to check the fidelity of the amplicons. The
      phytoplasma positive samples produced typical ladder like bands on agarose gel,
      showed colour change from violet to blue with HNB and produced unique annealing
      peak at 85 +/- 0.5  degrees C in the real time detection. Restriction digestion
      produced predicted size fragments. Sequencing and BLASTN analysis confirmed that
      the amplification corresponded to phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene. LAMP method devised
      here was found to be more robust compared to conventional nested PCR and hence
      has potential applications in detection of phytoplasma from symptomatic palm
      samples and in rapid screening of healthy seedlings. 

PMID- 27263004
TI  - Isolation and characterization of Magnetospirillum from saline lagoon.
AB  - Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are aquatic prokaryotes that orient themselves to
      earth's magnetic field with the help of intracellular organelle magnetosomes.
      Although many species of MTB have been identified, the isolation of MTB is a
      challenging task due to the lack of systematic isolation procedure and/or
      commercial media. In this study, we are reporting the isolation of magnetotactic
      spirillum from the Pulicat lagoon, India using a systematic and selective
      procedure. Sampling site was chosen on the basis of physicochemical properties of
      the ecosystem and the catalysed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ
      hybridization (CARD-FISH) analysis of sediment samples. In the current study, a
      combination of techniques including 'capillary racetrack' Purification and
      gradient cultivation resulted in the isolation of magnetotactic spirilla from
      aquatic sediments. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain was
      identified as Magnetospirillum and was designated as Magnetospirillum sp.
      VITRJS1. The genes responsible for magnetosome formation (mamA, B, E, F, K, M, O,
      P, Q, T) were successfully detected using PCR amplification. The presence of cbbM
      gene confirmed that the isolate is chemolithoautotroph and utilises reduced
      sulphur as an electron source. Furthermore, magnetosomes extracted from VITRJS1
      found to be cubo-octahedral in shape and 45 nm in size. Our results indicate that
      the systematic procedure using sediment analysis, CARD-FISH, and a combination of
      isolation methods enables the selective and rapid isolation of MTB from aquatic
      sediment sample. 

PMID- 27263005
TI  - Homoharringtonine production by endophytic fungus isolated from Cephalotaxus
      hainanensis Li.
AB  - Homoharringtonine (HHT), a natural plant alkaloid derived from Cephalotaxus, has
      demonstrated to have a broad antitumor activity and efficacy in treating human
      chronic myeloid leukemia. An alternative source is required to substitute for the
      slow-growing and scarce Cephalotaxus to meet the increasing demand of the drug
      market. The objective of this study was to screen HHT-producing endophytic fungi
      from Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li. By screening 213 fungal isolates obtained from
      the bark parts of Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li, one isolate was found to be
      capable of biosynthesizing HHT. The fungus was identified as Alternaria
      tenuissima by morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)
      sequence analysis and was named as CH1307. HHT obtained from CH1307 was analyzed
      through the HPLC and LC-MS/MS and NMR spectroscopy. The extract of the
      fermentation broth of CH1307 showed antiproliferative activities against K562
      (chronic myelocytic leukemia), NB4 (acute promyelocytic leukemia), and HL-60
      (promyelocytic leukemia) human cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 67.25 +/-
      4.26, 65.02 +/- 4.75, and 99.23 +/- 4.26 MUg/mL, respectively. The findings
      suggest that HHT-producing endophytic fungus, Alternaria tenuissima CH1307 might
      provide a promising source for the research and application of HHT. 

PMID- 27263006
TI  - Comparison between superficial and solid-state cultures of Isaria fumosorosea:
      conidial yields, quality and sensitivity to oxidant conditions.
AB  - Conidia production and quality from mycoinsecticides in solid-state cultures
      (SSC) are frequently inferred from superficial culture (SC) results. Both
      parameters were evaluated for two Isaria fumosorosea strains (ARSEF 3302 and
      CNRCB1), in SC and SSC, using culture media with the same chemical composition.
      For both strains, conidia production was higher in SC than SSC in terms of
      conidia per gram of dry substrate. Germination in both strains did not show
      significant differences between SC and SSC (>90 %). Similarly, conidia viability
      in ARSEF 3302 strain did not show differences at early stages between SC and SSC,
      but was higher in SC compared to SSC in the late stage of culture; in contrast,
      conidia from CNRCB1 strain did not differ between both culture systems. Some
      infectivity parameters improved in conidia from SSC, compared to SC at the early
      stages, but these differences disappeared at the final stage, independently of
      the strain. Both strains showed decreased conidia production when 26 % O2 pulses
      were applied; nevertheless, conidiation in SSC was two orders of magnitude more
      sensitive to oxidant pulses. In SC with 26 % O2 pulses, conidia viability for
      both strains at early stages, was higher than in normal atmospheric conditions.
      Infectivity towards Galleria mellonella larvae was similar between conidia from
      normal atmosphere and oxidant conditions; notably, for the strain ARSEF 3302
      infectivity decreased at the final stage. This study shows the intrinsic
      differences between SC and SSC, which should be considered when using SC as a
      model to design production processes in SSC. 

PMID- 27263007
TI  - Efficient hydroxylation of 1,8-cineole with monoterpenoid-resistant recombinant
      Pseudomonas putida GS1.
AB  - In this work, monoterpenoid hydroxylation with Pseudomonas putida GS1 and KT2440
      were investigated as host strains, and the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP176A1
      (P450cin) and its native redox partner cindoxin (CinC) from Citrobacter braakii
      were introduced in P. putida to catalyze the stereoselective hydroxylation of 1,8
      cineole to (1R)-6beta-hydroxy-1,8-cineole. Growth experiments in the presence of
      1,8-cineole confirmed pseudomonads' superior resilience compared to E. coli.
      Whole-cell P. putida harboring P450cin with and without CinC were capable of
      hydroxylating 1,8-cineole, whereas coexpression of CinC has been shown to
      accelerate this bioconversion. Under the same conditions, P. putida GS1 produced
      more than twice the amount of heterologous P450cin and bioconversion product than
      P. putida KT2440. A concentration of 1.1 +/- 0.1 g/L (1R)-6beta-hydroxy-1,8
      cineole was obtained within 55 h in shake flasks and 13.3 +/- 1.9 g/L in 89 h in
      a bioreactor, the latter of which corresponds to a yield YP/S of 79 %. To the
      authors' knowledge, this is the highest product titer for a P450 based whole-cell
      monoterpene oxyfunctionalization reported so far. These results show that solvent
      tolerant P. putida GS1 can be used as a highly efficient recombinant whole-cell
      biocatalyst for a P450 monooxygenase-based valorization of monoterpenoids. 

PMID- 27263008
TI  - The pharmaceutics from the foreign empire: the molecular pharming of the
      prokaryotic staphylokinase in Arabidopsis thaliana plants.
AB  - Here, we present the application of microbiology and biotechnology for the
      production of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins in plant cells. To the best of
      our knowledge and belief it is one of few examples of the expression of the
      prokaryotic staphylokinase (SAK) in the eukaryotic system. Despite the tremendous
      progress made in the plant biotechnology, most of the heterologous proteins still
      accumulate to low concentrations in plant tissues. Therefore, the composition of
      expression cassettes to assure economically feasible level of protein production
      in plants remains crucial. The aim of our research was obtaining a high
      concentration of the bacterial anticoagulant factor-staphylokinase, in
      Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. The coding sequence of staphylokinase was placed
      under control of the beta-phaseolin promoter and cloned between the signal
      sequence of the seed storage protein 2S2 and the carboxy-terminal KDEL signal
      sequence. The engineered binary vector pATAG-sak was introduced into Arabidopsis
      thaliana plants via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Analysis
      of the subsequent generations of Arabidopsis seeds revealed both presence of the
      sak and nptII transgenes, and the SAK protein. Moreover, a plasminogen activator
      activity of staphylokinase was observed in the protein extracts from seeds, while
      such a reaction was not observed in the leaf extracts showing seed-specific
      activity of the beta-phaseolin promoter. 

PMID- 27263009
TI  - Cloning of the cnr operon into a strain of Bacillaceae bacterium for the
      development of a suitable biosorbent.
AB  - In this study, a potential microbial biosorbent was engineered to improve its
      capacity to remediate heavy metal contaminated water resources. A Bacillaceae
      bacterium isolated from a mining area was transformed with a plasmid carrying the
      (pECD312)-based cnr operon that encodes nickel and cobalt resistance. The
      bioadsorption ability of the transformed strain was evaluated for removal of
      nickel from metallurgical water relative to the wildtype strain. Results showed
      that transformation improved the adsorption capacity of the bacterium by 37 % at
      nickel concentrations equivalent to 150 mg/L. Furthermore it was possible to
      apply prediction modelling to study the bioadsorption behaviour of the
      transformed strain. As such, this work may be extended to the design of a nickel
      bioremediation plant utilising the newly developed Bacillaceae bacterium as a
      biosorbent. 

PMID- 27263010
TI  - Gut microbiota of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a stemborer pest that attacks
      maize (Zea mays) throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Genetically modified maize has
      been shown to be effective against B. fusca. However, resistance of B. fusca
      against Bt-maize has developed and spread throughout South Africa. Previous
      studies suggested that gut microbiota contribute to mortality across a range of
      Lepidoptera. To fully assess the role of microbiota within the gut, it is
      essential to understand the microbiota harboured by natural B. fusca populations.
      This study aimed to identify the gut-associated bacteria by 16S rRNA gene
      sequencing. A total of 78 bacterial strains were characterised from the midgut of
      B. fusca larvae that were collected from 30 sites across the maize producing
      region of South Africa. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed bacteria
      affiliated to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. Taxonomic
      distribution placed these isolates into 15 different genera representing 20
      species. The majority of bacteria identified belong to the genera Bacillus,
      Enterococcus, and Klebsiella. The B. fusca gut represents an intriguing and
      unexplored niche for analysing microbial ecology. The study could provide
      opportunities for developing new targets for pest management and contribute to
      understanding the phenomenon of resistance evolution of this species. 

PMID- 27263011
TI  - Surface-attached and suspended bacterial community structure as affected by C/N
      ratios: relationship between bacteria and fish production.
AB  - Bacteria play crucial roles in the combined system of substrate addition and C/N
      control, which has been demonstrated to improve aquaculture production. However,
      the complexity of surface-attached bacteria on substrates and suspended bacteria
      in the water column hamper further application of this system. This study firstly
      applied this combined system into the culture of grass carp, and then explored
      the relationship between microbial complexes from surface-attached and suspended
      bacteria in this system and the production of grass carp. In addition, this study
      investigated bacterial community structures as affected by four C/N ratios using
      Illumina sequencing technology. The results demonstrated that the weight gain
      rate and specific growth rate of grass carp in the CN20 group (C/N ratio 20:1)
      were the highest (P < 0.05), and dietary supplementation of the microbial complex
      had positive effects on the growth of grass carp (P < 0.05). Sequencing data
      revealed that, (1) the proportions of Verrucomicrobiae and Rhodobacter (surface
      attached), sediminibacterium (suspended), and emticicia (surface-attached and
      suspended) were much higher in the CN20 group compared with those in the other
      groups (P < 0.05); (2) Rhodobacter, Flavobacterium, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas,
      Planctomyces, and Cloacibacterium might be important for the microbial
      colonization on substrates; (3) as the C/N ratio increased, proportions of
      Hydrogenophaga (surface-attached and suspended), Zoogloea, and Flectobacillus
      (suspended) increased, but proportions of Bacillus, Clavibacter, and Cellvibro
      (surface-attached and suspended) decreased. In summary, a combined system of
      substrate addition and C/N control increased the production of grass carp, and
      Verrucomicrobiae and Rhodobacter in the surface-attached bacterial community were
      potential probiotic bacteria that contributed to the enhanced growth of grass
      carp. 

PMID- 27263012
TI  - Modification and evaluation of the Carba NP test by use of paper strip for simple
      and rapid detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
AB  - Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) isolates have now emerged
      worldwide. We therefore modified the phenotypic Carba NP test by use of a filter
      paper strip for easily and rapidly identifying CPE in routine laboratory. A
      collection of 56 CPE and carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas spp. isolates
      (including 28 NDM-1, 11 IMP-14a, 1 IMP-1, 1 IMP-4, 1 IMP-9, 1 IMP-15, 4 VIM-2, 1
      VIM-1, 1 IMP-14a with VIM-2, 3 OXA-48, 3 OXA-181 and 1 KPC-2 producers) and 41
      non-CPE isolates (including 19 ESBL, 7 pAmpC, 3 AmpC, 9 ESBL with pAmpC and 3 non
      ESBL & non-AmpC producers) as confirmed by the PCR methods were tested by the
      paper strip method using pharmaceutical imipenem/cilastatin as a substrate.
      Bacterial colonies of each isolate were applied directly on filter paper strips
      dropped with either imipenem-phenol red (test strip) or phenol red solution alone
      (control strip). The reaction was read within 5 min. This test failed to detect 3
      OXA-181, 2 OXA-48 and 3 IMP-14a producers (85.7 % sensitivity), whereas no false
      positives were seen (100 % specificity). Further evaluation of the paper strip
      test in 267 CPE screening-positive isolates from three hospitals by their medical
      technologists showed 92.0 % sensitivity (100 % for NDM producers) and 100 %
      specificity compared with the PCR methods. Because of its ease, rapidness and
      cost effective, the paper strip test has a potential for routine CPE testing in
      low-resource laboratories particularly in areas with high prevalence of NDM
      enzymes, leading to appropriate antimicrobial therapy and infection control
      strategy. 

PMID- 27263013
TI  - Genetic characterization of Microcystis aeruginosa isolates from Portuguese
      freshwater systems.
AB  - Cyanobacteria are microorganisms that pose a serious threat to the aquatic
      waterways through the production of dense blooms under eutrophic conditions and
      the release of toxic secondary metabolites-cyanotoxins. Within cyanobacteria, the
      colonial planktonic Microcystis aeruginosa is widely distributed in both fresh
      and brackish aquatic environments throughout the world being frequently observed
      in the Portuguese water systems. Apart from the well-established distribution of
      M. aeruginosa in Portugal, knowledge of its genetic diversity and population
      structure is unknown. Therefore, in this study twenty-seven strains were obtained
      from the North, Centre and South regions of Portugal and were subjected to
      extensive phylogenetic analyses using simultaneously four distinct genetic
      markers (16S rRNA, 16S-23S ITS, DNA gyrase subunit beta and cell division protein
      (ftsZ)) encompassing in total 2834 bp. With this work we characterized the
      phylogenetic relationship among the Portuguese strains, with the southern strains
      showing higher genetic structure relatively to the North and Centre strains. A
      total of fifteen genotypes were determined for M. aeruginosa in Portuguese water
      systems revealing a high genetic diversity. This is also the first study to
      report geographic variation on the population structure of the Portuguese M.
      aeruginosa. 

PMID- 27263015
TI  - Methylotrophic bacteria in sustainable agriculture.
AB  - Excessive use of chemical fertilizers to increase production from available land
      has resulted in deterioration of soil quality. To prevent further soil
      deterioration, the use of methylotrophic bacteria that have the ability to
      colonize different habitats, including soil, sediment, water, and both epiphytes
      and endophytes as host plants, has been suggested for sustainable agriculture.
      Methylotrophic bacteria are known to play a significant role in the
      biogeochemical cycle in soil ecosystems, ultimately fortifying plants and
      sustaining agriculture. Methylotrophs also improve air quality by using volatile
      organic compounds such as dichloromethane, formaldehyde, methanol, and formic
      acid. Additionally, methylotrophs are involved in phosphorous, nitrogen, and
      carbon cycling and can help reduce global warming. In this review, different
      aspects of the interaction between methylotrophs and host plants are discussed,
      including the role of methylotrophs in phosphorus acquisition, nitrogen fixation,
      phytohormone production, iron chelation, and plant growth promotion, and co
      inoculation of these bacteria as biofertilizers for viable agriculture practices.

PMID- 27263014
TI  - Fluorescent reporter systems for tracking probiotic lactic acid bacteria and
      bifidobacteria.
AB  - In the last two decades, there has been increasing evidence supporting the role
      of the intestinal microbiota in health and disease, as well as the use of
      probiotics to modulate its activity and composition. Probiotic bacteria selected
      for commercial use in foods, mostly lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria, must
      survive in sufficient numbers during the manufacturing process, storage, and
      passage through the gastro-intestinal tract. They have several modes of action
      and it is crucial to unravel the mechanisms underlying their postulated
      beneficial effects. To track their survival and persistence, and to analyse their
      interaction with the gastro-intestinal epithelia it is essential to discriminate
      probiotic strains from endogenous microbiota. Fluorescent reporter proteins are
      relevant tools that can be exploited as a non-invasive marker system for in vivo
      real-time imaging in complex ecosystems as well as in vitro fluorescence
      labelling. Oxygen is required for many of these reporter proteins to fluoresce,
      which is a major drawback in anoxic environments. However, some new fluorescent
      proteins are able to overcome the potential problems caused by oxygen
      limitations. The current available approaches and the benefits/disadvantages of
      using reporter vectors containing fluorescent proteins for labelling of bacterial
      probiotic species commonly used in food are addressed. 

PMID- 27263016
TI  - Polysaccharide degradation systems of the saprophytic bacterium Cellvibrio
      japonicus.
AB  - Study of recalcitrant polysaccharide degradation by bacterial systems is critical
      for understanding biological processes such as global carbon cycling, nutritional
      contributions of the human gut microbiome, and the production of renewable fuels
      and chemicals. One bacterium that has a robust ability to degrade polysaccharides
      is the Gram-negative saprophyte Cellvibrio japonicus. A bacterium with a
      circuitous history, C. japonicus underwent several taxonomy changes from an
      initially described Pseudomonas sp. Most of the enzymes described in the pre
      genomics era have also been renamed. This review aims to consolidate the
      biochemical, structural, and genetic data published on C. japonicus and its
      remarkable ability to degrade cellulose, xylan, and pectin substrates. Initially,
      C. japonicus carbohydrate-active enzymes were studied biochemically and
      structurally for their novel polysaccharide binding and degradation
      characteristics, while more recent systems biology approaches have begun to
      unravel the complex regulation required for lignocellulose degradation in an
      environmental context. Also included is a discussion for the future of C.
      japonicus as a model system, with emphasis on current areas unexplored in terms
      of polysaccharide degradation and emerging directions for C. japonicus in both
      environmental and biotechnological applications. 

PMID- 27263018
TI  - Carbon Nanohorns Promote Maturation of Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes and
      Inhibit Proliferation of Cardiac Fibroblasts: a Promising Scaffold for Cardiac
      Tissue Engineering.
AB  - Cardiac tissue engineering (CTE) has developed rapidly, but a great challenge
      remains in finding practical scaffold materials for the construction of
      engineered cardiac tissues. Carbon nanohorns (CNHs) may be a potential candidate
      due to their special structure and properties. The purpose of this study was to
      assess the effect of CNHs on the biological behavior of neonatal rat ventricular
      myocytes (NRVMs) for CTE applications. CNHs were incorporated into collagen to
      form growth substrates for NRVMs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
      observations demonstrated that CNHs exhibited a good affinity to collagen.
      Moreover, it was found that CNH-embedded substrates enhanced adhesion and
      proliferation of NRVMs. Immunohistochemical staining, western blot analysis, and
      intracellular calcium transient measurements indicated that the addition of CNHs
      significantly increased the expression and maturation of electrical and
      mechanical proteins (connexin-43 and N-cadherin). Bromodeoxyuridine staining and
      a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay showed that CNHs have the ability to inhibit the
      proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts. These findings suggest that CNHs can have a
      valuable effect on the construction of engineered cardiac tissues and may be a
      promising scaffold for CTE. 

PMID- 27263017
TI  - Integrative computational approach for genome-based study of microbial lipid
      degrading enzymes.
AB  - Lipid-degrading or lipolytic enzymes have gained enormous attention in academic
      and industrial sectors. Several efforts are underway to discover new lipase
      enzymes from a variety of microorganisms with particular catalytic properties to
      be used for extensive applications. In addition, various tools and strategies
      have been implemented to unravel the functional relevance of the versatile lipid
      degrading enzymes for special purposes. This review highlights the study of
      microbial lipid-degrading enzymes through an integrative computational approach.
      The identification of putative lipase genes from microbial genomes and
      metagenomic libraries using homology-based mining is discussed, with an emphasis
      on sequence analysis of conserved motifs and enzyme topology. Molecular modelling
      of three-dimensional structure on the basis of sequence similarity is shown to be
      a potential approach for exploring the structural and functional relationships of
      candidate lipase enzymes. The perspectives on a discriminative framework of
      cutting-edge tools and technologies, including bioinformatics, computational
      biology, functional genomics and functional proteomics, intended to facilitate
      rapid progress in understanding lipolysis mechanism and to discover novel lipid
      degrading enzymes of microorganisms are discussed. 

PMID- 27263019
TI  - Prospective assessment of perioperative course in 2648 patients after surgical
      treatment of benign prostatic obstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE: TUR-prostate (TUR-P) is considered the reference method for surgical
      treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO); Greenlight laser photoselective
      vaporization (PVP) and thulium laser vapoenucleation (ThuVEP) have also been
      established as treatments of BPO. Objective of this prospective observation was
      to compare a large numbers of patients treated in everyday routine. METHODS: This
      prospective multicentre data collection assesses morbidity and perioperative
      course of consecutive men treated with BPO-related transurethral surgery between
      2011 and 2014 in a German metropolis area with TUR-P, PVP or ThuVEP. RESULTS: Two
      thousand six hundred and forty-eight patients have been treated in the time
      period. All treatment options achieved immediate improvement of voiding
      parameters. Multivariate analyses proved shorter hospital stay after laser
      treatments as compared to resection (p < 0.001). In terms of hospital stay, the
      advantage of ThuVEP compared to TUR-P increased with prostate volume (p < 0.001).
      Patients with ongoing anticoagulation or bridging had prolonged hospital stay (p
      < 0.001). Overall adverse events were least frequent in PVP (p 0.016), as were
      Clavien 3b events (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of BPO is
      effective and safe independent of the surgical procedure. Volume reduction is
      most effective in ThuVEP; PVP has the lowest rate of severe complications. Laser
      treatment is associated with shorter hospital stay. Surgery under ongoing
      anticoagulation prolonged the post-operative hospital stay.

PMID- 27263020
TI  - Mycophenolate mofetil in steroid-dependent idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prospective studies have established the mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)
      efficiency in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) but reports on the
      long-term outcome are lacking. Moreover, the search for factors influencing its
      efficiency would be useful to define its place among the other treatments.
      METHODS: We performed a monocentric retrospective study including 96 children
      with steroid-dependent INS followed for 4.7 years (median) (IQ 3-6) after the
      onset of MMF treatment. The characteristics of responder patients (n = 74), as
      defined by a 50 % decrease of relapse rate and/or a 60 % decrease of steroid
      dose, and of non-responder patients (n = 22) were compared by univariate analysis
      and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Withdrawal of prednisone was
      achieved in 48/96 patients after a median duration of 18.1 months (IQ 7.8-30.0)
      of MMF. Only 26/48 patients did not relapse under MMF alone. After MMF was
      stopped in these patients, only six remained in remission without any treatment
      at last follow-up. Responders had a shorter time to remission at the first flare
      (9.5 vs. 15 days, p = 0.02), a shorter disease duration prior to the onset of MMF
      (22.2 vs. 94.5 months, p = 0.001), and were younger at the MMF initiation (6.7
      vs. 10.1 years, p = 0.02) than non-responder patients. The age of MMF initiation
      was an independent factor associated with efficiency (OR = 0.80, 95 % CI [0.69,
      0.93], p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MMF is more efficient in young patients treated
      early in the disease course. Nevertheless, MMF has no remnant effect while nearly
      all patients relapsed after withdrawal of the drug.

PMID- 27263022
TI  - Transglutaminase 2 and Transglutaminase 2 Autoantibodies in Celiac Disease: a
      Review.
AB  - Celiac disease is a common inflammatory disorder with a prevalence of 1-2 % in
      which a distinct dietary wheat, rye, and barley component, gluten, induces small
      bowel mucosal villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and inflammation. The small
      bowel mucosal damage can be reversed by a strict lifelong gluten-free diet, which
      is currently the only effective treatment for the condition. A key player in the
      pathogenetic process leading to the enteropathy is played by a protein called
      transglutaminase 2 (TG2), which is able to enzymatically modify gluten-derived
      gliadin peptides. The TG2-catalyzed deamidation of the gliadin peptides results
      in their increased binding affinity to the disease-predisposing human leukocyte
      antigen (HLA) DQ2 and DQ8 molecules, thus enabling a strong immune response to be
      launched. Blocking the enzymatic activity of TG2 has thus been suggested as a
      suitable novel pharmacological approach to treat celiac disease. By virtue of its
      transamidation capacity, TG2 is also able to cross-link gliadin peptides to
      itself, this resulting in the generation of TG2-gliadin peptide complexes whose
      presence might provide an explanation for the generation of the TG2
      autoantibodies characteristic of celiac disease. Due to their excellent
      specificity for the disorder, the TG2-targeted autoantibodies are widely used in
      the diagnostics as a first-line test to select patients for gastrointestinal
      endoscopy. More recently, it has come to be appreciated that these autoantibodies
      and also the TG2-specific B cells might play an active role in the disease
      pathogenesis. In this review, we assess the role of TG2, TG2-specific B cells,
      and autoantibodies in celiac disease.

PMID- 27263021
TI  - Association of blood pressure variability and neurocognition in children with
      chronic kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension have
      increased blood pressure variability (BPV), which has been associated with lower
      neurocognitive test scores in adults. Children with CKD are at risk for decreased
      neurocognitive function. Our objective was to determine whether children with CKD
      and increased BPV had worse performance on neurocognitive testing compared with
      children with CKD and lower BPV. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional and
      longitudinal analysis of the relation between BPV and neurocognitive test
      performance in children >=6 years enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease in
      Children (CKiD) study. Visit-to-visit BPV was assessed by the standard deviation
      of visit BPs (BPV-SD) and average real variability (ARV). Ambulatory BPV was
      assessed by SD of wake and sleep periods on 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring.
      RESULTS: We assessed 650 children with a mean follow-up period of 4.0 years.
      Children with systolic visit-to-visit BPV in the upper tertile had lower scores
      on Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Verbal Category Switching than
      those with BPV in the lower tertile (BPV-SD, 8.3 vs. 9.5, p = 0.006; ARV, 8.5 vs.
      9.6, p = 0.02). On multivariate analysis, the association between lower Category
      Switching score and increased BPV remained significant after controlling for mean
      BP, demographic characteristics, and disease-related variables [BPV-SD, beta = 
      0.7, 95 % confidence interval (CI) -1.28 to -0.12; ARV, beta = -0.54, CI -1.05 to
      -0.02). Ambulatory BPV was not independently associated with any cognitive
      measure. CONCLUSIONS: Higher systolic visit-to-visit BPV was independently
      associated with decreased D-KEFS Category Switching scores in children with mild
      to-moderate CKD.

PMID- 27263023
TI  - Streptomyces bryophytorum sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from moss
      (Bryophyta).
AB  - A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-HZ10(T) was isolated from
      moss and characterised using a polyphasic approach. The strain was found to have
      morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the genus
      Streptomyces. Strain NEAU-HZ10(T) formed grayish aerial mycelia, which
      differentiated into straight to flexuous chains of cylindrical spores. The cell
      wall peptidoglycan was found to contain LL-diaminopimelic acid. Predominant
      menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The polar lipid profile
      was found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and two
      unidentified phospholipids. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C16:0,
      anteiso-C15:0 and C16:0. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that
      strain NEAU-HZ10(T) belongs to the genus Streptomyces and exhibits high sequence
      similarity to Streptomyces cocklensis DSM 42063(T) (98.9 %). Phylogenetic
      analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain NEAU-HZ10(T)
      clustered with S. cocklensis DSM 42063(T), Streptomyces yeochonensis CGMCC
      4.1882(T) (98.7 %), Streptomyces paucisporeus CGMCC 4.2025(T) (98.4 %) and
      Streptomyces yanglinensis CGMCC 4.2023(T) (98.1 %). However, a combination of DNA
      DNA hybridisation results and some phenotypic characteristics indicated that
      strain NEAU-HZ10(T) can be distinguished from its phylogenetically closely
      related strains. Therefore, it is proposed that strain NEAU-HZ10(T) represents a
      novel species of the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces
      bryophytorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-HZ10(T) (= CGMCC
      4.7151(T) = DSM 42138(T)). 

PMID- 27263024
TI  - Solving shortage in a priceless market: Insights from blood donation.
AB  - Shortage is common in many markets, such as those for human organs or blood, but
      the problem is often difficult to solve through price adjustment, given safety
      and ethical concerns. In this paper, we study two non-price methods that are
      often used to alleviate shortage for human blood. The first method is informing
      existing donors of a current shortage via a mobile message and encouraging them
      to donate voluntarily. The second method is asking the patient's family or
      friends to donate in a family replacement (FR) program at the time of shortage.
      Using 447,357 individual donation records across 8 years from a large Chinese
      blood bank, we show that both methods are effective in addressing blood shortage
      in the short run but have different implications for total blood supply in the
      long run. We compare the efficacy of these methods and discuss their applications
      under different scenarios to alleviate shortage.

PMID- 27263025
TI  - Direct imaging of elemental distributions in tissue sections by laser ablation
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - We present a strategy for imaging of elements in biological tissues using laser
      ablation (LA) mass spectrometry (MS), which was compared to laser ablation
      inductively coupled plasma (LA-ICP) MS. Both methods were adopted for
      quantitative imaging of elements in mouse kidney, as well as traumatic brain
      injury model tissue sections. MS imaging (MSI) employing LA provides quantitative
      data by comparing signal abundances of sodium from tissues to those obtained by
      imaging quantitation calibration standards of the target element applied to
      adjacent control tissue sections. LA-ICP MSI provided quantitative data for
      several essential elements in both brain and kidney tissue sections using a dried
      droplet approach. Both methods were used to image a rat model of traumatic brain
      injury, revealing accumulations of sodium and calcium in the impact area and its
      peripheral regions. LA MSI is shown to be a viable option for quantitative
      imaging of specific elements in biological tissue sections.

PMID- 27263026
TI  - Quantifying autophagy: Measuring LC3 puncta and autolysosome formation in cells
      using multispectral imaging flow cytometry.
AB  - The use of multispectral imaging flow cytometry has been gaining popularity due
      to its quantitative power, high throughput capabilities, multiplexing potential
      and its ability to acquire images of every cell. Autophagy is a process in which
      dysfunctional organelles and cellular components that accumulate during growth
      and differentiation are degraded via the lysosome and recycled. During autophagy,
      cytoplasmic LC3 is processed and recruited to the autophagosomal membranes; the
      autophagosome then fuses with the lysosome to form the autolysosome. Therefore,
      cells undergoing autophagy can be identified by visualizing fluorescently labeled
      LC3 puncta and/or the co-localization of fluorescently labeled LC3 and lysosomal
      markers. Multispectral imaging flow cytometry is able to collect imagery of large
      numbers of cells and assess autophagy in an objective, quantitative, and
      statistically robust manner. This review will examine the four predominant
      methods that have been used to measure autophagy via multispectral imaging flow
      cytometry.

PMID- 27263027
TI  - [Abortion Internet searches. An evaluation with Google Trends in Peru].

PMID- 27263028
TI  - [Times of gender equity: a description of the inequalities between autonomous
      communities, Spain 2006-2014].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Gender equity (GE) is a structural determinant of health inequalities.
      In this light, our objective is to show the evolution of gender equity in the
      Spanish autonomous communities since 2006, prior to the enactment of the Equality
      Act (2007) and the economic crisis (2008), until 2014. METHOD: Ecological study
      of gender equity in the 17 Spanish autonomous communities from 2006-2011-2014. We
      have calculated: 1) modified gender equity index (MGEI) for the autonomous
      communities (0=equity, +/-1=inequity); 2) interregional and temporal convergences
      in gender equity. RESULTS: The MGEI in the autonomous communities in 2014 has
      negative values close to 0 (inequity towards women). There is no interregional
      convergence due to the dispersion increase (2006: 0.1503; 2011: 0.2280; 2014:
      0.4964), and no temporal convergence due to the lack of progress of the
      autonomous communities with poor gender equity. The gender gap in economic
      activity continues to be unfavourable to women, decreasing in all communities
      between 2006 and 2011 but increasing in six communities in 2014. The gender gap
      in education from 2006-2011-2014 has positive values close to 0 (unfavourable to
      men), while the gender gap in empowerment is unfavourable to women, representing
      the most significant gender equity disparity. Inter-community dispersion of
      economic activity and education did not change between 2006 and 2014, while inter
      community dispersion of empowerment increased. CONCLUSIONS: The level of gender
      equity achieved in the Spanish autonomous communities in 2006 was lost during the
      economic crisis, as gender equity disparities between the communities had
      increased by 2014. Gender inequity continues to be unfavourable to women.

PMID- 27263029
TI  - Previously unknown species of Aspergillus.
AB  - The use of multi-locus DNA sequence analysis has led to the description of
      previously unknown 'cryptic' Aspergillus species, whereas classical morphology
      based identification of Aspergillus remains limited to the section or species
      complex level. The current literature highlights two main features concerning
      these 'cryptic' Aspergillus species. First, the prevalence of such species in
      clinical samples is relatively high compared with emergent filamentous fungal
      taxa such as Mucorales, Scedosporium or Fusarium. Second, it is clearly important
      to identify these species in the clinical laboratory because of the high
      frequency of antifungal drug-resistant isolates of such Aspergillus species.
      Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry
      (MALDI-TOF MS) has recently been shown to enable the identification of
      filamentous fungi with an accuracy similar to that of DNA sequence-based methods.
      As MALDI-TOF MS is well suited to the routine clinical laboratory workflow, it
      facilitates the identification of these 'cryptic' Aspergillus species at the
      routine mycology bench. The rapid establishment of enhanced filamentous fungi
      identification facilities will lead to a better understanding of the epidemiology
      and clinical importance of these emerging Aspergillus species. Based on routine
      MALDI-TOF MS-based identification results, we provide original insights into the
      key interpretation issues of a positive Aspergillus culture from a clinical
      sample. Which ubiquitous species that are frequently isolated from air samples
      are rarely involved in human invasive disease? Can both the species and the type
      of biological sample indicate Aspergillus carriage, colonization or infection in
      a patient? Highly accurate routine filamentous fungi identification is central to
      enhance the understanding of these previously unknown Aspergillus species, with a
      vital impact on further improved patient care. 

PMID- 27263030
TI  - Are hantavirus infections also part of the rapidly growing spectrum of an
      infection-triggered reactive haemophagocytic syndrome?

PMID- 27263031
TI  - Simultaneous wireless assessment of intra-oral pH and temperature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Intra-oral pH plays an important role in the pathogenesis of tooth
      erosion and decay, but there is limited information about its variation in real
      life settings. The aims of this research were to: 1) develop a wireless device,
      which can be used to continuously monitor intra-oral pH and temperature in real
      time; 2) test and validate the device under controlled laboratory conditions; and
      3) collect data in a natural environment in a sample of healthy volunteers.
      METHODS: A wireless device for measuring pH and temperature simultaneously was
      developed, calibrated and validated against the gold standard glass electrode pH
      meter. A smart phone was used as data logger. The wireless device was embedded in
      an oral appliance and worn by eleven participants (mean age 31.1+/-6.9years) for
      24h, while conducting standardised drinking tasks and regular daily activities.
      RESULTS: The wireless device could accurately measure pH and temperature both in
      vitro and in vivo. The recovery time following the swallow of a standard acidic
      drink varied markedly among individuals (mean=1.3+/-0.9min). The intra-oral pH
      and temperature recorded in the natural environment also showed a large inter-
      and intra-individual variability. The average intra-oral pH when asleep (6.7+/
      0.5) was lower (p<0.001) than when awake (7.2+/-0.5). The average intra-oral
      temperature during sleep (35.6+/-0.5 degrees C) was higher (p<0.001) than when
      awake (34.5+/-0.7 degrees C). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-oral pH and temperature can be
      continuously and wirelessly assessed in real-life settings, and show individual
      specific patterns with circadian variations. Intra-oral pH becomes slightly
      acidic during sleep while intra-oral temperature increases and fluctuates less.
      CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: We propose a wireless device that is capable of measuring
      intra-oral pH over a 24-h period. We found marked inter-individual variation
      after acidic stimuli, and day to sleep time variation of both intra-oral
      temperature and pH. Our approach may provide new insight into the relationship
      between oral pH, tooth wear and decay.

PMID- 27263032
TI  - Clinical outcomes of different types of tooth-supported bilayer lithium
      disilicate all-ceramic restorations after functioning up to 5 years: A
      retrospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study with large sample was to assess
      the 5-year clinical outcomes of four different types of restorations made from
      IPS e.max Press. METHODS: A total of 6855 restorations containing veneers (Vs),
      single crowns (SCs), 2-unit or multiple-unit combined crowns (CCs) and 3-unit or
      multiple-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) from 4634 patients were included.
      Data collection were performed through scrutiny and registration of the records
      of all patients. The cumulative survival rates (CSRs) and their differences were
      calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log-Rank test. The
      differences among the failure rates of different restorations were evaluated
      according to the Chi-squared test. RESULTS: The 5-year CSR of all restorations
      was 96.6%. The 5-year CSRs of CCs (94.4%) and FDPs (90.6%) were both
      significantly lower than those of SCs (96.5%) and Vs (97.2%). A total failure
      rate was 3.2%. The failure rate of FDPs was 9.0%, which was significantly higher
      than those of Vs (2.5%) and SCs (3.3%), and was similar to that of CCs (5.2%).
      The failure rate of molar SCs (8.2%) was significantly higher than those of
      anterior (3.2%) and premolar SCs (2.5%). 83.0% of failed restorations happened in
      the 1st year after cementation and 50.6% happened in the first 3 months.
      Moreover, ceramic chipping (41.5%) and fracture (37.3%) were the top two reasons.
      In anterior tooth region, the ceramic damage rate of Vs (1.7%) was significantly
      lower than those of FDPs (8.1%) and CCs (4.8%), and that of SCs (2.6%) was
      significantly lower than that of FDPs (8.1%). CONCLUSION: IPS e.max Press has an
      ideal medium-term outcome. The failures mainly occurred in the first 3 months
      after cementation and the main reasons were ceramic chipping and fracture. Due to
      higher failure risk, we suggest dentists should be cautious to apply FDPs, CCs
      and molar SCs.

PMID- 27263033
TI  - Sex-Related Differences in Outcome in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid
      Hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several population-based studies found a higher case fatality after
      aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH) in women than in men. This may relate
      to differences in prognostic characteristics. We therefore assessed sex
      differences in prognosticators and outcome in ASAH patients. METHODS: From a
      prospectively collected ASAH database, we retrieved data on patients admitted
      from 1990 to 2010. We calculated prevalence ratios (PRs) with corresponding 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs) for prognosticators (clinical condition on admission,
      site and treatment of the aneurysm, and complications during the clinical course)
      and risk ratios (RRs) for in-hospital death and poor outcome (death or
      dependence) at 3 months. RRs were adjusted for possible confounding with Poisson
      regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1761 included patients, 1211 (68.8%) were
      women, who were 1.9 (95% CI: .5<->3.3) years older than men. PRs for women for
      the site of the aneurysm were 1.71 (95% CI: 1.38<->2.13) for the carotid artery,
      .68 (95% CI: .60<->.77) for the anterior communicating artery, 1.14 (95% CI: .92<
      >1.41) for the middle cerebral artery, and .85 (95% CI: .63<->1.13) for posterior
      circulation. PRs of other prognosticators were similar between sexes. The crude
      RR for in-hospital death for women was .91 (95% CI: .78<->1.05) and for poor
      outcome at 3 months was .95 (95% CI: .85<->1.06); both remained similar after
      adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, in-hospital death and poor outcome at 3
      months did not differ between men and women. Women were slightly older than men
      and had different distributions of aneurysm sites, but not to an extent that it
      explained a sex difference in outcome.

PMID- 27263034
TI  - Design and Rationale for a Cognitive Outcome Substudy in Ischemic Stroke Patients
      with High Risk of Cerebral Hemorrhage.
AB  - GOAL: Cognitive impairment and dementia are common disabilities after stroke and
      are associated with increased risks of mortality and recurrent stroke. The
      prevention of dementia and preserving cognitive function are also important in
      stroke patients, but its strategy is not established yet. This PICASSO-COG
      (PreventIon of CArdiovascular events in iSchemic Stroke patients with high risk
      of cerebral hemOrrhage for reducing COGnitive decline) substudy aims to assess
      the effects of cilostazol and/or probucol on cognitive function. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The substudy aims to assess the reduction in cognitive decline of
      patients treated with cilostazol and/or probucol in the PICASSO trial. Patients
      will be assessed using the Korean version of mini-mental state examination and
      Montreal Cognitive Assessment at 4, 7, 10, 13, 25, 37, and 49 months after
      randomization. The primary outcome is the change in mini-mental status
      examination score, compared between treatment groups, with a modified intention
      to-treat population using a restricted maximum likelihood-based mixed effects
      model repeat measurement. This will allow a within-subject correlation due to
      repeated cognitive tests as well as a different number of measurements among
      subjects at baseline and each follow-up period. CONCLUSION: PICASSO-COG is a
      novel study for assessing the effect on cognitive function of different
      antiplatelet regimens and the addition of a nonstatin lipid-lowering agent to the
      current standard statin therapy in patients who have a recent ischemic lesion and
      prior intracerebral macro- or microbleeds.

PMID- 27263035
TI  - Correlation of the L-Arginine Pathway with Thrombo-Inflammation May Contribute to
      the Outcome of Acute Ischemic Stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immune responses contribute to secondary injury after acute ischemic
      stroke (AIS), and metabolites of the L-arginine pathway are associated with
      stroke outcome. Here, we analyzed the relationship of the L-arginine pathway with
      thrombo-inflammatory biomarkers in AIS and their additive and independent
      associations to outcome. METHODS: Serial changes in P-selectin, tPA, MCP-1,
      sCD40L, IL-6, IL-8, L-arginine, and asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine
      (ADMA, SDMA) were investigated in 55 patients with AIS and without infection
      within 6 and 72 hours after stroke onset. Outcomes were assessed as National
      Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) worsening by 24 hours, poststroke
      infection, and death by 1 month. RESULTS: Serum levels of L-arginine showed
      negative correlation, whereas ADMA and SDMA showed positive correlation with
      thrombo-inflammatory biomarkers in the hyperacute phase. Most of these
      correlations disappeared by 72 poststroke hours. Correlation of MCP-1 with both
      ADMA and SDMA levels at 6 hours was associated with both NIHSS worsening and
      poststroke infections, respectively; sCD40L and SDMA correlation at 6 hours was
      also associated with NIHSS worsening. Negative correlation between P-selectin and
      L-arginine concentrations in the hyperacute phase was associated with NIHSS
      worsening. Strong negative correlation was found between IL-6 and L-arginine
      levels in the hyperacute phase in patients with poststroke infection. Only L
      arginine and SDMA at 72 hours were independently associated with poststroke
      infection respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Concentration of L-arginine and ADMA/SDMA
      differentially correlates with thrombo-inflammation in the hyperacute phase of
      ischemic stroke. Such correlations are independently associated with poststroke
      infection but not with other outcomes.

PMID- 27263036
TI  - Effects of novel subtype selective M-current activators on spinal reflexes in
      vitro: Comparison with retigabine.
AB  - The activation of Kv7 channels and the resulting M-current is a powerful
      mechanism to control neuronal excitability with profound effects in pain
      pathways. Despite the lack of specific data on the expression and role of these
      channels in nociceptive processing, much attention has been paid at exploring
      their potential value as targets for analgesia. Here we have characterized the
      spinal actions of two novel subunit selective Kv7 activators, ICA-069673 and
      ML213, and compared their effects to those of retigabine that acts with similar
      affinity on all neuronal Kv7 channels. Spinal reflexes were recorded in a mouse
      spinal cord in vitro preparation to allow the testing of the compounds on native
      spinal pathways at known concentrations. As retigabine, novel compounds depressed
      spinal segmental transmission with particularly strong effects on wind up,
      showing an adequate pro-analgesic profile. ML213 presented the highest potency.
      In contrast to retigabine, the effects of ICA-069673 and ML213 were blocked by XE
      991 even at the highest concentrations used, suggesting specific effect on Kv7
      channels. In addition, the effects of ICA-069673 on repetitive stimulation are
      consistent with a mode of action involving state or activity dependent
      interaction with the channels. Compared to retigabine, novel Kv7 openers maintain
      strong depressant effects on spinal nociceptive transmission showing an improved
      specificity on Kv7 channels. The differential effects obtained with these Kv7
      openers may indicate the existence of several Kv7 conformations in spinal
      circuits.

PMID- 27263037
TI  - mTOR inhibitor reverses autistic-like social deficit behaviours in adult rats
      with both Tsc2 haploinsufficiency and developmental status epilepticus.
AB  - Epilepsy is a major risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and
      complicates clinical manifestations and management of ASD significantly. Tuberous
      sclerosis complex (TSC), caused by TSC1 or TSC2 mutations, is one of the medical
      conditions most commonly associated with ASD and has become an important model to
      examine molecular pathways associated with ASD. Previous research showed reversal
      of autism-like social deficits in Tsc1 +/- and Tsc2 +/- mouse models by mammalian
      target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors. However, at least 70 % of individuals with
      TSC also have epilepsy, known to complicate the severity and treatment
      responsiveness of the behavioural phenotype. No previous study has examined the
      impact of seizures on neurocognitive reversal by mTOR inhibitors. Adult Tsc2 +/-
      (Eker)-rats express social deficits similar to Tsc2 +/- mice, with additive
      social deficits from developmental status epilepticus (DSE). DSE was induced by
      intraperitoneal injection with kainic acid at post-natal days P7 and P14 (n =
      12). The experimental group that modelled TSC pathology carried the Tsc2 +/-
      (Eker)-mutation and was challenged with DSE. The wild-type controls had not
      received DSE (n = 10). Four-month-old animals were analysed for social behaviour
      (T1), then treated three times during 1 week with 1 mg/kg everolimus and finally
      retested in the post-treatment behavioural analysis (T2). In the experimental
      group, both social interaction and social cognition were impaired at T1. After
      treatment at T2, behaviour in the experimental group was indistinguishable from
      controls. The mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, reversed social deficit behaviours in
      the Tsc2 haploinsufficiency plus DSE animal model to control levels.

PMID- 27263039
TI  - Combined hormonal contraceptive use among obese women and risk for cardiovascular
      events: A systematic review.
AB  - CONTEXT: Combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use may modify the risk of
      cardiovascular events in obese [body mass index (BMI) >=30kg/m2] women.
      OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate from the literature whether CHC use
      modifies the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, cerebral venous
      thrombosis (CVT) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in obese women and to evaluate
      evidence for a dose-response relationship between BMI and VTE. METHODS: We
      searched PubMed for all articles published between database inception and
      February 2016 providing direct evidence on BMI, CHCs, and cardiovascular
      outcomes. We also searched for indirect evidence related to a dose-response
      relationship between BMI and risk of VTE in the general population, as these data
      were lacking for CHC users. The quality of each individual study was assessed
      using the system for grading evidence developed by the United States Preventive
      Services Task Force. RESULTS: The direct evidence search yielded 3 pooled
      analyses, 11 case-control studies and 1 cohort study. There was conflicting
      evidence about the risk of AMI or stroke among obese combined oral contraceptive
      (COC) users compared to obese nonusers, with one study finding no increased risk
      for AMI or stroke for COC users overall or stratified by BMI. A second study
      found significantly increased risk of AMI and stroke for COC users, with the
      highest risk estimates for high-BMI COC users. A single study suggested that
      obese COC users may be at higher risk for CVT compared with normal-weight
      nonusers. For VTE, obese COC users consistently had a risk that was 5 to 8 times
      that of obese nonusers and approximately 10 times that of nonobese nonusers. Five
      prospective cohort studies were identified as indirect evidence, and all found
      increased risk for VTE as BMI increased, suggesting a dose-response relationship
      between BMI and risk for VTE. No studies on the contraceptive patch or vaginal
      ring were identified that met the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: Limited
      evidence of Level II-2, fair quality, concerning whether CHC use modifies the
      risk of AMI and stroke in obese women is inconclusive, while a single study of
      Level II-2, poor quality, found that obese COC users may be at higher risk for
      CVT compared with normal-weight nonusers. Both COC use and higher BMI increase
      risk for VTE, and the greatest relative risks are for those with both risk
      factors based on a body of evidence graded as Level II-2, fair to poor quality.
      It is not possible to estimate absolute risk of VTE among women with both of
      these risk factors; however, the absolute risk of VTE in healthy women of
      reproductive age is small.

PMID- 27263040
TI  - Questions to the LASS study group.

PMID- 27263038
TI  - Ultrasonographic risk factors of malignancy in thyroid nodules.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Between 40 and 50 % of the population will have at least one
      thyroid nodule, although only 5-8 % will have a malignant one. OBJECTIVE: The
      objective of this study was to establish the ultrasonographic characteristics
      which allow us to distinguish benignity from malignancy in thyroid nodules.
      METHODS: In the study population, inclusion criteria are (1) a single thyroid
      nodule and (2) multinodular goiter and exclusion criteria are (1) previous
      thyroid surgery and (2) fine needle aspiration (FNA) in the past month. This
      study is a double-blind prospective study. The study protocol is as follows: (1)
      clinical study; (2) ultrasound examination; (3) FNA; and (4) surgery-follow-up.
      The variables analysed are as follows: a multinodular nodule or goitre; colloid
      degeneration; morphology; margins; hyperechoic rim; rim thickness; rim
      morphology; size; angle between the major axis and the skin; echostructure;
      posterior acoustic findings; calcifications; thick colloid; localization of the
      intrathyroid nodular tissue; and characteristics in the Doppler scan. RESULTS: A
      total of 221 thyroid nodules were analysed. The following ultrasound findings
      were associated with malignancy (p < 0.05): a nodule with posterior acoustic
      shadowing; the echotexture of the nodule; intranodular colloid degeneration;
      nodule margins; nodular morphology; the presence of thick colloid; the angle
      between the major axis and the skin; characteristics of the intranodular vessels
      using color Doppler and Doppler energy; and calcifications. In the multivariate
      analysis, the following factors persisted as predictors of malignancy: the
      echotexture of the nodule (odds ratio 12.81), microcalcifications (OR 9.05), and
      chaotic vascularisation in the Doppler energy (OR 43.47). CONCLUSIONS: The high
      resolution ultrasound allowed for a more reliable diagnosis of malignancy. The
      main findings of malignancy were the hypoechogenicity echotexture,
      microcalcifications, and chaotic intranodular vessels using Doppler energy.

PMID- 27263041
TI  - The safety of intrauterine contraception initiation among women with current
      asymptomatic cervical infections or at increased risk of sexually transmitted
      infections.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
      among women with current asymptomatic undiagnosed cervical infection or who are
      at high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), comparing those who have
      a copper-bearing (Cu-) or levonorgestrel (LNG-) intrauterine device (IUD) placed
      with women who do not. STUDY DESIGN: We searched PubMed and Cochrane Library for
      articles from January 1984 through January 2016 addressing our objective. We
      assessed study quality using the United States Preventive Services Task Force
      evidence grading system. RESULTS: Our search strategy yielded 2220 articles, of
      which 10 met inclusion criteria. Two studies provided direct evidence of PID
      rates in women with undiagnosed gonococcal or chlamydial (GC/CT) infection or at
      high risk for STIs initiating IUDs versus other contraceptive methods (level II
      2, fair to poor), and neither study found a difference. Eight studies provided
      indirect evidence (II-2 to II-3, fair to poor). One study found no difference in
      PID rates between initiators of Cu- versus LNG-IUDs. Five studies compared
      algorithms based on patient factors with laboratory GC/CT screening to predict
      cervical infection. Based on likelihood ratios, none of these algorithms
      adequately identified women at high risk of asymptomatic cervical infection who
      should not undergo IUD placement. Two studies compared IUD placement on the same
      day as STI screening with delayed placement after screening and found no
      difference in PID rates. CONCLUSION: Limited evidence suggests that IUD placement
      does not increase the risk of PID compared with no IUD placement among women with
      asymptomatic undiagnosed cervical infection or at high risk of STIs. Algorithms
      based on patient characteristics to identify women with asymptomatic GC/CT may be
      overly restrictive, leading to missed opportunities for IUD initiation.
      Historical concerns about higher PID risk among women at risk for STIs who use
      IUDs may not be relevant with modern devices and STI screening and treatment
      practices.

PMID- 27263042
TI  - Reply to letter to the editor: "questions to the LASS study group".

PMID- 27263043
TI  - Misoprostol before first trimester surgical abortion: a patient-centered
      approach.

PMID- 27263044
TI  - Routine misoprostol before all surgical abortions.

PMID- 27263045
TI  - Can cycling safety be improved by opening all unidirectional cycle paths for
      cycle traffic in both directions? A theoretical examination of available
      literature and data.
AB  - Many studies have found bicycle-motor vehicle crashes to be more likely on
      bidirectional cycle paths than on unidirectional cycle paths because drivers do
      not expect cyclists riding at the right side of the road. In this paper we
      discuss the hypothesis that opening all unidirectional cycle paths for cycle
      traffic in both directions prevent this lack of expectancy and accordingly
      improves cycling safety. A new national standard requires careful consideration
      because a reversal is difficult once cyclists are used to their new freedom of
      route choice. We therefore explored the hypothesis using available data,
      research, and theories. The results show that of the length of cycle paths along
      distributor roads in the Netherlands, 72% is bidirectional. If drivers would
      become used to cyclists riding at the left side of the road, this result raises
      the question of why bidirectional cycle paths in the Netherlands still have a
      poor safety record compared to unidirectional cycle paths. Moreover, our
      exploration suggested that bidirectional cycle paths have additional safety
      problems. It increases the complexity of unsignalized intersections because
      drivers have to scan more directions in a short period of time. Moreover, there
      are some indications that the likelihood of frontal crashes between cyclists
      increases. We reject the hypothesis that opening all unidirectional cycle paths
      for cycle traffic in both directions will improve cycle safety. We recommend more
      attention for mitigating measures given the widespread application of
      bidirectional cycle paths in the Netherlands.

PMID- 27263046
TI  - Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants for the prevention of recurrent
      venous thromboembolism.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with a risk of recurrence that depends
      on factors specific to index event and patient. A first unprovoked VTE increases
      the risk of a recurrent event, particularly during the first year after
      anticoagulation cessation. Determining a strategy for the long-term prevention of
      recurrent VTE poses challenges that stem from a lack of agreement on recommended
      therapy duration and varying treatment burden for the patient. Oral
      anticoagulants, including vitamin K antagonists and non-vitamin K antagonist oral
      anticoagulants (NOACs), are the main treatment options for the long-term
      prevention of recurrent VTE. However, the risk of VTE recurrence must be balanced
      against the risk of bleeding in each patient. Phase III clinical trials have
      evaluated rivaroxaban, apixaban and dabigatran for extended treatment and
      prevention of VTE versus placebo, and versus warfarin in the case of dabigatran.
      Compared with placebo treatment, each NOAC showed superior efficacy together with
      an acceptable safety profile during extended treatment periods of 6-18months.
      Patients receiving long-term NOAC therapy will still require regular risk factor
      assessment, but these agents may permit longer treatment duration with an
      improved benefit-risk profile. 

PMID- 27263047
TI  - Prognostic Effect of Low Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue on Survival Outcome in
      Patients With Multiple Myeloma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that decreased skeletal muscle mass
      (sarcopenia) or adipose tissue assessed using computed tomography (CT) predicts
      negative outcomes in patients with solid tumors. However, the prognostic value of
      such an assessment in multiple myeloma (MM) remains unknown. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed symptomatic MM were
      retrospectively analyzed. The cross-sectional area of skeletal muscles and
      subcutaneous or visceral adipose tissue was measured using CT. Body composition
      indexes (skeletal muscle index, subcutaneous adipose tissue index [SAI], and
      visceral adipose tissue index) were calculated. The association between these
      indexes and overall survival (OS) was examined. RESULTS: Of 56 evaluable
      patients, 37 (66%) had sarcopenia. The 2-year OS in patients with SAI < median
      was 58% compared with 91% in those with SAI >= median (P = .006). In multivariate
      analyses, SAI < median was significantly associated with poor OS (hazard ratio,
      4.05; P = .02). Sarcopenia was not associated with OS. The maximum value of the
      standardized uptake value was significantly higher in patients with SAI < median
      (P = .02). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that low subcutaneous
      adipose tissue at baseline predicts poor survival outcome in patients with MM.

PMID- 27263048
TI  - The Ionic Products from Mineral Trioxide Aggregate-induced Odontogenic
      Differentiation of Dental Pulp Cells via Activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin
      Signaling Pathway.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been successfully used in
      clinical applications in endodontics. However, little is known about the
      involvement of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in human dental pulp cells (hDPC)
      differentiation with the interaction of MTA in hard tissue regeneration,
      especially in odontogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore
      odontogenic/osteogenic gene expression and the protein secretion of hDPCs
      cultured with consecutive concentrations of MTA extracts and carefully examine
      the particular molecular mechanism that occurs during this process. METHODS: MTA
      extracts were prepared by immersing MTA powders into Dulbecco modified Eagle
      medium at a concentration of 200 mg/mL. hDPCs were cultured with various
      concentrations of MTA extracts, and the resulting changes in the cells, such as
      proliferation and odontogenic differentiation, were measured. RESULTS: The
      results indicate that hDPC proliferation increases remarkably in a time-dependent
      manner in most treatment groups, except the highest concentration group (200
      mg/mL). The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway-related genes and proteins are
      significantly raised when hDPCs are cultured in a wide concentration range of MTA
      extracts compared with a control, except for the highest concentration group (100
      mg/mL), on days 3 and 7 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These variations indicate that
      Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is involved in MTA extract-induced odontogenic
      differentiation of hDPCs.

PMID- 27263049
TI  - Protein engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae transporter Pdr5p identifies key
      residues that impact Fusarium mycotoxin export and resistance to inhibition.
AB  - Cereal infection by the broad host range fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum is
      a significant global agricultural and food safety issue due to the deposition of
      mycotoxins within infected grains. Methods to study the intracellular effects of
      mycotoxins often use the baker's yeast model system (Saccharomyces cerevisiae);
      however, this organism has an efficient drug export network known as the
      pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) network, which consists of a family of
      multidrug exporters. This study describes the first study that has evaluated the
      potential involvement of all known or putative ATP-binding cassette (ABC)
      transporters from the PDR network in exporting the F. graminearum trichothecene
      mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15A-DON) from
      living yeast cells. We found that Pdr5p appears to be the only transporter from
      the PDR network capable of exporting these mycotoxins. We engineered mutants of
      Pdr5p at two sites previously identified as important in determining substrate
      specificity and inhibitor susceptibility. These results indicate that it is
      possible to alter inhibitor insensitivity while maintaining the ability of Pdr5p
      to export the mycotoxins DON and 15A-DON, which may enable the development of
      resistance strategies to generate more Fusarium-tolerant crop plants.

PMID- 27263050
TI  - Defining chronic pancreatitis with a focus on pathological stress responses.

PMID- 27263051
TI  - GnIH plays a negative role in regulating GtH expression in the common carp,
      Cyprinus carpio L.
AB  - In birds and mammals, the gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) effectively
      inhibits the expression of gonadotrophin (GtH). In teleosts, the effects of GnIH
      are still unclear and under much debate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the
      functions of GnIH/receptors of gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone (GnIHRs) system
      during reproduction in the common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. We cloned the full
      cDNA sequences of GnIH /GnIHRs. Real-time PCR results showed that GnIH/GnIHRs
      were distributed extensively across the whole hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG)
      axis. We also examined the changes of GnIH/GnIHRs in the HPG axis during
      reproduction. GnIH mRNA expression was decreased to the minimum value in Apr, the
      spawning month, and increased immediately after the completion of reproduction.
      Expression pattern of GnIH during reproduction was the opposite to those of
      Gonadotrophin release hormone 3 (GnRH3) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Expression
      patterns of GnIHRs were similar to that of GnIH in the hypothalamus. In the
      pituitary, GnIHR2/3 peaked in March before spawning. In the ovaries, the GnIHR1
      decreased to the minimum value in April, but GnIHR2/3 increased. By injection and
      incubation with synthesized GnIH-III peptide, we confirmed the negative influence
      of GnIH on mRNAs of the follicle-stimulating hormone-beta and LH-beta subunits in
      the common carp. These results show that the GnIH/GnIHRs system is involved in
      the negative regulation of reproduction in HPG axis of the common carp.

PMID- 27263052
TI  - Biogenesis and Function of Transfer RNA-Related Fragments (tRFs).
AB  - Noncoding small RNAs arise from the various un-annotated and annotated regions of
      the genome. When they arise from annotated genes, the noncoding small RNAs are
      functionally different from the parent genes. This is a brief review of one class
      of noncoding small RNAs, tRNA-related fragments (tRFs), which are generated from
      tRNA. tRFs have been suggested to have roles in cell proliferation, priming of
      viral reverse transcriptases, regulation of gene expression, RNA processing,
      modulation of the DNA damage response, tumor suppression, and neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27263054
TI  - Raising the Legal Age of Tobacco Sales: Policy Support and Trust in Government,
      2014-2015, U.S.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The National Academy of Medicine has called for an increase in the
      minimum age of tobacco product sales. It is not clear what age increase would
      garner the greatest public support, or whether trust in the U.S. government
      predicts policy support. METHODS: The data for these analyses are from a
      nationally representative telephone sample of U.S. adults (N=4,880) conducted
      from September 2014 to May 2015. The authors assessed whether support varied by
      the proposed minimum age of tobacco sales using a survey experiment (i.e., random
      assignment to the 19-, 20-, or 21-year age minimum condition) and, in cross
      sectional analyses, whether smoking status, individual demographics, state-level
      politics, and general trust in the government predicted policy support. Analyses
      were conducted from May to December 2015. RESULTS: Odds of support for raising
      the minimum sales age to 21 years trended higher than support for raising to age
      20 or 19 years (AOR=1.22, 95% CI=0.97, 1.53, p=0.09). There was majority support
      for raising the age of sales for cigarettes in all regions of the U.S. (66.3%,
      95% CI=64.0, 68.6). Race, age, and trust in government were significant
      predictors of support. CONCLUSIONS: Raising the age of tobacco sales is broadly
      supported by the public. An age 21 years tobacco sales policy trends toward
      garnering more support than a policy at age 19 or 20 years. Trust in government
      may be an important consideration in understanding policy support beyond
      demographics.

PMID- 27263053
TI  - The molecular characterization of Beta globin gene in thalassemia patients
      reveals rare and a novel mutations in Pakistani population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A multicentre study (including four cities in Pakistan) aimed to
      investigate the frequency and spectrum of alpha and beta thalassemia genetic
      mutations and XmnI polymorphism of the Gamma Globin gene. METHODS: One hundred
      and sixty one beta thalassemia patients, identified on the ground of
      haematological parameters, were screened for mutations of the Alpha (HBA2 and
      HBA1) and Beta (HBB) Globin genes as well as Gamma (HBG2) Globin gene, -158
      Ggamma XmnI polymorphism, using a combination of multiplex GAP polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR), Sanger sequencing and restriction fragment length polymerase
      (RFLP) based PCR. RESULTS: Mutations of at least one HBB gene was identified in
      157 of 161 patients screened. Among 16 identified mutations in the beta gene,
      HBB:c.27_28insG (p. Ser10Valfs*14) was the most prevalent. alpha(-3.7) and alpha(
      4.2) deletions were co-inherited with beta thalassemia mutations. Rare mutations
      such as HBB:c.-138C > T and HBB:c.315 + 1G > A were also identified. One novel
      variant (HBB:c.-148T > A), two rare mutations [HBB:c.332T > C (p.Leu111Pro);
      HBB:c.92G > C (p.Arg31Thr] and a novel association, HBB:c.[92G > C (p.Arg31Thr)]
      and [-92C > G], were reported for the first time in our study. HBG2:c.-211C > T
      base-pair substitution (historically described as -158 GgammaXmnI polymorphism)
      was present in 36% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Heterogeneity in clinical and
      haematological parameters in TM, show that monogenic disorders can present with a
      wide spectrum of disease severity. Our studies identified rare and novel
      mutations that will be useful in the prevention of highly prevalent disease of
      thalassemia in Pakistan following nationwide awareness campaign.

PMID- 27263055
TI  - Comparison of the prognostic influence of emergency hepatectomy and staged
      hepatectomy in patients with ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rupture is a fatal
      complication of primary liver cancer and is associated with poor surgical
      outcomes. Whether emergency hepatectomy or staged hepatectomy should be performed
      in the situations of a spontaneous rupture for resectable HCC need to be
      investigated. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2014, 131 patients with
      HCC ruptures received emergency or staged hepatectomy in our hospital and were
      included in this study. We retrospectively compared the postoperative morbidity
      and mortality, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients
      who received emergency or staged hepatectomies. Independent prognostic predictors
      were identified using the Cox multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS:
      Emergency hepatectomy could be performed for successful surgical hemostasis and
      radical tumor resection. However, the in-hospital mortality rate was 11.0%, which
      correlated with INR, liver function, shock, blood transfusion, and aggressive
      treatment by emergency hepatectomy (P<0.05). Conversely, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year
      overall survival rates of ruptured HCC patients with staged hepatectomy were
      82.8%, 55.2%, and 41.4%; and the disease-free survival rates were 70.7%, 44.8%,
      and 27.6%, respectively. The overall survival and disease-free survival of staged
      hepatectomy group were longer than that of emergency hepatectomy group (P=0.034,
      P=0.019). Multivariable analyses of HCC ruptures patients indicated that tumor
      sizes more than 10cm and multiple-nodule tumors were independent predictors of
      poor long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Though they carry some risk, emergency
      hepatectomy is still an important means of treatment for spontaneous HCC
      ruptures. For resectable HCC ruptures, emergency hepatectomy or staged
      hepatectomy are life-saving procedures, and efficient therapeutic methods. After
      the initial hemostasis, staged liver resection can often help patients achieve
      better long-term survival than emergency hepatectomy.

PMID- 27263056
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of doxorubicin-eluting beads versus conventional trans
      arterial chemo-embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin-loaded drug-eluting beads TACE (DEB-TACE) has been
      developed to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of conventional trans-catheter
      arterial chemo-embolization (cTACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC); however, its cost-effectiveness (CE) still needs to be assessed. AIMS: To
      investigate the CE of DEB-TACE versus cTACE. METHODS: Results from a meta
      analysis of the pertinent literature were used to construct a CE Markov
      simulation model which followed a hypothetical cohort of HCC patients who
      underwent DEB-TACE or cTACE, covering the entire post-TACE lifespan until death.
      Costs were assessed from the health-care provider perspective. RESULTS: Five
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 11 observational studies, including 1860
      patients (883 DEB-TACE and 977 cTACE), were used for the construction of the
      model. Considering only survival rates from RCTs (heterogeneity: 0%), DEB-TACE
      returned 4.0 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and TACE returned 3.3 QALYs
      (effect size=1.288). Total costs of cTACE were ?10,389 and those of DEB-TACE were
      ?11,418 (effect size=0.791). DEB-TACE was found more cost-effective than cTACE
      when a minimum willingness-to-pay of about ?2000-3500/QALY was accepted, mainly
      depending on shorter in-hospital stay and better quality of life. CONCLUSIONS:
      Direct incremental costs of DEB-TACE can be acceptable in respect to cTACE,
      relying on financial resources available from the payer perspective.

PMID- 27263057
TI  - Anatomic structure-based deformable image registration of brachytherapy implants
      in the treatment of locally advanced cervix cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the impact of anatomic structure-based image sets in
      deformable image registration (DIR) for cervical cancer patients. METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: CT examinations of 7 patients previously treated for locally advanced
      cervical cancer with external beam radiation therapy and from three to five
      fractions of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) were used. Structure-based
      image sets were created from "free" structures already made for planning
      purposes, with each structure of interest assigned a unique, homogeneous
      Hounsfield number. Subsequent HDR fractions were registered to the pretreatment
      external beam radiation therapy and/or the first HDR fraction using commercially
      available software by rigid alignment (RIG) followed by DIR. Comparison methods
      included quantification of external contour displacement between source and
      target images and calculation of mean voxel displacement values. Registration
      results for structure-based image sets were then compared and contrasted to
      intensity-based registrations of the original grayscale images. RESULTS:
      Utilization of anatomic structure-based image sets resulted in better initial
      rigid matching (A-RIG) with more importance on applicator positioning and soft
      tissue structures. Subsequent DIR of anatomic structure-based images allowed for
      intermodality registrations, whereas all intermodality registrations using
      original CT images failed to produce anatomically feasible results. CONCLUSIONS:
      We have investigated the use of structure-based CT image sets for image
      registrations and have produced anatomically favorable registrations with
      excellent matching of external contours as compared to registrations of original
      grayscale images. Commercial software registrations using treatment-planning
      structures required no manual tweaking on a per-patient basis, suggesting results
      are reproducible and broadly applicable.

PMID- 27263058
TI  - Prospective analysis of toxicity in patients treated with strut-adjusted volume
      implant for early-stage breast cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: We report the toxicity of patients treated with strut-adjusted volume
      implant (SAVI) for accelerated partial breast irradiation treated at our
      institution. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients treated from January 2013 to July
      2015 with SAVI planned for 10 b.i.d. fractions for a total dose of 34 Gy were
      included. Acute and late toxicities were prospectively collected on patients in
      followup and graded by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events,
      version 4.0. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were included, with 1 patient
      having synchronous breast cancer treated in each breast. Median followup was 20.0
      months (range, 2.7-37.4 months). The median age at diagnosis was 61 years (range,
      41-83 years). Forty-two lesions (32%) were in situ, 88 lesions (66%) were Stage
      1, and 3 (2%) lesions were Stage 2. The median planning target volume was 58.2 cc
      (range, 24.2-109.9 cc), median V150 was 26.3 cc (range, 11.5-47.5 cc), and median
      V200 was 13.0 cc (range, 6.3-26.1 cc). On a pain scale of 0-10 (10 = worst pain),
      pain was worst on Day 2 of treatment, with an average score of 0.46. There was
      one acute skin infection; there were three late skin infections, two of which was
      Grade 3. Other late toxicities were Grade 1 or 2: hyperpigmentation (44%),
      telangiectasia (0.8%), seroma (9%), fat necrosis (5%), and fibrosis (12%). Crude
      local recurrence rate was 4%. CONCLUSION: SAVI is a safe treatment option for
      patients who are candidates for accelerated partial breast irradiation. Local
      control seems to be excellent, but longer followup is needed.

PMID- 27263059
TI  - Impact of source position on high-dose-rate skin surface applicator dosimetry.
AB  - PURPOSE: Skin surface dosimetric discrepancies between measured and treatment
      planning system predicted values were traced to source position sag inside the
      applicator and to source transit time. We quantified their dosimetric impact and
      propose corrections for clinical use. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We measured the dose
      profiles from the Varian Leipzig-style high-dose-rate (HDR) skin applicator,
      using EBT3 film, photon diode, and optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter
      for three different GammaMedplus HDR afterloaders. The measured dose profiles at
      several depths were compared with BrachyVision Acuros calculated profiles. To
      assess the impact of the source sag, two different applicator orientations were
      considered. The dose contribution during source transit was assessed by comparing
      diode measurements using an HDR timer and an electrometer timer. RESULTS: Depth
      doses measured using the three dosimeters were in good agreement, but were
      consistently higher than the Acuros dose calculations. Measurements with the
      applicator face up were significantly (exceeding 10%) lower than those in the
      face down position, due to source sag inside the applicator. Based on the inverse
      square law, the effective source sag was evaluated to be about 0.5 mm from the
      planned position. The additional dose during source transit was evaluated to be
      about 2.8% for 30 seconds of treatment with a 40700 U (10 Ci) source. CONCLUSION:
      With a very short source-to-surface distance, the small source sag inside the
      applicator has a significant dosimetric impact. This effect is unaccounted for in
      the vendor's treatment planning template and should be considered before the
      clinical use of the applicator. Further investigation of other applicators with
      large source lumen diameter may be warranted.

PMID- 27263060
TI  - Robustness to source displacement in dual air kerma strength planning for focal
      low-dose-rate brachytherapy of prostate cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the use of dual source strength implants for focal low-dose
      rate brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An interneedle dual source strength
      planning strategy is described for focal low-dose-rate brachytherapy of the
      prostate. The implanted treatment plans were designed using peripheral (except
      near the rectum) needles loaded with high strength (0.9 U) sources and central
      needles loaded with low strength (0.4 U) sources ("interneedle" dual strength
      planning). This approach has been applied for focally treating 3 patients. In
      this article, we compare the characteristics and robustness to source motion of
      interneedle dual strength planning with four alternative planning strategies
      (single strength high, low, and intermediate, and intraneedle dual strength) on
      50 simulated cases. RESULTS: Interneedle dual source strength planning results in
      greater robustness to source motion and overall lower seed and needle density
      compared to the standard low source strength planning currently used in our
      centre. This planning approach is also significantly superior to single strength
      high, single strength intermediate and intraneedle dual strength planning
      strategies in terms of high dose to the urethral avoidance structure.
      CONCLUSIONS: The use of interneedle dual source strength treatment plans for
      focal low-dose-rate brachytherapy is possibly the practical solution for limiting
      the density of sources required to deliver the prescribed dose while limiting
      proximity of high strength sources to organs at risk.

PMID- 27263061
TI  - Cesarean section and the manipulation of exact delivery time.
AB  - Physicians are often alleged responsible for the manipulation of delivery timing.
      We investigate this issue in a setting that negates the influence of financial
      incentives on physician's behavior. Working on a sample of women admitted at the
      onset of labor in a big public hospital in Italy we estimate a model for the
      exact time of delivery as driven by individual Indication to Cesarean Section
      (ICS) and covariates. We find that ICS does not affect the day of delivery but
      leads to a circadian rhythm in the likelihood of delivery. The pattern is
      consistent with the postponement of high ICS deliveries in the late night?early
      morning shift. Our evidence hardly supports the manipulation of timing of births
      as driven by medical staff's "demand for leisure". Physicians seem to manipulate
      the exact timing of delivery to reduce exposure to risk factors extant during off
      peak periods. 

PMID- 27263062
TI  - Long term impact of the economic crisis on health care in the Greek setting: The
      Pandora box?

PMID- 27263063
TI  - Effects of the financial crisis and Troika austerity measures on health and
      health care access in Portugal.
AB  - Although Portugal has been deeply affected by the global financial crisis, the
      impact of the recession and subsequent austerity on health and to health care has
      attracted relatively little attention. We used several sources of data including
      the European Union Statistics for Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) which
      tracks unmet medical need during the recession and before and after the Troika's
      austerity package. Our results show that the odds of respondents reporting having
      an unmet medical need more than doubled between 2010 and 2012 (OR=2.41, 95% CI
      2.01-2.89), with the greatest impact on those in employment, followed by the
      unemployed, retired, and other economically inactive groups. The reasons for not
      seeking care involved a combination of factors, with a 68% higher odds of citing
      financial barriers (OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.32-2.12), more than twice the odds of
      citing waiting times and inability to take time off work or family
      responsibilities (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.20-3.98), and a large increase of reporting
      delaying care in the hope that the problem would resolve on its own (OR=13.98,
      95% CI 6.51-30.02). Individual-level studies from Portugal also suggest that co
      payments at primary and hospital level are having a negative effect on the most
      vulnerable living in disadvantaged areas, and that health care professionals have
      concerns about the impact of recession and subsequent austerity measures on the
      quality of care provided. The Portuguese government no longer needs external
      assistance, but these findings suggest that measures are now needed to mitigate
      the damage incurred by the crisis and austerity. 

PMID- 27263064
TI  - Prognostic impact of comorbidities in hospitalized patients with acute
      exacerbation of chronic heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess the impact of comorbidities on long-term all-cause
      mortality in patients hospitalized with exacerbated signs/symptoms of previously
      chronic stable HF (AE-CHF). METHODS: 1119 patients admitted for AE-CHF and with
      NT-proBNP levels >900pg/mL were enrolled. Univariable and multivariable Cox
      analyses were performed to assess the association of age, gender, hypertension,
      diabetes, obesity, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease (CHD), chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease, previous cerebrovascular accidents, chronic liver
      disease (CLD), thyroid disease, renal impairment (RI), and anemia with 3-year all
      cause mortality. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 441 patients died and 126
      underwent heart transplantation (HT) or ventricular assist device (VAD)
      implantation. 45.8% of the fatal events and 52.4% of HT/VAD implantations
      occurred within 180days after admission. Increasing age (p=.012), obesity
      (p=.037), atrial fibrillation (p=.030), CHD (p=.015), CLD (p=.001), RI (p<.001),
      and anemia (p<.001) were independently associated with 3-year all-cause
      mortality. Most of the prognostic impact of CHD, took place within the first
      180days after admission. Male gender was associated with mortality beyond
      180days. Compared with normal weight, obesity was associated with better overall
      survival. Obese patients, however, had significantly lower NT-proBNP
      concentrations and less frequently presented with hypotension, hyponatremia, and
      severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, despite a similar prevalence of
      severe dyspnea at admission. CONCLUSIONS: Several comorbidities are associated
      with long-term risk of death in hospitalized patients with worsening HF, although
      the nature of this association does appear to be complex. Our data may help to
      raise awareness about the clinical relevance of comorbid conditions.

PMID- 27263065
TI  - Mathematical modeling to predict the sub-bandage pressure on a conical limb for
      multi-layer bandaging.
AB  - The effectiveness of the compression treatment by a medical compression bandage
      is dependent on the pressure generated at the interface between the bandage and
      the skin. This pressure is called interface pressure or sub-bandage pressure. The
      performance of a bandage depends upon the level of interface pressure applied by
      the bandage and the sustenance of this pressure over time. The interface pressure
      exerted by the bandage depends on several other factors like limb shape or size,
      application technique, physical and structural properties of the bandage,
      physical activities taken by the patient, etc. The current understanding of how
      bandages apply pressure to a limb is based on the Law of Laplace, which states
      that tension in the walls of a container is dependent on both the pressure of the
      container's content and its radius. This concept was translated mathematically
      into equation relating pressure to tension and radius by Thomas. In addition, a
      modified equation was generated by multiplying the model with a constant that
      represents the number of bandage layers in order to use the model to estimate the
      pressure applied by multi-layer bandages. This simple multiplication adjustment
      was questioned by researchers. They had doubts about the model validity and
      whether it can be used to predict the sub-bandage pressure applied by pressure
      garments. One of the questions that were raised regarding the bandage thickness
      affecting the sub-bandage pressure has been recently explored by Al Khaburi where
      he used the thin and thick cylinder shell theory to study the effect of Multi
      Component Bandage's (MCB) thickness on the sub-bandage pressure. The model by Al
      Khaburi and the earlier models developed for pressure prediction are all based on
      calculations considering the cylindrical limb shapes although the human limb
      normally is wider at the calf and reduces in circumference towards the ankle. So
      in our approach, the bandage is assumed to take a conical shape during
      application and membrane shell theory is used for developing pressure prediction
      model for multi-layers of bandage. Both analytical and experimental work showed
      that the effect of bandage thickness and the geometry of the limb on pressure
      produced by multi-layers of bandage are significant. The model developed when
      compared to the data obtained using experimental setup confirmed the validity of
      the mathematical model for multi-layers of bandage based on conical geometry of
      the limb.

PMID- 27263066
TI  - Corrigendum to "The contact mechanics and occurrence of edge loading in modular
      metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement during daily activities." [Medical
      Engineering & Physics, Volume 38, Issue 6 (June 2016) Pages 518-525].

PMID- 27263067
TI  - [Lumbar spinal angiolipoma].
AB  - Spinal angiolipomas are fairly infrequent benign tumours that are usually located
      in the epidural space of the thoracic column and represent 0.14% to 1.3% of all
      spinal tumours. Lumbar angiolipomas are extremely rare, representing only 9.6% of
      all spinal extradural angiolipomas. We report the case of a woman who complained
      of a lumbar pain of several months duration with no neurological focality and
      that had intensified in the last three days without her having had any injury or
      made a physical effort. The MR revealed an extradural mass L1-L2, on the
      posterior face of the medulla, decreasing the anteroposterior diameter of the
      canal. The patient symptoms improved after surgery. Total extirpation of the
      lesion is possible in most cases, and the prognosis is excellent even if the
      lesion is infiltrative. For this reason, excessively aggressive surgery is not
      necessary to obtain complete resection.

PMID- 27263068
TI  - Impact of short-term refeeding on appetite and meal experiences in new onset
      adolescent eating disorders.
AB  - Restrictive eating disorders (ED) are increasing and represent a serious risk to
      the health of adolescent females. Restrictive ED in youth are often treated
      through aggressive short-term refeeding. Although evidence supports that this
      intervention is the "gold standard" for improving ED outcomes in youth, little
      research has specifically probed appetite and meal-related responses to this type
      of intensive, short-term refeeding in newly diagnosed individuals. Information
      about appetite and meal-related dysfunction could provide valuable insights
      regarding treatment-interfering features of ED in both acute inpatient and longer
      term outpatient treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hunger,
      fullness, olfactory, and gustatory responses of adolescents with newly-diagnosed
      restrictive ED and to probe how and when these responses are altered by
      refeeding. Using a quasi-experimental ecologically valid methodology, this study
      described and compared profiles of hunger, fullness, olfactory, and gustatory
      responses in adolescent females (n = 15) with newly diagnosed restrictive ED at
      hospital admission (i.e., severe malnutrition) and after medical refeeding, in
      comparison to healthy controls (n = 15). Results showed that newly diagnosed
      (i.e., malnourished) adolescents with ED showed significantly different meal
      related experiences than controls. Refeeding improved some of these differences,
      but not all. Following refeeding, females with ED continued to show lower hunger,
      greater fullness, and lower pleasantness of smell ratings compared to controls.
      Unpleasantness of taste ratings maladaptively increased, such that females who
      were re-fed reported more aversive scents than pre-treatment. Profiles of meal
      related responses were also identified and compared between groups. The
      applicability of these findings are discussed within the context of critical
      periods of change during refeeding treatment and potentially promising
      intervention targets that might enhance treatment outcomes for adolescents with
      newly onset, restrictive ED.

PMID- 27263069
TI  - Childhood risk factors for lifetime bulimic or compulsive eating by age 30 years
      in a British national birth cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine whether previously identified childhood risk factors for
      bulimia or compulsive eating (BCE) predict self-reported lifetime BCE by age 30
      years in a prospective birth cohort. METHOD: Using data from the 1970 British
      Cohort Study at birth, 5, and 10 years, associations between 22 putative
      childhood risk factors and self-reported lifetime BCE at 30 years were examined,
      adjusting for sex and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Only female sex (odds ratio
      (OR): 9.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-43.7; p = 0.005), low self-esteem
      (OR:2.9; 95%CI: 1.1-7.5; p = 0.03) and high maternal education (OR:5.4; 95%CI:
      2.0-14.8; p = 0.001) were significantly associated with higher risk of BCE,
      whereas high SES at 10 years was significantly protective (OR:0.2; 95%CI: 0.1
      0.8; p = 0.022) of BCE in fully adjusted multivariable logistic regression
      analysis. DISCUSSION: Our findings do not support a strong role for childhood
      weight status and eating behaviours in the development of bulimia and compulsive
      eating pathology, rather suggesting a focus on self esteem may have greater
      relative importance. Findings in relation to maternal education and SES need
      further exploration.

PMID- 27263070
TI  - Investigating the role of parent and child characteristics in healthy eating
      intervention outcomes.
AB  - While numerous studies have investigated the efficacy of interventions at
      increasing children's vegetable consumption, little research has examined the
      effect of individual characteristics on intervention outcomes. In previous
      research, interventions consisting of modelling and rewards have been shown to
      increase children's vegetable intake, but differences were identified in terms of
      how much children respond to such interventions. With this in mind, the current
      study investigated the role of parental feeding practices, child temperament, and
      child eating behaviours as predictors of intervention success. Parents (N = 90)
      of children aged 2-4 years were recruited from toddler groups across
      Leicestershire, UK. Parents completed measures of feeding practices, child eating
      behaviours and child temperament, before participating in one of four conditions
      of a home-based, parent led 14 day intervention aimed at increasing their child's
      consumption of a disliked vegetable. Correlations and logistic regressions were
      performed to investigate the role of these factors in predicting intervention
      success. Parental feeding practices were not significantly associated with
      intervention success. However, child sociability and food fussiness significantly
      predicted intervention success, producing a regression model which could predict
      intervention success in 61% of cases. These findings suggest that future
      interventions could benefit from being tailored according to child temperament.
      Furthermore, interventions for children high in food fussiness may be better
      targeted at reducing fussiness in addition to increasing vegetable consumption.

PMID- 27263071
TI  - Complete zona pellucida removal from vitrified-warmed human blastocysts
      facilitates earlier in-vitro attachment and outgrowth.
AB  - Partial removal of the zona pellucida (ZP) has been performed using a laser
      system to promote hatching of vitrified-warmed blastocysts. However, low
      viability blastocysts cannot hatch even after partial ZP removal. This study
      examined whether complete removal of the ZP improves embryonic adhesion and
      outgrowth of vitrified-warmed blastocysts compared with partial removal, using a
      blastocyst outgrowth model. In all, 217 vitrified human blastocysts, which were
      discarded and donated for research by consenting couples, were warmed and
      subjected to assisted hatching to remove the ZP partially or completely, or did
      not undergo assisted hatching (zona intact controls). Blastocysts were cultured
      using time-lapse microscopy to monitor hatching, adhesion and outgrowth. Despite
      partial ZP removal, 36% of blastocysts failed to hatch. Blastocyst outgrowth
      assays showed improved adhesion rate, shorter time for adhesion and larger
      outgrowth area in the blastocysts with completely removed ZP compared with those
      with partially-removed ZP. mRNA expression of integrin alpha5 and beta1 was
      upregulated in blastocysts with completely removed ZP compared with those with
      partially-removed ZP. Study findings reveal the advantages of complete ZP removal
      for assisted hatching. In conclusion, complete ZP removal increases the chance of
      blastocyst adhesion and subsequent outgrowth in vitro after the vitrification
      warming procedure. 

PMID- 27263072
TI  - Different reserve proxies confer overlapping and unique endurance to cortical
      thinning in healthy middle-aged adults.
AB  - AIM: To investigate different proxies of brain and cognitive reserve as potential
      mediators of the effect of cortical thinning on cognition in healthy middle-aged
      adults. METHODS: Eighty-two middle-aged individuals were included (mean(SD)
      age=45.1(3.9)years). Cortical thickness was calculated for multiple brain regions
      using FreeSurfer. Cognitive measures sensitive to early cognitive decline were
      selected, including Block Design from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III
      (WAIS-III), Judgment of Line Orientation Test (JLOT), Color Trails Test (CTT),
      and first learning trial of TAVEC (the Spanish version of the California Verbal
      Learning Test, CVLT). Brain reserve was operationalized as total intracranial
      volume (TIV); and cognitive reserve was estimated by means of Years of Education,
      WAIS-III Vocabulary subtest, WAIS-III Information subtest, and a Cognitive
      Reserve Questionnaire (CRQ). Mediation effects were investigated with multiple
      linear regression and bootstrapping analysis. RESULTS: Information and Vocabulary
      showed the greatest mediation capacity. All the observed mediations were positive
      indicating that higher levels of reserve attenuate the effect of reduced cortical
      thickness on cognition. Information, Vocabulary and TIV buffered the effect of
      frontal thinning on Block Design; Vocabulary and Years of Education buffered the
      effect of frontal thinning on JLOT; and CRQ buffered the effect of temporal
      thinning on CTT. CONCLUSION: Higher reserve buffers the effect of cortical
      thinning on cognition in healthy middle-aged adults. The investigated proxies
      might be underpinned by slightly different neural networks. Advancing in the
      understanding of the influences of reserve in healthy middle-aged adults is
      crucial to facilitate early interventions.

PMID- 27263073
TI  - Fluoxetine normalizes the effects of prenatal maternal stress on depression- and
      anxiety-like behaviors in mouse dams and male offspring.
AB  - Maternal depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period (lactation) is a
      common debilitating condition affecting mother-fetus/-infant interactions, which
      can be a risk factor for cognitive and affective disorders in mothers and their
      children. Selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitor-(SSRI) pharmacotherapy is known
      as the first-line treatment of maternal depression. However, its use during
      pregnancy and lactation is a topic of concern. The present study aimed to
      investigate the effects of prenatal stress alone or in combination with
      fluoxetine (FLX) on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activity, anxiety
      /depression-like behaviors in dams and in offspring. To do this, gestationally
      stressed and non-stressed mouse dams were orally treated with FLX-(8/mg/kg/day)
      from gestational day 10 to lactation day 20. The behavioral outcomes of prenatal
      stress and FLX treatment in dams and male offspring were assessed using the
      sucrose preference, forced swim, zero maze, and light-dark box tests. Stress
      induced corticosterone levels were also evaluated as indicative of abnormal HPA
      axis function. Our findings indicated that maternal stress resulted in increased
      depression-like behavior and HPA axis hyperactivity in dams during pregnancy and
      lactation which were reversed by FLX. Furthermore, prenatal stress increased
      anxiety/depression-like behaviors and HPA-axis reactivity in male offspring.
      These effects were reversed by maternal FLX treatment. Developmental FLX
      exposure, without prenatal stress, did not have any adverse effects on the above
      measured parameters. Our results suggest that prenatal stress induces maternal
      depression-like behavior which affects the development of affective symptoms in
      male offspring, and that remediation of maternal depression-like behavior
      coincidences with the normalization of anxiety-and depression-like symptoms in
      male offspring.

PMID- 27263075
TI  - Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome - A
      challenging diagnosis not to be missed.
AB  - SAPHO syndrome manifests as chronic inflammation of bones and joints, which may
      or may not be accompanied by skin changes. The term SAPHO is an acronym that
      stands for synovitis, acne, pustulosis (usually palmoplantar), hyperostosis and
      osteitis. The bones most commonly affected are those in the anterior chest wall
      (mainly the sternum, clavicles and sternocostoclavicular joints), the vertebrae
      and the sacroiliac joints, but peripheral and flat bones may also be involved,
      especially in children. There are no validated diagnostic criteria for SAPHO, and
      diagnosis is based on clinical and radiological findings. One of the main
      challenges in diagnosis is that the clinical features may occur many years apart.
      Additionally, patients may not develop all manifestations. Delayed diagnosis, as
      a result of a lack of awareness of SAPHO, can lead to patients suffering ongoing
      pain and disfiguring skin manifestations. One theory is that Propionibacterium
      acnes (isolated from bone biopsies in many SAPHO patients) triggers an auto
      immune mediated chronic inflammation in genetically predisposed individuals.
      Treatment involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intra
      articular steroids, bisphosphonates and biologicals. The course of SAPHO is often
      prolonged but, despite the challenges in diagnosis and treatment, the long-term
      prognosis is good.

PMID- 27263076
TI  - Optimizing antimicrobial therapy in children.
AB  - Management of common infections and optimal use of antimicrobial agents are
      presented, highlighting new evidence from the medical literature that enlightens
      practice. Primary therapy of staphylococcal skin abscesses is drainage. Patients
      who have a large abscess (>5 cm), cellulitis or mixed abscess-cellulitis likely
      would benefit from additional antibiotic therapy. When choosing an antibiotic for
      outpatient management, the patient, pathogen and in vitro drug susceptibility as
      well as tolerability, bioavailability and safety characteristics of antibiotics
      should be considered. Management of recurrent staphylococcal skin and soft tissue
      infections is vexing. Focus is best placed on reducing density of the organism on
      the patient's skin and in the environment, and optimizing a healthy skin barrier.
      With attention to adherence and optimal dosing, acute uncomplicated osteomyelitis
      can be managed with early transition from parenteral to oral therapy and with a 3
      4 week total course of therapy. Doxycycline should be prescribed when indicated
      for a child of any age. Its use is not associated with dental staining.
      Azithromycin should be prescribed for infants when indicated, whilst being alert
      to an associated >=2-fold excess risk of pyloric stenosis with use under 6 weeks
      of age. Beyond the neonatal period, acyclovir is more safely dosed by body
      surface area (not to exceed 500 mg/m(2)/dose) than by weight. In addition to the
      concern of antimicrobial resistance, unnecessary use of antibiotics should be
      avoided because of potential later metabolic effects, thought to be due to
      perturbation of the host's microbiome.

PMID- 27263074
TI  - The Family Communication Study: A randomized trial of prospective pediatric
      palliative care consultation, study methodology and perceptions of participation
      burden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To describe the study methods, baseline characteristics and burden of
      study procedures of an intervention designed to reduce family stress symptoms
      through early support from the palliative care team. Length of stay of >=8days
      was the trigger for early palliative care involvement. METHODS: Cluster
      randomized trial with children as the unit of randomization. Up to 3 family
      members per child were recruited. Family stress symptoms were recorded at
      baseline, discharge from the ICU, and 3months post-enrollment. Questionnaire
      burden was assessed on a 1-10 point scale at each time point and open-ended
      comments were analyzed to describe the participants' experience in the study.
      RESULTS: 380 family members of 220 children (control=115 children and 204 family
      members; intervention=105 children and 176 family members) were recruited, which
      represented 50% of all eligible families. Most family participants were parents
      (86% control; 92% intervention) and female (66% both groups). Retention rates
      were high through the 3-month follow-up: 93% and 90% for the control and
      intervention groups respectively. Questionnaire burden was very low: mean (sd)
      scores were 1.1 (1.6), 0.7 (1.5), and 0.9 (1.6) for the baseline, discharge and
      follow-up questionnaires, respectively. Comments suggest that participation was
      beneficial by promoting reflection and self-awareness about stress, coping and
      resilience, and feeling cared for because the intervention and questionnaires
      focused on their own well-being. CONCLUSIONS: The participants' comments
      regarding the focus on them as the point of intervention reflects the value of
      conducting research with family members of seriously ill children during ICU
      stays.

PMID- 27263077
TI  - HDL mimetic CER-001 targets atherosclerotic plaques in patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Infusion of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) mimetics aimed at
      reducing atherosclerotic burden has led to equivocal results, which may relate in
      part to the inability of HDL mimetics to adequately reach atherosclerotic lesions
      in humans. This study evaluated delivery of recombinant human apolipoprotein A-I
      (apoA-I) containing HDL mimetic CER-001 in carotid plaques in patients. METHODS:
      CER-001 was radiolabeled with the long-lived positron emitter zirconium-89
      ((89)Zr) to enable positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT)
      imaging. Eight patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery disease (>50%
      stenosis) received a single infusion of unlabeled CER-001 (3 mg/kg), co
      administered with 10 mg of (89)Zr-labeled CER-001 (18 MBq). Serial PET/CT imaging
      and contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) were performed to
      evaluate targeted delivery of CER-001. RESULTS: One hour after infusion, mean
      plasma apoA-I levels increased by 9.9 mg/dL (p = 0.026), with a concomitant
      relative increase in the plasma cholesterol efflux capacity of 13.8% (p < 0.001).
      Using serial PET/CT imaging, we showed that arterial uptake of CER-001 expressed
      as target-to-background ratio (TBRmax) increased significantly 24 h after
      infusion, and remained increased up to 48 h (TBRmax t = 10 min: 0.98; t = 24 h:
      1.14 (p = 0.001); t = 48 h: 1.12 (p = 0.007)). TBRmax was higher in plaque
      compared with non-plaque segments (1.18 vs. 1.05; p < 0.001). Plaque TBRmax
      correlated with local plaque contrast enhancement (r = 0.56; p = 0.019) as
      assessed by CE-MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of HDL mimetic CER-001 increases plasma
      apoA-I concentration and plasma cholesterol efflux capacity. Our data support the
      concept that CER-001 targets plaque regions in patients, which correlates with
      plaque contrast enhancement. These clinical findings may also guide future
      nanomedicine development using HDL particles for drug delivery in
      atherosclerosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Registry -
      NTR5178. http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=5178.

PMID- 27263078
TI  - High shear stress relates to intraplaque haemorrhage in asymptomatic carotid
      plaques.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Carotid artery plaques with vulnerable plaque components are
      related to a higher risk of cerebrovascular accidents. It is unknown which
      factors drive vulnerable plaque development. Shear stress, the frictional force
      of blood at the vessel wall, is known to influence plaque formation. We evaluated
      the association between shear stress and plaque components (intraplaque
      haemorrhage (IPH), lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC) and/or calcifications) in
      relatively small carotid artery plaques in asymptomatic persons. METHODS:
      Participants (n = 74) from the population-based Rotterdam Study, all with carotid
      atherosclerosis assessed on ultrasound, underwent carotid MRI. Multiple MRI
      sequences were used to evaluate the presence of IPH, LRNC and/or calcifications
      in plaques in the carotid arteries. Images were automatically segmented for lumen
      and outer wall to obtain a 3D reconstruction of the carotid bifurcation. These
      reconstructions were used to calculate minimum, mean and maximum shear stresses
      by applying computational fluid dynamics with subject-specific inflow conditions.
      Associations between shear stress measures and plaque composition were studied
      using generalized estimating equations analysis, adjusting for age, sex and
      carotid wall thickness. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 93 atherosclerotic
      carotid arteries of 74 participants. In plaques with higher maximum shear
      stresses, IPH was more often present (OR per unit increase in maximum shear
      stress (log transformed) = 12.14; p = 0.001). Higher maximum shear stress was
      also significantly associated with the presence of calcifications (OR = 4.28; p =
      0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Higher maximum shear stress is associated with intraplaque
      haemorrhage and calcifications.

PMID- 27263079
TI  - Differences between mesial and neocortical magnetic-resonance-imaging-negative
      temporal lobe epilepsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess clinical and electrophysiological
      differences within a group of patients with magnetic-resonance-imaging-negative
      temporal lobe epilepsy (MRI-negative TLE) according to seizure onset zone (SOZ)
      localization in invasive EEG (IEEG). METHODS: According to SOZ localization in
      IEEG, 20 patients with MRI-negative TLE were divided into either having mesial
      SOZ-mesial MRI-negative TLE or neocortical SOZ-neocortical MRI-negative TLE. We
      evaluated for differences between these groups in demographic data, localization
      of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs), and the ictal onset pattern in
      semiinvasive EEG and in ictal semiology. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 20 patients
      (65%) had mesial MRI-negative TLE and 7 of the 20 patients (35%) had neocortical
      MRI-negative TLE. The differences between mesial MRI-negative TLE and neocortical
      MRI-negative TLE were identified in the distribution of IEDs and in the ictal
      onset pattern in semiinvasive EEG. The patients with neocortical MRI-negative TLE
      tended to have more IEDs localized outside the anterotemporal region (p=0.031)
      and more seizures without clear lateralization of ictal activity (p=0.044). No
      other differences regarding demographic data, seizure semiology, surgical
      outcome, or histopathological findings were found. CONCLUSIONS: According to the
      localization of the SOZ, MRI-negative TLE had two subgroups: mesial MRI-negative
      TLE and neocortical MRI-negative TLE. The groups could be partially distinguished
      by an analysis of their noninvasive data (distribution of IEDs and lateralization
      of ictal activity). This differentiation might have an impact on the surgical
      approach.

PMID- 27263080
TI  - Analysis of driver injury severity in wrong-way driving crashes on controlled
      access highways.
AB  - For more than five decades, wrong-way driving (WWD) has been notorious as a
      traffic safety issue for controlled-access highways. Numerous studies and efforts
      have tried to identify factors that contribute to WWD occurrences at these sites
      in order to delineate between WWD and non-WWD crashes. However, none of the
      studies investigate the effect of various confounding variables on the injury
      severity being sustained by the at-fault drivers in a WWD crash. This study tries
      to fill this gap in the existing literature by considering possible variables and
      taking into account the ordinal nature of injury severity using three different
      ordered-response models: ordered logit or proportional odds (PO), generalized
      ordered logit (GOL), and partial proportional odds (PPO) model. The findings of
      this study reveal that a set of variables, including driver's age, condition
      (i.e., intoxication), seatbelt use, time of day, airbag deployment, type of
      setting, surface condition, lighting condition, and type of crash, has a
      significant effect on the severity of a WWD crash. Additionally, a comparison was
      made between the three proposed methods. The results corroborate that the PPO
      model outperforms the other two models in terms of modeling injury severity using
      our database. Based on the findings, several countermeasures at the engineering,
      education, and enforcement levels are recommended. 

PMID- 27263081
TI  - Prolonged exposure to salt stress affects specialized metabolites-artemisinin and
      essential oil accumulation in Artemisia annua L.: metabolic acclimation in
      preferential favour of enhanced terpenoid accumulation accompanying vegetative to
      reproductive phase transition.
AB  - Artemisia annua accumulates substantial quantities of unique and highly useful
      antimalarial sesquiternoid artemisinin and related phytomolecules as well as its
      characteristic essential oil in its glandular trichomes. The phytomolecules are
      mainly produced in its leaves and inflorescences. Artemisia annua plants were
      grown under NaCl salinity (50, 100 and 200 mM) stress conditions imposed
      throughout the entire life cycle of the plant. Results revealed that specialized
      metabolites like artemisinin, arteannuin-B, artemisinic acid + dihydroartemisinic
      acid and essential oil accumulation were positively modulated by NaCl salinity
      stress. Interestingly, total content of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids of
      essential oil was induced by NaCl salinity treatment, contrary to previous
      observations. Production of camphor, the major essential oil constituent was
      induced under the influence of treatment. The metabolic acclimation and
      manifestations specific to terpenoid pathway are analysed vis-a-vis vegetative to
      reproductive periods and control of the modulation. WRKY and CYP71AV1 play a key
      role in mediating the responses through metabolism in glandular trichomes. The
      distinctness of the salinity induced responses is discussed in light of
      differential mechanism of adaptation to abiotic stresses and their impact on
      terpenoid-specific metabolic adjustments in A. annua. Results provide potential
      indications of possible adaptation of A. annua under saline conditions for
      agrarian techno-economic benefaction.

PMID- 27263082
TI  - Abscisic acid-deficient sit tomato mutant responses to cadmium-induced stress.
AB  - There is a very effective cross-talk between signals triggered by reactive oxygen
      species and hormonal responses in plants, activating proteins/enzymes likely to
      be involved in stress tolerance. Abscisic acid (ABA) is known as a stress hormone
      that takes part in the integration of signals. This work aimed to characterize
      the biochemical response and ultrastructural changes induced by cadmium (Cd) in
      the Micro-Tom (MT) sitiens ABA-deficient mutant (sit) and its wild-type (MT)
      counterpart. MT and sit plants were grown over a 96-h period in the presence of
      Cd (0, 10, and 100 MUM CdCl2). The overall results indicated increases in lipid
      peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide content and in the activities of the key
      antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate
      peroxidase in both genotypes. On the other hand, no alteration was observed in
      chlorophyll content, while the activity of another antioxidant enzyme, superoxide
      dismutase, remained constant or even decreased in the presence of Cd. Roots and
      shoots of the sit mutant and MT were analyzed by light and transmission electron
      microscopy in order to characterize the structural changes caused by the exposure
      to this metal. Cd caused a decrease in intercellular spaces in shoots and a
      decrease in cell size in roots of both genotypes. In leaves, Cd affected
      organelle shape and internal organization of the thylakoid membranes, whereas
      noticeable increase in the number of mitochondria and vacuoles in MT and sit
      roots were observed. These results add new information that should help unravel
      the relative importance of ABA in regulating the cell responses to stressful
      conditions induced by Cd apart from providing the first characterization of this
      mutant to oxidative stress.

PMID- 27263083
TI  - Development of gravitropic response: unusual behavior of flax phloem G-fibers.
AB  - The major mechanism of gravitropism that is discussed for herbal plants is based
      on the nonuniform elongation of cells located on the opposite stem sides,
      occurring in the growing zone of an organ. However, gravitropic response of flax
      (Linum usitatissimum L.) is well-pronounced in the lower half of developing stem,
      which has ceased elongation long in advance of plant inclination. We have
      analyzed the stem curvature region by various approaches of microscopy and found
      the undescribed earlier significant modifications in primary phloem fibers that
      have constitutively developed G-layer. In fibers on the pulling stem side, cell
      portions were widened with formation of "bottlenecks" between them, leading to
      the "sausage-like" shape of a cell. Lumen diameter in fiber widening increased,
      while cell wall thickness decreased. Callose was deposited in proximity to
      bottlenecks and sometimes totally occluded their lumen. Structure of fiber cell
      wall changed considerably, with formation of breaks between G- and S-layers.
      Thick fibrillar structures that were revealed in fiber cell wall by light
      microscopy got oblique orientation instead of parallel to the fiber axis one in
      control plants. The described changes occurred at various combinations of
      gravitational and mechanical stimuli. Thus, phloem fibers with constitutively
      formed gelatinous cell wall, located in nonelongating parts of herbal plant, are
      involved in gravitropism and may become an important element in general
      understanding of the gravity effects on plants. We suggest flax phloem fibers as
      the model system to study the mechanism of plant position correction, including
      signal perception and transduction.

PMID- 27263084
TI  - Feasibility of robot-assisted modified radical neck dissection by post-auricular
      facelift approach.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of
      robot-assisted modified radical neck dissection (MRND) for head and neck cancer
      patients with a clinically node-positive neck. The cases of 10 head and neck
      cancer patients who underwent unilateral therapeutic robot-assisted MRND by post
      auricular facelift approach were analyzed. The robot-assisted MRND was completed
      successfully in all patients without any conversion to conventional neck
      dissection. The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 36.7+/-8.6. The mean
      duration of surgery for robot-assisted MRND was 274+/-65min (range 175-395min).
      Transient marginal nerve palsy occurred in two patients and partial necrosis of
      the skin flap occurred in one patient. In terms of cosmetic satisfaction, 70% of
      patients were very satisfied or satisfied with postoperative cosmesis. In
      conclusion, robot-assisted MRND by post-auricular facelift approach is
      technically feasible and safe in selected patients with head and neck cancer, and
      yields excellent postoperative cosmesis.

PMID- 27263085
TI  - Haptic feedback helps bipedal coordination.
AB  - The present study investigated whether special haptic or visual feedback would
      facilitate the coordination of in-phase, cyclical feet movements of different
      amplitudes. Seventeen healthy participants sat with their feet on sliding panels
      that were moved externally over the same or different amplitudes. The
      participants were asked to generate simultaneous knee flexion-extension
      movements, or to let their feet be dragged, resulting in reference foot
      displacements of 150 mm and experimental foot displacements of 150, 120, or 90
      mm. Four types of feedback were given: (1) special haptic feedback, involving
      actively following the motions of the sliders manipulated by two confederates,
      (2) haptic feedback resulting from passive motion, (3) veridical visual feedback,
      and (4) enhanced visual feedback. Both with respect to amplitude assimilation
      effects, correlations and standard deviation of relative phase, the results
      showed that enhanced visual feedback did not facilitate bipedal independence, but
      haptic feedback with active movement did. Implications of the findings for
      movement rehabilitation contexts are discussed.

PMID- 27263086
TI  - Persistent nasal symptoms and mediator release after continuous pollen exposure
      in an environmental challenge chamber.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immediate- and late-phase reactions are associated with nasal
      symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: To examine the symptoms
      and mediators released after continuous allergen exposure in an environmental
      challenge chamber (ECC). METHODS: Fifteen patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis
      were enrolled in this study and continuously exposed to cedar pollen at a
      concentration of 8,000 grains/m(3) for 3 hours in an ECC. Nasal function tests
      were performed, and nasal secretions were collected before pollen exposure (0
      hour), immediately after exiting the ECC (3 hours), and 6 hours after exiting the
      ECC (9 hours). Symptom scores were recorded every 30 minutes in the ECC and every
      3 hours after exiting the ECC. The frequency of sneezing and nose blowing also
      was monitored. RESULTS: The severity of symptoms in the ECC peaked approximately
      2 hours after the beginning of pollen exposure and continued more than 6 hours
      after leaving the ECC. Concentrations of histamine, tryptase, interleukins 5, 3,
      33, and 31, and substance P increased over time, whereas that of nasal fractional
      exhaled nitric oxide decreased. CONCLUSION: Various mediators are released during
      continuous allergen exposure, which subsequently induce persistent nasal
      symptoms. Effective treatment is required to control the intense inflammation
      observed after allergen exposure.

PMID- 27263087
TI  - Coronary spasm secondary to biphasic anaphylaxis after hymenoptera stings.

PMID- 27263088
TI  - Hospitalized hunger-striking prisoners: the role of ethics consultations.
AB  - We refer to hospitalized convicted hunger strikers in Padua Hospital who decided
      to fast for specific reasons, often demanding, to be heard by the judge, to
      complain about the existing custodial situation or to claim unjust treatment. The
      medical ethics of hunger strikers are debated because the use of force feeding by
      physicians is widely condemned as unethical, but courts, in Italy, sometimes
      order to transfer the convicted person to hospital and oblige healthcare
      practitioners to perform forcible feeding. This can engender a profound
      insecurity for the physicians taking action on the one hand, while preventing
      patients from fully availing themselves of this principle of self-determination
      on the other. Physicians are mainly concerned about how to manage this situation
      and they may request ethical consultation. When it comes to managing hospitalized
      hunger strikers, the ethics consultant may be able to facilitate the relationship
      between physicians and hunger strikers, enhance the latter's trust in the former,
      ensuring that strikers are aware of the risks associated with their fasting, and
      helping them to arrive of their own free will at the right decision concerning
      their behavior and their demands.

PMID- 27263089
TI  - Organ donation after assisted death: Is it more or less ethically-problematic
      than donation after circulatory death?
AB  - A provocative question has emerged since the Supreme Court of Canada's decision
      on assisted dying: Should Canadians who request, and are granted, an assisted
      death be considered a legitimate source of transplantable organs? A related
      question is addressed in this paper: is controlled organ donation after assisted
      death (cDAD) more or less ethically-problematic than standard, controlled organ
      donation after circulatory determination of death (cDCDD)? Controversial, ethics
      related dimensions of cDCD that are of relevance to this research question are
      explored, and morally-relevant distinctions between cDAD and cDCD are identified.
      In addition, a set of morally-relevant advantages of one practice over the other
      is uncovered, and a few potential, theoretical issues specifically related to
      cDAD practice are articulated. Despite these concerns, the analysis suggests a
      counterintuitive conclusion: cDAD is, overall, less ethically-problematic than
      cDCDD. The former practice better respects the autonomy interests of the
      potential donor, and a claim regarding irreversibility of cessation of the
      donor's circulatory function in the cDAD context can be supported. Further, with
      cDAD, there is no possibility that the donor will have negative sensory
      experiences during organ procurement surgery. Although the development of
      appropriate policy-decision and regulatory approaches in this domain will be
      complex and challenging, the comparative ethical analysis of these two organ
      donation practices has the potential to constructively inform the deliberations
      of relevant stakeholders, resource persons and decision makers.

PMID- 27263090
TI  - Prenatal marijuana exposure impacts executive functioning into young adulthood:
      An fMRI study.
AB  - Understanding the potentially harmful long term consequences of prenatal
      marijuana exposure is important given the increase in number of pregnant women
      smoking marijuana to relieve morning sickness. Altered executive functioning is
      one area of research that has suggested negative consequences of prenatal
      marijuana exposure into adolescence. Investigating if these findings continue
      into young adulthood and exploring the neural basis of these effects was the
      purpose of this research. Thirty one young adults (ages 18-22years) from the
      longitudinal Ottawa Prenatal Prospective Study (OPPS) underwent functional
      magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during four tasks; 1) Visuospatial 2-Back, 2)
      Go/NoGo, 3) Letter 2-Back and 4) Counting Stroop task. Sixteen participants were
      prenatally exposed to marijuana while 15 had no prenatal marijuana exposure. Task
      performance was similar for both groups but blood flow was significantly
      different between the groups. This paper presents the results for all 4 tasks,
      highlighting the consistently increased left posterior brain activity in the
      prenatally exposed group compared with the control group. These alterations in
      neurophysiological functioning of young adults prenatally exposed to marijuana
      emphasizes the importance of education for women in child bearing years, as well
      as for policy makers and physicians interested in the welfare of both the
      pregnant women and their offspring's future success.

PMID- 27263091
TI  - Early marijuana initiation: The link between prenatal marijuana exposure, early
      childhood behavior, and negative adult roles.
AB  - We investigated the associations among gestational factors including prenatal
      marijuana exposure (PME), child behavior at age 3, early age of onset of
      marijuana use (EAOM, <15years), and adult roles at 22years. Participants were
      drawn from the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development (MHPCD) Project, a
      longitudinal study of prenatal substance exposure in offspring who have been
      studied for over 22years since the prenatal phase. Data from the prenatal, birth,
      3-, and 22-year phases (N=608) were used in the present study. Age of onset of
      offspring substance use was determined based on data from the 14-, 16-, and 22
      year phases. The subjects were of lower socioeconomic status, 43% were Caucasian
      and the remaining were African-American, and 48% were males. Early childhood
      behavior was significantly (p<0.05) related to EAOM after controlling for PME,
      birth and childhood environmental risk factors, and Conduct Disorder. EAOM was
      significantly associated with negative adult roles including increased risk of
      being arrested (p<0.001), lower educational attainment (p<0.001), having a child
      without being married (p<0.05), and unemployment at 22years (p<0.001). The
      correlations between PME and negative adult roles and between early childhood
      behavior and negative adult roles were also statistically significant. Pathway
      analysis demonstrated that EAOM significantly mediated the associations between
      PME and fulfillment of adult roles and between early childhood behavior and adult
      roles. There are a number of intervention points that could be targeted that
      would have a long-term impact on lowering the probability of EAOM and less
      success in adult roles.

PMID- 27263092
TI  - Diapause in ticks of the medically important Ixodes ricinus species complex.
AB  - Four members of the Ixodes ricinus species complex, Ixodes pacificus, Ixodes
      persulcatus, Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis, have, between them, a
      worldwide distribution within the northern hemisphere. They are responsible for
      the transmission of several animal and human pathogens, including the causal
      agents of Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis, human granulocytic
      anaplasmosis and human babesiosis. Despite the importance of these ticks as
      vectors, the knowledge and understanding of the role that diapause plays in their
      complex life cycles are confused and incomplete. In view of the continuing
      geographic spread of these tick species, as well as the effects of climate change
      on vector-borne diseases, it is timely to encourage research on diapause
      phenomena to improve understanding of their biology and of pathogen transmission
      dynamics. In our review we seek to clarify thinking on the topic and to address
      gaps in our knowledge that require the attention of researchers.

PMID- 27263093
TI  - Effect of acute hypoxic shock on the rat brain morphology and tripeptidyl
      peptidase I activity.
AB  - Hypoxic events are known to cause substantial damage to the hippocampus,
      cerebellum and striatum. The impact of hypoxic shock on other brain parts is not
      sufficiently studied. Recent studies show that tripeptidyl peptidase I (TPPI)
      activity in fish is altered after a hypoxic stress pointing out at a possible
      enzyme involvement in response to hypoxia. Similar studies are not performed in
      mammals. In this work, the effect of sodium nitrite-induced acute hypoxic shock
      on the rat brain was studied at different post-treatment periods. Morphological
      changes in cerebral cortex, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, thalamus,
      mesencephalon and pons were assessed using silver-copper impregnation for
      neurodegeneration. TPPI activity was biochemically assayed and localized by
      enzyme histochemistry. Although less vulnerable to oxidative stress, the studied
      brain areas showed different histopathological changes, such as neuronal loss and
      tissue vacuolization, dilatation of the smallest capillaries and impairment of
      neuronal processes. TPPI activity was strictly regulated following the hypoxic
      stress. It was found to increase 12-24h post-treatment, then decreased followed
      by a slow process of recovery. The enzyme histochemistry revealed a temporary
      enzyme deficiency in all types of neurons. These findings indicate a possible
      involvement of the enzyme in rat brain response to hypoxic stress. 

PMID- 27263094
TI  - AGE-RAGE interaction in the TGFbeta2-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal
      transition of human lens epithelial cells.
AB  - Basement membrane (BM) proteins accumulate chemical modifications with age. One
      such modification is glycation, which results in the formation of advanced
      glycation endproducts (AGEs). In a previous study, we reported that AGEs in the
      human lens capsule (BM) promote the TGFbeta2-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells, which we proposed as a mechanism for
      posterior capsule opacification (PCO) or secondary cataract formation. In this
      study, we investigated the role of a receptor for AGEs (RAGE) in the TGFbeta2
      mediated EMT in a human lens epithelial cell line (FHL124). RAGE was present in
      FHL124 cells, and its levels were unaltered in cells cultured on either native or
      AGE-modified BM or upon treatment with TGFbeta2. RAGE overexpression
      significantly enhanced the TGFbeta2-mediated EMT responses in cells cultured on
      AGE-modified BM compared with the unmodified matrix. In contrast, treatment of
      cells with a RAGE antibody or EN-RAGE (an endogenous ligand for RAGE) resulted in
      a significant reduction in the TGFbeta2-mediated EMT response. This was
      accompanied by a reduction in TGFbeta2-mediated Smad signaling and ROS
      generation. These results imply that the interaction of matrix AGEs with RAGE
      plays a role in the TGFbeta2-mediated EMT of lens epithelial cells and suggest
      that the blockade of RAGE could be a strategy to prevent PCO and other age
      associated fibrosis.

PMID- 27263095
TI  - Expedient synthesis of the pentasaccharide repeating unit of the O-antigen of
      Escherichia coli O86 and its conformational analysis.
AB  - Synthesis of the pentasaccharide with a 2-aminoethyl linker attached to the
      reducing end corresponding to the cell wall O-antigen of Escherichia coli O86
      strain is reported. The synthetic strategy involves sequential glycosylation of
      suitably protected monosaccharide intermediates under similar glycosylation
      reaction conditions. Thioglycosides have been used as glycosyl donor throughout
      the synthetic strategy. Conformational analysis of the synthesized
      pentasaccharide has been carried out using 2D ROESY NMR spectral analysis and all
      atom explicit molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique. Graphical abstract
      Facile synthesis of the pentasaccharide with a 2-aminoethyl linker attached to
      the reducing end corresponding to the cell wall O-antigen of Escherichia coli O86
      strain is reported. Conformational analysis of the synthesized pentasaccharide
      has been carried out using 2D ROESY NMR spectral analysis and all atom explicit
      molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique.

PMID- 27263096
TI  - Synthetic arabinomannan glycolipids impede mycobacterial growth, sliding motility
      and biofilm structure.
AB  - Mycobacterium has evolved distinct cell wall and strategies such as biofilm
      formation, which helps it to survive in hostile conditions. We have reported
      previously that arabinofuranoside containing glycolipids exhibit inhibition
      activities against the above functions of the mycobacterial species M. smegmatis.
      In search for activities mediated by oligosaccharide glycolipids, we report
      herein the inhibitory activities of a linear and a branched pentasaccharides
      having arabinan and mannan moieties. In the presence of the pentasaccharide
      glycolipids, a significant reduction in mycobacterial growth is observed,
      concomitant with reductions in sliding motility and colonization through biofilm
      formation, at the optimal glycolipid concentrations of 50-100 MUg mL(-1).
      Especially the biofilm coat is ruptured by ~80-85 % in the presence of
      glycolipids. Pentasaccharides alone without the lipidic chain show only a weak
      effect. The glycolipids are non-toxic, as evaluated through their effect on RBCs.
      Analysis of the mycolic acid profile of glycolipid treated biofilm shows that
      alpha- and epoxy mycolic acids are downregulated significantly, in comparison to
      glycolipid untreated biofilms. Lipidomics profile analysis through mass
      spectrometry further reveals profound downregulation of phosphatidylinositol
      mannosides, acylatedphosphoglycerols and mycolic acid family, namely, keto-,
      alpha- and methoxymycolic acids.

PMID- 27263097
TI  - Modified social learning theory re-examined: correlates of self-management
      behaviors of persons with Type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Modified social learning theory (MSLT) applied to health predicts that health
      behavior is a multiplicative function of health value and perceptions of control
      over health. The self-management behaviors of persons with Type 2 diabetes
      mellitus, internal diabetes locus of control (IDLC), diabetes self-efficacy
      (DSE), and health value (HV) were assessed with an index of diabetes self-care
      activities in 107 patients receiving insulin. Multiple regression analysis showed
      DSE as the only MSLT construct that correlated with the index of diabetes self
      care behaviors (beta = .21, p < .05). While the predicted three-way interaction
      of IDLC * DSE * HV was significant (?R2 = 4.5 %, p < .05) in the final step of
      the hierarchical model, the pattern of the findings only partially supported
      MSLT. Instead of finding that patients who were simultaneously high on all three
      predictors scored highest on the behavioral index, we found that patients who
      were low on all three constructs reported the least amount of diabetes self-care
      behavior. Implications for further modification of MSLT and its applications to
      clinical practice are discussed.

PMID- 27263098
TI  - Glucose levels affect LL-37 expression in monocyte-derived macrophages altering
      the Mycobacterium tuberculosis intracellular growth control.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus (DM)-2 patients have an increased susceptibility to develop
      pulmonary tuberculosis; this is partly due to the impairment of the innate
      immunity because of their higher glucose concentrations. In the present study, we
      determined the effect of the glucose concentrations in the LL-37 expression in
      infected and non-infected macrophages. Our results showed that the increasing
      glucose concentrations correlates with the low cathelicidin expression in non
      infected cells, however in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infected cells, LL-37
      expression was substantially increased in higher glucose concentrations,
      nevertheless the mycobacterial burden also increased, this phenomena can be
      associated with the cathelicidin immunomodulatory activity. Further evaluation
      for LL-37 needs to be done to determine whether this peptide can be used as a
      biomarker of tuberculosis progression in DM2 patients. 

PMID- 27263100
TI  - Climate Change and Ecosystem Services Output Efficiency in Southern Loblolly Pine
      Forests.
AB  - Forests provide myriad ecosystem services that are vital to humanity. With
      climate change, we expect to see significant changes to forests that will alter
      the supply of these critical services and affect human well-being. To better
      understand the impacts of climate change on forest-based ecosystem services, we
      applied a data envelopment analysis method to assess plot-level efficiency in the
      provision of ecosystem services in Florida natural loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.)
      forests. Using field data for n = 16 loblolly pine forest plots, including inputs
      such as site index, tree density, age, precipitation, and temperatures for each
      forest plot, we assessed the relative plot-level production of three ecosystem
      services: timber, carbon sequestered, and species richness. The results suggested
      that loblolly pine forests in Florida were largely inefficient in the provision
      of these ecosystem services under current climatic conditions. Climate change had
      a small negative impact on the loblolly pine forests efficiency in the provision
      of ecosystem services. In this context, we discussed the reduction of tree
      density that may not improve ecosystem services production.

PMID- 27263099
TI  - Wildlife Conservation and Private Protected Areas: The Discrepancy Between Land
      Trust Mission Statements and Their Perceptions.
AB  - In 2010, land trusts in the U.S. had protected nearly 50 million acres of land,
      with much of it providing habitat for wildlife. However, the extent to which land
      trusts explicitly focus on wildlife conservation remains largely unknown. We used
      content analysis to assess land trust involvement in wildlife and habitat
      conservation, as reflected in their mission statements, and compared these
      findings with an organizational survey of land trusts. In our sample of 1358
      mission statements, we found that only 17 % of land trusts mentioned "wildlife,"
      "animal," or types of wildlife, and 35 % mentioned "habitat" or types. Mission
      statements contrasted sharply with results from a land trust survey, in which
      land trusts cited wildlife habitat as the most common and significant outcome of
      their protection efforts. Moreover, 77 % of land trusts reported that at least
      half of their acreage protected wildlife habitat, though these benefits are
      likely assumed. Importantly, mission statement content was not associated with
      the percentage of land reported to benefit wildlife. These inconsistencies
      suggest that benefits to wildlife habitat of protected land are recognized but
      may not be purposeful and strategic and, thus, potentially less useful in
      contributing toward regional wildlife conservation goals. We outline the
      implications of this disconnect, notably the potential omission of wildlife
      habitat in prioritization schema for land acquisition and potential missed
      opportunities to build community support for land trusts among wildlife
      enthusiasts and to develop partnerships with wildlife conservation organizations.

PMID- 27263101
TI  - Suicide attempt with a kitchen knife.
AB  - Penetrating trauma to the abdomen can be a potential diagnostic dilemma for the
      trauma surgeon, and a formal exploratory laparotomy may result in the detection
      of occult injuries. We report a very unusual case of penetrating trauma to the
      abdomen resulting in pericardio-diagphragmatic rupture. We have also highlighted
      the technical aspects of clinical care in this specific scenario.

PMID- 27263102
TI  - Stable isotope on the evaluation of water quality in the presence of WWTPs in
      rivers.
AB  - We investigated the distribution of nitrogen compounds in Han River as well as
      two tributaries of Tancheon and Jungrangcheon. Particularly, we observed the
      significant releases of NH4 (+)-N from effluent of wastewater treatment plants
      (WWTPs) in two tributaries that has resulted in the increases of ammonium
      nitrogen (NH4 (+)-N) in Han River as well as in Tancheon and Jungrangcheon. Due
      to the increases of NH4 (+)-N in two tributaries, the larger distribution of
      delta(15)N-NH4 (+) was observed than those of delta(15)N-NO3 (-) in downstream.
      We calculated the contribution rate of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen
      from effluent to downstream according to the results of stable isotope. The
      contribution rates of delta(15)N-NH4 (+) from effluent to downstream were
      significant that ranged between 53 and 100 % in Tancheon and between 27 and 100 %
      in Jungrangcheon. While the contribution of delta(15)N-NO3 (-) was not
      significant in Tancheon, it was occasionally observed in Jungrangcheon. These
      results demonstrated that WWTPs are the major sources of NH4 (+)-N in two
      tributaries, which caused the distinguishable stable isotope of delta(15)N-NH4
      (+). Therefore, the stable isotope of delta(15)N-NH4 (+) could be a useful
      parameter or tracer for the evaluation of NH4-N released from WWTPs in rivers. 

PMID- 27263103
TI  - Combination of antibiotics suppressed the increase of a part of ARGs in fecal
      microorganism of weaned pigs.
AB  - The presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is one of the most important
      public health concerns. Six tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs-tetA, tetC, tetL,
      tetO, tetW, and tetX) were quantified using real-time quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction (qPCR) in the fecal microorganisms of weaned pigs. Two hundred 35
      day-old weaned pigs were fed different dietary antibiotics for 28 days: (1) no
      antibiotic as the control treatment (CT); (2) chlortetracycline, bacitracin zinc
      and colistin sulfate (CBC); (3) bacitracin zinc and colistin sulfate (BC); and
      (4) chlortetracycline (CTC). The detection frequencies (DFs) of tetC, tetL, and
      tetW were 100 %; and the DFs of tetA, tetD, tetM, tetO, and tetX were 65 %. The
      relative abundances (tet/16S rRNA gene copy numbers) of six tet genes (tetA,
      tetC, tetL, tetO, tetW and tetX) were between 1.5 * 10(-4) and 2.0 * 10(-1). In
      the group CTC, the relative abundances of tetC (P < 0.01), tetL (P < 0.01), tetO
      (P < 0.05), tetW (P < 0.01), and tetX (P < 0.01) were greater than those of the
      group CT. Compared with the group CTC, the relative abundances of tetC (P <
      0.01), tetL (P < 0.01), and tetW (P < 0.01) were decreased in the CBC and BC
      groups. These results indicate that a combination of different antibiotics
      suppressed the abundance increase of a part of tet genes, which suggests that a
      combination of antibiotics produces multiple selection pressures on fecal
      microorganism of pigs. 

PMID- 27263104
TI  - Allelopathic potential of oil seed crops in production of crops: a review.
AB  - Agricultural production enhancement has been realized by more consumption of
      fossil energy such as fertilizer and agrochemicals. However, the production
      provides the present human with sufficient and diversified commodities, but at
      the same time, deprives in some extent the resources from the future human as
      well. In the other hand, it is known that synthetic herbicides face worldwide
      threats to human's health and environment as well. Therefore, it is a great
      challenge for agricultural sustainable development. The current review has been
      focussed on various oilseed crop species which launch efficient allelopathic
      intervention, either with weeds or other crops. Crop allelopathic properties can
      make one species more persistent to a native species. Therefore, these crops are
      potentially harmful to both naturalized as well as agricultural settings. On the
      other side, allelopathic crops provide strong potential for the development of
      cultivars that are more highly weed suppressive in managed settings. It is
      possible to utilize companion plants that have no deleterious effect on neighbor
      crops and can be included in intercropping system, thus, a mean of contributing
      to agricultural sustainable development. In mixed culture, replacement method,
      wherein differing densities of a neighbor species are planted, has been used to
      study phytotoxic/competitive effects. So, to use alternative ways for weed
      suppression has become very crucial. Allelochemicals have the ability to create
      eco-friendly products for weed management, which is beneficial for agricultural
      sustainable development. Our present study assessed the potential of four oilseed
      crops for allelopathy on other crops and associated weeds. 

PMID- 27263105
TI  - Constructed wetlands may lower inorganic nutrient inputs but enhance DOC loadings
      into a drinking water reservoir in North Wales.
AB  - The objective of this study was to monitor a newly constructed wetland (CW) in
      north Wales, UK, to assess whether it contributes to an improvement in water
      quality (nutrient removal) of a nearby drinking water reservoir. Inflow and
      outflow of the Free Water Surface (FWS) CW were monitored on a weekly basis and
      over a period of 6 months. Physicochemical parameters including pH, conductivity
      and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured, as well as nutrients and dissolved
      organic and inorganic carbon (DOC, DIC) concentration. The CW was seen to
      contribute to water quality improvement; results show that nutrient removal took
      place within weeks after construction. It was found that 72 % of initial nitrate
      (N03 (-)), 53 % of initial phosphate (PO4 (3-)) and 35 % of initial biological
      oxygen demand (BOD) were removed, calculated as a total over the whole sampling
      period. From our study, it can be concluded that while inorganic nutrients do
      decline in CWs, the DOC outputs increases. This may suggest that CWs represent a
      source for DOC. To assess the carbon in- and output a C budget was calculated. 

PMID- 27263106
TI  - Surgical outcome of patients with lung cancer involving the left atrium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary and left atrial resection is not yet an established
      treatment for patients with primary lung cancer involving the left atrium. We
      investigated the clinical course of patients with primary lung cancer involving
      the left atrium who were treated with pulmonary resection and partial atrial
      resection. METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2013, 51 patients underwent
      extended resection for lung cancer that invaded the surrounding organs. Of these,
      we focused on 12 patients who underwent surgical treatment for lung cancer
      involving the left atrium. The clinical course of each of these patients was
      investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: The most common histological subtype was
      squamous cell carcinoma. Pneumonectomy was performed in nine patients, and right
      middle and lower lobectomy was performed in three patients. Complete resection
      was performed in 11 patients (92 %). Postoperative complications were observed in
      four patients (33 %)-prolonged air leakage in two patients, broncho-pleural
      fistula in one patient, and empyema in one patient. There were no surgical
      deaths. This study involved seven patients with pathological N0-1 disease and
      five patients with pathological N2 disease. The postoperative 5-year survival
      rate was 46 % in all patients. The 5-year survival rates in patients with
      pathological N0-1 disease and N2 disease were 67 and 20 %, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Because treatment-related death was not observed and outcome was fair
      in patients with N0-1 disease, surgical resection for primary lung cancer
      involving the left atrium may be acceptable in selected patients. Further
      investigations are required to improve the outcome of surgical treatment for
      patients with primary lung cancer involving the left atrium.

PMID- 27263107
TI  - High incidence of urological complications in men dying from prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence and clinical characteristics of urological adverse
      events suffered by patients with lethal prostate cancer (PCa) toward the end of
      life are not fully understood. METHODS: A search of our hospital medical registry
      identified 3816 individuals diagnosed with PCa, among whom 243 died from the
      disease and 144 died from other causes (n = 387). We retrospectively reviewed the
      387 patients who had died to determine the incidence of PCa-related urological
      complications, associated factors, and subsequent palliative interventions.
      RESULTS: Major urological complications that required therapeutic intervention
      were observed in 28.4 % of PCa patients dying from the disease itself, whereas
      such complications were much less frequent (4.3 %) in PCa patients dying from
      other causes. Urological complications were associated with local recurrence in
      men who underwent prostatectomy, lower irradiation dose in men who underwent
      radiotherapy, and pretreatment higher T stage and absence of metastasis in men
      who underwent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as the primary treatment.
      Patients who received long-term ADT for localized disease had the highest risk
      for urological complications. Therapeutic intervention was highly effective for
      palliation. CONCLUSION: Urological adverse events are very common in PCa patients
      who are dying from the disease. Prevention or early palliation should be
      considered in patients at high risk of PCa-related urological complications.

PMID- 27263109
TI  - A Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism in C12orf43 Region is Associated with the Risk
      of Coronary Artery Disease in a Pakistani Cohort.
AB  - Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading public health problems
      associated with mortality and morbidity in the world. It is a complex disorder
      influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Atherosclerosis and
      elevated levels of plasma cholesterol contribute to increased risk for CAD. Other
      risk factors include age, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, smoking, and family
      history. Previous genetic studies have identified multiple polymorphisms in
      various genes to be associated with the risk of CAD in different populations. We
      aimed to examine the association of MRAS/rs9818870 and C12orf43/rs2258287
      polymorphisms with the risk of CAD in a Pakistani sample. A total of 200 samples
      (100 cases and 100 controls) was analyzed by Allele-specific PCR. Genotypes were
      determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. In the current study, locus
      C12orf43/rs2258287 was found to be associated with the risk of CAD in the studied
      Pakistani cohort (OR 0.18; CI 0.08-0.37; p = 0.0001) while no association was
      observed for MRAS/rs9818870 (OR 1.34; CI 0.65-2.76; p = 0.42). In conclusion, the
      rs2258287 SNP may play an important role in the progression of CAD in the
      Pakistani subjects. However, future studies should be done on a larger sample
      size to fully establish its exact role in CAD. 

PMID- 27263110
TI  - Is age an independent risk factor for medical complications following minimally
      invasive radical prostatectomy? An evaluation of contemporary American College of
      Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement (ACS-NSQIP) data.
AB  - While robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) is an effective
      treatment for localized prostate cancer, the risk of complications in older
      patients can be a deterrent to surgery. We evaluated the rate of medical
      complications following RALRP in a national dataset of safety events, and
      assessed whether age is an independent risk factor for these complications.
      Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing RALRP between 2009 and 2012 in the
      prospectively maintained American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality
      Improvement (ACS-NSQIP) database was performed. Demographic and comorbid data
      were collated, medical complications occurring during the 30-day post-operative
      period were identified. We identified age-related comorbidities, and
      complications associated with these comorbidities. A binary logistic regression
      model with age and age-related comorbidities as predictors and specific
      complication as outcome, was used to evaluate whether age is an independent risk
      factor for these complications. 12,123 patients underwent RALRP between 2009 and
      2012, with a mean age of 62 (22-92). Post-operative medical complications
      included urinary tract infection (UTI) (1.77 %), deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
      (0.67 %), pulmonary embolism (PE) (0.45 %), pneumonia (PNA) (0.27 %), myocardial
      infarction (MI) (0.12 %), and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (0.01 %). Nine
      comorbidities were positively correlated with age (p < 0.05). Four medical
      complications were associated with these age-related comorbidities: MI, CVA, PNA,
      and UTI. On multivariate analysis, age was an independent risk factor for post
      operative PNA (p < 0.05), but not for MI (p = 0.09), UTI (p = 0.3) or CVA (p =
      0.2). Patient age was independently associated with post-operative pneumonia
      only. These data suggest that RALRP can be considered as a treatment option in
      selected older patients with minimal increased risk for post-operative
      complications.

PMID- 27263108
TI  - Tissue-Level Mechanical Properties of Bone Contributing to Fracture Risk.
AB  - Tissue-level mechanical properties characterize mechanical behavior independently
      of microscopic porosity. Specifically, quasi-static nanoindentation provides
      measurements of modulus (stiffness) and hardness (resistance to yielding) of
      tissue at the length scale of the lamella, while dynamic nanoindentation assesses
      time-dependent behavior in the form of storage modulus (stiffness), loss modulus
      (dampening), and loss factor (ratio of the two). While these properties are
      useful in establishing how a gene, signaling pathway, or disease of interest
      affects bone tissue, they generally do not vary with aging after skeletal
      maturation or with osteoporosis. Heterogeneity in tissue-level mechanical
      properties or in compositional properties may contribute to fracture risk, but a
      consensus on whether the contribution is negative or positive has not emerged. In
      vivo indentation of bone tissue is now possible, and the mechanical resistance to
      microindentation has the potential for improving fracture risk assessment, though
      determinants are currently unknown.

PMID- 27263111
TI  - Protective Effects of AGE and Its Components on Neuroinflammation and
      Neurodegeneration.
AB  - Garlic (Allium sativum) is used for culinary and medicinal purposes in diverse
      cultures worldwide. When fresh garlic is soaked in aqueous ethanol under ambient
      environment over 4 months or longer, the majority of irritating taste and odor is
      eliminated and the antioxidant profile in the resulting aged garlic extract (AGE)
      changes significantly. Recently, AGE and its components have been demonstrated to
      exert neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases, including
      Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and cerebral
      ischemia. Because of its health supporting potential, there is increasing
      interest in understanding the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and
      the underlying mechanisms for its protective effects in heath and disease. There
      is evidence for AGE to exert its action on distinct signaling pathways associated
      with oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, although the primary molecular
      mechanisms remain unclear. By utilizing quantitative proteomic approaches, we
      demonstrated that AGE and two of its major ingredients, S-allyl-L-cysteine and N
      (alpha)-(1-deoxy-D-fructos-1-yl)-L-arginine, can attenuate neuroinflammatory
      responses in microglial cells through modulation of Nrf2-mediated signaling as
      well as other oxidative stress-related pathways. These experimental data provide
      information for the molecular targets of AGE and its components to mitigate
      neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation and show a promising potential of these
      compounds as dietary supplements for health maintenance. 

PMID- 27263113
TI  - Iron plaque formed under aerobic conditions efficiently immobilizes arsenic in
      Lupinus albus L roots.
AB  - Arsenic is a non-threshold carcinogenic metalloid. Thus, human exposure should be
      minimised, e.g. by chemically stabilizing As in soil. Since iron is a potential
      As immobiliser, it was investigated whether root iron plaque, formed under
      aerobic conditions, affects As uptake, metabolism and distribution in Lupinus
      albus plants. White lupin plants were cultivated in a continuously aerated
      hydroponic culture containing Fe/EDDHA or FeSO4 and exposed to arsenate (5 or 20
      MUM). Only FeSO4 induced surficial iron plaque in roots. LA-ICP-MS analysis
      accomplished on root sections corroborated the association of As to this
      surficial Fe. Additionally, As(V) was the predominant species in FeSO4-treated
      roots, suggesting less efficient As uptake in the presence of iron plaque.
      Fe/EDDHA-exposed roots neither showed such surficial FeAs co-localisation nor
      As(V) accumulation; in contrast As(III) was the predominant species in root
      tissue. Furthermore, FeSO4-treated plants showed reduced shoot-to-root As ratios,
      which were >10-fold lower compared to Fe/EDDHA treatment. Our results highlight
      the role of an iron plaque formed in roots of white lupin under aerobic
      conditions on As immobilisation. These findings, to our knowledge, have not been
      addressed before for this plant and have potential implications on soil
      remediation (phytostabilisation) and food security (minimising As in crops). 

PMID- 27263114
TI  - Antigen uptake and expression of antigen presentation-related immune genes in
      flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) after vaccination with an inactivated
      Edwardsiella tarda immersion vaccine, following hyperosmotic treatment.
AB  - Antigen uptake is a critical process for activation of the immune system, and
      therefore the ability to enhance antigen uptake is a primary consideration in the
      development of an immersion vaccination of fish. In the present work, flounders
      (Paralichthys olivaceus) were immersed in three hyperosmotic solutions with 40,
      50 and 600/00 salinities, then transferred into seawater of normal salinity (i.e.
      300/00) containing formalin-inactivated Edwardsiella tarda for 30 min. The
      antigen uptake in vaccinated flounder was determined using an absolute
      quantitative PCR (qPCR). The results showed significantly higher antigen uptake
      in the tissues of flounders immersed in solutions with 500/00 and 600/00 salinity
      compared to the control group directly immersed in vaccine (DI) (P < 0.05), and
      the highest amount of antigen was detected in flounders immersed in the 500/00
      salinity solution, whereas there was no significant difference in antigen uptake
      between the 400/00 salinity group and the DI group (P > 0.05). A rapid and
      significant increase in antigen uptake was detected in the mucosal-associated
      tissues including the gill, skin and intestine (P < 0.05) compared with the
      spleen, kidney and liver. Antigen uptake in the gill and skin both peaked at 30
      min post immersion, which was significantly higher than the levels of uptake
      measured in the other tissues (P < 0.05), and then quickly declined. In contrast,
      antigen uptake in the spleen, kidney and liver gradually increased 3 h post
      immersion (hpi). The expression profiles of four antigen presentation-related
      immune genes (MHC Ialpha, MHC IIalpha, CD4-1 and CD8alpha) were investigated
      after immersion. These four genes showed a significantly stronger response in the
      immersed flounders exposed to 500/00 salinity compared with the DI group (P <
      0.05). In the mucosal-associated tissues, the expression of MHC Ialpha and
      CD8alpha genes peaked at 24 hpi, while the expression of MHC IIalpha and CD4-1
      genes showed up-regulation in the gill and skin and reached the peak in these
      tissues at 48 hpi. The expressions of the four genes were also up-regulated in
      spleen, kidney and liver, but reached peak expression in these tissues at 48-72
      hpi. The results demonstrated that hyperosmotic immersion, notably 500/00
      salinity significantly enhanced antigen uptake and the expression of selected
      genes associated with antigen presentation, providing evidence for an enhanced
      immune activation of the fish's immune response by the hyperosmotic immersion
      treatment prior to vaccination. 

PMID- 27263112
TI  - mTOR Signaling in Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - As a key regulator of cell metabolism and survival, mechanistic target of
      rapamycin (mTOR) emerges as a novel therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease
      (PD). A growing body of research indicates that restoring perturbed mTOR
      signaling in PD models can prevent neuronal cell death. Nevertheless, molecular
      mechanisms underlying mTOR-mediated effects in PD have not been fully understood
      yet. Here, we review recent progress in characterizing the association of mTOR
      signaling with PD risk factors and further discuss the potential roles of mTOR in
      PD.

PMID- 27263115
TI  - Toll-like receptors and interferon associated immune factors responses to spring
      viraemia of carp virus infection in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).
AB  - Pattern recognition receptor (PRR) toll-like receptors (TLRs), antiviral agent
      interferon (IFN) and the effector IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) play a fundamental
      role in the innate immune response against viruses among all vertebrate classes.
      Common carp is a host for spring viraemia of carp virus (Rhabdovirus carpio,
      SVCV), which belong to Rhabdoviridae family. The present in-vivo experiment was
      conducted to investigate the expression of these innate immune factors in early
      phase as well as during recovery of SVCV infection by real-time quantitative
      reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. A less lethal SVCV infection was
      generated in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and was sampled at 3, 6, 12 h post
      infection (hpi), 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days post infection (dpi). At 3 hpi, the SVCV
      N gene was detected in all three fish and all three fish showed a relative fold
      increase of TLR2, TLR3 and TLR7, IFNa1, ISG15 and Vig1. Viral copies rapidly
      increased at 12 hpi then remained high until 5 dpi. When viral copy numbers were
      high, a higher expression of immune genes TLR2, TLR3, TLR7, IFNa1, IFNa2, IFNa1S,
      IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), IRF7, interleukin 1beta (IL1beta), IL6, IL10,
      ADAR, ISG15, Mx1, PKR and Vig1 were observed. Viral copies were gradually reduced
      in 5 to 10 dpi fish, and also the immune response was considerably reduced but
      remained elevated. A high degree of correlation was observed between immune genes
      and viral copy number in each of the sampled fish at 12 hpi. The quick and
      prolonged elevated expression of the immune genes indicates their crucial role in
      survival of host against SVCV. 

PMID- 27263117
TI  - Psychological distress among adult cancer survivors: importance of survivorship
      care plan.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goal of our study was to better understand the importance of adult
      cancer survivors (ACS) receiving Survivorship Care Plans (SCP) especially for
      their psychological well-being. We hypothesize that the receipt of SCP would
      decrease the likelihood of symptoms of current depression (SCD) in this
      population. METHODS: We tested our hypothesis by using a representative sample of
      ACS, more than 1 year from cancer diagnosis, who responded to the 2010 BRFSS
      survey. We used follow-up care instructions (FCI) and treatment summaries (TS) as
      a marker of SCP. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to
      investigate the association between FCI and TS (individually and in combination)
      and SCD, among short-term (<=5 years from cancer diagnosis) and long-term (>5
      years from cancer diagnosis) ACS. RESULTS: Out of 3191 final study participants,
      32.8 % were short-term, and 67.2 % were long-term ACS. Among short-term ACS, the
      adjusted odds of SCD were 3 times higher (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.14 [95%CI
      1.29-7.65]) for those who did not receive TS + FCI than for those who received
      them both. Among long-term ACS, the adjusted odds of SCD were more than twice
      higher (AOR 2.18 [95%CI 1.14-4.19]) for those who received FCI and no TS compared
      to those who received them both. CONCLUSION: The present study results emphasize
      the importance of ACS receiving SCP. Adult cancer survivors may highly benefit
      from the receipt of SCP not only short-term but also long-term for their overall
      psychological well-being.

PMID- 27263118
TI  - Is the treatment of Enterobius vermicularis co-infection necessary to eradicate
      Dientamoeba fragilis infection?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Dientamoeba fragilis is a pathogenic protozoan of the human
      gastrointestinal tract with a worldwide distribution, which has emerged as an
      important and misdiagnosed cause of chronic gastrointestinal illnesses such as
      diarrhea and 'irritable-bowel-like' gastrointestinal disease. Very little
      research has been conducted on the use of suitable antimicrobial compounds.
      Furthermore, higher rates of co-infection with Enterobius vermicularis have been
      described, suggesting that E. vermicularis could influence the treatment of D.
      fragilis-infected patients. To study this, the treatment of E. vermicularis and
      D. fragilis co-infected patients was evaluated. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with
      a D. fragilis infection, including 25 (51.0%) patients co-infected with E.
      vermicularis, were studied. All of them were treated with metronidazole. Patients
      with E. vermicularis co-infection and/or an E. vermicularis-positive case in the
      family were treated with mebendazole. RESULTS: Metronidazole treatment failure
      was significantly more frequent in patients with E. vermicularis co-infection and
      in patients with children in the family. CONCLUSIONS: Co-infection with E.
      vermicularis may act as a factor favoring D. fragilis infection by preventing
      eradication measures. This suggests that both parasites should be treated
      simultaneously.

PMID- 27263119
TI  - [Skin necrosis with vitamin K antagonists: An imbalance between coagulant and
      anticoagulant factors].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Skin necrosis with vitamin k antagonists are rare. They affect more
      frequently middle-aged and obese women, often within 10 days after initiating of
      treatment. They occur most often in a context of thrombophilia. CASE REPORT: An
      18-year-old obese woman was treated with heparin and fluindione for a lower limb
      deep venous thrombosis. On day 5, the patient presented fever and skin necrosis,
      which extended rapidly. We identified an activated protein C resistance and a
      major inflammatory syndrome related to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The
      outcome was favorable after discontinuation of the fluindione, introduction of
      heparin and vitamin K, despite amputation of a toe. CONCLUSION: Skin necrosis is
      due to a transient hypercoagulable state during the initiation of vitamin K
      antagonist treatment due to an imbalance between pro- and anticoagulant factors.
      In our case, it was caused by an activated protein C resistance and an
      inflammatory syndrome.

PMID- 27263121
TI  - [Potential use of bacteriophages in modern infectiology].

PMID- 27263120
TI  - [Off-label use of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in the treatment of lupus
      myocarditis: Two case reports and literature review].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Several case reports have reported the benefit of intravenous
      immunoglobulin therapy in many autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus
      erythematosus. CASE REPORTS: Here, we report on two cases of lupus myocarditis
      treated with high dose of intravenous immunoglobulin. The first patient was a 42
      year-old woman who presented with lupus myocarditis that was resistant to
      corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, and who was finally successfully treated
      with a single dose of 2 g/kg of intravenous immunoglobulin. The patient displayed
      clinical improvement a few days later. The second case - a 43-year-old woman was
      diagnosed with lupus myocarditis and immunosuppressive drugs were contraindicated
      because of the context of a recent infective endocarditis. She was treated with
      repeated dose of 2 g/kg of intravenous immunoglobulin. Clinical improvement was
      observed and the left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 20 % to 60 %
      within a few days. We also report 9 similar observations identified from a
      literature review. CONCLUSION: The use of intravenous immunoglobulin in lupus
      myocarditis is not officially recognized but could be considered as an
      alternative when conventional therapies have failed or are contraindicated.

PMID- 27263116
TI  - Life in a dark biosphere: a review of circadian physiology in "arrhythmic"
      environments.
AB  - Most of the life with which humans interact is exposed to highly rhythmic and
      extremely predictable changes in illumination that occur with the daily events of
      sunrise and sunset. However, while the influence of the sun feels omnipotent to
      surface dwellers such as ourselves, life on earth is dominated, in terms of
      biomass, by organisms isolated from the direct effects of the sun. A limited
      understanding of what life is like away from the sun can be inferred from our
      knowledge of physiology and ecology in the light biosphere, but a full
      understanding can only be gained by studying animals from the dark biosphere,
      both in the laboratory and in their natural habitats. One of the least understood
      aspects of life in the dark biosphere is the rhythmicity of physiology and what
      it means to live in an environment of low or no rhythmicity. Here we describe
      methods that may be used to understand rhythmic physiology in the dark and
      summarise some of the studies of rhythmic physiology in "arrhythmic"
      environments, such as the poles, deep sea and caves. We review what can be
      understood about the adaptive value of rhythmic physiology on the Earth's surface
      from studies of animals from arrhythmic environments and what role a circadian
      clock may play in the dark.

PMID- 27263122
TI  - Paradigms in the structural biology of the mitogenic ternary complex
      FGF:FGFR:heparin.
AB  - The main achievements regarding the molecular interaction involving fibroblast
      growth factors (FGFs), canonical receptors (FGFRs) and the glycosaminoglycans
      (GAGs) heparan sulfate (HS)/heparin (Hp) are overviewed. Despite the recent works
      concerning the subject, conflicting paradigms in the structural biology of the
      resultant ternary complex FGF:FGFR:HS/Hp seem to persist up to these days. The
      principal dilemma, centered on the functional intermolecular complex of
      mitogenesis and angiogenesis, has been lasting for approximately a decade and a
      half since the publications of the two contradicting crystal structures, the
      asymmetric 2:2:1 versus the symmetric 2:2:2 complex model. When the principal
      results regarding this ternary complex are analyzed as a whole and through an
      impartial manner, conclusion heavily and reliably supports the existence and
      activity of both complex models. Selection of each complex is driven by multiple
      factors of different degrees of impact. Specificity in protein-binding motifs in
      ligands (although the minimal binding sequences are yet controversial), slight
      differences on the structure of the GAG-binding sites of FGF and of FGFR isoforms
      as well as on the possible ligand-induced conformational changes of FGFR are
      examples of these factors. Here, the structural biology of the mitogenic
      FGF:FGFR:HS/Hp ternary complex is revisited. Discussion is focused on the major
      attributes of this intermolecular complex including the existing conflicts about
      the righter biologically active model and information regarding ligand structure,
      conformation and minimal length required for binding to the growth factors and
      receptors. This review is very timely in light of the 100(th) anniversary of the
      discovery of Hp. 

PMID- 27263123
TI  - Native language shapes automatic neural processing of speech.
AB  - The development of the phoneme inventory is driven by the acoustic-phonetic
      properties of one's native language. Neural representation of speech is known to
      be shaped by language experience, as indexed by cortical responses, and recent
      studies suggest that subcortical processing also exhibits this attunement to
      native language. However, most work to date has focused on the differences
      between tonal and non-tonal languages that use pitch variations to convey
      phonemic categories. The aim of this cross-language study is to determine whether
      subcortical encoding of speech sounds is sensitive to language experience by
      comparing native speakers of two non-tonal languages (French and English). We
      hypothesized that neural representations would be more robust and fine-grained
      for speech sounds that belong to the native phonemic inventory of the listener,
      and especially for the dimensions that are phonetically relevant to the listener
      such as high frequency components. We recorded neural responses of American
      English and French native speakers, listening to natural syllables of both
      languages. Results showed that, independently of the stimulus, American
      participants exhibited greater neural representation of the fundamental frequency
      compared to French participants, consistent with the importance of the
      fundamental frequency to convey stress patterns in English. Furthermore,
      participants showed more robust encoding and more precise spectral
      representations of the first formant when listening to the syllable of their
      native language as compared to non-native language. These results align with the
      hypothesis that language experience shapes sensory processing of speech and that
      this plasticity occurs as a function of what is meaningful to a listener.

PMID- 27263125
TI  - Luteinizing Hormone is an effective replacement for hCG to induce ovulation in
      Xenopus.
AB  - Injection of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) directly into the dorsal lymph
      sac of Xenopus is a commonly used protocol for induction of ovulation, but recent
      shortages in the stocks of commercially available hCG as well as lack of a well
      tested alternative have resulted in frustrating experimental delays in
      laboratories that predominantly use Xenopus in their research. Mammalian
      Luteinizing Hormones (LH) share structural similarity, functional equivalency,
      and bind the same receptor as hCG; this suggests that LH may serve as a good
      alternative to hCG for promoting ovulation in Xenopus. LH has been found to
      induce maturation of Xenopus oocytes in vitro, but whether it can be used to
      induce ovulation in vivo has not been examined. Here we compared the ability of
      four mammalian LH proteins, bovine (bLH), human (hLH), ovine (oLH), porcine
      (pLH), to induce ovulation in Xenopus when injected into the dorsal lymph sac of
      sexually mature females. We find that both ovine and human LH, but not bovine or
      porcine, are good substitutes for hCG for induction of ovulation in WT and J
      strain Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis.

PMID- 27263124
TI  - Testing the domain-general nature of monitoring in the spatial and verbal
      cognitive domains.
AB  - While it is well-established that monitoring the environment for the occurrence
      of relevant events represents a key executive function, it is still unclear
      whether such a function is mediated by domain-general or domain-specific
      mechanisms. We investigated this issue by combining event-related potentials
      (ERPs) with a behavioral paradigm in which monitoring processes (non-monitoring
      vs. monitoring) and cognitive domains (spatial vs. verbal) were orthogonally
      manipulated in the same group of participants. They had to categorize 3
      dimensional visually presented words on the basis of either spatial or verbal
      rules. In monitoring blocks, they additionally had to check whether the word
      displayed a specific spatial configuration or whether it contained a certain
      consonant. The behavioral results showed slower responses for both spatial and
      verbal monitoring trials compared to non-monitoring trials. The ERP results
      revealed that monitoring did not interact with domain, thus suggesting the
      involvement of common underlying mechanisms. Specifically, monitoring acted on
      low-level perceptual processes (as expressed by an enhanced visual N1 wave and a
      sustained posterior negativity for monitoring trials) and on higher-level
      cognitive processes (involving larger positive modulations by monitoring trials
      over frontal and parietal scalp regions). The source reconstruction analysis of
      the ERP data confirmed that monitoring was associated with increased activity in
      visual areas and in right prefrontal and parietal regions (i.e., superior and
      inferior frontal gyri and posterior parietal cortex), which previous studies have
      linked to spatial and temporal monitoring. Our findings extend this research by
      supporting the domain-general nature of monitoring in the spatial and verbal
      domains.

PMID- 27263126
TI  - A scoring system for predicting the survival prognosis of patients receiving
      stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for 1-3 lung metastases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The main goal of the present study was the development of a
      survival scoring system for patients treated with stereotactic body radiation
      therapy (SBRT) for very few lung metastases. Such an instrument would be of value
      when selecting the optimal dose for individual patients with a limited number of
      pulmonary lesions. METHODS: Forty-six patients receiving SBRT for 1-3 lung
      metastases were retrospectively analyzed. The biologically effective dose plus
      nine characteristics [gender, age, performance score, interval from tumor
      diagnosis to SBRT, primary tumor type, additional (extra-pulmonary) metastases,
      major location of lung metastases, number of pulmonary lesions, and volume
      treated with SBRT] were evaluated. Characteristics significantly associated with
      the survival on Cox regression analysis were incorporated in the scoring system.
      Scoring points were received from 1-year survival rates divided by 10. Sums of
      these scoring points represented the scores for the individual patients. RESULTS:
      Survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 66 and 56 %, respectively. On Cox regression
      analysis, performance score (p = 0.025), the type of primary tumor (p = 0.013)
      and the additional metastases (p = 0.032) had a significant impact on survival.
      Scores for patients ranged from 15 to 25 points. Three groups were designed: 15
      points, 16-20 points, and 21-25 points. One-year survival rates were 0, 52, and
      83 %, respectively (p = 0.005); 2-year survival rates were 0, 52, and 66 %,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: A survival scoring system for patients receiving SBRT
      for very few lung metastases was developed. This score allowed us to estimate the
      survival prognosis of these patients and can aid physicians when aiming to choose
      the optimal SBRT dose for individual patients.

PMID- 27263127
TI  - Epidemic focus: Influenza.

PMID- 27263128
TI  - Leishmaniasis in high-burden countries: an epidemiological  update based on data
      reported in 2014.

PMID- 27263129
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263130
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263131
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263132
TI  - Hemorrhage Control Beyond the Traditional Audiences: Instructions for Authors.

PMID- 27263133
TI  - Rob Miller on Changing Trauma Care.

PMID- 27263134
TI  - Evidence appraisal of Waljee J, McGlinn EP, Sears ED, Chung KC. Patient
      expectations and patient-reported outcomes in surgery: a systematic review:
      Surgery. 2014;155(5):799-808.

PMID- 27263135
TI  - Retraction notice to "Sequence variability in the structural protein-encoding
      region of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype A and O of Ethiopian isolates"
      [Res. Vet. Sci. Volume 96, Issue 3, June 2014, Pages 558-566].

PMID- 27263136
TI  - It's Important to Be Aware of Antitrust Law; What You Must Know to Keep Out of
      Trouble.

PMID- 27263137
TI  - Corporate dentistry's merits debated.

PMID- 27263138
TI  - Dr. Nalliah responds.

PMID- 27263140
TI  - Should My Employees Help Write Our Employee Handbook?

PMID- 27263139
TI  - What You Should Know about Unpaid Internships in Your Office.

PMID- 27263141
TI  - An Unethical Way to Compensate for Lower Insurance Plan Fees.

PMID- 27263142
TI  - LIFE AFTER DENTISTRY: 10 Personal Questions to Consider.

PMID- 27263143
TI  - Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the Oral Cavity.
AB  - We report a case of a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the maxilla. A patient
      presented with diffuse swelling of the right maxillary region following the
      extraction of an upper right maxillary tooth. The patient was referred for cone
      beam computed tomography (CBCT) to visualize the area in question in three
      dimensions. A massive destructive maxillary lesion was noted on CBCT examination
      suggestive of an aggressive lesion highly suspicious for a malignancy. A
      subsequent biopsy and immunochemistry were useful in confirming the diagnosis.

PMID- 27263144
TI  - Oral Pathology. Common Oral Gingival Lesions. Diagnosis: Peripheral ossifying
      fibroma.

PMID- 27263145
TI  - Dentistry's Future: A Dental Student's Perspective.

PMID- 27263146
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263147
TI  - [Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT): the Lausanne experience
      supporting new perspectives].
AB  - With the increase of infections without option for an oral treatment, the
      systematic use of hospitalization overloads the healthcare system and causes
      growing political concern. For carefully selected patients, outpatient parenteral
      antibiotic therapy is an interesting alternative, with more than 40 years of
      experience in several countries. In this perspective, an outpatient parenteral
      antibiotic therapy (OPAT) unit was established in Lausanne two years ago. This
      article aims to describe its activity. Its practice, involving especially self
      administration, seems to be safe, efficacious and cost-effective, as long as
      international good practice recommendations are applied.

PMID- 27263148
TI  - [Microbiology and antibiotic treatment of diabetic foot infection].
AB  - In diabetic patients, foot ulcer is a common problem which prevalence during life
      is about 25%. Infection occurs as a complication in almost 50% of cases, is
      associated with significant morbidity and a reduced quality of life and is
      sometimes the trigger leading to amputation. Ulcers and infections occur among
      patients with predisposing factors such as peripheral neuropathy and arterial
      insufficiency, and require a multi-disciplinary care system. The knowledge of the
      microbiology of diabetic foot infection is necessary for a wise use of empirical
      and targeted antibiotic therapy. This article will focus on the definition and
      diagnosis of diabetic foot infection, on the main aspects of its microbiology and
      antibiotic treatment.

PMID- 27263149
TI  - [Varicella Zoster infections in adults: beyond shingles?].
AB  - Chickenpox is a generally benign condition during childhood, but it can cause
      severe complications when affecting teenage or adult patients. Immunodeficiency
      and pregnancy are risk factors for disseminated disease with pulmonary,
      neurological and/or hepatic involvement. Reinfection may be more frequent than
      previously thought, and management is identical to that of primary infection. The
      most common manifestation of viral reactivation is shingles, but it can also
      cause meningitis and vasculopathy, as well as disseminated herpes zoster in the
      immunocompromised patient. In this article, we will review the clinical
      manifestations and management of VZV infection in adults.

PMID- 27263150
TI  - [Antimicrobial stewardship in primary care setting].
AB  - Antibiotic overuse in primary care setting is a major contributor to the
      development of resistant bacteria. Antibiotic consumption is low in Switzerland
      compared to neighbour countries, but improvement is possible and has to be
      pursued. Antibiotic stewardship helps physician to better recognize patients who
      need antibiotic (guidelines implementation, electronic decision support and
      laboratory testing) and educate patients about the uselessness of antibiotics in
      a given situation (delayed prescription and shared decision making). Clinical
      studies demonstrated the efficacy of these interventions in reducing antibiotic
      consumption, mainly in acute respiratory infections, without affecting patients'
      clinical outcome.

PMID- 27263151
TI  - [European migrant crisis and reemergence of infections in Switzerland].
AB  - Current conflicts in some regions of the world give rise to massive immigration
      waves. Consequently, some infections that had nearly disappeared in Europe
      nowadays re-emerge. They are related to the epidemiology of the refugees' origin,
      but also to the epidemiology of the country crossed during migration. Hygiene
      conditions, often precarious during the journey, favor their transmission. Thus,
      cases of louse borne relapsing fever and diphtheria emerge in Europe and in
      Switzerland since 2074 whereas cutaneous Panton-Valen tine Staphylococcus aureus
      infection are more commonly observed nowadays.

PMID- 27263152
TI  - [Clostridia: toxin masters. Botulism: from botox to sausages?].
AB  - Clostridia are ubiquitous Gram-positive bacteria whose toxins are responsible for
      serious diseases. In this article we report a case of foodborne botulism we have
      recently managed. Moreover, we briefly describe the major clinical syndromes
      caused by different species of Clostridium (except for C. difficile infections,
      as this subject has been previously extensively reviewed in this journal).
      Botulism causes a flaccid paralysis starting with cranial nerves. Administration
      of botulism anti-toxin should be rapidly considered as soon as botulism is
      suspected, as prognosis is largely dependent on timely treatment; alerting the
      public health authorities is equally important. In Switzerland botulinum
      antitoxin can be obtained from the pharmacy of the Swiss Army.

PMID- 27263153
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263154
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263155
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263156
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263157
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263158
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263160
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263159
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263161
TI  - The Electronic Health Record--Making it Work for Us and Our Patients.

PMID- 27263162
TI  - Reflections: A CJD Diary.

PMID- 27263163
TI  - Total Ankle Arthroplasty Using the Agility Stemmed Talar Revisional Component:
      Three to Eight Year Follow-Up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ankle fusion has been the traditional treatment of choice for failed
      total ankle arthroplasties or arthritic conditions that preclude the use of
      primary implants. A custom stemmed agility talar component was designed to be
      used in these conditions. METHODS: The first 30 cases by a single surgeon were
      reviewed at two intervals. The study was a retrospective chart review with data
      including ankle diagnosis, deformity, bone loss and other factors that may have
      an impact on ankle arthroplasty. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society
      (AOFAS) hindfoot clinical rating scale scores were recorded and this group of
      patients was reviewed post operatively at a mean of 19 months (6-52), and at a
      mean of 54 months (37-94). The design rational will be discussed, as well as a
      brief description of the surgical technique. RESULTS: Retention of the implant
      was 93 percent at a mean of 19 months and 88 percent at a mean of 54 months.
      AOFAS scores were improved from 55 to 71 at the latest review. Complications
      included two slow healing lateral incisions, one deep infection, one fractured
      stem, and one below knee amputation secondary to acute femoral artery occlusion.
      CONCLUSION: Our experience with this custom implant has allowed salvage of many
      complex and difficult talar sided problems that otherwise would have required a
      fusion.

PMID- 27263164
TI  - The Asfora Bullet Cage System Shows Comparable Fusion Rate Success Versus Control
      Cage in Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in a Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low back pain and degeneration of the intervertebral disc are an
      integrated malady that affects millions of Americans. Cage devices used in
      association with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) have been shown to be
      an effective approach in the treatment of a number of lower spine disorders
      attributed to degenerative disc disease (DDD). OBJECTIVE: This study was
      undertaken as part of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational
      Device Exemption (IDE) study and compares the effectiveness of the Asfora Bullet
      Cage System (ABCS) to successfully fuse vertebra at one or two levels between L2
      and S1 in patients with DDD to an FDA approved comparison device, the Medtronic
      Sofamor Danek Inter Fix Threaded Fusion Device (MSDIFD). METHODS: A total of 257
      randomized participants were implanted with either the ABCS device (n = 132) or
      the MSDIFD device (n = 125) through an open posterior approach using autogenous
      local bone graft without the use of pedicle screws. Patients were evaluated prior
      to surgery and at the 24 month (24-M) visit for fusion status, deep tendon reflex
      status, sensory function, motor function, straight leg raise status, pain,
      disability, and device safety. Radiological evaluation and statistical analysis
      were performed by independent professionals. RESULTS: Evaluation of device
      success was performed at 24-M visit. From the original group of 257 patients, 59
      were lost to follow-up. Primary measures of success at the 24-M visit involved
      pain and function, fusion, neurological status, and device-related adverse events
      measures. Pain and function improved in both (MSDIFD: 75.7 percent; ABCS: 82.6
      percent). Fusion success with all radiographic points at 24-M visits was 79.4
      percent MSDIFD and 88.2 percent ABCS. Neurological improvement was seen in both
      (MSDIFD: 77.0 percent; ABCS: 87.8 percent). One device-related grade 1 adverse
      event was reported in the MSDIFD group. Disc height preservation was equivalent
      for single level fusions (MSDIFD: 16.1 percent; ABCS: 20.0 percent) and second
      level fusions (MSDIFD: 10.7 percent; ABCS: 14.3 percent). General health and well
      being improvement was the same (MSDIFD: 37.0 percent; ABCS: 40.0 percent).
      Subsequent fusion, up to 10 years, was equivalent (MSDIFD: 83.8 percent; ABCS:
      91.2). Results for both devices were considered to be satisfactory, with a slight
      non-significant superiority for the ABCS. CONCLUSION: From the ABCS device FDA
      IDE sanctioned study and the review of the literature, we concluded that the
      Asfora Bullet Cage System is safe, effective and comparable to other interbody
      fusion devices which are used stand-alone or in conjunction with pedicle screws,
      rhBMP-2, or autogenous bone harvested from the iliac crest inserted through
      anterior, lateral or posterior approaches.

PMID- 27263165
TI  - Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (Broken-Heart Syndrome): A Short Review.
AB  - Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called "broken heart" syndrome or apical
      ballooning syndrome, is a reversible cardiomyopathy characterized by left
      ventricular dysfunction and ballooning of the left ventricular apex on imaging
      during systole. It predominantly occurs in post-menopausal women and is commonly
      associated with emotional or physical stress. Patients commonly present with
      chest pain and electrocardiographic evidence of ST segment elevation or T-wave
      mimicking acute coronary syndrome, but with an absence of angiographic evidence
      of obstructive coronary disease. The exact cause is unknown, but potential
      contributors include catecholamine excess and sympathetic nervous system
      hyperactivity. There is no consensus on pharmacological treatment of takotsubo
      cardiomyopathy. Based on the suspected pathophysiology of the disease, adrenergic
      blockade using beta-blocker therapy is employed. Near complete resolution of left
      ventricular wall motion dyskinesis occurs in the majority of takotsubo
      cardiomyopathy patients within a month. Although the prognosis is generally
      favorable, there are reports of complications during the acute phase, including
      cardiogenic shock, pulmonary edema, ventricular tachycardia, apical thrombus
      formation, and death. This review article will briefly discuss the epidemiology,
      etiology, clinical features, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of this
      condition.

PMID- 27263166
TI  - So You Want to be an Author: A Primer on Writing for Publication in the Medical
      Literature Part I: Manuscript Preparation.
AB  - Writing a manuscript on a topic in the medical sciences that gets accepted for
      publication is not always a guaranteed process. The goal of this article is to
      provide a description of some key points associated with preparing a manuscript.
      It has been written primarily for less experienced or aspiring authors, but it
      addresses points that are important for even well-established authors to
      consider. Although there may not be a direct path from scientific observation to
      published work, possessing the desire to publish and persevering throughout the
      process can ultimately lead to one's findings being both preserved in and
      contributing to the scientific literature. Although challenging, and at times
      frustrating, it is a rewarding endeavor.

PMID- 27263167
TI  - Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis: Who, When, and Why Stress Out About It?

PMID- 27263168
TI  - DAKOTACARE Update: Positioned for the Future, Focused on Partnership.

PMID- 27263169
TI  - Quality Focus: Nursing Home Composite Measure Score: A Tool for Improvement.

PMID- 27263170
TI  - Patient Education: Destroy Your Enemy with Hate?

PMID- 27263171
TI  - Black is the new Orange.

PMID- 27263172
TI  - AMA Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse. Patients with a substance use disorder
      need treatment--not stigma.

PMID- 27263173
TI  - Rising Suicide Rate Leads to Increased Focus on Education, Prevention.

PMID- 27263174
TI  - Physician Assistants Increase Care Access.

PMID- 27263175
TI  - A Clinical Review of Tick-Borne Diseases in Arkansas.
AB  - Tick-borne diseases are illnesses transmitted by ticks harboring wide variety of
      pathogens. Arkansas is reported as one of the states with a high incidence of
      tick-borne diseases. In Arkansas the four most frequently occurring tick-borne
      diseases are Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF, also known as Spotted Fever
      Rickettsiosis), Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia and Anaplasmosis. Lyme disease, on the
      other hand, is not acquired in Arkansas and is only acquired by traveling to
      states where Lyme disease is endemic. The majority of tick-borne diseases are
      diagnosed based on a history of tick bite or exposure and the individual's
      clinical presentation. The recognition of specific symptoms requires prompt
      treatment to prevent long-term sequelae. Hence, knowledge of tick-borne diseases
      and preventive measures can help reduce the risks associated with the infection.

PMID- 27263176
TI  - Marshallese COFA Migrants in Arkansas.
AB  - Arkansas is home to one of the largest populations of Marshallese in the world.
      Marshallese communities suffer from a disproportionate incidence of chronic
      diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and infectious
      diseases, such as Hansen's disease (leprosy), tuberculosis, and types of
      hepatitis. There are a number of structural, legal, economic, and social issues
      that must be addressed in order to reduce health disparities and increase access
      to health care for Marshallese living in Arkansas.

PMID- 27263177
TI  - Lead From Where You Are.

PMID- 27263178
TI  - Association Between Asthma Hospital Visits and Ozone Concentration in Maricopa
      County, Arizona (2007-2012).
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of asthma hospital
      visits with ozone concentrations in Maricopa County, Arizona. We used time plots
      and distributed lag nonlinear models to achieve these objectives while accounting
      for some potential confounders including temperature and day of the week. A total
      of 90,381 asthma hospitalizations were retrieved from the dataset (daily median =
      39, range: 8-122). Asthma hospitalizations were highest in 2008 (16,949), during
      the months of November through December, and lowest in 2011 (13,213), during the
      months of June through July. By contrast, the average daily ozone concentration
      ranged from 27.05 parts per billion (ppb) in 2012 to 30.15 ppb in 2008 and from
      13.96 ppb in December to 40.58 ppb in May. The association between asthma
      hospitalizations (relative risk [RR/per 10 ppb increase of ozone]) start at 
      1.046 (95% confidence interval [1.029, 1.064] at lag 0) and gradually decrease
      over several days. Our findings suggest exposure to ozone is associated with
      increased RR of asthma hospital visits in Maricopa County lasting several days.
      This study used recently developed methods that are freely available and could be
      used to evaluate other health events that are measured over time.

PMID- 27263179
TI  - Associations Between Ultrafine Particles and Co-Pollutant Concentrations in the
      Tampa Bay Area.
AB  - Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are ubiquitous in urban air and have been recognized
      as a risk to human health. The aim of this study was to measure the relationships
      among ultrafine particles and other ambient air pollutants and meteorological
      factors in the Tampa Bay Area. This study measured continuous UFPs, black carbon,
      oxides of nitrogen (NO(x)), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), carbon
      monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter having an
      aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns or less (PM10), relative humidity, wind speed,
      and ambient temperature during January to March 2014. Moreover, the study
      compared the relationship between UFPs and various co-pollutants daily, including
      during morning rush hour periods. This study found a moderate correlation among
      UFPs and black carbon, NO(x), NO2, and NO during hourly continuous measurements
      and rush hour periods, and a low level of correlation among UFPs and CO, O3, SO2,
      PM10, relative humidity, wind speed, and ambient temperature. This study
      indicates that co-pollutants should not be used as a surrogate to assess the
      human health risk from ultrafine particles exposure.

PMID- 27263180
TI  - Swine Worker Precautions During Suspected Outbreaks of Influenza in Swine.
AB  - To assess the behavior and precautions that swine workers take during suspected
      influenza outbreaks in swine, six commercial swine farms in the Midwest U.S.
      region were visited when influenza outbreaks were suspected in herds during the
      fall/winter of 2012-2013. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and type of
      task performed by swine workers were recorded based on farm representative
      reports. Between one to two workers were working on the day of each visit and
      spent approximately 25 minutes performing work-related tasks that placed them in
      close contact with the swine. The most common tasks reported were walking the
      aisles (27%), handling pigs (21%), and handling equipment (21%). The most common
      PPE were boots (100%), heavy rubber gloves (75%), and dedicated nondisposable
      clothing (74%). Use of N95 respirators was reported at three farms. Hand hygiene
      practices were common in most of the farms, but reportedly performed for only 20%
      to 25% of tasks.

PMID- 27263181
TI  - Update From the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (and Why You Should
      Join).

PMID- 27263182
TI  - Exploring Environmental Health Gaps in Native American Populations.

PMID- 27263183
TI  - Environmental Health Is a Contact Sport.

PMID- 27263184
TI  - Five decades and counting....

PMID- 27263185
TI  - Look back in wonder.

PMID- 27263186
TI  - Dignity in childbirth is a human right.

PMID- 27263187
TI  - Newborn screening in the UK.

PMID- 27263188
TI  - Testing times.

PMID- 27263189
TI  - Helping hands.

PMID- 27263190
TI  - Less talk, more action.

PMID- 27263191
TI  - Healthier choices and portions for older children.

PMID- 27263192
TI  - The right to care.

PMID- 27263193
TI  - Teenage pregnancy: job done, or more to do?

PMID- 27263194
TI  - Will Marriage Disappear?

PMID- 27263195
TI  - JANET DAVISON ROWLEY.

PMID- 27263196
TI  - Technology's Promise to Elders.

PMID- 27263197
TI  - Exploring Motivations, Awareness of Side Effects, and Attitudes among Potential
      Egg Donors.
AB  - This research study surveyed prospective egg donors at orientation to (a)
      understand women's motivations to donate eggs, (b) assess awareness and knowledge
      of egg donation prior to entry into the egg donation program, and (c) explore
      attitudes toward egg donation. Ninety-two women completed the questionnaire at
      one fertility clinic located in the Midwest between August 2011 and August 2012.
      Descriptive and inferential statistics as well as textual analysis were used to
      analyze the data. Three themes emerged regarding participant motivations: (1)
      altruistic, (2) financial, and (3) desire to pass on genetic material. The
      majority of participants were unconcerned with potential physical and
      psychological side effects; however, differences emerged based on motherhood
      status and educational level. Although potential donors felt recipients should
      receive some information about the donor, they tended to value privacy regarding
      information giving to resultant offspring. This research study has implications
      for social work practice, policy, and future research. It is crucial that women
      receive adequate procedural and side effect information prior to engaging in egg
      donation.

PMID- 27263198
TI  - Childhood, Adolescent, and Teenage Obesity: Recommendations for Community
      Initiatives in Central Harlem.
AB  - Because ofpoverty, the high prevalence of obesity, and the lack of adequate
      supports, Central Harlem's children, adolescents, and teenagers are at risk for
      major physiological, psychological, and social issues. This article discusses the
      public health concerns related to this population, especially the prevalence of
      obesity. This article identifies the prevalence of illness and obesity in the
      inner city and stipulates the causes and consequences of obesity among children,
      adolescents, and teenagers. In addition, it reports on the appropriate community
      intervention, using a coalition and a community collaborative organization that
      serve as models to build support for Central Harlem. A proposal is offered for
      reducing obesity among youths in the community. The intervention outlines a logic
      model that identifies a multisystemic approach at the micro and macro level for
      community intervention and policy initiatives to advocate for fundamental change.
      Further research recommendations are described to reduce the prevalence of
      childhood, adolescent, and teenage obesity in urban communities.

PMID- 27263200
TI  - Challenges Faced by Social Workers as Members of Interprofessional Collaborative
      Health Care Teams.
AB  - Interprofessional collaboration is increasingly being seen as an important factor
      in the work of social workers. A focus group was conducted with Canadian social
      work educators, practitioners, and students to identify barriers and facilitators
      to collaboration from the perspective of social work. Participants identified six
      themes that can act as barriers and facilitators to collaboration: culture, self
      identity, role clarification, decision making, communication, and power dynamics.
      These findings carry important implications for interprofessional collaboration
      with social workers in health practice.

PMID- 27263199
TI  - A Population Health Approach to Clinical Social Work with Complex Patients in
      Primary Care.
AB  - Chronic diseases disproportionately occur among people from disadvantaged
      backgrounds. These backgrounds correlate with poor health in adulthood. Capacity
      for patients' to collaborate in their care tends to be lower than among other
      patients, leading to inefficient uses in medical services and higher risk of
      adverse events. In the course of this study, social workers engaged patients with
      increased inpatient and emergency department (ED) use and barriers to self
      management, and evaluated them for lifetime exposure to material disadvantage and
      violence. Intervention focused on creating a primary care team that improved
      patients' self-efficacy, increased locus of control, and improved capacity for
      engagement. Results include a 49 percent decrease in admissions and a 5 percent
      decrease in ED utilization with significant cost savings. Authors recommend
      further study to analyze social, clinical, and financial risk in a larger sample,
      which may yield information about a health care provider's most at-risk patients
      for early targeted intervention.

PMID- 27263201
TI  - Distal Stressors and Depression among Homeless Men.
AB  - Depression is a common problem among homeless men that may interfere with
      functional tasks, such as securing stable housing, obtaining employment, and
      accessing health services. Previous research on depression among homeless men has
      largely focused on current psychosocial resources, substance abuse, and past
      victimization. Guided by Ensel and Lin's life course stress process model, the
      authors examined whether distal stressors, including victimization and exposure
      to parent problems in childhood, contributed to men's depression above and beyond
      current (or proximal) stressors, such as substance abuse and health problems, and
      social resources. The sample consisted of 309 homeless men who had entered a
      federally funded emergency shelter. Using the Burns Depression Checklist, the
      authors found that one out of three men met the threshold for moderate to severe
      depression during the past week. The logistic regression showed that past
      exposure to parent problems was related to depression after accounting for
      current stressors and social resources (number of close adult relationships and
      whether their emotional support needs were met). Past victimization was not
      related to depression. To address men's depression, workers should concurrently
      provide services that meet men's basic needs (for example, housing) and address
      their relationship needs, including their need for emotional support.

PMID- 27263202
TI  - A Qualitative Study of Smoking Behaviors among Newly Released Justice-Involved
      Men and Women in New York City.
AB  - Long-term effects of cigarette smoking result in an estimated 443,000 deaths each
      year, including approximately 49,400 deaths due to exposure to secondhand smoke.
      Tobacco is a major risk factor for a variety of chronic health problems,
      including certain cancers and heart disease. In this article, authors present
      qualitative findings derived from individual interviews with men and women who
      were incarcerated in New York state and New York City. Participants were 60
      racially and ethnically diverse men and women ages 21 through 60 (M = 46.42, SD =
      6.88). Of the participants interviewed, 91.7 percent released from a smoke-free
      correctional facility resumed cigarette smoking and 8.3 percent remained
      abstinent. Daily consumption ranged from smoking four cigarettes to 60
      cigarettes. The four themes that emerged from the study were (1) lifetime
      exposure to cigarette smoking influences smoking behavior; (2) cigarettes help
      relieve stress and are pleasurable; (3) there is a relationship between access,
      availability, and relapse; and (4) smoking cessation strategies are available.
      Negative influences from participants' families and peers, stressful housing
      situations, and mandated programs emerged from this study as key challenges to
      abstaining from smoking cigarettes. Involving family members and partners in
      smoking cessation interventions could influence newly released justice-involved
      men and women not to resume cigarette smoking and possibly maintain long-term
      abstinence.

PMID- 27263204
TI  - [Practice of the use of remote telemedical consultations in "experimental area of
      work"].
AB  - The article presents experimental results of telehealth technology of "medical
      company--military hospital--central military hospital". Requirements for the
      equipment, which is used for telehealth consultations and software are specified.
      Throughout the test were practiced emergency consultations of "physician
      physician" interface, including the use of mobile video call and portable
      terminals of videoconference, remote diagnosis with the use of medical equipment
      and devices. Data transmission features and video definition are received. The
      authors determined main types of telecommunication equipment, which are supposed
      to prospective for the Armed Forces. Prospects of implementation of
      telecommunication technologies are shown.

PMID- 27263203
TI  - Care Transition Experiences of Older Veterans and Their Caregivers.
AB  - This study's main objective was to examine care transition experiences of older
      veterans and their caregivers. Fifty patients age 65 years and older, discharged
      from a Veterans Affairs Medical Center hospital, completed the Care Transitions
      Measure-15 survey three to four weeks postdischarge. Seven patients and six
      caregivers participated in semistructured interviews. Overall, the quality of
      care transitions was rated as good; however, some items were indicated as
      problematic for veterans. Themes that emerged included agreeableness, frustration
      with complex information, caregiver education, and the timing and methods of
      information delivery. These findings have implications for all clinical staff
      working with veterans, and particularly for social workers facilitating care
      transitions for veterans and their caregivers.

PMID- 27263205
TI  - [Importance of social tuberculosis prophylaxis for the Armed Forces in present
      conditions].
AB  - Lately social prophylaxis of tuberculosis has taken on special significance in
      the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Thank to social measures of the
      modern military reform, such as reduction of conscription term, territorial
      principle of recruitment for the army, improvement of habitation, service and
      recreation conditions, improvement of quality and organization of a diet,
      improvement of quality of a uniform it succeeded in reducing tuberculosis
      morbidity in military servicemen from 2007 up to 2014 up to 65 percent.
      Nevertheless, the main ways of tuberculosis control in the army (military service
      prohibition for citizens with tuberculosis, early active case detection,
      prophylaxis in risk group, anti-epidemic measures in the army nidus of
      tuberculosis etc.) are still urgent. To increase an effectiveness of the work
      done it is necessary to specify procedure and period of preventive fluorography
      in military servicemen.

PMID- 27263206
TI  - [Modern problems and main ways of imorovement of disinfecting art in Armed
      Forces].
AB  - The article states the reasons defining the high relevance and significance of
      disinfection measures in modern conditions, reports general and specific problems
      of ensuring disinfection during medical service day-to-day activities. The
      directions of development of chemical and technical disinfectants and methods
      for'their use on different objects and under various climatic conditions are
      determined. It was shown that the crucial condition for implementation of
      theoretical and practical ways of improving disinfection affairs is a
      comprehensive approach based on concerted efforts of all authorities of Russian
      Armed Forces Medical Services, research and sanitary-epidemiological
      institutions, as well as relevant chars of the Military Medical Academy in close
      cooperation with representatives of domestic industry.

PMID- 27263208
TI  - [Objective roentgenologic diagnostics of anterior cruciform ligamentous
      disruption in servicemen].
AB  - The article is dedicated to the method of roentgenological diagnostics, developed
      at military traumatology and orthopaedics department of the S.M. Kirov Military
      medical academy, which allows objectively assessing degree of knee joint
      instability in consequence of anterior cruciform ligamentous disruption.

PMID- 27263207
TI  - [Possibilities of pharmacotherapy of diabetes acute complications when delivering
      urgent and emergency aid].
AB  - The authors give a description of acute complications when delivering urgent and
      emergency pharmacotherapy. The authors examined normative legal basis, regulating
      urgent and emergency aid delivery at the army level of the medical service of the
      Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and determine the list of medications.
      Comparative description of pharmacotherapy of acute complications of diabetes is
      given and determined its possibilities.

PMID- 27263209
TI  - [Acute cholangitis in interstenosis space accompanied by two-component unit of
      the main bile duct].
AB  - Palliative treatment of obstructive jaundice with the help of biliary
      endoprosthesis due to the possible complication of post-intervention in the form
      of insolvency stent deformation or dislocation. The study features in the
      postoperative period of the main bile duct endoprosthesis about their two
      component unit, described the syndrome of the closed space of the bile ducts. On
      the basis of observation of 14 patients with the given anatomical feature of
      endoscopic, who were underwent stenting, was assessed frequency of the syndrome
      and possibilities of its prevention. Interstenosis space expansion of the main
      bile duct can be a reason for local cholangitis. For the prevention of
      cholangitis, it should be carried out a separate drainage of interstenosis space
      with the help of endoprosthesis or by proximal supra-stenotic extension of two or
      more stents.

PMID- 27263210
TI  - [Experience of using bacteriophages and bitsillin-5 to reduce the incidence of
      respiratory diseases of bacterial ethiology in military personnel].
AB  - The authors defined epidemiological efficacy and safety of the use of
      bacteriophages(streptococcal, staphylococcal, piobakferiophage multipartial) and
      bitsillin-5 to reduce tonsillitis morbidityand other respiratory diseases with
      bacterial etiology in groups of servicemen during their formationagainst increase
      of seasonal morbidity. The results of the use of these preventive agents were
      evaluatedby a comparative analysis of this disease in experimental and control
      groups. In total 510 healthy conscriptswere involved into the study. The
      effectiveness of prophylactic use of bacteriophages and bitsillin-5,
      whichprovided a reduction in the incidence of respiratory infections of bacterial
      ethiology, tonsillitis, and otherrespiratory diseases is showed. Recommendations
      on the choice of drugsfor the prevention of these infections,methods and
      organization of their application in organized groups are given.

PMID- 27263211
TI  - [Conditions of professional activity of the staff of units and formations of
      special support and its medical and psychological support].
AB  - In the field of special support of nuclear- and radiation-dangerous objects
      "human factor" is highlighted, which means that psychological status of crew is
      at the first place. The authors analysed conditions of professional activity,
      determined morbidity rates and psychologically important labour characteristics
      for military specialists working at nuclear- and radiation-dangerous objects. The
      staff working at these objects undergoes irradiation, hostility of inhabitation
      and high psychological pressure. The authors presented data on peculiarities of
      health status and morbidity rate among military servicemen of the given category:
      the frequency of digestive apparatus diseases, diseases of nervous and
      circulatory systems is higher than in auxiliary subunits of the same military
      units. The authors determined the main principles and structure of measures of
      medical and psychological support of professional activity of the staff of
      military units of special support.

PMID- 27263212
TI  - [Experience of surgical care administration to patients with closed abdominal
      trauma, serving on the ships of the Navy].
AB  - The analysis of surgical care administration to personnel, serving on ships of
      the Navy of Russia and performing different tasks in off-shore maritime and ocean
      zones in 2012-2013 showed that there is a requirement to create seven additional
      ship groups of specialized medical care: on the Northern Fleet--2, on the Pacific
      Fleet--2, on the Baltic Fleet--1, on the Black Sea Fleet--1, on the Caspian
      Flotilla--1. There is also a reasonable requirement to include anaesthesiologist
      and nurse anaesthetist into these groups.

PMID- 27263213
TI  - [Peculiarities of chemico-toxicological analysis of biological material aimed to
      detection of narcotic and psychoactive substances misuse by servicemen].
AB  - The authors give an approval of military personnel biosphere research, which is
      necessary for prevention and early detection of substance misuse among military
      personnel of the Armed Forces. The article provides documents, regulating
      procedure of the chemico-toxicological analysis of a biological material, and
      staging of early detection of substance misuse among conscripts and professional
      soldiers. The authors gave information about main current problems of this
      activity, revealed its disadvantages and detected prevention measures.

PMID- 27263214
TI  - [Use of chemical war gases at the Russian-German front during the First World
      War].
AB  - The First World War was notable for the widespread use of machine military
      hardware and absolutely new type of weapon--chemical weapon. As a result of the
      first gas attack by chlorine undertaken by the German army against the Russian
      armies on May, 31st, 1915, heavy poisonings have received 9100 people, 6000 of
      them died. Chemical attack of Germany against Russia was limited by the use
      chemical gases of suffocating action: chlorine, bromine,phosgene and diphosgene.
      It is not known exactly, how many times Germany attacked Russian positions with
      use of chemical gases. On available data, in the First World War from application
      by German of the chemical weapon Russia has suffered more, than any other of the
      at war countries: from five hundred thousand poisoned have died nearby 66,000
      people. In turn, having received in the order the chemical weapon of own
      manufacture, Russian army itself tried to attack in the German armies. It is
      authentically known only about several cases of application dy Russian of
      fighting poison gases, and in all cases of loss of germen were insignificant.

PMID- 27263215
TI  - [Navy medical academy (to the 75th anniversary of establishment)].
AB  - The article is devoted to the history of the creation in 1940 of the Naval
      Medical Academy on the basis of the 3rd Leningrad Medical Institute and the
      Institute for sanitary-chemical protection of the People's Commissariat of the
      USSR. The structure of this institution included, faculties management staff of
      the medical service, medical and sanitation, Higher Naval Medical School, the
      Marine Research Institute Medical, higher courses for officers of the medical
      service, clinical naval hospital. During the period of its activity (1940-1956),
      the staff of the Naval Medical Academy made a great contribution to the naval
      medicine and practical public health. The merit of the Academy is not only a
      beautifully staged academic, medical, research process, but also in the creation
      of the spirit of the high sea camaraderie, accomplishment and pride for the work
      which its graduates have dedicated their lives.

PMID- 27263216
TI  - [Poverty and Sickness. The precarious lives of lower-class families in Wurzburg
      and Gottingen, 1800-1850].
AB  - This contribution focuses on the medical practice of the policlinics in Wurzburg
      and Gottingen in the first half of the nineteenth century. In these institutions
      patients were treated free of charge by medical students and assistant physicians
      who, in turn, were able to gain further experience and develop their skills. The
      policlinics were therefore an important part of poor-healthcare in both these
      cities. The essay tries in particular to illustrate healthcare for poor patients
      against the background of their everyday lives and working environment. Based on
      the situation of individual poor patients, the concepts of 'sickness' and
      'poverty' are discussed as mutually dependent determinants of the 'reality of
      life' among the urban lower classes. This contribution combines the evaluation of
      medical practice journals and patient histories with the analysis of source
      materials on urban poor relief and healthcare. It looks particularly at the
      children and elderly people who attended the policlinics. The encounters between
      physicians and poor patients documented in the sources not only provide valuable
      insights into historical patient behaviours, they also open up new perspectives
      of the physician-patient relationship during the nineteenth century transition
      from the 'sickbed-society' to hospital medicine.

PMID- 27263217
TI  - [The Hygienist Karl Roelcke, M.D. (1907-1982). Annotations to the family
      biography].
AB  - Volker Roelcke, the well-known historian of medicine, wrote a biographical sketch
      on his father's role in National Socialism. Karl Roelcke (1907-1982) was an
      important hygienist at the University of Heidelberg and assistant to Ernst
      Rodenwaldt (1878-1965). Attempts to discuss the Nazi issue with his father
      directly ended unsuccessfully in the 1970s. In his essay of 2014, Volker Roelcke
      portrayed his father as quite sophisticated, but did not mention all aspects of
      his work. The present essay therefore offers new insights into the person of Karl
      Roelcke which are not constrained by family interests.

PMID- 27263218
TI  - [Gender images in health education: a comparison between East and West Germany
      (1949-1990)].
AB  - This essay takes a closer look at the shared traditions as well as separate
      developments in health education in both German states, based on the circulated
      gender images. Health education is a rewarding field of investigation because its
      materials not only convey information on the prevention of sickness or the
      cultivation of healthy lifestyles; they also--implicitly or explicitly--carry
      social key messages such as ideas regarding femininities and masculinities or the
      tasks and functions allocated to women and men within and outside the family. The
      fact, for instance, that women in East Germany were expected to be part of the
      labour force as early as the 1950 s, whereas their Western counterparts were
      expected to stay at home and look after the family, had an effect on health
      education. The question as to the normative images of femininity and masculinity
      is therefore at the centre of our inquiry. The sources used are health education
      publications and popular health magazines from both Germanies. Based on the
      parameters 'Home and Family', 'Work and Performance', 'Attractiveness and Outer
      Appearance', the ideas of femininity and masculinity, as portrayed in the health
      propaganda in East and West, are presented and compared. Analysis of these
      parameters shows that the gender images, while they coincided in some respects,
      also evolved in different ways in others, or that entirely different intentions
      were concealed behind the promotion of similar principles. Many of the guiding
      images discussed show how the two German states perceived each other. While there
      were attempts at dissociating from the other state entirely, there were also
      developments that seem to indicate that they referred to one another to a certain
      extent.

PMID- 27263219
TI  - [Protestant clergymen among Hahnemann's clientele. Patient histories in letters].
AB  - As part of the research project, developments in the history of science and in
      the regional and ecclesiastic history of the late feudal petty state of Kothen
      Anhalt have been assessed and numerous documents of the Nagel and Muhlenbein
      family histories examined that place the transcribed patient letters of the two
      Protestant clergymen within the context of the Hahnemann Archives. These findings
      complement and extend previous insights into Hahnemann's Kothen clientele,
      especially when it comes to the structure and milieu of the local clerical elite.
      Inspired by the interpretive methods of sequential textual analysis, form and
      content of the letters of the two clergymen and their relatives were also
      investigated as methodically structured lines of communication. The body of
      sources published here presents--embedded in the body-image (of sickness and
      health) prevalent at the time--the medical cultures of educated patients as well
      as the increasingly professionalized medical practices of Samuel Hahnemann in a
      flourishing urban doctor's surgery. The correspondence between the pastors Albert
      Wilhelm Gotthilf Nagel (1796-1835) and August Carl Ludwig Georg Muhlenbein (1797
      1866), presented here in a standard edition, has been investigated at Fulda
      University as part of the project 'Homoopathisches Medicinieren zwischen
      alltaglicher Lebensfuhrung und professioneller Praxis' ('Homeopathic medicine
      between everyday use and professional practice'). Of the altogether 78
      transcribed documents, 53 are letters written by either of the two pastors, 16
      are patient journals by Samuel Hahnemann, 9 letters by the pastors' wives and
      Muhlenbein's mother. The two series of letters, originally composed between 1831
      and 1833 in old German cursive script, can now be used as sources for research
      into the history of homeopathy.

PMID- 27263220
TI  - [The company Willmar Schwabe in the Nazi era].
AB  - This essay follows the history of the Schwabe Company between 1933 and 1945 when
      it, like all other companies at the time, had to subject to the state-enforced
      conformity ('Gleichschaltung'). While Willmar Schwabe II (1878-1935), the
      company's second director, kept clear of Nazi politics, both of his sons, who
      succeeded him at an early age, became members of the Nazi party: Willmar III
      (1907-1983) probably from initial conviction and Wolfgang (1912-2000), who joined
      in 1937, more likely for opportunistic reasons. The two lay journals published by
      Schwabe--the Leipziger Populare Zeitschrift fur Homoopathie and the Biochemische
      Monatsblatter--embraced the Nazi ideology more thoroughly than the general
      homeopathic journal Allgemeine Homoopathische Zeitung, including above all
      contributions on racial hygiene. Our research has revealed that Schwabe only
      employed foreign workers from 1942 on, that their number was much lower, at 0.9
      per cent in 1942 and 3.6 per cent in 1944, than that of other pharmaceutical
      companies and that their pay hardly differed from that of German workers. The
      sales and profit figures investigated have shown that the company did not profit
      exceptionally from the new Nazi health policies ('Neue Deutsche Heilkunde'):
      while its sales and profits rose in the Nazi era due to the increased use of
      medication among the civil population during wartime, the drugs produced by
      Schwabe remained marginal also during the war, as is apparent also from its
      modest deliveries to the army. All in all one can conclude that the company
      offered neither resistance nor particular support to the Nazi ideology.

PMID- 27263221
TI  - [SERODIAGNOSIS OF THE MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX BY USING IgA ANTIBODIES FOR THE
      GLYCOPEPTIDOLIPID CORE ANTIGEN].
AB  - PURPOSE: The diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD)
      can be challenging. A serodiagnosis enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit, which detects
      the serum anti-glycopeptidolipid (GPL) core IgA antibody, has been commercialized
      recently; however, its clinical usefulness in the diagnosis of MAC-PD is still
      unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the availability of this kit and identify
      factors affecting testing accuracy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study
      of 195 patients who were evaluated with an EIA kit at Nagasaki University
      Hospital between November 2012 and March 2014. RESULTS: 12 of 16 (75.0%) MAC
      patients have underlying diseases ; 8 of 16 (50%) had complications associated
      with respiratory diseases. There were no significant differences between the
      seropositive and seronegative background of patients with confirmed MAC-PD.
      Regarding the accuracy of serodiagnosis EIA kit, its sensitivity and specificity
      were 81.3% and 88.3% (with a cut-off value of 0.7 U/ml), respectively. Of false
      positive patients with bronchiectasis, 28.6 % demonstrated a good response to
      anti-MAC treatment, indicating that the sensitivity of the EIA kit might be
      higher than that of culture-based diagnosis because patients with clinically
      diagnosed MAC-PD were included in the false-positive population. CONCLUSIONS: In
      the current study, the serodiagnosis EIA kit demonstrated good sensitivity and
      specificity for the diagnosis of MAC-PD. Further clinical investigations are
      necessary to clarify the role of this kit in definitively diagnosing MAC
      infections.

PMID- 27263222
TI  - [THE CURRENT SITUATION OF FOREIGN TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS AND THEIR CONCURRENT HIV
      INFECTION IN HOKKAIDO].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: According to recent news, patients with concurrent
      tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are
      increasingly common worldwide. This study aimed to investigate whether TB/HIV co
      infected patients are visiting Hokkaido. METHOD: We conducted a questionnaire
      survey regarding foreign patients infected with TB or TB/HIV who visited Hokkaido
      between January 2001 and September 2014. We mailed questionnaires to health
      centers, AIDS treatment care hospitals, and TB hospitals in Hokkaido prefecture.
      RESULTS: Seventy-one TB patients were of foreign nationality according to the
      answers obtained from health centers. Most of them were foreign students or
      occupational trainees between 20-30 years old. Approximately half these patients
      were from East Asia, and 7 patients were from Africa. As 21 % of the patients
      with TB who visited medical examination were over 1 month from disease onset, and
      the delay in visiting was recognized. The TB infection was mostly detected
      coincidentally during the physician visit. In the hospital survey, four TB
      patients with HIV were of foreign nationality. They were also of the age group
      from 20-30 years and hailed from sub-Saharan Africa. DISCUSSION: During
      immigration, medical examination by performing a chest radiograph is important.
      If the immigrant hails from an area where TB and HIV co-infection is common, it
      is necessary to confirm whether HIV infection is present.

PMID- 27263223
TI  - [CHANGES IN MAC ANTIBODY LEVELS BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY AND AT THE TIME OF
      RELAPSE/RECURRENCE IN MAC LUNG DISEASE--Can MAC Antibodies Be an Indicator of
      Postoperative Relapse/Recurrence?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients receiving surgical treatment for Mycobacterium avium complex
      (MAC), lung disease should be followed up with careful attention paid to
      relapse/recurrence, but there is some debate regarding the findings based on
      which relapse/recurrence should be diagnosed. PURPOSE AND METHODS: We
      hypothesized that we might be able to use anti-GPL core IgA antibodies (MAC
      antibodies), which have been attracting attention as a factor that may support
      diagnosis of MAC lung disease, to diagnose postoperative relapse/recurrence.
      Therefore, we compared the levels of these antibodies before and at the time of
      relapse/recurrence, and also compared antibody titers before and after surgery.
      RESULT: MAC antibody titers were elevated by an average of about 50% at the time
      of relapse/recurrence compared to those before relapse/recurrence for 6 patients.
      In contrast, MAC antibody titers were about 30% lower after surgery compared to
      those before surgery for 37 patients. CONCLUSION: It may be possible to use MAC
      antibodies as an indicator of postoperative relapse/recurrence for MAC lung
      disease.

PMID- 27263224
TI  - [USE OF QuantiFERON(r) TB-GOLD IN-TUBE IN A CONTACT INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE
      THE ONSET OF TUBERCULOSIS WITH OR WITHOUT LATENT TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION
      TREATMENT].
AB  - PURPOSE: QuantiFERON(r) TB-Gold In-Tube (3G) testing was performed on
      tuberculosis-positive index cases and their contacts. The purpose of this study
      was to evaluate the relationship between 3G test results and the subsequent
      development of tuberculosis, and to identify effective strategies to prevent the
      onset of tuberculosis. METHODS: Index cases and their contacts were subjected to
      3G testing in a contact investigation in Osaka City in 2011-2012. For index
      cases, sputum smears were tested, and the infecting organism was identified. For
      the contacts, the following information was collected: age, results of 3G
      testing, presence or absence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment,
      and onset of tuberculosis disease within 2 years of follow-up from the last
      contact with the index cases. RESULTS: (1) There were 830 index cases, including
      774 subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis (93.3%) and 3 with laryngeal
      tuberculosis (0.4%). From sputum smear tests, 726 patients (87.5%) were
      determined to be 3G positive, and 83 (10.0%) were determined to be 3G negative.
      (2) In total, 2,644 contacts were subjected to 3G testing. Of these, 2,072
      patients (78.4%) tested negative, 196 (7.4%) showed an equivocal result, and 375
      (14.2%) tested positive. Their mean ages were 33.7, 38.0, and 38.8 years,
      respectively, showing significant differences in tuberculosis status according to
      age (P < 0.001). (3) Among the 2,072 3G-negative contacts, tuberculosis developed
      in 2 (0.1%) of 2063. None of these contacts was treated for LTBI. Among the 375
      3G-positive contacts, tuberculosis developed in 36 (36.0%) of 100 subjects that
      were not LTBI treated, while tuberculosis developed in 3 (1.1 %) of 275 subjects
      that were LTBI treated. A significant difference in the incidence of tuberculosis
      between treated and untreated 3G-positive contacts was observed (P < 0.001).
      DISCUSSION: Tuberculosis developed in a high proportion of 3G-positive contacts
      that were not LTBI treated, suggesting the need for preventive management of 3G
      positive contacts.

PMID- 27263225
TI  - [COMPARISON OF QuantiFERON(r) TB GOLD TEST RESULTS BEFORE AND AFTER ENDOTOXIN
      CONTAMINATION].
AB  - PURPOSE: In response to a case of endotoxin contamination of tubes used in
      QuantiFERON(r) TB Gold (QFT-3G) testing in Japan in 2013, the effect of this
      contamination on QFT-3G test results was investigated. METHODS: We analyzed QFT
      3G results from 4,258 participants in a tuberculosis contact investigation in
      Yamagata, Japan from September 2010 to April 2015. Of these, 2,488 samples were
      collected before the endotoxin contamination, while 1,770 samples were collected
      after the contamination. RESULTS: Negative control values in the group tested
      after the contamination were significantly lower than those in the group tested
      before the contamination (P < 0.0005). The proportion of positive controls that
      exceeded the calculated limit (10IU/ml) in the group tested after the
      contamination (87.8%) was lower than that in the group tested before the
      contamination (96.8%; P < 0.0005). The proportion of intermediate results in the
      group tested after the contamination (3.2%) was markedly lower than that in the
      group tested before the contamination (6.6%). DISCUSSION: Differences in QFT-3G
      test results were found to be related to a difference in blood collection before
      or after endotoxin contamination of blood collection tubes. Values resulting from
      QFT-3G testing were lower in blood samples that were collected after the
      contamination relative to those collected before the contamination.

PMID- 27263226
TI  - [A CASE OF PULMONARY MYCOBACTERIUM ABSCESSUS INFECTION THAT DEVELOPED DURING
      IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE THERAPY FOR MYASTHENIA GRAVIS WITH RECURRENT THYMOMA].
AB  - A 58-year-old man developed cough, sputum, and low-grade fever during
      immunosuppressive treatment with corticosteroids and cyclosporine for myasthenia
      gravis with recurrent thymoma. Since chest CT revealed diffuse nodular opacities
      in both lung fields, he was referred to our department. Mycobacterium abscessus
      was repeatedly cultured from his sputum, and he was diagnosed with pulmonary M.
      abscessus infection. Although both chest radiological findings and clinical
      symptoms were mild, he required treatment with immunosuppressive agents and
      systemic anesthesia for resection of the recurrent thymoma. Based on
      complications and according to the patient's preference, oral treatment with
      clarithromycin 600 mg/day, levofloxacin 500 mg/day, and faropenem 600 mg/day was
      initiated on an outpatient basis. Following these treatments, his chest CT
      findings and clinical symptoms subsided, and the thymoma was successfully
      resected. Our experience with the present case suggests a possible treatment
      strategy for M. abscessus infection in immunocompromised and complicated cases.

PMID- 27263227
TI  - [A CASE OF MILIARY TUBERCULOSIS ORIGINATED FROM CUTANEOUS INFECTION].
AB  - An 86-year-old woman with severe dementia had been treated with oral prednisolone
      at 2 mg/day for autoimmune bullous dermatosis for several years. One year ago,
      she referred to our hospital due to an ulcerative skin lesion over the right
      tibial tuberosity. The lesion was treated by an iodine-containing ointment, but
      did not heal. Subsequently, a new skin lesion appeared in the right popliteal
      fossa. One month ago, the patient had increased sputum production that was
      accompanied by fever, anorexia, and dyspnea; consequently, she visited our
      department. Chest computed tomography revealed diffuse micronodules with ground
      glass attenuation. Acid-fast bacteria staining of the sputum was positive and the
      polymerase chain reaction detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In addition, the
      bacilli were also found in the skin lesions of the right limb. Therefore, a
      diagnosis of cutaneous, and miliary tuberculosis was made. Although the anti
      tuberculous combination chemotherapy consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, and
      ethambutol was immediately initiated, her condition did not improve. She died on
      day 19 of hospitalization. Drug susceptibility testing revealed no resistance to
      all the three drugs; hence, it was concluded that the time-delay in diagnosis of
      cutaneous tuberculosis lead to the progression to miliary tuberculosis and
      subsequent death.

PMID- 27263228
TI  - [TUBERCULOUS CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS DETECTED ON POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY].
AB  - A 72-year-old man presented with fever, dyspnea, and weight loss. He was referred
      to our hospital for further examination of the cause of the pleural effusions.
      Chest computed tomography showed pleural effusions, a pericardial effusion, and
      enlarged lymph nodes in the carina tracheae. We administered treatment for heart
      failure and conducted analyses for a malignant tumor. The pericardial effusion
      improved, but the pericardium was thickened. Positron emission tomography
      computed tomography (PET-CT) showed fluorine-18 deoxyglucose accumulation at the
      superior fovea of the right clavicle, carina tracheae, superior mediastinum lymph
      nodes, and a thickened pericardium. Because these findings did not suggest
      malignancy, we assumed this was a tuberculous lesion. Echocardiography confirmed
      this finding as constrictive pericarditis; therefore, pericardiolysis was
      performed. Pathological examination showed features of caseous necrosis and
      granulomatous changes. Hence, the patient was diagnosed with tuberculous
      constrictive pericarditis. PET-CT serves as a useful tool for the diagnosis of
      tuberculous pericarditis.

PMID- 27263229
TI  - [PECULIARITY OF NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS PROGRAM, JAPAN--Public-Private Mix from the
      Very Beginning, and Provision of X-ray Apparatus in Most General Practitioner's
      Clinics].
AB  - Modern National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) of Japan started in 1951 when
      Tuberculosis (TB) Control Law was legislated, and 3 major components were health
      examination by tuberculin skin test (TST) and miniature X-ray, BCG vaccination
      and extensive use of modern TB treatment. As to the treatment program, Japan
      introduced Public-Private Mix (PPM) from the very beginning, and major reasons
      why PPM was adopted are (1) TB was then highly prevalent (Table 1), (2) TB
      sanatoria where many specialists are working are located in remote inconvenient
      places due to stigma against TB, (3) health centers (HCs) in Japan are working
      exclusively on prophylactic activities, and minor exceptions are treatment of
      sexually transmitted diseases and artificial pneumothorax for TB cases, however,
      as it covers on the average 100,000 population, access is not so easy in rural
      area, (4) Out-patients clinics mainly operated by general practitioners (GPs) are
      located throughout Japan, and the access is easy. Methods of TB treatment was
      developing rapidly in early 1950s, however, in 1952, as shown in Table 2,
      artificial pneumothorax and peritoneum were still used in many cases, and to fix
      the dosage of refill air, fluoroscopy was needed. Hence, GPs treating TB under TB
      Control Law had to be equipped with X-ray apparatus. To maintain the quality of
      TB treatment, "Criteria for TB treatment" was provided and revised taking into
      consideration the progress in TB treatment. If applied methods of treatment fit
      with the above criteria, public support is made for the cost of TB treatment. To
      discuss the applied treatment, TB Advisory Committee was set in each HC,
      composing of 5 members, director of HC, 2 TB specialists and 2 doctors
      recommended by the local medical association. In 1953, the first TB prevalence
      survey using stratified random sampling method was carried out, and the
      prevalence of TB requiring treatment was estimated at 3.4%, and only 21% of found
      cases knew their own disease, and more than half of all TB were found above 30
      years of age. Based on these results, mass screening was expanded to cover whole
      population in 1955, and since 1957, cost of mass screening and BCG vaccination
      was covered 100% by public fund. Unified TB registration system covering whole
      Japan was introduced in 1961, and in the same year, national government subsidy
      for the hospitalization of infectious TB cases was raised from 50% to 80%. Hence,
      Japan succeeded to organize PPM system in TB care, and with 10% annual decline of
      TB, in 1975, Japan moved into the TB middle prevalence country.

PMID- 27263230
TI  - [M1 AND M2 MACROPHAGE POPULATIONS: THOSE INDUCED AND ACTIVATED BY MYCOBACTERIAL
      INFECTIONS].
AB  - In the advanced stages of mycobacterial infections, host immune systems tend to
      change from a Th1-type to Th2-type immune response, resulting in the abrogation
      of Th1 cell- and macrophage-mediated antimicrobial host protective immunity.
      Notably, this type of immune conversion is occasionally associated with the
      generation of. certain types of suppressor macrophage populations. During the
      course of infections due to pathogenic mycobacteria, the generation of
      macrophages which possess strong suppressor activity against host T- and B-cell
      functions is frequently encountered. This review describes the immunological
      properties of M1- and M2-type macrophages generated in hosts with certain
      microbial infections including mycobacteriosis and those generated in tumor
      bearing animals. Particularly, this paper highlights the immunological and
      molecular biological characteristics of M1 and M2 macrophage populations, which
      are induced by mycobacterial infections

PMID- 27263231
TI  - [TUBERCULOSIS ANNUAL REPORT 2014--(1) Summary of Statistics on Tuberculosis
      Notification and Foreign-born Tuberculosis Patients].
AB  - This brief is the first of a series of documents based on the Tuberculosis Annual
      Report 2014. It includes a summary of tuberculosis (TB) statistics, including
      data on foreign-born TB patients notified and registered in Japan in 2014. For
      the first time, the number of newly notified cases (all forms of TB) fell below
      20,000. In 2014, a total of 19,615 patients were notified, a rate of 15.4 per
      100,000 population The number of sputum-smear positive pulmonary. TB patients
      notified was 7,651, a rate of 6.0 per 100,000 population. The number of patients
      with latent TB infections increased slightly from 7,147 in 2013 to 7,562 in 2014.
      The proportion of miliary TB cases has constantly increased over the past 10
      years, especially among women aged 80 years and older. The number of foreign-born
      TB patients continued to increase from 1,064 in 2013 to 1,101 in 2014. In 2014,
      new foreign-born TB patients aged 20-29 years accounted for 44.1% of all new TB
      patients in that age group. Among foreign-born TB patients, half were from the
      Philippines (26.5%) and China (23.5%). However, the number of patients from
      Vietnam and Nepal is increasing. Among foreign-born TB patients, 28% were regular
      employees, 26% were students, and 20% were unemployed. The changing trend in the
      nationality of foreign students entering Japan may at least partially explain the
      differences in TB burden among foreign-born patients, by country of birth. As we
      expect to see the proportion of foreign-born TB patients continue to rise, more
      tailored case identification and treatment support activities are needed.

PMID- 27263232
TI  - The Workplace Environment for African-American Faculty Employed in Predominately
      White Institutions.
AB  - Diversity in academia requires attention, especially with the expected increase
      in minority populations in the United States (American Association of Colleges of
      Nursing, (AACN) 2014). Despite theoretical papers that suggest that several
      challenges are encountered by minority faculty employed in predominately White
      institutions, a dearth of research on this topic has been published. The purpose
      of this literature review was to analyze the published research that addressed
      the workplace environment of African-American faculty employed in predominately
      White institutions. In utilizing the keywords in various combinations, 236
      articles were retrieved through multiple databases. After applying inclusion and
      exclusion criteria, 15 studies were reviewed with only three related to nursing.
      Two themes were extracted from the review: 1) the cultural climate of the
      workplace environment and, 2) underrepresentation of African-American faculty. It
      is apparent from this review that additional research is needed to understand the
      experiences of this group of faculty to target effective recruitment and
      retention strategies.

PMID- 27263233
TI  - Multicultural Differences in Women's Expectations of Birth.
AB  - This review surveyed qualitative and quantitative studies to explore the
      expectations around birth that are held by women from different cultures. These
      studies are grouped according to expectations of personal control expectations of
      support from partner/others/family; expectations of carel behavior from providers
      such as nurses, doctors, and/or midwives; expectations about the health of the
      baby; and expectations about pain in childbirth. Discussed are the findings and
      the role that Western culture in medicine, power and privilege are noted in
      providing care to these women.

PMID- 27263234
TI  - Health, Healing, and Well-Being According to the New Testament.
AB  - The New Testament is regarded as the authoritative spiritual guidance for all
      practicing Christians. The relationship between religion and health continues to
      exert a significant role in an individual's, health, behavior, and lifestyle.
      This study aims at establishing a link between the Scriptural and early
      theological tradition of the body, from Jesus Christ to the early church, with an
      eye toward identifying themes that can help promote health and well-being among
      Christian communities today.

PMID- 27263235
TI  - Fluid technologies: The Bush Pump, the LifeStraw and microworlds of humanitarian
      design.
AB  - Over the past decade, many ingenious, small-scale gadgets have appeared in
      response to problems of disaster and extreme poverty. Focusing on the LifeStraw,
      a water filtration device invented by the company Vestergaard Frandsen, I situate
      this wave of humanitarian design relative to Marianne de Laet and Annemarie Mol's
      classic article on the Zimbabwe Bush Pump. The LifeStraw shares the Bush Pump's
      principle of technical minimalism, as well as its ethical desire to improve the
      lives of communities. Unlike the pump, however, the straw defines itself through
      rather than against market logic, accepting the premise that one can 'do well
      while doing good'. Moreover, it does not share the assumed framework of de Laet
      and Mol's Zimbabwean socio-technical landscape: a postcolonial state happily en
      route to national self-definition. Nonetheless, it clearly embodies moral affect,
      if in the idiom of humanitarian concern rather than development. My aim is to
      open up three interrelated lines of inquiry for discussion. First, I consider
      aspects of a postcolonial condition at the micro-level of immediate needs,
      including assumptions about nation-state politics and markets. Second, I
      emphasize science and technology in the form of infrastructure, the material
      frontline of norms. Third, I return reflexively to love, and the complicated
      allure of engagement in academic work.

PMID- 27263236
TI  - Survivors and scientists: Hiroshima, Fukushima, and the Radiation Effects
      Research Foundation, 1975-2014.
AB  - In this article, I reflect on the Radiation Effects Research Foundation and its
      ongoing studies of long-term radiation risk. Originally called the Atomic Bomb
      Casualty Commission (1947-1975), the Radiation Effects Research Foundation has
      carried out epidemiological research tracking the biomedical effects of radiation
      at Hiroshima and Nagasaki for almost 70 years. Radiation Effects Research
      Foundation scientists also played a key role in the assessment of populations
      exposed at Chernobyl and are now embarking on studies of workers at the Fukushima
      Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. I examine the role of estimating dosimetry in post
      disaster epidemiology, highlight how national identity and citizenship have
      mattered in radiation risk networks, and track how participants interpreted the
      relationships between nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. Industrial interests in
      Japan and the United States sought to draw a sharp line between the risks of
      nuclear war and the risks of nuclear power, but the work of the Radiation Effects
      Research Foundation (which became the basis of worker protection standards for
      the industry) and the activism of atomic bomb survivors have drawn these two
      nuclear domains together. This is so particularly in the wake of the Fukushima
      disaster, Japan's 'third atomic bombing'. The Radiation Effects Research
      Foundation is therefore a critical node in a complex global network of scientific
      institutions that adjudicate radiation risk and proclaim when it is present and
      when absent. Its history, I suggest, can illuminate some properties of modern
      disasters and the many sciences that engage with them.

PMID- 27263237
TI  - Keeping gay and bisexual men safe: The arena of HIV prevention science and
      praxis.
AB  - Abstract In this article, I draw from an ongoing ethnographic study of HIV
      prevention for gay, bisexual, and 'men who have sex with men' to develop an
      institutional analysis of HIV behavioral intervention science and praxis. I
      approach this analysis through the lens of the social worlds framework, focusing
      on the institutional arena in which HIV behavioral interventions are devised and
      executed. Toward this end, I focus on two fundamental points of contention that
      lie at the heart of the prevention enterprise and put its social organization in
      high relief: (1) conceptions of health and lifestyle practices and (2)
      attributions of expertise. These core contentions reveal less the steady advance
      of normal science than an arena of actors ensconced in boundary work and
      jurisdictional struggles over how to engineer behavior change and reduce the
      scale of the HIV epidemic. Their resolution, I argue, has occurred in a
      historically contingent process determined by the political economy of the US HIV
      prevention arena and the differential structural location of its social worlds.

PMID- 27263238
TI  - From subjects to relations: Bioethics and the articulation of postcolonial
      politics in the Cambodia Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis trial.
AB  - Controversies about global clinical trials, particularly HIV trials, tend to be
      framed in terms of ethics. In this article, I explore debates about ethics in the
      Cambodia Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis trial, which was designed to test the safety
      and efficacy of tenofovir as a prevention for HIV infection. Bringing together
      studies of public participation in science with studies of bioethics, I show how
      activists around the Cambodian Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis trial circulated and
      provoked debates about standards of research ethics, as opposed to research
      methodology. This postcolonial bioethics was configured through the circulation
      of and debate about ethics guidelines, and historically and culturally specific
      relations of vulnerability and responsibility between foreigners and Cambodians
      and between Cambodian leaders and Cambodian subjects. I argue that this shift in
      the object of ethical concern, from the experimental human subject to the
      relation between subjects and researchers, illustrates how a postcolonial field
      of articulation reformulates classical bioethics.

PMID- 27263239
TI  - Beyond and between academia and business: How Austrian biotechnology researchers
      describe high-tech startup companies as spaces of knowledge production.
AB  - Research and innovation policy has invested considerable effort in creating new
      institutional spaces at the interface of academia and business. High-tech
      startups founded by academic entrepreneurs have been central to these policy
      imaginaries. These companies offer researchers new possibilities beyond and
      between academia and larger industry. However, the field of science and
      technology studies has thus far shown only limited interest in understanding
      these companies as spaces of knowledge production. This article analyses how
      researchers working in small and medium-sized biotechnology companies in Vienna,
      Austria, describe the cultural characteristics of knowledge production in this
      particular institutional space. It traces how they relate these characteristics
      to other institutional spaces they have experienced in their research
      biographies, such as in academia or larger corporations. It shows that the
      reasons why researchers decide to work in biotechnology companies and how they
      organize their work are deeply influenced by their perception of deficiencies in
      the conditions for epistemic work in contemporary academia and, to a lesser
      degree, in industry.

PMID- 27263240
TI  - The value of practice: A critique of interactional expertise.
AB  - Collins and Evans have proposed a 'normative theory of expertise' as a way to
      solve the 'problem of demarcation' in public debates involving technical matters.
      Their argument is that all citizens have the right to participate in the
      'political' phases of such debates, while only three types of experts should have
      a voice in the 'technical' phases. In this article, Collins and Evans' typology
      of expertise--in particular, the idea of 'interactional expertise'--is the focus
      of a detailed empirical, methodological and philosophical analysis. As a result,
      we reaffirm the difference between practitioners and non-practitioners,
      contesting the four central claims about interactional expertise--namely, that
      (1) the idea of interactional expertise has been proven empirically, (2) it is
      possible to develop interactional expertise through 'linguistic socialization
      alone', (3) the idea of interactional expertise supports the 'the minimal
      embodiment thesis' that the individual human body or, more broadly, 'embodiment'
      is not as relevant as linguistic socialization for acquiring a language and (4)
      interactional experts have the same linguistic fluency, understanding and
      judgemental abilities of practitioners within discursive settings. Instead, we
      argue, individuals' abilities and understandings vary according to the 'type of
      immersion' they have experienced within a given practice and whether they bring
      with them another 'perspective'. Acknowledging these differences helps with
      demarcation but does not solve the 'problem of demarcation'. Every experience is
      perspectival and cannot handle, alone, the intertwined and complex issues found
      in public debates involving technical matters. The challenge, then, concerns the
      ways to mediate interactions between actors with distinct perspectives,
      experiences and abilities.

PMID- 27263241
TI  - A thousand words is worth a picture.
AB  - In this response to Ribeiro and Lima's paper on interactional expertise, we argue
      that, by not incorporating the insights of constructivist social science, their
      analysis goes backwards rather than advancing the debate. We show that much of
      the evidence they present does not lead to the conclusions they draw. We also
      critically examine the idea of physical contiguity, which forms a central part of
      Ribeiro and Lima's position. We show that its meaning is ambiguous. We conclude
      by suggesting that more research on the nature and influence of physical
      contiguity would be interesting in its own right but that it would not bear on
      the notion of interactional expertise.

PMID- 27263242
TI  - Home Sweet Home.

PMID- 27263244
TI  - An Introduction to the Medical Services of the Delaware Department of Correction.

PMID- 27263243
TI  - Opioid Exposed Mothers and Infants in Delaware: Clinical and Legal
      Considerations.
AB  - Drug use is on the rise in Delaware, as demonstrated by the continued increase in
      infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Thoughtful, evidence-based, and
      coordinated approaches are necessary to impact this problem. There is solid
      evidence that mothers and infants who remain together have improved outcomes.
      Professional medical and nursing societies are unanimous in support of non
      punitive approaches to care. Medical professionals, legislators, and society in
      general would benefit from ongoing education on the addiction disease process in
      order to best care for the increasing number of mother/baby dyads with neonatal
      abstinence syndrome.

PMID- 27263245
TI  - Revenue Cycle Management Allows Your Staff to Concentrate on Clinical Issues.

PMID- 27263246
TI  - SNEAKING AROUND THE CONSTITUTION: PRETEXTUAL "HEALTH" LAWS AND THE FUTURE OF ROE
      V. WADE.

PMID- 27263247
TI  - THE PREGNANCY PENALTY.
AB  - Punishing pregnant women increasingly serves as a litmus test in political
      discourse, inviting more than a metaphor about state sanctioned violence targeted
      at women. In 2016, candidates for the United States presidency threatened to
      defund Planned Parenthood if elected and a leading candidate promised he would
      "punish" pregnant women who seek abortions. Other presidential candidates urged
      that even victims of rape and incest should be forced to carry their pregnancies
      to term, imposing yet another penalty or strike against sexually violated women
      and girls. Local legislatures and governors show equal contempt for and desire to
      penalize women in their states. In Utah, Gov. Gary Herbert took up the call to
      use a "very strong stick" in policing reproduction by signing into law the
      Criminal Homicide and Abortion Revisions Act, which applies only to pregnant
      women. The law seeks to punish pregnant women who "knowingly" commit acts that
      might result in miscarriages. In 2011, Texas Rep. Doug Miller authored and
      introduced a bill in his state legislature that would make it a felony to ingest
      any controlled substance during pregnancy. Wisconsin's legislature passed a law
      that forces pregnant women to receive vaginal probes as a pre-condition to
      receiving an abortion. To obtain an abortion without undergoing the vaginal probe
      is a punishable violation of law. Some women's groups compare vaginal ultrasound
      laws such as that in Wisconsin to state sanctioned rape with a rod. Other
      legislative efforts include establishing personhood in embryos and fetuses. Many
      of the laws seeking to punish pregnant women and regulate their pregnancies
      introduce criminal sanctions into gestational conduct, broadly criminalizing any
      behavior that could harm fetal health. All of these laws selectively target
      pregnant women.

PMID- 27263248
TI  - BORROWING FROM DORMANT COMMERCE CLAUSE DOCTRINE IN ANALYZING ABORTION CLINIC
      REGULATIONS.

PMID- 27263249
TI  - HOBBY LOBBY, BIRTH CONTROL, AND OUR ONGOING CULTURAL WARS: PLEASURE AND DESIRE IN
      THE CROSSFIRES.

PMID- 27263250
TI  - GENETIC ESSENTIALISM IN FAMILY LAW.

PMID- 27263251
TI  - THE "UBERIZATION" OF HEALTHCARE: THE FORTHCOMING LEGAL STORM OVER MOBILE HEALTH
      TECHNOLOGY'S IMPACT ON THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

PMID- 27263253
TI  - MENTALLY ILL EMPLOYEES IN THE WORKPLACE: DOES THE ADA AMENDMENTS ACT PROVIDE
      ADEQUATE PROTECTION?

PMID- 27263252
TI  - IMPROVING THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

PMID- 27263255
TI  - AMERICA NEEDS THE TREAT ACT: EXPANDING ACCESS TO EFFECTIVE MEDICATION FOR
      TREATING ADDICTION.

PMID- 27263256
TI  - FIRST Do No HARM: PROTECTING PATIENTS THROUGH IMMUNIZING HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

PMID- 27263254
TI  - TANTAMOUNT TO FRAUD?: EXPLORING NON-DISCLOSURE OF GENETIC INFORMATION IN LIFE
      INSURANCE APPLICATIONS AS GROUNDS FOR POLICY RESCISSION.
AB  - Many genetic counselors recommend that individuals secure desired insurance
      policies, such as life insurance, prior to undergoing predictive genetic testing.
      It has been argued, however, that this practice is "tantamount to fraud" and that
      failure to disclose genetic test results, or conspiring to secure a policy before
      testing, opens an individual up to legal recourse. This debate traps affected
      individuals in a Catch-22. If they apply for life insurance and disclose a
      genetic test result, they may be denied. If they apply without disclosing the
      information, they may have committed fraud. The consequences of life insurance
      fraud are significant: If fraud is found on an application, a life insurer can
      rescind the policy, in some cases even after the individual has passed away. Such
      a rescission could leave family members or beneficiaries without the benefits of
      the life insurance policy payment after the individual's death and place them in
      in economic difficulty. Although it is clear that lying in response to a direct
      question about genetic testing would be tantamount to fraud, few, if any, life
      insurance applications currently include broad questions about genetic testing.
      This paper investigates whether non-disclosure of unasked for genetic information
      constitutes fraud and explores varying types of insurance questions that could
      conceivably be interpreted as seeking genetic information. Life insurance
      applicants generally have no duty to disclose unasked for information, including
      genetic information, on an application. However, given the complexities of
      genetic information, individuals may be exposed to fraud and rescission of their
      life insurance policy despite honest attempts to truthfully and completely answer
      all application questions.

PMID- 27263257
TI  - THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT: INSIGHTS FROM MASLOW'S HIERARCHY
      OF NEEDS.

PMID- 27263258
TI  - HUMAN TRAFFICKING: HOW A JOINT TASK FORCE BETWEEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND LAW
      ENFORCEMENT CAN ASSIST WITH IDENTIFYING VICTIMS AND PROSECUTING TRAFFICKERS.

PMID- 27263259
TI  - A Coupled Mathematical Model of Cell Migration, Vessel Cooption and Tumour
      Microenvironment during the Initiation of Micrometastases.
AB  - We propose a coupled mathematical model for the detailed quantitative analyses of
      initial microtumour and micrometastases formation by including cancer cell
      migration, host vessel cooption and changes in microenvironment. Migrating cells
      are included as a new phenotype to describe the migration behaviour of malignant
      tumour cells. Migration probability of a migrating cell is assumed to be
      influenced by local chemical microenvironment. Pre-existing vessel cooption and
      remodelling are introduced according to the local haemodynamical
      microenvironment, such as interstitial pressure and vessel wall permeability.
      After the tumour cells and tumour vessels distribution are updated, the chemical
      substances are coupled calculated with the haemodynamical environment. The
      simulation results clearly reproduce the tumour cells migrate and proliferate
      along the pre-existing vessels at the very early stage of growth, which are
      consistent with many published experimental observations. In addition, the model
      demonstrates the interactions of tumour cells with the pre-existing vessels,
      which are believed to be essential for initial adhesion, proliferation, invasion,
      and micrometastases establishment. Quantitative analysis of tumour expansion in
      longitudinal and transverse directions shows that the cooption and migration
      along host vessels will be inhibited once angiogenesis phase occurs. The
      influences of the ability of cell migration and the inclusion of vessel cooption
      on the formation of micrometastases are discussed.

PMID- 27263260
TI  - Enhanced External Counterpulsation Treatment May Intervene The Advanced
      Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression by Inducing The Variations of Mechanical
      Factors: A 3D FSI Study Based on in vivo Animal Experiment.
AB  - Growing evidences suggest that long-term enhanced external counter-pulsation
      (EECP) treatment can inhibit the initiation of atherosclerotic lesion by
      improving the hemodynamic environment in aortas. However, whether this kind
      procedure will intervene the progression of advanced atherosclerotic plaque
      remains elusive and causes great concern in its clinical application presently.
      In the current paper, a pilot study combining animal experiment and numerical
      simulation was conducted to investigate the acute mechanical stress variations
      during EECP intervention, and then to assess the possible chronic effects. An
      experimentally induced hypercholesterolemic porcine model was developed and the
      basic hemodynamic measurement was performed in vivo before and during EECP
      treatment. Meanwhile, A 3D fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model of blood
      vessel with symmetric local stenosis was developed for the numerical calculation
      of some important mechanical factors. The results show that EECP augmented 12.21%
      of the plaque wall stress (PWS), 57.72% of the time average wall shear stress
      (AWSS) and 43.67% of the non-dimensional wall shear stress gradient (WSSGnd) at
      throat site of the stenosis. We suggest that long-term EECP treatment may
      intervene the advanced plaque progression by inducing the significant variations
      of some important mechanical factors, but its proper effects will need a further
      research combined follow-up observation in clinic.

PMID- 27263261
TI  - Design of Orthopedic Plates and Its Modification Based on Feature.
AB  - To quickly construct the orthopedic plates and to conveniently edit it, a novel
      method for designing the plates is put forward based on feature idea and
      parameterization. Firstly, attached to the existing or repaired bone model, the
      region of interest (ROI) is selected as the abutted surface of orthopedic plate,
      and the ROI is reconstructed to form a CAD surface. Secondly, the CAD surface is
      to be defined as a surface feature (SF) and then some semantic parameters are
      configured for it. Lastly, the plate body is constructed through thickening, and
      some higher parameters are defined for it so as to produce a volumetric feature
      (VF). In the above process, there exist two main problems: one is
      parameterization of the abutted surface, and the other is construction of the
      outer surface. Besides, the mapping relationship has to be built between surface
      feature parameters and volumetric feature parameters. This method supports the
      modification of high-level parameters, consequently promoting the quality and
      efficiency of orthopedic plate design.

PMID- 27263263
TI  - STOPPING DECEPTIVE HEALTH CLAIMS: THE NEED FOR A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION UNDER
      FEDERAL LAW.
AB  - This Article offers a thorough analysis of an important public health issue,
      namely how to confront the growing problem of deceptive claims regarding foods
      and dietary supplements, including increasingly prevalent but unverifiable
      claims. The authors call for the creation of a limited private right of action
      under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act for deceptive health-related claims
      for these products. The proposal responds to the growing market for these
      products and the inadequacy of current laws and enforcement actions to prevent
      such claims. In crafting the limited private right of action, the authors attempt
      to enhance consumer protection without undermining federal agency primacy in
      enforcement. The Article ends with an appendix setting forth proposed language
      for a statutory amendment to the FTC Act incorporating the authors' proposal.

PMID- 27263264
TI  - MANDATING DISCLOSURE OF CONSCIENCE-BASED LIMITATIONS ON MEDICAL PRACTICE.
AB  - Stakeholders in law, medicine, and religion are unable to reach consensus about
      how best to address conflicts between healthcare providers' conscientious
      objections to treatment and patients' rights to access medical care. Conscience
      laws that protect objecting providers and institutions from liability are
      criticized as too broad by patient advocates and as too narrow by defenders of
      religious freedom. This Article posits that some of the tension between these
      stakeholders could be mitigated by statutory recognition of a duty on the part of
      healthcare institutions or providers to disclose conscientiously motivated
      limitations on practice. While this solution would not guarantee a patient's
      access to treatment, referral, or information from any given provider, it would
      prevent some of the more egregious cases of denial of treatment--those where
      patients are not made aware that a legal and clinically defensible treatment
      option is excluded from a provider's or institution's scope of practice and so
      have no opportunity to seek care elsewhere.

PMID- 27263262
TI  - BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE: CAN PHYSICIANS PRESCRIBE OPIOIDS TO TREAT PAIN
      ADEQUATELY WHILE AVOIDING LEGAL SANCTION?
AB  - Prescription opioids are an important tool for physicians in treating pain but
      also carry significant risks of harm when prescribed inappropriately or misused
      by patients or others. Recent increases in opioid-related morbidity and mortality
      has reignited scrutiny of prescribing practices by law enforcement, regulatory
      agencies, and state medical boards. At the same time, the predominant 4D model of
      misprescribers is outdated and insufficient; it groups physician misprescribers
      as dated, duped, disabled, or dishonest. The weaknesses and inaccuracies of the
      4D model are explored, along with the serious consequences of its application.
      This Article calls for development of an evidence base in this area and suggests
      an alternate model of misprescribers, the 3C model, which more accurately
      characterizes misprescribers as careless, corrupt, or compromised by impairment.

PMID- 27263265
TI  - BARTERING FOR A COMPATIBLE KIDNEY USING YOUR INCOMPATIBLE, LIVE KIDNEY DONOR:
      LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES RELATED TO KIDNEY CHAINS.
AB  - Kidney chains are a recent and novel method of increasing the number of available
      kidneys for transplantation and have the potential to save thousands of lives.
      However, because they are novel, kidney chains do not fit neatly within existing
      legal and ethicalframeworks, raising potential barriers to their full
      implementation. Kidney chains are an extension of paired kidney donation, which
      began in the United States in 2000. Paired kidney donations allow kidney patients
      with willing, but incompatible, donors to swap donors to increase the number of
      donor/recipient pairs and consequently, the number of transplants. More recently,
      transplant centers have been using non-simultaneous, extended, altruistic donor
      ("NEAD") kidney chains--which consist of a sequence of donations by incompatible
      donors--to further expand the number of donations. This Article fully explains
      paired kidney donation and kidney chains and focuses on whether NEAD chains are
      more coercive than traditional kidney donation to a family member or close friend
      and whether NEAD chains violate the National Organ Transplant Act's prohibition
      on the transfer of organs for valuable consideration.

PMID- 27263266
TI  - DRIVE-BY-DOCTORING: CONTRACTUAL ISSUES AND REGULATORY SOLUTIONS TO INCREASE
      PATIENT PROTECTION FROM SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS.

PMID- 27263267
TI  - QUIETING SPEECH: ESTABLISHING A BUFFER ZONE AROUND REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

PMID- 27263268
TI  - Increasing Recognition of "Risk of Harm" as an Injury Sufficient to Warrant
      Standing in Class Action Medical Data Breach Cases--Walker v. Boston Medical
      Center Corp.

PMID- 27263269
TI  - [Regulatory Framework for Approval of PET Drug in Korea: A Survey Report].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify regulatory framework for approval of PET drugs in Korea.
      METHOD: Interview and literature survey. RESULTS: In Korea Good Manufacturing
      Practice (GMP) regulation specific to radiopharmaceuticals, including PET
      (Positron Emission Tomography) drugs, under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act was
      issued in August 2014, to be enforced on July 1, 2015, and its guidance was
      issued in December 2014. The new facilities to be established after July 1 of
      2015 have to be compatible with this new regulation and already established
      facilities have two years grace period until June 30 of 2017. During this period,
      the regulatory authority will inspect all of the production sites which hold or
      submit approvals of radiopharmaceuticals. As of September 2015 in Korea, there
      are 7 commercial companies and 15 hospitals and institutes, which have approvals
      of PET drugs mainly FDG, and these companies and/or hospitals can supply PET
      drugs outside institutions. In this article we introduce the Korean regulations
      of development and approval of radiopharmaceuticals. CONCLUSION: The Korean
      regulatory authorization policy for radiopharmaceuticals are to some extent
      similar to the policy which the U.S. regulators set as the new regulations of PET
      drug. It is expected that the situations of production sites in Korea are to be
      improved through actual discussions among regulators and PET community through
      the process of actual inspection.

PMID- 27263270
TI  - [The Development of a Normal Database of Elderly People for Use with the
      Statistical Analysis Software Easy Z-score Imaging System with 99mTc-ECD SPECT].
AB  - We created a new normal database of elderly individuals (Tsukuba-NDB) for easy Z
      score Imaging System (eZIS), a statistical imaging analysis software, comprised
      of 44 healthy individuals aged 75 to 89 years. The Tsukuba-NDB was compared with
      a conventional NDB (Musashi-NDB) using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8),
      eZIS analysis, mean images, standard deviation (SD) images, SD values, specific
      volume of interest analysis (SVA). Furthermore, the association of the mean
      cerebral blood flow (mCBF) with various clinical indicators was statistically
      analyzed. A group comparison using SPM8 indicated that the t-value of the Tsukuba
      NDB was lower in the frontoparietal region but tended to be higher in the
      bilateral temporal lobes and the base of the brain than that of the Musashi-NDB.
      The results of eZIS analysis by Musashi-NDB in 48 subjects indicated the presence
      of mild decreases in cerebral blood flow in the bilateral frontoparietal lobes of
      9 subjects, precuneus and posterior cingulate gyrus of 5 subjects, lingual gyrus
      of 4 subjects, and near the left frontal gyrus, temporal lobe, superior temporal
      gyrus, and lenticular nucleus of 12 subjects. The mean images showed that there
      were no visual differences between both NDBs. The SD images intensities and SD
      values were lower in Tsukuba-NDB. Clinical case comparison and visual evaluation
      demonstrated that the sites of decrease in blood flow were more clearly indicated
      by the Tsukuba-NDB. Furthermore, mCBF was 40.87 +/- 0.52 ml/100 g/min (mean +/-
      SE), and tended to decrease with age. The tendency was stronger in male subjects
      than female subjects. Among various clinical indicators, the platelet count was
      statistically significantly correlated with CBF. In conclusion, our results
      suggest that Tsukuba-NDB, which is incorporated into a statistical imaging
      analysis software, eZIS, is sensitive to changes in cerebral blood flow caused by
      Cranial nerve disease, dementia and cerebrovascular accidents, and can provide
      precise diagnosis of these brain diseases in the rapidly aging Japanese
      population.

PMID- 27263271
TI  - [9th Symposium on Targeted Alpha Therapy].

PMID- 27263272
TI  - [Diversity of proBDNF and mBDNF functions in the central nervous system].
AB  - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the major protein regulators
      of diverse biological functions in the nervous system. It is synthesized as a
      precursor protein (proBDNF) that undergoes proteolytic cleavage in order to
      become a mature molecule. It was repeatedly shown that the proBDNF/ mBDNF ratio
      is determined by concomitant neuronal activity. A growing body of evidence argues
      that proBDNF has its own biological functions, oftentimes in opposition to
      functions of the mature molecule. Therefore, the balance of concentrations of
      proBDNF and mature neurotrophin is an important constituent of in any biological
      processes in nerve cells. Current review is dedicated to key aspects of proBDNF
      expression, its proteolysis to mBDNF, and its function in developing nervous
      system, long-term synaptic plasticity, memory consolidation and extinction and
      possible involvement in pathologies of nervous system.

PMID- 27263273
TI  - [An fMRI Study of the Brain Activation Related to Intensive Positive Emotions
      During Viweing Erotic Pictures in 49-74 Old Men].
AB  - According to psychological research erotic images are evaluated in the context of
      positive emotions as the most intense, most associated with emotional arousal,
      among the variety of pleasant and unpleasant stimuli. However it is difficult to
      separate areas of the brain that are related to the general emotional process
      from the activity of the brain areas involved in neuronal representations of
      reward system. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in the
      brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in male
      subjects in evaluating an intensity of pleasant images, including erotic, or
      unpleasant and neutral pictures. When comparing the condition with evaluation of
      the pleasant erotic images with conditions containing neutral or unpleasant
      stimuli, a significant activation was observed in the posterior cingulate cortex;
      the prefrontal cortex and the right globus pallidus. An increased activity of the
      right anterior central gyrus was observed in the conditions related to evaluation
      of pleasant and neutral stimuli. Thus, in the process of evaluating the intensity
      of emotional images of an erotic nature the active brain areas were related not
      only to neuronal representations of emotions, but also to motivations and control
      system of emotional arousal, which should be taken into account while using
      erotic pictures as intensive positive emotional stimuli.

PMID- 27263274
TI  - [Structure of Response and Dynamics of Preferred Orientation in Cat's V1
      Neurons].
AB  - Preferred orientation of V1 neurons was changed during the respons time course.
      In order to reveal mechanisms of such changes, spike trains of single neurons to
      flashed bars of different orientations were studied by means of principal
      component and frequency-domain analysis of the spike density functions. There was
      found out that: 1. contribution of each of the components was dependent on the
      stimulus orientation. 2. the principal components of V1 neurons responses contain
      different kinds of transient and sustained parts and rhythmic oscillations in the
      theta/alpha and beta-bands. 3. There was no correlation between transient parts
      as well as between rhythmic oscillations within the same frequency band in
      different components. Taken together, the data obtained allow us to suggest that
      during generation of response there is a shift of dominance of the components
      with different orientations which determines the dynamics of the preferred
      orientations of V1 neurons.

PMID- 27263275
TI  - [Delayed Copying of Unfamiliar Contour Shapes: Does Reaction Time Decrease with
      Growing Delay Reflect a Change in Internal Representation Of Fothcoming
      Movement?].
AB  - Group of 24 adults has performed the delayed reproduction (copying) of unfamiliar
      contour shapes (trajectory templates). Templates were shown for 250 ms and the
      participants were asked to reproduce them upon detecting acoustical go signal
      (short click). Go signal was delayed relatively to the end of a visual template
      exposure by T = 0, 500, 1000, 2000 or 4000 ms. Block design of the experiment was
      used when delay T was held constant within a block consisted of 32 trials. We
      analyzed reaction time (RT), mean movement time (MT) along a single segment of
      trajectory, and the mean dwell time (DT) in the vertices of the template. It is
      shown that RT does not depend monotonically on the delay T showing a decrease at
      T <= 1000 ms and increase at T <= 2000 ms. The RT of T curve is well described by
      a simple additive model that includes a linearly growing and an exponentially
      decaying terms. The linear growth reflects the foreperiod effect, i.e.,
      decreasing capacity to predict an exact moment of go signal with the growing
      delay T [Niemi, Naatanen, 1981; Meulenbroek, Van Galen, 1988]. We suggested that
      exponentially decaying term may be caused by the internal representation of a
      trajectory undergoing some transformation during retention in the working memory.

PMID- 27263276
TI  - [Kinematics of Stair Ascent in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum
      Disorder].
AB  - We analyzed kinematics of stair ascent and descent in autistic children and
      adolescents in comparison with age-matched healthy children and adolescents.
      Eight healthy adolescents, 6 autistic adolescents, 7 healthy children and 6
      autistic children participated in the study. We found that autistic subjects of
      both groups showed significantly more fluctuations of hip joint angular velocity
      than age-matched control subjects while preparing for stair ascent. During
      preparation for stair descent these velocity fluctuations appeared mainly in
      autistic adolescents, moreover, autistic children exhibited less velocity
      fluctuations than children in control group while preparing for stair descent.
      The kinematics of the movement itself demonstrated significantly less hip
      abduction in both autistic children and adolescents than in age-matched controls
      during stair ascent, and less ankle joint plantar extension in autistic
      adolescents than in healthy adolescents during stair descent. We suppose that age
      related changes in kinematics of leg motion during stair ascent and descent in
      autistic patients indicate aggravated motor coordination in autistic adolescents
      as compared with both healthy adolescents and autistic children.

PMID- 27263277
TI  - [Wulst Activation in Pied Flycatcher Nestlings in Feeding Behavior Induced by
      Patterned Visual Stimulus].
AB  - Immunohistochemical detection of c-Fos was used to study the transcriptional
      activation in two higher visual centers (Wulst area and Entopallium) of 12-day
      old pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) during the realization of feeding
      behavior guided by patterned visual stimulus, simulating the species-specific
      one. Activation was compared in 4 groups of nestlings. Control group was not
      subjected to any experimental influence. In binocular, right-field (deprivation
      of the left eye) and left-filed (deprivation of the right eye) groups the vision
      feeding responses were provoked, reinforced and evaluated. It was shown that the
      visual afferentation from the right eye was more significant for the organization
      of early feeding behavior guided by a moving patterned visual stimulus as
      compared with the afferentation from the left eye. Feeding behavior induced
      activation of c-Fos expression only in neurons of the higher center of
      thalamofugal system--Wulst area. The comparison of transcriptional activation in
      different groups revealed the significant increase of c-Fos induction related
      with feeding behavior only in the left hemisphere and only in binocular and right
      field groups.

PMID- 27263278
TI  - [Does Impulsivity Affect a Long-term and Working Memory in rats?].
AB  - In the present paper usingthe method of delay discounting three groups of animals
      were discovered: a) those that at choice between immediate weak and delayed
      strong rewards have chosen an immediate reinforcement (high impulsive rats); b)
      those that were able to inhibit its own behavior and get the delayed
      reinforcement (low impulsive rats); and c) the rats with both types of reactions.
      In the water maze the different groups of rats did find a hidden platform for
      different time, swum various distance and with different speed. The differences
      however were significant only at overall comparison (for all days and trials) of
      the above mentioned parameters of the water maze learning. ANOVAs Group x Days,
      Group x Trials, and Groups x Days x Trials interactions were insignificant. The
      data obtained indicate that the difference between groups was appeared evidently
      due to the difference in general motor activity, rather than difference in their
      cognitive abilities assessed by reference and working memory tasks.

PMID- 27263279
TI  - [Comparative Analysis of Behavior in The Open-field Test in Wild Grey Rats
      (Rattus norvegicus) and in Grey Rats Subjected to Prolonged Selection for Tame
      And Aggressive Behavior].
AB  - The aim of this work is analysis of the open-field behavior in grey rats selected
      for the tame and aggressive behavior in comparison with the wild grey rats.
      Significant influences of the rat group factor on the 13 of 19 behavioral
      features studied in the open-field were found. This effect, in general, depends
      on existence of great differences between behaviors of the wild rats from the one
      hand and behaviors of the tame and aggressive rats from the other. The behaviors
      of the rats from the last two groups are practically identical. Multidimensional
      analysis confirms the distinct separation in coordinates of the two main
      components of the wild rat behavior from the behavior of both the tame and
      selectively bred aggressive rats. The first main component dimension corresponds
      to the grade of fear, which was significantly enhanced in the wild rats. So, in
      spite of the equality of behavioral aggressiveness of the wild rats and the rats
      selected for aggression with the glove test, the behavior of selected aggressive
      rats in the open-field is analogous to behavior of the rats selected for
      tameness. Comparison of behavioral features with the hormonal stress
      responsiveness allowed us to conclude that the aggressive behavior of the wild
      and se lected for aggression rats based on different motivational and
      neuroendocrine processes.

PMID- 27263280
TI  - [Thalamo-Cortical Mechanisms of Initiation, Maintenance and Termination of Spike
      wave Discharges at WAG/Rij rats].
AB  - Generalized spike and wave discharges (SWDs) are generated within the cortico
      thalamo-cortical system, being an electroencephalographic sign of absence
      epilepsy. The current work aims to identify mechanisms of SWD initiation,
      maintenance and termination. Dynamics and directionality of mutual interactions
      between neocortex (occipital (OC) and frontal (FC) cortex) and thalamus
      (reticular (RTN) and ventral postero medial (VPM) thalamic nuclei) were
      investigated. SWD initiation process is revealed several seconds before seizure
      onset in interaction between all brain areas, except intrathalamic pair (RTN
      VPM). This process begins at different moments relatively to SWD onset. The
      interaction increase is observed earlier and most obviously when thalamus and OC
      drive FC. The maintenance process (the first few seconds of SWD) is accompanied
      with high level interaction inside thalamus and increase of driving from thalamus
      to occipital cortex. Thus interaction from thalamus and occipital cortex to
      frontal cortex and influence to VPM occur to be below baseline level. At the SWD
      offset thalamo-cortical interactions were found to return to baseline level
      quickly.

PMID- 27263281
TI  - [Method of Calculating the Distance Between the Classes of the Structural
      Components of the Forebrain Birds].
AB  - The method of calculating the distance between the classes of the structural
      components of the brain of birds. Compared interclass distances of glia, neurons
      and neuroglial complexes in the forebrain hooded crow (Corvus cornix) (a bird
      with a highly rational activity) and common crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) (birds
      with a medium level of rational activity).

PMID- 27263282
TI  - You are a Leader!

PMID- 27263283
TI  - Legal Corner.

PMID- 27263284
TI  - [Effect of Progesterone-induced MicroRNA-152 on the Proliferation of Endometrial
      Epithelial Cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of microRNA-152 induced by progesterone
      and its effect on the proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells (EECs).
      METHODS: Cultured EECs, Ishikawa were divided into four groups: control group (C
      group), 10(-8) mol/L estrogen treated group (E group), 10(-6) mol/L progesterone
      group (P group) and estrogen plus progesterone treated group (E&P group). The
      expression of mature microRNA-152 (microRNA-152-3p) of was detected by qRT-PCR.
      The estrogen treated cells were transfected with mimic-microRNA-152-3p. The
      estrogen and progesterone treated cells were transfected with inhibitor-microRNA
      152-3p. Cell proliferations were detected by CCK-8 assay. The target gene of
      microRNA-152-3p proteins was predicted using microRNA target databases and
      validated by Western blot. RESULTS: qRT-PCR showed no difference between C and E
      groups (P > 0.05) in the expression of microRNA-152-3p. P group had higher
      expressions of microRNA-152-3p than C group (P < 0.05). E&P group had higher
      expressions of microRNA-152-3p than C group and P group. MicroRNA target protein
      prediction suggested that CDC14A is one of direct target proteins of microRNA-152
      3p. The results of CCK-8 assay showed that mimic-microRNA-152-3p transfection
      blocked proliferations of estrogen treated cells and lowered expressions of
      CDC14A in these cells; while inhibitor-microRNA-152-3p promotes proliferations of
      estrogen and progesterone treated cells and increased expressions of CDC14A in
      these cells. CONCLUSION: Progesterone may suppress proliferations of EECs through
      inducing expressions of microRNA-152-3p. CDC14A is probably one target protein of
      microRNA-152-3p for its action on EECs.

PMID- 27263285
TI  - [Effect of Resveratrol Preconditioning on Myocardial Dysfunction after Cardiac
      Arrest in Rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects and its potential mechanism of
      resveratrol preconditioning on rat cardiac arrest after return of spontaneous
      circulation (ROSC) with the study of hemodynamic parameters and nitrative stress
      in myocardium. METHODS: Cardiac arrest SPF SD rat model was established by
      transoesophageal cardiac alternating current stimulation. Intervention was
      implemented 15 min before cardiac arrest. Twenty four rats with ROSC after
      cardiac arrest were randomly assigned into five groups: vehicle, sham,
      resveratrol 2.3 mg/kg (A group), resveratrol 0.23 mg/kg (B group) and resveratrol
      0.023 mg/kg (C group). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and left ventricular
      variables (+ dp/dtmax and - dp/dtmin) were recorded in 0.5 h, 1.0 h, 2.0 h, 3.0
      h, and 4.0 h respectively. Rats were sacrificed at 4 h after ROSC, and hearts
      were removed for determining expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)
      protein, myocardial peroxynitrite, and nitrotyrosine. RESULTS: Global ROSC rate
      was 72.7% after the induction of cardiac arrest. Resveratrol preconditioning did
      not improve ROSC rate significantly. Heart rate and blood pressure declined at
      early phase of ROSC, then heart rate recovered to the baseline value, but blood
      pressure still declined progressively. There were no significant differences
      between resveratrol groups and vehicle group. Myocardial function worsened
      progressively even after ROSC. Resveratrol improved cardiac function
      significantly, especially in lower concentration groups. Myocardial iNOS
      expression, peroxynitrite, and nitrotyrosine content increased significantly
      after ROSC. Resveratrol decreased these products significantly, and lower
      concentration groups did better. CONCLUSION: Resveratrol preconditioning could
      improve cardiac dysfunction after ROSC, which may be associated with its
      inhibitory effect on nitrative stress.

PMID- 27263286
TI  - [The Experiment Study and Mechanism of Aspirin Enhances Cellular Sensitivity of
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line to Arsenic Trioxide].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore whether aspirin could sensitize arsenic trioxide on human
      hepatocelluar carcinoma cell line and understanding the combination mechanisms
      underlying co-treatment. METHODS: Cell viability was detected by MTT assay, cell
      apoptosis rate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were measured by flow
      cytometry, and Western blot assay was used to estimated the protein expression of
      heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in total protein and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in
      nuclear protein. RESULTS: 10 MUmol/L arsenic trioxide can decreased the cell
      viability, while cell apoptosis rate, ROS level, HO-1 and Nrf2 protein expression
      was increased (P < 0.05). When compared with arsenic trioxide alone, co-treatment
      of arsenic trioxide with aspirin in different concentration (0, 0.1, 1.0, 2.5,
      5.0 mmol/L) exhibited dual effects in intracellular ROS level, HO-1 and Nrf2
      expression. Specifically, with the increasing of aspirin concentrations, the
      level of ROS induced by arsenic trioxide showed a rising trend after the first
      reduction, whereas, HO-1 and Nrf2 protein expression were decreased at first and
      then increased. CONCLUSION: Low concentration, less than 2.5 mmol/L, of aspirin
      may reduce the ROS accumulation through activating of Nrf2-HO-1 pathway,
      therefore decreasing the apoptotic cell death induced by arsenic trioxide. On the
      contrary, 5 mmol/L aspirin could increase the sensitivity of HepG2 to arsenic
      trioxide through enhancing the arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis by ROS
      accumulation resulting in inhibiting the Nrf2-HO-1 pathway.

PMID- 27263287
TI  - [3D Collagen Hydrogel Culture of Rat Calvarial Osteoblasts].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish a collagen hydrogel three-dimensional culture model with
      rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROBs). METHODS: ROBs were obtained through enzyme
      digestion of segregated neonatal SD rat skull. The collagen hydrogel three
      dimensional culture model was established by mixing ROBs with different
      concentrations of type I rat tail collagen (collagen concentration of 1, 2, 3
      mg/mL), DMEM medium and NaOH under adjusted PH and a temperature of 37 degrees C.
      Cell viability and activity were detected by FDA/PI staining and CCK-8 3 d after
      cell culture. The optimal culture method of 3D collagen hydrogel was identified.
      Cell distribution was observed using scanning electron microscopy and HE
      staining. RESULTS: ROBs collagen was formed firmly at 2 mg/mL, which had
      significantly higher levels of cell viability and activity than those at 1 mg/mL
      and 3 mg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy and HE staining showed that cells under
      the 2 mg/mL collagen culture system adhered with collagen tightly and distributed
      homogeneously. CONCLUSION: A collagen hydrogel 3D culture model was established
      successfully by mixing ROBs with collagen at 2 mg/mL.

PMID- 27263288
TI  - [Effects of Tetrandrine Prenatal Intervention on Alveolar Epithelial Cells Type I
      Differentiation in Rat Model of Nitrofen-induced Congenital Diaphragmatic
      Hernia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Tetrandrine (TET) prenatal intervention
      on the differentiation of alveolar epithelial cells type I (AEC I) in rat model
      of Nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: Timed
      pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, namely control, CDH
      and TET group on day 9.5 of gestation. The rats in TET group and CDH group were
      given 125 mg of Nitrofen by gavage one time, while the rats in control group were
      given the same dose of seed fat. After that, the rats in TET group was given 30
      mg/kg of TET by gavage once a day for three days from day 18.5 of gestation,
      while the rats in CDH and control group were given the same dose of normal
      saline. On day 21.5 of gestation, all fetuses were delivered by cesarean, the
      lungs of fetuses were histologically evaluated by microscope and electron
      microscope. The expressions of type I cell-specific protein (RT140) and thyroid
      transcription factor 1 (TTF1) in alveolar fluid content were analyzed by RT-PCR
      and immunohistochemistry staining. To detect the number of AEC I and AEC II of
      each group by transmission electron microscopy and calculate the percentage of
      AEC I and AEC II (I/II%). RESULTS: The microscope and electron microscope study
      found the lungs of fetuses in CDH group showed marked hypoplasia, in contrast to
      the improvement of hypoplasia in TET fetuses. The pulmonary alveolar area had
      significant difference statistically (P < 0.01) in each group, which present as
      control > TET > CDH. I/II% had significant difference statistically (P < 0.01) in
      each group, which present as control > TET > CDH. The expression level of TTF1
      was up-regulated in both CDH and TET groups, and it was higher in CDH group (P <
      0.01). The expression level of RT140 were down-regulated in CDH and TET groups,
      which was lower in CDH group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The development of AEC I was
      interfered in CDH rat model, TET prenatal treatment could improve the lung
      development of CDH.

PMID- 27263289
TI  - [Expression of Type 3 Acid Sensitive Ion Channels in Bladder of OAB Rat Model].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of type 3 acid-sensing ion channels
      (ASIC3) in bladder tissue of over active bladder (OAB) rat model. METHODS: Sixty
      adult female rats were randomly divided into control group (intraperitoneal
      injection of 0.9% sodium chloride), GAB group (intraperitoneal injection of
      cyclophosphamide) and the intervention group (OAB rats treated with ASIC3
      inhibitor amiloride). The rats underwent urodynamic testing. The bladder tissues
      were collected for pathological examination, while the expressions of ASIC3 were
      measured by the methods of immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot.
      RESULTS: Urodynamic study found that the rats in control group had no significant
      contraction instability in both storage and voiding stages. Compared with the
      control group, OAB group and intervention group showed instability of visible
      contraction in urine storage stage, with shorter micturition interval (P < 0.01)
      and increased frequency of urination (P < 0.01). Compared with the OAB group, the
      intervention group showed significantly prolonged micturition interval (P < 0.05)
      and reduced frequency of urination (P < 0.05). Pathologic examination showed rat
      bladder mucosal damage in both OAB group and intervention group.
      Immunohistochemistry found the expression of ASIC3 on bladder mucosa. RT-PCR and
      Western blot showed significantly higher expression of ASIC3 in OAB group (P <
      0.01), but the expression of ASIC3 decreased in intervention group after adding
      ASIC3 inhibitor. CONCLUSION ASIC3 expresses mainly on bladder mucosa. The gene
      and protein expression of ASIC3 in rat bladder tissue of OAB rats is higher,
      which can be significantly decreased by ASIC inhibitor. The symptoms of OAB
      reduce after intervention, which demonstrates the increased expression of ASIC3
      in bladder tissue is closely related to bladder detrusor.

PMID- 27263291
TI  - [Expressions and Clinical Significance of Autophagy-related Genes ATG2B, ATG4D,
      ATG9B in Breast Carcinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions and clinical significance of autophagy
      related gene 2B (ATG2B), autophagy-related gene 4D (ATG4D), autophagy-related
      gene 9B (ATG9B) in breast cancer cell lines and breast cancer. METHODS: Cancer
      Browser screening was applied to study the differential expressions of ATG2B,
      ATG4D, ATG9B genes in breast cancer. Quantitative Real-time PCR was used to
      measure the expressions of these three genes in human breast cancer cell lines
      (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435S and ZR-75-30) as well as 83 cases of breast
      cancer samples with paired normal breast tissues. The relationships between the
      expressions of these genes and clinicopathological characteristics were further
      analyzed. RESULTS: Cancer Browser screening found abnormal expressions of ATG2B,
      ATG4D, ATG9B in breast cancer (P = 0.015, P = 0.028, P = 0.040). All four breast
      cancer cell lines expressed ATG2B, ATG4D, ATG9B, and the expression of ATG2B,
      ATG9B was significantly lower than positive control (P < 0.001), but ATG4D
      expression was higher than positive control (P < 0.001). The expressions of
      ATG2B, ATG4D, ATG9B in breast cancer were all lower than those in the adjacent
      normal tissues (P < 0.001, P = 0.031, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the expression of
      ATG2B was correlated with ER (r = 0.949, P = 0.015), and the expression of ATG4D
      was related to age (r = -0.449, P = 0.005), the expression of ATG9B was
      correlated to lymph node metastasis and cytokeratin 5/6 status (r = 0.339, P =
      0.043; r = 0.533, P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: ATG2B, ATG4D, ATG9B genes shows low
      expressions in breast cancer, which may become new molecular markers for the
      prognosis of breast cancer.

PMID- 27263290
TI  - [Expression of BMP2/Smad1/Runx2 Signal Pathway in Renal Artery of Rat with
      Vascular Calcification].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activation and its role of bone morphogenetic
      protein 2 (BMP2)/Smad1/Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) signal pathway
      in renal artery of rat models with vascular calcification. METHODS: Twenty four
      male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and calcification group.
      Rat vascular calcification model was constructed by administration of vitamin D3
      plus nicotine. Vascular calcification was confirmed by Von Kossa staining and
      calcium content was detected by calcium assay. Real time-PCR was applied to
      detect the expression of BMP2, Smad1, Runx2 mRNA, and immunohistochemistry was
      used to measure the protein levels of BMP2, Smad1, Runx2, alpha-smooth muscle
      actin (alpha-SMA). RESULTS: Von Kossa staining showed a large number of black
      granules deposited in renal artery. Calcium content in calcification group was
      significantly higher than that in normal group. Compared with the control group,
      the expressions of BMP2, Smad1 and Runx2 mRNA in renal artery were increased in
      calcification group. The protein levels of BMP2, Smad1 and Runx2 were higher
      while the expression of alpha-SMA was lower in calcification group than those in
      control group. The correlation analysis was found a positivie correlation between
      the calcium content and BMP2 mRNA (r = 0.655, P < 0.05), Smad1 mRNA (r = 0.735, P
      < 0.05), Runx2 mRNA (r = 0.734, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of
      BMP2/Smad1/Runx2 signal pathway was strongly correlated with the severity of
      vascular calcification, which may be involved in the occurrence and development
      of vascular calcification.

PMID- 27263292
TI  - [Effect of Intron Orientation on the Expression of Transgene Imposed by MAR
      Expression Vector in Stably Recombinant CHO Cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of intron orientation on the transgene
      expression level imposed by matrix attachment region (MAR) expression vector.
      METHODS: The MAR of beta-globin was amplified by PCR, and then cloned into MAR
      expression vectors. An intron sequence was digested with restriction enzyme,
      ligated to the MAR expression vector in reverse orientation, and then transfected
      into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The transfected stable cells were
      screened by G418. The level of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene
      expression was analyzed by ELISA method. RESULTS: The transgene expression levels
      of CHO cells with the two expression vectors with a positive intron or without
      MAR were higher than that of CHO cells with an expression vector with reverse
      intron (P < 0.05). MAR did not improve transgene expression with reverse intron
      presence. CONCLUSION: Different orientation of intron can affect transgene
      expression in recombinant CHO cells. The transgene expression level can be
      increased using positive intron and MAR.

PMID- 27263293
TI  - [The Immunomodulatory and Anti-allergy Effects of Lactobacilli].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the potent immunomodulatory
      effects of Lactobacilli and their possible anti-allergic effects. METHODS:
      Lactobacillus plantarum LP45 (LP45), Lactobacillus acidophilus La28 (La28),
      Lactobacillus acidophilus 6091 (6091), Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) were
      orally administrated to male BALB/C mice, respectively for 28 d. The immune organ
      index, serum Th1 cytokines [interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-12 (IL-12)]
      and Th2 cytokines IL-6 of the tested mice were analyzed with ELISA after
      intervention. Furthermore, La28, 6901 were also orally fed to ovalbumin (OVA)
      sensitized male BALB/C. The serum total IgE of the tested mice was analyzed with
      ELISA after intervention. RESULTS: No statistical difference was found in immune
      organ index among the tested four strains. La28 significantly decreased serum IL
      6 of the tested mice after 14 d and 28 d compared to those in control (P < 0.05).
      After 28 d, 6091 also significantly reduced serum IL-6 of the tested mice (P <
      0.05). La28 significantly suppressed the increase of serum total IgE of the
      tested mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the
      immunomodulatory effects of Lactobacilli might be strain-dependent. Among the
      tested strains of Lactobacilli, La28 and 6091 may have possibility to influence
      the Th2 immunity of host animal. La28 may also posse potent ability to alter IgE
      mediated allergy by the way to affect Th1/Th2 balance of host animal.

PMID- 27263294
TI  - [Prevention and Therapeutic Effects of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule on Liver Fibrosis
      and Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevention and therapeutic effects of Fuzheng Huayu
      Capsule on liver fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanism by regulating the
      expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). METHODS: Forty Wistar rats
      were randomly divided into five groups: the normal group, the preventive group
      (the preventive experimental group and the preventive control group) and the
      treatment group (the treatment experimental group and the treatment control
      group). All the rats, except those in the normal group, were given CCl4 by
      subcutaneous injection and alcohol by oral adminstration to establish the model
      of liver fibrosis; meanwhile the rats in normal group were given same amount of
      olive oil by subcutaneous injection and water by oral administration. The
      preventive experimental group and control group were treated with Fuzheng Huayu
      crude drug 0.46 g/kg body mass through stomach irrigation and saline respectively
      once a day for four weeks during the modeling process. The treatment experimental
      group and control group were treated with Fuzheng Huayu crude drug 0.46 g/kg body
      mass through stomach irrigation and saline respectively once a day for four weeks
      after the modeling process. Blood was collected for the examination of liver
      function and serum fibrosis marker. HE staining was used to examine the
      pathological changes in liver tissue. The expression of CTGF was detected by
      immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the preventive experimental group,
      total bilirubin (TB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in
      the preventive control group decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with
      the treatment control group, ALT and laminin (LN) in the treatment experimental
      group decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the treatment comtrol
      group, the inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in the treatment experimental group
      alleviated significantly. The expression of CTGF in the treatment experimental
      group were significantly lower than that in the treatment control group (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Fuzheng Huayu Capsule showed the prevention and therapeutic
      effects on experimental liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, Fuzheng Huayu Capsule could
      inhibit the CTGF expression in liver tissue, which may be one of the molecular
      mechanisms of these effects.

PMID- 27263295
TI  - [Effect of Electro-acupuncture on the Expression of Slit2 and HSPGs in Rats with
      Focal Cerebral Infarction].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of Slit2 and heparan sulfate proteoglycans
      (HSPGs) in cortex of rats with focal cerebral infarction and the effect of
      acupuncture (EA) on the expression of Slit2 and HSPGs. METHODS: 40 male Sprague
      Dawley (SD) rats were equally randomized into four groups: Control group, model
      group, non-acupoint EA group, and EA group. Thread-tying method was used in the
      model group, non-acupoint EA group and EA group to clog arteries and then open up
      after 1.5 h. Morphology changes of tissues around the infarction area were
      observed 14 days later by Nissl staining. The expressions of Slit2 and HSPGs in
      the ischemic brain tissues were detected by indirect immunofluorescence staining
      (IF) and Western blot (WB). RESULTS: Modified neurologicalseverity scores (mNSS)
      showed zero in the control group, lower than the score of EA group. The EA group
      had lower mNSS score than the non-acupoint group. The highest mNSS score appeared
      in the model group. Paired comparisons showed statistical differences (P < 0.01).
      Nissl's staining showed that EA group had increased Nissl bodies in alignment;
      non-acupoint EA group had increased and disordered Nissl bodies; model group had
      decreased and disordered Nissl bodies with edema in the brain. IF and WB showed
      that non-acupoint EA group had higher levels of Slit2 and HSPGs than model group
      (P < 0.05); EA group had higher levels of Slit2 and HSPGs than non-acupoint EA
      group (P < 0.05); model group had higher levels of Slit2 and HSPGs than control
      group (P < 0.05). The results of Nissl' s staining, IF and WB were consistent.
      CONCLUSION: EA can enhance the expressions of Slit2 and HSPGs. This may be one of
      the mechanisms of EA promoting recovery of neural functions after cerebral
      infarction.

PMID- 27263296
TI  - [Effect of Electroacupunctrue on ERp57 in NAFLD Rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupunctrue on ERp57 in non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rats, and study the therapeutic mechanism
      of electroacupunctrue in patients with NAFLD. METHODS: Sixty male SD rats were
      randomly divided into common diet group (n = 15) and high-fat diet group (n =
      45). 5 weeks later, two rats from the two groups were executed and confirmed that
      the model was successful. Then 10 rats in common diet group were chosen as
      control group (Control), and 40 rats in high-fat diet group were randomly chosen
      and divided into diet group 1 (D1), diet group 2 (D2), electroacupuncture group 1
      (EA) and electroacupuncture group 2 (EA2) (n = 10 each). D1 and EA1 were fed by
      high fat diet; D2 and EA2 were fed with common diet. In EA1 and EA2, filiform
      needle acupuncture was applied to ST36, SP6 and Liv3 and electroacupunctrue was
      applied to one-side of ST36, SP6 for 20 min once daily for 4 weeks. The rats in
      each group were weighed per-week. After the treatment the changes of blood lipid
      and liver functions of these rats were observed. ERp57 gene expression and
      protein expression were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, and expression of
      ERp57 downstream SREBP-1c was detected. RESULTS: The body mass of D1 increased
      slowly and were lower than D2 and EA1 (P < 0.05); the body weights of EA2
      increased rapidly and were higher than EA1 (P < 0.05), but without significant
      difference with D2 (P > 0.05). The contents of blood lipid, liver functions and
      the expression of ERp57 and SREBP-1c were significantly higher than those in
      Control, D2 and EA1 (P < 0.05). While compared to D2 and EA1 respectively, the
      index mentioned above in EA2 decreased more significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Electroacupunctrue can decrease expression of ERp57 to improve endoplasmic
      reticulum stress (ERS) of rats with NAFLD and then decrease expression of SREBP
      1c to regulate rat lipid, which could be one of mechanism to cure NAFLD.

PMID- 27263297
TI  - [Effects of Side-effect Attenuation Prescriptions on Cyclophosphamide-induced
      Myelosuppression in Mice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Side-effect Attenuation Prescriptions on
      the levels of white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB) and platelet (PLT) in
      peripheral blood of mice influenced by cyclophosphamide (CTX). METHODS: Mice were
      randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group, myelosuppression group
      induced by CTX (model group), recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating
      factor (G-CSF) group, and Side-effect Attenuation Prescriptions group
      (experimental groups with high, middle, and low dosages). Marrow depressed models
      were established by injecting CTX intraperitoneally (40 mg/kg, once/d, 10 d) to
      the mice. High, middle, and low dosage experimental groups received 40 g/kg, 20
      g/kg, and 10 g/kg Side-effect Attenuation Prescriptions once a day for two weeks,
      respectively. Mice in the G-CSF group were given G-CSF (50 MUg/kg) by hypodermic
      injection three days before blood sampling. Levels of WBC, HGB and PLT counts in
      peripheral bloods of the mice were detected at 7 d and 14 d after the marrow
      depressed models were established. RESULTS: The Side-effect Attenuation
      Prescriptions slowed down the decline of blood levels of WBC, HGB and PLT induced
      by CTX (P < 0.05), and accelerated the recovery of WBC and HGB levels compared
      with model group at 14 d (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Side-effect Attenuation
      Prescriptions can accelerate recovery of WBC, HGB and PLT in peripheral bloods of
      mice.

PMID- 27263298
TI  - [Effect of Leflunomideon Inflammatory Factors and Immune Function in Rats with
      Chronic Glomerulonephritis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of leflunomide on the inflammatory factors
      and immune function of rats with chronic glomerulonephritis. METHODS: Thirty rats
      of chronic glomerular nephritis model were established by injecting cationic
      bovine serum albumin (C-BSA). Rats with successfully modeled were randomly
      divided into model group and observation group. Another 15 rats injected with
      physiological saline in the same way were chosen as the control group. Modeling
      after 2 weeks, rats in the observation group were given leflunomide meters
      suspension by gavage treatment with 5 mg/(kg x d). Rats in the control group and
      model group were given equal volume of saline. Rats were killed after continuous
      intragastric for 4 weeks. The levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen,
      serum total cholesterol, serum albumin and 24 h urine protein were recorded. mRNA
      and protein levels of peripheral blood tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)
      and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA method. Peripheral
      blood T lymphocyte subsets were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS:
      Compared with the control group, the levels of serum creatinine, blood urea
      nitrogen, serum total cholesterol, serum albumin and 24 h urine protein in model
      group and observation group were significantly increased (P < 0.05); Compared
      with the model group, these biochemical indexes in observation group decreased
      significantly (P < 0.05). Comparison with the control group, mRNA and protein
      levels of peripheral blood TNF-alpha and IL-6 in model group and observation
      group rats were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model
      group, mRNA and protein levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly decreased
      (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, peripheral blood T lymphocyte
      subsets in the model group and observation group were imbalance, the difference
      was significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the model rats, T lymphocyte subsets in
      the observation group after treatment tended to be stable (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Leflunomide can significantly reduce the levels of biochemical indexes and
      inhibit the inflammatory reaction. The mechanism may be related to the regulation
      of immune function.

PMID- 27263299
TI  - [Expression of Serotonin Receptor and Transporter Related Genes of CD4+ T
      Lymphocytes in Patients with Asthma and Depression].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the comorbidity mechanism of asthma and depression.
      METHODS: A self-developed questionnaire, which also contained Asthma Control Test
      (ACT), Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and Hamilton Rating Scale for
      depression ( HRSD), was administered in 41 participants with asthma (AS), asthma
      and depression (AD), or none any of these conditions (health control, HC). Lung
      function and blood levels of eosnophils and IgE were also detected in those in
      the AS and AD groups. Blood CD4+ T cells were isolated in all of the participants
      to extract RNA for reverse transcription to cDNA. Real-time polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using cDNA as a template to detected the
      expression levels of HTR1A, HTR2A, HTR7, SLC6A4, and B2M genes. RESULTS:
      Participants with AS and AD had lower expression level of SLC6A4 than the healthy
      controls (P = 0.000). The expression level of HTR2A in participants with AS was
      lower than that in the healthy controls (P = 0.021) and marginally lower than
      that in participants with AD (P = 0.077). Participants with AD had lower AQLQ
      scores than participants with AS (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Asthma and depression
      is correlated at gene level. Decreased expression of SLC6A4 gene may be one of
      the possible comorbidity mechanisms of asthma and depression.

PMID- 27263300
TI  - [Association of Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms with Response to Antiviral
      Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene Bsm I, Fok I,
      Taq I and Apa I polymorphisms on the response to antiviral therapy in patients
      with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). METHODS: There were total 124 patients with CHC
      treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. VDR gene Bsm I, Fok I Taq I and
      Apa I polymorphisms were analyzed in 71 patients with sustained virological
      response (SVR) and 53 patients without SVR (non-SVR) by polymerase chain reaction
      MassARRAY (PCR-MassARRAY). RESULTS: The distributions of VDR genotype met Hardy
      Weinberg equilibrium (all P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in VDR
      Fok I, Taq I, Apa I allele and genotype frequencies between SVR and non-SVR
      patients (all P > 0.05). The Bsm I (GA) genotype was significant higher in the
      patients with SVR compared to those with non-SVR (Chi2 = 3.967, P = 0.046). Three
      SNPs at VDR gene (Bsm I, Taq I and Apa I) were in strong linkage disequilibrium.
      Linkage disequilibrium coefficient (D') between Bsm I and Taq I was 1.000 and the
      correlation coefficient (r2) was 0.741. D' between Bsm I and Apa I was 1.000 and
      r2 was 0.082. D' between Taq I and Apa I was 0.829 and r2 was 0.076. No relation
      existed between haplotypes and response to therapy (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Vitamin D receptor gene Bsm I polymorphism may be associated with the therapeutic
      response to antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in chronic
      hepatitis C patients.

PMID- 27263301
TI  - [Gene Mutation Spectrum Analysis of 170 Patients with Duchenne/Bayesian Muscular
      Dystrophy in Southwest of China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine gene variations and genotype-phenotype correlations in
      Duchenne/Bayesian muscular mystrophy (DMD/BMD) patients, and the association
      between dystrophin gene polymorphisms and clinical phenotype. METHODS: Multiplex
      ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was adopted to detect dystrophin
      gene variations in 170 patients. Sanger sequencing was performed in 3 cases with
      decreased peaks in MLPA results. RESULTS: The MLPA detected 72.94% mutations in
      dystrophin gene, including 62.35% (106/170) deletions, 8.82% (15/170)
      duplications, and 1.76% (3/170) point mutations. 64 different types of mutations
      were found. 75.47% of deletions occurred in the range from exon 44 to 55. Most 5'
      breakpoints of exonic variations were located in 2 hotspots (major hotspot:
      intron 43-55; minor hotspot: intron 1-20), which is different from findings of
      other studies. Genotype-phenotype analysis showed that the severity of DMD/BMD
      was associated with frame shift mutation (r = 0.640, P < 0.001) but not with
      deletions or duplications. CONCLUSION: Deletions and duplications of exon compose
      the main type of dystrophin gene mutations. DMD/BMD is associated with frame
      shift mutation.

PMID- 27263302
TI  - [Equity of Health Resources Allocation in Minority Regions of Sichuan Province].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine equity of health resources allocation in minority regions
      of Sichuan province from 2009 to 2013. METHODS: Health resources distribution
      equity among populations and across geographic catchments were measured using
      coefficients of Inter-Individual differences and Individual-Mean differences.
      RESULTS: Health resources, especially human resources, in minority regions
      increased slowly over the years. Poorer allocation equity was found in nursing
      resources compared with doctors and hospital beds. Better distribution equity was
      found among populations than across geographic catchments. High levels of equity
      in resource distributions among populations and across geographic catchments were
      found in Aba. In Liangshan, more equitable distributions were found in doctors
      and hospital beds compared with nurses. The rest of minority regions had poor
      absolute allocation equity in doctors and hospital beds among populations.
      CONCLUSION: Appropriate allocation of health resources can promote health
      development. Health resources allocation in minority regions of Sichuan province
      is unreasonable. The government and relevant departments should take actions to
      optimize health resources allocations.

PMID- 27263303
TI  - [Dietary Fiber and Pubertal Development among Children and Adolescents--a Cross
      sectional Study in Chengdu, Sichuan].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between intake of dietary fiber and
      pubertal development among children and adolescents in Chengdu. METHODS: A cross
      sectional survey was undertaken in 1 340 children and adolescents aged 9-15
      years. Data about dietary intake were collected through 24-h dietary self-recall.
      Pubertal development was measured by trained investigators using Tanner criteria.
      Consumptions of total fiber and fiber from different sources were compared among
      the participants with different stages of pubertal development. RESULTS: Data
      from 1 328 children and adolescents were analyzed. Boys (n = 667) at a later
      stage of pubertal development consumed less total fiber and fruit fiber than
      those at an earlier stage (P < 0.05). Similarly, girls (n = 651) at a later stage
      of pubertal development consumed less fruit fiber than those at an earlier stage
      (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dietary fiber intake, especially fruit fiber, is lower in
      children and adolescents with early commencement of puberty development. Further
      studies are needed to establish the relationship between dietary fiber and
      pubertal development.

PMID- 27263304
TI  - [Regional Differences and Determinants of Self-rated Health in Elderly].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine differences of self-rated health in elderly people across
      geographic regions of China, and to identify factors influencing self-rated
      health of elderly. METHODS: Ordered logistic modeling was performed using the
      China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data in 2013. RESULTS:
      Elderly people resided in Eastern China had better self-rated health than their
      counterparts residing in Middle (partial regression coefficient 0.252, P < 0.01)
      and Western (partial regression coefficient 0.338, P < 0.001) China. Sex,
      residency, education, per capita consumption expenditure, smoking and drinking,
      social participation, chronic diseases, and life satisfaction were identified as
      associated with self-rated health of elderly. CONCLUSION: There are regional
      differences in self-rated health of elderly. Policy priorities should be given to
      Middle and Western China, with more health resources being allocated to those
      regions. Regional economic and educational inequalities need to be addressed.
      Healthy lifestyle should be promoted.

PMID- 27263305
TI  - [Three-dimensional Ultrasound of the Pelvic Floor in Early Postpartum after First
      Delivery].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To dynamically observe the shape of levator hiatus and the mobility of
      bladder neck with three dimensional transperineal ultrasound, and then to
      evaluate female pelvic floor in early postpartum after delivery. METHODS: 170
      primiparae (the vaginal delivery group and the cesarean section group) and 35
      nulliparous women were recruited, and three dimensional transperineal ultrasound
      were performed with standardized gynecological pelvic settings. Ultrasonic
      dynamic imaging information was obtained in the condition of resting, Valsalva
      maneuver and anal sphincter contraction, including two-dimensional midsagittal
      view and the three-dimensional axial plane in which some biometric measurements
      were determined. RESULTS: The anteroposterior diameters of levator hiatus were
      significantly greater on sphincter contraction in the vaginal delivery group than
      that in nulliparous group after the 6-8 weeks delivery, but the measurements of
      the levator hiatus within cesarean delivery group and nulliparous group did not
      show statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). The mobility of bladder
      neck was significantly greater on Valsalva maneuver in the vaginal delivery group
      than those in the other groups, while the backward motion of bladder neck was
      greater on Valsalva maneuver in the cesarean section group than that in
      nulliparous group. The incidence of postpartum stress urinary incontinence was
      greater in the vaginal delivery group (10/104) than that in the cesarean section
      group (4.5%, 3/66), but no statistically significant differences were observed (P
      > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The large difference of pelvic floor exists between vaginal
      delivery and cesarean delivery. The bladder neck decent and levator hiatus
      anteroposterior diameter may be relatively sensitive indicators in ultrasonic
      evaluation of pelvic floor muscle contraction, especially the latter may be
      adopted as an observation index to evaluate pelvic floor muscle recovery after
      delivery.

PMID- 27263306
TI  - [Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Imaging of Creatine Metabolites: a 3.0 T
      MRI Pilot].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of using chemical exchange saturation
      transfer (CEST) imaging to measure creatine (Cr) metabolites with 3.0 T MR.
      METHODS: Phantoms containing different concentrations of Cr under various pH
      conditions were studied with CEST sequence on 3.0 T MR imaging. CEST effect and Z
      spectra were analyzed. RESULTS: Cr exhibited significant CEST effect (+/- 1.8
      ppm, F = 99.08, P < 0.001) on 3.0 T MR imaging, and positive correlation was
      found between the signal intensity and concentration of Cr (r = 0.963, P <
      0.001). The CEST effect showed pH dependency of Cr (r = 0.41, P = 0.035).
      CONCLUSION: Creatine CEST imaging can be performed on 3.0 T MR imaging. Creatine
      concentrations and pH influence CEST effect.

PMID- 27263307
TI  - [Using 9-color Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping to Detect Activation and
      Apoptosis of Human TCR Vbeta Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood
      Samples].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish an assay using 9-color flow cytometry immunophenotyping
      to detect activation and apoptosis of human TCR Vbeta lymphocyte subpopulations
      in peripheral blood samples. METHODS: We used 5 antibodies (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD95,
      CD69), phospholipids binding proteins Annexin V, TCR Vbeta Repertoire Kit and
      nucleus dye DAPI to establish a 9-color flow cytometry assay. Peripheral blood
      samples were taken from eight healthy people for test of antibodies and
      determination of optimal PMT and staining method (single-stained vs stained with
      all but one antibody). RESULTS: Appropriate detecting voltage, antibody
      concentration and compensation methods were determined. The distribution of TCR
      Vbeta subgroup in our samples was consistent with the TCR Vbeta Repertoire Kit
      instruction and other published literature. CONCLUSION: We have established a
      effective easy using 9-color flow cytometry immunophenotyping to detect human TCR
      Vbeta lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood samples.

PMID- 27263308
TI  - [Clinical Trial of Intraoperative Tissue Identification for Breast-Conserving
      Surgery Using Bio-impedance Spectroscopy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of bio-impedance spectroscopy (BIS)
      analysis for marginal tissue malignancy/benignancy identification during Breast
      Conserving Surgery (BCS). METHODS: A multicenter parallel-group clinical trial
      was conducted with the patients who received breast conserving surgery in 2
      hospitals. One hundred and fifty breast tissue specimens were collected and
      analyzed by BIS, frozen section biopsy and paraffin section biopsy respectively.
      Results were compared and statistical analysis was implemented. RESULTS: For BIS
      technique to identify malignant/benign marginal tissues, the sensitivity was
      92.98%, and the specificity was 94.62%. The coherence of BIS results and frozen
      section biopsy results was significant, and the Kappa value was higher than 0.75.
      The mean measuring time of BIS was 2.63 min, which was shorter than frozen
      section biopsy (18.97 min) and paraffin section biospy (1.12 d). CONCLUSION: BIS
      technique likely has high accuracy in tissue identification so has potential to
      be adopted as a real-time indicator for marginal tissue malignancy/benignancy
      identification during breast-conserving surgery.

PMID- 27263309
TI  - [Characteristics of Clinicopathology and Genotype in 179 Cases with
      Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of the clinicopathology and genotypes
      in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). METHODS: The
      clinicopathological and genotypic data of 179 patients with GIST, who underwent
      treatment and genetic testing in the Hostital of West China from September 2009
      to February 2009 were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: The tumor sites of the
      cases were located in stomach (88 cases, 49.2%), small intestine (70 cases,
      39.1%), colorectum (7 cases, 3.9%) and the other sites (14 cases, 7.8%)
      respectively. 94.4%, 74.9% and 93.3% of GIST patients were positive for CD117,
      CD34 and DOG-1 immunophenotypes respectively. C-kit and PDGFRalpha mutations were
      found in 151 cases (84.4%) and 8 cases (4.5%) except for the wild types of the
      rest 20 cases (11.2%). Among all the c-kit mutation, 92.2% mutation types in exon
      11 were deletion mutation, point mutation and hybrid mutations, and in exon 9 the
      mutation types were just involving A502_Y503dup (n = 6) and Y403_F504ins (n =
      14), while the mutation type were K642Q in exon 13 (n = 1) and N822K in 17 (n =
      2). There were 6 patients with the mutation types of PDGFRalpha in exon 18, and 3
      of them were type of D842V. In the GIST genotyping, DOG-1 positive rate in
      PDGFRalpha mutation patients were significantly lower than that in c-kit mutation
      and wild type patients (P = 0.007). In the various type of c-kit mutations, the
      positive rate of CD34 in point mutation patients were significantly lower than
      that in other mutation types (P < 0.001). The rate of high-risk patients in point
      mutation and insertion mutation patients were lower than that in deletion
      mutation and deletion + insertion mutation patients (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The
      most common localizaions of GISTs are the stomach and small intestine. The most
      frequent mutation type of GIST is c-kit exon 11. The individualized treatment is
      required for GIST patients because its high mutation rate and types.

PMID- 27263310
TI  - [Effect of Epidural Volume Extension on Combined Spinal-anesthesia of Parturients
      in Women Undergoing Cesarean Delivery].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the blocking characteristics of epidural volume extension
      on combined spinal-anesthesia of parturients undergoing cesarean delivery.
      METHODS: Eighty parturients were randomly allocated to one of four groups,
      receiving 0, 5, 10 or 15 mL normal saline, respectively, through epidural
      catheter at a rate of 0.5 mL/s (n = 20 in each group) after combined spinal
      anesthesia with 11 mg intrathecally isobaric bupivacaine. Peak sensory block
      height, time for sensory block to sixth thoracicdermatome level, time for highest
      modified Bromage motor score, time for sensory regression to tenth
      thoracicdermatome level, and motor block recovery to Modified Bromage 0 were
      recorded. RESULTS: The groups with 10 mL and 15 mL epidural extension had a
      higher level of peak sensory and shorter time for the sensory block to sixth
      thoracicdermatome level compared with the control group (P< 0.05). There were no
      significant group differences in the time for sensory regression to tenth
      thoracicdermatome level (P > 0.05). The saline epidural extension groups had
      significant shorter time for highest modified Bromage motor score and motor block
      recovery to Modified Bromage 0 compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The
      use of phenylephrine was significantly higher in the 15 mL treatment group (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: 10 mL of epidural saline volume extension is optimal for
      combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia of parturients undergoing caesarean
      delivery.

PMID- 27263311
TI  - [The Effect of Different Positions on Block Plane of Isobaric Bupivacaine for
      Caesarean Section with Combined Spinal-Eqidural Analgesia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of horizontal and trendelenburg left lateral
      position on the onset time and the spread of intrathecal isobaric bupivacaine for
      elective cesarean delivery. METHODS: 180 parturients were enrolled to undergo
      elective cesarean delivery with combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE). They
      were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 60) according to the different positions
      during anesthesia: Group I horizontal position, Group II trendelenburg position 5
      degrees, Group III trendelenburg position 10 degrees. A combined spinal-eqidural
      (CSE) analgesia was performed at the L3-4 interspace in either horizontal or
      trendelenburg left lateral position, according to randomization. 2 mL of 0.5%
      isobaric bupivacaine was injected into subarachnoid space when cerebrospinal
      fluid outflew. Then the patient was placed in a supine position. The success
      criteria of anesthesia was: T6 sensory block, Bromage grade 2 or 3 (motor block),
      anesthesia effect >= grade III. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic
      blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), sensory block, motor block and adverse
      reactions such as hypotension, bradycardia, chest distress were observed after
      the 3 groups parturients entered into operating room. The numbers and success
      rate of Group I, II and III which got T6 sensory block in ten minutes were
      observed. RESULTS: Among Group I, II and III, there were no significant
      differences in onset time of sensory block and motor block (P > 0.05). The cold
      and pinprick sensation level in 10 min of Group I1 and Group III were higher than
      that of Group I (P < 0.05). The success rate of Group II or III was higher than
      Group I (P < 0.05). The success rate of Group III was higher than that of Group
      II, but not with significant difference (P > 0.05). There were no significant
      differences in hemodynamics, adverse reactions such as hypotension, bradycardia,
      chest distress among three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The trendelenburg 5
      degrees position can meet the requirement of operation without high anesthesia
      level.

PMID- 27263312
TI  - [Clinical Efficacy of Second-generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in Treating
      Chronic Myeloid Leukemia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of second-generation tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor (TKI) in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). METHODS: A total of
      97 patients with CML were enrolled. The patients were treated with TKI and
      monitored with complete blood count, cytogenetic and molecular indicators during
      the course of therapy. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate its clinical
      efficacy. RESULTS: The treatment achieved 97.9% complete hematologic response
      (CHR), 63.9% major cytogenetic response (MCyR), 60.0% complete cytogenetic
      response (CCyR) and 44.3% major molecular response (MMR) rates. Apart from CHR,
      better effects were shown in those indicators during chronic phase compared with
      progressive phase (P < 0.05). The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year overall
      survival (OS) rate was (90.6 +/- 3.0)%, (80.1 +/- 4.5)%, (77.5 +/- 5.0)% and
      (64.6 +/- 9.3)%, respectively, compared with an event-free survival (EFS) rate of
      (81.1 +/- 4.0)%, (64.4 +/- 5.3)%, (56.4 +/- 6.0)% and (46.2 +/- 8.2)%,
      respectively. The patients had a 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year progession
      free survival (PFS) rate of (87.4 +/- 3.4)%, (73.2 +/- 4.9)%, (68.9 +/- 5.5)% and
      (57.4 +/- 8.7)%, respectively. A difference between chronic phase (better
      results) and progressive phase (P < 0.05) was also found in survival indicators.
      The first-line TKI therapy had 100% CHR, 95% MCyR, 95% CCyR and 70% MMR, compared
      with 97.3% CHR, 56.8% MCyR, 48.6% CCyR and 36.5% MMR for the second-line TKI
      therapy. Apart from CHR, the first-line therapy produced better results than the
      seond-line therapy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CML patients in chronic phase and
      first-line use of TKI have better outcomes.

PMID- 27263314
TI  - The SAFER Matrix: A New Scoring Methodology.

PMID- 27263313
TI  - [Mental Disorders in Psychiatric Emergency Services of a General Hospital].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution, diagnosis and treatment of patients
      with mental disorders in emergency department of a large general hospital.
      METHODS: Records of patients with mental disorders, who came for psychiatric
      diagnosis in the emergency department of West China Hospital of Sichuan
      University, during 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 were reviewed. Data about
      demographic characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of those patients were
      extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 520 patients were included in the
      analysis: 212 male (40.8%) and 308 female (59.2%). Three most common disorders
      were "Schizophrenia, Schizotypal disorder and Delusional disorder" (175 cases,
      33.7%), "Mood disorder" (106 cases, 20.4%) and "Neurosis, Stress related and
      Somatoform disorder" (113, 21.7%). 50 (9.6%) patients were not confirmed with a
      diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Common mental disorders in the emergency service of this
      hospital include "Schizophrenia, Schizotypal disorder and Delusional disorder",
      "Mood disorder", and "Neurosis, Stress related and Somatoform disorder".
      Diagnosis of some patients is unclear. A wide range of treatment regimen should
      be made available.

PMID- 27263315
TI  - EP Review Project: The Joint Commission Deletes 225 Hospital Requirements.

PMID- 27263316
TI  - UPDATE: Texting Orders.

PMID- 27263317
TI  - POSTING: Spring E-dition for Accreditation and Certification Manuals.

PMID- 27263319
TI  - Approved: CAUTI NPSG for Nursing Care Centers.

PMID- 27263318
TI  - The Joint Commission and NQF Honor 2015 Eisenberg Award Recipients.

PMID- 27263320
TI  - Consistent Interpretation.

PMID- 27263321
TI  - Standards BoosterPakTM Supports Best Practices for HLD and Sterilization.

PMID- 27263322
TI  - Joint Commission Campaign Aims to Reduce Readmissions.

PMID- 27263323
TI  - Plan B. Interim Life Safety Measures Offer Fire Protection During Construction or
      Deficiencies.

PMID- 27263324
TI  - Regulating sex work: subjectivity and stigma in Senegal.
AB  - Senegal provides a unique example of a sub-Saharan African country with a legal
      framework for the regulation of commercial sex work. While registering as a legal
      sex worker affords women access to valuable social and medical resources, sex
      work is condemned by Senegalese society. Women who engage in sex work occupy a
      socially marginal status and confront a variety of stigmatising discourses and
      practices that legitimate their marginality. This paper examines two institutions
      that provide social and medical services to registered sex workers in Dakar: a
      medical clinic and a non-governmental organisation. It highlights the discourses
      about sex work that women encounter within these institutions and in their
      everyday lives. Women's accounts reveal a variety of strategies for managing
      stigma, from discretion and deception to asserting self-worth. As registered sex
      workers negotiate their precarious social position, their strategies both
      reproduce and challenge stigmatising representations of sex work. Their
      experiences demonstrate the contradictory outcomes of the Senegalese approach to
      regulating sex work.

PMID- 27263325
TI  - Local Minocycline Effect on Inflammation and Clinical Attachment During
      Periodontal Maintenance: Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Minocycline microspheres (MMs) are being used to treat residual
      inflamed periodontal pockets during periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT), but
      evidence for efficacy from randomized clinical trials is lacking. The purpose of
      this study is to evaluate the effect of MMs plus scaling and root planing (SRP)
      on these sites. METHODS: Sixty patients with chronic periodontitis on 6-month PMT
      intervals to be followed for 1 year were randomized (51 completed the study) into
      two statistically similar groups, SRP + MM (aged 66.8 years) and SRP alone (aged
      67 years), to treat a >=5 mm posterior interproximal pocket during PMT with a
      history of bleeding on probing (BOP). Group treatments were applied to the site
      at baseline and 6 months. Clinical attachment levels (CALs; primary outcome),
      probing depths (PDs), plaque, and BOP also were recorded at baseline and 6 and 12
      months. In addition, gingival crevicular fluid was analyzed for an inflammation
      index ratio of interleukin (IL)-1beta/IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra) using enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: All clinical parameters improved
      significantly (P <0.005) from baseline in both groups with no differences between
      groups at any time point. CAL decreased 17% (0.9 +/- 0.8 mm) and 13% (0.7 +/- 0.9
      mm) in SRP + MM and 11% (0.7 +/- 1.1 mm) and 21% (1.2 +/- 0.9 mm) in SRP at 6 and
      12 months, respectively. The odds of having BOP decreased 90% (down to 38% of
      patients) and 95% (26%) in SRP + MM and 82% (42%) and 82% (41%) in SRP at 6 and
      12 months, respectively. IL-1beta/IL-1ra decreased a significant 61% (P = 0.009)
      only in SRP + MM at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: SRP of inflamed moderate pockets
      during 6-month PMT, with or without MMs, improves CALs, along with PDs and BOP
      over a 1-year period. The use of MMs did not result in an additional benefit over
      SRP alone.

PMID- 27263326
TI  - Physiotherapy as a first point of contact in general practice: a solution to a
      growing problem?
AB  - Aim To evaluate the clinical effectiveness, patient satisfaction and economic
      efficacy of a physiotherapy service providing musculoskeletal care, as an
      alternative to GP care. BACKGROUND: There is a growing demand on general practice
      resources. A novel '1st Line Physiotherapy Service' was evaluated in two GP
      practices (inner city practice, university practice). Physiotherapy, as a first
      point of contact, was provided as an alternative to GP care for patients with
      musculoskeletal complaints. Participants A convenience cohort sample of over 500
      patients with a musculoskeletal complaint was assessed within the physiotherapy
      service. For the economic evaluation a cohort of 100 GP patients was
      retrospectively reviewed. METHOD: Clinical outcome measures were collected at
      assessment, one and six months following assessment. Patient satisfaction was
      collected at assessment. An economic evaluation was undertaken on the
      physiotherapy cohort of patients and compared to a retrospective cohort of
      patients (n=100) seen by a GP. This evaluation considered only the health care
      perspective (primary and secondary care). Societal issues such as absence from
      employment were not considered. RESULTS: There were no adverse events associated
      with the physiotherapy service. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction
      with the physiotherapy service. Patients managed within the 1st Line
      Physiotherapy Service demonstrated clinical improvements (EQ-5D-5L, Global Rating
      of Change) at the six-month point. There was a statistically significant
      difference in favour of the physiotherapy groups using a non-parametric bootstrap
      test; inner city practice, mean difference in costs=L538.01 (P =0.006; 95% CI;
      L865.678, L226.98), university practice mean difference in costs=L295.83
      (P=0.044; 95% CI; L585.16, L83.69). CONCLUSION: The limitations of this pragmatic
      service evaluation are acknowledged. Nevertheless, the physiotherapy service
      appears to provide a safe and efficacious service. The service is well received
      by patients. There appear to be potential financial implications to the health
      economy. Physiotherapists, as a first point of contact for patients with
      musculoskeletal-related complaints, could contribute to the current challenges
      faced in primary care.

PMID- 27263327
TI  - Preparation of biodegradable gelatin/PVA porous scaffolds for skin regeneration.
AB  - Porous scaffolds composed of gelatin/poly (vinyl alcohol), (Gel/PVA), were
      prepared using combination of freeze gelation and freeze drying methods. The
      effect of polymer concentration, gelatin/PVA ratio, and glutaraldehyde/gelatin
      ratio (GA/Gel) was investigated on morphology of pores, swelling ratio,
      biodegradation, and skin cell culture. At optimum preparation conditions the
      scaffolds had uniform pore size distributions showing high swelling ratio of
      23.6. The scaffolds were of biodegradable nature and almost degraded in 28 days.
      Human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF) were cultured on the scaffolds and MTS assay
      was conducted to evaluate the influence of PVA on growth and proliferation of the
      cells.

PMID- 27263359
TI  - Erratum to "Determination of the irradiation field at the research reactor TRIGA
      Mainz for BNCT" [J. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 67 (2009) S242-S246].

PMID- 27263360
TI  - The rise of genomics.
AB  - A brief history of the development of genomics is provided. Complete sequencing
      of genomes of uni- and multicellular organisms is based on important progress in
      sequencing and bioinformatics. Evolution of these methods is ongoing and has
      triggered an explosion in data production and analysis. Initial analyses focused
      on the inventory of genes encoding proteins. Completeness and quality of gene
      prediction remains crucial. Genome analyses profoundly modified our views on
      evolution, biodiversity and contributed to the detection of new functions, yet to
      be fully elucidated, such as those fulfilled by non-coding RNAs. Genomics has
      become the basis for the study of biology and provides the molecular support for
      a bunch of large-scale studies, the omics. 

PMID- 27263361
TI  - Microevolution of European temperate oaks in response to environmental changes.
AB  - This review reconstructs microevolutionary processes that allowed long-lived
      species as temperate oaks (Quercus petraea and Q. robur) to cope with climate
      change since the last glacial maximum, by assembling insights from complementary
      synchronic and allochronic approaches. Paleobotanical and genetic investigations
      show that oaks migrated at larger velocities than expected, thanks to long
      distance rare events and most likely human interferences. Hybridization was a key
      mechanism accelerating migration and enhancing species succession. Common garden
      experiments and genome wide association studies demonstrated that diversifying
      selection across large environmental gradients contributed to rapid local
      adaptation. Finally the review explores how lessons taken from past evolutionary
      scenarios may help to predict future responses of oaks to ongoing climate change.

PMID- 27263362
TI  - From Mendel to epigenetics: History of genetics.
AB  - The origins of genetics are to be found in Gregor Mendel's memoir on plant
      hybridization (1865). However, the word 'genetics' was only coined in 1906, to
      designate the new science of heredity. Founded upon the Mendelian method for
      analyzing the products of crosses, this science is distinguished by its explicit
      purpose of being a general 'science of heredity', and by the introduction of
      totally new biological concepts (in particular those of gene, genotype, and
      phenotype). In the 1910s, Mendelian genetics fused with the chromosomal theory of
      inheritance, giving rise to what is still called 'classical genetics'. Within
      this framework, the gene is simultaneously a unit of function and transmission, a
      unit of recombination, and of mutation. Until the early 1950s, these concepts of
      the gene coincided. But when DNA was found to be the material basis of
      inheritance, this congruence dissolved. Then began the venture of molecular
      biology, which has never stopped revealing the complexity of the way in which
      hereditary material functions. 

PMID- 27263366
TI  - Correction to "Atomic Force Microscopy Reveals the Mechanobiology of Lytic
      Peptide Action on Bacteria".

PMID- 27263396
TI  - Polycystic kidney disease: WNTs: ligands of the polycystin complex.

PMID- 27263400
TI  - Messaging Affects the Behavior of African American Parents with Regards to Soft
      Bedding in the Infant Sleep Environment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of specific health messages on the decisions of
      African American parents regarding soft bedding use, specifically related to the
      high degree of self-efficacy that African American parents have with regards to
      preventing infant suffocation vs low self-efficacy with regards to sudden infant
      death syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized,
      controlled clinical trial of African American mothers of infants. The control
      group received standard messaging emphasizing safe sleep practices recommended by
      the American Academy of Pediatrics for the purposes of SIDS risk reduction. The
      intervention group received enhanced messaging emphasizing safe sleep practices
      for both SIDS risk reduction and suffocation prevention. Participants completed
      interviews at 2-3 weeks, 2-3 months, and 5-6 months after the infant's birth.
      RESULTS: Of 1194 mothers enrolled, 637 completed all interviews. The use of soft
      bedding both in the past week and last night declined with age (P < .001).
      Infants in the enhanced group had a lower rate of use of soft bedding in the past
      week (P = .006) and last night (P = .013). Mothers who received the enhanced
      message were more likely to state that they avoided soft bedding to protect their
      infant from suffocation. CONCLUSIONS: African American mothers who receive an
      enhanced message about SIDS risk reduction and suffocation prevention are less
      likely to use soft bedding in their infant's sleep environment. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01361880.

PMID- 27263401
TI  - Dermatitis Artefacta Presenting as Recurrent Periorbital Cellulitis.

PMID- 27263402
TI  - Missed Opportunities: The Cost of Suboptimal Breast Milk Feeding in the Neonatal
      Intensive Care Unit.

PMID- 27263404
TI  - Nonpenetrating vs mechanical mesh fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia
      repair.

PMID- 27263403
TI  - Maternal Hemoglobin Concentration during Gestation and Risk of Anemia in Infancy:
      Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between maternal hemoglobin (Hb)
      concentration and the risk of anemia in infancy. STUDY DESIGN: This analysis
      included 17 193 women who entered the trial when they were >=20 years of age, no
      more than 20 weeks of gestation, had mild or no anemia, and delivered singleton
      live births. Maternal Hb concentrations were measured in the first trimester and
      during 24-28 weeks of gestation; infant Hb concentrations were measured at 5-7
      months and 11-13 months of life. The associations between maternal Hb
      concentrations and infant Hb concentrations were examined. RESULTS: Maternal Hb
      concentrations measured during 24-28 weeks of gestation, but not in the first
      trimester, were correlated with infant Hb concentrations measured at either of
      the 2 post-partum periods. The risk of infant anemia at 5-7 months of age
      increased when maternal Hb concentration was <=109 g/L during 24-28 weeks of
      gestation (aOR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.59-2.40) and 11-13 months of age (aOR, 1.72; 95%
      CI, 1.36-2.18), whereas the risk of anemia during 5-7 months of age as well as 11
      13 months in infancy decreased when maternal Hb level at 24-28 weeks of gestation
      was 120-129 g/L (aOR for 5-7 months, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.64-0.85]; aOR for 11-13
      months, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.61-0.85]), or >=130 g/L (aOR for 5-7 months, 0.75 [95%
      CI, 0.63-0.90]; aOR for 11-13 months, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.73-1.08]). CONCLUSIONS: Low
      maternal Hb concentration during 24-28 weeks of gestation was associated with an
      increased risk of anemia in infancy, whereas high maternal Hb concentration was
      associated with a reduced risk of anemia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov:
      NCT00133744.

PMID- 27263405
TI  - Outcomes of acute care surgical cases performed at night.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute care surgeons operate during the day and night. Time of day or
      night may impact the outcome because of surgeon and team fatigue, operative
      delays, or other unmeasured factors. METHODS: We performed matched retrospective
      cohort study of patients undergoing operative intervention at night by acute care
      surgeons over 16 months. Cases were matched on case complexity, age, and sex to
      daytime cases. Other confounders including comorbidities, presenting
      characteristics, complications, and mortality were abstracted. Outcomes
      differences between day and night cases were compared. RESULTS: Night cases (115)
      were matched 1:1 to daytime cases. Groups had similar degrees of comorbidity.
      Those operated at night had trends toward more hypotension and sepsis. After
      controlling for confounders using conditional logistic regression, surgical care
      at night was a potent predictor of mortality (odds ratio 30.02; 95% CI 2.33 to
      387.40; P = .009) but had little impact on morbidity (odds ratio 1.34; 95% CI .77
      to 2.36; P = .303). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency operations performed at night by acute
      care surgeons may have dissimilar outcomes compared with day cases.

PMID- 27263406
TI  - Embryonic cell culture in zebrafish.
AB  - Zebrafish embryonic cell cultures have many useful properties that make them
      complementary to intact embryos for a wide range of studies. Embryonic cell
      cultures allow for maintenance of transient cell populations, control of chemical
      and mechanical cues received by cells, and facile chemical screening. Zebrafish
      cells can be cultured in either heterogeneous or homogeneous cultures from a wide
      range of developmental time points. Here we describe two methods with particular
      applicability to chemical screening: a method for the culture of blastomeres for
      directed differentiation toward the myogenic lineage and a method for the culture
      of neural crest cells in heterogeneous cultures from early somitogenesis embryos.

PMID- 27263398
TI  - Obesity-related glomerulopathy: clinical and pathologic characteristics and
      pathogenesis.
AB  - The prevalence of obesity-related glomerulopathy is increasing in parallel with
      the worldwide obesity epidemic. Glomerular hypertrophy and adaptive focal
      segmental glomerulosclerosis define the condition pathologically. The glomerulus
      enlarges in response to obesity-induced increases in glomerular filtration rate,
      renal plasma flow, filtration fraction and tubular sodium reabsorption. Normal
      insulin/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and mTOR signalling are critical for
      podocyte hypertrophy and adaptation. Adipokines and ectopic lipid accumulation in
      the kidney promote insulin resistance of podocytes and maladaptive responses to
      cope with the mechanical forces of renal hyperfiltration. Although most patients
      have stable or slowly progressive proteinuria, up to one-third develop
      progressive renal failure and end-stage renal disease. Renin-angiotensin
      aldosterone blockade is effective in the short-term but weight loss by
      hypocaloric diet or bariatric surgery has induced more consistent and dramatic
      antiproteinuric effects and reversal of hyperfiltration. Altered fatty acid and
      cholesterol metabolism are increasingly recognized as key mediators of renal
      lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. Newer therapies
      directed to lipid metabolism, including SREBP antagonists, PPARalpha agonists,
      FXR and TGR5 agonists, and LXR agonists, hold therapeutic promise.

PMID- 27263407
TI  - Cellular dissection of zebrafish hematopoiesis.
AB  - Zebrafish as a model system have been instrumental in understanding early
      vertebrate development, especially of the hematopoietic system. The external
      development of zebrafish and their genetic amenability have allowed in-depth
      studies of multiple blood cell types and their respective genetic regulation.
      This chapter highlights some new data in zebrafish hematopoiesis regarding
      primitive and definitive hematopoiesis in the embryonic and adult fish, allowing
      the isolation of prospective progenitor subsets. It also highlights assays
      developed to examine the function of these progenitors in vivo and in vitro,
      allowing an evolutionary understanding of the hematopoietic system and how
      zebrafish can be better utilized as a model system for a multitude of
      hematopoietic disorders.

PMID- 27263408
TI  - Second harmonic generation microscopy in zebrafish.
AB  - Modern optical imaging has progressed rapidly with the ability to noninvasively
      image cellular and subcellular phenomena with high spatial and temporal
      resolution. In particular, emerging techniques such as second harmonic generation
      (SHG) microscopy can allow for the monitoring of intrinsic contrast, such as that
      from collagen, in live and fixed samples. When coupled with multiphoton
      fluorescence microscopy, SHG can be used to image interactions between cells and
      the surrounding extracellular environment. There is recent interest in using
      these approaches to study inflammation and wound healing in zebrafish, an
      important model for studying these processes. In this chapter we present the
      practical aspects of using second harmonic generation to image interactions
      between leukocytes and collagen during wound healing in zebrafish.

PMID- 27263409
TI  - Imaging blood vessels and lymphatic vessels in the zebrafish.
AB  - Blood vessels supply tissues and organs with oxygen, nutrients, cellular, and
      humoral factors, while lymphatic vessels regulate tissue fluid homeostasis,
      immune trafficking, and dietary fat absorption. Understanding the mechanisms of
      vascular morphogenesis has become a subject of intense clinical interest because
      of the close association of both types of vessels with pathogenesis of a broad
      spectrum of human diseases. The zebrafish provides a powerful animal model to
      study vascular morphogenesis because of their small, accessible, and transparent
      embryos. These unique features of zebrafish embryos permit sophisticated high
      resolution live imaging of even deeply localized vessels during embryonic
      development and even in adult tissues. In this chapter, we summarize various
      methods for blood and lymphatic vessel imaging in zebrafish, including nonvital
      resin injection-based or dye injection-based vessel visualization, and alkaline
      phosphatase staining. We also provide protocols for vital imaging of vessels
      using microangiography or transgenic fluorescent reporter zebrafish lines.

PMID- 27263410
TI  - An eye on light-sheet microscopy.
AB  - This chapter introduces the principles and advantages of selective plane
      illumination microscopy (SPIM) and compares it to commonly used epifluorescence
      or confocal setups. Due to the low phototoxicity, speed of imaging, high
      penetration depth, and spatiotemporal resolution, SPIM is predestined for in vivo
      imaging but can as well be used for in toto analysis of large fixed samples. Key
      points of light-sheet microscopy are highlighted and discussed priming the
      investigator to choose the best suitable system from the large collection of
      possible SPIM setups. Mounting of samples is shown and the demands for data
      acquisition, processing, handling, and visualization are discussed.

PMID- 27263411
TI  - Single neuron morphology in vivo with confined primed conversion.
AB  - Unraveling the structural organization of neurons can provide fundamental
      insights into brain function. However, visualizing neurite morphology in vivo
      remains difficult due to the high density and complexity of neural packing in the
      nervous system. Detailed analysis of neural morphology requires distinction of
      closely neighboring, highly intricate cellular structures such as neurites with
      high contrast. Green-to-red photoconvertible fluorescent proteins have become
      powerful tools to optically highlight molecular and cellular structures for
      developmental and cell biological studies. Yet, selective labeling of single
      cells of interest in vivo has been precluded due to inefficient photoconversion
      when using high intensity, pulsed, near-infrared laser sources that are commonly
      applied for achieving axially confined two-photon (2P) fluorescence excitation.
      Here we describe a novel optical mechanism, "confined primed conversion," which
      employs continuous dual-wave illumination to achieve confined green-to-red
      photoconversion of single cells in live zebrafish embryos. Confined primed
      conversion exhibits wide applicability and this chapter specifically elaborates
      on employing this imaging modality to analyze neural morphology of optically
      targeted single neurons in the developing zebrafish brain.

PMID- 27263414
TI  - Analysis of cilia structure and function in zebrafish.
AB  - Cilia are microtubule-based protrusions on the surface of most eukaryotic cells.
      They are found in most, if not all, vertebrate organs. Prominent cilia form in
      sensory structures, the eye, the ear, and the nose, where they are crucial for
      the detection of environmental stimuli, such as light and odors. Cilia are also
      involved in developmental processes, including left-right asymmetry formation,
      limb morphogenesis, and the patterning of neurons in the neural tube. Some cilia,
      such as those found in nephric ducts, are thought to have mechanosensory roles.
      Zebrafish proved very useful in genetic analysis and imaging of cilia-related
      processes, and in the modeling of mechanisms behind human cilia abnormalities,
      known as ciliopathies. A number of zebrafish defects resemble those seen in human
      ciliopathies. Forward and reverse genetic strategies generated a wide range of
      cilia mutants in zebrafish, which can be studied using sophisticated genetic and
      imaging approaches. In this chapter, we provide a set of protocols to examine
      cilia morphology, motility, and cilia-related defects in a variety of organs,
      focusing on the embryo and early postembryonic development.

PMID- 27263413
TI  - Using fluorescent lipids in live zebrafish larvae: From imaging whole animal
      physiology to subcellular lipid trafficking.
AB  - Lipids serve essential functions in cells as signaling molecules, membrane
      components, and sources of energy. Defects in lipid metabolism are implicated in
      a number of pandemic human diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and
      hypercholesterolemia. Many aspects of how fatty acids and cholesterol are
      absorbed and processed by intestinal cells remain unclear and present a hurdle to
      developing approaches for disease prevention and treatment. Numerous studies have
      shown that the zebrafish is an excellent model for vertebrate lipid metabolism.
      In this chapter, we review commercially available fluorescent lipids that can be
      deployed in live zebrafish to better understand lipid signaling and metabolism.
      In this chapter, we present criteria one should consider when selecting specific
      fluorescent lipids for the study of digestive physiology or lipid metabolism in
      larval zebrafish.

PMID- 27263412
TI  - Visualizing retinoic acid morphogen gradients.
AB  - Morphogens were originally defined as secreted signaling molecules that diffuse
      from local sources to form concentration gradients, which specify multiple cell
      fates. More recently morphogen gradients have been shown to incorporate a range
      of mechanisms including short-range signal activation,
      transcriptional/translational feedback, and temporal windows of target gene
      induction. Many critical cell-cell signals implicated in both embryonic
      development and disease, such as Wnt, fibroblast growth factor (Fgf), hedgehog
      (Hh), transforming growth factor beta (TGFb), and retinoic acid (RA), are thought
      to act as morphogens, but key information on signal propagation and ligand
      distribution has been lacking for most. The zebrafish provides unique advantages
      for genetics and imaging to address gradients during early embryonic stages when
      morphogens help establish major body axes. This has been particularly informative
      for RA, where RA response elements (RAREs) driving fluorescent reporters as well
      as Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) reporters of receptor binding
      have provided evidence for gradients, as well as regulatory mechanisms that
      attenuate noise and enhance gradient robustness in vivo. Here we summarize
      available tools in zebrafish and discuss their utility for studying dynamic
      regulation of RA morphogen gradients, through combined experimental and
      computational approaches.

PMID- 27263416
TI  - Physiological recordings from the zebrafish lateral line.
AB  - During sensory transduction, external physical stimuli are translated into an
      internal biological signal. In vertebrates, hair cells are specialized
      mechanosensory receptors that transduce sound, gravitational forces, and head
      movements into electrical signals that are transmitted with remarkable precision
      and efficiency to afferent neurons. Hair cells have a conserved structure between
      species and are also found in the lateral line system of fish, including
      zebrafish, which serve as an ideal animal model to study sensory transmission in
      vivo. In this chapter, we describe the methods required to investigate the
      biophysical properties underlying mechanosensation in the lateral line of the
      zebrafish in vivo from microphonic potentials and single hair cell patch-clamp
      recordings to single afferent neuron recordings. These techniques provide real
      time measurements of hair-cell transduction and transmission following delivery
      of controlled and defined stimuli and their combined use on the intact zebrafish
      provides a powerful platform to investigate sensory encoding in vivo.

PMID- 27263415
TI  - Functional calcium imaging in zebrafish lateral-line hair cells.
AB  - Sensory hair-cell development, function, and regeneration are fundamental
      processes that are challenging to study in mammalian systems. Zebrafish are an
      excellent alternative model to study hair cells because they have an external
      auxiliary organ called the lateral line. The hair cells of the lateral line are
      easily accessible, which makes them suitable for live, function-based
      fluorescence imaging. In this chapter, we describe methods to perform functional
      calcium imaging in zebrafish lateral-line hair cells. We compare genetically
      encoded calcium indicators that have been used previously to measure calcium in
      lateral-line hair cells. We also outline equipment required for calcium imaging
      and compare different imaging systems. Lastly, we discuss how to set up optimal
      imaging parameters and how to process and visualize calcium signals. Overall,
      using these methods, in vivo calcium imaging is a powerful tool to examine
      sensory hair-cell function in an intact organism.

PMID- 27263417
TI  - The frequency of genes encoding exotoxin A and exoenzyme S in Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections have emerged as a major infectious
      disease threat in recent decades with infection particularly in immunocompromised
      hosts. P. aeruginosa possesses several virulence factors with involvement in
      pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of virulence
      genes of toxA and toxS and to analyze their relation to antimicrobial resistance
      of the isolates. METHODS: In total 185 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were
      collected from burn patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by
      disk diffusion method. PCR amplification was performed on extracted DNA from the
      isolates and the presence of encoding genes for exotoxin A (toxA) and exoenzyme S
      (toxS) were investigated by using specific primers. RESULTS: In disk diffusion
      method, the isolates showed high sensitivity to colistin sulfate (100%) followed
      by imipenem (41.9%). The most prevalent resistance was seen against ceftazidime
      (90.5%) and gentamicin (88.5%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) demonstrated in 113
      isolates (76.35%). According to PCR amplification, 133 (89.8%) and 127 (85.8%)
      isolates possessed toxA and toxS genes respectively. The frequencies of genes
      among MDR strains were 102 (76.6%) for toxA and 98 (77.1%) for toxS. Eighty five
      MDR isolates possessed both genes (73.9%). The non-MDR strains (23.65%), harbored
      lower prevalence of simultaneous toxA and toxS genes (26%) compared to MDR
      strains. CONCLUSION: The present study established a higher frequency of MDR
      among P. aeruginosa isolates from burn patients. It was found that the frequency
      of both toxA &S genes were significantly higher in MDR strains P. aeruginosa
      strains.

PMID- 27263418
TI  - Effect of music intervention on burn patients' pain and anxiety during dressing
      changes.
AB  - For burn patients, the daily dressing process causes pain and anxiety. Although
      drugs can relieve them, the degree of pain during dressing changes is often
      moderate to severe. Therefore, relevant supporting interventions, like music as
      an ideal intervention, could alleviate the patient's pain. This study
      investigated the impact of music intervention at dressing change time on burn
      patients' pain and anxiety. This was a prospective, randomized clinical trial;
      patients were randomly assigned into control (standard intervention) and
      experimental groups (crystal music intervention) for five consecutive days (35
      patients in each group). Patients' pain and anxiety measurements were collected
      before, during, and after dressing changes and morphine usage was recorded. The
      study period was October 2014 to September 2015. There was no difference in
      morphine dosage for both groups. By the fourth day of music intervention, burn
      patients' pain before, during, and after dressing changes had significantly
      decreased; anxiety on the fourth day during and after dressing changes had also
      significantly decreased. Nurses may use ordered prescription analgesics, but if
      non-pharmacological interventions are increased, such as providing timely music
      intervention and creating a friendly, comfortable hospital environment, patients'
      pain and anxiety will reduce.

PMID- 27263419
TI  - Construction of a cyanobacterium synthesizing cyclopropane fatty acids.
AB  - Microalgae have received much attention as a next-generation source of biomass
      energy. However, most of the fatty acids (FAs) from microalgae are multiply
      unsaturated; thus, the biofuels derived from them are fluid, but vulnerable to
      oxidation. In this study, we attempted to synthesize cyclopropane FAs in the
      cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 by expressing the cfa gene for
      cyclopropane FA synthase from Escherichia coli with the aim of producing FAs that
      are fluid and stable in response to oxidization. We successfully synthesized
      cyclopropane FAs in Synechocystis with a yield of ~30% of total FAs. Growth of
      the transformants was altered, particularly at low temperatures, but
      photosynthesis and respiration were not significantly affected. C16:1(?9)
      synthesis in the desA(-)/desD(-) strain by expression of the desC2 gene for sn-2
      specific ?9 desaturase positively affected growth at low temperatures via
      promotion of various cellular processes, with the exceptions of photosynthesis
      and respiration. Estimation of the apparent activities of desaturases suggested
      that some acyl-lipid desaturases might recognize the lipid side chain.

PMID- 27263420
TI  - Whole-body DHA synthesis-secretion kinetics from plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and
      alpha-linolenic acid in the free-living rat.
AB  - Whole body docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) synthesis from alpha-linolenic
      acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) is considered to be very low, however, the daily synthesis
      secretion of DHA may be sufficient to supply the adult brain. The current study
      aims to assess whether whole body DHA synthesis-secretion kinetics are different
      when comparing plasma ALA versus eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) as the
      precursor. Male Long Evans rats (n=6) were fed a 2% ALA in total fat diet for
      eight weeks, followed by surgery to implant a catheter into each of the jugular
      vein and carotid artery and 3h of steady-state infusion with a known amount of
      (2)H-ALA and (13)C-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3). Blood samples were
      collected at thirty-minute intervals and plasma enrichment of (2)H- and (13)C
      EPA, n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-3, 22:5n-3) and DHA were determined for
      assessment of synthesis-secretion kinetic parameters. Results indicate a 13-fold
      higher synthesis-secretion coefficient for DHA from EPA as compared to ALA.
      However, after correcting for the 6.6 fold higher endogenous plasma ALA
      concentration, no significant differences in daily synthesis-secretion (nmol/day)
      of DHA (97.6+/-28.2 and 172+/-62), DPAn-3 (853+/-279 and 1139+/-484) or EPA
      (1587+/-592 and 1628+/-366) were observed from plasma unesterified ALA and EPA
      sources, respectively. These results suggest that typical diets which are
      significantly higher in ALA compared to EPA yield similar daily DHA synthesis
      secretion despite a significantly higher synthesis-secretion coefficient from
      EPA.

PMID- 27263421
TI  - Oral health in patients taking psychotropic medications: Results from a pharmacy
      based pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Individuals with mental illness face an increased risk of oral
      disease compared with those without mental illness. The goals of this study were
      to examine the self-reported oral health and dental access of individuals filling
      psychotropic medication prescriptions and to determine whether pharmacy patients
      would choose to speak with a pharmacist about their oral health if given the
      option to do so. DESIGN: Pharmacists across 6 community pharmacies within a local
      chain identified and surveyed adult patients filling prescriptions for
      psychotropic medications. Surveys included questions about oral health, dry
      mouth, and dental care utilization. SETTING: Six community pharmacy locations.
      PARTICIPANTS: Adults (>=18 years of age) filling prescriptions for psychotropic
      medications. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported
      oral health, dental utilization, desire to discuss oral health with a pharmacist.
      RESULTS: Participants (N = 178) filling prescriptions were mostly (65.9%) female
      with a mean age of 48.2 years (SD 14.3, range 19-82 years). One in 4 (24.9%) said
      their mouths "always" or "frequently" felt dry; these individuals were
      significantly more likely to have last seen a dentist for emergency (rather than
      routine) treatment (P <0.01) and rated their oral health as significantly worse
      (P <0.001) than participants whose mouths "never" or "occasionally" feel dry. A
      small percentage (5.7%) requested to speak with pharmacists about oral health;
      they reported poorer oral health than those who opted not to speak with a
      pharmacist (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: One in 4 patients reported having dry mouth,
      and those with dry mouth reported significantly worse oral health than patients
      without dry mouth. Although dry mouth and poor oral health were common in this
      sample of individuals taking psychotropic medications, this did not consistently
      translate into seeking information regarding oral health. Future research will
      focus on pharmacist-initiated oral health interventions with high-risk patients.

PMID- 27263422
TI  - The prescription pickup lag, an automatic prescription refill program, and
      community pharmacy operations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of an automatic prescription refill program
      on the prescription pickup lag in community pharmacy. DESIGN: A post-only quasi
      experimental design comparing automatic and manual refill prescription cohorts
      for each of the 3 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid medication adherence metrics.
      SETTING: A 29-store community pharmacy chain in the Midwest. PARTICIPANTS:
      Community-dwelling patients over the age of 65 years receiving prescription
      medications included in the statin, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
      antagonist, or non-insulin diabetes adherence metrics. INTERVENTION: An automatic
      prescription refill program that initiated prescription refills on a
      standardized, recurrent basis, eliminating the need for patients to phone in or
      drop off prescription refills. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prescription pickup
      lag, defined as the number of days between a prescription being adjudicated in
      the pharmacy and the prescription being picked up by the patient. RESULTS: A
      total of 37,207 prescription fills were examined. There were 20.5%, 22.4%, and
      23.3% of patients enrolled in the automatic prescription refill program for the
      statin, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonist, and diabetes adherence
      metrics, respectively. Prescriptions in the automatic prescription refill cohorts
      experienced a median pickup lag of 7 days compared with 1 day for the manual
      refill prescriptions. 35.2% of all manual refill prescriptions had a pickup lag
      of 0 days compared with 13% for automatic refills. However, 15.4% of automatic
      prescription refills had a pickup lag of greater than 14 days, compared with 4.8%
      of manual refills. CONCLUSION: Prescriptions in the automatic prescription refill
      programs were associated with a significantly longer amount of time in the
      pharmacy before being picked up by the patient. This increased pickup lag may
      contribute positively by smoothing out workload demands of pharmacy staff, but
      may contribute negatively owing to an increased amount of rework and greater
      inventory requirements.

PMID- 27263423
TI  - Photoluminescence enhancement of ZnO nanowire arrays by atomic layer deposition
      of ZrO2 layers and thermal annealing.
AB  - The effects of shell thickness and rapid thermal annealing on photoluminescence
      properties of one-dimensional ZnO/ZrO2 core/shell nanowires (NWs) are studied in
      this work. The ZnO/ZrO2 core/shell structures were synthesized by coating thin
      ZrO2 layers on the surface of ZnO NWs using atomic layer deposition. The
      morphological and structural characterization studies reveal that the ZrO2 shells
      have a polycrystalline structure, which are uniformly and conformally coated on
      the high quality single-crystal ZnO NWs. As compared with bare ZnO NWs, the
      ZnO/ZrO2 core/shell structures show a remarkable and continuous enhancement of
      ultraviolet (UV) emission in intensity with increasing ZrO2 shell thickness up to
      10 nm. The great improvement mechanism of the UV emission arises from the surface
      passivation and the efficient carrier confinement effect of the type-I core/shell
      system. Moreover, it is observed that the UV emission of ZnO/ZrO2 core/shell
      structures after thermal annealing increases with increasing annealing
      temperature. The dominant surface exciton (SX) emission in the bare ZnO NWs and
      the ZnO/ZrO2 core/shell nanostructures has been detected in the low temperature
      photoluminescence spectra. A blue shift of the NBE emission peak as well as the
      varied decay rate of the SX emission intensity are also found in the ZnO NWs
      after the growth of ZrO2 shells and further thermal treatment. Our results
      suggest that the ZnO/ZrO2 core/shell nanostructures could be widely implemented
      in the optical and electronic devices in the future. 

PMID- 27263424
TI  - Awareness and attitudes towards external auditory canal exostosis and its
      preventability in surfers in the UK: cross-sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of UK surfers aware of external auditory
      canal exostosis, to identify surfer characteristics associated with knowledge of
      the condition and to explore attitudes to earplug use. METHOD: An online, cross
      sectional survey of UK-based surfers. RESULTS: Of 375 surfers, 86.1 per cent (n =
      323; 95 per cent confidence interval = 82.3-89.3) reported awareness of external
      auditory canal exostosis. Further investigation revealed that, despite their
      awareness of the condition, 23.4 per cent of these surfers (88 out of 323; 95 per
      cent confidence interval = 19.5-28.0) had little or no knowledge about external
      auditory canal exostosis. Predictors of knowledge included: distance from nearest
      surfing beach (p = 0.001), surfing standard (ability) (p = 0.008), earplug use (p
      = 0.024) and positive external auditory canal exostosis diagnosis (p = 0.009).
      CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that a significant minority of UK surfers have
      no knowledge about this condition. Knowledge of external auditory canal exostosis
      was significantly associated with earplug use when surfing. Efforts to improve
      surfers' knowledge are required to enable surfers to better protect themselves,
      which could reduce the incidence of external auditory canal exostosis.

PMID- 27263425
TI  - Combining cytology and microcrystal detection in nonpurulent joint fluid benefits
      the diagnosis of septic arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of combined cytology and microcrystal
      detection in joint fluid for diagnosing septic arthritis. METHODS: Retrospective
      single-center study of joint fluid samples from patients with manifestations
      suggesting acute or chronic arthritis. The absolute leukocyte count (/mm3) was
      recorded; as well as the differential counts, particularly of neutrophils (%).
      Microcrystals were sought and bacteriological cultures performed. Septic
      arthritis was defined as positive cultures of joint fluid or blood samples.
      Diagnostic performance was assessed based on sensitivity, specificity, the
      receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve with the area under the curve
      (AUC), and the positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-). RESULTS:
      Two hundred and eight joint fluid samples were included. The diagnoses were
      septic arthritis (n=28), chondrocalcinosis (n=41), gout (n=28), rheumatoid
      arthritis (n=33), spondyloarthritis (n=31), osteoarthritis (n=18), and
      undifferentiated arthritis (n=29). Among cytological parameters, those having the
      best diagnostic performance were the neutrophil count (cutoff, >50,000/mm3), the
      leukocyte count (cutoff, >50,000/mm3), and the percentage of neutrophils (cutoff,
      >95%); corresponding LR+ values were 8.93, 5.76, and 4.55, respectively.
      Neutrophil percentages lower than 80% had an LR- value of 0.07. Combining these
      cytological variables with the absence of crystals improved the diagnostic
      performance, yielding LR+ values of 11.36, 10.94, and 10.82 for neutrophils >95%,
      neutrophils >50,000/mm3, and leukocytes >50,000/mm3, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Combining cytological characteristics of joint fluid with the absence of crystals
      benefits the diagnosis of septic arthritis.

PMID- 27263426
TI  - Neuralgic amyotrophy. An update.
AB  - A century after the first description of neuralgic amyotrophy (NA), its
      pathophysiology remains unknown. An inflammatory (auto)immune pathophysiology is
      presumed, with mechanical or infectious precipitating conditions, which triggers
      attacks. Clinically, NA is an acute and painful unique or multiple mononeuropathy
      that causes palsy, amyotrophy and sensory loss in an asymmetric and patchy
      distribution. It involves the upper brachial plexus rather than the other parts
      but also may involve the cervical plexus, lumbosacral plexus and cranial nerves.
      The impairment can be restricted to one fascicule of one nerve, plexus or root;
      limited to a few ones; or extensive, involving both upper limbs. Its evolution is
      usually monophasic and auto-limited and never leads to generalized
      polyneuropathy. Electrodiagnostically, NA is characterized by severe axonal
      damage. The recovery is usually good after 6 months to 3 years in 80% of cases.
      Persistent disability is present in 20% of idiopathic NA cases and is more
      frequent in hereditary NA, with frequent recurrences, more frequent bilateral
      impairment, and more atypical distribution (cervical plexus, lumbosacral plexus
      or cranial nerves) than with idiopathic NA. Hereditary NA is mainly linked to a
      mutation in the gene of the Septin-9 protein. When the patient is seen early
      after disease onset, treatment with corticosteroids for 2 weeks seems to shorten
      the pain duration and the delayed recovery. With diagnosis during the palsy
      period, treatment is based on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies
      according to the complaints of the patient.

PMID- 27263427
TI  - Large amplitude motion of the acetylene molecule within acetylene-neon complexes
      hosted in helium droplets.
AB  - Superfluid helium droplets provide an ideal environment for spectroscopic studies
      with rotational resolution. Nevertheless, the molecular rotation is hindered
      because the embedded molecules are surrounded by a non-superfluid component. The
      present work explores the dynamical role of this component in the hindered
      rotation of C2H2 within the C2H2-Ne complex. A HENDI experiment was built and
      near-infrared spectroscopy of C2H2-Ne and C2H2 was performed in the spectral
      region overlapping the nu3/nu2 + nu4 + nu5 Fermi-type resonance of C2H2. The
      comparison between measured and simulated spectra helped to address the above
      issue. 

PMID- 27263428
TI  - Formation of Volatile Tea Constituent Indole During the Oolong Tea Manufacturing
      Process.
AB  - Indole is a characteristic volatile constituent in oolong tea. Our previous study
      indicated that indole was mostly accumulated at the turn over stage of oolong tea
      manufacturing process. However, formation of indole in tea leaves remains
      unknown. In this study, one tryptophan synthase alpha-subunit (TSA) and three
      tryptophan synthase beta-subunits (TSBs) from tea leaves were isolated, cloned,
      sequenced, and functionally characterized. Combination of CsTSA and CsTSB2
      recombinant protein produced in Escherichia coli exhibited the ability of
      transformation from indole-3-glycerol phosphate to indole. CsTSB2 was highly
      expressed during the turn over process of oolong tea. Continuous mechanical
      damage, simulating the turn over process, significantly enhanced the expression
      level of CsTSB2 and amount of indole. These suggested that accumulation of indole
      in oolong tea was due to the activation of CsTSB2 by continuous wounding stress
      from the turn over process. Black teas contain much less indole, although
      wounding stress is also involved in the manufacturing process. Stable isotope
      labeling indicated that tea leaf cell disruption from the rolling process of
      black tea did not lead to the conversion of indole, but terminated the synthesis
      of indole. Our study provided evidence concerning formation of indole in tea
      leaves for the first time. 

PMID- 27263431
TI  - [Editor's commentary].

PMID- 27263429
TI  - Evidence for an immune signature of prenatal alcohol exposure in female rats.
AB  - Evidence for immune/neuroimmune disturbances as a possible root cause of a range
      of disorders, including neurodevelopmental disorders, is growing. Although
      prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) impacts immune function, few studies to date have
      examined immune function in relation to long-term negative health outcomes
      following PAE, and most have focused on males. To fill this gap, we utilized a
      rat model to examine the effects of PAE on immune/neuroimmune function during
      early-life [postnatal day 1 (P1), P8, and P22] in PAE and control females. Due to
      the extensive interplay between the immune and endocrine systems, we also
      measured levels of corticosterone and corticosterone binding globulin (CBG).
      While corticosterone levels were not different among groups, CBG levels were
      lower in PAE offspring from P1 to P8, suggesting a lower corticosterone reservoir
      that may underlie susceptibility to inflammation. Spleen weights were increased
      in PAE rats on P22, a marker of altered immune function. Moreover, we detected a
      unique cytokine profile in PAE compared to control offspring on P8 - higher
      levels in the PFC and hippocampus, and lower levels in the hypothalamus and
      spleen. The finding of a specific immune signature in PAE offspring during a
      sensitive developmental period has important implications for understanding the
      basis of long-term immune alterations and health outcomes in children with Fetal
      Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Our findings also highlight the future
      possibility that immune-based intervention strategies could be considered as an
      adjunctive novel therapeutic approach for individuals with FASD.

PMID- 27263430
TI  - Repeating patterns of sleep restriction and recovery: Do we get used to it?
AB  - Despite its prevalence in modern society, little is known about the long-term
      impact of restricting sleep during the week and 'catching up' on weekends. This
      common sleep pattern was experimentally modeled with three weeks of 5 nights of
      sleep restricted to 4h followed by two nights of 8-h recovery sleep. In an intra
      individual design, 14 healthy adults completed both the sleep restriction and an
      8-h control condition, and the subjective impact and the effects on physiological
      markers of stress (cortisol, the inflammatory marker IL-6, glucocorticoid
      receptor sensitivity) were assessed. Sleep restriction was not perceived to be
      subjectively stressful and some degree of resilience or resistance to the effects
      of sleep restriction was observed in subjective domains. In contrast,
      physiological stress response systems remain activated with repeated exposures to
      sleep restriction and limited recovery opportunity. Morning IL-6 expression in
      monocytes was significantly increased during week 2 and 3 of sleep restriction,
      and remained increased after recovery sleep in week 2 (p<0.05) and week 3
      (p<0.09). Serum cortisol showed a significantly dysregulated 24h-rhythm during
      weeks 1, 2, and 3 of sleep restriction, with elevated morning cortisol, and
      decreased cortisol in the second half of the night. Glucocorticoid sensitivity of
      monocytes was increased, rather than decreased, during the sleep restriction and
      sleep recovery portion of each week. These results suggest a disrupted interplay
      between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and inflammatory systems in the
      context of repeated exposure to sleep restriction and recovery. The observed
      dissociation between subjective and physiological responses may help explain why
      many individuals continue with the behavior pattern of restricting and recovering
      sleep over long time periods, despite a cumulative deleterious physiological
      effect.

PMID- 27263433
TI  - [The effect of the I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene on
      the cardiovascular risk and graft survival of kidney transplant patients].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Renal transplantation provides longer life expectancy in patients
      with renal failure. Nonetheless, this improved life expectancy is still shorter
      than that for the general population. The main couse of death in renal transplant
      patients is cardiovascular disease, and chronic allograft nephropathy is the most
      significant cause of graft loss. Genetic polymorphisms of the renin angiotensin
      system have been implicated in both chronic allograft nephropathy and fatal
      cardiovascular diseases. AIM: The long term goal of the authors was to improve
      the survival of renal transplanted patients. The authors aimed to identify novel
      biomarkers which correlate with the survival of the transplant organ and the
      recipient with a special attention to elements of the renin-angiotensin system.
      METHOD: A retrospective clinical trial was performed involving 72 renal
      transplanted patients. Angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D genotypes and activity,
      kidney function and morphological properties of the heart were determined.
      RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between the DD genotype of
      the angiotensin-converting enzime gene, and the DD genotype predicted severe left
      ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the I/D
      genotypes of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene predict not only the expected
      survival of the transplanted organ, but also that of the patient. Patients with
      the DD genotype are more susceptible for transplant failure. These patients
      should be identified and a special attention should be made on their
      pharmacological treatment (renin-angiotensin system inhibition), and their
      complience should also be maintained.

PMID- 27263432
TI  - [First outcomes, since being full member of Eurotransplant. A single center
      experience of cadaveric kidney transplantation].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The first renal transplantation was completed in 1991 at the
      University of Debrecen. In 2013 Hungary joined Eurotransplant. AIM: The authors
      retrospectively compared the trends. METHOD: Comparison between Period A (from
      January 1, 2008 to August 31, 2013) and Period B (from September 1, 2013 to
      October 22, 2015). RESULTS: The proportion of living transplants rose from 3.5%
      to 9.1 %. During period B over 25% of utilized donors were over 60 years of age.
      Recipients with body mass index above 30 kg/m(2) increased from 12% to 31%.
      Prevalence of diabetes among recipients rose twofold. Uretero-neocystostomy was
      used during period A (99%) while in period B end to side uretero-ureteral
      anastomosis has also gained popularity (68%). In 2013 the authors introduced
      routine use of induction treatment. Acute rejection rate decreased from 34% to
      8%. The rate of surgical complications did not change. Acute bacterial infections
      decreased from 41% to 33%. Cumulative renal allograft 1, 3 and 5 year survival
      rates were 86.6%, 85% and 82.7% in group A vs. projected rates 88%, 84% and 84%
      in group B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the growing proportion of expanded
      criteria donors, the authors were able to maintain a low incidence of delayed
      graft function and a favorable graft survival. Since 2013 the authors introduced
      treatments for acute humoral rejection according to international standards.

PMID- 27263434
TI  - [Analysis of donor scoring systems in a single Hungarian transplant centre].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To ease organ shortage many transplant centres developed different
      donor scoring systems, however, a general consensus among clinicians on the use
      of these systems does not still exist. AIM: The aim of the authors was to analyse
      the effect of expanded criteria donor, deceased donor score and kidney donor risk
      index on postoperative kidney function and graft survival. METHOD: Analysis of
      the characteristics of 138 kidney transplantations and 205 donors in a
      retrospective study of a five-year period. RESULTS: There was a trend towards
      rejecting donors in higher risk groups; 22.7% of standard criteria donors
      belonged to the high risk group of deceased donor score. Graft function was worse
      in high risk patients. High risk donors can be divided due to the use of deceased
      donor score. Patients with the highest risk had worse graft function and
      survival. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of these scoring systems grafts with
      favourable outcome can be selected more precisely.

PMID- 27263435
TI  - [Allograft nephrectomy - a single-center experience].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Indication and timing of allograft nephrectomy is still uncertain
      in some cases. AIM: The aim of the authors was to summarize their experience with
      graftectomies. METHOD: Data from patients who underwent kidney transplantation
      between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.
      Frequency, indications, timing, complications as well as early and late allograft
      nephrectomies were reviewed. RESULTS: From 480 renal transplants, 55
      graftectomies were performed (11%). Frequent indications included chronic
      allograft nephropathy (47%), arterial blood supply complications (13%), ureter
      complications (9%). 22 cases (40%) of allograft nephrectomies were urgent while
      33 cases (60%) were elective. 24% of graftectomies were performed within 30 days
      after transplantation and 76% thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: The main indications for
      early graftectomies were arterial complications (31%) and chronic allograft
      nephropathy (62%) in cases of late graftectomies. The majority of the
      graftectomies were elective. Leading indication was chronic allograft
      nephropathy. Early and late graftectomies have different characteristics.

PMID- 27263436
TI  - [Treatment options of non-melanoma skin tumors in organ transplant recipients in
      relation to a case report].
AB  - The authors present the case of a 59-year-old male patient, whose first kidney
      transplantation was in 1983 and the second in 2000. The first squamous cell
      carcinoma appeared on the skin 2 years after the first transplantation. Since
      2003, at least two precancerous lesions or non-melanoma skin tumors have been
      removed surgically yearly. These cancers appeared predominantly on the sun
      exposed skin, and were multiple. As these tumors could behave aggressively and
      prone to recurrence, complex treatment was applied, which included a switch in
      immunosuppressive drugs and the application of field therapies. The authors give
      an overview of these treatment options in relation to the case presentation,
      emphasizing that not only early detection and active treatment of the
      precancerous lesions and skin cancers are essential, but education of proper sun
      protection methods and dermatology care are also important in order to avoid the
      development of these tumors.

PMID- 27263437
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of 13alpha-estrone derivatives as potential
      antiproliferative agents.
AB  - 13alpha-Estrone derivatives containing various substituents on C-3 and C-17 were
      synthesized, and evaluated by means of MTT assays for in vitro antiproliferative
      activity against a panel of human adherent cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, A2780
      and A431). Compounds with N-benzyltriazolylmethoxy moieties on C-3 proved to be
      more potent than their 3-hydroxy or 3-ether counterparts. Some triazoles exerted
      substantial cytostatic effects against particular tumor cell lines, with
      submicromolar IC50 values.

PMID- 27263438
TI  - Synthesis and antiproliferative activity evaluation of steroidal imidazo[1,2
      a]pyridines.
AB  - An elegant approach to unknown steroidal imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine hybrids is
      disclosed. Unique derivatives of androstene and estrane series containing
      imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine motifs were prepared from 17-ethynyl steroids in good
      yields via copper-catalyzed cascade aminomethylation/cycloisomerization with
      imines. The synthesized compounds were screened for cytotoxicity against human
      breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HBL-100, MDA-MB-453) and prostate (LNCaP-LN3, PC-3, DU
      145) cancer cell lines. The majority of tested compounds showed activities at MUM
      level in breast cancer cells. The hormone-responsive breast cancer cells MCF-7
      were more sensitive to novel compounds than ERalpha-negative cells; in
      particular, compounds 6a,b exhibited promising cytotoxicity against this cell
      line with the IC50 values in the range of 3-4MUM. Furthermore, compound 4a showed
      remarkable effects as a selective ERalpha receptor modulator.

PMID- 27263439
TI  - Electrochemical cholesterylation of sugars with cholesteryl diphenylphosphate.
AB  - Electrochemical cholesterylation of various sugars with cholesteryl
      diphenylphosphate was studied. The reaction afforded mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra
      cholesterylated products using equivalent amounts of the reagent. The reactions
      turned out to be completely stereoselective with respect to both sugar and
      steroid but only partially regioselective - primary and anomeric hydroxyl groups
      in sugars were the most reactive ones while no substantial differences in
      reactivity was found for different secondary hydroxyl groups.

PMID- 27263440
TI  - This Month in AJP.
AB  - The following highlights summarize research articles that are published in the
      current issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

PMID- 27263442
TI  - A four-directional non-fullerene acceptor based on tetraphenylethylene and
      diketopyrrolopyrrole functionalities for efficient photovoltaic devices with a
      high open-circuit voltage of 1.18 V.
AB  - Through the conjunction of tetraphenylethylene and diketopyrrolopyrrole
      functionalities, a novel four-directional non-fullerene electron acceptor
      (denoted as 4D) was designed, synthesized and characterized. The new chromophore
      is highly soluble (for instance >30 mg mL(-1) in o-dichlorobenzene), thermally
      stable, and exhibits energy levels matching those of the conventional and
      routinely used donor polymer poly(3-hexyl thiophene). A power conversion
      efficiency of 3.86% was obtained in solution-processable bulk-heterojunction
      devices with a very high open circuit voltage of 1.18 V. 

PMID- 27263441
TI  - Large transverse Hall-like signal in topological Dirac semimetal Cd3As2.
AB  - Cadmium arsenide (Cd3As2) is known for its inverted band structure and ultra-high
      electron mobility. It has been theoretically predicted and also confirmed by
      ARPES experiments to exhibit a 3D Dirac semimetal phase containing degenerate
      Weyl nodes. From magneto-transport measurements in high quality single crystals
      of Cd3As2, a small effective mass m(*) ~ 0.05 me is determined from the Shubnikov
      de Haas (SdH) oscillations. In certain field orientations, we find a splitting of
      the SdH oscillation frequency in the FFT spectrum suggesting a possible lifting
      of the double degeneracy in accord with the helical spin texture at outer and
      inner Fermi surfaces with opposite chirality predicted by our ab initio
      calculations. Strikingly, a large antisymmetric magnetoresistance with respect to
      the applied magnetic fields is uncovered over a wide temperature range in needle
      crystal of Cd3As2 with its long axis along [112] crystal direction. It reveals a
      possible contribution of intrinsic anomalous velocity term in the transport
      equation resulting from a unique 3D Rashba-like spin splitted bands that can be
      obtained from band calculations with the inclusion of Cd antisite defects.

PMID- 27263443
TI  - Xanthomata striata palmaris regression with fenofibrate in type III
      dyslipoproteinemia: A clinical report.

PMID- 27263445
TI  - Radiation Therapy For The Solitary Plasmacytoma.
AB  - Plasma-cell neoplasms are classically categorized into four groups as: multiple
      myeloma (MM), plasma-cell leukemias, solitary plasmacytomas (SP) of the bone
      (SPB), and extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMP). These tumors may be described as
      localized or diffuse in presentation. Localized plasma-cell neoplasms are rare,
      and include SP of the skeletal system, accounting for 2-5% of all plasma-cell
      neoplasms, and EMP of soft tissue, accounting for approximately 3% of all such
      neoplasms. SP is defined as a solitary mass of neoplastic plasma cells either in
      the bone marrow or in various soft tissue sites. There appears to be a continuum
      in which SP often progresses to MM. The main treatment modality for SP is
      radiation therapy (RT). However, there are no conclusive data in the literature
      on the optimal RT dose for SP. This review describes the interrelationship of
      plasma-cell neoplasms, and attempts to determine the minimal RT dose required to
      obtain local control. 

PMID- 27263444
TI  - Self-assembled IR780-loaded transferrin nanoparticles as an imaging, targeting
      and PDT/PTT agent for cancer therapy.
AB  - Combination of photothermal and photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT) offer unique
      advantages over PDT alone. However, to achieve synergetic PDT/PTT effect, one
      generally needs two lasers with different wavelengths. Near-infrared dye IR-780
      could be used as photosensitizer both for PTT and PDT, but its lipophilicity
      limits its practical use and in vivo efficiency. Herein, a simple multifunctional
      IR780-loaded nanoplatform based on transferrin was developed for targeted imaging
      and phototherapy of cancer compatible with a single-NIR-laser irradiation. The
      self-assembled transferrin-IR780 nanoparticles (Tf-IR780 NPs) exhibited narrow
      size distribution, good photo-stability, and encouraging photothermal performance
      with enhanced generation of ROS under laser irradiation. Following intravenous
      injection, Tf-IR780 NPs had a high tumor-to-background ratio in CT26 tumor
      bearing mice. Treatment with Tf-IR780 NPs resulted in significant tumor
      suppression. Overall, the Tf-IR780 NPs show notable targeting and theranostic
      potential in cancer therapy.

PMID- 27263446
TI  - The protection of the myocardium by amifostine against mitoxantrone-induced acute
      cardiotoxicity in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Amifostine (AMI) has been used for the prevention of doxorubicin
      induced cardiotoxicity in several experimental and a few clinical studies. The
      aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AMI on lipid peroxidation,
      protective enzymes, and mitoxantrone (MITO)-induced acute cardiotoxicity in the
      rat heart using biochemical tests and histopathological examinations. METHODS:
      Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups (n=6 in each). Control rats were
      given intraperitoneal (i.p.) serum saline and AMI group rats were given 200 mg/kg
      AMI i.p. Rats received MITO-2.5 and 5 mg/kg i.p. in the MITO-2.5 and MITO-5
      groups. AMI 200 mg/kg i.p. was administered 30 min. before the same doses of MITO
      in the MITO-2.5+AMI and MITO-5+AMI groups. RESULTS: The levels of cardiac enzymes
      such as creatinine phosphokinase-myocardial band and cardiac troponin T did not
      change. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased in MITO groups compared to
      controls. Catalase and glutathione (GSH) levels in the MITO and MITO+AMI groups
      were higher than in controls. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase
      levels were not different between MITO groups and controls. There was no
      difference in MDA levels between MITO+AMI groups and controls. Calcium deposition
      was not detected. The scores of fibrosis, apoptosis, inflammation, and
      degeneration in MITO groups were higher than in controls. The scores of fibrosis,
      degeneration and inflammation in MITO+AMI groups were lower. CONCLUSION: MITO
      caused lipid peroxidation and myocardial damage, and the myocardium increased
      catalase and GSH levels to prevent this damage. AMI can protect against MITO
      induced acute cardiotoxicity, decreasing myocardial damage and lipid
      peroxidation.

PMID- 27263447
TI  - Functional proteomic analysis of Ankaferd(r) Blood Stopper.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Ankaferd(r) Blood Stopper (ABS) comprises a standardized mixture of
      the plants Thymus vulgaris, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vitis vinifera, Alpinia
      officinarum, and Urtica dioica. The basic mechanism of action for ABS is the
      formation of an encapsulated protein network that provides focal points for vital
      erythrocyte aggregation. ABS-induced protein network formation with blood cells,
      particularly erythrocytes, covers the primary and secondary hemostatic system
      without disturbing individual coagulation factors. METHODS: To understand the
      effect mechanisms of ABS on hemostasis, a proteomic analysis using 2D gel
      electrophoresis and mass spectrometer was performed. RESULTS: Proteins of plant
      origin in Ankaferd(r) were NADP-dependent-malic enzyme, ribulose bisphosphate
      carboxylase-large chain, maturase K, ATP synthase subunit-beta, ATP synthase
      subunit-alpha, chalcone-flavanone isomerase-1, chalcone-flavanone isomerase-2,
      and actin-depolymerizing factor. Furthermore, functional proteomic studies
      revealed that proteins resembling human peptides have been detected within
      Ankaferd(r), including ATP synthase, mucin-16 (CD164 sialomucin-like 2 protein),
      coiled-coil domain containing 141 hypothetical protein LOC283638 isoform 1,
      hypothetical protein LOC283638 isoform 2, dynactin 5, complex I intermediate
      associated protein 30, mitochondrial, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 alpha
      subcomplex, TP synthase, H+ transporting, mitochondrial actin binding 1 isoform,
      LIM domain and actin binding 1 isoform a, LIM domain and actin binding 1 isoform
      b, spectrin alpha non erythrocytic 1, prolactin releasing hormone receptor,
      utrophin, tet oncogene family member 2 isoform b, protein phosphatase 1
      regulatory subunit 12A, NIMA (never in mitosis gene a)-related kinase, ATP
      binding cassette protein C12, Homo sapiens malic enzyme 1, mitochondrial NADP(+)
      dependent malic enzyme 3, ME2 protein, nuclear factor 1 B-type, abhydrolase
      domain-containing protein 12B, E3 SUMO-protein ligase PIAS2, alpha-1, 2
      glucosyltransferase ALG10-A, cofilin, non-muscle isoform, 18 kDa phosphoprotein,
      p18, actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF), twinfilin-1, ankyrin repeat and FYVE
      domain-containing protein 1, usherin precursor, urotensin II receptor,
      interleukin 4, and midkine. CONCLUSION: Proteomic analysis of Ankaferd(r)
      represents a true basis for the upcoming Ankaferd(r) studies focusing on its
      wound healing, hemostatic, anti-infective, antineoplastic, and preservative
      biological actions.

PMID- 27263449
TI  - Enhanced platelet adhesion in essential thrombocythemia after in vitro
      activation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a chronic myeloproliferative
      disorder characterized by elevated platelet counts and increased risk of
      thrombosis. Ex vivo data suggest increased platelet reactivity in agreement with
      the increased thrombosis risk, while in vitro tests often detect decreased
      platelet activity. The present study aimed to investigate adhesion of ET
      platelets in vitro, which is an aspect of platelet function that has been
      addressed in only a few studies on ET patients. METHODS: The study included 30 ET
      patients and 14 healthy controls. Platelet adhesion was measured with a static
      platelet adhesion assay. RESULTS: The main finding was that ET-platelets were
      more readily activated by adhesion-inducing stimuli in vitro than control
      platelets. This was particularly evident in elderly patients and when using
      multiple stimuli, such as surfaces of collagen or fibrinogen combined with
      addition of adenosine 5'-diphosphate or ristocetin. Such multiple stimuli
      resulted in adhesion above the control mean +2 standard deviations for
      approximately 50% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The results are in accordance with
      the concept of increased platelet activity in ET, but opposite to most other in
      vitro studies. We suggest that the conditions in the adhesion assay might mimic
      the in vivo situation regarding the presence of chronic platelet activation.

PMID- 27263448
TI  - Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) A49G polymorphism and autoimmune blood
      diseases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is expressed
      on T lymphocytes, and inhibits the T-cell responses. In animal models, it has
      been shown that complete CTLA-4 deficiency was lethal due to massive infiltration
      of tissues by polyclonally proliferating lymphocytes. CTLA-4 A49G polymorphism,
      which has been suggested to reduce the inhibitory function of the CTLA-4
      molecule, was found to be associated with various autoimmune diseases in recent
      studies. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the frequency of CTLA-4 A49G
      polymorphism in 46 patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), 62 patients
      with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and 150 healthy individuals. RESULTS:
      Allele frequencies and genotype distributions were similar in both ITP and AIHA
      patients compared to healthy individuals. In subgroup analysis, however, we found
      that in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with AIHA (n=4), all patients
      had CTLA-4 A49G polymorphism (3 had AG, 1 had GG). There was no significant
      statistical association between G allele and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
      or AIHA. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that CTLA-4 A49G polymorphism does not
      contribute to the pathogenesis of lymphoproliferative diseases itself, nor does
      it increase the risk of autoimmune complications in patients with
      lymphoproliferative disease.

PMID- 27263450
TI  - Clinical Aspects Of Sclerodermatous Type Graft-Versus-Host Disease After
      Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the clinical features of sclerodermatous chronic
      graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (AHSCT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 423 patients who
      underwent AHSCT. We assessed age, sex, pre-transplant diagnosis, conditioning
      regimen, GVHD prophylaxis, and occurrence of acute GVHD (aGVHD), chronic
      lichenoid and chronic systemic GVHD, and clinical properties of sclerodermatous
      GVHD. RESULTS: Sclerotic skin lesions developed in 22 patients after a mean of
      752+/-647 days (median 480). aGVHD appeared in 17 patients, with hepatic
      involvement in 2, gastrointestinal tract involvement in 2 and skin involvement in
      13 of these patients. Extensive chronic GVHD (liver, pulmonary, skin and oral
      mucosa) developed in 12 patients. Sclerosis was generalized in 19 patients
      (86.4%) and localized in 3 patients (13.6%). Leopard skin eruption appeared in 8
      (36.4%) of the 19 patients with generalized sclerodermatous changes. In most
      cases, sclerotic lesions appeared on the trunk, and distal parts of the
      extremities were spared. Eight patients (36.4%) progressed from lichenoid to
      sclerodermatous lesions, 2 (9.1%) with lichenoid and sclerodermatous phases
      together and 12 (55.5%) with de novo sclerodermatous lesions. Five patients died
      because of late transplant-related complications. CONCLUSION: Sclerodermatous
      GVHD has a late onset and may be quite disabling. Unlike scleroderma, acral
      involvement is seen rarely. Although most lesions do not disappear in the course
      of the disease, most patients have a good prognosis.

PMID- 27263451
TI  - New in vitro effects of clopidogrel on platelets in hyperlipidemic and healthy
      subjects.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to detect novel in vitro effects of clopidogrel on platelets
      by assessment of the following parameters: malondialdehyde, glutathione, nitrite,
      aggregation response, and expressions of P-selectin, fibrinogen, apolipoprotein
      A1, apolipoprotein B, and phosphatidylserine. METHODS: Platelets were obtained
      from healthy (n: 9) and hyperlipidemic (n: 9) volunteers. Expressions of P
      selectin, fibrinogen, apolipoproteins A1/B and phosphatidylserine with and
      without clopidogrel were assayed by flow cytometry. Malondialdehyde, glutathione,
      aggregation and nitrite levels were also assayed. RESULTS: Without clopidogrel,
      the baseline values of platelet aggregation, malondialdehyde, and expressions of
      P-selectin, fibrinogen and phosphatidylserine were significantly higher, whereas
      nitrite and expression of apolipoproteins A1/B were significantly lower in
      hyperlipidemics than in the healthy group. In both groups, clopidogrel
      significantly reduced aggregation and expression of fibrinogen, but it elevated
      nitrite levels. Clopidogrel significantly decreased P-selectin and
      phosphatidylserine expression and malondialdehyde but increased expressions of
      apolipoproteins A1/B only in hyperlipidemics. CONCLUSION: It seems that
      clopidogrel has some new in vitro antiplatelet effects. The present study is a
      basic in vitro study to suggest new insights into the effects of clopidogrel on
      platelet functions.

PMID- 27263452
TI  - A rare extramedullary involvement in myeloma: lung parenchyma and association
      with unfavorable chromosomal abnormalities.
AB  - Although pulmonary complications developing secondary to lung infections and
      involvement in ribs occur frequently in multiple myeloma (MM), involvement of the
      lung parenchyma is quite rare. In clinical studies, the involvement of lung
      parenchyma has been found to be associated with unfavorable prognosis. Here, a MM
      case in whom involvement of lung parenchyma was accompanied by unfavorable
      prognostic cytogenetic markers is presented. A 62-year-old male presented with
      complaint of cough, and heterogeneous hypodense mass was detected in thorax
      computerized tomography. The patient underwent bronchoscopic biopsy. Pathological
      examination revealed diffuse plasma cell infiltration staining with kappa
      immunohistochemically. In bone marrow biopsy, plasma cell infiltration was
      observed. In conventional cytogenetic examination, hypodiploidy was established.
      In cytogenetic examination carried out with fluorescence in situ hybridization,
      deletion (13q) was determined. In conclusion, in patients diagnosed with MM and
      presenting with pulmonary mass lesion, lung involvement associated with plasma
      cell infiltration should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. As
      overall survival is low in these cases, more aggressive treatment approaches such
      as high-dose treatment should be immediately considered. 

PMID- 27263453
TI  - Complex cytogenetic findings in the bone marrow of a chronic idiopathic
      myelofibrosis patient.
AB  - Chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized
      by splenomegaly, myeloid metaplasia and reactive bone marrow fibrosis. Karyotype
      analysis of the bone marrow is an integral part of the diagnosis, especially as a
      discriminative tool in ruling out reactive conditions. The frequency of clonal
      cytogenetic anomalies in this disease is the highest among its group, varying
      between 30 and 75%. Among these, trisomy 1q, 20q-, 13q- and +8 are the most
      common aberrations. Here we report a 66-year-old male patient whose bone marrow
      biopsy revealed signs of chronic myeloproliferative changes and
      dysmegakaryopoiesis. He was administered hydroxyurea treatment, splenic
      radiotherapy and multiple transfusions. The patient worsened in the following
      months and the second bone marrow biopsy revealed myelofibrosis. Cytogenetic
      analysis of this bone marrow sample revealed a complex karyotype reported to be
      46,XY,del(9)(q22q34),t(8;17;21)(q22;q21;q22)[23]/46,XY[2], with a previously
      undefined three-way translocation and deletion in chromosome 9. The patient died
      shortly thereafter. 

PMID- 27263454
TI  - An unusual presentation of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia with parotid
      gland involvement and dactylitis.
AB  - Mumps infection during the course of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
      treatment has been reported to have a mild course and this was related to the
      intrinsic low cytopathological effect of the virus, contrasting with the severe
      course of measles and Varicella zoster virus infections in immunocompromised
      patients. Herein, we present a three-year-old girl, who was previously vaccinated
      against mumps infection, admitted with bilateral parotid swelling, dactylitis and
      serum immunoglobulin M positivity for mumps infection and diagnosed to have ALL
      with bilateral persistent parotid involvement, inconsistent with mumps infection.
      Acute leukemia should be suspected during the atypical course of any disease
      during childhood. Besides, mumps infection at presentation of ALL, as similar to
      infection emerging during the period of the leukemia treatment, has a mild
      course. 

PMID- 27263455
TI  - First observation of Hb Tunis [beta124(H2)Pro>Ser] in Turkey.
AB  - Hb Tunis [beta124(H2)Pro>Ser] was reported from Tunisia in 1988. This hemoglobin
      variant was detected by isoelectric focusing moving just ahead of Hb A. It cannot
      be identified by standard hemoglobin electrophoresis due to its similar mobility
      to Hb A. It has normal stability and oxygen affinity and does not produce any
      clinical symptoms. Here, we report a heterozygous Hb Tunis [beta124(H2)Pro>Ser]
      case discovered for the first time in Turkey in a premarital screening program.
      This hemoglobin variant can be identified with high performance liquid
      chromatography analysis confirmed with DNA sequencing. We emphasize in our study
      the importance of an interdisciplinary collaborative study at the provincial
      basis for the success of the hemoglobinopathy control program. 

PMID- 27263456
TI  - Ribosomal protein S19 - 631 insertion is an African-originated mutation.

PMID- 27263457
TI  - Lower FXII activity and thrombosis: a comment.

PMID- 27263458
TI  - IgA lambda oligoclonal gammopathy in multiple myeloma.

PMID- 27263459
TI  - Blood transfusion services in Iraq; an unfortunate field.

PMID- 27263460
TI  - Mega-dose methylprednisolone in hematologic and non-hematological disorders.

PMID- 27263461
TI  - Oseltamivir and G6PD deficiency.

PMID- 27263462
TI  - FLT3 - ITD positive acute lymphocytic leukemia, does it impact on disease's
      course?

PMID- 27263463
TI  - Pleural fluid plasmacytosis in a patient with plasma cell leukemia.

PMID- 27263465
TI  - The Dual Roles of NRF2 in Cancer.
AB  - NRF2 has been traditionally considered as a tumor suppressor because its
      cytoprotective functions are deemed to be the main cellular defense mechanism
      against exogenous and endogenous insults, including xenobiotics and oxidative
      stress. However, several recent studies demonstrate that hyperactivation of the
      NRF2 pathway creates an environment that favors the survival of normal as well as
      malignant cells, protecting them against oxidative stress, chemotherapeutic
      agents, and radiotherapy. In a rapidly advancing field, this review summarizes
      some of the known mechanisms by which NRF2 can exert its oncogenic functions, and
      describes the current status of NRF2 inhibitors, providing a clear rationale for
      the consideration of NRF2 as a powerful putative therapeutic target in cancer
      treatment.

PMID- 27263467
TI  - Highly efficient dehydrogenation of formic acid in aqueous solution catalysed by
      an easily available water-soluble iridium(iii) dihydride.
AB  - The new water-soluble cis-mer-[IrH2Cl(mtppms)3] (mtppms = monosulfonated
      triphenylphosphine) was employed as a catalyst for selective decomposition of
      formic acid to H2 + CO2 in aqueous solution at T = 30-100  degrees C. The easily
      synthesized compound showed high catalytic activity (TOF up to 298 000 h(-1)) and
      could be reused several times with no loss of activity (total TON = 67 650). A
      sharp maximum in the reaction rate was observed at pH = 3.75; its coincidence
      with the pKa of formic acid shows that both H(+) or HCOOH and HCOO(-) play
      important roles in the reaction mechanism. 

PMID- 27263464
TI  - Hypo- and Hyper-Assembly Diseases of RNA-Protein Complexes.
AB  - A key aspect of cellular function is the proper assembly and utilization of
      ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). Recent studies have shown that hyper- or hypo-assembly
      of various RNPs can lead to human diseases. Defects in the formation of RNPs lead
      to 'RNP hypo-assembly diseases', which can be caused by RNA degradation
      outcompeting RNP assembly. By contrast, excess RNP assembly, either in higher
      order RNP granules, or due to the expression of repeat-containing RNAs, can lead
      to 'RNP hyper-assembly diseases'. Here, we discuss the most recent advances in
      understanding the cause of disease onset, as well as potential therapies from the
      aspect of modulating RNP assembly in the cell, which presents a novel route to
      the treatment of these diseases.

PMID- 27263466
TI  - Riociguat: Mode of Action and Clinical Development in Pulmonary Hypertension.
AB  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary
      hypertension (CTEPH) are progressive and debilitating diseases characterized by
      gradual obstruction of the pulmonary vasculature, leading to elevated pulmonary
      artery pressure (PAP) and increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). If
      untreated, they can result in death due to right-sided heart failure. Riociguat
      is a novel soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator that is approved for the
      treatment of PAH and CTEPH. We describe in detail the role of the nitric oxide
      sGC-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway in the pathogenesis
      of PAH and CTEPH and the mode of action of riociguat. We also review the
      preclinical data associated with the development of riociguat, along with the
      efficacy and safety data of riociguat from initial clinical trials and pivotal
      phase III randomized clinical trials in PAH and CTEPH.

PMID- 27263468
TI  - Chalcone-based Selective Inhibitors of a C4 Plant Key Enzyme as Novel Potential
      Herbicides.
AB  - Weeds are a challenge for global food production due to their rapidly evolving
      resistance against herbicides. We have identified chalcones as selective
      inhibitors of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), a key enzyme for carbon
      fixation and biomass increase in the C4 photosynthetic pathway of many of the
      world's most damaging weeds. In contrast, many of the most important crop plants
      use C3 photosynthesis. Here, we show that 2',3',4',3,4-Pentahydroxychalcone (IC50
      = 600 nM) and 2',3',4'-Trihydroxychalcone (IC50 = 4.2 MUM) are potent inhibitors
      of C4 PEPC but do not affect C3 PEPC at a same concentration range (selectivity
      factor: 15-45). Binding and modeling studies indicate that the active compounds
      bind at the same site as malate/aspartate, the natural feedback inhibitors of the
      C4 pathway. At the whole plant level, both substances showed pronounced growth
      inhibitory effects on the C4 weed Amaranthus retroflexus, while there were no
      measurable effects on oilseed rape, a C3 plant. Growth of selected soil bacteria
      was not affected by these substances. Our chalcone compounds are the most potent
      and selective C4 PEPC inhibitors known to date. They offer a novel approach to
      combat C4 weeds based on a hitherto unexplored mode of allosteric inhibition of a
      C4 plant key enzyme.

PMID- 27263469
TI  - Kin effects on energy allocation in group-living ground squirrels.
AB  - The social environment has potent effects on individual phenotype and fitness in
      group-living species. We asked whether the presence of kin might act on energy
      allocation, a central aspect of life-history variation. Using a 22-year data set
      on reproductive and somatic allocations in Columbian ground squirrels
      (Urocitellus columbianus), we tested the effects of co-breeding and non-breeding
      kin on the fitness and energy allocation balance between reproduction and
      personal body condition of individual females. Greater numbers of co-breeding kin
      had a positive effect on the number of offspring weaned, through the mechanism of
      altering energy allocation patterns. On average, females with higher numbers of
      co-breeding kin did not increase energy income but biased energy allocation
      towards reproduction. Co-breeding female kin ground squirrels maintain close nest
      burrows, likely providing a social buffer against territorial invasions from non
      kin ground squirrels. Lower aggressiveness, lower risks of infanticide from
      female kin and greater protection of territorial boundaries may allow individual
      females to derive net fitness benefits via their energy allocation strategies. We
      demonstrated the importance of kin effects on a fundamental life-history trade
      off.

PMID- 27263470
TI  - Selective targeting of MAPK family kinases JNK over p38 by rationally designed
      peptides as potential therapeutics for neurological disorders and epilepsy.
AB  - Human mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members JNK and p38 are two
      homologous protein-serine/threonine kinases but play distinct roles in the
      pathological process of neurological disorders. Selective targeting of JNK over
      p38 has been established as a potential therapeutic approach to epilepsy and
      other nervous system diseases. Herein, we describe an integrated in vitro-in
      silico protocol to rationally design kinase-peptide interaction specificity based
      on crystal structure data. In the procedure, a simulated annealing (SA) iteration
      optimization strategy is described to improve peptide selectivity between the two
      kinases. The optimization accepts moderate compromise in peptide affinity to JNK
      in order to maximize the affinity difference between peptide interactions with
      JNK and p38. The structural basis, energetic properties and dynamic behavior of
      SA-improved peptides bound with the peptide-docking sites of JNK and p38 kinase
      domains are investigated in detail using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD)
      simulations and post binding free energy analysis. The theoretical findings and
      computational designs are then confirmed by fluorescence polarization assays.
      Using the integrated protocol we successfully obtain three decapeptide ligands,
      namely RLHPSMTDFL, RAKLPTSVDY and KPSRPWNLEI, that exhibit both potent affinity
      to JNK (K = 8.0, 5.4 and 12.1 MUM, respectively) and high selectivity for JNK
      over p38 (K/K = 9.2, 17.9 and 6.3 fold, respectively). We also demonstrate that a
      JNK-over-p38 selective peptide should have a positively charged N-terminus, a
      polar central region and a negatively charged C-terminus, in which a number of
      hydrophobic residues distribute randomly along the peptide sequence. In
      particular, the residue positions 1, 6 and 9 play a crucial role in shaping
      peptide selectivity; the presence of, respectively, Arg, Thr and Asp at the three
      positions confers high specificity to kinase-peptide interactions.

PMID- 27263471
TI  - Avoiding short circuits from zinc metal dendrites in anode by backside-plating
      configuration.
AB  - Portable power sources and grid-scale storage both require batteries combining
      high energy density and low cost. Zinc metal battery systems are attractive due
      to the low cost of zinc and its high charge-storage capacity. However, under
      repeated plating and stripping, zinc metal anodes undergo a well-known problem,
      zinc dendrite formation, causing internal shorting. Here we show a backside
      plating configuration that enables long-term cycling of zinc metal batteries
      without shorting. We demonstrate 800 stable cycles of nickel-zinc batteries with
      good power rate (20 mA cm(-2), 20 C rate for our anodes). Such a backside-plating
      method can be applied to not only zinc metal systems but also other metal-based
      electrodes suffering from internal short circuits.

PMID- 27263472
TI  - Focused helium-ion beam irradiation effects on electrical transport properties of
      few-layer WSe2: enabling nanoscale direct write homo-junctions.
AB  - Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are currently receiving
      significant attention due to their promising opto-electronic properties. Tuning
      optical and electrical properties of mono and few-layer TMDs, such as tungsten
      diselenide (WSe2), by controlling the defects, is an intriguing opportunity to
      synthesize next generation two dimensional material opto-electronic devices.
      Here, we report the effects of focused helium ion beam irradiation on the
      structural, optical and electrical properties of few-layer WSe2, via high
      resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and
      electrical transport measurements. By controlling the ion irradiation dose, we
      selectively introduce precise defects in few-layer WSe2 thereby locally tuning
      the resistivity and transport properties of the material. Hole transport in the
      few layer WSe2 is degraded more severely relative to electron transport after
      helium ion irradiation. Furthermore, by selectively exposing material with the
      ion beam, we demonstrate a simple yet highly tunable method to create lateral
      homo-junctions in few layer WSe2 flakes, which constitutes an important advance
      towards two dimensional opto-electronic devices.

PMID- 27263473
TI  - Inter-laboratory Variability of Current Immunoassay Methods for Tacrolimus among
      Japanese Hospitals.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess inter-hospital laboratory variability
      (coefficient of variation; CV) of immunoassay methods for tacrolimus and the
      comparability of control samples and results obtained by immunoassay
      measurements. One hundred seven hospital laboratories routinely performing
      therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of tacrolimus participated in the study.
      Thirteen spiked samples with known tacrolimus concentrations in the range of 0
      26.0 ng/mL were prepared. Each spiked sample was analyzed according to the
      manufacturer's instructions using an affinity column-mediated immunoassay (ACMIA)
      on a Dimension((r)) analyzer, the enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT)
      on a Viva-E((r)) analyzer, a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLIA) on the
      Architect((r)) system, and the electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) on a
      cobas((r)) analyzer. The 20% coefficient of variation values for the CLIA, ACMIA,
      EMIT, and ECLIA assays in the hospital laboratories were 1.82, 5.36, 4.59, and
      0.89 ng/mL, respectively. CLIA and ECLIA had positive biases at concentrations of
      tacrolimus above 12 ng/mL relative to the spiked concentration, whereas the assay
      bias for ACMIA tended to be more negative at concentrations of tacrolimus above 6
      ng/mL. EMIT had positive biases over the wide concentration range of 0.0-26.0
      ng/mL (mean of mean errors 1.224). CLIA and ECLIA provided adequate precision at
      the target tacrolimus concentration of 3.0 ng/mL, whereas ACMIA and EMIT were
      unable to respond to target concentrations between 3.0 and 5.0 ng/mL for renal
      transplant recipients. Appropriate assessment of tacrolimus concentration by an
      assay having higher sensitivity, precision, and accuracy is necessary to ensure
      long-term survival of transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus. 

PMID- 27263475
TI  - Supporting Safety in the Older Adult Driver: A Public Health Nursing Opportunity.
AB  - The effective operation of a motor vehicle encompasses a wide range of cognitive
      processes that can decline due to age-related changes in neuroanatomical
      structures and cognitive functionality. The increasing number of older adult
      drivers in our rapidly aging population heightens the public safety concern of
      unsafe driving associated with these changes. Nurses caring for older adults in
      public health settings are well positioned to make a difference in the management
      of older patients who may be at risk of endangering themselves or others on the
      roadways. In this article, information is provided for increasing nurses'
      awareness of the cognitive factors inhibiting effective driving, recognizing
      older adults who may be at risk for unsafe driving, and facilitating a
      patient/family to seek a driving evaluation.

PMID- 27263476
TI  - Clinical research in Turkey.
AB  - The History of Clinical Drug Trials in Turkey The history of clinical trials in
      Turkey dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, but many years had passed
      with studies done with no compliance to the Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
      guidelines. This was not due to the lack of legal documents. On the contrary, the
      first mention of clinical trials in a legal document occurred in 1926; "The Code
      of Pharmaceutical Products and Preparations No. 1262" law carried the statement:
      "Experimental drugs can be used in a patient only by his/her permission." 

PMID- 27263474
TI  - Reassessing Shark-Driven Trophic Cascades on Coral Reefs: A Reply to Ruppert et
      al.

PMID- 27263477
TI  - Seropositivity rates of HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and VDRL in blood donors in
      Eastern Turkey.
AB  - Infections caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human
      immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) remain the leading most important health problems
      worldwide. Screening tests such as HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and VDRL are
      mandatory tests to look at before transfusion of blood or blood components. In
      this study, donors who applied to our Blood Center in a nine-year period were
      retrospectively evaluated with respect to HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and syphilis
      seroprevalence. HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV were examined by microparticle ELISA
      system, and syphilis antibodies were screened by a syphilis test device. Of the
      total 39,002 individuals, 16,601 (42%) were females and 22,401 (58%) were males.
      HBsAg positivity was found in 2.55%, anti-HCV in 0.17%, anti-HIV in 0.036%, and
      VDRL in 0.057% of overall donors. As a result, HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and VDRL
      seropositivity rates in donors living in our region were found lower than those
      in many regions of Turkey. Nevertheless, because there is no screening method to
      reduce the risk resulting from transfusion to zero, it appears that it is
      essential to adopt strict criteria in the selection of donors and to avoid
      unnecessary transfusion. 

PMID- 27263478
TI  - Late Endocrine Side Effects in Children with Acute Leukemia.
AB  - This study was carried out in 28 patients (10 female, 18 male) diagnosed with
      acute leukemia, and aimed to investigate the abnormalities of endocrine system.
      Twenty-five of 28 patients were acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 3 were acute non
      lymphocytic leukemia. Sixteen children were treated using BFM-90 chemotherapy
      protocol, and the rest with various regimens. Two patients were exposed to 12-13
      Gy of total body irradiation followed by bone marrow transplantation. All
      patients were in remission at least five years. One (3%) of 28 patients had short
      stature and 4 (14%) had obesity. Pubertal status was retarded in 2 (7%) patients.
      Glucose intolerance, secondary hypothyroidism and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
      were detected in 2, 1 and 2 patients, respectively. TSH response to TRH test was
      exaggerated in 1 and blunted in 3 patients. 

PMID- 27263479
TI  - T102C polymorphism of the serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptor gene in Turkish children
      with cerebral infarct.
AB  - Platelet-dependent thromboembolism is an underlying mechanism in the pathogenesis
      of stroke. 5-HT2A receptor gene is expressed in human platelet, coronary artery
      (blood vessels) and brain. A polymorphism T102C at the 5-HT2A receptor gene was
      found that may possibly affect the 5-HT2A receptor function. As there is no
      existing data on T102C variant of 5-HT2A receptor gene in pediatric stroke, we
      aimed to study in this case-control study whether there is a association between
      this polymorphism and pediatric stroke. 111 patients (10 months-18 years old)
      with cerebral infarct and 79 healthy control was included to our study.
      Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the T102C alteration at the 5-HT 2A receptor
      gene was performed. Our data revealed that, 5-HT (2A) receptor T102C polymo phism
      was not associated with pediatric stroke in our population either alone or in
      combination with underlying pro thrombotic factors. However, this needs to be
      clarified with further studies. 

PMID- 27263480
TI  - Fibrinogen concentration: A marker of cardiovascular disorders in Nigerians.
AB  - Fibrinogen, one of the most hemorheologically active plasma proteins, is
      associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, and the plasma concentration
      can alter dramatically during acute phase response and in a wide variety of
      clinical conditions. We have assessed fibrinogen levels in some known
      cardiovascular disorders, during usage of contraceptive pills, acute phase
      conditions and pregnancy. Our results from patients with various disease
      conditions indicate that fibrinogen levels are in the pathological range and are
      significantly higher than in healthy controls (p<0.001). It is concluded that
      although Africans have low predisposition to thrombosis, they may well be pre
      disposed to abnormal fibrin formation which could lead to various thromboembolic
      complications. 

PMID- 27263481
TI  - Synergistic effect of imatinib mesylate and fludarabine combination on
      Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia cell lines.
AB  - Fludarabine-containing combinations have additive cell killing against leukemic
      blasts in vitro. It has also been shown that imatinib mesylate combined with
      fludarabine or cladribine had an additive effect on CML CFU-GM cells. In this
      regard, we aimed to investigate the effect of fludarabine-imatinib mesylate
      combination against CML blastic phase cell lines K562 and Meg-01. XTT test was
      performed for proliferation and inhibition assay. According to obtained data,
      five different effective concentrations of each drug in 25 different combinations
      were tested. Results of the combination studies were analyzed with isobologram.
      At IC20, imatinib mesylate and fludarabine combination showed synergism and
      strong synergism in K562 and Meg-01 cells, respectively. At IC50 and IC75,
      combination indexes (CI) indicated strong synergism and synergism. Based on our
      results, the fludarabine- based chemotherapy regimens can be used for those
      patients with CML blastic phase in combination with imatinib mesylate. 

PMID- 27263482
TI  - A case of Cauda Equina syndrome in a leukemic patient due to intrathecal
      methotrexate.
AB  - The leukemias may cause neurologic dysfunction through either direct invasion of
      the nervous system or indirectly through cytopenias, or it may occur as a result
      of the necessarily vigorous treatment programs for leukemia. We report here a 24
      year-old acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient who in her second cycle of hyper
      CVAD chem therapy regimen (high-dose Ara-C and high-dose methotrexate) received
      intrathecal methotrexate and two days afterwards was diagnosed as having Cauda
      Equina syndrome (CES). A lumbo-sacral MRI imaging with gadolinium was performed
      and there was a remarkable enhancement in the Cauda Equina region, suggesting
      either leukemic involvement or a type of neurologic complication associated with
      intrathecal methotrexate treatment. To rule out leukemic involvement, a lumbar
      puncture was performed and the CSF was free of leukemic cells. There are cases of
      CES developing after spinal anesthesia reported in the literature, but this is
      the first report of CES due to intrathecal methotrexate. 

PMID- 27263483
TI  - Intense myelofibrosis in a child: unusual result of EBV-associated hemophagocytic
      lymphohistiocytosis.
AB  - A previously healthy 12-year-old girl was admitted to the intensive care unit
      with severe pulmonary bleeding. Her history revealed that she had suffered from
      high fever, fatigue, sore throat, myalgia and generalized rash for two weeks.
      Physical examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory investigation showed
      pancytopenia associated with unusual high levels of serum ferritin, triglyceride
      and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and low fibrinogen levels. Apparent
      hemophagocytosis was seen in bone marrow aspiration. Bone marrow biopsy revealed
      myelofibrosis, and confirmed hemophagocytosis. IgM for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
      viral capsid antigen was found to be positive. She received chemotherapy for 10
      days according to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)-2004 treatment
      protocol, since the symptoms persisted despite supportive therapy and intravenous
      immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration. However, the clinical status and laboratory
      findings did not respond to treatment and she died from severe pulmonary bleeding
      associated with prolonged ventilator support and sepsis. Intense myelofibrosis,
      which is reported rarely, particularly in patients with EBV-related HLH,
      contributed to this fatal prognosis. 

PMID- 27263484
TI  - Bone marrow necrosis in a patient receiving high dose chemotherapy for ALL.

PMID- 27263485
TI  - A further case of Hb J-Iran [beta77(EF1)His->Asp] in Mugla, Turkey.

PMID- 27263486
TI  - Recruitments of trained citizen volunteering for conventional cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation are necessary to improve the outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac
      arrests in remote time-distance area: A nationwide population-based study.
AB  - AIMS: To compare the factors associated with survival after out-of-hospital
      cardiac arrests (OHCAs) among three time-distance areas (defined as interquartile
      range of time for emergency medical services response to patient's side).
      METHODS: From a nationwide, prospectively collected data on 716,608 OHCAs between
      2007 and 2012, this study analyzed 193,914 bystander-witnessed OHCAs without pre
      hospital physician involvement. RESULTS: Overall neurologically favourable 1
      month survival rates were 7.4%, 4.1% and 1.7% for close, intermediate and remote
      areas, respectively. We classified BCPR by type (compression-only vs.
      conventional) and by dispatcher-assisted CPR (DA-CPR) (with vs. without); the
      effects on time-distance area survival were analyzed by BCPR classification.
      Association of each BCPR classification with survival was affected by time
      distance area and arrest aetiology (p<0.05). The survival rates in the remote
      area were much higher with conventional BCPR than with compression-only BCPR
      (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.26; 1.05-1.51) and with BCPR without DA
      CPR than with BCPR with DA-CPR (1.54; 1.29-1.82). Accordingly, we classified BCPR
      into five groups (no BCPR, compression-only with DA-CPR, conventional with DA
      CPR, compression-only without DA-CPR, and conventional without DA-CPR) and
      analyzed for associations with survival, both cardiac and non-cardiac related, in
      each time-distance area by multivariate logistic regression analysis. In the
      remote area, conventional BCPR without DA-CPR significantly improved survival
      after OHCAs of cardiac aetiology, compared with all the other BCPR groups. Other
      correctable factors associated with survival were short collapse-to-call and call
      to-first CPR intervals. CONCLUSION: Every effort to recruit trained citizens
      initiating conventional BCPR should be made in remote time-distance areas.

PMID- 27263487
TI  - Channels and transporters in cell metabolism.

PMID- 27263488
TI  - Prevalence of hypercalcemia among cancer patients in the United States.
AB  - Hypercalcemia of malignancy (HCM) is a serious metabolic complication whose
      population-based prevalence has not been quantified. Rates of HCM differ by tumor
      type, with highest rates reported in multiple myeloma and lowest among colorectal
      and prostate cancer patients. This analysis estimates HCM prevalence in the US.
      This retrospective study used the Oncology Services Comprehensive Electronic
      Records (OSCER) warehouse of electronic health records (EHR) including laboratory
      values from 569000 patients treated at 565 oncology outpatient sites. OSCER data
      were projected to the national level by linking EHR to claims data. Cancer
      patients included were >=18 years, and had serum calcium (Ca) and albumin (for
      corrected serum Ca [CSC]) records. Period prevalence was estimated by HCM CTCAE
      grade, tumor type, and year (2009-2013). Estimates were adjusted to capture
      patients diagnosed with HCM outside oncology practices based on a subset of
      patients linkable to office and hospital data. The analysis included 68023 (2009)
      to 121482 (2013) cancer patients. In 2013, patients with HCM had a median of six
      Ca tests, 69.7% had chemotherapy, and 34% received bone modifying agents. HCM
      rates were highest for multiple myeloma patients (7.5% [2012]-10.2% [2010]),
      lowest for prostate cancer (1.4% [2012]-2.1% [2011]).The estimated adjusted
      annual prevalence of HCM from 2009 to 2013 was 95441, 96281, 89797, 70158, and
      71744, respectively. HCM affected 2.0-2.8% of all cancer patients. EHR data from
      oncology clinics were critical for this study because these data contain results
      from laboratory studies (i.e., serum calcium values) that are routinely ordered
      in that setting. We estimated that the prevalence of HCM in the US in 2013 is
      71744, affecting approximately 2% of cancer patients overall. This percentage
      differs by tumor type and appears to have decreased over the five-year study
      period.

PMID- 27263491
TI  - Combination of mouse models and genomewide association studies highlights novel
      genes associated with human kidney function.
AB  - Genomewide association studies have identified numerous chronic kidney disease
      associated genetic variants, but often do not pinpoint causal genes. This
      limitation was addressed by combining Mouse Genome Informatics with human
      genomewide association studies of kidney function. Genes for which mouse models
      showed abnormal renal physiology, morphology, glomerular filtration rate (GFR),
      or urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio were identified from Mouse Genome
      Informatics. The corresponding human orthologs were then evaluated for GFR
      associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 133,814 individuals and urinary
      albumin-to-creatinine ratio-associated SNPs in 54,451 individuals in genome-wide
      association studies meta-analysis of the CKDGen Consortium. After multiple
      testing corrections, significant associations with estimated GFR in humans were
      identified for single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 2, 7, and 17 genes causing
      abnormal GFR, abnormal physiology, and abnormal morphology in mice, respectively.
      Genes identified for abnormal kidney morphology showed significant enrichment for
      estimated GFR-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms. In total, 19 genes
      contained variants associated with estimated GFR or the urinary albumin-to
      creatinine ratio of which 16 mapped into previously reported genomewide
      significant loci. CYP26A1 and BMP4 emerged as novel signals subsequently
      validated in a large, independent study. An additional gene, CYP24A1, was
      discovered after conditioning on a published nearby association signal. Thus, our
      novel approach to combine comprehensive mouse phenotype information with human
      genomewide association studies data resulted in the identification of candidate
      genes for kidney disease pathogenesis.

PMID- 27263489
TI  - An overview of technical considerations for Western blotting applications to
      physiological research.
AB  - The applications of Western/immunoblotting (WB) techniques have reached multiple
      layers of the scientific community and are now considered routine procedures in
      the field of physiology. This is none more so than in relation to skeletal muscle
      physiology (i.e., resolving the mechanisms underpinning adaptations to exercise).
      Indeed, the inclusion of WB data is now considered an essential aspect of many
      such physiological publications to provide mechanistic insight into regulatory
      processes. Despite this popularity, and due to the ubiquitous and relatively
      inexpensive availability of WB equipment, the quality of WB in publications and
      subsequent analysis and interpretation of the data can be variable, perhaps
      resulting in spurious conclusions. This may be due to poor laboratory technique
      and/or lack of comprehension of the critical steps involved in WB and what
      quality control procedures should be in place to ensure robust data generation.
      The present review aims to provide a detailed description and critique of WB
      procedures and technicalities, from sample collection through preparation,
      blotting and detection, to analysis of the data collected. We aim to provide the
      reader with improved expertise to critically conduct, evaluate, and troubleshoot
      the WB process, to produce reproducible and reliable blots.

PMID- 27263492
TI  - Regulatory T cells in kidney disease and transplantation.
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to be important in maintaining immune
      homeostasis and preventing autoimmune disease, including autoimmune kidney
      disease. It is also likely that they play a role in limiting kidney transplant
      rejection and potentially in promoting transplant tolerance. Although other
      subsets of Tregs exist, the most potent and well-defined Tregs are the Foxp3
      expressing CD4(+) Tregs derived from the thymus or generated peripherally. These
      CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs limit autoimmune renal disease in animal models, especially
      chronic kidney disease, and kidney transplantation. Furthermore, other subsets of
      Tregs, including CD8 Tregs, may play a role in immunosuppression in kidney
      disease. The development and protective mechanisms of Tregs in kidney disease and
      kidney transplantation involve multiple mechanisms of suppression. Here we review
      the development and function of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs. We discuss the specific
      application of Tregs as a therapeutic strategy to prevent kidney disease and to
      limit kidney transplant rejection and detail clinical trials in this area of
      transplantation.

PMID- 27263493
TI  - Salivary mRNA markers having the potential to detect oral squamous cell carcinoma
      segregated from oral leukoplakia with dysplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the current study the presence of extracellular IL-1B, IL-8, OAZ
      and SAT mRNAs in the saliva was evaluated as a tool in the early detection of
      oral squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: 34 patients with primary oral squamous
      cell carcinoma stage T1N0M0/T2N0M0, 20 patients with oral leukoplakia and
      dysplasia (15 patients with mild dysplasia and 5 with severe dysplasia/in situ
      carcinoma) and 31 matched healthy-control subjects were included in the study.
      The presence of IL-1B, IL-8, OAZ and SAT mRNA was evaluated in extracellular RNA
      isolated from saliva samples using sequence-specific primers and real-time RT
      PCR. ROC curve analysis was used to estimate the ability of the biomarkers to
      detect oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. RESULTS: The data reveal that the
      combination of these four biomarkers provides a good predictive probability of up
      to 80% (AUC=0.799, p=0.002) for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma but
      not patients suffering from oral leukoplakia with dysplasia. Moreover, the
      combination of only the two biomarkers (SAT and IL-8) also raises a high
      predictive ability of 75.5% (AUC=0.755, p=0.007) approximately equal to the four
      biomarkers suggesting the use of the two biomarkers only in the prediction model
      for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients limiting the economic and health cost
      in half. CONCLUSION: SAT and IL-8 mRNAs are present in the saliva in high quality
      and quantity, with a good discriminatory ability for oral squamous cell carcinoma
      patients only but not for patients with oral leukoplakia and dysplasia an oral
      potentially malignant disorder.

PMID- 27263494
TI  - Microglial activation during epileptogenesis in a mouse model of tuberous
      sclerosis complex.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder, characterized
      by tumor formation in multiple organs and severe neurologic manifestations,
      including epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autism. Abnormalities of both
      neurons and astrocytes have been implicated in contributing to the neurologic
      phenotype of TSC, but the role of microglia in TSC has not been investigated. The
      objectives of this study were to characterize microglial activation in a mouse
      model of TSC, involving conditional inactivation of the Tsc1 gene predominantly
      in glial cells (Tsc1(GFAP) CKO mice), and to test the hypothesis that microglial
      activation contributes to epileptogenesis in this mouse model. METHODS:
      Microglial and astrocyte activation was examined in Tsc1(GFAP) CKO mice by
      ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein
      immunohistochemistry. Cytokine and chemokine expression was evaluated with
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Seizures were monitored by video
      electroencephalography (EEG). The effect of minocycline in inhibiting microglial
      and astrocyte activation, cytokine expression, and seizures was tested. RESULTS:
      Microglial cell number and size were increased in cortex and hippocampus of 3- to
      4-week-old Tsc1(GFAP) CKO mice, which correlated with the onset of seizures.
      Minocycline treatment prevented the increase in number and cell size of microglia
      in 4-week-old Tsc1(GFAP) CKO mice. However, minocycline treatment had no effect
      on astrocyte proliferation and cytokine/chemokine expression and the progression
      of seizures in Tsc1(GFAP) CKO mice. SIGNIFICANCE: Microglia cell number and size
      are abnormal in Tsc1(GFAP) CKO mice, and minocycline treatment inhibits this
      microglia activation, but does not suppress seizures. Microglia may play a role
      in the neurologic manifestations of TSC, but additional studies are needed in
      other models and human studies to determine whether microglia are critical for
      epileptogenesis in TSC.

PMID- 27263496
TI  - Occupational differences in work engagement: A longitudinal study among eight
      occupational groups in Norway.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to explore occupational differences in the
      experience of engagement both with regard to differences in the level of work
      engagement as well as in the predicting value of different antecedent variables.
      Multigroup latent mean analysis was performed on eight different occupational
      groups in Norway (lawyers, physicians, nurses, teachers, church ministers, bus
      drivers, and people working in advertising and information technology; N =
      3,475). Tests for factorial invariance supported the use of the Oldenburg Burnout
      Inventory scale across occupational groups and that the latent means were
      comparable across the groups. Results indicated significant occupational
      differences in the experience of vigor and dedication. The lawyers reported the
      most vigor and the church ministers the most dedication. Least vigor was reported
      among the teachers and the advertising group reported to be least dedicated.
      Cross-lagged multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis suggested
      there are different processes behind the development of engagement across
      occupations. Visualization of how some occupations cluster or differ from each
      other is important as it might engender theory building and further hypotheses
      testing. 

PMID- 27263495
TI  - Quantifying promoter activity during the developmental cycle of Chlamydia
      trachomatis.
AB  - Chlamydia trachomatis is an important human pathogen that undergoes a
      characteristic development cycle correlating with stage-specific gene expression
      profiles. Taking advantage of recent developments in the genetic transformation
      in C. trachomatis, we constructed a versatile green fluorescent protein (GFP)
      reporter system to study the development-dependent function of C. trachomatis
      promoters in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism that controls C. trachomatis
      adaptability. We validated the use of the GFP reporter system by visualizing the
      activity of an early euo gene promoter. Additionally, we uncovered a new ompA
      promoter, which we named P3, utilizing the GFP reporter system combined with 5'
      rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), in vitro transcription assays, real-time
      quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR), and flow cytometry. Mutagenesis of the P3 region
      verifies that P3 is a new class of C. trachomatis sigma(66)-dependent promoter,
      which requires an extended -10 TGn motif for transcription. These results
      corroborate complex developmentally controlled ompA expression in C. trachomatis.
      The exploitation of genetically labeled C. trachomatis organisms with P3-driven
      GFP allows for the observation of changes in ompA expression in response to
      developmental signals. The results of this study could be used to complement
      previous findings and to advance understanding of C. trachomatis genetic
      expression.

PMID- 27263498
TI  - Efficient Z-scheme photocatalyst from simultaneous decoration of In2S3 nanosheets
      and WO3 nanorods on graphene sheets.
AB  - Inspired by natural photosynthesis, the Z-scheme photocatalyst is a promising
      approach to extend the absorption spectra of photocatalysts and reduce the
      recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes. However, the fabrication of
      well-structured efficient multi-component Z-scheme photocatalysts is still a big
      challenge. We report here a facile one-pot method to synthesize graphene-based Z
      scheme photocatalysts. The one-pot method guarantees good distribution of well
      structured individual components on thin-layered rGO sheets with excellent
      connections. With inactive WO3 nanorods and inactive beta-In2S3 nanosheets
      attached to the surface of the rGO sheets, the synthesized In2S3/WO3/rGO tertiary
      nanocomposite shows excellent visible-light catalytic activity for hydrogen
      production at 1524 MUmol g(-1) h(-1), demonstrating unambiguously the Z-scheme
      catalytic mechanism. To prevent cross-reactions and interferences, our strategy
      was to choose no more than one ionic precipitation reaction for the one-pot
      process, as unwanted cross-reactions could become inevitable if many cations and
      anions were present. This fabrication strategy should be applicable generally to
      synthesize other multiple-component nanocomposites, as demonstrated also by the
      preliminary results of the successful synthesis of the BiVO4/WO3/rGO
      nanocomposite (one ionic precipitation reaction and one hydrolysis reaction) and
      WO3/TiO2/rGO nanocomposite (two hydrolysis reactions). 

PMID- 27263497
TI  - Determinants of resting cerebral blood flow in sickle cell disease.
AB  - Stroke is common in children with sickle cell disease and results from an
      imbalance in oxygen supply and demand. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is increased in
      patients with sickle cell disease to compensate for their anemia, but adequacy of
      their oxygen delivery has not been systematically demonstrated. This study
      examined the physiological determinants of CBF in 37 patients with sickle cell
      disease, 38 ethnicity matched control subjects and 16 patients with anemia of non
      sickle origin. Cerebral blood flow was measured using phase contrast MRI of the
      carotid and vertebral arteries. CBF increased inversely to oxygen content (r(2) 
      = 0.69, P < 0.0001). Brain oxygen delivery, the product of CBF and oxygen
      content, was normal in all groups. Brain composition, specifically the relative
      amounts of grey and white matter, was the next strongest CBF predictor,
      presumably by influencing cerebral metabolic rate. Grey matter/white matter ratio
      and CBF declined monotonically until the age of 25 in all subjects, consistent
      with known maturational changes in brain composition. Further CBF reductions were
      observed with age in subjects older than 35 years of age, likely reflecting
      microvascular aging. On multivariate regression, CBF was independent of disease
      state, hemoglobin S, hemoglobin F, reticulocyte count and cell free hemoglobin,
      suggesting that it is regulated similarly in patients and control subjects. In
      conclusion, sickle cell disease patients had sufficient oxygen delivery at rest,
      but accomplish this only by marked increases in their resting CBF, potentially
      limiting their ability to further augment flow in response to stress. Am. J.
      Hematol. 91:912-917, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27263499
TI  - A remote monitoring program evaluation: a retrospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Using an integrated model, the Donabedian Quality and Logic Model, we
      examined a remote monitoring heart failure disease management program. METHOD:
      This quantitative research used post-test only case matched design. The sample
      consisted of 210 participants from 23 home health care agencies. RESULTS:
      Logistic regression results indicated statistical significance, there was an
      inverse relationship between caregiver support and the complexity of decision
      making; X2 (3, n = 210) = 29.984, P = 0.012. The DTreg suggested that
      participants who were advised to go to the ER had a 1.00 probability of doing so,
      and those who were instructed otherwise had a 0.37 probability of going to the
      ER. Among participants who experienced a hospital readmission, there was 0.50
      probability that patient education or other clinical intervention was implemented
      prior to the admission. CONCLUSION: As home health care agencies consider disease
      management programs, it is important to gain a comprehensive understanding of the
      potential of innovative programs and the resources they require. While the agency
      invested the resources required by the remote monitoring program, the study
      demonstrated that caregiver support was a critical structural component of the
      program and may affect change in nurses' decision making to mitigate hospital
      utilization. We recommend that home health care agencies take greater
      consideration of the family and social support in implementing a remote
      monitoring system.

PMID- 27263500
TI  - Immunosuppressive Therapy-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Patients with Aplastic
      Anemia.
AB  - Immunosuppressive therapy is a treatment for aplastic anemia patients who are not
      candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The aim of the study to
      evaluate the frequency and severity of immunosuppressive therapy-induced
      hepatotoxicity in patients with aplastic anemia. The records of 27 patients with
      aplastic anemia who had eceived immunosuppressive therapy were received and
      determined for evidence of hepatotoxicity. The patients were divided into three
      groups. Group 1 was treated with antithymocyte/antilymphocyte globulin and
      cyclosporin A, group 2 received onl yyclosporin-A and group 3 was treated with
      antithymocyte/antilymphocyte globulin + cyclosporin-A and granulocyte macrophage
      colony-stimulating factor. All patients in group 1 had an initial increase in AST
      and ALT levels after therapy, but these tests abnormalities returned to normal in
      each case (p> 0.05). There was no detectable change in AST and ALT levels in
      group 2 (p>0.05). In group 3, five patients had an increase in ALT and AST levels
      in the initial several days after therapy was started but he levels gradually
      returnedto normal by the second or third week of therapy. 

PMID- 27263501
TI  - Natural Inhibitors and Lipids in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.
AB  - Microvascular occlusion in sickle cell disease (SCD) is a multifactorial process.
      Disordered coagulation may play a role in the pathogenesis of vaso occlusive
      crisis (VOC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients and to
      investigate their Protein C (PC), Protein S (PS) and AT-III levels during normal
      and crisis periods. A total of 18 patients with SCD were included in this study
      at the Antalya State Hospital, Thalassemia Center. The mean number of VOC
      episodes of the patients per year was 4.1 - 3.2. Complications in patients
      included 4 cases of osteonecrosis (23.5%), 2 cases of holealithiasis (11.7%), 2
      cases of leg ulcers (11.7%), and 3 splenectomies (17.6%). The patients during
      noncrisis periods have lower cholesterol and higher triglycerides levels than the
      controls (p< 0.001). Hepatic and renal functions were normal in all patients. The
      mean totals of the PS, PC and AT-III levels were statistically lower both in non
      crisis and in crisis periods than the control (p< 0.001), but there was no
      statistical difference between the levels durining noncrisis and crisis periods.
      In conclusion, PC, PS and AT-IIII deficiencies in patients with SCD are certain.
      However, these deficiencies do not change during noncrisis and crisis situations
      and does not play a role on the period of crisis. Abnormal lipid patterns may be
      a predisposing condition for a crisis. 

PMID- 27263502
TI  - Hematological Values of Healthy Adult Population Living at Moderate Altitude
      (1869 m, Erzurum, Turkey).
AB  - In this study, the normal hematological values in healthy adults living in
      Erzurum area in Turkey at moderate altitude (1869 m above sea level), and the
      effect of moderate altitude on these hematological values was investigated. The
      study population comprised of 929 females and 1204 males aged between 17-95. The
      mean values for red blood cell and leukocyte counts, and hemoglobin level were
      significantly higher in males than in females (p<0.0001), whereas platelet count
      was significantly higher in females than in males (p<0.0001). >n conclusion, we
      could not find an increase in the number of red blood cells as well as other
      hematological parameters in healthy adults living in Erzurum area. Hematological
      values in this study were similar to those reported in the previous studies
      carried out with those living under 1869 m. 

PMID- 27263503
TI  - Ticlopidine Induced Anemia and Agranulocytosis.
AB  - A 63-year-old man with a history of transient ischemic attack had been treated
      with ticlopidine for 2 months. He presented with a 6-day history of fever, sore
      throat, and generalized weakness. Agranulocytosis and anemia due to ticlopidine
      was diagnosed, and the ticlopidine was discontinued. Broad-spectrum antibiotics
      and granulocyte colony stimulating factor were administered. The recovery of the
      granulocyte count and an improvement of the clinical condition were noted on the
      6th day of the admission. 

PMID- 27263504
TI  - Multiple Cerebral Emboli in a Homozygous b-Thalassaemia Patient Due to Factor V
      1299 (His-Arg) 4070 A-G Mutation.
AB  - Thromboembolic episodes are quite rare in beta thalassemia major patients
      although there is a tendency for thrombosis in haemolytic anaemias. We report a
      patient with cerebral thromboembolic episode triggered by a minor blood group
      incompatibility in which the underlying defect of factor V 1299 (His-Arg) was
      detected three years after his death. 

PMID- 27263505
TI  - Could Parvovirus B19 Induce a Rejection After Bone Marrow Transplantation in a
      Patient with Diamond-Blackfan Anemia?
AB  - A four year-old-girl with Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) that was resistant to
      corticosteroid treatment and transfusion dependent underwent (bone marrow
      transplantation) BMT from HLA identical sibling. The patient was conditioned with
      busulfan and cyclophosphamide and achieved complete marrow engraftment and mixed
      chimerism in DNA analysis. For the following 13 months she was not transfusion
      dependent and had a 100% Karnofsky score. But on the 14th month she had anemia
      ollowing fever, rash and enteritis. Parvovirus B19 IgM seropositivity confirmed
      Parvovirus infection. Although intravenous immunoglobulin was administered, bone
      marrow morphology and DNA analysis revealed rejection. Although mixed chimerism
      detected shortly after the BMT procedure might raise the possibility of an
      ongoing slow graft rejection during the relatively stable remission period, we
      think that parvovirus B19 had also contributed rejection. 

PMID- 27263506
TI  - Images in Haematology.

PMID- 27263507
TI  - Cultural influences on neural basis of inhibitory control.
AB  - Research on neural basis of inhibitory control has been extensively conducted in
      various parts of the world. It is often implicitly assumed that neural basis of
      inhibitory control is universally similar across cultures. Here, we investigated
      the extent to which culture modulated inhibitory-control brain activity at both
      cultural-group and cultural-value levels of analysis. During fMRI scanning,
      participants from different cultural groups (including Caucasian-Americans and
      Japanese-Americans living in the United States and native Japanese living in
      Japan) performed a Go/No-Go task. They also completed behavioral surveys
      assessing cultural values of behavioral consistency, or the extent to which one's
      behaviors in daily life are consistent across situations. Across participants,
      the Go/No-Go task elicited stronger neural activity in several inhibitory-control
      areas, such as the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and anterior cingulate cortex
      (ACC). Importantly, at the cultural-group level, we found variation in left IFG
      (L-IFG) activity that was explained by a cultural region where participants lived
      in (as opposed to race). Specifically, L-IFG activity was stronger for native
      Japanese compared to Caucasian- and Japanese-Americans, while there was no
      systematic difference in L-IFG activity between Japanese- and Caucasian
      Americans. At the cultural-value level, we found that participants who valued
      being "themselves" across situations (i.e., having high endorsement of behavioral
      consistency) elicited stronger rostral ACC activity during the Go/No-Go task.
      Altogether, our findings provide novel insight into how culture modulates the
      neural basis of inhibitory control.

PMID- 27263508
TI  - Predictability of what or where reduces brain activity, but a bottleneck occurs
      when both are predictable.
AB  - Detecting regularities in the sensory environment licenses predictions that
      enable adaptive behaviour. However, it is unclear whether predictions about
      object category, location, or both dimensions are mediated by overlapping
      systems, and relatedly, whether constructing predictions about both category and
      location is associated with processing bottlenecks. To examine this issue, in an
      fMRI study, we presented participants with image-series in which non
      deterministic transition probabilities enabled predictions about either the
      location of the next image, its semantic category, both dimensions, or neither
      (the latter forming a "no-regularity" random baseline condition). Speaking to a
      common system, all three predictable conditions resulted in reduced BOLD activity
      in four clusters: left rostral anterior cingulate cortex; bilateral putamen,
      caudate and thalamus; right precentral gyrus, and left visual cortex. Pointing to
      a processing bottleneck, in some regions, a significant interaction between the
      two factors was found whereby category-predictable series were associated with
      lower activity - but only when location regularity was absent. Finally, category
      regularity decreased activation in areas of the ventral visual stream and
      semantic areas of lateral temporal cortex, and location regularity decreased
      activation in a dorsal fronto-parietal cluster, long implicated in the endogenous
      control of spatial attention. Our findings confirm and expand a role for
      dACC/dmPFC and striatum in monitoring or responding to uncertainty in the
      environment and point to a limited capacity bottleneck when multiple predictions
      are concurrently licensed.

PMID- 27263510
TI  - The extended human PTPome: a growing tyrosine phosphatase family.

PMID- 27263513
TI  - Robot-assisted spleen preserving pancreatic surgery in MEN1 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) patients often undergo
      multiple pancreatic operations at a young age. OBJECTIVE: To describe robot
      assisted and laparoscopic spleen-preserving pancreatic surgery in MEN1 patients,
      and to compare both techniques. METHODS: Robot-assisted pancreatectomies of the
      DutchMEN1 study group and the Universite de Lorraine, Nancy, France were compared
      to a historical cohort of laparoscopic treated MEN1 patients. Perioperative
      outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 21 MEN1 patients underwent minimally
      invasive pancreatic surgery for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, seven patients
      were subjected to robot-assisted surgery, and 14 patients underwent laparoscopic
      surgery. Demographics and clinical characteristics did not differ between the
      cohorts and no significant differences in operative outcomes were found. A high
      number of ISGPS grade B/C pancreatic fistulas were observed in both cohorts
      (38%), and no conversions were seen in the robot-assisted cohort (respectively 0%
      vs. 43%, P = 0.06). In one laparoscopic and one robot-assisted case the primary
      tumor was not resected. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive spleen-preserving surgery
      in MEN1 patients is safe and feasible. Patients who underwent robot-assisted
      surgery did not require conversion to open surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:456
      461. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27263515
TI  - Nuclear Medicine Applications in Hemato-Oncology.

PMID- 27263514
TI  - Synthesis and structures of stable phosphorus zwitterions derived from mesoionic
      4-trifluoroacetyl-1,3-oxazolium-5-olates.
AB  - Trialkyl phosphites were evaluated as phosphorus nucleophiles for addition to
      mesoionic 4-trifluoroacetyl-1,3-oxazolium-5-olates (1), thereby producing
      tetravalent phosphorus zwitterions (2) in good yields. The structure of 2 was
      determined to be a tetravalent phosphonium enolate via single crystal X-ray
      analysis. 

PMID- 27263512
TI  - Single-room usage patterns and allocation decision-making in an Australian public
      hospital: a sequential exploratory study.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aims are to (1) measure occupancy rates of single and
      shared rooms; (2) compare single room usage patterns and (3) explore the
      practice, rationale and decision-making processes associated with single rooms;
      across one Australian public health service. BACKGROUND: There is a tendency in
      Australia and internationally to increase the proportion of single patient rooms
      in hospitals. To date there have been no Australian studies that investigate the
      use of single rooms in clinical practice. DESIGN: This study used a sequential
      exploratory design with data collected in 2014. METHODS: A descriptive survey was
      used to measure the use of single rooms across a two-week time frame. Semi
      structured interviews were undertaken with occupancy decision-makers to explore
      the practices, rationale decision-making process associated with single-room
      allocation. RESULTS: Total bed occupancy did not fall below 99.4% during the
      period of data collection. Infection control was the primary reason for patients
      to be allocated to a single room, however, the patterns varied according to ward
      type and single-room availability. For occupancy decision-makers, decisions about
      patient allocation was a complex and challenging process, influenced and
      complicated by numerous factors including occupancy rates, the infection status
      of the patient/s, funding and patient/family preference. Bed moves were common
      resulting from frequent re-evaluation of need. CONCLUSION: Apart from infection
      control mandates, there was little tangible evidence to guide decision-making
      about single-room allocation. Further work is necessary to assist nurses in their
      decision-making. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: There is a trend towards
      increasing the proportion of single rooms in new hospital builds. Coupled with
      the competing clinical demands for single room care, this study highlights the
      complexity of nursing decision-making about patient allocation to single rooms,
      an issue urgently requiring further attention.

PMID- 27263516
TI  - Homozygosity for the HR2 Haplotype: Is It a Risk Factor for Thrombosis?
AB  - A4070G (His 1299 Arg) polymorphism in exon 13 of factor V gene can influence
      factor V levels and contribute to the activated protein C resistance. We are
      presenting our data concerning Turkish population and postulate that homozygosity
      for the HR2 haplotype may be an important risk factor for thrombosis. 

PMID- 27263509
TI  - Neuronal generator patterns at scalp elicited by lateralized aversive pictures
      reveal consecutive stages of motivated attention.
AB  - Event-related potential (ERP) studies have provided evidence for an allocation of
      attentional resources to enhance perceptual processing of motivationally salient
      stimuli. Emotional modulation affects several consecutive components associated
      with stages of affective-cognitive processing, beginning as early as 100-200ms
      after stimulus onset. In agreement with the notion that the right parietotemporal
      region is critically involved during the perception of arousing affective
      stimuli, some ERP studies have reported asymmetric emotional ERP effects.
      However, it is difficult to separate emotional from non-emotional effects because
      differences in stimulus content unrelated to affective salience or task demands
      may also be associated with lateralized function or promote cognitive processing.
      Other concerns pertain to the operational definition and statistical independence
      of ERP component measures, their dependence on an EEG reference, and spatial
      smearing due to volume conduction, all of which impede the identification of
      distinct scalp activation patterns associated with affective processing. Building
      on prior research using a visual half-field paradigm with highly controlled
      emotional stimuli (pictures of cosmetic surgery patients showing disordered
      [negative] or healed [neutral] facial areas before or after treatment), 72
      channel ERPs recorded from 152 individuals (ages 13-68years; 81 female) were
      transformed into reference-free current source density (CSD) waveforms and
      submitted to temporal principal components analysis (PCA) to identify their
      underlying neuronal generator patterns. Using both nonparametric randomization
      tests and repeated measures ANOVA, robust effects of emotional content were found
      over parietooccipital regions for CSD factors corresponding to N2 sink (212ms
      peak latency), P3 source (385ms) and a late centroparietal source (630ms), all
      indicative of greater positivity for negative than neutral stimuli. For the N2
      sink, emotional effects were right-lateralized and modulated by hemifield, with
      larger amplitude and asymmetry for left hemifield (right hemisphere)
      presentations. For all three factors, more positive amplitudes at
      parietooccipital sites were associated with increased ratings of negative valence
      and greater arousal. Distributed inverse solutions of the CSD-PCA-based emotional
      effects implicated a sequence of maximal activations in right occipitotemporal
      cortex, bilateral posterior cingulate cortex, and bilateral inferior temporal
      cortex. These findings are consistent with hierarchical activations of the
      ventral visual pathway reflecting subsequent processing stages in response to
      motivationally salient stimuli.

PMID- 27263517
TI  - 1,25(OH)2D3 incubation up-Regulates HOX A9 gene in HL-60 cells.
AB  - There are many genes involved in vitamin D dependent differentiation of acute
      myeloid leukaemia cell line HL-60 cells. Involvement of HOX genes in leukaemia
      and differentiation is just beginning to be appreciated. In order to understand
      the relationship with 1,25(OH)2D3 dependent differentiation of myeloid leukaemia,
      we studied the expression of HOX A9 gene. HL-60 cells were exposed to 1,25(OH)2D3
      for 24 and 72 hours. Gene expression were investigated using quantitative real
      time RT-PCR (LightCycler). HOX A9 levels were found upregulated after 1,25(OH)2D3
      treatment, compared to housekeeping RPS9 and HPRT genes. Our study is the first
      attempt to quantification of HOX A9 gene during 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment, using this
      technology. We suggest that there is a clear relationship between differentiation
      induction and over-expression of HOX A9 gene in HL-60 cells. Possible correlation
      of high expression levels of HOX A9 gene in AML pathogenesis remains to be
      established. 

PMID- 27263518
TI  - R506Q (FV Leiden) and R485K Mutations in the Factor V Gene: Incidence in Deep
      Venous Thrombosis and Hemophilia A Patients.
AB  - R506Q (FV Leiden) mutation in exon 10 of the factor V (FV) gene is highly
      prevalent in European populations and it has been suggested that the
      coinheritance of FV Leiden mutation may be an important modifier of hemophilia A
      phenotype. One other substitution R485K in the same exon, with no functional
      consequences in vitro, is significantly higher in Thailand and has been
      associated with thrombophilia. In order to see if any correlation exists between
      R506Q and hemophilia phenotype and between R485K and thrombosis in Turkish
      patients, DGGE analysis of exon 10 of the FV gene is carried out among deep
      venous thrombosis (DVT) and hemophilia A patients. Our results indicate that the
      allelic frequency of the R485K polymorphism is similar to the frequency detected
      in Europe, and apparently, is not associated with an increased risk of thrombosis
      in the Turkish population. It is also not possible to show a modifier effect of
      FV Leiden on hemophilia A phenotype among the limited number of patients included
      in this study. 

PMID- 27263519
TI  - Microorganisms Isolated from Blood Cultures of Febrile Neutropenic Patients in
      <bn-i Sina Hospital.
AB  - Patients with profound neutropenia have increased risk of septicemia associated
      with significant morbidity. To provide the appropriate broad-spectrum
      antimicrobial cover, documentation of causative agents and their antimicrobial
      susceptibilities should be established in each hospital. During 2001 in Ibn-i
      Sina Hospital Hematology unit, among 125 isolates from blood cultures of febrile
      neutropenic patients, gram-negative bacteria was prevalent (56.8%). Among the
      gram-positives (34.4% of isolates) coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were
      the predominant bacteria (15/43) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (12/43).
      Escherichia coli (23/71) and Klebsiella spp. (15/71) were the most common species
      among 71 gram-negative bacteria. Nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli were 21.6%
      of the isolates. Increase in the isolation rate of Acinetobacter baumannii (7
      strains) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (6 strains) was noticed. 

PMID- 27263520
TI  - Autologous Platelet Collection and Storage to Support Thrombocytopenia in a
      Leukemia Patient with Platelet Alloimmunization Undergoing Chemotherapy.
AB  - Platelet alloimmunization occurs frequently in multitransfused patients. To
      prevent the posttransfusion complications donor white blood cells (WBCs) must be
      removed from the platelet concentrates (PC). But sometimes the centrifugation and
      filtration of WBC is not enough and in such conditions HLA-matched PC are
      recommended. Cryopreservation of autologous PC offers a potential solution to
      this problem. We investigated the feasibility of supporting the aplastic period
      after chemotherapy in a 54-year-old leukemia patient with autologous platelets
      collected by apheresis and cryopreserved. Our case report demonstrates that
      autologous apheresis platelet transfusion might be a feasible approach to high
      risk patients with bleeding tendencies. 

PMID- 27263521
TI  - Hemolysis After Administration of High-Dose Immunoglobulin in a Patient with
      Myocarditis.
AB  - The use of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has greatly increased in
      the last years. With broader use of immunoglobulin, the numbers of reported side
      effects are also growing. IVIG have also been used in the treatment of
      myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Here we reported a child with presumed
      acute myocarditis who has developed severe hemolytic anemia following high-dose
      IVIG administration. As our knowledge, this is the first case report with
      myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy who developed hemolytic anemia following
      high-dose IVIG administration. 

PMID- 27263522
TI  - B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting with Extensive Cutaneous Involvement.
AB  - Cutaneous lymphomas tend to be of T-cell origin, less commonly of B-cell origin.
      We report a 68-year-old male patient suffering from extensive cutaneous nodules
      which were found to be B-cell large cell lymphoma in nature. Our case is a good
      example to unexpected cutaneous involvement of diffuse large cell lymphomas. It
      may be debated whether it is a primary cutaneous lymphoma or cutaneous
      involvement of a systemic lymphoma. The case differs from other primary cutaneous
      lymphomas in the clinical course and in the pathologic and immunohistochemical
      features. Systemic B-cell lymphomas may also involve the skin. We think that our
      case demands attention because systemic B-cell lymphomas with such a great skin
      involvement is not reported in the literature before. 

PMID- 27263523
TI  - Images in Haematology.

PMID- 27263524
TI  - Therapeutic Trial of Cobalamin in Patients with Normal Serum Cobalamin Levels and
      Predicted Cobalamin Deficiency.

PMID- 27263525
TI  - CLL and Squamous Cell Cancer of the Auricle.

PMID- 27263526
TI  - Comparative effects of wild type Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and its indole
      acetic acid-deficient mutants on wheat.
AB  - The present investigation evaluated the role of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and
      its IAA-deficient mutant on soil health and plant growth under salinity stress in
      the presence of tryptophan. In the first phase, S. maltophilia isolated from
      roots of the halo- phytic herb, Cenchrus ciliaris was used as bio-inoculant on
      wheat grown in saline sodic soil. A field experiment was conducted at Soil
      Salinity Research Institute during 2010-2011. Treatments included seed
      inoculation with S. maltophilia with or without tryptophan; uninoculated
      untreated plants were taken as control. An aqueous solution of tryptophan was
      added to rhizosphere soil at 1 MUg l(_1) after seed germination. Inoculation with
      S. maltophilia significantly increased soil organic matter, enhanced (20-30%)
      availability of P, K, Ca and NO3 -N and decreased Na content and electrical
      conductivity of rhizosphere soil. Plant height, fresh weight, proline and
      phytohormone content of leaves were increased 30-40% over the control. Activities
      of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were 40-50% higher than
      control. Addition of tryptophan further augmented (10-15%) growth parameters,
      whereas NO3 -N, P, K and Ca content, proline content and SOD and POD increased 20
      30%. In a second phase, indoleacetic acid (IAA)-deficient mutants of S.
      maltophilia were constructed and evaluated for conversion of tryptophan to IAA at
      the University of Calgary, Canada, during 2013-2014. About 1800 trans-conjugants
      were constructed that were unable to produce IAA in the presence of tryptophan.
      The results suggest that tryptophan assisted S. maltophilia in the amelioration
      of salt stress, and that IAA played positive role in induction of salt tolerance.

PMID- 27263527
TI  - Hysteroscopy is needed in the diagnostic workup of postmenopausal bleeding.

PMID- 27263530
TI  - Deprescribing: An Application to Medication Management in Older Adults.
AB  - Polypharmacy has been found to have potentially negative consequences for
      patients due to use of potentially inappropriate medications, as well as
      increased risk of drug interactions and adverse effects. Deprescribing has been
      proposed as a method of improving medication use throughout a patient's course of
      care. This article reviews the process of deprescribing and applies the process
      to medication classes commonly encountered by clinical pharmacists. This review
      of therapeutics included studies identified through a PubMed search and by review
      of the reference list of included studies. Relevant studies known to the author
      were also included. Previous studies have identified several classes of
      medications as a high priority for construction of evidence-based deprescribing
      guidelines. In the absence of currently available evidence-based clinical
      practice guidelines, this articles reviews applicable evidence and applies the
      deprescribing process to three high-priority medication classes: statins,
      cholinesterase inhibitors and bisphosphonates. Available evidence can be used to
      apply the deprescribing process to preventive medications for chronic diseases
      commonly encountered by clinical pharmacists.

PMID- 27263528
TI  - Docetaxel induced-JNK2/PHD1 signaling pathway increases degradation of HIF-1alpha
      and causes cancer cell death under hypoxia.
AB  - HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1) regulates the expression of more than 70 genes
      involved in angiogenesis, tumor growth, metastasis, chemoresistance, and
      radioresistance. Thus, there is growing interest in using HIF-1 inhibitors as
      anticancer drugs. Docetaxel, a Food and Drug Administration-approved anticancer
      drug, is reported to enhance HIF-1alpha degradation. Here, we investigated the
      molecular mechanism underlying docetaxel-induced HIF-1alpha degradation and
      cancer cell death under hypoxic conditions. Docetaxel pretreatment enhanced the
      polyubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of HIF-1alpha, and
      increased cancer cell death under hypoxic conditions. Docetaxel also activated
      the prolyl hydroxylase, PHD1, in hypoxia, and pharmacological inhibition or siRNA
      mediated knockdown of PHD1 prevented docetaxel-induced HIF-1alpha degradation and
      cancer cell death. Additionally, siRNA-mediated JNK2 knockdown blocked docetaxel
      induced HIF-1alpha degradation and cancer cell death by inhibiting PHD1
      activation. A luciferase reporter assay revealed that inhibition of the JNK2/PHD1
      signaling pathway significantly increased the transcriptional activity of HIF-1
      in docetaxel-treated cancer cells under hypoxia. Consistent with these results,
      docetaxel-treated JNK2-knockdown tumors grew much faster than control tumors
      through inhibition of docetaxel-induced PHD1 activation and degradation of HIF
      1alpha. Our results collectively show that, under hypoxic conditions, docetaxel
      induces apoptotic cell death through JNK2/PHD1 signaling-mediated HIF-1alpha
      degradation.

PMID- 27263529
TI  - Cold-evoked potentials - Ready for clinical use?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cold-evoked potentials (CEPs) are known to assess the integrity of A
      delta fibres and the spinothalamic tract. Nevertheless, the clinical value was
      not investigated previously. The aim of this study was to measure CEPs in 16
      healthy subjects from the face, hand and foot sole and to investigate whether
      CEPs reliably detect A-delta fibre abnormalities. METHODS: Swift cold stimuli
      were applied to the skin with a commercially available thermode, which cooled
      down from 30 to 25  degrees C in approximately 0.5 s. CEP latencies (N1, N2 and
      P2) and amplitudes (N1, N2/P2) were recorded with EEG. Reversible A-fibre
      function loss was induced by applying a selective A-fibre block at the
      superficial radial nerve. RESULTS: In all 16 subjects CEPs could be recorded from
      all locations; N2, P2 mean latencies were 276.4 +/- 38.9 and 389.8 +/- 52.5
      (face), 318.6 +/- 31.6 ms and 477.7 +/- 43.6 (hand), and 627.6 +/- 84.4 and 774.2
      +/- 94.0 (foot sole). N2/P2 amplitudes were 10.7 +/- 4.1, 11.3 +/- 4.1 and 7.5 +/
      4.1 MUV. During A-fibre block no CEPs were detectable in the grand average,
      which restored 10 min after block removal. CONCLUSIONS: CEPs were reliably
      recorded in healthy subjects at the hand, face and foot. Experimentally induced
      reversible A-delta fibre function loss was detected by CEPs. Functional recovery
      was assessed as well. This study is basis for further CEP evaluation studies and
      might be the first step for implementing CEPs in clinical routine for the early
      diagnosis of small-fibre disease. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: Cold-evoked
      potentials are capable of reliably measuring A-delta fibre integrity, loss of
      function and functional recovery in healthy subjects, which is an essential
      prerequisite for diagnostic use in patients with small-fibre disease.

PMID- 27263532
TI  - Energetically favoured defects in dense packings of particles on spherical
      surfaces.
AB  - The dense packing of interacting particles on spheres has proved to be a useful
      model for virus capsids and colloidosomes. Indeed, icosahedral symmetry observed
      in virus capsids corresponds to potential energy minima that occur for magic
      numbers of, e.g., 12, 32 and 72 identical Lennard-Jones particles, for which the
      packing has exactly the minimum number of twelve five-fold defects. It is
      unclear, however, how stable these structures are against thermal agitation. We
      investigate this property by means of basin-hopping global optimisation and
      Langevin dynamics for particle numbers between ten and one hundred. An important
      measure is the number and type of point defects, that is, particles that do not
      have six nearest neighbours. We find that small icosahedral structures are the
      most robust against thermal fluctuations, exhibiting fewer excess defects and
      rearrangements for a wide temperature range. Furthermore, we provide evidence
      that excess defects appearing at low non-zero temperatures lower the potential
      energy at the expense of entropy. At higher temperatures defects are, as
      expected, thermally excited and thus entropically stabilised. If we replace the
      Lennard-Jones potential by a very short-ranged (Morse) potential, which is
      arguably more appropriate for colloids and virus capsid proteins, we find that
      the same particle numbers give a minimum in the potential energy, although for
      larger particle numbers these minima correspond to different packings.
      Furthermore, defects are more difficult to excite thermally for the short-ranged
      potential, suggesting that the short-ranged interaction further stabilises
      equilibrium structures. 

PMID- 27263533
TI  - Unmanipulated haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for
      children with severe aplastic anaemia.
AB  - Haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) used to be a
      third-line treatment option for childhood severe aplastic anaemia (SAA). We
      conducted this retrospective study of 36 children (38 transplants) who received
      haplo-HSCT from human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched related donors between
      July 2002 and November 2013 at five HSCT centres in China, including 17 cases
      that were 5/6 HLA matched (Group 1) and 21 that were 4/6 or 3/6 HLA matched
      (Group 2). Although patients in Group 2 had a higher incidence of grade II-IV
      acute graft-versus-host disease (57.9% vs. 5.9%, P = 0.001), they had similar
      rates of graft failure (5.3% vs. 5.9%, P = 0.742) and overall survival (80.8% vs.
      93.8%, P = 0.234) as Group 1. Unmanipulated haplo-HSCT is an effective treatment
      for SAA children with satisfactory outcome of this cohort, especially in the 5/6
      HLA-matched group. For patients in critical situations, such as unresponsive to
      immunosuppressive therapy, refractory infection and failing first HSCT, to bring
      forward the timing of haplo-HSCT is a feasible salvage strategy with better and
      faster donor accessibility. 

PMID- 27263534
TI  - Sphingobacterium populi sp. nov., isolated from bark of Populus * euramericana.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile bacterial strain, 7Y-4T, was isolated
      from bark tissue of Populus * euramericana. The isolate was able to grow between
      10 and 37  degrees C, with optimal growth occurring at 28-30  degrees C. Strain
      7Y-4T was positive for oxidase and catalase activities, but did not reduce
      nitrite from nitrate. Positive reactions were observed for the activities of beta
      galactosidase, urease and beta-glucosidase, but negative reactions for the
      activities of gelatinase and the production of indole, acetoin and H2S. Citrate
      was not utilized. The major fatty acids of strain 7Y-4T are iso-C15 : 0 (28.6 %),
      C16 : 1omega7c/C16 : 1omega6c (31.8 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (23.3 %).The major
      polar lipids of the novel isolate include phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown
      phospholipids (PL1-3) and six unknown lipids (L1-6), and the predominant
      menaquinone is MK-7. The DNA G+C content is 41.7 mol%. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene
      sequences revealed that the novel isolate shared the greatest sequence similarity
      with Sphingobacterium hotanense XH4T (93.50 %). On the basis of phenotypic and
      genotypic characteristics, strain 7Y-4T represents a novel species of the genus
      Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium populi is proposed. The
      type strain is 7Y-4T (=CFCC 11742T=KCTC 42247T).

PMID- 27263531
TI  - IL-17A mediates inflammatory and tissue remodelling events in early human
      tendinopathy.
AB  - Increasingly, inflammatory mediators are considered crucial to the onset and
      perpetuation of tendinopathy. We sought evidence of interleukin 17A (IL-17A)
      expression in early human tendinopathy and thereafter, explored mechanisms
      whereby IL-17A mediated inflammation and tissue remodeling in human tenocytes.
      Torn supraspinatus tendon (established pathology) and matched intact
      subscapularis tendon (representing 'early pathology') along with control biopsies
      were collected from patients undergoing shoulder surgery. Markers of inflammation
      and IL-17A were quantified by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Human tendon cells
      were derived from hamstring tendon obtained during ACL reconstruction. In vitro
      effects of IL-17A upon tenocytes were measured using RT-PCR, multiplex cytokine
      assays, apoptotic proteomic profiling, immunohistochemistry and annexin V FACS
      staining. Increased expression of IL-17A was detected in 'early tendinopathy'
      compared to both matched samples and non-matched control samples (p < 0.01) by RT
      PCR and immunostaining. Double immunofluoresence staining revealed IL-17A
      expression in leukocyte subsets including mast cells, macrophages and T cells. IL
      17A treated tenocytes exhibited increased production of proinflammatory cytokines
      (p < 0.001), altered matrix regulation (p < 0.01) with increased Collagen type
      III and increased expression of several apoptosis related factors. We propose IL
      17A as an inflammatory mediator within the early tendinopathy processes thus
      providing novel therapeutic approaches in the management of tendon disorders.

PMID- 27263535
TI  - A prospective multicenter cohort study of frailty in younger critically ill
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome characterized by loss of
      physiologic and cognitive reserve that heightens vulnerability. Frailty has been
      well described among elderly patients (i.e., 65 years of age or older), but few
      studies have evaluated frailty in nonelderly patients with critical illness. We
      aimed to describe the prevalence, correlates, and outcomes associated with
      frailty among younger critically ill patients. METHODS: We conducted a
      prospective cohort study of 197 consecutive critically ill patients aged 50-64.9
      years admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) at six hospitals across Alberta,
      Canada. Frailty was defined as a score >=5 on the Clinical Frailty Scale before
      hospitalization. Multivariable analyses were used to evaluate factors
      independently associated with frailty before ICU admission and the independent
      association between frailty and outcome. RESULTS: In the 197 patients in the
      study, mean (SD) age was 58.5 (4.1) years, 37 % were female, 73 % had three or
      more comorbid illnesses, and 28 % (n = 55; 95 % CI 22-35) were frail. Factors
      independently associated with frailty included not being completely independent
      (adjusted OR [aOR] 4.4, 95 % CI 1.8-11.1), connective tissue disease (aOR 6.0, 95
      % CI 2.1-17.0), and hospitalization within the preceding year (aOR 3.3, 95 % CI
      1.3-8.1). There were no significant differences between frail and nonfrail
      patients in reason for admission, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation
      II score, preference for life support, or treatment intensity. Younger frail
      patients did not have significantly longer (median [interquartile range])
      hospital stay (26 [9-68] days vs. 19 [10-43] days; p = 0.4), but they had greater
      1-year rehospitalization rates (61 % vs. 40 %; p = 0.02) and higher 1-year
      mortality (33 % vs. 20 %; adjusted HR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.0-3.3; p = 0.039).
      CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital frailty is common among younger critically ill patients,
      and in this study it was associated with higher rates of mortality at 1 year and
      with rehospitalization. Our data suggest that frailty should be considered in
      younger adults admitted to the ICU, not just in the elderly. Additional research
      is needed to further characterize frailty in younger critically ill patients,
      along with the ideal instruments for identification.

PMID- 27263536
TI  - Post Pelvic Radiotherapy Affectation of the Lower Urinary Tract Peripheral
      Innervation in Men.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The periurethral electromyography (EMGs) alterations in men who
      underwent pelvic radiotherapy (RT), either isolated or combined with surgery,
      have not been frequently described in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed
      to compare the EMG's data in men undergoing RT versus the non-irradiated control
      group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 61 consecutive males, who had
      undergone RT (27 of them had been operated) and 99 control consecutive patients
      who underwent a retrospective assessment. The EMGs were performed using a
      concentric electrode needle perineally, localizing the sphincter by visual and
      auditory signal (electromyograph MMS Solar Active). RESULTS: 14.8% denervation,
      62.9% reinnervation, 14.9% denervation + reinnervation and 7.4% EMG normal. The
      age (p < 0.001) and neurogenic bladder data (p < 0.001) are risk factors. The
      smaller the prostate size (obtained by rectal examination) post-RT, the more the
      chance for an abnormal EMG (p < 0.001). The fact of having had received RT (p <
      0.001) is the only risk factor. CONCLUSION: RT produces lesions over the pudendal
      nerve, showing denervation even in late periods. The surgery did not behave as a
      risk factor.

PMID- 27263537
TI  - Changes in the Serum Levels of Trace Elements Before and After the Operation in
      Thyroid Cancer Patients.
AB  - The present study aims to examine the changes in the serum levels of trace
      elements before and after the operation in thyroid cancer patients. The study
      registered 50 individuals, of whom 25 were female and 25 were male. The patients
      were allocated to four groups: group 1: male thyroid cancer patients group (n =
      15), group 2: female thyroid cancer patients group (n = 15), group 3: male
      control group (n = 10), group 4: female control group (n = 10). The subjects in
      groups 1 and 2 were the patients who were post-operatively diagnosed with a
      pathological malignancy in the thyroid tissue samples. Blood samples were
      collected from all subjects before the operation, immediately after the
      operation, and on the post-operative day 15. Additionally, thyroid tissue samples
      were taken from all subjects post-operatively. Some elements in the blood and
      tissue samples were determined using the atomic emission method. Zinc and
      selenium levels of groups 1 and 2 in the pre- and post-operative measurements
      were significantly lower than those in the control groups (p < 0.05), but were
      higher in the thyroid tissue (p < 0.05). Serum zinc and selenium levels measured
      in the subjects on the post-operative day 15 were similar to those measured in
      the controls. Our study show that changes in the serum and thyroid tissue levels
      of trace elements like zinc and selenium, which play a critical role in thyroid
      function, might be associated with the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer.

PMID- 27263538
TI  - Reliability and Validity of Two Measures of Toileting Skills in Frail Older Women
      Without Dementia.
AB  - Urinary incontinence (UI) affects 43% of frail, community-dwelling older women
      and threatens their independence. For these women, remaining continent depends on
      their ability to toilet. Treatments should include improving toileting skills.
      However, reliable and valid measures of toileting skills are not available to
      evaluate treatment efforts in this population. The current cross-sectional study
      of 24 frail older women (average age = 87 years) examines the reliability and
      concurrent validity of the Performance Oriented Timed Toileting Instrument
      (POTTI) and self-reported Minnesota Toileting Skills Questionnaire (MTSQ). The
      POTTI demonstrated strong interrater reliability (0.97) and the MTSQ demonstrated
      good internal consistency (Cronbach;s alpha = 0.82). Both measures had
      statistically significant correlations with frailty, physical performance, UI
      related quality of life, and UI self-efficacy. Both instruments demonstrated good
      psychometric properties and show promise as outcome measures for UI clinical
      trials. Further work is needed to establish their responsiveness to change and
      minimum clinically important difference values. [Journal of Gerontological
      Nursing, xx(x), xx-xx.].

PMID- 27263539
TI  - A Client-Centered Community Engagement Project: Improving the Health and Wellness
      of Older Adults in an Assisted Living Facility.
AB  - Central to nursing practice is the promotion of health and wellness practices.
      Drawing on the Community as Partner Model, nursing process, Nursing Interventions
      Classification, and Logic Model, second-year nursing students collaborated with
      staff and residents of an assisted living facility to promote health and wellness
      in the older adult population. Windshield surveys, resident surveys, key
      informant interviews, and focus group interviews were conducted to gain insight
      into the perceptions and experiences of staff and residents. The majority of
      residents indicated they were satisfied with life at the facility and their needs
      have been adequately met. Strengths and areas for improvement were identified in
      several aspects, including the facility atmosphere and location, quality of staff
      and health care services, recreational and dietary services, and social support
      networks. By partnering with community key stakeholders, valuing all different
      perspectives, and connecting theory to practice, a successful client-centered
      community clinical project was demonstrated. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing,
      42(8), 44-51.]. 

PMID- 27263540
TI  - Honoring Individual Choice in Long-Term Residential Communities When It Involves
      Risk: A Person-Centered Approach.
AB  - Nursing homes that are working on adopting person-centered care (PCC) practices
      express concerns about giving residents the freedom to make their own decisions
      and the accompanying risks. This challenge is especially true for those who are
      at the beginning of the PCC change process. Although the Centers for Medicare and
      Medicaid Services regulations are clear that residents have the right to a
      dignified existence and self-determination, and that the facility must protect
      and promote their rights, examples abound of care communities coercing, cajoling,
      or requiring residents to do things they do not want to do (e.g., take
      medications), or the reverse of not letting them do what they want (e.g., eat a
      regular diet). The current article discusses a process that helps care
      communities follow the regulations about education and offering choices while
      honoring resident preferences and documenting the process for surveyors. [Journal
      of Gerontological Nursing, 42(8), 12-17.]. 

PMID- 27263541
TI  - Quantitative Subsurface Atomic Structure Fingerprint for 2D Materials and
      Heterostructures by First-Principles-Calibrated Contact-Resonance Atomic Force
      Microscopy.
AB  - Interfaces and subsurface layers are critical for the performance of devices made
      of 2D materials and heterostructures. Facile, nondestructive, and quantitative
      ways to characterize the structure of atomically thin, layered materials are thus
      essential to ensure control of the resultant properties. Here, we show that
      contact-resonance atomic force microscopy-which is exquisitely sensitive to
      stiffness changes that arise from even a single atomic layer of a van der Waals
      adhered material-is a powerful experimental tool to address this challenge. A
      combined density functional theory and continuum modeling approach is introduced
      that yields sub-surface-sensitive, nanomechanical fingerprints associated with
      specific, well-defined structure models of individual surface domains. Where such
      models are known, this information can be correlated with experimentally obtained
      contact-resonance frequency maps to reveal the (sub)surface structure of
      different domains on the sample.

PMID- 27263542
TI  - Revitalizing the Frens Method To Synthesize Uniform, Quasi-Spherical Gold
      Nanoparticles with Deliberately Regulated Sizes from 2 to 330 nm.
AB  - In this work, we have successfully developed a new and consistent model to
      describe the growth of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) via citrate reduction of auric
      acid (HAuCl4) by carefully assessing the temporal evolution of the NP sizes and
      surface charges by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta-potential
      measurements. The new model demonstrates that the nucleation and growth of the Au
      NPs occur exclusively in the particles of the complexes of Au(+) ions and sodium
      acetone dicarboxylate (SAD) derived from the citrate/HAuCl4 redox reaction, which
      proceeds as described by the classic LaMer model. Concomitant with the Au NP
      growing therein, the Au(+)/SAD complex particles undergo reversible agglomeration
      with the reaction time, which may result in an abnormal color change of the
      reaction media but have little impact on the Au NP growth. Built on the new
      model, we have successfully produced monodisperse quasi-spherical Au NPs with
      sizes precisely regulated from 2 to 330 nm via simple citrate reduction in a one
      pot manner. To date, highly uniform Au NPs with sizes spanning such a large size
      range could not be formed otherwise even via deliberately controlled seeded
      growth methods.

PMID- 27263543
TI  - Characterization of the Key Odorants in Chinese Zhima Aroma-Type Baijiu by Gas
      Chromatography-Olfactometry, Quantitative Measurements, Aroma Recombination, and
      Omission Studies.
AB  - Zhima aroma-type Baijiu with typical sesame aroma is particularly popular in
      northern China. To our knowledge, it is still uncertain which components are
      important to make contributions to its unique aroma, although a few pieces of
      research have reported many volatile compounds in this Baijiu. The aroma-active
      compounds from the Baijiu were researched in this paper. A total of 56 odorants
      were identified in Chinese Zhima aroma-type Baijiu by aroma extract dilution
      analysis (AEDA). Their odor activity values (OAVs) were determined by different
      quantitative measurements, and then 26 aroma compounds were further confirmed as
      important odorants due to their OAVs >= 1, and these had higher values, such as
      ethyl hexanoate (OAV 2691), 3-methylbutanal (2403), ethyl pentanoate (1019), and
      so on. The overall aroma of Zhima aroma-type Baijiu could be simulated by mixing
      of the 26 key odorants in their measured concentrations. The similarity of the
      overall aroma profiles between the recombination model and the commercial sample
      was judged to be 2.7 out of 3.0 points. Omission experiments further corroborated
      the importance of methional and ethyl hexanoate for the overall aroma of Chinese
      Zhima aroma-type Baijiu. 

PMID- 27263544
TI  - Ruxolitinib - better prognostic impact in low-intermediate 1 risk score:
      evaluation of the 'rete ematologica pugliese' (REP) in primary and secondary
      myelofibrosis.
AB  - We evaluated ruxolitinib in 65 patients with myelofibrosis according to age, sex,
      time of diagnosis, grade of fibrosis, prognostic score risk, Janus kinase (JAK)
      status, primary or secondary myelofibrosis, previous treatment, and dosage.
      Outcome measures were response rate, time to response, duration of response, and
      event-free survival and survival. Kaplan and Meier curves show a significant
      difference in event-free survival according to the prognostic score, in favor of
      patients with low int1 (p = 0.0009). The Cox stepwise model confirmed the result,
      the int2 high-risk score being the most powerful negative independent parameter
      (0.001), followed by JAK (0.008); other parameters, such as diagnosis more than 5
      years earlier, grade III-IV fibrosis, and ruxolitinib dose have a negligible
      impact. Time to response was shorter (p = 0.001) in primary myelofibrosis. In
      conclusion, ruxolitinib is effective, with a better outcome in patients with a
      low-int1 risk score. This may suggest considering an earlier administration in
      the disease course.

PMID- 27263545
TI  - Application of arteether-loaded polyurethane nanomicelles to induce immune
      response in breast cancer model.
AB  - To concentrate a potent anticancer drug (Arteether) in tumor microenvironment, we
      encapsulated it in biodegradable and pH sensitive polyurethane (PU) nanomicelles
      (NMs). The nanocomplex was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR),
      dynamic light scattering (DLS). The loading capacity and release profile in pH of
      5.4 and 7.4 were considered. The cytotoxicity effect was evaluated in vitro and
      in vivo settings. The level of IFN-gamma and IL-4 cytokines of mice splenocytes
      were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The nanocomplex
      showed negative zeta charge of -26.2 mV, size of 42.30 nm and high loading
      capacity (92%). Release profile showed a faster rate of drug liberation at pH 5.4
      as compared to that of pH 7.4. It indicated significant inhibitory effect on the
      growth of 4T1 cell line and increased IFN-gamma level.

PMID- 27263597
TI  - Iron transport: From enterocyte to mitochondria.
AB  - Transport of iron to tissues is of vital importance. Remarkable advances have
      been made concerning the mechanisms involving iron metabolism after its
      absorption. Studies assessing cellular and mitochondrial iron metabolism have
      resulted in interesting findings. This review highlights the recent advances in
      the mechanisms involving transport and delivery of iron to tissues, cellular and
      mitochondrial iron metabolism, iron-related molecules, and mitochondrial
      disorders. 

PMID- 27263598
TI  - Variant clinical courses in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura:
      Sixteen year experience of a single medical center.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the most common cause of
      acquired thrombocytopenia in children. The objective of this study was to
      evaluate the presenting features, variation in the clinical courses, initial
      response rate to therapy, and long-term outcome in patients with ITP. METHODS:
      Three hundred and fifty out of 491 newly diagnosed patients with ITP between the
      initial diagnosis ages of 6 months to 16 years were included in this
      retrospective, descriptive study. Patients with acute vs chronic ITP, acute vs
      recurrent ITP and chronic vs recurrent ITP were compared in terms of age at
      diagnosis, gender, initial platelet count, response rate to initial therapy, long
      term outcome, and total duration of follow-up. RESULTS: The clinical courses of
      the patients were determined as acute, chronic and recurrent in 63.8%, 29.1%, and
      7.1%, respectively. Platelet count >20x109/L and initial diagnosis age >10 years
      were found to increase the probability of chronic outcome by at least two-fold.
      CONCLUSION: It is concluded that ITP in childhood is a common disease with low
      morbidity and mortality. In addition to the acute and chronic form, a rare
      recurrent form, which accounts for about 4-7% of all ITP patients, should be
      considered.

PMID- 27263546
TI  - Association of financial and health literacy with cognitive health in old age.
AB  - We tested the hypothesis that higher financial and health literacy is associated
      with better cognitive health in 755 older persons who completed a literacy
      measure (M = 67.9, SD = 14.5) and then had annual clinical evaluations for a mean
      of 3.4 years. In proportional hazards models, higher literacy was associated with
      decreased risk of developing incident Alzheimer's disease (n = 68) and results
      were similar for financial and health literacy subscales and after adjustment for
      potential confounders. In mixed-effects models, higher literacy was related to
      higher baseline level of cognition and reduced cognitive decline in multiple
      domains. Among the 602 persons without any cognitive impairment at baseline,
      higher literacy was associated with a reduced rate of cognitive decline and risk
      of developing incident mild cognitive impairment (n = 142). The results suggest
      that higher levels of financial and health literacy are associated with
      maintenance of cognitive health in old age.

PMID- 27263599
TI  - Efficacy of immunization against hepatitis B virus infection in acute leukemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the antibody response to combined
      passive-active immunization versus active immunization against hepatitis B in 71
      patients with acute leukemia with negative hepatitis B virus serology at
      presentation. METHODS: The first group (n=28) received a double dose of hepatitis
      B vaccine at 0, 1, 2 and 6 months and immunoglobin (HBIG) at 0 and 1 month
      concurrently with vaccine but at a different intramuscular site. The second group
      (n=43) received double dose of hepatitis B vaccine at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months.
      HBsAg and anti-HBs titers were determined one month after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and
      4th doses of vaccine. ESULTS: In the vaccine-only group, 2.56%, 8.33%, 14.28% and
      34.29% of patients developed anti-HBs titer >=10 IU/L after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and
      4th doses of vaccine, respectively. In the HBIG group, 91.30%, 91.30%, 69.56% and
      73.91% of patients developed anti-HBs titer >=10 IU/L after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and
      4th doses of vaccine, respectively. Those in the vaccine-HBIG group maintained
      their anti-HBs titer >=10 IU/L from the 1st to the 4th doses. In the vaccine-only
      group, 34.29% of patients gained protective antibody titer after receiving the
      4th dose of vaccine. Subgroup analysis of age (pediatric vs adult) and disease
      (acute lymphoblastic leukemia vs acute myeloid leukemia) groups showed no effect
      of either on the development of protective antibody titer. The incidence of HBsAg
      positivity one month after the 4th dose of vaccine was 8.62%. No patient became
      positive for anti-HCV or HIV antibody before or after chemo therapy. CONCLUSION:
      Combined HBIG and vaccine may protect acute leukemia patients during the
      intensive chemotherapy period.

PMID- 27263600
TI  - Evaluation of risk factors for thrombophilia in patients with cerebral venous
      thrombosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The increased risk for thrombosis is known as hypercoagulability or
      thrombophilia. In our study, we aimed to compare the frequency of the identified
      defects for thrombophilia in patients with central venous thrombosis and under
      the age of 50 years, with the findings in the current literature. METHODS: Forty
      three patients (16-50 years old) were retrospectively evaluated. Thrombophilia
      investigation included determinations of protein C, protein S, antithrombin, and
      activated protein C resistance, factor V Leiden (FVL), prothrombin 20210A (PT
      20210) and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutations,
      antiphospholipid antibodies (APA), factor VIII levels, and homocysteine levels.
      RESULTS: We detected a single thrombophilic defect in 67.4%, two defects in 27.9%
      and three defects in 4.7% of our patients. The most common thrombophilic defect
      was mutation in the MTHFR gene (41.8%), and this was followed by the FVL mutation
      (34.9%). CONCLUSION: Since the prevalence of individual thrombophilic defects
      varies in each population, ethnic group and geographical location, screening for
      thrombophilic defects in patients presenting with cerebral venous thrombosis
      should primarily investigate the most frequent thrombophilia risk factors.

PMID- 27263601
TI  - Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome in children with hematologic
      disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is
      characterized by headache, altered mental status, cortical blindness, and
      seizures associated with neuroradiological findings. It involves predominantly
      white matter of the parieto-occipital lobes. Several medications and disorders
      play a role in the etiology of PRES. In this study, we aimed to show how the
      prognosis of PRES in hematological diseases of childhood might be according to
      the etiological factors. METHODS: Here, we report PRES in six patients, aged 4 to
      14 years, with diagnoses of leukemia and aplastic anemia. RESULTS: Suggested
      causes in our patients were chemotherapeutics, hypertension, infection and
      antimicrobial drug administration, tumor lysis syndrome, acute renal failure and
      hemodialysis, immunosuppressive drug administration, and hypomagnesemia. One of
      the patients died of sepsis, renal failure and pulmonary hemorrhage and another
      died of relapse after total recovery from PRES. The other four patients are under
      follow-up without problems. CONCLUSION: We suggest that PRES can recover fully
      with early diagnosis and treatment whereas it can show poor prognosis depending
      on the etiology.

PMID- 27263602
TI  - The effect of calabash chalk on some hematological parameters in female adult
      Wistar rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Calabash chalk is a naturally occurring mineral consumed among the
      Nigerian community for pleasure and commonly by pregnant women as a remedy for
      morning sickness. Reports have shown that it contains different toxic substances,
      with lead being the most abundant. This study was therefore undertaken to
      ascertain the effect of two commonly available preparations of this chalk on some
      hematological parameters. METHODS: Twenty-four adult female Wistar rats with
      average weight of 100 g were assigned into three groups (1, 2, 3). Group 1 served
      as the control and the animals received distilled water, while Groups 2 and 3
      were treated by oral gavage with 40 mg/kg of non-salted (NSCC) and salted
      calabash chalk (SCC), respectively, for 14 days. RESULTS: The hemoglobin (Hb)
      concentration and red blood cell (RBC) count were significantly (p<0.05, 0.001
      respectively) lower in the NSCC group, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
      was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the NSCC group compared to the control.
      There were no significant differences in packed cell volume (PCV), white blood
      cell (WBC) and platelet (Pl) counts compared to the control. The SCC group
      presented no significant difference in all blood count parameters compared to the
      control. CONCLUSION: This infers that calabash chalk, particularly the non-salted
      form, alters the normal concentration of Hb, RBC and Pl counts, and ESR, as
      observed in the female Wistar rats studied.

PMID- 27263603
TI  - Role of flow cytometry in multiple myeloma and the prognostic significance of
      CD87 (uPAR) expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The plasminogen activator system consists of the serine protease
      urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), two endogenous inhibitors of PAI-1
      (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) as well as the PAI-2 and uPA receptor (uPAR
      or CD87). The aim of this study was to determine the significance of flow
      cytometry and CD87, CD45 and CD56 expressions in the diagnosis, follow-up and
      prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: Twenty-nine MM patients were
      included in the study. Bone marrow samples were used for flow cytometry. A panel
      of CD87, CD45, CD56, CD10, CD19, CD20, CD38, and CD138 was tested by flow
      cytometry. RESULTS: CD87 was negative in 8 (27.5%) cases, dim positive in 9
      (31.1%) and bright positive in 12 (41.4%). CD87 expression was significantly
      higher in CD45 (-) cases. CONCLUSION: Flow cytometry has a significant role in
      the diagnosis and prognosis of MM. Further clinical studies including large
      numbers of patients are needed to determine the prognostic role of CD87 in MM.

PMID- 27263604
TI  - Enzyme replacement therapy in type 1 Gaucher disease and a review of the
      literature.
AB  - Gaucher disease (GD) is the most common lysosomal storage disorder. Deficiency of
      the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase results in the intracellular accumulation
      of undegraded substrates in the spleen, liver and bone marrow. Enzyme replacement
      therapy (ERT) is a standard approach for type 1 GD. Here, we present an adult
      patient with hematological disorders due to type 1 GD, who markedly improved with
      ERT. 

PMID- 27263605
TI  - Cyclic thrombocytopenia: A case report.
AB  - Cyclic thrombocytopenia (CTP) is a rare disorder characterized by periodic
      decreases and increases in platelet levels. Each cycle usually spans a period of
      3-5 weeks. Clinical features are similar to those of idiopathic thrombocytopenic
      purpura (ITP), so patients are frequently misdiagnosed as having ITP. However,
      CTP usually does not respond to most treatments used in ITP such as
      corticosteroids, splenectomy and intravenous immunoglobulin. In this case report,
      we present a 33-year-old woman with CTP misdiagnosed as ITP. 

PMID- 27263606
TI  - HbQ-India associated with microcytosis: An uncommon hemoglobin variant associated
      with a common hematologic condition.
AB  - HbQ-India is a rare alpha chain variant that usually presents in the heterozygous
      state. Normally, HbQ-India is clinically silent. It becomes symptomatic when
      present in association with other conditions. We report a case of HbQ-India with
      concomitant presence of iron deficiency anemia. A 16-year-old female presented
      with weakness and pallor intermittently for six years. Complete blood count
      showed severe microcytic hypochromic anemia. Hemoglobin electrophoresis showed a
      prominent band in the S,D,G region. Tests for sickling were negative. High
      performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed a peak in the unknown window
      (4.70-4.90 min) suggestive of HbQ-India. Serum iron profile was suggestive of
      iron deficiency anemia. Based on the above findings, a diagnosis of coexistent
      HbQ-India-iron deficiency anemia was made. A family study revealed the father as
      having moderate anemia with similar findings while the mother was normal.
      Abnormal hemoglobin in the patient was confirmed by molecular diagnosis. HbQ
      variants are the alpha globin chain variants due to structural mutations (alpha64
      Asp->His) inherited in autosomal dominant fashion. Three molecular variant types
      have been documented, namely HbQ-India, HbQ-Thailand and HbQ-Iran. Normally, HbQ
      is clinically silent. Therefore, careful screening of the samples using routine
      techniques like Hb electrophoresis and HPLC are needed for identification of such
      abnormal hemoglobin variants like HbQ-India. 

PMID- 27263607
TI  - Severe iron overload and hyporegenerative anemia in a case with rhesus hemolytic
      disease: therapeutic approach to rare complications.
AB  - A 33 weeks' gestation, a baby with rhesus hemolytic disease (RHD), who had
      received intrauterine transfusions twice, developed cholestatic hepatic disease
      and late hyporegenerative anemia. Her serum ferritin and bilirubin levels
      increased to 8842 ng/ml and 17.9 mg/dl, respectively. Liver biopsy showed
      cholestasis and severe iron overload. Treatment with recombinant erythropoietin
      (rHuEPO) decreased the transfusion need, and intravenous deferoxamine resulted in
      a marked decreased in serum ferritin levels and normalization of liver function.
      In patients who have undergone intrauterine transfusions due to RHD,
      hyperferritinemia and late hyporegenerative anemia should be kept in mind.
      Chelation therapy in cases with symptomatic hyperferritinemia and rHuEPO
      treatment in cases with severe hyporegenerative anemia should be considered. 

PMID- 27263608
TI  - Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura with venous thrombosis: A case report.

PMID- 27263609
TI  - The prevalence of factor V 1691G-A mutation in Van region of Turkey.

PMID- 27263610
TI  - Portal vein thrombosis secondary to Klebsiella oxytoca bacteriemia.

PMID- 27263611
TI  - Late onset of isovaleric acidemia presenting with bicytopenia.

PMID- 27263612
TI  - Primary uterine lymphoma of the uterine cervix in advanced age.

PMID- 27263613
TI  - Leishman-Donovan (LD) bodies in bone marrow biopsy of an adult male with AIDS.

PMID- 27263614
TI  - Lipoma-Like Bronchogenic Cyst in the Right Chest Sidewall: A Case Report and
      Literature Review.
AB  - Bronchogenic cyst most commonly occurs in the mediastinum, followed by the lung.
      We admitted a 59-year female patient with bronchogenic cyst being uniquely
      located on the right chest wall of the parietal pleura. Preoperative CT scan
      showed a local low-density lesion on the right chest wall. The lesion was removed
      by the thoracoscopic surgery. During the surgical resection, the lesion was
      observed to be located on the right chest wall. The lesion was surrounded by
      adipose tissue and covered with entire parietal pleura, which looks like lipoma.
      Pathological examination demonstrated that the lesion was bronchogenic cyst. In
      addition, previously reported cases of bronchogenic cyst were reviewed, and the
      relevant clinical knowledge was discussed.

PMID- 27263616
TI  - Acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura in children.
AB  - Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in children is usually a benign and self
      limiting disorder. It may follow a viral infection or immunization and is caused
      by an inappropriate response of the immune system. The diagnosis relies on the
      exclusion of other causes of thrombocytopenia. This paper discusses the
      differential diagnoses and investigations, especially the importance of bone
      marrow aspiration. The course of the disease and incidence of intracranial
      hemorrhage are also discussed. There is substantial discrepancy between published
      guidelines and between clinicians who like to over-treat. The treatment of the
      disease ranges from observation to drugs like intravenous immunoglobulin,
      steroids and anti-D to splenectomy. The different modes of treatment are
      evaluated. The best treatment seems to be observation except in severe cases. 

PMID- 27263617
TI  - Hematological and biochemical changes in volatile substance abusing street
      children in Istanbul.
AB  - The aim of the study is to assess the hematological and biochemical changes of
      inhalant abusing adolescences in Istanbul, Turkey. The study subjects comprised
      24 street children. Demographic characteristics, hematological markers, complete
      blood count tests and white blood cell differential and liver function tests
      (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase) were
      evaluated. The blood cell counts and studied biochemical parameters were within
      normal range for age and sex matched adolescences. Anemia was observed in only
      one girl who had hypermenorea. The duration and the amount of substance abuse
      were investigated for a correlation with the blood parameters, only the amount
      showed the possibility of a trend associated with Hb and Hct (p<0.05). There was
      no significant relationship between the parameters except for the age. Although
      volatile abuse has been supposed to be related with anemia or other hematological
      abnormalities, we found no significant relation between volatile abuse and
      hematological or studied biochemical parameters. Alkaline phosphatase was the
      parameter found to be most affected, though being in normal range. 

PMID- 27263615
TI  - Familial Aggregation of Migraine and Depression: Insights From a Large Australian
      Twin Sample.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This research examined the familial aggregation of migraine,
      depression, and their co-occurrence. METHODS: Diagnoses of migraine and
      depression were determined in a sample of 5,319 Australian twins. Migraine was
      diagnosed by either self-report, the ID migraineTM Screener, or International
      Headache Society (IHS) criteria. Depression was defined by fulfilling either
      major depressive disorder (MDD) or minor depressive disorder (MiDD) based on the
      Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria. The
      relative risks (RR) for migraine and depression were estimated in co-twins of
      twin probands reporting migraine or depression to evaluate their familial
      aggregation and co-occurrence. RESULTS: An increased RR of both migraine and
      depression in co-twins of probands with the same trait was observed, with
      significantly higher estimates within monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs compared to
      dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. For cross-trait analysis, the RR for migraine in co
      twins of probands reporting depression was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.24-1.48) in MZ pairs
      and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.95-1.14) in DZ pairs; and the RR for depression in co-twins
      of probands reporting migraine was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.14-1.38) in MZ pairs and 1.02
      (95% CI: 0.94-1.11) in DZ pairs. The RR for strict IHS migraine in co-twins of
      probands reporting MDD was 2.23 (95% CI: 1.81-2.75) in MZ pairs and 1.55 (95% CI:
      1.34-1.79) in DZ pairs; and the RR for MDD in co-twins of probands reporting IHS
      migraine was 1.35 (95% CI: 1.13-1.62) in MZ pairs and 1.06 (95% CI: 0.93-1.22) in
      DZ pairs. CONCLUSIONS: We observed significant evidence for a genetic
      contribution to familial aggregation of migraine and depression. Our findings
      suggest a bi-directional association between migraine and depression, with an
      increased risk for depression in relatives of probands reporting migraine, and
      vice versa. However, the observed risk for migraine in relatives of probands
      reporting depression was considerably higher than the reverse. These results add
      further support to previous studies suggesting that patients with comorbid
      migraine and depression are genetically more similar to patients with only
      depression than patients with only migraine.

PMID- 27263618
TI  - Effects of sub-acute exposure to static magnetic field on iron status and
      hematopoiesis in rats.
AB  - The present work was undertaken in order to investigate the effects of static
      magnetic field (SMF) on hematopoiesis and iron metabolism in male rats. At
      thermoneutrality (25 degrees C), the exposition of rats to SMF (128 mT, 1h/day
      for 5 consecutive days) induced an increase of hematocrit (+12%, p<0.05),
      hemoglobin (+6%, p<0.05) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (+9%,
      p<0.05). SMF exposure increased the plasma transferrin concentration (+25%,
      p<0.05) and the capacity of iron saturation in transferrin (+24%, p<0.05).
      However, the plasma iron level and the coefficient of transferrin saturation
      decreased (respectively 17% and 33%; p<0.05) in exposed rats. Our investigations
      suggested that SMF induced modifications in hematological and mineral parameters,
      indicating the development of hypoxia-like status associated with iron deficit in
      rats. 

PMID- 27263619
TI  - Gastric and non-gastric marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated
      lymphoid tissue: A single-center experience.
AB  - Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
      (MALT) is a distinct lymphoma with specific clinical and pathological features
      that occurs in diverse anatomic locations. We conducted this retrospective study
      to demonstrate our experience in patients with MALT lymphomas and compare our
      results with the literature. We studied 23 patients with histologically confirmed
      diagnosis of MALT lymphomas (12 with gastric, 11 with non-gastric localization)
      treated during the past 13 years. The female/male ratio of patients was 15/8 with
      a median age at presentation of 56 years (range 27-88 years). 16 patients (70%)
      with stage I and II, 7 patients (30%) with stage III and IV were admitted. At
      presentation 93% of patients had good performance status (ECOG<2) and 5 (22%) had
      B-symptoms. There was no difference between gastric and non-gastric MALT
      lymphomas when compared with sex, age, ECOG performance status, stage of the
      disease. Patients were treated with different treatment modality; H. Pylori
      eradication only (8.6%), radiotherapy only (21.7%), surgery alone (4.%) or
      followed by radiotherapy (26%) or chemotherapy (21.7%). All the patients are
      alive with a median 33 months (range 8-153 months) of follow-up and the 5- year
      PFS in gastric lymphoma and non-gastric lymphoma were 86% and 84% respectively
      with no statistical difference (p=0.5). Because of the indolent course the
      prognosis of MALT lymphoma was good regardless of the treatment modalities. The
      treatment choice should be patient-tailored, taking into account the site, stage,
      age and other clinical characteristic of patient. 

PMID- 27263620
TI  - Lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies in SLE with secondary
      Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.
AB  - Thirty patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and suspected secondary
      antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLAS) were evaluated in the study based on
      their clinical manifestations. The aim was to study the prevalence of various
      antiphospholipid antibodies, compare the tests used for their detection and to
      find a correlation between clinical and laboratory parameters. Coagulation tests
      used were activated partial thromboplastin time, dilute Russell viper venom time
      and kaolin clotting time and the results were analyzed statistically. In our
      study, arteriovenous thrombosis was more common than recurrent abortions and
      other clinical manifestations. Twelve percent of patients had positive lupus
      anticoagulant and 78% had elevated anticardiolipin antibody titers. We concluded
      that the prevalence of lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies in SLE
      patients with secondary APLAS was 12% and 17%, respectively. We also proved that
      dilute Russell viper venom time and kaolin clotting time proved to be much more
      specific tests and the anticardiolipin antibody a much more sensitive test. 

PMID- 27263621
TI  - Retrospective analysis of seven patients with adult-onset langerhans cell
      histiocytosis syndromes: A single center experience.
AB  - Langerhans cell histiocytosis syndromes have been described as encompassing a
      range of disorders, such as eosinophilic granuloma, Letterer-Siwe syndrome and
      Hand-Schuller-Christian disease. These disorders have been mainly diagnosed at
      early ages of life and are relatively rare entities in adult age groups. In this
      study, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the patients with Langerhans cell
      histiocytosis followed-up in our hospital. Seven patients were treated between
      1995 and 2005. Median age of patients was 27.5 (18-40) years. Main complaints
      were classified as bone pain in multiple sites (100%), polydipsia (28%), lung
      infiltration (14%), oral mucosal infiltration (14%), and cranial nerve
      infiltration (14%). Two patients were diagnosed as Hand-Schuller-Christian
      disease, and the others were accepted as eosinophilic granuloma. There was no
      bone marrow or any other organ infiltration except lung infiltration in one
      patient. Bone infiltration was the prominent sign in all patients with a minimum
      of one to maximum of seven different sites. All patients were alive during the
      follow-up period. All patients were treated with radiotherapy except one patient
      treated with chemotherapy regimen started with vincristine plus dexamethasone and
      continued with cladribine. Three of seven patients were treated with combined
      modality, one patient with only chemotherapy and the others with only
      radiotherapy. There was no grade 3-4 hematological or systemic side effects of
      treatment. Relapses were detected in only two patients as new bone infiltrations
      which responded completely to radiotherapy. Langerhans cell histiocytosis
      syndromes have a relatively benign course in adult patients and can be treated
      with either radiotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy successfully. 

PMID- 27263622
TI  - An autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome initially diagnosed as Evans syndrome.
AB  - Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a rare childhood disorder
      characterized by chronic non-malignant lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity.
      Patients with ALPS frequently exhibit episodic and intermittent, severe
      autoimmune- induced hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia or combined cytopenias.
      The co-occurrence of immune-mediated cytopenias, autoimmune thrombocytopenia and
      autoimmune hemolytic anemia is also known as Evans syndrome. This report
      describes a child who presented with Evans syndrome symptoms and who, after the
      detection of increased percentage of double negative T cell population in the
      peripheral blood, was diagnosed as ALPS. He received several courses of treatment
      including glucocorticoids, cyclosporine A (Cs A), and intravenous immunoglobulin
      (IVIG) without any clinical benefit and was treated with the antimalarial drug
      Fansidar(r). With administration of Fansidar(r) (half tablet per week; containing
      250 mg of pyrimethamine and 12.5 mg of sulfadoxine) combined with
      immunosuppressive drugs, clinical status and laboratory findings temporarily
      improved. After two months, the patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy
      because of worsening of thrombocytopenia refractory to the treatment. There was a
      transient beneficial effect from splenectomy. We were unable to stop
      immunosuppressive therapy and Fansidar(r); however, this combined therapy was
      successful in decreasing the number of hospitalizations and controlled his
      clinical symptoms more effectively for six months. Unfortunately, he was admitted
      to a regional hospital with high fever and died at the age of three. 

PMID- 27263624
TI  - Sea-blue histiocytes in bone marrow aspiration sample: what is the importance?

PMID- 27263623
TI  - Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome following acute promyelocytic leukemia
      and biphenotypic acute leukemia following stem cell transplantation in the same
      patient.
AB  - Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome in patients with acute promyelocytic
      leukemia is a rare event and the prognosis is poor. Allogeneic bone marrow
      transplantation is recently being reported as an effective treatment. We present
      a young patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia who developed myelodysplastic
      syndrome 52 months after complete remission. She underwent allogeneic peripheral
      blood stem cell transplantation but relapsed with biphenotypic leukemia after
      five months. To our knowledge, this is the first case to relapse with acute
      biphenotypic leukemia after allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation for
      therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome following acute promyelocytic leukemia. 

PMID- 27263625
TI  - The prevalence of factor V Leiden (1691G-A) and methylenetetrahydrofolate
      reductase C677T mutations in healthy newborns in Bursa, Turkey.

PMID- 27263626
TI  - Richness and distribution of tropical oyster parasites in two oceans.
AB  - Parasites can exert strong effects on population to ecosystem level processes,
      but data on parasites are limited for many global regions, especially tropical
      marine systems. Characterizing parasite diversity and distributions are the first
      steps towards understanding the potential impacts of parasites. The Panama Canal
      serves as an interesting location to examine tropical parasite diversity and
      distribution, as it is a conduit between two oceans and a hub for international
      trade. We examined metazoan and protistan parasites associated with ten oyster
      species collected from both Panamanian coasts, including the Panama Canal and
      Bocas del Toro. We found multiple metazoan taxa (pea crabs, Stylochus spp.,
      Urastoma cyrinae). Our molecular screening for protistan parasites detected four
      species of Perkinsus (Perkinsus marinus, Perkinsus chesapeaki, Perkinsus olseni,
      Perkinsus beihaiensis) and several haplosporidians, including two genera
      (Minchinia, Haplosporidium). Species richness was higher for the protistan
      parasites than for the metazoans, with haplosporidian richness being higher than
      Perkinsus richness. Perkinsus species were the most frequently detected and most
      geographically widespread among parasite groups. Parasite richness and overlap
      differed between regions, locations and oyster hosts. These results have
      important implications for tropical parasite richness and the dispersal of
      parasites due to shipping associated with the Panama Canal.

PMID- 27263627
TI  - Spotlight on the ligand: luminescent cyclometalated Pt(iv) complexes containing a
      fluorenyl moiety.
AB  - The synthesis, electrochemistry and photophysical properties of a family of
      Pt(iv) complexes with cyclometalated 2-(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)pyridine (flpy)
      are reported. Homoleptic and heteroleptic tris-cyclometalated complexes with a
      meridional configuration, mer-[Pt(C^N)2(flpy)]OTf, with C^N = flpy or
      cyclometalated 2-phenylpyridine (ppy), were prepared by reacting the bis
      cyclometalated precursors [Pt(C^N)2Cl2] with flpyH in the presence of two
      equivalents of AgOTf. The corresponding facial isomers were obtained by
      photoisomerization. The Pt(iv) complexes with flpy display intense absorptions in
      the near-visible region and yellow phosphorescence in fluid solutions at 298 K,
      with quantum yields in the range 0.06-0.28 and lifetimes of hundreds of
      microseconds. The emissions arise from essentially (3)LC(flpy) states in all
      cases, with little metal-orbital contribution. However, computational
      calculations and experimental data demonstrate that subtle variations in the
      contribution of metal orbitals to the emitting state have a profound impact on
      quantum yields, while nonradiative deactivation through the thermal population of
      deactivating LMCT states does not have a significant influence. 

PMID- 27263628
TI  - Dynamic mechanoelectrochemistry of polypyrrole membranes via shear-force
      tracking.
AB  - Mechanoelectrochemistry is the study of elastic and plastic deformation of
      materials during reversible reduction and oxidation processes. In this article,
      we introduce shear-force tracking as a method to dynamically measure mechanical
      (strain), chemical (ion transport), and electrical (applied redox potentials)
      responses of the conducting polymer polypyrrole (PPy) during redox reactions.
      This tracking technique uses a control algorithm to maintain a set distance
      between a ultramicroelectrode (UME) tip and a surface via shear-force regulation.
      Due to the sensitivity of shear-force signals in the near field of substrate
      surfaces, a significantly improved signal to noise ratio (20 : 1) is possible and
      allows for nanoscale measurement of redox events. Chemomechanical coupling (the
      ratio of ion transport to resultant extensional actuation) is calculated for PPy
      based membranes of various thicknesses based on a mechanistic interpretation of
      charge storage in redox active conducting polymers. The measured dynamic response
      demonstrates that chemomechanical coupling is not a constant, as assumed in
      literature, but is dependent on the polymers state of charge and the direction
      (ingress/egress) of ion transport. 

PMID- 27263629
TI  - Are fragment-based quantum chemistry methods applicable to medium-sized water
      clusters?
AB  - Fragment-based quantum chemistry methods are either based on the many-body
      expansion or the inclusion-exclusion principle. To compare the applicability of
      these two categories of methods, we have systematically evaluated the performance
      of the generalized energy based fragmentation (GEBF) method (J. Phys. Chem. A,
      2007, 111, 2193) and the electrostatically embedded many-body (EE-MB) method (J.
      Chem. Theory Comput., 2007, 3, 46) for medium-sized water clusters (H2O)n (n =
      10, 20, 30). Our calculations demonstrate that the GEBF method provides uniformly
      accurate ground-state energies for 10 low-energy isomers of three water clusters
      under study at a series of theory levels, while the EE-MB method (with one water
      molecule as a fragment and without using the cutoff distance) shows a poor
      convergence for (H2O)20 and (H2O)30 when the basis set contains diffuse
      functions. Our analysis shows that the neglect of the basis set superposition
      error for each subsystem has little effect on the accuracy of the GEBF method,
      but leads to much less accurate results for the EE-MB method. The accuracy of the
      EE-MB method can be dramatically improved by using an appropriate cutoff distance
      and using two water molecules as a fragment. For (H2O)30, the average deviation
      of the EE-MB method truncated up to the three-body level calculated using this
      strategy (relative to the conventional energies) is about 0.003 hartree at the
      M06-2X/6-311++G** level, while the deviation of the GEBF method with a similar
      computational cost is less than 0.001 hartree. The GEBF method is demonstrated to
      be applicable for electronic structure calculations of water clusters at any
      basis set. 

PMID- 27263631
TI  - Low-temperature solution-processed p-type vanadium oxide for perovskite solar
      cells.
AB  - A low-temperature solution-processed inorganic p-type contact material of
      vanadium oxide (VOx) was developed to fabricate planar-heterojunction perovskite
      solar cells. Using a solvent-assisted process, high-quality uniform and compact
      perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) films were deposited on VOx coated substrates. Due to the
      high transmittance and quenching efficiency of VOx layers, a power conversion
      efficiency of over 14% was achieved. 

PMID- 27263630
TI  - Attractive interaction between Mn atoms on the GaAs(110) surface observed by
      scanning tunneling microscopy.
AB  - Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) was carried out to
      investigate the structures of Mn atoms deposited on a GaAs(110) surface at room
      temperature to directly observe the characteristics of interactions between Mn
      atoms in GaAs. Mn atoms were paired with a probability higher than the random
      distribution, indicating an attractive interaction between them. In fact, re
      pairing of unpaired Mn atoms was observed during STS measurement. The pair
      initially had a new structure, which was transformed during STS measurement into
      one of those formed by atom manipulation at 4 K. Mn atoms in pairs and trimers
      were aligned in the <110> direction, which is theoretically predicted to produce
      a high Curie temperature. 

PMID- 27263632
TI  - Chemotherapy resistance in Acute Leukemia.
AB  - Drug resistance markers are often predictive of treatment response and outcome in
      patients with acute myeloid leukemia. The immunologic detection of drug efflux
      pumps such as P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance associated protein 1
      (MRP1) rrelate with functional assays of drug resistance and these drug
      accumulation defects also appear operable in ALL. Other markers such as LRP, bcl-
      2, and BRCP, have been described in patients with AML although their
      pathophysiology and clinical relevance is less clear and methodology for their
      quantification not well standardized. Preclinical tudies have shown that small
      molecules capable of reversing efflux can restore drug sensitivity in resistant
      tumor models. While initial clinical studies were limited by both potency and
      specificity of the reverser, later studies with more effective reversers have in
      many instances been limited by pharmacokinetic interactions exacerbating the
      clinical toxicities of chemotherapy. Nonetheless, one large randomized study
      using cyclosporine has demonstrated a proven survival advantage without increased
      toxicity, although the inconsistent results with other modulators raises doubt as
      to the utility and overall strategy of using drug efflux blockers in patients
      with established Pgp overexpression. Most of these patients have additional
      mechanisms of resistance and achieving meaningful clinical responses will likely
      require more complex clinical strategies. Preventing or delaying development of
      drug resistance in chemosensitive patientsrepresents another therapeutic strategy
      to be tested. 

PMID- 27263633
TI  - The Differential Diagnosis of Lymphocyte-rich Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma and
      Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin's Lymphoma Using the R.E.A.L. Criteria. An
      Immunohistochemical Study on 45 Cases.
AB  - In the present study, the two types, lymphocyte-rich classical HL (LRCHL) and
      nodular lymphocytepredominant type (NLPHL), which were grouped together before
      the R.E.A.L. classification, were questioned on the basis of differential
      criteria and 45 cases were retrieved from last ten years' archival material. On
      histopathological examination, nodular pattern, the cytological features and
      intensity of Reed- Sternberg (RS) cells, the pattern and intensity of
      histiocytes, the presence of germinal centers with progressive transformation
      were analysed. An immunohistochemical study was performed using antibodies
      against CD20, CD45RO, CD3, CD30, CD15 antigens and streptavidin-biotin procedure.
      The cases were classified into three groups according to the histologic pattern
      and immunophenotypical features ofthe RS cells: I) diffuse, LRCHL (CD20-, CD30+/
      , CD15+/-): n= 28; II) NLPHL (CD20+, CD30-, CD15-): n= 11; III) cases which could
      not be evaluated in former groups: n= 6. Four cases in the latter group showed a
      nodular pattern with RS cells negative for all markers, except for one case,
      which expressed both CD20 and CD15. The remaining two cases exhibited a diffuse
      pattern and the RS cells were CD20+, coexpressing CD30 in one. These findings
      suggest that, differential diagnosis according to the R.E.A.L. criteria is not
      distinctive between the two categories of HL in about 13% of cases, and further
      criteria need to be established to define the grey zone between the two entities
      which might lead to further therapeutic trials. 

PMID- 27263634
TI  - Donor Leukocyte Infusions for the Treatment of Leukemia Relapse After Allogeneic
      Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation with Myeloablative Conditioning.
AB  - Leukemic relapse after allogeneic transplantation is a difficult problem.
      Conventional treatment modalities or second transplants have not provided the
      sustained complete remissions on the whole. Reinfusion and activation of
      cytotoxic T lymphocytes of the donor seem to be effective and it has been
      understood that the success of the transplantation depends mainly on graft versus
      leukemia effect. Thirteen patients with leukemia (8 CML, 5 AML) who had relapsed
      after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with myeloablative
      conditioning, have received donor leukocyte infusions (DLI). The median time
      between transplantation and relapse was 18 months (4-57 months). For CML patients
      who had cytogenetic or hematologic relapse, IFN alpha 2b was started at a dose of
      5 million units/m2/d for every consecutive days. Starting from the fifth week of
      this treatment, unprimed donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells were infused to
      the patients once a week for four weeks. IFN treatment was not cessated during
      these infusions, and was given for 12 weeks totally. For relapsed acute leukemia
      patients, standart chemotherapy regimens as for AML were used. After the
      treatment, donor lymphocytes which were obtained from the original HCT donor who
      was primed with G-CSF were given. After recovery, IFN alfa2b was started 5
      million U/m2/d each consecutive day until the GVHD findings were observed. GVHD
      prophylaxis was not made after DLIs. Acute GVHD was seen in 11 of 13 patients.
      Four patients developed chronicGVHD. Among 13 patients, four patients are alive
      and they have been in complete remission for 23 to 76 months. The other patients
      were not alive due to mostly disease progression. Two patients died because of
      advanced GVHD. In our practice, the patients with progressive disease were not
      the well responded ones. These observations suggest that there is a limit for the
      immune effect regarding the number of the tumor cells and their proliferative
      capacity. Chemotherapy, which does not suppress immunity, may give time and
      chance to allogeneic lymphocytes to affect. 

PMID- 27263635
TI  - Prognostic significance of wilms tumor 1 gene in childhood acute Lymphoblastic
      Leukemia.
AB  - Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) gene is a tumor supressor gene, expressed in malignant and
      normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. Prognostic significance of this gene in
      childhood acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) is not clear. We evaluated the presence
      of WT1 expression in bone marrow samples of 28 children with de novo ALL at
      diagnosis by two step RT-PCR. Expression of WT1 gene was detected in 78.5% of
      patients. There was no correlation between WT1 gene expression and age, sex, FAB
      type, leukocyte count, and presence of t(4;11) and t(9;22). All patients were
      treated with modified BFM 86 protocol. There was no difference in the complete
      remission (CR) rate between WT1 positive and negative patients. Event free
      survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) of WT1 positive and negative patients
      were also not significant. We conclude that expression of WT1 gene is not
      associated with specific characteristics of ALL blast cells and is not a
      prognostic factor for CR, remission duration and overall survival. 

PMID- 27263636
TI  - Biological Dosimetry of Co-60 Gamma Irradiation.
AB  - Development of radiation technology has resulted in increasing numbers of people
      working with it. Therefore it has increasingly been important to monitor the
      radiation in order to ensure public safety. Physical dosimetry plays an important
      role in monitoring. But a need arise for biological dosimetry where physical
      dosimetry is absent or its presence is insufficient. In this study Co-60 gamma
      radiation dose-response curves for chromosome aberrations were determined for use
      as controls in biological dosimetry. Peripheral blood that were taken from
      healthy individuals not working with radiation were irradiated at different
      radiation doses. The relationship between unstable chromosome aberrations in
      metaphaseblocked cells and radiation dose were drawn by using the linear
      quadratic (LQ) formula. The absorbed radiation doses of the test group consisting
      of five people that had been working with Co-60 teletherapy machines were
      estimated using the LQ parameters of control dose-response curves in the Qdr
      method. Estimated radiation doses were below the permissible radiation dose
      limits for four workers, but one worker's estimated dose was higher than these
      limits. 

PMID- 27263637
TI  - Detection of BCR/ABL transcripts by reverse transcriptase polimerase chain
      reaction in pediatric acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: incidence and clinical
      eatures.
AB  - BCR/ABL expression, which is the molecular equivalent of the Philadelphia
      chromosome, is an independent poor risk factor in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
      (ALL). We used a two-step (nested) reverse transcriptase polimerase chain
      reaction (RT-PCR) assay to examine BCR/ABL expression in the diagnostic bone
      marrow specimen of children with ALL, prospectively. Among 75 de novo ALL
      patients, 4 (%5.3) were found to be BCR/ABL- ositive, whereas 4 of 17 relapsed
      patients (23.5%) were positive. This preliminary study in Turkish children showed
      an incidence similar to reports from Europe and the U.S.A. More intensive
      chemotherapies and allogeneic bone marrow transplantations (BMT) uring the first
      remission were planned if a donor was available. Out of 8 BCR/ABL-positive
      patients, complete remission (CR) was achieved in 7 patients and partial
      remission (PR) was achieved in 1 patient. Three patients underwent allogeneic BMT
      during the first CR and 1 under went autologous BMT during the first PR. The
      Kaplan-Meier estimate of vent-free survival (EFS) of BCR/ABL negative de novo ALL
      patients was 78.36% at 3 years, whereas the EFS of positive patients was 31.25%
      at 26 +/- 6.4 months. Molecular screening for the Philadelphia chromosome should
      become a part of the routine diagnostic panel in ALL patients in order to predict
      which patients have a poor prognosis and need tailored therapy. 

PMID- 27263638
TI  - Impact of Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization in the Detection of Cryptic Fusion
      Transcript PML/RARA and A Complex t(5;15;17) in a Case of Acute Promyelocytic
      Leukemia.
AB  - Genetic aspects of a 28 year-old female patient with typical morphological and
      clinical features of acute promyelocytic leukemia is presented. Pml/rara fusion
      transcript and a complex translocation involving chromosomes 5, 15 and 17 were
      detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique which was applied
      as in adjunct to conventional cytogenetics. The patient deceased soon in spite of
      the immediate ATRA and cytostatic therapy. 

PMID- 27263639
TI  - Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria in the Differential Diagnosis of
      Unresponsive Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Case Report.
AB  - A 16-year-old male patient who was on oral iron treatment for iron deficiency
      anemia for the last one year was seen at the Haematology clinic with complaints
      of weakness, pallor, and jaundice. A complete blood count revealed Hb of 4.2
      mmol/L, Hct of 0.14, and MCV of 76 fl. A blood smear showed 50% neutrophils, 40%
      lymphocytes, and 10% monocytes with anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, polichromasia
      in erythrocytes and normoblasts. Reticulocyte count was under 1%. There was a
      slight erythroid hyperplasia in the bone marrow aspiration. Biochemical
      examinations showed total bilirubin of 3.9 mg/dL, indirect bilirubin of 3.4
      mg/dL, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of 6085 U/L (220-450). In re-evaluating
      the history of the patient, he was seen to be complaining of dark discoloration
      of morning urine. Perl's reaction was found to be positive for hemosiderin in the
      urine sediment. Because Ham's test was positive, the levels of CD55, 58, and 59
      proteins on erythrocyte membranes were found to be lower. The patient was started
      32 mg of methylprednisolone and his anaemia was improved by the 14th day of
      treatment. When evaluating iron deficiency anemia resistant to iron
      supplementation, PNH should be kept in mind. 

PMID- 27263640
TI  - Congenital Hypofibrinogenemia: A Newborn Infant with Cord Bleeding.
AB  - The genetic disorders causing decreased fibrinogen synthesis may be caused by
      heterozygous (hypofibrinogenemia) or homozygous (afibrinogenemia) deficiency. The
      consequences of the disorders are gastrointestinal bleeding, cord bleeding,
      eccymoses, subcutaneous hematomas and hemarthroses especially due to traumatic
      delivery in the neonatal period. Laboratory evaluation of the patient with
      hypofibrinogenemia reveals prolongation of thrombin time, partial thromboplastin
      time, prothrombin time and decreased fibrinogen level. We report a 21 days old,
      congenital hypofibrinogenemia case with cord bleeding. 

PMID- 27263641
TI  - On the origin of vorticity in magnetic particle suspensions subjected to triaxial
      fields.
AB  - We have recently reported that two classes of time-dependent triaxial magnetic
      fields can induce vorticity in magnetic particle suspensions. The first class -
      symmetry-breaking fields - is comprised of two ac components and one dc
      component. The second class - rational triad fields - is comprised of three ac
      components. In both cases deterministic vorticity occurs when the ratios of the
      field frequencies form rational numbers. A strange aspect of these fields is that
      they produce fluid vorticity without generally having a circulating field vector,
      such as would occur in a rotating field. It has been shown, however, that the
      symmetry of the field trajectory, considered jointly with that of the converse
      field, allows vorticity to occur around one particular field axis. This axis
      might be any of the field components, and is determined by the relative
      frequencies of the field components. However, the symmetry theories give
      absolutely no insight into why vorticity should occur. In this paper we propose a
      particle-based model of vorticity in these driven fluids. This model proposes
      that particles form volatile chains that follow, but lag behind, the dynamic
      field vector. This model is consistent with the predictions of symmetry theory
      and gives reasonable agreement with previously reported torque density
      measurements for a variety of triaxial fields. 

PMID- 27263642
TI  - Therapeutic Angiogenesis by Autologous Transplantation of Bone Marrow Mononuclear
      Cells for Buerger's Patients with Retractable Limb Ischaemia: A Preliminary
      Report.
AB  - Bone marrow implantation into ischaemic limbs could enhance angiogenesis by
      supplying endothelialprogeniter cells and angiogenic cytokinesot factors. We
      investigated efficacy and safety of autologousimplantation of bonemarrow
      mononuclearcells (BMMC)in patients with ischaemic limbs due to Buerger's disease.
      We commence daciinical study to test cell therapy with autologous BMMC in
      patients with ischaemic limbs at the University of Ankara School of Medicine. In
      order for the patients to qualify for BMMC implantation, they should have
      critical limb ischaemia define das ischaemic rest painin a limb with or without
      non healing ulcers, should not respond to previous iloprost infusions and smoking
      cessation six months prior to evaluation and should not be candidates for
      nonsurgicalor surgical revascularisation. Primaryend points were safety
      andfeasibility of the treatmentand total healing of the most importantlesion.
      Secondary endpoints were total relief of rest pain without the need for
      analgesies,change in peak walkingtime (PWT)at 12 weeks, improvements in ankle
      brachial pressure index(ABI), transcutaneous oxygen saturation using pulse
      oximetry(SaO2),angiographic evidence of newcollatera lvesselformation, tissue
      perfusion in the affected extremity using Thallium perfusions cintigraphyW.
      hilepatients(meanage46.7: !: 10.3years)were undergeneraal naesthesiaw, eharvested
      bonemarrow(519: t 45.5mUfromtheposteridilriacspineA. fterredbloodcell(RBCd)
      epletiaannd volumereduction using a continuous flow cell separator,we achieved
      91% RBC depletian and concentrated /~MMC to a final volume and concentration of
      51.5: t io.1 mLand7.04: t 1.9 x ioe7/mL total nucleated cells, respectively
      W.eimplantedBMMC (mean12.16: t 4.3 x ioe8) within three hours after marrow
      aspiration by intramuscular injection into the gastrocnemiusmuscle of ischaemic
      legs. Isotonic saline were injected into the other extremityin as similar fashion
      as control. 13 Unilateral intramuscular administration of BMMC was not associated
      with any complications. The primary efficacy end point, total healing of the most
      importantlesion, was achieved in three patients. All patients were followed up
      for at least four weeks. The secondary measures; change in PWT(LlPWT)at 12 weeks,
      total relief of rest pain without the need of analgesics improved in three
      patjents. These improvements were sustained for 24 weeks in the first two
      patients. Digital subtraction angiographic studies before and 3 months after the
      BMMC implantation showed the presence of a new vascular collateral network across
      the affected arteries in three patients. Preliminary results of the
      presentedstudy are promising. Thus, bone marrow maybe a potential source of cells
      for Buerger'spatients with end-stage Iimbischaemia refractory to other medical
      treatment modalities. 

PMID- 27263643
TI  - Rapid Detection of the Apoptosis Related Genes (BCL-2, BAD, BAX) in 12 Hours 1,25
      (OH)2D3 Treated HL-60 Cells Using Real-Time Quantitative RT-PCR.
AB  - HL-60 cell line offers an interesting model to study apoptosis. Our aim was to
      detect the expressions of three apoptotic genes (BCL-2, BAD and BAX) using Real
      Time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HL-60 cells were incubated
      with 1,25 (OH)2D3 (5 x 10-8 M). RNA portions were isolated and LightCycler
      analysis were performed on cDNA samples. 1,25 (OH)2D3 incubated cell portions
      were compared to nontreated portions. We observed down-regulated levels of three
      genes at the end of the 12 hours. Gene expression ratios were 0.98 for BAX, 0.41
      for BAD, 0.81 for BCL-2. For the first time, this study represents the expression
      levels of these three apoptosis related genes together during early phase (12
      hours) of 1,25 (OH)2D3 treatment of HL-60 cells. Data indicate that expression
      differences of these apoptosis genes take place so early in exposure to 1,25
      (OH)2D3. This optimised strategy would be used in rapid understanding of similar
      apoptotic deregulations. 

PMID- 27263644
TI  - Anti-D and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatments in Chronic Idiopathic
      Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
AB  - The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the data from 29 patients
      diagnosed as chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) treated
      with anti-D immunoglobulin and intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG). We used anti
      D and IVIG in 11 and 18 patients respectively in whom the previous treatments
      including corticosteroids and splenectomy had been unsuccessful. The complete
      response rates were significantly higher in IVIG arm (55.5% to 18.1%) with a
      duration of 8 weeks. The overall efficacy of IVIG in the chronic ITP is similar
      to previous data, however we found lower platelet responses in patients treated
      with anti-D that can be attributed to the lower sucess in the splenectomized
      patients. 

PMID- 27263645
TI  - Report of a Family with Fanconi Anemia and Ataxia-Telangiectasia.
AB  - We diagnosed two boys with two different chromosomal instability disorders such
      as Fanconi anemia (FA) and ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) in the same family. The
      phenotype of the first sibling supports the diagnosis of ataxia-telangiectasia.
      He had ataxia, telangiectasias on bulbar conjunctivas, a high level of alpha
      fetoprotein, low levels of IgA and IgE, and a defective cell-mediated immunity.
      Cytogenetic studies of the peripheral lymphocytes revealed a chromosomal
      sensitivity to ionizing radiation. His 8-years-old brother had pancytopenia but
      had no ataxia and telangiectasia. He had a normal level of immunoglobulins and
      alpha-fetoprotein. His cell-mediated immunity was also normal. Cytogenetic
      studies showed no evidence spontaneus chromosome aberrations; however, there was
      a mild increase in the rate of diepoxybutane (DEB) and also an increased
      chromosome aberrations in the mitomycin C (MMC) treated samples than the control.
      The parent of the boys and 5th child were healty. The first child had normal
      hematological and immunological features, but he had a mild increase in the rate
      of DEB. The 4th child had an increased rate of DEB-induced chromosome
      aberrations. To our knowledge, this is the first family with FA and AT in Turkey
      and it is reported because of its rarity. 

PMID- 27263646
TI  - Primary Uterine Lymphoma: A Rare Cause of Postmenopausal Bleeding.
AB  - Although uterus and cervix infiltration is a frequent finding in the later stages
      of lymphomatous disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the female genital tract
      is extremely rare. We present the case of a 63-years- old woman diagnosed with
      postmenopausal bleeding, Ann Arbor stage IE, primary, diffuse, large B-cell NHL
      of the uterus. Disease status was monitored with physical examination and imaging
      studies. We administered chemotherapy according to CHOP protocol
      (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone). Primary pelvic NHL
      may present symptoms like other more common gynecologic cancers. It should be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of gynecologic malignancy. Our case
      emphasizes the importance of chemotherapy that can provide a control of the
      distant microscopic metastases. 

PMID- 27263647
TI  - A Case with Chronic Eosinophilic Leukaemia Resulting in Blastic Transformation.
AB  - Chronic eosinophilic leukaemia is a rare myeloproliferative disease different
      from the chronic myeloid leukaemia. It is a haematologic malignancy that must be
      considered separately from other causes of eosinophilia due to its remarkable
      clonal eosinophilia. Here, we describe a case with chronic eosinophilic leukaemia
      which was initially hypereosinophilic (eosinophil count: 85.4 x 109/L) and
      displayed blastic transformation after a 9 months follow up. We suggest the
      invasion of spleen, probable invasion of the liver and the blastic transformation
      of this case must be discerned as a different entity rather than the other causes
      of eosinophilia. 

PMID- 27263649
TI  - Microorganisms Isolated from Blood Cultures of Febrile Neutropenic Patients in
      Ibn-i Sina Hospital.

PMID- 27263648
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27263650
TI  - Horizontal Pigmented Nail Bands During Daunorubicin Treatment.

PMID- 27263651
TI  - Thromboembolism in Patients with Cancer.
AB  - One hundred and forty years ago, Armand Trousseau described phlegmasia alba
      dolens as a sign of internal malignancy. Nowadays, it is commonly believed that
      the presence malignant tumaor increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (i.e
      deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) However, cancer is usually
      associated with other factors such as old age, extensive surgery,immobility,
      etc., which may predispose to thromboembolism. The majority of thrombotic events
      occur in the venous system; the incidence of arterial thrombosis is much
      lower.Recurrent thromboembolism in cancer patients frequently and diminishes the
      quality of life of the patients.Furthermore, if the thromboembolism is massive,
      destipte of early and aggressive treatment, it may result in death. In this
      article, we review thromboembolic complications in cancer patients. 

PMID- 27263652
TI  - Synergistic chemopreventive effects of curcumin and berberine on human breast
      cancer cells through induction of apoptosis and autophagic cell death.
AB  - Curcumin (CUR) and berberine (BBR) are renowned natural compounds that exhibit
      potent anticancer activities through distinct molecular mechanisms. However, the
      anticancer capacity of either CUR or BBR is limited. This prompted us to
      investigate the chemopreventive potential of co-treatment of CUR and BBR against
      breast cancers. The results showed that CUR and BBR in combination
      synergistically inhibited the growth of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer
      cells than the compounds used alone. Further study confirmed that synergistic
      anti-breast cancer activities of co-treatment of these two compounds was through
      inducing more apoptosis and autophagic cell death (ACD). The co-treatment-induced
      apoptosis was caspase-dependent and through activating ERK pathways. Our data
      also demonstrated that co-treatment of CUR and BBR strongly up-regulated
      phosphorylation of JNK and Beclin1, and decreased phosphorylated Bcl-2.
      Inhibition of JNK by SP600125 markedly decreased LC3-II and Beclin1, restored
      phosphorylated Bcl-2, and reduced the cytotoxicity induced by the two compounds
      in combination. These results strongly suggested that JNK/Bcl-2/Beclin1 pathway
      played a key role in the induction of ACD in breast cancer cells by co-treatment
      of CUR and BBR. This study provides an insight into the potential application of
      curcumin and berberine in combination for the chemoprevention and treatment of
      breast cancers.

PMID- 27263653
TI  - Controlling thermal emission with refractory epsilon-near-zero metamaterials via
      topological transitions.
AB  - Control of thermal radiation at high temperatures is vital for waste heat
      recovery and for high-efficiency thermophotovoltaic (TPV) conversion. Previously,
      structural resonances utilizing gratings, thin film resonances, metasurfaces and
      photonic crystals were used to spectrally control thermal emission, often
      requiring lithographic structuring of the surface and causing significant angle
      dependence. In contrast, here, we demonstrate a refractory W-HfO2 metamaterial,
      which controls thermal emission through an engineered dielectric response
      function. The epsilon-near-zero frequency of a metamaterial and the connected
      optical topological transition (OTT) are adjusted to selectively enhance and
      suppress the thermal emission in the near-infrared spectrum, crucial for improved
      TPV efficiency. The near-omnidirectional and spectrally selective emitter is
      obtained as the emission changes due to material properties and not due to
      resonances or interference effects, marking a paradigm shift in thermal
      engineering approaches. We experimentally demonstrate the OTT in a thermally
      stable metamaterial at high temperatures of 1,000  degrees C.

PMID- 27263654
TI  - Impermeable flexible liquid barrier film for encapsulation of DSSC metal
      electrodes.
AB  - Encapsulation of electronic devices such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is
      prone to degradation under normal atmospheric conditions, even with hermetic
      barriers on the metal electrodes. Overcoming this problem is crucial to
      increasing DSSC lifetimes and making them commercially viable. Herein, we report
      a new impermeable flexible liquid barrier film using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and
      partially reduced graphene oxide (PrGO), which dramatically enhances the lifetime
      of Ag metal electrodes (typically used in DSSCs) immersed in a highly acidic
      iodolyte solution. The Ag metal electrode encapsulated by the PVA/PrGO film
      survived for over 500 hrs, superior to existing barriers of glass frits, epoxy
      resins and polymers. The PVA/PrGO film strongly adheres to the Ag metal surface,
      and the resulting PVA/PrGO/Ag electrode is stable even on a curved substrate,
      with a sheet resistance nearly independent of curvature. These results give new
      insight for the design of high-performance and solution-processable flexible
      liquid barrier films for a wide range of applications, in particular for the
      encapsulation of electronic devices with liquid electrolytes.

PMID- 27263655
TI  - Widely tunable Tm-doped mode-locked all-fiber laser.
AB  - We demonstrated a widely tunable Tm-doped mode-locked all-fiber laser, with the
      widest tunable range of 136 nm, from 1842 to 1978 nm. Nonlinear polarization
      evolution (NPE) technique is employed to enable mode-locking and the wavelength
      tunable operation. The widely tunable range attributes to the NPE-induced
      transmission modulation and bidirectional pumping mechanism. Such kind of tunable
      mode-locked laser can find various applications in optical communications,
      spectroscopy, time-resolved measurement, and among others.

PMID- 27263656
TI  - Thermal transport in bismuth telluride quintuple layer: mode-resolved phonon
      properties and substrate effects.
AB  - The successful exfoliation of atomically-thin bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3)
      quintuple layer (QL) attracts tremendous research interest in this strongly
      anharmonic quasi-two-dimensional material. The thermal transport properties of
      this material are not well understood, especially the mode-wise properties and
      when it is coupled with a substrate. In this work, we have performed molecular
      dynamics simulations and normal mode analysis to study the mode-resolved thermal
      transport in freestanding and supported Bi2Te3 QL. The detailed mode-wise phonon
      properties are calculated and the accumulated thermal conductivities with respect
      to phonon mean free path (MFP) are constructed. It is shown that 60% of the
      thermal transport is contributed by phonons with MFP longer than 20 nm. Coupling
      with a-SiO2 substrate leads to about 60% reduction of thermal conductivity.
      Through varying the interfacial coupling strength and the atomic mass of
      substrate, we also find that phonon in Bi2Te3 QL is more strongly scattered by
      interfacial potential and its transport process is less affected by the dynamics
      of substrate. Our study provides an in-depth understanding of heat transport in
      Bi2Te3 QL and is helpful in further tailoring its thermal property through
      nanostructuring.

PMID- 27263657
TI  - Spirochaetes dominate the microbial community associated with the red coral
      Corallium rubrum on a broad geographic scale.
AB  - Mass mortality events in populations of the iconic red coral Corallium rubrum
      have been related to seawater temperature anomalies that may have triggered
      microbial disease development. However, very little is known about the bacterial
      community associated with the red coral. We therefore aimed to provide insight
      into this species' bacterial assemblages using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S
      rRNA gene amplicons generated from samples collected at five locations
      distributed across the western Mediterranean Sea. Twelve bacterial species were
      found to be consistently associated with the red coral, forming a core microbiome
      that accounted for 94.6% of the overall bacterial community. This core microbiome
      was particularly dominated by bacteria of the orders Spirochaetales and
      Oceanospirillales, in particular the ME2 family. Bacteria belonging to these
      orders have been implicated in nutrient cycling, including nitrogen, carbon and
      sulfur. While Oceanospirillales are common symbionts of marine invertebrates, our
      results identify members of the Spirochaetales as other important dominant
      symbiotic bacterial associates within Anthozoans.

PMID- 27263658
TI  - High-resolution biophysical analysis of the dynamics of nucleosome formation.
AB  - We describe a biophysical approach that enables changes in the structure of DNA
      to be followed during nucleosome formation in in vitro reconstitution with either
      the canonical "Widom" sequence or a judiciously mutated sequence. The rapid non
      perturbing photochemical analysis presented here provides 'snapshots' of the DNA
      configuration at any given moment in time during nucleosome formation under a
      very broad range of reaction conditions. Changes in DNA photochemical reactivity
      upon protein binding are interpreted as being mainly induced by alterations in
      individual base pair roll angles. The results strengthen the importance of the
      role of an initial (H3/H4)2 histone tetramer-DNA interaction and highlight the
      modulation of this early event by the DNA sequence. (H3/H4)2 binding precedes and
      dictates subsequent H2A/H2B-DNA interactions, which are less affected by the DNA
      sequence, leading to the final octameric nucleosome. Overall, our results provide
      a novel, exciting way to investigate those biophysical properties of DNA that
      constitute a crucial component in nucleosome formation and stabilization.

PMID- 27263659
TI  - Photoelectrochemical Immunosensor for Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Based
      on 2D TiO2 Nanosheets and Carboxylated Graphitic Carbon Nitride.
AB  - Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was used as the model, an ultrasensitive label
      free photoelectrochemical immunosensor was developed using 2D TiO2 nanosheets and
      carboxylated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as photoactive materials and
      ascorbic acid as an efficient electron donor. 2D TiO2 nanosheets was sythsized by
      surfactant self-assembly method and proved to have higher photoelectrochemical
      signals than TiO2 nanoparticles. Firstly, carboxylated g-C3N4 could be attached
      to 2D TiO2 nanosheets through the bond formed between carboxyl group of
      carboxylated g-C3N4 and TiO2. And the photocurrent of g-C3N4/TiO2 drastically
      enhances compared to carboxylated g-C3N4 and TiO2. Then, antibody of CEA was
      bonded to TiO2 through the dentate bond formed between carboxyl group of anti-CEA
      and TiO2, leading to the decrease of the photocurrents. As proven by PEC
      experiments and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, the
      fabrication process of the immunosensor is successful. Under the optimal
      conditions, the intensity decreased linearly with CEA concentration in the range
      of 0.01~10 ng/mL. The detection limit is 2.1 pg/mL. The work provides an
      effective method for the detection of tumor markers and can be extended for the
      application in food safety and environmental monitoring analysis.

PMID- 27263660
TI  - Imprinting superconducting vortex footsteps in a magnetic layer.
AB  - Local polarization of a magnetic layer, a well-known method for storing
      information, has found its place in numerous applications such as the popular
      magnetic drawing board toy or the widespread credit cards and computer hard
      drives. Here we experimentally show that a similar principle can be applied for
      imprinting the trajectory of quantum units of flux (vortices), travelling in a
      superconducting film (Nb), into a soft magnetic layer of permalloy (Py). In full
      analogy with the magnetic drawing board, vortices act as tiny magnetic scribers
      leaving a wake of polarized magnetic media in the Py board. The mutual
      interaction between superconducting vortices and ferromagnetic domains has been
      investigated by the magneto-optical imaging technique. For thick Py layers, the
      stripe magnetic domain pattern guides both the smooth magnetic flux penetration
      as well as the abrupt vortex avalanches in the Nb film. It is however in thin Py
      layers without stripe domains where superconducting vortices leave the clearest
      imprints of locally polarized magnetic moment along their paths. In all cases, we
      observe that the flux is delayed at the border of the magnetic layer. Our
      findings open the quest for optimizing magnetic recording of superconducting
      vortex trajectories.

PMID- 27263661
TI  - The formation of an ordered microporous aluminum-based material mediated by
      phthalic acid.
AB  - By using phthalic acid as a soft template, we showed that it was possible to
      prepare a microporous aluminum-based material when the precipitation of Al(3+)
      was properly controlled. We also identified that this microporous aluminum-based
      material could be promising for the removal of fluoride ions in water treatment. 

PMID- 27263662
TI  - Silyl Radical Activation of Alkyl Halides in Metallaphotoredox Catalysis: A
      Unique Pathway for Cross-Electrophile Coupling.
AB  - A strategy for cross-electrophile coupling has been developed via the merger of
      photoredox and transition metal catalysis. In this report, we demonstrate the use
      of commercially available tris(trimethylsilyl)silane with metallaphotoredox
      catalysis to efficiently couple alkyl bromides with aryl or heteroaryl bromides
      in excellent yields. We hypothesize that a photocatalytically generated silyl
      radical species can perform halogen-atom abstraction to activate alkyl halides as
      nucleophilic cross-coupling partners. This protocol allows the use of mild yet
      robust conditions to construct Csp(3)-Csp(2) bonds generically via a unique cross
      coupling pathway.

PMID- 27263663
TI  - Growth of graphene on cylindrical copper conductors as an anticorrosion coating:
      a microscopic study.
AB  - We have successfully grown graphene film on the surface of cylindrical copper
      conductors by chemical vapour deposition. The quality and number of graphene
      layers have been investigated using Raman spectroscopy, Raman mapping and
      scanning electron microscopy, as a function of methane gas flow rate and of
      growth temperature. Transmission electron microscopy analysis has been performed
      to verify the number of graphene layers, confirming the results obtained by Raman
      spectroscopy. The results open up the possibility of using graphene as an
      anticorrosion coating for copper cables and earth grids. 

PMID- 27263664
TI  - We need to optimize piperacillin-tazobactam dosing in critically ill patients-but
      how?

PMID- 27263665
TI  - Hepatoprotective effects of Poly-[hemoglobin-superoxide dismutase-catalase
      carbonic anhydrase] on alcohol-damaged primary rat hepatocyte culture in vitro.
AB  - We have prepared a novel nanobiotherapeutic, Poly-[hemoglobin-superoxide
      dismutase-catalase-carbonic anhydrase], which not only transports both oxygen and
      carbon dioxide but also a therapeutic antioxidant. Our previous study in a severe
      sustained 90 min hemorrhagic shock rat model shows that it has a hepatoprotective
      effect. We investigate its hepatoprotective effect further in this present report
      using an alcohol-damaged primary hepatocyte culture model. Results show that it
      significantly reduced ethanol-induced AST release, lipid peroxidation, and ROS
      production in rat primary hepatocytes culture. It also significantly enhanced the
      viability of ethanol-treated hepatocytes. Thus, the result shows that Poly
      [hemoglobin-superoxide dismutase-catalase-carbonic anhydrase] also has some
      hepatoprotective effects against alcohol-induced injury in in vitro rat primary
      hepatocytes cell culture. This collaborate our previous observation of its
      hepatoprotective effect in a severe sustained 90-min hemorrhagic shock rat model.

PMID- 27263666
TI  - Non-viral liver disease burden in HIV-monoinfected individuals: a longitudinal
      observational retrospective cohort study.
AB  - Recent advances in antiviral therapy have improved outcomes in HIV-positive
      individuals co-infected with hepatitis B and C virus (HBV/HCV). Our aim was to
      assess prevalence and predictors of chronic liver disease (CLD) due to the
      metabolic syndrome (MS), alcohol and antiretrovirals (ARVs) use in HIV
      monoinfected individuals. This was a retrospective cohort study (2005-2012). HIV
      positive patients with negative HBV/HCV serology and at least two elevated
      alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels six months apart were included. Data are
      presented as mean +/- SD or percentage. Despite negative viral serology, 27%
      (1047/3872) of HIV-positive individuals had persistently elevated ALT. Only 243
      (23.2%) were investigated (by imaging in the majority, only 58 undergoing liver
      biopsy/transient elastography). CLD was identified in 66.2%, this being
      clinically significant in one in four individuals. Potential CLD risk factors
      were alcohol (44.2%), hepatotoxic ARVs (74.1%) and MS risk factors (68%) with
      68.7% having >1 risk factor. On multivariate logistic regression analysis serum
      triglyceride (OR 1.482, 95% CI 1.053-2.086, p = .024) was the only independent
      predictor of CLD. Overall, 4.3% were referred to Hepatology services. In
      conclusion, less than 6% of HIV-monoinfected individuals with persistently
      elevated ALT undergo objective assessment of hepatic fibrosis. Despite non
      stringent criteria, some degree of non-viral CLD is identified in approximately
      two-thirds of those investigated, risk factors being synonymous with those for
      the MS. This increasing yet under-recognised non-viral CLD burden warrants timely
      recognition to prevent long-term morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 27263735
TI  - Parvovirus-B19 and hematologic disorders.
AB  - Parvovirus-B19 (PV-B19) is a member of Parvoviridae, which is one of the smallest
      DNA viruses. PV-B19-associated diseases usually serve as a good representation of
      the balance of virus, host response and the immune system. The diseases
      manifested with PV-B19 are erythema infectiosum, which is common in children,
      hydrops fetalis, transient pure red cell aplasia in patients with chronic
      hemolytic anemia, arthralgia - mostly observed in women, and chronic pure red
      cell aplasia in immunocompromised individuals. Cytopenia (bicytopenia,
      monocytopenia or pancytopenia) may also accompany the diseases mentioned above.
      On the other hand, there are many diseases, including neurologic, vasculitic,
      hepatic, rheumatoid, nephritic, autoimmune, myocardial, and others in which the
      mechanisms of the diseases are not clear, which may be associated with PV-B19.
      The virus may manifest with unexpected and unexplained clinical pictures and lead
      to misdiagnosis. Therefore, hematologic disorders in any unestablished clinical
      diagnosis should be investigated for PV-B19 infection. However, serologic
      examination for PV-B19 diagnosis is not sufficient in immunocompromised status.
      The virus can be determined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the serum or
      tissue samples. Supportive therapy, blood transfusion and immunoglobulin are the
      conventional therapeutic interventions for PV-B19 today. Vaccination studies are
      under examination. 

PMID- 27263736
TI  - Long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) produced from CD34+ cord blood cells
      with limiting dilution method.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Even though much progress has been made in defining primitive
      hematologic cell phenotypes by using flow cytometry and clonogenic methods, the
      direct method for study of marrow repopulating cells still remains to be elusive.
      Long Term Culture-Initiating Cells (LTC-IC) are known as the most primitive human
      hematopoietic cells detectable by in vitro functional assays. METHODS: In this
      study, LTC-IC with limiting dilution assay was used to evaluate repopulating
      potential of cord blood stem cells. RESULTS: CD34 selections from cord blood were
      completed succesfully with magnetic beads (73,64%+/-9,12). The average incidence
      of week 5 LTC-IC was 1: 1966 CD34+ cells (range 1261-2906). CONCLUSION: We found
      that number of LTC-IC obtained from CD34+ cord blood cells were relatively low in
      numbers when compared to previously reported bone marrow CD34+ cells. This may be
      due to the lack of some transcription and growth factors along with some
      cytokines and chemokines released by accessory cells which are necessary for
      proliferation of cord blood progenitor/stem cells and it presents an area of
      interest for further studies.

PMID- 27263667
TI  - Sex and post-menopause hormone therapy effects on hippocampal volume and verbal
      memory.
AB  - Many studies suggest sex differences in memory and hippocampal size, and that
      hormone therapy (HT) may positively affect these measures in women; however, the
      parameters of HT use that most likely confer benefits are debated. We evaluated
      the impact of sex and postmenopausal HT use on verbal learning and memory and
      hippocampal size in 94 cognitively intact women and 49 men. Using analysis of
      covariance that controlled for age and education, women had better total word
      learning and delayed verbal memory performance than men. HT analyses showed that
      non-HT users performed similarly to men, while HT users performed better than men
      in Delayed Memory regardless of whether use was current or in the past. Women had
      larger hippocampal volumes than men regardless of whether they were HT users.
      Using univariate linear models, we assessed group differences in the predictive
      value of hippocampal volumes for verbal learning and memory. Hippocampal size
      significantly predicted memory performance for men and non-HT users, but not for
      HT users. This lack of relationship between hippocampal size and verbal learning
      and memory performance in HT users suggests HT use may impact memory through
      extra-hippocampal neural systems.

PMID- 27263737
TI  - The effect of heparin on the cell cycle in human B-lymphoblasts: An in vitro
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Heparin has been shown to be a strong inhibitor of the proliferation
      of several cell types. In this in vitro study, we investigated whether different
      heparin concentrations can affect the cell cycle of lymphoblasts in newly
      diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. METHODS: Lymphoblasts were
      incubated in different heparin concentrations (0, 10, 20 U/ml), and the
      percentages of lymphoblasts in each phase of the cell cycle were simultaneously
      measured by flow cytometry at 0, 1, and 2 hours (h). RESULTS: The percentages of
      lymphoblasts at the G2/M and S phases were significantly increased in 20 U/ml
      heparin concentration at 1 h compared to 0 U/ml (without heparin) concentration.
      We demonstrated that heparin increases the percentages of lymphoblasts in the S
      and G2/M phases in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: It was
      shown that heparin expands the proliferation of lymphoblasts by increasing the
      transition to G2/M and S phases and the S-phase fraction ratio. Heparin thus
      appears promising for its contribution to new treatment fields such as by
      providing a synergistic effect with chemotherapeutic drugs.

PMID- 27263738
TI  - Autonomic nervous system dysfunction and serum levels of neurotoxic and
      neurotrophic cytokines in patients with cobalamin deficiency.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The imbalance between neurotoxic cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha) and neurotrophic cytokines epidermal growth factor (EGF) and
      interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a role in the pathogenesis of cobalamin (Cbl)
      deficiency-induced neuropathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate autonomic
      nervous system dysfunction and to look for any relationship between autonomic
      nervous system disturbances and serum cytokine levels (TNF-alpha, EGF, IL-6) in
      patients with Cbl deficiency. METHODS: Serum levels of TNF-alpha, EGF and IL-6
      were studied in patients with Cbl deficiency (n=41) and a healthy control group
      (n=17) and after 3 months in patients who underwent Cbl replacement therapy
      (n=22). All patients with Cbl deficiency underwent electrophysiological studies
      (EPS) for the diagnosis of neuropathy. Statistical analysis was performed using
      SPSS for Windows 11.5 software. RESULTS: With EPS, 29 of 41 Cbl-deficient
      patients (70.73%) demonstrated neurological dysfunction [3 (7.32%), 19 (46.34%)
      and 7 (17.07%) patients with sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, parasympathetic,
      and sympathetic autonomic dysfunction, respectively]. Although there was no
      significant difference in serum levels of EGF and IL-6 between patients with
      versus without autonomic dysfunction, levels were significantly lower in Cbl-
      deficient patients than healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Presence of autonomic
      dysfunction seems to be a frequent neurological finding in patients with Cbl
      deficiency. However, we could not find any relationship between serum cytokine
      levels and autonomic dysfunction by EPS.

PMID- 27263739
TI  - Clinical and laboratory data of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: A
      retrospective review of the Turkish Histiocyte Study Group.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the clinical and laboratory findings of children
      with primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) followed in various
      referral centers of Turkey. METHODS: A simple three-page questionnaire prepared
      by the Turkish Histiocyte Study Group was used for documentation of patient data.
      RESULTS: Age at diagnosis varied from 0.6 to 78 months (median+/-SD, 16.5+/
      26.1). Sex distribution was almost equal (F/M=10/12). The frequencies of parental
      consanguinity and sibling death in the family history were 100% and 81.1%,
      respectively. The most common clinical findings were hepatomegaly (100%) and
      fever (95%). The most common laboratory findings were anemia (100%),
      hyperferritinemia (100%) and thrombocytopenia (90.9%). Triglyceride and total
      bilirubin levels in the deceased versus surviving group appear to be high
      (triglyceride: 394+/-183 mg/dl, 289+/-7 mg/dl; total bilirubin: 2.7+/-6.9 mg/dl,
      0.5+/-1.2 mg/dl, respectively). CONCLUSION: We concluded that fever,
      hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperferritinemia are the most
      common clinical and laboratory findings in primary HLH. Increased triglyceride
      and total bilirubin level at the time of diagnosis might be an indicator of poor
      prognosis in HLH.

PMID- 27263740
TI  - The predictive value of stimulation index calculated by modified mixed lymphocyte
      culture in the detection of GVHD following hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) is one of the routine tests performed
      prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as a predictive assay for
      assessing the quality of donor matching and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The
      stimulation index is one of the formulas of the MLC test, and it is used for
      evaluation of matching between donor and recipient. Modified MLC (mMLC) test is
      produced by adding various cytokines to the MLC test, and increased sensitivity
      has been reported with this modification. METHODS: The importance of the
      stimulation index values in MLC and mMLC tests was evaluated in 59 patients who
      received HSCs from human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling donors. In the mMLC
      test, cytokines were added as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-2 + IL-4 and IL-2 +
      interferon (IFN)-gamma + tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Stimulation index
      values in mMLC test were compared with stimulation index values in MLC test.
      RESULTS: Twenty-three (39%) patients developed GVHD. When evaluated in terms of
      stimulation index >1 patients, in MLC, 55% of the patients developed GVHD
      (p=0.229), whereas these values were 75% in the IL-2 added mMLC test (p=0.035),
      100% in the IL-2 + IL-4 added mMLC test (p=0.076) and 85.7% in the IL-2 + IFN
      gamma + TNF-alpha added mMLC test (p=0.015). CONCLUSION: mMLC increased the
      sensitivity of the test. The relation between the positive results and evidence
      of GVHD after transplantation was found significant.

PMID- 27263741
TI  - The changes in complete blood count in thyroid cancer patients treated with
      radioactive iodine ablation therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of radioactive iodine
      (RAI) ablation therapy on the complete blood count (CBC) in thyroid cancer
      patients. METHODS: One hundred sixty four patients undergoing RAI ablation
      therapy after total thyroidectomy were included. CBC results were available from
      the patients' medical records at the time of ablation and at the 1st, 6th, and
      12th months after RAI therapy. RESULTS: Hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC)
      and platelet (Plt) values were significantly lower than baseline at 1 month after
      treatment (p <0.0001). Hb and WBC values were increased at the 6th month and at
      the 1st year. Plt values increased at the 6th month but had decreased again at
      the 1st year. The values were usually in normal ranges except in the patients
      with low pretreatment Hb and WBC values. CONCLUSION: RAI ablation therapy in
      thyroid cancer patients is a safe treatment modality without any serious or
      persistent hematological side effects.

PMID- 27263742
TI  - Are university students a favorable target group for blood donation campaigns?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the willingness of university
      students regarding blood donation and to compare results among residents living
      in the Kayseri city center. METHODS: Admission for blood donation after donor
      acquisition campaigns and the rates of repeated donation over a one-year period
      were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Between November 2006 and August
      2008, a total of 29614 people were included in the study. After educational
      campaigns, the rate of admission for blood donation was 66% among university
      students, while it was only 29% among the city residents. Although the deferral
      rate and adverse events during donation were found to be higher in the student
      group, they had a higher repeated donation rate and higher return rate after a
      short message system. CONCLUSION: University students appear to be good
      candidates for long-term regular blood donation. Use of a short message system to
      issue reminders about blood donation may be a reasonable method to replenish the
      blood supply.

PMID- 27263743
TI  - Prognostic value of soluble angiopoietin-2 and soluble Tie-2 in Egyptian patients
      with acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Angiogenesis plays a critical role in the development and growth of
      solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. The system involving angiopoietin-2
      [Ang-2] and its receptor Tie-2 appears to play an important role in tumor
      angiogenesis and in the biology of hematological and non-hematological
      malignancies. We evaluated the levels of soluble (s)Ang-2 and sTie-2 in acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and investigated the impact of their circulating
      levels on the overall survival in those patients. METHODS: Ang-2 and Tie-2 were
      measured in plasma samples from AML patients and controls using enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The levels of sAng-2 and sTie-2 were
      significantly higher in AML patients (2382.1+/-1586.1 pg/ml and 6.74+/-3.47
      ng/ml, respectively) than in controls (649.5+/-402.6 pg/ml and 2.63+/-0.57 ng/ml,
      respectively; p<0.01). AML patients with high levels of sAng-2 and sTie-2 (>=2500
      pg/ml and >=8 ng/ml, respectively) had significantly shorter overall survival
      than those patients with low levels (<2500 pg/ml and <8 ng/ml, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: The results of our study demonstrated the prognostic significance of
      circulating sAng-2 and sTie-2 in AML patients. Modulation of the angiopoietin /
      Tie-2 axis may be a promising approach to improve the outcome in those patients.

PMID- 27263744
TI  - Acquired pure megakaryocytic aplasia successfully treated with cyclosporine.
AB  - Acquired pure megakaryocytic aplasia is a rare hematological disorder
      characterized by thrombocytopenia with absent or markedly reduced megakaryocytes
      in the bone marrow. We report a case of a 25-year-old male diagnosed as acquired
      pure megakaryocytic aplasia. Treatment with prednisone and intravenous
      immunoglobulin failed, but he was successfully treated with cyclosporine, with
      complete remission after 90 days and normal platelet count maintained thereafter.

PMID- 27263745
TI  - Syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with immunosuppression for
      hepatitis-associated severe aplastic anemia.
AB  - Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia occurs in up to 10% of all aplastic anemia
      cases. Syngeneic bone marrow transplantation is rare in patients with severe
      aplastic anemia and usually requires pre-transplant conditioning to provide
      engraftment. We report on a 29-year-old male patient with hepatitis-associated
      severe aplastic anemia who had a series of severe infectious conditions before
      transplantation, including tracheal inflammation. Life-threatening bleeding,
      which developed after bronchoscopy, was successfully treated with activated
      recombinant factor VII and platelet transfusions. Syngeneic peripheral blood stem
      cell transplantation using immunosuppressive treatment with antithymocyte
      globulin and cyclosporin A without high-dose pre-transplant conditioning was
      performed, followed by complete hematologic and hepatic recovery. 

PMID- 27263746
TI  - A case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with additional chromosomes X and 5
      associated with a Philadelphia chromosome in the bone marrow.
AB  - We report herein a very rare case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia having a
      chromosomal constitution of 48,XY,+X,+5,t(9;22)(q34;q11) in the bone marrow. A
      patient with additional chromosomes X and 5 with a Philadelphia chromosome has
      not been reported previously. However, no abnormal karyotype was obtained from
      the lymphocytes in our patient, and he did not have the characteristics of
      Klinefelter syndrome. He achieved a complete remission with IDA-FLAG and
      dasatinib therapy. The mechanism of trisomy 5 or any other chromosomal aneuploidy
      in the pathogenesis of leukemogenesis remains unclear. Further studies involving
      the genes affected by this karyotype and their products may lead to strategies to
      further increase the understanding of drug-resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia
      and may represent the next frontier in the targeted therapy of those patients. 

PMID- 27263747
TI  - Niemann - Pick disease associated with hemophagocytic syndrome.
AB  - Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a disease characterized by
      phagocytosis of blood cells by macrophages within the lymphoreticular tissue. It
      can develop secondary to some diseases or be familial as a result of genetic
      mutations. Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) is a very rare lipid storage disease. A
      three-month-old girl presented with high fever (39 degrees C), abdominal
      distension and paleness. The parents were consanguineous. The liver and spleen
      were palpable 10 cm and 11 cm below the costal margins, respectively. Bicytopenia
      (Hb: 5.5 g/dl, platelet: 77000/mm3), hypertriglyceridemia (351 mg/dl),
      hyperferritinemia (>1500 ng/dl) and hypofibrinogenemia (120 mg/dl) were detected.
      Bone marrow aspiration demonstrated foam cells and hemophagocytosis by
      macrophages and Niemann-Pick cells. Lysosomal sphingomyelinase activity was 0.24
      nmol/h/mg/protein (normal: 0.86-2.8). Due to the parents' refusal of further
      evaluation, the nature of HLH as primary or secondary could not be determined. To
      the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of NPD associated with HLH and
      the first demonstration of hemophagocytosis by Niemann-Pick cells. 

PMID- 27263748
TI  - Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and giant cell hepatitis: Report of three infants.
AB  - Giant cell hepatitis associated with direct Coombs' test-positive hemolytic
      anemia is a rare condition of childhood and the pathogenesis remains unclear. An
      autoimmune activation and loss of self-tolerance in these patients may be the
      underlying pathology related to the response of some of the patients to
      immunosuppressive treatment. Herein, we report the clinical presentation and
      course of three consecutive patients with this rare condition. We conclude that
      serum ferritin at diagnosis may be used for prediction of the outcome. 

PMID- 27263749
TI  - Mega-dose methylprednisolone (MDMP) for chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis.

PMID- 27263750
TI  - Pancreatitis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after Erwinia
      asparaginase: Evaluation of ultrasonography and computerized tomography as
      diagnostic tools.

PMID- 27263751
TI  - Thrombosis and risk factors.

PMID- 27263752
TI  - Laboratory diagnosis of acute leukemia in Iraq, the available options.

PMID- 27263753
TI  - The incidence of alpha-thalassemia in Setif, Algeria.

PMID- 27263754
TI  - FDG-PET in mantle cell lymphoma involving skin.

PMID- 27263755
TI  - Spinal cord involvement of multiple myeloma detected by F-18 FDG PET/CT Scan.

PMID- 27263756
TI  - Use of early hard palate closure using a vomer flap in cleft lip and palate
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of the
      vomer flap during cleft palate closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective
      review was performed of all consecutive unilateral/bilateral complete cleft lip
      and palate (Veau III en IV) children who were treated by a simultaneous lip and
      hard palate closure using a vomer flap. Data were collected for sex, date of
      birth, syndrome, adoption, cleft palate type, type of repair, date of cleft
      repair, cleft width, lateral incisions, fistula and location of fistula. RESULTS:
      Ninety-one children (M = 62, F 29) were operated. Mean age at time of lip closure
      and vomer flap was 5.8 months (range 2.9 months to 49.2 months, SD 7.1) and the
      mean age at palate closure was 13.6 months (range 6.3 months to 79.9 months, SD
      10.8). The mean cleft width at first assessment was 13.0 mm (range 7-22 mm)
      compared to 8.8 mm (range 4-15 mm) at second assessment (mean difference 4.6 mm,
      95% CI 3.93-5.35, p < 0.01). One patient developed a fistula (1.1%) and required
      secondary surgery for closure. CONCLUSION: The vomer flap leads to a substantial
      decrease in cleft width, subsequently leading to a low fistula incidence (1.1%).

PMID- 27263757
TI  - Fluorescence-guided surgery for the treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis
      of the jaw: A prospective cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The delineation of the necrotic bone is a crucial step in the
      surgical treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).
      Several different approaches have been described including the innovative
      technique of fluorescence-guided surgery. However, until now there is a lack of
      data regarding the outcome. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to
      investigate the long-term success rates of fluorescence-guided surgery in the
      treatment of MRONJ. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 54 Patients were prospectively assigned
      for surgical treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw using
      fluorescence-guided surgery. Patients received doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for
      at least seven days preoperatively. Surgical treatment of MRONJ included complete
      removal of necrotic bone, which was monitored using the visual enhanced lesion
      scope (Velscope), followed by smoothening sharp bony edges and meticulous wound
      closure. Procedure success was assessed as postoperative maintenance of full
      mucosal coverage without pain, infection or bone exposure during regular follow
      up. RESULTS: The study included a total of 54 patients (32 female and 22 male,
      mean age 71.4 +/- 9.2 years). In the last follow-up an intact mucosa and absence
      of exposed bone, pain or signs of infection was identified in 47 of 54 patients
      (87%) and 56 of 65 lesions (86.2%) after first surgery using fluorescence
      guidance. In 4 patients with 6 lesions a second fluorescence-guided surgery was
      necessary to achieve complete mucosal closure. Respectively, including the case
      with second surgical attempt 51 of 54 patients (94.4%) and 62 of 65 lesions
      (95.4%) showed complete mucosal healing. CONCLUSION: The study shows that
      fluorescence-guided surgery is a safe and successful treatment option which can
      be considered for all stages of MRONJ. The technique seems also promising for
      MRONJ cases under denosumab.

PMID- 27263758
TI  - Promoting Health for All Kansans Through Mass Media: Lessons Learned From a Pilot
      Assessment of Student Ebola Perceptions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess student knowledge of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and
      opinions about media coverage of EVD. METHODS: We conducted a pilot study with a
      cross-sectional survey and a convenience sample. RESULTS: Sixty-five college
      students participated in the survey and reported a low level of basic knowledge
      of EVD, high health literacy levels, and Internet and health professionals as
      sources for health information. CONCLUSION: This pilot study was an important
      first step to understanding students' knowledge of Ebola, common sources of
      health information, and health literacy levels. Results from this study highlight
      the need to improve health communication training and further evaluate the
      quality of health information dissemination via all communication sources.
      (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:641-643).

PMID- 27263759
TI  - Are Orthopaedic Systematic Reviews Overly Prevalent?
AB  - Systematic Reviews (SRs) are becoming an increasingly utilized resource for
      readers that aims to answer a specific question by critically analyzing multiple
      research studies or papers on a topic. Although an SR can be extremely helpful to
      find an answer to a question, it may also be scrutinized, as the methodology is
      often not robust enough to adequately determine the outcome. This editorial
      serves to highlight the benefits of an SR, the methodology of a high-caliber SR,
      and some common pitfalls that may reduce the impact of an SR.

PMID- 27263760
TI  - Regarding "Magnetic Resonance Imaging Currently Fails to Fully Evaluate the
      Biceps-Labrum Complex and Bicipital Tunnel".

PMID- 27263761
TI  - Editorial Commentary: The Larger Holes or Larger Number of Holes We Drill in the
      Coracoid, the Weaker the Coracoid Becomes.
AB  - The larger holes or larger number of holes we drill in the coracoid, the weaker
      the coracoid becomes. Thus, minimizing bone holes (both size and number) is
      required to lower risk of coracoid process fracture, in patients in whom
      transosseous shoulder acromioclavicular joint reconstruction is indicated. A
      single 2.4-mm-diameter tunnel drilled through both the clavicle and the coracoid
      lowers the risk of fracture, but the risk cannot be entirely eliminated.

PMID- 27263762
TI  - Editorial Commentary: Please Simplify Hip Arthroscopy.
AB  - Hip arthroscopy is a challenging technical procedure for which basic science
      principles have not been thoroughly discerned with respect to the procedures we
      perform. In this commentary, a plea is made to continue to expand the science
      behind what we do, but in as simple a fashion as possible such that more surgeons
      are willing to learn perfect hip arthroscopy.

PMID- 27263763
TI  - Editorial Commentary: Confirming Intuitive Thoughts in Hip Preservation.
AB  - In a biomechanical laboratory study of 63 bovine hip labra examining suture
      configuration, passer size, and radiofrequency treatment, superior biomechanical
      properties were found for vertical and oblique sutures compared with horizontal
      sutures, smaller puncture holes were better compared with large bore holes in the
      labra, and radiofrequency strengthened labra only when horizontal suture
      configuration was used. The authors appropriately acknowledge that suture anchor
      type, presence or absence of knots, and bone quality based on patient
      demographics and considering various regions of the acetabular rim are additional
      important factors. Although the authors wisely advocate caution in extrapolation
      to in vivo behavior, this study represents an important addition to our
      understanding of the importance of suture configuration in labral repair in the
      hip. Given the findings of this study and the present state of the art, the
      current winning formula appears to be labral base refixation with vertical or
      oblique mattress configuration, performed with small diameter suture passage
      devices.

PMID- 27263764
TI  - Editorial Commentary: The Pivot-Shift Phenomenon Is Multifactorial.
AB  - The biomechanical study on the role of the anterior cruciate ligament and
      anterolateral structures in controlling internal tibial rotation has some major
      limitations: creation of a large injury to the anterolateral structures,
      examination only at 30 degrees  of flexion, only one outcome variable (internal
      rotation), and no application of different combined forces. This "worst-case
      scenario" does not represent the typical injury pattern, and therefore the
      results might overestimate the influence of these structures on rotatory laxity.
      Essentially, the pivot-shift phenomenon is multifactorial and injuries or
      insufficiency of the anterolateral structures are only one explanation.

PMID- 27263766
TI  - "Niche" concept and the hematopoietic stem cell niches.
AB  - A stem cell niche is defined as the most suitable tissue microenvironment where
      somatic cells (parent cells) or in some cases extracellular matrix elements and
      stem cells are present in an exclusive interaction. In recent years, promising
      data were published revealing the molecular and functional significance of cell
      cell contacts in stem cell proliferation (self-renewal) and differentiation into
      mature cells. In this brief review, recent progress has been documented with
      special emphasis on the structural-functional relationship between stem cells and
      surrounding cells. Hematopoietic stem cells and their niches are among the most
      studied stem cell types and cell-cell interactions, which have specific as well
      as some common properties observed in other niche sites in the human body. Some
      of the signaling pathways, which are illustrated by original drawings herein,
      obviously play major roles in stem cell self-renewal capacity and differentiation
      status. Therefore, stem cell niches stand as the most critical biological sites
      in stem cell physiology and could also be considered as the new targets for the
      treatment of certain diseases. 

PMID- 27263765
TI  - Editorial Commentary: Iatrogenic Instability of the Hip: A Perfect Storm.
AB  - Iatrogenic instability of the hip is likely a perfect storm with enough factors
      coming together just wrong to create the problem. Capsular neglect is but one
      potential component. Instability is also just one of a myriad of problems that
      can be encountered following hip arthroscopy that ranges on a spectrum from too
      loose to too stiff with numerous reasons in between for incomplete pain relief
      and residual dysfunction. Proper capsular management does not always mean
      capsular repair.

PMID- 27263767
TI  - Red grape seed extract and its compound resveratrol exert cytotoxic effect to
      various human cancer lines.
AB  - Modern medicinal agents currently available for treatment of cancers are very
      expensive, toxic, and less effective in treating some of the disease. Thus, one
      must investigate further in detail the agents derived from natural sources, such
      as grape seed, for the prevention and treatment of cancer and disease. In recent
      years interest of researchers has focused on grape seed and nowadays scientists
      have used extracts of grape seed to treat different health problems including
      cancer. We examined the cytotoxic effect of red grape seed extract (GSE) and its
      main compound resveratrol (RES) on different human cancer cell lines representing
      various solid tumors and hematological malignancies at the same time. Red GSE was
      prepared by using 1, 1, 1, 2- Tetrafluoroethane extraction method. Cytotoxicity
      of the extract and RES was evaluated by using trypan blue dye exclusion method
      and MTT assay. The results of our study show that GSE and RES have cytotoxic
      activities in varying degree in several cancer cell lines. There has not been any
      study evaluating the GES and RES in the same cell lines and in the same
      conditions. But, it is still needed to have more pre-clinical and laboratory
      studies to validate the usefulness of these agents either alone or in combination
      with existing therapy. 

PMID- 27263768
TI  - Thrombocytosis in the neonatal intensive care unit: Experience at a single
      center.
AB  - Although thrombocytosis is frequently detected in newborns, few reports have
      focused on its risk factors. This report documents the characteristics of 89
      neonates with thrombocytosis followed up in a neonatal intensive care unit
      (NICU). We reviewed the patients' medical and laboratory records retrospectively
      to determine the associated conditions and risk factors for neonatal
      thrombocytosis, and complications related to thrombocytosis. We also discussed
      the differences of neonatal thrombocytosis from that of childhood in the light of
      literature. The mean platelet count of these newborns was 579.7 +/- 111.5 (451
      936) x 109/L. Associated conditions included anemia (73.7%), high- isk
      pregnancies (56. %), prematurity (51.7%), infections (37.1%), antenatal drug use
      (22.7%), indirect hyperbilirubinemia (20.2%), cardiac disorders (14.6%),
      respiratory distress syndrome (14.6%), history of hypoxia (13.5%), surgery
      (12.4%), and hemorrhage (3.4%). In most cases, more than one risk factor for
      thrombocytosis existed in the same newborn. No hemorrhagic complications related
      to thrombocytosis were observed; however, 1 newborn had portal vein thrombosis
      associated with intestinal malrotation. In summary, risk factors and associated
      conditions for thrombocytosis in newborns differed from those in children. In
      light of associated disorders, the mechanism of thrombocytosis in newborns may
      differ from that of childhood thrombocytosis. 

PMID- 27263769
TI  - The effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on engraftment in patients
      with lymphoproliferative malignancies and solid tumors undergoing autologous
      peripheral stem cell transplantation.
AB  - The effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and engraftment
      quality on the rate of hematopoietic system recovery were assessed in patients
      with solid tumors and lymphoproliferative diseases after autologous hematopoietic
      stem cell ransplantation. Treatment with autologous hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation was performed in 40 patients for non- Hodgkin's lymphoma (n= 20),
      Hodgkin's lymphoma (n= 8), multiple myeloma (n= 8), and breast cancer (n=4). In
      20 patients with solid tumors and ymphoproliferative diseases, treatment with
      autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was followed by G-CSF therapy
      (experimental group). Another 20 patients with solid tumors and
      lymphoproliferative diseases were treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation without G-CSF therapy (control group). The two patient groups
      were matched for age, sex, diagnosis, number of chemotherapy courses, and
      engraftment quality (nucleated cells or CD34+ cells). The experimental group
      received G-CSF in a dose of 5 MUg/kg body weight subcutoneous from day 1 of
      autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation until leukocyte count increase
      to > 1.0 x 109/L over three consecutive days. Nonparametric tests (x2-test,
      median test, extended median test) were used in statistical analysis. The
      hematopoietic system showed rapid recovery. Leukocyte count > 1.0 x 109/L was
      recorded on median day 11 (range 8-21) in the experimental group vs median day 12
      (range 9-16) in the control group; gra-nulocyte count > 0.5 x 109/L on median day
      12 (range 8-23) vs day 14 (range 10-16) in the control group; and platelet count
      > 20 x 109/L on median day 13 (range 8-80) vs day 11 (range 7-15) in the control
      group. Differences between the two patient groups were not statistically
      significant. G-CSF therapy administered after autologous hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation did not result in faster leukocyte, granulocyte or platelet
      recovery. The patients receiving a relatively lower number of cells showed the
      same rate of recovery as those who received a higher cell number. The number of
      CD34+ cells per kg body weight did not correlate with the rate of leukocyte,
      granulocyte or platelet recovery. 

PMID- 27263770
TI  - Hypericium perforatum extract (St. John's Wort) and hypericin induce apoptosis in
      leukemic HL-60 cells by effecting h-TERT activity.
AB  - Hypericin is the main active component of Hypericium perforatum (St. John's
      Wort). Hypericin has been proven to have antitumoral effect in in vitro condition
      against solid tumors by deteriorating the mitochondrial functions. It has also
      anti-leukemic effect in in vitro conditions. However, there has not been any
      comparative study with hypericin and extract obtained from Hypericium perforatum
      L. In this study, it has been aimed to investigate the potential cytotoxic role
      of the extract obtained from Hypericium perforatum grown in Ege region on
      leukemic cell line, to compare the cytotoxic effects of both extract and
      hypericin in HL-60 cells, and to clarify the underlying mechanism(s) of this
      cytotoxicity. Hypericium perforatum extract was used in dilutions as 1/1000,
      1/5000, 1/10.000, 1/50.000 and the IC50 value was found to be as 1/10.000
      dilution. Hypericin was found to have cytotoxicity in HL-60 cells in time and
      dose dependent manner between the doses of 1nM to 100 MUM with IC50 dose of 0.5
      MUM. Hypericin with the dose of 0.5 MUM had similar cytotoxicity pattern with the
      cytotoxicity curve obtained with 1/10000 diluted extract. Apoptosis as an
      underlying mechanism of this cytoxocity was shown in HL-60 cells after incubation
      with IC50 dose of hypericin which was more remarkable at 48th hours by using
      acridine orange/ethidium bromide dye method. Total RNA was isolated
      concomittantly and h-TERT mRNA expression was analyzed at Light Cycler Real-time
      online polymerase chain reaction and it was found that the mRNA expression was
      meaningfully decreased at 48th hour of incubation of cells with hypericin.
      According to results of this study, we have shown that hypericin, as main
      cytotoxic compound of Hypericium perforatum L, induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells
      via effecting h-TERT mRNA expression. 

PMID- 27263771
TI  - Gallbladder infiltration in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PMID- 27263772
TI  - Deep vein thrombosis in a child with Down syndrome: A case report.
AB  - We report on the case of iliofemoral popliteal vein thrombosis in a child with
      Down syndrome who had surgery for a congenital heart defect. She was readmitted
      to our hospital because of gastroenteritis and generalized tonic-clonic seizures
      at age 14 months. On the second day of hospitalization, color Doppler
      ultrasonography revealed right iliofemoral and popliteal vein thrombosis. She was
      treated successfully with intravenous fluids and low-molecular-weight heparin. No
      predisposing factor other than dehydration could be found in the patient. We
      suggest that dehydration should be kept in mind as a cause of deep-vein
      thrombosis in patients with severe dehydration. 

PMID- 27263773
TI  - Good tolerance of high dose cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate after severe
      myelosuppression secondary to intrathecal administration of the same agents.

PMID- 27263774
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263775
TI  - Immune pathophysiology of acquired aplastic anemia.
AB  - Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is a hematopoietic dyscrasia characterized by
      pancytopenia and bone marrow hypoplasia. AA is considered to be caused mainly by
      T-cell attacks on hematopoietic stem cells, as assumption based on good responses
      to T-cell specific immunosuppressive therapy (IST). Several markers, such as HLA
      DRB1(*)1501 and an increase in the percentage of paroxysmal nocturnal
      hemoglobinuria (PNH) phenotype cells, have been shown to represent the immune
      pathophysiology of AA. However, little is known about the pathogenesis of AA.
      This review article focuses on immune mechanisms underlying the development of AA
      and the roles of the aforementioned markers in the management of bone marrow
      failure.

PMID- 27263776
TI  - Cord blood transplantation in Japan.
AB  - Cord blood transplantation (CBT) has increasingly been used in Japan and the
      annual number of CBT now exceeds 1,200. The cumulative number of CBT reached
      12,853 in 2015, accounting for almost 1/3 of total CBT performed worldwide. It is
      true that smaller body size and lower costs, as compared to western countries,
      have been advantages for Japanese people in using CB as graft alternative. In
      addition, several novel findings regarding serious issues following CBT have been
      obtained, which further enhanced the use of CB. First, several mechanisms of
      engraftment failure following CBT other than cell dose have been reported, such
      as the presence of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies or the development of
      hemophagocytic syndrome. Second, unique profiles of infectious complications
      following CBT have been reported, such as higher incidences of early bacterial
      infections and HHV-6 encephalitis, as compared to those following bone marrow
      (BM)/peripheral blood (PB) transplants. Third, the incidence of disease relapse
      was comparable to those following BM/PB transplants. Novel pre-transplant
      conditioning regimens using intravenous busulfan have been investigated with
      promising results being obtained to date. A recent analysis of Japanese
      transplant registry data revealed similar survival following CBT to HLA-matched
      unrelated BM/PB transplants.

PMID- 27263777
TI  - Mechanism of action and determinants of sensitivity to the proteasome inhibitor
      bortezomib in multiple myeloma therapy.
AB  - Bortezomib (BTZ), a proteasome inhibitor, has been widely used for the treatment
      of multiple myeloma (MM), including newly diagnosed as well as relapsed and
      refractory cases, and is considered to be a key drug in the induction therapy for
      MM. However, the precise mechanism underlying the action of this agent has yet to
      be fully elucidated. Predicting sensitivity to BTZ treatment by using adequate
      biomarkers would aid in the development of individual targeted therapies for MM.
      Herein, by reviewing preclinical studies using MM cell lines and other
      investigations that have analyzed primary MM samples from patients, we describe
      in detail the induction of MM cell death by proteasome inhibition and the factors
      that regulate the sensitivity of the proteasome inhibitor BTZ in MM cells.

PMID- 27263778
TI  - Epigenetic regulation of cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance acquisition in
      multiple myeloma.
AB  - Elucidation of the epigenetic mechanisms underlying drug resistance may greatly
      contribute to the advancement of cancer therapies. In the present study, we
      identified trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine-27 (H3K27me3) as a critical
      histone modification for cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR), which
      is the most important form of drug resistance in multiple myeloma. Cell adhesion
      counteracted drug-induced hypermethylation of H3K27 via inactivating
      phosphorylation of EZH2, leading to sustained expression of anti-apoptotic genes
      including IGF1, BCL2 and HIF1A. Inhibition of the IGF-1R/PI3K/Akt pathway
      reversed CAM-DR by promoting EZH2 dephosphorylation and H3K27 hypermethylation
      both in vitro and in refractory murine myeloma models. To our knowledge, this is
      the first demonstration of an epigenetic mechanism underlying CAM-DR and provides
      a rationale for the inclusion of kinase inhibitors counteracting EZH2
      phosphorylation in combination chemotherapy aimed at increasing the therapeutic
      index.

PMID- 27263779
TI  - Discovery of the target for immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs).
AB  - Half a century ago, the sedative thalidomide caused a serious drug disaster
      because of its teratogenicity and was withdrawn from the market. However,
      thalidomide, which has returned to the market, is now used for the treatment of
      leprosy and multiple myeloma (MM) under strict control. The mechanism of
      thalidomide action had been a long-standing question. We developed a new affinity
      bead technology and identified cereblon (CRBN) as a thalidomide-binding protein.
      We found that CRBN functions as a substrate receptor of an E3 cullin-Ring ligase
      complex 4 (CRL4) and is a primary target of thalidomide teratogenicity. Recently,
      new thalidomide derivatives, called immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), have been
      developed by Celgene. Among them, lenalidomide (Len) and pomalidomide (Pom) were
      shown to exert strong therapeutic effects against MM. It was found that Len and
      Pom both bind CRBN-CRL4 and recruit neomorphic substrates (Ikaros and Aiolos).
      More recently it was reported that casein kinase 1a (Ck1a) was identified as a
      substrate for CRBN-CRL4 in the presence of Len, but not Pom. Ck1a breakdown
      explains why Len is specifically effective for myelodysplastic syndrome with 5q
      deletion. It is now proposed that binding of IMiDs to CRBN appears to alter the
      substrate specificity of CRBN-CRL4. In this review, we introduce recent findings
      on IMiDs.

PMID- 27263780
TI  - Mechanisms of drug resistance and sensitivity concerning novel agents for
      multiple myeloma.
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic plasma-cell disorder characterized by
      clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow
      microenvironment. Novel treatments such as proteasome inhibitors and
      immunomodulatory agents significantly prolong both progression free survival and
      overall survival (OS) in patients with MM. However, recent clinical data have
      indicated that it is difficult to eradicate all MM clones even with the
      administration of such novel agents. To overcome drug resistance (DR), further
      investigation of the mechanism underlying DR is required, and strategies to up
      regulate, maintain, and restore drug sensitivity will become increasingly
      important in the clinical setting. The findings from basic research focusing on
      the microenvironment, genetic abnormalities, and signal transduction disturbances
      related to MM pathogenesis are excellent strategies for developing new agents. In
      addition, based on the improved OS over 10 years and the low continuation rate of
      standard therapy in frail patients, a stratified strategy has the potential to
      provide total therapy.

PMID- 27263781
TI  - Prognostic significance of pleural/pericardial effusion and treatment
      optimization of PMBL.
AB  - The optimal treatment strategy for primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma
      (PMBL) remains unknown. We retrospectively analyzed 345 patients with newly
      diagnosed PMBL to identify prognostic factors and optimal treatments. Focusing on
      patients treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone,
      and rituximab (R-CHOP) (N=187), a higher International Prognostic Index (IPI) and
      the presence of pleural or pericardial effusion were identified as adverse
      prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in patients treated with R-CHOP
      without consolidative radiation therapy (RT) [IPI: hazard ratio (HR), 4.23; 95%
      confidence interval (CI), 1.48-12.13; P=0.007; effusion: HR, 4.93; 95% CI, 1.37
      17.69; P=0.015]. Combined with IPI and the presence of pleural or pericardial
      effusion for the stratification of patients treated with R-CHOP without RT, those
      with lower IPI and the absence of effusion comprised approximately onehalf of
      these patients and could be identified as curable [OS and progression free
      survival (PFS) at 4 years, 95% and 87%, respectively)] Taken together, our simple
      indicators of IPI and the presence of effusion could stratify patients with PMBL
      and thereby facilitate treatment selection.

PMID- 27263782
TI  - Identification of human erythroid lineage-committed progenitors.
AB  - Elucidating the developmental pathway leading to erythrocytes and being able to
      isolate their progenitors is crucial to understanding and treating disorders of
      red cell imbalance such as anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and polycythemia
      vera. Endoglin (CD105) is a key marker for purifying mouse erythroid lineage
      committed progenitors (EPs) from bone marrow. Herein, we show that human EPs can
      also be isolated from adult bone marrow. We identified three subfractions that
      possessed different expression patterns of CD105 and CD71 within the previously
      defined human megakaryocyte/erythrocyte progenitor (hMEP; Lineage
      CD34(+)CD38(+)IL-3Ralpha(-)CD45RA(-)) population. Both CD71(-)CD105(-) and
      CD71(+)CD105(-) MEPs, at least in vitro, retained bipotency for the megakaryocyte
      (MegK) and erythrocyte (E) lineages, although the latter sub-population had a
      differentiation potential skewed toward the E-lineage. Notably, the
      differentiation output of the CD71(+)CD105(+) subset of cells within the MEP
      population was completely restricted to the E-lineage with the loss of MegK
      potential; thus, we termed CD71(+)CD105(-) MEPs and CD71(+)CD105(+) cells as E
      biased MEPs (E-MEPs) and EPs, respectively. These previously unclassified
      populations may facilitate understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing
      human erythroid development and serve as potential therapeutic targets in
      disorders of the erythroid lineage.

PMID- 27263783
TI  - Efficacy and safety of denosumab in multiple myeloma.
AB  - We analyzed 11 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated using denosumab in our
      institute. The median age was 69 years (range, 54-76 years), and 7 patients were
      male. Seven patients had presented with newly diagnosed MM. Four patients were
      initially treated with zoledronic acid, which was then later switched to
      denosumab. The median number of injections was 15 (range, 1-27). No patients
      developed skeletal-related events (SRE) during denosumab treatment. Hypocalcemia
      was defined as serum calcium levels below the baseline in all patients. To
      prevent hypocalcemia, 8 patients were administered oral calcium. The first course
      of denosumab injections in 9 patients resulted in more marked decreases in serum
      calcium concentrations than subsequent courses. Two patients discontinued
      denosumab after osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) was suspected, but squamous cell
      carcinoma was later identified in one of these cases. Denosumab might be
      effective and safe for preventing SRE. Cautionary measurement of serum calcium
      concentrations and prophylactic supplementation with oral calcium are warranted
      to avoid hypocalcemia after the first denosumab injection. The possibility of ONJ
      also merits attention. The clinical diagnosis of ONJ should be considered based
      on performing appropriate histological analyses.

PMID- 27263784
TI  - Development tuberculous meningitis during chemotherapy for CD5-positive diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma.
AB  - The patient was a 62-year-old woman with CD5(+) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
      Treatment with the R-CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin,
      vincristine, and prednisolone) was started. On the eleventh day of the third
      cycle, headache and low grade fever developed. Her consciousness gradually
      deteriorated. Seven days after symptom onset, she was brought to the emergency
      department of our hospital. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed a white
      blood cell count of 25/MUl, and a protein level of 188 mg/dl. Antibacterial and
      antiviral agents were administered based on a diagnosis of acute meningitis. She
      showed no improvement. We performed another lumbar puncture and intrathecal
      chemotherapy, a combination of methotrexate and dexamethasone, was administered
      because we suspected central nervous system involvement of lymphoma. She showed
      transient improvement. On day 12, we started the R-MPV regimen (rituximab,
      methotrexate, procarbazine, and vincristine). However, fever and disturbance of
      consciousness persisted. On day 20, we empirically started anti-tuberculosis
      treatment. Four days later, tubercle bacilli were confirmed by CSF culture after
      a 23-day incubation. We ultimately confirmed a diagnosis of tuberculous
      meningitis. Impaired cellular immunity in lymphoma patients increases the risk of
      tuberculosis. It is important to consider tuberculous meningitis in the
      differential diagnosis of a lymphoma patient presenting with meningitis.

PMID- 27263785
TI  - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma recurring with zosteriform cutaneous lesions.
AB  - A 75-year-old woman presented with edema of the left leg in December 2012. On
      examination, there was a palpable 5-cm tumor in the left lower abdomen, and
      PET/CT showed lymphadenopathy of the tracheal, para-aortic, left iliac and
      inguinal regions with increased FDG uptake. We performed histopathological
      examination of the iliac lymph node and diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
      (DLBCL), stage IIIA. The patient received 8 courses of R-CHOP chemotherapy and
      achieved a complete response. In April 2014, she noticed seven new painful
      erythematous vesicles <1 cm in size on the skin of the left lower abdominal
      region. Herpes zoster was suspected and valacyclovir was administered. However,
      this medication had no effect, and the vesicles enlarged and became nodular.
      Histopathological examination of one of the skin lesions revealed the
      infiltration of DLBCL and the diagnosis of zosteriform cutaneous recurrence of
      DLBCL was thus made. Skin lesions mimicking herpes zoster have been reported in
      certain types of hematological malignancies, and histopathological diagnosis
      should be performed in such cases.

PMID- 27263786
TI  - Chronic myeloid leukemia relapsing ten years after allogenic bone marrow
      transplantation.
AB  - A 58-year-old female was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic
      myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast crisis (BC) in 2004. The patient received
      imatinib, which quickly induced molecular remission, and subsequently underwent
      bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from an unrelated human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
      identical donor. The post-transplant clinical course was essentially uneventful.
      In 2014, ten years after the BMT, the patient was admitted to our hospital
      complaining of lymphadenopathy, and blasts were observed in peripheral blood. The
      patient was diagnosed as having a CML relapse in myeloid BC, with leukemic
      infiltration in lymph nodes, and was treated with dasatinib. Subsequently,
      pleural effusion developed and nilotinib was administered, which induced normal
      blood counts without blasts and partial cytogenetic remission, one month after
      administration. Six months after the relapse, this patient underwent a second BMT
      from an HLA-matched unrelated donor. Recent studies have demonstrated the
      cumulative incidence of CML relapse more than five years after allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) to be higher than in acute
      myeloid leukemia. Although rare, the possibility of late relapse should be
      considered in patients diagnosed with CML after allo-HSCT.

PMID- 27263787
TI  - Achievement of hemodialysis discontinuation with lenalidomide and dexamethasone
      therapy in a refractory BJP-type multiple myeloma patient.
AB  - A 63-year-old man with Bence Jones-kappa multiple myeloma (MM) presented with
      renal impairment. First, we administered a bortezomib-containing regimen which is
      considered to be the first choice among therapeutic approaches for MM patients
      with renal failure. However, his condition was refractory to bortezomib, and the
      renal dysfunction worsened (creatinine 12.55mg/dl) necessitating the initiation
      of hemodialysis. Subsequently, we administered an adjusted dose of lenalidomide
      and dexamethasone. Dialysis could be discontinued after 3 cycles of lenalidomide
      therapy. After 4 cycles, he achieved a stringent complete response (sCR) with the
      creatinine level at 1.85mg/dl. This case suggests lenalidomide to be an effective
      drug for patients with multiple myeloma and renal impairment refractory to
      treatment with bortezomib.

PMID- 27263788
TI  - Reversible dasatinib-related pulmonary arterial hypertension in a CML patient.
AB  - A 59-year-old man diagnosed with the chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia
      (CML) in June 2011 was started on dasatinib (100 mg/day). He had no signs of
      pleural effusion (PE) or right heart failure before treatment, but symptoms of PE
      and dyspnea (New York Heart Association class III) appeared in January 2013 and
      May 2014, respectively. Doppler transthoracic echocardiography and right heart
      catheterization revealed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with an estimated
      pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) of 80 mmHg and estimated mean pulmonary
      artery pressure of 29 mmHg. Rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, dsDNA
      antibody, and SCL70 were not elevated, and computed tomography confirmed the
      absence of a pulmonary embolism. Therefore, dasatinib-related PAH was diagnosed
      and treatment with this agent was discontinued. The PASP had decreased to 51 and
      40 mmHg at one month and one year, respectively, after dasatinib discontinuation.
      This patient developed PAH while receiving dasatinib administration and only
      discontinuation of this agent improved his symptoms. The possibility that
      dasatinib can cause PAH must be considered before administering this agent to
      patients with CML.

PMID- 27263790
TI  - Multiple myeloma developing in a patient with immune thrombocytopenia.
AB  - A female diagnosed as having immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was found to
      be simultaneously suffering from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined
      significance (IgGlambda). Urine Bence-Jones protein was negative. During the
      course, plasma cells accounted for 21.6% of the bone marrow. Based on these
      clinical features in our case, the second disease was diagnosed as multiple
      myeloma (MM). Both ITP and MM were successfully treated with corticosteroids,
      bortezomib, lenalidomide with dexamethasone and eltrombopag olamine. MM with ITP
      may show the following features: 1) the great majority are IgG types, 2) lambda
      chain types show marked light chain predominance when these two diseases appear
      simultaneously, 3) kappa chain types are predominant in the cases with MM
      followed by ITP, and 4) MM cases with ITP are more often seen in Japan.

PMID- 27263789
TI  - Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection with marked pericardial effusion
      successfully treated with allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
AB  - A 23-year-old woman presented with a persistent fever and shortness of breath.
      Computed tomography showed marked pericardial effusion, hepatosplenomegaly, and
      cervical and mediastinal lymph node swelling. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody
      titers were abnormally elevated, and the copy number of EBV-DNA was increased in
      peripheral blood. Based on these observations, she was diagnosed with chronic
      active EBV infection (CAEBV). The EBV-infected cells in her peripheral blood were
      CD4(+)T lymphocytes. Fever and pericardial effusion improved following treatment
      with a combination of prednisolone, etoposide, and cyclosporine; however,
      peripheral blood EBV-DNA levels remained high. The patient underwent allogeneic
      peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from an EBV-seronegative, HLA-matched
      sibling donor, with fludarabine and melphalan conditioning. The post
      transplantation course was uneventful, except for mild skin acute graft-versus
      host disease (grade 2). EBV-DNA became undetectable in peripheral blood 98 days
      post transplantation. She has since been in good health without disease
      recurrence. CAEBV is a potentially fatal disease caused by persistent EBV
      infection of T lymphocytes or natural killer cells, thus requiring prompt
      treatment and allogeneic transplantation. Pericardial effusion is rarely observed
      in CAEBV and can impede its diagnosis. Therefore, we should be aware that
      patients may present with marked pericardial effusion as an initial manifestation
      of CAEBV.

PMID- 27263791
TI  - ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma with loss of CD30 expression during
      treatment with brentuximab vedotin.
AB  - A 59-year-old woman with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), ALK-negative, was
      treated with brentuximab vedotin (BV) against relapse after 6 regimens of
      systemic chemotherapy and radiation. Despite achieving an initial response, skin
      lesions worsened after 11 courses. A skin biopsy after the development of
      resistance to BV confirmed loss of CD30 expression by the tumor cells, suggesting
      a possible cause of resistance. This case shows that down-regulation of CD30 does
      occur during BV treatment, resulting in resistance to this drug. Because of this
      possibility, in the future, expression of CD30 should be carefully monitored with
      extended use of BV against ALCL.

PMID- 27263793
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27263792
TI  - Development of myelofibrosis during eltrombopag treatment in a patient with
      immune thrombocytopenia.
AB  - Eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist, is effective for treating
      refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, the development of bone marrow
      fibrosis is a concern. A 78-year-old man was diagnosed with ITP in 2004. His
      platelet count did not increase after eltrombopag treatment initiation in 2014.
      However, anemia progressed, along with the presence of immature myelocytes,
      erythroblasts, and tear drop cells. At 8 months after initiating eltrombopag
      treatment, the patient underwent a bone marrow biopsy that showed grade 2
      myelofibrosis. Hence, eltrombopag was discontinued. In our experience with this
      case indicates that careful observation is required while using TPO receptor
      agonists.

PMID- 27263794
TI  - Bacterial contamination of water samples in Gabon, 2013.
AB  - Contamination of water is a major burden in the public health setting of
      developing countries. We therefore assessed the quality of water samples in Gabon
      in 2013. The main findings were a contamination rate with coliforms of 13.5% and
      the detection of a possible environmental reservoir for extended spectrum beta
      lactamase-producing bacteria.

PMID- 27263795
TI  - Evaluating a Hospitalist-Based Intervention to Decrease Unnecessary Antimicrobial
      Use in Patients With Asymptomatic Bacteriuria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Inappropriate treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in the
      hospital setting is common. We sought to evaluate the treatment rate of ASB at
      the 3 hospitals and assess the impact of a hospitalist-focused improvement
      intervention. DESIGN Prospective, interventional trial. SETTING Two community
      hospitals and a tertiary-care academic center. PATIENTS Adult patients with a
      positive urine culture admitted to hospitalist services were included in this
      study. Exclusions included pregnancy, intensive care unit admission, history of a
      major urinary procedure, and actively being treated for a urinary tract infection
      (UTI) at the time of admission or >48 hours prior to urine collection.
      INTERVENTIONS An educational intervention using a pocket card was implemented at
      all sites followed by a pharmacist-based intervention at the academic center.
      Medical records of the first 50 eligible patients at each site were reviewed at
      baseline and after each intervention for signs and symptoms of UTI,
      microbiological results, antimicrobials used, and duration of treatment for
      positive urine cultures. Diagnosis of ASB was determined through adjudication by
      2 hospitalists and 2 infectious diseases physicians. RESULTS Treatment rates of
      ASB decreased (23.5%; P=.001) after the educational intervention. Reductions in
      treatment rates for ASB differed by site and were greatest in patients without
      classic signs and symptoms of UTI (34.1%; P<.001) or urinary catheters (31.2%;
      P<.001). The pharmacist-based intervention was most effective at reducing ASB
      treatment rates in catheterized patients. CONCLUSIONS A hospitalist-focused
      educational intervention significantly reduced ASB treatment rates. The impact
      varied across sites and by patient characteristics, suggesting that a tailored
      approach may be useful. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:1044-1051.

PMID- 27263796
TI  - Unconventional supercapacitors from nanocarbon-based electrode materials to
      device configurations.
AB  - As energy storage devices, supercapacitors that are also called electrochemical
      capacitors possess high power density, excellent reversibility and long cycle
      life. The recent boom in electronic devices with different functions in
      transparent LED displays, stretchable electronic systems and artificial skin has
      increased the demand for supercapacitors to move towards light, thin, integrated
      macro- and micro-devices with transparent, flexible, stretchable, compressible
      and/or wearable abilities. The successful fabrication of such supercapacitors
      depends mainly on the preparation of innovative electrode materials and the
      design of unconventional supercapacitor configurations. Tremendous research
      efforts have been recently made to design and construct innovative nanocarbon
      based electrode materials and supercapacitors with unconventional configurations.
      We review here recent developments in supercapacitors from nanocarbon-based
      electrode materials to device configurations. The advances in nanocarbon-based
      electrode materials mainly include the assembly technologies of macroscopic
      nanostructured electrodes with different dimensions of carbon
      nanotubes/nanofibers, graphene, mesoporous carbon, activated carbon, and their
      composites. The electrodes with macroscopic nanostructured carbon-based materials
      overcome the issues of low conductivity, poor mechanical properties, and limited
      dimensions that are faced by conventional methods. The configurational design of
      advanced supercapacitor devices is presented with six types of unconventional
      supercapacitor devices: flexible, micro-, stretchable, compressible, transparent
      and fiber supercapacitors. Such supercapacitors display unique configurations and
      excellent electrochemical performance at different states such as bending,
      stretching, compressing and/or folding. For example, all-solid-state simplified
      supercapacitors that are based on nanostructured graphene composite paper are
      able to maintain 95% of the original capacity at a 180 degrees  folding state.
      The progress made so far will guide further developments in the structural design
      of nanocarbon-based electrode materials and the configurational diversity of
      supercapacitor devices. Future developments and prospects in the controllable
      assembly of macroscopic nanostructured electrodes and the innovation of
      unconventional supercapacitor configurations are also discussed. This should shed
      light on the R&D of supercapacitors. 

PMID- 27263797
TI  - Ni(ii)/Cu(ii)/Zn(ii) 5,5-diethylbarbiturate complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline
      and 2,2'-dipyridylamine: synthesis, structures, DNA/BSA binding, nuclease
      activity, molecular docking, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and the mode of cell
      death.
AB  - New 5,5-diethylbarbiturate (barb) complexes of Ni(ii), Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) with
      1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,2'-dipyridylamine (dpya), namely [Ni(phen
      kappaN,N')3]Cl(barb).7H2O (), [Cu(barb-kappaN)(barb-kappa(2)N,O)(phen
      kappaN,N')].H2O (), [Cu(barb-kappaN)2(phen-kappaN,N')] (), [Zn(barb-kappaN)2(phen
      kappaN,N')].H2O (), [Ni(barb-kappa(2)N,O)(dpya-kappaN,N')2]Cl.2H2O (), [Cu(barb
      kappa(2)N,O)2(dpya-kappaN,N')].2H2O () and [Zn(barb-kappaN)2(dpya-kappaN,N')] (),
      were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-vis, FT-IR and ESI
      MS. The structures of the complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography.
      Notably, and were fluorescent in MeOH : H2O at rt. The interaction of the
      complexes with fish sperm (FS) DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was
      investigated in detail by various techniques. The complexes exhibited groove
      binding along with a partial intercalative interaction with DNA, while the
      hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions played a major role in binding to
      BSA. It is noteworthy that exhibited the highest affinity towards DNA and BSA.
      Enzyme inhibition assay showed that show a preference for both A/T and G/C rich
      sequences in pUC19 DNA, while and display a binding specificity to the G/C and
      A/T rich regions, respectively. These findings were further supported by
      molecular docking. The cellular uptake studies suggested that was deposited
      mostly in the membrane fraction of the cells. Among the present complexes,
      exhibited a very strong cytotoxic effect on A549, MCF-7, HT-29 and DU-145 cancer
      cells, being more potent than cisplatin. Moreover, induces cell death through the
      apoptotic mode obtained by flow cytometry. 

PMID- 27263798
TI  - Sequential interventional treatment of right-sided lung cancer with complete lung
      atelectasis: A case report.

PMID- 27263799
TI  - Corrigendum to "beta-Adrenergic receptors couple to CFTR chloride channels of
      intercalated mitochondria-rich cells in the heterocellular toad skin epithelium"
      [Biochim. Biophy. Acta 1618 (2003) 140-152].

PMID- 27263801
TI  - Strain-induced spin crossover and spin-polarized currents in a prototype graphene
      nanoribbon.
AB  - Graphene nanoribbons with well defined edges have been shown to possess high
      conductivities and behave like a quantum wire. Methods from synthetic organic
      chemistry have successfully been applied to produce such nanoribbons with smooth
      and chemically stable edges by saturation with hydrogen. Herein, we present ab
      initio calculations in a family of molecules related to the thinnest graphene
      nanoribbon, substitutionally doped with sulfur, for which synthetic methods are
      available. We show that sulfur doping can suppress the polyradical nature of
      these molecules. A strain-induced transition to a magnetic state is predicted for
      some of the studied molecules, at elongations as low as 1 A. The transport
      properties were calculated using the Landauer-Imry elastic scattering theory. It
      is shown that in the strain-induced magnetic state, the molecular conductance
      associated with the minority spins is three orders of magnitude larger than that
      of the majority of the spins, thus providing evidence of a graphene nanoribbon
      spin filter. 

PMID- 27263803
TI  - A healthy female with C3 hypocomplementemia and C3 Nephritic Factor.

PMID- 27263802
TI  - An evaluation of health care expenditures in Crohn's disease using the United
      States Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2003 to 2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous estimates of the economic burden of Crohn's disease (CD)
      varied widely from $2.0 to $18.2 billion per year (adjusted to 2015 $US).
      However, these estimates do not reflect recent changes in pharmaceutical
      treatment options and guidelines. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to update
      cost estimates of Crohn's disease based on a representative sample of the US
      population from the most recent 11 years (2003-2013) of the Medical Expenditure
      Panel Survey (MEPS). A secondary aim described expenditure trends in respondents
      with and without Crohn's disease pre-post FDA approvals of new biologics and the
      American College of Gastroenterology Crohn's disease treatment guidelines.
      METHODS: Average annual expenditures (total, prescription, inpatient, and
      outpatient) were evaluated using a pooled cross-sectional design. Respondent data
      from the most recent 11 years (2003-2013) of MEPS were analyzed. Two-part
      generalized linear models with power-link were used to estimate the average
      annual expenditures per patient adjusted to multiple covariates. Confidence
      intervals (CI) were estimated using bootstrap methods. Difference-in-differences
      estimations were performed to compare the changes in health care expenditures pre
      post FDA approvals of new biologics and the American College of Gastroenterology
      Crohn's disease treatment guidelines. RESULTS: The annual aggregate economic
      burden of CD was $6.3 billion in the US. Respondents with CD had higher total
      (+$6442; 95% CI: $4864 to $8297), prescription (+$3283; 95% CI: $2289 to $4445),
      inpatient (+$1764; 95% CI: $748 to $3551), and outpatient (+$1191; 95% CI: $592
      to $2160) expenditures compared to respondents without CD. In the difference-in
      differences estimation, respondents with CD had significantly higher total (P =
      0.001) and prescription (P < 0.001) expenditures compared with respondents
      without CD. Although inpatient and outpatient expenditures were higher in
      respondents with CD, they were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS:
      Respondents with CD diagnosis had higher expenditures compared to respondents
      without CD diagnosis from 2003 to 2013. This study captured the most recent
      availability of new treatment options and changes to treatment guidelines, while
      providing updated estimates of the economic burden of CD in the US. However, this
      research was unable to study the causes of these increased health care
      expenditures in respondents with CD. Future investigations will need to determine
      the causal factors for increased expenditures in CD.

PMID- 27263804
TI  - Cytokine profile in adult-onset Still's disease: Comparison with systemic
      juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
AB  - To compare pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles and kinetics in patients with adult
      onset Still's disease (AOSD) to those in patients with systemic juvenile
      idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA), we analyzed serum cytokine concentrations in 33
      patients with AOSD and 77 patients with s-JIA and compared them with clinical
      features. Patients with AOSD and s-JIA shared a common cytokine profile pattern
      of a significant increase in IL-18. Patients with AOSD were classified into two
      subgroups based on serum IL-6 and IL-18 levels. The number of patients with
      arthritis was significantly higher in the IL-6-dominant subgroup. The cytokine
      patterns associated with s-JIA and AOSD share common features, such as a
      significant and predominant increase in IL-18. Distinct IL-6- and IL-18-based
      cytokine profiles might be responsible for distinct clinical manifestations. The
      presence of two distinct subgroups in patients with both diseases further
      supports the view that s-JIA and AOSD share a disease category. 

PMID- 27263805
TI  - Enhanced quantum efficiency from a mosaic of two dimensional MoS2 formed onto
      aminosilane functionalised substrates.
AB  - Developing scalable methods of growing two dimensional molybdenum disulphide (2D
      MoS2) with strong optical properties, on any desired substrates, is a necessary
      step towards industrial uptake of this material for optical applications. In this
      study, Si/SiO2 substrates were functionalised using self-assembled monolayers of
      three different aminosilanes with various numbers of amine groups and molecular
      lengths as underlayers for enhancing the adherence of the molybdenum precursor.
      The tetrahedral [MoS4](2-) anion groups from the molybdenum precursor were bonded
      on these silanised Si/SiO2 substrates afterwards. The substrates were then
      treated with a combined thermolysis and sulphurisation step. The results showed
      that silanisation of the substrates using the longest chains and the largest
      number of amine groups provided a good foundation to grow quasi 2D MoS2 made from
      adjacent flakes in a mosaic formation. Microscopy and spectroscopy investigations
      revealed that these quasi 2D MoS2 formed using this long chain aminosilane
      resulted in flakes with lateral dimensions in micron and submicron ranges
      composed of adjoining MoS2 pieces of 20 to 60 nm in lateral dimensions,
      dominantly made of 3 to 5 MoS2 fundamental layers. The obtained quasi 2D MoS2
      shows a high internal quantum efficiency of 2.6% associated with the quantum
      confinement effect and high stoichiometry of the adjoining nanoflakes that form
      the structure of the sheets. The synthesis technique in this study is reliable
      and facile and offers a procedure to form large, scalable and patternable quasi
      2D MoS2 sheets on various substrates with enhanced optical properties for
      practical applications. 

PMID- 27263806
TI  - Heterologous expression of five disulfide-bonded insecticidal spider peptides.
AB  - The genes of the five disulfide-bonded peptide toxins 1 and 2 (named Oxytoxins or
      Oxotoxins) from the spider Oxyopes lineatus were cloned into the expression
      vector pQE30 containing a 6His-tag and a Factor Xa proteolytic cleavage region.
      These two recombinant vectors were transfected into Escherichia coli BL21 cells
      and expressed under induction with isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG). The product
      of each gene was named HisrOxyTx1 or HisrOxyTx2, and the protein expression was
      ca 14 and 6 mg/L of culture medium, respectively. Either recombinant toxin
      HisrOxyTx1 or HisrOxyTx2 were found exclusively in inclusion bodies, which were
      solubilized using a chaotropic agent, and then, purified using affinity
      chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC). The HisrOxyTx1 and HisrOxyTx2
      products, obtained from the affinity chromatographic step, showed several peptide
      fractions having the same molecular mass of 9913.1 and 8030.1 Da, respectively,
      indicating that both HisrOxyTx1 and HisrOxyTx2 were oxidized forming several
      distinct disulfide bridge arrangements. The isoforms of both HisrOxyTx1 and
      HisrOxyTx2 after DTT reduction eluted from the column as a single protein
      component of 9923 and 8040 Da, respectively. In vitro folding of either
      HisrOxyTx1 or HisrOxyTx2 yielded single oxidized components, which were cleaved
      independently by the proteolytic enzyme Factor Xa to give the recombinant
      peptides rOxyTx1 and rOxyTx2. The experimental molecular masses of rOxyTx1 and
      rOxyTx2 were 8059.0 and 6176.4 Da, respectively, which agree with their expected
      theoretical masses. The recombinant peptides rOxyTx1 and rOxyTx2 showed lower but
      comparable toxicity to the native toxins when injected into lepidopteran larvae;
      furthermore, rOxyTx1 was able to inhibit calcium ion currents on dorsal unpaired
      median (DUM) neurons from Periplaneta americana. 

PMID- 27263807
TI  - Impact of computerized pre-authorization of broad spectrum antibiotics in
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a children's hospital in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms is a global concern.
      To stem this tide, an antimicrobial stewardship program at hospitals is essential
      to optimize the prescription of broad spectrum antibiotics. In this study we
      examined the impact of computerized pre-authorization for broad spectrum
      antibiotics for Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a children's hospital. METHODS: An
      antimicrobial stewardship program at Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center
      was assessed between March 2010 and March 2015. A paper-based post-prescription
      audit was switched to computerized pre-authorization for broad antipseudomonal
      agents in October 2011. The prescriber was required to obtain approval from
      physicians in the pediatric infectious diseases division before prescribing
      restricted antimicrobial agents. Approved prescriptions were processed and logged
      electronically. We evaluated days of therapy per 1000 patient-days, the cost of
      antibiotics, and the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to piperacillin,
      ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, carbapenems, and ciprofloxacin.
      Also, the average length of admission and infection-related mortality at 30 days
      were compared pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Administration of carbapenems,
      piperacillin/tazobactam, and ceftazidime decreased significantly after the
      introduction of computerized pre-authorization. Antibiotic costs were reduced by
      JPY2.86 million (USD 26,000) annually. None of the antipseudomonal agents showed
      decreased sensitivity. The average length of admission was shorter in post
      intervention. Infection-related mortality at 30 days showed no difference between
      the pre- and post-intervention periods. CONCLUSION: An antimicrobial stewardship
      program using computerized pre-authorization decreased the use and cost of broad
      spectrum antibiotics without significant difference in infection-related
      mortality at 30 days, although our study did not improve susceptibilities of P.
      aeruginosa.

PMID- 27263808
TI  - Cardiac Mass, Aortic Intramural Hematoma, and IgG4-related Disease: A Case
      Report.
AB  - As a designated entity within medicine, immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease
      is relatively new. It is immune-mediated origin, characterized by a tendency for
      formation of tumefactive lesions, the infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells,
      and frequent but not invariable elevations of IgG4 levels in the serum. IgG4
      related cardiac mass accompanying aortic intramural hematoma is an extremely rare
      clinical presentation. Herein we present the case of a patient who was admitted
      to our department complaining of severe chest pain. Computed tomographic
      angiography examination revealed a cardiac mass accompanying an aortic intramural
      hematoma. He underwent a surgical resection of the cardiac mass and a replacement
      of the ascending aorta with Hemashield Platinum graft and made an uneventful
      recovery. A diagnosis of an IgG4-related disease was made based on laboratory
      results and pathological examination. Corticosteroids were administered
      postoperatively. This case shows that the heart itself can also be a potential
      site for IgG4-related disease. 

PMID- 27263809
TI  - Recurrent Brachiocephalic Vein Stenosis as a Cause for Persistent Left-sided
      Transudative Pleural Effusion in a Hemodialysis Patient.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Effusion is common in dialysis patients. The most common causes
      include fluid overload due to renal failure and nonrenal causes like congestive
      heart failure and infection. We here report a case of left side transudative
      effusion due to brachiocephalic venous stenosis. METHODS: A 34-year-old female
      who had chronic kidney disease V during transplant work-up was found to be having
      left arm swelling and left transudative effusion. Work-up for transudative
      effusion did not show any cardiac cause or liver problem. Her dialysis duration
      was optimized from 2 times a week to 3 times a week for 4 hr and her dry weight
      was adjusted. Despite adequate dialysis for 1 month, effusion on the left side
      persisted. She had a previous venoplasty for a stenosis in brachiocephalic vein
      but restenosis occurred again. RESULTS: Brachiocephalic vein stenting was
      performed which successfully lead to resolution of left arm swelling and left
      effusion. She was later on successfully transplanted. CONCLUSIONS:
      Brachiocephalic stenosis can cause ipsilateral transudative effusion. Venoplasty
      and stenting of the brachiocephalic vein lead to complete resolution of effusion.

PMID- 27263810
TI  - Preoperative Frailty Increases Risk of Nonhome Discharge after Elective Vascular
      Surgery in Home-Dwelling Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient-centered quality outcomes such as disposition after surgery
      are increasingly being scrutinized. Preoperative factors predictive of nonhome
      discharge (DC) may identify at-risk patients for targeted interventions. This
      study examines the association among preoperative risk factors, frailty, and
      nonhome DC after elective vascular surgery procedures in patients living at home.
      METHODS: The 2011-2012 National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database was
      queried to identify all home-dwelling patients who underwent elective vascular
      procedures (endovascular and open aortic aneurysm repair, suprainguinal and
      infrainguinal bypasses, peripheral endovascular interventions, carotid
      endarterectomy, and stent). Preoperative frailty was measured using the modified
      frailty index (mFI; derived from Canadian Study of Health and Aging). Univariate
      and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the
      association of frailty and nonhome DC. RESULTS: Of 15,843 home-dwelling patients,
      1,177 patients (7.4%) did not return home postoperatively. Frailty (mFI > 0.25)
      conferred a significantly increased 2-fold risk of nonhome DC disposition for
      each procedure type. Frailty, female gender, open procedures, increasing age, end
      stage renal disease, and occurrence of any postoperative complication were
      associated with increased risk of nonhome DC. On multivariate logistic regression
      analysis, frailty increased the odds of nonhome DC by 60% (odds ratio 1.6, 95%
      confidence interval 1.4-1.8) after adjusting for other covariates. In the
      presence of complications, the risk of nonhome DC was 27.5% in frail versus 16.5%
      in nonfrail patients (P < 0.001). In the absence of complications, although
      absolute risk was lower, frail patients were nearly twice as likely to not return
      home (frail 5.5% vs. nonfrail 2.75%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Frail home-dwelling
      patients undergoing elective vascular procedures are at high risk of not
      returning home after surgery. Preoperative frailty assessment appears to hold
      potential for counseling regarding postsurgery disposition and DC planning.

PMID- 27263811
TI  - Vascular Reconstruction Is Not Warranted in Most Civilian Traumatic Shank
      Vascular Injuries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Operative management of traumatic shank vascular injuries (SVI)
      evolved significantly in the past few decades, thereby leading to a dramatic
      decrease in amputation rates. However, there is still controversy regarding the
      minimum number of patent shank arteries sufficient for limb salvage. METHODS:
      Between January 2006 and September 2011, 191 adult trauma patients presented to
      an urban level I trauma center in Miami, Florida, with traumatic lower extremity
      vascular injuries. Variables collected included age, gender, mechanism of injury,
      and clinical status at presentation. Surgical data included vessel injury,
      technical aspects of repair, associated complications, and outcomes. RESULTS: A
      total of 48 (25.1%) patients were identified comprising 66 traumatic shank
      arterial injuries. Mean age was 38.2 +/- 13.4 years, and the majority of patients
      were men (40 patients, 83.3%) presenting with blunt injuries (35 patients,
      72.9%). Ligation was performed in 38 injured arteries (57.6%) and no vascular
      intervention was required in 20% of the patients. Vascular reconstruction was
      performed in only 6 patients (9.1%): 4 (6.1%) with concurrent popliteal trauma, 1
      (1.5%) isolated anterior tibial, and 1 (1.5%) 3-vessel injury. Autogenous venous
      interposition conduit and polytetrafluoroethylene grafting were performed in 5
      (7.6%) and 1 (1.5%) patient, respectively. All amputations (8 patients, 16.7%)
      occurred in blunt trauma patients presenting with unsalvageable limbs. The
      overall mortality rate in this series was 2.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Civilian shank
      arterial injuries are associated with acceptable rates of limb loss. Patients
      with a single-vessel patent inflow did not require vascular reconstruction in
      this series. Arterial reconstruction may no longer be determinant for successful
      management of isolated and double arterial SVI, whereas it is yet essential in
      the presence of 3-vessel or concurrent above-the-knee vascular injuries. Further
      investigation including larger number of patients is still warranted to define
      the role of conservative management in these complex injuries.

PMID- 27263812
TI  - Billowing of Endologix Powerlink Stent Graft in Post Endovascular Repair of
      Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Simultaneous Findings on CT and Ultrasound Imaging.
AB  - Endoleaks remain a main concern in endovascular aneurysm repair. A potential
      false positive in the diagnosis of endoleak surveillance includes "billowing," a
      phenomenon of the polytetrafluoroethylene plastic outer fabric of the stent graft
      is seen separated from the struts of the metallic endoskeleton. Contrast presents
      beyond the endoskeleton but is still contained within the graft. This is
      secondary to intermittent attachment of the graft to the endoskeleton, and is
      only found in the Endologix Powerlink. The finding of billowing has been
      previously reported and is a common knowledge by those who deploy the stent
      graft. We report a case where there is contemporaneous imaging on computed
      tomography angiography as well as on ultrasound. 

PMID- 27263813
TI  - Postoperative Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Versus Systemic Anticoagulation for
      Acute Superior Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little data evaluate catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) therapy as
      a sequential treatment of emergent surgery for patients with acute superior
      mesenteric venous thrombosis (ASMVT). We compared the outcomes of ASMVT patients
      receiving CDT via superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with those who had systemic
      anticoagulation after emergent laparotomy. METHODS: A single-center retrospective
      study of ASMVT patients receiving emergent laparotomy from May 2012 to April 2014
      was performed. Patients in group I had postoperative systemic anticoagulation and
      patients in group II underwent postoperative CDT. The demography, etiology,
      imaging features, clinical outcomes, and complications were compared. Moreover,
      univariate analysis was performed to identify confounding variables of 30-day
      mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (20 males, mean age of 44.9 +/- 10.6
      years) were included, 17 in group I and 15 in group II. No significant
      differences of demographic data, etiology, baseline value, and perioperative
      comorbidity were found. The rate of complete thrombus removal was significantly
      higher in group II than group I (29.4% vs. 80.0%, P = 0.001). The second-look
      laparotomy and repeat bowel resection (58.8% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.002) were required
      in fewer patients in group II (20.0% vs. 70.6%, P = 0.001). The incidence of
      short-bowel syndrome (SBS; 41.2% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.001) and 30-day mortality (41.2%
      vs. 6.7%, P = 0.001) were lower in group II. The 1-year survival was also better
      in group II (52.9% vs. 93.3%, P = 0.014). The incidence of massive abdominal
      hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion and surgical intervention was 11.8% in
      group I and 20.0% in group II (P = 0.645). The age, serum D-dimer level, SBS, and
      postoperative CDT were significant risk factors of 30-day mortality in this
      study. CONCLUSIONS: For ASMVT patients receiving emergent surgery and
      intraoperative thrombectomy, the algorithm with postoperative CDT via SMA is
      associated with more favorable clinical outcome compared with systemic
      anticoagulation.

PMID- 27263814
TI  - Popliteal Vein Puncture Technique Based on Bony Landmark Positioning in Catheter
      Directed Thrombolysis of Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Retrospective Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is an effective method for the
      treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The most widely used puncture
      technique involves the popliteal vein of the affected leg. We introduce a new
      puncture technique based on bony landmark positioning. METHODS: Between May 2012
      and December 2014, we performed CDT in 96 cases of DVT using the puncture
      technique. The procedure is performed with the patient in the prone position on
      the angiography table. The popliteal vein is punctured according to tibial bony
      landmarks under fluoroscopic guidance. The needle puncture is made from the
      popliteal crease, along the direction of tibial lateral intercondylar eminence
      and parallel to the vertical axis. An introducer sheath is inserted after
      successful puncture followed by placement of a perfusion catheter of appropriate
      length in the thrombus. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 83 cases, with
      a success rate of 86.46% (83/96). The mean operation time was 38.6 +/- 16.8 min,
      the mean fluoroscopy time was 11.3 +/- 4.9 min, the mean effective dose (ED) was
      77.2 +/- 25.4 mGy, the mean dose-area product (DAP) was 3,927.5 +/- 1,261 cGy
      cm(2). Compared with catheterization via incised ipsilateral small saphenous and
      contralateral femoral veins, the technique significantly shortened the operation
      and the X-ray exposure and reduced the dosage of ED and DAP. CONCLUSIONS:
      Popliteal vein puncture technique based on bony landmark positioning is a user
      friendly alternative to CDT, especially in the absence of ultrasound
      localization.

PMID- 27263815
TI  - Elevated Peak Systolic Velocity and Velocity Ratio from Duplex Ultrasound are
      Associated with Hemodynamically Significant Lesions in Arteriovenous Access.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Duplex ultrasound (DUS) is reliably used to detect lesions in the
      peripheral and carotid arterial beds and venous system. Although commonly used in
      clinical practice, duplex criteria to define lesions in arteriovenous access are
      not well characterized. This study will define the optimal Doppler-derived peak
      systolic velocity (PSV) and velocity ratio (VR) to identify >50% lesions in
      arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) and arteriovenous grafts (AVG). METHODS: This
      retrospective analysis includes patients with both DUS and fistulogram within 30
      days. DUS-derived PSV and VR were recorded for 3 segments of each access and
      compared with fistulograms of the same 3 segments of each AV access. Receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) was used to determine the optimal DUS criteria for
      diagnosis of >50% stenosis. RESULTS: Fifty pairs of imaging in 40 patients were
      available for analysis. Mean PSV and VR for segments with greater than 50%
      stenosis were significantly greater than those without; mean PSV of 480 cm/sec
      vs. 297 cm/sec (P < 0.001) and mean VR of 3.81 vs. 2.09 (P < 0.001). The ROC
      analysis demonstrated an optimal PSV of 404 and VR of 2.2 to diagnose >50%
      stenosis with area under the curve of 0.825 and 0.821 for PSV and VR,
      respectively. PSV of 500 had sensitivity (Se) of 0.60, specificity (Sp) of 0.86,
      positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.72, and negative predictive value (NPV) of
      0.78. VR of 3.0 had Se of 0.52, Sp of 0.91, PPV of 0.77, and NPV of 0.75.
      CONCLUSIONS: DUS-derived PSV of 400 cm/sec and VR of 2.25 have good
      discrimination to predict greater than 50% stenosis in AVFs and AVGs. Given the
      broad range of velocities in AV accesses, a threshold of PSV greater than 500
      cm/sec and VR greater than 3.0, will reliably identify graft-threatening lesions.
      Se and Sp of PSV 500 are 0.596 and 0.854, respectively. Se and Sp for VR 3.0 are
      0.519 and 0.894, respectively.

PMID- 27263816
TI  - Clinical Value of Intraoperative Transit-Time Flow Measurement for Autogenous
      Radiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The intraoperative assessment of autogenous arteriovenous fistulas
      (AVF) is crucial for achieving an optimal surgical outcome; however, it is not
      easy to predict the adequacy of surgically created AVF. We used the transit-time
      flow measurement (TTFM) method to assess the anastomotic quality of AVF and to
      identify the cutoff value for predicting prognosis of established AVF. METHODS:
      Retrospective study, a total of 187 patients were included in this study. History
      of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, preoperative vein size, blood pressure, and
      other demographic data were collected. Surgery for creating radiocephalic AVF was
      performed by one surgeon, and intraoperative TTFM was performed. Flow parameters
      were recorded, including the maximal, mean, and minimal flow, and the pulsatility
      index (PI). Only mean flow <=70 mL/min regarded as failure. We reviewed patients'
      follow-up, and we defined "successful AVF" when the patients who managed
      hemodialysis using established AVF without clinical problems during follow-up.
      RESULTS: All patients had a successful operation with adequate mean flow. The
      established mean flow from the radial artery to the cephalic vein was 199.8 +/-
      92.7 mL/min, and the PI was 0.57 +/- 0.16. None of the patients had any
      complication during the immediate postoperative period, including infection. Mean
      follow-up period were 72.4 +/- 42.7 weeks. Hemodialysis was maintained in 77.5%
      of the patients by using the established AVF, and the time to first hemodialysis
      with the established AVF after surgery was 61.0 +/- 22.7 days. Correlation
      analysis revealed that the time to first hemodialysis was related with mean flow
      (P = 0.049) and PI (P = 0.009) and successful AVF was related only with PI (P =
      0.028). According to curve fit and regression analysis, PI for 95% limit of
      successful AVF was from 0.43 to 0.77. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative TTFM is
      valuable for the assessment of the quality of established AVFs. Especially PI was
      correlated successful hemodialysis management for over 12 months, the recommended
      acceptable range was 0.43-0.77.

PMID- 27263817
TI  - Thoracic Aorta Dimension Changes During Systole and Diastole: Evaluation with ECG
      Gated Computed Tomography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to characterize the differences in the
      dimensions between systole and diastole in thoracic aorta in Chinese population
      with electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated multidetector computed tomography angiography
      (CTA) scans. METHODS: The CTAs of 56 patients (mean age 58.2 +/- 17.9 years; 42
      men, 14 women) both in systole and diastole were obtained on a 64-slice ECG-gated
      multidetector CT scanner. Four anatomic levels of the thoracic aorta were
      selected for analysis (Level A: 1 cm proximal to the innominate artery; Level B:
      1 cm distal to the left common carotid artery; Level C: 1 cm distal to the left
      subclavian artery; and Level D: 10 cm distal to the left subclavian artery). On
      each level, the maximal and the minimal diameters were measured both in systole
      and diastole. RESULTS: The paired sample t-test results showed a significant
      difference between the systolic and diastolic diameters in all individual
      subjects on every level. The diameter differences range between -1.7 mm
      (diastolic dimension is greater than systolic dimension) and 3.6 mm (systolic
      dimension is greater than diastolic dimension). The aortic diameters in diastolic
      phase are greater than in systolic phase in 18-22% subjects on different levels.
      A mean maximum diameter change of 2.68% (range -3.45% to 8.25%) and a mean
      minimum diameter change of 2.71% (range -5.05% to 8.38%) were found at Level A; a
      maximum diameter change of 2.89% (range -4.5% to 13.3%) and a minimum diameter
      change of 2.37% (range -5.2% to 14.9%) were found at Level B; a maximum diameter
      change of 2.81% (range -6.02% to 10.85%) and a minimum diameter change of 2.92%
      (range -7.14% to 9.62%) were found at Level C; and a maximum diameter change of
      3.08% (range -1.76% to 10.36%) and a minimum diameter change of 2.93% (range 
      2.37% to 11.9%) were found at Level D. CONCLUSIONS: Our study verifies that the
      dimensional differences in thoracic aorta between systolic and diastolic phase
      are significant. But the pulsatility of thoracic aorta in Chinese population
      might be different from published literature.

PMID- 27263818
TI  - Clinical Effectiveness of Endovascular Therapy for Total Occlusion of the
      Subclavian Arteries: A Study of 67 Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapy is a feasible option for total occlusion of the
      subclavian artery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of
      stenting therapy by comparing it with that of surgical treatment in patients with
      total subclavian artery occlusion. METHODS: Between May 2007 and October 2013, 52
      stents were placed in 67 patients who underwent endovascular therapy for the
      treatment of total atherosclerosis subclavian artery occlusion. During the same
      period, 21 patients underwent bypass surgery. All patients were followed at 3, 6,
      and 12 months after treatment and annually thereafter. RESULTS: Technical success
      was achieved in 77.6% patients in the endovascular group, while clinical success
      was achieved in 74.6%. Technical failure was noted in 15 patients, while the
      symptoms failed to resolve in 2. The rate of primary patency was 98.2% at 12
      months, 94.3% at 24 months, and 92.1% at 3 years. Significant recurrent
      obstruction developed in 5 patients. No complications were observed in 5 patients
      with right side occlusion in whom embolic protection filters were used.
      Meanwhile, the technical success rate was 100% in the surgery group. One patient
      developed a major ischemic stroke during surgery (4.8%). The rate of primary
      patency was 100% at 12 months, 96.3% at 24 months, and 93.1% at 3 years.
      CONCLUSIONS: When performed by skilled surgeons, percutaneous revascularization
      with primary stenting is a safe and effective therapy for symptomatic total
      occlusion of the proximal subclavian artery. However, we recommend the use of
      embolic protection devices during the treatment of right side occlusions.
      Otherwise, surgery may be the best choice.

PMID- 27263819
TI  - An Uncommon Case of Type III Endoleak Treated with a Custom-made Thoracic Stent
      Graft.
AB  - Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has been shown to be a valid and minimally
      invasive alternative to open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A major
      shortcoming for EVAR is the need to submit patients to regular follow-up to
      detect potential complications such as endoleak, limb occlusion, aneurysm
      expansion, aneurysm rupture, infection, structural failure, and migration. In
      this case report, we describe an uncommon case of late type III endoleak due to
      complete detachment of the stent-graft main body segment from its suprarenal
      uncovered fixation stent. It was treated with a custom-made Relay((r)) NBS Plus
      (Bolton Medical, Barcelona, Spain) thoracic stent graft which also provided extra
      suprarenal fixation of the thoracic stent graft in the proximal neck. The
      postoperative period was uneventful and a computed tomography scan 1 year later
      revealed proper positioning of the stent graft and no signs of endoleak. The
      successful strategy chosen to correct this complication was at the same time
      original and infrequent, and also avoided potential complications related to open
      surgical repair and general anesthesia. 

PMID- 27263820
TI  - Nonoperative Management of Traumatic Aortic Pseudoaneurysms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) guidelines recommend
      early repair of traumatic pseudoaneurysms (PSAs) due to risk for subsequent
      aortic rupture. Recent analyses indicate that early repair is required only in
      the setting of high-risk features, while delayed repair is safe and associated
      with lower morbidity and mortality in appropriately selected patients. To
      evaluate the appropriate indications for nonoperative management (NOM) of
      traumatic PSAs, we performed a systematic review of studies reporting outcomes
      for this management strategy. We hypothesized that NOM is safe in appropriately
      selected patients with traumatic aortic PSAs. METHODS: English language single-
      and multi-institutional series reporting NOM of traumatic thoracic aortic PSAs
      were identified by systematic literature search and review. A descriptive
      analysis was performed of NOM, with stratification by lesion size and patient
      follow-up. The primary outcomes were late aortic intervention, aortic-related
      death, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Eighteen studies, which included 937
      patients with traumatic PSAs, were analyzed. One hundred ninety-one patients were
      managed nonoperatively. The primary indication for NOM was prohibitive risk for
      aortic repair due to severe comorbidities or concurrent injuries. Where reported,
      PSAs with <50% circumferential involvement accounted for 88% of lesions selected
      for NOM. Late interventions were required in 4% of patients. Inpatient aortic
      related mortality was 2%, and all-cause inpatient mortality was 32%. Although
      survival at up to 4-7 years was reported, postdischarge follow-up after PSA NOM
      was limited to <1 year in most studies. CONCLUSIONS: NOM of traumatic aortic PSAs
      is a common practice in BTAI series reporting lesion-specific management, and is
      associated with low rates of treatment failure. These findings suggest that
      routine early repair may not be required for traumatic PSAs, particularly for
      lesions limited to <50% of the aortic circumference. Definitive repair can be
      delayed until patient stability and repair timing can be guided by assessment of
      lesion stability on follow-up imaging.

PMID- 27263821
TI  - Upper Extremity Steal Syndrome Is Associated with Atherosclerotic Burden and
      Access Configuration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinically significant steal syndrome occurs in a subset of dialysis
      patients with arteriovenous (AV) access. Factors associated with steal are poorly
      understood. Severe symptoms require access revision or sacrifice, potentially
      jeopardizing access options. Our objective was to review our dialysis access
      experience to identify factors associated with significant steal syndrome.
      METHODS: We reviewed all adult patients undergoing their first permanent upper
      extremity access, AV fistula (AVF) or AV graft (AVG), between January 2008 and
      July 2011 at a single center. Medical, demographic, and access characteristics
      were collected from our electronic medical record and a local dialysis center's
      database. Patients who required correction of steal syndrome were compared with
      the larger access cohort. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and
      chi(2) for noncontinuous variables and unpaired t-test for continuous variables.
      RESULTS: Of the 303 patients, 15 required correction for steal syndrome (8 of 232
      AVF and 7 of 71 AVG). Eight were ligated; 2 were initially banded, then ligated;
      and 5 underwent distal revascularization with interval ligation. Coronary artery
      disease was more prevalent in steal syndrome patients (66.7% vs. 25%, P = 0.001);
      the same was found with peripheral arterial disease (40% vs. 13.8%, P = 0.02).
      Furthermore, more patients with steal syndrome were on clopidogrel for
      cardiovascular reasons (40% vs. 9%, P = 0.002). Steal syndrome only developed
      with AVF and AVG using brachial artery inflow. No cases of steal syndrome arose
      from radial/ulnar inflow (P = 0.03). All AVG with steal syndrome had a straight
      configuration; no looped AVG developed steal (P = 0.02). Other patient
      characteristics such as age, sex, race, hypertension, diabetes mellitus,
      congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accident, cause of end-stage renal
      disease, and other medication history were not different between groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: Clinically significant steal syndrome is associated with disease in
      coronary and peripheral arterial beds. In addition, the use of brachial artery
      inflow and straight AVG configuration is associated with steal syndrome.
      Consideration should be given to construction of access using smaller forearm
      arteries and looped AVG configuration in patients with high risk for steal. In
      addition, such patients may require more vigilant monitoring for development of
      steal after access construction.

PMID- 27263822
TI  - Bilateral Common Iliac Artery Endofibrosis in a Recreational Cyclist: Case Report
      and Review of the Literature.
AB  - External iliac artery endofibrosis is a rare medical condition typically
      encountered in young endurance athletes, mainly cyclists. Iliac endofibrosis
      usually develops in the external iliac artery and is rarely seen in the common
      iliac or in common femoral arteries. We describe a unique case of a patient who
      was not a professional or high-endurance cyclist. The lesions in our case
      appeared to be bilateral in the common iliac arteries and were not limited to the
      external iliac artery as most commonly described. We present an overview of the
      literature regarding this medical condition. 

PMID- 27263823
TI  - Can a Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Derived from Preoperative Blood Tests Predict
      Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation?
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the association between inflammatory markers expressed as
      neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and process of arteriovenous fistula (AVF)
      maturation. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with end-stage renal
      disease referred for formation of a new AVF in one center. Patients referred to
      the vascular service in the University Hospital of Limerick for creation of
      vascular access between 2009 and 2013. The association between NLR, calculated
      from preoperative blood tests, and functional fistula maturation, as determined
      by successful use of the AVF for 6 consecutive hemodialysis sessions, was
      investigated using univariate and logistic regression analyses. A logistic
      regression analysis was carried out to assess potential influence from other
      factors related to AVF maturation. Stepwise regression test was performed
      including the NLR. RESULTS: Overall AVF functional maturation rate in our study
      was 53.7% (66/123). Patients with matured AVFs had an NLR of 4.850 (1.8-15.7)
      compared with 3.554 (1.7-15.0); this difference was found to be significant (P =
      0.024). Female gender (P = 0.008) and a history of kidney transplant (P = 0.004)
      were the only independent factors of fistula maturation outcome in a logistic
      regression model. CONCLUSION: Increased level of NLR was found to be associated
      with fistula maturation; however, more studies are needed to validate this
      finding.

PMID- 27263824
TI  - NUT midline carcinoma of the lung, a rare form of lung cancer.

PMID- 27263826
TI  - Cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor agonism reduces lithium chloride-induced vomiting in
      Suncus murinus and nausea-induced conditioned gaping in rats.
AB  - We aimed to investigate the potential anti-emetic and anti-nausea properties of
      targeting the cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor. We investigated the effect of the
      selective CB2 agonist, HU-308, on lithium chloride- (LiCl) induced vomiting in
      Suncus murinus (S. murinus) and conditioned gaping (nausea-induced behaviour) in
      rats. Additionally, we determined whether these effects could be prevented by
      pretreatment with AM630 (a selective CB2 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist). In
      S. murinus, HU-308 (2.5, 5mg/kg, i.p.) reduced, but did not completely block,
      LiCl-induced vomiting; an effect that was prevented with AM630. In rats, HU-308
      (5mg/kg, i.p.) suppressed, but did not completely block, LiCl-induced conditioned
      gaping to a flavour; an effect that was prevented by AM630. These findings are
      the first to demonstrate the ability of a selective CB2 receptor agonist to
      reduce nausea in animal models, indicating that targeting the CB2 receptor may be
      an effective strategy, devoid of psychoactive effects, for managing toxin-induced
      nausea and vomiting. 

PMID- 27263825
TI  - Single-step electrical field strength screening to determine electroporation
      induced transmembrane transport parameters.
AB  - The design of effective electroporation protocols for molecular delivery
      applications requires the determination of transport parameters including
      diffusion coefficient, membrane resealing, and critical electric field strength
      for electroporation. The use of existing technologies to determine these
      parameters is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and often results in large
      inconsistencies in parameter estimation due to variations in the protocols and
      setups. In this work, we suggest using a set of concentric electrodes to screen a
      full range of electric field strengths in a single test to determine the
      electroporation-induced transmembrane transport parameters. Using Calcein as a
      fluorescent probe, we developed analytical methodology to determine the transport
      parameters based on the electroporation-induced pattern of fluorescence loss from
      cells. A monolayer of normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells were pre-loaded
      with Calcein and electroporated with an applied voltage of 750V with 10 and 50
      square pulses with 50MUs duration. Using our analytical model, the critical
      electric field strength for electroporation was found for the 10 and 50 pulses
      experiments. An inverse correlation between the field strength and the molecular
      transport time decay constant, and a direct correlation between field strength
      and the membrane permeability were observed. The results of this work can
      simplify the development of electroporation-assisted technologies for research
      and therapies.

PMID- 27263827
TI  - Lacosamide diminishes dryness-induced hyperexcitability of corneal cold sensitive
      nerve terminals.
AB  - Lacosamide is an anti-epileptic drug that is also used for the treatment of
      painful diabetic neuropathy acting through voltage-gated sodium channels. The aim
      of this work was to evaluate the effects of acute application of lacosamide on
      the electrical activity of corneal cold nerve terminals in lacrimo-deficient
      guinea pigs. Four weeks after unilateral surgical removal of the main lachrimal
      gland in guinea pigs, corneas were excised and superfused in vitro at 34 degrees
      C for extracellular electrophysiological recording of nerve terminal impulse
      activity of cold thermosensitive nerve terminals. The characteristics of the
      spontaneous and the stimulus-evoked (cooling ramps from 34 degrees C to 15
      degrees C) activity before and in presence of lacosamide 100uM and lidocaine
      100uM were compared. Cold nerve terminals (n=34) recorded from dry eye corneas
      showed significantly enhanced spontaneous activity (8.0+/-1.1 vs. 5.2+/-0.7imp/s;
      P<0.05) and cold response (21.2+/-1.7 vs. 16.8+/-1.3imp/s; P<0.05) as well as
      reduced cold threshold (1.5+/-0.1 vs. 2.8+/-0.2 Delta degrees C; P<0.05) to
      cooling ramps compared to terminals (n=58) from control animals. Both lacosamide
      and lidocaine decreased spontaneous activity and peak response to cooling ramps
      significantly (P<0.05). Temperature threshold was increased by the addition of
      lidocaine (P<0.05) but not lacosamide (P>0.05) to the irrigation fluid. In
      summary, the application of lacosamide results in a significant decrease of the
      augmented spontaneous activity and responsiveness to cold of corneal sensory
      nerves from tear-deficient animals. Based on these promising results we speculate
      that lacosamide might be used to reduce the hyperexcitability of corneal cold
      receptors caused by prolonged ocular surface dryness due to hyposecretory or
      evaporative dry eye disease. 

PMID- 27263828
TI  - Genomic Dark Matter Illuminated: Anopheles Y Chromosomes.
AB  - Hall et al. have strategically used long-read sequencing technology to
      characterize the structure and highly repetitive content of the Y chromosome in
      Anopheles malaria mosquitoes. Their work confirms that this important but elusive
      heterochromatic sex chromosome is evolving extremely rapidly and harbors a
      remarkably small number of genes.

PMID- 27263830
TI  - Construction of probe of the plant growth-promoting bacteria Bacillus subtilis
      useful for fluorescence in situ hybridization.
AB  - Strains of Bacillus subtilis are plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) of many
      crops and are used as inoculants. PGPB colonization is an important trait for
      success of a PGPB on plants. A specific probe, based on the 16 s rRNA of Bacillus
      subtilis, was designed and evaluated to distinguishing, by fluorescence in situ
      hybridization (FISH), between this species and the closely related Bacillus
      amyloliquefaciens. The selected target for the probe was between nucleotides 465
      and 483 of the gene, where three different nucleotides can be identified. The
      designed probe successfully hybridized with several strains of Bacillus subtilis,
      but failed to hybridize not only with B. amyloliquefaciens, but also with other
      strains such as Bacillus altitudinis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus gibsonii,
      Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus; and with the external phylogenetic strains
      Azospirillum brasilense Cd, Micrococcus sp. and Paenibacillus sp. The results
      showed the specificity of this molecular probe for B. subtilis.

PMID- 27263832
TI  - 3D hierarchical MnO2 nanorod/welded Ag-nanowire-network composites for high
      performance supercapacitor electrodes.
AB  - 3D MnO2 nanorod/welded Ag-nanowire-network supercapacitor electrodes were
      prepared. Welding treatment of the Ag nanowire-network leads to low resistance
      and long lifetime. Galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) induces an ever-lasting
      morphology changing from flower-like to honeycomb-like for MnO2, which manifests
      as increasing specific capacitance to 663.4 F g(-1) after 7000 GCD cycles. 

PMID- 27263829
TI  - Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) restrains intestinal inflammation by rendering
      leukocytes hyporesponsive and balancing colitogenic inflammatory responses.
AB  - Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone that plays an important role in the
      modulation of inflammatory responses. However, the precise mechanisms that link
      the actions of this androgen with protection or susceptibility to inflammatory
      bowel diseases (IBD) remain uknown. Here we showed that low dose DHEA inhibited
      proliferation of spleen cells and IFN-u production. The hormone was not toxic to
      myeloid lineage cells, although it caused necrosis of spleen cells at the
      intermediate and highest doses in vitro (50 and 100MUM). The treatment of C57BL/6
      mice with DHEA during colitis induction by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) led to a
      reduction in weight loss and clinical signs of disease. There were decreased
      peripheral blood monocytes on day 6 of DSS exposure and treatment, besides
      increase in circulating neutrophils in the tissue repair phase. DHEA also led to
      reduced lamina propria cellularity and restoration of normal colon length. These
      results were accompanied by decreased expression of IL-6 and TGF-beta mRNA, while
      IL-13 was augmented in the colon on day 6, which was probably related to
      attenuation of inflammation. There was retention of CD4(+) cells in the spleen
      after use of DHEA, along with augmented frequency of CD4(+)IL-4(+) cells,
      decreased CD4(+)IFN-gamma(+) in spleen and constrained CD4(+)IL-17(+) population
      in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Moreover, splenocytes of mice treated with DHEA
      became hyporesponsive, as observed by reduced proliferation after re-stimulation
      ex-vivo. In conclusion, DHEA modifyies leukocyte activity and balances the
      exacerbated immune responses which drive local and systemic damages in IBD.

PMID- 27263831
TI  - Evaluation of the Punch-itTM NA-Sample kit for detecting microbial DNA in blood
      culture bottles using PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay.
AB  - DNA extraction efficiency affects the success of PCR-based method applications.
      The Punch-itTM NA-Sample kit for extracting DNA by using paper chromatography is
      technically easy to use and requires just two reagents and only 10min to
      complete. The Punch-itTM NA-Sample kit could be offered as a rapid, accurate, and
      convenient method for extracting bacterial and fungal DNA from blood culture
      bottles. We compared the efficiencies of the commercial kit (Punch-itTM NA-Sample
      kit) and an in-house conventional boiling method with Chelex-100 resin for DNA
      extraction from blood culture bottles. The efficiency of the two DNA extraction
      methods was assessed by PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay (PCR-REBA, REBA
      Sepsis-ID) for detecting Gram positive (GP) bacteria, Gram negative (GN)
      bacteria, and Candida species with 196 positive and 200 negative blood culture
      bottles. The detection limits of the two DNA extraction methods were 10(3)CFU/mL
      for GP bacteria, 10(3)CFU/mL for GN bacteria, and 10(4)CFU/mL for Candida. The
      sensitivity and specificity of the Punch-itTM NA-Sample kit by REBA Sepsis-ID
      were 95.4% (187/196) and 100% (200/200), respectively. The overall agreement of
      the two DNA extraction methods was 98.9% (392/396). Three of four samples showing
      discrepant results between the two extraction methods were more accurately
      matched up with the Punch-itTM NA-Sample kit based on conventional culture
      methods. The results indicated that the Punch-itTM NA-Sample kit extracted
      bacterial and fungal DNA in blood culture bottles and allowed extracted DNA to be
      used in molecular assay.

PMID- 27263833
TI  - Scaling of the fast-start escape response of juvenile bluegills.
AB  - Morphology, size and physiological properties change markedly across fish
      ontogeny. This impacts locomotor performance and organismal fitness, although the
      effects are unpredictable due to the complexity of phenotype-function
      relationships. Morphological and behavioral changes with growth are often
      paralleled by changes in habitat use, diet and vulnerability to predators. Our
      goal was to quantify the changes in external morphology and escape performance
      throughout post-larval development in bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), and
      place these changes in context with known changes in habitat use in the field.
      Development into adult ecomorphs is associated with phenotypic plasticity in
      response to habitat-specific differences in diet. On this basis, we hypothesized
      that variation in morphology and performance would increase during bluegill
      ontogeny as diversification of adult ecomorphs occurred. However, we found that
      variation in phenotype and escape performance decreased during early ontogeny.
      Phenotypic variation expanded later in development, after fish gained access to
      the variety of habitats and food types that may favor phenotypic plasticity.
      Performance is predicted to decline with growth due to the differential scaling
      of inertia and cross-sectional area, a major determinant of muscle force. In
      contrast, acceleration increased with size, and velocity and acceleration
      increased more rapidly with size than predicted. Post-larval maturation in
      bluegill featured a shift to a deeper body shape, and an increase in the relative
      size of the anal and caudal fins. This was a likely factor in the deviation of
      escape performance scaling relationships from predictions based on geometric
      similarity.

PMID- 27263835
TI  - Amplitude of low frequency fluctuations during resting state predicts social well
      being.
AB  - Social well-being represents primarily public phenomena, which is crucial for
      mental and physical health. However, little is known about the neural basis of
      this construct, especially how it is maintained during resting state. To explore
      the neural correlates of social well-being, this study correlated the regional
      fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF) with social well-being
      of healthy individuals. The results revealed that the fALFF in the bilateral
      posterior superior temporal gyrus (pSTG), right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC),
      right thalamus and right insula positively predicted individual differences in
      social well-being. Furthermore, we demonstrated the different role of three
      pursuits of human well-being (i.e., pleasure, meaning and engagement) in these
      associations. Specifically, the pursuits of meaning and engagement, not pleasure
      mediated the effect of the fALFF in right pSTG on social well-being, whereas the
      pursuit of engagement mediated the effect of the fALFF in right thalamus on
      social well-being. Taken together, we provide the first evidence that spontaneous
      brain activity in multiple regions related to self-regulatory and social
      cognitive processes contributes to social well-being, suggesting that the
      spontaneous activity of the human brain reflects the efficiency of social well
      being.

PMID- 27263834
TI  - Safety pharmacology investigations on the nervous system: An industry survey.
AB  - The Safety Pharmacology Society (SPS) conducted an industry survey in 2015 to
      identify industry practices as they relate to central, peripheral and autonomic
      nervous system ('CNS') drug safety testing. One hundred fifty-eight (158)
      participants from Asia (16%), Europe (20%) and North America (56%) responded to
      the survey. 52% of participants were from pharmaceutical companies (>1000
      employees). Oncology (67%) and neurology/psychiatry (66%) were the most frequent
      target indications pursued by companies followed by inflammation (48%),
      cardiovascular (43%), metabolic (39%), infectious (37%), orphan (32%) and
      respiratory (29%) diseases. Seizures (67% of participants), gait abnormalities
      (67%), tremors (65%), emesis (56%), sedation (52%) and salivation (47%) were the
      most commonly encountered CNS issues in pre-clinical drug development while
      headache (65%), emesis/nausea (60%), fatigue (51%) and dizziness (49%) were the
      most frequent issues encountered in Phase I clinical trials. 54% of respondents
      reported that a standard battery of tests applied to screen drug candidates was
      the approach most commonly used to address non-clinical CNS safety testing. A
      minority (14% of all participants) reported using electroencephalography (EEG)
      screening prior to animal inclusion on toxicology studies. The most frequent
      group size was n=8 for functional observation battery (FOB), polysomnography and
      seizure liability studies. FOB evaluations were conducted in a dedicated room
      (78%) by blinded personnel (66%) with control for circadian cycle (55%) effects
      (e.g., dosing at a standardized time; balancing time of day across treatment
      groups). The rat was reported as the most common species used for seizure
      liability, nerve conduction and drug-abuse liability testing. 

PMID- 27263837
TI  - About Congenital Afibrinogenemia.

PMID- 27263836
TI  - Images in Haematology.

PMID- 27263838
TI  - Differential associations of Borrelia species with European badgers (Meles meles)
      and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in western Poland.
AB  - European badgers and raccoon dogs and their associated ticks and lice were
      assayed for the presence of Lyme borreliosis and relapsing fever-group spirochete
      DNA in western Poland. Analyses of blood, ear-biopsy and liver samples revealed
      that 25% of 28 raccoon dogs and 12% of 34 badgers were PCR positive for
      borreliae. Borrelia garinii was the dominant species in raccoon dogs (62.5%),
      followed by B. afzelii (25%) and B. valaisiana (12.5%). PCR-positive badgers were
      infected only with B. afzelii. A total of 351 attached ticks was recovered from
      23 (82%) of the raccoon dogs and 13 (38%) of the badgers. Using a nested PCR
      targeting the ITS2 fragments of Ixodes DNA, four Ixodes species were identified:
      I. ricinus, I. canisuga, I. hexagonus, and one provisionally named I. cf.
      kaiseri. Ixodes canisuga and I. ricinus prevailed on both host species. The
      highest infection prevalence was detected in I. ricinus, followed by I. canisuga
      and I. cf. kaiseri. Borrelia garinii and B. afzelii accounted for 61.6% and 30.1%
      of the infections detected in all PCR-positive ticks, respectively. Four other
      Borrelia species (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. valaisiana, B. lusitaniae and
      B. miyamotoi) were detected only in I. ricinus from raccoon dogs. Moreover,
      Borrelia DNA, mostly B. garinii, was detected in 57 (81.4%) of 70 Trichodectes
      melis lice derived from 12 badgers. The detection of B. afzelii in one-half of
      PCR-positive biopsies reconfirms previous associations of this species with
      mammalian hosts, whereas the high prevalence of B. garinii in feeding lice and I.
      ricinus ticks (including larvae) demonstrates that both carnivores serve as hosts
      for B. garinii. The lack of B. garinii DNA in the tissues of badgers versus its
      prevalence in raccoon-dog biopsies, however, incriminates only the latter
      carnivore as a potential reservoir host.

PMID- 27263840
TI  - Anti-D and intravenous immunoglobulin treatments in chronic idiopathic
      thrombocytopenic purpura.

PMID- 27263839
TI  - Interactions of complex polymers with nanoporous substrate.
AB  - With the advance of polymer synthesis, polymers that possess unique architectures
      such as stars or cyclic chains, and unique chemical composition distributions
      such as block copolymers or statistical copolymers have become frequently
      encountered. Characterization of these complex polymer systems drives the
      development of interactive chromatography where the adsorption of polymers on the
      porous substrate in chromatography columns is finely tuned. Liquid Chromatography
      at the Critical Condition (LCCC) in particular makes use of the existence of the
      Critical Adsorption Point (CAP) of polymers on solid surfaces and has been
      successfully applied to characterization of complex polymer systems.
      Interpretation and understanding of chromatography behaviour of complex polymers
      in interactive chromatography motivates theoretical/computational studies on the
      CAP of polymers and partitioning of these complex polymers near the CAP. This
      review article covers the theoretical questions encountered in chromatographic
      studies of complex polymers. 

PMID- 27263841
TI  - Renal involvement in multiple myeloma: new insight into mechanisms.

PMID- 27263842
TI  - Ferritin and haematological values in healthy elderly Nigerians.
AB  - Two-hundred Nigerians (65 years and above) were studied and compared with control
      (18-50 years). Haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin
      concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, platelets
      and ferritin were analyzed. Mean ferritin levels were 105 +/- 30 MUg/L and 72 +/-
      10 MUg/L (males and females respectively). Mean MCV, MCH and MCHC were 94.6 +/-
      9.0 fl, 93.6 +/- 9.0 fl, 31.5 +/- 3.0 pg, 31.4 +/- 4.4 pg, 348 +/- 30 g/L, and
      347 +/- 42 g/L. Mean haematocrits were 37 +/- 4%, 36 +/- 4%, while mean
      haemoglobins levels were 132 +/- 24 g/L and 129 +/- 1 g/L. RBC counts were 4.1 +/
      0.8 x 1012/L, and 4.0 +/- 0.5 x 1012/L. Mean total WBC counts were 6.4 +/- 1.5 x
      109/L and 6.3 +/- 0.7 x 109/L; mean platelets were 170 +/- 60 x 109/L, 184 +/- 5
      x 109/L. All haematological parameters were similar in both aged males and
      females, except ferritin, haematocrit, RBC and haemoglobin, which were
      significantly higher in males (p< 0.05). Significant sex differences exist in all
      the parameters, of control except MCV and total WBC count. There were significant
      differences in all the haematological parameters between the controls and the
      aged (p< 0.05), and between the aged (65-84 years) and the very aged (85-105
      years) (p< 0.05). Reference haematological range needs to be established for the
      elderly Nigerians. 

PMID- 27263843
TI  - Homocysteine levels in Turkish children.
AB  - Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor for cerebrovascular, peripheral
      vascular, coronary heart disease, and thrombosis. Several data related to total
      homocysteine concentrations for children and adolescents were reported from
      different populations. But no data are available comparing homocysteine levels
      analyzing according to age ranges in Turkish children. So, we aimed to achieve a
      reference range for total homocysteine in Turkish children. Plasma total
      homocysteine concentrations were measured in 177 healthy children within three
      groups according to age range (1-6, 7-11, 12-17 y). Mean tHcy concentrations were
      determined (7.77 +/- 4.13 MUmol/L). Homocysteine were lowest in younger children
      and increased with age: 1-6 y (3.87 +/- 1.44 MUmol/L), 7-11 y (8.70 +/- 1.40
      MUmol/L), and 12-17 y (13.54 +/- 1.49 MUmol/L). We observed no significant
      differences in tHcy values between girls and boys in all groups. We suggest that
      total homocysteine levels must be evaluated in children according to age. 

PMID- 27263844
TI  - Effect of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G polymorphism in Turkish deep
      vein thromboembolic patients with and without prothrombin 20210 G-A.
AB  - Prothrombin 20210 G-A mutation is a common factor that predispose to thrombosis.
      The effect of the mutations in PAI-1 gene on the risk of thrombosis is
      controversial. We aimed to evaluate the role of these two polymorphisms in
      Turkish patients with deep vein thrombosis. Although there was no statistically
      significant difference in patient and control group for the distribution of PAI-1
      4G/5G polymorphism in the present study, the risk of thrombosis increased from
      3.4 fold to 8.4 in patients carrying PT20210 A and PAI-1 4G. 

PMID- 27263845
TI  - Quantification of the FLI1 and CXCR4 gene expressions in acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia (ALL) patients with t(12,21).
AB  - The presence of the t(12,21) is associated with good response to therapy in acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) but molecular background of this pathology is not
      clear. FLI1 gene plays important roles in normal regulation of myeloid
      hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 gene may play a
      role in the homing of hematopoietic stem cells. Our aim was to investigate
      possible relationships between t(12,21) existence and expression changes of these
      two genes (FLI1, CXCR4) in ALL. Thirty-one ALL patients were investigated. Twenty
      one of these patients were t(12,21) carriers. We used the Quantitative Real-Time
      RT-PCR. Obtained results were compared to normal bone marrow samples of five
      healthy subjects. Expression differences were not found significant in both
      groups. Our study was the first attempt to quantify these genes in t(12,21)
      patients. We conclude that Quantitative RT-PCR is a reliable method for the
      monitoring of these gene expressions and similar studies should expand to other
      translocations in haematology. 

PMID- 27263846
TI  - Splenomegaly due to the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor.
AB  - Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a growth factor used for stem
      cell mobilization and neutropenia treatment. We report that splenomegaly was
      detected in a 16-years-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia following
      the administration of G-CSF. The presence of splenomegaly in the patients
      receiving G-CSF may be related to the use of G-CSF. 

PMID- 27263847
TI  - Bone marrow necrosis in a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
AB  - Bone marrow necrosis is a rare but ominous finding in various malignant and
      nonmalignant disorders. It is usually a postmortem diagnosis, but with the advent
      of modern imaging methods and clinical suspicion, bone marrow necrosis can be
      diagnosed as antemortem, especially in malignant disorders. We report a 60-years
      old man with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma presenting with anemia and very
      high level of alkaline phosphatase. On bone marrow biopsy, it was noted with
      extensive BMN characterized by cellular debris with indistinct cellular margin
      and abnormally eosinophilic staining cytoplasm. Despite the prompt institution of
      aggressive chemotherapy, one week later, liver function tests gradually
      deteriorated and the patient succumbed. Given the high mortality rate, when the
      bone marrow necrosis is suspected especially in a patient with malignancy,
      disease specific treatment and vigorous supportive measures should be immediately
      commenced. 

PMID- 27263848
TI  - Ocular lymphoma in two cases.
AB  - We are reporting primary ocular lymphoma in two male patients who are sixty seven
      and seventy years old. The first case was admitted to the hospital after an
      ophthalmologic examination that revealed a soft, pink homogenous vascular mass
      originating from the conjunctiva, and extending behind the bulbous oculi,
      completely covering the upper quadrant of the right eye. There was also right
      axial exophthalmy. Ocular adnexal and intraocular involvement was seen at
      physical examination and orbital imaging. Optic atrophy and retinal pigment
      epitheloid changes were seen at fundoscopic examination. Biopsy taken from the
      right eye revealed mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. The case
      was diagnosed as primary ocular adnexal and intraocular lymphoma. Left eye was
      normal. The cranial, thoracic and abdominal imaging examinations and other
      laboratory analysis were normal. He received six courses of CNOP
      (cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, vincristine, prednisolone) chemotherapy and full
      remission was achieved following radiotherapy. He is in full remission for two
      years. The second case came with proptosis and chemosis at the lower part of left
      eye. The cornea and anterior chamber were normal. At fundoscopy, there was
      superficial haemorrhage on temporal edge of discus, wide haemorrhage at the
      periphery of discus at the same level with parafoveal little haemorrhage focus.
      Orbital imaging revealed a retroorbital mass. A biopsy was done from the
      retroorbital mass by craniotomy. B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma was diagnosed.
      Right eye was normal. He received radiotherapy.after a diagnosis of ocular
      adnexal lymphoma. 

PMID- 27263849
TI  - Silicone gel sheet dressing for sclerodermatous type chronic graftversus- host
      disease (cGVHD).
AB  - Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by endothelial cell
      injury, fibroblast activation and immunological aberrations. Generalized form of
      the disease involves skin and other organs. Progressive sclerodermatous type
      cGVHD is the difficult type to treat. Immunosuppressors are the most commonly
      used treatment regimens. Topical silicone gel sheet (SGS) were first used in the
      treatment of burn wound and following their initial successes have begun to be
      used in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. To best of our
      knowledge, this is the first patient with extensive sclerodermatous type cGVHD in
      whom SGS was applied on to the skin of the antecubital region. After a six months
      application of SGS, the skin of this region was remarkably soft and thick
      compared to other regions of the arm. The result indicate that SGS may be an
      useful tool for the treatment of extensive sclerodermatous type cGVHD. 

PMID- 27263850
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27263851
TI  - A case with chronic eosinophilic leukemia resulting in blastic transformation.

PMID- 27263853
TI  - Unravelling the structural plasticity of stretched DNA under torsional
      constraint.
AB  - Regions of the genome are often held under torsional constraint. Nevertheless,
      the influence of such constraint on DNA-protein interactions during genome
      metabolism is still poorly understood. Here using a combined optical tweezers and
      fluorescence microscope, we quantify and explain how torsional constraint
      influences the structural stability of DNA under applied tension. We provide
      direct evidence that concomitant basepair melting and helical unwinding can occur
      in torsionally constrained DNA at forces >~50 pN. This striking result indicates
      that local changes in linking number can be absorbed by the rest of the DNA
      duplex. We also present compelling new evidence that an overwound DNA structure
      (likely P-DNA) is created (alongside underwound structures) at forces >~110 pN.
      These findings substantiate previous theoretical predictions and highlight a
      remarkable structural plasticity of torsionally constrained DNA. Such plasticity
      may be required in vivo to absorb local changes in linking number in DNA held
      under torsional constraint.

PMID- 27263852
TI  - A novel biomarker panel for irritable bowel syndrome and the application in the
      general population.
AB  - Biological markers that measure gut health and diagnose functional gastro
      intestinal (GI) disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are lacking.
      The objective was to identify and validate a biomarker panel associated with the
      pathophysiology of IBS that discriminates IBS from healthy controls (HC), and
      correlates with GI symptom severity. In a case-control design, various plasma and
      fecal markers were measured in a cohort of 196 clinical IBS patients and 160 HC
      without GI symptoms. A combination of biomarkers, which best discriminates
      between IBS and HC was identified and validated in an independent internal
      validation set and by permutation testing. The correlation between the biomarker
      panel and GI symptom severity was tested in IBS patients and in a general
      population cohort of 958 subjects. A set of 8 biomarker panel was identified to
      discriminate IBS from HC with high sensitivity (88.1%) and specificity (86.5%).
      The results for the IBS subtypes were comparable. Moreover, a moderate
      correlation was found between the biomarker panel and GI symptom scores in the
      IBS (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) and the general population cohorts (r = 0.51, p =
      0.003). A novel multi-domain biomarker panel has been identified and validated,
      which correlated moderately to GI symptom severity in IBS and general population
      subjects.

PMID- 27263854
TI  - Overall safety and efficacy of high-dose and low-dose intravenous glucocorticoid
      therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe active Graves' ophthalmopathy.
AB  - The objective of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of high-dose
      and low-dose intravenous (iv) glucocorticoid (GC) therapy in patients with
      Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) and to investigate which factors may help determine
      appropriate iv GC doses. The medical records of 43 patients who received
      different doses of iv GCs for GO were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty patients
      received high-dose iv GCs (HD group, cumulative dose 9.0-12.0 g) and 18 received
      low-dose iv GCs (LD group, cumulative dose 4.5 g). Five patients with previous
      treatment for GO were excluded. Changes in ophthalmic parameters after treatment
      and frequencies of adverse effects due to GCs of the 2 groups were compared. We
      also reviewed the incidence of GO progression and hepatic dysfunction after
      patients were discharged. We evaluated correlations among pretreatment (before
      treatment) ophthalmic parameters and investigated useful predictive factors for
      determining iv GC doses. There were no significant differences in ophthalmic
      parameters reflecting treatment efficacy or overall safety between the groups.
      Among baseline ophthalmic parameters, corrected signal intensity ratio (cSIR)
      correlated well with magnetic resonance imaging findings and were more strongly
      associated with changes in ophthalmic parameters after treatment in the HD group
      than in the LD group, indicating that pretreatment cSIR might be useful for
      determining iv GC doses. In conclusion, there were no significant differences in
      overall safety and efficacy between high-dose and low-dose iv GC therapy in
      patients with active GO. Further randomized clinical trials with longer
      observation periods are required to establish the optimal treatment regimen of
      GO. 

PMID- 27263855
TI  - Iron(ii)-triazole core-shell nanocomposites: toward multistep spin crossover
      materials.
AB  - The first SCO@SCO core-shell nanomaterials have been synthesized by the step-by
      step microemulsion method. The observed gyroscopic core-shell nanocomposites
      exhibit three-step spin crossover behaviour with thermal hysteresis at around
      room temperature. This offers an efficient and novel strategy for the development
      of multistable SCO materials. 

PMID- 27263856
TI  - Free-Standing Undoped ZnO Microtubes with Rich and Stable Shallow Acceptors.
AB  - Fabrication of reliable large-sized p-ZnO is a major challenge to realise ZnO
      based electronic device applications. Here we report a novel technique to grow
      high-quality free-standing undoped acceptor-rich ZnO (A-ZnO) microtubes with
      dimensions of ~100 MUm (in diameter) * 5 mm (in length) by optical vapour
      supersaturated precipitation. The A-ZnO exhibits long lifetimes (>1 year) against
      compensation/lattice-relaxation and the stable shallow acceptors with binding
      energy of ~127 meV are confirmed from Zn vacancies. The A-ZnO provides a
      possibility for a mimetic p-n homojunction diode with n(+)-ZnO:Sn. The high
      concentrations of holes in A-ZnO and electrons in n(+)-ZnO make the dual
      diffusion possible to form a depletion layer. The diode threshold voltage, turn
      on voltage, reverse saturated current and reverse breakdown voltage are 0.72 V,
      1.90 V, <10 MUA and >15 V, respectively. The A-ZnO also demonstrates quenching
      free donor-acceptor-pairs (DAP) emission located in 390-414 nm with temperature
      of 270-470 K. Combining the temperature-dependent DAP violet emission with native
      green emission, the visible luminescence of A-ZnO microtube can be modulated in a
      wide region of colour space across white light. The present work opens up new
      opportunities to achieve ZnO with rich and stable acceptors instead of p-ZnO for
      a variety of potential applications.

PMID- 27263857
TI  - MCRS1 associates with cytoplasmic dynein and mediates pericentrosomal material
      recruitment.
AB  - MCRS1 is involved in multiple cellular activities, including mitotic spindle
      assembly, mTOR signaling and tumorigenesis. Although MCRS1 has been reported to
      bind to the dynein regulator NDE1, a functional interaction between MCRS1 and
      cytoplasmic dynein remains unaddressed. Here, we demonstrate that MCRS1 is
      required for dynein-dependent cargo transport to the centrosome and also plays a
      role in primary cilium formation. MCRS1 localized to centriolar satellites.
      Knockdown of MCRS1 resulted in a dispersion of centriolar satellites whose
      establishment depends on cytoplasmic dynein. By contrast, NDE1 was not necessary
      for the proper distribution of centriolar satellites, indicating a functional
      distinction between MCRS1 and NDE1. Unlike NDE1, MCRS1 played a positive role for
      the initiation of ciliogenesis, possibly through its interaction with TTBK2.
      Zebrafish with homozygous mcrs1 mutants exhibited a reduction in the size of the
      brain and the eye due to excessive apoptosis. In addition, mcrs1 mutants failed
      to develop distinct layers in the retina, and showed a defect in melatonin
      induced aggregation of melanosomes in melanophores. These phenotypes are
      reminiscent of zebrafish dynein mutants. Reduced ciliogenesis was also apparent
      in the olfactory placode of mcrs1 mutants. Collectively, our findings identify
      MCRS1 as a dynein-interacting protein critical for centriolar satellite formation
      and ciliogenesis.

PMID- 27263858
TI  - Comb-locked Lamb-dip spectrometer.
AB  - Overcoming the Doppler broadening limit is a cornerstone of precision
      spectroscopy. Nevertheless, the achievement of a Doppler-free regime is severely
      hampered by the need of high field intensities to saturate absorption transitions
      and of a high signal-to-noise ratio to detect tiny Lamb-dip features. Here we
      present a novel comb-assisted spectrometer ensuring over a broad range from 1.5
      to 1.63 MUm intra-cavity field enhancement up to 1.5 kW/cm(2), which is suitable
      for saturation of transitions with extremely weak electric dipole moments.
      Referencing to an optical frequency comb allows the spectrometer to operate with
      kHz-level frequency accuracy, while an extremely tight locking of the probe laser
      to the enhancement cavity enables a 10(-11) cm(-1) absorption sensitivity to be
      reached over 200 s in a purely dc direct-detection-mode at the cavity output. The
      particularly simple and robust detection and operating scheme, together with the
      wide tunability available, makes the system suitable to explore thousands of
      lines of several molecules never observed so far in a Doppler-free regime. As a
      demonstration, Lamb-dip spectroscopy is performed on the P(15) line of the 01120
      00000 band of acetylene, featuring a line-strength below 10(-23) cm/mol and an
      Einstein coefficient of 5 mHz, among the weakest ever observed.

PMID- 27263859
TI  - Integrated ultracompact and broadband wavelength demultiplexer based on multi
      component nano-cavities.
AB  - Integrated nanoscale photonic devices have wide applications ranging from optical
      interconnects and optical computing to optical communications. Wavelength
      demultiplexer is an essential on-chip optical component which can separate the
      incident wavelength into different channels; however, the experimental progress
      is very limited. Here, using a multi-component nano-cavity design, we realize an
      ultracompact, broadband and high-contrast wavelength demultiplexer, with 2.3 MUm
      feature size, 200 nm operation bandwidth (from 780 nm to 980 nm) and a contrast
      ratio up to 13.7 dB. The physical mechanism is based on the strong modulation of
      the surface plasmon polaritons induced by the multi-component nano-cavities, and
      it can be generalized to other nanoscale photonic devices. This provides a
      strategy for constructing on-chip photon routers, and also has applications for
      chip-integrated optical filter and optical logic gates.

PMID- 27263860
TI  - Postoperative improvement in DASH score, clinical findings, and nerve conduction
      velocity in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome.
AB  - We investigated a recovery pattern in subjective and objective measures among 52
      patients with cubital tunnel syndrome after anterior subcutaneous transposition
      of the ulnar nerve. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score
      (primary outcome), numbness score, grip and pinch strength, Semmes-Weinstein (SW)
      score, static 2-point discrimination (2PD) score, and motor conduction velocity
      (MCV) stage were examined preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, 12, and >=24 months
      postoperatively. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate how each
      variable improved after surgery. A linear mixed-effects model was used for
      continuous variables (DASH score, numbness, grip and pinch strength), and a
      proportional odds model was used for categorical variables (SW and 2PD tests and
      MCV stages). DASH score significantly improved by 6 months. Significant recovery
      in numbness and SW test scores occurred at 1 month. Grip and pinch strength, 2PD
      test scores, and MCV stage improved by 3 months. DASH scores and numbness
      recovered regardless of age, sex, or disease severity. It was still unclear if
      both subjective and objective measures improved beyond 1-year postoperatively.
      These data are helpful for predicting postoperative recovery patterns and tend to
      be most important for patients prior to surgery.

PMID- 27263861
TI  - Ultrahigh photoconductivity of bandgap-graded CdSxSe1-x nanowires probed by
      terahertz spectroscopy.
AB  - Superiorly high photoconductivity is desirable in optoelectronic materials and
      devices for information transmission and processing. Achieving high
      photoconductivity via bandgap engineering in a bandgap-graded semiconductor
      nanowire has been proposed as a potential strategy. In this work, we report the
      ultrahigh photoconductivity of bandgap-graded CdSxSe1-x nanowires and its
      detailed analysis by means of ultrafast optical-pump terahertz-probe (OPTP)
      spectroscopy. The recombination rates and carrier mobility are quantitatively
      obtained via investigation of the transient carrier dynamics in the nanowires. By
      analysis of the terahertz (THz) spectra, we obtain an insight into the bandgap
      gradient and band alignment to carrier transport along the nanowires. The
      demonstration of the ultrahigh photoconductivity makes bandgap-graded CdSxSe1-x
      nanowires a promising candidate as building blocks for nanoscale electronic and
      photonic devices.

PMID- 27263862
TI  - Range expansion of the Bluetongue vector, Culicoides imicola, in continental
      France likely due to rare wind-transport events.
AB  - The role of the northward expansion of Culicoides imicola Kieffer in recent and
      unprecedented outbreaks of Culicoides-borne arboviruses in southern Europe has
      been a significant point of contention. We combined entomological surveys,
      movement simulations of air-borne particles, and population genetics to
      reconstruct the chain of events that led to a newly colonized French area nestled
      at the northern foot of the Pyrenees. Simulating the movement of air-borne
      particles evidenced frequent wind-transport events allowing, within at most 36
      hours, the immigration of midges from north-eastern Spain and Balearic Islands,
      and, as rare events, their immigration from Corsica. Completing the puzzle,
      population genetic analyses discriminated Corsica as the origin of the new
      population and identified two successive colonization events within west
      Mediterranean basin. Our findings are of considerable importance when trying to
      understand the invasion of new territories by expanding species.

PMID- 27263863
TI  - New Method for Sorting Endothelial and Neural Progenitors from Human Induced
      Pluripotent Stem Cells by Sedimentation Field Flow Fractionation.
AB  - Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSc) are a very useful solution to create
      and observe the behavior of specific and usually inaccessible cells, such as
      human motor neurons. Obtained from a patient biopsy by reprograming dermal
      fibroblasts (DF), hiPSc present the same properties as embryonic stem cells and
      can generate any cell type after several weeks of differentiation. Today, there
      are numerus protocols which aim to control hiPSC differentiation. The principal
      challenge is to obtain a sufficiently enriched specific cell population to study
      disease pathophysiology and to provide a good model for further investigation and
      drug screening. The differentiation process is very costly and time-consuming,
      because many specific factors and different culture media must be used. In this
      study, we used Sedimentation Field Flow Fractionation (SdFFF) to prepare enriched
      populations derived from hiPSc after only 10 days of culture in a classical
      medium. Based on phenotypic and proteomic characterization, "hyperlayer" elution
      resulted in a fraction expressing markers of endothelial progenitors while
      another fraction expressed markers of neural progenitors. The isolation of
      subpopulations representing various differentiation lineages is of major interest
      for the production of specialized, cell-enriched fractions and in the preparation
      of increasingly complex models for the development of new therapeutic tools.

PMID- 27263864
TI  - Sorbent Mass Variation Method: A New Possibility for the Determination of Binding
      Isotherms.
AB  - Measurement of equilibrium mass fraction of a surfactant as a function of the
      sorbent mass fraction was performed on gel sorbent-solution systems in order to
      determine binding isotherms and to calculate fundamental characteristics of the
      solvation layer. With application of this new method, it was possible to
      calculate specific solvation/sorption capacity and absolute average local
      composition of the solvation layer. It has been pointed out by systematic
      variation of the composition (hydrophobicity) and degree of cross-linking of the
      gel sorbents that the ratio of components in the solvation layer can be constant
      in a given range of equilibrium mass fraction of the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)
      and that the specific solvation/sorption capacity of gel sorbents can be much
      greater than that of activated carbon type adsorbents. On the basis of a mixed
      sorbent model, it turned out from calculations that there is no preferential
      binding of SDS close to the chemical cross-links and that the surfactant
      molecules prefer vinyl acetate groups as binding sites. The density of cross
      links regulates the aggregation number of the bound surfactant as well. For loose
      gels, both binding isotherms and swelling curves show that the surfactant-polymer
      interaction is a strongly cooperative process. The result of these experiments
      may influence the general concept of solvation/sorption isotherms and all related
      phenomena.

PMID- 27263865
TI  - Silver-Lactoferrin Nanocomplexes as a Potent Antimicrobial Agent.
AB  - The process of silver immobilization onto and/or into bovine lactoferrin (LTF),
      the physicochemical properties of bovine lactoferrin and obtained silver
      lactoferrin complexes, as well as antibacterial activity of silver-lactoferrin
      complexes were investigated in this work. Kinetic study of the silver
      immobilization into lactoferrin was carried out using batch sorption techniques.
      Spectrometric (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS, ICP-MS), spectroscopic (FTIR, SERS), electron
      microscopic (TEM) and electrophoretic (I-DE) techniques, as well as zeta
      potential measurements, were applied for characterization of LTF and binding
      nature of silver in Ag-LTF complexes. On the basis of the results of the kinetics
      study, it was established that the silver binding to LTF is a heterogeneous
      process involving two main stages: (i) internal diffusion and sorption onto
      external surface of lactoferrin globules; and (ii) internal diffusion and binding
      into lactoferrin globule structure. Spectroscopic techniques combined with TEM
      analysis confirmed the binding process. Molecular dynamics (MD) analysis was
      carried out in order to simulate the mechanism of the binding process, and locate
      potential binding sites, as well as complement the experimental findings. Quantum
      mechanics (QM) simulations were performed utilizing density functional theory
      (DFT) in order to support the reduction mechanism of silver ions to elemental
      silver. Antimicrobial activity of synthesized lactoferrin complexes against
      selected clinical bacteria was confirmed using flow cytometry and antibiograms.

PMID- 27263866
TI  - Perceptions of diabetes control among people with type 2 diabetes treated with
      basal insulin in Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate perceptions of control among people with uncontrolled
      and well controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with basal insulin, as well as
      differences in perceptions and diabetes management practices between the two
      groups. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Web surveys of 1012 people with uncontrolled
      T2D (HbA1c >8.0% or 64 mmol/mol) on basal insulin in Sweden, Switzerland, and the
      UK and 295 people with well controlled T2D (HbA1c <7.5% or 58 mmol/mol) on basal
      insulin in the UK were conducted. RESULTS: People with uncontrolled T2D perceived
      a wide range of factors as very/extremely important for deciding whether they are
      well controlled, including diet (80.7%), HbA1c value (78.9%), times per day
      insulin taken (78.8%), insulin units taken per day (77.6%), and energy levels
      (74.5%). Fifty-one percent of uncontrolled respondents considered the past week
      or more recently when thinking about control. Perceived major obstacles to
      control included stress (75.4%), other health issues (70.8%), medicine side
      effects (69.9%), food cravings (69.8%), doctor not understanding individual
      situation (67.6%), and life crises (66.9%). Many uncontrolled respondents
      reported that diabetes was very/extremely interfering with their lives, including
      energy level (71.0%), performance at work (70.0%), general health (69.9%), and
      doing what one wants (69.3%). Analyses showed significant differences between
      well controlled and uncontrolled UK respondents. Compared to the uncontrolled,
      people with well controlled T2D were significantly more likely to consider the
      last 24 hours/current time when thinking about control (50% vs. 21%, p < 0.001)
      and reported greater healthcare contact related to diabetes and more frequent
      glucose measurement. Study limits include potential selection bias of web surveys
      and possible recall bias in patient-reported data. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      illuminate how people with T2D treated with basal insulin perceive control and
      show important differences between the well controlled and uncontrolled. Findings
      may have implications for improving patient and physician education and diabetes
      management.

PMID- 27263867
TI  - Detecting nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and anticoagulant therapy in
      cardioembolic ischemic stroke.
AB  - Nonvalvular Atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia
      associated with an increase in risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolism.
      Strokes related to AF are associated with higher mortality, greater disability,
      longer hospital stays, and lower chance of being discharged home. The present
      review will focus on the current status of detecting NVAF and stroke prevention
      when there is AF. The CHA2DS2-VASc risk stratification scheme is discussed for
      the identification of patients who are at risk for thromboembolic stroke related
      to NVAF. Patient with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2 or greater are candidates for
      warfarin or a novel oral anticoagulant, irrespective of whether the strategy is
      for rate or rhythm control. Finally, guidelines and landmark clinical trials in
      NVAF patients with primary or secondary stroke prevention are discussed. 

PMID- 27263869
TI  - Changing Adjuvant Breast-Cancer Therapy with a Signal for Prevention.

PMID- 27263868
TI  - Risk of major depressive disorder among older persons living in HIV-endemic
      central and southwestern Uganda.
AB  - Major depressive disorder (MDD) is projected to become the second most common
      cause of disability by 2020 calling for a better understanding its antecedents
      across the lifespan and in diverse socio-cultural settings. In this paper we
      describe the risk factors of MDD among older people (50 years +) living in HIV
      endemic central and southwestern Uganda. A cross-sectional study was undertaken
      among 471 respondents (50 years +) participating in the Wellbeing of Older
      People's Study cohort of the MRC/UVRI Uganda research Unit on AIDS in Uganda.
      Participants were from five strata: HIV negative, HIV positive on ART, HIV
      positive not on ART, having an adult child on ART, and having an adult child who
      died of HIV. Overall MDD prevalence was 9.2% (95% CI 6.7-12.2%) with a prevalence
      among males of 7.4% (95% CI 4.0-12.3%) and females of 10.3% (95% CI 7.0-14.3%).
      Factors significantly associated with MDD included: declining socio-economic
      status, increasing disability scores, decreasing mean grip strength, reported
      back pain, and not having hypertension. Marginally associated with MDD was being
      HIV infected and not on ART.

PMID- 27263933
TI  - High tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid predict nursing home placement and rapid
      progression in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total tau (t
      tau) and phosphorylated tau, as well as decreased amyloid-beta 42 peptide, are
      biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, but few studies have shown an
      association with AD progression rate. We hypothesized that high CSF tau, as a
      marker of ongoing neurodegeneration, would predict a more aggressive course of
      AD, using time to nursing home placement (NHP) as the main outcome. METHODS: Our
      sample inlcuded 234 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD (n =
      134) or mild to moderate AD (n = 100) who underwent lumbar puncture at a memory
      clinic and were followed for 2-11 years (median 4.9 years). RESULTS: Individuals
      with CSF t-tau in the highest quartile (>=900 ng/L) had a higher ratio of NHP,
      both in the total cohort and in patients with MCI only (adjusted HR 2.17 [95% CI
      1.24-3.80]; HR 2.37 [95% CI 1.10-5.09], respectively), than the lowest quartile.
      The association between high t-tau levels and future steep deterioration was
      confirmed in analyses with conversion to moderate dementia (HR 1.66; 95% CI 1.08
      2.56), rapid decline in Mini Mental State Examination score (>=4-point drop/12
      months), and dying in severe dementia as outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge,
      this is the first study to show that high CSF t-tau levels predict early NHP and
      conversion to moderate dementia in an AD cohort. Selecting patients with high CSF
      t-tau, indicating more aggressive neurodegeneration and steeper decline, for AD
      immunotherapy trials might increase the possibility of showing contrast between
      active treatment and placebo.

PMID- 27263934
TI  - Targeting Notch degradation system provides promise for breast cancer
      therapeutics.
AB  - Notch receptor signaling pathways play an important role, not only in normal
      breast development but also in breast cancer development and progression. As a
      group of ligand-induced proteins, different subtypes of mammalian Notch (Notch1
      4) are sensitive to subtle changes in protein levels. Thus, a clear understanding
      of mechanisms of Notch protein turnover is essential for understanding normal and
      pathological mechanisms of Notch functions. It has been suggested that there is a
      close relationship between the carcinogenesis and the dysregulation of Notch
      degradation. However, this relationship remains mostly undefined in the context
      of breast cancer, as protein degradation is mediated by numerous signaling
      pathways as well as certain molecule modulators (activators/inhibitors). In this
      review, we summarize the published data regarding the regulation of Notch family
      member degradation in breast cancer, while emphasizing areas that are likely to
      provide new therapeutic modalities for mechanism-based anti-cancer drugs. 

PMID- 27263936
TI  - The importance of protein profiling in the diagnosis and treatment of hematologic
      malignancies.
AB  - Proteins are important targets in cancer research because malignancy is
      associated with defects in cell protein machinery. Protein profiling is an
      emerging independent subspecialty of proteomics that is rapidly expanding and
      providing unprecedented insight into biological events. Quantitative assessment
      of protein levels in hematologic malignancies seeks a comprehensive understanding
      of leukemia-associated protein patterns for use in aiding diagnosis, follow-up
      treatment, and the prediction of clinical outcomes. Many recently developed high
      throughput proteomic methods can be applied to protein profiling. Herein the
      importance of protein profiling, its exploitation in leukemia research, and its
      clinical usefulness in the treatment and diagnosis of various cancer types, and
      techniques for determining changes in protein profiling are reviewed. 

PMID- 27263935
TI  - Neurofibromatosis type 1 associated low grade gliomas: A comparison with sporadic
      low grade gliomas.
AB  - Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder, associated with
      a variable clinical phenotype including cafe-au-lait spots, intertriginous
      freckling, Lisch nodules, neurofibromas, optic pathway gliomas and distinctive
      bony lesions. NF1 is caused by a mutation in the NF1 gene, which codes for
      neurofibromin, a large protein involved in the MAPK- and the mTOR-pathway through
      RAS-RAF signalling. NF1 is a known tumour predisposition syndrome, associated
      with different tumours of the nervous system including low grade gliomas (LGGs)
      in the paediatric population. The focus of this review is on grade I pilocytic
      astrocytomas (PAs), the most commonly observed histologic subtype of low grade
      gliomas in NF1. Clinically, these PAs have a better prognosis and show different
      localisation patterns than their sporadic counterparts, which are most commonly
      associated with a KIAA1549:BRAF fusion. In this review, possible mechanisms of
      tumourigenesis in LGGs with and without NF1 will be discussed, including the
      contribution of different signalling pathways and tumour microenvironment.
      Furthermore we will discuss how increased understanding of tumourigenesis may
      lead to new potential targets for treatment. 

PMID- 27263937
TI  - Determination of apoptosis, proliferation status and O6-methylguanine DNA
      methyltransferase methylation profiles in different immunophenotypic profiles of
      diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the expression of apoptosis-associated
      proteins (bcl-2, bcl-xl, bax, bak, bid), apoptotic index (AI) and proliferation
      index (PI) in germinal center B-cell-like immunophenotypic profile (GCB) and non
      GCB of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: The methylation status of
      the promoter region of O6-methylguanine-DNA yerine O6-methylguanine-DNA
      methyltransferase (MGMT) gene and its relation with immunophenotypic
      differentiation of DLBCLs were also investigated. 101 cases were classified as
      GCB (29 cases) or non-GCB (72 cases). Apoptosis-associated proteins and PI were
      determined by IHC, and TUNEL method was used to determine AI. MGMT methylation
      analysis was performed by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The PI was significantly higher
      in GCB compared with non-GCB (p=0.011). Percentage of cells stained with bcl-6
      was positively correlated with the percentage of cells expressing bcl-2
      (p=0.023), AI (p=0.006) and PI (p<0.001), while a significant negative
      correlation was observed with the percentage of cells expressing bax (p=0.027).
      The percentage of cells stained with MUM1 showed a significantly positive
      correlation with the percentage of cells expressing bcl-xl (p=0.003), bid
      (p=0.002), AI (p<0.001), and PI (p=0.001). MGMT methylation analysis was
      performed in 95 samples, and methylated profile was found in 31 cases (32.6%).
      GCB was found in 6 cases (22.2%) and non-GCB was determined in 25 cases (36.8%)
      out of 31 with MGMT methylated samples. There was no significant association
      between MGMT methylation status and immunophenotypic profiles (p=0.173).
      CONCLUSION: These results suggest that bcl-6 protein expression may be
      responsible for the high PI in GCB. Additionally, we found that apoptosis
      associated proteins were not significantly associated with immunophenotypic
      profiles.

PMID- 27263938
TI  - The relation between soluble endothelial protein C receptor and factor VIII
      levels and FVIII/sEPCR index in healthy infants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Both soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR) and factor VIII
      (FVIII) seem to be potential mediators in thrombotic and inflammatory states. The
      aim of the present study was to determine the relation between plasma sEPCR and
      FVIII levels in a group of healthy Turkish infants. METHODS: The study population
      consisted of 50 healthy infants aged 6 months (Group 1, n=23) and 12 months
      (Group 2, n=27) having no acute or chronic infection and/or disease. sEPCR levels
      and FVIII levels were measured by ELISA and one stage factor assay method,
      respectively. RESULTS: The sEPCR levels of the infants aged 6 months were found
      higher than those of the infants aged 12 months (p<0.001). There was a
      correlation between sEPCR and FVIII levels of the infants in Group 1 (6-month-old
      infants) (r=0.678, p<0.001). FVIII/sEPCR index was 0.73+/-0.3 and 1.0+/-0.5 in
      Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p=0.027). A correlation between infant age and
      FVIII/sEPCR index was found (r=0.312, p=0.027). CONCLUSION: The FVIII/sEPCR index
      in healthy infants reflects the physiological condition of this population. The
      finding showing a positive relationship between sEPCR and FVIII levels suggests a
      possible interaction between these mediators in healthy infants aged six months.

PMID- 27263939
TI  - Differences in lymphocyte subpopulation count and function in cord, maternal and
      adult blood.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Phenotypical characterization and functional activity of lymphocytes
      and natural killer (NK) cells in cord blood (CB) were investigated, and maternal
      peripheral blood (MPB) values were compared to those of adult peripheral blood
      (APB) (control). METHODS: To determine cytotoxic activity target cells (K562)
      were labeled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) or fluorescein
      isothiocyanate (FITC), and propidium iodide (PI) was used to label dead cells.
      Cell surface expression in CB, APB, and MPB cells were analyzed using flow
      cytometry. RESULTS: CB and MPB mononuclear cells had similar CD45, CD34, CD4, and
      surface molecule for T helper cell expression, but had low-level expression of
      total T-lymphocyte surface molecules CD3 and CD8. CD19 and HLA-DR expression was
      higher in CB than in MPB. The same high-level of expression for CD19 and HLA-DR
      was observed in APB, as compared to MPB. All other cell surface expressions were
      similar in APB and MPB samples. NK (CD16+ and CD56+) cells in CB was similar to
      that in MPB and APB, and the level of inhibitory KIR receptors in NK cells was
      higher in venous CB than in MPB and APB. The only difference between MPB and APB
      was that the CD158a level was higher in MPB. No difference was observed in NK
      cells in CB and MPB, in terms of cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: The present results
      show that there was numerical and proportional variability of lymphocytes and
      their subgroups in CB and APB, but no cytological difference.

PMID- 27263940
TI  - Evaluation of oxidative status in iron deficiency anemia through total
      antioxidant capacity measured using an automated method.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress, an increase in oxidants and/or a decrease in
      antioxidant capacity, is one of the potential biochemical mechanisms involved in
      the pathogenesis of iron deficiency anemia. The objective of this study was to
      evaluate the oxidative status and to determine whether there is any relationship
      between oxidative status and the severity of anemia in patients with iron
      deficiency anemia using an automated method. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects with
      iron deficiency anemia and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the present
      study. Serum total antioxidant capacity, serum total peroxide level and oxidative
      stress index were determined in all study subjects. RESULTS: Serum total
      antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in patients with iron deficiency
      anemia than controls (p<0.05), while serum total peroxide level and oxidative
      stress index were significantly higher (both p<0.05). There was a significant
      correlation between hemoglobin level and serum total peroxide level, oxidative
      stress index and total antioxidant capacity (r=-0.504, p<0.05; r=-0.503, p<0.05;
      r=0.417, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Increased oxidative stress may play a
      role in the pathogenesis of iron deficiency anemia. Supplementation of
      antioxidant vitamins in conjunction with iron replacement therapy may offer
      better responses and provide early resolution of symptoms related to iron
      deficiency anemia. The automated assay is a reliable and easily applied method
      for measurement of serum total antioxidant capacity in iron deficiency anemia.

PMID- 27263942
TI  - Hyperuricemia and tumor lysis syndrome in children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
      and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the incidence, clinical characteristics,
      and outcome of hyperuricemia and tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) in children with non
      Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS: This
      retrospective study included data from 327 patients (113 NHL and 214 ALL).
      RESULTS: Hyperuricemia occurred in 26.5% and 12.6% of the patients with NHL and
      ALL, respectively. The corresponding figures for TLS were 15.9% and 0.47%
      (p=0.001). All hyperuricemic NHL patients had advanced disease and renal
      involvement was present in 53%. All hyperuricemic ALL patients had a leukocyte
      count >50,000 mm3 at the time of diagnosis. Among the hyperuricemic NHL and ALL
      patients, 96.6% and 66.6% had LDH >=500 UI/L, respectively. Treatment consisted
      of hydration and allopurinol; none of the patients received urate oxidase. Among
      the patients that developed TLS, 26.3% had laboratory TLS, 42.1% had grade I or
      II TLS, and 31.6% had grade III or IV TLS. Uric acid levels returned to normal
      after a mean period of 3.5+/-2.5 and 3.05+/-0.8 d in NHL and ALL groups,
      respectively. In all, 7% of the patients with hyperuricemia required
      hemodialysis. None of the patients died. CONCLUSION: In this series the factors
      associated with a high-risk for TLS were renal involvement in NHL and high
      leucocyte count in ALL. Management with allopurinol and hydration was effective
      in this group of patients with high tumor burden.

PMID- 27263941
TI  - Seroprevalence and genotyping of hepatitis C virus in multiple transfused
      Jordanian patients with beta-thalassemia major.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this study are to investigate the prevalence of
      HCV among patients with beta-thalassemia major and to determine the most
      prevalent genotype for this virus among them. METHODS: One hundred twenty-two
      beta-thalassemia major patients who were previously diagnosed at the molecular
      level were included. All plasma samples were tested for the presence of
      antibodies by ELISA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used in the
      quantitation the HCV RNA viral loads, and consequently, patients with high virus
      titer were genotyped by the linear array. RESULTS: Forty of the patients were
      anti-HCV positive. The prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher in
      patients who received blood transfusion before 1993 (83.7%) than in those who
      received it after 1993 (16.3%) (p=0.000). beta-thalassemia major patients with
      HCV infection had significantly higher rates of elevated aspartate
      aminotransferase (54.4% vs 40.5%, p=0.045) and alanine aminotransferase (72.47%
      vs 37.47%, p=0.00) and of splenectomy (54.8% vs 45.2%, p=0.004) than beta
      thalassemia major patients without HCV. CONCLUSION: HCV genotype 4 is the
      commonest genotype in multi-transfused patients with beta-thalassemia major in
      Jordan.

PMID- 27263943
TI  - PET CT imaging in extramedullary hematopoiesis and lung cancer surprise in a case
      with thalassemia intermedia.
AB  - Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is the production of hematopoietic precursors
      outside the bone marrow cavity, and it causes mass effects according to its
      localization. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT)
      scans are used most commonly to detect EMH foci. We report herein a case with
      thalassemia intermedia causing paravertebral mass associated with EMH detected by
      CT scan. We further evaluated the case with positron emission tomography (PET)
      CT, and lung cancer, which was not revealed in the CT scan, was detected
      coincidentally. 

PMID- 27263944
TI  - Treatment of intrathecal methotrexate overdose with folinic acid rescue and
      lumbar cerebrospinal fluid exchange: A report of two cases.
AB  - We report two male cases (4- and 5-years-old) of intrathecal methotrexate
      overdose. The two boys with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were to receive
      intrathecal injection of methotrexate. Instead of the prescribed 12 mg, they both
      received a dose of 120 mg. The initial cerebrospinal fluid samples showed
      methotrexate concentration of 2.24x10-2M in case 1 and 1.32x10-2M in case 2. The
      cases were successfully treated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exchange and
      intravenous folinic acid rescue. The favorable outcome in our cases suggests that
      CSF exchange is safe and that folinic acid rescue may be adequate to prevent
      sequelae in patients subjected to intrathecal MTX overdoses up to 120 mg. We
      propose CSF exchange and intravenous folinic acid as the mainstay of treatment.
      In addition to the staff's failure to check the drug label carefully, the marked
      resemblance of the two dose preparations of MTX may have been contributory. 

PMID- 27263945
TI  - Brucellosis presenting with pancytopenia due to hemophagocytic syndrome.
AB  - Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome is clinically characterized by fever,
      hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, and coagulopathy, and is histologically
      characterized by excessive proliferation and activation of histiocytes or
      macrophages. It can occur with systemic infections, immunodeficiency, or
      underlying malignancy. Brucellosis is one of the rare causes of hemophagocytosis.
      Herein we report an 11-year-old male with pancytopenia due to hemophagocytosis
      during the course of brucellosis that responded favorably to therapy. Although
      rare, hemophagocytosis should be considered as a possible cause of pancytopenia
      in patients with brucellosis, especially in regions where brucellosis is
      frequently encountered. 

PMID- 27263946
TI  - A child with primary gastric lymphoma and cavernous sinus involvement.

PMID- 27263947
TI  - Feasibility of four discriminant functions for identifying hemoglobin E
      disorders: Experience in 114 Thai pregnant subjects.

PMID- 27263948
TI  - The association between calcium dobesilate and pancytopenia in type 2 diabetes: A
      case report.

PMID- 27263949
TI  - Aeromonas sobria bacteriemia in an acute lymphoblastic leukemia case in
      remission.

PMID- 27263950
TI  - ARA-C associated pulmonary toxicity.

PMID- 27263951
TI  - Niemann-Pick disease.

PMID- 27263952
TI  - Enough With Polio: It's Measles' Turn Now in Pakistan.

PMID- 27263953
TI  - A review of abnormal hemoglobins in Turkey.
AB  - In this review, abnormal hemoglobins published in Turkish population during the
      last 4 years are presented. Further, analysis of the 88 abnormal hemoglobins is
      geven. 

PMID- 27263954
TI  - Beta globin gene cluster haplotypes of abnormal hemoglobins observed in Turkey.
AB  - Since the first observation of hemoglobin S (Hb S) in Turkey by Aksoy, the number
      of hemoglobin variants reported was increased. Beta globin gene cluster
      haplotypes are being used to determine the origin of the mutations under
      interest. We studied the beta globin gene cluster haplotypes for the six
      different abnormal hemoglobins which are Hb S, Hb D-Los Angeles, Hb G-Coushatta,
      Hb E, Hb E-Saskatoon and Hb J-Iran observed in Turkey. In this study, we report
      two novel haplotypes [- + + - - - +] and [- + - + + +] in association with the Hb
      G-Coushatta mutation. The haplotype for the Hb J-Iran is also reported as [- + -
      + + + +] for the first time in world populations from Turkey. 

PMID- 27263955
TI  - The effects of platelet receptor GPIIb/IIIa polymorphism (Leu Pro33) on the
      receptor expression and platelet aggregation in patients with ischaemic stroke.
AB  - Platelet hyperaggregation in ischaemic stroke patients is a proven finding, and
      associated with increased expression of the platelet surface GPIIb/IIIa receptor.
      The polymorphism occurs at nucleotide position 1565 of the GPIIIa gene resulting
      a 33Leu-Pro change. Data are conflicting regarding the abnormal function of the
      PlA1/A2 receptor in stroke. The aim of the study was to address the difference of
      platelet receptor function in ischemic stroke patients with the wild PlA1/A1 and
      heterozygous PlA1/A2 genotype. A total of 51 patients with PA1/A1 and 54 patients
      with PlA1/A2 genotypes were enrolled. Polymerase chain reaction was used for
      genotyping of platelets. Platelet aggregation was measured in whole blood and in
      platelet rich plasma (PRP). Flow cytometry was used for measuring surface
      molecule expression (CD42b, CD41a, CD61, CD62P) and fibrinogen binding capacity
      of cells with phosphate buffer solution (PBS) in comparison with activation by
      ristocetin in whole blood as well as by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in PRP. In
      comparison with wild types, platelets carrying the PlA1/A2 genotypes showed
      hyperaggregation measured in whole blood and induced by ristocetin (p< 0.05).
      Using whole blood flow cytometry with ristocetin induction, the CD62P+/FIB- (P
      selectin) and the CD62P+/FIB+ were more expressed in heterozygous platelets as
      compared to wild types (p< 0.01 and p< 0.05), respectively. According to mean
      fluorescence intensity with ADP induction, an increased expression of CD61+,
      CD61+/CD41+ and CD62P+ in PlA1/A2 platelets were detected as compared to the
      group carrying the wild type (p< 0.0001, p= 0.006, p= 0.0001), respectively.
      These findings support the possibility that in ischaemic stroke patients,
      platelets carrying PlA1/A2 genotypes can be activated by different inductors in a
      way, which leads to permanent hyperfunction of platelet surface receptor GPIIIa. 

PMID- 27263956
TI  - Public education for the prevention of hemoglobinopathies: a study targeting
      Kocaeli University students.
AB  - In addition to premarital screening programs, education of the general population
      is important in preventing hemoglobinopathies. The aim of the present study was
      the education of university students. Short questionnaires were applied before
      and after a prepared lecture. A 20-minute audiovisual education was provided
      including the clinical characteristics and inheritance of thalassemia and sickle
      cell anemia (SCA) as well as the importance of carrier screening. The attendance
      to 42 lectures was low (n= 1348 = 5%). Seventy-four percent of the students had
      heard of thalassemia. The percentage of the students who had some accurate
      knowledge was 25% for thalassemia and 11.7% for SCA. Following the lecture, these
      numbers increased to 86.2% and 72.1% for thalassemia and SCA, respectively. Only
      13.6% of the students were aware of the risk of being carriers, but this
      increased to 78.6% following the lecture; 92.4% learned that these
      hemoglobinopathies were inherited and 78.8% learned that consanguineous marriages
      would increase the risk. Education on hemoglobinopathies must be integrated into
      the curricula of middle schools and high schools. 

PMID- 27263957
TI  - Relationship between activation and apoptosis in platelets.
AB  - Phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization is a marker for the nucleated cell
      apoptosis, and refers cellular activation rather than apoptosis in platelets. On
      the other hand, several similarities exist between platelet activation and
      apoptosis in nucleated cells. Herewith we investigated the relationship between
      platelet activation and platelet apoptosis. Platelets isolated from fresh blood
      of 22 healthy volunteers were incubated with and without calcium ionophore
      A23187. Platelet activation was evaluated with CD62P and CD63 antibodies, whereas
      apoptosis with intracellular anti caspase 3-antibody and JC-1 cationic dye. In
      order to detect PS externalization we used Annexin V by flow cytometry at the
      beginning, 20th min and 5th hours of the incubation, respectively. There were
      positive correlations between caspase-3 activation and PS externaization, ?Psim
      depolarization, CD63, and also between PS externaization and CD62P in incubations
      with A23187 at 5th hours of incubations. These results suggest that there is a
      relationship between activation and apoptosis in platelets, and platelet
      activation may progress to platelet apoptosis. 

PMID- 27263958
TI  - Spinal epidural extramedullary hematopoiesis during the complicated course of
      polycythemia vera.
AB  - Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) may uncommonly develop during the course of
      polycythemia vera (PV). We herein present a 57-year-old patient with spinal
      epidural EMH that developed during the complicated course of PV and his outcome
      under different treatment modalities including hydroxyurea, 32P, radiotherapy and
      surgery. 

PMID- 27263959
TI  - Malignant myelomatous pleural effusion-Is onset of effusion a new prognostic
      factor?
AB  - Malignant pleural effusion in myeloma (MMPE) is a rare terminal event; with a
      median survival is four months. All the patients usually have multiple poor
      prognostic factors and none of them (like beta 2-microglobulin, karyotype, Stage
      of disease, C-reactive protein etc.) correctly predicts the survival. We are
      reporting a series of five cases and evaluated the factors influencing the
      overall survival. All of our patients had a very good response to treatment and
      had a better survival compared to the reported cases so far. After reviewing the
      literature carefully we found that timing of development of pleural effusion is
      probably the most important prognostic factor. Those who develop effusion after
      some time lag form the initial treatment, will have a poor survival (median four
      months) compared to those who had effusion at the start of the disease. 

PMID- 27263961
TI  - A book on Ord. Prof. Dr. Erich Frank.

PMID- 27263960
TI  - Retrospective analysis of seven patients with adult-onset langerhans cell
      histiocytosis syndromes: A single center experience.

PMID- 27263962
TI  - Physiological and pharmacokinetic effects of multilevel caging on Sprague Dawley
      rats under ketamine-xylazine anesthesia.
AB  - While the cage refinement is a necessary step towards improving the welfare of
      research rats, increasing the complexity and surface area of the living space of
      an animal may have physiological impacts that need to be taken into
      consideration. In this study, ketamine (80 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) caused
      a short duration anesthesia that was significantly decreased in Sprague-Dawley
      rats housed in multilevel cages (MLC), compared to rats housed in standard cages
      (SDC). The withdrawal reflex, the palpebral reflexes and the time-to-sternal all
      occurred earlier in MLC housed rats, suggesting an effect of housing on the
      physiology of the rats. In addition, during anesthesia, cardiac frequencies were
      increased in animals housed in the smaller SDC. Respiratory frequencies, the
      blood oxygen saturation and rectal temperatures during anesthesia did not vary
      between conditions during the anesthesia. While xylazine pharmacokinetics were
      unchanged with caging conditions, the clearance and half-lives of ketamine and
      its metabolite, norketamine, were altered in the rats housed in MLC. Finally,
      while no difference was ultimately seen in rat body weights, isolated liver and
      adrenal gland weights were significantly lighter in rats housed in the MLC.
      Increasing cage sizes, while having a positive impact on wellbeing in rats, can
      alter anesthetic drug metabolism and thus modify anesthesia parameters and
      associated physiological processes.

PMID- 27263964
TI  - Role of physical activity in the management and assessment of rheumatoid
      arthritis patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting
      diarthrodial joints, in which patients tend to perform less physical activity
      (PA) than recommended. This review focuses on the existing evidence about the
      relationship of PA and RA, specifically how the former influences joint
      inflammation, disability, quality of life and pain in RA patients, and also how
      disease activity potentially impacts PA in these patients. METHODS: A literature
      search of EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from January 2000 to January 2015.
      RESULTS: The evidence indicating that PA in RA patients is safe and the benefits
      from regularly performing, both aerobic and resistance exercises, in these
      patients include improvement in: quality of life, functionality, pain and number
      of swollen joints. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that changes in disease
      activity in RA patients inversely correlate with variations in PA, as assessed by
      accelerometry. CONCLUSIONS: The regular monitoring of PA in RA patients might
      facilitate a more objective evaluation of variations in disease activity, helping
      physicians to make general and therapeutic recommendations that will improve both
      the health status and the joint functionality of these patients.

PMID- 27263963
TI  - Relapsed hydroxychloroquine induced thrombocytopenia in a systemic lupus
      erythematosus patient.
AB  - Hydroxychloroquine is used in the long-term therapy of systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE). Although considered to be a safe treatment, side effects
      have been documented. An uncommon side effect is thrombocytopenia. In order to
      establish the diagnosis of thrombocytopenia secondary to Hydroxychloroquine, non
      pharmacological causes must be ruled out and it is necessary to determine a
      recurrence after re-exposure to the drug. We present one case of severe
      thrombocytopenia occurring in a patient with SLE undergoing treatment with
      Hydroxychloroquine.

PMID- 27263966
TI  - Current and novel approaches to treat patients presenting with ST elevation
      myocardial infarction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represents the
      gold-standard treatment for patients presenting with an ST-elevation myocardial
      infarction (STEMI). Acute myocardial infarction is a complex clinical scenario,
      and an appropriate therapeutic approach could be represented by a balanced
      integration between healthcare system and medical competence. AREAS COVERED: In
      this review we discuss how a primary PCI network, and the new therapeutic options
      could be coupled in order to obtain improved clinical outcomes. The present
      report will focus on three main issues related to STEMI patients, namely, out of
      hospital management, primary PCI and pharmacological treatment. Expert
      commentary: A possible correct approach to a patient presenting a STEMI could be
      considered as a stepwise process, given by 5 steps: reducing the time to
      reperfusion; dual antiplatelet administration; radial access; new generation drug
      eluting stent implantation; long term management.

PMID- 27263965
TI  - Has joint involvement lessened in Kawasaki disease?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis affecting medium
      sized arteries, particularly the coronary arteries. Classic diagnosis is based in
      prolonged fever and different clinical features, including acute arthritis. Our
      objective is to determine the prevalence of arthritis at the moment of the
      diagnosis, the response to intravenous immunoglobulin infusion and the relation
      with cardiac findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study through review
      of medical records of 42 patients with KD from 1988 to 2013. Demographic,
      clinical, laboratory variables and treatment were reviewed. RESULTS: Male sex was
      predominant (57%). Fever (100%), exanthema (92,9%), conjunctivitis (78,6%),
      oropharingeal changes (76,2%), cervical lymphadenopathy (71,4%), edema (52,4%)
      and peripheral desquamation (46,3%) were reported. Eight patients presented
      ecocardiography alterations (ectasia and aneurism). Acute articular involvement
      was reported in 7 (16%) patients, including oligoarticular (57%), monoarticular
      (29%) and polyarticular (14%) patterns. All patients had elevation of acute phase
      reactants with neutrophilia (57%) and hypoalbuminemia (71,5%), but showed a good
      therapeutic response to intravenous immunoglobulin, without sequelaes. Sixteen
      patients had incomplete KD nine males, with 100% of fever exanthema (75%),
      conjunctivitis (56%) and 50% of cervical lymphadenopathy. Whereas oropharingeal
      changes and edemas was described in 44% and 25% of them. Four patients with
      incomplete KD had coronary artery abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Acute arthritis was
      an uncommon finding (16%) and resulted in no sequelae. Maybe the treatment with
      intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin prevents the development of articular
      abnormalities and then leading to a decrease in its follow-up requierement by
      reumathologist. The cardiovascular sequelae, mainly incomplete KD, remains
      determining its prognosis. The presence of articular involvement seems not to
      have influence over cardiac involvement.

PMID- 27263967
TI  - Clostridium difficile Infections in Children: Impact of the Diagnostic Method on
      Infection Rates.
AB  - BACKGROUND Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays based on the detection of the
      toxin B gene are replacing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based toxin
      production detection or cell cytotoxicity assay in most laboratories. OBJECTIVE
      To determine the proportion of pediatric patients diagnosed with Clostridium
      difficile infection by PCR who would have also been diagnosed by ELISA and to
      compare the clinical characteristics of PCR+/ELISA+ vs PCR+/ELISA- patients.
      METHODS Using the microbiology laboratory information system, stool samples
      positive for C. difficile by PCR between October 2010 and July 2014 were
      identified. Using frozen stool specimens, an ELISA for toxin A and B was
      performed. A retrospective medical chart review was conducted to obtain
      demographic and clinical data. Duplicate samples were excluded. RESULTS A total
      of 136 PCR-positive samples underwent ELISA testing: 54 (40%) were positive for
      toxin A or B. The mean (SD) age of the entire cohort was 8.5 (6.2) years. There
      was no difference in age, gender, clinical manifestation, previous medical
      problems, and management between patients positive or negative by ELISA. However,
      patients positive by ELISA were more likely to have had a recent exposure to
      antibiotics (67.9% vs 50%; crude odds ratio, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.03-4.28]). CONCLUSION
      In our pediatric population, 60% of patients with C. difficile diagnosed by PCR
      had no toxin detectable by ELISA. ELISA-negative patients were less likely to
      have received an antibiotic recently compared with ELISA-positive patients. These
      results highlight the need to standardize laboratory criteria for the diagnosis
      of C. difficile infections in children. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
      2016;37:1087-1093.

PMID- 27263968
TI  - Synaptic Rectification Controls Nonlinear Spatial Integration of Natural Visual
      Inputs.
AB  - A central goal in the study of any sensory system is to predict neural responses
      to complex inputs, especially those encountered during natural stimulation.
      Nowhere is the transformation from stimulus to response better understood than
      the vertebrate retina. Nevertheless, descriptions of retinal computation are
      largely based on stimulation using artificial visual stimuli, and it is unclear
      how these descriptions map onto the encoding of natural stimuli. We demonstrate
      that nonlinear spatial integration, a common feature of retinal ganglion cell
      (RGC) processing, shapes neural responses to natural visual stimuli in primate
      Off parasol RGCs, whereas On parasol RGCs exhibit surprisingly linear spatial
      integration. Despite this asymmetry, both cell types show strong nonlinear
      integration when presented with artificial stimuli. We show that nonlinear
      integration of natural stimuli is a consequence of rectified excitatory synaptic
      input and that accounting for nonlinear spatial integration substantially
      improves models that predict RGC responses to natural images.

PMID- 27263969
TI  - Hormonal Modulation of Pheromone Detection Enhances Male Courtship Success.
AB  - During the lifespans of most animals, reproductive maturity and mating activity
      are highly coordinated. In Drosophila melanogaster, for instance, male fertility
      increases with age, and older males are known to have a copulation advantage over
      young ones. The molecular and neural basis of this age-related disparity in
      mating behavior is unknown. Here, we show that the Or47b odorant receptor is
      required for the copulation advantage of older males. Notably, the sensitivity of
      Or47b neurons to a stimulatory pheromone, palmitoleic acid, is low in young males
      but high in older ones, which accounts for older males' higher courtship
      intensity. Mechanistically, this age-related sensitization of Or47b neurons
      requires a reproductive hormone, juvenile hormone, as well as its binding protein
      Methoprene-tolerant in Or47b neurons. Together, our study identifies a direct
      neural substrate for juvenile hormone that permits coordination of courtship
      activity with reproductive maturity to maximize male reproductive fitness.

PMID- 27263970
TI  - A Primate lncRNA Mediates Notch Signaling during Neuronal Development by
      Sequestering miRNA.
AB  - Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a diverse and poorly conserved category of
      transcripts that have expanded greatly in primates, particularly in the brain. We
      identified an lncRNA, which has acquired 16 microRNA response elements for miR
      143-3p in the Catarrhini branch of primates. This lncRNA, termed LncND
      (neurodevelopment), is expressed in neural progenitor cells and then declines in
      neurons. Binding and release of miR-143-3p by LncND control the expression of
      Notch receptors. LncND expression is enriched in radial glia cells (RGCs) in the
      ventricular and subventricular zones of developing human brain. Downregulation in
      neuroblastoma cells reduced cell proliferation and induced neuronal
      differentiation, an effect phenocopied by miR-143-3p overexpression. Gain of
      function of LncND in developing mouse cortex led to an expansion of PAX6+ RGCs.
      These findings support a role for LncND in miRNA-mediated regulation of Notch
      signaling within the neural progenitor pool in primates that may have contributed
      to the expansion of cerebral cortex.

PMID- 27263972
TI  - Orbitofrontal Cortex Value Signals Depend on Fixation Location during Free
      Viewing.
AB  - In the natural world, monkeys and humans judge the economic value of numerous
      competing stimuli by moving their gaze from one object to another, in a rapid
      series of eye movements. This suggests that the primate brain processes value
      serially, and that value-coding neurons may be modulated by changes in gaze. To
      test this hypothesis, we presented monkeys with value-associated visual cues and
      took the unusual step of allowing unrestricted free viewing while we recorded
      neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). By leveraging natural gaze patterns,
      we found that a large proportion of OFC cells encode gaze location and, that in
      some cells, value coding is amplified when subjects fixate near the cue. These
      findings provide the first cellular-level mechanism for previously documented
      behavioral effects of gaze on valuation and suggest a major role for gaze in
      neural mechanisms of valuation and decision-making under ecologically realistic
      conditions.

PMID- 27263971
TI  - Sensory-Derived Glutamate Regulates Presynaptic Inhibitory Terminals in Mouse
      Spinal Cord.
AB  - Circuit function in the CNS relies on the balanced interplay of excitatory and
      inhibitory synaptic signaling. How neuronal activity influences synaptic
      differentiation to maintain such balance remains unclear. In the mouse spinal
      cord, a population of GABAergic interneurons, GABApre, forms synapses with the
      terminals of proprioceptive sensory neurons and controls information transfer at
      sensory-motor connections through presynaptic inhibition. We show that reducing
      sensory glutamate release results in decreased expression of GABA-synthesizing
      enzymes GAD65 and GAD67 in GABApre terminals and decreased presynaptic
      inhibition. Glutamate directs GAD67 expression via the metabotropic glutamate
      receptor mGluR1beta on GABApre terminals and regulates GAD65 expression via
      autocrine influence on sensory terminal BDNF. We demonstrate that dual retrograde
      signals from sensory terminals operate hierarchically to direct the molecular
      differentiation of GABApre terminals and the efficacy of presynaptic inhibition.
      These retrograde signals comprise a feedback mechanism by which excitatory
      sensory activity drives GABAergic inhibition to maintain circuit homeostasis.

PMID- 27263973
TI  - Anatomical Connections of the Functionally Defined "Face Patches" in the Macaque
      Monkey.
AB  - The neural circuits underlying face recognition provide a model for understanding
      visual object representation, social cognition, and hierarchical information
      processing. A fundamental piece of information lacking to date is the detailed
      anatomical connections of the face patches. Here, we injected retrograde tracers
      into four different face patches (PL, ML, AL, AM) to characterize their
      anatomical connectivity. We found that the patches are strongly and specifically
      connected to each other, and individual patches receive inputs from extrastriate
      cortex, the medial temporal lobe, and three subcortical structures (the pulvinar,
      claustrum, and amygdala). Inputs from prefrontal cortex were surprisingly weak.
      Patches were densely interconnected to one another in both feedforward and
      feedback directions, inconsistent with a serial hierarchy. These results provide
      the first direct anatomical evidence that the face patches constitute a highly
      specialized system and suggest that subcortical regions may play a vital role in
      routing face-related information to subsequent processing stages.

PMID- 27263974
TI  - The Molecular Motor KIF1A Transports the TrkA Neurotrophin Receptor and Is
      Essential for Sensory Neuron Survival and Function.
AB  - KIF1A is a major axonal transport motor protein, but its functional significance
      remains elusive. Here we show that KIF1A-haploinsufficient mice developed sensory
      neuropathy. We found progressive loss of TrkA(+) sensory neurons in Kif1a(+/-)
      dorsal root ganglia (DRGs). Moreover, axonal transport of TrkA was significantly
      disrupted in Kif1a(+/-) neurons. Live imaging and immunoprecipitation assays
      revealed that KIF1A bound to TrkA-containing vesicles through the adaptor GTP
      Rab3, suggesting that TrkA is a cargo of the KIF1A motor. Physiological
      measurements revealed a weaker capsaicin response in Kif1a(+/-) DRG neurons.
      Moreover, these neurons were hyposensitive to nerve growth factor, which could
      explain the reduced neuronal survival and the functional deficiency of the pain
      receptor TRPV1. Because phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling
      significantly rescued these phenotypes and also increased Kif1a mRNA, we propose
      that KIF1A is essential for the survival and function of sensory neurons because
      of the TrkA transport and its synergistic support of the NGF/TrkA/PI3K signaling
      pathway.

PMID- 27263976
TI  - (Hetero)aromatics from dienynes, enediynes and enyne-allenes.
AB  - The construction of aromatic rings has become a key objective for organic
      chemists. While several strategies have been developed for the functionalization
      of pre-formed aromatic rings, the direct construction of an aromatic core
      starting from polyunsaturated systems is yet a less explored field. The potential
      of such reactions in the formation of aromatics increased at a regular pace in
      the last few years. Nowadays, there are reliable and well-established procedures
      to prepare polyenic derivatives, such as dienynes, enediynes, enyne-allenes and
      hetero-analogues. This has stimulated their use in the development of innovative
      cycloaromatizations. Different examples have recently emerged, suggesting large
      potential of this strategy in the preparation of (hetero)aromatics. Accordingly,
      this review highlights the recent advancements in this field and describes the
      different conditions exploited to trigger the process, including thermal and
      photochemical activation, as well as the use of transition metal catalysis and
      the addition of electrophiles/nucleophiles or radical species. 

PMID- 27263977
TI  - Carboxylation of terminal alkynes with CO2 using novel silver N-heterocyclic
      carbene complexes.
AB  - Four novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) silver complexes, , have been synthesized
      and characterized. The single X-ray crystal diffraction data indicate a dinuclear
      solid-state structure for and and a mononuclear structure for and . These
      complexes have been successfully used as efficient catalysts for the C-H
      activating carboxylation of terminal alkynes with CO2. A wide range of substrates
      with various functional groups afforded the corresponding aryl or alkyl
      substituted propiolic acids in good yields under mild conditions. Moreover, the
      role of bases and the reaction mechanism is thoroughly discussed. 

PMID- 27263975
TI  - Scribble Scaffolds a Signalosome for Active Forgetting.
AB  - Forgetting, one part of the brain's memory management system, provides balance to
      the encoding and consolidation of new information by removing unused or unwanted
      memories or by suppressing their expression. Recent studies identified the small
      G protein, Rac1, as a key player in the Drosophila mushroom bodies neurons (MBn)
      for active forgetting. We subsequently discovered that a few dopaminergic neurons
      (DAn) that innervate the MBn mediate forgetting. Here we show that Scribble, a
      scaffolding protein known primarily for its role as a cell polarity determinant,
      orchestrates the intracellular signaling for normal forgetting. Knocking down
      scribble expression in either MBn or DAn impairs normal memory loss. Scribble
      interacts physically and genetically with Rac1, Pak3, and Cofilin within MBn,
      nucleating a forgetting signalosome that is downstream of dopaminergic inputs
      that regulate forgetting. These results bind disparate molecular players in
      active forgetting into a single signaling pathway: Dopamine-> Dopamine Receptor->
      Scribble-> Rac-> Cofilin.

PMID- 27263978
TI  - A belt transect setting strategy for mark-recapture experiments to evaluate the
      1D diffusion coefficient of beached litter in the cross-shore direction.
AB  - We propose a belt transect setting strategy for mark-recapture experiments (MREs)
      to evaluate the time-independent 1D diffusion coefficient (<Dp0>) of marine
      litter in the cross-shore direction that determines the backwashing flux of the
      litter, based on two-year MREs for plastic floats (PFs) on Wadahama Beach, Nii
      jima Island, Japan. When the alongshore width of the belt transect (Lt) was of
      the order of, or longer than, the length scale of wave-induced nearshore current
      circulation (Lc), the PFs were rarely transported alongshore across the selected
      transects prior to being backwashed offshore. Thus, the transect residence time
      became longer and showed a much weaker dependence on the transect position, in
      contrast to when Lt was even shorter than Lc. We therefore obtained the diffusion
      coefficients close to the value of (<Dp0>) when we set Lt to the order of, or
      longer than, Lc. 

PMID- 27263979
TI  - Marine debris: Implications for conservation of rocky reefs in Manabi, Ecuador
      (Se Pacific Coast).
AB  - Marine debris (MD) pollution is a problem of global concern because of its impact
      on marine ecosystems. The current extent of this problem and its implications
      concerning reef conservation are unknown in Ecuador. The composition and
      distribution of submerged MD was assessed on two reefs using underwater surveys
      of geomorphological areas: crest, slope and bottom. MD items were classified
      according to source and use. Plastic-derived debris represents >90% of total MD
      found on the reefs, principally composed by plastic containers and nets. 63% of
      the MD was associated to fishing activities. The composition showed differences
      between sites and geomorphological areas, monofilament nets were found on the
      crests, multifilament lines on the slopes and plastic containers on the bottom.
      MD disposal might be a result of the influx of visitors and fishing activities.
      Distribution is related to bottom type, level of boating/fishing activity and
      benthic features. 

PMID- 27263980
TI  - Considerations on the effects of tidal regimes in the movement of floating litter
      in an estuarine environment: Case study of the estuarine system of Santos-Sao
      Vicente, Brazil.
AB  - Floating litter in the estuarine system of Santos-Sao Vicente is common and is
      part of day-to-day activities of various users of the area. The objective of the
      present study was to carry out a quali-quantitative evaluation of the occurrence
      of floating litter, to infer their sources, and to identify environmental factors
      that are likely to control occurrence and distribution, with particular emphasis
      on the effects of tidal regimes. Six sampling stations were selected along the
      aforementioned estuary and visited monthly between July 2010 and January 2012.
      Floating litter was counted from a fixed sampling station. Plastics prevailed
      (89.64%) and their main source was domestic activities (55.41%). More litter was
      found during ebb spring tides, with higher concentrations obeying confluence
      patterns of the estuary's channels. Results indicated that occurrence can be
      attributed to the deficiency in basic sewage system in the area and the
      deliberate disposal into the estuary by the local population. 

PMID- 27263981
TI  - Knowledge about dietary fibre: a fibre study framework.
AB  - The objective of this work was to study the degree of knowledge about dietary
      fibre (DF), as influenced by factors such as gender, level of education, living
      environment or country. For this, a descriptive cross-sectional study was
      undertaken on a non-probabilistic sample of 6010 participants from 10 countries
      in different continents (Europe, Africa and America). The results showed that the
      participants revealed on average a positive but still low global level of
      knowledge, which alerts for the need to take some actions to further inform the
      population about DF and its role as a component of a healthy diet. The results
      also indicated differences between genders, levels of education, living
      environments and countries. The highest level of knowledge was revealed by the
      participants from female gender, with higher education and living in urban areas.
      Concerning the country, the best informed were the participants from Romania,
      followed by those from Portugal and Turkey while the least informed were from
      Egypt. 

PMID- 27263986
TI  - Evaluation of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper
      Extremity Computer Adaptive Test.
AB  - PURPOSE: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper
      Extremity Computer Adaptive Test (UE CAT) has recently been made available by the
      National Institutes of Health to measure physical function outcomes in the upper
      extremity. We hypothesized that the UE CAT would psychometrically outperform the
      Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) and the Patient-Reported
      Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test
      (PF CAT) in a hand patient population. METHODS: The UE CAT, PF CAT, and DASH were
      each electronically administered to all adult patients who presented to a
      tertiary hand and upper extremity (nonshoulder) orthopedic clinic. Patient
      responses were retrospectively studied to determine the validity, reliability,
      and floor/ceiling effects of all 3 instruments using the Rasch Partial Credit
      Model. Responder burden and Pearson correlations were calculated for each
      instrument. RESULTS: A total of 379 patients completed the UE CAT, PF CAT, and
      the DASH. On average, 6 UE CAT, 9 PF CAT, and 30 DASH questions were administered
      to each patient. All 3 instruments were each highly correlated with each other.
      Floor effects were low and similar between all instruments; however, ceiling
      effects were higher in the UE CAT (10.82%) than in the PF CAT (1.32%) or DASH
      (5.28%). High person reliability (PR) and item reliability (IR) were found for
      all 3 metrics: UE CAT (alpha = 0.99; PR = 0.91; IR = 0.94); PF CAT (alpha = 0.95;
      PR = 0.89; IR = 0.96); and DASH (alpha = 0.97; PR = 0.95; IR = 0.99). The UE CAT
      questions had the best item-fit: only 1 of 15 UE CAT items had poor fit in
      contrast to 4 of 30 DASH items and 7 of 33 PF CAT items. CONCLUSIONS: The
      psychometric properties of the UE CAT compare favorably with the PF CAT and the
      DASH in nonshoulder upper extremity patients. The relatively large ceiling effect
      found in the UE CAT could be improved with item bank expansion to include items
      at the upper end of function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The UE CAT is a useful patient
      reported outcome measure that merits further investigation.

PMID- 27263987
TI  - Semiautomated Ventilation Defect Quantification in Exercise-induced
      Bronchoconstriction Using Hyperpolarized Helium-3 Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A
      Repeatability Study.
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the performance of a
      semiautomated ventilation defect segmentation approach, adaptive K-means, with
      manual segmentation of hyperpolarized helium-3 magnetic resonance imaging in
      subjects with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Six subjects with EIB underwent hyperpolarized helium-3 magnetic resonance
      imaging and spirometry tests at baseline, post exercise, and recovery over two
      separate visits. Ventilation defects were analyzed by two methods. First, two
      independent readers manually segmented ventilation defects. Second, defects were
      quantified by an adaptive K-means method that corrected for coil sensitivity,
      applied a vesselness filter to estimate pulmonary vasculature, and segmented
      defects adaptively based on the overall low-intensity signals in the lungs. These
      two methods were then compared in four aspects: (1) ventilation defect percent
      (VDP) measurements, (2) correlation between spirometric measures and measured
      VDP, (3) regional VDP variations pre- and post exercise challenge, and (4) Dice
      coefficient for spatial agreement. RESULTS: The adaptive K-means method was ~5
      times faster, and the measured VDP bias was under 2%. The correlation between
      predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second over forced vital capacity and VDP
      measured by adaptive K-means (rho = -0.64, P <0.0001) and by the manual method
      (rho = -0.63, P <0.0001) yielded almost identical 95% confidence intervals.
      Neither method of measuring VDP indicated apical/basal or anterior dependence in
      this small study cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the manual method, the adaptive
      K-means method provided faster, reproducible, comparable measures of VDP in EIB
      and may be applied to a variety of lung diseases.

PMID- 27263988
TI  - Tuning of the electronic and photophysical properties of ladder-type quaterphenyl
      by selective methylene-bridge fluorination.
AB  - The photophysics (spectral positions, band shapes, fluorescence quantum yields
      and lifetimes) of a series of fluorinated ladder type quaterphenyls L4P and L4P
      Fn (n = 2, 4, 6) depend strongly on the degree and position of fluorine, despite
      the fact that substitution is not performed in the rings but only in methylene
      bridges. This is driven by subtle differences in the molecular orbitals (MOs)
      participating in the electronic transitions, and in the vibronic pattern of the
      S0 and S1 electronic states as revealed by (TD)DFT calculations. Solid state
      spectra for n = 0, 2, 4 are similar to those of solution due to small
      intermolecular interactions as revealed by combined X-ray and (TD)DFT analysis. 

PMID- 27263989
TI  - Phenological mismatch and ontogenetic diet shifts interactively affect offspring
      condition in a passerine.
AB  - Climate change may cause phenological asynchrony between trophic levels, which
      can lead to mismatched reproduction in animals. Although indirect effects of
      mismatch on fitness are well described, direct effects on parental prey choice
      are not. Moreover, direct effects of prey variation on offspring condition
      throughout their early development are understudied. Here, we used camera trap
      data collected over 2 years to study the effects of trophic mismatch and nestling
      age on prey choice in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). Furthermore, we
      studied the effect of mismatch and variation in nestling diet on offspring
      condition. Both experimentally induced and natural mismatches with the
      caterpillar peak negatively affected absolute and relative numbers of
      caterpillars and offspring condition (mass, tarsus and wing length) and
      positively affected absolute and relative numbers of flying insects in the
      nestling diet. Feeding more flying insects was negatively correlated with
      nestling day 12 mass. Both descriptive and experimental data showed preferential
      feeding of spiders when nestlings were <7 days old. Receiving more spiders during
      this phase was positively correlated with tarsus growth. These results highlight
      the need for a more inclusive framework to study phenological mismatch in nature.
      The general focus on only one prey type, the rarity of studies that measure
      environmental abundance of prey, and the lack of timing experiments in dietary
      studies currently hamper understanding of the actual trophic interactions that
      affect fitness under climate change.

PMID- 27263990
TI  - Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease and Parent and Child Catastrophizing.
AB  - Pain catastrophizing is poorly understood in children and adolescents with sickle
      cell disease (SCD) and their parents. The objectives of this study were twofold:
      1) to evaluate the interplay between parent and child pain catastrophizing and
      its effect on disability among youth with SCD, and 2) to evaluate whether child
      pain catastrophizing served as a mechanism that explained the relation between
      pain and functional disability within the context of varying levels of parent
      pain catastrophizing. One hundred youth (8-18 years old) with SCD and parents
      completed measures of pain characteristics (pain frequency and intensity),
      catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), and the outcome of functional
      disability (Functional Disability Inventory) in a cross-sectional study. Youth
      with low levels of catastrophizing showed high levels of disability in the
      presence of high levels of parent catastrophizing. Additionally, child pain
      catastrophizing was a significant mechanism that partially explained the effect
      of higher pain frequency and pain intensity on greater levels of disability, but
      only at low levels of parent pain catastrophizing. High levels of parent
      catastrophizing and incongruence between child and parent catastrophizing
      contributes to poorer functional outcomes in youth with SCD. PERSPECTIVE: Youth
      with SCD and parents with high levels of catastrophic thinking about child pain
      or incongruent levels of catastrophizing are at increased risk for greater child
      disability. Clinicians treating youth with SCD should focus on targeting worried
      thinking about pain in patients and parents to facilitate improved function.

PMID- 27263991
TI  - Negative Interpretation Bias and the Experience of Pain in Adolescents.
AB  - Negative interpretation bias, the tendency to appraise ambiguous situations in a
      negative or threatening way, has been suggested to be important for the
      development of adult chronic pain. To our knowledge, this is the first study to
      examine the role of a negative interpretation bias in adolescent pain. We first
      developed and piloted a novel task that measures the tendency for adolescents to
      interpret ambiguous situations as indicative of pain and bodily threat. Using
      this task in a separate community sample of adolescents (N = 115), we then found
      that adolescents who catastrophize about pain, as well as those who reported more
      pain issues in the preceding 3 months, were more likely to endorse negative
      interpretations, and less likely to endorse benign interpretations, of ambiguous
      situations. This interpretation pattern was not, however, specific for situations
      regarding pain and bodily threat, but generalized across social situations as
      well. We also found that a negative interpretation bias, specifically in
      ambiguous situations that could indicate pain and bodily threat, mediated the
      association between pain catastrophizing and recent pain experiences. Findings
      may support one potential cognitive mechanism explaining why adolescents who
      catastrophize about pain often report more pain. PERSPECTIVE: This article
      presents a new adolescent measure of interpretation bias. We found that the
      tendency to interpret ambiguous situations as indicative of pain and bodily
      threat may be one potential cognitive mechanism explaining why adolescents who
      catastrophize about pain report more pain, thus indicating a potential novel
      intervention target.

PMID- 27263992
TI  - Relations Between Brain Alterations and Clinical Pain Measures in Chronic
      Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review.
AB  - Compelling evidence has shown chronic widespread and exaggerated pain experience
      in chronic musculoskeletal pain (MSKP) conditions. In addition, neuroimaging
      research has revealed morphological and functional brain alterations in these
      patients. It is hypothesized that brain alterations play a role in the persistent
      pain complaints of patients with chronic MSKP. Nevertheless, lack of overview
      exists regarding the relations between brain alterations and clinical measures of
      pain. The present systematic review was performed according to the Preferred
      Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, to
      investigate the relations between structural or functional brain alterations,
      using magnetic resonance imaging scans, and clinical pain measures in patients
      with chronic MSKP. PubMed, Web of Science, Cinahl, and Cochrane databases were
      searched. First, the obtained articles were screened according to title and
      abstract. Second, the screening was on the basis of full-text. Risk of bias in
      included studies was investigated according to the modified Newcastle-Ottawa
      Scale. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Moderate evidence shows that
      higher pain intensity and pressure pain sensitivity are related to decreased
      regional gray matter (GM) volume in brain regions encompassing the cingulate
      cortex, the insula, and the superior frontal and temporal gyrus. Further, some
      evidence exists that longer disease duration in fibromyalgia is correlated with
      decreased total GM volume. Yet, inconclusive evidence exists regarding the
      association of longer disease duration with decreased or increased regional GM
      volume in other chronic MSKP conditions. Inconclusive evidence was found
      regarding the direction of the relation of pain intensity and pressure pain
      sensitivity with microstructural white matter and functional connectivity
      alterations. In conclusion, preliminary to moderate evidence demonstrates
      relations between clinical pain measures, and structural and functional
      connectivity alterations within brain regions involved in somatosensory,
      affective, and cognitive processing of pain in chronic MSKP. Nevertheless,
      inconclusive results exist regarding the direction of these relations. Further
      research is warranted to unravel whether these brain alterations are positively
      or negatively correlated to clinical pain measures. PERSPECTIVE: Structural and
      functional brain alterations within regions involved in somatosensory, affective,
      and cognitive pain processing play a crucial role in the persistent pain of
      chronic MSKP patients. Accordingly, these brain alterations have to be taken into
      account when assessing and treating patients with chronic MSKP.

PMID- 27263993
TI  - Corrigendum to "The persistent influence of concussion on attention, executive
      control and neuroelectric function in preadolescent children" [Int. J.
      Psychophysiol. 99C (2016) 85-95].

PMID- 27263994
TI  - Measurement of bound and pore water T1 relaxation times in cortical bone using
      three-dimensional ultrashort echo time cones sequences.
AB  - PURPOSE: We present three-dimensional ultrashort echo time Cones (3D UTE Cones)
      techniques for quantification of total water T1 ( T1TW), bound water T1 ( T1BW),
      and pore water T1 ( T1PW) in vitro and in vivo using a 3 Tesla (T) scanner.
      METHODS: T1TW, T1BW, and T1PW were measured with three-dimensional (3D) Cones and
      adiabatic inversion recovery Cone (IR-Cone) sequences. Two-dimensional (2D)
      nonselective ultrashort echo time (UTE) techniques, including saturation
      recovery, variable repetition times (TRs), and inversion recovery (IR)
      preparation approaches were compared with 3D-Cones techniques on bovine cortical
      bone samples (n = 8). The 3D Cones sequences were used to measure T1TW, T1BW, and
      T1PW in the tibial midshaft of healthy volunteers (n = 8). RESULTS: Comparable T1
      images were achieved for cortical bone between 3D Cones and 2D UTE techniques as
      well as those published in the literature. The 3D Cones sequences showed a mean
      T1TW of 208 +/- 22 ms, a mean T1PW of 545 +/- 28 ms, and a mean T1BW of 131 +/-
      12 ms for bovine cortical bone; and a mean T1TW of 246 +/- 32 ms, a mean T1PW of
      524 +/- 46 ms, and a mean T1BW of 134 +/- 11 ms for the tibial midshaft of
      healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D Cones sequences can be used for fast
      volumetric assessment of bound and pore water T1 images in vitro and in vivo.
      Magn Reson Med 77:2136-2145, 2017. (c) 2016 International Society for Magnetic
      Resonance in Medicine.

PMID- 27263995
TI  - Trends in hospitalizations of pregnant HIV-infected women in the United States:
      2004 through 2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With the development and widespread use of combination antiretroviral
      therapy, HIV-infected women live longer, healthier lives. Previous research has
      shown that, since the adoption of combination antiretroviral therapy in the
      United States, rates of morbidity and adverse obstetric outcomes remained higher
      for HIV-infected pregnant women compared with HIV-uninfected pregnant women.
      Monitoring trends in the outcomes these women experience is essential, as
      recommendations for this special population continue to evolve with the progress
      of HIV treatment and prevention options. OBJECTIVE: We conducted an analysis
      comparing rates of hospitalizations and associated outcomes among HIV-infected
      and HIV-uninfected pregnant women in the United States from 2004 through 2011.
      STUDY DESIGN: We used cross-sectional hospital discharge data for girls and women
      age 15-49 from the 2004, 2007, and 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a nationally
      representative sample of US hospital discharges. Demographic characteristics,
      morbidity outcomes, and time trends were compared using chi(2) tests and
      multivariate logistic regression. Analyses were weighted to produce national
      estimates. RESULTS: In 2011, there were 4751 estimated pregnancy hospitalizations
      and 3855 delivery hospitalizations for HIV-infected pregnant women; neither
      increased since 2004. Compared with those of HIV-uninfected women, pregnancy
      hospitalizations of HIV-infected women were more likely to be longer, be in the
      South and Northeast, be covered by public insurance, and incur higher charges
      (all P < .005). Hospitalizations among pregnant women with HIV infection had
      higher rates for many adverse outcomes. Compared to 2004, hospitalizations of HIV
      infected pregnant women in 2011 had higher odds of gestational diabetes (adjusted
      odds ratio, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.84), preeclampsia/hypertensive
      disorders of pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.12
      2.24), viral/mycotic/parasitic infections (adjusted odds ratio, 1.90; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.69-2.14), and bacterial infections (adjusted odds ratio,
      2.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-4.20). Bacterial infections did not increase
      among hospitalizations of HIV-uninfected pregnant women. CONCLUSION: The numbers
      of hospitalizations during pregnancy and delivery have not increased for HIV
      infected women since 2004, a departure from previously estimated trends.
      Pregnancy hospitalizations of HIV-infected women remain more medically complex
      than those of HIV-uninfected women. An increasing trend in infections among the
      delivery hospitalizations of HIV-infected pregnant women warrant further
      attention.

PMID- 27263996
TI  - Pregnancy as a window to future health: maternal placental syndromes and short
      term cardiovascular outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women.
      Identifying risk factors for future cardiovascular disease may lead to earlier
      lifestyle modifications and disease prevention. Additionally, interpregnancy
      development of cardiovascular disease can lead to increased perinatal morbidity
      in subsequent pregnancies. Identification and implementation of interventions in
      the short term (within 5 years of first pregnancy) may decrease morbidity in
      subsequent pregnancies. OBJECTIVE: We identified the short-term risk (within 5
      years of first pregnancy) of cardiovascular disease among women who experienced a
      maternal placental syndrome, as well as preterm birth and/or delivered a small
      for-gestational-age infant. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort
      study using a population-based, clinically enhanced database of women in the
      state of Florida. Nulliparous women and girls aged 15-49 years experiencing their
      first delivery during the study time period with no prepregnancy history of
      diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or heart or renal disease were included in the
      study. The risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease was compared among women who
      did and did not experience a placental syndrome during their first pregnancy.
      Risk was then reassessed among women with placental syndrome and preterm birth or
      delivering a small-for-gestational-age infant vs those without these adverse
      pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: The final study population was 302,686 women and
      girls. Median follow-up time for each patient was 4.9 years. The unadjusted rate
      of subsequent cardiovascular disease among women and girls with any placental
      syndrome (11.8 per 1000 women) was 39% higher than the rate among women and girls
      without a placental syndrome (8.5 per 1000 women). Even after adjusting for
      sociodemographic factors, preexisting conditions, and clinical and behavioral
      conditions associated with the current pregnancy, women and girls with any
      placental syndrome experienced a 19% increased risk of cardiovascular disease
      (hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.32). Women and girls with >1
      placental syndrome had the highest cardiovascular disease risk (hazard ratio,
      1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.70), followed by those with
      eclampsia/preeclampsia alone (hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.14
      1.76). When placental syndrome was combined with preterm birth and/or small for
      gestational age, the adjusted risk of cardiovascular disease increased 45% (95%
      confidence interval, 1.24-1.71). Women and girls with placental syndrome who then
      developed cardiovascular disease experienced a 5-fold increase in health care
      related costs during follow-up, compared to those who did not develop
      cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Women and girls experiencing placental
      syndromes and preterm birth or small-for-gestational-age infant are at increased
      risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease in short-term follow-up. Strategies to
      identify and improve cardiovascular disease risk in the postpartum period may
      improve future heart disease outcomes.

PMID- 27263997
TI  - Impact on family and parental stress of prenatal vs postnatal repair of
      myelomeningocele.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Management of Myelomeningocele Study was a multicenter,
      randomized controlled trial that compared prenatal repair with standard postnatal
      repair for fetal myelomeningocele. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the long-term
      impact on the families of the women who participated and to evaluate how the
      timing of repair influenced the impact on families and parental stress. STUDY
      DESIGN: Randomized women completed the 24-item Impact on Family Scale and the 36
      item Parenting Stress Index Short Form at 12 and 30 months after delivery. A
      revised 15-item Impact on Family Scale describing overall impact was also
      computed. Higher scores reflected more negative impacts or greater stress. In
      addition, we examined Family Support Scale and Family Resource Scale scores along
      with various neonatal outcomes. Repeated measures analysis was conducted for each
      scale and subscale. RESULTS: Of 183 women randomized, 171 women completed the
      Impact on Family Scale and 172 completed the Parenting Stress Index at both 12
      and 30 months. The prenatal surgery group had significantly lower revised 15-item
      Impact on Family Scale scores as well as familial-social impact subscale scores
      compared to the postnatal surgery group (P = .02 and .004, respectively). There
      was no difference in total parental stress between the 2 groups (P = .89) or in
      any of the Parenting Stress Index Short Form subscales. In addition, walking
      independently at 30 months and family resources at 12 months were associated with
      both family impact and parental stress. CONCLUSION: The overall negative family
      impact of caring for a child with spina bifida, up to 30 months of age, was
      significantly lower in the prenatal surgery group compared to the postnatal
      surgery group. Ambulation status and family resources were predictive of impact
      on family and parental stress.

PMID- 27263998
TI  - Marijuana use and its effects in pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is generally assumed that marijuana is one of the more widely used
      controlled substances during pregnancy. However, there remains a general paucity
      of population-based data regarding its use and subsequent perinatal morbidity. We
      hypothesized that direct patient query during pregnancy regarding marijuana,
      tobacco, and nicotine use would provide crucial initial population-based data on
      perinatal risk. OBJECTIVE: Our study sought to examine maternal and neonatal
      outcomes in pregnancies with reported marijuana exposure, in isolation or in
      combination with maternal cigarette smoking. STUDY DESIGN: We applied a
      retrospective cohort study design to subjects (n = 12,069) with available
      information on marijuana use and pregnancy outcomes. Since 2011, we have
      routinely and directly questioned all gravidae regarding use of marijuana,
      tobacco, and nicotine-containing products. We examined perinatal outcomes in
      marijuana smokers vs nonsmokers, as well as patients reporting both marijuana and
      cigarette smoking. Multivariate analysis enabled determination of adjusted odds
      ratios for maternal and fetal outcomes, adjusting for confounders. Significance
      was determined with Mann-Whitney U, chi(2), and Fischer exact tests (as
      appropriate). RESULTS: In all, 106/12,069 reported marijuana use (0.88%), with
      48/12,069 (0.4%; or 48/106, 45%) concurrently using cigarettes and marijuana.
      After controlling for potential confounding variables, while marijuana use alone
      was not associated with significant adverse outcomes, use in combination with
      cigarette smoking was significantly associated with increased risk of multiple
      adverse perinatal outcomes (increased occurrence of maternal asthma [adjusted
      odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-5.9]; preterm birth [adjusted odds
      ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-4.9]; decreased [<25th percentile] head
      circumference [adjusted odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-4.3]; and
      decreased [<25th percentile] birthweight [adjusted odds ratio, 2.8; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.6-5.0]). Maternal pregnancy-related hypertension was not
      increased in marijuana smokers (adjusted odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence
      interval, 0.681-2.498), or in cigarette smokers (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4; 95%,
      confidence interval, 0.9-1.9). However, co-users had elevated rates of
      preeclampsia compared to nonusers (adjusted odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence
      interval, 1.4-5.0). CONCLUSION: In our initial cohort analysis, after controlling
      for potential confounders, while marijuana exposure alone was not associated with
      significant perinatal adverse outcomes, co-use with cigarette smoking rendered
      increased risk over either alone. Due to observed prevalence of concurrent
      cigarette and marijuana use, it is of likely importance to counsel patients
      regarding use in pregnancy.

PMID- 27264000
TI  - Role of IgE in autoimmunity.
AB  - There is accumulating evidence to suggest that IgE plays a significant role in
      autoimmunity. The presence of circulating self-reactive IgE in patients with
      autoimmune disorders has been long known but, at the same time, largely
      understudied. However, studies have shown that the increased IgE concentration is
      not associated with higher prevalence for atopy and allergy in patients with
      autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. IgE-mediated
      mechanisms are conventionally known to facilitate degranulation of mast cells and
      basophils and promote TH2 immunity, mechanisms that are not only central to
      mounting an appropriate defense against parasitic worms, noxious substances,
      toxins, venoms, and environmental irritants but that also trigger exuberant
      allergic reactions in patients with allergies. More recently, IgE autoantibodies
      have been recognized to participate in the self-inflicted damaging immune
      responses that characterize autoimmunity. Such autoimmune responses include
      direct damage on tissue-containing autoantigens, activation and migration of
      basophils to lymph nodes, and, as observed most recently, induction of type 1
      interferon responses from plasmacytoid dendritic cells. The importance of IgE as
      a central pathogenic mechanism in autoimmunity has now been clinically validated
      by the approval of omalizumab, an anti-IgE mAb, for patients with chronic
      spontaneous urticaria and for the clinical benefit of patients with bullous
      pemphigoid. In this review we summarize recent reports describing the prevalence
      of self-reactive IgE and discuss novel findings that incriminate IgE as central
      in the pathogenesis of inflammatory autoimmune disorders.

PMID- 27263999
TI  - Fifty years later: Emerging functions of IgE antibodies in host defense, immune
      regulation, and allergic diseases.
AB  - Fifty years ago, after a long search, IgE emerged as the circulating factor
      responsible for triggering allergic reactions. Its extremely low concentration in
      plasma created significant hurdles for scientists working to reveal its identity.
      We now know that IgE levels are invariably increased in patients affected by
      atopic conditions and that IgE provides the critical link between the antigen
      recognition role of the adaptive immune system and the effector functions of mast
      cells and basophils at mucosal and cutaneous sites of environmental exposure.
      This review discusses the established mechanisms of action of IgE in pathologic
      immediate hypersensitivity, as well as its multifaceted roles in protective
      immunity, control of mast cell homeostasis, and its more recently revealed
      immunomodulatory functions.

PMID- 27264002
TI  - The discovery of IgE.
AB  - In 1919, the search began for the factor, later called reagin, that could mediate
      an allergy, such as allergic asthma, in sera of allergic subjects. In 1967, the
      fifth class of immunoglobulins, IgE, was discovered and found to be able to carry
      reagin activity. This discovery has had immense importance for the understanding,
      diagnosis, and treatment of allergic diseases.

PMID- 27264004
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27264001
TI  - IgE in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease.
AB  - Traditionally, the concept of allergy implied an abnormal response to an
      otherwise benign agent (eg, pollen or food), with an easily identifiable
      relationship between exposure and disease. However, there are syndromes in which
      the relationship between exposure to the relevant allergen and the "allergic"
      disease is not clear. In these cases the presence of specific IgE antibodies can
      play an important role in identifying the relevant allergen and provide a guide
      to therapy. Good examples include chronic asthma and exposure to perennial indoor
      allergens and asthma related to fungal infection. Finally, we are increasingly
      aware of forms of food allergy in which the relationship between exposure and the
      disease is delayed by 3 to 6 hours or longer. Three forms of food allergy with
      distinct clinical features are now well recognized. These are (1) anaphylactic
      sensitivity to peanut, (2) eosinophilic esophagitis related to cow's milk, and
      (3) delayed anaphylaxis to red meat. In these syndromes the immunology of the
      response is dramatically different. Peanut and galactose alpha-1,3-galactose
      (alpha-gal) are characterized by high- or very high-titer IgE antibodies for Ara
      h 2 and alpha-gal, respectively. By contrast, eosinophilic esophagitis is
      characterized by low levels of IgE specific for milk proteins with high- or very
      high-titer IgG4 to the same proteins. The recent finding is that patients with
      alpha-gal syndrome do not have detectable IgG4 to the oligosaccharide. Thus the
      serum results not only identify relevant antigens but also provide a guide to the
      nature of the immune response.

PMID- 27264005
TI  - Dynamics of Molecular Crystals by Means of (1) H NMR Relaxometry: Dynamical
      Heterogeneity versus Homogenous Motion.
AB  - (1) H NMR relaxometry was used to reveal information on the dynamical properties
      of the molecular crystal (PyH)5 Bi2 Br11 (PyH=C5 H6 N, pyridinium cation), chosen
      as an example of a solid that exhibits a complex structure and rotational-like
      dynamics. Experimental studies were performed over a very broad frequency range,
      from 4 kHz to 40 MHz (referring to the (1) H resonance frequency) versus
      temperature. The extensive set of data was thoroughly analyzed in terms of two
      motional models differing with respect to the assumed mechanism (heterogeneous
      versus homogenous) of the motion of the PyH cations. A Cole-Davidson distribution
      of the correlation times describing the assumed motional heterogeneity was tested
      against a concept of two correlation times characterizing the rotation-like
      dynamics of the PyH cation around the perpendicular axes differing by about one
      order of magnitude. The parameters describing the dynamics of the cation,
      obtained by means of both models, were compared and discussed. 

PMID- 27264008
TI  - Supply, capacity, and demand.

PMID- 27264006
TI  - Prognostic impact of bone marrow fibrosis in primary myelofibrosis. A study of
      the AGIMM group on 490 patients.
AB  - The prognostic significance of bone marrow (BM) fibrosis grade in patients with
      primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is still debated. A fibrosis grade greater than 1 was
      shown to associate with higher risk of death, and addition of fibrosis grade to
      IPSS score resulted in a more accurate prediction of survival. The aim of this
      study was to analyze the prognostic impact of BM fibrosis in 490 patients with
      PMF, evaluated at diagnosis, molecularly annotated and with extensive follow-up
      information. We found that fibrosis grade 2 and greater on a 0-3 scale was
      associated with clinical characteristics indicative of a more advanced disease,
      such as anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, constitutional symptoms, larger
      splenomegaly and a higher IPSS risk category. Patients with higher grade of
      fibrosis were also more likely to have additional somatic mutations in ASXL1 and
      EZH2, that are prognostically adverse. Median survival was significantly reduced
      in patients with grade 2 and 3 fibrosis as compared with grade 1; this effect was
      maintained when analysis was restricted to younger patients. In multivariate
      analysis, fibrosis grade independently predicted for survival regardless of IPSS
      variables and mutational status; the adverse impact of fibrosis was noticeable
      especially in lower IPSS risk categories. Overall, results indicate that higher
      grades of fibrosis correlate with unique clinical and molecular aspects and
      represent an independent adverse variable in patients with PMF; these
      observations deserve confirmation in prospectively designed series of patients.
      Am. J. Hematol. 91:918-922, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264007
TI  - A modified varying-stage adaptive phase II/III clinical trial design.
AB  - Conventionally, adaptive phase II/III clinical trials are carried out with a
      strict two-stage design. Recently, a varying-stage adaptive phase II/III clinical
      trial design has been developed. In this design, following the first stage, an
      intermediate stage can be adaptively added to obtain more data, so that a more
      informative decision can be made. Therefore, the number of further
      investigational stages is determined based upon data accumulated to the interim
      analysis. This design considers two plausible study endpoints, with one of them
      initially designated as the primary endpoint. Based on interim results, another
      endpoint can be switched as the primary endpoint. However, in many therapeutic
      areas, the primary study endpoint is well established. Therefore, we modify this
      design to consider one study endpoint only so that it may be more readily
      applicable in real clinical trial designs. Our simulations show that, the same as
      the original design, this modified design controls the Type I error rate, and the
      design parameters such as the threshold probability for the two-stage setting and
      the alpha allocation ratio in the two-stage setting versus the three-stage
      setting have a great impact on the design characteristics. However, this modified
      design requires a larger sample size for the initial stage, and the probability
      of futility becomes much higher when the threshold probability for the two-stage
      setting gets smaller. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27264009
TI  - Primum non confundere: whole blood versus apheresis platelet debate continues.

PMID- 27264010
TI  - Central retinal vein occlusion after plateletpheresis.

PMID- 27264012
TI  - Bleeding disorders identified in blood donors after quality control of fresh
      frozen plasma.

PMID- 27264013
TI  - Enhancing platelet transfusion safety: not a one-size-fits-all approach.

PMID- 27264014
TI  - Highlighting oft-overlooked granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor kinetics.

PMID- 27264015
TI  - ICBS ABSTRACTS.

PMID- 27264016
TI  - Unexpectedly high bacteriochlorophyll a concentrations in neotropical tank
      bromeliads.
AB  - The contribution of bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a) to photosynthetically driven
      electron transport is generally low in aquatic and terrestrial systems. Here, we
      provide evidence that anoxygenic bacterial phototrophy is widespread and
      substantial in water retained by tank bromeliads of a primary rainforest in
      French Guiana. An analysis of the water extracted from 104 randomly selected tank
      bromeliads using infrared fluorimetry suggested the overall presence of abundant
      anoxygenic phototrophic bacterial populations. We found that purple bacteria
      dominated these populations responsible for unusually high BChl a/chlorophyll a
      ratios (>50%). Our data suggest that BChl a-based phototrophy in tank bromeliads
      can have significant effects on the ecology of tank-bromeliad ecosystems and on
      the carbon and energy fluxes in Neotropical forests.

PMID- 27264017
TI  - Neoadjuvant treatment sequencing adds value to the care of patients with operable
      pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Treatment sequencing for resectable pancreatic cancer remains controversial and
      there is lack of level one evidence comparing neoadjuvant versus adjuvant
      strategies. However, a comparison of the cost-effectiveness analysis of the
      treatment strategies may help to better define the healthcare value of each
      approach. This review will highlight the rationale for multimodality therapy in
      the treatment of pancreatic cancer, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
      adjuvant therapy, and conceptualize the cost-effectiveness of a neoadjuvant
      approach with regard to healthcare value. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:291-295. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 27264018
TI  - Use of nutritional supplements by Danish elite athletes and fitness customers.
AB  - The nutritional supplement (NS) industry is one of the fastest growing in the
      world, and NS use in Denmark is among the highest in Europe. However, the exact
      use in elite athletes and fitness customers targeted for doping control is
      unknown. Information from 634 doping control forms obtained in 2014 was evaluated
      (elite athletes: n = 361; fitness customers: n = 273). The majority of female
      (92.6%) and male (85.0%) elite athletes and female (100.0%) and male (94.0%)
      fitness customers declared using one or more NS. The use of non-ergogenic NS was
      more prevalent in women than in men and in younger (15-34 years) compared with
      older (35-49 years) subjects, but it was less prevalent in intermittent compared
      with endurance and power/strength sports. Additionally, fitness customers who
      tested positive for doping also reported using more NS than subjects testing
      negative, indicating an association between NS and doping abuse. The present
      results demonstrate a very high prevalence of NS usage in both elite athletes and
      fitness customers. This highlights the importance of a strong national regulation
      of NS to avoid contamination of NS with doping substances.

PMID- 27264019
TI  - HIV1-viral protein R (Vpr) mutations: associated phenotypes and relevance for
      clinical pathologies.
AB  - Over the last 30 years, research into HIV has advanced the knowledge of virus
      genetics and the development of efficient therapeutic strategies. HIV-1 viral
      protein R (Vpr) is a specialized and multifunctional protein that plays important
      roles at multiple stages of the HIV-1 viral life cycle. This protein interacts
      with a number of cellular and viral proteins and with multiple activities
      including nuclear transport of the pre-integration complex (PIC) to the nucleus,
      transcriptional activation, cell cycle arrest at G2/M transition phase and
      induction of cell death via apoptosis. Specifically, Vpr has been shown to
      control many host cell functions through a variety of biological processes and by
      interaction with several cellular pathways. The different functions of Vpr may
      enhance viral replication and impair the immune system in HIV-1 infected
      patients. Importantly, functional defects induced by mutations in the Vpr protein
      correlate with slow disease progression of HIV-infected patients. Vpr is also
      associated with other concomitant pathologies developed by these patients, which
      may lead it to be considered as a potential novel therapeutic target. This review
      will focus on HIV-1 Vpr, mainly on the importance of its structural mutations on
      the progression of HIV infection, associated phenotypes and relevance for
      clinical pathologies. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27264021
TI  - Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: diagnostic criteria and
      therapeutical approaches.
AB  - Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare haematological
      malignancy derived from the precursors of plamacytoid dendritic cells, with an
      aggressive clinical course and high frequency of cutaneous and bone marrow
      involvement. Neoplastic cells express CD4, CD43 (also termed SPN), CD45RA and
      CD56 (also termed NCAM1), as well as the plasmacytoid dendritic cell-associated
      antigens CD123 (also termed IL3RA), BDCA-2 (also termed CD303, CLEC4E) TCL1 and
      CTLA1 (also termed GZMB). The median survival is only a few months as the tumour
      exhibits a progressive course despite initial response to chemotherapy. The best
      modality of treatment remains to be defined. Generally, patients receive acute
      leukaemia-like induction, according to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)-type or
      acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL)-type regimens. The frequent neuromeningeal
      involvement indicates systematic pre-emptive intrathecal chemotherapy in addition
      to intensive chemotherapy. Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
      (HSCT), particularly when performed in first remission, may improve the survival.
      Preliminary data suggest a potential role for immunomodulatory agents and novel
      targeted drugs. Herein epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and
      management of BPDCN will be presented. In detail, this review focuses on the
      therapeutic aspects of BPDCN, proposing a treatment algorithm for the management
      of the disease, including induction chemotherapy, allogeneic HSCT and intrathecal
      prophylaxis at different steps of treatment, according to compliance, biological
      and clinical characteristics of patients.

PMID- 27264020
TI  - Marital status and survival in patients with gastric cancer.
AB  - The objective of this study is to examine the impact of marital status on
      incidence of metastasis at diagnosis, receipt of surgery, and cause-specific
      survival (CSS) in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Research data is extracted
      from The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and 18,196
      patients diagnosed with GC from 2004 to 2010 are involved. Effects of marital
      status on incidence of metastasis at diagnosis, receipt of surgery, and CSS are
      determined using multivariable logistic regression and multivariable Cox
      regression models, as appropriate. Single GC patients have a higher incidence of
      metastasis at diagnosis than married patients, while the differences between
      divorced/separated patients or widowed patients and married patients are not
      significant. Among those without distant metastasis, single patients,
      divorced/separated patients, and widowed patients are much less likely to accept
      surgery compared with married patients. Finally, in the whole group of 18,196 GC
      patients, single patients, divorced/separated patients, and widowed patients have
      shorter CSS compared with married patients, even in each of the TNM stage.
      Marriage had a protective effect against undertreatment and cause-specific
      mortality (CSM) in GC. Spousal support may contribute to higher rate of surgery
      receipt and better survival in patients with GC.

PMID- 27264022
TI  - Oxytocin is needed, but it is no magic bullet.

PMID- 27264023
TI  - Comments on 'Test non-inferiority (and equivalence) based on the odds ratio under
      a simple crossover trial'.

PMID- 27264024
TI  - The transplant team's support of kidney transplant recipients to take their
      prescribed medications: a collective responsibility.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To obtain an understanding of how health professionals
      support the kidney transplant patient to take their medications as prescribed
      long term. BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation requires stringent adherence to
      complex medication regimens to prevent graft rejection and to maintain general
      well-being. Medication nonadherence is common in kidney transplantation, emerging
      in the first few months post-transplantation, leading to poor patient outcomes.
      DESIGN: Exploratory qualitative design. METHODS: Five focus groups were conducted
      with a total of seven renal nurse transplant coordinators, two renal transplant
      nurse unit managers, seven nephrologists, seven pharmacists, four social workers,
      and one consumer representative representing all five hospitals offering adult
      kidney transplantation in Victoria, Australia in 2014. The views of two general
      practitioners who were unable to attend the focus groups were incorporated into
      the data set. All data underwent thematic analysis. RESULTS: Analysis revealed
      that adherence was a collective responsibility involving the whole of the
      transplant team and the patient via education blitz in hospital, identifying and
      managing nonadherence, promotion of self-advocacy, and the partnership between
      the patient and health professional. Patients were directed how to take their
      complex medications to be self-empowered, yet the partnership between the patient
      and health professional limited the patient's voice. CONCLUSION: Although
      medication adherence was a collective responsibility, communication was often one
      way chiefly as a result of staffing and time constraints, hindering effective
      partnerships necessary for medication adherence. Expert skills in communication
      and adherence counselling are necessary to identify barriers affecting medication
      adherence. Patients need to be systematically screened, prepared and supported
      long-term within an accommodating healthcare system for the reality of caring for
      their transplanted kidney. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Kidney transplant
      recipients require systematic preparation and quality long-term follow-up to
      adhere to their prescribed medications.

PMID- 27264025
TI  - Symmetry breaking in ligand-protected gold clusters probed by nonlinear optics.
AB  - The first hyperpolarizabilities of [Au25(SR)18](-1/0) and Au38(SR)24 clusters
      were determined by Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering. A strong dependence on the
      molecular symmetry was observed, and we explore two strategies to destroy the
      center of inversion in [Au25(SR)18](-1/0), protection by chiral ligands and
      alloying of the cluster with silver. This may open new avenues to applications of
      Au : SR clusters in second-order nonlinear optics. 

PMID- 27264026
TI  - Amylin modulates the formalin-induced tonic pain behaviours in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Amylin is a peptide from the calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP)
      family that is expressed by nociceptors. Amylin may modulate pain via a spinal
      action. METHODS: The effect of amylin's administration on the formalin test of
      acute and tonic pain was evaluated. Amylin's ability to modulate neuronal
      activity was analysed by c-Fos expression at the spinal cord lumbar 4-5 region
      (L4-5) and brain. RESULTS: Amylin subcutaneous administration 20 min prior, but
      not immediately before formalin, shortened the interphase and anticipated the
      beginning of the tonic pain phase. Amylin reduced the number of activated spinal
      cord neurons. Blockade of spinal amylin-receptors by prior L4-5 intrathecal
      administration of an amylin-receptor antagonist (AC187) attenuated these effects,
      whereas intrathecal BIBN4096 (CGRP-receptor antagonist) did not, proving that
      part of amylin's effects were spinally mediated via amylin-receptors. The locus
      coeruleus and other areas involved in descending modulation and affective
      responses to pain showed an increased number of activated neurons upon amylin
      subcutaneous administration, suggesting a role for supraspinal areas in some
      observed effects. L4-5 intrathecal injection of amylin or AC187 showed that both
      ligands attenuated tonic pain, but blockade of the amylin-receptor action by
      AC187 decreased further the number of paw jerks in this period. CONCLUSIONS:
      Overall, data suggested that amylin modulates pain with an inflammatory component
      and the autoanalgesic/inhibitory mechanisms occurring in the interphase of the
      formalin test. Amylin might have affected the nociceptive system at different
      levels (spinal cord and brain), explaining the different effects observed
      according to the time of amylin injection. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: Amylin
      modulated formalin interphase and tonic pain behaviours probably by targeting
      spinal neurons and affecting supraspinal areas involved in affective and
      modulatory components of pain. Activation of spinal amylin-receptors may
      contribute to the initiation of inflammatory pain mechanisms.

PMID- 27264027
TI  - Habitual wearers of colored lenses adapt more rapidly to the color changes the
      lenses produce.
AB  - The visual system continuously adapts to the environment, allowing it to perform
      optimally in a changing visual world. One large change occurs every time one
      takes off or puts on a pair of spectacles. It would be advantageous for the
      visual system to learn to adapt particularly rapidly to such large, commonly
      occurring events, but whether it can do so remains unknown. Here, we tested
      whether people who routinely wear spectacles with colored lenses increase how
      rapidly they adapt to the color shifts their lenses produce. Adaptation to a
      global color shift causes the appearance of a test color to change. We measured
      changes in the color that appeared "unique yellow", that is neither reddish nor
      greenish, as subjects donned and removed their spectacles. Nine habitual wearers
      and nine age-matched control subjects judged the color of a small monochromatic
      test light presented with a large, uniform, whitish surround every 5s. Red lenses
      shifted unique yellow to more reddish colors (longer wavelengths), and greenish
      lenses shifted it to more greenish colors (shorter wavelengths), consistent with
      adaptation "normalizing" the appearance of the world. In controls, the time
      course of this adaptation contained a large, rapid component and a smaller
      gradual one, in agreement with prior results. Critically, in habitual wearers the
      rapid component was significantly larger, and the gradual component significantly
      smaller than in controls. The total amount of adaptation was also larger in
      habitual wearers than in controls. These data suggest strongly that the visual
      system adapts with increasing rapidity and strength as environments are
      encountered repeatedly over time. An additional unexpected finding was that
      baseline unique yellow shifted in a direction opposite to that produced by the
      habitually worn lenses. Overall, our results represent one of the first formal
      reports that adjusting to putting on or taking off spectacles becomes easier over
      time, and may have important implications for clinical management.

PMID- 27264029
TI  - The effect of monocular depth cues on the detection of moving objects by moving
      observers.
AB  - An observer moving through the world must be able to identify and locate moving
      objects in the scene. In principle, one could accomplish this task by detecting
      object images moving at a different angle or speed than the images of other items
      in the optic flow field. While angle of motion provides an unambiguous cue that
      an object is moving relative to other items in the scene, a difference in speed
      could be due to a difference in the depth of the objects and thus is an ambiguous
      cue. We tested whether the addition of information about the distance of objects
      from the observer, in the form of monocular depth cues, aided detection of moving
      objects. We found that thresholds for detection of object motion decreased as we
      increased the number of depth cues available to the observer.

PMID- 27264031
TI  - Incidental splanchnic vein thrombosis: preliminary registry data.

PMID- 27264030
TI  - Navigating the transition from childhood to adulthood.

PMID- 27264028
TI  - Peripheral contrast sensitivity and attention in myopia.
AB  - Disruption of normal visual experience or changes in the normal interaction
      between central and peripheral retinal input may lead to the development of
      myopia. In order to examine the relationship between peripheral contrast
      sensitivity and myopia, we manipulated attentional load for foveal vision in
      emmetropes and myopes while observers detected targets with peripheral vision.
      Peripheral contrast detection thresholds were measured binocularly using vertical
      Gabor stimuli presented at three eccentricities (+/-8 degrees , 17 degrees , 30
      degrees ) in a spatial 2 alternative forced choice task. Contrast thresholds were
      measured in young adult (mean age 24.5+/-2.6years) emmetropes (n=17; group SE:
      +0.19+/-0.32D) and myopes (n=25; group SE: -3.74+/-1.99D). Attention at central
      fixation was manipulated with: (1) a low attention task, requiring simple
      fixation; or (2) a high attention task, which required subjects to perform a
      mathematical task. We found that at 30 degrees  all subjects exhibited lower
      contrast sensitivity (higher thresholds). In addition, myopes (Wilcoxon, p<0.01),
      but not emmetropes (Wilcoxon, p=0.1), had a significant decrease in sensitivity
      at 30 degrees  during the high attention task. However, the attention dependent
      threshold increase for myopes was not significantly greater than for emmetropes
      (Wilcoxon, p=0.27). Attentional load did not increase thresholds at 8 degrees  or
      17 degrees  for either refractive group. These data indicate that myopes
      experience a greater decrease in contrast sensitivity in the far periphery than
      emmetropes when attention is deployed in central vision.

PMID- 27264032
TI  - Avoidable readmission: an avoidable failure of discharge planning.

PMID- 27264033
TI  - Red cell alloimmunisation: incidence and prevention.

PMID- 27264034
TI  - Elastic compression stockings: the jury is still out.

PMID- 27264035
TI  - Challenges in adolescent venous thromboembolism.

PMID- 27264036
TI  - Clinical history and antithrombotic treatment of incidentally detected splanchnic
      vein thrombosis: a multicentre, international prospective registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little information is available about the clinical history of
      patients with incidentally detected splanchnic vein thrombosis and its
      therapeutic management remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess
      the risk factors, therapeutic strategies, and long-term outcomes of incidentally
      detected splanchnic vein thrombosis. METHODS: We analysed data from patients with
      incidentally detected splanchnic vein thrombosis who were enrolled in an
      international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of splanchnic vein
      thrombosis between 2008 and 2012. The study was done at 31 centres in 11
      countries (Italy, South Korea, Germany, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil,
      USA, France, Israel, UK). Information about demographic characteristics, risk
      factors, and treatment was collected. The study outcomes during the 2-year follow
      up were major bleeding (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
      definition plus the need for hospital admission), thrombotic events (venous or
      arterial thromboses), and mortality. The primary analysis period was from the
      diagnosis of incidentally detected splanchnic vein thrombosis until the first
      adjudicated clinical outcome or the end of follow-up. FINDINGS: Between May 2,
      2008, and Jan 30, 2012, we enrolled 177 patients with incidentally detected
      splanchnic vein thrombosis (median age 57 years [IQR 49-66], 118 [67%] men, 138
      [78%] patients with portal vein thrombosis). The most common underlying diseases
      were liver cirrhosis (82 [46%] patients) and solid cancer (62 [35%] patients).
      Anticoagulant treatment was prescribed to 109 (62%) patients. Median duration of
      anticoagulation was 6 months (IQR 5-12) for patients who received parenteral
      anticoagulants alone and 24 months (IQR 12-24) for patients treated with vitamin
      K antagonists. During a median follow-up of 2 years (IQR 1-2), the incidence of
      major bleeding was 3.3 events (95% CI 1.7-6.3) per 100 patient-years and the
      incidence of thrombotic events was 8.0 events (95% CI 5.2-12.1) per 100 patient
      years. On-treatment incidence was 3.2 events (95% CI 1.2-8.4) per 100 patient
      years for major bleeding and 3.9 events (95% CI 1.6-9.5) per 100 patient-years
      for thrombotic events. In multivariate analysis, anticoagulant treatment as a
      time-dependent variable reduced the incidence of thrombotic events (hazard ratio
      0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.96) without increasing the risk of major bleeding (p>0.05).
      In patients with clinically suspected splanchnic vein thrombosis, the incidence
      of major bleeding was 3.9 events (95% CI 2.6-5.7) per 100 patient-years and the
      incidence of thrombotic events was 7.0 events (95% CI 5.2-9.3) per 100 patient
      years. INTERPRETATION: Our results show that the prognosis of incidentally
      detected splanchnic vein thrombosis is similar to that of clinically suspected
      splanchnic vein thrombosis and suggest that similar treatment strategies should
      be applied. FUNDING: Pfizer Canada research grant.

PMID- 27264037
TI  - Potentially avoidable hospital admissions in older patients with acute myeloid
      leukaemia in the USA: a retrospective analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Older adults (>=60 years of age) with acute myeloid leukaemia spend a
      substantial proportion of their life in hospital after diagnosis. We examined
      reasons for their hospital admissions and identified potentially avoidable
      hospital admissions (PAH) in this age group in the USA. METHODS: In this
      retrospective analysis, we examined the reasons for hospital admissions in older
      patients diagnosed with and treated for acute myeloid leukaemia at two tertiary
      care hospitals in the USA. We included patients receiving intensive induction
      chemotherapy or non-intensive treatment. We excluded those with acute
      promyelocytic leukaemia, those seen only for a one-time consultation who received
      primary treatment elsewhere, and those who received supportive care alone. We
      identified the eligible cohort using the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and
      Massachusetts General Hospital Leukemia Clinical Research Information Systems
      database. Practising oncologists used a consensus-driven medical record review
      process to identify the primary reason for each hospital admission and categorise
      it as potentially avoidable or not avoidable on the basis of an adaptation of
      Graham's criteria for PAH. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to
      identify predictors of PAH. FINDINGS: Between May 1, 2005, and Dec 23, 2011, we
      assessed 1040 hospital admissions (excluding initial admission for diagnosis) in
      329 consecutively admitted patients. The most common primary reasons for hospital
      admissions were: fever or infection (396 [38%]), planned admission for
      chemotherapy or transplantation (391 [38%]), and uncontrolled symptoms (102
      [10%]). We identified 172 (27%) of 649 unplanned hospital admissions as
      potentially avoidable; among these admissions, 82 (48%) were readmissions because
      of previous premature hospital discharge, 32 (19%) because of problems that could
      have been managed in the outpatient setting, and 26 (15%) because of failure of
      timely outpatient follow-up. In a mixed logistic regression model, higher
      education (odds ratio 1.43 [95% CI 1.01-2.00]; p=0.04) and receipt of non
      intensive induction chemotherapy (1.97 [1.25-3.10]; p=0.003) were predictors of
      PAH. INTERPRETATION: Although many hospital admissions in older patients with
      acute myeloid leukaemia are unavoidable and driven by the illness course and its
      treatment, a substantial proportion are potentially avoidable. Future
      interventions to reduce PAH in this population are clearly warranted. FUNDING:
      National Cancer Institute, National Palliative Care Research Center, and Cambia
      Health Foundation.

PMID- 27264039
TI  - Effect of compression stockings on post thrombotic syndrome in patients with deep
      vein thrombosis: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether compression stockings are effective in the prevention of post
      thrombotic syndrome in patients with deep vein thrombosis remains unknown. Since
      the recently published SOX trial, no meta-analysis has been done to re-evaluate
      the available literature on whether compression stockings are beneficial in these
      patients. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of elastic compression
      stockings on preventing post thrombotic syndrome in patients with deep vein
      thrombosis. METHODS: For this meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, the Cochrane
      Library, and Embase databases from inception to July 29, 2015, with no language
      restrictions, for randomised controlled trials comparing compression therapy with
      placebo (either none or placebo stockings) in patients with deep vein thrombosis.
      We did a meta-analysis with primary outcome as incidence of post thrombotic
      syndrome. Secondary outcomes analysed were mortality and recurrence of deep vein
      thrombosis. Sensitivity analysis was done for heterogeneity, study quality,
      diagnosis by Villalta scoring, and non-delayed randomisation. FINDINGS: We
      identified 674 reports, of which six were randomised controlled trials including
      1462 patients. Use of elastic compression stockings was not associated with
      prevention of post thrombotic syndrome compared with controls (OR 0.56 [95% CI
      0.27-1.16]; 36% [269/739] vs 45% [322/723]; p=0.12). Subgroup sensitivity
      analysis showed that elastic compression stockings were not associated with
      prevention of post thrombotic syndrome despite trying to account for
      heterogeneity (OR 0.63 [95% CI 0.29-1.33]; 27% [63/234] vs 37% [85/231]; p=0.23),
      diagnosis by Villalta scoring (0.81 [0.36-1.84]; 43% [228/535] vs 45% [235/517];
      p=0.62), nor those that patients randomised within 1 month of diagnosis (0.57
      [0.22-1.45]; 41% [258/631] vs 49% [304/615]; p=0.24). Secondary outcomes such as
      mortality (OR 0.98 [95% CI 0.68-1.41]; 10% [68/703] vs 10% [67/690]; p=0.92) or
      recurrence of deep vein thrombosis (OR 0.93 [95% CI 0.66-1.31]; 6.4% [70/1094] vs
      6.8% [73/1066]; p=0.69) did not differ significantly between the treatment and
      control groups. INTERPRETATION: In patients with deep venous thrombosis, use of
      elastic compression stockings does not significantly reduce the development of
      post thrombotic syndrome, however the current body of evidence is limited and we
      believe at present there is equipoise and further conclusive studies are needed
      to establish the role of this therapy. FUNDING: None.

PMID- 27264038
TI  - Red-blood-cell alloimmunisation in relation to antigens' exposure and their
      immunogenicity: a cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Matching donor red blood cells based on recipient antigens prevents
      alloimmunisation. Knowledge about the immunogenicity of red-blood-cell antigens
      can help optimise risk-adapted matching strategies. We set out to assess the
      immunogenicity of red-blood-cell antigens. METHODS: In an incident new-user
      cohort of previously non-transfused, non-alloimmunised white patients receiving
      non-extended matched red-blood-cell transfusions in six Dutch hospitals between
      2006 and 2013, we determined the cumulative number of mismatched red-blood-cell
      units per patient. We used multiple imputation to address missing antigen data.
      Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, we estimated cumulative alloimmunisation incidences
      per mismatched antigen dose as a measure of immunogenicity. FINDINGS: Of 54 347
      patients assessed, 21 512 were included in our study. Alloantibodies occurred in
      474 (2.2%) of all transfused patients, with cumulative alloimmunisation
      incidences increasing up to 7.7% (95% CI 4.9-11.2) after 40 units received. The
      antigens C, c, E, K, and Jk(a) were responsible for 78% of all alloimmunisations
      in our cohort. K, E, and C(w) were the most immunogenic antigens (cumulative
      immunisation incidences after 2 mismatched units of 2.3% [95% CI 1.0-4.8] for K,
      1.5% [0.6-3.0] for E, and 1.2% [0.0-10.8] for C(w)). These antigens were 8.7
      times (for K), 5.4 times (for E), and 4.6 times (for C(w)) as immunogenic as
      Fy(a). The next most immunogenic antigens were, in order, e (1.9 times as
      immunogenic as Fy(a)), Jk(a) (1.9 times), and c (1.6 times). INTERPRETATION: Red
      blood-cell antigens vary in their potency to evoke a humoral immune response. Our
      findings highlight that donor-recipient red-blood-cell matching strategies will
      be most efficient when primarily focusing on prevention of C, c, E, K, and Jk(a)
      alloimmunisation. Matching for Fy(a) is of lower clinical relevance. Variations
      of antigen frequencies determined by ethnic background prevent extrapolating
      these conclusions to non-white populations. FUNDING: None.

PMID- 27264040
TI  - Inhibitory effect of progesterone during early embryonic development: Suppression
      of myocardial differentiation and calcium-related transcriptome by progesterone
      in mESCs: Progesterone disturb cardiac differentiation of mESCs through lower
      cytosolic Ca(2.).
AB  - Progesterone (PG) and its derivates are used in prevention of spontaneous
      miscarriage. However, some studies have reported that exposure to PG and its
      derivates during pregnancy can cause malformations and affect both blood pressure
      and the cardiovascular system. The effect of PG on cardiomyogenesis of mouse
      embryonic stem cells (mESCs) is not well known. Expression of Pgr mRNA showed an
      opposite pattern of beating-ratio during differentiation. PG treatment resulted
      in reduction of the beating ratio to 60.45+/-1.54% from 92.17+/-2.98% in normal
      differentiation, reduced transcripts of heart morphogenesis and Ca(2+) binding
      related genes in the next generation sequencing data and significantly decreased
      expression levels of Ca(2+)/contraction-related genes including Ryr2, Calm2,
      Trpv2, and Mylk3, the intracellular Ca(2+) level, and the beating frequency.
      These results suggest that PG exerts inhibitory effects on differentiation of
      mESCs into functional cardiomyocytes.

PMID- 27264041
TI  - Problematic placebos in physical therapy trials.

PMID- 27264042
TI  - Investigation on the pitting of potato starch granules during high frequency
      ultrasound treatment.
AB  - In this paper, the pitting of potato starch granules in aqueous suspensions (1%)
      by high-frequency high-power ultrasound (850kHz at a power of 0.2W, 2W or 3.7W;
      and also 500kHz and 1MHz at a power of 2W) is reported. The number of pits per
      starch granules was found to be independent of the amylose content of starches,
      and the surface properties of starch granules as modified through SDS and ethanol
      washing. At 850kHz, the maximum number of pits per starch granule, for both
      normal and waxy starches, did not exceed 11. However, a close inspection of
      fractionated starch granules based on their sizes showed that there is an optimum
      granule size for which a maximum pit number is obtained. For example, starch
      granules with diameter size range of ~15 to ~30MUm had a maximum pit number
      (between 10 and 20 pits per granule) when sonicated (2W, 850kHz and 30min); while
      sonication of small (<10MUm) and very large (>45MUm) granules resulted in a
      smaller number of pits per granule (~5). Further, the maximum number of pits per
      granules is also found to be proportional to the ultrasound frequency, with
      values of approximately 7, 10 and 11 at 0.50, 0.85, and 1MHz, respectively. FTIR
      measurements did not show any breakup of starch molecules.

PMID- 27264043
TI  - Overlooking Informal Dementia Caregivers' Burden.
AB  - Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) need early caregiver support. Caregivers
      often have poor health, but usually do not have time to seek medical advice for
      their own conditions. Patients' physicians, who are frequently the sole medical
      practitioner caregivers contact regularly, have an important function in
      recognizing family caregivers' burdens. The current study investigated to what
      extent medical practitioners recognized family caregivers' problems. In a two
      staged survey in neurology outpatient care, caregivers of patients with mild or
      moderate AD were enrolled and assessed by physicians regarding their physical and
      mental burden, as well as need for help and advice about AD. Subsequently,
      caregivers' mental health was evaluated in a comprehensive diagnostic interview
      by blinded psychologists. Overall, 73.7% of caregivers had at least one somatic
      condition and 43.7% had clinically relevant depressive symptoms (of these, 37.5%
      met criteria for major depression). The findings suggest that the burden of a
      substantial proportion of affected family caregivers is overlooked. [Res Gerontol
      Nurs. 2016; 9(4):167-174.].

PMID- 27264044
TI  - The Relationship Between Reminiscence Functions, Optimism, Depressive Symptoms,
      Physical Activity, and Pain in Older Adults.
AB  - The study purpose was to examine the association between reminiscence functions,
      optimism, depressive symptoms, physical activity, and pain in older adults with
      chronic lower extremity osteoarthritis pain. One hundred ninety-five community
      dwelling adults were interviewed using the Modified Reminiscence Functions Scale,
      Brief Pain Inventory, Life Orientation Test-Revised, Center for Epidemiologic
      Studies Short Depression Scale, and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly in
      random counterbalanced order. Structural equation modeling supported chronic pain
      as positively associated with depressive symptoms and comorbidities and unrelated
      to physical activity. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with self
      negative reminiscence and negatively associated with optimism. Spontaneous
      reminiscence was not associated with increased physical activity or reduced pain.
      Individuals may require facilitated integrative reminiscence to assist them in
      reinterpreting negative memories in a more positive way. Facilitated integrative
      reminiscence about enjoyed past physical activity is a potential way to increase
      physical activity, but must be tested in future research. [Res Gerontol Nurs.
      2016; 9(5):223-231.].

PMID- 27264045
TI  - Grade and looseness of the inner cell mass may lead to the development of
      monochorionic diamniotic twins.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between the inner cell mass (ICM) grade
      and its morphological configuration on the occurrence of monochorionic diamniotic
      (M-D) twinning. DESIGN: Retrospective embryo cohort study. SETTING: Private IVF
      clinic. PATIENT(S): Evaluation of frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfers with
      hormone replacement treatment in 8,435. This cohort included 71 blastocysts and
      their ICMs observed by time-lapse photography. INTERVENTION(S): Any changes in
      configuration of the ICMs observed by time-lapse photography were analyzed
      retrospectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The amount of loosening of blastomeres
      within the ICM was evaluated by time-lapse observations. The number of cells that
      were involved in the loosening process was also assessed. Both of these
      parameters were correlated with the type of monozygotic twinning that eventuated.
      RESULT(S): The M-D twinning incidence resulting from blastocysts with a high
      grade ICM (grade A) were transferred was 0.38% (3/796), whereas it was
      significantly higher, 1.38% (34/2,463), when blastocysts with a poorer (B and C)
      grade ICM were transferred. Among 71 transferred frozen-thawed blastocysts that
      were studied with time-lapse photography, there were two dichorionic diamniotic
      and one M-D twins. Careful observations of the embryo that resulted in the one M
      D case, revealed that the ICM acquired a looser appearance due to decompaction of
      at least eight cells. This type of decompaction was not observed in the ICMs of
      other transferred blastocysts. CONCLUSION(S): The occurrence of M-D twinning may
      be avoided by excluding blastocysts that contain decompacting ICMs.

PMID- 27264046
TI  - Anticipating things to come.

PMID- 27264048
TI  - Introduction: Population and Health Services Research.

PMID- 27264047
TI  - Gastrin regulates ABCG2 to promote the migration, invasion and side populations
      in pancreatic cancer cells via activation of NF-kappaB signaling.
AB  - Gastrin is absent in most normal adult pancreatic tissues but is highly expressed
      in pancreatic cancer tissues. Although Gastrin expression was reported to be
      associated with tumor proliferation in human pancreatic cancer, studies on the
      relationship between Gastrin and tumor metastasis in pancreatic cancer are rare.
      In this study, we performed an analysis to determine the effects of Gastrin on
      modulating the side populations, cell proportion and tumor cell metastatic
      potential and invasion activity and explored its mechanisms in pancreatic cancer.
      We indicated that Gastrin and ABCG2 were widely expressed in pancreatic cancer
      cell lines and overexpressed in cancer tissues. Gastrin induced ABCG2 expression,
      and this effect was mediated by NF-kappaB activation. Gastrin regulated the SP
      proportion of BxPC-3 cells via modulating ABCG2 expression. Through the
      regulation of the functions of NF-kappaB/ABCG2, Gastrin functionally promoted the
      migration and invasion in pancreatic cancer cell. The present study indicated
      that Gastrin induced ABCG2 expression by activating NF-kappaB and thereby
      modulated the SP proportion, tumor cell metastatic potential and invasion
      activity in pancreatic cancer. Gastrin could serve as an effective therapeutic
      target for the metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 27264049
TI  - Impact of concomitant hernia repair at the time of complete primary repair of
      bladder exstrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernias are common in the bladder exstrophy population. As
      these hernias may present with incarceration following bladder closure, several
      groups recommend inguinal exploration and hernia repair at the time of initial
      bladder closure. However, the benefits of such an approach are not well defined.
      In 2006, we modified our approach to this condition by routinely performing
      concomitant inguinal herniorraphy (CIH) repair at the time of initial exstrophy
      repair. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that simultaneous
      inguinal hernia repair will be safe and effective in reducing subsequent
      unplanned inguinal procedures in this high-risk group. METHOD: We conducted a
      retrospective chart review of patients with classic bladder exstrophy managed
      with complete primary repair (CPRE) from 1990 to 2014, with focus on inguinal
      hernia repair at the time of bladder closure and subsequent need for inguinal
      surgery. We excluded patients with follow-up less than 6 months, missing data
      with regards to the initial inguinal approach at the time of bladder closure, and
      patients with intra-abdominal testicles. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients were
      included for analysis with 27 (61%) having inguinal hernias identified either at
      birth or in subsequent follow-up, including 20 of 27 boys and 7 of 16 girls. A
      summary of comparison groups with and without CIH at the time of CPRE, as well as
      follow-up and need for subsequent hernia repair, is given in the summary Table.
      Of 25 patients without concomitant inguinal herniorraphy at CPRE, 10 patients
      required subsequent inguinal surgeries for inguinal herniorraphy (seven),
      orchiopexy (one), or inguinal herniorraphy plus orchiopexy (two). CONCLUSION: CIH
      at the time of CPRE is safe, with no significant inguinal complications noted.
      Subsequent inguinal operations were more often required in the cohort of patients
      not receiving CIH at the time of CPRE, including one patient presenting with
      incarceration. Thus, CIH appears to reduce need for subsequent inguinal
      operations when performed at the time of bladder closure. Our study adds to other
      authors' claims that CIH should be attempted at the time of bladder closure. This
      study is limited by the retrospective nature of the review and differences in
      follow-up times between groups. Simultaneous inguinal hernia repair at the time
      of initial exstrophy repair is safe and associated with decreased incidence of
      subsequent inguinal surgery. Such an approach should be undertaken during initial
      bladder closure.

PMID- 27264050
TI  - Testicular prostheses in children: Is earlier better?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The absence of a testis occurs for various reasons in children, but
      testicular prosthesis implantation in children is uncommon. The optimal time for
      prosthesis placement is still unclear, and its complication rate has been poorly
      studied in children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the risk
      factors of complications in cases of testicular prosthesis implantation in
      children. STUDY DESIGN: A monocentric, retrospective review was performed of
      children implanted with a testicular prosthesis between 2008 and 2014. All
      implantations were performed through an inguinal incision with a standardized
      procedure. Children were divided into two groups depending on the interval after
      orchiectomy: (A) early implantation (delay between surgeries <1 year); and (B)
      delayed surgeries (delay >=1 year). Statistical analysis was performed with
      Student and Fisher tests. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (A, 15; B, 11) had a total
      of 38 testicular prostheses placements. Mean follow-up was 36.2 months. First
      surgery was performed at the mean age of 11.8 years (range 0-17.9) (A, 14.1; B,
      8.1; P = 0.01) and testicular prosthesis implantation at the mean age of 14.7
      years (range 9-18) (A, 14.3; B, 14.6) with a mean delay of 36.1 months (A, 1.3;
      B, 80.3). Indications were mainly spermatic cord torsion (27%), bilateral
      anorchia (27%), and testicular atrophy after cryptorchidism surgery (19.2%).
      Complications (10.5%) included two cases of extrusion, one infection and one
      migration. Patient 1 had a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with testicle
      relapse 2 years after induction therapy. High-dose chemotherapy, total body
      irradiation and bilateral orchiectomies were performed, and bilateral prostheses
      were implanted 12 years after the end of chemotherapy. Complications happened 85
      days after surgery. Patient 2 was followed-up for a proximal hypospadias. The
      tunica vaginalis flap, which was used during a redo urethroplasty, lead to
      testicular atrophy. Thirteen years after the last penile surgery, a testicular
      prosthesis was placed through an inguinal incision, and extrusion occurred 203
      days after surgery. Bacterial cultures of the prostheses were sterile and
      histological review showed no sign of granuloma or graft rejection. The
      complication rate was significantly higher if the delay between the two surgeries
      exceeded 1 year (P = 0.01). Indications of orchiectomy, prior scrotal incision,
      and prosthesis size were not risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular prosthesis
      implantation was relatively safe in a pediatric cohort. The complication rate was
      significantly higher if the delay between the orchiectomy and the prosthetic
      placement exceeded 1 year. These results suggest that reducing the delay between
      orchiectomy and prosthesis implantation may lead to fewer complications.

PMID- 27264051
TI  - Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with high-power holmium YAG laser in pediatric
      patients with staghorn and complex calculi.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is the treatment of choice for most
      cases of renal lithiasis in children. Some cases, however, are refractory to SWL
      and may be associated with anatomic and metabolic changes or a large stone
      burden. In these circumstances, mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) is
      an option. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of high-power
      holmium YAG (Ho:YAG) laser in mini-PCNL for staghorn calculi. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: The clinical records relating to 35 mini-PCNLs (Table) performed between
      January 2008 and December 2012 in 33 patients (27 boys and 6 girls; mean age 7
      years, range 2-18 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-two (66.7%) of the
      patients had undergone a previous SWL (28.6% three sessions). The mini-PCNL
      puncture technique used involved fluoroscopic guidance with the C arm at 0-90
      degrees  in the supine position. An 18F tract was used. Stone fragmentation was
      performed with a high-power Ho:YAG laser (Lumenis 100 W). RESULTS: Ten of the
      mini-PCNLs (28.6%) were right sided, and 25 were left sided (71.4%). Stones were
      located in the lower calyceal group in 64% of patients and in the renal pelvis in
      50%. The mean stone size was 4.46 cm(2) (range 3-13.20 cm(2)). The number of
      stones varied between one and 20, and 83.3% were radiopaque. The laser was set at
      70 W (range 50-100 W) (3.5 J/pulse with a frequency of 20 pulses/s). The mean
      surgical time was 150 min. In 78% of patients, complete stone clearance was
      achieved, and the overall stone-free rate rose to 85% when residual stones were
      treated with either SWL or retrograde intrarenal surgery. No perioperative
      complications were seen. DISCUSSION: There are few reports in the literature
      concerning the use of a high-power laser for treatment of complex stones and the
      few that do exist relate to adults have similar results, showing it to be highly
      effective and safe, with low morbidity. Some limitations of the present study
      must be acknowledged. It was retrospective and a relatively small number of
      patients were included. However, randomized prospective studies are required to
      confirm our findings and conclusions. CONCLUSION: In the pediatric population,
      mini-PCNL with high-power Ho:YAG laser is feasible and safe and represents the
      technique of choice for complex renal stones.

PMID- 27264052
TI  - Impact of Obesity on Cardiopulmonary Disease.
AB  - Although there are known detrimental effects of obesity on the heart and lungs,
      few data exist showing obesity as risk factor for cardiopulmonary disorders in
      dogs and cats. It is probable that increased abdominal fat is detrimental as it
      is in humans, and there is evidence of negative effects of increased
      intrathoracic fat. As well as physical effects of fat, increased inflammatory
      mediators and neurohormonal effects of obesity likely contribute to
      cardiopulmonary disorders. Weight loss in overweight individuals improves cardiac
      parameters and exercise tolerance. Obesity in patients with obstructive airway
      disorders is recognized to increase disease severity. 

PMID- 27264053
TI  - Scope of the Problem and Perception by Owners and Veterinarians.
AB  - Obesity is a common disease of modern dogs and cats. Dog and cat owners often do
      not realize their animal is affected. Some pet owners are skeptical of the
      diagnosis or rationalize the overweight condition of their pets. Animal-related
      factors associated with obesity in dogs and cats include breed, neuter status,
      age, and gender, whereas owner-related factors include diet choice, feeding
      method, and provision of exercise. Owner characteristics, such as age and income,
      are also potential risk factors for pet obesity. Identifying such risk factors
      for both animals and owners may help provide targets for prevention or
      interventional tools. 

PMID- 27264054
TI  - Obesity Treatment: Environment and Behavior Modification.
AB  - Obesity is commonly encountered in veterinary patients. Although there are
      various published dietary approaches to achieving weight loss, successful long
      term prevention of weight regain has proven elusive. Adding environmental and
      behavioral treatment strategies to a weight loss plan may help the veterinary
      team, the pet, and the pet owner maximize the effectiveness of the program.
      Because the owner directly affects the environment and behavior of the pet
      undergoing a weight loss plan, treatment strategies with an emphasis on owner
      involvement is the focus of this review. Veterinary use of the 5 A's behavioral
      counseling approach with the pet owner is discussed. 

PMID- 27264055
TI  - Communicating with Pet Owners About Obesity: Roles of the Veterinary Health Care
      Team.
AB  - Obesity continues to be the most prevalent nutritional problem of dogs and cats
      as well as one of the most frustrating conditions to treat successfully.
      Educating and assigning roles to all members of the health care team will improve
      staff engagement and the consistency and effectiveness of nutritional counseling
      for preventive care and weight loss treatment plans. Excellent communication
      skills can be used to assess the client's ability to change and implement a
      weight loss plan at the right time in the right way to achieve better adherence
      and improve patient health. 

PMID- 27264057
TI  - Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 using Mn complexes with unconventional
      coordination environments.
AB  - New complexes, Mn{kappa(3)-[2,6-{Ph2PNMe}2(NC5H3)]}(CO)3(+)Br(-) (1(+)Br(-)) and
      MnBr{kappa(2)-(Ph2P)NMe(NC5H4)}(CO)3 (2), are reported and present new ligand
      environments for CO2 electrocatalytic reduction to CO. Compound 1(+) presents a
      unique metal geometry for CO production (96%) in the absence of added water while
      2 required addition of water and generated both CO and H2 products. 

PMID- 27264056
TI  - Genetic influences on phase synchrony of brain oscillations supporting response
      inhibition.
AB  - Phase synchronization of neuronal oscillations is a fundamental mechanism
      underlying cognitive processing and behavior, including context-dependent
      response production and inhibition. Abnormalities in neural synchrony can lead to
      abnormal information processing and contribute to cognitive and behavioral
      deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders. However, little is known about genetic
      and environmental contributions to individual differences in cortical oscillatory
      dynamics underlying response inhibition. This study examined heritability of
      event-related phase synchronization of brain oscillations in 302 young female
      twins including 94 MZ and 57 DZ pairs performing a cued Go/No-Go version of the
      Continuous Performance Test (CPT). We used the Phase Locking Index (PLI) to
      assess inter-trial phase clustering (synchrony) in several frequency bands in two
      time intervals after stimulus onset (0-300 and 301-600ms). Response inhibition
      (i.e., successful response suppression in No-Go trials) was characterized by a
      transient increase in phase synchronization of delta- and theta-band oscillations
      in the fronto-central midline region. Genetic analysis showed significant
      heritability of the phase locking measures related to response inhibition, with
      30 to 49% of inter-individual variability being accounted for by genetic factors.
      This is the first study providing evidence for heritability of task-related
      neural synchrony. The present results suggest that PLI can serve as an indicator
      of genetically transmitted individual differences in neural substrates of
      response inhibition.

PMID- 27264059
TI  - International variability in diet and requirements of manganese: Causes and
      consequences.
AB  - Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element that is critical for human health
      and development. At the turn of the century when diets were based on whole
      grains, cereals and other traditional foods, Mn intakes (8-9mg/d) were much
      greater than that prevalent today (2mg/d). As societies have developed, diets
      have shifted as part of a nutrition transition, to those that are high in
      processed foods, fat, and sugar. These foods are virtually devoid of Mn. Thus,
      dietary Mn has declined substantially throughout the world, as confirmed by
      several wide-scale, total diet studies. International variability in dietary Mn
      is considerable, due to tremendous diversity in food and culture. In countries
      where fruit and vegetable intake may be limited, i.e. the United Kingdom,
      populations may ingest much lower levels of Mn (1.4mg/d) as compared to Asian
      cultures (4mg/d) which have an abundance of plant foods in their food supply and
      cuisine. The bioavailability of Mn must be considered, including chemical form,
      oxidation state, mineral-mineral interactions, presence of dietary components and
      traditional food processing techniques (milling, germination, malting,
      fermentation). Manganese toxicity is a public health problem that results from
      exposure to a naturally high water source or contaminated environment of the soil
      and/or drinking water. In contrast, inadequate intake is associated with adverse
      health effects such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, poor birth outcomes and
      possibly, cancer. Future studies are recommended to set dietary standards for
      this mineral in countries that lack recommendations to help achieve optimal
      health.

PMID- 27264061
TI  - Prevalence of Beta Thalassemia Trait in Denizli.
AB  - Beta thalassemia, characterized by the deficiency or the absence of beta globulin
      production, is the most widespread inherited disorder in the world and is also
      common in Turkey. To determine the prevalence of carriers for beta thalassemia,
      we screened the couples before their marriage. For this aim, from 1994 to 1999, a
      total of 14.200 people were screened. The complete blood count and red blood cell
      indices (hemoglobin: Hb, hematocrite: Hct, median corpusculer volume: MCV, median
      corpusculer hemoglobin: MCHb, median corpusculer hemoglobin concentration: MHbC,
      concentration were measured by automated cell counter on the same day of
      collection. Then for the samples with MCV values of 78 fL or below, hemoglobin
      electrophoresis were employed. Testing for beta thalassemia was carried out by
      the conventional cellulose asetate electropheresis at pH 8.4. People who have
      elevated HbA2 (>= 3.5%) were accepted as beta-thalassemia carrier or patient. We
      detected 3300 people with MCV levels of 78 fL or below and 311 cases of beta
      thalassemia carrier and 11 cases of beta thalassemia. The prevalence of carriers
      for beta thalassemia in Denizli was 2.2%. This result indicated that the people
      with anemia in our region should be investigated for the existence of
      hemoglobinopathy. 

PMID- 27264060
TI  - Screening of Hemoglobinopathies in Kahramanmaras, TURKEY.
AB  - Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are prevalent in southern Turkey. Being in
      close proximity to Cukurova we screened Kahramanmaras to assess the prevalence
      and foci of the diseases. The sample sizes were calculated by EpiInfo 6.0
      computer program at 95% confidence level. 1491 subjects aged 2-69 were studied.
      Hematological parameters were analyzed by an electronic cell counter.
      Electrophoresis were performed and Hemoglobin A2 and hemoglobin F levels were
      determined on samples with MCV< 80 fL. The results of Canatan et al. on Elbistan
      were included in the final results. Thus, the prevalence of beta-thalassemia,
      hemoglobin D, Hemoglobin O Arab carriers were 0.68%, 0.28% and 0.013%,
      respectively. No hemoglobin S was detected. In conclusion, Kahramanmaras seems
      not to be a high risk area but the public must be informed about these diseases.
      Every community in close proximity to high prevalence areas must be enlightened. 

PMID- 27264058
TI  - The effect of vitamin D supplementation on knee osteoarthritis, the VIDEO study:
      a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological data suggest low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3)
      levels are associated with radiological progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA).
      This study aimed to assess whether vitamin D supplementation can slow the rate of
      progression. METHOD: A 3-year, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
      of 474 patients aged over 50 with radiographically evident knee OA comparing 800
      IU cholecalciferol daily with placebo. Primary outcome was difference in rate of
      medial joint space narrowing (JSN). Secondary outcomes included lateral JSN,
      Kellgren & Lawrence grade, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
      Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain, function, stiffness and the Get up and Go
      test. RESULTS: Vitamin D supplementation increased 25-OH-D3 from an average of
      20.7 (standard deviation (SD) 8.9) MUg/L to 30.4 (SD 7.7) MUg/L, compared to 20.7
      (SD 8.1) MUg/L and 20.3 (SD 8.1) MUg/L in the placebo group. There was no
      significant difference in the rate of JSN over 3 years in the medial compartment
      of the index knee between the treatment group (average -0.01 mm/year) and placebo
      group (-0.08 mm/year), average difference 0.08 mm/year (95% confidence interval
      (CI) [-0.14-0.29], P = 0.49). No significant interaction was found between
      baseline vitamin D levels and treatment effect. There were no significant
      differences for any of the secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D
      supplementation did not slow the rate of JSN or lead to reduced pain, stiffness
      or functional loss over a 3-year period. On the basis of these findings we
      consider that vitamin D supplementation has no role in the management of knee OA.

PMID- 27264062
TI  - Rapid Identification of Family-Specific Mutations in the Factor VIII Gene by One
      Step DGGE.
AB  - A one-step denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) strategy for the rapid
      detection of mutations in the factor VIII gene of haemophilia A patients is
      described. All coding (except the middle part of exon 14) and flanking intronic
      regions of the gene corresponding to approximately 6.6 kb were amplified in 27
      fragments using four PCR programs. Heteroduplex formation was performed for each
      fragment. A common denaturant gradient gel (35-65%) was chosen that allowed the
      simultaneous analysis of all PCR amplified regions on a single gel and run for
      3.5 h at 160 V. This method was implemented for a patient whose family was
      seeking carrier determinations. An abnormal pattern was detected in exon 23 and
      the family-specific mutation was found by subsequent DNA sequencing. One-step
      DGGE is a promising rapid method for the carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis
      in haemophilia A families when immediate results are required and when
      polymorphic markers fail to give information. 

PMID- 27264063
TI  - The Hemostatic Changes in Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
AB  - Severe pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is sometimes complicated with deep venous
      thrombosis (DVT). We have examined the role of possible hemostat>c disturbance,
      which are predisposing factors for venous thrombosis in patients with PTB.
      Coagulation and platelet function tests have been studied in 40 patients with
      severe PTB and 40 healthy control volunteers before therapy and they were
      compared with 30th day results and controls. Analysis in patients with active PTB
      showed anemia, leucocytosis, thrombocytosis, elevation in plasma fibrinogen,
      factor VIII, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) with depressed
      antithrombin III (ATIII) and protein C (PC) levels. On the 30th day of treatment,
      anemia, leucocytosis and thrombocytsis were improved. Fibrinogen and factor VIII
      levels decreased to normal levels, PC and AT III levels increased to normal
      levels whereas there was no difference in PAI-1 levels. Platelet aggregation
      studies demonstrated increased platelet activation. Activated protein C
      resistance was not determined. DVT was not detected in patients during the follow
      up period. Decreased AT III, PC and elevated plasma fibrinogen levels and
      increased platelet aggregation appear to induce hypercoagilable state seen in PTB
      and improves with tretament. 

PMID- 27264064
TI  - Long Term Low Dose Maintenance Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Acute Myeloid
      Leukemia.
AB  - In this study the effect of low dose long-term maintenance chemotherapy in
      patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was evaluated. Following a complete
      remission two consolidation courses were given with the same drugs. Thereafter
      patients received low dose maintenance chemotherapy in every four weeks until
      disease relapsed or for up to two years. A total of 68 patients were evaluated.
      The median duration of remission of 22.5 months in patients who received
      maintenance chemotherapy while it was only 7 months in those without maintenance
      chemotherapy after a median follow-up time of 71 months, which was significant.
      Overall survival (OS) was also significantly longer in patients with maintenance
      therapy. Similar results were also obtained in comparison of patients over 60.
      Thus, it was concluded that maintenance therapy might be beneficial for older AML
      patients with limited therapy choice. 

PMID- 27264065
TI  - Clinical, Immunophenotypic and Cytogenetic Features of Megakaryocytic Blast
      Crisis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Single Institution Study.
AB  - We present 15 patients with megakaryocytic (Mk) blast crisis (BC) of a
      Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome positive CML confirmed by immunophenotype analysis
      between 1989-2000. The primary aim of this study is to define clinical,
      immunological, cytogenetic and laboratory characteristics of Mk BC in Ph positive
      CML. We have done retrospective analysis regarding basic clinical findings,
      immunologic phenotype, cytogenetic studies and platelet functions. All patients
      had significant expression of CD61 (14/14) and CD34 (13/13) antigens, and a high
      frequency of expression of CD13 (9/12), CD33 (10/12) and CD11b (9/11). The BC in
      6/15 patients was presented with thrombocytosis, 7/15 had a normal platelet count
      and two patients had thrombocytopenia. A grade IV myelofibrosis was present in
      8/10 patients. Six patients evolved additional karyotypic abnormalities. Two
      patients had extramedullary BC. The serum activity of LDH (med. 1095.6) was
      elevated in all patients. A platelet dysfunction was documented in 4/5 patient
      tested. There are no clinical and hematological characteristics specific for Mk
      BC of CML. Normal or elevated platelet count (med. 427.4 x 109/L) in BC of CML
      with prominent expression of CD34 and CD61 antigens, and significant
      myelofibrosis (grade IV) are the most consistent clinical findings. 

PMID- 27264066
TI  - Hodgkin's Disease: Results of a Single Center in Central Anatolia.
AB  - Hodgkin's Disease (HD) accounts for about 1% of newly diagnosed malignant
      diseases. In this study 119 HD cases followed in Erciyes University Hospital were
      evaluated. 67.2% of the patients was male, 32.8% female. The patients' age ranged
      from 15 to 72 years with a median of 41.5 years. Of the patients 10.1% was stage
      I, 29.4% stage II, 39.5% stage III, and 21.0% stage IV. According to Rye
      classification frequency of histologic subtypes was as follows; 21.0% lymphocyte
      predominant, 25.2% nodular sclerosis, 43.7% mixed cellularity, and 10.1%
      lymphocyte depletion. Combination chemotherapy consisting cyclophosphamide,
      vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone (COPP) was used as first line
      treatment in 59.7% of patients. Complete remission was achieved in 84.9% of
      patients and partial remission in 5.0% of patients; response could not be
      obtained in remaining 10.1% of patients. Disease progression or recurrence was
      observed in 30.2% of patients. Five year survival rate was found as 70.8% of all
      patients, 90.1% for stage I-II, 55.3% for stage III-IV patients (p= 0.03). 

PMID- 27264067
TI  - Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP-1) in Hodgkin's Lymphoma
      Patients in Turkey.
AB  - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated as a contributing factor in the
      development of Hodgkin's lymphoma. The aim of this study was to elucidate the
      association of Hodgkin's lymphoma with EBV in a Turkish population using
      immunohistochemical detection of LMP-1. We studied a total of 21 consecutive
      cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma from Turkey. LMP-1 protein was detected in 9 of 21
      (42.8%) cases. LMP-1 was positive in 4 of 7 (57%) mixed cellularity and 5 of 13
      (38.4%) nodular sclerosis subtype. The results of the current study suggests a
      strong association of Epstein-Barr virus with Hodgkin's lymphoma in Turkey and,
      together with those reported previously showed that Epstein-Barr virus correlated
      with mixed cellular type, with a slight male predominancy while there was no
      correlation with age. 

PMID- 27264068
TI  - Myelotoxicity of Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil Regimen in the
      Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil) is one of the most
      commonly used chemotherapy (CT) regimens in breast cancer. To the best of our
      knowledge there are no published studies on the toxicity of this regimen in the
      existence of diabetes mellitus (DM), in the literature. We retrospectively
      analyzed the myelotoxicity of CMF CT after 40 adjuvant cycles of 18 diabetics,
      according to WHO toxicity scala. Leucopenia/granulocytopenia was the most
      prominent toxicity (observed in overall 30% of the cycles), but it was relatively
      mild (5% grade III and 2.5% grade IV granulocytopenia). Anemia was only grade I
      (10% of the cycles), and there was no trombocytopenia. Two of the cases with
      grade III and IV granulocytopenia, had grade I and II urinary tract infections
      respectively, following the CT. The case with grade IV granulocytopenia and
      infection had received G-CSF. We conclude that CMF regimen is tolerable in DM as
      regard to its myelotoxicity. However, the patients should be closely monitored as
      infections may easily arise in parallel to deepening leucopenia in DM. Further
      extended studies would be appropriate on the toxicity of CMF as well as the other
      common CT regimens in DM. 

PMID- 27264069
TI  - The Frequency of Pneumocystis carinii in Patients with Haematologic Malignancies
      and Pneumonia.
AB  - Pneumocystis carinii (P. carinii) is an organism which was previously considered
      as a protozoan but recently it was shown to be more related to fungi. P. carinii
      increasingly causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. In
      this study, we detected P. carinii oocysts by indirect immunofluorescence test in
      33 specimens obtained from 31 patients with haematological malignancies who had
      symptoms of pneumonia and investigated probable risk factors (corticosteroid
      usage, neutropenia duration, severe or mild neutropenia and type of
      haematological malignancy) for P. carinii pneumonia in P. carinii (+) patients.
      Although not statistically significant, PCP incidence was higher in relapsed
      acute leukemia (AL) patients (62.5%), patients with prolonged neutropenia
      (57.1%), and who received high dose ARA-C therapy (62.5%). P. carinii (+)
      patients were treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Six patients with PCP
      did not respond to therapy and died (50%). In conclusion PCP is not infrequent in
      AL (especially relapsed AL) and, indirectly we can suggest that chemoprophylaxis
      may be considered for these patients when they were in severe and prolonged
      neutropenia after high dose ARA-C therapy. 

PMID- 27264070
TI  - Homozygous beta-Thalassemia (FCS8-AA) and Hereditary Spherocytosis in the Same
      Patient.
AB  - A three-year old Turkish girl having both homozygous beta-thalassemia and
      hereditary spherocytosis and her family have been studied. The molecular defect
      causing thalassemia in the family was of the frame shift codon 8 (-AA) mutation
      type. The diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis is based on osmotic fragility
      test in the patient and the family. However, the examination of erythrocyte
      membrane proteins has not been possible. betathalassemia is in the heterozygous
      form in the mother, the father, and in two sisters. The mother, the father, and
      one of the sisters also have hereditary spherocytosis in addition to thalassemia.
      All those family members are asymptomatic. However, the patient who has frame
      shift codon 8 homozygosity along with hereditary spherocytosis presented with a
      severe form of hemolytic anemia. 

PMID- 27264071
TI  - Successful Surgical Management of Typhlitis in a Patient with Acute Myeloblastic
      Leukemia.
AB  - Typhlitis (neutropenic enterocolitis) is a potentially life-threatening
      complication associated with neutropenia and combination chemotherapy. The
      incidence of this disease is increasing in both patients with hematologic
      malignancies and solid tumors with the advent of more aggressive chemotherapy.
      Here, we describe a patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia in whom typhlitis
      developed during induction chemotherapy and managed successfully with both
      medical and surgical intervention during neutropenic period. Our experience
      reinforces prior reports that intense medical treatment, close observation and
      emergent surgical intervention has been shown to be life saving. 

PMID- 27264072
TI  - Images in Haematology.

PMID- 27264073
TI  - Circulating follistatin in relation to energy metabolism.
AB  - Recently, substantial evidence has emerged that the liver contributes
      significantly to the circulating levels of follistatin and that circulating
      follistatin is tightly regulated by the glucagon-to-insulin ratio. Both
      observations are based on investigations of healthy subjects. These novel
      findings challenge the present view of circulating follistatin in human
      physiology, being that circulating follistatin is a result of spill-over from
      para/autocrine actions in various tissues and cells. Follistatin as a liver
      derived protein under the regulation of glucagon-to-insulin ratio suggests a
      relation to energy metabolism. In this narrative review, we attempt to reconcile
      the existing findings on circulating follistatin with the novel concept that
      circulating follistatin is a liver-derived molecule regulated by the glucagon-to
      insulin ratio. The picture emerging is that conditions associated with elevated
      levels of circulating follistatin have a metabolic denominator with decreased
      insulin sensitivity and/or hyperglucagoneimia.

PMID- 27264074
TI  - miR-451 suppresses the NF-kappaB-mediated proinflammatory molecules expression
      through inhibiting LMP7 in diabetic nephropathy.
AB  - Activation of nuclear factor -kappa B (NF-kappaB) is associated with inflammation
      in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). MiR-451 is closely linked to
      renal damage in DN. Large multifunctional protease 7 (LMP7), an immunoproteasome
      subunit, can activate NF-kappaB. However, it remained unclear whether miR-451
      affected NF-kappaB-induced inflammation by regulating LMP7 in DN. In this study,
      deep sequencing, in situ hybridization, quantitative real-time PCR, dual
      luciferase reporter gene assays, western blot and chromatin immunoprecipitation
      were respectively used. For the results, we found that miR-451 was markedly
      downregulated in the kidneys of db/db mice, PBMCs of DN patients and mesangial
      cells (MCs) cultured in high glucose conditions. Furthermore, miR-451 directly
      targeted LMP7 expression to inhibit NF-kappaB activity, and down-regulated
      transcription of proinflammatory molecules in MCs. More importantly, in the
      kidneys of db/db DN mice, increasing miR-451 level inhibited LMP7/NF-kappaB
      activity, and attenuated the urinary microalbumin excretion, blood glucose, and
      glomerular injury. In conclusion, these results provide new insights into the
      regulation of miR-451 via the LMP7/NF-kappaB central inflammatory pathway during
      progression of DN.

PMID- 27264076
TI  - Off-equilibrium surface tension in miscible fluids.
AB  - The interfacial tension between immiscible fluids is responsible for a wealth of
      every-day phenomena, from the spherical shape of small drops and bubbles to the
      ability to walk on water of many insects. More than a century ago, physicist and
      mathematician D. Korteweg postulated the existence of an effective interface
      tension for miscible fluids, whenever a composition gradient exists, as
      encountered, e.g., in many flow geometries. In this mini-review, we discuss
      experimental work performed in the last decades that demonstrates the existence
      of a positive effective interface tension in a variety of systems, from
      molecular, near-critical liquids to complex fluids such as polymer solutions and
      colloidal suspensions. The various experimental strategies that have been
      deployed are discussed, together with their advantages and limitations. Finally,
      some of the key theoretical questions still open are outlined.

PMID- 27264075
TI  - Zinc alpha2 glycoprotein alleviates palmitic acid-induced intracellular lipid
      accumulation in hepatocytes.
AB  - Zinc alpha2 glycoprotein (ZAG) plays an important role in stimulating fat
      mobilization and lipolysis in adipose tissue, but its role in hepatic lipid
      metabolism remains unclear. Palmitic acid (PA) was used to stimulate HepG2 cells
      with ZAG overexpression or ZAG knock down (shRNA). Overexpression of ZAG
      significantly inhibited lipogenesis, promoted lipolysis and fatty acid beta
      oxidation, and attenuated PA-induced intracellular fat accumulation. Moreover,
      ZAG overexpression dramatically stimulated adiponectin expression in HepG2 cells.
      In contrast, knockdown of ZAG notably inhibited fatty acid beta-oxidation,
      increased lipogenesis and lipid accumulation. Collectively, these data suggest
      that ZAG has the potential to alleviate hepatosteatosis, making it a promising
      therapeutic target for fatty liver.

PMID- 27264077
TI  - Corrigendum to 'A preoperative personalized risk assessment calculator for
      elderly ovarian cancer patients undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery'
      Gynecol. Oncol. 139 (2015) start 401-406.

PMID- 27264078
TI  - From the Editor.

PMID- 27264079
TI  - Thalassemia major and consanguinity in Shiraz city, Iran.
AB  - Beta-thalassemia is among the most common genetic disorders in the world and in
      Iran, with widespread occurrence. A cross-sectional study on 648 beta-thalassemia
      patients in Shiraz, Iran was carried out to determine the demography of beta
      thalassemia major in Shiraz city, Fars province, Iran and also the rate of
      consanguinity and the significance of pre-marriage counseling in decreasing
      familial marriages and consequently preventing this autosomal recessive genetic
      disease. All interviewed patients had thalassemia major and their age, sex, and
      the consanguinity between parents were recorded. 40.6% of beta-thalassemia
      patients were outcomes of first-cousin marriages. Comparison of the percentages
      of familial marriages (consanguinity) between parents of beta-thalassemia
      patients and a sample of normal population, revealed a statistically significant
      difference (p< 0.00001). A nonstatistically significant difference was observed
      between male (53.5%) and female (46.5%) thalassemia patients. Comparison of data
      with the situation in 22 years ago revealed a 16.4% decrease in familial
      marriages among thalassemic families, however, more education and awareness of
      young women and men about the increased risk of beta-thalassemia after familial
      marriage through pre-marriage counseling is still necessary. 

PMID- 27264080
TI  - The investigation of the effect of Marafl powder (smokeless tobacco) on
      hematological parameters.
AB  - Nicotine is used in different forms including smokeless tobacco. A special kind
      of smokeless tobacco also known as Maras powder (MP) is widely used in
      southeastern region, especially Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep and other southeastern
      cities of Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nicotine
      on hematological parameters in MP users. Ninety-two MP users from Kahramanmaras
      and its environs and sixtyeight healthy controls who did not use MP were included
      in the study. We measured haematological parameters in the blood samples of MP
      users and controls. Our results showed that while iron and WBC levels were higher
      in MP users than the controls (p< 0.001), monocyte and platelet counts were lower
      (p< 0.05 and p< 0.001, respectively). Increased leukocyte counts in MP users may
      be an indicator of the present inflammatory events in various tissues. So, we
      assume that MP, because of either high nicotine content or high tobacco-specific
      nitroso amines levels (TSNA), causes chronic inflammatory changes in various
      cells, organs and systemic circulation. 

PMID- 27264081
TI  - The effect of transfusion on pulmonary function tests in patients with
      thalassemia.
AB  - Our aim in this study was to investigate the effects of transfusion on pulmonary
      function tests (PFT) in patients with thalassemia. A total of 43 patients (34
      major, 6 intermedia and 3 S/B thalassemics), 21 females and 22 males aged 6 to 29
      (mean +/- SD: 13.82 +/- 4.96) years participated. PFT was performed using a
      spirometry (ST-250) programmed with European Community for Coal and a Steal
      (ECCS) equations. Transfusion did not effect the PFT parameters at the pre- and
      posttransfusion period and but the type of pulmonary function disorders partially
      changed after transfusion in our patients. 

PMID- 27264082
TI  - The pattern of expression of the apoptotic inducer Fas and the apoptotic
      inhibitor bcl-2 oncogenes immunohistochemicaly in bone-marrow invaded by the non
      Hodgkin lymphomas.
AB  - Apoptosis is a feature commonly seen in tumors; it is an actively regulated
      cellular process that leads to cell death, in fact the ability to resist
      apoptosis may seem to offer an advantage to a growing tumor by slowing down the
      cell loss rate. The present study is a retrospective study aiming at evaluating
      the Fas/Apo-1, CD95 and bcl-2 oncoproteins immunohistochemically in 30 bone
      marrow tissue specimens invaded by non- Hodgkin lymphomas (stage IV), 60% of
      cases were under chemotherapy regimen, while the remainders were still. The study
      included the significance of the apoptotic inducer Fas/CD95 and apoptotic
      inhibitor bcl-2 immunoreactivity in relation to a number of clinicopathological
      variables including age, sex, pattern of malignant cell infiltration in bone
      marrow, type of malignant cells disseminated and the effect of chemotherapy in
      relation to apoptotic changes. Fas/CD95 immunoreactivity was positive in 23
      cases; 76.7%, positive immunoreactivity was significantly associated with the
      chemotherapeutic effect (p= 0.0002). On the other side bcl-2 immunoreactivity was
      positive in 7 cases; 23.3%. A significant association was found between bcl-2
      positive immunoreactivity and sex (p= 0.03), pattern of malignant cell
      infiltration in bone marrow (p= 0.02) and lack of therapy effects (p= 0.0004). As
      a conclusion (1) Apoptosis is a common feature in non-Hodgkin 's lymphomas as
      confirmed by the high incidence of the apoptotic inducer Fas/CD95 positive
      immunoreactivity; (2) Fas/CD95 and bcl-2 as a tumor markers may work as a useful
      aid in establishing an apoptosis interpretation in cases of non-Hodgkin 's
      lymphomas (stage IV); (3) Fas/CD95 expression translate the chemotherapeutic
      effects on malignant cells in non-Hodgkin 's lymphomas; meanwhile the apoptotic
      inhibitor bcl-2 expression is an independent negative prognostic marker that has
      been shown to confer resistance to apoptosis. 

PMID- 27264083
TI  - Further observation of Hemoglobin Beograd (B121 Glu-Val) in Turkish population.
AB  - Hemoglobin Beograd (B121 Glu-Val) is a rarely reported hemoglobin variant. It was
      first reported in Turkey in 1984. This report is a further observation of this
      variant in a 22-years old Turkish man. 

PMID- 27264084
TI  - Autoimmune hemolytic anemia as a complication of primary biliary cirrhosis.
AB  - Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterized by a continuous T-lymphocyte
      mediated attack on small intralobular bile ducts, with their gradual destruction.
      Patients with PBC often exhibit concomitant autoimmune conditions, and autoimmune
      hemolytic anemia (AIHA), that is idiopathic in 50% of cases, has rarely been
      associated to PBC. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been considered the main
      treatment to PBC patients through a decrease in the detergent effect of
      endogenous bile acids, concomitantly reducing the hemolytic process. We report
      the case of a female patient with AIHA complicating PBC, treated with short
      course prednisone and UDCA, with good response. 

PMID- 27264085
TI  - Massive pericardial effusion and dilated cardiomyopathy in a patient with
      familial multiple myeloma.
AB  - An 80-years-old-man with adult polycystic kidney disease and familial multiple
      myeloma that is complicated with massive pericardial effusion and dilated
      cardiomyopathy during the course of the disease is presented. Although no
      definite single genetic disorder is described, multiple myeloma cases may be seen
      in certain families. Environmental factors are also blamed in the etiology.
      Multiple myeloma may be complicated by myocardial and pericardial involvement,
      diagnoses of which are possible only during postmortem examination in some cases.

PMID- 27264086
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27264087
TI  - A Material Conferring Hemocompatibility.
AB  - There is a need for biomimetic materials for use in blood-contacting devices.
      Blood contacting surfaces maintain their patency through physico-chemical
      properties of a functional endothelium. A poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (PCU) is
      used as a base material to examine the feasibility of L-Arginine methyl ester (L
      AME) functionalized material for use in implants and coatings. The study
      hypothesizes that L-AME, incorporated into PCU, functions as a bioactive porogen,
      releasing upon contact with blood to interact with endothelial nitric oxide
      synthase (eNOS) present in blood. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) were
      successfully cultured on L-AME functionalized material, indicating that L-AME 
      increases cell viability. L-AME functionalized material potentially has broad
      applications in blood-contacting medical devices, as well as various other
      applications requiring endogenous up-regulation of nitric oxide, such as wound
      healing. This study presents an in-vitro investigation to demonstrate the novel
      anti-thrombogenic properties of L-AME, when in solution and when present within a
      polyurethane-based polymer.

PMID- 27264088
TI  - Use of Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound for Diagnosis of Brain Death in Patients
      with Severe Cerebral Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the use of transcranial
      Doppler (TCD) for diagnosis of brain death in patients with severe cerebral
      injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 42 patients based
      on inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients were divided into either the
      brain death group or the survival group according to prognosis. Blood flow of the
      brain was examined by TCD and analyzed for spectrum changes. The average blood
      flow velocity (Vm), pulse index (PI), and diastolic blood flow in reverse (RDF)
      were recorded and compared. RESULTS The data demonstrated that the average speed
      of bilateral middle cerebral artery blood flow in the brain death group was
      significantly reduced (P<0.05). However, the PI of the brain death group
      increased significantly. Moreover, RDF spectrum and nail-like sharp peak spectrum
      of the brain death group was higher than in the survival group. CONCLUSIONS Due
      to its simplicity, high repeatability, and specificity, TCD combined with other
      methods is highly valuable for diagnosis of brain death in patients with severe
      brain injury. 

PMID- 27264090
TI  - Elevated Serum Retinol and Low Beta-Carotene but not Alpha-Tocopherol
      Concentrations Are Associated with Dyslipidemia in Brazilian Adolescents.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of retinol, beta
      carotene, and alpha-tocopherol serum concentrations in adolescents with
      dyslipidemia. A case series dyslipidemia study was conducted, with an attached
      control group, including 104 adolescents of public schools in Recife during the
      months of March/April 2013. Retinol, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol serum
      concentrations were analysed by high efficiency liquid chromatography.
      Sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical and biochemical variables were
      analysed. Dyslipidemic adolescents had high serum concentrations of both retinol
      (p=0.007) and beta-carotene/apolipoprotein A-I ratio (p=0.034); they also had low
      concentrations of beta-carotene/total cholesterol (p<0.0001) and beta
      carotene/apolipoprotein B ratios (p=0.033) when compared to the controls. The
      alpha-tocopherol serum status was not associated with dyslipidemia. Overweight,
      abdominal obesity, lipid profile markers, and systolic and diastolic blood
      pressures were more prevalent in dyslipidemic adolescents. The findings show an
      association between vitamin A and dyslipidemia in adolescents. However,
      additional investigations of this risk group are necessary to clarify the
      mechanisms of action of this nutrient in the pathogenesis of this syndrome,
      aiming at reducing cardiometabolic risks as of earlier ages. 

PMID- 27264091
TI  - Effects of Biotin Deficiency on Biotinylated Proteins and Biotin-Related Genes in
      the Rat Brain.
AB  - Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that functions as a cofactor for biotin
      dependent carboxylases. The biochemical and physiological roles of biotin in
      brain regions have not yet been investigated sufficiently in vivo. Thus, in order
      to clarify the function of biotin in the brain, we herein examined biotin
      contents, biotinylated protein expression (e.g. holocarboxylases), and biotin
      related gene expression in the brain of biotin-deficient rats. Three-week-old
      male Wistar rats were divided into a control group, biotin-deficient group, and
      pair-fed group. Rats were fed experimental diets from 3 wk old for 8 wk, and the
      cortex, hippocampus, striatum, hypothalamus, and cerebellum were then collected.
      In the biotin-deficient group, the maintenance of total biotin and
      holocarboxylases, increases in the bound form of biotin and biotinidase activity,
      and the expression of an unknown biotinylated protein were observed in the
      cortex. In other regions, total and free biotin contents decreased,
      holocarboxylase expression was maintained, and bound biotin and biotinidase
      activity remained unchanged. Biotin-related gene (pyruvate carboxylase, sodium
      dependent multivitamin transporter, holocarboxylase synthetase, and biotinidase)
      expression in the cortex and hippocampus also remained unchanged among the
      dietary groups. These results suggest that biotin may be related to cortex
      functions by binding protein, and the effects of a biotin deficiency and the
      importance of biotin differ among the different brain regions. 

PMID- 27264089
TI  - A restricted period for formation of outer subventricular zone defined by Cdh1
      and Trnp1 levels.
AB  - The outer subventricular zone (OSVZ) is a germinal layer playing key roles in the
      development of the neocortex, with particular relevance in gyrencephalic species
      such as human and ferret, where it contains abundant basal radial glia cells
      (bRGCs) that promote cortical expansion. Here we identify a brief period in
      ferret embryonic development when apical RGCs generate a burst of bRGCs that
      become founders of the OSVZ. After this period, bRGCs in the OSVZ proliferate and
      self-renew exclusively locally, thereby forming a self-sustained lineage
      independent from the other germinal layers. The time window for the brief period
      of OSVZ bRGC production is delineated by the coincident downregulation of Cdh1
      and Trnp1, and their upregulation reduces bRGC production and prevents OSVZ
      seeding. This mechanism in cortical development may have key relevance in brain
      evolution and disease.

PMID- 27264092
TI  - Vitamin D Supplementation Causes a Decrease in Blood Cholesterol in Professional
      Rowers.
AB  - In the skin vitamin D3 is synthesized from cholesterol, which leaves the question
      whether a feedback mechanism controlling the level of blood cholesterol exists.
      Here we investigate the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on serum lipids in
      professional rowers. The rowers were divided into two groups following the same
      training schedule for 4 wk: one received placebo (TP) while the second received
      5,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day (TD3). Plasma total antioxidant status, total
      triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
      cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDL-C) and 25
      hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D3) were determined in pre- and post-intervention. The
      ratios of TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C were also calculated. Furthermore, maximal
      oxygen uptake was also measured at baseline. There were significant decreases
      over time in the TD3 group in TC 186+/-18 vs 163+/-21 (p<0.05) and HDL-C; LDL-C
      also decreased, but the changes were not statistically significant. Moreover, the
      supplementation caused a significant rise in blood 25-OH-D3 (+98%). Neither
      training nor vitamin D3 supplementation had an effect on total antioxidant
      status. In conclusion, the alterations in the lipoprotein profile seen in this
      study would suggest that effects of regular exercise on lipoprotein profile may
      linked to vitamin D3 status. 

PMID- 27264093
TI  - Diet-Induced Thermogenesis and Expression Levels of Thyroid Hormone Target Genes
      and Their Products in Rats Differ between Meat Proteins.
AB  - We compared the effects of purified meat proteins on postprandial thermogenesis
      and on the secretion of and responsiveness to thyroid hormones (THs) in rats.
      Body temperatures at 2 h after feeding were significantly higher in the chicken
      and mutton protein groups than in the other groups, and these proteins seem to
      have a strong thermogenic effect. There were no significant differences in plasma
      TH concentrations among the groups, but levels of TH-responsive Spot 14 protein
      in the liver and brown adipose tissue were significantly higher in the chicken
      and mutton protein groups than in the other groups. Levels of malic enzyme 1
      protein in the liver and brown adipose tissue were significantly higher in the
      chicken protein group than in the other groups except for the mutton protein
      group. Furthermore, levels of uncoupling protein 1 were higher in the chicken and
      mutton protein groups than in the other groups. The results suggest that the
      difference in postprandial thermogenesis of meat is strongly dependent on meat
      proteins; chicken and mutton proteins are strong promoters of postprandial
      thermogenesis, and THs may contribute to this effect. Since strong postprandial
      thermogenesis and high expression levels of TH target genes and their products
      were not observed in the amino acid group, chicken and mutton proteins or their
      digested peptides might contribute to these effects. 

PMID- 27264094
TI  - Relationship of Consumption of Meals Including Grain, Fish and Meat, and
      Vegetable Dishes to the Prevention of Nutrient Deficiency: The INTERMAP Toyama
      Study.
AB  - A Japanese-style diet consists of meals that include grain (shushoku), fish and
      meat (shusai), and vegetable dishes (fukusai). Little is known about the
      association of such meals (designated well-balanced meals hereafter) with
      nutrient intake. We therefore examined the frequency of well-balanced meals
      required to prevent nutrient deficiency. Participants were Japanese people, ages
      40 to 59 y, from Toyama, recruited for INTERMAP, in an international population
      based study. Each person provided 4 in-depth 24-h dietary recalls (149 men, 150
      women). The prevalence of risk ratios of not meeting the Dietary Reference
      Intakes for Japanese (2015) was calculated. Well-balanced diets were assessed by
      the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top. We counted the frequencies of meals in
      which participants consumed 1.0 or more servings of all 3 dishes categories. We
      divided the frequency of consumption of well-balanced meals into the following 4
      groups: <1.00 time/d, 1.00-1.49 times/d, 1.50-1.74 times/d, and >=1.75 times/d.
      Compared with participants in the highest frequency group for well-balanced
      meals, those who consumed well-balanced meals less than once a day had a higher
      risk of not meeting the adequate intake for potassium and the recommended dietary
      allowance for vitamin A. Those who consumed well-balanced meals on average less
      than 1.50 times per day had a higher risk of not meeting the recommended dietary
      allowance for calcium and vitamin C. Our results suggest that individuals should
      on average consume well-balanced meals more than 1.5 times per day to prevent
      calcium and vitamin C deficiencies. 

PMID- 27264095
TI  - Comparison of Predicted Energy Expenditure in Japanese Patients with Non
      Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Establish a Suitable Nutrition Intervention.
AB  - The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in
      Western and Asian countries, including Japan. NAFLD includes the condition of non
      alcoholic steatohepatitis, which can progress to end-stage liver disease. Weight
      reduction based on basal energy expenditure (BEE) is considered to be the only
      established treatment for patients with NAFLD. However, a formula that is
      suitable for predicting BEE in Japanese patients with NAFLD remains to be
      determined. We enrolled 77 Japanese patients who were diagnosed with NAFLD
      according to histological findings. Their BEE was measured (mBEE) by indirect
      calorimetry. Physical findings, laboratory data and their predicted BEE (pBEE)
      values were compared with the mBEE values. All pBEE values were evaluated as a
      root mean squared error (RMSE) and an accurate estimation. The mBEE values
      correlated with the patient's weight, skeletal muscle mass, and age. Most of
      predictive formulae overestimated BEE in NAFLD patients in the present study. In
      contrast, the Kyoto equation provided an accurate prediction. Most prediction
      formulae included body weight as a reference of the skeletal muscle mass and were
      established using data from a healthy study population. However, differences in
      muscle mass exist among different races, and body composition differs between
      healthy individuals and those with high BMIs. The improved accuracy of the Kyoto
      equation is likely due to the similar backgrounds of the patients in the present
      study. The Kyoto equation is the most suitable formula for estimating BEE in
      Japanese patients with NAFLD. 

PMID- 27264096
TI  - Prevalence of Inadequate Nutrient Intake in Japanese Community-Dwelling Older
      Adults Who Live Alone.
AB  - Dietary assessment of community-dwelling Japanese older adults who live alone
      using Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) is limited. The present study aimed to
      estimate the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake among Japanese community
      dwelling older adults by sex and young-old and old-old population groups to
      identify the most vulnerable groups that need support. A cross-sectional survey
      was conducted from October 2012 to October 2013 with community-dwelling adults
      aged 65 y or older who lived alone. Participants were drawn from six cities in
      four Japanese prefectures. We used two days of dietary survey data to estimate
      participants' usual intake. The proportion of inadequate intake was assessed
      using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) cut-point method, Tolerable Upper
      Intake Level, and the tentative dietary goal for preventing life-style related
      diseases (DG) based on DRIs for Japanese, 2015. Data for 494 participants (162
      male, 332 female) over 988 d were examined to assess nutrient intake. We
      calculated the proportion of inadequate intake between males and females and
      between young-old and old-old population groups (65-74 y and >=75 y) using chi
      square or Fisher's exact tests. For six nutrients, the estimated proportion of
      participants with a usual intake below EAR was higher in males than females. In
      addition, a higher estimated proportion of female participants was within the DG
      range for the percentage of energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates, and had
      a usual intake of two nutrients above DG than males. Our findings showed that
      among Japanese older adults, males were more vulnerable in terms of inadequate
      nutrient intake compared with females. 

PMID- 27264097
TI  - Strong Inhibition of Secretory Sphingomyelinase by Catechins, Particularly by (-)
      Epicatechin 3-O-Gallate and (-)-3'-O-Methylepigallocatechin 3-O-Gallate.
AB  - Sphingomyelinases (SMases) are key enzymes involved in many diseases which are
      caused by oxidative stress, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus,
      nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and Alzheimer's disease. SMases hydrolyze
      sphingomyelin to generate ceramide, a well-known pro-apoptotic lipid. SMases are
      classified into five types based on pH optimum, subcellular localization, and
      cation dependence. Previously, we demonstrated that elevation of secretory
      sphingomyelinase (sSMase) activity increased the plasma ceramide concentration
      under oxidative stress induced by diabetes and atherosclerosis in murine models.
      These results suggest that sSMase inhibitors can prevent the progress of these
      diseases. The present study demonstrated that sSMase activity was activated by
      oxidation and inhibited by reduction. Furthermore, we examined whether catechins
      inhibited the sSMase activity in a physiological plasma concentration. Among
      catechins, (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (ECg) exhibited strong inhibitory effect
      on sSMase (IC50=25.7 MUM). This effect was attenuated by methylation at the 3"-
      or 4"-position. On the other hand, (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (EGCg) and (
      )-catechin 3-O-gallate (Cg) exhibited weaker inhibitory activity than ECg, and (
      )-epicatechin and (-)-epigallocatechin did not affect sSMase activity.
      Additionally, one synthetic catechin, (-)-3'-O-methylepigallocatechin 3-O-gallate
      (EGCg-3'-O-Me), showed the strongest inhibitory effect (IC50=1.7 MUM) on sSMase.
      This phenomenon was not observed for (-)-4'-O-methylepigallocatechin 3-O-gallate.
      These results suggest that the reduction potential, the presence of the galloyl
      residue at the C-3 position, and the steric requirement to interact with sSMase
      protein are important for effective inhibition of sSMase. 

PMID- 27264098
TI  - The Biosynthesis of the Pyrimidine Moiety of Thiamin in Halobacterium salinarum.
AB  - The biosynthetic pathway of the pyrimidine moiety of thiamin was studied in the
      archaean Halobacterium salinarum. Thiamin is biosynthesized from 4-amino-5
      hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine (pyrimidine) and 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4
      methylthiazole (thiazole). The pyrimidine and the thiazole are biosynthesized de
      novo in microorganisms. The biosynthetic routes of pyrimidine in microorganisms
      differ between eukaryote and eubacteria. In the eukaryote Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae, histidine and pyridoxine are the precursors of pyrimidine, while in
      the eubacterium Escherichia coli, pyrimidine is biosynthesized from 5
      aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (AIR), an intermediate of purine biosynthesis.
      Tracer investigations revealed that [(15)N]-, [1-(13)C]- and [2-(13)C] glycine,
      precursors of AIR, were incorporated into the pyrimidine in H. salinarum. These
      results suggested that the biosynthetic route of the pyrimidine in H. salinarum
      is similar to that of E. coli. 

PMID- 27264099
TI  - Effect of Tea Catechins on Folate Analysis in Green Tea by Microbiological Assay.
AB  - Green tea is thought to be a primary source of folate in the Japanese diet, based
      on folate content analyzed by a microbiological assay. Green tea also contains
      high amount of catechins, in particular, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), which
      was demonstrated to be able to inhibit the digestive enzyme activities and
      microbial growth in the folate assay. In the present study, we examined whether
      tea catechins interfered with components of the folate assay for green tea. A
      marked inhibitory effect of EGCg on microbial growth was observed at an
      inhibitory concentration of higher than 10 MUg/mL. Tea catechins without the
      galloyl moiety did not show an inhibitory effect. EGCg inhibited the activity of
      the three enzymes used for assay sample preparation at an inhibitory
      concentration of higher than 750 MUg/mL for alpha-amylase, 1,000 MUg/mL for
      protease, and 50 MUg/mL for conjugase. However, with each step of the assay, the
      actual concentration of EGCg was decreased to below the inhibitory concentration
      of each analytical step. Lack of influence of EGCg on green tea folate assay was
      confirmed by an addition of folate standard in tea infusion. These results
      suggested that tea catechins have no practical impact on folate analysis in green
      tea, using the general microbiological assay. 

PMID- 27264100
TI  - Errata.

PMID- 27264101
TI  - HLA Profile of Celiac Disease among First-Degree Relatives from a Tertiary Care
      Center in North India.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of Celiac disease (CD) in first-degree
      relatives (FDR) of CD children. METHODS: This observational study was performed
      in FDR (parents and siblings) of consecutive newly diagnosed cases of CD enrolled
      from January 2011 through March 2012. Screening for CD in FDR was done using IgA
      tissue transglutaminase (tTG) levels in serum and the seropositive subset
      underwent upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy and biopsy to confirm the
      disease. In addition, HLA analysis for CD was performed in most of the index
      cases and FDR. RESULTS: Of 202 FDR of the 64 index cases with CD, 17.3 % (35/202)
      were seropositive for IgA tTG while confirmed biopsy proven CD was diagnosed in
      10.2 % (8/78) of children and 8.1 % (10/124) of adults. HLA DQ2/DQ8 was positive
      in 96.7 % of the index cases and all FDR with confirmed CD. CONCLUSIONS: The
      prevalence of CD among FDR is 9 fold higher than the general population. High
      prevalence of CD in presence of anemia and short stature in seropositive FDR in
      index study indicates need of targeted screening of this subgroup for the
      presence of CD.CD is unlikely in the absence of HLADQ2/DQ8.

PMID- 27264102
TI  - Insights into the unexpected chemoselectivity in Bronsted acid catalyzed
      cyclization of isatins with enaminones: convenient synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4
      c]quinolin-1-ones and spirooxindoles.
AB  - Divergent cascade syntheses constitute a highly attractive and challenging area
      in synthetic chemistry, and can exhibit unexpected chemoselectivity. Herein, a
      Bronsted acid-controlled protocol is described for the efficient catalysis of two
      different reactions, namely acylation cascade- and [1+2+3]-type cyclization of
      enaminones and isatins for the concise synthesis of highly functionalized
      pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-1-ones and spirooxindoles in the presence of carboxylic
      acids and KHSO4, respectively. The observed chemoselectivity was reasonably
      explained by trapping the intermediate alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-oxindoles, and
      the source of the hydroxyl group, carbocation intermediate, and amination
      reaction were also evaluated. 

PMID- 27264103
TI  - Rhomboid intramembrane protease RHBDL4 triggers ER-export and non-canonical
      secretion of membrane-anchored TGFalpha.
AB  - Rhomboid intramembrane proteases are the enzymes that release active epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands in Drosophila and C. elegans, but little is
      known about their functions in mammals. Here we show that the mammalian rhomboid
      protease RHBDL4 (also known as Rhbdd1) promotes trafficking of several membrane
      proteins, including the EGFR ligand TGFalpha, from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      to the Golgi apparatus, thereby triggering their secretion by extracellular
      microvesicles. Our data also demonstrate that RHBDL4-dependent trafficking
      control is regulated by G-protein coupled receptors, suggesting a role for this
      rhomboid protease in pathological conditions, including EGFR signaling. We
      propose that RHBDL4 reorganizes trafficking events within the early secretory
      pathway in response to GPCR signaling. Our work identifies RHBDL4 as a rheostat
      that tunes secretion dynamics and abundance of specific membrane protein cargoes.

PMID- 27264105
TI  - Critical behavior in a stochastic model of vector mediated epidemics.
AB  - The extreme vulnerability of humans to new and old pathogens is constantly
      highlighted by unbound outbreaks of epidemics. This vulnerability is both direct,
      producing illness in humans (dengue, malaria), and also indirect, affecting its
      supplies (bird and swine flu, Pierce disease, and olive quick decline syndrome).
      In most cases, the pathogens responsible for an illness spread through vectors.
      In general, disease evolution may be an uncontrollable propagation or a transient
      outbreak with limited diffusion. This depends on the physiological parameters of
      hosts and vectors (susceptibility to the illness, virulence, chronicity of the
      disease, lifetime of the vectors, etc.). In this perspective and with these
      motivations, we analyzed a stochastic lattice model able to capture the critical
      behavior of such epidemics over a limited time horizon and with a finite amount
      of resources. The model exhibits a critical line of transition that separates
      spreading and non-spreading phases. The critical line is studied with new
      analytical methods and direct simulations. Critical exponents are found to be the
      same as those of dynamical percolation.

PMID- 27264106
TI  - Tensional acoustomechanical soft metamaterials.
AB  - We create acoustomechanical soft metamaterials whose response to uniaxial tensile
      stressing can be easily tailored by programming acoustic wave inputs, resulting
      in force versus stretch curves that exhibit distinct monotonic, s-shape, plateau
      and non-monotonic snapping behaviors. We theoretically demonstrate this unique
      metamaterial by considering a thin soft material sheet impinged by two counter
      propagating ultrasonic wave inputs across its thickness and stretched by an in
      plane uniaxial tensile force. We establish a theoretical acoustomechanical model
      to describe the programmable mechanics of such soft metamaterial, and introduce
      the first- and second-order tangential stiffness of its force versus stretch
      curve to boundary different behaviors that appear during deformation. The
      proposed phase diagrams for the underlying nonlinear mechanics show promising
      prospects for designing tunable and switchable photonic/phononic crystals and
      microfluidic devices that harness snap-through instability.

PMID- 27264104
TI  - Nanodisc-cell fusion: control of fusion pore nucleation and lifetimes by SNARE
      protein transmembrane domains.
AB  - The initial, nanometer-sized connection between the plasma membrane and a hormone
      or neurotransmitter-filled vesicle -the fusion pore- can flicker open and closed
      repeatedly before dilating or resealing irreversibly. Pore dynamics determine
      release and vesicle recycling kinetics, but pore properties are poorly known
      because biochemically defined single-pore assays are lacking. We isolated single
      flickering pores connecting v-SNARE-reconstituted nanodiscs to cells ectopically
      expressing cognate, "flipped" t-SNAREs. Conductance through single, voltage
      clamped fusion pores directly reported sub-millisecond pore dynamics. Pore
      currents fluctuated, transiently returned to baseline multiple times, and
      disappeared ~6 s after initial opening, as if the fusion pore fluctuated in size,
      flickered, and resealed. We found that interactions between v- and t-SNARE
      transmembrane domains (TMDs) promote, but are not essential for pore nucleation.
      Surprisingly, TMD modifications designed to disrupt v- and t-SNARE TMD zippering
      prolonged pore lifetimes dramatically. We propose that the post-fusion geometry
      of the proteins contribute to pore stability.

PMID- 27264107
TI  - Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles changes associated with constant heat stress
      in pigs as measured by bisulfite sequencing.
AB  - Heat stress affects muscle development and meat quality in food animals; however,
      little is known regarding its regulatory mechanisms at the epigenetic level, such
      as via DNA methylation. In this study, we aimed to compare the DNA methylation
      profiles between control and heat-stressed pigs to identify candidate genes for
      skeletal muscle development and meat quality. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing
      was used to investigate the genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in the
      longissimus dorsi muscles of the pigs. Both groups showed similar proportions of
      methylation at CpG sites but exhibited different proportions at non-CpG sites. A
      total of 57,147 differentially methylated regions were identified between the two
      groups, which corresponded to 1,422 differentially methylated genes. Gene
      ontogeny and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that these were mainly involved in
      energy and lipid metabolism, cellular defense and stress responses, and calcium
      signaling pathways. This study revealed the global DNA methylation pattern of pig
      muscle between normal and heat stress conditions. The result of this study might
      contribute to a better understanding of epigenetic regulation in pig muscle
      development and meat quality.

PMID- 27264108
TI  - The alterations in the extracellular matrix composition guide the repair of
      damaged liver tissue.
AB  - While the cellular mechanisms of liver regeneration have been thoroughly studied,
      the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) in liver regeneration is still poorly
      understood. We utilized a proteomics-based approach to identify the shifts in ECM
      composition after CCl4 or DDC treatment and studied their effect on the
      proliferation of liver cells by combining biophysical and cell culture methods.
      We identified notable alterations in the ECM structural components (eg collagens
      I, IV, V, fibronectin, elastin) as well as in non-structural proteins (eg
      olfactomedin-4, thrombospondin-4, armadillo repeat-containing x-linked protein 2
      (Armcx2)). Comparable alterations in ECM composition were seen in damaged human
      livers. The increase in collagen content and decrease in elastic fibers resulted
      in rearrangement and increased stiffness of damaged liver ECM. Interestingly, the
      alterations in ECM components were nonhomogenous and differed between periportal
      and pericentral areas and thus our experiments demonstrated the differential
      ability of selected ECM components to regulate the proliferation of hepatocytes
      and biliary cells. We define for the first time the alterations in the ECM
      composition of livers recovering from damage and present functional evidence for
      a coordinated ECM remodelling that ensures an efficient restoration of liver
      tissue.

PMID- 27264109
TI  - Metabolic rates of giant pandas inform conservation strategies.
AB  - The giant panda is an icon of conservation and survived a large-scale bamboo die
      off in the 1980s in China. Captive breeding programs have produced a large
      population in zoos and efforts continue to reintroduce those animals into the
      wild. However, we lack sufficient knowledge of their physiological ecology to
      determine requirements for survival now and in the face of climate change. We
      measured resting and active metabolic rates of giant pandas in order to determine
      if current bamboo resources were sufficient for adding additional animals to
      populations in natural reserves. Resting metabolic rates were somewhat below
      average for a panda sized mammal and active metabolic rates were in the normal
      range. Pandas do not have exceptionally low metabolic rates. Nevertheless, there
      is enough bamboo in natural reserves to support both natural populations and
      large numbers of reintroduced pandas. Bamboo will not be the limiting factor in
      successful reintroduction.

PMID- 27264110
TI  - Integrated Acoustic Separation, Enrichment, and Microchip Polymerase Chain
      Reaction Detection of Bacteria from Blood for Rapid Sepsis Diagnostics.
AB  - This paper describes an integrated microsystem for rapid separation, enrichment,
      and detection of bacteria from blood, addressing the unmet clinical need for
      rapid sepsis diagnostics. The blood sample is first processed in an
      acoustophoresis chip, where red blood cells are focused to the center of the
      channel by an acoustic standing wave and sequentially removed. The bacteria
      containing plasma proceeds to a glass capillary with a localized acoustic
      standing wave field where the bacteria are trapped onto suspended polystyrene
      particles. The trapped bacteria are subsequently washed while held in the
      acoustic trap and released into a polymer microchip containing dried polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR) reagents, followed by thermocycling for target sequence
      amplification. The entire process is completed in less than 2 h. Testing with
      Pseudomonas putida spiked into whole blood revealed a detection limit of 1000
      bacteria/mL for this first-generation analysis system. In samples from septic
      patients, the system was able to detect Escherichia coli in half of the cases
      identified by blood culture. This indicates that the current system detects
      bacteria in patient samples in the upper part of the of clinically relevant
      bacteria concentration range and that a further developed acoustic sample
      preparation system may open the door for a new and faster automated method to
      diagnose sepsis.

PMID- 27264111
TI  - Optimizing the Interactions of Surfactants with Graphitic Surfaces and Clathrate
      Hydrates.
AB  - Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules active at the surface/interface and able to
      self-assemble. Because of these properties, surfactants have been extensively
      used as detergents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and wetting agents. New
      perspectives have been opened by the exploitation of surfactants for their
      capacity to interact as well with simple molecules or surfaces. This feature
      article gives an overview of significant contributions in the panorama of the
      current research on surfactants, partly accomplished as well by our research
      group. We look at several recent applications (e.g., adsorption to graphitic
      surfaces and interactions with hydrate crystals) with the eye of physical organic
      chemists. We demonstrate that, from the detailed investigation of the forces
      involved in the interactions with hydrophobic surfaces, it is possible to
      optimize the design of the surfactant that is able to form a stable and unbundled
      carbon nanotube dispersion as well as the best exfoliating agent for graphitic
      surfaces. By studying the effect of different surfactants on the capacity to
      favor or disfavor the formation of a gas hydrate, it is possible to highlight the
      main features that a surfactant should possess in order to be devoted to that
      specific application.

PMID- 27264112
TI  - Click and Patterned Functionalization of Graphene by Diels-Alder Reaction.
AB  - Chemical functionalization is a promising approach to controllably manipulate the
      characteristics of graphene. Here, we designed cis-dienes, featuring two
      dihydronaphthalene backbones, to decorate a graphene surface via Diels-Alder (DA)
      click reaction. The installation of a diene moiety into a nonplanar molecular
      structure to form cis-conformation enables a rapid (~5 min) DA reaction between
      graphene and diene groups. Patterned graphene of sub-micrometer resolution can be
      obtained by easily soaking poly(methyl methacrylate)-masked graphene in solution
      of hydroxyl-substituted cis-diene at room temperature. The functionalization
      degree can be further controlled by carrying out the reaction at higher
      temperature. The present result gives important insight into the effect of
      molecular conformation on the graphene functionalization process, and provides an
      effective and facile method for graphene functionalization.

PMID- 27264113
TI  - Is it time to abandon the digital rectal examination? Lessons from the PLCO
      Cancer Screening Trial and peer-reviewed literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In 2012 the US Preventive Services Task Force released recommendations
      against prostate specific antigen (PSA) based screening for prostate cancer, but
      did not fully address screening via digital rectal exam (DRE). As such, many
      practitioners continue to perform DRE in attempts to identify men with clinically
      significant prostate cancer (CSPC). This study seeks to determine the value of
      DRE in detecting CSPC in the era of PSA-based screening. METHODS: Data from the
      Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Screening Trial, a nationwide
      population-based study evaluating cancer screening programs and their impact on
      cancer mortality, was analyzed for PSA, DRE, and cancer status. In the screening
      arm of the PLCO, 38,340 men received annual PSA and DRE examinations for the
      first 3 years. Those with an abnormal test result were referred to their
      individual care provider for biopsy. The ability of DRE to detect CSPC, defined
      as intermediate risk or higher based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network
      guidelines and age <=75, was evaluated in the context of both normal and abnormal
      PSA. RESULTS: A total of 5064 men had abnormal DRE in the setting of normal PSA,
      of whom 99 (2%) were diagnosed with CSPC. When both PSA and DRE were abnormal,
      218 (20%) participants were diagnosed with CSPC (RR = 2.06 [1.78-2.39] versus
      abnormal PSA alone). CONCLUSIONS: DRE screening in the setting of normal PSA
      captured an additional 2% of men with CSPC. This incremental gain suggests that
      routine DRE screening subjects a large number of men to invasive, potentially
      uncomfortable examinations for relatively minimal gain. KEY LIMITATIONS: Our
      conclusions are based on data derived from the PLCO study which has been
      criticized on the basis of inconsistent biopsies following positive screening
      tests, lack of end of study biopsies to determine population disease burden, and
      low numbers of black men.

PMID- 27264119
TI  - "I never thought that it would happen ... " Experiences of HIV seroconverters
      among HIV-discordant partnerships in a prospective HIV prevention study in Kenya.
AB  - In spite of access to behavioral and biomedical HIV prevention strategies, HIV
      transmission occurs. For HIV-serodiscordant couples, prevention programs can be
      tailored to address individual and couples' needs to preserve their relationship
      while minimizing HIV risk. Programs for serodiscordant couples may benefit from
      learning from experiences of couples who transmit HIV. We conducted 20 individual
      in-depth interviews with 10 initially HIV-serodiscordant couples who transmitted
      HIV during prospective follow-up at a peri-urban research site in Thika, Kenya.
      Data were analyzed inductively to identify situations that led to prevention
      failure and coping mechanisms. Inconsistent condom use driven by low HIV risk
      perception and alcohol use often preceded seroconversion while persistent blame
      frequently hindered couples' communication soon after seroconversion. In this
      emerging era of antiretroviral-based HIV prevention, couples' counseling can
      capitalize on opportunities to foster a supportive environment to discuss
      initiation and adherence to time-limited pre-exposure prophylaxis and lifelong
      antiretroviral therapy, in addition to strategies to reduce alcohol use, diffuse
      blame, and use condoms.

PMID- 27264122
TI  - Current strategies for the diagnosis and management of chronic lymphocytic
      leukemia (CLL), with a focus on poor-risk CLL: A review.
AB  - Despite substantial advancement in the understanding and treatment of chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a standard curative approach does not exist. The
      choice of treatment is generally based on the existence of biological and genetic
      factors associated with the prediction of prognosis, individual response to
      therapy, and duration of remission. About 20% of patients that require treatment
      have an aggressive disease course and die within a few years, despite early
      initiation of intensive therapy (poor-risk CLL). Poor-risk CLL can be predicted
      by the presence of genomic markers, and the quality and duration of response to
      purine-analogue-based treatment. Within this patient subgroup alternative
      treatment approaches such as alemtuzumab or new substances such as flavopiridol
      or IMiDs(r) should be considered. To date, the only treatment bearing curative
      potential is allogeneic stem cell transplantation; in contrast to conventional
      immunochemotherapy, it can provide long-term disease control, even in patients
      with del 17p or other unfavorable biological and clinical risk factors. The aim
      of this review was to outline the current strategies for the diagnosis and
      management of CLL, with a focus on high-risk CLL. 

PMID- 27264120
TI  - Extending Aromatase-Inhibitor Adjuvant Therapy to 10 Years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment with an aromatase inhibitor for 5 years as up-front
      monotherapy or after tamoxifen therapy is the treatment of choice for hormone
      receptor-positive early breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Extending
      treatment with an aromatase inhibitor to 10 years may further reduce the risk of
      breast-cancer recurrence. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, placebo
      controlled trial to assess the effect of the extended use of letrozole for an
      additional 5 years. Our primary end point was disease-free survival. RESULTS: We
      enrolled 1918 women. After a median follow-up of 6.3 years, there were 165 events
      involving disease recurrence or the occurrence of contralateral breast cancer (67
      with letrozole and 98 with placebo) and 200 deaths (100 in each group). The 5
      year disease-free survival rate was 95% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93 to 96)
      with letrozole and 91% (95% CI; 89 to 93) with placebo (hazard ratio for disease
      recurrence or the occurrence of contralateral breast cancer, 0.66; P=0.01 by a
      two-sided log-rank test stratified according to nodal status, prior adjuvant
      chemotherapy, the interval from the last dose of aromatase-inhibitor therapy, and
      the duration of treatment with tamoxifen). The rate of 5-year overall survival
      was 93% (95% CI, 92 to 95) with letrozole and 94% (95% CI, 92 to 95) with placebo
      (hazard ratio, 0.97; P=0.83). The annual incidence rate of contralateral breast
      cancer in the letrozole group was 0.21% (95% CI, 0.10 to 0.32), and the rate in
      the placebo group was 0.49% (95% CI, 0.32 to 0.67) (hazard ratio, 0.42; P=0.007).
      Bone-related toxic effects occurred more frequently among patients receiving
      letrozole than among those receiving placebo, including a higher incidence of
      bone pain, bone fractures, and new-onset osteoporosis. No significant differences
      between letrozole and placebo were observed in scores on most subscales measuring
      quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The extension of treatment with an adjuvant
      aromatase inhibitor to 10 years resulted in significantly higher rates of disease
      free survival and a lower incidence of contralateral breast cancer than those
      with placebo, but the rate of overall survival was not higher with the aromatase
      inhibitor than with placebo. (Funded by the Canadian Cancer Society and others;
      ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00003140 and NCT00754845.).

PMID- 27264121
TI  - Parkinson's disease and the Stroop color word test: processing speed and
      interference algorithms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Processing speed alters the traditional Stroop calculations of
      interference. Consequently, alternative algorithms for calculating Stroop
      interference have been introduced to control for processing speed, and have done
      so in a multiple sclerosis sample. This study examined how these processing speed
      correction algorithms change interference scores for individuals with idiopathic
      Parkinson's disease (PD, n = 58) and non-PD peers (n = 68). METHOD: Linear
      regressions controlling for demographics predicted group (PD vs. non-PD)
      differences for Jensen's, Golden's, relative, ratio, and residualized
      interference scores. To examine convergent and divergent validity, interference
      scores were correlated with standardized measures of processing speed and
      executive function. RESULTS: PD-non-PD differences were found for Jensen's
      interference score, but not Golden's score, or the relative, ratio, and
      residualized interference scores. Jensen's score correlated significantly with
      standardized processing speed but not executive function measures. Relative,
      ratio, and residualized scores correlated with executive function but not
      processing speed measures. Golden's score did not correlate with any other
      standardized measures. CONCLUSIONS: The relative, ratio, and residualized scores
      were comparable for measuring Stroop interference in processing speed-impaired
      populations. Overall, the ratio interference score may be the most useful
      calculation method to control for processing speed in this population.

PMID- 27264123
TI  - ABL gene kinase domain mutation scanning by denaturing high performance liquid
      chromatography sequencing method.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Despite the efficacy of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor
      imatinib, the development of resistance against imatinib has been observed. The
      most important mechanisms known to cause resistance are point mutations in the
      ABL tyrosine kinase and the ATP domain. This study describes the use of
      denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) as a method to screen
      for mutations of the ABL gene. METHODS: We used the dHPLC based assay for the
      screening of ABL point mutations. Forty chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients
      who showed resistance to imatinib were screened in parallel by dHPLC and direct
      sequencing. RESULTS: Nine of the 40 patients (23%) had mutations. CONCLUSION:
      dHPLC can be a useful method for pre-screening. Analyzing the mutations and
      monitoring (high-risk) patients can improve their prognosis and survival rate.
      dHPLC can potentially become a valuable tool for regular testing of patients in
      the future.

PMID- 27264124
TI  - Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of the hTERC region in acute myeloid
      leukemia patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The telomerase RNA component (hTERC) gene is located at 3q26.
      Increased hTERC gene expression has been frequently observed and amplification
      was shown using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in different cancers.
      The aim of this study was to determine whether hTERC gene amplification is
      detectable by FISH in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. METHODS: FISH and
      karyotype results at the time of diagnosis of 23 adult AML patients were
      retrospectively evaluated. Additionally, fixed cells were hybridized with an
      hTERC region-specific FISH probe to determine gene amplification. RESULTS: Ten of
      the 23 patients had a normal karyotype and 6 had an abnormal karyotype. hTERC
      region amplification was not observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSION:
      Although it was reported that hTERC gene amplification may partially contribute
      to increased telomerase expression and activity in leukemic cells, it is not
      possible to make such a conclusion based on the results of the this study, as
      hTERC amplification was not observed in the study group. This suggests that
      increased telomerase activity via gene amplification in the development of AML
      may not be as important a factor as it is in solid tumors.

PMID- 27264125
TI  - Nitric oxide in gingival crevicular fluid and nitric oxide synthase expression in
      the gingiva of patients with sickle cell disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to biochemically measure the production of nitric
      oxide in gingival crevicular fluid and immunohistochemically measure the
      expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the gingiva of patients with
      sickle cell disease. Additionally, we aimed to obtain insight into the
      immunopathology of sickle cell disease by comparing inducible nitric oxide
      synthase levels in patients with sickle cell disease and controls using gingiva
      and gingival crevicular fluid. METHODS: The study included 20 sickle cell disease
      patients and 20 healthy controls. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to
      measure inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in gingiva and nitric oxide
      levels in gingival crevicular fluid were spectrophotometrically measured.
      RESULTS: Nitric oxide levels in the patients and controls did not differ
      significantly (21.2+/-4.5 and 23.1+/-2.3 MUM L-1, respectively, p>0.05). There
      weren't any statistically significant differences in infiltrated inflammatory
      cells, density of inflammatory cells that stained with inducible nitric oxide
      synthase, or nitric oxide expression in gingiva between the patient and control
      groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge this is the first study
      to examine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the gingiva and
      gingival crevicular fluid in patients with sickle cell disease. Using the gingiva
      and gingival crevicular fluid we were unable to observe sickle cell disease
      associated inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and a difference in nitric
      oxide levels.

PMID- 27264126
TI  - The frequency of A91V in the perforin gene and the effect of tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha promoter polymorphism on acquired hemophagocytic
      lymphohistiocytosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Numerous acquired etiological factors, such as infections,
      malignancies, and collagen tissue disorders, are involved in the development of
      acquired hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (AHLH). Not everyone with the same
      etiological factors developments AHLH, which suggests the role of additional
      genetic or environmental predisposing factors that remain to be identified.
      METHODS: Perforin gene A91V missense transition (C>T change at position 272 in
      exon 2 of the perforin gene) and TNF-alpha gene promoter-1031 T>C nucleotide
      substitution are 2 candidate genetic predisposing factors due to their potential
      to alter inflammatory responses. In the present study these changes were
      investigated in healthy controls and AHLH patients. RESULTS: A91V transition was
      observed in 7 of the 159 (4.4%) controls. Among the 44 AHLH patients, 5 (11.3%)
      were heterozygous and the difference in the frequency of A91V transition,
      although striking (odds ratio: 2.8), was not statistically significant (p=0.09).
      All A91V-positive patients had infection. TNF-alpha-1031 T>C polymorphism was
      examined in 164 healthy controls and 40 AHLH patients, and the CC risk-elevating
      genotype was noted in 7 (4.3%) of the controls and 1 (2.5%) of the AHLH patients.
      The frequency of C and T alleles was 22.5% (n=18) and 77.5% (n=62) among the AHLH
      patients, and 22% (n=72) and 78% (n=259) among the controls, respectively. There
      wasn't a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of
      allele frequencies (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that
      compared to controls, A91V mutation was 2.8-fold more prevalent (according to the
      odds ratio) in the AHLH patients. A91V mutation is not uncommon in the general
      population and increases the risk of AHLH in patients with an underlying
      condition, especially those with an underlying infection.

PMID- 27264127
TI  - Acquired methemoglobinemia in infants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the etiologic factors of acquired
      methemoglobinemia in infants younger than three months in our region. METHODS:
      This study was carried out retrospectively in infants with methemoglobinemia
      admitted to Karadeniz Technical University, Pediatric Clinic, during the period
      2000-2009. Infants with methemoglobinemia were identified according to the
      medical records or ICD-10 code. RESULTS: Nine infants with acquired
      methemoglobinemia (8 male, 1 female) were included in the study. Seven cases were
      associated with the use of prilocaine for circumcision, one case with the use of
      prilocaine-lidocaine for local pain therapy, and one case with neonatal sepsis
      caused by Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: Prilocaine should not be used in
      infants less than three months of age because of the risk of methemoglobinemia.
      Ascorbic acid is an effective therapy if methylene blue is not obtained. It
      should not be forgotten that sepsis caused by S. aureus may cause
      methemoglobinemia in infants.

PMID- 27264128
TI  - Splenic artery embolization: An alternative approach in a critically ill patient
      with autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
AB  - Assessment of general health status and hematological parameters usually precedes
      the use of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in critically ill
      patients. Angiography can be effective and safe as a substitute for major
      surgical procedures, or as a bridging therapy in such cases. We present a
      critically ill patient with hemolytic anemia that underwent splenic artery
      embolization as a bridging therapy. We aimed to emphasize that minimally invasive
      approaches and multidisciplinary care can be utilized in the treatment of
      critically ill patients with accompanying hematological disease. 

PMID- 27264129
TI  - Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome mutation in two Turkish siblings with X-linked
      thrombocytopenia.
AB  - Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a clinical condition characterized by
      thrombocytopenia, eczema, and life-threatening infections. In some cases
      autoimmunity-related problems and even malignancy might be seen; however, some
      patients have milder clinical manifestations due to mutations in the same gene
      family, such as in X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT), which is generally not
      associated with serious symptoms of disease, except for thrombocytopenia. Herein
      we report 2 siblings with chronic thrombocytopenia that were diagnosed with XLT
      based on a missense mutation in the WASP gene (223G>A, Val75Met). To the best of
      our knowledge this mutation has not been previously reported in a Turkish patient
      with XLT. 

PMID- 27264130
TI  - Are cup-like blasts specific to AML patients with FLT3 ITD and a normal
      karyotype? An ALL case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Cup-like morphology is defined as cup-like nuclear invagination spanning >=25% of
      the nuclear diameter in >10% of blasts. Studies have shown that FLT3 ITD and
      normal cytology are strongly associated with cup-like morphology in acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML) patients. Herein we describe a patient with cup-like blasts that
      was diagnosed and treated for common acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In
      contrast to the literature, the presented case was Philadelphia chromosome
      positive and FLT3 ITD negative. 

PMID- 27264131
TI  - Central retinal artery occlusion as the presenting sign of essential
      thrombocythemia.

PMID- 27264132
TI  - "Arbitrary" criterion for the diagnosis of acute leukemia.

PMID- 27264133
TI  - Paclitaxel therapy and immune thrombocytopenic purpura: Coincidence or
      association?

PMID- 27264134
TI  - Interaction between hereditary spherocytosis and the beta-thalassemia trait: A
      case report.

PMID- 27264135
TI  - Hematogones in the bone marrow of a child with Rubella virus-associated immune
      thrombocytopenic purpura concomitant with iron deficiency anemia.

PMID- 27264136
TI  - Multiple myeloma with multilobated plasma cell nuclei.

PMID- 27264138
TI  - Treatment of Dravet Syndrome.
AB  - Dravet syndrome is among the most challenging electroclinical syndromes. There is
      a high likelihood of recurrent status epilepticus; seizures are medically
      refractory; and patients have multiple co-morbidities, including intellectual
      disability, behaviour and sleep problems, and crouch gait. Additionally, they are
      at significant risk of sudden unexplained death. This review will focus
      predominantly on the prophylactic medical management of seizures, addressing both
      first-line therapies (valproate and clobazam) as well as second-line
      (stiripentol, topiramate, ketogenic diet) or later options (levetiracetam,
      bromides, vagus nerve stimulation). Sodium channel agents-including
      carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin and lamotrigine-should be avoided, as
      they typically exacerbate seizures. Several agents in development may show
      promise, specifically fenfluramine and cannabidiol, but they need further
      evaluation in randomized, controlled trials. In addition to prophylactic
      treatment, all patients need home-rescue medication and a status epilepticus
      protocol that can be carried out in their local hospital. Families must be
      counselled on non-pharmacologic strategies to reduce seizure risk, including
      avoidance of triggers that commonly induce seizures (including hyperthermia,
      flashing lights and patterns). In addition to addressing seizures, holistic care
      for a patient with Dravet syndrome must involve a multidisciplinary team that
      includes specialists in physical, occupational and speech therapy,
      neuropsychology, social work and physical medicine. 

PMID- 27264137
TI  - Ovarian malignancy unmasked by venous gangrene in a patient on warfarin therapy:
      a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Venous gangrene complicating deep vein thrombosis in the context of
      anticoagulation use in patients with gynecologic malignancy is rarely reported.
      We report an unusual presentation of venous gangrene of the lower limbs
      associated with warfarin therapy in a 53-year-old woman from the Cook Islands
      with an occult ovarian cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old woman of Cook
      Islands origin presented with exertional dyspnea, rapid atrial fibrillation,
      bilateral lower limb edema, and painful digital ischemia of her hallux. She was
      on warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation and had a stable therapeutic
      international normalized ratio. Bilateral proximal lower limb deep vein
      thrombosis and digital gangrene subsequently developed in the setting of a
      supratherapeutic international normalized ratio and platelet count depletion. Her
      warfarin was reversed and heparin therapy was commenced with resulting correction
      of her thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: We would like to attract the attention of
      the reader to the potential hazard of the use of warfarin in patients with
      malignancy. In our case, we also demonstrated a predictive value of
      supratherapeutic international normalized ratio and platelet count depletion that
      could herald massive thrombosis and gangrene in a patient who was previously
      stable on warfarin therapy. Early recognition and prompt reversal of warfarin in
      these circumstances is essential to correct the unbalanced prothrombotic process
      that leads to extensive thrombosis and gangrene. The outlook of such cases
      remains dismal and results in extensive morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 27264139
TI  - Dravet Syndrome: Diagnosis and Long-Term Course.
AB  - Dravet syndrome is one of the most severe epilepsy syndromes of early childhood,
      and it comes with very high morbidity and mortality. The typical presentation is
      characterized by hemiclonic or generalized clonic seizures triggered by fever
      during the first year of life, followed by myoclonic, absence, focal and
      generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Non-convulsive status epilepticus and
      epileptic encephalopathy are common. Development is normal in the first year of
      life, but most individuals eventually suffer from intellectual impairment. Dravet
      syndrome is associated with mutations in the sodium channel alpha1 subunit gene
      (SCN1A) in 70-80% of individuals. SCN1A mutation results in inhibition of the
      GABAergic inhibitory interneurons, leading to excessive neuronal excitation. The
      "interneuron hypothesis" is the current most accepted pathophysiological
      mechanism of Dravet syndrome. The mortality rate is increased significantly in
      Dravet syndrome. Ataxia, a characteristic crouched gait and Parkinson's symptoms
      may develop in some individuals. It is likely that Dravet syndrome is
      underdiagnosed in adults with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Early diagnosis is
      important to avoid anti-seizure medications that exacerbate seizures. 

PMID- 27264140
TI  - Helping Families Cope with the Severe Stress of Dravet Syndrome.
AB  - A child with Dravet syndrome shakes family life to the core. Dravet syndrome
      usually has three phases: (1) up to 1-11/2 years: with episodes of febrile status
      epilepticus but normal development; (2) age 11/2 to ~6-10 years: with frequent
      seizures of varying types, developmental stagnation, behavioural and sleep
      problems; (3) after ~10 years: improvement in seizures, deteriorating gait,
      intellectual disability but some developmental gains. Complete seizure control is
      rare-simply prescribing medication is inadequate to help families. Based on
      structured interviews with 24 families and confirmed by more informal discussions
      with other families, we suggest strategies for coping with this catastrophe. A
      child with Dravet syndrome usually means that one parent cannot work-financial
      pressures should be anticipated. In Stage 1, the approach to status should
      include a written protocol. An indwelling catheter for rapid venous access may be
      helpful. In Stage 2, assistance finding qualified babysitters is required, and
      the extended family needs encouragement to help. Appropriate equipment, rescue
      medication and protocols should travel with the child. Siblings may benefit from
      a system of one parent "on call." An internet support group provides an
      invaluable lifeline. In Stage 3, family isolation may be extreme-respite care and
      personal time for parents are important. Death from status, accidents and SUDEP
      (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy) occurs in 15%. Fear of SUDEP needs to be
      addressed. Moving from paediatric to adult care is frightening; an epilepsy
      transition clinic is useful. Attention to these realities may improve the quality
      of life for both child and family. 

PMID- 27264141
TI  - Alternative treatment for hot flashes.

PMID- 27264143
TI  - Red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Turkey.
AB  - Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common
      erythrocyte enzyme deficiency in the world. The epidemiological, biochemical and
      molecular studies on G6PD enzyme deficiency performed over the past 50 years are
      summarized herein, with special emphasis on the findings of studies related to
      the enzyme deficiency in Turkey. 

PMID- 27264144
TI  - Malaria parasitemia and antimalaria prophylaxis in sickle cell anemia patients in
      steady staten.
AB  - Malaria parasitemia was assessed in 37 known sickle cell anemia patients
      attending the routine hematological clinic of the University of Benin Teaching
      Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State. Parasitemia was determined using the
      quantitative buffy coat analysis. The prevalence of malaria parasitemia among the
      population studied was 86.5%. There was no significant difference in the
      prevalence of parasitemia among the male and female sicklers (p=0.35). Malaria
      parasitemia was significantly associated with hematocrit <0.20 (p=0.03). There
      was no statistically significant difference between the type of prophylaxis used
      and parasitemia. In conclusion, the role of malaria prophylaxis in preventing
      parasitemia seems negligible. It is therefore recommended that more emphasis. 

PMID- 27264142
TI  - An HBV-tolerant immunocompetent model that effectively simulates chronic
      hepatitis B virus infection in mice.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of liver disease and hepatic
      carcinoma (HCC). Approximately 350 million people worldwide are infected with HBV
      and at risk of chronicity. An efficient HBV-tolerant murine model that mimics HBV
      infection in humans is desirable for HBV-related research. In this study, we
      investigated and established a murine model by hydrodynamic injection (HDI) of
      pAAV/HBV into the tail vein of AAVS1 site element-transgenic mice. In 80% of the
      injected mice, the serum level of HBsAg reached 103-4 IU/ml and persisted for
      more than half a year. Next, the model was used to evaluate RNA interference
      (RNAi)-based antiviral therapy. Data obtained using the model demonstrated that
      this model will facilitate the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying chronic
      HBV infection and will also be useful for evaluating new antiviral drugs.

PMID- 27264145
TI  - Hematological profile of HIV patients in relation to immune status - a hospital
      based cohort from Varanasi, North India.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study the spectrum of hematological manifestations and evaluate
      the relationship between various hematological manifestations and CD4 cell counts
      in a hospital-based cohort of HIV-infected adults in and around Varanasi, North
      India. MATERIALS-METHODS: The clinical and hematological profiles of the patients
      attending the Infectious Disease Clinic, Varanasi, India were recorded. The
      relationship between CD4 counts and various hematological manifestations was
      analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 470 HIV-infected individuals were followed for 830
      person years of observation (PYO). Rate of hematological episodes was 1047
      episodes per 1000 PYO. CD4 counts were significantly lower in individuals with
      severe anemia and neutropenia compared to those without. However, no relation
      could be established between thrombocytopenia and CD4 counts. In the above-
      mentioned population, CD4 levels were significantly lower in those with
      anemia/neutropenia harboring any particular disease compared to those who had the
      same disease without anemia/ neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong negative
      association between CD4 counts and the severity of anemia and neutropenia in this
      population. They can be considered as good clinical indicators to predict and
      access the underlying immune status. Though fall in the CD4 levels during
      neutropenia is observed, it is difficult to comment since the estimations of CD4
      rely on the total leukocyte counts. However, the relation between anemia and
      disease progression is straight forward and quite useful for the treating
      physician.

PMID- 27264146
TI  - Cloning of chimerical translocations as positive control for molecular genetic
      diagnosis of leukemia.
AB  - The diagnosis of leukemia-specific mRNAs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and
      reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) require well-known positive standard controls.
      In general, the positive controls are obtained from cell lines and leukemia
      patients who have been diagnosed at the molecular level by RT-PCR. These are
      expensive and restricted sources for standard positive controls. Thus, there is a
      need for less expensive and reproducible standard positive controls in this area.
      We have cloned the t (9: 22) p190, t (9: 22) p210, t (4: 11), t (1: 19), t (15:
      17), t (12; 21) breakpoint junctions of fusion genes into the plasmids. Cloned
      fusion genes are suitable for testing PCR experiments of the molecular genetic
      diagnosis of leukemia samples. We cloned and optimized fusion gene junctions as a
      standard positive control to check PCR efficiency and as a standard positive
      marker for diagnosis. 

PMID- 27264147
TI  - T-helper-1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (allo-HSCT).
AB  - Dysregulation of T-helper (Th)1 (IFN-g, IL-2, TNF-a) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10)
      type cytokines has been suggested in the pathogenesis of graft versus host
      disease (GvHD). We analyzed intracellular cytokine expression in Th (CD4+)
      lymphocytes in 23 patients undergoing allo-hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (HSCT) both in the week of neutrophil engraftment (S1) and on the
      posttransplant 100th day (S2). CD4+TNF-a+ cells increased from 22% at S1 to 26%
      at S2 in the allo-peripheral blood (PB) group. CD4+IL-2+ cells at S1 in the bone
      marrow (BM) group had a tendency to be higher than in the allo-PB group and also
      higher than at S2. IL-2 and TNF-a expressions at S1 were significantly higher and
      IL-2 expression at S2 was significantly lower in patients with grade II-IV acute
      GvHD compared with grade 0-I GvHD. IFN-g expression tended to be higher at S2 in
      the chronic GvHD group compared with the patient without GvHD. Consequently, the
      data in this study support the role of Th1 cytokines in GvHD. 

PMID- 27264148
TI  - Use of gemtuzumab ozogamicin in the treatment of pediatric relapsed/ refractory
      Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
AB  - Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO, MylotargTM) is an antibody-targeted chemotherapy agent
      that has been studied in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at first relapse in adults.
      There is limited experience in pediatric patients. We report six patients with
      refractory/relapsed CD33+AML who were treated with GO on compassionate-use basis.
      One patient attained remission. One patient is still alive following
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and one patient died in
      remission. Two patients were refractory and three patients had a response with
      <5% blasts in the bone marrow. Fever and chills, hypotension and hypoxia were
      observed as side effects. Three patients developed veno-occlusive disease (VOD)
      of the liver. Two of these three patients had persistence of VOD at the time of
      their deaths. One patient treated postSCT had bone marrow response without VOD.
      GO should be used cautiously in chemotherapy-refractory AML pediatric patients
      due to the high incidence of VOD. 

PMID- 27264149
TI  - Hemophagocytic syndrome with erythrocyte phagocytosis by the myeloid precursors
      in a patient with AML -M2.
AB  - Hemophagocytic syndrome is characterized by fever, fatigue, weight loss,
      lymphadenopathy, and laboratory abnormalities including pancytopenia, liver
      dysfunction, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperfibrinemia. Histopathologically,
      lesions are characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration with marked histiocyte
      proliferation and phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and their
      precursors by activated macrophages in the reticuloendothelial tissues.
      Hemophagocytic syndrome may develop from strong immunological stimuli such as
      severe infection, malignancy and autoimmune diseases. We present a 73-year-old
      man with acute myeloblastic leukemia FAB M2 type (AML M2) whose bone marrow
      histology showed unusual hemophagocytosis by myeloid cells and myeloblasts. 

PMID- 27264150
TI  - Albendazole-induced bicytopenia.
AB  - Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease which occurs due to cyst hydatid
      Echinococcus granulosus and occurs in the liver in 55-70% of cases. Cyst hydatid
      treatment can be performed in three ways: primary surgery, medical and PAIR
      (Puncture Aspiration Injection Reaspiration) treatment. Medical treatment can be
      applied with PAIR in order to decrease post-surgery recurrence and facilitate the
      treatment in repeating cases. The most commonly used agent in medical treatment
      is albendazole. The most common albendazole-induced side effect is elevated
      levels of liver enzymes. It rarely causes bone marrow toxic consequences. We
      present herein a case with albendazole-induced leukopenia and thrombocytopenia,
      which to our knowledge has never been reported in the literature. 

PMID- 27264151
TI  - First observation of homozygote Hb Q-Iran (alpha 75 (EF4) Asp-His).
AB  - The first observation of homozygote Hb Q-Iran (alpha1 75(EF4) Asp-His) is
      presented in this report. The clinical and hematological data of the index case,
      his father and mother showed that homozygous or heterozygous Hb Q-Iran has no
      clinical importance. 

PMID- 27264152
TI  - First observation of Hb D-Ouled Rabah [beta19(B1)Asn>Lys] in the Turkish
      population.
AB  - Hb D-Ouled Rabah [beta19(B1)Asn>Lys] is a rare hemoglobin (Hb) beta chain variant
      reported from Tuareg tribes in Algeria and once from China. It was suggested that
      Hb D-Ouled Rabah might be specific of Berber-speaking populations. Our report
      describes the first observation of this hemoglobin variant in the Turkish
      population. 

PMID- 27264153
TI  - Pearson syndrome associated with hemophagocytic syndrome in a child.

PMID- 27264154
TI  - Is it a sea-blue histiocyte?

PMID- 27264155
TI  - Extended dissipative state estimation for memristive neural networks with time
      varying delay.
AB  - This paper investigates the problem of extended dissipative state estimation for
      memristor-based neural networks (MNNs) with time-varying delay. Based on both
      nonsmooth analysis and the construction of a new Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional,
      the extended dissipative state estimation criteria are obtained by mainly
      applying differential inclusions, set-valued maps and many new integral
      inequalities. The extended dissipative state estimation can be adopted to deal
      with l2-linfinity state estimation, Hinfinity state estimation, passive state
      estimation and dissipative state estimation by valuing the corresponding
      weighting matrices. Finally, two numerical examples are given to show the
      effectiveness and less conservatism of the proposed criteria. 

PMID- 27264156
TI  - FDI based on Artificial Neural Network for Low-Voltage-Ride-Through in DFIG-based
      Wind Turbine.
AB  - As per modern electrical grid rules, Wind Turbine needs to operate continually
      even in presence severe grid faults as Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT). Hence, a
      new LVRT Fault Detection and Identification (FDI) procedure has been developed to
      take the appropriate decision in order to develop the convenient control
      strategy. To obtain much better decision and enhanced FDI during grid fault, the
      proposed procedure is based on voltage indicators analysis using a new Artificial
      Neural Network architecture (ANN). In fact, two features are extracted (the
      amplitude and the angle phase). It is divided into two steps. The first is fault
      indicators generation and the second is indicators analysis for fault diagnosis.
      The first step is composed of six ANNs which are dedicated to describe the three
      phases of the grid (three amplitudes and three angle phases). Regarding to the
      second step, it is composed of a single ANN which analysis the indicators and
      generates a decision signal that describes the function mode (healthy or faulty).
      On other hand, the decision signal identifies the fault type. It allows
      distinguishing between the four faulty types. The diagnosis procedure is tested
      in simulation and experimental prototype. The obtained results confirm and
      approve its efficiency, rapidity, robustness and immunity to the noise and
      unknown inputs. 

PMID- 27264157
TI  - Speed/position sensor fault tolerant control in adjustable speed drives - A
      review.
AB  - The position sensor is one of the most used devices in Adjustable Speed Drives
      (ASDs). Its use is mandatory in electric machines vector control. In this paper,
      an interest was addressed to this field. Indeed, a bibliographical review, about
      Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) and Fault Tolerant Control (FTC) in ASDs, is
      presented. Thus, the paper deals with position sensor FDI and sensorless control
      based FTC in ASDs. Moreover, this issue is mainly addressed to position sensor
      faults in ASDs. This paper is based on a wide literature review referring to
      scientific papers and manufacturer's technical documents. In total, 186
      references in the open literature, dating back to 1981, have been investigated in
      order to perform this study. 

PMID- 27264158
TI  - Misdiagnosed neurosyphilis associated with prolonged psychosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: After the prevalence of syphilis had reached historic lows, the Center
      for Disease Control devised a plan to eradicate syphilis in the United States.
      Since that decree there has been a dramatic rise in new cases. Psychosis is an
      ominous symptom of neurosyphilis. METHODS: We report a case of neurosyphilis that
      was misdiagnosed and staged incorrectly. RESULTS: Failure to diagnose
      neurosyphilis was associated with prolonged psychosis that has been refractory to
      antipsychotic treatment. CONCLUSION: Psychiatrists should renew their vigilance
      for neurosyphilis in the setting of a positive screening test and psychosis.

PMID- 27264159
TI  - Effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy on taste acuity and
      sweetness acceptability in postsurgical subjects.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Data on taste acuity after bariatric surgery are scarce, and taste
      perception after sleeve gastrectomy, to our knowledge, has never been
      investigated. The objective of this work was to retrospectively compare taste
      acuity and sweetness acceptability after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve
      gastrectomy. METHODS: Subjects with a postoperative period >=6 mo were recruited
      (between January and June 2012) for a non-randomized, observational study.
      Subjects completed sensory evaluation sessions consisting of measurement of
      detection thresholds for bitterness and sweetness (N = 21), saltiness and
      sourness (N = 19), and sweetness acceptability (N = 19). Significance was
      established with Tukey's honest significant difference test and analysis of
      variance using the SAS GLM procedure. RESULTS: Sourness threshold was
      significantly higher among subjects who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (P
      = 0.0045). No other differences were obtained for the other thresholds or
      sweetness acceptability (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Further randomized studies are
      needed to clarify these differences.

PMID- 27264160
TI  - Hydrogen-bond promoted nucleophilic fluorination: concept, mechanism and
      applications in positron emission tomography.
AB  - Due to the tremendous interest in carbon-fluorine bond-forming reactions,
      research efforts in this area have been dedicated to the development of facile
      processes to synthesize small fluorine-containing organic molecules. Among
      others, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is one of the most important
      applications of fluorine chemistry. Recognizing the specific requirements of PET
      processes, some groups have focused on fluorination reactions using alkali metal
      fluorides, particularly through SN2-type reactions. However, a common
      "misconception" about the role of protic solvents and hydrogen bonding
      interactions in this class of reactions has hampered the employment of these
      excellent promoters. Herein, we would like to review recent discoveries in this
      context, showing straightforward nucleophilic fluorination reactions using alkali
      metal fluorides promoted by protic solvents. Simultaneous dual activation of
      reacting partners by intermolecular hydrogen bonding and the enhancement of the
      "effective fluoride nucleophilicity", which is Nature's biocatalytic approach
      with the fluorinase enzyme, are the key to this unprecedentedly successful
      nucleophilic fluorination.

PMID- 27264161
TI  - Antiproliferative activity of ruthenium(ii) arene complexes with mono- and
      bidentate pyridine-based ligands.
AB  - A series of Ru(II) arene complexes of mono- and bidentate N-donor ligands with
      carboxyl or ester groups and chlorido ancillary ligands were synthesised and
      structurally characterised. The complexes have a distorted tetrahedral piano
      stool geometry. The binding interaction was studied with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA)
      by absorption titration, viscosity measurement, thermal melting, circular
      dichroism, ethidium bromide displacement assay and DNA cleavage of plasmid DNA
      (pBR322), investigated by gel electrophoresis. The dichlorido complexes bind
      covalently to DNA in the dark, similar to cisplatin, while the monochlorido
      complexes bind covalently on irradiation, similar to cisplatin analogues. The
      compounds are selectively cytotoxic against several tumour cell lines and show
      specific nonlinear correlation between dose and activity. This phenomenon is
      closely related to their potential to act preferentially as inhibitors of cell
      division. 

PMID- 27264162
TI  - Dumped: How a Quest for Administrative Efficiency Lost a Doctor His Doctor.

PMID- 27264163
TI  - The economic burden of spinal muscular atrophy.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the economic burden of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: This study used Department of Defense Military Healthcare System
      (MHS) data from 2003-2012. Healthcare costs were determined for patients with at
      least one inpatient or three outpatient claims with a diagnosis of SMA before 18
      years of age and who had >= 6 months of data after first SMA diagnosis or expired
      within 6 months of initial diagnosis. A comparator cohort was selected using a
      3:1 match based on age and gender. RESULTS: A total of 239 individuals with SMA
      diagnosis met the inclusion criteria along with 717 matched comparator patients.
      More patients with SMA had hospitalizations (69.5%) compared to the comparator
      cohort (17.2%, p < 0.001). Median total expenditures across all years of data for
      patients with SMA were $83 652 (25-75th percentile = $29 620-228 754) vs the
      comparator group of $4329 (25-75(th) percentile = $1229-10 062 (p < 0.001)) over
      an average (SD) of 6.9 +/- 3.6 years. The annualized mean costs of total
      healthcare expenditures were significantly higher for the SMA cases than the
      comparison cohort, $47 862 +/- 88 607 compared to $1861 +/- 6374, respectively (p
      < 0.001). The sub-group of patients with early diagnosis (n = 45) had 4.3 +/- 2.9
      years of observation with a median cost of $167 921 ($53 349-678 412). Mean age
      (SD) at first observed SMA diagnosis was 7.5 +/- 6.4 years. Mean (SD) duration of
      follow-up after initial SMA diagnosis was 4.8 +/- 3.3 years, with a median post
      diagnosis cost of $60 213 ($18 229-192 559). The major costs for all patients
      were outpatient visits [median = $53 152 ($23 902-136 150)], followed by
      inpatient costs [median = $11 258 ($0-51 987)] and total prescription costs
      [median = $3167 ($943-13 283)]. LIMITATIONS: The analysis is limited to the data
      available and may under-estimate the total cost of SMA. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals
      with SMA have a high degree of morbidity, particularly those diagnosed during
      infancy. SMA patients have significant medical expenditures and high utilization
      of healthcare services.

PMID- 27264165
TI  - Development of a translational model to screen medications for cocaine use
      disorder I: Choice between cocaine and food in rhesus monkeys.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Homologous cocaine self-administration procedures in laboratory
      animals and humans may facilitate translational research for medications
      development to treat cocaine dependence. This study, therefore, sought to
      establish choice between cocaine and an alternative reinforcer in rhesus monkeys
      responding under a procedure back-translated from previous human studies and
      homologous to a human laboratory procedure described in a companion paper.
      METHODS: Four rhesus monkeys with chronic indwelling intravenous catheters had
      access to cocaine injections (0, 0.043, 0.14, or 0.43mg/kg/injection) and food
      (0, 1, 3, or 10 1g banana-flavored food pellets). During daily 5h sessions, a
      single cocaine dose and a single food-reinforcer magnitude were available in 10
      30-min trials. During the initial "sample" trial, the available cocaine and food
      reinforcer were delivered non-contingently. During each of the subsequent nine
      "choice" trials, responding could produce either the cocaine or food reinforcer
      under an independent concurrent progressive-ratio schedule. RESULTS: Preference
      was governed by the cocaine dose and food-reinforcer magnitude, and increasing
      cocaine doses produced dose-dependent increases in cocaine choice at all food
      reinforcer magnitudes. Effects of the candidate medication lisdexamfetamine (0.32
      3.2mg/kg/day) were then examined on choice between 0.14mg/kg/injection cocaine
      and 10 pellets. Under baseline conditions, this reinforcer pair maintained an
      average of approximately 6 cocaine and 3 food choices. Lisdexamfetamine dose
      dependently decreased cocaine choice in all monkeys, but food choice was not
      significantly altered. CONCLUSIONS: These results support utility of this
      procedure in rhesus monkeys as one component of a platform for translational
      research on medications development to treat cocaine use disorder.

PMID- 27264166
TI  - Impact of prescription drug monitoring programs and pill mill laws on high-risk
      opioid prescribers: A comparative interrupted time series analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and pill mill laws were
      implemented to reduce opioid-related injuries/deaths. We evaluated their effects
      on high-risk prescribers in Florida. METHODS: We used IMS Health's LRx Lifelink
      database between July 2010 and September 2012 to identify opioid-prescribing
      prescribers in Florida (intervention state, N: 38,465) and Georgia (control
      state, N: 18,566). The pre-intervention, intervention, and post-intervention
      periods were: July 2010-June 2011, July 2011-September 2011, and October 2011
      September 2012. High-risk prescribers were those in the top 5th percentile of
      opioid volume during four consecutive calendar quarters. We applied comparative
      interrupted time series models to evaluate policy effects on clinical practices
      and monthly prescribing measures for low-risk/high-risk prescribers. RESULTS: We
      identified 1526 (4.0%) high-risk prescribers in Florida, accounting for 67% of
      total opioid volume and 40% of total opioid prescriptions. Relative to their
      lower-risk counterparts, they wrote sixteen times more monthly opioid
      prescriptions (79 vs. 5, p<0.01), and had more prescription-filling patients
      receiving opioids (47% vs. 19%, p<0.01). Following policy implementation,
      Florida's high-risk providers experienced large relative reductions in opioid
      patients and opioid prescriptions (-536 patients/month, 95% confidence intervals
      [CI] -829 to -243; -847 prescriptions/month, CI -1498 to -197), morphine
      equivalent dose (-0.88mg/month, CI -1.13 to -0.62), and total opioid volume (
      3.88kg/month, CI -5.14 to -2.62). Low-risk providers did not experience
      statistically significantly relative reductions, nor did policy implementation
      affect the status of being high- vs. low- risk prescribers. CONCLUSIONS: High
      risk prescribers are disproportionately responsive to state policies. However,
      opioids-prescribing remains highly concentrated among high-risk providers.

PMID- 27264167
TI  - Significance and outcome of nuclear anaplasia and mitotic index in prostatic
      adenocarcinomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Gleason grading system measures architectural differentiation and
      disregards nuclear atypia and the cell proliferation index. Several studies have
      reported that nuclear grade and mitotic index (MI) are prognostically useful.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 232 radical prostatectomy specimens.
      Nuclear anaplasia (NA) was determined on the basis of nucleomegali (at least
      20um); vesicular chromatin; eosinophilic macronucleoli, nuclear lobulation, and
      irregular thickened nuclear membranei. The proportion of area of NA was recorded
      in each tumor in 10% increments. The MI was defined as the number of mitotic
      figures in 10 consecutive high-power fields (HPF). RESULTS: In univariate
      analysis, significant differences included associations between biochemical
      prostate-specific antigen recurrence (BCR) and Gleason score, extraprostatic
      extension, positive surgical margin, the presence of high-pathologic stage,
      NA>=10% of tumor area, MI>=3/10 HPF, and preoperative prostate-specific antigen.
      In a stepwise Cox regression model, a positive surgical margin, the presence of a
      NA>=10% of tumor area, and a MI of>=3/10 HPF were independent predictors of BCR
      after radical prostatectomy. NA>=10% of tumor area appeared to have a stronger
      association with outcome than MI>=3/10 HPF, as still associated with BCR when
      Gleason score was in the model. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study showed
      that, in addition to the conventional Gleason grading system, NA, and MI are
      useful prognostic parameters while evaluating long-term prognosis in prostatic
      adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 27264168
TI  - Robotic cystectomy and intracorporeal stoma formation: Robotic management of
      ureteric strictures.

PMID- 27264169
TI  - National comparison of oncologic quality indicators between open and robotic
      assisted radical cystectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite increased adoption of robotic-assisted radical cystectomy
      (RARC), no national data have validated its oncologic efficacy compared to the
      "standard" open radical cystectomy (ORC). Positive surgical margins (PSM) and
      lymph node (LN) yield during radical cystectomy (RC) have an established
      relationship with bladder cancer outcomes. Here, we propose these 2 as quality
      indicators for RC and assess their differences to compare the oncologic efficacy
      between RARC and ORC. METHODS: Using the National Cancer Data Base for the years
      2010 to 2012, all patients who underwent ORC or RARC were analyzed. Baseline
      demographic and cancer stage information were compared as well as unadjusted
      rates of PSM and LN yield. Survival effect of each indicator was assessed. Using
      propensity score adjustment, rates of PSM and LN yield were compared between RARC
      and ORC. RESULTS: A total of 12,036 patients are included who underwent RC, 20%
      (2,397) of which were performed robotically. Percentage RARC of total RC
      increased from 16.2% to 23.3% over the 3 study years. Compared to ORC, patients
      who underwent RARC were no different in age but were more often men (78.4% vs.
      73.6%, P<0.001), had less-advanced cancer stage, and were more likely to have
      received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (20.9% vs. 14.5%, P<0.001). Most RARC
      procedures were performed at academic medical centers (66.1%). Unadjusted rates
      of PSM were lower in the RARC group (10.8% vs. 13.2%, P = 0.002) whereas median
      LN yield was higher in RARC patients (16 [interquartile range 9, 25] vs. 11
      [interquartile range 5, 19], P<0.001). After propensity score covariate
      adjustment, there was no significant difference in PSM rate between RARC and ORC
      (-1.12% difference, [95% CI:-2.8, 0.32%]. However, RARC was associated with a
      higher node yield (+3.32 LN, [95% CI: 2.61, 4.03]) than ORC (P<0.001).
      CONCLUSION: The RARC is becoming more prevalent. In a national cohort, RARC was
      performed more often on men, with lower stage cancer, who were more likely to
      receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Controlling for these factors, RARC had
      comparable PSM rates but slightly higher LN yield than ORC.

PMID- 27264170
TI  - Enhancing Prefrontal Neuron Activity Enables Associative Learning of Temporally
      Disparate Events.
AB  - The ability to link events that are separated in time is important for extracting
      meaning from experiences and guiding behavior in the future. This ability likely
      requires the brain to continue representing events even after they have passed, a
      process that may involve the prefrontal cortex and takes the form of sustained,
      event-specific neuron activity. Here, we show that experimentally increasing the
      activity of excitatory neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) enables
      rats to associate two stimuli separated by a 750-ms long temporal gap. Learning
      is accompanied by ramping increases in prefrontal theta and beta rhythms during
      the interval between stimuli. This ramping activity predicts memory-related
      behavioral responses on a trial-by-trial basis but is not correlated with the
      same muscular activity during non-memory conditions. Thus, the enhancement of
      prefrontal neuron excitability extends the time course of evoked prefrontal
      network activation and facilitates the formation of associations of temporally
      disparate, but correlated, events.

PMID- 27264172
TI  - LSD1 Interacts with Zfp516 to Promote UCP1 Transcription and Brown Fat Program.
AB  - Zfp516, a brown fat (BAT)-enriched and cold-inducible transcription factor,
      promotes transcription of UCP1 and other BAT-enriched genes for non-shivering
      thermogenesis. Here, we identify lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) as a direct
      binding partner of Zfp516. We show that, through interaction with Zfp516, LSD1 is
      recruited to UCP1 and other BAT-enriched genes, such as PGC1alpha, to function as
      a coactivator by demethylating H3K9. We also show that LSD1 is induced during
      brown adipogenesis and that LSD1 and its demethylase activity is required for the
      BAT program. Furthermore, we show that LSD1 ablation in mice using Myf5-Cre
      alters embryonic BAT development. Moreover, BAT-specific deletion of LSD1 via the
      use of UCP1-Cre impairs the BAT program and BAT development, making BAT resemble
      WAT, reducing thermogenic activity and promoting obesity. Finally, we demonstrate
      an in vivo requirement of the Zfp516-LSD1 interaction for LSD1 function in BAT
      gene activation.

PMID- 27264171
TI  - Type I Interferon Induction by Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Dual Requirement of Cyclic
      GMP-AMP Synthase and Toll-like Receptor 4.
AB  - The innate immune system is the first line of defense against Neisseria
      gonorrhoeae (GC). Exposure of cells to GC lipooligosaccharides induces a strong
      immune response, leading to type I interferon (IFN) production via TLR4/MD-2. In
      addition to living freely in the extracellular space, GC can invade the cytoplasm
      to evade detection and elimination. Double-stranded DNA introduced into the
      cytosol binds and activates the enzyme cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), which
      produces 2'3'-cGAMP and triggers STING/TBK-1/IRF3 activation, resulting in type I
      IFN expression. Here, we reveal a cytosolic response to GC DNA that also
      contributes to type I IFN induction. We demonstrate that complete IFN-beta
      induction by live GC depends on both cGAS and TLR4. Type I IFN is detrimental to
      the host, and dysregulation of iron homeostasis genes may explain lower bacteria
      survival in cGAS(-/-) and TLR4(-/-) cells. Collectively, these observations
      reveal cooperation between TLRs and cGAS in immunity to GC infection.

PMID- 27264173
TI  - The Action of Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 in Basal Tumor Cells and Stromal Cancer
      Associated Fibroblasts Is Critical for Breast Cancer Metastasis.
AB  - High levels of collagen deposition in human and mouse breast tumors are
      associated with poor outcome due to increased local invasion and distant
      metastases. Using a genetic approach, we show that, in mice, the action of the
      fibrillar collagen receptor discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) in both tumor and
      tumor-stromal cells is critical for breast cancer metastasis yet does not affect
      primary tumor growth. In tumor cells, DDR2 in basal epithelial cells regulates
      the collective invasion of tumor organoids. In stromal cancer-associated
      fibroblasts (CAFs), DDR2 is critical for extracellular matrix production and the
      organization of collagen fibers. The action of DDR2 in CAFs also enhances tumor
      cell collective invasion through a pathway distinct from the tumor-cell-intrinsic
      function of DDR2. This work identifies DDR2 as a potential therapeutic target
      that controls breast cancer metastases through its action in both tumor cells and
      tumor-stromal cells at the primary tumor site.

PMID- 27264174
TI  - A Specific Population of Reticulospinal Neurons Controls the Termination of
      Locomotion.
AB  - Locomotion requires the proper sequencing of neural activity to start, maintain,
      and stop it. Recently, brainstem neurons were shown to specifically stop
      locomotion in mammals. However, the cellular properties of these neurons and
      their activity during locomotion are still unknown. Here, we took advantage of
      the lamprey model to characterize the activity of a cell population that we now
      show to be involved in stopping locomotion. We find that these neurons display a
      burst of spikes that coincides with the end of swimming activity. Their
      pharmacological activation ends ongoing swimming, whereas the inactivation of
      these neurons dramatically impairs the rapid termination of swimming. These
      neurons are henceforth referred to as stop cells, because they play a crucial
      role in the termination of locomotion. Our findings contribute to the fundamental
      understanding of motor control and provide important details about the cellular
      mechanisms involved in locomotor termination.

PMID- 27264176
TI  - Innate Immune B Cell Activation by Leishmania donovani Exacerbates Disease and
      Mediates Hypergammaglobulinemia.
AB  - Participation of B cells in the immune response by various antibody-independent
      mechanisms has recently been uncovered. B cells producing cytokines have been
      described for several infections and appear to regulate the adaptive immune
      response. B cell activation by Leishmania donovani results in disease
      exacerbation. How Leishmania activates B cells is still unknown. We show that L.
      donovani amastigotes activate B cells by triggering endosomal TLRs; this
      activation leads to the induction of various cytokines. Cytokine expression is
      completely abrogated in B cells from Ifnar(-/-) mice upon exposure to L.
      donovani, suggesting an involvement of IFN-I in a positive feedback loop. IFN-I
      also appears to enhance the expression of endosomal TLRs following exposure to L.
      donovani. Cell-specific ablation of endosomal TLR signaling in B cells revealed
      that innate B cell activation by L. donovani is responsible for disease
      exacerbation through IL-10 and IFN-I production and for the promotion of
      hypergammaglobulinemia.

PMID- 27264175
TI  - STING Pathway Activation Stimulates Potent Immunity against Acute Myeloid
      Leukemia.
AB  - Type I interferon (IFN), essential for spontaneous T cell priming against solid
      tumors, is generated through recognition of tumor DNA by STING. Interestingly, we
      observe that type I IFN is not elicited in animals with disseminated acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML). Further, survival of leukemia-bearing animals is not
      diminished in the absence of type I IFN signaling, suggesting that STING may not
      be triggered by AML. However, the STING agonist, DMXAA, induces expression of IFN
      beta and other inflammatory cytokines, promotes dendritic cell (DC) maturation,
      and results in the striking expansion of leukemia-specific T cells. Systemic
      DMXAA administration significantly extends survival in two AML models. The
      therapeutic effect of DMXAA is only partially dependent on host type I IFN
      signaling, suggesting that other cytokines are important. A synthetic cyclic
      dinucleotide that also activates human STING provided a similar anti-leukemic
      effect. These data demonstrate that STING is a promising immunotherapeutic target
      in AML.

PMID- 27264177
TI  - Recombinase-Dependent Mouse Lines for Chemogenetic Activation of Genetically
      Defined Cell Types.
AB  - Chemogenetic technologies, including the mutated human Gq-coupled M3 muscarinic
      receptor (hM3Dq), have greatly facilitated our ability to directly link changes
      in cellular activity to altered physiology and behavior. Here, we extend the
      hM3Dq toolkit with recombinase-responsive mouse lines that permit hM3Dq
      expression in virtually any cell type. These alleles encode a fusion protein
      designed to increase effective expression levels by concentrating hM3Dq to the
      cell body and dendrites. To illustrate their broad utility, we targeted three
      different genetically defined cell populations: noradrenergic neurons of the
      compact, bilateral locus coeruleus and two dispersed populations, Camk2a+ neurons
      and GFAP+ glia. In all three populations, we observed reproducible expression and
      confirmed that activation of hM3Dq is sufficient to dose-dependently evoke
      phenotypic changes, without extreme phenotypes associated with hM3Dq
      overexpression. These alleles offer the ability to non-invasively control
      activity of diverse cell types to uncover their function and dysfunction at any
      developmental stage.

PMID- 27264178
TI  - CEACAM1-Mediated Inhibition of Virus Production.
AB  - Cells in our body can induce hundreds of antiviral genes following virus sensing,
      many of which remain largely uncharacterized. CEACAM1 has been previously shown
      to be induced by various innate systems; however, the reason for such tight
      integration to innate sensing systems was not apparent. Here, we show that
      CEACAM1 is induced following detection of HCMV and influenza viruses by their
      respective DNA and RNA innate sensors, IFI16 and RIG-I. This induction is
      mediated by IRF3, which bound to an ISRE element present in the human, but not
      mouse, CEACAM1 promoter. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, upon induction,
      CEACAM1 suppresses both HCMV and influenza viruses in an SHP2-dependent process
      and achieves this broad antiviral efficacy by suppressing mTOR-mediated protein
      biosynthesis. Finally, we show that CEACAM1 also inhibits viral spread in ex vivo
      human decidua organ culture.

PMID- 27264179
TI  - A Computational Drug Repositioning Approach for Targeting Oncogenic Transcription
      Factors.
AB  - Mutations in transcription factor (TF) genes are frequently observed in tumors,
      often leading to aberrant transcriptional activity. Unfortunately, TFs are often
      considered undruggable due to the absence of targetable enzymatic activity. To
      address this problem, we developed CRAFTT, a computational drug-repositioning
      approach for targeting TF activity. CRAFTT combines ChIP-seq with drug-induced
      expression profiling to identify small molecules that can specifically perturb TF
      activity. Application to ENCODE ChIP-seq datasets revealed known drug-TF
      interactions, and a global drug-protein network analysis supported these
      predictions. Application of CRAFTT to ERG, a pro-invasive, frequently
      overexpressed oncogenic TF, predicted that dexamethasone would inhibit ERG
      activity. Dexamethasone significantly decreased cell invasion and migration in an
      ERG-dependent manner. Furthermore, analysis of electronic medical record data
      indicates a protective role for dexamethasone against prostate cancer.
      Altogether, our method provides a broadly applicable strategy for identifying
      drugs that specifically modulate TF activity.

PMID- 27264180
TI  - Targeting One Carbon Metabolism with an Antimetabolite Disrupts Pyrimidine
      Homeostasis and Induces Nucleotide Overflow.
AB  - Antimetabolites that affect nucleotide metabolism are frontline chemotherapy
      agents in several cancers and often successfully target one carbon metabolism.
      However, the precise mechanisms and resulting determinants of their therapeutic
      value are unknown. We show that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a commonly used
      antimetabolite therapeutic with varying efficacy, induces specific alterations to
      nucleotide metabolism by disrupting pyrimidine homeostasis. An integrative
      metabolomics analysis of the cellular response to 5-FU reveals intracellular
      uracil accumulation, whereas deoxyuridine levels exhibited increased flux into
      the extracellular space, resulting in an induction of overflow metabolism.
      Subsequent analysis from mice bearing colorectal tumors treated with 5-FU show
      specific secretion of metabolites in tumor-bearing mice into serum that results
      from alterations in nucleotide flux and reduction in overflow metabolism.
      Together, these findings identify a determinant of an antimetabolite response
      that may be exploited to more precisely define the tumors that could respond to
      targeting cancer metabolism.

PMID- 27264181
TI  - Two Mutually Exclusive Local Chromatin States Drive Efficient V(D)J
      Recombination.
AB  - Variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) (V(D)J) recombination is the first
      determinant of antigen receptor diversity. Understanding how recombination is
      regulated requires a comprehensive, unbiased readout of V gene usage. We have
      developed VDJ sequencing (VDJ-seq), a DNA-based next-generation-sequencing
      technique that quantitatively profiles recombination products. We reveal a 200
      fold range of recombination efficiency among recombining V genes in the primary
      mouse Igh repertoire. We used machine learning to integrate these data with local
      chromatin profiles to identify combinatorial patterns of epigenetic features that
      associate with active VH gene recombination. These features localize downstream
      of VH genes and are excised by recombination, revealing a class of cis-regulatory
      element that governs recombination, distinct from expression. We detect two
      mutually exclusive chromatin signatures at these elements, characterized by
      CTCF/RAD21 and PAX5/IRF4, which segregate with the evolutionary history of
      associated VH genes. Thus, local chromatin signatures downstream of VH genes
      provide an essential layer of regulation that determines recombination
      efficiency.

PMID- 27264182
TI  - Defining the Minimal Factors Required for Erythropoiesis through Direct Lineage
      Conversion.
AB  - Erythroid cell commitment and differentiation proceed through activation of a
      lineage-restricted transcriptional network orchestrated by a group of well
      characterized genes. However, the minimal set of factors necessary for
      instructing red blood cell (RBC) development remains undefined. We employed a
      screen for transcription factors allowing direct lineage reprograming from
      fibroblasts to induced erythroid progenitors/precursors (iEPs). We show that
      Gata1, Tal1, Lmo2, and c-Myc (GTLM) can rapidly convert murine and human
      fibroblasts directly to iEPs. The transcriptional signature of murine iEPs
      resembled mainly that of primitive erythroid progenitors in the yolk sac, whereas
      addition of Klf1 or Myb to the GTLM cocktail resulted in iEPs with a more adult
      type globin expression pattern. Our results demonstrate that direct lineage
      conversion is a suitable platform for defining and studying the core factors
      inducing the different waves of erythroid development.

PMID- 27264185
TI  - Translaminar Cortical Membrane Potential Synchrony in Behaving Mice.
AB  - The synchronized activity of six layers of cortical neurons is critical for
      sensory perception and the control of voluntary behavior, but little is known
      about the synaptic mechanisms of cortical synchrony across layers in behaving
      animals. We made single and dual whole-cell recordings from the primary
      somatosensory forepaw cortex in awake mice and show that L2/3 and L5 excitatory
      neurons have layer-specific intrinsic properties and membrane potential dynamics
      that shape laminar-specific firing rates and subthreshold synchrony. First, while
      sensory and movement-evoked synaptic input was tightly correlated across layers,
      spontaneous action potentials and slow spontaneous subthreshold fluctuations had
      laminar-specific timing; second, longer duration forepaw movement was associated
      with a decorrelation of subthreshold activity; third, spontaneous and sensory
      evoked forepaw movements were signaled more strongly by L5 than L2/3 neurons.
      Together, our data suggest that the degree of translaminar synchrony is dependent
      upon the origin (sensory, spontaneous, and movement) of the synaptic input.

PMID- 27264184
TI  - FANCD2 Maintains Fork Stability in BRCA1/2-Deficient Tumors and Promotes
      Alternative End-Joining DNA Repair.
AB  - BRCA1/2 proteins function in homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA repair
      and cooperate with Fanconi anemia (FA) proteins to maintain genomic integrity
      through replication fork stabilization. Loss of BRCA1/2 proteins results in DNA
      repair deficiency and replicative stress, leading to genomic instability and
      enhanced sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. Recent studies have shown that
      BRCA1/2-deficient tumors upregulate Poltheta-mediated alternative end-joining
      (alt-EJ) repair as a survival mechanism. Whether other mechanisms maintain
      genomic integrity upon loss of BRCA1/2 proteins is currently unknown. Here we
      show that BRCA1/2-deficient tumors also upregulate FANCD2 activity. FANCD2 is
      required for fork protection and fork restart in BRCA1/2-deficient tumors.
      Moreover, FANCD2 promotes Poltheta recruitment at sites of damage and alt-EJ
      repair. Finally, loss of FANCD2 in BRCA1/2-deficient tumors enhances cell death.
      These results reveal a synthetic lethal relationship between FANCD2 and BRCA1/2,
      and they identify FANCD2 as a central player orchestrating DNA repair pathway
      choice at the replication fork.

PMID- 27264186
TI  - Molecular Features Underlying Neurodegeneration Identified through In Vitro
      Modeling of Genetically Diverse Parkinson's Disease Patients.
AB  - The fact that Parkinson's disease (PD) can arise from numerous genetic mutations
      suggests a unifying molecular pathology underlying the various genetic
      backgrounds. To address this hypothesis, we took an integrated approach utilizing
      in vitro disease modeling and comprehensive transcriptome profiling to advance
      our understanding of PD progression and the concordant downstream signaling
      pathways across divergent genetic predispositions. To model PD in vitro, we
      generated neurons harboring disease-causing mutations from patient-specific,
      induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We observed signs of degeneration in
      midbrain dopaminergic neurons, reflecting the cardinal feature of PD. Gene
      expression signatures of PD neurons provided molecular insights into disease
      phenotypes observed in vitro, including oxidative stress vulnerability and
      altered neuronal activity. Notably, PD neurons show that elevated RBFOX1, a gene
      previously linked to neurodevelopmental diseases, underlies a pattern of
      alternative RNA-processing associated with PD-specific phenotypes.

PMID- 27264183
TI  - Distinct Transcriptional Programs Control Cross-Priming in Classical and Monocyte
      Derived Dendritic Cells.
AB  - Both classical DCs (cDCs) and monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs) are capable of cross
      priming CD8(+) T cells in response to cell-associated antigens. We found that Ly
      6C(hi)TREML4(-) monocytes can differentiate into Zbtb46(+) Mo-DCs in response to
      granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL
      4) but that Ly-6C(hi)TREML4(+) monocytes were committed to differentiate into Ly
      6C(lo)TREML4(+) monocytes. Differentiation of Zbtb46(+) Mo-DCs capable of
      efficient cross-priming required both GM-CSF and IL-4 and was accompanied by the
      induction of Batf3 and Irf4. However, monocytes require IRF4, but not BATF3, to
      differentiate into Zbtb46(+) Mo-DCs capable of cross-priming CD8(+) T cells.
      Instead, Irf4(-/-) monocytes differentiate into macrophages in response to GM-CSF
      and IL-4. Thus, cDCs and Mo-DCs require distinct transcriptional programs of
      differentiation in acquiring the capacity to prime CD8(+) T cells. These
      differences may be of consideration in the use of therapeutic DC vaccines based
      on Mo-DCs.

PMID- 27264187
TI  - CYLD Proteolysis Protects Macrophages from TNF-Mediated Auto-necroptosis Induced
      by LPS and Licensed by Type I IFN.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induces necroptosis, a RIPK3/MLKL-dependent form of
      inflammatory cell death. In response to infection by Gram-negative bacteria,
      multiple receptors on macrophages, including TLR4, TNF, and type I IFN receptors,
      are concurrently activated, but it is unclear how they crosstalk to regulate
      necroptosis. We report that TLR4 activates CASPASE-8 to cleave and remove the
      deubiquitinase cylindromatosis (CYLD) in a TRIF- and RIPK1-dependent manner to
      disable necroptosis in macrophages. Inhibiting CASPASE-8 leads to CYLD-dependent
      necroptosis caused by the TNF produced in response to TLR4 ligation. While
      lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced necroptosis was abrogated in Tnf(-/-)
      macrophages, a soluble TNF antagonist was not able to do so in Tnf(+/+)
      macrophages, indicating that necroptosis occurs in a cell-autonomous manner.
      Surprisingly, TNF-mediated auto-necroptosis of macrophages requires type I IFN,
      which primes the expression of key necroptosis-signaling molecules, including
      TNFR2 and MLKL. Thus, the TNF necroptosis pathway is regulated by both negative
      and positive crosstalk.

PMID- 27264190
TI  - Efficient planar Sb2S3 solar cells using a low-temperature solution-processed tin
      oxide electron conductor.
AB  - Efficient planar antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) heterojunction solar cells have been
      made using chemical bath deposited (CBD) Sb2S3 as the absorber, low-temperature
      solution-processed tin oxide (SnO2) as the electron conductor and poly (3
      hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as the hole conductor. A solar conversion efficiency of
      2.8% was obtained at 1 sun illumination using a planar device consisting of F
      doped SnO2 substrate/SnO2/CBD-Sb2S3/P3HT/Au, whereas the solar cells based on a
      titanium dioxide (TiO2) electron conductor exhibited a power conversion
      efficiency of 1.9%. Compared with conventional Sb2S3 sensitized solar cells, the
      high-temperature processed mesoscopic TiO2 scaffold is no longer needed. More
      importantly, a low-temperature solution-processed SnO2 layer was introduced for
      electron transportation to substitute the high-temperature sintered dense
      blocking TiO2 layer. Our planar solar cells not only have simple geometry with
      fewer steps to fabricate but also show enhanced performance. The higher
      efficiency of planar Sb2S3 solar cell devices based on a SnO2 electron conductor
      is attributed to their high transparency, uniform surface, efficient electron
      transport properties of SnO2, suitable energy band alignment, and reduced
      recombination at the interface of SnO2/Sb2S3. 

PMID- 27264188
TI  - Robustness of MEK-ERK Dynamics and Origins of Cell-to-Cell Variability in MAPK
      Signaling.
AB  - Cellular signaling processes can exhibit pronounced cell-to-cell variability in
      genetically identical cells. This affects how individual cells respond
      differentially to the same environmental stimulus. However, the origins of cell
      to-cell variability in cellular signaling systems remain poorly understood. Here,
      we measure the dynamics of phosphorylated MEK and ERK across cell populations and
      quantify the levels of population heterogeneity over time using high-throughput
      image cytometry. We use a statistical modeling framework to show that extrinsic
      noise, particularly that from upstream MEK, is the dominant factor causing cell
      to-cell variability in ERK phosphorylation, rather than stochasticity in the
      phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of ERK. We furthermore show that without
      extrinsic noise in the core module, variable (including noisy) signals would be
      faithfully reproduced downstream, but the within-module extrinsic variability
      distorts these signals and leads to a drastic reduction in the mutual information
      between incoming signal and ERK activity.

PMID- 27264189
TI  - The Long Non-coding RNA HIF1A-AS2 Facilitates the Maintenance of Mesenchymal
      Glioblastoma Stem-like Cells in Hypoxic Niches.
AB  - Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have an undefined role in the pathobiology of
      glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). These tumors are genetically and phenotypically
      heterogeneous with transcriptome subtype-specific GBM stem-like cells (GSCs) that
      adapt to the brain tumor microenvironment, including hypoxic niches. We
      identified hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha-antisense RNA 2 (HIF1A-AS2) as a
      subtype-specific hypoxia-inducible lncRNA, upregulated in mesenchymal GSCs. Its
      deregulation affects GSC growth, self-renewal, and hypoxia-dependent molecular
      reprogramming. Among the HIF1A-AS2 interactome, IGF2BP2 and DHX9 were identified
      as direct partners. This association was needed for maintenance of expression of
      their target gene, HMGA1. Downregulation of HIF1A-AS2 led to delayed growth of
      mesenchymal GSC tumors, survival benefits, and impaired expression of HMGA1 in
      vivo. Our data demonstrate that HIF1A-AS2 contributes to GSCs' speciation and
      adaptation to hypoxia within the tumor microenvironment, acting directly through
      its interactome and targets and indirectly by modulating responses to hypoxic
      stress depending on the subtype-specific genetic context.

PMID- 27264192
TI  - Complex, Complicated, Simple.

PMID- 27264191
TI  - Ethanol Extract of Cissus quadrangularis Enhances Osteoblast Differentiation and
      Mineralization of Murine Pre-Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 Cells.
AB  - Traditional medicinal literature and previous studies have reported the possible
      role of Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) as an anti-osteoporotic agent. This study
      examines the effectiveness of CQ in promoting osteoblast differentiation of the
      murine pre-osteoblast cell line, MC3T3-E1. Ethanolic extract of CQ (CQ-E) was
      found to affect growth kinetics of MC3T3-E1 cells in a dosage-dependent manner.
      High concentrations of CQ-E (more than 10 MUg/ml) have particularly adverse
      effects, while lower concentrations of 0.1 and 1 ug/ml were non-toxic and did not
      affect cell viability. Notably, cell proliferation was significantly increased at
      the lower concentrations of CQ-E. CQ-E treatment also augmented osteoblast
      differentiation, as reflected by a substantial increase in expression of the
      early osteoblast marker ALP activity, and at later stage, by mineralization of
      extracellular matrix compared to the control group. These findings suggest dose
      dependent effect of CQ-E with lower concentrations exhibiting anabolic and
      osteogenic properties. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 540-547, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264193
TI  - Pericardial effusion due to cholesterol pericarditis in case of rheumatoid
      arthritis.

PMID- 27264194
TI  - Sirtuin 1 evaluation with a novel immunoassay approach based on TiO2-Au label and
      hyperbranched polymer hybrid.
AB  - Accurate and highly sensitive evaluation of the sirtuin 1 (SirT1) level is
      becoming increasingly important for understanding the contribution of SirT1 in
      metabolism pathways. Here, a novel electrochemical immunoassay of SirT1 based on
      crosslinked hyperbranched azo-polymer decorated with gold colloids (Au-HAP) as
      sensing platform and titanium dioxide (TiO2)-Au nanocomposites to immobilize
      secondary antibody-horseradish peroxidase (Ab2-HRP) as electrochemical labels has
      been designed. Greatly enhanced sensitivity was achieved by exploiting the
      excellent conductivity of Au nanoparticle, the amplification effect of Au-HAP and
      TiO2-Au, and the favorable catalytic ability of HRP. The nanocomposites of Au-HAP
      and TiO2-Au could attach numerous capture antibodies on the surface for
      significant immune recognition efficiency. Meanwhile, the TiO2-Au-labeled Ab2-HRP
      using an HRP-thionine-H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) detection system could further
      induce signal readout. Under optimal conditions, the signal intensity was
      linearly related to the concentration of SirT1 in the range of 1-500 ng ml(-1),
      and the limit of detection was 0.28 ng ml(-1). The developed biosensor exhibits
      attractive performance for the analysis of SirT1, with rapid response, high
      sensitivity, and high accuracy, and could become a promising technique for
      protein detection.

PMID- 27264195
TI  - Parallel selective pressures drive convergent diversification of phenotypes in
      pythons and boas.
AB  - Pythons and boas are globally distributed and distantly related radiations with
      remarkable phenotypic and ecological diversity. We tested whether pythons, boas
      and their relatives have evolved convergent phenotypes when they display similar
      ecology. We collected geometric morphometric data on head shape for 1073
      specimens representing over 80% of species. We show that these two groups display
      strong and widespread convergence when they occupy equivalent ecological niches
      and that the history of phenotypic evolution strongly matches the history of
      ecological diversification, suggesting that both processes are strongly coupled.
      These results are consistent with replicated adaptive radiation in both groups.
      We argue that strong selective pressures related to habitat-use have driven this
      convergence. Pythons and boas provide a new model system for the study of macro
      evolutionary patterns of morphological and ecological evolution and they do so at
      a deeper level of divergence and global scale than any well-established adaptive
      radiation model systems. 

PMID- 27264196
TI  - (90) Y/(177) Lu-labelled Cetuximab immunoconjugates: radiochemistry optimization
      to clinical dose formulation.
AB  - Radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are increasingly being utilized in
      cancer theranostics, which is a significant move toward tailored treatment for
      individual patients. Cetuximab is a recombinant, human-mouse chimeric IgG1 mAb
      that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor with high affinity. We have
      optimized a protocol for formulation of clinically relevant doses (~2.22 GBq) of
      (90) Y-labelled Cetuximab and (177) Lu-labelled Cetuximab by conjugation of the
      mAb with a suitable bifunctional chelator, N-[(R)-2-amino-3-(paraisothiocyanato
      phenyl)propyl]-trans-(S,S)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-N,N,N',N",N"-pentaacetic acid
      (CHX-A"-DTPA). The radioimmunoconjugates demonstrated reasonably high specific
      activity (1.26 +/- 0.27 GBq/mg for (90) Y-CHX-A"-DTPA-Cetuximab and 1.14 +/- 0.15
      GBq/mg for (177) Lu-CHX-A"-DTPA-Cetuximab), high radiochemical purity (>95%) and
      appreciable in vitro stability under physiological conditions. Preliminary
      biodistribution studies with both (90) Y-CHX-A"-DTPA-Cetuximab and (177) Lu-CHX
      A"-DTPA-Cetuximab in Swiss mice bearing fibrosarcoma tumours demonstrated
      significant tumour uptake at 24-h post-injection (p.i.) (~16%ID/g) with good
      tumour-to-background contrast. The results of the biodistribution studies were
      further corroborated by ex vivo Cerenkov luminescence imaging after
      administration of (90) Y-CHX-A"-DTPA-Cetuximab in tumour-bearing mice. The tumour
      uptake at 24 h p.i. was significantly reduced with excess unlabelled Cetuximab,
      suggesting that the uptake was receptor mediated. The results of this study hold
      promise, and this strategy should be further explored for clinical translation.

PMID- 27264197
TI  - SMARCE1, a rare cause of Coffin-Siris Syndrome: Clinical description of three
      additional cases.
AB  - Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS, MIM 135900), is a well-described, multiple congenital
      anomaly syndrome characterized by coarse facial features, hypertrichosis, sparse
      scalp hair, and hypo/aplastic digital nails and phalanges, typically of the 5th
      digits. Mutations in the BAF (SWI/SNF)-complex subunits (SMARCA4, SMARCE1,
      SMARCB1, SMARCA2, ARID1B, and ARID1A) have been shown to cause not only CSS, but
      also related disorders including Nicolaides-Baraitser (MIM 601358) syndrome and
      ARID1B-intellectual disability syndrome (MIM 614562). At least 200 individuals
      with CSS have been found to have a mutation in the BAF pathway. However, to date,
      only three individuals with CSS have been reported to have pathogenic variants in
      SMARCE1. We report here three additional individuals with clinical features
      consistent with CSS and alterations in SMARCE1, one of which is novel. The
      probands all exhibited dysmorphic facial features, moderate developmental and
      cognitive delay, poor growth, and hypoplastic digital nails/phalanges, including
      digits not typically affected in the other genes associated with CSS. Two of the
      three probands had a variety of different organ system anomalies, including
      cardiac disease, genitourinary abnormalities, feeding difficulties, and vision
      abnormalities. The 3rd proband has not had further investigative studies.
      Although an increasing number of individuals are being diagnosed with disorders
      in the BAF pathway, SMARCE1 is the least common of these genes. This report
      doubles the number of probands with these mutations, and allows for better
      phenotypic information of this rare syndrome. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264198
TI  - Antipyretic Effect of Clonidine in Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Nested
      Observational Study.
AB  - Fever in the intensive care unit (ICU) is usually an adaptive response to
      infection or inflammation. Pharmacological intervention is often required in
      addition to addressing the underlying causes of fever. Animal studies have
      examined the antipyretic effect of clonidine; however, to our knowledge there are
      no clinical data available in humans. The observation of an antipyretic effect of
      clonidine was made during a single-center randomized control trial that was
      designed to study the effect of clonidine addition to the commonly used sedative
      agents in mechanically ventilated ICU patients. Forty patients 18 years or older
      on mechanical ventilation for 3 days or longer were randomized into 2 groups
      receiving clonidine and placebo. In addition to the usual sedation/analgesia,
      patients in the clonidine arm received enteral clonidine in doses of 0.1 mg 3
      times a day (TID), which was increased to 0.2 mg TID if the hemodynamics remained
      stable. Vital signs, laboratory data, all cultures, and daily ICU events were
      recorded. The odds ratio of temperature higher than 38.3 degrees C was 3.96 times
      higher in the placebo group, after adjustment for the illness severity and the
      time of follow-up (P = .049). A lower temperature (0.52 degrees C) was observed
      in the clonidine group after adjustment for the time of follow-up (P = .006). Our
      report is the first of its kind in humans that demonstrates possible antipyretic
      properties of enteral clonidine in the critically ill intensive care unit
      patient.

PMID- 27264199
TI  - Deciphering the adaptation strategies of Desulfovibrio piezophilus to hydrostatic
      pressure through metabolic and transcriptional analyses.
AB  - Desulfovibrio piezophilus strain C1TLV30(T) is a mesophilic piezophilic sulfate
      reducer isolated from Wood Falls at 1700 m depth in the Mediterranean Sea. In
      this study, we analysed the effect of the hydrostatic pressure on this deep-sea
      living bacterium at the physiologic and transcriptomic levels. Our results showed
      that lactate oxidation and energy metabolism were affected by the hydrostatic
      pressure. Especially, acetyl-CoA oxidation pathway and energy conservation
      through hydrogen and formate recycling would be more important when the
      hydrostatic pressure is above (26 MPa) than below (0.1 MPa) the optimal one (10
      MPa). This work underlines also the role of the amino acid glutamate as a
      piezolyte for the Desulfovibrio genus. The transcriptomic analysis revealed 146
      differentially expressed genes emphasizing energy production and conversion,
      amino acid transport and metabolism and cell motility and signal transduction
      mechanisms as hydrostatic pressure responding processes. This dataset allowed us
      to identify a sequence motif upstream of a subset of differentially expressed
      genes as putative pressure-dependent regulatory element.

PMID- 27264200
TI  - Ex vivo detection of tumoral lymph nodes of colorectal origin with fluorescence
      imaging after intraoperative intravenous injection of indocyanine green.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential
      role of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging after intraoperative
      intravenous (IV) injection for the "ex vivo" detection of metastatic lymph nodes
      (mLNs) of colorectal cancer origin. METHODS: Fresh-fixed LNs in cassettes and/or
      paraffin-embedded LNs of patients included in a study that evaluated the role of
      ICG in the detection of peritoneal metastases of colorectal origin (Protocol NCT
      01995591) were further explored with a dedicated near-infrared camera system for
      their fluorescence. An IV injection of ICG was delivered intraoperatively at 0.25
      mg/kg. Signal to background ratios (SBRs) were calculated. RESULTS: LNs on
      operative specimens were evaluated for 12 patients (5 males, 7 females). A total
      of 182 LNs were analyzed. The mean LN number per patient was 15.2 (median: 15.5;
      range 3-22). SBRs of mLNs were significantly more fluorescent than benign LNs,
      1.41 versus 1.04 arbitrary units (P < 0.0002). On univariate analysis,
      fluorescence was statistically correlated with LN surface area (>20 mm(2) ) (P <
      0.0004). CONCLUSION: Ex vivo ICG fluorescence imaging after intraoperative IV
      injection represents a potential method for detecting invaded LN's of colorectal
      cancer origin on operative specimens. Further clinical studies are needed to
      better define optimal techniques. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:348-353. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264201
TI  - Biomechanical properties of infantile hemangiomas: clinical stage and effect of
      age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are benign vascular neoplasms with rapid
      capillary proliferation shortly after birth and slow involution with diminishing
      capillary proliferative activity, fibrosis, and fatty replacement over 7-10
      years. METHODS: Hemangiomas and contralateral control sites in 88 subjects were
      measured using a suction device, 6-mm probe and 200 mbar negative pressure.
      Mechanical properties were assessed vs. controls and effects of body site, depth,
      clinical stage, histology diagnosis, and time. RESULTS: Biological elasticity,
      overall elasticity, net elasticity, total recovery, and elastic recovery were
      lower for IH vs. controls (P < 0.001). IH total deformation, elastic deformation,
      viscoelastic creep, and residual deformation were higher than controls (P <
      0.001). Involuting IHs had lower viscoelasticity than proliferating and stable
      lesions (P < 0.001) and lower viscoelastic creep than stable IHs (P = 0.04). IH
      viscoelasticity was higher at 2.3 than 12.9, 23.7, and 61.0 months and at 4.9 and
      8.1 than 61.0 months. IH elastic recovery varied by body site with larger
      differences vs. control for abdomen and leg. Elastic recovery differences from
      control were smaller at younger vs. older ages. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of
      biomechanical properties may be useful to characterize IH progression and
      treatment response in clinical settings.

PMID- 27264202
TI  - Delivery of membrane proteins into small and giant unilamellar vesicles by charge
      mediated fusion.
AB  - One of the current challenges in synthetic biology is the production of stable
      membrane mimetic systems and the insertion of components in these systems. Here,
      we employ fusion of oppositely charged liposomes to deliver separately
      reconstituted membrane proteins into a common lipid bilayer. After a systematic
      evaluation of different lipid compositions by lipid mixing and size distribution
      analysis, suitable conditions were further investigated for proteoliposome
      fusion. With this technique, we functionally coreconstituted bo3 oxidase and ATP
      synthase from Escherichia coli into unilamellar liposomes ranging from 100 nm to
      50 MUm in size. The presented method is a simple and versatile tool for oriented
      membrane protein reconstitution to produce biomimetic systems with increased
      complexity.

PMID- 27264203
TI  - A scoping review of the nurse practitioner workforce in oncology.
AB  - The quality of cancer care may be compromised in the near future because of work
      force issues. Several factors will impact the oncology health provider work
      force: an aging population, an increase in the number of cancer survivors, and
      expansion of health care coverage for the previously uninsured. Between October
      2014 and March 2015, an electronic literature search of English language articles
      was conducted using PubMed((r)) , the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied
      Health Sciences (CINAHL((r)) ), Web of Science, Journal Storage (JSTOR((r)) ),
      Google Scholar, and SCOPUS((r)) . Using the scoping review criteria, the research
      question was identified "How much care in oncology is provided by nurse
      practitioners (NPs)?" Key search terms were kept broad and included: "NP" AND
      "oncology" AND "workforce". The literature was searched between 2005 and 2015,
      using the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 29 studies were identified, further
      review resulted in 10 relevant studies that met all criteria. Results
      demonstrated that NPs are utilized in both inpatient and outpatient settings,
      across all malignancy types and in a variety of roles. Academic institutions were
      strongly represented in all relevant studies, a finding that may reflect the
      Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) duty work hour
      limitations. There was no pattern associated with state scope of practice and NP
      representation in this scoping review. Many of the studies reviewed relied on
      subjective information, or represented a very small number of NPs. There is an
      obvious need for an objective analysis of the amount of care provided by oncology
      NPs.

PMID- 27264204
TI  - Advances in the pathogenesis of primary and secondary haemophagocytic
      lymphohistiocytosis: differences and similarities.
AB  - Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) comprises a heterogeneous spectrum of
      hyperinflammatory conditions that are inherited (primary HLH) or acquired in a
      context of infections, malignancies or autoimmune/autoinflammatory disorders
      (secondary HLH). Genetic defects in the cytotoxic machinery of natural killer and
      CD8(+) T cells underlie primary HLH, with residual cytotoxicity determining
      disease severity. Improved sequencing techniques have expanded the range of
      causal mutations and have redefined many cases of secondary HLH as primary HLH
      and vice versa, blurring the distinction between both subtypes. These insights
      allow HLH to be conceptualized as a threshold disease, in which interplay between
      various genetic and environmental factors causes progressive inflammation into a
      critical point, beyond which uncontrolled activation of immune cells and
      excessive cytokine production give rise to the cardinal symptoms of HLH. Various
      pathogenic pathways may thus converge to a common end stage of fulminant HLH.

PMID- 27264205
TI  - GABA quantitation using MEGA-PRESS: Regional and hemispheric differences.
AB  - PURPOSE: To measure in vivo brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations,
      and assess regional and hemispheric differences, using MR spectroscopy (1 H-MRS).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: GABA concentrations were measured bilaterally in the
      frontal cortex (FC), parietal cortex (PC), and occipital cortex (OC) of 21
      healthy young subjects (age range 20-29 years) using 3 Tesla Philips scanner. A
      univariate general linear model analysis was carried out to assess the effect of
      region and hemisphere as well as their interaction on GABA concentrations while
      controlling for sex and gray matter differences. RESULTS: Results indicated a
      significant regional dependence of GABA levels [F(2,89) = 11.725, P < 0.001,
      etap2 = .209] with lower concentrations in the FC compared with both PC (P <
      0.001) and OC (P < 0.001) regions. There was no significant hemispheric
      differences in GABA levels [F(1,89) = .172; P = 0.679; etap2 = .002]. CONCLUSION:
      This study reports the concentrations of GABA in the FC, PC, and OC brain regions
      of healthy young adults. GABA distribution exhibits hemispheric symmetry, but
      varies across regions; GABA levels in the FC are lower than those in the PC and
      OC. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1619-1623.

PMID- 27264207
TI  - Using novel biomarkers to triage young adult women with minor cervical lesions: a
      cost-effectiveness analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term consequences and cost-effectiveness
      associated with the use of novel biomarkers to triage young adult women with
      minor cervical cytological lesions. DESIGN: Model-based economic evaluation using
      primary epidemiological data from Norway, supplemented with data from European
      and American clinical trials. SETTING: Organised cervical cancer screening in
      Norway. POPULATION: Women aged 25-33 years with minor cervical cytological
      lesions detected at their primary screening test. METHODS: We expanded an
      existing simulation model to compare 12 triage strategies involving alternative
      biomarkers (i.e. reflex human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA/mRNA testing, genotyping,
      and dual staining) with the current Norwegian triage guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: The number of high-grade precancers detected and resource use (e.g.
      monetary costs and colposcopy referrals) for a single screening round (3 years)
      for each triage strategy. Cost-efficiency, defined as the additional cost per
      additional precancer detected of each strategy compared with the next most costly
      strategy. RESULTS: Five strategies were identified as cost-efficient, and are
      projected to increase the precancer detection rate between 18 and 57%, compared
      with current guidelines; however, the strategies did not uniformly require
      additional resources. Strategies involving HPV mRNA testing required fewer
      resources, whereas HPV DNA-based strategies detected >50% more precancers, but
      were more costly and required twice as many colposcopy referrals compared with
      the current guidelines. CONCLUSION: Strategies involving biomarkers to triage
      younger women with minor cervical cytological lesions have the potential to
      detect additional precancers, yet the optimal strategy depends on the resources
      available as well as decision-makers' and women's acceptance of additional
      screening procedures. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Women with minor cervical lesions may
      be triaged more accurately and effectively using novel biomarkers.

PMID- 27264206
TI  - Correcting for binomial measurement error in predictors in regression with
      application to analysis of DNA methylation rates by bisulfite sequencing.
AB  - Motivated by a genetic application, this paper addresses the problem of fitting
      regression models when the predictor is a proportion measured with error. While
      the problem of dealing with additive measurement error in fitting regression
      models has been extensively studied, the problem where the additive error is of a
      binomial nature has not been addressed. The measurement errors here are
      heteroscedastic for two reasons; dependence on the underlying true value and
      changing sampling effort over observations. While some of the previously
      developed methods for treating additive measurement error with heteroscedasticity
      can be used in this setting, other methods need modification. A new version of
      simulation extrapolation is developed, and we also explore a variation on the
      standard regression calibration method that uses a beta-binomial model based on
      the fact that the true value is a proportion. Although most of the methods
      introduced here can be used for fitting non-linear models, this paper will focus
      primarily on their use in fitting a linear model. While previous work has focused
      mainly on estimation of the coefficients, we will, with motivation from our
      example, also examine estimation of the variance around the regression line. In
      addressing these problems, we also discuss the appropriate manner in which to
      bootstrap for both inferences and bias assessment. The various methods are
      compared via simulation, and the results are illustrated using our motivating
      data, for which the goal is to relate the methylation rate of a blood sample to
      the age of the individual providing the sample. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27264208
TI  - Ritonavir-Induced Suicidal Death of Human Erythrocytes.
AB  - The antiviral drug ritonavir has been shown to trigger suicidal death or
      apoptosis of tumour cells and has thus been considered for the treatment of
      malignancy. In analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter
      eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death characterized by cell shrinkage and
      cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte
      surface. Triggers of eryptosis include Ca(2+) entry with increase in cytosolic
      Ca(2+) activity ([Ca(2+) ]i ), oxidative stress and ceramide. The present study
      explored whether and how ritonavir induces eryptosis. To this end, flow cytometry
      was employed to estimate cell volume from forward scatter, phosphatidylserine
      exposure at the cell surface from Annexin-V binding, [Ca(2+) ]i from Fluo3
      fluorescence, abundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from 2',7'
      dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence and ceramide abundance
      utilizing specific antibodies. As a result, a 48-hr exposure of human
      erythrocytes to ritonavir significantly increased the percentage of Annexin-V
      binding cells (>=5 MUg/ml), significantly decreased forward scatter (>=5 MUg/ml),
      significantly increased Fluo3 fluorescence (20 MUg/ml), slightly, but
      significantly increased DCFDA fluorescence (20 MUg/ml) and slightly, but
      significantly increased ceramide abundance (20 MUg/ml). The effect of ritonavir
      on Annexin-V binding was significantly blunted, but not fully abolished by the
      removal of extracellular Ca(2+) . In conclusion, ritonavir triggers erythrocyte
      shrinkage and phosphatidylserine translocation at the erythrocyte cell membrane,
      an effect in part due to the stimulation of Ca(2+) entry, oxidative stress and
      ceramide. 

PMID- 27264209
TI  - 'Wouldn't it be easier if you continued to be a guy?' - a qualitative interview
      study of transsexual persons' experiences of encounters with healthcare
      professionals.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe transsexual persons' experiences of encounters
      with healthcare professionals during the sex reassignment process. BACKGROUND:
      Transsexual persons are individuals who use varying means to alter their natal
      sex via hormones and/or surgery. Transsexual persons may experience stigma, which
      increases the risk of psychological distress. Mistreatments by healthcare
      professionals are common. Qualitative studies addressing transsexual persons'
      experiences of healthcare are scarce. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive design.
      METHODS: A Swedish non-clinical convenience sample was used, consisting of six
      persons who had been diagnosed as transsexual, gone through sex reassignment
      surgery or were at the time of the interview awaiting surgery. Semi-structured
      interviews were undertaken, and data were analysed using manifest qualitative
      content analysis. RESULTS: Three categories and 15 subcategories were identified.
      The encounters were perceived as good when healthcare professionals showed
      respect and preserved the transsexual person's integrity, acted in a professional
      manner and were responsive and built trust and confidence. However, the
      participants experienced that healthcare professionals varied in their level of
      knowledge, exploited their position of power, withheld information, expressed
      gender stereotypical attitudes and often used the wrong name. They felt
      vulnerable by having a condescending view of themselves, and they could not
      choose not to be transsexual. They felt dependent on healthcare professionals,
      and that the external demands were high. CONCLUSIONS: Transsexual persons are in
      a vulnerable position during the sex reassignment surgery process. The encounters
      in healthcare could be negatively affected if healthcare professionals show
      inadequate knowledge, exploit their position of power or express gender
      stereotypical attitudes. A good encounter is characterised by preserved
      integrity, respect, responsiveness and trust. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:
      Improved education on transgender issues in nursing and medical education is
      warranted. Healthcare professionals should be aware of how their attitudes and
      their level of knowledge affect the care given during the sex reassignment
      surgery process.

PMID- 27264210
TI  - Gold nanoparticle capture within protein crystal scaffolds.
AB  - DNA assemblies have been used to organize inorganic nanoparticles into 3D arrays,
      with emergent properties arising as a result of nanoparticle spacing and
      geometry. We report here the use of engineered protein crystals as an alternative
      approach to biologically mediated assembly of inorganic nanoparticles. The
      protein crystal's 13 nm diameter pores result in an 80% solvent content and
      display hexahistidine sequences on their interior. The hexahistidine sequence
      captures Au25(glutathione)~17 (nitrilotriacetic acid)~1 nanoclusters throughout a
      chemically crosslinked crystal via the coordination of Ni(ii) to both the cluster
      and the protein. Nanoparticle loading was validated by confocal microscopy and
      elemental analysis. The nanoparticles may be released from the crystal by
      exposure to EDTA, which chelates the Ni(ii) and breaks the specific
      protein/nanoparticle interaction. The integrity of the protein crystals after
      crosslinking and nanoparticle capture was confirmed by single crystal X-ray
      crystallography. 

PMID- 27264211
TI  - Exercise increases pressure pain tolerance but not pressure and heat pain
      thresholds in healthy young men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exercise causes an acute decrease in the pain sensitivity known as
      exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH), but the specificity to certain pain
      modalities remains unknown. This study aimed to compare the effect of isometric
      exercise on the heat and pressure pain sensitivity. METHODS: On three different
      days, 20 healthy young men performed two submaximal isometric knee extensions
      (30% maximal voluntary contraction in 3 min) and a control condition (quiet
      rest). Before and immediately after exercise and rest, the sensitivity to heat
      pain and pressure pain was assessed in randomized and counterbalanced order. Cuff
      pressure pain threshold (cPPT) and pain tolerance (cPTT) were assessed on the
      ipsilateral lower leg by computer-controlled cuff algometry. Heat pain threshold
      (HPT) was recorded on the ipsilateral foot by a computer-controlled thermal
      stimulator. RESULTS: Cuff pressure pain tolerance was significantly increased
      after exercise compared with baseline and rest (p < 0.05). Compared with rest,
      cPPT and HPT were not significantly increased by exercise. No significant
      correlation between exercise-induced changes in HPT and cPPT was found. Test
      retest reliability before and after the rest condition was better for cPPT and
      CPTT (intraclass correlation > 0.77) compared with HPT (intraclass correlation =
      0.54). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that hypoalgesia after submaximal
      isometric exercise is primarily affecting tolerance of pressure pain compared
      with the pain threshold. These data contribute to the understanding of how
      isometric exercise influences pain perception, which is necessary to optimize the
      clinical utility of exercise in management of chronic pain. SIGNIFICANCE: The
      effect of isometric exercise on pain tolerance may be relevant for patients in
      chronic musculoskeletal pain as a pain-coping strategy. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY
      ADD?: The results indicate that hypoalgesia after submaximal isometric exercise
      is primarily affecting tolerance of pressure pain compared with the heat and
      pressure pain threshold. These data contribute to the understanding of how
      isometric exercise influences pain perception, which is necessary to optimize the
      clinical utility of exercise in management of chronic pain.

PMID- 27264212
TI  - Extended left upper quadrant resection during primary cytoreductive surgery for
      Stage IV ovarian cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The completeness of primary cytoreductive surgery for Stage IV
      epithelial ovarian cancer is associated with greater progression free survival
      and overall survival Winter et al. (2008) [1]. Cytoreduction to no gross residual
      disease in patients with bulky upper abdominal disease presents significant
      surgical challenges, highlighting the importance of specialized and comprehensive
      surgical training in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancers Zivanovic et al.
      (2008) [2]. Extensive upper abdominal surgical procedures have shown to improve
      the ability to achieve cytoreduction to no gross residual disease Chi et al.
      (2004) [3]. This film displays an extended left upper quadrant resection in one
      of our recent patients. METHODS: The patient was a 62-year-old female with a CA
      125 of 2,577U/mL, abdominal ascites, and a preoperative CT showing carcinomatosis
      with a left upper quadrant infiltration. Primary cytoreductive surgery was
      undertaken with exploratory laparotomy, type 2 radical oophorectomy (en bloc
      modified radical abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pan
      pelvic peritonectomy, distal colectomy, retosigmoid colectomy), with en bloc
      omentectomy, transverse colectomy, splenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and
      diaphragm peritonectomy. RESULTS: Operative time was 337min with an estimated
      blood loss of 900mL. The patient was discharged home on post-operative day 10
      after a standard prolongation in hospitalization required to meet milestones
      after extensive upper quadrant cytoreductive surgery. CONCLUSION: Bulky upper
      abdominal disease can present significant surgical challenges. This film
      illustrates obtaining cytoreduction to no gross residual disease is feasible. We
      show transection of the pancreas by reinforced linear staple closure due to its
      ease of use and surgeon preference, although controversy remains regarding the
      ideal technique.

PMID- 27264213
TI  - Venous thromboembolism following minimally invasive surgery among women with
      endometrial cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among women
      undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for endometrial cancer. METHODS:
      Women undergoing robotic or laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial carcinoma
      or complex hyperplasia with atypia were identified between January 2009 and 2014
      in a community based health care system. Patient data including age, race, cancer
      stage, grade, procedure type, length of hospital stay, use of prophylaxis, and
      diagnosis of VTE were collected retrospectively. The primary outcome was the rate
      of VTE within 30days following surgery. Fischer's exact tests were performed to
      evaluate factors associated with VTE. RESULTS: During the study period, 1433
      patients underwent MIS for endometrial cancer, with 20 excluded due to known
      thrombophilia, VTE history, or long-term anticoagulation. A total of 1413
      patients were included (739 robotic and 674 laparoscopic cases). All women
      received mechanical prophylaxis per hospital policy and 61% had additional
      pharmacologic prophylaxis. The rate of VTE was 0.35% (5/1413), which did not
      differ among those who received pharmacologic compared to mechanical prophylaxis
      (0.23% [2/865] versus 0.55% [3/548] respectively, p=0.38). No factors were
      associated with increased risk of VTE due to the low event rate. CONCLUSION: VTE
      in patients undergoing MIS for endometrial cancer was very low irrespective of
      the mode of prophylaxis received in this large cohort. National guidelines for
      VTE prophylaxis need to differentiate the low risk associated with MIS surgery
      from the risk associated with laparotomy for endometrial cancer. We recommend
      mechanical prophylaxis is sufficient for these women undergoing MIS.

PMID- 27264214
TI  - Percutaneous coronary intervention for older adults who present with syncope and
      coronary artery disease? Insights from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We explored the risks/benefits of revascularization versus medical
      management in syncope patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).
      METHODS: We retrospectively examined Medicare patients >=65 years undergoing
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for syncope at 539 CathPCI Registry
      hospitals with >=70% stenosis in at least 1 coronary artery, excluding those with
      ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI), cardiogenic shock, left main
      disease, and coronary artery bypass grafting. In a propensity-matched population,
      we compared short-term (90-day) all-cause readmission risk and long-term (3-year)
      risks of readmission for syncope and MI, as well as mortality in those receiving
      PCI versus medical management. RESULTS: Among 14,674 syncope patients, 9,549
      (65%) had at least 1-vessel obstructive CAD. After exclusions, 3,196 of 7,338
      patients (44%) underwent PCI. In the propensity-matched cohort, there was no
      significant difference in 90-day all-cause readmission risk (28.2% vs 30.3%,
      adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.92, 95% CI 0.83-1.02) or long-term risks of
      readmission for syncope (7.0% vs 6.1%, adjusted HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.83-1.35). PCI
      treated patients had significantly higher risk of readmission for MI (5.6% vs
      4.0%, adjusted HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.18-2.06) but lower risk of long-term mortality
      (27.0% vs 30.3%, adjusted HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77-0.97) than medically managed
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting with syncope and obstructive CAD,
      PCI was not associated with significant improvements in the risk of readmission
      but was associated with lower long-term mortality compared with medical therapy,
      suggesting the need to more definitively assess the benefit of PCI among elderly
      syncope patients.

PMID- 27264215
TI  - Rationale and design of the First Brazilian Cardiovascular Registry of Atrial
      Fibrillation: The RECALL study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important and growing public health
      problem worldwide, but data about its actual prevalence, therapeutic management,
      and clinical outcomes in middle- to low-income countries are scarce. DESIGN: The
      First Brazilian Cardiovascular Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (the RECALL study)
      will assess demographic characteristics and evidence-based practice of a
      representative sample of patients with AF in Brazil. The prospective, multicenter
      registry has a planned sample size of around 5,000 patients at approximately 80
      sites. Eligibility criteria include age >18 years and permanent, paroxysmal, or
      persistent AF documented by electrocardiogram, 24-hour Holter monitoring, or
      device interrogation. Patients will be followed up through 1 year after
      enrollment. Information on laboratory tests, echocardiographic data, medication
      use, and clinical outcomes will be obtained. Various aspects of the population
      will be described, including demographic characteristics; antithrombotic
      therapies; antiarrhythmic agents; level of control of international normalized
      ratio (by average time within the therapeutic range) among patients using vitamin
      K antagonists; rates of warfarin discontinuation; outcomes such as death, stroke,
      systemic embolism, and major bleeding within 1 year after enrollment in the
      study; and rates of electrical cardioversion, percutaneous ablation of AF,
      ablation of the atrioventricular junction, and pacemaker/cardioverter
      defibrillator implantation. SUMMARY: RECALL is the first prospective, multicenter
      registry of AF in Brazil. This study will provide important information about
      demographics, practice patterns, treatments, and associated outcomes in patients
      with AF. The results of this registry will also allow Brazilian data to be put in
      perspective with other AF registries across the world and provide opportunities
      to improve care of patients with AF in Brazil.

PMID- 27264216
TI  - Impact of an Atrial Fibrillation Decision Support Tool on thromboprophylaxis for
      atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Appropriate thromboprophylaxis for patients with atrial fibrillation
      (AF) remains a national challenge. METHODS: We hypothesized that provision of
      decision support in the form of an Atrial Fibrillation Decision Support Tool
      (AFDST) would improve thromboprophylaxis for AF patients. We conducted a cluster
      randomized trial involving 15 primary care practices and 1,493 adults with
      nonvalvular AF in an integrated health care system between April 2014 and
      February 2015. Physicians in the intervention group received patient-level
      treatment recommendations made by the AFDST. Our primary outcome was the
      proportion of patients with antithrombotic therapy that was discordant from AFDST
      recommendation. RESULTS: Treatment was discordant in 42% of 801 patients in the
      intervention group. Physicians reviewed reports for 240 patients. Among these
      patients, thromboprophylaxis was discordant in 63%, decreasing to 59% 1 year
      later (P = .02). In nonstratified analyses, changes in discordant care were not
      significantly different between the intervention group and control groups. In
      multivariate regression models, assignment to the intervention group resulted in
      a nonsignificant trend toward decreased discordance (P = .29), and being a
      patient of a resident physician (P = .02) and a higher HAS-BLED score predicted
      decreased discordance (P = .03), whereas female gender (P = .01) and a higher
      CHADSVASc score (P = .10) predicted increased discordance. CONCLUSIONS: Among
      patients whose physicians reviewed recommendations of the decision support tool
      discordant therapy decreased significantly over 1 year. However, in nonstratified
      analyses, the intervention did not result in significant improvements in
      discordant antithrombotic therapy.

PMID- 27264217
TI  - Small-vessel treatment with contemporary newer-generation drug-eluting coronary
      stents in all-comers: Insights from 2-year DUTCH PEERS (TWENTE II) randomized
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment of lesions in small vessels was associated with worse
      clinical outcome, and various definitions of "small vessels" have been used. Data
      with novel drug-eluting stents are scarce. METHODS: To compare the outcome of
      patients with vs without small-vessel treatment, we assessed 2-year follow-up
      data of the DUTCH PEERS randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01331707), in
      which 1,811 all-comers were treated with contemporary zotarolimus-eluting
      (Resolute Integrity) or everolimus-eluting (Promus Element) stents. Primary end
      point was target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, target
      vessel myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. RESULTS: The
      rates of TLF (9.5% vs 5.4%; P log rank = .001) and 2 individual components
      thereof-target vessel myocardial infarction (3.1% vs 1.3%; P log rank = .006) and
      target lesion revascularization (4.8% vs 2.8%; P log rank = .02)-were higher
      among 798 (44.1%) patients treated in at least one small vessel (<2.50 mm by
      quantitative coronary angiography). Multivariate analysis with propensity score
      adjustment demonstrated that treatment of small-vessel lesions independently
      predicted TLF at 2-year follow-up (hazard ratio 1.60, 95% CI 1.09-2.34). Patients
      with the smallest target vessel being <2.25 mm had TLF rates similar to patients
      with smallest target vessels of 2.25 to <2.50 mm; however, patients treated in
      vessels no smaller than 2.50 to <3.00 mm and patients treated in vessels >=3.00
      mm had lower TLF rates (9.3%, 9.8%, 5.0%, and 5.8%, respectively; P log rank =
      .009). CONCLUSION: Patients treated with novel drug-eluting stents in small
      vessel lesions had higher adverse event rates than did patients who had no small
      vessel treatment. Our data suggest that with current stents, a vessel diameter
      <2.50 mm is a suitable threshold to identify small target vessels.

PMID- 27264218
TI  - Extended duration dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with myocardial
      infarction: A study-level meta-analysis of controlled randomized trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is beneficial beyond 1 year
      after myocardial infarction (MI) is not demonstrated; in particular, available
      studies may be individually underpowered for end points at low incidence, that
      is, major and fatal bleeding or mortality. We thus assessed the effectiveness and
      safety of prolonged DAPT after MI over the long term. METHODS: We conducted a
      systematic search to identify randomized trials on the topic; 3 studies and
      21,534 post-MI patients receiving placebo or aspirin plus P2Y12 inhibition for
      >=2 years were included. Incidence of the following outcome measures was
      evaluated: major adverse cardiac events (MACE), major bleeding, fatal bleeding,
      and cardiovascular and noncardiovascular death. RESULTS: Occurrence of MACE was
      lower in patients treated with prolonged DAPT: 6.3% vs 7.9% in those without
      prolonged DAPT (odds ratios 0.74, 95% CI 0.60-0.91, P = .005); in the former,
      there was also a significant 16% reduction in cardiovascular mortality. Increase
      in major bleeding with extended duration DAPT was not significant in the overall
      analysis (1.5% vs 1.0%; P = .10), but became significant in the analysis
      restricted to patients receiving ticagrelor or prasugrel as second antiplatelet
      agent (odds ratios 2.16, 95% CI 1.63-2.86); prolonged use of DAPT did not raise
      rates of fatal bleeding or noncardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSION: Prolonged
      DAPT after MI reduces MACE and cardiovascular mortality over the long term; this
      was paralleled by higher risk of nonfatal major bleeding mainly with the newer,
      more potent P2Y12 antagonists. Tailoring duration of DAPT after MI on the
      comparative evaluation of both ischemic and bleeding risk is mandatory in this
      setting.

PMID- 27264219
TI  - Switching of platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibitors in patients with acute coronary
      syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Review of the literature
      and practical considerations.
AB  - The combination of aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor is the cornerstone of
      treatment in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) and in those
      undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). At the present time, 3
      different oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitors are available on the market; 2 have
      obtained the indication for ACS (clopidogrel and ticagrelor) and 1 for ACS with
      planned PCI (prasugrel). An intravenous direct acting P2Y12 inhibitor, cangrelor,
      has also been recently approved by US and European regulatory agencies for
      patients undergoing PCI. Although the correct timing and modality of transition
      from intravenous cangrelor to oral P2Y12 inhibitors is still controversial and
      needs further evidence, switching between oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitors
      frequently occurs in clinical practice for several reasons. This practice raises
      the question of the relative safety of this strategy and of which switching
      approaches are preferable. In this article, we review the data on switching
      antiplatelet treatment strategies with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors and discuss
      practical considerations for switching therapies in patients with ACS undergoing
      PCI.

PMID- 27264221
TI  - Protocol for analyses of adverse event data from randomized controlled trials of
      statin therapy.
AB  - The Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) Collaboration was originally
      established to conduct individual participant data meta-analyses of major
      vascular events, cause-specific mortality, and site-specific cancers in large,
      long-term, randomized trials of statin therapy (and other cholesterol-modifying
      treatments). The results of the trials of statin therapy and their associated
      meta-analyses have shown that statins significantly reduce the risk of major
      vascular events without any increase in the risk of nonvascular causes of death
      or of site-specific cancer, but do produce small increases in the incidence of
      myopathy, diabetes, and, probably, hemorrhagic stroke. The CTT Collaboration has
      not previously sought data on other outcomes, and so a comprehensive meta
      analysis of all adverse events recorded in each of the eligible trials has not
      been conducted. This protocol prospectively describes plans to extend the CTT
      meta-analysis data set so as to provide a more complete understanding of the
      nature and magnitude of any other effects of statin therapy.

PMID- 27264222
TI  - Racial and ethnic differences in atrial fibrillation risk factors and predictors
      in women: Findings from the Women's Health Initiative.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is higher in non-Hispanic
      whites (NHWs) compared with other race-ethnic groups, despite more favorable
      cardiovascular risk profiles. To explore reasons for this paradox, we compared
      the hazards of AF from traditional and other risk factors between 4 race-ethnic
      groups in a large cohort of postmenopausal women. METHODS: We included 114,083
      NHWs, 11,876 African Americans, 5,174 Hispanics, and 3,803 Asians from the
      Women's Health Initiative free of AF at baseline. Women, averaging 63 years old,
      were followed up for incident AF using hospitalization records and diagnostic
      codes from Medicare claims. RESULTS: Over a mean of 13.7 years, 19,712 incident
      cases of AF were recorded. Despite a higher burden of hypertension, diabetes, and
      obesity, annual AF incidence was lower among nonwhites (0.7%, 0.4%, and 0.4% for
      African American, Hispanic, and Asian participants, respectively, compared with
      1.2% for NHWs). The hazards of AF from hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart
      failure, and coronary artery disease were similar across race-ethnic groups.
      Major risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, diabetes, smoking,
      peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, and heart failure,
      accounted for an attributable risk of 50.3% in NHWs, 83.1% in African Americans,
      65.6% in Hispanics, and 37.4% in Asians. Established AF prediction models
      performed comparably across race-ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this large study
      of postmenopausal women, traditional cardiovascular risk factors conferred a
      similar degree of individual risk of AF among 4 race-ethnic groups. However,
      major AF risk factors conferred a higher-attributable risk in African Americans
      and Hispanics compared with NHWs and Asians.

PMID- 27264220
TI  - Treatment of anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease: Rationale and
      design of the UNderstanding the benefits of exercise and escitalopram in anxious
      patients WIth coroNary heart Disease (UNWIND) randomized clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anxiety is highly prevalent among patients with coronary heart
      disease (CHD), and there is growing evidence that high levels of anxiety are
      associated with worse prognosis. However, few studies have evaluated the efficacy
      of treating anxiety in CHD patients for reducing symptoms and improving clinical
      outcomes. Exercise and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been shown to
      be effective in treating patients with depression, but have not been studied in
      cardiac patients with high anxiety. METHODS: The UNWIND trial is a randomized
      clinical trial of patients with CHD who are at increased risk for adverse events
      because of comorbid anxiety. One hundred fifty participants with CHD and elevated
      anxiety symptoms and/or with a diagnosed anxiety disorder will be randomly
      assigned to 12 weeks of aerobic exercise (3*/wk, 35 min, 70%-85% VO2peak),
      escitalopram (5-20 mg qd), or placebo. Before and after 12 weeks of treatment,
      participants will undergo assessments of anxiety symptoms and CHD biomarkers of
      risk, including measures of inflammation, lipids, hemoglobin A1c, heart rate
      variability, and vascular endothelial function. Primary outcomes include post
      intervention effects on symptoms of anxiety and CHD biomarkers. Secondary
      outcomes include clinical outcomes (cardiovascular hospitalizations and all-cause
      death) and measures of quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The UNWIND trial
      (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02516332) will evaluate the efficacy of aerobic exercise
      and escitalopram for improving anxiety symptoms and reducing risk for adverse
      clinical events in anxious CHD patients.

PMID- 27264223
TI  - Low real-world early stent thrombosis rates in ST-elevation myocardial infarction
      patients and the use of bivalirudin, heparin alone or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
      inhibitor treatment: A nationwide Swedish registry report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent studies of primary percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PCI), bivalirudin compared with heparin has been associated with increased risk
      of stent thrombosis (ST). Our aim was to describe incidence and outcome of
      definite, early ST in a large contemporary primary PCI population divided in
      antithrombotic therapy subgroups. METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospective,
      observational cohort study of all 31,258 ST-elevation myocardial infarction
      patients who received a stent in Sweden from January 2007 to July 2014 in the
      SWEDEHEART registry was conducted. Patients were divided into 3 groups:
      bivalirudin, heparin alone, or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor treated. Primary
      outcome measure was incidence of definite early ST (within 30 days of PCI).
      Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality. Incidence of early ST was low,
      regardless of bivalirudin, heparin alone, or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor
      treatment (0.84%, 0.94%, and 0.83%, respectively). All-cause mortality at 1 year
      was 20.7% for all ST patients (n = 265), compared with 9.1% in those without ST
      (n = 31,286; P < .001). Patients with ST days 2-30 had numerically higher all
      cause mortality at 1 year compared with patients with ST days 0-1 (23% vs 16%, P
      = .20). CONCLUSION: In this real-world observational study of 31,258 ST-elevation
      myocardial infarction patients, the incidence of early ST was low, regardless of
      antithrombotic treatment strategy. Early ST was associated with increased
      mortality. Numerically higher all-cause mortality at 1 year was noted with ST
      days 2-30 compared with ST days 0-1 post-PCI.

PMID- 27264224
TI  - Impact of PCSK9 inhibition on coronary atheroma progression: Rationale and design
      of Global Assessment of Plaque Regression with a PCSK9 Antibody as Measured by
      Intravascular Ultrasound (GLAGOV).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Statin-mediated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering
      fails to prevent more than half of cardiovascular events in clinical trials.
      Serial plaque imaging studies have highlighted the benefits of aggressive LDL-C
      lowering, with plaque regression evident in up to two-thirds of patients with
      achieved LDL-C levels <70 mg/dL. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9
      (PCSK9) inhibitors permit LDL-C-lowering by a further 54% to 75% in statin
      treated patients. The impact of achieving very low LDL-C levels with PCSK9
      inhibitors on coronary atherosclerosis has not been investigated. AIMS: To test
      the hypothesis that incremental LDL-C lowering with the PCSK9 inhibitor,
      evolocumab, will result in a significantly greater change from baseline in
      coronary atheroma volume than placebo in subjects receiving maximally tolerated
      statin therapy. METHODS: A phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, randomized,
      placebo-controlled trial evaluating the impact of evolocumab on coronary atheroma
      volume as assessed by serial coronary intravascular ultrasound at baseline in
      patients undergoing a clinically indicated coronary angiogram with angiographic
      evidence of coronary atheroma, and after 78 weeks of treatment. Subjects (n =
      968) were randomized 1:1 into 2 groups to receive monthly either evolocumab 420
      mg or placebo subcutaneous injections. CONCLUSIONS: The GLAGOV trial will explore
      whether greater degrees of plaque regression are achievable with ultrahigh
      intensity LDL-C lowering after combination statin-PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. GLAGOV
      will provide important mechanistic, safety, and efficacy data prior to the
      eagerly anticipated clinical outcomes trials testing the PCSK9 inhibitor
      hypothesis (www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01813422).

PMID- 27264225
TI  - Shock complicating type A acute aortic dissection: Clinical correlates,
      management, and outcomes.
AB  - AIMS: Shock is among the most dreaded and common complications of type A acute
      aortic dissection (TAAAD). However, clinical correlates, management, and short-
      and long-term outcomes of TAAAD patients presenting with shock in real-world
      clinical practice are not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 2,704 patients
      with TAAAD enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection
      between January 1, 1996, and August 18, 2012. On admission, 407 (15.1%) TAAAD
      patients presented with shock. Most in-hospital complications (coma, myocardial
      or mesenteric ischemia or infarction, and cardiac tamponade) were more frequent
      in shock patients. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in TAAAD
      patients with than without shock (30.2% vs 23.9%, P=.007), regardless of surgical
      or medical treatment. Most shock patients underwent surgical repair, with
      medically managed patients demonstrating older age and more complications at
      presentation. Estimates using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that most
      (89%) TAAAD patients with shock discharged alive from the hospital survived
      5years, a rate similar to that of TAAAD patients without shock (82%, P=.609).
      CONCLUSIONS: Shock occurred in 1 of 7 TAAAD patients and was associated with
      higher rates of in-hospital adverse events and mortality. However, TAAAD
      survivors with or without shock showed similar long-term mortality. Successful
      early and aggressive management of shock in TAAAD patients has the potential for
      improving long-term survival in this patient population.

PMID- 27264226
TI  - Asymmetric dimethylarginine, related arginine derivatives, and incident atrial
      fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of atrial
      fibrillation (AF). Arginine derivatives including asymmetric dimethylarginine
      (ADMA) are central to nitric oxide metabolism and nitrosative stress. Whether
      blood concentrations of arginine derivatives are related to incidence of AF is
      uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 3,310 individuals (mean age 58 +/- 10 years,
      54% women) from the community-based Framingham Study, we prospectively examined
      the relations of circulating levels of ADMA, l-arginine, symmetric
      dimethylarginine (SDMA), and the ratio of l-arginine/ADMA to incidence of AF
      using proportional hazards regression models. Over a median follow-up time of 10
      years, 247 AF cases occurred. Using age- and sex-adjusted regression models, ADMA
      was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.15 per 1-SD increase in loge-biomarker
      concentration (95% CI 1.02-1.29, P = .02) for AF, which was no longer significant
      after further risk factor adjustment (hazard ratio 1.09, 95% CI 0.97-1.23, P =
      .15). Neither l-arginine nor SDMA was related to new-onset AF. A clinical model
      comprising clinical risk factors for AF (for age, sex, height, weight, systolic
      blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, current smoking, diabetes, hypertension
      treatment, myocardial infarction, and heart failure; c statistic = 0.781; 95% CI
      0.753-0.808) was not improved by the addition of ADMA (0.782; 95% CI 0.755
      0.809). CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetric dimethylarginine and related arginine derivatives
      were not associated with incident AF in the community after accounting for other
      clinical risk factors and confounders. Its role in the pathogenesis of AF needs
      further refinement.

PMID- 27264227
TI  - A clustered randomized trial to IMProve treatment with AntiCoagulanTs in patients
      with Atrial Fibrillation (IMPACT-AF): design and rationale.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common, increasing as the population ages, and a
      major cause of embolic stroke. While oral anticoagulation (OAC) is highly
      effective at preventing stroke in patients with AF, it continues to be underused
      in eligible patients worldwide. The objective of this prospective, cluster
      randomized controlled trial (IMPACT-AF; ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02082548) is to
      determine whether a comprehensive customized intervention will increase the rate
      and persistence of use of OAC in patients with AF. IMPACT-AF will be conducted in
      approximately 50 centers in 5 low- to middle-income countries. Before
      randomization, sites within countries will be paired to match in size, practice
      type and baseline rate of OAC use. Site pairs will be randomized to intervention
      versus control. In total, 40 to 70 patients with AF and at least 2 CHA2DS2-VASc
      risk factors will be enrolled at each site using a consecutive enrollment
      strategy, with the goal of capturing actual practice patterns. We aim for
      patients with a new diagnosis of AF to comprise at least 30% of the study cohort.
      Assuming an average baseline OAC use of 60% and a post-intervention use of 70%
      with a post-control rate of 60%, there will be roughly 94-98% power with 25
      clusters per group (intracluster correlation coefficient of 0.02). While this
      trial focuses on improving treatment use and reducing preventable strokes, we
      also aim to better understand the reasons for OAC underuse. This will improve the
      intervention with the goal of creating educational recommendations to improve
      care for patients with AF. 

PMID- 27264228
TI  - The on- and off-target effects of morphine in acute coronary syndrome: A
      narrative review.
AB  - With potent analgesic properties, perceived hemodynamic benefits and limited
      alternatives, morphine is the analgesic mainstay for patients with nitrate
      resistant chest pain due to acute Myocardial Infarction (MI). However,
      observational data suggest that morphine administration during MI may have
      negative consequences. While vomiting, hypotension and respiratory depression are
      established side effects, recent reports have demonstrated attenuated and delayed
      oral anti-platelet agent absorption, as well as suboptimal reperfusion after MI,
      all of which may translate into adverse cardiovascular outcomes. These data have
      resulted in reduced support for morphine in recent European and U.S. clinical
      practice guidelines for MI; despite the absence of any prospective randomized
      outcomes trials addressing this question. As such, randomized trials are now
      necessary to confirm whether or not morphine, which is administered in up to 30%
      of MI cases, causes adverse clinical outcomes in these patients. However, given
      that placebo-controlled randomized trial designs evaluating morphine in MI are
      limited by an ethical requirement for appropriate analgesia, alternative
      investigational approaches may be necessary. In this article we review the
      updated evidence for morphine in MI and outline novel strategies that may
      facilitate future investigation of this clinical dilemma.

PMID- 27264229
TI  - The "rise of the rule out": The SPECTer of cardiac stress imaging.

PMID- 27264230
TI  - Tackling cardiovascular disease in Hispanic/Latinos: Achieving 2020 Goals.

PMID- 27264231
TI  - Temporal trends of single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial
      perfusion imaging in patients without prior coronary artery disease: A 22-year
      experience at a tertiary academic medical center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Between 1990 and 2006, there was a large national increase in
      utilization of single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion
      imaging (SPECT) for assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). We aim to
      examine the trends of SPECT test results and patients' characteristics at Mayo
      Clinic Rochester. METHODS: Using the Mayo Clinic nuclear cardiology database, we
      examined all SPECT tests performed between January 1, 1991, and December 31,
      2012, in patients without prior CAD. The study cohort was divided into 5 time
      periods: 1991-1995, 1996-2000, 2001-2005, 2006-2010, and 2011-2012. RESULTS:
      There were 35,894 eligible SPECT tests (mean age 62.5 +/- 12 years, 54% men).
      Annual utilization of SPECT increased significantly in 1992-2002 but then
      decreased without evidence of test substitution with stress echocardiography.
      There were modest changes in CAD risk factors over time. Testing of asymptomatic
      patients doubled (21.9% in 1991-1995 to 40% in 2006-2010) but later decreased to
      33.6% in 2011-2012. Tests on patients with typical angina decreased dramatically
      (18.3% in 1991-1995 to 6.7% in 2011-2012). Summed stress score, summed difference
      score, and high-risk SPECT tests all decreased over time in both symptomatic and
      asymptomatic patients regardless of stress modality (exercise vs pharmacologic).
      CONCLUSIONS: In Mayo Clinic Rochester, annual SPECT utilization in patients
      without prior CAD increased in 1992-2002 but then decreased. Despite similar CAD
      risk factors and decreased utilization after 2003, more tests were low risk;
      summed stress score, summed difference score, and high-risk tests all decreased.
      Our findings confirm previous observations that SPECT was increasingly used in
      patients with a lower prevalence of CAD.

PMID- 27264233
TI  - Higher mortality among males in takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 27264232
TI  - Cardiovascular health among diverse Hispanics/Latinos: Hispanic Community Health
      Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Seven national 2020 Strategic Impact Goals for cardiovascular health
      (Life's Simple 7 [LS7]) estimates for major ethnic/racial groups are available,
      but not for diverse Hispanics/Latinos. Herein, we describe and examine LS7
      profiles of diverse Hispanic/Latino groups. METHODS: HCHS/SOL (analytic n =
      15,825; ages 18-74 years) data were used to estimate LS7 metrics. LS7 metrics
      were operationalized as Ideal, Intermediate, or Poor and indexed as an additive
      score. We calculated Hispanic/Latino group and sex-specific prevalence estimates
      for LS7 metrics and used survey-based regression models to examine (1)
      associations between LS7 scores and pertinent sociocultural characteristics and
      (2) relationships between LS7 scores and coronary heart disease, and stroke and
      transient ischemic attacks prevalence. RESULTS: Few HCHS/SOL participants met all
      7 Ideal LS7 criteria (<1%), and a similarly small proportion did not meet any
      Ideal LS7 criteria (1.1%). We found significant variability in LS7 distributions
      between men and women and across HCHS/SOL Hispanic/Latino heritages. We also
      found a substantial sex-adjusted age gradient in LS7 cardiovascular health (ie,
      >=4 Ideal LS7s). Finally, higher Ideal LS7 scores were associated with decreased
      odds of both coronary heart disease and self-reported stroke/transient ischemic
      attack; these associations persisted after model covariate adjustments.
      CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic/Latino LS7s compared favorably with existing national
      estimates; however, we found areas for improvement. Several Hispanic/Latino LS7
      strengths and weaknesses varied by sex and heritage, providing important
      information to guide targeted health promotion efforts toward achieving 2020
      goals.

PMID- 27264234
TI  - Response to "Higher mortality among males in takotsubo cardiomyopathy".

PMID- 27264236
TI  - Rebuttal of critique of Progetto Vita survival data.

PMID- 27264235
TI  - The nonsense paradigm of rethinking the second link of the chain of survival: "if
      shock is not advised, wait and do nothing!" Aren't we condemning our cardiac
      arrest patients?

PMID- 27264237
TI  - The response to oxidative stress and metallomics analysis in a twin study: The
      role of the environment.
AB  - Inefficient response to oxidative stress has been associated with ageing and
      health risk. Metals are known to inhibit DNA repair and may modify the
      antioxidant response. How genetic variability and lifestyle factors modulate the
      response to oxidative stress is poorly explored. Our study aims to disentangle
      the contribution of genetics and environmental exposures to oxidative stress
      response using data from twin pairs. The non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity
      (NEAC), the repair capacity of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (OGG activity) and the
      levels of 12 metals were measured in blood of 64 monozygotic and 31 dizygotic
      twin pairs. The contributions of genetic and environmental effects were assessed
      using standard univariate twin modelling. NEAC and OGG activity significantly
      decreased with age. Gender-, age- and body mass index-associated differences were
      identified for some metals. Principal Component Analysis identified two groups of
      metals whose levels in blood were highly correlated: As, Hg, Pb, Se, Zn and Al,
      Co, Cr, Mn, Ni. The environmental influence was predominant on OGG activity and
      NEAC variance whereas for most metals the best-fitting model incorporated
      additive genetic and unique environmental sources of variance. NEAC and OGG
      activity were both inversely correlated with blood levels of various metals. The
      inhibition of OGG activity by Cd was largely explained by smoking. Our data show
      a substantial role of environmental factors in NEAC and OGG activity variance
      that is not explained by twins' age. Exogenous environmental factors such as
      metals contribute to oxidative stress by decreasing NEAC and inhibiting repair of
      oxidatively-induced DNA damage.

PMID- 27264238
TI  - Melatonin prevents secondary intra-abdominal hypertension in rats possibly
      through inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway.
AB  - Exogenous administration of melatonin has been demonstrated to down-regulate
      inflammatory responses and attenuate organ damage in various models. However, the
      salutary effect of melatonin against secondary intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH)
      remains unclear. This study sought to test the influence of melatonin on
      secondary IAH in a pathophysiological rat model and the underlying mechanisms
      involved. Before resuscitation, male rats underwent a combination of induced
      portal hypertension, applying an abdominal restraint device, and hemorrhaging to
      mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40mmHg for 2h. After blood reinfusion, the rats
      were treated with lactated Ringer solution (LR) (30mL/h), melatonin (50mg/kg)
      +LR, and SB-203580 (10MUmol/kg)+LR. LR was continuously infused for 6h. MAP, the
      inferior vena cava pressure and urine output were monitored. Histopathological
      examination, immunofluorescence of tight junction proteins, and transmission
      electron microscopy were administered. Intestinal permeability, myeloperoxidase
      activity, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and levels of TNF-a, IL-2, and
      IL-6, were assessed. The expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase,
      p38, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, translocation of nuclear factor kappa B subunit,
      signal transducers and activators of transcription and tight junction proteins
      were detected by Western blot. We found that melatonin inhibited the inflammatory
      responses, decreased expression of p38 MAPK, attenuated intestinal injury, and
      prevented secondary IAH. Moreover, administration of SB203580 abolished the
      increase in p38 MAPK and also attenuated intestinal injury. These data indicate
      that melatonin exerts a protective effect in intestine in secondary IAH primarily
      by attenuating the inflammatory responses which are in part attributable to p38
      MAPK inhibition.

PMID- 27264239
TI  - The influence of foreign body surface area on the outcome of chronic
      osteomyelitis.
AB  - Reproducible animal models of osteomyelitis close to the clinical scenario are
      difficult to obtain as the animals either die shortly after inoculation of
      bacteria or the bone cures itself of infection. Additional materials used as
      foreign bodies offer increased chances for localized infection due to bacterial
      attachment and are closer to clinical pathology. Through in vivo experimentation
      we investigated here the influence of surface area of a series of foreign bodies
      on the final outcome of the animal model, in terms of reproducibility, survival
      rate and time necessary for onset of chronic disease. Stainless steel Kirschner
      wire segments, stainless steel balls and cotton meshes were employed for this
      purpose. The clinical, microbiological, radiological and histological results
      obtained were compared with the simple case where no foreign body was used. The
      follow-up period was 57days. The cotton meshes, which had the highest surface
      area, were observed to provide the best outcome, with the lowest disease onset
      time interval (of 1week earlier than the others), the highest survival (of 90%)
      and disease reproduction rate (90%). The only clinical pattern of the mesh group
      rabbits was short lived inflammation while the other rabbits presented also some
      other clinical signs such as rhinorrheas, abscesses, rush and/or dyspnea.
      Moreover, this model is the most suitable for further treatment studies, as the
      cotton meshes could be easily removed after disease onset, without any
      intervention on the bone. This is important, as the treatment would address the
      bacteria present within the bone parts (marrow, cortex, periosteum etc.) not
      those forming the biofilm.

PMID- 27264240
TI  - Smartphone application for emergency signal detection.
AB  - Currently, a number of studies focus on the study and design of new healthcare
      technologies to improve elderly health and quality of life. Taking advantage of
      the popularity, portability, and inherent technology of smartphones, we present
      an emergency application for smartphones, designated as knock-to-panic (KTP).
      This innovative and novel system enables users to simply hit their devices in
      order to send an alarm signal to an emergency service. This application is a
      complete and autonomous emergency system, and can provide an economic, reliable,
      and unobtrusive method for elderly monitoring or safety protection. Moreover, the
      simple and fast activation of KTP makes it a viable and potentially superior
      alternative to traditional ambient assisted living emergency calls. Furthermore,
      KTP can be further extended to the general population as well and not just be
      limited for elderly persons. The proposed method is a threshold-based algorithm
      and is designed to require a low battery power consumption. The evaluation of the
      performance of the algorithm in collected data indicates that both sensitivity
      and specificity are above 90%.

PMID- 27264242
TI  - The emerging roles of orphan nuclear receptors in prostate cancer.
AB  - Orphan nuclear receptors are members of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily and
      are so named because their endogenous physiological ligands are either unknown or
      may not exist. Because of their important regulatory roles in many key
      physiological processes, dysregulation of signalings controlled by these
      receptors is associated with many diseases including cancer. Over years, studies
      of orphan NRs have become an area of great interest because their specific
      physiological and pathological roles have not been well-defined, and some of them
      are promising drug targets for diseases. The recently identified synthetic small
      molecule ligands, acting as agonists or antagonists, to these orphan NRs not only
      help to understand better their functional roles but also highlight that the
      signalings mediated by these ligand-independent NRs in diseases could be
      therapeutically intervened. This review is a summary of the recent advances in
      elucidating the emerging functional roles of orphan NRs in cancers, especially
      prostate cancer. In particular, some orphan NRs, RORgamma, TR2, TR4, COUP-IFII,
      ERRalpha, DAX1 and SHP, exhibit crosstalk or interference with androgen receptor
      (AR) signaling in either normal or malignant prostatic cells, highlighting their
      involvement in prostate cancer progression as androgen and AR signaling pathway
      play critical roles in this process. We also propose that a better understanding
      of the mechanism of actions of these orphan NRs in prostate gland or prostate
      cancer could help to evaluate their potential value as therapeutic targets for
      prostate cancer.

PMID- 27264241
TI  - Increased production of omega-3 fatty acids protects retinal ganglion cells after
      optic nerve injury in mice.
AB  - Injury to the central nervous system causes progressive degeneration of injured
      axons, leading to loss of the neuronal bodies. Neuronal survival after injury is
      a prerequisite for successful regeneration of injured axons. In this study, we
      investigated the effects of increased production of omega-3 fatty acids and
      elevation of cAMP on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and axonal regeneration
      after optic nerve (ON) crush injury in adult mice. We found that increased
      production of omega-3 fatty acids in mice enhanced RGC survival, but not axonal
      regeneration, over a period of 3 weeks after ON injury. cAMP elevation promoted
      RGC survival in wild type mice, but no significant difference in cell survival
      was seen in mice over-producing omega-3 fatty acids and receiving intravitreal
      injections of CPT-cAMP, suggesting that cAMP elevation protects RGCs after injury
      but does not potentiate the actions of the omega-3 fatty acids. The observed
      omega-3 fatty acid-mediated neuroprotection is likely achieved partially through
      ERK1/2 signaling as inhibition of this pathway by PD98059 hindered, but did not
      completely block, RGC protection. Our study thus enhances our current
      understanding of neural repair after CNS injury, including the visual system.

PMID- 27264243
TI  - Response to 'Cleaning up after carbapenemase-producing organisms'.

PMID- 27264244
TI  - Most international guidelines on prevention of healthcare-associated infection
      lack comprehensive recommendations for neonates and children.
AB  - International infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines provide
      standardized recommendations for healthcare-associated infection (HCAI)
      prevention in adults, but often lack specific information about neonates and
      children. We reviewed ten international IPC/HCAI guidelines to identify
      paediatric-specific recommendations for HCAI prevention. Hand hygiene,
      bloodstream infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia, environmental control and
      outbreak management were frequently reported with recommendations applicable to
      children and newborns, but documents on catheter-associated urinary tract
      infection and surgical site infection were lacking. 

PMID- 27264246
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27264245
TI  - An influence of the copy number of biosynthetic gene clusters on the production
      level of antibiotics in a heterologous host.
AB  - Streptomyces albus J1074 is a well-known host for heterologous expression of
      secondary metabolites. To further increase its potential and to study the
      influence of cluster multiplication, additional phiC31-attachment site was
      integrated into its genome using a system for transposon mutagenesis. Four
      secondary metabolite clusters were expressed in strains with different numbers of
      attachment sites, ranging from one to three copies of the site. Secondary
      metabolite production was examined and a new compound could be detected, purified
      and its structure was elucidated. 

PMID- 27264247
TI  - A hydrophobic three-dimensionally networked boron-doped diamond electrode towards
      electrochemical oxidation.
AB  - A boron-doped diamond electrode with a three-dimensional network was fabricated
      on a mesh titanium substrate. Properties such as higher surface area, enhanced
      mass transfer and a hydrophobic surface endowed the prepared electrode with
      excellent electrochemical oxidation ability towards contaminants. 

PMID- 27264249
TI  - Neuropsychological performance of young familial hypercholesterolemia patients.

PMID- 27264250
TI  - Reporting of secondary data analysis using routinely collected health data.

PMID- 27264251
TI  - Activated Protein C Resistance in Polycythemia Vera.
AB  - Activated protein C resistance is a result of a point mutation in factor V gene
      (Leiden mutation) and can be identified in approximately 50% of patients with
      thrombosis, making it an important risk factor for thrombosis. The aim of this
      study is to evaluate the role activated protein C resistance in the
      hypercoagulable state seen in polycythemia vera. We compared patients with
      polycythemia vera (n: 24) for increased risk of thromboembolism and activated
      protein C resistance, with the results of patients with chronic myelogenous
      leukemia (n: 27) and healthy control group (n: 52). Activated protein C
      resistance test and factor VIII activity was determined by an aPTT based test.
      Anticardiolipin antibodies IgG and IgM were also determined by ELISA. Leiden
      mutation was studied with polymerase chain reaction. Venous thromboses were
      observed in 12.5% and arterial thromboses in 41.6% of patients with polycythemia
      vera. Arterial thromboses were recognized in 7.4% of patients with chronic
      myelogenous leukemia. Activated protein C resistance was identified in 20.8% of
      patients with polycythemia vera and 14.8% with chronic myelogenous leukemia
      (versus 1.8% of healthy control subjects). The risk of thrombosis in patients
      with polycythemia vera was independent from the presence of activated protein C
      resistance. Leiden mutation was observed in only 1 patient out of 4 patients with
      chronic myelogenous leukemia who had activated protein C resistance, but not
      thrombosis. Factor VIII levels of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia
      (158% +/- 14) were higher than healthy control subjects (99% +/- 15) (p< 0.05).
      Patients with activated protein C resistance in both groups had no seropositivity
      for anticardiolipin antibodies IgG and IgM. Activated protein C resistance and in
      some cases its association with Leiden mutation in polycythemia vera may not have
      a major role in the pathogenesis of thromboembolic complications of polycythemia
      vera. 

PMID- 27264252
TI  - Thrombolysis of Acute Arterial Occlusion with rt-PA.
AB  - The use of thrombolytic agents to treat peripheral arterial occlusions is a new
      method. Despite its advantages, information about complications caused by the use
      of rt-PA and about its place in treatment is still incomplete. The aim of this
      study was to establish a dose range for rt-PA and to follow the patients with a
      protocol during and after thrombolysis. Between May 1999 to January 2000, 14
      patients with symptoms of peripheral arterial occlusion came to Istanbul Medical
      Faculty Emergency Surgery Unit. The duration of ischaemia before their
      hospitalization took an average of 44 hours. (Range 3 hours-7 days). A pulse
      spray catheter was directed to the thrombus under angiographic control. Bolus
      injection of 5 mg of rt-PA was followed by 15 minutes of interval. The extent of
      thrombolysis was checked by angiography and then bolus injection of 5 mg of rt-
      PA was repeated. After angiographic control, patients having insufficient
      thrombolysis, received 0.05 mg/kg/hour of infusion for 12 hours. At the end of 12
      hours, thrombolytic treatment ended with a control angiography. A
      thromboembolectomy operation was made to patients still having an occlusion after
      thrombolysis. To avoid re-occlusions, all of the patients received 1.5 mg/kg/day
      low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin) for 1 week. At the end of thrombolysis,
      9 patients had complete lysis. A patient, having an occlusion in superior
      mesenteric artery had 60% recanalisation. 2 patients (14%) having 90% stenosis,
      needed a balloon angioplasty besides thrombolysis, and both of them had complete
      reperfusion. 2 patients (14%) needed a thromboembolectomy operation due to
      insufficient thrombolysis. 2 patients (14%) had a minor bleeding after
      thrombolytic treatment. After thrombolysis, 2 patients (14%) had a stroke. There
      were no amputations. 1 of the patients having a stroke, died 2 days after
      thrombolytic treatment 1 patient died due to myocardial infarction during
      thrombolysis. 1 patient (7%) died due to diabetic coma on the 20th day. Acute
      myocardial infarction was the cause of death in 1 patient on the 25th day. In
      conclusion pulse spray thrombolysis with rt-PA is safe and efficient. Moreover
      there is a reduction in complications and need for surgical procedure. The recent
      problem is to find the optimum dosages for the best thrombolysis and for least
      complications. 

PMID- 27264253
TI  - Defective Function of Peripheral Blood Monocytes from Patients with Non-Hodgkin's
      Lymphoma.
AB  - The aim of the study was to analyze the function of peripheral blood monocytes
      from patients with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before and after incubation with
      zymosan and indomethacin. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 28
      patients with malignant lymphoma (13 males and 15 females with age range 20-65)
      years. Their clinical record and pathologic material were reviewed. The control
      group consisted of 17 normal subjects, (9 men and 8 women) of age range of 20-45
      years. The following investigations were carried out in all patients:
      Bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli. Level of superoxide anion and
      Chemiluminescence's Technique for analysis of oxygen metabolite Results. The mean
      bactericidal indices of E. coli by peripheral blood monocytes without
      indomethacin were 56.75 (SD +/- 10.5) in control group at 60 minutes and it was
      36.88% (SD +/- 11.3) in Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. The level of INT was
      greater in healthy control than NHL-patients. The improvement after addition of
      zymosan was significant in all groups. The peak generation of chemiluminescence
      in Non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients was 11256 x 10-3 CPM at 20 minutes and in
      healthy controls 16575 x 10-3 CPM at 5 minutes and after incubation with zymosan
      and indomethacin were 13843 x 10-3 CPM at 5 minutes in NHL patients and 16312 x
      10-3 CPM in healthy controls. The time of appearance of CL peak improved in Non
      Hodgkin's lymphoma patients (p< 0.01) but there is no difference in the time of
      CL peak of the healthy controls. 

PMID- 27264248
TI  - The role of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in fear and extinction memory.
AB  - Cholinergic input to the neocortex, dorsal hippocampus (dHipp), and basolateral
      amygdala (BLA) is critical for neural function and synaptic plasticity in these
      brain regions. Synaptic plasticity in the neocortex, dHipp, ventral Hipp (vHipp),
      and BLA has also been implicated in fear and extinction memory. This finding
      raises the possibility that basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons, the
      predominant source of acetylcholine in these brain regions, have an important
      role in mediating fear and extinction memory. While empirical studies support
      this hypothesis, there are interesting inconsistencies among these studies that
      raise questions about how best to define the role of BF cholinergic neurons in
      fear and extinction memory. Nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) cholinergic
      neurons that project to the BLA are critical for fear memory and contextual fear
      extinction memory. NBM cholinergic neurons that project to the neocortex are
      critical for cued and contextual fear conditioned suppression, but are not
      critical for fear memory in other behavioral paradigms and in the inhibitory
      avoidance paradigm may even inhibit contextual fear memory formation. Medial
      septum and diagonal band of Broca cholinergic neurons are critical for contextual
      fear memory and acquisition of cued fear extinction. Thus, even though the
      results of previous studies suggest BF cholinergic neurons modulate fear and
      extinction memory, inconsistent findings among these studies necessitates more
      research to better define the neural circuits and molecular processes through
      which BF cholinergic neurons modulate fear and extinction memory. Furthermore,
      studies determining if BF cholinergic neurons can be manipulated in such a manner
      so as to treat excessive fear in anxiety disorders are needed.

PMID- 27264254
TI  - Oral Health Status in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma.
AB  - We evaluated the oral health status of 85 acute lymphoblastic leukemia
      (ALL)/lymphoma pediatric patients who received remission-induction and
      maintenance chemotherapy and 85 age and sex-matched healthy children with the
      criteria of World Health Organization (WHO) and to determine the prevalence and
      distribution of dental problems in order to constitute preventive dentistry
      precautions in this study. The gingival tissues were scored with Community Index
      of Periodontal Treatment Necessity (CPITN) and dmf-t and DMF-T indices were used
      for caries evaluation. In the study group, malocclusion was found in 24 patients
      (28.2%). CPITN was scored as follows in the study group; 11% of the patients had
      healthy gingiva (Grade 0), the presence of plaque (Grade I) 79% of the patients,
      the presence of calculus (Grade II) 10% of patients were observed. Nevertheless,
      mucositis was found with various grades in 9 patients who received chemotherapy.
      Decayed teeth were found in the 76 patients and in 45 healthy children. 91.7% of
      patients and 52.9% of children needed dental treatment were determined. The DMF-T
      and dmf-t scores showed that ALL/lymphoma patients had more decayed and needed
      more dental treatment, missing or filled teeth both in their deciduous (p< 0.001)
      and permanent (p< 0.05) dentition when compared to systemically healthy children.

PMID- 27264255
TI  - Relationship Between Leptin Levels and Body Indexes in Patients with Haematologic
      Malignancy.
AB  - Leptin is a recently found hormone regulating body weight. In human obesity, this
      weight-regulating hormone level is in a positive correlation with FMI (fat mass
      index) and BMI (body mass index). In this study, we aimed to investigate the
      relation between serum leptin levels and BMI, PF (percentage fat), LMI (lean mass
      index), FMI and some other parameters of patients with haematologic malignant
      diseases. Fourty-four patients with haematologic malignant diseases and 25
      healthy control group were taken into the study. In the comparison, there were no
      significant difference between the PF and FMI values of both groups, while the
      mean BMI and LMI values of the control group were significantly higher than that
      of the patient group. There was a positive correlation between leptin levels and
      BMI and FMI among parameters studied in our control group, whereas we couldn't
      demostrate any such correlation in patient group. We estimate that the alteration
      may be due to disturbances in the feed back mechanism developing in patient with
      haematologic malignancy. 

PMID- 27264256
TI  - Bernard-Soulier Syndrome Like Platelet Defect in a Patient with Noonan Syndrome;
      A Case Report.
AB  - Noonan's Syndrome (NS) is characterized by dismorphic facial features, short
      stature, short or webbed neck, congenital heart defects and testicular
      abnormalities. Various bleeding disorders in Noonan Syndrome have been reported.
      Bernard-Soulier Syndrome (BSS) is a rare congenital bleeding disorder
      characterized by thrombocytopenia and giant platelets. There is not any reported
      case of Noonan syndrome associated with BSS in literature. We report here a four
      year-old male patient with Noonan Syndrome and BSS like platelet defect. 

PMID- 27264257
TI  - Homozygous beta-Thalassemia Associated with Familial Mediterranean Fever in a
      Turkish Patient.
AB  - We report here a beta- thalassemia major case (homozygous IVS-1-110 G-A)
      associated with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) (homozygous 694 Met-Val). Our
      patient's clinical course revealed a possible synergistic effect between
      colchicine and desferrioxamine (DFO) However, this could be a only a coincidence,
      as under colchicine therapy, fever attacks may appear, this may be the topic of a
      further investigation. 

PMID- 27264258
TI  - Hemoglobin Lepore Boston in a Turkish Family.
AB  - An abnormal hemoglobin was detected in a Balkan immigrant Turkish family.
      Erythrocyte morphology was similar to beta-thalassemia trait. Molecular analysis
      showed that the abnormal hemoglobin was Hemoglobin LeporeBoston. All affected
      family members were in heterozygote state and asymptomatic. 

PMID- 27264259
TI  - A Case with Micromegakaryocytes.
AB  - A boy with no previous history of bleeding presented with ecchymoses and
      splenomegaly. He was followed up for thrombocytopenia and micromegakaryocytes for
      20 months till clinically malignancy was diagnosed. Micromegakaryocytes must
      always be treated with suspicion, as they may provide an important clue for
      dyshematopoesis. KEY WORDS: Micromegakaryocytes, Leukemia, Dismegakaryopoesis.

PMID- 27264260
TI  - Consecutive IL-2 and IFN-a2a Maintenance in a Patient with Acute Non
      lymphoblastic Leukemia and Renal Cell Cancer.
AB  - Over the last few years, the use of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and lymphokine-activated
      killer (LAK) cells have been found to be effective in the treatment of some solid
      tumours and acute myeloid leukemia. Our patient was initially diagnosed as having
      bilateral synchronous renal cell cancer (RCC) and underwent nephrectomy.
      Approximately two years after the operation he developed leukopenia without any
      sign of residual renal cell cancer. Bone marrow examination revealed acute
      myeloblastic leukemia (AML). IL-2 following IFN-a2a was used as a maintenance
      therapy after a standard remission induction and a consolidation therapy. Our
      patient has been still disease free for 58 months after the diagnosis of AML and
      71 months after the diagnosis renal cell cancer. Review of the literature showed
      that this is the first case who has both RCC and AML and was treated successfully
      with IL-2 and IFN-a2a. 

PMID- 27264261
TI  - Images in Haematology.

PMID- 27264263
TI  - Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome with Hepatic Tumoral Lesions.

PMID- 27264262
TI  - Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Associated with Ebstein's Anomaly.

PMID- 27264264
TI  - Cyclosporine A sensitizes human non-small cell lung cancer cells to gefitinib
      through inhibition of STAT3.
AB  - The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have
      dramatically prolonged the overall survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      patients with EGFR-activating mutation, but the presence of primary or acquired
      resistance eventually leads to therapeutic failure. Thus, how to improve the
      efficacy and reverse the resistance to EGFR-TKIs remains a significant challenge.
      In this study, we found that CsA significantly augmented the anti-cancer effect
      of gefitinib in EGFR-TKI-sensitive and -resistant NSCLC cells. Mechanistically,
      CsA promoted gefitinib-induced apoptosis through inhibition of the STAT3 pathway.
      Similar with the function of CsA, siRNAs against STAT3 also enhanced gefitinib
      induced apoptosis in multiple lung cancer cells. Xenograft studies further
      demonstrated that CsA promoted the anti-cancer activity of gefitinib on lung
      cancer cells through inhibition of STAT3. Moreover, NSCLC patients with high
      levels of phosphorylated STAT3 (Y705) showed a significantly poorer therapeutic
      response to EGFR-TKIs. This study provides preclinical evidence that the
      combination of CsA or a STAT3 inhibitor with EGFR-TKIs is a promising approach to
      improve the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs for the treatment of patients with advanced
      NSCLC.

PMID- 27264266
TI  - Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer: advantages and challenges.

PMID- 27264265
TI  - Extensive molecular analysis suggested the strong genetic heterogeneity of
      idiopathic chronic pancreatitis.
AB  - Rationale: Genetic features of Chronic Pancreatitis (CP) have been extensively
      investigated mainly testing genes associated to the trypsinogen activation
      pathway. However, different molecular pathways involving other genes may be
      implicated in CP pathogenesis. Objectives: 80 patients with Idiopathic CP were
      investigated using Next Generation Sequencing approach with a panel of 70 genes
      related to six different pancreatic pathways: premature activation of
      trypsinogen; modifier genes of Cystic Fibrosis phenotype; pancreatic secretion
      and ion homeostasis; Calcium signalling and zymogen granules exocytosis;
      autophagy; autoimmune pancreatitis related genes. Results: We detected mutations
      in 34 out of 70 genes examined; 64/80 patients (80.0%) were positive for
      mutations in one or more genes, 16/80 patients (20.0%) had no mutations.
      Mutations in CFTR were detected in 32/80 patients (40.0%) and 22 of them
      exhibited at least one mutation in genes of other pancreatic pathways. Of the
      remaining 48 patients, 13/80 (16.3%) had mutations in genes involved in premature
      activation of trypsinogen and 19/80 (23.8%) had mutations only in genes of the
      other pathways: 38/64 patients positive for mutations showed variants in two or
      more genes (59.3%). Conclusions: Our data, although to be extended with
      functional analysis of novel mutations, suggest a high rate of genetic
      heterogeneity in chronic pancreatitis and that trans-heterozygosity may
      predispose to the idiopathic CP phenotype.

PMID- 27264267
TI  - Docetaxel plus gemcitabine versus gemcitabine in elderly patients with advanced
      non-small cell lung cancer and use of a geriatric assessment: Lessons from a
      prematurely closed Hellenic Oncology Research Group randomized phase III study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare first-line treatment with docetaxel plus gemcitabine (DG)
      versus gemcitabine (G) in elderly patients with advanced/metastatic non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chemotherapy-naive patients with
      inoperable stage IIIB/IV NSCLC, >=70years, with an ECOG performance status (PS)
      of 0-2 were enrolled. Patients were stratified by PS and disease stage and
      randomized to either DG (docetaxel 30mg/m2 plus gemcitabine 900mg/m2 i.v.) or G
      (gemcitabine 1200mg/m2 i.v.) on days 1 and 8, every 3weeks. The study's primary
      end-point was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In this prematurely closed study,
      106 patients with a median age of 75years (range, 70-92) were enrolled (DG: n=54;
      G: n=52); 77 (73%) had stage IV disease and 18 (17%) a PS of 2. There was no
      difference in terms of median OS (14.6 vs 12.2months; p=0.121), progression-free
      survival (PFS) (3.4 vs 2.6months; p=0.757) and overall response rate (26.0% vs
      15.4%; p=0.233) between DG and G arm, respectively. Patients with an Instrumental
      Activities of Daily Living (IADL) score<7 had significantly lower median OS (7.6
      vs 15.4months; p=0.002) and median PFS (1.7 vs 4.4months; p=0.009) than patients
      with higher IADL score. The regimens were well tolerated with no significant
      difference in severe toxicity. CONCLUSION: DG and G demonstrated comparable
      efficacy in elderly patients with NSCLC and high IADL score was correlated with
      superior clinical outcome.

PMID- 27264268
TI  - Mutant B-Raf Kinase Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents.
AB  - The Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway involves various kinases in which each
      kinase is associated with one another through signals and regulates cell
      proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. This pathway is dysregulated almost
      in all cancers due to the amplification and genetic mutation of various
      components of the pathway. The genetic mutations have been reported to cause drug
      resistance to the current chemotherapy of melanomas. B-Raf is one of the most
      commonly mutated proto-oncogenes and plays a significant role in the development
      of numerous cancers of high clinical impact. Therefore, mutant B-Raf kinase may
      be a promising therapeutic target for the development of novel anticancer drugs.
      Many BRAF inhibitors discovered during the last decade showed promising
      anticancer activity, especially on tumors that harbor BRAFV600E mutations.
      Currently, vemurafenib and dabrafenib are USFDA approved drugs used as B-Raf
      inhibitors. Few drugs which are under clinical development phases such as LGX818,
      GDC0879, XL281, ARQ736, PLX3603 (RO5212054), and RAF265 etc. pave the path for
      further designing of B-Raf inhibitors. The present review focuses primarily on
      the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway with mutant B-Raf as a therapeutic target
      for anticancer drug development. The essential pharmacophoric features of B-Raf
      inhibitors, their structure activity relationships (SARs) and molecules under
      clinical trials have been highlighted.

PMID- 27264269
TI  - Rapid assessment of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and risk perception related
      to the prevention and control of Ebola virus disease in three communities of
      Sierra Leone.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recent outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone
      has been characterized by the World Health Organization as one of the most
      challenging EVD outbreaks to date. The first confirmed case in Sierra Leone was a
      young woman who was admitted to a government hospital in Kenema following a
      miscarriage on 24 May 2014. On 5 January 2015, intensified training for an EVD
      response project was initiated at the medical university of Sierra Leone in Jui.
      To understand the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived risk of EVD
      among the public, especially after this training, a rapid assessment was
      conducted from 10 to 16 March 2015. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 466
      participants based on questionnaires that were distributed from 10 to 16 March
      2015 by cluster sampling in three adjacent communities, namely Jui, Grafton, and
      Kossoh Town, in the Western Area Rural District of Sierra Leone. RESULTS: It was
      found that knowledge about EVD was comprehensive and high. Positive attitude
      towards prevention was found to be satisfactory. Nearly all participants knew the
      reporting phone number 117 and had reported some change in behavior since
      learning about Ebola. More than half (62 %) of the participants had a history of
      travelling to urban areas, which increases the risk of infection. The
      multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that community and occupation
      were variables associated with perceived risk of EVD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      showed that community level social mobilization and community engagement were an
      effective strategy in the special context.

PMID- 27264270
TI  - Critical length scale controls adhesive wear mechanisms.
AB  - The adhesive wear process remains one of the least understood areas of mechanics.
      While it has long been established that adhesive wear is a direct result of
      contacting surface asperities, an agreed upon understanding of how contacting
      asperities lead to wear debris particle has remained elusive. This has restricted
      adhesive wear prediction to empirical models with limited transferability. Here
      we show that discrepant observations and predictions of two distinct adhesive
      wear mechanisms can be reconciled into a unified framework. Using atomistic
      simulations with model interatomic potentials, we reveal a transition in the
      asperity wear mechanism when contact junctions fall below a critical length
      scale. A simple analytic model is formulated to predict the transition in both
      the simulation results and experiments. This new understanding may help expand
      use of computer modelling to explore adhesive wear processes and to advance
      physics-based wear laws without empirical coefficients.

PMID- 27264271
TI  - An Arab registry for type 1 diabetes: global benefits for type 1 diabetes
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Arab world encompasses twenty-two Arabic-speaking countries,
      where the rate of consanguinity can exceed 50%. Type 1 diabetes (T1D), a chronic
      disorder that requires lifelong treatment, is believed to be largely due to
      genetic predisposition. The objective of this review is to discuss the benefits
      of establishing an Arab population-based diabetes registry, which will provide a
      reference for T1D prevalence and incidence. METHODS: An online search was carried
      out through various websites, including PubMed, government, hospitals and health
      ministries of the 22 Arab countries to understand the reporting activities of
      diabetes in the Arab world. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The prevalence and incidence
      of T1D is variable among Arabs, with the availability of only a few
      national/regional diabetes registries to support diabetes research, provide
      reliable data, and to cope with the widespread threat of this disease. Hence, the
      need of establishing a population based Arab diabetes registry.

PMID- 27264272
TI  - Antibody-free detection of protein phosphorylation using intrinsic peroxidase
      like activity of platinum/carbon dot hybrid nanoparticles.
AB  - Platinum and carbon dot hybrid nanomaterials are prepared for visualized
      detection of phosphoproteins without the need for antibodies or enzymes. This new
      strategy can be used for colorimetric detection of phosphoproteins induced by
      protein kinase as well as protein phosphorylation sites on cell membranes. 

PMID- 27264274
TI  - The G allele in IL-10-1082 G/A may have a role in lowering the susceptibility to
      panic disorder in female patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immune system activation is involved in the pathophysiology of panic
      disorder (PD). We investigated INF-gamma+874 A/T, TNF-alpha-308 G/A, and IL-10
      1082 G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to determine their association
      with PD. METHOD: This study enroled 135 PD patients and 135 healthy controls. INF
      gamma+874 A/T (rs2430561), TNF-alpha-308 G/A (rs1800629), and IL-10-1082 G/A
      (rs1800896) were genotyped. RESULTS: There were no differences in genotypes or
      allele frequencies between the patient and control groups, regardless of
      accompanying agoraphobia. However, for female patients, the G allele frequency in
      IL-10 SNP was higher in the control group than in the patient group.
      Additionally, the female control group had a higher frequency of the A/G and G/G
      genotype in the IL-10 SNP than the female patient group. CONCLUSION: We suggest
      that the G allele in IL-10-1082 G/A might have a role in reducing the
      manifestations of PD in female patients. Further studies are needed to extend and
      confirm our findings.

PMID- 27264273
TI  - Synchrotron X-ray microtransections: a non invasive approach for epileptic
      seizures arising from eloquent cortical areas.
AB  - Synchrotron-generated X-ray (SRX) microbeams deposit high radiation doses to
      submillimetric targets whilst minimizing irradiation of neighboring healthy
      tissue. We developed a new radiosurgical method which demonstrably transects
      cortical brain tissue without affecting adjacent regions. We made such image
      guided SRX microtransections in the left somatosensory cortex in a rat model of
      generalized epilepsy using high radiation doses (820 Gy) in thin (200 MUm)
      parallel slices of tissue. This procedure, targeting the brain volume from which
      seizures arose, altered the abnormal neuronal activities for at least 9 weeks, as
      evidenced by a decrease of seizure power and coherence between tissue slices in
      comparison to the contralateral cortex. The brain tissue located between
      transections stayed histologically normal, while the irradiated micro-slices
      remained devoid of myelin and neurons two months after irradiation. This pre
      clinical proof of concept highlights the translational potential of non-invasive
      SRX transections for treating epilepsies that are not eligible for resective
      surgery.

PMID- 27264275
TI  - Synthesis and structural analyses of phenylethynyl-substituted tris(2
      pyridylmethyl)amines and their copper(ii) complexes.
AB  - Three new tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligands possessing phenylethynyl units
      have been prepared using Sonogashira couplings and substitution reactions.
      Copper(ii) complexes of those tetradentate ligands have also been synthesized.
      Solid-state structures of the six new compounds have been determined by single
      crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Examination of the molecular structures of
      the ligands revealed the expected triangular geometries with virtually undeformed
      carbon-carbon triple bonds. While the tertiary nitrogen of the free ligands seem
      to be prevented from participation in supramolecular non-covalent interactions by
      the pyridyl hydrogen at the 3-position, the pyridyl nitrogens play a crucial role
      in the packing mode of the crystal structure. The nitrogens form weak hydrogen
      bonds, varied in length between 2.32 and 2.66 A, with the pyridyl hydrogen of its
      neighbouring molecule. The [NH-C] contacts enforce one-dimensional columnar
      assemblies on ligands that organize into wall-like structures, which in turn
      assemble into three-dimensional structures through CH-pi interactions. Structural
      analyses of Cu(ii) complexes of the ligands revealed propeller-like structures
      caused by steric crowding of three pyridine ligands. The copper complexes of the
      ligands having three phenylethynyl substituents showed a remarkably deformed
      carbon-carbon triple bond enforced by a steric effect of the three phenyl groups.
      Most significantly, a total of seventy non-covalent interactions, classified into
      twelve types of hydrogen-involving short contacts, were identified in this study.
      The phenylethynyl substituent participated in forty-two interactions as a
      hydrogen bond acceptor, and its role was more distinctive in the crystal
      structures of the Cu(ii) complexes. 

PMID- 27264276
TI  - C-reactive protein and cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 27264277
TI  - Ability of modern distal tibia plates to stabilize comminuted pilon fracture
      fragments: Is dual plate fixation necessary?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the screw trajectory of ten
      commercially available distal tibia plates and compare them to common fracture
      patterns seen in OTA C type pilon fractures to determine their ability to
      stabilize the three most common fracture fragments while buttressing
      anterolateral zones of comminution. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that a single
      plate for the distal tibia would fail to adequately stabilize all three main
      fracture fragments and zones of comminution in complex pilon fractures. METHODS:
      Ten synthetic distal tibia sawbones models were used in conjunction with ten
      different locking distal tibia plate designs from three manufacturers (Depuy
      Synthes, J&J Co, Paoli, PA; Smith & Nephew, Memphis, TN; and Stryker, Mawa, NJ).
      Both medial and anterolateral plates from each company were utilized and
      separately applied to an individual sawbone model. Three implants allowing
      variable angle screw placement were used. The location of the locking screws and
      buttress effect 1cm above the articular surface was noted for each implant using
      axial computed tomography (CT). The images were then compared to a recently
      published "pilon fracture map" using an overlay technique to establish the
      relationship between screw location and known common fracture lines and areas of
      comminution. Each of the three main fragments was considered "captured" by a
      screw if it was purchased by at least two screws thereby controlling rotational
      forces on each fragment. RESULTS: Three of four anterolateral plates lacked
      stable fixation in the medial fragment. Of the 4 anterolateral plates used, only
      the variable angle anterolateral plate by Depuy Synthes captured the medial
      fragment with two screws. All four anterolateral plates buttressed the area of
      highest comminution and had an average of 1.25 screws in the medial fragment and
      an average of 3 screws in the posterolateral fragment. All five direct medial
      plates had variable fixation within anterolateral and posterolateral fragments
      with an average of 1.8 screws in the anterolateral fragment and an average of 1.3
      screws in the posterolateral fragment. The Depuy Synthes variable angle
      anterolateral plate allowed for fixation of the medial fragment with two screws
      while simultaneously buttressing the zone of highest comminution and capturing
      both the anterolateral and posterolateral fragments with five and three screws
      respectively. The variable angle anteromedial plate by Depuy Synthes captured all
      three main fracture fragments but it did not buttress the anterolateral zone of
      comminution. CONCLUSION: In OTA 43C type pilon fractures, 8 out of 10 studied
      commercially available implants precontoured for the distal tibia, do not
      adequately stabilize the three primary fracture fragments typically seen in these
      injuries. Anterolateral plates were superior in addressing the coronal primary
      fracture line across the apex of the plafond, and buttressing the zone of
      comminution. None of the available plates can substitute for an understanding of
      the fracture planes and fragments typically seen in complex intra-articular tibia
      fractures and the addition of a second plate is necessary for adequate stability.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

PMID- 27264278
TI  - Prospects of medium specific activity (177) Lu in targeted therapy of prostate
      cancer using (177) Lu-labeled PSMA inhibitor.
AB  - Targeted radionuclide therapy using (177) Lu-labeled peptidomimetic inhibitor of
      prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) viz. PSMA-617 is emerging as one the
      most effective strategies for management of metastatic prostate cancer, which is
      one of the leading causes of cancer related death. The aim of the present study
      is to develop a robust and easily adaptable protocol for formulation of
      therapeutic dose of (177) Lu-PSMA-617 at hospital radiopharmacy using moderate
      specific activity (177) Lu available at an affordable cost. Extensive
      radiochemical studies were performed to optimize the required [PSMA-617] / [Lu]
      ratio and other parameters to formulate 7.4 GBq dose of (177) Lu-PSMA-617. Based
      on these, 7.4 GBq therapeutic dose of (177) Lu-PSMA-617 was formulated by
      incubating 160 ug of PSMA-617 with indigenously produced (177) LuCl3 (555 GBq/ug
      specific activity of (177) Lu) at 90  degrees C for 30 min. The radiochemical
      purity of the formulation was 98.3 +/- 0.6% (n = 7) which was retained to the
      extent of >95% after 7 d in normal saline at room temperature and >96% after 2 d
      in human serum at 37  degrees C. Preliminary clinical studies showed specific
      targeting of the agent in the lesion sites and similar physiological distribution
      as in diagnostic (68) Ga-PSMA-11 PET scans performed earlier. The developed
      optimized protocol for formulating therapeutic dose of (177) Lu-PSMA-617 could be
      useful for large number of nuclear medicine therapy clinics across the world
      having access to moderate specific activity (177) Lu at an affordable cost.

PMID- 27264279
TI  - Synthesis and in vitro bone cell activity of analogues of the cyclohexapeptide
      dianthin G.
AB  - The cyclohexapeptide natural product dianthin G promotes osteoblast (bone-forming
      cell) proliferation in vitro at nanomolar concentrations, and is therefore
      considered a promising candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis. An N(alpha)
      methyl amide bond scan of dianthin G was performed to probe the effect of
      modifying amide bonds on osteoblast proliferation. In addition, to provide
      greater structural diversity, a series of dicarba dianthin G analogues was
      synthesised using ring closing metathesis. Dianthin G and one novel dicarba
      analogue increased the number of human osteoblasts and importantly they did not
      increase osteoclast (bone-resorbing cell) differentiation in bone marrow cells. 

PMID- 27264280
TI  - Different desferrioxamine usage in the patients with thalassemia major: a cost
      effect analysis.
AB  - Regular desferrioxamine (DFO) usage in patients with thalassemia major (TM)
      ameliorates hepatic, cardiac and endocrine dysfunction, improves growth and
      sexual maturation and prolongs survival. The difficulties of administering DFO
      with classic pumps are well known. The aim of this study was to compare the iron
      accumulation and cost effects between the continuous 48 hours infusion of DFO
      with infusor pump and the intermittent 40 hours infusion with classic pump in
      patients with TM. A total of 54 patients with TM were divided to two groups,
      first group includes 27 patients (18 female, 9 male) aged between 5.5 and 20.5
      years, and were infused a total of 100 mg/kg DFO with infusor in 48 hours. Second
      group includes 27 patients (18 female, 9 male) aged between 6 and 22 years, were
      infused a total of 200 mg/kg DFO in 4 days with an intermittent infusions for
      about in 40 hours. After one year of treatment, the patients were compared from a
      clinical view point and cost of medical treatment. No statistical difference was
      found between infusor pump and classic pump in terms of cost-effectiveness. 

PMID- 27264281
TI  - Body mass index in children with beta-thalassemia major.
AB  - Underweight or low body mass index (BMI) is associated with developing many
      health problems. Despite the presence of many growth abnormalities in patients
      with beta thalassemia major, BMI has not been adequately studied. All of the
      thalassemic patients under 18 years of age, registered in thalassemia center of
      Shiraz, were studied. Medical history was taken and complete physical examination
      was done. BMI (weight/height2) at different ages was calculated and compared with
      standardized percentile curves of BMI for children and adolescents. BMI less than
      10th percentile for sex and age was observed in 12.4% of thalassemic patients
      under 10 years of age and in 46.5% of patients above 10 years of age (p<
      0.000001). Also the observed difference between girls and boys, specially when
      they are more than 10 years of age is significant (p< 0.000001). Underweight is a
      common finding in patients with beta-thalassemia major specially when they are
      older than 10 years of age. This is possibly because of the occurrence of
      multiple endocrinopathies and also the presence of under-nutrition in these
      patients. So growth should be monitored routinely at regular intervals in order
      to detect any decline in growth velocity and also any derangement in BMI to
      establish an appropriate protocol for investigation and treatment. 

PMID- 27264283
TI  - Evaluation of neutrophil functions in obstructive jaundice patients.
AB  - Jaundiced surgical patients have a high incidence of post-operative complications
      and sepsis is a major factor in the high mortality and morbidity of obstructive
      jaundice patients after surgery. Cachexia and immune suppression have been shown
      to be involved in this post-operative complications. Since neutrophils
      dysfunction is recognized in recurrent infections in general, the aim of the
      study was to evaluate the functional status of neutrophils in jaundiced patients.
      Phagocytosis, bactericidal activity, mitogenic stimulation of T-lymphocytes and
      myeloperoxidase activity were measured in the neutrophils isolated from
      obstructive jaundice patients. Phagocytic and bactericidal activities of
      neutrophils were significantly low in obstructive jaundice patients. The number
      of cells stained for myeloperoxidase was significantly low in obstructive
      jaundice patients. There was a high level of stimulation and proliferation
      exhibited by lymphocytes when challenged by conconavalin-A and lipopolysaccharide
      in vitro. The functional impairment of neutrophils may be responsible for the
      immunity alteration in obstructive jaundice patients and this may be responsible
      for the post-operative complications in obstructive jaundiced patients. 

PMID- 27264282
TI  - ABO blood group prevalence in spontaneously repeated abortion.
AB  - The relation of ABO blood groups to disease is well established. In 1943, Levine
      had identified ABO incompatibility as a cause of early abortions and stillbirths.
      From this time onwards numerous workers produced data suggesting, mainly on the
      grounds of a deficiency of A children, and an excess of abortions, in the
      families of O women married to A men, that the A fetuses produced by such mating
      were especially liable to be aborted. Seventy-nine couples from Pune city
      (India), suffering from repeated abortion have been investigated for the ABO
      blood groups system to find out the frequency of ABO blood group phenotypes and
      ABO incompatibility as a cause of abortion. In husband group maximum number of
      individuals had blood group A. In wife group, blood group B showed the highest
      number of individuals. In mixed group 154 patients have been tested and out of
      these, again blood group A, shows the highest number of individuals. Blood group
      "A" and "AB" was significantly higher in individual and mixed groups as compared
      with normal groups in this study. ABO blood group of husband/wife mating was also
      determined, the analysis of husband/wife joint "ABO" blood group distribution in
      these couples, shows an excess of joint "A/B" blood groups in couples as compared
      with expected proportions assuming random mating. This study came to a conclusion
      that there is a clear increase in number of individuals for blood group A and AB
      in-patients with repeated abortion, and this factor may need to pay more
      attention in future investigations. It is possible that incompatibility of the
      antigens present in red blood cell membrane of husband/wife may play some role in
      abortion. 

PMID- 27264284
TI  - Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
      after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
AB  - Alveolar hemorrhage is an early complication after bone marrow transplantation
      (BMT) and often associated with inflammatory pulmonary processes. We present a
      case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage associated with BMT associated thrombotic
      thrombocytopenic purpura (BMT-TTP). An 18-years-old man with acute myeloid
      leukaemia (FAB; M5) underwent ABO incompatible BMT from his HLA-identical sister.
      On the 37th day of BMT, BMT-TTP was diagnosed with the occurrence of red cell
      fragmentation and rise in serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level with severe
      sudden decrease in hemoglobin and platelet levels. Cyclosporine A (CsA) was
      ceased and plasma infusion with plasma exchange was started. On the 42nd day of
      BMT, the diagnosis of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage was made by the clinical,
      bronchoscopic and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid findings. Alveolar hemorrhage
      among patients with BMT-TTP has been scarce reported. These two complications may
      be regarded as related, as small vessel injury is a central feature in both and
      they may share aetiological and pathogenetic factors. 

PMID- 27264285
TI  - Hereditary factor VII deficiency in two siblings: two different clinical
      presentation.
AB  - Factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder with a highly variable
      hemorrhagic predisposition. It is transmitted as an autosomal recessive and plays
      an important role in the initiation of blood coagulation forming a complex with
      tissue factor which activates FIX, FX and FVII zymogen. Prolonged prothrombin
      time with normal partial thromboplastin time indicates FVII deficiency. For the
      definitive diagnosis, the specific plasma FVII level should be investigated. FVII
      deficiency is expressed in different ways and leads to various clinical pictures.
      I reported two siblings with hereditary factor VII deficiency whose clinical
      presentations were different. 

PMID- 27264286
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27264287
TI  - Prevalence of hepatitis C infection in lymphoma patients in a Turkish center.

PMID- 27264288
TI  - Should carba mix be reintroduced into the European baseline series?

PMID- 27264289
TI  - Contact dermatitis caused by panthenol used for aftercare treatment of a new
      tattoo.

PMID- 27264290
TI  - Contact dermatitis caused by turmeric in a massage oil.

PMID- 27264292
TI  - A rare case of occupational contact urticaria syndrome caused by meranti wood
      dust.

PMID- 27264291
TI  - Deflazacort hypersensitivity: a difficult-to-manage case of systemic allergic
      dermatitis and literature review.

PMID- 27264293
TI  - Benzyl alcohol allergy mimicking corticosteroid allergy.

PMID- 27264294
TI  - Is p-phenylenediamine (PPD) a better marker of contact allergy to PPD-based hair
      dyes than its salt PPD dihydrochloride?

PMID- 27264295
TI  - Is there a good in vivo method to show whether gloves are sufficiently protective
      when a nail technician is exposed to (meth)acrylates? An in vivo pilot study.

PMID- 27264296
TI  - A Microbead Supported Membrane-Based Fluorescence Imaging Assay Reveals
      Intermembrane Receptor-Ligand Complex Dimension with Nanometer Precision.
AB  - Receptor-ligand complexes spanning a cell-cell interface inevitably establish a
      preferred intermembrane spacing based on the molecular dimensions and orientation
      of the complexes. This couples molecular binding events to membrane mechanics and
      large-scale spatial organization of receptors on the cell surface. Here, we
      describe a straightforward, epi-fluorescence-based method to precisely determine
      intermembrane receptor-ligand dimension at adhesions established by receptor
      ligand binding between apposed membranes in vitro. Adhesions were reconstituted
      between planar and silica microbead supported membranes via specific interaction
      between cognate receptor/ligand pairs (EphA2/EphrinA1 and E-cadherin/anti-E
      cadherin antibody). Epi-fluorescence imaging of the ligand enrichment zone in the
      supported membrane beneath the adhering microbead, combined with a simple
      geometrical interpretation, proves sufficient to estimate intermembrane receptor
      ligand dimension with better than 1 nm precision. An advantage of this assay is
      that no specialized equipment or imaging methods are required.

PMID- 27264309
TI  - Accelerated dysbiosis of gut microbiota during aggravation of DSS-induced colitis
      by a butyrate-producing bacterium.
AB  - Butyrate-producing bacteria (BPB) are potential probiotic candidates for
      inflammatory bowel diseases as they are often depleted in the diseased gut
      microbiota. However, here we found that augmentation of a human-derived butyrate
      producing strain, Anaerostipes hadrus BPB5, significantly aggravated colitis in
      dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-treated mice while exerted no detrimental effect in
      healthy mice. We explored how the interaction between BPB5 and gut microbiota may
      contribute to this differential impact on the hosts. Butyrate production and
      severity of colitis were assessed in both healthy and DSS-treated mice, and gut
      microbiota structural changes were analysed using high-throughput sequencing.
      BPB5-inoculated healthy mice showed no signs of colitis, but increased butyrate
      content in the gut. In DSS-treated mice, BPB5 augmentation did not increase
      butyrate content, but induced significantly more severe disease activity index
      and much higher mortality. BPB5 didn't induce significant changes of gut
      microbiota in healthy hosts, but expedited the structural shifts 3 days earlier
      toward the disease phase in BPB5-augmented than DSS-treated animals. The
      differential response of gut microbiota in healthy and DSS-treated mice to the
      same potentially beneficial bacterium with drastically different health
      consequences suggest that animals with dysbiotic gut microbiota should also be
      employed for the safety assessment of probiotic candidates.

PMID- 27264310
TI  - AMPA Receptor Plasticity in Accumbens Core Contributes to Incubation of
      Methamphetamine Craving.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incubation of cue-induced drug craving in rodents provides a
      model of persistent vulnerability to craving and relapse in human addicts. After
      prolonged withdrawal, incubated cocaine craving depends on strengthening of
      nucleus accumbens (NAc) core synapses through incorporation of Ca2+-permeable
      alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (CP-AMPARs).
      Through metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1)-mediated synaptic depression,
      mGluR1 positive allosteric modulators remove CP-AMPARs from these synapses and
      thereby reduce cocaine craving. This study aimed to determine if similar
      plasticity accompanies incubation of methamphetamine craving. METHODS: Rats self
      administered saline or methamphetamine under extended-access conditions. Cue
      induced seeking tests demonstrated incubation of methamphetamine craving. After
      withdrawal periods ranging from 1 to >40 days, rats underwent one of the
      following procedures: 1) whole-cell patch clamp recordings to characterize AMPAR
      transmission, 2) intra-NAc core injection of the CP-AMPAR antagonist 1-naphthyl
      acetyl spermine followed by a seeking test, or 3) systemic administration of a
      mGluR1 positive allosteric modulator followed by a seeking test. RESULTS:
      Incubation of methamphetamine craving was associated with CP-AMPAR accumulation
      in NAc core, and both effects were maximal after ~1 week of withdrawal.
      Expression of incubated craving was decreased by intra-NAc core 1-naphthyl acetyl
      spermine injection or systemic mGluR1 positive allosteric modulator
      administration. CONCLUSIONS: These results are the first to demonstrate a role
      for the NAc in the incubation of methamphetamine craving and describe adaptations
      in synaptic transmission associated with this model. They establish that
      incubation of craving and associated CP-AMPAR plasticity occur much more rapidly
      during withdrawal from methamphetamine compared with cocaine. However, a common
      mGluR1-based therapeutic strategy may be helpful for recovering cocaine and
      methamphetamine addicts.

PMID- 27264311
TI  - BMP7 gene polymorphisms are not associated with bone mineral density or
      osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal Chinese women.
AB  - AIM: A previous study shows that bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) gene
      polymorphisms are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in 920 European
      Americans. To determine the association of BMP7 polymorphisms and BMD and
      osteoporotic fracture susceptibility, we performed a case-control association
      study in postmenopausal Chinese women with or without osteoporotic fracture.
      METHODS: A total of 3815 unrelated postmenopausal Chinese women (1238 with
      osteoporotic fracture and 2577 healthy controls) were recruited. BMDs of the
      lumbar spine 1-4 (L1-4) and proximal femur (including total hip and femoral neck)
      were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Eight tagging single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BMP7 gene, including rs11086598, rs4811822,
      rs12481628, rs6025447, rs230205, rs17404303, rs162316 and rs6127980, were
      genotyped. RESULTS: Among the 8 SNPs, rs6025447 and rs230205 were associated with
      total hip BMD (P=0.013 and 0.045, respectively). However, the associations became
      statistically insignificant after adjusting for age, height and weight. The TGTG
      haplotype of BMP7 gene was associated with total hip BMD (P=0.032), even after
      adjusting for age, height and weight (P=0.048); but the association was
      insignificant after performing the Bonferroni multiple-significance-test
      correction. Moreover, the 8 SNPs and 9 haplotypes of BMP7 gene were not
      associated with L1-4 or femoral neck BMD or osteoporotic fracture. CONCLUSION:
      This large-sample case-control association study suggests that the common genetic
      polymorphisms of BMP7 gene are not major contributors to variations in BMD or
      osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal Chinese women.

PMID- 27264312
TI  - Novel CHOP activator LGH00168 induces necroptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells
      via ROS-mediated ER stress and NF-kappaB inhibition.
AB  - AIM: C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) is a transcription factor that is activated
      at multiple levels during ER stress and plays an important role in ER stress
      induced apoptosis. In this study we identified a novel CHOP activator, and
      further investigated its potential to be a therapeutic agent for human lung
      cancer. METHODS: HEK293-CHOP-luc reporter cells were used in high-throughput
      screening (HTS) to identify CHOP activators. The cytotoxicity against cancer
      cells in vitro was measured with MTT assay. The anticancer effects were further
      examined in A549 human non-small cell lung cancer xenograft mice. The mechanisms
      underlying CHOP activation were analyzed using luciferase assays, and the
      anticancer mechanisms were elucidated in A549 cells. RESULTS: From chemical
      libraries of 50 000 compounds, LGH00168 was identified as a CHOP activator, which
      showed cytotoxic activities against a panel of 9 cancer cell lines with an
      average IC50 value of 3.26 MUmol/L. Moreover, administration of LGH00168
      significantly suppressed tumor growth in A549 xenograft bearing mice. LGH00168
      activated CHOP promoter via AARE1 and AP1 elements, increased DR5 expression,
      decreased Bcl-2 expression, and inhibited the NF-kappaB pathway. Treatment of
      A549 cells with LGH00168 (10 MUmol/L) did not induce apoptosis, but lead to RIP1
      dependent necroptosis, accompanied by cell swelling, plasma membrane rupture,
      lysosomal membrane permeabilization, MMP collapse and caspase 8 inhibition.
      Furthermore, LGH00168 (10 and 20 MUmol/L) dose-dependently induced mito-ROS
      production in A549 cells, which was reversed by the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L
      cysteine (NAC, 10 mmol/L). Moreover, NAC significantly diminished LGH00168
      induced CHOP activation, NF-kappaB inhibition and necroptosis in A549 cells.
      CONCLUSION: LGH00168 is a CHOP activator that inhibits A549 cell growth in vitro
      and lung tumor growth in vivo.

PMID- 27264313
TI  - OL3, a novel low-absorbed TGR5 agonist with reduced side effects, lowered blood
      glucose via dual actions on TGR5 activation and DPP-4 inhibition.
AB  - AIM: TGR5 agonists stimulate intestinal glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release,
      but systemic exposure causes unwanted side effects, such as gallbladder filling.
      In the present study, linagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor with a large molecular
      weight and polarity, and MN6, a previously described TGR5 agonist, were linked to
      produce OL3, a novel low-absorbed TGR5 agonist with reduced side-effects and dual
      function in lowering blood glucose by activation of TGR5 and inhibition of DPP-4.
      METHODS: TGR5 activation was assayed in HEK293 cells stably expressing human or
      mouse TGR5 and a CRE-driven luciferase gene. DPP-4 inhibition was assessed based
      on the rate of hydrolysis of a surrogate substrate. GLP-1 secretion was measured
      in human enteroendocrine NCI-H716 cells. OL3 permeability was tested in Caco-2
      cells. Acute glucose-lowering effects of OL3 were evaluated in ICR and diabetic
      ob/ob mice. RESULTS: OL3 activated human and mouse TGR5 with an EC50 of 86.24 and
      17.36 nmol/L, respectively, and stimulated GLP-1 secretion in human
      enteroendocrine NCI-H716 cells (3-30 MUmol/L). OL3 inhibited human and mouse DPP
      4 with IC50 values of 18.44 and 69.98 MUmol/L, respectively. Low permeability of
      OL3 was observed in Caco-2 cells. In ICR mice treated orally with OL3 (150
      mg/kg), the serum OL3 concentration was 101.10 ng/mL at 1 h, and decreased to
      13.38 ng/mL at 5.5 h post dose, confirming the low absorption of OL3 in vivo. In
      ICR mice and ob/ob mice, oral administration of OL3 significantly lowered the
      blood glucose levels, which was a synergic effect of activating TGR5 that
      stimulated GLP-1 secretion in the intestine and inhibiting DPP-4 that cleaved GLP
      1 in the plasma. In ICR mice, oral administration of OL3 did not cause
      gallbladder filling. CONCLUSION: OL3 is a low-absorbed TGR5 agonist that lowers
      blood glucose without inducing gallbladder filling. This study presents a new
      strategy in the development of potent TGR5 agonists in treating type 2 diabetes,
      which target to the intestine to avoid systemic side effects.

PMID- 27264314
TI  - A high-throughput-compatible assay to measure the degradation of endogenous
      Huntingtin proteins.
AB  - AIM: The accumulation of disease-causing proteins is a common hallmark of many
      neurodegenerative disorders. Measuring the degradation of such proteins using
      high-throughput-compatible assays is highly desired for the identification of
      genetic and chemical modulators of degradation. For example, Huntington's disease
      (HD) is an incurable hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by the
      cytotoxicity of mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). The high-throughput measurement
      of mHTT degradation is important in HD drug discovery and research. Existing
      methods for such purposes have limitations due to their dependence on protein
      tags or pan protein synthesis inhibitors. Here, we report a high-throughput
      compatible pulse-chase method (CH-chase) for the measurement of endogenous tag
      free huntingtin protein (HTT) degradation based on Click chemistry and
      Homogeneous Time Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF) technologies. METHODS: The pulsed
      labeled proteins were conjugated with biotin using the click reaction strain
      promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC), and the chase signals were
      calculated by measuring the reduction percentage of the HTT HTRF signals after
      pull-down with streptavidin beads. RESULTS: We validated that the signals were
      within the linear detection range and were HTT-specific. We successfully measured
      the degradation of endogenous HTT in a high-throughput-compatible format using 96
      well plates. The predicted changes of HTT degradation by known modifiers were
      observed, which confirmed that the assay is suitable for the identification of
      HTT degradation modifiers. CONCLUSION: We have established the first high
      throughput-compatible assay capable of measuring endogenous, tag-free HTT
      degradation, providing a valuable tool for HD research and drug discovery. The
      method could be applied to other proteins and can facilitate research on other
      neurodegenerative disorders and proteinopathies.

PMID- 27264315
TI  - Activation of neuronal Kv7/KCNQ/M-channels by the opener QO58-lysine and its anti
      nociceptive effects on inflammatory pain in rodents.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the activation of neuronal Kv7/KCNQ
      channels by a novel modified Kv7 opener QO58-lysine and to test the anti
      nociceptive effects of QO58-lysine on inflammatory pain in rodent models.
      METHODS: Assays including whole-cell patch clamp recordings, HPLC, and in vivo
      pain behavioral evaluations were employed. RESULTS: QO58-lysine caused instant
      activation of Kv7.2/7.3 currents, and increasing the dose of QO58-lysine resulted
      in a dose-dependent activation of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 currents with an EC50 of 1.2+/-0.2
      MUmol/L. QO58-lysine caused a leftward shift of the voltage-dependent activation
      of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 to a hyperpolarized potential at V1/2=-54.4+/-2.5 mV from V1/2=
      26.0+/-0.6 mV. The half-life in plasma (t1/2) was derived as 2.9, 2.7, and 3.0 h
      for doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities
      for the three doses (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) of QO58-lysine (po) were determined
      as 13.7%, 24.3%, and 39.3%, respectively. QO58-lysine caused a concentration
      dependent reduction in the licking times during phase II pain induced by the
      injection of formalin into the mouse hindpaw. In the Complete Freund's adjuvant
      (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain model in rats, oral or intraperitoneal
      administration of QO58-lysine resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the paw
      withdrawal threshold, and the anti-nociceptive effect on mechanical allodynia
      could be reversed by the channel-specific blocker XE991 (3 mg/kg). CONCLUSION:
      Taken together, our findings show that a modified QO58 compound (QO58-lysine) can
      specifically activate Kv7.2/7.3/M-channels. Oral or intraperitoneal
      administration of QO58-lysine, which has improved bioavailability and a half-life
      of approximately 3 h in plasma, can reverse inflammatory pain in rodent animal
      models.

PMID- 27264316
TI  - Re: 'Lost in Translation: Time to Re-evaluate Our Definitions'.

PMID- 27264317
TI  - Lost in Translation: Time to Re-evaluate Our Definitions.

PMID- 27264318
TI  - Bacterial communities in Arctic first-year drift ice during the winter/spring
      transition.
AB  - Horizontal and vertical variability of first-year drift-ice bacterial communities
      was investigated along a North-South transect in the Fram Strait during the
      winter/spring transition. Two different developmental stages were captured along
      the transect based on the prevailing environmental conditions and the differences
      in bacterial community composition. The differences in the bacterial communities
      were likely driven by the changes in sea-ice algal biomass (2.6-5.6 fold
      differences in chl-a concentrations). Copiotrophic genera common in late
      spring/summer sea ice, such as Polaribacter, Octadecabacter and Glaciecola,
      dominated the bacterial communities, supporting the conclusion that the increase
      in the sea-ice algal biomass was possibly reflected in the sea-ice bacterial
      communities. Of the dominating bacterial genera, Polaribacter seemed to benefit
      the most from the increase in algal biomass, since they covered approximately 39%
      of the total community at the southernmost stations with higher (>6 MUg l(-1) )
      chl-a concentrations and only 9% at the northernmost station with lower chl-a
      concentrations (<6 MUg l(-1) ). The sea-ice bacterial communities also varied
      between the ice horizons at all three stations and thus we recommend that for
      future studies multiple ice horizons be sampled to cover the variability in sea
      ice bacterial communities in spring.

PMID- 27264320
TI  - [Qulity is always the lifeline of pathologic diagnosis].

PMID- 27264321
TI  - [Status and application of molecular pathoogy in development of personalized
      medicine in cancer therapy].

PMID- 27264322
TI  - [Issues and challenges in diagnosis of soft tissue tumors].

PMID- 27264319
TI  - Evaluation of a physiotherapy-led group rehabilitation intervention for adults
      living with HIV: referrals, adherence and outcomes.
AB  - HIV is characterised by episodes of disability. We report a novel, hospital
      outpatient rehabilitation intervention, combining physiotherapy-led group
      exercise and education for people living with HIV (PLWH). This observational
      study evaluated routine delivery of the 10-week intervention in terms of referral
      patterns, rehabilitation goals, intervention adherence and change in patient
      outcomes. Measurements at baseline & 10 weeks included locomotor performance (6
      minute walk test; 6MWT), flexibility, upper and lower limb strength and health
      related quality of life (HRQOL). Adherence was defined as attending >=8/20
      sessions, with reasons for non-adherence identified in retrospective telephone
      interviews. Goal Attainment Scale measured progression to individual goals. Total
      92 referrals were mostly for musculoskeletal (25.0%), oncological (19.6%) or
      cardio-metabolic (18.5%) reasons, and mostly male (81.5%), Caucasian (70.7%) and
      older (mean 51.5 years). Common themed rehabilitation goals included improving
      body image, participation, mobility, health/fitness and function. Adherence was
      achieved by 42 (46%) patients, with open access utilised by 34 patients,
      returning (n = 19) or restarting when non-adherent (n = 15). Post-intervention
      measurements collected for 37 (40%) patients demonstrated improvements in 6MWT
      distance (p < .001), flexibility (p < .001), strength in triceps (p < .001),
      biceps (p < .001), Lattisimus Dorsi (p < .001), shoulder-press (p < .001), chest
      press (p < 0.001), and leg-press (p < 0.001). HRQOL improved in total score (p <
      .001), physical (p < .001), emotional (p < .001) and functional (p = .065)
      subscales. Extent of goal achievement demonstrated 83% of goals was "expected" (n
      = 57), "somewhat more" (n = 31) or "much more" (n = 14). Reasons for non
      adherence from 21 telephone interviews identified physical health challenges,
      individual factors and time or location issues. This novel rehabilitation
      approach for PLWH improved function, HRQOL and goal attainment among those
      completing the intervention. Sub-optimal adherence likely relates to episodic
      disability.

PMID- 27264323
TI  - [Pathologic changes of lesions made in vivo by multi-pole radiofrequency ablation
      system in long bones of swine limbs].

PMID- 27264324
TI  - [Effects of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase expression down-regulation on cell
      apoptosis and invasion ability in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells].

PMID- 27264325
TI  - [Application of fluorescence in-situ hybridization in tissue microarray].

PMID- 27264326
TI  - [Multiple glomangiomatosis: report of a case].

PMID- 27264327
TI  - [Cryptococcosis of forearm bone and periosteal soft tissue: report of a case].

PMID- 27264328
TI  - [Type II enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma presenting with whole
      gastrointestinal tract involvement: report of a case].

PMID- 27264329
TI  - [Sebaceous lymphadenoma of parotid gland: report of a case].

PMID- 27264330
TI  - [Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder involving central nervous system:
      report of a case].

PMID- 27264331
TI  - [Mesenchymal-epithelial transition in soft tissue sarcoma: an overview and
      update].

PMID- 27264332
TI  - [Clinicopathologic features of gastroblastoma].

PMID- 27264333
TI  - The burden of road traffic injuries in Kermanshah Province, Iran, in 2010-2011:
      GBD 2010 method.
AB  - Deaths, injuries and disabilities resulting from road traffic injuries (RTIs) are
      a public health major concern. This study aims to calculate the burden of RTIs in
      Kermanshah Province in Iran. In this study to determine the years of life lost
      (YLL) related to RTIs, the National Death Registration and Forensics Medicine
      census data were employed. We use forensic medicine data to calculate the
      incidence of non-fatal injuries and years lost due to disability (YLD). The cause
      of death and non-fatal injuries was classified using ICD-10 codes and 23 groupes
      of global burden of diseases (GBD) 2010. The disability-adjusted life year (DALY)
      estimated on the guidelines of the GBD 2010 and age and sex structure was taken
      from the National Statistic Center for the year 2010. Overall, 70.8% of the
      subjects were males. The fatal and non-fatal injury rates of RTI were 51.3 and
      283.6 per 100,000 persons, respectively. YLLs and YLDs were 46613 (24.5 per 1000)
      and 3405 (1.8 per 1000) in both sexes, respectively. The disability adjusted life
      years were 40711 in males, 9306 in females and 50018 in both sexes (42.5, 9.8 and
      26.3 per 1000, respectively). More than 93% of DALY was from YLL (24.5 per 1000),
      with a small proportion for YLD (1.8 per 1000). Accounting for more than 50,000
      DALY attributed to RTIs, traffic injuries is a major public health and
      socioeconomic problem in Kermanshah. Designing cost-effective interventions based
      on comprehensive and multi-sectoral programmes at the national and provincial
      levels can save many lives and resources that are lost every year. Undoubtedly,
      establishing a surveillance system at the sub-national level and measuring the
      burden of injuries, as in this study, can help policy-makers and planners in
      lessening the burden of RTIs.

PMID- 27264334
TI  - Innate immune memory in mammals.
AB  - Innate and adaptive immunity have evolved as sophisticated mechanisms of host
      defence against invading pathogens. Classically the properties attributed to
      innate immunity are its rapid pleiotropic response, and to adaptive immunity its
      specificity and ability to retain a long-term memory of past infections. It is
      now clear that innate immunity also contributes to raising a memory response upon
      pathogenic assault. In this review we will discuss the interaction between
      bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic molecular patterns and innate immune cells
      in which a memory response is imposed, or has the potential to be imposed.

PMID- 27264335
TI  - Innate immune memory in plants.
AB  - The plant innate immune system comprises local and systemic immune responses.
      Systemic plant immunity develops after foliar infection by microbial pathogens,
      upon root colonization by certain microbes, or in response to physical injury.
      The systemic plant immune response to localized foliar infection is associated
      with elevated levels of pattern-recognition receptors, accumulation of dormant
      signaling enzymes, and alterations in chromatin state. Together, these systemic
      responses provide a memory to the initial infection by priming the remote leaves
      for enhanced defense and immunity to reinfection. The plant innate immune system
      thus builds immunological memory by utilizing mechanisms and components that are
      similar to those employed in the trained innate immune response of jawed
      vertebrates. Therefore, there seems to be conservation, or convergence, in the
      evolution of innate immune memory in plants and vertebrates.

PMID- 27264336
TI  - Western-style diet, sex steroids and metabolism.
AB  - The evolutionary transition from hunting to farming was associated with
      introduction of carbohydrate-rich diets. Today, the increased consumption of
      simple sugars and high-fat food brought about by Western-style diet and physical
      inactivity are leading causes of the growing obesity epidemic in the Western
      society. The extension of human lifespan far beyond reproductive age increased
      the burden of metabolic disorders associated with overnutrition and age-related
      hypogonadism. Sex steroids are essential regulators of both reproductive function
      and energy metabolism, whereas their imbalance causes infertility, obesity,
      glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and increased appetite. Clinical and
      translational studies suggest that dietary restriction and weight control can
      improve metabolic and reproductive outcomes of sex hormone-related pathologies,
      including testosterone deficiency in men and natural menopause and
      hyperandrogenemia in women. Minimizing metabolic and reproductive decline through
      rationally designed diet and exercise can help extend human reproductive age and
      promote healthy aging. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled:
      Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Quality in Diabetes/Obesity and Critical
      Illness Spectrum of Diseases - edited by P. Hemachandra Reddy.

PMID- 27264338
TI  - The interactions of mothers with eating disorders with their toddlers:
      identifying broader risk factors.
AB  - The connection between maternal eating disorders and feeding and eating problems
      among their children has been substantially demonstrated. This pilot study
      focused on the interactions between mothers with eating disorders and their
      toddlers in non-feeding situations. Twenty-eight dyads of mothers with prenatal
      eating disorders and their toddlers were compared to a case-matched control group
      with no eating disorder. Maternal current eating and co-occurring
      psychopathology, children's symptoms and mother-child interactions were measured.
      Mothers with eating disorders were less sensitive to their children, tried to
      control their children's behaviors more, and were less happy during mother-child
      interactions. The children in the maternal eating disorder group were rated as
      less responsive to their mothers and their mothers also reported more behavioral
      problems than those in the control group. Findings imply that maternal eating
      disorders may be linked with a wide range of adverse maternal and child behaviors
      beyond those associated with eating.

PMID- 27264337
TI  - Are circulating microRNAs peripheral biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease?
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized
      by memory loss, multiple cognitive abnormalities and intellectual impairments.
      Currently, there are no drugs or agents that can delay and/or prevent the
      progression of disease in elderly individuals, and there are no peripheral
      biomarkers that can detect AD early in its pathogenesis. Research has focused on
      identifying biomarkers for AD so that treatment can be begun as soon as possible
      in order to restrict or prevent intellectual impairments, memory loss, and other
      cognitive abnormalities that are associated with the disease. One such potential
      biomarker is microRNAs that are found in circulatory biofluids, such as blood and
      blood components, serum and plasma. Blood and blood components are primary
      sources where miRNAs are released in either cell-free form and then bind to
      protein components, or are in an encapsulated form with microvesicle particles.
      Exosomal miRNAs are known to be stable in biofluids and can be detected by high
      throughput techniques, like microarray and RNA sequencing. In AD brain, enriched
      miRNAs encapsulated with exosomes crosses the blood brain barrier and secreted in
      the CSF and blood circulations. This review summarizes recent studies that have
      identified miRNAs in the blood, serum, plasma, exosomes, cerebral spinal fluids,
      and extracellular fluids as potential biomarkers of AD. Recent research has
      revealed only six miRNAs - miR-9, miR-125b, miR-146a, miR-181c, let-7g-5p, and
      miR-191-5p - that were reported by multiple investigators. Some studies analyzed
      the diagnostic potential of these six miRNAs through receiver operating curve
      analysis which indicates the significant area-under-curve values in different
      biofluid samples. miR-191-5p was found to have the maximum area-under-curve value
      (0.95) only in plasma and serum samples while smaller area-under-curve values
      were found for miR-125, miR-181c, miR-191-5p, miR-146a, and miR-9. This article
      shortlisted the promising miRNA candidates and discussed their diagnostic
      properties and cellular functions in order to search for potential biomarker for
      AD.

PMID- 27264339
TI  - Arabidopsis YAK1 regulates abscisic acid response and drought resistance.
AB  - Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone that controls several plant
      processes such as seed germination, seedling growth, and abiotic stress response.
      Here, we report that AtYak1 plays an important role in ABA signaling and
      postgermination growth in Arabidopsis. AtYak1 knockout mutant plants were
      hyposensitive to ABA inhibition of seed germination, cotyledon greening, seedling
      growth, and stomatal movement. atyak1-1 mutant plants display reduced drought
      stress resistance, as evidenced by water loss rate and survival rate. Molecular
      genetic analysis revealed that AtYak1 deficiency led to elevated expression of
      stomatal-related gene, MYB60, and down-regulation of several stress-responsive
      genes. Altogether, these results indicate that AtYak1 plays a role as a positive
      regulator in ABA-mediated drought response in Arabidopsis.

PMID- 27264340
TI  - Optical coherence tomography of basal cell carcinoma: density and signal
      attenuation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent malignancy in
      Caucasians. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive optical imaging
      technology using the principle of interferometry. OCT has shown a great potential
      in diagnosing, monitoring, and follow-up of BCC. So far most OCT studies on the
      subject of BCC have had a qualitative focus, i.e. on morphological analysis of
      the OCT images. The aim of this study was to explore the use of quantitative OCT
      measurements, density, and attenuation coefficient in BCC lesions as a way to
      improve the OCT evaluation of BCC. METHODS: The study was based on OCT images of
      58 histologically verified BCC lesions and the corresponding normal adjacent
      skin. The study population was divided into two groups based on the OCT
      morphology of the BCC lesions: the "Disrupt BCC group" and the "Nodular BCC
      group". Density and attenuation coefficients were measured in the OCT images by
      specially designed software and the regions of interests (ROI) were placed
      directly on (ROI1) and under the visible BCC lesions (ROI2). The results were
      compared to the OCT images of normal adjacent skin. RESULTS: Disrupt BCC group:
      The densities of BCC lesions were significant lower (P = 0.002), than the normal
      skin in ROI1. Attenuation measurements were found to be significantly greater (P
      = 0.012) in BCC lesions compared to normal skin in ROI1. Nodular BCC group:
      Attenuation measurements were found to be significantly lower (P = 0.017) in BCC
      lesions compared to normal skin in ROI1. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a
      quantitative potential of OCT in the context of BCC. This study is exploratory
      and requires independent verification.

PMID- 27264342
TI  - Impulse control disorder in PD: A lateralized monoaminergic frontostriatal
      disconnection syndrome?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Impulse Control Disorder symptoms (ICD) in Parkinson's disease (PD)
      has been recently associated by magnetic Resonance imaging with impaired cortico
      striatal connectivity, especially between left putamen and frontal associative
      areas. METHODS: 84 patients entered the study (21 PD-ICD+ and 64 PD-ICD-) and
      underwent DATSCAN imaging. The striatal tracer uptake was evaluated using BRASS
      software (Hermes, Sweden). The whole-brain analysis was performed with
      Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM). RESULTS: PD-ICD+ showed a significant
      reduction of left putaminal and left inferior frontal gyrus tracer uptake
      compared to PD-ICD-. Functional covariance analysis using left putamen as the
      seed point showed that, in contrast to ICD-patients, ICD+ patients had no
      functional covariance with contralateral basal ganglia and ipsilateral cingulate
      cortex, as index of an impaired inter- and intra-hemispheric dopamine binding in
      PD-ICD+. DISCUSSION: the results support and expand the concept of a functional
      disconnection syndrome linked to ICD symptoms in PD patients through an
      asymmetric molecular frontostriatal network breakdown with left basal ganglia as
      central hub.

PMID- 27264341
TI  - Imaging cellular structures in super-resolution with SIM, STED and Localisation
      Microscopy: A practical comparison.
AB  - Many biological questions require fluorescence microscopy with a resolution
      beyond the diffraction limit of light. Super-resolution methods such as
      Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM), STimulated Emission Depletion (STED)
      microscopy and Single Molecule Localisation Microscopy (SMLM) enable an increase
      in image resolution beyond the classical diffraction-limit. Here, we compare the
      individual strengths and weaknesses of each technique by imaging a variety of
      different subcellular structures in fixed cells. We chose examples ranging from
      well separated vesicles to densely packed three dimensional filaments. We used
      quantitative and correlative analyses to assess the performance of SIM, STED and
      SMLM with the aim of establishing a rough guideline regarding the suitability for
      typical applications and to highlight pitfalls associated with the different
      techniques.

PMID- 27264343
TI  - Functional neuroimaging and clinical features of drug naive patients with de novo
      Parkinson's disease and probable RBD.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The association between Parkinson Disease (PD) and REM sleep
      behavior disorder (RBD) has been related to a specific, malignant clinical
      phenotype. Definite RBD diagnosis requires video-polysomnography that is often
      unfeasible. A malignant clinical PD-RBD phenotype could be expected also in PD
      patients with probable RBD. Aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate
      whether a more severe neuropsychological and functional neuroimaging phenotype
      can be identified in PD patients with probable RBD. METHODS: Thirty-eight de
      novo, drug naive PD patients underwent a first-line clinical assessment and a
      second-line multimodal assessment, including neuropsychological evaluation,
      (123)I-FP-CIT-SPECT and (18)F-FDG-PET, which were compared between PD patients
      with (PD + RBD+) and without (PD + RBD-) probable RBD. RESULTS: On first-line
      assessment, PD + RBD + patients had significantly more constipation (p = 0.02)
      and showed worse olfaction (p = 0.01) compared with PD + RBD-while the two groups
      were similar as for age, presence of orthostatic hypotension, UPDRS-III and MMSE
      scores. On second-line assessment, PD + RBD + patients showed a worse
      neuropsychological test profile, more severe nigro-striatal dopaminergic
      impairment, mainly at caudate level in the less affected hemisphere (p = 0.004)
      and impaired brain glucose metabolism, with relative hypometabolism in posterior
      cortical regions and relative hypermetabolism mainly in anterior regions of the
      more affected hemisphere (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: PD patients with probable RBD
      are likely to have a more severe neuropsychological and functional brain-imaging
      phenotype already at the time of diagnosis.

PMID- 27264346
TI  - Tropical Medicine & International Health.

PMID- 27264344
TI  - The prevalence of dementia with Lewy bodies in a rural area of China.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Data on the prevalence of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in China
      are limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of DLB in
      individuals aged 60 years and older and to analyze the associated risk factors
      and clinical features of DLB. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, two-phase,
      door-to-door, population-based study that included 5542 participants aged at
      least 60 years who resided in Ji County. In phase I of the study, we used the
      Mini-Mental State Examination, the Clinical Dementia Rating scale, and the
      Activities of Daily Living scale to screen for dementia. Any person who was
      suspected of having dementia underwent a clinical examination, blood tests, and a
      neuroimaging examination to confirm the diagnosis of dementia. In phase II of the
      study, we further screened eligible participants for DLB using consensus
      guidelines for the clinical and pathologic diagnosis of DLB. RESULTS: The overall
      prevalence of DLB in the total population of 5542 study participants was 1.05%;
      the prevalence of DLB was 10.10% in the population with dementia. Compared to
      individuals without cognitive impairment, patients with DLB were less engaged in
      social activities. Having fewer than 5 years of formal education might be a risk
      factor for DLB. The three core symptoms of DLB - fluctuating cognition, visual
      hallucinations, and Parkinsonism - were observed in 60.34%, 68.97%, and 63.79% of
      patients with DLB, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study provides the first
      information of the prevalence of DLB in a rural area of China.

PMID- 27264347
TI  - Exceptional high fatigue strength in Cu-15at.%Al alloy with moderate grain size.
AB  - It is commonly proposed that the fatigue strength can be enhanced by increasing
      the tensile strength, but this conclusion needs to be reconsidered according to
      our study. Here a recrystallized alpha-Cu-15at.%Al alloy with moderate grain size
      of 0.62 MUm was fabricated by cold rolling and annealing, and this alloy achieved
      exceptional high fatigue strength of 280 MPa at 10(7) cycles. This value is much
      higher than the fatigue strength of 200 MPa for the nano-crystalline counterpart
      (0.04 MUm in grain size) despite its higher tensile strength. The remarkable
      improvement of fatigue strength should be mainly attributed to the microstructure
      optimization, which helps achieve the reduction of initial damage and the
      dispersion of accumulated damage. A new strategy of "damage reduction" was then
      proposed for fatigue strength improvement, to supplement the former strengthening
      principle. The methods and strategies summarized in this work offer a general
      pathway for further improvement of fatigue strength, in order to ensure the long
      term safety of structural materials.

PMID- 27264348
TI  - Diagnostic value of angled oblique sagittal images of the supraspinatus tendon
      for the detection of rotator cuff tears on MR imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the added value of sagittal T2
      weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the supraspinatus tendon by
      comparison with a standard MRI protocol for the evaluation of the rotator cuff.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective single center study included 100
      patients referred for MRI for suspected rotator cuff injuries. Two observers
      compared sagittal T2-weighted fat-suppressed orthogonal images of the distal
      portion of the supraspinatus muscle ("cuff" protocol) to those acquired according
      to the standard MRI protocol, which focuses on the glenoid. The two observers
      evaluated the appearance of each rotator cuff tendon and indicated whether the
      "cuff protocol" facilitated interpretation. RESULTS: The sensitivity and
      specificity for the detection of lesions ranged from 79 to 97% and 80 to 99%
      respectively. The interobserver variability coefficient was good for the
      supraspinatus (k=0.744). The new sequence helped localize and characterize
      rotator cuff injuries in 24-40% of the cases for the supraspinatus, in particular
      for partial tears and tendinopathies. CONCLUSION: The results of the specific MRI
      "cuff" protocol focusing on the supraspinatus are good, and helps facilitate
      interpretation of MRIs of the rotator cuff by non-specialist radiologists, in
      particular of the supraspinatus muscle.

PMID- 27264345
TI  - Copy-number variation of MCL1 predicts overall survival of non-small-cell lung
      cancer in a Southern Chinese population.
AB  - BCL2L1 and MCL1 are key anti-apoptotic genes, and critical for cancer
      progression. The prognostic values of BCL2L1 and MCL1 copy-number variations
      (CNVs) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely unknown. Somatic CNVs
      in BCL2L1 and MCL1 genes were tested in tumor tissues from 516 NSCLC patients in
      southern China; afterward, survival analyses were conducted with overall survival
      (OS) as outcome. Additionally, the associations between CNVs and mRNA expression
      levels were explored using data from 986 NSCLC patients in the Cancer Genome
      Atlas project. It was found that amplifications of BCL2L1 and MCL1 were
      associated with unfavorable OS of NSCLC, with adjusted hazards ratio of 1.62 (95%
      confident interval [CI] = 1.10-2.40; P = 0.015) and 1.39 (95% CI = 1.05-1.84; P =
      0.020), respectively. Amplifications of MCL1, but not BCL2L1, were related with
      higher mRNA expression levels of corresponding gene, compared with non
      amplifications (P = 0.005). Interestingly, after incorporating with MCL1 CNV
      status, clinical variables (age, sex, TNM stage, and surgical approach) showed an
      improved discriminatory ability to classify OS (area under curve increased from
      72.2% to 74.1%; P = 0.042, DeLong's test). Overall, MCL1 CNV might be a
      prognostic biomarker for NSCLC, and additional investigations are needed to
      validate our findings.

PMID- 27264349
TI  - Nutcracker syndrome: The role of three-dimensional imaging for the diagnosis.

PMID- 27264350
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 27264351
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 27264352
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 27264353
TI  - Reply by Authors.

PMID- 27264354
TI  - Comparing results from multiple imputation and dynamic marginal structural models
      for estimating when to start antiretroviral therapy.
AB  - Optimal timing of initiating antiretroviral therapy has been a controversial
      topic in HIV research. Two highly publicized studies applied different analytical
      approaches, a dynamic marginal structural model and a multiple imputation method,
      to different observational databases and came up with different conclusions.
      Discrepancies between the two studies' results could be due to differences
      between patient populations, fundamental differences between statistical methods,
      or differences between implementation details. For example, the two studies
      adjusted for different covariates, compared different thresholds, and had
      different criteria for qualifying measurements. If both analytical approaches
      were applied to the same cohort holding technical details constant, would their
      results be similar? In this study, we applied both statistical approaches using
      observational data from 12,708 HIV-infected persons throughout the USA. We held
      technical details constant between the two methods and then repeated analyses
      varying technical details to understand what impact they had on findings. We also
      present results applying both approaches to simulated data. Results were similar,
      although not identical, when technical details were held constant between the two
      statistical methods. Confidence intervals for the dynamic marginal structural
      model tended to be wider than those from the imputation approach, although this
      may have been due in part to additional external data used in the imputation
      analysis. We also consider differences in the estimands, required data, and
      assumptions of the two statistical methods. Our study provides insights into
      assessing optimal dynamic treatment regimes in the context of starting
      antiretroviral therapy and in more general settings. Copyright (c) 2016 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27264355
TI  - Distinct Defects in Synaptic Differentiation of Neocortical Neurons in Response
      to Prenatal Valproate Exposure.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental
      disorders characterized by impairments in social interactions and stereotyped
      behaviors. Valproic acid (VPA) is frequently used to treat epilepsy and bipolar
      disorders. When taken during pregnancy, VPA increases the risk of the unborn
      child to develop an ASD. In rodents, in utero VPA exposure can precipitate
      behavioral phenotypes related to ASD in the offspring. Therefore, such rodent
      models may allow for identification of synaptic pathophysiology underlying ASD
      risk. Here, we systematically probed alterations in synaptic proteins that might
      contribute to autism-related behavior in the offspring of in utero VPA-exposed
      mice. Moreover, we tested whether direct VPA exposure of cultured neocortical
      neurons may recapitulate the molecular alterations seen in vivo. VPA-exposed
      neurons in culture exhibit a significant increase in the number of glutamatergic
      synapses accompanied by a significant decrease in the number of GABAergic
      synapses. This shift in excitatory/inhibitory balance results in substantially
      increased spontaneous activity in neuronal networks arising from VPA-exposed
      neurons. Pharmacological experiments demonstrate that the alterations in
      GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic proteins and structures are largely caused
      by inhibition of histone deacetylases. Therefore, our study highlights an
      epigenetic mechanism underlying the synaptic pathophysiology in this ASD model.

PMID- 27264356
TI  - Resistance Elasticity of Antibiotic Demand in Intensive Care.
AB  - The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is still an unresolved
      problem worldwide. In intensive care units (ICUs), first-line antibiotic therapy
      is highly standardized and widely empiric while treatment failure because of AMR
      often has severe consequences. Simultaneously, there is a limited number of
      reserve antibiotics, whose prices and/or side effects are substantially higher
      than first-line therapy. This paper explores the implications of resistance
      induced substitution effects in ICUs. The extent of such substitution effects is
      shown in a dynamic fixed effect regression analysis using a panel of 66 German
      ICUs with monthly antibiotic use and resistance data between 2001 and 2012. Our
      findings support the hypothesis that demand for reserve antibiotics substantially
      increases when resistance towards first-line agents rises. For some analyses the
      lagged effect of resistance is also significant, supporting the conjecture that
      part of the substitution effect is caused by physicians changing antibiotic
      choices in empiric treatment by adapting their resistance expectation to new
      information on resistance prevalence. The available information about resistance
      rates allows physicians to efficiently balance the trade-off between exacerbating
      resistance and ensuring treatment success. However, resistance-induced
      substitution effects are not free of charge. These effects should be considered
      an indirect burden of AMR. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27264358
TI  - Regeneration and rewiring of rodent olfactory sensory neurons.
AB  - The olfactory sensory neurons are the only neurons in the mammalian nervous
      system that not only regenerate naturally and in response to injury, but also
      project to specific targets in the brain. The stem cells in the olfactory
      epithelium commit to both neuronal and non-neuronal lineages depending on the
      environmental conditions. They provide a continuous supply of new neurons. A
      newly generated neuron must express a specific odorant receptor gene and project
      to a central target consist of axons expressing the same receptor type. Recent
      studies have provided insights into this highly regulated, complex process.
      However, the molecular mechanisms that determine the regenerative capacity of
      stem cells, and the ability of newly generated neurons in directing their axons
      toward specific targets, remain elusive. Here we review progresses and
      controversies in the field and offer testable models.

PMID- 27264357
TI  - NT-3 promotes proprioceptive axon regeneration when combined with activation of
      the mTor intrinsic growth pathway but not with reduction of myelin extrinsic
      inhibitors.
AB  - Although previous studies have identified several strategies to stimulate
      regeneration of CNS axons, extensive regeneration and functional recovery have
      remained a major challenge, particularly for large diameter myelinated axons.
      Within the CNS, myelin is thought to inhibit axon regeneration, while modulating
      activity of the mTOR pathway promotes regeneration of injured axons. In this
      study, we examined NT-3 mediated regeneration of sensory axons through the dorsal
      root entry zone in a triple knockout of myelin inhibitory proteins or after
      activation of mTOR using a constitutively active (ca) Rheb in DRG neurons to
      determine the influence of environmental inhibitory or activation of intrinsic
      growth pathways could enhance NT-3-mediate regeneration. Loss of myelin
      inhibitory proteins showed modest enhancement of sensory axon regeneration. In
      mTOR studies, we found a dramatic age related decrease in the mTOR activation as
      determined by phosphorylation of the downstream marker S6 ribosomal subunit.
      Expression of caRheb within adult DRG neurons in vitro increased S6
      phosphorylation and doubled the overall length of neurite outgrowth, which was
      reversed in the presence of rapamycin. In adult female rats, combined expression
      of caRheb in DRG neurons and NT-3 within the spinal cord increased regeneration
      of sensory axons almost 3 fold when compared to NT-3 alone. Proprioceptive
      assessment using a grid runway indicates functionally significant regeneration of
      large-diameter myelinated sensory afferents. Our results indicate that caRheb
      induced increase in mTOR activation enhances neurotrophin-3 induced regeneration
      of large-diameter myelinated axons.

PMID- 27264360
TI  - Visualization of Diffusion within Nanoarrays.
AB  - The direct experimental characterization of diffusion processes at nanoscale
      remains a challenge that could help elucidate processes in biology, medicine and
      technology. In this report, two experimental approaches were employed to
      visualize ion diffusion profiles at the orifices of nanopores (radius (ra) of 86
      +/- 6 nm) in array format: (1) electrochemically assisted formation of silica
      deposits based on surfactant ion transfer across nanointerfaces between two
      immiscible electrolyte solutions (nanoITIES); (2) combined atomic force -
      scanning electrochemical microscopy (AFM-SECM) imaging of topography and redox
      species diffusion through the nanopores. The nature of the diffusion zones formed
      around the pores is directly related to the interpore distance within the array.
      Nanopore arrays with different ratios of pore center-to-center separation (rc) to
      pore radius (ra) were fabricated by focused ion beam (FIB) milling of silicon
      nitride (SiN) membranes, with 100 pores in a hexagonal arrangement. The ion
      diffusion profiles determined by the two visualization methods indicated the
      formation of overlapped or independent diffusion profiles at nanopore arrays with
      rc/ra ratios of 21 +/- 2 and 91 +/- 7, respectively. In particular, the silica
      deposition method resulted in formation of a single deposit encompassing the
      complete array with closer nanopore arrangement, whereas individual silica
      deposits were formed around each nanopore within the more widely spaced array.
      The methods reveal direct experimental evidence of diffusion zones at nanopore
      arrays and provide practical illustration that the pore-pore separation within
      such arrays has a significant impact on diffusional transport as the pore size is
      reduced to the nanoscale. These approaches to nanoscale diffusion zone
      visualization open up possibilities for better understanding of molecular
      transport processes within miniaturized systems.

PMID- 27264361
TI  - Inflammatory bowel disease treatment.

PMID- 27264359
TI  - Cutaneous tissue damage induces long-lasting nociceptive sensitization and
      regulation of cellular stress- and nerve injury-associated genes in sensory
      neurons.
AB  - Tissue damage is one of the major etiological factors in the emergence of
      chronic/persistent pain, although mechanisms remain enigmatic. Using incision of
      the back skin of adult rats as a model for tissue damage, we observed
      sensitization in a nociceptive reflex enduring to 28days post-incision (DPI). To
      determine if the enduring behavioral changes corresponded with a long-term impact
      of tissue damage on sensory neurons, we examined the temporal expression profile
      of injury-regulated genes and the electrophysiological properties of traced
      dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons. The mRNA for the injury/stress-hub
      gene Activating Transcription Factor 3 (ATF3) was upregulated and peaked within 4
      DPI, after which levels declined but remained significantly elevated out to 28
      DPI, a time when the initial incision appears healed and tissue-inflammation
      largely resolved. Accordingly, stereological image analysis indicated that some
      neurons expressed ATF3 only transiently (mostly medium-large neurons), while in
      others it was sustained (mostly small neurons), suggesting cell-type-specific
      responses. In retrogradely-traced ATF3-expressing neurons, Calcium/calmodulin
      dependent protein kinase type IV (CAMK4) protein levels and isolectin-B4 (IB4)
      binding were suppressed whereas Growth Associated Protein-43 (GAP-43) and
      Neuropeptide Y (NPY) protein levels were enhanced. Electrophysiological
      recordings from DiI-traced sensory neurons 28 DPI showed a significant
      sensitization limited to ATF3-expressing neurons. Thus, ATF3 expression is
      revealed as a strong predictor of single cells displaying enduring pain-related
      electrophysiological properties. The cellular injury/stress response induced in
      sensory neurons by tissue damage and indicated by ATF3 expression is positioned
      to contribute to pain which can occur after tissue damage.

PMID- 27264362
TI  - Allogeneic leukocytes in cardiac surgery: Good or bad?
AB  - Worldwide, cardiac surgery is a common procedure requiring a large quantity of
      allogeneic blood products, which are associated with postoperative complications.
      Leukocytes present in blood products may play a role in these complications,
      which are referred to as transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM). Several
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in different settings investigated the
      effects of allogeneic leukocytes in red blood cells (RBCs). Cardiac surgery
      studies reported a reduction in postoperative infections and mortality in
      patients that received leukocyte-reduced RBCs compared with leukocyte-containing
      RBCs; this was mainly due to more deaths due to infections and multiple organ
      dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in the group that received leukocyte-containing RBCs.
      Patients with postoperative complications had higher concentrations of
      inflammatory mediators. These findings suggest that leukocyte-containing
      transfusion during cardiac surgery induces a second insult to the systemic
      inflammatory response. In the present review we discuss the possible role of
      blood transfusions in cardiac surgery. Especially, we focus on the possible role
      of allogeneic leukocytes associated with postoperative complications after
      cardiac surgery. 

PMID- 27264363
TI  - The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha -308 G/A and transforming growth factor
      beta 1 -915 G/C polymorphisms in childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To increase our understanding of the etiology of idiopathic
      thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) some cytokine gene polymorphisms were analyzed for
      susceptibility to the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the role
      of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) -308 G/A and transforming growth
      factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) -915 G/C polymorphisms in the development and clinical
      progression of childhood ITP. METHODS: In all, 50 pediatric patients with ITP (25
      with acute ITP and 25 with chronic ITP) and 48 healthy controls were investigated
      via LightCycler(r) PCR analysis for TNF-alpha -308 G/A and TGF-beta1 -915 G/C
      polymorphisms. RESULTS: The frequency of TNF-alpha -308 G/A polymorphism was 20%,
      16%, and 22.9% in the acute ITP patients, chronic ITP patients, and controls,
      respectively (p>0.05). The frequency of TGF-beta1 -915 G/C polymorphism was 16%,
      8%, and 8.3% in the acute ITP patients, chronic ITP patients, and controls,
      respectively (p>0.05). The risk of developing ITP and clinical progression were
      not associated with TNF-alpha -308 G/A (OR: 0.738, 95% CI: 0.275-1.981, and OR:
      0.762, 95% CI: 0.179-3.249) or TGF-beta1 -915 G/C (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.396-5.685,
      and OR: 0.457, 95% CI: 0.076-2.755) polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: The frequency of
      TNF-alpha -308 G/A and TGF-beta1 -915 G/C polymorphisms did not differ between
      pediatric ITP patients and healthy controls, and these polymorphisms were not
      associated with susceptibility to the development and clinical progression of the
      disease.

PMID- 27264364
TI  - Influence of detection of pretreatment cytogenetic abnormalities on first
      complete remission and survival in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults focuses on
      the initial assessment of the prognostic relevant cytogenetic features as well as
      a response-guided therapy based on molecular data. We examined the importance of
      molecular-cytogenetic abnormalities for complete remission (CR) rates and the
      overall survival (OS) in adult ALLs. METHODS: Conventional cytogenetics and
      fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed on bone marrow cells from 33
      newly-diagnosed ALL adults. Two karyotype categories [standard- risk group-
      normal karyotype, hyperdiplody and other structural aberrations, and high-risk
      group-t(11q23)/MLL, t(9;22)/bcr-abl, t(1;19), t(8;14), C-MYC and complex
      karyotype] and the biologically and clinically relevant ALL ploidy subgroups were
      prospectively defined. RESULTS: Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 52% of
      the cases with a high rate of poor-risk translocations - t(9;22), t(8q24),
      t(11q23), t(1;19). The total CR rate was 67% and the median time for achievement
      2.33 months. Male sex, an age below 35 years and the absence of high risk
      translocations might have contributed to the high CR rates. Female patients,
      hyperdiplody, low white blood cells (WBC), and random cytogenetic aberrations had
      the longest OS. OS, 3- and 5-years survival periods were significantly shorter
      for poor-risk than standard risk group (p=.015, p=.001 and p=.005, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the lack of influence of cytogenetic
      aberrations on the CR and the time to achieve CR. However, our observations show
      that these aberrations are an independent prognostic factor in adult ALL - they
      allow predicting therapy resistance and the OS time after intense treatment.

PMID- 27264365
TI  - Variant Philadelphia translocations with different breakpoints in six chronic
      myeloid leukemia patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome, consisting of the t(9;22)(q34;q11)
      translocation, is observed in ~90% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia
      (CML). Variant Ph translocations are observed in 5%-10% of CML patients. In
      variant translocations 3 and possibly more chromosomes are involved. Herein we
      report 6 CML patients with variant Ph translocations. METHODS: Bone marrow
      samples were examined using conventional cytogenetic meth ods. Fluorescence in
      situ hybridization (FISH) with whole-chromosome paints and BCR-ABL 1D probes were
      used to confirm and/or complement the findings, and identify rearrangements
      beyond the resolution of conventional cytogenetic methods. RESULTS: Variant Ph
      translocations in the 6 patients were as follows: t(7;22)(p22;q11),
      t(9;22;15)(q34;q11;q22), t(15;22)(p11;q11), t(1;9;22;3)(q24;q34;q11;q21),
      t(12;22)(p13;q11), and t(4;8;9;22)(q11;q13;q34;q11). CONCLUSION: Among the
      patients, 3 had simple and 3 had complex variant Ph translocations. Two of the
      presented cases had variant Ph chromosomes not previously described, 1 of which
      had a new complex Ph translocation involving chromosomes 1, 3, 9, 22, and
      t(1;9;22;3)(q24;q34;q11;q21) apart from a clone with a classical Ph, and the
      other case had variant Ph translocation with chromosomes 4, 8, 9, and 22, and
      t(4;8;9;22)(q11;q13;q34;q11) full complex translocation. Number of studies
      reported that some patients with variant Ph translocation were poor responders to
      imatinib. All of our patients with variant Ph translocations had suboptimal
      responses to imatinib, denoting a poor prognosis also. Variant Ph translocations
      may be important as they are associated with prognosis and therapy for CML
      patients.

PMID- 27264366
TI  - Outcomes in 102 patients that present to the emergency department with
      chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a major toxic responseto chemotherapy
      requiring prompt medical attention. There are a limited number of reports on
      clinical outcome in patients with FN that present to emergency departments.
      METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated clinical manifestations, therapeutic
      outcomes, and risk factors for FN in 102 adult patients that presented to the
      emergency department between 1 January 2006 and 31 March 2009. FN was defined as
      a body temperature>38 degrees C and a neutrophil count >0.5*109/L on the day of
      fever onset or the day after. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 57 years.
      Mean absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was 436.8/mm3 (range: 0-1000/mm3). In all,
      23 of the patients (22.5%) died due to complications related to FN. There were
      not a statistical difference in therapeutic outcome among tumor types,
      performance status, sex, depth of neutropenia, or time from emergency department
      presentationto initiation of antibiotic therapy. Age was an important prognostic
      factor for therapeutic outcome. Mean age of fatal cases was 65 years versus 56
      years for non-fatal cases (p=0.016). Bacteremia was noted in 19 patients, 10
      (53%) of which died. The mortality rate was significantly higher in thepatients
      with blood culture-proven bacteria than in those whose blood culture yielded no
      organism (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: FN patients that presented to the emergency
      department had a high mortality rate that increased with age. Given the
      increasing age of patients diagnosed with cancer as well as therapeutic
      interventions, the high mortality rate associated withchemotherapy-induced FN in
      elderly patients requires further study in order to reduce the risk of death.

PMID- 27264367
TI  - Management of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in children and adolescents: A single
      center experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present and discuss the treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia
      (AIHA). METHODS: The medical records of all patients (n=19) diagnosed in a
      tertiary hematology center between 1999 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.
      RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis of AIHA was 5 years (range: 4 months-17 years).
      In all, 13 patients had primary (idiopathic) AIHA, whereas 2 had primary Evans
      Syndrome (ES), 2 had autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS)+ES, and 1 had
      Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS)+AIHA. Among the 13 primary idiopathic AIHA
      patients, 9 recovered following a 4-8-week course of prednisolone treatment
      without relapses, whereas 3 patients required a longer course of prednisolone.
      One AIHA patient that was very resistant to prednisolone recovered after
      cyclosporine A was added to the treatment. All patients with primary idiopathic
      AIHA were in remission for a median of 3 years (range: 4 months-10 years) at the
      time this manuscript was written. Among the patients with primary ES, 2 had
      relapses similar to the ALPS patients. Splenectomy was performed in 1 primary ES
      patient, who at the time this report was written was also in remission. One ALPS
      patient required the addition of mycophenolate mofetil due to prednisolone
      resistance. The WAS patient was treatment resistant and died due to septicemia.
      CONCLUSION: Primary AIHA in pediatric patients generally has an acute onset and
      good response to corticosteroids. Primary or secondary ES has a chronic or
      relapsing course, and treatment may require other immunosuppressive agents in
      addition to corticosteroids. Complications of splenectomy must not be
      underestimated in patients with underlying immunodeficiency. AIHA often causes
      considerable morbidity and mortality in WAS.

PMID- 27264368
TI  - Surgical and histopathological effects of topical Ankaferd(r) hemostat on major
      arterial vessel injury related to elevated intra-arterial blood pressure.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the surgical and histopathological
      hemostatic effects of topical Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) on major arterial
      vessel injury related to elevated intra-arterial blood pressure in an
      experimental rabbit model. METHODS: The study included 14 New Zealand rabbits.
      ABS was used to treat femoral artery puncture on 1 side in each animal and the
      other untreated side served as the control. Likewise, for abdominal aortic
      puncture, only 50% of the aortic injuries received topical liquid ABS and the
      others did not (control). The experiment was performed under conditions of normal
      arterial blood pressure and was repeated with a 50% increase in blood pressure.
      Histopathological analysis was performed in all of the studied animals. RESULTS:
      Mean bleeding time in the control femoral arteries was 105.0+/-18.3 s, versus
      51.4+/-9.8 s (p<0.05) in those treated with ABS. Mean blood loss from the
      punctured control femoral arteries was 5.0+/-1.5 mg and 1.6+/-0.4 mg from those
      treated with ABS (p<0.05). Histopathological examination of the damaged arterial
      structures showed that ABS induced red blood cell aggregates. CONCLUSION: ABS
      administered to experimental major arterial vessel injury reduced both bleeding
      time and blood loss under conditions of normal and elevated intra-arterial blood
      pressure. ABS-induced erythroid aggregation was prominent at the vascular tissue
      level. These findings will inform the design of future experimental and clinical
      studies on the anti-bleeding and vascular repairing effects of the novel
      hemostatic agent ABS.

PMID- 27264369
TI  - ADAMTS-13 gene expression in antiphospholipid syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder
      characterized by recurrent thrombosis and fetal mortality. Thrombotic
      microangiopathy (TMA) is an important histological finding in catastrophic APS
      (CAPS) and in APS patients with nephropathy. Analysis of familial thrombotic
      thrombocytopenic purpura patients showed that there are mutations in the ADAMTS
      13 gene that lead to functional defects in the ADAMTS-13 enzyme. The aim of this
      study was to investigate the prevalence of the aforementioned mutations in APS,
      as well as to evaluate the level and activity of the ADAMTS-13 enzyme in patients
      with APS. METHODS: C365del, Q449stop codon, P475S, and C508Y mutations were
      analyzed in APS patients. Transcriptions were analyzed using real-time PCR, and
      the level and activity of ADAMTS-13 were analyzed via fluorogenic assay. RESULTS:
      None of the mutations tested were present in the patient or control groups. The
      level of ADAMTS-13 mRNA in the patient group was 50% lower than that in the
      control group. Although a significant difference in ADAMTS-13 activity was not
      observed between the patient and control groups, a significant association was
      observed with the level of ADAMTS-13 (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The level and
      activity of ADAMTS-13 were not associated with thrombotic complications,
      thrombocytopenia, or pregnancy complications in the patients with APS.

PMID- 27264370
TI  - The effect of HBB: c.*+96T>C (3'UTR +1570 T>C) on the mild b-thalassemia
      intermedia phenotype.
AB  - Hemoglobin beta (HBB): c.*+96T>C substitution is very rare among beta-globin gene
      mutations and its clinical significance remains to be clarified. The present
      study aimed to investigate the role of HBB: c.*+96T>C in the beta-thalassemia
      intermedia phenotype in a Turkish family. The proband and parents were screened
      for beta-globin gene mutations via direct sequencing. Hematological and physical
      examination results were recorded, and correlated according to genotype. The
      proband was compound heterozygous for Cod 8 (-AA) and HBB: c.*+96T>C, whereas his
      mother and father were heterozygous for Cod 8 (-AA) and HBB: c.*+96T>C,
      respectively. The father had almost normal hematological findings, whereas the
      mother had the typical beta-thalassemia trait phenotype. The proband was
      diagnosed as mild beta-thalassemia intermedia based on hepatosplenomegaly and
      hematological findings. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of
      HBB: c.*+96T>C mutation in a Turkish family. HBB: c.* 96T>C substitution is a
      very rare, but clinically relevant beta-globin gene mutation. Additionally, we
      think that if 1 spouse is a carrier for beta-globin gene mutation the other
      should be screened for silent mutations, such as HBB: c.*+96T>C mutation of the
      beta-globin gene, even if she/he does not have any clinical or hematological
      signs of the beta-thalassemia trait phenotype. 

PMID- 27264371
TI  - Eculizumab before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in
      a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
AB  - Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by the triad of
      intravascular hemolysis, venous thrombosis, and cytopenia. Treatment of PNH is
      generally supportive. Bone marrow transplantation is the only curative therapy
      for PNH, but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Herein, we
      present a patient with PNH that received eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal
      antibody that blocks activation of the terminal complement at C5, before and
      immediately following allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation. Prior to
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation eculizumab treatment markedly reduced
      hemolysis and transfusion requirement; however, 1 d post transplantation a
      hemolytic episode occured, which was successfully stopped with eculizumab re
      treatment. Afterwards the patient did not require additional transfusions. The
      results of this study indicate that early administration of eculizumab may be a
      safe and effective therapy for hemolytic episodes associated with allogeneic
      peripheral stem cell transplantation in patients with PNH. 

PMID- 27264372
TI  - Extramedullary plasmacytoma presenting as a mediastinal mass.
AB  - Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a plasma cell neoplasm without bone marrow
      involvement or other systemic characteristics of multiple myeloma. Few large
      scale clinical studies have been conducted because of the rarity of EMP,
      especially when it arises from the mediastinum. Herein we report a rare case of
      solitary mediastinal plasmacytoma with reactive pleural effusion. A 58-year-old
      female presented with grade 4 dyspnea and dysphagia, with a mediastinal mass
      observed with on PET. CT-guided biopsy results were suggestive of IgG kappa-type
      EMP arising from the anterior mediastinum. The patient was treated with local
      radiotherapy to the mediastinum, and had clinical and radiological response s
      were good. Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for mediastinal EMP, but a
      complete workup is mandatory, including PET, as the majority of such masses
      coexist with multiple myeloma. 

PMID- 27264373
TI  - Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a chronic myelocytic leukemia patient treated with
      imatinib.
AB  - Imatinib is an important example of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) used in
      clinical practice. Imatinib blocks the ATP binding site of the Bcr-Abl fusion
      protein and selectively inhibits Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase (TK) activity. Treatment
      of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) with imatinib is encouraging and it has an
      acceptable toxicity profile, and as such has changed the management of CML during
      the last decade. As with all drugs used in clinical practice, side effects of
      imatinib have been reported in studies with extended follow-up periods. In
      addition, some neoplastic disorders have been reported to occur during imatinib
      therapy. Herein we present a CML case that developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)
      while receiving imatinib treatment. 

PMID- 27264374
TI  - The incidence of alpha-thalassemia in Iraqi Turks.

PMID- 27264375
TI  - Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a hemophilic patient with a traumatic hematoma.

PMID- 27264376
TI  - A chronic eosinophilic leukemia patient presenting with blurred vision.

PMID- 27264377
TI  - The frequency of FV G1691A and PT G20210A mutations in an Albanian population.

PMID- 27264378
TI  - Cytopenia associated with iron deficiency anemia and iron therapy: A report of
      two cases.

PMID- 27264379
TI  - Accidental intrathecal methotrexate overdose.

PMID- 27264380
TI  - CTLA-4 A49G polymorphism and autoimmune blood disease: A comment.

PMID- 27264381
TI  - Iron deficiency anemia and total antioxidant capacity.

PMID- 27264382
TI  - Decreased erythrocyte catalase level in iron deficiency.

PMID- 27264383
TI  - Partial splenic embolization versus splenectomy for the management of autoimmune
      hemolytic anemia: A response.

PMID- 27264384
TI  - A rare cause of iron deficiency anemia in a child: Lithobezoar.

PMID- 27264385
TI  - An unusual cause of iron deficiency anemia in a healthy man: Hijamah.

PMID- 27264386
TI  - Exogenous N addition enhances the responses of gross primary productivity to
      individual precipitation events in a temperate grassland.
AB  - Predicted future shifts in the magnitude and frequency (larger but fewer) of
      precipitation events and enhanced nitrogen (N) deposition may interact to affect
      grassland productivity, but the effects of N enrichment on the productivity
      response to individual precipitation events remain unclear. In this study, we
      quantified the effects of N addition on the response patterns of gross primary
      productivity (GPP) to individual precipitation events of different sizes (Psize)
      in a temperate grassland in China. The results showed that N enrichment
      significantly increased the time-integrated amount of GPP in response to an
      individual precipitation event (GPPtotal), and the N-induced stimulation of GPP
      increased with increasing Psize. N enrichment rarely affected the duration of the
      GPP response, but it significantly stimulated the maximum absolute GPP response.
      Higher foliar N content might play an important role in the N-induced stimulation
      of GPP. GPPtotal in both the N-addition and control treatments increased linearly
      with Psize with similar Psize intercepts (approximately 5 mm, indicating a
      similar lower Psize threshold to stimulate the GPP response) but had a steeper
      slope under N addition. Our work indicates that the projected larger
      precipitation events will stimulate grassland productivity, and this stimulation
      might be amplified by increasing N deposition.

PMID- 27264388
TI  - Genetic Studies on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
AB  - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly heterogeneous reproductive system
      disorder of which the aetiology is not fully understood. Previous association
      studies have been conducted on >100 candidate genes, which principally related to
      reproductive hormones, cellular metabolism and chronic inflammation. Heritable
      tendencies have long been recognized for pathogeneses of PCOS, and recently a
      genome-wide association study (GWAS) in PCOS provides new clues to understand the
      genetic components and pathways in PCOS physiology. However, the current
      knowledge of the pathogenesis of PCOS is still in its infancy. Further studies
      using new technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) shall be useful
      to understand more causal variants for PCOS.

PMID- 27264389
TI  - Evaluation of emergency department nursing services and patient satisfaction of
      services.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify nursing services and assess patient satisfaction
      in patients who present to the emergency department. BACKGROUND: Emergency
      nursing care is a significant determinant of patient satisfaction. Patient
      satisfaction is often regarded as a reliable indicator of the quality of services
      provided in the emergency department. DESIGN: This is a descriptive study.
      METHODS: Eighty-four patients who presented to the university emergency
      department were included in the study. The study data were collected by the
      Patient Information Form and the Satisfaction Level Form. RESULTS: Emergency
      nursing services, including history taking, assessing vital signs, preparing the
      patient for an emergency intervention, oxygen therapy, drug delivery and blood
      serum infusion were shown to be more commonly provided compared with other
      services such as counselling the patients and the relatives about their care or
      delivering educational and psychosocial services. However, 78.6% of the patients
      were satisfied with their nursing services. The highest satisfaction rates were
      observed in the following sub-dimensions of the Satisfaction Level Form:
      availability of the nurse (82.1%), behaviour of the nurse towards the patient
      (78.6%) and the frequency of nursing rounds (77.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The most common
      practices performed by nurses in the emergency department were physical nursing
      services. Patient satisfaction was mostly associated with the availability of
      nurses when they were needed. Our results suggest that in addition to the
      physical care, patients should also receive education and psychosocial care in
      the emergency department. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: We believe that this
      study will contribute to the awareness and understanding of principles and
      concepts of emergency nursing, extend the limits of nursing knowledge and
      abilities, and improve and maintain the quality of clinical nursing education and
      practice to train specialist nurses with high levels of understanding in ethical,
      intellectual, administrative, investigative and professional issues.

PMID- 27264387
TI  - Maternal influenza and birth outcomes: systematic review of comparative studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although pregnant women are considered at high risk for severe
      influenza disease, comparative studies of maternal influenza and birth outcomes
      have not been comprehensively summarised. OBJECTIVE: To review comparative
      studies evaluating maternal influenza disease and birth outcomes. SEARCH
      STRATEGY: We searched bibliographic databases from inception to December 2014.
      SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies of preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age (SGA)
      birth or fetal death, comparing women with and without clinical influenza illness
      or laboratory-confirmed influenza infection during pregnancy. DATA COLLECTION AND
      ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently abstracted data and assessed study quality.
      MAIN RESULTS: Heterogeneity across 16 studies reporting preterm birth precluded
      meta-analysis. In a subgroup of the highest-quality studies, two reported
      significantly increased preterm birth (risk ratios (RR) from 2.4 to 4.0)
      following severe 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza illness, whereas those
      assessing mild-to-moderate pH1N1 or seasonal influenza found no association. Five
      studies of SGA birth showed no discernible patterns with respect to influenza
      disease severity (pooled odds ratio 1.24; 95% CI 0.96-1.59). Two fetal death
      studies were of sufficient quality and size to permit meaningful interpretation.
      Both reported an increased risk of fetal death following maternal pH1N1 disease
      (RR 1.9 for mild-to-moderate disease and 4.2 for severe disease). CONCLUSIONS:
      Comparative studies of preterm birth, SGA birth and fetal death following
      maternal influenza disease are limited in number and quality. An association
      between severe pH1N1 disease and preterm birth and fetal death was reported by
      several studies; however, these limited data do not permit firm conclusions on
      the magnitude of any association. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Comparative studies are
      limited in quality but suggest severe pandemic H1N1 influenza increases preterm
      birth.

PMID- 27264391
TI  - A Case of Abdominal Discomfort Caused by Benign Multicystic Peritoneal
      Mesothelioma.

PMID- 27264390
TI  - Selective Expression of Osteopontin in ALS-resistant Motor Neurons is a Critical
      Determinant of Late Phase Neurodegeneration Mediated by Matrix Metalloproteinase
      9.
AB  - Differential vulnerability among motor neuron (MN) subtypes is a fundamental
      feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): fast-fatigable (FF) MNs are more
      vulnerable than fast fatigue-resistant (FR) or slow (S) MNs. The reason for this
      selective vulnerability remains enigmatic. We report here that the extracellular
      matrix (ECM) protein osteopontin (OPN) is selectively expressed by FR and S MNs
      and ALS-resistant motor pools, whereas matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is
      selectively expressed by FF MNs. OPN is secreted and accumulated as extracellular
      granules in ECM in three ALS mouse models and a human ALS patient. In SOD1(G93A)
      mice, OPN/MMP-9 double positivity marks remodeled FR and S MNs destined to
      compensate for lost FF MNs before ultimately dying. Genetic ablation of OPN in
      SOD1(G93A) mice delayed disease onset but then accelerated disease progression.
      OPN induced MMP-9 up-regulation via alphavbeta3 integrin in ChAT-expressing
      Neuro2a cells, and also induced CD44-mediated astrocyte migration and microglial
      phagocytosis in a non-cell-autonomous manner. Our results demonstrate that OPN
      expressed by FR/S MNs is involved in the second-wave neurodegeneration by up
      regulating MMP-9 through alphavbeta3 integrin in the mouse model of ALS. The
      differences in OPN/MMP-9 expression profiles in MN subsets partially explain the
      selective MN vulnerability in ALS.

PMID- 27264392
TI  - The Birds, the Bees, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Preconception Care in
      Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

PMID- 27264394
TI  - Weight Change and Weight Cycling Are Not Associated With Risk of Barrett's
      Esophagus.

PMID- 27264393
TI  - Inverse Association Between Gluteofemoral Obesity and Risk of Barrett's Esophagus
      in a Pooled Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Gluteofemoral obesity (determined by measurement of
      subcutaneous fat in the hip and thigh regions) could reduce risks of
      cardiovascular and diabetic disorders associated with abdominal obesity. We
      evaluated whether gluteofemoral obesity also reduces the risk of Barrett's
      esophagus (BE), a premalignant lesion associated with abdominal obesity. METHODS:
      We collected data from non-Hispanic white participants in 8 studies in the
      Barrett's and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium. We compared measures of hip
      circumference (as a proxy for gluteofemoral obesity) from cases of BE (n = 1559)
      separately with 2 control groups: 2557 population-based controls and 2064
      individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD controls). Study-specific
      odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using
      individual participant data and multivariable logistic regression and combined
      using a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: We found an inverse relationship
      between hip circumference and BE (OR per 5-cm increase, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.96),
      compared with population-based controls in a multivariable model that included
      waist circumference. This association was not observed in models that did not
      include waist circumference. Similar results were observed in analyses stratified
      by frequency of GERD symptoms. The inverse association with hip circumference was
      statistically significant only among men (vs population-based controls: OR, 0.85;
      95% CI, 0.76-0.96 for men; OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.74-1.16 for women). For men,
      within each category of waist circumference, a larger hip circumference was
      associated with a decreased risk of BE. Increasing waist circumference was
      associated with an increased risk of BE in the mutually adjusted population-based
      and GERD control models. CONCLUSIONS: Although abdominal obesity is associated
      with an increased risk of BE, there is an inverse association between
      gluteofemoral obesity and BE, particularly among men.

PMID- 27264395
TI  - Plantar pressure measurements and running-related injury: A systematic review of
      methods and possible associations.
AB  - Pressure-sensitive measuring devices have been identified as appropriate tools
      for measuring an array of parameters during running. It is unclear which
      biomechanical characteristics relate to running-related injury (RRI) and which
      data-processing techniques are most promising to detect this relationship. This
      systematic review aims to identify pertinent methodologies and characteristics
      measured using plantar pressure devices, and to summarise their associations with
      RRI. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ScienceDirect and Scopus were searched up until
      March 2015. Retrospective and prospective, biomechanical studies on running using
      any kind of pressure-sensitive device with RRI as an outcome were included. All
      studies involving regular or recreational runners were considered. The study
      quality was assessed and the measured parameters were summarised. One low
      quality, two moderate quality and five high quality studies were included. Five
      different subdivisions of plantar area were identified, as well as five instants
      and four phases of measurement during foot-ground contact. Overall many
      parameters were collated and subdivided as plantar pressure and force, plantar
      pressure and force location, contact area, timing and stride parameters.
      Differences between the injured and control group were found for mediolateral and
      anteroposterior displacement of force, contact area, velocity of force
      displacement, relative force-time integral, mediolateral force ratio, time to
      peak force and inter-stride correlative patterns. However, no consistent results
      were found between studies and no biomechanical risk patterns were apparent.
      Additionally, conflicting findings were reported for peak force in three studies.
      Based on these observations, we provide suggestions for improved methodology
      measurement of pertinent parameters for future studies.

PMID- 27264396
TI  - Benefits of multi-session balance and gait training with multi-modal biofeedback
      in healthy older adults.
AB  - Real-time balance-relevant biofeedback from a wearable sensor can improve balance
      in many patient populations, however, it is unknown if balance training with
      biofeedback has lasting benefits for healthy older adults once training is
      completed and biofeedback removed. This study was designed to determine if multi
      session balance training with and without biofeedback leads to changes in balance
      performance in healthy older adults; and if changes persist after training. 36
      participants (age 60-88) were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups
      trained on seven stance and gait tasks for 2 consecutive weeks (3*/week) while
      trunk angular sway and task duration were monitored. One group received real-time
      multi-modal biofeedback of trunk sway and a control group trained without
      biofeedback. Training effects were assessed at the last training session, with
      biofeedback available to the feedback group. Post-training effects (without
      biofeedback) were assessed immediately after, 1-week, and 1-month post-training.
      Both groups demonstrated training effects; participants swayed less when standing
      on foam with eyes closed (EC), maintained tandem-stance EC longer, and completed
      8 tandem-steps EC faster and with less sway at the last training session. Changes
      in sway and duration, indicative of faster walking, were also observed after
      training for other gait tasks. While changes in walking speed persisted post
      training, few other post-training effects were observed. These data suggest there
      is little added benefit to balance training with biofeedback, beyond training
      without, in healthy older adults. However, transient use of wearable balance
      biofeedback systems as balance aides remains beneficial for challenging balance
      situations and some clinical populations.

PMID- 27264397
TI  - Augmented feedback of COM and COP modulates the regulation of quiet human
      standing relative to the stability boundary.
AB  - The experiment manipulated real-time kinematic feedback of the motion of the
      whole body center of mass (COM) and center of pressure (COP) in anterior
      posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions to investigate the variables
      actively controlled in quiet standing of young adults. The feedback reflected the
      current 2D postural positions within the 2D functional stability boundary that
      was scaled to 75%, 30% and 12% of its original size. The findings showed that the
      distance of both COP and COM to the respective stability boundary was greater
      during the feedback trials compared to a no feedback condition. However, the
      temporal safety margin of the COP, that is, the virtual time-to-contact (VTC),
      was higher without feedback. The coupling relation of COP-COM showed stable in
      phase synchronization over all of the feedback conditions for frequencies below
      1Hz. For higher frequencies (up to 5Hz), there was progressive reduction of COP
      COM synchronization and local adaptation under the presence of augmented
      feedback. The findings show that the augmented feedback of COM and COP motion
      differentially and adaptively influences spatial and temporal properties of
      postural motion relative to the stability boundary while preserving the
      organization of the COM-COP coupling in postural control.

PMID- 27264398
TI  - Effect of gait retraining for reducing ambulatory knee load on trunk biomechanics
      and trunk muscle activity.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that walking with increased
      medio-lateral trunk sway is associated with lower external knee adduction moment
      and lower extremity muscle activation, and higher external ipsilateral trunk
      moment and trunk muscle activity than walking with normal trunk sway in healthy
      participants. Fifteen participants performed walking trials with normal and
      increased medio-lateral trunk sway. Maximum trunk sway, first maximum knee
      adduction moment, lateral trunk bending moment, and bilateral vastus medialis,
      vastus lateralis, gluteus medius, rectus abdominis, external oblique and erector
      spinae muscle activity were computed. Walking with increased trunk sway was
      associated with lower maximum knee adduction moment (95% confidence interval
      (CI): 0.50-0.62Nm/kg vs. 0.62-0.76Nm/kg; P<.001) and ipsilateral gluteus medius (
      17%; P=.014) and erector spinae muscle activity (-24%; P=.004) and greater
      maximum lateral trunk bending moment (+34%; P<.001) and contralateral external
      oblique muscle activity (+60%; P=.009). In all participants, maximum knee
      adduction moment was negatively correlated and maximum trunk moment was
      positively correlated with maximum trunk sway. The results of this study suggest
      that walking with increased trunk sway not only reduces the external knee
      adduction moment but also alters and possibly increases the load on the trunk.
      Hence, load-altering biomechanical interventions should always be evaluated not
      only regarding their effects on the index joint but on other load-bearing joints
      such as the spine.

PMID- 27264399
TI  - The influence of gait speed on the stability of walking among the elderly.
AB  - Walking speed is a basic factor to consider when walking exercises are prescribed
      as part of a training programme. Although associations between walking speed,
      step length and falling risk have been identified, the relationship between
      spontaneous walking pattern and falling risk remains unclear. The present study,
      therefore, examined the stability of spontaneous walking at normal, fast and slow
      speed among elderly (67.5+/-3.23) and young (21.4+/-1.31) individuals. In all, 55
      participants undertook a test that involved walking on a plantar pressure
      platform. Foot-ground contact data were used to calculate walking speed, step
      length, pressure impulse along the plantar-impulse principal axis and pressure
      record of time series along the plantar-impulse principal axis. A forward
      dynamics method was used to calculate acceleration, velocity and displacement of
      the centre of mass in the vertical direction. The results showed that when the
      elderly walked at different speeds, their average step length was smaller than
      that observed among the young (p=0.000), whereas their anterior/posterior
      variability and lateral variability had no significant difference. When walking
      was performed at normal or slow speed, no significant between-group difference in
      cadence was found. When walking at a fast speed, the elderly increased their
      stride length moderately and their cadence greatly (p=0.012). In summary, the
      present study found no correlation between fast walking speed and instability
      among the elderly, which indicates that healthy elderly individuals might safely
      perform fast-speed walking exercises.

PMID- 27264400
TI  - Complexity of human gait pattern at different ages assessed using multiscale
      entropy: From development to decline.
AB  - Multiscale entropy (MSE) has been applied in biomechanics to evaluate gait
      stability during human gait and was found to be a promising method for evaluating
      fall risk in elderly and/or pathologic subjects. The hypothesis of this work is
      that gait complexity is a relevant parameter of gait development during life,
      decreasing from immature to mature gait and then increasing again during old age.
      In order to verify this hypothesis, MSE was applied on trunk acceleration data
      collected during gait of subjects of different ages: toddlers at the onset of
      walking, pre-scholar and scholar children, adolescents, young adults, adults and
      elderlies. MSE was estimated by calculating sample entropy (SEN) on raw
      unfiltered data of L5 acceleration along the three axes, using values of tau
      ranging from 1 to 6. In addition, other performance parameters (cadence, stride
      time variability and harmonic ratio) were evaluated. The results followed the
      hypothesized trend when MSE was applied on the vertical and/or anteroposterior
      axis of trunk acceleration: an age effect was found and adult SEN values were
      significantly different from children ones. From young adults to elderlies a
      slight increase in SEN values was shown although not statistically significant.
      While performance gait parameters showed adolescent gait similar to the one of
      adults, SEN highlighted that their gait maturation is not complete yet. In
      conclusion, present results suggest that the complexity of gait, evaluated on the
      sagittal plane, can be used as a characterizing parameter of the maturation of
      gait control.

PMID- 27264401
TI  - An optimized design of in-shoe heel lifts reduces plantar pressure of healthy
      males.
AB  - Conventional heel lift with a flat surface increases the risk of foot problems
      related to higher plantar pressure and decreased stability. In this study, an
      optimized design of in-shoe heel lifts developed to maintain the midfoot function
      was tested to investigate if the plantar pressure distribution was improved. The
      design was based on three dimensional foot plantar contour which was captured by
      an Infoot 3D scanning system while the heel was elevated by a heel wedge. To
      facilitate midfoot function, an arch support was designed to support the lateral
      longitudinal arch, while allowing functional movement of the medial longitudinal
      arch. Twenty healthy male subjects were asked to walk along an 8m walkway while
      wearing high-cut footwear with and without the optimized heel lift. Peak
      pressure, contact area and force-time integral were measured using the Pedar
      insole system. Range and velocity of medial-lateral center of pressure during
      forefoot contact phase and foot flat phase were collected using a Footscan
      pressure plate. Compared to the shoe only condition, peak pressure under the
      rearfoot decreased with the optimized heel lift, while no increase of peak
      pressure was observed under the forefoot and midfoot regions, indicating improved
      plantar pressure distribution. The findings of this study suggest that this
      optimized heel lift has better biomechanical performance than a conventional flat
      heel lift. Results from this study may have implications for insole and shoe last
      design, especially for people who need additional heel height without sacrificing
      midfoot function.

PMID- 27264402
TI  - Symmetry in vertical ground reaction force is not related to walking and balance
      difficulties in people with multiple sclerosis.
AB  - Analysis of vertical ground reaction force (GRF) symmetry may benefit people with
      multiple sclerosis (PwMS) since it can detect important differences in gait
      mechanics which have not previously been discussed in the related literature.
      Therefore, the primary objective of the current study was to determine whether
      symmetry of the vertical GRF during gait is associated with validated gait and
      balance tests in PwMS. Additionally, we examined whether the symmetry of the
      vertical GRF differs between MS fallers, non-fallers and between neurological
      disability levels. Gait and balance data were collected from 402 PwMS (249 women)
      with a mean age of 42.1 (S.D=14.1) years. Vertical GRF parameters were obtained
      using the Zebris FDM-T Treadmill (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany). Clinical gait
      and balance tests included the 2 and 6-min Walk Test, Timed Up and Go Test, Timed
      25 Foot Walk, Four Square Step Test, Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale
      questionnaire, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and the Falls Efficacy Scale
      International questionnaire. The vertical GRF symmetry index score of the total
      sample was 3.7 (SD=3.1). In terms of fall status, non-significant differences
      were observed between the fallers and non-faller groups and between the
      neurological disability subgroups. Non-significant correlation scores were found
      between the vertical GRF symmetry index, all clinical walking and balance tests
      and self-reported questionnaires. We suggest clinicians, especially those
      involved in physical rehabilitation, accord low priority to this gait phenomenon
      in the MS population.

PMID- 27264403
TI  - Development of gait performance and dynamic hip and knee joint loading after
      containment improving surgery in patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
AB  - Current surgery outcome evaluations in patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
      (LCPD) are usually based on static radiological changes. The aim of the present
      study was to assess the development of characteristic gait parameters and passive
      hip range of motion (ROM) measurements during the postoperative period up to
      healed stage of the femoral head represented by Stulberg classification. Twelve
      children (10 male, 2 female) with unilateral diagnosis of LCPD and 19 healthy
      control subjects at the same age participated in this prospective longitudinal
      study. Instrumented gait analysis was performed preoperatively, 13.4 (+/-1.7),
      and 28.0 (+/-4.4) months postoperatively. At final follow-up, the mean leg length
      of the involved side was reduced by 1.10 (+/-0.53)cm compared to the non-involved
      side. In addition, a significant reduction in maximum knee flexion (-26%,
      p=0.037) and knee flexion/extension ROM (-26%, p=0.017) in stance was still
      present in the patient group compared to controls indicating a "stiff knee gait
      pattern". In contrast, the sagittal plane hip parameters, the ipsilateral trunk
      lean toward the involved stance limb, and the knee and hip joint loading during
      gait normalized during the postoperative period. The results of the present study
      should motivate further exploration if patients with LCPD stiffen their knees to
      compensate for leg length discrepancy. Besides the standard radiological
      evaluation of the surgery outcome, instrumented gait analysis is a valuable
      method of recording functional deficits and early recognition of the need for
      physiotherapeutic treatment or insole supply in patients with LCPD.

PMID- 27264404
TI  - The effects of altering attentional demands of gait control on the variability of
      temporal and kinematic parameters.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cognitive and
      visuomotor tasks on gait control in terms of the magnitude and temporal structure
      of the variability in stride time and lower-limb kinematics measured using
      inertial sensors. Fourteen healthy young subjects walked on a treadmill for 15min
      at a self-selected gait speed in the three conditions: normal walking without a
      concurrent task; walking while performing a cognitive task; and walking while
      performing a visuomotor task. The time series data of stride time and peak shank
      angular velocity were generated from acceleration and angular velocity data
      recorded from both shanks. The mean, coefficient of variation, and fractal
      scaling exponent alpha of the time series of these variables and the standard
      deviation of shank angular velocity over the entire stride cycle were calculated.
      The cognitive task had an effect on long-range correlations in stride time but
      not on lower-limb kinematics. The temporal structure of variability in stride
      time became more random in the cognitive task. The visuomotor task had an effect
      on lower-limb kinematics. Subjects controlled their swing limb with greater
      variability and had a more complex adaptive lower-limb movement pattern in the
      visuomotor task. The effects of the dual tasks on gait control were different for
      stride time and lower-limb kinematics. These findings suggest that the temporal
      structure of variability and lower-limb kinematics are useful parameters to
      detect a change in gait pattern and provide further insight into gait control.

PMID- 27264405
TI  - Effect of sloped walking on lower limb muscle forces.
AB  - Lower limb joint loadings are increased during sloped walking compared to level
      walking and muscle forces are major contributors to lower limb joint forces.
      Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze lower limb muscle forces during
      sloped walking at different inclinations. Eighteen healthy male participants
      (27.0+/-4.7y, 1.80+/-0.05m, 74.5+/-8.2kg) walked at a pre-set speed of 1.1m/s on
      a ramp at the inclinations of 0 degrees , +/-6 degrees , +/-12 degrees  and +/-18
      degrees . Kinematic data were captured with a motion capture system and kinetic
      data were recorded with two force plates imbedded into the ramp. A
      musculoskeletal model was used to compute lower limb muscle forces (normalized to
      body weight and gait cycle duration). During downhill walking gluteus maximus,
      quadriceps, soleus, peroneus and tibialis anterior muscle forces increased
      (p<=0.002) compared to level walking, while gluteus minimus, piriformis,
      adductor, iliopsoas, hamstrings and gastrocnemii muscle forces decreased
      (p<=0.002). Uphill walking decreased gluteus minimus, iliopsoas and tibialis
      anterior muscle forces (p<=0.002), while all other muscle forces increased
      (p<=0.002, except gluteus medius). Joint-muscle-force waveforms provided
      information on possible muscle contributions to joint compression forces. The
      most important muscles were: gluteus medius for hip forces, quadriceps and
      gastrocnemii for tibiofemoral forces, quadriceps for patellofemoral forces and
      triceps surae for ankle forces. The contribution of each muscle changed with the
      inclination during sloped walking compared to level walking. The current study
      provided important information on muscle forces during sloped walking that can be
      useful for rehabilitation and training procedures.

PMID- 27264406
TI  - Postural seated balance in children can be assessed with good reliability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Seated postural stability can be measured using Tekscan, CONFORMat.
      Standing postural stability has gained great clinical and, research value by use
      of different force platforms with mostly good reliability. No reliability testing
      or biologic variation assessment has been documented regarding seated balance.
      This study determines the reliability of the parameters of seated balance in
      healthy children using the Tekscan CONFORMat equipment. METHODS: Sixty-six
      healthy children completed six measurements of seating position the first three
      with the child seated in a relaxed normal back position and the next three with
      the child seated in a complete up-right back position. The SAM software
      calculated five default parameters of balance (area, distance, variability,
      antero-posterior (AP) excursion and left-right excursion). RESULTS: Reliability
      parameters were assessed by one-way analysis of variance intra-class correlation
      (ICC) proving excellent reliability for relaxed and up-right back position with
      respect to distance (0.75/0.84) and good reliability with respect to variability
      (0.61/0.62) and area (0.61/0.60). AP excursion (0.41/0.59) and left-right
      excursion (0.54/0.24) showed fair to poor reliability. CONCLUSION: In conclusion,
      two of the five default parameters of balance used in the Tekscan CONFORMat
      system are direction-independent parameters and have been found reproducible for
      measuring seated balance in children. This study can be used as reference for
      comparisons of seated balance in children with affected seated postural control
      and for evaluating a clinical treatment effect.

PMID- 27264407
TI  - Joint power and kinematics coordination in load carriage running: Implications
      for performance and injury.
AB  - Investigating the impact of incremental load magnitude on running joint power and
      kinematics is important for understanding the energy cost burden and potential
      injury-causative mechanisms associated with load carriage. It was hypothesized
      that incremental load magnitude would result in phase-specific, joint power and
      kinematic changes within the stance phase of running, and that these
      relationships would vary at different running velocities. Thirty-one participants
      performed running while carrying three load magnitudes (0%, 10%, 20% body
      weight), at three velocities (3, 4, 5m/s). Lower limb trajectories and ground
      reaction forces were captured, and global optimization was used to derive the
      variables. The relationships between load magnitude and joint power and angle
      vectors, at each running velocity, were analyzed using Statistical Parametric
      Mapping Canonical Correlation Analysis. Incremental load magnitude was positively
      correlated to joint power in the second half of stance. Increasing load magnitude
      was also positively correlated with alterations in three dimensional ankle angles
      during mid-stance (4.0 and 5.0m/s), knee angles at mid-stance (at 5.0m/s), and
      hip angles during toe-off (at all velocities). Post hoc analyses indicated that
      at faster running velocities (4.0 and 5.0m/s), increasing load magnitude appeared
      to alter power contribution in a distal-to-proximal (ankle->hip) joint sequence
      from mid-stance to toe-off. In addition, kinematic changes due to increasing load
      influenced both sagittal and non-sagittal plane lower limb joint angles. This
      study provides a list of plausible factors that may influence running energy cost
      and injury risk during load carriage running.

PMID- 27264408
TI  - Accuracy of KinectOne to quantify kinematics of the upper body.
AB  - Motion analysis systems deliver quantitative information, e.g. on the progress of
      rehabilitation programs aimed at improving range of motion. Markerless systems
      are of interest for clinical application because they are low-cost and easy to
      use. The first generation of the KinectTM sensor showed promising results in
      validity assessment compared to an established marker-based system. However, no
      literature is available on the validity of the new 'KinectTM for Xbox one'
      (KinectOne) in tracking upper body motion. Consequently, this study was conducted
      to analyze the accuracy and reliability of the KinectOne in tracking upper body
      motion. Twenty subjects performed shoulder abduction in frontal and scapula
      plane, flexion, external rotation and horizontal flexion in two conditions
      (sitting and standing). Arm and trunk motion were analyzed using the KinectOne
      and compared to a marker-based system. Comparisons were made using Bland Altman
      statistics and Coefficient of Multiple Correlation. On average, differences
      between systems of 3.9+/-4.0 degrees  and 0.1+/-3.8 degrees  were found for arm
      and trunk motion, respectively. Correlation was higher for the arm than for the
      trunk motion. Based on the observed bias, the accuracy of the KinectOne was found
      to be adequate to measure arm motion in a clinical setting. Although trunk motion
      showed a very low absolute bias between the two systems, the KinectOne was not
      able to track small changes over time. Before the KinectOne can find clinical
      application, further research is required analyzing whether validity can be
      improved using a customized tracking algorithm or other sensor placement, and to
      analyze test-retest reliability.

PMID- 27264409
TI  - Effects of leg muscle fatigue on gait in patients with Parkinson's disease and
      controls with high and low levels of daily physical activity.
AB  - Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are more susceptible to muscle fatigue,
      which can damage their gait. Physical activity can improve muscle condition,
      which is an important aspect during walking. The aim of this study was to analyze
      the effects of lower limb muscle fatigue on gait in patients with PD and healthy
      individuals, grouped according to physical activity level. Twenty Patients with
      PD (PD group) and 20 matched individuals (control group) were distributed
      according to physical activity level into four subgroups of ten individuals
      (active and inactive). Participants performed three walking trials before and
      after lower limb muscle fatigue, induced by a repeated sit-to-stand task on a
      chair. Kinematic (stride length, width, duration, velocity and percentage of time
      in double support) and kinetic (propulsive and breaking anterior-posterior and
      medio-lateral impulse) gait parameters were analyzed. In both groups,
      participants increased stride length and velocity and decreased stride duration
      and braking vertical impulse after lower limb muscle fatigue. The PD groups
      presented higher step width and percentage of double time support than the
      control groups before muscle fatigue. The control groups increased step width and
      decreased percentage of time in double support, while the PD groups did not
      change these parameters. For physical activity level, active individuals
      presented longer stride length, greater stride velocity, higher braking and
      propulsive anterior-posterior impulse and shorter step width than inactive
      individuals. Groups sought more balance and safety after lower limb muscle
      fatigue. Physical activity level does not appear to modify the effects of lower
      limb muscle fatigue during unobstructed walking in individuals with PD or
      controls.

PMID- 27264411
TI  - Influence of virtual height exposure on postural reactions to support surface
      translations.
AB  - As fear of falling is related to the increased likelihood of falls, it is
      important to understand the effects of threat-related factors (fear, anxiety and
      confidence) on dynamic postural reactions. Previous studies designed to examine
      threat effects on dynamic postural reactions have methodological limitations and
      lack a comprehensive analysis of simultaneous kinetic, kinematic and
      electromyographical recordings. The current study addressed these limitations by
      examining postural reactions of 26 healthy young adults to unpredictable anterior
      posterior support-surface translations (acceleration=0.6m/s(2), constant
      velocity=0.25m/s, total displacement=0.75m) while standing on a narrow virtual
      surface at Low (0.4cm) and High (3.2m) virtual heights. Standing at virtual
      height increased fear and anxiety, and decreased confidence. Prior to
      perturbations, threat led to increased tonic muscle activity in tibialis
      anterior, resulting in a higher co-contraction index between lower leg muscles.
      For backward perturbations, muscle activity in the lower leg and arm, and center
      of pressure peak displacements, were earlier and larger when standing at virtual
      height. In addition, arm flexion significantly increased while leg, trunk and
      center of mass displacements remained unchanged across heights. When controlling
      for leaning, threat-related factors can influence the neuro-mechanical responses
      to an unpredictable perturbation, causing specific characteristics of postural
      reactions to be facilitated in young adults when their balance is threatened.

PMID- 27264410
TI  - Supraspinal control of automatic postural responses in people with multiple
      sclerosis.
AB  - The neural underpinnings of delayed automatic postural responses in people with
      multiple sclerosis (PwMS) are unclear. We assessed whether white matter pathways
      of two supraspinal regions (the cortical proprioceptive Broadman's Area-3; and
      the balance/locomotor-related pedunculopontine nucleus) were related to delayed
      postural muscle response latencies in response to external perturbations. 19 PwMS
      (48.8+/-11.4years; EDSS=3.5 (range: 2-4)) and 12 healthy adults (51.7+/
      12.2years) underwent 20 discrete, backward translations of a support surface.
      Onset latency of agonist (medial-gastrocnemius) and antagonist (tibialis
      anterior) muscles were assessed. Diffusion tensor imaging assessed white-matter
      integrity (i.e. radial diffusivity) of cortical proprioceptive and
      balance/locomotor-related tracts. Latency of the tibialis anterior, but not
      medial gastrocnemius was larger in PwMS than control subjects (p=0.012 and 0.071,
      respectively). Radial diffusivity of balance/locomotor tracts was higher (worse)
      in PwMS than control subjects (p=0.004), and was significantly correlated with
      tibialis (p=0.002), but not gastrocnemius (p=0.06) onset latency. Diffusivity of
      cortical proprioceptive tracts was not correlated with muscle onset. Lesions in
      supraspinal structures including the pedunculopontine nucleus balance/locomotor
      network may contribute to delayed onset of postural muscle activity in PwMS,
      contributing to balance deficits in PwMS.

PMID- 27264414
TI  - Specific Problems With Accidental Deaths in Japan - Cardiac Arrest From Hot Baths
      and Foreign Body Airway Obstruction in Elders.

PMID- 27264412
TI  - Construct validity of the walk ratio as a measure of gait control in people with
      multiple sclerosis without mobility aids.
AB  - Ambulatory limitations are a key component of disability in people with multiple
      sclerosis (PwMS). Various tools are employed to assess walking performance in
      PwMS; however, no ideal measure has as yet been attained. In this situation, a
      walk ratio might be more advantageous compared with other gait measures. The walk
      ratio, a simple index for describing temporal and spatial co-ordination, denotes
      the relationship between step length and cadence during walking. Hence, the
      primary objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the
      walk ratio and measures of other theoretically related constructs. The walk ratio
      was studied using the GAITRiteTM system (CIR Systems, Inc. Havertown, USA). The
      study group included 229 PwMS (143 women) and a mean disease duration of 5.8
      (SD=7.1) years. The walk ratio score of the total sample was 5.3 (SD=0.8).
      Significant differences based on the expanded disability status scale (EDSS)
      scores (F=11.616, P<0.001) were observed between the neurological disability
      subgroups. Scores of the very mild (EDSS 0-2.0), mild (EDSS 2.5-4.0) and moderate
      (EDSS 4.5-5.5) groups were 5.5 (SD=0.7), 5.2 (SD=0.7), 4.9 (SD=0.9),
      respectively. In terms of fall status, the MS fallers demonstrated a significant
      lower walk ratio compared to the MS non-fallers; 5.1 (SD=0.8) vs. 5.5 (SD=0.7);
      P<0.001. Modest significant correlation scores were found between walk ratio and
      ambulation tests. Scores were slightly higher in the short walking tests, timed
      25-foot walk and timed up and go tests (Pearson's rho=0.369, 0.364) compared to
      the 6 and 2-min walk time tests (Pearson's rho=0.344, 0.308). Collectively, the
      current study supports the construct validity of the walk ratio index in PwMS
      without mobility aids.

PMID- 27264413
TI  - Effects of 4 Statins on Regression of Coronary Plaque in Acute Coronary Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is no information on differences in the effects of moderate-
      and low-intensity statins on coronary plaque in patients with acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 4 different
      statins in patients with ACS, using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). METHODS AND
      RESULTS: A total of 118 patients with ACS who underwent IVUS before percutaneous
      coronary intervention and who were found to have mild to moderate non-culprit
      coronary plaques were randomly assigned to receive either 20 mg/day atorvastatin
      or 4 mg/day pitavastatin (moderate-intensity statin therapy), or 10 mg/day
      pravastatin or 30 mg/day fluvastatin (low-intensity statin therapy). IVUS at
      baseline and at end of 10-month treatment was available in 102 patients. Mean
      percentage change in plaque volume (PV) was -11.1+/-12.8%, -8.1+/-16.9%, 0.4+/
      16.0%, and 3.1+/-20.0% in the atorvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, and
      fluvastatin groups, respectively (P=0.007, ANOVA). Moderate-intensity statin
      therapy induced regression of PV, whereas low-intensity statin therapy produced
      insignificant progression (-9.6% vs. 1.8%, P<0.001). On multivariate linear
      regression analysis, moderate-intensity statin therapy (P=0.02) and uric acid at
      baseline (P=0.02) were significant determinants of large percent PV reduction.
      LDL-C at follow-up did not correlate with percent PV change. CONCLUSIONS:
      Moderate-intensity statin therapy induced regression of coronary PV, whereas low
      intensity statin therapy resulted in slight progression of coronary PV in
      patients with ACS. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1634-1643).

PMID- 27264415
TI  - Insomnia in Heart Failure.

PMID- 27264416
TI  - Regional Differences in Warfarin Therapy Among Japanese Patients With Atrial
      Fibrillation.

PMID- 27264417
TI  - Systemic Inflammation Is a Key Factor for Mortality Risk Stratification in
      Chronic Kidney Disease Patients With Coronary Artery Calcification.

PMID- 27264418
TI  - Letter to the Editor.

PMID- 27264419
TI  - Distinctive skeletal phenotype in high bone mass osteogenesis imperfecta due to a
      COL1A2 cleavage site mutation.

PMID- 27264420
TI  - IL-1beta/NF-kb signaling promotes colorectal cancer cell growth through miR
      181a/PTEN axis.
AB  - To date, the role of miRNA in tumorigenesis has been largely reported. It was
      found that miR-181a may be involved in the tumorigenesis of colon cancer. The
      purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of miR-181a in colon
      cancer carcinogenesis. The expression levels of IL-1beta, NF-kappaB (RelA), and
      miR-181a in colon cancer tissue were higher than that in normal control tissue
      when assessed by real-timePCR. In addition, it was found that IL-1beta induced
      the expression of miR-181a. The expression of PTEN was regulated by IL-1beta
      stimulated miR-181a expression. In a PTEN reporter plasmid, miR-181a binding site
      mutations were introduced. By using a luciferase reporter assay, it was found
      that wild type reported activity was lower than that of the mutant registration
      system activity. Furthermore, a siRNA strategy was used to find that IL-1B
      regulates miR-181a expression via NF-kappaB and then regulates PTEN expression.
      Consequently, repression of PTEN by miR-181a promotes colon cancer cell
      proliferation. Taken together, our data support a critical role for NF-kappaB
      dependent upregulation of miR-181a; this represents a new pathway for the
      repression of PTEN and the promotion of cell proliferation upon IL-1beta
      induction.

PMID- 27264421
TI  - A Polyoxometalate Cluster Paradigm with Self-Adaptive Electronic Structure for
      Acidity/Reducibility-Specific Photothermal Conversion.
AB  - Photothermal conversion is one of the most important keys in the fields of solar
      collection, photo-hyperthermia, etc., and its performance is highly dependent on
      the photothermal conversion materials used. Especially in cancer photo
      hyperthermia, the presently available small-molecule- or nanomaterial-based
      agents still suffer from numerous drawbacks, such as nonspecific accumulation and
      inevitable side effects on normal tissues. Here we identify a Mo-based
      polyoxometalate cluster that can change its dimension from small (1 nm) to big
      (tens of nanometer), favoring its intratumoral accumulation, and enhance
      photothermal conversion in response to the intratumoral acidity and reducibility,
      demonstrating a previously unrealized tumor-specific photo-hyperthermia. Distinct
      from the well-researched nano-based agents, a unique electronic structure of this
      cluster has been identified as the origin of the observed acidity-induced self
      assembly and reduction-promoted NIR absorbance. In addition to providing a
      promising clinical agent, this finding is expected to establish a new
      physicochemical paradigm for photothermal materials design based on clusters.

PMID- 27264422
TI  - The 57(th) Annual Meeting of the JSGE.

PMID- 27264423
TI  - Clinical management of functional dyspepsia -Is the management changed after
      publication of Japanese FD guideline?

PMID- 27264424
TI  - New horizon of the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia.

PMID- 27264425
TI  - Diagnostic and therapeutic advances in functional dyspepsia (FD).

PMID- 27264426
TI  - Expected development of therapy for functional dyspepsia -focusing on
      psychosomatic approach.

PMID- 27264427
TI  - A case of ectopic pancreatic cancer in the mesentery of the jejunum.
AB  - We report a rare case of ectopic pancreatic cancer in the mesentery of the
      jejunum. A 68-year-old man presented with left abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced
      abdominal CT revealed a 3-cm tumor in the mesentery near the ligament of Treitz.
      He had required surgery for gastric cancer 28 years ago;therefore, surgery was
      scheduled on the suspicion of recurrence/metastasis of gastric cancer or
      gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and mesenteric tumors. A tumor was observed
      in the mesentery of the jejunum of the ligament of Treitz. Histopathology showed
      a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, and it was diagnosed as a primary
      ductal pancreatic cancer (Heinrich classification, not classifiable).

PMID- 27264428
TI  - A case of gastric crystal-storing histiocytosis.
AB  - A 54-year-old male patient underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which
      revealed a 25-mm brown region in the angular section of the greater curvature of
      the stomach. The region was histologically determined to be gastric mucosa with
      an accumulation of histiocytes containing eosinophilic substances in the
      cytoplasm and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. Histiocytes were
      immunohistologically positive for CD68, IgG, and kappa. Based on these findings,
      the patient was diagnosed with gastric crystal-storing histiocytosis comprised of
      histiocytes phagocytosing IgG-kappa-type immunoglobulin. This is a rare disease
      of which there have been no previous reports that included long-term follow-up.
      Here, we report the case with a literature review.

PMID- 27264429
TI  - A case of Menetrier's disease seemingly caused by hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - A 54-year-old man presented to our department with abdominal discomfort and
      anorexia and was diagnosed as having Menetrier's disease (MD) with hilar
      cholangiocarcinoma. Based on his clinical examination, there was no evidence of
      Helicobacter pylori or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Although we administered
      proton pump inhibitor and high-calorie enteral nutrition, hypoproteinemia did not
      improve, and the refractory protein-losing enteropathy persisted. However,
      interestingly, MD improved immediately after resection of the hilar
      cholangiocarcinoma. Generally, the etiology of MD is unknown, but H. pylori and
      CMV infections have been implicated. To our knowledge, there has been no previous
      report indicating that a malignant tumor could be involved in the etiology of MD.
      Thus, we report an extremely rare case of MD which is seemingly caused by
      malignancy.

PMID- 27264430
TI  - A case of resected hepatocellular carcinoma after drug-eluting bead transarterial
      chemoembolization.
AB  - We report a case of resected hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) after drug-eluting
      bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE). A 67-year-old man with alcoholic
      liver disease was diagnosed with HCCs. Serological markers for hepatitis B and C
      viruses were negative. Among tumor markers, alpha-fetoprotein was 2.7ng/mL, and
      protein induced by vitamin K absence II was 868mAU/mL. Two HCCs were detected
      using dynamic computed tomography: one was 9cm in diameter in S8 and the other
      was 2cm in diameter in S4. We performed DEB-TACE using HepaSphere((r)) and
      epirubicin. DEB-TACE was repeated three times in three months. Severe
      postembolization syndrome was not seen with any treatment. Four weeks after the
      last DEB-TACE, we performed surgical resection. Histopathological study revealed
      dense distribution of numerous bead particles in necrotic tumor tissue.
      Otherwise, in non-cancerous tissue, some beads were in portal areas, without
      necrotic change. Granulomas from foreign body reaction with giant cells were
      present around the beads. There were no necrotic changes in the smaller HCC, the
      intrahepatic metastatic nodules, or the microscopic invasion to the portal vein.
      In conclusion, DEB-TACE would be a useful treatment for huge HCCs; however,
      patients should be monitored for early recurrence from residual tumor tissue.
      This study will be helpful to perform DEB-TACE in the future.

PMID- 27264431
TI  - A case of abdominal tuberculosis lymphadenitis extending into the gallbladder and
      duodenum in a human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 carrier.
AB  - A 69-year-old man with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis presented with fever.
      He tested positive for the QuantiFERON TB-2G and human T-cell lymphotropic virus
      type 1 antibodies. Imaging revealed a mass in the neck of the gallbladder, with
      periportal lymph node enlargement and penetration into the duodenum. A definite
      diagnosis could not be made, even with a subsequent detailed examination.
      Finally, cholecystectomy and a lymph node biopsy were performed. Histopathology
      revealed a caseating granuloma in the lymph nodes and in the serosa of the
      gallbladder, and polymerase chain reaction was positive for tuberculosis.
      Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with abdominal tuberculosis lymphadenitis
      extending into the gallbladder and duodenum.

PMID- 27264432
TI  - A case report of gastroduodenal metastasis from skin melanoma.

PMID- 27264433
TI  - Select membrane proteins modulate MNV-1 infection of macrophages and dendritic
      cells in a cell type-specific manner.
AB  - Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis in humans and other animals, are shed in the
      feces, and spread through the fecal-oral route. Host cellular expression of
      attachment and entry receptors for noroviruses is thought to be a key determinant
      of cell tropism and the strict species-specificity. However, to date, only
      carbohydrates have been identified as attachment receptors for noroviruses. Thus,
      we investigated whether host cellular proteins play a role during the early steps
      of norovirus infection. We used murine norovirus (MNV) as a representative
      norovirus, since MNV grows well in tissue culture and is a frequently used model
      to study basic aspects of norovirus biology. Virus overlay protein binding assay
      followed by tandem mass spectrometry analysis was performed in two permissive
      cell lines, RAW264.7 (murine macrophages) and SRDC (murine dendritic cells) to
      identify four cellular membrane proteins as candidates. Loss-of-function studies
      revealed that CD36 and CD44 promoted MNV-1 binding to primary dendritic cells,
      while CD98 heavy chain (CD98) and transferrin receptor 1 (TfRc) facilitated MNV-1
      binding to RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, the VP1 protruding domain of MNV-1
      interacted directly with the extracellular domains of recombinant murine CD36,
      CD98 and TfRc by ELISA. Additionally, MNV-1 infection of RAW 264.7 cells was
      enhanced by soluble rCD98 extracellular domain. These studies demonstrate that
      multiple membrane proteins can promote efficient MNV-1 infection in a cell type
      specific manner. Future studies are needed to determine the molecular mechanisms
      by which each of these proteins affect the MNV-1 infectious cycle.

PMID- 27264434
TI  - 3-aminopyrazolopyrazine derivatives as spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
AB  - Spleen tyrosine kinase is a new promising target for drug discovery to treat
      human cancer and inflammatory disorders. A series of pyrazolopyrazine-3-amine and
      pyrazolopyrimidine-3-amine derivatives was designed and synthesized as new spleen
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The efforts yielded compound 6h with promising spleen
      tyrosine kinase inhibition in both enzymatic and B-lymphoma cell proliferation
      assays. Additionally, compound 6h dose dependently inhibited the activation of
      spleen tyrosine kinase signal in human B-cell lymphoma cells. Compound 6h might
      serve as a lead for further development of new spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

PMID- 27264435
TI  - Serotonin antagonists fail to alter MDMA self-administration in rats.
AB  - Acute exposure to +/-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) preferentially
      increases release of serotonin (5-HT), and a role of 5-HT in many of the
      behavioral effects of acute exposure to MDMA has been demonstrated. A role of 5
      HT in MDMA self-administration in rats has not, however, been adequately
      determined. Therefore, the present study measured the effect of pharmacological
      manipulation of some 5-HT receptor subtypes on self-administration of MDMA. Rats
      received extensive experience with self-administered MDMA prior to tests with 5
      HT ligands. Doses of the 5-HT1A antagonist, WAY 100635 (0.1-1.0mg/kg), 5-HT1B
      antagonist, GR 127935 (1.0-3.0mg/kg), and the 5-HT2A antagonist, ketanserin (1.0
      3.0mg/kg) that have previously been shown to decrease self-administration of
      other psychostimulants and that decreased MDMA-produced hyperactivity in the
      present study did not alter MDMA self-administration. Experimenter-administered
      injections of MDMA (10.0mg/kg, ip) reinstated extinguished drug-taking behavior,
      but this also was not decreased by any of the antagonists. In contrast, both WAY
      100635 and ketanserin, but not GR 127935, decreased cocaine-produced drug seeking
      in rats that had been trained to self-administered cocaine. The 5-HT1A agonist, 8
      OH-DPAT (0.1-1.0mg/kg), but not the 5-HT1B/1A agonist, RU 24969 (0.3-3.0mg/kg),
      decreased drug-seeking produced by the reintroduction of a light stimulus that
      had been paired with self-administered MDMA infusions. These findings suggest a
      limited role of activation of 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B or 5-HT2 receptor mechanisms in MDMA
      self-administration or in MDMA-produced drug-seeking following extinction. The
      data suggest, however, that 5-HT1A agonists inhibit cue-induced drug-seeking
      following extinction of MDMA self-administration and might, therefore, be useful
      adjuncts to therapies to limit relapse to MDMA use.

PMID- 27264436
TI  - Ginkgo biloba and vitamin E ameliorate haloperidol-induced vacuous
      chewingmovement and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in a rat tardive
      dyskinesia model.
AB  - Neurodegeneration may be involved in the development of tardive dyskinesia (TD),
      and low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play a role.
      Ginkgo biloba (EGb761), a potent antioxidant, may have neuroprotective effects.
      We hypothesized that there would be decreased BDNF expression in TD, but that
      treatment with EGb761 would increase BDNF expression and reduce TD manifestations
      in a rat model. Forty rats were treated with haloperidol (2mg/kg/day via
      intraperitoneal injections) for 5weeks. EGb761 (50mg/kg/day) and vitamin E
      (20mg/kg/day) were then administered by oral gavage for another 5weeks, and we
      compared the effects of treatment with EGb761 or vitamin E on haloperidol-induced
      vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) and BDNF expression in four brain regions:
      prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatum (ST), substantia nigra (SNR), and globus
      pallidus (GP). Our results showed that haloperidol administration led to a
      progressive increase in VCMs, but both EGb761 and vitamin E significantly
      decreased VCMs. Haloperidol also decreased BDNF expression in all four brain
      regions, but both EGb761 and vitamin E administration significantly increased
      BDNF expression. Our results showed that both EGb761 and VE treatments exerted
      similar positive effects in a rat model of TD and increased BDNF expression
      levels in the four tested brain regions, suggesting that both EGb761 and vitamin
      E improve TD symptoms, possibly by enhancing BDNF in the brain and/or via their
      free radical-scavenging actions.

PMID- 27264437
TI  - A high efficacy cannabinergic ligand (AM4054) used as a discriminative stimulus:
      Generalization to other adamantyl analogs and Delta(9)-THC in rats.
AB  - In addition to endogenous lipids, the two main cloned receptors (CB1R and CB2R)
      of the endocannabinoid signaling system (ECS) can be activated (and blocked) by
      various exogenous ligands. A relatively novel template for CB1R activators
      contains an adamantyl moiety as a key structural subunit, the first being the
      cannabinergic AM411. Additional chemical optimization efforts using the classical
      tricyclic scaffold led to AM4054. Here we explored the in vivo consequences of
      novel adamantyl analogs in rats trained to recognize the effects of the potent
      adamantyl cannabinergic AM4054. Rats were trained to discriminate between AM4054
      (0.1mg/kg) and vehicle. Three AM4054 analogs and Delta(9)-THC were tested for
      generalization (substitution) and antagonism was assessed with rimonabant. We
      found that all cannabinergics resulted in response generalization to the target
      stimulus AM4054. The order of potency was: AM4054>=AM4083>=AM4050>AM4089>Delta(9)
      THC. The CB1R antagonist/inverse agonist rimonabant blocked the discriminative
      stimulus effects of AM4054. Thus the examined structural modifications affected
      binding affinities but did not markedly change potencies with the exception of
      AM4089. In vitro (cAMP assay) functional data have suggested that AM4089 behaves
      as a partial rather than as a full agonist at CB1R which could explain its lower
      potency compared to AM4054 (Thakur et al., 2013). The 9beta-formyl functionality
      at C-9 position was identified as an important pharmacophore yielding high in
      vivo potency. Antagonism by rimonabant suggested CB1R mediation.

PMID- 27264438
TI  - Ecology and multilevel selection explain aggression in spider colonies.
AB  - Progress in sociobiology continues to be hindered by abstract debates over
      methodology and the relative importance of within-group vs. between-group
      selection. We need concrete biological examples to ground discussions in
      empirical data. Recent work argued that the levels of aggression in social spider
      colonies are explained by group-level adaptation. Here, we examine this
      conclusion using models that incorporate ecological detail while remaining
      consistent with kin- and multilevel selection frameworks. We show that although
      levels of aggression are driven, in part, by between-group selection,
      incorporating universal within-group competition provides a striking fit to the
      data that is inconsistent with pure group-level adaptation. Instead, our analyses
      suggest that aggression is favoured primarily as a selfish strategy to compete
      for resources, despite causing lower group foraging efficiency or higher risk of
      group extinction. We argue that sociobiology will benefit from a pluralistic
      approach and stronger links between ecologically informed models and data.

PMID- 27264440
TI  - A Concise Review on the Classification and Nomenclature of Stem Cells.
AB  - Stem cell biology and regenerative medicine is a relatively young field. However,
      in recent years there has been a tremendous interest in stem cells possibly due
      to their therapeutic potential in disease states. As a classical definition, a
      stem cell is an undifferentiated cell that can produce daughter cells that can
      either remain a stem cell in a process called self-renew!al, or commit to a
      specific cell type via the initiation of a differentiation pathway leading to the
      production of mature progeny cells. Despite this acknowledged definition, the
      classification of stem cells has been a perplexing notion that may often raise
      misconception even among stem cell biologists. Therefore, the aim of this brief
      review is to give a conceptual approach to classifying the stem cells beginning
      from the early morula stage totipotent embryonic stem cells to the unipotent
      tissue-resident adult stem cells, also called tissue-specific stem cells. 

PMID- 27264439
TI  - Is ascorbate Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde in the Cu(Abeta) mediated oxidative stress
      linked to Alzheimer's disease?
AB  - Evaluation of the pro versus antioxidant activity of ascorbate regarding
      Cu(Abeta) induced reactive oxygen species production in the context of
      Alzheimer's disease shows that a protective activity can only be observed at high
      ascorbate concentration for exogenous molecules but not for the amyloid-beta
      peptide itself. 

PMID- 27264441
TI  - The evolving treatment paradigm of multiple myeloma: From past to present and
      future.
AB  - Multiple myeloma has been recognized since at least the middle of the 19 th
      century. The list of therapies used in the treat!ment of myeloma is long but only
      recently has therapeutic success approached a level commensurate with disease
      con!trol, although cure remains elusive. The complexity of the disease, invidual
      variations and very active ongoing clinical research warrants continous updating
      of current information. This review not only summarizes the level of success that
      has been achieved during the past years but also points to the drawbacks in the
      current treatment strategies giving emphasize to the potential solutions in the
      future. 

PMID- 27264442
TI  - Patterns of pancytopenia in Yemen.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of pancytopenia
      in relation to sex and age and to become aware of the clinical manifestations of
      pancytopenic patients according to the causes of pancytopenia. MATERIALS-METHODS:
      This was a prospective descriptive study that included all patients with
      pancytopenia admitted to or attending the Hematology-Oncology Department in Al
      Gamhouria Teaching Hospital, Aden, during the period 1 January-31 December 2005.
      RESULTS: The most common causes of pancytopenia were malaria and hypersplenism in
      > 45% of patients, followed by megaloblastic anemia in 14.7%, and aplastic anemia
      and acute leukemia in 13.3% each. The other causes as determined in the present
      study were myelodysplasia in 8.0%, myelofibrosis in 4.0% and iron deficiency
      anemia in 1.3%. The most common symptom was fever in 86.7% of patients. Pallor
      and splenomegaly were the most common physical findings. CONCLUSIONS:
      Hypersplenism and malaria were the most common causes of pancytopenia followed by
      megaloblastic anemia, aplastic anemia and acute leukemia.

PMID- 27264443
TI  - Lymphomas of Waldeyer's ring: Clinical features, management and prognosis of
      eleven adult patients.
AB  - Lymphoma is the second most common neoplasm of the head and neck after squamous
      carcinoma. The majority of lym!phomas involving the head and neck are non
      hodgkin's lymphomas. Hodgkin's lymphoma is rare in Waldeyer's ring. Between 1999
      and 2006, the medical records and pathology data of all newly diagnosed,
      previously untreated adult patients with Waldeyer's ring lymphomas were
      retrospectively reviewed. Pathologic specimens were adopted according to WHO
      his!tologic classification. All patients were clinically staged with history and
      physical examination, routine hematologic and bio!chemical profiles, chest X-ray,
      and computerized tomography of the head and neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. All
      patients were treated with chemotherapy. Approximately one month after the end of
      the scheduled initial management, patients were restaged for evidence of residual
      disease with physical examination, laboratory profiles and relevant radiologic
      studies. Total patient number was 11 in our institution. Complete remission was
      achieved in 6 patients and partial remission in 3 patients; 1 patient did not
      achieve remission and 1 patient with anaplastic large cell lymphoma died.
      Patients who are alive are still being followed in our institution. The
      progression of patients with lymphoma is closely associated with the diagnosis,
      stage and histologic grade of the disease. This series characterized the
      clinicopathologic features and outcomes of adult patients. Our data have shown
      that there is relatively good survival in these diseases but more patients must
      be evaluated for mean!ingful results. 

PMID- 27264444
TI  - Treatment of thalassemia-induced osteoporosis with intermittent pamidronate
      infusions: Two-year follow up.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone mineral density
      (BMD) in 23 patients aged 7-14 years with thalassemia major and to assess the
      alterations in bone density in a two-year follow-up study. METHOD: BMD of the
      lumbar spine and femoral neck was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
      (DXA) at baseline, after 12 months of treatment and two years later. Pamidronate
      treatment (15 mg/dose, every 3 months for 1 year) was given to 23 osteoporotic (Z
      score below -2.5) and osteopenic (Z score -1 to -2.5) patients. After 12 months
      of treatment, all patients received only calcium and vitamin D supplements. After
      the two years of follow-up, BMD of the lumbar spine and femur was measured using
      DXA. RESULT: Administration of pamidronate resulted in a significant increase in
      BMD of the femoral neck. Lumbar spine BMD after pamidronate treatment was
      slightly higher than at baseline, but this was statistically non-significant.
      After two years, femoral neck and lumbar BMD had significantly increased compared
      to baseline. CONCLUSION: In view of the present findings, longer follow-up
      studies to determine long-term treatment are fully warranted.

PMID- 27264445
TI  - Aspirin resistance frequency in healthy males.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Aspirin has been shown to have variable antiplatelet activity in
      individuals. Previous studies have estimated that 5% to 45% of the population do
      not achieve an adequate antiplatelet effect from aspirin and still suffer
      ischemic events despite therapy. AIM: In this study, we aimed to evaluate aspirin
      resistance in healthy males. METHOD: We prospectively enrolled 175 healthy males
      who were >=19 years old and taking 100 mg of aspirin daily >=7 consec!utive days
      before study entry. Demographic information and laboratory data were collected.
      Aspirin resistance was detected by optical platelet aggregometry, a widely
      accepted method using adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and arachidonic acid (AA).
      RESULT: 28% of the participants were aspirin-resistant, 62% were aspirin-semi
      responders and 10% were aspirin-sensitive. The aspirin-resistant individuals were
      older than the semi-responders (p<0.01), and had higher erythrocyte sedimentation
      rate than the semi-responders (p<0.01) and sensitive individuals (p<0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates aspirin resistance to be particularly
      important given its high frequency in our study population. The biological
      effects of aspirin, which is widely used as an antithrombotic drug, are not
      similar in all individuals.

PMID- 27264446
TI  - Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in acute
      myeloblastic leukemia (AML): A single center experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively analyzed the impact of pre- and post-transplant
      variables on the outcome of transplanta!tion in 145 consecutive patients with
      acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) allografted from their HLA-identical siblings
      in our single center cohort. RESULTS: The stem cell source used was bone marrow
      (BM) (36.6%) or peripheral blood (PB) (63.4%). Both neutrophil and platelet
      engraftments were observed on the median 14th day. Engraftment was faster in the
      PB group than in the BM group (p<0.0001). Severe acute graft versus host disease
      (aGvHD) was observed in 27.9% of the patients while chronic (c)GvHD developed in
      61.2%. The use of PB was associated with more severe aGvHD. Estimated leukemia
      free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) at 10 years were 43.4%+/-5.2% and
      52.7%+/-4.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both in univariate and multivariate
      analyses for LFS and OS, remission status at transplant and the presence of aGvHD
      were independent risk factors.

PMID- 27264447
TI  - Clonal evolution of monosomy 7 in acquired severe aplastic anemia: Two cases
      treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - Aplastic anemia (AA) may evolve into clonal diseases like myelodysplastic
      syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloblastic leuke!mia (AML). Monosomy 7 is a poor
      prognostic chromosomal abnormality commonly associated with therapy related MDS
      and secondary AML. It has also been associated with leukomogenic transformation
      in AA. We present here two adult ma!le patients with acquired severe AA. Both
      patients had received immunosuppressive therapy (IST) as first line treatment and
      had monosomy 7 positive clone at transformation to MDS with refractory anemia and
      excess of blast (RAEB-II) and AML, respectively. Both patients have undergone
      allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation from their HLA identical
      donors (unrelated and sibling). 

PMID- 27264448
TI  - A patient with extramedullary acute myeloid leukaemia involving the brachial
      plexus: Case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Extramedullary leukaemic involvement is not uncommon as part of the presentation
      in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). However, infiltrative peripheral neuropathy due
      to AML was rarely reported. We report a case of extramedullary leukaemic
      infiltration of the brachial plexus in a patient with relapsed AML. 

PMID- 27264449
TI  - Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage due to donor lymphocyte infusion in a case of acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, with a mortality rate between 60-100%, is a life
      threatening complication in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. A 34
      year-old man, with precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed in July
      2003, relapsed after allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation from his human leukocyte antigen- iden!tical brother in July
      2005. He received a donor lymphocyte infusion of 2 x 107/kg CD3 positive cells.
      He developed fever, dyspnea and hypoxemia four days after donor lymphocyte
      infusion. The patient was diagnosed as diffuse alveolar hem!orrhage based on the
      clinical, radiological and bronchoscopic data. He was immediately started on high
      dose methylpred!nisolone. Two days after the onset of the steroid therapy, he
      recovered with significant improvement in oxygenation. Diffuse alveolar
      hemorrhage can be a late-onset transplant complication that could also be
      associated with a recent donor lymphocyte infusion. 

PMID- 27264450
TI  - Development of zona zoster during bortezomib treatment in patients with
      Relapsed/Refractory multiple myeloma.

PMID- 27264451
TI  - Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in childhood.

PMID- 27264452
TI  - The correlation between soluble endothelial protein c receptor (sEPCR) and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in vivo.

PMID- 27264453
TI  - The bone marrow in hereditary cystinosis.

PMID- 27264454
TI  - A SMART design to optimize treatment strategies for patient and family caregiver
      outcomes.
AB  - Sequential multiple randomization trial (SMART) designs are experimental designs
      used to identify treatment strategies that maximize targeted health outcomes.
      SMART designs are receiving greater attention in nursing and other health
      disciplines to develop multicomponent interventions that are tailored to the
      patient's (or family caregiver's) needs and preferences. A SMART design resembles
      a traditional randomized controlled trial (RCT) design in that it scientifically
      examines intervention effects with randomization. However, the two designs
      address very different research inquiries. In this article, we compare
      traditional RCT designs and SMART designs, describe the adaptive treatment
      framework that underlies SMART designs and key features of SMART designs, and
      illustrate the application of a SMART design to develop an adaptive palliative
      care treatment to improve patient and caregiver outcomes. 

PMID- 27264455
TI  - CD4(+) T cells in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders show
      distinct levels of exhaustion.

PMID- 27264456
TI  - Differences in human gingival and dermal fibroblasts may contribute to oral
      induced tolerance against nickel.

PMID- 27264457
TI  - IgG and IgG4 to 91 allergenic molecules in early childhood by route of exposure
      and current and future IgE sensitization: Results from the Multicentre Allergy
      Study birth cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies of a limited number of allergens suggested that nonsensitized
      children produce IgG responses mainly to foodborne allergens, whereas IgE
      sensitized children also produce strong IgG responses to the respective airborne
      molecules. OBJECTIVE: We sought to systematically test the hypothesis that both
      the route of exposure and IgE sensitization affect IgG responses to a broad array
      of allergenic molecules in early childhood. METHODS: We examined sera of 148
      children participating in the Multicentre Allergy Study, a birth cohort born in
      1990. IgG to 91 molecules of 42 sources were tested with the ImmunoCAP Solid
      Phase Allergen Chip (ISAC; TFS, Uppsala, Sweden). IgE sensitization at age 2 and
      7 years was defined by IgE levels of 0.35 kUA/L or greater to 1 or more of 8 or 9
      extracts from common allergenic sources, respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence
      and geometric mean levels of IgG to allergenic molecules in nonsensitized
      children were lower at age 2 years than in IgE-sensitized children, and they were
      extremely heterogeneous: highest for animal food (87% +/- 13%; 61 ISAC
      Standardized Units [ISU], [95% CI, 52.5-71.5 ISU]), intermediate for vegetable
      food (48% +/- 27%; 13 ISU [95% CI, 11.2-16.1 ISU]), and lowest for airborne
      allergens (24% +/- 20%; 3 ISU [95% CI, 2.4-3.4 ISU]; P for trend < .001 [for
      percentages], P for trend < .001 [for levels]). IgG4 antibodies were infrequent
      (<5%) and contributed poorly (<3%) to overall IgG antibody levels. IgG responses
      at age 2 years were slightly more frequent and stronger among children with than
      in those without IgE sensitization at age 7 years. CONCLUSION: The children's
      repertoire of IgG antibodies at 2 years of age to a broad array of animal
      foodborne, vegetable foodborne, and airborne allergenic molecules is profoundly
      dependent on the route of allergen exposure and the child's IgE sensitization
      status and only marginally involves the IgG4 isotype.

PMID- 27264458
TI  - A combination of dexamethasone and anti-IL-17A treatment can alleviate diesel
      exhaust particle-induced steroid insensitive asthma.

PMID- 27264459
TI  - Evaluating the ability of artificial neural network and PCA-M5P models in
      predicting leachate COD load in landfills.
AB  - Waste burial in uncontrolled landfills can cause serious environmental damages
      and unpleasant consequences. Leachates produced in landfills have the potential
      to contaminate soil and groundwater resources. Leachate management is one of the
      major issues with respect to landfills environmental impacts. Improper design of
      landfills can lead to leachate spread in the environment, and hence, engineered
      landfills are required to have leachate monitoring programs. The high cost of
      such programs may be greatly reduced and cost efficiency of the program may be
      optimized if one can predict leachate contamination level and foresee management
      and treatment strategies. The aim of this study is to develop two expert systems
      consisting of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Principal Component Analysis
      M5P (PCA-M5P) models to predict Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) load in leachates
      produced in lab-scale landfills. Measured data from three landfill lysimeters,
      including rainfall depth, number of days after waste deposition, thickness of top
      and bottom Compacted Clay Liners (CCLs), and thickness of top cover over the
      lysimeter, were utilized to develop, train, validate, and test the expert systems
      and predict the leachate COD load. Statistical analysis of the prediction results
      showed that both models possess good prediction ability with a slight superiority
      for ANN over PCA-M5P. Based on test datasets, the mean absolute percentage error
      for ANN and PCA-M5P models were 4% and 12%, respectively, and the correlation
      coefficient for both models was greater than 0.98. Developed models may be used
      as a rough estimate for leachate COD load prediction in primary landfill designs,
      where the effect of a top and/or bottom liner is disputed. 

PMID- 27264461
TI  - Removal of Bisphenol A aqueous solution using surfactant-modified natural
      zeolite: Taguchi's experimental design, adsorption kinetic, equilibrium and
      thermodynamic study.
AB  - In this study, surfactant-modified natural zeolite was used to remove Bisphenol A
      (BPA) from aqueous solutions. Kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics of BPA
      adsorption on the adsorbent surfaces were investigated. The experimental data
      were described with the Temkin isotherm and the pseudo-second- order kinetic
      model. Taguchi's robust design approach was used to optimize adsorption of BPA.
      Experimentation was planned as per Taguchi's L27 orthogonal array. Tests were
      conducted with different adsorbate amount, pH, time, initial concentration of
      BPA, temperature and agitation speed. The optimum levels of control factors for
      maximum total organic carbon removal were defined (adsorbate amount at 0.25 g, pH
      at 7, time at 30 min, initial concentration of BPA at 50 mg/L, temperature at 30
      degrees C and agitation speed at 200 rpm). The ANOVA analysis shown that the most
      effective control factor is adsorbent dosage; its contribution is 56.4%.
      Contribution of pH and mixing rate are 7.5% and 7.6%, respectively. A
      confirmation experiment was conducted to verify the feasibility and effectiveness
      of the optimal combination. The observed value of S/N (etaobs = 39) ratio is
      compared with that of the predicted value (etaopt = 48). The prediction error,
      that is, etaopt - etaobs = 9, is within CI value.

PMID- 27264460
TI  - Enhancement of simultaneous gold and copper recovery from discarded mobile phone
      PCBs using Bacillus megaterium: RSM based optimization of effective factors and
      evaluation of their interactions.
AB  - Bioleaching of Au from mobile phone printed circuit boards (MPPCBs) was studied,
      using Bacillus megaterium which is a cyanogenic bacterium. To maximize Au
      extraction, initial pH, pulp density, and glycine concentration were optimized
      via response surface methodology (RSM). Bioleaching of Cu, an important inhibitor
      on Au recovery, was also examined. To maximize Au recovery, the optimal condition
      suggested by the models was initial pH of 10, pulp density of 8.13g/l, and
      glycine concentration of 10g/l. Under the optimal condition, approximately 72% of
      Cu and 65g Au/ton MPPCBs, which is 7 times greater than the recovery from gold
      mines, was extracted. Cu elimination from the MPPCBs having a rich content of Au
      did not cause a significant effect on Au recovery. It was found that when the
      ratio of Cu to Au is high, Cu elimination can considerably improve Au recovery.
      B. megaterium could extract the total Au from PCBs containing 130g Au/ton MPPCBs.

PMID- 27264462
TI  - Effects of Desialylation on Chemoattractant Induced Chemotaxis.
AB  - The amount of sialic acid on the surface of the neutrophil influences its ability
      to interact with other cells. Neutrophil activation with various stimuli
      mobilizes intracellular sialidase to the plasma membrane where it cleaves sialic
      acid from cell surfaces. Since enhanced neutrophil adherence, spreading,
      deformability and motility each are associated with surface desialylation and
      critical to neutrophil diapedesis, we studied the role of sialic acid on
      neutrophil chemotaxis with interleukin-8 (IL-8), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), fMet-Leu
      Phe (fMLP) and complement 5a in vitro. Migration of NANase-treated neutrophil
      across 3 MU pore size polycarbonate membranes was decreased in response to IL-8
      and LTB4 but not to fMLP and complement 5a. These findings suggest that sialic
      acid content of receptors have a key role on chemoattractant-receptor binding and
      may be a novel strategy for limiting the inflammatory response. 

PMID- 27264463
TI  - Beta-Thalassemia Mutations in the East of Turkey.
AB  - This study was planned to determine the frequency of beta-thalassemia trait and
      mutations in Van Lake region, which is in the eastern part of Turkey, surrounded
      by Iran in the east and by Iraq in the south. This study consist of 1014 healthy
      students, between the age of 12 and 18 years who are studying in boarding schools
      in Van city and cities surrounding Van Lake that includes Van, Agri, Hakkari,
      Bitlis, Mus and Siirt. The students were randomly selected according to their
      school numbers. Their origin was not taken into consideration in selection.
      Complete blood counts were performed on all donors. The accepted lower limit of
      mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were 78 fL
      and 27 pg respectively. HbA2 was measured by DE-52 microcolumn chromatography
      method. beta-thalassemia trait with high HbA2 was found in 6 children. beta
      thalassemia homozygous form of -30 (T-A) mutation was determined in one child and
      HbD-Los Angeles heterozygous in another. The beta-thalassemia homozygous
      individual was accepted as two cases in prevalence calculation. We found that the
      prevalence of beta-thalassemia trait was 0.78% in this area. In DNA analyses,
      there were beta-thalassemia gene mutations of FSC 8/9 (+G), -30 (T-A), IVS I-110
      (G-A), IVS II-1 (G-A) and IVS I-130 (G-A) in 3, 2, 1, 1 and 1 individuals,
      respectively. We conclude that although five different beta-thalassemia mutation
      exist in Van Lake region, beta-thalassemia is not a potential risk in the east of
      Turkey. 

PMID- 27264464
TI  - Frequency of FV 1299 His-Arg (A4070G) in Turkish Cypriots.
AB  - FV 1299 His-Arg polymorphism was recently determined to be common in Turkish
      population (8.5%). This polymorphism contribute to the activated protein C
      resistance phenotype. We aimed to examine the frequency of this polymorphism in
      Turkish Cypriots. 

PMID- 27264465
TI  - Platelet Functions in Patients with Allergic Asthma.
AB  - To investigate platelet functions in patients suffering from allergic diseases
      including asthma, blood was collected from ten asthmatic patients (five females,
      five males) and ten healthy controls (five females, five males) and by using
      whole-blood electrical impedance system; platelet count and platelet aggregation
      studies (maximum aggregation extent, maximum aggregation rate) were performed.
      Allergy screening was performed with skin test reactions and with high total and
      specific immunoglobulin E levels (CAP-Phadiatop system). Platelet count (333.1 +/
      41.1 x 109/L), collagen induced the response of platelet aggregation (12.95 +/-
      4.19) and maximum rate of aggregation (8.00 +/- 5.22) in allergic patients were
      found significantly higher than those of controls (252.1 +/- 49.1 x 109/L; 8.33
      +/- 1.19; 4.28 +/- 1.31) (p< 0.05). Also ADP induced response of platelet
      aggregation (18.21 +/- 3.56) and maximum rate of aggregation (10.64 +/- 2.12) in
      asthmatic patients were higher than controls (12.37 +/- 2.63; 7.80 +/- 1.64) with
      statistical significance (p< 0.01). Secretion products of activated platelets
      such as histamine, serotonin, PGF2alpha and PAF may play role in bronchial
      responsiveness in allergic asthma. The results of this study showed that platelet
      function tests were effected in asthmatic patients. The changes in platelet
      functions are thought to be related with increased IgE levels and stimulation of
      platelets by these antibodies. 

PMID- 27264466
TI  - Effect of Sialic Acid on Platelet Cryopreservation.
AB  - Sialic acid is a molecule which is responsible for the net negative surface
      charge of platelets. We investigated the effect of sialic acid on fresh and
      cryopreserved platelets. Platelet samples were obtained by platelet apheresis
      from 8 healthy donors. Platelet suspensions with different sialic acid
      concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 4 mg/mL) were studied for ADP and ristocetin induced
      platelet aggregation, basal and ADP induced P-selectin and glycoprotein- Ib/IX
      expression. Then platelet samples were cryopreserved in 5% DMSO with or without 4
      mg/mL sialic acid. After thawing, P-selectin expression was compared with the
      control group. Six samples were also washed after thawing and P-selectin
      expression was again compared to unwashed samples. Sialic acid suppressed ADP
      induced platelet aggregation and P-selectin expression in a dose dependent
      manner. In cryopreserved samples, P-selectin expression of 4 mg/mL sialic acid
      containing group was found significantly higher than the control group (p<
      0.001). In cryopreserved control group, P-selectin expression of thawedwashed
      group was significantly higher than thawed-unwashed group (p< 0.05). Our results
      indicate that sialic acid is not a good cryoprotective agent. Washing procedure
      after thawing to eliminate DMSO causes significant platelet activation. 

PMID- 27264467
TI  - Thrombosis After Splenectomy in Patients with Thalassemia.
AB  - Thrombosis is one of the most important complications after splenectomy and
      requires fast diagnosis, effective therapy and good follow-up. The aim of this
      study is to investigate the effects of thrombocytosis and natural inhibitors on
      thrombosis after splenectomy. We detected thrombosis in the portal vein system in
      7 of the 30 splenectomized patients (23.3%) by Doppler Colour Flow Imaging. There
      was no statistical increase of thrombocyte count in patients with or without
      thrombosis. Natural inhibitor levels in all patients were lower than controls (p<
      0.001), but there was not any statistical difference between the patients with
      and without thrombosis. 

PMID- 27264468
TI  - Histopathologic and Immunophenotypic Features of Childhood and Adult Anaplastic
      Large-Cell Lymphomas.
AB  - The t (2;5) (p23; q35) translocation associated with CD30-positive anaplastic
      large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) creates a hybrid gene encoding the chimeric nucleolar
      protein nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NFMALK) protein, which can be
      demonstrated by immunostaining with ALK1 monoclonal antibody. In this study, 40
      specimens of ALCL from 6 pediatric, 34 adult patients, were immunostained with
      monoclonal antibodies against CD30 (Ber-H2), EMA, CD45 (LCA), CD3, CD20 (L26),
      CD15, and ALK1 antigens, and results were correlated with histopathologic
      features. The mean age of the pediatric and adult patients was 10-years and 38
      years, respectively. ALK1 was positive in 14 cases (35%) representing 83% of
      pediatric and 26% of adult patients, statistically significantly higher in the
      pediatric group (p= 0.01). Considering the better prognosis attributed to cases
      with t (2;5), it is interesting to note that the percentage of ALK1-positive
      cases is significantly higher in pediatric patients with coexpression of EMA,
      compared to adults. 

PMID- 27264469
TI  - Plasma Cell Leukemia: A Report of 5 Cases and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Plasma cells are occasionally observed in the peripheral blood of the patients
      with multiple myeloma. When the number of these circulating cells is significant,
      the term of plasma cell leukemia is used. We report 5 cases of plasma cell
      leukemia with poor prognosis with review of the literature. 

PMID- 27264470
TI  - A Case with Gaucher-Like Cells.
AB  - Gaucher-like cells (GLC) are sometimes indistinguishable from real Gaucher cells.
      GLC can be detected in various diseases. We present a 4.5 year old boy with
      massive cervical lympadenopathy and an intraabdominal mass mimicking lymphoma.
      Many GLC were seen in the fine needle aspiration material of an enlarged lymph
      node. Ziehl-Neelsen stain of the aspirate revealed many acid-fast bacteria in the
      GLC. Fine needle aspiration might provide valuable information in the evaluation
      of enlarged lymph nodes. 

PMID- 27264472
TI  - Images in Haematology.

PMID- 27264471
TI  - Unusual Cause of Back Pain in a Multiple Myeloma Patient: Infectious Discitis.
AB  - A 58 year old patient, followed up for diabetes mellitus and multiple myeloma for
      ten years and six months, respectively, presented with persistent back pain,
      weakness at his lower extremity and intermittent fever. Activation markers of
      myeloma were in normal limits except high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and
      elevated C-reactive protein. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed increased T1
      spinal intensity at the suspected disc level. Discitis was suspected on the basis
      of MRl and high fever. An intraoperative examination of specimens revealed
      Staphylococcus aureus. Detailed laboratory and radiological investigations should
      be performed to diagnose unusual causes of persistent back pain, such as discitis
      in patients with myeloma. 

PMID- 27264473
TI  - Prevalence of Hemoglobinopathies in Denizli and Kahramanmaras.

PMID- 27264474
TI  - Efficiency and stability of spectral sensitization of boron-doped-diamond
      electrodes through covalent anchoring of a donor-acceptor organic chromophore
      (P1).
AB  - A novel procedure is developed for chemical modification of H-terminated B-doped
      diamond surfaces with a donor-pi-bridge-acceptor molecule (P1). A cathodic
      photocurrent near 1 MUA cm(-2) flows under 1 Sun (AM 1.5) illumination at the
      interface between the diamond electrode and aqueous electrolyte solution
      containing dimethylviologen (electron mediator). The efficiency of this new
      electrode outperforms that of the non-covalently modified diamond with the same
      dye. The found external quantum efficiency of the P1-sensitized diamond is not
      far from that of the flat titania electrode sensitized by a standard
      organometallic dye used in solar cells. However, the P1 dye, both pure and
      diamond-anchored, shows significant instability during illumination by solar
      light. The degradation is a two-stage process in which the initially photo
      generated products further decompose in complicated dark reactions. These
      findings need to be taken into account for optimization of organic chromophores
      for solar cells in general. 

PMID- 27264476
TI  - Activating KRAS mutation is prognostic only among patients who receive
      preoperative chemotherapy before resection of colorectal liver metastases.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: While the prognostic role of KRAS status after
      resection of CRLM has been previously explored, the importance of KRAS status
      relative to the receipt of preoperative chemotherapy remains largely unknown.
      METHODS: A total of 430 patients who underwent curative-intent surgery for CRLM
      between 2000 and 2015 and who had available KRAS genotype data were identified.
      Data regarding KRAS mutation status, receipt of preoperative chemotherapy, and
      overall survival (OS) were assessed using univariable and multivariable analyses.
      RESULTS: Median patient age was 58 years (IQR, 50.4-66.4 years). A total of 258
      patients (60.0%) received preoperative chemotherapy, while 172 (40.0%) had
      upfront surgery. Median and 5-year OS in the entire cohort was 65.1 months and
      53.2%, respectively. KRAS mutation was associated with a worse 5-year OS compared
      with wild-type tumors (HR 1.41; P = 0.042). After stratifying by the receipt of
      preoperative chemotherapy, the prognostic value of KRAS mutation only persisted
      among patients who had received preoperative chemotherapy (HR 1.67; P = 0.012).
      In contrast, KRAS mutation status had no impact on OS among patients who had not
      received preoperative chemotherapy (P = 0.597). CONCLUSIONS: KRAS mutation status
      was an independent predictor of OS among patients undergoing liver resection of
      CRLM. However, after stratifying by receipt of preoperative chemotherapy, KRAS
      was informative relative to prognosis only among patients who received
      preoperative chemotherapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:361-367. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264477
TI  - Two-dimensional TaC nanosheets on a reduced graphene oxide hybrid as an efficient
      and stable electrocatalyst for water splitting.
AB  - A novel highly active and stable HER catalyst containing two-dimensional TaC
      nanosheets hybridized with reduced graphene oxide (2D TaC-RGO) was prepared as an
      efficient and stable hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst. 

PMID- 27264475
TI  - Early severe institutional deprivation is associated with a persistent variant of
      adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: clinical presentation,
      developmental continuities and life circumstances in the English and Romanian
      Adoptees study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early-life institutional deprivation is associated with attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) later in childhood and adolescence. In this
      article, we examine, for the first time, the persistence of deprivation-related
      ADHD into young adulthood in a sample of individuals adopted as young children by
      UK families after periods in extremely depriving Romanian orphanages. METHODS: We
      estimated rates of ADHD at age 15 years and in young adulthood (ages 22-25 years)
      in individuals at low (LoDep; nondeprived UK adoptees and Romanian adoptees with
      less than 6-month institutional exposure) and high deprivation-related risk
      (HiDep; Romanian adoptees with more than 6-month exposure). Estimates were based
      on parent report using DSM-5 childhood symptom and impairment criteria. At age
      15, data were available for 108 LoDep and 86 HiDep cases, while in young
      adulthood, the numbers were 83 and 60, respectively. Data on education and
      employment status, IQ, co-occurring symptoms of young adult disinhibited social
      engagement (DSE), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cognitive impairment, conduct
      disorder (CD), callous-unemotional (CU) traits, anxiety, depression and quality
      of life (QoL) were also collected. RESULTS: ADHD rates in the LoDep group were
      similar to the general population in adolescence (5.6%) and adulthood (3.8%).
      HiDep individuals were, respectively, nearly four (19%) and over seven (29.3%)
      times more likely to meet criteria, than LoDep. Nine 'onset' young adult cases
      emerged, but these had a prior childhood history of elevated ADHD behaviours at
      ages 6, 11 and 15 years. Young adult ADHD was equally common in males and
      females, was predominantly inattentive in presentation and co-occurred with high
      levels of ASD, DSE and CU features. ADHD was associated with high unemployment
      and low educational attainment. CONCLUSION: We provide the first evidence of a
      strong persistence into adulthood of a distinctively complex and impairing
      deprivation-related variant of ADHD. Our results confirm the powerful association
      of early experience with later development in a way that suggests a role for deep
      seated alterations to brain structure and function.

PMID- 27264478
TI  - Effect of fetal gender on pregnancy outcomes in Northern China.
AB  - PURPOSE: Several studies have demonstrated that fetal gender has a significant
      effect on the pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy-related complications. However,
      results differ as the race and population changes. The aim of our study was to
      test whether the recorded phenomenon of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated
      with a male fetus applies to women in northern China. METHODS: This was a multi
      centered, cross-sectional study. The study population included women who
      delivered babies in 25 different hospitals in 9 provinces in northern China, from
      1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011. For our analysis, we selected 65 173
      singleton birth deliveries at or after 28 weeks that occurred during the year
      2011. RESULTS: Male fetal gender was associated with an increased incidence of
      preterm delivery (8.33% for males; 7.19% for females), gestational diabetes
      mellitus (4.58% for males; 4.26% for females), fetal macrosomia (9.41% versus
      5.78%), lower Apgar score (2.05% versus 1.78%), perinatal death (0.92% versus
      0.76%), placenta previa (0.95% versus 0.81%), increased cesarean section delivery
      (54.87% versus 52.31%) and operative delivery (1.34% versus 1.19%) (p < 0.05).
      However, female fetuses were associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia at
      an advanced gestational age (15.86% for males; 17.53% for females), fetal growth
      restriction (0.74% for males; 1.09% for females), malpresentation (3.6% for
      males; 4.31% for females), postpartum hemorrhage (2.92% for males; 3.19% for
      females) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The recorded phenomenon of adverse pregnancy
      outcomes associated with a male fetus applies to our population regardless of
      some different results.

PMID- 27264484
TI  - The utility of thromboelastography in inherited and acquired bleeding disorders.
AB  - Thromboelastography (TEG) was first described by Hartert in 1948, and was
      designed to monitor viscoelastic clot strength in whole blood in real time. The
      current TEG method and Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) were subsequently
      developed from the original principles. Both of the modern methods provide data
      by measuring changes in the viscoelastic strength of a small sample of clotting
      blood in response to a constant rotational force. The important advantage of
      these techniques is to visually observe and quantify blood coagulation including
      the propagation, stabilization and dissolution phases of clot formation under low
      shear conditions. Analysis of the results provides detailed kinetic data on
      fibrin generation, clot strength and fibrinolysis. These TEG/ROTEM analyses
      therefore enable evaluation of global clotting function and the monitoring of
      haemostatic treatment in various clinical situations, not only in patients with
      genetic bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia, but also in patients undergoing
      cardiac surgery, liver transplantation or suffering from traumatic injury. Some
      evidence suggests that haemostatic management using TEG/ROTEM leads to a
      reduction in total transfusions of whole blood or clotting factors. Wider
      clinical application of this technology seems likely.

PMID- 27264483
TI  - miR-21-5p renal expression is associated with fibrosis and renal survival in
      patients with IgA nephropathy.
AB  - IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent primary glomerulonephritis, whose
      prognosis is highly variable. Interstitial fibrosis is a strong independent
      prognosis factor. Among microRNA involved in renal fibrogenesis, only few have
      been investigated in IgAN. In the context of IgAN, we aimed to analyze the role
      of miR-21-5p, miR-214-3p and miR-199a-5p, three established "fibromiRs" involved
      in renal fibrosis. Fifty-six IgAN biopsy specimens were retrospectively scored
      according to Oxford classification. Renal expression of miR-21-5p, miR-214-3p and
      miR-199a-5p were significantly associated with T score (miR-21-5p T0 RQ median =
      1.23, T1 RQ = 3.01, T2 RQ = 3.90; miR-214-5p T0 RQ = 1.39, T1 RQ = 2.20, T2 RQ =
      2.48; miR-199a-5p T0 RQ = 0.76, T1 RQ = 1.41, T2 RQ = 1.87). miR-21-5p expression
      was associated with S score (S0 RQ median = 1.31, S1 RQ = 2.65), but not miR-214
      3p nor miR-199a-5p. In our cohort, poor renal survival was associated with high
      blood pressure, proteinuria and elevated creatininemia, as well as T and S
      scores. Moreover, renal expression of miR-21-5p, miR-214-3p were associated with
      renal survival. In conclusion, miR-21-5p, miR-214-3p and miR-199a-5p are three
      "fibromiRs" involved in renal fibrosis in the course of IgAN and miR-21-5p and
      miR-214-3p are associated with renal survival.

PMID- 27264485
TI  - Food consumption and activity levels increase in rats following intranasal
      Hypocretin-1.
AB  - Hypocretin-1 (HC, orexin-A) is a neuropeptide involved in regulating
      physiological functions of sleep, appetite and arousal, and it has been shown
      that intranasal (IN) administration can target HC to the brain. Recent clinical
      studies have shown that IN HC has functional effects in human clinical trials. In
      this study, we use rats to determine whether IN HC has an immediate effect on
      food consumption and locomotor activity, whether distribution in the brain after
      IN delivery is dose-dependent, and whether MAPK and PDK1 are affected after IN
      delivery. Food intake and wheel-running activity were quantified for 24h after IN
      delivery. Biodistribution was determined 30min after IN delivery of both a high
      and low dose of 125I-radiolabelled HC throughout the brain and other bodily
      tissues, while Western blots were used to quantify changes in cell signaling
      pathways (MAPK and PDK1) in the brain. Intranasal HC significantly increased food
      intake and wheel activity within 4h after delivery, but balanced out over the
      course of 24h. The distribution studies showed dose-dependent delivery in the CNS
      and peripheral tissues, while PDK1 was significantly increased in the brain 30min
      after IN delivery of HC. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that IN
      administration of HC is a promising strategy for treatment of HC related
      behaviors.

PMID- 27264486
TI  - Altered economic decision-making in abstinent heroin addicts: Evidence from the
      ultimatum game.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development and persistence of drug addiction has been suggested
      to involve decision-making deficits. The Ultimatum Game is a widely used economic
      decision-making paradigm that illustrates the tension between financial self
      interest and fairness motives. The behavior of responders in the Ultimatum Game
      has been associated with emotional reactions and cognitive control abilities,
      both of which are dysregulated in drug addicts. In this study, we investigated
      whether this economic decision-making process that involves considerations of
      social norms is affected by heroin addiction. METHODS: Heroin addicts (n=17) and
      demographically matched healthy control subjects (n=18) were recruited to play
      the part of responders in the Ultimatum Game, during which they decided to accept
      or reject the monetary offers proposed by strangers. The offers were manipulated
      by varying the stake sizes and fairness scales. The rejection rates of all of the
      offer categories, response times, fairness judgments, and impulsivity were
      compared between heroin addicts and healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared with
      healthy subjects, the rejection rates of most unfair offers in the Ultimatum Game
      were significantly higher under low-offer-size conditions among heroin addicts.
      In contrast, the most unfair offers were more likely to be accepted by heroin
      addicts in the high-offer-size condition than by healthy subjects. The ratings of
      unfairness were equal in both conditions although the rejection rates were
      different. Heroin addicts had higher scores on BIS attentional/cognitive
      impulsivity and non-planning impulsivity, but not in motor impulsivity. Rejection
      rates to most unfair offers under low-offer-size conditions significantly
      correlated with score on BIS non-planning impulsivity and total score of
      impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: Heroin addicts differentially responded under different
      stake-level conditions in the Ultimatum Game, with emotional impulses in low
      offer-size conditions and selfish motives in the face of high monetary reward.
      These findings indicate that Ultimatum Game may be associated with heroin
      addiction and provide a productive new target for enhancing treatment for heroin
      addiction.

PMID- 27264487
TI  - A microarray study of chronic unpredictable mild stress rat blood serum with
      electro-acupuncture intervention.
AB  - In the present study, we investigated the changes of microRNA (miRNA) expression
      upon depression and electro-acupuncture (EA) intervention in chronic
      unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats using microarray analysis. Results showed
      that EA intervention remarkably improved behavioral indexes in terms of crossing
      number, rearing number, sucrose preference and body weight of CUMS rats.
      Microarray analysis revealed that a total of 153 differentially expressed miRNAs
      were regulated by CUMS, and the expression of 180 differentially expressed miRNAs
      was changed after EA intervention. Among these miRNAs, two miRNAs were
      significantly up-regulated and four miRNAs were significantly down-regulated by
      CUMS. Moreover, four miRNAs were significantly up-regulated and 12 miRNAs were
      significantly down-regulated after EA intervention. The expressions of miR-383-5p
      and miR-764-5p were up-regulated after CUMS, while their expressions were down
      regulated by EA intervention. Further analysis showed that 1260 possible target
      genes were predicted for miR-383-5p and miR-764-5p, and 97 pathways and 137 gene
      ontology (GO) were involved. Among these pathways and GO, about 20 pathways and
      21 GO were related to depression. Changes of miR-383-5p and miR-764-5p indicated
      that EA might exert its therapeutic effect on depression through promoting the
      neurotrophy and inhibiting the abnormal apoptosis of neurons as well as other
      correlative signal pathways. In conclusion, our present study enriched the
      understanding of pathological process of depression and revealed possible
      mechanisms of EA on depression.

PMID- 27264488
TI  - Neprilysin: Indications, Expectations, and Challenges.

PMID- 27264489
TI  - Minimally Invasive Approach for Valvular Surgery and Atrial Septal Defect.

PMID- 27264490
TI  - Clinical Outcomes After Implantation of Overlapping Bioresorbable Scaffolds vs
      New Generation Everolimus Eluting Stents.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There is limited evidence on procedural and clinical
      outcomes in patients treated with overlapping bioresorbable scaffolds vs
      overlapping everolimus-eluting stents. We evaluated the outcomes of propensity
      matched patients treated with overlapping scaffolds vs everolimus-eluting stents.
      METHODS: After propensity matching, 70 consecutive stable angina patients treated
      with overlapping bioresorbable scaffolds and 70 patients treated with overlapping
      new generation everolimus stents were included in this study. The primary outcome
      was the 1-year rate of major adverse cardiovascular events, defined as the
      composite of all-cause mortality, nonprocedural myocardial infarction, and target
      vessel revascularization. RESULTS: Patients in the 2 groups had similar age
      (scaffold vs stent: 64.5 +/- 10.3 vs 66 +/- 9.7 years; P=.381), sex, diabetes,
      previous cardiovascular history, and SYNTAX score (scaffold vs stent: 18.6 +/-
      9.2 vs 19.4 +/- 10.4; P=.635). Postprocedural acute gain was significantly lower
      in patients treated with scaffolds (1.82+/-0.66 vs 2.03+/-0.68mm; P=.033). At 1
      year follow up, the estimated major adverse cardiovascular event rate was not
      significantly different between the 2 groups (scaffold vs stent: 14.5% vs 14.6%;
      Plog-rank=.661). Similarly, no significant differences were seen in 1-year rates
      of target vessel (scaffold vs stent: 14.5% vs 10%; Plog-rank=.816) or target
      lesion revascularization (scaffold vs stent: 9.7% vs 8.3%; Plog-rank=.815).
      CONCLUSIONS: Treating long lesions with overlapping scaffolds is feasible with
      acceptable 1-year outcomes.

PMID- 27264491
TI  - Correction of Congenital Cardiac Defects With CorMatrix Extracellular Matrix in
      Pediatric Patients: Is It Really Safe?

PMID- 27264492
TI  - High-resolution contrast-enhanced optical coherence tomography in mice retinae.
AB  - Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive interferometric imaging
      modality providing anatomical information at depths of millimeters and a
      resolution of micrometers. Conventional OCT images limit our knowledge to
      anatomical structures alone, without any contrast enhancement. Therefore, here we
      have, for the first time, optimized an OCT-based contrast-enhanced imaging system
      for imaging single cells and blood vessels in vivo inside the living mouse retina
      at subnanomolar sensitivity. We used bioconjugated gold nanorods (GNRs) as
      exogenous OCT contrast agents. Specifically, we used anti-mouse CD45 coated GNRs
      to label mouse leukocytes and mPEG-coated GNRs to determine sensitivity of GNR
      detection in vivo inside mice retinae. We corroborated OCT observations with
      hyperspectral dark-field microscopy of formalin-fixed histological sections. Our
      results show that mouse leukocytes that otherwise do not produce OCT contrast can
      be labeled with GNRs leading to significant OCT intensity equivalent to a 0.5 nM
      GNR solution. Furthermore, GNRs injected intravenously can be detected inside
      retinal blood vessels at a sensitivity of ~0.5  nM, and GNR-labeled cells
      injected intravenously can be detected inside retinal capillaries by enhanced OCT
      contrast. We envision the unprecedented resolution and sensitivity of
      functionalized GNRs coupled with OCT to be adopted for longitudinal studies of
      retinal disorders.

PMID- 27264493
TI  - Photoacoustic imaging of angiogenesis in a subcutaneous islet transplant site in
      a murine model.
AB  - Islet transplantation (IT) is an established clinical therapy for select patients
      with type-1 diabetes. Clinically, the hepatic portal vein serves as the site for
      IT. Despite numerous advances in clinical IT, limitations remain, including early
      islet cell loss posttransplant, procedural complications, and the inability to
      effectively monitor islet grafts. Hence, alternative sites for IT are currently
      being explored, with the subcutaneous space as one potential option. When left
      unmodified, the subcutaneous space routinely fails to promote successful islet
      engraftment. However, when employing the previously developed subcutaneous
      "deviceless" technique, a favorable microenvironment for islet survival and
      function is established. In this technique, an angiocatheter was temporarily
      implanted subcutaneously, which facilitated angiogenesis to promote subsequent
      islet engraftment. This technique has been employed in preclinical animal models,
      providing a sufficient means to develop techniques to monitor functional aspects
      of the graft such as angiogenesis. Here, we utilize photoacoustic imaging to
      track angiogenesis during the priming of the subcutaneous site by the implanted
      catheter at 1 to 4 weeks postcatheter. Quantitative analysis on vessel densities
      shows gradual growth of vasculature in the implant position. These results
      demonstrate the ability to track angiogenesis, thus facilitating a means to
      optimize and assess the pretransplant microenvironment.

PMID- 27264494
TI  - Parasites, politics and public science: the promotion of biological control in
      Western Australia, 1900-1910.
AB  - Biological control of arthropods emerged as a scientific enterprise in the late
      nineteenth century and the orchard industry of California was an early centre of
      expertise. In 1900, as the Australian colonies prepared for federation, each had
      a government entomologist attached to its agriculture department. The hiring of
      George Compere from California by the Western Australian Department of
      Agriculture began a controversial chapter in the early history of biological
      control that was linked to a late, local popularization of acclimatization.
      Compere became known as the 'travelling entomologist' and for a decade brought
      'parasites' of pest insects from overseas and released them in Perth. His
      antagonistic disciplinary rhetoric and inflated claims for the 'parasite theory'
      created conflict with his counterparts in the eastern states. The resulting inter
      state entomological controversy was played out in the press, revealing the
      political use of science for institutional and even state identity. It is a story
      of transnational exchanges, chance discoveries and popular public science:
      popular because of the promise of a simple, natural solution to agricultural
      insect pests and because of the public nature of the disputes it generated
      between the experts. This microcosm contributes to the global historiography of
      acclimatization, biological control, scientific exposition and the
      professionalization of agricultural science.

PMID- 27264495
TI  - 111 oriented gold nanoplatelets on multilayer graphene as visible light
      photocatalyst for overall water splitting.
AB  - Development of renewable fuels from solar light appears as one of the main
      current challenges in energy science. A plethora of photocatalysts have been
      investigated to obtain hydrogen and oxygen from water and solar light in the last
      decades. However, the photon-to-hydrogen molecule conversion is still far from
      allowing real implementation of solar fuels. Here we show that 111 facet-oriented
      gold nanoplatelets on multilayer graphene films deposited on quartz is a highly
      active photocatalyst for simulated sunlight overall water splitting into hydrogen
      and oxygen in the absence of sacrificial electron donors, achieving hydrogen
      production rate of 1.2 molH2 per gcomposite per h. This photocatalytic activity
      arises from the gold preferential orientation and the strong gold-graphene
      interaction occurring in the composite system.

PMID- 27264496
TI  - Paliperidone palmitate: Japanese postmarketing mortality results in patients with
      schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Paliperidone palmitate once-monthly injectable (PP1M) is approved in
      Japan and other countries for the treatment of schizophrenia. During the 6 month
      Japanese early postmarketing phase vigilance (EPPV) period, 32 deaths were
      reported. This report reviews potential contributing factors to the fatal
      outcomes in the PP1M-treated population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: All
      spontaneously reported adverse events following PP1M use received during EPPV
      from 19 November 2013 to 18 May 2014 were entered into the global safety database
      and these events were analyzed. RESULTS: During the EPPV period, 10,962 patients
      were estimated to have been treated with PP1M in Japan. The mortality reporting
      rate during this EPPV period was higher than that observed in the US or globally
      after PP1M launch (5.84, 0.43, and 0.38 per 1000 patient-years, respectively),
      but was consistent with the mortality incidence rates (10.2 per 1000 person
      years) observed during interventional clinical studies in Japan and in
      observational patient cohorts. Of the 32 deaths reported during the Japanese PP1M
      EPPV period, 19/32 (59.4%) were in patients over 50 years of age, 23/32 (71.9%)
      reported cardiovascular risk factors and 25/32 (78.1%) received antipsychotic
      polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this review of the 32 fatal cases in the PP1M
      EPPV period, the observed death rate does not necessarily result from a risk with
      PP1M treatment in Japanese patients. The higher mortality reporting rates in
      Japan may be attributed to a variety of factors: the effectiveness of mortality
      reporting in the unique Japanese EPPV program, the advanced age of the fatal
      cases, high cardiovascular risk factors, multiple underlying diseases and high
      antipsychotic polypharmacy among the cases with fatal outcomes.

PMID- 27264497
TI  - Light-induced water oxidation catalyzed by an oxido-bridged triruthenium complex
      with a Ru-O-Ru-O-Ru motif.
AB  - A MU-oxido-bridged triruthenium complex (RuT(2+)), formed by air-oxidation of a
      previously reported monoruthenium water oxidation catalyst (WOC), serves as an
      efficient photochemical WOC with the turnover frequency (TOF) and turnover number
      (TON) 0.90 s(-1) and 610, respectively. The crystal structures of RuT(2+) and its
      one-electron oxidized RuT(3+) are also reported. 

PMID- 27264498
TI  - Perceptual Modalities Guiding Bat Flight in a Native Habitat.
AB  - Flying animals accomplish high-speed navigation through fields of obstacles using
      a suite of sensory modalities that blend spatial memory with input from vision,
      tactile sensing, and, in the case of most bats and some other animals,
      echolocation. Although a good deal of previous research has been focused on the
      role of individual modes of sensing in animal locomotion, our understanding of
      sensory integration and the interplay among modalities is still meager. To
      understand how bats integrate sensory input from echolocation, vision, and
      spatial memory, we conducted an experiment in which bats flying in their natural
      habitat were challenged over the course of several evening emergences with a
      novel obstacle placed in their flight path. Our analysis of reconstructed flight
      data suggests that vision, echolocation, and spatial memory together with the
      possible exercise of an ability in using predictive navigation are mutually
      reinforcing aspects of a composite perceptual system that guides flight. Together
      with the recent development in robotics, our paper points to the possible
      interpretation that while each stream of sensory information plays an important
      role in bat navigation, it is the emergent effects of combining modalities that
      enable bats to fly through complex spaces.

PMID- 27264499
TI  - Association analyses of depression and genes in the hypothalamus-pituitary
      adrenal axis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has
      been reported in depression. The aim was to investigate the potential association
      between depression and seven genes regulating or interfering with the HPA axis,
      including the gene encoding angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). METHODS: In
      total, 78 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one insertion/deletion
      polymorphism were genotyped. The study included 408 individuals with depression
      and 289 controls. In a subset of cases, the interaction between genetic variants
      and stressful life events (SLEs) was investigated. RESULTS: After quality
      control, 68 genetic variants were left for analyses. Four of nine variants within
      ACE were nominally associated with depression and a gene-wise association was
      likewise observed. However, none of the SNPs located within AVP, CRH, CRHR1,
      CRHR2, FKBP5 or NC3C1 were associated with depression. One nominally significant
      interaction, most likely due to chance, was identified. CONCLUSION: The results
      indicate that ACE could be a potential candidate gene for depression.

PMID- 27264501
TI  - Dimethyldihydropyrene-cyclophanediene photochromic couple functionalized with
      terpyridyl metal complexes as multi-addressable redox- and photo-switches.
AB  - A series of dimethyldihydropyrene-appended metal complexes has been synthesized
      and thoroughly characterized using electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. The
      ring-opening reaction undergone by the dimethyldihydropyrene core under visible
      light irradiation proceeds much more efficiently when the metal complexes and the
      photochromic moiety are connected through a pyridinium-bridge vs a phenyl bridge.
      The clean electrochemical and photochemical responses of these hybrid systems
      make them good candidates for the conception of new multi-addressable photo- and
      redox-switches. 

PMID- 27264500
TI  - Tridimensional finite element analysis of teeth movement induced by different
      headgear forces.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to simulate the actions of low-pull (LP), high-pull
      (HP), and combined pull (CP) headgears (HGs) and to analyze tooth movement
      tendencies through finite element analysis. METHODS: Tomographic slices of a
      human maxilla with complete permanent dentition were processed by reconstruction
      software, and the triangular surface mesh was converted into non-uniform rational
      B-spline (NURBS) curves. An HG facial bow was also modulated in 3D. The teeth and
      bone were considered to have isotropic and linear behavior, whereas the
      periodontal ligament was considered to have non-linear and hyperelastic behavior.
      Data regarding the application points, directions and magnitudes of forces were
      obtained from the literature and from a dolichofacial patient with class II,
      division 1 malocclusion, who was treated with a CP HG. RESULTS: The CP HG
      promoted 37.1 to 41.1 %, and the HP HG promoted 19.1 to 31.9 % of LP
      distalization. The HP HG presented the highest intrusion, and the LP HG presented
      the highest extrusion of the first molar. The LP HG contracted the distal side,
      and the HP and CP HGs contracted the lingual and distobuccal roots of the second
      molar to a lesser degree. CONCLUSIONS: The LP HG promotes the greatest
      distalization, followed by the CP and HP HGs; the LP HG causes greater extrusion
      of the first molar, and the HP HG causes greater intrusion of the first molar.
      The LP HG causes greater contraction of the second molar than the HP HG.

PMID- 27264502
TI  - Effect of methacrylic acid beads on the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway and
      macrophage polarization in a subcutaneous injection mouse model.
AB  - Poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) (MAA) beads promote a vascular
      regenerative response when used in diabetic wound healing. Previous studies
      reported that MAA beads modulated the expression of sonic hedgehog (Shh) and
      inflammation related genes in diabetic wounds. The aim of this work was to follow
      up on these observations in a subcutaneous injection model to study the host
      response in the absence of the confounding factors of diabetic wound healing. In
      this model, MAA beads improved vascularization in healthy mice of both sexes
      compared to control poly(methyl methacrylate) (MM) beads, with a stronger effect
      seen in males than females. MAA-induced vessels were perfusable, as evidenced
      from the CLARITY-processed images. In Shh-Cre-eGFP/Ptch1-LacZ non-diabetic
      transgenic mice, the increased vessel formation was accompanied by a higher
      density of cells expressing GFP (Shh) and beta-Gal (patched 1, Ptch1) suggesting
      MAA enhanced the activation of the Shh pathway. Ptch1 is the Shh receptor and a
      target of the pathway. MAA beads also modulated the inflammatory cell infiltrate
      in CD1 mice: more neutrophils and more macrophages were noted with MAA relative
      to MM beads at days 1 and 7, respectively. In addition, MAA beads biased
      macrophages towards a MHCII-CD206+ ("M2") polarization state. This study suggests
      that the Shh pathway and an altered inflammatory response are two elements of the
      complex mechanism whereby MAA-based biomaterials effect vascular regeneration.

PMID- 27264503
TI  - Corrigendum to "abnormal white matter integrity in antipsychotic-naive first
      episode psychosis patients assessed by a DTI principal component analysis"
      [Schizophr. Res. 162 (1-3) (march 2015) 14-21].

PMID- 27264504
TI  - Reference Production as Search: The Impact of Domain Size on the Production of
      Distinguishing Descriptions.
AB  - When producing a description of a target referent in a visual context, speakers
      need to choose a set of properties that distinguish it from its distractors.
      Computational models of language production/generation usually model this as a
      search process and predict that the time taken will increase both with the number
      of distractors in a scene and with the number of properties required to
      distinguish the target. These predictions are reminiscent of classic findings in
      visual search; however, unlike models of reference production, visual search
      models also predict that search can become very efficient under certain
      conditions, something that reference production models do not consider. This
      paper investigates the predictions of these models empirically. In two
      experiments, we show that the time taken to plan a referring expression-as
      reflected by speech onset latencies-is influenced by distractor set size and by
      the number of properties required, but this crucially depends on the
      discriminability of the properties under consideration. We discuss the
      implications for current models of reference production and recent work on the
      role of salience in visual search.

PMID- 27264505
TI  - Do we need a new classification system for arteriosclerotic lesions in crural
      limb ischemia? Pros and Cons.

PMID- 27264506
TI  - Arterial stiffness, central blood pressures, wave reflections and acute
      hypertensive response in stroke.

PMID- 27264507
TI  - Combined effects of exercise capacity and coronary atherosclerotic burden on all
      cause mortality in asymptomatic Koreans.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Both exercise capacity and coronary artery calcium score
      (CACS) are important prognostic factors in cardiovascular outcome. Yet, whether
      there is a significant interaction between these two factors in influencing
      clinical outcome is still uncertain. This study investigated the combined effects
      of exercise capacity and CACS on all-cause mortality in an asymptomatic
      population. METHODS: From multicenter registry of health screening, a
      retrospective cohort of 25,972 asymptomatic subjects, who underwent both CACS and
      treadmill exercise test, was included in the final dataset for analysis. Outcome
      was defined as all-cause mortality, which was obtained from national mortality
      registry. RESULTS: The mean age of study subjects was 53.7 +/- 7.7 years and
      81.5% of them were males. Median follow-up duration was 5.5 (IQR 3.6-7.5) years
      and 226 (0.9%) cases of all-cause mortality occurred. In multivariate Cox's
      proportional hazard model with interaction term, exercise capacity >=10 METs (HR
      0.684, 95% CI 0.483-0.971) and CACS >=400 (HR 3.328, 95% CI 1.850-5.988) were
      significant predictors of all-cause mortality. In patients with higher exercise
      capacity, the effect of high CACS on all-cause mortality was significantly
      smaller than in those with lower exercise capacity. The HR for all-cause
      mortality of CACS >=400, in those with lower exercise capacity, is estimated to
      be about three times of that in those with higher exercise capacity (HR 3.328 in
      <10 METs vs. 1.108 in >=10 METs, p for interaction = 0.024) after adjustment for
      age, gender, fasting glucose, creatinine, alanine transaminase and albumin.
      CONCLUSIONS: The effect of high CACS on all-cause mortality is lessened by good
      exercise capacity in the asymptomatic population. Good physical fitness may
      reduce the adverse effect of high coronary atherosclerotic burden.

PMID- 27264508
TI  - UGT74B1 from Arabidopsis thaliana as a versatile biocatalyst for the synthesis of
      desulfoglycosinolates.
AB  - Thioglycosides, even if rare in Nature, have gained increased interest for their
      biological properties. Chemical syntheses of this class of compounds have been
      largely studied but little has been reported on their biosynthesis. Herein,
      combining experiments from the different fields of enzymology, bioorganic
      chemistry and molecular modeling, we wish to demonstrate the versatility of the
      glucosyltransferase UGT74B1 and its synthetic potency for the preparation of a
      variety of natural and unnatural desulfoglycosinolates. 

PMID- 27264509
TI  - 2D QSAR and Virtual Screening based on Pyridopyrimidine Analogs of Epidermal
      Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR) is an
      important anticancer drug target. Series of pyridopyrimidine analogs have been
      reported as EGFR inhibitors and they inhibit by binding to the ATP binding pocket
      of the tyrosine kinase domain. OBJECTIVE: To identify key properties of
      pyridopyrimidine analogs involved in the inhibition of the EGFR protein tyrosine
      kinase by developing 2D QSAR model. METHODS: Variable selection was performed by
      least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method and multiple
      linear regression (MLR) method was applied by using Build QSAR software to
      develop QSAR model. Model validation was done by Leave One Out method (LOO).
      Further, based on the bioactive and structural similarity, virtual screening was
      performed using Pubchem database. Using the developed QSAR model and
      Molinspiration server, PIC50 values and kinase inhibition activity were predicted
      for all the virtually screened compounds respectively. RESULTS: The best QSAR
      model consists of two descriptors namely Basak and MOE type descriptors, and has
      R2 = 0.8205, F= 57.129 & S = 0.308 and the validation results show significant
      statistics of R2/cv = 0.655, Average standard deviation = 0.416. 140 compounds
      were obtained from virtual screening and the predicted PIC50 of all these
      compounds are in the range of 4.73 - 6.78. All the compounds produce positive
      scores which suggest that the compounds may have good kinase inhibitory profile.
      CONCLUSION: This developed model may be useful to predict EGFR inhibition
      activity (PIC50) for the newly synthesized pyridopyrimidines analogs.

PMID- 27264511
TI  - Sir John Robert Vane.

PMID- 27264512
TI  - Antithrombin III in sepsis: does it really work?

PMID- 27264510
TI  - Breeding new forms of life: a critical reflection on extreme variances of
      bareback sex.
AB  - Many men who have sex with men (MSM) express feeling marginalized by discourses
      within public health and sexual health nursing that determine bareback sex is
      deviant and unsafe. Their resistance to risk-based discourses can be seen within
      radical sex practices such as deliberately becoming-infected with HIV (bug
      chasing) and breeding-infection (gift-giving). The metaphors of bug-chasing and
      gift-giving, particularly those spread across global online spaces, can influence
      the sexual experiences and practices of MSM. A metaphor analysis was conducted of
      Internet forums discussing HIV chasing and gifting metaphors, and showed a
      variety of discursive meanings, tactics and effects to the radical sex practice.
      A radical research approach was used to explore the processes of becoming
      infected and breeding-infection as determinant steps in the symbolic resistance
      of risk-based discourses, as well as the creation of new forms of life and
      community among MSM. Our analyses demonstrate how the gifting/chasing metaphors
      express MSM's marginalization as well as their lines of flight from having their
      practices captured within public health discourses. We hope to offer alternative
      nursing approaches for thinking through and engaging with transgressive and queer
      sexual practices.

PMID- 27264513
TI  - Beta-thalassemia mutations in Denizli province of Turkey.
AB  - Beta-thalassemia is one of the most common genetic disorders in Turkey as well as
      in several other Mediterranean countries presenting microcytosis and hemolytic
      anemia. The city of Denizli is located in the inner part of the Aegean
      geographical region of Turkey. The beta-thalassemia incidence in Denizli province
      is in between 2.6-3.7% reported by different researchers. According to our
      results; the IVS-1/nt-110 (G>A) is the most frequent mutation type in our
      province the same as other geographical regions of Turkey. Here we report also
      two HbD-Los Angeles/beta-thalassemia combinations, which are HbD-Los
      Angeles/codon 39 (C>T) and HbD-Los Angeles/IVS-1/nt-1 (G>A), respectively. In
      conclusion, our preliminary results show the heterogeneity of the beta
      thalassemia mutations in the province of Denizli. 

PMID- 27264514
TI  - Splenectomy may not influence glutathione metabolism in children with beta
      thalassaemia major.
AB  - The present study was undertaken to evaluate glutathione and its related enzymes
      in beta-thalassaemia major and to elucidate the effect of splenectomy on
      glutathione metabolism. The study includes three groups, those are: healthy
      individuals (n= 35) taken as control, a group of beta-thalassaemia major children
      with intact spleen (n= 29) and a group of splenectomized beta-thalassaemia major
      children (n= 11). Levels of reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase,
      glutathione reductase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenases in erythrocytes were
      estimated in all groups. Levels of glutathione p< 0.001 and glutathione reductase
      p< 0.05 in thalassaemic groups significantly increased, whereas glutathione
      peroxidase levels p< 0.005 were significantly decreased when compared to control.
      Glutathione and enzymes levels followed the same pattern in splenectomized group
      when compared to nonsplenectomized one; however the difference between the
      various parameters was not significant. Glutathione and its redox enzymes were
      severely disturbed in thalassaemic patients. Splenectomy, however appears to have
      no role in influencing glutathione metabolism in betathalassaemia major children.

PMID- 27264515
TI  - Pattern of adult leukemias at Al-Jomhori Educational Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen.
AB  - There is lack of information about leukemias in Yemen. The purpose of this study
      is to evaluate the pattern of adult leukemias at Al-Jomhori Educational Hospital
      in Sana'a, Yemen and to compare it with available data from Saudi Arabia. Data
      concerning age, sex, area of residence whether rural or urban and the type of
      leukemia were collected and analyzed. The age range of patients was 15 to 96
      years. Diagnosis was based on bone marrow aspiration cytology and cytochemistry.
      Between November 1999 and November 2003 a total of 169 cases of leukemia were
      diagnosed. AML was the most common (39.1%) followed in descending order by CML
      (25.4%), ALL (23.7%) and CLL (11.8%). The male to female ratio was 1.14: 1 for
      all the types, 1.06: 1 for AML, 2.64: 1 for ALL, 0.65: 1 for CML and 1: 1 for
      CLL. AML was most common among patients aged 40-59 years old (30.3%) followed by
      >= 60 years old (25.8%). ALL was most common among young patients < 20 years old
      and CLL among elderly patients whereas CML was most common among middle aged
      patient. The rural to urban residence ratio was 2.8: 1 for all the types.
      Leukemia is an important health problem in Yemen and the pattern of adult
      leukemias is comparable in certain aspects to that reported from different
      regions of Saudi Arabia. The study recommends implementation of preventive,
      diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for leukemias in Yemen. 

PMID- 27264516
TI  - Compound heterozygosity for two beta chain variants: the mildly unstable Hb Tyne
      (codon 5 Pro->Ser) and HbS (codon 6 Glu->Val).
AB  - Compound heterozygosity for Hb Tyne and HbS, that is very rare, was identified by
      direct DNA sequencing of the beta-globin gene in a Turkish patient. Hematological
      investigation of a girl at the age of 9 due to the presence of HbS (40.7%) led to
      the identification of a compound heterozygosity at codons 5-6. This was found to
      be the result of substitution of cytosine (C) for thymidine (T) at the fifth
      position and a substitution of adenine (A) for thymidine (T) at the sixth
      position of the beta globin gene. As a result of these mutations, the order of
      amino acids at codons 5-6 was changed from Pro-Glu to Ser-Val, respectively.
      Since the co-inheritance of Hb Tyne and HbS had not been reported in literature
      before, our case set an example for identification of coinheritance of Hb Tyne
      and HbS for the first time. Therefore, such cases may be considered as an
      important example for understanding the structural variants of hemoglobin and may
      provide important clues for critical amino acids responsible for stabilization of
      hemoglobin tetrameric structure and genetic counseling. 

PMID- 27264517
TI  - Myelodysplastic syndrome with pseudoreticulocytosis.
AB  - A patient with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with refractory anemia who had
      marked reticulocytosis in the absence of hemolytic anemia and/or blood loss is
      reported. Erythrocyte survival test showed that more than 50% of the patient's
      reticulocytes were still present on day seven. This should be due to the
      prolongation of reticulocyte maturation in MDS, and is known as
      pseudoreticulocytosis. This phenomenon which mimicks hemolytic anemia is an
      unusual presentation of myelodysplastic syndrome, with only 7 patients with
      pseudoreticulocytosis being reported previously. 

PMID- 27264518
TI  - Case report of two haematopoietic stem cell transplanted patients with chronic
      graft-versus-host disease resembling acute viral hepatitis.
AB  - Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the liver usually presents as an
      indolent cholestatic syndrome associated with abnormalities in the skin, oral
      mucosa, and lacrimal glands observed beyond day 100 after allogeneic bone marrow
      transplantation. Because of its cholestatic nature, chronic liver GVHD is not
      generally considered in the differential diagnosis of markedly elevated serum
      transaminases and jaundice. However, sudden rise in serum transaminase levels
      after day 70 posttranplant should always raise the question of chronic liver
      GVHD. We report here two cases, in whom the presentation of chronic graft-versus
      host disease of the liver strongly resembled acute viral hepatitis. Chronic GVHD
      of the liver should also be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of
      marked elevations of liver enzymes in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients
      and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures should be applied. 

PMID- 27264519
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27264520
TI  - Reproducing politics: the politicisation of patients' identities and assisted
      reproduction in Poland and Sweden.
AB  - This article examines how discourses on assisted reproductive technologies are
      locally appropriated, translated or contested in the specific cultural and
      political contexts of Poland and Sweden. The aim is to investigate how two
      national patients' organisations, namely the Polish association Nasz Bocian and
      the Swedish organisation Barnlangtan, articulate rights claims in the context of
      reproductive technologies. To this end, we investigate how these organisations
      utilise specific context-dependent and affectively laden political vocabularies
      in order to mobilise politically, and discuss how each of these two groups gives
      rise to a different set of politicised reproductive identities. In order to trace
      which political vocabularies the respective organisations utilise to mobilise
      their respective rights claims, we draw primarily on political discourse theory
      and concepts of political grammars and empty signifiers. Lastly, we discuss which
      political reproductive identities emerge as a result of these different versions
      of political mobilisation around assisted reproductive technologies.

PMID- 27264521
TI  - Spatial confinement governs orientational order in patchy particles.
AB  - Orientational order in condensed matter plays a key role in determining material
      properties such as ferromagnetism, viscoelasticity or birefringence. We studied
      purely orientational ordering in closely-packed one-patch colloidal particles
      confined between flat substrates, where the particles can only rotate and are
      ordered via the sticky interaction between the patches. For the first time, we
      experimentally realized a rich variety of mesoscopic patterns through
      orientational ordering of colloids by controlling patch size and confinement
      thickness. The combination of experiment and numerical simulation reveals the
      decisive role of confinement: An ordered state(s) is selected from the
      (meta)stable options in bulk when it is commensurate with the system geometry and
      boundary conditions; otherwise, frustration induces a unique order. Our study
      offers a new means of systematic control over mesoscopic structures via
      orientational ordering in patchy particles. The system would also possess unique
      functionalities through the rotational response of the particles to external
      stimuli.

PMID- 27264529
TI  - Emticicia paludis sp. nov., isolated from wetland freshwater.
AB  - A novel bacterium, designated HMF3850T, was isolated from freshwater collected
      from the Gyeong-an wetland, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative,
      aerobic, straight rods, non-motile, and oxidase- and catalase-positive. Growth
      was observed at pH 6.0-8.0 and at 10-30  degrees C on R2A agar. Comparative
      analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain HMF3850T is a member of
      the genus Emticicia, sharing highest sequence similarities with Emticicia
      aquatica HMF2925T (96.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Emticicia sediminis
      JBR12T (95.0 %), Emticicia ginsengisoliGsoil 085T (94.9 %) and Emticicia
      oligotrophica DSM 17448T (94.7 %). The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, summed
      feature 3 (C16 : 1omega7c and/or C16 : 1omega6c) and C16 : 0. The predominant
      respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were
      phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, one unidentified
      aminophospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and eight unidentified polar
      lipids. The DNA G+C content was 38.5 mol %. On the basis of the evidence
      presented in this study, strain HMF3850T represents a novel species of the genus
      Emticicia, for which the name Emticicia paludis sp. nov. is proposed. The type
      strain is HMF3850T (=KCTC 42851T=CECT 9087T).

PMID- 27264530
TI  - Interactive effects of dietary composition and hormonal treatment on reproductive
      development of cultured female European eel, Anguilla anguilla.
AB  - Farmed female eels were fed two experimental diets with similar proximate
      composition but different n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels. Both
      diets had similar levels of arachidonic acid (ARA), while levels of
      eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in one diet were
      approximately 4.5 and 2.6 times higher compared to the other diet, respectively.
      After the feeding period, each diet group was divided into two and each half
      received one of two hormonal treatments using salmon pituitary extract (SPE) for
      13 weeks: i) a constant hormone dose of 18.75mg SPE/kg initial body weight (BW)
      and ii) a variable hormone dosage that increased from 12.5mg SPE/kg initial BW to
      25mg SPE/kg initial BW. Results showed a significant interaction between diets
      and hormonal treatments on gonadosomatic index (GSI), indicating that the effect
      of broodstock diets on ovarian development depends on both nutritional status and
      hormonal regime. Females fed with higher levels of n-3 series PUFAs and
      stimulated with the constant hormonal treatment reached higher GSIs than those
      receiving the variable hormonal treatment. However, when females were fed lower
      levels of n-3 series PUFAs there was no difference in the effect of hormonal
      treatments on GSI. We also found that, independent of hormonal treatment, the
      diet with higher levels of n-3 series PUFAs led to the most advanced stages of
      oocyte development, such as germinal vesicle migration. Concentration of sex
      steroids (E2, T, and 11-KT) in the plasma did not differ between diets and
      hormonal treatments, but was significantly correlated with ovarian developmental
      stage. In conclusion, increasing dietary levels of n-3 PUFAs seemed to promote
      oocyte growth, leading to a more rapid progression of ovarian development in
      European eel subjected to hormonal treatment. 

PMID- 27264531
TI  - Coexistence of two d-lactate-utilizing systems in Pseudomonas putida KT2440.
AB  - It is advantageous for rhizosphere-dwelling microorganisms to utilize organic
      acids such as lactate. Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is one of the most widely
      studied rhizosphere-dwelling model organisms. The P. putida KT2440 genome
      contains an NAD-dependent d-lactate dehydrogenase encoding gene, but mutation of
      this gene does not play a role in d-lactate utilization. Instead, it was found
      that d-lactate utilization in P. putida KT2440 proceeds via a multidomain NAD
      independent d-lactate dehydrogenase with a C-terminal domain containing several
      Fe-S cluster-binding motifs (Fe-S d-iLDH) and glycolate oxidase, which is widely
      distributed in various microorganisms. Both Fe-S d-iLDH and glycolate oxidase
      were identified to be membrane-bound proteins. Neither Fe-S d-iLDH nor glycolate
      oxidase is constitutively expressed but both of them can be induced by either
      enantiomer of lactate in P. putida KT2440. This study shows a case in which an
      environmental microbe contains two types of enzymes specific for d-lactate
      utilization.

PMID- 27264532
TI  - The impact of marital status at diagnosis on cancer survival in patients with
      differentiated thyroid cancer.
AB  - Previous studies have revealed that marital status influences the prognosis of
      patients with various types of cancer. We evaluated the influence of marriage on
      the survival outcomes in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The Surveillance,
      Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2002 and 2012 was used to
      compare cancer-specific mortality in different marital status, and in each sex,
      age, and stage stratification by multivariate Cox regression model. In total,
      61,077 eligible patients were identified. The widowed group had the highest
      proportion of women, elderly patients (>=45 years), and advanced stage III/IV
      tumor (P = 0.001), but the total thyroidectomy (TT) performed and radioisotopes
      therapy rates were lower than those in the married group. Married patients had a
      better cancer-specific survival (CSS) than the unmarried (P < 0.05). Further
      analysis showed that widowed patients always presented the lowest CSS compared
      with other groups. Widowed patients had a significant increased risk for CSS
      compared with married patients in males [hazard ratio (HR) 2.72, 95% confidence
      interval (CI): 1.59-4.65, P = 0.001], females (HR 2.02, 95% CI: 2.24-4.06, P =
      0.001), young patients (<45, HR 28.12, 95% CI: 3.48-227.25, P = 0.002), elderly
      patients (>=45, HR 28.12, 95% CI: 2.97, 95% CI: 2.30-3.83, P = 0.001), stage I
      (HR 8.44, 95% CI: 4.05-17.59, P = 0.001), stage II (HR 3.64, 95% CI: 1.30-10.20,
      P = 0.014), stage III (HR 2.27, 95% CI: 1.08-4.78, P = 0.031), and stage IV (HR
      2.63, 95% CI: 1.94-3.57, P = 0.001). These results showed that unmarried status,
      especially for widowhood, increased the risk of cancer mortality in DTC patients.

PMID- 27264533
TI  - An optimized xylene-free protein extraction method adapted to formalin-fixed
      paraffin embedded tissue sections for western blot analysis.
AB  - Deparaffinization of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues with xylene
      currently remains a major challenge to the biomedical community. We developed an
      efficient xylene-free protocol to isolate proteins from archived FFPE human
      tissue sections. A total of 79 different types of FFPE tissue sections of 8 um
      thickness were obtained from various archived FFPE specimens. Deparaffinization
      was conducted by gently washing each section with around 1 ml of hot distilled
      water (~80 degrees C). The deparaffinized tissues were homogenized in lysis
      buffer, and the isolated proteins were quantified and efficiently resolved using
      western blot analysis for the presence of Protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and beta
      actin. Moreover, a significant amount of proteins was successfully isolated with
      an average of 2.31 ug/ul. The migration pattern of AKT and beta-actin obtained
      from the specimens was similar to the positive control obtained from protein
      lysates prepared from in vitro cultured MDA231 cancer cell lines. AKT was
      successfully identified in all specimens, and beta-actin protein was resolved
      with an efficiency higher than 80%. The entire extraction procedure requires only
      20 minutes. This newly developed technique is an efficient, safe, cost-effective,
      and rapid method to isolate proteins from FFPE tissue sections adequate for
      molecular analysis.

PMID- 27264534
TI  - Brain damage associated with apraxia of speech: evidence from case studies.
AB  - The site of crucial damage that causes acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) has been
      debated in the literature. This study presents five in-depth cases that offer
      insight into the role of brain areas involved in AOS. Four of the examined
      participants had a primary impairment of AOS either with (n = 2) or without
      concomitant mild aphasia (n = 2). The fifth participant presented with a lesion
      relatively isolated to the left anterior insula (AIns-L), damage that is rarely
      reported in the literature, but without AOS. Taken together, these cases
      challenge the role of the AIns-L and implicate the left motor regions in AOS.

PMID- 27264536
TI  - Calpain A controls mitotic synchrony in the Drosophila blastoderm embryo.
AB  - The beautiful mitotic waves that characterize nuclear divisions in the early
      Drosophila embryo have been the subject of intense research to identify the
      elements that control mitosis. Calcium waves in phase with mitotic waves suggest
      that calcium signals control this synchronized pattern of nuclear divisions.
      However, protein targets that would translate these signals into mitotic control
      have not been described. Here we investigate the role of the calcium-dependent
      protease Calpain A in mitosis. We show that impaired Calpain A function results
      in loss of mitotic synchrony and ultimately halted embryonic development. The
      presence of defective microtubules and chromosomal architecture at the mitotic
      spindle during metaphase and anaphase and perturbed levels of Cyclin B indicate
      that Calpain A is required for the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. Our results
      suggest that Calpain A functions as part of a timing module in mitosis, at the
      interface between calcium signals and mitotic cycles of the Drosophila embryo.

PMID- 27264535
TI  - Spatial distribution of predicted transcription factor binding sites in
      Drosophila ChIP peaks.
AB  - In the development of the Drosophila embryo, gene expression is directed by the
      sequence-specific interactions of a large network of protein transcription
      factors (TFs) and DNA cis-regulatory binding sites. Once the identity of the
      typically 8-10bp binding sites for any given TF has been determined by one of
      several experimental procedures, the sequences can be represented in a position
      weight matrix (PWM) and used to predict the location of additional TF binding
      sites elsewhere in the genome. Often, alignments of large (>200bp) genomic
      fragments that have been experimentally determined to bind the TF of interest in
      Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) studies are trimmed under the assumption
      that the majority of the binding sites are located near the center of all the
      aligned fragments. In this study, ChIP/chip datasets are analyzed using the
      corresponding PWMs for the well-studied TFs; CAUDAL, HUNCHBACK, KNIRPS and
      KRUPPEL, to determine the distribution of predicted binding sites. All four TFs
      are critical regulators of gene expression along the anterio-posterior axis in
      early Drosophila development. For all four TFs, the ChIP peaks contain multiple
      binding sites that are broadly distributed across the genomic region represented
      by the peak, regardless of the prediction stringency criteria used. This result
      suggests that ChIP peak trimming may exclude functional binding sites from
      subsequent analyses.

PMID- 27264537
TI  - The 'tissue press': a new device to flatten fresh tissue during ex vivo confocal
      microscopy examination.

PMID- 27264538
TI  - Clinical features of SMARCA2 duplication overlap with Coffin-Siris syndrome.
AB  - Coffin-Siris syndrome is a rare congenital malformation and intellectual
      disability syndrome. Mutations in at least seven genes have been identified.
      Here, we performed copy number analysis in 37 patients with features of CSS in
      whom no causative mutations were identified by exome sequencing. We identified a
      patient with a 9p24.3-p22.2 duplication and another patient with the chromosome
      der(6)t(6;9)(p25;p21)mat. Both patients share a duplicated 15.8-Mb region
      containing 46 protein coding genes, including SMARCA2. Dominant negative effects
      of SMARCA2 mutations may contribute to Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome. We conclude
      that their features better resemble Coffin-Siris syndrome, rather than Nicolaides
      Baraitser syndrome and that these features likely arise from SMARCA2 over-dosage.
      Pure 9p duplications (not caused by unbalanced translocations) are rare. Copy
      number analysis in patients with features that overlap with Coffin-Siris syndrome
      is recommended to further determine their genetic aspects. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264539
TI  - IRESPred: Web Server for Prediction of Cellular and Viral Internal Ribosome Entry
      Site (IRES).
AB  - Cellular mRNAs are predominantly translated in a cap-dependent manner. However,
      some viral and a subset of cellular mRNAs initiate their translation in a cap
      independent manner. This requires presence of a structured RNA element, known as,
      Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) in their 5' untranslated regions (UTRs).
      Experimental demonstration of IRES in UTR remains a challenging task.
      Computational prediction of IRES merely based on sequence and structure
      conservation is also difficult, particularly for cellular IRES. A web server,
      IRESPred is developed for prediction of both viral and cellular IRES using
      Support Vector Machine (SVM). The predictive model was built using 35 features
      that are based on sequence and structural properties of UTRs and the
      probabilities of interactions between UTR and small subunit ribosomal proteins
      (SSRPs). The model was found to have 75.51% accuracy, 75.75% sensitivity, 75.25%
      specificity, 75.75% precision and Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 0.51
      in blind testing. IRESPred was found to perform better than the only available
      viral IRES prediction server, VIPS. The IRESPred server is freely available at
      http://bioinfo.net.in/IRESPred/.

PMID- 27264540
TI  - Incidental prenatal detection of DMD gene deletion using array comparative
      genomic hybridization.

PMID- 27264541
TI  - BMP signaling regulates the fate of chondro-osteoprogenitor cells in facial
      mesenchyme in a stage-specific manner.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lineage tracing has shown that most of the facial skeleton is derived
      from cranial neural crest cells. However, the local signals that influence
      postmigratory, neural crest-derived mesenchyme also play a major role in
      patterning the skeleton. Here, we study the role of BMP signaling in regulating
      the fate of chondro-osteoprogenitor cells in the face. RESULTS: A single Noggin
      soaked bead inserted into stage 15 chicken embryos induced an ectopic cartilage
      resembling the interorbital septum within the palate and other midline
      structures. In contrast, the same treatment in stage 20 embryos caused a loss of
      bones. The molecular basis for the stage-specific response to Noggin lay in the
      simultaneous up-regulation of SOX9 and downregulation of RUNX2 in the maxillary
      mesenchyme, increased cell adhesiveness as shown by N-cadherin induction around
      the beads and increased RA pathway gene expression. None of these changes were
      observed in stage 20 embryos. CONCLUSIONS: These experiments demonstrate how
      slight changes in expression of growth factors such as BMPs could lead to gain or
      loss of cartilage in the upper jaw during vertebrate evolution. In addition, BMPs
      have at least two roles: one in patterning the skull and another in regulating
      the skeletogenic fates of neural crest-derived mesenchyme. Developmental Dynamics
      245:947-962, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264543
TI  - The Brainstem Tau Cytoskeletal Pathology of Alzheimer's Disease: A Brief
      Historical Overview and Description of its Anatomical Distribution Pattern,
      Evolutional Features, Pathogenetic and Clinical Relevance.
AB  - The human brainstem is involved in the regulation of the sleep/waking cycle and
      normal sleep architectonics and is crucial for the performance of a variety of
      somatomotor, vital autonomic, oculomotor, vestibular, auditory, ingestive and
      somatosensory functions. It harbors the origins of the ascending dopaminergic,
      cholinergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic systems, as well the home base of the
      descending serotonergic system. In contrast to the cerebral cortex the affection
      of the brainstem in Alzheimer's disease (AD) by the neurofibrillary or tau
      cytoskeletal pathology was recognized only approximately fourty years ago in
      initial brainstem studies. Detailed pathoanatomical investigations of silver
      stained or tau immunostained brainstem tissue sections revealed nerve cell loss
      and prominent ADrelated cytoskeletal changes in the raphe nuclei, locus
      coeruleus, and in the compact parts of the substantia nigra and pedunculopontine
      nucleus. An additional conspicuous AD-related cytoskeletal pathology was also
      detected in the auditory brainstem system of AD patients (i.e. inferior
      colliculus, superior olive, dorsal cochlear nucleus), in the oculomotor brainstem
      network (i.e. rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fascicle,
      Edinger-Westphal nucleus, reticulotegmental nucleus of pons), autonomic system
      (i.e. central and periaqueductal grays, parabrachial nuclei, gigantocellular
      reticular nucleus, dorsal motor vagal and solitary nuclei, intermediate reticular
      zone). The alterations in these brainstem nuclei offered for the first time
      adequate explanations for a variety of less understood disease symptoms of AD
      patients: Parkinsonian extrapyramidal motor signs, depression, hallucinations,
      dysfunctions of the sleep/wake cycle, changes in sleeping patterns, attentional
      deficits, exaggerated pupil dilatation, autonomic dysfunctions, impairments of
      horizontal and vertical saccades, dysfunctional smooth pursuits. The very early
      occurrence of the AD-related cytoskeletal pathology in some of these brainstem
      nuclei points to a major and strategic role of the brainstem in the induction and
      brain spread of the AD-related cytoskeletal pathology.

PMID- 27264544
TI  - Application of flow cytometry for evaluating clinical prognosis and
      histopathological grade of human glioma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Flow cytometry was applied to predict the biological parameters of
      tumor behavior based on the DNA content distribution of tumors. We used flow
      cytometry to determine the number of cell cycles for the characterization of
      intracranial gliomas and its possible prognostic role. METHODS: Flow cytometric
      analysis of the DNA content was performed for 37 fresh operative glioma
      specimens. The expression of Ki-67 in glioma specimens was detected using
      immunohistochemistry staining. The check points of G2/M-phase fractions, cyclin
      B, and pCdk1 (Y15) were analyzed using Western immunoblotting. RESULTS: Compared
      to low-grade (grade I/II) gliomas, significant differences in the Ki-67, cyclin
      B, G2/M-phase, and S+G2/M-phase expressions were found in high-grade (grade
      III/IV) gliomas. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis
      indicated optimal cutoff points for the G2/M-phase and S+G2/M-phase fractions of
      13.47 and 17.26%, respectively, which can be used to differentiate cases with low
      and high-grade gliomas. Additionally, both G2/M-phase and S+G2/M-phase fractions
      had significant association with the expression of Ki-67 in the gliomas. The
      gliomas were classified by the DNA content. We found that patients with high
      grade glioma had worse survival rate than patients with low-grade glioma.
      Meanwhile, ROC curve analysis gave cutoffs for G2/M-phase of 9.4% and for S+G2/M
      phase fractions of 15.04% as best predicting survival. The patients with glioma
      had poor survival when the levels of G2/M-phase and S+G2/M-phase were more than
      9.4 and 15.04%, respectively. In contrast, no significant association between the
      DNA content of glioma patients and their age, tumor recurrence, and tumor size
      was found. DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that flow cytometry analysis for G2/M
      phase and S+G2/M-phase fractions can be used for tumor grading for rapidly
      differentiating low- from high-grade gliomas.

PMID- 27264545
TI  - E-learning for grass-roots emergency public health personnel: Preliminary lessons
      from a national program in China.
AB  - In China, grass-roots emergency public health personnel have relatively limited
      emergency response capabilities and they are constantly required to update their
      professional knowledge and skills due to recurring and new public health
      emergencies. However, professional training, a principal solution to this
      problem, is inadequate because of limitations in manpower and financial resources
      at grass-roots public health agencies. In order to provide a cost-effective and
      easily expandable way for grass-roots personnel to acquire knowledge and skills,
      the National Health Planning Commission of China developed an emergency response
      information platform and provided trial access to this platform in Anhui and
      Heilongjiang provinces in China. E-learning was one of the modules of the
      platform and this paper has focused on an e-learning pilot program. Results
      indicated that e-learning had satisfactorily improved the knowledge and ability
      of grass-roots emergency public health personnel, and the program provided an
      opportunity to gain experience in e-course design and implementing e-learning.
      Issues such as the lack of personalized e-courses and the difficulty of
      evaluating the effectiveness of e-learning are topics for further study. 

PMID- 27264542
TI  - Specific threonine-4 phosphorylation and function of RNA polymerase II CTD during
      M phase progression.
AB  - Dynamic phosphorylation of Tyr1-Ser2-Pro3-Thr4-Ser5-Pro6-Ser7 heptad-repeats in
      the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the large subunit coordinates progression of RNA
      polymerase (Pol) II through the transcription cycle. Here, we describe an M phase
      specific form of Pol II phosphorylated at Thr4, but not at Tyr1, Ser2, Ser5, and
      Ser7 residues. Thr4 phosphorylated Pol II binds to centrosomes and midbody and
      interacts with the Thr4-specific Polo-like kinase 1. Binding of Pol II to
      centrosomes does not require the CTD but may involve subunits of the non
      canonical R2TP-Prefoldin-like complex, which bind to and co-localize with Pol II
      at centrosomes. CTD Thr4 mutants, but not Ser2 and Ser5 mutants, display severe
      mitosis and cytokinesis defects characterized by multipolar spindles and
      polyploid cells. We conclude that proper M phase progression of cells requires
      binding of Pol II to centrosomes to facilitate regulation of mitosis and
      cytokinesis in a CTD Thr4-P dependent manner.

PMID- 27264546
TI  - alphaB-Crystallin interacts and attenuates the tyrosine phosphatase activity of
      Shp2 in cardiomyocytes under mechanical stress.
AB  - The small heat shock protein alphaB-Crystallin (CryAB, HspB5) and SH2 domain
      containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (Shp2) are important molecules in heart
      response to pathophysiological stress. Here we show that CryAB interacts with and
      potentially regulates Shp2 catalytic activity in stretched cardiomyocytes. Such
      an interaction requires CryAB oligomer to attenuate Shp2 activation. Stretched
      cardiomyocytes show a robust CryAB/Shp2 association accompanied by a reduction in
      the Shp2 phosphatase activity. Accordingly, CryAB knock-down in cardiomyocytes
      enhances Shp2 activity induced by mechanical stress. These results revealed a new
      role for CryAB, as a modulator of Shp2 phosphatase activity during a functionally
      relevant stimulus in cardiomyocytes.

PMID- 27264547
TI  - A Knowledge Translation Programme to Increase the Utilization of Thoracic Spine
      Mobilization and Manipulation for Patients with Neck Pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is extensive evidence that mobilization and manipulation of the
      thoracic spine is associated with improved outcomes in patients with neck pain.
      However, these evidence-based techniques are not always utilized. Successful
      knowledge translation programmes are needed to move the best available evidence
      to clinical practice. The purpose of the present research was to evaluate the
      effects of a structured knowledge translation programme on the frequency of
      manual therapy techniques performed by physical therapists on patients with neck
      pain. METHODS: Prior to our intervention, we assessed physical therapists' use of
      thoracic spine intervention for the treatment of neck pain and their knowledge of
      the evidence. We delivered a multimodal knowledge translation programme and then
      reassessed their use and knowledge of the interventions. RESULTS: The majority of
      our physical therapists increased the use of thoracic spine techniques for their
      patients with neck pain. The increase was greater in those who used the
      techniques infrequently. Overall knowledge of the evidence appeared unchanged.
      DISCUSSION: Knowledge translation programmes are essential in ensuring clinical
      use of evidence-based practice. Our programme results, although on a small scale
      and not statistically significant, showed a positive trend toward increased
      thoracic spine manual therapy use for neck pain. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27264548
TI  - An Investigation into the Scale and Impact of Self-Reported Foot Problems
      Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Study Protocol and Survey
      Questionnaire Development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can manifest with arthralgia and
      myalgia, and, in severe cases, disorganization of the joints and tendon rupture.
      Further, Raynaud's phenomenon and other circulatory problems such as vasculitis
      have been reported, and may be associated with loss of sensation and ulcers.
      Associated with impaired peripheral neurovascular function there is the potential
      for changes in tissue viability leading to thinning of the skin or callus
      formation. In addition, resistance to infections may be reduced, such as fungal
      infection of the skin and nails, bacterial infection associated with wounds and
      viral infections such as verruca. There is a dearth of evidence for the effects
      of SLE in the foot, the prevalence of foot problems in SLE and the impact of
      these on the individual. In addition, it is not known if people with SLE and foot
      problems have access to specialist care through foot health services. Hence,
      there is a need to investigate the scale of foot problems associated with SLE. In
      order to achieve this, a questionnaire needs to be developed in order to carry
      out a national survey in England. METHODS: The items required for the
      questionnaire were generated using a focus group, which comprised patient
      advisers with SLE, consultants who specialized in SLE, specialist rheumatology
      podiatrists and specialist rheumatology nurses. From this consensus approach to
      the item generation, the draft questionnaire was developed with agreement on
      themes, question format and overall structure. Additionally, the Manchester Pain
      and Disability Questionnaire was included in order to capture levels of pain and
      associated disability. An iterative process followed, with feedback from the
      focus group reducing the number of other items from 53, until the penultimate
      version of questionnaire was produced with 50 items. Following on from this, a
      process of cognitive debriefing was used with two people with SLE who were naive
      to the questionnaire. Minor changes to two questions and the layout was required
      before a final version of the questionnaire was produced. DISCUSSION: The
      questionnaire will be used for a study which aims to identify the frequency of
      patients' self-reported foot problems, the impact of foot problems on their lives
      and the status of foot care provision. This will be achieved through a survey of
      people with SLE across six clinical sites and interviews with some people in
      order to explore their experience of foot problems. The results from the present
      study will provide the information required to inform further research. In
      addition, it could potentially inform the design and delivery of foot health
      information and services to this patient group. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27264549
TI  - Inpatient Walking Activity to Predict Readmission in Older Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the 30-day readmission predictive power of in-hospital
      walking activity and in-hospital activities of daily living (ADLs) in older
      acutely ill patients. In addition, we sought to identify preliminary walking
      thresholds that could support the targeting of interventions aimed at minimizing
      rehospitalizations. DESIGN: Prospective, observational clinical cohort study.
      Step counts during hospitalization were assessed via accelerometry. ADL function
      was assessed within 48 hours of admission. SETTING: Acute care hospital.
      PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-four ambulatory persons aged 65 years and older
      admitted to the hospital from the community with an acute medical illness.
      INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Readmission back to the
      index hospital (yes vs no) within 30 days of discharge. RESULTS: Twenty-six
      patients (15.8%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Walking activity
      during hospitalization was more strongly and significantly associated with 30-day
      readmission (odds ratio=0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.98) than ADL
      function (odds ratio=0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-1.45) after adjusting
      for relevant readmission risk factors. The predictive accuracy (area under the
      curve) was highest for models that included walking activity and changed little
      with the addition of ADLs. A walking threshold of 275 steps or more per day
      identified patients at reduced 30-day readmission risk. CONCLUSIONS: Walking
      activity was a stronger predictor of readmission than ADLs. Monitoring patient
      activity during hospitalization may provide clinicians with valuable information
      on early readmission risk not captured by measures of ADLs. Further study is
      needed to replicate these findings and monitor walking activity
      posthospitalization to further advance our understanding of readmission risk.

PMID- 27264550
TI  - Improved Sensitivity for the Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Active
      Ricin by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Ricin is a highly toxic protein which causes cell death by blocking protein
      synthesis and is considered a potential bioterrorism agent. Rapid and sensitive
      detection of ricin toxin in various types of sample matrices is needed as an
      emergency requirement for public health and antibioterrorism response. An in
      vitro MALDI TOF MS-based activity assay that detects ricin mediated depurination
      of synthetic substrates was improved through optimization of the substrate,
      reaction conditions, and sample preparation. In this method, the ricin is
      captured by a specific polycolonal antibody followed by hydrolysis reaction. The
      ricin activity is determined by detecting the unique cleavage product of
      synthetic oligomer substrates. The detection of a depurinated substrate was
      enhanced by using a more efficient RNA substrate and optimizing buffer
      components, pH, and reaction temperature. In addition, the factors involved in
      mass spectrometry analysis, such as MALDI matrix, plate, and sample preparation,
      were also investigated to improve the ionization of the depurinated product and
      assay reproducibility. With optimized parameters, the limit of detection of 0.2
      ng/mL of ricin spiked in buffer and milk was accomplished, representing more than
      2 orders of magnitude enhancement in assay sensitivity. Improving assay's
      ruggeddness or reproducibility also made it possible to quantitatively detect
      active ricin with 3 orders of magnitude dynamic range.

PMID- 27264551
TI  - Nanotechnology in hyperthermia cancer therapy: From fundamental principles to
      advanced applications.
AB  - In this work, we present an in-depth review of recent breakthroughs in
      nanotechnology for hyperthermia cancer therapy. Conventional hyperthermia methods
      do not thermally discriminate between the target and the surrounding normal
      tissues, and this non-selective tissue heating can lead to serious side effects.
      Nanotechnology is expected to have great potential to revolutionize current
      hyperthermia methods. To find an appropriate place in cancer treatment, all
      nanotechnology-based hyperthermia methods and their risks/benefits must be
      thoroughly understood. In this review paper, we extensively examine and compare
      four modern nanotechnology-based hyperthermia methods. For each method, the
      possible physical mechanisms of heat generation and enhancement due to the
      presence of nanoparticles are explained, and recent in vitro and in vivo studies
      are reviewed and discussed. Nano-Photo-Thermal Therapy (NPTT) and Nano-Magnetic
      Hyperthermia (NMH) are reviewed as the two first exciting approaches for targeted
      hyperthermia. The third novel hyperthermia method, Nano-Radio-Frequency Ablation
      (NaRFA) is discussed together with the thermal effects of novel nanoparticles in
      the presence of radiofrequency waves. Finally, Nano-Ultrasound Hyperthermia (NUH)
      is described as the fourth modern method for cancer hyperthermia.

PMID- 27264552
TI  - A safe, simple and efficient doxorubicin prodrug hybrid micelle for overcoming
      tumor multidrug resistance and targeting delivery.
AB  - A pH-sensitive prodrug, TPGS-CHN-DOX, was introduced by conjugating anticancer
      drug, doxorubicin (DOX), onto d-alpha-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000
      succinate (TPGS) via a cleavable Schiff base linkage. The prodrug was mixed with
      a PEGylated lipid to form a simple but multifunctional hybrid micelle system,
      which can realize high drug loading capability and biocompatibility, extended
      blood circulation time, inhibited drug resistance in cancer cells, improved
      therapeutic response, reduced side effects, and easy functionalities for
      targeting delivery. The hybrid micelles exhibited in vitro pH-sensitive drug
      release, enhanced cellular uptake and strengthened cytotoxicity on both drug
      sensitive human breast cancer MCF-7 and resistant MCF-7/ADR cells. P-glycoprotein
      functional inhibition and mitochondria-associated cell apoptosis induced by TPGS
      were thought to play an important role in overcoming the multidrug resistance. As
      a result, the hybrid micelles demonstrated good anticancer efficacy in MCF-7/ADR
      xenograft model. Additionally, after modifying with a tumor-specific targeting
      peptic ligand, cRGD, the tumor growth/metastasis inhibition was further evidenced
      in integrin receptor overexpressed melanoma cancer B16F10 and even murine
      hepatocarcinoma H22 models. This TPGS-based pH-sensitive prodrug provides a safe
      and "Molecular economical" way in the rational design of prodrugs for overcoming
      multidrug resistance and targeting delivery, which can improve the potency for
      clinical use.

PMID- 27264553
TI  - Endosomal acidic pH-induced conformational changes of a cytosol-penetrating
      antibody mediate endosomal escape.
AB  - Endosomal escape after endocytosis is a critical step for protein-based agents to
      exhibit their effects in the cytosol of cells. However, antibodies internalized
      into cells by endocytosis cannot reach the cytosol due to their inability to
      escape from endosomes. Here, we report a unique endosomal escape mechanism of the
      IgG-format TMab4 antibody, which can reach the cytosol of living cells after
      internalization. Dissociation of TMab4 from its cell surface receptor heparan
      sulfate proteoglycan by activated heparanase in acidified early endosomes and
      then local structural changes of the endosomal escape motif of TMab4 in response
      to the acidified endosomal pH were critical for the formation of membrane pores
      through which TMab4 escaped into the cytosol. Identification of structural
      determinants of endosomal escape led us to generate a TMab4 variant with ~3-fold
      improved endosomal escape efficiency. Our finding of the endosomal escape
      mechanism of the cytosol-penetrating antibody and its improvement will establish
      a platform technology that enables a full-length IgG antibody to directly target
      cytosolic proteins.

PMID- 27264554
TI  - Identification of 6-Hydroxymellein Synthase and Accessory Genes in the Lichen
      Cladonia uncialis.
AB  - A transcribed polyketide synthase (PKS) gene has been identified in the lichen
      Cladonia uncialis. The complete nucleotide sequence of this PKS was determined
      from the amplified cDNA, and an assignment of individual domains was accomplished
      by homology searching using AntiSMASH. A scan of the complete genome sequence of
      C. uncialis revealed the accessory genes associated with this PKS gene. A
      homology search has identified that several genes in this cluster are similar to
      genes responsible for the biosynthesis of terrein in Aspergillus terreus. This
      permitted assignment of putative function to each of the genes in this new C.
      uncialis cluster. It is proposed that this gene cluster is responsible for the
      biosynthesis of a halogenated iscoumarin. This is the first report linking a gene
      cluster to a halogenated metabolite in lichen.

PMID- 27264555
TI  - The importance of the Lewis base in lithium mediated metallation and bond
      cleavage reaction of allyl amines and allyl phosphines.
AB  - Metallation of two analogous N- and P-allyl molecules Ph2NCH2CHCH2 and
      Ph2PCH2CHCH2 with nBuLi have shown contrasting reactivities based on the choice
      of Lewis donor. With metallation of the alpha carbon atom was achieved regardless
      of the Lewis donor used while in comparison metallation of showed an unexpected
      donor denticity dependence with P-C bond clevage induced with the tri-dentate
      PMDETA. Complementary DFT and solution studies rationalise this outcome. 

PMID- 27264556
TI  - Molecular mechanisms of DNA damage recognition for mammalian nucleotide excision
      repair.
AB  - For faithful DNA repair, it is crucial for cells to locate lesions precisely
      within the vast genome. In the mammalian global genomic nucleotide excision
      repair (NER) pathway, this difficult task is accomplished through multiple steps,
      in which the xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC) protein complex plays a central
      role. XPC senses the presence of oscillating 'normal' bases in the DNA duplex,
      and its binding properties contribute to the extremely broad substrate
      specificity of NER. Unlike XPC, which acts as a versatile sensor of DNA helical
      distortion, the UV-damaged DNA-binding protein (UV-DDB) is more specialized,
      recognizing UV-induced photolesions and facilitating recruitment of XPC. Recent
      single-molecule analyses and structural studies have advanced our understanding
      of how UV-DDB finds its targets, particularly in the context of chromatin. After
      XPC binds DNA, it is necessary to verify the presence of damage in order to avoid
      potentially deleterious incisions at damage-free sites. Accumulating evidence
      suggests that XPA and the helicase activity of transcription factor IIH (TFIIH)
      cooperate to verify abnormalities in DNA chemistry. This chapter reviews recent
      findings about the mechanisms underlying the efficiency, versatility, and
      accuracy of NER.

PMID- 27264558
TI  - When DNA repair goes wrong: BER-generated DNA-protein crosslinks to oxidative
      lesions.
AB  - Free radicals generate an array of DNA lesions affecting all parts of the
      molecule. The damage to deoxyribose receives less attention than base damage,
      even though the former accounts for ~20% of the total. Oxidative deoxyribose
      fragments (e.g., 3'-phosphoglycolate esters) are removed by the Ape1 AP
      endonuclease and other enzymes in mammalian cells to enable DNA repair synthesis.
      Oxidized abasic sites are initially incised by Ape1, thus recruiting these
      lesions into base excision repair (BER) pathways. Lesions such as 2-deoxypentos-4
      ulose can be removed by conventional (single-nucleotide) BER, which proceeds
      through a covalent Schiff base intermediate with DNA polymerase beta (Polbeta)
      that is resolved by hydrolysis. In contrast, the lesion 2-deoxyribonolactone (dL)
      must be processed by multinucleotide ("long-patch") BER: attempted repair via the
      single-nucleotide pathway leads to a dead-end, covalent complex with Polbeta
      cross- linked to the DNA by an amide bond. We recently detected these stable DNA
      protein crosslinks (DPC) between Polbeta and dL in intact cells. The features of
      the DPC formation in vivo are exactly in keeping with the mechanistic properties
      seen in vitro: Polbeta-DPC are formed by oxidative agents in line with their
      ability to form the dL lesion; they are not formed by non-oxidative agents; DPC
      formation absolutely requires the active-site lysine-72 that attacks the 5'
      deoxyribose; and DPC formation depends on Ape1 to incise the dL lesion first. The
      Polbeta-DPC are rapidly processed in vivo, the signal disappearing with a half
      life of 15-30min in both mouse and human cells. This removal is blocked by
      inhibiting the proteasome, which leads to the accumulation of ubiquitin
      associated with the Polbeta-DPC. While other proteins (e.g., topoisomerases) also
      form DPC under these conditions, 60-70% of the trapped ubiquitin depends on
      Polbeta. The mechanism of ubiquitin targeting to Polbeta-DPC, the subsequent
      processing of the expected 5'-peptidyl-dL, and the biological consequences of
      unrepaired DPC are important to assess. Many other lyase enzymes that attack dL
      can also be trapped in DPC, so the processing mechanisms may apply quite broadly.

PMID- 27264559
TI  - Protein damage, radiation sensitivity and aging.
AB  - This paper promotes a concept that protein damage determines radiation resistance
      and underlies aging and age-related diseases. The first bottleneck in cell
      recovery from radiation damage is functional (proteome) rather than informational
      (DNA), since prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell death correlates with incurred
      protein, but not DNA, damage. Proteome protection against oxidative damage
      determines survival after ionizing or UV irradiation, since sufficient residual
      proteome activity is required to turn on the DNA damage response activating DNA
      repair and protein renewal processes. Extreme radiation and desiccation
      resistance of rare bacterial and animal species is accounted for by exceptional
      constitutive proteome protection against oxidative damage. After excessive
      radiation their well-protected proteome faithfully reconstitutes a transcription
      competent genome from hundreds of DNA fragments. The observation that oxidative
      damage targeted selectively to cellular proteins results in aging-like phenotypes
      suggests that aging and age-related diseases could be phenotypic consequences of
      proteome damage patterns progressing with age.

PMID- 27264557
TI  - DNA polymerase theta (POLQ), double-strand break repair, and cancer.
AB  - DNA polymerase theta (pol theta) is encoded in the genomes of many eukaryotes,
      though not in fungi. Pol theta is encoded by the POLQ gene in mammalian cells.
      The C-terminal third of the protein is a family A DNA polymerase with additional
      insertion elements relative to prokaryotic homologs. The N-terminal third is a
      helicase-like domain with DNA-dependent ATPase activity. Pol theta is important
      in the repair of genomic double-strand breaks (DSBs) from many sources. These
      include breaks formed by ionizing radiation and topoisomerase inhibitors, breaks
      arising at stalled DNA replication forks, breaks introduced during
      diversification steps of the mammalian immune system, and DSB induced by CRISPR
      Cas9. Pol theta participates in a route of DSB repair termed "alternative end
      joining" (altEJ). AltEJ is independent of the DNA binding Ku protein complex and
      requires DNA end resection. Pol theta is able to mediate joining of two resected
      3' ends harboring DNA sequence microhomology. "Signatures" of Pol theta action
      during altEJ are the frequent utilization of longer microhomologies, and the
      insertion of additional sequences at joining sites. The mechanism of end-joining
      employs the ability of Pol theta to tightly grasp a 3' terminus through unique
      contacts in the active site, allowing extension from minimally paired primers.
      Pol theta is involved in controlling the frequency of chromosome translocations
      and preserves genome integrity by limiting large deletions. It may also play a
      backup role in DNA base excision repair. POLQ is a member of a cluster of
      similarly upregulated genes that are strongly correlated with poor clinical
      outcome for breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other cancer types. Inhibition of
      pol theta is a compelling approach for combination therapy of radiosensitization.

PMID- 27264560
TI  - Spatiotemporal expression pattern of the zebrafish aquaporin 8 family during
      early developmental stages.
AB  - Aquaporin 8 (Aqp8) is a transmembrane protein that is selectively permeated by
      water and some small solutes, and physiologically contributes to acid-base
      equilibrium in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we described the
      characterization and spatiotemporal expression pattern of zebrafish aqp8 (zaqp8)
      gene family, including zaqp8a.1, zaqp8a.2, and zaqp8b, during the early
      developmental stages. The expression of zaqp8a.1 started first in the lateral
      plate mesoderm at the 12-somite stage (ss) and then expanded sequentially to the
      dorsal aorta, intersegmental blood vessels and then to the dorsal longitudinal
      anastomotic vessel at 24 h post fertilization (hpf). At 28 hpf, expression of
      zaqp8a.1 was also detected in the embryonic heart tube. Four days post
      fertilization (dpf), strong zaqp8a.1 expression was detected in the
      gastrointestinal tract and liver. By 72 hpf, the expression of zaqp8a.2 was first
      detected in the primitive gut region but not detected in the liver. The
      expression of zaqp8b was first detected in the intermediate mesoderm at 10 ss.
      From 24 hpf to 6 dpf, the proximal convoluted segment of the embryonic kidney was
      marked by zaqp8b expression Overall, these differential expression patterns of
      aqp8a.1, aqp8a.2, and aqp8b suggest that they possibly play distinct roles
      throughout the embryonic development by controlling or maintaining organ-specific
      cellular water homeostasis. Our study provides new evidence that organogenesis
      requires differential roles of Aqp8 proteins in zebrafish.

PMID- 27264561
TI  - Novel application of the controlled allergen challenge facility model.

PMID- 27264562
TI  - Summer camps and food allergy: What do we not know?

PMID- 27264563
TI  - Social media and the allergy practice.

PMID- 27264564
TI  - Association of wider neck circumference and asthma in obese children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for asthma. Previous
      studies have reported that central obesity is associated with asthma. OBJECTIVE:
      To investigate the association between fat distribution, which is determined by
      anthropometric measures, including neck circumference (NC), and asthma in school
      aged children. METHODS: Children diagnosed as having asthma were enrolled along
      with controls who were admitted to our outpatient department with allergic
      symptoms, such as rhinitis, urticaria and atopic dermatitis. Anthropometric
      measures, including height, weight, NC, waist circumference, and hip
      circumference, were obtained. Skin prick tests, blood eosinophil counts, and
      serum total IgE level measurements were performed. RESULTS: A total of 196
      children (92 male [46.9%]) were included. Asthma was present in 102 patients
      (52.1%). Ninety-one of the patients (46.4%) were overweight, and 45 patients
      (22.9%) were obese. The NC of children with asthma was significantly higher than
      that of children in the control group. Grades defined according to NC percentiles
      were also significantly different between groups. In children with asthma, the
      prevalence of children with an NC higher than the 90th percentile (grade 6) was
      more frequent when compared with controls. The median NC of obese-overweight
      children with asthma was significantly higher compared with obese-overweight
      controls without asthma. Results of multivariable logistic regression analysis
      revealed that the presence of an NC in the greater than 90th percentile was
      associated with asthma in obese-overweight children. CONCLUSION: This study found
      that NC, which is a simple anthropometric measure, is associated with asthma in
      obese children.

PMID- 27264565
TI  - Association between chronic idiopathic urticaria and hypertension: A population
      based retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is defined as urticaria that is
      not caused by external triggers. The pathogenesis of CIU remains unknown. A
      previous study investigated whether hypertension is associated with extended
      duration of CIU. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible association between CIU
      and hypertension. METHODS: We performed a population-based retrospective cohort
      study of 2,460 patients with CIU and 9,840 age-, sex-, and index year-matched
      comparison patients, using the National Health Insurance of Taiwan database. The
      median follow-up periods were 7.13 years for the CIU cohort and 7.20 years for
      the non-CIU cohort. The distributions by sex and age were similar for both
      cohorts. RESULTS: The CIU cohort had a 1.37-fold (95% CI, 1.22-1.53) greater risk
      of developing subsequent hypertension than the non-CIU cohort after adjusting for
      sex, age, comorbidities, and nonsedating antihistamine use. CONCLUSION: This
      nationwide retrospective cohort study found that CIU is associated with a higher
      future risk of hypertension after adjusting for sex, age, comorbidities, and
      nonsedating antihistamine use. The detailed pathophysiologic mechanisms require
      further clarification in prospective studies.

PMID- 27264566
TI  - Approach to food allergy diagnosis and management by nonspecialty practitioners.

PMID- 27264568
TI  - Authors' response.

PMID- 27264567
TI  - Dog allergen immunotherapy and allergy to furry animals.

PMID- 27264569
TI  - [Reflection on tuberculosis infection].

PMID- 27264570
TI  - [Annual tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment review (2015)].

PMID- 27264571
TI  - [Preventive therapy for tuberculosis and its challenges].

PMID- 27264572
TI  - [The chemotharapy of latent tuberculosis infection].

PMID- 27264573
TI  - [Latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers].

PMID- 27264574
TI  - [Latent tuberculosis infection sreening and preventive therapy in students].

PMID- 27264575
TI  - [Immunologic mechanism and immune intervention therapy of latent tuberculosis
      infection].

PMID- 27264576
TI  - [Ventilation strategies and choices in acute respiratory distress syndrome].

PMID- 27264577
TI  - [Animal models of obstructive sleep apnea].

PMID- 27264578
TI  - [Genomics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

PMID- 27264579
TI  - Orbital medial wall fractures: purely endoscopic endonasal repair with
      polyethylene implants.

PMID- 27264580
TI  - The importance of studying inherited hematological disorders in ancient Anatolian
      populations.
AB  - Before analysis of DNA from ancient remains was possible, anthropologists studied
      evolution and migration patterns using data obtained from population genetic
      studies on modern populations combined with data obtained from morphological
      evaluations of ancient remains. Currently, DNA analysis of ancient populations is
      making a valuable contribution to these efforts. Researchers that perform ancient
      DNA analysis prefer to study polymorphisms on the Y chromosome or mitochondrial
      DNA because the results are easier to statistically evaluate. To evaluate
      polymorphisms on diploid genomes, which are more informative, only mutations that
      have been extensively examined in modern populations should be chosen. The most
      extensively evaluated mutations are those related to prevalent inherited
      disorders. As such, beta-thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, FVL mutation of globin
      and the factor V genes are good candidates for DNA studies in ancient
      populations. These mutations are common in Anatolia, host to many civilizations
      since the Paleolithic period. This history makes Anatolia a good place for
      conducting research that could enhance our understanding of human evolution and
      migration patterns. 

PMID- 27264581
TI  - Beta-globin gene mutations in children with beta-thalassemia major from Sanliurfa
      province, Turkey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of beta-thalassemia in Sanliurfa province, Turkey is
      reported to be 2.6%-3.7%, whereas nation-wide the frequency of beta-thalassemia
      is 2%. This study aimed to identify the most frequent beta-thalassemia mutations
      in Sanliurfa province. METHODS: In total, 22 mutations were investigated in 115
      pediatric patients with beta-thalassemia using a commercially available reverse
      dot blot platform. RESULTS: The study included 60 male and 55 female patients
      with a mean age of 7.3+/-4.6 years (range: 1-17 years). In total, 76% of the
      patients had consanguineous parents. In all, 16 different mutations were observed
      in the 115 patients. IVS-1-110 (G-A) (29.1%), IVS-1-1 (G-A) (13.9%), codon 39
      (C>T) (10.4%), and codon 8 (-AA) (9.1%) accounted for 62.5% of all the beta
      thalassemia mutations, and 6% of the patients had 2 different thalassemia
      mutations. According to the present results, IVS-1-110 (G>A) was the most
      frequent mutation observed in the patients from Sanliurfa province, as in other
      geographical regions of Turkey. In addition, the following 34 compound
      heterozygote mutant alleles were observed; IVS-1-1 (G>A)/IVS 2.848 (n=4), codon
      39 (C>T)/codon 8 (-AA) (n=2), codon 6 (-A)/IVS 1.5 (G>C) (n=2), IVS-1-110
      (G>A)/IVS-1-1 (G>A) (n=2), IVS-1-110 (G>A)/codon 8 (-AA) (n=1), IVS-1-110
      (G>A)/codon 39 (C>T) (n=1), IVS-1-110 (G>A)/IVS-1-6 (T>C) (n=1), IVS-1-110
      (G>A)/IVS-1-5 (G>C) (n=1), IVS-1-110 (G>A]/codon 8/9 (+G) (n=1), IVS-1-1
      (G>A)/codon 39 (C>T) (n=1), and codon 8 (-AA)/IVS-1-5 (G>C) (n=1). The following
      beta-globin gene promoter mutations were not observed; -101 (C>T), -87(C>T), -30
      (T>A), codon 15 (TTG>TGA), codon 27 (G>T) Knossos, and IVS-1-116 (G>C). In all, 5
      of the 115 patients (4.3%) had an unidentified mutation. CONCLUSION: The present
      results illustrate the heterogeneity of beta-thalassemia mutations in Sanliurfa
      Province. The present findings may be of value for genetic counseling, and
      premarital and prenatal diagnosis in Sanliurfa province.

PMID- 27264582
TI  - Tracing the footsteps of IVS-I-130 G-C mutation of the human hemoglobin beta
      globin gene: From Sanliurfa to Askeriye, Burdur, Turkey.

PMID- 27264583
TI  - Antifungal prophylaxis in stem cell transplantation centers in Turkey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the current state of antifungal
      prophylaxis in Turkish stem cell transplantation (SCT) centers. METHODS: he were
      38 active stem cell transplantation centers in Turkey, 28 of which were
      registered with the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT).
      Survey questionnaires were sent to the 28 EBMT centers in an effort to collect
      data on antifungal prophylaxis in different settings. In all, 24 of the centers
      completed the survey; 1 of the 24 centers was excluded from the study, as it was
      under construction at the time and was not performing transplantation. RESULTS:
      In all, 15 (65%) of the 23 centers were adult SCT centers, 7 (31%) were pediatric
      SCT centers, and 1 center treated both adult and pediatric patients. All centers
      (23/23) performed both allogeneic and autologous transplants, 20 centers
      performed non-myeloablative transplants, 8 performed cord blood transplants, and
      7 performed unrelated transplants. Primary antifungal prophylaxis was used at all
      23 centers during allogeneic transplants, whereas 18 of the 23 centers used it
      during every autologous transplant and 2 of the 23 centers used it during
      autologous transplants on a per case basis. The most common drug used for
      prophylaxis was fluconazole (F) (21/23), followed by itraconazole (I) (3/23),
      amphotericin-B (2/23), and posaconazole (1/23). Among the 23 centers, 3 reported
      that for allogenic transplants they changed the antifungal prophylactic in cases
      of graft versus host disease (GVHD), and 12 of the 23 centers reported that they
      changed the antifungal prophylactic in case of nearby construction. All 23
      centers performed secondary prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Antifungal prophylaxis for
      hematopoetic SCT patients was the standard protocol in the 23 centers included in
      the study, usually with such azoles as F. The introduction of posaconazole in
      Turkey and the potential approval of voriconazole for antifungal prophylaxis will
      eventually alter prophylaxis practice in Turkey, which we plan to assess in the
      future.

PMID- 27264584
TI  - The effects of Ankaferd(r) Blood Stopper on transcription factors in HUVEC and
      the erythrocyte protein profile.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Ankaferd(r) Blood Stopper (ABS) is an herbal extract that has
      historically been used as a hemostatic agent in traditional Turkish medicine. ABS
      is comprised of a standardized herbal mixture of T. vulgaris, G. glabra, V.
      vinifera, A. officinarum, and U. dioica. ABS's basic mechanism of action is the
      formation of an encapsulated protein web, which represents the focal point for
      vital erythrocyte masses. The hemostatic effects of ABS have been observed in
      vitro and in vivo. ABS was registered as a hemostatic agent for external
      hemorrhages and dental bleeding following phase I randomized, double-blind
      crossover placebo-controlled clinical research, and safety and efficacy reports.
      In terms of the potential use of ABS, transcription factors may be novel factors
      that play a role in the hemostatic and other pleiotropic effects of ABS. METHODS:
      Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of ABS on endothelium,
      and possible transcription factor changes in HUVEC (human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells) and the erythrocyte membrane profile. ABS (5 MUL and 50 MUL)
      was administered to HUVEC (in 75 cm2; ~75% fullness) for 5 min and 15 min.
      RESULTS: ABS caused significant increases in the level of activation of the
      following transcription factors; AP2, AR, CRE/ATF1, CREB, E2F1-5, E2F6, EGR,
      GATA, HNF-1, ISRE, Myc-Max, NF-1, NFkB, p53, PPAR, SMAD 2/3, SP1, TRE/AP1, and
      YY1. Following erythrocyte membrane isolation, protein complexes were
      undissolved, but denatured. The protein complex formed was resistant to heat and
      detergent. Trypsin and sonication were used in order to break this complex; the
      complex dissolved and erythrocyte membrane proteins were released in SDS-PAGE.
      CONCLUSION: ABS established a very fast and solid protein web, and increased the
      level of transcription factor activation. Therefore the cellular effects of ABS
      could be related to different intracellular biological pathways.

PMID- 27264585
TI  - Long-term outcome in children with nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Vitamin B12 deficiency is frequently observed in developing countries.
      Herein we report the long-term clinical and laboratory outcomes in 45 children
      presented with various symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. METHODS: Symptoms and
      physical findings, and percentiles for weight, height, and head circumference at
      presentation were recorded. The educational level of the patients' mothers,
      vitamin B12 deficiency-related diseases and family income data were collected.
      Complete blood count, serum vitamin B12, folate, iron, iron binding capacity and
      ferritin, and plasma homocysteine levels were recorded measured at presentation.
      The patients were treated with vitamin B12, as follows: 1 mg/d IM for 1 week,
      followed by 1 mg IM QWK for 2 weeks, and then monthly 1mg injections. Patients
      were neurologically and hematologically re-evaluated after treatment. The visual
      evoked potential (VEP) test was used to examine the integrity and function of the
      visual pathway. Brainstem evoked potential (BAEP) responses were used to analyze
      auditory function. Neuromotor development was assessed using Denver II
      Development Screening Test. RESULTS: The mean age of 20 male and 25 female
      patients was 5.6+/-5.9 years (range: 1.4 months-17 years). The most common
      symptoms at presentation were weakness, failure to thrive, and hematologic
      manifestations (pallor, petechiae, ecchymosis). Abnormal neurologic findings at
      presentation were observed in 20% of the patients, and were more commonly
      observed in those <2 years. VEP, BAEP, and Denver II Development tests were
      performed in 66% of the patients one year after vitamin B12 replacement was
      started. VEP and BAEP interval prolongation was observed in 37% and 17% of the
      cases, respectively. Denver II Development Test results showed developmental
      delay in 20% of the patients tested. CONCLUSION: All the patients achieved full
      hematologic recovery within 1 month of treatment onset. Neurological symptoms
      resolved following B12 administration; however, during long-term follow-up ranged
      from 17% to 37% of the tested patients had persistent VEP; BERA, and Denver II
      abnormalities. Neurological symptoms resolved following B12 administration;
      however, during long-term followup 33% of the patients had persistent VEP, BERA,
      and Denver II abnormalities. As such, clinicians should continue to follow-up
      such patients even after hematologic and clinical improvement are obtained in
      order to assess their neurologic status.

PMID- 27264586
TI  - Clinical investigation of oral findings in inherited disorders of platelet
      function.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Bleeding disorders are a very important health problem due to the
      associated high risk of hemorrhage during dental procedures. The present study
      aimed to investigate oral manifestations of inherited disorders of platelet
      function (IDPF). METHODS: The study included 20 IDPF patients (mean age: 31.90+/
      10.71 years) and 40 healthy controls (mean age: 31.63+/-9.07 years). Tooth
      brushing habits, level of education, and clinical index scores (Simplified Oral
      Hygiene Index [OHI-S], Decayed Missing Filled Teeth Index [DMFT] index, probing
      depth [PD] index, Gingival Bleeding Index [GBI], and Community Periodontal Index
      [CPI]) were recorded. RESULTS: There weren't any significant differences between
      the 2 groups with respect to tooth brushing habit, level of education level, OHI
      S, DMFT index, or CPI (p>0.05), whereas significant differences in PD index and
      GBI were observed between the groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study's
      findings show that IDPF has a negative effect on periodontal tissues.

PMID- 27264587
TI  - Factor V G1691A (Leiden) is a major etiological factor in Egyptian Budd-Chiari
      syndrome patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Budd-Chiari syndrome is a multifactorial disease in which several
      prothrombotic disorders may predispose patients to the development of thrombosis
      at this uncommon location (hepatic veins). The aim of this study was to determine
      the prevalence and characteristics of inherited thrombophilia in Egyptian Budd
      Chiari syndrome patients. METHODS: The study included 47 Budd-Chiari syndrome
      patients (20 children and 27 adults). Genotyping of Factor V G1691A (Leiden),
      prothrombin G20210A (PT), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T were
      performed using real-time PCR and fluorescence melting curve detection analysis.
      RESULTS: Factor V Leiden was observed in 29 patients (61.7%). It is the only
      factor that caused Budd-Chiari syndrome in 18 of the patients and in 5 of the
      patients with inferior vena cava involvement. Myeloproliferative disease was
      noted in 12 (25.5%) patients, antiphospholipid syndrome in 5 (10.6%), and
      Behcet's disease in 3 (6.4%). Interestingly, 3 of the children with Budd-Chiari
      syndrome had lipid storage disease. CONCLUSION: Factor V Leiden was a major
      etiological factor in Egyptian Budd-Chiari syndrome patients, which may have been
      related to the high frequency of this mutation in the study region. Factor V
      Leiden was also a strong thrombophilic factor and the leading cause of inferior
      vena cava thrombosis in these patients. Lipid storage disease should be included
      as a risk factor for Budd-Chiari syndrome.

PMID- 27264588
TI  - Factor V G1691A (Leiden) and prothrombiG20210A gene mutation status, and
      thrombosis in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine Factor V G1691A (Leiden) (FVL)
      and prothrombin G20210A (PT) gene mutation status, and their relationship with
      thrombosis in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPDs).
      METHODS: The study included 160 patients with a CMPD that were regularly followed
      up between 1993 and 2009. FVL and PT mutation status was established based on
      blood samples analyzed via PCR using specific primers. RESULTS: The frequency of
      FVL and PT mutation was 12.5% and 4.4%, respectively. In total, 27 episodes of
      thrombosis occurred in 24 (15%) of the patients, and there wasn't an association
      between the observed thrombotic events, and FVL or PT mutations. Hepatic vein
      thrombosis was noted in 3 patients that had FVL mutation, of which 1 also had PT
      mutation. CONCLUSION: We did not observe a relationship between thrombosis, and
      FVL or PT mutations in CMPD patients; however, 3 of the patients that had hepatic
      vein thrombosis also had FVL mutation. Larger studies are needed to more clearly
      determine if all CMPD patients with hepatic vein thrombosis need be investigated
      for FVL and PT mutation.

PMID- 27264589
TI  - Plasmacytoid dendritic cell tumor: A case report.
AB  - A 62-year-old man presented with a painless eruption on his arms and trunk.
      Physical examination showed 2 well-demarcated erythematous plaques on the
      anterior trunk and 6 purple-red papules on the back and upper extremities. Blood
      chemistry and computed tomography results were normal. Herein we describe a
      patient with plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm in the absence of systemic
      symptoms. 

PMID- 27264590
TI  - Involuntary movement in infants during vitamin B12 treatment.
AB  - Megaloblastic anemia is rare in infants and is generally due to vitamin B12
      (cobalamin) deficiency in the mother. Neurologic symptoms of vitamin B12
      deficiency include irritability, failure to thrive, hypotonia, and developmental
      regression/delay. Herein we present 2 infants with vitamin B12 that developed
      movement disorder 5 d after initiation of vitamin B12 treatment. Symptoms
      included tremor and myoclonus, involving in particular the face, tongue, and
      hands. Clinical findings in infants associated with vitamin B12 deficiency vary,
      and temporary involuntary movement can be observed during vitamin B12 therapy. 

PMID- 27264591
TI  - Two rare hemoglobin variants in the Cukurova Region of Turkey: Hb E-Saskatoon and
      Hb G-Coushatta.
AB  - Hb E-Saskatoon and Hb G-Coushatta are rare hemoglobin variants that are not a
      health problem. Herein we present a Turkish woman that was diagnosed as
      homozygous Hb E-Saskatoon (only the second such case reported from Turkey) and a
      Turkish boy diagnosed as heterozygote Hb E-Saskatoon. Additionally, 2 Turkish
      sisters diagnosed as heterozygote Hb G-Coushatta are presented. 

PMID- 27264592
TI  - Malignant lymphoma associated with Behcet's disease: A report of 2 cases.
AB  - Herein we report 2 cases of malignant lymphoma associated with Behcet's disease.
      Case 1, a 53-yearold man, was diagnosed as Behcet's disease at the age of 26
      years, and was treated with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. At 45 years of
      age, bilateral enlarged lymph nodes were observed in the patient's neck.
      Evaluation of a lymph node biopsy specimen showed Hodgkin's disease and
      chemotherapy was administered. Due to disease recurrence 7 years later,
      chemotherapy and radiotherapy were administered. Case 2, a 67-year-old male, was
      diagnosed as Behcet's disease at age 44 years and began colchicine treatment. At
      60 years of age a mass in his left tonsillar fossa was noted. Evaluation of a
      left tonsil biopsy specimen showed malignant lymphoma. Radiotherapy and
      chemotherapy were subsequently administered. At the time this report was written
      both patients were disease-free. Malignant lymphoma associated with Behcet's
      disease is rare-only 17 cases have been published. In addition to the presented
      cases, the literature regarding malignant lymphoma associated with Behcet's
      disease is reviewed. 

PMID- 27264593
TI  - A survey of hematologists on compulsory health service in Turkey.

PMID- 27264594
TI  - Unusual presentation of adrenal lymphoma observed with PET-CT.

PMID- 27264595
TI  - Scrotal abscess extending into the inguinal canal: A rare complication of multipl
      myeloma.

PMID- 27264596
TI  - Double heterozygosity of the thalassemic mutations term. Cd +6 C->G and IVS-I-110
      in a Greek woman: A case presentation.

PMID- 27264597
TI  - First report from Turkey of a rare frameshift mutation [codons 9/10 (+T)] in the
      beta-globin gene.

PMID- 27264598
TI  - First observation of hemoglobin Crete [Beta129(H7) Ala>Pro] in the Turkish
      population.

PMID- 27264599
TI  - The frequency of Factor V G1691A (Leiden) mutation in Iraqi Turks.

PMID- 27264600
TI  - Acute thrombotic complication of essential thrombocythemia.

PMID- 27264601
TI  - The frequency of factor V G1691A (Leiden) mutation in the healthy Kazakh
      population.

PMID- 27264602
TI  - A novel 110-bp insertion in a patient with homocysteinuria.

PMID- 27264603
TI  - Overwhelming bone marrow Leishmaniasis.

PMID- 27264604
TI  - The Colonic Crypt Protects Stem Cells from Microbiota-Derived Metabolites.
AB  - In the mammalian intestine, crypts of Leiberkuhn house intestinal epithelial
      stem/progenitor cells at their base. The mammalian intestine also harbors a
      diverse array of microbial metabolite compounds that potentially modulate
      stem/progenitor cell activity. Unbiased screening identified butyrate, a
      prominent bacterial metabolite, as a potent inhibitor of intestinal
      stem/progenitor proliferation at physiologic concentrations. During homeostasis,
      differentiated colonocytes metabolized butyrate likely preventing it from
      reaching proliferating epithelial stem/progenitor cells within the crypt.
      Exposure of stem/progenitor cells in vivo to butyrate through either mucosal
      injury or application to a naturally crypt-less host organism led to inhibition
      of proliferation and delayed wound repair. The mechanism of butyrate action
      depended on the transcription factor Foxo3. Our findings indicate that mammalian
      crypt architecture protects stem/progenitor cell proliferation in part through a
      metabolic barrier formed by differentiated colonocytes that consume butyrate and
      stimulate future studies on the interplay of host anatomy and microbiome
      metabolism. 

PMID- 27264605
TI  - Morphomechanical Innovation Drives Explosive Seed Dispersal.
AB  - How mechanical and biological processes are coordinated across cells, tissues,
      and organs to produce complex traits is a key question in biology. Cardamine
      hirsuta, a relative of Arabidopsis thaliana, uses an explosive mechanism to
      disperse its seeds. We show that this trait evolved through morphomechanical
      innovations at different spatial scales. At the organ scale, tension within the
      fruit wall generates the elastic energy required for explosion. This tension is
      produced by differential contraction of fruit wall tissues through an active
      mechanism involving turgor pressure, cell geometry, and wall properties of the
      epidermis. Explosive release of this tension is controlled at the cellular scale
      by asymmetric lignin deposition within endocarp b cells-a striking pattern that
      is strictly associated with explosive pod shatter across the Brassicaceae plant
      family. By bridging these different scales, we present an integrated mechanism
      for explosive seed dispersal that links evolutionary novelty with complex trait
      innovation. VIDEO ABSTRACT. 

PMID- 27264606
TI  - Lifespan Control by Redox-Dependent Recruitment of Chaperones to Misfolded
      Proteins.
AB  - Caloric restriction (CR) extends the lifespan of flies, worms, and yeast by
      counteracting age-related oxidation of H2O2-scavenging peroxiredoxins (Prxs).
      Here, we show that increased dosage of the major cytosolic Prx in yeast, Tsa1,
      extends lifespan in an Hsp70 chaperone-dependent and CR-independent manner
      without increasing H2O2 scavenging or genome stability. We found that Tsa1 and
      Hsp70 physically interact and that hyperoxidation of Tsa1 by H2O2 is required for
      the recruitment of the Hsp70 chaperones and the Hsp104 disaggregase to misfolded
      and aggregated proteins during aging, but not heat stress. Tsa1 counteracted the
      accumulation of ubiquitinated aggregates during aging and the reduction of
      hyperoxidized Tsa1 by sulfiredoxin facilitated clearance of H2O2-generated
      aggregates. The data reveal a conceptually new role for H2O2 signaling in
      proteostasis and lifespan control and shed new light on the selective benefits
      endowed to eukaryotic peroxiredoxins by their reversible hyperoxidation. 

PMID- 27264607
TI  - Subcellular Imaging of Voltage and Calcium Signals Reveals Neural Processing In
      Vivo.
AB  - A mechanistic understanding of neural computation requires determining how
      information is processed as it passes through neurons and across synapses.
      However, it has been challenging to measure membrane potential changes in axons
      and dendrites in vivo. We use in vivo, two-photon imaging of novel genetically
      encoded voltage indicators, as well as calcium imaging, to measure sensory
      stimulus-evoked signals in the Drosophila visual system with subcellular
      resolution. Across synapses, we find major transformations in the kinetics,
      amplitude, and sign of voltage responses to light. We also describe distinct
      relationships between voltage and calcium signals in different neuronal
      compartments, a substrate for local computation. Finally, we demonstrate that ON
      and OFF selectivity, a key feature of visual processing across species, emerges
      through the transformation of membrane potential into intracellular calcium
      concentration. By imaging voltage and calcium signals to map information flow
      with subcellular resolution, we illuminate where and how critical computations
      arise. 

PMID- 27264608
TI  - Relatives' Presence During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The question of whether or not to allow family to be present during
      resuscitation is relevant to everyday professional health care assistance, but it
      remains largely unexplored in the medical literature. OBJECTIVES: We conducted an
      online survey with the aim of increasing our knowledge and understanding of this
      issue. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, multicenter, descriptive, national,
      and international study using a web-based, voluntary survey. The survey was
      designed and distributed through a medical website in Spanish, targeting
      physicians who frequently deal with critical patients. RESULTS: A total of 1,286
      Argentine physicians and 1,848 physicians from other countries responded to this
      voluntary survey. Of Argentine respondents, 15.8% (203) treat only children,
      68.2% (877) treat adults, and 16% (206) treat patients of any age. The survey
      found that 23% (296) of Argentine and 20% of other respondents favor the presence
      of family members during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p = 0.03). This practice
      was more common among physicians treating pediatric and neonatal patients than
      among those who treat adults. The most commonly reported reason (21.8%) for
      avoiding the presence of relatives was concerns that physicians, communications,
      and medical practices might be misunderstood or misinterpreted. CONCLUSIONS:
      Avoiding relatives' presence while performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation is
      the most frequent choice made by the surveyed physicians who treat critical
      Argentine patients. The main causes for discouraging family presence during
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other critical procedures include the following:
      risk of misinterpretation of the physician's actions and/or words; risk of a
      relative's decompensation; uncertainty about possible reactions; and
      interpretation of the relative's presence as negative.

PMID- 27264610
TI  - Equid herpesvirus 1 and rhodococcus equi coinfection in a foal with
      bronchointerstitial pneumonia.
AB  - A 2-month-old foal with septic shock and severe respiratory distress was referred
      to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Due to poor prognosis, the foal was
      euthanized. Histopathology showed lesions suggestive of Rhodococcus equi
      infection associated with a diffuse interstitial infiltrate of foamy macrophages
      and syncytial cells presenting large acidophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies,
      fibrin exudates and hyaline membranes. Bacteriological examination from lung and
      respiratory exudates confirmed R. equi infection, whilst immunohistochemistry and
      PCR yielded a positive result for Equid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). Several
      etiologies have been proposed for bronchointerstitial pneumonia in foals,
      although a multifactorial origin for this lesional pattern could be possible.
      This work is the first one describing a combined EHV-1 and R. equi infection in a
      foal affected with bronchointerstitial pneumonia.

PMID- 27264611
TI  - Association between age, breed and sex in relation to urinary disorders in
      insured cats in Japan during fiscal year 2012.
AB  - Data from 48,187 cats insured between April 2012 and March 2013 were analyzed
      using logistic regression analysis to determine the association of age, breed and
      sex with the occurrence of urinary disorders. The overall annual prevalence of
      urinary disorders was 12.2%. Using crossbreeds as the reference breed, Abyssinian
      cats had the highest odds of having urinary disorders with a ratio of 1.40 (95%
      confidence interval: 1.20-1.63), followed by Norwegian Forest Cats and Somalis.
      Male cats had higher odds of having urinary disorders with a ratio of 1.27 (1.20
      1.35) over female cats. Older cats had higher odds of having urinary disorders
      than young cats.

PMID- 27264609
TI  - PolyMetformin combines carrier and anticancer activities for in vivo siRNA
      delivery.
AB  - Metformin, a widely implemented anti-diabetic drug, exhibits potent anticancer
      efficacies. Herein a polymeric construction of Metformin, PolyMetformin (PolyMet)
      is successfully synthesized through conjugation of linear polyethylenimine (PEI)
      with dicyandiamide. The delocalization of cationic charges in the biguanide
      groups of PolyMet reduces the toxicity of PEI both in vitro and in vivo.
      Furthermore, the polycationic properties of PolyMet permits capture of siRNA into
      a core-membrane structured lipid-polycation-hyaluronic acid (LPH) nanoparticle
      for systemic gene delivery. Advances herein permit LPH-PolyMet nanoparticles to
      facilitate VEGF siRNA delivery for VEGF knockdown in a human lung cancer
      xenograft, leading to enhanced tumour suppressive efficacy. Even in the absence
      of RNAi, LPH-PolyMet nanoparticles act similarly to Metformin and induce
      antitumour efficacy through activation of the AMPK and inhibition of the mTOR. In
      essence, PolyMet successfully combines the intrinsic anticancer efficacy of
      Metformin with the capacity to carry siRNA to enhance the therapeutic activity of
      an anticancer gene therapy.

PMID- 27264612
TI  - Plasma Levels of Alanine Aminotransferase in the First Trimester Identify High
      Risk Chinese Women for Gestational Diabetes.
AB  - Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) predicts type 2 diabetes but it is uncertain
      whether it also predicts gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We recruited 17359
      Chinese women with ALT measured in their first trimester. At 24-28 weeks of
      gestation, all women underwent a 50-gram 1-hour glucose challenge test (GCT)
      followed by a 75-gram 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test if GCT result was >=7.8
      mmol/L. Restricted cubic spline analysis was used to examine full-range risk
      associations of ALT levels with GDM. Relative excess risk due to interaction,
      attributable proportion due to interaction and synergy index were used to
      estimate additive interaction between high ALT and overweight/obesity for GDM.
      Finally, 1332 (7.7%) women had GDM. ALT levels were positively associated with
      GDM risk without a clear threshold. Using ALT levels <22 U/L as the referent, the
      middle ALT levels (>=22 to <40 U/L) [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence intervals):
      1.41(1.21-1.65)] and high ALT levels (>=40 U/L) [1.62 (1.31-2.00)] were
      associated with increased GDM risk. Maternal overweight/obesity greatly enhanced
      the OR of ALT >=22 U/L from 1.44 (1.23-1.69) to 3.46 (2.79-4.29) with significant
      additive interactions. In conclusion, elevated ALT levels in the first trimester
      even within normal range predicted GDM risk, further enhanced by
      overweight/obesity.

PMID- 27264614
TI  - In vitro effects of increased temperature and decreased pH on blood oxygen
      affinity of 10 fish species of the Amazon.
AB  - Blood-O2 affinities (P50 ) were measured over a physiologically relevant pH range
      at 31 (highest temperature average of Rio Negro over the last 8 years), 33 and 35
      degrees  C for 10 species of the Rio Negro, aiming to test the acute effects of
      temperature foreseen by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) for
      coming years. The animals were collected during an expedition to the Anavilhanas
      Islands of the Rio Negro, 110 km upstream from Manaus (2 degrees  23' 41" S; 60
      degrees  55' 14" W). Hoplias malabaricus showed higher blood-O2 sensitivity to pH
      changes (Bohr effect, Phi = Deltalog10  P50  DeltapH(-1) ) at both 31 degrees  C
      (Phi = -0.44) and 35 degrees  C (Phi = -0.26) compared to Osteoglossum
      bicirrhosum (Phi = -0.54 at 31 degrees  C and Phi = -0.58 at 35 degrees  C), but
      lower P50 under most conditions, and a greater sensitivity of P50 to temperature.
      Two out of the 10 analysed species had significant increases of P50 (lower blood
      O2 affinity) at the highest temperature throughout the pH range tested. For all
      other species, a minor increase of P50 over the assay-tested temperatures was
      observed, although all presented a normal Bohr effect. Overall, a diversity of
      intensities of pH and temperature effects on blood-O2 affinities was observed,
      which seems to be connected to the biological characteristics of the analysed
      species. Thermal disturbances in their habitats, likely to occur due to the
      global warming, would impair blood-O2 binding and unloading in some of the
      analysed fish species. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27264613
TI  - Identification and characterization of DcUCGalT1, a galactosyltransferase
      responsible for anthocyanin galactosylation in purple carrot (Daucus carota L.)
      taproots.
AB  - Purple carrots (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) accumulate
      large amounts of cyanidin-based anthocyanins in their taproots. Cyanidin can be
      glycosylated with galactose, xylose, and glucose in sequence by
      glycosyltransferases resulting in cyanidin 3-xylosyl (glucosyl) galactosides in
      purple carrots. The first step in the glycosylation of cyanidin is catalysis by
      UDP-galactose: cyanidin galactosyltransferase (UCGalT) transferring the
      galactosyl moiety from UDP-galactose to cyanidin. In the present study, a gene
      from 'Deep purple' carrot, DcUCGalT1, was cloned and heterologously expressed in
      E. coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant DcUCGalT1 galactosylated cyanidin to produce
      cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and showed optimal activity for cyanidin at 30  degrees
      C and pH 8.6. It showed lower galactosylation activity for peonidin,
      pelargonidin, kaempferol and quercetin. It accepted only UDP-galactose as a
      glycosyl donor when cyanidin was used as an aglycone. The expression level of
      DcUCGalT1 was positively correlated with anthocyanin biosynthesis in carrots. The
      enzyme extractions from 'Deep purple' exhibited galactosylation activity for
      cyanidin, peonidin and pelargonidin, while those from 'Kuroda' (a non-purple
      cultivar) did not.

PMID- 27264615
TI  - [Age discrimination. Point of view of the professionals].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It is generally believed that legislation is an essential resource
      in the prevention of discriminatory behaviour against older people. This study
      first examines the Spanish legislation for potential age discrimination and then
      uses the C-EVE-D questionnaire to ask professionals in social work and health
      care settings the extent to what certain ageist behaviours described in the
      questionnaire are observed in practice. METHODS: The field study was carried out
      with professionals in geriatrics and gerontology, who are members of Spanish
      Society for Geriatrics and Gerontology (SEGG). The EVE discrimination
      questionnaire consists of 28 items which investigate the existence of age
      discrimination in medical and social care contexts. RESULTS: A total of 174
      people (63% women; mean age: 45.6 years) took part in the study, with a mean
      professional experience of 17.2 years. Doctors made up 59% of the sample,
      psychologists 19%, with the rest coming from other professions. The first 20
      discrimination items of the EVE-D questionnaire were significantly positively
      reported by more than 60% of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: Although Spanish
      legislation, from the constitution down to the rules that govern social and
      health care settings, clearly prohibits any kind of discrimination with regard to
      age, our results show that Spanish professionals most closely involved in the
      care of older people perceive both direct and indirect age discrimination.
      Furthermore, evidence was found of prejudice in the treatment of older people as
      a phenomenon in day-to-day health and social services care, both when analysing
      medical cases and, to a greater extent, cases of a more general nature and/or
      relating to co-existence.

PMID- 27264616
TI  - [Health status of centenarians in a general hospital in Lima-Peru].

PMID- 27264617
TI  - [Anticholinergic burden and delirium in elderly patients during acute hospital
      admission].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of anticholinergic drugs in the elderly has been associated
      to an increased frequency of delirium. There are different scales for estimating
      the anticholinergic burden, such as the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS),
      Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS), and Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB). The
      aim of the study is to establish the relationship between anticholinergic burden
      measured by ADS, ARS, and ACB scales and incident or prevalent delirium. METHODS:
      An ambispective observational study was conducted for 76 days in the acute
      geriatric unit of a tertiary hospital. All patients over 80 years-old were
      included, except re-admissions or those subjected to palliative care. The data
      collected included sex, age, chronic medication and any recent changes, recent
      drugs prescribed prior to an episode of delirium, chronic kidney disease,
      diabetes mellitus, dementia, visual and auditory impairment, and their
      combination as sensory impairment, previous falls, stroke, brain tumour, and
      incident and prevalent delirium. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were included.
      Incident delirium was detected in 8.1% of the patients, and prevalent delirium in
      40.9%. A statistically significant association was established between
      anticholinergic drugs and the incident delirium measured by the ARS scale
      (P=.017). None of the scales was able to establish a significant association with
      prevalent delirium. CONCLUSION: The ARS scale was related to new episodes of
      delirium. All scales were insufficient when it came to establishing an
      association with prevalent delirium.

PMID- 27264618
TI  - Neurocognitive Correlates of Successful Treatment of PTSD in Female Veterans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The influence of psychotherapy on neurocognition in post-traumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD) has not been examined methodically. This is despite
      evidence that pre-treatment learning and memory has been associated with
      treatment success and that executive function theories emphasize weak executive
      functions (especially inhibition/switching) are associated with PTSD. OBJECTIVES:
      To determine (1) if higher pre-treatment learning/memory, inhibition/switching,
      or both predict treatment success; and (2) if treatment success is associated
      with specific improvement in inhibition/switching and not learning/memory or
      working memory, another aspect of executive function. METHODS: Pre-treatment
      neurocognition and neurocognitive changes (inhibition/switching, learning/memory,
      working memory) were examined in female veterans with PTSD. They were evaluated
      before and after 16-weeks of group psychotherapy for PTSD that included three
      counterbalanced modules (cognitive restructuring therapy, exposure therapy,
      skills training) with fidelity checks for therapist adherence. RESULTS: Only pre
      treatment learning/memory predicted better treatment outcome. Treatment success
      was associated with improvement in inhibition/switching only, even after
      controlling for mild traumatic brain injury, and changes in depressive symptoms,
      working memory, and learning/memory. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding that
      learning/memory predicted treatment success is consistent with previous studies.
      We extended these studies by showing that the effect was restricted to
      learning/memory, which is contrary to the executive function theory of PTSD. In
      contrast, the fact that only inhibition/switching significantly improved with
      better treatment success is consistent with its potential importance in
      maintaining PTSD symptoms. Future research should determine whether
      inhibition/switching abilities are a risk for development and maintenance of PTSD
      or whether such abilities have a broader reciprocal relationship with PTSD
      symptom change. (JINS, 2016, 22, 643-651).

PMID- 27264619
TI  - Contribution of limb momentum to power transfer in athletic wheelchair pushing.
AB  - Pushing capacity is a key parameter in athletic racing wheelchair performance.
      This study estimated the potential contribution of upper limb momentum to
      pushing. The question is relevant since it may affect the training strategy
      adopted by an athlete. A muscle-free Lagrangian dynamic model of the upper limb
      segments was developed and theoretical predictions of power transfer to the
      wheelchair were computed during the push phase. Results show that limb momentum
      capacity for pushing can be in the order of 40J per push cycle at 10m/s, but it
      varies with the specific pushing range chosen by the athlete. Although use of
      momentum could certainly help an athlete improve performance, quantifying the
      actual contribution of limb momentum to pushing is not trivial. A preliminary
      experimental investigation on an ergometer, along with a simplified model of the
      upper limb, suggests that momentum is not the sole contributor to power transfer
      to a wheelchair. Muscles substantially contribute to pushing, even at high
      speeds. Moreover, an optimal pushing range is challenging to find since it most
      likely differs if an athlete chooses a limb momentum pushing strategy versus a
      muscular exertion pushing strategy, or both at the same time. The study
      emphasizes the importance of controlling pushing range, although one should
      optimize it while also taking the dynamics of the recovery period into account.

PMID- 27264622
TI  - The Relationship of Haemostatic System to the Vessel Wall, Thromboembolism,
      Atherosclerosis from Pathogenesis and Laboratory Standpoints.

PMID- 27264620
TI  - Does plastic suture deformation induce gapping after tendon repair? A
      biomechanical comparison of different suture materials.
AB  - Plastic deformation of sutures creates an irreversible extension during load. To
      test our hypothesis that such plastic deformation causes gap formation after
      tendon repair, we determined the plasticity of five different suture materials
      commonly used in tendon surgery. Prolene, Polydioxanone (PDS), Ethibond, Vicryl,
      and FiberWire sutures were biomechanically tested to determine their offset yield
      strength, initial extension, creep, relaxed elongation, peak-to-peak
      displacement, stiffness, and maximum tensile strength under static, constant, and
      cyclic loading. In addition, 35 porcine hindlimb tendons were used to evaluate
      gap formation and the biomechanical behavior of the suture materials after tendon
      repair. Prolene had a low offset yield strength and high initial extensions at
      30, 60, and 90N combined with relatively large creep, relaxed elongation, and
      peak-to-peak displacement. Aside from the low maximum tensile strength and
      stiffness, these parameters indicate an early plastic deformation during loading.
      The material properties of PDS were generally better for suturing than those of
      Prolene, but no difference was found in offset yield strength or initial
      extension. In contrast to the monofilament materials Prolene and PDS, the braided
      Ethibond, Vicryl, and FiberWire materials showed significantly less plastic
      deformation. The lowest amount of plastic deformation was found in the FiberWire
      and the results for Ethibond and Vicryl were equal. Gap formation occurred at the
      lowest tension force in the Prolene group, but only FiberWire required a
      significantly larger tension force to produce gapping at the repair site,
      indicating a higher resistance to gap formation. The results of this study show
      that plastic deformation occurs at a lower tension force in the monofilament
      sutures Prolene and PDS than in the braided materials Ethibond, Vicryl, and
      FiberWire. After tendon repair, FiberWire likely prevents gap formation, whereas
      Prolene induces gapping through low-tension plastic deformation. Therefore,
      plastic deformation should be considered when selecting suture materials for
      tendon repair surgery.

PMID- 27264623
TI  - Does von Willebrand Factor Have an Effect on the Occurrence of the Diabetic
      Complications?
AB  - It has been reported that von Willebrand factor (vWf) plays a role in the
      development of complications of diabetes mellitus. The relationships between vWf
      and polyneuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy were investigated in the
      patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 58 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
      (22 men and 36 women, mean age 54 +/- 9 ) and 30 healthy nondiabetic controls (12
      men and 18 women, mean age 40 +/- 11) were admitted to this study. They were
      examined by an internist, a neurologist and an ophtalmologist for complications
      of diabetes mellitus. Electromyography was performed to all the patients. The
      mean vWf levels of the patients and control group were 1.48 +/- 0.55 and 1.25 +/-
      0.32 IU/mL respectively. There was no significant difference between the two
      groups (p= 0.146). Diabetic retinopathy in 18 patients (31%), polyneuropathy in
      20 patients (34.5%), trap neuropathy in 5 patients (8.6%), microalbuminuria in 9
      patients (15.5%), macroalbuminuria in 2 patients (3.5%) and normoalbuminuria in
      47 patients (81%) were detected. The difference between vWf levels of the
      patients with retinopathy and without retinopathy were not statistically
      significant (p= 0.913). There was no significant difference between patients with
      polyneuropathy and without polyneuropathy group (p= 0.737). There was also no
      difference between trap neuropathy and without trap neuropathy (p= 0.431), and
      between polyneuropathy and trap neuropathy (p= 0.246) patient subgroups. The vWf
      levels in normoalbuminuric, microalbuminuric and macroalbuminuric patient groups
      were not different (p values: 0.526, 0.392 and 0.759 respectively). vWf levels
      between patients with complications of diabetes mellitus and control group were
      not different (p> 0.05). There was not a significant correlation between the vWf
      level and body mass index, serum glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL
      C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, platelet counts, fibrinogen levels, prothrombin and activated
      thromboplastin times in 33 patients with any complication of diabetes mellitus
      (p> 0.05). We conclude that, vWf has not an effect in the development of
      complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. 

PMID- 27264624
TI  - Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha Gene Polymorphism (-308 G-A) in Turkish Pediatric
      Thrombosis Patients.
AB  - Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) plays an important role in clot formation by
      activating platelets, monocytes and endothelial cells and inducing procoagulant
      substances such as negatively charged phospolipids or tissue factor. There is a
      genetically controlled inter-individual variation of TNF-a production. Carrying
      TNF2 allele could have a slight protective effect against the occurence of stroke
      in Sickle Cell Disease patients. We aimed to study this polymorphic site in
      Turkish children with the diagnosis of thrombosis. 

PMID- 27264625
TI  - Polycythemia Vera Presenting with Fulminant Hepatic Failure Due to Acute Budd
      Chiari Syndrome: Case Report.
AB  - We describe a 38 year-old woman with polycythemia vera who presented with
      fulminant hepatic failure due to acute Budd-Chiari syndrome. She had a history of
      abdominal pain and distention for 4 days. Laboratory and clinical findings showed
      fulminant hepatic failure due to acute Budd-Chiari syndrome. Diagnosis was
      confirmed with abdominal ultrasonography and doppler ultrasonography showing
      ascites, hepatomegaly, portal hypertension and total occlusion of hepatic veins.
      Complete blood count and other clinical findings were compatible with
      polycythemia vera. The patient was successfully treated with urgent
      administration of continuous heparin infusion, repeated phlebotomies and
      hydroxyurea. We emphasize that early diagnosis and effective treatment in such
      fulminant cases can be life saving. 

PMID- 27264626
TI  - A Case of Catheter Related Septicemia Caused by Corynebacterium jeikeium.
AB  - Corynebacterium spp. has been gaining importance in immunosuppressive patients.
      This report of a 15-year-old girl with acute myeloblastic leukemia who developed
      catheter related septicemia with Corynebacterium jeikeium is presented to point
      out the importance of microorganisms of the normal flora, which were dismissed as
      contaminants in Clinical Microbiology Laboratories in the past. 

PMID- 27264627
TI  - To the Memory of Prof. Dr. Muzaffer AKSOY.

PMID- 27264628
TI  - Characteristics of "Early Type-I Pattern" (0-6 years) Hodgkin's Disease in
      Turkish Children.
AB  - The clinico-epidemiologic characteristics of 54 children with HD in 0-6 years of
      age group were retrospectively analyzed. This group represented 27% of 200 HD
      cases observed in our center and was named as early type-I pattern HD. The
      association of EBV with HD was also shown by serologic and immunohistochemical
      methods (LMP1) in these very young Turkish patients. T-cell immune deficiency,
      cytokine imbalance and Zn deficiency were additional findings found in these
      patients. This series seems to be the largest one studying early type-I HD, by
      several aspects. 

PMID- 27264629
TI  - Abnormal Hemoglobins in Turkey.
AB  - The presence of HbS was reported in Turkey for the first time in the late fifties
      by Aksoy et al. This was followed by other reports by the same author revealing
      the presence of several other abnormal hemoglobins in Turkey. So far up to
      present 42 abnormal hemoglobins have been identified in the Turkish population.
      In addition to the studies conducted in Turkey, many European researchers
      reported their findings in the immigrant Turkish population in their countries.
      This review tries to cover the tremendous efforts in this field. 

PMID- 27264630
TI  - Images in Haematology.

PMID- 27264631
TI  - Melatonin mediates selenium-induced tolerance to cadmium stress in tomato plants.
AB  - Both selenium (Se) and melatonin reduce cadmium (Cd) uptake and mitigate Cd
      toxicity in plants. However, the relationship between Se and melatonin in Cd
      detoxification remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the influence of
      three forms of Se (selenocysteine, sodium selenite, and sodium selenate) on the
      biosynthesis of melatonin and the tolerance against Cd in tomato plants.
      Pretreatment with different forms of Se significantly induced the biosynthesis of
      melatonin and its precursors (tryptophan, tryptamine, and serotonin);
      selenocysteine had the most marked effect on melatonin biosynthesis. Furthermore,
      Se and melatonin supplements significantly increased plant Cd tolerance as
      evidenced by decreased growth inhibition, photoinhibition, and electrolyte
      leakage (EL). Se-induced Cd tolerance was compromised in melatonin-deficient
      plants following tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) gene silencing. Se treatment
      increased the levels of glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs), as well as
      the expression of GSH and PC biosynthetic genes in nonsilenced plants, but the
      effects of Se were compromised in TDC-silenced plants under Cd stress. In
      addition, Se and melatonin supplements reduced Cd content in leaves of
      nonsilenced plants, but Se-induced reduction in Cd content was compromised in
      leaves of TDC-silenced plants. Taken together, our results indicate that
      melatonin is involved in Se-induced Cd tolerance via the regulation of Cd
      detoxification. 

PMID- 27264632
TI  - Late Effects after Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Very Young Children
      after Busulfan-Based, Myeloablative Conditioning.
AB  - Infants and young children who undergo allogeneic cord blood transplantation
      (CBT) are at increased risk for late effects because of exposure of developing
      organs to chemotherapy and radiation therapy typically used in transplant
      conditioning regimens. Busulfan (Bu)-based myeloablative regimens were developed
      to eliminate radiation exposure in these young children with the hope that late
      effects would be minimized. We now describe the late effects in 102 consecutive
      patients surviving a minimum of 5 years (median follow-up, 12.9 years) post-CBT.
      Patients were conditioned with high-dose chemotherapy using Bu-containing
      regimens. No patient received total body irradiation. The median age at
      transplant was 1 year (range, .1 to 2). Diagnoses included inherited metabolic
      diseases (59.8%), leukemia (17.6%), congenital immune deficiency (20.2%), bone
      marrow failure/myelodysplastic syndrome (3.9%), and hemoglobinopathy (2%). Among
      patients surviving 5 years, the overall survival rate at 10 years post-CBT was
      93% (95% CI, 84.9 to 96.8). Virtually all patients (98%) experienced at least 1
      significant late effect. Most (83.3%) experienced 2 or more late effects, and
      more than half of the patients (64.7%) experienced 3 or more late effects. The
      most commonly observed late effects included dental problems (92.2%), short
      stature (55.9%), cognitive deficits (53.6%), pulmonary dysfunction (18.6%), and
      abnormal pubertal development (27.9%). This is the first report of late effects
      of Bu-based conditioning in a cohort of very young patients at the time of
      transplant. These results will inform clinical care guidelines for long-term
      follow-up and add to the growing information regarding outcomes of hematopoietic
      stem cell transplantation.

PMID- 27264634
TI  - Allografts for Follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Why Never Is No Longer an
      Acceptable Answer.

PMID- 27264633
TI  - Comparison of Intensive Chemotherapy and Hypomethylating Agents before Allogeneic
      Stem Cell Transplantation for Advanced Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Study of the
      Myelodysplastic Syndrome Subcommittee of the Chronic Malignancies Working Party
      of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant Research.
AB  - The European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant Research data set was used
      to retrospectively analyze the outcomes of hypomethylating therapy (HMA) compared
      with those of conventional chemotherapy (CC) before hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (HSCT) in 209 patients with advanced myelodysplastic syndromes.
      Median follow-up was 22.1 months and the median age of the group was 57.6 years
      with 37% of the population older than > 60 years. The majority of patients (59%)
      received reduced-intensity conditioning and 34% and 27% had intermediate-2 and
      high international prognostic scoring system (IPSS) scores. At time of HSCT, 32%
      of patients did not achieve complete remission (CR) and 13% had primary
      refractory disease. On univariate analysis, outcomes at 3 years were not
      significantly different between HMA and CC for overall survival (OS), relapse
      free survival (RFS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), and nonrelapse
      mortality (NRM): OS (42% versus 35%), RFS (29% versus 31%), CIR (45% versus 40%),
      and NRM (26% versus 28%). Comparing characteristics of the groups, there were
      more patients < 55 years old, more patients in CR (68% versus 32%), and fewer
      patients with primary refractory disease in the CC group than in the HMA group
      (10% versus 19%, P < .001). Patients with primary refractory disease had worse
      outcomes than those in CR with regard to OS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.42; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.41 to 4.13; P = .001), RFS (HR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.37 to
      3.76; P = .001), and NRM (HR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.18 to 5.26; P = .016). In addition,
      an adverse effect of IPSS-R cytogenetic risk group was evident for RFS. In
      summary, outcomes after HSCT are similar for patients receiving HMA compared with
      those receiving CC, despite the higher proportion of patients with primary
      refractory disease in the HMA group.

PMID- 27264635
TI  - The interconnected rhizosphere: High network complexity dominates rhizosphere
      assemblages.
AB  - While interactions between roots and microorganisms have been intensively
      studied, we know little about interactions among root-associated microbes. We
      used random matrix theory-based network analysis of 16S rRNA genes to identify
      bacterial networks associated with wild oat (Avena fatua) over two seasons in
      greenhouse microcosms. Rhizosphere networks were substantially more complex than
      those in surrounding soils, indicating the rhizosphere has a greater potential
      for interactions and niche-sharing. Network complexity increased as plants grew,
      even as diversity decreased, highlighting that community organisation is not
      captured by univariate diversity. Covariations were predominantly positive (>
      80%), suggesting that extensive mutualistic interactions may occur among
      rhizosphere bacteria; we identified quorum-based signalling as one potential
      strategy. Putative keystone taxa often had low relative abundances, suggesting
      low-abundance taxa may significantly contribute to rhizosphere function. Network
      complexity, a previously undescribed property of the rhizosphere microbiome,
      appears to be a defining characteristic of this habitat.

PMID- 27264637
TI  - A canonical correlation analysis based method for contamination event detection
      in water sources.
AB  - In this study, a general framework integrating a data-driven estimation model is
      employed for contamination event detection in water sources. Sequential canonical
      correlation coefficients are updated in the model using multivariate water
      quality time series. The proposed method utilizes canonical correlation analysis
      for studying the interplay between two sets of water quality parameters. The
      model is assessed by precision, recall and F-measure. The proposed method is
      tested using data from a laboratory contaminant injection experiment. The
      proposed method could detect a contamination event 1 minute after the
      introduction of 1.600 mg l(-1) acrylamide solution. With optimized parameter
      values, the proposed method can correctly detect 97.50% of all contamination
      events with no false alarms. The robustness of the proposed method can be
      explained using the Bauer-Fike theorem. 

PMID- 27264636
TI  - Novel MRI Contrast Agent from Magnetotactic Bacteria Enables In Vivo Tracking of
      iPSC-derived Cardiomyocytes.
AB  - Therapeutic delivery of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived
      cardiomyocytes (iCMs) represents a novel clinical approach to regenerate the
      injured myocardium. However, methods for robust and accurate in vivo monitoring
      of the iCMs are still lacking. Although superparamagnetic iron oxide
      nanoparticles (SPIOs) are recognized as a promising tool for in vivo tracking of
      stem cells using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), their signal persists in the
      heart even weeks after the disappearance of the injected cells. This limitation
      highlights the inability of SPIOs to distinguish stem cell viability. In order to
      overcome this shortcoming, we demonstrate the use of a living contrast agent,
      magneto-endosymbionts (MEs) derived from magnetotactic bacteria for the labeling
      of iCMs. The ME-labeled iCMs were injected into the infarcted area of murine
      heart and probed by MRI and bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Our findings
      demonstrate that the MEs are robust and effective biological contrast agents to
      track iCMs in an in vivo murine model. We show that the MEs clear within one week
      of cell death whereas the SPIOs remain over 2 weeks after cell death. These
      findings will accelerate the clinical translation of in vivo MRI monitoring of
      transplanted stem cell at high spatial resolution and sensitivity.

PMID- 27264639
TI  - Effects of full-fat rice bran inclusion in diets on growth performance and meat
      quality of Sichuan goose.
AB  - This trial was conducted to study the effect of full-fat rice bran inclusion in
      diets on growth performance, carcass and meat quality and fatty acid composition
      in Sichuan goose. A total of 204 Sichuan white male geese (28-d-old, 984 +/- 15
      g) were used in the 42-d assay. Full-fat rice bran inclusion in diets was 0%, 6%,
      12% and 18%, respectively. On d 70, two geese from each pen were randomly
      selected and killed for measuring the carcass and meat quality and the meat fatty
      acid composition. The results showed that full-fat rice bran inclusion had no
      effect on average daily gain during 28-56 d, but rice bran inclusion at 18%
      increased average daily gain during 57-70 d. In addition, the full-fat rice bran
      supplementation decreased the subcutaneous fat yield, and the inclusion of full
      fat rice bran in amounts of 12% and 18% decreased the half-eviscerated carcass
      yield, eviscerated carcass yield and crude fat content in goose meat. Moreover,
      full-fat rice bran supplementation had no effect on the content of total
      saturated fatty acid (SFA), but decreased the content of total monounsaturated
      fatty acid (MUFA). The inclusion of full-fat rice bran in amounts of 12-18%
      increased the content of total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and total n-6 in
      goose meat and in the amount of 18% increased n-3 fatty acids content in goose
      meat. The results indicated that the rice bran inclusion had a positive effect in
      geese by stimulating growth performance and improving meat quality and fatty acid
      composition of goose meat.

PMID- 27264638
TI  - Reversibility of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes: role of polyphenols.
AB  - The endothelium, a thin single sheet of endothelial cells, is a metabolically
      active layer that coats the inner surface of blood vessels and acts as an
      interface between the circulating blood and the vessel wall. The endothelium
      through the secretion of vasodilators and vasoconstrictors serves as a critical
      mediator of vascular homeostasis. During the development of the vascular system,
      it regulates cellular adhesion and vessel wall inflammation in addition to
      maintaining vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. A shift in the functions of the
      endothelium towards vasoconstriction, proinflammatory and prothrombic states
      characterise improper functioning of these cells, leading to endothelial
      dysfunction (ED), implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases including
      diabetes. Major mechanisms of ED include the down-regulation of endothelial
      nitric oxide synthase levels, differential expression of vascular endothelial
      growth factor, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammatory pathways and oxidative
      stress. ED tends to be the initial event in macrovascular complications such as
      coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke and microvascular
      complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy. Numerous
      strategies have been developed to protect endothelial cells against various
      stimuli, of which the role of polyphenolic compounds in modulating the
      differentially regulated pathways and thus maintaining vascular homeostasis has
      been proven to be beneficial. This review addresses the factors stimulating ED in
      diabetes and the molecular mechanisms of natural polyphenol antioxidants in
      maintaining vascular homeostasis.

PMID- 27264640
TI  - Composition of cuticular waxes coating flag leaf blades and peduncles of Triticum
      aestivum cv. Bethlehem.
AB  - The work herein presents comprehensive analyses of the cuticular wax mixtures
      covering the flag leaf blade and peduncle of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv.
      Bethlehem. Overall, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Flame Ionization
      Detection revealed a wax coverage of flag leaf blades (16 MUg/cm(2)) a third that
      of peduncles (49 MUg/cm(2)). Flag leaf blade wax was dominated by 1-alkanols,
      while peduncle wax contained primarily beta-diketone and hydroxy-beta-diketones,
      thus suggesting differential regulation of the acyl reduction and beta-diketone
      biosynthetic pathways in the two analyzed organs. The characteristic chain length
      distributions of the various wax compound classes are discussed in light of their
      individual biosynthetic pathways and biosynthetic relationships between classes.
      Along with previously reported wheat wax compound classes (fatty acids, 1
      alkanols, 1-alkanol esters, aldehydes, alkanes, beta-diketone, hydroxy-beta
      diketones, alkylresorcinols and methyl alkylresorcinols), esters of 2-alkanols
      and three types of aromatic esters (benzyl, phenethyl and p-hydroxyphenethyl) are
      also reported. In particular, 2-heptanol esters were identified. Detailed
      analyses of the isomer distributions within 1-alkanol and 2-alkanol ester
      homologs revealed distinct patterns of esterified acids and alcohols, suggesting
      several wax ester synthases with very different substrate preferences in both
      wheat organs. Terpenoids, including two terpenoid esters, were present only in
      peduncle wax. 

PMID- 27264641
TI  - Carlactone-type strigolactones and their synthetic analogues as inducers of
      hyphal branching in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
AB  - Hyphal branching in the vicinity of host roots is a host recognition response of
      arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. This morphological event is elicited by
      strigolactones. Strigolactones are carotenoid-derived terpenoids that are
      synthesized from carlactone and its oxidized derivatives. To test the possibility
      that carlactone and its oxidized derivatives might act as host-derived
      precolonization signals in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, carlactone,
      carlactonoic acid, and methyl carlactonoate as well as monohydroxycarlactones, 4
      , 18-, and 19-hydroxycarlactones, were synthesized chemically and evaluated for
      hyphal branching-inducing activity in germinating spores of the arbuscular
      mycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora margarita. Hyphal branching activity was found to
      correlate with the degree of oxidation at C-19 methyl. Carlactone was only weakly
      active (100 ng/disc), whereas carlactonoic acid showed comparable activity to the
      natural canonical strigolactones such as strigol and sorgomol (100 pg/disc).
      Hydroxylation at either C-4 or C-18 did not significantly affect the activity. A
      series of carlactone analogues, named AD ester and AA'D diester, was synthesized
      by reacting formyl Meldrum's acid with benzyl, cyclohexylmethyl, and cyclogeranyl
      alcohols (the A-ring part), followed by coupling of the potassium enolates of the
      resulting formylacetic esters with the D-ring butenolide. AD ester analogues
      exhibited moderate activity (1 ng-100 pg/disc), while AA'D diester analogues
      having cyclohexylmethyl and cyclogeranyl groups were highly active on the AM
      fungus (10 pg/disc). These results indicate that the oxidation of methyl to
      carboxyl at C-19 in carlactone is a prerequisite but BC-ring formation is not
      essential to show hyphal branching activity comparable to that of canonical
      strigolactones. 

PMID- 27264642
TI  - Comparative analysis of carbohydrate residues in the midgut of phlebotomines
      (Diptera: Psychodidae) from colony and field populations from Amazon, Brazil.
AB  - Leishmaniasis are worldwide diseases that occur in 98 countries including Brazil,
      transmitted by the bite of female phlebotomines during blood feeding. In Brazil
      it is known that some species of sand flies as Lutzomyia longipalpis sensun latum
      (vector of Leishmania infantum chagasi), Lutzomyia flaviscutellata (vector of
      Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis) and Lutzomyia antunesi [suspected vector of
      Leishmania (Viannia) lindenbergi] are incriminated of transmitting the parasite
      Leishmania for the vertebrate host. The phlebotomine-parasite is mediated by the
      attachment of the promastigote lipophosphoglycan (LPG) to the midgut epithelium.
      However, another mechanism that is LPG-independent and mediated by N-acetyl
      galactosamine (GalNAc) seems to occur in some species of phlebotomines that are
      classified as permissive. The aim of this study was to characterize the
      carbohydrate residues that, probably, play a role in parasite attachment to the
      midgut of phlebotomine from colony and field populations from the Brazilian
      Amazonian region. We observed the presence of GalNAc, mannose, galactose and
      GlcNAc in all phlebotomine species. A binding assay between L. (L.) amazonensis
      and L. i.chagasi to the midguts of different species of phlebotomines was
      performed. The attachment of both Leishmania and vector species suggests the
      presence of GalNAc on the midgut surfaces. Thus, these results suggested that
      GalNAc is a possible binding sites of Leishmania in sand flies from the Brazilian
      Amazonian region. 

PMID- 27264643
TI  - Social apoptosis in honey bee superorganisms.
AB  - Eusocial insect colonies form superorganisms, in which nestmates cooperate and
      use social immunity to combat parasites. However, social immunity may fail in
      case of emerging diseases. This is the case for the ectoparasitic mite Varroa
      destructor, which switched hosts from the Eastern honeybee, Apis cerana, to the
      Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, and currently is the greatest threat to A.
      mellifera apiculture globally. Here, we show that immature workers of the mite's
      original host, A. cerana, are more susceptible to V. destructor infestations than
      those of its new host, thereby enabling more efficient social immunity and
      contributing to colony survival. This counterintuitive result shows that
      susceptible individuals can foster superorganism survival, offering empirical
      support to theoretical arguments about the adaptive value of worker suicide in
      social insects. Altruistic suicide of immature bees constitutes a social analogue
      of apoptosis, as it prevents the spread of infections by sacrificing parts of the
      whole organism, and unveils a novel form of transgenerational social immunity in
      honey bees. Taking into account the key role of susceptible immature bees in
      social immunity will improve breeding efforts to mitigate the unsustainably high
      colony losses of Western honey bees due to V. destructor infestations worldwide.

PMID- 27264644
TI  - Analysis of deoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol-3-glucosides content in Canadian
      spring wheat cultivars inoculated with Fusarium graminearum.
AB  - Contamination of wheat grains with Fusarium mycotoxins and their modified forms
      is an important issue in wheat industry. The objective of this study was to
      analyse the deoxynivalenol (DON) and deoxynivalenol-3-glucosides (D3G) content in
      Canadian spring wheat cultivars grown in two locations, inoculated with a mixture
      of 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON)-producing Fusarium graminearum strains and a
      mixture of 15-acetlyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON)-producing F. graminearum strains.
      According to the analysis of variance, significant differences were observed
      among the cultivars for Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease index, Fusarium
      damaged kernel percentage (%FDK), DON content and D3G content. When the effect of
      chemotype was considered, significant differences were observed for FHB disease
      index, FDK percentage and DON content. The D3G content and D3G/DON ratio were not
      significantly different between the chemotypes, except for D3G content at the
      Winnipeg location. The Pearson correlation coefficient between DON and D3G was
      0.84 and 0.77 at Winnipeg and Carman respectively. The highest D3G/DON ratio was
      observed in cultivars Carberry (44%) in Carman and CDC Kernen (63.8%) in
      Winnipeg. The susceptible cultivars showed lower D3G/DON ratio compared with the
      cultivars rated as moderately resistant and intermediate. The current study
      indicated that Canadian spring cultivars produce D3G upon Fusarium infection. 

PMID- 27264645
TI  - Reciprocal Effects of Self-Regulation, Semantic Knowledge, and Reading
      Comprehension in Early Elementary School.
AB  - Many assume that cognitive and linguistic processes, such as semantic knowledge
      (SK) and self-regulation (SR), subserve learned skills like reading. However,
      complex models of interacting and bootstrapping effects of SK, SR, instruction,
      and reading hypothesize reciprocal effects. Testing this "lattice" model with
      children (n = 852) followed from first to second grade (5.9-10.4 years of age)
      revealed reciprocal effects for reading and SR, and reading and SK, but not SR
      and SK. More effective literacy instruction reduced reading stability over time.
      Findings elucidate the synergistic and reciprocal effects of learning to read on
      other important linguistic, self-regulatory, and cognitive processes; the value
      of using complex models of development to inform intervention design; and how
      learned skills may influence development during middle childhood.

PMID- 27264646
TI  - Immobilization of horseradish peroxidase on amidoximated acrylic polymer
      activated by cyanuric chloride.
AB  - Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized on amidoximated acrylic fabric after
      being activated with cyanuric chloride. FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron
      microscopy were used to characterize fabrics. The maximum immobilization
      efficiency of HRP (70%) was detected at 4% cyanuric chloride and pH 7.0. The
      immobilized enzyme retained 45% of its initial activity after ten reuses. The
      immobilization of enzyme on the carrier is saturated after 6h of incubation time.
      The pH was shifted from 7.0 for soluble HRP to 7.5-8.0 for the immobilized
      enzyme. The soluble HRP and immobilized HRP had the same optimum activity at 40
      degrees C. The immobilized HRP is more thermal stable than soluble HRP. Substrate
      analogues were oxidized by immobilized HRP with higher efficiencies than those of
      soluble HRP. Km values of the soluble HRP and the immobilized HRP were 31 and
      37mM for guiacol and 5.0 and 7.8mM for H2O2, respectively. The immobilized HRP
      had higher efficiency for removal of phenol than that of soluble HRP. The
      immobilized HRP had higher resistance toward heavy metal ions compared to the
      soluble enzyme. The immobilized HRP was more stable against high concentration of
      urea, Triton X-100 and isopropanol. The immobilized HRP exhibited high resistance
      to proteolysis by trypsin than soluble enzyme. In conclusion, the immobilized HRP
      could be used as a potential efficient catalyst for the removal of aromatic
      pollutants from wastewater. 

PMID- 27264647
TI  - Localization and in silico study of the vegetative insecticidal proteins Vip2S
      Vip1S of Bacillus thuringiensis.
AB  - The Bacillus thuringiensis S1/4 strain was previously found to harbour vip1S,
      vip2S, and vip3 genes. Its plasmid curing led to the obtaining of four partially
      cured strains S1/4-2, S1/4-3, S1/4-7, and S1/4-9 (vip2S-vip1S (-), vip3 (+)), one
      strain S1/4-4 (vip2S-vip1S (+), vip3 (-)), and S1/4-0 strain lacking the three
      genes. Using these derivative strains as templates, PCR amplification and
      southern blot assay revealed that vip2S-vip1S operon and vip3 gene were localized
      on two different large plasmids. Bioinformatics studies showed that vip2S (1.356
      kb), and vip1S (2.637 kb) genes are encoding by an operon consisting of two ORFs
      separated by an intergenic spacer of 4bp. Using the InterPro tool, Vip2S was
      found to belong to the family of Binary exotoxin A and Vip1S to bacterial
      exotoxin B. In silico modeling indicated that the 3D structure of Vip2S is a
      mixed alpha/beta protein and proposed 3D-model of Vip1S. Bioassays of the
      partially cured strains supernatants showed a weak toxicity of S1/4-4 to the
      lepidopteran Spodoptera littoralis comparing to a better effect of S1/4-2, S1/4
      3, S1/4-7, and S1/4-9, suggesting its eventual contribution to the toxicity.
      Nevertheless, the concentrated supernatant of S1/4-4 strain was not toxic against
      the coleopteran Tribolium castaneum. 

PMID- 27264648
TI  - Rutin-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles targeted to the brain in the treatment
      of Cerebral Ischemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Rutin, a potent antioxidant, has been reported to reduce the risk of
      ischemic disease. Our study aims to prepare rutin-encapsulated-chitosan
      nanoparticles (RUT-CS-NPs) via ionic gelation method and determine its results,
      based on different parameters i.e. surface morphology characterization, in-vitro
      or ex-vivo release, dynamic light scattering and differential scanning
      calorimetry (DSC), for treating cerebral ischemia. METHODS: UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS
      was used to evaluate the optimized RT-CS-NPs1 for brain-drug uptake as well as to
      follow-up the pharmacokinetics, bio-distrbution, brain-targeting efficiency and
      potential after intranasal administration (i.n.). KEY FINDINGS: A particle size
      of <100nm for the formulation, significantly affected by drug:CS ratio, and
      entrapment efficiency and loading capacity of 84.98%+/-4.18% and 39.48%+/-3.16%,
      respectively were observed for RUT. Pharmacokinetics, bio-distribution, brain
      targeting efficiency (1443.48+/-39.39%) and brain drug-targeting potential
      (93.00+/-5.69%) showed enhanced bioavailability for RUT in brain as compared to
      intravenous administration. In addition; improved neurobehavioral activity,
      histopathology and reduced infarction volume effects were observed in middle
      cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced cerebral ischemic rats model after i.n.
      administration of RUT-CS-NPs. CONCLUSION: A significant role of mucoadhesive-RT
      CS-NPs1 as observed after high targeting potential and efficiency of the
      formulation prove; RUT-CS-NPs are more effectively accessed and target easily the
      brain.

PMID- 27264649
TI  - Preclinical assessment of scleral lens as a reservoir-based ocular therapeutic
      system.
AB  - PURPOSE: Bacterial keratitis is a sight threatening infection of the cornea which
      remains one of the most important potential complications of contact lens use. If
      the corneal ulcer is small, peripheral with no impending perforation present,
      intensive monotherapy with fluoroquinolones could be used. Therefore, a study was
      conducted with the objective to provide pharmacological data of the intra-ocular
      diffusion after administration of Ofloxacin using a scleral lens reservoir, as
      well as an evaluation of surface tolerability in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Samples of corneas, aqueous humor and vitreous were collected to measure the drug
      levels of Ofloxacin using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The corneas
      were examined by electron microscopy scanning and the eyeballs by light
      polarizing microscopy in order to evaluate surface tolerability. RESULTS:
      Ofloxacin levels found in the aqueous humor and cornea were higher than those
      previously reported. The mean Ofloxacin corneal levels exceeded the MIC (Minimum
      Inhibitory Concentration) for which 90% of isolates are indicated for all
      bacteria implicated in keratitis. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first
      preclinical study assessing local tolerance and intra-ocular diffusion of
      Ofloxacin after administration using a scleral lens reservoir.

PMID- 27264661
TI  - Dear members of Turkish Society of Haematology.

PMID- 27264662
TI  - Thrombocytosis in solid tumors: review of the literature.

PMID- 27264663
TI  - Failure of puberty and linear growth in beta-thalassemia major.
AB  - Thalassemia major is a severe progressive hemolytic anemia and a serious medical
      problem worldwide. Endocrine dysfunctions are well described in patients with
      thalassemia major. Data for endocrine complications from developing countries are
      scant. Endocrine complications in developing countries may be frequent due to
      suboptimal iron chelation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence
      of delayed puberty and growth failure in patients with beta-thalassemia major. We
      evaluated the growth and sexual development of 146 patients with thalassemia
      major aged 10-22 years. The following data were recorded in questionnaire, age,
      sex, height, weight, serum ferritin levels and pubertal staging. Failure of
      puberty was present in 75.6% of boys and 68.4% of girls aged 12-22 years.
      Gonadotropin insufficiency was found in most of the patients with lack of
      puberty. There was a significant difference between the height of patients with
      pubertal development (153 +/- 9.1 cm) and those with delayed puberty (140 +/-
      9.1), (p< 0.001). Short stature was present in 65.7% of patients. Sixty-nine
      percent of boys and 62.9% of girls were found to be less than 2 SD below the mean
      for normal height; after the age of 12, the percentage was 78.9% in girls and
      83.8% in boys after the age of 14. We conclude that failure of puberty and
      impaired growth are very common in our thalassemic patients which necessitates
      newer protocols of treatment, correct blood transfusion and chelation therapy. 

PMID- 27264660
TI  - Induction of Germ Cell-like Cells from Porcine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.
AB  - The ability to generate germ cells from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is valuable
      for human regenerative medicine and animal breeding. Germ cell-like cells (GCLCs)
      have been differentiated from mouse and human PSCs, but not from porcine PSCs,
      which are considered an ideal model for stem cell applications. Here, we
      developed a defined culture system for the induction of primordial germ cell-like
      cells (PGCLCs) from porcine induced PSCs (piPSCs). The identity of the PGCLCs was
      characterized by observing cell morphology, detecting germ cell marker gene
      expression and evaluating epigenetic properties. PGCLCs could further
      differentiate into spermatogonial stem cell-like cells (SSCLCs) in vitro.
      Importantly, meiosis occurred during SSCLC induction. Xenotransplantation of
      GCLCs into seminiferous tubules of infertile immunodeficient mice resulted in
      immunohistochemically identifiable germ cells in vivo. Overall, our study
      provides a feasible strategy for directing piPSCs to the germ cell fate and lays
      a foundation for exploring germ cell development mechanisms.

PMID- 27264664
TI  - Evaluation of inherited and acquired platelet function disorders in iron
      deficient women with menorrhagia by whole blood lumi-aggregometer.
AB  - The commonest cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in premenopausal women is
      often menstrual blood loss. However, no organic pathology is identified in more
      than 50% of menorrhagic women. We therefore investigated inherited and acquired
      bleeding disorders among women with unexplained menorrhagia who developed IDA. In
      vitro whole blood platelet aggregation (PA) with ADP, arachidonic acid (AA),
      ristocetin and collagen was studied in addition to full blood count, serum iron
      levels, serum iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, ferritin,
      prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, D-Dimer,
      Factor VIII, Factor IX, Factor XI, ristocetin cofactor activity, blood type and
      bleeding time in 67 women before and after therapy. Before therapy; decreased
      agonist induced PA was observed in 20% of women by ADP, in 12% by AA, in 2% by
      ristocetin and in 6% by collagen. After oral iron therapy, decreased platelet
      aggregation was shown in 8% of women with ADP and 2% of women with AA while
      initial abnormal ristocetin and collagen induced platelet aggregation responses
      became normal. Also there was a statistically significant increase of ristocetin
      cofactor activities and FXI levels after iron repletion. We conclude that; rather
      than von Willebrand disease, platelet function abnormalities and FXI deficiency
      are the most common hemostatic disorders in women with unexplained menorrhagia
      and significant portion of these disorders can be reversed by iron therapy. 

PMID- 27264665
TI  - Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia two and a half
      year experience.
AB  - This study is performed to evaluate outcome of allogeneic stem cell
      transplantation (SCT) in chronic myeloid leukemia at Armed Forces Bone Marrow
      Transplant Centre, Rawalpindi from Apr 2002 to Oct 2004. Twenty-two patients with
      CML underwent allogeneic SCT from HLA matched siblings. Patients were divided
      into standard (n= 14) and high-risk (n= 8) groups. Patients were subjected to
      conditioning regimens consisting of busulphan and cyclophosphamide. Cyclosporin,
      prednisolone and methotrexate were given for GVHD prophylaxis. All donors were
      subjected to PBSC harvest after G-CSF therapy for five days. All patients
      received G-CSF from day + 5 until ANC > 0.5 x 109/L. The median age of the
      patients was 29 years (range 7-53 years) with a male to female ratio of 6.3: 1.
      Engraftment was achieved in all patients. Median time to achieve neutrophil (ANC
      0.5 x 109/L) and platelet (20 x 109/L) recovery was 13 days and 12 days
      respectively. Median stay in hospital was 18 days. Acute GVHD (Grade II-IV) was
      observed in eleven patients (50%) while chronic GVHD was seen in four patients
      (18%). One patient relapsed 8 months post-transplant. Two patients (9%) developed
      VOD liver. One patient had haemorrhagic cystitis. Four patients (18%) developed
      post-transplant infectious complications, which included Pseudomonas septicemia,
      aspergillosis, tuberculous pleural effusion and herpes zoster. Overall mortality
      was 22.7% (n= 5). The major causes of mortality were VOD liver, GVHD grade IV,
      Pseudomonas septicemia and aspergillosis. Overall survival was 77.2% (n= 17) and
      disease free survival was (n= 16) 72.7%. Follow up ranges from 23 to 828 days
      (median 212 days). The preliminary results of SCT in this small series of
      patients with CML are very encouraging. To improve the long-term survival it is
      imperative that patients are transplanted early after diagnosis and conditioning
      regimens are selected carefully. 

PMID- 27264666
TI  - The effect of a nationwide antibiotic restriction policy on antibiotic usage in a
      stem cell transplantation unit.
AB  - The Turkish Ministry of Health has released a regulation in February 2003 in
      order to decrease, first the antibiotic expenses and second, inappropriate use of
      antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of this
      nationwide antibiotic restriction (NAR) in the most active stem cell
      transplantation unit (SCTU) in Turkey. All patients followed up in SCTU and had
      received antimicrobial therapy in the period of four months before and after NAR
      were evaluated retrospectively. The appropriateness of antimicrobial treatments
      was assessed by two ID specialists and one ID professor. Disagreements between
      investigators were solved by discussion and review of published guidelines. There
      were 10 and 25 patients who were on antimicrobial therapy in the 1st (before NAR)
      and 2nd (after NAR) group, respectively. Seventeen of the patients had undergone
      allogeneic stem cell transplantation, while 6 were allogeneic bone marrow
      recipients and 12 were autologous peripheral stem cell recipients. The antibiotic
      days per patient was 33.4 and 19.4 in the first and second groups respectively
      (p=0.036). Although it was not significant, the appropriateness of antibiotic
      regimens used in the second group was higher than the first group (OR: 5, CI: 0.9
      26.4, p= 0.059). The significantly lower antibiotic day per patient in the 2nd
      group may be the result of collaboration between infectious diseases and
      hematology physicians settled after NAR in our hospital. NAR had reduced the
      antimicrobial use in our unit mainly by providing collaboration between
      infectious diseases and hematology departments. 

PMID- 27264667
TI  - A rare syndrome that can easily be missed: May-Hegglin anomaly.
AB  - May-Hegglin is a rare disease characterized by macrothrombocytopenia and presence
      of Dohle-like bodies in white cells. We present a patient treated with acute
      myeloid leukemia had pale-blue colored inclusion bodies assuming Dohle in his
      neutrophils. 

PMID- 27264668
TI  - Development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia during the treatment of a patient with
      acute myelomonocytic leukemia.
AB  - Drug induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a well-known complication of drug
      therapy but it is often misdiagnosed. Drug induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia is
      difficult to differantiate from classical autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Here, we
      have reported a case with autoimmune hemolytic anemia might be caused by drugs
      such as teicoplanin, imipenem and amphotericin B. In our case, on the fifteenth
      postadmission day was occur autoimmune hemolytic anemia. At this while,
      chemotherapy of patient had been completed and the patient have been taking
      antibiotherapy which include teicoplanin, imipenem and amphotericin B.
      Antibiotherapy could not be stopped because of febrile neutropenia. Symptoms and
      sings of anemia improved with prednisolon therapy. Suspicious drug must be
      stopped in drug induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia but in the conditions that
      drug could not be stopped, steroid treatment can be used in the treatment of
      hemolytic anemia. 

PMID- 27264669
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27264670
TI  - Azadipyrromethene cyclometalation in neutral Ru(II) complexes: photosensitizers
      with extended near-infrared absorption for solar energy conversion applications.
AB  - In the on-going quest to harvest near-infrared (NIR) photons for energy
      conversion applications, a novel family of neutral ruthenium(ii) sensitizers has
      been developed by cyclometalation of an azadipyrromethene chromophore. These rare
      examples of neutral ruthenium complexes based on polypyridine ligands exhibit an
      impressive panchromaticity achieved by the cyclometalation strategy, with strong
      light absorption in the 600-800 nm range that tails beyond 1100 nm in the
      terpyridine-based adducts. Evaluation of the potential for Dye-Sensitized Solar
      Cells (DSSC) and Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) applications is made through
      rationalization of the structure-property relationship by spectroscopic,
      electrochemical, X-ray structural and computational modelization investigations.
      Spectroscopic evidence for photo-induced charge injection into the conduction
      band of TiO2 is also provided. 

PMID- 27264672
TI  - Re-imagining dementia in the fourth age: the ironic fictions of Alice Munro.
AB  - This paper analyses two stories by Alice Munro to explore how her fiction
      interrogates the prevailing social imaginary of the fourth age. Drawing on the
      theory of Gilleard and Higgs, I show how Munro's stories rely on irony and
      surreal imagery to subvert the logic that engenders and normalises the opposition
      between the third and fourth ages, and, by extension, the social death of people
      coping with later-life dementia. Ultimately, I argue that Munro's fiction does
      not so much reveal the Truth about the fourth age, as expose the reader's
      complicity in the construction of the prevailing gothic social imaginary.

PMID- 27264671
TI  - Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI Assessing the Antiangiogenic Effect of Silencing
      HIF-1alpha with Targeted Multifunctional ECO/siRNA Nanoparticles.
AB  - Stabilization of hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha), a biomarker of
      hypoxia, in hypoxic tumors mediates a variety of downstream genes promoting tumor
      angiogenesis and cancer cell survival as well as invasion, and compromising
      therapeutic outcome. In this study, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) with
      a biodegradable macromolecular MRI contrast agent was used to noninvasively
      assess the antiangiogenic effect of RGD-targeted multifunctional lipid ECO/siHIF
      1alpha nanoparticles in a mouse HT29 colon cancer model. The RGD-targeted
      ECO/siHIF-1alpha nanoparticles resulted in over 50% reduction in tumor size after
      intravenous injection at a dose of 2.0 mg of siRNA/kg every 3 days for 3 weeks
      compared to a saline control. DCE-MRI revealed significant decline in vascularity
      and over a 70% reduction in the tumor blood flow, permeability-surface area
      product, and plasma volume fraction vascular parameters in the tumor treated with
      the targeted ECO/siHIF-1alpha nanoparticles. The treatment with targeted
      ECO/siRNA nanoparticles resulted in significant silencing of HIF-1alpha
      expression at the protein level, which also significantly suppressed the
      expression of VEGF, Glut-1, HKII, PDK-1, LDHA, and CAIX, which are all important
      players in tumor angiogenesis, glycolytic metabolism, and pH regulation. By
      possessing the ability to elicit a multifaceted effect on tumor biology,
      silencing HIF-1alpha with RGD-targeted ECO/siHIF-1alpha nanoparticles has great
      promise as a single therapy or in combination with traditional chemotherapy or
      radiation strategies to improve cancer treatment.

PMID- 27264673
TI  - A novel rasopathy caused by recurrent de novo missense mutations in PPP1CB
      closely resembles Noonan syndrome with loose anagen hair.
AB  - Noonan syndrome is a rasopathy caused by mutations in multiple genes encoding
      components of the RAS/MAPK pathway. Despite its variable phenotype, limited
      genotype-phenotype correlations exist. Noonan syndrome with loose anagen hair (NS
      LAH) is characterized by its distinctive hair anomalies, developmental
      differences, and structural brain abnormalities and is caused by a single
      recurrent missense SHOC2 mutation. SHOC2 forms a complex with protein phosphatase
      1 (PP1C). Protein phosphatases counterbalance kinases and control activation of
      signaling proteins, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinases of the RAS/MAPK
      pathway. Here we report four patients with de novo missense mutations in protein
      phosphatase one catalytic subunit beta (PPP1CB), sharing a recognizable
      phenotype. Three individuals had the recurrent PPP1CB c.146G>C, p.Pro49Arg
      mutation, the fourth had a c.166G>C, p.Ala56Pro change. All had relative or
      absolute macrocephaly, low-set and posteriorly angulated ears, and developmental
      delay. Slow growing and/or sparse hair and/or an unruly hair texture was present
      in all. Three individuals had feeding difficulties requiring feeding tubes. One
      of two males had cryptorchidism, another had pectus excavatum. Short stature was
      present in three. A female with the recurrent mutation had a Dandy-Walker
      malformation and optic nerve hypoplasia. Mild ventriculomegaly occurred in all,
      cerebellar tonsillar ectopia was seen in two and progressed to Chiari 1
      malformation in one individual. Based on the combination of phenotypic findings
      and PPP1CB's effect on RAF dephosphorylation within the RAS/MAPK pathway, this
      novel condition can be considered a rasopathy, most similar to NS-LAH.
      Collectively, these mutations meet the standardized criteria for pathogenicity.
      (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264674
TI  - Genetic alterations of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in iodine-rich and iodine
      deficient countries.
AB  - BRAF V600E mutation, RET rearrangements, and RAS mutations are the common genetic
      alterations in differentiated thyroid carcinomas derived from follicular thyroid
      cells. However, the relationship between these alterations and iodine intake is
      still controversial. To clarify the influence of iodine intake on the occurrence
      of differentiated thyroid carcinomas, we performed molecular analyses for two
      differentiated carcinomas, papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) and follicular
      thyroid carcinomas (FTCs), from an iodine-rich country (Japan) and an iodine
      deficient country (Vietnam). We examined 120 PTCs (67 Japanese and 53 Vietnamese)
      and 74 FTCs (51 Japanese and 23 Vietnamese). We carried out allele-specific
      polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) for BRAF V600E, PCR and direct sequencing for
      RAS mutations (codon 12, 13, and 61 in NRAS, HRAS, and KRAS), and RT-PCR for
      RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3. BRAF V600E was present in 55/67 (82.1%) Japanese PTCs and
      44/53 (83%) Vietnamese PTCs. RET/PTC1 was identified in only one PTC from each
      country, and no samples had RET/PTC3. NRAS mutation was found in 17/51 (33.3%)
      Japanese FTCs and 4/23 (17.4%) Vietnamese FTCs. NRAS mutation was cited in codon
      61 (20 cases) and codon 12 (one case). None of FTCs had KRAS or HRAS mutations.
      There were no significant differences in the prevalence of BRAF V600E, RET/PTC,
      or RAS mutations between the two countries. Our study showed no differences in
      genetic alterations of thyroid cancers from iodine-rich and iodine-deficient
      countries, possibly suggesting that iodine intake might not affect the genetic
      alterations of differentiated thyroid cancer.

PMID- 27264675
TI  - Labelling of endogenous target protein via N-S acyl transfer-mediated activation
      of N-sulfanylethylanilide.
AB  - The ligand-dependent incorporation of a reporter molecule (e.g., fluorescence dye
      or biotin) onto a endogenous target protein has emerged as an important strategy
      for elucidating protein function using various affinity-based labelling reagents
      consisting of reporter, ligand and reactive units. Conventional labelling
      reagents generally use a weakly activated reactive unit, which can result in the
      non-specific labelling of proteins in a ligand-independent manner. In this
      context, the activation of a labelling reagent through a targeted protein-ligand
      interaction could potentially overcome the problems associated with conventional
      affinity-based labelling reagents. We hypothesized that this type of protein
      ligand-interaction-mediated activation could be accomplished using N
      sulfanylethylanilide (SEAlide) as the reactive unit in the labelling reagent.
      Electrophilically unreactive amide-type SEAlide can be activated by its
      conversion to the corresponding active thioester in the presence of a phosphate
      salt, which can act as an acid-base catalyst. It has been suggested that protein
      surfaces consisting of hydrophilic residues such as amino, carboxyl and imidazole
      groups could function as acid-base catalysts. We therefore envisioned that a
      SEAlide-based labelling reagent (SEAL) bearing SEAlide as a reactive unit could
      be activated through the binding of the SEAL with a target protein. Several SEALs
      were readily prepared in this study using standard 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl
      (Fmoc)-based solid-phase protocols. These SEAL systems were subsequently applied
      to the ligand-dependent labelling of human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) and
      cyclooxyganese 1. Although we have not yet obtained any direct evidence for the
      target protein-mediated activation of the SEAlide unit, our results for the
      reaction of these SEALs with hCA1 or butylamine indirectly support our
      hypothesis. The SEALs reported in this study represent valuable new entries to
      the field of affinity-based labelling reagents and are expected to show great
      utility in protein labelling. 

PMID- 27264676
TI  - Solubility of alkali metal halides in the ionic liquid [C4C1im][OTf].
AB  - The solubilities of the metal halides LiF, LiCl, LiBr, LiI, NaF, NaCl, NaBr, NaI,
      KF, KCl, KBr, KI, RbCl, CsCl, CsI, were measured at temperatures ranging from
      298.15 to 378.15 K in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium
      trifluoromethanesulfonate ([C4C1im][OTf]). Li(+), Na(+) and K(+) salts with
      anions matching the ionic liquid have also been investigated to determine how
      well these cations dissolve in [C4C1im][OTf]. This study compares the influence
      of metal cation and halide anion on the solubility of salts within this ionic
      liquid. The highest solubility found was for iodide salts, and the lowest
      solubility for the three fluoride salts. There is no outstanding difference in
      the solubility of salts with matching anions in comparison to halide salts. The
      experimental data were correlated employing several phase equilibria models,
      including ideal mixtures, van't Hoff, the lambdah (Buchowski) equation, the
      modified Apelblat equation, and the non-random two-liquid model (NRTL). It was
      found that the van't Hoff model gave the best correlation results. On the basis
      of the experimental data the thermodynamic dissolution parameters (DeltaH,
      DeltaS, and DeltaG) were determined for the studied systems together with
      computed gas phase metathesis parameters. Dissolution depends on the energy
      difference between enthalpies of fusion and dissolution of the solute salt. This
      demonstrates that overcoming the lattice energy of the solid matrix is the key to
      the solubility of inorganic salts in ionic liquids. 

PMID- 27264677
TI  - Luminescence responsive intracluster rearrangements of gold(i)-silver(i) clusters
      triggered by acetonitrile.
AB  - A gold(i)-silver(i) cluster bearing six carboxylate groups has been synthesized
      through the oxidation of its aldehyde precursor and the Au6 core of this cluster
      displays an octahedral or a trigonal prismatic configuration depending on the
      crystallization conditions. The reversible interconversion between these two
      isomers can be triggered in the solid state by the addition or removal of
      acetonitrile solvent molecules. Interestingly, luminescence changes were observed
      as each configuration shows different emission colors, yellow for octahedral type
      and red for the trigonal prismatic one. 

PMID- 27264678
TI  - Effects of inhomogeneity on triglyceride digestion of emulsions using an in vitro
      digestion model (Tiny TIM).
AB  - The colloidal behaviour and extent of lipolysis of various emulsions stabilized
      by whey protein and Tween were studied using the TNO Intestinal Model (TIM)
      extended with a purposely designed gastric compartment. The in vitro results
      suggest that creaming of a fatty layer in the gastric region causes a delay in
      fat entering the small intestinal region, delays and reduces the free fatty acid
      content in the small intestinal lumen and delays fat absorption. It was shown
      that controlling the pH with pig gastric juice instead of simulated gastric juice
      delayed creaming of the emulsions significantly, which resulted in faster gastric
      lipolysis. However, because the digestive conditions are not adjusted by
      physiological regulation mechanisms such as the regulation of gastric emptying by
      the detection of nutrients in the small intestine, care must be taken to
      translate these results to the in vivo reality. It is expected that the
      differences between the systems will be tempered by the physiological feedback
      regulation mechanisms of digestion. 

PMID- 27264679
TI  - Nerve growth factor & TrkA as novel therapeutic targets in cancer.
AB  - In the past 20years, nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors TrkA & p75NTR
      were recognized to be overexpressed in the overwhelming majority of human solid
      cancers. Recent studies discovered the presence of overactive TrkA signaling due
      to TrkA rearrangements or TrkA fusion products in frequent cancers like
      colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, or acute myeloid leukemia. Thus, targeting
      TrkA/NGF via selective small-molecule-inhibitors or antibodies has gained
      enormous attention in the drug discovery sector. Clinical studies on the anti
      cancer impact of NGF-blocking antibodies are likely to be accelerated after the
      recent removal of clinical holds on these agents by regulatory authorities. Based
      on these current developments, the present review provides not only a broad
      overview of the biological effects of NGF-TrkA-p75NTR on cancer cells and their
      microenvironment, but also explains why NGF and its receptors are going to evoke
      major interest as promising therapeutic anti-cancer targets in the coming decade.

PMID- 27264680
TI  - Influence of Constitution and Charge on Radical Pairing Interactions in Tris
      radical Tricationic Complexes.
AB  - The results of a systematic investigation of trisradical tricationic complexes
      formed between cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) bisradical dicationic
      (CBPQT(2(*+))) rings and a series of 18 dumbbells, containing centrally located
      4,4'-bipyridinium radical cationic (BIPY(*+)) units within oligomethylene chains
      terminated for the most part by charged 3,5-dimethylpyridinium (PY(+)) and/or
      neutral 3,5-dimethylphenyl (PH) groups, are reported. The complexes were obtained
      by treating equimolar amounts of the CBPQT(4+) ring and the dumbbells containing
      BIPY(2+) units with zinc dust in acetonitrile solutions. Whereas UV-Vis-NIR
      spectra revealed absorption bands centered on ca. 1100 nm with quite different
      intensities for the 1:1 complexes depending on the constitutions and charges on
      the dumbbells, titration experiments showed that the association constants (Ka)
      for complex formation vary over a wide range, from 800 M(-1) for the weakest to
      180 000 M(-1) for the strongest. While Coulombic repulsions emanating from PY(+)
      groups located at the ends of some of the dumbbells undoubtedly contribute to the
      destabilization of the trisradical tricationic complexes, solid-state
      superstructures support the contention that those dumbbells with neutral PH
      groups at the ends of flexible and appropriately constituted links to the
      BIPY(*+) units stand to gain some additional stabilization from C-H...pi
      interactions between the CBPQT(2(*+)) rings and the PH termini on the dumbbells.
      The findings reported in this Article demonstrate how structural changes
      implemented remotely from the BIPY(*+) units influence their non-covalent bonding
      interactions with CBPQT(2(*+)) rings. Different secondary effects (Coulombic
      repulsions versus C-H...pi interactions) are uncovered, and their contributions
      to both binding strengths associated with trisradical interactions and the
      kinetics of associations and dissociations are discussed at some length,
      supported by extensive DFT calculations at the M06-D3 level. A fundamental
      understanding of molecular recognition in radical complexes has relevance when it
      comes to the design and synthesis of non-equilibrium systems.

PMID- 27264681
TI  - Risk factors for recurrence in stage II/III colorectal cancer patients treated
      with curative surgery: The impact of postoperative tumor markers and an
      infiltrative growth pattern.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the capacity of clinicopathological
      factors to predict recurrence in stage II/III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients
      after curative resection. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 386 stage II/III
      CRC patients who underwent curative resections between April 2008 and August
      2013. We assessed the predictive power of pre- and postoperative tumor marker
      levels, lymphatic and venous invasion, and infiltrative growth patterns using
      Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Of 206 stage II and 180 stage III
      patients, 26 (13%) and 46 (26%) patients, respectively, developed recurrences
      with median follow-up times of 51 and 45 months, respectively. Independent risk
      factors for recurrence were lymphatic invasion (hazard ratio [HR], 5.99; P =
      0.0006) and infiltrative growth patterns (HR, 4.02; P = 0.017) in stage II
      patients; and elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels (HR, 3.22; P
      = 0.004), elevated postoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels (HR, 5.08; P =
      0.005), and infiltrative growth patterns (HR, 3.19; P = 0.037) in stage III
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: High-recurrence risk can be identified in stage II/III CRC
      patients by assessing perioperative serum tumor marker levels, lymphatic
      invasion, and infiltrative growth patterns. Intensive follow-up for patients with
      these risk factors may help detect recurrences promptly and improve survival. J.
      Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:368-374. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264682
TI  - Skeletal fractures resulting from fatal falls: A review of the literature.
AB  - To investigate what is currently known about skeletal blunt force trauma (BFT)
      resulting from falls, and how valuable that research is in contributing to
      forensic anthropology investigations and interpretations of circumstances of
      death, a comprehensive review of forensic anthropology, forensic pathology and
      clinical medicine literature was performed. Forensic anthropology literature
      identified that establishing the type of fall from the analysis of BFT is
      difficult given the uniqueness of each fall event, the complexities involved with
      identify BFT and, in particular, the limited available research documenting
      fracture patterning and morphologies. Comparatively, skeletal BFT resulting from
      fatal falls is well documented in the forensic pathology and clinical medicine
      literature. These disciplines cover a wide range of fall types (free falls, falls
      in juveniles, specific fractures produced from falls, falls down staircases,
      falls resulting in impalements, and 'other' fall types), provide details on how
      the nature of the fall influences the skeletal fracturing, and documents the
      anatomical regions susceptible to fracturing. Whilst these contributions may
      assist forensic anthropologists, they provide limited details of fracture
      patterns and morphologies and thus further research investigating the details of
      skeletal BFT resulting from fatal falls is required. 

PMID- 27264683
TI  - New prediction models for dental age estimation in Thai children and adolescents.
AB  - The aims of this study were to develop new prediction models for dental age
      estimation and to test the accuracy of the resulting models in comparison with
      the Demirjian et al. and the Willems et al. methods in Thai children and
      adolescents. Digital panoramic radiographs of 1,134 Thai individuals (487 males
      and 647 females) aged from 6 to 15 years were selected and evaluated for dental
      age estimation. Quadratic regression was used to generate new models. The results
      showed that the new prediction models indicated a strong correlation coefficient
      between the dental maturity score and the chronological age in both sexes
      (r=0.951 for males, r=0.945 for females). The new age prediction models were:
      y=0.006297x(2) - 0.804930x+32.591843 for males and y=0.010677x(2) -
      1.538823x+61.955056 for females, where y is the dental age, x is the dental
      maturity score according to Demirjian et al. METHOD: Moreover, these new models
      were tested showing the greatest accuracy for estimating the age in Thai samples
      using the mean difference values between the dental and the chronological ages (
      0.04 years for males, 0.02 years for females) when compared with the Demirjian et
      al. and the Willems et al. METHODS: In addition, the new models revealed a high
      percentage of accuracy in the absolute difference values between the dental and
      the chronological ages within 1 year (76.26% and 74.49% for males and females,
      respectively). Furthermore, our results in mean difference values indicated that
      the Demirjian et al. method (0.11 and 0.10 years for males and females,
      respectively) was more accurate than the Willems et al. method (-0.37 and -0.39
      years for males and females, respectively) in Thai samples. In conclusion, the
      new age prediction models in this study provide accurate age estimation in both
      sexes, suggesting that these models be applied for forensic age estimation,
      especially in Thai children and adolescents.

PMID- 27264684
TI  - Multivariate methods for the analysis of complex and big data in forensic
      sciences. Application to age estimation in living persons.
AB  - Researchers handle increasingly higher dimensional datasets, with many variables
      to explore. Such datasets pose several problems, since they are difficult to
      handle and present unexpected features. As dimensionality increases, classical
      statistical analysis becomes inoperative. Variables can present redundancy, and
      the reduction of dataset dimensionality to its lowest possible value is often
      needed. Principal components analysis (PCA) has proven useful to reduce
      dimensionality but present several shortcomings. As others, forensic sciences
      will face the issues specific related to an evergrowing quantity of data to be
      integrated. Age estimation in living persons, an unsolved problem so far, could
      benefit from the integration of various sources of data, e.g., clinical, dental
      and radiological data. We present here novel multivariate techniques (nonlinear
      dimensionality reduction techniques, NLDR), applied to a theoretical example.
      Results were compared to those of PCA. NLDR techniques were then applied to
      clinical, dental and radiological data (13 variables) used for age estimation.
      The correlation dimension of these data was estimated. NLDR techniques
      outperformed PCA results. They showed that two living persons sharing similar
      characteristics may present rather different estimated ages. Moreover, data
      presented a very high informational redundancy, i.e., a correlation dimension of
      2. NLDR techniques should be used with or preferred to PCA techniques to analyze
      complex and big data. Data routinely used for age estimation may not be
      considered suitable for this purpose. How integrating other data or approaches
      could improve age estimation in living persons is still uncertain. 

PMID- 27264685
TI  - NK cell education via nonclassical MHC and non-MHC ligands.
AB  - Natural killer (NK) cell education, a process for achieving functional maturation
      and self-tolerance, has been previously defined by the interaction between self
      major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules and their specific
      inhibitory receptors. Over the past several years, growing evidence has
      highlighted the important roles of nonclassical MHC-I and non-MHC-I molecules in
      NK cell education. Herein, we review the current knowledge of NK cell education,
      with a particular focus on nonclassical MHC-I- and non-MHC-I-dependent education,
      and compare them with the classical MHC-I-dependent education theory. In
      addition, we update and extend this theory by presenting the 'Confining Model',
      discussing cis and trans characteristics, reassessing quantity and quality
      control, and elucidating the redundancy of NK cell education in tumor and virus
      infection.

PMID- 27264688
TI  - Exosomes: multitask cargo carriers modulating innate immunity to viruses.

PMID- 27264687
TI  - Novel exosome-targeted T-cell-based vaccine counteracts T-cell anergy and
      converts CTL exhaustion in chronic infection via CD40L signaling through the
      mTORC1 pathway.
AB  - CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) exhaustion is a chief issue for ineffective
      virus elimination in chronic infectious diseases. We generated novel ovalbumin
      (OVA)-specific OVA-Texo and HIV-specific Gag-Texo vaccines inducing therapeutic
      immunity. To assess their therapeutic effect in chronic infection, we developed a
      new chronic infection model by i.v. infecting C57BL/6 mice with the OVA
      expressing adenovirus AdVova. During chronic AdVova infection, mouse CTLs were
      found to express the inhibitory molecules programmed cell-death protein-1 (PD-1)
      and lymphocyte-activation gene-3 (LAG-3) and to be functionally exhausted,
      showing a significant deficiency in T-cell proliferation, IFN-gamma production
      and cytolytic effects. Naive CD8+ T cells upregulated inhibitory PD-ligand 1 (PD
      L1), B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator and T-cell anergy-associated molecules (Grail
      and Itch) while down-regulating the proliferative response upon stimulation in
      mice with chronic infection. Remarkably, the OVA-Texo vaccine counteracted T-cell
      anergy and converted CTL exhaustion. The latter was associated with (i) the
      upregulation of a marker for CTL functionality, diacetylated histone-H3 (diAcH3),
      (ii) a fourfold increase in CTLs, occurring independent of host DCs or CD4+ T
      cells, and (iii) the restoration of CTL IFN-gamma production and cytotoxicity. In
      vivo OVA-Texo-stimulated CTLs upregulated the activities of the mTORC1 pathway
      related molecules Akt, S6, eIF4E and T-bet, and treatment of the CTLs with an
      mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin, significantly reduced the OVA-Texo-induced increase
      in CTLs. Interestingly, OVA-Texo-mediated CD40L signaling played a critical role
      in the observed immunological effects. Importantly, the Gag-Texo vaccine induced
      Gag-specific therapeutic immunity in chronic infection. Therefore, this study
      should have a serious impact on the development of new therapeutic vaccines for
      human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection.

PMID- 27264690
TI  - Factors influencing a nurse's decision to question medication administration in a
      neonatal clinical care unit.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence
      nurse's decisions to question concerning aspects of medication administration
      within the context of a neonatal clinical care unit. BACKGROUND: Medication error
      in the neonatal setting can be high with this particularly vulnerable population.
      As the care giver responsible for medication administration, nurses are deemed
      accountable for most errors. However, they are recognised as the forefront of
      prevention. Minimal evidence is available around reasoning, decision making and
      questioning around medication administration. Therefore, this study focuses upon
      addressing the gap in knowledge around what nurses believe influences their
      decision to question. DESIGN: A critical incident design was employed where
      nurses were asked to describe clinical incidents around their decision to
      question a medication issue. Nurses were recruited from a neonatal clinical care
      unit and participated in an individual digitally recorded interview. RESULTS: One
      hundred and three nurses participated between December 2013-August 2014. Use of
      the constant comparative method revealed commonalities within transcripts. Thirty
      six categories were grouped into three major themes: 'Working environment',
      'Doing the right thing' and 'Knowledge about medications'. CONCLUSIONS: Findings
      highlight factors that influence nurses' decision to question issues around
      medication administration. Nurses feel it is their responsibility to do the right
      thing and speak up for their vulnerable patients to enhance patient safety.
      Negative dimensions within the themes will inform planning of educational
      strategies to improve patient safety, whereas positive dimensions must be
      reinforced within the multidisciplinary team. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The
      working environment must support nurses to question and ultimately provide safe
      patient care. Clear and up to date policies, formal and informal education, role
      modelling by senior nurses, effective use of communication skills and a team
      approach can facilitate nurses to appropriately question aspects around
      medication administration.

PMID- 27264689
TI  - Intravenous immunoglobulin replacement treatment does not alter polymorphonuclear
      leukocytes function and surface receptors expression in patients with common
      variable immunodeficiency.
AB  - The study of the expression of CD16, CD11b and Siglec 9 receptors and the
      oxidative burst provides insights on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)
      functionality in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and on the possible
      effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) infusion. We evaluated in vivo
      before and soon after IVIg administration the CD16, CD11b and Siglec 9 expression
      on unstimulated and Escherichia coli-stimulated PMN and the oxidative burst
      induced by Escherichia coli and PMA. The E. coli stimulation up-regulated CD16
      and Siglec 9 expression and it induced a strong CD11b up-regulation at baseline
      and soon after IVIg. The oxidative burst overlapped that observed in healthy
      donors when induced by Escherichia coli while it increased when induced by PMA.
      Soon after IVIg infusion, the oxidative burst decreased only when induced by PMA.
      Our results showed that the IVIg infusion in vivo had a minimal effect on CVID's
      PMN.

PMID- 27264691
TI  - Psychometric testing of a person-centred care scale the Eden Warmth Survey in a
      long-term care home in New Zealand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traditional nursing homes have been viewed as dominated by the
      medical model. Since the 1990s, the Eden Alternative(TM) has become a significant
      model in systemic transformations in nursing homes. The purpose of this study was
      to evaluate the psychometric performance of the 20 items of the Eden Warmth
      Survey - Residents (EWS-R) in an aged-care home. DESIGN: A resident's
      satisfaction survey was used to collect a sample of 85 long-term care home
      residents. METHODS: Psychometric evaluation included item analyses, reliability
      including internal consistency and stability, criterion-related validity and
      construct validity. RESULTS: The reduced 13 items demonstrated adequate
      reliability (alpha = 0.82) with two factors, Trust and Connectedness with Others
      and Care Practices, extracted and contributed to 57.9% of the total variance.
      CONCLUSIONS: The 13-item of EWS-R can be considered as a reliable and predictive
      scale for assessing quality of life and overall satisfaction on people living in
      long-term care facilities.

PMID- 27264694
TI  - Radiation dermatitis caused by a bolus effect from an abdominal compression
      device.
AB  - American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 176 evaluated
      the dosimetric effects caused by couch tops and immobilization devices. The
      report analyzed the extensive physics-based literature on couch tops,
      stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) frames, and body immobilization bags,
      while noting the scarcity of clinical reports of skin toxicity because of
      external devices. Here, we present a clinical case report of grade 1 abdominal
      skin toxicity owing to an abdominal compression device. We discuss the dosimetric
      implications of the utilized treatment plan as well as post hoc alternative plans
      and quantify differences in attenuation and skin dose/build-up between the
      device, a lower-density alternative device, and an open field. The description of
      the case includes a 66-year-old male with HER2 amplified poorly differentiated
      distal esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemo-radiation and the
      use of an abdominal compression device. Radiation was delivered using volumetric
      modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with 2 arcs using abdominal compression and image
      guidance. The total dose was 50.4Gy delivered over 40 elapsed days. With 2
      fractions remaining, the patient developed dermatitis in the area of the
      compression device. The original treatment plan did not include a contour of the
      device. Alternative post hoc treatment plans were generated, one to contour the
      device and a second with anterior avoidance. In conclusion, replanning with the
      device contoured revealed the bolus effect. The skin dose increased from 27 to
      36Gy. planned target volume (PTV) coverage at 45Gy was reduced to 76.5% from
      95.8%. The second VMAT treatment plan with an anterior avoidance sector and more
      oblique beam angles maintained PTV coverage and spared the anterior wall, however
      at the expense of substantially increased dose to lung. This case report provides
      an important reminder of the bolus effect from external devices such as abdominal
      compression. Special consideration must be given to contour and/or avoiding beam
      entrance to the device, and to the use of such devices in patients who may have
      heightened radiosensitivity, such as those who are human immunodeficiency virus
      (HIV)-positive. 

PMID- 27264686
TI  - Clash of the Cytokine Titans: counter-regulation of interleukin-1 and type I
      interferon-mediated inflammatory responses.
AB  - Over the past decades the notion of 'inflammation' has been extended beyond the
      original hallmarks of rubor (redness), calor (heat), tumor (swelling) and dolor
      (pain) described by Celsus. We have gained a more detailed understanding of the
      cellular players and molecular mediators of inflammation which is now being
      applied and extended to areas of biomedical research such as cancer, obesity,
      heart disease, metabolism, auto-inflammatory disorders, autoimmunity and
      infectious diseases. Innate cytokines are often central components of
      inflammatory responses. Here, we discuss how the type I interferon and
      interleukin-1 cytokine pathways represent distinct and specialized categories of
      inflammatory responses and how these key mediators of inflammation counter
      regulate each other.

PMID- 27264695
TI  - Nursing expertise: a course of ambiguity and evolution in a concept.
AB  - In this article, we clarify and describe the nature of nursing expertise and
      provide a framework to guide its identification and further development. To have
      utility and rigour, concept-driven research and theories of practice require
      underlying concepts that are robust, valid and reliable. Advancing understanding
      of a concept requires careful attention to explicating its knowledge, metaphors
      and conceptual meaning. Examining the concepts and metaphors of nursing
      expertise, and how they have been interpreted into the nursing discourse, we
      aimed to synthesise definitions and similarities between concepts and elicit the
      defining characteristics and properties of nursing expertise. In clarifying the
      concept, we sought to move beyond the ambiguity that currently surrounds
      expertise in nursing and unravel it to make explicit the characteristics of
      nursing expertise from published peer-reviewed studies and structured literature
      synthesis. Findings indicate a lack of clarity surrounding the use of the term
      expertise. Traditional reliance upon intuition as a way of explaining expert
      performance is slowly evolving. Emerging from the analysis is a picture of
      expertise as the relationship between networks of contextual reasoning,
      understanding and practice. Striking absences in the discourse include limited
      explication of ethical reasoning and theorising a broader interpretation of
      expertise reflective of contemporary forms of nursing.

PMID- 27264697
TI  - Case of pityriasis rubra pilaris with annular pattern as an early manifestation.

PMID- 27264696
TI  - Shedding light on Aspergillus niger volatile exometabolome.
AB  - An in-depth exploration of the headspace content of Aspergillus niger cultures
      was performed upon different growth conditions, using a methodology based on
      advanced multidimensional gas chromatography. This volatile fraction comprises
      428 putatively identified compounds distributed over several chemical families,
      being the major ones hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, ketones and aldehydes. These
      metabolites may be related with different metabolic pathways, such as amino acid
      metabolism, biosynthesis and metabolism of fatty acids, degradation of aromatic
      compounds, mono and sesquiterpenoid synthesis and carotenoid cleavage. The A.
      niger molecular biomarkers pattern was established, comprising the 44 metabolites
      present in all studied conditions. This pattern was successfully used to
      distinguish A. niger from other fungi (Candida albicans and Penicillium
      chrysogenum) with 3 days of growth by using Partial Least Squares-Discriminant
      Analysis (PLS-DA). In addition, PLS-DA-Variable Importance in Projection was
      applied to highlight the metabolites playing major roles in fungi distinction;
      decreasing the initial dataset to only 16 metabolites. The data pre-processing
      time was substantially reduced, and an improvement of quality-of-fit value was
      achieved. This study goes a step further on A. niger metabolome construction and
      A. niger future detection may be proposed based on this molecular biomarkers
      pattern.

PMID- 27264698
TI  - Restructuring of the sponge microbiome favors tolerance to ocean acidification.
AB  - Ocean acidification is increasing and affects many marine organisms. However,
      certain sponge species can withstand low-pH conditions. This may be related to
      their complex association with microbes. We hypothesized that species with
      greater microbial diversity may develop functional redundancy that could enable
      the holobiont to survive even if particular microbes are lost at low-pH
      conditions. We evaluated the effects of acidification on the growth and
      associated microbes of three ubiquitous Mediterranean sponges by exposing them to
      the present pH level and that predicted for the year 2100. We found marked
      differences among the species in the acquisition of new microbes, being high in
      Dysidea avara, moderate in Agelas oroides and null in Chondrosia reniformis;
      however, we did not observe variation in the overall microbiome abundance,
      richness or diversity. The relative abilities to alter the microbiomes
      contributes to survivorship in an OA scenario as demonstrated by lowered pH
      severely affecting the growth of C. reniformis, halving that of A. oroides, and
      unaffecting D. avara. Our results indicate that functional stability of the
      sponge holobiont to withstand future OA is species-specific and is linked to the
      species' ability to use horizontal transmission to modify the associated
      microbiome to adapt to environmental change.

PMID- 27264699
TI  - Effect of bamboo and rice straw biochars on the mobility and redistribution of
      heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in contaminated soil.
AB  - Biochar has emerged as an efficient tool to affect bioavailability of heavy
      metals in contaminated soils. Although partially understood, a carefully designed
      incubation experiment was performed to examine the effect of biochar on mobility
      and redistribution of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in a sandy loam soil collected from the
      surroundings of a copper smelter. Bamboo and rice straw biochars with different
      mesh sizes (<0.25 mm and <1 mm), were applied at three rates (0, 1, and 5% w/w).
      Heavy metal concentrations in pore water were determined after extraction with
      0.01 M CaCl2. Phytoavailable metals were extracted using DTPA/TEA (pH 7.3). The
      European Union Bureau of Reference (EUBCR) sequential extraction procedure was
      adopted to determine metal partitioning and redistribution of heavy metals.
      Results showed that CaCl2-and DTPA-extractable Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations
      were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the bamboo and rice straw biochar treated
      soils, especially at 5% application rate, than those in the unamended soil. Soil
      pH values were significantly correlated with CaCl2-extractable metal
      concentrations (p < 0.01). The EUBCR sequential extraction procedure revealed
      that the acid extractable fractions of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn decreased significantly
      (p < 0.05) with biochar addition. Rice straw biochar was more effective than
      bamboo biochar in decreasing the acid extractable metal fractions, and the effect
      was more pronounced with increasing biochar application rate. The effect of
      biochar particle size on extractable metal concentrations was not consistent. The
      5% rice straw biochar treatment reduced the DTPA-extractable metal concentrations
      in the order of Cd < Cu < Pb < Zn, and reduced the acid extractable pool of Cd,
      Cu, Pb and Zn by 11, 17, 34 and 6%, respectively, compared to the control. In the
      same 5% rice straw biochar treatments, the organic bound fraction increased by
      37, 58, 68 and 18% for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively, compared to the control,
      indicating that the immobilized metals were mainly bound in the soil organic
      matter fraction. The results demonstrated that the rice straw biochar can
      effectively immobilize heavy metals, thereby reducing their mobility and
      bioavailability in contaminated soils.

PMID- 27264701
TI  - Flexivirga endophytica sp. nov., an endophytic actinobacterium isolated from a
      leaf of Sweet Basil.
AB  - A Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic, non-motile, irregular coccoid strain,
      designated YIM 7505T, was isolated from a leaf of Sweet Basil. Phylogenetic
      analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain
      YIM 7505T was closely related to Flexivirga alba NBRC 107580T (98.9 % 16S rRNA
      gene sequence similarity) and formed a robust clade with F. alba NBRC 107580T in
      the neighbour-joining tree. Optimum growth of strain YIM 7505T was observed at 28
      35  degrees C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 0-3.0 % NaCl (w/v). The
      chemotaxonomic profiles of the strain comprised of anteiso-C16 : 0 as the major
      cellular fatty acid and MK-8(H4) as the respiratory menaquinone. The
      peptidoglycan of strain YIM 7505T contained serine, alanine, glycine, glutamic
      acid and lysine. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylglycerol, six unidentified phospholipids, four unidentified
      glycolipids, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified aminophospholipid.
      The G+C contents of the genomic DNA of strain YIM 7505T was 66.7 mol%. DNA-DNA
      hybridizations of strain YIM 7505T with F. alba NBRC 107580T gave relatedness
      values of 50.6+/-2.2 %. On the basis of the data recorded from the present study,
      strain YIM 7505T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus
      Flexivirga, for which the name Flexivirga endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The
      type strain is YIM 7505T (=KCTC 39536T=CGMCC 1.15085T).

PMID- 27264702
TI  - Hepatic complications of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.
AB  - Hepatic complications of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation contribute
      substantially to the overall success of the procedure and represent a major cause
      of morbidity and mortality. Early hepatic complications consist of the sinusoidal
      obstruction syndrome, drug toxicities, infections, acute graft-versus-host
      disease, while late hepatic complications consist of chronic graft-versus host
      disease, chronic viral hepatitis, and iron overload states. Successful management
      of the hepatic complications of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is
      dependent on several factors. These include the recognition and elimination of
      any pre-transplant risk factors for these problems and the development of
      strategies to evaluate and prevent them in both the early and later
      posttransplant periods. The aims of present review are 1) to identify the early
      and late hepatic complications of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation,
      in the chronological order at which they occur, 2) to characterize the diagnostic
      procedures used to identify them, and finally 3) to present the current
      therapeutic approaches used to manage these problems. 

PMID- 27264700
TI  - Heterogeneity in readouts of canonical wnt pathway activity within intestinal
      crypts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Canonical Wnt pathway signaling is necessary for maintaining the
      proliferative capacity of mammalian intestinal crypt base columnar stem cells
      (CBCs). Furthermore, dysregulation of the Wnt pathway is a major contributor to
      disease, including oncogenic transformation of the intestinal epithelium. Given
      the critical importance of this pathway, numerous tools have been used as proxy
      measures for Wnt pathway activity, yet the relationship between Wnt target gene
      expression and reporter allele activity within individual cells at the crypt base
      remains unclear. RESULTS: Here, we describe a novel Axin2-CreERT2-tdTomato allele
      that efficiently marks both Wnt(High) CBCs and radioresistant reserve intestinal
      stem cells. We analyze the molecular and functional identity of Axin2-CreERT2
      tdTomato-marked cells using single cell gene expression profiling and tissue
      regeneration assays and find that Axin2 reporter activity does not necessarily
      correlate with expression of Wnt target genes and, furthermore, that Wnt target
      genes themselves vary in their expression patterns at the crypt base.
      CONCLUSIONS: Wnt target genes and reporter alleles can vary greatly in their cell
      type specificity, demonstrating that these proxies cannot be used
      interchangeably. Furthermore, Axin2-CreERT2-tdTomato is a robust marker of both
      active and reserve intestinal stem cells and is thus useful for understanding the
      intestinal stem cell compartment. Developmental Dynamics 245:822-833, 2016. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27264703
TI  - Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Detection with Translocations and T-Cell Receptor
      and Immunoglobulin Gene Rearrangements in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
      Patients: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Monitoring minimal residual disease has become increasingly important in clinical
      practice of ALL management. Break-point fusion regions of leukaemia related
      chromosomal aberrations and rearranged immunoglobulin (Ig) and T cell-receptor
      (TCR) genes, which can be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are used
      as leukaemia specific markers in genetic studies of MRD. A total of 31
      consecutive patients with newly diagnosed ALL were screened for eligibility
      criteria. Of those 26 were included in the study. One patient with partial
      response following induction therapy and four patients who were lost to follow-up
      after induction were excluded from the study; thus 21 patients were evaluated for
      MRD. Chromosomal aberrations were detected in 5 (24%) of the patients and were
      used for MRD monitoring. Three patients had t(9;22) translocation, the other 2
      had t(4;11) and t(1;19). MRD-based risk stratification of the 16 patients
      analysed for Ig/TCR rearrangements revealed 3 low-risk, 11 intermediate-risk and
      2 high-risk patients. MRD monitoring is progressively getting to be a more
      important predictive factor in adult ALL patients. As reported by others
      confirmed by our limited data there is a good correlation between MRD status and
      clinical outcome in patients receiving chemotherapy. The pilot-study presented
      here is the first that systematically and consecutively performs a molecular MRD
      monitoring of ALL patients in Turkey. 

PMID- 27264704
TI  - Protein Z G79A polymorphism in Turkish pediatriccerebral infarct patients.
AB  - Protein Z (PZ) plays an enhancer role in coagulation as an anticoagulant. This is
      the first study in which G79A polymorphism investigated in Turkish paediatric
      stroke patients. Ninety-one paediatric stroke patients with cerebral ischemia and
      70 control subjects were analyzed for PZ G79A and also FVL, PT mutations. PZ 79
      'A' allele in homozygous state was found in five patients (5,5%), while it was
      found only in one control subject (1,4%) and it was seemed as a risk factor for
      peadiatric ischemia [OR=3,94 (0,44-35,1)]. When patients and controls who had FVL
      and PT carriers were excluded, AA genotype carried a risk [OR=3,88 (0,41-36,5)].
      Also plasma protein Z levels measured in 21 stroke patients and 52 controls.
      Plasma protein Z levels were not different between stroke patients (500,95 ngmL
      1+/-158,35) and controls (447,34 ngmL-1+/-165,97). But the plasma levels of
      protein Z was decreased in patients with AA genotype. Our data showed that
      carrying 79 AA genotype could be a genetic risk factor for cerebral infarct in
      peadiatric patients. 

PMID- 27264705
TI  - Insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in children with Beta-thalassemia minor.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Growth retardation in children with b-thalassemia major is
      multifactorial. Some etiologies described for this condition are hemochromatosis,
      disturbed growth hormone (GH) / insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis,
      undernutrition and hypermetabolism. It has also been proven that growth
      retardation is present in b-thalassemia major children despite regular
      transfusion and chelation. Our aim was to evaluate the level of IGF-1 in b
      thalassemia minor subjects and compare it with that in healthy children. METHODS:
      Fifty children aged 6 months to 15 years with b-thalassemia minor (32 males, 18
      females) and 50 age- and sex-matched normal healthy children were selected.
      Medical history was taken and complete physical examination was done in each
      case; IGF-1 level was checked in all cases. This study was done in Shiraz,
      southern Iran, during 2005. RESULTS: IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in b
      thalassemia minor children than normal children (P = 0.015). This result
      demonstrates that some etiologies of growth failure in b-thalassemia major other
      than those described to date can exist, which may be shared with b-thalassemia
      minor in feature or may be transformed by genes that are either expressed or not.
      CONCLUSION: We conclude that in addition to that observed in b-thalassemia major,
      IGF-1 level is also decreased in b-thalassemia minor, and these two may have
      similar etiologies.

PMID- 27264706
TI  - Hematological disorders in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced rat model of Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present work was undertaken in order to investigate the effects of
      right-unilateral lesion of substantia nigra neurons by means of 6-
      hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a dopaminergic-selective neurotoxin, on hematological
      parameters in rats. The primary reason for the using of rat model of Parkinson's
      disease was the interest regarding the role of the central dopaminergic system in
      hematopoiesis regulation because some neurological diseases like Parkinson's
      disease are well-correlated with anemia associated with autonomic dysfunction in
      rats. METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 200 +/- 50 g at the start of the
      experiment were used. The substantia nigra was right-unilateral lesioned by
      stereotaxic microinjections of 8 micrograms (free base) 6-OHDA, dissolved in 4 ul
      physiological saline containing 0.1% ascorbic acid, administered through the
      Hamilton microsyringe over 4.50 minutes. 7 days after neurosurgery, we assessed
      the total number of white blood cells (WBC), the total number of red blood cells
      (RBC), hemoglobin level and the erythrocyte indexes (mean cell volume, MCV and
      mean cell hemoglobin, MCH). Hematological parameters were assayed by a COULTER(r)
      Ac?T 5diff CP-precision instruments for hematology research. RESULTS: 6-OHDA
      treatment induced a significantly decrease of white blood cells (p<0.03), red
      blood cells (p<0.01), hemoglobin level (p<0.02) comparative with sham-operated
      rats. By contrast, in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats the erythrocyte indexes (mean cell
      volume, MCV (p<0.04); mean cell hemoglobin, MCH (p<0.01)) were significantly
      enhanced comparative with sham-operated rats. CONCLUSION: On the whole, the
      obtained data indicate the important role of the central dopaminergic system in
      the regulation of erythrocyte dynamics.

PMID- 27264707
TI  - Immunohematological characteristics of Nigerian sickle cell disease patients with
      osteomyelitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed in this paper to investigate some immunohematological
      characteristics of Nigerian sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients with osteomyelitis.
      METHODS: Thirty SCA patients with osteomyelitis (SO) and 30 SCA patients without
      osteomyelitis (S) were investigated. The PCV, WBC and platelet count were done on
      automated counter, while the erytorocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was determined
      by Westergren's technique. C3 activator, C1-INH, IgA, IgG and IgM were estimated
      by the single radial immunodiffusion method. RESULTS: The SO patients weighed
      less (z =1.943, p<0.055) and were shorter (z = -2.064, p<0.039). High serum
      levels of IgG, IgM, C1-INH and C3 activator were also found in the SO group. ESR
      correlated positively with hematocrit (r=0.371, p<0.04) and C3 activator
      (r=0.468, p<0.03) in SO. Similarly, WBC correlated positively with C1-INH
      (r=0.806, p<0.01), while we also noted positive correlation between C1-INH and C3
      activator (r=0.525, p<0.02). In SO, ESR correlated positively with both IgM
      (r=0.531, p<0.02) and C3 activator (r=0.449, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study
      suggests some derangement in immune status in Nigerian SCA patients with
      osteomyelitis and that C1-INH and C3 activator may be useful markers of immune
      status in SCA patients.

PMID- 27264708
TI  - De-novo CD5 + B- prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) presenting at younger age with
      favourable outcome.
AB  - B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) comprises 1% of chronic lymphocytic
      leukemias. CD5 positivity is seen in 1/3rd of cases which generally arise from
      pre existing CLL. They have longer median survival compared with de novo B-PLL
      which are commonly CD5 negative and are more aggressive with an older age of
      presentation. Herewith, we describe a 48-year-old male of de-novo CD5+ B-PLL
      presenting with minimal lymphadenopathy and massive splenomegaly with 90%
      atypical lymphoid cells in the peripheral smear and bone marrow.
      Immunophenotyping was strongly positive for CD5, CD45, CD19, CD22, FMC-7, S-Ig
      and CD38, moderately positive for CD 11c, weakly positive for CD23 and negative
      for CD-103 and ZAP 70. The patient responded well to fludarabine and
      cyclophosphamide and had an uneventful hospital course. Our case illustrates a de
      novo B-PLL with aberrant CD5 positivity who had a short duration of illness,
      younger age at presentation and favourable treatment outcome. 

PMID- 27264709
TI  - A childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) case with
      t(3;17)(q23;p13),t(5;12)(q31;p13),inv(11)(p15q12).
AB  - It is known that clonal chromosomal changes in childhood ALL are nonrandom and
      important markers for diagnosis, prognosis and relaps. In this report we present
      4 year-old boy with ALL-L1 who has complex chromosomal rearrangements. Chromosome
      analysis was performed on bone marrow aspiration sample in relaps after one year
      from diagnosis and induction chemotherapy. The karyotype was;
      46,XY,t(3;17)(q23;p13),t(5;12)(q31;p13),inv(11)(p15q12) [11]/46,XY[8]. 

PMID- 27264710
TI  - A case of adult acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia presented with hemophagocytic
      syndrome.

PMID- 27264711
TI  - Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Associated With Signet-Ringed Adenocarcinoma of Stomach
      And Review Of The Literature.

PMID- 27264713
TI  - A case of multiple myeloma with double malarial infection.

PMID- 27264712
TI  - Author Reply.

PMID- 27264714
TI  - Identification of potent maturation inhibitors against HIV-1 clade C.
AB  - Antiretroviral therapy has led to a profound improvement in the clinical care of
      HIV-infected patients. However, drug tolerability and the evolution of drug
      resistance have limited treatment options for many patients. Maturation
      inhibitors are a new class of antiretroviral agents for treatment of HIV-1. They
      act by interfering with the maturation of the virus by blocking the last step in
      Gag processing: the cleavage of the capsid-spacer peptide 1 (CA-SP1) intermediate
      to mature CA by the viral protease (PR). The first-in-class maturation inhibitor
      bevirimat (BVM) failed against a subset of HIV-1 isolates in clinical trials due
      to polymorphisms present in the CA-SP1 region of the Gag protein. Sequence
      analysis indicated that these polymorphisms are more common in non-clade B
      strains of HIV-1 such as HIV-1 clade C. Indeed, BVM was found to be ineffective
      against HIV-1 clade C molecular clones tested in this study. A number of BVM
      analogs were synthesized by chemical modifications at the C-28 position to
      improve its activity. The new BVM analogs displayed potent activity against HIV-1
      clade B and C and also reduced infectivity of the virus. This study identifies
      novel and broadly active BVM analogs that may ultimately demonstrate efficacy in
      the clinic.

PMID- 27264715
TI  - Thermographic mapping of the skin surface in biometric evaluation of cellulite
      treatment effectiveness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cellulite is one of the worst tolerated aesthetic imperfections.
      Edema that accompanies cellulite causes disorders of blood flow what may be
      observed as changes in the skin surface temperature. The aim of this paper was to
      develop a new method based on the analysis and processing of thermal images of
      the skin for biometric evaluation of severity of cellulite and monitoring its
      treatment. METHODS: The observations of the treatment effects were conducted on
      10 females (33.4 +/- 6.4 years). Thermal images of the volunteers' thighs were
      captured before starting the therapy (T0 ). In the following stages: T1 , T2 ,
      and T3 , thermal images were captured 2 weeks after the first, second and third
      Alidya treatment administration, respectively. Profiled algorithms were developed
      to determine the mean Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) contrast in the
      acquired thermograms. RESULTS: The mean GLCM contrast for the phase T0 was 70.91,
      and for the stages T1 , T2 , and T3 : 57.78, 41.80, and 38.53, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: The use of proposed method (GLCM contrast) enables biometric
      evaluation of the effectiveness of cellulite treatment. Traditionally used
      parameters of infrared analysis such as local points of the maximum and minimum
      temperature or the median temperatures are not useful in thermal, biometric
      evaluation of anti-cellulite preparations.

PMID- 27264716
TI  - Evaluation of the tablets' surface flow velocities in pan coaters.
AB  - The tablet pan coating process involves various types of transverse tablet bed
      motions, ranging from rolling to cascading. To preserve satisfactory results in
      terms of coating quality after scale-up, understanding the dynamics of pan
      coating process should be achieved. The aim of this study was to establish a
      methodology of estimating translational surface velocities of the tablets in a
      pan coater and to assess their dependence on the drum's filling degree, the pan
      speed, the presence of baffles and the selected tablet properties in a dry bed
      system and during coating while varying the drum's filling degree and the pan
      speed. Experiments were conducted on the laboratory scale and on the pilot scale
      in side-vented pan coaters. Surface movement of biconvex two-layer tablets was
      assessed before, during and after the process of active coating. In order to
      determine the tablets' surface flow velocities, a high-speed video of the tablet
      surface flow was recorded via a borescope inserted into the coating drum and
      analysed via a cross-correlation algorithm. The obtained tablet velocity data
      were arranged in a linear fashion as a function of the coating drum's radius and
      frequency. Velocity data obtained during coating were close to those of dry
      tablets after coating. The filling degree had little influence on the tablet
      velocity profile in a coating drum with baffles but clearly affected it in a
      coating drum without baffles. In most but not all cases, tablets with a lower
      static angle of repose had tablet velocity profiles with lower slopes than
      tablets with higher inter-tablet friction. This particular tablet velocity
      response can be explained by case specific values of tablet bed's dynamic angle
      of repose. 

PMID- 27264717
TI  - Anti-cancer activity of doxorubicin-loaded liposomes co-modified with transferrin
      and folic acid.
AB  - Cancer-specific drug delivery represents an attractive approach to prevent
      undesirable side-effects and increase the accumulation of the drug in the tumor.
      Surface modification of nanoparticles such as liposomes with targeting moieties
      specific to the up-regulated receptors on the surface of tumor cells thus
      represents an effective strategy. Furthermore, since this receptor expression can
      be heterogeneous, using a dual-combination of targeting moieties may prove
      advantageous. With this in mind, the anti-cancer activity of PEGylated
      doxorubicin-loaded liposomes targeted with folic acid (F), transferrin (Tf) or
      both (F+Tf) was evaluated. The dual-targeted liposomes showed a 7-fold increase
      in cell association compared to either of the single-ligand targeted ones in
      human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell monolayers. The increased penetration and
      cell association of the dual-targeted liposomes were also demonstrated using HeLa
      cell spheroids. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the doxorubicin liposomes (LD) was
      then evaluated using HeLa and A2780-ADR ovarian carcinoma cell monolayers. In
      both these cell lines, the (F+Tf) LD showed significantly higher cytotoxic
      effects than the untargeted, or single-ligand targeted liposomes. In a HeLa
      xenograft model in nude mice, compared to the untreated group, though the
      untargeted LD showed 42% tumor growth inhibition, both the (F) LD and (F+Tf) LD
      showed 75% and 79% tumor growth inhibition respectively. These results thus
      highlight that though the dual-targeted liposomes represent an effective
      cytotoxic formulation in the in vitro setting, they were equally effective as the
      folic acid-targeted liposomes in reducing tumor burden in the more complex in
      vivo setting in this particular model. 

PMID- 27264718
TI  - PPARG gene C161T CT/TT associated with lower blood lipid levels and ischemic
      stroke from large-artery atherosclerosis in a Han population in Guangdong.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) is a
      transcription factor involved in atherosclerosis and related diseases. In this
      study, we aimed to investigate whether PPARG C161T was associated with lipid
      levels and large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) ischemic stroke in a Han Chinese
      population in Guangdong province. METHODS: The genotype PPARG C161T in 149 LAA
      ischemic stroke patients and 125 healthy controls was examined by polymerase
      chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay.
      Associations with LAA ischemic stroke were analyzed for PPARG C161T genotype,
      total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
      (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and a logistic
      regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for LAA ischemic
      stroke. RESULTS: The frequency of CC was higher than that of CT + TT and was
      significantly associated with LAA ischemic stroke. In both the LAA and control
      groups, TC and LDL-C levels were significantly higher in the CC type than the CT
      + TT, but TG and HDL-C levels were comparable. The only verified independent risk
      factors for LAA ischemic stroke were ischemic heart disease (OR: 2.784, 95% CI:
      1.377-5.632; p = 0.004) and systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.014, 95% CI: 1.001
      1.026; p = 0.029); the PPARG C161T allele was not independently associated with
      an increased risk of LAA ischemic stroke (OR = 0.697, 95% CI: 0.372-1.305; p =
      0.260). CONCLUSION: In this Han population, PPARG C161T CT/TT was associated with
      LAA ischemic stroke and lower levels of blood TC and LDL-C, but was not an
      independent risk factor for LAA ischemic stroke.

PMID- 27264719
TI  - SIRT2 mediates NADH-induced increases in Nrf2, GCL, and glutathione by modulating
      Akt phosphorylation in PC12 cells.
AB  - SIRT2 plays important roles in multiple biological processes. It is unclear
      whether SIRT2 affects antioxidant capacity by modulating Nrf2, a key
      transcription factor for multiple antioxidant genes. By studying NADH-treated
      differentiated PC12 cells, we found that NADH induced a significant increase in
      the nuclear Nrf2, which was prevented by both SIRT2 siRNA and SIRT2 inhibitor,
      AGK2. SIRT2 siRNA also blocked the NADH-induced increases in glutamate cysteine
      ligase (GCL) and glutathione. Moreover, SIRT2 siRNA and AGK2 blocked NADH-induced
      Akt phosphorylation, and inhibition of Akt phosphorylation prevented NADH-induced
      increases in the nuclear Nrf2 and glutathione. Collectively, our study shows that
      SIRT2 regulates nuclear Nrf2 levels by modulating Akt phosphorylation, thus
      modulating the levels of GCL and total glutathione.

PMID- 27264720
TI  - Origins of sp(3)C peaks in C1s X-ray Photoelectron Spectra of Carbon Materials.
AB  - X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is among the most powerful techniques to
      analyze defective structures of carbon materials such as graphene and activated
      carbon. However, reported assignments of defects, especially sp(3)C and sp(2)C,
      are questionable. Most reports assign sp(3)C peaks to be higher than sp(2)C
      peaks, whereas a few reports assign sp(3)C peaks to be lower than sp(2)C peaks.
      Our group previously reported that calculated binding energies of sp(3)C were
      basically lower than those of sp(2)C. This work clarified that one of the reasons
      for the prevailing ambiguous assignments of sp(3)C peaks is charging effects of
      diamond.

PMID- 27264721
TI  - Increased peptide YY blood concentrations, not decreased acyl-ghrelin, are
      associated with reduced hunger and food intake in healthy older women:
      Preliminary evidence.
AB  - With ageing there is frequently a loss of appetite, termed anorexia of ageing,
      which can result in under-nutrition. We do not know how appetite control alters
      with ageing. The objective of this study was to investigate whether differences
      in the release of, and response to, gastrointestinal appetite hormones is altered
      in young compared to old healthy volunteers. We hypothesised that an increase in
      PYY and GLP-1 or a decrease ghrelin may result in a decreased appetite. A
      comparative experimental design, using a cross-sectional sample of ages from a
      healthy population, matched for sex and BMI was used. The study compared total
      ghrelin, acyl-ghrelin, PYY, GLP-1 and subjective appetite responses to ingestion
      of a standardised 2781kj (660 kcal) test meal. 31 female volunteers aged between
      21 and 92yrs took part. Multiple linear regression showed that both age and sex
      had an independent effect on energy intake. Subjective appetite scores showed
      that hunger, pleasantness to eat, and prospective food intake were significantly
      lower in the older age groups. PYY incremental area under the curve (IAUC) was
      greater in the oldest old compared to younger ages f(3,27) = 2.9, p = 0.05. No
      differences in GLP-1, ghrelin or acyl-ghrelin were observed in the older compared
      to younger age groups. Our data suggest that there may be increases in
      postprandial PYY(3-36) levels in female octogenarians, potentially resulting in
      reduced appetite. There does not appear to be any change in ghrelin or acyl
      ghrelin concentrations with ageing.

PMID- 27264723
TI  - Hydroxyapatite substituted by transition metals: experiment and theory.
AB  - Bioceramics are versatile materials for hard tissue engineering. Hydroxyapatite
      (HA) is a widely studied biomaterial for bone grafting and tissue engineering
      applications. The crystal structure of HA allows for a wide range of
      substitutions, which allows for tailoring materials properties. Transition metals
      and lanthanides are of interest since substitution in HA can result in magnetic
      properties. In this study, experimental results were compared to theoretical
      calculations of HA substituted with a transition metal. Calculation of a 10
      atomic percent substitution of a transition metal ion Mn(2+), Fe(2+), and Co(2+)
      substituted HA samples lead to magnetic moments of 5, 4, and 3 Bohr magnetons,
      respectively. Hydroxyapatite substituted by transition metals (MHA) was
      fabricated through an ion exchange procedure and characterized with X-ray
      diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer, and results were compared to
      theoretical calculations. All the substitutions resulted in phase-pure M(2+)HA
      with lattice parameters and FTIR spectra in good agreement with calculations.
      Magnetic measurements revealed that the substitution of Mn(2+) has the greatest
      effect on the magnetic properties of HA followed by the substitution of Fe(2+)
      and then Co(2+). The present work underlines the power of synergistic theoretical
      experimental work in guiding the rational design of materials. 

PMID- 27264722
TI  - Both de novo synthetized and exogenous fatty acids support the growth of
      hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although it is well established that fatty acids (FA) are
      indispensable for the proliferation and survival of cancer cells in
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), inhibition of Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) cannot
      completely repress HCC cell growth in culture. Thus, we hypothesized that uptake
      of exogenous FA by cancer cells might play an important role in the development
      and progression of HCC. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is the enzyme that catalyses the
      hydrolysis of triglycerides into free fatty acids (FFA) and increases the
      cellular uptake of FA. METHODS: We used immunohistochemistry and quantitative
      reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate LPL
      expression in human and mouse HCC samples. Using lipoprotein-deficient medium as
      well as siRNAs against LPL and/or FASN, we investigated whether human HCC cells
      depend on both endogenous and exogenous fatty acids for survival in vitro.
      RESULTS: We found that LPL is upregulated in mouse and human HCC samples. High
      expression of LPL in human HCC samples is associated with poor prognosis. In HCC
      cell lines, silencing of FASN or LPL or culturing the cells in lipoprotein
      deficient medium significantly decreased cell proliferation. Importantly, when
      FASN suppression was coupled to concomitant LPL depletion, the growth restraint
      of cell lines was further augmented. CONCLUSIONS: The present study strongly
      suggests that both de novo synthetized and exogenous FA play a major role along
      hepatocarcinogenesis. Thus, combined suppression of LPL and FASN might be highly
      beneficial for the treatment of human HCC.

PMID- 27264724
TI  - Elevated serum cathepsin B concentration in pregnant women is associated with
      preeclampsia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the circulating levels of cathepsins B and D in preeclamptic
      and normotensive pregnancies. METHODS: Seventy-two pregnant patients were
      enrolled in this study. Of the 72 pregnant patients, 25 were preeclamptic and 47
      patients were normotensive. Serum levels of soluble cathepsins B and D were
      measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS:
      Cathepsin B levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic women than
      normotensive pregnant women (125.9 vs. 41.9 ng/mL; p = 0.013). The serum levels
      of cathepsin D were lower in preeclamptic women, but the differences were not
      significant (129.3 vs. 200.9 ng/mL; p = 0.077). However, cathepsin B and D levels
      were not correlated with severity of preeclampsia and small for gestational age.
      The serum levels of cathepsin D were inversely correlated with uric acid in
      preeclamptic patients (r = -0.527; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The serum levels of
      cathepsin B levels were increased significantly in preeclamptic women.
      Correlation with severity of preeclampsia needs further investigation to clarify
      the role of cathepsin B.

PMID- 27264725
TI  - Controlled Release Oral Delivery of Apigenin Containing Pellets with Antioxidant
      Activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug delivery of phytochemicals has gained interest recently due to
      their remarkable health effects. Apigenin, a plant flavonoid, has antioxidant,
      anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities but its delivery is challenging. It
      could be absorbed through the whole intestine, however, it has poor
      bioavailability due to its low aqueous solubility. In Europe, the daily intake
      was estimated to be as low as 3 +/- 1 mg. Pellets offer several advantages such
      as improved bioavailability and various resultant drug release profiles can be
      obtained by simply mixing pellets with different coatings. OBJECTIVE: The
      objective of our study was to develop a carrier system containing 20 mg apigenin
      thus enhancing intake and to offer reduction of oxidative stress which can cause
      inflammation in the intestine. METHOD: The apigenin powder was dispersed in
      aqueous solution of binding material and layered onto the inert cores in a
      fluidized bed apparatus. The layered cores were further coated with enteric
      polymers and the process parameters were optimized. RESULTS: The prepared pellets
      met with the requirements and have good physical characteristic. 10% (w/w)
      Eudragit(r) L was suitable for enteric coating with a complete release at pH 6.8
      within 1 hour. 15% (w/w) Eudragit(r) FS coating ensured acid resistance ability
      and colonic delivery. The therapeutic efficiency was confirmed with antioxidant
      activity measurement by using DPPH* assay. CONCLUSION: Enteric coated spheres
      allow targeted delivery into the intestine and colon thus reaching the main
      absorption site. Pellets were proved to be an optimal delivery system for
      apigenin thus providing enhanced apigenin intake.

PMID- 27264726
TI  - Chemical Engineering in the "BIO" World.
AB  - Modern Chemical Engineering was born around the end of the 19th century in Great
      Britain, Germany, and the USA, the most industrialized countries at that time.
      Milton C. Whitaker, in 1914, affirmed that the difference between Chemistry and
      Chemical Engineering lies in the capability of chemical engineers to transfer
      laboratory findings to the industrial level. Since then, Chemical Engineering
      underwent huge transformations determining the detachment from the original
      Chemistry nest. The beginning of the sixties of the 20th century saw the
      development of a new branch of Chemical Engineering baptized Biomedical
      Engineering by Peppas and Langer and that now we can name Biological Engineering.
      Interestingly, although Biological Engineering focused on completely different
      topics from Chemical Engineering ones, it resorted to the same theoretical tools
      such as, for instance, mass, energy and momentum balances. Thus, the birth of
      Biological Engineering may be considered as a Darwinian evolution of Chemical
      Engineering similar to that experienced by mammals which, returning to water,
      used legs and arms to swim. From 1960 on, Biological Engineering underwent a
      considerable evolution as witnessed by the great variety of topics covered such
      as hemodialysis, release of synthetic drugs, artificial organs and, more
      recently, delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNA). This review, based on the
      activities developed in the frame of our PRIN 2010-11 (20109PLMH2) project, tries
      to recount origins and evolution of Chemical Engineering illustrating several
      examples of recent and successful applications in the biological field. This, in
      turn, may stimulate the discussion about the Chemical Engineering students
      curriculum studiorum update.

PMID- 27264728
TI  - New insights into the hepatitis E virus genotype 3 phylodynamics and evolutionary
      history.
AB  - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emergent hepatotropic virus endemic mainly in Asia
      and other developing areas. However, in the last decade it has been increasingly
      reported in high-income countries. Human infecting HEV strains are currently
      classified into four genotypes (1-4). Genotype 3 (HEV-3) is the prevalent virus
      genotype and the mostly associated with autochthonous and sporadic cases of HEV
      in developed areas. The evolutionary history of HEV worldwide remains largely
      unknown. In this study we reconstructed the spatiotemporal and population
      dynamics of HEV-3 at global scale, but with particular emphasis in South America,
      where case reports have increased dramatically in the last years. To achieve
      this, we applied a Bayesian coalescent-based approach to a comprehensive data set
      comprising 97 GenBank HEV-3 sequences for which the location and sampling date
      was documented. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that the worldwide genetic
      diversity of HEV-3 can be grouped into two main Clades (I and II) with a Tmrca
      dated in approximately 320years ago (95% HPD: 420-236years) and that a unique
      independent introduction of HEV-3 seems to have occurred in Uruguay, where most
      of the human HEV cases in South America have been described. The phylodynamic
      inference indicates that the population size of this virus suffered substantial
      temporal variations after the second half of the 20th century. In this sense and
      conversely to what is postulated to date, we suggest that the worldwide effective
      population size of HEV-3 is not decreasing and that frequently sources of error
      in its estimates stem from assumptions that the analyzed sequences are derived
      from a single panmictic population. Novel insights on the global population
      dynamics of HEV are given. Additionally, this work constitutes an attempt to
      further describe in a Bayesian coalescent framework, the phylodynamics and
      evolutionary history of HEV-3 in the South American region.

PMID- 27264727
TI  - Common occurrence of Cryptosporidium hominis in horses and donkeys.
AB  - Extensive genetic variation is observed within the genus Cryptosporidium and the
      distribution of Cryptosporidium species/genotypes in humans and animals appears
      to vary by geography and host species. To better understand the genetic diversity
      of Cryptosporidium spp. in horses and donkeys, we characterized five horse
      derived and 82 donkey-derived Cryptosporidium isolates from five provinces or
      autonomous regions (Sichuan, Gansu, Henan, Inner Mongolia and Shandong) in China
      at the species/genotype and subtype levels. Three Cryptosporidium
      species/genotypes were identified based on the analysis of the SSU rRNA gene,
      including Cryptosporidium parvum (n=22), the Cryptosporidium horse genotype
      (n=4), and Cryptosporidium hominis (n=61). The identification of C. hominis was
      confirmed by sequence analysis of the HSP70 and actin genes. Subtyping using
      sequence analysis of the 60kDa glycoprotein gene identified 21 C. parvum isolates
      as subtype IIdA19G1, the four horse genotype isolates as subtypes VIaA15G4 (n=2)
      and VIaA11G3 (n=2), and the 61 C. hominis isolates as IkA16G1 (n=59) and IkA16
      (n=2). The common finding of C. hominis reaffirms the heterogeneity of
      Cryptosporidium spp. in horses and donkeys and is possibly a reflection of
      endemic transmission of C. hominis in these animals. Data of the study suggest
      that horses and donkeys as companion animals may potentially transmit
      Cryptosporidium infections to humans.

PMID- 27264729
TI  - High glucose levels affect spermatogenesis: an in vitro approach.
AB  - Besides known factors that may cause male infertility, systemic diseases such as
      diabetes mellitus may further exacerbate a decline in male fertility. This
      metabolic disease, clinically characterised by a hyperglycaemic phenotype, has
      devastating consequences in terms of human health, with reproductive dysfunction
      being one of the associated clinical complications. Nonetheless, the mechanisms
      responsible for such alterations are still poorly understood due to the
      multiplicity of factors involved in the induced pathophysiological changes. With
      this in mind, we focused on the main mediator of diabetes-associated alterations
      and performed an in vitro approach to address the effects of high glucose
      conditions on spermatogenesis, avoiding other confounding in vivo factors. Mouse
      (5 days post partum) testis fragments were cultured on agar gel stands at a gas
      liquid interface with either 5, 25 or 50mM D-glucose for 3 weeks. Stereological
      analysis revealed that high D-glucose levels increased Sertoli cell number
      (P<0.05) and decreased tubular luminal area (P<0.01), suggesting an impairment of
      this somatic cell type. Moreover, higher proliferative activity in a TM4 Sertoli
      cell line exposed to high D-glucose was found (P<0.05) without compromising cell
      viability (P>0.05), further suggesting altered Sertoli cell maturation. Overall,
      high D-glucose concentrations may lead to impairment of Sertoli cell function,
      which, given their significant role in spermatogenic control, may compromise male
      fertility.

PMID- 27264730
TI  - Unrecognized diversity in New Guinean crayfish species (Decapoda, Parastacidae):
      The evidence from molecular data.
AB  - The phylogenetic relationships among imported ornamental crayfish belonging to
      the genus Cherax were inferred from a combined dataset of 3 mitochondrial genes
      (COI, 16S and 12S) and by comparison with available GenBank sequences of 14
      Cherax species. Furthermore, the concordance of previously described species
      obtained from a wholesaler (Cherax boesemani, C. holthuisi and C. peknyi) with
      available GenBank sequences was verified based on COI with special respect to
      comparison with sequences assigned as Cherax species. Recently described species
      C. gherardiae, C. pulcher and C. subterigneus belong to the northern group of
      Cherax species. Comparison and analysis with other GenBank COI sequences show
      previously unreported diversity of New Guinean species, suggesting 5 putative new
      species. Surprisingly, species assigned to the subgenus Astaconephrops do not
      form a monophyletic clade; this subgenus should be reappraised relative to the
      purported typical morphological characteristic of the uncalcified patch on male
      chelae. Increasing importation of crayfish underscores the importance of accurate
      species identification. Use of basic molecular methods is a necessary requisite
      for documenting occurrence, abundance and population trends of target species.
      Consequently, it helps to support eventual conservation decision-making by
      stakeholders.

PMID- 27264731
TI  - Chronic Effects of Blast-Related TBI on Subcortical Functional Connectivity in
      Veterans.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Blast explosions are the most frequent mechanism of traumatic brain
      injury (TBI) in recent wars, but little is known about their long-term effects.
      METHODS: Functional connectivity (FC) was measured in 17 veterans an average of
      5.46 years after their most serious blast related TBI, and in 15 demographically
      similar veterans without TBI or blast exposure. Subcortical FC was measured in
      bilateral caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus. The default mode and fronto
      parietal networks were also investigated. RESULTS: In subcortical regions,
      between-groups t tests revealed altered FC from the right putamen and right
      globus pallidus. However, following analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age,
      depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and posttraumatic
      stress disorder symptom (PTSD Checklist - Civilian version) measures, significant
      findings remained only for the right globus pallidus with anticorrelation in
      bilateral temporal occipital fusiform cortex, occipital fusiform gyrus, lingual
      gyrus, and cerebellum, as well as the right occipital pole. No group differences
      were found for the default mode network. Although reduced FC was found in the
      fronto-parietal network in the TBI group, between-group differences were
      nonsignificant after the ANCOVA. CONCLUSIONS: FC of the globus pallidus is
      altered years after exposure to blast related TBI. Future studies are necessary
      to explore the trajectory of changes in FC in subcortical regions after blast
      TBI, the effects of isolated versus repetitive blast-related TBI, and the
      relation to long-term outcomes in veterans. (JINS, 2016, 22, 631-642).

PMID- 27264732
TI  - Primary clear cell sarcoma of the head and neck: a case series with review of the
      literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clear cell sarcoma typically arises in deep soft tissues of the
      foot/ankle. Primary head and neck clear cell sarcoma is rare. We report three
      molecularly confirmed primary head and neck clear cell sarcoma and review the
      literature. METHODS: Head and neck clear cell sarcoma with no primary elsewhere
      were retrieved from archival/consultation files. English language literature
      review of all reported head and neck clear cell sarcoma was performed. RESULTS:
      Three cases were identified. The tumors, all in men, presented on the scalp of a
      33-year-old, face of a 20-year-old and tongue of a 44-year-old. Tumors ranged
      from 0.6 to 1.4 cm. All had typical features of clear cell sarcoma, including
      nests of tumor cells divided by fibrous septae. One had multinucleated wreath
      like giant cells. One had a focal junctional component. Immunohistochemistry was
      positive for S100 (three out of three), HMB45 (three out of three) and Melan-A
      (two out of three). All had EWSR1 rearrangements by fluorescence in situ
      hybridization. Follow up available for one patient revealed no evidence of
      disease after wide excision and radiation. Seven additional reported cases were
      identified and tabulated. CONCLUSION: Head and neck clear cell sarcoma is rare
      but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nested tumors with
      fibrous septae. Molecular analysis should be considered for definitive diagnosis
      regardless of location.

PMID- 27264733
TI  - Erratum: The somatic mutation profiles of 2,433 breast cancers refine their
      genomic and transcriptomic landscapes.

PMID- 27264734
TI  - Identification of differentially expressed genes from multipotent epithelia at
      the onset of an asexual development.
AB  - Organisms that have evolved alternative modes of reproduction, complementary to
      the sexual mode, are found across metazoans. The chordate Botryllus schlosseri is
      an emerging model for asexual development studies. Botryllus can rebuild its
      entire body from a portion of adult epithelia in a continuous and stereotyped
      process called blastogenesis. Anatomy and ontogenies of blastogenesis are well
      described, however molecular signatures triggering this developmental process are
      entirely unknown. We isolated tissues at the site of blastogenesis onset and from
      the same epithelia where this process is never triggered. We linearly amplified
      an ultra-low amount of mRNA (<10ng) and generated three transcriptome datasets.
      To provide a conservative landscape of transcripts differentially expressed
      between blastogenic vs. non-blastogenic epithelia we compared three different
      mapping and analysis strategies with a de novo assembled transcriptome and
      partially assembled genome as references, additionally a self-mapping strategy on
      the dataset. A subset of differentially expressed genes were analyzed and
      validated by in situ hybridization. The comparison of different analyses allowed
      us to isolate stringent sets of target genes, including transcripts with
      potential involvement in the onset of a non-embryonic developmental pathway. The
      results provide a good entry point to approach regenerative event in a basal
      chordate.

PMID- 27264735
TI  - Direct and indirect vitamin A supplementation strategies result in different
      plasma and tissue retinol kinetics in neonatal rats.
AB  - Many questions remain regarding vitamin A (VA) supplementation of infants. Herein
      we compared direct oral VA supplementation of the neonate and indirect treatment
      through maternal dietary VA (M-VA) treatment on VA status and kinetics in
      neonatal rats. Treatments included direct VA combined with retinoic acid (RA) [D
      VARA; VA (6 mg/kg) + 10% RA, given orally to neonates on postnatal day (P)2 and
      P3] and indirect VA supplementation through increased M-VA, compared with each
      other and oil-treated neonates. [(3)H]retinol was administered orally to all
      neonates on P4. Plasma and tissue [(3)H]retinol kinetics were determined from 1 h
      to 14 days post-dosing. D-VARA versus placebo dramatically increased liver and
      lung retinol, but only in the first 8-10 days. In M-VA neonates, liver and lung
      VA increased progressively throughout the study. Compartmental modeling of plasma
      [(3)H]retinol showed that both D-VARA and indirect M-VA reduced retinol recycling
      between plasma and tissues. Compartmental models of individual tissues predicted
      that D-VARA stimulated the uptake of VA in chylomicrons to extrahepatic tissues,
      especially intestine, while the uptake was not observed in M-VA neonates. In
      conclusion, indirect maternal supplementation had a greater sustained effect than
      D-VARA on neonatal VA status, while also differentially affecting plasma and
      tissue retinol kinetics.

PMID- 27264736
TI  - Development of a mouse-feline chimeric antibody against feline tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha.
AB  - Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal inflammatory disease caused by FIP
      virus infection. Feline tumor necrosis factor (fTNF)-alpha is closely involved in
      the aggravation of FIP pathology. We previously described the preparation of
      neutralizing mouse anti-fTNF-alpha monoclonal antibody (mAb 2-4) and clarified
      its role in the clinical condition of cats with FIP using in vitro systems.
      However, administration of mouse mAb 2-4 to cat may lead to a production of
      feline anti-mouse antibodies. In the present study, we prepared a mouse-feline
      chimeric mAb (chimeric mAb 2-4) by fusing the variable region of mouse mAb 2-4 to
      the constant region of feline antibody. The chimeric mAb 2-4 was confirmed to
      have fTNF-alpha neutralization activity. Purified mouse mAb 2-4 and chimeric mAb
      2-4 were repeatedly administered to cats, and the changes in the ability to
      induce feline anti-mouse antibody response were investigated. In the serum of
      cats treated with mouse mAb 2-4, feline anti-mouse antibody production was
      induced, and the fTNF-alpha neutralization effect of mouse mAb 2-4 was reduced.
      In contrast, in cats treated with chimeric mAb 2-4, the feline anti-mouse
      antibody response was decreased compared to that of mouse mAb 2-4-treated cats.

PMID- 27264737
TI  - Subcutaneous rhabdomyosarcoma in an old rabbit.
AB  - An 11-year-old castrated male rabbit presented with a subcutaneous mass in the
      right hind limb. The mass comprised solid and myxoid areas. Solid areas were
      characterized by a storiform or interlacing pattern of spindle cells, strap
      cells, multinucleated giant cells and round cells with eccentrically located
      nuclei, whereas the myxoid areas were composed predominantly of elongated
      fusiform cells with hyperchromatic nuclei embedded in Alcian Blue-positive myxoid
      stroma. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells in both areas were positive for desmin
      and vimentin. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells in the solid areas had abundant
      myofilaments with electron dense Z-band structures. Based on these pathological
      findings, this case was diagnosed as rhabdomyosarcoma in a rabbit.

PMID- 27264738
TI  - Does bovine besnoitiosis affect the sexual function of chronically infected
      bulls?
AB  - Bovine besnoitiosis is a reemerging disease in Europe. The clinically Besnoitia
      besnoiti infection in bulls is characterized by fever, nasal discharge, and
      orchitis in the acute phase and by scleroderma in the chronic phase. However, in
      many bulls, B besnoiti infection remains at a subclinical stage. Bull infertility
      is an economically relevant consequence of besnoitiosis infection. It is not
      clear, however, if semen quality returns to normal levels when infected animals
      have clinically recovered. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship
      between chronic besnoitiosis and bull sexual function in a region of eastern
      France, where the disease is reemerging, by comparing semen quality and genital
      lesions in 11 uninfected, 17 subclinically infected, and 12 clinically infected
      bulls. The presence of anti-B besnoiti antibodies was detected by Western blot
      test. Semen was collected by electroejaculation. Bulls clinically infected with B
      besnoiti showed significantly more genital tract alterations than uninfected or
      subclinically infected bulls. No relationship was evidenced between besnoitiosis
      infectious status and semen quality, whereas a significant relationship was noted
      between genital lesions and semen score. This means that in the absence of
      moderate to severe genital lesions, chronic bovine besnoitiosis is unlikely to
      alter semen quality. However, as the presence of infected animals could lead to
      spread of the disease, culling or separation of clinically infected bulls from
      the remaining healthy animals is strongly recommended. 

PMID- 27264739
TI  - Identification of vessel degeneration and endometrosis in the equine endometrium,
      using narrow-band imaging hysteroscopy.
AB  - In this study, endometrosis and angiosclerosis in mares were studied.
      Endometrosis is a severe, progressive, and irreversible fibrotic condition that
      affects the endometrium, whereas angiosclerosis refers to thickening of vessel
      walls due to degenerative changes leading to reduced elasticity of the walls and
      lower perfusion. Histologic evaluations were performed on biopsies and compared
      with vascular features of the endometrial surface obtained via narrow-band
      imaging (NBI) hysteroscopy. First, it was determined if hysteroscopic evaluation
      of the endometrium using NBI resulted in a better visualization of the vascular
      pattern (i.e., vessel-versus-background contrast was increased) compared with
      using white light. This was found to be the case for examinations in vivo (n =
      10), but not when using abattoir uteri (n = 3). In the second part of this study,
      it was determined if vascular densities and sizes as derived from NBI images
      could be used as indicators for the degree of degenerative changes of the equine
      endometrium and its vessels. Narrow-band imaging hysteroscopic evaluations were
      performed (n = 10), and endometrial biopsies (n = 32) were collected. Histologic
      specimens were evaluated for degree of endometrosis and angiosclerosis, and they
      were classified in Kenney categories. Narrow-band imaging images were analyzed
      for vascular pattern. Samples classified to Kenney category I, or without signs
      of vessel degeneration, had significantly higher vascular densities than samples
      from Kenney category IIa or with angiosclerosis. In conclusion, narrow-band
      imaging facilitates enhanced visualization of the vasculature of the equine
      endometrium during hysteroscopies, which has applications in detection of
      endometrosis and angiosclerosis. 

PMID- 27264740
TI  - Lentiviral transgenesis in mice via a simple method of viral concentration.
AB  - Transgenic animals are important in vivo models for biological research. However,
      low transgenic rates are commonly reported in the literature. Lentiviral
      transgenesis is a promising method that has greater efficiency with regard to
      generating transgenic animals, although the transgenic rate of this approach is
      highly dependent on different transgenes and concentrated lentiviruses. In this
      study, we modified a method to concentrate lentiviruses using a table centrifuge,
      commonly available in most laboratories, and carried out analysis of the
      transgenic efficiency in mice. Based on 26 individual constructs and 627 live
      pups, we found that the overall transgenic rate was more than 30%, which is
      higher than obtained with pronuclear microinjection. In addition, we did not find
      any significant differences in transgenic efficiency when the size of inserts was
      less than 5000 bp. These results not only show that our modified method can
      successfully generate transgenic mice but also suggest that this approach could
      be generally applied to different constructs when the size of inserts is less
      than 5000 bp. It is anticipated that the results of this study can help encourage
      the wider laboratory use of lentiviral transgenesis in mice. 

PMID- 27264741
TI  - Blastocyst recovery and multifactorial gene expression analysis in the wild
      guinea pig (Cavia aperea).
AB  - The expression of specific developmentally important genes in preimplantation
      embryos is an accepted marker for unraveling the influence of single factors in
      studies that are mostly related to artificial reproduction techniques. Such
      studies, however, often reveal high levels of heterogeneity between single
      embryos, independently of the influence of factors of interest. A possible
      explanation for this variation could be the large variety of physiological and
      environmental factors to which early embryos are exposed and their ability to
      react to them. Here, we investigated several potentially important parameters of
      development at the same time, in blastocysts of the wild guinea pig (Cavia
      aperea) generated in vivo after natural mating. The optimal time for flushing
      fully developed blastocysts was between 123 and 126 hours after mating. The
      abundance of POU5F1 (P = 0.042), BAX (P < 0.001), SLC2A1 (P = 0.017), and DNMT3A
      (P < 0.001) mRNA changed significantly over time after mating. The number of
      sibling embryos present influenced STAT3 levels significantly (P = 0.02). Levels
      of BAX and POU5F1 were significantly affected by season (P = 0.03 and 0.04). The
      temporal pattern of SLC2A1 levels was significantly altered both after feeding a
      protein-deficient diet (P = 0.04) and temperature treatment (P = 0.04) of the
      sire. In addition, the identity of the father had a significant influence on
      POU5F1 (P = 0.049) and STAT3 (P < 0.001) mRNA abundances. These data report that
      the expression of specific genes in early embryos reflects the entire
      heterogeneity of their surroundings and that it is a plastic reaction toward a
      multifactorial environment. 

PMID- 27264742
TI  - Facile "one-pot" synthesis of poly(methacrylic acid)-based hybrid monolith via
      thiol-ene click reaction for hydrophilic interaction chromatography.
AB  - A novel sol-gel "one-pot" approach in tandem with a radical-mediated thiol-ene
      reaction for the synthesis of a methacrylic acid-based hybrid monolith was
      developed. The polymerization monomers, tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and 3
      mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTS), were hydrolyzed in high-concentration
      methacrylic acid solution that also served as a hydrophilic functional monomer.
      The resulting solution was then mixed with initiator (2, 2'-azobis (2
      methylpropionamide) dihydrochloride) and porogen (urea, polyethylene glycol
      20,000) in a capillary column and polymerized in water bath. The column had a
      uniform porous structure and a good permeability. The evaluation of the monolith
      was performed by separation of small molecules including nucleosides, phenols,
      amides, bases and Triton X-100. The calibration curves for uridine, inosine,
      adenosine and cytidine were determined. All the calibration curves exhibited good
      linear regressions (R(2)>=0.995) within the test ranges of 0.5-40MUg/mL for four
      nucleosides. Additionaliy, atypical hydrophilic mechanism was proved by elution
      order from low to high according to polarity retention time increased with
      increases in the content of the organic solvent in the mobile phase. Further
      studies indicated that hydrogen bond and electrostatic interactions existed
      between the polar analytes and the stationary phase. This was the mechanism of
      retention. The excellent separation of the BSA digest showed good hydrophility of
      the column and indicated the potential in separation of complex biological
      samples. 

PMID- 27264743
TI  - Features of a truxene-based stationary phase in capillary gas chromatography for
      separation of some challenging isomers.
AB  - Herein we report the first example of exploring truxene-based derivatives for gas
      chromatographic (GC) separations. The fabricated thiophene-functionalized truxene
      (TFT) column exhibited weak polarity and efficiencies as high as 4000plates/m for
      0.250mm i.d. columns. TFT column showed preferential retention for halogenated
      and alkyl benzene analytes, and especially, high resolving capability for the
      xylene isomers, di- and trichlorobiphenyls (di-CB and tri-CB) isomers.
      Interestingly, its unique retentions for the latter analytes were found to be
      closely related with their dihedral angles and the locations of chlorine atoms.
      This finding on the retention trend has not been reported in GC separations,
      which may provide a new perspective in elucidating retention behaviours for
      specific analytes. Moreover, TFT column exhibited high thermal stability up to
      320 degrees C and excellent repeatability. This work demonstrates the promising
      future of truxene derivatives in the separation science. 

PMID- 27264744
TI  - Development of an ion-pair liquid chromatography-high resolution mass
      spectrometry method for determination of organophosphate pesticide metabolites in
      large-scale biomonitoring studies.
AB  - Organophosphate based pesticides are widely used in the agricultural sector, and
      exposure to these chemicals is common for the general population. Pesticides are
      toxic due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterases, and the potential for
      adverse health effects have been investigated in past and recent studies. Human
      biomonitoring of organophosphate pesticide exposure is carried out through the
      determination of the metabolites in urine (dialkylphosphates, DAPs). Hereby we
      present a new method for determination of the 6 non-specific metabolites dimethyl
      phosphate (DMP), diethyl phosphate (DEP), dimethyl thiophosphate (DMTP), diethyl
      thiophosphate (DETP), dimethyl dithiophosphate (DMDTP), and diethyl
      dithiophosphate (DEDTP) in urine based on off-line solid phase extraction (anion
      exchange, 96-well plates) followed by ion-pair ultra-performance liquid
      chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Recoveries and accuracies in
      control urine spiked at 5ng/mL ranged from 48% to109% and from 91% to 115%,
      respectively. The method limits of detection for the DAPs were 1.2ng/mL for DMP,
      0.38ng/mL for DEP, 0.20ng/mL for DMTP, 0.33ng/mL for DETP, 0.64ng/mL for DMDTP,
      and 0.15ng/mL for DEDTP. The method was applied to samples from a Norwegian
      mother/child study group (n=48/56) and the DAPs detection frequencies in urine
      from mothers and children were about: 40% for DMP, 95% for DEP, 96% for DMTP, 50%
      for DETP, 15% for DMDTP, and 1% for DEDTP. In both mothers and children, the most
      abundant DAPs were DMTP (median 2.4/5.2ng/mL) and DEP (median 2.6/3.4ng/mL)
      followed by DMP (median 1.5/2.1ng/mL). The SG corrected concentrations of DEP and
      DETP in mothers were statistically higher than in children (p-value<0.05; Mann
      Whitney test) which might suggest a higher exposure to pesticides in these
      mothers, or significant differences in toxicokinetics between adults and
      children. The method was proven robust and suitable for large-scale biomonitoring
      studies. 

PMID- 27264745
TI  - Quantification of active infliximab in human serum with liquid chromatography
      tandem mass spectrometry using a tumor necrosis factor alpha -based pre
      analytical sample purification and a stable isotopic labeled infliximab bio
      similar as internal standard: A target-based, sensitive and cost-effective
      method.
AB  - The therapeutic monoclonal antibody Infliximab (IFX) is a widely used drug for
      the treatment of several inflammatory autoimmune diseases. However, approximately
      10% of patients develop anti-infliximab antibodies (ATIs) rendering the treatment
      ineffective. Early detection of underexposure to unbound IFX would result in a
      timely switch of therapy which could aid in the treatment of this disease.
      Streptavidin coated 96 well plates were used to capture biotinylated-tumor
      necrosis factor -alpha (b-TNF-alpha), which in turn was used to selectively
      extract the active form of IFX in human serum. After elution, IFX was digested
      using trypsin and one signature peptide was selected for subsequent analysis on
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The internal standard
      used was a stable isotopic labeled IFX bio-similar. The assay was successfully
      validated according to European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines and was found
      to be linear in a range of 0.5-20MUg/mL (r(2)=0.994). Lower limit of
      quantification for the assay (<20% CV) was 0.5MUg/mL, requiring only 2MUL of
      sample. Cross-validation against enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
      resulted in a high correlation between methods (r(2)=0.95 with a rhoc=0.83) and
      the accuracy was in line with previously published results. In conclusion, a
      sensitive, robust and cost-effective method was developed for the bio-analysis of
      IFX with LC-MS/MS by means of a target-based pre-analytical sample purification.
      Moreover, low volume and costs of consumables per sample promote its feasibility
      in (pre)clinical studies and in therapeutic drug monitoring. This method should
      be considered as first choice due to its accuracy and multiple degree of
      selectivity. 

PMID- 27264748
TI  - Hematopoietic Stem Cells Transplantationin Neurodegenerative Diseases.

PMID- 27264746
TI  - Supersonic Dislocation Bursts in Silicon.
AB  - Dislocations are the primary agents of permanent deformation in crystalline
      solids. Since the theoretical prediction of supersonic dislocations over half a
      century ago, there is a dearth of experimental evidence supporting their
      existence. Here we use non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of shocked
      silicon to reveal transient supersonic partial dislocation motion at
      approximately 15 km/s, faster than any previous in-silico observation.
      Homogeneous dislocation nucleation occurs near the shock front and supersonic
      dislocation motion lasts just fractions of picoseconds before the dislocations
      catch the shock front and decelerate back to the elastic wave speed. Applying a
      modified analytical equation for dislocation evolution we successfully predict a
      dislocation density of 1.5 * 10(12) cm(-2) within the shocked volume, in
      agreement with the present simulations and realistic in regards to prior and on
      going recovery experiments in silicon.

PMID- 27264747
TI  - Hot topics in lupus nephropathy: Responses from a new 2015 Spanish guideline.

PMID- 27264750
TI  - Cell-Cell Interactions in Thrombosis: Modulation of Platelet Function and
      Possibilities of Pharmacological Control with Aspirin.

PMID- 27264749
TI  - Natural Coagulation Inhibitors and Inflammation.

PMID- 27264751
TI  - The Role of Antithrombin Agents and Factor Xa-Inhibitors in Antithrombotic
      Treatment.
AB  - Hirudin, the first specific thrombin inhibitor, which was used clinically, stems
      from medicinal leeches and is produced today by recombinant technology. R
      hirudins have been studied in many clinical trials. R-hirudin has been shown to
      be more effective than low molecular weight heparin in the prevention of deep
      venous thrombosis after total hip replacement. In acute coronary syndromes
      hirudin and the chimeric oligoaminoacid peptide bivalirudin have also been
      effective. In acute coronary syndromes and when administered together with
      aspirin high doses of hirudin were associated with an increased risk of bleeding.
      Hirudin and argatroban successfully prevented thrombotic episodes in patients
      with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II. Several new orally active specific
      thrombin inhibitors are in development. The combined use of subcutaneous and oral
      administration of ximelagatran in patients with hip or knee replacement has led
      to promising results. It seems likely that in the future oral thrombin inhibitors
      may replace vitamin K-antagonists in some indications. The pentasaccharide
      fondaparinux is an indirect inhibitor of F Xa. Its anticoagulant and
      antithrombotic effect depends on the activation of antithrombin. Fondaparinux has
      shown remarkable antithrombotic efficacy in patients with high risk orthopedic
      surgery and has been approved in the US and in Europe. Several new low molecular
      weight specific F Xa-inhibitors are in different stages of development for i.v.
      and oral use. 

PMID- 27264752
TI  - Role of Iron Chelation Therapy in Thalassemia Major.

PMID- 27264754
TI  - Vascular Haematology: The Growing Discipline at the Interface of Cardiology and
      Haematology.

PMID- 27264753
TI  - Immunobiology and Pathophysiology of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia/ Thrombosis
      Syndrome-An Update.
AB  - Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) syndrome is one of the more frequent and
      dangerous autoimmune complications of heparin therapy in clinical setting. It is
      now widely accepted that heparins are capable of complexing with endogenous
      chemokines and modify at molecular level to trigger the HIT-associated antibodies
      responsible for pathogenesis. Newer evidence suggests a functional heterogeneity
      in the HIT antibodies. Besides platelet factor IV (PF IV), there are several
      endogenous factors, which are responsible for the upregulation of HIT antibodies
      in various prophylactic and therapeutic regimens. While the pathophysiology and
      the mechanisms of action in HIT are rather complex, the role of IgG subtype
      antibodies is clearly established in mediating the pathogenesis. Currently
      available antithrombin drugs seem to be promising therapeutic modalities to
      combat the severe thrombotic episode and platelet activation associated with HIT.
      The clinical relevance of the pathologically nonfunctional HIT antibodies and the
      mechanism(s) of their formation, in terms of both correlative evidence and causal
      relationships, need further investigation. 

PMID- 27264755
TI  - Development of a Synthetic Heparin Pentasaccharide: Fondaparinux.
AB  - Fondaparinux (Arixtra(r); Sanofi-Synthelabo/Organon) is the first of a new class
      of antithrombotic agents distinct from low molecular weight (LMW) heparins and
      heparin. It is a synthetic pentasaccharide mimicking the site of heparin that
      binds to antithrombin III (AT). It is homogeneous with a molecular weight of 1728
      Da. It exhibits only factor (F) Xa inhibitor activity via binding to AT, which in
      turn inhibits thrombin generation. It does not inhibit thrombin, release TFPI, or
      possess other actions of heparin. Low AT levels can limit the efficacy of
      fondaparinux. There is nearly complete bioavailability subcutaneously, rapid
      onset of action, a prolonged half-life (15- 20 h) and no metabolism preceding
      renal excretion. Elderly and renal impaired patients have reduced clearance. The
      PT, aPTT and ACT are not affected by fondaparinux; anti-FXa assays are used if
      needed. Phase IIb clinical studies have identified a fixed dose of 2.5 mg once
      daily for prophylaxis of venous thrombosis without monitoring. Four phase III
      studies (n > 7000) demonstrated a combined 55% relative risk reduction of venous
      thromboembolic events in orthopedic surgery patients in comparison to the LMW
      heparin enoxaparin. Hemorrhagic complications for fondaparinux were either
      comparable to or higher than that for LMW heparin. The US FDA and the European
      CPMP have approved fondaparinux for prophylaxis of venous thrombosis after
      orthopedic surgery with limitations of use in elderly, low weight, renal impaired
      patients and in those receiving spinal anesthesia. Marketing is expected in
      Spring 2002. Clinical trials for treatment of established thrombosis, coronary
      syndromes and adjunct to thrombolytic therapy are in progress. 

PMID- 27264757
TI  - Anticoagulation (ECAA): Studies on Computer-Assisted Anticoagulant Dosage.

PMID- 27264756
TI  - The Role of Thrombolytic Drugs in the Management of Acute Myocardial Infarction
      and Stroke.

PMID- 27264758
TI  - Looking Backwards to the Future: The WHO Haemoglobin Colour Scale.
AB  - The Haemoglobin Colour Scale was developed for WHO as a simple, cheap, pocket
      sized device for providing a reading of haemoglobin within 1 g/dL of true value.
      It is intended for the clinician/health worker without easy access to a
      laboratory, and it thus has an important role in management of anaemia in
      peripheral health services, especially in under-resourced areas, as well as in
      antenatal and child health programmes, in screening blood donors and for point-of
      care anaemia checks anywhere. An international validation trial and other studies
      have confirmed its reliabilty when tested against reference haemoglobinometry. It
      is much more reliable than clinical examination in assessing the severity of
      anaemia and it has advantages over copper sulphate in blood donor screening. 

PMID- 27264759
TI  - Haemophilia in Greece. A Continuous Struggle for Survival and Quality of Life.

PMID- 27264761
TI  - Insulin Resistance Syndrome: Main Villain of Current and Rising Coronary Risk
      Among Turks.

PMID- 27264760
TI  - Acquired Hemophilia in Pediatric Population.
AB  - The development of acquired inhibitors against the factor VIII protein in
      childhood period, is a very rare disorder in nonhemophiliac persons but may be
      clinically important condition due to potential serious bleedings. We have
      investigated acquired hemophilia development frequency in children with potential
      high risk groups. Totally 483 nonhemophiliac children including healthy controls
      were enrolled the study. Age range was 2 to 20 years and mean age was 11 +/- 5.4
      years. Risk groups for acquired hemophilia were selected among sick children with
      transfusion dependent beta- thalassemia major (n= 75), children with malignancy
      (n= 55), asthma bronchiale (n= 65), type I insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
      (n= 63), collagen tissue disorders (n= 35). Age-matched 190 healthy children were
      selected as for healthy control group. Inhibitor tests were performed by the
      method of Bethesda assay. We have found only two patients who had acquired factor
      VIII inhibitor among 483 children. These two patients were solid tumor
      (osteosarcoma) and type I insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Other risk groups
      and healthy controls have not inhibitor positivity. As a conclusion, acquired
      inhibitors should be considered for the differential diagnosis of unusual
      bleeding episodes in patients who had risk factors of all age groups including
      childhood period. 

PMID- 27264762
TI  - Biological Determinants of Fasting and Postload Plasma Homocysteine Levels in
      Healthy Italian Subjects.
AB  - Genetic and nutritional factors are determinants of total plasma homocysteine
      (tHCy) whose increased levels play a pathogenic role in atherothrombosis and
      cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the influence of sex, age,
      creatinine, serum folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 (pyridoxal- 5-phosphate,
      PLP) on fasting (FtHCy) and two hour postmethionine loading levels of tHCy in 147
      apparently healthy subjects (M/F= 82/65, age range: 14-94 y). FtHCy was higher in
      men than women (9.89 vs 8.00 MUmol/L, p< 0.01). In males, the main determinants
      of FtHCy were age and folate levels, respectively explaining 20.5% and 19.0% of
      FtHCy variance. In women, besides age (22.6%), vitamin B12 (17.8%) rather than
      folate was a major determinant of FtHCy. Two hour postload tHCy, expressed both
      as absolute value (PML) and as the difference between 2 hour postload tHCy and
      FtHCy (delta tHCy) was negatively correlated with folate in both sexes, and with
      vitamin B12 and age in women only. In males folate was the main determinant,
      explaining 20% of the variance of postload values, while in females vitamin B12
      and PLP were predominant, explaining respectively 40% and 20% of that variance.
      Age was not among the main determinants of postload values in either sex. These
      results demonstrate that age and vitamin status differently influence both the
      fasting and the postmethionine plasma homocysteine levels in normal subjects. 

PMID- 27264763
TI  - Aspirin Responsive Thrombotic Complications in Thrombocythemia Vera. A Novel
      Platelet-Mediated Arterial Thrombophilia.
AB  - Erythromelalgia is the main, pathognomonic and presenting symptom in patients
      with Essential Thrombocythemia and thrombocythemia associated with Polycythemia
      Vera. Complete relief of erythromelalgic and acrocyanotic pain is obtained with
      the cyclooxygenase inhibitors aspirin and indomethacin, but not with
      sodiumsalicylate, dipyridamol, sulfinpyrozone and ticlopedine indicating that
      platelet-mediated cyclooxygenase metabolites are necessary for erythromelalgia to
      develop. Local platelet consumption in erythromelalgic areas became evident by
      the demonstration of arteriolar fibromuscular intimal proliferation and
      occlusions by platelet-rich thrombi in skin biopsies, by the findings of
      shortened platelet survival times, significant higher levels of platelet
      activation markers beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), thrombomoduline and increased
      urinary thromboxane B2 excretion in thrombocythemia patients suffering from
      erythromelalgia. Aspirin treatment of erythromelalgia in thrombocythemia patients
      resulted in disappearance of the erythromelalgic, thrombotic signs and symptoms,
      correction of the shortened platelet survival times, and significant reduction of
      the increased levels of beta-TG, PF IV, thrombomodulin and urinary T x B2
      excretion to normal. Erythromelalgia is frequently preceded or followed by
      atypical transient neurologic, ocular or coronary ischemic symptoms, which
      specifically responds to low-dose aspirin or reduction of platelet counts to
      normal. The broad spectrum of acropareshesias, erythromelalgia and acrocyanotic
      ischemia together with the episodic and transient atypical TIAs and ocular or
      coronary ischemic symptoms all are the consequence of one underlying disorder of
      aspirin-responsive and platelet-mediated arterial thrombophilia precipitated by
      spontaneous activation and aggregation of hypersensitive platelets in the
      endarteial microvasculature involving the peripheral, cerebral and coronary
      circulation of thrombocythemia patients. 

PMID- 27264764
TI  - Plasma Levels of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and Thrombin
      Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (TAFI) in Patients with Disseminated
      Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).
AB  - Plasma levels of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) and total
      plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue type plasminogen activator
      (tPA)/PAI-1 complex in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
      to examine the relationship between hypofibrinolysis and the pathogenesis with
      DIC. We examined 39 patients with DIC, 23 with pre-DIC, 181 without DIC and 17
      healthy volunteers. Both plasma levels of total PAI-1 and tPA/PAI-1 complex were
      significantly high in patients with DIC. Those levels were also high in patients
      with organ failure, especially sepsis. Both TAFI activity and antigen levels in
      the plasma were significantly low in patients with DIC. TAFI activity in plasma
      was correlated with TAFI antigen. TAFI activity and antigen levels were
      negatively correlated with TAT and D-dimer. The TAFI activity in plasma was
      significantly low in patients with infection and in those with organ failure,
      suggesting that TAFI may play an important role in the mechanism of organ failure
      in DIC-associated sepsis. Regulation of fibrinolysis by TAFI and PAI-1 may play
      an important role in the pathogenesis of DIC and organ failure. 

PMID- 27264765
TI  - Trace Element Analyses (Zinc and Selenium) in Pediatric Malignant Lymphomas.
AB  - Ninetysix untreated patients with Malignant lymphoma's, 81 Hodgkin's disease and
      15 Burkitt's lymphoma were studied for zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) status. Plasma
      and hair Zn, and Se levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
      Chronic Zn and Se deficiencies (low plasma and low hair Zn and Se levels
      together) were found to be associated with Malignant lymphoma's in Turkish
      children. This was most likely due to poor "nutritional environment" of the
      patients since majority of the Malignant lymphoma cases were from low
      socioeconomic class. Supplemention of the patients with physiological doses of Zn
      and Se, in addition to standard chemo radiotherapy regimen was proposed. 

PMID- 27264766
TI  - Molecular Approach to Turkish Pediatric Stroke Patients.

PMID- 27264767
TI  - Looking for Our Ten Years Results for Coronary Heart Disease and Ischemic Stroke
      Group for the Standpoint of Haemostasis.
AB  - To evaluate the role the coagulation and fibrinolysis abnormalities in the
      pathogenesis of ischemic stroke of undetermined etiology, we assayed plasma
      concentration of fibrinopeptide-A and thrombin-antithrombin III complex, both
      sensitive markers for thrombin activation and fibrin formation, and D-dimer, a
      marker of plasmin activity and fibrinolysis. Hemostatic markers were measured in
      32 patients with acute stroke and 20 patients with chronic stroke, and compared
      with 21 normal subjects. Fibrinopeptid-A and thrombin-antithrombin III complex
      levels were not elevated significantly, whereas the D-dimer level was markedly
      raised in acute (p<< 0.001) and chronic (p< 0.05) phases of ischemic stroke in
      comparison with the control group. Prolonged elevation of D-dimer concentration
      suggests that hemostatic abnormalities have a primary role in the pathogenesis of
      ischemic stroke. The measurement of D-dimer concentration may help to better
      decide the indications for therapy of the patients with ischemic stroke of
      undetermined etiology. 

PMID- 27264768
TI  - Acute Effects of 17beta-Estradiol and ATP on Endothelial Cells; Effects of
      Genistein and PMA on Calcium Response.
AB  - Various studies have shown that 17beta-estradiol (E2), has acute effects on
      cardiovascular system in addition to its genomic effect. Acute administration of
      E2 had been shown to increase intracellular free calcium concentration (Ca+2)i in
      human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The present study investigates
      the signalling pathway responsible for Ca+2 response to E2. In the study, the
      effect of E2 on phosphoinositide turnover was investigated by use of Dowex-1
      anion-exchange columns after labeling cells with myo(3H)inositol. Additionally,
      the effects of tyrosine phosphorylation inhibitor genistein and protein kinase C
      activator 4beta-phorbol-12beta-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) on the Ca+2 response to
      E2 and ATP were investigated and compared in fura-2 loaded HUVEC. The data
      demonstrates that E2 treatment causes 45% increase in inositol phosphate
      production in parallel to increases in (Ca+2)i. Genistein and PMA inhibit the
      Ca+2 response to E2 ~75%, 49%, while they inhibit the response to ATP ~62%, 73%
      respectively. Our data suggests the involvement of PLC in the signaling
      stimulated by E2 and indicate the involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation and
      PKC. Differences in the effect of the inhibitors on E2- and ATPinduced responses
      suggest that there may be differences in the upstream signaling initiated by E2
      and ATP, such as different roles for tyrosine phosphorylation. 

PMID- 27264769
TI  - Platelet Labeling for Determination of Lifespan.
AB  - After various earlier attempts with different radiotracers 51chromium and finally
      ^IndiumoKIne became the tracers of choice for the radiolabeling of human
      platelets and the subsequent monitoring of in vivo kinetics. Data on clinical
      application of platelet survival in atherosclerotic vascular disease and a
      variety of risk factors are presented. Furthermore, a new approach to use
      nonradioactive material (rubidium) as label for platelets allowing application in
      children and pregnants, where only the information on platelet survival is
      necessary, are discussed. The application of 111lndium-oxine and cold rubidium is
      an underused reiiable methodology for the assessment of lifespan of human
      platelets for clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring. 

PMID- 27264770
TI  - Thrombosis and Cancer.

PMID- 27264771
TI  - The Prevalence of Activated Protein C Resistance and F V Leiden in Healthy
      Population of Edirne, Turkey.
AB  - Activated protein C (APC) resistance has been found to be an important cause of
      venous thrombosis. The prevalence of F V Leiden (FVL) in general population is
      variable according to the region and the ethnic group. The aim of this study was
      to determine the prevalence of APC resistance and FVL in healthy population in
      Edirne as a representative sample of province of Edirne. Total 467 healthy
      subjects were studied. There were 238 males (50.96%) and 229 females (49.04%).
      APC resistance was studied by functional and DNA methods. There were a total
      22/476 subjects (4.7%) were APC resistance. There were 20/476 subjects (4.28%)
      who had FVL by DNA test. Of these, there were 18 heterozygous and 2 homozygous
      FVL and other two subjects have no FVL mutation but have the high levels of FVIII
      to explain acquired APC resistance. The coexistence of FVL and the deficiencies
      of protein C (1/22), protein S (2/22) and antithrombin (1/22) were also studied.
      No one of subjects had prothrombin gene mutation. The data showed that the
      prevalence of APC resitance and FVL in healthy Turkish population were similar to
      the previously reported publications in Turkey and Europe. One thing is a keeping
      in mind to be the coexistence of FVL and the other known thrombophilic risk
      factors. 

PMID- 27264772
TI  - Endocrinologic Late Effects of Chemoradiotherapy in Pediatric Acute Leukemia.
AB  - This study intends to describe growth and endocrine disorders secondary to
      chemotherapy among long-term survivors of pediatric acute leukemia. Sixteen
      patients including 14 ALL and 2 AML entered the study. Four were females and 12
      were males with the mean age of 17.38 +/- 3.81 years. Following the completion of
      their therapy, the mean follow up period of the patients was 62.43 +/- 41.11
      months. Somatic growth, sexual maturation, hypothalamic- pituitary-thyroid axis
      and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis were evaluated in all the patients. Two
      out of 16 had pathologic short stature (12.5%) and 3 patients had enuchoid status
      (18.75%) with antrophometric measurements. Eleven patients had normal thyroid
      gland dimensions and homogeneous thyroid tissue on ultrasonographic examination.
      One patient had Ia and another four patients had Ib diffuse goitre according to
      WHO criteria. Two out of 16 patients were diagnosed as subclinic primary
      hypothyroidism (12.5%), and three of them were diagnosed as subclinic central
      hypothyroidism (18.75%) according to TRH testing. Three patients were subclinic
      subtle central hypothyroidism. Thyroid auto-antibodies were in normal range in
      all patients. Eight patients (66.6%) out of 12 male subjects revealed impaired
      HHG axis. Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (Leydig and Sertoli dysfunction) were
      observed in five of them and isolated Sertoli dysfunction was detected in three
      of them. Azoospermia was encountered in all patients with isolated Sertoli
      dysfunction. Testicular biopsy was obtained from only one of them and atrophic
      testicular tissue was detected. Female patients show normal pubertal development
      and gonadal functions. CONCLUSION: Subclinic subtle primary and subclinic central
      hypothyroidism were found in 31.2%, impaired Sertoli and Leydig with Sertoli cell
      function in 66.66% of long-term survivors pediatric acute leukemia and testicular
      tissue was more sensitive to adverse effects of chemotherapy than ovarian tissue.

PMID- 27264773
TI  - Effect of Donor Age on the Deformability and Aggregability of Density-Separated
      Red Blood Cells.
AB  - Deformability of density-separated red blood cells (RBC) was determined in
      individuals, in three different age groups. The "young" group was composed of
      eight individuals between 22-30 years of age; there were eight individuals
      between 35-45 years of age in the "mid-age" group and 8 individuals between 60-85
      years of age in the "old" group. Density separation was performed using
      discontinuous, Iodixanol (Optiprep(r)) density gradients. Five layers of
      Iodixanol with densities between 1.075 and 1.115 g/mL were used. The density
      distribution of RBC was estimated by determining the hemoglobin concentration in
      each layer, after centrifugation. The RBC deformability was measured by
      ektacytometry in least and most dense RBC fractions. In all age groups, the RBC
      were mostly accumulated in the layers with 1095 and 1105 g/mL densities. In the
      "young" group, about 80% of RBC were distributed in each of these gradients
      almost equally. In the "old" group, 50% of RBC were in 1095 g/mL density layer,
      while 28% was present in the 1105 g/mL layer. The values for "mid-age" group were
      in between "young" and "old" groups. In all age groups, EI of denser RBC were
      smaller, in comparison with the RBC in less dense layers. However, the difference
      between the EI of less and more dense RBC was more pronounced in the "old" group.
      RBC aggregation was found to be higher in denser RBC fraction, but the difference
      was less pronounced in "old" group. These results suggest that, RBC circulating
      in the vasculature of "aged" individuals exhibit more pronounced rheological
      alterations, during the aging process of RBC. 

PMID- 27264774
TI  - The Frequency and Distribution Pattern of beta-Thalassemia Mutations in Turkey.
AB  - beta-thalassemia, a-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are the three most common
      hemoglobinopathies in Turkey. beta-thalassemia major makes up 73%, sickle cell
      anemia 23% and Hb H disease 4% of total patients with hemoglobinopathy. The
      overall frequency of beta-thalassemia is 2%. However, the frequency shows
      regional variations and in some areas it is as high as 13%. Molecular studies
      indicated the presence of more than 35 different mutations associated with beta
      thalassemia. In this study it was shown that five different mutations, namely
      IVSI-110 (G-A), IVSI- 6 (T-C), IVSII-1 (G-A), IVSII-745 (C-G) and IVSI-1 (G-A)
      make up 71% of all beta-thalassemia mutations. The rate of consanguineous
      marriage in families with thalassemia major is %63. However, in 11% of these
      families, parents carry two different thalassemia mutations. The IVSI-1 (GAEA)
      mutation is most prevalent in the Aegean Region and it seemed that this mutation
      moved from this region toward Marmara, Black Sea, Middle, East and South- eastern
      Anatolia. The IVSII-745 (C-G) is most prevalent in the Mediterranean region and
      it moved toward Central Anatolia, Black Sea and South-eastern Anatolia. Contrary
      to these two mutations FSC8 (-AA), IVSII-1 (GA) and -30 (T-A) mutations are most
      prevalent in Eastern Anatolia and they moved from this region to South-eastern
      Anatolia, Mediterranean Region, Central Anatolia and Aegean Region. The frequency
      of various mutations in Central Anatolia is very close to the mean figures given
      for Turkey indicating that these mutations are well mixed in this region. Sickle
      cell anemia and sickle cell beta-thalassemia are almost exclusively seen in
      eastern coast of Mediterranean Sea and in Thrace. 

PMID- 27264775
TI  - Hematopoetic stem celi transplantation activity at a single center: Cerrahpasa
      experience.
AB  - At our institution 94 transplantations have been performed in an 8 year period up
      to December 2001. Forty-three females and 49 males with ages ranging from 14 to
      61 years received 67 allogeneic (allo) and 27 autologous (auto) transplants; 2
      patients were transplanted twice. The diagnosis of allo transplants were AML (27
      patients-pts), CML (17 pts), ALL (16 pts) and AA (5 pts); those of auto
      transplants were NHL (13 pts), HD (10 pts), MM (3 pts) and AML (l pt). Of the
      patients with acute leukemia 69.7% were in first CR and ali but one of the
      patients with CML were in first chronic phase. Source of hematopoetic stem cells
      were bone marrow (BM) in 61.9% (allo 81.5%, auto 14.8%) and peripheral blood (PB)
      in 38.1% (allo 18.5%, auto 85.2%). Ail donors were HLA-full matched siblings with
      one exception. ConditionIng regimens were BU-CY (31 pts), TBI-CY (28 pts) and
      Flag-lda (one pi) for leukemia, CY-ATG for AA, CBV for lymphoma and Mel-200 for
      MM. Median 2.69 x 108 nucieated celIsAg (BM) and 21.7 x 106 CD34 + celIsAg (PB)
      were infused to allo transplant recipients; 4 patients faiied to engraft and one
      patient was inevaluable due to early death. Acute GVHD was observed in 11
      patients (16.9% - grade ll-IV in 10.7%) and chronic GVHD was documented in 18
      patients (33.9%- extensive in 9.43%). VOD was seen in 8 patients (12.3%). Early
      response was CR in 91.6% in patienis with leukemia; patients with lymphoma showed
      a 73.1% response (CR & PR) rate and 23.1% had resistant disease. So far 27.6% of
      the patients have relapsed or showed progression and 45.7% have died (disease
      related 27.2%, transplant-related 18.5%). At a median follow-up time of 32 months
      (range 0.6-96) DFS is 50.8% and OS is 53.9% in the allo transplant group. With a
      shorter follow-up (median 16 months, range 1-65) the same figures for the auto
      transplant group are 51.9 and 55.5%, respectively, in this cohort overall, OS and
      DFS are significantly superior in patients with early-stage disease: 71.7% vs.
      26.7% in advanced-stage disease for OS and 71.4% vs. 36.8% for DFS, respectively
      and this trend applies to both transplant groups (p< 0.001 for ali comparisons). 

PMID- 27264776
TI  - Statistical methods for evaluating delirium in the ICU.

PMID- 27264777
TI  - Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease beyond the lungs.
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term that covers many
      clinical subtypes with clearly different pulmonary and extra-pulmonary
      characteristics, but with persistent airflow limitation in common. This insight
      has led to the development of a more personalised approach in bronchodilator
      therapy, prevention of exacerbations, and advanced treatments (such as non
      invasive ventilation and lung volume reduction techniques). However, systemic
      manifestations and comorbidities of COPD also contribute to different clinical
      phenotypes and warrant an individualised approach as part of integrated disease
      management. Alterations in bodyweight and composition, from cachexia to obesity,
      demand specific management. Psychological symptoms are highly prevalent, and
      thorough diagnosis and treatment are necessary. Moreover, prevention of
      exacerbations requires interventions beyond the lungs, including treatment of
      gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, reduction of cardiovascular risks, and
      management of dyspnoea and anxiety. In this Review, we discuss the management of
      COPD beyond the respiratory system and propose treatment strategies on the basis
      of the latest research and best practices.

PMID- 27264778
TI  - Nano-hydroxyapatite alleviates the detrimental effects of heavy metals on plant
      growth and soil microbes in e-waste-contaminated soil.
AB  - The crude recycling activities of e-waste have led to the severe and complex
      contamination of e-waste workshop topsoil (0-10 cm) by heavy metals. After nano
      hydroxyapatite (NHAp) application in June 2013, plant and soil samples were
      obtained in November 2013, December 2013, March 2014 and June 2014. The results
      showed that NHAp effectively reduced the concentration of CaCl2-extractable Pb,
      Cu, Cd, and Zn in the topsoil and significantly reduced the metal content in
      ryegrass and also increased the plant biomass compared with that of the control.
      Moreover, the concentrations of CaCl2-extractable metals in the soil decreased
      with increasing NHAp. NHAp application also increased the activities of soil
      urease, phosphatase and dehydrogenase. Moreover, the soil bacterial diversity and
      community structure were also altered after NHAp application. Particularly,
      Stenotrophomonas sp. and Bacteroides percentages were increased. Our work proves
      that NHAp application can alleviate the detrimental effects of heavy metals on
      plants grown in e-waste-contaminated soil and soil enzyme activities, as well as
      soil microbial diversity. 

PMID- 27264779
TI  - Evidence for spawning aggregations of the endangered Atlantic goliath grouper
      Epinephelus itajara in southern Brazil.
AB  - In this study, seasonal numerical abundance of the critically endangered Atlantic
      goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara was estimated by conducting scuba dive
      surveys and calculating sightings-per-unit-effort (SPUE) at three sites in
      southern Brazil. Seasonal differences in size and reproductive condition of
      captured or confiscated specimens were compared. The SPUE differed significantly
      with season, increasing in late spring and peaking during the austral summer
      months. A significant effect was observed in the number of fish relative to the
      lunar cycle. All females sampled during the summer were spawning capable, while
      all those sampled during other seasons were either regressing or regenerating.
      What these data strongly infer is that the E. itajara spawning aggregation sites
      have been located in the southern state of Parana and the northern state of Santa
      Catarina and summer is the most likely spawning season. Size frequency
      distributions, abundance and reproductive state were estimated and correlated
      with environmental variables. 

PMID- 27264780
TI  - Noise Response Data Reveal Novel Controllability Gramian for Nonlinear Network
      Dynamics.
AB  - Control of nonlinear large-scale dynamical networks, e.g., collective behavior of
      agents interacting via a scale-free connection topology, is a central problem in
      many scientific and engineering fields. For the linear version of this problem,
      the so-called controllability Gramian has played an important role to quantify
      how effectively the dynamical states are reachable by a suitable driving input.
      In this paper, we first extend the notion of the controllability Gramian to
      nonlinear dynamics in terms of the Gibbs distribution. Next, we show that, when
      the networks are open to environmental noise, the newly defined Gramian is equal
      to the covariance matrix associated with randomly excited, but uncontrolled,
      dynamical state trajectories. This fact theoretically justifies a simple Monte
      Carlo simulation that can extract effectively controllable subdynamics in
      nonlinear complex networks. In addition, the result provides a novel insight into
      the relationship between controllability and statistical mechanics.

PMID- 27264781
TI  - 2-Hydroxymelatonin promotes the resistance of rice plant to multiple simultaneous
      abiotic stresses (combined cold and drought).
AB  - We investigated the physiological roles of 2-hydroxymelatonin (2-OHMel) in rice
      seedlings. When they were challenged with simultaneous multiple abiotic
      stressors, such as a combination of cold and drought, those pretreated with 2
      OHMel were resistant, whereas no tolerance was observed in seedlings treated with
      either melatonin or water (control). The tolerance phenotype was associated with
      the induction of several transporter proteins, including the proton transporter
      (UCP1), potassium transporter (HKT1), and water channel protein (PIP2;1).
      Treatment with 2-OHMel increased the content of the osmoprotectant proline and
      maintained mitochondrial structure when plants were subjected to a combination of
      cold and drought stress. We screened the corresponding transcription factors
      (TFs) for 2-OHMel-mediated resistance to the combined stressors through analysis
      of large numbers of cold- and drought-related TFs. Two TFs, Myb4 and AP37, were
      only induced by 2-OHMel treatment. Transgenic rice lines overexpressing rice Myb4
      were not resistant to the combined stressors; however, the expression of UCP1,
      HKT1, and PIP2;1 transcripts was slightly enhanced. These data show that 2-OHMel
      alleviates the effects of simultaneous abiotic stressors via the actions of
      multiple TFs, including Myb4 and AP37. 

PMID- 27264782
TI  - Hepatic gene expression profiling in zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to the
      fungicide chlorothalonil.
AB  - Chlorothalonil (tetrachloroisophtalonitrile) is a fungicide that is widely used
      on agricultural crops around the world and as such, it is a ubiquitous aquatic
      contaminant. Despite high usage, the effects of this fungicide on non-target
      aquatic organisms have not been fully investigated. The aim of the present study
      was to (1) determine the effects of chlorothalonil toxicity on adult male
      zebrafish (Danio rerio) and (2) characterize the effects of chlorothalonil on
      gene expression patterns in the liver using two different concentrations of the
      fungicide, 0.007mg/L (environmentally-relevant) and 0.035mg/L (sublethal). These
      concentrations were selected from range-finding experiments that showed that
      zebrafish survival was significantly different from control animals at
      concentrations higher than 0.035mg/L but not below. Male zebrafish in both
      treatments of chlorothalonil showed a decrease in liversomatic index. A
      commercial D. rerio microarray (4*44K) was used to determine gene expression
      profiles in male zebrafish liver following a 96h toxicological assay. Microarray
      analysis revealed that males exposed to both 0.007mg/L or 0.035mg/L of
      chlorothalonil showed increased transcriptional sub-networks related to cell
      division and DNA damage and decreased expression of gene networks associated with
      reproduction, immunity, and xenobiotic clearance. This study improves knowledge
      regarding whole animal exposures to chlorothalonil and identifies molecular
      signaling cascades that are sensitive to this fungicide in the fish liver.

PMID- 27264783
TI  - High oxidative stress adversely affects NFkappaB mediated induction of inducible
      nitric oxide synthase in human neutrophils: Implications in chronic myeloid
      leukemia.
AB  - Increasing evidence support bimodal action of nitric oxide (NO) both as a
      promoter and as an impeder of oxygen free radicals in neutrophils (PMNs), however
      impact of high oxidative stress on NO generation is less explored. In the present
      study, we comprehensively investigated the effect of high oxidative stress on
      inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO generation in human
      PMNs. Our findings suggest that PMA or diamide induced oxidative stress in PMNs
      from healthy volunteers, and high endogenous ROS in PMNs of chronic myeloid
      leukemia (CML) patients attenuate basal as well as LPS/cytokines induced NO
      generation and iNOS expression in human PMNs. Mechanistically, we found that
      under high oxidative stress condition, S-glutathionylation of NFkappaB (p50 and
      p65 subunits) severely limits iNOS expression due to its reduced binding to iNOS
      promoter, which was reversed in presence of DTT. Furthermore, by using
      pharmacological inhibitors, scavengers and molecular approaches, we identified
      that enhanced ROS generation via NOX2 and mitochondria, reduced Grx1/2 expression
      and GSH level associated with NFkappaB S-glutathionylation in PMNs from CML
      patients. Altogether data obtained suggest that oxidative status act as an
      important regulator of NO generation/iNOS expression, and under enhanced
      oxidative stress condition, NOX2-mtROS-NFkappaB S-glutathionylation is a feed
      forward loop, which attenuate NO generation and iNOS expression in human PMNs.

PMID- 27264784
TI  - Nitrogen dioxide reducing ascorbic acid technologies in the ventilator circuit
      leads to uniform NO concentration during inspiration.
AB  - Conventional inhaled NO systems deliver NO by synchronized injection or
      continuous NO flow in the ventilator circuitry. Such methods can lead to variable
      concentrations during inspiration that may differ from desired dosing. NO
      concentrations in these systems are generally monitored through electrochemical
      methods that are too slow to capture this nuance and potential dosing error. A
      novel technology that reduces NO2 into NO via low-resistance ascorbic-acid
      cartridges just prior to inhalation has recently been described. The gas volume
      of these cartridges may enhance gas mixing and reduce dosing inconsistency
      throughout inhalation. The impact of the ascorbic-acid cartridge technology on NO
      concentration during inspiration was characterized through rapid
      chemiluminescence detection during volume control ventilation, pressure control
      ventilation, synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation and continuous
      positive airway pressure using an in vitro lung model configured to simulate the
      complete uptake of NO. Two ascorbic acid cartridges in series provided uniform
      and consistent dosing during inspiration during all modes of ventilation. The use
      of one cartridge showed variable inspiratory concentration of NO at the largest
      tidal volumes, whereas the use of no ascorbic acid cartridge led to highly
      inconsistent NO inspiratory waveforms. The use of ascorbic acid cartridges also
      decreased breath-to-breath variation in SIMV and CPAP ventilation. The ascorbic
      acid cartridges, which are designed to convert NO2 (either as substrate or
      resulting from NO oxidation during injection) into NO, also provide the benefit
      of minimizing the variation of inhaled NO concentration during inspiration. It is
      expected that the implementation of this method will lead to more consistent and
      predictable dosing.

PMID- 27264785
TI  - Association between dietary fibre intake and fruit, vegetable or whole-grain
      consumption and the risk of CVD: results from the PREvencion con DIeta
      MEDiterranea (PREDIMED) trial.
AB  - Prospective studies assessing the association between fibre intake or fibre-rich
      food consumption and the risk of CVD have often been limited by baseline
      assessment of diet. Thus far, no study has used yearly repeated measurements of
      dietary changes during follow-up. Moreover, previous studies included healthy and
      selected participants who did not represent subjects at high cardiovascular risk.
      We used yearly repeated measurements of diet to investigate the association
      between fibre intake and CVD in a Mediterranean cohort of elderly adults at high
      cardiovascular risk. We followed-up 7216 men (55-80 years) and women (60-80
      years) initially free of CVD for up to 7 years in the PREvencion con DIeta
      MEDiterranea study (registered as ISRCTN35739639). A 137-item validated FFQ was
      repeated yearly to assess diet. The primary end point, confirmed by a blinded ad
      hoc Event Adjudication Committee, was a composite of cardiovascular death,
      myocardial infarction and stroke. Time-dependent Cox's regression models were
      used to estimate the risk of CVD according to baseline dietary exposures and to
      their yearly updated changes. We found a significant inverse association for
      fibre (P for trend=0.020) and fruits (P for trend=0.024) in age-sex adjusted
      models, but the statistical significance was lost in fully adjusted models.
      However, we found a significant inverse association with CVD incidence for the
      sum of fruit and vegetable consumption. Participants who consumed in total nine
      or more servings/d of fruits plus vegetables had a hazard ratio 0.60 (95 % CI
      0.40, 0.96) of CVD in comparison with those consuming <5 servings/d.

PMID- 27264786
TI  - In vitro experimental environments lacking or containing soil disparately affect
      competition experiments of Aspergillus flavus and co-occurring fungi in maize
      grains.
AB  - In vitro experimental environments are used to study interactions between
      microorganisms, and to predict dynamics in natural ecosystems. This study
      highlights that experimental in vitro environments should be selected to match
      closely the natural environment of interest during in vitro studies to strengthen
      extrapolations about aflatoxin production by Aspergillus and competing organisms.
      Fungal competition and aflatoxin accumulation were studied in soil, cotton wool
      or tube (water-only) environments, for Aspergillus flavus competition with
      Penicillium purpurogenum, Fusarium oxysporum or Sarocladium zeae within maize
      grains. Inoculated grains were incubated in each environment at two temperature
      regimes (25 and 30 degrees C). Competition experiments showed interaction between
      the main effects of aflatoxin accumulation and the environment at 25 degrees C,
      but not so at 30 degrees C. However, competition experiments showed fungal
      populations were always interacting with their environments. Fungal survival
      differed after the 72-h incubation in different experimental environments.
      Whereas all fungi incubated within the soil environment survived, in the cotton
      wool environment none of the competitors of A. flavus survived at 30 degrees C.
      With aflatoxin accumulation, F. oxysporum was the only fungus able to interdict
      aflatoxin production at both temperatures. This occurred only in the soil
      environment and fumonisins accumulated instead. Smallholder farmers in developing
      countries face serious mycotoxin contamination of their grains, and soil is a
      natural reservoir for the associated fungal propagules, and a drying and storage
      surface for grains on these farms. Studying fungal dynamics in the soil
      environment and other environments in vitro can provide insights into aflatoxin
      accumulation post-harvest. 

PMID- 27264787
TI  - Integration of Nine Steps into One Membrane Reactor To Produce Synthesis Gases
      for Ammonia and Liquid Fuel.
AB  - The synthesis of ammonia and liquid fuel are two important chemical processes in
      which most of the energy is consumed in the production of H2 /N2 and H2 /CO
      synthesis gases from natural gas (methane). Here, we report a membrane reactor
      with a mixed ionic-electronic conducting membrane, in which the nine steps for
      the production of the two types of synthesis gases are shortened to one step by
      using water, air, and methane as feeds. In the membrane reactor, there is no
      direct CO2 emission and no CO or H2 S present in the ammonia synthesis gas. The
      energy consumption for the production of the two synthesis gases can be reduced
      by 63 % by using this membrane reactor. This promising membrane reactor process
      has been successfully demonstrated by experiment.

PMID- 27264788
TI  - Oxygen-Deficient Zirconia (ZrO2-x): A New Material for Solar Light Absorption.
AB  - Here, we present oxygen-deficient black ZrO2-x as a new material for sunlight
      absorption with a low band gap around ~1.5 eV, via a controlled magnesiothermic
      reduction in 5% H2/Ar from white ZrO2, a wide bandgap(~5 eV) semiconductor,
      usually not considered for solar light absorption. It shows for the first time a
      dramatic increase in solar light absorbance and significant activity for solar
      light-induced H2 production from methanol-water with excellent stability up to 30
      days while white ZrO2 fails. Generation of large amounts of oxygen vacancies or
      surface defects clearly visualized by the HR-TEM and HR-SEM images is the main
      reason for the drastic alteration of the optical properties through the formation
      of new energy states near valence band and conduction band towards Fermi level in
      black ZrO2-x as indicated by XPS and DFT calculations of black ZrO2-x. Current
      reduction method using Mg and H2 is mild, but highly efficient to produce solar
      light-assisted photocatalytically active black ZrO2-x.

PMID- 27264789
TI  - Transcriptomic and molecular genetic analysis of the cell wall salvage response
      of Aspergillus niger to the absence of galactofuranose synthesis.
AB  - The biosynthesis of cell surface-located galactofuranose (Galf)-containing
      glycostructures such as galactomannan, N-glycans and O-glycans in filamentous
      fungi is important to secure the integrity of the cell wall. UgmA encodes an UDP
      galactopyranose mutase, which is essential for the formation of Galf.
      Consequently, the DeltaugmA mutant lacks Galf-containing molecules. Our previous
      work in Aspergillus niger work suggested that loss of function of ugmA results in
      activation of the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway which is characterized by
      increased expression of the agsA gene, encoding an alpha-glucan synthase. In this
      study, the transcriptional response of the DeltaugmA mutant was further linked to
      the CWI pathway by showing the induced and constitutive phosphorylation of the
      CWI-MAP kinase in the DeltaugmA mutant. To identify genes involved in cell wall
      remodelling in response to the absence of galactofuranose biosynthesis, a genome
      wide expression analysis was performed using RNAseq. Over 400 genes were higher
      expressed in the DeltaugmA mutant compared to the wild-type. These include genes
      that encode enzymes involved in chitin (gfaB, gnsA, chsA) and alpha-glucan
      synthesis (agsA), and in beta-glucan remodelling (bgxA, gelF and dfgC), and also
      include several glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell wall protein
      encoding genes. In silico analysis of the 1-kb promoter regions of the up
      regulated genes in the DeltaugmA mutant indicated overrepresentation of genes
      with RlmA, MsnA, PacC and SteA-binding sites. The importance of these
      transcription factors for survival of the DeltaugmA mutant was analysed by
      constructing the respective double mutants. The DeltaugmA/DeltarlmA and
      DeltaugmA/DeltamsnA double mutants showed strong synthetic growth defects,
      indicating the importance of these transcription factors to maintain cell wall
      integrity in the absence of Galf biosynthesis.

PMID- 27264790
TI  - Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors in high-risk patients: 10
      years' experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous
      radiofrequency ablation (RFA) done to treat renal tumors in patients with high
      surgical risk or with the risk of developing multiple renal tumors in the medium
      term at our center over a period of 10 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2005
      and 2015, we used RFA to treat 89 T1a or T1b tumors in 87 patients (mean age,
      73.7+/-10.87 years) with high surgical risk. We excluded patients treated with
      radiofrequency and embolization or microwave ablation. The tumors treated were
      clear cell carcinomas (43.6%), papillary renal carcinomas (17.2%), chromophobe
      renal cell carcinomas (10.3%), cystic tumors (2.2%), and an angiomyolipoma
      (1.1%). The mean size of the tumors was 2.6cm. Computed tomography and/or
      ultrasonography were used to guide the procedure. We analyzed the relation
      between the efficacy of the procedure and patients' age, the type of needle, the
      source of the patients, the size and location of the tumor, and the number of
      sessions required to achieve ablation. We recorded all complications. RESULTS:
      The RFA procedure was completed in all patients. The mean follow-up period was
      32.1 months. The efficacy was 93.7%. A single session was sufficient in 87.5% of
      patients; 8% required two sessions and 4.5% required three sessions. The only
      factor associated with worse efficacy was the size of the tumor (p=0.03). The
      rate of complications was 5.6%. CONCLUSIONS: RFA is efficacious and safe, with
      results comparable to those reported in the literature.

PMID- 27264791
TI  - NanoARPES of twisted bilayer graphene on SiC: absence of velocity renormalization
      for small angles.
AB  - The structural and electronic properties of twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) on
      SiC(000) grown by Si flux-assisted molecular beam epitaxy were investigated using
      scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy
      with nanometric spatial resolution. STM images revealed a wide distribution of
      twist angles between the two graphene layers. The electronic structure recorded
      in single TBG grains showed two closely-spaced Dirac pi bands associated to the
      two stacked layers with respective twist angles in the range 1-3 degrees . The
      renormalization of velocity predicted in previous theoretical calculations for
      small twist angles was not observed.

PMID- 27264792
TI  - Knowing so much, yet knowing so little: a scoping review of interventions that
      address the stigma of mental illness in the Canadian context.
AB  - Stigma can have detrimental effects on the health and wellbeing of individuals
      living with a mental illness. This scoping review describes the nature, range,
      and extent of intervention research aimed at reducing public and self-stigma of
      mental illness in the Canadian context. The review was guided by Arksey and
      O'Malley's framework. A search of databases and relevant websites identified 35
      primary studies. Most studies used quantitative research methods and included
      predominantly youth or middle-aged adults, women, and white Canadian-born people.
      Guided by different conceptualizations of stigma, direct or indirect contact,
      education, and advocacy-focused interventions, aimed to provide information,
      and/or develop skills to address self and public stigma. Most studies evaluated
      interventions' effectiveness short-term. Of the few studies that followed-up
      participants long-term, some were able to reduce stigmatizing attitudes post
      intervention, however, these targeted only specific groups such as students or
      health care professionals. Lack of diversity among the samples, and limited
      evidence of long-term effectiveness of interventions, were some of the studies'
      limitations. What is currently known about interventions aimed at reducing the
      stigma of mental illness in the Canadian context is not informed by research
      among vulnerable groups, such as people living with a mental illness, older
      adults, immigrants, and people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Interventions that
      are informed by clear conceptualizations of stigma and rigorously evaluated in a
      range of ethno-cultural groups would create a knowledge base that is useful for
      policy-makers, community leaders, and agencies serving various ethnic communities
      in Canada.

PMID- 27264793
TI  - Coadministration of ticagrelor and ritonavir: Toward prospective dose adjustment
      to maintain an optimal platelet inhibition using the PBPK approach.
AB  - Ticagrelor is a potent antiplatelet drug metabolized by cytochrome (CYP)3A. It is
      contraindicated in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of
      the expected CYP3A inhibition by most protease inhibitors, such as ritonavir and
      an increased bleeding risk. In this study, a physiologically based
      pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was created for ticagrelor and its active metabolite
      (AM). Based on the simulated interaction between ticagrelor 180 mg and ritonavir
      100 mg, a lower dose of ticagrelor was calculated to obtain, when coadministered
      with ritonavir, the same pharmacokinetic (PK) and platelet inhibition as
      ticagrelor administered alone. A clinical study was thereafter conducted in
      healthy volunteers. Observed PK profiles of ticagrelor and its AM were
      successfully predicted with the model. Platelet inhibition was nearly complete in
      both sessions despite administration of a fourfold lower dose of ticagrelor in
      the second session. This PBPK model could be prospectively used to broaden the
      usage of ticagrelor in patients with ritonavir-treated HIV regardless of the
      CYP3A inhibition.

PMID- 27264802
TI  - The time for individualizing blood pressure goals has arrived.

PMID- 27264803
TI  - The mass mortality of blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) from the Atlantic coast of
      France is associated with heavy genomic abnormalities as evidenced by flow
      cytometry.
AB  - Since 2014, France's blue mussel industry has been facing heavy mortality
      outbreaks (90-100%) affecting both juveniles and adults. This report presents
      evidence of heavy genomic abnormalities associated with mortality outbreaks in
      blue mussels, Mytilus edulis-galloprovincialis, from the Atlantic coast of
      France. In this study, ploidy characteristics of hemic cells were investigated
      using Flow CytoMetry (FCM), revealing an unusual, broad continuum of ploidy
      distribution from hypodiploidy to tetraploidy. FCM was additionally used to
      evaluate, at individual and populations levels, different thresholds of genomic
      abnormality (GA%) using the percentage of non-diploid nuclei. Individual mussels
      were considered to be abnormal when more than 10% of hemocytes in S-G2/M phase
      were present. At the population level, a threshold of 6% for the mean intensity
      of the abnormality is proposed, which means in the population, more than 6% of
      individual mussels have to present with more than 10% of their hemocytes in S
      G2/M phase. GA% was found to be significantly predictive of the final mortality.
      Based on the established thresholds, only two mussel stocks analyzed in this
      study were considered to have good cytogenetic quality, while all other stocks
      appeared to be affected. FCM offers a very powerful tool to help manage current
      blue mussel mortality in France. We also believe that annual and extensive
      determination of cytogenetic quality of wild and cultivated mussel beds along
      with exclusive use of FCM-qualified mussel seeds should be a priority.

PMID- 27264804
TI  - [ZRS mutations in two Chinese Han families featuring triphalangeal thumbs and
      preaxial polydactyly].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the causative mutations in two Chinese Han families
      featuring triphalangeal thumbs (TPT) and preaxial polydactyly (PPD). METHODS:
      Blood samples were collected from 9 members (2 affected) from family 1 and 14
      members (7 affected) from family 2. After genomic DNA was extracted, the ZPA
      regulatory sequence (ZRS) region was analyzed with real-time quantitative PCR
      (qPCR) and Sanger sequencing. For family 1, haplotypes compassing the ZRS were
      also analyzed with short tandem repeats (STR) and single nucleotide changes.
      RESULTS: No copy number mutation around the ZRS region was found in both
      families. Two heterogeneous mutations in the ZRS (406A>G and 105C>G) were found
      to co-segregate with the TPT/PPD malformation in family 1 and 2, respectively.
      Neither mutation was detected in 200 healthy individuals. Haplotype analysis and
      Sanger sequencing of family 1 indicated that the first TPT/PPD patient in the
      family was both germline and somatic mosaic for the 406A>G mutation. CONCLUSION:
      Two pathogenic ZRS mutations, 105C>G and 406A>G, have been identified in two
      Chinese Han families with TPT/PPD, among which the 406A>G mutation was de novo.

PMID- 27264805
TI  - [Analysis of clinical phenotype and ACAT1 gene mutation in a family affected with
      beta-ketothiolase deficiency].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical phenotype and ACAT1 gene mutation in a
      family affected with beta-ketothiolase deficiency (BKTD). METHODS: Clinical
      features and laboratory test data were collected. The probands were monozygotic
      twin brothers. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes obtained
      from the probands and their family members. Molecular genetic testing of the
      ACAT1 gene was carried out. RESULTS: The probands have presented with fever,
      vomiting and severe ketoacidosis. By arterial blood gas testing, pH was
      determined to be 7.164, bicarbonate was 4.0 mmol/L, and urine ketone was ++++.
      Urinary organic acid gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed
      excessive excretion of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid and
      tiglylglycine. Increased 3-hydroxybutyrylcarnitine (C4-OH), tiglylcarnitine(C5:1)
      and 3-hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine (C5-OH) levels. The clinical phenotype of
      proband's parents were both normal, but an elder sister turned out to be an
      affected patient. Genetic analysis has identified two heterozygous mutations
      [c.622C>T(p.R208X) and c.653C>T (p.S218F)] in the proband, which were
      respectively detected in the mother and father. The c.653C>T (p.S218F) mutation
      was not found among the 100 healthy controls and has not been included in the
      Human Gene Mutation Database(HGMD). CONCLUSION: The primary clinical
      manifestations of BKTD is ketoacidosis. Urine organic acid and blood
      acylcarnitine analyses play an important role in the diagnosis of the disease.
      The compound heterozygous of ACAT1 gene mutations probably underlie the BKTD in
      our patient.

PMID- 27264806
TI  - [Two novel pathogenic mutations of GAN gene identified in a patient with giant
      axonal neuropathy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the disease-causing mutations in a patient suspected for
      giant axonal neuropathy(GAN). METHODS: Target sequence capture sequencing was
      used to screen potential mutations in genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood
      sample of the patient. Sanger sequencing was applied to confirm the detected
      mutation. The mutation was verified among 400 GAN alleles from 200 healthy
      individuals by Sanger sequencing. The function of the mutations was predicted by
      bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: The patient was identified as a compound
      heterozygote carrying two novel pathogenic GAN mutations, i.e., c.778G>T
      (p.Glu260Ter) and c.277G>A (p.Gly93Arg). Sanger sequencing confirmed that the
      c.778G>T (p.Glu260Ter) mutation was inherited from his father, while c.277G>A
      (p.Gly93Arg) was inherited from his mother. The same mutations was not found in
      the 200 healthy individuals. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the two
      mutations probably caused functional abnormality of gigaxonin. CONCLUSION: Two
      novel GAN mutations were detected in a patient with GAN. Both mutations are
      pathogenic and can cause abnormalities of gigaxonin structure and function,
      leading to pathogenesis of GAN. The results may also offer valuable information
      for similar diseases.

PMID- 27264807
TI  - [Homozygous missense mutation p.Val298Met of F10 gene causing hereditary
      coagulation factor X deficiency in a Chinese pedigree].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify potential mutation underlying coagulation factor X (FX)
      deficiency in a consanguineous Chinese pedigree. METHODS: Prothrombin time (PT),
      activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, FX activity (FX:C) and
      other coagulant parameters were determined with a one-stage clotting assay. The
      FX antigen (FX:Ag) was determined with an ELISA assay. All coding exons and exon
      intron boundaries of the F10 gene were amplified with PCR and subjected to direct
      sequencing. Suspected mutation was confirmed by reverse sequencing and analyzed
      with CLC Genomics Workbench 7.5 software. RESULTS: The PT and APTT in the proband
      were prolonged to 67.2 s and 102.9 s, respectively. Further study showed that her
      FX:C and FX:Ag were reduced by 1% and 8%, respectively. The PT of her father,
      mother, and little brother were slightly prolonged to 14.5 s, 14.4 s and 14.4 s,
      respectively. The FX:C and FX:Ag in her father, mother and little brother were
      all slightly reduced. Genetic analysis of the proband has revealed a homozygous
      G>A change at nucleotide 27881 in exon 8 of the F10 gene, which predicted a
      p.Val298Met substitution. The proband's father, mother, and little brother were
      all heterozygous for the p.Val298Met mutation. The proband has inherited the
      homozygous mutation from her parents by consanguineous marriage. Other family
      members were all normal. Bioinformatics analysis has indicated that this mutation
      may result in changes in the secondary structure of the FX protein. CONCLUSION: A
      homozygous mutation g.27881G>A(p.Val298Met) of the F10 gene has been identified,
      which probably accounts for the low FX concentrations in this pedigree.

PMID- 27264808
TI  - [Genotype and phenotype correlation of phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency among
      patients from Henan].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To delineate the mutation spectrum of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH)
      gene among patients affected with phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency (PAHD) in
      Henan Province of China, and to explore the correlation between the genotype and
      the phenotype. METHODS: A total of 155 affected children were recruited.
      Potential mutation of the PAH gene were analyzed by direct sequencing. The
      genotype-phenotype correlation was analyzed by matching the expected and observed
      phenotypes. RESULTS: Over 72 mutations and 108 genotypes have been identified.
      There were 7 homozygous mutations, including 1 case with EX6-96A>G/EX6-96A>G, 1
      with R241C/R241C, 1 with R413P/R413P, and 4 with R243Q/R243Q. Among these, 6
      patients have presented classic PKU phenotypes, except for a R241C/R241C genotype
      which has led to mild PKU. In 104 patients carrying compound PAH mutations, 52
      were classic, 34 were mild and 39 had mild HPA. Patients who were heterozygous
      for EX6-96A>G/R241C, R243Q/A434D, EX6-96A>G/R413P and EX6-96A>G/ R241C were found
      with both the classic PKU and mild PKU phenotypes. Common mutations associated
      with mild HPA have included R53H, R243Q, V399V and H107R. The common mutations
      associated with mild PKU included R243Q, R241C, EX6-96A>G, and IVS4-1G>A. The
      prevalent mutations in classic PKU were R243Q, EX6-96A>G and V399V. The
      consistency between prediction of the biochemical genotype and observed phenotype
      was 77.78%, especially in classic PKU, the consistency was up to 82.14%.
      Significant correlations were disclosed between pretreatment levels of
      phenylalanine and AV sum (r=-0.6729, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The mutation spectrum
      of PAH gene in Henan seems to differ from that of other regions. Independent
      assortment of mutant alleles may result in a complex genotype-phenotype
      correlation, but the genotypes of PAHD patients have correlated with the
      phenotype.

PMID- 27264809
TI  - [Application of chromosome microarray analysis for patients with skeletal
      anomalies and a normal karyotype].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze patients with skeletal anomalies (SA) but a normal
      karyotype using chromosome microarray analysis (CMA). METHODS: From June 2012 to
      May 2015, 43 children found to have skeletal anomalies with or without other
      abnormalities were subjected to karyotyping analysis. For those with a normal
      karyotype, DNA was extracted and hybridized with Affymetrix CytoScan 750 kb
      arrays following the manufacturer's protocol. The results were analyzed with CHAS
      v2.0 software. RESULTS: Two patients (4.65%) were detected with an abnormal
      karyotype. The remaining 41 patients with a normal karyotype were classified into
      3 groups: isolated SA (n=17), SA with mental retardation (n=6), and SA with other
      structural anomalies (n=18). Clinically significant copy number variations (CNVs)
      were found in 21.95% (9/41) of the cases, which included 17.65% (3/17) with
      isolated SA, 33.33% (2/6) with SA and mental retardation, and 22.22% (4/18) of SA
      with other structural deformities. CONCLUSION: Whole-genome CMA can detect
      clinically significant CNVs which may not be found by conventional karyotyping
      analysis and increase the detection rate by approximately 21.95%. It may be
      recommended for patients with SA but a normal karyotype.

PMID- 27264810
TI  - [Mutation analysis of seven patients with Waardenburg syndrome].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To perform genetic analysis for 7 patients with Waardenburg syndrome.
      METHODS: Potential mutation of MITF, PAX3, SOX10 and SNAI2 genes was screened by
      polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Functions of non-synonymous
      polymorphisms were predicted with PolyPhen2 software. RESULTS: Seven mutations,
      including c.649-651delAGA (p.R217del), c.72delG (p.G24fs), c.185T>C (p.M62T),
      c.118C>T (p.Q40X), c.422T>C (p.L141P), c.640C>T (p.R214X) and c.28G>T(p.G43V),
      were detected in the patients. Among these, four mutations of the PAX3 gene
      (c.72delG, c.185T>C, c.118C>T and c.128G>T) and one SOX10 gene mutation
      (c.422T>C) were not reported previously. Three non-synonymous SNPs (c.185T>C,
      c.128G>T and c.422T>C) were predicted as harmful. CONCLUSION: Genetic mutations
      have been detected in all patients with Waardenburg syndrome.

PMID- 27264811
TI  - [Identification of a novel MLC1 mutation in a Chinese patient affected with
      megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To detect potential mutation of MLC1 gene in a child affected with
      megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC). METHODS:
      Clinical symptoms of the patient were retrieved. Peripheral blood DNA samples
      from the patient, her parents and healthy controls were collected. Potential
      mutation of the MLC1 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger
      sequencing. RESULTS: The patient presented with severe motor developmental delay
      and a giant skull. Magnetic resonance scan showed diffuse white matter swelling
      in bilateral hemispheres. DNA sequencing identified a novel homozygous c.177
      c.180delC mutation of the MLC1 gene. The parents of the patient both carried a
      heterozygous mutation c.177-c.180delC but had a normal phenotype. CONCLUSION: A
      novel MLC1 mutation c.177-c.180delC has been identified in a patient with MLC.
      The mutation is presumably disease-causing and has derived from parents who are
      both carriers.

PMID- 27264812
TI  - [Seminal plasma miR-122-3p and miR-141-5p stability and its diagnosis value for
      idiopathic asthenospermia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the stability of seminal plasma miR-122-3p and miR-141-5p
      and their diagnostic value for idiopathic asthenospermia. METHODS: Seminal plasma
      miR-122-3p and miR-141-5p with various incubation time, freeze-thaw cycles and
      incubation time were analyzed. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the content of miR-122-3p and miR-141
      5p, with U6 snRNA as the reference. The idiopathic asthenospermia group was
      further divided into grade I and II based on the progressive motility percent,
      and the content of miR-122-3p and miR-141-5p in the two grades were compared.
      RESULTS: No difference was detected after incubation at room temperature and 4
      degrees Celsius. But seminal plasma miR-122-3p and miR-141-5p have decreased
      along with the increase in freeze-thaw cycles increases. RT-PCR assayed showed
      that the miR-122-3p content in the idiopathic asthenospermia group was
      significantly lower than the control group, while miR-141-5p was significantly
      higher. The difference in both miR-122-3p and miR-141-5p content was
      statistically significant (P < 0.05). A significant difference in miR-122-3p and
      miR-141-5p content between a and b groups was also detected (P < 0.05). The AUC
      ROC of miR-122-3p was 0.88. At the cutoff value of 1.02, the sensitivity and
      specificity was 83% and 84%, respectively. At the cutoff of 2.95, the AUC-ROC of
      miR-141-5p was 0.88. The sensitivity and specificity was 84% and 70%,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: MiR-122-3p and miR-141-5p in seminal plasma are stable
      and have certain value for the diagnosis of idiopathic asthenospermia.

PMID- 27264813
TI  - [Mutation analysis of presenilin 1 gene in a Chinese family affected with early
      onset familial Alzheimer's disease].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical phenotype and genotype in a Chinese family
      affected with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOFAD). METHODS:
      Potential mutation of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene, presenilin 1
      (PSEN1) gene and apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene was detected with polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. RESULTS: Homozygous APOE epsilon 2 allele
      and no gene mutation of APP gene were detected in the proband (III1). A 488A>G
      mutation (His163Arg) of the PSEN1 gene was found in the proband and other 4
      family members (IV1, IV12, IV21, V2). CONCLUSION: A mutation (c.488A>G,
      p.His163Arg) of PSEN1 gene was found in a Chinese family affected with EOFAD.

PMID- 27264814
TI  - [Genetic analysis of a child affected with Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To detect potential mutation of the UGT1A1 gene in a child affected
      with Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from
      the patient and his parents for the extraction of genomic DNA. Potential mutation
      of the UGT1A1 gene was detected with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct
      sequencing. The child was followed up until the age of 3 years and 6 months.
      RESULTS: The patient showed persistent unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.
      Sequencing of the UGT1A1 gene has detected a rare heterozygous c.610 A>G
      (p.Met204Val) mutation in the exon 1, in addition with a heterozygous c.1091 C>T
      (p.Pro364Leu) mutation in exon 4. The two mutations were inherited from his
      father and mother, respectively. The patient was diagnosed with Crigler-Najjar
      syndrome type II and received oral phenobarbital treatment. CONCLUSION: The
      compound UGT1A1 gene mutation probably accounts for the disease in the patient
      manifesting persistent mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Genetic counseling
      and prenatal diagnosis should be provided for his family.

PMID- 27264815
TI  - [SNP array and cytogenetic analysis of a patient with unexplained mental
      retardation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze a patient with unexplained mental retardation by using
      three primer PCR (TP-PCR) and single nucleotide polymorphisms array (SNP-array),
      and to correlate the genotype with phenotype. METHODS: Peripheral blood sample
      was taken from the patient for the extraction of DNA. TP-PCR was used to
      determine the copy number of CGG repeats in the 5'UTR of the FMR1 gene. SNP array
      was used for high resolution analysis of the patient's genome. RESULTS: TP-PCR
      has shown no abnormal amplification of CGG in the 5'UTR of FMR1 gene. Hence,
      Fragile X syndrome was excluded as the cause for mental retardation. SNP array
      analysis has identified a 0.93 Mb duplication at 7q36.1-q36.2 and a 2.2 Mb
      deletion at 12p13.1-p13.2 in the patient. CONCLUSION: The microduplication and
      microdeletion discovered in the patient probably underlies the intelligence
      disability. The high-resolution SNP array can provide accurate information for
      the identification of pathogenesis, and is the preferred method for the diagnosis
      of unexplained mental retardation.

PMID- 27264816
TI  - [Genetic analysis for 2 females carrying idic(Y)(p) and with sex development
      disorders].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the phenotype-genotype association of isodicentromere Y
      chromosome by analysis of two female patients carrying the chromosome with sexual
      development disorders. METHODS: The karyotypes of the two patients were
      determined by application of conventional G banding of peripheral blood samples
      and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). PCR was applied to detect the
      presence of SRY gene. RESULTS: Conventional karyotype analysis showed case 1 to
      be a mosaic: mos.45,X[38]/46,X,+mar[151]/47,XY,+mar[5]/47,X,+mar * 2[2]/46,XY[4],
      FISH showed that 12 different cell lines were presented in the karyotype of case
      1 and partial cell lines with SRY gene, the marker is an isodicentromere Y
      chromosome [idic(Y)(p)]. No mutation was found in the SRY gene. The karyotype of
      case 2 was mos.45,X[25]/46,X,+mar[35]. FISH showed the marker to be an idic(Y)(p)
      without the SRY gene. CONCLUSION: The karyotype of patients carrying idic(Y)(p)
      seems unstable, and female patients have the characteristics of short stature and
      secondary sexual hypoplasia. Karyotype analysis combined with FISH analysis can
      accurately determine the breakpoint of idic(Y) and identify the types of complex
      mosaic, which may facilitate genetic counseling and prognosis.

PMID- 27264817
TI  - [Genetic analysis of a fetus with partial 1q monosomy and partial 17q trisomy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze a fetus with abnormal sonographic features and correlated
      its genotype with phenotype. METHODS: G-banding analysis, single nucleotide
      polymorphism array (SNP array) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were
      performed for the fetus. Karyotyping and FISH were also carried out for the
      parents. RESULTS: SNP array detected a 4.4 Mb deletion at 1q44 and a 10.4 Mb
      duplication at 17q24.3q25.3 in the fetus. Based on the results of SNP array and
      FISH analysis, the father was diagnosed with a cryptic t(1;17)(q44;q24.3)
      translocation. The fetus has inherited a der(1)t(1;17)(q44;q24.3) from its
      father. CONCLUSION: The 1q44 deletion and 17q24.3q25.3 duplication may have
      contributed to the abnormal sonographic features presented by the fetus.

PMID- 27264818
TI  - [Pathogenetic mechanism for a female patient with hemophilia A].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenetic mechanism for a female patient affected
      with hemophilia A (HA). METHODS: Potential genetic defect was detected with
      inverse shifting-polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR). The pattern of X chromosome
      inactivation was determined with a human androgen receptor assay (HUMARA assay).
      G-banded karyotyping was carried out to exclude potential chromosome aberrations.
      RESULTS: IS-PCR showed that the defect of FVIII gene was the distal type of
      intron 22 inversion. The HUMARA assay showed that the X chromosome inactivation
      was non-random, and that the mother's X chromosome activity was lower than that
      of the father's X chromosome which has carried the inverted FVIII gene. No
      abnormalities were found with G-banded chromosomes. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of
      female HA patient may be caused by non-random inactivation of X chromosomes.

PMID- 27264819
TI  - [Genetic analysis of a rare case with Kallman syndrome and steroid sulfatase
      deficiency].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenesis of a patient featuring azoospermia and
      steroid sulfatase deficiency. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), G-banded
      karyotyping and Illumina Human CytoSNP-12 Beadchip analysis were conducted.
      RESULTS: STS sites PCR showed that there was no deletion in the AZF zone. G
      banding analysis indicated an unknown structural change in chromosome X, which
      was verified by single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) as a 5.4 Mb
      deletion in Xp22.31-p22.33. CONCLUSION: The Xp22.31-p22.33 deletion probably
      underlies the Kallman syndrome and steroid sulfatase defect in the patient.

PMID- 27264820
TI  - [Prenatal diagnosis of 1p36.3 microdeletion in a fetus with complex heart
      defect].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze a fetus presenting with complex heart defect and assess the
      recurrence risk. METHODS: Conventional karyotyping, fluorescence in situ
      hybridization (FISH) and single nucleotide polymorphism-based array (SNP-array)
      were used to analyze the fetus and his parents. RESULTS: SNP-array has detected a
      6.9 Mb microdeletion at 1p36.33-p36.23 in the fetus. Chromosomal and FISH
      analyses indicated that the father of the fetus had a karyotype of
      46,XY,t(1;14)(p36.3;p12), and that the fetus has inherited an abnormal chromosome
      1 derived from the paternal translocation. CONCLUSION: SNP-array combined with
      GTG banding and FISH can help to detect cryptic translocation, microdeletion or
      microduplication of chromosomes and is valuable to assess the recurrence risk for
      the affected family.

PMID- 27264821
TI  - [Mutation analysis and prenatal diagnosis for a family affected with congenital
      factor VII deficiency].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To provide mutation analysis and prenatal diagnosis for a family
      affected with congenital factor VII(FVII) deficiency. METHODS: DNA was extracted
      from peripheral blood samples from the proband and his parents. All exons and
      flanking sequence of the FVII gene were amplified with PCR and subjected to
      direct sequencing. Prenatal diagnosis was performed by amniocentesis. RESULTS: A
      homozygous mutation (NM_000131.3) c.572-1G>A was identified in the proband. Both
      parents of the fetus were carriers of the mutation. CONCLUSION: A method for
      molecular diagnosis of congenital factor VII deficiency was established and
      successfully applied for an affected family.

PMID- 27264822
TI  - [Phenotypic and genetic analysis of a child featuring multiple malformations due
      to chromosome 14q deletion].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze a child with mental retardation, growth retardation and
      language development disorders. METHODS: Conventional G-banding analysis was
      performed on chromosomes cultivated from peripheral blood samples derived from
      the child and her parents. Array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was
      performed to detect minor structural chromosomal abnormalities, and the result
      was confirmed by short tandem repeats (STR) analysis. RESULTS: For the child and
      her parents, no karyotypic abnormality was detected. However, aCGH analysis has
      identified a 14q22.1 deletion in the child. The microdeletion, with a size of 2.9
      Mb was confirmed by STR analysis. CONCLUSION: The 2.9 Mb chromosomal
      microdeletion probably underlies the mental retardation, growth retardation and
      language development disorders in the child.

PMID- 27264823
TI  - [Association of polymorphisms of miRNA biogenesis related genes DICER and DROSHA
      with azoospermia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of polymorphisms of miRNA biogenesis related
      genes DICER and DROSHA with azoospermia. METHODS: For 330 patients with primary
      azoospermia and 282 fertile male controls, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      of DICER rs3742330 and DROSHA rs10719 were determined with a restriction fragment
      length polymorphism (RFLP) method. RESULTS: For the SNP rs3742330, the frequency
      of A allele was higher among azoospermia patients compared with the controls
      (72.0% vs.64.4%, P=0.004), and so was the frequency of AA genotype (53.0% vs.
      41.8%, P=0.027, OR=1.829, 95%CI: 1.071-3.124). On the other hand, the allelic and
      genotypic frequencies of rs10719 did not differ between the two groups (all P >
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of rs3742330 of the DICER gene, particularly the
      AA genotype, may be associated with azoospermia.

PMID- 27264824
TI  - [Significance of clonal TCR gene rearrangement in acquired pure red cell aplastic
      anemia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) gene
      rearrangement among patients with acquired pure red cell aplastic anemia (A
      PRCA). METHODS: For 16 patients with A-PRCA, an immunosuppressive regimen based
      on cyclosporin A (CsA) was applied. Rearrangement of the TCR gene was detected by
      PCR, and T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood specimens was detected with
      flow cytometry. RESULTS: Five patients had presented with TCR clonal
      rearrangement and were positive for both TCR gamma and TCR delta. The blood of 13
      patients have returned to normal with the treatment, which included 3 cases with
      bone marrow returning to normal. In 7 cases, the red cell hyperplasia of bone
      marrow is still down, but has increased with the treatment. Three patients were
      close to cure, 7 showed remission, 3 were improved, but 3 were ineffective. The
      rate of effective treatment in those with TCR rearrangement (2/5) was
      significantly lower than that those without (11/11, chi-square=8.123, P < 0.05).
      Compared with those without the TCR gene rearrangement, the Th cells and
      proportion of Th/Ts were significantly lower, while the Ts cell (CD3+CD8+) were
      significantly higher in those with the rearrangement (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TCR
      gene rearrangement may play a role in the pathogenesis of A-PRCA. CsA is
      effective for the treatment of A-PRCA, but patients presenting clonal TCR gene
      rearrangement may response poorly to the treatment.

PMID- 27264826
TI  - [Association of extracellular superoxide dismutase gene methylation with cerebral
      infarction].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC
      SOD) gene methylation with cerebral infarction. METHODS: Eighty-three patients
      with cerebral infarction and 94 healthy controls were enrolled. Based on cerebral
      MR findings, the size of infarction, extent of intracranial atherosclerosis, the
      National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and Barthel index were
      calculated. Methylation-specific PCR was used to analyze the methylation status
      of the EC-SOD gene in peripheral blood samples and its correlation with cerebral
      infarction. RESULTS: The rate of EC-SOD gene promoter region methylation of the
      cerebral infarction group was lower than that of the control group (30.1% vs.
      53.2%, P < 0.05). Patients with larger area of cerebral infarction (>4 cm in
      diameter) showed a lower methylation rate than those with a smaller cerebral
      infarction (0 vs. 39.1%, P < 0.05). Based on their cerebral MRA, 57 patients were
      divided into none, mild, moderate, and severe cerebral arteriosclerosis groups.
      The rate of EC-SOD gene methylation of the four groups showed a downward trend
      (at 45.5%, 42.9%, 23.8%, and 14.3%, respectively), though no statistical
      significance was found (P > 0.05). For the cerebral infarction group, those with
      higher rate of methylation had lower NIHSS scores (P < 0.05) but insignificantly
      higher Barthel index (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The EC-SOD methylation frequency of
      case group was lower than the control group. The methylation status is associated
      with the size of cerebral infarction, degree of cerebral arteriosclerosis and
      severity of neurological impairment.

PMID- 27264825
TI  - [Association of AIRE gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to rheumatoid
      arthritis among ethnic Han Chinese from Shaanxi].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of AIRE gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA) among ethnic Han Chinese from Shaan'xi Province. METHODS: Genomic
      DNA was prepared from 384 individuals with RA and 576 healthy controls. Four tag
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the AIRE gene (rs2075876, rs760426,
      rs1800520, and rs878081) were genotyped with a SNaPshot method. The genotypic and
      allelic frequencies were evaluated using a Chi square test. Genotyping data was
      corrected by Logistic regression for age and gender. The linkage disequilibrium
      (LD) block structure was examined using Hapview 4.2 software. RESULTS: All 4 SNPs
      have conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). Two SNPs were
      significantly associated with RA, which included G allele of rs2075876 (OR=1.41,
      95% CI: 1.17-1.71, P=3.7 * 10(-4)); Dominant model (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.21-2.63,
      P=0.002), Recessive model (OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.14-1.93, P=0.003). rs760426 A risk
      allele (OR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.52, P=0.01); Recessive model (OR=1.33, 95% CI:
      1.02-1.73, P=0.03). In addition, rs878081 and rs1800520 SNPs were not allele and
      genotyped polymorphisms were significantly associated with RA susceptibility.
      CONCLUSION: The rs2075876 and rs760426 loci of the AIRE gene are associated with
      increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis among ethnic Han Chinese from ShaanXi.

PMID- 27264827
TI  - [Association of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms of chromosomes 20 and X
      with androgenetic alopecia among ethnic Han Chinese from Yunnan].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      from chromosomes X and 20 with androgenetic alopecia among ethnic Han population
      from Yunnan province. METHODS: An eight-SNP co-amplification protocol was
      developed for the genotyping with a SNaPshot platform. A case-control study was
      carried out for the 8 SNPs from chromosomes X and 20 in 115 androgenetic alopecia
      cases and 125 healthy controls. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS17.0,
      Haploview4.2, SHEsis and MDR software. RESULTS: No association was found between
      the two groups with regard to the 4 SNPs located on the X chromosome. The
      genotypic frequencies of rs2180439, rs913063 and rs1160312 were significantly
      different between the two groups (P < 0.05). The frequency of T allele of
      rs2180439 was significantly higher in the case group (P < 0.05). The frequencies
      of A alleles of rs913063 and rs1160312 were significantly higher in the case
      group (P < 0.05). The haplotypes of C-T-C-G, T-C-C-G and T-T-A-A based on
      rs6137444-rs2180439-rs913063-rs1160312 showed significant difference between the
      two groups (P <0.05). rs6137444, rs21804393 and rs1160312 have a strong
      association with androgenetic alopecia. CONCLUSION: The 4 SNPs located on
      chromosome X were all monomorphic among ethnic Hans from Yunnan. The rs6152,
      rs16990427, rs1352015, rs1385699 SNPs located on chromosome 20 are associated
      with androgenetic alopecia in the same population. Individuals with T allele of
      rs2180439 and A allele of rs913063 and rs1160312 are more likely to develop
      androgenetic alopecia.

PMID- 27264828
TI  - [Association of common copy number variations with diseases].
AB  - Genomic polymorphisms come in various forms including single nucleotide
      variations, translocations, insertions and copy number variations (CNVs). As a
      form of structural variation, the CNVs comprise common and rare forms based on
      their populational frequencies. Studies have demonstrated that certain CNVs are
      associated with risks for neuro-developmental diseases, viral infections, chronic
      inflammations, and cancers. With the development of high-resolution genome typing
      technologies such as microarrays and whole genome sequencing, the human genomic
      CNVs map has been continuously improved and refined. In-depth study of CNVs not
      only can provide comprehensive understanding for their structural variations and
      genetic evolution, but also provide new insights into genetic factors
      contributing to such diseases. In this paper, the general characteristics,
      pathogenesis and detection methods for the CNVs, as well as their association
      with human diseases are reviewed. 

PMID- 27264829
TI  - [Parkinson's disease and nucleolar stress].
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder
      characterized mainly by motor dysfunction resulting in bradykinesia, rigidity,
      tremor, gait impairment, and postural instability. The classic pathogenic feature
      of PD is preferential loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
      Downregulation of rRNA transcription is one of major mechanisms to maintain
      cellular homeostasis under stress conditions. Nucleolar stress has emerged as a
      component of the degenerative process caused by impaired rRNA transcription and
      altered nucleolar integrity. Recent study has indicated that the response to
      stress conditions and quality control mechanisms are impaired in PD, and that
      metabolic stress may be a trigger mechanism for PD. This review aims to present
      evidence for a role of nucleolar stress in PD and has summarized mechanisms by
      which nucleolar stress may play a role in the progression of PD. 

PMID- 27264830
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27264832
TI  - In the light of recent advances: eosinophil, eosinophilia and idiopathic
      hypereosinophilic syndrome.

PMID- 27264831
TI  - Improving training for sensory augmentation using the science of expertise.
AB  - Sensory substitution and augmentation devices (SSADs) allow users to perceive
      information about their environment that is usually beyond their sensory
      capabilities. Despite an extensive history, SSADs are arguably not used to their
      fullest, both as assistive technology for people with sensory impairment or as
      research tools in the psychology and neuroscience of sensory perception. Studies
      of the non-use of other assistive technologies suggest one factor is the balance
      of benefits gained against the costs incurred. We argue that improving the
      learning experience would improve this balance, suggest three ways in which it
      can be improved by leveraging existing cognitive science findings on expertise
      and skill development, and acknowledge limitations and relevant concerns. We
      encourage the systematic evaluation of learning programs, and suggest that a more
      effective learning process for SSADs could reduce the barrier to uptake and allow
      users to reach higher levels of overall capacity.

PMID- 27264833
TI  - Amifostine treatment in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.
AB  - Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal disorder that is characterized by
      peripheral cytopenia and the induction of apoptosis is thought to be partially
      responsible for pathological haematopoiesis in MDS. Amifostine is a
      cytoprotective and antioxidant agent, and it may prolong the survival of
      progenitor cells in MDS by delaying apoptosis. The study has been carried out
      with 9 MDS cases. Four of them were diagnosed as refractory anemia (MDS-RA), two
      as refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RARS) and the remaining three as
      refractory anemia with excess blasts (MDS-RAEB) according to the French-American
      British (FAB) classification. Amifostine was given in a dose of 400 mg/m2, as an
      IV infusion administered in 5-6 minutes, three times a week for 4 consecutive
      weeks. Three of the cases (33.3%), two with MDS RARS and one with MDSRA, showed a
      significant improvement in the number of total leukocyte, neutrophil and
      reticulocyte counts and a decrease in the requirement of erithrocyte
      transfusions. In clinically responsive cases, all hematological parameters
      returned back to pre-treatment values two weeks after the cessation of therapy.
      We conclude that Amifostine can be used in a selected group of patients with MDS
      RA and MDS-RARS. 

PMID- 27264834
TI  - Haematological and biochemical response to treatment of HIV-1 infection with a
      combination of nevirapine + stavudine + lamivudine in Lagos Nigeria.
AB  - To evaluate the effect of a combination of nevirapine + stavudine + lamivudine on
      Haematological and Biochemical values of HIV-1 positive patients in Lagos. Fifty
      patients who met the enrollment criteria for accelerated clinical trial were
      studied. Ten millimeters of blood was taken from each patient at first visit for
      basic haematological and biochemical values. Viral load and CD4 cell counts were
      also analyzed. All the values were repeated at 12 weeks, and 24 weeks, after
      patients were placed on drug treatment regimen. All the data were analyzed using
      Epi-info version 6.4D. The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) results were
      53.3 +/- 41.8 mm/1 hr, 48.2 +/- 40.6 mm/1 hr and 28.6 +/- 20.7 mm/1 hr.
      Haemoglobin (Hb) 123 +/- 15 g/L, 124 +/- 21 g/L and 132 +/- 14 g/L. Packed cell
      volume 36.8 +/- 4.5%, 37.6 +/- 4.8%, and 40.3 +/- 3.3%. Total white blood cell
      (WBC) 4.2 +/- 1.0, 5.0 +/- 1.5 and 4.6 +/- 1.0 (baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks
      respectively). Creatinine, 1.2 +/- 0.68 g/L, 1.2 +/- 0.7 g/L and 1.04 +/- 0.3 g/L
      at (baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks respectively). Serum amylase 37.9 +/- 15.1
      IU/L, 38 +/- 23.9 IU/L and 24.3 +/- 11.6 IU/L. Triglyceride 95.2 +/- 48.3 IU/L,
      92.38 +/- 54.3 IU/L, and 78.0 +/- 35.6 IU/L. Serum bilirubin 0.18 +/- 0.09
      MUmol/L, 0.29 +/- 0.28 MUmol/L and 0.33 +/- 0.24 MUmol/L. Alanine transaminase
      (ALT) 9.9 +/- 3.3 IU/L, 15.1 +/- 9.0 IU/L and 14.1 +/- 9.3 IU/L. Serum aspartate
      transaminase (AST) 8.2 +/- 6.2 IU/L, 9.4 +/- 5.2 IU/L and 9.1 +/- 6.0 IU/L. On
      comparison of the results between baseline and 12th week, all parameter were
      similar except PCV, Hb, serum bilirubin, serum ALT, and total WBC, which were
      significantly high at 12th week. (p<= 0.05). On comparison of results between
      12th week and 24th week all parameters were similar except Hb and PCV (which were
      significantly higher at 24th week) while ESR, was significantly lower at 24th
      week (p<= 0.05). It was concluded that nevirapine + stavudine + lamivudine
      combination results in improved haematological values of HIV/AIDS patients. The
      effect of the drug combination on biochemical parameter in a short period of 24
      weeks may not be much. Clinical response and haematological response alone may be
      used for patient monitoring in a resource poor setting where CD4 count and viral
      load analysis is impossible. 

PMID- 27264835
TI  - Microbiologically documented infections following peripheral blood stem cell
      transplantation: single center experience.
AB  - This study was performed to assess the incidence of infectious complications in
      patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (HSCT). The characteristics of microbiologically documented
      infections in 114 consecutive patients undergoing HSCT (84 autologous, 30
      allogeneic) were analyzed. Conditioning and the pre-engraftment period until one
      month was defined as the early period; the post-engraftment period until one year
      was defined as the late period. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis and
      hematopoietic growth factors during neutropenia. Febrile patients received
      imipenem-cilastatin or cefepime plus amikacin or ceftazidime plus amikacin. A
      total of 117 episodes with microbiologically documented infections were seen 90
      of 114 patients and 79% of the patients experienced at least one febrile episode
      during their post-transplant course. Of these episodes, 69 (59%) were in the
      early period and 48 (41%) were in the late period. In the early period, 38.8% of
      causative organisms were gram-positive, 51.5% were gramnegative and 7.7% were
      fungi. The most common pathogens were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS)
      and E. coli in the early period. In the late period, 44.6% of causative organisms
      were gram-positive, 44.6% were gram-negative and 6.8% were fungi. CoNS and E.
      coli were also the most commonly isolated agents in this period. Resistance to
      methicillin was detected in 47.4% of S. aureus and 86.5% of CoNS isolates. The
      isolation rate was in accordance with previous reports; similar percentages of
      gram-positive and gram-negative isolates were found in patients undergoing HSCT
      in both periods. However, a remarkably low rate of viridans streptococci and
      fungi were observed. The spectrum of pathogens detected in these cases serves as
      the basis for recommendations on the choice of empiric antimicrobial treatment
      regimens. Therefore, studies reporting local microbiological findings are
      necessary. We suggest that local microbiologic surveillance should be known
      before empiric antimicrobial therapy is started in each institution. 

PMID- 27264836
TI  - Thoracic splenosis.
AB  - Intrathoracic splenosis is a rare condition that results after rupture of the
      spleen or diaphragmatic injury. We present herein a case of intrathoracic
      splenosis of a 48-years-old woman whom splenectomy had been performed 5 years ago
      after a traffic accident. The patient was operated on with suspicion of
      malignancy and total resection of the lesion was performed with video-assisted
      thoracic surgery (VATS). Histopathologic examination confirmed the splenosis
      diagnosis. Thoracic splenosis should be suspected for the patients with thoracic
      lesions whom had medical history of thoracoabdominal injury including splenectomy
      or diaphragmatic injury. 

PMID- 27264838
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27264837
TI  - Calcinosis cutis in a pediatric patient with Burkitt's lymphoma.
AB  - Calcinosis cutis, an uncommon disorder characterized by hydroxyapatite crystals
      of calcium phosphate deposited in the skin, has been described infrequently in
      childhood. Cutaneous calcification may be divided into four major categories:
      dystrophic, metastatic, idiopathic, and iatrogenic. Here, we report an example of
      iatrogenic type with a 4-year-old boy who diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma, and
      developed calcinosis cutis secondary to a tumour lysis syndrome with induction
      chemotherapy. 

PMID- 27264840
TI  - Bidentate forms of beta-triketimines: syntheses, characterization and outstanding
      performance of enamine-diimine cobalt complexes in isoprene polymerization.
AB  - New cationic enamine-beta-diimine cobalt complex [LCoBr.THF][BArF] () and its
      neutral analogue [LCoBr2] () where L = [(2,4,6-Me3-C6H2)NHCMe[double bond, length
      as m-dash]C{CMe[double bond, length as m-dash](N-2,4,6-Me3(C6H2))}2] and BArF(-)
      = [{3,5-(CF3)2C6H3}4B](-), were synthesised and then characterized by single
      crystal X-ray diffraction, MALDI-MS, IR and elemental analysis. These complexes,
      the first examples reported where putatively tridentate beta-triketimines prefer
      a bidentate coordination mode, were examined as catalysts for the polymerization
      of isoprene, activated by diethylaluminium chloride (DEAC) or ethylaluminium
      sesquichloride (EASC). The weakly coordinating BArF anion in strongly improved
      activity in comparison to . Both and produced polyisoprene of ca. 80% cis-1,4 and
      20% 3,4 enchainment, with trace levels of trans-1,4 and no 1, 2 polymer. A
      kinetic study for both and demonstrated that the polymerization was first-order
      in monomer and that approximately 46% and 50% of cobalt formed active centres for
      and respectively. EASC was the most active of a range of organoaluminium
      compounds screened for both and . The resulting activities of up to 6 * 10(5) mol
      isoprene per mol Co per h are the highest yet recorded for catalysts selective
      for cis-1,4 enchained polyisoprene. 

PMID- 27264839
TI  - Immunological and clinical significance of HLA class I antigen processing
      machinery component defects in malignant cells.
AB  - Experimental as well as clinical studies demonstrate that the immune system plays
      a major role in controlling generation and progression of tumors. The cancer
      immunoediting theory supports the notion that tumor cell immunogenicity is
      dynamically shaped by the immune system, as it eliminates immunogenic tumor cells
      in the early stage of the disease and then edits their antigenicity. The end
      result is the generation of a tumor cell population able to escape from immune
      recognition and elimination by tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Two major
      mechanisms, which affect the target cells and the effector phase of the immune
      response, play a crucial role in the editing process. One is represented by the
      downregulation of tumor antigen (TA) processing and presentation because of
      abnormalities in the HLA class I antigen processing machinery (APM). The other
      one is represented by the anergy of effector immune infiltrates in the tumor
      microenvironment caused by aberrant inhibitory signals triggered by immune
      checkpoint receptor (ICR) ligands, such as programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1). In
      this review, we will focus on tumor immune escape mechanisms caused by defects in
      HLA class I APM component expression and/or function in different types of
      cancer, with emphasis on head and neck cancer (HNC). We will also discuss the
      immunological implications and clinical relevance of these HLA class I APM
      abnormalities. Finally, we will describe strategies to counteract defective TA
      presentation with the expectation that they will enhance tumor recognition and
      elimination by tumor infiltrating effector T cells.

PMID- 27264841
TI  - Chemoselective modifications for the traceless ligation of thioamide-containing
      peptides and proteins.
AB  - Thioamides are single-atom substitutions of canonical amide bonds, and have been
      proven to be versatile and minimally perturbing probes in protein folding
      studies. Previously, our group showed that thioamides can be incorporated into
      proteins by native chemical ligation (NCL) with Cys as a ligation handle. In this
      study, we report the expansion of this strategy into non-Cys ligation sites,
      utilizing radical initiated desulfurization to "erase" the side chain thiol after
      ligation. The reaction exhibited high chemoselectivity against thioamides, which
      can be further enhanced with thioacetamide as a sacrificial scavenger. As a proof
      of-concept example, we demonstrated the incorporation of a thioamide probe into a
      56 amino acid protein, the B1 domain of Protein G (GB1). Finally, we showed that
      the method can be extended to beta-thiol amino acid analogs and selenocysteine. 

PMID- 27264842
TI  - Effect of the gel elasticity of model skin matrices on the distance/depth
      dependent transmission of vibration energy supplied from a cosmetic vibrator.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine how the energies supplied
      from a cosmetic vibrator are deeply or far transferred into organs and tissues,
      and how these depths or distances are influenced by tissue elasticity. METHODS:
      External vibration energy was applied to model skin surfaces through a facial
      cleansing vibrator, and we measured a distance- and depth-dependent energy that
      was transferred to model skin matrices. As model skin matrices, we synthesized
      hard and soft poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) gels, as well as hydrogels with a
      modulus of 2.63 MPa, 0.33 MPa and 21 kPa, respectively, mostly representing those
      of skin and other organs. The transfer of vibration energy was measured either by
      increasing the separation distances or by increasing the depth from the vibrator.
      RESULTS: The energies were transmitted deeper into the hard PDMS than into the
      soft PDMS and hydrogel matrices. This finding implies that the vibration forces
      influence a larger area of the gel matrices when the gels are more elastic (or
      rigid). There were no appreciable differences between the soft PDMS and hydrogel
      matrices. However, the absorbed energies were more concentrated in the area
      closest to the vibrator with decreasing elasticity of the matrix. Softer
      materials absorbed most of the supplied energy around the point of the vibrator.
      In contrast, harder materials scattered the external energy over a broad area.
      CONCLUSIONS: The current results are the first report in estimating how the
      external energy is deeply or distantly transferred into a model skins depending
      on the elastic moduli of the models skins. In doing so, the results would be
      potentially useful in predicting the health of cells, tissues and organs exposed
      to various stimuli.

PMID- 27264843
TI  - Sorafenib treatment in children with relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma: an
      experience of four cases.
AB  - Metastatic neuroblastoma is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis.
      Recent findings have shown that sorafenib decreases cell viability and increases
      apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell lines. We report an experience of
      compassionate use of sorafenib in children with treatment-refractory
      neuroblastoma. Sorafenib showed transient anti-tumor activity in all four
      patients without adverse effects. However, progression was observed after a short
      stabilization phase. While sorafenib showed minimal anti-tumor activity in our
      patients, it might still be effective in patients with neuroblastoma in an
      earlier stage.

PMID- 27264845
TI  - A swelling-suppressed Si/SiOx nanosphere lithium storage material fabricated by
      graphene envelopment.
AB  - A swelling-suppressed, Si nanocrystals-embedded SiOx nanospheres lithium storage
      material was prepared by graphene envelopment. The free void spaces formed
      between the graphene envelope and Si/SiOx nanospheres effectively accommodated
      the volume changes of Si/SiOx nanospheres during cycling, which significantly
      suppresses the swelling behavior and improves the capacity retention up to 200
      cycles. 

PMID- 27264844
TI  - Admission inferior vena cava measurements are associated with mortality after
      hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prognostication of patients hospitalized with acute decompensated
      heart failure (ADHF) is important to patients, providers, and healthcare systems.
      Few bedside tools exist to prognosticate patients hospitalized with ADHF.
      OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between
      inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and postdischarge mortality in patients
      hospitalized with ADHF. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: A 247
      bed urban teaching hospital in Spain PATIENTS: Ninety-seven patients hospitalized
      with ADHF. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS: The IVC diameter and collapsibility
      were measured by a hospitalist at the time of admission and discharge. Primary
      outcome was 90-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were readmission rates
      at 90 and 180 days, and 180-day all-cause mortality. Patients were followed for
      180 days. RESULTS: Data from 80 patients were analyzed. From admission to
      discharge, a significant improvement in IVC maximum (IVCmax ) diameter (2.12 vs
      1.87 cm; P < 0.001) and IVC collapsibility (25.7% vs 33.1%; P < 0.001) was seen
      in the total study cohort. During the 90-day follow-up period, 11 patients
      (13.7%) died. An admission IVCmax diameter >=1.9 cm was associated with a higher
      mortality rate at 90 days (25.4% vs 3.4%; P = 0.009) and 180 days (29.3% vs 3.4%;
      P = .003). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis,
      admission IVCmax diameter was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality
      (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-28.10; P = 0.025)
      and 90-day readmission (HR: 3.20; 95% CI: 1.24-8.21; P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: In
      patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure, a dilated IVC by
      bedside ultrasound at the time of admission is associated with a higher 90-day
      mortality after hospitalization. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:778-784.
      (c) 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 27264846
TI  - Combining density functional theory (DFT) and collision cross-section (CCS)
      calculations to analyze the gas-phase behaviour of small molecules and their
      protonation site isomers.
AB  - Electrospray ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) data show that for some small
      molecules, two (or even more) ions with identical sum formula and mass, but
      distinct drift times are observed. In spite of showing their own unique and
      characteristic fragmentation spectra in MS/MS, no configurational or
      constitutional isomers are found to be present in solution. Instead the
      observation and separation of such ions appears to be inherent to their gas-phase
      behaviour during ion mobility experiments. The origin of multiple drift times is
      thought to be the result of protonation site isomers ('protomers'). Although some
      important properties of protomers have been highlighted by other studies,
      correlating the experimental collision cross-sections (CCSs) with calculated
      values has proven to be a major difficulty. As a model, this study uses the
      pharmaceutical compound melphalan and a number of related molecules with
      alternative (gas-phase) protonation sites. Our study combines density functional
      theory (DFT) calculations with modified MobCal methods (e.g. nitrogen-based
      Trajectory Method algorithm) for the calculation of theoretical CCS values.
      Calculated structures can be linked to experimentally observed signals, and a
      strong correlation is found between the difference of the calculated dipole
      moments of the protomer pairs and their experimental CCS separation. 

PMID- 27264847
TI  - Cooperative enhancement versus additivity of two-photon-absorption cross sections
      in linear and branched squaraine superchromophores.
AB  - The linear and nonlinear optical properties of a series of oligomeric squaraine
      dyes were investigated by one-photon absorption spectroscopy (1PA) and two-photon
      absorption (2PA) induced fluorescence spectroscopy. The superchromophores are
      based on two indolenine squaraine dyes with transoid (SQA) and cisoid
      configuration (SQB). Using these monomers, linear dimers and trimers as well as
      star-shaped trimers and hexamers with benzene or triphenylamine cores were
      synthesised and investigated. The red-shifted and intensified 1PA spectra of all
      superchromophores could well be explained by exciton coupling theory. In the
      linear chromophore arrangements we also found superradiance of fluorescence but
      not in the branched systems. Furthermore, the 2PA showed enhanced cross sections
      for the linear oligomers but only additivity for the branched systems. This
      emphasizes that the enhancement of the 2PA cross section in the linear
      arrangements is probably caused by orbital interactions of higher excited
      configurations. 

PMID- 27264849
TI  - High-Rate Intercalation without Nanostructuring in Metastable Nb2O5 Bronze
      Phases.
AB  - Nanostructuring and nanosizing have been widely employed to increase the rate
      capability in a variety of energy storage materials. While nanoprocessing is
      required for many materials, we show here that both the capacity and rate
      performance of low-temperature bronze-phase TT- and T-polymorphs of Nb2O5 are
      inherent properties of the bulk crystal structure. Their unique "room-and-pillar"
      NbO6/NbO7 framework structure provides a stable host for lithium intercalation;
      bond valence sum mapping exposes the degenerate diffusion pathways in the sites
      (rooms) surrounding the oxygen pillars of this complex structure. Electrochemical
      analysis of thick films of micrometer-sized, insulating niobia particles
      indicates that the capacity of the T-phase, measured over a fixed potential
      window, is limited only by the Ohmic drop up to at least 60C (12.1 A.g(-1)),
      while the higher temperature (Wadsley-Roth, crystallographic shear structure) H
      phase shows high intercalation capacity (>200 mA.h.g(-1)) but only at moderate
      rates. High-resolution (6/7)Li solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
      spectroscopy of T-Nb2O5 revealed two distinct spin reservoirs, a small initial
      rigid population and a majority-component mobile distribution of lithium.
      Variable-temperature NMR showed lithium dynamics for the majority lithium
      characterized by very low activation energies of 58(2)-98(1) meV. The fast rate,
      high density, good gravimetric capacity, excellent capacity retention, and safety
      features of bulk, insulating Nb2O5 synthesized in a single step at relatively low
      temperatures suggest that this material not only is structurally and
      electronically exceptional but merits consideration for a range of further
      applications. In addition, the realization of high rate performance without
      nanostructuring in a complex insulating oxide expands the field for battery
      material exploration beyond conventional strategies and structural motifs.

PMID- 27264848
TI  - Selective attention in dairy cattle.
AB  - In a replication of Reynolds (1961), two cows learned to discriminate between
      compound stimuli in a forced choice procedure where pushing through a one-way
      gate marked with a red cross (S+) gave access to food. Pushing through a one-way
      gate marked with a yellow triangle (S-) gave no access to food. To investigate
      whether shape or colour was controlling behaviour, probe tests varied either the
      shape or the colour of the stimuli (e.g., a red vs. a yellow cross, and a red
      cross vs. a red triangle). Results suggested control by colour rather than shape,
      as the gate marked with the red stimulus was chosen more than the gate marked
      with the yellow stimulus regardless of stimulus shape, and when two shapes of the
      same colour (either red or yellow) were presented, cows chose both equally.
      Further probe tests with painted red, white, and yellow stimuli showed that the
      cows had learned to avoid yellow rather than to approach red, suggesting
      discriminative behaviour was controlled by the colour of the negative stimulus
      and not by either aspect of the positive stimulus. It is not clear why the
      negative stimulus was more salient, but it may reflect a tendency for cows to
      learn to avoid farm handling practices which involve mainly negative stimuli. 

PMID- 27264850
TI  - Mental Health Issues and Special Care Patients.
AB  - Mental illness is a major health issue in the world today, yet often remains
      misunderstood, unrecognized, and undertreated. Patients suffering from severe
      psychiatric disorders generally display poor oral health, often as a consequence
      of both lifestyle and avoidant-type behaviors that become exacerbated by their
      illness. Individuals with severe mental illness display a greater incidence of
      oral disease compared with a similar demographic not dealing with these
      particular disorders. Efforts to enhance the oral health of these vulnerable
      patients will play a significant role in the overall rebuilding of their self
      esteem and contribute positively to their journey toward stability and recovery.

PMID- 27264851
TI  - Tools and Equipment for Managing Special Care Patients Anywhere.
AB  - This article describes many of the tools and equipment used by dental
      professionals to successfully treat special care patients in a variety of
      settings. Such equipment can be used in the dental office, operating room,
      hospital, surgical center, nursing home, private home, institution, hospice, and
      even in the field without electricity. Equipment discussed includes seating,
      laughing gas and sedation systems, body wraps and mouth props, lighting,
      radiographic exposure and imaging systems, dental isolation devices, and other
      tools the authors use.

PMID- 27264852
TI  - Ensuring Maintenance of Oral Hygiene in Persons with Special Needs.
AB  - Patients with special needs often must rely on inadequately trained caregivers
      for oral health maintenance. Consequently, full compliance is often not achieved.
      It is crucial that dentists carefully consider restorative materials and
      restoration design to maximize durability and facilitate cleansing in these
      challenging circumstances. This article discusses materials selection, prosthetic
      design, and oral hygiene techniques for caregivers to ensure longevity and
      maintenance of oral health in the special needs population.

PMID- 27264853
TI  - Evidence-based Dentistry and Its Role in Caring for Special Needs Patients.
AB  - Evidence-based dentistry is a concept ideally suited and applicable to special
      needs dentistry. As the special needs of patients varies according to the
      individual, so should the way we evaluate our patient, prescribe a course of
      treatment, and implement that treatment plan. Future generations of dental
      students and residents should be trained in these concepts not just for patients
      with special needs, but also for the general patient population. It is imperative
      that the dental community not retreat in the face of what many deem to be
      "difficult" patients with special needs. Knowledge and training can overcome many
      barriers to treatment.

PMID- 27264854
TI  - The Dental Needs and Treatment of Patients with Down Syndrome.
AB  - Down syndrome is a common disorder with many oral conditions and systemic
      manifestations. Dentists need to take a holistic approach including behavioral,
      oral, and systemic issues. This review of the literature focuses on oral
      anomalies, systemic interaction, management, and recommendations.

PMID- 27264855
TI  - Americans with Disabilities Act: Its Importance in Special Care Dentistry.
AB  - This article focuses on understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act and
      developmental disabilities for health care providers in special care dentistry.
      Essential to this awareness is a comprehension of statutory and regulatory
      requirements and how state disability acts can be more rigorous in application.
      Developmental disabilities are re-examined in the context of the Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition). Understanding of
      intellectual disability, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy
      is necessary because the management of oral health considerations for special
      care patients has become ever more complex and indispensable.

PMID- 27264856
TI  - Making Treatment of Special Needs Patients an Important Part of Your Growing
      Dental Practice.
AB  - Today many young dentists want to find a way to make their practices satisfying
      in ways other than the financial rewards of dentistry. Some of these
      practitioners have gained additional training in diagnosis and treatment of
      medically and physically compromised patients in hospital-based, general practice
      residency programs. A hospital affiliation can create a unique niche that will
      allow dentists to differentiate themselves from other dentists. By welcoming
      those ongoing relationships for patients with special needs, and having the
      resources and desire to treat them, dentists will achieve greater visibility and
      a reputation as caring, capable practitioners in their community.

PMID- 27264857
TI  - Treatment of Orally Handicapped Edentulous Older Adults Using Dental Implants.
AB  - The oral handicap of complete edentulism is the terminal outcome of a
      multifactorial process involving biological factors and patient-related factors.
      Fully edentulous orally handicapped older adults have been neglected because
      removable acrylic dentures have been the classic therapy for complete edentulism
      but are only rehabilitative, not therapeutic. Not replacing missing teeth with
      stable dentures could prevent adequate food intake. Osseointegrated endosseous
      implants used as a therapeutic adjunct can reduce the problem of long-term bone
      resorption to less than 0.1 mm per year. Implant-borne prostheses substantially
      increase the overall health and quality of life of orally handicapped fully
      edentulous older adults.

PMID- 27264858
TI  - Communicating with Patients with Special Health Care Needs.
AB  - People with special health care needs (PSHCN) often have difficulty communicating
      with providers in health care settings, including dental practices. This
      difficulty can affect access to care as well as the quality of care received.
      This article provides practical tips and tools dental professionals can use to
      facilitate communication for a diverse population of PSHCNs. The article
      discusses communication needs of patients with communication disorders;
      augmentative and alternative communication; and communication for patients with
      intellectual disability, psychiatric conditions; and dental fears. Examples are
      given of communication breakdowns, and descriptions of how communication
      challenges can be resolved.

PMID- 27264859
TI  - Neurologic Diseases in Special Care Patients.
AB  - Neurologic diseases can have a major impact on functional capacity. Patients with
      neurologic disease require individualized management considerations depending on
      the extent of impairment and impact on functional capacity. This article reviews
      4 of the more common and significant neurologic diseases (Alzheimer disease,
      cerebrovascular accident/stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson disease) that
      are likely to present to a dental office and provides suggestions on the dental
      management of patients with these conditions.

PMID- 27264860
TI  - The Special Needs of Preterm Children - An Oral Health Perspective.
AB  - Preterm births are defined as those before 37 weeks of gestation. With advances
      in fertility medicine and neonatal medicine, the numbers of preterm children in
      the community have significantly increased. Developmental delays and
      complications among preterm children are well recognized. Much less consideration
      is given to the dental complications of preterm children. Manifestations include
      palatal deformations, enamel defects, tooth size variations and tooth shape
      deformities, malocclusions, and increased risks of early childhood caries and
      tooth wear. This article explores orodental risks and orodental needs of preterm
      children and suggests preventive and management strategies for optimizing the
      oral health of special needs children.

PMID- 27264862
TI  - Special Care Dentistry.

PMID- 27264863
TI  - Non-destructive evaluation of bacteria-infected watermelon seeds using
      visible/near-infrared hyperspectral imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a need to minimize economic damage by sorting infected seeds
      from healthy seeds before seeding. However, current methods of detecting infected
      seeds, such as seedling grow-out, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, the
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the real-time PCR have a critical drawbacks
      in that they are time-consuming, labor-intensive and destructive procedures. The
      present study aimed to evaluate the potential of visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR)
      hyperspectral imaging system for detecting bacteria-infected watermelon seeds.
      RESULTS: A hyperspectral Vis/NIR reflectance imaging system (spectral region of
      400-1000 nm) was constructed to obtain hyperspectral reflectance images for 336
      bacteria-infected watermelon seeds, which were then subjected to partial least
      square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and a least-squares support vector machine
      (LS-SVM) to classify bacteria-infected watermelon seeds from healthy watermelon
      seeds. The developed system detected bacteria-infected watermelon seeds with an
      accuracy > 90% (PLS-DA: 91.7%, LS-SVM: 90.5%), suggesting that the Vis/NIR
      hyperspectral imaging system is effective for quarantining bacteria-infected
      watermelon seeds. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study show that it is
      possible to use the Vis/NIR hyperspectral imaging system for detecting bacteria
      infected watermelon seeds. (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27264864
TI  - Heparin centenary - an ever-young life-saving drug.
AB  - On the centenary of the discovery of heparin, the International Journal of
      Cardiology agreed to publish a collection of mini reviews that summarize the
      historical development of this ever-young life-saving drug. The present articles
      deal not only with the historical milestones, but also with current and future
      perspectives regarding the development of heparin in terms of its structure, as
      well as on-going biochemical, biological and clinical research. Attention is
      focused on recent applications of heparin derivatives to non-anticoagulant or
      antithrombotic therapies, providing particular emphasis on their inhibitory
      activities, including their potential as anti-cancer agents. In the Chapter,
      entitled 'Recent innovations in the structural analysis of heparin', some recent
      technological advances are described for the problem of monitoring the purity and
      reproducibility of pharmaceutical heparin. These now permit sensitive detection
      of non-heparin impurities, as well as the detection of heparin from different
      animal sources, to be made in pharmaceutical heparin samples. In 'Past, present,
      and future perspectives of heparin in clinical settings and the role of impaired
      renal function', the author traces the history of heparin and the development of
      low molecular weight heparin, highlighting the large number of clinical trials in
      which it has been involved, and reviewing its efficacy among patients with
      impaired renal function. In the final chapter, 'Old and new applications of non
      anticoagulant heparin', the authors survey some of the many non-anticoagulant
      activities of heparin and its derivatives, including glycol-split heparin, which
      has demonstrated promising activities in a wide-range of situations. 

PMID- 27264865
TI  - Past, present, and future perspectives of heparins in clinical settings and the
      role of impaired renal function.
AB  - Heparin, whose discovery goes back one hundred years, was first detected as a
      thromboplastin from liver tissue, and its anticoagulant action was only
      identified later. The procoagulant action of heparin, which was later
      characterized as an immunologic reaction by binding to platelet-factor IV,
      presenting as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, remains as a side effect. For
      more than 60 years heparin has been the immediate anticoagulant of choice in many
      clinical indications. Further development of heparins resulted in the production
      of low-molecular weight heparins and Fondaparinux, which substituted heparin for
      many indications and has received many more new indications, including
      administration for non-anticoagulant purposes. This development is still ongoing
      and has resulted in more than 300 registered clinical trials at the end of 2015.
      All types of heparins are still investigated in patients with impairment of renal
      function to improve the safety of treatment. New therapeutic strategies for the
      prevention and treatment of thromboembolism, as well as of the non-anticoagulant
      actions of natural and modified types of heparins, are studied intensively. The
      clinical study designs include treatment with vitamin-K and non-vitamin K oral
      anticoagulants. Consequently, heparins, low-molecular weight heparins and
      Fondaparinux play an important role in the human health care system. 

PMID- 27264866
TI  - Old and new applications of non-anticoagulant heparin.
AB  - The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of non-anticoagulant effects of
      heparins and their potential use in new therapeutic applications. Heparin and
      heparin derivatives have been tested in inflammatory, pulmonary and reproductive
      diseases, in cardiovascular, nephro- and neuro-tissue protection and repair, but
      also as agents against angiogenesis, atheroschlerosis, metastasis, protozoa and
      viruses. Targeting and inhibition of specific mediators involved in the
      inflammatory process, promoting some of the above mentioned pathologies, are
      reported along with recent studies of heparin conjugates and oral delivery
      systems. Some reports from the institute of the authors, such as those devoted to
      glycol-split heparins are also included. Among the members and derivatives of
      this class, several are undergoing clinical trials as antimetastatic and
      antimalarial agents and for the treatment of labour pain and severe hereditary
      anaemia. Other heparins, whose therapeutic targets are non-anticoagulant such as
      nephropathies, retinopathies and cystic fibrosis are also under investigation. 

PMID- 27264867
TI  - Recent innovations in the structural analysis of heparin.
AB  - Heparin, the widely used anticoagulant drug, is unusual among major
      pharmaceutical agents being neither single chemical entity nor a defined mixture
      of compounds. Its composition, while conforming to approximate average
      disaccharide composition or sulfation levels, exhibits heterogeneity and
      variability depending on the source, as well as its geographical origin.
      Furthermore, individual polysaccharide chains, whose physico-chemical properties
      are extremely similar, cannot be separated with current state-of-the-art
      techniques, presenting a challenge to those interested in the quality control of
      heparin, in ensuring its provenance and safety, and those with an interest in
      investigating the relationships between its structure and biological activity.
      The review consists of two main sections: The first is the Introduction,
      comprising (i) The History, Occurrence and Use of Heparin and (ii) Approaches to
      Structure-Activity Relationships. The second section is Improved Techniques for
      Structural Analysis, comprising; (i) Separation and Identification, (ii)
      Spectroscopic Methods, (iii) Enzymatic Approaches and (iv) Other Physico-Chemical
      Approaches. The ~60 references cover recent technological advances in the study
      of heparin structural analysis, largely since 2010. 

PMID- 27264868
TI  - A Salmonella Toxin Promotes Persister Formation through Acetylation of tRNA.
AB  - The recalcitrance of many bacterial infections to antibiotic treatment is thought
      to be due to the presence of persisters that are non-growing, antibiotic
      insensitive cells. Eventually, persisters resume growth, accounting for relapses
      of infection. Salmonella is an important pathogen that causes disease through its
      ability to survive inside macrophages. After macrophage phagocytosis, a
      significant proportion of the Salmonella population forms non-growing persisters
      through the action of toxin-antitoxin modules. Here we reveal that one such
      toxin, TacT, is an acetyltransferase that blocks the primary amine group of amino
      acids on charged tRNA molecules, thereby inhibiting translation and promoting
      persister formation. Furthermore, we report the crystal structure of TacT and
      note unique structural features, including two positively charged surface patches
      that are essential for toxicity. Finally, we identify a detoxifying mechanism in
      Salmonella wherein peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase counteracts TacT-dependent growth
      arrest, explaining how bacterial persisters can resume growth.

PMID- 27264869
TI  - Chromatin-Bound MDM2 Regulates Serine Metabolism and Redox Homeostasis
      Independently of p53.
AB  - The mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) oncoprotein is recognized as a major negative
      regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor, but growing evidence indicates that its
      oncogenic activities extend beyond p53. Here, we show that MDM2 is recruited to
      chromatin independently of p53 to regulate a transcriptional program implicated
      in amino acid metabolism and redox homeostasis. Identification of MDM2 target
      genes at the whole-genome level highlights an important role for ATF3/4
      transcription factors in tethering MDM2 to chromatin. MDM2 recruitment to
      chromatin is a tightly regulated process that occurs during oxidative stress and
      serine/glycine deprivation and is modulated by the pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)
      metabolic enzyme. Depletion of endogenous MDM2 in p53-deficient cells impairs
      serine/glycine metabolism, the NAD(+)/NADH ratio, and glutathione (GSH)
      recycling, impacting their redox state and tumorigenic potential. Collectively,
      our data illustrate a previously unsuspected function of chromatin-bound MDM2 in
      cancer cell metabolism.

PMID- 27264871
TI  - Taz1-Shelterin Promotes Facultative Heterochromatin Assembly at Chromosome
      Internal Sites Containing Late Replication Origins.
AB  - Facultative heterochromatin regulates gene expression, but its assembly is poorly
      understood. Previously, we identified facultative heterochromatin islands in the
      fission yeast genome and found that RNA elimination machinery promotes island
      assembly at meiotic genes. Here, we report that Taz1, a component of the telomere
      protection complex Shelterin, is required to assemble heterochromatin islands at
      regions corresponding to late replication origins that are sites of double-strand
      break formation during meiosis. The loss of Taz1 or other Shelterin subunits,
      including Ccq1 that interacts with Clr4/Suv39h, abolishes heterochromatin at late
      origins and causes derepression of associated genes. Moreover, the late-origin
      regulator Rif1 affects heterochromatin at Taz1-dependent islands and subtelomeric
      regions. We explore the connection between facultative heterochromatin and
      replication control and show that heterochromatin machinery affects replication
      timing. These analyses reveal the role of Shelterin in facultative
      heterochromatin assembly at late origins, which has important implications for
      genome stability and gene regulation.

PMID- 27264870
TI  - Nek1 Regulates Rad54 to Orchestrate Homologous Recombination and Replication Fork
      Stability.
AB  - Never-in-mitosis A-related kinase 1 (Nek1) has established roles in apoptosis and
      cell cycle regulation. We show that human Nek1 regulates homologous recombination
      (HR) by phosphorylating Rad54 at Ser572 in late G2 phase. Nek1 deficiency as well
      as expression of unphosphorylatable Rad54 (Rad54-S572A) cause unresolved Rad51
      foci and confer a defect in HR. Phospho-mimic Rad54 (Rad54-S572E), in contrast,
      promotes HR and rescues the HR defect associated with Nek1 loss. Although
      expression of phospho-mimic Rad54 is beneficial for HR, it causes Rad51 removal
      from chromatin and degradation of stalled replication forks in S phase. Thus, G2
      specific phosphorylation of Rad54 by Nek1 promotes Rad51 chromatin removal during
      HR in G2 phase, and its absence in S phase is required for replication fork
      stability. In summary, Nek1 regulates Rad51 removal to orchestrate HR and
      replication fork stability.

PMID- 27264873
TI  - The CUE Domain of Cue1 Aligns Growing Ubiquitin Chains with Ubc7 for Rapid
      Elongation.
AB  - Ubiquitin conjugation is an essential process modulating protein function in
      eukaryotic cells. Surprisingly, little is known about how the progressive
      assembly of ubiquitin chains is managed by the responsible enzymes. Only recently
      has ubiquitin binding activity emerged as an important factor in chain formation.
      The Ubc7 activator Cue1 carries a ubiquitin binding CUE domain that substantially
      stimulates K48-linked polyubiquitination mediated by Ubc7. Our results from NMR
      based analysis and in vitro ubiquitination reactions point out that two
      parameters accelerate ubiquitin chain assembly: the increasing number of CUE
      binding sites and the position of CUE binding within a growing chain. In
      particular, interactions with a ubiquitin moiety adjacent to the acceptor
      ubiquitin facilitate chain elongation. These data indicate a mechanism for
      ubiquitin binding in which Cue1 positions Ubc7 and the distal acceptor ubiquitin
      for rapid polyubiquitination. Disrupting this mechanism results in dysfunction of
      the ERAD pathway by a delayed turnover of substrates.

PMID- 27264874
TI  - Successful treatment of radiation-induced mucositis with proton pump inhibitor
      administration: A report of two laryngeal cancer cases.
AB  - Presently, the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and radiation
      induced mucositis has not been fully explored. In the present study, we report 2
      cases of laryngeal cancer in which radiation-induced mucositis ameliorated after
      proton pump inhibitor (PPI) administration. Case 1 was diagnosed with T1aN0M0
      right glottis carcinoma and was treated with radiation therapy. Grade 3 mucositis
      occurred after administration of 46Gy irradiation. PPI was administered and
      mucositis ameliorated quickly without cessation of radiation therapy. Case 2 was
      diagnosed with T2N0M0 supraglottic cancer and was treated with concurrent
      chemoradiation therapy. Grade 3 mucositis occurred after administration of 44Gy
      irradiation. PPI was administered and mucositis ameliorated quickly without
      cessation of chemoradiation therapy. In both cases, a remarkable therapeutic
      effect of PPI was observed in the perilaryngeal areas including the epiglottic
      vallecula, arytenoid, and postcricoid area. In both cases, LPR involvement was
      suspected before the onset of radiation therapy. The two cases presented here,
      indicated a causal relationship between LPR and radiation-induced mucositis. In
      cases of severe mucositis in the perilaryngeal area in patients with LPR prior to
      radiation therapy, PPI administration may be an effective therapeutic option.

PMID- 27264872
TI  - Tissue-Specific Gene Repositioning by Muscle Nuclear Membrane Proteins Enhances
      Repression of Critical Developmental Genes during Myogenesis.
AB  - Whether gene repositioning to the nuclear periphery during differentiation adds
      another layer of regulation to gene expression remains controversial. Here, we
      resolve this by manipulating gene positions through targeting the nuclear
      envelope transmembrane proteins (NETs) that direct their normal repositioning
      during myogenesis. Combining transcriptomics with high-resolution DamID mapping
      of nuclear envelope-genome contacts, we show that three muscle-specific NETs,
      NET39, Tmem38A, and WFS1, direct specific myogenic genes to the nuclear periphery
      to facilitate their repression. Retargeting a NET39 fragment to nucleoli
      correspondingly repositioned a target gene, indicating a direct tethering
      mechanism. Being able to manipulate gene position independently of other changes
      in differentiation revealed that repositioning contributes 1/3 to 2/3 of a gene's
      normal repression in myogenesis. Together, these NETs affect 37% of all genes
      changing expression during myogenesis, and their combined knockdown almost
      completely blocks myotube formation. This unequivocally demonstrates that NET
      directed gene repositioning is critical for developmental gene regulation.

PMID- 27264875
TI  - HIV-associated cystic lesions of the parotid gland.
AB  - We present two cases of an HIV-associated parotid gland cyst. One case was a 36
      year-old HIV infected woman. She was diagnosed with HIV infection and presented
      with slowly enlarged parotid gland cysts together with elevation of HIV viral RNA
      copies/mL in her serum. She was performed parotid gland biopsy under the general
      anesthesia. The histopathologic analysis revealed negative HIV p24-antigen in her
      parotid gland tissue. The other case was a 43-year-old man found his parotid
      gland swelling shortly after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). He was
      diagnosed with HIV infection 2 years previously. He had started HAART several
      days before. He showed exceeding elevation of IgE in his serum. We treated him
      with medication using anti-histamic drugs for his cyst. A computed tomography
      scan revealed a complete response of his parotid gland cyst 4 weeks after the
      medication. His serum IgE level was decreased to half of the level before the
      medication. These findings suggested that the parotid gland swelling associated
      with HIV was due to various factors including immune reconstitution inflammatory
      syndrome (IRIS). In case such a parotid gland swelling, we could avoid invasive
      treatments.

PMID- 27264876
TI  - Corrigendum: Excess aldosterone under normal salt diet induces cardiac
      hypertrophy and infiltration via oxidative stress.

PMID- 27264878
TI  - Factors influencing community nursing roles and health service provision in rural
      areas: a review of literature.
AB  - AIMS: This review sought to better understand the issues and challenges
      experienced by community nurses working in rural areas and how these factors
      shape their role. METHODS: Databases were searched to identify relevant studies,
      published between 1990 and 2015, that focussed on issues and challenges
      experienced by rural community nurses. Generic and grey literature relating to
      the subject was also searched. The search was systematically conducted multiple
      times to assure accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 14 articles met the inclusion
      criteria. This critical review identified common issues impacting community
      nursing and included role definition, organisational change, human resource,
      workplace and geographic challenges. CONCLUSION: Community nurses are flexible,
      autonomous, able to adapt care to the service delivery setting, and have a
      diversity of knowledge and skills. Considerably more research is essential to
      identify factors that impact rural community nursing practice. In addition,
      greater advocacy is required to develop the role.

PMID- 27264877
TI  - The quality of recovery on discharge from hospital, a comparison between patients
      undergoing hip and knee replacement - a European study.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare the quality of recovery on discharge
      from hospital among patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement. The
      study will also attempt to identify any predicting factors. BACKGROUND:
      Arthroplasty is commonly used for an increasing population of patients with
      osteoarthritis, and the recovery process starts directly after surgery. Today's
      shorter hospital stay may be a challenge for the patients during the early period
      of recovery. It is therefore important to identify factors associated with
      quality of recovery at discharge from hospital. DESIGN: A descriptive,
      comparative study including 12 hospitals in 5 European countries; Cyprus,
      Finland, Greece, Iceland and Sweden. METHODS: Consecutively included patients
      responded on: health-related quality of life, and emotions before surgery and at
      hospital discharge; quality of recovery, patient satisfaction and fulfilment of
      knowledge expectations. Related factors and associations were analysed separately
      for each kind of arthroplasty. In total, 865 patients were included (hip n = 413,
      knee n = 452). RESULTS: In the dimension of pain, patients undergoing hip
      replacement had significantly better quality of recovery compared to those
      undergoing knee replacement. Both patient groups experienced negative emotions
      before surgery that were related to poorer quality of recovery. Fulfilment of
      knowledge expectations has a limited effect on quality of recovery. Greater
      satisfaction with care predicted better quality of recovery. CONCLUSIONS:
      Negative preoperative emotions were related to poorer quality of recovery. For
      both kinds of arthroplasty, greater satisfaction with care was associated with
      better quality of recovery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The result emphasises
      the need to detect patients in need of support in their preparation and recovery
      process, taking into account the perspective of their emotional state.

PMID- 27264881
TI  - Immunomodulatory effects of temperature and pH of water in an Indian freshwater
      sponge.
AB  - Eunapius carteri, a freshwater sponge of India, inhabits the ponds and lakes and
      experiences variations of temperature and pH of water throughout the year.
      Sponges bear evolutionary and ecological importance with limited information on
      their immunological attribute and adaptational resilience in a changing
      environment. This paper reports temperature and pH specific responses of immune
      related parameters in sponge maintained in the experimental conditions of
      laboratory. Innate immunological parameters like phagocytosis and generation of
      cytotoxic molecules like superoxide anion, nitric oxide and phenoloxidase
      activity were estimated in E. carteri at different environmentally realistic
      water temperatures (10, 20, 30 and 40 degrees C) and pH (6.4, 7.4 and 8.4).
      Phagocytosis and cytotoxicity are established as important immune parameters of
      invertebrates. Calalase, an antioxidant enzyme and phosphatases are involved in
      pathogen destruction and are considered as components of innate immunity.
      Activities of catalase, acid and alkaline phosphatases were estimated in E.
      carteri at different thermal regimes and pH. Modulation of phagocytic and
      cytotoxic responses and the activities of catalase and phosphatases at different
      water temperatures and pH indicated temperature and pH specific immunological
      status of E. carteri. Present investigation deals with the effects of selected
      hydrological parameters on the fundamental immune related parameters in sponge
      indicating its adaptational plasticity. Immunological resilience of this species
      in the face of variation of water temperature and pH is thought to be a special
      adaptive feature of sponge, a reported "living fossil". 

PMID- 27264882
TI  - Pre-cooling with intermittent ice ingestion lowers the core temperature in a hot
      environment as compared with the ingestion of a single bolus.
AB  - The timing in which ice is ingested may be important for optimizing its success.
      However, the effects of differences in the timing of ice ingestion has not been
      studied in resting participants. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to
      investigate the effects of differences in the timing of ice ingestion on rectal
      temperature (Tre) and rating of perceptual sensation in a hot environment. Seven
      males ingested 1.25gkg(-1) of crushed ice (ICE1.25: 0.5 degrees C) or cold water
      (CON: 4 degrees C) every 5min for 30min, or were given 7.5gkgBM(-1) of crushed
      ice (ICE7.5) to consume for 30min in a hot environment (35 degrees C, 30%
      relative humidity). The participants then remained at rest for 1h. As
      physiological indices, Tre, body mass and urine specific gravity were measured.
      Rating of thermal sensation was measured at 5-min intervals throughout the
      experiment. ICE1.25 continued to decrease Tre until approximately 50min, and
      resulted in a greater reduction in Tre (-0.56+/-0.20 degrees C) than ICE7.5 (
      0.41+/-0.14 degrees C). Tre was reduced from 40 to 75min by ICE1.25, which is a
      significant reduction in comparison to ICE7.5 (p<.05). Mean RTS with ICE1.25 at
      50-65min was significantly lower than that with ICE7.5 (p<.05). These results
      suggest that pre-cooling with intermittent ice ingestion is a more effective
      strategy both for lowering the Tre and for the rating of thermal sensation. 

PMID- 27264883
TI  - Differential effect of thermal stress on HSP70 expression, nitric oxide
      production and cell proliferation among native and crossbred dairy cattle.
AB  - In a tropical country like India, thermal stress is one of the major factors
      which significantly affects the productivity of dairy cattle. The present study
      was aimed to identify the effect of heat and cold stress on cell viability,
      mitogen stimulation indices, nitric oxide production and HSP70 expression in
      Sahiwal and Holstein crossbred (Frieswal) population in India. The results
      indicated that the Sahiwal breed can better withstand the effect of heat and cold
      stress significantly (P<0.05) when compared to the crossbred cattle due to the
      higher survivability of the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) and
      Phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) mitogen based stimulation indices. The study also
      revealed the significant differences (P<0.05) in the level of nitric oxide (uM)
      production amongst the pre and post thermal stressed samples of Sahiwal and
      Frieswal crossbred samples. Further, the expression of HSP70 was significantly
      (P<0.05) higher in Sahiwal compared to Frieswal immediately after heat/cold shock
      to 6h of recovery as indirect ELISA analysis showed gradual rise in the Hsp70
      protein concentration (ng/ml) immediately after heat and cold stress (0h) and
      reached the peak at 6h of recovery. Western blot and immune fluorescent assay
      results were also corroborated with the findings of indirect ELISA. In Sahiwal
      cattle the mRNA expression of HSP70 and its protein concentration were higher
      (P<0.05) during peak summer (44 degrees C) and winter (10 degrees C) as compared
      to Frieswal cattle. This investigation supports the earlier information on the
      higher adaptability of indigenous cattle breeds to hot and humid conditions
      compared to the crossbreds of temperate cattle breeds. 

PMID- 27264884
TI  - An acute bout of whole body passive hyperthermia increases plasma leptin, but
      does not alter glucose or insulin responses in obese type 2 diabetics and healthy
      adults.
AB  - Acute and chronic hyperthermic treatments in diabetic animal models repeatedly
      improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control. Therefore, the purpose of this
      study was to test the hypothesis that an acute 1h bout of hyperthermic treatment
      improves glucose, insulin, and leptin responses to an oral glucose challenge
      (OGTT) in obese type 2 diabetics and healthy humans. Nine obese (45+/-7.1% fat
      mass) type 2 diabetics (T2DM: 50.1+/-12y, 7.5+/-1.8% HbA1c) absent of insulin
      therapy and nine similar aged (41.1+/-13.7y) healthy non-obese controls (HC:
      33.4+/-7.8% fat mass, P<0.01; 5.3+/-0.4% HbA1c, P<0.01) participated. Using a
      randomized design, subjects underwent either a whole body passive hyperthermia
      treatment via head-out hot water immersion (1h resting in 39.4+/-0.4 degrees C
      water) that increased internal temperature above baseline by ?1.6+/-0.4 degrees C
      or a control resting condition. Twenty-four hours post treatments, a 75g OGTT was
      administered to evaluate changes in plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and
      leptin concentrations. Hyperthermia itself did not alter area under the curve for
      plasma glucose, insulin, or C-peptide during the OGTT in either group. Fasting
      absolute and normalized (kg.fat mass) plasma leptin was significantly increased
      (P<0.01) only after the hyperthermic exposure by 17% in T2DM and 24% in HC groups
      (P<0.001) when compared to the control condition. These data indicate that an
      acute hyperthermic treatment does not improve glucose tolerance 24h post
      treatment in moderate metabolic controlled obese T2DM or HC individuals. 

PMID- 27264885
TI  - Modeling heat loss from the udder of a dairy cow.
AB  - A mechanistic model that predicts sensible and latent heat fluxes from the udder
      of a dairy cow was developed. The prediction of the model was spot validated
      against measured data from the literature, and the result agreed within 7% of the
      measured value for the same ambient temperature. A dairy cow can lose a
      significant amount of heat (388W/m(2)) from the udder. This suggests that the
      udder could be considered as a heat sink. The temperature profile through the
      udder tissue (core to skin) approached the core temperature for an air
      temperature >=37 degrees C whereas the profile decreased linearly from the core
      to skin surface for an air temperature less than 37 degrees C. Sensible heat loss
      was dominant when ambient air temperature was less than 37.5 degrees C but latent
      heat loss was greater than sensible heat loss when air temperature was >=37.5
      degrees C. The udder could lose a total (sensible + latent) heat flux of
      338W/m(2) at an ambient temperature of 35 degrees C and blood-flow rate of
      3.2*10(-3)m(3)/(sm(3) tissue). The results of this study suggests that, in time
      of heat stress, a dairy cow could be cooled by cooling the udder only (e.g.,
      using an evaporative cooling jacket). 

PMID- 27264886
TI  - Effect of multiple stress factors (thermal, nutritional and pregnancy type) on
      adaptive capability of native ewes under semi-arid environment.
AB  - This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of multiple stress factors
      (thermal, nutritional and pregnancy type) on two different native track breeds of
      ewes as reflected by their adaptive capability under semi-arid environment. The
      multiple stressor experiment was conducted in twenty-four ewes (12 Santa Ines and
      12 Morada Nova ewes). Both heat stress and pregnancy stress was common to all
      four groups. However, the animals were divided into further two groups within
      each breed on the basis of nutrition regimen. According the groupings were: Group
      1 (Six Santa Ines ewes; heat stress; nutrition at 0.5% of BW; single pregnancy);
      Group 2 (Six Santa Ines ewes; heat stress; nutrition at 1.5% BW; twin pregnancy);
      groups Group 3 (Six Morada Nova ewes; heat stress; nutrition at 0.5% of BW;
      single pregnancy); Group 4 (Six Morada Nova ewes; heat stress; nutrition at 1.5%
      BW; twin pregnancy). All the animals in the experiment were pregnant. Heat stress
      was induced by exposing all animals to summer heat stress in outside environment
      while the nutritional regimen followed was at 0.5% and 1.5% level of body weight
      (BW) respectively in each breed. The experiment was conducted in a completely
      randomized design with two breeds, two nutritional treatments and two pregnancy
      types, 10 repetitions for physiological parameters and six for blood parameters,
      with repeated measures over time. Physiological parameters (respiratory rate,
      pulse rate and rectal temperature) were measured with the animals at rest in the
      morning and afternoon, 0600-0700 and 1300-1400h, respectively, every seven days.
      Blood samples were collected every 14d for determination of serum glucose,
      triglycerides, cholesterol, urea and creatinine. We found interaction effect
      between breed and pregnancy type on respiratory rate and rectal temperature with
      greater values in Santa Ines ewes than Morada Nova ewes. However, there was no
      significant fixed effect of pregnancy type and supplementation level on
      physiological responses of breeds. Environmental factor (period of the day) had
      influenced the physiological responses of ewes during all gestational period.
      Santa Ines ewes had greater serum glucose concentration at 105d and 120d of
      gestation compared to the Morada Nova ewes. Morada Nova ewes had greater
      concentrations of triglycerides, urea at 120d, 150d and also greater cholesterol
      at 105d, 135d and 150d of gestation compared with Santa Ines ewes. The present
      result indicates that thermal condition was most important factor that modified
      the physiological responses of ewes in a semi-arid tropical environment. 

PMID- 27264887
TI  - Age-related changes of serum mitochondrial uncoupling 1, rumen and rectal
      temperature in goats.
AB  - Thermoregulatory processes are induced not only by exposure to cold or heat but
      also by a variety of physiological situations including age, fasting and food
      intake that result in changes in body temperature. The aim of the present study
      was to evaluate the differences in serum mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1
      (UCP1), rumen temperature (TRUMEN) and rectal temperature (TRECTAL) values
      between adult and kids goats. Ten adult male Maltese goats aged 3-5 years old
      (Group A) and 30 male kids, raised for meat, were enrolled in this study. The
      kids were equally divided into 3 groups according to their age: Group B included
      kids aged 3 months, Group C included kids aged 4 months and Group D included kids
      aged 5 months. Blood samples and measurements of TRUMEN and TRECTAL were obtained
      from each animal. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was
      applied to evaluate the effect of age on the studied parameters. Statistically
      significant higher serum UCP1 levels (P<0.001) were found in Group A as compared
      to Groups B, C and D. Higher TRUMEN values (P<0.001) were found in Group A than
      in Groups B, C and D, and in Group B than in Groups C and D. Group A showed lower
      TRECTAL values (P<0.001) than Groups B, C and D. The Pearson's Correlation test
      was applied to assess significant relationship among studied parameters showing a
      statistically significant negative correlation between the values of TRECTAL and
      serum UCP1 in all studied Groups (P<0.001). These results indicate that goats
      have good control of body temperature suggesting that further details about the
      thermogenic capacity and the function of UCP1 in kids and adult goats are worth
      exploring. 

PMID- 27264888
TI  - Altitudinal variation in bumble bee (Bombus) critical thermal limits.
AB  - Organism critical thermal limits are often tightly linked to current geographic
      distribution and can therefore help predict future range shifts driven by
      changing environmental temperatures. Thermal tolerance of diverse organisms often
      varies predictably with latitude, with upper thermal limits changing little and
      lower thermal limits decreasing with latitude. Despite similarly steep gradients
      in environmental temperatures across altitude, few studies have investigated
      altitudinal variation in critical thermal limits. We estimated critical thermal
      minimum (CTmin), critical thermal maximum (CTmax) and recovery temperature (Trec)
      by tracking righting response of three bumble bee species during thermal ramps:
      Bombus huntii collected from 2180m asl, and Bombus bifarius and Bombus sylvicola
      collected from 3290m asl in Wyoming, USA. Overall, larger bees could tolerate
      more extreme temperatures, likely due to a thermal inertia driven lag between
      core body temperatures and air temperatures. Despite their smaller size, high
      altitude bumble bees tolerated colder air temperatures: they had ~1 degrees C
      lower CTmin and recovered from cold exposure at ~3-4 degrees C lower air
      temperatures. Conversely, low altitude bees tolerated ~5 degrees C hotter air
      temperatures. These altitudinal differences in thermal tolerance parallel
      differences in average daily minimum (1.2 degrees C) and maximum (7.5 degrees C)
      temperatures between these sites. These results provide one of the few
      measurements of organism thermal tolerance across altitude and the first evidence
      for geographical differences in tolerance of temperature extremes in
      heterothermic bumble bees. 

PMID- 27264889
TI  - Dynamics of thermographic skin temperature response during squat exercise at two
      different speeds.
AB  - Low intensity resistance training with slow movement and tonic force generation
      has been shown to create blood flow restriction within muscles that may affect
      thermoregulation through the skin. We aimed to investigate the influence of two
      speeds of exercise execution on skin temperature dynamics using infrared
      thermography. Thirteen active males performed randomly two sessions of squat
      exercise (normal speed, 1s eccentric/1s concentric phase, 1s; slow speed, 5s
      eccentric/5s concentric phase, 5s), using ~50% of 1 maximal repetition. Thermal
      images of ST above muscles quadriceps were recorded at a rate of 0.05Hz before
      the exercise (to determine basal ST) and for 480s following the initiation of the
      exercise (to determine the nonsteady-state time course of ST). Results showed
      that ST changed more slowly during the 5s exercise (p=0.002), whereas the delta
      (with respect to basal) excursions were similar for the two exercises (p>0.05).
      In summary, our data provided a detailed nonsteady-state portrait of ST changes
      following squat exercises executed at two different speeds. These results lay the
      basis for further investigations entailing the joint use of infrared thermography
      and Doppler flowmetry to study the events taking place both at the skin and the
      muscle level during exercises executed at slow speed. 

PMID- 27264890
TI  - The in vitro effect of temperature on motility and antioxidant response of common
      carp Cyprinus carpio spermatozoa.
AB  - The effect of temperature on Cyprinus carpio spermatozoa in vitro was
      investigated with spermatozoa activated at 4, 14, and 24 degrees C. At 30s post
      activation, motility rate was significantly higher at 4 degrees C compared to 14
      and 24 degrees C, whereas highest swimming velocity was observed at 14 degrees C.
      The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) content was significantly
      higher at 14 degrees C and 24 degrees C than at 4 degrees C in motile
      spermatozoa. No significant differences in catalase and superoxide dismutase
      activity relative to temperature were observed. This study provides new
      information regarding effect of temperature on lipid peroxidation intensity and
      spermatozoon motility parameters in carp. The elevation of TBARS seen at higher
      temperatures could be due to inadequate capacity of antioxidant enzymes to
      protect the cell against the detrimental effects of oxidative stress induced by
      higher temperatures. 

PMID- 27264892
TI  - Artificial selection on chill-coma recovery time in Drosophila melanogaster:
      Direct and correlated responses to selection.
AB  - Artificial selection can be used to create populations with extreme phenotypic
      responses to environmental stressors. When artificial selection is applied to a
      single component of a stress response, this selection may result in correlated
      responses in other stress responses, a phenomenon called cross-tolerance, which
      is ultimately controlled by the genetic correlations among traits. We selected
      for extreme responses to cold tolerance by selecting for chill-coma recovery time
      from a single temperate population of Drosophila melanogaster. Chill-coma
      recovery time is a common metric of low, but non-lethal, cold temperature
      tolerance. Replicated divergent artificial selection was applied to a genetically
      variable base population for 31 generations, resulting in two cold resistant, two
      cold susceptible, and two unselected control lines. To quantify the relationship
      between selection on chill-coma recovery and other metrics of thermal
      performance, we also measured survivorship after acute cold exposure,
      survivorship after chronic cold exposure, survivorship after cold exposure
      following a pre-treatment period (rapid cold hardening), starvation tolerance,
      and heat tolerance. We find that chill-coma recovery time is heritable within
      this population and that there is an asymmetric response to increased and
      decreased chill-coma recovery time. Surprisingly, we found no cross-tolerances
      between selection on chill-coma recovery time and the other environmental stress
      response traits. These results suggest that although artificial selection has
      dramatically altered chill-coma recovery time, the correlated response to
      selection on other stress response phenotypes has been negligible. The lack of a
      correlated response suggests that chill-coma recovery time in these selection
      lines is likely genetically independent from measures of cold survivorship tested
      here. 

PMID- 27264891
TI  - Effect of heat stress on performance and expression of selected amino acid and
      glucose transporters, HSP90, leptin and ghrelin in growing pigs.
AB  - Exposing animals to high ambient temperature provokes heat stress (HS) that may
      affect cellular function and reduced productive performance. The effect of
      chronic exposure (21d) of pigs to high ambient temperature on expression of amino
      acid (b(0,+)AT, CAT1) and glucose (SGLT1, GLUT4) transporters, ghrelin, leptin
      and HSP90 was evaluated. Eighteen pigs (32.6kg body weight) were distributed into
      3 groups: (1) pigs housed under natural high ambient temperature conditions, and
      fed ad libitum (HS); (2) pigs housed in an air-conditioned room at 24 degrees C
      (thermo-neutral) fed ad libitum (TNad); (3) pigs housed as in (2), but pair-fed
      with the HS pigs (TNpf). Body temperature, respiratory frequency, weight gain,
      feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were measured. At d-21 pigs were
      euthanized and samples from stomach, duodenum, jejunum, liver, longissimus and
      semitendinosus muscles, and white adipose tissue were collected for mRNA
      analysis. In the HS room ambient temperature fluctuated every day (23.6-37.6
      degrees C). Respiratory frequency and body temperature were higher in HS pigs
      (P<0.001). Weight gain and feed intake of TNad were higher (P<0.001) than TNpf
      and HS; gain: feed ratio was not affected by ambient temperature. Expression of
      HSP90 was higher in duodenum and longissimus (P<=0.038) of HS compared to TNpf.
      Expression of ghrelin, leptin and b(0,+)AT were not affected by ambient
      temperature (P>0.050). CAT1 expression in liver was higher (P=0.050) but in
      longissimus was lower (P=0.017) in HS than in TNpf pigs. Expression of SGLT1 was
      higher (P=0.045) in duodenum of HS than in TNpf but it was not different in
      jejunum (P=0.545); GLUT4 tended to be higher in liver and semitendinosus of HS
      pigs (P=0.063). In conclusion, feed intake remains low whereas respiratory
      frequency and body temperature remain higher; and expression of HSP90, CAT1,
      SGLT1 and GLUT4 increases in some tissues in pigs under chronic HS conditions. 

PMID- 27264893
TI  - Physiological responses to changes in relative humidity under thermally neutral,
      warm and hot conditions.
AB  - Four hypothetical thermophysiological responses to changes in relative humidity
      (Rh) under thermally neutral, warm, and hot conditions were proposed for a person
      at rest. Under thermally neutral and warm conditions, the first hypothetical
      response to an increase in Rh was a decrease in mean skin temperature (T-sk) due
      to increase in mean evaporation rate (E-sk), and the second hypothetical response
      to a decrease in Rh was a decrease, an increase, or no change in T-sk, depending
      on changes in the E-sk. Under hot conditions, the third hypothetical response to
      an increase in the Rh was an increase in T-sk or decrease in T-sk upon decrease
      in the Rh due to changes in E-sk, and the forth hypothetical response to an
      increase in Rh was an increase in T-sk due to increase in the peripheral blood
      flow rate (SkBF). To test these hypotheses, the T-sk and E-sk of four young male
      volunteers were measured at 28 degrees C, 30 degrees C, or 32 degrees C while the
      Rh was maintained at 40% or 80% Rh for 60min after 20min exposure at 60% Rh
      (control condition). In a second experiment, the T-sk, E-sk, and SkBF of five
      young male volunteers were measured at 34 degrees C-40% Rh or 36 degrees C-40%
      Rh, or 34 degrees C-70% Rh or 36 degrees C-70% Rh for 60min after 20min exposure
      at 28 degrees C-60% Rh (control condition). The first hypothesis was partly
      supported by the findings that the T-sk was lower than the control values at 28
      degrees C-80% Rh and the E-sk was higher than the control values at 80% Rh at any
      tested temperature. The second hypothesis was partly supported by the findings
      that the T-sk was lower than the control values at 28 degrees C-40% Rh, and there
      were small changes in both T-sk and E-sk at 30 degrees C-40% Rh. The third and
      fourth hypotheses were supported by the findings that the T-sk at 36 degrees C
      70% Rh was significantly higher (p<0.01) than at 36 degrees C-40% Rh, the E-sk
      was significantly higher (p<0.01) at 70% Rh than at 40% Rh, and SkBF was
      positively correlated with T-sk. 

PMID- 27264894
TI  - Analysis of behaviour patterns and thermal responses to a hot-arid climate in
      rural China.
AB  - Climate can greatly affect building design, life style and thermal perception for
      all groups of people; however, this phenomenon has not yet been rigorously
      evaluated in China's hot-arid climate. The aim of this paper is to present the
      results of a thermal comfort survey by evaluating the influence of the hot-arid
      climate upon the behavioural patterns and thermal comfort responses of 160
      residents in 65 traditional vernacular houses in Turfan, China, in 2011. In this
      survey, there were 206 sets of effective data, and the features of the
      traditional residential buildings and the human behaviour patterns in Turfan were
      described and analysed. The results showed that the diversified courtyards and
      shade spaces were the most obvious features of traditional houses in Turfan.
      People here typically spend most of their time in one of two spaces for eating,
      resting, and entertaining. It was found that the preferred temperature was 26.5
      degrees C. The preferred air velocity occurred at 0.62m/s. A suitable air
      velocity range of 0.15-1.24m/s was suggested in Turfan. Moreover, the neutral
      temperature of the local people was 30.1 degrees C (tg or to). The upper limits
      of the 80% acceptable zone by using the direct and indirect acceptability method
      were 32.7 and 33.8 degrees C, respectively. The neutral temperature and upper
      limit of the acceptable zone in Turfan were higher than those of the adaptive
      standards. Attention should be paid to the role of thermal comfort in influencing
      building design by using simple passive cooling strategies. The above results are
      believed to be potentially valuable for the design and evaluation of residential
      buildings located in hot-arid climate. 

PMID- 27264895
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 27264896
TI  - Yesterday, today, and tomorrow: A brief history of the wrist.

PMID- 27264897
TI  - A structured literature synthesis of wrist outcome measures: An evidence-based
      approach to determine use among common wrist diagnoses.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Structured literature synthesis. INTRODUCTION: Hand therapists and
      researchers have numerous options when selecting outcome measures for patients
      with wrist pathologies. An evidence-based approach to determining which measures
      are used most often can inform choices. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To describe how
      frequently outcome measures are used in recent randomized controlled trials of
      patients with wrist diagnoses. Identifying assessment design and related
      International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains
      provides additional consideration for selection. METHODS: Systematic PubMed and
      Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature searches for the time
      frame between January 2005 and March 2015 captured measures used in randomized
      controlled trials researching wrist-specific fractures, ligament injuries, nerve
      injuries, arthritis/arthroplasty, or stress injuries/wrist pain. RESULTS: Three
      most frequent measures used within each diagnostic category are detailed with
      assessment design described and ICF domain identified. Across diagnoses,
      grip/pinch strength and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand were the most
      frequently used physical and patient-reported outcome measures, respectively. The
      Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test was the most frequently used performance
      measure. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Consideration of the evidence, ICF domains,
      wrist diagnoses, and assessment design can help hand therapists select the
      measure most appropriate for use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2a.

PMID- 27264898
TI  - The ulnar side of the wrist: Clinically relevant anatomy and biomechanics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the hectic environment of a hand therapy clinic, the opportunity
      to carefully consider the relationships among pathology, pathomechanics, surgical
      repair techniques, tissue healing, postoperative management, and rehabilitation
      program development and progression is limited. Clinicians often default to
      seeking a protocol, a recipe to follow. OBJECTIVES: Using the ulnar side of the
      wrist as an example, relevant anatomy and biomechanics are directly related to
      several commonly seen pathologies, including fractures, ligament injuries, and
      instability. CONCLUSION: Armed with knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and
      surgical procedures, the need for a protocol disappears. Each patient can be
      individually managed according to his or her unique set of variables and
      responses to injury, repair, healing, and recovery of function.

PMID- 27264899
TI  - Epidemiology of distal radius fractures and factors predicting risk and
      prognosis.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Literature Review. INTRODUCTION: For optimal Distal Radius Fracture
      (DRF) rehabilitation and fracture prevention, it is important to understand the
      epidemiology and factors predictive of injury, chronic pain, chronic disability,
      and subsequent fracture. PURPOSE: To summarize the literature reporting on DRF
      epidemiology, risk factors, and prognostic factors. METHODS: Literature
      synthesis. RESULTS: Although incidence varies globally, DRFs are common across
      the lifespan and appear to be on the rise. Risk of DRF is determined by personal
      factors (age, sex/gender, lifestyle, health condition) and environmental factors
      (population density, climate). For example, age and sex influence risk such that
      DRF is most common in boys/young men and older women. The most common causes of
      DRF in the pediatric and young adult age groups include playing/sporting
      activities and motor vehicle accidents. In contrast, the most common mechanism of
      injury in older adults is a low-energy trauma because of a fall from a standing
      height. Poorer health outcomes are associated with older age, being female, poor
      bone healing (or having an associated fracture of the ulnar styloid), having a
      compensated injury, and a lower socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: Risk
      stratification according to predictors of chronic pain and disability enable
      therapists to identify those patients who will benefit from advocacy for more
      comprehensive assessment, targeted interventions, and tailored educational
      strategies. The unique opportunity for secondary prevention of osteoporotic
      fracture after DRF has yet to be realized by treating therapists in the
      orthopedic community. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

PMID- 27264900
TI  - Rehabilitation for scapholunate injury: Application of scientific and clinical
      evidence to practice.
AB  - In this article, the development of a rehabilitation approach is describe using
      scapholunate injury as a model. We demonstrate how scientific and clinical
      evidence is applied to a treatment paradigm and modified based on emerging
      evidence. Role of the scapholunate interosseous ligament within the
      pathomechanics of the carpus, along with the progression of pathology, and
      specific rehabilitation algorithms tailored to the stage of injury. We review the
      recent and current evidence on the kinematics of wrist motion during functional
      activity, role of the muscles in providing dynamic stability of the carpus, and
      basic science of proprioception. Key relevant findings in each of these inter
      related areas are highlighted to demonstrate how together they form the basis for
      current wrist rehabilitation. Finally, we make recommendations for future
      research to further test the efficacy of these approaches in improving functional
      outcomes. 

PMID- 27264901
TI  - Role of muscles in the stabilization of ligament-deficient wrists.
AB  - This article reviews the results of a series of cadaver investigations aimed at
      clarifying the role of muscles in the stabilization of ligament-deficient wrists.
      According to these studies, isometric contraction of some forearm muscles induces
      midcarpal (MC) supination (ie, the abductor pollicis longus, extensor carpi
      radialis longus, and flexor carpi ulnaris), whereas other muscles induce MC
      pronation (ie, the extensor carpi ulnaris). Because MC supination implies
      tightening of the volar scaphoid-distal row ligaments, the MC supination muscles
      are likely to prevent scaphoid collapse of wrists with scapholunate ligament
      insufficiency. MC pronator muscles, by contrast, would be beneficial in
      stabilizing wrists with ulnar-sided ligament deficiencies owing to their ability
      to tighten the triquetrum-distal row ligaments. Should these laboratory findings
      be validated by additional clinical research, proprioceptive reeducation of
      selected muscles could become an important tool for the treatment of dynamic
      carpal instabilities. 

PMID- 27264902
TI  - Scaphoid tuberosity excursion is minimized during a dart-throwing motion: A
      biomechanical study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the excursion of the
      scaphoid tuberosity and therefore scaphoid motion is minimized during a dart
      throwing motion. METHODS: Scaphoid tuberosity excursion was studied as an
      indicator of scaphoid motion in 29 cadaver wrists as they were moved through
      wrist flexion-extension, radioulnar deviation, and a dart-throwing motion.
      RESULTS: Study results demonstrate that excursion was significantly less during
      the dart-throwing motion than during either wrist flexion-extension or radioulnar
      deviation. CONCLUSION: If the goal of early wrist motion after carpal ligament or
      distal radius injury and reconstruction is to minimize loading of the healing
      structures, a wrist motion in which scaphoid motion is minimal should reduce
      length changes in associated ligamentous structures. Therefore, during
      rehabilitation, if a patient uses a dart-throwing motion that minimizes his or
      her scaphoid tuberosity excursion, there should be minimal changes in ligament
      loading while still allowing wrist motion. STUDY DESIGN: Bench research,
      biomechanics, and cross-sectional. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable. The study
      was laboratory based.

PMID- 27264903
TI  - Proprioception retraining for a patient with chronic wrist pain secondary to
      ligament injury with no structural instability.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Case report. INTRODUCTION: Previously published studies demonstrate
      the importance of the sensory innervation of the carpal ligaments and the
      implication for the sensorimotor control of the wrist. In addition, this case
      considers key rehabilitation concepts to include the dart-throwing motion and the
      stabilizing effect of the forearm muscles. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To describe the
      rehabilitation program for a patient with chronic wrist pain, diagnosed with a
      partial tear of the dorsal intercarpal ligament and a sprain of the scapholunate
      ligament of the right wrist. METHODS: The patient participated in a staged
      treatment plan over a 3-month period (20 sessions), which began with a focus on
      proprioceptive awareness and joint position sense retraining. The treatment
      progressed to strengthening of specific muscles to enhance stability of the wrist
      joint. The patient completed the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand
      and the patient-rated wrist evaluation on initial evaluation, re-evaluation at
      ninth session, and discharge at 20th session. RESULTS: Raw scores in the Quick
      Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and the patient-rated wrist evaluation
      improved from 33 and 61.5 on initial evaluation to 18 and 17.5 on discharge,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Sensorimotor techniques including proprioceptive
      retraining may improve pain, neuromuscular control, and functional outcomes in
      patients with chronic wrist pain due to ligament injury. The effectiveness of
      proprioceptive retraining needs to be evaluated in a well-designed randomized
      controlled trial recruiting this patient population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

PMID- 27264904
TI  - Early controlled mobilization using dart-throwing motion with a twist for the
      conservative management of an intra-articular distal radius fracture and
      scapholunate ligament injury: A case report.
AB  - This case describes an early controlled mobilization (ECM) approach that uses
      dart-throwing motion (DTM) with a twist orthoses as an alternative to
      immobilization for conservative management of a minimally displaced and intra
      articular distal radius styloid fracture with an associated scapholunate ligament
      injury in a 47-year-old female health care administrator (JP). Pain-free active
      DTM began at day 10 (5 times/d) with a dynamic DTM with a twist orthosis worn
      during the day from weeks 3 to 6. At 6 weeks, JP had pain-free functional
      mobility and strength with minimal limitation in household and occupational
      activities, returning to her normal sporting activities by 3 months. ECM led to
      rapid return of normal functioning in the short term with no apparent impact on
      intermediate outcomes at 8 months. This case allows hand therapists to consider a
      similar ECM approach for the management of similar injuries in their patients.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5 and case report.

PMID- 27264905
TI  - Dart-throwing motion with a twist orthoses: Design, fabrication, and clinical
      tips.

PMID- 27264906
TI  - Taping techniques for the wrist.

PMID- 27264907
TI  - Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV deficiency complicated with chronic
      intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a neonate.
AB  - A female infant born at 36 weeks gestational age with birthweight 2135 g, and who
      developed respiratory disorder, hyperlactacidemia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
      after birth, was admitted to hospital at 3 days of age. After admission, bilious
      emesis, abdominal distention, and passage disorder of the gastrointestinal tract
      were resistant to various drugs. Exploratory laparotomy was performed at 93 days
      of age, but no organic lesions were identified and normal Meissner/Auerbach nerve
      plexus was confirmed, which led to a clinical diagnosis of chronic intestinal
      pseudo-obstruction (CIPO). She was diagnosed with mitochondrial respiratory chain
      complex IV deficiency on histopathology of the abdominal rectus muscle and enzyme
      activity measurement. This is the first report of a neonate with mitochondrial
      respiratory chain complex deficiency with intractable CIPO. CIPO can occur in
      neonates with mitochondrial respiratory chain disorder, necessitating
      differential diagnosis from Hirschsprung disease. 

PMID- 27264909
TI  - Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: A report of two cases.

PMID- 27264908
TI  - IVA cloning: A single-tube universal cloning system exploiting bacterial In Vivo
      Assembly.
AB  - In vivo homologous recombination holds the potential for optimal molecular
      cloning, however, current strategies require specialised bacterial strains or
      laborious protocols. Here, we exploit a recA-independent recombination pathway,
      present in widespread laboratory E.coli strains, to develop IVA (In Vivo
      Assembly) cloning. This system eliminates the need for enzymatic assembly and
      reduces all molecular cloning procedures to a single-tube, single-step PCR,
      performed in <2 hours from setup to transformation. Unlike other methods, IVA is
      a complete system, and offers significant advantages over alternative methods for
      all cloning procedures (insertions, deletions, site-directed mutagenesis and sub
      cloning). Significantly, IVA allows unprecedented simplification of complex
      cloning procedures: five simultaneous modifications of any kind, multi-fragment
      assembly and library construction are performed in approximately half the time of
      current protocols, still in a single-step fashion. This system is efficient,
      seamless and sequence-independent, and requires no special kits, enzymes or
      proprietary bacteria, which will allow its immediate adoption by the academic and
      industrial molecular biology community.

PMID- 27264911
TI  - Pseudogracilibacillus marinus sp. nov., isolated from a biofilm formed in coastal
      seawater.
AB  - A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped (0.4-0.5*2.0-4.0 um),
      endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain NIOT.bflm.S4T, was isolated from
      biofilm formed on high-density polyethylene test coupons in coastal seawater. The
      strain required seawater for growth. It grew with 1.0-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl, at 4-45 
      degrees C and at pH 6.5-9.0, with optimum growth with 4.0-5.0 % (w/v) NaCl, at 30
      degrees C and at pH 7.0-8.0. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and partial
      dnaK gene sequences showed that strain NIOT.bflm.S4T formed a phylogenetic
      lineage with Pseudogracilibacillus auburnensis P-207T, the only known species of
      the genus Pseudogracilibacillusand shared sequence identities of 96.9 and 83 %,
      respectively, with this strain. The identities of 16S rRNA and partial dnaK gene
      sequences with members of other related genera such as Gracilibacillus,
      Paraliobacillus, Ornithinibacillus, Oceanobacillus, Virgibacillus and
      Lentibacillus were <=95 and <=78 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain
      NIOT.bflm.S4T was 39.1 mol%. MK-7 was found as the sole isoprenoid quinone. The
      major polar lipids of strain NIOT.bflm.S4T were diphosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown lipid. The diagnostic diamino acid of the
      cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Major cellular fatty acids
      were anteiso-C15 : 0 (27.9 %), anteiso-C17 : 0 (18.6 %), C12 : 0 (8.7 %) and iso
      C15 : 0 (6.6 %). On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic
      results, we propose that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus
      Pseudogracilibacillus, for which the name Pseudogracilibacillus marinus sp. nov.
      is proposed. The type strain is NIOT.bflm.S4T (=KACC 18456T=MTCC 12376T=TBRC
      5831T).

PMID- 27264910
TI  - Intracellular disulfide reduction by phosphine-borane complexes: Mechanism of
      action for neuroprotection.
AB  - Phosphine-borane complexes are novel cell-permeable drugs that protect neurons
      from axonal injury in vitro and in vivo. These drugs activate the extracellular
      signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) cell survival pathway and are therefore
      neuroprotective, but do not scavenge superoxide. In order to understand the
      interaction between superoxide signaling of neuronal death and the action of
      phosphine-borane complexes, their biochemical activity in cell-free and in vitro
      assays was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry and
      using an intracellular dithiol reporter that becomes fluorescent when its
      disulfide bond is cleaved. These studies demonstrated that bis(3-propionic acid
      methyl ester) phenylphosphine-borane complex (PB1) and (3-propionic acid methyl
      ester) diphenylphosphine-borane complex (PB2) are potent intracellular disulfide
      reducing agents which are cell permeable. EPR and pharmacological studies
      demonstrated reducing activity but not scavenging of superoxide. Given that
      phosphine-borane complexes reduce cell injury from mitochondrial superoxide
      generation but do not scavenge superoxide, this implies a mechanism where an
      intracellular superoxide burst induces downstream formation of protein
      disulfides. The redox-dependent cleavage of the disulfides is therefore a novel
      mechanism of neuroprotection.

PMID- 27264912
TI  - Women Veterans' Treatment Preferences for Disordered Eating.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Disordered eating, which includes subclinical and clinical maladaptive
      eating behaviors, is common among women, including those served by the Veterans
      Health Administration (VA). We used qualitative methods to determine whether and
      how women veterans want to receive treatment for disordered eating. METHOD: Women
      veterans participated in one of seven focus groups/interviews and completed in
      person demographic and psychological questionnaires. We used thematic analysis of
      focus groups/interviews to understand preferences for disordered eating
      treatment. RESULTS: Participants (n = 20) were mostly women of color (55%); mean
      age was 48 (SD = 15) and 65% had significant psychological symptoms. Few
      participants described being assessed for disordered eating, but all thought VA
      should provide treatment for disordered eating. Through thematic analysis, we
      identified six preferences: 1) treatment for disordered eating should be provided
      in groups, 2) treatment for disordered eating should provide concrete skills to
      facilitate the transition out of structured military environments, 3) treatment
      for disordered eating should address the relationship between eating and mental
      health, 4) disordered eating can be treated with mindfulness and cognitive
      behavioral therapy, 5) disordered eating treatment providers should be
      experienced and take an interactive approach to care, but can come from diverse
      disciplines, and 6) referrals to treatment for disordered eating should be open
      ended, occur early, and allow for ongoing, flexible access to treatment.
      CONCLUSIONS: Women veterans are interested in treatment for disordered eating.
      Preferred treatments align with existing treatments, could be offered in
      conjunction with weight loss or primary care services, and should provide social
      support and interactive learning.

PMID- 27264913
TI  - Experiences of Advanced Practitioners with Inserting the Copper Intrauterine
      Device as Emergency Contraception.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The copper intrauterine device (IUD) is the most effective method
      of emergency contraception (EC) available for use after unprotected intercourse.
      Family planning clinics, commonly staffed by advanced practice clinicians,
      fulfill a significant role in health care and contraceptive service delivery for
      women in the United States. There are limited data assessing the perspectives and
      experiences of these providers in using the copper IUD as EC in these settings.
      METHODS: Semistructured individual interviews were conducted with 12 advanced
      practice clinicians with experience inserting the copper IUD. A phenomenological
      approach was used to frame the study and analysis. A modified version of the Van
      Kaam method of analysis was used to analyze the data from interview transcripts.
      RESULTS: Participants reported feelings of responsibility to support long-acting
      and highly effective methods of contraception. Patients' abilities to provide an
      accurate history of the last instance of unprotected intercourse in relation to
      their menstrual cycles and fear of painful insertions influenced participants'
      willingness to offer the copper IUD. This included provider concerns about
      causing uterine perforation prompting discontinuation of IUD insertion attempts.
      The participants perceived patients as having little knowledge about the copper
      IUD in general and as not being committed to using the copper IUD long term.
      CONCLUSIONS: Numerous factors influenced advanced practice clinicians' decisions
      to present the copper IUD as a method of EC. Promoting support and sharing
      practitioner experiences with inserting the copper IUD as EC may increase
      practitioner comfort with the copper IUD as EC.

PMID- 27264915
TI  - Medication Palatability Affects Physician Prescribing Preferences for Common
      Pediatric Conditions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine if physicians would
      alter their prescribing preferences after sampling liquid formulations of
      medications for common pediatric diagnoses. METHODS: This was a prospective
      interventional before/after study conducted at an academic medical center in the
      United States. The participants of interest included emergency, family medicine,
      and pediatric physicians. Participants initially completed a brief survey for
      their primary oral liquid medication of choice for the treatment of selected
      disease states. These included otitis media, sinusitis, cellulitis, asthma,
      colitis, and pneumonia. Participants were asked to choose one of the medication
      options for each disease and then were given all medications to sample for a
      taste test. The prescribing preference survey was then repeated. The primary
      outcome was change in prescribing. McNemar's test was used to evaluate change in
      proportion of medications chosen before and after taste testing. RESULTS: There
      were 101 physicians who participated in the study. There were three conditions
      for which participants changed their prescribing preferences significantly. These
      were otitis media (change from amoxicillin to cefdinir, difference = 13.2%, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] = 5.5% to 21.0%), asthma exacerbation (change from
      dexamethasone or prednisone to prednisolone, 28%, 95% CI = 15.9% to 40.1%), and
      pneumonia (change from azithromycin to amoxicillin, 16.0%, 95% CI = 6.4% to
      25.6%). There was no significant change with respect to the other scenarios.
      CONCLUSIONS: Physicians showed preferences for certain pediatric medications
      based on taste and showed significant changes in prescribing preferences for some
      common pediatric diagnoses after tasting different medications for these
      conditions.

PMID- 27264914
TI  - Automated Breast Ultrasound: Dual-Sided Compared with Single-Sided Imaging.
AB  - The design and performance of a mammographically configured, dual-sided,
      automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) 3-D imaging system are described. Dual-sided
      imaging (superior and inferior) is compared with single-sided imaging to aid
      decisions on clinical implementation of the more complex, but potentially higher
      quality dual-sided imaging. Marked improvement in image quality and coverage of
      the breast is obtained in dual-sided ultrasound over single-sided ultrasound.
      Among hypo-echoic masses imaged, there are increases in the mean contrast-to
      noise ratio of 57% and 79%, respectively, for spliced dual-sided versus superior
      or inferior single-sided imaging. The fractional breast volume coverage, defined
      as the percentage volume in the transducer field of view that is imaged with
      clinically acceptable quality, is improved from 59% in both superior and inferior
      single-sided imaging to 89% in dual-sided imaging. Applying acoustic coupling to
      the breast requires more effort or sophisticated methods in dual-sided imaging
      than in single-sided imaging.

PMID- 27264916
TI  - Silica ecosystem for synergistic biotransformation.
AB  - Synergistical bacterial species can perform more varied and complex
      transformations of chemical substances than either species alone, but this is
      rarely used commercially because of technical difficulties in maintaining mixed
      cultures. Typical problems with mixed cultures on scale are unrestrained growth
      of one bacterium, which leads to suboptimal population ratios, and lack of
      control over bacterial spatial distribution, which leads to inefficient substrate
      transport. To address these issues, we designed and produced a synthetic
      ecosystem by co-encapsulation in a silica gel matrix, which enabled precise
      control of the microbial populations and their microenvironment. As a case study,
      two greatly different microorganisms: Pseudomonas sp. NCIB 9816 and Synechococcus
      elongatus PCC 7942 were encapsulated. NCIB 9816 can aerobically biotransform over
      100 aromatic hydrocarbons, a feat useful for synthesis of higher value commodity
      chemicals or environmental remediation. In our system, NCIB 9816 was used for
      biotransformation of naphthalene (a model substrate) into CO2 and the
      cyanobacterium PCC 7942 was used to provide the necessary oxygen for the
      biotransformation reactions via photosynthesis. A mathematical model was
      constructed to determine the critical cell density parameter to maximize oxygen
      production, and was then used to maximize the biotransformation rate of the
      system.

PMID- 27264917
TI  - Therapeutic apheresis in hematopoietic cell transplantation.
AB  - With the introduction of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), transplant
      associated problems like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and transplant
      associated microangiopathy (TAM) have occurred. In addition, approximately 40% of
      allogeneic HSCTs are performed across the ABO blood group barrier, bearing the
      risk for immunohematological complications like severe hemolysis and pure red
      cell aplasia (PRCA). All these problems can potentially require therapeutic
      apheresis. In this review, we address recent developments in therapeutic
      apheresis for patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT for prevention or treatment of
      hemolysis in minor ABO-incompatible transplantation, treatment of PRCA after
      major ABO-incompatible transplantation, and treatment of TAM and GVHD. 

PMID- 27264918
TI  - Optimization of transfection of green fluorescent protein in pursuing mesenchymal
      stem cells in vivo.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) has been used as a marker of gene
      expression and a single cell marker in living organisms in cell biology studies.
      The important areas that GFP is used are expression levels of different genes in
      different organisms by inserting GFP in these genes and as a marker in living
      cells. In this study, we tried to optimize transfection of mesenchymal stem
      cells, (MSCs) used for regeneration of damaged tissues in animals, by GFP
      containing plasmid vector by which MSCs can be followed in vivo. METHODS: To this
      aim, phM-GFP plasmid vector carrying GFP gene and effectene transfection reagent
      were used. RESULTS: The data revealed that twice transfection of MSCs resulted in
      higher expression of GFP for longer times as compared to once transfected MSCs.
      On the other hand, leaving the chemical transfection agents in the medium induced
      apoptosis after a while. CONCLUSION: As a conclusion we suggest the transfection
      of MSCs twice with 48 hours interval and removal of transfection agents after 8
      hours which removed toxic and apoptotic effects of the chemicals.

PMID- 27264919
TI  - Seroprevalence of hepatitis and human immuno-deficiency virus in multitransfused
      patients from a pediatric hematology clinic.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Transfusion transmitted hepatitis has been a severe problem in Turkey
      in pediatric cancer patients and in chronic congenital anemia. The aim of the
      present study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and
      human immunodeficiency virus infections in these patients in a University
      Hospital. METHODS: Multi-transfused 66 children (59 acute leukemia, 6 thalassemia
      major, 1 severe hereditary spherocytosis) diagnosed and followed-up between May,
      2000 and December, 2006 were evaluated. Screening of all the patients for HbsAg,
      anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HCV and anti-HIV was performed at presentation and
      during the last follow-up. Serologic studies of leukemic patients were also
      repeated at the end of the chemotherapy. Hepatitis B vaccination was administered
      to unvaccinated patients with anemia. All blood products were provided by Blood
      Bank of the Center. RESULTS: No patient was found HBsAg, anti-HCV or anti-HIV
      positive at diagnosis and at the end of the therapy. There was history of
      hepatitis B vaccination in only 42% of the patients at diagnosis due to
      administration of this vaccine to newborns since 1998. At the beginning of the
      study, 45 % (n=27) of the leukemic patients were immune for hepatitis B, but
      after completion of the intensive chemotherapy seropositivity persisted in only
      28.8 % (n=17). CONCLUSION: Transmission of these viruses is no longer a real
      problem even in multitransfused immunosuppressed children in Pediatric Hematology
      Units as a result of the improvements in screening of voluntary blood donors,
      administration of disposable material in clinics and vaccination by hepatitis B.

PMID- 27264920
TI  - Some hematological parameters and the prognostic values of CD4, CD8 and total
      lymphocyte counts and CD4/CD8 cell count ratio in healthy HIV sero-negative,
      healthy HIV sero-positive and AIDS subjects in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study attempts to determine normal values of CD4, CD8,
      CD4/CD8 ratio, total WBC and differential counts, hematocrit and total lymphocyte
      count (TLC) in healthy HIV sero-negative and sero-positive subjects, and to
      assess the prognostic significance of these parameters in these subjects as
      compared to AIDS subjects. METHODS: A total of 300 subjects (147 M, 153 F) aged
      between 17 and 71 years were recruited into the study. Subjects were separated
      according to sex and divided into three groups: Group A: healthy HIV sero
      negative subjects; Group B: healthy HIV sero-positive newly diagnosed ART-naive
      subjects; and Group C: AIDS subjects. CD4 and CD8 counts were determined by flow
      cytometry; hematocrit was determined using Hawksley micro-capillary tubes; total
      WBC and differential counts were determined manually with the improved Neubauer
      counting chamber; and TLC was obtained by multiplying the percentage of
      lymphocytes by the total WBC count. RESULTS: For male subjects, significant
      differences were found in CD4 count, CD4/CD8 count ratio, hematocrit, total WBC
      and TLC, whereas for female subjects, significant differences were found only in
      CD4 and CD4/CD8 count ratio in the three groups of subjects. In both sexes,
      however, these parameters were found to be highest in healthy HIV sero-negative
      subjects and lowest in AIDS subjects, with HIV sero-positive subjects having
      intermediate values. CONCLUSION: The results confirm previous reports that the
      CD4 count and CD4/CD8 count ratio are fairly reliable indicators of the
      progression of HIV infection. In addition, the results also apparently suggest
      that the prognostic value of CD8 count is limited and that of TLC possibly sex
      dependent. The results could be of importance in our environment since previous
      reports have been relatively scarce.

PMID- 27264921
TI  - The levels of nitric oxide in beta-thalassemia minor.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between NO
      (nitric oxide) and beta-thalassemia minor. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with
      beta-thalassemia minor (30 M, 30 F) were included in the study. The control group
      consisted of 60 healthy subjects (30 M, 30 F). Plasma nitrite/nitrate levels were
      measured using the Griess reaction method and analyzed by spectrophotometry at
      545 nm. RESULTS: Plasma direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate levels were
      7.561+/-6.19, 42.548+/-7.37 and 34.84+/-6.24 in beta-thalassemia minor patients
      versus 36.9+/-19.8, 85.9+/-35.3 and 48.61+/-17.35 Imol/dl in controls,
      respectively. Plasma direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate levels were
      significantly lower in beta-thalassemia minor patients compared with the control
      group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm that plasma NO levels in beta
      thalassemia minor patients are decreased at the time of diagnosis. This may be
      helpful in assessing the prognosis and follow-up evaluation of patients with beta
      thalassemia minor.

PMID- 27264922
TI  - Significance of molecular-cytogenetic aberrations for the achievement of first
      remission in de novo acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The majority of adults diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
      display acquired cytogenetic aberrations at presentation. In this article, we
      present the major cytogenetic findings regarding AML and review their clinical
      significance for achievement of the first complete remission. METHODS: We studied
      71 adult patients with de novo AML, without previous myelodysplasia or alkylating
      therapy. Conventional cytogenetics and FISH were performed on bone marrow cells.
      The patients with AML were assigned to 12 subgroups according to established data
      for cytogenetic, molecular and general laboratory results. The selection of the
      analyzed parameters is consistent with internationally accepted "prognostic
      factors" in adult AML. RESULTS: Complete remission upon induction therapy was
      achieved in 40% of cases (in a mean period of 2.3 months from therapy
      initiation). The patients with t(15;17) PML-RARA and inv(16)/CBFbeta-MYH11e
      demonstrated the highest frequency of complete remission. Patients with
      hypodiploidy, t(9;22)/bcr-abl and complex karyotypes were therapy-resistant or
      died within the first three months after AML diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Molecular
      cytogenetic findings have an important significance for achievement of first
      complete remission. However, laboratory and biologic features (age, WBC and LDH)
      and type of AML have a large influence on the disease outcome.

PMID- 27264923
TI  - Scleredema-associated IgA myeloma with myelofibrosis in a young adult: a case
      report.
AB  - Scleredema of Buschke is a rare fibromucinous connective tissue disorder of
      unknown etiology. It is often associated with a benign monoclonal gammopathy and
      rarely with myelomatosis. We report a case of scleredema-associated IgA myeloma
      with myelofibrosis in a 24-year-old male patient. Scleredema generally affects
      young adults and onset of associated monoclonal gammopathy is at a younger age
      than when not associated with scleredema. However, presentation at a much younger
      age (24 years in our case) is very unusual. Although mucin deposition in the bone
      marrow has been reported in scleredema, to the best of our knowledge,
      myelofibrosis has not been reported. 

PMID- 27264924
TI  - Acute myeloblastic leukemia-associated Marfan syndrome and Davidoff-Dyke-Masson
      syndrome: a case report.
AB  - We present herein a 23-year-old man with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML)
      associated with Davidoff-Dyke-Masson syndrome (DDMS) and Marfan syndrome (MS).
      The diagnosis of DDMS was based on findings including left facial asymmetry, left
      hemiparesis, mental retardation, right cerebral hemiatrophy, dilatation of the
      ipsilateral lateral ventricle and calvarial thickening. The diagnosis of MS was
      based on clinical findings including tall stature, myopia, retinitis pigmentosa,
      blue scleras, scoliosis, pectus excavatum, arachnodactyly and low ratio of
      upper/lower body segment. The patient developed hepatosplenomegaly, gingival
      hypertrophy and pancytopenia. Peripheral blood film and bone marrow examination
      showed that most of nucleated cells were blasts; immunophenotype of those cells
      showed CD11+, CD13+, CD14+, CD33+ and HLA-DR+. These findings confirmed the
      diagnosis of AML (FAB-M5). After induction chemotherapy, remission was obtained.
      To the best of our knowledge, our case is the third report of AML in MS syndrome,
      while AML associated with DDMS and MS has not been previously reported in the
      literature. 

PMID- 27264925
TI  - Gum hypertrophy - an unusual presenting feature in a case of precursor T-cell
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, the malignant transformation of T-cell or
      B-cell precursors, is the most common diagnosis in pediatric oncology. Precursor
      T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma commonly affects adolescents, and is
      associated with mediastinal mass in over half of the cases, with early
      dissemination to bone marrow, gonads and the central nervous system. We present a
      rare case of precursor T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma with initial
      oral manifestation, presenting with the unusual features of gum hypertrophy and
      involvement of upper jaw and palate in a 10-year-old boy. This report discusses
      the clinical presentation, histopathologic and immunologic features, and
      diagnosis of this malignancy. 

PMID- 27264926
TI  - The use of high-dose acyclovir in patients with hematological malignancies who
      develop herpes virus infections: Is it really safe?

PMID- 27264927
TI  - Failure of yttrium-90 (90Y)-ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy (Zevalin(r))
      with fatal side effects in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell NHL
      transformed from other lymphomas.

PMID- 27264929
TI  - Insulin-like growth factor-1 and zinc.

PMID- 27264928
TI  - Allogeneic stem cell transplant in a patient with aplastic anemia with bacteremia
      and candidemia.

PMID- 27264930
TI  - A rare presentation of multiple myeloma: Tc-99m MIBI SPECT imaging of orbital
      involvement.

PMID- 27264931
TI  - Selective Solid-Phase Extraction of Lead Ions in Water Samples Using Three
      Dimensional Ion-Imprinted Polymers.
AB  - Ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) have drawn much attention in the selective
      determination of heavy metals. In this study, 8-hydroxyquinoline-grafted gelatin
      with different types of functional groups was first introduced as a biomolecular
      monomer to enhance the selectivity of imprinted cavities. Based on its swelling
      and film-forming properties, a simple strategy containing formation of the
      hydrogel film, swelling/folding followed by cross-linking, was proposed to
      prepare three-dimensional IIPs with high adsorption capacity (235.7 mg g(-1)),
      strong selectivity (imprinted factor was 2.9), and rapid kinetics. Based on the
      different swelling container, different morphologies of IIPs could be prepared to
      satisfy the requirements of practical application. Consequently, the IIPs
      extraction coupled with a spectrophotometric method was applied for determination
      of lead ions, and the limit of detection was 0.2 ng mL(-1), which could be used
      for monitoring of Pb(II) in drinking water and surface water.

PMID- 27264932
TI  - Glucose homeostasis in rats treated with 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide is not
      worsened by dexamethasone treatment.
AB  - 4-vinilcyclohexene diepoxide (4-VCD) causes premature ovarian failure and may
      result in estrogen deficiency, characterizing the transition to estropause in
      rodents (equivalent to menopause in women). Estropause/menopause is associated
      with metabolic derangements such as glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.
      Glucocorticoids (GCs) are known to exert diabetogenic effects. Thus, we aimed to
      investigate whether rats with premature ovarian failure are more prone to the
      diabetogenic effects of GC. For this, immature female rats received daily
      injections of 4-VCD [160mg/kg body weight (b.w.), intraperitoneally (i.p.)] for
      15 consecutive days, whereas control rats received vehicle. After 168days of the
      completion of 4-VCD administration, rats were divided into 4 groups: CTL-received
      daily injections of saline (1mL/kg, b.w., i.p.) for 5days; DEX-received daily
      injections of dexamethasone (1mg/kg, b.w., i.p.) for 5days; VCD-treated as CTL
      group; VCD+DEX-treated as DEX group. Experiments and euthanasia occurred one day
      after the last dexamethasone injection. 4-VCD-treated rats exhibited ovary
      hypotrophy and reduced number of preantral follicles (p<0.05). Premature ovarian
      failure had no impact on the body weight gain or food intake, but both were
      reduced by the effects of dexamethasone. The increase in blood glucose, plasma
      insulin and triacylglycerol levels as well as the reduction in insulin
      sensitivity caused by dexamethasone treatment was not exacerbated in the VCD+DEX
      group of rats. Premature ovarian failure did change neither the hepatic content
      of glycogen and triacylglycerol nor the glycerol release from perigonadal adipose
      tissue. Glucose intolerance was observed in the VCD group after an ipGTT
      (p<0.05), but not after an oral glucose challenge. Glucose intolerance and
      compensatory pancreatic beta-cell mass caused by GC were not modified by ovarian
      failure in the VCD+DEX group. We conclude that reduced ovarian function has no
      major implications on the diabetogenic effects promoted by GC treatment,
      indicating that other factors related to aging may make rats more vulnerable to
      GC side effects on glucose metabolism.

PMID- 27264933
TI  - In situ detection of estrogen receptor dimers in breast carcinoma cells in
      archival materials using proximity ligation assay (PLA).
AB  - Estrogen receptor (ER) is required for carcinoma cell proliferation in the great
      majority of breast cancer and also functions as a dimer. ER dimeric proteins have
      been largely identified by BRET/FRET analyses but their in situ visualization
      have not yet been reported. Recently, in situ Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) has
      been developed as the methods detecting protein interactions in situ. Therefore,
      in this study we firstly demonstrated the dimerization of ERalpha in breast
      carcinoma cell lines and tissues using PLA. The human breast carcinoma cell lines
      MCF-7, T-47D and MDA-MB-231 were used in this study. Cells were treated with ER
      agonist or antagonist and fixed in 4% PFA, and ER dimers were subsequently
      detected using PLA. The evaluation of ER dimers in breast carcinoma cell lines
      were quantified by measuring the area of dots localized in the nuclei using image
      analysis. We also firstly demonstrated the visualization of ER dimer patterns in
      10% formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of breast cancer using PLA
      technique. Estradiol (E2) administration induced ERalpha homodimers in the nuclei
      of MCF-7 and T-47D but not in ER-negative MDA-MB-231. 4-OH tamoxifen also induced
      ERalpha homodimers but the subcellular localization of these ERalpha homodimers
      was predominant in cytoplasm instead of the nuclei induced by E2 treatment.
      ICI182,780 treatment did decrease the number of formation of ERalpha homodimers
      in MCF-7. In breast cancer patients, ERalpha PLA score was significantly
      correlated positively with ERalpha- or PgR (progesterone receptor)
      immunohistochemical scores and inversely with Ki-67-labeling index, respectively.
      We also demonstrated the ERalpha/beta heterodimer as well as ERalpha homodimers
      in both breast carcinoma cell lines and surgical pathology specimens. In summary,
      we did firstly succeed in the visualization of ER dimeric proteins using PLA
      method. The evaluation of ER dimer patterns could provide pivotal information as
      to the prediction of response to endocrine therapy of breast cancer patients.

PMID- 27264934
TI  - Wide-field time-gated photoluminescence microscopy for fast ultrahigh-sensitivity
      imaging of photoluminescent probes.
AB  - Fluorescence microscopy is a fundamental technique for the life sciences, where
      biocompatible and photostable photoluminescence probes in combination with fast
      and sensitive imaging systems are continually transforming this field. A wide
      field time-gated photoluminescence microscopy system customised for
      ultrasensitive imaging of unique nanoruby probes with long photoluminescence
      lifetime is described. The detection sensitivity derived from the long
      photoluminescence lifetime of the nanoruby makes it possible to discriminate
      signals from unwanted autofluorescence background and laser backscatter by
      employing a time-gated image acquisition mode. This mode enabled several-fold
      improvement of the photoluminescence imaging contrast of discrete nanorubies
      dispersed on a coverslip. It enabled recovery of the photoluminescence signal
      emanating from discrete nanorubies when covered by a layer of an organic
      fluorescent dye, which were otherwise invisible without the use of spectral
      filtering approaches. Time-gated imaging also facilitated high sensitivity
      detection of nanorubies in a biological environment of cultured cells. Finally,
      we monitor the binding kinetics of nanorubies to a functionalised substrate,
      which exemplified a real-time assay in biological fluids. 3D-pseudo colour images
      of nanorubies immersed in a highly fluorescent dye solution. Nanoruby
      photoluminescence is subdued by that of the dye in continuous excitation/imaging
      (left), however it can be recovered by time-gated imaging (right). At the bottom
      is schematic diagram of nanoruby assay in a biological fluid.

PMID- 27264936
TI  - Long-term patterns in Iberian hare population dynamics in a protected area
      (Donana National Park) in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula: Effects of weather
      conditions and plant cover.
AB  - The Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) is a widely distributed endemic species in
      the Iberian Peninsula. To improve our knowledge of its population dynamics, the
      relative abundance and population trends of the Iberian hare were studied in the
      autumns of 1995-2012 in a protected area (Donana National Park) by spotlighting
      in 2 different habitats: marshland and ecotones. The average relative abundance
      was 0.38 hare/km (SD = 0.63) in the marshland and 3.6 hares/km (SD = 4.09) in
      ecotones. The Iberian hare population exhibited local interannual fluctuations
      and a negative population trend during the study period (1995-2012). The results
      suggest that its populations are in decline. The flooding of parts of the
      marshland in June, July and October favor hare abundance in the ecotone. Hare
      abundance in the marshland increases as the flooded surface area increases in
      October. These effects are more pronounced if the rains are early (October) and
      partially flood the marsh. By contrast, when marsh grasses and graminoids are
      very high and thick (as measured using the aerial herbaceous biomass [biomass
      marshland] as a proxy), the abundance of hares decreases dramatically as does the
      area of the marsh that is flooded (in November).

PMID- 27264935
TI  - The tumor suppressor gene lkb1 is essential for glucose homeostasis during
      zebrafish early development.
AB  - The liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is encoded by tumor suppressor gene STK11, which is
      mutated in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome patients. Lkb1 plays indispensable roles in
      energy homeostasis. However, how Lkb1 regulates energy homeostasis in vivo
      remains to be fully understood. We found that inactivation of zebrafish Lkb1
      upregulates pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 expression and inactivates pyruvate
      dehydrogenase complex by increasing phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. As
      a result, glycolysis is significantly enhanced as indicated by increased lactate
      production, which resembles the Warburg effect in cancer cells. Inhibition of
      Pdk2 in lkb1 mutants with dichloroacetate, a promising anticancer drug, rescued
      the lactate production to wild-type level, suggesting the lkb1 mutant may be used
      to screen compounds targeting aerobic glycolysis in cancer therapy.

PMID- 27264938
TI  - Spectroscopic investigation into the design of solid-acid catalysts for the low
      temperature dehydration of ethanol.
AB  - The increased demand for bulk hydrocarbons necessitates research into
      increasingly sustainable, energy-efficient catalytic processes. Owing to
      intricately designed structure-property correlations, SAPO-34 has become
      established as a promising material for the low temperature ethanol dehydration
      to produce ethylene. However, further optimization of this process requires a
      precise knowledge of the reaction mechanism at a molecular level. In order to
      achieve this a range of spectroscopic characterization techniques are required to
      probe both the interaction with the active site, and also the wider role of the
      framework. To this end we employ a combination of in situ infra-red and neutron
      scattering techniques to elucidate the influence of the surface ethoxy species in
      the activation of both diethyl ether and ethanol, towards the improved formation
      of ethylene at low temperatures. The combined conclusions of these studies is
      that the formation of ethylene is the rate determining step, which is of
      fundamental importance towards the development of this process and the
      introduction of bio-ethanol as a viable feedstock for ethylene production. 

PMID- 27264937
TI  - Erratum to: Hierarchical modeling identifies novel lung cancer susceptibility
      variants in inflammation pathways among 10,140 cases and 11,012 controls.

PMID- 27264939
TI  - Effect of Finishing and Polishing on the Surface Roughness of Four Ceramic
      Materials after Occlusal Adjustment.
AB  - PROBLEM: Intraoral occlusal adjustment of ceramic restorations can create a
      significant increase in surface roughness that can produce wear of the opposing
      dentition. PURPOSE: To compare the surface roughness of glazed and polished
      monolithic ceramics with the surface roughness produced by different intraoral
      polishing systems on adjusted monolithic ceramics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Milled
      ceramic discs (10 mm diameter * 2 mm thickness) were manufactured and distributed
      according to the following groups (n = 10): BruxZir (glazed and polished),
      Zenostar (glazed and polished), IPS Empress CAD, and IPS e.max CAD. Surface
      roughness, expressed as arithmetic average height (Ra ), was measured using
      atomic force microscope and profilometer before and after adjustment and
      polishing with the following intraoral polishing systems: BruxZir and Dialite ZR
      (for BruxZir), Zenostar and Dialite ZR (for Zenostar), and OptraFine and Dialite
      LD for IPS Empress CAD and IPS e.max CAD. Mean and standard error for each
      material and polishing system were calculated. T-test, one-way ANOVA, and
      Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to analyze data. RESULTS: BruxZir zirconia
      presented smoother surfaces with Dialite ZR system compared to BruxZir system,
      Zenostar zirconia shown smoother surfaces with Zenostar system compared to
      Dialite ZR system and IPS Empress CAD and IPS e.max CAD presented smoother
      surfaces with OptraFine system in comparison to Dialite LD system. CONCLUSION:
      All materials presented smoother surfaces at baseline than after adjustment and
      polishing. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This paper reveals the results of an in vitro
      study that provides information to clinicians regarding which intraoral polishing
      system will produce a smoother surface after the adjustment and polishing of IPS
      Empress CAD, IPS e.max CAD, BruxZir and Zenostar ceramic materials. (J Esthet
      Restor Dent 28:382-396, 2016).

PMID- 27264940
TI  - Diagnostic yield and complications of transthoracic computed tomography-guided
      biopsies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The widespread use of computed tomography (CT) improves detection
      of pulmonary lesions, which are not only detected at an increased rate but also
      at a smaller size. CT-guided lung biopsies are now more frequently used than
      fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsies. The main aim of the present paper was to
      investigate the outcome and complications of the biopsies. METHODS: We
      retrospectively collected the results and information from 520 CT-guided thorax
      biopsies. All biopsies were performed with CT-guided "beam-through" technique,
      using a 64-slice CT scanner. RESULTS: In 86% of the biopsies, the tissue material
      was found to be sufficient. In 32% of the biopsies, a complication arose, mostly
      pneumothorax (30%), but chest drainage was needed in only 15% of the 520 cases.
      Patients with more than ten cigarette pack-years had a complication risk that was
      twice as high at that of patients with fewer pack-years. We found that the risk
      of pneumothorax increased the further the lesion was from the skin surface, the
      smaller the lesions were and when the patient was biopsied in a lateral position.
      We also found a higher risk of complications in females than in males.
      CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided biopsy is an excellent tool for analysing pulmonary
      lesions. The present study clearly shows that the risk of developing a
      pneumothorax is significantly increased among smokers and former smokers with
      more than ten pack-years. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

PMID- 27264941
TI  - Diagnostic packages can be assigned accurately in emergency departments. A multi
      centre cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In the Region of Southern Denmark, the emergency departments
      categorise patients based on presenting symptoms and a proposed diagnostic
      package (n = 40) within each category. The diagnostic packages describe relevant
      clinical information and standard laboratory and other investigations to be
      performed. Allocation to the right diagnostic package is assumed to be associated
      with a higher quality. The aim of this study was to describe to which degree the
      assigned symptom-based diagnostic packages are related to relevant discharge
      diagnoses. METHODS: This was a descriptive cohort study. The analysis was based
      on data on assigned diagnostic package, patient discharge diagnosis, hospital,
      gender, age, time of admission and discharge, length of stay, diagnostic package
      assigned, discharge diagnosis and co-morbidity. An acceptable standard for what
      would be an appropriate primarily diagnostic package was developed using a
      modified Delphi method. RESULTS: A total of 16,543 patient contacts were
      identified. Women constituted 52.2% (n = 8,925) of the patients. The median age
      was 64 years and the median length of stay was one day. All diagnostic packages
      were represented. A total of 68% of the included patients had been assigned an
      acceptable diagnostic package (95% confidence interval: 67.2-68.7). We found an
      appropriate use of one of 30 diagnostic packages in more than 50% of the cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: We found that 68% of the included patients were assigned an
      acceptable diagnostic package and that about 80% of all acute pathways were
      covered by 14 diagnostic packages. FUNDING: The study was funded by Region of
      Southern Denmark. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered with the Danish
      Data Protection Agency (No. 2008-58-0035). No further approval was required.

PMID- 27264942
TI  - Environmental needs in childhood disability analysed by the WHO ICF, Child and
      Youth Version.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The WHO has launched a common classification for disabilities in
      children, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health,
      Child and Youth Version (ICF-CY). We wanted to determine whether cat-egories of
      the environmental (e) and the body functions (b) components of the classification
      could address environmental needs in children with different disorders and
      various disability severities. METHODS: A set of 16 e categories and 47 b
      categories were selected and worded to best enable parents to describe children's
      everyday support needs and environmental influences through interviews in their
      own homes. RESULTS: Of the 367 invited parents, 332 (90.5%) participated,
      providing data on children with spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy, muscular
      disorders, cerebral palsy, visual impairments, hearing impairments, mental
      disability and disabilities following brain tumour treatment. The mean age of
      children across disabilities was 9.4 years (range: 1.0-15.9). The mean e code
      score was 35.7 (range: 4.0-64.0), and the mean b code score was 32.2 (range: 0.0
      159.0). The most urgent needs as detected by qualifier 4 environmental categories
      scores were common among children with complex disorders and issues related to
      health professionals, legal services and health services. CONCLUSIONS: Parents
      understand the environmental and body function components in a meaningful manner
      and the codes seem to be valid. Special emphasis should be given to environmental
      issues for children with more complex disabilities. There was no correlation
      between the severity of a disability and environmental issues, indicating that
      each child's needs were basically met, irrespective of disability severity.
      FUNDING: partnership project S 16, 21, 31 administered by the Danish Health
      Authority. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

PMID- 27264943
TI  - Learning and feedback from the Danish patient safety incident reporting system
      can be improved.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The perceived usefulness of incident reporting systems is an
      important motivational factor for reporting. The usefulness may be facilitated by
      well-established feedback mechanisms and by learning processes. The aim of this
      study was to investigate how feedback mechanisms and learning processes were
      implemented at four Danish hospital units all located in one of the five Danish
      regions. METHODS: Based on the concepts of feedback and learning from incident
      processes, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 335 patient safety
      representatives from 200 departments at four Danish hospital units in one of the
      five Danish regions. RESULTS: The study showed that external reporters were
      rarely contacted for dialogue, grouped front-line staff were sparsely involved in
      the learning process, few evaluated the effectiveness of implemented
      interventions and personal factors were frequently perceived as a primary
      contributory factor to these incidents. In contrast, the patient safety
      representatives perceived their competencies as sufficient for the job, internal
      reporters were often contacted for dialogue, evaluation was widely used and
      management supported the work with incident reports. CONCLUSIONS: The results of
      the study identified several shortcomings in the implementation of learning
      processes and feedback mechanisms. The apparent existence of a person-focused
      approach stands out as an element of notice. The insufficient implementation we
      observed indicates that there is room for improvement in the efforts made to
      maximise learning from incidents in the investigated population. FUNDING: not
      relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

PMID- 27264944
TI  - The immune response is affected for at least three weeks after extensive surgery
      for ovarian cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The treatment of women with ovarian cancer in advanced stages
      consists of extensive surgery followed by chemotherapy initiated three weeks
      after surgery. In this study, selected immune parameters were investigated to
      elucidate when the immune system is normalised following the operation. METHODS:
      Ten women undergoing extensive surgery for ovarian cancer were compared with a
      control group of ten women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for a benign
      diagnosis. Blood samples were collected over a period of 21 days post
      operatively. The levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-10 and the
      activity and total frequency of natural killer cells were measured. RESULTS:
      Interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 were significantly elevated immediately after
      the operation and also after 21 days. The total population of natural killercells
      and the total activity were reduced. The total activity of natural killer-cells
      did not normalise within 21 days. CONCLUSIONS: The level of the cytokines
      interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 is increased 21 days after the operation, and
      the function of natural killer cells is not normalised at 21 days after surgery.
      FUNDING: The study received funding from Odense University Hospital Free Research
      Fund. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

PMID- 27264945
TI  - Effect of clonidine to prevent agitation in children after sevoflurane
      anaesthesia: a randomised placebo controlled multicentre trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Post-operative agitation (PA) is a common problem (20-70%) in
      children anaesthetised with sevoflur-ane. Clonidine is widely used off-label in
      children for several indications, including PA, but the current level of evidence
      is limited. Our aim is to investigate the impact of prophylactic intravenous (IV)
      clonidine administered at the end of surgery on the incidence and degree of PA.
      Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic profile of IV clonidine in children is not well
      established and our aim is to obtain pharmacokinetic data relating hereto.
      METHODS: This is a multicentre, randomised and blinded clinical trial in which we
      will be enrolling 380 children aged 1-5 years who are planned for anaesthesia
      with sevoflurane and fentanyl. Inclusion is based on computer-generated
      randomisation (1:1) and stratified by age and site. The study drug is
      administered IV approximately 20 min. before the expected completion of surgery
      (intervention: clonidine 3 ug per kg; placebo: equal quantity of saline).
      CONCLUSION: The primary outcome is PA measured on the Watcha scale. The secondary
      outcomes include post-operative pain relief and adverse effects, including a 30
      day follow-up. In total, 40 children will be allocated to drug assay sampling,
      enabling a compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. FUNDING: Funded by the
      participating departments and by two unrestricted scientific grants from the
      Danish Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was
      approved by the Danish Health and Medicines Authority (EudraCT number 2014-001466
      10), the Ethics Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (H-2-2014-072) and
      registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02361476).

PMID- 27264946
TI  - Establishment and use of surgical rat models for assessment of organ specific in
      vivo clearance.
AB  - Knowledge of clearance plays a key role in the development of new drug entities,
      especially in the development of improved analogues for treatment of chronic
      conditions. Improved pharmacokinetic properties can be used to increase dosing
      interval and thereby improve patient compliance. This will lead to improved
      treatment outcome or decreased risk of treatment failure when treating chronic
      conditions. Therefore, animal models for assessment of organ-specific clearance
      are of great value in preclinical drug development. These models can be used to
      obtain insights into the relative importance of a clearance organ and thereby
      guide drug design of new analogues in early drug discovery. The current PhD
      project was undertaken to explore surgical in vivo models, which could be used in
      the assessment of the relative importance of major clearance organs. It was the
      aim of the PhD project to establish and validate both a nephrectomy model and a
      hepatectomy model as tools to investigate relative importance of renal and
      hepatic clearance. Furthermore, the project aim was to investigate renal
      clearance of rFVIIa and rhGH using a nephrectomy model in rats. The thesis is
      composed of a short theoretical background, a literature review, two papers based
      on experimental work as well as experimental work not included in the papers.
      Chapter one is an introduction with the specific aims and hypotheses. The
      chapters from two to five contain theoretical background of the clearance
      concept, anatomical and physiological description of clearance organs and a brief
      overview of potential clearance models including in vivo models. Chapters six
      through nine highlight the experimental work with the results obtained during the
      PhD project. Lastly, the chapters from ten to twelve contain a general
      discussion, conclusion and perspectives of the current thesis. Paper I
      "Nephrectomized and hepatectomized animal models as tools in preclinical
      pharmacokinetics" provides a literature review of animal models previously used
      as tools to investigate renal and hepatic clearance. An overview of the surgical
      procedures previously described for establishment of in vivo nephrectomy and
      hepatectomy models is given. Many different surgical methods have been employed
      in the attempt to make anephric or anhepatic in vivo models. The overall
      conclusion of the literature review was that a suitable clearance model would
      require only one surgical procedure. Furthermore, the clearance studies should be
      conducted immediately after completed surgery to decrease the impact on other
      clearance pathways and physiology in general. Paper II "The kidneys play an
      important role in the clearance of rFVIIa in rats" describes the establishment,
      validation and use of an in vivo model for assessment of renal clearance. The
      model employed was a rat nephrectomy model and the compounds investigated were
      inulin and rFVIIa. General physiology was assumed to be close to normal as rectal
      temperature, oxygen saturation and pulse were within normal range during the
      pharmacokinetic studies. Nephrectomy significantly reduced clearance of rFVIIa
      and almost completely abolished clearance of inulin. Thus, it was concluded that
      the nephrectomy model could be used in assessment of the relative importance of
      the kidneys in the clearance of rFVIIa and the data obtained indicate that renal
      clearance accounts for 50% of total body clearance of rFVIIa. Paper III "The
      kidneys play a central role in the clearance of rhGH in rats" addresses renal
      clearance of rhGH. The in vivo model established in Paper II was used in a
      pharmacokinetic study of rhGH to assess the relative importance of the kidneys in
      the clearance of rhGH. The conclusion drawn based on this study was that the
      kidneys account for 90% of total body clearance of rhGH in anaesthetized rats.
      Furthermore, it was noted that anaesthesia reduced clearance of rhGH by 36%
      compared to non-anaesthetized rats. In conclusion, establishment, validation and
      use of a rat nephrectomy model as a tool to investigate renal clearance was
      successful, but an in vivo rat model of hepatic clearance model was not
      successfully established. 

PMID- 27264947
TI  - Laser-assisted delivery of topical methotrexate - in vitro investigations.
AB  - Ablative fractional lasers (AFXL) are increasingly used to treat dermatological
      disorders and to facilitate laser-assisted topical drug delivery. In this thesis,
      laser-tissue interactions generated by stacked pulses with a miniaturized low
      power 2,940 nm AFXL were characterized (study I). Knowledge of the correlation
      between laser parameters and tissue effects was used to deliver methotrexate
      (MTX) topically through microscopic ablation zones (MAZs) of precise dimensions.
      MTX is a well-known chemotherapeutic and anti-inflammatory drug that may cause
      systemic adverse effects, and topical delivery is thus of potential benefit. The
      impact of MAZ depth (study II) and transport kinetics (study III) on MTX
      deposition in skin as well as transdermal permeation was determined in vitro.
      Quantitative analyses of dermal and transdermal MTX concentrations were performed
      by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (study II & III), while
      qualitative analyses of MTX biodistribution in skin were illustrated and semi
      quantified by fluorescence microscopy (study II & III) and desorption electro
      spray mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) (study III). Laser-tissue interactions
      generated by AFXL: AFXL-exposure generated a variety of MAZ-dimensions. MAZ depth
      increased linearly with the logarithm of total energy delivered by stacked
      pulses, but was also affected by variations in power, pulse energy, pulse
      duration, and pulse repetition rate. Coagulation zones lining MAZs increased
      linearly with the applied total energy, while MAZ width increased linearly with
      the logarithm of stacked pulses. Results were gathered in a mathematical model
      estimating relations between laser parameters and specific MAZ dimensions. Impact
      of MAZ depth on AFXL-assisted topical MTX delivery: Pretreatment by AFXL
      facilitated topical MTX delivery to all skin layers. Deeper MAZs increased total
      MTX deposition in skin compared to superficial MAZs and altered the intradermal
      biodistribution profile towards maximum accumulation in deeper skin layers.
      Biodistribution of MTX occurred throughout the skin without being compromised by
      coagulation zones of varying thickness. The ratio of skin deposition versus
      transdermal permeation was constant, regardless of MAZ depth. Impact of transport
      kinetics on AFXL-assisted topical MTX delivery: MTX accumulated rapidly in AFXL
      processed skin. MTX was detectable in mid-dermis after 15 min. and saturated the
      skin after 7 h at a ten-fold increased MTX-concentration compared to intact skin.
      Transdermal permeation stayed below 1.5% of applied MTX before skin saturation,
      and increased afterwards up to 8.0% at 24h. MTX distributed radially into the
      coagulation zone within 15 min of application and could be detected in
      surrounding skin at 1.5 h. Upon skin saturation, MTX had distributed in an entire
      mid-dermal skin section. In conclusion, adjusting laser parameters and
      application time may enable targeted treatments of dermatological disorders and
      potentially pose a future alternative to systemic MTX in selected dermatological
      disorders. 

PMID- 27264948
TI  - Antipsychotic Induced Dopamine Supersensitivity Psychosis: A Comprehensive
      Review.
AB  - Chronic prescription of antipsychotics seems to lose its therapeutic benefits in
      the prevention of recurring psychotic symptoms. In many instances, the occurrence
      of relapse from initial remission is followed by an increase in dose of the
      prescribed antipsychotic. The current understanding of why this occurs is still
      in its infancy, but a controversial idea that has regained attention recently is
      the notion of iatrogenic dopamine supersensitivity. Studies on cell cultures and
      animal models have shown that long-term antipsychotic use is linked to both an
      upregulation of dopamine D<sub>2</sub>-receptors in the striatum and the
      emergence of enhanced receptor affinity to endogenous dopamine. These findings
      have been hypothesized to contribute to the phenomenon known as dopamine
      supersensitivity psychosis (DSP), which has been clinically typified as the
      foundation of rebound psychosis, drug tolerance, and tardive dyskinesia. The
      focus of this review is the update of evidence behind the classification of
      antipsychotic induced DSP and an investigation of its relationship to treatment
      resistance. Since antipsychotics are the foundation of illness management, a
      greater understanding of DSP and its prevention may greatly affect patient
      outcomes.

PMID- 27264949
TI  - Acetylshikonin from Zicao exerts antifertility effects at high dose in rats by
      suppressing the secretion of GTH.
AB  - Zicao is being highlighted as a promising Chinese medicine due to all the
      beneficial effects that have been associated with its use. Unfortunately, studies
      on the toxicity of Zicao in different species are still missing and should be
      carried out. In this study, we investigated whether Acetylshikonin (AS) from
      Zicao has an anti-fertility effect through mating experiments and explored its
      underling mechanism. Sprague-Dawley rats received no treatment or were treated
      with 120, 360 or 1080 mg/kg AS extract by intragastric administration for 2
      weeks. The rat pregnancy rate of the 1080 mg/kg dose group was significantly
      decreased relative to control group, while it recovered after a month of drug
      withdrawal, which indicated that the effect of antifertility is reversible. Serum
      follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in rat
      were significantly decreased by AS. The secretion of FSH in rat anterior
      pituitary cells was decreased but the synthesis was not affected. AS reduced the
      number of developing follicle and mature follicle in rat ovarian cortical. Maybe
      all of these resulted from AS decreased the expression of synaptotagmin-1 and
      SNAP-25 which were the critical proteins of exocytosis. Our data suggested that
      AS at high dose can suppress the ability of pregnancy of the rats through
      decreasing serum FSH and LH levels by affecting exocytosis process of
      gonadotropic hormone (GTH).

PMID- 27264950
TI  - A selective splicing variant of hepcidin mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma cell
      lines.
AB  - Hepcidin is a main regulator of iron metabolism, of which abnormal expression
      affects intestinal absorption and reticuloendothelial sequestration of iron by
      interacting with ferroportin. It is also noted that abnormal iron accumulation is
      one of the key factors to facilitate promotion and progression of cancer
      including hepatoma. By RT-PCR/agarose gel electrophoresis of hepcidin mRNA in a
      hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HLF, a smaller mRNA band was shown in addition
      to the wild-type hepcidin mRNA. From sequencing analysis, this additional band
      was a selective splicing variant of hepcidin mRNA lacking exon 2 of HAMP gene,
      producing the transcript that encodes truncated peptide lacking 20 amino acids at
      the middle of preprohepcidin. In the present study, we used the digital PCR,
      because such a small amount of variant mRNA was difficult to quantitate by the
      conventional RT-PCR amplification. Among seven hepatoma-derived cell lines, six
      cell lines have significant copy numbers of this variant mRNA, but not in one
      cell line. In the transient transfection analysis of variant-type hepcidin cDNA,
      truncated preprohepcidin has a different character comparing with native
      preprohepcidin: its product is insensitive to digestion, and secreted into the
      medium as a whole preprohepcidin form without maturation. Loss or reduction of
      function of HAMP gene by aberrantly splicing may be a suitable phenomenon to
      obtain the proliferating advantage of hepatoma cells.

PMID- 27264951
TI  - The properties of the actin-myosin interaction in the heart muscle depend on the
      isoforms of myosin but not of alpha-actin.
AB  - In myocardium of mammals there are two isoforms of myosin heavy chains, alpha and
      beta. In ventricle, together with ventricular isoforms of light chains they form
      two isomyosins: V1 and V3, homodimers of alpha- and beta-heavy chains,
      respectively. In atria, alpha- and beta-heavy chains together with atrial light
      chains form A1 (alphaalpha) and A2 (betabeta) isomyosins. Besides in myocardium
      two isoforms of alpha-actin, skeletal and cardiac, are expressed. We assume that
      the differences in the amino acid sequence of cardiac and skeletal actin may
      affect its interaction with myosin. To test this hypothesis, we investigated
      characteristics of actin-myosin interactions of cardiac and skeletal isoforms of
      alpha-actin with the isoforms of cardiac myosin using an optical trap technique
      and an in vitro motility assay. It was found that the mechanical and kinetic
      characteristics of the interactions of the isoforms of cardiac myosin with actin
      depend on the isoforms of myosin not alpha-actin.

PMID- 27264952
TI  - miR-411-5p inhibits proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cell via
      targeting GRB2.
AB  - miR-411-5p (previously called miR-411) is severely involved in human diseases,
      however, the relationship between miR-411-5p and breast cancer has not been
      investigated thoroughly. Here, we found that the expression of miR-411-5p was
      downregulated in breast cancer tissues compared with their matched adjacent non
      neoplastic tissues. In addition, the expression of miR-411-5p was also lower in
      breast cancer cell lines in contrast with MCF-10A. Moreover, we investigated the
      target and mechanism of miR-411-5p in breast cancer using mimic and inhibitor,
      and demonstrated the involvement of GRB2 and Ras activation. Ectopic expression
      of miR-411-5p suppressed the breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and
      invasion while low expression of miR-411-5p exhibited the opposite effect.
      Furthermore, GRB2 was demonstrated to be significantly overexpressed in breast
      cancer tissues compared with normal tissues, and low expression of GRB2 had a
      longer overall survival compared with high expression of GRB2 in breast cancer.
      In general, our study shed light on the miR-411-5p related mechanism in the
      progression of breast cancer and, miR-411-5p/GRB2/Ras axis is potential to be
      molecular target for breast cancer therapy.

PMID- 27264953
TI  - Conventional kinesin KIF5B mediates adiponectin secretion in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
AB  - Insulin stimulates adiponectin secretion and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4)
      translocation in adipocyte to regulate metabolism homeostasis. Similar to GLUT4
      translocation, intracellular trafficking and release of adiponectin in adipocytes
      relies on the trans-Golgi network and endosomal system. Recent studies show that
      the heavy chain of conventional kinesin (KIF5B) mediates GLUT4 translocation in
      murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes, however, the motor machinery involved in mediating
      intracellular trafficking and release of adiponectin is unknown. Here, we
      examined the role of KIF5B in the regulation of adiponectin secretion. The KIF5B
      level was up-regulated during 3T3-L1 adipogenesis. This increase in cytosolic
      KIF5B was synchronized with the induction of adiponectin. Endogenous KIF5B and
      adiponectin were partially colocalized at the peri-nuclear and cytosolic regions.
      In addition, adiponectin-containing vesicles were co-immunoprecipitated with
      KIF5B. Knockdown of KIF5B resulted in a marked inhibition of adiponectin
      secretion and overexpression of KIF5B enhanced adiponectin release, whereas
      leptin secretion was not affected by changes in KIF5B expression. These data
      suggest that the secretion of adiponectin, but not leptin, is dependent on
      functional KIF5B.

PMID- 27264954
TI  - Amphipathic helical ordering of the flagellar secretion signal of Salmonella
      flagellin.
AB  - Export of external flagellar proteins requires a signal located within their N
      terminal disordered part, however, these regions do not share any significant
      sequence similarity suggesting that the secondary/tertiary structure might be
      important for recognition by the export gate. NMR experiments were performed to
      reveal the conformational properties of the flagellin signal sequence in vitro.
      It assumed a largely disordered fluctuating structure in aqueous environment, but
      acquired a folded structure containing an amphipathic helical portion in 50% MeOH
      or upon addition of SDS micelles which are known to promote hydrophobic
      interactions. Our observations raise the possibility that the signal sequence may
      partially undergo amphipathic helical ordering upon interaction with the
      recognition unit of the flagellar export machinery in a similar way as revealed
      for protein import into intracellular eukaryotic organelles mediated by targeting
      signals of high diversity.

PMID- 27264955
TI  - STAT5A and STAT5B have opposite correlations with drug response gene expression.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: STAT5A and STAT5B are important transcription factors that play a
      key role in regulation of several important physiological processes including
      proliferation, survival, mediation of responses to cytokines and in regulating
      gender differences in drug response genes such as the hepatic cytochrome P450s
      (CYPs) that are responsible for a large majority of drug metabolism reactions in
      the human body. STAT5A and STAT5b have a high degree of sequence homology and
      have been reported to have largely similar functions. Recent studies have,
      however, indicated that they can also often have distinct and unique roles in
      regulating gene expression. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the
      association of STAT5A and STAT5B mRNA expression levels with those of several key
      hepatic cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and hepatic transcription factors (TFs) and
      evaluated the potential roles of STAT5A and 5b in mediating gender differences in
      these CYPs and TFs. METHODS: Expression profiling for major hepatic CYP isoforms
      and transcription factors was performed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in 102
      human liver samples (57 female, 45 male). Real time PCR gene expression data for
      selected CYPs and TFs was available on a subset of 50 human liver samples (25
      female, 25 male) and was used to validate the RNA-seq findings. RESULTS: While
      STAT5A demonstrated significant negative correlation with expression levels of
      multiple hepatic transcription factors (including NR1I2 and HNF4A) and DMEs such
      as CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, STAT5B expression was observed to demonstrate positive
      associations with several CYPs and TFs analyzed. As STAT5A and STAT5B have been
      shown to be important in regulation of gender differences in CYPs, we also
      analyzed STAT5A and 5b associations with CYPs and TFs separately in males and
      females and observed gender dependent differential associations of STATs with
      several CYPs and TFs. Results from the real time PCR validation largely supported
      our RNA-seq findings. CONCLUSIONS: Using both RNA sequencing and real time PCR,
      we examined the association of STAT5A and STAT5B mRNA expression with CYP and TF
      gene expression. While STAT5A demonstrated significant negative correlations with
      expression levels of multiple hepatic TFs (including NR1I2 and HNF4alpha) and
      CYPs (eg. CYP3A4, CYP2C19), STAT5B expression was observed to demonstrate
      positive association with most of the CYPs/TFs analyzed suggesting that STAT5A
      and STAT5b have potentially different and distinct roles in regulating expression
      of hepatic drug response genes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the
      potential roles of STAT5A and 5b in regulation of CYPs/TFs and the potential
      implications of these findings.

PMID- 27264956
TI  - Gain of BDNF Function in Engrafted Neural Stem Cells Promotes the Therapeutic
      Potential for Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Stem cell-based therapy is a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases,
      but its application to Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains limited. Brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critical in the pathogenesis and treatment of AD.
      Here, we present a novel therapeutic approach for AD treatment using BDNF
      overexpressing neural stem cells (BDNF-NSCs). In vitro, BDNF overexpression was
      neuroprotective to beta-amyloid-treated NSCs. In vivo, engrafted BDNF-NSCs
      derived neurons not only displayed the Ca(2+)-response fluctuations, exhibited
      electrophysiological properties of mature neurons and integrated into local brain
      circuits, but recovered the cognitive deficits. Furthermore, BDNF overexpression
      improved the engrafted cells' viability, neuronal fate, neurite complexity,
      maturation of electrical property and the synaptic density. In contrast,
      knockdown of the BDNF in BDNF-NSCs diminished stem cell-based therapeutic
      efficacy. Together, our findings indicate BDNF overexpression improves the
      therapeutic potential of engrafted NSCs for AD via neurogenic effects and
      neuronal replacement, and further support the feasibility of NSC-based ex vivo
      gene therapy for AD.

PMID- 27264958
TI  - Orexin-A stimulates the expression of GLUT4 in a glucose dependent manner in the
      liver of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides).
AB  - Orexins are hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in the central regulation of
      feeding behavior, sleep-wake cycle and other physiological functions. Orexin-A
      can regulate energy metabolism and increase glucose uptake, suggesting a role in
      glucose metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effects of orexin-A on
      GLUT4 mRNA and protein levels and the intracellular signaling mechanisms
      mediating orexin-A activity in the hepatocytes of grouper. Our results
      demonstrate that intraperitoneal injection of orexin-A increased the expression
      of GLUT4 in the liver, and this effect was significantly enhanced by co-injection
      of glucose. Treatment of primary cultured hepatocytes with either orexin-A or
      glucose alone had no effect on the expression of GLUT4, while co-treatment with
      orexin-A and glucose significantly increased the expression of GLUT4. This
      stimulatory effect was partially blocked by inhibitors to ERK1/2, JNK or p38 MAPK
      and was further blocked by an orexin receptor antagonist, which indicates that
      orexin-A could stimulate the expression of GLUT4 in a glucose dependent manner in
      primary hepatocytes via ERK1/2, JNK and p38 signaling. Our results suggest that
      orexin-A could play a pivotal role in stimulating glucose utilization in grouper,
      for a long-term goal, which might be useful in reducing costs in the aquaculture
      industry.

PMID- 27264957
TI  - Oxygen concentration affects upper thermal tolerance in a terrestrial vertebrate.
AB  - We tested the oxygen limitation hypothesis, which states that animals decline in
      performance and reach the upper limits of their thermal tolerance when the
      metabolic demand for oxygen at high temperatures exceeds the circulatory system's
      ability to supply adequate oxygen, in air-breathing lizards exposed to air with
      different oxygen concentrations. Lizards exposed to hypoxic air (6% O2) gaped,
      panted, and lost their righting response at significantly lower temperatures than
      lizards exposed to normoxic (21% O2) or hyperoxic (35% O2) air. A greater
      proportion of lizards in the hyperoxic treatment were able to withstand body
      temperatures above 44 degrees C than in the normoxic treatment. We also found
      that female lizards had a higher panting threshold than male lizards, while sex
      had no effect on gaping threshold and loss of righting response. Body size
      affected the temperature at which lizards lost the righting response, with larger
      lizards losing the response at lower temperatures than smaller lizards when
      exposed to hypoxic conditions. These data suggest that oxygen limitation plays a
      mechanistic role in the thermal tolerance of lizards.

PMID- 27264959
TI  - Prediction of change in protein unfolding rates upon point mutations in two state
      proteins.
AB  - Studies on protein unfolding rates are limited and challenging due to the
      complexity of unfolding mechanism and the larger dynamic range of the
      experimental data. Though attempts have been made to predict unfolding rates
      using protein sequence-structure information there is no available method for
      predicting the unfolding rates of proteins upon specific point mutations. In this
      work, we have systematically analyzed a set of 790 single mutants and developed a
      robust method for predicting protein unfolding rates upon mutations (Deltalnku)
      in two-state proteins by combining amino acid properties and knowledge-based
      classification of mutants with multiple linear regression technique. We obtain a
      mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.79/s and a Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC)
      of 0.71 between predicted unfolding rates and experimental observations using
      jack-knife test. We have developed a web server for predicting protein unfolding
      rates upon mutation and it is freely available at
      https://www.iitm.ac.in/bioinfo/proteinunfolding/unfoldingrace.html. Prominent
      features that determine unfolding kinetics as well as plausible reasons for the
      observed outliers are also discussed.

PMID- 27264960
TI  - When to suspect tinea; a histopathologic study of 103 cases of PAS-positive
      tinea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The histopathologic features of tinea vary widely and its diagnosis
      could be easily missed if the index of suspicion is not high. We aimed in this
      study to detect histopathologic features that could be a clue for diagnosis
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 103 cases of tinea, confirmed by Periodic
      acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. For each case, gender, biopsy site, and pre-biopsy
      suspicion were recorded. The presence or absence of 17 microscopic features was
      noted. RESULTS: Concordance between pre-biopsy and histopathologic diagnosis was
      noted in 57.28% of cases, suggesting that the diagnosis is often not suspected
      clinically. Among the histopathologic features studied, a compact stratum corneum
      (either uniform or forming a layer beneath a basket weave stratum corneum),
      parakeratosis, mild spongiosis and neutrophils in the stratum corneum and within
      the blood vessels were the most frequent features noted. CONCLUSION: This study
      suggests histopathologic clues that should prompt the pathologist to order a PAS
      stain, especially when diagnosis is not suspected clinically.

PMID- 27264961
TI  - Corrigendum: The solvation of electrons by an atmospheric-pressure plasma.

PMID- 27264962
TI  - Aminoglycosides: old friend...new foe?

PMID- 27264963
TI  - Beyond the lungs: The new GI frontier.

PMID- 27264964
TI  - Progression from Vegetative to Minimally Conscious State Is Associated with
      Changes in Brain Neural Response to Passive Tasks: A Longitudinal Single-Case
      Functional MRI Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may be adopted as a
      complementary tool for bedside observation in the disorders of consciousness
      (DOC). However, the diagnostic value of this technique is still debated because
      of the lack of accuracy in determining levels of consciousness within a single
      patient. Recently, Giacino and colleagues (2014) hypothesized that a longitudinal
      fMRI evaluation may provide a more informative assessment in the detection of
      residual awareness. The aim of this study was to measure the correspondence
      between clinically defined level of awareness and neural responses within a
      single DOC patient. METHODS: We used a follow-up fMRI design in combination with
      a passive speech-processing task. Patient's consciousness was measured through
      time by using the Coma Recovery Scale. RESULTS: The patient progressed from a
      vegetative state (VS) to a minimally conscious state (MCS). Patient's task
      related neural responses mirrored the clinical change from a VS to an MCS.
      Specifically, while in an MCS, but not a VS, the patient showed a selective
      recruitment of the left angular gyrus when he listened to a native speech
      narrative, as compared to the reverse presentation of the same stimulus.
      Furthermore, the patient showed an increased response in the language-related
      brain network and a greater deactivation in the default mode network following
      his progression to an MCS. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that longitudinal
      assessment of brain responses to passive stimuli can contribute to the definition
      of the clinical status in individual patients with DOC and represents an adequate
      counterpart of the bedside assessment during the diagnostic decision-making
      process. (JINS, 2016, 22, 620-630).

PMID- 27264965
TI  - Structural and Rotational Dynamics of Carbon Dioxide in 1-Alkyl-3
      methylimidazolium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Ionic Liquids: The Effect of
      Chain Length.
AB  - Ionic liquids (ILs) have been proposed as possible carbon dioxide (CO2) capture
      media; thus, it is useful to understand the dynamics of both the dissolved gas
      and its IL environment as well as how altering an IL affects these dynamics. With
      increasing alkyl chain length, it is well-established that ILs obtain a
      mesoscopic structural feature assigned to polar-apolar segregation, and the
      change in structure with chain length affects the dynamics. Here, the dynamics of
      CO2 in a series of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide
      ILs, in which the alkyl group is ethyl, butyl, hexyl, or decyl, were investigated
      using ultrafast infrared spectroscopy by measuring the reorientation and spectral
      diffusion of carbon dioxide in the ILs. It was found that reorientation of the
      carbon dioxide occurs on three time scales, which correspond to two different
      time scales of restricted wobbling-in-a-cone motions and a long-time complete
      diffusive reorientation. Complete reorientation slows with increasing chain
      length but less than the increases in viscosity of the bulk liquids. Spectral
      diffusion, measured with two-dimensional IR spectroscopy, is caused by a
      combination of the liquids' structural fluctuations and reorientation of the CO2.
      The data were analyzed using a recent theory that takes into account both
      contributions to spectral diffusion and extracts the structural spectral
      diffusion. Different components of the structural fluctuations have distinct
      dependences on the alkyl chain length. All of the dynamics are fast compared to
      the complete orientational randomization of the bulk ILs, as measured with
      optical heterodyne-detected optical Kerr effect measurements. The results
      indicate a hierarchy of constraint releases in the liquids that give rise to
      increasingly slower dynamics.

PMID- 27264966
TI  - Effect of vaccination with a modified live porcine reproductive and respiratory
      syndrome virus vaccine on growth performance in fattening pigs under field
      conditions.
AB  - Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused
      significant economic losses to the global swine industry. The present study aimed
      to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial PRRSV modified live virus (MLV) vaccine
      in conventionally reared growing/finishing pigs. Four barns were designated for
      groups A, B, C and D in the growing-to-finishing site. All pigs of the A barn
      were vaccinated with a commercial PRRSV MLV vaccine, whereas pigs of the B, C or
      D barn as control groups were unvaccinated. Twenty pigs randomly selected and
      tagged from each barn were serially bled at 0, 20, 40 and 60 day-post
      vaccination, and tested for serological response with a commercial enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay kit. Body weights were measured to calculate the average
      daily-weight gain (ADG). Serological assays indicated that the seropositivity of
      the PRRSV-vaccinated group was higher than that of the unvaccinated groups at 40
      day-post-vaccination. ADG of group A was significantly higher than that of groups
      B and C, and the mean weights of groups A, B, C and D were 0.82 +/- 0.017, 0.76
      +/- 0.016, 0.74 +/- 0.019 and 0.81 +/- 0.018 kg, respectively. In conclusion, the
      present study reports the serological responses and growth performance parameters
      by the PRRSV MLV vaccine in growing/finishing pigs under field conditions.

PMID- 27264967
TI  - Caring for Patients with Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass: Special
      Considerations for the ED Nurse.

PMID- 27264968
TI  - Response to "Putting the cart before the horse: A cost effectiveness analysis of
      treatments for stuttering in young children requires evidence that the treatments
      analyzed were effective".

PMID- 27264970
TI  - [Motivations and emotional experiences of the first hospital multidisciplinary
      team trained to care for people with Ebola in Andalusia, Spain (2014-2016)].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio (HUVR) of Seville was
      chosen as the reference Andalusian site to treat possible cases of Ebola. After
      the health alert (WHO, 2014), a voluntary group of healthcare and non-healthcare
      professionals was set up, which, after being trained, treated a possible case. In
      this light, the aim is to understand the motivations and emotional experiences of
      this group and to identify the facilitators of and obstacles to its operation.
      METHOD: Qualitative, interpretative and phenomenological study. Observation unit:
      professional team of the HUVR trained to treat Ebola cases. Analysis units:
      teamwork, motivations and emotions. Three interviews with key informants were
      conducted, as well as three discussion groups involving 23 of the 60 team members
      (2014-2016). A content analysis of the motivations, emotions and elements
      affecting the team's operation was conducted with QSRNUDISTVivo10. VALIDITY: data
      sources, techniques and disciplinary perspectives were triangulated. The results
      were presented to the team, which duly agreed with the findings. RESULTS:
      Training, professional responsibility, professional self-esteem, risk appetite or
      loyalty to the leader stood out as motivations to voluntarily join the team.
      Emotional experiences evolved from fear and stress to self-pressure control,
      while essential elements for the team's operation were found to be calmness and
      confidence based on training and teamwork. Family, source department, resources,
      communication media and emotional management were facilitators of or obstacles to
      the team's success. CONCLUSION: An understanding of the key motivational and
      influential factors may be important in the management of effective and
      successful multidisciplinary teams during health alerts.

PMID- 27264969
TI  - The proteasome deubiquitinase inhibitor VLX1570 shows selectivity for ubiquitin
      specific protease-14 and induces apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells.
AB  - Inhibition of deubiquitinase (DUB) activity is a promising strategy for cancer
      therapy. VLX1570 is an inhibitor of proteasome DUB activity currently in clinical
      trials for relapsed multiple myeloma. Here we show that VLX1570 binds to and
      inhibits the activity of ubiquitin-specific protease-14 (USP14) in vitro, with
      comparatively weaker inhibitory activity towards UCHL5 (ubiquitin-C-terminal
      hydrolase-5). Exposure of multiple myeloma cells to VLX1570 resulted in
      thermostabilization of USP14 at therapeutically relevant concentrations.
      Transient knockdown of USP14 or UCHL5 expression by electroporation of siRNA
      reduced the viability of multiple myeloma cells. Treatment of multiple myeloma
      cells with VLX1570 induced the accumulation of proteasome-bound high molecular
      weight polyubiquitin conjugates and an apoptotic response. Sensitivity to VLX1570
      was moderately affected by altered drug uptake, but was unaffected by
      overexpression of BCL2-family proteins or inhibitors of caspase activity.
      Finally, treatment with VLX1570 was found to lead to extended survival in
      xenograft models of multiple myeloma. Our findings demonstrate promising
      antiproliferative activity of VLX1570 in multiple myeloma, primarily associated
      with inhibition of USP14 activity.

PMID- 27264971
TI  - [Impact of the Core Training Law on preventive medicine and public health
      training and other common medical specialties].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the Core Training Law (CTL) is to amend specialised
      medical training to include 24 months of common training. The aim of this study
      is to assess its potential impact on the Preventive Medicine and Public Health
      (PM&PH) training programme and other medical specialties. METHOD: The programmes
      of the 21 common medical specialties were analysed and the recommended training
      periods for each specialty collected, before the information was agreed upon by
      three observers. The training impact was calculated as the percentage of months
      that should be amended per specialty to adapt to the common training schedule.
      RESULTS: The Preventive Medicine and Public Health training programme is the
      specialty most affected by the Core Training Law (100%, 24 months). Intensive
      medicine (0%, 0 months) and medical oncology (17%, 4 months) is the least
      affected. CONCLUSIONS: The CTL affects the common medical specialties in
      different ways and requires a complete reorganisation of the activities and
      competencies of PM&PH professionals.

PMID- 27264974
TI  - Antithrombotic Agents in the Management of Sepsis.
AB  - Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory syndrome, is a response to infection and when
      associated with multiple organ dysfunction is termed, severe sepsis. It remains a
      leading cause of mortality in the critically ill. The response to the invading
      bacteria may be considered as a balance between proinflammatory and
      antiinflammatory reaction. While an inadequate proinflammatory reaction and a
      strong antiinflammatory response could lead to overwhelming infection and death
      of the patient, a strong and uncontrolled proinflammatory response, manifested by
      the release of proinflammatory mediators may lead to microvascular thrombosis and
      multiple organ failure. Endotoxin triggers sepsis by releasing various mediators
      including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1(IL-1). These cytokines
      activate the complement and coagulation systems, release adhesion molecules,
      prostaglandins, leukotrienes, reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide (NO).
      Other mediators involved in the sepsis syndrome include IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8;
      arachidonic acid metabolites; platelet activating factor (PAF); histamine;
      bradykinin; angiotensin; complement components and vasoactive intestinal peptide.
      These proinflammatory responses are counteracted by IL-10. Most of the trials
      targeting the different mediators of proinflammatory response have failed due a
      lack of correct definition of sepsis. Understanding the exact pathophysiology of
      the disease will enable better treatment options. Targeting the coagulation
      system with various anticoagulant agents including antithrombin, activated
      protein C (APC), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a rational approach.
      Many clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate these agents in severe
      sepsis. While trials on antithrombin and TFPI were not so successful, the double
      blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial of recombinant human activated protein
      C worldwide evaluation in severe sepsis (PROWESS) was successful, significantly
      decreasing mortality when compared to the placebo group. Better understanding of
      the pathophysiologic mechanism of severe sepsis will provide better treatment
      options. Combination antithrombotic therapy may provide a multipronged approach
      for the treatment of severe sepsis. 

PMID- 27264972
TI  - Controlled Inhibition of the Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Pro-inflammatory Secretome
      via Microparticle Engineering.
AB  - Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are promising therapeutic candidates given their
      potent immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory secretome. However, controlling the
      MSC secretome post-transplantation is considered a major challenge that hinders
      their clinical efficacy. To address this, we used a microparticle-based
      engineering approach to non-genetically modulate pro-inflammatory pathways in
      human MSCs (hMSCs) under simulated inflammatory conditions. Here we show that
      microparticles loaded with TPCA-1, a small-molecule NF-kappaB inhibitor, when
      delivered to hMSCs can attenuate secretion of pro-inflammatory factors for at
      least 6 days in vitro. Conditioned medium (CM) derived from TPCA-1-loaded hMSCs
      also showed reduced ability to attract human monocytes and prevented
      differentiation of human cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, compared with CM
      from untreated or TPCA-1-preconditioned hMSCs. Thus, we provide a broadly
      applicable bioengineering solution to facilitate intracellular sustained release
      of agents that modulate signaling. We propose that this approach could be
      harnessed to improve control over MSC secretome post-transplantation, especially
      to prevent adverse remodeling post-myocardial infarction.

PMID- 27264973
TI  - Sepsis Induces Hematopoietic Stem Cell Exhaustion and Myelosuppression through
      Distinct Contributions of TRIF and MYD88.
AB  - Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a central role in host responses to bacterial
      infection, but the precise mechanism(s) by which its downstream signaling
      components coordinate the bone marrow response to sepsis is poorly understood.
      Using mice deficient in TLR4 downstream adapters MYD88 or TRIF, we demonstrate
      that both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous MYD88 activation are major
      causes of myelosuppression during sepsis, while having a modest impact on
      hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) functions. In contrast, cell-intrinsic TRIF
      activation severely compromises HSC self-renewal without directly affecting
      myeloid cells. Lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of MYD88 or TRIF contributes
      to cell-cycle activation of HSC and induces rapid and permanent changes in
      transcriptional programs, as indicated by persistent downregulation of Spi1 and
      CebpA expression after transplantation. Thus, distinct mechanisms downstream of
      TLR4 signaling mediate myelosuppression and HSC exhaustion during sepsis through
      unique effects of MyD88 and TRIF.

PMID- 27264976
TI  - High Factor VIII Antigen Levels are not Associated with Factor VIII Gene
      Polymorphisms.

PMID- 27264975
TI  - Variable Expression and Hypermethylation of p16 Gene in Patients with T-ALL and
      Cell Lines.
AB  - The multi tumor suppressor genes MTS1 (CDKN2, p16INK4A) and MTS2 (CDKN1,
      p15INK4B) located at 9p21-22 are inactivated in some human cancers via several
      mechanisms including deletion and hypermethylation. In hematological
      malignancies, deletion of p16/p15 locus has been shown to be highly specific to
      lymphoid malignancies, and more particularly to T-cell acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia (TALL). We have investigated the deletion, methylation and p16 protein
      expression status of MTS1 in Tcell childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (19
      cases) and cell lines[11]. On Southern blot homozygous deletions or hemizygous
      deletion with rearangement were detected in 4/19 T-ALL. The expression of p16
      protein was not observed on Western blot in 4/15 T-ALL with intact p16 gene. The
      p16 gene was methylated 3/15 in T-ALL. Only one of three expressed p16 protein.
      The other 11/15 T-ALL had p16 protein expression but different level. Loss of
      MTS1 was observed in 3/11 cell lines. Cell line with MTS1 gene had p16 protein
      expression in 6/8. After treatment with the demethylating agent (5-AzoCyt) RD
      cell line showed p16 expression. This has not been observed with the other cell
      lines. Thus hypermethylation of MTS1 is rare in childhood T-ALL. Although
      inactivation of MTS1 by deletion is common in T-ALL and cell lines. Furthermore
      our data show that the p16 gene inactivation by hypermethylation and deletion may
      play a role in the leukemogenesis. 

PMID- 27264977
TI  - The Role of ABO Incompatibility in Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell
      Transplant.
AB  - ABO incompatibility is not a contraindication for allogeneic bone marrow
      transplantation, but this procedure requires an extra effort for erythrocyte or
      plasma depletion in certain well established conditions. Some acute or delayed
      immunohematological complications such as acute or chronic hemolysis and pure red
      cell aplasia may be encountered. In this study the outcome and transplant related
      complications of ABO incompatible and identical cases, who have received
      allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells from their HLA identical siblings were
      compared with each other. Ninety-one patients (CML 36, AML 37, other 18) were
      analyzed retrospectively including 51 (60.4%) ABO identical patients and 36
      (39.6%) ABO mismatched (MM) patients, who have a bi-directional MM (n= 5), major
      MM (n= 16), minor MM (n= 9) and Rh MM (n= 6). Median follow up was 13 (0.5-43.0)
      months. We did not observed any significant differences between two groups
      (identical vs non-identical) in terms of acute hemolysis preceding stem cell
      infusion, peritransplant transfusion demand, acute- and chronic graft versus host
      disease. There was no change in estimated disease free survival and overall
      survival durations. We did not observed any influence of ABO/Rh incompatibility
      on short term outcome in allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in
      our series and did not recommend further manipulation of the infused stem cells. 

PMID- 27264978
TI  - Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis: Delay in Diagnosis Eliminates Chance of Cure.
AB  - A 4.5 year-old girl presented with abdominal distention, failure to thrive,
      visual and hearing loss. In her medical history there was meningitis in the
      neonatal period, convulsions, enlargement of her head, nistagmus and exophtalmus
      at the tenth month. When she was 15 month-old, she had ventriculoperitoneal shunt
      and surgical transection of the filum terminale due to tethered cord. When she
      was 3 yearold she had headaches and swallowing difficulties and she underwent
      suboccipital craniectomi and C1 laminectomi. On admission to our Center she had
      normal mental and motor development, high arched palate, only three teeth,
      hepatosplenomegaly, weight and height below 3 percentile, leukoerythroblastic
      anemia and thrombocytopenia. Roentgenograms of bones showed sclerosis and no
      medullary tissue could be obtained in bone marrow biopsy. Diagnosis was infantile
      malignant osteopetrosis but the patient can not be referred to bone marrow
      transplantation due to delay in diagnosis and irreversible visual and hearing
      loss and lack of medullary space for marrow engraftment. 

PMID- 27264979
TI  - Prolonged Partial Thromboplastin Time Without Bleeding History; Fletcher Factor
      Deficiency.
AB  - A 67-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital to perform an
      esophagogastrectomy because a lesion at the lower esophagus was strongly
      suspicious for cancer. Her medical history and her family history were negative
      for bleeding tendency or thrombosis. Her activated partial thromboplastin time
      (aPTT) was prolonged (44 s) whereas her prothrombin time (PT) was normal (11 s)
      presurgery. Mixing of her plasma with normal plasma corrected her prolonged aPTT
      (27.9 s). Prolonged incubation shortened the patient's aPTT (36.3 s). Fletcher
      factor activity was found to be 50%. The patient underwent an esophagogastrectomy
      without bleeding complications under spinal anesthesia. Fletcher factor
      deficiency, a rare disorder, should be considered in patients who have no history
      of bleeding tendency with a prolonged aPTT. Surgical interventions are safe in
      these patients. 

PMID- 27264980
TI  - Extramedullary Presentation of Biclonal IgGk and IgAk Multiple Myeloma.
AB  - Multiple myeloma is characterized by plasma cell infiltration of the bone marrow
      and the presence of a monoclonal protein in the plasma or the urine in 90% of
      cases. Major manifestations of the disease are bone pain, anemia, renal
      insufficiency and recurrent infections. Less frequent presentations are hepatic
      and splenic enlargement (5% of cases), lymphadenopathy (4%) and biclonal
      gammopathy (1%). In this report we describe a biclonal multiple myeloma
      presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy and sternal mass. The
      immunohistochemical study of the lymph node and the flow cytometric analysis of
      the bone marrow showed IgGk and IgAk biclonality. In this report the features of
      lymph node involvement and biclonality constitute a rare presentation of multiple
      myeloma. 

PMID- 27264982
TI  - Images in Haematology.

PMID- 27264981
TI  - Stevens-Johnson Syndrome-Like Exanthema Secondary to Methotrexate.
AB  - Methotrexate is an antineoplastic drug used commonly in leukemia treatment.
      Because of becoming resistant to standard doses after 1970s, it is used
      intermediate or high doses. The complications of high doses are mucositis,
      vomiting, dermatitis exfoliativa, B-cell dysfunction, hepatotoxicity,
      nephrotoxicity and bone marrow depression. There were only two studies in
      literature about Stevens-Johnson syndrome occuring in two patients with acute
      lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma after receiving high doses
      methotrexate and leukoverin. We have reported a two-year-old boy patient
      suffering from acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) developed a severe skin reaction
      two days after administration of high dose methotrexate. The skin lesions
      simulated Stevens-Johnson syndrome with ulceration of the oral mucosa and
      erythema multiforme-like target lesions. 

PMID- 27264983
TI  - The Incidence of Alpha-Thalassemia in Antalya- Turkey.

PMID- 27264984
TI  - Inhibition of LPS-induced inflammatory mediators by 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in
      macrophages through suppression of PI3K/NF-kappaB signaling pathways.
AB  - Many tryptophan metabolites have immunomodulatory effects on various immune
      cells. 3-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid (3-HAA) is a tryptophan metabolite reported to
      have anti-inflammatory activity. The mechanism of this activity is unclear. The
      present study examined the immunomodulatory effects and molecular mechanisms of 3
      HAA on macrophages. Pretreatment of 3-HAA (0.1-10 MUg mL(-1)) for 2 h markedly
      inhibited NO and cytokine production in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Moreover,
      translocation and activation of NF-kappaB by LPS in the nucleus were abrogated
      through the prevention of IkappaB degradation by 3-HAA treatment. 3-HAA
      significantly suppressed LPS-induced PI3K/Akt/mTOR activation, whereas MAPKs were
      not affected by 3-HAA treatment. Furthermore, the inhibition of mTOR by 3-HAA
      resulted in decreased production of inflammatory mediators and NF-kappaB
      activity. Similar results were also observed in primary peritoneal macrophages.
      Furthermore, 3-HAA modulated macrophage polarization. Collectively, the results
      suggest that 3-HAA has an immunomodulatory effect that may result from inhibition
      of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF-kappaB activation, thereby decreasing the production of
      pro-inflammatory mediators. 

PMID- 27264986
TI  - Elevated heart rate and nondipping heart rate as potential targets for melatonin:
      a review.
AB  - Elevated heart rate is a risk factor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortalities
      in the general population and various cardiovascular pathologies. Insufficient
      heart rate decline during the night, that is, nondipping heart rate, also
      increases cardiovascular risk. Abnormal heart rate reflects an autonomic nervous
      system imbalance in terms of relative dominance of sympathetic tone. There are
      only a few prospective studies concerning the effect of heart rate reduction in
      coronary heart disease and heart failure. In hypertensive patients, retrospective
      analyses show no additional benefit of slowing down the heart rate by beta
      blockade to blood pressure reduction. Melatonin, a secretory product of the
      pineal gland, has several attributes, which predict melatonin to be a promising
      candidate in the struggle against elevated heart rate and its consequences in the
      hypertensive population. First, melatonin production depends on the sympathetic
      stimulation of the pineal gland. On the other hand, melatonin inhibits the
      sympathetic system in several ways representing potentially the counter
      regulatory mechanism to normalize excessive sympathetic drive. Second,
      administration of melatonin reduces heart rate in animals and humans. Third, the
      chronobiological action of melatonin may normalize the insufficient nocturnal
      decline of heart rate. Moreover, melatonin reduces the development of endothelial
      dysfunction and atherosclerosis, which are considered a crucial
      pathophysiological disorder of increased heart rate and pulsatile blood flow. The
      antihypertensive and antiremodeling action of melatonin along with its beneficial
      effects on lipid profile and insulin resistance may be of additional benefit. A
      clinical trial investigating melatonin actions in hypertensive patients with
      increased heart rate is warranted. 

PMID- 27264987
TI  - Response to Dr. Al-Ani's letter: Klippel-Feil Syndrome associated with Pierre
      Robin Sequence and mandibular duplication.

PMID- 27264985
TI  - Out-of-Sample Extrapolation utilizing Semi-Supervised Manifold Learning (OSE
      SSL): Content Based Image Retrieval for Histopathology Images.
AB  - Content-based image retrieval (CBIR) retrieves database images most similar to
      the query image by (1) extracting quantitative image descriptors and (2)
      calculating similarity between database and query image descriptors. Recently,
      manifold learning (ML) has been used to perform CBIR in a low dimensional
      representation of the high dimensional image descriptor space to avoid the curse
      of dimensionality. ML schemes are computationally expensive, requiring an
      eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) for every new query image to learn its low
      dimensional representation. We present out-of-sample extrapolation utilizing semi
      supervised ML (OSE-SSL) to learn the low dimensional representation without
      recomputing the EVD for each query image. OSE-SSL incorporates semantic
      information, partial class label, into a ML scheme such that the low dimensional
      representation co-localizes semantically similar images. In the context of
      prostate histopathology, gland morphology is an integral component of the Gleason
      score which enables discrimination between prostate cancer aggressiveness. Images
      are represented by shape features extracted from the prostate gland. CBIR with
      OSE-SSL for prostate histology obtained from 58 patient studies, yielded an area
      under the precision recall curve (AUPRC) of 0.53 +/- 0.03 comparatively a CBIR
      with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to learn a low dimensional space yielded
      an AUPRC of 0.44 +/- 0.01.

PMID- 27264988
TI  - Measurement of flying and diving metabolic rate in wild animals: Review and
      recommendations.
AB  - Animals' abilities to fly long distances and dive to profound depths fascinate
      earthbound researchers. Due to the difficulty of making direct measurements
      during flying and diving, many researchers resort to modeling so as to estimate
      metabolic rate during each of those activities in the wild, but those models can
      be inaccurate. Fortunately, the miniaturization, customization and
      commercialization of biologgers has allowed researchers to increasingly follow
      animals on their journeys, unravel some of their mysteries and test the accuracy
      of biomechanical models. I provide a review of the measurement of flying and
      diving metabolic rate in the wild, paying particular attention to mass loss,
      doubly-labelled water, heart rate and accelerometry. Biologgers can impact animal
      behavior and influence the very measurements they are designed to make, and I
      provide seven guidelines for the ethical use of biologgers. If biologgers are
      properly applied, quantification of metabolic rate across a range of species
      could produce robust allometric relationships that could then be generally
      applied. As measuring flying and diving metabolic rate in captivity is difficult,
      and often not directly translatable to field conditions, I suggest that applying
      multiple techniques in the field to reinforce one another may be a viable
      alternative. The coupling of multi-sensor biologgers with biomechanical modeling
      promises to improve precision in the measurement of flying and diving metabolic
      rate in wild animals.

PMID- 27264990
TI  - Within-subject non-concordance of abdominal v. general high adiposity: definition
      and analysis issues.

PMID- 27264991
TI  - A method for the analysis of multiple novel halogenated flame retardants in cow's
      milk.
AB  - A method was developed for the extraction and analysis of cow's milk to measure
      21 halogenated flame retardants (FRs), including individual isomers plus eight
      methoxy-polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs). Extraction was performed
      using homogenisation with acetone:hexane with size exclusion chromatography
      followed by adsorption chromatography clean-up. Analysis was undertaken using gas
      chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. The method was validated in
      fortified cow's milk with FRs and 2-methoxy-PBDE 68 at three levels (low [12.5
      1250 pg g(-)(1)], mid [37.5-5000 pg g(-)(1)] and high [400-10 000 pg g(-)(1)]).
      Additional methoxy-PBDEs were tested at two fortification levels. Isotope
      dilution was used to correct for losses during sample preparation and average
      recoveries ranged from 58% (allyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether [ATE]) to 121%
      (gamma-tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (gamma-TBECH)). Limits of detection ranged from
      0.055 pg g(-)(1) (6-methoxy-PBDE 47) to 38.9 pg g(-)(1) (decabromodiphenylethane
      (DBDPE)). Matrix effects were overcome through the use of surrogate and
      performance standards. A single FR (1-bromomethyl-2,3,4,5,6-pentabromobenzene
      [PBBB]) and two methoxy-PBDEs were detected in commercially available cow's milk
      collected from local supermarkets in Ottawa, ON, Canada. Detection frequency was
      < 25% for these compounds and, where present, concentrations were low. 

PMID- 27264992
TI  - Isoxazole-Derived Amino Acids are Bromodomain-Binding Acetyl-Lysine Mimics:
      Incorporation into Histone H4 Peptides and Histone H3.
AB  - A range of isoxazole-containing amino acids was synthesized that displaced acetyl
      lysine-containing peptides from the BAZ2A, BRD4(1), and BRD9 bromodomains. Three
      of these amino acids were incorporated into a histone H4-mimicking peptide and
      their affinity for BRD4(1) was assessed. Affinities of the isoxazole-containing
      peptides are comparable to those of a hyperacetylated histone H4-mimicking
      cognate peptide, and demonstrated a dependence on the position at which the
      unnatural residue was incorporated. An isoxazole-based alkylating agent was
      developed to selectively alkylate cysteine residues in situ. Selective
      monoalkylation of a histone H4-mimicking peptide, containing a lysine to cysteine
      residue substitution (K12C), resulted in acetyl-lysine mimic incorporation, with
      high affinity for the BRD4 bromodomain. The same technology was used to alkylate
      a K18C mutant of histone H3.

PMID- 27264994
TI  - An extra dimension in protein tagging by quantifying universal proteotypic
      peptides using targeted proteomics.
AB  - The use of protein tagging to facilitate detailed characterization of target
      proteins has not only revolutionized cell biology, but also enabled biochemical
      analysis through efficient recovery of the protein complexes wherein the tagged
      proteins reside. The endogenous use of these tags for detailed protein
      characterization is widespread in lower organisms that allow for efficient
      homologous recombination. With the recent advances in genome engineering, tagging
      of endogenous proteins is now within reach for most experimental systems,
      including mammalian cell lines cultures. In this work, we describe the selection
      of peptides with ideal mass spectrometry characteristics for use in
      quantification of tagged proteins using targeted proteomics. We mined the
      proteome of the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus to obtain two peptides that
      are unique in the proteomes of all known model organisms (proteotypic) and allow
      sensitive quantification of target proteins in a complex background. By combining
      these 'Proteotypic peptides for Quantification by SRM' (PQS peptides) with
      epitope tags, we demonstrate their use in co-immunoprecipitation experiments upon
      transfection of protein pairs, or after introduction of these tags in the
      endogenous proteins through genome engineering. Endogenous protein tagging for
      absolute quantification provides a powerful extra dimension to protein analysis,
      allowing the detailed characterization of endogenous proteins.

PMID- 27264993
TI  - 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside-mediated adenosine monophosphate
      activated protein kinase activation induces protective innate responses in
      bacterial endophthalmitis.
AB  - The retina is considered to be the most metabolically active tissue in the body.
      However, the link between energy metabolism and retinal inflammation, as incited
      by microbial infection such as endophthalmitis, remains unexplored. In this
      study, using a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) endophthalmitis, we
      demonstrate that the activity (phosphorylation) of 5' adenosine monophosphate
      activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKalpha), a cellular energy sensor and its
      endogenous substrate; acetyl-CoA carboxylase is down-regulated in the SA-infected
      retina. Intravitreal administration of an AMPK activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4
      carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR), restored AMPKalpha and acetyl-CoA carboxylase
      phosphorylation. AICAR treatment reduced both the bacterial burden and
      intraocular inflammation in SA-infected eyes by inhibiting NF-kB and MAP kinases
      (p38 and JNK) signalling. The anti-inflammatory effects of AICAR were diminished
      in eyes pretreated with AMPK inhibitor, Compound C. The bioenergetics (Seahorse)
      analysis of SA-infected microglia and bone marrow-derived macrophages revealed an
      increase in glycolysis, which was reinstated by AICAR treatment. AICAR also
      reduced the expression of SA-induced glycolytic genes, including hexokinase 2 and
      glucose transporter 1 in microglia, bone marrow-derived macrophages and the mouse
      retina. Interestingly, AICAR treatment enhanced the bacterial phagocytic and
      intracellular killing activities of cultured microglia, macrophages and
      neutrophils. Furthermore, AMPKalpha1 global knockout mice exhibited increased
      susceptibility towards SA endophthalmitis, as evidenced by increased inflammatory
      mediators and bacterial burden and reduced retinal function. Together, these
      findings provide the first evidence that AMPK activation promotes retinal innate
      defence in endophthalmitis by modulating energy metabolism and that it can be
      targeted therapeutically to treat ocular infections.

PMID- 27264995
TI  - Robust, Self-Healing Superhydrophobic Fabrics Prepared by One-Step Coating of
      PDMS and Octadecylamine.
AB  - A robust, self-healing superhydrophobic poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric
      was fabricated by a convenient solution-dipping method using an easily available
      material system consisting of polydimethylsiloxane and octadecylamine (ODA). The
      surface roughness was formed by self-roughening of ODA coating on PET fibers
      without any lithography steps or adding any nanomaterials. The fabric coating was
      durable to withstand 120 cycles of laundry and 5000 cycles of abrasion without
      apparently changing the superhydrophobicity. More interestingly, the fabric can
      restore its super liquid-repellent property by 72 h at room temperature even
      after 20000 cycles of abrasion. Meanwhile, after being damaged chemically, the
      fabric can restore its superhydrophobicity automatically in 12 h at room
      temperature or by a short-time heating treatment. We envision that this simple
      but effective coating system may lead to the development of robust protective
      clothing for various applications.

PMID- 27265003
TI  - Evaluation of non-coding variation in GLUT1 deficiency.
AB  - AIM: Loss-of-function mutations in SLC2A1, encoding glucose transporter-1 (GLUT
      1), lead to dysfunction of glucose transport across the blood-brain barrier. Ten
      percent of cases with hypoglycorrhachia (fasting cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]
      glucose <2.2mmol/L) do not have mutations. We hypothesized that GLUT1 deficiency
      could be due to non-coding SLC2A1 variants. METHOD: We performed whole exome
      sequencing of one proband with a GLUT1 phenotype and hypoglycorrhachia negative
      for SLC2A1 sequencing and copy number variants. We studied a further 55 patients
      with different epilepsies and low CSF glucose who did not have exonic mutations
      or copy number variants. We sequenced non-coding promoter and intronic regions.
      We performed mRNA studies for the recurrent intronic variant. RESULTS: The
      proband had a de novo splice site mutation five base pairs from the intron-exon
      boundary. Three of 55 patients had deep intronic SLC2A1 variants, including a
      recurrent variant in two. The recurrent variant produced less SLC2A1 mRNA
      transcript. INTERPRETATION: Fasting CSF glucose levels show an age-dependent
      correlation, which makes the definition of hypoglycorrhachia challenging. Low CSF
      glucose levels may be associated with pathogenic SLC2A1 mutations including deep
      intronic SLC2A1 variants. Extending genetic screening to non-coding regions will
      enable diagnosis of more patients with GLUT1 deficiency, allowing implementation
      of the ketogenic diet to improve outcomes.

PMID- 27265004
TI  - Fatty acids determination in Bronte pistachios by gas chromatographic method.
AB  - A gas chromatographic with flame ionization detector (GC-MS FID) method for the
      identification and quantification of fatty acids based on the extraction of
      lipids and derivatisation of free acids to form methyl esters was developed and
      validated. The proposed method was evaluated to a number of standard FAs, and
      Bronte pistachios samples were used for that purpose and to demonstrate the
      applicability of the proposed method. In this regard, repeatability, mean and
      standard deviation of the analytical procedure were calculated. The results
      obtained have demonstrated oleic acid as the main component of Bronte pistachios
      (72.2%) followed by linoleic acid (13.4%) and showed some differences in
      composition with respect to Tunisian, Turkish and Iranian pistachios. 

PMID- 27265005
TI  - How Clinically Relevant Are Treatment Comparisons of Topical Calcineurin
      Inhibitor Trials for Atopic Eczema?
AB  - We sought to explore the architecture of trials of calcineurin inhibitors for
      atopic eczema to document the extent to which comparisons with active treatments
      such as topical corticosteroids might have been included or avoided. We
      identified all eligible randomized controlled trials using the Global Resource
      for EczemA Trials (GREAT) database. Network plots were produced where the nodes
      represented a treatment type and the lines between the nodes represented the
      number of trials or participants involved in the various treatment comparisons. A
      total of 174 randomized controlled trials for atopic eczema treatments were
      identified in which pimecrolimus, tacrolimus, or topical corticosteroids were
      compared with another intervention or a vehicle/emollient. Of 39 trials involving
      pimecrolimus and 41 trials involving tacrolimus, 8 (20.5%) and 13 (31.7%),
      respectively, made comparisons with topical corticosteroids, and 25 (64.1%) and
      15 (36.6%), respectively, were vehicle-controlled studies. The high rate of
      comparisons with vehicle controls in randomized controlled trials that assessed
      the efficacy of pimecrolimus or tacrolimus long after efficacy had been
      established is a matter of concern. Active comparators (mild topical
      corticosteroids for pimecrolimus and moderate to potent topical corticosteroids
      for tacrolimus) are best placed to determine how topical calcineurin inhibitors
      compare with established clinical practice.

PMID- 27265007
TI  - Imatinib mesylate and the management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

PMID- 27265006
TI  - Low Levels of Genetic Heterogeneity in Matched Lymph Node Metastases from
      Patients with Melanoma.

PMID- 27265008
TI  - Factor V A4070G (His1299Arg) mutation in Turkish pediatric patients with
      thrombosis.
AB  - The role of the prothrombotic mutations in pediatric thrombosis are being
      investigated. Mutations in the factor V gene (FV G1691A and FV A4070G) leading to
      activated protein C resistance, the main pathological condition in thrombosis and
      prothrombotic mutations contributing to thrombosis have been identified. The aim
      of this study is to reveal the role of FV A4070G mutation in pediatric
      thrombosis. 314 patients with thrombosis at pediatric age including also 111
      stroke patients and 127 healthy controls were included to the study. The FV
      A4070G mutation was evaluated independently and also the combined effects with
      other prothrombotic mutations were also investigated. In pediatric stroke group
      FV A4070G was found not to be a risk factor with an OR of 1.04 (CI 95%: 0.56
      1.93, p= 0.884). Further studies are needed to study the role of FV A4070G with
      other risk factors belong to HR2 haplotype. 

PMID- 27265009
TI  - Body mass index, fibrinogen and factor VII activity in male smokers and non
      smokers living in an Urban industrialized.
AB  - Differences in haemostatic parameters have been reported among smokers and non
      smokers. However the relationships of these parameters with other risk factors of
      cardiovascular diseases have not been fully determined in Nigerians. We therefore
      aimed at assessing the relationship between fibrinogen, factor VII (FVII), age,
      body mass indeks (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood
      pressure (DBP) in smokers and non-smokers living in an Urban Nigerian city. We
      studied 104 male Nigerians grouped into non-smokers (n= 74) and smokers (n= 30).
      Fibrinogen was measured using the clot weight method of Ingram and FVII was
      assayed by the bioassay method. Mean fibrinogen and FVII were found to be higher
      in smokers than non-smokers. There was no relationship between FVII and age (r= 
      0.0458) in non-smokers and a weak association was found between FVII and age in
      smokers (r= 0.3191). Both SBP and DBP were significantly associated with BMI in
      smokers (r= 0.6332, p= 0.0002) for DBP and (r= 0.4869, p= 0.0064) for SBP.
      Fibrinogen was only associated with DBP in non-smokers (r= 0.3273, p= 0.0047).
      FVII and fibrinogen were found to be higher in smokers compared to non- smokers,
      the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.1965). The strength of the
      association of BMI and fibrinogen with blood pressure is higher for DBP in
      Nigerians. Extensive population studies should be conducted on smokers and non
      smokers to confirm these associations. 

PMID- 27265010
TI  - Effects of high-dose methylprednisolone therapy on lymphocyte subtypes in
      patients with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high-dose methylprednisolone
      (HDMP) on lymphocyte subtypes, CD4/CD8 ratio and clinical efficacy of the
      treatment in children with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The study
      consisted of 21 children (aged between 1.5-14 years) with ITP treated with HDMP
      for 7 days. Absolute lymphocyte count, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte levels were
      examined on peripheral blood and CD4/CD8 ratio was calculated before and after
      HMTP treatment (on 0 and 8th days) in all subjects. There was no statistically
      significant difference for age and sex between the study and the control group. A
      significant reduction was observed in the percentage of CD4+ lymphocyte (39.0 +/-
      7.5% vs 29.3 +/- 8.1%, p= 0.001), CD8+ lymphocyte (27.1 +/- 7.2% vs 23.7 +/-
      8.3%, p= 0.03), CD4+/CD8+ (1.5 +/- 0.5 vs 1.3 +/- 0.4, p= 0.02) and the absolute
      number of CD4+ lymphocyte count (1694.99 +/- 1019 vs 1199.12 +/- 612, p= 0.038).
      These findings indicated that HDMP treatment may cause a decrease in the
      percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte in
      patients with acute ITP. We suggest that the effectiveness of steroids may
      depended upon the suppression of CD4 T-lymphocyte and sequential monitoring of
      circulating lymphocyte subtypes may be used to predict the clinical effects of
      steroid treatment. 

PMID- 27265011
TI  - Interleukin-10 and interferon-gamma cytokine gene polymorphisms may be risk
      factors for chronic myelogenous leukemia.
AB  - We investigated the association of cytokine gene polymorphisms with the
      development of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and whether there is an
      association between gene polymorphisms Th1 and Th2 or regulatory- type cytokines
      and CML. Thirty patients with CML and 60 healthy controls were enrolled in this
      study. All genotyping (TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, IL-10, IL-6, and IFN-gamma) studies
      were performed using sequence-specific primers PCR (PCR-SSP). Frequencies of IL
      10 (-1082, -819, -592) GCC/ATA (p= 0.009) and IFN-gamma; +874 T/A (p= 0.037)
      polymorphisms were significantly greater in the patients with CML. In contrast,
      significantly lower frequencies of the IFN-gamma A/A (p= 0.004) genotype were
      observed in patients with CML compared with controls. The results suggest that
      the IL-10 GCC/ATA and IFN-gamma T/A polymorphisms are potential risk factors, and
      that the IFN-gamma A/A polymorphism is a protective factor, for CML in this study
      group. 

PMID- 27265012
TI  - Posttransplant lymphoma in renal and heart allograft recipients: a single center
      experience.
AB  - Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious complication of
      organ transplantation, with a reported incidence between 0.8% to 32%. Herein we
      retrospectively analyzed the patients who diagnosed as PTLD in Akdeniz
      University. Within the 782 (773 renal and 9 heart) transplant recipients six
      patients were diagnosed as PTLD (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma). Five of them had
      renal, one had cardiac transplantation. Three patients were diagnosed within the
      first year of transplantation. Five patients had abdominal disease one had
      central nervous system involvement. All patients had positive Epstein-Barr virus
      (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG at the time of diagnose. EBV-DNA with
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was found to be negative in five patients. Only
      one patient was survived after the diagnosis of PTLD. In conclusion, even with
      treatment the mortality rate is high in patients with PTLD. In order to decrease
      the incidence of PTLD and related mortality, the risk factors should be evaluated
      with multicenter studies. 

PMID- 27265013
TI  - Rapid progression of acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia to myelodysplastic
      syndrome: case report.
AB  - Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (AAT) is a rare disease characterized
      by severe thrombocytopenia due to selective reduction or absence of
      megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. More commonly, patients with AAT have
      additional hematologic abnormalities such as macrocytosis or dyserythropoiesis,
      abnormalities which may predict progression to aplastic anemia or myelodysplasia.
      A 52-year-old female was admitted to hospital with mucosal and gingival bleeding.
      Megakaryocytes were not seen on the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. AAT was
      diagnosed. Although she was treated with immunosuppressive therapy including
      prednisolone and cyclosporine, her disease progressed to myelodysplastic
      syndrome. She died at the third month of diagnosis because of cerebral bleeding. 

PMID- 27265014
TI  - High-dose steroid-related osteonecrosis in a four-year-old child with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Osteonecrosis is an uncommon complication of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. One of
      the risk factor is high-dose corticosteroid therapy. The highest incidence of
      osteonecrosis is observed in children 9 to 18 years old at diagnosis and it is a
      rare condition below 5 years of age. We describe a 4 year-old child with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia and complaints of progressive bone pain and walking
      difficulty who developed osteonecrosis and bone fracture after two remission
      induction chemotherapy. 

PMID- 27265015
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27265016
TI  - Neural stem cells injured by oxidative stress can be rejuvenated by GV1001, a
      novel peptide, through scavenging free radicals and enhancing survival signals.
AB  - Oxidative stress is a well-known pathogenic mechanism of a diverse array of
      neurological diseases, and thus, numerous studies have attempted to identify
      antioxidants that prevent neuronal cell death. GV1001 is a 16-amino-acid peptide
      derived from human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Considering that
      hTERT has a strong antioxidant effect, whether GV1001 also has an antioxidant
      effect is a question of interest. In the present study, we aimed to investigate
      the effects of GV1001 against oxidative stress in neural stem cells (NSCs).
      Primary culture NSCs were treated with different concentrations of GV1001 and/or
      hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for various time durations. The H2O2 decreased the
      viability of the NSCs in a concentration-dependent manner, with 200MUM H2O2
      significantly decreasing both proliferation and migration. However, treatment
      with GV1001 rescued the viability, proliferation and migration of H2O2-injured
      NSCs. Consistently, free radical levels were increased in rat NSCs treated with
      H2O2, while co-treatment with GV1001 significantly reduced these levels,
      especially the intracellular levels. In addition, GV1001 restored the expression
      of survival-related proteins and reduced the expression of death-associated ones
      in NSCs treated with H2O2. In conclusion, GV1001 has antioxidant and
      neuroprotective effects in NSCs following treatment with H2O2, which appear to be
      mediated by scavenging free radicals, increasing survival signals and decreasing
      death signals.

PMID- 27265018
TI  - Corrigendum to "Desmethylanhydroicaritin isolated from Sophora flavescens, shows
      antitumor activities in U87MG cells via inhibiting the proliferation, migration
      and invasion" [Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 43 (2016) 140-148].

PMID- 27265017
TI  - Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and incidence of brain tumours: The
      Danish Nurse Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Air pollution has been considered a potent environmental risk factor
      for neuropathology through neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, which might
      also cause brain tumour formation. However, epidemiological evidence on the
      association between air pollution and brain tumours in humans is sparse, with no
      data on exposure to particles. In this study we aim to examine associations
      between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and risk for development of
      brain tumours. METHODS: We used the Danish Nurse Cohort with 28,731 female nurses
      (age>=44years) recruited in 1993 or 1999 when self-reported information on
      lifestyle was collected. We obtained data on the incidence of brain tumours until
      2013 from the Danish Cancer Register, and estimated annual mean concentrations of
      particulate matter with diameter<2.5MUm (PM2.5), particulate matter with
      diameter<10MUm (PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at the
      residence since 1990 using an atmospheric integrated chemistry-transport models
      system, and examined the association between the 3-year running mean of
      pollutants and brain tumour incidence using time-varying Cox regression,
      separately for total brain tumours, and for tumour subtypes by location (brain or
      meninges), and by malignancy (malignant or benign), and estimated hazard ratios
      and 95% confidence intervals per increase in interquartile range of exposure.
      RESULTS: Of 25,143 tumour-free nurses at recruitment, 121 developed brain cancer
      during 15.7 years of follow-up. We found a weak positive association between
      total brain tumours and PM2.5 (1.06; 0.80-1.40 per 3.37MUg/m(3)), NO2 (1.09; 0.91
      1.29) per 7.5MUg/m(3), and NOx (1.02; 0.93-1.12 per 10.22MUg/m(3)), and none with
      PM10 (0.93; 0.70-1.23 per 3.31MUg/m(3)). Associations with PM2.5 and NO2 were
      stronger for tumours located in meninges than in brain, and for benign than for
      malignant tumours. Finally, association of total brain tumours with PM2.5 was
      modified by BMI, and was statistically significantly enhanced in obese women
      (2.03; 1.35-3.05). CONCLUSION: We found weak evidence for association between
      risk of brain tumours and long-term exposure to air pollution in women older than
      44 years. However, we present novel results that obese women may be susceptible,
      as well as a positive tendency towards elevated risk for meninges and benign
      tumours, which require further investigation.

PMID- 27265019
TI  - Single-Electron Transmetalation: Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalytic Cross-Coupling
      of Secondary Alkyl beta-Trifluoroboratoketones and -esters with Aryl Bromides.
AB  - The first cross-coupling of secondary alkyl beta-trifluoroboratoketones and 
      esters has been achieved through application of photoredox/nickel dual catalysis.
      Although the related beta-trifluoroboratoamides have been effectively cross
      coupled via Pd-catalysis, the corresponding ketones and esters had proven
      recalcitrant prior to this report. Reactions occur under mild conditions, and a
      variety of functional groups and sterically and electronically diverse reaction
      partners are tolerated.

PMID- 27265020
TI  - Probing the interaction of U(vi) with phosphonate-functionalized mesoporous
      silica using solid-state NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - The fundamental interaction of U(vi) with diethylphosphatoethyl triethoxysilane
      functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica is studied by macroscopic batch
      experiments and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. DPTS-functionalized silica has been
      shown to extract U(vi) from nitric acid solutions at or above pH 3. Extraction is
      dependent on pH and ionic strength. Single-pulse (31)P NMR on U(vi) contacted
      samples revealed that U(vi) only interacts with a fraction of the ligands present
      on the surface. At pH 4 the U(vi) extraction capacity of the material is limited
      to 27-37% of the theoretical capacity, based on ligand loading. We combined
      single pulse (31)P NMR on U(vi)-contacted samples with batch studies to measure a
      ligand-to-metal ratio of approximately 2 : 1 at pH 3 and 4. Batch studies and
      cross-polarization NMR measurements reveal that U(vi) binds to deprotonated
      phosphonate and/or silanol sites. We use (31)P-(31)P DQ-DRENAR NMR studies to
      compare the average dipolar coupling between phosphorus spins for both U(vi)
      complexed and non-complexed ligand environments. These measurements reveal that
      U(vi) extraction is not limited by inadequate surface distribution of ligands,
      but rather by low stability of the surface phosphonate complex. 

PMID- 27265021
TI  - Involvement of the Hippocampus in Binge Ethanol-Induced Spleen Atrophy in
      Adolescent Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ethanol (EtOH) affects the immune system. Binge drinking of hard
      liquor initiates a stress response. This form of drinking is popular during
      adolescence, which involves maturation of the immune system. The spleen is a key
      immune organ, and spleen atrophy is associated with immunosuppression. While the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a key role in the initial stress
      response, the hippocampus may be involved in stress beyond the HPA axis. METHODS:
      Blood ethanol concentration (BEC), blood endotoxin levels, and plasma
      corticosterone levels were measured following binge EtOH treatment. Absolute and
      relative spleen sizes were analyzed, and stress-related gene expression was
      compared in the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Polymerase chain reaction array was
      performed to analyze the expression profile of EtOH metabolism and immune
      regulation-related genes in the spleen. Relationships among variables were
      analyzed using the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: At 24 hours following a 3-day
      EtOH treatment, no significant difference in BEC was detected between EtOH
      treated and control rats. Average plasma endotoxin levels in EtOH-treated animals
      were significantly higher than in controls, and spleen size was significantly
      lower. Spleen size did not correlate with plasma endotoxin levels; however, it
      did significantly negatively correlate with plasma corticosterone levels. Spleen
      size significantly negatively correlated with hippocampal CRH expression and
      significantly positively correlated with hippocampal MR expression. No
      correlation was observed in the hypothalamus. Significantly higher hippocampal
      CRH and significantly lower MR expression was seen in low spleen/body weight (sp
      wt) ratio rats. No gene was found to decrease expression >=1.5-fold (p < 0.05) in
      the spleen of high sp-wt group, whereas expression of several genes, including
      Gabra1, Gabra5, Ifnb1, Irf9, Il12b, and Cx3cr1, decreased significantly in the
      low sp-wt group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that binge EtOH exposure
      causes lower spleen size in adolescents and that the hippocampus and stress may
      be associated with alterations in spleen structure and gene expression.

PMID- 27265022
TI  - Chemical quenching of singlet oxygen by betanin.
AB  - Betanin is the best known natural dye belonging to the betacyanin family. In this
      work, efficient singlet oxygen quenching by betanin in deuterated water with the
      rate constant 1.20 +/- 0.15 * 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) is reported, deduced from the
      (1)O2 phosphorescence decays measured as a function of betanin concentration. The
      quenching occurs by a chemical mechanism, as confirmed by the analysis of the
      transient absorption kinetics at the probe lambda ~ 535 nm, by comparison of the
      initial triplet signal amplitude of perinaphthenone acting as the (1)O2
      photosensitizer with the final bleaching signal of betanin. The main betanin
      oxidation product is 2-decarboxy-2,3-dehydrobetanin, with its formation observed
      as the transient absorption signal at lambda ~ 445 nm. LC-MS/MS analysis of the
      photolyzed solutions supports the product identification as 2-decarboxy-2,3
      dehydrobetanin, based on the molecular ion [M](+) observed at m/z 505. Isobetanin
      also undergoes a similar photooxidation reaction.

PMID- 27265025
TI  - Coiling ultrathin tellurium nanowires into nanorings by Pickering emulsion.
AB  - Well-defined hydrophilic ultrathin tellurium nanowires (TeNWs) can be coiled into
      nanorings by Pickering emulsion at room temperature. 

PMID- 27265023
TI  - Inflammation Causes Resistance to Anti-CD20-Mediated B Cell Depletion.
AB  - B cells play a central role in antibody-mediated rejection and certain autoimmune
      diseases. However, B cell-targeted therapy such as anti-CD20 B cell-depleting
      antibody (aCD20) has yielded mixed results in improving outcomes. In this study,
      we investigated whether an accelerated B cell reconstitution leading to aCD20
      depletion resistance could account for these discrepancies. Using a
      transplantation model, we found that antigen-independent inflammation, likely
      through toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, was sufficient to mitigate B cell
      depletion. Secondary lymphoid organs had a quicker recovery of B cells when
      compared to peripheral blood. Inflammation altered the pharmacokinetics (PK) and
      pharmacodynamics (PD) of aCD20 therapy by shortening drug half-life and
      accelerating the reconstitution of the peripheral B cell pool by bone marrow
      derived B cell precursors. IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) coadministration
      also shortened aCD20 drug half-life and led to accelerated B cell recovery.
      Repeated aCD20 dosing restored B cell depletion and delayed allograft rejection,
      especially B cell-dependent, antibody-independent allograft rejection. These data
      demonstrate the importance of further clinical studies of the PK/PD of monoclonal
      antibody treatment in inflammatory conditions. The data also highlight the
      disconnect between B cell depletion on peripheral blood compared to secondary
      lymphoid organs, the deleterious effect of IVIG when given with aCD20 and the
      relevance of redosing of aCD20 for effective B cell depletion in alloimmunity.

PMID- 27265024
TI  - Incidence and long-term outcome of postradiotherapy moyamoya syndrome in
      pediatric patients with primary brain tumors: a single institute experience in
      Taiwan.
AB  - We aimed to investigate the incidence and long-term outcome of moyamoya syndrome
      in pediatric patients with primary brain tumors after receiving cranial
      radiotherapy (RT) in a single institute in Taiwan. The complete medical records,
      medical images, and RT notes of 391 pediatric patients with primary brain tumors
      treated with cranial RT between January 1975 and December 2005 in Taipei Veterans
      General Hospital (TVGH), Taiwan, were entered into an electronic registry and
      reviewed. Eight (2%) cases of post-RT moyamoya syndrome were identified in the
      sample of 391 patients. The median latency was 3 years post-RT. Among the eight
      patients, three had craniopharyngioma, two had optic glioma, two had
      medulloblastoma, and one had a suprasellar astrocytoma. The prescribed physical
      doses of RT were in the range of 40-54 Gy. The incidence was highest in those
      with optic glioma (0.039/person-year), followed by craniopharyngioma
      (0.013/person-year), astrocytoma (0.003/person-year), and medulloblastoma
      (0.002/person-year). No patients died of vasculopathy. No difference in crude
      incidence was found between our results and those of other series. The incidence
      of moyamoya syndrome was diagnosis dependent, with the highest incidence among
      patients with optic glioma. No regional difference in incidence was found. Long
      term, stable neurological function may be achieved following timely surgical
      intervention.

PMID- 27265026
TI  - Development of a niobium-doped titania inert anode for titanium electrowinning in
      molten chloride salts.
AB  - The direct electrochemical reduction of solid titanium dioxide in a chloride melt
      is an attractive method for the production of titanium metal. It has been
      estimated that this type of electrolytic approach may reduce the costs of
      producing titanium sponge by more than half, with the additional benefit of a
      smaller environmental footprint. The process utilises a consumable carbon anode
      which releases a mixture of CO2 and CO gas during electrolysis, but suffers from
      low current efficiency due to the occurrence of parasitic side reactions
      involving carbon. The replacement of the carbon anode with a cheap, robust inert
      anode offers numerous benefits that include: elimination of carbon dioxide
      emissions, more efficient cell operation, opportunity for three-dimensional
      electrode configurations and reduced electrode costs. This paper reports a study
      of Nb-doped titania anode materials for inert anodes in a titanium electrolytic
      reduction cell. The study examines the effect of niobium content and sintering
      conditions on the performance of Nb-doped TiO2 anodes in laboratory-scale
      electrolysis tests. Experimental findings, including performance in a 100 h
      laboratory electrolysis test, are described. 

PMID- 27265027
TI  - Correlation between the acid-base properties of the La2O3 catalyst and its
      methane reactivity.
AB  - Density functional theory and coupled cluster theory calculations were carried
      out to study the effects of the acid-base properties of the La2O3 catalyst on its
      catalytic activity in the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reaction. The
      La(3+)-O(2-) pair site for CH4 activation is considered as a Lewis acid-Bronsted
      base pair. Using the Lewis acidity and the Bronsted basicity in the fluoride
      affinity and proton affinity scales as quantitative measures of the acid-base
      properties, the energy barrier for CH4 activation at the pair site can be
      linearly correlated with these acid-base properties. The pair site consisting of
      a strong Lewis acid La(3+) site and a strong Bronsted base O(2-) site is the most
      reactive for CH4 activation. In addition, the basicity of the La2O3 catalyst was
      traditionally measured by temperature-programmed desorption of CO2, but the CO2
      chemisorption energy is better regarded as a combined measure of the acid-base
      properties of the pair site. A linear relationship of superior quality was found
      between the energy barrier for CH4 activation and the CO2 chemisorption energy,
      and the pair site favorable for CO2 chemisorption is also more reactive for CH4
      activation, leading to the conflicting role of the "basicity" of the La2O3
      catalyst in the OCM reaction. The necessity for very high reaction temperatures
      in the OCM reaction is rationalized by the requirement for the recovery of the
      most reactive acid-base pair site, which unfortunately also reacts most readily
      with the byproduct CO2 to form the very stable CO3(2-) species. 

PMID- 27265028
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of genes related to resistance against powdery mildew in
      wheat-Thinopyrum alien addition disomic line germplasm SN6306.
AB  - Wheat powdery mildew, which is mainly caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici
      (Bgt), seriously damages wheat production. The wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium alien
      addition disomic line germplasm SN6306, being one of the important sources of
      genes for wheat resistance, is highly resistant to Bgt E09 and to many other
      powdery mildew physiological races. However, knowledge on the resistance
      mechanism of SN6306 remains limited. Our study employed high-throughput RNA
      sequencing based on next-generation sequencing technology (Illumina) to obtain an
      overview of the transcriptome characteristics of SN6306 and its parent wheat
      Yannong 15 (YN15) during Bgt infection. The sequencing generated 104,773
      unigenes, 9909 of which showed varied expression levels. Among the 9909 unigenes,
      1678 unigenes showed 0 reads in YN15. The expression levels in Bgt-inoculated
      SN6306 and YN15 of exactly 39 unigenes that showed 0 or considerably low reads in
      YN15 were validated to identify the genes involved in Bgt resistance. Among the
      39 unigenes, 12 unigenes were upregulated in SN6306 by 3-45 times. These unigenes
      mainly encoded kinase, synthase, proteases, and signal transduction proteins,
      which may play an important role in the resistance against Bgt. To confirm
      whether the unigenes that showed 0 reads in YN15 are really unique to SN6306, 8
      unigenes were cloned and sequenced. Results showed that the selected unigenes are
      more similar to SN6306 and Th. intermedium than to the wheat cultivar YN15. The
      sequencing results further confirmed that the unigenes showing 0 reads in YN15
      are unique to SN6306 and are most likely derived from Th. intermedium (Host)
      Nevski. Thus, the genes from Th. intermedium most probably conferred the
      resistance of SN6306 to Bgt. 

PMID- 27265029
TI  - Aberrant methylation of ATG2B, ATG4D, ATG9A and ATG9B CpG island promoter is
      associated with decreased mRNA expression in sporadic breast carcinoma.
AB  - Epigenetic modifications are critical determinants in tumor initiation and
      progression. This study aims to detect the promoter methylation status and the
      mRNA expression levels of ATG2B, ATG4D, ATG9A and ATG9B, and then to explore
      their relationship in invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) and matched normal
      tissues (MNTs) of the breast. Methylation was observed as follows: 61.0% in
      ATG2B, 46.8% in ATG4D, 56.4% in ATG9A, and 74.0% in ATG9B of IDCs. Meanwhile,
      their mRNA expression levels of the IDCs was lower than that of the MNTs
      (P<0.001, P=0.019, P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Methylated IDCs of ATG2B,
      ATG9A, ATG9B and unmethylated ATG4D, ATG9B showed significantly lower expression
      values compared to the MNTs (P=0.003, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.014 and P=0.002,
      respectively). The methylations of ATG2B and ATG9B were related to their lower
      expression levels in IDCs (P=0.017 and P=0.023). Moreover, ATG2B methylation was
      positively associated with the grade (P=0.024) and TNM stage (P=0.015);
      Methylation of ATG4D and ATG9A was positively correlated to lymph node
      involvement (P=0.012 and P=0.018), while methylation of ATG9B appeared
      susceptible to CK5/6 positive status and deteriorated TNM stages (P=0.003 and
      P=0.012). Moreover, the decreased expression of ATG2B was related to the ER and
      PR status (P=0.004 and P=0.003). The ER, HER-2 and lymph node metastasis status
      are the determinants to reducing the expression of ATG4D, ATG9A and ATG9B
      (P=0.026, P=0.010 and P=0.011, respectively). This study highlights the
      transcriptional inactivation mechanisms of ATG2B, ATG4D, ATG9A and ATG9B promoter
      methylation status and the possible origin of autophagy signal pathway repression
      in IDCs. 

PMID- 27265030
TI  - A global study of transcriptome dynamics in canola (Brassica napus L.) responsive
      to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection using RNA-Seq.
AB  - The necrotrophic phytopathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causes Sclerotinia stem
      rot, which is a serious constraint to canola (Brassica napus L.) production
      worldwide. To understand the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying host
      response to Sclerotinia infection, we analyzed the transcript level changes in
      canola post-infection with S. sclerotiorum in a time course of a compatible
      interaction using strand specific whole transcriptome sequencing. Following
      infection, 161 and 52 genes (P<=0.001) were induced while 24 and 23 genes were
      repressed at 24h post-inoculation (hpi) and 48hpi, respectively. This suggests
      that, a gradual increase in host cell lyses and increase virulence of the
      pathogen led to the expression of only a fewer host specific genes at the later
      stage of infection. We observed rapid induction of key pathogen responsive genes,
      including glucanases, chitinases, peroxidases and WRKY Transcription factors
      (TFs) within 24hpi, indicating early detection of the pathogen by the host. Only
      16 genes were significantly induced at both the time points suggesting a
      coordinated suppression of host responses by the pathogen. In addition to genes
      involved in plant-pathogen interactions, many novel disease responsive genes,
      including various TF sand those associated with jasmonate (JA) and ethylene (ET)
      signalling were identified. This suggests that canola adopts multiple strategies
      in mediating plant responses to the pathogen attack. Quantitative real time PCR
      (qRT-PCR) validation of a selected set of genes demonstrated a similar trend as
      observed by RNA-Seq analysis and highlighted the potential involvement of these
      genes by the host to defend itself from pathogen attack. Overall, this work
      presents an in-depth analysis of the interaction between host susceptibility and
      pathogen virulence in the agriculturally important B. napus-S. sclerotiorum
      pathosystem. 

PMID- 27265031
TI  - Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPV) induce the expression of small heat shock protein
      25.4 in Antheraea pernyi.
AB  - Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) is one group of Baculoviruses. The infection of NPV
      in silkworm is often lethal. To investigate the effective measures to stop the
      infection of NPV, we cloned cDNA encoding small heat shock protein 25.4 in
      Antheraea pernyi (Ap-HSP25.4). The translated amino acid sequence consisted of
      223 residues with a calculated molecular mass of 25.4kDa and an isoelectronic
      point (pI) of 4.93. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to investigate the
      expression patterns and distribution profiles of Ap-sHSP25.4 before and after
      challenged with NPV. We found that the inhibitors of eicosanoid synthesis could
      suppress the transcription of Ap-sHSP25.4 in the fat body in a dose dependent
      manner. And arachidonic acid induced the expression of Ap-sHSP25.4. Thus, we
      concluded that sHSPs may be promising candidates to boost insect immunity in
      practice. 

PMID- 27265032
TI  - Network analysis of genes and their association with diseases.
AB  - A plethora of network-based approaches within the Systems Biology universe have
      been applied, to date, to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of
      various human diseases. In the present study, we perform a bipartite, topological
      and clustering graph analysis in order to gain a better understanding of the
      relationships between human genetic diseases and the relationships between the
      genes that are implicated in them. For this purpose, disease-disease and gene
      gene networks were constructed from combined gene-disease association networks.
      The latter, were created by collecting and integrating data from three diverse
      resources, each one with different content covering from rare monogenic disorders
      to common complex diseases. This data pluralism enabled us to uncover important
      associations between diseases with unrelated phenotypic manifestations but with
      common genetic origin. For our analysis, the topological attributes and the
      functional implications of the individual networks were taken into account and
      are shortly discussed. We believe that some observations of this study could
      advance our understanding regarding the etiology of a disease with distinct
      pathological manifestations, and simultaneously provide the springboard for the
      development of preventive and therapeutic strategies and its underlying genetic
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 27265034
TI  - Thinking ahead: Executive dysfunction in bipolar disorder.

PMID- 27265035
TI  - Interactions of Oryza sativa OsCONTINUOUS VASCULAR RING-LIKE 1 (OsCOLE1) and
      OsCOLE1-INTERACTING PROTEIN reveal a novel intracellular auxin transport
      mechanism.
AB  - Little is known about the transport mechanism of intracellular auxin. Here, we
      report two vacuole-localized proteins, Oryza sativa OsCONTINUOUS VASCULAR RING
      LIKE 1 (OsCOLE1) and OsCOLE1-INTERACTING PROTEIN (OsCLIP), that regulate
      intracellular auxin transport and homoeostasis. Overexpression of OsCOLE1
      markedly increased the internode length and auxin content of the stem base,
      whereas these parameters were decreased in RNA interference (RNAi) plants.
      OsCOLE1 was localized on the tonoplast and preferentially expressed in mature
      tissues. We further identified its interacting protein OsCLIP, which was co
      localized on the tonoplast. Protein-protein binding assays demonstrated that the
      N-terminus of OsCOLE1 directly interacted with OsCLIP in yeast cells and the rice
      protoplast. Furthermore, (3) H-indole-3-acetic acid ((3) H-IAA) transport assays
      revealed that OsCLIP transported IAA into yeast cells, which was promoted by
      OsCOLE1. The results indicate that OsCOLE1 affects rice development by regulating
      intracellular auxin transport through interaction with OsCLIP, which provides a
      new insight into the regulatory mechanism of intracellular transport of auxin and
      the roles of vacuoles in plant development.

PMID- 27265033
TI  - Catalytic Reductive ortho-C-H Silylation of Phenols with Traceless, Versatile
      Acetal Directing Groups and Synthetic Applications of Dioxasilines.
AB  - A new, highly selective, bond functionalization strategy, achieved via relay of
      two transition metal catalysts and the use of traceless acetal directing groups,
      has been employed to provide facile formation of C-Si bonds and concomitant
      functionalization of a silicon group in a single vessel. Specifically, this
      approach involves the relay of Ir-catalyzed hydrosilylation of inexpensive and
      readily available phenyl acetates, exploiting disubstituted silyl synthons to
      afford silyl acetals and Rh-catalyzed ortho-C-H silylation to provide
      dioxasilines. A subsequent nucleophilic addition to silicon removes the acetal
      directing groups and directly provides unmasked phenol products and, thus, useful
      functional groups at silicon achieved in a single vessel. This traceless acetal
      directing group strategy for catalytic ortho-C-H silylation of phenols was also
      successfully applied to preparation of multisubstituted arenes. Remarkably, a new
      formal alpha-chloroacetyl directing group has been developed that allows
      catalytic reductive C-H silylation of sterically hindered phenols. In particular,
      this new method permits access to highly versatile and nicely differentiated
      1,2,3-trisubstituted arenes that are difficult to access by other catalytic
      routes. In addition, the resulting dioxasilines can serve as chromatographically
      stable halosilane equivalents, which allow not only removal of acetal directing
      groups but also introduce useful functional groups leading to silicon-bridged
      biaryls. We demonstrated that this catalytic C-H bond silylation strategy has
      powerful synthetic potential by creating direct applications of dioxasilines to
      other important transformations, examples of which include aryne chemistry, Au
      catalyzed direct arylation, sequential orthogonal cross-couplings, and late-stage
      silylation of phenolic bioactive molecules and BINOL scaffolds.

PMID- 27265036
TI  - Potential impact of application of Z0011 derived criteria to omit axillary lymph
      node dissection in node positive breast cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ACOSOG Z0011 trial, a randomized controlled trial among patients
      with sentinel node positive breast cancer treated with breast conserving therapy,
      concluded that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be omitted in these
      patients. However, questions were raised on the general applicability if the
      results of the Z0011 trial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the
      practice changing effect of the Z0011 trial by quantifying the proportion of all
      node positive breast cancer patients who meet the inclusion criteria which are
      based on the Z0011 trial, thus in whom an ALND could be omitted. METHODS: A
      multicenter population based study including patients with clinical T1-2N0-1M0
      invasive non-metastatic breast cancer, a positive sentinel node or ultrasound
      guided lymph node biopsy, treated with breast conserving therapy and adjuvant
      systemic therapy between January 2007 and December 2012. RESULTS: A total of
      11,031 patients had invasive breast cancer including 3051 cases treated with
      breast conserving therapy and adjuvant systemic therapy. Subsequently, 916 cases
      with a positive nodal status underwent an ALND of whom 558 cases (60.9%),
      representing 5.1% of the total breast cancer population, would potentially have
      fulfilled the Z0011 criteria. CONCLUSION: Application of Z0011 based criteria is
      practice changing in nearly 61% of all node positive patients, which could result
      in omission of the ALND in a substantial number of patients in the future.
      Further research has to be performed on the applicability of these conclusions to
      other categories of breast cancer patients.

PMID- 27265037
TI  - Systematic review and meta-analysis of the complications of salvage total
      laryngectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Management paradigms in laryngeal cancer have shifted
      to "organ preservation" chemoradiotherapy protocols. In the event of treatment
      failure, salvage total laryngectomy remains the only curative treatment option.
      However a comprehensive review of the complications of this procedure has not
      been reported. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed using
      keywords "salvage laryngectomy" to retrieve relevant publications between January
      2000 and August 2015. RESULTS: Of the 407 articles retrieved from the literature
      search, 50 studies encompassing 3292 patients were included. Forty-nine studies
      reported pharyngocutaneous fistula which occurred in 859 patients (pooled
      incidence 28.9%; 95% confidence intervals 25.5-32.5%). Twenty-four studies
      reported complications in addition to PCF and these included wound complications
      (infection, dehiscence and necrosis), dysphagia, bleeding, and pharyngeal and
      stomal stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Overall complication rate was 67.5%,
      Pharyngocutaneous fistula was the commonest complication with a pooled incidence
      of 28.9%.

PMID- 27265038
TI  - Comparing a thyroid prognostic nomogram to the existing staging systems for
      prediction risk of death from thyroid cancers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Thyroid prognostic nomogram can be applied across different
      histological types for predicting the individualized risk of death from thyroid
      cancer. The objective of this study was to compare the strength of our recently
      published thyroid prognostic nomogram with 12 existing staging systems to predict
      the risk of death from thyroid cancer. METHOD: This study included 1900 thyroid
      cancer patients, from a population based cohort of 2296 patients, on whom
      adequate staging information was available. Competing risk sub-hazard models were
      used to compare 12 pre-existing prognostic models with the nomogram model. Their
      relative strengths for prediction of patients' individualized risks of death from
      thyroid cancer were compared using Akaike information criterion (AIC), delta AIC,
      and concordance index. R version 3.2.2 was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Our
      cohort of 450 males and 1450 females included 1796 (93.4%) differentiated thyroid
      cancers. Amongst the compared models, thyroid prognostic nomogram model appeared
      to be better than other models for predicting the risk of death from all non
      anaplastic thyroid cancer (concordance index = 94.4), differentiated thyroid
      cancer (concordance index = 94.1) and papillary thyroid cancer (concordance index
      = 94.7). The difference from next best staging systems was most pronounced in non
      anaplastic thyroid cancer (delta AIC = 114.8), followed by differentiated thyroid
      cancer (delta AIC = 35.6) and papillary thyroid cancer (delta AIC = 8.4).
      CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid prognostic nomogram model was found to be better than the
      other models compared for predicting risk of death from thyroid cancer.

PMID- 27265039
TI  - Anesthesia and colorectal cancer - The perioperative period as a window of
      opportunity?
AB  - Gastrointestinal malignancies largely contribute to cancer related deaths in the
      United States, with colorectal cancer representing the 3rd place of the ten
      leading entities of mortality due to cancer for both females and males. The
      majority of patients with GI tumors has to undergo surgery (either as a curative
      or palliative intervention) and are therefore also in need for a proper general
      and/or regional anesthesia. Recent findings have suggested that the type of
      anesthesia administered might have an impact on cancer recurrence and metastasis
      and thus this new field in the anesthesia world has become a largely studied
      topic. This review highlights current concepts and summarizes the evidence for an
      impact of the type of anesthesia on patient outcome after cancer surgery,
      suggesting the perioperative period might be a "window of opportunity" which
      should not be missed. 

PMID- 27265040
TI  - Gastric GISTs: Analysis of c-Kit, PDGFRA and BRAF mutations in relation to
      prognosis and clinical pathological characteristics of patients - A GIRCG study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a subgroup
      of GISTs with a better prognosis than those located in other areas. In this
      retrospective study we performed a molecular characterization of a large series
      of patients with gastric GISTs in relation to clinical-pathological
      characteristics and prognosis. METHODS: DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded
      sections from 221 gastric GIST patients submitted to surgery. Exons 9, 11, 13 and
      17 of KIT, exons 12 and 18 of PDGFRA and exons 11 and 15 of BRAF were analyzed by
      direct sequencing. Cox regression analysis adjusted for clinical-pathological
      factors was performed to evaluate KIT and PDGFRA mutations in relation to the
      composite endpoint of relapse or death. RESULTS: KIT and PDGFRA mutations were
      observed in 119 (53.8%) and 56 (25.3%) patients, respectively, whereas 46 (20.8%)
      patients had wild type (wt) disease. Univariable analyses showed that a high
      Miettinen risk category and the presence of ulceration and KIT deletions were
      associated with increased risk of relapse or death (p < 0.001; p = 0.0389 and p =
      0.002, respectively). After adjusting for Miettinen risk score, KIT deletions
      remained an independent prognostic factor (HRadj = 2.65, 95% CI [1.15-6.13], p =
      0.023). Moreover, KIT deletions in exon 11 codons 557, 558 or 559 were associated
      with a higher risk of relapse or death than wt tumors (HRadj = 3.29 95% CI [1.64
      6.64], p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: KIT deletions in exon 11, especially those
      involving codons 557, 558 or 559, were correlated with a more aggressive gastric
      GIST phenotype and increased risk of relapse or death.

PMID- 27265041
TI  - Current and future role of circulating tumor cells in patients with epithelial
      ovarian cancer.
AB  - Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are viable tumor cells that are released into the
      circulatory system. CTCs have shown a prognostic value in numerous solid tumors.
      CTC research in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) has attracted only little
      attention. Since the primary route of metastasis in EOC is considered to be
      direct peritoneal spread in the abdominal cavity and distant metastases only
      occur in one third of the patients, it was thought that there is not enough
      shedding of tumor cells in the circulation. Nevertheless recent studies revealed
      an important role of hematogenous spread in EOC and showed that CTC status is
      associated with advanced tumor stage, CA-125 levels and residual disease after
      surgery. Furthermore the presence of CTCs correlates with shorter overall and
      disease free survival. However this prognostic value of CTCs in EOC seems to
      depend on the used isolation and detection methods. In EOC function- or density
      based enrichment methods seem to offer more promising results then epithelial
      cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-based approaches. This can be explained by a low
      number of EpCAM positive CTCs in EOC and the downregulation of EpCAM during
      epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The presence of CTCs might also have
      predictive value as CTC status was associated with treatment response in two
      studies and CTCs showed to be a better monitoring tool then CA-125 in a small
      population. The (genotypic) characterization of CTCs might become even more
      important in the future paving the way for CTCs to a true predictive "liquid
      tumor biopsy".

PMID- 27265042
TI  - Fat grafting for breast cancer patients: From basic science to clinical studies.
AB  - Fat grafting in the surgical treatment of breast cancer has become popular in a
      short period of time because of the rising expectations of good esthetic results
      by the patients as well as the simplicity of the technique; however, the
      oncological safety for breast cancer patients remains a matter of debate. The
      procedure raises many questions considering that recent in-vitro studies have
      shown that fat grafting could promote tumor recurrence through diverse
      mechanisms, or even facilitate distant metastasis. We present a review of the
      currently available experimental and clinical data in order to describe and
      discuss patient selection criteria following breast cancer surgery. 

PMID- 27265043
TI  - Interactive breast mass segmentation using a convex active contour model with
      optimal threshold values.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A convex active contour model requires a predefined threshold value
      to determine the global solution for the best contour to use when doing mass
      segmentation. Fixed thresholds or manual tuning of threshold values for optimum
      mass boundary delineation are impracticable. A proposed method is presented to
      determine an optimized mass-specific threshold value for the convex active
      contour derived from the probability matrix of the mass with the particle swarm
      optimization method. We compared our results with the Chan-Vese segmentation and
      a published global segmentation model on masses detected on direct digital
      mammograms. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The regional term of the convex active contour
      model maximizes the posterior partitioning probability for binary segmentation.
      Suppose the probability matrix is binary thresholded using the particle swarm
      optimization to obtain a value T1, we define the optimal threshold value for the
      global minimizer of the convex active contour as the mean intensity of all pixels
      whose probabilities are greater than T1. RESULTS: The mean Jaccard similarity
      indices were 0.89+/-0.07 for the proposed/Chan-Vese method and 0.88+/-0.06 for
      the proposed/published segmentation model. The mean Euclidean distance between
      Fourier descriptors of the segmented areas was 0.05+/-0.03 for the proposed/Chan
      Vese method and 0.06+/-0.04 for the proposed/published segmentation model.
      CONCLUSIONS: This efficient method avoids problems of initial level set contour
      placement and contour re-initialization. Moreover, optimum segmentation results
      are realized for all masses improving on the fixed threshold value of 0.5
      proposed elsewhere.

PMID- 27265044
TI  - A graphical user interface (GUI) toolkit for the calculation of three-dimensional
      (3D) multi-phase biological effective dose (BED) distributions including
      statistical analyses.
AB  - A toolkit has been developed for calculating the 3-dimensional biological
      effective dose (BED) distributions in multi-phase, external beam radiotherapy
      treatments such as those applied in liver stereotactic body radiation therapy
      (SBRT) and in multi-prescription treatments. This toolkit also provides a wide
      range of statistical results related to dose and BED distributions. MATLAB 2010a,
      version 7.10 was used to create this GUI toolkit. The input data consist of the
      dose distribution matrices, organ contour coordinates, and treatment planning
      parameters from the treatment planning system (TPS). The toolkit has the
      capability of calculating the multi-phase BED distributions using different
      formulas (denoted as true and approximate). Following the calculations of the BED
      distributions, the dose and BED distributions can be viewed in different
      projections (e.g. coronal, sagittal and transverse). The different elements of
      this toolkit are presented and the important steps for the execution of its
      calculations are illustrated. The toolkit is applied on brain, head & neck and
      prostate cancer patients, who received primary and boost phases in order to
      demonstrate its capability in calculating BED distributions, as well as measuring
      the inaccuracy and imprecision of the approximate BED distributions. Finally, the
      clinical situations in which the use of the present toolkit would have a
      significant clinical impact are indicated. 

PMID- 27265045
TI  - Numerical simulations of the 10-year-old head response in drop impacts and
      compression tests.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Studies on traumatic injuries of children indicate that
      impact to the head is a major cause of severe injury and high mortality. However,
      regulatory and ethical concerns very much limit development and validation of
      computer models representing the pediatric head. The purpose of this study was to
      develop a child head finite element model with high-biofidelity to be used for
      studying pediatric head injury mechanisms. METHODS: A newly developed 10-year-old
      (YO) pediatric finite element head model was limitedly validated for kinematic
      and kinetic responses against data from quasi-static compressions and drop tests
      obtained from an experimental study involving a child-cadaver specimen. The
      validated model was subsequently used for a fall accident reconstruction and
      associated injury analysis. RESULTS: The model predicted the same shape of
      acceleration-time histories as was found in drop tests with the largest
      discrepancy of -8.2% in the peak acceleration at a drop height of 15 cm. Force
      deflection responses predicted by the model for compression loading had a maximum
      discrepancy of 7.5% at a strain rate of 0.3 s(-1). The model-predicted maximum
      von Mises stress (sigmav) and principal strain (epsilonp) in the skull,
      intracranial pressure (ICP), maximum sigmav and maximum epsilonp in the brain,
      head injury criterion (HIC), brain injury criterion (BrIC), and head impact power
      (HIP) were used for analyzing risks of injury in the accident reconstruction.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the injury analyses, the following
      conclusions can be drawn: (1) ICP cannot be used to accurately predict the
      locations of brain injury, but it may reflect the overall energy level of the
      impact event. (2) The brain regions predicted by the model to have high sigmav
      coincide with the locations of subdural hematoma with transtentorial herniation
      and the impact position of an actual injury. (3) The brain regions with high
      epsilonp predicted by the model coincide with locations commonly found where
      diffuse axonal injuries (DAI) due to blunt-impact and rapid acceleration have
      taken place.

PMID- 27265046
TI  - GPU-accelerated iterative reconstruction from Compton scattered data using a
      matched pair of conic projector and backprojector.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Iterative reconstruction from Compton scattered data is
      known to be computationally more challenging than that from conventional line
      projection based emission data in that the gamma rays that undergo Compton
      scattering are modeled as conic projections rather than line projections. In
      conventional tomographic reconstruction, to parallelize the projection and
      backprojection operations using the graphics processing unit (GPU), approximated
      methods that use an unmatched pair of ray-tracing forward projector and voxel
      driven backprojector have been widely used. In this work, we propose a new GPU
      accelerated method for Compton camera reconstruction which is more accurate by
      using exactly matched pair of projector and backprojector. METHODS: To calculate
      conic forward projection, we first sample the cone surface into conic rays and
      accumulate the intersecting chord lengths of the conic rays passing through
      voxels using a fast ray-tracing method (RTM). For conic backprojection, to obtain
      the true adjoint of the conic forward projection, while retaining the
      computational efficiency of the GPU, we use a voxel-driven RTM which is
      essentially the same as the standard RTM used for the conic forward projector.
      RESULTS: Our simulation results show that, while the new method is about 3 times
      slower than the approximated method, it is still about 16 times faster than the
      CPU-based method without any loss of accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: The net conclusion is
      that our proposed method is guaranteed to retain the reconstruction accuracy
      regardless of the number of iterations by providing a perfectly matched projector
      backprojector pair, which makes iterative reconstruction methods for Compton
      imaging faster and more accurate.

PMID- 27265047
TI  - A predictive mechanical model for evaluating vertebral fracture probability in
      lumbar spine under different osteoporotic drug therapies.
AB  - Osteoporotic vertebral fractures represent a major cause of disability, loss of
      quality of life and even mortality among the elderly population. Decisions on
      drug therapy are based on the assessment of risk factors for fracture from bone
      mineral density (BMD) measurements. A previously developed model, based on the
      Damage and Fracture Mechanics, was applied for the evaluation of the mechanical
      magnitudes involved in the fracture process from clinical BMD measurements. BMD
      evolution in untreated patients and in patients with seven different treatments
      was analyzed from clinical studies in order to compare the variation in the risk
      of fracture. The predictive model was applied in a finite element simulation of
      the whole lumbar spine, obtaining detailed maps of damage and fracture
      probability, identifying high-risk local zones at vertebral body. For every
      vertebra, strontium ranelate exhibits the highest decrease, whereas minimum
      decrease is achieved with oral ibandronate. All the treatments manifest similar
      trends for every vertebra. Conversely, for the natural BMD evolution, as bone
      stiffness decreases, the mechanical damage and fracture probability show a
      significant increase (as it occurs in the natural history of BMD). Vertebral
      walls and external areas of vertebral end plates are the zones at greatest risk,
      in coincidence with the typical locations of osteoporotic fractures,
      characterized by a vertebral crushing due to the collapse of vertebral walls.
      This methodology could be applied for an individual patient, in order to obtain
      the trends corresponding to different treatments, in identifying at-risk
      individuals in early stages of osteoporosis and might be helpful for treatment
      decisions. 

PMID- 27265048
TI  - Determination of an optimal control strategy for drug administration in tumor
      treatment using multi-objective optimization differential evolution.
AB  - The mathematical modeling of physical and biologic systems represents an
      interesting alternative to study the behavior of these phenomena. In this
      context, the development of mathematical models to simulate the dynamic behavior
      of tumors is configured as an important theme in the current days. Among the
      advantages resulting from using these models is their application to optimization
      and inverse problem approaches. Traditionally, the formulated Optimal Control
      Problem (OCP) has the objective of minimizing the size of tumor cells by the end
      of the treatment. In this case an important aspect is not considered, namely, the
      optimal concentrations of drugs may affect the patients' health significantly. In
      this sense, the present work has the objective of obtaining an optimal protocol
      for drug administration to patients with cancer, through the minimization of both
      the cancerous cells concentration and the prescribed drug concentration. The
      resolution of this multi-objective problem is obtained through the Multi
      objective Optimization Differential Evolution (MODE) algorithm. The Pareto's
      Curve obtained supplies a set of optimal protocols from which an optimal strategy
      for drug administration can be chosen, according to a given criterion. 

PMID- 27265049
TI  - BIOMedical Search Engine Framework: Lightweight and customized implementation of
      domain-specific biomedical search engines.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Text mining and semantic analysis approaches can be
      applied to the construction of biomedical domain-specific search engines and
      provide an attractive alternative to create personalized and enhanced search
      experiences. Therefore, this work introduces the new open-source BIOMedical
      Search Engine Framework for the fast and lightweight development of domain
      specific search engines. The rationale behind this framework is to incorporate
      core features typically available in search engine frameworks with flexible and
      extensible technologies to retrieve biomedical documents, annotate meaningful
      domain concepts, and develop highly customized Web search interfaces. METHODS:
      The BIOMedical Search Engine Framework integrates taggers for major biomedical
      concepts, such as diseases, drugs, genes, proteins, compounds and organisms, and
      enables the use of domain-specific controlled vocabulary. Technologies from the
      Typesafe Reactive Platform, the AngularJS JavaScript framework and the Bootstrap
      HTML/CSS framework support the customization of the domain-oriented search
      application. Moreover, the RESTful API of the BIOMedical Search Engine Framework
      allows the integration of the search engine into existing systems or a complete
      web interface personalization. RESULTS: The construction of the Smart Drug Search
      is described as proof-of-concept of the BIOMedical Search Engine Framework. This
      public search engine catalogs scientific literature about antimicrobial
      resistance, microbial virulence and topics alike. The keyword-based queries of
      the users are transformed into concepts and search results are presented and
      ranked accordingly. The semantic graph view portraits all the concepts found in
      the results, and the researcher may look into the relevance of different
      concepts, the strength of direct relations, and non-trivial, indirect relations.
      The number of occurrences of the concept shows its importance to the query, and
      the frequency of concept co-occurrence is indicative of biological relations
      meaningful to that particular scope of research. Conversely, indirect concept
      associations, i.e. concepts related by other intermediary concepts, can be useful
      to integrate information from different studies and look into non-trivial
      relations. CONCLUSIONS: The BIOMedical Search Engine Framework supports the
      development of domain-specific search engines. The key strengths of the framework
      are modularity and extensibilityin terms of software design, the use of open
      source consolidated Web technologies, and the ability to integrate any number of
      biomedical text mining tools and information resources. Currently, the Smart Drug
      Search keeps over 1,186,000 documents, containing more than 11,854,000
      annotations for 77,200 different concepts. The Smart Drug Search is publicly
      accessible at http://sing.ei.uvigo.es/sds/. The BIOMedical Search Engine
      Framework is freely available for non-commercial use at
      https://github.com/agjacome/biomsef.

PMID- 27265050
TI  - Simulation study of PET detector configuration with thick light guide and GAPD
      array having large-area microcells for high effective quantum efficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Light sharing PET detector configuration coupled with
      thick light guide and Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GAPD) with large-area
      microcells was proposed to overcome the energy non-linearity problem and to
      obtain high light collection efficiency (LCE). METHODS: A Monte-Carlo simulation
      was conducted for the three types of LSO block, 4 * 4 array of 3 * 3 * 20 mm(3)
      discrete crystals, 6 * 6 array of 2 * 2 * 20 mm(3) discrete crystals, and 12 * 12
      array of 1 * 1 * 20 mm(3) discrete crystals, to investigate the scintillation
      light distribution after conversion of the gamma-rays in LSO. The incident
      photons were read out by three types of 4 * 4 array photosensors, which were
      PSPMT of 25% quantum efficiency (QE), GAPD1 with 50 * 50 um(2) microcells of 30%
      photon detection efficiency (PDE) and GAPD2 with 100 * 100 um(2) of 45% PDE. The
      number of counted photons in each photosensor was analytically calculated. The
      LCE, linearity and flood histogram were examined for each PET detector module
      having 99 different configurations as a function of light guide thickness ranging
      from 0 to 10 mm. RESULTS: The performance of PET detector modules based on GAPDs
      was considerably improved by using the thick light guide. The LCE was increased
      from 24 to 30% and from 14 to 41%, and the linearity was also improved from 0.97
      to 0.99 and from 0.75 to 0.99, for GAPD1 and GAPD2, respectively. As expected,
      the performance of PSPMT based detector did not change. The flood histogram of 12
      * 12 array PET detector modules using 3 mm light guide coupled with GAPDs was
      obtained by simulation, and all crystals of 1 * 1 * 20 mm(3) size were clearly
      identified. PET detector module coupled with thick light guide and GAPD array
      with large-area microcells was proposed to obtain high QE and high spatial
      resolution, and its feasibility was verified. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrated that the overall PET performance of the proposed design was
      considerably improved, and this approach will provide opportunities to develop
      GAPD based PET detector with a high LCE.

PMID- 27265052
TI  - Multidimensional scaling analysis of virus diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Viruses are infectious agents that replicate inside
      organisms and reveal a plethora of distinct characteristics. Viral infections
      spread in many ways, but often have devastating consequences and represent a huge
      danger for public health. It is important to design statistical and computational
      techniques capable of handling the available data and highlighting the most
      important features. METHODS: This paper reviews the quantitative and qualitative
      behaviour of 22 infectious diseases caused by viruses. The information is
      compared and visualized by means of the multidimensional scaling technique.
      RESULTS: The results are robust to uncertainties in the data and revealed to be
      consistent with clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The paper shows that the proposed
      methodology may represent a solid mathematical tool to tackle a larger number of
      virus and additional information about these infectious agents.

PMID- 27265051
TI  - Validity of an ankle joint motion and position sense measurement system and its
      application in healthy subjects and patients with ankle sprain.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ankle motion and proprioception in multiple axis
      movements are crucial for daily activities. However, few studies have developed
      and used a multiple axis system for measuring ankle motion and proprioception.
      This study was designed to validate a novel ankle haptic interface system that
      measures the ankle range of motion (ROM) and joint position sense in multiple
      plane movements, investigating the proprioception deficits during joint position
      sense tasks for patients with ankle instability. METHODS: Eleven healthy adults
      (mean +/- standard deviation; age, 24.7 +/- 1.9 years) and thirteen patients with
      ankle instability were recruited in this study. All subjects were asked to
      perform tests to evaluate the validity of the ankle ROM measurements and
      underwent tests for validating the joint position sense measurements conducted
      during multiple axis movements of the ankle joint. Pearson correlation was used
      for validating the angular position measurements obtained using the developed
      system; the independent t test was used to investigate the differences in joint
      position sense task performance for people with or without ankle instability.
      RESULTS: The ROM measurements of the device were linearly correlated with the
      criterion standards (r = 0.99). The ankle instability and healthy groups were
      significantly different in direction, absolute, and variable errors of plantar
      flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The
      results demonstrate that the novel ankle joint motion and position sense
      measurement system is valid and can be used for measuring the ankle ROM and joint
      position sense in multiple planes and indicate proprioception deficits for people
      with ankle instability.

PMID- 27265053
TI  - A comprehensive identification-evidence based alternative for HIV/AIDS treatment
      with HAART in the healthcare industries.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The HIV/AIDS-related issue has given rise to a priority
      concern in which potential new therapies are increasingly highlighted to lessen
      the negative impact of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in the
      healthcare industry. With the motivation of "medical applications," this study
      focuses on the main advanced feature selection techniques and classification
      approaches that reflect a new architecture, and a trial to build a hybrid model
      for interested parties. METHODS: This study first uses an integrated linear
      nonlinear feature selection technique to identify the determinants influencing
      HAART medication and utilizes organizations of different condition-attributes to
      generate a hybrid model based on a rough set classifier to study evolving
      HIV/AIDS research in order to improve classification performance. RESULTS: The
      proposed model makes use of a real data set from Taiwan's specialist medical
      center. The experimental results show that the proposed model yields a
      satisfactory result that is superior to the listed methods, and the core
      condition-attributes PVL, CD4, Code, Age, Year, PLT, and Sex were identified in
      the HIV/AIDS data set. In addition, the decision rule set created can be
      referenced as a knowledge-based healthcare service system as the best of evidence
      based practices in the workflow of current clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study highlights the importance of these key factors and provides the rationale
      that the proposed model is an effective alternative to analyzing sustained HAART
      medication in follow-up studies of HIV/AIDS treatment in practice.

PMID- 27265054
TI  - Computational methods for the image segmentation of pigmented skin lesions: A
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Because skin cancer affects millions of people
      worldwide, computational methods for the segmentation of pigmented skin lesions
      in images have been developed in order to assist dermatologists in their
      diagnosis. This paper aims to present a review of the current methods, and
      outline a comparative analysis with regards to several of the fundamental steps
      of image processing, such as image acquisition, pre-processing and segmentation.
      METHODS: Techniques that have been proposed to achieve these tasks were
      identified and reviewed. As to the image segmentation task, the techniques were
      classified according to their principle. RESULTS: The techniques employed in each
      step are explained, and their strengths and weaknesses are identified. In
      addition, several of the reviewed techniques are applied to macroscopic and
      dermoscopy images in order to exemplify their results. CONCLUSIONS: The image
      segmentation of skin lesions has been addressed successfully in many studies;
      however, there is a demand for new methodologies in order to improve the
      efficiency.

PMID- 27265055
TI  - The study of wear behaviors on abducted hip joint prostheses by an alternate
      finite element approach.
AB  - An acetabular cup with larger abduction angles is able to affect the normal
      function of the cup seriously that may cause early failure of the total hip
      replacement (THR). Complexity of the finite element (FE) simulation in the wear
      analysis of the THR is usually concerned with the contact status, the
      computational effort, and the possible divergence of results, which become more
      difficult on THRs with larger cup abduction angles. In the study, we propose a FE
      approach with contact transformation that offers less computational effort.
      Related procedures, such as Lagrangian Multiplier, partitioned matrix inversion,
      detection of contact forces, continuity of contact surface, nodal area
      estimation, etc. are explained in this report. Through the transformed
      methodology, the computer round-off error is tremendously reduced and the
      embedded repetitive procedure can be processed precisely and quickly. Here, wear
      behaviors of THR with various abduction angles are investigated. The most
      commonly used combination, i.e., metal-on-polyethylene, is adopted in the current
      study where a cobalt-chromium femoral head is paired with an Ultra High Molecular
      Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) cup. In all illustrations, wear coefficients are
      estimated by self-averaging strategy with available experimental datum reported
      elsewhere. The results reveal that the THR with larger abduction angles may
      produce deeper depth of wear but the volume of wear presents an opposite
      tendency; these results are comparable with clinical and experimental reports.
      The current approach can be widely applied easily to fields such as the study of
      the wear behaviors on ante-version, impingement, and time-dependent behaviors of
      prostheses etc. 

PMID- 27265056
TI  - Application of the relative wavelet energy to heart rate independent detection of
      atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained
      cardiac arrhythmia and a growing healthcare burden worldwide. It is often
      asymptomatic and may appear as episodes of very short duration; hence, the
      development of methods for its automatic detection is a challenging requirement
      to achieve early diagnosis and treatment strategies. The present work introduces
      a novel method exploiting the relative wavelet energy (RWE) to automatically
      detect AF episodes of a wide variety in length. METHODS: The proposed method
      analyzes the atrial activity of the surface electrocardiogram (ECG), i.e., the TQ
      interval, thus being independent on the ventricular activity. To improve its
      performance under noisy recordings, signal averaging techniques were applied. The
      method's performance has been tested with synthesized recordings under different
      AF variable conditions, such as the heart rate, its variability, the atrial
      activity amplitude or the presence of noise. Next, the method was tested with
      real ECG recordings. RESULTS: Results proved that the RWE provided a robust
      automatic detection of AF under wide ranges of heart rates, atrial activity
      amplitudes as well as noisy recordings. Moreover, the method's detection delay
      proved to be shorter than most of previous works. A trade-off between detection
      delay and noise robustness was reached by averaging 15 TQ intervals. Under these
      conditions, AF was detected in less than 7 beats, with an accuracy higher than
      90%, which is comparable to previous works. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike most of previous
      works, which were mainly based on quantifying the irregular ventricular response
      during AF, the proposed metric presents two major advantages. First, it can
      perform successfully even under heart rates with no variability. Second, it
      consists of a single metric, thus turning its clinical interpretation and real
      time implementation easier than previous methods requiring combined indices under
      complex classifiers.

PMID- 27265057
TI  - Influences of slip and Cu-blood nanofluid in a physiological study of cilia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to study the influences of slip and Cu
      blood nanofluid in a physiological study of cilia. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH:
      The right wall and the left wall possess metachronal wave that is traveling along
      the outer boundary of the channel. The features of ciliary structures are
      determined by the dominance of viscous effects over inertial effects using the
      long wavelength approximation. The flow possessions for the viscous nano fluid
      are solved as a function of the cilia and metachronal wave velocity. Mathematica
      numerical simulation is used to calculate pressure rise. Exact solutions are
      calculated for the temperature and for the velocity profile. FINDINGS: Numerical
      integration has been implemented to get the expression of pressure rise.
      Graphical results have been offered for pressure rise, temperature and stream
      function for various physical parameters of interest. Symmetry of the curved
      channel is recovered for larger values of the curvature parameter. It is found
      from the graphs of the pressure rise that reflux case occurs for increasing
      values of curvature and velocity slip parameter. It is also found that
      temperature decreases for increasing values of nanoparticle volume fraction.
      Basically, higher thermal conductivity of the nanoparticles plays a key role for
      quick heat dissipation, and this justifies the use of the copper nanoparticles in
      different situations as a coolant. CONCLUSIONS: Velocity graph near the right
      wall of the channel decreases when we add nanoparticles into our base fluid,
      whereas an opposite behavior is depicted near the left wall due to ciliated tips.
      Pressure gradient increases for increasing values of Gr (Grashof number), L
      (velocity slip parameter) phi (nanoparticle volume fraction) and k (curvature
      parameter). Pressure rise shows increasing behavior for the increasing values of
      epsilon, Gr and phi throughout the region. Shear stress graphs show the
      increasing behavior for increasing values of curvature parameter and volume
      fraction of the nanoparticle. Temperature profile decreases when we add
      nanoparticles into our base fluid. Temperature profile also increases with an
      increase in thermal slip parameter gamma and heat absorption parameter. It is
      observed that the number of trapped bolus increases when we increase the value of
      the cilia length parameter.

PMID- 27265058
TI  - Leveraging user's performance in reporting patient safety events by utilizing
      text prediction in narrative data entry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Narrative data entry pervades computerized health information systems
      and serves as a key component in collecting patient-related information in
      electronic health records and patient safety event reporting systems. The quality
      and efficiency of clinical data entry are critical in arriving at an optimal
      diagnosis and treatment. The application of text prediction holds potential for
      enhancing human performance of data entry in reporting patient safety events.
      OBJECTIVE: This study examined two functions of text prediction intended for
      increasing efficiency and data quality of text data entry reporting patient
      safety events. METHODS: The study employed a two-group randomized design with 52
      nurses. The nurses were randomly assigned into a treatment group or a control
      group with a task of reporting five patient fall cases in Chinese using a web
      based test system, with or without the prediction functions. T-test, Chi-square
      and linear regression model were applied to evaluating the outcome differences in
      free-text data entry between the groups. RESULTS: While both groups of
      participants exhibited a good capacity for accomplishing the assigned task of
      reporting patient falls, the results from the treatment group showed an overall
      increase of 70.5% in text generation rate, an increase of 34.1% in reporting
      comprehensiveness score and a reduction of 14.5% in the non-adherence of the
      comment fields. The treatment group also showed an increasing text generation
      rate over time, whereas no such an effect was observed in the control group.
      CONCLUSION: As an attempt investigating the effectiveness of text prediction
      functions in reporting patient safety events, the study findings proved an
      effective strategy for assisting reporters in generating complementary free text
      when reporting a patient safety event. The application of the strategy may be
      effective in other clinical areas when free text entries are required.

PMID- 27265059
TI  - A MapReduce approach to diminish imbalance parameters for big deoxyribonucleic
      acid dataset.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the age of information superhighway, big data play a significant
      role in information processing, extractions, retrieving and management. In
      computational biology, the continuous challenge is to manage the biological data.
      Data mining techniques are sometimes imperfect for new space and time
      requirements. Thus, it is critical to process massive amounts of data to retrieve
      knowledge. The existing software and automated tools to handle big data sets are
      not sufficient. As a result, an expandable mining technique that enfolds the
      large storage and processing capability of distributed or parallel processing
      platforms is essential. METHOD: In this analysis, a contemporary distributed
      clustering methodology for imbalance data reduction using k-nearest neighbor (K
      NN) classification approach has been introduced. The pivotal objective of this
      work is to illustrate real training data sets with reduced amount of elements or
      instances. These reduced amounts of data sets will ensure faster data
      classification and standard storage management with less sensitivity. However,
      general data reduction methods cannot manage very big data sets. To minimize
      these difficulties, a MapReduce-oriented framework is designed using various
      clusters of automated contents, comprising multiple algorithmic approaches.
      RESULTS: To test the proposed approach, a real DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
      dataset that consists of 90 million pairs has been used. The proposed model
      reduces the imbalance data sets from large-scale data sets without loss of its
      accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results depict that MapReduce based K-NN
      classifier provided accurate results for big data of DNA.

PMID- 27265060
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 27265061
TI  - Detection of TP53/PIK3CA Mutations in Cell-Free Plasma DNA From Metastatic Breast
      Cancer Patients Using Next Generation Sequencing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) within a liquid biopsy is a promising
      marker for genotyping metastatic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed next
      generation whole exon sequencing of TP53 and PIK3CA genes, which are the 2 most
      common genetic alterations in breast cancer, in plasma DNA (pDNA) of 17
      metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and in tumor DNA (tDNA) from their
      primary tumors. RESULTS: We identified 11 mutations (6 in TP53 and 5 in PIK3CA)
      in tDNA from 8 patients (47%) and 13 mutations (6 in TP53 and 7 in PIK3CA) in
      pDNA from 7 patients (41%). Six mutations in pDNA were also identified in tDNA
      but seven were not. Six MBC patients with TP53 and/or PIK3CA mutations in pDNA
      had a significantly worse survival rate (P < .05) after recurrence than that of
      the other 8 MBC patients without these mutations. Carcinoembryonic antigen and
      cancer antigen 15-3 levels did not correlate with prognosis (P = .675 and P =
      .877, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that mutations in ctDNA
      can be detected with next generation sequencing in MBC patients and could be a
      more useful prognostic factor for survival after recurrence than conventional
      tumor markers.

PMID- 27265062
TI  - A systematic review of review articles addressing factors related to physical
      activity participation among children and adults with physical disabilities.
AB  - Dozens of published papers cite factors related to leisure-time physical activity
      (LTPA) participation among people with physical disabilities. Unfortunately,
      there has been little effort to synthesise this literature in a manner that is
      accessible and useful to the sectors (e.g., health care, recreation) responsible
      for LTPA promotion in disability populations. In this systematic review, over 200
      factors were extracted from 22 review articles addressing barriers and
      facilitators to LTPA in children and adults with physical disabilities. Factors
      were grouped according to common themes, classified into five levels of a social
      ecological model, and coded according to whether they could be affected by the
      health-care and/or recreation sectors. Findings are discussed with regard to key
      factors to target in LTPA-enhancing interventions, relevant theories and models
      in which to frame interventions, the levels at which the interventions can be
      implemented, and intervention priorities. The synthesis provides a blueprint and
      a catalyst for researchers and practitioners to shift focus from conducting
      studies that merely describe LTPA barriers and facilitators, to developing and
      delivering strategies to increase LTPA among persons with physical disabilities.

PMID- 27265063
TI  - Joint state and parameter estimation of the hemodynamic model by particle
      smoother expectation maximization method.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we aimed for the robust estimation of the parameters
      and states of the hemodynamic model by using blood oxygen level dependent signal.
      APPROACH: In the fMRI literature, there are only a few successful methods that
      are able to make a joint estimation of the states and parameters of the
      hemodynamic model. In this paper, we implemented a maximum likelihood based
      method called the particle smoother expectation maximization (PSEM) algorithm for
      the joint state and parameter estimation. MAIN RESULTS: Former sequential Monte
      Carlo methods were only reliable in the hemodynamic state estimates. They were
      claimed to outperform the local linearization (LL) filter and the extended Kalman
      filter (EKF). The PSEM algorithm is compared with the most successful method
      called square-root cubature Kalman smoother (SCKS) for both state and parameter
      estimation. SCKS was found to be better than the dynamic expectation maximization
      (DEM) algorithm, which was shown to be a better estimator than EKF, LL and
      particle filters. SIGNIFICANCE: PSEM was more accurate than SCKS for both the
      state and the parameter estimation. Hence, PSEM seems to be the most accurate
      method for the system identification and state estimation for the hemodynamic
      model inversion literature. This paper do not compare its results with Tikhonov
      regularized Newton-CKF (TNF-CKF), a recent robust method which works in filtering
      sense.

PMID- 27265064
TI  - Cigarette smoking and health-promoting behaviours among tuberculosis patients in
      rural areas.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore cigarette smoking and health-promoting behaviours
      among disadvantaged adults before their tuberculosis diagnosis and after their
      tuberculosis treatment. BACKGROUND: Although tuberculosis infection is associated
      with impaired immune function, healthy lifestyle habits can play a role in
      improving the immune system. However, limited research has explored the health
      promoting behaviours and cigarette smoking habits among tuberculosis patients in
      Taiwan. DESIGN: A cross-sectional retrospective study with a convenience sample.
      METHODS: This study was conducted between May 2013-June 2014 with 123 patients at
      a rural district hospital in Chiayi County, Taiwan. Statistical analyses included
      descriptive statistics, univariate analysis and stepwise regression analysis.
      RESULTS: Tuberculosis tended to be associated with less education, male sex,
      malnutrition, cigarette smoking and unhealthy lifestyle habits before the
      tuberculosis diagnosis. The percentage of smoking decreased from 46.9% before to
      30.2% after the tuberculosis diagnosis. Body mass index and health-promoting
      behaviours also significantly improved after tuberculosis treatment. After
      controlling for potential confounding factors, multivariate analysis identified
      chronic disease and completed treatment as significant factors that were
      associated with current health-promoting behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: A high
      prevalence of cigarette smoking and low levels of health-promoting behaviours
      were observed before the diagnosis and during or after completing tuberculosis
      treatment. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study's findings indicate the
      importance of promoting healthy lifestyle changes among tuberculosis patients;
      aggressive measures should be implemented immediately after the first diagnosis
      of tuberculosis. Furthermore, health promotion and smoking cessation programmes
      should be initiated in the general population to prevent activation of latent
      tuberculosis infection, and these programmes should specifically target men and
      rural residents.

PMID- 27265067
TI  - Advances in obstetric dermatology: A better understanding of skin disease in
      pregnancy.

PMID- 27265068
TI  - Dermatoses of pregnancy: Nomenclature, misnomers, and myths.
AB  - The most recent reclassification of dermatoses of pregnancy includes polymorphic
      eruption of pregnancy, atopic eruption of pregnancy, and pemphigoid gestationis;
      intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, strictly not a dermatosis, was included in
      specific dermatoses of pregnancy for working purposes. Another dermatosis,
      pustular psoriasis of pregnancy, could be included for similar reasons. The
      nomenclature of these pregnancy-specific eruptions has been revised several
      times, generating potential confusion among practitioners. Clouding the picture
      further are misnomers that have been used to describe dermatoses of pregnancy. In
      addition, several cutaneous conditions that are associated with, but not specific
      to, pregnancy, have been misunderstood, which has resulted in certain myths among
      patients and physicians. In this contribution, we describe how the nomenclature
      of each dermatosis of pregnancy has evolved to fit the current classification
      scheme. We then identify several misnomers that have generated confusion within
      the scheme. Finally, we debunk several myths that have developed around cutaneous
      conditions outside of this scheme, in both mother and newborn. 

PMID- 27265070
TI  - Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: Recent advances.
AB  - Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, also known as obstetric cholestasis, is a
      pruritic condition of pregnancy characterized by an underlying elevation in
      circulating bile acids and liver derangement, and associated with adverse fetal
      outcomes, such as preterm labor and stillbirth. Limited understanding of the
      underlying pathophysiology and mechanisms involved in adverse outcomes has
      previously restricted treatment options and pregnancy management. Recent advances
      in these research fields provide tantalizing targets to improve the care of
      pregnant women affected by this condition. 

PMID- 27265069
TI  - Skin disease in pregnancy: The approach of the obstetric medicine physician.
AB  - This review presents the approach of the obstetric medicine physician to skin
      disease in pregnancy. It elaborates on common skin-related problems during
      gestation, such as pruritus, with or without eruption, and drug eruptions. An
      algorithmic approach to the differential diagnosis of pruritus in pregnancy is
      outlined. Also, the review focuses on how to diagnose promptly endocrinopathies
      presenting with skin manifestations in pregnancy, such as Addison disease,
      diabetes, and hyperthyroidism. The prompt diagnosis of endocrine disorders can
      help to optimize management and improve outcomes. Finally, the authors outline
      their approach to minimizing maternal and fetal risks associated with skin
      disease. The risks associated with obstetric cholestasis, pemphigoid gestationis,
      and impetigo herpetiformis are discussed. Prompt diagnosis helps to minimize the
      serious risks associated with certain infections. Preconception counseling and a
      multidisciplinary approach are crucial to preventing risks associated with
      rheumatic skin disease and genodermatoses. Challenging, real-life obstetric
      medicine cases are discussed. 

PMID- 27265071
TI  - Inflammatory and glandular skin disease in pregnancy.
AB  - A switch from cell-mediated to humoral immunity (helper T 1 [Th1] to helper T 2
      [Th2] shift) during gestation plays a key role in placental immune tolerance. As
      a result, skin diseases that are Th2 mediated often worsen, whereas skin diseases
      that are Th1 mediated often improve during gestation. Also, due to fluctuations
      in glandular activity, skin diseases involving sebaceous and eccrine glands may
      flare, whereas those involving apocrine glands may improve during pregnancy.
      Despite these trends, inflammatory and glandular skin diseases do not always
      follow the predicted pattern, and courses are often diverse. We review the
      gestational course of inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis
      (atopic eruption of pregnancy), psoriasis, impetigo herpetiformis, urticaria,
      erythema annulare centrifugum, pityriasis rosea, sarcoidosis, Sweet syndrome, and
      erythema nodosum, as well as glandular skin diseases, including acne vulgaris,
      acne rosacea, perioral dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, Fox-Fordyce disease,
      hyperhidrosis, and miliaria. For each of these diseases, we discuss the
      pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management with special consideration
      for maternal and fetal safety. 

PMID- 27265072
TI  - Management of rheumatic and autoimmune blistering disease in pregnancy and
      postpartum.
AB  - The treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune skin disease in women who are pregnant
      or of childbearing potential can present challenges to the dermatologist. We
      discuss the current approaches to treating lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid
      antibody syndrome, dermatomyositis, morphea and systemic sclerosis, mixed
      connective tissue disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune blistering
      disease in such patients. In the appropriate setting, topical and systemic
      corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, dapsone, azathioprine, and ultraviolet B
      phototherapy may be safely and cautiously used during pregnancy. Considerations
      about contraception, planned conception, therapeutic options, and disease control
      are paramount in optimizing pregnancy outcomes and minimizing risks to both
      mother and fetus. 

PMID- 27265073
TI  - Oral and vulvovaginal changes in pregnancy.
AB  - Physiologic alterations of the oral and vulvovaginal mucosal surfaces result from
      the profound hormonal and immunologic changes of gestation. High estrogen levels
      are responsible for the vascular changes noted on mucosal surfaces. Gingival
      hyperemia and edema, gingivitis and pyogenic granuloma are the most common
      alterations of the oral mucosa during gestation. Physiologic changes of the
      vulvovaginal area are mainly of vascular nature, and include among others
      varicose veins. The oral and vulvovaginal mucosal surfaces can be affected by
      diseases that can worsen or develop in pregnancy. Oral lesions are encountered in
      a large spectrum of diseases including aphthosis, pemphigus vulgaris, systemic
      lupus, and Behcet disease. Pregnancy dermatoses such as impetigo herpetiformis
      and gestational pemphigoid can exceptionally affect the oral mucosa. Infections
      of the vulvovaginal region by Candida species, Trichomononas vaginalis, human
      papilloma virus, and herpes simplex virus have been associated with fetal risks.
      The dermatologist, obstetric medicine physician, and neonatologist should be
      familiar with the above physiologic changes as well as maternal/fetal risks
      relevant to disease affecting these mucosal surfaces during gestation. 

PMID- 27265074
TI  - Cutaneous tumors in pregnancy.
AB  - Pregnancy alters the frequency and natural course of certain skin tumors.
      Pregnancy-associated changes in melanocytic nevi are transient, and there is no
      substantiated evidence of increased risk of malignant transformation of
      melanocytic nevi in gestation. Characteristic vascular and pigment-related
      dermatoscopic features are helpful in evaluating pigmented lesions, but a biopsy
      should be performed for significant change or other worrisome features in a
      lesion. Outcomes for pregnancy-associated melanoma do not appear to be poorer
      compared with nonpregnancy melanoma; however, data are limited for advanced
      (stage III/IV) melanoma. Some studies suggest increased propensity for
      lymphovascular spread, but more data are needed for definitive conclusions and
      guidelines on prognostication, workup, and treatment of pregnancy-associated
      melanoma. Vascular tumors, particularly pyogenic granuloma (granuloma
      gravidarum), occur with increased frequency and are associated with pro
      angiogenic hormonal influences. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans has a more
      aggressive course during pregnancy with both prompt surgical treatment and close
      monitoring for recurrence being indicated. 

PMID- 27265075
TI  - Skin infections in pregnancy.
AB  - A wide array of infectious diseases can occur in pregnancy. Their acquisition,
      clinical presentation, and course during gestation may be altered due to an
      impairment of the maternal cellular immunity. Some infectious diseases can lead
      to serious consequences for the mother or the offspring, including congenital
      malformations. This review describes in detail the clinical presentation, course,
      management, and associated maternal and fetal risks of selected viral (varicella
      zoster virus infections, condylomata acuminata), fungal (candida vulvovaginitis),
      bacterial (Lyme borreliosis), and parasitic (scabies) infections. The treatment
      options are critically reviewed. First-line therapies include acyclovir and
      varicella-zoster virus immunoglobulin for varicella-zoster virus infections,
      surgical modalities for genital warts, topical clotrimazole and oral fluconazole
      for Candida vulvovaginitis, amoxicillin and cefuroxime for Lyme borreliosis, and
      permethrin for scabies. A synopsis of maternal and fetal risks of other important
      infections is also included. 

PMID- 27265076
TI  - Pemphigoid gestationis: Toward a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis.
AB  - Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is the only autoimmune disease exclusively emerging
      in pregnancy. It belongs to the pemphigoid group of disorders, a class of
      autoimmune blistering skin diseases featuring an immune response against
      different hemidesmosomal proteins. PG is caused by a break of immunotolerance
      against the hemidesmosomal protein BP180. Several lines of evidence suggest that
      this break of immunotolerance is linked to specific maternal major
      histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene variants and aberrant expression
      of MHC class II molecules in the placenta. The close time association of the
      emergence of PG with pregnancy and the obviously very short period required from
      the initial break of immunotolerance to the onset of skin inflammation set PG
      into a unique position among autoimmune diseases in view of the fact that, for
      other autoimmune diseases, the time and site of the break of immunotolerance are
      usually vastly elusive and the period of silent disease can only be speculated
      on. In this review we highlight the features of PG and summarize current
      knowledge about its pathogenesis. We believe that this disease offers the best
      opportunity to elucidate comprehensively all phases of the pathogenesis of an
      autoantibody-driven disease. 

PMID- 27265077
TI  - Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy.
AB  - Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), a specific dermatosis of pregnancy also
      known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), is a
      benign, self-limited skin disorder. Key features include an increased prevalence
      in primigravidas, onset in the third trimester, remission near the time of
      delivery, and association with multiple gestation pregnancy. The clinical
      features are crucial to diagnosis. Histopathology is nonspecific, and
      immunofluorescence studies help differentiate PEP from pemphigoid gestationis.
      The pathogenesis of PEP remains elusive, and relevant theories are reviewed.
      There are no associated maternal or fetal risks, and treatment is largely
      symptomatic. 

PMID- 27265078
TI  - Prurigo, pruritic folliculitis, and atopic eruption of pregnancy: Facts and
      controversies.
AB  - Prurigo (PP) and pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy (PFP) are poorly
      characterized entities. Traditionally classified under specific dermatoses of
      pregnancy, they were reclassified under a new umbrella entity, atopic eruption of
      pregnancy (AEP), which also includes atopic dermatitis (AD) that can worsen or
      present for the first time in pregnancy. Still, several aspects of AEP have not
      been adequately elucidated. It needs to be clarified whether it is the intrinsic
      ("nonallergic" or "atopiform dermatitis") or extrinsic (immunoglobulin E
      associated) AD that is affected by pregnancy. Future studies need to examine the
      postpartum prognosis of AD that develops for the first time during gestation. A
      revision of diagnostic criteria of AEP will allow a more accurate estimate of its
      prevalence, as well as clarification of the relationship between AD and specific
      dermatoses, such as PP and PFP. In this context, this review discusses the
      history, epidemiologic data, clinicopathologic features, and management of these
      entities. 

PMID- 27265079
TI  - Drug safety: Pregnancy rating classifications and controversies.
AB  - This contribution consolidates data on international pregnancy rating
      classifications, including the former US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
      Swedish, and Australian classification systems, as well as the evidence-based
      medicine system, and discusses discrepancies among them. It reviews the new
      Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) that replaced the former FDA
      labeling system with narrative-based labeling requirements. PLLR emphasizes on
      human data and highlights pregnancy exposure registry information. In this
      context, the review discusses important data on the safety of most medications
      used in the management of skin disease in pregnancy. There are also discussions
      of controversies relevant to the safety of certain dermatologic medications
      during gestation. 

PMID- 27265080
TI  - Performing research in pregnancy: Challenges and perspectives.
AB  - There are numerous barriers to conducting clinical research in pregnancy,
      including ethical considerations, logistical difficulties, and federal
      regulations. Due to these challenges, there is a paucity of data on the safe and
      appropriate use of dermatologic therapies in pregnancy, even for easily accessed
      over-the-counter topical products, as well as for commonly prescribed
      medications. Given the lack of human safety data, the Food and Drug
      Administration pregnancy labeling system previously placed a high priority on
      animal data but was recently revised to highlight human data and pregnancy
      registries. The latter can provide prospective observational data on medication
      use in pregnant women, while avoiding many of the pitfalls of conducting clinical
      trials in this population; nevertheless, registry enrollment for dermatologic
      drugs remains low. Dermatologists must increase awareness of pregnancy registries
      and encourage patient enrollment to close this knowledge gap. 

PMID- 27265081
TI  - 10th World Congress of the International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology, Rio de
      Janeiro, Brazil, November 14-16, 2015.

PMID- 27265082
TI  - My personal experiences at the BEST Medical Center: A day in the clinic-the
      morning.
AB  - Dr. Ida Lystic is a gastroenterologist who trained at the OTHER (Owen T. Henry
      and Eugene Rutherford) Medical Center, after having completed her MD degree at
      the prestigious Harvey Medical School (recently renamed the Harvey Provider
      School). She accepted a faculty position at the BEST (Byron Edwards and Samuel
      Thompson) Medical Center. Dr. Lystic shares her experiences on a typical morning
      in gastroenterology clinic. Although her clinic start date was delayed by 2
      months after becoming sick following a mandatory flu shot and having to complete
      more than 70 hours of compliance training modules, she is now familiar with the
      BEST system. Clinic scheduling priorities include ensuring that the staff can eat
      lunch together and depart at 5:00 pm. It is a continual challenge to find time to
      complete the electronic medical record after BEST changed from the SIMPLE
      (Succinct Input Making Patients Lives Electronic) system to LEGEND (referred to
      as Lengthy and Excessively Graded Evaluation and Nomenclature for Diagnosis by
      her colleagues). To maintain clinic punctuality, a compliance spreadsheet is e
      mailed monthly to the Wait Time Committee. Their most recent corrective action
      plan for tardy physicians included placing egg timers on the doors and having
      nurses interrupt visits that exceed the allotted time. Administrative decisions
      have resulted in downsizing personnel. Patients are required to schedule their
      own tests and procedures and follow-up appointments-causing low patient
      satisfaction scores; however, the money saved lead to a large year-end bonus for
      the vice president of BEST Efficiency, who holds "providers" accountable for the
      poor patient experience. Although Dr. Ida Lystic and the gastroenterology clinic
      at "the BEST Medical Center" are creations of the authors' imagination, the
      majority of the anecdotes are based on actual events. 

PMID- 27265083
TI  - The "dangers of cybernetic medicine-a dermatologist's warning".
AB  - Confining the actions of physicians to iron-clad directions and blind following
      of rules and regulations is creating many problems. Not to err does not mean to
      be right. Overall supervision of medical research and practice is a must for
      society; yet, minute regulations become a major obstacle for good practice and
      progress. Medicine is about patients and physicians. Pre-established rules and
      directives are only tools, not ends in themselves. Societies or institutions that
      become rigid and inefficient tend to be wiped out when unexpected situations or
      enemies appear. As a result, the stereotyped measures are not sufficiently
      effective. The deterioration of the Roman empire, and of its formidable army, is
      used as an historical example of the viewpoint proposed by the author. The
      analysis presented here applies to dermatology in particular, but also, and very
      acutely, to medicine in general. 

PMID- 27265084
TI  - Erratum to "Leprosy in the bible" [Clin Dermatol 2016:34 3-7].

PMID- 27265085
TI  - Erratum to "Severity score indexes for blistering diseases" [Clin Dermatol
      2011:30 108-113].

PMID- 27265086
TI  - Erratum to "The fate of Hungarian Jewish dermatologists during the Holocaust.
      Part 1: Six refugees who fled": [Clin Dermatol 2016: 34 293-298].

PMID- 27265087
TI  - Optimized hydraulic retention time for phosphorus and COD removal from synthetic
      domestic sewage with granules in a continuous-flow reactor.
AB  - In continuous-flow reactor (CFR), suboptimal hydraulic retention time (HRT) can
      affect the substrate loading, anaerobic time and aerobic time and further affect
      the performance and characteristics of granules, thus different HRTs (7.5, 6.0,
      4.5 and 5.2h) were tested to improve the phosphorus (P) and carbon (COD) removal
      of the continuous-flow system with granules in this study. When HRT was below
      6.0h, the COD removal efficiency in anaerobic zone and the P removal efficiency
      in aerobic zone reduced obviously, and the settling ability of EBPR granules
      deteriorated. The residual COD in anaerobic zone resulted in the proliferation of
      filamentous bacteria on the granules surface. Pyrosequencing analysis revealed
      that Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in this system. The dominant class
      transformed from Betaproteobacteria to Gammaproteobacteria when HRT was reduced
      from 6.0h to 4.5h. 

PMID- 27265089
TI  - Editor's perspectives - June 2016.

PMID- 27265088
TI  - Cellulose: A review as natural, modified and activated carbon adsorbent.
AB  - Cellulose is a biodegradable, renewable, non-meltable polymer which is insoluble
      in most solvents due to hydrogen bonding and crystallinity. Natural cellulose
      shows lower adsorption capacity as compared to modified cellulose and its
      capacity can be enhanced by modification usually by chemicals. This review
      focuses on the utilization of cellulose as an adsorbent in natural/modified form
      or as a precursor for activated carbon (AC) for adsorbing substances from water.
      The literature revealed that cellulose can be a promising precursor for
      production of activated carbon with appreciable surface area (~1300m(2)g(-1)) and
      total pore volume (~0.6cm(3)g(-1)) and the surface area and pore volume varies
      with the cellulose content. Finally, the purpose of review is to report a few
      controversies and unresolved questions concerning the preparation/properties of
      ACs from cellulose and to make aware to readers that there is still considerable
      scope for future development, characterization and utilization of ACs from
      cellulose. 

PMID- 27265090
TI  - Autonomic nervous system function predicts the inflammatory response over three
      years in newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulates intestinal inflammation
      in animal models. Human evidence confirming such modulating influence is limited.
      We aimed to investigate whether ANS function is associated with inflammatory
      parameters at disease onset, and whether it predicts the evolution of
      inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: We prospectively
      monitored 51 patients from onset of UC for 3 years. Upon remission of the onset
      flare, ANS activity was assessed by heart rate variability analysis and compared
      with healthy controls. Inflammatory parameters in blood, stool, and colonic
      biopsies obtained at onset and during follow-up visits were analyzed. Generalized
      linear models were used to test cross-sectional associations between ANS activity
      and inflammatory parameters at onset; linear mixed models were used to test
      whether ANS function at onset predicted the evolution of inflammation over the
      following 3 years. KEY RESULTS: Sympathovagal balance was different in UC
      patients compared to healthy controls, and cross-sectional associated with higher
      levels of systemic (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], CRP, TNF-alpha, IFN
      gamma) and mucosal inflammation (interleukin-8, IFN-gamma) at onset. Conversely,
      a negative cross-sectional association with parasympathetic activity was found
      for ESR & TNF-alpha. Longitudinally, parasympathetic activity at onset predicted
      systemic (ESR, WBC), but not mucosal inflammation during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS &
      INFERENCES: This study further strengthens the association between the ANS system
      and intestinal inflammation previously found in animal models and recently in
      patients with inflammatory bowel disease. These results may have important
      implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of UC.

PMID- 27265092
TI  - Atypical flat warts in an immunocompromised patient.

PMID- 27265091
TI  - The SDF-1 rs1801157 Polymorphism is Associated with Cancer Risk: An Update Pooled
      Analysis and FPRP Test of 17,876 Participants.
AB  - The stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) rs1801157 gene polymorphism has been
      implicated in susceptibility to cancer, but the results were inconclusive. The
      current study was to precisely investigate the association between SDF-1
      rs1801157 polymorphism and cancer risk using meta-analysis and the false positive
      report probability (FPRP) test. All 17,876 participants were included in the
      study. The meta-analysis results indicated a significant association between the
      SDF-1 rs1801157 polymorphism and cancer risk. By subgroup analyses, the results
      detected that the SDF-1 rs1801157 polymorphism was associated with cancer
      susceptibility among Asians and Caucasians. Additionally, we also found
      significant associations between the SDF-1 rs1801157 polymorphism and
      susceptibility to different types of cancer. However, to avoid a "false positive
      report", we further investigated the significant associations observed in the
      present meta-analysis using the FPRP test. Interestingly, the results of the FPRP
      test indicated that only 4 gene models were truly associated with cancer risk,
      especially in Asians. Moreover, we confirmed that the SDF-1 rs1801157 gene
      polymorphism was only associated with lung and urologic cancer risk. In summary,
      this study suggested that the SDF-1 rs1801157 polymorphism may serve as a risk
      factor for cancer development among Asians, especially an increased risk of
      urologic and lung cancers.

PMID- 27265093
TI  - Reply: Psychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Stroke: A Six-Month Follow-Up Study.

PMID- 27265094
TI  - Motor Skills Training Improves Sensorimotor Dysfunction and Increases Microtubule
      Associated Protein 2 mRNA Expression in Rats with Intracerebral Hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we examined the effects of motor skills training on
      the sensorimotor function and the expression of genes associated with synaptic
      plasticity after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar
      rats were subjected to ICH or sham operation. ICH was caused by the injection of
      collagenase into the left striatum. Rats were randomly assigned to no training,
      acrobatic training, and sham groups. The acrobatic group performed 5 types of
      acrobatic tasks from 4 to 28 days after surgery. The forelimb sensorimotor
      function was evaluated over time using forepaw grasping, forelimb placing, and
      postural instability tests. At 14 and 29 days after the lesion, we analyzed the
      mRNA expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor, and growth-associated protein 43 in the bilateral
      sensorimotor cortex (forelimb area) by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase
      chain reaction. RESULTS: Motor skills training in ICH rats improved the
      sensorimotor dysfunction significantly from the early phase. The mRNA expression
      level of MAP2 was upregulated in the ipsilesional sensorimotor cortex by motor
      skills training at 29 days after the lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest
      that sensorimotor functional recovery following motor skills training after ICH
      is promoted by dendritic growth in the ipsilesional sensorimotor cortex.

PMID- 27265095
TI  - The Influence of Rocker Bar Ankle Foot Orthosis on Gait in Patients with Chronic
      Hemiplegia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rocker bar ankle foot
      orthosis (RAFO) on the spatiotemporal characteristics of gait in chronic
      hemiplegic patients compared with the effect of solid ankle foot orthosis (SAFO).
      METHODS: Following ethical approval, 18 patients with chronic hemiplegia, at
      least 6 months post stroke, were investigated in barefoot condition, with SAFO
      and RAFO in random sequences. Their spatiotemporal characteristics were examined
      by 2 force platforms and a Vicon motion analysis system. RESULTS: There were
      significant changes in spatiotemporal outcome measures between barefoot condition
      and using SAFO and RAFO (P < .05). Compared with SAFO, RAFO resulted in
      significantly more step length, faster gait velocity, and less preswing time (P <
      .05), although no significant differences were seen regarding step width and
      cadence (P > .05). Furthermore, RAFO led to significant increases in hip
      extension and knee flexion at toe-off, whereas SAFO did not change these
      parameters (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Findings of the present study showed that RAFO
      further improves gait abilities in chronic hemiplegic patients compared with
      SAFO, which could be due to the positive effect of added rocker bar on push-off
      function during the late stance phase of gait.

PMID- 27265096
TI  - Erratum to "Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 and distal hereditary motor neuropathy:
      Clinical, neurophysiological and genetic findings from a single-centre
      experience" [Clin. Neurol. Neurosurg. 144 (2016) 67-71].

PMID- 27265098
TI  - Enhanced ordering reduces electric susceptibility of liquids confined to graphene
      slit pores.
AB  - The behaviours of a range of polar and non-polar organic liquids (acetone,
      ethanol, methanol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), carbon tetrachloride and water)
      confined to 2D graphene nanochannels with thicknesses in the range of 4.5 A to 40
      A were studied using classical molecular dynamics and hybrid density functional
      theory. All liquids were found to organise spontaneously into ordered layers
      parallel to the confining surfaces, with those containing polar molecules having
      their electric dipoles aligned parallel to such surfaces. In particular,
      monolayers of NMP showed remarkable in-plane ordering and low molecular mobility,
      suggesting the existence of a previously unknown 2D solid-like phase.
      Calculations for polar liquids showed dramatically reduced static permittivities
      normal to the confining surfaces; these changes are expected to improve electron
      tunnelling across the liquid films, modifying the DC electrical properties of
      immersed assemblies of carbon nanomaterials.

PMID- 27265100
TI  - New insights into the genetics of congenital neutropenia.
AB  - Several congenital disorders may cause neutropenia. The recent advances in the
      field of molecular biology have facilitated our knowledge concerning
      pathophysiological mechanisms leading to these disorders. The molecular basis of
      disorders with defective myelopoiesis (severe congenital neutropenia and cyclic
      neutropenia) and disorders due to defective RNA processing (Shwachman Diamond
      syndrome and cartilage hair hypoplasia) are the two congenital neutropenia
      syndromes that are addressed in this review. Molecular defects defined by means
      of these disorders are very important for our understanding of the cause of the
      disorders as well as some unknown molecular mechanisms. 

PMID- 27265099
TI  - Marinobacterium zhoushanense sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated WM3T, was
      isolated from surface seawater collected from the East China Sea. Cells were
      catalase- and oxidase-positive, short rods and motile by means of a single polar
      flagellum. Growth occurred at 15-43  degrees C (optimum 37-40 C), pH 5.5-9.5
      (optimum pH 6.5-7.5) and with 0.25-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.0-1.5 %).
      Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8, the
      major fatty acids included C16 : 0 (23.6 %), C18 : 1omega7c (26.2 %) and summed
      feature 3 (C16 : 1omega7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, 22.1 %). Phylogenetic analysis
      based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain WM3T was most closely
      related to the genus Marinobacterium, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence
      similarity of 95.5 % with both Marinobacterium litorale KCTC 12756T and
      Marinobacterium mangrovicola DSM 27697T. The genomic DNA G+C content of the
      strain WM3T was 55.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and
      genotypic characteristics presented in this study, strain WM3T is suggested to
      represent a novel species of the genus Marinobacterium, for which the name
      Marinobacterium zhoushanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WM3T (=KCTC
      42782T=CGMCC 1.15341T).

PMID- 27265097
TI  - Efficacy of a Universal Brief Intervention for Violence Among Urban Emergency
      Department Youth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Violent injury is the leading cause of death among urban youth.
      Emergency department (ED) visits represent an opportunity to deliver a brief
      intervention (BI) to reduce violence among youth seeking medical care in high
      risk communities. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the efficacy of a
      universally applied BI addressing violence behaviors among youth presenting to an
      urban ED. METHODS: ED youth (14 to 20 years old) seeking medical or injury
      related care in a Level I ED (October 2011-March 2015) and screening positive for
      a home address within the intervention or comparison neighborhood of a larger
      youth violence project were enrolled in this quasi-experimental study. Based on
      home address, participants were assigned to receive either the 30-minute
      therapist-delivered BI (Project Sync) or a resource brochure (enhanced usual care
      [EUC] condition). The Project Sync BI combined motivational interviewing and
      cognitive skills training, including a review of participant goals, tailored
      feedback, decisional balance exercises, role-playing exercises, and linkage to
      community resources. Participants completed validated survey measures at baseline
      and a 2-month follow-up assessment. Main outcome measures included self-report of
      physical victimization, aggression, and self-efficacy to avoid fighting. Poisson
      and zero-inflated Poisson regression analyses analyzed the effects of the BI,
      compared to the EUC condition, on primary outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 409
      eligible youth (82% participation) were enrolled and assigned to receive either
      the BI (n = 263) or the EUC condition (n = 146). Two-month follow-up was 91% (n =
      373). There were no significant baseline differences between study conditions.
      Among the entire sample, mean (+/-SD) age was 17.7 (+/-1.9) years, 60% were
      female, 93% were African American, and 79% reported receipt of public assistance.
      Of participants, 9% presented for a violent injury, 9% reported recent firearm
      carriage, 20% reported recent alcohol use, and 39% reported recent marijuana use.
      Compared with the EUC group, participants in the therapist BI group showed self
      reported reductions in frequency of violent aggression (therapist, -46.8%; EUC, 
      36.9%; incident rate ratio [IRR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76 to
      0.99) and increased self-efficacy for avoiding fighting (therapist, +7.2%; EUC, 
      1.3%; IRR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.15). No significant changes were noted for
      victimization. CONCLUSIONS: Among youth seeking ED care in a high-risk community,
      a brief, universally applied BI shows promise in increased self-efficacy for
      avoiding fighting and a decrease in the frequency of violent aggression.

PMID- 27265101
TI  - Factor V 1691 G-A mutation distribution in a healthy Turkish population.
AB  - The aim of this review was to compile published data on factor V 1691 G-A
      alteration in a healthy Turkish population and also to stimulate the reporting of
      unpublished data, in order to create a map for factor V Leiden (FVL) in Turkey.
      From a total of 4276 healthy individuals from 26 different centers of Turkey, 345
      FVL carriers (7.9%) were determined. FVL was strikingly high among newborns from
      two different centers (10.9%). 

PMID- 27265102
TI  - Transient depletion of innate immunity in varicella infections in otherwise
      healthy children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Varicella is a common childhood infection and has a number of
      complications in the unvaccinated population. Perforin, found in natural killer
      cells, is important for the killing of virally infected cells. For this reason,
      the aim of this study was to determine natural killer cell count and activity,
      perforin expression, and Fas and soluble Fas ligand (sFas-L) levels in
      immunocompetent children with varicella infection and define any possible
      relations between the levels and varicella complications. METHODS: Forty children
      were analyzed at diagnosis and on the 15th day of varicella infection. There was
      a significant difference in hemoglobin levels and leukocyte and platelet counts
      between days 0 and 15. RESULTS: Thirteen (32%) patients were found to be
      lymphopenic. Natural killer cell count and activity were significantly higher on
      day 15 when compared to values at diagnosis. The Fas-mediated apoptotic pathway
      was found to be active in acute varicella infection because Fas and sFas-L levels
      at diagnosis were higher than values on day 15. CONCLUSION: These findings
      suggest that the Fas and Fas-L apoptotic pathway is active during the acute phase
      of the viral infection and that it becomes inactive by day 15, paralleling the
      hematologic recovery.

PMID- 27265103
TI  - Hb D-Los Angeles [beta121(GH4)Glu>Gln] and Hb Beograd [beta121(GH4)Glu>Val]:
      Implications for their laboratory diagnosis and genetic origins.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the laboratory diagnosis and
      genetic origins of the hemoglobin (Hb) variants, Hb D-Los Angeles and Hb Beograd
      observed frequently in our region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hb variants were
      investigated in one Hb D-Los Angeles and two Hb Beograd families. These families
      were unrelated with each other. For the determination of Hb variants,
      alkaline/acid electrophoresis, HPLC, DE-52 micro-column chromatography procedures
      were applied. Mutations were determined by non-radioactive fluorescence automated
      DNA sequencing. Beta globin gene cluster haplotypes were identified by RFLP
      analysis at seven loci known as epsilon-Hinc II, Ggamma-Hind III, APsibeta-Hind
      III, 5'Psibeta-Hinc II, 3'Psibeta-Hinc II, beta-Ava II ve 3'beta-Hinf I. RESULTS:
      Three novel beta globin gene cluster haplotypes were identified as in relation
      with Hb D-Los Angeles [--+-+++], Hb Beograd [+----++ and -+-(+/-)(+/-)+(+/-)].
      These haplotypes were reported for the first time in the world population
      Conclusion: In this study we emphasize the importance of DNA seqeuncing and other
      laboratory procedures for the identification of Hb variants in premarital
      diagnosis. On the other hand we discuss also the genetic origins of these Hb
      variants.

PMID- 27265104
TI  - The estimation of platelet count from a blood smear on the basis of the red cell:
      platelet ratio.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The estimation of platelet count from blood smears is a daily routine
      laboratory test, which should be systematic each time the automated count is
      erroneous. In our laboratory, we estimate the platelet count indirectly by using
      the automated red blood cell (RBC) and calculating the platelet count on the
      basis of the red cell: platelet ratio in a stained blood film. In this study, we
      attempted to verify the reliability of this technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One
      hundred ninety-one platelet counts were executed by two laboratory methods: an
      automated count using an impedance cell counter and then a manual method by
      reviewing microscopic blood smears. The number of platelets per 1000 erythrocytes
      was multiplied by the automated RBC (x106 cells/ul) to give an approximate manual
      count (x103 cells/ul). Two paired t-test was used for comparison of the two
      methods. RESULTS: The regression analyses for the entire data set collected in
      our study with the two laboratory methods gave the following least squares
      equation by comparing the automated (y) to the manual method (x): y=0.8548x +
      12.013 (r=0.908). The paired t-test showed no significant difference between the
      two methods (p>0.05) and the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was equal
      to 0.905. The plot of the differences between the automated and manual values
      against their means according to Band and Altman design showed that the
      difference mean was 3.209 with a standard deviation SD=46.331. We noticed that
      93% of the differences were within the agreement limits (mean+/-2SD), and that
      77% of the differences were less than 20,000 platelets/ul. CONCLUSION: Estimating
      platelet count on the basis of the red cell: platelet ratio is a reliable
      technique and it should be proposed as a method of reference.

PMID- 27265105
TI  - Clinical and hematological manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis in Yemeni
      children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In southeast Yemen, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in Lahj and
      Abyan and also in Hagga and Sadah, the areas lacking adequate diagnostic
      facilities. This study describes the clinical and hematological features in 64
      cases of childhood VL. METHODS: All children below 12 years of age who were
      managed as inpatient cases from 1 January to 31 December 2005 were included in
      this study. The diagnosis of VL was established by demonstration of leishmania
      parasites in bone marrow aspiration. Demographic information, physical signs at
      presentation and results of complete blood count were recorded and bone marrow
      aspirations were done for LD bodies. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 30
      months, and there were 33 females and 31 males. Fever was seen in 100% of
      children with duration before diagnosis of 56 days. Splenomegaly was present in
      all cases and hepatomegaly in 84.4%, with mean enlargement of spleen and liver of
      9.3 and 3.5 cm, respectively. Mean hemoglobin level, white blood cell and
      platelet counts were 6.6 g/dl, 3.58x109 /L and 71.7x109 /L, respectively.
      Absolute neutrophil count was <0.78x109 /L and mean reticulocyte count was 1.7%.
      CONCLUSION: Fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia were the most common
      clinical and hematological manifestations in Yemeni children with VL.

PMID- 27265106
TI  - Identification of gold nanoparticle in lymphocytes: a confirmation of direct
      intracellular penetration effect.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Nanoparticles differ from the same material at larger scale in
      chemical and physical properties. The effect of nanoparticle on the blood cell
      still needs scientific verification. METHODS: The direct effect of gold
      nanoparticles on lymphocyte was direct assessed by in vitro assay. RESULTS: In
      this work, the author reported additional results from specific observation on
      lymphocyte exposure to gold nanoparticle. CONCLUSION: This result confirms for
      direct intracellular penetration effect.

PMID- 27265107
TI  - Aortic aneurysm and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Marfan syndrome.
AB  - The combination of Marfan syndrome with lymphoma is extremely rare. This report
      describes a case of Marfan syndrome who presented with chest discomfort and was
      diagnosed to have an aortic aneurysm and an additional incidental mediastinal
      mass that on further investigation turned out to be a diffuse large B cell
      lymphoma. We have suggested a hypothesis which can explain the occurrence of
      lymphoma in Marfan syndrome. 

PMID- 27265108
TI  - Bilateral knee and right ankle osteonecrosis in an adolescent girl with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Although rare, avascular necrosis of bone is a serious and incapacitating
      complication seen in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia receiving high
      dose steroids. Here we present a 16 year-old girl who developed bilateral knee
      and right ankle avascular osteonecrosis one year after intensive chemotherapy for
      medium risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Indirect curettage of necrotic tissue
      and bone grafting were performed for both knees whereas conservative measures had
      been sufficient for the ankle. Early recognition of this condition is important
      in prevention of disabling sequela in skeletal system. 

PMID- 27265109
TI  - Acute erythroid leukemia (AML-M6) - Is it rare?

PMID- 27265110
TI  - Extramedullary hematopoiesis in the axillary lymph node in a patient with an
      accelerated phase of chronic myeloid leukemia.

PMID- 27265111
TI  - Familial thrombocytopenia associated with ovarian agenesis, umbilical hernia,
      bicuspid aortic valve, patent ductus arteriosus and epilepsia.

PMID- 27265112
TI  - Insulin-like growth factor-1 and zinc in children with Beta thalassemia minor.

PMID- 27265113
TI  - Brilliant cresyl blue staining for screening hemoglobin H disease: Reticulocyte
      smear.

PMID- 27265114
TI  - Enhancement of chlorpromazine antitumor activity by Pluronics F127/L81
      nanostructured system against human multidrug resistant leukemia.
AB  - The development of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) revolutionized the
      treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, chemoresistance of tumor
      cells to TKIs has already been described, and several mechanisms account for the
      multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotypes, including the overexpression of P
      glycoprotein (P-gp). This decreases the rate of healing and complete tumor
      remission. Nanotechnological tools have been studied to allow advances in this
      field. Poloxamers (Pluronics((r))) have been proposed as drug carriers to improve
      therapeutic efficacy and decrease side effects, even in cancer therapy, due to
      their ability to inhibit P-gp. Antipsychotic phenothiazines have been described
      as potent cytotoxic drugs against several types of tumor cells in vitro. Here, we
      show that nanostructured micellar systems containing the phenothiazine derivative
      chlorpromazine (CPZ) potentiated the cytotoxicity of free CPZ and increased the
      selectivity against CML tumor cells, demonstrating the pharmacological potential
      of these poloxamer-based nanostructured systems containing CPZ in cancer therapy.

PMID- 27265116
TI  - Protective Effects of Quercetin on Selected Oxidative Biomarkers in Bovine
      Spermatozoa Subjected to Ferrous Ascorbate.
AB  - Quercetin (QUE) is a natural flavonol-type flavonoid with antibacterial, anti
      inflammatory and anti-aggregatory properties. It is also a powerful reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) scavenger and chelating agent. The aim of this study was to
      assess the effectiveness of QUE to reverse ROS-mediated alterations to the
      motility, viability and intracellular antioxidant profile of bovine spermatozoa.
      Spermatozoa were washed out of fresh bovine semen, suspended in 2.9% sodium
      citrate and subjected to QUE treatment (7.5, 25, 50 and 100 MUmol/l) in the
      presence or absence of a pro-oxidant, that is ferrous ascorbate (FeAA; 150
      MUmol/l FeSO4 and 750 MUmol/l ascorbic acid) during a 6-h in vitro culture.
      Spermatozoa motion characteristics were assessed using the SpermVision computer
      aided sperm analysis (CASA) system. Cell viability was examined with the
      metabolic activity (MTT) assay, ROS generation was quantified via luminometry,
      and the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test was applied to quantify the
      intracellular superoxide formation. Cell lysates were prepared at the end of the
      in vitro culture to investigate the intracellular activity of superoxide
      dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as the
      concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). FeAA treatment led
      to a reduced sperm motility (p < 0.001), viability (p < 0.001) and decreased the
      antioxidant parameters of the sperm samples (p < 0.001) but increased the ROS
      generation (p < 0.001), superoxide production (p < 0.001) and lipid peroxidation
      (p < 0.001). QUE administration resulted in a preservation of the spermatozoa
      vitality and antioxidant characteristics (p < 0.01 with respect to the enzymatic
      antioxidants, p < 0.001 in relation to GSH) with a concentration range of 50-100
      MUmol/l QUE revealing to be the most effective. Our results suggest that QUE
      exhibits significant ROS-scavenging and metal-chelating properties which may
      prevent spermatozoa alterations caused by ROS, and preserve the functionality of
      male reproductive cells. 

PMID- 27265115
TI  - Neurological and digestive bleeding with Direct Oral Anticoagulants versus
      Vitamin K Antagonists: The differences do not stop there! A pharmacovigilance
      study.

PMID- 27265117
TI  - Structural and functional studies of a large winged Z-DNA-binding domain of Danio
      rerio protein kinase PKZ.
AB  - The Z-DNA-binding domain of PKZ from zebrafish (Danio rerio; drZalphaPKZ )
      contains the largest beta-wing among known Z-DNA-binding domains. To elucidate
      the functional implication of the beta-wing, we solved the crystal structure of
      apo-drZalphaPKZ . Structural comparison with its Z-DNA-bound form revealed a
      large conformational change within the beta-wing during Z-DNA binding.
      Biochemical studies of protein mutants revealed that two basic residues in the
      beta-wing are responsible for Z-DNA recognition as well as fast B-Z transition.
      Therefore, the extra basic residues in the beta-wing of drZalphaPKZ are necessary
      for the fast B-Z transition activity.

PMID- 27265119
TI  - Fluctuation in seed abundance has contrasting effects on the fate of seeds from
      two rapidly germinating tree species in an Asian tropical forest.
AB  - The seed predator satiation hypothesis states that high seed abundance can
      satiate seed predators or seed dispersers, thus promoting seed survival. However,
      for rapidly germinating seeds in tropical forests, high seed abundance may limit
      dispersal as the seeds usually remain under parent trees for long periods, which
      may lead to high mortality due to rodent predation or fungal infestations. By
      tracking 2 species of rapidly germinating seeds (Pittosporopsis kerrii, family
      Icacinaceae; Camellia kissi, family Theaceae), which depend on dispersal by
      scatter-hoarding rodents, we investigated the effects of seed abundance at the
      community level on predation and seed dispersal in the tropical forest of
      Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Southwest China. We found that high seed abundance at
      the community level was associated with delayed and reduced seed removal,
      decreased dispersal distance and increased pre-dispersal seed survival for both
      plant species. High seed abundance was also associated with reduced seed caching
      of C. kissi, but it showed little effect on seed caching of P. kerrii. However,
      post-dispersal seed survival for the 2 plant species followed the reverse
      pattern. High seed abundance in the community was associated with higher post
      dispersal survival of P. kerrii seeds, but with lower post-dispersal survival of
      C. kissi seeds. Our results suggest that different plant species derive benefit
      from fluctuations in seed production in different ways.

PMID- 27265118
TI  - The Nature and Impact of Side Reactions in Glyme-based Sodium-Oxygen Batteries.
AB  - Although Na-O2 batteries have a low overpotential and good capacity retention,
      degradation reactions of glyme-based electrolytes are the primary reason for
      inefficiency in cell performance. The discharge capacity is accounted for through
      analysis of the side-products. Although sodium superoxide is the primary product
      (90 % theoretical), quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the side-products
      (using (1) H NMR, iodometric titration, and on-line mass spectrometry) shows the
      presence of sodium acetate (~3.5 %), and three-fold less sodium formate, methoxy
      (oxo)acetic anhydride, and sodium carbonate. Our reaction mechanism proposes two
      paths for their formation. Because the side-products are not fully removed during
      oxidation, they accumulate on the cathode upon cycling. Resting the cell at open
      circuit potential during discharge results in consumption of the superoxide
      through the reaction with diglyme, which greatly increases the fraction of side
      products, as also confirmed by ex situ reaction studies. These findings have
      implications in the search for more stable electrolytes.

PMID- 27265120
TI  - Functional porous carbon-ZnO nanocomposites for high-performance biosensors and
      energy storage applications.
AB  - A one-pot synthesis method for the fabrication of biomass-derived activated
      carbon-zinc oxide (ZAC) nanocomposites using sugarcane bagasse as a carbon
      precursor and ZnCl2 as an activating agent is reported. For the first time, we
      used ZnCl2 as not only an activating agent and also for the synthesis of ZnO
      nanoparticles on the AC surface. ZAC materials with varying ZnO loading were
      prepared and characterized by a variety of analytical and spectroscopic
      techniques such as FE-SEM, FE-TEM, XRD, EA, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. ZAC
      modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) were found to exhibit remarkable
      electrochemical properties for simultaneous detection of ascorbic acid (AA),
      dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA) as well as hazardous pollutants such as
      hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydrazine (N2H4) with desirable sensitivity,
      selectivity, and detection limits. Moreover, ZAC-modified stainless steel
      electrodes also showed superior performances for supercapacitor applications. The
      ZAC nanocomposites, which may be mass produced by the reported facile direct
      route from sugarcane bagasse, are not only eco-friendly but also cost-effective,
      and thus, are suitable as a practical platform for bio-sensing and energy storage
      applications. 

PMID- 27265122
TI  - Cytokines 2015 - A most memorable meeting.

PMID- 27265121
TI  - Thoracic Paravertebral Block versus Epidural Anesthesia Combined with Moderate
      Sedation for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB)
      for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in comparison with epidural anesthesia
      (EA) combined with moderate sedation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred American
      Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II adult patients scheduled for first-stage
      unilateral PCNL were randomly assigned to receive either TPVB or EA. All patients
      were given standard sedation and analgesia with propofol and sufentanil. Patient
      characteristics, surgical outcomes, anesthetic outcomes, and time to first use of
      a patient-controlled intravenous analgesic (PCIA) device and postoperative
      consumption of sufentanil in the first 24 h were recorded. Intergroup differences
      of the parameters were analyzed using an independent t test, Mann-Whitney test,
      and chi2 test as appropriate. RESULTS: Patients who received TPVB consumed more
      propofol during ureteroscopy (56.2 +/- 28.4 vs. 42.9 +/- 27.5 mg, p < 0.05) and
      more sufentanil during ureteroscopy (9.7 +/- 4.8 vs. 3.9 +/- 2.7 MUg, p < 0.05)
      and during PCNL (7.0 +/- 4.3 vs. 1.9 +/- 1.8 MUg, p < 0.05) than those who
      received EA. The volume fluids infused in patients who received TPVB was less
      than in those who received EA (854 +/- 362 vs. 1,320 +/- 468 ml, p < 0.05). Time
      to first PCIA use, postoperative 24-hour consumption of sufentanil, and other
      parameters were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, TPVB was
      as effective and safe as EA in providing intraoperative anesthesia and
      postoperative analgesia for PCNL, although more sedatives and analgesics were
      used during PCNL in patients who received TPVB.

PMID- 27265123
TI  - Effect of Hematocrit and Erythrocyte Density on Intraoperative Blood Loss in
      Hemophilia A Patients During Total Knee Arthroplasty.
AB  - Intraoperative blood loss during total knee arthroplasty in patients with
      hemophilia varies over a wide range (from 300 to 3000 ml). The reasons have not
      been clarified yet. We studied the dependence of intraoperative blood loss during
      total knee arthroplasty in patients with hemophilia A on hematocrit and mean
      erythrocyte density. Intraoperational blood loss >=1000 ml was observed in
      patients with hematocrit <38.5%. In patients with hematocrit >38.5% this
      parameter depended on the mean erythrocyte density: in patients with increased
      erythrocyte density, the risk of intraoperational blood loss >=1000 ml was
      higher. The increase in erythrocyte density can serve as an indicator of
      pathological processes, including the processes modulating hemostasis. It can
      also be assumed that erythrocytes with higher density change blood flow, which
      affects platelet adhesion to the damaged endothelium. Hematocrit below the
      threshold level and mean density of erythrocytes above the normal level can be
      regarded as risk factor for increased intraoperational blood loss. 

PMID- 27265124
TI  - Maintenance of High Cytochrome P450 Expression in HepaRG Cell Spheroids in DMSO
      Free Medium.
AB  - We studied the effects of DMSO and fibroblasts during HepaRG cell spheroid
      formation and conditions of their subsequent culturing on the levels of mRNA of
      the major cytochromes P450. A protocol of spheroid formation from differentiated
      HepaRG cells and their culturing in serum- and DMSO-free medium is developed. 

PMID- 27265125
TI  - Plasma Levels of hsa-miR-619-5p and hsa-miR-1184 Differ in Prostatic Benign
      Hyperplasia and Cancer.
AB  - Peripheral blood plasma profiles of circulating microRNA expression were analyzed
      in patients with prostatic cancer and benign hyperplasia. In prostatic cancer,
      significant increase in hsa-miR-619-5p and hsa-miR-1184 microRNA expression and
      significant decrease in hsalet-7b-5p and hsa-let-7c-5p microRNA expression were
      observed. The role of the relationship between the microRNA expression and the
      activities and functions of host genes with introns encoding these microRNA is
      discussed. 

PMID- 27265126
TI  - MicroRNA hsa-miR-4674 in Hemolysis-Free Blood Plasma Is Associated with Distant
      Metastases of Prostatic Cancer.
AB  - We analyzed microRNA profile in hemolysis-free blood plasma of patients with
      prostatic cancer. The metastatic form of prostatic cancer was found to be
      associated with increased levels of hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-miR-663a, and hsa-miR-4674
      in comparison with non-metastatic form. Common candidate target genes of these
      microRNA include JUNB, KMT2A, and XPO6. 

PMID- 27265127
TI  - Modeling of Magnetite Nanoparticles Behavior under Conditions of Microcirculation
      and Analysis of In Vivo Toxicity.
AB  - The behavior of magnetite nanoparticles was studied in the cell chip
      microcapillaries. No aggregation of magnetite nanoparticles under conditions of
      long-term circulation was noted. Biodistribution and toxicity of magnetite
      nanoparticles (14 nm) and aminated magnetite after their intragastric
      administration to mice were studied in vivo. According to mass spectrometry and
      microscopy data, accumulation of nanoparticles occurred mainly in the liver
      cells. 

PMID- 27265128
TI  - Effect of 2-Isobutyl-4,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxypyrimidine on the Growth of Lewis Lung
      Carcinoma and Survival of Mice.
AB  - Experiments on male C57Bl/6 mice with transplantable Lewis lung epidermoid
      carcinoma were performed to evaluate the effect of early or delayed
      administration of compound SNK-411 (2-isobutyl-4,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxypyrimidine)
      on tumor growth and animal survival. Intraperitoneal injection of SNK-411 in
      doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg on days 2-8 of tumor growth was followed by significant
      inhibition of tumor growth (by 1.8 and 2.2 times, respectively, in comparison
      with the untreated control). Administration of this compound on days 8-15 of
      tumor development had little effect on tumor growth. SNK-411 in doses of 25 and
      50 mg/kg (both dosing regimens) significantly increased survival rate and
      lifespan of animals with tumors. The drugs for verification of this model
      (Fluorofur, 400 mg/kg; and doxorubicin hydrochloride, 4 mg/kg) were injected
      intraperitoneally on days 2-4 and 8-10 of tumor development. Administration of
      Fluorofur and doxorubicin hydrochloride at the late stage was accompanied by
      significant inhibition of tumor growth (by 1.6 and 1.4 times, respectively). The
      increase in the survival rate of animals receiving the cytostatic according to
      standard dosing regimens was less significant than in experiments with SNK-411. 

PMID- 27265129
TI  - Inhibition of Mitochondrial Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels Increases
      Radiosensitivity of K562 Leukemic Cells.
AB  - We studied the effect of inhibition of mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion
      channels with DIDS on radiosensitivity and mitochondrial status of K562 leukemic
      cells. The number of apoptotic and necrotic cells, mitochondrial transmembrane
      potential, and mitochondrial mass were evaluated after irradiation of cells in
      doses of 4 and 12 Gy in the presence and absence of the inhibitor. Inhibition of
      mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channels increased radiosensitivity of K562
      cells by 50-70% and decreased both mitochondrial transmembrane potential and
      mitochondrial mass. Inhibitors of voltage-dependent anion channels are promising
      agents capable of improving the effectiveness of cancer radiotherapy. 

PMID- 27265130
TI  - Loss of Cell Differentiation in HPV-Associated Bladder Cancer.
AB  - Medical histories of 101 urothelial bladder cancer patients were compared with
      the results of morphological analysis and biomolecular detection of human
      papilloma viruses (HPV) in the tumor specimens. DNA of HPV16 (the major type of
      virus responsible for appearance of cervical carcinoma) was detected in 38
      specimens, while mRNA of E6 and E7 oncogenes and E7 oncoprotein of HPV16 were
      observed in 13 specimens. HPV-positive bladder cancer was characterized by higher
      degree of cell anaplasia than HPV-negative cancer; in the primary bladder tumor,
      HPV was detected more often than in recurrent bladder cancer. These data attest
      to involvement of HPV16 in the genesis of bladder cancer. No correlations of HPV
      status of bladder tumor with patient's sex, age, and invasion into the muscle
      layer were revealed. 

PMID- 27265131
TI  - Heterodimer HLA-DM Fused with Constant Fragment of the Heavy Chain of the Human
      Immunoglobulin Accelerates Influenza Hemagglutinin HA306-318 Loading to HLA-DR1.
AB  - Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) plays an important role not
      only in the adaptive immune responses to foreign pathogens, but also in the
      development of some autoimmune diseases. Non-classical MHC, HLA-DM is directly
      involved in MHC II loading with the peptide. To study this process, we
      synthesized recombinant proteins HLA-DR1 and HLA-DM. alpha/beta-Chains of DR1
      heterodimer contained C-terminal leucine domains of the fos and jun factors,
      respectively. Each DM chain contained constant fragment of human antibody heavy
      chain fused via a long linker domain. In addition, DM alpha-chain carried N165D
      substitution suppressing potential glycosylation at this site. We observed
      significant acceleration of DR1 peptide loading with influenza HA306-318
      hemagglutinin in the presence of DM, which indicates functionality of recombinant
      DR1-DM protein couple. Our results can be used to study the presentation of other
      viral and self-antigens and can become the basis for the development of new drug
      modeling. 

PMID- 27265132
TI  - Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubules Induce Pathological Changes in the Digestive
      Organs of Mice.
AB  - We studied the effects of regular long-term exposure to industrial nanomaterial
      based on multiwalled carbon nanotubules on the digestive system of mice.
      Nanomaterial in a concentration of 30 mg/kg was administered with drinking water
      over 30 days. Tissue specimens from the small intestine and liver were studied by
      light and electron microscopy. Multiwalled carbon nanotubules caused multiple
      necrotic foci in the small intestine and mixed parenchymatous degeneration in the
      liver. These findings suggested that multiwalled carbon nanotubules entering the
      digestive tract damaged intestinal villi, presumably via mechanical damage to
      enterocytes. It seems that multiwalled carbon nanotubules could cause
      degeneration indirectly, by triggering inflammatory reactions and ROS generation.

PMID- 27265133
TI  - Fibonacci Sequence and Supramolecular Structure of DNA.
AB  - We proposed a new model of supramolecular DNA structure. Similar to the
      previously developed by us model of primary DNA structure [11-15], 3D structure
      of DNA molecule is assembled in accordance to a mathematic rule known as
      Fibonacci sequence. Unlike primary DNA structure, supramolecular 3D structure is
      assembled from complex moieties including a regular tetrahedron and a regular
      octahedron consisting of monomers, elements of the primary DNA structure. The
      moieties of the supramolecular DNA structure forming fragments of regular spatial
      lattice are bound via linker (joint) sequences of the DNA chain. The lattice
      perceives and transmits information signals over a considerable distance without
      acoustic aberrations. Linker sequences expand conformational space between
      lattice segments allowing their sliding relative to each other under the action
      of external forces. In this case, sliding is provided by stretching of the
      stacked linker sequences. 

PMID- 27265134
TI  - Anticoagulant Effects of Heparin Complexes with Prolyl-Glycine Peptide and
      Glycine and Proline Amino Acids.
AB  - The study demonstrates the formation of heparin complexes with prolyl-glycine
      peptide and proline and glycine amino acids. The method was developed for in
      vitro production of these complexes at 1:1 dipeptide to heparin molar ratio and
      2:1 amino acid to heparin molar ratio. These complexes, unlike the constituents,
      proline and glycine, exhibited significant anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and
      fibrin-depolymerization activities of varying degree in vitro and in vivo. The
      heparin-dipeptide complex produced maximum effect. The dipeptide by itself also
      showed anticoagulant properties, but less pronounced than in the complex with
      heparin. 

PMID- 27265135
TI  - Complex Approach to Xenobiotics Hepatotoxicity Testing using a Microfluidic
      System.
AB  - We analyzed hepatotoxicity of three drugs: acetaminophen, metformin, and
      isoniazid. Spheroids of differentiated HepaRG cells cultured under microfluidic
      conditions were used as the model. Acute toxicity of substances was assessed by
      analyzing cell viability, while lactate concentration in the culture medium was
      used as the potential marker for evaluation of chronic exposure and non-lethal
      side effects of xenobiotics. The results were compared with mitochondrial
      activity and DNA fragmentation data. The efficiency and possibility of applying
      the integrated approach for assessment of drug hepatotoxicity are discussed. 

PMID- 27265136
TI  - Dipeptide Piracetam Analogue Noopept Improves Viability of Hippocampal HT-22
      Neurons in the Glutamate Toxicity Model.
AB  - Effect of noopept (N-phenylacetyl-prolylglycine ethyl ester) on viability of
      neurons exposed to neurotoxic action of glutamic acid (5 mM) was studied in vitro
      in immortalized mouse hippocampal HT-22 neurons. Noopept added to the medium
      before or after glutamic acid improved neuronal survival in a concentration range
      of 10-11-10-5 M. Comparison of the effective noopept concentrations determined in
      previous studies on cultured cortical and cerebellar neurons showed that
      hippocampal neurons are more sensitive to the protective effect of noopept. 

PMID- 27265137
TI  - Effect of Cytotoxic Compounds on Activity of Antioxidant Enzyme System in MCF-7
      and H1299 Cells.
AB  - We studied the function of the antioxidant system in tumor cell lines MCF-7 and
      H1299 that differ by the state of tumor suppressor gene p53. Exposure to
      different classes of cytotoxic compounds induced several types of antioxidant
      system responses that depend on the type of cell line. The effects of
      platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes on activity of antioxidant enzymes vary,
      which can be explained by differences in their accumulation and biotransformation
      in tumor cells. Triazole and oxazolidinone derivatives had little effect on
      activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in H1299 cells, but increased
      superoxide dismutase activity in MCF-7 cells. 

PMID- 27265138
TI  - Cytoprotective Effect of Peptide Sedatin, an Agonist of MU/delta-Opioid
      Receptors, on Primary Culture of Pulmonary Fibroblasts of Albino Rats under
      Conditions of Oxidative Stress.
AB  - We studied the effects of a synthetic analogue of dermorphin peptide sedatin on
      DNA synthesis, nucleolar apparatus, and parameters of free radical oxidation in
      the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts under conditions of oxidative
      stress. Oxidative stress significantly enhanced production of superoxide anion
      radical in the culture, sufficiently inhibited DNA synthesis in fibroblasts, and
      reduced the size of cell nuclei and parameters of the nucleolar apparatus.
      Sedatin prevented accumulation of free radical oxidation products and changes in
      karyometry parameters induced by oxidative stress. The peptide completely
      eliminated changes in the parameters of fibroblast nucleolar apparatus and
      abolished the inhibitory effect of oxidative stress on the number of DNA
      synthesizing cells. Pretreatment with non-selective opioid receptor antagonist
      naloxone hydrochloride partially abolished the effects of sedatin in the primary
      culture of pulmonary fibroblasts. 

PMID- 27265139
TI  - Psychopharmacological Effects of Alkaloid Z77 under Conditions of Posthypoxic
      Encephalopathy and Mechanisms of Their Development.
AB  - Psychopharmacological effects of atisine-type diterpene alkaloid Z77 were studied
      under conditions of experimental posthypoxic encephalopathy. The preparation had
      a pronounced cerebroprotective effect consisting in normalization of orientation
      and exploratory behavior and conditioned activity in experimental animals. These
      changes were accompanied by significant increase in the number of neural stem
      cells in the paraventricular region of the brain and markedly enhanced production
      of neurotrophic growth factors by neural tissue microenvironment cells. 

PMID- 27265140
TI  - Effect of Proline-Containing Oligopeptides PGP and RGP on Proliferative and
      Protein-Synthesizing Activity of Cultured Pulmonary Fibroblasts under Conditions
      of Oxidative Stress.
AB  - We studied the effect of glyprolines Pro-Gly-Pro (PGP) and Arg-Gly-Pro (RGP) on
      the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts from newborn albino rats under
      normal conditions and during oxidative stress. Under physiological conditions,
      the peptides had no effect on parameters of cell division. Hydrogen peroxide
      induced intensive oxidative stress accompanied by suppression of protein
      synthesizing function. When hydrogen peroxide was added to the culture containing
      the test peptides, correction of the oxidative status was observed accompanied by
      activation of DNA-synthesizing activity and inhibition of lucigenin-dependent
      chemiluminescence. 

PMID- 27265141
TI  - Angiogenic Potential of Multipotent Stromal Cells from the Umbilical Cord: an In
      Vitro Study.
AB  - The mechanisms of proangiogenic activity of multipotent stromal cells from human
      umbilical cord were analyzed in vitro. The absence of secreted forms of
      proangiogenic growth factor VEGF-A in the culture medium conditioned by umbilical
      cord-derived multipotent stromal cells was shown by ELISA. However, the
      possibility of paracrine stimulation of cell proliferation, mobility, and
      directed migration of endothelial EA.hy926 cells was demonstrated by using MTT
      test, Transwell system, and monolayer wound modeling. The capacity of multipotent
      stromal cells to acquire the phenotype of endothelium-like cells was analyzed
      using differentiation media of three types. It was found that VEGF-A is an
      essential but not sufficient inductor of differentiation of umbilical cord
      derived multipotent stromal cells into CD31+ cells. 

PMID- 27265142
TI  - Role of Progenitor Cells in Liver Regeneration after Subtotal Resection.
AB  - In the liver of rats subjected to subtotal liver resection (80% organ weight),
      the expression of sox9 gene and SOX9 protein content increased and cells with
      hepatocyte morphology expressing SOX9 appeared; the proportion of cells
      expressing cytokeratin-19 also increased. Based on these data, we cannot
      completely exclude the involvement of resident progenitor cells and hepatocyte
      reprogramming in liver regeneration after subtotal resection, however, the
      contribution of these processes seems to be insignificant. The leading mechanism
      of liver mass recovery after subtotal resection is proliferation of hepatocytes. 

PMID- 27265143
TI  - Rebamipide attenuates Helicobacter pylori CagA-induced self-renewal capacity via
      modulation of beta-catenin signaling axis in gastric cancer-initiating cells.
AB  - Rebamipide, a mucosal-protective agent, is used clinically for treatment of
      gastritis and peptic ulcers induced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) which is
      associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. Although rebamipide is known to
      inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells, the action mechanisms of rebamipide
      in gastric carcinogenesis remains elusive. Here, we show that rebamipide
      suppresses H. pylori CagA-induced beta-catenin and its target cancer-initiating
      cells (C-IC) marker gene expression via upregulation of miRNA-320a and -4496.
      Rebamipide attenuated in vitro self-renewal capacity of H. pylori CagA-infected
      gastric C-IC via modulation of miRNA-320a/-4496-beta-catenin signaling axis.
      Moreover, rebamipide enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs in CagA
      expressed gastric C-IC. Furthermore, rebamipide suppressed tumor-initiating
      capacity of gastric C-IC, probably via suppression of CagA-induced C-IC
      properties. These data provide novel insights for the efficacy of rebamipide as a
      chemoprotective drug against H. pylori CagA-induced carcinogenic potential.

PMID- 27265144
TI  - Alterations of cellular redox homeostasis in cultured fibroblast-like renal cells
      upon exposure to low doses of cytochrome bc1 complex inhibitor kresoxim-methyl.
AB  - In this paper we elucidate the effects of the cytochrome bc1 inhibitor,
      strobilurin fungicide kresoxim-methyl, on the redox balance of a mammalian renal
      cell line. To explore whether mammalian exposure to sub-nephrotoxic
      concentrations of kresoxim-methyl induces cellular and biochemical mechanisms of
      toxicity, its effects on cellular viability and, in particular, several
      parameters related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial respiratory function and
      apoptosis were examined in fibroblast-like renal Vero cells. Elevation of
      mitochondrial superoxide generation, together with a concomitant decrease in
      mitochondrial transmembrane potential was indicative of mitochondrial
      dysfunction. Losses on antioxidant enzyme activities and GSH, along with
      increased H2O2 and nitrite release were associated with oxidative stress and
      induced impaired cellular migration. Raise of intracellular calcium was also
      observed, while no experimental evidence of apoptosis was found. Our findings
      suggest that sub-nephrotoxic concentrations of kresoxim-methyl cause perturbation
      of multiple pathways in renal mammalian cellular redox homeostasis.

PMID- 27265145
TI  - Andrographolide alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice via inducing
      autophagic proteolysis of MyD88.
AB  - Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with excessive activation of
      toll-like receptors (TLRs), which play important roles in developing psoriasis.
      Targeting TLR signaling remains a challenge for treating psoriasis. Here, we
      found that andrographolide (Andro), a small-molecule natural product, alleviated
      imiquimod- but not interleukin 23 (IL-23)-induced psoriasis in mice with reducing
      expressions of IL-23 and IL-1beta in the skin. The improvement in imiquimod
      induced psoriasis by Andro was not observed in microtubule-associated protein 1
      light chain 3 beta (MAP1LC3B) knockout mice. Furthermore, Andro inhibited mRNA
      expressions of IL-23, IL-6 and IL-1beta but not CD80 and CD86 in bone-marrow
      derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a
      MAP1LC3B-dependent manner. In addition, Andro inhibited imiquimod-induced mRNA
      expressions of IL-23, IL-6, IL-1beta, CD80 and CD86 in BMDCs from mice.
      Interestingly, Andro induced a degradation of myeloid differentiation factor 88
      (MyD88) and blocked the recruitment of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)
      to MyD88 upon LPS stimulation in BMDCs from mice. Blockade of autophagic
      proteolysis using NH4Cl or MAP1LC3B(-/-) BMDCs abolished the Andro-induced MyD88
      degradation. In conclusion, Andro controls activation of MyD88-dependent
      cytokines and alleviates psoriasis in mice via inducing autophagic proteolysis of
      MyD88, which could be a novel strategy to treat psoriasis.

PMID- 27265146
TI  - Three dimensional Graphene aerogels as binder-less, freestanding, elastic and
      high-performance electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.
AB  - In this work it is shown how porous graphene aerogels fabricated by an eco
      friendly and simple technological process, could be used as electrodes in lithium
      ion batteries. The proposed graphene framework exhibited excellent performance
      including high reversible capacities, superior cycling stability and rate
      capability. A significantly lower temperature (75  degrees C) than the one
      currently utilized in battery manufacturing was utilized for self-assembly hence
      providing potential significant savings to the industrial production. After
      annealing at 600  degrees C, the formation of Sn-C-O bonds between the SnO2
      nanoparticles and the reduced graphene sheets will initiate synergistic effect
      and improve the electrochemical performance. The XPS patterns revealed the
      formation of Sn-C-O bonds. Both SEM and TEM imaging of the electrode material
      showed that the three dimensional network of graphene aerogels and the SnO2
      particles were distributed homogeneously on graphene sheets. Finally, the
      electrochemical properties of the samples as active anode materials for lithium
      ion batteries were tested and examined by constant current charge-discharge
      cycling and the finding fully described in this manuscript.

PMID- 27265148
TI  - Blantyre-Oslo Neurosurgery Program.

PMID- 27265147
TI  - The gender dimensions of social networks and help-seeking behaviors of young
      adults in Soweto, South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Young people constitute a major proportion of the general population
      and are influenced by a variety of factors, especially in regards to seeking
      help. An understanding of help-seeking behaviors among young people is important
      for designing and implementing effective targeted health services. METHODS: We
      conducted in-depth interviews with 23 young adults aged 21-22 years in Soweto,
      South Africa, to explore the gender dimensions of social networks and help
      seeking behaviors. RESULTS: We found that young men had larger peer social
      networks than young women and that young women's social networks centered on
      their households. For general health, both young men and young women often sought
      help from an older, maternal figure. However, for sexual health, young men
      consulted their group of peers, whereas young women were more likely to seek
      information from one individual, such as an older female friend or family member.
      CONCLUSION: These differences in help-seeking behaviors have important
      implications for the delivery of health information in South Africa and how
      health promotion is packaged to young men and women, especially for sexual and
      reproductive health issues. Peer educators might be very effective at conveying
      health messages for young men, whereas women might respond better to health
      information presented in a more confidential setting either through community
      health workers or mHealth technologies. Provision of or linkage to health
      services that is consistent with young people's health-seeking behavior, such as
      using peer educators and community health care workers, may increase the reach
      and utilization of these services among young people.

PMID- 27265149
TI  - Low-fouling electrospun PLLA films modified with zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine
      methacrylate)-catechol conjugates.
AB  - In this work, we modified a hydrophobic electrospun poly (l-lactic) acid (PLLA)
      film with poly (sulfobetaine methacrylate) (pSBMA)-catechol conjugates of
      different molecular weights to improve the biocompatibility of the film. These
      conjugates were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. They
      consist of an ultra-low fouling pSBMA zwitterionic polymer with a surface
      adhesive catechol moiety. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle and
      scanning electron microscopy experiments were performed to characterize films
      before and after modification with pSBMA-catechol conjugates. Enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent and fluorescently-labeled bovine serum albumin were used to study
      the interactions of proteins with these films. Results showed that low molecular
      weight zwitterionic pSBMA-catechol conjugates greatly discouraged protein
      adsorption as shown by use of single protein solutions on PLLA films when the
      modification was performed in ethanolic Tris-HCl solution. This work offers a
      convenient and effective method to modify electrospun PLLA films for biomedical
      applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this work, we report a convenient and
      effective method to modify electrospun PLLA films using pSBMA-catechol conjugates
      via "graft-to" for biomedical applications. After pSBMA modification, the PLLA
      surface becomes hydrophilic with low contact angle and protein adsorption.
      Results showed that lower molecular weight zwitterionic pSBMA-catechol conjugate
      led to lower contact angles and better nonfouling properties on PLLA films when
      the coating was performed in a solution containing ethanol.

PMID- 27265150
TI  - Degradation and hemostatic properties of polyphosphate coacervates.
AB  - Sodium polyphosphate is a linear polymer formed from phosphate units linked
      together by sharing oxygen atoms. Addition of calcium to a solution of sodium
      polyphosphate results in phase separation and formation of a polyphosphate
      coacervate best described as a polymeric rich viscoelastic material.
      Polyphosphate coacervate is an interesting candidate as a biomaterial based on
      its ability to bind with different cations and to be loaded with drugs. Here, in
      vitro degradation and hemostatic properties of polyphosphate coacervates are
      comprehensively evaluated. We show that polyphosphate coacervates degrade and
      dissolve at a fast rate, losing half of their original mass in a week and
      transforming to mainly pyrophosphate after 4weeks. This burst dissolution phase
      happens earlier for the coacervate prepared from very short chain polyphosphate
      but overall using longer polyphosphate chains does not increase the coacervate
      longevity significantly. Substitution of Ca with Sr or Ba does not affect the
      hydrolysis of coacervates but slows down their dissolution into the media. In a
      whole blood clotting assay, coacervates profoundly decrease the clotting time
      especially when very long chain polyphosphates are used. While coacervate chain
      length and divalent cation type were found to significantly affect prothrombin
      time and thromboplastin time compared to the control, no discernible trends were
      observed. Platelets adhere in large numbers to coacervates, especially those
      containing long chain polyphosphate, but the cell morphology observed suggests
      that they might not to be fully activated. Overall, the long chain polyphosphate
      coacervate holds a great potential as a resorbable hemostatic agent. STATEMENT OF
      SIGNIFICANCE: Divalent cation additions to a sodium polyphosphate solution result
      in polyphosphate coacervates, or highly viscous gel-like materials, having great
      potential in bio-applications such as drug delivery and hemostasis. As these
      coacervates degrade in aqueous environments, we undertook a comprehensive
      evaluation to better understand the impact of polyphosphate chain length and
      divalent cation substitution on this hydrolytic response in order to better
      predict degradation behavior in the body. Furthermore, there is great interest in
      the role of polyphosphates in hemostasis following recent publications showing
      that platelets secrete polyphosphates upon thrombin stimulation. In this paper,
      we evaluate the hemostatic potential of polyphosphate coacervates as bulk
      constructs, demonstrating that indeed these materials hold great potential as a
      degradable hemostatic agent.

PMID- 27265151
TI  - Highly efficient intracellular transduction in three-dimensional gradients for
      programming cell fate.
AB  - Fundamental behaviour such as cell fate, growth and death are mediated through
      the control of key genetic transcriptional regulators. These regulators are
      activated or repressed by the integration of multiple signalling molecules in
      spatio-temporal gradients. Engineering these gradients is complex but considered
      key in controlling tissue formation in regenerative medicine approaches. Direct
      programming of cells using exogenously delivered transcription factors can by
      pass growth factor complexity but there is still a requirement to deliver such
      activity spatio-temporally. We previously developed a technology termed GAG
      binding enhanced transduction (GET) to efficiently deliver a variety of cargoes
      intracellularly using GAG-binding domains to promote cell targeting, and cell
      penetrating peptides (CPPs) to allow cell entry. Herein we demonstrate that GET
      can be used in a three dimensional (3D) hydrogel matrix to produce gradients of
      intracellular transduction of mammalian cells. Using a compartmentalised
      diffusion model with a source-gel-sink (So-G-Si) assembly, we created gradients
      of reporter proteins (mRFP1-tagged) and a transcription factor (TF, myogenic
      master regulator MyoD) and showed that GET can be used to deliver molecules into
      cells spatio-temporally by monitoring intracellular transduction and gene
      expression programming as a function of location and time. The ability to spatio
      temporally control the intracellular delivery of functional proteins will allow
      the establishment of gradients of cell programming in hydrogels and approaches to
      direct cellular behaviour for many regenerative medicine applications. STATEMENT
      OF SIGNIFICANCE: Regenerative medicine aims to reform functional biological
      tissues by controlling cell behaviour. Growth factors (GFs) are soluble cues
      presented to cells in spatio-temporal gradients and play important roles
      programming cell fate and gene expression. The efficient transduction of cells by
      GET (Glycosaminoglycan-enhanced transducing)-tagged transcription factors (TFs)
      can be used to by-pass GF-stimulation and directly program cells. For the first
      time we demonstrate diffusion of GET proteins generate stable protein
      transduction gradients. We demonstrated the feasibility of creating spatio
      temporal gradients of GET-MyoD and show differential programing of myogenic
      differentiation. We believe that GET could provide a powerful tool to program
      cell behaviour using gradients of recombinant proteins that allow tissue
      generation directly by programming gene expression with TFs.

PMID- 27265152
TI  - Rapidly separating microneedles for transdermal drug delivery.
AB  - The applications of polymer microneedles (MNs) into human skin emerged as an
      alternative of the conventional hypodermic needles. However, dissolving MNs
      require many minutes to be dissolved in the skin and typically have difficulty
      being fully inserted into the skin, which may lead to the low drug delivery
      efficiency. To address these issues, we introduce rapidly separating MNs that can
      rapidly deliver drugs into the skin in a minimally invasive way. For the rapidly
      separating MNs, drug loaded dissolving MNs are mounted on the top of solid MNs,
      which are made of biodegradable polylactic acid which eliminate the biohazardous
      waste. These MNs have sufficient mechanical strength to be inserted into the skin
      with the drug loaded tips fully embedded for subsequent dissolution. Compared
      with the traditional MNs, rapidly separating MNs achieve over 90% of drug
      delivery efficiency in 30s while the traditional MNs needs 2min to achieve the
      same efficiency. With the in vivo test in mice, the micro-holes caused by rapidly
      separating MNs can heal in 1h, indicating that the rapidly separating MNs are
      safe for future applications. These results indicate that the design of rapidly
      separating dissolvable MNs can offer a quick, high efficient, convenient, safe
      and potentially self-administered method of drug delivery. STATEMENT OF
      SIGNIFICANCE: Polymer microneedles offer an attractive, painless and minimally
      invasive approach for transdermal drug delivery. However, dissolving microneedles
      require many minutes to be dissolved in the skin and typically have difficulty
      being fully inserted into the skin due to the skin deformation, which may lead to
      the low drug delivery efficiency. In this work we proposed rapidly separating
      microneedles which can deliver over 90% of drug into the skin in 30s. The in
      vitro and in vivo results indicate that the new design of these microneedles can
      offer a quick, high efficient, convenient and safe method for transdermal drug
      delivery.

PMID- 27265153
TI  - Nanoparticles in practice for molecular-imaging applications: An overview.
AB  - Nanoparticles (NPs) are playing a progressively more significant role in
      multimodal and multifunctional molecular imaging. The agents like
      Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO), manganese oxide (MnO), gold NPs/nanorods and
      quantum dots (QDs) possess specific properties like paramagnetism,
      superparamagnetism, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and photoluminescence
      respectively. These specific properties make them able for single/multi-modal and
      single/multi-functional molecular imaging. NPs generally have nanomolar or
      micromolar sensitivity range and can be detected via imaging instrumentation. The
      distinctive characteristics of these NPs make them suitable for imaging, therapy
      and delivery of drugs. Multifunctional nanoparticles (MNPs) can be produced
      through either modification of shell or surface or by attaching an affinity
      ligand to the nanoparticles. They are utilized for targeted imaging by magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT),
      positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), photo acoustic
      imaging (PAI), two photon or fluorescent imaging and ultra sound etc. Toxicity
      factor of NPs is also a very important concern and toxic effect should be
      eliminated. First generation NPs have been designed, developed and tested in
      living subjects and few of them are already in clinical use. In near future,
      molecular imaging will get advanced with multimodality and multifunctionality to
      detect diseases like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiac diseases,
      inflammation, stroke, atherosclerosis and many others in their early stages. In
      the current review, we discussed single/multifunctional nanoparticles along with
      molecular imaging modalities. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The present article
      intends to reveal recent avenues for nanomaterials in multimodal and
      multifunctional molecular imaging through a review of pertinent literatures. The
      topic emphasises on the distinctive characteristics of nanomaterial which makes
      them, suitable for biomedical imaging, therapy and delivery of drugs. This review
      is more informative of indicative technologies which will be helpful in a way to
      plan, understand and lead the nanotechnology related work.

PMID- 27265154
TI  - Knowledge of obstetric danger signs and associated factors among pregnant women
      in Erer district, Somali region, Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knowledge of danger signs of obstetric complications is first step in
      the appropriate and timely referral to essential obstetric care. Although women's
      knowledge about the obstetric danger signs is important for improving maternal
      and child health, little is known about the current knowledge and influencing
      factors in pastoral community of Ethiopia. This study, therefore, aims to fill
      this gap by assessing the current level of knowledge and associated factors of
      pregnant women living in Erer district of Somali region, Ethiopia. METHODS: A
      community based, cross-sectional study was conducted from April 7 to 21, 2014.
      The study involved 666 pregnant women residing in the district. Two-stage
      sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. Data about women's
      socio-demographic information, reproductive history, knowledge of the danger
      signs, exposure to media and interventions were collected by interviewer
      administered questionnaires. A respondent who spontaneously mentioned at least
      two of the danger signs during each of the three periods was considered
      knowledgeable; otherwise not. Descriptive, bivariate, then multivariable logistic
      regression were done. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty two pregnant women were
      interviewed with a response rate of 94.9 %. Only 98 (15.5 %) respondents were
      knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs. Urban residence [AOR = 2.43; 95 % CI
      (1.40, 4.21)], women who had been pregnant five or more times [AOR = 6.65; 95 %
      CI (2.48, 17.89)] and antenatal care utilization [AOR = 5.44; 95 % CI (3.26,
      9.09)] were associated with being knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs
      during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion
      of pregnant women in Erer district do not have knowledge of obstetric danger
      signs. The implication is that lack of recognition may lead to delay in seeking
      care. Area of residence, gravidity and antenatal care service utilization are
      independently associated with the knowledge of women on obstetric danger signs in
      Erer district, a pastoralist community. Thus, intervention programs aiming to
      improve women's knowledge about obstetric danger signs and symptoms should
      consider the factors independently associated.

PMID- 27265155
TI  - Bilateral sensory deprivation of trigeminal afferent fibres on corticomotor
      control of human tongue musculature: a preliminary study.
AB  - Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has demonstrated changes in motor evoked
      potentials (MEPs) in human limb muscles following modulation of sensory afferent
      inputs. The aim of this study was to determine whether bilateral local
      anaesthesia (LA) of the lingual nerve affects the excitability of the tongue
      motor cortex (MI) as measured by TMS. The effect on MEPs after bilateral LA of
      the lingual nerve was studied, while the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle
      served as a control in ten healthy participants. MEPs were measured on the right
      side of the tongue dorsum in four different conditions: (i) immediately prior to
      anaesthesia (baseline), (ii) during bilateral LA block of the lingual nerve,
      (iii) after anaesthesia had subjectively subsided (recovery) and (iv) 3 h after
      bilateral lingual block injection. MEPs were assessed using stimulus-response
      curves in steps of 10% of motor threshold (T). Eight stimuli were given at each
      stimulus level. The amplitudes of the tongue MEPs were significantly influenced
      by the stimulus intensity (P < 0.001) but not by condition (P = 0.186). However,
      post hoc tests showed that MEPS were statistically significantly higher during
      bilateral LA block condition compared with baseline at T + 40%, T + 50% and T +
      60% (P < 0.028) and also compared with recovery at T + 60% (P = 0.010) as well as
      at 3 h after injection at T + 50% and T + 60% (P < 0.029). Bilateral LA block of
      the lingual nerve seems to be associated with a facilitation of the corticomotor
      pathways related to the tongue musculature. 

PMID- 27265156
TI  - Corrigendum: Analysing black phosphorus transistors using an analytic Schottky
      barrier MOSFET model.

PMID- 27265157
TI  - Cutting-edge capillary electrophoresis characterization of monoclonal antibodies
      and related products.
AB  - Out of all categories, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), biosimilar, antibody-drug
      conjugates (ADCs) and Fc-fusion proteins attract the most interest due to their
      strong therapeutic potency and specificity. Because of their intrinsic complexity
      due to a large number of micro-heterogeneities, there is a crucial need of
      analytical methods to provide comprehensive in-depth characterization of these
      molecules. CE presents some obvious benefits as high resolution separation and
      miniaturized format to be widely applied to the analysis of biopharmaceuticals.
      CE is an effective method for the separation of proteins at different levels.
      capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE), capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) and
      capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) have been particularly relevant for the
      characterization of size and charge variants of intact and reduced mAbs, while CE
      MS appears to be a promising analytical tool to assess the primary structure of
      mAbs and related products. This review will be dedicated to detail the current
      and state-of-the-art CE-based methods for the characterization of mAbs and
      related products. 

PMID- 27265158
TI  - A hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for
      amino acid profiling in mussels.
AB  - A UHPLC-HILIC-tandem MS method has been developed and validated for the
      quantification of 21 amino acids (20 protein amino acids and cystine) in their
      free form (FAA) and as protein constituents (total amino acids, TAA) in a rich
      protein food matrix such as lyophilized mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)
      samples. FAA were analyzed after suspending the samples in the presence of
      trichloroacetic acid in order to prevent dissolving the proteins, while TAA were
      determined after acid hydrolysis with 6M HCl in the presence of 4% v/v
      thioglycolic acid as a reducing agent. In hydrolysed samples 17 amino acids could
      be determined since tryptophan, cysteine, cystine and asparagine were degraded
      during acid hydrolysis. Linear regression coefficients (R2) were above 0.99 for
      all amino acids. Accuracy and precision, expressed as recovery (%) and relative
      standard deviation (RSD, %) were in acceptable levels, ranging from 78.2 to
      123.3% and below 15%, respectively for both FAA and TAA. Uncertainty was also
      below 12% for FAA and below 22% for TAA. Sensitivity of the method was high with
      LOD values ranging from 0.003 to 0.034g/100g for FAA and 0.001 to 0.004g/100g for
      TAA, while LOQ ranged from 0.009 to 0.104g/100g for FAA and 0.002 to 0.011g/100g
      for TAA. The method proved to be a fast and reliable tool for acquiring
      information on free and total amino acids profile in high protein content
      foodstuffs such as mussels.

PMID- 27265159
TI  - Accuracy of Self-report as a Method of Screening for Lifetime Occurrence of
      Traumatic Brain Injury Events that Resulted in Hospitalization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs frequently during child and early
      adulthood, and is associated with negative outcomes including increased risk of
      drug abuse, mental health disorders and criminal offending. Identification of
      previous TBI for at-risk populations in clinical settings often relies on self
      report, despite little information regarding self-report accuracy. This study
      examines the accuracy of adult self-report of hospitalized TBI events and the
      factors that enhance recall. METHODS: The Christchurch Health and Development
      Study is a birth cohort of 1265 children born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in
      1977. A history of TBI events was prospectively gathered at each follow-up
      (yearly intervals 0-16, 18, 21, 25 years) using parental/self-report, verified
      using hospital records. RESULTS: At 25 years, 1003 cohort members were available,
      with 59/101 of all hospitalized TBI events being recalled. Recall varied
      depending on the age at injury and injury severity, with 10/11 of moderate/severe
      TBI being recalled. Logistic regression analysis indicated that a model using
      recorded loss of consciousness, age at injury, and injury severity, could
      accurately classify whether or not TBI would be reported in over 74% of cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrates that, even when individuals are carefully
      cued, many instances of TBI will not recalled in adulthood despite the injury
      having required a period of hospitalization. Therefore, screening for TBI may
      require a combination of self-report and review of hospital files to ensure that
      all cases are identified. (JINS, 2016, 22, 717-723).

PMID- 27265160
TI  - Serum Leptin as a Nutritional Biomarker in Children with Cerebral Palsy.
AB  - Adequate nutrition is crucial for children with cerebral palsy (CCP). However,
      conventional nutritional assessments may be inadequate for defining
      undernourished CCP. Leptin, an adipocyte hormone controlling energy expenditure,
      could be a useful marker. Objectives of this cross-sectional analytic study were
      to explore correlations between serum leptin level and nutritional status,
      anthropometric measurements, and biochemical parameters in 86 CCP (aged 9 +/- 2
      years). Subscapular (SST) and triceps (TST) skinfold thicknesses, weight, and
      calculated height were obtained. Body mass index and weight-for-height (WH) Z
      scores were calculated. Complete blood count and serum levels of leptin and
      albumin were collected. CCP were classified as undernourished if their WHZ was < 
      2 according to the World Health Organization criteria. Correlations between
      anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, and serum leptin levels were
      evaluated. From 86 CCP, 11 (12%) children were undernourished, and SST,
      hemoglobin, and hematocrit were significantly lower. Serum leptin levels of
      nourished and undernourished CCP were 5.4 +/- 6.2 and 2.9 +/- 1.6 ng/mL (p <
      0.001), while the reported value from normal children was 4.9 ng/mL. Serum leptin
      levels demonstrated a significant correlation with SST and TST (r = 0.83 and
      0.72; p < 0.001). Serum leptin was the only marker significantly correlated with
      WHZ (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) while adjusting for covariates. A serum leptin level of
      2.2 ng/mL was the optimal cutoff point for defining adequate nutritional status
      (WHZ >= -2). The measurement of serum leptin should be included in a care scheme
      of CCP especially during surgical evaluation. 

PMID- 27265161
TI  - Fetal Bone Formation Is Decreased from Middle Pregnancy to Birth.
AB  - Fetal bone development is a complex process that is regulated and maintained by
      minerals, hormones, and growth factors delivered from the mother via the
      placenta. Various biochemical markers of fetal bone development have been
      identified. However, many aspects of this process remain unclear. The aim of the
      study was to measure the activities of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase
      type 5b (TRACP 5b) as a bone resorption marker and bone alkaline phosphatase
      (BAP) as a bone formation marker in preterm and term neonates, and to investigate
      fetal bone development in middle and late pregnancy. The study included 111
      neonates (87 preterm and 24 term) born at Dokkyo Medical University Hospital.
      Neonates with illnesses and maternal diseases were excluded. Serum samples were
      collected within 3 hours after birth and stored at -80 degrees C. Univariate and
      multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. The 111 neonates (median
      birth weight, 1,510 g) were born at a median of 31.3 weeks of gestation, and had
      TRACP 5b and BAP activities of 10.9 +/- 4.0 U/L and 127.5 +/- 49.2 U/L,
      respectively. TRACP 5b activity showed a tendency to be higher in term neonates,
      while BAP activity tended to be lower in term neonates. Importantly, TRACP 5b
      activity was positively correlated with gestational age and birth weight, and BAP
      activity was negatively correlated with gestational age, rate of born small-for
      gestational-age neonates, and birth weight. These results suggest that bone
      formation during fetal growth is gradually decreased from middle pregnancy to
      birth, whereas bone resorption is gradually increased. 

PMID- 27265162
TI  - Effect of dietary estrogens from bovine milk on blood hormone levels and
      reproductive organs in mice.
AB  - Cows are often milked until 60 d before their next expected calving. Milk from
      cows in the third trimester of pregnancy contains up to 20 times more estrogens
      than milk from nonpregnant cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether
      exposure to known doses of estrogens from bovine milk could affect blood hormone
      levels in mice and influence their reproductive organs. This study was performed
      with 30 intact male and 30 ovariectomized female mice. Mice of each sex were
      randomly divided into 3 experimental groups, each with 6 animals of each sex, and
      a control group with 12 animals of each sex. The first experimental group
      received 4mL of milk each day from a pregnant cow with natural estrone (E1) and
      17beta-estradiol (E2) in concentrations 0.093 and 0.065ng/mL, respectively. The
      second experimental group received 4mL of the same milk each day, with an added
      10ng/mL of both E1 and E2. The third experimental group received 4mL of the same
      milk each day, with an added 100ng/mL of both E1 and E2. The control group
      received no milk. After 8 d of treatment, mice were euthanized, blood was
      collected, and the uteruses, testes, and seminal vesicles were weighed. The
      results of our study demonstrated that consumption of native milk from a pregnant
      cow did not affect plasma E1 and E2 levels in either sex; uterine weight in
      females; or testosterone levels and testes and seminal vesicle weights in males.
      Similarly, we found no changes in the group that received the milk with an added
      10ng/mL of E1 and E2. We did observe elevated plasma estrogens in both sexes,
      increased uterus weight in females, and decreased plasma testosterone levels in
      males from the group that received milk with an added 100ng/mL of E1 and E2.
      However, concentrations in the third group exceeded the physiological
      concentration of milk estrogens by 1,000 times, so it would be extremely unlikely
      to find such concentrations in native cow milk. 

PMID- 27265163
TI  - Bacterial counts on teat skin and in new sand, recycled sand, and recycled manure
      solids used as bedding in freestalls.
AB  - On modern dairy farms, environmental mastitis pathogens are usually the
      predominant cause of mastitis, and bedding often serves as a point of exposure to
      these organisms. The objective of this longitudinal study was to determine
      bacterial populations of 4 different bedding types [deep-bedded new sand (NES),
      deep-bedded recycled sand (RS), deep-bedded manure solids (DBMS), and shallow
      bedded manure solids over foam core mattresses (SBMS)] and of teat skin swabs of
      primarily primiparous cows housed in a single facility over all 4 seasons.
      Samples of bedding were collected weekly (n=49wk) from pens that each contained
      32 lactating dairy cows. Throughout the length of the same period, composite
      swabs of teat skin were collected weekly from all cows before and after
      premilking teat sanitation. Median numbers of streptococci and streptococci-like
      organisms (SSLO) were >8.6*10(6) cfu/g and >6.9*10(3) cfu/teat swab for all
      bedding types and teat swabs, respectively. Numbers of SSLO were greatest in
      samples of SBMS (2.1*10(8) cfu/g) and least in samples of NES (8.6*10(6) cfu/g),
      RS (1.3*10(7) cfu/g), and DBMS (1.7*10(7) cfu/g). Numbers of gram-negative
      bacteria in bedding (5.5*10(4) to 1.2*10(7) cfu/g) were fewer than numbers of
      SSLO (8.6*10(6) to 2.1*10(8) cfu/g). Numbers of coliform bacteria were greatest
      in samples of DBMS (2.2*10(6) cfu/g) and least in samples of NES (3.6*10(3)
      cfu/g). In general, the relative number of bacteria on teat skin corresponded to
      exposure in bedding. Numbers of gram-negative bacteria recovered from
      prepreparation teat swabs were greatest for cows bedded with DBMS (1.0*10(4)
      cfu/swab) and RS (2.5*10(3) cfu/swab) and least for cows bedded with NES
      (5.8*10(2) cfu/swab). Median numbers of coliform and Klebsiella spp. recovered
      from prepreparation teat swabs were below the limit of detection for all cows
      except those bedded with DBMS. Numbers of SSLO recovered from prepreparation teat
      swabs were least for cows bedded with DBMS (6.9*10(3) cfu/swab) and greatest for
      cows bedded with RS (5.1*10(4) cfu/swab) or SBMS (1.6*10(5) cfu/swab). The
      numbers of all types of measured bacteria (total gram-negative, coliforms,
      Klebsiella spp., SSLO) on postpreparation teat swabs were reduced by up to 2.6
      logs from numbers of bacteria on prepreparation swabs, verifying effective
      preparation procedures. Significant correlations between bacterial counts of
      bedding samples and teat skin swabs were observed for several types of bacteria.
      As compared with other bedding types, the least amount of gram-negative bacteria
      were recovered from NES and may indicate that cows on NES have a reduced risk of
      exposure to pathogens that are typically a cause of clinical mastitis. In
      contrast, exposure to large numbers of SSLO was consistent across all bedding
      types and may indicate that risk of subclinical mastitis typically associated
      with streptococci is not as influenced by bedding type; however, significantly
      greater numbers of SSLO were found in SBMS than in other bedding types. These
      findings indicate that use of different bedding types results in exposure to
      different distributions of mastitis pathogens that may alter the proportion of
      etiologies of clinical mastitis, although the incidence rate of clinical mastitis
      did not differ among bedding types. 

PMID- 27265164
TI  - Variation in feeding behavior and milk production among dairy cows when
      supplemented with 2 amounts of mixed ration in combination with 2 amounts of
      pasture.
AB  - Variation in feeding behavior and milk production of grazing dairy cows fed a
      mixed ration was measured. Experiments were conducted in spring (early lactation)
      and autumn (late lactation) with 48 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Pasture
      allowance (low vs. high) and amounts of supplement (low vs. high) were applied to
      determine the effect on variation among cows in feeding behavior and milk
      production. The experiments investigated 4 dietary treatments in a 2*2 factorial
      arrangement of treatments. Daily pasture allowances were 15kg of DM/cow per day
      (low) and 37kg of DM/cow per day (high; to ground level); and 12kg of DM/cow per
      day (low) and 31kg of DM/cow per day (high; to ground level), for the spring and
      autumn experiments, respectively. Supplements were offered at 6kg of DM/cow per
      day (low) and 14kg of DM/cow per day (high); and 6kg of DM/cow per day (low) and
      12kg of DM/cow per day (high), for the spring and autumn experiments,
      respectively. There were 2groups of 6 cows per treatment. All treatments received
      a partial mixed ration, defined as a total mixed ration fed between periods of
      grazing that contained wheat grain, corn grain, alfalfa hay, and canola meal. The
      grain-to-forage ratio of the supplements was 78:22 (DM basis) in both spring and
      autumn. In both experiments, the pre-experimental period was 14d followed by a 10
      d experimental period. The variation among cows within a group in feeding
      behavior was influenced by the amount of supplement but not the amount of pasture
      offered. The variation among cows in pasture eating time approximately doubled
      when the amount of supplement offered increased, indicating that to reduce the
      variability among cows, supplement feeding management strategies need to be
      considered. Increasing pasture allowance had no effect on pasture eating time
      although pasture intake increased as a result of increased grazing intensity
      compared with the low pasture allowance. However, increasing the amount of
      supplement in the partial mixed ration feeding system reduced pasture eating time
      by 51min/cow per day. 

PMID- 27265165
TI  - Changes in fermentation and biohydrogenation intermediates in continuous cultures
      fed low and high levels of fat with increasing rates of starch degradability.
AB  - Excessive levels of starch in diets for lactating dairy cattle is a known risk
      factor for milk fat depression, but little is known about how this risk is
      affected by differences in rates of starch degradability (Kd) in the rumen. The
      objective of this study was to compare accumulation of biohydrogenation
      intermediates causing milk fat depression, including conjugated linoleic acid
      (CLA), when corn with low or high Kd were fed to continuous cultures. Diets
      contained (dry matter basis) 50% forage (alfalfa pellets and grass hay) and 50%
      concentrate, with either no added fat (LF) or 3.3% added soybean oil (HF). Within
      both the LF and HF diets, 3 starch degradability treatments were obtained by
      varying the ratio of processed (heat and pressure treatments) and unprocessed
      corn sources, giving a total of 6 dietary treatments. Each diet was fed to dual
      flow continuous fermenters 3 times a day at 0800, 1600, and 2400h. Diets were fed
      for four 10-d periods, with 7d for adaptation and 3d for sample collection.
      Orthogonal contrasts were used in the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS to test the
      effects of fat, starch degradability, and their interaction. Acetate and
      acetate:propionate were lower for HF than for LF but daily production of trans-10
      18:1 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA were higher for HF than for LF. Increasing starch Kd
      from low to high increased culture pH, acetate, and valerate but decreased
      butyrate and isobutyrate. Changes in biohydrogenation intermediates (expressed as
      % of total isomers) from low to high starch Kd included reductions in trans-11
      18:1 and cis-9,trans-11 CLA but increases in trans-10 18:1 and trans-10,cis-12
      CLA. The results show that increasing the starch Kd in continuous cultures while
      holding starch level constant causes elevation of biohydrogenation intermediates
      linked to milk fat depression. 

PMID- 27265166
TI  - Short communication: Survival of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in
      tissues of cows following low-dose exposure to electron beam irradiation.
AB  - This investigation was designed to determine the effects of low-dose electron
      beam irradiation on the survival of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in
      tissue samples collected at necropsy from clinically affected cows. Mycobacterium
      avium ssp. paratuberculosis was isolated from the ileum and ileocecal valve of
      one cow and from the ileum of another cow irradiated at 4.0 kGy, but was not
      isolated from the ileum, ileocecal valve, or mesenteric lymph node of 11 other
      cows irradiated at 4 kGy. 

PMID- 27265167
TI  - Short communication: ELISA system for screening of bovine mastitis caused by
      Prototheca zopfii.
AB  - Prototheca zopfii is an achlorophyllic alga that causes bovine mastitis,
      resulting in a reduction in milk production and the secretion of thin, watery
      milk with white flakes. This study evaluated the use of an ELISA system for
      distinguishing cows with mastitis due to P. zopfii genotype 2 from healthy cows
      and cows with chronic candidal mastitis. We also investigated the transitional
      changes of specific antibody titers in healthy cows injected with inactivated P.
      zopfii genotype 2 cells. The ELISA system exhibited the highest sensitivity (94%)
      and specificity (100%) for chronic protothecal mastitis when the positive cutoff
      value was set at 43.4 ELISA units. Anti-protothecal IgG titers were positive in
      all cows after they were inoculated with inactivated P. zopfii genotype 2 cells.
      These results indicated that ELISA detection of anti-protothecal IgG in serum
      provided specificity and sensitivity sufficient for diagnosing protothecal
      mastitis. Thus, an ELISA system incorporating this specific antiserum is expected
      to be valuable for definitive field-based diagnosis of bovine mastitis due to P.
      zopfii genotype 2. 

PMID- 27265168
TI  - Short communication: Effect of maternal heat stress in late gestation on blood
      hormones and metabolites of newborn calves.
AB  - Maternal heat stress alters immune function of the offspring, as well as
      metabolism and future lactational performance, but its effect on the hormonal and
      metabolic responses of the neonate immediately after birth is still not clear.
      The objective of this study was to investigate the blood profiles of hormones and
      metabolites of calves born to cows that were cooled (CL) or heat-stressed (HS)
      during the dry period. Within 2 h after birth, but before colostrum feeding,
      blood samples were collected from calves [18 bulls (HS: n=10; CL: n=8) and 20
      heifers (HS: n=10; CL: n=10)] born to CL or HS dry cows, and hematocrit and
      plasma concentrations of total protein, prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-I,
      insulin, glucose, nonesterified fatty acid, and beta-hydroxybutyrate were
      measured. Compared with CL, HS calves had lower hematocrit and tended to have
      lower plasma concentrations of insulin, prolactin, and insulin-like growth factor
      I. However, maternal heat stress had no effect on plasma levels of total protein,
      glucose, fatty acid, and beta-hydroxybutyrate immediately after birth. These
      results suggest that maternal heat stress desensitizes a calf's stress response
      and alters the fetal development by reducing the secretion of insulin-like growth
      factor-I, prolactin, and insulin. 

PMID- 27265169
TI  - Optimization of protein fractionation by skim milk microfiltration: Choice of
      ceramic membrane pore size and filtration temperature.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate how ceramic membrane pore size and
      filtration temperature influence the protein fractionation of skim milk by cross
      flow microfiltration (MF). Microfiltration was performed at a uniform
      transmembrane pressure with constant permeate flux to a volume concentration
      factor of 2.5. Three different membrane pore sizes, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20um, were
      used at a filtration temperature of 50 degrees C. Furthermore, at pore size
      0.10um, 2 different filtration temperatures were investigated: 50 and 60 degrees
      C. The transmission of proteins increased with increasing pore size, giving the
      permeate from MF with the 0.20-um membrane a significantly higher concentration
      of native whey proteins compared with the permeates from the 0.05- and 0.10-um
      membranes (0.50, 0.24, and 0.39%, respectively). Significant amounts of caseins
      permeated the 0.20-um membrane (1.4%), giving a permeate with a whitish
      appearance and a casein distribution (alphaS2-CN: alphaS1-CN: kappa-CN: beta-CN)
      similar to that of skim milk. The 0.05- and 0.10-um membranes were able to retain
      all caseins (only negligible amounts were detected). A permeate free from casein
      is beneficial in the production of native whey protein concentrates and in
      applications where transparency is an important functional characteristic.
      Microfiltration of skim milk at 50 degrees C with the 0.10-um membrane resulted
      in a permeate containing significantly more native whey proteins than the
      permeate from MF at 60 degrees C. The more rapid increase in transmembrane
      pressure and the significantly lower concentration of caseins in the retentate at
      60 degrees C indicated that a higher concentration of caseins deposited on the
      membrane, and consequently reduced the native whey protein transmission. Optimal
      protein fractionation of skim milk into a casein-rich retentate and a permeate
      with native whey proteins were obtained by 0.10-um MF at 50 degrees C. 

PMID- 27265170
TI  - Influences of season, parity, lactation, udder area, milk yield, and clinical
      symptoms on intramammary infection in dairy cows.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the influences of season, parity,
      lactation, udder area, milk yield, and clinical symptoms on bacterial
      intramammary infection (IMI) in dairy cows. A total of 2,106 mastitis pathogens
      in 12 species were isolated from 125 dairy farms distributed in 30 different
      cities in China, and the information about these factors was recorded at the same
      time. Mastitis pathogens were isolated from 63.43% of the milk samples, whereas
      Streptococcus agalactiae accounted for 38.61% of all pathogens, followed by Str.
      dysgalactiae (28.16%), Staphylococcus aureus (19.10%), Escherichia coli (6.90%),
      and other pathogens (7.23%). According to our investigation, IMI was more common
      in spring with the isolation rate of pathogens at 81.04%, and lowest in winter
      (52.34%). Cows were more likely to be infected by environmental pathogens (E.
      coli or Str. uberis) in summer, in rear quarters and in cows with higher daily
      milk yield or lower somatic cell count. In addition, Str. dysgalactiae exhibited
      a higher prevalence with increased parity. Different clinical symptoms of
      quarters with bacterial IMI were seen in this study, and mastitis pathogens were
      isolated from healthy quarters. 

PMID- 27265171
TI  - Acid-responsive properties of fibrils from heat-induced whey protein concentrate.
AB  - The heat-induced fibrils of whey protein concentrate (WPC) have demonstrated an
      acid-responsive property; that is, the fibrils went through formation
      depolymerization-reformation as pH was adjusted to 1.8, 6.5, and back to 1.8. We
      investigated the microstructure, driving force, and thermal stability of 3.0%
      (wt) WPC nanofibrils adjusted between pH 6.5 and 1.8 twice. The results showed
      that the nanofibrils had acid-responsive properties and good thermal stability
      after reheating for 10h at 90 degrees C and adjusting pH from 1.8 to 6.5 to 1.8.
      The content of WPC fibril aggregates was not much different with the prolongation
      of heating times during pH variation. Although the nanofibrils' structure could
      be destroyed only by changing the pH, the essence of this destruction might only
      form fiber fragments, polymers that would restore a fibrous structure upon
      returning to pH 1.8. A described model for the acid-responsive assembly of
      fibrils of WPC was proposed. The fibrils went through formation-depolymerization
      reformation by weaker noncovalent interactions (surface hydrophobicity) as pH
      changed from 1.8 to 6.5 back to 1.8. However, the fibrils lost the acid
      responsive properties because much more S-S (disulfide) formation occurred when
      the solution was adjusted to pH 6.5 and reheated. Meanwhile, fibrils still
      possessed acid-responsive properties when reheated at pH 1.8, and the content of
      fibrils slightly increased with a further reduction of alpha-helix structure. 

PMID- 27265172
TI  - Effects of 3 sequestering agents on milk aflatoxin M1 concentration and the
      performance and immune status of dairy cows fed diets artificially contaminated
      with aflatoxin B1.
AB  - This study examined whether adding 3 mycotoxin-sequestering agents to diets
      contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) would reduce milk aflatoxin M1 (AFM1)
      concentration, and improve the performance and alter immune status of dairy cows.
      Fifteen lactating dairy cows were used in an experiment with an incomplete
      crossover design including four 28-d periods. Treatments included a control diet
      (C), a toxin diet (T; 1,725ug of AFB1/head per day; 75ug/kg), and diets
      containing the toxin and 20g/head per day of a proprietary mixture of
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product containing a low (SEQ1) or high
      (SEQ2) dose of a chlorophyll-based additive, or a low dose of the chlorophyll
      based additive and sodium bentonite clay (SEQ3). Sequestering agents were top
      dressed on the total mixed ration (TMR) daily in each period, and AFB1 was dosed
      orally in gelatin capsules before the TMR was fed on d 21 to 25. Milk was sampled
      twice daily on d 20 to 28 and plasma was sampled on d 20 and 25. Sequestering
      agents did not affect milk AFM1 concentration during the toxin-dosing period.
      However, after AFB1 was withdrawn, the sequestering agents reduced the time
      required (24 vs. 48h) to reduce the milk AFM1 concentration below the Food and
      Drug Administration action level of 0.5ug/kg. Feeding T instead of C tended to
      reduce milk and fat-corrected milk yields, but feeding SEQ1 prevented these
      effects. Red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration were reduced by
      feeding T instead of C, but not by feeding SEQ1, SEQ2, or SEQ3. The mean
      fluorescence intensity of antibody staining for 2 leukocyte adhesion molecules, L
      selectin (CD62L) and beta-integrin (CD18), tended to be greatest when SEQ1 and
      SEQ3 were fed. Plasma acid-soluble protein concentration was decreased by feeding
      SEQ1, SEQ2, and SEQ3 instead of T. Sequestering agents had no effect on milk AFM1
      concentration, but they reduced the time required to reduce milk AFM1
      concentration to a safe level after withdrawal of AFB1 from the diet. Only SEQ1
      prevented the adverse effects of AFB1 on milk and fat-corrected milk yields. 

PMID- 27265173
TI  - Inhibitory effect of liposome-entrapped lemongrass oil on the growth of Listeria
      monocytogenes in cheese.
AB  - Listeria monocytogenes infection in dairy products is of mounting public concern.
      To inhibit bacterial growth, we engineered stimuli-responsive liposomes
      containing lemongrass oil for this study. The controlled release of liposome
      entrapped lemongrass oil is triggered by listerolysin O, secreted by L.
      monocytogenes. We investigated the antibiotic activities of lemongrass oil
      liposomes against L. monocytogenes in cheese. We also assessed their possible
      effects on the quality of the cheese. Liposomes containing lemongrass oil
      (5.0mg/mL) presented the optimal polydispersity index (0.246), zeta-potential (
      58.9mV) and entrapment efficiency (25.7%). The liposomes displayed satisfactory
      antibiotic activity against L. monocytogenes in cheese over the storage period at
      4 degrees C. We observed no effects on the physical and sensory properties of the
      cheese after the liposome treatment. 

PMID- 27265174
TI  - Randomized clinical trial of a calcium supplement for improvement of health in
      dairy cows in early lactation.
AB  - Prophylactic Ca supplementation immediately after calving is a common strategy to
      prevent clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia in parturient dairy cows. The
      objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration
      of an injected Ca supplement on blood Ca concentration at 24 and 48h after
      treatment, incidence risk of clinical disease and culling, milk production in
      early lactation, and probability of pregnancy at first insemination. Cows without
      signs of visible milk fever (n=984) from 7 farms were blocked by parity and
      randomly assigned to receive either Ca gluconate (35% wt/vol) in combination with
      Ca glucoheptonate (10% wt/vol; TheraCalcium, Vetoquinol Canada Inc., Lavaltrie,
      Quebec) or a placebo (medication vehicle solution with no Ca) at first contact
      with each cow after calving and again 12 to 24h later. Each dose was 120mL
      injected subcutaneously over 2 sites. Total serum Ca concentration (tCa) was
      measured from coccygeal blood samples before (time 0) and 24 and 48h after first
      treatment in a subsample of cows (n=129). Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate
      concentrations were measured from all cows twice between 3 and 16d in milk at
      weekly visits and cows were evaluated for vaginal discharge once between 28 and
      42d in milk. Disease events, production data from the first 3 Dairy Herd
      Improvement milk tests, reproduction, and culling data were collected from each
      herd. For cows that had received 1 injection of Ca before the blood sample at 24h
      (n=95), tCa was significantly higher in the treated cows: mean +/- standard
      error, 2.03+/-0.03 versus 1.90+/-0.03mmol/L, accounting for tCa at time of
      enrollment and a treatment by tCa at enrollment interaction. At 48h, no
      significant difference was found in tCa between treatment and control (mean +/-
      SE, 2.12+/-0.02 and 2.10+/-0.03mmol/L, respectively). Cows treated with the Ca
      product were significantly less likely to have received intravenous,
      subcutaneous, or oral supplemental Ca for exhibiting clinical signs of
      hypocalcemia than control cows (5.0 vs. 8.4%). No effect was found of treatment
      on retained placenta, metritis, hyperketonemia, prevalence of purulent vaginal
      discharge, culling from the herd, early lactation production, probability of
      pregnancy to first artificial insemination, or time to pregnancy. With this
      subcutaneous prophylactic Ca treatment regimen, blood Ca levels were temporarily
      increased at 24h after treatment, but no effect was observed of supplemental Ca
      on the risk of disease or culling, milk production, or reproductive performance. 

PMID- 27265175
TI  - Rapid quantification of casein in skim milk using Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy, enzymatic perturbation, and multiway partial least squares
      regression: Monitoring chymosin at work.
AB  - In this study, we introduce enzymatic perturbation combined with Fourier
      transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as a concept for quantifying casein in
      subcritical heated skim milk using chemometric multiway analysis. Chymosin is a
      protease that cleaves specifically caseins. As a result of hydrolysis, all casein
      proteins clot to form a creamy precipitate, and whey proteins remain in the
      supernatant. We monitored the cheese-clotting reaction in real time using FTIR
      and analyzed the resulting evolution profiles to establish calibration models
      using parallel factor analysis and multiway partial least squares regression.
      Because we observed casein-specific kinetic changes, the retrieved models were
      independent of the chemical background matrix and were therefore robust against
      possible covariance effects. We tested the robustness of the models by spiking
      the milk solutions with whey, calcium, and cream. This method can be used at
      different stages in the dairy production chain to ensure the quality of the
      delivered milk. In particular, the cheese-making industry can benefit from such
      methods to optimize production control. 

PMID- 27265176
TI  - Effects of the conjugation of whey proteins with gellan polysaccharides on
      surfactant-induced competitive displacement from the air-water interface.
AB  - Whey proteins can be used to stabilize foams and emulsions against coalescence
      because of their ability to form viscoelastic films at the interface that resist
      film rupture on collision between colloidal particles. However, whey proteins are
      competitively displaced from the interface if small-molecule surfactants are
      added, leading to destabilization of the entire system. This is because
      surfactants are more effective in molecular packing at the interface, and they
      lower interfacial tension to a greater degree than whey proteins do, but their
      interfacial films are poor in viscoelasticity. We hypothesized that whey proteins
      would become more resistant to surfactant-induced competitive displacement if
      they were conjugated with network-forming polysaccharides. The protein moiety of
      the conjugate would be expected to enable its adsorption to the interface, and
      the polysaccharide moiety would be expected to form self-assembled networks,
      strengthening the interfacial film as a whole. In this study, whey proteins were
      conjugated with gellan polysaccharides using the Maillard reaction. Atomic force
      microscopy images of interfacial films formed by the whey protein-gellan
      conjugate at the air-water interface and transferred onto mica sheets using the
      Langmuir-Blodgett method revealed that gellan did form self-assembled networks at
      the interface and that interfacial films also contained a large number of
      unconjugated whey protein molecules. Following the addition of a small-molecule
      surfactant (Tween 20) to the sub-phase, surface pressure increased, indicating
      spontaneous adsorption of surfactants to the interface. Atomic force microscopy
      images showed decreases in interfacial area coverage by whey proteins as surface
      pressure increased. At a given surface pressure, the interfacial area coverage by
      whey protein-gellan conjugates was greater than coverage by unconjugated whey
      proteins, confirming that whey proteins became more resistant to surfactant
      induced displacement after conjugation with gellan. Furthermore, gellan molecules
      added to the sub-phase after the formation of a monolayer of whey proteins at the
      air-water interface did not adsorb to the interfacial protein film. These results
      provide a molecular basis for designing interfacial structures to enhance the
      stability of colloidal systems. 

PMID- 27265177
TI  - Evaluation of milk cathelicidin for detection of dairy sheep mastitis.
AB  - Mastitis due to intramammary infections is one of the most detrimental diseases
      in dairy sheep farming, representing a major cause of reduced milk productions
      and quality losses. In particular, subclinical mastitis presents significant
      detection and control problems, and the availability of tools enabling its
      timely, sensitive, and specific detection is therefore crucial. We have
      previously demonstrated that cathelicidins, small proteins implicated in the
      innate immune defense of the host, are specifically released in milk of mastitic
      animals by both epithelial cells and neutrophils. Here, we describe the
      development of an ELISA for milk cathelicidin and assess its value against
      somatic cell counts (SCC) and bacteriological culture for detection of ewe
      mastitis. Evaluation of the cathelicidin ELISA was carried out on 705 half-udder
      milk samples from 3 sheep flocks enrolled in a project for improvement of mammary
      health. Cathelicidin was detected in 35.3% of milk samples (249/705), and its
      amount increased with rising SCC values. The cathelicidin-negative (n=456) and
      cathelicidin-positive (n=249) sample groups showed a clear separation in relation
      to SCC, with median values of 149,500 and 3,300,000 cells/mL, respectively. Upon
      bacteriological culture, 20.6% (145/705) of the milk samples showed microbial
      growth, with coagulase-negative staphylococci being by far the most frequent
      finding. A significant proportion of all bacteriologically positive milk samples
      were positive for cathelicidin (110/145, 75.9%). Given the lack of a reliable
      gold standard for defining the true disease status, sensitivity (Se) and
      specificity (Sp) of the cathelicidin ELISA were assessed by latent class analysis
      against 2 SCC thresholds and against bacteriological culture results. At an SCC
      threshold of 500,000 cells/mL, Se and Sp were 92.3 and 92.3% for cathelicidin
      ELISA, 89.0 and 94.9% for SCC, and 39.4 and 93.6% for bacteriological culture,
      respectively. At an SCC threshold of 1,000,000 cells/mL, Se and Sp were 93.3 and
      91.9% for cathelicidin ELISA, 80.0 and 97.1% for SCC, and 39.4 and 93.5% for
      bacteriology, respectively. In view of the results obtained in this study, the
      measurement of cathelicidin in milk by ELISA can provide added Se while
      maintaining a high Sp and may therefore improve detection of subclinical
      mastitis. 

PMID- 27265178
TI  - Randomized noninferiority field trial comparing 2 first-generation cephalosporin
      products at dry off in quarters receiving an internal teat sealant in dairy cows.
AB  - The study objective was to compare 2 commercial dry cow mastitis products at the
      quarter level, with concurrent internal teat sealant application, evaluating the
      cure risk difference, odds of a cure, odds of a new intramammary infection (NIMI)
      during the dry period, and risk for a clinical mastitis (CM) case between calving
      and 60d in milk (DIM). A total of 590 cows (2,360 quarters) from 8 commercial
      dairy herds in Italy were enrolled and randomized to 1 of the 2 treatments at dry
      off: Cefovet A (CF; 250mg of cephazoline; Merial Italia SpA, Milan, Italy), and
      Cepravin (CP; 250mg of cephalonium dehydrate MSD Animal Health Srl, Segrate,
      Italy). Quarter milk samples were collected before dry cow therapy treatment at
      dry off, 2 to 9 DIM, and 10 to 17 DIM. Quarter milk samples from CM cases were
      collected during the first 60 DIM. Noninferiority analysis was used to evaluate
      the effect of treatment on the risk difference of a bacteriological cure during
      the dry period, the primary outcome. The odds of cure, developing a NIMI during
      the dry period, and the risk of a CM event within 60 DIM were evaluated with
      multivariable logistic regression and hazard analysis, respectively. The overall
      crude quarter-level prevalence of NIMI at dry off was 15.3%. The most common
      pathogen isolated from milk samples at dry-off was coagulase-negative
      staphylococci. Noninferiority analysis showed no effect of treatment on the risk
      difference for a cure between dry off and both postpartum samples, difference was
      0.013. The least squares means from the multivariable model evaluating the odds
      of cure was 94% for CF and 95%for CP. We observed no effect of treatment on the
      odds for the presence of a NIMI at 2 to 9 DIM (least squares means: CF=0.09 and
      CP=0.07), nor did we note a difference in risk of experiencing a CM event between
      calving and 60 DIM (hazard ratio=0.8). In conclusion, no difference was observed
      between the 2 products evaluated when assessing the aforementioned outcomes in
      quarters also receiving an internal teat sealant. 

PMID- 27265179
TI  - Effects of grazing cow diet on volatile compounds as well as physicochemical and
      sensory characteristics of 12-month-ripened Montasio cheese.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pasture type and cow feeding
      supplementation level on a 12-mo-ripened Montasio protected designation of origin
      (PDO) cheese, which is one of the most important PDO cheeses produced in
      northeast Italy. Cheeses were characterized for volatile compounds, color,
      mechanical variables, and sensory descriptors. Pasture type significantly
      affected most of the instrumental variables considered and, as a consequence,
      sensory properties were affected as well. Cheeses from the pasture characterized
      by a nutrient-rich vegetation type were higher in protein and lower in fat
      content. Furthermore, such cheeses, evaluated by a sensory panel, were more
      intense in color with a more pungent and less cow-like odor, in agreement with
      what found through instrumental analyses. Supplementation level resulted in less
      pronounced effects, limited to volatile compounds and texture properties, which
      were not detected by sensory analysis. The characterization of the 12-mo ripened
      Montasio cheese reported here is an important step for the valorization of this
      PDO product. 

PMID- 27265180
TI  - A sacrificial millipede altruistically protects its swarm using a drone blood
      enzyme, mandelonitrile oxidase.
AB  - Soldiers of some eusocial insects exhibit an altruistic self-destructive defense
      behavior in emergency situations when attacked by large enemies. The swarm
      forming invasive millipede, Chamberlinius hualienensis, which is not classified
      as eusocial animal, exudes irritant chemicals such as benzoyl cyanide as a
      defensive secretion. Although it has been thought that this defensive chemical
      was converted from mandelonitrile, identification of the biocatalyst has remained
      unidentified for 40 years. Here, we identify the novel blood enzyme,
      mandelonitrile oxidase (ChuaMOX), which stoichiometrically catalyzes oxygen
      consumption and synthesis of benzoyl cyanide and hydrogen peroxide from
      mandelonitrile. Interestingly the enzymatic activity is suppressed at a blood pH
      of 7, and the enzyme is segregated by membranes of defensive sacs from
      mandelonitrile which has a pH of 4.6, the optimum pH for ChuaMOX activity. In
      addition, strong body muscle contractions are necessary for de novo synthesis of
      benzoyl cyanide. We propose that, to protect its swarm, the sacrificial millipede
      also applies a self-destructive defense strategy-the endogenous rupturing of the
      defensive sacs to mix ChuaMOX and mandelonitrile at an optimum pH. Further study
      of defensive systems in primitive arthropods will pave the way to elucidate the
      evolution of altruistic defenses in the animal kingdom.

PMID- 27265182
TI  - Serum alpha-linolenic and other omega-3 fatty acids, and risk of disabling
      dementia: Community-based nested case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: It has been hypothesized that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty
      acids have anti-atherosclerotic and neuronal protective functions and may benefit
      prevention of dementia, but the epidemiological evidence, especially for alpha
      linolenic acid, is quite limited. The aim of this study was to examine whether
      serum omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with risk of dementia.
      METHODS: We performed an intracohort case-control study nested in a community
      based cohort, the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study, involving 7586 Japanese
      individuals aged 40-74 years at the baseline period of 1984-1994. Omega-3
      polyunsaturated fatty acid constituents (alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and
      docosahexaenoic acids) in serum total lipid were measured in 315 cases of
      incident disabling dementia in the above-mentioned cohort between 1999 and 2004,
      and in 630 controls whose age, sex, area, and baseline year were matched with the
      cases. RESULTS: As we had postulated, serum alpha-linolenic acid was inversely
      associated with risk of disabling dementia: the multivariate odds ratios (95%
      confidence intervals) were 0.57 (0.39-0.85), 0.51 (0.34-0.76), and 0.61 (0.41
      0.90) for persons with the second, third, and highest quartiles of serum alpha
      linolenic acid, respectively, as compared with the lowest quartile (P for trend =
      0.01). Associations of other omega-3 fatty acids with disabling dementia were not
      statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Serum alpha-linolenic acid was inversely
      associated with risk of disabling dementia. Although the causality needs to be
      confirmed by randomized control trials, we identified serum alpha-linolenic acid
      as a biomarker that predicts future dementia.

PMID- 27265181
TI  - Anabolic effects of leucine-rich whey protein, carbohydrate, and soy protein with
      and without beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) during fasting-induced
      catabolism: A human randomized crossover trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protein-rich beverages are widely used clinically to preserve muscle
      protein and improve physical performance. Beverages with high contents of leucine
      or its keto-metabolite beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) are especially
      anabolic in muscle, but it is uncertain whether this also applies to catabolic
      conditions such as fasting and whether common or separate intracellular signaling
      cascades are involved. OBJECTIVE: To compare a specific leucine-rich whey protein
      beverage (LWH) with isocaloric carbohydrate- (CHO), soy protein (SOY), and soy
      protein +3 g HMB (HMB) during fasting-induced catabolic conditions. DESIGN: Eight
      healthy lean male subjects underwent four interventions (LWH, CHO, SOY, and HMB)
      using a randomized crossover design. Each trial included a 36 h fast and
      consisted of a 3 h basal fasting period and a 4 h 'sipping' period. RESULTS:
      Forearm net balances of phenylalanine (NBphe, measure of net protein loss)
      improved for all groups (p < 0.05), but more prominently so for LWH and HMB
      compared with SOY (p < 0.05). Muscle protein phosphorylation of mammalian target
      of rapamycin (mTOR) and its downstream targets eukaryotic translation factor 4E
      binding protein 1 (4EBP1) and ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (S6) were distinctly
      increased during LWH consumption (p < 0.05). The ratio between autophagy protein
      microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain-3beta II and I (LC3II/LC3I, a
      measure of autophagy activity) was decreased during LWH and SOY intake compared
      with the fasting period (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LWH and HMB have superior
      anabolic effects on muscle protein kinetics after 36 h of fasting, and LWH
      distinctly activates the mTOR pathway. These novel findings suggest that leucine
      rich whey protein and/or HMB are specifically beneficial during fasting-induced
      catabolic conditions.

PMID- 27265183
TI  - Is mortality in Cushing's disease reversible with remission?

PMID- 27265185
TI  - Heritable Thrombophilia and Pregnancy Associated Thrombosis.

PMID- 27265184
TI  - Mortality in patients with Cushing's disease more than 10 years after remission:
      a multicentre, multinational, retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No agreement has been reached on the long-term survival prospects for
      patients with Cushing's disease. We studied life expectancy in patients who had
      received curative treatment and whose hypercortisolism remained in remission for
      more than 10 years, and identified factors determining their survival. METHODS:
      We did a multicentre, multinational, retrospective cohort study using individual
      case records from specialist referral centres in the UK, Denmark, the
      Netherlands, and New Zealand. Inclusion criteria for participants, who had all
      been in studies reported previously in peer-reviewed publications, were diagnosis
      and treatment of Cushing's disease, being cured of hypercortisolism for a minimum
      of 10 years at study entry, and continuing to be cured with no relapses until the
      database was frozen or death. We identified the number and type of treatments
      used to achieve cure, and used mortality as our primary endpoint. We compared
      mortality rates between patients with Cushing's disease and the general
      population, and expressed them as standardised mortality ratios (SMRs). We
      analysed survival data with multivariate analysis (Cox regression) with no
      corrections for multiple testing. FINDINGS: The census dates on which the data
      were frozen ranged from Dec 31, 2009, to Dec 1, 2014. We obtained data for 320
      patients with 3790 person-years of follow-up from 10 years after cure
      (female:male ratio of 3:1). The median patient follow-up was 11.8 years (IQR 17
      26) from study entry and did not differ between countries. There were no
      significant differences in demographic characteristics, duration of follow-up,
      comorbidities, treatment number, or type of treatment between women and men, so
      we pooled data from both sexes for survival analysis. 51 (16%) of the cohort died
      during follow-up from study entry (10 years after cure). Median survival from
      study entry was similar for women (31 years; IQR 19-38) and men (28 years; 24
      42), and about 40 years (IQR 30-48) from remission. The overall SMR for all-cause
      mortality was 1.61 (95% CI 1.23-2.12; p=0.0001). The SMR for circulatory disease
      was increased at 2.72 (1.88-3.95; p<0.0001), but deaths from cancer were not
      higher than expected (0.79, 0.41-1.51). Presence of diabetes, but not
      hypertension, was an independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio 2.82,
      95% CI 1.29-6.17; p=0.0095). We noted a step-wise reduction in survival with
      increasing number of treatments. Patients cured by pituitary surgery alone had
      long-term survival similar to that of the general population (SMR 0.95, 95% CI
      0.58-1.55) compared with those who were not (2.53, 1.82-3.53; p<0.0001).
      INTERPRETATION: Patients with Cushing's disease who have been in remission for
      more than 10 years are at increased risk of overall mortality compared with the
      general population, particularly from circulatory disease. However, median
      survival from cure is excellent at about 40 years of remission. Treatment
      complexity and an increased number of treatments, reflecting disease that is more
      difficult to control, appears to negatively affect survival. Pituitary surgery
      alone is the preferred treatment to secure an optimum outcome, and should be done
      in a centre of surgical excellence. FUNDING: None.

PMID- 27265186
TI  - The Importance of Serum Transferrin Receptor and TfR-F Index in the Diagnosis of
      Iron Deficiency Accompanied by Acute and Chronic Infections.
AB  - This study evaluated the diagnostic superiority of serum transferrin receptor
      (sTfR) measurement to other laboratory tests performed for the determination of
      iron deficiency caused by chronic disease (CD). Study group consisted of 114
      anemic patients allocated into 3 groups at the pediatrics clinic of Ankara
      University, Faculty of Medicine and 32 healthy pediatric subjects as the control
      group. sTfR value ranged between 11.00 nmol/L and 26.20 nmol/L for the control
      group. However, it was 61.29 +/- 39.33 nmol/L in iron deficiency anemia (IDEA)
      group, consisting of 51 patients. While there was a significant positive
      correlation between sTfR and Hb, MCV, serum iron, ferritin levels, there was a
      significantly inverse correlation between sTfR with RDW in the IDEA group. Mean
      sTfR value was found 47.05 +/- 28.07 nmol/L in the acute infection (AI) group
      consisting of 22 patients, 39.31 +/- 26.16 nmol/L in the CD group with 41
      patients. Statistically significant difference was found between sTfR of IDEA
      group and sTfR of the AI group, though accompanied by iron deficiency. These
      findings showed that sTfR levels were suppressed. That all hematologic parameters
      including ferritin and sTfR of all patients in the CD group were heterogenous and
      revealed both normal and abnormal values was noteworthy. To determine the
      existence of accompanying iron deficiency, sTfR values above 28.10 nmol/L were
      chosen. It was concluded that the diagnosis of these patients was not possible
      without sTfR measurement. TfR-F index (sTfR/log ferritin) was found 97.72 +/-
      108.81 in the IDEA group, 52.16 +/- 66.25 in the AI group, and 24.36 +/- 43.00 in
      the CD group (p< 0.001). TfR-F index values of the chronic disease anemia group
      (ACD) and the iron deficiency anemia group accompanied by chronic disease (COMBI)
      were compared. The difference between these two groups was statistically
      significant (p< 0.001). Thus, TfR-F index proved useful in evaluating the changes
      of iron metabolism and reducing iron necessities in patients. 

PMID- 27265187
TI  - Detection of Epstein Barr Virus in Hodgkin's Disease in Trakya Region of Turkey;
      by in Situ Hybridization.
AB  - The relation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Hodgkin's disease (HD) has been
      suggested by serologic, epidemiological and molecular biologic studies. According
      to these studies the incidence of EBV in HD is high. In the present study, the
      EBV association with HD in Trakya Region of Turkey was investigated. We
      investigated the presence of EBV in 44 cases of HD. Fluorescein-labelled
      antisense EBV (EBER-RNA) was performed by in situ hybridization. There were 28
      males and 16 females, with a mean age of 40 years (range 4-80 years).
      Histological subtypes included nodular sclerosis Hodgkin's disease (NSHD) in 18
      (40.9%), mixed cellularity (MCHD) in 16 (36.4%), lymphocyte predominance (LPHD)
      in 7 (15.9%), and lymphocyte depletion (LDHD) in 3 (6.8%). EBV was expressed in
      30 cases (68.2%). High EBV association was found with mixed cellularity 75% and
      nodular sclerosis 72.2%. In lymphocyte predominance and in lymphocyte depletion
      cases the EBV positivity was 57.1% and 33.3%, respectively. All of 7 cases,
      younger than 15 years old, were positive for EBV. HD in Trakya Region showed a
      high association with EBV as in developing countries. Our findings suggest that
      EBV plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HD in Turkey. 

PMID- 27265188
TI  - Radiographic Findings in Hyperimmunoglobulin E Syndrome.
AB  - The aim of this study is to demonstrate the spectrum of radiologic findings of
      hyperimmunoglobulin E (hyper- IgE) syndrome that is relatively rare in adults. We
      describe the imaging findings of this rare disease in five patients. The study
      group consisted of 4 men and 1 woman. The final diagnosis was made according to
      laboratory findings in all cases. We detected lung involvement in 3 cases,
      paranasal sinus involvement in 4 cases and vascular involvement in 1 case. Soft
      tissues were involved in 5 cases. Bone involvement was demonstrated in 3
      patients. The most frequent radiologic finding was widespread infectious
      involvement of soft tissues, bones and neighboring structures such as bursae and
      tendons and respiratory system. 

PMID- 27265189
TI  - A Case Report: Large Granular Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (LGL).
AB  - We presented a 64-year-old male patient with T-large granular cell
      leukemia/lymphoma with an agressive clinical course. Large granular lymphocytes
      were noted on peripheral blood smear. The phenotyping of the cells was typical T
      cell lineage [CD2 (+), CD3 (+), CD5 (+)]. Clonal rearrangement of the T-cell
      receptor gene (TCR) was demonstrated by DNA hybridization technique. Large
      granular cell leukemia/lymphoma is a distinct entity with spesific
      clinicobiological aspects. The clinical spectrum is wide and immunophenotyping
      and genotyping studies need to make a diagnosis. 

PMID- 27265190
TI  - Pulmonary Tuberculosis Associated with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: An Unusual
      Presentatio.
AB  - Coombs' positive hemolytic anemia is exceedingly rare in tuberculosis. We herein
      report a patient with tuberculosis associated with Coombs' positive hemolytic
      anemia that was responded to antituberculosis therapy. She was admitted to the
      hospital because of recent-onset fatigue, weakness, nonproductive cough, pallor
      and scleral jaundice. Coombs positive hemolytic anemia and pulmoner tuberculosis
      was diagnosed. Following antituberculosis therapy, laboratory and clinical
      finding related to autoimmune hemolytic anemia disappeared. 

PMID- 27265191
TI  - Plasmacytoma in the Bilateral Breast.

PMID- 27265192
TI  - Solitary Plasmacytoma of Tibia in a 29-Year-Old Woman.
AB  - Solitary plasmacytoma of the bone is a plasma cell tumor characterized by a
      single bone lesion with no evidence of myeloma elsewhere, including fewer than 5%
      plasma cells in the bone marrow. Although median age is about 14 years younger
      than that of patients with multiple myeloma, both diseases are extremely uncommon
      under 30 years of age. Solitary plasmacytoma of bone seem to have a prediction to
      occur in the axial skeleton, particularly in a vertebra and long bones are rarely
      affected. Herein, we report a case of solitary plasmacytoma of bone involving the
      tibia in a 29-year-old woman. 

PMID- 27265194
TI  - Fletcher Factor Deficiency.

PMID- 27265193
TI  - Images in Haematology Edit by: Hamdi Akan.

PMID- 27265195
TI  - The Effect of ABO Incompatibility on Overall Survival of Patients Undergoing
      Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation.

PMID- 27265196
TI  - Making the invisible visible: a microfluidic chip using a low refractive index
      polymer.
AB  - Microfluidic frameworks known as micro-total-analysis-systems or lab-on-a-chip
      have become versatile tools in cell biology research, since functional biochips
      are able to streamline dynamic observations of various cells. Glass or polymers
      are generally used as the substrate due to their high transparency, chemical
      stability and cost-effectiveness. However, these materials are not well suited
      for the microscopic observation of cell migration at the fluid boundary due to
      the refractive index mismatch between the medium and the biochip material. For
      this reason, we have developed a new method of fabricating three-dimensional (3D)
      microfluidic chips made of the low refractive index fluoric polymer CYTOP. This
      novel fabrication procedure involves the use of a femtosecond laser for direct
      writing, followed by wet etching with a dilute fluorinated solvent and annealing,
      to create high-quality 3D microfluidic chips inside a polymer substrate. A
      microfluidic chip made in this manner enabled us to more clearly observe the
      flagellum motion of a Dinoflagellate moving in circles near the fluid surface
      compared to the observations possible using conventional microfluidic chips. We
      believe that CYTOP microfluidic chips made using this new method may allow more
      detailed analysis of various cell migrations near solid boundaries.

PMID- 27265197
TI  - SEARCHBreast: An online resource designed to increase the efficiency of using
      materials derived from breast cancer studies in animals.

PMID- 27265198
TI  - Intense, stable and excitation wavelength-independent photoluminescence emission
      in the blue-violet region from phosphorene quantum dots.
AB  - Nanoscale phosphorene quantum dots (PQDs) with few-layer structures were
      fabricated by pulsed laser ablation of a bulk black phosphorus target in diethyl
      ether. An intense and stable photoluminescence (PL) emission of the PQDs in the
      blue-violet wavelength region is clearly observed for the first time, which is
      attributed to electronic transitions from the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital
      (LUMO) to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and occupied molecular
      orbitals below the HOMO (H-1, H-2), respectively. Surprisingly, the PL emission
      peak positions of the PQDs are not red-shifted with progressively longer
      excitation wavelengths, which is in contrast to the cases of graphene and
      molybdenum disulphide quantum dots. This excitation wavelength-independence is
      derived from the saturated passivation on the periphery and surfaces of the PQDs
      by large numbers of electron-donating functional groups which cause the electron
      density on the PQDs to be dramatically increased and the band gap to be
      insensitive to the quantum size effect in the PQDs. This work suggests that PQDs
      with intense, stable and excitation wavelength-independent PL emission in the
      blue-violet region have a potential application as semiconductor-based blue
      violet light irradiation sources.

PMID- 27265199
TI  - Melatonin reversed tumor necrosis factor-alpha-inhibited osteogenesis of human
      mesenchymal stem cells by stabilizing SMAD1 protein.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) plays a pivotal role in inflammation
      related osteoporosis through the promotion of bone resorption and suppression of
      bone formation. Numerous drugs have been produced to treat osteoporosis by
      inhibiting bone resorption, but they offer few benefits to bone formation, which
      is what is needed by patients with severe bone loss. Melatonin, which can exert
      both anti-inflammatory and pro-osteogenic effects, shows promise in overcoming
      TNFalpha-inhibited osteogenesis and deserves further research. This study
      demonstrated that melatonin rescued TNFalpha-inhibited osteogenesis of human
      mesenchymal stem cells and that the interactions between SMURF1 and SMAD1
      mediated the crosstalk between melatonin signaling and TNFalpha signaling.
      Additionally, melatonin treatment was found to downregulate TNFalpha-induced
      SMURF1 expression and then decrease SMURF1-mediated ubiquitination and
      degradation of SMAD1 protein, leading to steady bone morphogenetic protein-SMAD1
      signaling activity and restoration of TNFalpha-impaired osteogenesis. Thus,
      melatonin has prospects for treating osteoporosis caused by inflammatory factors
      due to its multifaceted functions on regulation of bone formation, bone
      resorption, and inflammation. Further studies will focus on unveiling the
      specific mechanisms by which melatonin downregulates SMURF1 expression and
      confirming the clinical therapeutic value of melatonin in the prevention and
      therapy of bone loss associated with inflammation. 

PMID- 27265200
TI  - Intraamniotic inflammation and umbilical cord blood interleukin-6 concentrations
      in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate umbilical cord blood interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations and
      the occurrence of fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) with respect to
      microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and/or intraamniotic
      inflammation (IAI) in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of
      membranes (PPROM). METHODS: One-hundred-eighty-eight women with singleton
      pregnancies complicated by PPROM between gestational ages of 24 + 0 and 36 + 6
      weeks were included in the study. Blood samples were obtained by venipuncture
      from the umbilical cord after the delivery of the newborn. The umbilical cord
      blood IL-6 concentrations were evaluated using ELISA kits. FIRS was defined as
      umbilical cord blood IL-6 > 11 pg/mL. RESULT: Women with MIAC and IAI had higher
      IL-6 concentrations than women without these complications (with MIAC: median
      18.1 pg/mL versus without MIAC: median 5.8; p < 0.0001; with IAI: median 32.9
      pg/mL, versus without IAI: median 5.8; p < 0.0001). Women with IAI with MIAC and
      women with IAI without MIAC had the highest umbilical cord blood IL-6
      concentrations (medians: 32.6 and 39.4 pg/mL) and rates of FIRS (78% and 67%).
      CONCLUSIONS: IAI was associated with the highest umbilical cord blood IL-6
      concentrations and rate of FIRS independent of the presence or absence of MIAC.

PMID- 27265201
TI  - "It's Like a Disease": Women's perceptions of caesarean sections in Ghana's Upper
      West Region.
AB  - PROBLEM: While caesarean sections in developing contexts act as a marker for
      access to skilled care, little is known about the health outcomes of caesarean
      sections. With calls for a more in depth understanding of women's perceptions of
      this procedure in resource poor settings, this paper explores women's perceptions
      and experiences of caesarean birth in the context of Ghana's Maternal Exemption
      Policy of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the Upper West Region. METHODS:
      A qualitative study using 10 focus group discussions and 30 in depth interviews
      of mothers and pregnant women were conducted. The results were thematically
      analysed. FINDINGS: Drawing on theories of feminist geography and embodiment, the
      results suggest most women perceive caesarean section birth as highly
      problematic, acting as a long term disease, which hinders their ability to engage
      in economic activities and care for their children. In the context of the
      Maternal Exemption Policy, caesarean section birth restricts a woman's ability to
      secure further health insurance for themselves and newborn child, leaving long
      term access to health care uncertain. Findings also suggest long term
      repercussions of caesarean sections may go beyond the physical health of the
      mother and child to include other socio-cultural and contextual challenges.
      DISCUSSION: Accordingly, caesarean sections position women in a multifaceted
      situation of vulnerability. This underscores the need for context appropriate
      maternal health programmes in developing countries.

PMID- 27265202
TI  - Systemic saturated lysophosphatidylcholine is associated with hepatic function in
      patients with liver cirrhosis.
AB  - Serum lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is described to decline in patients with
      chronic liver diseases. Here it was evaluated which of the LPC species are
      associated with liver function. LPC species were quantified by direct flow
      injection electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in serum of 45
      patients with mainly alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Saturated LPC is 52.1 (31.7
      110.0) MUmol/l in serum of patients with CHILD-PUGH score C (decompensated liver
      cirrhosis) and significantly lower compared to patients with well-compensated
      disease (CHILD-PUGH score A) with 114.1 (12.3-401.4) MUmol/l. Mono- and
      polyunsaturated LPC are not changed in these groups. Saturated LPC is negatively
      correlated with the model for end-stage liver disease score, bilirubin and
      galectin-3 and positively with Quick prothrombin time. Ascites and varices are
      complications of liver cirrhosis. Saturated LPC does, however, not correlate with
      hepatic venous pressure gradient, ascites volume and variceal size. Unexpectedly,
      saturated LPC measured in serum of 42 patients declines from 88.4 (27.8-177.5)
      MUmol/l to 72.4 (27.6-141.8) MUmol/l shortly after transjugular intrahepatic
      portosystemic shunt implantation. Hepatic vein saturated LPC (82.3 (12.4-161.7)
      MUmol/l) is higher than portal vein levels (78.8 (10.1-161.0) MUmol/l) suggesting
      hepatic release of this lipid species. Current data demonstrate that systemic
      saturated LPC species are reduced in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis
      and associated with mortality risk.

PMID- 27265204
TI  - Intra-uterine undernutrition amplifies age-associated glucose intolerance in pigs
      via altered DNA methylation at muscle GLUT4 promoter.
AB  - The present study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal malnutrition on
      offspring glucose tolerance and the epigenetic mechanisms involved. In total,
      twelve primiparous Landrace*Yorkshire gilts were fed rations providing either 100
      % (control (CON)) or 75 % (undernutrition (UN)) nutritional requirements
      according to the National Research Council recommendations, throughout gestation.
      Muscle samples of offspring were collected at birth (dpn1), weaning (dpn28) and
      adulthood (dpn189). Compared with CON pigs, UN pigs showed lower serum glucose
      concentrations at birth, but showed higher serum glucose and insulin
      concentrations as well as increased area under the blood glucose curve during
      intravenous glucose tolerance test at dpn189 (P<0.05). Compared with CON pigs,
      GLUT-4 gene and protein expressions were decreased at dpn1 and dpn189 in the
      muscle of UN pigs, which was accompanied by increased methylation at the GLUT4
      promoter (P<0.05). These alterations in methylation concurred with increased mRNA
      levels of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1 at dpn1 and dpn28, DNMT3a at dpn189 and
      DNMT3b at dpn1 in UN pigs compared with CON pigs (P<0.05). Interestingly,
      although the average methylation levels at the muscle GLUT4 promoter were
      decreased at dpn189 compared with dpn1 in pigs exposed to a poor maternal diet
      (P<0.05), the methylation differences in individual CpG sites were more
      pronounced with age. Our results indicate that in utero undernutrition persists
      to silence muscle GLUT4 likely through DNA methylation during the ageing process,
      which may lead to the amplification of age-associated glucose intolerance.

PMID- 27265205
TI  - Hydrogen Treatment for Superparamagnetic VO2 Nanowires with Large Room
      Temperature Magnetoresistance.
AB  - One-dimensional (1D) transition metal oxide (TMO) nanostructures are actively
      pursued in spintronic devices owing to their nontrivial d electron magnetism and
      confined electron transport pathways. However, for TMOs, the realization of 1D
      structures with long-range magnetic order to achieve a sensitive magnetoelectric
      response near room temperature has been a longstanding challenge. Herein, we
      exploit a chemical hydric effect to regulate the spin structure of 1D V-V atomic
      chains in monoclinic VO2 nanowires. Hydrogen treatment introduced V(3+) (3d(2) )
      ions into the 1D zigzag V-V chains, triggering the formation of ferromagnetically
      coupled V(3+) -V(4+) dimers to produce 1D superparamagnetic chains and achieve
      large room-temperature negative magnetoresistance (-23.9 %, 300 K, 0.5 T). This
      approach offers new opportunities to regulate the spin structure of 1D
      nanostructures to control the intrinsic magnetoelectric properties of spintronic
      materials.

PMID- 27265206
TI  - Involvement of glucagon-like peptide-1 in the glucose-lowering effect of
      metformin.
AB  - Metformin is an oral antihyperglycaemic drug used in the first-line treatment of
      type 2 diabetes. Metformin's classic and most well-known blood glucose-lowering
      mechanisms include reduction of hepatic gluconeogenesis and increased peripheral
      insulin sensitivity. Interestingly, intravenously administered metformin is
      ineffective and recently, metformin was shown to increase plasma concentrations
      of the glucose-lowering gut incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1),
      which may contribute to metformin's glucose-lowering effect in patients with type
      2 diabetes. The mechanisms behind metformin-induced increments in GLP-1 levels
      remain unknown, but it has been hypothesized that metformin stimulates GLP-1
      secretion directly and/or indirectly and that metformin prolongs the half-life of
      GLP-1. Also, it has been suggested that metformin may potentiate the glucose
      lowering effects of GLP-1 by increasing target tissue sensitivity to GLP-1. The
      present article critically reviews the possible mechanisms by which metformin may
      affect GLP-1 levels and sensitivity and discusses whether such alterations may
      constitute important and clinically relevant glucose-lowering actions of
      metformin.

PMID- 27265207
TI  - A carnosine intervention study in overweight human volunteers: bioavailability
      and reactive carbonyl species sequestering effect.
AB  - Carnosine is a natural dipeptide able to react with reactive carbonyl species,
      which have been recently associated with the onset and progression of several
      human diseases. Herein, we report an intervention study in overweight
      individuals. Carnosine (2 g/day) was orally administered for twelve weeks in
      order to evaluate its bioavailability and metabolic fate. Two carnosine adducts
      were detected in the urine samples of all subjects. Such adducts are generated
      from a reaction with acrolein, which is one of the most toxic and reactive
      compounds among reactive carbonyl species. However, neither carnosine nor adducts
      have been detected in plasma. Urinary excretion of adducts and carnosine showed a
      positive correlation although a high variability of individual response to
      carnosine supplementation was observed. Interestingly, treated subjects showed a
      significant decrease in the percentage of excreted adducts in reduced form,
      accompanied by a significant increase of the urinary excretion of both carnosine
      and carnosine-acrolein adducts. Altogether, data suggest that acrolein is
      entrapped in vivo by carnosine although the response to its supplementation is
      possibly influenced by individual diversities in terms of carnosine dietary
      intake, metabolism and basal production of reactive carbonyl species.

PMID- 27265208
TI  - Ultrastructural observation of oocytes in six types of stony corals.
AB  - In this study, the ultrastructure of the oocytes of 6 types of scleractinian
      corals was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover,
      histological and ultrastructural analyses were performed to improve our
      understanding of the organelles involved in coral oocyte formation. In all 6
      stony coral species, the microvilli were tubular and directly grew from the
      surface of the oocyte membrane; yolk bodies, lipid granules, and cortical alveoli
      accounted for most of the volume inside the oocytes, suggesting that they are
      associated with energy storage and buoyancy. Clear differences were observed in
      the size of yolk bodies and lipid granules in the oocytes of the 6 stony coral
      species, which occupied approximately 55%-80% of the inner space of the oocytes.
      Galaxea fascicularis exhibited the largest lipid granule volume, but the oocytes
      contained only an average number of 12.45 lipid granules per unit area. Only
      Montipora incrassata oocytes contained symbiotic algae. The smallest size and
      proportion of lipid granules in M. incrassata oocytes may be attributed to the
      presence of symbiotic algae and large yolk bodies, which may help oocytes produce
      energy and function as a nutritional source. This study is crucial for improving
      the understanding of the basic biology of coral reproduction, and the ensuing
      datasets is critical for conservation-oriented studies seeking to cryopreserve
      corals during these times of dramatic global climate change. 

PMID- 27265209
TI  - Triggering through NOD-2 Differentiates Bone Marrow Precursors to Dendritic Cells
      with Potent Bactericidal activity.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in bridging innate and adaptive
      immunity by activating naive T cells. The role of pattern recognition receptors
      like Toll-Like Receptors and Nod-Like Receptors expressed on DCs is well-defined
      in the recognition of the pathogens. However, nothing is precisely studied
      regarding the impact of NOD-2 signaling during the differentiation of DCs.
      Consequently, we explored the role of NOD-2 signaling in the differentiation of
      DCs and therefore their capability to activate innate and adaptive immunity.
      Intriguingly, we observed that NOD-2 stimulated DCs (nDCs) acquired highly
      activated and matured phenotype and exhibited substantially greater bactericidal
      activity by robust production of nitric oxide. The mechanism involved in
      improving the functionality of nDCs was dependent on IFN-alphabeta signaling,
      leading to the activation of STAT pathways. Furthermore, we also observed that
      STAT-1 and STAT-4 dependent maturation and activation of DCs was under the
      feedback mechanism of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 proteins. nDCs acquired enhanced
      potential to activate chiefly Th1 and Th17 immunity. Taken together, these
      results suggest that nDCs can be exploited as an immunotherapeutic agent in
      bolstering host immunity and imparting protection against the pathogens.

PMID- 27265211
TI  - Ataxia telangiectasia: a syndrome deserving attention and study.

PMID- 27265210
TI  - Surgical Resident Radiation Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Exposures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of ionizing radiation exposure among surgical
      residents and to evaluate resident knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding
      exposures. DESIGN: An observational study was conducted using radiation exposure
      data for surgical residents who wore film badge dosimeters. A cross-sectional
      survey was electronically administered at the end of the year, examining resident
      knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning radiation exposures. SETTING:
      Community teaching hospital in the Midwest. PARTICIPANTS: Surgical residents who
      wore a badge for the full calendar year and completed study survey. Excluded were
      graduating chiefs and interns who only had 6 calendar months of data. RESULTS: A
      total of 14 surgical residents (100%) were engaged in 168 rotations during study
      year. Primarily-general surgery (n = 103, 61%), night float (n = 16, 10%), trauma
      (n = 15, 9%), and vascular (n = 13, 8%). Radiation exposures were greater than a
      null value during most rotations (i.e., general surgery and night float), with no
      exposure above occupational thresholds. Certain rotations, namely vascular and
      trauma, had episodic high exposures. When asked if protective efforts changed
      during higher-risk rotations, responses revealed they increased (64%) or did not
      change (36%). A low Cronbach alpha (alpha = 0.2634) demonstrated that precaution
      use was not universal and had varied rationale. Percentage of correct radiation
      knowledge questions was 62%. A multilevel model predicting exposure had a
      significant multiplicative cross-level interaction term (p < 0.0001) between
      resident-level exposure and rotation type. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation exposure levels
      for surgical residents have not been previously investigated. Data demonstrated
      that surgical residents were not at a greater risk than other medical personnel.
      However, the study demonstrated detectable radiation exposures that were
      statistically greater than a null value for the most common rotations. Stochastic
      and dose-response effects of radiation make any exposure a concern. Attempts to
      lessen exposures are worthwhile, with study results identifying a need for
      greater safety precaution education and adherence.

PMID- 27265219
TI  - A new helvolic acid derivative from an endophytic Fusarium sp. of Ficus carica.
AB  - A new helvolic acid derivative named helvolic acid methyl ester (1), together
      with two known helvolic acid compounds, helvolic acid (2) and hydrohelvolic acid
      (3), were isolated from the fermentation of endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. in
      Ficus carica leaves. Their structures were elucidated and identified by
      spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-3 showed potent antifungal and antibacterial
      activities. 

PMID- 27265220
TI  - Outcome of Gleason 3 + 5 = 8 Prostate Cancer Diagnosed on Needle Biopsy:
      Prognostic Comparison with Gleason 4 + 4 = 8.
AB  - PURPOSE: ISUP (International Society for Urologic Pathology) and WHO adopted
      prognostic Grade Groups 1 to 5 that simplify prostate cancer grading for
      prognosis. Grade Group 4 is Gleason score 8 cancer, which is heterogeneous, and
      it encompasses Gleason score 4 + 4 = 8, 3 + 5 = 8 and 5 + 3 = 8. The comparative
      prognostic implications of these various Gleason scores had not been studied by
      urological pathologists after a re-review of slides. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Patients with a highest biopsy Gleason score of 3 + 5 = 8 or 4 + 4 = 8 were
      included in the study. Controls were cases with a highest Gleason score of 4 + 3
      = 7 or 9-10. A total of 423 prostatic biopsy cases accessioned from 2005 to 2013
      at 2 institutions were reviewed. Clinicopathological findings and followup
      (median 33.4 months) were assessed. RESULTS: Among Gleason score 8 cancers the
      cancer status outcome in 51 men with Gleason score 3 + 5 = 8 was marginally worse
      than in 114 with Gleason score 4 + 4 = 8 (p = 0.04). This was driven by a
      persistent nonmetastatic (after radiation/hormone therapy) cancer rate of 37%
      among Gleason score 3 + 5 = 8 cases vs 24% among Gleason score 4 + 4 = 8 cases.
      Conversely, cancer specific survival at 36-month followup was 97.8% in 3 + 5
      cases vs 92.6% in 4 + 4 cases but this was not significant (p = 0.089). Cancer
      specific survival in the Gleason score 8 group was dichotomized by the presence
      of cribriform growth (p = 0.018). All Gleason score categories did not differ in
      the fraction of biopsy cores positive, clinical presentation or pathological
      findings, including the frequency of Gleason pattern 5, in 70 patients who
      underwent prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Using the most current standards of
      prostate cancer grading the prognosis is not different in Gleason score 3 + 5 = 8
      and 4 + 4 = 8 cancers. This justifies including both in Grade Group 4.

PMID- 27265221
TI  - Histological and Urodynamic Effects of Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction
      Extracted from Fat Tissue with Minimal Ex Vivo Manipulation in a Porcine Model of
      Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the healing abilities of autologous stem cell therapy
      (stromal vascular fraction) prepared from adipose tissue we used an automated
      system without an ex vivo culture phase in a pig model of intrinsic sphincteric
      deficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 15 pigs underwent endoscopic
      section of the urethral sphincter. Animals were then randomly assigned to 3
      groups, including 1) controls without stromal vascular fraction injection, 2)
      early injection with stromal vascular fraction 2 to 3 days after section and 3)
      late stromal vascular fraction injection delivery 30 days after injury.
      Extraction and stromal vascular fraction injection were performed as a single
      procedure. The stromal vascular fraction was characterized by flow cytometry.
      Mesenchymal stem cell-like cells were enumerated by clonogenicity (cfu
      fibroblast) assay. Study end points included histological assessment of the
      urethral injury surface and urodynamics to determine maximum urethral pressure.
      RESULTS: Flow cytometry analysis revealed a mesenchymal stem cell-like phenotype
      in a mean +/- SD of 47.3% +/- 11.8% of stromal vascular fraction cells. The cfu
      fibroblast frequency was 1.3 to 6.6/100 stromal vascular fraction cells (1.3% to
      6.6%). Stromal vascular fraction injection was associated with a reduction of the
      urethral injury surface in the early and late injection groups compared with the
      respective controls (7% vs 17% and 1% vs 13%, p = 0.050 and 0.029, respectively).
      On day 30 after injection maximum urethral pressure was significantly higher in
      the injected groups than in the control group, that is 64% vs 50% of maximum
      urethral pressure on day 0 (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the
      ability of an autologous stromal vascular fraction to improve the urethral
      healing process in a large animal model of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency.

PMID- 27265223
TI  - Thrombosis in the antiphospholipid syndrome.

PMID- 27265222
TI  - Thoracic stent graft versus surgery for thoracic aneurysm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is an uncommon disease with an
      incidence of 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. It occurs mainly in older individuals
      and is evenly distributed among both sexes. There are no signs or symptoms
      indicative of the presence of the disease. Progressive but unpredictable
      enlargement of the dilated aorta is the natural course of the disease and can
      lead to rupture. Open chest surgical repair using prosthetic graft interposition
      has been a conventional treatment for TAAs. Despite improvements in surgical
      procedures perioperative complications remain significant. The alternative option
      of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is considered a less invasive
      and potentially safer technique, with lower morbidity and mortality compared with
      conventional treatment. Evidence is needed to support the use of TEVAR for these
      patients, rather than open surgery. This is an update of the review first
      published in 2009. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to assess the efficacy of TEVAR
      versus conventional open surgery in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms.
      SEARCH METHODS: For this update the Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist
      searched the Specialised Register (last searched January 2016) and CENTRAL (2015,
      Issue 12). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials in which patients
      with TAAs were randomly assigned to TEVAR or open surgical repair. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently identified and
      evaluated potential trials for eligibility. Excluded studies were further checked
      by another author. We did not perform any statistical analyses as no randomised
      controlled trials were identified. MAIN RESULTS: We did not find any published or
      unpublished randomised controlled trials comparing TEVAR with conventional open
      surgical repair for the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: Stent grafting of the thoracic aorta is technically feasible and non
      randomised studies suggest reduction of early outcomes such as paraplegia,
      mortality and hospital stay. High quality randomised controlled trials assessing
      all clinically relevant outcomes including open-conversion, aneurysm exclusion,
      endoleaks, and late mortality are needed.

PMID- 27265224
TI  - Antioxidant effect of vitamin E in the treatment of nutritional iron deficiency
      anemia.
AB  - Oxidant status and antioxidants play important roles in anemias. The present
      study was conducted to investigate the oxidant-antioxidant status in iron
      deficiency anemia (IDA), and to evaluate the antioxidant effect of vitamin E in
      IDA treatment. Ten patients with IDA aged nine months were given only iron
      treatment, whereas another 10 patients were administered both iron and vitamin E.
      The complete blood count, plasma malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level, erythrocyte
      superoxide dismutase level, and the serum vitamin E level, both before and within
      the treatment phases were examined. The reticulocyte count at the first week of
      treatment was found lower in the vitamin E-treated group. The mean corpuscular
      volume (MCV) was found higher in the vitamin E-treated group at the end of
      therapy. The malonyldialdehyde levels of the group treated with vitamin E were
      found lower during treatment. These results suggest that iron administration in
      IDA treatment may stimulate lipid peroxidation, and that vitamin E supplied with
      iron may reduce the MDA production. The hematological indications of the findings
      of our study are that the reticulocyte response develops earlier and the
      microcytosis recovery occurs more rapidly in the vitamin E-administered group in
      comparison with the group treated with iron only. 

PMID- 27265225
TI  - Inhibitor screening for patients with hemophilia in Turkey.
AB  - Development of factor VIII inhibitors remains the most serious and life
      threatening complication of hemophilia therapy. The aim of this study was to
      determine the prevalence of inhibitor development in Turkish patients with
      hemophilia. Totally 1226 patients were screened [HA: 1057, HB: 105, von
      Willebrand's disease (vWD): 64]. Ages ranged from 1 to 55 years (mean: 16.5
      years). Sixty-two percent of patients (657/1057) were severe hemophilia. This
      study showed that inhibitor prevalence in Turkish hemophiliacs exposed to factor
      concentrates and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is 11.2% for all HA and 15.8% for
      severe HA versus 1.9% for HB after eliminating transient inhibitors. Totally 122
      patients were found inhibitor positive [high responder (HR) inhibitor= 60 and low
      responder (LR) inhibitor= 59 for HA/2 LR for HB/1 LR for vWD]. Thanks to this
      project, patients with inhibitor development can be treated with specific
      products such as recombinant factor VIIa or activated protrombin complex
      concentrates for their bleeding episodes or in their elective operations. 

PMID- 27265226
TI  - Intron 1 inversion mutation among Turkish hemophilia A patients.
AB  - Hemophilia A is an X-linked bleeding disorder resulting mostly from heterogeneous
      point mutations in the factor VIII (F8) gene. Small/large gene deletions,
      insertions and gross gene rearrangements underlie the molecular pathogenesis of
      the disease. Two large inversion mutations due to intrachromosomal recombinations
      between inverted repeats found in intronic sequences and upstream regions of the
      F8 gene result in severe hemophilia A. The intron 1 inversion mutation is
      responsible for about 2% of the cases in various populations. Herein, we report
      the establishment of the long polymerase chain reaction (PCR) intron 1 inversion
      mutation detection in our laboratory and a similar frequency of 1-2% among
      Turkish patients. 

PMID- 27265227
TI  - Effect of pentoxifylline and indomethacin on rabbits with endotoxin induced
      disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and comparison with heparin.
AB  - We evaluated the effects of pentoxifylline and indomethacin and heparin in a
      rabbit model of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) induced by infusion
      of 100 MUg/kg/hour of Escherichia coli endotoxin lipoplysaccharide (LPS) for 6
      hour. Heparin, indomethacin, pentoxifylline or saline were administered
      simultaneously with LPS. In addition, a control group was formed which was
      administered only saline. Hemostatic markers at 0, 1/2, 2, and 6 hour as well as
      histopathologic changes in the organs and the mortality at 24 hour were
      determined. The infusion of LPS caused a severe impairment in hemostasis and
      fibrin accumulation in the pulmonary vasculature. Heparin significantly improved
      hemostatic impairment and reduced the fibrin accumulation in the pulmonary
      vasculature. Pentoxifylline and indomethacin had no significant effect on DIC,
      except that pentoxifylline prevented the decrement in platelet count slightly (p<
      0.05). None of the drugs, including heparin, had any effect on mortality. As a
      result, the prevention of the synthesis of only one cytokine or autocoid is not
      considered enough to control the results of endotoxemia. 

PMID- 27265228
TI  - Serum transforming growth factor beta 1 levels in multiple myeloma patients.
AB  - Cytokinesis plays an important role in the etiology of multiple myeloma. The
      transforming growth factor (TGF) beta 1 levels in 82 sera from 60 patients with
      multiple myeloma were analyzed by ELISA. Fourty one sample were obtained before
      treatment from newly diagnosed patients, 22 after treatment from the same
      patients and 19 from relapsed/refractory patients. Serum median TGF level of
      newly diagnosed patients was 769.5 ng/mL (126-1853), and the relapsed/refractory
      patients had similar levels. TGF levels after chemotherapy were not different
      between patients that reached plateau phase and those who remained refractory. We
      found a negative correlation between TGF and C-reactive protein and blood urea
      nitrogen and a positive correlation between TGF and hemoglobin level in newly
      diagnosed patients. After treatment, it was determined that TGF levels at
      diagnosis were higher in patients who reached plateau phase than in the
      refractory patients. Elevated serum TGF concentration at diagnosis in multiple
      myeloma patients may be a favorable predictor of response. 

PMID- 27265229
TI  - Hemophilic pseudotumor-is there a role of radiotherapy? A case report with review
      of literature.
AB  - Hemophilic pseudotumors are a rare but serious complication. They are more common
      in the weight-bearing joints. These lesions could be treated by conservative
      measures using factor VIII cryoprecipitate or by radiation therapy as an
      alternative to surgery with good results. We present a case of chronic hemophilia
      with pseudotumor of the right knee joint who was treated with low dose external
      beam radiation with fair results. 

PMID- 27265230
TI  - Drug-induced thrombocytopenia during G-CSF therapy in a patient with chronic
      neutropenia.
AB  - A one-year-old infant presented with recurrent perianal abscesses and pneumonia,
      and was diagnosed with chronic neutropenia. Treatment with granulocyte colony
      stimulating factor (G-CSF) was initiated, and thrombocytopenia was detected three
      weeks later. The drug was discontinued but the patient's platelet count did not
      improve. A short course of high-dose methylprednisolone was administered, and
      both the platelet and neutrophil counts returned to normal. Based on this
      response, in order to maintain the neutrophil count the steroid treatment was
      continued for one year with tapered doses. At the time of writing, the patient
      had been doing well for 13 months without treatment. This report highlights that
      G-CSF treatment for severe chronic neutropenia in a child may be associated with
      thrombocytopenia. 

PMID- 27265231
TI  - Foot-drop due to involvement of lumbosacral plexus in diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma.
AB  - Extranodal nerve system involvement is seen in approximately 5% of the patients
      with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. It causes as primary or secondary infiltration of
      brain, leptomeninges, or peripheral nerves and the signs of spinal cord
      compression. Here we present a 67-year-old woman with advanced stage diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma who developed foot-drop due to lumbosacral plexus
      involvement. 

PMID- 27265232
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27265233
TI  - Recent advances, eosinophils, eosinophilia and hypereosinophilic syndrome.

PMID- 27265234
TI  - A unique SaeS allele overrides cell-density dependent expression of saeR and
      lukSF-PV in the ST30-SCCmecIV lineage of CA-MRSA.
AB  - ST30 (CC30)-SCCmec IV (USA1100) is one of the most common community-acquired
      methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) lineages. ST30 isolates
      typically carry lukSF-PV genes encoding the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and
      are responsible for outbreaks of invasive infections worldwide. In this study,
      twenty CC30 isolates were analyzed. All were very susceptible to non-beta-lactam
      antimicrobials, 18/20 harbored the lukSF-PV genes, only 1/20 exhibited agr-rnaIII
      dysfunction, and the majority was not able to form biofilm on inert surfaces.
      Analysis of lukSF-PV temporal regulation revealed that opposite to other CA-MRSA
      isolates, these genes were more highly expressed in early log phase than in
      stationary phase. This inverted lukSF-PV temporal expression was associated with
      a similar pattern of saeRS expression in the ST30 isolates, namely high level
      expression in log phase and reduced expression in stationary phase. Reduced saeRS
      expression in stationary phase was associated with low expression levels of the
      sae regulators, agr and agr-upregulator sarA, which activate the stationary phase
      sae-P1 promoter and overexpression of agr-RNAIII restored the levels of saeR and
      lukSF-PV trancripts in stationary phase. Altered SaeRS activity in the ST30
      isolates was attributed to amino acid substitutions (N227S, E268K and S351T) in
      the HTPase_c domain of SaeS (termed SaeS(SKT)). Complementation of a USA300 saeS
      mutant with the saeS(SKT) and saeS alleles under the direction of the log phase
      sae-P3 promoter revealed that saeR and lukSF-PV transcription levels were more
      significantly activated by saeS(SKT) than saeS. In summary our data identify a
      unique saeS allele (saeS(SKT)) which appears to override cell-density dependent
      SaeR and PVL expression in ST30 CA-MRSA isolates. Further studies to determine
      the contribution of saeS(SKT) allele to the pathogenesis of infections caused by
      ST30 isolates are merited. 

PMID- 27265235
TI  - Elevated expression of IL-9 correlates with disease course of recurrent
      tuberculosis.

PMID- 27265236
TI  - The prevalence, population structure and screening test specificity of penicillin
      susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia isolates in Malmo, Sweden.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of
      penicillin-susceptible bacteremic Staphylococcus aureus in the Malmo area in
      2014, to re-evaluate the phenotypic methods of penicillinase detection on these
      isolates, and to investigate the clonal distribution of penicillin-susceptible
      isolates. METHODS: All non-redundant S. aureus from blood in the Malmo catchment
      area in southern Sweden 2014 were screened for penicillin susceptibility using
      PcG 1U disk diffusion, E-test PcG and the nitrocefin test. All isolates screened
      as likely susceptible were subjected to PCR for detection of penicillinase (blaZ)
      and spa-typing. RESULTS: Almost one out of three bacteremic isolates (80/257;
      31.1%) were susceptible to penicillin. All screening methods except for the
      nitrocefin test alone had a low proportion of isolates falsely tested as
      susceptible, but no method used in the study had perfect specificity compared
      with PCR. Penicillin-susceptible isolates had a distinct phylogenetic
      distribution, and two clonal complexes (CC5 and CC45) constituted half of the
      isolates. CONCLUSION: Almost one third of S. aureus isolated from blood in
      southern Sweden in 2014 was susceptible to penicillin. Considering that
      intravenous penicillin has theoretical advantages compared with the standard
      treatment in the study area, we argue that routine testing of penicillin
      susceptibility should be reconsidered.

PMID- 27265237
TI  - Carbazole Annulation via Cascade Nucleophilic Addition-Cyclization Involving 2
      (Silyloxy)pentadienyl Cation.
AB  - We report a new strategy toward the synthesis of highly functionalized carbazoles
      via 2-(silyloxy)pentadienyl cation intermediates, which were generated upon
      ionization of vinyl-substituted alpha-hydroxy silyl enol ethers under Bronsted
      acid catalysis. These electrophilic species were found to readily undergo cascade
      reactions with substituted indoles to generate carbazole molecular scaffolds in
      good yields via a sequence of regioselective nucleophilic addition, followed by
      intramolecular dehydrative cyclization.

PMID- 27265238
TI  - Dorsal Arthroscopic Approach and Intra-Articular Anatomy of the Bovine
      Antebrachiocarpal and Middle Carpal Joints.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine arthroscopic approaches to the dorsal synovial
      compartments of the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal joints in adult cattle,
      and to describe the arthroscopic intra-articular anatomy from each approach.
      STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo study. ANIMALS: Six fresh adult bovine cadavers. METHODS:
      Two carpi were injected with latex and dissected to determine the ideal location
      for arthroscopic portals. Arthroscopy of the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal
      joints of 10 carpi was then performed. The dorsolateral approach was made between
      the extensor carpi radialis and common digital extensor tendons. The dorsomedial
      approach was made medial to the extensor carpi radialis tendon, midway between
      the distal radius and proximal row of carpal bones (antebrachiocarpal joint) and
      midway between the two rows of carpal bones (middle carpal joint), with the joint
      in flexion. RESULTS: Arthroscopy of the antebrachiocarpal joint allowed
      visualization of the distal radius, proximal aspect of the radial, intermediate
      and ulnar carpal bones, and a palmar ligament located between the radius and the
      intermediate carpal bone. The approach to the middle carpal joint allowed
      visualization of the distal aspect of the radial, intermediate, and ulnar carpal
      bones, the proximal aspect of the fourth and fused second and third carpal bones
      and an interosseous ligament. The most lateral articular structures (lateral
      glenoid cavity of the distal radius, ulnar carpal and fourth carpal bones) were
      difficult to assess. CONCLUSION: Dorsal approaches to the antebrachiocarpal and
      middle carpal joints allowed visualization of most intra-articular dorsal
      structures in adult cattle.

PMID- 27265239
TI  - Water oxidation catalyzed by molecular di- and nonanuclear Fe complexes:
      importance of a proper ligand framework.
AB  - The synthesis of two molecular iron complexes, a dinuclear iron(iii,iii) complex
      and a nonanuclear iron complex, based on the dinucleating ligand 2,2'-(2-hydroxy
      5-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-4-carboxylic acid) is described.
      The two iron complexes were found to drive the oxidation of water by the one
      electron oxidant [Ru(bpy)3](3+). 

PMID- 27265240
TI  - The stabilizing effect of shear thinning on the onset of purely elastic
      instabilities in serpentine microflows.
AB  - We determine both experimentally and numerically the onset of elastic flow
      instabilities in viscoelastic polymer solutions with different levels of shear
      thinning. Previous experiments realized in microfluidic serpentine channels using
      dilute polymeric solutions showed that the onset of elastic instabilities
      strongly depends on the channel curvature. The scaling dependence is well
      captured by the general instability scaling criterion proposed by Pakdel and
      McKinley [Phys. Rev. Lett., 1996, 76, 2459:1-4]. We determine here the influence
      of fluid shear thinning on the onset of such purely-elastic flow instabilities.
      By testing a set of polyethylene oxide solutions of high molecular weight at
      different polymer concentrations in microfluidic serpentine channels we observe
      that shear thinning has a stabilizing effect on the microfluidic flow. Three
      dimensional numerical simulations performed using the White-Metzner model predict
      similar trends, which are not captured by a simple scaling analysis using the
      Pakdel-McKinley criterion. 

PMID- 27265241
TI  - Improving Access to Liver Care Across the Continuum of Care: Opportunities and
      Challenges.

PMID- 27265243
TI  - Octahedral ruthenium complexes selectively stabilize G-quadruplexes.
AB  - A series of octahedral Ru(ii) complexes with an x-y planar tetradentate and two
      trans-z-axis ammonia ligands were synthesized. High stabilization of G
      quadruplexes was achieved upon pi-stacking with aromatic planar ligands. Unique
      interaction from z-axis ligands bestowed both excellent binding resistance to
      duplex DNA and selectivity towards the antiparallel topology. 

PMID- 27265242
TI  - Effects of propolis and gamma-cyclodextrin on intestinal neoplasia in normal
      weight and obese mice.
AB  - Obesity is associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). This effect might be
      attributed to adipokine-supported signaling. We have established that propolis
      suppresses survival signaling in CRC cells in vitro; therefore, we ascertained
      the ability of a propolis supplement to modulate intestinal neoplastic
      development in C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+/J mice in the lean and obese state. To induce
      obesity, mice were fed with a Western diet containing 40% fat. Since the propolis
      supplement includes gamma-cyclodextrin, the interventions included diets
      supplemented with or without gamma-cyclodextrin. The animals were administered
      the following diets: (1) control diet, (2) control diet/gamma-cyclodextrin, (3)
      control diet/propolis, (4) Western diet, (5) Western diet/gamma-cyclodextrin, and
      (6) Western diet/propolis. Western diet, resulting in obesity, accelerated
      neoplastic progression, as evidenced by the larger size and higher grade
      dysplasia of the neoplasms. In the context of normal weight, gamma-cyclodextrin
      and propolis affected neoplastic progression, as determined by the size of the
      lesions and their grade of dysplasia. A statistically significant decrease in the
      number of adenomas was detected in mice fed a control diet with the propolis
      supplement (61.8 +/- 10.6 vs. 35.3 +/- 7.6, P = 0.008). Although there was no
      significant difference in the polyp numbers between the six groups, the mice with
      the lowest number and size of adenomas were those fed a Western diet with gamma
      cyclodextrin. This unexpected outcome might be explained by the increased levels
      of apoptosis detected in the intestinal tissues of these obese mice. We posit
      that butyrate derived from the metabolism of gamma-cyclodextrin may contribute to
      the decreased neoplastic burden in the context of obesity; however, future
      studies are required to address this possibility.

PMID- 27265244
TI  - Advances toward industrialization of novel molten salt electrochemical processes.
AB  - We have invented various novel molten salt electrochemical processes, that can be
      put to practical use in the fields of energy and materials. These processes are
      promising from both technological and commercial viewpoints, and they are
      currently under development for industrial application. To showcase current
      developments in work toward industrialization, we focus here on three of these
      processes: (1) electrolytic synthesis of ammonia from water and nitrogen under
      atmospheric pressure, (2) electrochemical formation of carbon film, and (3)
      plasma-induced discharge electrolysis to produce nanoparticles. 

PMID- 27265245
TI  - Mechanistic investigations of CO-photoextrusion and oxidative addition reactions
      of early transition-metal carbonyls: (eta(5)-C5H5)M(CO)4 (M = V, Nb, Ta).
AB  - The mechanisms for the photochemical Si-H bond activation reaction are studied
      theoretically using a model system of the group 5 organometallic compounds,
      eta(5)-CpM(CO)4 (M = V, Nb, and Ta), with the M06-2X method and the Def2-SVPD
      basis set. Three types of reaction pathways that lead to final insertion products
      are identified. The structures of the intersystem crossings, which play a central
      role in these photo-activation reactions, are determined. The intermediates and
      transitional structures in either the singlet or triplet states are also
      calculated to provide a mechanistic explanation of the reaction pathways. All of
      the potential energy surfaces for the group 5 eta(5)-CpM(CO)4 complexes are quite
      similar. In particular, the theoretical evidence suggests that after irradiation
      using light, eta(5)-CpM(CO)4 quickly loses one CO ligand to yield two
      tricarbonyls, in either the singlet or the triplet states. The triplet
      tricarbonyl 16-electron intermediates, ([eta(5)-CpM(CO)3](3)), play a key role in
      the formation of the final oxidative addition product, eta(5)-CpM(CO)3(H)(SiMe3).
      However, the singlet counterparts, ([eta(5)-CpM(CO)3](1)), play no role in the
      formation of the final product molecule, but their singlet metal centers interact
      weakly with solvent molecules ((Me3)SiH) to produce alkyl-solvated organometallic
      complexes, which are observable experimentally. This theoretical evidence is in
      accordance with the available experimental observations. 

PMID- 27265246
TI  - The role of the NADPH oxidase derived brain oxidative stress in the cocaine
      related death associated with excited delirium: A literature review.
AB  - Excited delirium syndrome (ExDS) is a term used to describe a clinical condition
      characterized by bizarre and aggressive behaviour, commonly associated with the
      use of psychoactive compounds, especially cocaine. The pathophysiology of ExDS is
      complex and not yet fully understood. In addition to a central dopamine
      hypothesis, other mechanisms are thought to be involved in cocaine-related ExDS,
      such as increased reactive oxygen species production by the family of the NADPH
      oxidase NOX enzymes. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge on the
      crucial contribution of brain NADPH oxidase derived oxidative stress in the
      development of cocaine-induced ExDS. Data from animal models as well as human
      evidence will be discussed. 

PMID- 27265247
TI  - Substituent Effects on the [N-I-N](+) Halogen Bond.
AB  - We have investigated the influence of electron density on the three-center [N-I
      N](+) halogen bond. A series of [bis(pyridine)iodine](+) and [1,2-bis((pyridine-2
      ylethynyl)benzene)iodine](+) BF4(-) complexes substituted with electron
      withdrawing and donating functionalities in the para-position of their pyridine
      nitrogen were synthesized and studied by spectroscopic and computational methods.
      The systematic change of electron density of the pyridine nitrogens upon
      alteration of the para-substituent (NO2, CF3, H, F, Me, OMe, NMe2) was confirmed
      by (15)N NMR and by computation of the natural atomic population and the pi
      electron population of the nitrogen atoms. Formation of the [N-I-N](+) halogen
      bond resulted in >100 ppm (15)N NMR coordination shifts. Substituent effects on
      the (15)N NMR chemical shift are governed by the pi population rather than the
      total electron population at the nitrogens. Isotopic perturbation of equilibrium
      NMR studies along with computation on the DFT level indicate that all studied
      systems possess static, symmetric [N-I-N](+) halogen bonds, independent of their
      electron density. This was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction
      data of 4-substituted [bis(pyridine)iodine](+) complexes. An increased electron
      density of the halogen bond acceptor stabilizes the [N...I...N](+) bond, whereas
      electron deficiency reduces the stability of the complexes, as demonstrated by UV
      kinetics and computation. In contrast, the N-I bond length is virtually
      unaffected by changes of the electron density. The understanding of electronic
      effects on the [N-X-N](+) halogen bond is expected to provide a useful handle for
      the modulation of the reactivity of [bis(pyridine)halogen](+)-type synthetic
      reagents.

PMID- 27265248
TI  - Taxonomic and ecological relevance of the chlorophyll a fluorescence signature of
      tree species in mixed European forests.
AB  - The variability of chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) parameters of forest tree
      species was investigated in 209 stands belonging to six European forests, from
      Mediterranean to boreal regions. The modifying role of environmental factors,
      forest structure and tree diversity (species richness and composition) on ChlF
      signature was analysed. At the European level, conifers showed higher potential
      performance than broadleaf species. Forests in central Europe performed better
      than those in Mediterranean and boreal regions. At the site level, homogeneous
      clusters of tree species were identified by means of a principal component
      analysis (PCA) of ChlF parameters. The discrimination of the clusters of species
      was influenced by their taxonomic position and ecological characteristics. The
      species richness influenced the tree ChlF properties in different ways depending
      on tree species and site. Tree species and site also affected the relationships
      between ChlF parameters and other plant functional traits (specific leaf area,
      leaf nitrogen content, light-saturated photosynthesis, wood density, leaf carbon
      isotope composition). The assessment of the photosynthetic properties of tree
      species, by means of ChlF parameters, in relation to their functional traits, is
      a relevant issue for studies in forest ecology. The connections of data from
      field surveys with remotely assessed parameters must be carefully explored.

PMID- 27265249
TI  - Arthroscopic Suprapectoral and Open Subpectoral Biceps Tenodesis: Radiographic
      Characteristics.
AB  - PURPOSE: To provide a detailed account of the location of the long head of the
      biceps (LHB) tenodesis tunnels using an all-arthroscopic suprapectoral technique
      in a prospective group of patients. These patients were then compared with a
      retrospective group of open subpectoral tenodesis patients of similar
      characteristics. METHODS: Postoperative radiographs from a prospective group of
      all-arthroscopic suprapectoral LHB tenodeses were compared with a retrospective
      group of open subpectoral tenodeses. Digital anteroposterior images were used to
      measure distances from clinically pertinent radiographic landmarks to tenodesis
      tunnel sites. RESULTS: Forty patients (20 all-arthroscopic, 20 open) met the
      inclusion criteria. The inferior border of the bicipital groove was located a
      mean distance of 33.7 +/- 6.9 mm from the top of the humeral head. The mean
      distance measured in the open group was approximately 28 mm (P < .001) distal
      compared with the arthroscopic group. The humeral diameter was 7.5 +/- 5.4 mm
      narrower at the subpectoral tenodesis site (P < .001). All 20 patients in the
      open subpectoral group had tenodesis tunnels placed distal to the bicipital
      groove compared with 17 of 20 patients (85%) in the all-arthroscopic group. There
      were 2 cases of lateral wall cortical reaming during subpectoral tenodesis but no
      periprosthetic humeral fractures. There were 2 cases of bicortical reaming during
      the all-arthroscopic tenodesis with no known complications. CONCLUSIONS: The
      location of biceps tenodesis significantly differs between all-arthroscopic
      suprapectoral and open subpectoral techniques, and the open subpectoral method
      achieves fixation in a significantly narrower region of the humerus. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

PMID- 27265250
TI  - Distal Femoral Osteotomy for the Valgus Knee: Medial Closing Wedge Versus Lateral
      Opening Wedge: A Systematic Review.
AB  - PURPOSE: (1) To determine the radiographic correction/healing rate, patient
      reported outcomes, reoperation rate, and complication rate after distal femoral
      osteotomy (DFO) for the valgus knee with lateral compartment pathology. (2) To
      summarize the reported results of medial closing wedge and lateral opening wedge
      DFO. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL to
      identify studies reporting outcomes of DFOs for the valgus knee. Keywords
      included "distal femoral osteotomy," "chondral," "cartilage," "valgus," "joint
      restoration," "joint preservation," "arthritis," and "gonarthrosis." Two authors
      first reviewed the articles; our study exclusion criteria were then applied, and
      the articles were included on the basis relevance defined by the aforementioned
      criteria. The Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies scale judged the
      quality of the literature. Sixteen studies were relevant to the research
      questions out of 191 studies identified by the original search. RESULTS: Sixteen
      studies were identified reporting on 372 osteotomies with mean follow-up of 45 to
      180 months. All studies reported mean radiographic correction to a near neutral
      mechanical axis, with 3.2% nonunion and 3.8% delayed union rates. There was a 9%
      complication rate and a 34% reoperation rate, of which 15% were converted to
      arthroplasty. There were similar results reported for medial closing wedge and
      lateral opening wedge techniques, with a higher conversion to arthroplasty in the
      medial closing wedge that was confounded by longer mean follow-up in this group
      (mean follow-up 100 v 58 months). CONCLUSIONS: DFOs for the valgus knee with
      lateral compartment disease provide improvements in patient-reported knee health
      related quality of life at midterm follow-up but have high rates of reoperation.
      No evidence exists proving better results of either the lateral opening wedge or
      medial closing wedge techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review
      of Level IV studies.

PMID- 27265251
TI  - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Symptomatic Patients After Arthroscopic
      Partial Meniscectomy for Torn Discoid Lateral Meniscus.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in the thickness and width of the residual
      meniscus using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients who underwent
      arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for discoid lateral meniscus (DLM), to assess
      whether the degeneration of the articular cartilage in the lateral compartment of
      the knee progressed, and to evaluate clinical results. METHODS: Among the
      patients who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for DLM between January
      1997 and December 2011, those who were aged 40 or below at surgery were followed
      up for at least 3 years, and received at least 2 follow-up MRIs that were
      retrospectively reviewed. MRIs were done in symptomatic knees. Using MRI, the
      relative thickness and width were measured in the anterior horn, midportion, and
      posterior horn. To determine whether the degeneration of the lateral compartment
      would progress, the articular cartilage was graded based on the Outerbridge
      classification in MRIs. The clinical results were evaluated using the Lysholm
      score. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients (21 knees) were included. The average
      follow-up period was 6.8 years. In residual meniscus, the relative thickness of
      the midportion decreased from 9.0% +/- 2.4% to 7.3% +/- 2.3% (P < .001), the
      relative thickness of the anterior horn decreased from 15.6% +/- 4.3% to 14.3% +/
      6.7% (P = .030), and the relative thickness of the posterior horn decreased from
      20.0% +/- 4.4% to 16.7% +/- 6.7% (P = .019). A decrease in the relative width was
      observed in the midportion (12.4% +/- 4.8% to 10.9% +/- 4.9%, P = .003). No
      significant changes in size were observed in the medial meniscus. A progression
      of degeneration in the lateral compartment was observed. However, the clinical
      results did not present significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: In symptomatic patients
      after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for DLM, the thickness and width of the
      residual meniscus decreases over time. The arthritic change of the lateral
      compartment of the knee progressed. However, the change in the size of the
      residual meniscus was of unknown clinical significance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level
      IV, therapeutic case series.

PMID- 27265252
TI  - [Cerebral infarction after pituitary apoplexy: Description of a case and review
      of the literature].
AB  - Pituitary apoplexy is usually the result of hemorrhagic infarction in a pituitary
      adenoma. The clinical presentation varies widely and includes asymptomatic cases,
      classical pituitary apoplexy and even sudden death. Cerebral ischemia due to
      pituitary apoplexy is very rare. It may be caused by vasospasm or direct
      compression of cerebral vessels by the tumor. We report a case of pituitary
      apoplexy associated with cerebral infarction and discuss the relationship between
      the two events.

PMID- 27265253
TI  - Interferon-beta therapy specifically reduces pathogenic memory B cells in
      multiple sclerosis patients by inducing a FAS-mediated apoptosis.
AB  - Growing evidences put B lymphocytes on a central stage in multiple sclerosis (MS)
      immunopathology. While investigating the effects of interferon-beta (IFN-beta)
      therapy, one of the most used first-line disease-modifying drugs for the
      treatment of relapsing-remitting MS, in circulating B-cell sub-populations, we
      found a specific and marked decrease of CD27+ memory B cells. Interestingly,
      memory B cells are considered a population with a great disease-driving relevance
      in MS and resulted to be also target of B-cell depleting therapies. In addition,
      Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), associated with MS etiopathogenesis, harbors in this
      cell type and an IFN-beta-induced reduction of the memory B-cell compartment, in
      turn, resulted in a decreased expression of the EBV gene latent membrane protein
      2A in treated patients. We found that in vivo IFN-beta therapy specifically and
      highly induced apoptosis in memory B cells, in accordance with a strong increase
      of the apoptotic markers Annexin-V and active caspase-3, via a mechanism
      requiring the FAS-receptor/TACI (transmembrane activator and CAML interactor)
      signaling. Thus, efficacy of IFN-beta therapy in MS may rely not only on its
      recognized anti-inflammatory activities but also on the specific depletion of
      memory B cells, considered to be a pathogenic cell subset, reducing their
      inflammatory impact in target organs.

PMID- 27265254
TI  - Determination of optimum threshold values for EMG time domain features; a multi
      dataset investigation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: For over two decades, Hudgins' set of time domain features have
      extensively been applied for classification of hand motions. The calculation of
      slope sign change and zero crossing features uses a threshold to attenuate the
      effect of background noise. However, there is no consensus on the optimum
      threshold value. In this study, we investigate for the first time the effect of
      threshold selection on the feature space and classification accuracy using
      multiple datasets. APPROACH: In the first part, four datasets were used, and
      classification error (CE), separability index, scatter matrix separability
      criterion, and cardinality of the features were used as performance measures. In
      the second part, data from eight classes were collected during two separate days
      with two days in between from eight able-bodied subjects. The threshold for each
      feature was computed as a factor (R = 0:0.01:4) times the average root mean
      square of data during rest. For each day, we quantified CE for R = 0 (CEr0) and
      minimum error (CEbest). Moreover, a cross day threshold validation was applied
      where, for example, CE of day two (CEodt) is computed based on optimum threshold
      from day one and vice versa. Finally, we quantified the effect of the threshold
      when using training data from one day and test data of the other. MAIN RESULTS:
      All performance metrics generally degraded with increasing threshold values. On
      average, CEbest (5.26 +/- 2.42%) was significantly better than CEr0 (7.51 +/-
      2.41%, P = 0.018), and CEodt (7.50 +/- 2.50%, P = 0.021). During the two-fold
      validation between days, CEbest performed similar to CEr0. Interestingly, when
      using the threshold values optimized per subject from day one and day two
      respectively, on the cross-days classification, the performance decreased.
      SIGNIFICANCE: We have demonstrated that threshold value has a strong impact on
      the feature space and that an optimum threshold can be quantified. However, this
      optimum threshold is highly data and subject driven and thus do not generalize
      well. There is a strong evidence that R = 0 provides a good trade-off between
      system performance and generalization. These findings are important for practical
      use of pattern recognition based myoelectric control.

PMID- 27265255
TI  - On the difficulty of recognizing distinct Symbiodinium species in mixed
      communities of algal symbionts.

PMID- 27265257
TI  - Design and structure-activity relationships of novel inhibitors of human
      rhinovirus 3C protease.
AB  - Human rhinovirus (HRV) is a primary cause of common cold and is linked to
      exacerbation of underlying respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. HRV 3C
      protease, which is responsible for cleavage of viral polyprotein in to proteins
      essential for viral life-cycle, represents an important target. We have designed
      proline- and azetidine-based analogues of Rupintrivir that target the P2 pocket
      of the binding site. Potency optimization, aided with X-ray crystallography and
      quantum mechanical calculations, led to compounds with activity against a broad
      spectrum of HRV serotypes. Altogether, these compounds represent alternative
      starting points to identify promising leads in our continual efforts to treat HRV
      infections.

PMID- 27265258
TI  - Synthesis and skin gene analysis of 4'-acetoxy-resveratrol (4AR), therapeutic
      potential for dermal applications.
AB  - Resveratrol (RV) 1, a plant polyphenol, has proven effective in commercial
      products yet drawbacks include low bioavailability due to rapid metabolism.
      Structural modifications have led to a 4'-acetoxy analog 2 (4AR) now produced
      using a selective one-step esterification reaction. The one-step synthesis is
      shown together with expression of skin genes using human dermal models to
      establish 4AR 2 benefits to skin health. 4AR 2 at 1% in qPCR experiments using a
      human skin model significantly increased gene expression of the anti-aging
      factor, SIRT 1 by over 3.3-fold, extracellular matrix proteins collagen III, IV,
      elastin and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP 1, 2), anti-oxidants
      CAT, LOX, superoxide dismutase (SOD 1, 2), metallothioneins (MT1H, MT1H), skin
      aging biomarkers fibrillin (FBN1), laminin (LAMB1), proliferating cell nuclear
      antigen (PCNA), skin growth factors (HBEGF, IGF1, NGF and TGF). 4AR 2 also
      decreased gene expression of inflammatory and skin-aging molecules (IL-1, IL-6,
      IL-8, COX-2, TNGRSF) and S100 calcium binding proteins A8, A9. These findings
      suggest that 4AR 2 has potential for topically treatment and prevention of skin
      aging.

PMID- 27265259
TI  - Aryl morpholino triazenes inhibit cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1B1.
AB  - Many cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1B1 (CYP1A1 and CYP1B1) inhibitors, such as
      resveratrol, have planar, hydrophobic, aromatic rings in their structure and
      exhibit anti-cancer activity. Aryl morpholino triazenes have similar structural
      features and in addition contain a triazene unit consisting of three consecutive,
      conjugated nitrogen atoms. Several aryl morpholino triazenes, including 4-[(E)-2
      (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)diazenyl]-morpholine (2), were prepared from a reaction
      involving morpholine and a diazonium ion produced from different aniline
      derivatives, such as 3,4,5-trimethoxyaniline. The aryl morpholino triazenes were
      then screened at 100MUM for their ability to inhibit CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 using
      ethoxyresorufin as the substrate. Triazenes that inhibited the enzymes to less
      than 80% of the uninhibited enzyme activity were assayed to determine their IC50
      value. Compound 2 was the only triazene to inhibit both CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 to the
      same degree as resveratrol with IC50 values of 10MUM and 18MUM, respectively.
      Compounds 3 and 6 selectively inhibited CYP1B1 over CYP1A1 with IC values of 2MUM
      and 7MUM, respectively. Thus, aryl morpholino triazenes are a new class of
      compounds that can inhibit CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 and potentially prevent cancer.

PMID- 27265260
TI  - Quality of life and questionnaires in dermatology.

PMID- 27265261
TI  - Erratum to "Ultrasound in the management of benign cutaneous tumours".

PMID- 27265262
TI  - Mangrove succession enriches the sediment microbial community in South China.
AB  - Sediment microorganisms help create and maintain mangrove ecosystems. Although
      the changes in vegetation during mangrove forest succession have been well
      studied, the changes in the sediment microbial community during mangrove
      succession are poorly understood. To investigate the changes in the sediment
      microbial community during succession of mangroves at Zhanjiang, South China, we
      used phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and the following chronosequence
      from primary to climax community: unvegetated shoal; Avicennia marina community;
      Aegiceras corniculatum community; and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza + Rhizophora stylosa
      community. The PLFA concentrations of all sediment microbial groups (total
      microorganisms, fungi, gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and
      actinomycetes) increased significantly with each stage of mangrove succession.
      Microbial PLFA concentrations in the sediment were significantly lower in the wet
      season than in the dry season. Regression and ordination analyses indicated that
      the changes in the microbial community with mangrove succession were mainly
      associated with properties of the aboveground vegetation (mainly plant height)
      and the sediment (mainly sediment organic matter and total nitrogen). The changes
      in the sediment microbial community can probably be explained by increases in
      nutrients and microhabitat heterogeneity during mangrove succession.

PMID- 27265263
TI  - Paenibacillus aceti sp. nov., isolated from the traditional solid-state acetic
      acid fermentation culture of Chinese cereal vinegar.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile, endospore-forming, facultatively
      anaerobic bacterium, designated strain L14T, was isolated from the traditional
      acetic acid fermentation culture of Chinese cereal vinegars. Phylogenetic
      analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain L14T was affiliated
      to the genus Paenibacillus, most closely related to Paenibacillus motobuensis
      MC10T with 97.8 % similarity. Chemotaxonomic characterization supported the
      allocation of the strain to the genus Paenibacillus. The polar lipid profile of
      strain L14T contained the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinone
      was MK-7, and the major fatty acid components were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0
      and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content of strain L14T was 49.9 mol%. The DNA-DNA
      relatedness value between strain L14T and P. motobuensis MC10T was 51.2 %. The
      results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation
      of strain L14T from closely related species. On the basis of phenotypic and
      chemotaxonomic analyses, phylogenetic analysis and DNA-DNA relatedness values,
      strain L14T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus
      Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus aceti sp. nov. is proposed. The
      type strain is L14T (=CGMCC 1.15420T=JCM 31170T).

PMID- 27265264
TI  - Combined treatment of epigallocatechin gallate and Coenzyme Q10 attenuates
      cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity via suppression of oxidative/nitrosative stress,
      inflammation and cellular damage.
AB  - Cisplatin (CP), a platinum based anticancer drug is used as one of the first-line
      therapy for the treatment of different types of solid tumors. However, CP-induced
      side effects particularly, nephrotoxicity is a major concern. A single
      nephrotoxic dose (7 mg/kg body weight) of CP was administered in rats with or
      without, pre and post combined multidoses of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and
      coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (15 and 5 mg/kg body weight respectively). CP administration
      resulted in marked increase in the nephrotoxic parameters with alterations in the
      oxidative and nitrosative stress markers. The concentration of inflammatory, as
      well as apoptotic markers were markedly up-regulated in the kidney of the CP
      treated group. Furthermore, CP resulted in histological injury in the renal
      tissues. Combined antioxidant treatment significantly (p < 0.01) attenuated CP
      induced oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic
      parameters. Moreover, an improvement in the histopathological changes confirmed
      the nephroprotective effect of antioxidant treatment. In conclusion, our study
      indicates that the combinatorial multidoses of EGCG and CoQ10 ameliorate the
      cisplatin-mediated pathogenesis by improving renal oxidative/nitrosative status,
      inflammation and apoptosis and thus can be used as a promising protective agent
      to increase the efficacy of the drug by minimizing its major side effect i.e.
      nephrotoxicity. 

PMID- 27265265
TI  - Red seaweeds for obesity prevention?

PMID- 27265266
TI  - MicroRNA-mediated maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived
      cardiomyocytes: Towards a better model for cardiotoxicity?
AB  - Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (PSC-CMs) are a promising
      human cardiac model system for drug development and toxicity screening, along
      with cell therapy and mechanistic research. The scalable differentiation of human
      PSCs into CMs provides a renewable cell source that overcomes species differences
      present in rodent primary CMs. In addition, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)
      technology allows for development of patient-specific CMs, representing a
      valuable tool that may lead to better prediction, prevention, and treatment of
      cardiovascular diseases in this new era of precision medicine. However, the
      utility of PSC-CMs as an in vitro model is currently limited by their immature
      phenotype when compared to adult CMs. Recent work has identified microRNAs
      (miRNAs) as critical regulators of heart development and function. These studies
      have shown that miRNAs are essential to key processes that span the life cycle of
      a cardiomyocyte, including proliferation, hypertrophy, beating rhythm, and
      apoptosis. Importantly, emerging evidence strongly suggests that modulation of
      select miRNAs can enhance the maturation of PSC-CMs. Here, we review key miRNAs
      associated with heart development and function, and discuss strategies to promote
      PSC-CM maturation, focusing on current knowledge surrounding miRNA-based
      approaches and the application of PSC-CMs with respect to drug screening and
      disease models. Ultimately, it is likely that combinations of both miRNA and non
      miRNA maturation strategies may collectively provide the best path forward for
      producing mature cardiomyocytes in vitro.

PMID- 27265267
TI  - Clear-cut observation of clearance of sustainable upconverting nanoparticles from
      lymphatic system of small living mice.
AB  - The significance of lymphatic system has gathered great attention for
      immunotechnology related to cancer metastasis and immunotherapy. To develop
      innovative immunodiagnostics and immunotherapy in in vivo environments, it is
      very important to understand excretion pathways and clearance of injected
      cargoes. Herein, we employed Tm(3+)-doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) with
      versatile advantages suitable for long-term non-invasive in vivo optical imaging
      and tracking. Transport and retention of the UCNPs in the lymphatic system were
      evaluated with high-quality NIR-to-NIR upconversion luminescence (UCL) imaging.
      We obtained their kinetic luminescence profiles for the injection site and
      sentinel lymph node (SLN) and observed luminescence signals for one month; we
      also examined UCL images in SLN tissues, organs, and faeces at each time point.
      We speculate that the injected UCNPs in a footpad of a small mouse are
      transported rapidly from the lymphatic system to the blood system and then
      eventually result in an efficient excretion by the hepatobiliary route. These
      results will support development of novel techniques for SLN biopsy as well as
      immunotechnology.

PMID- 27265268
TI  - Eight-Year Experience with Nocturnal, Every-Other-Day, Online Haemodiafiltration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: New haemodialysis therapeutic regimens are required to improve
      patient survival. Longer and more frequent dialysis sessions have produced
      excellent survival and clinical advantages, while online haemodiafiltration (OL
      HDF) provides the most efficient form of dialysis treatment. METHODS: In this
      single-centre observational study, 57 patients on 4-5-hour thrice-weekly OL-HDF
      were switched to nocturnal every-other-day OL-HDF. Inclusion criteria consisted
      of stable patients with good prospects for improved occupational, psychological
      and social rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to report our 8-year
      experience with this schedule and to evaluate analytical and clinical outcomes.
      RESULTS: Nocturnal, every-other-day OL-HDF was well tolerated and 56% of patients
      were working. The convective volume increased from 26.7 +/- 2 litres at baseline
      to 46.6 +/- 6.5 litres at 24 months (p < 0.01). Increasing the dialysis dose
      significantly decreased bicarbonate, blood-urea-nitrogen and creatinine values.
      Predialysis phosphate levels fell markedly with complete suspension of phosphate
      binders from the second year of follow-up. Although haemoglobin was unchanged,
      there was a 50.4% reduction in darbepoetin dose at 24 months and a significant
      decrease in the erythropoietin resistance index. Blood pressure significantly
      decreased in a few months. Antihypertensive medication requirements were
      decreased by 60% after 3 months and by 73% after 1 year and this difference was
      maintained thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Nocturnal, every-other-day OL-HDF could be an
      excellent therapeutic alternative since it is well tolerated and leads to
      clinical and social-occupational rehabilitation with satisfactory morbidity and
      mortality. These encouraging results strengthen us to continue and invite other
      clinicians to join this initiative.

PMID- 27265269
TI  - Inappropriate statistical method in a parallel-group randomized controlled trial
      results in unsubstantiated conclusions.
AB  - The conclusions of Cassani et al. in the January 2015 issue of Nutrition Journal
      (doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-14-5 ) cannot be substantiated by the analysis reported
      nor by the data themselves. The authors ascribed the observed decrease in
      inflammatory markers to the components of flaxseed and based their conclusions on
      within-group comparisons made between the final and the baseline measurements
      separately in each arm of the randomized controlled trial. However, this is an
      improper approach and the conclusions of the paper are invalid. A correct
      analysis of the data shows no such effects.

PMID- 27265270
TI  - Multiple subcutaneous cholesterol granulomas arising in eruptive vellus hair
      cysts: A case report and published work review of 11 cases.

PMID- 27265271
TI  - The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Investigation and Management of
      Invasive Lobular Carcinoma-A 3-Year Retrospective Study in Two District General
      Hospitals.
AB  - Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) accounts for 5-15% of breast cancers. In
      comparison to other types of breast cancer, ILC is more likely to be associated
      with multifocal and contralateral breast involvement as well as a tendency to a
      diffuse infiltrative growth pattern which can represent a diagnostic challenge.
      The National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines in 2009 recommended the
      use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative assessment of ILC.
      This study aims to assess compliance with the guidelines in two District General
      Hospitals and the utility of MRI in the investigation of ILC. All cases of ILC
      between 2011 and 2013 were retrospectively identified from the pathology database
      and their breast imaging findings, pathology report, and operative intervention
      were reviewed. A total of 126 patients were identified with ILC, of these 46 had
      MRI preoperatively (36.5%). MRI upgraded mammography/ultrasound diagnoses in 10
      patients (21.7%). MRI showed multicentric unilateral disease in 17 patients
      (37.0%) occult on ultrasound/mammogram, with these patients undergoing mastectomy
      and 16/17 (94.1%) confirmed multifocality on pathology. MRI showed a
      contralateral lesion in 9 patients (19.6%), four (8.7%) of which were malignant
      and had bilateral surgery, and five (10.9%) were benign on further
      imaging/biopsy. MRI also downgraded three patients (6.5%) to unifocal disease
      with reported multifocal appearances on mammography/ultrasound, and these
      patients underwent breast-conserving surgery. MRI adds significant additional
      information to mammograms/ultrasound in ILC and should be undertaken in all such
      cases preoperatively assuming no contraindication. 

PMID- 27265272
TI  - From the editor.

PMID- 27265273
TI  - Acute promyelocytic leukemia and differentiation therapy: molecular mechanisms of
      differentiation, retinoic acid resistance and novel treatments.
AB  - Incorporation of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) into the treatment of acute
      promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a type of acute myeloid leukemia (AML),
      revolutionized the therapy of cancer in the last decade and introduced the
      concept of differentiation therapy. ATRA, a physiological metabolite of vitamin A
      (retinol), induces complete clinical remissions (CRs) in about 90% of patients
      with APL. In contrast to the cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, ATRA can selectively
      induce terminal differentiation of promyelocytic leukemic cells into normal
      granulocytes without causing bone marrow hypoplasia or exacerbation of the
      frequently occurring fatal hemorrhagic syndromes in patients with APL. However,
      remissions induced by ATRA alone are transient and the patients commonly become
      resistant to the therapy, leading to relapses in most patients and thus limiting
      the use of ATRA as a single agent. Therefore, ATRA is currently combined with
      anthracycline-based chemotherapy, and this regimen dramatically improves patient
      survival compared to chemotherapy alone, curing about 70% of the patients.
      However, 30% of APL patients still relapse and die in five years. Recently,
      arsenic trioxide (As2O3) was proven to be highly effective in inducing CRs not
      only in APL patients relapsed after ATRA treatment and conventional chemotherapy
      but also in primary APL patients. Despite the well-documented clinical efficacy
      of ATRA, molecular mechanisms responsible for development of ATRA resistance are
      not well understood. Based on in vitro and clinical observations, several
      mechanisms, including induction of accelerated metabolism of ATRA, decreased
      bioavailability and plasma drug levels, point mutations in the ATRA-binding
      domain of promyelocytic leukemia (PML)-retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RARalpha)
      and other molecular events have been proposed to explain ATRA resistance. In this
      review, the molecular mechanisms of ATRA-induced myeloid cell differentiation and
      resistance are discussed, together with novel clinical approaches to overcome
      ATRA resistance in APL. 

PMID- 27265274
TI  - Premarital hemoglobinopathy screening in Kocaeli, Turkey: a crowded industrial
      center on the north coast of Marmara Sea.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Premarital hemoglobinopathy screening is one of the important
      procedures of hemoglobinopathy control program. This is the first report about
      the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in Kocaeli. METHODS: Study covered screening
      from July 2005 to the end of the December 2008. Under the auspices of the
      Ministry of Health and Regional Health authorities blood samples of the couples
      were obtained during admission to the wedding office. Complete blood counts and
      hemoglobin variant analysis were performed with automatic counter and high
      pressure liquid chromotography technique. A genetic counseling was given to
      carriers of abnormal hemoglobins. RESULTS: A total of 88888 people were screened.
      The frequency of beta -thalassemia trait and sickle cell anemia trait were 0.89%
      and 0.05% respectively. The frequency of high risk couples was 0.01%. CONCLUSION:
      The prevalence of beta -thalassemia trait and sickle cell anemia trait was quite
      low as a reflection of the frequency of eastern and northern Anatolia and
      migration to Kocaeli from these geographic regions. Although frequency is low,
      chronic transfusion requirement, high cost of chelating, organ damage, painful
      crisis and other crisis, availability of stem cell transplantation for a limited
      number of patients with compatible sibling donors justify premarital screening
      studies even in less prevalent regions as Kocaeli.

PMID- 27265275
TI  - Utility of daily catheter-drawn blood cultures to predict catheter-related
      bacteremia in hematopoietic stem cell transplanted patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is no diagnostic tool to identify which bacterial catheter
      colonization may eventually result in bloodstream infection. We speculated that a
      faster growth or repeated positivity of serial blood cultures drawn from the
      catheter might herald catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) before the onset of
      fever. METHODS: We designed a prospective observational pilot study. All patients
      who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were prospectively
      included in the study over 10 months. Daily catheter-drawn blood cultures (DBC)
      were performed. We recorded the growth time of each blood culture and bacterial
      isolation. A fast-growing blood culture (positive <12 hours) or at least 2
      positive identical cultures within 4 consecutive days in the DBC were defined as
      a marker of risk for CRB. The value of this marker to predict CRB was
      investigated. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients (843 days of catheter) were
      included in the study. Fast- growing or repeated identical cultures were present
      in 20 patients; among them, 15 had clinical criteria of CRB. Among 62 patients
      without fast-growing or repeated identical cultures, 11 met the criteria of CRB.
      Consequently, for the defined marker of risk, the positive predictive value was
      75%, negative predictive value 82%, sensitivity 70%, and specificity 91%. Sixty
      two blood cultures were needed to detect one case of CRB prior to the onset of
      fever. CONCLUSION: The use of routinely drawn catheter-blood cultures does not
      seem to be a useful tool for predicting CRB in HSCT patients.

PMID- 27265277
TI  - Influence of cholesterol on shape parameters of erythrocytes in hyperglycemic
      subjects.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We determined the morphological changes of erythrocytes in blood
      samples of diabetic patients with varying levels of hyperglycemia with normo- and
      hyper-cholesterol concentrations and compared them with cells of healthy
      subjects. METHODS: The shape analysis was carried out by shape descriptors based
      on projected area, perimeter and form factor, as measured by the processing of
      erythrocyte images. Blood smears were collected from normal subjects and from
      glycemic subjects with normo- and hyper-cholesterol levels. After image
      processing techniques like edge enhancement, thresholding, filtering, contour
      extraction, and pattern analysis and recognition, the images were used for shape
      analysis. RESULTS: The shape parameters, which quantified the changes in
      erythrocytes in diabetic subjects with normal cholesterol level, showed
      significant deviation from the shape of normal cells. Cells of diabetic subjects
      with hyper-cholesterol level showed more deviation than cells with normal
      cholesterol. CONCLUSION: These changes lead to hyper aggregation and to a
      decrease in deformability of erythrocytes and hence increase microcirculatory
      complications.

PMID- 27265276
TI  - Serum Erythropoietin Levels in Pediatric Hematologic Disorders and Impact of
      Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Use.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In anemic patients, the correlation between serum erythropoietin
      (sEpo) level and the severity of anemia has been reported previously. However, in
      different anemia groups, different sEpo levels are measured in patients with
      similar hemoglobin levels and the etiology of this situation could not be
      explained. METHODS: We evaluated hemoglobin and sEpo levels in 31 iron deficiency
      anemia, 26 Fanconi anemia (FA), 21 thallasemia intermedia (TI), 15 acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients at presentation and 12 healthy controls.
      RESULTS: In all disease groups, an inverse linear correlation was shown between
      hemoglobin and logarhytmic sEpo level. The covariance analyses according to
      corrected hemoglobin levels exhibited the highest sEpo level in FA, followed by
      ALL, TI and iron deficiency anemia, sequentialy. CONCLUSION: There was no
      statisticaly significant difference of sEpo levels in FA patients in terms of
      androgen treatment and this finding supports that androgen affects erythropoisis
      directly, and has no effect on erythropoietin. The results indicate that there is
      no erythropoietin deficiency in the anemia of these patients and the
      admnistration of exogenous erythropoietin offers no clinical benefit.

PMID- 27265278
TI  - Role of cytosolic calcium and actin polymerization on agonist-induced secretion
      by the platelets of liver cirrhosis patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Variceal bleeding in cirrhosis is mainly due to platelet activation
      defect and secondary to coagulation defects. Secretion is an important process
      which release procoagulants for hemostasis. In the present investigation we have
      evaluated the secretory function of platelets in liver cirrhosis and also the
      simultaneous changes in cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) and the polymerization of actin
      in agonist- stimulated platelets in vitro. METHODS: Liver cirrhotic patients with
      (n=27) or without (n=23) bleeding complication were included in the study.
      Control subjects (n=50) were also utilized for the study to compare the
      analytical data. Platelets were activated by collagen in vitro and the secretory
      response was assessed by the levels of nucleotides, serotonin, pyrophosphate
      (PPi) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) secreted into the extracellular fluid of the
      platelet suspension at various time intervals. During the course of secretion the
      alteration in the polymerization of actin was monitored simultaneously with the
      changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ level. RESULTS: The secretory response of platelets
      to collagen was significantly low in both bleeders and non-bleeders when compared
      to that of normal subjects. During secretion, low level of actin polymerization
      and cytosolic Ca2+ level were observed in the platelets of bleeders than in non
      bleeders and normal subjects. The low secretory capacity of cirrhosis platelets
      could be correlated with low levels of actin polymerization and cytosolic Ca2+.
      The alterations were highly significant in the platelets of bleeders when
      compared to those of non-bleeders. CONCLUSION: The defective secretory activity
      of platelets in cirrhosis bleeders might be partly due to low polymerization of G
      actin to F-actin which is required for platelet shape change and for the release
      of procoagulants. Cytosolic Ca2+ level seems to influence actin polymerization
      and thereby impairs platelet secretory response to agonists in cirrhosis patients
      with bleeding complication.

PMID- 27265279
TI  - The association of bladder myeloid sarcoma and unclassified
      myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disease.
AB  - Myeloid sarcoma of urinary bladder is a rare disorder. We report a 71-year old
      man with hematuria. He was also under follow up for unclassified
      myeloproliferative/ myelodysplastic disorder, diagnosed 2 months ago. Abdominal
      ultrasonography and computed tomography findings were normal. Diagnostic
      cystoscopy revealed patchy areas of mucosal swelling with hyperemia.
      Histopathological examination of biopsies demonstrated a neoplasm composed of
      blasts showing myeloperoxidease positivity by immunohistochemistry. To our
      knowledge, current case is the first case of myeloid sarcoma without evidence of
      a mass lesion in the urinary bladder with a concurrent diagnosis of
      myelodysplastic /myeloproliferative disease, unclassifiable. 

PMID- 27265280
TI  - Hyperfibrotic myelodysplastic syndrome: a report of three cases from north India.
AB  - Extensive fibrosis in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is distinctly infrequent.
      Herein, we report three rare cases of hyperfibrotic MDS. This entity should be
      classified separately in the chronic myeloproliferative disease (CMPD)-MDS group
      due to variable clinical presentation and poor prognosis. 

PMID- 27265281
TI  - Acute myeloid leukemia following radioactive iodine therapy for papillary
      carcinoma of the thyroid.
AB  - Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy plays an important role in the management of
      thyroid malignancies. Leukemia is a very rare complication of radioactive
      therapy. There are very few case reports with doses below 100 mCi causing
      leukemia. We report a case of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid treated with 80
      mCi RAI who later developed acute myeloid leukemia. Thus, all patients with
      thyroid carcinoma treated with RAI should undergo periodic hematological
      examinations irrespective of RAI dose. 

PMID- 27265282
TI  - Compound heterozygosity for Hb D-Punjab / beta-thalassemia and blood donation:
      case report.

PMID- 27265283
TI  - Leishmaniasis in Yemeni children.

PMID- 27265284
TI  - Premarital and antenatal screening of Hb-Los Angeles.

PMID- 27265285
TI  - Gingival and lip hypertrophy induced by cyclosporin A treatment in an aplastic
      anemia patient.

PMID- 27265287
TI  - Telomere and telomerase in hematologicalmalignancies.

PMID- 27265286
TI  - The Nature of Social Positive Illusory Bias: Reflection of Social Impairment,
      Self-Protective Motivation, or Poor Executive Functioning?
AB  - The present study examined if a social positive illusory bias (PIB) is: a) simply
      a reflection of low adult-rated social acceptance, b) evident when children's
      perceived social acceptance is measured implicitly, and c) directly relates to
      impaired executive functioning (EF). Participants were 8 to 12 year-old children
      (N = 120; 55 boys and 65 girls) with and without clinical symptoms of attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Ratings of the child's social acceptance
      were obtained from an adult and the child using the Self-Perception Profile for
      Children (Harter 2012); social bias was calculated as the discrepancy between
      standardized adult- and child-ratings. Children also completed a reaction time
      measure to assess implicit perceptions of social acceptance and a battery of EF
      measures. Depression symptoms were assessed based on parent report. Group
      comparisons were focused on the presence or absence of social PIB rather than on
      ADHD diagnostic status. Relative to non-PIB children, those with a social PIB
      were significantly higher in self-reported social acceptance, but significantly
      lower on adult reports and implicit perceived social acceptance; these children
      also were significantly higher in depression symptoms. EF impairments were
      indirectly related to social PIB as a function of adult-rated social impairment.
      Results suggest that social PIB is not merely a reflection of low adult-ratings
      of social acceptance. However, the high explicit self-reports of social
      acceptance in children with a social PIB are not fully consistent with their
      implicit self-perceptions of social acceptance. Results are discussed in light of
      the self-protective and cognitive deficits hypotheses regarding the nature of
      social PIB.

PMID- 27265288
TI  - Five-year evaluation of premarital screening program for hemoglobinopathies in
      the province of Mersin, Turkey.
AB  - The prevalences of hemoglobin S (HbS) and beta-thalassemia (beta-thal) are high
      in Mersin, Turkey. In this study, the results of a five-year premarital screening
      program in Mersin province are reported. A total of 79,000 persons including
      31,498 couples were screened in this program. Hematological analyses and
      electrophoresis were done to identify carriers. The results were given
      confidentially and at-risk couples were counselled on reproductive options and
      prenatal diagnosis. The carrier rates of hemoglobins (Hb) (HbS, HbD, HbE) and of
      beta-thal were 1.21%, 0.17%, 0.04% and 2.04%, respectively. One hundred and
      thirty-four couples were at-risk, of whom 67.2% had health insurance. Twenty
      seven couples did not become pregnant, six were divorced and 11 could not be
      reached. Of the 135 pregnancies, 80 had prenatal diagnosis. Five stillbirths
      occurred, and 18 homozygous babies were born to couples that did not seek
      prenatal diagnosis. Two families with prenatal diagnosis had affected babies: one
      was a late referral and the other due to religious reasons. For a successful
      screening program, emphasis must be on extensive and intensive informative
      programs for the public as a whole. Prenatal diagnosis should be offered free of
      charge as a basic public service. For a healthy population, knowledge and a
      shared responsibility between the public and the government are necessary. 

PMID- 27265289
TI  - Effects of beta-adrenergic receptor blockade on stress-induced changes in
      hematological parameters of rats.
AB  - This study was carried out to examine the effects of acute and chronic stress on
      hematological parameters in combination with beta-adrenergic receptor blockade in
      rats. In the present study, acute stress is a form of short-term stress induced
      by a single footshock session, and chronic stress is a form of long-term stress
      induced by multiple and repetitive footshock sessions. Male Wistar rats were
      treated with propranolol (5 mg/kg s.c.) and were subjected to an acute stress
      [intermittent session of footshock: 0.5 mA, during 60s (5s shock, 5s pause) at
      one and three days after the moment of propranolol administration] and to a
      chronic stress [intermittent session of footshock: 0.5 mA, during 60s (5s shock,
      5s pause) over three consecutive days from the moment of propranolol
      administration]. Control group rats were subjected to the same conditions without
      the propranolol administration and were treated with saline solution. Four days
      after the drug administration, we assessed the number of total erythrocytes, the
      erythrocyte indexes (mean cell volume, MCV; mean cell hemoglobin, MCH; mean cell
      hemoglobin concentration, MCHC) and the number of thrombocytes. The results
      indicate that hematological parameters differed under acute and chronic stress
      conditions in combination with adrenergic receptor blockade. beta-adrenergic
      receptor blockade with propranolol enhances the total number of erythrocytes
      under acute stress influences and the total number of thrombocytes under chronic
      stress influences. Acute and chronic stress in combinaton with beta-adrenergic
      blockade has no significant effect on erythrocyte indexes. Propranolol
      administration in low doses during different forms of stress could prevent
      erythrocyte disorders after stress exposure and symptoms in post-traumatic stress
      disorders. Propranolol markedly suppressed the tachycardia induced by footshock
      stress after chronic administration. On the whole, the obtained data indicate the
      important role of beta-adrenoreceptor mechanisms in the regulation of erythrocyte
      dynamics. 

PMID- 27265290
TI  - Plasma levels of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor antigen in active
      and inactive inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical course of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
      is frequently complicated by thromboembolic events and may involve the arterial
      and venous systems. Although not uniformly documented, several studies document
      substantial alterations in markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients
      with IBD. METHODS: 45 patients with IBD (31 UC,14 CD) were included in the study.
      Age and sex matched 16 volunteers were used as a control group. TAFI antigen was
      determined using an ELISA kit VisuLiseTM for quantitative measurement. RESULTS:
      Inflammatory parameters such as white blood cell, platelet levels, erythrocyte
      sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein were found to be significantly higher in
      active disease group compared to inactive patients. Coagulation parameters of
      prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and d-dimer levels showed
      no significant difference between active and inactive IBD. Fibrinogen levels were
      significantly higher in clinically active IBD patients. Plasma TAFI levels
      demonstrated no significant difference between active and control, inactive and
      control as well as active and inactive groups. We observed no significant changes
      in levels of beta-TG and PF-4 between active and inactive disease group.
      CONCLUSIONS: We studied plasma TAFI levels in IBD. In conclusion, plasma TAFI
      levels does not appear to represent to be a marker of activation in IBD in
      contrast to literature. So further studies covering more patients with different
      clinic and disease activity status might improve the perspective on this issue.

PMID- 27265291
TI  - Frequency of five thrombophilic polymorphisms in the Egyptian population.
AB  - This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of FV1691 G-A, FV4070 A-G,
      PT20210 G-A, EPCR 23 gene bp insertion and ACE gene 300 bp deletion among healthy
      Egyptians. One hundred and eighty eight healthy Egyptians were included to the
      study. Previously reported molecular techniques were used for the determination
      of mutations. Thirthy one individuals had FV1691 G-A (16.5%) mutation with an
      allele frequency of 0.09. R2 and R3 haplotypes were found in 21 (11.2%) and 4
      (2.1%) individuals, respectively. Only one healthy individual had EPCR gene 23 bp
      insertion (0.53%) and two individuals (1.06%) had PT20210 G-A mutation,
      respectively. The ACE gene -300 bp del in homozygous state was present in 92
      (48.9%) individuals. The frequency of D allele was 0.718. Our preliminary data
      revealed that FV1691 G-A mutation is very frequent among Egyptians and it will be
      meaningfull to study the mutation also in the thrombotic events in Egypt. 

PMID- 27265292
TI  - Cytomegalovirus antigenemia is observed more frequently following allogeneic
      peripheral blood stem cell transplantation compared to bone marrow
      transplantation.
AB  - One of the major complications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
      (HSCT) is cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. In our institution, three methods have
      been applied routinely for the diagnosis of CMV antigenemia (CMV-Ag): 1. Direct
      immunofluorescence microscopic (IFM) examination; 2. Flow cytometric (FC)
      analysis; and 3. Serological investigation. We were able to detect CMV-Ag by FC
      in 18 out of 75 transplanted cases. In 14 of these, positivity was confirmed by
      IFM as well. CMV-Ag was detected as positive by FC in samples from peripheral
      blood (14 cases) and/or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (4 cases). Eighteen
      patients had been transplanted [peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
      (PBSCT)/bone marrow transplantation (BMT): 16/2]. CMV-Ag was detected in 34% of
      PBSCTs and 7% of BMTs (p<0.008). Antigenemia was observed at a median of 4.5
      months. In most of the patients, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was accompained
      by CMV-Ag. The ratio of acute GVHD/chronic GVHD was 6/10. Out of 18 CMV-Ag
      positive patients, 16 also had signs of infection. They were all positive by IFM
      as well. The two methods of CMV-Ag detection were correlated (r=0.619, p<0.0001).
      An important finding is the higher frequency of CMV-Ag and GVHD in patients who
      had received PBSCT. 

PMID- 27265293
TI  - A rare familial thrombocytopenia: May-Hegglin anomaly report of two cases and
      review of the literature.
AB  - May-Hegglin anomaly is a hereditary thrombocytopenia associated with giant
      platelets and large basophilic, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (resembling Dohle
      bodies) in the granulocytes. Patients may experience easy bruising, recurrent
      epistaxis, gingival bleeding, menorrhagia and sometimes excessive bleeding
      associated with surgical procedures. Failure to appropriately diagnose May
      Hegglin anomaly could result in inappropriate treatment. In states of chronic
      thrombocytopenia associated with large platelets, including chronic idiopathic
      thrombocytopenic purpura, May-Hegglin anomaly should be considered in the
      differential diagnosis. In this case report, we present a five-year-old girl
      previously followed as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura without bleeding
      symptoms and a 14-year-old boy who were diagnosed with May-Hegglin anomaly. 

PMID- 27265294
TI  - t(1;3)(p36;p21): presentation of a patient with MDS/AML (M2) and review of the
      literature.
AB  - t(1;3)(p36;p21) is a recurrent reciprocal translocation found in a subset of
      myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) characterized by
      trilineage dysplasia, especially dysmegakaryopoiesis and poor prognosis. In the
      literature, some authors have suggested that this recurrent translocation is
      closely associated with prior chemotherapy including alkylating agents in various
      hematologic malignancies. We identified a recurring translocation,
      t(1;3)(p36;p21), in our patient with MDS/AML(M2), although she had not been given
      any kind of treatment previously. 

PMID- 27265295
TI  - Platelet satellitism in a pregnant woman.
AB  - t(1;3)(p36;p21) is a recurrent reciprocal translocation found in a subset of
      myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) characterized by
      trilineage dysplasia, especially dysmegakaryopoiesis and poor prognosis. In the
      literature, some authors have suggested that this recurrent translocation is
      closely associated with prior chemotherapy including alkylating agents in various
      hematologic malignancies. We identified a recurring translocation,
      t(1;3)(p36;p21), in our patient with MDS/AML(M2), although she had not been given
      any kind of treatment previously. 

PMID- 27265296
TI  - Megadose methylprednisolone (MDMP) treatment.

PMID- 27265297
TI  - Improvements and important considerations for the 5-choice serial reaction time
      task-An effective measurement of visual attention in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) is an automated
      operant conditioning task that measures rodent attention. The task allows the
      measurement of several parameters such as response accuracy, speed of processing,
      motivation, and impulsivity. The task has been widely used to investigate
      attentional processes in rodents for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
      and has expanded to other illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, depression, and
      schizophrenia. NEW METHOD: The 5-CSRTT is accompanied with two significant
      caveats: a time intensive training period and largely varied individual rat
      capability to learn and perform the task. Here we provide a regimented
      acquisition protocol to enhance training for the 5-CSRTT and discuss important
      considerations for researchers using the 5-CSRTT. RESULTS: We offer guidelines to
      ensure that inferences on performance in the 5-CSRTT are in fact a result of
      experimental manipulation rather than training differences, or individual animal
      capability. According to our findings only rats that have been trained
      successfully within a limited time frame should be used for the remainder of the
      study. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): Currently the 5-CSRTT employs a
      training period of variable duration and procedure, and its inferences on
      attention must overcome heterogeneous innate animal differences. CONCLUSIONS: The
      5-CSRTT offers valuable and valid insights on various rodent attentional
      processes and their translation to the underpinnings of illnesses such as
      schizophrenia. The recommendations made here provide important criteria to ensure
      inferences made from this task are in fact relevant to the attentional processes
      being measured.

PMID- 27265300
TI  - Mechanochemical and thermal formation of 1H-benzotriazole coordination polymers
      and complexes of 3d-transition metals with intriguing dielectric properties.
AB  - Liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) reactions have been successfully applied to
      achieve a series of complexes and coordination polymers based on divalent 3d
      transition metal chlorides (TM chlorides) and the aromatic ligand 1H
      benzotriazole (BtzH). The obtained substances were investigated via single
      crystal X-ray, powder X-ray determination and simultaneous DTA/TG analysis as
      model compounds for structural and chemical influences on their dielectric
      properties. Depending on the synthesis method, different constitutions and
      structures are observed. Two polymorphous forms of the 1D polymer [MnCl2(BtzH)2]
      (1 and 2) as well as the complexes [ZnCl2(BtzH)2].BtzH (3) and
      [CoCl2(BtzH)2].BtzH (4) have been obtained as phase-pure bulk substances via the
      mechanochemical LAG route, and even single crystals are available. For
      comparison, thermal reactions were also carried out and have led to the formation
      of the neutral complexes: [CoCl2(BtzH)2] (5) and [CoCl2(BtzH)4].4BtzH (6),
      [ZnCl2(BtzH)2] (7) and the anionic complex BtzH2[CoCl3BtzH] (8). In addition,
      thermal treatment of 3 yields the benzotriazolium salt {(BtzH)2H}Cl (9). The
      transition metal compounds were additionally analysed regarding their dielectric
      properties by frequency-dependent as well as temperature-dependent permittivity
      investigations. It is intriguing that compounds 1 and 3 show remarkably low
      dielectric constants and loss factors up to 50  degrees C highlighting them as
      potential "low-k materials". 

PMID- 27265298
TI  - Impact of organic mercury exposure and home delivery on neurodevelopment of
      Amazonian children.
AB  - In the transitioning Amazon, we addressed birth environment (home vs hospital)
      and associated perinatal organic-Hg exposures: methylmercury (MeHg) from maternal
      fish consumption and ethylmercury (EtHg) from pediatric Thimerosal-containing
      vaccines (TCVs) taken systematically during hospital delivery. We studied 365
      children in relation to linear growth at 60 months and neurodevelopment
      (milestone achievements, Bayley Scale of Infant Development/BSID at 24 months,
      and Stanford-Binet intelligence tests at 60 months). Mothers delivered in
      hospitals vs those gave birth at home had significantly (p<0.0001) lower hair-Hg
      (HHg) concentrations (12.2 vs 23.9MUg/g respectively) and shorter length of
      breastfeeding (8.5 vs 9.7 months respectively). Home-born children had
      significantly (p<0.0001) higher HHg (7.1MUg/g) than hospital-born children
      (4.6MUg/g). Hospital-born children also had significantly earlier (p<0.0001)
      hepatitis B vaccine than home-born children (1.5 vs 24.1days respectively) and
      higher (p<0.0001) exposures to total TCV-EtHg (75.8 vs 49.3MUg respectively).
      Neither anthropometric indices nor neurodevelopment (except for fluid reasoning)
      were directly affected by birth environment. The percentage of hospital-born
      children with BSID (MDI or PDI) scores <80 was not significantly different from
      those born at home. In spite of the differences in HHg and EtHg levels between
      hospital-born and home-born children, no impact on neurodevelopment was observed.

PMID- 27265301
TI  - Management of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer in the United States and
      China.

PMID- 27265299
TI  - Exposure to non-persistent pesticides and thyroid function: A systematic review
      of epidemiological evidence.
AB  - Numerous pesticides are recognized for their endocrine-disrupting properties. Non
      persistent pesticides such as organophosphates, dithiocarbamates and pyrethroids
      may interfere with thyroid function as suggested by animal studies. However, the
      influence of chronic exposure to these compounds on thyroidal functions in humans
      remains to be determined. The present study aimed to review epidemiological
      evidence for an association between exposure to non-persistent pesticides and
      circulating levels of thyroid hormones (thyroxin [T4] and triiodothyronine [T3])
      and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). A systematic review was conducted using
      MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases. Articles were limited
      to original studies and reports published in English, Portuguese or Spanish.
      Nineteen epidemiological studies were identified, 17 of which were cross
      sectional, 14 were of occupationally exposed workers and 11 used exposure
      biomarkers. Fungicides and organophosphates (OP) insecticides were the most
      studied pesticides. Although methodological heterogeneity between studies was
      noted, particularly regarding study design, exposure assessment, and control of
      confounding, most of them showed associations with changes in T3 and T4, and/or
      TSH levels, while results from a few of these are consistent with experimental
      data supporting the findings that non-persistent pesticide exposure exerts
      hypothyroid-like effects. However, reporting quality was moderate to poor in 50%
      of the studies, particularly regarding method of selection of participants and
      discussion of external validity. Overall, current knowledge regarding the impact
      of non-persistent pesticides on human thyroid function is still limited. Given
      the widespread use of pesticides, future research should assess effects of
      exposure to currently-used pesticides in cohort studies combining comprehensive
      questionnaire-based assessment and biomarkers. Investigators need to pay
      particular attention to exposure during critical windows of brain development and
      exposure in agricultural populations.

PMID- 27265302
TI  - Advances in the surgical treatment of breast cancer.
AB  - Breast cancer has become the top malignant neoplasm in Chinese women with an
      increasing risk of morbidity and mortality. As a crucial part of comprehensive
      treatment of breast cancer, breast surgical technique is ceaselessly ameliorating
      and enriching its features. With the purpose of achieving minimal surgical
      intervention and satisfactory cosmetic results, the trend of mammary surgery is
      focusing on minimally invasive treatment and aesthetics in the 21st century. This
      article gives an overview of the most representative surgical procedures, such as
      breast conservative surgery, sentinel lymph node dissection, oncoplastic
      technique and breast reconstructive surgery. 

PMID- 27265303
TI  - HER2-positive breast cancer, how far away from the cure?-on the current situation
      of anti-HER2 therapy in breast cancer treatment and survival of patients.
AB  - With the diagnosis and treatment of tumor enter into the area of precision
      medical, based on selected targeted molecular typing of patients with
      individualized diagnosis and treatment play an important role. HER gene encoded
      epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) leading to increased early distant
      metastasis of breast cancer in patients and poor prognosis. However, a number of
      clinical studies provided evidence-based anti-HER2 targeted therapy and confirmed
      the benefit of anti-HER2 targeted therapy in patient survival. In recent years,
      through the tireless efforts of scholars in the field of breast cancer in our
      country, the whole diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer has accomplished an
      international standard. But based on a variety of factors, the anti-HER2 targeted
      therapy between China and the developed countries, and between different areas in
      China still exists certain gaps, is now a problem need to be solved. This article
      will analyzing the diagnostic and treatment on HER2-positive breast cancer in the
      United States and China, exploring reasons and looking for answers to narrow down
      the gap in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer between China and the
      United States. Improve the anti-HER2 targeted therapy in our country, let the
      patients get maximum benefit from anti-HER2 targeted therapy. 

PMID- 27265304
TI  - Genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer in Asia-moving forward.
AB  - Genetic screening for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) has gained much
      attention for the past decades. With the development of advanced sequencing
      technology, other novel breast cancer associated susceptibility genes, other than
      BRCA genes, have been identified recently. The prevalence of BRCA mutation is
      known to be different in the West and in the East, therefore it is important to
      understand the mutation spectrum locally and in Asia to improve early diagnosis
      and clinical management of hereditary breast cancer in the region. In this
      editorial, we sought to highlight the need of genetic screening in HBOC, and also
      highlight specific issues within Asia which may need to be addressed to help
      popularize its appropriate use in this region. 

PMID- 27265306
TI  - Contribution of forest foods to dietary intake and their association with
      household food insecurity: a cross-sectional study in women from rural Cameroon.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the contribution of forest foods to dietary intake and
      estimate their association with household food insecurity. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional survey conducted among 279 households. Using a 7 d recall
      questionnaire, information on household food consumption was collected from women
      and used to determine the household dietary diversity score, food variety score
      and forest food consumption score (FFCS). Household Food Insecurity Access Scale
      (HFIAS) score was determined and Spearman rank correlation was used to establish
      the relationship between consumption of forest foods and HFIAS score. Women's
      dietary intake was estimated from two 24 h recalls. The contribution of forest
      foods to women's nutrient intakes was calculated and women's nutrient intakes
      were compared with estimated average nutrient requirements. SETTING: Rural forest
      dependent households in twelve villages in eastern and southern Cameroon.
      SUBJECTS: Household heads and their non-pregnant, non-lactating spouses. RESULTS:
      Forty-seven unique forest foods were identified; of these, seventeen were
      consumed by 98 % of respondents over the course of one week and by 17 % of women
      during the two 24 h recall periods. Although forest foods contributed
      approximately half of women's total daily energy intake, considerably greater
      contributions were made to vitamin A (93 %), Na (100 %), Fe (85 %), Zn (88 %) and
      Ca (89 %) intakes. Despite a highly biodiverse pool of foods, most households (83
      %) suffered from high food insecurity based on the HFIAS. A significant inverse
      correlation was observed between the HFIAS score and the FFCS (r 2=-0.169,
      P=0.0006), demonstrating that forest foods play an important role in ensuring
      food security in these forest-dependent communities. CONCLUSIONS: Forest foods
      are widely consumed by forest-dependent communities. Given their rich nutrient
      content, they have potential to contribute to food and nutrition security.

PMID- 27265305
TI  - Co-expression of the proteinase inhibitors oryzacystatin I and oryzacystatin II
      in transgenic potato alters Colorado potato beetle larval development.
AB  - Colorado potato beetle (CPB; Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, Coleoptera:
      Chrysomelidae) has shown a remarkable adaptability to a variety of control
      measures. Although oryzacystatin I and II (OCI and OCII) have potential in
      controlling pests that use cysteine proteinases for food digestion, expression of
      a single OC gene in potato exhibited a minimal or no effect on CPB fitness
      traits. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of coexpressed OCI and
      OCII in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars Desiree, Dragacevka and Jelica on
      CPB larvae. Growth parameters, consumption rates and food utilization, as well as
      activity of proteases of CPB larvae were assayed. Second and third instar larvae
      fed on transformed leaves molted earlier and had higher relative growth and
      consumption rates than larvae fed on nontransformed leaves, while efficiency of
      food utilization was unaffected. In contrast, fourth instar maximum weight gain
      and amount of leaves consumed were about 20% lower for the larvae fed on
      transgenic potato. Analysis of total protease activity of third instar larvae
      revealed reduction in overall proteolytic activity measured by azocasein
      hydrolysis, accompanied with inhibition of cysteine proteinase activity 24 h
      after ingestion of potato leaves expressing OCI and OCII. However, after long
      term feeding on transformed leaves proteolytic activities of larvae became
      similar to the controls. Although feeding on OCI/OCII leaves did not affect
      larval survival, coexpression of OC genes reduced the development time and thus
      significantly decreased plant damage caused by CPB larvae.

PMID- 27265307
TI  - Multiple squamous cells in thyroid fine needle aspiration: Friends or foes?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abundant squamous cells are rarely encountered in thyroid FNA with
      only few case reports noted in the literature. Their presence and cytologic
      features may pose a diagnostic dilemma and challenges for proper classification
      and follow-up. We intend to gain more insight into the frequency of this finding
      and its clinical significance. DESIGN: Our electronic records were searched over
      16 years to reveal 15 thyroid FNAs with abundant squamous cells. The available
      cytology and surgical resection slides were reviewed and radiologic records and
      clinical follow-up was documented. RESULTS: Only 15 out of 8811 thyroid FNAs from
      our department contained predominantly squamous cells (0.17%) of which two were
      interpreted as nondiagnostic, four as atypical, eight as benign, and one
      malignant. Surgical follow-up was available in eight cases only with benign
      lesions representing the majority of the cases (squamous metaplasia in Hashimoto
      thyroiditis, benign epidermoid/branchial cleft or thyroglossal duct cysts, and
      one case squamous cell carcinoma). The cases without surgical resection were
      stable on subsequent ultrasound studies. CONCLUSION: Thyroid aspirates with
      predominance of squamous cells cannot be classified in the current Bethesda
      categories. Even when interpreted as atypical or equivocal, the squamous cells
      present in our small case series were mostly benign. The only malignant case was
      easily identified cytologically because of its higher degree of differentiation.
      The most common pitfall for atypical squamous cells in these aspirates was
      squamous metaplasia in the setting of Hashimoto thyroiditis and degenerative
      changes. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:676-681. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265308
TI  - Chemically modified graphene films for high-performance optical NO2 sensors.
AB  - Various graphene-based gas sensors that operate based on the electrical
      properties of graphene have been developed for accurate detection of gas
      components. However, electronic graphene-based gas sensors are unsafe under
      explosive atmospheres and sensitive to electromagnetic interference. Here, a
      novel optical graphene-based gas sensor for NO2 detection is established based on
      surface chemical modification of high-temperature-reduced graphene oxide (h-rGO)
      films with sulfo groups. Sulfo group-modified h-rGO (S-h-rGO) films with a
      thickness of several nanometers exhibit excellent performance in NO2 detection at
      room temperature and atmospheric pressure based on the polarization absorption
      effect of graphene. Initial slope analysis of the S-h-rGO sensor indicates that
      it has a limit of detection of 0.28 ppm and a response time of 300 s for NO2 gas
      sensing. Furthermore, the S-h-rGO sensor also possesses the advantages of good
      linearity, reversibility, selectivity, non-contact operation, low cost and
      safety. This novel optical gas sensor has the potential to serve as a general
      platform for the selective detection of a variety of gases with high performance.

PMID- 27265311
TI  - Novel chitin/chitosan-glucan wound dressing: Isolation, characterization,
      antibacterial activity and wound healing properties.
AB  - Chitin/chitosan-glucan complex (ChCsGC) was isolated from Schizophyllum commune
      (S. commune) and dissolved for the first time in precooled (-15 degrees C) 8wt.%
      urea/6wt.% NaOH aqueous solution. Novel nonwoven microfiber mats were fabricated
      by wet-dry-spinning technique and evaluated the mechanical of fabrics mats and
      surface morphology. Isolated and nonwoven mat were characterized employing FTIR
      ATR, Optical microscope, TGA, DSC, H/C NMR, SEM and XRD techniques. According to
      the physical/chemical characterization measurements we can assumed that, the net
      and the novel dressing mats have the same chemical structure with slightly
      changes in the thermal stability for the dressing mats.The biological activity of
      the nonwoven ChCsGC fabric was tested against different types of bacteria
      exhibiting excellent antibacterial activity. Cell viability of the plain complex
      and nonwovens mats were evaluated utilizing mouse fibroblast cell line varying
      concentrations and treatment time. ChCsGC did not show any cytotoxicity against
      mouse fibroblast cells and the cell-fabrics interaction was also investigated
      using fluorescence microscope. The novel ChCsGC nonwovens exhibited excellent
      surgical wound healing ability when tested using rat models. 

PMID- 27265312
TI  - Solid state drug-polymer miscibility studies using the model drug ABT-102.
AB  - Amorphous solid dispersions typically suffer storage stability issues due to:
      their amorphous nature, high drug loading, uneven drug:stabilizer ratio and
      plasticization effects as a result of hygroscopic excipients. An extensive solid
      state miscibility study was conducted to aid in understanding the mechanisms
      involved in drug/stabilizer interactions. ABT-102 (model drug) and nine different
      polymers with different molecular weights and viscosities were selected to
      investigate drug/polymer miscibility. Three different polymer:drug ratios (1:3,
      1:1 and 3:1, w/w) were analyzed using: DSC, FTIR and PXRD. Three different
      techniques were used to prepare the amorphous solid dispersions: serial dilution,
      solvent evaporation and spray drying. Spray drying was the best method to obtain
      amorphous solid dispersions. However, under certain conditions amorphous
      formulations could be obtained using solvent evaporation. Melting point
      depression was used to calculate interaction parameters and free energy of mixing
      for the various drug polymer mixtures. The spray dried solid dispersions yielded
      a negative free energy of mixing which indicated strong drug-polymer miscibility
      compared to the solvent evaporation and serial dilution method. Soluplus was the
      best stabilizer compared to PVP and HPMC, which is probably a consequence of
      strong hydrogen bonding between the two CO moieties of soluplus and the drug NH
      moieities. 

PMID- 27265309
TI  - High-throughput screening in the C. elegans nervous system.
AB  - The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is widely used as a model organism in the
      field of neurobiology. The wiring of the C. elegans nervous system has been
      entirely mapped, and the animal's optical transparency allows for in vivo
      observation of neuronal activity. The nematode is also small in size, self
      fertilizing, and inexpensive to cultivate and maintain, greatly lending to its
      utility as a whole-animal model for high-throughput screening (HTS) in the
      nervous system. However, the use of this organism in large-scale screens presents
      unique technical challenges, including reversible immobilization of the animal,
      parallel single-animal culture and containment, automation of laser surgery, and
      high-throughput image acquisition and phenotyping. These obstacles require
      significant modification of existing techniques and the creation of new C.
      elegans-based HTS platforms. In this review, we outline these challenges in
      detail and survey the novel technologies and methods that have been developed to
      address them.

PMID- 27265313
TI  - A novel concept for the treatment of couperosis based on nanocrystals in
      combination with solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN).
AB  - For the post laser treatment of couperosis a new dermal formulation was developed
      combining three actives: vitamin K1, A1 and rutin, where both vitamins were
      incorporated into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and the poorly soluble
      antioxidant rutin formulated as nanocrystal. All three formulations were stable
      over 6 months either on their own or after their incorporation into a hydrogel.
      Vitamin A1 at 0.3% in emulsions shows local skin irritation due to very rapid
      release. By forming SLN, prolonged release with less irritation potential but
      deeper penetration was achieved in porcine ear skin. Due to the nanosized rutin,
      the new hydrogel showed clearly increased antioxidant activity, representing a
      stronger protection potential against reactive oxygen species (ROS), compared to
      marketed anti-redness products with rutin as raw drug powder or water-soluble
      derivative. In addition, rutin nanocrystals showed up to 5 times pronounced
      penetration compared to MUm-sized raw drug powder. The orientating in-vivo case
      study revealed a three to six times faster recovery after laser treatment of
      couperosis by twice daily application of the new hydrogel, regarding scabbed-over
      areas and erythema. Continued use of the new gel also showed preventive
      properties against recurrences of veins for at least 8 month. 

PMID- 27265314
TI  - Comparison of the cohesion-adhesion balance approach to colloidal probe atomic
      force microscopy and the measurement of Hansen partial solubility parameters by
      inverse gas chromatography for the prediction of dry powder inhalation
      performance.
AB  - The abilities of the cohesive-adhesive balance approach to atomic force
      microscopy (AFM) and the measurement of Hansen partial solubility parameters by
      inverse gas chromatography (IGC) to predict the performance of carrier-based dry
      powder inhaler (DPI) formulations were compared. Five model drugs (beclometasone
      dipropionate, budesonide, salbutamol sulphate, terbutaline sulphate and
      triamcinolone acetonide) and three model carriers (erythritol, alpha-lactose
      monohydrate and d-mannitol) were chosen, giving fifteen drug-carrier
      combinations. Comparison of the AFM and IGC interparticulate adhesion data
      suggested that they did not produce equivalent results. Comparison of the AFM
      data with the in vitro fine particle delivery of appropriate DPI formulations
      normalised to account for particle size differences revealed a previously
      observed pattern for the AFM measurements, with a slightly cohesive AFM CAB ratio
      being associated with the highest fine particle fraction. However, no consistent
      relationship between formulation performance and the IGC data was observed. The
      results as a whole highlight the complexity of the many interacting variables
      that can affect the behaviour of DPIs and suggest that the prediction of their
      performance from a single measurement is unlikely to be successful in every case.

PMID- 27265315
TI  - Partitioning of Organic Ions to Muscle Protein: Experimental Data, Modeling, and
      Implications for in Vivo Distribution of Organic Ions.
AB  - The in vivo partitioning behavior of ionogenic organic chemicals (IOCs) is of
      paramount importance for their toxicokinetics and bioaccumulation. Among other
      proteins, structural proteins including muscle proteins could be an important
      sorption phase for IOCs, because of their high quantity in the human and other
      animals' body and their polar nature. Binding data for IOCs to structural
      proteins are, however, severely limited. Therefore, in this study muscle protein
      water partition coefficients (KMP/w) of 51 systematically selected organic anions
      and cations were determined experimentally. A comparison of the measured KMP/w
      with bovine serum albumin (BSA)-water partition coefficients showed that anionic
      chemicals sorb more strongly to BSA than to muscle protein (by up to 3.5 orders
      of magnitude), while cations sorb similarly to both proteins. Sorption isotherms
      of selected IOCs to muscle protein are linear (i.e., KMP/w is concentration
      independent), and KMP/w is only marginally influenced by pH value and salt
      concentration. Using the obtained data set of KMP/w a polyparameter linear free
      energy relationship (PP-LFER) model was established. The derived equation fits
      the data well (R(2) = 0.89, RMSE = 0.29). Finally, it was demonstrated that the
      in vitro measured KMP/w values of this study have the potential to be used to
      evaluate tissue-plasma partitioning of IOCs in vivo.

PMID- 27265316
TI  - Weak C-H acids as protonophores can carry hydrogen ions through lipid membranes
      and mitochondria: a case of o-carborane.
AB  - ortho-Carborane (1,2-C2B10H12) was found to be a carrier of protons in both
      mitochondrial and artificial lipid membranes, suggesting that this dicarborane
      can reversibly release hydrogen ions and diffuse through the membranes in neutral
      and anionic forms. Similar to conventional uncouplers (e.g. 2,4-dinitrophenol), o
      carborane stimulated mitochondrial respiration and decreased the membrane
      potential at concentrations of tens of micromoles. Protonophoric activity of o
      carborane was observed both by a fluorometric assay using pyranine-loaded
      liposomes and electrical current measurements across planar lipid bilayers.
      Substantial contribution of the proton flux to the o-carborane-mediated current
      was proved by a shift of the zero current voltage upon imposing a pH gradient
      across the membrane. Meta-carborane (1,7-C2B10H12) lacked the protonophoric
      activity in line with its reduced C-H acidity. The results suggest that weak C-H
      acids can exhibit protonophoric activity in the biological environment. The
      finding of a new class of protonophoric compounds is of substantial interest due
      to promising anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties of uncouplers. 

PMID- 27265317
TI  - Three-Dimensional Polydopamine Functionalized Coiled Microfibrous Scaffolds
      Enhance Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Colonization and Mild Myofibroblastic
      Differentiation.
AB  - Electrospinning has been widely applied for tissue engineering due to its
      versatility of fabricating extracellular matrix (ECM) mimicking fibrillar
      scaffolds. Yet there are still challenges such as that these two-dimensional (2D)
      tightly packed, hydrophobic fibers often hinder cell infiltration and cell
      scaffold integration. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) was electrospun into
      a grounded coagulation bath collector, resulting in 3D coiled microfibers with in
      situ surface functionalization with hydrophilic, catecholic polydopamine (pDA).
      The 3D scaffolds showed biocompatibility and were well-integrated with human bone
      marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), with significantly higher
      cell penetration depth compared to that of the 2D PCL microfibers from
      traditional electrospinning. Further differentiation of human mesenchymal stem
      cells (hMSCs) into fibroblast phenotype in vitro indicates that, compared to the
      stiff, tightly packed, 2D scaffolds which aggravated myofibroblasts related
      activities, such as upregulated gene and protein expression of alpha-smooth
      muscle actin (alpha-SMA), 3D scaffolds induced milder myofibroblastic
      differentiation. The flexible 3D fibers further allowed contraction with the well
      integrated, mechanically active myofibroblasts, monitored under live-cell
      imaging, whereas the stiff 2D scaffolds restricted that. 

PMID- 27265318
TI  - Modeling of Sustainable Base Production by Microbial Electrolysis Cell.
AB  - A predictive model for the microbial/electrochemical base formation from
      wastewater was established and compared to experimental conditions within a
      microbial electrolysis cell. A Na2 SO4 /K2 SO4 anolyte showed that model
      prediction matched experimental results. Using Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a
      strong base (pH~13) was generated using applied voltages between 0.3 and 1.1 V.
      Due to the use of bicarbonate, the pH value in the anolyte remained unchanged,
      which is required to maintain microbial activity.

PMID- 27265319
TI  - Proteomic characterization of hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.).
AB  - This paper presents an investigation on hempseed proteome. The experimental
      approach, based on combinatorial peptide ligand libraries (CPLLs), SDS-PAGE
      separation, nLC-ESI-MS/MS identification, and database search, permitted
      identifying in total 181 expressed proteins. This very large number of
      identifications was achieved by searching in two databases: Cannabis sativa L.
      (56 gene products identified) and Arabidopsis thaliana (125 gene products
      identified). By performing a protein-protein association network analysis using
      the STRING software, it was possible to build the first interactomic map of all
      detected proteins, characterized by 137 nodes and 410 interactions. Finally, a
      Gene Ontology analysis of the identified species permitted to classify their
      molecular functions: the great majority is involved in the seed metabolic
      processes (41%), responses to stimulus (8%), and biological process (7%).
      BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Hempseed is an underexploited non-legume protein-rich
      seed. Although its protein is well known for its digestibility, essential amino
      acid composition, and useful techno-functional properties, a comprehensive
      proteome characterization is still lacking. The objective of this work was to
      fill this knowledge gap and provide information useful for a better exploitation
      of this seed in different food products.

PMID- 27265320
TI  - Proteomic changes occurring along gonad maturation in the edible sea urchin
      Paracentrotus lividus.
AB  - The reproductive stage of Paracentrotus lividus strongly influences product
      quality that, in turn, impacts significantly on the market price. Large, compact
      and sweet gonads are preferred, and sensory attributes are positively related to
      the ratio of nutritive phagocytes to gametes. Gonads at advanced maturation
      stages, although larger, have less desirable attributes, being more watery and
      bitter especially in females. Therefore, the best compromise among size, texture,
      and taste needs to be reached. In this study, wild P. lividus were collected
      along coastal Sardinia, and gonads in the recovery, pre-mature, mature, and spent
      stages were analyzed by gel-based and by shotgun proteomics. A detailed
      characterization of the proteome changes occurring in gonads of both sexes along
      maturation was achieved, and significant modifications were seen in numerous
      proteins involved in nutrient accumulation in nutritive phagocytes, as well as in
      gamete biology and maturation. Adding to an improved understanding of the P.
      lividus reproductive cycle in its natural environment, the results described in
      this work may form the basis for defining novel protein markers and procedures
      for an easier sexing and staging, and for monitoring sea urchin gonad maturation
      cycles in aquaculture plants. Mass spectrometry data are deposited in
      ProteomeXchange (PXD004200). SIGNIFICANCE: The sensory quality of P. lividus
      gonads is strongly influenced by the reproductive cycle, with significant changes
      in flavor, texture, and size. A better knowledge of the protein profiles,
      patterns, and markers associated with gonad sex and maturation stage can have
      useful implications for understanding and monitoring these changes. One of these
      is the ability to identify protein profiles specifically associated with a given
      stage and, in perspective, to identify maturation and sex markers. The
      comprehensive proteomic evaluation achieved in this work was made possible by the
      application of combined gel-based and shotgun approaches. As a result, this study
      generated the largest proteomic dataset available in the literature for P.
      lividus, as well as a general picture of protein abundance changes occurring
      along maturation.

PMID- 27265321
TI  - A proteomic analysis of Pakistan Daboia russelii russelii venom and assessment of
      potency of Indian polyvalent and monovalent antivenom.
AB  - To address the dearth of knowledge on the biochemical composition of Pakistan
      Russell's Viper (Daboia russelii russelii) venom (RVV), the venom proteome has
      been analyzed and several biochemical and pharmacological properties of the venom
      were investigated. SDS-PAGE (reduced) analysis indicated that proteins/peptides
      in the molecular mass range of ~56.0-105.0kDa, 31.6-51.0kDa, 15.6-30.0kDa, 9.0
      14.2kDa and 5.6-7.2kDa contribute approximately 9.8%, 12.1%, 13.4%, 34.1% and
      30.5%, respectively of Pakistan RVV. Proteomics analysis of gel-filtration peaks
      of RVV resulted in identification of 75 proteins/peptides which belong to 14
      distinct snake venom protein families. Phospholipases A2 (32.8%), Kunitz type
      serine protease inhibitors (28.4%), and snake venom metalloproteases (21.8%)
      comprised the majority of Pakistan RVV proteins, while 11 additional families
      accounted for 6.5-0.2%. Occurrence of aminotransferase, endo-beta-glycosidase,
      and disintegrins is reported for the first time in RVV. Several of RVV
      proteins/peptides share significant sequence homology across Viperidae
      subfamilies. Pakistan RVV was well recognized by both the polyvalent (PAV) and
      monovalent (MAV) antivenom manufactured in India; nonetheless, immunological
      cross-reactivity determined by ELISA and neutralization of pro
      coagulant/anticoagulant activity of RVV and its fractions by MAV surpassed that
      of PAV. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The study establishes the proteome profile of
      the Pakistan RVV, thereby indicating the presence of diverse proteins and
      peptides that play a significant role in the pathophysiology of RVV bite.
      Further, the proteomic findings will contribute to understand the variation in
      venom composition owing to different geographical location and identification of
      pharmacologically important proteins in Pakistan RVV.

PMID- 27265322
TI  - It's all about functionality: How can metaproteomics help us to discuss the
      attributes of ecological relevance in soil?
AB  - Soil metaproteomics has been recently developed in order to link the phylogeny
      and functionality of soil microorganisms. After the development of protein
      extraction and peptide analysis, the use of improved mass-spectrometric systems
      has allowed the description of the microbial composition and the identification
      of proteins in soils subjected to deforestation, restoration, contamination and
      different agricultural managements. In this letter, we encourage one step-forward
      for soil metaproteomics. We believe that proteomics can complement ecological
      attributes that control the dynamics of soil microbial populations. Among these
      attributes, we highlight the resistance, resilience and plasticity of microbial
      populations. Providing with functional basis to these attributes will extend our
      knowledge on the microbial-mediated mechanisms regulating the impacts of climate
      change and agricultural management in the near future.

PMID- 27265323
TI  - A linkage map for the Newt Notophthalmus viridescens: Insights in vertebrate
      genome and chromosome evolution.
AB  - Genetic linkage maps are fundamental resources that enable diverse genetic and
      genomic approaches, including quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses and
      comparative studies of genome evolution. It is straightforward to build linkage
      maps for species that are amenable to laboratory culture and genetic crossing
      designs, and that have relatively small genomes and few chromosomes. It is more
      difficult to generate linkage maps for species that do not meet these criteria.
      Here, we introduce a method to rapidly build linkage maps for salamanders, which
      are known for their enormous genome sizes. As proof of principle, we developed a
      linkage map with thousands of molecular markers (N=2349) for the Eastern newt
      (Notophthalmus viridescens). The map contains 12 linkage groups (152.3-934.7cM),
      only one more than the number of chromosome pairs. Importantly, this map was
      generated using RNA isolated from a single wild caught female and her 28
      offspring. We used the map to reveal chromosome-scale conservation of synteny
      among N. viridescens, A. mexicanum (Urodela), and chicken (Amniota), and to
      identify large conserved segments between N. viridescens and Xenopus tropicalis
      (Anura). We also show that met1, a major effect QTL that regulates the expression
      of alternate metamorphic and paedomorphic modes of development in Ambystoma,
      associates with a chromosomal fusion that is not found in the N. viridescens map.
      Our results shed new light on the ancestral amphibian karyotype and reveal
      specific fusion and translocation events that shaped the genomes of three
      amphibian model taxa. The ability to rapidly build linkage maps for large
      salamander genomes will enable genetic and genomic analyses within this important
      vertebrate group, and more generally, empower comparative studies of vertebrate
      biology and evolution.

PMID- 27265325
TI  - Zika virus transmission: What should we be concerned about apart from mosquito
      control.

PMID- 27265324
TI  - Imprinted survival genes preclude loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 7 in
      cancer cells.
AB  - The genomes of a wide range of cancers, including colon, breast, and thyroid
      cancers, frequently show copy number gains of chromosome 7 and rarely show loss
      of heterozygosity. The molecular basis for this phenomenon is unknown.
      Strikingly, oncocytic follicular thyroid carcinomas can display an extreme
      genomic profile, with homozygosity of all chromosomes except for chromosome 7.
      The observation that homozygosity of chromosome 7 is never observed suggests that
      retention of heterozygosity is essential for cells. We hypothesized that cell
      survival genes are genetically imprinted on either of two copies of chromosome 7,
      which thwarts loss of heterozygosity at this chromosome in cancer cells. By
      employing a DNA methylation screen and gene expression analysis, we identified
      six imprinted genes that force retention of heterozygosity on chromosome 7.
      Subsequent knockdown of gene expression showed that CALCR, COPG2, GRB10, KLF14,
      MEST, and PEG10 were essential for cancer cell survival, resulting in reduced
      cell proliferation, G1 -phase arrest, and increased apoptosis. We propose that
      imprinted cell survival genes provide a genetic basis for retention of chromosome
      7 heterozygosity in cancer cells. The monoallelically expressed cell survival
      genes identified in this study, and the cellular pathways that they are involved
      in, offer new therapeutic targets for the treatment of tumours showing retention
      of heterozygosity on chromosome 7. Copyright (c) 2016 Pathological Society of
      Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27265326
TI  - A Red to Near-IR Fluorogen: Aggregation-Induced Emission, Large Stokes Shift,
      High Solid Efficiency and Application in Cell-Imaging.
AB  - A tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivative modified with the strong electron acceptor 2
      dicyano-methylene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (TCF) was obtained in
      high yield by a simple two-step reaction. The resultant TPE-TCF showed evident
      aggregation-induced emission (AIE) features and pronounced solvatochromic
      behavior. Changing the solvent from apolar cyclohexane to highly polar
      acetonitrile, the emission peak shifted from 560 to 680 nm (120 nm redshift). In
      an acetonitrile solution and in the solid powder, the Stokes shifts are as large
      as 230 and 190 nm, respectively. The solid film emits red to near-IR (red-NIR)
      fluorescence with an emission peak at 670 nm and a quantum efficiency of 24.8 %.
      Taking the advantages of red-NIR emission and high efficiency, nanoparticles
      (NPs) of TPE-TCF were fabricated by using tat-modified 1,2-distearoylsn-glycero-3
      phosphor-ethanol-amine-N-[methoxy-(polyethyl-eneglycol)-2000] as the
      encapsulation matrix. The obtained NPs showed perfect membrane penetrability and
      high fluorescent imaging quality of cell cytoplasm. Upon co-incubation with 4,6
      diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) in the presence of tritons, the capsulated TPE
      TCF nanoparticles could enter into the nucleus and displayed similar staining
      properties to those of DAPI. 

PMID- 27265327
TI  - Methane adsorption and dissociation on iron oxide oxygen carriers: the role of
      oxygen vacancies.
AB  - We performed ab initio DFT+U calculations to explore the interaction between
      methane and iron oxide oxygen carriers for chemical looping reaction systems. The
      adsorption of CH4 and CHx (x = 0-3) radicals on alpha-Fe2O3(001), and the
      influence of oxygen vacancies at the top surface and on the subsurface on the
      adsorption properties of the radicals was investigated. The adsorption strength
      for CH4 and C radicals at the top of the alpha-Fe2O3(001) surface in the presence
      of oxygen vacancies is lower than that on the stoichiometric surface. However,
      for methyl (CH3), methylene (CH2) and methine (CH) radicals, it is
      correspondingly higher. In contrast, the oxygen vacancy formation on the
      subsurface not only increases the adsorption strength of CH3, CH2 and CH
      radicals, but also facilitates C radical adsorption. We found that oxygen
      vacancies significantly affect the adsorption configuration of CHx radicals, and
      determine the probability of finding an adsorbed species in the stoichiometric
      region and the defective region at the surface. With the obtained adsorption
      geometries and energetics of these species adsorbed on the surface, we extend the
      analysis to CH4 dissociation under chemical looping reforming conditions. The
      distribution of adsorbed CH4 and CHx (x = 0-3) radicals is calculated and
      analyzed which reveals the relationship between adsorbed CHx radical
      configuration and oxygen vacancies in iron oxide. Also, the oxygen vacancies can
      significantly facilitate CH4 activation by lowering the dissociation barriers of
      CH3, CH2 and CH radicals. However, when the oxygen vacancy concentration reaches
      2.67%, increasing the oxygen vacancy concentration cannot continue to lower the
      CH dissociation barrier. The study provides fundamental insights into the
      mechanism of CH4 dissociation on iron based oxygen carriers and also provide
      guidance to design more efficient oxygen carriers. 

PMID- 27265329
TI  - Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and the Clinical Applications.

PMID- 27265330
TI  - An Education Programme on Sickle Cell Anemia and beta-Thalassemia for the 8th
      Grade Students.
AB  - beta-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia (SCA) are major health problems in
      Cukurova. Screening studies have been carried on in this region for many years.
      The government started premarital screening programme and prenatal diagnosis has
      been done in Cukurova University Medical Faculty since 1992. In spite of all
      these, the prevention programme has not been successful. The purpose of this
      study was to start an education programme to increase the awareness of the people
      for these severe hereditary diseases. The target population was the 8th grade
      students. A visual presentation was given to students on Thalassemia and SCA
      after examining the curriculum in the Biology and/or the Science books. A total
      of 1221 students in seven Elementary Schools were informed. A questionnaire was
      given to five schools before the presentation and to two after the presentation.
      The comparison of the two group's result showed that the information given was
      well received. Thus, an extensive education programme encompassing doctors,
      health personel, civil and religious leaders and the support of the government
      will result in nil SCA and Thalassemia births. 

PMID- 27265331
TI  - Refractory Thrombocytopenia with Multilineage Dysplasia: A Rare Type of
      Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
AB  - Thrombocytopenia may be the presenting cytopenia of myelodysplastic syndrome
      (MDS) and is named as refractory thrombocytopenia (RT) and categorized in the
      refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD) group according to the
      recent World Health Organization (WHO) classification of the acute leukemias and
      MDS. Abnormal cytogenetics can be found in 60% to 80% of patients with MDS. Most
      common cytogenetic abnormalities include monosomy 5, 5q-, monosomy 7, trisomy 8,
      deletion 20q and loss of X or Y chromosome. Here we report clinical features and
      outcomes of nine patients with RT. Cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in
      seven. Among two patients who have a normal karyotype at diagnosis, one of them
      transformed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). During a median follow-up of 29
      months, two patients died of hemorrhagia and one of AML. The features and
      prognosis of patients with RT needs to be determined by larger series. 

PMID- 27265328
TI  - Defining the identity of mouse embryonic dermal fibroblasts.
AB  - Embryonic dermal fibroblasts in the skin have the exceptional ability to initiate
      hair follicle morphogenesis and contribute to scarless wound healing. Activation
      of the Wnt signaling pathway is critical for dermal fibroblast fate selection and
      hair follicle induction. In humans, mutations in Wnt pathway components and
      target genes lead to congenital focal dermal hypoplasias with diminished hair.
      The gene expression signature of embryonic dermal fibroblasts during
      differentiation and its dependence on Wnt signaling is unknown. Here we applied
      Shannon entropy analysis to identify the gene expression signature of mouse
      embryonic dermal fibroblasts. We used available human DNase-seq and histone
      modification ChiP-seq data on various cell-types to demonstrate that genes in the
      fibroblast cell identity signature can be epigenetically repressed in other cell
      types. We found a subset of the signature genes whose expression is dependent on
      Wnt/beta-catenin activity in vivo. With our approach, we have defined and
      validated a statistically derived gene expression signature that may mediate
      dermal fibroblast identity and function in development and disease. genesis
      54:415-430, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265332
TI  - Coexistence of Two Prothrombotic Mutations, Factor V 1691 G-A and Prothrombin
      20210 G-A, and the Risk of Thrombosis in Turkish Population.
AB  - This report summarizes the coexistence of two mutations; Factor V 1691 G-A and
      prothrombin 20210 G-A in Turkish population and emphasises on the point that,
      this coexistence increases the risk of thrombosis in such patients. In
      thrombophilia screening programs, these two variants should be included,
      particularly in Turkish population. 

PMID- 27265333
TI  - Effect of alpha-Tocopherol on Lipid Peroxidation Caused by Cisplatin in Rat
      Kidney.
AB  - Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most commonly used antineoplastic agents in
      current clinical practice. The major toxicities of CDDP are nonhaematological as
      nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Free oxygen radicals are known to play major role
      in CDDP-induced acute renal failure in rats. alpha-tocopherol is one of the well
      known antioxidant agents. This study was designed to investigate the role of
      alpha-tocopherol pretreatment against CDDP-induced lipid peroxidation in rat
      kidney. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups and treated as follows:
      control (saline intraperitoneally), CDDP (10 kg/kg, intraperitoneally), alpha
      tocopherol (200 kg/kg, plus CDDP, intraperitoneally). Rats were sacrificed on
      third day of the treatment, and kidney tissues were obtained and analyzed. CDDP
      treated rats showed high malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p< 0.05). In the CDDP plus
      alpha-tocopherol group, renal MDA levels were not significantly different from
      the controls. These data suggest that alpha-tocopherol may be used to prevent
      CDDP-induced lipid peroxidation. 

PMID- 27265334
TI  - Acute Monoblastic Leukemia as a Second Malignancy After Doxorubicin and Cisplatin
      Treatment for Osteosarcoma.
AB  - Secondary or therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) occurs as a
      complication of various chemotherapy regimens. In pediatric age group, leukemia
      as a second malignancy after osteosarcoma treatment with doxorubicin and
      cisplatin is relatively rare. A 15-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital
      with signs and symptoms of leukemia. She had been treated one-year earlier with
      doxorubicin and cisplatin for osteosarcoma of the left femur. The patient was
      diagnosed with acute monoblastic leukemia on the basis of bone marrow examination
      and immunophenotype analysis. There were no cytogenetic abnormalities. The
      patient's father had been diagnosed with pelvic chondrosarcoma, which suggested a
      familial susceptibility to cancer. We interpreted this as a rare case of t- AML
      with normal cytogenetic analysis, and believe the disease was induced by the
      addition of platinum compounds to a regimen including topoisomerase II
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 27265335
TI  - A Case of Brucellosis Presenting with Severe Thrombocytopenia.
AB  - Thrombocytopenia is one of the rare hematologic complication of brucellosis.
      Herein a case of brucellosis with severe thrombocytopenia was reported. The
      patient was admitted to hematology service with epistaxis, ecchymoses, fever,
      thrombocytopenia (0.6 x 103/MUL) and anemia. His initial diagnosis was idiopathic
      thrombocytopenic purpura. Corticosteroid treatment was started and erythrocyte
      and platelet suspensions were transfused. Despite this treatment clinical
      symptoms and laboratory disorders were not improved. No significant pathology was
      detected in the examination of bone marrow aspiration. On the seventh day,
      Brucella abortus was yielded from his blood cultures. Steroid was stopped and
      rifampicin plus doxycycline started. His clinical symptoms were disappeared and
      laboratory findings improved (thrombocyte count: 205 x 103/MUL) at the second
      week of the antibiotic treatment. This case was interesting showing us that
      thrombocyte count might decrease to very low levels in brucellosis. So that,
      especially in the endemic areas, brucellosis should be kept in mind for the
      etiology of fever and thrombocytopenia. 

PMID- 27265336
TI  - Iatrogenic Kaposi 's Sarcoma.
AB  - The development of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has been associated with either
      iatrogenic or underlying disease related immunodeficiency. We report a case with
      iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma developed after treatment of non- Hodgkin's lymphoma
      (NHL) who was achieved partial clinical remission with systemic chemotherapy. 

PMID- 27265337
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27265338
TI  - Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis: Delay in Diagnosis Eliminates Chance of Cure.

PMID- 27265339
TI  - High Factor VIII Antigen Levels are not Associated with Factor VIII Gene
      Polymorphisms.

PMID- 27265340
TI  - Dynamics of inert spheres in active suspensions of micro-rotors.
AB  - Inert particles suspended in active fluids of self-propelled particles are known
      to often exhibit enhanced diffusion and novel coherent structures. Here we
      numerically investigate the dynamical behavior and self-organization in a system
      consisting of passive and actively rotating spheres of the same size. The
      particles interact through direct collisions and the fluid flows generated as
      they move. In the absence of passive particles, three states emerge in a binary
      mixture of spinning spheres depending on particle fraction: a dilute gas-like
      state where the rotors move chaotically, a phase-separated state where like
      rotors move in lanes or vortices, and a jammed state where crystals continuously
      assemble, melt and move (K. Yeo, E. Lushi, and P. M. Vlahovska, Phys. Rev. Lett.,
      2015, 114, 188301). Passive particles added to the rotor suspension modify the
      system dynamics and pattern formation: while states identified in the pure active
      suspension still emerge, they occur at different densities and mixture
      proportions. The dynamical behavior of the inert particles is also non-trivially
      dependent on the system composition. 

PMID- 27265341
TI  - Dispersal of invasive Phytolacca americana seeds by birds in an urban garden in
      China.
AB  - Although seed dispersal is a key process determining the regeneration and spread
      of invasive plant populations, few studies have explicitly addressed the link
      between dispersal vector behavior and seedling recruitment to gain insight into
      the invasion process within an urban garden context. We evaluated the role of
      bird vectors in the dispersal of pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), a North
      American herb that is invasive in urban gardens in China. Fruiting P. americana
      attracted both generalist and specialist bird species that fed on and dispersed
      its seeds. The generalist species Pycnonotus sinensis and Urocissa erythrorhyncha
      were the most frequent dispersers. Seedling numbers of P. americana were strongly
      associated with the perching behavior of frugivorous birds. If newly recruited
      bird species use seedling-safe perching sites, the P. americana will regenerate
      faster, which would enhance its invasive potential. Based on our observations, we
      conclude that the 2 main bird vectors, P. sinensis and U. erythrorhyncha, provide
      potential effective dispersal agents for P. americana. Our results highlight the
      role of native birds in seed dispersal of invasive plants in urban gardens.

PMID- 27265342
TI  - Temporal Variabilities in Genetic Patterns and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of
      Enterococci Isolated from Human Feces.
AB  - Temporal variabilities in the genetic patterns and antibiotic resistance profiles
      of enterococci were monitored over a 7-month period. Enterococcus faecalis
      isolates (103 strains) collected from feces showed only one genetic pattern and
      antibiotic resistance profile within 0 d and 30 d. In contrast, after 60 d and 90
      d, the genetic patterns and antibiotic resistance profiles of all E. faecalis
      isolates (8 strains) clearly differed within 30 d. These results indicate that
      the genetic patterns and antibiotic resistance profiles of E. faecalis in human
      feces changed to completely dissimilar patterns between 1 and 2 months. 

PMID- 27265343
TI  - Cladophialophora inabaensis sp. nov., a New Species among the Dark Septate
      Endophytes from a Secondary Forest in Tottori, Japan.
AB  - A novel species of Cladophialophora is herein described from the natural
      environment of secondary forest soil in Japan, which was able to be colonized by
      the host plant root. Morphological observations indicated that the isolate is
      distinct from previously identified species, and, thus, is described as the new
      species, C. inabaensis sp. nov. 

PMID- 27265344
TI  - Phylogenetically Diverse Burkholderia Associated with Midgut Crypts of Spurge
      Bugs, Dicranocephalus spp. (Heteroptera: Stenocephalidae).
AB  - Diverse phytophagous heteropteran insects, commonly known as stinkbugs, are
      associated with specific gut symbiotic bacteria, which have been found in midgut
      cryptic spaces. Recent studies have revealed that members of the stinkbug
      families Coreidae and Alydidae of the superfamily Coreoidea are consistently
      associated with a specific group of the betaproteobacterial genus Burkholderia,
      called the "stinkbug-associated beneficial and environmental (SBE)" group, and
      horizontally acquire specific symbionts from the environment every generation.
      However, the symbiotic system of another coreoid family, Stenocephalidae remains
      undetermined. We herein investigated four species of the stenocephalid genus
      Dicranocephalus. Examinations via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the typical arrangement and
      ultrastructures of midgut crypts and gut symbionts. Cloning and molecular
      phylogenetic analyses of bacterial genes showed that the midgut crypts of all
      species are colonized by Burkholderia strains, which were further assigned to
      different subgroups of the genus Burkholderia. In addition to the SBE-group
      Burkholderia, a number of stenocephalid symbionts belonged to a novel clade
      containing B. sordidicola and B. udeis, suggesting a specific symbiont clade for
      the Stenocephalidae. The symbiotic systems of stenocephalid bugs may provide a
      unique opportunity to study the ongoing evolution of symbiont associations in the
      stinkbug-Burkholderia interaction. 

PMID- 27265345
TI  - Physical Activity and Gastric Residuals as Biomarkers for Region-Specific NEC
      Lesions in Preterm Neonates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious feeding-related
      inflammatory gut disease with high mortality. Early clinical markers of NEC are
      of great importance for optimizing preventive interventions. OBJECTIVE: Using
      preterm pigs as models, we hypothesized that an early postnatal onset of NEC can
      be predicted by decreased physical activity during the first few days after
      birth. METHODS: Cesarean-delivered preterm pigs were fed parenteral nutrition and
      increasing amounts of formula for 5 days after birth (n = 120). Their physical
      activity was quantified by a continuous camera surveillance system and they were
      evaluated twice daily for clinical signs of apathy, discoloration, respiratory
      distress, abdominal distension and diarrhea. The volume of gastric residuals and
      the presence of macroscopic NEC-like lesions in the stomach, intestine and colon
      were recorded at euthanasia on day 5. RESULTS: Half of the pigs (48%) showed
      clear NEC-like lesions on day 5, and these individuals had more adverse clinical
      symptoms from day 3 but decreased physical activity already from day 2 relative
      to the unaffected pigs (both p < 0.05). Only animals with NEC lesions in the
      small intestine had lower physical activity on days 2 and 3, and the increased
      volume of gastric residuals was specifically related to colon lesions (both p <
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased physical activity precedes the clinical symptoms of
      NEC in the small intestine of preterm pigs, and increased gastric residuals
      predict NEC lesions in the colon. Physical activity and gastric residuals may
      function as clinical biomarkers for region-specific NEC lesions in preterm
      neonates.

PMID- 27265346
TI  - Acute bacterial meningitis in adults.
AB  - Over the past several decades, the incidence of bacterial meningitis in children
      has decreased but there remains a significant burden of disease in adults, with a
      mortality of up to 30%. Although the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis is not
      completely understood, knowledge of bacterial invasion and entry into the CNS is
      improving. Clinical features alone cannot determine whether meningitis is present
      and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid is essential for diagnosis. Newer
      technologies, such as multiplex PCR, and novel diagnostic platforms that
      incorporate proteomics and genetic sequencing, might help provide a quicker and
      more accurate diagnosis. Even with appropriate antimicrobial therapy, mortality
      is high and so attention has focused on adjunctive therapies; adjunctive
      corticosteroids are beneficial in certain circumstances. Any further improvements
      in outcome are likely to come from either modulation of the host response or
      novel approaches to therapy, rather than new antibiotics. Ultimately, the best
      hope to reduce the disease burden is with broadly protective vaccines.

PMID- 27265348
TI  - Raising the bar for the adjuvant treatment of pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 27265347
TI  - Adjuvant chemotherapy of S-1 versus gemcitabine for resected pancreatic cancer: a
      phase 3, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial (JASPAC 01).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine is standard care for
      resected pancreatic cancer, S-1 has shown non-inferiority to gemcitabine for
      advanced disease. We aimed to investigate the non-inferiority of S-1 to
      gemcitabine as adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer in terms of overall
      survival. METHODS: We did a randomised, open-label, multicentre, non-inferiority
      phase 3 trial undertaken at 33 hospitals in Japan. Patients who had
      histologically proven invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas, pathologically
      documented stage I-III, and no local residual or microscopic residual tumour, and
      were aged 20 years or older were eligible. Patients with resected pancreatic
      cancer were randomly assigned (in a 1:1 ratio) to receive gemcitabine (1000
      mg/m(2), intravenously administered on days 1, 8, and 15, every 4 weeks [one
      cycle], for up to six cycles) or S-1 (40 mg, 50 mg, or 60 mg according to body
      surface area, orally administered twice a day for 28 days followed by a 14 day
      rest, every 6 weeks [one cycle], for up to four cycles) at the data centre by a
      modified minimisation method, balancing residual tumour status, nodal status, and
      institutions. The primary outcome was overall survival in the two treatment
      groups, assessed in the per-protocol population, excluding ineligible patients
      and those not receiving the allocated treatment. The protocol prespecified that
      the superiority of S-1 with respect to overall survival was also to be assessed
      in the per-protocol population by a log-rank test, if the non-inferiority of S-1
      was verified. We estimated overall and relapse-free survival using the Kaplan
      Meier methods, and assessed non-inferiority of S-1 to gemcitabine using the Cox
      proportional hazard model. The expected hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was 0.87
      with a non-inferiority margin of 1.25 (power 80%; one-sided type I error 2.5%).
      This trial is registered at UMIN CTR (UMIN000000655). FINDINGS: 385 patients were
      randomly assigned to treatment between April 11, 2007, and June 29, 2010 (193 to
      the gemcitabine group and 192 to the S-1 group). Of these, three were exlcuded
      because of ineligibility and five did not receive chemotherapy. The per-protocol
      population therefore consisted of 190 patients in the gemcitabine group and 187
      patients in the S-1 group. On Sept 15, 2012, following the recommendation from
      the independent data and safety monitoring committee, this study was discontinued
      because the prespecified criteria for early discontinuation were met at the
      interim analysis for efficacy, when all the protocol treatments had been
      finished. Analysis with the follow-up data on Jan 15, 2016, showed HR of
      mortality was 0.57 (95% CI 0.44-0.72, pnon-inferiority<0.0001, p<0.0001 for
      superiority), associated with 5-year overall survival of 24.4% (18.6-30.8) in the
      gemcitabine group and 44.1% (36.9-51.1) in the S-1 group. Grade 3 or 4
      leucopenia, neutropenia, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase
      were observed more frequently in the gemcitabine group, whereas stomatitis and
      diarrhoea were more frequently experienced in the S-1 group. INTERPRETATION:
      Adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 can be a new standard care for resected pancreatic
      cancer in Japanese patients. These results should be assessed in non-Asian
      patients. FUNDING: Pharma Valley Center, Shizuoka Industrial Foundation, Taiho
      Pharmaceutical.

PMID- 27265349
TI  - No relevant midbrain atrophy in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - AIMS OF THE STUDY: To investigate whether significant midbrain atrophy is present
      in Parkinson's disease (PD), and if so, whether it can be used as a marker of
      striatal dopaminergic degeneration. METHODS: In total, 150 PD patients and 155
      controls were scanned with both brain dopamine transporter (DAT) [123 I]FP-CIT
      SPECT and 1.5T MRI. Midbrain atrophy was measured from sagittal MRIs using the
      midbrain-to-pons ratios. Both striatal region-of-interest-based (Brass) and
      striatal and extrastriatal voxel-by-voxel-based DAT binding (SPM8) were
      investigated in relation to midbrain atrophy. RESULTS: The midbrain-to-pons
      ratios in PD patients were slightly lower than those in the controls (mean 0.59
      vs 0.61, P < 0.05). The ratios did not significantly correlate with striatal or
      extrastriatal [123 I]FP-CIT uptake in controls or patients with PD. CONCLUSIONS:
      Mild midbrain atrophy is present in PD and can be detected with MRI. However, the
      midbrain atrophy in PD is not associated with the level of striatal dopaminergic
      dysfunction, and midbrain measurements therefore cannot be used as a clinically
      useful predictor of dopamine function.

PMID- 27265350
TI  - Preparation of large size, few-layer black phosphorus nanosheets via phytic acid
      assisted liquid exfoliation.
AB  - Ultrathin uniform BP nanosheets with lateral dimensions of up to several tens of
      micrometers were prepared via a small molecule-assisted liquid phase exfoliation
      method, which exhibited attractive electron accepting abilities from
      photosensitizers and was thus promising in diverse applications such as
      photocatalysis and photovoltaics. 

PMID- 27265351
TI  - The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and health: few gains, some losses, many
      risks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In early October 2015, 12 nations signed the Trans-Pacific
      Partnership Agreement (TPPA), promoted as a model '21(st) century' trade and
      investment agreement that other countries would eventually join. There are
      growing concerns amongst the public health community about the potential health
      implications of such WTO+ trade and investment agreements, but little existing
      knowledge on their potential health impacts. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a
      health impact review which allows for a summary estimation of the most
      significant health impacts of a set of policies, in our case the TPPA. Our
      analysis shows that there are a number of potentially serious health risks, with
      the following key pathways linking trade to health: access to medicines, reduced
      regulatory space, investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), and environmental
      protection and labor rights. We also note that economic gains that could
      translate into health benefits will likely be inequitably distributed.
      CONCLUSION: Our analysis demonstrates the need for the public health community to
      be knowledgeable about trade issues and more engaged in trade negotiations. In
      the context of the COP21 climate change Agreement, and the UN Sustainable
      Development Goals, this may be an opportune time for TPPA countries to reject it
      as drafted, and rethink what should be the purpose of such agreements in light of
      (still) escalating global wealth inequalities and fragile environmental resources
      the two most foundational elements to global health equity.

PMID- 27265352
TI  - Bacillus oryzisoli sp. nov., isolated from rice rhizosphere.
AB  - The taxonomy of strain 1DS3-10T, a Gram-staining-positive, endospore-forming
      bacterium isolated from rice rhizosphere, was investigated using a polyphasic
      approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated
      that the novel strain was grouped with established members of the genus Bacillus
      and appeared to be closely related to the type strains Bacillus benzoevorans DSM
      5391T (97.9 %), Bacillus circulans DSM 11T (97.7 %), Bacillus novalis JCM 21709T
      (97.3 %), Bacillus soli JCM 21710T (97.3 %), Bacillus oceanisediminis CGMCC
      1.10115T (97.3 %) and BacillusnealsoniiFO-92T (97.1 %). The fatty acid profile of
      strain 1DS3-10T, which showed a predominance of iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0,
      supported the allocation of the strain to the genus Bacillus. The predominant
      menaquinone was MK-7 (100 %). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and unknown aminolipids. Cell-wall
      peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. DNA-DNA hybridization values
      between strain 1DS3-10T and the type strains of closely related species were 25
      33 %, which supported that 1DS3-10T represented a novel species in the genus
      Bacillus. The results of some physiological and biochemical tests also allowed
      the phenotypic differentiation of strain 1DS3-10T from the most closely related
      recognized species. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence,
      strain 1DS3-10T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the
      name Bacillus oryzisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the novel
      species is 1DS3-10T (=ACCC 19781T=DSM 29761T).

PMID- 27265354
TI  - Spectrofluorimetric Determination of Beryllium by Mean Centering of Ratio
      Spectra.
AB  - Trace amounts of beryllium has been determined by spectrofluorimetric method that
      used morin as fluorimetric reagent. Beryllium gives a highly fluorescent complex
      with morin. The excitation wavelength of morin and Be-morin complex were 410 and
      430. The fluorescence spectra of morin and Be-morin complex were overlaped in
      excitation wavelength of 430 nm. A method based on mean centering of ratio
      spectra has been performed to remove the interference caused by morin as it
      overlaps with the Be-morin spectra. The linear range of beryllium concentration
      is in 0.2-200 ppb range. The parameters of detection limit and RSD were 0.18 ppb
      and 4.6 % respectively. This method was used for determination of beryllium in
      copper-beryllium alloy as a real sample. In determination of Be(II), the
      interference by Cu(II) was very serious, which was eliminated by adding
      triethanolamine. 

PMID- 27265353
TI  - Daily co-trimoxazole prophylaxis to prevent mortality in children with
      complicated severe acute malnutrition: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised
      placebo-controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children with complicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) have a
      greatly increased risk of mortality from infections while in hospital and after
      discharge. In HIV-infected children, mortality and admission to hospital are
      prevented by daily co-trimoxazole prophylaxis, despite locally reported bacterial
      resistance to co-trimoxazole. We aimed to assess the efficacy of daily co
      trimoxazole prophylaxis on survival in children without HIV being treated for
      complicated SAM. METHODS: We did a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo
      controlled study in four hospitals in Kenya (two rural hospitals in Kilifi and
      Malindi, and two urban hospitals in Mombasa and Nairobi) with children aged 60
      days to 59 months without HIV admitted to hospital and diagnosed with SAM. We
      randomly assigned eligible participants (1:1) to 6 months of either daily oral co
      trimoxazole prophylaxis (given as water-dispersible tablets; 120 mg per day for
      age <6 months, 240 mg per day for age 6 months to 5 years) or matching placebo.
      Assignment was done with computer-generated randomisation in permuted blocks of
      20, stratified by centre and age younger or older than 6 months. Treatment
      allocation was concealed in opaque, sealed envelopes and patients, their
      families, and all trial staff were masked to treatment assignment. Children were
      given recommended medical care and feeding, and followed up for 12 months. The
      primary endpoint was mortality, assessed each month for the first 6 months, then
      every 2 months for the second 6 months. Secondary endpoints were nutritional
      recovery, readmission to hospital, and illness episodes treated as an outpatient.
      Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial was registered at
      ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00934492. FINDINGS: Between Nov 20, 2009, and March
      14, 2013, we recruited and assigned 1778 eligible children to treatment (887 to
      co-trimoxazole prophylaxis and 891 to placebo). Median age was 11 months (IQR 7
      16 months), 306 (17%) were younger than 6 months, 300 (17%) had oedematous
      malnutrition (kwashiorkor), and 1221 (69%) were stunted (length-for-age Z score <
      2). During 1527 child-years of observation, 122 (14%) of 887 children in the co
      trimoxazole group died, compared with 135 (15%) of 891 in the placebo group
      (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.90, 95% CI 0.71-1.16, p=0.429; 16.0 vs 17.7
      events per 100 child-years observed (CYO); difference -1.7 events per 100 CYO,
      95% CI -5.8 to 2.4]). In the first 6 months of the study (while participants
      received study medication), 63 suspected grade 3 or 4 associated adverse events
      were recorded among 57 (3%) children; 31 (2%) in the co-trimoxazole group and 32
      (2%) in the placebo group (incidence rate ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.58-1.65). The most
      common adverse events of these grades were urticarial rash (grade 3, equally
      common in both groups), neutropenia (grade 4, more common in the co-trimoxazole
      group), and anaemia (both grades equally common in both groups). One child in the
      placebo group had fatal toxic epidermal necrolysis with concurrent Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa bacteraemia. INTERPRETATION: Daily co-trimoxazole prophylaxis did not
      reduce mortality in children with complicated SAM without HIV. Other strategies
      need to be tested in clinical trials to reduce deaths in this population.
      FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, UK.

PMID- 27265355
TI  - Effect of Adjuvant Chemotherapy on Stage II Rectal Cancer Outcomes After
      Preoperative Short-Course Radiotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is offered to patients with stage II
      rectal cancer, but its use is controversial. We examined population-based
      outcomes of patients with pathologic stage II rectal cancer treated with AC after
      preoperative short-course radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included
      patients diagnosed with pathologic stage II tumors from 1999 to 2009 in British
      Columbia. The disease-specific survival (DSS), relapse-free (RFS), and overall
      survival (OS) were assessed. Multivariate models adjusting for age, gender,
      Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and high-risk features (ie, pT4, poor
      differentiation, < 12 lymph nodes removed, lymphovascular invasion, perineural
      invasion, or obstruction or perforation) were constructed. RESULTS: Of 851
      patients reviewed, 330 had received preoperative short-course radiotherapy, of
      whom 123 (37%) subsequently received AC. Patients treated with AC were younger
      (median age 61 vs. 73 years; P < .0001), reported better Eastern Cooperative
      Oncology Group status (P < .0001), and had more high-risk features (P < .0001).
      On univariate analysis, AC was associated with improved DSS (hazard ratio [HR],
      0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-0.94; P = .028), RFS (HR, 0.62; 95% CI,
      0.39-0.98; P = .043), and OS (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.30-0.59; P < .0001). On
      multivariate analysis, these outcomes were not significant (DSS HR, 0.83; 95% CI,
      0.43-1.61; P = .58; RFS HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.44-1.50; P = .51; OS HR, 0.62; 95%
      CI, 0.37-1.03; P = .064). Subgroup analysis suggested AC improved DSS (HR, 0.25;
      95% CI, 0.07-0.89; P = .033), RFS (HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07-0.85; P = .027), and OS
      (HR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.069-0.70; P = .011) only in patients with >= 2-high risk
      features. CONCLUSION: In the present population-based cohort of patients with
      stage II rectal cancer, AC did not improve the outcomes in unselected patients.
      In a small subgroup of patients with >= 2 risk factors, we noted improved
      outcomes with AC use.

PMID- 27265356
TI  - Stress fractures of the femoral neck in runners: a review.
AB  - A systematic review, following strict inclusion criteria, identified 32/48 low
      and 16/48 high-performance runners with stress fractures of the femoral neck.
      Surgical treatment was performed in 33/48 cases and was significantly higher (p =
      0.009) in high-performance runners. Among the 28/48 runners who resumed running,
      there were significantly more lower-performance runners (23/32) than higher
      performing runners (5/16) (p = 0.012) and significantly more non-displaced
      (22/30) than displaced fractures (6/18) (p = 0.014). Complicated cases showed
      significantly less favourable follow-up results (p = 0.036). A significantly
      shorter (p = 0.032) diagnostic time for evaluation occurred with a previous
      history of a stress fracture or a relevant comorbidity. Stress fractures of the
      femoral neck represent an incisive incident for runners, and early consideration
      in the differential diagnosis of hip pain is required to avoid potential long
      term sequelae and suboptimal function. 

PMID- 27265357
TI  - Genetic variations and miRNA-target interactions contribute to natural phenotypic
      variations in Populus.
AB  - Variation in regulatory factors, including microRNAs (miRNAs), contributes to
      variation in quantitative and complex traits. However, in plants, variants in
      miRNAs and their target genes that contribute to natural phenotypic variation,
      and the underlying regulatory networks, remain poorly characterized. We
      investigated the associations and interactions of single-nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) in miRNAs and their target genes with phenotypes in 435 individuals from a
      natural population of Populus. We used RNA-seq to identify 217 miRNAs
      differentially expressed in a tension wood system, and identified 1196 candidate
      target genes; degradome sequencing confirmed 60 of the target sites. In addition,
      72 miRNA-target pairs showed significant co-expression. Gene ontology (GO) term
      analysis showed that most of the genes in the co-regulated pairs participate in
      biological regulation. Genome resequencing found 5383 common SNPs (frequency >=
      0.05) in 139 miRNAs and 31 037 SNPs in 819 target genes. Single-SNP association
      analyses identified 232 significant associations between wood traits (P <= 0.05)
      and SNPs in 102 miRNAs and 1387 associations with 478 target genes. Among these,
      102 miRNA-target pairs associated with the same traits. Multi-SNP associations
      found 102 epistatic pairs associated with traits. Furthermore, a reconstructed
      regulatory network contained 12 significantly co-expressed pairs, including eight
      miRNAs and nine targets associated with traits. Lastly, both expression and
      genetic association showed that miR156i, miR156j, miR396a and miR6445b were
      involved in the formation of tension wood. This study shows that variants in
      miRNAs and target genes contribute to natural phenotypic variation and annotated
      roles and interactions of miRNAs and their target genes by genetic association
      analysis.

PMID- 27265358
TI  - Enhancing the versatility of wireless biopotential acquisition for myoelectric
      prosthetic control.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A significant challenge in rehabilitating upper-limb amputees with
      sophisticated, electric-powered prostheses is sourcing reliable and independent
      channels of motor control information sufficient to precisely direct multiple
      degrees of freedom simultaneously. APPROACH: In response to the expressed needs
      of clinicians, we have developed a miniature, batteryless recording device that
      utilizes emerging integrated circuit technology and optimal impedance matching
      for magnetic resonantly coupled (MRC) wireless power transfer to improve the
      performance and versatility of wireless electrode interfaces with muscle. MAIN
      RESULTS: In this work we describe the fabrication and performance of a fully
      wireless and batteryless EMG recording system and use of this system to direct
      virtual and electric-powered limbs in real-time. The advantage of using MRC to
      optimize power transfer to a network of wireless devices is exhibited by EMG
      collected from an array of eight devices placed circumferentially around a human
      subject's forearm. SIGNIFICANCE: This is a comprehensive, low-cost, and non
      proprietary solution that provides unprecedented versatility of configuration to
      direct myoelectric prostheses without wired connections to the body. The
      amenability of MRC to varied coil geometries and arrangements has the potential
      to improve the efficiency and robustness of wireless power transfer links at all
      levels of upper-limb amputation. Additionally, the wireless recording device's
      programmable flash memory and selectable features will grant clinicians the
      unique ability to adapt and personalize the recording system's functional
      protocol for patient- or algorithm-specific needs.

PMID- 27265359
TI  - A Case of Novel Lamin A/C Mutation Manifesting as Atypical Progeroid Syndrome and
      Cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Mutations in the gene LMNA cause a wide spectrum of diseases that selectively
      affect different tissues and organ systems. The clinical features of these
      disorders can overlap but be generally categorized into 2 groups: cardiomyopathy
      and neuromuscular disorders; premature aging and lipodystrophy disorders. It is
      significant for a single patient who harbours the 2 sets of diseases
      simultaneously. We present a female patient with a unique phenotype including
      rare atypical progeroid syndrome and dilated cardiomyopathy. Genetic mutation
      detection in the gene LMNA revealed a novel heterozygous de novo mutation
      p.Leu59Val located in the first exon of gene LMNA c.175C>CG.

PMID- 27265360
TI  - Outcomes of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Receiving and Not
      Receiving Reperfusion Therapy: The Importance of Examining All Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospitals treating patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
      (STEMI) may show good results with reperfusion treatment (fibrinolysis or primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention [PPCI]), but a comprehensive evaluation should
      factor in outcomes of patients with STEMI who do not receive reperfusion. We
      compared outcomes of patients receiving and not receiving reperfusion within a
      complete system of STEMI care by hospital type: PPCI centres, fibrinolysis
      centres, centres that only transfer for PPCI, and centres providing a mix of
      fibrinolysis and PPCI transfer. METHODS: All patients presenting to 82 Quebec
      hospitals with characteristic symptoms, a final diagnosis of acute myocardial
      infarction, and core-laboratory confirmed STEMI over two 6-month periods were
      studied. RESULTS: Of the total 3731 patients with STEMI, 2918 (78.2%) received
      reperfusion treatment (81% PPCI, 19% fibrinolysis); 813 (21.8%) did not. For
      reperfusion-treated patients, 30-day mortality was 5.4% in PPCI centres, 5.4% in
      fibrinolysis centres, 6.9% in transfer PPCI centres, and 6.0% in mixed centres (P
      = 0.55). For untreated patients, 30-day mortality was 15.7% (PPCI centres), 16.1%
      (fibrinolysis centres), 21.8% (transfer PPCI), and 24.6% (mixed) (P = 0.08).
      Adjusted mortality odds ratios for all patients were 1.00 (PPCI centres), 1.50
      (95% CI: 0.97-2.32; fibrinolysis centres), 1.30 (0.95-1.78; transfer PPCI
      centres), and 1.58 (1.09-2.29; mixed centres). PPCI was within recommended delays
      in 35.4%, 11.9%, and 1.2% of PPCI, transfer, and mixed centres, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Mixed centres had the highest crude and adjusted all-patient 30-day
      STEMI mortality. Relatively good outcomes of reperfusion-treated patients,
      despite long treatment delays, can misrepresent overall performance if untreated
      patients are not examined.

PMID- 27265361
TI  - Comparison of induction of labor methods for unfavorable cervices in trial of
      labor after cesarean delivery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare induction of labor methods in patients attempting a trial
      of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) with an unfavorable cervix. METHODS: This is a
      retrospective cohort study from patients attempting TOLAC from 2009 to 2013.
      Patients with a simplified Bishop score of three or less where labor was
      initiated with either a Cook balloon or oxytocin were included. Our primary
      outcome was mode of delivery. Our secondary outcomes included duration of labor
      and multiple maternal and neonatal morbidities. RESULTS: Two-hundred and fourteen
      women met inclusion criteria: 150 received oxytocin and 64 had the Cook balloon
      placed. The vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rate was significantly higher
      in the oxytocin group at 70.7% versus 50.0% in the Cook balloon group (p =
      0.004). In the multivariable analysis, odds for cesarean delivery were two times
      higher with the Cook balloon than with oxytocin (Adjusted OR = 2.09, 95% CI =
      1.05-4.18, p = 0.036). The duration of labor was longer with the Cook balloon
      versus oxytocin (21.9 versus 16.3 hours, p = 0.0002). There were no significant
      differences in maternal and neonatal health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Oxytocin
      induction of labor was associated with a higher rate of vaginal delivery and a
      shorter duration of labor compared to the Cook balloon in women undergoing TOLAC
      with an unfavorable cervix.

PMID- 27265363
TI  - Cancer genetics: Evading antitumour immunity.

PMID- 27265364
TI  - Evolution: Duplicate gene co-regulation slows evolution.

PMID- 27265365
TI  - Metagenomics: Pathogen diagnostics for the masses.

PMID- 27265362
TI  - Determinants of genetic diversity.
AB  - Genetic polymorphism varies among species and within genomes, and has important
      implications for the evolution and conservation of species. The determinants of
      this variation have been poorly understood, but population genomic data from a
      wide range of organisms now make it possible to delineate the underlying
      evolutionary processes, notably how variation in the effective population size
      (Ne) governs genetic diversity. Comparative population genomics is on its way to
      providing a solution to 'Lewontin's paradox' - the discrepancy between the many
      orders of magnitude of variation in population size and the much narrower
      distribution of diversity levels. It seems that linked selection plays an
      important part both in the overall genetic diversity of a species and in the
      variation in diversity within the genome. Genetic diversity also seems to be
      predictable from the life history of a species.

PMID- 27265366
TI  - Impaired metabolic profile is a predictor of capillary rarefaction in a
      population of hypertensive and normotensive individuals.
AB  - Capillary rarefaction is typically encountered in essential hypertension, yet
      identification of factors interfering with this phenomenon remains substantially
      underinvestigated. We examined whether components of metabolic profile
      (dyslipidemia, insulin resistance), inflammatory (high-sensitivity C-reactive
      protein, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), and angiogenic (vascular
      endothelial growth factor) factors are implicated in this phenomenon in a
      population of newly diagnosed, never-treated hypertensive patients and
      normotensive controls. Nailfold capillary density was estimated with nailfold
      capillaroscopy using specifically designed software. A total of 159 individuals,
      93 hypertensives, and 66 normotensives were included. Nailfold capillary density
      was lower among hypertensives compared to normotensives (146.4 +/- 31.0 vs. 155.4
      +/- 26.9, respectively; P = .047). In the total population, capillary density
      significantly correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (r = 0.232; P =
      .003), HDL/low-density lipoprotein ratio (r = 0.175; P = .025), age (r = 0.236; P
      = .003), but neither with vascular endothelial growth factor or high-sensitivity
      C-reactive protein. An inverse association was found with body mass index (r = 
      0.174; P = .029), insulin levels (r = -0.200; P = .018), and homeostasis model
      assessment-insulin resistance (r = -0.223; P = .009). In the separate analysis
      for the hypertensive population, sex (P = .014) and homeostasis model assessment
      insulin resistance (P = .011) were identified as significant predictors of
      capillary rarefaction after adjustment for other factors. On the contrary, only
      HDL levels (P = .036) predicted capillary density in the multiple regression
      model for the normotensive population. Different aspects of impaired metabolic
      profile, that is, insulin resistance and low HDL levels, but not angiogenic or
      inflammatory markers, appear to be independently associated with capillary
      rarefaction in hypertensive and normotensive individuals.

PMID- 27265370
TI  - A systems biology approach to reconcile metabolic network models with application
      to Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 for biofuel production.
AB  - Production of biofuels has been one of the promising efforts in biotechnology in
      the past few decades. The perspective of these efforts can be reduction of
      increasing demands for fossil fuels and consequently reducing environmental
      pollution. Nonetheless, most previous approaches did not succeed in obviating
      many big challenges in this way. In recent years systems biology with the help of
      microorganisms has been trying to overcome these challenges. Unicellular
      cyanobacteria are widespread phototrophic microorganisms that have capabilities
      such as consuming solar energy and atmospheric carbon dioxide for growth and thus
      can be a suitable chassis for the production of valuable organic materials such
      as biofuels. For the ultimate use of metabolic potential of cyanobacteria, it is
      necessary to understand the reactions that are taking place inside the metabolic
      network of these microorganisms. In this study, we developed a Java tool to
      reconstruct an integrated metabolic network of a cyanobacterium (Synechocystis
      sp. PCC 6803). We merged three existing reconstructed metabolic networks of this
      microorganism. Then, after modeling for biofuel production, the results from flux
      balance analysis (FBA) disclosed an increased yield in biofuel production for
      ethanol, isobutanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, and propanol. The
      numbers of blocked reactions were also decreased for 2-methyl-1-butanol
      production. In addition, coverage of the metabolic network in terms of the number
      of metabolites and reactions was increased in the new obtained model.

PMID- 27265371
TI  - Lethal exposure: An integrated approach to pathogen transmission via
      environmental reservoirs.
AB  - To mitigate the effects of zoonotic diseases on human and animal populations, it
      is critical to understand what factors alter transmission dynamics. Here we
      assess the risk of exposure to lethal concentrations of the anthrax bacterium,
      Bacillus anthracis, for grazing animals in a natural system over time through
      different transmission mechanisms. We follow pathogen concentrations at anthrax
      carcass sites and waterholes for five years and estimate infection risk as a
      function of grass, soil or water intake, age of carcass sites, and the exposure
      required for a lethal infection. Grazing, not drinking, seems the dominant
      transmission route, and transmission is more probable from grazing at carcass
      sites 1-2 years of age. Unlike most studies of virulent pathogens that are
      conducted under controlled conditions for extrapolation to real situations, we
      evaluate exposure risk under field conditions to estimate the probability of a
      lethal dose, showing that not all reservoirs with detectable pathogens are
      significant transmission pathways.

PMID- 27265372
TI  - Interleukin-2 as a marker for detecting asymptomatic individuals in areas where
      Leishmania infantum is endemic.
AB  - No field method exists for identifying asymptomatic individuals in areas where
      Leishmania infantum is endemic. This work reports that, 24 h after stimulating
      whole blood with soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA), plasma interferon-gamma (IFN
      gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) become significantly elevated in samples from
      asymptomatic individuals (n=47) compared with those from negative controls
      (n=50), all of them recruited from a blood bank. When compared with the reference
      test SLA-lymphoproliferative assay, IL-2 appears as a new, 100% sensitive and
      specific marker for asymptomatic individuals with a positive cellular response
      (compared with 100% and 84.78%, respectively, for IFN-gamma). Further studies in
      other transmission areas and in other cohorts of exposed people need to be
      performed to confirm these results. Once validated, IFN-gamma and IL-2 levels in
      SLA-stimulated whole blood could be reliably used in the field to estimate the
      prevalence of those asymptomatic individuals with Leishmania-specific cellular
      immune responses. 

PMID- 27265373
TI  - Prevalence of rhinoviruses in young children of an unselected birth cohort from
      the Netherlands.
AB  - Rhinovirus (RV) is a frequent pathogen in young children, eliciting symptoms
      ranging from common colds to wheezing illnesses and lower respiratory tract
      infections. The recently identified RV-C seems to be associated with asthma
      exacerbations and more severe disease, but results vary. We studied the
      prevalence and severity of infection with RV in an unselected birth cohort.
      Children with respiratory symptoms entered the symptomatic arm of the cohort and
      were compared with asymptomatic children. Severity of wheezing and other
      respiratory symptoms was registered. Respiratory viruses were evaluated using
      throat and nasopharyngeal swabs on first presentation and after recovery
      (wheezing children). RV genotyping was performed on RV-PCR positive samples. RV
      was the most prevalent respiratory virus and was found in 58/140 symptomatic
      children (41%), 24/96 (25%) control children and 19/74 (26%) wheezing symptomatic
      children after recovery (p <0.05) and did not differ between wheezing and non
      wheezing symptomatic children-respectively, 42% (38/90) and 40% (20/50). RV-A was
      the most commonly detected species (40/68, 59%), followed by RV-C (22/68, 32%)
      and RV-B (6/68, 9%). RV-B was more frequently detected in asymptomatic children
      (5/6, p <0.05). There was no significant difference in the frequency of RV
      species between wheezing and non-wheezing symptomatic children. Children with RV
      mono-infection had more severe symptoms, but no association between RV species
      and severity of disease was seen. In an unselected birth cohort from the
      Netherlands with mild respiratory disease RV was the most prevalent respiratory
      virus. RV(-C) infection was not associated with more severe disease or wheezing. 

PMID- 27265374
TI  - Sister chromatid exchange assay as a predictor of tumor chemoresponse.
AB  - Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs) are known to enhance as a consequence of
      exposure to various mutagenic agents and appear to indicate DNA damaging effects
      and/or subsequent repair by homologous recombination (HR). DNA damage plays an
      interesting role in the majority of mechanisms underlying the effects of
      antitumor drugs, since the genetic activity of the plethora of these agents is
      due to their ability to damage the DNA. The DNA-effects of antitumor agents
      towards normal cells (genotoxicity) are great drawbacks of antitumor therapy and
      are connected to important adverse health effects in cancer patients undergoing
      chemotherapy. On the other hand, failure of chemotherapy in many cases is due to
      the DNA repair ability which cancer, like normal cells, also possess. As both DNA
      repair and genotoxic exposure are expected to vary among patients, correlating
      SCEs frequencies with only individual repair capacity may be feasible to predict.
      Cancer risk has not been observed to be associated with high SCEs levels. Since
      the administration of effective antitumor drugs with limited adverse effects is
      of great importance in the success of anticancer therapy, a lot of interest has
      been directed toward the development of methods and approaches that would enable
      the correct selection of appropriate drugs prior to the initiation of therapy on
      an individual basis. To this effect, more than 30 years ago, an investigation of
      the ability of the in vitro and the in vivo SCEs-assay to predict the in vitro
      and in vivo sensitivity of tumor cells to newly synthesized drugs or to those
      already in use began. In this short review a critical appraisal of the SCEs-assay
      as an important biomarker used for predicting cancer chemo-response as well as a
      summary of the key findings from several studies published within the last 20
      years in this field is performed. 

PMID- 27265375
TI  - Assessing the mutagenic activities of smoke from different cigarettes in direct
      exposure experiments using the modified Ames Salmonella assay.
AB  - The Ames assay is useful for evaluating the mutagenic potentials of chemicals,
      and it has been used to evaluate the mutagenic potential of cigarette smoke (CS).
      In vitro direct exposure systems have been developed to mimic CS exposure in the
      human respiratory tract, and the Ames assay has been used with such systems. Ames
      tests were performed using the Vitrocell((r)) direct exposure system in this
      study. The mutagenic potentials of whole mainstream CS and gas/vapor phase
      fractions produced by conventional combustible cigarettes under two smoking
      regimens were compared. Salmonella Typhimurium TA98 and TA100 were used with and
      without metabolic activation, and the number of revertants induced by exposure to
      each CS was determined. The amount of smoke particles to which cells were exposed
      were also determined, and dose-response curves describing the relationships
      between exposure to smoke particles and the number of revertants induced were
      plotted. The slopes of linear regressions of the dose-response curves were
      determined, and the slope for each CS was used as a mutagenic activity index for
      that CS. A new heated cigarette was also tested and smoke from the heated
      cigarette had a lower mutagenic activity in TA98 and TA100 with metabolic
      activation than did the conventional CS. The results indicate that the direct
      exposure system and the Ames test can be used to determine the mutagenic
      potentials of CS produced by different cigarettes under different conditions
      (i.e., using different Salmonella Typhimurium strains with and without metabolic
      activation, and using different smoking conditions). 

PMID- 27265376
TI  - Different sensitivities of cultured mammalian cells towards aphidicolin-enhanced
      DNA effects in the comet assay.
AB  - The comet assay in combination with the polymerase inhibitor aphidicolin (APC)
      has been used to measure DNA excision repair activity, DNA repair kinetics and
      individual DNA repair capacity. Since APC can enhance genotoxic effects of
      mutagens measured by the comet assay, this approach has been proposed for
      increasing the sensitivity of the comet assay in human biomonitoring. The APC
      modified comet assay has mainly been performed with human blood and it was shown
      that it not only enhances the detection of DNA damage repaired by nucleotide
      excision repair (NER) but also damage typically repaired by base excision repair
      (BER). Recently, we reported that in contrast to blood leukocytes, A549 cells (a
      human lung adenocarcinoma cell line) seem to be insensitive towards the repair
      inhibiting action of APC. To further elucidate the general usefulness of the APC
      modified comet assay for studying repair in cultured mammalian cells, we
      comparatively investigated further cell lines (HeLa, TK6, V79). DNA damage was
      induced by BPDE (benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide) and MMS (methyl
      methanesulfonate) in the absence and presence of APC (3 or 15MUM). APC was either
      added for 2h together with the mutagen or cells were pre-incubated for 30min with
      APC before the mutagen was added. The results indicate that the cell lines tested
      differ fundamentally with regard to their sensitivity and specificity towards the
      repair-inhibiting effect of APC. The actual cause for these differences is still
      unclear but potential molecular explanations are discussed. Irrespective of the
      underlying mechanism(s), our study revealed practical limitations of the use of
      the APC-modified comet assay. 

PMID- 27265377
TI  - Monitoring genotoxicity in freshwater microcrustaceans: A new application of the
      micronucleus assay.
AB  - We have applied the micronucleus (MN) assay to the measurement of genotoxicity in
      microcrustaceans. Daphnids (Daphnia magna) and Copepods (Acanthocyclops robustus)
      were collected in situ and acclimated in the lab for 24h. The MN assay was
      successful with the Daphnids but not with the Copepods. Adult Daphnids were
      exposed to sublethal concentrations of metals (Cu, Zn, Cd) or insecticide
      (deltamethrin) for 2 and 7d. Dose-dependent induction of MN was observed after 2
      d exposure, with 2-fold induction at the highest doses for each chemical tested.
      The advantages and ecological relevance of using Daphnids in genotoxicity
      assessment are highlighted. The Daphnid assay may be a reliable test for aquatic
      genotoxicity hazard/risk assessment and a useful alternative to studies of
      amphibians. 

PMID- 27265378
TI  - 2.3THz radiation: Absence of genotoxicity/mutagenicity in Escherichia coli and
      Salmonella typhimurium.
AB  - The mutagenicity and genotoxicity in bacteria of 2.3THz radiation (THz) produced
      by a free-electron laser (NovoFEL) were evaluated; exposures were 5, 10, or 15min
      at average power 1.4W/cm(2). Two Ames mutagenicity test strains of Salmonella
      typhimurium, TA98 and TA102, were used. For the genotoxicity test, we measured
      SOS induction in Escherichia coli PQ37. No significant differences were found
      between exposed and control cells, indicating that THz radiation is neither
      mutagenic nor genotoxic under these conditions. Nevertheless, a small increase in
      total cell number of S. typhimurium after 15min exposure, and an increase in beta
      galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase activities in E.coli PQ37, were observed,
      indicating some effect of THz radiation on cell metabolism. We also examined the
      combined effect of 4-NQO (8MUM; positive control) and THz exposure (5min) on
      genotoxicity in E.coli PQ37. Unexpectedly, THz radiation decreased 4-NQO
      genotoxicity. 

PMID- 27265379
TI  - Impeded repair of abasic site damaged lesions in DNA adsorbed over functionalized
      multiwalled carbon nanotube and graphene oxide.
AB  - The processing of abasic site DNA damage lesions in extracellular DNA in the
      presence of engineered carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) is demonstrated. The efficacy
      of the apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) in the cleavage of abasic site
      lesions in the presence of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT
      COOH) and graphene oxide (GO) are compared. The CNMs were found to perturb the
      incision activity of APE1. The reason for such perturbation process was
      anticipated to take place either by the non-specific adsorption of APE1 over the
      free surface of the CNMs or steric hindrance offered by the CNM-DNA complex.
      Accordingly, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was selectively utilized to block the
      free surface of the CNM-DNA hybrid material. Further treatment of the CNM-DNA-BSA
      complex with APE1 resulted in a marginal increase in APE1 efficiency. This
      indicates that APE1 in solution is unable to process the abasic sites on DNA
      adsorbed over the CNMs. However, the cleavage activity of APE1 was restored in
      the presence of non-ionic surfactant (Tween 20) that inhibits adsorption of the
      DNA on the surface of the CNMs. The conformational deformation of the DNA, along
      with steric hindrance induced by the CNMs resulted in the inhibition of abasic
      site DNA repair by APE1. Moreover, appreciable changes in the secondary structure
      of APE1 adsorbed over the CNMs were observed that contribute further to the
      repair refractivity of the abasic sites. From a toxicological viewpoint, these
      findings can be extended to the study of the effect of engineered nanoparticles
      in the intracellular DNA repair process. 

PMID- 27265380
TI  - Reversible Bending Behaviors of Photomechanical Soft Actuators Based on Graphene
      Nanocomposites.
AB  - Photomechanical nanocomposites embedded with light-absorbing nanoparticles show
      promising applications in photoresponsive actuations. Near infrared (nIR)
      responsive nanocomposites based photomechanical soft actuators can offer
      lightweight functional and underexploited entry into soft robotics, active
      optics, drug delivery, etc. A novel graphene-based photomechanical soft
      actuators, constituted by Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/graphene-nanoplatelets
      (GNPs) layer (PDMS/GNPs) and pristine PDMS layer, have been constructed. Due to
      the mismatch of coefficient of thermal expansion of two layers induced by
      dispersion of GNPs, controllable and reversible bendings response to nIR light
      irradiation are observed. Interestingly, two different bending behaviors are
      observed when the nIR light comes from different sides, i.e., a gradual single
      step photomechanical bending towards PDMS/GNPs layer when irradiation from PDMS
      side, while a dual-step bending (finally bending to the PDMS/GNPs side but with
      an strong and fast backlash at the time of light is on/off) when irradiation from
      PDMS/GNPs side. The two distinctive photomechanical bending behaviors are
      investigated in terms of heat transfer and thermal expansion, which reveals that
      the distinctive bending behaviors can be attributed to the differences in
      temperature gradients along the thickness when irradiation from different sides.
      In addition, the versatile photomechanical bending properties will provide
      alternative way for drug-delivery, soft robotics and microswitches, etc.

PMID- 27265381
TI  - [Compliance with the surgical safety checklist and surgical events detected by
      the Global Trigger Tool].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The implementing of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) has
      helped to improve patient safety. The aim of this study was to assess the level
      of compliance of the SSC, and incorporating the non-compliances as "triggers" in
      the Global Trigger Tool (GTT). MATERIAL AND METHODS:  SETTING: Acute Geriatric
      Hospital (200 beds). Retrospective study, study period: 2011-2014. The SSC
      formulary and the methodology of the GTT were used for the analysis of electronic
      medical records and the compliance with the SSC. The NCCP MERP categories were
      used to assess the severity of the harm. RESULTS: Out of all the electronic
      medical records (EMR), a total of 227 (23.6%) discharged patients (1.7% of
      interventions in the four year study period) were analysed. All (100%) of the EMR
      included the SSC, with 94.4% of the items being completed, and 28.2% of SSC had
      all items completed in the 3 phases of the process. Surgical adverse events
      decreased from 16.3% in 2011 to 9.4% in 2014 (P=.2838, not significant), and
      compliance with all items of SSC was increased from 18.6% to 39.1% (P=.0246,
      significant). CONCLUSIONS: The GTT systematises and evaluates, at low cost, the
      triggers and incidents/ AEs found in the EMR in order to assess the compliance
      with the SSC and consider non-compliance of SSC as "triggers" for further
      analysis. This strategy has never been referred to in the GTT or in the SCC
      formulary.

PMID- 27265382
TI  - [Medication reconciliation in patients over 75 years].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To continue with the implementation of the medication reconciliation
      process on admission, and to analyse potentially inappropriate prescriptions
      according to the STOPP-START -Screening Tool of Older Person's potentially
      inappropriate Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert doctors to the Right
      (indicated) Treatment- criteria, and drug interactions. To extend the process of
      reconciliation at hospital discharge from the Cardiology and Chest Diseases
      departments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study that
      included patients over 75 years old. The "Consensus Document on Terminology and
      Classification in Medication Reconciliation" was used for the classification of
      the discrepancies found. Potentially inappropriate prescriptions and drug
      interactions were reviewed. For reconciliation at discharge, a "Drug information
      program at discharge" leaflet and a "Patient information sheet" was developed.
      RESULTS: The number of reconciled patients was 818, with a level of coverage of
      42.3% (target patients: 1,932). Reconciliation errors by patient were 23.4% (191)
      on admission and 22.5% (9) at discharge. All patients who were reconciled at
      discharge were given the "Drug information program at discharge" leaflet.
      Potentially inappropriate prescriptions, according to STOPP/START criteria,
      affected 6.0% (49) of reconciled patients. The number of clinically relevant
      interactions affected 11.7% (96) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of
      a reconciliation process has detected the existence of errors between chronic and
      prescribed treatment in the hospital. The STOPP/START criteria applied to this
      group of patients have helped to find out the most common potentially
      inappropriate prescriptions. The analysis of drug interactions shows drug
      combinations that should be avoided in these patients.

PMID- 27265383
TI  - [Self-perception of health care team leaders in Andalusia. A quantitative and
      qualitative study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the perception and self-assessment on leadership among
      health care team leaders in Andalusia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Design: Exploratory
      descriptive study using quantitative and qualitative methodology, developed
      between 2013 and 2015, using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews.
      PLACE: Andalusia. PARTICIPANTS: All health managers from the Primary Care
      Management Units and Health Management Areas of the Departments of Paediatrics,
      Emergency and Internal Medicine, for the quantitative study. A purposive sample
      of 24 health managers was used for the qualitative study. METHODS: Descriptive
      statistical study and bivariate analysis of comparison of means. Content analysis
      of the semi-structured interviews: Codification, category tree, and triangulation
      of results. RESULTS: The best self-assessment dimension relates to support, and
      the worst to considering oneself as a 'good leader'. The definition of a 'good
      leader' includes: Honesty, trust, and attitudes of good communication, closeness,
      appreciation, and reinforcement of the health team members. Different leadership
      styles were perceived. Main difficulties for leadership are related to the
      economic crisis and the management of personal conflicts. CONCLUSIONS: Health
      managers describe an adaptive leadership style, based on personal and
      professional support, and using communication as the main cohesive element for
      the team project. More studies on leaders' perspectives are important, in order
      to better understand their experiences, needs and expectations.

PMID- 27265384
TI  - Dihydromyricetin ameliorates oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation in L02 and
      HepG2 cells by inhibiting lipogenesis and oxidative stress.
AB  - AIMS: Dihydromyricetin (DMY), a flavonoid component isolated from Ampelopsis
      grossedentata, was recently reported to ameliorate nonalcoholic fatty liver
      disease (NAFLD) in patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of this action
      remain unknown. Here, we evaluate the effect of DMY on an in vitro model of NAFLD
      and investigate the signal transduction pathways underlying DMY treatment. MAIN
      METHODS: Oleic acid (OA) induced hepatic steatosis was established in L02 and
      HepG2 cells as in vitro model of NAFLD. Cell apoptosis, lipid accumulation and
      oxide stress were evaluated by flow cytometry, oil red O staining, and cellular
      biochemical assays, respectively. Signaling pathways involved in lipid metabolism
      including PPARgamma, AMPK, and AKT were investigated by Western blot and RT-qPCR.
      KEY FINDINGS: DMY protected cells against apoptosis and lipid accumulation
      induced by oleic acid. DMY decreased the levels of cellular triglycerides (TG),
      cholesterol (TC) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while at the same time increasing the
      level of superoxide dismutase (SOD). DMY suppressed the expression of PPARgamma
      and the phosphorylation of AKT, and promoted the phosphorylation of AMPK.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Our study suggests that DMY ameliorates OA-induced hepatic
      steatosis by inhibiting cell apoptosis, lipid accumulation and oxide stress.
      Furthermore, the effect of DMY is likely associated with its role in the
      regulating of PPARgamma, AMPK and AKT signaling pathways.

PMID- 27265385
TI  - Fulleretic Well-Defined Scaffolds: Donor-Fullerene Alignment Through Metal
      Coordination and Its Effect on Photophysics.
AB  - Herein, we report the first example of a crystalline metal-donor-fullerene
      framework, in which control of the donor-fullerene mutual orientation was
      achieved through chemical bond formation, in particular, by metal coordination.
      The (13) C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, X-ray
      diffraction, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy were performed for
      comprehensive structural analysis and energy-transfer (ET) studies of the
      fulleretic donor-acceptor scaffold. Furthermore, in combination with
      photoluminescence measurements, the theoretical calculations of the spectral
      overlap function, Forster radius, excitation energies, and band structure were
      employed to elucidate the photophysical and ET processes in the prepared
      fulleretic material. We envision that the well-defined fulleretic donor-acceptor
      materials could contribute not only to the basic science of fullerene chemistry
      but would also be used towards effective development of organic photovoltaics and
      molecular electronics.

PMID- 27265386
TI  - Cognition in relation to independency in older, comorbid stroke patients in a
      stroke unit.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to ascertain if cognition helps to
      predict functional outcome in older comorbid stroke patients with severe loss of
      independence. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: The subjects of
      this study are patients who have suffered a stroke and who rehabilitated in the
      nursing homes' rehabilitation units and patients (n = 160) (mean age: 77; SD:
      9.5) with a mean Barthel Index of 11.02. METHOD: Demographic, illness-related,
      functional and cognitive data were selected at baseline. MAIN ASSESSMENT
      MEASURES: Functional abilities were tested using the Barthel Index. Cognitive
      functions were assessed using a wide variety of neuropsychological tests.
      RESULTS: Patients faced cognitive impairments especially in executive functioning
      and memory. Stepwise linear regression analysis shows that executive functioning
      (p = 0.050) and memory (p = 0.000; confidence interval -1.255, -0.403) are
      significantly associated with functional outcome. CONCLUSION: From a clinical
      point of view, we suggest combining physical and cognitive training from the very
      early phase of recovery.

PMID- 27265387
TI  - More than skin deep. Ten year follow-up of delayed cutaneous adverse drug
      reactions (CADR).
AB  - AIMS: To determine the gaps in practice regarding appropriate ADR documentation
      and risk communication for patients diagnosed with severe cutaneous adverse drug
      reactions (CADR). METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study
      conducted using hospital coding and databases to identify inpatients diagnosed
      with CADR from January 2004 to August 2014. Hospital discharge summaries, ADR
      reports and pharmacy dispensing records were reviewed for ADR documentation.
      Patients still living in Australia and who did not opt out of being contacted
      were invited to be surveyed by telephone to determine their understanding of
      recommendations, re-exposure rates and long-term effects. RESULTS: Of 85 patients
      identified, median age was 59 (IQR 44-72) years and 47.1% were male. The most
      common diagnosis was TENS (49.4%). Ten patients (11.8%) died as inpatients. Of
      the 81 patients with a drug-related causality, 47 (58%) had appropriate
      documentation in all three required medical record platforms. Of the 56 eligible
      patients, 38 (67.9%) were surveyed; 13% had no information provided upon
      discharge and 26.3% patients had a mismatch in knowledge of implicated
      medications. No surveyed patient had a relapse of CADR, but 23.7% had a
      subsequent unrelated allergic reaction. Thirteen patients (34.2%) reported long
      term effects. CONCLUSIONS: We found gaps in the accuracy of ADR documentation and
      communication of risk at discharge, which indicated risks to patient safety.
      Electronic systems are being developed to improve documentation. Written
      information about CADR is being provided at discharge to improve patient
      understanding and knowledge.

PMID- 27265388
TI  - Effects of dark chocolate on NOX-2-generated oxidative stress in patients with
      non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)
      oxidase is considered a pathogenetic mechanism determining fibrosis and disease
      progression in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Polyphenols exert
      antioxidant action and inhibit NADPH oxidase in humans. AIM: To analyse the
      effect of cocoa polyphenols on NADPH oxidase isoform 2 (NOX2) activation,
      oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis in a population affected by NASH.
      METHODS: In a cross-sectional study comparing 19 NASH and 19 controls, oxidative
      stress, as assessed by serum NOX2 activity and F2-isoprostanes, and hepatocyte
      apoptosis, as assessed by serum cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) levels, were measured.
      Furthermore, the 19 NASH patients were randomly allocated in a crossover design
      to 40 g/day of dark chocolate (>85% cocoa) or 40 g/day of milk chocolate (<35%
      cocoa), for 2 weeks. sNOX2-dp, serum isoprostanes and CK-18 were assessed at
      baseline and after 2 weeks of chocolate intake. RESULTS: Compared to controls,
      NASH patients had higher sNOX2-dp, serum isoprostanes and CK-18 levels. A
      significant difference for treatments was found in subjects with respect to sNOX2
      dp, serum isoprostanes and serum CK-18. The pairwise comparisons showed that,
      compared to baseline, after 14 days of dark chocolate intake, a significant
      reduction in sNOX2-dp serum isoprostanes and CK-18 M30 was found. No change was
      observed after milk chocolate ingestion. A simple linear regression analysis
      showed that ? of sNOX2-dp was associated with ? of serum isoprostanes.
      CONCLUSION: Cocoa polyphenols exert an antioxidant activity via NOX2 down
      regulation in NASH patients.

PMID- 27265390
TI  - Randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing basal insulin peglispro and
      insulin glargine, in combination with prandial insulin lispro, in patients with
      type 1 diabetes: IMAGINE 3.
AB  - AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of basal insulin peglispro (BIL), which
      has a flat pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile and a long duration of
      action, with insulin glargine (GL) in patients with type 1 diabetes. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In this phase III, 52-week, blinded study, we randomized 1114 adults
      with type 1 diabetes in a 3 : 2 distribution to receive either BIL (n = 664) or
      GL (n = 450) at bedtime, with preprandial insulin lispro, using intensive insulin
      management. The primary objective was to compare glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in
      the groups at 52 weeks, with a non-inferiority margin of 0.4%. RESULTS: At 52
      weeks, mean (standard error) HbA1c was 7.38 (0.03)% with BIL and 7.61 (0.04)%
      with GL {difference -0.22% [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.32, -0.12]; p <
      0.001}. At 52 weeks more BIL-treated patients reached HbA1c <7% (35% vs 26%; p <
      0.001), the nocturnal hypoglycaemia rate was 47% lower (p < 0.001) and the total
      hypoglycaemia rate was 11% higher (p = 0.002) than in GL-treated patients, and
      there was no difference in severe hypoglycaemia rate. Patients receiving BIL lost
      weight, while those receiving GL gained weight [difference -1.8 kg (95% CI -2.3, 
      1.3); p < 0.001]. Treatment with BIL compared with GL at 52 weeks was associated
      with greater increases from baseline in levels of serum triglyceride [difference
      0.19 mmol/l (95% CI 0.11, 0.26); p < 0.001] and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
      levels [difference 6.5 IU/l (95% CI 4.1, 8.9), p < 0.001], and more frequent
      injection site reactions. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 1 diabetes,
      treatment with BIL compared with GL for 52 weeks resulted in a lower HbA1c, more
      patients with HbA1c levels <7%, and reduced nocturnal hypoglycaemia, but more
      total hypoglycaemia and injection site reactions and higher triglyceride and ALT
      levels.

PMID- 27265391
TI  - Gonadal Maturation Changes Chemotaxis Behavior and Neural Processing in the
      Olfactory Circuit of Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - Many animal species change their behavior according to their stage of
      development. However, the mechanisms involved in translating their developmental
      stage into the modifications of the neuronal circuits that underlie these
      behavioral changes remain unknown. Here we show that Caenorhabditis elegans
      changes its olfactory preferences during development. Larvae exhibit a weak
      chemotactic response to the food-associated odor diacetyl, whereas adults exhibit
      a strong response. We show that germline loss, caused either by laser ablation of
      germline precursor cells or mutations, results in a diacetyl-specific chemotactic
      defect in adult animals. These results suggest that germline cells, which
      proliferate dramatically during the larval stages, enhance chemotaxis to
      diacetyl. Removal experiments of specific neurons suggested that AWA olfactory
      neurons and their downstream interneurons, AIA and AIB, are required for germline
      dependent chemotactic enhancement. Calcium imaging in animals lacking germline
      cells indicates that the neural responses of AWA and AIB to diacetyl stimuli are
      decreased compared with animals with an intact germline. These changes in neural
      activities may at least partly explain the behavioral change of animals lacking
      germline cells. Furthermore, this germline-dependent chemotactic change depends
      on the transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO. We find that organismal behavior changes
      throughout development by integrating information about physiological status from
      internal tissues to modify a simple sensory circuit.

PMID- 27265389
TI  - Involvement of human ribosomal proteins in nucleolar structure and p53-dependent
      nucleolar stress.
AB  - The nucleolus is a potent disease biomarker and a target in cancer therapy.
      Ribosome biogenesis is initiated in the nucleolus where most ribosomal (r-)
      proteins assemble onto precursor rRNAs. Here we systematically investigate how
      depletion of each of the 80 human r-proteins affects nucleolar structure, pre
      rRNA processing, mature rRNA accumulation and p53 steady-state level. We
      developed an image-processing programme for qualitative and quantitative
      discrimination of normal from altered nucleolar morphology. Remarkably, we find
      that uL5 (formerly RPL11) and uL18 (RPL5) are the strongest contributors to
      nucleolar integrity. Together with the 5S rRNA, they form the late-assembling
      central protuberance on mature 60S subunits, and act as an Hdm2 trap and p53
      stabilizer. Other major contributors to p53 homeostasis are also strictly late
      assembling large subunit r-proteins essential to nucleolar structure. The
      identification of the r-proteins that specifically contribute to maintaining
      nucleolar structure and p53 steady-state level provides insights into fundamental
      aspects of cell and cancer biology.

PMID- 27265393
TI  - Fruitless Represses robo1 Transcription to Shape Male-Specific Neural Morphology
      and Behavior in Drosophila.
AB  - The Drosophila fruitless (fru) gene is regarded as a master regulator of the
      formation of male courtship circuitry, yet little is known about its molecular
      basis of action. We show that roundabout 1 (robo1) knockdown in females promotes
      formation of the male-specific neurite in sexually dimorphic mAL interneurons and
      that overexpression of the male-specific Fru(BM) diminishes the expression of
      Robo1 in the fly brain. Our electrophoretic mobility shift and reporter assays
      identify the 42-bp segment encompassing the palindrome sequence T T C G C T G C G
      C C G T G A A in the 5' UTR of robo1 exon1 as the Fru(BM)-responsive element. We
      find that ~10-bp deletions in the palindrome sequence induce a loss of the male
      specific neurite and disrupt male courtship patterns. This study paves the way
      for a thorough understanding of the mechanism whereby Fru proteins orchestrate
      transcription for the formation of courtship circuitry.

PMID- 27265394
TI  - Three-Step Model for Polarized Sorting of KIF17 into Dendrites.
AB  - Kinesin and dynein motors drive bidirectional cargo transport along microtubules
      and have a critical role in polarized cargo trafficking in neurons [1, 2]. The
      kinesin-2 family protein KIF17 is a dendrite-specific motor protein and has been
      shown to interact with several dendritic cargoes [3-7]. However, the mechanism
      underlying the dendritic targeting of KIF17 remains poorly understood [8-11].
      Using live-cell imaging combined with inducible trafficking assays to directly
      probe KIF17 motor activity in living neurons, we found that the polarized sorting
      of KIF17 to dendrites is regulated in multiple steps. First, cargo binding of
      KIF17 relieves autoinhibition and initiates microtubule-based cargo transport.
      Second, KIF17 does not autonomously target dendrites, but enters the axon where
      the actin cytoskeleton at the axon initial segment (AIS) prevents KIF17 vesicles
      from moving further into the axon. Third, dynein-based motor activity is able to
      redirect KIF17-coupled cargoes into dendrites. We propose a three-step model for
      polarized targeting of KIF17, in which the collective function of multiple motor
      teams is required for proper dendritic sorting.

PMID- 27265392
TI  - Risk Taking for Potential Reward Decreases across the Lifespan.
AB  - The extent to which aging affects decision-making is controversial. Given the
      critical financial decisions that older adults face (e.g., managing retirement
      funds), changes in risk preferences are of particular importance [1]. Although
      some studies have found that older individuals are more risk averse than younger
      ones [2-4], there are also conflicting results, and a recent meta-analysis found
      no evidence for a consistent change in risk taking across the lifespan [5]. There
      has as yet been little examination of one potential substrate for age-related
      changes in decision-making, namely age-related decline in dopamine, a
      neuromodulator associated with risk-taking behavior. Here, we characterized
      choice preferences in a smartphone-based experiment (n = 25,189) in which
      participants chose between safe and risky options. The number of risky options
      chosen in trials with potential gains but not potential losses decreased
      gradually over the lifespan, a finding with potentially important economic
      consequences for an aging population. Using a novel approach-avoidance
      computational model, we found that a Pavlovian attraction to potential reward
      declined with age. This Pavlovian bias has been linked to dopamine, suggesting
      that age-related decline in this neuromodulator could lead to the observed
      decrease in risk taking.

PMID- 27265395
TI  - Attention Reorients Periodically.
AB  - Reorienting of voluntary attention enables the processing of stimuli at
      previously unattended locations. Although studies have identified a ventral
      fronto-parietal network underlying attention [1, 2], little is known about
      whether and how early visual areas are involved in involuntary [3, 4] and even
      less in voluntary [5] reorienting, and their temporal dynamics are unknown. We
      used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the occipital cortex to
      interfere with attentional reorienting and study its role and temporal dynamics
      in this process. Human observers performed an orientation discrimination task,
      with either valid or invalid attention cueing, across a range of stimulus
      contrasts. Valid cueing induced a behavioral response gain increase, higher
      asymptotic performance for attended than unattended locations. During subsequent
      TMS sessions, observers performed the same task, with high stimulus contrast.
      Based on phosphene mapping, TMS double pulses were applied at one of various
      delays to a consistent brain location in retinotopic areas (V1/V2), corresponding
      to the evoked signal of the target or distractor, in a valid or invalid trial.
      Thus, the stimulation was identical for the four experimental conditions
      (valid/invalid cue condition * target/distractor-stimulated). TMS modulation of
      the target and distractor were both periodic (5 Hz, theta) and out of phase with
      respect to each other in invalid trials only, when attention had to be disengaged
      from the distractor and reoriented to the target location. Reorientation of
      voluntary attention periodically involves V1/V2 at the theta frequency. These
      results suggest that TMS probes theta phase-reset by attentional reorienting and
      help link periodic sampling in time and attention reorienting in space.

PMID- 27265396
TI  - Unique Cellular Organization in the Oldest Root Meristem.
AB  - Roots and shoots of plant bodies develop from meristems-cell populations that
      self-renew and produce cells that undergo differentiation-located at the apices
      of axes [1].The oldest preserved root apices in which cellular anatomy can be
      imaged are found in nodules of permineralized fossil soils called coal balls [2],
      which formed in the Carboniferous coal swamp forests over 300 million years ago
      [3-9]. However, no fossil root apices described to date were actively growing at
      the time of preservation [3-10]. Because the cellular organization of meristems
      changes when root growth stops, it has been impossible to compare cellular
      dynamics as stem cells transition to differentiated cells in extinct and extant
      taxa [11]. We predicted that meristems of actively growing roots would be
      preserved in coal balls. Here we report the discovery of the first fossilized
      remains of an actively growing root meristem from permineralized Carboniferous
      soil with detail of the stem cells and differentiating cells preserved. The
      cellular organization of the meristem is unique. The position of the Korper-Kappe
      boundary, discrete root cap, and presence of many anticlinal cell divisions
      within a broad promeristem distinguish it from all other known root meristems.
      This discovery is important because it demonstrates that the same general
      cellular dynamics are conserved between the oldest extinct and extant root
      meristems. However, its unique cellular organization demonstrates that extant
      root meristem organization and development represents only a subset of the
      diversity that has existed since roots first evolved.

PMID- 27265397
TI  - Saccade Preparation Reshapes Sensory Tuning.
AB  - Human observers make large rapid eye movements-saccades-to bring behaviorally
      relevant information into the fovea, where spatial resolution is high. In some
      visual tasks [1-4], performance at the location of a saccade target improves
      before the eyes move. Although these findings provide evidence that extra-retinal
      signals evoked by saccades can enhance visual perception, it remains unknown
      whether and how presaccadic modulations change the processing of feature
      information and thus modulate visual representations. To answer this question,
      one must go beyond the use of methods that only probe performance accuracy (d')
      in different tasks. Here, using a psychophysical reverse correlation approach [5
      8], we investigated how saccade preparation influences the processing of
      orientation and spatial frequency-two building blocks of early vision. We found
      that saccade preparation selectively enhanced the gain of high spatial frequency
      information and narrowed orientation tuning at the upcoming saccade landing
      position. These modulations were time locked to saccade onset, peaking right
      before the eyes moved (-50-0 ms). Moreover, merely deploying covert attention
      within the same temporal interval without preparing a saccade did not alter
      performance. The observed presaccadic tuning changes may correspond to the
      presaccadic enhancement [9-11] and receptive field shifts reported in
      neurophysiological studies [12-14]. Saccade preparation may support transaccadic
      integration by reshaping the representation of the saccade target to be more
      fovea-like just before the eyes move. The presaccadic modulations on spatial
      frequency and orientation processing illustrate a strong perception-action
      coupling by revealing that the visual system dynamically reshapes feature
      selectivity contingent upon eye movements.

PMID- 27265398
TI  - Diversification of a Transcription Factor Family Led to the Evolution of
      Antagonistically Acting Genetic Regulators of Root Hair Growth.
AB  - Streptophytes colonized the land some time before 470 million years ago [1-3].
      The colonization coincided with an increase in morphological and cellular
      diversity [4-7]. This increase in diversity is correlated with a proliferation in
      transcription factors encoded in genomes [8-10]. This suggests that gene
      duplication and subsequent diversification of function was instrumental in the
      generation of land plant diversity. Here, we investigate the diversification of
      the streptophyte-specific Lotus japonicus ROOTHAIRLESS LIKE (LRL) transcription
      factor (TF) [11, 12] subfamily of basic loop helix (bHLH) proteins by comparing
      gene function in early divergent and derived land plant species. We report that
      the single Marchantia polymorpha LRL gene acts as a general growth regulator
      required for rhizoid development, a function that has been partially conserved
      throughout multicellular streptophytes. In contrast, the five relatively derived
      Arabidopsis thaliana LRL genes comprise two antagonistically acting groups of
      differentially expressed genes. The diversification of LRL genes accompanied the
      evolution of an antagonistic regulatory element controlling root hair
      development.

PMID- 27265399
TI  - The effect of under-reporting of energy intake on dietary patterns and on the
      associations between dietary patterns and self-reported chronic disease in women
      aged 50-69 years.
AB  - The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether under-reporting
      of energy intake affects derived dietary patterns and the association between
      dietary patterns and self-reported chronic disease. Diets of 6204 women aged 50
      69 years participating in the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program were
      assessed using a 253-item FFQ. We identified dietary patterns using principal
      component analysis. According to the revised Goldberg cut-off method, women with
      a ratio of reported energy intake:estimated BMR<1.10 were classified as low
      energy reporters (n 1133, 18 %). We examined the associations between dietary
      patterns and self-reported chronic diseases by log-binomial regression, and the
      results are presented as prevalence ratios (PR) and CI. 'Prudent', 'Western' and
      'Continental' dietary patterns were identified among all reporters and plausible
      reporters. The PR expressing the associations between the 'Western' and 'Prudent'
      dietary pattern scores and self-reported chronic diseases were consistently
      highest among plausible reporters except for joint/muscle/skeletal disorders. The
      largest difference in PR among plausible v. all reporters was found for the
      association between the 'Prudent' pattern and diabetes (PR for highest v. lowest
      tertile: PRall reporters 2.16; 95 % CI 1.50, 3.13; P trend<0.001; PRplausible
      reporters 2.86; 95 % CI 1.81, 4.51; P trend<0.001). In conclusion, our results
      suggest that under-reporting can result in systematic error that can affect the
      association between dietary pattern and disease. In studies of dietary patterns,
      investigators ought to consider reporting effect estimates both for all
      individuals and for plausible reporters.

PMID- 27265400
TI  - Identification of photoproducts of fungicide cyprodinil and elucidation of
      transformation mechanism in water using LC-IT-TOF-MS/MS technique.
AB  - This study aimed at investigating photodegradation of cyprodinil in aquatic
      solution under the simulated natural light or UV-visible irradiation (290-800 nm)
      using LC-MS/MS techniques. Effects of pH, nitrate ion, Fe (III), humic acid and
      TiO2 on photolysis kinetics of cyprodinil were explored. The photodegradation
      followed first-order reaction kinetics, and linear accelerating effects of Fe
      (III), nitrate ion and TiO2 with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 mg L(-1)
      on photodegradation were remarkably observed. HA at low concentration ranges
      (<3.0 mg L(-1)) enhanced cyprodinil photodegradation while the photocatalytic
      rate was weakened with more addition of HA. The degradation rate in alkaline
      solutions was greater than in acidic solutions. Six main transformation products
      (TPs) were separated and identified based on mass spectra data and density
      functional theory (DFT) quantum calculations, and their kinetic evolutions were
      also investigated. Ultimately, a tentative transformation mechanism was proposed
      based the identified TPs and their kinetic evolutions. The results indicated that
      one alpha-H on pyridine ring of cyprodinil was hydroxylated to form TPs 1. TPs 1
      underwent a series of photochemical reactions involving ring-opening, addition of
      one H2O molecule and demethylation on three-member ring to form TPs 2, which was
      further hydroxylated on benzene ring to form TPs 6. TPs 3-5 were three isomers
      from Hofmann-Martius rearrangement of cyprodinil. These findings were of utmost
      importance for elucidating environmental fate of cyprodinil in aquatic ecosystem
      and further environmental risk evaluation. 

PMID- 27265401
TI  - Homoeologue expression insights into the basis of growth heterosis at the
      intersection of ploidy and hybridity in Cyprinidae.
AB  - Hybridization and polyploidization are considered important driving forces that
      form new epigenetic regulations. To study the changing patterns of expression
      accompanying hybridization and polyploidization, we used RNA-seq and qRT-PCR to
      investigate global expression and homoeologue expression in diploid and
      tetraploid hybrids of Carassius auratus red var. (?) (R) and Cyprinus carpio (?)
      (C). By comparing the relative expression levels between the hybrids and their
      parents, we defined the expression level dominance (ELD) and homoeologue
      expression bias (HEB) in liver tissue. The results showed that polyploidization
      contributed to the conversion of homoeologue ELD. In addition, hybridization had
      more effect on the change in HEB than polyploidization, while polyploidization
      had more effect on the change of global gene expression than hybridization.
      Meanwhile, similar expression patterns were found in growth-related genes. The
      results suggested that hybridization and polyploidization result in differential
      degrees of maternal HEB in three tissues (liver, muscle and ovary) tested. The
      results of this study will increase our understanding of the underlying
      regulation mechanism of rapid growth in diploid hybrids and allotetraploids. The
      differential degrees of global expression and homoeologue expression contribute
      to growth heterosis in newly formed hybrids, ensuring the on-going success of
      allotetraploid speciation.

PMID- 27265403
TI  - Pseudobacter ginsenosidimutans gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from ginseng
      cultivating soil.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, pseudo-rod, non-spore-forming, oxidase- and catalase
      positive, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated Gsoil 221T, was isolated from
      soil of a ginseng field and subjected to a taxonomic analysis using a polyphasic
      approach. Strain Gsoil 221T grew at 10-37  degrees C and at pH 5.0-8.0 on R2A
      medium. Strain Gsoil 221T possessed beta-glucosidase activity, which was
      responsible for its ability to transform ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc (two dominant
      active components of ginseng) to ginsenoside F2. Phylogenetic study based on the
      16S rRNA gene sequence positioned strain Gsoil 221T in a distinct lineage in the
      family Chitinophagaceae, sharing less than 94.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence
      similarity with all taxa with validly published names. The strain showed the
      highest sequence similarities with members of the genera
      Parasegetibacter,Flavitalea,Niastella and Terrimonas. Strain Gsoil 221T contained
      MK-7 as predominant quinone, and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 1 G
      as major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 47.1 mol%. Strain Gsoil 221T could
      be distinguished from the other members of the family Chitinophagaceae by a
      number of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics. The major polar lipids
      of strain Gsoil 221T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and
      one unidentified polar lipid. Based on these combined data, strain Gsoil 221T
      represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Chitinophagaceae, for
      which the name Pseudobacter ginsenosidimutans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.
      The type strain of the type species is Gsoil 221T (=KACC 14278T=DSM 18116T).

PMID- 27265402
TI  - Fermi level position, Coulomb gap, and Dresselhaus splitting in (Ga,Mn)As.
AB  - Carrier-induced nature of ferromagnetism in a ferromagnetic semiconductor,
      (Ga,Mn)As, offers a great opportunity to observe novel spin-related phenomena as
      well as to demonstrate new functionalities of spintronic devices. Here, we report
      on low-temperature angle-resolved photoemission studies of the valence band in
      this model compound. By a direct determination of the distance of the split-off
      band to the Fermi energy EF we conclude that EF is located within the heavy/light
      hole band. However, the bands are strongly perturbed by disorder and disorder
      induced carrier correlations that lead to the Coulomb gap at EF, which we resolve
      experimentally in a series of samples, and show that its depth and width enlarge
      when the Curie temperature decreases. Furthermore, we have detected surprising
      linear magnetic dichroism in photoemission spectra of the split-off band. By a
      quantitative theoretical analysis we demonstrate that it arises from the
      Dresselhaus-type spin-orbit term in zinc-blende crystals. The spectroscopic
      access to the magnitude of such asymmetric part of spin-orbit coupling is
      worthwhile, as they account for spin-orbit torque in spintronic devices of
      ferromagnets without inversion symmetry.

PMID- 27265404
TI  - A Retrospective Exploration of the Impact of the 'Angelina Jolie Effect' on the
      Single State-Wide Familial Cancer Program in Perth, Western Australia.
AB  - Global media has the power to influence the ways the public engage with health
      services. On May 14th 2013, Angelina Jolie published an article in the New York
      Times magazine, outlining her decision to undergo BRCA mutation testing due to a
      family history of cancer; then proceed with a mastectomy. The article evoked
      significant interest from the media and the public. During the months that
      followed, the Familial Cancer Program (FCP) at Genetic Services of Western
      Australia (GSWA) experienced a significant increase in referrals and enquiries.
      Resources were overstretched and it became clear we needed to adjust work
      practices to manage the escalating numbers. New strategies were devised to cope
      with the influx of enquiries, albeit without the benefit of additional resources.
      We conducted an audit of referrals to the FCP made between January 2012 and
      December 2014. This included a comparison of the months prior to and following
      the New York Times article. The aim of the audit was to quantify the impact of
      the "Angelina Jolie effect" on referrals to the FCP. Whilst the increased
      awareness of the role of genetic services in risk assessment and testing for
      familial breast and ovarian cancer was considered positive, pre-referral risk
      assessment at the primary health level to evaluate the appropriateness of their
      patients for referral could have been helpful. Potentially, many inappropriate
      referrals to FCP may have been avoided with primary health evaluation thus
      lessening the burden on our service and preventing unnecessary worry in well
      women who possessed minimal family history or risk factors. It is important to
      understand the factors driving the uptake of risk reduction activities,
      particularly if engagement with a genetics service is considered part of that
      pathway. Continued education about cancer risk due to family history, individual
      features and awareness surrounding genetic testing criteria, costs and
      availability is required for both the public and health professionals.

PMID- 27265405
TI  - Predispositions to Lymphoma: A Practical Review for Genetic Counselors.
AB  - This review provides a synopsis for genetic counselors of the major concepts of
      lymphoma predisposition: genomic instability, immune deficiency, inappropriate
      lymphoproliferation, and chronic antigen stimulation. We discuss syndromes
      typifying each of these mechanisms. Importantly, our review of the genetic
      counseling literature reveals sparse discussion of genetically-based immune
      mediated lymphoma predisposition, which we address in depth here. We aim to
      increase awareness among genetic counselors and colleagues in oncology about
      familial susceptibility and facilitate critical thinking about lymphoma risk
      assessment. Clinical application of this knowledge is aided by recommendations
      for collection of personal and family history to guide risk assessment and
      testing. Lastly, we include a special discussion of genetic counseling issues
      including perceptions of the context, nature, and magnitude of lymphoma risk, as
      well as coping with awareness of susceptibility to lymphoma.

PMID- 27265407
TI  - Drug-resistant epilepsy in adults: Outcome trajectories after failure of two
      medications.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the seizure trajectories of adults with epilepsy developing
      drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and to identify the predictors of seizure
      trajectory outcome. METHODS: Adult patients failing two antiepileptic drugs
      (AEDs) due to inefficacy and starting their third AED at a tertiary epilepsy
      center were followed for seizure trajectory outcome during medical management.
      Seizure trajectories were categorized into one of four patterns: (1) course with
      constant seizures; (2) fluctuating course; (3) delayed attainment of seizure
      freedom (seizure freedom delayed for >12 months after start of the study, but
      patient stayed in seizure freedom); and (4) early attainment of seizure freedom
      (within 12 months of starting study). Multiple ordinal logistic regression models
      were used to estimate the association between trajectory categories and clinical
      factors. RESULTS: Four hundred three adult patients met the eligibility criteria.
      Of these, 212 (53%) never achieved a seizure-free period of a year or more. The
      trajectories of 63 patients (16%) had a complex fluctuating trajectory, 62 (15%)
      had delayed onset of seizure freedom, and 66 (16%) had an early seizure freedom.
      Independent predictors associated with more favorable outcome trajectories were
      epilepsy type and length of follow-up. Specifically, compared to patients with
      focal epilepsy of temporal lobe, patients with focal epilepsy of occipital lobe
      (OR 3.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-14.51, p = 0.04), generalized genetic
      (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.88-5.57, p < 0.0001), unclear epilepsy type (OR 3.82, 95% CI
      1.53-9.52, p < 0.005), and both focal and generalized epilepsy(OR 11.73, 95% CI
      1.69-81.34, p = 0.01) were significantly more likely to experience a better
      trajectory pattern. SIGNIFICANCE: Examination of patterns of seizure trajectory
      of patients with incident DRE showed that 31% were in continuous seizure freedom
      at the end of the observation period.

PMID- 27265406
TI  - Adherence to Recommended Risk Management among Unaffected Women with a BRCA
      Mutation.
AB  - Identifying unaffected women with a BRCA mutation can have a significant
      individual and population health impact on morbidity and mortality if these women
      adhere to guidelines for managing cancer risk. But, little is known about whether
      such women are adherent to current guidelines. We conducted telephone surveys of
      97 unaffected BRCA mutation carriers who had genetic counseling at least one year
      prior to the survey to assess adherence to current guidelines, factors associated
      with adherence, and common reasons for performing and not performing recommended
      risk management. More than half of participants reported being adherent with
      current risk management recommendations for breast cancer (69 %, n = 67), ovarian
      cancer (82 %, n = 74) and both cancers (66 %, n = 64). Older age (OR = 10.53, p =
      0.001), white race (OR = 8.93, p = 0.019), higher breast cancer genetics
      knowledge (OR = 1.67, p = 0.030), higher cancer-specific distress (OR = 1.07, p =
      0.002) and higher physical functioning (OR = 1.09, p = 0.009) were significantly
      associated with adherence to recommended risk management for both cancers.
      Responses to open-ended questions about reasons for performing and not performing
      risk management behaviors indicated that participants recognized the clinical
      utility of these behaviors. Younger individuals and those with lower physical
      functioning may require targeted interventions to improve adherence, perhaps in
      the setting of long-term follow-up at a multi-disciplinary hereditary cancer
      clinic.

PMID- 27265408
TI  - Regulation of the Pacemaker Activity of Colonic Interstitial Cells of Cajal by
      Protease-Activated Receptors: Involvement of Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic
      Nucleotide Channels.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The exact mechanism of protease-activated receptors
      (PARs) on pacemaker activity of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) has not been
      reported. We investigated the effects on pacemaker activity by the activation of
      PARs and its signal mechanisms in colonic ICCs. METHODS: The whole-cell patch
      clamp technique, RT-PCR and Ca2+ imaging were used in cultured ICCs from mouse
      colon. RESULTS: PAR-1 and PAR-2 were expressed in Ano-1 positive ICCs. TFLLR-NH2
      (a PAR-1 agonist) and trypsin (a PAR-2 agonist) depolarized the membrane and
      increased the pacemaker potential frequency. U-73122 (a phospholipase C (PLC)
      inhibitor) and thapsigargin (a Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor) suppressed the TFLLR-NH2-
      and trypsin-induced effects on pacemaker potential. TFLLR-NH2 and trypsin also
      increased intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) intensity with increasing of Ca2+
      oscillations. Genistein (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor), SP600125 (a JNK
      inhibitor), CsCl, ZD7288, clonidine (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic
      nucleotide (HCN) channel blockers), SQ-22536 and dideoxyadenosine (adenylate
      cyclase inhibitors) suppressed the increased pacemaker potential frequency
      without effects on depolarization of the membrane induced by TFLLR-NH2 and
      trypsin. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that activation of PAR-1 and PAR-2
      modulates the pacemaker activity of colonic ICCs through the PLC-dependent
      [Ca2+]i release pathway. The increased pacemaker potential frequency by PAR-1 and
      PAR-2 was also dependent on tyrosine kinase, JNK, and HCN activation.

PMID- 27265418
TI  - Over-expression of TSPO in the hippocampal CA1 area alleviates cognitive
      dysfunction caused by lipopolysaccharide in mice.
AB  - The translocator protein 18kDa (TSPO) is closely related to regulation of
      immune/inflammatory response. However, the putative role and signaling mechanisms
      of TSPO in regulation of neuroinflammation remain unclear. GV287 lentiviral
      vectors mediating TSPO over-expression were injected into bilateral hippocampal
      CA1 areas to test whether TSPO over-expression was neuroprotective in
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mice model. Finasteride, a blocker of
      allopregnanolone production, was used to test whether the protective effects were
      related to steroideogenesis. The results demonstrated that TSPO over-expression
      increased progesterone and allopregnanolone synthesis. TSPO over-expression in
      CA1 area improved LPS-induced cognitive deficiency in mice and this cognitive
      improvement was reversed by finasteride administration. These data suggest that
      up-regulation of TSPO level during neuroinflammation may be an adaptive response
      mechanism, a way to provide more neurosteroids. We confer that TSPO could be an
      attractive drug target for controlling neuroinflammation in the future.

PMID- 27265417
TI  - Virtual unrolling and deciphering of Herculaneum papyri by X-ray phase-contrast
      tomography.
AB  - A collection of more than 1800 carbonized papyri, discovered in the Roman 'Villa
      dei Papiri' at Herculaneum is the unique classical library survived from
      antiquity. These papyri were charred during 79 A.D. Vesuvius eruption, a
      circumstance which providentially preserved them until now. This magnificent
      collection contains an impressive amount of treatises by Greek philosophers and,
      especially, Philodemus of Gadara, an Epicurean thinker of 1st century BC. We read
      many portions of text hidden inside carbonized Herculaneum papyri using enhanced
      X-ray phase-contrast tomography non-destructive technique and a new set of
      numerical algorithms for 'virtual-unrolling'. Our success lies in revealing the
      largest portion of Greek text ever detected so far inside unopened scrolls, with
      unprecedented spatial resolution and contrast, all without damaging these
      precious historical manuscripts. Parts of text have been decoded and the 'voice'
      of the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus is brought back again after 2000 years
      from Herculaneum papyri.

PMID- 27265419
TI  - Delayed activation of human microglial cells by high dose ionizing radiation.
AB  - Recent studies have shown that microglia affects the fate of neural stem cells in
      response to ionizing radiation, which suggests a role for microglia in radiation
      induced degenerative outcomes. We therefore investigated the effects of gamma
      irradiation on cell survival, proliferation, and activation of microglia and
      explored associated mechanisms. Specifically, we evaluated cellular and molecular
      changes associated with exposure of human microglial cells (CHME5) to low and
      high doses of acute cesium-137 gamma rays. Twenty-four hours after irradiation,
      cell cycle analyses revealed dose-dependent decreases in the fraction of cells in
      S and G2/M phase, which correlated with significant oxidative stress. By one week
      after irradiation, 20-30% of the cells exposed to high doses of gamma rays
      underwent apoptosis, which correlated with significant concomitant decrease in
      metabolic activity as assessed by the MTT assay, and microglial activation as
      judged by both morphological changes and increased expression of Glut-5 and CR43.
      These changes were associated with increases in the mRNA levels for IL-1alpha, IL
      10 and TNFalpha. Together, the results show that human CHME5 microglia are
      relatively resistant to low and moderate doses of gamma rays, but are sensitive
      to acute high doses, and that CHME5 cells are a useful tool for in vitro study of
      human microglia.

PMID- 27265420
TI  - Developmental programming of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): prenatal androgens
      establish pancreatic islet alpha/beta cell ratio and subsequent insulin
      secretion.
AB  - Exogenous androgenic steroids applied to pregnant sheep programmes a PCOS-like
      phenotype in female offspring. Via ultrasound guidance we applied steroids
      directly to ovine fetuses at d62 and d82 of gestation, and examined fetal (day 90
      gestation) and postnatal (11 months old) pancreatic structure and function. Of
      three classes of steroid agonists applied (androgen - Testosterone propionate
      (TP), estrogen - Diethystilbesterol (DES) and glucocorticoid - Dexamethasone
      (DEX)), only androgens (TP) caused altered pancreatic development. Beta cell
      numbers were significantly elevated in prenatally androgenised female fetuses (P
      = 0.03) (to approximately the higher numbers found in male fetuses), whereas
      alpha cell counts were unaffected, precipitating decreased alpha:beta cell ratios
      in the developing fetal pancreas (P = 0.001), sustained into adolescence (P =
      0.0004). In adolescence basal insulin secretion was significantly higher in
      female offspring from androgen-excess pregnancies (P = 0.045), and an
      exaggerated, hyperinsulinaemic response to glucose challenge (P = 0.0007)
      observed, whereas prenatal DES or DEX treatment had no effects upon insulin
      secretion. Postnatal insulin secretion correlated with beta cell numbers (P =
      0.03). We conclude that the pancreas is a primary locus of androgenic stimulation
      during development, giving rise to postnatal offspring whose pancreas secreted
      excess insulin due to excess beta cells in the presence of a normal number of
      alpha cells.

PMID- 27265422
TI  - Timing of First Sexual Intercourse and Young Adult Health Outcomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine how age of onset of sexual intercourse is associated with
      past-year and lifetime sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and depression in
      young adulthood. METHODS: We examined how occurrence of a lifetime and past-year
      STI, lifetime diagnosis of depression, and past-week depressive symptoms differed
      as a function of age of onset of sexual intercourse using data from the National
      Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; N = 8,938
      individuals). Time-varying effect models were used to examine how age of onset,
      measured as continuous age, was associated with these outcomes in young
      adulthood, with all analyses stratified to examine gender differences. RESULTS:
      Individuals who engaged in first intercourse before age 16 reported higher than
      average rates of all outcomes studied; for example, an estimated 35% of women and
      12% of men who initiated at age 14 years reported a lifetime STI, compared with
      about 5% of those who initiated at age 24 years. Timing of first intercourse past
      the mid-twenties was associated with lower than average rates of STIs and
      lifetime depression diagnoses but was associated with a somewhat higher level of
      past-year depressive symptoms. Patterns were similar by gender, although there
      was little difference in men's depression diagnoses by age of onset. CONCLUSIONS:
      Results suggest that sexual intercourse before age 16 years may be associated
      with higher rates of STIs and depression. Findings provide support for
      comprehensive programs that both promote delay of first intercourse and provide
      safe sex and psychological support for those who initiate early.

PMID- 27265421
TI  - Gabapentin misuse, abuse and diversion: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Since its market release, gabapentin has been presumed to
      have no abuse potential and subsequently has been prescribed widely off-label,
      despite increasing reports of gabapentin misuse. This review estimates and
      describes the prevalence and effects of, motivations behind and risk factors for
      gabapentin misuse, abuse and diversion. METHODS: Databases were searched for peer
      reviewed papers demonstrating gabapentin misuse, characterized by taking a larger
      dosage than prescribed or taking gabapentin without a prescription, and
      diversion. All types of studies were considered; grey literature was excluded.
      Thirty-three papers met inclusion criteria, consisting of 23 case studies and 11
      epidemiological reports. Published reports came from the United States, the
      United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, India, South Africa and France, and two
      analyzed websites not specific to a particular country. RESULTS: Prevalence of
      gabapentin misuse in the general population was reported to be 1%, 40-65% among
      individuals with prescriptions and between 15 and 22% within populations of
      people who abuse opioids. An array of subjective experiences reminiscent of
      opioids, benzodiazepines and psychedelics were reported over a range of doses,
      including those within clinical recommendations. Gabapentin was misused primarily
      for recreational purposes, self-medication or intentional self-harm and was
      misused alone or in combination with other substances, especially opioids,
      benzodiazepines and/or alcohol. Individuals with histories of drug abuse were
      most often involved in its misuse. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological and case report
      evidence suggests that the anti-epileptic and analgesic medication gabapentin is
      being misused internationally, with substance abuse populations at special risk
      for misuse/abuse.

PMID- 27265423
TI  - Evaluation of Bar and Nightclub Intervention to Decrease Young Adult Smoking in
      New Mexico.
AB  - PURPOSE: Over 20% of young adults in New Mexico currently smoke. We evaluated
      cigarette smoking prevalence of young adult bar patrons during an anti-tobacco
      Social Branding intervention. METHODS: The Social Branding intervention used a
      smoke-free brand, "HAVOC," to compete with tobacco marketing within the "Partier"
      young adult peer crowd. A series of cross-sectional surveys were collected from
      adults aged 18-26 in bars and nightclubs in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 2009 to
      2013 using randomized time-location sampling. Multivariable multinomial
      regression using full information maximum likelihood estimation to account for
      missing data evaluated differences in daily and nondaily smoking during the
      intervention, controlling for demographics, other risk behaviors, and tobacco
      related attitudes. RESULTS: Data were collected from 1,069 individuals at Time 1,
      and 720, 1,142, and 1,149 participants at Times 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
      Current smoking rates decreased from 47.5% at Time 1 to 37.5% at Time 4 (p <
      .001). Among Partiers, the odds of daily smoking decreased significantly, but
      nondaily smoking was unchanged. Partiers that recalled, liked, and understood the
      smoke-free message of HAVOC had lower odds of nondaily (odds ratio: .48, 95% CI:
      .31-.75) and daily (odds ratio: .31, 95% CI: .14-.68) smoking than those who did
      not recall HAVOC. HAVOC recall was associated with attitudes that were also
      associated with smoking behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease in daily
      smoking among young adult Partiers in New Mexico was associated with HAVOC recall
      and understanding. Social Branding interventions efficiently target and may
      decrease tobacco use among young adult bar patrons.

PMID- 27265424
TI  - Associations Between Parental and Grandparental Marijuana Use and Child Substance
      Use Norms in a Prospective, Three-Generation Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Using prospective longitudinal data from three generations, this study
      seeks to test whether and how parent and grandparent marijuana use (current and
      prior) predicts an increased likelihood of child cigarette, alcohol, and
      marijuana use. METHODS: Using multilevel modeling of prospective data spanning
      three generations (n = 306 families, children ages 6-22), this study tested
      associations between grandparent (G1) and parent (G2) marijuana use and child
      (G3) past-year cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use. Analyses tested whether G3
      substance-related norms mediated these associations. Current G1 and G2 marijuana
      use was examined, as was G2 high school and early adult use and G1 marijuana use
      when G2 parents were in early adolescence. Controls included G2 age at G3 birth,
      G2 education and depression, and G3 gender. RESULTS: G2 current marijuana use
      predicted a higher likelihood of G3 alcohol and marijuana use but was not related
      to the probability of G3 cigarette use. G3's perceptions of their parents' norms
      and G2 current marijuana use both contributed independently to the likelihood of
      G3 alcohol and marijuana use when included in the same model. G3 children's own
      norms and their perceptions of friends' norms mediated the link between G2
      current marijuana use and G3 alcohol and marijuana use. CONCLUSIONS: Results are
      discussed in light of the growing trend toward marijuana legalization. To the
      extent that parent marijuana use increases under legalization, we can expect more
      youth to use alcohol and marijuana and to have norms that favor substance use.

PMID- 27265426
TI  - Case of abscess caused by Mycobacterium massiliense associated with swimming.

PMID- 27265425
TI  - Impact of arsenic(V) on testicular oxidative stress and sperm functional
      attributes in Swiss albino mice.
AB  - The arsenic (As) is a multi system effector including reproduction. The present
      study examined the association of graded doses of As(V) on testicular
      microenvironment and sperm function in mice. Thirty-six adult male mice were
      randomly assigned to six groups (n = 6). Group A served as control without test
      chemical. The groups B, C, D, E, and F were administered graded doses of 10, 25,
      50, 100, and 200 ppm As(V), respectively, through drinking water for 40 days. A
      dose-dependant significant (P < 0.05) decrements were observed in epididymal
      sperm kinematic attributes (progressive motility, rapid, fast progressive, VCL,
      VSL, VAP, LIN, STR, WOB and TYPE A (STR >80 %, ALH 2.5 MUm) by CASA), viability,
      plasma membrane functional integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential which
      were associated with insignificant decrease in serum testosterone levels. The
      histoarchitectural studies of testes showed progressive loss of spermatozoa
      concentration in the seminiferous tubules as the As(V) dose increased. The mice
      exposed to As(V) had an increase in the As accumulation, protein carbonylation,
      and lipid peroxidation levels associated with alterations in SOD, CAT, and GST
      activities in the testes. In conclusion, higher doses of As(V) (more than 50 ppm)
      were found to be testicular toxicants which impaired semen quality by inducing
      oxidative stress in the testicular microenvironment. 

PMID- 27265427
TI  - Impaired interhemispheric synchrony in Parkinson's disease with depression.
AB  - The alterations of interhemispheric resting-state functional connectivity (FC) in
      Parkinson's disease (PD) with depression remain unclear, so we aimed to explore
      the differences of interhemispheric FC between PD with and without depression.
      Twenty-one depressed PD (DPD) patients, 49 non-depressed PD (NDPD) patients and
      50 matched healthy controls (HC) participated in this study. Resting-state
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were analyzed with the voxel
      mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) approach. The DPD patients showed lower
      VMHC values in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and calcarine
      cortex compared to both NDPD and HC groups, and further receiver operating
      characteristic curves (ROC) analyses revealed that the VMHC in these two brain
      areas could be used as biomarkers to distinguish DPD from NDPD and from HC. The
      pooled PD patients (both DPD and NDPD) exhibited decreased VMHC in the bilateral
      putamen, middle occipital gyrus (MOG), postcentral gyrus (PoCG), paracentral
      lobule (PCL) and cerebellum posterior lobe when compared with HC. Decreased VMHC
      values within the DLPFC and calcarine cortex appeared to be unique features for
      DPD and might be used as potential neuroimaging markers to distinguish DPD
      patients from NDPD and HC groups. These findings may underlie the neural
      mechanisms of depression in PD.

PMID- 27265428
TI  - A gradient-free method for the purification of infective dengue virus for protein
      level investigations.
AB  - Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus that infects
      approximately 100 million people annually. Multi-day protocols for purification
      of DENV reduce the infective titer due to viral sensitivity to both temperature
      and pH. Herein we describe a 5-h protocol for the purification of all DENV
      serotypes, utilizing traditional gradient-free ultracentrifugation followed by
      selective virion precipitation. This protocol allows for the separation of DENV
      from contaminating proteins - including intact C6/36 densovirus, for the
      production of infective virus at high concentration for protein-level analysis.

PMID- 27265429
TI  - Mortality study of employees at a chemical manufacturing plant using
      administrative databases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study investigated mortality in a cohort of 1,988 male workers
      at a chemical manufacturing plant (1981-2011) and evaluated the quality of the
      results obtained using administrative databases. METHODS: Information about the
      workers was obtained from the archives of the Italian National Institute for
      Social Insurance. Vital status and causes of death were ascertained through
      record linkage with electronic archives and follow-up mailing. Regional reference
      rates were used to calculate standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 90%
      confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The analysis showed increased SMR for
      selected cancers of a priori interest: respiratory system (SMR: 126.8; 90%CI: 105
      152), pleura (330.5; 90%CI 164-596), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (196.1; 90%CI 102
      342). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate an effect of hazardous exposures among
      workers in this chemical manufacturing plant. Using administrative databases to
      construct historical cohorts is an efficient method in time and resources, for
      estimating the risk of mortality and generating hypotheses. Am. J. Ind. Med.
      59:866-876, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265430
TI  - Exome sequencing identified a novel de novo OPA1 mutation in a consanguineous
      family presenting with optic atrophy.
AB  - Inherited optic neuropathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized
      by mild to severe visual loss, colour vision deficit, central or paracentral
      visual field defects and optic disc pallor. Optic atrophies can be classified
      into isolated or non-syndromic and syndromic forms. While multiple modes of
      inheritance have been reported, autosomal dominant optic atrophy and
      mitochondrial inherited Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy are the most common
      forms. Optic atrophy type 1, caused by mutations in the OPA1 gene is believed to
      be the most common hereditary optic neuropathy, and most patients inherit a
      mutation from an affected parent. In this study we used whole-exome sequencing to
      investigate the genetic aetiology in a patient affected with isolated optic
      atrophy. Since the proband was the only affected individual in his extended
      family, and was a product of consanguineous marriage, homozygosity mapping
      followed by whole-exome sequencing were pursued. Exome results identified a novel
      de novo OPA1 mutation in the proband. We conclude, that though de novo OPA1
      mutations are uncommon, testing of common optic atrophy-associated genes such as
      mitochondrial mutations and OPA1 gene sequencing should be performed first in
      single individuals presenting with optic neuropathy, even when dominant
      inheritance is not apparent.

PMID- 27265431
TI  - Oral health-related quality of life in patients on chronic haemodialysis and
      after kidney transplantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate oral health-related
      quality of life (OHRQoL) depending on dental and periodontal situation in
      patients on haemodialysis (HD) and after kidney transplantation (KTx) compared to
      healthy controls (HC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: OHRQoL was assessed using the German
      short form of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP G14). Dental health was estimated
      using the decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMF-T). Periodontal health was
      classified as healthy/mild or moderate/severe periodontitis. STATISTICAL
      ANALYSIS: Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, chi-square test and Fisher's
      test. RESULTS: Eighty-seven HD patients, 39 KTx patients and 91 HC were included.
      Significant differences in DMF-T, D-T, M-T and F-T scores were identified between
      groups (P < 0.001). The prevalence of moderate/severe periodontitis was
      significantly higher in the HD and KTx group compared to HC (P = 0.002).
      Differences in OHIP G14 between groups were neither clinical relevant nor
      statistically significant (P = 0.199). A significant effect of DMF-T (P = 0.012),
      M-T (P < 0.001) and periodontitis (P = 0.023) on the OHIP G14 scores was
      identified only in HC. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in dental care of HD and KTx
      patients is required. OHIP G14 values provide a subjectively considered low
      importance of oral health in HD and KTx patients, leading to need of motivation
      and sensitisation of these patients.

PMID- 27265433
TI  - Using PCR and Real-Time PCR (LightCycler) for Diagnosis and Follow up of Invasive
      Fungal Infections in Patients with Hematological Malignancies and
      Transplantation.
AB  - In modern medicine, for early diagnosis of infections, tests that have high
      specificity and sensitivity should be preferred. For this reason, especially for
      patients with hematological malignancies and transplantation, that have high
      mortality and morbidity ratios, some molecular biological techniques are coming
      into use today for differential diagnosis and follow up of invasive fungal
      infections. In the coming years it will become easier to early diagnose and also
      to plan optimal treatments, by using these techniques for diagnosis of fungal
      infections. In this study, we made fungal DNA isolation from blood samples, which
      were taken from patients, in immunodeficiency state, with hematological
      malignancies and transplantation. For polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we used
      universal fungal primers. By using real-time PCR samples from 20 patients, which
      were found positive by PCR, the amount of DNA was measured. In real-time PCR, we
      used Aspergillus colonies as our standard, and for this purpose, SDA petri dishes
      were incubated for 72 hours at 30 degrees C and; 101-106 cfu/mL serial dilutions
      were made by using hemocytometry. We performed DNA isolation and PCR from these
      dilutions. Fungal species specific products giving one band of 500 bp, were fixed
      in 2% agarose gel. We measured the DNA amounts by real-time PCR by using Sybr
      Green I. Standard dilution series and extraction samples were studied at the same
      time by real-time PCR. Measurement of the DNA quantities in the separate samples,
      one at the time of first day and the other after 15 days were interpreted by the
      LightCycler system. Results of real-time PCR in these two different samples were
      compared; it was noted that fungal DNA was increased in 5, decreased in 6 and
      equivalent in 9 patients. These findings showed that real-time PCR is a new,
      specific and a sensitive method among the other quantitative PCR systems. This
      method was also quicker than the other quantitative PCR systems. Currently, the
      investigators prefer this method because, it gives early idea about patient
      condition, for early diagnosis of infections and treatment patients who are under
      risk of some kind of infection, and for follow up treatment results. Additionally
      for diagnosis of fungal infections serial samples in PCR, together with other
      conventional diagnostic methods, should used. 

PMID- 27265432
TI  - Key Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA): A
      Systematic Review and Presentation of Early Research Findings.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic literature review of selected major
      provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) pertaining to expanded health
      insurance coverage. We present and synthesize research findings from the last 5
      years regarding both the immediate and long-term effects of the ACA. We conclude
      with a summary and offer a research agenda for future studies. STUDY DESIGN: We
      identified relevant articles from peer-reviewed scholarly journals by performing
      a comprehensive search of major electronic databases. We also identified reports
      in the "gray literature" disseminated by government agencies and other
      organizations. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Overall, research shows that the ACA has
      substantially decreased the number of uninsured individuals through the dependent
      coverage provision, Medicaid expansion, health insurance exchanges, availability
      of subsidies, and other policy changes. Affordability of health insurance
      continues to be a concern for many people and disparities persist by geography,
      race/ethnicity, and income. Early evidence also indicates improvements in access
      to and affordability of health care. All of these changes are certain to
      ultimately impact state and federal budgets. CONCLUSIONS: The ACA will either
      directly or indirectly affect almost all Americans. As new and comprehensive data
      become available, more rigorous evaluations will provide further insights as to
      whether the ACA has been successful in achieving its goals.

PMID- 27265434
TI  - Therapeutic Trial of Cobalamin in Patients with Normal Serum Cobalamin Levels and
      Predicted Cobalamin Deficiency.
AB  - Diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency can be difficult due to the variation in
      clinical presentation and lack of specificity of the laboratory findings.
      Although hypersegmentation and macrocytosis are important findings observed in
      cobalamin deficiency they are not sensitive and spesific. Additionally, cobalamin
      assays in commercial laboratories, being not reliable, makes the diagnosis more
      difficult. The metabolite assays, such as the total homocysteine and
      methylmalonic acid are costly, which restricts their widespread routine use. Our
      aim was to find out problems in diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency in general
      practice, and establish a better and cost-effective decision strategy for the
      diagnosis of this common clinical entity. Fifty patients with the diagnosis of
      cobalamin deficiency were retrospectively evaluated with respect to diagnosis.
      Normal cobalamin levels were observed at presentation in eight (16%) patients.
      Reticulocyte crisis was observed in all patients on the seventh day of cobalamin
      replacement therapy and all hematological parameters returned to normal at the
      end of three months of treatment. In anemic patients with clinical and
      biochemical findings suggestive of megaloblastic anemia, even though serum
      cobalamin level is normal, a therapeutic trial of cobalamin is cost effective and
      prevents delay in diagnosis. 

PMID- 27265435
TI  - C-Reactive Protein in the Follow-up and Estimation of Infections in Acute
      Leukemic Patients.
AB  - Fifty-five febrile neutropenic episodes were monitored by C-reactive protein
      (CRP) in 26 patients with acute leukemia. In nonfebrile period of patients, serum
      CRP level was 0.89 mg/dL (range 0.1-8.8 mg/dL) while it was found to be raised to
      9.57 mg/dL (range 0.5-24.1 mg/dL) in the febrile group (p= 0.0001). Serum CRP
      level at the onset of fever was 9.25 mg/dL (range 0.1-16.2 mg/dL) in patients in
      whom fever was treated succesfully with antipseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotic
      and aminoglycoside therapy declined to normal levels (p= 0.01); 17.0 mg/dL (range
      5.2-33.5 mg/dL) in patients still persisting fever with this combined therapy and
      so obtained vancomycin (p= 0.001); 16.6 mg/dL (range 0-38.7 mg/dL) in patients
      required amphotericin B in addition (p= 0.001). In the initial febrile episode;
      fever resolved at day 3.3 +/- 1.21 in patients with serum CRP value below 5
      mg/dL; at day 4.42 +/- 1.88 in patients with serum CRP value between 10-15 mg/dL;
      at day 5.14 +/- 1.68 in patients with serum CRP value above 15 mg/dL. There was
      no statistical difference at the time of fever resolution among the first three
      groups. There was a remarkable difference between groups with CRP values below 5
      mg/dL and above 15 mg/dL (p= 0.04). We conclude that determination of serum CRP
      level before and after infection in febrile neutropenic patients is useful for
      the follow-up and estimation of febrile neutropenic episode in acute leukemic
      patients. 

PMID- 27265436
TI  - Anti-HTLV-I/II Seroprevalence in Healthy Blood Donors in Izmir, Turkey.
AB  - Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is the first human retrovirus to
      be associated with malignant disease-namely, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. HTLV
      I has also been associated with several diseases. HTLV-I has a worldwide
      distribution with major endemic foci in the Caribbean and Southern Japan. HTLV-II
      is a closely related retrovirus that shares considerable genomic homology with
      HTLV-I but has not been proven to be a pathogen. Major routes of transmission are
      blood transfusion, breast milk and sexual activity. In this study, we examined
      the seroprevalance of HTLV-I/II among healthy blood donors attended to Ege
      University Hospital in Izmir. 913 healthy blood donors were examined for the
      presence of anti-HTLV-I/II antibody in their sera. Serum specimens were tested
      with an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Organon Teknika, Vironostika HTLV-I/II
      Microelisa System, Holland). All of the 913 healthy blood donors were
      seronegative with EIA. These findings indicate that screening of blood donors for
      HTLV I/II is not necessary at present time. 

PMID- 27265437
TI  - Prevalence of Hepatitis G Virus in Blood Donors and Recipients.
AB  - We evaluated the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in patients who
      had received multiple blood components and in blood donors and the possible
      coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Eighty patients who had received
      multiple blood components and 70 eligible blood donors, as controls were included
      in this study. HGV RNA was determined by reverse polymerase chain reaction in
      serum. HGV-RNA was detected in three (3.7%) of patients and in one (1.4%) of
      controls. Statistical analysis showed no difference between the groups (p> 0.05).
      HGV and HCV coinfection was not observed in both patient and control groups.
      Although the most important risk factor for HGV infection was found to be blood
      transfusions in various studies, this study showed that there is not significant
      relationship between blood components transfusion and HGV infection. 

PMID- 27265438
TI  - Agranulocytosis: A Rare Complication of Infectious Mononucleosis and Recovery
      After IVIG Therapy.
AB  - A six-year-old boy was admitted with acute agranulocytosis four weeks after the
      onset of infectious mononucleosis. His bone marrow aspiration revealed maturation
      arrest of myeloid series. He was hospitalized for agranulocytosis and he was put
      on intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (400 mg/kg/day) on the third day of
      hospitalization for two days. His white blood cell count increased to 4200/mm3
      (1176 PMNL absolutely) on the fifth day. This may suggest that IVIG therapy may
      be effective for early recovery from agranulocytosis which is a very rare
      complication of infectious mononucleosis. 

PMID- 27265439
TI  - Successful Treatment of Infection- Associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome with
      Intravenous Immunoglobulin.
AB  - Hemophagocytic syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by a group of clinical,
      laboratory and histopathological findings such as fever, hepatosplenomegaly,
      cytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow, spleen,
      and lymph nodes. Hemophagocytic syndrome may occur as a primary or secondary
      disease. Primary type of hemophagocytic syndrome is also known as familial
      erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and secondary type is mostly associated
      with an viral infection and known as infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome
      (IAHS). Rapid diagnosis is very important in these patients since suggested
      treatment strategies for the two types have been different and mortality rate is
      very high. In this report we present the clinical and laboratory findings and the
      outcome of two children with IAHS to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis
      and the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in these patients. 

PMID- 27265440
TI  - Anaplastic T-Cell Lymphoma Associated with Hemophagocytic Syndrome: A Case
      Report.
AB  - Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is mostly associated with malignant and infectious
      diseases. The causes and prognosis of this clinical syndrome depend on the
      underlying disease. And also treatment of this disease must be arranged according
      to the underlying causes. While non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) associated with HPS
      has been frequently observed, anaplastic T-cell NHL associated with HPS has been
      rarely reported. In this article we report a case of Ki-1+ anaplastic T-cell
      lymphoma associated with HPS in a 16-year-old woman who presented with fever and
      lymphadenopathy. 

PMID- 27265441
TI  - Hypereosinophilia as a Preclinical Sign of Tongue Squamous Cell Cancer in a
      Gastric Cancer Patient with Complete Remission.
AB  - Although parasitic infestations and allergic disorders are the most common causes
      of eosinophilia it may also occompany malignant diseases. Many studies suggested
      that eosinophilia is related to tumor dissemination or necrosis. We are
      presenting a case; 10 months after gastric carcinoma operation who had severe
      eosinophilia with bone marrow and skin infiltration that gave response to steroid
      therapy. After three months, tongue squamous cell carsinoma as a second
      malignancy occurred in our patient that the eosinophilia could be the preclinical
      sign of the second cancer. 

PMID- 27265442
TI  - CLL and squamous cell cancer of the auricula.

PMID- 27265443
TI  - Blocking elevated VEGF-A attenuates non-vasculature Fragile X syndrome
      abnormalities.
AB  - Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited mental retardation.
      In exploring abnormalities associated with the syndrome, we have recently
      demonstrated abnormal vascular density in a FXS mouse model (Galvan and Galvez,
      ). One of the most prominent regulators of vascular growth is VEGF-A (Vascular
      Endothelial Growth Factor A), suggesting that FXS is associated with abnormal
      VEGF-A expression. In addition to its role in vascular regulation, VEGF-A also
      induces cellular changes such as increasing cell proliferation, and axonal and
      neurite outgrowth independent of its effects on vasculature. These VEGF-A induced
      cellular changes are consistent with FXS abnormalities such as increased axonal
      material, dendritic spine density, and cell proliferation. In support of these
      findings, the following study demonstrated that FXS mice exhibit increased
      expression of VEGF-A in brain. These studies suggest that increased VEGF-A
      expression in FXS is contributing to non-vascular FXS abnormalities. To explore
      the role of VEGF-A in mediating non-vascular FXS abnormalities, the monoclonal
      antibody Bevacizumab was used to block free VEGF-A. Bevacizumab treatment was
      found to decrease FXS Synapsin-1 expression, a presynaptic marker for synapse
      density, and reduce FXS testicle weight to control levels. Blocking VEGF-A also
      alleviated FXS abnormalities on novel object recognition, a test of cognitive
      performance. These findings demonstrate that VEGF-A is elevated in FXS brain and
      suggest that its expression promotes non-vascular FXS abnormalities. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 14-25, 2017.

PMID- 27265444
TI  - Advances in aptasensors for the detection of food contaminants.
AB  - Food safety is a global health objective, and foodborne diseases represent a
      major crisis in health. Techniques that are simple and suitable for fast
      screening to detect and identify pathogenic factors in the food chain are vital
      to ensure food safety. At present, a variety of analytical methods have been
      reported for the detection of pathogenic agents. Whereas the sensitivity of
      detection and quantification are still important challenges, we expect major
      advances from new assay formats and synthetic bio-recognition elements, such as
      aptamers. Owing to the specific folding capability of aptamers in the presence of
      an analyte, aptasensors have substantially and successfully been exploited for
      the detection of a wide range of small and large molecules (e.g., toxins,
      antibiotics, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses) at very low concentrations. Here,
      we review the use of aptasensors for the development of highly sensitive and
      affordable detection tools for food analysis. 

PMID- 27265445
TI  - Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and its association with overweight
      among young children from China.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To fully understand the sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption
      status among Chinese young children and to explore its association with weight
      gain. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, data on sociodemographic
      characteristics, SSB intake and weight/height were collected by means of face-to
      face interviews. The intake of SSB among young Chinese children in relation to
      their age, different characteristics and types of SSB consumed is described, and
      the association between SSB intake and BMI-for-age Z-score and overweight is
      explored. SETTING: Seven large cities and two villages in China. SUBJECTS: Nine
      hundred and forty-six healthy children, aged 3-7 years. RESULTS: The proportion
      of SSB intake among Chinese young children was 80.5 %; 3.4 % were daily
      consumers, 34.0 % (31.4 %) consumed at least once per week (month). The per
      capita and per consumer SSB intake was 63.1 9 (sd 100.8) and 78.4 (sd 106.9)
      ml/d. Children from rural areas consumed twice, or even triple, the amount of SSB
      as those from urban areas (P<0.001) and great disparities existed between the
      types of SSB consumed by urban and rural children. An association was found
      between increased SSB intake and higher BMI-for-age Z-score (P<0.05) after
      adjusting for potential confounders; there was also an association between SSB
      intake and increased risk of being overweight or obese. CONCLUSIONS: The
      consumption status of SSB in Chinese young children is of concern. There was a
      positive association between SSB intake and weight gain. Measures should be taken
      to improve the present situation of SSB consumption among Chinese young children.

PMID- 27265446
TI  - Synthesis, crystal structure and second-order nonlinear optical property of a
      novel pentanary selenide (K3I)[InB12(InSe4)3].
AB  - A novel pentanary selenide (K3I)[InB12(InSe4)3] was obtained via a high
      temperature solid-state method. It crystallizes in the hexagonal space group
      P6322 which features an InSe4 tetrahedron consolidated B12 icosahedron and 1-D
      chain constructed by InSe6 octahedron and B12Se12 cluster alternatively connected
      along the c-axis. Second-order nonlinear optical property measurement shows that
      it is second harmonic generation-active. Theory calculation indicates that it is
      an indirect semiconductor with the energy gap of 1.15 eV. 

PMID- 27265447
TI  - Influenza vaccine effectiveness: Maintained protection throughout the duration of
      influenza seasons 2010-2011 through 2013-2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Factors, such as age, comorbidities, vaccine type, herd immunity,
      previous influenza exposure, and antigenic shift may impact the immune response
      to the influenza vaccine, protection against circulating strains, and antibody
      waning. Evaluating vaccine effectiveness (VE) is important for informing timing
      of vaccine administration and evaluating overall vaccine benefit. METHODS: VE was
      assessed using febrile respiratory illness surveillance among Department of
      Defense non-active duty beneficiaries from influenza seasons 2010-2011 through
      2013-2014. Respiratory specimens were taken from participants meeting the case
      definition and tested by polymerase chain reaction for influenza. VE was
      calculated using logistic regression and by taking 1 minus the odds ratio of
      being vaccinated in the laboratory confirmed positive influenza cases versus
      laboratory confirmed negative controls. RESULTS: This study included 1486
      participants. We found an overall adjusted VE that provided significant and
      fairly consistent protection ranging from 54% to 67% during 0-180days
      postvaccination. This VE dropped to -11% (95% confidence interval: -102% to 39%)
      during 181-365days. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found moderate VE up to 6months
      postvaccination. Since the influenza season starts at different times each year,
      optimal timing is difficult to predict. Consequently, early influenza vaccination
      may still offer the best overall protection.

PMID- 27265448
TI  - Pertussis vaccination during pregnancy: Antibody persistence in infants.
AB  - Maternal pertussis vaccination is associated with higher levels of pertussis
      antibodies at birth. We assessed the persistence of pertussis antibodies until
      primary vaccination in infants whose mothers received Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria,
      acellular pertussis) vaccine during pregnancy. Infants were born at the Hospital
      Clinic of Barcelona (Spain) in November 2014. Anti-PT IgG was determined by ELISA
      at delivery, between the first and second month of life, and estimated at 2months
      of age. The study included 37 infants whose mothers received Tdap between 21 and
      38weeks of gestation. Infants presented a decline in GMC of anti-PT IgG between
      peripartum and follow-up levels, 52.7 (95% CI 34.7-80.2) versus 7.5 (95% CI 4.2
      13.3) at 2months of age (p<0.001). The median half-life of maternal antibodies
      was 47days. More than half (51.4%) the infants presented detectable anti-PT IgG
      before the start of primary infant vaccination.

PMID- 27265449
TI  - Pneumococcal carriage in young children after introduction of PCV13 in Hong Kong.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has been included in Hong Kong's
      Childhood Immunization Programme since 2009. This study aimed to assess
      nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage rate, serotypes and antimicrobial resistance
      pattern in young children after the introduction of 13-valent PCV (PCV13). STUDY
      DESIGN: A community-based, cross-sectional surveillance study was performed on
      healthy infants attending eleven Maternal and Child Health Centres across
      different parts of Hong Kong. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from healthy
      children aged 2, 12 and 18months during their visit to the centers for
      immunization from June 2013 to June 2014. Pneumococcal isolates were serotyped
      and tested for antimicrobial resistance. Details of the demographics, family
      composition, vaccination history and medical history was obtained through
      interview of the guardians. RESULTS: 1541 children were recruited. The overall
      carriage rate was 5.5%. Children aged 12 and 18months were more likely to have
      pneumococcal colonization (12months OR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.41-5.87 and 18months OR:
      2.19, 95% CI: 1.05-4.57). Recent respiratory symptoms and presence of siblings
      younger than 6years were independently associated with pneumococcal carriage.
      Eighty-four pneumococcal isolates were serotyped. The most prevalent
      serogroup/types were 15 (15B/C, 16.7%; 15A/F, 9.5%), 6C (15.5%) and 23A (13.1%).
      Overall, 2.4% of the isolates were heptavalent PCV serotypes, 10.7% were PCV13
      serotypes and 89.3% were non-PCV13 serotypes. The proportions of penicillin,
      cefotaxime and erythromycin non-susceptible isolates were 7.3%, 13.4% and 79.3%
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The rate of pneumococcal carriage was low in young
      children in Hong Kong and compared to previous local studies there appears to
      have been an overall reduction in the carriage rate after the introduction of
      PCV. Likely serotype replacement was noted with a predominance of non-vaccine
      serotypes in pneumococcal carriage with the emergence of serogroup/type 15 and
      6C.

PMID- 27265450
TI  - Revaccination with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in the Japanese
      elderly is well tolerated and elicits immune responses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Following primary vaccination of adults ?65years of age with 23
      valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), immune responses increase
      and thereafter appear to decrease over time. With increased life expectancy
      worldwide, revaccination with PPSV23 may be required for continued protection of
      the elderly population against pneumococcal disease. The present study evaluated
      the immunogenicity and safety of revaccination with PPSV23 in the Japanese
      elderly. METHODS: Depending on prior history of PPSV23 vaccination, adults aged
      ?70years were given a first dose (primary group; N=81) or second dose
      (revaccination group; N=161, at least 5years after first dose) of PPSV23
      intramuscularly. Subjects were matched for gender, age, and number and type of
      comorbidity across both groups. Blood samples were collected before and 4weeks
      postvaccination to measure serotype-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG)
      concentrations and opsonophagocytic killing activity (OPA) antibody titers to
      serotypes included in the vaccine. Injection-site and systemic adverse events
      (AEs) were collected for 14days postvaccination. RESULTS: Baseline serotype
      specific IgG geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) and OPA geometric mean titers
      (GMTs) were generally higher in subjects with a prior history of PPSV23
      vaccination than in PPSV23-naive subjects. The levels of IgG GMCs and OPA GMTs
      after revaccination were generally comparable to those observed after primary
      vaccination. Incidences of systemic AEs were comparable between the 2 groups.
      Although incidences of injection-site AEs were higher following revaccination
      than primary vaccination, the difference was not clinically significant as most
      AEs were mild to moderate in intensity and resolved within 5days after
      revaccination without treatment. CONCLUSION: Revaccination with PPSV23 was well
      tolerated and associated with increases in serotype-specific IgG concentrations
      and OPA titers in the elderly who received a prior PPSV23 dose at least 5years
      before. Revaccination with PPSV23 can be safely implemented in the elderly for
      continued prevention against pneumococcal disease. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY
      NUMBER: NCT02260882.

PMID- 27265451
TI  - Immunogenicity and safety of a fully liquid aluminum phosphate adjuvanted
      Haemophilus influenzae type b PRP-CRM197-conjugate vaccine in healthy Japanese
      children: A phase III, randomized, observer-blind, multicenter, parallel-group
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Broad use of monovalent Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate
      vaccines based on the capsular polysaccharide polyribosyl-ribitol phosphate
      (PRP), has significantly reduced invasive Hib disease burden in children
      worldwide, particularly in children aged <1year. In Japan, PRP conjugated to
      tetanus toxoid (PRP-T) vaccine has been widely used since the initiation of
      public funding programs followed by a routine vaccination designation in 2013.
      METHODS: We compared the immunogenicity and safety of PRP conjugated to a non
      toxic diphtheria toxin mutant (PRP-CRM197) vaccine with the PRP-T vaccine when
      administered subcutaneously to healthy Japanese children in a phase III study.
      Additionally, we evaluated the immunogenicity and safety profiles of a diphtheria
      tetanus acellular pertussis (DTaP) combination vaccine when concomitantly
      administered with either PRP-CRM197 or PRP-T vaccines. The primary endpoint was
      the "long-term seroprotection rate", defined as the group proportion with anti
      PRP antibody titers ?1.0MUg/mL, after the primary series. RESULTS: Long-term
      seroprotection rates were 99.3% in the PRP-CRM197 group and 95.6% in the PRP-T
      group. The intergroup difference (PRP-CRM197 group - PRP-T group) was 3.7% (95%
      confidence interval: 0.099-7.336), demonstrating that PRP-CRM197 vaccine was non
      inferior to PRP-T vaccine (p<0.0001). Furthermore, the "short-term seroprotection
      rate" (anti-PRP antibody titer ?0.15MUg/mL) before booster vaccination was higher
      in the PRP-CRM197 group than in PRP-T. Concomitant administration of PRP-CRM197
      vaccine with DTaP vaccine showed no differences in terms of immunogenicity
      compared with concomitant vaccination with PRP-T vaccine and DTaP vaccine.
      Although CRM197 vaccine had higher local reactogenicity, overall, both Hib
      vaccines had acceptable safety and tolerability profiles. CONCLUSION: The
      immunogenicity of PRP-CRM197 vaccine administered subcutaneously as a three-dose
      primary series in children followed by a booster vaccination 1year after the
      primary series induced protective levels of Hib antibodies with no safety or
      tolerability concerns. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov:
      NCT01379846.

PMID- 27265452
TI  - Transiently increased IgE responses in infants and pre-schoolers receiving only
      acellular Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DTaP) vaccines compared to those
      initially receiving at least one dose of cellular vaccine (DTwP) - Immunological
      curiosity or canary in the mine?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several previous studies have highlighted the strong Th2-polarising
      and IgE-promoting activity of the DTaP vaccine, but there is no evidence that
      this has pathological consequences and accordingly there is no current interest
      amongst vaccine developers in reformulating DTaP to attenuate these properties.
      In light of an apparent resurgence in pertussis in many countries, and emerging
      evidence from other areas of paediatric immunology of IgE-mediated interference
      with host defence mechanisms, this issue requires more detailed clarification.
      METHODS: We have re-evaluated the impact of DTaP-only versus mixed DTwP/DTaP
      vaccination on Th2-dependent "bystander" IgE responses in three cohorts of
      children under different priming conditions, encompassing both vaccine-targeted
      and unrelated antigens including food allergens. RESULTS: We confirm the
      generalised IgE-trophic activity of the DTaP vaccine in pre-schoolers and
      demonstrate similar (albeit transient) effects in infants. We additionally
      demonstrate that use of an alternative mixed infant priming schedule encompassing
      an initial dose of DTwP significantly attenuates this property. INTERPRETATION:
      Central to our interpretation of these findings are studies demonstrating: (i)
      mixed DTwP/DTaP priming improves resistance to pertussis disease and attenuates
      the IgE-stimulatory component of long term vaccine-specific memory; (ii) IgE
      mediated mechanisms can interfere with innate antiviral immunity and accordingly
      exacerbate airway symptoms in infected children. These observations, taken
      together with the data presented here, suggest a plausible mechanistic link
      between baseline pertussis-specific IgE titres in DTaP vaccinees and
      susceptibility to pertussis disease, which merits testing. Retrospective IgE
      analyses on sera collected from children at the time of presentation with
      pertussis could resolve this issue.

PMID- 27265453
TI  - High prevalence of active and occult hepatitis B virus infections in healthcare
      workers from two provinces of South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B (HB) is a vaccine-preventable liver disease caused by
      infection with the blood-borne hepatitis B virus (HBV). South African healthcare
      workers (HCWs) may be at high risk of occupational exposure to HBV infection,
      since previous studies have found suboptimal levels of protection against HBV in
      HCWs. METHODS: A descriptive prevalence study based on self-administered
      questionnaires with data on demographics and HB vaccination status, and stored
      serum samples collected from 2009 to 2012, from 333 HCWs working or studying in
      Gauteng and Mpumalanga province hospitals or nursing colleges, was conducted.
      Samples were tested for HB surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to HBsAg (anti
      HBs), antibodies to HB core antigen (anti-HBc), and HBV deoxyribonucleic acid
      (DNA). RESULTS: The majority of HCWs from whom the serum samples were drawn were
      black (91.4% [298/326]), female (82.6% [275/333]) and had received at least one
      dose of HB vaccine (70.9% [236/333]). The average age was 38.8years (range: 19
      62). Of the HCWs, 23.2% (73/314) were susceptible (negative for all markers);
      9.6% (30/314) were infected (HBsAg and/or DNA positive); 29.0% (91/314) were
      exposed (positive for either HBsAg, anti-HBc, or DNA); 18.8% (59/314) were immune
      due to natural infection (anti-HBs and anti-HBc positive only); while 47.8%
      (150/314) were immune due to vaccination (anti-HBs positive only). Furthermore,
      HBV DNA was detected in 8.6% (27/314) and occult HBV infection (OBI) (HBV DNA
      positive but HBsAg negative) was found in 6.7% (21/314) of samples. DISCUSSION
      AND CONCLUSION: This study, which is the first to report OBI in South African
      HCWs, found high rates of active HBV infection and sub-optimal protection against
      HBV in HCWs. There is a need to strengthen vaccination programmes through a
      policy that ensures protection for all HCWs and their patients.

PMID- 27265454
TI  - Pneumococcal vaccine impact on otitis media microbiology: A New Zealand cohort
      study before and after the introduction of PHiD-CV10 vaccine.
AB  - We compared the microbiology of middle ear fluid (MEF) in two cohorts of children
      having ventilation tube (VT) insertion; the first in the era of 7-valent
      Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugate vaccine (PCV7) and the second following
      introduction of the ten-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PHiD-CV10). METHODS: During
      2011 (Phase 1) and again in 2014 (Phase 2) MEF and NP samples from 325 children
      and 319 children were taken at the time of VT insertion. A matched comparison
      group had NP swabs collected with 137 children (Phase 1) and 154 (Phase 2).
      Culture was performed on all NP and MEF samples with further molecular
      identification of Haemophilus species, serotyping of S. pneumoniae, and
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on all MEF samples. RESULTS: In Phase 2
      immunisation coverage with ?3 doses of PHiD-CV10 was 93%. The rate and ratios of
      culture and molecular detection of the 3 main otopathogens was unchanged between
      Phase 1 and Phase 2 in both MEF and NP. Haemophilus influenzae was cultured in
      one quarter and detected by PCR in 53% of MEF samples in both time periods. S.
      pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis were cultured in up to 13% and detected by
      PCR in 27% and 40% respectively of MEF samples. H. influenzae was the most common
      organism isolated from NP samples (61%) in the children undergoing VT surgery
      whilst M. catarrhalis (49%) was the most common in the non-otitis prone group.
      19A was the most prominent S. pneumoniae serotype in both MEF and NP samples in
      Phase 2. Of Haemophilus isolates, 95% were confirmed to be non-typeable H.
      influenzae (NTHi) over both time periods. CONCLUSION: Following implementation of
      PHiD-CV10 in New Zealand, there has been no significant change in the 3 major
      otopathogens in NP or MEF in children with established ear disease. For these
      children non-typeable H. influenzae remains the dominant otopathogen detected.

PMID- 27265455
TI  - Sulfate-binding protein, CysP, is a candidate vaccine antigen of Moraxella
      catarrhalis.
AB  - Moraxella catarrhalis causes otitis media in children and respiratory tract
      infections in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A vaccine
      to prevent M. catarrhalis infections would have an enormous impact globally in
      preventing morbidity caused by M. catarrhalis in these populations. Using a
      genome mining approach we have identified a sulfate binding protein, CysP, of an
      ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter system as a novel candidate vaccine
      antigen. CysP expresses epitopes on the bacterial surface and is highly conserved
      among strains. Immunization with CysP induces potentially protective immune
      responses in a murine pulmonary clearance model. In view of these features that
      indicate CysP is a promising vaccine antigen, we conducted further studies to
      elucidate its function. These studies demonstrated that CysP binds sulfate and
      thiosulfate ions, plays a nutritional role for the organism and functions in
      intracellular survival of M. catarrhalis in human respiratory epithelial cells.
      The observations that CysP has features of a vaccine antigen and also plays an
      important role in growth and survival of the organism indicate that CysP is an
      excellent candidate vaccine antigen to prevent M. catarrhalis otitis media and
      infections in adults with COPD.

PMID- 27265456
TI  - Probing vaccine antigens against bovine mastitis caused by Streptococcus uberis.
AB  - Streptococcus uberis is a worldwide pathogen that causes intramammary infections
      in dairy cattle. Because virulence factors determining the pathogenicity of S.
      uberis have not been clearly identified so far, a commercial vaccine is not yet
      available. Different S. uberis strains have the ability to form biofilm in vitro,
      although the association of this kind of growth with the development of mastitis
      is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use as
      vaccine antigens of proteins from S. uberis biofilms, previously identified by
      proteomic and immunological analyses. The capability of eliciting a protective
      immune response by targeted candidates was assayed on a murine model. Sera from
      rabbits immunized with S. uberis biofilm preparations and a convalescent cow
      intra-mammary infected with S. uberis were probed against cell wall proteins from
      biofilm and planktonic cells previously separated by two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis. Using rabbit immunized serum, two proteins were found to be up
      regulated in biofilm cells as compared to planktonic cells; when serum from the
      convalescent cow was used, up to sixteen biofilm proteins were detected. From
      these proteins, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), fructose
      biphosphate aldolase (FBA), and elongation factor Ts (EFTs) were chosen to be
      tested as vaccine antigen candidates. For this purpose, different groups of mice
      were immunized with the three recombinant-expressed proteins (each one formulated
      separately in a vaccine), and thereafter intraperitoneally challenged with S.
      uberis. The three proteins induced specific IgG antibodies, but a significant
      reduction of mortality was only observed in the groups of mice vaccinated with
      FBA or EFTs. These results suggest that FBA and EFTs might be considered as
      strong antigenic candidates for a vaccine against S. uberis bovine mastitis.
      Moreover, this is the first study to indicate that also in S. uberis, GAPDH, FBA
      and EFTs, as proteins detected in both cytoplasm and cell wall fractions, can
      play a second function (moonlighting), the latter being particularly involved in
      the virulence of such a pathogen organism.

PMID- 27265457
TI  - Protective antibodies against a sphingomyelinase D from Loxosceles intermedia
      spider venom elicited in mice with different genetic background.
AB  - In the present investigation we used a recombinant LiD1 toxin, named rLiD1his,
      from Loxosceles intermedia brown spider to elicit specific antibodies in mice
      carrying different Human Leukocyte Antigens class II (HLAII) {DRB1.0401 (DR4),
      DQB1.0601 (DQ6) and DQB1.0302 (DQ8)} as well as in BALB/C and C57BL/6 control
      mice. All mice strains produced high antibody titers against rLiD1his but DR4
      mice antibodies (the lower responder mice) were not able to recognize L.
      intermedia crude venom. The anti-rLiD1his sera, except from DR4 mice, were able
      to neutralize dermonecrotic, hemorrhagic and edematogenic effects of rLiD1his in
      naive rabbits. Overlapping peptides from the amino acid sequence of LiD1 toxin
      were prepared by SPOT method and differences in LiD1 epitope recognition were
      observed using different mice anti-rLiD1his sera. The region
      (160)DKVGHDFSGNDDISDVGK(177) was recognized by transgenic DQ8 and DQ6 mice sera.
      Other epitopes were recognized by at least two different animals' sera including
      (10)MGHMVNAIGQIDEFVNLG(27), (37)FDDNANPEYTYHGIP(51), (70)GLRSATTPGNSKYQEKLV(87)
      and (259)AAYKKKFRVATYDDN(273). Among these epitopes, the epitopes 37-51 and 160
      177 have already been shown in previously studies as good candidates to be used
      alone or combined with other peptides to induce protective immune response
      against Loxosceles venoms. The results presented here highlight the importance of
      HLAII in antibody response and recognition of specific B-cell epitopes of
      rLiD1his spider toxin according to HLAII type and impact in the epitopic vaccine
      development against this spider.

PMID- 27265458
TI  - Development of a high-throughput beta-Gal-based neutralization assay for
      quantitation of herpes simplex virus-neutralizing antibodies in human samples.
AB  - Measurement of neutralizing antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV) is
      important for evaluation of candidate vaccines. The established plaque-reduction
      neutralization assay is time consuming, labor intensive, and difficult to
      validate and transfer. Here, we describe the characterization of a HSV
      neutralization assay based on the expression of a reporter gene, beta
      galactosidase (beta-Gal). Using previously constructed HSV-beta-Gal recombinant
      viruses, HSV-2/Gal and HSV-1/tk12, we developed a colorimetric beta-Gal-based
      neutralization assay that is sensitive and highly reproducible, and performed in
      less than 48h. HSV-1 and HSV-2 neutralizing titers measured by the beta-Gal-based
      neutralization assay were equivalent to those obtained by a plaque reduction
      neutralization assay. Intra- and inter-assay precision studies demonstrated that
      the beta-Gal-based assay was repeatable and yielded low and acceptable variation.
      In addition, comparison of HSV-2 neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers measured in
      two independent laboratories by two unique beta-Gal-based assays showed a highly
      significant correlation (r=0.9499, p<0.0001) between the two assays. The new
      assay will serve as an important tool both for preclinical and clinical trials of
      new HSV vaccines.

PMID- 27265459
TI  - Perceptions of oral cholera vaccine and reasons for full, partial and non
      acceptance during a humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.
AB  - Oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaigns were conducted from February to April
      2014 among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the midst of a humanitarian
      crisis in Juba, South Sudan. IDPs were predominantly members of the Nuer ethnic
      group who had taken refuge in United Nations bases following the eruption of
      violence in December 2013. The OCV campaigns, which were conducted by United
      Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the request of the Ministry
      of Health, reached an estimated 85-96% of the target population. As no previous
      studies on OCV acceptance have been conducted in the context of an on-going
      humanitarian crisis, semi-structured interviews were completed with 49 IDPs in
      the months after the campaigns to better understand perceptions of cholera and
      reasons for full, partial or non-acceptance of the OCV. Heightened fears of
      disease and political danger contributed to camp residents' perception of cholera
      as a serious illness and increased trust in United Nations and NGOs providing the
      vaccine to IDPs. Reasons for partial and non-acceptance of the vaccination
      included lack of time and fear of side effects, similar to reasons found in OCV
      campaigns in non-crisis settings. In addition, distrust in national institutions
      in a context of fears of ethnic persecution was an important reason for hesitancy
      and refusal. Other reasons included fear of taking the vaccine alongside other
      medication or with alcohol. The findings highlight the importance of considering
      the target populations' perceptions of institutions in the delivery of OCV
      interventions in humanitarian contexts. They also suggest a need for better
      communication about the vaccine, its side effects and interactions with other
      substances.

PMID- 27265461
TI  - The role of fusion activity of influenza A viruses in their biological
      properties.
AB  - Influenza A viruses (IAVs) cause acute respiratory infections of humans, which
      are repeated yearly. Human IAV infections are associated with significant
      morbidity and mortality and therefore they represent a serious health problem.
      All human IAV strains are originally derived from avian IAVs, which, after their
      adaptation to humans, can spread in the human population and cause pandemics with
      more or less severe course of the disease. Presently, however, the potential of
      avian IAV to infect humans and to cause the disease cannot be predicted. Many
      studies are therefore focused on factors influencing the virulence and
      pathogenicity of IAV viruses in a given host. The virus-host interaction starts
      by virus attachment via the envelope glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) to the
      receptors on the cell surface. In addition to receptor binding, HA mediates also
      the fusion of viral and endosomal membranes, which follows the virus endocytosis.
      The fusion potential of HA trimer, primed by proteolytic cleavage, is activated
      by low pH in endosomes, resulting in HA refolding into the fusion-active form.
      The HA conformation change is predetermined by its 3-D structure, is pH
      dependent, irreversible and strain-specific. The process of fusion activation of
      IAV hemagglutinin is crucial for virus entry into the cell and for the ability of
      the virus to replicate in the host. Here we discuss the known data about the
      characteristics of fusion activation of HA in relation to IAV virulence and
      pathogenicity.

PMID- 27265460
TI  - Phenotypes and Genotypes in Five Children with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain
      with Anhidrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis is an extremely rare
      hereditary disorder linked to variants in NTRK1. Our goal was to characterize the
      clinical features and the genetic basis of the disorder in Chinese patients.
      METHODS: Patients were enrolled via social networking. Clinical features were
      investigated by interview, chart review, and physical examination. DNA was
      extracted from peripheral blood to genotype NTRK1 in patients and their parents.
      Variants identified were checked against a control cohort by high-throughput
      sequencing, and the effects of these variants were assessed in silico. RESULTS:
      Clinical features in five patients were cataloged, and six loss-of-function NTRK1
      variants were identified, including a frameshift variant c.963delG, a nonsense
      variant c.1804C>T, an intron variant c.851-33T>A, and three missense variants
      c.1802T>G, c.2074C>T, and c.2311C>T. CONCLUSIONS: The results expand the spectrum
      of clinical and genetic features of congenital insensitivity to pain with
      anhidrosis and will help facilitate analysis of genotype-phenotype association in
      the future.

PMID- 27265462
TI  - Detection of emerging rotavirus G12P[8] in Sonora, Mexico.
AB  - Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children up to five
      years of age worldwide. The aim of the present study was to analyze the genotypes
      of rotavirus strains isolated from children with gastroenteritis, after the
      introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in Mexico. Rotavirus was detected in 14/100
      (14%) fecal samples from children with gastroenteritis, using a commercial test
      kit. The viral genome was purified from these samples and used as a template in
      RT-PCR amplification of the VP4 and VP7 genes, followed by gene cloning and
      sequencing. Among the rotavirus strains, 4/14 (28.5%) were characterized as
      G12P[8], 2/14 (14.3%), as G12P (not typed), and 3/14 (21.42%) as G (not typed)
      P[8]. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 gene showed that G12 genotypes clustered
      in lineage III. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that VP4 genotype P[8] sequences
      clustered in lineage V, whereas other P[8] sequences previously reported in
      Mexico (2005-2008) clustered in different lineages. Rotavirus genotype G12 is
      currently recognized as a globally emerging rotavirus. To our knowledge, this is
      the first report of this emerging rotavirus strain G12P[8] in Mexico. Ongoing
      surveillance is recommended to monitor the distribution of rotavirus genotypes
      and to continually reassess the suitability of currently available rotavirus
      vaccines.

PMID- 27265463
TI  - Development and application of ELISA for the detection of IgG antibodies to
      lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.
AB  - Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a neglected human pathogen, which
      can cause severe illnesses in humans. The most vulnerable are the human foetus
      and immunosuppressed individuals. Since there is no commercially available enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of anti-LCMV antibodies in
      human sera, we developed a sandwich ELISA method detecting anti-nucleoprotein IgG
      antibodies, using a specific monoclonal anti-nucleoprotein antibody and cells
      persistently infected with LCMV strain MX as antigen. In the present study we
      show standardization of this ELISA protocol, determination of its clinical
      specificity and sensitivity and its application on 30 clinical samples from
      multiorgan donors. Comparison of these results to the indirect immunofluorescence
      antibody test (IFA) demonstrates that ELISA is more sensitive. The developed
      ELISA assay provides a fast, simple and efficient tool for the clinical detection
      of anti-nucleoprotein antibodies in human sera.

PMID- 27265464
TI  - Effect of the nucleotides surrounding the start codon on the translation of foot
      and-mouth disease virus RNA.
AB  - As for the alternative AUGs in foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), nucleotide
      bias of the context flanking the AUG(2nd) could be used as a strong signal to
      initiate translation. To determine the role of the specific nucleotide context,
      dicistronic reporter constructs were engineered to contain different versions of
      nucleotide context linking between internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and
      downstream gene. The results indicate that under FMDV IRES-dependent mechanism,
      the nucleotide contexts flanking start codon can influence the translation
      initiation efficiencies. The most optimal sequences for both start codons have
      proved to be UUU AUG(1st) AAC and AAG AUG(2nd) GAA.

PMID- 27265465
TI  - Identification and characterization of two novel genomic RNA segments RNA5 and
      RNA6 in rose rosette virus infecting roses.
AB  - Rose rosette virus (RRV), a negative-strand RNA virus belonging to the genus
      Emaravirus, has recently been characterized to be the causal agent of rose
      rosette disease. Roses showing typical symptoms of RRV collected from a rose
      nursery in Florida were subjected to reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay
      using primers corresponding to the conserved inverted 13 nucleotide long
      stretches found at the termini of the RRV genomic RNA segments. RT-PCR analysis
      yielded two novel genomic RNA segments, RNA5 and RNA6, in addition to the
      previously identified four RNA segments. The RNA5 is 1650 bp long and encodes for
      a polypeptide of 465 amino acids (54.3 K), while RNA6 is 1400 bp long and encodes
      for a polypeptide of 233 amino acids (27.05 K). RACE analysis showed that, both
      the RNA segments posses at their 5' and 3' termini, stretches of conserved
      inverted complementary13 nucleotides long sequence with two nucleotide mismatches
      as previously identified in other genomic RNA segments. Northern blot analysis as
      well as RT-PCR using specific primers showed the presence of the novel genomic
      RNA segments in infected plants, but absent in the non-infected plants. The
      GenBank Acc. Nos. for the sequences reported in this paper are KT007556 and
      KT007557.

PMID- 27265466
TI  - Characterization of two anti-dengue human monoclonal antibodies prepared from
      PBMCs of patients with dengue illness in Thailand.
AB  - The global spread of the four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes (dengue-1 to -4) has
      made this virus a major and growing public health concern. Generally, pre
      existing neutralizing antibodies derived from primary infection play a
      significant role in protecting against subsequent infection with the same
      serotype. By contrast, these pre-existing antibodies are believed to mediate a
      non-protective response to subsequent heterotypic DENV infections, leading to the
      onset of dengue illness. In this study, two monoclonal antibodies prepared by
      using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with dengue fever
      were characterized. Epitope mapping revealed that amino acid residues 254-278 in
      domain II of the viral envelope protein E were the target region of these
      antibodies. A database search revealed that certain sequences in this epitope
      region showed high conservation among the four serotypes of DENV. These two human
      monoclonal antibodies could neutralize DENV-2,-4 more effectively than DENV-1,-3.
      The amino acid sequences could not explain this difference in neutralizing
      activity. However, the 3D structure results showed that amino acid 274 could be
      the critical residue for the difference in neutralization. These results may
      provide basic information for the development of a dengue vaccine.

PMID- 27265467
TI  - Molecular characterization of a grapevine leafroll-associated virus 4 from
      Slovenian vineyards.
AB  - During a survey conducted in vineyards in Slovenia, variety of grapevine leafroll
      disease symptoms were observed. Mixed infection with grapevine leafroll
      associated viruses 3 and 4 (GLRaV-3, -4) in two grapevines from a vineyard in
      south-western part of Slovenia was confirmed by DAS-ELISA in 2010. The 3'final
      1769 nucleotides of the Slovenian GLRaV-4 isolate were assembled from amplicons
      obtained by IC RT-PCR. The complete coat protein (CP) and p23 gene sequences were
      compared with other GLRaV-4 sequences from GenBank. Results showed that CP and
      p23 amino acid sequences of Slovenian variant (055-SI) are 88% and 85%,
      respectively, identical to corresponding genes of reference sequence GLRaV-4
      LR106 (GenBank Acc. No. FJ467503). Phylogenetic analyses show that Slovenian
      variant clusters together with other corresponding strains of GLRaV-4. The
      sequencing results show great variability of the N-terminal part of the CP
      sequence indicating that this part of the genome is not suitable for molecular
      detection of the virus. To our knowledge this is also the first report of GLRaV-4
      in Slovenian vineyards.

PMID- 27265468
TI  - Structure of transmembrane subunits gp47 of the foamy virus envelope
      glycoproteins.
AB  - The successful foamy viruses (FVs) infection includes at least two essential
      events, attachment to the cell surface and fusion of the viral envelope with the
      cell membrane. For the FVs, membrane fusion between virus and cell is mediated by
      envelope glycoprotein (Env) transmembrane (TM) subunit gp47. Compared with other
      retroviruses, FV TM subunit shares a similar but not identical structural
      characteristic. This paper focuses on in sillico analyses of all 15 available FV
      TM subunits gp47 based on their amino acid sequences. The hydrophobicity analysis
      revealed that the 15 FVs gp47 had two prominent hydrophobic regions, the N
      terminal fusion peptide (FP) and the C-terminal region, which included a membrane
      spanning domain (MSD) and a membrane proximal ectodomain region (MPER). In most
      FVs gp47, two heptad repeats, the coiled coils characterized by repetition of 7
      amino acid-motif, were found to be correspondently located downstream of FP
      (named "N-HR") and the upstream of MPER (named "C-HR"). Furthermore, the solvent
      accessibility and secondary structure were predicted for all FVs gp47. These
      observations suggested that FVs gp47 possessed several fusion domains, which were
      necessary in the process of lipid membrane fusion between FVs and the target
      cells.

PMID- 27265469
TI  - Downregulation of SWI5 and CTC1 genes: hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase
      transactivated protein 1-mediated inhibition of DNA repair.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase transactivated protein 1 (HBVDNAPTP1) is a
      novel protein upregulated by HBV DNA polymerase, which has been screened by
      suppression subtractive hybridization technique (SSH) (GenBank Acc. No.
      AY450389). A vector pcDNA3.1 (-)/myc-His A-HBVDNAPTP1 was constructed and used to
      transfect acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. HBVDNAPTP1 expression was
      detected by Western blot analysis in the cells. A cDNA library of genes
      downregulated by HBVDNAPTP1 in THP-1 cells was made in pGEM-T Easy using SSH. The
      cDNAs were sequenced and analyzed with BLAST search against the sequences in
      GenBank. Some sequences, such as DNA repair protein SWI5 homolog (SWI5) and CTS
      telomere maintenance complex component 1 (CTC1), might be involved in DNA repair.
      Protein expression of SWI5 and CTC1 was identified by Western blot in THP-1
      cells. HBVDNAPTP1 could downregulate the expression of SWI5 and CTC1 at
      translation level.

PMID- 27265470
TI  - Detection of herbaceous-plant pararetrovirus in lichen herbarium samples.
AB  - Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) - a plant pararetrovirus that naturally causes
      diseases in Brassicaceae and Solanaceae plant hosts worldwide - has been detected
      by PCR for the first time in herbarium samples of Usnea sp. lichens. The virus's
      presence in these lichens did not result in any micro- or macromorphological
      changes, and the herbarium records were classified as representative for the
      distinct species. Sequence analyses classified all the detected viruses into one
      lineage of CaMV isolates. We have shown here that herbarium samples could be a
      good source for virus study, especially where a longer time span is involved.

PMID- 27265471
TI  - Establishment and characterization of a chimeric infectious cDNA clone of
      classical swine fever virus.
AB  - Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) causes a highly contagious disease among swine
      that has an important economic impact worldwide. There are two important CSFV
      strains in China, Shimen and hog cholera lapinized virus (HCLV). Shimen strain is
      highly virulent while HCLV, also referred to as C-strain, is a live attenuated
      vaccine strain considered to be one of the most effective and safest live
      vaccines. In this study, a chimeric infectious cDNA clone of CSFV named pT7SM-c
      was engineered by replacing the E(rns) genomic region of an infectious clone of
      CSFV Shimen strain, pT7SM, with the same region obtained from HCLV. RNA
      transcripts of pT7SM-c containing an engineered EcoRI site that served as a
      genetic marker were directly infectious in PK15 cells. The rescued virus vT7SM-c
      showed similar growth kinetics and cytopathic effect with the parental virus
      vT7SM in the cells. The chimeric infectious cDNA clone can be used as a practical
      tool for further studying of the virulence, protein function and pathogenesis of
      CSFV through genetic manipulation.

PMID- 27265472
TI  - New way of purification of pathogenic rickettsiae reducing health risks.
AB  - In general, cultivation and purification of intracellular pathogenic rickettsiae
      represents a risk for laboratory personnel due to exposure to highly infectious
      aerosol or accidental inoculation during these procedures. In this study, we
      describe an alternative, effective and time saving technique for rickettsial
      purification using digitonin to release intracellular bacteria from host cell
      without physical disruption. No significant differences were noted in yield and
      infectivity between digitonin treated rickettsiae and rickettsiae purified by
      sonication. This is the first report of using digitonin in purification of
      pathogenic rickettsiae and this approach might be effective for other
      intracellular pathogenic bacteria.

PMID- 27265473
TI  - Expression of DOK1, 2, and 3 genes in HTLV-1-infected T cells.
AB  - Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can cause an aggressive malignancy
      known as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). The Tax protein encoded by the pX
      region of the HTLV-1 genome appears to be a key element in the early stage of
      ATLL development. In this study, we examined the expression of the downstream of
      tyrosine kinase (DOK) family members DOK1, DOK2 and DOK3, recently reported to be
      tumor suppressors, in HTLV-1-transformed T cells (MT-2 and HUT-102) and TL-Om1
      cells derived from ATLL leukemic cells. DOK2 and DOK3 expression was
      significantly reduced in MT-2, HUT-102, and TL-Om1 cells compared with their
      expression in uninfected T cells, and the expression of DOK3 was reduced by the
      induction of Tax expression in T cells.

PMID- 27265474
TI  - Surgical Management of Benign and Borderline Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast.
AB  - Phyllodes tumors (PT) are uncommon fibroepithelial breast neoplasms and there is
      currently no clear consensual treatment for these tumors. The aim of our study
      was to evaluate the surgical management and outcome of benign and borderline PT.
      We retrospectively assessed 76 cases of benign or borderline PT managed at the
      Leon Berard comprehensive cancer center in Lyon, France between July 2003 and
      December 2013. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.9 years and the median follow-up
      was 58 months. Seventy-five patients (99%), with a mean tumor size of 27 mm,
      underwent a breast-conserving procedure. The tumor margins were considered
      positive (when the tumor was present at the inked surgical section) in seven of
      76 cases (9%) and negative in 65 out of 76 cases (86%). We observed the presence
      of small negative surgical margins <10 mm in 89% and <1 mm in 71% of the
      patients. Although no re-excision was performed to increase these margins, we did
      not see any increase in the local recurrence rate (4%) when compared to
      recurrence rates reported in the literature. We thus suggest that systematic
      revision surgery for close or positive surgical margins for benign PT should not
      be systematically performed. However, as recurrences occur within 2 years of
      initial excision, we recommend a regular clinical and imaging follow-up
      especially during this period for which patient's compliance is essential. 

PMID- 27265475
TI  - Dynamics of a bacterial flagellum under reverse rotation.
AB  - To initiate tumbling of an E. coli, one of the helical flagella reverses its
      sense of rotation. It then transforms from its normal form first to the transient
      semicoiled state and subsequently to the curly-I state. The dynamics of
      polymorphism is effectively modeled by describing flagellar elasticity through an
      extended Kirchhoff free energy. However, the complete landscape of the free
      energy remains undetermined because the ground state energies of the polymorphic
      forms are not known. We investigate how variations in these ground state energies
      affect the dynamics of a reversely rotated flagellum of a swimming bacterium. We
      find that the flagellum exhibits a number of distinct dynamical states and
      comprehensively summarize them in a state diagram. As a result, we conclude that
      tuning the landscape of the extended Kirchhoff free energy alone cannot generate
      the intermediate full-length semicoiled state. However, our model suggests an ad
      hoc method to realize the sequence of polymorphic states as observed for a real
      bacterium. Since the elastic properties of bacterial flagella are similar, our
      findings can easily be extended to other peritrichous bacteria. 

PMID- 27265476
TI  - Synthetic long non-coding RNAs [SINEUPs] rescue defective gene expression in
      vivo.
AB  - Non-coding RNAs provide additional regulatory layers to gene expression as well
      as the potential to being exploited as therapeutic tools. Non-coding RNA-based
      therapeutic approaches have been attempted in dominant diseases, however their
      use for treatment of genetic diseases caused by insufficient gene dosage is
      currently more challenging. SINEUPs are long antisense non-coding RNAs that up
      regulate translation in mammalian cells in a gene-specific manner, although, so
      far evidence of SINEUP efficacy has only been demonstrated in in vitro systems.
      We now show that synthetic SINEUPs effectively and specifically increase protein
      levels of a gene of interest in vivo. We demonstrated that SINEUPs rescue
      haploinsufficient gene dosage in a medakafish model of a human disorder leading
      to amelioration of the disease phenotype. Our results demonstrate that SINEUPs
      act through mechanisms conserved among vertebrates and that SINEUP technology can
      be successfully applied in vivo as a new research and therapeutic tool for gene
      specific up-regulation of endogenous functional proteins.

PMID- 27265477
TI  - Ethanol impedes embryo transport and impairs oviduct epithelium.
AB  - Most studies have demonstrated that alcohol consumption is associated with
      decreased fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of
      alcohol on pre-implantation embryo transport and/or early embryo development in
      the oviduct. We reported here that ethanol concentration-dependently suppressed
      the spontaneous motility of isolated human oviduct strips (EC50 50+/-6mM), which
      was largely attenuated in the present of L-NAME, a classical nitric oxide
      synthase(NOS) competitive inhibitor. Notably, either acute or chronic alcohol
      intake delayed egg transport and retarded early development of the embryo in the
      mouse oviduct, which was largely rescued by co-administration of L-NAME in a
      acute alcohol intake group but not in chronic alcohol intake group. It is worth
      mentioning that the oviductal epithelium destruction was verified by scanning
      electron microscope (SEM) observations in chronic alcohol intake group. In
      conclusion, alcohol intake delayed egg transport and retarded early development
      of the embryo in the oviduct by suppressing the spontaneous motility of oviduct
      and/or impairing oviductal epithelium. These findings suggested that alcohol
      abuse increases the incident of ectopic pregnancy.

PMID- 27265478
TI  - Oral pharmacokinetics and in-vitro metabolism of metyrapone in male rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of
      a single oral administration of metyrapone (MP) and metabolites produced from it
      in male Wistar rats, and the major tissues and enzymes involved in the production
      of the MP metabolites. Furthermore, the MP metabolism in human liver subcellular
      fractions was compared with that in rats. METHODS: High-performance liquid
      chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) was used to determine the
      concentrations of MP and its metabolites in plasma and urine after
      administration, and the production activity of MP metabolites in subcellular
      fractions of various tissues. KEY FINDINGS: Plasma concentration of MP was
      rapidly increased and decreased, and the primary metabolite, metyrapol (MPOL),
      was immediately produced. The production activity of MPOL was substantially
      inhibited by an 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1)
      inhibitor in the rat and human liver microsomal and mitochondrial fractions. In
      the liver cytosolic fraction, the activity was inhibited by a carbonyl reductase
      inhibitor in the humans but not rats. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we elucidated
      the plasma pharmacokinetics of MP and its metabolites in male rats after an oral
      administration. MPOL is most likely to be produced by 11beta-HSD1 in the male
      rats and humans.

PMID- 27265479
TI  - Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome.

PMID- 27265480
TI  - The effect of imatinib mesylate on the erythroid colony formation from patients
      with polycythemia vera in the presence of different cytokines.
AB  - It has been shown that imatinib mesylate, a drug used in the treatment of chronic
      myelogenous leukemia, inhibits the effect of stem cell factor, which has a
      central role in erythropoiesis. In some polycythemia vera (PV) patients, it has
      inhibited autonomous erythroid colony growth in vitro and decreased the need for
      phlebotomy. In this study we have investigated the effect of insulin like growth
      factor (IGF)-I, stem cell factor (SCF) and erythropoietin (Epo) with interleukin
      (IL)-3, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte
      colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the presence of imatinib mesylate on the
      erythroid progenitors derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of three
      patients with PV and four healthy controls in semisolid medium. Erythroid colony
      formation from hematopoietic progenitors obtained from healthy controls was
      observed only in the presence of all cytokines. However, the number of erythroid
      colonies could not reach that of patients with PV. Inhibition of imatinib
      mesylate on erythroid colony growth was evident. Hematopoietic progenitors of
      patients with PV displayed two types of colony formation: the first type was
      exogenous cytokine-independent and was hypersensitive to current cytokines, and
      the second displayed hypersensitivity to current exogenous cytokines, but was
      exogenous cytokine-dependent. For both types, the inhibitory effect of imatinib
      mesylate was striking in the presence of all cytokines including IL-3, GM-CSF and
      Epo. There is no direct evidence yet that imatinib mesylate could inhibit the
      effect of IL-3, G-CSF, GM-CSF, Epo and IGF-I on erythropoiesis. Considering
      former studies together with results of this study, it can be argued that
      imatinib mesylate is effective in PV on the intersecting signal transduction
      mechanisms in which stem cell factor and its receptor may have a part. 

PMID- 27265481
TI  - Hyperleukocytosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: complications and
      treatment outcome.
AB  - Hyperleukocytosis, defined as a peripheral leukocyte count >= 100x109/L, is seen
      in 5-20% of newly diagnosed cases of childhood leukemia and is a poor prognostic
      factor. In this study, we aimed to examine the presenting clinical and laboratory
      features, complications, and treatment outcome of 47 children with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hyperleukocytosis who were diagnosed and treated
      in four medical centers of Izmir between January 1990 and January 2001. The
      median age was 5.0 years (range: 0.1-16.3 years). Median white blood cell count
      was 495x109/L (range: 107x109/L- 794x109/L). Forty-two of 47 patients (90%) had
      hepatosplenomegaly, 5 (11%) had respiratory distress, 3 (6%) had neurologic
      symptoms, 3 (6%) had diffuse cervical lymphadenopathy, and 3 (6%) had acute renal
      failure at admission. Ten of 47 patients (21%) had central nervous system
      involvement, and 17 (36%) had mediastinal mass. Ten patients (21%) had
      coagulopathy and 15 patients (32%) had metabolic complications (8 patients had
      hyperuricemia, 4 had hyperphosphatemia, 2 had hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia
      and hypercalcemia, and 1 had hypocalcemia) before the initiation of therapy.
      Forty of 47 patients (85%) with hyperleukocytosis were effectively managed with
      intravenous hydration, alkalinization, and allopurinol therapy. Early death
      during remission induction therapy occurred in 5 patients (11%) with respiratory
      distress and sepsis. Kaplan-Meier estimates of event free survival and overall
      survival were 37.0% and 40.5%, respectively. 

PMID- 27265482
TI  - Does the history before blood transfusion identify donors who are glucose-6
      phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficient?
AB  - The incidence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency in Iran is
      around 10-14.9%. G-6-PD deficiency is an X-linked recessive disorder that is more
      prevalent in males. In our area, 80% of blood donors are males. At present, pre
      donation data are relied on for detecting diseases in Shiraz blood banks and the
      donors' blood is not routinely screened for G-6-PD deficiency. Transfusion of
      such blood may induce hemolysis in recipients, especially in premature neonates
      and in neonates having exchange transfusion. Four hundred and fifty blood bags in
      a blood bank of Shiraz from male donors were enrolled in this cross-sectional
      study. The blood samples were tested with fluorescent spot test for G-6-PD
      deficiency. G-6-PD-deficient donors were identified, and if they agreed, were
      asked to participate in the study. Each volunteer filled out a questionnaire.
      From 450 blood bags, 27 bags were G-6-PD deficient (6%). Only 19 donors could be
      traced who volunteered to participate in the study. Two donors (10%) had positive
      past history of hemolysis. Ten donors (52.6%) had positive family history of
      hemolysis (red urine and jaundice) when exposed to fava beans, mothballs, aspirin
      or other drugs. Nine donors had a male member in the family with hemolysis and
      one had a female relative with hemolysis. Five donors (26.3%) had positive
      history of neonatal jaundice. According to this study, 52% of donors had a
      positive family history of hemolysis, but only 10% had positive history of
      hemolysis themselves; therefore, addition of past history and family history of
      hemolysis has a good predictive value in detection of the G-6-PD-deficient
      donors. 

PMID- 27265483
TI  - Molecular-cytogenetic aberrations in B-cell adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B
      ALL) - frequency and correlation with immunophenotype.
AB  - B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) accounts for 20-30% of acute
      leukemias in adults. Combined application of data from immunophenotyping,
      karyotyping and molecular analyses allows a better understanding of this
      heterogeneous disease. We studied 30 adult patients with newly diagnosed B-ALL by
      conventional cytogenetics, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and
      immunophenotyping analyses. We report statistically significant prevalence of
      structural aberrations (43%) over numerical changes (17%) (p=0.02). The most
      frequent structural changes were t(9;22)(q34;q11)/bcr-abl-17%, t(8q24)/C-MYC-10%,
      t(11q23)/MLL-6%, del 4p-6%, del12p-3%, and t(1;19)-3%. Complex karyotype was
      found in 17% and normal karyotype in 30%. The most frequent immunophenotype was
      of common B-ALL (43%), and cytogenetic and/or molecular abnormalities were found
      in 78% of them. We distinguished a relatively high incidence (17%) of mature B
      ALL and 60% of them were associated with t(8;14)/C-MYC. We established
      association of cytogenetic aberrations with immunophenotype only in mature B-ALL.
      The other immunophenotypes are characterized by genetic heterogeneity and the
      presence of cytogenetic abnormalities unusual for adult B-ALL - trisomy 8 and
      t(1;19)(q23;p13). 

PMID- 27265484
TI  - A retrospective study of clinico-hematological and cytogenetic profile of
      erythroleukemia from South India.
AB  - Objective of the study is the retrospective evaluation of clinico-hematological
      and cytogenetic profile of patients with erythroleukemia (EL) in a south Indian
      population. Case records of all patients with acute myeloid leukemia seen in the
      Department of Medical Oncology at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology,
      Bangalore, between January 1997 and December 2004 were reviewed. Clinical details
      were noted and slides were reviewed. A total of 326 AML patient were diagnosed of
      whom 14 patients had AML M6. Contribution of EL to all forms of AML was 4.3%. The
      mean age was 37.1+13.9 yrs (range: 16-65); most patients were in their 4th
      decade, with a male: female ratio of 3.67: 1. Mean duration of symptoms in the
      present series was 10.9+6.9 weeks. Cytogenetics were normal in 71% of cases, and
      minor abnormalities were observed in 21% of cases. As a conclusion relative low
      incidence of secondary EL, more frequent normal karyotype, and relatively younger
      age observed in our series makes the picture of EL in our subcontinent different
      from that in other series reported thus far. 

PMID- 27265486
TI  - Cryoglobulinemia as a cause of pseudoleukocytosis.

PMID- 27265485
TI  - Molecular identification of a rare hemoglobin variant, Hb J-Iran [beta77(EF1)His
      >Asp], in Denizli province of Turkey.
AB  - Hb J-Iran [beta77(EF1)His-Asp], a rare hemoglobin variant that does not present
      health problems, was reported for the first time in the Turkish population in
      1986. Our case is the fourth case reported in Turkey and the first case from the
      Denizli province. 

PMID- 27265487
TI  - Endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) gene exon III, 23 BP insertion
      mutation in Turkish Cypriots.

PMID- 27265488
TI  - Effects of 10min vs. 20min passive rest after warm-up on 100m freestyle time
      trial performance: A randomized crossover study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 10min vs. 20min
      passive rest post warm-up on performance in a 100m freestyle time-trial. DESIGN:
      Randomized crossover. METHODS: Eleven competitive male swimmers performed two
      experimental trials on different days, consisting of 100m freestyle time-trials
      following 10min or 20min passive rest after a standard 1200m warm-up. Performance
      (time-trial), biomechanical (stroke length, stroke frequency, stroke index,
      propelling efficiency), physiological (blood lactate concentrations, heart rate,
      core and tympanic temperature), and psychophysiological (perceived effort)
      variables were assessed during both trials. RESULTS: Time-trial performance was
      faster after 10min as opposed to 20min passive rest (58.41+/-1.99s vs. 59.06+/
      1.86, p<0.01). This was supported by strong effect sizes (d=0.99) and the
      qualitative indication of "likely" positive effects. Heart rate before the time
      trial was also higher after 10min passive rest (89+/-12bpm vs. 82+/-13bpm;
      p<0.01). Furthermore, net core temperature and oxygen uptake values before the
      time-trial were substantially lower after 20min passive rest. CONCLUSIONS: These
      data suggest that the 10min post warm-up passive rest enhances 100m freestyle
      performance when compared to a 20min period. An improvement that appears to be
      mediated by the combined effects of a shorter post warm-up period on core
      temperature, heart rate and oxygen uptake.

PMID- 27265489
TI  - Traditional taxonomy: Quo vadis?

PMID- 27265491
TI  - Obituary Prof. Ernest Beutler (1928 - 2008).

PMID- 27265492
TI  - Fertility preservation in females with malignant disease-1: causes, clinical
      needs and indications.
AB  - Cancer incidence is progressively increasing in parallel with an increase in the
      rate of cancer survivors with the help of advanced treatment modalities. By the
      year 2010, it is estimated that one in every 250 persons will have survived a
      childhood malignancy. The increased rates of survival bring about complications
      related to reproductive health. Cytotoxic treatments due to chemo- and
      radiotherapy or bone marrow transplantation suppress or irreversibly harm not
      only female ovarian reserve but also male testicular sperm production. In this
      review, cryopreservation of gametes and gonads with fertility preservation
      options and indications prior to cancer treatments are discussed. 

PMID- 27265490
TI  - Use of an HIV-risk screening tool to identify optimal candidates for PrEP scale
      up among men who have sex with men in Toronto, Canada: disconnect between
      objective and subjective HIV risk.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Identifying appropriate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) candidates
      is a challenge in planning for the safe and effective roll-out of this strategy.
      We explored the use of a validated HIV risk screening tool, HIV Incidence Risk
      Index for Men who have Sex with Men (HIRI-MSM), to identify "optimal" candidates
      among MSM testing at a busy sexual health clinic's community testing sites in
      Toronto, Canada. METHODS: Between November 2014 and April 2015, we surveyed MSM
      undergoing anonymous HIV testing at community testing sites in Toronto, Canada,
      to quantify "optimal" candidates for scaling up PrEP roll-out, defined as being
      at high objective HIV risk (scoring >=10 on the HIRI-MSM), perceiving oneself at
      moderate-to-high HIV risk and being willing to use PrEP. Cascades were
      constructed to identify barriers to broader PrEP uptake. The association between
      HIRI-MSM score and both willingness to use PrEP and perceived HIV risk were
      explored in separate multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 420
      respondents, 64.4% were objectively at high risk, 52.5% were willing to use PrEP
      and 27.2% perceived themselves at moderate-to-high HIV risk. Only 16.4% were
      "optimal" candidates. Higher HIRI-MSM scores were positively associated with both
      willingness to use PrEP (aOR=1.7 per 10 score increase, 95%CI=1.3-2.2) and
      moderate-to-high perceived HIV risk (aOR=1.7 per 10 score increase, 95%CI=1.2
      2.3). The proportion of men who were "optimal" candidates increased to 42.9% when
      the objective HIV risk cut-off was changed to top quartile of HIRI-MSM scores
      (>=26). In our full cascade, a very low proportion (5.3%) of MSM surveyed could
      potentially benefit from PrEP under current conditions. The greatest barrier in
      the cascade was low perception of HIV risk among high-risk men, but considerable
      numbers were also lost in downstream cascade steps. Of men at high objective HIV
      risk, 68.3% did not perceive themselves to be at moderate-to-high HIV risk, 23.6%
      were unaware of PrEP, 40.1% were not willing to use PrEP, 47.6% lacked a family
      physician with whom they felt comfortable discussing sexual health, and 31.6% had
      no means to cover the cost of PrEP. CONCLUSIONS: A higher HIRI-MSM cut-off may be
      helpful for identifying candidates for PrEP scale-up. Improving engagement in the
      PrEP cascade will require interventions to simultaneously address multiple
      barriers.

PMID- 27265493
TI  - Ciprofloxacin: a novel therapeutic agent for iron overload?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Major thalassemia is one of the hematological diseases requiring
      multiple blood transfusions, which results in iron overload in the liver, heart
      and other organs. Current iron chelation therapy consists of intravenous (IV)
      deferoxamine and oral deferasirox and deferiprone. Although these chelators are
      effective, many side effects are reported. In the present study, the iron
      chelating effect of ciprofloxacin with good oral absorption was investigated.
      METHODS: Thirty male albino Wistar rats were used for the study. Ciprofloxacin (7
      or 14 mg/kg per day) was administered simultaneously with iron (0.03 g/kg per
      day) or after one-month administration of iron. Ciprofloxacin effect on iron
      absorption in the liver and heart was studied carefully using atomic absorption.
      RESULTS: A significant decrease in the liver and heart iron following the
      ciprofloxacin (14 mg/kg per day) administration was observed, when compared with
      the control group. This ciprofloxacin-induced tissue iron depletion was more
      pronounced when it was administered simultaneously with iron, when it was
      administered for a longer duration (2 months rather than 1 month) and when it was
      given in higher doses (14 mg/kg per day). CONCLUSION: Administration of
      ciprofloxacin may help to decrease the burden of parenteral administration,
      thereby improving compliance and also the life expectancy of thalassemic
      patients.

PMID- 27265494
TI  - Acute myeloid leukemia in Turkish children with Fanconi anemia. One center
      experience in the period between 1964-1995.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fanconi's anemia(FA) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized
      by a progressive pancytopenia,variable congenital abnormalities and an increased
      risk for the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The objective of this
      study is to evaluate AML in the patients with FA diagnosed and followed-up in the
      Department of Pediatric Hematology at Ankara University School of Medicine in the
      period between 1964-1995. METHODS: A total of 39 patients within the age range 2
      14 years( mean 8.2+/-3.16),28 male and 11 female were diagnosed as FA on the
      basis of congenital abnormalities,pancytopenia, bone marrow hypoplasia and
      diepoxybutane induced chromosomal abnormalities that observed in all patients The
      hereditary and familial basis of FA was apparent in this series.Common
      abnormalities were growth retardation,cefe'- au-
      laitspots,hyperpigmentation,microcephaly, finger and thumb deformities,mental
      retardation and hypogenitalismus RESULTS: Four AML (10.2%) were observed in our
      series.Cytogenetic analysis of these cases revealed 46/ XX,dup(3)(q22;q26)
      t(7;17) (p11;p11) in one where it was unsuccessful in three.Two cases could not
      achieve remission and died.The other two achieved complete remission and remained
      in remission for2 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: Acute myelomonocytic type in three
      cases and acute monocytic type in one patient were diagnosed in our series. The
      patients with FA should be followed with regard to AML and solid tumors. AML and
      solid tomors should be taken into the consideration as the first manifestation of
      FA.

PMID- 27265495
TI  - Prevalence and etiological classification of thrombocytopenia among a group of
      pregnant women in Erbil City, Iraq.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence and define causes of pregnancy associated
      thrombocytopenia METHODS: A total of 850 pregnant women at different ages of
      gestation were screened for thrombocytopenia. A control group of 150 age-matched
      nonpregnant women were tested for platelet count. Neoborns of thrombocytopenic
      women were tested within 24 hours of delivery and reassessment of women's
      platelets was done within 7-10 days post delivery.  RESULTS: The mean platelet
      count in pregnant women was significantly lower than in nonpregnant women (221+/
      59.9 vs. 273+/-66.9). Thrombocytopenia affected 8% of cases, with peak incidence
      during the third trimester. Gestational thrombocytopenia was found to be the
      principal cause (73.8%); hypertensive disorders caused thrombocytopenia in 23% of
      cases and two cases (4%) were due to immune thrombocytopenic purpura. No maternal
      or fetal complications were noted. The mean platelet count of 51 neoborns of
      thrombocytopenic women was (240 +/- 7.1). Two neoborns (4%) had low platelet
      counts. CONCLUSION: Majority of thrombocytopenias were mild gestational and
      occurred in late in pregnancy. No maternal or neonatal bleeding complications
      were observed.

PMID- 27265496
TI  - Beta globin gene cluster haplotypes of the beta thalassemia mutations observed in
      Denizli province of Turkey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to identify the beta globin gene cluster haplotypes for the
      beta thalassemia mutations in Turkey at regional basis. Beta thalassemia
      mutations included in this study were IVS-I-110 (G>A), FSC 8/9 (+G), IVS-II-1
      (G>A), IVS-I-5 (G>C), IVS-I-1 (G>A), IVS-I-6 (T>C) and FSC 8 (-AA). METHODS: We
      studied 22 unrelated patients with beta-thalassemia major and 72 unrelated
      healthy subjects from our Department's DNA bank. Haplotype analysis was done by
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction enzyme digestion for the beta
      globin gene cluster of the following polymorphic restriction sites: Hinc II 5' to
      epsilon, Hind III 5' to Ggamma, Hind III in the IVS-II 5' to Agamma, Hinc II in
      pseudo beta, Hinc II 3' to pseudo beta, Ava II in beta, Hinf I 3' to beta.
      Associated haplotypes for the normal control samples (72 individuals, 144
      chromosomes) were determined by Arlequin 3.1 software with unknown gametic phase.
      RESULTS: According to the results obtained, the most frequent beta globin gene
      cluster haplotypes in the normal population are (+----++), (+----+-), (-+-++++),
      (+-----+) with the frequencies of 28.6 %, 17.2 %, 9.8 % and 8.3 % respectively.
      IVS-I-110 mutation is linked with the haplotypes (+----++) and (+-----+).
      Observed haplotypes are (+----++) for FSC 8/9 (+G), (-+-+++-) for IVS-II-1 (G>A),
      (-+-++-+ and -+-++++) for IVS-I-5 (G>C), (+----+- and +------) for IVS-I-1 (G>A),
      (-++---+) for IVS-I-6 (T>C) and (+-----+) for FSC 8 (-AA). CONCLUSION: In
      conclusion, our region shows the Mediterranean character for the beta thalassemia
      mutations. According to the obtained results, IVS-I-110 (G>A) mutation linked
      with haplotype VII (+-----+), IVS-I-5 (G>C) mutation with haplotype IV (-+-++-+),
      codon 8/9 (+G) linked with haplotype I (+----++) were shown for the first time in
      Turkish population. The linkage of haplotype (+------) with the IVS-I-1 (G>A)
      mutation is reported for the first time in the published literature. In Denizli
      province of Turkey, beta globin gene cluster haplotypes of the normal population
      are strongly associated with the haplotypes of I (+----++), V (+----+-) and IX (
      +-++++) respectively.

PMID- 27265497
TI  - Better differential diagnosis of iron deficiencyanemia from beta-thalassemia
      trait.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and beta- Thalassemia Trait (beta-TT) are
      the most common forms of microcytic anemia. This study was conducted to compare
      the validity of these discrimination indices in differentiating beta- Thalassemia
      Trait (beta-TT) from IDA by calculating their sensitivity, specificity and
      Youden's index. METHODS: Totally 323 subjects (173 children and 150 adult) with
      microcytic anemia were involved in this study. We calculated 10 discrimination
      indices in all patients with IDA and beta-TT. We divided the patients into two
      different groups as younger and older than 10 years. RESULTS: None of indices
      showed sensitivity and specificity of 100% in the patients older than 11 years,
      but only Shine and Lal Index showed sensitivity close to 90% and specificity of
      100% in the patients younger than 10 years. The most accurate discriminative
      index for patients younger than 10 years was Shine & Lal and in case of patients
      older than 11 years it was RDWI. Youden's index for Shine & Lal & RBC Count and
      for RDWI & RBC Count indices has most diagnostic value for younger and older than
      10 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: None of the indices was completely sensitive
      and specific in differentiation between beta-TT and IDA. MCHD mean and median
      were very close to normal values for both IDA and beta-TT patients, but in case
      of MHDL we have found mean and median were significantly higher than normal
      values in beta-TT and lower than those in IDA patients. In our study, Youden's
      index of RBC and S & L were the highest and the most reliable discrimination
      indices in differentiating beta-TT from IDA in the patients younger than 10 years
      and for patients older than 11 years, the most reliable discrimination indices
      were RBC and RDWI.

PMID- 27265498
TI  - Primary autoimmune myelofibrosis: a report of three cases and review of the
      literature.
AB  - Myelofibrosis in association with autoimmune disorders has been consistently
      recognized in sporadic case reports over a number of years. Autoimmune
      myelofibrosis has been described most commonly in association with systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE). In addition, myelofibrosis presenting as cytopenias and
      showing clinical response to immunosuppressant drugs, notably steroids, has been
      reported with a wide range of immune-mediated disorders, including Sjogren's
      syndrome, polyarteritis nodosa, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and
      primary biliary cirrhosis. Attempts have been made to define a syndrome of
      primary autoimmune myelofibrosis (PAIMF), as a distinct steroid-responsive
      clinicopathologic entity with excellent prognosis. Herein, we describe three
      cases of autoimmune myelofibrosis with a review of the literature. 

PMID- 27265499
TI  - Granulocytic sarcoma after stem cell transplantation in a child with biphenotypic
      leukemia.
AB  - Granulocytic sarcoma is an extramedullary tumor composed of leukemic blasts.
      Isolated granulocytic sarcoma has rarely been reported in children with leukemia
      undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation. We report a case of isolated
      granulocytic sarcoma arising from the pleura in an 11-year-old girl who was
      previously treated for biphenotypic leukemia with allogeneic stem cell
      transplantation. Complete resolution of the tumor was achieved after two
      inductions with MRC 12 protocol; however, she died of sepsis during the
      neutropenic period. The unusual presentation, immunophenotypic differences at
      diagnosis and relapse, and the management options are discussed. 

PMID- 27265500
TI  - Hypertrichosis: the possible side effect of cyclosporin in an infant with
      hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis receiving HLH-2004 chemotherapy protocol.
AB  - Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a life-threatening condition of severe
      hyperinflammation that results from an uncontrolled proliferation of activated
      lymphocytes and histiocytes secreting high amounts of inflammatory cytokines. The
      immediate treatment strategies include immune suppressive therapy such as
      corticosteriod, etaposide and cyclosporin A. Herein, we present a 13- month-old
      infant, who developed severe hypertrichosis after the administration of HLH-2004
      treatment protocol and discuss the various hypotheses regarding the causal
      relationship between cyclosporine A and hypertrichosis, emphasizing the
      importance of patient follow up. 

PMID- 27265501
TI  - Severe bone marrow aplasia and Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia in
      microfilariasis - coincidental or causal?

PMID- 27265502
TI  - Depletion of innate immunity or bone marrow suppresion by viral infection ?

PMID- 27265503
TI  - Usage of U7 snRNA in gene therapy of hemoglobin S disorder - is it feasible?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hemoglobin (Hb) S disorder [beta6(A3)Glu-->Val, GAG-->GTG] is an
      important hemoglobinopathy with the highest endemicity in Africa. METHODS: Here,
      the author performs a basic bioinformatics gene ontology study to assess the
      effect of co-expression between nucleic acid sequence for human Hb S beta globin
      chain and U7.623. RESULTS: According to this study, the analytical results show
      that fully recovery of hemoglobin in both function and biological process can be
      got. CONCLUSION: Here, the author proposed that U7 snRNA might be a probable tool
      for treatment by gene therapy approach in Hb S disorder.

PMID- 27265504
TI  - CXCR2 Inhibition Profoundly Suppresses Metastases and Augments Immunotherapy in
      Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - CXCR2 has been suggested to have both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive
      properties. Here we show that CXCR2 signaling is upregulated in human pancreatic
      cancer, predominantly in neutrophil/myeloid-derived suppressor cells, but rarely
      in tumor cells. Genetic ablation or inhibition of CXCR2 abrogated metastasis, but
      only inhibition slowed tumorigenesis. Depletion of neutrophils/myeloid-derived
      suppressor cells also suppressed metastasis suggesting a key role for CXCR2 in
      establishing and maintaining the metastatic niche. Importantly, loss or
      inhibition of CXCR2 improved T cell entry, and combined inhibition of CXCR2 and
      PD1 in mice with established disease significantly extended survival. We show
      that CXCR2 signaling in the myeloid compartment can promote pancreatic
      tumorigenesis and is required for pancreatic cancer metastasis, making it an
      excellent therapeutic target.

PMID- 27265505
TI  - Therapeutic Activity of Agonistic, Human Anti-CD40 Monoclonal Antibodies Requires
      Selective FcgammaR Engagement.
AB  - While engagement of the inhibitory Fcgamma-receptor (FcgammaR) IIB is an absolute
      requirement for in vivo antitumor activity of agonistic mouse anti-CD40
      monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), a similar requirement for human mAbs has been
      disputed. By using a mouse model humanized for its FcgammaRs and CD40, we
      revealed that FcgammaRIIB engagement is essential for the activity of human CD40
      mAbs, while engagement of the activating FcgammaRIIA inhibits this activity. By
      engineering Fc variants with selective enhanced binding to FcgammaRIIB, but not
      to FcgammaRIIA, significantly improved antitumor immunity was observed. These
      findings highlight the necessity of optimizing the Fc domain for this class of
      therapeutic antibodies by using appropriate preclinical models that accurately
      reflect the unique affinities and cellular expression of human FcgammaR.

PMID- 27265508
TI  - Thermodynamics and kinetics of TopoII action: A consensus on T-segment curvature
      selection? Comment on "Disentangling DNA Molecules" by Alexander Vologodskii.

PMID- 27265507
TI  - Efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes from Asian
      countries: pooled data from four phase III trials.
AB  - We investigated the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin over 24 weeks in Asian
      patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using pooled data from four phase III
      trials. In these trials, patients were randomized to receive empagliflozin 10 mg,
      empagliflozin 25 mg or placebo as monotherapy or add-on to metformin, metformin
      plus sulphonylurea or pioglitazone +/- metformin. In total, 1326 patients from
      Asia received >=1 dose of study drug. At week 24, adjusted mean differences
      versus placebo in change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were 
      0.66% [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.76, -0.56] and -0.73% (95% CI -0.83, 
      0.64) and in weight were -1.6 kg (95% CI -1.9, -1.3) and -1.8 kg (95% CI -2.1, 
      1.5) with empagliflozin 10 and 25 mg, respectively (all p < 0.001). Empagliflozin
      significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The proportion of
      patients reporting >=1 adverse event was similar across treatment groups, but
      events consistent with genital infection were more common in patients treated
      with empagliflozin 10 mg (3.4%) or 25 mg (2.3%) than placebo (0.9%). Thus in
      Asian patients with T2DM, empagliflozin reduced HbA1c, weight and blood pressure,
      and was well tolerated.

PMID- 27265509
TI  - Antiepileptic drug combinations not involving valproate and the risk of fetal
      malformations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between antiepileptic drug (AED)
      polytherapy in pregnant women and the risk of fetal malformations as prescribing
      practice changed, with valproate being used less often and at lower doses.
      Specifically, the risks associated with two of the most common AEDs included in
      polytherapy over recent years, levetiracetam and topiramate, were examined.
      METHODS: An observational cohort study in which malformation rates were analyzed
      in 1,461 pregnancies exposed to AED monotherapy, and in 484 exposed to
      antiepileptic drug combinations, from the Australian Register of Antiepileptic
      Drugs in Pregnancy over a 15-year period (1999-2014). RESULTS: Fetal malformation
      rates had fallen over time in monotherapy pregnancies, but increased in
      polytherapy pregnancies, despite decreasing use and lower dosages of valproate.
      The rise in polytherapy malformation rates began around 2005 when levetiracetam
      and topiramate use began to increase. Excluding pregnancies involving valproate
      exposure, malformation rates were higher in the remaining polytherapy pregnancies
      as compared with the monotherapy ones (6.90% vs. 3.64%; odds ratio [OR] 1.96, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 1.14-3.39). Malformation rates were similar in
      polytherapy pregnancies whether or not levetiracetam was included (7.14% vs.
      8.38%), but were higher in polytherapy pregnancies involving topiramate (14.94%
      vs. 6.55%: OR 2.507, 95% CI 1.23-5.10). Logistic regression showed that
      topiramate in polytherapy had a positive dose relationship with teratogenicity
      risk (p = 0.025). SIGNIFICANCE: The malformation risk associated with AED
      polytherapy depends on the specific drugs involved. Topiramate, when used as part
      of AED polytherapy that did not include valproate, was associated with a dose
      related increased risk of fetal malformations.

PMID- 27265506
TI  - ARF6 Is an Actionable Node that Orchestrates Oncogenic GNAQ Signaling in Uveal
      Melanoma.
AB  - Activating mutations in Galphaq proteins, which form the alpha subunit of certain
      heterotrimeric G proteins, drive uveal melanoma oncogenesis by triggering
      multiple downstream signaling pathways, including PLC/PKC, Rho/Rac, and YAP. Here
      we show that the small GTPase ARF6 acts as a proximal node of oncogenic Galphaq
      signaling to induce all of these downstream pathways as well as beta-catenin
      signaling. ARF6 activates these diverse pathways through a common mechanism: the
      trafficking of GNAQ and beta-catenin from the plasma membrane to cytoplasmic
      vesicles and the nucleus, respectively. Blocking ARF6 with a small-molecule
      inhibitor reduces uveal melanoma cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in a mouse
      model, confirming the functional relevance of this pathway and suggesting a
      therapeutic strategy for Galpha-mediated diseases.

PMID- 27265511
TI  - Tuning the electronic properties and work functions of graphane/fully
      hydrogenated h-BN heterobilayers via heteronuclear dihydrogen bonding and
      electric field control.
AB  - Using density functional theory calculations with van der Waals correction, we
      show that the electronic properties (band gap and carrier mobility) and work
      functions of graphane/fully hydrogenated hexagonal boron nitride (G/fHBN)
      heterobilayers can be favorably tuned via heteronuclear dihydrogen bonding (C-HH
      B and C-HH-N) and an external electric field. Our results reveal that G/fHBN
      heterobilayers have different direct band gaps of ~1.2 eV and ~3.5 eV for C-HH-B
      and C-HH-N bonds, respectively. In particular, these band gaps can be effectively
      modulated by altering the direction and strength of the external electric field
      (E-field), and correspondingly exhibit a semiconductor-metal transition. The
      conformation and stability of G/fHBN heterobilayers show a strong dependence on
      the heteronuclear dihydrogen bonding. Fantastically, these bonds are stable
      enough under a considerable external E-field as compared with other van der Waals
      (vdW) 2D layered materials. The mobilities of G/fHBN heterobilayers we predicted
      are hole-dominated, reasonably high (improvable up to 200 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)), and
      extremely isotropic. We also demonstrate that the work function of G/fHBN
      heterobilayers is very sensitive to the external E-field and is extremely low.
      These findings make G/fHBN heterobilayers very promising materials for field
      effect transistors and light-emitting devices, and inspire more efforts in the
      development of 2D material systems using weak interlayer interactions and
      electric field control. 

PMID- 27265510
TI  - British Dietetic Association systematic review of systematic reviews and evidence
      based practice guidelines for the use of probiotics in the management of
      irritable bowel syndrome in adults (2016 update).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Probiotics are often taken by individuals with irritable bowel
      syndrome (IBS). Which products are effective is unclear, despite an increasing
      research base. This project will systematically review which strain- and dose-
      specific probiotics can be recommended to adults with IBS to improve symptoms and
      quality of life (QoL). It is part of a broader systematic review to update
      British Dietetic Association guidelines for the dietary management of IBS in
      adults. METHODS: CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science
      were searched for systematic reviews (SRs) of randomised controlled trial (RCT)s
      recruiting adults with IBS comparing probiotic intervention with placebo. AMSTAR,
      risk of bias and diet bias tools were used to appraise methodological quality.
      Symptom and QoL data were appraised to develop probiotic-specific evidence
      statements on clinically meaningful and marginal outcomes in various settings,
      graded clinical practice recommendations and practical considerations. RESULTS:
      Nine systematic reviews and 35 RCTs were included (3406 participants) using 29
      dose-specific probiotic formulations. None of the RCTs were at low risk of bias.
      Twelve out of 29 probiotics (41%) showed no symptom or QoL benefits. Evidence
      indicated that no strain or dose specific probiotic was consistently effective to
      improve any IBS symptoms or QoL. Two general clinical practice recommendations
      were made. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom outcomes for dose-specific probiotics were
      heterogeneous. Specific probiotic recommendations for IBS management in adults
      were not possible at this time. More data from high-quality RCTs treating
      specific symptom profiles are needed to support probiotic therapy in the
      management of IBS.

PMID- 27265512
TI  - Application of Monte Carlo simulation in addressing key issues of complex
      coacervation formed by polyelectrolytes and oppositely charged colloids.
AB  - This paper reviews the recent advance of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation in
      addressing key issues of complex coacervation between polyelectrolytes and
      oppositely charged colloids. Readers were first supplied with a brief overview of
      current knowledge and experimental strategies in the study of complex
      coacervation. In the next section, the general MC simulation procedures as well
      as representative strategies applied in complex coacervation were summarized. The
      unique contributions of MC simulation in either capturing delicate features,
      easing the experimental trials or proving the concept were then elucidated
      through the following aspects: i) identify phase boundary and decouple
      interaction contributions; ii) clarify composition distribution and internal
      structure; iii) predict the influences of physicochemical conditions on complex
      coacervation; iv) delineate the mechanisms for "binding on the wrong side of the
      isoelectric point". Finally, current challenges as well as prospects of MC
      simulation in complex coacervation are also discussed. The ultimate goal of this
      review is to provide readers with basic guideline for synergistic design of
      experiments in combination with MC simulation, and deliver convincing
      interpretation and reliable prediction for the structure and behavior in
      polyelectrolyte-macroion complex coacervation.

PMID- 27265513
TI  - Systematic understanding the mechanisms of vitiligo pathogenesis and its
      treatment by Qubaibabuqi formula.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Vitiligo is a depigmentation disorder, which
      results in substantial cosmetic disfigurement and poses a detriment to patients'
      physical as well as mental. Now the molecular pathogenesis of vitiligo still
      remains unclear, which leads to a daunting challenge for vitiligo therapy in
      modern medicine. Herbal medicines, characterized by multi-compound and multi
      target, have long been shown effective in treating vitiligo, but their molecular
      mechanisms of action also remain ambiguous. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here we
      proposed a systems pharmacology approach using a clinically effective herb
      formula as a tool to detect the molecular pathogenesis of vitiligo. This study
      provided an integrative analysis of active chemicals, drug targets and
      interacting pathways of the Uygur medicine Qubaibabuqi formula for curing
      Vitiligo. RESULTS: The results show that 56 active ingredients of Qubaibabuqi
      interacting with 83 therapeutic proteins were identified. And Qubaibabuqi
      probably participate in immunomodulation, neuromodulation and keratinocytes
      apoptosis inhibition in treatment of vitiligo by a synergistic/cooperative way.
      CONCLUSIONS: The drug-target network-based analysis and pathway-based analysis
      can provide a new approach for understanding the pathogenesis of vitiligo and
      uncovering the molecular mechanisms of Qubaibabuqi, which will also facilitate
      the application of traditional Chinese herbs in modern medicine.

PMID- 27265514
TI  - Light-Induced Hydrogel Based on Tumor-Targeting Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
      as a Theranostic Platform for Sustained Cancer Treatment.
AB  - Herein, we report a facile fabrication of a polymer (azobenzene and alpha
      cyclodextrin-functionalized hyaluronic acid) and gold nanobipyramids (AuNBs)
      conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to be used as an injectable
      drug delivery system for sustained cancer treatment. Because of the specific
      affinity between the hyaluronic acid (HA) on MSNs and the CD44 antigen
      overexpressed on tumor cells, the MSNs can selectively attach to tumor cells. The
      nanocomposite material then exploits thermoresponsive interactions between alpha
      cyclodextrin and azobenzene, and the photothermal properties of gold
      nanobipyramids, to in situ self-assemble into a hydrogel under near-infrared
      (NIR) radiation. Upon gelation, the drug (doxorubicin)-loaded MSNs carriers were
      enclosed in the HA network of the hydrogel, whereas further degradation of the HA
      in the hydrogel due to the upregulation of hyaluronidase (HAase) around the tumor
      tissue will result in the release of MSNs from the hydrogel, which can then be
      taken by tumor cells and deliver their drug to the cell nuclei. This design is
      able to provide a microenvironment with rich anticancer drugs in, and around, the
      tumor tissue for time periods long enough to prevent the recrudescence of the
      disease. The extra efficacy that this strategy affords builds upon the
      capabilities of conventional therapies. 

PMID- 27265515
TI  - Common mycorrhizal networks amplify competition by preferential mineral nutrient
      allocation to large host plants.
AB  - Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi interconnect plants in common mycorrhizal
      networks (CMNs) which can amplify competition among neighbors. Amplified
      competition might result from the fungi supplying mineral nutrients
      preferentially to hosts that abundantly provide fixed carbon, as suggested by
      research with organ-cultured roots. We examined whether CMNs supplied (15) N
      preferentially to large, nonshaded, whole plants. We conducted an intraspecific
      target-neighbor pot experiment with Andropogon gerardii and several AM fungi in
      intact, severed or prevented CMNs. Neighbors were supplied (15) N, and half of
      the target plants were shaded. Intact CMNs increased target dry weight (DW),
      intensified competition and increased size inequality. Shading decreased target
      weight, but shaded plants in intact CMNs had mycorrhizal colonization similar to
      that of sunlit plants. AM fungi in intact CMNs acquired (15) N from the substrate
      of neighbors and preferentially allocated it to sunlit, large, target plants.
      Sunlit, intact CMN, target plants acquired as much as 27% of their nitrogen from
      the vicinity of their neighbors, but shaded targets did not. These results
      suggest that AM fungi in CMNs preferentially provide mineral nutrients to those
      conspecific host individuals best able to provide them with fixed carbon or
      representing the strongest sinks, thereby potentially amplifying asymmetric
      competition below ground. 

PMID- 27265516
TI  - Acute Fatal Alcohol Intoxication in a 3-Day-Old Neonate.

PMID- 27265517
TI  - "Eating" epilepsy revisited- an electro-clinico-radiological study.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, video electroencephalographic and MRI
      attributes of patients with eating epilepsy (EE). Consecutive patients who were
      diagnosed with EE and underwent potential pre-surgical work-up from 2003 to 2012
      formed the study cohort. Their electro-clinico-radiological and seizure outcome
      data were obtained from our prospectively maintained medical records. Out of 7094
      patients who underwent evaluation for refractory seizures, 47 patients satisfied
      the criteria for EE. Twenty-three (48.9%) had exclusive EE; the remainder had a
      combination of predominantly eating-induced and unprovoked seizures with no
      differences noted in timing of seizures in relation to meals. Lesional epilepsy
      was seen in 34% of patients, with posterior cortex (PC; posterior temporo-parieto
      occipital) predominance. In MRI negative patients, PC interictal epileptiform
      discharges were present in 34.4% of patients and multifocal in 20.6% of patients
      compared to the MRI positive group with 12.5% and 6.5%, respectively (p=0.003).
      Among 24 patients (51.1%) with co-existent unprovoked seizures, developmental
      delay and PC ictal onset was more prevalent (p=0.013 and 0.029) as compared to
      exclusive EE. The seizure frequency and outcome did not significantly differ
      between patients with or without MRI abnormality. Two patients underwent anterior
      temporal lobectomy, with persistence of their eating seizures postoperatively. EE
      is a complex reflex epilepsy of cryptogenic and symptomatic etiology. As opposed
      to the traditionally implied temporo-limbic mechanisms behind epileptogenesis, a
      multilobar network originating from the PC receiving sensory and visual inputs
      linked to the limbic-opercular pathways represents a plausible mechanism.
      Surgical selection should be diligent and cautious in this group of patients. 

PMID- 27265518
TI  - Vibrational ladder-climbing in surface-enhanced, ultrafast infrared spectroscopy.
AB  - In a recent work (J. Phys. Chem. C 2016, 120, 3350-3359), we have introduced the
      concept of surface-enhanced, two-dimensional attenuated total reflectance (2D ATR
      IR) spectroscopy with modest enhancement factors (<50) using small plasmonic
      noble metal nanoparticles at solid-liquid interfaces. Here, we show that
      employment of almost continuous noble metal layers results in significantly
      stronger enhancement factors in 2D ATR IR signals (>450), which allows for multi
      quantum IR excitation of adsorbed molecules, a process known as "vibrational
      ladder-climbing", even for weakly absorbing (epsilon < 200 M(-1) cm(-1)) nitrile
      IR labels. We show that it is possible to deposit up to four quanta of
      vibrational energy in the respective functional group. Based on these results,
      optical near-fields of plasmonic nanostructures may pave the way for future
      investigations involving ultrafast dynamics of highly excited vibrational states
      or surface-sensitive coherent control experiments of ground-state reactions at
      solid-liquid interfaces. 

PMID- 27265519
TI  - Characterization of the Key Aroma Volatile Compounds in Cranberry (Vaccinium
      macrocarpon Ait.) Using Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry (GC-O) and Odor Activity
      Value (OAV).
AB  - The volatile compounds of cranberries obtained from four cultivars (Early Black,
      Y1; Howes, Y2; Searles, Y3; and McFarlin, Y4) were analyzed by gas chromatography
      olfactometry (GC-O), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and GC-flame
      photometric detection (FPD). The result presented that a total of thirty-three,
      thirty-four, thirty-four, and thirty-six odor-active compounds were identified by
      GC-O in the Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4, respectively. In addition, twenty-two, twenty
      two, thirty, and twenty-seven quantified compounds were demonstrated as important
      odorants according to odor activity values (OAVs > 1). Among these compounds,
      hexanal (OAV: 27-60), pentanal (OAV: 31-51), (E)-2-heptenal (OAV: 17-66), (E)-2
      hexenal (OAV: 18-63), (E)-2-octenal (OAV: 10-28), (E)-2-nonenal (OAV: 8-77),
      ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (OAV: 10-33), beta-ionone (OAV: 8-73), 2-methylbutyric
      acid (OAV: 18-37), and octanal (OAV: 4-24) contributed greatly to the aroma of
      cranberry. Partial least-squares regression (PLSR) was used to process the mean
      data accumulated from sensory evaluation by the panelists, odor-active aroma
      compounds (OAVs > 1), and samples. Sample Y3 was highly correlated with the
      sensory descriptors "floral" and "fruity". Sample Y4 was greatly related to the
      sensory descriptors "mellow" and "green and grass". Finally, an aroma
      reconstitution (Model A) was prepared by mixing the odor-active aroma compounds
      (OAVs > 1) based on their measured concentrations in the Y1 sample, indicating
      that the aroma profile of the reconstitution was pretty similar to that of the
      original sample. 

PMID- 27265520
TI  - Silencing of odorant binding protein gene AlinOBP4 by RNAi induces declining
      electrophysiological responses of Adelphocoris lineolatus to six semiochemicals.
AB  - Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are believed to be important for transporting
      semiochemicals through the aqueous sensillar lymph to the olfactory receptor
      cells within the insect antennal sensilla. Here, we injected AlinOBP4-siRNA into
      the conjunctivum between prothorax and mesothorax of the lucerne plant bug,
      Adelphocoris lineolatus and evaluated the silencing of AlinOBP4 by reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, quantitative real-time
      PCR (qPCR) test and electroantennogram (EAG) assay. The combination of RT-PCR and
      qPCR analyses revealed that the levels of messenger RNA transcript were
      significantly reduced ~95% in AlinOBP4-siRNA-treated A. lineolatus males and ~75%
      in RNAi-treated females within 48 hours. It was found that there are different
      EAG responses between male and female bugs when the AlinOBP4 gene was silenced by
      RNAi. The EAGs of A. lineolatus to two plant volatiles, tridecanal and hexyl
      alcohol, were reduced 9.09% and 79.45% in RNAi-treated males, 62.08% and 62.08%
      in RNAi-treated females compared to the controls, separately. Antennae of RNAi
      treated bugs showed significantly lower electrophysiological responses to four
      sex pheromone analogs, butyl butanoate, 1-hexyl butyrate, (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate
      and hexyl hexanoate. The EAG recordings were reduced 35.43%, 35.24%, 39.96% and
      78.47% in RNAi-treated males and 64.52%, 18.13%, 36.88% and 49.52% in RNAi
      treated females, respectively. The results suggested that AlinOBP4 might play
      dual-roles in the identification of plant volatiles and sex pheromones. It was
      suspected that AlinOBP4 may have different functions in odor perception between
      male and female A. lineolatus.

PMID- 27265521
TI  - Membrane-plate transition in leaves as an influence on dietary selectivity and
      tooth form.
AB  - Primates need accurate sensory signals about food quality to forage efficiently.
      Current evidence suggests that they target leaf foods based on color at long
      range, reinforcing this with post-ingestive sensations relating to leaf toughness
      evoked during chewing. Selection against tough leaves effectively selects against
      high fiber content, which in turn gives a greater opportunity of acquiring
      protein. Here we consider a novel intermediate mechanical factor that could aid a
      folivore: leaves may transform mechanically from membranes (sheets that cannot
      maintain their shape under gravitational loads and thus 'flop') early on in
      development into plates (that can maintain their shape) as they mature. This
      transformation can be detected visually. Mechanical tests on two species of leaf
      eaten by southern muriqui monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides) in Southern Atlantic
      Forest, Brazil, support a membrane-to-plate shift in turgid leaves during their
      development. A measure of this mechanical transition, termed lambda (lambda), was
      found to correlate with both leaf color and toughness, thus supporting a
      potential role in leaf selection. Muriquis appear to select membranous leaves,
      but they also eat leaves that are plate-like. We attribute this to the degree of
      cresting of their molar teeth. A dietary choice restricted to membranous leaves
      might typify the type of 'fallback' leaf that even frugivorous primates will
      target because membranes of low toughness are relatively easily chewed. This may
      be relevant to the diets of hominins because these lack the bladed postcanine
      teeth seen in mammals with a specialized folivorous diet. We suggest that mammals
      with such dental adaptations can consume tougher leaf 'plates' than others.

PMID- 27265522
TI  - Microprofiling of nitrogen patches in paddy soil: Analysis of spatiotemporal
      nutrient heterogeneity at the microscale.
AB  - Flooded paddy soil ecosystems in the tropics support the cultivation of the
      majority of the world's leading crop, rice, and nitrogen (N) availability in the
      paddy-soil rooting zone limits rice production more than any other nutritional
      factor. Yet, little is known about the dynamic response of paddy soil to N
      fertiliser application, in terms of horizontal and vertical patchiness in N
      distribution and transformation. Here, we present a microscale analysis of the
      profile of ammonium (NH4(+)) and nitrate (NO3(-)), nitrification, oxygen (O2water
      and O2soil), and pH (pHwater and pHsoil) in paddy soils, collected from two
      representative rice-production areas in subtropical China. NH4(+) and NO3(-)
      exhibited dramatic spatiotemporal profiles within N patches on the microscale. We
      show that pHsoil became constant at 1.0-3.5 mm depth, and O2soil became
      undetectable at 1.7-4.0 mm. Fertiliser application significantly increased pH,
      and decreased O2, within N patches. Path analysis showed that the factors
      governing nitrification scaled in the order: pHwater > pHsoil > NH4(+) > O2water
      > NO3(-) > O2soil. We discuss the soil properties that decide the degree of
      nutrient patchiness within them and argue that such knowledge is critical to
      intelligent appraisals of nutrient-use efficiencies in the field.

PMID- 27265523
TI  - Clinical mass spectrometry proteomics (cMSP) for medical laboratory: What does
      the future hold?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mass spectrometry (MS) methods are being widely used these days in
      medical laboratories for quantifying many small molecular analytes as well as for
      microbiological purposes. METHODS: Little use has been made so far, however, of
      MS for analyzing peptides and proteins in clinical laboratory (an approach known
      as clinical MS proteomics (cMSP)). The explanation for this situation may be that
      cMSP assays are more complex to implement than conventional assays, require large
      investments in terms of equipment and training, and have not yet been
      sufficiently validated for clinical applications. In addition, the protein
      analysis assays currently used in medical laboratories mostly meet both
      laboratory and clinical requirements in terms of analytical performances, ease of
      use, and turn-around-time. RESULTS: With the spread of MS methods in
      laboratories, increasing interest seems to be focusing on the development of MS
      for quantifying new analytes. MALDI-TOF MS methods have already been replacing
      classical methods of bacterial classification in clinical laboratories, for
      example, and this can be said to be an important step in this direction.
      CONCLUSIONS: In this paper, the literature available on the topic of clinical MS
      proteomics is reviewed and the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical
      challenges which will have to be met in connection with this approach are
      discussed.

PMID- 27265524
TI  - A novel CDKL5 mutation in a Japanese patient with atypical Rett syndrome.
AB  - Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe X-linked dominant inheritance disorder with a
      wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Mutations in Methyl CpG binding protein
      2 (MECP2), Cyclin dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) and Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1)
      have been associated with classic and/or variant RTT. This study was conducted to
      identify the responsible gene(s) in atypical RTT patient, and to examine the
      effect of the mutation on protein function. DNA sequence analysis showed a novel
      heterozygous mutation in CDKL5 identified as c.530A>G which resulted in an amino
      acid substitution at position 177, from tyrosine to cysteine. Genotyping analysis
      indicated that the mutation was not merely a single nucleotide polymorphism
      (SNP). We also revealed that patient's blood lymphocytes had random X-chromosome
      inactivation (XCI) pattern. Further examination by bioinformatics analysis
      demonstrated the mutation caused damage or deleterious in its protein. In
      addition, we demonstrated in vitro kinase assay of mutant protein showed
      impairment of its activity. Taken together, the results suggested the mutant
      CDKL5 was responsible for the disease. 

PMID- 27265525
TI  - Increased serum concentrations of signal peptide-Cub-Egf domain-containing
      protein-1 in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Signal peptide-Cub-Epidermal growth factor domain-containing protein
      1 (SCUBE1), a marker for coagulation, is correlated with prognosis of some
      critical illnesses. The current study was designed to investigate the potential
      prognostic value of serum SCUBE1 concentrations in patients with aneurysmal
      subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: Serum SCUBE1 concentrations of 125
      patients and 125 controls were determined. Multivariate analyses were performed
      to identify independent risk factors for 6-month mortality, overall survival and
      unfavorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1-3). RESULTS: Serum SCUBE1
      concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in controls (17.7+/-7.
      vs. 1.2+/-0.4ng/ml, P<0.001) and were associated highly with World Federation of
      Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) scores (t=5.109, P<0.001) and modified Fisher scores
      (t=4.329, P<0.001). SCUBE1 emerged as an independent predictor for 6-month
      clinical outcomes. It had similar area under receiver operating characteristic
      curve (AUC) to WFNS scores and modified Fisher scores. Moreover, it could
      markedly improve the AUC of WFNS scores and modified Fisher scores to predict 6
      month unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Enhanced SCUBE1 concentrations are
      correlated with increasing severity and poor outcomes of aSAH patients,
      indicating SCUBE1 might have the potential to identify aSAH patients at risk of
      poor prognosis.

PMID- 27265526
TI  - Correlation detection as a general mechanism for multisensory integration.
AB  - The brain efficiently processes multisensory information by selectively combining
      related signals across the continuous stream of multisensory inputs. To do so, it
      needs to detect correlation, lag and synchrony across the senses; optimally
      integrate related information; and dynamically adapt to spatiotemporal conflicts
      across the senses. Here we show that all these aspects of multisensory perception
      can be jointly explained by postulating an elementary processing unit akin to the
      Hassenstein-Reichardt detector-a model originally developed for visual motion
      perception. This unit, termed the multisensory correlation detector (MCD),
      integrates related multisensory signals through a set of temporal filters
      followed by linear combination. Our model can tightly replicate human perception
      as measured in a series of empirical studies, both novel and previously
      published. MCDs provide a unified general theory of multisensory processing,
      which simultaneously explains a wide spectrum of phenomena with a simple, yet
      physiologically plausible model.

PMID- 27265528
TI  - Implications of expanded medicaid eligibility for patient outcomes after liver
      transplantation: Caveat emptor.

PMID- 27265527
TI  - Germ cell specific overactivation of WNT/betacatenin signalling has no effect on
      folliculogenesis but causes fertility defects due to abnormal foetal development.
AB  - All the major components of the WNT signalling pathway are expressed in female
      germ cells and embryos. However, their functional relevance in oocyte biology is
      currently unclear. We examined ovaries collected from TCFGFP mice, a well-known
      Wnt reporter mouse model, and found dynamic changes in the Wnt/betacatenin
      signalling activity during different stages of oocyte development and maturation.
      To understand the functional importance of Wnt signalling in oocytes, we
      developed a mouse model with the germ cell-specific constitutive activation of
      betacatenin using cre recombinase driven by the DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) box
      protein 4 (Ddx4) gene promoter. Histopathological and functional analysis of
      ovaries from these mutant mice (Ctnnb1(ex3)cko) showed no defects in ovarian
      functions, oocytes, ovulation and early embryonic development. However, breeding
      of the Ctnnb1(ex3)cko female mice with males of known fertility never resulted in
      birth of mutant pups. Examination of uteri from time pregnant mutant females
      revealed defects in ectoderm differentiation leading to abnormal foetal
      development and premature death. Collectively, our work has established the role
      of active WNT/betacatenin signalling in oocyte biology and foetal development,
      and provides novel insights into the possible mechanisms of complications in
      human pregnancy such as repeated spontaneous abortion, sudden intrauterine
      unexpected foetal death syndrome and stillbirth.

PMID- 27265529
TI  - Impact of rest breaks on musculoskeletal discomfort of Chikan embroiderers of
      West Bengal, India: a follow up field study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine risk factors that predict
      musculoskeletal discomfort in Chikan embroiderers of West Bengal, India, and to
      compare the effect of two rest break schedules to reduce these symptoms. METHODS:
      The Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was performed on 400 Chikan embroiderers
      at baseline containing questions on job autonomy, working behavior, and work
      stress factors. Relative risk was calculated to identify prognostic factors for
      musculoskeletal discomfort in different body regions. Two groups of workers
      received two rest break schedules for 4 months and compared in a between-subject
      design. Outcome variables were scores of Body Part Discomfort (BPD) scale.
      RESULTS: Chikan embroiderers are afflicted with musculoskeletal discomfort mainly
      in the lower back, neck/shoulder and wrist/forearm region, which is attributed to
      their prolonged working timeinvolving hands and wrists, being in a static seating
      posture. Rigidity in working methods, prolonged working time, inadequate rest
      break during the working day, dissatisfaction regarding earning, monotonous work,
      static sitting posture, and repetitive movement of wrist and forearm were the
      significant predictors of these symptom developments. Rest break schedule 1 with
      more frequent and shorter breaks had more significant improvement on the severity
      of these musculoskeletal discomforts. CONCLUSIONS: Chikan embroiderers perform a
      highly dreary occupation and various ergonomics conditions work as predictors for
      developing musculoskeletal discomforts among them. Design of proper rest break
      schedule involving shorter and frequent breaks was competent for reducing these
      discomforts to a certain extent.

PMID- 27265530
TI  - Validity and reproducibility of self-reported working hours among Japanese male
      employees.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Working long hours is a potential health hazard. Although self
      reporting of working hours in various time frames has been used in epidemiologic
      studies, its validity is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the
      validity and reproducibility of self-reported working hours among Japanese male
      employees. METHODS: The participants were 164 male employees of four large-scale
      companies in Japan. For validity, the Spearman correlation between self-reported
      working hours in the second survey and the working hours recorded by the company
      was calculated for the following four time frames: daily working hours, monthly
      overtime working hours in the last month, average overtime working hours in the
      last 3 months, and the frequency of long working months (>=45 h/month) within the
      last 12 months. For reproducibility, the intraclass correlation between the first
      (September 2013) and second surveys (December 2013) was calculated for each of
      the four time frames. RESULTS: The Spearman correlations between self-reported
      working hours and those based on company records were 0.74, 0.81, 0.85, and 0.89
      for daily, monthly, 3-monthly, and yearly time periods, respectively. The
      intraclass correlations for self-reported working hours between the two
      questionnaire surveys were 0.63, 0.66, 0.73, and 0.87 for the respective time
      frames. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study among Japanese male
      employees suggest that the validity of self-reported working hours is high for
      all four time frames, whereas the reproducibility is moderate to high.

PMID- 27265531
TI  - Comparison of biomarkers in serum and induced sputum of patients with
      occupational asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Occupational asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      are associated with the airway inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to
      compare the sputum and serum markers of inflammation in patients with
      occupational asthma and COPD. METHODS: The study group included 20 patients with
      stable COPD, 24 patients with asthma, and 22 healthy subjects. Interleukin (IL)
      6, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9
      levels in serum and induced sputum as well as fibrinogen and CRP in serum were
      determined in all the subjects. RESULTS: Higher concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6,
      TNF-alpha, and MMP-9 in induced sputum and an increased concentration of acute
      phase proteins in serum were observed in COPD patients compared with healthy
      subjects. Higher concentrations of IL-1beta and MMP-9 in induced sputum and a
      higher concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected in COPD patients
      than in asthmatic subjects. Never smokers with COPD had significantly higher
      levels of IL-1beta and MMP-9 in induced sputum than never smoker controls. There
      was no significant difference between the serum and sputum levels of cytokines
      and MMP-9 of never smokers and smokers with COPD. CONCLUSIONS: Higher
      concentrations of IL-1beta and MMP-9 in induced sputum and a higher concentration
      of CRP in serum allow distinguishing between biomarker profiles of COPD patients
      and asthmatic patients. Occupational exposure induces a systemic proinflammatory
      state with increased levels of acute-phase proteins in stable COPD patients. MMP
      9 and IL-1beta concentrations are increased in induced sputum of never smokers
      with COPD, which is associated with occupational exposure.

PMID- 27265533
TI  - Resilience, post-traumatic growth, and work engagement among health care
      professionals after the Great East Japan Earthquake: A 4-year prospective follow
      up study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although attention has been paid to post-traumatic stress disorder
      (PTSD) among health care professionals after disasters, the impact of traumatic
      events on their work has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to
      examine whether disaster-related distress, resilience, and post-traumatic growth
      (PTG) affect work engagement among health care professionals who had been
      deployed to the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred
      on March 11, 2011. METHODS: We recruited disaster medical assistance team members
      who were engaged in rescue activities after the earthquake. The short version of
      the Resilience Scale (RS-14) and Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) were
      administered one month after the earthquake, and the short form of Posttraumatic
      Growth Inventory (SF-PTGI) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) were
      administered four years after the earthquake. Work engagement is composed of
      vigor, dedication, and absorption. Regression analyses were used to examine the
      relationship of UWES with RS-14, PDI, and SF-PTGI. RESULTS: We obtained baseline
      data of 254 participants in April 2011, and 191 (75.2%) completed the follow-up
      assessment between December 2014 and March 2015. The results showed that RS-14
      predicted vigor, dedication, and absorption; in addition, SF-PTGI was positively
      related with these three parameters (p<0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Resilience at
      baseline and PTG after rescue activities may increase work engagement among
      health care professionals after disasters. These findings could be useful for
      establishing a support system after rescue activities during a large-scale
      disaster and for managing work-related stress among health care professionals.

PMID- 27265532
TI  - Can leisure-time physical activity improve health checkup results? Evidence from
      Japanese occupational panel data.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined the extent to which changes in worker health, as measured
      by health checkup items, were associated with increased intensity of leisure-time
      physical activity (LTPA) after controlling for individual time-invariant
      attributes. METHODS: We used panel data from two to four waves of a Japanese
      occupational cohort survey, focusing on 30,206 observations of 10,106 individuals
      (7,669 men and 2,437 women) aged 18-76 years. We estimated first-difference and
      mean-centered fixed effects models to examine how changes in 10 health checkup
      items were associated with changes in LTPA intensity. We considered four LTPA
      intensity levels (none, low, moderate, and vigorous), based on self-reported
      assessments. RESULTS: For men, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels,
      glycated hemoglobin levels, body mass index, and waist circumference improved
      when LTPA intensity was increased even at a low level, whereas triglyceride, high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels improved when
      LTPA intensity was increased to moderate or vigorous levels. Blood pressure (both
      systolic and diastolic) and total cholesterol levels were only modestly
      responsive to changes in LTPA intensity. For women, blood pressure (both systolic
      and diastolic) and waist circumference were negatively associated with LTPA
      intensity, whereas the other variables showed more modest effects. CONCLUSIONS:
      The results suggest that even low- to moderate-intensity LTPA can improve health
      checkup results; however, the lowest LTPA intensity associated with improvement
      in health depends on health-risk factors as well as gender.

PMID- 27265534
TI  - Differential gene expression associated with inflammation in peripheral blood
      cells of patients with pneumoconiosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study expression changes in inflammation-related genes in
      peripheral blood of patients with pneumoconiosis and to explore the possibility
      of these genes as pneumoconiosis biomarkers. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of
      patients with pneumoconiosis patients and controls were collected, and total RNA
      of the blood cells were extracted and reverse transcribed to cDNA. Screenings of
      deferentially expressed genes associated with inflammation between patients with
      pneumoconiosis and controls were performed using real-time quantitative PCR array
      and the expressions of the three most upregulated genes were confirmed by real
      time PCR. RESULTS: The expression of 11 genes was significantly altered in
      patients with pneumoconiosis compared with those of the control. Among these 11
      genes, 8 genes were upregulated and 3 were downregulated. Preliminary results
      indicated that interleukin 6 (IL-6) mRNA expression in patients with
      pneumoconiosis was higher than that in controls (P=0.019). The level of IL6 mRNA
      expression in the patients was higher than that in non-smoking controls, but it
      was neither affected by type and stage of pneumoconiosis nor by time of contact
      with dust. CONCLUSIONS: IL6 was possibly involved in the development of
      pneumoconiosis.

PMID- 27265535
TI  - Anaphylaxis in laboratory workers because of rodent handling: two case reports.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Occupational allergy to rodents among laboratory animal workers is
      common. Most patients generally experience allergic symptoms after the first few
      years of work. Associated symptoms are usually mild, such as rhinoconjunctivits,
      urticaria, and asthma. Anaphylaxis, although rare, could be severe and life
      threatening. METHODS: We have described in this study two cases of laboratory
      workers that developed skin and respiratory reactions following laboratory rat
      and mouse bites, consistent with anaphylaxis. RESULTS: Skin testing was found
      positive for rat epithelium in the patient with anaphylaxis due to rat bite.
      Elevated levels of specific IgE antibodies against rat and mouse epitheliums were
      also detected in both the patients. CONCLUSION: These cases illustrate a severe
      hypersensitivity reaction that could potentially occur in occupational workers
      that are in close contact with rodents. Reduction of allergen exposure, regular
      screening, and job modification could be beneficial for affected individuals.
      Health care workers should be made aware that anaphylaxis could be a serious
      consequence of laboratory animal bites, particularly in those already sensitized.

PMID- 27265536
TI  - Interaction of engineered nanomaterials with hydrophobic organic pollutants.
AB  - As nanomaterials become an increasing part of everyday consumer products, it is
      imperative to monitor their potential release during production, use and
      disposal, and to assess their impact on the health of humans and the ecosystem.
      This necessitates research to better understand how the properties of engineered
      nanomaterials (ENMs) lead to their accumulation and redistribution in the
      environment, and to assess whether they could become novel pollutants or if they
      can affect the mobility and bioavailability of other toxins. This study focuses
      on understanding the influence of nanostructured-TiO2 and the interaction of
      multi-walled carbon nanotubes with organic pollutants in water. We studied the
      adsorption and water phase dispersion of model pollutants with relatively small
      water solubility (i.e., two- and three-ring polyaromatic hydrocarbons and
      insecticides) with respect to ENMs. The sorption of pollutants was measured based
      on water phase analysis, and by separating suspended particles from the water
      phase and analyzing dried samples using integrated thermal-chromatographic-mass
      spectroscopic (TGA/GC/MS) techniques. Solid phase analysis using a combination of
      TGA/GC/MS is a novel technique that can provide real-time quantitative analysis
      and which helps to understand the interaction of hydrophobic organic pollutants
      and ENMs. The adsorption of these contaminants to nanomaterials increased the
      concentration of the contaminants in the aqueous phase as compared to the 'real'
      partitioning due to the octanol-water partitioning. The study showed that ENMs
      can significantly influence the adsorption and dispersion of hydrophobic/low
      water soluble contaminants. The type of ENM, the exposure to light, and the water
      pH have a significant influence on the partitioning of pollutants. 

PMID- 27265537
TI  - Chemerin and interleukin-6 levels in obese individuals following periodontal
      treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in the levels of gingival crevicular fluid
      (GCF) chemerin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in both obese/non-obese individuals with
      periodontitis following non-surgical periodontal therapy. METHODS: Individuals (n
      = 80) were split into four groupings according to periodontal/anthropometric
      parameters: (i) periodontal healthy without obesity; (ii) chronic periodontitis
      (CP) without obesity; (iii) periodontal healthy with obesity; and (iv) CP with
      obesity. Individuals with periodontitis were treated with non-surgical
      periodontal therapy. Both GCF sampling procedures and clinical periodontal
      measures were performed prior to treatment and 6 weeks thereafter. Enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay was utilized to measure both chemerin and IL-6 levels.
      RESULTS: Greater values for chemerin and IL-6 were observed in obese individuals
      compared to their non-obese controls and in individuals with CP compared to their
      periodontal healthy controls (P < 0.008), which decreased following therapy (P <
      0.05). A positive correlation was found between chemerin and IL-6 in obese groups
      (P < 0.05). A comprehensive overview of all groups showed a statistically
      significant positive correlation among chemerin, along with IL-6, waist-to-hip
      ratio, body mass index, and clinical attachment levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It
      could be concluded that chemerin levels may act as both diagnostic and prognostic
      indicators. Chemerin may also play an integral part in the pathologic mechanisms
      that relate adipokines to both periodontal disease and obesity.

PMID- 27265538
TI  - Hyperferritinemia and iron metabolism in Gaucher disease: Potential
      pathophysiological implications.
AB  - Gaucher disease (GD) is characterized by large amounts of lipid-storing
      macrophages and is associated with accumulation of iron. High levels of ferritin
      are a hallmark of the disease. The precise mechanism underlying the changes in
      iron metabolism has not been elucidated. A systematic search was conducted to
      summarize available evidence from the literature on iron metabolism in GD and its
      potential pathophysiological implications. We conclude that in GD, a chronic low
      grade inflammation state can lead to high ferritin levels and increased hepcidin
      transcription with subsequent trapping of ferritin in macrophages. Extensive GD
      manifestations with severe anemia or extreme splenomegaly can lead to a situation
      of iron-overload resembling hemochromatosis. We hypothesize that specifically
      this latter situation carries a risk for the occurrence of associated conditions
      such as the increased cancer risk, metabolic syndrome and neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27265549
TI  - Second-generation antipsychotics and quality of life in schizophrenia.

PMID- 27265548
TI  - Effects of first-generation antipsychotics versus second-generation
      antipsychotics on quality of life in schizophrenia: a double-blind, randomised
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether or not second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) represent an
      advantage over first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) in the treatment of
      schizophrenia is not certain. Effectiveness studies published in the past 10
      years have not unequivocally confirmed the superiority of SGAs over FGAs. We
      aimed to compare quality of life in patients with schizophrenia on an FGA
      strategy with those on an SGA strategy. METHODS: In the multicentre, randomised,
      double-blind Neuroleptic Strategy Study (NeSSy), we recruited participants (aged
      18-65 years) with schizophrenia (ICD-10: F20.X) who required treatment initiation
      or a change in treatment, from 14 psychiatric university hospitals and state
      hospitals in Germany. Double randomisation allowed for restricted selection of a
      treatment within each antipsychotic drug group (FGA or SGA) for an individual
      patient: first, patients were assigned with a random number table to two of six
      possible drug pairs, each pair consisting of an FGA (haloperidol [3-6 mg] or
      flupentixol [6-12 mg]) given orally and an SGA (aripiprazole [10-20 mg],
      olanzapine [10-20 mg], or quetiapine [400-800 mg]) given orally, and the
      investigator then selected which pair was best suited to the patient; a second,
      double-blind random assignment allocated either the FGA or the SGA from the
      investigator-chosen pair to the patient. Treatment duration was 24 weeks. Primary
      outcomes were change from baseline to week 24 in quality of life (SF-36) and
      clinical global impression (CGI-I), analysed in all randomly assigned patients
      who received at least one dose of the study drug. Safety was assessed in a safety
      set, consisting of all randomly assigned patients who received at least one dose
      of the study drug, coinciding with the set of the efficacy analyses. The study is
      registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01164059; German Clinical Trials
      Register, number DRKS00000304; WHO ICTRP, number U1111-1112-9727; and EudraCT,
      number 2009-010966-47. FINDINGS: Between April 1, 2010, and May 31, 2013, 149
      patients were randomly assigned, 69 to FGA treatment and 80 to SGA treatment. 136
      patients received at least one dose of study drug (63 in the FGA group, 73 in the
      SGA group). Mean area under the curve (AUC) values of SF-36 were significantly
      higher in the SGA group than in the FGA group (85.1 [SD 14.7] vs 79.7 [17.3],
      p=0.0112). Mean AUC values for CGI-I scores decreased in both groups, but were
      not significantly different between the two groups (3.39 [SD 0.89] in the FGA
      group vs 3.26 [0.92] in the SGA group, p=0.3423). 30 (48%) of 63 patients given
      FGAs had at least one adverse event compared with 42 (57%) of 73 patients given
      an SGA (p=0.3019); the most common were nervous system disorders (18 [60%] of 30
      in the FGA group vs 19 [45%] of 42 in the SGA group) and psychiatric disorders
      (ten [33%] vs 16 [38%]). One patient died after cessation of study drug
      (olanzapine), most likely as a result of an illicit drug overdose. The increase
      in body-mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in the SGA group than in the
      FGA group (p=0.0021 at week 6 and p=0.0041 at week 24). INTERPRETATION:
      Improvement of patient-reported quality of life was significantly higher in
      patients with schizophrenia given SGAs than in those given FGAs, when treatment
      selection was individualised. This advantage, however, has to be weighed against
      the potential metabolic adverse effects of some SGAs. FUNDING: German Federal
      Ministry of Education and Research.

PMID- 27265550
TI  - An analysis of nursing students' decision-making in teams during simulations of
      acute patient deterioration.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the decision-making of nursing students
      during team based simulations on patient deterioration to determine the sources
      of information, the types of decisions made and the influences underpinning their
      decisions. BACKGROUND: Missed, misinterpreted or mismanaged physiological signs
      of deterioration in hospitalized patients lead to costly serious adverse events.
      Not surprisingly, an increased focus on clinical education and graduate nurse
      work readiness has resulted. DESIGN: A descriptive exploratory design. METHODS:
      Clinical simulation laboratories in three Australian universities were used to
      run team based simulations with a patient actor. A convenience sample of 97 final
      year nursing students completed simulations, with three students forming a team.
      Four teams from each university were randomly selected for detailed analysis.
      Cued recall during video review of team based simulation exercises to elicit
      descriptions of individual and team based decision-making and reflections on
      performance were audio-recorded post simulation (2012) and transcribed. RESULTS:
      Students recalled 11 types of decisions, including: information seeking; patient
      assessment; diagnostic; intervention/treatment; evaluation; escalation;
      prediction; planning; collaboration; communication and reflective. Patient
      distress, uncertainty and a lack of knowledge were frequently recalled influences
      on decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Incomplete information, premature diagnosis and a
      failure to consider alternatives when caring for patients is likely to lead to
      poor quality decisions. All health professionals have a responsibility in
      recognizing and responding to clinical deterioration within their scope of
      practice. A typology of nursing students' decision-making in teams, in this
      context, highlights the importance of individual knowledge, leadership and
      communication.

PMID- 27265551
TI  - Kaempferol loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles: preparation, characterization,
      and their potential applications as a sustainable antifungal agent.
AB  - Flavonoid compounds are strong antioxidant and antifungal agents but their
      applications are limited due to their poor dissolution and bioavailability. The
      use of nanotechnology in agriculture has received increasing attention, with the
      development of new formulations containing active compounds. In this study,
      kaempferol (KAE) was loaded into lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles (LC NPs) to
      determine antifungal activity compared to pure KAE against the phytopathogenic
      fungus Fusarium oxysporium to resolve the bioavailability problem. The influence
      of formulation parameters on the physicochemical properties of KAE loaded
      lecithin chitosan nanoparticles (KAE-LC NPs) were studied by using the
      electrostatic self-assembly technique. KAE-LC NPs were characterized in terms of
      physicochemical properties. KAE has been successfully encapsulated in LC NPs with
      an efficiency of 93.8 +/- 4.28% and KAE-LC NPs showed good physicochemical
      stability. Moreover, in vitro evaluation of the KAE-LC NP system was made by the
      release kinetics, antioxidant and antifungal activity in a time-dependent manner
      against free KAE. Encapsulated KAE exhibited a significantly inhibition efficacy
      (67%) against Fusarium oxysporium at the end of the 60 day storage period. The
      results indicated that KAE-LC NP formulation could solve the problems related to
      the solubility and loss of KAE during use and storage. The new nanoparticle
      system enables the use of smaller quantities of fungicide and therefore, offers a
      more environmentally friendly method of controlling fungal pathogens in
      agriculture.

PMID- 27265552
TI  - Trichinella britovi biomass in naturally infected pine martens (Martes martes) of
      Latvia.
AB  - Parasites of the genus Trichinella are cosmopolitan nematodes infecting primarily
      wild animals, which represent the main reservoirs of these zoonotic pathogens. To
      investigate the transmission patterns of Trichinella spp. from wild to domestic
      animals and to humans and for the risk assessment of these parasites in a
      geographical area, it is important to know the number of possible transmission
      events deriving from carcasses of infected hosts. For this purpose, the
      evaluation of the larval biomass in reservoir hosts is needed. No data is
      available on how to estimate the biomass of Trichinella spp. larvae in muscles of
      naturally infected animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the larval
      biomass in naturally infected pine martens (Martes martes) of Latvia, in which
      the prevalence of Trichinella britovi infection was over 50%. Single muscles or
      group of muscles (abdomen, back, diaphragm, intercostal muscles, muscles from the
      head, left and right shoulders, lower and upper parts of the forelimbs and hind
      limbs, neck, rump with tail, and base and tip of the tongue) were collected from
      five skinned and eviscerated carcasses of T. britovi infected pine martens.
      Muscles were entirely removed from the bones and weighted. Each muscle or group
      of muscles was separately digested to detect the larvae per gram (LPG). Using
      linear regression, the larval burden in each muscle or group of muscles was
      evaluated to measure the possible prediction of the total animal larval burden
      (both as total number of larvae and as average LPG). All muscles were
      significantly predictive of the total burden with high "goodness of fit" (all
      adjusted R2>0.80; P<=0.01), and the left shoulder provided the highest adjusted
      R2 (0.999). Then, to estimate the Trichinella britovi biomass in the pine marten
      population of Latvia, recent literature data on prevalence (56.2%, 95% CI: 47.8
      64.3) and geometric mean LPG (1.26, 95% CI: 0.89-1.79) in the limb muscles of a
      sample representative of the whole Latvian pine marten population, were used.
      Using the predictive estimated relationship between LPG in the limb and that in
      the entire animals and by the estimated animal population and their mean total
      muscle weight, the Trichinella britovi biomass in the pine marten population of
      Latvia was estimated to be of 6,647,092 (95% CI: 3,840,030-11,100,000) larvae.
      The assessment of the biomass in nature can help to understand the
      epidemiological pattern of these pathogens, to implement actions aimed at
      controlling the infection in target animal species, and to acquire basic
      information on the complex biology of this group of zoonotic nematodes.

PMID- 27265553
TI  - Remember Flint.

PMID- 27265554
TI  - "Evaluating the Quality of Medical Care": Donabedian's Classic Article 50 Years
      Later.

PMID- 27265555
TI  - Where Have All the Primary Care Doctors Gone?

PMID- 27265556
TI  - Hospital Community Benefit Spending: Leaning In on the Social Determinantsof
      Health.

PMID- 27265557
TI  - Global Budgets for Rural Hospitals.

PMID- 27265558
TI  - The Drug Price Controversy Nobody Notices.

PMID- 27265559
TI  - Using Publicly Available Data to Construct a Transparent Measure of Health Care
      Value: A Method and Initial Results.
AB  - POLICY POINTS: Using publicly available Hospital Compare and Medicare data, we
      found a substantial range of hospital-level performance on quality, expenditure,
      and value measures for 4 common reasons for admission. Hospitals' ability to
      consistently deliver high-quality, low-cost care varied across the different
      reasons for admission. With the exception of coronary artery bypass grafting,
      hospitals that provided the highest-value care had more beds and a larger average
      daily census than those providing the lowest-value care. Transparent data like
      those we present can empower patients to compare hospital performance, make
      better-informed treatment decisions, and decide where to obtain care for
      particular health care problems. CONTEXT: In the United States, the transition
      from volume to value dominates discussions of health care reform. While shared
      decision making might help patients determine whether to get care, transparency
      in procedure- and hospital-specific value measures would help them determine
      where to get care. METHODS: Using Hospital Compare and Medicare expenditure data,
      we constructed a hospital-level measure of value from a numerator composed of
      quality-of-care measures (satisfaction, use of timely and effective care, and
      avoidance of harms) and a denominator composed of risk-adjusted 30-day episode-of
      care expenditures for acute myocardial infarction (1,900 hospitals), coronary
      artery bypass grafting (884 hospitals), colectomy (1,252 hospitals), and hip
      replacement surgery (1,243 hospitals). FINDINGS: We found substantial variation
      in aggregate measures of quality, cost, and value at the hospital level. Value
      calculation provided additional richness when compared to assessment based on
      quality or cost alone: about 50% of hospitals in an extreme quality- (and about
      65% more in an extreme cost-) quintile were in the same extreme value quintile.
      With the exception of coronary artery bypass grafting, higher-value hospitals
      were larger and had a higher average daily census than lower-value hospitals, but
      were no more likely to be accredited by the Joint Commission or to have a
      residency program accredited by the American Council of Graduate Medical
      Education. CONCLUSIONS: While future efforts to compose value measures will
      certainly be modified and expanded to examine other reasons for admission, the
      construct that we present could allow patients to transparently compare procedure
      and hospital-specific quality, spending, and value and empower them to decide
      where to obtain care.

PMID- 27265560
TI  - Getting It Right for Every Child: A National Policy Framework to Promote
      Children's Well-being in Scotland, United Kingdom.
AB  - POLICY POINTS: Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), a landmark policy
      framework for improving children's well-being in Scotland, United Kingdom, is a
      practice initiative signifying a distinct way of thinking, an agenda for change,
      and the future direction of child welfare policy. GIRFEC represents a unique case
      study of national transformative change within the contexts of children's well
      being and universal services and is of relevance to other jurisdictions.
      Implementation is under way, with an understanding of well-being and the
      requirement for information sharing enshrined in law. Yet there is scope for
      interpretation within the legislation and associated guidance. Inherent tensions
      around intrusion, data gathering, professional roles, and balancing well-being
      against child protection threaten the effectiveness of the policy if not
      resolved. CONTEXT: Despite persistent health inequalities and intergenerational
      deprivation, the Scottish government aspires for Scotland to be the best country
      for children to grow up in. Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is a
      landmark children's policy framework to improve children's well-being via early
      intervention, universal service provision, and multiagency coordination across
      organizational boundaries. Placing the child and family "at the center," this
      approach marks a shift from welfare to well-being, yet there is still a general
      lack of consensus over how well-being is defined and measured. As an umbrella
      policy framework with broad reach, GIRFEC represents the current and future
      direction of children's/family policy in Scotland, yet large-scale practice
      change is required for successful implementation. METHODS: This article explores
      the origins and emergence of GIRFEC and presents a critical analysis of its
      incremental design, development, and implementation. FINDINGS: There is
      considerable scope for interpretation within the GIRFEC legislation and guidance,
      most notably around assessment of well-being and the role and remit of those
      charged with implementation. Tensions have arisen around issues such as
      professional roles; intrusion, data sharing, and confidentiality; and the balance
      between supporting well-being and protecting children. Despite the policy's
      intentions for integration, the service landscape for children and families still
      remains relatively fragmented. CONCLUSIONS: Although the policy has
      groundbreaking potential, inherent tensions must be resolved and the processes of
      change carefully managed in order for GIRFEC to be effective. It remains to be
      seen whether GIRFEC can fulfil the Scottish government's aspirations to reduce
      inequalities and improve lifelong outcomes for Scotland's children and young
      people. In terms of both a national children's well-being framework within a
      universal public service context and a distinct style of policymaking and
      implementation, the Scottish experience represents a unique case study of whole
      country, transformational change and is of relevance to other jurisdictions.

PMID- 27265561
TI  - The Use of Economic Evaluation to Inform Newborn Screening Policy Decisions: The
      Washington State Experience.
AB  - POLICY POINTS: Newborn screening not only saves lives but can also yield net
      societal economic benefit, in addition to benefits such as improved quality of
      life to affected individuals and families. Calculations of net economic benefit
      from newborn screening include the monetary equivalent of avoided deaths and
      reductions in costs of care for complications associated with late-diagnosed
      individuals minus the additional costs of screening, diagnosis, and treatment
      associated with prompt diagnosis. Since 2001 the Washington State Department of
      Health has successfully implemented an approach to conducting evidence-based
      economic evaluations of disorders proposed for addition to the state-mandated
      newborn screening panel. CONTEXT: Economic evaluations can inform policy
      decisions on the expansion of newborn screening panels. This article documents
      the use of cost-benefit models in Washington State as part of the rule-making
      process that resulted in the implementation of screening for medium-chain acyl
      CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency and 4 other metabolic disorders in 2004,
      cystic fibrosis (CF) in 2006, 15 other metabolic disorders in 2008, and severe
      combined immune deficiency (SCID) in 2014. METHODS: We reviewed Washington State
      Department of Health internal reports and spreadsheet models of expected net
      societal benefit of adding disorders to the state newborn screening panel. We
      summarize the assumptions and findings for 2 models (MCAD and CF) and discuss
      them in relation to findings in the peer-reviewed literature. FINDINGS: The MCAD
      model projected a benefit-cost ratio of 3.4 to 1 based on assumptions of a 20.0
      percentage point reduction in infant mortality and a 13.9 percentage point
      reduction in serious developmental disability. The CF model projected a benefit
      cost ratio of 4.0-5.4 to 1 for a discount rate of 3%-4% and a plausible range of
      1-2 percentage point reductions in deaths up to age 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The
      Washington State cost-benefit models of newborn screening were broadly consistent
      with peer-reviewed literature, and their findings of net benefit appear to be
      robust to uncertainty in parameters. Public health newborn screening programs can
      develop their own capacity to project expected costs and benefits of expansion of
      newborn screening panels, although it would be most efficient if this capacity
      were shared among programs.

PMID- 27265564
TI  - Comparative ecotoxicology study of two neoteric solvents: Imidazolium ionic
      liquid vs. glycerol derivative.
AB  - In this study we have compared the acute ecotoxicity of two solvents, with very
      different structure and origin, but sharing many physical-chemical properties, so
      they can be used for similar purposes; a well-known ionic liquid 1-butyl-3
      methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) and a solvent partially
      derived from biomass, 3-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)propan-2-ol (BTFIP). We have
      used three biomodels (Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna and Danio rerio) and
      performed the comparison applying the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS)
      hazard assessment. According to the results, ecotoxicity of [BMIM][PF6] and BTFIP
      is quite similar in the simplest model Vibrio fischeri, while in Daphnia magna
      [BMIM][PF6] is clearly more toxic. However, in Danio rerio, toxicity of these
      chemicals is again quite similar and both can be classified as "nontoxic". The
      higher index value of [BMIM][PF6] in water mediate effect in the EHS assessment
      indicates that this ionic liquid is more dangerous than BTFIP, although
      accumulation and degradation properties have not been taken into account. Further
      studies will be necessary to ascertain these conclusions. 

PMID- 27265562
TI  - Achieving Research Impact Through Co-creation in Community-Based Health Services:
      Literature Review and Case Study.
AB  - POLICY POINTS: Co-creation-collaborative knowledge generation by academics
      working alongside other stakeholders-is an increasingly popular approach to
      aligning research and service development. It has potential for "moving beyond
      the ivory towers" to deliver significant societal impact via dynamic, locally
      adaptive community-academic partnerships. Principles of successful co-creation
      include a systems perspective, a creative approach to research focused on
      improving human experience, and careful attention to governance and process. If
      these principles are not followed, co-creation efforts may fail. CONTEXT: Co
      creation-collaborative knowledge generation by academics working alongside other
      stakeholders-reflects a "Mode 2" relationship (knowledge production rather than
      knowledge translation) between universities and society. Co-creation is widely
      believed to increase research impact. METHODS: We undertook a narrative review of
      different models of co-creation relevant to community-based health services. We
      contrasted their diverse disciplinary roots and highlighted their common
      philosophical assumptions, principles of success, and explanations for failures.
      We applied these to an empirical case study of a community-based research-service
      partnership led by the Centre of Research Excellence in Quality and Safety in
      Integrated Primary-Secondary Care at the University of Queensland, Australia.
      FINDINGS: Co-creation emerged independently in several fields, including business
      studies ("value co-creation"), design science ("experience-based co-design"),
      computer science ("technology co-design"), and community development
      ("participatory research"). These diverse models share some common features,
      which were also evident in the case study. Key success principles included (1) a
      systems perspective (assuming emergence, local adaptation, and nonlinearity); (2)
      the framing of research as a creative enterprise with human experience at its
      core; and (3) an emphasis on process (the framing of the program, the nature of
      relationships, and governance and facilitation arrangements, especially the style
      of leadership and how conflict is managed). In both the literature review and the
      case study, co-creation "failures" could often be tracked back to abandoning (or
      never adopting) these principles. All co-creation models made strong claims for
      significant and sustainable societal impacts as a result of the adaptive and
      developmental research process; these were illustrated in the case study.
      CONCLUSIONS: Co-creation models have high potential for societal impact but
      depend critically on key success principles. To capture the nonlinear chains of
      causation in the co-creation pathway, impact metrics must reflect the dynamic
      nature and complex interdependencies of health research systems and address
      processes as well as outcomes.

PMID- 27265566
TI  - [Mood disorders and epilepsy surgery: A review].
AB  - AIMS: Historically, there is a strong link between depression and epilepsy.
      Patients with epilepsy are four to five times more likely to develop a depressive
      syndrome. It seems that the link between epilepsy and depression is
      bidirectional. There is little data on mood disorders secondary to epilepsy
      surgery. The goal of epilepsy surgery is to reduce the number and frequency of
      attacks, which in turn would allow improvements in mood disorders and cognitive
      impairment. METHODS: A systematic search of the international literature was
      performed using the bibliographic search engines PubMed and Embase. The following
      MESH terms were used: epilepsy surgery AND (depression OR depressive disorder OR
      mood disorder). We also used the "related articles" of PubMed, bibliography
      surveys, conference abstracts and Google Scholar to identify additional relevant
      papers. RESULTS: Of the 130 studies found by the systematic search, 112 are
      excluded because they did not take into account the mood disorders secondary to
      epilepsy surgery. Fifteen studies are included in this review of the literature
      with a case study. Depression is the psychopathological condition that is the
      most frequently studied. According to several studies, the prevalence of
      depression is approximately 30% with nearly 70% of cases diagnosed during the
      first three months following epilepsy surgery. The majority of patients presented
      depressive symptoms during the first 3 to 12months after epilepsy surgery. In
      these studies, the risk of developing depression is correlated with the existence
      of previous depressive elements relative to the epilepsy surgery. A small number
      of studies reported cases of de novo depression. Studies have shown a correlation
      between very good to excellent control of epileptic seizures and a persistent
      improvement of mood disorders. It would seem that depressive symptoms post
      surgery are more common when the surgical intervention concerns the temporal lobe
      and in particular mesial resections. There are only very few cases of maniac
      episodes. Hamid et al. showed an increased risk of suicide waning after the
      epilepsy surgery over a period of 5years. CONCLUSION: Mood disorders are common
      psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy surgery. The detection, prevention, and
      treatment of these symptoms in patients eligible for epilepsy surgery pose major
      challenges for psychiatrists and neurologists, requiring their close
      collaboration.

PMID- 27265565
TI  - Mycobacteria emulsified in olive oil-in-water trigger a robust immune response in
      bladder cancer treatment.
AB  - The hydrophobic composition of mycobacterial cell walls leads to the formation of
      clumps when attempting to resuspend mycobacteria in aqueous solutions. Such
      aggregation may interfere in the mycobacteria-host cells interaction and,
      consequently, influence their antitumor effect. To improve the immunotherapeutic
      activity of Mycobacterium brumae, we designed different emulsions and
      demonstrated their efficacy. The best formulation was initially selected based on
      homogeneity and stability. Both olive oil (OO)- and mineral oil-in-water
      emulsions better preserved the mycobacteria viability and provided higher
      disaggregation rates compared to the others. But, among both emulsions, the OO
      emulsion increased the mycobacteria capacity to induce cytokines' production in
      bladder tumor cell cultures. The OO-mycobacteria emulsion properties: less
      hydrophobic, lower pH, more neutralized zeta potential, and increased affinity to
      fibronectin than non-emulsified mycobacteria, indicated favorable conditions for
      reaching the bladder epithelium in vivo. Finally, intravesical OO-M. brumae
      treated mice showed a significantly higher systemic immune response, together
      with a trend toward increased tumor-bearing mouse survival rates compared to the
      rest of the treated mice. The physicochemical characteristics and the induction
      of a robust immune response in vitro and in vivo highlight the potential of the
      OO emulsion as a good delivery vehicle for the mycobacterial treatment of bladder
      cancer.

PMID- 27265567
TI  - Discovery of a potent cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, S4, through docking-based
      pharmacophore screening, in vivo and in vitro estimations.
AB  - Cyclooxygenase (COX; EC: 1.14.99.1), the key enzyme in prostaglandin production
      in the human body, is a major pharmacological target for developing anti
      inflammatory agents. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exhibit anti
      inflammatory and analgesic activities when inhibiting COX-2 but cause
      gastrointestinal toxicity and other side effects because of concurrent inhibition
      of COX-1. Thus, potent and safe inhibitors against COX-2 are urgently required.
      We constructed a novel docking-based pharmacophore model for screening selective
      COX-2 inhibitors and discovered compounds S1, S2, S3, and S4, which apparently
      inhibit COX-2. Particularly, S4 inhibits COX-2 in vitro and shows a potent anti
      inflammatory effect in vivo without cytotoxicity. Molecular docking analyses
      revealed that S4 interacted satisfactorily with the active site of COX-2 but not
      with that of COX-1. This reveals that S4 more specifically inhibits COX-2 and has
      potential for application in developing anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.

PMID- 27265568
TI  - Tetrameric psuedo-peptide receptors with allosteric properties.
AB  - This paper reports the binding properties of tetrameric pseudo-peptide receptors
      for protonated cytidines. The receptors, which were isolated from a dynamic
      combinatorial chemistry (DCC) experiment, bind the analytes with affinities that
      depend on the presence or absence of excess acid, and with a stoichiometry that
      is both concentration and temperature dependent. 

PMID- 27265570
TI  - Television Serials and Hematology.

PMID- 27265571
TI  - Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) An Evidence-Based Management Guidelines.

PMID- 27265569
TI  - Involvement of quinolinic acid in the neuropathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis.
AB  - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult-onset motor neuron
      disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of central and peripheral
      motor neurons, leading to the atrophy of voluntary muscles. It has been
      previously demonstrated that the kynurenine pathway (KP), the major biochemical
      pathway for tryptophan metabolism, is dysregulated in ALS. In particular, the
      neuroactive intermediate, quinolinic acid (QUIN) has been shown to accumulate
      with a concomitant decrease in other neuroprotective and immunomodulatory KP
      metabolites. Furthermore, multiple biochemical phenomena associated with QUIN
      cytotoxicity are present in ALS, suggesting that QUIN may play a substantial role
      in the pathogenesis of ALS. This review highlights the potential roles of QUIN in
      ALS, and explores KP modulation as a therapeutic candidate in ALS. This article
      is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The Kynurenine Pathway in Health and
      Disease'.

PMID- 27265572
TI  - Potential Involvement of Calcineurin in Regulating the State of Differentiation
      and Apoptosis of HL-60 Cells During Methylprednisolone-Treatment.
AB  - To evaluate the role of calcineurin (protein phosphatase type 2B, PP2B) in
      methylprednisolone-induced differentiation and apoptosis of leukaemic cells, we
      have investigated the induction of apoptosis, calcineurin specific protein
      phosphatase activity and expression of regulatory and catalytic subunits of
      calcineurin and calmodulin after induction of HL-60 leukaemic cells with
      methylprednisolone. The cells underwent differentiation and apoptosis within 72
      hours time period after methylprednisolone added to cell culture media. Before
      apoptosis occurred, the specific calcineurin enzyme activity revealed gradual
      increase during the differentiation process. However, immunoblots of catalytic
      and regulatory subunits of calcineurin showed no amplification in the amount of
      these cellular signaling mediators during methylprednisolone-induced
      differentiation and apoptosis but calmodulin expression gradually increased
      during the process. Significant increase in the specific calcineurin enzyme
      activity during differentiation and apoptosis might be crucial to the
      posttranslational modifications of calcineurin during methylprednisolone-induced
      differentiation. 

PMID- 27265573
TI  - Quantification of All-Trans-Retinoic Acid (ATRA) Dependent Expression of CXCR4
      Gene in Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia.
AB  - CXCR4 is the receptor of CXC chemokine SDF-1 and may play a role in the homing of
      hematopoietic stem cells. We have investigated the CXCR4 gene expression during
      ATRA treatment in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) patients. APL is a
      characteristic disorder with a specific translocation between PML and RAR alpha
      genes on chromosome 15 and 17. ATRA-induced differentiation of APL cells is
      strictly dependent on the presence of PML-RAR alpha. In our study, five APL
      patiens were involved. Two samples from each patient were compared to each other:
      Primary diagnostic sample and a sample taken at remission. Quantitative real-time
      PCR (LightCycler) has been used for quantification, which is a recently developed
      method for rapid and sensitive detection of gene expression. CXCR4 gene ratios
      were found under-expressed in cases 1 and 6 with blast counts at diagnosis 18%,
      and 20% but only moderately under-expressed in cases two and four where the blast
      count was at diagnosis 50%, and 80%. It was over-expressed only in case three
      where the blast count was 95%. These findings indicate that ATRA treatment might
      be effective in CXCR4 gene expression related to amount of the blast population
      in APL. Further gene expression studies would be helpful to understand how ATRA
      works on CXCR4 related molecular pathways in APL pathogenesis. 

PMID- 27265574
TI  - First Observation of Hemoglobin Pyrgos [beta83(EF7) Gly->Asp] in Turkish
      Population.
AB  - Hemoglobin Pyrgos [beta83 (EF7) Gly->Asp] is a rare hemoglobin variant. This
      report describes the first observation of this variant in an 18-year-old Turkish
      girl living in Isparta. 

PMID- 27265575
TI  - Leiomyosarcoma of the Uterus Presenting with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
AB  - Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) typically presents with consumptive
      thrombocytopenia, non-immune intravascular hemolytic anemia, renal failure,
      various neurologic findings and fever. It is a clinical syndrome that can be
      associated with drugs such as ticlopidine, quinine, mitomycin C and cyclosporine,
      allogeneic stem cell transplantation, pregnancy, infections, autoimmune diseases
      and metastatic carcinoma. Here, we describe a 48-years- old women presented with
      full picture of TTP and diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma with further evaluation. She
      was successfully treated with multiple exchange transfusions and total excision
      of leiomyoma thereafter. As far as we know, this is the first case of
      leiomyosarcoma of the uterus presented with TTP. Therefore, the women with TTP,
      in whom no other cause can be found, should undergo a careful gynecological
      examination and pelvic ultrasonography should be performed. 

PMID- 27265576
TI  - Hypercalcemia and Multiple Pathological Fractures in Chronic Lymphocytic
      Leukaemia: A Case Report.
AB  - Hypercalcemia is common in some lymphoproliferative disorders such as myeloma or
      T- cell leukaemialymphoma, but is rarely described in B-cell chronic lymphocytic
      leukaemia (CLL). A CLL patient who have been presented with multiple pathological
      fractures and widespread osteolytic lesions is reported. He was a 74 year old
      male with fractures of his bilateral humerus and radii and multiple osteolytic
      lesions of skull, fibula, femur and costals. On his admission to the hospital for
      the fractures he has been diagnosed as CLL. Hypercalcemia has also been
      documented. All the disorders that could be the reason of hypercalcemia have been
      ruled out. The open biopsy of bone marrow showed lymphocytic infiltration in
      which increased number of prolymphocytes are observed. Hypercalcemia arising in a
      patient with CLL may indicate a negative prognosis. 

PMID- 27265577
TI  - The Outcome of Large B-Cell Lymphoma Evolving in a Hematopoietic Stem Cell
      Transplant Patient During Treatment of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease.
AB  - Immunosuppression is a risk factor for the development of posttransplant
      lymphoproliferative disorder. This type of malignancy developed in an
      immunocompromised man. The patient presented with focal convulsion starting from
      right face and right arm followed by two generalized convulsions with one minute
      interval. Diagnosis was made by computed tomographic (CT) scan of the cranium
      following oral and intravenous administration of contrast dyes which revealedmass
      leisons in the frontotemporal lobe and by stereotaxic biopsy. Tissue sections
      showed a malignant tumor cell infiltration with large areas of necrosis and many
      mitoses. Many tumor cells were positive for CD 20 and CD 10. These findings were
      consistent with large B-cell lymphoma. Central nervous system radiation with a
      dose of 56 Gy was given with clinical and radiological improvement. The patient
      died due to multiorgan failure. Finally, the immunocompromised patients should be
      closely followed for the development of lymphoproliferative disorder. 

PMID- 27265578
TI  - Images in Hematology.

PMID- 27265579
TI  - Aspirin Responsive Thrombotic Complications in Thrombocythemia Vera. A Novel
      Platelet-Mediated Arterial Thrombophilia.

PMID- 27265580
TI  - [Cardiomyopathy induced by frequent premature ventricular contractions].
AB  - We report on the rare case of 7-year-old child presenting with frequent and
      apparently benign premature ventricular complexes (VPC) and left ventricular
      dysfunction. No structural disease of the heart was seen at cardiological
      evaluation. Eighteen months after the introduction of an antiarrhythmic treatment
      with low-dose bisoprolol, Holter monitoring showed 70,000 VPC in 24h with left
      ventricular function remaining decreased. Six months after increasing the dose of
      bisoprolol, the VPC were less frequent and left ventricular function was
      completely normalized. This case was characteristic of a cardiomyopathy induced
      by frequent premature ventricular contractions. 

PMID- 27265581
TI  - [Rectal prolapse revealing a tumor: The role of abdominal ultrasound].
AB  - Rectal prolapse is rare in children and usually benign. However, there are
      various diseases that can be associated with it, such as cystic fibrosis or other
      causes of increased abdominal pressure. Here, we review the various underlying
      conditions that pediatricians or pediatric gastroenterologists should consider in
      the case of rectal prolapse. We report on three cases of children with a rectal
      prolapse and intra-abdominal tumors. Current recommendations and practice do not
      include a systematic check via abdominal imaging in cases of rectal prolapse.
      However, in some situations, imaging is indicated to detect a possible expansive
      process. Thus, in the presence of recurrent prolapse or of associated urinary or
      neurological signs, imaging is justified so as to allow for an early diagnosis
      and treatment of these neoplasms. Given its lack of radiation exposure and good
      sensitivity in children, ultrasound imaging is the first choice. 

PMID- 27265582
TI  - [Severe gastric distension in an adolescent].

PMID- 27265583
TI  - [Bacillus Calmette-Guerin osteomyelitis. A case report in a former preterm baby].
AB  - Postvaccination osteo-articular mycobacterial infectious disease is a rare and
      potentially serious complication after Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. We
      report on a case of a former preterm baby born at 30 weeks of gestation who was
      vaccinated with BCG Copenhagen strain at 2 months of age. He presented 6 months
      later with a painful limp, which was found to be a mono-articular osteitis of the
      right ankle. Histology of the biopsy showed signs of mycobacterial infection and
      molecular analysis confirmed a BCG infection. Blood tests did not reveal any
      immunodeficiency associated with the disease (IFN-gamma levels were normal). The
      course of the disease was favorable with 9 months of antibiotic therapy against
      mycobacteria. BCG complications should lead to screening for immunodeficiency.
      The prognosis of BCG osteitis is excellent if the disease is localized. No link
      between prematurity and BCG complications has been found to date. BCG vaccination
      of premature infant should be the same as for the general population. 

PMID- 27265584
TI  - [Infant food diversification: Is the information available on the Internet
      valid?].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Internet provides easy access to information on health, but the
      quality and validity of this information are variable. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate
      the quality of websites and the information provided on the timing and
      consequences of food diversification for infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      analyzed the websites addressing infant food diversification that appeared on the
      first two pages of the search engines Google, Yahoo, and Bing. The websites were
      selected from four different queries. We initially assessed (a) the structure of
      the websites with two instruments (the Criteria for Assessing the Quality of
      Health Information on the Internet (HITI) and NetScoring) and (b) the presence of
      certification (quality label Health on the Net [HON] Code). Secondly, we
      evaluated the content of the websites concerning the time of introducing five
      classes of foods (gluten, fat, allergenic foods, solid foods, and animal
      protein), the duration of breastfeeding, and four potential consequences of food
      diversification (allergy, nutritional, autoimmune, and cardiovascular). Our
      repository was based on the most recent recommendations of the French Society of
      Pediatrics published in 2008. RESULTS: In all, 19 websites were included. Six of
      19 websites scored above average on the two instruments (average: 131.26/312 with
      NetScoring and 46.73/104 with HITI). No correlation was observed between the
      referencing of websites analyzed and the notes obtained with both instruments. A
      majority of the websites analyzed were consistent with the recommendation
      favoring breast milk (100%), the age of introducing meat proteins (74%), and the
      age of introducing gluten (63%). A majority of the websites disagreed on the age
      of introducing solid foods (16%). As four consequences, only the risk of allergy
      (63%) was cited by a majority of the sites. There was a small nonsignificant
      correlation between the results obtained for the website about introducing solid
      foods and the results obtained for the websites analyzed with the NetScoring and
      HITI instruments (Pearson coefficient 41%, p=0.07). CONCLUSION: The websites were
      in partial agreement with the French recommendations. To date, the pediatrician
      remains the main actor in guiding parents on food diversification.

PMID- 27265585
TI  - [BCGitis/BCGosis in children: Diagnosis, classification and exploration].
AB  - The Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is used extensively worldwide, and more
      than 100 million children are vaccinated each year. This is a live vaccine that
      protects against severe tuberculosis in children. However, BCG complications,
      specific to the BCG vaccine, do occur, although the epidemiology differs from one
      country to another. Nevertheless, these complications are considered to be rare
      and range from benign local BCGitis to BCGosis, a potentially lethal disseminated
      disease. Etiologies of BCGitis/BCGosis can be related to the vaccine itself
      (technical errors, vaccinal strain) or to the patient. Indeed, it is well
      established that some immunodeficiencies, primary or acquired, can expose the
      patient to BCG disease. The diagnosis of a BCG disease lies on clinical
      examination and laboratory results. Recent advances in molecular biology help to
      distinguish BCG disease from other mycobacterial infections, especially from
      tuberculosis. When BCG complications have been confirmed, the underlying defect
      should be investigated, particularly if other features of immunodeficiency are
      reported, such as recurrent infection, failure to thrive, etc. Prognosis largely
      depends on the immune status, but also on the management of the BCG disease.
      Although the therapeutic protocols are still controversial, there are more and
      more publications on the diagnosis and management guidelines of the disease. 

PMID- 27265587
TI  - Bone Marrow Transplantation in Thalassemia.

PMID- 27265586
TI  - Stroke and thromboembolic event rates in atrial fibrillation according to
      different guideline treatment thresholds: A nationwide cohort study.
AB  - Contemporary guidelines suggest anticoagulant treatment decisions in atrial
      fibrillation (AF) patients to be based on risk stratification for stroke.
      However, guidelines do not agree on the threshold for treatment initiation. We
      explored the variation in thromboembolic event rates in a non-anticoagulated AF
      population, according to different guideline threshold and methodological
      approaches. AF patients between 1998 and 2014 free from anticoagulant treatment
      were identified. Event rates for ischemic stroke and ischemic stroke/systemic
      embolism were explored. The overall ischemic stroke rate was 3.20 per 100 person
      years ('formal rate assessment'). For patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1 the
      ischemic stroke rate was 0.97 when using a 'formal rate assessment', 0.62 when
      using a 'conditioning on the future' approach, and 0.93 when using a 'censoring
      approach'. Rates for thromboembolism for the 'European treatment threshold'
      (CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1, males only) ranged 1.17 to 1.53. Rates for the 'U.S.
      treatment threshold' (CHA2DS2-VASc of 2) ranged from 1.95 to 2.33. Thromboembolic
      event rates differed markedly in non-anticoagulated AF patients according to the
      conflicting European and U.S. guideline treatment thresholds. Second, the choice
      of methodological approach has implications, thus we recommend using the
      censoring approach for event rate estimation among AF patients not on treatment.

PMID- 27265588
TI  - The Role of Interleukin-1 Inhibitors on Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia Blast
      Proliferation; Future Potential for Biotherapy.
AB  - The effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1) as an autocrine growth factor on the
      proliferation of the acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) blasts was studied. Bone
      marrow specimens were obtained from nine patients with different subgroups of
      AML. IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and IL-1 beta neutralizing antibody (IL
      1beta NA) alone or in combination were added to the culture mediums of the AML
      blast cultures for the detection of their inhibitory effect on AML blast cell
      proliferation and colony formation. Average colony numbers in the IL-RA, IL
      betaNA, and IL-IRA plus IL-IbetaNA included culture flasks, were 63.7 +/- 21.5 %,
      69.5 +/- 19 %, 53.4 +/- 23.7 %, respectively, as compared to those of the control
      (p < 0.01). Inhibition of colony formation by IL-IRA plus IL-IbetaNA was more
      prominent than by IL-IbetaNA alone (p < 0.01). No correlation between the
      inhibition of AML blast colony ormation and FAB AML subgroups was seen. RESULT:
      Both IL-1RA or IL-IbetaNA or in combination induced varying degrees of inhibition
      on blast colony formation. IL-I inhibitory molecules could be considered as an
      alternative therapy for AML in patients whose blast cells are sensitive to IL-1
      inhibition.

PMID- 27265589
TI  - Increased Serum Soluble CD23 and Soluble IL-2R Levels in Haematologic
      Malignancies.
AB  - Serum soluble CD23 (sCD23) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels increase not
      only in disorders with immune system activation, but also in hematological
      malignancies. They have been used as markers of disease progression and/or the
      response to therapy in lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD). In this study, we
      investigated the serum sCD23 and sIL-2R levels of 21 patients with different
      hematological malignancies [10 LPD, 6 multiple myeloma (MM), and 5
      myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)] before treatment, and compared them with 19 age-
      and sex- matched healthy subjects. Median sIL-2R levels were found to be
      significantly elevated in both the overall patient group and each of the
      subgroups. Median sCD23 levels were significantly higher in the overall patient
      group and in patients with LPD and MM. A positive correlation was found between
      sIL-2R and sCD23 levels in LPD. Our preliminary findings suggest that elevated
      serum levels of these soluble factors are not only markers of LPD but might be
      also used for other hematologic malignancies, except for MDS. Further studies
      should be designed to find out if it might be the result of an overactive immune
      system or not. 

PMID- 27265590
TI  - Congenital Agranulocytosis (Kostmann's Syndrome) and G-CSF Therapy in an Infant.
AB  - Congenital agranulocytosis (Kostmann's Syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive
      inherited disorder characterised by severe neutropenia, recurrent infections, and
      death in early life, with the bone marrow showing a maturation arrenst of myeloid
      cells at the myelocyte stage. The treatment of Kostmann's Syndrome with G-CSF
      results in rapid improvement. However, a few unexpected results with the use of G
      CSF, were reported. Here, we describe a 7-month-old female with Kostmann's
      Syndrome who had recurrent skin infections and a large pyogenic infection in the
      supravulvar region. The patient was treated with G-CSF successfully at low doses.
      The infectious process and the quality of lite of the patient improved. There was
      no adverse effect due to the dosage and the duration. Currently bone marrow
      transplantation is the best way to treat Kostmann's Syndrome. Nevertheless, our
      experience showed that G-CSF treatment in Kostmann's syndrome was highly
      effective and successfull on a short term basis. 

PMID- 27265591
TI  - Massive Intraabdominal Relapse in a Patient with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.
AB  - Abdominal involvement in an isolated extramedullary relapse region in patients
      with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a rare event, especially in patients in
      hematological remission. The literature related to this subject is very limited.
      In this study, a 23-year-old male patient, is presented who had been in remission
      for 4 years, was admitted because of an enlarged testis, and was found to have an
      abdominal bulky mass during physical examination. An early diagnosis of abdominal
      involvement is extremely important and must be kept in mind for ALL patients who
      are admitted for testicular relapse. 

PMID- 27265593
TI  - p53 Gene Polymorphisms in the Turkish Population.
AB  - There different RFLP's on the p53 gene were studied in a healthy Turkish
      population. These RFLP's were located on the exon 4 (CD 47), exon 6 (CD 213) and
      intron 6 (A-G). CD 47 (C-T) was not present. CD 213 (G) occurred very rarely with
      a frequency of 0.0114. The frequency of the Int 6 A/G a alteration was found to
      be 0.70 for "G". The heterozygosity rate was 32.72%. 

PMID- 27265592
TI  - Schistosoma mansoni Infection Following Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation.
AB  - A case of Schistosoma mansoni infection in a 28 year old male after allogeneic
      bone marrow transplantation presenting with portal hypertension and gross
      hematuria is described. Schistosomiasis was confirmed by the discovery of
      parasites in the feces, together with the failure the patient to respond to
      multiple antimicrobial and antifungal treatment. After praziquantel
      administration, toxic or septic shock syndrome evolved and the patients died of
      acute renal failure on day 39 post-transplant. In this report, we would like to
      emphasize the importance of pre-transplant stool and urine cultures, and
      appropriate serologic tests in patients coming from endemic areas. Patients
      diagnosed with schistosomiasis must be treated at least 3 to 7 weeks before
      transplantation. 

PMID- 27265594
TI  - Reoccurrence of retained placenta at a subsequent delivery: an observational
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test the generalizability of previously reported increased risk of
      reoccurrence of retained placenta in yet another setting. METHODS: In this
      observational retrospective study we longitudinally followed women who had a
      vaginal delivery complicated by a partial or complete retained placenta at Edith
      Wolfson Medical Center between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2012. The study
      group included parturient women who had a partial or complete retained placenta
      after a vaginal delivery (n = 90). The control group included parturient women
      who did not have a partial or complete retained placenta after a vaginal delivery
      from the same time period using the same inclusion criteria (n = 90). RESULTS:
      Retained partial or complete placenta at a previous delivery was found to be an
      independent risk factor for retained partial or complete placenta in a subsequent
      delivery (adjusted OR 9.8, 95%CI 1.2 to 80.6, p = 0.032) and for retained partial
      or complete placenta and/or postpartum hemorrhage in a subsequent delivery
      (adjusted OR 14.1, 95% CI 1.7 to 111.9, p = 0.012), after controlling for
      gestational age and induction of labor at previous delivery. CONCLUSION: Retained
      partial or complete placenta at an index delivery increases the risk of
      reoccurrence of retained partial or complete placenta in a subsequent delivery.

PMID- 27265596
TI  - Tumour immunology: A checkpoint for NK cells.

PMID- 27265597
TI  - The scaling of bite force and constriction pressure in kingsnakes (Lampropeltis
      getula): Proximate determinants and correlated performance.
AB  - Across the diversity of vertebrates, bite force has been studied and suggested to
      have important ecological and evolutionary consequences. However, there is a
      notable lineage of vertebrates that use this performance trait yet are missing
      from the bite-force literature: the snakes. Snakes often rely on biting during
      prey subjugation and handling. Many snakes bite and hold prey while a
      constriction coil is formed or while venom is being delivered, or both. Others
      use biting exclusively without employing any additional prey-handling behaviors.
      In addition to biting, constriction is an important predation mechanism. Here, I
      quantify bite force and constriction pressure in kingsnakes (Lampropeltis
      getula). Furthermore, I explore the proximate determinants of bite force as well
      as the relationship between biting and constriction performance. Bite force
      increased linearly with all head and body measures. Of these, head height was the
      best predictor of bite force. Bite force in kingsnakes was within the range of
      values reported for lizards, but their relative performance was lower for their
      head size compared to lizards. Peak constriction pressure also increased with all
      body measures. Biting and constricting use 2 different parts of the
      musculoskeletal system and are positively and significantly correlated with one
      another. Future work targeting a greater diversity of snakes that rely more
      heavily on biting may reveal a greater range of bite performance in this diverse
      and successful vertebrate group.

PMID- 27265598
TI  - Insights on the (Auto)Photocatalysis of Ferritin.
AB  - Traditionally, ferritin has been considered a photocatalyst capable of photo
      oxidizing organic molecules and transferring electrons to external electron
      acceptors when irradiated by UV-visible light. We have designed new approaches to
      resolve the uncertainties regarding its photocatalytical mechanism. Experiments
      with an Fe(II) chelator, an electrochromic indicator, and recombinant ferritin
      proteins indicate that the excited electrons at the conduction band of the
      ferritin core do not cross the protein shell. Instead, irradiation causes the
      electrons to reduce the ferrihydrite core to produce Fe(II) ions. These Fe(II)
      ions exit the protein shell to reduce electron acceptors. In the absence of
      electron acceptors or chelators, Fe(II) re-enters ferritin. 

PMID- 27265595
TI  - Origins of the cytolytic synapse.
AB  - Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) kill virus-infected and tumour cells with
      remarkable specificity. Upon recognition, CTLs form a cytolytic immune synapse
      with their target cell, and marked reorganization of both the actin and the
      microtubule cytoskeletons brings the centrosome up to the plasma membrane to the
      point of T cell receptor signalling. Secretory granules move towards the
      centrosome and are delivered to this focal point of secretion. Such centrosomal
      docking at the plasma membrane also occurs during ciliogenesis; indeed, striking
      similarities exist between the cytolytic synapse and the primary cilium that
      throw light on the possible origins of immune synapses.

PMID- 27265599
TI  - Purulent pericarditis with left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm.

PMID- 27265601
TI  - Extranodal Lymphoma of the Central Nervous System and Spine.
AB  - With a strong predilection for immunocompromised groups and a poorly explained
      increase in prevalence among those with normal immune status, lymphoma now
      accounts for approximately 6% of all primary brain tumors. Recent advances in
      multiagent chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapy have promoted longer-term
      survival, although a definitive cure remains elusive. Extranodal lymphoma of the
      spine is more often caused by secondary dissemination from systemic disease and
      less often the primary site of origin. This article reviews a broad spectrum of
      clinical, etiologic, and pathologic features that frequently intersect with
      common radiologic findings of this disease. 

PMID- 27265600
TI  - Pathology of Extranodal Lymphoma.
AB  - An overview of the pathology of extranodal lymphoma is presented. The emphasis of
      this presentation is on the classification system of extranodal lymphomas,
      including both B-cell and T-cell lymphomas, based on their morphology, phenotype,
      and molecular alterations. 

PMID- 27265602
TI  - Primary Extranodal Lymphoma of the Thorax.
AB  - Primary pulmonary lymphomas represent a pathologically heterogeneous group of
      disorders that often share imaging features, which include peribronchovascular
      nodules and masses or areas of nonresolving consolidation. Primary mediastinal B
      cell lymphoma is an extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma seen in younger patients that
      has imaging and pathologic features that demonstrate some degree of overlap with
      Hodgkin lymphoma. Primary lymphomas of the pleural space are rare and associated
      with concomitant viral infections. 

PMID- 27265603
TI  - Cardiac Lymphoma.
AB  - Lymphoma of the heart and pericardium may develop in up to 25% of patients with
      disseminated nodal disease, but primary cardiac lymphoma is rare. The majority
      are diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, which arise in immunocompetent older
      individuals, men twice as often as women. Subsets are found in immunocompromised
      patients, including those with HIV-AIDS or allograft recipients. Cardiac
      lymphomas tend to arise in the wall of the right heart, especially right atrium,
      with contiguous infiltration of epicardium and pericardium. Pericardial implants
      and effusions are common. The disease is often multifocal in the heart, but
      cardiac valves are usually spared. 

PMID- 27265604
TI  - Extranodal Lymphoma of the Breast.
AB  - Extranodal lymphoma represents fewer than 0.5% of all breast malignancies.
      Secondary involvement of the breast with lymphoma is more common than primary
      breast lymphoma. The most common primary breast lymphoma is B-cell lymphoma. The
      initial imaging study of choice for a woman with a new breast mass is a
      diagnostic mammogram. In younger women ultrasound is more commonly the first
      imaging modality performed. Diagnosis is made from image-guided or physical
      examination-directed needle biopsy. Treatment is different from that for breast
      cancer, in that surgery is not the mainstay. Patients with breast lymphoma are
      treated primarily with chemotherapy and radiation. 

PMID- 27265605
TI  - Pediatric Extranodal Lymphoma.
AB  - Lymphoma is the third most common pediatric neoplasm. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
      accounts for nearly half of cases and commonly involves extranodal sites.
      Compared with adults, this histologic spectrum of pediatric NHL is very narrow
      and consists of aggressive tumors. Patients typically present with widespread
      disease. Generally, NHL occurring in children includes Burkitt lymphoma,
      lymphoblastic lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and anaplastic large cell
      lymphoma. Staging and assessment of therapeutic response are usually based on FDG
      PET/CT. Due to the increased susceptibility of young patients to the effects of
      ionizing radiation, alternative methods of imaging are being explored. 

PMID- 27265606
TI  - Imaging of Extranodal Genitourinary Lymphoma.
AB  - The genitourinary (GU) system is commonly affected by disseminated lymphoma.
      Rarely, lymphoma can originate from and remain localized to one of the GU organs
      and thus presents as primary extranodal disease. Up to 40% of lymphomas present
      as extranodal disease, with only 3% having the GU system as the primary site of
      involvement. This article describes and correlates the radiologic and pathologic
      features of extranodal lymphomatous disease affecting the GU system with specific
      focus on the kidneys, adrenal glands, testicles, and ovaries. Lymphoma of the
      uterine body and cervix, external female genitalia, urinary bladder, and prostate
      gland is briefly discussed. 

PMID- 27265607
TI  - Gastrointestinal Lymphoma: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.
AB  - Extranodal lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of hematologic neoplasms that can
      affect every abdominal organ, with distinctive pathologic, radiologic, and
      clinical features. The radiologic findings are closely related to the underlying
      pathophysiology, and an understanding of these characteristic features should
      facilitate recognition of extranodal lymphoma and its various subtypes. Within
      the abdomen, lymphoma is found most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract,
      especially the stomach. This article presents the findings in gastrointestinal
      tract lymphoma. 

PMID- 27265608
TI  - Primary Musculoskeletal Lymphoma.
AB  - Primary lymphoma of bone and soft tissue is rare and almost invariably of B-cell
      origin. Osseous lymphoma usually reveals aggressive bone destruction and
      associated soft tissue extension. Soft tissue involvement is optimally depicted
      by MR imaging. Cortical destruction allowing communication between the
      intraosseous and soft tissue components may be subtle with small striations of
      extension. Lymphoma of the deep soft tissues usually reveals long cones of
      intramuscular or intermuscular tumor again best depicted by MR imaging. Cutaneous
      or subcutaneous lymphoma demonstrates multiple nodules and plaquelike thickening.

PMID- 27265609
TI  - Imaging of Extranodal Lymphoma.

PMID- 27265610
TI  - Musculoskeletal and central pain at 1 year post-stroke: associated factors and
      impact on quality of life.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pain is common in post-stroke patients and has been shown
      to be associated with depression, fatigue, and decreased quality of life (QOL).
      However, studies examining different types of post-stroke pain are scarce. We
      investigated differences in the related factors and their QOL impacts between
      musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and central post-stroke pain (CPSP). METHODS: We
      assessed 364 consecutive stroke patients who were admitted to Asan Medical Center
      and contacted 12 months after stroke onset. We categorized pain and paresthesia
      as MSP, CPSP, combined pain, or other pain. Post-stroke depression (Beck
      Depression Inventory), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), sleep disturbance
      (Verran Snyder-Halpern scale), social support (ENRICHED Social Support
      Instrument), and QOL (Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form) were assessed.
      RESULTS: Of the 364 patients analyzed, 135 (37.1%) had pain, 78 (21.4%) had MSP,
      22 (6.0%) had CPSP, 16 (4.4%) had combined pain, and 19 (5.2%) had other pain. In
      multivariate analyses, CPSP was related to modified Rankin scale (P=.004),
      sensory dysfunction (P<.001), thalamus lesion (P=.001), medulla lesion (P=.007),
      and fatigue (P=.026). MSP was related to motor dysfunction (P<.001) and fatigue
      (P=.003). QOL varied among groups with different types of pain (P<.001) and was
      the poorest in patients with combined pain. CONCLUSIONS: Pain is common 12 months
      post-stroke. The factors associated with CPSP and MSP differ, but are both
      closely associated with fatigue rather than depression. QOL is the poorest in
      patients with combined pain. Management of pain and fatigue may be important for
      improving the QOL in stroke patients.

PMID- 27265611
TI  - An Automated High-throughput Array Microscope for Cancer Cell Mechanics.
AB  - Changes in cellular mechanical properties correlate with the progression of
      metastatic cancer along the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Few high
      throughput methodologies exist that measure cell compliance, which can be used to
      understand the impact of genetic alterations or to screen the efficacy of
      chemotherapeutic agents. We have developed a novel array high-throughput
      microscope (AHTM) system that combines the convenience of the standard 96-well
      plate with the ability to image cultured cells and membrane-bound microbeads in
      twelve independently-focusing channels simultaneously, visiting all wells in
      eight steps. We use the AHTM and passive bead rheology techniques to determine
      the relative compliance of human pancreatic ductal epithelial (HPDE) cells, h
      TERT transformed HPDE cells (HPNE), and four gain-of-function constructs related
      to EMT. The AHTM found HPNE, H-ras, Myr-AKT, and Bcl2 transfected cells more
      compliant relative to controls, consistent with parallel tests using atomic force
      microscopy and invasion assays, proving the AHTM capable of screening for changes
      in mechanical phenotype.

PMID- 27265612
TI  - Hepatitis E seroprevalence and related risk factors among seafood processing
      workers: a cross-sectional survey in Shandong Province, China.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus
      (HEV) infection and the potential risk factors for acquiring HEV infection in the
      seafood processing factories in Yantai City of Shandong Province, China. METHODS:
      A cross-sectional study was conducted in five randomly selected seafood
      processing factories in Yantai City. Subjects were 15-66 years of age and were
      raw seafood processing workers, semi-finished products processing workers, and
      administrative staff, etc. Each participant completed a structured questionnaire
      and agreed to blood drawing. Anti-HEV IgG antibody was detected in the blood
      samples by ELISA method. RESULTS: A total of 1028 of 1044 eligible workers were
      tested for HEV IgG antibody (response rate 98.5%). The prevalence of HEV IgG
      seropositivity was found to be 22.20%. Occupation was significantly associated
      with anti-HEV IgG antibody seropositivity (p<0.05). Subjects who had direct
      contact with raw seafood had a higher anti-HEV IgG antibody prevalence (32.54%)
      than the semi-finished products processing workers (24.74%) and less exposed
      group (11.85%). HEV seroprevalence in the workers showed an increasing trend with
      the increase in working years, and this phenomenon was most obvious in raw
      seafood processing workers. CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher risk of HEV infection
      in those who have direct contact with raw seafood. This study will help identify
      the risk factors for HEV infection and provide guidance on controlling HEV
      infection in the seafood processing occupations.

PMID- 27265613
TI  - Oil-Soluble Polymer Brush Grafted Nanoparticles as Effective Lubricant Additives
      for Friction and Wear Reduction.
AB  - The development of high performance lubricants has been driven by increasingly
      growing industrial demands and environmental concerns. Herein, we demonstrate oil
      soluble polymer brush-grafted inorganic nanoparticles (hairy NPs) as highly
      effective lubricant additives for friction and wear reduction. A series of oil
      miscible poly(lauryl methacrylate) brush-grafted silica and titania NPs were
      synthesized by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. These
      hairy NPs showed exceptional stability in poly(alphaolefin) (PAO) base oil; no
      change in transparency was observed after being kept at -20, 22, and 100  degrees
      C for >=55 days. High-contact stress ball-on-flat reciprocating sliding
      tribological tests at 100  degrees C showed that addition of 1 wt % of hairy NPs
      into PAO led to significant reductions in coefficient of friction (up to ~40 %)
      and wear volume (up to ~90 %). The excellent lubricating properties of hairy NPs
      were further elucidated by the characterization of the tribofilm formed on the
      flat. These hairy NPs represent a new type of lubricating oil additives with high
      efficiency in friction and wear reduction.

PMID- 27265619
TI  - The role of enamel thickness and refractive index on human tooth colour.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of enamel thickness and refractive index (n)
      on tooth colour. METHODS: The colour and enamel thickness of fifteen extracted
      human central incisors were determined according to CIELab colour scale using
      spectrophotometer (Crystaleye) and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS
      OCT), respectively. Subsequently, labial enamel was trimmed by approximately
      100MUm, and the colour and remaining enamel thickness were investigated again.
      This cycle was repeated until dentin appeared. Enamel blocks were prepared from
      the same teeth and their n were obtained using SS-OCT. Multiple regression
      analysis was performed to reveal any effects of enamel thickness and n on colour
      difference (DeltaE00) and differences in colour parameters with CIELCh and CIELab
      colour scales. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed that enamel
      thickness (p=0.02) and n of enamel (p<0.001) were statistically significant
      predictors of DeltaE00 after complete enamel trimming. The n was also a
      significant predictor of DeltaH' (p=0.01). Enamel thickness and n were not
      statistically significant predictors of DeltaL', DeltaC', Deltaa* and Deltab*.
      CONCLUSIONS: Enamel affected tooth colour, in which n was a statistically
      significant predictor for tooth colour change. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
      Understanding the role of enamel in tooth colour could contribute to development
      of aesthetic restorative materials that mimic the colour of natural tooth with
      minimal reduction of the existing enamel.

PMID- 27265620
TI  - Single-Dose Basiliximab Induction in Low-Risk Renal Transplant Recipients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of a single dose of basiliximab with two
      doses in preventing acute rejection in selected low-risk renal transplant
      recipients. METHODS: This observational study of 760 kidney transplant recipients
      considered to be at low immunologic risk (peak panel reactive antibody less than
      10%) compared patient and graft outcomes following a single-dose versus a two
      dose regimen of basiliximab. MAIN RESULTS: No differences were found in patient
      survival (92% vs 92%, p=0.6), graft survival (86% vs 83%, p=0.2), acute rejection
      (cellular [4% vs 7%, p=0.2], antibody-mediated rejection [19% vs 19%, p=0.9]), or
      opportunistic infections (34% vs 30%, p=0.3) between the single versus two-dose
      regimens, respectively. In multivariate analyses, the number of doses of
      basiliximab was not associated with acute rejection or patient/graft survival
      despite adjustment with Cox regression and propensity scores. However, delayed
      graft function (DGF), donor age older than 65 years, and human leukocyte antigen
      mismatch of 3 or higher were associated with acute rejection (hazard ratio [HR]
      2.64, 1.91, and 1.57, respectively, p<=0.04), and DGF and diabetes were
      associated with death/graft loss (HR 2.56 and 1.63, respectively, p<=0.009).
      PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of basiliximab is safe and effective for
      induction in low-risk kidney transplant recipients.

PMID- 27265614
TI  - Membrane remodelling in bacteria.
AB  - In bacteria the ability to remodel membrane underpins basic cell processes such
      as growth, and more sophisticated adaptations like inter-cell crosstalk,
      organelle specialisation, and pathogenesis. Here, selected examples of membrane
      remodelling in bacteria are presented and the diverse mechanisms for inducing
      membrane fission, fusion, and curvature discussed. Compared to eukaryotes,
      relatively few curvature-inducing proteins have been characterised so far. Whilst
      it is likely that many such proteins remain to be discovered, it also reflects
      the importance of alternative membrane remodelling strategies in bacteria where
      passive mechanisms for generating curvature are utilised.

PMID- 27265621
TI  - Selective deletion of Smad4 in postnatal germ cells does not affect
      spermatogenesis or fertility in mice.
AB  - SMAD4 is the central component of canonical signaling in the transforming growth
      factor beta (TGFbeta) superfamily. Loss of Smad4 in Sertoli cells affects the
      expansion of the fetal testis cords, whereas selective deletion of Smad4 in
      Leydig cells alone does not appreciably alter fetal or adult testis development.
      Loss of Smad4 in Sertoli and Leydig cells, on the other hand, leads to testicular
      dysgenesis, and tumor formation in mice. Within the murine testes, Smad4 is also
      expressed in germ cells of the seminiferous tubules. We therefore, crossed Ngn3
      Cre or Stra8-Cre transgenic mice with Smad4-flox mice to generate conditional
      knockout animals in which Smad4 was specifically deleted in postnatal germ cells
      to further uncover cell type-specific requirement of Smad4. Unexpectedly, these
      germ-cell-knockout mice were fertile and did not exhibit any detectable
      abnormalities in spermatogenesis, indicating that Smad4 is not required for the
      production of sperm; instead, these data indicate a cell type-specific
      requirement of Smad4 primarily during testis development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83:
      615-623, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265622
TI  - Canine echinococcosis: the predominance of immature eggs in adult tapeworms of
      Echinococcus granulosus in stray dogs from Tunisia.
AB  - Canine echinococcosis is caused by the adult tapeworm of Echinococcus granulosus.
      As intermediate hosts, humans and livestock become infected following ingestion
      of eggs that are passed in the faeces of dogs. Mature eggs develop into hydatid
      cysts in different organs, leading to hydatid disease, which is a serious public
      health problem. In the present study, we investigated the proportion of mature
      eggs of E. granulosus in 140 dogs from three regions of Tunisia. The results
      showed the predominance of immature E. granulosus eggs in infected dogs and the
      occurrence of a small proportion of oncospheres. The ability of immature eggs to
      infect humans and livestock is discussed.

PMID- 27265623
TI  - Global update on the susceptibility of human influenza viruses to neuraminidase
      inhibitors, 2014-2015.
AB  - The World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres for Reference and
      Research on Influenza (WHO CCs) tested 13,312 viruses collected by WHO recognized
      National Influenza Centres between May 2014 and May 2015 to determine 50%
      inhibitory concentration (IC50) data for neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs)
      oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir and laninamivir. Ninety-four per cent of the
      viruses tested by the WHO CCs were from three WHO regions: Western Pacific, the
      Americas and Europe. Approximately 0.5% (n = 68) of viruses showed either highly
      reduced inhibition (HRI) or reduced inhibition (RI) (n = 56) against at least one
      of the four NAIs. Of the twelve viruses with HRI, six were A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses,
      three were A(H3N2) viruses and three were B/Yamagata-lineage viruses. The overall
      frequency of viruses with RI or HRI by the NAIs was lower than that observed in
      2013-14 (1.9%), but similar to the 2012-13 period (0.6%). Based on the current
      analysis, the NAIs remain an appropriate choice for the treatment and prophylaxis
      of influenza virus infections.

PMID- 27265624
TI  - High-contrast grating resonators for label-free detection of disease biomarkers.
AB  - A label-free optical biosensor is described that employs a silicon-based high
      contrast grating (HCG) resonator with a spectral linewidth of ~500 pm that is
      sensitive to ligand-induced changes in surface properties. The device is used to
      generate thermodynamic and kinetic data on surface-attached antibodies with their
      respective antigens. The device can detect serum cardiac troponin I, a biomarker
      of cardiac disease to 100 pg/ml within 4 mins, which is faster, and as sensitive
      as current enzyme-linked immuno-assays for cTnI.

PMID- 27265625
TI  - Gap junctional signaling in pattern regulation: Physiological network
      connectivity instructs growth and form.
AB  - Gap junctions (GJs) are aqueous channels that allow cells to communicate via
      physiological signals directly. The role of gap junctional connectivity in
      determining single-cell functions has long been recognized. However, GJs have
      another important role: the regulation of large-scale anatomical pattern. GJs are
      not only versatile computational elements that allow cells to control which small
      molecule signals they receive and emit, but also establish connectivity patterns
      within large groups of cells. By dynamically regulating the topology of
      bioelectric networks in vivo, GJs underlie the ability of many tissues to
      implement complex morphogenesis. Here, a review of recent data on patterning
      roles of GJs in growth of the zebrafish fin, the establishment of left-right
      patterning, the developmental dysregulation known as cancer, and the control of
      large-scale head-tail polarity, and head shape in planarian regeneration has been
      reported. A perspective in which GJs are not only molecular features functioning
      in single cells, but also enable global neural-like dynamics in non-neural
      somatic tissues has been proposed. This view suggests a rich program of future
      work which capitalizes on the rapid advances in the biophysics of GJs to exploit
      GJ-mediated global dynamics for applications in birth defects, regenerative
      medicine, and morphogenetic bioengineering. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
      Develop Neurobiol 77: 643-673, 2017.

PMID- 27265626
TI  - Hematological aspects of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
AB  - Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute tick-borne viral disease
      transmitted to humans by Hyalomma ticks or by direct contact with the blood of
      infected humans or domestic animals. In certain areas of the world, including
      Africa, Asia, South East Europe and Middle East, sporadic cases or outbreaks of
      CCHF have been reported. During the last six-year period from 2003 to 2009, CCHF
      has also occurred endemically in Turkey, particularly during spring and summer,
      with a case-fatality rate of approximately 5%. The disease is characterized by
      acute fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, myalgia, elevated liver enzymes and
      hemorrhagic manifestations ranging from mucocutaneous bleeding to life
      threatening massive hemorrhage with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
      and hemophagocytosis. As with other viral hemorrhagic diseases, activation of
      lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages and oversecretion of cytokines play a pivotal
      role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of CCHF. Recently an increasing number of
      publications on CCHF have been emerging in the literature, majority of which have
      been written by infection specialists. In this article, recent literature on CCHF
      has been reviewed, with particular emphasis on hematological manifestations,
      pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches in CCHF from the hematologist's point of
      view. 

PMID- 27265627
TI  - Cap +1 mutation; an unsuspected cause of beta thalassaemia transmission in
      Pakistan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Thalassemia is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide. Cap
      +1 mutation which causes 'silent beta thalassemia' is present around all ethnic
      groups of Pakistan. This study was designed to detect the frequency of Cap+1
      mutation in Pakistani Population. METHODS: Molecular genetic for Cap+1 beta
      thalassemic mutation was done by extracting DNA from whole blood by using Genomic
      DNA Purification Kit (Gentra system USA). Amplification Refractory Mutation
      System (ARMS) primers were designed for detection of normal and mutant DNA. Basic
      hematological parameters were performed by using automated analyzer (Sysmex KX
      21). Cellulose acetate hemoglobin electrophoresis was done by using semi
      automated technique (INTERLAB Roma Microtech Series Electrophoresis system 4.23).
      RESULTS: The frequency of Cap+1 mutation was observed 5% (10/200) in targeted
      thalassemic families (having patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia) while its
      frequency was observed 2% (12/600) in total thalassemic genes in Pakistani
      population. CONCLUSION: Cap+1 (A-C) is a silent mutation and it has very minimum
      effect on beta globin synthesis because of which it produces very less clinical
      severity and certain important laboratory diagnostic tests like basic
      hematological parameters and Hb A2 levels are also remain in normal range.
      Therefore individuals with Cap+1 mutation may produce children with beta
      thalassemia intermedia if they marry an individual with beta-thalassemia minor.
      Cap+1 (A-C) mutation is an unsuspected cause of beta thalassemia transmission in
      Pakistani population. This mutation can identify at molecular level. As this
      molecular defect is difficult to diagnose in Laboratory with routine laboratory
      tests because of that it has become a serious hindrance for thalassemia
      prevention program in Pakistan.

PMID- 27265628
TI  - Incidence of anti-heparin/platelet factor 4 antibodies and heparin-induced
      thrombocytopenia in medical patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life threatening
      complication of heparin therapy, causing thrombosis. The aim of our study was to
      find out the frequencies of HIT antibody seroconversion and clinical HIT in
      Turkish medical patients on different forms of heparins. METHODS: Our study
      included 61 patients who were on unfractionated heparin (UFH) (n: 37) and low
      molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (n: 24) therapies. The frequency of HIT antibody
      formation was determined by means of antigenic (ELISA), and functional assays
      (serotonin release assay-SRA). RESULTS: The seroconversion rates in UFH and LMWH
      groups were found to be 18.9% and 4.1% (ELISA), and 8.1% and 4.1% (SRA),
      respectively. One patient (2.1%) on UFH therapy developed deep vein thrombosis.
      No thromboembolic event was observed in patients taking LMWH. CONCLUSION:
      Seroconversion rates by means of antigenic and functional assays and clinical HIT
      were more common in patients on UFH than patients on LMWH therapy.

PMID- 27265629
TI  - Hyperbaric Oxygen: an important treatment modality in severe hemorrhagic cystitis
      after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a generally self-limited complication of
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It may occur in the early or late
      posttransplant period and can promote sometimes severe morbidity. We analyzed our
      data regarding HC in allogeneic HSCT patients in order to establish the efficacy
      of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in severe HC and to document the main problems
      during its use. METHODS: Between March 1993 and August 2006, 161 patients
      received allogeneic HSCT. Mesna, hyperhydration and forced diuresis were used as
      early HC prophylaxis of cyclophosphamide-induced HC. However, HC was diagnosed in
      49 of the 161 recipients and 17 of them were considered as severe HC. We analyzed
      their data retrospectively. RESULTS: Forced diuresis with hyperhydration (up to 8
      L/day) and transfusion support to maintain a platelet count above 30x109/L were
      sufficient in 10 of the 17 patients with severe HC. Alternative therapies used
      included intravesical irrigation with formalin and prostaglandin (PG)F2 alpha and
      HBO, and HBO appeared to be the most useful among them. CONCLUSION: We conclude
      that HBO offers a noninvasive therapeutic alternative in the management of
      intractable HC in the HSCT setting.

PMID- 27265630
TI  - The effects of low electromagnetic field and lead acetate combination on some
      hemato-biochemical and immunotoxicological parameters in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out to investigate the potential effects
      of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) and lead acetate on
      some hemato-biochemical, immune and pathologic variables in mice. METHODS: A
      total of 90 female mice were equally divided into six groups. (Gp. 1) kept as
      control, (Gp. 2) exposed to EMF of 2 millitesla (mT) intensity and 50 Hz
      frequency (4h/day) for 30 days, (Gps. 3 and 4) were administered lead acetate
      orally at doses 1 and 5 mg/kg BW, respectively for 30 days. The last 2 groups (5,
      6) were exposed to EMF- lead combination for the same period. RESULTS: EMF
      exposure induced a significant increase in RBCs (p<0.001), WBCs (p<0.01) and
      platelets (p<0.001) counts, compared to control. However, anemia and leukopenia
      were recorded with oral administration of Pb acetate. The phagocytosis % and
      phagocytic index were significantly (p<0.05) increased in mice exposed to EMF for
      30 days, but decreased (p<0.01) in the animals given the highest dose of lead.
      Comparing to unexposed mice, significant variation in biochemical parameters
      (glucose, enzymes, and protein profiles) were noticed. Combined lead and EMF
      treatments had antagonizing effect on some previous parameters, whereas mice
      given the highest dose of lead with EMF aggravated hemato-biochemical and
      pathological findings. CONCLUSION: We concluded that combined exposure to ELF-EMF
      and Pb acetate produced significant changes in the hemato-biochemical and immune
      parameters which were both real and inconsistent.

PMID- 27265631
TI  - Invasive fungal diseases in children with hematologic disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fungal infection is a significant problem, causing of infective deaths
      of leukemic patients. The situation in developing countries is not well
      documented. The purpose of this study was characterizing IFD by analyzing data
      retrospectively to determine the incidence, predisposing factors, diagnostic
      methods, efficacy of treatment, and the outcome in pediatric patients with
      hematological disorders. METHODS: There were 160 children with leukemia (22 AML,
      129 ALL) and 9 with aplastic anemia (AA). The diagnostic criteria for IFD were
      defined according to the EORTC/MSG, 2008. IFD was classified as proven or
      probable. Empiric antifungal treatment with L-AmB was commenced by day 5-7 of
      persistent fever. Patients with invasive aspergillosis (IA) who were refractory
      to primary treatment were commenced on voriconazole (VCZ). Salvage therapy as
      combination of VCZ and caspofungin was given to those with progressive infection.
      RESULTS: The incidence of IFD was found 23 (14.3%). 19 with leukemia (14 ALL, 5
      AML) and 4 with aplastic anemia were diagnosed as IFD. IA was the dominant cause
      of infection (n=17) and the rest (n: 6) had candidiasis. Ten children had
      "proven" infection and 13 children were defined as "probable". The most frequent
      site of infection was lungs. In our series, the most frequently used diagnostic
      methods were clinical findings (100%) and radiologic methods (84%). The success
      rate of treatment for candidiasis and IA were found 60%, 71% respectively. IFD
      related death rate was found 30%. CONCLUSION: IFD is still a major morbidity and
      mortality reason in children with hematologic disorders. However, the
      availability of new antifungal treatments and diagnostic tests will improve the
      survival rates in these children.

PMID- 27265632
TI  - The levels of nitric oxide in megaloblastic anemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between
      nitric oxide degradation products (nitrate and nitrite) levels and megaloblastic
      anemia which is treated with cyalocobalamin. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with
      megaloblastic anemia (16 Male, 14 Female) were included in the study.
      Cyanocobalamin was administered (1.000 ug/day intramuscularly) until the
      reticulocyte crisis occurred to the normal range. The control group consisted of
      30 healthy subjects (15 Male, 15 Female). Nitric oxide levels were measured
      before treatment and compared with the values obtained during peak reticulocyte
      count. RESULTS: Plasma direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate levels were
      24,86+/-3,87, 60.56+/-7,01 and 36,02+/-5,24 in before treatment versus 15,48+/
      3,05, 38,92+/-6,44 and 22,77+/-6,04 MUmol/dl in after treatment, respectively.
      Plasma direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate levels were significantly lower
      in after treatment compared with the before treatment (p<0.001). CONCLUSION:
      Nitric oxide levels are seen to increase in megaloblastic anemia. This study
      suggested that abnormalities in the nitric oxide levels in megaloblastic anemia
      are restored by vitamin B12 replacement therapy.

PMID- 27265633
TI  - Simultaneous occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma and nodular lymphocyte predominant
      subtype of Hodgkin's lymphoma in the same lymph node.
AB  - Many cases have been established with coexisting Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and
      classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma (C-HL) in the same lymph node. But composite
      presentation of KS and Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant subtype of Hodgkin's
      lymphoma (NLPHL) in the same lymph node has not been described yet. KS is related
      to immunodeficiency most frequently due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      infection or immunosupression by other reasons. Our case presented here was not
      related to any immunodeficiency status. Besides of being the first case of
      composite KS and NLPHL in the same lymph node, it was also unusual with the
      indolent behaviour of the NLPHL without any therapy for 8 years follow up and
      primary lymph node presentation of KS without cutaneous involvement. 

PMID- 27265634
TI  - Acute massive myelofibrosis with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Acute myelofibrosis is characterized by pancytopenia of sudden onset,
      megakaryocytic hyperplasia, extensive bone marrow fibrosis, and the absence of
      organomegaly. Acute myelofibrosis in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
      is extremely rare. We report a 4-year-old boy who was diagnosed as having acute
      massive myelofibrosis and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Performing bone marrow
      aspiration in this patient was difficult (a "dry tap"), and the diagnosis was
      established by means of a bone marrow biopsy and immunohistopathologic analysis.
      The prognostic significance of acute myelofibrosis in patients with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia is not clear. 

PMID- 27265635
TI  - Intestinal mucus accumulation in a child with acute myeloblastic leukemia.
AB  - Intestinal mucus accumulation is a very rare situation observed in some solid
      tumors, intestinal inflammation, mucosal hyperplasia, elevated intestinal
      pressure, and various other diseases. However, it has never been described in
      acute myeloblastic leukemia. The pathogenesis of intestinal mucus accumulation is
      still not clear. Here, we report a 14-year-old girl with acute myeloblastic
      leukemia and febrile neutropenia in addition to typhlitis. She was also
      immobilized due to joint contractures of the lower extremities and had intestinal
      mucus accumulation, which was, at first, misdiagnosed as intestinal parasitosis.
      We speculate that typhlitis, immobilization and decreased intestinal motility due
      to usage of antiemetic drugs might have been the potential etiologic factors in
      this case. However, its impact on prognosis of the primary disease is unknown. 

PMID- 27265636
TI  - Recurrent bruising of lower eyelids: a presenting symptom of neuroblastoma in a
      child.

PMID- 27265637
TI  - Treatment of primary myelofibrosis.

PMID- 27265638
TI  - Megadose methylprednisolone for granulocytic sarcoma.

PMID- 27265639
TI  - Premarital screening in Mugla Region of Turkey.

PMID- 27265640
TI  - Chemotherapeutic trial for acute leukemia in Iraq.

PMID- 27265643
TI  - Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Solution for the Young, Inoperable and
      Regurgitant.
AB  - Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an established treatment
      for patients with severe aortic stenosis and high surgical risk. Ten years of
      technological advances in valve structure and delivery systems alongside growing
      operator and centre experience has opened TAVR implantation to an increasingly
      broad range of patients. The extension to off-label use however needs careful
      consideration and monitoring. Through discussion of our case involving an
      inoperable 24-year-old male with severe aortic regurgitation (AR), we highlight
      the need for an experienced and multidisciplinary team, together with early and
      extensive patient and family disclosure and engagement, prior to considering any
      off-label application of TAVR. 

PMID- 27265642
TI  - Novel Proton Conducting Solid Bio-polymer Electrolytes Based on Carboxymethyl
      Cellulose Doped with Oleic Acid and Plasticized with Glycerol.
AB  - The plasticized solid bio-polymer electrolytes (SBEs) system has been formed by
      introducing glycerol (Gly) as the plasticizer into the carboxymethyl cellulose
      (CMC) doped with oleic acid (OA) via solution casting techniques. The ionic
      conductivity of the plasticized SBEs has been studied using Electrical Impedance
      Spectroscopy. The highest conductivity achieved is 1.64 * 10(-4) S cm(-1) for
      system containing 40 wt. % of glycerol. FTIR deconvolution technique had shown
      that the conductivity of CMC-OA-Gly SBEs is primarily influenced by the number
      density of mobile ions. Transference number measurement has shown that the cation
      diffusion coefficient and ionic mobility is higher than anion which proved the
      plasticized polymer system is a proton conductor.

PMID- 27265644
TI  - Myocardial Infarction in the "Young": Risk Factors, Presentation, Management and
      Prognosis.
AB  - Myocardial infarction (MI) in the "young" is a significant problem, however there
      is scarcity of data on premature coronary heart disease (CHD) and MI in the
      "young". This may lead to under-appreciation of important differences that exist
      between "young" MI patients versus an older cohort. Traditional differences
      described in the risk factor profile of younger MI compared to older patients
      include a higher prevalence of smoking, family history of premature CHD and male
      gender. Recently, other potentially important differences have been described.
      Most "young" MI patients will present with non-ST elevation MI but the proportion
      presenting with ST-elevation MI is increasing. Coronary angiography usually
      reveals less extensive disease in "young" MI patients, which has implications for
      management. Short-term prognosis of "young" MI patients is better than for older
      patients, however contemporary data raises concerns regarding longer-term
      outcomes, particularly in those with reduced left ventricular systolic function.
      Here we review the differences in rate, risk factor profile, presentation,
      management and prognosis between "young" and older MI patients. 

PMID- 27265641
TI  - Dynamic Changes in High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Are Associated with
      Dynamic Changes in Sum Absolute QRST Integral on Surface Electrocardiogram in
      Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A three-dimensional electrocardiographic (ECG) metric, the sum
      absolute QRST integral (SAI QRST), predicts ventricular arrhythmias in heart
      failure (HF) patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator and mechanical
      response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. We hypothesized that there is an
      association between patient-specific changes in SAI QRST and myocardial injury as
      measured by high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI). METHODS: Sum absolute integral
      QRST on resting 12-lead ECG and hsTnI were measured simultaneously, every 3
      hours, and during 12-hour observation period in a prospective cohort of emergency
      department patients (n = 398; mean age 57.8 +/- 13.2 years; 54% female, 64%
      black), diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS, n = 28), acutely
      decompensated HF (acute decompensated heart failure, n = 35), cardiac non-ACS (n
      = 19), or noncardiac condition (n = 316). Random-effects linear regression
      analysis assessed the association of SAI QRST and myocardial injury, with
      adjustment for demographics (age, sex, race), prevalent cardiovascular disease
      (myocardial infarction, history of revascularization, stroke, and HF), risk
      factors (diabetes, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and cocaine use),
      and left bundle branch block. RESULTS: Within the entire cohort, SAI QRST
      decreased by 3 (95%CI -5 to -1) mV*ms every 3 hours. A 10-fold increase in hsTnI
      was associated with a 7.7 (0.6-14.9) mV*ms increase in SAI QRST. In the subgroup
      of acutely decompensated HF patients (n = 35), a 10-fold increase in hsTnI was
      associated with a 61.0 (5.9-116.1) mV*ms increase in SAI QRST. CONCLUSION:
      Patient-specific time-varying changes in the surface ECG scalar measure of global
      electrical heterogeneity, as measured by SAI QRST, and in myocardial injury as
      measured by hsTnI, are independently and directly associated with each other,
      likely reflecting a common underlying mechanism.

PMID- 27265646
TI  - Impact by Citations and Downloads: What are Heart, Lung and Circulation's Top 25
      Articles of All Time?

PMID- 27265645
TI  - Routine Use of Fluoroscopic-Guided Femoral Arterial Puncture to Minimise Vascular
      Complication Rates in CTO Intervention: Multi-centre UK Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularisation has a crucial role in
      contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Procedural success is
      influenced by disease complexity, calcific burden and patient characteristics but
      has substantially improved with the implementation of novel hybrid strategies.
      However, vascular-access related complications remain a cause of morbidity and
      mortality. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of fluoroscopic-guided
      femoral arterial puncture to minimise this risk during CTO PCI. METHODS:
      Standardised data were retrospectively collected from four high-volume UK CTO
      centres between September 2011 and November 2013. Demographic, clinical and
      procedural data (vascular access site, sheath size, anticoagulation use) was
      collated. The anatomical location of the femoral puncture in relation to the
      femoral bifurcation, femoral head position and inferior epigastric artery were
      recorded. Adverse events related to vascular access were documented. RESULTS: A
      total of 528 patients were included (676 femoral punctures) with the majority
      being male (n=432, 81.8%). Large sheaths (8F) were used in 81.2% of cases.
      Fluoroscopy-enabled punctures were made in the 'safe zone' in over > 93% of
      cases. Vascular closure devices (VCD) were used in 88.3% of cases. The adverse
      event rate per puncture was 0.89%. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates an
      extremely low incidence of vascular-access complications in CTO PCI when
      fluoroscopic guidance is used to obtain femoral arterial access by default radial
      operators.

PMID- 27265647
TI  - Long-Term Effectiveness of the Pedicled Buccal Fat Pad in the Closure of a Large
      Oroantral Fistula.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of the pedicled buccal
      fat pad (BFP) in the closure of a large oroantral fistula (OAF). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with OAFs larger than 5 mm were treated
      with a pedicled BFP. They were followed clinically and radiographically for 10
      years after surgery to monitor the durability and effectiveness of the pedicled
      BFP in the closure of the OAF. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in all
      patients. The healing process was satisfactory, with no breakdown or liquefaction
      necrosis postoperatively. No complications were observed during the follow-up
      period. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the view that the use of
      the pedicled BFP is a durable, straightforward, convenient, and reliable method
      for the treatment of a large OAF.

PMID- 27265648
TI  - Who is innocent in authorship misconduct?

PMID- 27265649
TI  - Systematics of the Artiodactyla of China in the 21(st) century.
AB  - In this paper, I have introduced the concept of the Evolutionary Species, and
      shown how it affects the taxonomy of the Artiodactyla of China. The "traditional"
      taxonomy of the Artiodactyla, which has remained almost unchanged for 100 years,
      relies on ill-formulated notions of species and subspecies, only slightly
      modified by the population-thinking of the 1930s. Species are populations (or
      metapopulations) differentiated by the possession of fixed heritable differences
      from other such populations (or metapopulations). In the Artiodactyla, there are
      many more species than "traditionally" recognised; this is by no means a
      drawback, as it enables the units of biodiversity to be identified in a testable
      fashion, and brings the taxonomy of large mammals into line with that long
      practised for small mammals. Species are likely to differentiate where there are
      natural gaps in the distribution of a genus, such as mountain blocks (for example
      in the genus Budorcas) or otherwise dissected habitat (for example in the genus
      Cervus). Natural hybridisation between distinct species is not an uncommon
      phenomenon, again illustrated well in the genus Cervus, where hybridisation
      between the elaphus and nippon groups occurs today and evidently occurred in the
      past, as shown by the distribution of mtDNA. 

PMID- 27265650
TI  - Comparative transcriptome analysis on the alteration of gene expression in ayu
      (Plecoglossus altivelis) larvae associated with salinity change.
AB  - Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) fish, which are an amphidromous species distributed
      in East Asia, live in brackish water (BW) during their larval stage and in fresh
      water (FW) during their adult stage. In this study, we found that FW-acclimated
      ayu larvae exhibited a slower growth ratio compared with that of BW-acclimated
      larvae. However, the mechanism underlying FW acclimation on growth suppression is
      poorly known. We employed transcriptome analysis to investigate the differential
      gene expression of FW acclimation by RNA sequencing. We identified 158
      upregulated and 139 downregulated transcripts in FW-acclimated ayu larvae
      compared with that in BW-acclimated larvae. As determined by Gene Ontology
      annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway mapping,
      functional annotation of the genes covered diverse biological functions and
      processes, and included neuroendocrinology, osmotic regulation, energy
      metabolism, and the cytoskeleton. Transcriptional expression of several
      differentially expressed genes in response to FW acclimation was further
      confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. In accordance with transcriptome
      analysis, iodothyronine deiodinase (ID), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), betaine
      homocysteine S-methyltransferase 1(BHMT), fructose-bisphosphate aldolase B
      (aldolase B), tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), and Na(+)-K(+) ATPase (NKA) were
      upregulated after FW acclimation. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of b-type
      natriuretic peptide (BNP) and transgelin were downregulated after FW acclimation.
      Our data indicate that FW acclimation reduced the growth rate of ayu larvae,
      which might result from the expression alteration of genes related to endocrine
      hormones, energy metabolism, and direct osmoregulation. 

PMID- 27265651
TI  - Expression analysis of eight amphioxus genes involved in the Wnt/beta-catenin
      signaling pathway.
AB  - The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the embryonic
      development of metazoans. Although the pathway has been studied extensively in
      many model animals, its function in amphioxus, the most primitive chordate,
      remains largely uncharacterized. To obtain basic data for functional analysis, we
      identified and isolated seven genes (Lrp5/6, Dvl, APC, CkIalpha, CkIdelta,
      Gsk3beta, and Gro) of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway from the amphioxus
      (Branchiostoma floridae) genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that amphioxus
      had fewer members of each gene family than that found in vertebrates. Whole-mount
      in situ hybridization showed that the genes were maternally expressed and broadly
      distributed throughout the whole embryo at the cleavage and blastula stages.
      Among them, Dvl was expressed asymmetrically towards the animal pole, while the
      others were evenly distributed in all blastomeres. At the mid-gastrula stage, the
      genes were specifically expressed in the primitive endomesoderm, but displayed
      different patterns. When the embryo developed into the neurula stage, the gene
      expressions were mainly detected in either paraxial somites or the tail bud. With
      the development of the embryo, the expression levels further decreased gradually
      and remained only in some pharyngeal regions or the tail bud at the larva stage.
      Our results suggest that the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway might be involved in
      amphioxus somite formation and posterior growth, but not in endomesoderm
      specification. 

PMID- 27265652
TI  - Expression levels of GSTA2 and APOD genes might be associated with carotenoid
      coloration in golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) plumage.
AB  - Carotenoids, which generate yellow, orange, and red colors, are crucial pigments
      in avian plumage. Investigations into genes associated with carotenoidbased
      coloration in avian species are important; however, such research is difficult
      because carotenoids cannot be synthetized in vertebrates as they are only derived
      from dietary sources. Here, the golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) was used as
      a model in analysis of candidate gene expression profiles implicated in
      carotenoid binding and deposition. Using mass and Raman spectrometry to confirm
      the presence of carotenoids in golden pheasant feathers, we found C40H54O and
      C40H56O2 in feathers with yellow to red colors, and in the rachis of iridescent
      feathers. The global gene expression profiles in golden pheasant skins were
      analyzed by RNA-seq and all six carotenoid binding candidate genes sequenced were
      studied by realtime PCR. StAR4, GSTA2, Scarb1, and APOD in feather follicles
      showed different expressions in red breast and orange nape feathers compared with
      that of iridescent mantle feathers. Further comparison of golden pheasant yellow
      rump and Lady Amherst's pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae) white nape feathers
      suggested that GSTA2 and APOD played a potential role in carotenoid-based
      coloration in golden pheasant. 

PMID- 27265654
TI  - Conservation education and habitat restoration for the endangered Sagalla
      caecilian (Boulengerula niedeni) in Sagalla Hill, Kenya.
AB  - The Sagalla caecilian (Boulengerula niedeni) is an endangered amphibian endemic
      to Sagalla Hill in the Taita Hills. This burrowing worm-like species prefers soft
      soil with high moisture and organic matter. The major threats to the Sagalla
      caecilian are soil erosion caused by steep slopes, bare ground and water
      siphoning/soil hardening from exotic eucalyptus trees. The purpose of this study
      was to get a better understanding of the local people's attitude towards this
      species and how they can contribute to its continued conservation through
      restoration of its remaining habitat. In this study, it was found that 96% of
      Sagalla people are aware of the species, its habits and its association with
      soils high in organic matter. It was also found that 96% of Sagalla people use
      organic manure from cow dung in their farms. Habitat restoration through planting
      of indigenous plants was found to be ongoing, especially on compounds of public
      institutions as well as on private lands. Although drought was found to be a
      challenge for seedlings development especially on the low elevation sites,
      destruction by livestock especially during the dry season is also a major threat.
      In this study, it was recommended that any future habitat restoration initiative
      should include strong chain-link fencing to protect the seedlings from livestock
      activity. Recognizing that the preferred habitats for the species are in the
      valleys, systematic planting of keystone plant species such as fig trees (Ficus)
      creates the best microhabitats. These are better than general woodlots of
      indigenous trees. 

PMID- 27265653
TI  - Effects of forest fragmentation on nocturnal Asian birds: A case study from
      Xishuangbanna, China.
AB  - Owls have the potential to be keystone species for conservation in fragmented
      landscapes, as the absence of these predators could profoundly change community
      structure. Yet few studies have examined how whole communities of owls respond to
      fragmentation, especially in the tropics. When evaluating the effect of factors
      related to fragmentation, such as fragment area and distance to the edge, on
      these birds, it is also important in heterogeneous landscapes to ask how
      'location factors' such as the topography, vegetation and soil of the fragment
      predict their persistence. In Xishuangbanna, southwest China, we established 43
      transects (200 m*60 m) within 20 forest fragments to sample nocturnal birds, both
      visually and aurally. We used a multimodel inference approach to identify the
      factors that influence owl species richness, and generalized linear mixed models
      to predict the occurrence probabilities of each species. We found that
      fragmentation factors dominated location factors, with larger fragments having
      more species, and four of eight species were significantly more likely to occur
      in large fragments. Given the potential importance of these birds on regulating
      small mammal and other animal populations, and thus indirectly affecting seed
      dispersal, we suggest further protection of large fragments and programs to
      increase their connectivity to the remaining smaller fragments. 

PMID- 27265655
TI  - Interspecific variation of thermoregulation between small migratory and resident
      passerines in Wenzhou.
AB  - Physiological adaptation arises from several fundamental sources of phenotypic
      variation. Most analyses of metabolic adaptation in birds have focused on the
      basal metabolic rate (BMR), the lower limit of avian metabolic heat production.
      In this study, we investigated thermoregulation in three passerine species; the
      yellow-billed grosbeak Eophona migratoria, white-rumped munia Lonchura striata
      and black-throated bushtit Aegithalos concinnus, in Wenzhou, China. Metabolic
      rate was measured using the closed-circuit respirometer containing 3.5 L animal
      chambers. Body temperature (Tb) was measured during metabolic measurements using
      a lubricated thermocouple. The minimum thermal conductance of these species was
      calculated by measuring their Tb and metabolic rates. The yellow-billed grosbeak
      remained largely normothermic, and the white-rumped munia and black-throated
      bushtit exhibited variable Tb at ambient temperatures (Ta). Mean metabolic rates
      within thermal neutral zone were 2.48+/-0.09 O2(mL)/g/h for yellow-billed
      grosbeaks, 3.44+/-0.16 O2(mL)/g/h for white-rumped munias, and 3.55+/-0.20
      O2(mL)/g/h for black-throated bushtits, respectively. Minimum thermal conductance
      of yellow-billed grosbeak, white-rumped munia and black-throated bushtit were
      0.13+/-0.00, 0.36+/-0.01, and 0.37+/-0.01 O2(mL)/g/h/C, respectively. The
      ecophysiological characteristics of these species were:(1) the yellowbilled
      grosbeak had relatively high Tb and BMR, a low lower critical temperature and
      thermal conductance, and a metabolic rate that was relatively insensitive to
      variation in Ta; all of which are typical of cold adapted species and explain its
      broader geographic distribution; (2) the white-rumped munia and blackthroated
      bushtit had high thermal conductance, lower critical temperature, and relatively
      low BMR, all which are adapted to warm environments where there is little
      selection pressure for metabolic thermogenesis. Taken together, these data
      illustrate small migratory and resident passerines that exhibit the different
      characteristics of thermoregulation. 

PMID- 27265656
TI  - Morphology and molecular phylogeny of two colepid species from China, Coleps
      amphacanthus Ehrenberg, 1833 and Levicoleps biwae jejuensis Chen et al., 2016
      (Ciliophora, Prostomatida).
AB  - Two colepid ciliates, Coleps amphacanthus Ehrenberg, 1833 and Levicoleps biwae
      jejuensis Chen et al., 2016, were first recorded in China. Their living
      morphology, infraciliature and small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences were
      determined using standard methods. The improved diagnosis of Coleps amphacanthus
      is as follows:cell size about 100*50 MUm in vivo, barrel-shaped; 22-28 ciliary
      rows each composed of about 14-21 monokinetids and two perioral dikinetids; 5-10
      caudal cilia; and one terminal contractile vacuole. Levicoleps biwae jejuensis
      was also investigated, with an improved diagnosis given based on previous and
      present work. The phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequences revealed
      that all Coleps species were grouped together, except for Coleps amphacanthus,
      which was grouped into a clade of the genus Levicoleps. 

PMID- 27265658
TI  - Recent advances in diagnosis, prognosis and biology of small B cell lymphomas.

PMID- 27265657
TI  - Range extension of Lepidocephalichthys alkaia (Teleostei: Cobitidae) and notes on
      its sexual dimorphism.
AB  - The natural distributional range of the cobitid loach Lepidocephalichthys alkaia
      is extended into Yunnan Province, China. The modified sexually dimorphic pectoral
      fin in males of L. alkaia is described. 

PMID- 27265659
TI  - Effects of sub-acute exposure to magnetic field on blood hematological and
      biochemical parameters in female rats.
AB  - The present work was undertaken in order to investigate the effects of magnetic
      field (MF) on hematopoiesis and fuel metabolites in female rats. At
      thermoneutrality (25 degrees C), the exposition of rats 1 hour/day for 10
      consecutive days to a MF of 128 mT (m Tesla) induced an increase in hematocrit
      and hemoglobin compared to controls. Exposure to MF also induced an increase in
      blood glucose levels but had no effect on triglyceride concentrations. Moreover,
      serum alanine aminotransferase activity remained unchanged in treated rats, while
      aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities increased by
      about 22% and 33%, respectively, following MF exposure. It was concluded that sub
      acute exposure to MF induced elevations in hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma fuel
      metabolites and tissue enzymes release within the blood. KEY WORDS: Magnetic
      field, hematology, glucose, triglycerides, plasma enzymes, rat.

PMID- 27265660
TI  - Retrospective analysis of results of short-term low dose interferon-alpha-2b
      combined with PUVA in the treatment of early stage mycosis fungoides.
AB  - Early-stage mycosis fungoides (MF) can be treated with different regimens such as
      oral photo-chemotherapy (Psoralen and UVA-PUVA). There have been some studies
      showing the effectiveness of combination of interferon (IFN) with PUVA. In this
      study, we aimed to evaluate retrospectively the patients with early-stage MF
      treated with IFN + PUVA. Six patients with the diagnosis of early stage (Ia-IIa)
      MF between June 2003 and May 2005 were enrolled in this study. IFN combined with
      PUVA was started and followed by IFN maintenance in complete response (CR)
      patients. Patients achieving CR were followed up at monthly intervals until
      relapse. Interferon-alpha-2b was administered at a dose of 3 MU 3 times a week
      and PUVA was applied 3 times a week. There were 4 female and 2 male patients,
      aged 32-75 years (mean 54.3 years). Four patients were at stage Ia, one patient
      at Ib and one patient at stage IIa according to TNM staging. Four of 6 patients
      (66%) achieved CR and 2 of 6 (33%) achieved partial response (PR). No grade 3-4
      side effects due to IFN were detected, and no progression was observed during the
      treatment. All patients have been under treatment as planned. Low dose of IFN
      alpha-2b plus PUVA was found to be successful in achieving excellent clinical
      responses in patients with early-stage MF. This treatment modality was very well
      tolerated. 

PMID- 27265661
TI  - Results of treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome with
      etoposide, thioguanine, cytarabine (ETC) in elderly patients.
AB  - Treatment in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and
      myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) remains controversial, and results have been poor
      with most regimens. In order to study the efficacy of a new regimen in the
      treatment of these diseases in elderly patients assessed as not tolerating full
      scale anthracycline-containing intensive chemotherapy, 14 patients over 60 years
      were enrolled in our study. The median age was 69 years, range 60-85 years. Eight
      patients had MDS (one transformed to AML) and six had AML. Anthracycline-lacking
      therapy (ETC) consisted of etoposide 120 mg/m2 and thioguanine 100 mg/m2 p.o.
      twice daily on days 1-5 and cytarabine (araC) 40 mg/m2 s.c. on day 1. The
      preliminary results were as follows: 7 of the 14 patients (50%) achieved complete
      remission. The median survival was 10 months. Days spent at hospital were 28.
      Neutropenia was observed for 11 days and thrombocytopenia for 15 days. No severe
      infection was detected. Early death was observed in 2 (14%) of the patients. In
      conclusion, this novel treatment with a complete response of 50% appears to be a
      simple, safe, cost-effective form of therapy for elderly patients. 

PMID- 27265662
TI  - Prothrombin G20210A and A19911G mutations in Turkish pediatric stroke patients.
AB  - Effects of PT A19911G polymorphism in Turkish pediatric stroke patients were
      investigated. The case-control study included 107 patients with cerebral infarct
      and 83 healthy unrelated controls. Distribution of PT A19911G and data on the
      combined effect of PT 19911G and PT 20210A alleles do not indicate that they
      constitute a risk in this group of patients. 

PMID- 27265663
TI  - Hepatitis B&C virus infection in cases of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Saudi Arabia.
AB  - We followed 565 male patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in two hospitals
      of Saudi Arabia. We investigated these cases for presence of hepatitis B virus
      (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by determining the HBsAg and anti-HCV. Anti-HCV
      positive cases were confirmed by PCR. The NHL cases were classified on the basis
      of working formulation. The results of HBV and HCV in cases of NHL were compared
      with the prevalence of these viruses in healthy male blood donors. We found 11.2%
      of cases of NHL were positive for HBV and 16.1% for HCV, compared to 3.4% HBV and
      2.9% HCV among blood donors. The highest numbers of cases (48.4% of HBV and 56%
      of HCV) were seen in the intermediate and low grade of NHL, respectively.
      Follicular small cleaved was the predominant type in both types of infection. The
      variation in prevalence of HBV and HCV in NHL from that of the general population
      was statistically significant (p<0.001). We observed that the background
      prevalence of HBV definitely affects the rate of infection in NHL, while
      infection of HCV in cases of NHL is independent of its background prevalence. 

PMID- 27265664
TI  - Complete heart block in a neutropenic patient with invasive aspergillosis.
AB  - A patient with leukemia who developed complete heart block after the diagnosis of
      pulmonary aspergillosis is reported. The patient had probable invasive pulmonary
      aspergillosis with a sudden tachypnea, dyspnea, fever, bilateral pulmonary
      infiltrates and acute respiratory insufficiency after chemotherapy. On the sixth
      day of antifungal therapy, she developed complete atrioventricular block.
      Complete heart block has not been reported during liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB)
      therapy. Local or hematogenous involvement of the myocardium with aspergillosis
      may be the most likely explanation of the complete heart block. 

PMID- 27265665
TI  - Simultaneous occurrence of multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Multiple myeloma and acute leukemia may sometimes occur in the same patient,
      usually in patients with myeloma who receive chemotherapy and subsequently
      develop acute leukemia. However, simultaneous occurrence of myeloma and acute
      leukemia on presentation is rare, with only a handful of such cases reported in
      the literature. 

PMID- 27265666
TI  - Images in hematology.

PMID- 27265667
TI  - Hemoglobinopathies in Turkey.

PMID- 27265668
TI  - NMR absolute shielding scale and nuclear magnetic dipole moment of (207)Pb.
AB  - An absolute shielding scale is proposed for (207)Pb nuclear magnetic resonance
      (NMR) spectroscopy. It is based on ab initio calculations performed on an
      isolated tetramethyllead Pb(CH3)4 molecule and the assignment of the experimental
      resonance frequency from the gas-phase NMR spectra of Pb(CH3)4, extrapolated to
      zero density of the buffer gas to obtain the result for an isolated molecule. The
      computed (207)Pb shielding constant is 10 790 ppm for the isolated molecule,
      leading to a shielding of 10799.7 ppm for liquid Pb(CH3)4 which is the accepted
      reference standard for (207)Pb NMR spectra. The new experimental and theoretical
      data are used to determine MU((207)Pb), the nuclear magnetic dipole moment of
      (207)Pb, by applying the standard relationship between NMR frequencies, shielding
      constants and nuclear moments of two nuclei in the same external magnetic field.
      Using the gas-phase (207)Pb and (reference) proton results and the theoretical
      value of the Pb shielding in Pb(CH3)4, we find MU((207)Pb) = 0.59064 MUN. The
      analysis of new experimental and theoretical data obtained for the Pb(2+) ion in
      water solutions provides similar values of MU((207)Pb), in the range of 0.59000
      0.59131 MUN. 

PMID- 27265669
TI  - An isoflavone cladrin prevents high-fat diet-induced bone loss and inhibits the
      expression of adipogenic gene regulators in 3T3-L1 adipocyte.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effect of isoflavone cladrin on high-fat diet
      (HFD)-induced bone loss and adipogenesis. METHODS: Thirty-two 4-week-old male
      C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: a standard diet group, a HFD group
      and HFD group with cladrin (5 and 10 mg/kg per day orally) for 12 weeks. The
      effect of cladrin on bone micro-architecture, bone marrow cell lineages and
      hyperlipidaemia were assessed. For assessing anti-adipogenic activity of cladrin,
      3T3-L1 cells were used. KEY FINDINGS: Cladrin attenuated HFD-induced
      hyperlipidaemia and bone loss by preserving bone micro-architecture and strength.
      Effect of cladrin was found at the level of bone marrow progenitor cells. Gene
      expression profile of cladrin-treated mice bone showed upregulation of osteoblast
      and downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors and increased OPG/RANKL
      ratio. Cladrin inhibited cellular lipid accumulation through downregulation of
      transcription factors such as PPAR-gamma and C/EBP-alpha and modulated the
      expression of major adipokines involved behind obesity stimulation without
      eliciting cell cytotoxicity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CONCLUSION: We conclude that
      cladrin may improve obesity-induced bone loss and hyperlipidaemia in mice fed HFD
      and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells by modifying adipokines and could offer clinical
      benefits as a supplement to treat obesity-induced disorders.

PMID- 27265670
TI  - Sustaining a Global Social Network: a quasi-experimental study.
AB  - AIM: To examine the longer term impact on the social network of participating
      nurses in the Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI2013) through using
      differing frequencies of follow-up to assess impact on maintenance of network
      cohesion. BACKGROUND: Social network analysis is increasingly been used by nurse
      researchers, however, studies tend to use single point-in-time descriptive
      methods. METHOD: This study utilizes a repeated measures, block group, control
      intervention, quasi-experimental design. Twenty-eight nurse leaders,
      competitively selected through a double-blind peer review process, were allocated
      to five action learning-based learning groups. Network architecture, measures of
      cohesion and node degree frequency were all used to assess programme impact.
      RESULTS: The programme initiated and sustained connections between nurse leaders
      drawn from a geographically dispersed heterogeneous group. Modest inputs of two
      to three e-mails over a 6-month period seem sufficient to maintain connectivity
      as indicated by measures of network density, diameter and path length.
      LIMITATIONS: Due to the teaching methodology used, the study sample was
      relatively small and the follow-up data collection took place after a relatively
      short time. Replication and further cohort data collection would be advantageous.
      CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS: In an era where many policy solutions are
      being debated and initiated at the global level, action learning leadership
      development that utilizes new technology follow-up appears to show significant
      impact and is worthy of wider application. The approach warrants further inquiry
      and testing as to its longer term effects on nursing's influence on policy
      formulation and implementation.

PMID- 27265671
TI  - Estimation of bladder contractility from intravesical pressure-volume
      measurements.
AB  - AIMS: To describe parameters from urodynamic pressure recordings that describe
      urinary bladder contractility through the use of principles of muscle mechanics.
      METHODS: Subtracted detrusor pressure and voided flow were recorded from patients
      undergoing filling cystometry. The isovolumetric increase of detrusor pressure,
      P, of a voluntary bladder contraction before voiding was used to generate a plot
      of (dP/dt)/P versus P. Extrapolation of the plot to the y-axis and the x-axis
      generated a contractility parameter, vCE (the maximum rate of pressure
      development) and the maximum isovolumetric pressure, P0 , respectively. Similar
      curves were obtained in ex vivo pig bladders with different concentrations of the
      inotropic agent carbachol and shown in a supplement. RESULTS: Values of vCE , but
      not P0 , diminished with age in female subjects. vCE was most significantly
      associated with the 20-80% duration of isovolumetric contraction t20-80 ; and a
      weaker association with maximum flow rate and BCI in women. P0 was not associated
      with any urodynamic variable in women, but in men was with t20-80 and
      isovolumetric pressure indices. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of isovolumetric subtracted
      detrusor pressure (t20-80 ) increase shows a very significant association with
      indices of bladder contractility as derived from a derived force-velocity curve.
      We propose that t20-80 is a detrusor contractility parameter (DCP). Neurourol.
      Urodynam. 36:1009-1014, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265672
TI  - Right Ventricular Function After Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Primary
      Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (from the Glycometabolic Intervention as
      Adjunct to Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST-Segment Elevation
      Myocardial Infarction III Trial).
AB  - Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a powerful risk marker after acute
      myocardial infarction (MI). Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has
      markedly reduced myocardial damage of the left ventricle, but reliable data on RV
      damage using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are scarce. In a recent
      trial of patients with acute MI treated with primary PCI, in which the primary
      end point was left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction after 4 months measured
      with MRI, we conducted a prospectively defined substudy in which we examined RV
      function. RV ejection fraction (RVEF) and RV scar size were measured with MRI at
      4 months. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV free wall
      longitudinal strain (FWLS) were assessed using echocardiography before discharge
      and at 4 months. We studied 258 patients without diabetes mellitus; their mean
      age was 58 +/- 11 years, 79% men and mean LV ejection fraction was 54 +/- 8%.
      Before discharge, 5.2% of patients had TAPSE <17 mm, 32% had FWLS > -20% and 11%
      had FWLS > -15%. During 4 months, TAPSE increased from 22.8 +/- 3.6 to 25.1 +/-
      3.9 mm (p <0.001) and FWLS increased from -22.6 +/- 5.8 to -25.9 +/- 4.7% (p
      <0.001). After 4 months, mean RVEF on MRI was 64.1 +/- 5.2% and RV scar was
      detected in 5 patients (2%). There was no correlation between LV scar size and
      RVEF (p = 0.9), TAPSE (p = 0.1), or RV FWLS (p = 0.9). In conclusion, RV
      dysfunction is reversible in most patients and permanent RV ischemic injury is
      very uncommon 4 months after acute MI treated with primary PCI.

PMID- 27265673
TI  - Meta-Analysis of Usefulness of Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Devices for
      High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.
AB  - High-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often offered to patients
      with extensive coronary artery disease, decreased left ventricular function, and
      co-morbid conditions that increase surgical risk. In these settings, percutaneous
      left ventricular assist devices (PVADs) can be used for hemodynamic support. To
      assess the effects of PVAD use on mortality, myocardial infarction, and
      complication rates in patients undergoing high-risk PCI, we systematically
      searched the electronic databases, MEDLINE, PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane for
      prospective controlled trials and cohort studies of patients that received
      hemodynamic support with PVADs for high-risk PCI. The primary outcome measures
      were 30-day all-cause mortality, 30-day myocardial infarction rates,
      periprocedural major bleeding, and vascular complications. We included 12 studies
      with 1,346 participants who underwent Impella 2.5 L device placement and 8 cohort
      studies with 205 patients that received TandemHeart device for high-risk PCI.
      Short-term mortality rates were 3.5% and 8% and major bleeding rates were 7.1%
      and 3.6% with Impella and TandemHeart, respectively. Both devices are associated
      with comparable periprocedural outcomes in patients undergoing high-risk PCI. 

PMID- 27265675
TI  - Prognostic Implications of Elevated Pulmonary Artery Pressure After ST-Segment
      Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - Elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) after ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been associated with adverse outcome. However,
      little is known about the development of increased SPAP after STEMI treated with
      primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The aims of this study were to
      investigate the incidence and determinants of elevated SPAP (SPAP >=36 mm Hg at
      12 months) after first STEMI and to analyze its prognostic implications. A total
      of 705 patients (60 +/- 12 years; 75% men; left ventricular ejection fraction
      [LVEF] 47 +/- 9%) with first STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention were evaluated. Two-dimensional echocardiography was available at
      baseline and 12-month follow-up. Data on all-cause mortality were collected at
      long-term follow-up. Incident elevated SPAP was present in 5% (n = 38) of
      patients. Patients with incident elevated SPAP were older (66 +/- 12 vs 60 +/- 11
      years, p = 0.001), had more systemic hypertension (58% vs 30%, p <0.001) and
      lower LVEF (43 +/- 9% vs 48 +/- 8%, p <0.001) than their counterparts. Left
      atrial volume was larger (23 +/- 11 vs 18 +/- 6 ml/m(2), p = 0.006), and moderate
      to severe mitral regurgitation was more prevalent in patients with incident
      elevated SPAP (16% vs 7%, p = 0.05). Independent correlates of incident elevated
      SPAP at 12-month follow-up were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08, p
      = 0.01), hypertension (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.23 to 5.14, p = 0.01), baseline LVEF (OR
      0.94, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.98, p = 0.003), and baseline left atrial volume (OR 1.08,
      95% CI 1.03 to 1.12, p = 0.001). Incident elevated SPAP was independently
      associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 3.84, 95% CI 1.76 to 8.39, p =
      0.001). In conclusion, although the incidence of elevated SPAP after STEMI is
      low, its presence is independently associated with increased risk of all-cause
      mortality at follow-up.

PMID- 27265674
TI  - Usefulness of the Sum Absolute QRST Integral to Predict Outcomes in Patients
      Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.
AB  - Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces mortality and morbidity in
      selected patients with heart failure (HF), but up to 1/3 of patients are
      nonresponders. Sum absolute QRST integral (SAI QRST) recently showed association
      with mechanical response on CRT. However, it is unknown whether SAI QRST is
      associated with all-cause mortality and HF hospitalizations in patients
      undergoing CRT. The study population included 496 patients undergoing CRT (mean
      age 69 +/- 10 years, 84% men, 65% left bundle branch block [LBBB], left
      ventricular ejection fraction 23 +/- 6%, 63% ischemic cardiomyopathy). Preimplant
      digital 12-lead electrocardiogram was transformed into orthogonal XYZ
      electrocardiogram. SAI QRST was measured as an arithmetic sum of areas under the
      QRST curve on XYZ leads and was dichotomized based on the median value (302 mV
      ms). All-cause mortality served as the primary end point. A composite of 2-year
      all-cause mortality, heart transplant, and HF hospitalization was a secondary end
      point. Cox regression models were adjusted for known predictors of CRT response.
      Patients with preimplant low mean SAI QRST had an increased risk of both the
      primary (hazard ratio [HR] 1.8, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.2) and secondary (HR 1.6, 95% CI
      1.1 to 2.2) end points after multivariate adjustment. SAI QRST was associated
      with secondary outcome in subgroups of patients with LBBB (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5 to
      3.0) and with non-LBBB (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.6). In patients undergoing CRT,
      preimplant SAI QRST <302 mV ms was associated with an increased risk of all-cause
      mortality and HF hospitalization. After validation in another prospective cohort,
      SAI QRST may help to refine selection of CRT recipients.

PMID- 27265676
TI  - Usefulness of an Implantable Loop Recorder to Detect Clinically Relevant
      Arrhythmias in Patients With Advanced Fabry Cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Patients with genetic cardiomyopathy that involves myocardial hypertrophy often
      develop clinically relevant arrhythmias that increase the risk of sudden death.
      Consequently, guidelines for medical device therapy were established for
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but not for conditions with only anecdotal evidence
      of arrhythmias, like Fabry cardiomyopathy. Patients with Fabry cardiomyopathy
      progressively develop myocardial fibrosis, and sudden cardiac death occurs
      regularly. Because 24-hour Holter electrocardiograms (ECGs) might not detect
      clinically important arrhythmias, we tested an implanted loop recorder for
      continuous heart rhythm surveillance and determined its impact on therapy. This
      prospective study included 16 patients (12 men) with advanced Fabry
      cardiomyopathy, relevant hypertrophy, and replacement fibrosis in "loco typico."
      No patients previously exhibited clinically relevant arrhythmias on Holter ECGs.
      Patients received an implantable loop recorder and were prospectively followed
      with telemedicine for a median of 1.2 years (range 0.3 to 2.0 years). The primary
      end point was a clinically meaningful event, which required a therapy change,
      captured with the loop recorder. Patients submitted data regularly (14 +/- 11
      times per month). During follow-up, 21 events were detected (including 4
      asystole, i.e., ECG pauses >=3 seconds) and 7 bradycardia events; 5 episodes of
      intermittent atrial fibrillation (>3 minutes) and 5 episodes of ventricular
      tachycardia (3 sustained and 2 nonsustained). Subsequently, as defined in the
      primary end point, 15 events leaded to a change of therapy. These patients
      required therapy with a pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator implantation
      and/or anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation. In conclusion, clinically
      relevant arrhythmias that require further device and/or medical therapy are often
      missed with Holter ECGs in patients with advanced stage Fabry cardiomyopathy, but
      they can be detected by telemonitoring with an implantable loop recorder.

PMID- 27265678
TI  - Characterization of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains among
      inpatients and outpatients in a referral hospital in Tehran, Iran.
AB  - Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of a
      variety of infections ranging from wound infections to urinary tract infections
      (UTI) in hospital and community. In this study during 3 years we characterized
      the antibiotic resistance patterns of 491 hospital acquired MRSA and community
      associated MRSA strains by the guidelines of clinical and laboratory standard
      institute. A combination of high resolution PhP typing method and SCCmec typing
      were used for clonal dissemination of isolates. Among all 491 MRSA strains,
      diverse PhP types consisting of 29 common types (CTs) and 4 single types (STs)
      and also 2 different SCCmec types (III and IVa) were detected. In addition, 18
      CTs were common among CA- and HA-MRSA strains and the presence of all 4 STs was
      limited to HA-MRSA strains. All isolates were resistant to penicillin and high
      level resistance was observed against ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, tobramycin and
      kanamycin and the rate of resistance to most of the antibiotic tested among HA
      MRSA was significantly higher than CA-MRSA isolates. Moreover, all isolates
      showed susceptibility to linezolid, vancomycin and quinupristin-dalfopristin and
      very low resistance to fusidic acid, nitrofurantoin and chloramphenicol were
      detected. Our findings illustrated the increasing rate of clonal dissemination
      and persistence of highly antibiotic resistant CA-MRSA strains in Tehran
      hospitals, and also indicated the important role of the hospitals as the
      reservoir of MRSA strains. 

PMID- 27265677
TI  - Inhibitory effects of rHP-NAP IgY against Helicobacter pylori attachment to AGS
      cell line.
AB  - Helicobacter pylori is a major human pathogen related to gastric adenocarcinoma
      and gastroduodenal diseases. Treatment of H. pylori infections is complicated by
      the rise of antibiotic resistance, necessitating investigation of alternative
      therapies. One such alternative is passive immunization by oral administration of
      antibacterial immunoglobulin. In the present study, chicken immunoglobulin (IgY)
      was used for passive immunotherapy against a major virulence factor of H. pylori,
      namely recombinant HP-Nap protein. Recombinant HP-Nap was prepared and used to
      immunize hens. IgY was purified from the eggs by polyethylene glycol
      precipitation method with a total IgY-HP-NAP yield of 30 mg per egg. The
      inhibitory effect of specific IgY on H. pylori attachment was investigated in AGS
      cell line infected by the bacteria. The results demonstrate the potent effect of
      IgY- HP-NAP in inhibition of H. pylori attachment to the AGS cells. 

PMID- 27265679
TI  - Population structure and antimicrobial profile of Staphylococcus aureus strains
      associated with bovine mastitis in China.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is a significant bacterial pathogen associated with bovine
      mastitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate and characterize of S.
      aureus strains isolated from the milk of cows suffering from mastitis in the mid
      east of China. Among the 200 milk samples analyzed, 58 were positive for S.
      aureus, of these isolates, 11 isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus (MRSA). All of the 58 S. aureus strains were classified in agr group I,
      while seven different sequence type (ST) patterns were identified and among them
      the most common was ST630 followed by ST188. All of the S. aureus isolates
      belonging to ST630 were resistant to more than four antimicrobials, and 22.2% of
      isolates belonging to ST188 were resistant to eight antimicrobials.
      Interestingly, while strong biofilm producers demonstrated higher resistance to
      multiple antimicrobials, they exhibited lower intracellular survival rates. The
      results of this study illustrated the distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility
      profiles, genotype, and the ability of biofilm production and mammary epithelial
      cells invasion of these S. aureus isolates. This study can provide the basis for
      the development of a disease prevention program in dairy farms to reduce the
      potential risk in both animal and human health. 

PMID- 27265680
TI  - A Comprehensive Investigation toward the Indicative Proteins of Bladder Cancer in
      Urine: From Surveying Cell Secretomes to Verifying Urine Proteins.
AB  - Urine is an ideal material to study the cancer-related protein biomarkers in
      bladder, whereas exploration to these candidates is confronting technique
      challenges. Herein, we propose a comprehensive strategy of searching the urine
      proteins related with bladder cancer. The strategy consists of three core
      combinations, screening the biomarker candidates in the secreted proteins derived
      from the bladder cancer cell lines and verifying them in patient urines, defining
      the differential proteins through two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and
      isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with LC
      MS/MS, and implementing quantitative proteomics of profiling and targeting
      analysis. With proteomic survey, a total of 700 proteins were found with their
      abundance of secreted proteins in cancer cell lines different from normal, while
      87 proteins were identified in the urine samples. The multiple reaction
      monitoring (MRM)-based quantification was adapted in verifying the bladder cancer
      related proteins in individual urine samples, resulting in 10 differential urine
      proteins linked with the cancer. Of these candidates, receiver operating
      characteristic analysis revealed that the combination of CO3 and LDHB was more
      sensitive as the cancer indicator than other groups. The discovery of the bladder
      cancer indicators through our strategy has paved an avenue to further biomarker
      validation.

PMID- 27265681
TI  - Degradable Zinc-Phosphate-Based Hierarchical Nanosubstrates for Capture and
      Release of Circulating Tumor Cells.
AB  - Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a significant role in cancer diagnosis and
      personalized therapy, and it is still a significant challenge to efficiently
      capture and gently release CTCs from clinical samples for downstream manipulation
      and molecular analysis. Many CTC devices incorporating various nanostructures
      have been developed for CTC isolation with sufficient capture efficiency,
      however, fabricating such nanostructured substrates often requires elaborate
      design and complicated procedures. Here we fabricate a degradable zinc-phosphate
      based hierarchical nanosubstrate (HZnPNS), and we demonstrate its excellent CTC
      capture performance along with effective cell-release capability for downstream
      molecular analysis. This transparent hierarchical architecture prepared by a low
      temperature hydrothermal method, enables substantially enhanced capture
      efficiency and convenient imaging. Biocompatible sodium citrate could rapidly
      dissolve the architecture at room temperature, allowing that 88 +/- 4% of
      captured cells are gently released with a high viability of 92 +/- 1%.
      Furthermore, antiepithelial cell adhesion molecule antibody functionalized HZnPNS
      (anti-EpCAM/HZnPNS) was successfully applied to isolate CTCs from whole blood
      samples of cancer patients, as well as release CTCs for global DNA methylation
      analysis, indicating it will serve as a simple and reliable alternative platform
      for CTC detection. 

PMID- 27265683
TI  - White upconversion luminescence in CaF2:Yb(3+)/Eu(3+) powders via the
      incorporation of Y(3+) ions.
AB  - White upconversion luminescence (UCL) was achieved under 980 nm excitation in the
      CaF2:Yb(3+)/Eu(3+) material using Y(3+) to adjust the luminescence performance.
      In this luminescent system, Yb(3+) not only plays the role of a sensitizer of
      Eu(3+), but also generates green fluorescence from Yb(3+) dimers (2-Yb(3+)) by
      cooperative transitions in the CaF2 matrix. One of the primary colors of green
      corresponds to the 2-Yb(3+) cooperative emission exactly. Eu(3+) acts as an
      activator for emitting red and blue fluorescence simultaneously. Interestingly,
      the color of the UCL can be controlled by adjusting the doping concentration of
      Y(3+) ions, and white UCL was realized when the concentration of Y(3+) was 1%. 

PMID- 27265682
TI  - Adaptation of muscle activity in scapular dyskinesis test for collegiate baseball
      players.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The characteristics of scapular muscle activities in elevation and
      descent exercises have yet to be elucidated to assess scapular dyskinesis. The
      purpose of this study was to identify the adaptation of electromyograph (EMG)
      activities of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior
      (SA), and anterior deltoid (AD) muscles with different weight loads in flexion
      (FLX) and abduction (ABD) in collegiate baseball players. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Twenty eight individuals, including 13 pitchers, were tested. Normalized EMG
      signals for the UT, LT, SA, AD muscle of the both the dominant (DOM) and
      nondominant (NON) side were blocked at every 1 second during each of the
      exercises. A 3-way repeated analysis of variance design was used to identify
      differences in the mean values between DOM and NON and between FLX and ABD for
      DOM. RESULTS: The mean EMG value of the UT in the DOM was significantly less than
      that of the NON for all joint angles (P < .01), whereas the mean EMG value of the
      LT in the DOM was significantly greater than that of the NON (P < .01). In
      contrast, no difference in the SA EMG activity was determined between DOM and
      NON. However, the mean EMG value of SA in FLX was significantly greater than in
      ABD (P < .01). CONCLUSION: This study identified an apparent adaptation of
      scapular muscle activities in the currently advocated scapular dyskinesis test
      for healthy active overhead athletes who are vulnerable to shoulder pathologies.

PMID- 27265684
TI  - A Plasmodium-like virulence effector of the soybean cyst nematode suppresses
      plant innate immunity.
AB  - Heterodera glycines, the soybean cyst nematode, delivers effector proteins into
      soybean roots to initiate and maintain an obligate parasitic relationship.
      HgGLAND18 encodes a candidate H. glycines effector and is expressed throughout
      the infection process. We used a combination of molecular, genetic, bioinformatic
      and phylogenetic analyses to determine the role of HgGLAND18 during H. glycines
      infection. HgGLAND18 is necessary for pathogenicity in compatible interactions
      with soybean. The encoded effector strongly suppresses both basal and
      hypersensitive cell death innate immune responses, and immunosuppression requires
      the presence and coordination between multiple protein domains. The N-terminal
      domain in HgGLAND18 contains unique sequence similarity to domains of an
      immunosuppressive effector of Plasmodium spp., the malaria parasites. The
      Plasmodium effector domains functionally complement the loss of the N-terminal
      domain from HgGLAND18. In-depth sequence searches and phylogenetic analyses
      demonstrate convergent evolution between effectors from divergent parasites of
      plants and animals as the cause of sequence and functional similarity. 

PMID- 27265685
TI  - 2-Aryl-8-aza-3-deazaadenosine analogues of 5'-O-[N-(salicyl)sulfamoyl]adenosine:
      Nucleoside antibiotics that block siderophore biosynthesis in Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis.
AB  - A series of 5'-O-[N-(salicyl)sulfamoyl]-2-aryl-8-aza-3-deazaadenosines were
      designed to block mycobactin biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)
      through inhibition of the essential adenylating enzyme MbtA. The synthesis of the
      2-aryl-8-aza-3-deazaadenosine nucleosides featured sequential copper-free
      palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling of a precursor 4-cyano-5-iodo-1,2,3
      triazolonucleoside with terminal alkynes and a Minakawa-Matsuda annulation
      reaction. These modified nucleosides were shown to inhibit MbtA with apparent Ki
      values ranging from 6.1 to 25nM and to inhibit Mtb growth under iron-deficient
      conditions with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 12.5 to >50MUM.

PMID- 27265686
TI  - Thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazol-3(2H)-one derivatives: Structure-activity
      relationships of selective nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase1 (NPP1)
      inhibitors.
AB  - Ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase1 (NPP1) is the most important
      member of the NPP family, which consists of seven closely related proteins (NPP1
      NPP7). This glycoprotein is a membrane-associated or secreted enzyme, which
      catalyzes the hydrolysis of a wide range of phosphodiester bonds, e.g., in
      nucleoside triphosphates, dinucleotides and nucleotide sugars. NPP1 plays a
      crucial role in various physiological functions including bone mineralization,
      soft-tissue calcification, and insulin receptor signaling. Recently, an
      upregulated expression of NPP1 has been observed in astrocytic brain cancers.
      Therefore, NPP1 has been proposed as a novel drug target for the treatment of
      glioblastoma. Despite their therapeutic potential, only few NPP1 inhibitors have
      been reported to date, which are in most cases non- or only moderately selective.
      The best investigated NPP1 inhibitors so far are nucleotide derivatives and
      analogs, however they are not orally bioavailable due to their high polarity. We
      identified thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazol-3(2H)-one derivatives as a new class of
      NPP1 inhibitors with drug-like properties. Among the 25 derivatives investigated
      in the present study, 2-[(5-iodo-2-furanyl)methylene]thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazol
      3(2H)-one (17) was found to be the most potent NPP1 inhibitor with a Ki value of
      467nM versus ATP as a substrate and an un-competitive mechanism of inhibition.
      Compound 17 did not inhibit other human ecto-nucleotidases, including NTPDase1
      (CD39), NTPDases2-3, NPP2, NPP3, tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP),
      and ecto-5'-nucleotidase (eN, CD73), and is thus highly selective for NPP1.

PMID- 27265688
TI  - Child maltreatment, attachment and psychopathology: mediating relations.

PMID- 27265687
TI  - A combined ligand- and structure-based approach for the identification of
      rilmenidine-derived compounds which synergize the antitumor effects of
      doxorubicin.
AB  - The clonidine-like central antihypertensive agent rilmenidine, which has high
      affinity for I1-type imidazoline receptors (I1-IR) was recently found to have
      cytotoxic effects on cultured cancer cell lines. However, due to its
      pharmacological effects resulting also from alpha2-adrenoceptor activation,
      rilmenidine cannot be considered a suitable anticancer drug candidate. Here, we
      report the identification of novel rilmenidine-derived compounds with anticancer
      potential and devoid of alpha2-adrenoceptor effects by means of ligand- and
      structure-based drug design approaches. Starting from a large virtual library,
      eleven compounds were selected, synthesized and submitted to biological
      evaluation. The most active compound 5 exhibited a cytotoxic profile similar to
      that of rilmenidine, but without appreciable affinity to alpha2-adrenoceptors. In
      addition, compound 5 significantly enhanced the apoptotic response to
      doxorubicin, and may thus represent an important tool for the development of
      better adjuvant chemotherapeutic strategies for doxorubicin-insensitive cancers.

PMID- 27265689
TI  - Shorter hospitalizations at the expense of quality? Experiences of inpatient
      psychiatry in the post-institutional era.

PMID- 27265691
TI  - Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for
      psychiatry.
AB  - The experience of burnout has been the focus of much research during the past few
      decades. Measures have been developed, as have various theoretical models, and
      research studies from many countries have contributed to a better understanding
      of the causes and consequences of this occupationally-specific dysphoria. The
      majority of this work has focused on human service occupations, and particularly
      health care. Research on the burnout experience for psychiatrists mirrors much of
      the broader literature, in terms of both sources and outcomes of burnout. But it
      has also identified some of the unique stressors that mental health professionals
      face when they are dealing with especially difficult or violent clients. Current
      issues of particular relevance for psychiatry include the links between burnout
      and mental illness, the attempts to redefine burnout as simply exhaustion, and
      the relative dearth of evaluative research on potential interventions to treat
      and/or prevent burnout. Given that the treatment goal for burnout is usually to
      enable people to return to their job, and to be successful in their work,
      psychiatry could make an important contribution by identifying the treatment
      strategies that would be most effective in achieving that goal. 

PMID- 27265692
TI  - Draft diagnostic guidelines for ICD-11 mental and behavioural disorders available
      for review and comment.

PMID- 27265690
TI  - Childhood adversities and psychosis: evidence, challenges, implications.
AB  - There is a substantial body of research reporting evidence of associations
      between various forms of childhood adversity and psychosis, across the spectrum
      from experiences to disorder. This has been extended, more recently, to include
      studies of cumulative effects, of interactions with other factors, of specific
      effects, and of putative biological and psychological mechanisms. In this paper
      we evaluate this research and highlight the remaining methodological issues and
      gaps that temper, but do not dismiss, conclusions about the causal role of
      childhood adversity. We also consider the emerging work on cumulative,
      synergistic, and specific effects and on mechanisms; and discuss the broader
      implications of this line of research for our understanding of psychosis. We
      conclude that the current balance of evidence is that childhood adversities -
      particularly exposure to multiple adversities involving hostility and threat -
      do, in some people, contribute to the onset of psychotic experiences and
      psychotic disorders. 

PMID- 27265693
TI  - Can separation anxiety disorder escape its attachment to childhood?

PMID- 27265694
TI  - The many faces of narcissism.

PMID- 27265695
TI  - Time for a global commission on mental health institutions.

PMID- 27265697
TI  - Whether "psychosis" is best conceptualized as a continuum or in categories is an
      empirical, practical and political question.

PMID- 27265696
TI  - Psychosis as a transdiagnostic and extended phenotype in the general population.
AB  - A large body of research indicates that weak expressions of positive psychotic
      symptoms ("psychotic experiences") can be measured in the general population, and
      likely represent the behavioural manifestation of distributed multifactorial
      (genetic and non-genetic) risk for psychosis. Psychotic experiences are a
      transdiagnostic phenomenon: the majority of individuals with these experiences
      have a diagnosis of non-psychotic disorder, particularly common mental disorder,
      in which psychotic experiences predict greater illness severity and poorer
      treatment response. Some of the people with common mental disorder and psychotic
      experiences will present to mental health services meeting criteria for "clinical
      high risk". Treatment of the transdiagnostic dimension of psychosis in
      individuals with common mental disorder who meet "clinical high risk" criteria
      thus may improve outcome (which cannot be interpreted as prevention of
      "schizophrenia"). Subthreshold psychotic experiences are transitory in about 80%
      of individuals, while around 20% go on to develop persistent psychotic
      experiences and 7% a psychotic disorder, with an annual transition rate of 0.5
      1%. Persistence is associated, on the one hand, with environmental exposures,
      particularly childhood trauma, and, on the other, with network-type dynamic
      interactions between psychotic experiences themselves (e.g., interactions between
      hallucinatory experiences and delusional ideation) and between symptom dimensions
      (e.g., interactions between affective symptoms and psychotic experiences, or
      interactions between subthreshold negative symptoms and psychotic experiences).
      The study of psychotic experiences is helping to elucidate the mechanisms by
      which environmental and genetic influences shape the transdiagnostic expression
      of psychosis proneness, that is mostly transitory but may first become persistent
      over time and eventually give rise to transition to a psychotic disorder. 

PMID- 27265698
TI  - Epistemological error and the illusion of phenomenological continuity.

PMID- 27265699
TI  - Causal narratives and psychotic phenomena.

PMID- 27265700
TI  - Psychosis as a continuous phenotype in the general population: the thin line
      between normality and pathology.

PMID- 27265701
TI  - Psychotic experiences and their significance.

PMID- 27265702
TI  - High time for a paradigm shift in psychiatry.

PMID- 27265703
TI  - Conceptualizing psychotic disorders: don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

PMID- 27265704
TI  - Population-based analysis of health care contacts among suicide decedents:
      identifying opportunities for more targeted suicide prevention strategies.
AB  - The objective of this study was to detail the nature and correlates of mental
      health and non-mental health care contacts prior to suicide death. We conducted a
      systematic extraction of data from records at the Office of the Chief Coroner of
      Ontario of each person who died by suicide in the city of Toronto from 1998 to
      2011. Data on 2,835 suicide deaths were linked with provincial health
      administrative data to identify health care contacts during the 12 months prior
      to suicide. Sub-populations of suicide decedents based on the presence and type
      of mental health care contact were described and compared across socio
      demographic, clinical and suicide-specific variables. Time periods from last
      mental health contact to date of death were calculated and a Cox proportional
      hazards model examined covariates. Among suicide decedents, 91.7% had some type
      of past-year health care contact prior to death, 66.4% had a mental health care
      contact, and 25.3% had only non-mental health contacts. The most common type of
      mental health contact was an outpatient primary care visit (54.0%), followed by
      an outpatient psychiatric visit (39.8%), an emergency department visit (31.1%),
      and a psychiatric hospitalization (21.0%). The median time from last mental
      health contact to death was 18 days (interquartile range 5-63). Mental health
      contact was significantly associated with female gender, age 25-64, absence of a
      psychosocial stressor, diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, past
      suicide attempt, self-poisoning method and absence of a suicide note. Significant
      differences between sub-populations of suicide decedents based on the presence
      and nature of their health care contacts suggest the need for targeting of
      community and clinical-based suicide prevention strategies. The predominance of
      ambulatory mental health care contacts, often close to the time of death,
      reinforce the importance of concentrating efforts on embedding risk assessment
      and care pathways into all routine primary and specialty clinical care, and not
      only acute care settings. 

PMID- 27265705
TI  - Does menopausal transition really influence mental health? Findings from the
      prospective long-term Zurich study.
AB  - In the prospective long-term Zurich study, we re-examined the hypothesized
      association between mental health problems in women and the transition through
      menopausal stages. One hundred sixty-eight women from a population-based Swiss
      community cohort were prospectively followed up from age 21 to 50. At age 50, the
      occurrence of hot flushes/night sweats and sleep disturbances was significantly
      more frequent in peri- and post-menopausal women. Irritability/nervousness was
      increased only in peri-menopausal women, but that association was accounted for
      by neuroticism trait scores at age 30. Transitions to peri- or post-menopause
      were not related to changes in either the prevalence rates of DSM major
      depressive episode or anxiety disorders, or the course of psychopathological
      syndromes as assessed by the Symptom Checklist 90 - Revised. The null
      associations held when adjusting for duration of reproductive period or age at
      menopause. Preceding mental health problems between ages 21 and 41, increased
      neuroticism trait scores at age 30, and concurrent psychosocial distress were
      significantly related to mental health problems occurring between ages 41 and 50.
      Depending upon the cut-off point that was chosen, the arbitrary dichotomization
      of a continuous depression outcome produced spurious associations with the
      menopausal transition. We conclude that mental health problems between ages 41
      and 50 are probably not directly related to the menopausal transition, and that
      previously reported associations could be false positives due to inadequate
      dichotomizations, reporting bias, undisclosed multiple adjustments or
      overfitting. 

PMID- 27265706
TI  - The CHANGE trial: no superiority of lifestyle coaching plus care coordination
      plus treatment as usual compared to treatment as usual alone in reducing risk of
      cardiovascular disease in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and
      abdominal obesity.
AB  - Life expectancy in patients with schizophrenia is reduced by 20 years for men and
      15 years for women compared to the general population. About 60% of the excess
      mortality is due to physical illnesses, with cardiovascular disease being
      dominant. CHANGE was a randomized, parallel-group, superiority, multi-centre
      trial with blinded outcome assessment, testing the efficacy of an intervention
      aimed to improve cardiovascular risk profile and hereby potentially reduce
      mortality. A total of 428 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and
      abdominal obesity were recruited and centrally randomized 1:1:1 to 12 months of
      lifestyle coaching plus care coordination plus treatment as usual (N=138), or
      care coordination plus treatment as usual (N=142), or treatment as usual alone
      (N=148). The primary outcome was 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease assessed
      post-treatment and standardized to age 60. At follow-up, the mean 10-year risk of
      cardiovascular disease was 8.4 +/- 6.7% in the group receiving lifestyle
      coaching, 8.5 +/- 7.5% in the care coordination group, and 8.0 +/- 6.5% in the
      treatment as usual group (p=0.41). We found no intervention effects for any
      secondary or exploratory outcomes, including cardiorespiratory fitness, physical
      activity, weight, diet and smoking. In conclusion, the CHANGE trial did not
      support superiority of individual lifestyle coaching or care coordination
      compared to treatment as usual in reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with
      schizophrenia spectrum disorders and abdominal obesity. 

PMID- 27265708
TI  - Smoking cessation should be an integral part of serious mental illness treatment.

PMID- 27265709
TI  - Physical activity and mental health: evidence is growing.

PMID- 27265707
TI  - Diabetes mellitus in people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major
      depressive disorder: a systematic review and large scale meta-analysis.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is highly predictive of cardiovascular diseases
      and can have particularly deleterious health impacts in people with severe mental
      illness (SMI), i.e. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder.
      This meta-analysis aimed: a) to describe pooled frequencies of T2DM in people
      with SMI; b) to analyze the influence of demographic, illness and treatment
      variables as well as T2DM assessment methods; and c) to describe T2DM prevalence
      in studies directly comparing persons with each specific SMI diagnosis to general
      population samples. The trim and fill adjusted pooled T2DM prevalence among
      438,245 people with SMI was 11.3% (95% CI: 10.0%-12.6%). In antipsychotic-naive
      participants, the prevalence of T2DM was 2.9% (95% CI: 1.7%-4.8%). There were no
      significant diagnostic subgroup differences. A comparative meta-analysis
      established that multi-episode persons with SMI (N=133,470) were significantly
      more likely to have T2DM than matched controls (N=5,622,664): relative risk,
      RR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.45-2.37, p<0.001. The T2DM prevalence was consistently
      elevated in each of the three major diagnostic subgroups compared to matched
      controls. Higher T2DM prevalences were observed in women with SMI compared to men
      (RR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.20-1.69, p<0.001). Multi-episode (versus first-episode)
      status was the only significant predictor for T2DM in a multivariable meta
      regression analysis (r(2) =0.52, p<0.001). The T2DM prevalence was higher in
      patients prescribed antipsychotics, except for aripriprazole and amisulpride.
      Routine screening and multidisciplinary management of T2DM is needed. T2DM risks
      of individual antipsychotic medications should be considered when making
      treatment choices. 

PMID- 27265710
TI  - Is neuroimaging clinically useful in subjects at high risk for psychosis?

PMID- 27265711
TI  - Identifying multimodal signatures associated with symptom clusters: the example
      of the IMAGEMEND project.

PMID- 27265712
TI  - The 30-year mental health legacy of the Chernobyl disaster.

PMID- 27265713
TI  - Problem Management Plus (PM+): pilot trial of a WHO transdiagnostic psychological
      intervention in conflict-affected Pakistan.

PMID- 27265714
TI  - Treating post-traumatic stress disorder by resource activation in Cambodia.

PMID- 27265715
TI  - High burden of subthreshold DSM-5 post-traumatic stress disorder in U.S. military
      veterans.

PMID- 27265716
TI  - Big Data in mental health: a challenging fragmented future.

PMID- 27265717
TI  - Specific anxiety disorders and subsequent risk for bipolar disorder: a nationwide
      study.

PMID- 27265718
TI  - Tracing Emil Kraepelin in the Nobel Prize archive.

PMID- 27265719
TI  - Improving the mental health of women and girls: psychiatrists as partners for
      change.

PMID- 27265720
TI  - WPA Scientific Sections: update on the activities.

PMID- 27265721
TI  - Triazolopyrimidines as a New Herbicidal Lead for Combating Weed Resistance
      Associated with Acetohydroxyacid Synthase Mutation.
AB  - Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS; also known as acetolactate synthase; EC 2.2.1.6,
      formerly EC 4.1.3.18) is the first common enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway
      leading to the branched-chain amino acids in plants and a wide range of
      microorganisms. Weed resistance to AHAS-inhibiting herbicides, increasing at an
      exponential rate, is becoming a global problem and leading to an urgent demand of
      developing novel compounds against both resistant and wild AHAS. In the present
      work, a series of novel 2-aroxyl-1,2,4-triazolopyrimidine derivatives (a total of
      55) were designed and synthesized with the aim to discover an antiresistant lead
      compound. Fortunately, the screening results indicated that many of the newly
      synthesized compounds showed a better, even excellent, inhibition effect against
      both the wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana AHAS and P197L mutants. Among them,
      compounds 5-3 to 5-17, compounds 5-19 to 5-26, compounds 5-28 to 5-45, and
      compound 5-48 have the lower values of resistance factor (RF) and display a
      potential power to overcome resistance associated with the P197L mutation in the
      enzyme levels. Further greenhouse in vivo assay showed that compounds 5-15 and 5
      20 displayed "moderate" to "good" herbicidal activity against both the wild type
      and the resistant (P197L mutation) Descurainia sophia, even at a rate as low as
      0.9375 (g of ai/ha). The above results indicated that these two compounds could
      be used as new leads for the future development of antiresistance herbicides. 

PMID- 27265722
TI  - Tinnitus is associated with reduced sound level tolerance in adolescents with
      normal audiograms and otoacoustic emissions.
AB  - Recent neuroscience research suggests that tinnitus may reflect synaptic loss in
      the cochlea that does not express in the audiogram but leads to neural changes in
      auditory pathways that reduce sound level tolerance (SLT). Adolescents (N = 170)
      completed a questionnaire addressing their prior experience with tinnitus,
      potentially risky listening habits, and sensitivity to ordinary sounds, followed
      by psychoacoustic measurements in a sound booth. Among all adolescents 54.7%
      reported by questionnaire that they had previously experienced tinnitus, while
      28.8% heard tinnitus in the booth. Psychoacoustic properties of tinnitus measured
      in the sound booth corresponded with those of chronic adult tinnitus sufferers.
      Neither hearing thresholds (<=15 dB HL to 16 kHz) nor otoacoustic emissions
      discriminated between adolescents reporting or not reporting tinnitus in the
      sound booth, but loudness discomfort levels (a psychoacoustic measure of SLT) did
      so, averaging 11.3 dB lower in adolescents experiencing tinnitus in the acoustic
      chamber. Although risky listening habits were near universal, the teenagers
      experiencing tinnitus and reduced SLT tended to be more protective of their
      hearing. Tinnitus and reduced SLT could be early indications of a vulnerability
      to hidden synaptic injury that is prevalent among adolescents and expressed
      following exposure to high level environmental sounds.

PMID- 27265723
TI  - Plasma oxalate levels in prevalent hemodialysis patients and potential
      implications for ascorbic acid supplementation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation may increase hemoglobin levels and
      decrease erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dose requirement in patients with end
      stage renal disease (ESRD). While plasma AA levels >100MUM may be
      supratherapeutic, levels of at least 30MUM may be needed to improve wound healing
      and levels may need to reach 70MUM to optimize erythropoiesis. Of concern,
      oxalate (Ox), an AA metabolite, can accumulate in ESRD. Historically, if plasma
      Ox levels remain >=30MUM, oxalosis was of concern. Contemporary hemodialysis (HD)
      efficiencies may decrease the risk of oxalosis by maintaining pre-HD Ox levels
      <30MUM. This study focuses on the plasma Ox levels in HD patients. DESIGN AND
      METHODS: A prospective, observational study of 197 HD patients with pre-HD AA
      levels and pre-HD and post-HD Ox levels. RESULTS: Mean plasma Ox levels decreased
      71% during the intradialytic period (22.3+/-11.1MUM to 6.4+/-3.2MUM, P<0.001). In
      regression analysis, pre-HD plasma AA levels <=100MUM were not associated with a
      pre-HD plasma Ox level>=30MUM, even if ferritin levels were increased. Pre-HD
      plasma Ox levels >=20 or >=30MUM were not associated with lower cumulative 4-year
      survival. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-HD plasma AA levels up to 100MUM in HD patients do not
      appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing secondary oxalosis,
      as the corresponding pre-HD plasma Ox level appears to be maintained at tolerable
      levels.

PMID- 27265724
TI  - Ni-Catalyzed Amination Reactions: An Overview.
AB  - Nitrogen-containing organic compounds are valuable in many fields of science and
      industry. The most reliable method for the construction of C(sp(2) )-N bonds is
      undoubtedly palladium-catalyzed amination. In spite of the great achievements
      made in this area, the use of expensive Pd-based catalysts constitutes an
      important limitation for large-scale applications. Since nickel is the least
      expensive and most abundant among the group 10 metals, the interest in Ni-based
      catalysts for processes typically catalyzed by palladium has grown considerably
      over the last few years. Herein, we revise the development of Ni-catalyzed
      amination reactions, emphasizing the most relevant and recent advances in the
      field.

PMID- 27265725
TI  - Safety, tolerability, and seizure control during long-term treatment with
      adjunctive brivaracetam for partial-onset seizures.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To report pooled safety/tolerability and seizure outcome data from
      adults with uncontrolled partial-onset (focal) seizures (POS) receiving
      adjunctive brivaracetam (BRV) during phase IIb/III and long-term follow-up (LTFU)
      studies. METHODS: Seizure outcome data were pooled from phase IIb (NCT00175929
      and NCT00175825), III/IIIb (NCT00490035, NCT00464269, NCT00504881, and
      NCT01261325) and associated LTFU studies (NCT00175916, NCT00150800, and
      NCT01339559). Safety/tolerability data were pooled from these studies plus
      NCT01405508, NCT01653262, and NCT01728077 (LTFU). Patients received placebo
      (during core studies) or BRV 5-200 mg/day. Safety/tolerability and seizure
      outcomes (BRV modal doses 50-200 mg/day) were assessed until January 17, 2014.
      RESULTS: Of 2,186 patients (97.3% with POS and 2.7% with other seizure types) who
      received BRV 50-200 mg/day, 2,051 (93.8%) completed core studies and continued in
      LTFU studies. Total BRV exposure: 5,339.4 patient-years (>=8.0 years in 41
      patients); 6-, 12-, 24-, and 60-month retention: 91.0%, 79.8%, 68.1%, and 54.4%,
      respectively. Safety/tolerability data pooled from 2,186 patients: >=1 treatment
      emergent adverse event (TEAE) reported by 1,848 (84.5%) patients; 1,184 (54.2%)
      reported >=1 TEAE considered treatment-related. Most frequent TEAEs (>=10%):
      headache (20.9%), dizziness (17.5%), somnolence (15.2%), nasopharyngitis (13.2%),
      fatigue (11.3%), and convulsion (10.6%). Serious TEAEs (SAEs) and treatment
      related SAEs: 401 (18.3%) and 95 (4.3%) patients, respectively. Of 28 (1.3%)
      deaths, four (14.3%) were considered possibly treatment related by the
      investigator. Pooled seizure outcome data (1,836 patients): median POS
      frequency/28 days at baseline was 8.9; on treatment, median percentage reduction
      from baseline in POS/28 days was 48.8%, and >=50% responder rate was 48.7%.
      Complete seizure freedom: 4.9%, 4.2%, 3.0%, and 3.3% for >=6, 12, 24, and 60
      months, respectively. Improvements were seen in health-related quality of life
      (HRQoL) from baseline, assessed by Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Adjunctive BRV treatment in adults with POS was effective and
      generally well tolerated when administered long-term (>=8.0 years). Retention was
      high and HRQoL improvements were observed.

PMID- 27265726
TI  - Magnetic hyperthermia efficiency and (1)H-NMR relaxation properties of iron
      oxide/paclitaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles.
AB  - Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) can be exploited in biomedicine as
      agents for magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) treatments and as contrast enhancers
      in magnetic resonance imaging. New, oleate-covered, iron oxide particles have
      been prepared either by co-precipitation or thermal decomposition methods and
      incorporated into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA-Fe-NPs) to
      improve their biocompatibility and in vivo stability. Moreover, the PLGA-Fe-NPs
      have been loaded with paclitaxel to pursue an MFH-triggered drug release.
      Remarkably, it has been found that the nanoparticle formulations are
      characterized by peculiar (1)H nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD)
      profiles that directly correlate with their heating potential when exposed to an
      alternating magnetic field. By prolonging the magnetic field exposure to 30 min,
      a significant drug release was observed for PLGA-Fe-NPs in the case of the larger
      sized magnetic nanoparticles. Furthermore, the immobilization of lipophilic Fe
      NPs in PLGA-NPs also made it possible to maintain Neel relaxation as the dominant
      relaxation contribution in the presence of large iron oxide cores (diameters of
      15-20 nm), with the advantage of preserving their efficiency when they are
      entrapped in the intracellular environment. The results reported herein show that
      NMRD profiles are a useful tool for anticipating the heating capabilities of Fe
      NPs designed for MFH applications. 

PMID- 27265727
TI  - The MDM2-p53-pyruvate carboxylase signalling axis couples mitochondrial
      metabolism to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells.
AB  - Mitochondrial metabolism is pivotal for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion
      (GSIS) in pancreatic beta-cells. However, little is known about the molecular
      machinery that controls the homeostasis of intermediary metabolites in
      mitochondria. Here we show that the activation of p53 in beta-cells, by genetic
      deletion or pharmacological inhibition of its negative regulator MDM2, impairs
      GSIS, leading to glucose intolerance in mice. Mechanistically, p53 activation
      represses the expression of the mitochondrial enzyme pyruvate carboxylase (PC),
      resulting in diminished production of the TCA cycle intermediates oxaloacetate
      and NADPH, and impaired oxygen consumption. The defective GSIS and mitochondrial
      metabolism in MDM2-null islets can be rescued by restoring PC expression. Under
      diabetogenic conditions, MDM2 and p53 are upregulated, whereas PC is reduced in
      mouse beta-cells. Pharmacological inhibition of p53 alleviates defective GSIS in
      diabetic islets by restoring PC expression. Thus, the MDM2-p53-PC signalling axis
      links mitochondrial metabolism to insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis, and
      could represent a therapeutic target in diabetes.

PMID- 27265728
TI  - Transcranial direct current stimulation produces long-lasting attenuation of
      cocaine-induced behavioral responses and gene regulation in corticostriatal
      circuits.
AB  - Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive method to
      modulate cortical excitability. This technique is a promising emerging tool to
      treat several neuropathologies, including addiction. We have previously shown in
      mice that repeated tDCS normalizes pathological behaviors associated with chronic
      nicotine exposure. Here, we evaluated, in adult female mice, the impact of tDCS
      on cocaine-induced behavior and gene regulation in corticostriatal circuits
      implicated in psychostimulant addiction. Anodal tDCS was applied transcranially
      over the frontal cortex. Three weeks after repeated tDCS, we investigated the
      induction of a gene expression marker (Zif268) by cocaine (25 mg/kg) in 26
      cortical and 23 striatal regions using in situ hybridization histochemistry. We
      also assessed place preference conditioning by cocaine (5, 10 and 25 mg/kg). tDCS
      pretreatment increased basal expression and attenuated cocaine (25 mg/kg)-induced
      expression of Zif268 in specific corticostriatal circuits. Cocaine-induced
      locomotor activation (25 mg/kg) and place preference conditioning (5 and 25
      mg/kg) were also reduced. These results demonstrate that tDCS can attenuate
      molecular and behavioral responses to cocaine for several weeks. Together, our
      findings provide pre-clinical evidence that such electrical brain stimulation may
      be useful to modify the psychostimulant addiction risk.

PMID- 27265731
TI  - Risk assessment of excessive CO2 emission on diatom heavy metal consumption.
AB  - Diatoms are the dominant group of phytoplankton in the modern ocean, accounting
      for approximately 40% of oceanic primary productivity and critical foundation of
      coastal food web. Rising dissolution of anthropogenic CO2 in seawater may
      directly/indirectly cause ocean acidification and desalination. However, little
      is known about dietary diatom-associated changes, especially for diatom heavy
      metal consumption sensitivity to these processes, which is important for seafood
      safety and nutrition assessment. Here we show some links between ocean
      acidification/desalination and heavy metal consumption by Thalassiosira
      weissflogii. Excitingly, under desalination stress, the relationships between Cu,
      Zn, and Cd were all positively correlated, especially between Cu and Zn (r=0.989,
      total intracellular concentration) and between Zn and Cd (r=0.962, single-cell
      intracellular concentration). Heavy metal consumption activity in decreasing
      order was acidification<acidification+desalination<desalination for Zn,
      acidification<desalination<acidification+desalination for Cu and Cd, i.e., heavy
      metal uptake (or release) were controlled by environmental stress. Our findings
      showed that heavy metal uptake (or release) was already responded to ongoing
      excessive CO2 emission-driven acidification and desalination, which was important
      for risk assessment of climate change on diatom heavy metal consumption, food web
      and then seafood safety in future oceans. 

PMID- 27265730
TI  - Quantitative comparison of initial soil erosion processes and runoff generation
      in Spanish and German vineyards.
AB  - The aim of this study was to enable a quantitative comparison of initial soil
      erosion processes in European vineyards using the same methodology and equipment.
      The study was conducted in four viticultural areas with different characteristics
      (Valencia and Malaga in Spain, Ruwer-Mosel valley and Saar-Mosel valley in
      Germany). Old and young vineyards, with conventional and ecological planting and
      management systems were compared. The same portable rainfall simulator with
      identical rainfall intensity (40mmh(-1)) and sampling intervals (30min of test
      duration, collecting the samples at 5-min-intervals) was used over a circular
      test plot with 0.28m(2). The results of 83 simulations have been analysed and
      correlation coefficients were calculated for each study area to identify the
      relationship between environmental plot characteristics, soil texture, soil
      erosion, runoff and infiltration. The results allow for identification of the
      main factors related to soil properties, topography and management, which control
      soil erosion processes in vineyards. The most important factors influencing soil
      erosion and runoff were the vegetation cover for the ecological German vineyards
      (with 97.6+/-8% infiltration coefficients) and stone cover, soil moisture and
      slope steepness for the conventional land uses. 

PMID- 27265729
TI  - Influenza A viruses suppress cyclooxygenase-2 expression by affecting its mRNA
      stability.
AB  - Infection with influenza A viruses (IAV) provokes activation of cellular defence
      mechanisms contributing to the innate immune and inflammatory response. In this
      process the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in the induction of
      prostaglandin-dependent inflammation. While it has been reported that COX-2 is
      induced upon IAV infection, in the present study we observed a down-regulation at
      later stages of infection suggesting a tight regulation of COX-2 by IAV. Our data
      indicate the pattern-recognition receptor RIG-I as mediator of the initial IAV
      induced COX-2 synthesis. Nonetheless, during on-going IAV replication substantial
      suppression of COX-2 mRNA and protein synthesis could be detected, accompanied by
      a decrease in mRNA half-life. Interestingly, COX-2 mRNA stability was not only
      imbalanced by IAV replication but also by stimulation of cells with viral RNA.
      Our results reveal tristetraprolin (TTP), which is known to bind COX-2 mRNA and
      promote its rapid degradation, as regulator of COX-2 expression in IAV infection.
      During IAV replication and viral RNA accumulation TTP mRNA synthesis was induced,
      resulting in reduced COX-2 levels. Accordingly, the down-regulation of TTP
      resulted in increased COX-2 protein expression after IAV infection. These
      findings indicate a novel IAV-regulated cellular mechanism, contributing to the
      repression of host defence and therefore facilitating viral replication.

PMID- 27265732
TI  - Fate of cyanobacteria in drinking water treatment plant lagoon supernatant and
      sludge.
AB  - In conventional water treatment processes, where the coagulation and flocculation
      steps are designed to remove particles from drinking water, cyanobacteria are
      also concentrated into the resultant sludge. As a consequence, cyanobacteria
      laden sludge can act as a reservoir for metabolites such as taste and odour
      compounds and cyanotoxins. This can pose a significant risk to water quality
      where supernatant from the sludge treatment facility is returned to the inlet to
      the plant. In this study the complex processes that can take place in a sludge
      treatment lagoon were investigated. It was shown that cyanobacteria can
      proliferate in the conditions manifest in a sludge treatment lagoon, and that
      cyanobacteria can survive and produce metabolites for at least 10days in sludge.
      The major processes of metabolite release and degradation are very dependent on
      the physical, chemical and biological environment in the sludge treatment
      facility and it was not possible to accurately model the net effect. For the
      first time evidence is provided to suggest that there is a greater risk
      associated with recycling sludge supernatant than can be estimated from the raw
      water quality, as metabolite concentrations increased by up to 500% over several
      days after coagulation, attributed to increased metabolite production and/or cell
      proliferation in the sludge. 

PMID- 27265733
TI  - Emission, distribution and toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
      during municipal solid waste (MSW) and coal co-combustion.
AB  - Emission and distribution characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) were investigated during municipal solid waste (MSW) and coal combustion
      alone and MSW/coal blend (MSW weight fraction of 25%) co-combustion within a
      temperature range of 500 degrees C-900 degrees C. The results showed that for all
      combustion experiments, flue gas occupied the highest proportion of total PAHs
      and fly ash contained more high-ring PAHs. Moreover, the 3- and 4-ring PAHs
      accounted for the majority of total PAHs and Ant or Phe had the highest
      concentrations. Compared to coal, MSW combustion generated high levels of total
      PAHs with the range of 111.28MUg/g-10,047.22MUg/g and had high toxicity
      equivalent value (TEQ). MSW/coal co-combustion generated the smallest amounts of
      total PAHs and had the lowest TEQ than MSW and coal combustion alone. Significant
      synergistic interactions occurred between MSW and coal during co-combustion and
      the interactions suppressed the formation of PAHs, especially hazardous high-ring
      PAHs and decreased the TEQ. The present study indicated that the reduction of the
      yield and toxicity of PAHs can be achieved by co-combustion of MSW and coal. 

PMID- 27265734
TI  - Effects of the invasive clam Corbicula fluminea (Muller, 1774) on an estuarine
      microbial community.
AB  - The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Muller, 1774) is well recognized for its
      invasive behavior and high ecological and economic impacts, being classified as
      one of the 100 worst invasive alien species (IAS) in Europe. In this study, we
      performed a manipulative experiment under natural conditions to assess the
      effects of C. fluminea on sediments biochemistry and on the structure of an
      estuarine microbial (fungi and bacteria) community. We placed 5 treatments
      (control, rock, closed, live and open) for 2months in the Minho estuary (NW
      Iberian Peninsula). No differences were detected between treatments regarding the
      values of carbon (C), nitrite (NO2(-)), ammonium (NH4(+)), phosphate (PO4(3-))
      and calcium (Ca) in the sediments; however, potassium (K) had higher values in
      the open treatment. Furthermore, we found that the presence of live C. fluminea
      stimulated fungal biomass (but not diversity) and bacterial diversity.
      Bioturbation activities by C. fluminea are possibly the main mechanism explaining
      these results; however, other factors such as the presence of other
      macroinvertebrate species and/or production of feces and pseudofeces by C.
      fluminea cannot be excluded. To our knowledge, this is the first manipulative
      experiment under natural conditions that clearly shows the effects of C. fluminea
      on an estuarine microbial community. Given the widespread distribution of this
      IAS and the paucity of quantitative assessments of invasive bivalves' effects on
      microbial communities, it will be important that future studies further
      investigate these processes. 

PMID- 27265735
TI  - Influence of long-range transboundary transport on atmospheric water vapor
      mercury collected at the largest city of Tibet.
AB  - Monsoon circulation is an important process that affects long-range transboundary
      transport of anthropogenic contaminants such as mercury (Hg). During the Indian
      monsoon season of 2013, a total of 92 and 26 atmospheric water vapor samples were
      collected at Lhasa, the largest city of the Tibet, for Hg and major ions
      analysis, respectively. The relatively low pH/high electronic conductivity
      values, together with the fact that NH4(+) in atmospheric water vapor was even
      higher than that determined in precipitation of Lhasa, indicated the effects of
      anthropogenic perturbations through long-range transboundary atmospheric
      transport. Concentrations of Hg in atmospheric water vapor ranged from 2.5 to
      73.7ngL(-1), with an average of 12.5ngL(-1). The elevated Hg and major ions
      concentrations, and electronic conductivity values were generally associated with
      weak acidic samples, and Hg mainly loaded with anthropogenic ions such as NH4(+).
      The results of principal component analysis and trajectory analysis suggested
      that anthropogenic emissions from the Indian subcontinent may have largely
      contributed to the determined Hg in atmospheric water vapor. Furthermore, our
      study reconfirmed that below-cloud scavenging contribution was significant for
      precipitation Hg in Lhasa, and evaluated that on average 74.1% of the Hg in
      precipitation could be accounted for by below-cloud scavenging. 

PMID- 27265736
TI  - Advances in enantioselective analysis of chiral brominated flame retardants.
      Current status, limitations and future perspectives.
AB  - Enantioselective analysis is a powerful tool for the discrimination of biotic and
      abiotic transformation processes of chiral environmental contaminants because
      their environmental biodegradation is mostly stereospecific. However, it is
      challenging when applied to new contaminants since enantioselective analysis
      methods are currently available only for a limited number of compounds. The
      enantioselective analysis of chiral novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs)
      either using gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC) with various
      chiral stationary phases (CSP) coupled with various mass spectrometric techniques
      was extensively discussed. The elution order of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)
      enantiomers in chiral LC was reviewed using the experimental LC data combined
      also with predictions from a multi-mode Hamiltonian dynamics simulation model
      based on interaction energies of HBCD enantiomers with beta-permethylated
      cyclodextrin. The further development of analytical methodologies for new chiral
      BFRs using advanced hyphenated analytical techniques, but also the next
      generation mass spectrometer analyzers (i.e. GC-Qrbitrap MS-MS, LC-Qrbitrap MS
      MS), will contribute to a better characterization of the transformation pathways
      of chiral BFRs. 

PMID- 27265737
TI  - Human thermal sensation and comfort in a non-uniform environment with
      personalized heating.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thermal comfort in traditionally uniform environment is apparent and
      can be improved by increasing energy expenses. To save energy, non-uniform
      environment implemented by personalized conditioning system attracts considerable
      attention, but human response in such environment is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To
      investigate regional- and whole-body thermal sensation and comfort in a cool
      environment with personalized heating. METHODS: In total 36 subjects (17 males
      and 19 females) including children, adults and the elderly, were involved in our
      experiment. Each subject was first asked to sit on a seat in an 18 degrees C
      chamber (uniform environment) for 40min and then sit on a heating seat in a 16
      degrees C chamber (non-uniform environment) for another 40min after 10min break.
      Subjects' regional- and whole-body thermal sensation and comfort were surveyed by
      questionnaire and their skin temperatures were measured by wireless sensors. We
      statistically analyzed subjects' thermal sensation and comfort and their skin
      temperatures in different age and gender groups and compared them between the
      uniform and non-uniform environments. RESULTS: Overall thermal sensation and
      comfort votes were respectively neutral and just comfortable in 16 degrees C
      chamber with personalized heating, which were significantly higher than those in
      18 degrees C chamber without heating (p<0.01). The effect of personalized heating
      on improving thermal sensation and comfort was consistent in subjects of
      different age and gender. However, adults and the females were more sensitive to
      the effect of personalized heating and felt cooler and less comfort than
      children/elderly and the males respectively. Variations of the regional thermal
      sensation/comfort across human body were consistent with those of skin
      temperature. CONCLUSIONS: Personalized heating significantly improved human
      thermal sensation and comfort in non-uniform cooler environment, probably due to
      the fact that it increased skin temperature. However, the link between thermal
      sensation/comfort and variations of skin temperature is rather complex and
      warrant further investigation.

PMID- 27265738
TI  - Trade-offs among ecosystem services in a typical Karst watershed, SW China.
AB  - Nowadays, most research results on ecosystem services in Karst areas are limited
      to a single function of an ecosystem service. Few scholars conduct a comparative
      study on the mutual relationships among ecosystem services, let alone reveal the
      trade-off and synergic relationships in typical Karst watershed. This research
      aims to understand and quantitatively evaluate the relationships among ecosystem
      services in a typical Karst watershed, broaden the depth and width of trade-off
      and synergic relationships in ecosystem services and explore a set of technical
      processes involved in these relationships. With the Shibantang Karst watershed in
      China as the research site, we explore the trade-off and synergic relationships
      of net primary productivity (NPP), water yield, and sediment yield by coupling
      Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA),
      and simulating and evaluating these three ecosystem services between 2000 and
      2010. Results of this study are as follows. (1) The annual average water yield
      decreased from 528mm in 2000 to 513mm in 2010, decreasing by 2.84%. (2) The
      annual average sediment yield decreased from 26.15t/ha in 2000 to 23.81t/ha in
      2010, with an average annual reduction of 0.23t/ha. (3) The annual average NPP
      increased from 739.38gCm(-2)a(-1) in 2000 to 746.25gCm(-2)a(-1) in 2010,
      increasing by 6.87gCm(-2)a(-1) . (4) Water yield and sediment yield are in a
      synergic relationship. The increase of water yield can accumulate the soil
      erosion amount. NPP is in a trade-off relationship with water yield and sediment
      yield. The improvement of NPP is good for decreasing water yield and soil erosion
      amount and increasing soil conservation amount. This study provides policy makers
      and planners an approach to develop an integrated model, as well as design
      mapping and monitoring protocols for land use change and ecosystem service
      assessments. 

PMID- 27265740
TI  - Delivery of roxarsone via chicken diet->chicken->chicken manure->soil->rice
      plant.
AB  - Roxarsone (ROX), a widely used feed additive, occurs as itself and its
      metabolites in animal manure. Rice is prone to accumulate As than other staple
      food. Four diets with 0, 40, 80 and 120mgROXkg(-1) were fed in chickens, and four
      chicken manures (CMs) were collected to fertilize rice plants in a soil culture
      experiment. Linear regression analysis shows that the slopes of As species
      including 4-hydroxy-phenylarsonic acid, As(V), As(III), monomethylarsonic acid
      (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in CM versus dietary ROX were 0.033, 0.314,
      0.033, 0.054 and 0.138, respectively. Both As(III) and DMA were determined in all
      rice grains, and As(III), As(V), MMA and DMA in rice hull, but detectable As
      forms in rice straws and soils increased with increasing ROX dose. Grain As(III)
      was unrelated to ROX dose but exceeded the Chinese rice As limit
      (0.15mgAs(III)kg(-1)). Dietary ROX enhanced straw As(III) mostly, with the slope
      of 0.020, followed by hull DMA (0.006) and grain DMA (0.002). The slopes of soil
      As(V) and As(III) were 0.003 and 0.001. This is the first report illustrating the
      quantitative delivery of ROX via food chain, which helps to evaluate health and
      environmental risks caused by ROX use in animal production. 

PMID- 27265739
TI  - Distribution, sources and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons in water and sediments from Tiber River and estuary, Italy.
AB  - The concentration, source and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) in the Tiber River and its environmental impact on the Tyrrhenian Sea
      (Central Mediterranean Sea) were estimated. The 16 priority PAHs were determined
      in the water dissolved phase (DP), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and
      sediments collected from 21 sites in four different seasons. Total concentrations
      of PAHs ranged from 10.3 to 951.6ngL(-1) and from 36.2 to 545.6ngg(-1) in water
      (sum of DP and SPM) and in sediment samples, respectively. The compositions of
      PAHs showed that 2- to 4-ring PAHs were abundant in DP, 4- to 6-ring PAHs were
      predominant in SPM samples, and 4- to 5-ring PAHs were abundant in sediments. The
      diagnostic ratio analysis indicated that the PAHs mainly had a pyrolytic source.
      The toxic equivalent concentration of carcinogenic PAHs was 45.3ngTEQg(-1),
      suggesting low carcinogenic risk for Tiber River. Total PAHs loads into the sea
      were calculated in about 3161.7kgyear(-1) showing that this river is one of the
      main contribution sources of these contaminants to the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

PMID- 27265741
TI  - Assessment of rice yield loss due to exposure to ozone pollution in Southern
      Vietnam.
AB  - The study domain covered the Eastern region of Southern of Vietnam that includes
      Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and five other provinces. Rice production in the domain
      accounted for 13% of the national total with three crop cycles per year. We
      assessed ozone (O3) induced rice production loss in the domain for 2010 using
      simulated hourly surface O3 concentrations (WRF/CAMx; 4km resolution). Simulated
      O3 was higher in January-February (largely overlaps the first crop) and September
      December (third crop), and lower in March-June (second crop). Spatially, O3 was
      higher in downwind locations of HCMC and were comparable with observed data.
      Relative yield loss (RYL) was assessed for each crop over the respective growing
      period (105days) using three metrics: AOT40, M7 and flux-based O3 dose of POD10.
      Higher RYL was estimated for the downwind of HCMC. Overall, the rice production
      loss due to O3 exposure in the study domain in 2010 was the highest for the first
      crop (up to 25,800metrictons), the second highest for the third crop (up to
      21,500tons) and the least for the second crop (up to 6800tons). The low RYL
      obtained for the second crop by POD10 may be due to the use of a high threshold
      value (Y=10nmolm(-2)s(-1)). Linear regression between non-null radiation POD0 and
      POD10 had similar slopes for the first and third crop when POD0 was higher and
      very low slope for the second crop when POD0 was low. The results of this study
      can be used for the rice crop planning to avoid the period of potential high RYL
      due to O3 exposure. 

PMID- 27265742
TI  - Docetaxel Combined With Bavituximab in Previously Treated, Advanced Nonsquamous
      Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bavituximab is a phosphatidylserine-targeting antibody with a
      selective tumor, vascular-directed immune response. In this phase II trial the
      efficacy and safety of bavituximab combined with docetaxel for previously
      treated, advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer were evaluated. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) every
      21 days for up to 6 cycles combined with weekly, blinded infusions of placebo,
      bavituximab 1 mg/kg, or bavituximab 3 mg/kg until disease progression or
      unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR),
      with a predefined end point of 26% in the bavituximab arms. After study
      unblinding, vial-coding discrepancies were discovered in the placebo and
      bavituximab 1 mg/kg groups. In exploratory analyses, data from these groups were
      pooled to form the control group and compared with the 3 mg/kg group. RESULTS:
      Efficacy end points in the bavituximab 3 mg/kg group (n = 41) and in the
      placebo/bavituximab 1 mg/kg group (n = 80), respectively, were as follows: ORR,
      17.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6%-28.6%) and ORR, 11.3% (95% CI, 4.3%
      18.2%); median progression-free survival 4.5 and 3.3 months (hazard ratio [HR],
      0.74 [95% CI, 0.45-1.21]; P = .24); median overall survival 11.7 and 7.3 months
      (HR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.40-1.10]; P = .11). Toxicities were manageable and similar
      between arms. CONCLUSION: The combination of bavituximab and docetaxel is well
      tolerated. Although no firm efficacy conclusions can be drawn and the trial did
      not meet the predefined primary end point, exploratory analyses suggest trends
      favoring the combination of bavituximab 3 mg/kg with docetaxel. This regimen is
      being evaluated in the ongoing, global, phase III SUNRISE trial.

PMID- 27265743
TI  - A Phase III Study of Durvalumab (MEDI4736) With or Without Tremelimumab for
      Previously Treated Patients With Advanced NSCLC: Rationale and Protocol Design of
      the ARCTIC Study.
AB  - Anti-programmed cell death-1 and anti-programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1)
      monotherapies have shown promising clinical activity in advanced, refractory non
      small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but antitumor activity appears to be greater in
      patients with PD-L1(+) tumors compared with patients harboring PD-L1(-) tumors.
      Combining the anti-PD-L1 antibody durvalumab and the anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte
      antigen 4 antibody tremelimumab offers the potential for antitumor activity in
      patients with advanced NSCLC, regardless of PD-L1 tumor status. ARCTIC
      (NCT02352948) is a global, phase III, randomized, open-label multicenter study in
      patients with advanced NSCLC assessing the safety and clinical activity of
      durvalumab versus standard of care (SoC; erlotinib, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine)
      in patients with PD-L1(+) tumors (>=25% of tumor cells with membrane staining
      using VENTANA PD-L1 [SP263] CDx Assay) (Sub-study A) and the combination of
      durvalumab + tremelimumab or either agent as monotherapy versus SoC in patients
      with PD-L1(-) tumors (Sub-study B). Eligible patients are those with locally
      advanced or metastatic NSCLC (Stage IIIB/IV), without epidermal growth factor
      receptor tyrosine kinase activating mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase
      rearrangements, who have received at least 2 prior systemic regimens, including 1
      platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. Co-primary endpoints are progression-free
      survival and overall survival. Secondary endpoints include the proportion of
      patients alive at 12 months, objective response rate, duration of response,
      progression-free survival at 6 and 12 months, safety and tolerability,
      pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and quality of life. The exploratory endpoints
      will assess potential biomarkers of treatment response. Recruitment started in
      January 2015 and is ongoing.

PMID- 27265744
TI  - NMR analysis of the human saliva metabolome distinguishes dementia patients from
      matched controls.
AB  - Saliva is a biofluid that is sensitive to metabolic changes and is
      straightforward to collect in a non-invasive manner, but it is seldom used for
      metabolite analysis when studying neurodegenerative disorders. We present a
      procedure for both an untargeted and targeted analysis of the saliva metabolome
      in which nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is used in combination
      with multivariate data analysis. The applicability of this approach is
      demonstrated on saliva samples selected from the 25 year prospective Betula
      study, including samples from dementia subjects with either Alzheimer's disease
      (AD) or vascular dementia at the time of sampling or who developed it by the next
      sampling/assessment occasion five years later, and age-, gender-, and education
      matched control individuals without dementia. Statistically significant
      multivariate models were obtained that separated patients with dementia from
      controls and revealed seven discriminatory metabolites. Dementia patients showed
      significantly increased concentrations of acetic acid (fold change (fc) = 1.25, p
      = 2 * 10(-5)), histamine (fc = 1.26, p = 0.019), and propionate (fc = 1.35, p =
      0.002), while significantly decreased levels were observed for dimethyl sulfone
      (fc = 0.81, p = 0.005), glycerol (fc = 0.79, p = 0.04), taurine (fc = 0.70, p =
      0.007), and succinate (fc = 0.62, p = 0.008). Histamine, succinate, and taurine
      are known to be important in AD, and acetic acid and glycerol are involved in
      related pathways. Dimethyl sulfone and propionate originate from the diet and
      bacterial flora and might reflect poorer periodontal status in the dementia
      patients. For these seven metabolites, a weak but statistically significant pre
      diagnostic value was observed. Taken together, we present a robust and general
      NMR analysis approach for studying the saliva metabolome that has potential use
      for screening and early detection of dementia.

PMID- 27265745
TI  - Erratum to "Down-regulation of hTERT and Cyclin D1 transcription via PI3K/Akt and
      TGF-beta pathways in MCF-7 cancer cells with PX-866 and Raloxifene" [Exp. Cell
      Res. 344 (2016) 95-102].

PMID- 27265746
TI  - Suicide, Socio-economic Inequalities, Gender, and Psychiatric
      DisordersCommentary: Educational Levels and Risk of Suicide in Japan: The Japan
      Public Health Center Study (JPHC) Cohort I.

PMID- 27265748
TI  - An RNA Aptamer Inhibits a Mutation-Induced Inactivating Misfolding of a Serpin.
AB  - Most serpins are fast and specific inhibitors of extracellular serine proteases
      controlling biological processes such as blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, tissue
      remodeling, and inflammation. The inhibitory activity of serpins is based on a
      conserved metastable structure and their conversion to a more stable state during
      reaction with the target protease. However, the metastable state also makes
      serpins vulnerable to mutations, resulting in disease caused by inactive and
      misfolded monomeric or polymeric forms ("serpinopathy"). Misfolding can occur
      either intracellularly (type-I serpinopathies) or extracellularly (type-II
      serpinopathies). We have isolated a 2'-fluoropyrimidine-modified RNA aptamer,
      which inhibits a mutation-induced inactivating misfolding of the serpin alpha1
      antichymotrypsin. It is the first agent able to stabilize a type-II mutation of a
      serpin without interfering with the inhibitory mechanism, thereby presenting a
      solution for the long-standing challenge of preventing pathogenic misfolding
      without compromising the inhibitory function.

PMID- 27265747
TI  - Fasnall, a Selective FASN Inhibitor, Shows Potent Anti-tumor Activity in the MMTV
      Neu Model of HER2(+) Breast Cancer.
AB  - Many tumors are dependent on de novo fatty acid synthesis to maintain cell
      growth. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) catalyzes the final synthetic step of this
      pathway, and its upregulation is correlated with tumor aggressiveness. The
      consequences and adaptive responses of acute or chronic inhibition of essential
      enzymes such as FASN are not fully understood. Herein we identify Fasnall, a
      thiophenopyrimidine selectively targeting FASN through its co-factor binding
      sites. Global lipidomics studies with Fasnall showed profound changes in cellular
      lipid profiles, sharply increasing ceramides, diacylglycerols, and unsaturated
      fatty acids as well as increasing exogenous palmitate uptake that is deviated
      more into neutral lipid formation rather than phospholipids. We also showed that
      the increase in ceramide levels contributes to some extent in the mediation of
      apoptosis. Consistent with this mechanism of action, Fasnall showed potent anti
      tumor activity in the MMTV-Neu model of HER2(+) breast cancer, particularly when
      combined with carboplatin.

PMID- 27265749
TI  - Foamy Monocytes Are Enriched in cis-7-Hexadecenoic Fatty Acid (16:1n-9), a
      Possible Biomarker for Early Detection of Cardiovascular Disease.
AB  - Human monocytes respond to arachidonic acid, a secretory product of endothelial
      cells, by activating the de novo pathway of fatty acid biosynthesis, resulting in
      the acquisition of a foamy phenotype due to accumulation of cytoplasmic lipid
      droplets. Recruitment of foamy monocytes to endothelium is a key step in the
      formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Here we describe that lipid droplets of
      foamy monocytes are enriched in a rather uncommon fatty acid, cis-7-hexadecenoic
      acid (16:1n-9), a positional isomer of palmitoleic acid. 16:1n-9 was found to
      possess an anti-inflammatory activity both in vitro and in vivo that is
      comparable with that of omega-3 fatty acids and clearly distinguishable from the
      effects of palmitoleic acid. Selective accumulation in neutral lipids of
      phagocytic cells of an uncommon fatty acid reveals an early phenotypic change
      that may provide a biomarker of proatherogenicity, and a potential target for
      intervention in the early stages of cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 27265750
TI  - A combined variation of Palmaris longus and Flexor digitorum superficialis: Case
      report and review of literature.
AB  - The muscles of the anterior compartment of the forearm often exhibit anatomic
      variations. During dissection of the upper right limb of a preserved cadaver,
      morphological variations in the Palmaris longus and Flexor digitorum
      superficialis muscles were found. The Palmaris longus muscular fibers converged
      to a tendon that passed beneath the Flexor retinaculum, and inserted at the base
      of the middle phalanx of the fourth digit, replacing the tendon of Flexor
      digitorum superficialis. The Flexor digitorum superficialis was divided into two
      muscular heads: a digastric medial head giving tendons to the second and fifth
      digits, and a lateral head giving one tendon to the third digit. All these
      tendons were inserted in the respective digits by two bundles between which were
      located the tendon of the Flexor digitorum profundus muscle. Variations of flexor
      muscles must be documented because of their clinical significance and their
      potential use of these muscles in orthopaedic and reconstructive surgery.

PMID- 27265751
TI  - LRRK2 knockdown in zebrafish causes developmental defects, neuronal loss, and
      synuclein aggregation.
AB  - Although mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most
      common cause of genetic Parkinson's disease, their function is largely unknown.
      LRRK2 is pleiotropic in nature, shown to be involved in neurodegeneration and in
      more peripheral processes, including kidney functions, in rats and mice. Recent
      studies in zebrafish have shown conflicting evidence that removal of the LRRK2
      WD40 domain may or may not affect dopaminergic neurons and/or locomotion. This
      study shows that ~50% LRRK2 knockdown in zebrafish causes not only neuronal loss
      but also developmental perturbations such as axis curvature defects, ocular
      abnormalities, and edema in the eyes, lens, and otic vesicles. We further show
      that LRRK2 knockdown results in significant neuronal loss, including a reduction
      of dopaminergic neurons. Immunofluorescence demonstrates that endogenous LRRK2 is
      expressed in the lens, brain, heart, spinal cord, and kidney (pronephros), which
      mirror the LRRK2 morphant phenotypes observed. LRRK2 knockdown results further in
      the concomitant upregulation of beta-synuclein, PARK13, and SOD1 and causes beta
      synuclein aggregation in the diencephalon, midbrain, hindbrain, and postoptic
      commissure. LRRK2 knockdown causes mislocalization of the Na(+) /K(+) ATPase
      protein in the pronephric ducts, suggesting that the edema might be linked to
      renal malfunction and that LRRK2 might be associated with pronephric duct
      epithelial cell differentiation. Combined, our study shows that LRRK2 has
      multifaceted roles in zebrafish and that zebrafish represent a complementary
      model to further our understanding of this central protein. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265752
TI  - Comparison of the effect of the anti-Xa direct oral anticoagulants apixaban,
      edoxaban, and rivaroxaban on coagulation assays.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of increasing
      concentrations of direct anti-Xa oral anticoagulants (DOAC) apixaban-, edoxaban-,
      and rivaroxaban-enriched plasma samples on various prothrombin time (PT),
      activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), heparin calibrated anti-Xa methods,
      and other coagulation assays. METHODS: Apixaban, edoxaban, or rivaroxaban was
      dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide and added to pooled normal plasma to obtain
      concentrations ranging from 0 ng/mL to approximately 600 ng/mL. The samples were
      tested using Innovin((r)) , Neoplastine((r)) CI Plus, Recombiplastin 2G, and
      Thromborel((r)) S for PT testing and Actin, Actin((r)) FS, Actin((r)) FSL, APTT
      Automate, and SynthaSIL for APTT. Samples were also tested using four different
      anti-Xa methods calibrated for unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight
      heparin. Special coagulation assays included antithrombin activity, lupus
      anticoagulant assays, and others. For special coagulation assays, the
      concentration of DOAC that resulted in a >15% change from baseline value was
      determined. DOAC quantification was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem
      mass spectrometry. RESULTS: All PT and APTT reagents demonstrated a higher
      sensitivity for edoxaban and rivaroxaban than for apixaban. Anti-Xa methods were
      able to detect low concentrations of DOAC. DOACs effected special coagulation
      assays to differing degrees, with lupus anticoagulant testing using dilute viper
      venom, the most sensitive test to the presence of anti-Xa DOAC. CONCLUSION: No PT
      or APTT reagent system effectively detected apixaban. All anti-Xa methods
      demonstrated sensitivity to low concentrations of DOAC. Dilute viper venom
      methods are exquisitely sensitive to anti-Xa DOAC, suggesting potential use of
      this assay for screening or measuring these drugs.

PMID- 27265753
TI  - Intracemetery biological variation at the fort ancient sunwatch village.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigate intracemetery biological variation at the Fort Ancient
      SunWatch village (800-500 BP.) to test the hypothesis that the SunWatch
      population consisted of spatially structured biologically differentiated kin
      groups consisting of distinct local Late Woodland and non-local Mississippian
      biological populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The SunWatch sample contains 166
      individuals: 63 adults and 103 subadults. We analyze intracemetery biological
      variation using two feature sets: the buccolingual diameters of the polar teeth
      in the permanent (n = 37) and deciduous (n = 26) dentitions. We apply matrix
      correlation models to biodistance and grave distance matrices in both data sets,
      evaluate burial outliers and individuals exhibiting a rare dental feature with
      interindividual biological distances, and evaluate potential cultural subgroups
      with Mahalanobis' distance. RESULTS: Matrix correlation analyses for both feature
      sets as well as interindividual and subgroup distances indicate the SunWatch
      village cemetery was kin structured, contained a single primary biological
      population, and also contained a small number of non-local individuals most of
      whom were from closely related populations. We thus reject the hypothesis that
      the SunWatch population consisted of biologically distinct Late Woodland and
      Mississippian biological populations. DISCUSSION: Although SunWatch village
      exhibited cultural attributes characteristic of both local Late Woodland and non
      local Mississippian groups, biologically the village was composed of one primary
      population. The lack of evidence for marked biological differentiation in the
      SunWatch village area at about 800-500 BP. suggests diffusion and acculturation
      may account for Mississippian cultural characteristics in southwestern Ohio Fort
      Ancient villages. If gene flow or migrations from biologically distinct
      Mississippian populations into southwestern Ohio occurred, either or both likely
      occurred well before 800 BP. This would have allowed the process of admixture
      time to produce a relatively homogeneous, nondifferentiated population. The
      latter alternative is consistent with the appearance in southwestern Ohio of non
      local individuals at one site linked to surrounding Mississippian regions at
      about 950 BP. Am J Phys Anthropol 160:719-728, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27265754
TI  - Multiple sclerosis: The resolving lesion revealed.
AB  - A little studied lesion, the resolving lesion, is described in multiple sclerosis
      (MS). Unusual features of early resolving lesions comprised a fibrous
      astrogliotic parenchyma replete with lipid-laden (foamy) microglia/macrophages
      widely scattered throughout and lined up at the edge, separating demyelinated
      plaque from myelinated white matter. Ongoing myelin breakdown was absent, as was
      remyelination. Later resolving lesions displayed the unusual coexistence of
      macrophages and remyelination within the gliotic parenchyma. Collectively, these
      observations may provide for the first time evidence for a role in MS for
      mitigating factors like alternatively-activated (M2) microglia/macrophages, known
      to have an anti-inflammatory phenotype and to be associated with wound-healing
      and repair.

PMID- 27265757
TI  - Is There a Place for Apheresis in Patients with Severe Sepsis or Multi Organ
      Dysfunction Syndrome?
AB  - Severe sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome may develop in the course of
      severe sepsis, intoxication, poisoning, crush injury, asystole, drowning, and
      several other complications. When normal intensive care is insufficient despite
      vasoactive drugs, respiratory aid, and dialysis, the risk for death is extremely
      high. Only very little benefit has been noted in various trials using drug
      administration such as antibodies against TNF-alfa, immunoglobulin,
      pentoxifylline and high dose steroids. The use of apheresis (plasma exchange,
      plasmapheresis, adsorption) to remove toxins, cytokines, and other compounds has
      been tried in an unselective as well as selective manner. Data now exists that
      indicate increased survival by this type of therapy. It is time to focus on
      randomised controlled trials with these techniques to decide the efficacy of
      apheresis in this area. 

PMID- 27265755
TI  - New Highly Oxygenated Germacranolides from Carpesium divaricatum and their
      Cytotoxic Activity.
AB  - Eight highly oxygenated germacranolides (1-8) including four new ones (2-5) were
      isolated from the whole plant of Carpesium divaricatum. The planar structures and
      relative configurations of the new compounds were determined by NMR experiment
      and HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by circular
      dichroism (CD) method and X-ray diffraction, and the stereochemistry of the new
      compounds 2-5 were determined by similar CD spectra with 1. Compound 2 is the
      first hydroperoxyl germacrane from the genus Carpesium. The (13)C NMR data of 1,
      NMR data of 6-7, and their absolute configurations were reported for the first
      time. Two new compounds (2 and 4) and two known compounds (6 and 8) exhibited
      potent cytotoxicity against human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells, superior to that
      of the positive control doxorubicin.

PMID- 27265758
TI  - Multilineage Immune-Mediated Cytopenias in Childhood: A Report of Five Patients.
AB  - This study was performed to determine whether there is any distinction to be made
      between single and multiple-lineage cytopenias particularly with regard to
      natural history and prognosis. From December 1989 to May 1994, five of 50
      children (median age 7 years) with chronic immune cytopenias were diagnosed with
      multi-lineage immune- ediated cytopenias. Two patients presented with immune
      thrombocytopenia (ITP) and later developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA);
      one had ITP and immune eutropenia who subsequently became Coombs' positive but
      never developed AIHA. One child presented with ITP and immune neutropenia and
      later developed AIHA. The fifth child presented simultaneously with
      thrombocytopenia and neutropenia with positive antineutrophil antibody but
      without antiplatelet antibody and Coombs' positivity. Four patients were given
      primary therapy with IVIG and one with prednisone. One patient responded to
      prednisone but relapsed subsequently. Further treatment with IVIG roduced initial
      normalization of his counts with occasional fluctuation of the absolute
      neutrophil count. Two responded to IVIG and are in complete remission (CR). Of
      the two nonresponders to IVIG, one responded subsequently to prednisone and is in
      CR. The other one, after being refractory to multimodality treatment, was
      diagnosed with a lupus erythematosis variant and is currently on alternate day
      prednisone. Moderate thrombocytopenia and absolute neutropenia still persist.
      Multi-lineage immune-mediated cytopenias may represent a pathogenic phenomenon
      that is distinct from autoimmune single-lineage disease. Clinical response to
      treatment may correlate with these differences that may be genetic in origin.
      Clinical course and response to therapy are less predictable when autoimmune
      disease is present. 

PMID- 27265759
TI  - The Levels of Sera Malondialdehyde, Erythrocyte Membrane Na+-K+/Mg++ and
      Ca++/Mg++ Adenosine 5' Triphosphatase in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia.
AB  - The various membrane abnormalities of sickle erythrocytes may result from
      excessive accumulation of oxidant damage. We measured the sera levels of
      malondialdehyde, products of lipid peroxidation, Na+-K+/Mg++ Adenosine 5'
      triphosphatase (ATPase) and Ca++/Mg++ Adenosine 5' triphosphatase, erythrocyte
      membrane enzymes, in patients with sickle cell anemia and compared their levels
      with that of normal controls. MDA, Na+-K+/Mg++ and Ca++/Mg++ ATPase levels of
      control groups were 0.90 +/- 0.04 nmol/mL, 168 +/- 12.9 and 140.6 +/- 8.2 nmol
      Pi/mg prot/hour, respectively. MDA, Na+-K+/Mg++ and Ca++/Mg++ATPase levels of
      patients were 2.02 +/- 0.01 nmol/mL, 127.0 +/- 8.4 and 110.0 +/- 9.6 nmol Pi/mg
      prot/hour, respectively. Our experimental results showed that there was a
      significant increase in MDA levels of patients with sickle cell anemia as
      compared with that of the controls. However, erythrocyte membrane Na+-K+/Mg++ and
      Ca++/Mg++ ATPase levels of patients with sickle cell anemia were significantly
      lower than the, Na+-K+/Mg++ and Ca++/Mg++ ATPase levels of normal controls. 

PMID- 27265756
TI  - Addition of sulphonylurea to metformin does not relevantly change body weight: a
      prospective observational cohort study (ZODIAC-39).
AB  - AIM: To investigate changes in body weight trajectories after the addition of
      individual sulphonylureas (SUs) to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study,
      in a primary care setting in the Netherlands. Patients aged >=18 years with type
      2 diabetes who were included in the ZODIAC cohort between 1998 and 2012 and who
      received metformin monotherapy at inclusion (n = 29 195), and had used metformin
      as monotherapy for at least 1 year before receiving dual therapy through the
      addition of an SU for at least 1 year were eligible for inclusion. The primary
      outcome was within-drug yearly change in body weight after receiving add-on
      therapy with individual SUs during 5 years of follow-up. The secondary outcome
      was within-drug yearly change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Annual changes in
      weight and HbA1c were estimated with linear mixed models, adjusted for age,
      gender and diabetes duration. RESULTS: A total of 2958 patients were included. No
      significant weight changes were observed within and between any of the individual
      SUs after treatment intensification (p = 0.24). In addition, no significant
      difference in weight between the add-on therapy combinations was observed (p =
      0.26). The average HbA1c the year before intensification was 7.2% (55 mmol/mol)
      and dropped below 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) the year after. CONCLUSIONS: In patients
      with type 2 diabetes treated in primary care, strict glycaemic control can be
      maintained with SUs used as add-on therapy to metformin, without the offset of
      relevant weight changes.

PMID- 27265761
TI  - Isolated Acquired FX Deficiency: A Case Report.
AB  - A female with no previous history of bleeding presented with active bleeding from
      multiple body sites, declining hemoglolobin levels, and markedly prolonged
      prothrombin times (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) with
      incomplete correction on PT mix assays. This patient showed a severe deficiency
      of factor X. FX levels and bleeding were refractory to multiple transfusions of
      fresh frozen plasma. Although plasmapheresis was started with concomitant
      intravenous immunoglobulin and steroid therapy, the patient died. 

PMID- 27265760
TI  - Two Rare Hemoglobin Variants in the Turkish Population (Hb G-Coushatta (B 22(B4)
      GLU-ALA and Hb J Iran (B 77 (EF1) HIS-ASP).

PMID- 27265762
TI  - Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Associated with Chronic Alpha Interferon Treatment:
      A Case Report.
AB  - Chronic a-interferon use has been reported to cause a variety of neurotoxic side
      effects. This case summary suggests the possibility of a new neurotoxic side
      effect of normal pressure hydrocephalus following chronic a-interferon use. 

PMID- 27265763
TI  - Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Lung Associated with Anemia: A Case Report and
      Review of the Literature.
AB  - Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung is a benign tumor which is rarely seen. A
      mass in the left lung was observed in the chest roentgenogram of an 8 year-old
      boy while investigating for anemia. Preoperative investigations could not render
      the exact diagnosis. Pneumonectomy was required in exploratris thoracotomy.
      Histopathologic diagnosis was fibrohistiocytic type of inflammatory pseudotumor.
      Four months after the operation, anemia was cured without any further treatment. 

PMID- 27265764
TI  - In Reply.

PMID- 27265765
TI  - Concerns for Collagenase.

PMID- 27265766
TI  - Ugly aesthetic perception associated with emotional changes in experience of art
      by behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia patients.
AB  - The aesthetic experience through art is a window into the study of emotions.
      Patients with behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) have early
      alteration of emotional processing. A new appreciation of art has been reported
      in some of these patients. We designed a computerized task using 32 abstract
      paintings that allowed us to investigate the integrity of patients' emotions when
      viewing the artwork. We evaluated both conscious and explicit appraisal of
      emotions [aesthetic judgment (beautiful/ugly), emotional relevance (affected or
      not by the painting), emotional valence (pleasant/unpleasant), emotional reaction
      (adjective choice) and arousal] and unconscious processing. Fifteen bvFTD
      patients and 15 healthy controls were included. BvFTD patients reported that they
      were "little touched" by the paintings. Aesthetic judgment was very different
      between the two groups: the paintings were considered ugly (negative aesthetic
      bias) and unpleasant (negative emotional bias) more often by the patients than by
      controls. Valence and aesthetic judgments correlated in both groups. In addition,
      there was a positive bias in the implicit task and for explicit emotional
      responses. Patients frequently chose the word "sad" and rarely expressed
      themselves with such adjectives as "happy". Our results suggest that bvFTD
      patients can give an aesthetic judgment, but present abstraction difficulties, as
      spectators, resulting from impairments in the cognitive processes involved. They
      also have difficulties in terms of emotional processes with the loss of the
      ability to feel the emotion per se (i.e., to feel an emotion faced with art)
      linked to behaviour assessment. This cognitive approach allows us to better
      understand which spectators are bvFTD patients and to show interactions between
      emotions and behavioural disorders.

PMID- 27265767
TI  - Bacterial transcription: A tale of two specificities.

PMID- 27265770
TI  - Excessive intimal hyperplasia in human coronary arteries before intimal lipid
      depositions is the initiation of coronary atherosclerosis and constitutes a
      therapeutic target.
AB  - The consensus hypothesis on coronary atherosclerosis suggests high LDL-C levels
      as the major cause and pursues it as the therapeutic target, explicitly assuming:
      (i) tunica intima of human coronaries consists of only one cell layer -
      endothelium, situated on a thin layer of scarcely cellular matrix; and (ii)
      subendothelial lipoprotein retention initiates the disease. Facts showed: (i)
      normal tunica intima invariably consists of multiple cellular layers; and (ii)
      initial lipid depositions occurred in the deepest layers of tunica intima. This
      review suggests that coronary atherosclerosis starts with pathological intimal
      expansion, resulting in intimal hypoxia and neovascularization from adventitial
      vasa vasorum, facilitating lipoprotein extraction by previously avascular deep
      intimal tissues. Until the hypothesis incorporates real knowledge, our efforts
      will probably be off-target.

PMID- 27265769
TI  - Advancing microbial sciences by individual-based modelling.
AB  - Remarkable technological advances have revealed ever more properties and
      behaviours of individual microorganisms, but the novel data generated by these
      techniques have not yet been fully exploited. In this Opinion article, we explain
      how individual-based models (IBMs) can be constructed based on the findings of
      such techniques and how they help to explore competitive and cooperative
      microbial interactions. Furthermore, we describe how IBMs have provided insights
      into self-organized spatial patterns from biofilms to the oceans of the world,
      phage-CRISPR dynamics and other emergent phenomena. Finally, we discuss how
      combining individual-based observations with IBMs can advance our understanding
      at both the individual and population levels, leading to the new approach of
      microbial individual-based ecology (MUIBE).

PMID- 27265771
TI  - In vitro and ex vivo models of multiple sclerosis.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system
      (CNS). Current therapies suppress a misdirected myelin-destructive immune
      response. To combat the progressive, neurodestructive phase of MS, the
      therapeutic research focus is currently on compounds that might boost the
      endogenous potential of the brain to remyelinate axons, thereby achieving lesion
      repair. Here, we describe the testing of fingolimod on cultures of
      oligodendrocytes (OLs) and organotypic brain slices. We detail the protocols,
      pros, and cons of these in vitro and ex vivo approaches, along with the potential
      benefit of exploiting skin-punch biopsies from patients with MS, before
      concluding with a summary of future developments.

PMID- 27265768
TI  - Opportunistic intruders: how viruses orchestrate ER functions to infect cells.
AB  - Viruses subvert the functions of their host cells to replicate and form new viral
      progeny. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been identified as a central
      organelle that governs the intracellular interplay between viruses and hosts. In
      this Review, we analyse how viruses from vastly different families converge on
      this unique intracellular organelle during infection, co-opting some of the
      endogenous functions of the ER to promote distinct steps of the viral life cycle
      from entry and replication to assembly and egress. The ER can act as the common
      denominator during infection for diverse virus families, thereby providing a
      shared principle that underlies the apparent complexity of relationships between
      viruses and host cells. As a plethora of information illuminating the molecular
      and cellular basis of virus-ER interactions has become available, these insights
      may lead to the development of crucial therapeutic agents.

PMID- 27265772
TI  - Immune-competent human skin disease models.
AB  - All skin diseases have an underlying immune component. Owing to differences in
      animal and human immunology, the majority of drugs fail in the preclinical or
      clinical testing phases. Therefore animal alternative methods that incorporate
      human immunology into in vitro skin disease models are required to move the field
      forward. This review summarizes the progress, using examples from fibrosis,
      autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, cancer and contact allergy. The emphasis is on co
      cultures and 3D organotypic models. Our conclusion is that current models are
      inadequate and future developments with immune-competent skin-on-chip models
      based on induced pluripotent stem cells could provide a next generation of skin
      models for drug discovery and testing.

PMID- 27265773
TI  - Marriage trends among Americans with childhood-onset disabilities, 1997-2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with disabilities are less likely to marry than people without
      disabilities. Trends in marriage and assortative mating among people with
      disabilities have not been investigated. HYPOTHESIS: This study tested if
      marriage likelihood converged between adults with childhood-onset disabilities
      and their peers, and if married adults with childhood-onset disabilities became
      more likely to have a spouse without disabilities. METHODS: U.S. data from annual
      National Health Interview Surveys were used to identify adults ages 18-44
      surveyed between 1997 and 2013 (N = 562,229). Childhood-onset disability was
      defined by self-report of physical conditions limiting the respondent's
      activities since age <18 years. Weighted multivariate logistic regressions were
      used to compare trends in ever marrying and current marriage to a spouse without
      reported disabilities between adults with childhood-onset disabilities and adults
      without childhood-onset disabilities. RESULTS: Across survey years, the decline
      in odds of having ever married was stronger among adults with childhood-onset
      disabilities (OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.93, 0.95; p < 0.001) than among adults without
      childhood-onset disabilities (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.96, 0.96; p < 0.001), and
      divergence in these trends was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Employment
      and college attendance were positively correlated with marriage among people with
      childhood-onset disabilities. Among adults married at the time of the survey,
      those with childhood-onset disabilities were less likely to have a spouse without
      reported disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: The American retreat from marriage has been
      accelerated among adults with childhood-onset disabilities, with high rates of in
      marriage to other people with disabilities persisting in this group.

PMID- 27265774
TI  - Stabilisation of self-assembled DNA crystals by triplex-directed photo-cross
      linking.
AB  - The tensegrity triangle is a robust DNA motif that can self-assemble to generate
      macroscopic three-dimensional crystals. However, the stability of these crystals
      is dependent on the high ionic conditions used for crystal growth. Here we
      demonstrate that a triplex-forming oligonucleotide can be used to direct the
      specific intercalation, and subsequent photo-cross-linking, of 4,5',8
      trimethylpsoralen to single or multiple loci within or between the tiles of the
      crystal. Cross-linking between the tiles of the crystal improves their thermal
      stability. Such an approach is likely to facilitate the removal of crystals from
      their mother liquor and may prove useful for applications that require greater
      crystal stability. 

PMID- 27265775
TI  - Zika virus and pregnancy.

PMID- 27265776
TI  - A method for improved 4D-computed tomography data acquisition.
AB  - In four-dimensional time-dependent computed tomography (4D-CT) of the lungs,
      irregularities in breathing movements can cause errors in data acquisition, or
      even data loss. We present a method based on sending a synthetic, regular
      breathing signal to the CT instead of the real signal, which ensures 4D-CT data
      sets without data loss. Subsequent correction of the signal based on the real
      breathing curve enables an accurate reconstruction of the size and movement of
      the target volume. This makes it possible to plan radiation treatment based on
      the obtained data. The method was tested with dynamic thorax phantom measurements
      using synthetic and real breathing patterns.

PMID- 27265777
TI  - The Safety and Efficacy of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Patients Who
      Require Dialysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients who require dialysis are at high risk for cardiovascular
      mortality, which may be improved by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists
      (MRAs). STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized
      controlled trials. SETTING & POPULATION: Adults undergoing long-term hemodialysis
      or peritoneal dialysis with or without heart failure. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR
      STUDIES: Randomized controlled trials evaluating an MRA in dialysis and reported
      at least one outcome of interest. INTERVENTION: Spironolactone (8 trials) or
      eplerenone (1 trial) compared to placebo (7 trials) or standard of care (2
      trials). OUTCOMES: Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, hyperkalemia, serum
      potassium level, hypotension, change in blood pressure, and gynecomastia.
      RESULTS: We identified 9 trials including 829 patients. The overall quality of
      evidence was low due to methodologic limitations in most of the included trials.
      The relative risk (RR) for cardiovascular mortality was 0.34 (95% CI, 0.15-0.75)
      for MRA-treated compared with control patients. The RR for all-cause mortality
      was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.23-0.69). The RR for hyperkalemia for MRA treatment was 3.05
      (95% CI, 1.21-7.70). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated wide variability in RRs
      for cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, and hyperkalemia, suggesting
      further uncertainty in the confidence of the primary results. LIMITATIONS: Trial
      quality and size insufficient to robustly and precisely identify a treatment
      effect. CONCLUSIONS: Given the uncertainty of both the benefits and harms of MRAs
      in dialysis, large high-quality trials are required.

PMID- 27265778
TI  - Smart window coating based on F-TiO2-KxWO3 nanocomposites with heat shielding,
      ultraviolet isolating, hydrophilic and photocatalytic performance.
AB  - A series of smart window coated multifunctional NIR shielding-photocatalytic
      films were fabricated successfully through KxWO3 and F-TiO2 in a low-cost and
      environmentally friendly process. Based on the synergistic effect of KxWO3 and F
      TiO2, the optimal proportion of KxWO3 to F-TiO2 was investigated and the FT/2KWO
      nanocomposite film exhibited strong near-infrared, ultraviolet light shielding
      ability, good visible light transmittance, high photocatalytic activity and
      excellent hydrophilic capacity. This film exhibited better thermal insulation
      capacity than ITO and higher photocatalytic activity than P25. Meanwhile, the
      excellent stability of this film was examined by the cycle photocatalytic
      degradation and thermal insulation experiments. Overall, this work is expected to
      provide a possibility in integrating KxWO3 with F-TiO2, so as to obtain a
      multifunctional NIR shielding-photocatalytic nanocomposite film in helping solve
      the energy crisis and deteriorating environmental issues.

PMID- 27265779
TI  - T-peak to T-end Interval Predicts Appropriate Shocks in Patients with Heart
      Failure Undergoing Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation for
      Primary Prophylaxis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: T-wave peak to T-wave end interval (Tp-e) correlates with dispersion
      of ventricular repolarization. The purpose of this study was to assess the
      ability of Tp-e to predict appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator
      (ICD) shocks and all-cause mortality in patients who underwent ICD implantation
      for primary prophylaxis. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-eight patients with left
      ventricular ejection fraction <=35% and an ICD implanted were followed-up
      prospectively. Patients divided into two subgroups according to presence of
      appropriate ICD shocks (Group 1: 112 patients with ICD shocks, Group 2: 116
      patients without shocks). End points were appropriate ICD therapy due to
      ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF), death, and a combined
      end point of VT/VF or death. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 22.3 +/- 7.7
      months, appropriate ICD shocks were observed in 112 of 228 patients (49.1%). The
      mean duration of the Tp-e Group 1 was significantly longer than Group 2 (115.3 +/
      22.2 vs 104.7 +/- 20.2 ms, P < 0.001). Ischemic etiology and Tp-e duration were
      found to be independent predictors of ICD therapy. When the patients were divided
      into two groups based on Tp-e interval, there was no significant difference
      regarding the mortality between groups (21.2% vs 21.8%, P: 0.186). However,
      appropriate ICD shocks due to VT/VF (37.5% vs 58.8%, P < 0.001) and combined end
      point (39.4% vs 64.5%, P: 0.002) were significantly higher in patients with
      longer Tp-e group. CONCLUSIONS: Tp-e interval independently predicts appropriate
      ICD shocks in patients with systolic dysfunction and ICDs implanted for primary
      prevention.

PMID- 27265780
TI  - Photocatalytic Hydroxylation of Benzene by Dioxygen to Phenol with a Cyano
      Bridged Complex Containing Fe(II) and Ru(II) Incorporated in Mesoporous Silica
      Alumina.
AB  - Photocatalytic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol was achieved by using O2 as an
      oxidant as well as an oxygen source with a cyano-bridged polynuclear metal
      complex containing Fe(II) and Ru(II) incorporated in mesoporous silica-alumina
      ([Fe(H2O)3]2[Ru(CN)6]@sAl-MCM-41). An apparent turnover number (TON) of phenol
      production per the monomer unit of [Fe(H2O)3]2[Ru(CN)6] was 41 for 59 h. The
      cyano-bridged polynuclear metal complex, [Fe(H2O)3]2[Ru(CN)6], exhibited
      catalytic activity for thermal hydroxylation of benzene by H2O2 in acetonitrile
      (MeCN), where the apparent TON of phenol production reached 393 for 60 h. The
      apparent TON increased to 2500 for 114 h by incorporating [Fe(H2O)3]2[Ru(CN)6] in
      sAl-MCM-41. Additionally, [Fe(H2O)3]2[Ru(CN)6] acts as a water oxidation catalyst
      by using [Ru(bpy)3](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and Na2S2O8 as a photosensitizer
      and a sacrificial electron acceptor as evidenced by (18)O-isotope labeling
      experiments. Photoirradiation of an O2-saturated MeCN solution containing
      [Fe(H2O)3]2[Ru(CN)6]@sAl-MCM-41 and scandium ion provided H2O2 formation, where
      photoexcited [Ru(CN)6](4-) moiety reduces O2 as indicated by laser flash
      photolysis measurements. Thus, hydroxylation of benzene to phenol using molecular
      oxygen photocatalyzed by [Fe(H2O)3]2[Ru(CN)6] occurred via a two-step route; (1)
      molecular oxygen was photocatalytically reduced to peroxide by using water as an
      electron donor, and then (2) peroxide thus formed is used as an oxidant for
      hydroxylation of benzene. 

PMID- 27265782
TI  - The expression of methiopropamine-induced locomotor sensitization requires
      dopamine D2, but not D1, receptor activation in the rat.
AB  - Methiopropamine (MPA) is a structural analog to methamphetamine and is
      categorized as a novel psychoactive substance that needs to be controlled.
      However, no study has been performed to determine whether MPA actually develops
      an addiction-like behavior similar to those arising from other psychomotor
      stimulants. Thus, we attempted to determine whether MPA produces locomotor
      sensitization in a manner similar to amphetamine. In the first experiment, rats
      were pre-exposed to either saline or one of three different doses of MPA (0.2,
      1.0, or 5.0mg/kg, IP) with a total of four injections, respectively. After a 2
      week withdrawal period, when they were challenged with the same dose of MPA, only
      the group that was pre-exposed to high dose of MPA (5.0mg/kg) showed sensitized
      locomotor activity. In the second experiment, all rats were pre-exposed to MPA
      (5.0mg/kg) only. Interestingly, the expression of MPA-induced locomotor
      sensitization was inhibited by a pre-injection of a dopamine D2 receptor
      antagonist, eticlopride (0.05mg/kg, IP), though not by a dopamine D1 receptor
      antagonist, SCH23390 (0.01mg/kg, IP). These results suggest that repeated
      injection of MPA in the rat provokes certain neuronal changes involving specific,
      likely D2, dopamine receptor-mediated pathways that contribute to the expression
      of MPA-induced locomotor sensitization.

PMID- 27265781
TI  - Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) regulates kindling epileptogenesis via
      GABAergic neurotransmission.
AB  - Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) is a prototype synaptic vesicle protein
      regulating action potential-dependent neurotransmitters release. SV2A also serves
      as a specific binding site for certain antiepileptics and is implicated in the
      treatment of epilepsy. Here, to elucidate the role of SV2A in modulating
      epileptogenesis, we generated a novel rat model (Sv2a(L174Q) rat) carrying a Sv2a
      targeted missense mutation (L174Q) and analyzed its susceptibilities to kindling
      development. Although animals homozygous for the Sv2a(L174Q) mutation exhibited
      normal appearance and development, they are susceptible to pentylenetetrazole
      (PTZ) seizures. In addition, development of kindling associated with repeated PTZ
      treatments or focal stimulation of the amygdala was markedly facilitated by the
      Sv2a(L174Q) mutation. Neurochemical studies revealed that the Sv2a(L174Q)
      mutation specifically reduced depolarization-induced GABA, but not glutamate,
      release in the hippocampus without affecting basal release or the SV2A expression
      level in GABAergic neurons. In addition, the Sv2a(L174Q) mutation selectively
      reduced the synaptotagmin1 (Syt1) level among the exocytosis-related proteins
      examined. The present results demonstrate that dysfunction of SV2A due to the
      Sv2a(L174Q) mutation impairs the synaptic GABA release by reducing the Syt1 level
      and facilitates the kindling development, illustrating the crucial role of SV2A
      GABA system in modulating kindling epileptogenesis.

PMID- 27265783
TI  - Increased neuroplasticity and hippocampal microglia activation in a mice model of
      rapid antidepressant treatment.
AB  - The search for biomarkers of antidepressant effects focused on pathways
      regulating synaptic plasticity, and on activated inflammatory markers. Repeated
      Sleep Deprivation (SD) provides a model treatment to reverse-translate
      antidepressant effects from in vivo clinical psychiatry to model organisms. We
      studied the effects of repeated SD alone (ASD) or combined with exercise on a
      slow spinning wheel (SSW), in 116 C57BL/6J male mice divided in three groups
      (ASD, SSW, untreated). Forced Swimming Test (FST) was used to detect
      antidepressant-like effects. Unbiased evaluation of the transcriptional responses
      were obtained in the hippocampus by Illumina Bead Chip Array system, then
      confirmed with real time PCR. Spine densities in granular neurons of the dentate
      gyrus (DG) were assayed by standard Golgi staining. Activation of
      Microglial/Macrophages cells was evaluated by immunufluorescence analysis for
      Iba1. Rates of cell proliferation was estimated pulsing mice with the S-phase
      tracer 5-Iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdU). All SD procedures caused a decreasing of
      floating time at FST, and increased expression of the immediate early gene
      Arc/Arg3.1. In addition, SSW also increased expression of the
      Microglia/Macrophages genes Iba-1 and chemokine receptors Cx3cR1 and CxcR4, of
      the canonical Wnt signaling gene Wnt7a, and of dendritic spines in CA4 neurons of
      the DG. SSW up-regulated both the number of Iba1+ cells and rates of cell
      proliferation in the subgranular region of the DG. The antidepressant-like
      effects of SD dissociated both, from hippocampal neuroplasticity in the DG (not
      occurring after ASD), and from microglial activation (not preventing behavioral
      response when occurring). The increase in dendritic spine density in the DG after
      SD and exercise was associated with an up-regulation of Wnt 7a, and with
      activation of the innate immune system of the brain. Increased Arc/Arg3.1
      suggests however increased neuroplasticity, which could be common to all fast
      acting antidepressants, and possibly occurring in other brain areas.

PMID- 27265784
TI  - Infliximab ameliorates AD-associated object recognition memory impairment.
AB  - Dysfunctions in the perirhinal cortex (PRh) are associated with visual
      recognition memory deficit, which is frequently detected in the early stage of
      Alzheimer's disease. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-dependent long-term
      depression (mAChR-LTD) of synaptic transmission is known as a key pathway in
      eliciting this type of memory, and Tg2576 mice expressing enhanced levels of
      Abeta oligomers are found to have impaired mAChR-LTD in this brain area at as
      early as 3 months of age. We found that the administration of Abeta oligomers in
      young normal mice also induced visual recognition memory impairment and perturbed
      mAChR-LTD in mouse PRh slices. In addition, when mice were treated with
      infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against TNF-alpha, visual recognition memory
      impaired by pre-administered Abeta oligomers dramatically improved and the
      detrimental Abeta effect on mAChR-LTD was annulled. Taken together, these
      findings suggest that Abeta-induced inflammation is mediated through TNF-alpha
      signaling cascades, disturbing synaptic transmission in the PRh, and leading to
      visual recognition memory deficits.

PMID- 27265786
TI  - Association of expression levels of pluripotency/stem cell markers with the
      differentiation outcome of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells into insulin
      producing cells.
AB  - Recently, there has been much attention towards generation of insulin producing
      cells (IPCs) from stem cells, especially from Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem
      cells (WJ-MSCs). However, generation of mature IPCs remains a challenge.
      Assessment of generation of IPCs was usually done by examining beta-cell markers,
      however, assessment of pluripotency/stem cell markers drew less attention.
      Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of
      pluripotency/stem cell markers during differentiation of WJ-MSCs into IPCs and
      the association of these levels with differentiation outcomes. WJ-MSCs were
      isolated, characterized then induced to differentiate into IPCs using three
      different protocols namely A, B and C. Differentiated IPCs were assessed by the
      expression of pluripotency/stem cell markers, together with beta-cell markers
      using qRT-PCR, and functionally by measuring glucose stimulated insulin
      secretion. Differentiated cells from protocol A showed lowest expression of
      pluripotency/stem cell markers and relatively best GSIS. However, protocol B
      showed concomitant expression of pluripotency/stem cell and beta-cell markers
      with relatively less insulin secretion as compared to protocol A. Protocol C
      failed to generate glucose-responsive IPCs. In conclusion, sustained expression
      of pluripotency/stem cell markers could be associated with the incomplete
      differentiation of WJ-MSCs into IPCs. A novel finding for which further
      investigations are warranted. 

PMID- 27265787
TI  - Thymoquinone, an active constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, binds with bilirubin
      and protects mice from hyperbilirubinemia and cyclophosphamide-induced
      hepatotoxicity.
AB  - Some reports indicate that thymoquinone (TQ), the main constituent of Nigella
      sativa seeds, is hepatoprotective. The aim of this study was to determine whether
      TQ is able to bind directly to bilirubin, and whether TQ or liposomal formulation
      of TQ (Lip-TQ) can reduce cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced liver toxicity, serum
      bilirubin level in mice. The binding of TQ with bilirubin was studied by UV-VIS,
      fluorescence and Near-UV CD spectroscopy. Inhibition of binding of bilirubin to
      erythrocytes by TQ was also examined. To increase the in vivo efficacy, Lip-TQ
      was prepared and used against CYP-induced toxicity. The protective role of TQ or
      Lip-TQ against CYP-induced toxicity was assessed by determining the liver
      function parameters, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT),
      and histological studies. It was found that TQ binds to bilirubin and
      significantly inhibits the binding of bilirubin to erythrocytes. Lip-TQ (10
      mg/kg) significantly reduced the levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) from 254
      +/- 48 to 66 +/- 18 IU/L (P < 0.001), alanine transaminase (ALT) from 142 +/- 28
      to 47.8 +/- 16 IU/L (P < 0.05) and serum bilirubin from 2.8 +/- 0.50 to 1.24 +/-
      0.30 mg/dl (P < 0.05). Treatment with Lip-TQ reduced the CYP-induced inflammation
      and hemorrhage in liver tissues. Moreover, treatment with free or Lip-TQ
      protected the activity of SOD and CAT in CYP-injected mice. Therefore, TQ can
      reduce the level of bilirubin in systemic circulation in disease conditions that
      lead to hyperbilirubinemia and liver toxicity and hence may be used as a
      supplement in the treatment of liver ailments. 

PMID- 27265785
TI  - Hippocampal proteomics defines pathways associated with memory decline and
      resilience in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease mouse models.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia in the elderly, has no
      cure. Thus, the identification of key molecular mediators of cognitive decline in
      AD remains a top priority. As aging is the most significant risk factor for AD,
      the goal of this study was to identify altered proteins and pathways associated
      with the development of normal aging and AD memory deficits, and identify unique
      proteins and pathways that may contribute to AD-specific symptoms. We used
      contextual fear conditioning to diagnose 8-month-old 5XFAD and non-transgenic
      (Ntg) mice as having either intact or impaired memory, followed by liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify hippocampal
      membrane proteins across groups. Subsequent analysis detected 113 proteins
      differentially expressed relative to memory status (intact vs impaired) in Ntg
      mice and 103 proteins in 5XFAD mice. Thirty-six proteins, including several
      involved in neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity (e.g., GRIA1, GRM3, and
      SYN1), were altered in both normal aging and AD. Pathway analysis highlighted
      HDAC4 as a regulator of observed protein changes in both genotypes and identified
      the REST epigenetic regulatory pathway and Gi intracellular signaling as AD
      specific pathways involved in regulating the onset of memory deficits. Comparing
      the hippocampal membrane proteome of Ntg versus AD, regardless of cognitive
      status, identified 138 differentially expressed proteins, including confirmatory
      proteins APOE and CLU. Overall, we provide a novel list of putative targets and
      pathways with therapeutic potential, including a set of proteins associated with
      cognitive status in normal aging mice or gene mutations that cause AD.

PMID- 27265788
TI  - Template Synthesis, Metalation, and Self-Assembly of Protic Gold(I)/(NHC)2
      Tectons Driven by Metallophilic Interactions.
AB  - A new protocol for the synthesis of protic bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes
      of Au(I) by a stepwise metal-controlled coupling of isocyanide and propargylamine
      is described. They are used as tectons for the construction of supramolecular
      architectures through metalation and self-assembly. Notably a unique polymeric
      chain of Cu(I) with alternate Au(I) /bis(imidazolate) bridging scaffolds and
      strong unsupported Cu(I) -Cu(I) interactions has been generated, as well as a 28
      metal-atoms cluster containing a nanopiece of Cu2 O trapped by peripheral Au(I)
      /bis(imidazolate) moieties.

PMID- 27265790
TI  - A novel approach to treatment in childhood acute myeloblastic leukemia and
      myelodysplastic syndrome with high-dose methylprednisolone as a differentiation-
      and apoptosis-inducing agent of myeloid leukemic cells.
AB  - Differentiation-inducing therapy with all-trans retinoic acid significantly
      improved the outcome in children with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
      Therefore, use of agents that induce differentiation of leukemic cells in non-APL
      children appears to be a highly promising therapeutic approach. Based on the
      experimental studies in mice, we have shown that short-course high-dose
      methylprednisolone (HDMP) treatment can induce terminal differentiation of
      leukemic cells in children with various subtypes of acute myeloblastic leukemia
      (AML-M1,-M2,-M3,-M4,-M7). It has also been shown to induce apoptosis of myeloid
      leukemic cells with or without differentiation. Administration of HDMP as a
      single agent resulted in a rapid clinical improvement, a marked decrease in blast
      cells in both peripheral blood and bone marrow and dramatic decreases in the size
      of extramedullary leukemic mass in children with AML and myelodysplastic syndrome
      (MDS). Addition of HDMP to cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens increased the
      remission rate and improved the outcome in these children. Future clinical trials
      with HDMP would contribute to further improvements in the treatment results in
      these children. 

PMID- 27265789
TI  - A three dimensional nerve map of human bladder trigone.
AB  - AIM: Central efferent and afferent neural pathways to and from the human urinary
      bladder are well-characterized, but the location and arborization of these nerves
      as they traverse the serosa, muscularis, and urothelial layers are not clearly
      defined. The purpose of this study was to create a three dimensional map of the
      innervation of the human bladder trigone from the extrinsic perivesical
      adventitial nerve trunks to the urothelium. METHODS: A male and a female human
      bladder were harvested from fresh frozen cadavers and fixed in formalin. The
      bladder neck and trigone region were serially sectioned (5 MUm) and every 20th
      slide was stained (S100), scanned and aligned to create 3D maps. RESULTS: Nerve
      penetration into the detrusor muscle occurs with the highest frequency at the
      bladder neck and interureteric ridge. Nerves traveling parallel to the bladder
      lumen do so in the adventitia, beyond the outer border of detrusor. In females,
      the depth of these nerve bands is uniform at 0.7-1.7 cm below the luminal
      surface, the outer limits of which include the anterior vaginal wall. In the
      male, depth is more variable owing to detrusor hypertrophy with the minimum depth
      of nerves approximately 0.5 cm near the interureteric ridge and over 1 cm near
      the bladder neck. CONCLUSIONS: Myelinated neural pathways traversing in the human
      bladder in the region of the trigone have a discreet regional density. This 3D
      map of trigonal innervation may provide guidance to more precisely direct
      therapies for urinary incontinence or pelvic pain. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:1015
      1019, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265791
TI  - Mixed chimerism following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric
      thalassemia major patients: a single center experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Stable mixed chimerism (MC) may result in cure for thalassemia major
      patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but rejection
      can occur. Twenty-eight HSCTs for thalassemia major were reviewed retrospectively
      to evaluate the clinical course of MC with possible risk factors and predictors
      of outcome, with a median follow-up of 1669 days (811-3576 days). METHODS:
      Chimerism was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or multiplex
      polymerase chain reaction depending on the sex match between the donor and the
      recipient. RESULTS: Primary rejection, stable MC and full donor chimerism was
      detected in 3.6%, 17.8% and 78.6% of patients, respectively. Clinically, 4/5
      patients with stable MC had thalassemia trait with donor chimerism as low as 14%.
      One patient was started on pRBC transfusions at 2.5 years postHSCT. CONCLUSION:
      Stable MC can result in cure for thalassemia major patients. The clinical picture
      remains as the best guide for intervention until a more reliable predictor is
      available.

PMID- 27265792
TI  - Association of FXII 5'UTR 46C>T polymorphism with FXII activity and risk of
      thrombotic disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Thrombotic diseases are caused by genetic and environmental factors.
      There are a number of well-characterized genetic defects that lead to increased
      risk of thrombosis. Results from previous studies have indicated that FXII is
      involved in pathogenesis of thrombophilic diseases. However, the results in this
      regard are highly controversial. Plasma FXII activity levels are strongly
      determined by a 46CgammaT polymorphism in the FXII gene. In the present study,
      the risk of thrombophilic diseases related to this polymorphism was investigated
      in a case-control study. METHODS: One hundred and sixty subjects were studied:
      120 patients diagnosed with thrombophilia (96 venous thromboembolism, 24 arterial
      thrombosis), and 40 age-gender-matched controls. For each subject, FXII activity
      level was measured by a one-step clotting assay with FXII-deficient plasma, and
      46CgammaT polymorphism was genotyped using a restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (RFLP) method. RESULTS: In this study, the previous observation that
      individuals with different genotypes for the 46 CgammaT polymorphism showed
      significant differences in Factor XII activity levels was confirmed. Most
      importantly, FXII activity <= 68% was associated with an increased risk of venous
      thrombosis with an adjusted OR of 4.7 (95%CI= 1.03-21.1, P=0.04). However, it was
      not a risk factor for arterial thrombosis with adjusted OR of 5 (95%CI= 0.91
      27.1, P=0.09). In CT and TT genotype the adjusted ORs were respectively 2
      (95%CI=0.9-4.4, P=0.11) and 2.3 (95%CI=0.45-11, P=0.48) for patients with venous
      thrombosis compared with the controls. Similarly, the adjusted ORs in arterial
      thrombosis were 1.2 (95%CI=0.4-3.6, P=0.76) for CT and 1.8 (95%CI=0.2-14.9,
      P=0.59) for TT genotype. Thus, we did not find any association of the mutated T
      allele in the heterozygous or homozygous state with an increased risk of both
      venous and arterial thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Lower FXII activity is not a risk
      factor; rather, it simply represents a risk marker for thrombosis.

PMID- 27265793
TI  - Hospital-acquired pneumonia in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine the clinical success rates,
      effect of neutropenia on treatment success rates, risk factors related to
      mortality, and survival in patients who developed hospital-acquired pneumonia
      (HAP) while receiving immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS: Forty-three adult
      patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy who developed HAP were included in
      this prospective study. Transplantation patients and human immunodeficiency virus
      (HIV)-positive patients were not included. Antibiotic treatment was managed by a
      multidisciplinary team. The Kaplan Meier method was used for the survival
      analysis and Cox regression was used for the identification of mortality-related
      independent risk factors. The relationship between neutropenia and the clinical
      success rate was determined using the chi-square test. RESULTS: Although anti
      pseudomonal antibiotics were started empirically in 40 of the 43 patients (93%)
      at the beginning of the treatment, the most frequently isolated pathogens were
      Acinetobacter spp. and Escherichia coli. The success rate at the end of the
      treatment was 65.1%. The survival rates for the 3rd, 14th, 42nd, and 365th days
      were 97%, 86%, 58%, and 19%, respectively. Elevated levels of urea [Hazard
      Ratio=1.01 (95% CI: 1.00-1.02)] and blood glucose [HR=1.01 (95% CI: 1.00-1.02)]
      were found to be independent risk factors affecting survival. The treatment
      success rate was higher in patients without neutropenia (n=23) than in those with
      neutropenia (n=20) (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: The treatment success rate was low in
      patients who developed HAP while receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

PMID- 27265794
TI  - Sonographic evaluation of spleen size and prevalence of accessory spleen in a
      healthy male Turkish population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It is known that the measurement of splenic length in routine clinical
      practice is a very good indicator of actual splenic size. Knowledge of the normal
      range of spleen size in the population being examined is a prerequisite. Racial
      differences in splenic length could result in incorrect interpretation of splenic
      measurements. The purpose of this study was to establish the range of spleen
      length in a young male Turkish population. METHODS: A total of 2179 volunteers,
      healthy men aged 17-42 years, from the annual Army Reserve Officer Training Corps
      training camp at Manisa were included in the study. Sonographic measurements of
      spleen length were performed on 2179 military personnel. Presence of accessory
      spleen was also determined. In addition, the height, weight, and age of each
      volunteer were recorded. Using linear regression analysis, the relation of spleen
      length and body height, weight and body mass index (BMI) was evaluated.
      Additionally, the prevalence of accessory spleen detected on ultrasound was
      calculated. RESULTS: The mean+/-SD height was 173,1+/-6,5 cm, mean weight 69,1+/
      9,7 kg, and mean BMI 22,62+/-2,87. Mean spleen length was 10,76+/-1,8 cm. The
      length of the spleen was below 12,80 cm in 95% of the subjects. No statistically
      significant correlation (p<0.01) between spleen length and body height, weight
      and BMI was found. The prevalence of accessory spleen was determined as 2.5% on
      ultrasound screening. CONCLUSION: It was found that in healthy Turkish men, mean
      spleen length was 10,76+/-1,8 cm. This data should be taken into consideration
      when the diagnosis of splenomegaly is established in Turkish males.

PMID- 27265795
TI  - Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with bone involvement: a single center experience with 18
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of bone is a rare entity. The most common
      histological subtype is diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The major
      presenting symptoms are soft tissue swelling, bone pain and pathological
      fracture. Treatment options are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, or a
      combination of these modalities. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the 18
      patients (11 females, 7 males) with NHL of bone who were diagnosed and treated
      between 1995-2005. The median age was 56.5 years. The median duration of symptoms
      was 4.5 months. The bone pain was the first symptom in all patients. Tru-cut
      biopsy was performed for diagnosis in most of the cases. Diagnosis in five
      patients (27.8%) required open biopsy. RESULTS: DLBCL (77.8%) was the most common
      histological type among all patients. Other histological subtypes were anaplastic
      large cell lymphoma (11.1%), Burkitt-like lymphoma (5.6%) and marginal zone
      lymphoma (5.6%). According to Ann Arbor staging system, 44.4% of patients were
      Stage I, 11.1% were Stage II and 44.4% were Stage IV. Bone marrow involvement was
      determined in four patients (22.2%). All patients except one were treated with
      anthracycline-containing regimens and eight patients (44.4%) received rituximab
      combination with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy was performed as the first-line
      therapy in 9 (50%) patients. The median follow-up was 37 months (range, 2-124
      months). Among the 17 patients who achieved complete remission, five (27.8%)
      relapsed. All patients were still alive. The five-year relapse-free survival was
      73.5%. CONCLUSION: The treatment of bone lymphoma can be planned according to the
      stage and location of the disease. Although we had a relatively low number of
      patients, it could be concluded that whether or not radiation therapy is
      performed, rituximab in combination with systemic chemotherapy has been proven
      beneficial on survival.

PMID- 27265796
TI  - Early detection of pulmonary fungal infection by CT scan in pediatric ALL
      patients under chemotherapy or in post-transplantation period with primary
      complaint of chest pain.
AB  - We describe herein four children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were
      diagnosed as pulmonary fungal infection after presenting with chest pain. The
      plain radiologic evaluations failed to reveal any positive findings, whereas
      computerized tomography (CT) scanning showed nodular opacification with or
      without cavitation. This experience suggests that chest pain may be an initial
      symptom of an invasive fungal infection in patients with leukemia, and CT scan of
      the lungs should be performed urgently for the early diagnosis and treatment,
      despite normal plain X-rays. 

PMID- 27265797
TI  - Aplastic anemia presenting as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
AB  - Two unusual cases of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) complicating
      aplastic anemia (AA) are described. Each patient had a history of preexisting
      acute hepatitis of unknown cause at the time of HLH diagnosis and infection
      associated secondary HLH. They developed high fever and pancytopenia.
      Hemophagocytes were seen in the bone marrow. With steroid (in combination with
      etoposide and CyA in 1 patient), high fever disappeared and the patients' liver
      function gradually recovered. As severe pancytopenia persisted, bone marrow
      became acellular and AA was diagnosed. Since HLH is known to be able to cause an
      aplastic bone marrow if untreated for a prolonged time, it is therefore in line
      that hepatitis-associated AA may also be associated with HLH. Aplastic anemia
      associated HLH has been reported rarely, and problems in the diagnostic procedure
      are discussed. 

PMID- 27265798
TI  - Unusual cytochemical reactivity for toluidine blue in granular acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia: a report of two rare cases.
AB  - Azurophilic granulation of blasts is a feature of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
      Granular acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may mimic AML due to the presence of
      cytoplasmic granules in lymphoblasts, but cytochemistry and immunophenotyping are
      helpful in making the correct diagnosis. Toluidine blue (TB) is a metachromatic
      dye, which stains basophils and myeloid blasts that exhibit basophilic
      differentiation. Reactivity for TB has not been described in lymphoblasts. We
      herein report two cases of granular ALL with blasts exhibiting reactivity for TB
      that caused diagnostic dilemma. Immunophenotyping and cytogenetic studies were
      helpful in making a correct diagnosis. This report of two rare case highlight the
      reactivity of lymphoblasts with TB not hitherto described and the importance of a
      detailed diagnostic work-up in acute leukemia. 

PMID- 27265799
TI  - Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma, leg type.

PMID- 27265800
TI  - A note on oseltamivir treatment in a boy with G6PD deficiency.

PMID- 27265801
TI  - Malignancy-associated hemophagocytosis in children.

PMID- 27265802
TI  - Leukocytosis, thrombocytosis and hypercalcemia as a triple paraneoplastic
      syndrome in a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis.

PMID- 27265803
TI  - Nitric oxide in beta-thalassemia minor: what factors contribute?

PMID- 27265804
TI  - Acute tumor lysis syndrome secondary to a single-dose methylprednisolone in acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia.

PMID- 27265805
TI  - A potential role for glia-derived extracellular matrix remodeling in postinjury
      epilepsy.
AB  - Head trauma and vascular injuries are known risk factors for acquired epilepsy.
      The sequence of events that lead from the initial injury to the development of
      epilepsy involves complex plastic changes and circuit rewiring. In-depth,
      comprehensive understanding of the epileptogenic process is critical for the
      identification of disease-modifying targets. Here we review the complex
      interactions of cellular and extracellular components that may promote
      epileptogenesis, with an emphasis on the role of astrocytes. Emerging evidence
      demonstrates that astrocytes promptly respond to brain damage and play a critical
      role in the development of postinjury epilepsy. Astrocytes have been shown to
      regulate extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, which can affect plasticity and
      stability of synapses and, in turn, contribute to the epileptogenic process. From
      these separate lines of evidence, we present a hypothesis suggesting a possible
      role for astrocyte-regulated remodeling of ECM and perineuronal nets, a
      specialized ECM structure around fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons, in the
      development and progression of posttraumatic epilepsies. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265806
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of High-Dose Unfractionated Heparin for Prevention of Venous
      Thromboembolism in Overweight and Obese Patients.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of high-dose subcutaneous
      unfractionated heparin (UFH) for prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in
      overweight and obese patients. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective observational
      cohort study. SETTING: Large academic tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: A
      total of 1335 adults who weighed more than 100 kg on admission and received
      either subcutaneous UFH 7500 units every 8 hours (751 patients [high-dose group])
      or 5000 units every 8 hours (584 patients [low-dose group]) for VTE prophylaxis
      during their hospitalization between January 1, 2013, and August 31, 2014.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The incidences of VTE and bleeding complications
      were assessed in each group. Each group was further divided into four groups
      based on their body mass index (BMI): overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2) ), obese
      class I (BMI 30-34.9 kg/m(2) ), obese class II (BMI 35-39.9 kg/m(2) ), and obese
      class III (BMI >= 40 kg/m(2) ). The incidence of VTE was similar for patients in
      the high-dose group versus those in the low-dose group for all BMI categories.
      Bleeding complications were significantly higher for patients in the high-dose
      group. The proportion of patients with at least a 2-g/dl hemoglobin drop from
      admission was higher in patients in the high-dose groups in obese classes II and
      III: obese class II, 46 (30%) of 152 patients in the high-dose group versus 30
      (18%) of 171 patients in the low-dose group (p<0.01); obese class III, 109 (25%)
      of 432 patients in the high-dose group versus 31 (12%) of 249 patients in the low
      dose group (p<0.01). In addition, the proportion of patients who received at
      least 2 units of packed red blood cell transfusion was significantly higher in
      patients in the high-dose group who were in obese class III: 47 (11%) of 432 in
      the high-dose group versus 13 (5%) of 249 in the low-dose group (p<0.01).
      CONCLUSION: Administering a higher dose of heparin to patients weighing more than
      100 kg may not impart additional efficacy in reducing the incidence of VTE.
      However, it may increase the risk for bleeding.

PMID- 27265807
TI  - Effects of hirami lemon, Citrus depressa Hayata, leaf meal in diets on the immune
      response and disease resistance of juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer (bloch),
      against Aeromonas hydrophila.
AB  - The present study was conducted to evaluate the dietary supplementation of leaf
      meal from Citrus depressa Hayata on the growth, innate immune response, and
      disease resistance of juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer. Four diets were
      formulated to contain 0% (control), 1% (C1), 3% (C3), and 5% (C5) leaf meal,
      respectively. During a 56 d feeding trial, fish survival, growth performance, and
      feed efficiency were not significantly different among all groups. For immune
      response, respiratory burst, superoxide dismutase and lysozyme activities were
      not significantly different among all groups. However, fish fed the C5 diet for
      56 d had significantly higher phagocytic activity. Also, fish fed C3 and C5 diets
      had significantly higher Mx gene expressions in spleens and head kidneys with
      nerve necrosis virus injections after 24 h. Disease resistance against Aeromonas
      hydrophila was increased by the C5 diet. In this study, barramundi fed on a diet
      containing 5% C. depressa Hayata leaf meal had significantly better innate immune
      response and disease resistance against A. hydrophila. 

PMID- 27265808
TI  - The dynamic relationship between cerebellar Purkinje cell simple spikes and the
      spikelet number of complex spikes.
AB  - KEY POINTS: Purkinje cells are the sole output of the cerebellar cortex and fire
      two distinct types of action potential: simple spikes and complex spikes.
      Previous studies have mainly considered complex spikes as unitary events, even
      though the waveform is composed of varying numbers of spikelets. The extent to
      which differences in spikelet number affect simple spike activity (and vice
      versa) remains unclear. We found that complex spikes with greater numbers of
      spikelets are preceded by higher simple spike firing rates but, following the
      complex spike, simple spikes are reduced in a manner that is graded with spikelet
      number. This dynamic interaction has important implications for cerebellar
      information processing, and suggests that complex spike spikelet number may
      maintain Purkinje cells within their operational range. ABSTRACT: Purkinje cells
      are central to cerebellar function because they form the sole output of the
      cerebellar cortex. They exhibit two distinct types of action potential: simple
      spikes and complex spikes. It is widely accepted that interaction between these
      two types of impulse is central to cerebellar cortical information processing.
      Previous investigations of the interactions between simple spikes and complex
      spikes have mainly considered complex spikes as unitary events. However, complex
      spikes are composed of an initial large spike followed by a number of secondary
      components, termed spikelets. The number of spikelets within individual complex
      spikes is highly variable and the extent to which differences in complex spike
      spikelet number affects simple spike activity (and vice versa) remains poorly
      understood. In anaesthetized adult rats, we have found that Purkinje cells
      recorded from the posterior lobe vermis and hemisphere have high simple spike
      firing frequencies that precede complex spikes with greater numbers of spikelets.
      This finding was also evident in a small sample of Purkinje cells recorded from
      the posterior lobe hemisphere in awake cats. In addition, complex spikes with a
      greater number of spikelets were associated with a subsequent reduction in simple
      spike firing rate. We therefore suggest that one important function of spikelets
      is the modulation of Purkinje cell simple spike firing frequency, which has
      implications for controlling cerebellar cortical output and motor learning.

PMID- 27265809
TI  - Study of retinal alterations in a high fat diet-induced type ii diabetes rodent:
      Meriones shawi.
AB  - Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of type 2 diabetes and the leading
      cause of blindness in adults of working age. The aim of this work was to study
      the repercussions of high fat diet (HFD) induced diabetes on the retina of
      Meriones shawi (M.sh). Two groups of six M.sh each was studied. Group I was a
      normal control, fed with standard laboratory granules. In Group II, rodents
      received a HFD of enriched laboratory granules, for a period of 3 months. Body
      weight and plasma glucose were determined in the two groups. Retinal sections of
      the two groups were stained with the Hematoxylin-Eosin. Photoreceptors were
      identified by immunolabeling for rhodopsin (rods) and PNA (cones). Gliosis and
      microglial activation were identified by immunolabeling for GFAP and Iba-1.
      Labeling of calretinin and parvalbumin were also carried out to study the AII
      amacrine cells. Retinal layers thicknesses, gliosis, and specific neural cell
      populations were quantified by microscopy. The body weight (+77%) and plasma
      glucose (+108%) were significantly greater in the HFD rodents. Three months of
      HFD induced a significant loss of 38.77% of cone photoreceptors, as well as
      gliosis and an increase of 70.67% of microglial cells. Calcium homeostatic
      enzymes were depleted. This work shows that HFD in Meriones shawi induces a type
      II diabetes-like condition that causes loss of retinal neurons and
      photoreceptors, as well as gliosis. Meriones shawi could be a useful experimental
      animal model for this physiopathology particularly in the study of retinal neuro
      glial alterations in Type II diabetes.

PMID- 27265810
TI  - A 3-month age difference profoundly alters the primary rat stromal vascular
      fraction phenotype.
AB  - The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is a heterogeneous population obtained from
      collagenase digestion of adipose tissue. When cultured the population becomes
      more homogeneous and the cells are then termed adipose stromal/stem cells (ASCs).
      Both the freshly isolated primary SVF population and the cultured ASC population
      possess regenerative abilities suggested to be mediated by paracrine mechanisms
      mainly. The use of ASCs and SVF cells, both in animal studies and human clinical
      studies, has dramatically increased during recent years. However, more knowledge
      regarding optimal donor characteristics such as age is demanded. Here we report
      that even a short age difference has an impact on the phenotype of primary SVF
      cells. We observed that a 3-month difference in relatively young adult rats
      affects the expression pattern of several mesenchymal stem cell markers in their
      primary SVF. The younger animals had significantly more
      CD90+/CD44+/CD29+/PDGFRalpha+primary cells, than the aged rats, suggesting an age
      dependent shift in the relative cell type distribution within the population.
      Taken together with recent studies of much more pronounced age differences, our
      data strongly suggest that donor age is a very critical parameter that should be
      taken into account in future stem cell studies, especially when using primary
      cells. 

PMID- 27265811
TI  - The expression of KRT2 and its effect on melanogenesis in alpaca skins.
AB  - In order to investigate the effects of the keratin 2 (KRT2) on alpaca melanocyte
      in vivo and vitro, the immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time PCR
      (qPCR), Western blot, and alpaca melanocytes transfection methods were used. The
      results showed that mRNA and protein expression of KRT2 was highly expressed in
      brown skin in comparison with that in white skin. Moreover, we found that KRT2
      was expressed in alpaca melanocytes in vitro by immunocytochemistry. After
      transfection with KRT2 in alpaca melanocytes, the relative mRNA and protein
      expression of KRT2, microphthalmia-associtated transcription factor (MITF),
      tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) in alpaca skin
      melanocytes was increased with significant differences; a further result was the
      increase of melanin production. The results suggested that KRT2 functions in
      alpaca hair color formation, which offered an essential theoretical basis for
      further exploration of the role of melanogenesis. 

PMID- 27265812
TI  - Significant Morbidity and Mortality Among Hospitalized End-Stage Liver Disease
      Patients in Medicare.
AB  - CONTEXT: For end-stage liver disease (ESLD) patients, care focuses on managing
      the life-threatening complications of portal hypertension, causing high resource
      utilization. OBJECTIVES: To describe the end-of-life trajectory of hospitalized
      ESLD patients in Medicare. METHODS: Using a 5% random sample of Medicare fee-for
      service beneficiaries, we performed a retrospective cohort study, identifying
      hospitalized ESLD and heart failure (HF) patients (2007-2011). Index
      hospitalization end points included mortality, discharge to hospice, and length
      of stay. Postdischarge end points included all-cause mortality,
      rehospitalization, hospice enrollment, and days alive and out of hospital (DAOH).
      Follow-up was at one and three years after index hospitalization discharge. A
      reference cohort of decompensated HF patients was used for baseline comparison.
      RESULTS: At one year, the ESLD cohort (n = 22,311) had 209 DAOH; decompensated HF
      (n = 85,397) had 252 DAOH. Among ESLD patients, inpatient mortality was 13.5%;
      all-cause mortality was 64.9%. For these outcomes, rates were higher in those
      with ESLD than HF. In the ESLD group, rehospitalization rate was 59.1% (slightly
      lower than the HF group), hospice enrollment rate was 36.1%, and there were
      higher than expected cancer rates. For hospice-enrolled patients, the median
      length of time spent in hospice was nine days. The HF cohort had lower hospice
      enrollment, but more days enrolled. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show
      that morbidity and mortality rates associated with end of life in ESLD are
      substantial. There is an acute need for alternative approaches to manage the care
      of ESLD patients.

PMID- 27265813
TI  - Factors Affecting Patients' Preferences for and Actual Discussions About End-of
      Life Care.
AB  - CONTEXT: Discussions about end-of-life care are often difficult for patients and
      clinicians, and inadequate communication poses a barrier to patients receiving
      the care they desire. OBJECTIVES: To understand factors that facilitate end-of
      life care discussions that guide interventions to improve care. METHODS: We
      examined baseline data from an ongoing randomized trial to evaluate associations
      between patients' self-reported desire for, and occurrence of, discussions about
      end-of-life care and factors influencing these discussions. Factors included
      emotional symptoms and barriers and facilitators to discussions. The sample
      included patients with serious illness (n = 473) and their primary or specialty
      care clinicians (n = 128). Regression analyses were adjusted for confounders and
      clustered patients under clinicians. RESULTS: Patients who endorsed each of three
      barriers to discussions were less likely to have had a discussion with their
      clinician (P-values ranging from <0.001 to 0.046). One facilitator (having had
      family/friends who died) was associated with past discussions (P = 0.037), and
      two facilitators were associated with wanting future discussion (P < 0.001): 1)
      concerns about future quality of life, 2) worries about being a burden on
      friends/family. Depression and anxiety were not associated with past discussions.
      However, patients with more anxiety were more likely to want future discussions
      (P = 0.001), as were patients with more depressive symptoms who had had
      discussions in the past (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of, and desire
      for, patient-clinician communication about end-of-life care is associated with
      patient factors including communication barriers and facilitators and symptoms of
      depression and anxiety. Understanding these factors may facilitate design of
      effective communication interventions.

PMID- 27265814
TI  - Family Caregiver Depressive Symptom and Grief Outcomes From the ENABLE III
      Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - CONTEXT: Little is known about whether early palliative care (EPC) support for
      family caregivers (CGs) impacts depressive symptoms and grief after care
      recipients die. OBJECTIVES: To assess after-death CG depressive symptom and grief
      scores for early compared to delayed group CGs. METHODS: We conducted a
      randomized controlled trial (10/2010-9/2013) of an EPC telehealth intervention
      for CGs (n = 123) initiated at the time of care recipients' advanced cancer
      diagnosis (early group) or 12 weeks later (delayed group) in a rural
      comprehensive cancer center, affiliated clinics, and a Veterans Administration
      medical center. The ENABLE [Educate, Nurture, Advise, Before Life Ends] CG
      intervention consisted of three weekly sessions, monthly follow-up, and a
      bereavement call. CGs completed the Center for Epidemiological Study-Depression
      (CES-D) scale and the Prigerson Inventory of Complicated Grief-Short Form (PG13)
      8-12 weeks after care recipients' deaths. Crude and covariate-adjusted between
      group differences were estimated and tested using general linear models. RESULTS:
      For care recipients who died (n = 70), 44 CGs (early: n = 19; delayed: n = 25)
      completed after-death questionnaires. Mean depressive symptom scores (CES-D) for
      the early group was 14.6 (SD = 10.7) and for the delayed group was 17.6 (SD =
      11.8). Mean complicated grief scores (PG13) for the early group was 22.7 (SD =
      4.9) and for the delayed group was 24.9 (SD = 6.9). Adjusted between-group
      differences were not statistically significant (CES-D: d = 0.07, P = 0.88; PG13:
      d = -0.21, P = 0.51). CONCLUSION: CGs' depressive symptom and complicated grief
      scores 8-12 weeks after care recipients' deaths were not statistically different
      based on the timing of EPC support. The impact of timing of CG EPC interventions
      on CGs bereavement outcomes requires further investigation.

PMID- 27265815
TI  - Symptom Burden and End-of-Life Treatment Preferences in the Very Old.
AB  - CONTEXT: End-of-life (EOL) treatment preferences among the very old (age 85+) may
      differ from preferences in younger aged populations because of high levels of
      symptom burden and disability and high risk of mortality. It is unclear if
      symptom burden or level of disability is more important for such preferences.
      OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether distress from daily symptom burden was an
      independent correlate of EOL treatment preferences over two years of follow-up in
      people with median age 86 (participants) and 88 (reported by proxies) at
      baseline. METHODS: The End of Life in Very Old Age is an ancillary study to the
      Health, Aging and Body Composition study. At baseline in Year 15 of Health, Aging
      and Body Composition, 1038 participants and 189 proxies reported levels of
      symptom distress every quarter, as well as 0-8 EOL treatment preferences elicited
      once each year. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean (SD) count of EOL treatment
      preferences was 4.2 (2.1) in participants, and 2.9 (2.3) in proxies. EOL
      treatment preference was not associated with symptom distress. By contrast, black
      race, male gender, and reported ease walking a quarter mile were independently
      associated with more aggressive EOL treatment preferences. CONCLUSION:
      Preferences for more aggressive EOL treatment were not related to daily symptom
      distress but were significantly more likely to be endorsed among those with
      better mobility, suggesting that disability is an independent predictor of EOL
      treatment preferences in the very old.

PMID- 27265817
TI  - Trend in and Correlates of Undergoing Radiotherapy in Taiwanese Cancer Patients'
      Last Month of Life.
AB  - CONTEXT: A significant proportion of cancer patients at end of life (EOL) undergo
      radiotherapy, but this evidence is not from nationwide population-based studies.
      OBJECTIVES: The aims of this population-based study were to investigate the trend
      in undergoing radiotherapy among Taiwanese cancer patients' last month of life
      (EOL radiotherapy) in 2001-2010 and to identify factors associated with EOL
      radiotherapy. METHODS: This was a population-based retrospective cohort study
      analyzing data from Taiwan's national death registry, cancer registry, and
      National Health Insurance claims for EOL radiotherapy using multilevel
      generalized linear mixed modeling. Participants were Taiwanese cancer patients (N
      = 339,546) who died in 2001-2010. RESULTS: Overall, 8.59% (7.97%-9.85%) of
      patients underwent EOL radiotherapy with a decreasing trend over time. Correlates
      of EOL radiotherapy included male gender, younger age, residing in less urbanized
      areas, diagnosis of lung cancer, metastatic disease, death within two years of
      diagnosis, and without comorbidities. Cancer patients were more likely to undergo
      EOL radiotherapy if they received primary care from medical oncologists and
      pediatricians, in a nonprofit, teaching hospital with a larger case volume of
      terminally ill cancer patients, and greater EOL care intensity. CONCLUSION:
      Approximately one-tenth of Taiwanese cancer patients underwent EOL radiotherapy
      with a decreasing trend over time. Undergoing EOL radiotherapy was associated
      with demographics, disease characteristics, physician specialty, and primary
      hospital's characteristics and EOL care practice patterns. Clinical and financial
      interventions should target hospitals/physicians that tend to aggressively treat
      at-risk cancer patients at EOL to carefully evaluate the appropriateness and
      effectiveness of using EOL radiotherapy.

PMID- 27265816
TI  - Nordic Walking as an Exercise Intervention to Reduce Pain in Women With Aromatase
      Inhibitor-Associated Arthralgia: A Feasibility Study.
AB  - CONTEXT: Women taking aromatase inhibitors as treatment for breast cancer
      commonly experience joint pain and stiffness (aromatase inhibitor-associated
      arthralgia [AIAA]), which can cause problems with adherence. There is evidence
      that exercise might be helpful, and Nordic walking could reduce joint pain
      compared to normal walking. OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of a trial
      of Nordic walking as an exercise intervention for women with AIAA. METHODS: A
      feasibility study was carried out in a sample of women with AIAA using a
      randomized control design. Women were randomized to exercise (six-week supervised
      group Nordic walking training once per week with an increasing independent
      element, followed by six weeks 4 * 30 minutes/week independent Nordic walking);
      or enhanced usual care. Data were collected on recruitment, retention, exercise
      adherence, safety, and acceptability. The Brief Pain Inventory, GP Physical
      Activity Questionnaire, and biopsychosocial measures were completed at baseline,
      six and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Forty of 159 eligible women were recruited and
      attrition was 10%. There was no increased lymphedema and no long-term or serious
      injury. Adherence was >90% for weekly supervised group Nordic walking, and during
      independent Nordic walking, >80% women managed one to two Nordic walking sessions
      per week. From baseline to study end point, overall activity levels increased and
      pain reduced in both the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSION: Our
      findings indicate that women with AIAA are prepared to take up Nordic walking,
      complete a six-week supervised course and maintain increased activity levels over
      a 12-week period with no adverse effects.

PMID- 27265818
TI  - Thromboprophylaxis adherence to the ninth edition of American college of chest
      physicians antithrombotic guidelines in a tertiary care centre: a cross-sectional
      study.
AB  - RATIONALE: Venous thromboembolic disease is a source of significant morbidity in
      hospitalized patients. The American College of Chest Physicians published the
      ninth edition of antithrombotic therapy and prevention guidelines (AT9) in 2012,
      addressing thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients. A notable difference from
      previous guidelines was utilization of risk assessment models for thrombosis and
      bleeding to classify patients into risk categories. AIM: This study's objective
      was to evaluate thromboprophylaxis adherence to AT9 guidelines in a population of
      patients at the Centre integre universitaire de sante et de service sociaux de
      l'Estrie - Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke. METHOD: A cross
      sectional study at the Centre integre universitaire de sante et de service
      sociaux de l'Estrie - Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke was
      performed between June and December 2012. Patients' risk factors for thrombosis
      and bleeding, and thromboprophylaxis use were documented. The Padua and Caprini
      models were used to determine thrombotic risk, and the International Medical
      Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism bleeding risk score was used for
      bleeding risk. RESULTS: A total of 290 patients were included for analysis.
      Overall, 200 patients (70%) received some form of thromboprophylaxis. However,
      according to AT9 guidelines, only 162 patients (55.9%) received recommended
      prophylaxis, 91 (31.4%) had overuse of prophylaxis and 37 (12.7%) had underuse of
      prophylaxis. Appropriate prophylaxis use was higher in surgical (61.8%) than in
      medical (46.7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high rate of inappropriate
      thromboembolic prophylaxis in our centre according to AT9 guidelines, mostly from
      overuse of prophylaxis. Utilization of risk assessment models in AT9 guidelines
      adds to the complexity of physician's decisions to prescribe thromboprophylaxis
      and needs further validation.

PMID- 27265819
TI  - To branch or to expand?
AB  - Oscillating protein signals control the branching and expansion of blood vessels.

PMID- 27265820
TI  - Mutation (G275E) of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha6 subunit is
      associated with high levels of resistance to spinosyns in Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)
      (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).
AB  - The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, now a major pest of tomato crops worldwide,
      is primarily controlled using chemical insecticides. Recently, high levels of
      resistance to the insecticide spinosad have been described in T. absoluta
      populations in Brazil. Selection of a resistant field-collected strain led to
      very high levels of resistance to spinosad and cross-resistance to spinetoram,
      but not to other insecticides that target the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
      (nAChR). In this study the mechanisms underlying resistance to spinosad were
      investigated using toxicological, biochemical and molecular approaches.
      Inhibition of metabolic enzymes using synergists and biochemical assessment of
      detoxification enzyme activity provided little evidence of metabolic resistance
      in the selected strain. Cloning and sequencing of the nAChR alpha6 subunit from
      T. absoluta, the spinosad target-site, from susceptible and spinosad-resistant
      strains were done to investigate the role of a target-site mechanism in
      resistance. A single nucleotide change was identified in exon 9 of the alpha6
      subunit of the resistant strain, resulting in the replacement of the glycine (G)
      residue at position 275 observed in susceptible T. absoluta strains with a
      glutamic acid (E). A high-throughput DNA-based diagnostic assay was developed and
      used to assess the prevalence of the G275E mutation in 17 field populations
      collected from different geographical regions of Brazil. The resistant allele was
      found at low frequency, and in the heterozygous form, in seven of these
      populations but at much higher frequency and in the homozygous form in a
      population collected in the Iraquara municipality. The frequency of the mutation
      was significantly correlated with the mortality of these populations in
      discriminating dose bioassays. In summary our results provide evidence that the
      G275E mutation is an important mechanism of resistance to spinosyns in T.
      absoluta, and may be used as a marker for resistance monitoring in field
      populations. 

PMID- 27265821
TI  - Imidacloprid induced histomorphological changes and expression of TLR-4 and
      TNFalpha in lung.
AB  - The imidacloprid is used worldwide as a pesticide and has been linked with
      endocrine disturbances and reduced pulmonary function. However, effects of
      imidacloprid alone or in combination with microbial molecules on lungs are not
      fully understood. Because the pulmonary effects of interactions of endotoxins
      with imidacloprid are unknown, we designed a study to investigate that in a mouse
      model. Mice (N=14) were given imidacloprid orally @ 1/20(th) of LD50 dissolved in
      corn oil for 30days. After the treatments, six animals from each group were
      challenged with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) @ 80MUg/animal via intranasal
      route and remaining animals were challenged with normal saline solution @
      80MUl/animal via same route. Imidacloprid in combination with LPS led to
      significant increase in total cell and neutrophil counts in BAL and peripheral
      blood. Semi-quantitative histopathology revealed lung injury in imidacloprid
      treatment group and injury was more marked in animal receiving both imidacloprid
      and LPS. There was no change (p<0.05) in the expression of TLR-4 and TNF-alpha
      both at mRNA and protein levels following exposure to imidacloprid alone or in
      combination with LPS. The data show that imidacloprid alone or in combination
      with LPS resulted changes in lung morphology without altering the expression of
      TLR-4 and TNF-alpha. Furthermore, pre-treatment with imidacloprid didn't affect
      response to LPS. 

PMID- 27265822
TI  - Development of an antibody-based diagnostic method for the identification of
      Bemisia tabaci biotype B.
AB  - The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a very destructive pest. B. tabaci is composed of
      various morphologically undistinguishable biotypes, among which biotypes B and Q,
      in particular, draw attention because of their wide distribution in Korea and
      differential potentials for insecticide resistance development. To develop a
      biotype-specific protein marker that can readily distinguishes biotypes B from
      other biotypes in the field, we established an ELISA protocol based on
      carboxylesterase 2 (COE2), which is more abundantly expressed in biotypes B
      compared with Q. Recombinant COE2 was expressed, purified and used for antibody
      construction. Polyclonal antibodies specific to B. tabaci COE2 [anti-COE2 pAb and
      deglycosylated anti-COE2 pAb (DG anti-COE2 pAb)] revealed a 3-9-fold higher
      reactivity to biotype B COE2 than biotype Q COE2 by Western blot and ELISA
      analyses. DG anti-COE2 pAb exhibited low non-specific activity, demonstrating its
      compatibility in diagnosing biotypes. Western blot and ELISA analyses determined
      that one of the 11 field populations examined was biotype B and the others were
      biotype Q, suggesting the saturation of biotype Q in Korea. DG anti-COE2 pAb
      discriminates B. tabaci biotypes B and Q with high specificity and accuracy and
      could be useful for the development of a B. tabaci biotype diagnosis kit for on
      site field applications. 

PMID- 27265823
TI  - Identification of a carboxylesterase associated with resistance to naled in
      Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).
AB  - Compared to other organophosphate-resistant and -susceptible (S) lines of
      Bactrocera dorsalis, the carboxylesterase (CBE) BdE5 in the naled-resistant (nal
      r) line has been found to possess remarkable quantitative elevation. Our study
      attempts to identify the role of BdE5 in naled resistance, and we discovered
      several points of interest. Firstly, activity staining on native PAGE revealed
      that the percentage of flies with intensive BdE5 bands in the nal-r line was
      substantially higher than in the S line, indicating that the BdE5 band correlates
      with naled susceptibility. Secondly, in vitro and in vivo inhibition assays
      showed that BdE5 was inhibited by naled in both lines; under diagnostic doses of
      naled, the overall extent of inhibition on CBEs was much greater in the S line
      than in the nal-r line. Thirdly, NanoLC-nanoESi-MS/MS analysis used the NCBI
      database to identify and annotate BdE5 as an esterase FE4-like (XP_011200445.1)
      in B. dorsalis. Fourthly, rapid amplification of cDNA ends was used to obtain the
      2012-bp full-length BdE5 cDNA, which contained an open reading frame of 1770bp
      and encoded a putative protein of 590 amino acid residues. Phylogenetic analysis
      revealed that BdE5 is a secreted beta-esterase (E clade) closely related to
      CG6414 (NP_570089), a CBE in Drosophila melanogaster. Finally, our relative
      quantification real-time PCR data showed a significant elevation in transcript
      levels of the BdE5 gene in nal-r line. Our results confirmed that BdE5 is
      correlated with naled resistance and provides further understanding about the
      identification and molecular characteristics of BdE5 in B. dorsalis. 

PMID- 27265824
TI  - The RING for gypsy moth control: Topical application of fragment of its nuclear
      polyhedrosis virus anti-apoptosis gene as insecticide.
AB  - Numerous studies suggest a cellular origin for the Lymantria dispar multicapsid
      nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdMNPV) anti-apoptosis genes IAPs, thus opening a
      possibility to use the fragments of these genes for modulation of host
      metabolism. We report here the strong insecticidal and metabolic effect of single
      stranded antisense DNA fragment from RING (really interesting new gene) domain of
      gypsy moth LdMNPV IAP-3 gene: specifically, on reduction of biomass (by 35%) and
      survival of L. dispar caterpillars. The treatment with this DNA fragment leads to
      a significantly higher mortality rates of female insects (1.7 fold) accompanied
      with the signs of apoptosis. Additionally, we show increased expression of host
      IAP-1, caspase-4 and gelsolin genes in eggs laid by survived females treated with
      RING DNA fragment accompanied with calcium and magnesium imbalance, indicating
      that the strong stress reactions and metabolic effects are not confined to
      treated insects but likely led to apoptosis in eggs too. The proposed new
      approach for insect pest management, which can be considered as advancement of
      "microbial pesticides", is based on the application of the specific virus DNA,
      exploiting the knowledge about virus-pest interactions and putting it to the
      benefit of mankind. 

PMID- 27265825
TI  - 4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and 4,4'
      dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) promote adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocyte
      cell culture.
AB  - 4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a chlorinated hydrocarbon
      insecticide, was extensively used in the 1940s and 1950s. DDT is mainly
      metabolically converted into 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE). Even
      though most countries banned DDT in the 1970s, due to the highly lipophilic
      nature and very stable characteristics, DDT and its metabolites are present
      ubiquitously in the environment, including food. Recently, there are publications
      on relationships between exposure to insecticides, including DDT and DDE, and
      weight gain and altered glucose homeostasis. However, there are limited reports
      regarding DDT or DDE and adipogenesis, thus we investigated effects of DDT and
      DDE on adipogenesis using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Treatment of DDT or DDE resulted in
      increased lipid accumulation accompanied by increased expression of
      CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha), peroxisome-proliferator
      activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA
      carboxylase (ACC), adipose triglyceride lipase, and leptin. Moreover, treatment
      of DDT or DDE increased protein levels of C/EBPalpha, PPARgamma, AMP-activated
      protein kinase-alpha (AMPKalpha), and ACC, while significant decrease of
      phosphorylated forms of AMPKalpha and ACC were observed. These finding suggest
      that increased lipid accumulation caused by DDT and DDE may mediate AMPKalpha
      pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 

PMID- 27265826
TI  - Insecticidal potential of an endophytic Cladosporium velox against Spodoptera
      litura mediated through inhibition of alpha glycosidases.
AB  - Alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity was exhibited by partially purified
      fractions obtained from an endophytic Cladosporium velox, isolated from Tinospora
      cordifolia. Taking into account the increasing importance of digestive enzyme
      inhibitors as insecticidal agents, the entomopathogenic potential of the
      fractions obtained was evaluated against Spodoptera litura (Fab.), a polyphagous
      pest. Considerable mortality was obtained when the larvae were fed on diet
      supplemented with the partially purified extract. All the concentrations of the
      extract significantly prolonged the overall developmental period of S. litura. At
      higher concentrations, the extract influenced the longevity of females as well as
      their reproductive potential. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of
      phenolic compounds in the active fraction. The phenolic compound responsible for
      the bioactivities was purified and identified to be chlorogenic acid using HPLC
      and MS analysis. The content of chlorogenic acid in the extract was quantified to
      be 250MUg/ml. The purified compound also demonstrated inhibition of alpha
      glycosidases in vivo. The present study indicates that the endophyte imparted
      resistance to the insects in the plants could be mediated through chlorogenic
      acid targeting the alpha glycosidases present in the gut of the insect. The
      isolate obtained can be exploited for the production of chlorogenic acid, which
      has the potential to be exploited as a biocontrol agent against S. litura. 

PMID- 27265827
TI  - Effects of tea saponin on growth and development, nutritional indicators, and
      hormone titers in diamondback moths feeding on different host plant species.
AB  - The diamondback moth (DBM) is an important worldwide pest. This insect has been
      studied for several decades; however, its control remains problematic. Numerous
      chemical insecticides have become ineffective and chemical residues constitute an
      important problem. In the present study, we determined the mortality of 3rd
      instar DBM larvae feeding on three different host plant species and exposed to
      various concentrations of tea saponin (TS). In addition, we evaluated growth and
      development parameters, nutritional indicators, and juvenile hormone (JH) and
      molting hormone (MH) titers in 2nd instar larvae exposed to LC20 and LC50 doses
      of TS. We found that treatment of DBM larvae with LC20 and LC50 doses of TS led
      to lower growth rates, decreased feed consumption, reduced frass production,
      lower pupal weights, reduced percentage pupation, slower adult emergence
      percentages, and diminished fecundity, but prolonged durations of the larval and
      pupal periods. The efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food
      increased, but the approximate digestibility did not differ significantly between
      treatments and controls. JH and MH titers were higher after TS treatment; these
      increases varied according to the host species and TS concentration. Our results
      indicate that TS represents a potential new alternative insecticide based on its
      natural origin, low cost, and minimum environmental impact. 

PMID- 27265828
TI  - Acarine attractants: Chemoreception, bioassay, chemistry and control.
AB  - The Acari are of significant economic importance in crop production and human and
      animal health. Acaricides are essential for the control of these pests, but at
      the same time, the number of available pesticides is limited, especially for
      applications in animal production. The Acari consist of two major groups, the
      mites that demonstrate a wide variety of life strategies, i.e., herbivory,
      predation and ectoparasitism, and ticks which have evolved obligatory
      hematophagy. The major sites of chemoreception in the acarines are the
      chelicerae, palps and tarsi on the forelegs. A unifying name, the "foretarsal
      sensory organ" (FSO), is proposed for the first time in this review for the
      sensory site on the forelegs of all acarines. The FSO has multiple sensory
      functions including olfaction, gustation, and heat detection. Preliminary
      transcriptomic data in ticks suggest that chemoreception in the FSO is achieved
      by a different mechanism from insects. There are a variety of laboratory and
      field bioassay methods that have been developed for the identification and
      characterization of attractants but minimal techniques for electrophysiology
      studies. Over the past three to four decades, significant progress has been made
      in the chemistry and analysis of function for acarine attractants in mites and
      ticks. In mites, attractants include aggregation, immature female, female sex and
      alarm pheromones; in ticks, the attraction-aggregation-attachment, assembly and
      sex pheromones; in mites and ticks host kairomones and plant allomones; and in
      mites, fungal allomones. There are still large gaps in our knowledge of chemical
      communication in the acarines compared to insects, especially relative to acarine
      pheromones, and more so for mites than ticks. However, the use of lure-and-kill
      and lure-enhanced biocontrol strategies has been investigated for tick and mite
      control, respectively, with significant environmental advantages which warrant
      further study. 

PMID- 27265829
TI  - Identification of an alkaline phosphatase as a putative Cry1Ac binding protein in
      Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee).
AB  - Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis, is an important insect pest of maize
      susceptible to different Cry1A toxins. Based on amino acid sequence alignment of
      ALP sequences from lepidopteran larvae an alp gene was cloned from ACB, named
      ofalp. Pull dawn assays using biotinylated Cry1Ac and brush border membrane
      vesicles isolated from second instar ACB larvae showed that four proteins of 50,
      65, 68 and 70kDa precipitated with the Cry1Ac. The 65kDa band cross-reacted with
      the anti-OfALP monoclonal antibody. GalNac was able to release the binding of
      Cry1Ac to the 65kDa OfALP in pull down assays. A 37kDa fragment from residues
      D173 to D473 of OfALP was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. We show
      that this ALP-fragment was able to bind Cry1Ac in ligand blot analysis. Our data
      also indicate that different ALP isoforms or variants may be also Cry1Ac binding
      proteins since more ALP enzymatic activity was pull down with Cry1Ac than with
      anti-OfALP antibody. We also analyzed the expression levels of ALP throughout the
      larval development by qPCR and ALP enzymatic activity. Our data indicated that
      ALP expression in ACB was observed preferentially in young instar larvae.
      Finally, we show that resistance in O. furnacalis ACB-AcR strain resistant to
      Cry1Ac did not correlate with changes in expression of this ALP protein since it
      shows similar gene expression of ofalp than the susceptible insect strain.
      Identification of Cry1Ac receptors will help to understand mechanism of action of
      Cry1Ac in O. furnacalis and to understand mechanism of Cry toxin resistance. Our
      data indicate that at least one ALP protein is involved in the binding
      interaction with Cry1Ac in O. furnacalis. 

PMID- 27265830
TI  - Characteristics of carboxylesterase genes and their expression-level between
      acaricide-susceptible and resistant Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval).
AB  - Carboxylesterases (CarEs) play important roles in metabolism and detoxification
      of dietary and environmental xenobiotics in insects and mites. On the basis of
      the Tetranychuscinnabarinus transcriptome dataset, 23 CarE genes (6 genes are
      full sequence and 17 genes are partial sequence) were identified. Synergist
      bioassay showed that CarEs were involved in acaricide detoxification and
      resistance in fenpropathrin- (FeR) and cyflumetofen-resistant (CyR) strains. In
      order to further reveal the relationship between CarE gene's expression and
      acaricide-resistance in T. cinnabarinus, we profiled their expression in
      susceptible (SS) and resistant strains (FeR, and CyR). There were 8 and 4 over
      expressed carboxylesterase genes in FeR and CyR, respectively, from which the
      over-expressions were detected at mRNA level, but not DNA level. Pesticide
      induction experiment elucidated that 4 of 8 and 2 of 4 up-regulated genes were
      inducible with significance in FeR and CyR strains, respectively, but they could
      not be induced in SS strain, which indicated that these genes became more
      enhanced and effective to withstand the pesticides' stress in resistant T.
      cinnabarinus. Most expression-changed and all inducible genes possess the
      Abhydrolase_3 motif, which is a catalytic domain for hydrolyzing. As a whole,
      these findings in current study provide clues for further elucidating the
      function and regulation mechanism of these carboxylesterase genes in T.
      cinnabarinus' resistance formation. 

PMID- 27265831
TI  - White Matter Hyperintensities on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in People with
      Epilepsy: A Hospital-Based Study.
AB  - AIMS: We aim to explore whether people with epilepsy have increased white matter
      hyperintensities (WMHs). METHODS: Eligible patients were categorized into newly
      diagnosed epilepsy (NE) and chronic epilepsy (CE); the latter were subdivided to
      those treated with enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) with or without
      non-enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (NEIAEDs) and those with NEIAEDs only.
      WMHs were measured using age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) scale and
      compared between patients and healthy control group. Higher scores indicate
      greater WMH changes. The strengths of associations were estimated as incidence
      rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 217
      patients were included in the analysis, of whom 67 had NE, 45 had CE treated with
      NEIAEDs, and 105 had CE treated with EIAEDs. Age was positively associated with
      ARWMC score (IRR per year, 1.03; 95%CI, 1.03-1.04, P < 0.001). Compared with the
      healthy control group (n = 23), all patient groups had higher ARWMC score (P <
      0.05). The difference was greatest in patients receiving EIAEDs (IRR, 2.13;
      95%CI, 1.22-3.70, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: WMHs tended to be observed in people
      with epilepsy, especially in those treated with EIAEDs. People with epilepsy with
      white matter changes should be evaluated for stroke risk, particularly if they
      are receiving EIAEDs.

PMID- 27265832
TI  - D-lactic acidosis: A rare cause of metabolic acidosis.

PMID- 27265834
TI  - A Robust Epoxy Resins @ Stearic Acid-Mg(OH)2 Micronanosheet Superhydrophobic
      Omnipotent Protective Coating for Real-Life Applications.
AB  - Superhydrophobic coating has extremely high application value and practicability.
      However, some difficult problems such as weak mechanical strength, the need for
      expensive toxic reagents, and a complex preparation process are all hard to
      avoid, and these problems have impeded the superhydrophobic coating's real-life
      application for a long time. Here, we demonstrate one kind of omnipotent epoxy
      resins @ stearic acid-Mg(OH)2 superhydrophobic coating via a simple
      antideposition route and one-step superhydrophobization process. The whole
      preparation process is facile, and expensive toxic reagents needed. This
      omnipotent coating can be applied on any solid substrate with great waterproof
      ability, excellent mechanical stability, and chemical durability, which can be
      stored in a realistic environment for more than 1 month. More significantly, this
      superhydrophobic coating also has four protective abilities, antifouling,
      anticorrosion, anti-icing, and flame-retardancy, to cope with a variety of
      possible extreme natural environments. Therefore, this omnipotent epoxy resins @
      stearic acid-Mg(OH)2 superhydrophobic coating not only satisfies real-life need
      but also has great application potential in many respects. 

PMID- 27265833
TI  - A C-terminally truncated mouse Best3 splice variant targets and alters the ion
      balance in lysosome-endosome hybrids and the endoplasmic reticulum.
AB  - The Bestrophin family has been characterized as Cl(-) channels in mammals and
      Na(+) channels in bacteria, but their exact physiological roles remian unknown.
      In this study, a natural C-terminally truncated variant of mouse Bestrophin 3
      (Best3V2) expression in myoblasts and muscles is demonstrated. Unlike full-length
      Best3, Best3V2 targets the two important intracellular Ca stores: the lysosome
      and the ER. Heterologous overexpression leads to lysosome swelling and renders it
      less acidic. Best3V2 overexpression also results in compromised Ca(2+) release
      from the ER. Knocking down endogenous Best3 expression in myoblasts makes these
      cells more excitable in response to Ca(2+) mobilizing reagents, such as caffeine.
      We propose that Best3V2 in myoblasts may work as a tuner to control Ca(2+)
      release from intracellular Ca(2+) stores.

PMID- 27265835
TI  - Pediatric Malignant Bone Tumors: A Review and Update on Current Challenges, and
      Emerging Drug Targets.
AB  - Osteosarcoma (OS) and the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) are the most
      common malignant bone tumors in children and adolescents. While significant
      improvements in survival have been seen in other pediatric malignancies the
      treatment and prognosis for pediatric bone tumors has remained unchanged for the
      past 3 decades. This review and update of pediatric malignant bone tumors will
      provide a general overview of osteosarcoma and the Ewing sarcoma family of
      tumors, discuss bone tumor genomics, current challenges, and emerging drug
      targets. 

PMID- 27265836
TI  - Combination of Helicobacter pylori Antibody and Serum Pepsinogen as a Good
      Predictive Tool of Gastric Cancer Incidence: 20-Year Prospective Data From the
      Hisayama Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is little information regarding whether the combination of
      Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibody and serum pepsinogen (sPG), which is a
      marker of the degree of atrophic gastritis, has a discriminatory ability for
      detecting incident gastric cancer. We examined this issue in a long-term
      prospective cohort study of a Japanese population. METHODS: A total of 2446
      Japanese community-dwelling individuals aged >=40 years were stratified into four
      groups according to baseline H. pylori serological status and sPG: Group A (H.
      pylori[-], sPG[-]), Group B (H. pylori[+], sPG[-]), Group C (H. pylori[+],
      sPG[+]), and Group D (H. pylori[-], sPG[+]), and participants were followed up
      prospectively for 20 years. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 123 subjects developed
      gastric cancer. Compared with that in Group A, the cumulative incidence of
      gastric cancer was significantly increased in Groups B, C, and D, whereas no
      significant difference was found between Groups C and D. The multivariable
      adjusted risk of gastric cancer was significantly increased in Group B (hazard
      ratio [HR], 4.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62-10.28) and in Groups C and D
      combined (HR 11.1; 95% CI, 4.45-27.46). When the multivariable model with H.
      pylori antibody was changed into that with the combination of H. pylori antibody
      and sPG, the C statistics for developing gastric cancer increased significantly
      (0.773 vs 0.732, P = 0.005), and the continuous net reclassification improvement
      value was 0.591 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the
      combination of H. pylori antibody and sPG is a useful tool for predicting the
      development of gastric cancer.

PMID- 27265837
TI  - The influence of baseline characteristics and disease stage on health-related
      quality of life in multiple myeloma: findings from six randomized controlled
      trials.
AB  - This descriptive, cross-sectional analysis evaluated the impact of baseline
      characteristics on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) at different stages of
      multiple myeloma (MM). The bortezomib clinical-trial programme evaluated HR-QoL
      early and consistently, producing a large multi-study dataset. Baseline data,
      captured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer
      (EORTC) quality-of-life questionnaire (QLQ-C30), were pooled from six bortezomib
      randomized trials conducted in different disease-stage categories: 'New'
      (previously untreated; n = 753), 'Early' (1-3 prior therapies; n = 1569) and
      'Late' (>=4 prior therapies; n = 239) disease. Mean EORTC global health scores
      were similar across the three stages. Unexpectedly, emotional, physical and role
      functioning were higher in the later stages, indicating better perceived health.
      Symptom scores, including pain, were largely similar or lower in the later versus
      earlier stages, signifying a lower symptom burden/better symptom control with
      more advanced disease. Notable variation in HR-QoL was observed by age and
      clinical parameters within and across stages. Multivariate modelling indicated
      that opioid use and performance status were key factors driving overall HR-QoL
      across stages. Using an age-restricted analysis, transplant eligibility had
      little impact on HR-QoL in New disease patients. Thus, changes in HR-QoL over the
      treatment course of MM are complex and impacted by baseline factors. A
      prospective observational international inception cohort study that captures key
      clinical, HR-QoL and demographic characteristics, along with safety and
      supportive care information, is needed.

PMID- 27265838
TI  - Polyploidy in a 'living fossil' Ginkgo biloba.

PMID- 27265839
TI  - Introduction to the 2016 Consensus Document on European Brain Research.

PMID- 27265841
TI  - US Black college women's sexual health in hookup culture: intersections of race
      and gender.
AB  - Approximately 60-80% of college students in the USA report a hookup experience in
      the form of a casual sexual encounter between individuals without the expectation
      of a dating or romantic relationship. Given the potential health risk posed by
      these sexual encounters, the need exists to critically examine this cultural
      phenomenon on college campuses. Yet, the existing hookup literature is
      overwhelming White and often exclusive of historically marginalised populations
      such as Black women. Accordingly, this paper examines the role of the
      intersecting identities of race and gender and other social factors that
      influence the sexual health and wellbeing of Black women on US college campuses.
      Specifically, we explore issues related to the gender ratio disparities present
      on college campuses, relationship power imbalances, inconsistent condom use and
      low sexual-risk perception. Moving forward, hookup research needs to utilise an
      intersectional approach; we offer specific suggestions for the important
      inclusion of Black women in the broader hookup discourse and future research.

PMID- 27265840
TI  - A metabolomics cell-based approach for anticipating and investigating drug
      induced liver injury.
AB  - In preclinical stages of drug development, anticipating potential adverse drug
      effects such as toxicity is an important issue for both saving resources and
      preventing public health risks. Current in vitro cytotoxicity tests are
      restricted by their predictive potential and their ability to provide mechanistic
      information. This study aimed to develop a metabolomic mass spectrometry-based
      approach for the detection and classification of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. To
      this end, the metabolite profiles of human derived hepatic cells (i.e., HepG2)
      exposed to different well-known hepatotoxic compounds acting through different
      mechanisms (i.e., oxidative stress, steatosis, phospholipidosis, and controls)
      were compared by multivariate data analysis, thus allowing us to decipher both
      common and mechanism-specific altered biochemical pathways. Briefly, oxidative
      stress damage markers were found in the three mechanisms, mainly showing altered
      levels of metabolites associated with glutathione and gamma-glutamyl cycle.
      Phospholipidosis was characterized by a decreased lysophospholipids to
      phospholipids ratio, suggestive of phospholipid degradation inhibition. Whereas,
      steatosis led to impaired fatty acids beta-oxidation and a subsequent increase in
      triacylglycerides synthesis. The characteristic metabolomic profiles were used to
      develop a predictive model aimed not only to discriminate between non-toxic and
      hepatotoxic drugs, but also to propose potential drug toxicity mechanism(s).

PMID- 27265842
TI  - CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing throws descriptive 3-D genome folding studies for a
      loop.
AB  - CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing studies have recently shed new light into the causal
      link between the linear DNA sequence and 3-D chromatin architecture. Here we
      describe current models for the folding of genomes into a nested hierarchy of
      higher-order structures and discuss new insights into the organizing principles
      governing genome folding at each length scale. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2016, 8:286
      299. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1338 For further resources related to this article, please
      visit the WIREs website.

PMID- 27265843
TI  - Controversy in Purchasing Prescription Drugs Online in China.
AB  - China's government is considering legalization of online prescription drugs to
      increase the pharmaceutical market and enhance access to necessary medicines.
      However, challenges such as a shortage of licensed pharmacists and drug quality
      issues have raised concerns and delayed consensus on the proposal. China's
      government must address the most pressing issues so it can render a decision on
      online prescription sales.

PMID- 27265845
TI  - The Association of CYP1A1 Gene With Cervical Cancer and Additional SNP-SNP
      Interaction in Chinese Women.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between CYP1A1
      gene polymorphism and cervical cancer risk, and the impact of SNP-SNP interaction
      on cervical cancer risk in Chinese women. METHODS: A total of 728 females with a
      mean age of 60.1 +/- 14.5 years old were selected, including 360 cervical cancer
      patients and 368 normal controls. Logistic regression was performed to
      investigate association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and
      cervical cancer risk. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was
      used to analyze the SNP-SNP interaction. RESULTS: Logistic analysis showed a
      significant association between rs4646903 and increased cervical cancer risk. The
      carriers of homozygous mutant of rs4646903 polymorphism revealed increased
      cervical cancer risk than those with wild-type homozygotes, OR (95%CI) were 1.45
      (1.20-1.95). There was a significant two-locus model (P = 0.0107) involving
      rs4646903 and rs1048943, indicating a potential SNP-SNP interaction between
      rs4646903 and rs1048943. Overall, the two-locus models had a cross-validation
      consistency of 10 of 10, and had the testing accuracy of 60.72%. Subjects with TC
      or CC of rs4646903 and AG or GG of rs1048943 genotype have the highest cervical
      cancer risk, compared to subjects with TT of rs4646903 and AA of rs1048943
      genotype, OR (95%CI) was 2.03 (1.42-2.89). CONCLUSIONS: rs4646903 minor alleles
      and interaction between rs4646903 and rs1048943 were associated with increased
      cervical cancer risk.

PMID- 27265844
TI  - Effect of testosterone on insulin sensitivity, oxidative metabolism and body
      composition in aging men with type 2 diabetes on metformin monotherapy.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate the effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on body
      composition, insulin sensitivity, oxidative metabolism and glycaemic control in
      aging men with lowered bioavailable testosterone (BioT) levels and type 2
      diabetes mellitus (T2D) controlled on metformin monotherapy. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 39
      men aged 50-70 years with BioT levels <7.3 nmol/L and T2D treated with metformin
      monotherapy. Patients were randomized to testosterone gel (TRT, n = 20) or
      placebo (n = 19) for 24 weeks. Lean body mass (LBM), total and regional fat mass
      were measured using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. Whole-body
      peripheral insulin sensitivity, endogenous glucose production (EGP) and substrate
      oxidation were assessed by euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp with glucose
      tracer and combined with indirect calorimetry. Coefficients (beta) represent the
      placebo-controlled mean effect of intervention. RESULTS: LBM (beta = 1.9 kg, p =
      0.001) increased after TRT, while total fat mass (beta = -1.3 kg, p = 0.009), fat
      mass trunk (beta = -0.7 kg, p = 0.043), fat mass legs (beta = -0.7 kg, p =
      0.025), fat mass arms (beta = -0.3 kg, p = 0.001), and HDL cholesterol (beta = 
      0.11 mmol/L, p = 0.009) decreased after TRT compared with placebo. Insulin
      stimulated glucose disposal rates did not change in response to TRT compared with
      placebo (p = 0.18). Moreover, glycated haemoglobin, and basal and insulin
      stimulated rates of EGP, lipid- and glucose-oxidation were unaltered after TRT.
      CONCLUSION: TRT in aging men with lowered BioT levels and T2D controlled on
      metformin monotherapy improved body composition; however, glycaemic control,
      peripheral insulin sensitivity, EGP and substrate metabolism were unchanged.

PMID- 27265846
TI  - Pelvic floor muscle reflex activity during coughing - an exploratory and
      reliability study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Activities that provoke stress urinary incontinence (SUI) rapidly
      increase the intra-abdominal pressure and the impact loading on the pelvic floor
      muscles (PFMs). Coughing can cause urinary leakage and is often used to test SUI.
      However, PFM characteristics during coughing, including their reliability, have
      not been investigated. Here, we used electromyography (EMG) to describe PFM pre
      activity and reflexivity during coughing and examined the reliability of the
      measurements. METHODS: This was an exploratory and reliability study including 11
      young healthy women to characterize EMG reflex activity in PFMs during coughing.
      We describe 6 variables, averaged over 3 coughs per subject, and tested their
      reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 3,1 [ICC(3,1)] and ICC(3,k),
      related standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal difference [MD]). The
      variables represented the mean EMG activity for PFMs during 30-ms time intervals
      of pre-activity (initial time point of coughing [T0] and minus 30ms) and reflex
      activity (T0-30, 30-60, 60-90, 90-120 and 120-150ms after T0) of stretch-reflex
      latency responses. RESULTS: The mean %EMG (normalized to maximal voluntary PFM
      contraction) for EMG variables was 35.1 to 52.2 and was significantly higher
      during coughing than for PFM activity at rest (mean 24.9+/-3.7%EMG; P<0.05).
      ICC(3,k) ranged from 0.67 to 0.91 (SEM 6.1-13.3%EMG and MD 16.7-36.8%EMG) and was
      higher than ICC(3,1) (range 0.40-0.77; SEM 9.0-18.0%EMG, MD 24.9-50.0%EMG).
      CONCLUSIONS: PFM activity during reflex latency response time intervals during
      coughing was significantly higher than at rest, which suggests PFM pre-activity
      and reflex activity during coughing. Although we standardized coughing, EMG
      variables for PFM activity showed poor reliability [good to excellent ICC(3,k)
      and fair to excellent ICC(3,1) but high SEM and MD]. Therefore, coughing is
      expected to be heterogeneous, with low reliability, in clinical test situations.
      Potential crosstalk from other muscles involved in coughing could limit the
      interpretation of our results.

PMID- 27265847
TI  - Infant and young child feeding practices and stunting in two highland provinces
      in Ecuador.
AB  - The first two years of life are critical for growth and development. Little is
      known about infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in the Ecuadorian
      highlands and how they contribute to stunting. With the objective of
      understanding nutritional status and the influencing factors to design an
      intervention, we assessed the nutritional status of 293 infants and children
      between 0 and 24 months of age, living in 14 communities in the provinces of
      Tungurahua and Chimborazo using a cross-sectional study design. We used the WHO
      IYCF indicators to assess feeding practices; estimated dietary intake with 24-h
      recalls; and identified nutritious local foods by food frequency questionnaires.
      Multiple regression modelling was performed to identify correlates of nutritional
      status. Stunting was found in 56.2% of children. Mean protein, vitamin A and
      vitamin C intakes were above recommendations for all ages. Only infants 6.0 to
      8.9 months of age and non-breastfed children 12-23.9 months of age consumed
      energy intakes below recommendations. Younger age groups had below recommended
      intakes for iron and calcium. While mean complementary food densities met
      recommendations for protein, vitamin A, vitamin C and energy, those for zinc,
      iron and calcium were lower than recommended. Older age, respiratory infections
      and being male were predictors of lower HAZ, whereas early initiation of
      breastfeeding, higher socioeconomic status, consumption of iron-rich foods and
      higher dietary protein density were protective. Interventions that promote and
      support optimal breastfeeding practices and enable increased consumption of
      nutritious local foods have potential to contribute to reducing stunting in this
      vulnerable population. (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27265848
TI  - Interaction between Prion Protein's Copper-Bound Octarepeat Domain and a Charged
      C-Terminal Pocket Suggests a Mechanism for N-Terminal Regulation.
AB  - Copper plays a critical role in prion protein (PrP) physiology. Cu(2+) binds with
      high affinity to the PrP N-terminal octarepeat (OR) domain, and intracellular
      copper promotes PrP expression. The molecular details of copper coordination
      within the OR are now well characterized. Here we examine how Cu(2+) influences
      the interaction between the PrP N-terminal domain and the C-terminal globular
      domain. Using nuclear magnetic resonance and copper-nitroxide pulsed double
      electron-electron resonance, with molecular dynamics refinement, we localize the
      position of Cu(2+) in its high-affinity OR-bound state. Our results reveal an
      interdomain cis interaction that is stabilized by a conserved, negatively charged
      pocket of the globular domain. Interestingly, this interaction surface overlaps
      an epitope recognized by the POM1 antibody, the binding of which drives rapid
      cerebellar degeneration mediated by the PrP N terminus. The resulting structure
      suggests that the globular domain regulates the N-terminal domain by binding the
      Cu(2+)-occupied OR within a complementary pocket.

PMID- 27265849
TI  - LD Motif Recognition by Talin: Structure of the Talin-DLC1 Complex.
AB  - Cell migration requires coordination between integrin-mediated cell adhesion to
      the extracellular matrix and force applied to adhesion sites. Talin plays a key
      role in coupling integrin receptors to the actomyosin contractile machinery,
      while deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) is a Rho GAP that binds talin and
      regulates Rho, and therefore actomyosin contractility. We show that the LD motif
      of DLC1 forms a helix that binds to the four-helix bundle of the talin R8 domain
      in a canonical triple-helix arrangement. We demonstrate that the same R8 surface
      interacts with the paxillin LD1 and LD2 motifs. We identify key charged residues
      that stabilize the R8 interactions with LD motifs and demonstrate their
      importance in vitro and in cells. Our results suggest a network of competitive
      interactions in adhesion complexes that involve LD motifs, and identify mutations
      that can be used to analyze the biological roles of specific protein-protein
      interactions in cell migration.

PMID- 27265850
TI  - Mechanism of Amyloidogenesis of a Bacterial AAA+ Chaperone.
AB  - Amyloids are fibrillar protein superstructures that are commonly associated with
      diseases in humans and with physiological functions in various organisms. The
      precise mechanisms of amyloid formation remain to be elucidated. Surprisingly, we
      discovered that a bacterial Escherichia coli chaperone-like ATPase, regulatory
      ATPase variant A (RavA), and specifically the LARA domain in RavA, forms amyloids
      under acidic conditions at elevated temperatures. RavA is involved in modulating
      the proper assembly of membrane respiratory complexes. LARA contains an N
      terminal loop region followed by a beta-sandwich-like folded core. Several
      approaches, including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular
      dynamics simulations, were used to determine the mechanism by which LARA switches
      to an amyloid state. These studies revealed that the folded core of LARA is
      amyloidogenic and is protected by its N-terminal loop. At low pH and high
      temperatures, the interaction of the N-terminal loop with the folded core is
      disrupted, leading to amyloid formation.

PMID- 27265852
TI  - Structure and Functional Characterization of Human Aspartate Transcarbamoylase,
      the Target of the Anti-tumoral Drug PALA.
AB  - CAD, the multienzymatic protein that initiates and controls de novo synthesis of
      pyrimidines in animals, associates through its aspartate transcarbamoylase
      (ATCase) domain into particles of 1.5 MDa. Despite numerous structures of
      prokaryotic ATCases, we lack structural information on the ATCase domain of CAD.
      Here, we report the structure and functional characterization of human ATCase,
      confirming the overall similarity with bacterial homologs. Unexpectedly, human
      ATCase exhibits cooperativity effects that reduce the affinity for the anti
      tumoral drug PALA. Combining structural, mutagenic, and biochemical analysis, we
      identified key elements for the necessary regulation and transmission of
      conformational changes leading to cooperativity between subunits. Mutation of one
      of these elements, R2024, was recently found to cause the first non-lethal CAD
      deficit. We reproduced this mutation in human ATCase and measured its effect,
      demonstrating that this arginine is part of a molecular switch that regulates the
      equilibrium between low- and high-affinity states for the ligands.

PMID- 27265851
TI  - The Structure of HIV-1 Rev Filaments Suggests a Bilateral Model for Rev-RRE
      Assembly.
AB  - HIV-1 Rev protein mediates the nuclear export of viral RNA genomes. To do so, Rev
      oligomerizes cooperatively onto an RNA motif, the Rev response element (RRE),
      forming a complex that engages with the host nuclear export machinery. To better
      understand Rev oligomerization, we determined four crystal structures of Rev N
      terminal domain dimers, which show that they can pivot about their dyad axis,
      giving crossing angles of 90 degrees  to 140 degrees . In parallel, we performed
      cryoelectron microscopy of helical Rev filaments. Filaments vary from 11 to 15 nm
      in width, reflecting variations in dimer crossing angle. These structures contain
      additional density, indicating that C-terminal domains become partially ordered
      in the context of filaments. This conformational variability may be exploited in
      the assembly of RRE/Rev complexes. Our data also revealed a third interface
      between Revs, which offers an explanation for how the arrangement of Rev subunits
      adapts to the "A"-shaped architecture of the RRE in export-active complexes.

PMID- 27265854
TI  - Leukemic Cell Differentiation and the Signal Transduction System.

PMID- 27265855
TI  - Epstein-Barr Virus in Hodgkin's Disease Patients in Northeast Anatolia.
AB  - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated as an etiologic factor in Hodgkin's
      disease (HD). The proportion of HD patients with EBV is high in developing
      countries but low in developed countries. In the present study, the EBV
      association with HD in Northeast Anatolia was investigated. Thirty-six formalin
      fixed paraffin-embedded cases of HD were analysed for the presence of EBV and,
      for the latent membrane protein (LPM-1) by immunohistochemistry. There were 26
      males and 10 females; age distribution ranged from 12 to 73 years (mean +/-
      standard deviation, 34.1 +/- 15.2 years). Overall, LPM-1 was detected in 27 of
      the 36 cases (75%). LPM-1 expression varied according to the istological subtype
      of HD (9/55 cases of lymphocyte predominance subtype, 3/4 cases of nodular
      sclerosis, 18/18 cases of mixed cellularity subtype, and 1/5 cases of lymphocyte
      depletion subtype). In this study, the EBV-positivity ratio in HD was found
      extremely high in Northeast Anatolia. 

PMID- 27265853
TI  - MtDNA and Y-chromosomal diversity in the Chachapoya, a population from the
      northeast Peruvian Andes-Amazon divide.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The ancient Chachapoya were an aggregate of several ethnic groups
      that shared a common language, religion, and material culture. They inhabited a
      territory at the juncture of the Andes and the Amazon basin. Their position
      between those ecozones most likely influenced their genetic composition. We
      attempted to better understand their population history by assessing the
      contemporary genetic diversity in the Chachapoya and three of their immediate
      neighbors (Huancas, Jivaro, and Cajamarca). We inferred signatures of demographic
      history and genetic affinities, and contrasted the findings with data from other
      populations on local and continental scales. METHODS: We studied mitochondrial
      DNA (mtDNA; hypervariable segment [HVSI and HVSII]) and Y chromosome (23 short
      tandem repeats (STRs)) marker data in 382 modern individuals. We used Sanger
      sequencing for mtDNA and a commercially available kit for Y-chromosomal STR
      typing. RESULTS: The Chachapoya had affinities with various populations of Andean
      and Amazonian origin. When examining the Native American component, the
      Chachapoya displayed high levels of genetic diversity. Together with other
      parameters, for example, large Tajima's D and Fu's Fs, the data indicated no
      drastic reduction of the population size in the past. CONCLUSION: The high level
      of diversity in the Chachapoya, the lack of evidence of drift in the past, and
      genetic affinities with a broad range of populations in the Americas reflects an
      intricate population history in the region. The new genetic data from the
      Chachapoya indeed seems to point to a genetic complexity that is not yet resolved
      but beginning to be elucidated. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:857-867, 2016. (c) 2016Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265856
TI  - The Incidence of Hepatitis G Virus in Patients with Hematological Malignancies:
      The Relationship to the Number of Blood and Blood Products Transfusions.
AB  - The hepatitis G virus has been detected in patients with post-transfusion
      hepatitis. The precise transmission rate of the hepatitis G virus is not clear.
      This study aims to investigate the transmission rate of HGV and the relationship
      between the number of blood transfusions and the blood products used in
      multitransfused patients with hematological malignancies. Serum samples were
      obtained from 80 patients with hematologic malignancies hospitalized between
      January 1997 and December 1998 at Ibn'i Sina Hospital, University of Ankara. The
      patients were divided into three groups according to transfusion numbers. Group A
      received between 0 and 10 units of blood and blood products, Group B received 10
      20 units, and Group C received more than 20 units. All patients received blood
      and blood products for a median of 6.8 Units/whole life. The hepatitis G virus
      was detected using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Of the
      eighty patients, four (5.0 %) were HBs-Ag positive, one (1.25%) was Anti-HCV
      positive, and one (1.25%) was HGV-RNA positive. Multiple blood transfusions may
      be an important risk factor for transmission-transmitted viral infections, but
      based upon the present experience, there is no significant relationship between
      the number of blood transfusions and blood products and the transmission rate of
      HGV infection in patients with hematological malignancies. 

PMID- 27265857
TI  - Activated Protein C Resistance in Behcet's Disease.
AB  - We investigated activated protein C resistance (aPCR) using modified activated
      partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in 32 patients with Behcet's disease (BD) and
      9 healthy controls. None of the healthy controls were found to have aPCR.
      However, 11 out of 32 Behcet's patients (34.3%) were found to have aPCR. The
      frequency of aPCR was increased to 44.4% among 18 Behcet's patients having a
      history of venous thrombosis. In the subgroup of 14 patients without venous
      thrombosis, aPCR frequency was %22.2. Our findings show that, besides other
      factors, aPCR may also predispose patients to venous thrombosis in BD. The
      detection of aPCR, using modified aPTT may serve as a routine screening test to
      determine the necessity of prophylactic anticoagulation reatment in patients with
      BD. 

PMID- 27265859
TI  - Asecretory POEMS Syndrome with Widespread Osteosclerotic Lesions.
AB  - POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein and skin
      changes) is a rare disease and constitues 1-2% of plasma cell dyscrasia. Most of
      the patients have few sclerotic bone lesions and more than 90% of patients have
      serum and/or urinary M-protein. In this report, we present a patient with POEMS
      syndrome who had severe polyneuropathy and unusual widespread osteosclerotic
      lesions without M- rotein in serum and urine. According to our knowledge, this is
      the first case of asecretory POEMS syndrome with multipl sclerotic lesions and
      polyneuropathy. Our patient is still well and able to work actively 4 years after
      diagnosis with the treatment of 12 courses of VAD by reducing the vincristine
      dosage. 

PMID- 27265858
TI  - An Extra Benefit of Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in a
      Patient with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma: Cure of Thalassemia Minor.
AB  - b thalassemia minor is frequent in mediterranean countries. It is a benign
      disorder and does not warrant any therapeutical intervention. We transplanted a
      25-year-old Turkish male who was diagnosed as lymphoblastic lymphoma and had b
      thalassemia minor as well. He received peripheral blood stem cells
      transplantation from his HLA-identical sibling who was not a carrier of b
      thalassemia. After the allogeneic transplantation we did not only observe
      remission of the lymphoblastic lymphoma but also the disappearance of b
      thalassemia minor. 

PMID- 27265860
TI  - Griscelli's Syndrome: Clinical and Immunological Features of Two Siblings.
AB  - Two siblings diagnosed with Griscelli's syndrome (GS) are presented. The clinical
      features were partial albinism, silvery hair and absence of giant granules in the
      white blood cells. The diagnosis of GS was confirmed at the ages of nine months
      and two months by the demonstation of irregular clumps of pigment in the hair
      shaft, a finding characteristic of this syndrome. The patients had
      hepatosplenomegaly and bone marrow examinations revealed Iymphohistiocytosis.
      Immunological studies revealed normal serum immunoglobulin levels and normal T
      and B Iymphocyte counts. Skin tests were positive for phytohemagglutinin and PPD
      in the first patient. Phagocytosis was studied by flow cytometry using Mo Ab
      (DCFH, PMA oxidative burst, Coulter) in the second sibling and it was found as
      normal. Splenectomy was performed in the second sibling because of excessive
      splenomegaly at the age of six months but she died two months later. The first
      sibling died at the age of 18 months because of infection. Postmortem examination
      of the siblings revealed Iymphohistiocytosis in the liver and spleen. 

PMID- 27265862
TI  - Lymphoblastic Leukemic Infiltration of Breast.

PMID- 27265861
TI  - Images in Haematology.

PMID- 27265863
TI  - Nucleosomes determine their own patch size in base excision repair.
AB  - Base excision repair (BER) processes non-helix distorting lesions (e.g., uracils
      and gaps) and is composed of two subpathways that differ in the number of
      nucleotides (nts) incorporated during the DNA synthesis step: short patch (SP)
      repair incorporates 1 nt and long patch (LP) repair incorporates 2-12 nts. This
      choice for either LP or SP repair has not been analyzed in the context of
      nucleosomes. Initial studies with uracil located in nucleosome core DNA showed a
      distinct DNA polymerase extension profile in cell-free extracts that specifically
      limits extension to 1 nt, suggesting a preference for SP BER. Therefore, we
      developed an assay to differentiate long and short repair patches in 'designed'
      nucleosomes containing a single-nucleotide gap at specific locations relative to
      the dyad center. Using cell-free extracts or purified enzymes, we found that DNA
      lesions in the nucleosome core are preferentially repaired by DNA polymerase beta
      and there is a significant reduction in BER polymerase extension beyond 1 nt,
      creating a striking bias for incorporation of short patches into nucleosomal DNA.
      These results show that nucleosomes control the patch size used by BER.

PMID- 27265865
TI  - A conserved alternative form of the purple sea urchin HEB/E2-2/E2A transcription
      factor mediates a switch in E-protein regulatory state in differentiating immune
      cells.
AB  - E-proteins are basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors with essential
      roles in animal development. In mammals, these are encoded by three loci: E2-2
      (ITF-2/ME2/SEF2/TCF4), E2A (TCF3), and HEB (ME1/REB/TCF12). The HEB and E2-2
      paralogs are expressed as alternative (Alt) isoforms with distinct N-terminal
      sequences encoded by unique exons under separate regulatory control. Expression
      of these alternative transcripts is restricted relative to the longer (Can)
      forms, suggesting distinct regulatory roles, although the functions of the Alt
      proteins remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize the single sea urchin E
      protein ortholog (SpE-protein). The organization of the SpE-protein gene closely
      resembles that of the extended HEB/E2-2 vertebrate loci, including a transcript
      that initiates at a homologous alternative transcription start site (SpE-Alt).
      The existence of an Alt form in the sea urchin indicates that this feature
      predates the emergence of the vertebrates. We present additional evidence
      indicating that this transcript was present in the common bilaterian ancestor. In
      contrast to the widely expressed canonical form (SpE-Can), SpE-Alt expression is
      tightly restricted. SpE-Alt is expressed in two phases: first in aboral non
      skeletogenic mesenchyme (NSM) cells and then in oral NSM cells preceding their
      differentiation and ingression into the blastocoel. Derivatives of these cells
      mediate immune response in the larval stage. Inhibition of SpE-Alt activity
      interferes with these events. Notably, although the two isoforms are initially co
      expressed, as these cells differentiate, SpE-Can is excluded from the SpE-Alt(+)
      cell population. This mutually exclusive expression is dependent on SpE-Alt
      function, which reveals a previously undescribed negative regulatory linkage
      between the two E-protein forms. Collectively, these findings reorient our
      understanding of the evolution of this transcription factor family and highlight
      fundamental properties of E-protein biology.

PMID- 27265864
TI  - Pharyngeal morphogenesis requires fras1-itga8-dependent epithelial-mesenchymal
      interaction.
AB  - Both Fras1 and Itga8 connect mesenchymal cells to epithelia by way of an
      extracellular 'Fraser protein complex' that functions in signaling and adhesion;
      these proteins are vital to the development of several vertebrate organs. We
      previously found that zebrafish fras1 mutants have craniofacial defects,
      specifically, shortened symplectic cartilages and cartilage fusions that spare
      joint elements. During a forward mutagenesis screen, we identified a new
      zebrafish mutation, b1161, that we show here disrupts itga8, as confirmed using
      CRISPR-generated itga8 alleles. fras1 and itga8 single mutants and double mutants
      have similar craniofacial phenotypes, a result expected if loss of either gene
      disrupts function of the Fraser protein complex. Unlike fras1 mutants or other
      Fraser-related mutants, itga8 mutants do not show blistered tail fins. Thus, the
      function of the Fraser complex differs in the craniofacial skeleton and the tail
      fin. Focusing on the face, we find that itga8 mutants consistently show defective
      outpocketing of a late-forming portion of the first pharyngeal pouch, and
      variably express skeletal defects, matching previously characterized fras1 mutant
      phenotypes. In itga8 and fras1 mutants, skeletal severity varies markedly between
      sides, indicating that both mutants have increased developmental instability.
      Whereas fras1 is expressed in epithelia, we show that itga8 is expressed
      complementarily in facial mesenchyme. Paired with the observed phenotypic
      similarity, this expression indicates that the genes function in epithelial
      mesenchymal interactions. Similar interactions between Fras1 and Itga8 have
      previously been found in mouse kidney, where these genes both regulate
      Nephronectin (Npnt) protein abundance. We find that zebrafish facial tissues
      express both npnt and the Fraser gene fibrillin2b (fbn2b), but their transcript
      levels do not depend on fras1 or itga8 function. Using a revertible fras1 allele,
      we find that the critical window for fras1 function in the craniofacial skeleton
      is between 1.5 and 3 days post fertilization, which coincides with the onset of
      fras1-dependent and itga8-dependent morphogenesis. We propose a model wherein
      Fras1 and Itga8 interact during late pharyngeal pouch morphogenesis to sculpt
      pharyngeal arches through epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, thereby
      stabilizing the developing craniofacial skeleton.

PMID- 27265866
TI  - Redundant mechanisms are involved in suppression of default cell fates during
      embryonic mesenchyme and notochord induction in ascidians.
AB  - During embryonic induction, the responding cells invoke an induced developmental
      program, whereas in the absence of an inducing signal, they assume a default
      uninduced cell fate. Suppression of the default fate during the inductive event
      is crucial for choice of the binary cell fate. In contrast to the mechanisms that
      promote an induced cell fate, those that suppress the default fate have been
      overlooked. Upon induction, intracellular signal transduction results in
      activation of genes encoding key transcription factors for induced tissue
      differentiation. It is elusive whether an induced key transcription factor has
      dual functions involving suppression of the default fates and promotion of the
      induced fate, or whether suppression of the default fate is independently
      regulated by other factors that are also downstream of the signaling cascade. We
      show that during ascidian embryonic induction, default fates were suppressed by
      multifold redundant mechanisms. The key transcription factor, Twist-related.a,
      which is required for mesenchyme differentiation, and another independent
      transcription factor, Lhx3, which is dispensable for mesenchyme differentiation,
      sequentially and redundantly suppress the default muscle fate in induced
      mesenchyme cells. Similarly in notochord induction, Brachyury, which is required
      for notochord differentiation, and other factors, Lhx3 and Mnx, are likely to
      suppress the default nerve cord fate redundantly. Lhx3 commonly suppresses the
      default fates in two kinds of induction. Mis-activation of the autonomously
      executed default program in induced cells is detrimental to choice of the binary
      cell fate. Multifold redundant mechanisms would be required for suppression of
      the default fate to be secure.

PMID- 27265869
TI  - Recent Advances in Self-Oscillating Polymer Material Systems.
AB  - In 1996, we first reported self-oscillating polymer gels exhibiting autonomous
      swelling-deswelling oscillations driven by the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction. In
      contrast to conventional stimuli-responsive gels, the self-oscillating gel can
      autonomously and periodically change its volume in a closed solution without any
      external stimuli. Since the first report, the novel concept of self-oscillating
      gels has been expanded into various polymer and gel systems. Herein, we summarize
      recent advances in self-oscillating polymers and gels.

PMID- 27265867
TI  - Function of the C. elegans T-box factor TBX-2 depends on interaction with the UNC
      37/Groucho corepressor.
AB  - T-box transcription factors are important regulators of development in all
      animals, and altered expression of T-box factors has been identified in an
      increasing number of diseases and cancers. Despite these important roles, the
      mechanism of T-box factor activity is not well understood. We have previously
      shown that the Caenorhabditis elegans Tbx2 subfamily member TBX-2 functions as a
      transcriptional repressor to specify ABa-derived pharyngeal muscle, and that this
      function depends on SUMOylation. Here we show that TBX-2 function also depends on
      interaction with the Groucho-family corepressor UNC-37. TBX-2 interacts with UNC
      37 in yeast two-hybrid assays via a highly conserved engrailed homology 1 (eh1)
      motif located near the TBX-2 C-terminus. Reducing unc-37 phenocopies tbx-2
      mutants, resulting in a specific loss of anterior ABa-derived pharyngeal muscles
      and derepression of the tbx-2 promoter. Moreover, double mutants containing
      hypomorphic alleles of unc-37 and tbx-2 exhibit enhanced phenotypes, providing
      strong genetic evidence that unc-37 and tbx-2 share common functions in vivo. To
      test whether interaction with UNC-37 is necessary for TBX-2 activity, we
      developed a transgene rescue assay using a tbx-2 containing fosmid and found that
      mutating the tbx-2 eh1 motif reduced rescue of a tbx-2 null mutant. These results
      indicate that TBX-2 function in vivo depends on interaction with UNC-37. As many
      T-box factors contain eh1 motifs, we suggest that interaction with Groucho-family
      corepressors is a common mechanism contributing to their activity.

PMID- 27265868
TI  - Ligand-induced substrate steering and reshaping of [Ag2(H)](+) scaffold for
      selective CO2 extrusion from formic acid.
AB  - Metalloenzymes preorganize the reaction environment to steer substrate(s) along
      the required reaction coordinate. Here, we show that phosphine ligands
      selectively facilitate protonation of binuclear silver hydride cations,
      [LAg2(H)](+) by optimizing the geometry of the active site. This is a key step in
      the selective, catalysed extrusion of carbon dioxide from formic acid, HO2CH,
      with important applications (for example, hydrogen storage). Gas-phase ion
      molecule reactions, collision-induced dissociation (CID), infrared and
      ultraviolet action spectroscopy and computational chemistry link structure to
      reactivity and mechanism. [Ag2(H)](+) and [Ph3PAg2(H)](+) react with formic acid
      yielding Lewis adducts, while [(Ph3P)2Ag2(H)](+) is unreactive. Using
      bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) reshapes the geometry of the binuclear
      Ag2(H)(+) scaffold, triggering reactivity towards formic acid, to produce
      [dppmAg2(O2CH)](+) and H2. Decarboxylation of [dppmAg2(O2CH)](+) via CID
      regenerates [dppmAg2(H)](+). These gas-phase insights inspired variable
      temperature NMR studies that show CO2 and H2 production at 70  degrees C from
      solutions containing dppm, AgBF4, NaO2CH and HO2CH.

PMID- 27265871
TI  - Safety climate, emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction among Brazilian
      paediatric professional nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: International studies indicate that job satisfaction and burnout
      interfere with the safety climate and quality of care. However, no evidence of
      such relationships is available for Brazilian paediatric hospitals. AIMS: To
      assess the correlation and predictive effect of emotional exhaustion and job
      satisfaction on the perception of professional nurses at paediatric hospitals
      regarding safety climate and quality of care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional
      correlational design. METHODS: The study was conducted with registered nurses,
      technician and assistant nurses from two Brazilian paediatric hospitals over 3
      months in 2013-2014 using instruments to assess safety climate, quality of care,
      job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion. RESULTS: Data related to 267
      professional nurses from 15 inpatient wards and 3 intensive care units were
      analysed. Overall, the respondents exhibited moderate emotional exhaustion, were
      satisfied with their jobs and considered the quality of care as good. However,
      the respondents exhibited low concordance as to the positive perception of the
      safety climate. The variables, emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction,
      exhibited significant correlations with safety climate and were considered
      predictive of the latter. CONCLUSION: Emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction
      among professional nurses influence the safety climate at paediatric hospitals.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING OR HEALTH POLICY: Investments to reduce emotional
      exhaustion and to improve job satisfaction among professional nurses allocated to
      paediatric hospitals might contribute to the patients' safety.

PMID- 27265870
TI  - Risk factors for subsequent febrile seizures in the FEBSTAT study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify risk and risk factors for developing a subsequent febrile
      seizure (FS) in children with a first febrile status epilepticus (FSE) compared
      to a first simple febrile seizure (SFS). To identify home use of rescue
      medications for subsequent FS. METHODS: Cases included a first FS that was FSE
      drawn from FEBSTAT and Columbia cohorts. Controls were a first SFS. Cases and
      controls were classified according to established FEBSTAT protocols. Cumulative
      risk for subsequent FS over a 5-year period was compared in FSE versus SFS, and
      Cox proportional hazards regression was conducted. Separate analysis examined
      subsequent FS within FSE. The use of rescue medications at home was assessed for
      subsequent FS. RESULTS: Risk for a subsequent FSE was significantly increased in
      FSE versus SFS. Any magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormality increased the
      risk 3.4-fold (p < 0.05), adjusting for age at first FS and FSE and in analyses
      restricted to children whose first FS was FSE (any MRI abnormality hazard ratio
      [HR] 2.9, p < 0.05). The risk for a second FS of any type or of subsequent FS
      lasting >10 min over the 5-year follow-up did not differ in FSE versus SFS.
      Rectal diazepam was administered at home to 5 (23.8%) of 21 children with
      subsequent FS lasting >=10 min. SIGNIFICANCE: Compared to controls, FSE was
      associated with an increased risk for subsequent FSE, suggesting the propensity
      of children with an initial prolonged seizure to experience a prolonged
      recurrence. Any baseline MRI abnormality increased the recurrence risk when FSE
      was compared to SFS and when FSE was studied alone. A minority of children with a
      subsequent FS lasting 10 min or longer were treated with rectal diazepam at home,
      despite receiving prescriptions after the first FSE. This indicates the need to
      further improve the education of clinicians and parents in order to prevent
      subsequent FSE.

PMID- 27265872
TI  - The presence of disulfide bonds reveals an evolutionarily conserved mechanism
      involved in mitochondrial protein translocase assembly.
AB  - Disulfide bond formation is crucial for the biogenesis and structure of many
      proteins that are localized in the intermembrane space of mitochondria. The
      importance of disulfide bond formation within mitochondrial proteins was extended
      beyond soluble intermembrane space proteins. Tim22, a membrane protein and core
      component of the mitochondrial translocase TIM22, forms an intramolecular
      disulfide bond in yeast. Tim22 belongs to the Tim17/Tim22/Tim23 family of protein
      translocases. Here, we present evidence of the high evolutionary conservation of
      disulfide bond formation in Tim17 and Tim22 among fungi and metazoa. Topological
      models are proposed that include the location of disulfide bonds relative to the
      predicted transmembrane regions. Yeast and human Tim22 variants that are not
      oxidized do not properly integrate into the membrane complex. Moreover, the lack
      of Tim17 oxidation disrupts the TIM23 translocase complex. This underlines the
      importance of disulfide bond formation for mature translocase assembly through
      membrane stabilization of weak transmembrane domains.

PMID- 27265873
TI  - A novel TCR-like CAR with specificity for PR1/HLA-A2 effectively targets myeloid
      leukemia in vitro when expressed in human adult peripheral blood and cord blood T
      cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: The PR1 peptide, derived from the leukemia-associated antigens
      proteinase 3 and neutrophil elastase, is overexpressed on HLA-A2 in acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML). We developed a T-cell receptor (TCR)-like monoclonal antibody
      (8F4) that binds the PR1/HLA-A2 complex on the surface of AML cells, efficiently
      killing them in vitro and eliminating them in preclinical models. Humanized 8F4
      (h8F4) with high affinity for the PR1/HLA-A2 epitope was used to construct an
      h8F4- chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that was transduced into T cells to mediate
      anti-leukemia activity. METHODS: Human T cells were transduced to express the
      PR1/HLA-A2-specific CAR (h8F4-CAR-T cells) containing the scFv of h8F4 fused to
      the intracellular signaling endo-domain of CD3 zeta chain through the
      transmembrane and intracellular costimulatory domain of CD28. RESULTS: Adult
      human normal peripheral blood (PB) T cells were efficiently transduced with the
      h8F4-CAR construct and predominantly displayed an effector memory phenotype with
      a minor population (12%) of central memory cells in vitro. Umbilical cord blood
      (UCB) T cells could also be efficiently transduced with the h8F4-CAR. The PB and
      UCB-derived h8F4-CAR-T cells specifically recognized the PR1/HLA-A2 complex and
      were capable of killing leukemia cell lines and primary AML blasts in an HLA-A2
      dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Human adult PB and UCB-derived T cells expressing
      a CAR derived from the TCR-like 8F4 antibody rapidly and efficiently kill AML in
      vitro. Our data could lead to a new treatment paradigm for AML in which targeting
      leukemia stem cells could transfer long-term immunity to protect against relapse.

PMID- 27265875
TI  - Assessing the role of landscape connectivity on Opisthorchis viverrini
      transmission dynamics.
AB  - Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov) is one of the most important human parasitic diseases
      in Southeast Asia. Although the concept of connectivity is widely used to
      comprehend disease dispersal, knowledge of the influences of landscape
      connectivity on Ov transmission is still rudimentary. This study aimed to
      investigate the role of landscape connectivity in Ov transmission between the
      human and the first intermediate snail hosts. Fieldwork was conducted in three
      villages respectively in Kamalasai District, Kalasin Province, Phu Wiang
      District, Khon Kaen Province, and Nong Saeng District, Udon Thani Province.
      Bithynia snails were collected to examine parasitic infections, water samples
      were analyzed for fecal contamination, and locations of septic tanks and
      connections between habitat patches with observable water movement were surveyed.
      Euclidean distance, topological link and distance, and graph measures were
      employed to quantify the connectivity between human and snail habitats. The
      findings showed that snail patches with higher fecal contents were generally
      located nearer to septic tanks. The statistically significant results for the
      topological link and distance measures highlighted the importance of water in
      functionally facilitating Ov transmission. Graph measures revealed differences in
      landscape connectivity across the sites. The site with the largest landscape
      component size and the most mutually connected snail patches coincided with the
      presence of Ov parasite, reinforcing its higher risk for human to snail
      transmission. The site with the dissected landscape structure potentially limited
      the transmission. This study underscored the potential effect of landscape
      connectivity on Ov transmission, contributing to the understanding of the spatial
      variation of Ov infection risk.

PMID- 27265874
TI  - T-cell therapies for HIV: Preclinical successes and current clinical strategies.
AB  - Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been successful in controlling HIV
      infection, it does not provide a permanent cure, requires lifelong treatment, and
      HIV-positive individuals are left with social concerns such as stigma. The recent
      application of T cells to treat cancer and viral reactivations post-transplant
      offers a potential strategy to control HIV infection. It is known that naturally
      occurring HIV-specific T cells can inhibit HIV initially, but this response is
      not sustained in the majority of people living with HIV. Genetically modifying T
      cells to target HIV, resist infection, and persist in the immunosuppressive
      environment found in chronically infected HIV-positive individuals might provide
      a therapeutic solution for HIV. This review focuses on successful preclinical
      studies and current clinical strategies using T-cell therapy to control HIV
      infection and mediate a functional cure solution.

PMID- 27265876
TI  - Characterization and localization of Opisthorchis viverrini fructose-1,6
      bisphosphate aldolase.
AB  - Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov) infection is a long-time public health problem in
      Thailand that can lead to bile duct cancer, cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).
      Characterization of the Ov proteins at a molecular level will increase our
      knowledge of host-parasite interaction that can be applied to new drug, vaccine,
      or immunodiagnostic development. In this study, an important enzyme in the Ov
      glycolytic pathway, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBPA), that had been
      obtained from a previous study was characterized and immunolocalized. The full
      length sequence of OvFBPA gene is 1089bp and encodes 362 amino acids with a
      predicted molecular weight and isoelectric point of 39.54kDa and 7.61,
      respectively. Additionally, three OvFBPA isoforms were identified by sequence
      analysis. The amino acid sequence of OvFBPA-1 characterized in this study shared
      98% identity to FBPA isoform 1 of Clonorchis sinensis that was classified based
      on highly conserved active residues to class-I FBPA. The recombinant OvFBPA-1
      protein was expressed as a soluble form in Escherichia coli at 25 degrees C with
      N-terminal His-tagged fusion protein and the purified OvFBPA-1 protein was used
      to generate polyclonal antibody in mice. Antibody against rOvFBPA-1 protein was
      able to detect the native OvFBPA-1 protein in both Ov infected hamster liver
      section and Ov excretory-secretory (ES) products by immunohistochemistry and
      western blotting, respectively.

PMID- 27265878
TI  - Quantitative volcanic susceptibility analysis of Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands
      based on kernel density estimation via a linear diffusion process.
AB  - Risk management stakeholders in high-populated volcanic islands should be
      provided with the latest high-quality volcanic information. We present here the
      first volcanic susceptibility map of Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands and their
      submarine flanks based on updated chronostratigraphical and volcano structural
      data, as well as on the geomorphological analysis of the bathymetric data of the
      submarine flanks. The role of the structural elements in the volcanic
      susceptibility analysis has been reviewed: vents have been considered since they
      indicate where previous eruptions took place; eruptive fissures provide
      information about the stress field as they are the superficial expression of the
      dyke conduit; eroded dykes have been discarded since they are single non-feeder
      dykes intruded in deep parts of Miocene-Pliocene volcanic edifices; main faults
      have been taken into account only in those cases where they could modified the
      superficial movement of magma. The application of kernel density estimation via a
      linear diffusion process for the volcanic susceptibility assessment has been
      applied successfully to Lanzarote and could be applied to other fissure volcanic
      fields worldwide since the results provide information about the probable area
      where an eruption could take place but also about the main direction of the
      probable volcanic fissures.

PMID- 27265877
TI  - The between-day reproducibility of fasting, satiety-related analytes, in 8 to
      11year-old boys.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to establish the between-day reproducibility of
      fasting plasma GLP-17-36, glucagon, leptin, insulin and glucose, in lean and
      overweight/obese 8-11year-old boys. A within-group study design was utilised
      wherein the boys attended two study days, separated by 1week, where a fasting
      fingertip capillary blood sample was obtained. Deming regression, mean
      difference, Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LOA) and typical imprecision as a
      percentage coefficient of variation (CV %), were utilised to assess
      reproducibility between-days. On a group level, Deming regression detected no
      evidence of systematic or proportional bias between-days for all of the satiety
      related analytes however, only glucose and plasma GLP-17-36 displayed low typical
      and random imprecision. When analysed according to body composition, good
      reproducibility was maintained for glucose in the overweight/obese boys and for
      plasma GLP-17-36, in those with lean body mass. The present findings demonstrate
      that the measurement of glucose and plasma GLP-17-36 by fingertip capillary
      sampling on a group level, is reproducible between-days, in 8-11year-old boys.
      Comparison of blood glucose obtained by fingertip capillary sampling can be made
      between lean and overweight/obese 8-11year-old boys. Presently, the comparison of
      fasting plasma GLP-17-36 according to body weight is inappropriate due to high
      imprecision observed in lean boys between-days. The use of fingertip capillary
      sampling in the measurement of satiety-related analytes has the potential to
      provide a better understanding of mechanisms that affect appetite and feeding
      behaviour in children.

PMID- 27265879
TI  - Peptic Ulcer Disease and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Different Siberian
      Ethnicities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in
      eastern Siberia is consistently established. In the same geographic area,
      however, fragmentary information is available on the epidemiology of the peptic
      ulcer disease (PUD). AIM: To assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection
      (including CagA status) and PUD in different eastern Siberian ethnicities.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: An endoscopy population of 3149 eastern Siberian dyspeptic
      patients was considered [1727 Europoids and 1422 Mongoloids (Evenks = 792;
      Khakases = 630)]. H. pylori status was assessed by urease test and/or serum anti
      H. pylori IgG and/or histology. CagA status was serologically assessed (anti-CagA
      antibodies). RESULTS: All the Siberian ethnicities featured high rates of H.
      pylori infection (Europoids = 87.1%, Evenks = 88.6%, Khakases = 85.4%). Among the
      1504 H. pylori-positive Europoids, the prevalence of CagA-positive status (68.7%)
      was significantly higher than that featured by the 1240 H. pylori-positive
      Mongoloid ethnicities (46.9%; p < .001 for both comparisons). Peptic ulcer
      disease significantly prevailed among Europoids (prevalence among Europoid Evenks
      and Khakases: 8.9% and 8.3%, respectively; prevalence among Mongoloid Evenks and
      Khakases = 1.0% and 4.4%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: eastern Siberian
      populations feature consistent high rates of H. pylori infection, but different
      prevalence of peptic ulcer disease. In particular, Europoids featured a
      prevalence of both CagA-positive status and peptic ulcer disease significantly
      higher than that of the Mongoloid ethnicities. These results suggest that both
      environmental factors (coexisting with the H. pylori infection) and host-related
      variables modulate the clinicopathological expression of the H. pylori 
      associated gastric diseases.

PMID- 27265881
TI  - A Powerful Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyst for Enantioselective Mukaiyama-Mannich
      Reactions.
AB  - A new BINOL-derived chiral phosphoric acid bearing 2,4,6-trimethyl-3,5
      dinitrophenyl substituents at the 3,3'-positions was developed. The utility of
      this chiral phosphoric acid is demonstrated by a highly enantioselective (ee up
      to >99 %) and diastereoselective (syn/anti up to >99:1) asymmetric Mukaiyama
      Mannich reaction of imines with a wide range of ketene silyl acetals. Moreover,
      this method was successfully applied to the construction of vicinal tertiary and
      quaternary stereogenic centers with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity.
      Significantly, BINOL-derived N-triflyl phosphoramide constitutes a complementary
      catalyst system that allows the title reaction to be applied to more challenging
      imines without an N-(2-hydroxyphenyl) moiety.

PMID- 27265880
TI  - Clinical efficacy and safety of mirabegron and imidafenacin in women with
      overactive bladder: A randomized crossover study (the MICRO study).
AB  - AIMS: We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of mirabegron, a beta3
      adrenoceptor agonist, and imidafenacin, an anticholinergic agent, in overactive
      bladder patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, prospective randomized
      cross-over study at 5 hospitals in Japan from December 2012 to June 2015. We
      enrolled female patients with overactive bladder aged >=50 years, who had never
      received treatment for the condition. The patients were assigned to Group A or B.
      Group A patients were administered mirabegron (50 mg per day) for 8 weeks,
      followed by a 2-week washout period, and then imidafenacin (0.2 mg per day) for 8
      weeks. This order of drug administration was reversed in Group B. RESULTS: A
      total of 33 and 18 patients in Group A and 37 and 26 patients in Group B
      continued to receive treatment at weeks 8 and 18, respectively. Mirabegron
      administration significantly improved overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS),
      the urinary frequency per 24 hr, voided volume per micturition, and number of
      nocturia episodes per night at week 8. Moreover, imidafenacin administration
      improved all these variables, except for the number of nocturia episodes per
      night at week 8. No significant difference was observed in the drug effects
      between mirabegron and imidafenacin. Although imidafenacin administration
      significantly increased the scores for dry mouth, blurred vision, and
      constipation, mirabegron administration did not. CONCLUSIONS: Mirabegron and
      imidafenacin have the same efficacy. Imidafenacin administration is associated
      with a higher rate of dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation as compared to
      mirabegron administration. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:1097-1103, 2017. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265882
TI  - Prostaglandin E2 promotes neural proliferation and differentiation and regulates
      Wnt target gene expression.
AB  - Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) is an endogenous lipid molecule that regulates important
      physiological functions, including calcium signaling, neuronal plasticity, and
      immune responses. Exogenous factors such as diet, exposure to immunological
      agents, toxic chemicals, and drugs can influence PGE2 levels in the developing
      brain and have been associated with autism disorders. This study seeks to
      determine whether changes in PGE2 level can alter the behavior of
      undifferentiated and differentiating neuroectodermal (NE-4C) stem cells and
      whether PGE2 signaling impinges on the Wnt/beta-catenin pathways. We show that
      PGE2 increases proliferation of undifferentiated NE-4C stem cells. PGE2 also
      promotes the progression of NE-4C stem cell differentiation into neuronal-lineage
      cells, which is apparent by accelerated appearance of neuronal clusters
      (neurospheres) and earlier expression of the neuronal marker microtubule
      associated protein tau. Furthermore, PGE2 alters the expression of downstream Wnt
      regulated genes previously associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In
      undifferentiated stem cells, PGE2 downregulates Ptgs2 expression and upregulates
      Mmp9 and Ccnd1 expression. In differentiating neuronal cells, PGE2 causes
      upregulation of Wnt3, Tcf4, and Ccnd1. The convergence of the PGE2 and the Wnt
      pathways is also apparent through increased expression of active beta-catenin, a
      key signaling component of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathways. This study provides
      novel evidence that PGE2 influences progression of neuronal development and
      influences Wnt target gene expression. We discuss how these findings could have
      potential implications for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265883
TI  - Dental insurance and dental care among working-age adults: differences by type
      and complexity of disability.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: People with disabilities experience barriers to dental care, which
      may vary depending on type of disability and disability complexity (e.g., impact
      on activities of daily living). The purpose of this study was to examine
      differences in dental insurance, receipt of dental checkups, and delayed and
      unmet needs for dental care by type and complexity of disability. METHODS: We
      conducted cross-sectional analysis of 2002-2011 data from the Medical Expenditure
      Panel Survey. Multivariable logistic regression analyses compared adults ages 18
      64 in five disability type groups (physical, cognitive, vision, hearing, or
      multiple disabilities) to those with no disabilities, and compared people with
      complex activity limitations to those without complex limitations. RESULTS: All
      disability types except hearing had significantly higher adjusted odds of being
      without dental insurance, as did people with complex activity limitations. All
      disability groups except those with cognitive disabilities had increased odds of
      receiving dental checkups less than once a year. Similarly, all disability groups
      were at increased risk of both delayed and unmet needs for dental care. Odds
      ratios were generally highest for people with multiple types of disabilities.
      CONCLUSIONS: There are significant disparities in having dental insurance and
      receiving dental care for adults with disabilities, especially those with
      multiple types of disabilities, after controlling for socioeconomic and
      demographic differences. Further, disparities in care were apparent even when
      controlling for presence of dental insurance.

PMID- 27265884
TI  - Proteomic and physiological responses of Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to salinity
      stress and N-acyl-homoserine lactone.
AB  - To evaluate the alleviating action of exogenous N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs)
      on NaCl toxicity, morphological, physiological and proteomic changes were
      investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Salinity stress decreased growth
      parameters, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and antioxidant enzymes such
      as superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and catalase activities.
      Application of lower concentration of AHL had a relieving effect on Arabidopsis
      seedlings under salinity stress which dramatically decreased MDA content, and
      increased growth parameters as well as SOD and POD activities. Total proteins
      were extracted from the control, NaCl-, AHL- and NaCl + AHL-treated seedlings and
      were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 127 protein
      spots showed different expression compared with the control. Mass spectrometry
      analysis allowed the identification of 97 proteins involved in multiple pathways,
      i.e. defense/stress/detoxification, photosynthesis, protein metabolism, signal
      transduction, transcription, cell wall biogenesis, metabolisms of carbon, lipid,
      energy, sulfur, nucleotide and sugar. These results suggest that defense/stress
      response, metabolism and energy, signal transduction and regulation, protein
      metabolism and transcription-related proteins may be particularly subjected to
      regulation in salt stressed Arabidopsis seedlings, when treated with AHL and that
      this regulation lead to improved salt tolerance and plant growth. Overall, this
      study provides insight to the effect of AHL on salinity stress for the first
      time, and also sheds light on overview of the molecular mechanism of AHL
      regulated plant growth promotion and salt resistance.

PMID- 27265886
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27265885
TI  - Simultaneous anterior and posterior serosal mapping of gastric slow-wave
      dysrhythmias induced by vasopressin.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? This study aimed to
      provide the first comparison of simultaneous high-resolution mapping of anterior
      and posterior gastric serosa over sustained periods. What is the main finding and
      its importance? Episodes of spontaneous gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias increased
      significantly following intravenous infusion of vasopressin compared with the
      baseline state. A number of persistent dysrhythmias were defined, including
      ectopic activation, conduction block, rotor, retrograde and collision/merger of
      wavefronts. Slow-wave dysrhythmias could occur either simultaneously or
      independently on the anterior and posterior gastric serosa, and interacted
      depending on activation-repolarization and frequency dynamics. High-resolution
      mapping enables mechanistic insights into gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias and is
      now achieving clinical translation. However, previous studies have focused mainly
      on dysrhythmias occurring on the anterior gastric wall. The present study
      simultaneously mapped the anterior and posterior gastric serosa during episodes
      of dysrhythmias induced by vasopressin to aid understanding of dysrhythmia
      initiation, maintenance and termination. High-resolution mapping (8 * 16
      electrodes on each serosa; 20-74 cm2 ) was performed in anaesthetized dogs.
      Baseline recordings (21 +/- 8 min) were followed by intravenous infusion of
      vasopressin (0.1-0.5 IU ml-1 at 60-190 ml h-1 ) and further recordings (22 +/- 13
      min). Slow-wave activation maps, amplitudes, velocity, interval and frequency
      were calculated, and differences compared between baseline and postinfusion. All
      dogs demonstrated an increased prevalence of dysrhythmic events following
      infusion of vasopressin (17 versus 51%). Both amplitude and velocity demonstrated
      significant differences (baseline versus postinfusion: 3.6 versus 2.2 mV; 7.7
      versus 6.5 mm s-1 ; P < 0.05 for both). Dysrhythmias occurred simultaneously or
      independently on the anterior and posterior serosa, and then interacted according
      to frequency dynamics. A number of persistent dysrhythmias were compared,
      including the following: ectopic activation (n = 2 animals), conduction block (n
      = 1), rotor (n = 2), retrograde (n = 3) and collision/merger of wavefronts (n =
      2). We conclude that infusion of vasopressin induces gastric dysrhythmias, which
      occur across a heterogeneous range of frequencies and patterns. The results
      demonstrate that different classes of gastric dysrhythmias may arise
      simultaneously or independently in one or both surfaces of the serosa, then
      interact according to their relative frequencies. These results will help to
      inform interpretation of clinical dysrhythmia.

PMID- 27265887
TI  - Efficacy of the epilepsy nurse: Results of a randomized controlled study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We investigated the efficacy of epilepsy nurses on satisfaction with
      counseling about epilepsy in a randomized, controlled, prospective trial.
      METHODS: Patients with epilepsy treated by neurologists in outpatient clinics
      were consecutively enrolled and randomly allocated to either the epilepsy nurse
      (EN) group (n = 92) or the control group (n = 95). Patients in the EN group were
      advised according to their needs by epilepsy nurses. The control group received
      routine care without additional counseling. The EN group completed the
      questionnaires before the first consultation (T1) and 6 months later (T2); the
      control group completed the questionnaires twice with an interval of 6 months.
      Primary outcome measure was satisfaction of patients with information and
      support. Secondary outcome measures were satisfaction with patient-doctor
      relationship, organization of treatment, epilepsy knowledge, coping, and
      restrictions in daily life. Anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and
      Depression Scale) and global Quality of Life (item from QOLIE-31) were also
      assessed. Statistical analysis included generalized estimating equation (GEE) and
      nonparametric tests. RESULTS: Satisfaction with information and support improved
      significantly in the EN group compared to the control group (GEE, interaction
      group * time, p = 0.001). In addition, Epilepsy Knowledge (p = 0.014) and Coping
      (subscale Information Seeking) (p = 0.023) improved. Increase in satisfaction
      with counseling was dependent on patients' needs for information and on the
      amount of received information (Jonckheere-Terpstra test, p < 0.001). No
      differences between the groups were observed on other epilepsy-specific scales.
      SIGNIFICANCE: A reliable questionnaire for satisfaction with epilepsy care has
      been developed. Epilepsy nurses improve the satisfaction of patients with
      counseling and information about epilepsy and concomitant problems.

PMID- 27265888
TI  - Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in thyroid surgery: Clinical pathways and
      resources consumption.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The impact of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury management in
      thyroid surgery seems to be relevant to patients, National Healthcare System
      (NHS), and society. METHODS: We studied resource consumption in the management of
      patients with RLN injury versus noninjured patients investigating 3 perspectives
      (patients, NHS, and society) in 5 clinical pathways. RESULTS: Direct medical
      costs supported by the NHS range from a minimum of euro (?) 79.46 to a maximum of
      ? 3261.95. From the patient's perspective, the direct medical costs supported by
      the patient increased from a minimum of ? 3.60 to a maximum of ? 499.45.
      Productivity losses were accounted in ? 156 per day per patient. From the NHS
      perspective, the percentage increase ranged from 43.25% to 98.14%. From the
      patient's perspective, it ranged from 51.52% to 80.60%. CONCLUSION: The analysis
      shows a significant economic impact of RLN injury management, which varies
      depending on the damage, duration, and severity. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
      Head Neck 38: 1708-1716, 2016.

PMID- 27265889
TI  - Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms for Environmental Sustainability.
AB  - Agrochemicals used to meet the needs of a rapidly growing human population can
      deteriorate the quality of ecosystems and are not affordable to farmers in low
      resource environments. Here, we propose the use of plant growth-promoting
      microorganisms (PGPMs) as a tool for sustainable food production without
      compromising ecosystems services.

PMID- 27265890
TI  - Regulation of Glucose Metabolism - A Perspective From Cell Bioprocessing.
AB  - Cultured mammalian cells are the main workhorses for producing biologics. The
      performance of these cell culture processes, in terms of both productivity and
      product quality attributes, is significantly influenced by cellular metabolism.
      Glucose is the major carbon source for cellular biosynthesis and energy
      generation. We summarize here recent advances in our understanding of the
      regulation of glucose metabolism in cultured cells. The versatility of cells to
      sustain homeostatic states under widely varying environments is made possible by
      allosteric regulation of the metabolic network, interplay between the signaling
      pathways, and transcription factors. Understanding the regulation of metabolism
      holds the key to altering the metabolic regulatory circuit and implementing
      direct metabolic control over cell culture processes.

PMID- 27265892
TI  - Linking.

PMID- 27265891
TI  - Return of the lysergamides. Part II: Analytical and behavioural characterization
      of N6 -allyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide (AL-LAD) and (2'S,4'S)-lysergic acid
      2,4-dimethylazetidide (LSZ).
AB  - Lysergic acid N,N-diethylamide (LSD) is perhaps one of the most intriguing
      psychoactive substances known and numerous analogs have been explored to varying
      extents in previous decades. In 2013, N6 -allyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide
      (AL-LAD) and (2'S,4'S)-lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide (LSZ) appeared on the
      'research chemicals'/new psychoactive substances (NPS) market in both powdered
      and blotter form. This study reports the analytical characterization of powdered
      AL-LAD and LSZ tartrate samples and their semi-quantitative determination on
      blotter paper. Included in this study was the use of nuclear magnetic resonance
      (NMR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), low and high
      mass accuracy electrospray MS(/MS), high performance liquid chromatography diode
      array detection and GC solid-state infrared analysis. One feature shared by
      serotonergic psychedelics, such as LSD, is the ability to mediate behavioural
      responses via activation of 5-HT2A receptors. Both AL-LAD and LSZ displayed LSD
      like responses in male C57BL/6 J mice when employing the head-twitch response
      (HTR) assay. AL-LAD and LSZ produced nearly identical inverted-U-shaped dose
      dependent effects, with the maximal responses occurring at 200 ug/kg. Analysis of
      the dose responses by nonlinear regression confirmed that LSZ (ED50  = 114.2
      nmol/kg) was equipotent to LSD (ED50  = 132.8 nmol/kg) in mice, whereas AL-LAD
      was slightly less potent (ED50  = 174.9 nmol/kg). The extent to which a
      comparison in potency can be translated directly to humans requires further
      investigation. Chemical and pharmacological data obtained from NPS may assist
      research communities that are interested in various aspects related to substance
      use and forensic identification. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27265893
TI  - Baseline factors associated with glycaemic response to treatment with once-weekly
      dulaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Dulaglutide glycaemic efficacy has been demonstrated in the AWARD clinical trial
      programme. The objective of the present analysis was to determine the major
      baseline factors associated with the reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in
      response to dulaglutide. Baseline covariates from patients receiving dulaglutide
      in six phase III studies (n = 2806) were analysed using a gradient-boosting
      method to assess their relative influence on the change in HbA1c after 26 weeks
      of treatment. Influential variables (relative influence >5%) were further
      evaluated in univariate and multivariable modelling. The gradient-boosting
      analysis showed that the top influential baseline factors associated with HbA1c
      reduction were: HbA1c (48.8%), age (9.1%), fasting serum glucose (FSG; 8.2%),
      fasting serum insulin (FSI; 6.7%) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR;
      5.4%). Multivariable regression showed that higher baseline HbA1c was the major
      factor associated with greater HbA1c reduction [coefficient estimates: -0.6% (
      6.6 mmol/mol); p < 0.0001]. Age <=65 years, lower FSG level, FSI level <=55
      pmol/L and eGFR <=100 mL/min/1.73 m2 were associated with greater decreases in
      HbA1c, but the effect was very small [coefficient estimates: -0.05% to -0.2% (
      0.6 to -2.2 mmol/mol)]. These data indicate that higher baseline HbA1c,
      reflecting poor glycaemic status, is the major factor associated with greater
      reduction in HbA1c in response to dulaglutide treatment.

PMID- 27265894
TI  - Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of morin in a murine model of
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders
      and is characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
      (SN). Although the causes of PD are not understood, evidence suggests that
      oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation are associated with
      its pathogenesis. Morin (3,5,7,2',4'-pentahydroxyflavone) is a flavonol found in
      wine and many herbs and fruits. Previous studies have suggested that morin
      prevents oxidative damage and inflammation and ameliorates mitochondrial
      dysfunction. The present study describes the neuroprotective effects of morin in
      a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced mouse model of PD,
      and we report the results of our investigation into its neuroprotective mechanism
      in primary neurons and astrocytes. In the mouse model, morin pretreatment
      ameliorated motor dysfunction, protected against dopaminergic neuronal losses in
      SN and striatum, and alleviated MPTP-induced astrocyte activation. In vitro
      studies revealed that morin protected primary cultured neurons against 1-methyl-4
      phenylpyridine (MPP(+) )-mediated reactive oxygen species production and
      mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) disruption. In addition, morin effectively
      reduced MPP(+) -induced astroglial activation and nuclear translocation of
      nuclear factor-kappaB in primary cultured astrocytes. These results indicate that
      morin acts via multiple neuroprotective mechanisms in our mouse model and suggest
      that morin be viewed as a potential treatment and preventative for PD. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27265896
TI  - Enantioselective Intramolecular C-H Insertion of Donor and Donor/Donor Carbenes
      by a Nondiazo Approach.
AB  - The first enantioselective intramolecular C-H insertion and cyclopropanation
      reactions of donor- and donor/donor-carbenes by a nondiazo approach are reported.
      The reactions were conducted in a one-pot manner without slow addition and
      provided the desired dihydroindole, dihydrobenzofuran, tetrahydrofuran, and
      tetrahydropyrrole derivatives with up to 99 % ee and 100 % atom efficiency.

PMID- 27265895
TI  - Identification of ETV6-RUNX1-like and DUX4-rearranged subtypes in paediatric B
      cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
AB  - Fusion genes are potent driver mutations in cancer. In this study, we delineate
      the fusion gene landscape in a consecutive series of 195 paediatric B-cell
      precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP ALL). Using RNA sequencing, we find
      in-frame fusion genes in 127 (65%) cases, including 27 novel fusions. We describe
      a subtype characterized by recurrent IGH-DUX4 or ERG-DUX4 fusions, representing
      4% of cases, leading to overexpression of DUX4 and frequently co-occurring with
      intragenic ERG deletions. Furthermore, we identify a subtype characterized by an
      ETV6-RUNX1-like gene-expression profile and coexisting ETV6 and IKZF1
      alterations. Thus, this study provides a detailed overview of fusion genes in
      paediatric BCP ALL and adds new pathogenetic insights, which may improve risk
      stratification and provide therapeutic options for this disease.

PMID- 27265897
TI  - Identification of oral bacteria on titanium implant surfaces by 16S rDNA
      sequencing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize the profile of microbial communities colonizing
      titanium implants with different surface treatments after exposure to the oral
      environment at the genus or higher taxonomic level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen
      titanium disks, machined or sandblasted large-grit and acid-etched (SLA), were
      mounted on removable intraoral splints worn by four patients. After 24 h of
      intraoral exposure, biofilm samples were collected from disks and
      supra/subgingival teeth areas. The 16S rDNA genes from each sample were
      amplified, sequenced with the Miseq Illumina instrument and analyzed. RESULTS: A
      total of 29 genera and seven more inclusive taxa, representing the phyla
      Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and
      candidate division TM7 were identified in both titanium surfaces and teeth. No
      differences were found in relation to the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and
      microbial diversity, assessed by Chao 1 and Shannon indices, when comparing SLA
      and machined titanium surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: Machined and SLA surfaces are
      colonized by similar numbers of prokaryotic OTUs after 24 h of exposure to the
      oral environment. Higher complexity of the titanium surface topography in the
      initial phase of biofilm maturation does not seem to significantly influence the
      colonizing microbiota.

PMID- 27265899
TI  - The analytical and biomedical potential of cytosine-rich oligonucleotides: A
      review.
AB  - Polycytosine DNA strands are often found among natural sequences, including the
      ends of telomeres, centromeres, and introns or in the regulatory regions of
      genes. A characteristic feature of oligonucleotides that are rich in cytosine (C
      rich) is their ability to associate under acidic conditions to form a tetraplex i
      motif consisting of two parallel stranded cytosine-hemiprotonated cytosine (C.C+)
      base-paired duplexes that are mutually intercalated in an antiparallel
      orientation. Nanotechnology has been exploiting the advantages of i-motif pH
      dependent formation to fabricate nanomachines, nanoswitches, electrodes and
      intelligent nanosurfaces or nanomaterials. Although a few reviews regarding the
      structure, properties and applications of i-motifs have been published, this
      review focuses on recently developed biosensors (e.g., to detect pH, glucose or
      silver ions) and drug-delivery biomaterials. Furthermore, we have included
      examples of sensors based on parallel C-rich triplexes and silver nanoclusters
      (AgNCs) fabricated on cytosine-rich DNA strands. The potential diagnostic and
      therapeutic applications of this type of material are discussed.

PMID- 27265898
TI  - Effect of surgical intervention on circulating tumor cells in patients with
      squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck using a negative enrichment
      technology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of surgical
      intervention on detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with
      squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN.) METHODS: We utilized a
      negative depletion technique to identify cytokeratin (CK)-positive CTCs. The
      numbers of CTCs immediately before and after surgical resection were compared.
      RESULTS: Seventy-six blood samples from 38 patients with SCCHN were examined.
      Seventy-nine percent of the patients had CTCs detected before and after surgery.
      A total of 7.89% had no CTCs before surgery, yet had CTCs identified after
      surgery. Overall, 60.5% of patients had an increased number of CTCs/mL after
      surgery with a mean increase of 6.63-fold. A statistically significant increase
      in CTCs was seen after surgery (p = .02). CONCLUSION: The timing of sample
      collection in patients with SCCHN who have surgical intervention can potentially
      impact the number of CTCs identified. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck
      38: 1799-1803, 2016.

PMID- 27265900
TI  - Improving global feature detectabilities through scan range splitting for
      untargeted metabolomics by high-performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Untargeted metabolomics aims at obtaining quantitative information on the highest
      possible number of low-molecular biomolecules present in a biological sample.
      Rather small changes in mass spectrometric spectrum acquisition parameters may
      have a significant influence on the detectabilities of metabolites in untargeted
      global-scale studies by means of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Employing whole cell lysates of human renal proximal
      tubule cells, we present a systematic global-scale study of the influence of mass
      spectrometric scan parameters and post-acquisition data treatment on the number
      and intensity of metabolites detectable in whole cell lysates. Ion transmission
      and ion collection efficiencies in an Orbitrap-based mass spectrometer basically
      depend on the m/z range scanned, which, ideally, requires different instrument
      settings for the respective mass ranges investigated. Therefore, we split a full
      scan range of m/z 50-1000 relevant for metabolites into two separate segments
      (m/z 50-200 and m/z 200-1,000), allowing an independent tuning of the ion
      transmission parameters for both mass ranges. Three different implementations,
      involving either scanning from m/z 50-1000 in a single scan, or scanning from m/z
      50-200 and from m/z 200-1000 in two alternating scans, or performing two separate
      HPLC-MS runs with m/z 50-200 and m/z 200-1000 scan ranges were critically
      assessed. The detected features were subjected to rigorous background filtering
      and quality control in order to obtain reliable metabolite features for
      subsequent differential quantification. The most efficient approach in terms of
      feature number, which forms the basis for statistical analysis, identification,
      and for generating biological hypotheses, was the separate analysis of two
      different mass ranges. This lead to an increase in the number of detectable
      metabolite features, especially in the higher mass range (m/z greater than 400),
      by 2.5 (negative mode) to 6-fold (positive mode) as compared to analysis
      involving a single scan range. The total number of features confidently
      detectable was 560 in positive ion mode, and 436 in negative ion mode. 

PMID- 27265901
TI  - Catalytic and peroxidase-like activity of carbon based-AuPd bimetallic
      nanocomposite produced using carbon dots as the reductant.
AB  - In this report, carbon-based AuPd bimetallic nanocomposite (AuPd/C NC) was
      synthesized using carbon dots (C-dots) as the reducing agent and stabilizer by a
      simple green sequential reduction strategy, without adding other agents. The as
      synthesized AuPd/C NC showed good catalytic activity and peroxidase-like
      property. The structure and morphology of these nanoparticles were clearly
      characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The AuPd/C NC catalyst exhibits
      noticeably higher catalytic activity than Pd and Au nanoparticles in catalysis
      reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Moreover, based on the high peroxidase-like
      property of AuPd/C NC, a new colorimetric detection method for hydrogen peroxide
      (H2O2) has been designed using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl-benzidine (TMB) as the
      substrate, which provides a simple and sensitive means to detect H2O2 in wide
      linear range of 5 MUM-500 MUM and 500 MUM-4 mM with low detection limit of 1.6
      MUM (S/N = 3). Therefore, the facile synthesis strategy for bimetallic
      nanoparticles by the mild reductant of carbon dot will provide some new thoughts
      for preparing of carbon-based metal nanomaterials and expand their application in
      catalysis and analytical chemistry areas. 

PMID- 27265902
TI  - Label-free nanoplasmonic sensing of tumor-associate autoantibodies for early
      diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
AB  - Colorectal cancer is treatable and curable when detected at early stages. However
      there is a lack of less invasive and more specific screening and diagnosis
      methods which would facilitate its prompt identification. Blood circulating
      autoantibodies which are immediately produced by the immune system at tumor
      appearance have become valuable biomarkers for preclinical diagnosis of cancer.
      In this work, we present the rapid and label-free detection of colorectal cancer
      autoantibodies directly in blood serum or plasma using a recently developed
      nanoplasmonic biosensor. Our nanoplasmonic device offers sensitive and real-time
      quantification of autoantibodies with excellent selectivity and reproducibility,
      achieving limits of detection around 1 nM (150-160 ng mL(-1)). A preliminary
      evaluation of clinical samples of colorectal cancer patients has shown good
      correlation with ELISA. These results demonstrate the reliability of the
      nanobiosensor strategy and pave the way towards the achievement of a sensitive
      diagnostic tool for early detection of colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 27265903
TI  - Mapping molecular adhesion sites inside SMIL coated capillaries using atomic
      force microscopy recognition imaging.
AB  - Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is a powerful analytical technique for fast
      and efficient separation of different analytes ranging from small inorganic ions
      to large proteins. However electrophoretic resolution significantly depends on
      the coating of the inner capillary surface. High technical efforts like
      Successive Multiple Ionic Polymer Layer (SMIL) generation have been taken to
      develop stable coatings with switchable surface charges fulfilling the
      requirements needed for optimal separation. Although the performance can be
      easily proven in normalized test runs, characterization of the coating itself
      remains challenging. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows for topographical
      investigation of biological and analytical relevant surfaces with nanometer
      resolution and yields information about the surface roughness and homogeneity.
      Upgrading the scanning tip to a molecular biosensor by adhesive molecules (like
      partly inverted charged molecules) allows for performing topography and
      recognition imaging (TREC). As a result, simultaneously acquired sample
      topography and adhesion maps can be recorded. We optimized this technique for
      electrophoresis capillaries and investigated the charge distribution of
      differently composed and treated SMIL coatings. By using the positively charged
      protein avidin as a single molecule sensor, we compared these SMIL coatings with
      respect to negative charges, resulting in adhesion maps with nanometer
      resolution. The capability of TREC as a functional investigation technique at the
      nanoscale was successfully demonstrated. 

PMID- 27265904
TI  - Methodological Contributions about Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure. Reply.

PMID- 27265905
TI  - Editor's Note.

PMID- 27265906
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27265908
TI  - Introduction.

PMID- 27265907
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27265909
TI  - [Retraction: Elevation of direct susceptibility testing from blood culture
      bottles. Clinical usefulness].

PMID- 27265910
TI  - In memoriam--Vivek Singh.

PMID- 27265911
TI  - Professor Francis William O'Grady, 7 November 1925-20 May 2015.

PMID- 27265912
TI  - Guest Editorial-Selected Papers from the 2015 IEEE International Solid-State
      Circuits Conference.

PMID- 27265913
TI  - Ipilimumab-Induced Autoimmune Hypophysitis:  Diagnostic and Management Challenges
      Illustrated by a Clinical Case.
AB  - Autoimmune hypophysitis has been described in patients on ipilimumab, a humanised
      monoclonal antibody increasingly used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. A
      67-year-old woman presented with severe fatigue, nausea and headaches following
      the third dose of ipilimumab, which was being given as treatment for metastatic
      melanoma (four administrations at three-weekly intervals). Hormonal evaluation
      confirmed hypocortisolism, with low gonadotrophins and a low thyroid-stimulating
      hormone with normal free T4 (she was on long-standing levothyroxine because of
      past surgery for a multinodular goitre). Magnetic resonance imaging scanning
      revealed pituitary enlargement compatible with autoimmune hypophysitis. She was
      commenced on replacement with hydrocortisone with significant improvement of her
      symptoms. The enlarged pituitary was reduced in size 4 months later. The patient
      is currently asymptomatic on glucocorticoid and levothyroxine replacement. This
      case highlights relevant clinical, diagnostic and management aspects of
      ipilimumab-induced autoimmune hypophysitis, and emphasises the need for
      increasing awareness for potential side-effects of these new immunomodulatory
      therapies, including autoimmune hypophysitis.

PMID- 27265915
TI  - Averting Malpractice Issues in Today's Nursing Practice.

PMID- 27265914
TI  - Issues Confronting the Nursing Profession Today.

PMID- 27265916
TI  - From the SEMA.

PMID- 27265917
TI  - From the NATO SOF Surgeon.

PMID- 27265918
TI  - Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care. Spring Update.

PMID- 27265919
TI  - From the PUBLISHER and EDITOR.

PMID- 27265920
TI  - From the SOMA PRESIDENT.

PMID- 27265921
TI  - The Use of an Indwelling Catheter Protocol to Reduce Rates of Postoperative
      Urinary Tract Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) have been
      associated with increases in morbidity and mortality as well as increased costs
      of hospitalization. At our institution, we implemented a protocol for indwelling
      catheter use, maintenance, and removal based on Center for Medicare and Medicaid
      Services (CMS) guidelines, in efforts to reduce CAUTI rates. METHODS: A hospital
      committee of quality stewards focused on several measures which included staff
      education, modification of existing systems to ensure compliance, and auditing of
      patient care areas for catheter utilization before implementation of the
      protocol. Pre- and postintervention postoperative cohorts were then identified
      through American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement
      Program (ACS NSQIP) for prevalence of CAUTI. Data were collected through chart
      review and postdischarge patient interviews. RESULTS: A total of 3873 patients
      were identified between September 2007 and December 2010. Thirty-six patients
      (2.6%) were diagnosed with a CAUTI in the preintervention group (N = 1404)
      compared to 38 (1.5%) patients who were diagnosed with a CAUTI in the
      postintervention group (N = 2469). There was a 1.1% decrease in CAUTI rate after
      protocol implementation (P < .028). This reduction in rates resulted in annual
      estimated savings of $81,840 to $320,540 annually. CONCLUSION: A simple,
      multifaceted approach consisting of staff education and changing existing
      processes to reflect best care practices has the potential to significantly
      reduce the incidence of postoperative CAUTI.

PMID- 27265922
TI  - CVAS: A Rapid Dysphagia Evaluation Tool.
AB  - A simple-to-administer test for dysphagia was developed at our institution. The
      test can be administered rapidly and easily in the Emergency Department (ED) by a
      nurse or other qualified medical person, making formal consultation with a speech
      pathologist for rapid determination of dysphagia unnecessary. Our study shows
      that the use of the test does not increase the incidence of aspiration pneumonia.

PMID- 27265923
TI  - Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Stomach: A Case Report and Review of the
      Literature.
AB  - Primary gastric squamous cell carcinoma (PGSCC) is an exceedingly rare disease,
      accounting for 0.04% - 0.07% of all gastric cancers. First reported in 1895 by
      Rorig et al, less than 100 cases of PGSCC worldwide have been reported in the
      literature. These reports show PGSCC is more common in males (5:1 male to female
      ratio), and exhibits a peak incidence in the sixth decade of life. It may involve
      any portion of the stomach with predilection for the proximal stomach, especially
      along the lesser curvature. Although no clear pathogenesis of this tumor has been
      reported, several plausible theories have been proposed. These include squamous
      differentiation of preexisting gastric adenocarcinoma, cancerization of ectopic
      squamous epithelium, malignant transformation of squamous metaplasia of glandular
      epithelium, association with Helicobacter pylori or Epstein-Barr virus infection,
      and evolution in the setting of marked chronic gastritis with intestinal
      metaplasia. This report presents and discusses the case of a 64-year-old female
      who developed PGSCC arising in the gastric fundus.

PMID- 27265924
TI  - Colon Ischemia After Weight-Loss Medication in a 36-Year-Old Woman.
AB  - Weight-loss medications have been associated with many conditions, including
      valvular heart disease, ischemic colitis, and pulmonary hypertension. There is a
      constant increase in the use of these drugs, especially new medications with
      better efficacy. Phentermine is one such drug, approved for short-term use to
      lose weight. We report a case of ischemic colitis in a female patient linked to
      inappropriate phentermine intake. The patient presented with symptoms of severe
      abdominal pain and repeated bowel movement associated with rectal bleeding for
      two weeks. Initial blood work was unremarkable for infectious and inflammatory
      causes. A CT scan was performed which revealed findings of ischemic colitis
      extending from transverse to descending colon. A biopsy study confirmed the same.
      Upon further questioning, the patient admitted to taking 37.5 mg of phentermine
      for two years beyond her prescribed period of 12 weeks. Hence, we propose that
      inappropriate use of phentermine caused ischemic colitis. With the widespread use
      of these medications, there is a need for heightened awareness among clinicians
      regarding adverse effects of phentermine.

PMID- 27265925
TI  - Splenic Injury and Hemoperitoneum as a Complication of Colonoscopy: A Case Report
      and Literature Review.
AB  - Colonoscopy rarely results in serious or life-threatening complications. While
      bleeding, perforation, and cardiorespiratory complications account for a majority
      of procedural-related complications, splenic injury and resulting hemoperitoneum
      remain a serious, potentially life-threatening adverse event. Splenic injury is
      an underreported and underappreciated complication of colonoscopy. In this case,
      a 71-year-old female presented one day after colonoscopy with splenic injury and
      hemoperitoneum as a complication of the recent colonoscopy. In addition to
      reviewing the literature, the case describes systems for grading splenic injury
      and the use of splenic artery embolization for controlling the bleed. Given the
      frequent use of colonoscopy as both a screening and therapeutic modality, it is
      pivotal for the general internist to be familiar with potential complications.
      Along with this broad sense of potential complications, it is important to use
      clinical acumen, clinical examination findings, and elicited history to select
      the imaging modality of choice in a timely manner.

PMID- 27265927
TI  - An Uncommon Complication of Esophageal Cancer.
AB  - Esophageal cancer is one of the rarer solid tumors that metastasize to the
      central nervous system. We describe a case of a 57-year-old male, previously
      confirmed to have obstructive esophageal adenocarcinoma with local mediastinal
      and esophagogastric lymph node involvement undergoing chemotherapy, who presented
      with altered mental status, headache, nausea, 15-pound weight loss, and neck
      stiffness. Prior staging with an MRI of the brain and spine was unrevealing, but
      a lumbar puncture demonstrated adenocarcinomatous spread to the cerebrospinal
      fluid, consistent with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

PMID- 27265926
TI  - Fixed Drug Eruption Late in the Course of Capecitabine Therapy.
AB  - A fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a toxic skin effect thought to be caused by
      delayed cell-mediated hypersensitivity to a pharmaceutical agent. We report
      herein the first known patient with capecitabine-induced FDE that appeared
      relatively late in the course of adjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. The temporal
      association with capecitabine use and prompt disappearance after capecitabine
      discontinuation make this relationship probable. Knowledge about this
      dermatologic skin effect seen with oral fluoropyrimidines should avoid
      unnecessary diagnostic workup and provide the necessary patient reassurance.

PMID- 27265928
TI  - Educational Intervention Along With Standardization of Diabetes Care Increased
      Inpatient HbA(1c) Testing: A Pilot Program.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To continuously improve safe coordination of diabetes care throughout
      the hospital by ongoing implementation of standardized, hospital-wide staff
      education, and glucose management policies/protocols. METHODS: In December 2013,
      a hospital-wide multidisciplinary task force was formed to standardize the care
      for all patients being admitted to Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center with
      the diagnosis of diabetes. The purpose of this team was to help develop policies
      and procedures on glucose management and educate staff on the current clinical
      practice guidelines. Prior to creating system-wide changes, the team decided to
      pilot the project on two units. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients with a primary
      or secondary diagnosis of diabetes were admitted to these two units between June
      1 and July 31, 2014. The study group was found to have anincreaseinthe percentage
      of HbA(1c) tests (P < .01) being done when compared with 1173 patients in the
      rest of hospital. As a result of staff education, there was a decrease in
      hypoglycemia events (P = .05), and hyperglycemia events (P < .01) in the study
      group immediately following education; however during the follow-up period, the
      rate of hypoglycemic events was unchanged in both groups. CONCLUSION:
      Standardization of inpatient diabetes management with staff and patient education
      increased the testing of HbA(1c) in hospitalized patients and has potential to
      improve quality of care and patient safety.

PMID- 27265929
TI  - The Hartford Consensus IV: A Call for Increased National Resilience.
AB  - Despite advances in the response to active shooter and intentional mass casualty
      events, a gap remains in our national preparedness and resilience. Drawing from
      experiences at myriad mass casualty events, the immediate responder (volunteer
      responder) represents an underutilized resource, yet one capable of dramatically
      increasing our all-hazards (injuries from all natural and man-made causes)
      national resilience. The overarching principle of the Hartford Consensus,
      outlined in previous reports, is that no one should die from uncontrolled
      bleeding. We have championed the following acronym to summarize what we have
      determined are appropriate steps to ensure that the maximum number of victims of
      these tragic events can be saved: THREAT: Threat suppression. Hemorrhage control.
      Rapid Extrication to safety. Assessment by medical providers. Transport to
      definitive care.

PMID- 27265930
TI  - The Significance of a Finger.

PMID- 27265931
TI  - Population Health and the Practicing Physician.

PMID- 27265933
TI  - Is Health Insurance Illusory?

PMID- 27265932
TI  - Armed Only with Knowledge and a Belief in Medicine.

PMID- 27265934
TI  - If Socrates were a Physician.

PMID- 27265935
TI  - Not Available.

PMID- 27265936
TI  - [Adaptation potential of cardio-respiratory system in dust diseases].
AB  - The article covers results of cardio-respiratory system evaluation in workers
      exposed to dust, on basis of adaptation potential evaluation via calculation of
      functional changes index and 6 minutes' walk test with continuous assessment of
      blood oxygenation and heart rate. Adaptation disorders are supported by results
      of external respiration assessment and echo-cardiography.

PMID- 27265937
TI  - [Features of nano aerosols action and safety measures].
AB  - The article presents results of studies concerning influence of high-dispersed
      aerosol formed in traditional plasma processes on operators' health.
      Consideration also includes new technologies to obtain metall-containing
      nanoproducts; the authors recommend protection measures for workers, methods and
      devices to control nano aerosols in air.

PMID- 27265938
TI  - [Biomonitoring in workers exposed to pesticides: development and application of
      method detecting imidacloprid in urine].
AB  - Imidacloprid is a relatively new insecticide in neonicotinoids chemical class
      with neuroactivity in insects, being one of the most widely used insecticides in
      the world. For biomonitoring in workers exposed to pesticides, the authors
      designed a method detecting low levels of Imidacloprid in urine of operators,
      based on tandem liquid mass-spectrometry with ionization source--electrostatic
      dispersion (positive ionization) in multi-reaction monitoring regime with
      subsidiary ion (mass/charge) 209 for quantitative assessment and ion 175.1 for
      confirmation onion ratio. The study incorporated diurnal urine, about 100 ml of
      average sample was frozen and kept at temperature -20C for analysis. Before
      extraction, the sample was unfrozen, an aliquot of 5 ml was selected, diluted
      with 5 ml of 0.1% formic acid. The substance was concentrated out of the urine
      samples via solid-phase extraction with application of cartridges based on
      octadecylsilane, eluition--1 ml of methanol. Lower limit of Imidacloprid
      detection in urine is 0.02 ng/ml, of the quantitative assessment--0.1 ng/ ml,
      linear range of concentrations measured 0.1-10 ng/ml. The method was tested for
      monitoring in workers exposed to Imidacloprid preparations in natural conditions
      of pesticides application in agriculture, with various processing technologies.
      Imidacloprid was identified in urine of two professional operators after work in
      seed treatment and the subsequent seeding at lower limit of detection (0.02
      ng/ml) and 0.34 ng/ml.

PMID- 27265939
TI  - [Minimizing risk for health in workers engaged into preplanting treatment of
      planting material].
AB  - Application of modern technologies and pesticides for preplanting treatment of
      planting material guarantees minimal risk of hazardous influence on workers with
      strict compliance with technologic regulations (preparation and working solution
      consumption, normalized technique, etc) and safety requirements (usage of
      recommended individual protection means, timely cleansing of equipment, etc).

PMID- 27265940
TI  - [Providing studies quality for pesticides risk evaluation in their use according
      to proper laboratory practice rules].
AB  - The article covers experience of proper laboratory practice in hygienic studies
      examining air and workers' skin for assessment of exposure levels of pesticides
      in natural conditions of agricultural production.

PMID- 27265942
TI  - [Criterial value of oxidative stress parameters in exposure to vibration].
AB  - The article covers results of study concerning metabolic processes in workers
      exposed to vibration. Findings are lipid peroxidation processes activation,
      depressed anti-oxidant system, changes in intracellular exchange processes,
      dependence of the studied parameters change on length of service with vibration
      exposure.

PMID- 27265941
TI  - [Influence of psychologic attitude to efficiency of pain treatment in vibration
      disease].
AB  - The article presents results of study concerning influence of desadaptive
      psychologic attitudes on formation and perception of pain syndrome in 148
      vibration disease patients. The authors determined clinical and psychologic
      predictors of efficiency of pain syndrome treatment in vibration disease
      patients.

PMID- 27265943
TI  - [Preventing cardiovascular risk in miners].
AB  - The article presents results concerning usage of intravenous laser radiation of
      blood in miners with cardiovascular diseases. After cardiovascular state
      assessment, the miners at high cardiovascular risk were subjected to prophylactic
      procedures with traditional medical treatment added by intravenous laser therapy.
      Findings are anti-arrhythmic, antihypertensive, antiatherogenic and anti
      aggregation effects of complex treatment with intravenous laser radiation of
      blood in miners at high cardiovascular risk and its subsequent decrease due to
      treatment.

PMID- 27265944
TI  - [FEDERAL CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS IN DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF
      HEARING LOSS DUE TO NOISE].
AB  - Noise induced hearing loss is a slowly developing hearing impairment, caused by
      occupational exposure to excessive noise levels, constitutes a lesion of the
      auditory analyzer and clinically manifested as chronic bilateral sensorineural
      hearing loss. Currently, there is not a treatment that provide a cure of
      sensorineural hearing loss. Regular, individually tailored treatment should be
      directed to the pathogenic mechanisms and specific clinical symptoms of hearing
      loss, as well as the prevention of complications. We recommend using non-drug
      therapies that can improve blood flow in labyrinth, tissue and cellular
      metabolism.

PMID- 27265945
TI  - What's a Nurse's Value? Making Cents of Care.

PMID- 27265946
TI  - Effective Staffing Takes a Village: Creating the Staffing Ecosystem.
AB  - The traditional approaches to staffing and scheduling are often ineffective in
      assuring sufficient budgeting and deployment of staff to assure the right nurse
      at the right time for the right cost. As hospital merger activity increases, this
      exercise is further complicated by the need to rationalize staffing across
      multiple enterprises and standardize systems and processes. This Midwest hospital
      system successfully optimized staffing at the unit and enterprise levels by
      utilizing operations research methodologies. Savings were reinvested to improve
      staffing models which provided sufficient nonproductive coverage and patient
      driven ratios. Over/under-staffing was eliminated in support of the system's
      recognition that adequate resource planning and deployment are critical to the
      culture of safety.

PMID- 27265947
TI  - Nursing Management Minimum Data Set: Cost-Effective Tool To Demonstrate the Value
      of Nurse Staffing in the Big Data Science Era.
AB  - There is a growing body of evidence of the relationship of nurse staffing to
      patient, nurse, and financial outcomes. With the advent of big data science and
      developing big data analytics in nursing, data science with the reuse of big data
      is emerging as a timely and cost-effective approach to demonstrate nursing value.
      The Nursing Management Minimum Date Set (NMMDS) provides standard administrative
      data elements, definitions, and codes to measure the context where care is
      delivered and, consequently, the value of nursing. The integration of the NMMDS
      elements in the current health system provides evidence for nursing leaders to
      measure and manage decisions, leading to better patient, staffing, and financial
      outcomes. It also enables the reuse of data for clinical scholarship and
      research.

PMID- 27265948
TI  - Cost Effective Staffing for an EHR Implementation.
AB  - This case study explores costs of electronic health record (EHR) implementation
      with the nursing super-user role in a metropolitan, not-for-profit health care
      system. Tapping the local pool of unemployed newly graduated nurses as half the
      required super-user workforce leveraged the technology skills of novice
      registered nurses (RNs) as trainers of experienced nurses in five hospitals. The
      novel workforce migrated from hospital to hospital, thereby reducing the number
      of experienced nurses reassigned to super-user duties in each hospital. This
      strategy reduced the amount of contract labor required to backfill nurse super
      users' clinical shifts. Employment of the recently graduated nurses as RN
      residents upon completion of the EHR implementation enabled the organization to
      augment its clinical workforce with expert users of its EHR. The proposed
      innovative model increases super-users, minimizes disruption of core staffing,
      and dramatically reduces expense.

PMID- 27265949
TI  - Shifting the Curve: An Interview with David C. Benton.

PMID- 27265951
TI  - Searching for the Holy Grail of Care Delivery Models.
AB  - Too often health care executives state the need for more research, knowledge, and
      information in staffing. Perhaps what we really need is education and support for
      innovation in operations. In looking for the holy grail of staffing solutions,
      focused attention will need to be placed on creating innovative care delivery
      models. Leaders who are tasked with developing innovative care delivery models
      must have a supportive environment and given time to be successful.

PMID- 27265950
TI  - Staff Efficiency Trends Among Pediatric Hospices, 2002-2011.
AB  - This study provided the first examination of staff efficiency trends among
      pediatric hospices. Although pediatric staff efficiency demonstrated large
      variability from 2002 to 2011, the general trend in efficiency from 2003 to 2010.
      The decline in efficiency means, on average, pediatric hospices had higher
      operating expenses and used more capacity, but greater amounts of these greater
      outputs as measured by visits per patient. The study also highlights the crucial
      role pediatric hospice nurse managers play in developing effective workforce
      strategies that allow for responsive changes to workload fluctuations. Due to the
      associations between efficiency, regulation, and growth, nurse leaders' abilities
      to develop effective strategies are more imperative than ever to ensure quality
      end-of-life care for children and their families.

PMID- 27265952
TI  - Ambulatory Care Nurse-Sensitive Indicators Series: Capturing the Role of Nursing
      in Ambulatory Care--The Case for Meaningful Nurse-Sensitive Measurement.
AB  - The nation has been on a quest to advance quality in providing health care
      services and improving patient outcomes. The challenge has been to identify and
      define metrics that will demonstrate improvement. Acute care settings have a
      fairly well-established system of quality measurement, but ambulatory care
      systems are in less-developed stages. Imperative to accurate quality measurement
      in ambulatory care is to identify and define metrics that reflect the value of
      registered nurses to improved patient care and outcomes as well as to the
      organization. The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) established
      a task force to determine appropriate measures of nursing quality. The task force
      spent 2 years investigating measures and produced an Industry Report that
      addresses measures of nursing quality. This article is the first in a series of
      articles that will reveal and discuss the contents of the Industry Report.

PMID- 27265953
TI  - A Brief Economic Analysis of the Looming Nursing Shortage In the United States.
AB  - The United States is projected to experience a nursing shortage in the coming
      years as market forces begin to shift away from equilibrium. A return to pre
      recession work levels, aging baby boomers, and insufficient numbers of nursing
      graduates adversely affect the supply of nurses The aging population, a rise in
      chronic care management needs, and the Affordable Care Act will result in an
      increasing demand for them. Returning to a state of equilibrium is critical if
      our health care system is to ensure care that is accessible, safe, and cost
      effective.

PMID- 27265955
TI  - While We Were Not Looking....

PMID- 27265954
TI  - Windows to the Future: Can the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
      Provide Opportunities for Nursing?
AB  - Windows of opportunity are wide open for the nursing profession to actively
      participate and engage in the policy implementation, evaluation, and achievement
      of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Nurses bring valuable
      perspectives as members of diverse governance structures and offer a range of
      solutions that can help governments pursue and achieve the Sustainable
      Development Goals and targets by 2030.

PMID- 27265956
TI  - President's Page.

PMID- 27265957
TI  - Clinical Question: In adult patients on warfarin, does-home-self-testing of
      prothrombin time and/or international normalized ratio provide the same outcomes
      compared to testing by a home health nurse or in a clinical setting?

PMID- 27265958
TI  - Prescription Drug Misuse and Associated Risk Behaviors among Public High School
      Students in Oklahoma: Data from the 2013 Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of prescription
      drug misuse among Oklahoma high school students, examine associated risk factors,
      and inform state-based prevention strategies. METHODS: Data from the 2013
      Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey were used for this analysis and were
      representative of public school students in grades 9 through 12 in Oklahoma.
      Variables were examined using percentages and 95% confidence intervals. The chi
      square test was used to test for differences in proportions. Logistic regression
      was used to produce adjusted odds ratios as measures of association between
      selected independent variables and prescription drug misuse. RESULTS: Nearly one
      in five students had ever used a prescription drug without a doctor's
      prescription. While there was no statistically significant difference of
      prescription drug misuse by gender or grade in the bivariate analysis, after
      covariate adjustment, females were 1.5 times more likely than males to have
      misused prescription drugs and twelfth graders were 1.7 times more likely than
      ninth graders to have misused prescription drugs. CONCLUSION: Students who had
      ever taken prescription drugs without a doctor's prescription were significantly
      more likely than students who had never taken prescription drugs without a
      doctor's prescription to have engaged in current tobacco use, current binge
      drinking, current marijuana use, and lifetime drug use and have a higher
      prevalence of suicide risk.

PMID- 27265959
TI  - Drug monitoring programs help patients and dentists.

PMID- 27265960
TI  - 3M Intraoral Impression Syringe.

PMID- 27265961
TI  - Payers Sued Over Coverage Of Expensive Hepatitis C Drugs.

PMID- 27265963
TI  - 'Mr. Watson-Come Here' A New Way to Share Data.

PMID- 27265962
TI  - MARKER MAGIC.

PMID- 27265964
TI  - Health Insurers Struggle to Manage Number, Cost of Genetic Tests.

PMID- 27265965
TI  - Drug Companies Ask Plans To Just Say 'Yes' to Risk.

PMID- 27265966
TI  - Making Treatment 'Sticky'.

PMID- 27265967
TI  - Cap on, Premiums up.

PMID- 27265968
TI  - A CONVERSATION WITH STEVEN PEARSON, MD. The Value of Drugs: It Is Not About the
      Money!

PMID- 27265969
TI  - Biosimilar Research Proceeds in Cancer, RA, and Hep B.

PMID- 27265970
TI  - Cancer Groups Give Part B Plan an F.

PMID- 27265971
TI  - Commentary on Current Trends in Rising Drug Costs and Reimbursement Below Cost.
AB  - PURPOSE: To quantify prescription drug price increases over a span of 3 years
      (2012-2015), as well as extrapolate current reimbursement rates expected by
      independent retail pharmacies. In addition, we investigate potential reasons for
      these increasing drug costs. DESIGN: Descriptive analysis. METHODOLOGY: National
      average drug acquisition costs (NADAC) data published by the Centers for Medicare
      & Medicaid Services were examined. Specifically, December 2012, 2013, and 2014,
      and July 2015 NADAC files were analyzed to identify generic and branded products
      with the highest percentage price increases. Percentage price differences were
      also calculated for 17 first-in-class drugs and their "me-too" competitors. The
      margin and margin percentage were calculated for claims adjudicated through four
      major payers. RESULTS: The top 50 generic drug price increases ranged from 474%
      to over 18,000% from December 2012 to July 2015. The top 50 branded drug price
      increases ranged from 63% to 391% during the same time period. The percentage
      price difference for the first-in-class drugs versus their me-too analogues
      ranged from -2.3% to 61,259%. The margin for generic drug claims adjudicated
      ranged from -$237.11 to-$1,105.96. The margin for branded drug claims adjudicated
      ranged from $272.42 to $360.17. CONCLUSION: Several potential reasons for the
      surge in prescription drug prices include manufacturer competition, industry
      consolidation, and capitalization on me-too drugs. This increase has compelled
      PBMs, health plan sponsors, and retail pharmacies to find novel ways to turn a
      profit, often at the expense of the consumer. Although there are no immediate
      solutions, legislation regulating PBM functions and the use of therapeutic
      interchange programs may offer health plans some assistance in managing drug
      costs.

PMID- 27265972
TI  - Top pharmacists see rising prices, doubt fast takeoff for other trends.

PMID- 27265973
TI  - A Light for Dark Places: Mental Wellness in Dental School.

PMID- 27265974
TI  - NSAIDS Unsafe for Many Patients.

PMID- 27265975
TI  - Drs. Dionne and Gordon Respond.

PMID- 27265976
TI  - Are Physicians Really That Unethical?

PMID- 27265977
TI  - Advancing Measurement and Quality Improvement in Dentistry.

PMID- 27265978
TI  - Quality Improvement Efforts in Pediatric Oral Health.
AB  - Quality improvement (QI) and measurement are increasingly used in health care to
      improve patient care and outcomes. Despite current barriers in oral health
      measurement, there are nascent QI and measurement efforts emerging. This paper
      describes the role that QI and measurement can play in improving oral health care
      delivery in clinical practice by presenting a QI initiative that aimed to test
      and implement a chronic disease management approach to address early childhood
      caries.

PMID- 27265979
TI  - Dental Quality Measurement--A Practitioner Perspective.
AB  - This article reviews the HealthPartners Dental Group's experience with clinical
      quality measurement and provides information on the administrative infrastructure
      that supports measurement within the group. Some examples of the role measurement
      plays in operations and clinical practice are also reviewed.

PMID- 27265980
TI  - Leading the Dental Quality Movement: A Dental Quality Alliance Perspective.
AB  - Changing regulatory priorities set forth by the Affordable Care Act and recent
      activities of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services clearly prioritize
      the need to improve the quality of health care in both the public and private
      sectors. As the largest multistakeholder organization focused on oral health care
      quality measurement and improvement, the Dental Quality Alliance is leading the
      way in establishing standardized and valid quality measures applicable in both
      private and public sectors.

PMID- 27265982
TI  - Using Patient Images to Promote Your Practice.

PMID- 27265981
TI  - Growth Trends in Dental Service Organizations.
AB  - There are a number of factors fueling the growth of large group practices managed
      by corporations across the U.S., including California. These evolving trends are
      shaping the dental profession and practice models in a variety of ways.

PMID- 27265983
TI  - Sales and Use Tax.

PMID- 27265984
TI  - The evolution of scuba divers pulmonary edema: an editorial perspective.

PMID- 27265985
TI  - The evolution of scuba divers pulmonary edema.
AB  - The evolution of scuba divers pulmonary edema is described. When discovered in
      1981, it was believed to be a cold-induced response in a submerged, otherwise
      healthy, scuba diver. The clinical features are described and discussed, as are
      the demographics. An alleged prevalence of 1.1% was complicated by problematic
      statistics and an apparent increase in reported cases. Recurrences both while
      diving and swimming or snorkeling were common. More recent case reports and
      surveys are described, identifying predisposing factors and associations,
      including cardiac pathology. Stress cardiomyopathies, reversible myocardial
      disorder or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, may complicate the presentation, especially
      in older females. Relevant cardiac investigations and autopsy findings are
      reviewed. Disease severity and potential lethality of scuba divers pulmonary
      edema became more apparent early this century, and these influence our current
      recommendations to survivors. First aid and treatment are also discussed.

PMID- 27265986
TI  - Brief communication: Self-reported health and activity habits and attitudes in
      saturation divers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Exposure to the confined hyperbaric, hyperoxic environment of the
      saturation chamber poses a number of unique physiological challenges to divers.
      Appropriately tailored training, nutrition and health programs may help support
      the body to cope with and overcome these challenges. AIM: To describe the self
      reported habits and attitudes of saturation divers toward issues related to
      health, lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity. METHODS: A questionnaire was
      developed to elicit information related to four key areas: 1) respondent
      demographics; 2) physical activity habits and attitudes; 3) nutritional
      attitudes; and 4) general lifestyle and health information. RESULTS: Respondents
      (n = 89/45%) reported a generally healthy lifestyle, including high physical
      activity levels while onshore, low tobacco use and alcohol intakes within U.K.
      recommended guidelines. Responses to in-chamber items demonstrated reduced
      physical activity, disrupted sleep and distorted taste and smell perception. In
      addition, lethargy, headaches and musculoskeletal stiffness/soreness were
      reported as frequent symptoms following a period of time spent in saturation.
      CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study provide an in-sight into the self-reported
      practices and attitudes of saturation divers and appear to indicate a generally
      healthy lifestyle in the respondents. Some themes emerged which may impact on
      diver health and performance while in saturation. The results of this report may
      help provide a platform to generate hypotheses for further research and
      facilitate development of appropriately tailored nutrition and training-based
      strategies for saturation divers.

PMID- 27265987
TI  - Echocardiographic evaluation of intracardiac venous gas emboli following in-water
      recompression.
AB  - Decompression sickness is a potentially fatal illness. Optimal treatment is dry
      recompression with hyperbaric oxygen. In-water recompression (IWR) offers
      expedited treatment but has insufficient evidence to recommend it as a treatment
      option. This trial compares IWR to standard surface oxygen treatment using 2D
      echocardiography as the semi-quantitative measurement for inert gas loading.
      Divers were randomly assigned to either IWR or normobaric oxygen (NBO2). A
      provocative dive profile to 33.5 meters for 25 minutes was used to stimulate
      bubble formation. After 60 minutes on the surface, bubble scoring was obtained
      using 2D echocardiography. Divers underwent either the IWR or NBO2 treatment for
      82 minutes. Echocardiography was then repeated. Pre-treatment mean bubble counts
      were 28.1 bpf (bubbles per echo frame), [+/- 13.2 to 43.0 95% CI] for IWR, and
      18.3 bpf [+/- 0.0 to 39.6 95% CI] for NBO2. After treatment, mean bubble score
      dropped to 0.1 bpf [+/- 0.0 to 0.2 95% CI] (p < 0.01) and 1.8 bpf [0.0 to 3.8 95%
      CI] (p = 0.103) respectively. IWR vs. NBO2 reduction of bubble counts was 99.7%
      vs. 90.1%; however, this was not found to be statistically significant. IWR
      reduced the central VGE load compared to NBO2, suggesting that IWR is a viable
      emergency treatment when a recompression chamber is unavailable.

PMID- 27265988
TI  - The safety of hyperbaric oxygen treatment--retrospective analysis in 2,334
      patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is applied in a growing number of
      cases for patients with different comorbidities and is considered a generally
      safe therapy. The main side effects related to HBO2 therapy are barotrauma,
      central nervous system- and pulmonary oxygen toxicity, claustrophobia, anxiety
      and visual disturbances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of
      side effects associated with HBO2 therapy and risk factors in a large cohort of
      patients treated for different indications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective
      analysis of 2,334 patients treated in the Sagol Center of Hyperbaric Medicine and
      Research, Assaf Harofeh, Israel, between June 2010 and December 2014. Patients
      were classified to one of three categories of indications: Category A--non
      neurological indications; Category B--neurotherapeutic indications; and Category
      C--acute indications. RESULTS: From a total of 2,334 patients, 406 (17.4%)
      experienced adverse event(s) (one or more) during HBO2 therapy sessions. The
      overall per-session incidence was 721:100,000 events:sessions (0.72%). The main
      complication was middle ear barotrauma, which occurred in 9.2% of patients and in
      0.04% of sessions. Females and children under the age of 16 years had increased
      risk for barotrauma. Other complications--hypoglycemia, oxygen toxicity,
      dizziness, anxiety reactions, dyspnea and chest pain--occurred in 0.5-1.5% of
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: Strict operational protocols, including pre-HBO2 therapy
      evaluations and in-chamber monitoring, are essential and improve patient safety.
      When applied, HBO2 therapy can be considered one of the safest medical treatments
      available today.

PMID- 27265989
TI  - Changes in vasomotion--effect of hyperbaric oxygen in patients with diabetes Type
      2.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate vasomotion in diabetic patients who underwent sessions
      of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one patients
      with diabetes Type 2 and lower-extremity neuropathy were enrolled in a
      prospective matched case-control study. A total of 39 patients underwent 15
      sessions of HBO2 therapy consisting of 90 minutes of breathing 100% oxygen at 2.5
      atmospheres; 32 were included in the control group without exposure to hyperbaric
      oxygen. We used laser Doppler flowmetry for measurement of flowmotion. Spectral
      analysis of laser Doppler flowmetry signals was performed using the Fast Fourier
      transform algorithm. The total spectral activity was divided into the subgroup of
      endothelium, adrenergic, intrinsic smooth muscle, respiratory and cardiac
      spectral activity. The lateral ankle and the dorsum of the foot were chosen for
      this study. Heating provocation test was performed on both sites. The measurement
      was performed 24 hours before the first HBO2 session and 24 hours after the last
      (15th) session of therapy. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in
      respiratory, cardiac and total spectral activity of flowmotion on the ankle as
      well as a significant increase in cardiac and total spectral activity on the
      dorsum of the foot in patients without a foot ulcer. In the subgroup of patients
      with a diabetic ulcer, a decrease of total spectral activity of flowmotion on the
      dorsum of the foot was observed. CONCLUSION: Flowmotion (indirectly vasomotion)
      measured by laser Doppler flowmetry changed significantly after HBO2 therapy.
      Flowmotion dynamics may partly explain the positive effect of HBO2 on the healing
      process of a diabetic ulcer.

PMID- 27265990
TI  - The facilitatory effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on membrane bone wound
      healing in a rat calvarial defect model.
AB  - We examined the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment on bone wound
      healing in a rat calvarial defect. Critical-sized defects were created in the
      calvaria of adult Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four groups--HBO2,
      normobaric oxygen, hyperbaric air, and no treatment. Treatments were performed
      five days a week, for two weeks. Micro-computerized tomography and histological
      analysis were used to evaluate the bone defects. Regenerated bone areas were
      calculated as the percentage of new bone in the cross-sectional area of defect.
      The new bone cross-sectional area was significantly greater in the HBO2 group
      than in the other groups. There were no significant differences in the numbers of
      nucleated cells in the new bone areas. Although new bone volume per defect volume
      was significantly greater in the HBO2 group than in the other groups, no
      significant differences in bone mineral density in the new bone area were
      observed. These findings indicate the facilitatory role of HBO2 treatment on bone
      wound healing in the rat calvarial bone defect, and it does not appear to have
      any negative effects on bone maturity. We propose that HBO2 treatment would be
      useful in promoting bone regeneration following injury in the orofacial region.

PMID- 27265991
TI  - The effect of environmental pressure and resin cements on the push-out bond
      strength of a quartz fiber post to teeth root canals.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the effect of environmental pressure changes on the bond
      strength between a fiber post and one of three resin cements using different
      mixing methods and modes of application. METHODOLOGY: Sixty single-canal human
      teeth were divided into three groups (n = 20) and endodontically treated. Post
      spaces were prepared, and a quartz fiber post was secured with either a self
      adhesive machine-mixed cement (RelyX Unicem, Aplicap), a self-adhesive hand-mixed
      cement (RelyX Unicem), or a self-etching dual-cured resin cement (Panavia F2).
      Half of each group was subjected to 24 pressure cycles from 0 to 5 atmospheres.
      The mean push-out bond strength of the posts was calculated and statistically
      analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Regardless of the
      pressure, Unicem Aplicap achieved the highest bond strength (P < 0.05). The bond
      strengths of all groups were significantly lower after they were subjected to the
      pressure cycles (P < 0.003), and they were lower in the apical regions.
      CONCLUSION: Bond strengths between the fiber post and root canal can be affected
      by environmental pressure while the type of resin cements, their mixing methods
      and modes of application incorporated lower porosity, achieving higher bond
      strength.

PMID- 27265992
TI  - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss following spinal
      anesthesia: case reports.
AB  - The management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anesthesia
      is currently an open problem. Several strategies have been used with variable
      results and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no prior accounts in the
      literature on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of this
      complication. We report two cases of acute onset of unilateral hearing loss after
      spinal anesthesia, with significantly improved results after hyperbaric oxygen
      therapy. A hypothesis on the possible mechanism behind this complication is
      discussed. A relation is established between hyperbaric oxygen therapy and this
      hypothetical mechanism, in order to explain successful results in the reported
      cases.

PMID- 27265993
TI  - Complete recovery following hyperbaric oxygen therapy in idiopathic sudden
      sensorineural hearing loss--a report of two cases.
AB  - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL), a common otologic
      emergency, presents mostly as an abrupt onset unilateral hearing loss, aural
      fullness, often with vertigo and tinnitus, usually upon awakening in the morning.
      Its etiopathogenesis is multifactorial, so a number of different therapeutic
      regimens are in practice, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy being an effective yet
      underutilized one. Not all cases recover completely even after treatment. Here we
      describe two cases of ISSHL, diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination and
      pure-tone audiometry, who had a complete recovery following administration of
      HBO2 therapy in addition to medical treatment. These cases are reported to
      highlight the effectiveness of this modality in a physician's armamentarium.

PMID- 27265994
TI  - Bilateral non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy treated with HBO2 therapy: A
      case report of angiographic and electrodiagnostic findings.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is one of
      the most widespread visually disabling diseases in the middle-aged and elderly
      population. It typically presents as acute painless unilateral vision loss in
      patients over 50 years of age. The fellow eye of NAION patients is often
      sequentially affected. Involvement of the second eye occurs within three years in
      approximately 45%-50% of patients. Currently there is no generally accepted
      treatment for NAION but a number of medical and surgical therapies have been
      proposed. REPORT OF A CASE: This is a case of non-contemporary bilateral non
      arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in a 66-year old woman
      treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy after ineffective systemic
      corticosteroid therapy. Visual acuity (VA), visual evoked potentials (VEP)
      findings, perimetric examination results and angiographic images were recorded
      and analyzed before and after hyperbaric oxygen treatment. DISCUSSION: After
      several months from the optic nerve vascular injury, VA, VEP values, perimetric
      examination results and angiographic images revealed a very important recovery.
      These results maintained stable during the follow-up at about nine months. HBO2
      therapy has been revealed to be a safe and efficacious adjunctive therapy, even
      after many months after the injury. While this case is promising, double-blind
      randomized controlled trials will be necessary to prove the efficacy of HBO2 in
      the treatment of NAION.

PMID- 27265995
TI  - Ischemic colitis associated with acute carbon monoxide poisoning--a case report.
AB  - Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is common, but it has rarely been reported to
      cause ischemic colitis. In this case, a 34-year-old female with depression
      presented to an emergency department after a period of unconsciousness, with
      urinary and bowel incontinence, following exposure to car exhaust. Her
      carboxyhemoglobin level was 23%. She had metabolic acidosis. She was transferred
      to our facility for hyperbaric oxygen treatment, where she had intractable
      nausea/vomiting with abdominal pain and bright-red bleeding per rectum. She
      exhibited lower abdominal tenderness and hypoactive bowel sounds. Vital signs
      were: temperature 36.8 degrees C; blood pressure 137/ 86 mmHg; heart rate 114
      beats/minute; respiratory rate 28 breaths/minute. The patient's electrocardiogram
      showed sinus tachycardia with T-wave inversions in leads I, aVL and V3-V6. The
      troponin I level peaked at 3.7 ng/ml. Echocardiogram showed a reduced ejection
      fraction of 30%-35%, with akinesis in the posterior lateral and distal anterior
      distributions. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed diffuse colonic mural
      thickening, supporting mesenteric ischemia. Sigmoidoscopy showed edematous
      friable pale mucosa from rectum to distal sigmoid colon. Hyperbaric oxygen was
      deferred based on the patient's status. Over three days, the initial hematochezia
      progressed to melena and then resolved. Adenosine cardiac stress MRI was normal.
      She was transferred to the psychiatry service and discharged four days later.
      Four years later, she has no gastrointestinal, cardiac or cognitive problems.

PMID- 27265996
TI  - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Audit Process Pinpoints Risks and Solutions.

PMID- 27265997
TI  - 501(r): The Clock Is Ticking.

PMID- 27265998
TI  - A 12-Month Plan for Coding Compliance.

PMID- 27265999
TI  - Sounding the alarm about suicide risk.
AB  - The Joint Commission (TJC) issued a Sentinel Event Alert, noting that in too many
      instances healthcare providers are not recognizing signs of suicide risk in
      patients who present for care. While the agency calls on all frontline providers
      to screen for suicide risk, experts note the issue is of particular importance to
      EDs because this is one of the most likely places for patients at high risk for
      suicide to present. Beyond identifying risk, experts note emergency providers and
      staff must receive training to effectively manage patients at risk for suicide.
      Further, TJC calls for the development of appropriate referral sources and
      mechanisms for follow-up contact. TJC reports that between 2010 and 2014, its
      Sentinel Event Database received 1,089 reports of suicides. The most common root
      cause was inadequate assessment. According to TJC, in 2014 more than 21% of
      accredited behavioral health organizations and 5% of accredited hospitals were
      non-compliant with conducting a risk assessment to identify patient
      characteristics or environmental factors related to suicide risk. Beyond
      instances of obvious risk, strong tipoffs that suicide is a concern include signs
      of hopelessness or evidence that the patient has no sense of the future. Further,
      experts note the strongest indicator of a future suicide attempt is a past
      attempt, so evidence in the record of a past suicide attempt, or a family history
      of suicide, should be taken very seriously. Researchers found that a three-item
      instrument, dubbed the Patient Safety Screener-3, can double the number of
      patients identified as at risk for suicide over usual care in a busy emergency
      setting. Experts recommend asking screening questions during the primary nursing
      assessment for most patients, and at triage for patients who present with a
      primary psychiatric complaint. Some experts suggest regionalizing mental health
      care, much like the country does with trauma care. However, communities must
      ensure they maintain adequate funding for such endeavors.

PMID- 27266000
TI  - New opioid prescribing guidelines favor non-opioid alternatives.
AB  - Determined to make a dent in the growing problem of opioid addiction, the CDC has
      unveiled new guidelines for opioid prescribing for chronic pain. The
      recommendations urge providers to be more judicious in their prescribing, opting
      for opioids only after carefully weighing substantial risks and benefits. Public
      health authorities note the rampant use and misuse of opioids have "blurred the
      lines" between prescription opioids and illicit opioids. The new guidelines are
      designed to help frontline providers balance the need to manage their patients'
      chronic pain with the duty to curb dangerous prescribing practices. The
      recommendations are built around three principles: favor non-opioid alternatives
      for most cases of chronic pain, use the lowest effective dose when prescribing
      opioids, and exercise caution/monitor patients who are treated with opioids.

PMID- 27266001
TI  - Fresh policies and procedures, transparency fuel ED turnaround.
AB  - The ED at Banner Payson Medical Center in Payson, AZ, has charted dramatic
      improvements on key metrics through a range of staff and policy changes. In just
      a few months, the ED has halved wait times, patient satisfaction has improved,
      and daily volume is up. Administrators say the secret to the success of the
      effort is a move to be transparent by posting key metrics regarding patient flow,
      a tactic that has helped the team pull together and feel a sense of
      accomplishment when performance goals are achieved. Administrators adjusted staff
      schedules to better match patient volume patterns in the ED, and they added staff
      to help nurses during peak hours. A new provider group enlisted the assistance of
      scribes during peak hours to manage the documentation workload while also
      enabling physicians to focus more patient interaction. Physicians hold end-of
      shift huddles to review successes and challenges, and to improve physician/nurse
      communication. The tactic also helps develop the staff from an educational
      standpoint.

PMID- 27266002
TI  - I.T. SOLVES THE PAYMENT PUZZLE. Providers deploy analytics, cost estimators as
      model changes.

PMID- 27266003
TI  - DOUBLE-TEAM DATA ANALYTICS. Allina Health boosts clinical operations with big
      data partner.

PMID- 27266004
TI  - PLUGGING AWAY AT LEAKAGE. ACOs use analytics, IT to manage out-of-network care.

PMID- 27266005
TI  - KEEPING MU GOING FOR RURALS. Lack of support, incentives hurt MU's staying power.

PMID- 27266006
TI  - GETTING VALUE FROM EHR DATA. Analytics push yields payoff at Medical Center
      Health.

PMID- 27266007
TI  - FHIR Man.

PMID- 27266008
TI  - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Case of the Month. Plexiform unicystic
      ameloblastoma with invasive mural component.

PMID- 27266009
TI  - Dentists and Populations in Underserved Areas of Texas.

PMID- 27266010
TI  - Five Year Clinical Survival Rate of Metal-Ceramic Single Crowns is Similar to All
      Ceramic Single Crowns (UT CAT #2983).

PMID- 27266011
TI  - AN INSTRUMENT SLIPS DOWN A PATIENT'S THROAT: A CASE STUDY. WHAT WENT WRONG? AND
      WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE?.

PMID- 27266012
TI  - Co-Principal Investigators And Co-Directors: Benefits of a Scientific Copilot.

PMID- 27266013
TI  - Planning for the Future.

PMID- 27266014
TI  - How to Find More Hours in the Day.

PMID- 27266015
TI  - [The gastrulation in Cnidaria: A key to understanding phylogeny or the chaos of
      secondary modifications?].
AB  - The data revealed by comparative embryology of the basal (diploblastic) metazoans
      is traditionally considered a valuable potential source of information on the
      origin and early evolution of the animal kingdom and its major clades. Special
      attention is paid to the fundamental morphogenetic process of gastrulation during
      which the cells of the early embryo differentiate into the germ layers and the
      primary body plan is formed. Comparative analysis of gastrulation in different
      cnidarian taxa reveals high level of intergroup, intragroup, and individual
      variation. With few exceptions, there is no robust correlation between the type
      of gastrulation and the taxon. Current data do not support the idea that
      morphogenetic processes underlying cnidarian gastrulation can be divided into
      several distinct types. Rather, there is a continuum of equifinal ontogenetic
      trajectories. In cnidarians, the mode of gastrulation apparently depends less on
      the macroevolutionary history of the species than on various evolutionary plastic
      features, such as the oocyte size, the amount of yolk, the number of cells at the
      blastula (or morula) stage, the presence of phototrophic symbionts, or the
      ecology of the larva. Thus, in cnidarians, morphogenetic basis of gastrulation
      contains only a very weak phylogenetic signal and can have only limited
      application in phylogenetic reconstructions. On the other hand, comparative
      studies of the ontogeny of the basal metazoans shed light on the general rules of
      the evolution of morphogenetic processes that is crucial for understanding the
      early history of the animal kingdom.

PMID- 27266016
TI  - [Local population of Eritrichium caucasicum as an object of mathematical
      modelling. I. Life cycle graph and a nonautonomous matrix model].
AB  - For the plant species, which is considered a short-lived perennial, we have
      composed a scale of ontogenetic stages and the life cycle graph (LCG) according
      to annual observations on permanent sample plots in an Alpine lichen heath during
      the 2009-2014 period. The LCG that reflects seed reproduction has been reduced to
      the one that avoids the stage of soil seed bank, yet preserves the arcs of annual
      recruitment. The corresponding matrix model of stage-structured population
      dynamics has four stages: juvenile plants (including seedlings), virginal,
      generative, and 'terminally generative' (the plants die after seed production).
      Model calibration reduces to directly calculating the rates of transition between
      stages and those of delays within stages from the data of only one time step,
      while keeping the two reproduction rates uncertain, yet confined to the
      quantitative bounds of observed recruitment. This has enabled us to determine a
      feasible range for the dominant eigenvalue of the model matrix, i.e., the
      quantitative bounds for the measure of how the local population adapts to its
      environment, at each of the five time steps, resulting in aformally nonautonomous
      model. To obtain 'age-specific parameters' from a stage-classified model, we have
      applied the technique that constructs a virtual absorbing Markov chain and
      calculates its fundamental matrix. In a nonautonomous model, the estimates of
      life expectancy also depend on the time of observation (that fixes certain
      environmental conditions), and vary from two to nearly seven years. The estimates
      reveal how specifically short lives the short-lived perennial, while their range
      motivates the task to average the model matrices over the whole period of
      observation. The model indicates that Eritrichium caucasicum plants spend the
      most part of their life span in the virginal stage under each of the environment
      conditions observed, thus revealing the place retention strategy by C. K6rner
      (2003), or the delayed-development strategy by L.A. Zhukova (1995). We discuss
      the prospects of model experiments with a logically nonautonomous model to
      forecast the long-term dynamics of E. caucasicum under a scenario of climate
      changes.

PMID- 27266017
TI  - [Modeling of species distribution using topography and remote sensing data, with
      vascular plants of the Tukuringra Range low mountain belt (Zeya state Nature
      Reserve, Amur Region) as a case study].
AB  - On the basis of maximum entropy method embedded in MaxEnt software, the
      cartographic models are designed for spatial distribution of 63 species of
      vascular plants inhabiting low mountain belt of the Tukuringra Range. Initial
      data for modeling were actual points of a species occurrence, data on remote
      sensing (multispectral space snapshots by Landsat), and a digital topographic
      model. It is found out that the structure of factors contributing to the model is
      related to species ecological amplitude. The distribution of stenotopic species
      is determined, mainly, by the topography, which thermal and humidity conditions
      of habitats are associated with. To the models for eurytopic species, variables
      formed on the basis of remote sensing contribute significantly, those variables
      encompassing the parameters of the soil-vegetable cover. In course of the
      obtained models analyzing, three principal groups of species are revealed that
      have similar distribution pattern. Species of the first group are restricted in
      their distribution by the slopes of the. River Zeya and River Giluy gorges.
      Species of the second group are associated with the southern macroslope of the
      range and with southern slopes of large rivers' valleys. The third group
      incorporates those species that are distributed over the whole territory under
      study.

PMID- 27266018
TI  - [A phylogenetic analysis of plant communities of Teberda Biosphere Reserve].
AB  - Phylogenetic analysis of communities is based on the comparison of distances on
      the phylogenetic tree between species of a community under study and those
      distances in random samples taken out of local flora. It makes it possible to
      determine to what extent a community composition is formed by more closely
      related species (i.e., "clustered") or, on the opposite, it is more even and
      includes species that are less related with each other. The first case is usually
      interpreted as a result of strong influence caused by abiotic factors, due to
      which species with similar ecology, a priori more closely related, would remain:
      In the second case, biotic factors, such as competition, may come to the fore and
      lead to forming a community out of distant clades due to divergence of their
      ecological niches: The aim of this' study Was Ad explore the phylogenetic
      structure in communities of the northwestern Caucasus at two spatial scales - the
      scale of area from 4 to 100 m2 and the smaller scale within a community. The list
      of local flora of the alpine belt has been composed using the database of
      geobotanic descriptions carried out in Teberda Biosphere Reserve at true
      altitudes exceeding.1800 m. It includes 585 species of flowering plants belonging
      to 57 families. Basal groups of flowering plants are.not represented in the list.
      At the scale of communities of three classes, namely Thlaspietea rotundifolii -
      commumties formed on screes and pebbles, Calluno-Ulicetea - alpine meadow, and
      Mulgedio-Aconitetea subalpine meadows, have not demonstrated significant
      distinction of phylogenetic structure. At intra level, for alpine meadows the
      larger share of closely related species. (clustered community) is detected.
      Significantly clustered happen to be those communities developing on rocks (class
      Asplenietea trichomanis) and alpine (class Juncetea trifidi). At the same time,
      alpine lichen proved to have even phylogenetic structure at the small scale.
      Alpine (class Salicetea herbaceae) that develop under conditions of winter snow
      accumulation were more,even at the both.scale, i.e., contained more diverse and
      distantly related plant species compared with random samples. (Scheuchzerio
      Caricetea fuscae) aquatic communities in cold (Montio-Cardaminetea), sedge
      meadows (Carici rupestris-Kobresietea bellardii), and communities, in which
      shrubs and predominated (juniper and rhododendron elfin woods, class Loiseleurio
      Vaccinietea), have been studied only at the larger scale and showed significant
      evenness of species composition, i.e., were phylogenetically more diverse
      compared with random samples.

PMID- 27266019
TI  - [The response of forest ecosystems to reduction in industrial atmospheric
      emission in the Kola Subarctic].
AB  - In spite of reduction in atmospheric emission, current state of forest ecosystems
      within the impact zone of Severonickel enterprise still reflects the entire
      spectrum of anthropogenic digression stages. As the distance to the enterprise
      grows shorter, structural-functional changes in forest communities are manifested
      in dropping out of mosses and lichens, replacement of undershrub by Poaceae,
      worsening of timber stand and undergrowth conditions and their progressive dying
      off, and, as a result, in forming of anthropogenic wastelands. Alterations of
      elemental composition of fir bark and needles due to exposure to pollutants
      consist in accumulation of nickel, copper, cobalt, arsenic, and sulfur along with
      depletion of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. According to the data
      obtained by correlation and multiparameter analyses, the accumulation of heavy
      metals in fir organs is closely related to the increasing of their concentration
      in root-inhabited soil layers as the distance to the pollution source is getting
      shorter. By comparison with the background fir grove, concentration of available
      compounds of nickel and copper in the ground litter of open fir-birch woodland
      near the enterprise increases by the factor of 30-60, reaching up 280 and 130
      mg/kg respectively. With the increasing of anthropogenic stress, the ground
      litter becomes depleted of available calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese,
      and zinc. For the first time, the coupled dynamics of vegetation and soil state
      in fir forests as a response to reduction in atmospheric emission is tracked
      back. The most distinguishable response to the reduction appears to be the
      development of small-leaved plants' young growth within the impact zone. For the
      last decade, concentration of nickel in fir needles and in ground litter has
      reduced by the factor of 1.2-2. As for copper, its concentration in needles has
      reduced by the factor of 2-4, though in ground litter remains the same. By
      comparison with the period of maximum emission at the edge of 1980-90s, in open
      fir-birch woodland near the enterprise the concentration of nickel and copper in
      needles has reduced by the factors of 2.5-6 and 7-12 respectively. This reduction
      of heavy metals concentration in fir needles is related mainly to diminishing of
      their emission from the atmosphere, although their stores, accumulated in soil
      during previous decades, still remain quite plentiful.

PMID- 27266020
TI  - [COMPLEX ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND POSTVACCINAL IMMUNE STATE].
AB  - This article was written on the base of the analysis of data of protocols of
      annual serological sturdies of the post-vaccination immunity status in indicator
      groups of populations, the analysis of samples of drinking water air and soil
      with the assessment of the socio-economic development of mono-towns and rural
      settlements. In the article there is reflected the comprehensive assessment of
      environmental factors and specific features of the formation of socio-economic
      conditions of rural communities and mono towns. There was performed a comparative
      assessment of the status of post-vaccination immunity to infections controlled by
      specific means of prevention, in different age groups in mono towns and rural
      settlements. There was established a dependence of the formation of post
      vaccination immunity on the state of environmental factors.

PMID- 27266021
TI  - [CHANGING OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF NON-CONTACT (ELECTROCHEMICAL)
      ACTIVATED DRINKING WATER IS ASSOCIATED WITH INDUCTION OF GENOMIC INSTABILITY OF
      CULTIVATED HUMAN BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES].
AB  - In the article there are presented data which are the fragment of large
      multidisciplinary study of genetic safety of non-contact electrochemically
      activated water (NAW). The aim of this study was the analysis of the relation of
      impacts of genomic instability (micronucleus test with cytochalasin B) detected
      in human blood cells, cultured in medias prepared on the base of these NAWs, with
      physical and chemical properties of these NaWs. In experiments there were used
      catholytes and anolytes obtained by activation of osmotic, tap and dining bottled
      water As a result of such activation, all waters were shown to acquire the
      ability to induce genomic instability in cellular cultures. Notably in cell
      cultures on catholytes and anolytes these effects differed between themselves and
      have been associated with different physical and chemical properties of the NAWs.

PMID- 27266022
TI  - [FEATURES OF THE CONTENT OF DRINKING WATER IN THE CITY OF MAGADAN AND POPULATION
      HEALTH].
AB  - By methods of atom-emission and mass spectrometry with inductively bonded argon
      plasma there was determined the content of 25 macro- and trace elements in tap
      cold drinking water used by the residents of the city of Magadan for food
      purposes and in hair samples of 30 young male Europeans aged of 17-23 years, who
      are the residents, of the city of Magadan. According to our data the content of
      25 elements in drinking water conforms to standards, but that content of such
      essential elements as Co, Cr Cu, I, Mn, Na, Se, Zn is shown to be lower than
      referential indices. After boiling the water the concentration of trace elements
      is changed. The content of Cd, Cu, K, P Pb, Zn, Ni becomes lower significantly.
      In healthy young men aged of 17-23 years, from the number of natives Europeoids,
      residents of the North there was detected deficit of Co and I (86% and 62%,
      respectively), lower concentrations of Ca, Mg, Se, Zn (76%, 69%, 24%, 24%,
      respectively). The constant use by residents of the city of Magadan of ultrafresh
      brackish drinking water in food aims may be the one of the main reasons of the
      imbalance of macro- and micronutrients in the body, characterized by features of
      the so-called "northern" type with a marked deficiency of basic essential
      elements.

PMID- 27266023
TI  - [SANITARY DANGEROUS FILAMENTOUS MICROORGANISMS IN SOILS OF THE CITY OF VORONEZH].
AB  - On the example of urban soils of the city of Voronezh there was revealed
      dependence of the degree of the disturbance of complexes of filamentous
      microorganisms on soil contamination levels. For the complex of micromycetes in
      the recreational area of the city disturbances are reversible and correspond to
      the adaptive range of "stress". In the transport an irreversible transition
      originates to the adaptive range of "resistance". There are accumulated
      toxigenic, opportunistic and allergenic fungi species that is harmful to the
      health of the urban population. The complex of soil actinomycetes is more
      sustainable. Microbiological indices (lists of indicative species of fungi)
      should be used for the monitoring of urban soils.

PMID- 27266024
TI  - [ASSESSMENT OF THE IODINE STATUS IN THE POPULATION IN WESTERN KAZAKHSTAN
      ACCORDING TO DATA OF URINARY IODINE CONCENTRATIONS].
AB  - AIM: To evaluate iodine status in the population of Western Kazakhstan on the
      example oftheAktobe region according to data of urinary iodine concentrations.
      There were examined 2257 children aged from 7 to 12 years. Urinary iodine was
      carried out in 10% of schoolchildren by semiquantitative method under field
      conditions. According to the 30-cluster survey the prevalence of goiter in the
      region amounted to 42.71 +/- 1.04%. The proportion of children with optimal
      urinary iodine concentrations is only 12.8%, more than 300 mcg/l--57.82% of the
      children, more than 400 mcg/l was determined in 25.12% of the children. The high
      prevalence of goiter against the background of high rates of urinary iodine
      suggests the impact of other goitrogenic factors in the region.

PMID- 27266025
TI  - [ROLE OF GENETIC POLYMORPHISM AND DIFFERENCES IN THE DETOXIFICATION OF CHEMICAL
      SUBSTANCES IN THE HUMAN BODY].
AB  - There are given modern views on the role of genetic polymorphism on the
      detoxification of chemical substances and individual sensitivity in workers to
      the development of diseases associated with xenobiotics metabolism disorders. In
      the search for genetic markers of occupationally caused diseases it is promising
      to study allelomorphs of genes responsible for the polyfunctional response of the
      human body, including genes involved in xenobiotic biotransformation. There is
      substantiated the expediency of compilation and introduction of genetic passports
      for stuff occupied at hazardous chemical enterprises.

PMID- 27266026
TI  - [IDENTIFICATION OF OCCUPATIONAL RISK FOR ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION. 1: ELIMINATION OF
      THE MODIFYNG INFLUENCE OF FACTORS OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK].
AB  - On results of research in 13 occupational groups (3842 workers, men) there were
      performed an analysis of a contribution of non-occupational factors of
      cardiovascular risk (FCVRs) and the elimination of their modifying influence on
      risks for the development of the arterial hypertension (AH). In the capacity of
      non-occupational FCVRs there were considered 16 predictors of AH. There were
      calculated the relative risk of AH and 95% the confidential interval (CI) in
      occupational groups on benchmark data of the prevalence rate of AH and after the
      elimination of the modifying influence of FCVRs. Reference group was the general
      sample, that is, all the occupations. Modifying influence of FCVR was eliminated
      by means of direct standardization. With the aid of trees of classifcation from
      the number of FCVRs in occupational groups the presence of obesity and age of the
      worker (respectively, 100 and 78 conditional points) was shown to have the
      maximum impact on the development of AH. Elimination of the influence of data of
      FCVRs led to the change of benchmark values of occupational risks of AH in the
      average for 10%, in four occupations level of the statistical importance of risks
      of AH changed. In top-managers, and also in operating personnel and technical
      workers the risk for AH from the high decreased to not significant, respectively
      to 1,00 at 95%, CI: 0.74-1.36 and 1.20 at 95%, CI: 0.97-1.49. On the contrary,
      the risk for AH increased from low to statistically not significant in
      underground equipment operators (0.85 at 95%, CI: 0.71-1.01) and labourers (0.89
      at 95%, CI: 0.69-1.14).

PMID- 27266027
TI  - [REGIONAL INDICES OF TRACE ELEMENT LEVELS IN HAIR IN CHLILDREN OF THE POPULATION
      OF THE IRKUTSK REGION].
AB  - 747 hair samples of the pre-school aged children from different regions of the
      Irkutsk Region have been analyzed with the aim to establish the regional
      reference indices. The measurements were performed by the atomic-absorption
      method. The population deficiency of the essential microelements of zinc, copper
      along with the simultaneous excess of magnesium, mercury was revealed to be
      observed at the territory of the Irkutsk Region. According to the results of the
      study of mercury level in biological medias of the children population of the
      Irkutsk region it is possible to mark the unfavorable areas where chronic
      anthropogenic load has led to the accumulation of mercury in the body.

PMID- 27266028
TI  - [GENDER VARIABILITY OF MORPHOFUNCTIONAL INDICES IN ADOLESCENTS OF MOUNTAIN
      ALTAI].
AB  - Gender differences in the functioning of the organism of teenagers in extreme
      climatic conditions of the environment are not been well understood. We estimated
      the variability of morphofunctional indices in adolescents aged of 11-16 years
      residing in lowlands and midlands of Mountain Altai in dependence on area of
      residence, age, and gender The variability of morphological and functional
      indices of male and female body in a critical period of ontogenesis was found to
      be dependent in varying degrees on the climatic conditions of the Mountainous
      Altai. Revealed significant differences in morphofunctional indices depending on
      the area in boys are more signifcant than in girls. In male adolescents, residing
      in middleland unlike peers of lowland there was noted functional exertion of the
      cardiovascular system, as well as delay in physical and sexual development. It
      testifies about the gender variability of adaptation of an organism depending on
      factors of environment and higher sensitivity of a male organism during the
      period of puberty to external negative influences.

PMID- 27266029
TI  - [SANITATION AND SCHOOL HYGIENE IN THE SCHOOL INSTITUTTIONS OF THE TOBOLSK
      PROVINCE IN THE LATE XIX CENTURY].
AB  - In the article there is considered the history of the development ofsanitary and
      hygienic standards in school institutions of Tobolsk province in the late XIX
      century. In comparative terms there is characterized the presented in that period
      the legal framework regulating of abidance by hygienic and sanitary standards in
      educational institutions. There was executed an careful analysis of hygienic
      conditions on the example of the Tobolsk male gymnasium with a comparison of
      similar conditions in another Siberian educational/childcare institution--the
      Yenisei female progymnasium. The main sources in the study were reports of
      educators: I. Gursky--about hygienic living conditions of the inmates of the
      Tobolsk gymnasium and P.M. Golovachev--about sanitary conditions in the Yenisei
      female gymnasium. Contemporaries paid a great attention to such health and safety
      standards as heating, ventilation, lighting, capacity of classrooms and boarding
      facilities, the violation of which led to a deterioration in the health of
      students and the growth of the epidemics in mention educational institutions.

PMID- 27266030
TI  - [THE USE OF RISK INDICES IN PROCEDURES OF VERIFICATION OF BABY FOOD QUALITY
      CONFORMANCE].
AB  - There is considered the possibility of the use of risk indices with regard to
      their use in certification and validation of conformity assessment and food
      conformance, including those recommended for children. There were investigated
      samples of oatmeals, potted meats, liver pate, fruit-vegetable puree. The
      calculation of risk values was based on original data of quantitative analysis
      that was performed with the use of thermogravimetric, photometric, titrimetric,
      and potentiometric methods, as well as methods of gas-liquid chromatography and
      atomic absorption spectrophotometry. On the base of data of the chemical analysis
      of the ingredients of a set of food products, including assigned for baby
      nutrition, all the tested samples were shown to meet the requirements for the
      controlled regulatory standards on control indices of quality. The calculation of
      average daily doses of the intake of metal compounds (Cu, Zn, Fe, Na, Ca, Mg)
      consumed by adult and child's organisms through tested food showed that such
      doses are allowable since they do not exceed maximum daily dose and average daily
      requirements. However, some samples were referred to the category of high risk
      food, because the used method of individual's lifetime risk calculation takes
      into consideration all possible negative effects (carcinogenic, mutagenic,
      teratogenic, embryogenic, etc) of the impact of pollutants on the human body. It
      is shown that in addition to the sanitary and hygienic criteria of food quality,
      the risks of such food consumption should be taken into consideration by the
      Technical Regulations and other normative documentations.

PMID- 27266031
TI  - [INCIDENCE, PREDISPOSING RISK FACTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND SPREADING OF ACUTE
      INTESTINAL INFECTIONS IN THE NORTH-EASTERN REGION OF UKRAINE].
AB  - Using data of the branch statistical reporting of the State Sanitary and
      Epidemiological Service in Sumy region and Sumy Regional State Laboratory of
      Veterinary Medicine, the incidence rate, modern risk factors for the development
      and spreading of acute infectious diarrheas were determined in the North-Eastern
      region of Ukraine. Under the current conditions incidence rate indices of acute
      intestinal infections and food toxicoinfections are within the range of 159.8
      193.6 per 100 thousands. pop. Seasonal and epidemical rises are associated with a
      species of the agent. In the etiological structure of acute diarrheal infections
      there are dominated viruses, of food toxicoinfections--Klebsiellae pneumoniae,
      Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter cloacae (p < 0.05). Predictors of the
      complication of epidemiological situation of Shigella infections are the gain in
      the detection of bacterially contaminated samples of milk and dairy products (r =
      0.75), for food toxicoinfections caused by Klebsiellae pneumoniae and
      Enterobacter cloacae--pastry with cream and cooking meat products (r = 0.64; r =
      0.75). Epizootic situation in the region affects on the salmonellosis incidence
      rate of the population (r = 0.89). There were revealed correlations between the
      selection of E. coli bacteria from swabs taken from the enterprises of catering,
      in child care centers and the levels of incidence rates of salmonellosis, acute
      intestinal infections of unknown etiology (r = 0.59; r = 0.60). Timely detection
      and sanitation of Shigella carriers are a powerful instrument to reduce the
      incidence rate of shigellosis (r = 0.83).

PMID- 27266033
TI  - [CHOICE OF SANITARY-INDICATIVE MICROORGANISMS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETY OF
      SPLIT-SYSTEMS].
AB  - Purpose of work is a compilation of data about the microflora which colonizes a
      split-system, with the aim of selection of sanitary-indicative microorganisms,
      whose presence in the sample would indicate to the need for cleaning and
      disinfection of split-systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the article there were
      used data of five years author's scientific inquiry, related to the prevention of
      respiratory diseases, associated with the usage of a local air conditioning
      systems. We also use the data from the literature. RESULTS: For selection of
      "indicative" microorganisms, we proposed the usage of nine criteria, each of them
      have numeric value from 0 to 3 points (risk for health, prevalence rate of the
      disease, epidemiological link, speed of split system's colonization, difficulty
      of cultivation, resistance in the environment, resistance to disinfectants,
      frequency of detection in home air conditioning systems, frequency of detection
      in air conditioning systems of public buildings). After the calculation
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus received maximal score (20
      points). Therefore, these two types of bacteria are indicative microorganisms.
      The detection of these microorganisms in split systems will indicate to the
      contamination of air-conditioning system. This microflora also is a criterion of
      cleaning and disinfection quality--presence of these microorganisms in the
      samples after this process will mean that the processing of air conditioning
      systems was performed poorly. CONCLUSIONS: Split systems are very faster
      colonized by conditionally pathogenic and pathogenic microflora. To prevent the
      possible hazard for population's health it is necessary to develop the normative
      base, according to which sanitary-and-hygienic control over the split-systems
      working must be carried out. Proposed criteria suggest that Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are indicative microorganisms, and it's
      identification in the air-conditioning system would mean risk for health and
      necessity for cleaning and disinfection.

PMID- 27266032
TI  - [IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DISTURBANCES IN THE STRUCTURE OF SYNAPTONEMAL
      COMPLEXES IN SPERMATOCYTE NUCLEI IN MICE UNDER EXPOSURE TO ROCKET FUEL
      COMPONENT].
AB  - There was performed an assessment of genotoxic effects of rocket fuel component-
      unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH, heptyl)--on forming germ cells of male
      mice. Immunocytochemically there was studied the structure of meiotic nuclei at
      different times after the intraperitoneal administration of UDMH to male mice.
      There were revealed following types of disturbances of the structure of
      synaptonemal complexes (SCs) of meiotic chromosomes: single and multiple
      fragments of SCs associations of autosomes with a sex bivalent, atypical
      structure of the SCs with a frequency higher than the reference level. In
      addition, there were found the premature desinapsis of sex bivalents, the
      disorder offormation of the genital corpuscle and ring SCs. Established disorders
      in SCs of spermatocytes, analyzed at 38th day after the 10-days intoxication of
      animal by the component of rocket fuel, attest to the risk of permanent
      persistence of chromosomal abnormalities occurring in the pool of stem cells.

PMID- 27266034
TI  - [COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY FOR ACCOUNTING OF CONFOUNDERS IN THE RISK ASSESSMENT IN
      COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON THE BASE OF THE METHOD OF STANDARDIZATION].
AB  - There was performed an analysis of the accounting of the impact of concomitant
      variables (confounders), introducing a systematic error in the assessment of the
      impact of risk factors on the resulting variable. The analysis showed that
      standardization is an effective method for the reduction of the shift of risk
      assessment. In the work there is suggested an algorithm implementing the method
      of standardization based on stratification, providing for the minimization of the
      difference of distributions of confounders in groups on risk factors. To automate
      the standardization procedures there was developed a software available on the
      website of the Institute of Industrial Ecology, UB RAS. With the help of the
      developed software by numerically modeling there were determined conditions of
      the applicability of the method of standardization on the basis of stratification
      for the case of the normal distribution on the response and confounder and linear
      relationship between them. Comparison ofresults obtained with the help of the
      standardization with statistical methods (logistic regression and analysis of
      covariance) in solving the problem of human ecology, has shown that obtaining
      close results is possible if there will be met exactly conditions for the
      applicability of statistical methods. Standardization is less sensitive to
      violations of conditions of applicability.

PMID- 27266035
TI  - [RANK INDICES METHOD AND ITS USE FOR THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF POPULATION
      HEALTH].
AB  - There is presented a calculation method aimed to elevate the informative value of
      the integral indices of the social and hygienic monitoringfor purposes of
      comparative analysis. The method of rank indices is based on the ranking of
      monitoring objects on the values of primary indices on the base of which there
      are calculated the integral such indices as, for example, life expectancy. There
      are presented results of the use of this method for the comparative analysis of
      mortality rate in WHO Member States for the period of 1990-2011. There were
      revealed specialfeatures of mortality trends which cannot be detected when using
      only mortality rates or the life expectancy. In particular, for Russia there was
      shown that, in spite of the downward trend in child and adolescent mortality rate
      observed in the last decade, the country's world rankings for these indices fail
      to achieve the level of 1990. This means that the competitiveness of the country,
      sharply declined in the 90's, was not restored until now. There are described
      some features of the use of the method of rank indices for the analysis of
      indices of the environment state, public health and its socio-economic
      determinants.

PMID- 27266036
TI  - [ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO HYGIENIC REGULATION OF XENOBIOTICS].
AB  - Hygienic standardization (HS) of chemicals remains to be the one of the effective
      ways to ensure chemical safety of the population. At that hygienic standards
      (such as maximum allowable concentrations--MACs) are interrelated and aggregated
      into the coherent systems. Therefore, the task of the study was in establishment
      of the logic of inter- standard relations between the existing standards and
      actualization of legitimate relations of the interrelations such as MACwz/MACatm,
      (i.e., to systematize standards) and so as CL50/MACwz (reflecting the ratio of
      reliability). In the suggested systemic approach the benchmark indices of the
      proposed HS system are the values of the MACwz. Standards for other media,
      including atmosphere air may be only some compartments of MACwz. The performed
      studies and calculations allowed to justify and implement the system approach
      into the practice of HS in Ukraine. There is need for further search for
      additional solutions in nonreachability of LC50 in the experiment, justification
      of standards for the population in the absence of MACwz, comparison with the data
      of normative databases of other countries. It is necessary to introduce the value
      of permissible deviation from the requirements of the systemness, to embody
      conditions (1)-(7) into the general principle of the prohibition of greater
      deviation and to harmonize acting and newly introduced standards within
      frameworks of modern ideology and methods of HS of harmful substances. This opens
      up broad prospects for the new phase of HS and a significant increase in the
      reliability of results obtained by the various methods and in different
      laboratories.

PMID- 27266037
TI  - [Clinical Importance of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Editorial: Fatty
      liver important?].

PMID- 27266038
TI  - [linical Importance of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Topics II Clinical
      impact of epidemiological studies].

PMID- 27266039
TI  - [Clinical Importance of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Topics: II.
      Complexity in pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

PMID- 27266040
TI  - [Clinical Importance of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Topics: III. Relation
      with Type II diabetes: regulation by hepatokines].

PMID- 27266041
TI  - [Clinical Importance of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Topics: IV. Relation
      of NAFLD with lifestyle-related disease including obesity, dyslipidemia and
      hypertension].

PMID- 27266042
TI  - [Clinical Importance of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Topics: V.
      Extrahepatic manifestations: cerebral and cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney
      disease].

PMID- 27266043
TI  - [Clinical Importance of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Topics: VI.
      Diagnostic procedures: when referring to specialists].

PMID- 27266045
TI  - [Clinical Importance of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Topics: VIII. The
      prognosis and follow-up].

PMID- 27266044
TI  - [Clinical Importance of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Topics: VII. Routine
      treatment: when referring to specialists].

PMID- 27266046
TI  - [Case Report; Gastric mucosa in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. (Discussion
      about a case of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome 3B)].

PMID- 27266047
TI  - [Case Report; A case of vasculitis with multiple hepatic artery aneurysms].

PMID- 27266048
TI  - [Case Report; A case of systemic capillary leak syndrome].

PMID- 27266049
TI  - [Case Report; A case of Lemierre's syndrome associated with necrotizing fasciitis
      and septic embolization].

PMID- 27266050
TI  - [The Cutting-edge of Medicine; Clinico-pathogenetic background and approach for
      early detection of lung cancer].

PMID- 27266051
TI  - [The Catting-edge of Medicine; Anti-viral therapies for chronic hepatitis C].

PMID- 27266052
TI  - [Report from the 21th Tokai Chapter Educational Seminar: Practice of community
      medicine by Japanese internists in a new era: commitment to society's
      implementation of the integrated community care system].

PMID- 27266053
TI  - In Memoriam: John F. Kurtzke, MD, FACP, FAAN 1926-2015.

PMID- 27266054
TI  - [Prevention - is it useful?].

PMID- 27266055
TI  - [Concept and classification of diabetic complications].

PMID- 27266056
TI  - [Microangiopathy in Japanese patients with diabetes].

PMID- 27266057
TI  - [Features of Japanese diabetic macroangiopathy].

PMID- 27266058
TI  - [Genetic factors for susceptibility to diabetic microvascular complications].

PMID- 27266059
TI  - [Large-scale clinical studies on diabetic complications].

PMID- 27266060
TI  - [Management for diabetes mellitus to prevent its complications].

PMID- 27266061
TI  - [AGE-RAGE system].

PMID- 27266062
TI  - [Polyol pathway].

PMID- 27266063
TI  - [Protein kinase C pathway].

PMID- 27266064
TI  - [Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species].

PMID- 27266065
TI  - [Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation].

PMID- 27266066
TI  - [Rho/Rho-kinase].

PMID- 27266067
TI  - [Diabetic ketoacidosis].

PMID- 27266068
TI  - [Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state].

PMID- 27266069
TI  - [Diabetes mellitus and infectious disease].

PMID- 27266070
TI  - [Clinical epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy].

PMID- 27266071
TI  - [Etiology of diabetic retinopathy].

PMID- 27266072
TI  - [Pathophysiology and classification of diabetic retinopathy].

PMID- 27266073
TI  - [Diagnosis for diabetic retinopathy].

PMID- 27266074
TI  - [Medical therapy for diabetic retinopathy].

PMID- 27266075
TI  - [Vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy].

PMID- 27266076
TI  - [Diabetic retinopathy treatment and management--current and future regenerative
      medicine].

PMID- 27266077
TI  - [Diabetic macular edema--pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment].

PMID- 27266078
TI  - [Diagonosis and treatment of cataract and glaucoma caused by diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266080
TI  - [Emerging new aspects on diabetic nephropathy].

PMID- 27266079
TI  - [Epidemiology of diabetic nephropathy].

PMID- 27266081
TI  - [Relationship between the Classification of Diabetic Nephropathy 2014 and the
      classification of CKD stages].

PMID- 27266082
TI  - [Standards for early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy].

PMID- 27266083
TI  - [eGFR, urinary excretion of albumin, urinary excretion of protein, blood urea
      nitrogen, cystatin C].

PMID- 27266084
TI  - [Urinary podocyte and urinary podocalyxin; markers for diabetic nephropathy].

PMID- 27266085
TI  - [Urinary type IV collagen and urinary L-FABP].

PMID- 27266086
TI  - [Efficacy and effectiveness of protein restriction for the treatment of diabetic
      nephropathy].

PMID- 27266087
TI  - [Physical exercise in diabetic nephropathy].

PMID- 27266088
TI  - [Treatment of diabetic nephropathy, particularly focusing on drug therapy].

PMID- 27266089
TI  - [Current status and perspective of regenerative medicine for diabetic
      nephropathy].

PMID- 27266091
TI  - [Epidemiology of diabetic neuropathy].

PMID- 27266090
TI  - [The management of diabetic patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis].

PMID- 27266092
TI  - [Pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy].

PMID- 27266093
TI  - [Pathophysiology of diabetic polyneuropathy].

PMID- 27266094
TI  - [Clinical staging of diabetic polyneuropathy].

PMID- 27266095
TI  - [Analysis of small-fiber neuropathy using novel various autonomic function
      tests].

PMID- 27266096
TI  - [Achilles tendon reflex, vibration sensation threshold, and nerve conduction
      study for the evaluation of the large fiber neuropathy in diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266097
TI  - [Intra-epidermal nerve fiber density and intra-epidermal electrical stimulation
      for diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy].

PMID- 27266098
TI  - [Medical treatment of diabetic neuropathy].

PMID- 27266099
TI  - [Cell-based therapy].

PMID- 27266100
TI  - [Possibility of regenerative medicine on diabetic neuropathy].

PMID- 27266101
TI  - [Epidemiology of the stroke due to diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266102
TI  - [Pathophysiology of stroke, due to diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266103
TI  - [Diagnosis and examination of stroke associated with diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266104
TI  - [Stroke therapy in diabetes mellitus patients].

PMID- 27266105
TI  - [Preventive surgery for diabetes-related stroke].

PMID- 27266106
TI  - [Epidemiology of coronary heart diseases in the patients with diabetes].

PMID- 27266108
TI  - [Diagnostic approach and modalities for coronary artery disease in patients with
      diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266107
TI  - [Etiology and pathology of coronary artery disease in diabetes patients].

PMID- 27266109
TI  - [Optimal medical therapy in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease].

PMID- 27266110
TI  - [Coronary artery bypass surgery for diabetic patients].

PMID- 27266111
TI  - [Epidemiology, etiology, pathology, and pathophysiology of arteriosclerosis
      obliterans].

PMID- 27266112
TI  - [Diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease].

PMID- 27266113
TI  - [Medical treatment for atherosclerosis obliterans].

PMID- 27266114
TI  - [Open surgical treatment for peripheral arterial occlusive diseases].

PMID- 27266115
TI  - [Therapeutic angiogenesis for refractory peripheral arterial disease (PAD)].

PMID- 27266116
TI  - [Clinical epidemiology of diabetic foot].

PMID- 27266117
TI  - [Diabetic foot classification for Asian--Kobe classification].

PMID- 27266118
TI  - [Treatment of diabetic foot].

PMID- 27266119
TI  - [Prevention and care of diabetic foot ulcer].

PMID- 27266120
TI  - [Diabetes mellitus with hypertension].

PMID- 27266121
TI  - [Treatment of diabetes mellitus with obesity and metabolic syndrome].

PMID- 27266122
TI  - [Diabetes mellitus with dyslipidemia].

PMID- 27266123
TI  - [Diabetes mellitus with sarcopenia or frailty].

PMID- 27266124
TI  - [Diabetes and cancer risk: evidence from epidemiological studies].

PMID- 27266125
TI  - [Molecular mechanism underlying cancer development in diabetes].

PMID- 27266126
TI  - [Diabetes mellitus, Helicobacter pylori, and gastric cancer].

PMID- 27266128
TI  - [Various cancers related type 2 diabetes mellitus: Pancreatic cancer].

PMID- 27266127
TI  - [Association between diabetes mellitus and risk of liver cancer].

PMID- 27266129
TI  - [Colorectal cancer].

PMID- 27266130
TI  - [Correlation between diabetes mellitus and cancers of various organ--breast
      cancer].

PMID- 27266131
TI  - [Diabetes mellitus and endometrial cancer].

PMID- 27266132
TI  - [Pioglitazone and the risk of bladder cancer].

PMID- 27266133
TI  - [The impact of anti-diabetic therapy on cancer development].

PMID- 27266134
TI  - [Diabetes mellitus and COPD].

PMID- 27266135
TI  - [Liver disease (NAFLD, NASH)].

PMID- 27266136
TI  - [Osteoporosis].

PMID- 27266137
TI  - [Major depression and insomnia comorbid with diabetes].

PMID- 27266138
TI  - [The relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease].

PMID- 27266140
TI  - [Epidemiology of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents].

PMID- 27266139
TI  - [Neonatal diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266141
TI  - [Current status and future tasks on childhood-onset diabetes].

PMID- 27266142
TI  - [Diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children].

PMID- 27266143
TI  - [Diagnosis and treatment in children with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266144
TI  - [Diabetes education for patients and their surroundings in pediatrics].

PMID- 27266145
TI  - [Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of type 2 diabetes in adolescence].

PMID- 27266146
TI  - [Management of hyperglycemic disorders in pregnancy].

PMID- 27266147
TI  - [Energy and glucose metabolism in the elderly].

PMID- 27266148
TI  - [Clinical significance of comprehensive geriatric assessment in diabetic
      elderly].

PMID- 27266149
TI  - [Clinical features of diabetes mellitus in the elderly].

PMID- 27266150
TI  - [Examination and diagnosis in older diabetic mellitus].

PMID- 27266151
TI  - [Key notes of glycemic control in elderly patients with diabetes].

PMID- 27266152
TI  - [Medication for the elderly diabetes].

PMID- 27266153
TI  - [Diet of elderly diabetic patients].

PMID- 27266154
TI  - [Elderly diabetic patients and exercise].

PMID- 27266155
TI  - [Comprehensive management of dementia in old people with diabetes].

PMID- 27266156
TI  - [Diabetes due to endocrine disorders].

PMID- 27266157
TI  - [Pancreatic diabetes: pathophysiology and treatment].

PMID- 27266158
TI  - [Pathogenesis of hepatogenous diabetes].

PMID- 27266159
TI  - [Drug-induced diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266160
TI  - [Monogenic form of diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266161
TI  - [Insulin autoimmune syndrome].

PMID- 27266162
TI  - [Current status and issues of diabetes class].

PMID- 27266163
TI  - [DialBetics: Smartphone-Based Self-Management for Type 2 Diabetes Patients].

PMID- 27266164
TI  - [The current state of summer camps for diabetic children in Japan].

PMID- 27266165
TI  - [Current status and challenge of certified diabetes educator(CDE)].

PMID- 27266166
TI  - [Behavior modification in diabetic patients].

PMID- 27266167
TI  - [Sick day rule].

PMID- 27266168
TI  - [Prevention of hypoglycemia].

PMID- 27266169
TI  - [A strategy for increasing adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes].

PMID- 27266170
TI  - [Current situations and issues of clinical network for diabetes in regions].

PMID- 27266171
TI  - [Cooperation and role allotment between diabetes specialists and internists for
      medical care of patients with diabetes].

PMID- 27266172
TI  - [Importance of team-based management of diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266173
TI  - [Current status and issues of clinical-pass in diabetes].

PMID- 27266174
TI  - [The manual for diabetes treatment in times of disaster].

PMID- 27266175
TI  - [Role of sportology for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266176
TI  - [Anti-oncogenic effect of metformin].

PMID- 27266177
TI  - [Mechanism of salt-sensitive hypertension in diabetes mellitus].

PMID- 27266178
TI  - [Perioperative glycemic management in cardiac surgery].

PMID- 27266179
TI  - [Cost-effectiveness analysis for diabetes care].

PMID- 27266180
TI  - [ENHANCEMENT OF AGROBACTERIAL TRANSFORMATION OF PLANTS USING PROTEIN KINASE
      INHIBITORS TRIFLUOPERAZINE AND GENISTEIN].
AB  - The effect of different concentrations of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor,
      genistein and serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitor, trifluoperazine, on the
      frequency of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of leaf explants of N. tabacum
      was investigated. The influence of different concentrations of trifluoperazine in
      the range from 10 to 300 MUM was investigated. It was found that 10 MUM
      trifluoperazine provoked the increase of the frequency of agrobacterial
      transformation of tobacco leaf disks on 25%. In parallel, the influence of
      different concentrations of genistein in the range from 10 to 100 MUM was
      investigated. It was found 100 MUM genistein provoked the increase of the
      frequency of agrobacterial transformation of tobacco leaf disks on 12%.

PMID- 27266181
TI  - GENETIC DIVERSITY OF SOME IRANIAN SWEET CHERRY (PRUNUS AVIUM) CULTIVARS USING
      MICROSATELLITE MARKERS AND MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS.
AB  - The aim of this study was to characterize 23 important Iranian sweet cherry
      (Prunus avium) cultivars collected from different provinces of Iran and 1 foreign
      cultivar, which was used as control, considered for breeding programs by using 21
      microsatellite markers and 27 morphological traits. In sweet cherry (Prunus
      avium) accessions, leaf, fruit, and stone morphological characters were evaluated
      during two consecutive years. The study revealed a high variability in the set of
      evaluated sweet cherry accessions. The majority of important correlations were
      determined among variables representing fruit and leaf size and variables related
      to color. Cluster analysis distinguished sweet cherry accessions into two
      distinct groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) of qualitative and
      quantitative morphological parameters explained over 86.59% of total variability
      in the first seven axes. In PCA, leaf traits such as leaf length and width, and
      fruit traits such as length, width, and weight, and fruit flesh and juice color
      were predominant in the first two components, indicating that they were useful
      for the assessment of sweet cherry germplasm characterization. Out of 21 SSR
      markers, 16 were polymorphic, producing 177 alleles that varied from 4 to 16
      alleles (9.35 on average) with a mean heterozygosity value of 0.82 that produced
      successful amplifications and revealed DNA polymorphisms. Allele size varied from
      95 to 290 bp. Cluster analyses showed that the studied sweet cherry genotypes
      were classified intofive main groups based mainly on their species
      characteristics and SSR data. In general, our results did not show a clear
      structuring of genetic variability within the Iranian diffusion area of sweet
      cherry, so it was not possible to draw any indications on regions of provenance
      delimitation. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of
      sweet cherry genetic variations in Iran, thus making for more efficient programs
      aimed at preserving biodiversity and more rational planning of the management of
      reproductive material.

PMID- 27266182
TI  - [PLEIOTROPIC EFFECTS OF GIBBERELLIN-SENSITIVE AND GIBBERELLIN-INSENSITIVE
      DWARFING GENES IN COMMON WHEAT OF THE SOUTHERN STEP REGION OF BLACK SEA].
AB  - Investigations of the pleiotropic effects of GA-sensitive (Rht8) and GA
      insensitive (Rht-B1, Rht-D1) dwarfing genes and a gene that determines the
      response of plants to photoperiod--Ppd-D1 were carried out for three years in the
      southern step region of Black Sea bank on five different genetic backgrounds. It
      is shown that in addition to direct effects on plant height GA-sensitive and GA
      insensitive dwarfing genes have pleiotropic effects on all studied traits except
      the number of fertile spikelets. Presence of the dwarfing genes in the genotype
      of tall forms led to the decrease of stem and ear length, and at the same time to
      the increase of ear density. The number of spikelets per spike decreased due to
      sterile spikelets, whereas the number of fertile spikelets did not change. There
      was a significant increase in the number of grains per ear as a result of
      increasing of spikelets in ears. The number and weight of grains did not
      decrease, even though the plants were characterized by a smaller number of
      productive stems. The presence of Rht8x allele on genetic background of variety
      Stepnyak resulted in a significant decrease of plants productivity. However, in
      combination with Ppd-D1a allele plants with Rht8x increased the potential
      productivity, and surpassed the parental form (Rht8a Ppd-D1b). The presence of
      Rht-B1e allele resulted in reduction of grain mass per spike and 1000-grain
      weight, increase of l/h, and left the number of grains per spike stable in
      comparison with Rht8c.

PMID- 27266183
TI  - EFFECT OF WATERLOGGING STRESS ON MEIOTIC COURSE, TETRAD FORMATION AND POLLEN
      FERTILITY OF SESBANIA PEA.
AB  - Sesbania cannabina a multipurpose leguminous crop of family Fabaceae, is widely
      adaptable to adverse climatic conditions such as waterlogging, drought and high
      salinity. Flooding and water logging are very common phenomena and there may be
      possibility to become more serious alarms for environment, which is progressively
      deteriorated by human beings by their anthropogenic activities, polluting the
      atmosphere. Flooding provides a case of natural selection to the nature which
      selects the plants which are more adaptable to this condition and renders
      themselves to survive due to this tolerance or resistance behavior. Present study
      envisages the effect of waterlogging stress on chromosomal biology of Sesbania
      pea. To study the effect of waterlogging stress on microsporogensis of Sesbania
      cannabina, presoaked seeds were sown in experimental pots. Permanent waterlogged
      condition is created by shifting pots in water filled tanks. Cytological studies
      showed various types of chromosomal aberrations induced by waterlogging stress
      and reduction in pollen fertility was also encountered.

PMID- 27266184
TI  - IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF MAMMARY GLAND TUMOURS OF
      DIFFERENT AGE PATIENTS.
AB  - Immunohistochemical and biochemical study of infiltrative ductal breast carcinoma
      and tissue adjacent to the tumour revealed a particular molecular profile and
      characteristics of the oxidant-antioxidant status neoplasms depending on the age
      of the patients and the presence of metastases in regional lymph nodes. Some
      causes of high aggressiveness and low hormone sensitivity of tumours in
      premenopausal women, as well as stability and high metastatic potential of
      tumours in postmenopausal women have been found.

PMID- 27266185
TI  - PIXEL SENSIBLE LOCAL BAND ANALYSIS IN MICROSCOPIC CHROMOSOME IMAGES USING CSPA.
AB  - In chromosome analysis, local band analysis plays the main role to identify the
      perfect matched chromosome in metaspread images to attain the karyotyping.
      Literature investigations are narrow in chromosome image band analysis due to the
      higher complexities. In this paper, Pixel level based Conditional Seed Point
      Algorithm (CSPA) is proposed. This simulation algorithm separates the weak band
      region to the strong band region, and the strong band region area evaluated was
      based on the Region of Seed condition Points. This algorithm works well for
      different intensity levels and adopts the structural changes to identify the
      bands in image. This algorithm was simulated in more than 450 individual
      chromosomes to identify the local bands in the chromosome images and provided the
      accuracy more than 96%.

PMID- 27266186
TI  - [INVOLVEMENT OF PLANT CYTOSKELETON INTO CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF METALS TOXICITY].
AB  - This review summarizes published date and the results of the author's own
      researches cantering the participation of plant cells cytoskeleton. It is
      considered cytotoxic impact of metals on the cytoskeleton's components, including
      microtubules and actin filaments. Particular attention is paid to the cellular
      and molecular mechanisms of influence of metals on cytoskeleton. We discussed the
      most probable binding sites of heavy metals and alternative mechanisms of their
      impact on the cytoskeleton.

PMID- 27266187
TI  - B CHROMOSOMES IN ANGIOSPERM--A REVIEW.
AB  - A review article on B chromosomes (Bs) in angiosperms is documented considering
      occurrence, morphology, polymorphic B forms, divisional phase heterogeneity,
      chromatin organization and gene content, sequence composition, origin,
      evolutionary aspects and significant role on host with an objective to foresee
      the evolutionary perspectives as it still remains an enigma. Irrespective of the
      origin of Bs, it seems that they have attained the following modifications,
      namely, insertion of centromeric and telomeric sequences, structural
      reorganization and procuring mitotic and meiotic drives but shows genetic
      inertness and present in the host as selfish DNA. In the context, few questions
      are raised. Further, scientific quest may unravel the unexplored information
      about Bs to ascertain its evolutionary perspectives, if any.

PMID- 27266188
TI  - [WAR AND WORLD OF ERWIN CHARGAFF (DEDICATED TO 110 ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH)].
AB  - The article shortly describes the life path of Erwin Chargaff, one of the most
      famous figures in the history of molecular biology and genetics. Chargaff was
      born in Chernivtsi (Austria-Hungary, now Ukraine) but during the First World War
      his family was forced to move to Vienna. After graduating from the University of
      Vienna, Chargaff worked in Berlin, where he studied bacterial lipids. Due to
      Nazis coming to power in Germany, Chargaff moved to Paris and later (1935)
      emigrated to the USA and obtained a position at Columbia University, where he
      initially investigated the role of phospholipids in blood clotting. In 1944,
      applying novel methods Chargaff initiated intensive investigation of the chemical
      composition of nucleic acids from taxonomically distant species and established
      two rules which were later named after him. The first Chargaff's rule provided a
      significant support to Watson and Crick in construction of their double helical
      DNA model. The explosion of atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki forced
      Chargaff to think about the moral responsibility of researchers and science to
      mankind. He begins to raise these issues in the press and manifests himself as a
      talented journalist, who criticized the bureaucratization of science and its
      transformation into a way of earning money. Despite decades of life in America,
      spiritually Erwin Chargaff always remained a European, who never forgot his roots
      and always remembered his native land.

PMID- 27266189
TI  - [Radiographic diagnosis of vertical root fracture].
AB  - Vertical root fracture (VRF) is different from odontoclasis caused by trauma or
      injury. VRF is defined as a complete or incomplete fracture of roots caused by
      long-term and persistent stimulus, such as excessive forces from mastication or
      occlusion, improper tooth anatomy, and tooth treatment accident. Early diagnosis
      of VRF is essential to prevent the absorption of alveolar bone, thereby improving
      prognosis. Radiographic examination is the most common and effective evaluation
      method for VRF. Cone beam computed tomography can provide three-dimensional
      information for fracture details, which are more precise than traditional
      periapical films. In this paper, we present the radiographic features,
      differential diagnosis, and new treatment techniques for VRF.

PMID- 27266190
TI  - [Fabrication and evaluation of hydroxyapatite-chitosan scaffold via simulated
      body fluid biomimetic mineralization].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to fabricate a hydroxyapatite (HA)-chitosan
      scaffold via simulated body fluid (SBF) biomimetic mineralization and determine
      how mineralization time affects scaffold construction and cell compatibility.
      METHODS: The HA-chitosan scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying technique and
      then subjected to precalcification, also known as alternative soaking method.
      Afterward, precalcificated scaffolds were placed into the SBF to conduct the
      mineralization process. Mineralization time was set at 7, 14, and 21 days,
      corresponding to three experimental groups. Pure chitosan scaffolds acted as the
      control group, and the physical and chemical properties of the four groups were
      tested. Osteogenic-induced adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were seeded into
      the scaffolds to investigate the scaffolds' cell compatibility. RESULTS: The
      mineral substance of the 14-day group exhibited a uniform distribution. The
      crystal composition of the mineral substance suited the HA's features. The
      compressive elastic modulus increased along with the extension of mineralization
      time. The 21-day group showed a statistically significant increase in compressive
      elastic modulus compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The cell
      proliferation level of the 14-day group was significantly the highest among the
      three experimental groups (P < 0.05). The calcium ion and the type I collagen had
      the highest secretion amount when the cells were seeded into the 14-day group.
      CONCLUSION: The SBF biomimetic mineralization method can be used to fabricate HA
      chitosan bone-tissue-engineering scaffolds. The biological compatibility, as well
      as the chemical and physical properties, reached the optimum levels at day 14.

PMID- 27266191
TI  - [Calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibits the expression of Nod-like receptor
      protein 3 to Dromote osteoblast differentiation in mouse osteoblasts in vitro].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of calcitonin
      gene-related peptide (CGRP) on Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and
      interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) to promote osteoblast differentiation. METHODS:
      Different concentrations of CGRP (0, 10, 30, 100 ng . mL-1) were added to mouse
      osteoblasts in vitro. The mRNA and protein expression levels of both NLRP3 and IL
      1beta were examined using Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot,
      respectively. Moreover, the concentrations of IL-1beta protein and intracellular
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The osteogenic differentiation of mouse
      osteoblasts was identified through alizarin red staining. RESULTS: The protein
      and mRNA expression levels of both NLRP3 and IL-1beta significantly decreased (P
      < 0.05) with increasing CGRP concentration. Moreover, the contents of
      intracellular ROS gradually decreased (P<0.05). The osteogenic differentiation of
      the osteoblasts was more enhanced in the group treated with 100 ng . mL-1 CGRP
      than in the empty group (0 ng . mL-1 CGRP). CONCLUSION: CGRP promotes osteoblast
      differentiation by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors.

PMID- 27266192
TI  - [Expression of heat shock protein 27 in cigarette smoke extract-induced injury of
      human gingival fibroblasts].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to observe the expression of heat shock protein 27
      (HSP27) in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) cell injury induced by different
      concentrations of cigarette smoke extract (CSE). METHODS: The third to eighth
      generations of cultured HGFs were treated with serially diluted CSE of different
      concentrations (0, 2.5%, 5.0%, 12.5%, 25.0%, 50.0%). Wound-healing assay was
      performed to determine the migration of HGFs, and Western blot was used to
      determine the expression of HSP27. RESULTS: The migration capability of HGFs
      weakened with the increase of CSE concentration. HSP27 expression was negative in
      normal HGFs but positive in CSE-intervened HGFs in a concentration-dependent
      manner. CONCLUSION: HSP27 concentration increased in the CSE-induced injury of
      HGFs. This finding suggests that HSP27 plays an important role in CSE-induced
      epithelial injury.

PMID- 27266193
TI  - [Effects of different pH conditions on ffh gene expression in Streptococcus
      mutans].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to detect the expression levels of ffh gene in
      Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) UA159 under different pH conditions, analyze the
      effect of pH on the expression of ffh gene in S. mutans, and identify the factors
      regulating the ffh gene expression. METHODS: Samples of S. mutans were collected
      at different growth stages (4 h, 18 h) and pH values (pH 4.0-7.0). Fluorescence
      quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure
      the relative mRNA expression and trend of the target gene ffh in S. mutans at
      different growth stages and pH values. RESULTS: qRT-PCR results showed that the
      ffh gene expression decreased along with pH at 4 h, but the expression increased
      with decreasing pH at 18 h. Under the same pH conditions, the ffh gene expression
      was significantly different between 4 h and 18 h (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Growth
      stage and pH value influenced the ffh gene expression in S. mutans.

PMID- 27266194
TI  - [Relationship between transforming growth factor-beta1 and interleukin-10 single
      nucleotide polymorphism and susceptibility of recurrent aphthous ulcer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible relationship between recurrent aphthous ulcer
      (RAU) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of transforming growth factor
      beta1 (TGF-beta1)-509T/C and interleukin-10 (IL-10)-1082A/G sites. METHODS: A
      total of 138 RAU patients were recruited for this study. The control group
      consisted of 124 subjects. TGF-beta1-509T/C and IL-10-1082A/G sites were detected
      by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR)
      and sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR). Relative risk
      ratios were estimated by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI).
      RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the genotype frequencies or allele
      frequencies of TGF-beta1-509T/C and IL-10-1082A/G sites between the RAU patients
      and controls (P < 0.05). CT genotype (OR = 1.231, 95% CI = 0.702-2.160), TT
      genotype (OR = 2.482, 95% CI = 1.250-4.927), and T allele (OR = 1.465, 95% CI =
      1.036-2.074) at the TGF-beta1-509 site exhibited high risks. AG genotype (OR =
      1.391, 95% CI = 0.808-2.396), GG genotype (OR = 4.165, 95% CI = 1.944-8.924), and
      G allele (OR = 2.134, 95% CI = 1.474-3.089) at the IL-10-1082A/G site also showed
      high risks. CONCLUSION: TGF-beta1-509T/C and IL-10-1082A/G sites are associated
      with the risk of RAU. The TGF-beta1 gene-509T allele and IL-10 gene-1082G allele
      may serve as genetic determinants for RAU.

PMID- 27266195
TI  - [Effect of MT01/PEN complexes on the expression of osteoprotegerin and receptor
      activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand in human osteoblast-like cell line
      MG63].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to synthesize MTO1 (a kind of oligodeoxynucleotides)
      and N-isopropylacrylamide-modified polyethylenimines (PEN) complexes (MT01/PEN)
      as well as to investigate the effect of the complexes on the expression of
      osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand
      (RANKL) in the human osteoblast-like cell line MG63. METHODS: MG63 cells were
      transfected by MT01/PEN complexes formed with three different mass ratios (1:2,
      1:4, 1:6) of MT01 to PEN. MT01 and MT01-s were used as positive control. Enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed
      to estimate the amount of OPG and RANKL released into the culture media and in
      MG63 at 24, 48, 72 h. RESULTS: MG63 responded to the MT01/PEN complexes by
      significantly upregulating the OPG on the protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.05). The
      protein and mRNA levels of RANKL were lower in most of the groups with complexes,
      and the OPG/RANKL ratio were higher (P < 0.05). MG63 were affected by the
      MT01/PEN complexes with different mass ratios, particularly when the ratio was
      1:6. CONCLUSION: MT01 can enhance the promotion of ossification by establishing
      the delivery system with PEN.

PMID- 27266196
TI  - [Effect of Kou Yan Qing Ke Li on the prevention and treatment of radiation
      induced oral mucositis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The effect of Kou Yan Qing Ke Li on the prevention and treatment of
      radiation-induced oral mucositis was investigated in patients with nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma. METHODS: Sixty patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma to be treated
      with radiotherapy were randomized into two groups: the experimental and control
      groups. The experimental group (30 patients) was treated with Kou Yan Qing Ke Li
      during the full course of radiotherapy. The control group (30 patients) rinsed
      their mouths in the same way with mouth washes containing 0.9% sodium chloride
      injection, lidocaine, dexamethasone, vitamin B2 and B2 gargle liquid mixture,
      when grade 2 and above radiation-induced oral mucositis appeared in the process
      of radiation. Radiation-induced oral mucositis was assessed according to the
      radiation therapy oncology group criteria. The time of occurrence and degree of
      pain grade were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The first onset of oral
      mucositis in the experimental group (12.40 d +/- 2.74 d) was later than that in
      the control group (9.46 d +/- 1.39 d) (t = 5.241, P < 0.001), whereas the grade
      of pain and acute radiation mucositis was lower in the experimental group than
      that in the control group. The difference was statistically significant.
      CONCLUSION: Kou Yan Qing Ke Li could delay the time of occurrence of radiation
      induced oral mucositis, reduce the severity of radiation stomatitis, alleviate
      the pain of patients, improve the clinical symptoms of patients, and effectively
      prevent and treat radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PMID- 27266197
TI  - [Correlation analysis of Filifactor alocis detection with periodontal status].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the epidemiology of Filifactor alocis (F.
      alocis) in subgingival plaque samples from subjects with different periodontal
      statuses. The relationship between the prevalence of F. alocis and clinical
      periodontal parameters was also analyzed. METHODS: Subgingival plaque samples and
      periodontal data were collected from 68 healthy sites (H groups) in 17 healthy
      subjects, 64 healthy (G-H group) and 76 diseased sites (G-D group) in 19 patients
      with chronic gingivitis, and 36 healthy (P-H group) and 56 diseased sites (P-D
      group) in 14 patients with chronic periodontitis. The plaque samples were
      analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, and possible correlations between the F.
      alocis detection rate and the bleeding index, probing depth, or clinical
      attachment level were determined. RESULTS: The detection levels of F. alocis
      increased in both healthy and diseased groups. The lowest level at 30.88% (21/68)
      was noted in the H group, whereas the highest level at 91.07% (51/56) was
      obtained from the P-D group. A significant correlation was found between the F.
      alocis detection levels and periodontal disease condition (P < 0.000 1). Further
      analyses showed that a significant correlation also existed between the detection
      level of F. alocis and the abnormal clinical periodontal parameters, namely,
      bleeding index, probing depth, and clinical attachment loss. The odds ratios were
      5.26, 8.85, and 11.65, respectively. CONCLUSION: F. alocis was found at increased
      levels in subjects with periodontal disease. The presence of F. alocis increases
      the risk of sites with abnormal clinical periodontal parameters.

PMID- 27266198
TI  - [Effect of fluoride concentration on the corrosion behavior of cobalt-chromium
      alloy fabricated by two different technology processes].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the effect of fluoride concentration on
      the corrosion behavior of cobalt-chromium alloy fabricated by two different
      technology processes in a simulated oral environment. METHODS: A total of 15
      specimens were employed with selective laser melting (SLM) and another 15 for
      traditional casting (Cast) in cobalt-chromium alloy powders and blocks with the
      same material composition. The corrosion behavior of the specimens was studied by
      potentiodynamic polarization test under different oral environments with varying
      solubilities of fluorine (0, 0.05%, and 0.20% for each) in acid artificial saliva
      (pH = 5.0). The specimens were soaked in fluorine for 24 h, and the surface
      microstructure was observed under a field emission scanning electron microscope
      after immersing the specimens in the test solution at constant temperature.
      RESULTS: The corrosion potential (Ecorr) value of the cobalt-chromium alloy cast
      decreased with increasing fluoride concentration in acidic artificial saliva. The
      Ecorr, Icorr, and Rp values of the cobalt-chromium alloy fabricated by two
      different technology processes changed significantly when the fluoride
      concentration was 0.20% (P < 0.05). The Ecorr, Icorr, and Rp values of the cobalt
      chromium alloy fabricated by two different technology processes exhibited a
      statistically significant difference. The Icorr value of the cobalt-chromium
      alloy cast was higher than that in the SLM group cobalt-chromium alloy when the
      fluoride concentration was 0.20% (P < 0.05). The Ecorr, tRp alues of the cobalt
      chromium alloy cast were lower htan those of the SLM group cobalt-chromium alloy
      when the fluoride concentration was 0.20% (P< 0 .05). CONCLUSION: Fluoride ions
      adversely affected the corrosion resistance of the cobalt-chromium alloy
      fabricated by two different technology processes. The corrosion resistance of the
      cobalt-chromium alloy cast was worse than that of the SLM group cobalt-chromium
      alloy when the fluoride concentration was 0.20%.

PMID- 27266199
TI  - [Effects of thermal and mechanical cycling on the metal-ceramic bond strength of
      machine-milled Ti2448 alloy and pure titanium].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of thermal and mechanical cycling on the metal
      ceramic bond strength of machine-milled Ti2448 alloy and commercial pure titanium
      (cp Ti). METHODS: Ceramic-cp Ti (n = 30) specimens and ceramic-Ti2448
      combinations (n = 30) were prepared in accordance with ISO 9693. The specimens
      from each metal-ceramic combination were randomly divided into three subgroups.
      In group A or the control group, the specimens were only stored in distilled
      water for 24 h at 37  degrees C; in groups B and C, the specimens were subjected
      to 3,000 cycles of thermal cycling between 5 and 55  degrees C for a dwell time
      of 60 s and to mechanical cycling of 20,000 or 40,000 cycles with 50 N load and 4
      Hz in distilled water at 37  degrees C. A crack initiation test was performed
      using a universal testing machine in accordance with ISO 9693. Failure types at
      the metal-ceramic interface and the morphological and elemental composition of
      this interface were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope and an energy
      dispersive spectrometer. Statistical analysis was performed via two-way ANOVA and
      Tukey's adjustment test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The bond strength of the ceramic
      Ti2448 combination was significantly higher than that of the ceramic-cp Ti
      combination regardless of fatigue conditions (44.86 MPa +/- 1.75 MPa and 29.21
      MPa +/- 2.20 MPa for Ti2448 and cp Ti, respectively; P < 0.01). The mean bond
      strengths of ceramic-cp Ti and ceramic-Ti2448 combinations in group C were
      significantly lower than that of group A (P < 0.01). Although ceramic-cp Ti
      combination failed adhesively at the metal-ceramic interface without the ceramic
      on the substrate surface, Ti2448 frameworks exhibited cohesive failure; as a
      result, large amounts of residual porcelain were retained on the specimens.
      CONCLUSION: The metal-ceramic bond strength of cp Ti and Ti2448 is decreased by
      thermal and mechanical cycling.

PMID- 27266200
TI  - [Correlation studies in goats about the membrane thickness and pressure of the
      maxillary and frontal sinuses].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the differences of membrane thickness and
      pressure on the paranasal sinus membrane in goats and analyze their causes. The
      results can provide theoretical basis and guidance for the issues of the
      maxillary sinus floor augmentation related to the membrane. METHODS: The membrane
      was cut into two sizes from every sinus membrane. The membrane was fixed in
      formalin to obtain tissue specimens for the membrane thickness study and pressure
      study. The correlation between the two parameters was then analyzed, and
      appropriate statistical methods and software were selected. RESULTS: The top of
      maxillary sinus, the bottom of maxillary sinus and the frontal sinus membrane
      thickness were (410.03 +/- 65.97), (461.33 +/- 91.37), (216.90 +/- 46.47) um. The
      pressure were (260.08 +/- 80.12), (306.90 +/- 94.37), (121.72 +/- 31.72) kPa. The
      mean differences of the membrane thickness between the top of the maxillary sinus
      and the frontal sinus, bottom and frontal, and top and bottom were statistically
      significant (P < 0.05). The mean differences in membrane pressure were also
      statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The membrane thickness and
      pressure of the top and bottom of the maxillary sinus are higher than those of
      the frontal sinus membrane. However, the thickness and pressure of the bottom
      membrane are slightly higher than those of the top membrane. Pressure and
      membrane thickness are positively correlated in the sinus membrane.

PMID- 27266201
TI  - [Influence of different designs and porcelain/glaze firing on the marginal and
      internal fit of implant-supported zirconia crowns].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the influence of different designs and
      porcelain/glaze firing on the marginal and internal fit of three kinds of
      computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) zirconia ceramic
      implant-supported crowns. METHODS: Three groups of zirconia ceramic implant
      supported crowns with different designs were produced from copings by using a
      Cercon CAD/CAM system (n = 8). The first two groups comprised double-layer crowns
      (zirconia coping + veneer) with regular (Group A) and full circumferential
      zirconia-collar marginal designs (Group B). The third group was composed of
      anatomic single-layer zirconia crowns without cores (Group C). Initially, the
      marginal and internal gaps of the copings and crowns were individually replicated
      by light-body silicon and then measured by micro-computed tomography scanning
      before and after porcelain/glaze firing. Five measurements were employed:
      vertical marginal gap (MG); horizontal marginal discrepancy (HMD); chamfer area
      (CA); axial wall (AW); and axial-occlusal transition area (AOT). Statistical
      analyses were performed by SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: HMD measurements in Group A were
      statistically higher than those in Groups B and C (P < 0.05), regardless of
      whether the values were obtained before or after porcelain/glaze firing. By
      contrast, the HIMD measurements in Groups B and C showed no significant
      difference (P > 0.05). Moreover, no differences were noted in MG, CA, AW, and AOT
      among the three groups (P > 0.05). All the measurements in the three groups
      showed no significant change after porcelain/glaze firing (P > 0.05), except for
      MG in Group A, which significantly decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The marginal
      fits of the double-layer crowns with full circumferential zirconia-collar and the
      anatomic single-layer zirconia crowns were superior to that of the double-layer
      crowns with regular margins. The MG of the crowns with regular margins was
      obviously influenced by porcelain firing.

PMID- 27266202
TI  - [Synthesis and characteristics of integrated bionic mandibular condylar
      scaffold].
AB  - OBJECTIVE This study aims to construct a chitosan (CS)-polycaprolactone (PCL)
      hydroxyapatite (HA) composite biomimetic scaffold to replace condyle and to
      explore the tissue engineering applications of condylar. METHODS: A resin mold of
      the mandibular condyle was prepared by using rapid prototyping techniques. A
      mandibular condylar integrated biomimetic scaffold model was prepared by solution
      casting-ice Lek. PCL and CS were mixed at a ratio of 4:1. HA at quality ratios of
      40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% was added to groups a, b, c, and d, respectively. The
      microscopic morphology, porosity, infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern,
      and mechanical properties of the scaffold were observed. RESULTS: The scaffold
      that includes both upper and lower parts displayed the same features (i.e.,
      shape, yellow-white appearance, and hard texture) as the mandibular condyle.
      Scanning electron microscopy showed that the composite scaffold had a 3D network
      spatial structure, 70%-85% porosity, and 10-200 um pore size. Infrared spectra
      showed that the peak intensity reduced with decreasing HA content. X-ray
      diffraction showed that the diffraction peak decreased with increasing HA
      content. Suitable tensile and compressive and flexural strength were discovered
      in the presence of 50% HA. CONCLUSION: The scaffold prepared by solution casting
      ice Lek shows favorable comprehensive features and is expected to replace human
      condylar.

PMID- 27266203
TI  - [Collagen structure and biomechanical properties of the goat temporomandibular
      joint disc].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish objectively biomechanical criteria for temporomandibular
      joint disc tissue engineerings. METHODS: Eight temporomandibular joint discs from
      a four-month-old goat were separated completely. A cylindrical sample with
      diameter of 3 mm in the anterior, intermediate, and posterior bands was obtained,
      and the samples underwent pre-compression test with three cycles under a speed of
      0.025 mm . s-1. With the end condition for the maximum load of less than 4.9 N
      and 1.5 mm compression displacement, the formal compression test was performed
      with the same speed. Moreover, this test obtained the stress-strain relationship
      and elastic modulus of each disc band. Ultrastructure and collagen fiber
      orientation of the district zone were observed by scanning electron microscope
      and polarized light microscope. RESULTS: 1) The physiological strain range of an
      articular disc was within 10%, and the quasilinear constitutive equation of
      articular disc tissues can be fitted with the polynomial function: y = ax + bx2 +
      cx3. 2) The elastic modulus of the intermediate disc zone was the largest (P <
      0.05). No significant difference existed between the anterior and posterior bands
      (P = 0.361). 3) Scanning electron microscope and polarized light microscope
      showed an annular disc collagen network structure, which was the internal part of
      the goat temporomandibular joint disc. The collagen arrangement of intermediate
      bands was tensely arranged anterior-posteriorly. The collagen of anterior and
      posterior bands went through mediolaterally with intersection of anterior
      posterior branch fibersd. CONCLUSION: Annular collagen network structure is the
      basis for goat temporomandibular joint disc compression resistance properties.
      The intermediate band demonstrated higher compression resistance performance than
      the anterior and posterior bands.

PMID- 27266204
TI  - [Morphometric evaluation of changes in the alveolar bone of adolescents with
      bimaxillary protrusion via cone beam computed tomography].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the morphometric changes in the alveolar
      bone of the maxillary and mandibular anterior regions after retraction in
      adolescents. METHODS: The sample size comprised 30 adolescent patients with class
      1 bimaxillary protrusion (12 males and 18 females, age: 12-18 years old) and were
      treated by extracting four first pre-molars. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)
      was performed 1 month before and 1 month after the retraction. For each maxillary
      and mandibular anterior tooth, the labial and palatal alveolar plates at cervical
      1/3, middle 1/3, and apical 1/3 levels for bone thickness changes during the
      retraction of the maxillary and mandibular anterior regions were checked. The
      movements of cervical 1/3, middle 1/3, and apical 1/3 levels of the maxillary
      central incisor were measured. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS
      16.0. RESULTS: For the adolescents, alveolar bone thickness increased on the
      labial side and decreased on the palatal side. The alveolar bone thicknesses of
      cervical 1/3 and middle 1/3 of maxillary central incisor, cervical 1/3 and apical
      1/3 of maxillary lateral incisor, middle 1/3 of mandibular central incisor,
      apical 1/3 of mandibular lateral incisor, and middle 1/3 and apical 1/3 of
      mandibular canine all increased after retraction. By contrast, the alveolar bone
      thickness of the apical 1/3 of maxillary canine and the cervical 1/3 of
      mandibular canine decreased after retraction. No statistically significant
      difference was observed in other region. CONCLUSION: During retraction, a
      controlled tipping movement occur in adolescents. After retraction, the alveolar
      bone thickness of the labial side increase, whereas that of the palatal side
      decrease. Moreover, the thicknesses of major areas in the alveolar bone
      significantly increase.

PMID- 27266205
TI  - [Anatomical presentation of edentulous sites in the posterior maxillary in cone
      beam computed tomography].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the bone anatomy of edentulous sites in
      the posterior maxillary by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: A total
      of 100 CBCT radiographs from patients with missing maxillary posterior teeth were
      obtained, resulting in a sample size of 217 edentulous sites. The width and
      height of edentulous were assessed by three-dimensional reconstruction. In
      addition, the angle A and morphology of the maxillary sinus walls were evaluated.
      RESULTS: The mean bone height was 9.53 mm, and the percentage of sites than 10 mm
      was 62.67% (136/217). The mean bone width was 9.30 mm, and the percentage of
      sites more than 6 mm was 91.71% (199/217). The bone height decreased from
      premolar to molar areas, but the opposite trend was observed in bone width.
      Regarding the morphology of the sinus floor, 64.52% exhibited an oblique
      configuration. In angle A, the group of less than 30 degrees  was 10.14%, 30
      degrees -60 degrees  was 42.40%, and greater than 60 degrees  was 47.47%.
      CONCLUSION: A high percentage of edentulous sites in the posterior maxillary
      requires sinus floor elevation to allow the placement of dental implants. Thus,
      the use of CBCT scans is recommended to evaluate the anatomical structure of the
      maxillary sinus for reasonable implant planning.

PMID- 27266206
TI  - [Progress on space oral medicine research under microgravity environment].
AB  - As an interdisciplinary of stomatology and space medicine, space oral medicine
      focuses mainly on oral diseases happened under space environment. With the manned
      space technology stepping into the new era, space oral medicine has been put
      under the spotlight. This article will review the historical events on this
      subject, summarize the newly progress especially on craniomaxillofacial bone,
      tooth-derived stem cell and oral microbiology researches and still put forward
      future prospect.

PMID- 27266207
TI  - [Correlation between pathogen-associated molecular patterns and periodontitis].
AB  - Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are conservative molecules
      associated with groups of pathogens or their products. These molecules are
      recognized by relevant receptors. PAMPs induce the expression of inflammatory
      cytokines through the signal cascade. The role of PAMPs in the initiation and
      development of periodontitis is recently attracting attention. PAMPs induce the
      expression of inflammatory mediators after they are recognized in the
      periodontium. This process damages the periodontal soft tissue and osseous
      tissue, thus resulting in periodontitis. The results of this study will provide
      an excellent resolution for the treatment of periodontitis by blocking the
      pathogenic pathway of PAMPs.

PMID- 27266208
TI  - [Mandibular ossifying fibroma and compound odontoma: a case report].
AB  - A case diagnosed as ossifying fibroma and compound odontoma in the mandible was
      reported. The clinicopathological features, diagnosis, and treatment were
      discussed with the literature review.

PMID- 27266209
TI  - [Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor: two cases report].
AB  - Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is a rare benign epithelial tumor
      of odontogenic origin. CEOT is a benign but a locally infiltrative tumor. CEOT
      has two clinical variants: intraosseous (central) CEOT and extraosseous
      (peripheral) CEOT. The peripheral type is rare. In this paper, we report two
      cases of CEOT. The diagnoses of the cases were verified by histopathology. This
      study aims to explore the clinical and imaging appearances of CEOT and improve
      the understanding of the disease.

PMID- 27266210
TI  - Bone Mineral Density and Renal Function in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving
      Nucleotide versus Nucleoside Analogs: A Pilot Prospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of nucleotide analogs (NTAs) can be associated with negative
      effects on renal function and bone mineral density (BMD) due to proximal tubular
      dysfunction and hypophosphatemia; however, prospective data assessing the bone
      and renal safety of these agents are limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to
      evaluate the prevalence of bone diseases among chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients
      without cirrhosis and the changes in BMD and glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
      between patients receiving NTAs versus nucleoside analogs (NSAs). MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: We prospectively collected data from non-cirrhotic CHB patients who had
      been treated for < 1 year in Rajavithi Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) between 2012
      and 2014. Patients with significant comorbidities or those being treated for bone
      diseases were excluded. BMD assessment was performed at the lumbar spine (LS) and
      femoral neck (FN). BMD T-scores were used to define osteopenia (-2.5 to -1) and
      osteoporosis (< -2.5), and the GFR was estimated using the Cockcroft-Gault
      method. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included: 65% were men; 40% were HBeAg
      positive; and the median age was 42.7 (25.6-64.2) years. Ten patients had been
      treated with NTAs (7 with tenofovir 3 with adefovir) and 10 patients had been
      treated with NSAs (8 with lamivudine, 2 with entecavir), with a median follow-up
      period of 1.5 years (1.2-1.6). At baseline, the overall prevalence of osteopenia
      was 45% and the median GFR was 94 (51-144) mL/min. BMD in CHB patients was
      slightly lower than in an age-matched population based on Z-scores. Changes in LS
      BMD and FN-BMD were not significantly different between groups. The annual
      reduction in GFR was more pronounced in the NTA group (-7.4% vs. -1.39%, p =
      0.018). CONCLUSION: Osteopenia is common in CHB patients without cirrhosis.
      Changes in BMD were not significantly different between groups. The annual
      reduction in GFR was more pronounced in the NTA group.

PMID- 27266211
TI  - Effects of Radiation Therapy on Immunological and Virological Status in HIV
      Infected Cancer Patients in Thailand: A Multicenter Prospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy (RT) is the core part of cancer multidisciplinary
      management which causes myelosuppression. The current standard or RT among HIV
      positive cancer patients who are immuno-compromised does not differ from that of
      HIV-negative ones. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of radiation therapy on
      immunological and virological status among HIV-infected cancer patients. MATERIAL
      AND METHOD: A prospective observational study was conducted of HIV-infected
      cancer patients who received definitive RT in seven hospitals in Thailand. Blood
      samples were taken to determine immune status using CD4%, and virological status
      was identified using plasma HIV-RNA viral load (HIV-VL) assay: at baseline before
      RT at the last week of RT completion; and at the 6-month follow-up visit.
      Additional CD4% test was performed at the 3-month follow-up visit. RESULTS:
      Ninety HIV-infected cancer patients from seven hospitals in Thailand were
      included in the analysis. The median age was 40 years old (range 19-61). Seventy
      six patients (84.4%) were female and 65 (72.2%) were cases of invasive cervical
      cancers. Eighty-seven percent of patients had been receiving antiretroviral
      treatment (ART) before RT The mean CD4% at baseline, RT completion, 3-month and 6
      month follow-up visits, were 18.7%, 20.1%, 16.8% and 17.1%, respectively. The
      proportion of CD4% reduction in the non-ART group was higher than that of the ART
      group throughout the period, particularly at the 3-month follow-up visit (100%
      vs. 29.7%, p = 0.0004). Six cases had a HIV-VL increase of more than 10 times (1
      log10) at completion of RT: 3 of these were non-ART and 3 were ART-uncontrolled
      viral suppression. CONCLUSION: RT had a suppressive effect on immunological
      status in HIV-infected cancer patients, particularly in the subacute period among
      those who were not on ART HIV-disease progression was observed during radiation
      treatment in HIV-infected cancer patients without ART and those with ART
      uncontrolled viral suppression.

PMID- 27266212
TI  - A 10-Year Clinical Experience of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease at Rajavithi
      Hospital, 2001-2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) develops from abnormal
      cellular proliferation of trophoblasts following fertilization and is categorized
      as either an hydatidiform mole (HM) or a gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
      (GTN). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics, incidence and
      treatment outcomes of GTD at Rajavithi Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Medical
      records of women diagnosed with GTD at Rajavithi Hospital from January 1, 2001 to
      December 31, 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Disease diagnosis, treatment and
      follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 329 cases of GTD were reviewed.
      HM was diagnosed in 167 patients (incidence 2.32 per 1,000 deliveries); 26
      patients were lost to follow-up; and 49 of the remaining 141 patients (34.8%)
      developed post-molar GTN. In multivariable analysis, uterus >16 week size and pre
      treatment human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level >250,000 mIU/mL were the
      significant risk factors for developing post-molar GTN. Of 162 patients with GTN
      (incidence 2.25 per 1,000 deliveries), 15 patients were lost to follow-up, and
      116 patients, 29 patients and 2 patients were classified as having low-risk GTN,
      high-risk GTN and placental site trophoblastic disease respectively. The overall
      survival rate in the low-risk group was 100% whereas in the high-risk group it
      was 86.2%. A modified WHO prognostic score of more than five was the significant
      risk factor for developing resistant GTN. CONCLUSION: GTD treatment at Rajavithi
      Hospital showed excellent clinical outcomes. Uterus >16 weeks size and pre-
      treatment hCG > 250,000 mIU/mL were the significant risk factors for developing
      post-molar GTN in HM patients. Classifying GTN patients into low- and high-risk
      groups was useful in planning treatment and counseling.

PMID- 27266213
TI  - Prevalence of Hemoglobin Cycling and Its Clinical Impact on Outcomes in Thai End
      Stage Renal Disease Patients Treated with Hemodialysis and Erythropoiesis
      Stimulating Agent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) treatment is the optimal
      therapy for anemia in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving
      hemodialysis. During treatment with ESA, the level of hemoglobin usually
      fluctuates widely; this phenomenon is known as "hemoglobin cycling" and may be
      associated with higher rates of mortality. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence
      of hemoglobin cycling in Thai ESRD patients treated with chronic maintenance
      hemodialysis and ESA, to assess its clinical impact on patient outcomes, and to
      identify the associated risk factors for hemoglobin cycling occurrence. MATERIAL
      AND METHOD: An analytic retrospective study was conducted of 150 patients on
      chronic hemodialysis who were treated with ESA at Rajavithi Hospital and the
      Kidney Foundation of Thailand at Priest ' Hospital between January 2008 and
      December 2010. Hemoglobin cycling was defined as hemoglobin variability over a
      period of at least 8 weeks and amplitude of more than 1.5 g/dl. RESULTS:
      Hemoglobin cycling was experienced by 90.7% of patients. The mean amplitude was
      2.4 +/- 0.7 g/dl and mean duration of hemoglobin cycling was 8.5 +/- 5.0 weeks.
      Most patients (34.7%) experienced two episodes. The mean level of hemoglobin in
      patients with hemoglobin cycling (gr. I) and those without it (gr. II) were 10.1
      +/- 0.9 g/dl and 10.2 +/- 0.7 g/dl respectively (p = 0.60). The mortality and
      hospitalization rates in gr I and II were not significantly different (OR = 2.52;
      95% CI: 0.31-20.27, p = 0.70 and OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 0.43-6.18, p = 0.56
      respectively), and the numbers of ESA dose adjustments in gr. I and gr. II were
      also not significantly different (7.2 +/- 2.4 vs. 8.2 +/- 1.7 dose
      change/patient/year p = 0.14). The serum levels of blood urea nitrogen,
      creatinine, intact parathyroid hormone, ferritin, % transferrin saturation,
      weekly Kt/V urea and co-morbidity (diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure,
      cerebrovascular disease and hypertension) were not significantly different in the
      two groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin cycling was commonly found in Thai
      ESRD patients treated with hemodialysis and ESA. The influence of hemoglobin
      cycling on mortality and hospitalization rates could not be significantly
      demonstrated in the present study; however both mortality and hospitalization
      rates showed an upward trend in patients with hemoglobin cycling.

PMID- 27266214
TI  - Presence of Sperm in Pre-Ejaculatory Fluid of Healthy Males.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coitus interruptus, a common contraceptive method, has a high failure
      rate. Two reasons have been proposed for this: delayed withdrawal after
      ejaculation and presence of sperm in the pre-ejaculatory fluid. OBJECTIVE: To
      determine whether sperm was present in the pre-ejaculatory fluid of healthy
      males. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 42 healthy Thai men were enrolled in the
      study between August 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009 at the Department of
      Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital. They were asked to collect pre
      ejaculatory fluid smears in two glass slides and then deposit a semen sample in a
      plastic bottle after masturbation. Microscopic examination of wet and air-dried
      preparations and routine semen analyses were done consecutively in the human
      genetics laboratory. RESULTS: Actively mobile sperm were found in 16.7% (7/42
      cases) of the pre-ejaculatory penile secretions of subjects whose sperm counts
      were 2 in 2 cases, 3 in 3 cases and 4 per high power field in the other 2 cases
      of positive sperm. Semen analyses were normal in 41/42 volunteers (97.6%); there
      was one case of oligospermia (14 x 106/ml). CONCLUSION: Actively mobile sperm
      were discovered in the pre-ejaculatory fluid of 16.7% of healthy men.

PMID- 27266216
TI  - Nutritional Status and its Impact on Clinical Outcomes for Patients Admitted to
      Hospital with Cirrhosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with cirrhosis, nutritional status is an important
      predictor of clinical outcomes that can be assessed in clinical practice using
      conventional methods. Previous studies have shown that malnutrition is associated
      with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. However, there
      have been very few reports from Southeast Asia. OBJECTIVE: To determine the
      prevalence of malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis who are admitted to
      hospital and to assess its correlation with mortality, complications, length of
      stay, and total cost of hospitalization. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This prospective
      non-interventional study included 60 consecutive patients with cirrhosis admitted
      to Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, from August 2013 to February 2014.
      Baseline demographic and clinical data during their hospitalizations were
      collected prospectively. Nutritional status was assessed by subjective global
      assessment (SGA) and anthropometry (body mass index (BMI) and mid-arm
      circumference (MAC)). Malnutrition was defined as SGA class B/ C and MAC of < 5th
      percentile of the age- and gender-matched reference population. RESULTS: Of the
      60 patients, 70% were male. The most common causes of cirrhosis were alcohol
      (50%) and hepatitis C infection (35%). Most patients were classified as Child
      Pugh class B (41.7%) or C (36.7%). The mortality rate was 26.7%, and the most
      common complications were infections (60%) and renal failure (43.3%). The median
      length of stay in hospital was 8.5 (1-51) days, with a median cost of 1,163 (183
      9,969) US dollars. The prevalence of malnutrition varied between 18% and 92%
      depending on the assessment method employed: 18% were considered malnourished
      when assessed by BMI, 63% by MAC, 78% by serum albumin, 65% by absolute
      lymphocyte count, and 92% by SGA. Patients with malnutrition showed a trend
      toward increased mortality, complications, length of hospital stay and cost;
      however, the differences were not statistically significant. Significant
      predictors of mortality included Child-Pugh class B (16% mortality) and C (50%
      mortality), severe malnutrition as assessed by SGA (35% mortality), presence of
      ascites (relative risk, RR: 2.3), hepatic encephalopathy (RR: 2.5), hepatorenal
      syndrome (RR: 4.1) and renal failure (RR: 3.3). CONCLUSION: Malnutrition is
      common in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis, and patients with malnutrition
      showed a trend toward increased complications and mortality. Severe malnutrition,
      as identified by SGA, and advanced cirrhosis were predictors of in-hospital
      mortality.

PMID- 27266215
TI  - Optimal Fasting Time before Measurement of Serum Triglyceride Levels in Healthy
      Volunteers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease is a major public health problem. Elevated
      triglyceride levels are a risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary heart
      disease. Food intake interferes with the measurement of serum triglyceride
      levels, and in previous studies, fasting for 12 hours was recommended before
      blood sampling. In real-world practice, long fasting times cause patient
      discomfort and poor compliance, and the present study was, therefore, designed to
      determine the appropriate fasting time prior to measuring serum triglyceride
      levels. OBJECTIVE: To determine the appropriate fasting time before measuring
      serum triglyceride levels. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a pilot study performed
      using healthy volunteers aged between 20 and 30 years old from November 2013 to
      December 2013 at Rajavithi Hospital. The first blood sample was measured in the
      morning after fasting over 12 hours. The subjects then took their regular
      breakfast, after which they fasted for 8 hours. Blood samples were taken 6 and 8
      hours later and sent to the laboratory for measurement of serum triglyceride
      levels. RESULTS: 40 volunteers, of whom 25 were female, were enrolled. Their mean
      age was 25.9 +/- 2.81 years old, and their mean weight, height, and body mass
      index were 61.5 +/- 12.5 kg, 167.2 +/- 8.3 cm and 21.84 +/- 3.1 kg/m2,
      respectively. Mean fasting serum triglyceride level at 12 hours was 80.23 +/-
      36.33 mg/dl, at 6 hours it was 110.65 +/- 73.45 mg/dl, and at 8 hours it was
      75.62 +/- 46.81 mg/dl. The group fasting for 12 hours had significantly lower
      serum triglyceride levels than the group fasting for 6 hours (p-value = 0.003),
      but no significant difference was found between the group fasting for 12 hours
      and the one fasting for 8 hours (p-value = 0.493). CONCLUSION: The present study
      showed no significant difference in triglyceride levels in patients who had
      fasted or 8 hours and those who had done so for 12 hours. Fasting for only 8
      hours before measurement of serum triglyceride may be sufficient.

PMID- 27266217
TI  - A Comparison of the Efficacy and Renal Side Effects of Antihypertensive Drugs
      "Angiotensin Receptor Blockers" (ARBs) in Rajavithi Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major public health problem. As a result of the
      enforcement of measures announced by the National Drug Committee, the majority of
      original drugs is no longer prescribed and is replaced with drugs in the national
      list of essential medicines. Patients originally taking Angiotensin receptor
      blockers (ARBs) frequently have their prescription changed to generic losartan.
      Only a few studies have been conducted in Thailand to compare the efficacy and
      renal side effects of original and generic drugs. OBJECTIVE: To compare blood
      pressure (both systolic and diastolic) of patients who were changed to losartan
      from other ARBs. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective cross-sectional study was
      carried out, collecting data from medical records of patients with hypertension
      who were prescribed losartan instead of other ARBs in Rajavithi Hospital from 1
      January 2009 to 31 December 2014. One hundred patients with hypertension during
      this period were enrolled, and the drugs' relative efficacies in controlling
      blood pressure were compared, together with their renal side effects. RESULTS:
      The study enrolled 100 patients, of which 35% were men, and the mean age was
      66.88 +/- 10.93 years. The average systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic
      blood pressure (DBP) before and after changing from other A RBs to losartan
      showed a significant difference (134.16 +/- 12.89 vs. 140.92 +/- 11.76 mmHg, p
      value < 0.001) and (74.22 +/- 8.05 vs. 76.52 +/- 8.88 mmHg, p-value = 0.001,
      respectively). Other ARBs controlled hypertension significantly better than
      losartan (70.0% vs. 32.0%, p-value <0.001). Serum creatinine was significantly
      higher after changing the blood pressure lowering regimen (0.9 7 +/- 0.3 7 vs.
      1.00 +/- 0.3 7 mg/dl, p-value = 0.047), but serum potassium levels did not change
      (4.27 +/- 0.40 vs. 4.27 +/- 0.32 mEq/L, p-value = 0.888). CONCLUSION: Original A
      RBs controlled hypertension significantly better than losartan. Serum creatinine
      levels were lower when A RBs were prescribed rather than losartan; however, serum
      potassium levels were not affected.

PMID- 27266218
TI  - Procalcitonin under Investigation as a Means of Detecting Severe Sepsis, Septic
      Shock and Bacteremia at Emergency Department, Rajavithi Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe sepsis, septic shock and bacteremia are critical illnesses,
      and patients with these conditions require close monitoring and immediate medical
      treatment. Any delay in diagnosis may lead to an increase in mortality in such
      critically ill patients. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a highly
      accurate biomarker for differentiating sepsis from other non-infectious triggers.
      OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of PCT in obtaining
      early diagnosis and efficient prognosis for such patients at the Emergency
      Department of Rajavithi Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study was
      performed of 110 adult patients who attended the emergency service department
      between August 1 2013 and October 31 2013. The effectiveness of PCT as a specific
      blood test analysis tool for detecting and classifying the severity of patients
      with sepsis was investigated, and sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive
      values (NPV), positive predictive values (PPV) and positive likelihood ratio
      (LR+) were used to differentiate infected patients. RESULTS: One hundred and ten
      patients were enrolled and classified into 3 categories as follows: severe sepsis
      (n = 34, 30.9%), septic shock (n = 13, 11.8%), and bacteremia (n = 23, 20.9%). At
      a PCT level of >= 2 ng/dL, it was feasible to categorize patients as having
      severe sepsis (p < 0.001; RR 3.58; 95% CI 2.18-5.89), septic shock (p = 0.001;
      5.73; 2.06- 15.93) or bacteremia (p < 0.001; 3.91; 1.98-7.73). Moreover, the PCT
      value yielded the following diagnostic performances for patients with: severe
      sepsis (PPV 70.8%; NPV 80.2%; LR+ 5.0; sensitivity 50.0%; specificity 90.8%);
      septic shock (33.3%; 94.2%; 3.6; 61.5%; 83.5%); and bacteremia (50.0%; 87.2%;
      3.7; 52.2%; 86.2%). CONCLUSION: PCT can be usefully employed as a promising
      chemical biomarker to differentiate the severity of infections in critically ill
      patients. Used together with clinical data, the PCT value of >= 2 ng/dL is
      efficient in categorizing such patients as having severe sepsis, septic shock or
      bacteremia.

PMID- 27266219
TI  - Comparison of Endoanal Ultrasound with Clinical Diagnosis in Anal Fistula
      Assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anal fistula anatomy and its relationship with anal sphincters are
      important factors influencing the results of surgical management. Pre-operative
      definitions of fistulous track(s) and the internal opening play a primary role in
      minimizing damage to the sphincters and recurrence of the fistula. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the relative accuracy of digital examination and endoanal ultrasound for
      pre-operative assessment of anal fistula by comparing operative findings.
      MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients with
      anal fistula admitted to the surgical unit between May 2008 and May 2012.
      Physical examination and hydrogen peroxide-enhanced endoanal ultrasound
      (utilising a 10 MHz endoprobe, HITACHI: EUB-7500), were performed in 142
      consecutive patients. Results were matched with surgical features to establish
      their accuracy in preoperative anal fistula assessment. RESULTS: A total of 142
      patients (107 men, 35 women), 28 of whom had had previous surgery, were included
      in the study. Their mean age was 40 (range 18-71) years and their mean BMI was
      26.37 (range 17.30-36.11) kg/m2. The majority of the fistulas were
      transphincteric (90.4%) and the rest were intersphincteric (9.6%). The accuracy
      rates of clinical examination and endoanal ultrasound were 55.63 and 95.07
      percent (p < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: Endoanal ultrasound is superior to
      digital examination for pre-operative classification of anal fistula

PMID- 27266220
TI  - Comparative Survival Outcomes of Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma, Clear Cell
      Carcinoma, Grade 3 Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma, and Carcinosarcoma of Endometrial
      Cancer in Rajavithi Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC), clear cell carcinoma (CC),
      grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma (G3EC), and carcinosarcoma (CS) have been
      identified as high-grade endometrial cancers and account for the majority of
      uterine cancer deaths. OBJECTIVE: To compare survival outcomes of patients with
      UPSC, CC, G3EC and CS in Rajavithi Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective
      review was performed of all patients with FIGO stage I-IV endometrial cancer in
      Rajavithi Hospital between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2012. Kaplan-Meier
      estimates were made of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS),
      and log-rank tests were used to compare survival distributions between
      histological subtypes. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios for
      histological subtypes, adjusted for other significant prognostic factors.
      RESULTS: One hundred sixty-three patients had confirmed diagnosis of high-grade
      endometrial cancer: 45 had UPSC, 30 had CC; 58 had G3EC; and 30 had CS. The
      median age distribution of the four groups of patients was approximately 60
      years. The body mass index, underlying disease, and parity were similar in each
      group. All patients underwent a hysterectomy and surgical staging procedure. The
      2-year progression-free survival was poorest in the CS cases (79.4%), followed by
      CC (87.2%), G3EC (92.2%), and UPSC cases (95.5%), and these figures were
      statistically significantly different among the groups (p = 0.015). The 2-year
      overall survival was poorest in the CC cases (70.0%), followed by CS (76.7%),
      UPSC (86.7%), and G3EC (87.9%); however, there were no significant differences
      among the groups (p = 0.071). In multivariate analysis for OS, advanced stage and
      suboptimal surgery were significantly associated with increased risk of death.
      For PFS, advanced stage and positive peritoneal cytology were significantly
      associated with increased risk of recurrence. CONCLUSION: CS patients had a
      significantly lower rate of progression-free survival than other subtypes. These
      findings should be taken into account when considering counseling, primary
      treatment and appropriate adjuvant treatment in order to improve survival
      outcomes in these high-risk patients.

PMID- 27266221
TI  - Self-Preferred Route of Delivery of Thai Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The attitude of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB-GYNs) towards
      performing cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) together with their
      preferred route of delivery for themselves or their wives is considered as
      important responsible factors of increasing cesarean delivery. OBJECTIVE: To
      assess the attitudes of Thai Obstetricians and Gynecologists with regard to their
      self-preferred route of delivery, willingness to perform cesarean delivery on
      maternal request, and associated factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From July 1, 2013
      to September 30, 2013, a cross-sectional study was carried out of 1,950 members
      of The Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists who were randomized
      before being sent mailed questionnaires. The questionnaires requested details of
      the OB-GYNs' demographic data and asked about their self-preferred route of
      delivery for themselves or their wives (in the case of male doctors) and their
      willingness to perform cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR). The
      questionnaires were returned via mail. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy OB-GYNs
      (18.9%) completed and returned the questionnaires via mail. In a scenario of
      uncomplicated singleton cephalic presentation pregnancy at term, vaginal delivery
      was chosen as the most preferred route of delivery (68.9%). The significant
      associated factors for preferred cesarean delivery were male, age < 40 years,
      experience in practice as OB-GYN < 10 years and prior cesarean delivery. Many
      (53.2%) were willing to perform cesarean delivery on maternal request.
      CONCLUSION: Most Thai Obstetricians and Gynecologists (68.9%) preferred vaginal
      delivery for themselves or their wives, but many (53.2%) were willing to perform
      cesarean delivery on maternal request.

PMID- 27266222
TI  - Survival Rates of Concurrent Chemo-Radiation versus Radiation Alone in Locally
      Advanced, Unresectable Head and Neck Cancers: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare survival rates of concurrent chemo-radiation (CRT) and
      radiation (RT) alone in locally, advanced unresectable head and neck cancers and
      to assess factors associated with survival. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective
      cohort study was conducted of 165 patients treated for locally advanced
      unresectable head and neck cancers (Stage III, IV) at the Department of Radiation
      Oncology, Rajavithi Hospital, from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013. Patients
      were divided into two groups: in the first group, 68 patients received CRT and in
      the second, 97 patients received RT alone. The Cox proportional hazards model was
      used to assess the factors which had an impact on survival while controlling for
      known prognostic factors. The ethics committee of Rajavithi Hospital reviewed and
      approved this study. RESULTS: There was an overall survival (OS) rate of 1 year
      (1 year OS) in 27% of cases, and 2 years (2 years OS) in 15.4% of cases with a
      median overall survival rate of 7.63 months (7.63 OS) (95% CI 6.99-8.2 7). The
      mean follow-up time was 7.34 months with maximal follow-up time of 41.77 months
      and minimal follow-up time of 0.2 months (6 days). Patients who received
      chemotherapy had better overall survival rates than those who had no chemotherapy
      with 1 year OS of 52% vs. 9.5%, 2 years OS of 36.7% vs. 1.5%, and median OS of
      13.17 vs. 5.4 months, p < 0.001. However, no significant difference for median
      survival was observed among three different chemotherapy regimens with median OS
      of 11-13 months but chemotherapy group had significant difference from no
      chemotherapy group with median OS of 5.40 months (4.59-6.21). CONCLUSION:
      Concurrent chemo-radiation (CRT) should be used as the standard treatment in
      patients who are medically fit. A Cisplatin or Carboplatin weekly regimen can be
      used as an alternative to a Cisplatin three-weekly regimen. Site of primary tumor
      N-stage, recurrent tumor, low RT dose (below 70 Gy), and co-morbidity (with
      impaired renal or liver function) are significant predictors of overall survival.

PMID- 27266223
TI  - Prevalence of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Risk Classifications in Type 2 Diabetes
      Mellitus Patients at Rajavithi Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcers are a major cause of non-traumatic lower limb
      amputation in patients with type 2 diabetes. In 2014, the Diabetes Association of
      Thailand issued new guidelines for classifying type 2 diabetes patients' levels
      of risk of developing foot ulcers, but no research on the prevalence of type 2
      diabetes using these new classification criteria had been performed prior to the
      current study. OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers overall
      and in different risk groups in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Rajavithi
      Hospital, and to evaluate risk factors of these groups and correlations with
      ankle brachial index (ABI) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: 593 type 2 diabetes patients at Rajavithi Hospital were studied and
      classified into risk groups based on the classification criteria issued by the
      Thailand Diabetes Association in 2014. ABI measurements were taken from 132
      patients, and measurements of CAVI were taken from 101 patients. RESULTS: The
      prevalence of foot ulcers was 3.4% and 2.2% of patients had a history of
      amputation. The percentages of patients at low, intermediate and high risk of
      developing foot ulcers were 55.8%, 33.6% and 10.6%, respectively. Age, duration
      of diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), history of
      hypertension, dyslipidemia, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease (CVA), deformity
      of foot, numbness, abnormal protective sensation, pulse deficit, ulcer, and
      amputation were factors significantly associated with a high risk of foot ulcers
      (p < 0.05), but fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c were not significant
      factors. There was an association between cerebrovascular accident and abnormal
      ABI. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of these type 2 diabetes patients were in the groups
      with an intermediate or high risk of developing foot ulcers. Screening of
      patients at risk of foot ulceration is necessary in order to classify patients
      into risk groups and provide appropriate education, as well as proper monitoring
      and management.

PMID- 27266225
TI  - Corneal Ulcer Leading to Evisceration or Enucleation in a Tertiary Eye Care
      Center in Thailand: Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Very severe corneal infection can lead to permanent visual loss, and
      there is still inadequate knowledge about these severe cases. OBJECTIVE: To
      identify clinical and microbiological characteristics of corneal ulcers resulting
      in evisceration or enucleation in a tertiary eye care center in Thailand.
      MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients
      who required evisceration or enucleation due to corneal ulcer at Rajavithi
      Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand between October 2008 and September 2013. RESULTS: One
      hundred patients who underwent evisceration or enucleation as a result of corneal
      ulcer were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 56.5 +/- 12
      years, most cases were referred from other hospitals (93%), and 13% of patients
      were diabetic. At presentation, visual acuity was worse than 5/200 in almost all
      cases (98%), and trauma (66%), especially by organic substances (36%), was the
      most common cause. Most cases had full thickness infiltration (81%) with mean
      size of 6.6 +/- 2 mm. Corneal perforation was found in 18% of patients at
      presentation, and 60% of corneal scraping cultures were positive. Bacteria were
      the most common pathogens (65%), leading by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10 cases),
      and the most common fungus was Fusarium spp. (7 cases). Secondary glaucoma (39%)
      and corneal perforation (25%) were the main ocular complications. Over half of
      the patients (52%) needed therapeutic or tectonic surgical intervention during
      admission. Following evisceration (94%) or enucleation (6%), 23 cases had wound
      complications that required further surgical treatment. Bacterial infection was
      found to increase the risk of wound complications more than infection by other
      pathogen groups (40.9%, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Despite aggressive medical and
      surgical treatments, very severe corneal ulcers at referral can lead to loss of
      an eye. Bacterial infection, especially by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, following eye
      trauma was the most common cause. Evisceration in bacterial corneal ulcers had
      greater wound complications than ulcers infected by other pathogens.

PMID- 27266224
TI  - Differential Diagnosis between Primary Endocervical and Endometrial
      Adenocarcinoma using Immunohistochemical Staining of Estrogen Receptor, Vimentin,
      Carcinoembryonic Antigen and p16.
AB  - BACKGROUND: When clinical and histopathological evaluation is not effective in
      discriminating primary endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECAs) and endometrial
      adenocarcinoma (EMAs), an immunohistochemistry (IHC) method is regularly used in
      practice, which involves staining of estrogen receptor (ER), vimentin (Vim),
      monoclonal carcinoembryonic antigen (mCEA) and p16. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the
      performance of IHC markers, ER, Vim, mCEA and p16, in differentiating between
      primary ECAs and EMAs and to compare the performances of two-, three- and four
      marker panels. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Women with cervical or uterine cancers who
      were diagnosed with mucinous or endometrioid adenocarcinoma or adenocarcinoma of
      non-otherwise specified, after cervical biopsy, endometrial biopsy or curettage,
      and who underwent elective surgery at Rajavithi Hospital between January 1, 2011
      and June 30, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Paraffin-embedded tissue
      sections from pre-operative specimens were reviewed and stained with ER, Vim,
      mCEA and p16. Postoperative pathologic slides was reviewed and installed as the
      reference standard. RESULTS: Of 110 cases, 44 were primary ECAs and 66 were
      primary EMAs. ER and Vim were significantly expressed in EMAs (p < 0.001), while
      mCEA and p16 were significantly expressed in ECAs (p < 0.001). From multivariable
      analysis, Vim and p16 were the significant markers for differentiating ECAs and
      EMAs. A comparison of different combinations showed that panels of Vim/p16,
      ER/Vim/p16, Vim/mCEA/p16 and ER/Vim/mCEA/p16 achieved the highest overall
      accuracy of97.9%. CONCLUSION: Vim and p16 are the significant IHC markers and a
      two-marker panel of Vim/p16 is recommended for using in differentiating primary
      ECAs and EMAs; which a pattern of negative Vim and positive p16 expression favors
      diagnosis of ECAs while the converse pattern of positive Vim and negative p16
      staining points to diagnosis of EMAs.

PMID- 27266226
TI  - Radioiodine (1-131) Dose for the Treatment of Hyperthyroidism in Rajavithi
      Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The main cause of hyperthyroidism is diffuse toxic goiter (Graves'
      disease), and the treatment of choice after medical therapy failure is
      radioiodine (I-131). There are two common methods of determining the optimal I
      131 dose: calculated dose or fixed dose. The calculated dose method is based on
      the following formula: 75-200 microcuri/gram of thyroid gland divided by the
      percentage of radioiodine uptake at 24 hours (24-hour RAIU). As this is quite
      complex, some centers use fixed doses, such as 5, 10 or 15 mCi because it is
      simpler. At Rajavithi Hospital, the applied dose of I-131 is determined based on
      the thyroid gland weight assessed by palpation and other clinical factors.
      OBJECTIVE: To study the mean I-131 dose for the initial treatment of
      hyperthyroidism in Rajavithi Hospital, to find the clinical factors that
      correlate with I-131 treatment dose, and to devise a formula to predict the
      optimal I-131 treatment dose. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study
      of 510 patients with a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism who received initial I-131
      treatment at the Department of Nuclear Medicine in Rajavithi Hospital between
      January 2014 and June 2015. Baseline characteristics including age, sex, age at
      diagnosis, duration of antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy, gland weight (g), 3-hour
      RAIU and I-131 treatment dose were reviewed from medical records. RESULTS: The
      mean age +/- SD was 41.93 +/- 14.11 years (range 14-81 years), and the male to
      female ratio was 4.1:1. The mean duration of ATD therapy was 3.54 +/- 4.02 years
      (min-max, 0.8-40.6 years). The mean gland weight was 54.35 +/- 32.95 grams, and
      the mean 3-hour RAIU was 55.5 +/- 23.69%. The mean I-131 treatment dose was 14.84
      +/- 5.71 mCi (min-max, 7-30 mCi). There was no significant correlation between
      dose and age, age at diagnosis, duration of A TD therapy or 3-hour RAIU. The
      study showed a significant correlation between I-131 dose and gland size, r =
      0.938 (p < 0.001), and the regression relationship equation was: 1-131 dose =
      0.235 gland size, r = 0.938. CONCLUSION: I-131 is the treatment of choice for
      hyperthyroidism after medical therapy failure, and there are various techniques
      for determining the optimal dose. At Rajavithi Hospital, the I-131 dose (mean =
      14.84 +/- 5.71 mCi) is estimated based on the gland weight by palpation and other
      additional clinical factors. The present study provided a practical formula which
      is simple and practical for use in determining the I-131 dose for the treatment
      of hyperthyroidism: Dose of I-131 (mCi) = 0.235 x gland size (g).

PMID- 27266227
TI  - Positron Emission Mammography for Breast Cancer in Rajavithi Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) is a new modality in the
      investigation of breast cancer in Rajavithi Hospital, and its effectiveness has
      not yet been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness and
      characterization of breast images taken with PEM in Rajavithi Hospital. MATERIAL
      AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study in which data were collected and
      analyzed of patients who were investigated by PEM in Rajavithi Hospital between
      18 September 2013 and 31 May 2014. Lesion to background (LTB) ratio of >_2. 0
      with focal localization was considered to be suggestive of PEM positive for
      malignancy. RESULTS: Twenty-three female patients were included in the study, and
      their mean age was 51.7 years. Mean fasting blood glucose (FBS) was 93.64 mg/dl,
      and mean Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) injected dose was 7.76 mCi. The average PUV
      mean of background of both breasts decreased with advancing age. Fourteen
      patients were pathologically diagnosed with a total of lesions, of which 12 were
      malignant and four were benign. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 76.92%,
      and the mean LTB of true positive lesions was 5.31. Three false positive lesions
      were found: one mild atypical cell, one papilloma and one fibroadenoma, and the
      mean LTB was 2.92. The two false negative lesions were both DCIS. CONCLUSION:
      There was a moderate PPV in this PEM study for breast cancer in Rajavithi
      Hospital, and investigators need further experience and training in interpreting
      PEM. The information of mammographic, ultrasonographic and clinical findings
      should be used together with PEM to make diagnostic decision. The addition of
      biopsies could also improve the efficacy of PEM studies.

PMID- 27266228
TI  - Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Colonic Diverticulitis in Hospitalized
      Patients in Thailand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colonic diverticular disease exhibits mucosal outpouchings through
      the large intestine. Common complications of this disease are diverticular
      bleeding and diverticulitis. The prevalence of the disease is age-dependent, and
      some patients with diverticulitis develop complications especially the elderly,
      the obese and those with co-morbid diseases. In a retrospective study in Chiang
      Mai, Thailand, the mortality rate was 3.6% at 30 days and 9.2% at 1 year.
      OBJECTIVE: To determine the financial burden, clinical characteristics and
      factors associated with severity and mortality of patients with colonic
      diverticulitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study of in
      patients from hospitals nationwide, and data were retrieved from three major
      health care system databases in the fiscal year 2010, searching for ICD code 10.
      Patients diagnosed with diverticular disease of the large intestine were included
      in this study, and baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were analyzed.
      The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of Rajavithi
      Hospital. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred and fifty patients with colonic
      diverticulitis were enrolled in the study and their data were analyzed. The mean
      age of the patients was 61.15+16.12 years old, about 70% of patients had co
      morbid diseases, and the incidence of complicated colonic diverticulitis was
      14.51%. The median length of hospital stay (LOS) was 6 days, half of the patients
      underwent surgery, and the mortality rate was 3.26%. Multivariate regression
      analysis revealed that the parameters associated with disease severity were
      number of co-morbid diseases, the universal coverage health care system, and
      surgical treatment, while the parameters associated with mortality were having
      more than two co-morbid diseases and being in the universal coverage health care
      system. CONCLUSION: Colonic diverticulitis was common in elderly patients and
      associated with co-morbid diseases. Most patients had mild severity but a high
      rate of surgery, and the mortality rate was higher than in western countries.
      Parameters associated with disease severity and mortality were having co-morbid
      disease, being in the universal coverage healthcare system and having surgical
      treatment.

PMID- 27266229
TI  - Efficacy of Plai Cream in Adult Patients with Muscle Strain: A Randomized, Double
      Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a standard treatment option
      for muscle strain; however, side effects persist. OBJECTIVE: This clinical trial
      was designed to compare the efficacy of Plai cream compared to placebos in adult
      patients with muscle strain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this randomized, double
      blind, placebo-controlled trial, 140 participants aged over 18 years with muscle
      strain were randomized to receive either Plai cream (n = 70 patients, treatment
      group) or placebos (n = 70 patients, control group) . Outcome assessments
      included the visual analog scale (VAS), quality of life (QoL), the amount of
      remaining cream, and the number of acetaminophen tablets used. RESULTS: After 2
      weeks, the mean pain scores following treatment with both Plai cream and placebos
      in patients with muscle strain decreased from baseline to the end of the study at
      week 2. However, no significant difference for VA S score was found. The QoL of
      the two groups showed improvements in QoL as witnessed by increased mean QoL
      scores from baseline to week 2; however, these differences were not statistically
      significant. In general, mean QoL scores above 50 indicate good quality of life.
      The amount of Plai cream used reduced from baseline to week 2, but no significant
      difference in the amount of cream remaining was found between the two groups at
      each visit. Similarly, the number of acetaminophen tablets used was not
      statistically different between the treatment and control groups. CONCLUSION:
      There was no difference in pain reduction in the 2-week period between patients
      with muscle strain using Plai cream and those given placebos, but Plai cream
      tended to reduce pain in the long term. No side effects were found from Plai
      cream, so this non-invasive treatment may be offered to patients.

PMID- 27266230
TI  - Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infection in Teenage Pregnancy in Rajavithi
      Hospital, Thailand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Behavioral and social changes in the modern era have triggered an
      increase in the incidence of early sexual contact and teenage pregnancy. Since
      there is no routine Gonococcal & Chlamydial (GC & CT) screening in teens in
      antenatal clinics in Thailand, the present study was performed to find the
      prevalence of STI, especially Chlamydial infection, in teenage pregnancy.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
      especially Chlamydial infection (CT), in teenage pregnancy and its related
      factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred and twenty-one teenage pregnancies were
      recruited at the ANC in Rajavithi Hospital from October 2006 to May 2007. After
      signing informed consent forms, they were asked to answer questionnaires about
      baseline data, sexual information and risk factors, after which urine specimens
      were collected for screening for GC and CT using the PCR technique (AMPLICOR by
      Roche). Later, pelvic examination was per formed by the gynecologist at the STD
      (sexually transmitted disease) clinic. All the data and LAB results were recorded
      and analyzed by the SPSS program. Numbers, percentages, means with SD, Chi
      squared test, Fisher's exact test and odds ratio were used. Potential risk
      factors were analyzed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence
      of STI in pregnant teenagers was 28.1% (CT = 19.8%, GC = 1.7%, hepatitis B =
      3.3%, trichomoniasis 1.7%, Herpes simplex = 0.8% and condyloma acuminata = 0.8%).
      No Syphilis, chancroid or HIV were found in the present study Other non-STI like
      candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis were found in 45.5% of participants
      (candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis at 19.0% and 24.8%, respectively). The risk
      of CT infection was significantly related (6.9 times higher) to having previous
      sexual contact before the current partner (95% CI, 1.8-27.0). CONCLUSION: STI,
      especially Chlamydial infection, was found in a significant number of teenage
      pregnancies. Measures should be taken to prevent this resulting in complicated
      outcomes in the future.

PMID- 27266231
TI  - Factors Associated with Hospitalization of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
      Patients with Acute Exacerbation in the Emergency Department, Rajavithi Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with acute exacerbation
      (AECOPD) is a condition, which frequently results in patients visiting the
      emergency department (ED). Recently, many studies have reported new factors,
      which cause AECOPD-patients (AECOPDs) to require urgent hospital admission.
      OBJECTIVE: To determine the crucial factors of AECOPDs that are associated with
      patients who visit the ED being admitted to Rajavithi Hospital. MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed from May 1, 2011
      to June 30, 2013. Seventy patients were included and their medical records were
      reviewed. A logistic regression model (SPSSv17) was used to analyze the
      prognostic factors associated with hospitalization. RESULTS: The study found that
      patients with a respiratory rate >24 breaths per minute (OR = 3.43; 95% CI = 1.10
      10.84; p = 0.040), pulse rate >120 beats per minute (OR = 4.10; 95% CI = 1.31
      12.74; p = 0.020), and oxygen saturation <90% (OR = 5.25; 95% CI = 1.20-23.00; p
      = 0.030), were prone to be admitted to the hospital. Furthermore, such patients
      more often required hospitalization if they had met any of the following
      criteria: had respiratory-infection related Global Initiative for Chronic
      Obstructive Lung Disease standard stages 3-4; were receiving home oxygen therapy;
      had an annual rate of ED visits of more than 2; had higher leukocytes; classified
      in the ED emergency triage as emergent; or who received antibiotics at the ED.
      CONCLUSION: Respiratory rate, heart rate and oxygen saturation are the crucial
      symptoms of AECOPDs to which physicians at ED should pay special attention. Such
      factors are reasonable indicators for hospitalization in order to reduce ED
      overcrowding. The study also found that patients treated early with antibiotics
      in the ED may be associated with subsequent hospitalization for ongoing
      management. However further studies are required for verification.

PMID- 27266232
TI  - Computer-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty vs. Conventional Total Knee
      Arthroplasty: Post-Operative Ankle Radiographic Findings and Ankle Clinical
      Assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of previous studies have shown that conventional total knee
      arthroplasty (TKA) can affect talar tilt (TT) in the ankle of the operated leg.
      We aimed to prevent this problem by utilizing computer-assisted Total Knee
      Arthroplasty (CAS-TKA). OBJECTIVE: To compare pre- and post-operative talar tilt
      and ankle clinical assessment after computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty
      (CAS-TKA) and conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the 56 knees of 28
      patients who underwent bilateral TKA. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We studied the 56
      knees of 28 patients who underwent computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty (CAS
      TKA) in one knee and conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the other A
      combination of the Gap Balancing and Measured Resection techniques was used, and
      the operations were performed by a single surgeon. At follow-up 12 months post
      operatively, we examined ankle radiographic findings for tibio-talar angle (TTA),
      tibial articular surface angle (TAS), and talar tilt (TT) which was taken as the
      difference between TAS and TTA. Ankle clinical assessment was performed using the
      foot functional index (FF) in both groups pre- and post-operatively. The study
      also compared the results of computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty with those
      of conventional total knee arthroplasty pre- and post-operatively. RESULTS: We
      studied the 56 knees of 28 patients whose mean age was 67.79 years and who
      underwent bilateral total knee arthroplasty. Comparison of pre-operative and
      postoperative TT in the Conventional group showed a significant difference (p =
      0.016), while there was no significant difference in the CAS group (p = 0.657).
      Ankle clinical assessment using foot functional index (FFI) revealed that there
      was no significant difference in the pre-operative FFI in the Conventional group
      = 1.85 (0.81, 6.88) and that of the CAS group = 1.91 (0.24, 66.5) (p = 0.577).
      The post-operative FFI in the Conventional group was 1.68 (0.24, 7.0) and in the
      CAS group it was 1.65 (0.24, 6.76), and these results were statistically
      significant (p = 0.047). In the Conventional group, the postoperative FFI was not
      significantly different from pre-operative FFI (p = 0.269), but in the CAS group
      there was a significant difference (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: This study showed
      that conventional total knee arthroplasty affected postoperative talar tilt while
      computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty had a lesser effect and did not
      significantly change the axis of rotation of the ankle joint. More research needs
      to be carried out on larger numbers of patients with longer follow-up periods.

PMID- 27266233
TI  - Quality of Life Achieved by Carboplatin Plus Etoposide as Third-Line Chemotherapy
      Compared with Best Supportive Care in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage IIIB/IV.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advanced stage (IIIB/IV) non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are
      mostly treated with paclitaxel or gemcitabine combination chemotherapy as first
      line treatment and docetaxel as second-line therapy under the national
      reimbursement program, but there is no treatment specified for use after disease
      progression. New third-line chemotherapy drugs including new targeted therapies
      are expensive and bring about only slightly prolonged progression-free survival
      and minimally better response in healthy patients. OBJECTIVE: Carboplatin plus
      etoposide chemotherapy, which was formerly used as a low-cost first-line
      treatment, was used as third-line therapy for advanced NSCLC in order to compare
      its results with those of best supportive care as a treatment for improved
      quality of life (QoL) and progression-free survival. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This
      prospective study of advanced NSCLC stage IIIB/IV enrolled 47 patients receiving
      either third-line chemotherapy with carboplatin plus etoposide or best supportive
      care in the Oncology Unit, Medicine Department, Rajavithi Hospital from 1 January
      2005 to 31 December 2012. Results of treatment and quality of life of the two
      groups (QoL) were evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy
      Lung Cancer (FACT-L). RESULTS: The 47 advanced NSCLC patients were given either
      carboplatin plus etoposide chemotherapy (27 cases) or best supportive care (20
      cases). No statistically significant differences were found in baseline
      characteristics and quality of life in the two groups. The median progression
      free survival after two months was significantly higher (88.9% vs. 75.0%, p-value
      < 0.001) in the chemotherapy group than in the best supportive care group, but no
      there were no statistically significant differences between QoL of patients in
      the two groups. CONCLUSION: Carboplatin plus etoposide as third-line chemotherapy
      regimen demonstrated higher median progression-free survival in advanced NSCLC
      patients and did not adversely affect QoL.

PMID- 27266234
TI  - Problems with Complete Dentures and Related Factors in Patients in Rajavithi
      Hospital from 2007 to 2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Complete dentures are used to restore masticatory function, improve
      esthetics, enhance phonetic functionality, and facilitate social communication
      for edentulous patients. After long-term use, problems can arise because of
      changes in the patients' condition and because of denture attrition. OBJECTIVE:
      To survey problems encountered while using complete dentures, and to evaluate
      related factors after 3-8 years of use. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred and
      fourteen participants aged between 56 and 97 years who wore complete dentures
      supplied by Rajavithi Hospital between 2007 and 2012 were included in the survey.
      Data were collected via telephone interviews. Details were recorded for baseline
      characteristics of patients, how and when they used their dentures, how they
      maintained them, their perception of the condition of their dentures, and the
      problems that they encountered while using them. Descriptive statistics were used
      to evaluate patient characteristics and Chi-square/Fisher's exact/Student t-tests
      were used to evaluate correlations between condition of dentures and patient
      factors. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
      RESULTS: Half of all participants had problems in using complete dentures, and
      the most frequent difficulty was denture looseness, which affected about one
      third of all patients. Marital status, whether or not participants had children,
      and time of wearing dentures were significantly related to having problems (p =
      0.007, 0.039, and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Many complete denture
      patients had problems with denture looseness and dentists should recall these
      patients in a timely manner to help them achieve a better quality of life.

PMID- 27266235
TI  - Trends of Metabolic Syndrome Components in Personnel at the Rajavithi Hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of medical disorders which
      increases the risk of developing diabetes. Studies have shown variable prevalence
      of this syndrome, but being elderly has often been found to increase the
      likelihood of developing Mets. This study aims to determine trends in Mets
      components among Rajavithi Hospital personnel. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross
      sectional study was carried out from 2009 to 2011. Participants were aged 35
      years or more, and the numbers of participants were 504, 1,029 and 1,057 in 2009,
      2010 and 2011, respectively. Using medical records after an annual check-up, MetS
      was defined in accordance with the updated National Cholesterol Educational
      Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) guideline. Binary logistic
      regression was used to assess the factors associated with Mets. RESULTS: Most
      participants were female, and the mean ages were 45.8 +/- 7.6, 45.6 +/- 7.9 and
      46.1 +/- 7.1 years in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. In each of the three
      years, mean age, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, glucose and uric acid
      were all significantly higher in individuals who had Mets. The prevalence of Mets
      in 2009, 2010 and 2011 was 7.1%, 5.9% and 4.6%, respectively. Hypertension was
      the most common abnormal metabolic risk factor in both sexes. The most frequent
      cluster of MetS components was a combination of hypertension,
      hypertriglyceridemia and glucose in males, but hypertension, abdominal obesity,
      and high triglyceride levels in females. The prevalence of MetS was associated
      with advancing age, male gender and individuals who worked in administration.
      CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Mets was low and decreased slightly each year.
      Associated risk factors of Mets were increasing age, male gender and working in
      administration. Some components of MetS, especially waist circumference, blood
      pressure, triglyceride levels and glucose, are risk factors of metabolic syndrome
      and should be avoided in order to decrease its prevalence.

PMID- 27266236
TI  - Characteristics and Demographic Distributions of Toxigenic Clostridium difficile
      Strains in Rajavithi Hospital, 2009-2015.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, toxigenic Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has
      been the cause of C. difficile-associated diseases (CDAD), resulting in
      increasing hospitalization, community infection outbreak and mortality all over
      the world. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of toxigenic C. difficile
      strains in Rajavithi Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a retrospective
      study of data from C. difficile toxin tests at Rajavithi Hospital's microbiology
      laboratory from January 1, 2009 to June 30, 2015. RESULTS: Of the 5,821 stool
      specimens tested for C. difficile toxin, 561 (9.6%) were positive for toxigenic
      C. difficile strains (10.2%, 7.6%, 5.6%, 9.6%, 9.7%, 15.4% and 12.0% respectively
      from year 2009 to 2015). The samples of all 453 unrepeated patients with this
      toxigenic C. difficile strain were analyzed. Two hundred and fifty-six (56.5%) of
      the patients were female, and the highest prevalence (58.3%) of toxigenic C.
      difficile strains was found in those aged over 65 years old. Overall, 7.7% of
      toxigenic C. difficile strains were isolated from OPD while the other 92.3% were
      from IPD. The majority of these strains (73.0%) were isolated in patients from
      the internal medicine wards, followed by surgery wards, intensive care units
      (ICUs), gynecology wards, radiation oncology wards and orthopedic wards at 8.9%,
      6.2%, 2.4%, 2.2% and 1.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of toxigenic
      C. difficile strains at Rajavithi Hospital was not high. The occurrence of these
      strains, recorded for each month of the study period, showed an irregular trend,
      but by far the highest frequency was found in older age groups. Rapid and
      accurate detection is necessary to enable immediate treatment and to stop the
      spread of infection. In future, these strains will be studied at a molecular
      level and antimicrobial susceptibility testing will be performed and the results
      entered in a database of toxigenic C. difficile strains in Thailand.

PMID- 27266237
TI  - Somatic HRPT2 Mutation (Arg234X) of Parathyroid Carcinoma Associated with Slipped
      Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A First Case Report.
AB  - A 14-year-old boy was admitted to the orthopedic clinic of Rajavithi Hospital
      complaining of pain in the left hip. A year earlier, pain had developed in his
      left joint and had gradually increased in intensity in both hips. A month before
      he was referred, radiographs obtained at another hospital showed bilateral
      slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). The patient's biochemical laboratory
      data showed hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and a high level of intact
      parathyroid hormone (iPTH) compatible with primary hyperparathyroidism. HRPT2
      gene analysis found heterozygosity for c. 700 C > T mutation (Arg234X) of HRPT2
      gene at exon 7. This is the first report in the literature about somatic mutation
      of the HRPT2 gene of parathyroid carcinoma associated with slipped capital
      femoral epiphysis.

PMID- 27266238
TI  - Neurological Recovery of Upper Extremity in Stroke Woman after 5 Years: A Case
      Report.
AB  - Strokes are common neurological disorders in Thailand. Rehabilitation programs
      significantly improve arm function outcomes if performed during the sub-acute
      period of stroke rehabilitation, within 6 months of the attack. This report
      describes the case of a stroke patient who gained upper extremity motor recovery
      after 5 years, which is beyond the normal recovery period. Although the patient
      does not have functionality, she has partial motor recovery, and she is
      enthusiastic about learning to gain better use of her hand. However there is
      still limited evidence to use in designing effective intervention and proper
      timing of rehabilitation administered by personnel in training chronic stroke
      patients. Therefore, evidence based on neuroplasticity and neurological recovery
      in chronic stroke patients, including rehabilitation intervention, is presented
      in this report.

PMID- 27266239
TI  - Five Synchronous Paragangliomas of the Head and Neck: A Case Report.
AB  - This is a case report of synchronous bilateral carotid body tumor, bilateral
      jugulotympanic and left subclavian paraganglioma in a 38-year-old man who
      presented with a history of slow-growing bilateral neck masses for 4 years and a
      one-month history of right facial palsy, tinnitus, and hearing loss. A discussion
      of this case is followed by a review of the literature surrounding this rare
      clinical entity.

PMID- 27266240
TI  - Bilateral Atrial Myxoma: A Case Report.
AB  - Among the rare cardiac tumors, myxoma, which is mostly located in the left
      atrium, is the most common type. Bilateral atrial myxoma is extremely rare, and
      requires urgent surgery. The authors report the case of a 34-year-old male, who
      presented with one month of right hemiparesis and aphasia and subsequently
      diagnosed with bilateral atrial myxoma based on transthoracic echocardiography.
      An urgent operation for intra-cardiac tumor removal was performed with the
      biatrial approach. Once a diagnosis of myxoma has been made, an urgent operation
      for tumor removal is necessary due to the risk of serious complications,
      including sudden death from normal blood flow obstruction.

PMID- 27266241
TI  - Cholesterol Granule of the Ethmoid Sinus: A Case Report.
AB  - Cholesterol granuloma (CG) is common in the mastoid air cells, less common in the
      skull base and orbit, and uncommon in the paranasal sinuses. The most commonly
      affected sinus is the maxillary sinus, and it is very rare in the ethmoid and
      sphenoid sinus. CG is thought to be due to impair the venous and lymphatic
      drainage from the sinus cavity. In the early period of the disease, the patient
      has no symptoms but when the expanding cysts compress the surrounding structures,
      they cause bony erosion that leads to clinical symptoms such as nasal blockage,
      eye pain or visual loss. If the patients' presentation does not correlate with
      physical examination, concerns are raised, and imaging should be performed. This
      study reports a case of cholesterol granuloma of the ethmoid sinus treated with
      the endoscopic marsupialization technique. This paper will remind physicians of
      the characteristics of cholesterol granuloma, which are useful for differential
      diagnosis of patients with this condition. In addition, it is the first reported
      case of cholesterol granuloma of the ethmoid sinus in the Thai literature.

PMID- 27266242
TI  - Acupuncture Treatment for Acute Ankle Injury in the Emergency Department: A
      Preliminary Case Report.
AB  - Acupuncture is an ancient medical treatment that is increasingly attracting the
      interest of the public. It is a complementary therapy that is widely used for
      management of pain, especially chronic discomfort caused by migraine, low-back
      pain and osteoarthritis of the knee(1-3). The evidence base for the effectiveness
      of acupuncture and its clinical applications is controversial, and although its
      efficacy and safety in the management of acute pain have been demonstrated, the
      quality of this modality is still questionable. The present study reports a case
      of acute ankle injury, which was treated with acupuncture. A 33-year-old man
      presented with acute twisted ankle injury. He had pain with swelling around the
      ankle, and he was experiencing difficulty in walking. His clinical diagnosis was
      acute ankle sprain with severe pain. Several drug treatments are used for pain
      control, but in this case, we used acupuncture. After treatment, his pain
      diminished significantly with a decrease in VAS pain level from 8 to 4 in 20
      minutes. At follow-up after one month, we found no skin infection in this case.

PMID- 27266243
TI  - Co-Trimoxazole-Induced DRESS Syndrome: A Case Report.
AB  - Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS syndrome) is a severe
      adverse drug reaction. The drugs, which most commonly induce this condition, are
      anti-convulsants and sulfonamides. A 15-year-old Thai woman with no known
      underlying disease was prescribed co-trimoxazole, and two months after
      initiation, DRESS was diagnosed by RegiSCAR's score. Her clinical symptoms were
      fever laboratory abnormalities and maculopapular rash on her face, trunk and
      extremities. She was treated with antipyretics, antihistamines and steroid
      therapy, and her clinical and laboratory findings were restored to normal by the
      10th day of treatment. Early diagnosis, discontinuation of the culprit drug, and
      management with steroids therapy can reduce the severity of DRESS syndrome.

PMID- 27266244
TI  - [Plant-Producers Of Recombinant Cytokines (Review)].
AB  - Cytokines are a family of signaling polypeptides involved in cell-cell
      interactions in the process of the immune response, as well as in the regulation
      of a number of normal physiological functions. Cytokines are used in medicine for
      the treatment of cancer, immune disorders, viral infections, and other socially
      significant diseases, but the extent of their use is limited by the high
      production cost of the active agent. The development of this area of pharmacology
      is associated with the success of genetic engineering, which allows the
      production of significant amounts of protein by transgenic organisms. The review
      discusses the latest advances in the production of various cytokines with the use
      of genetically modified plants.

PMID- 27266245
TI  - [Isoformes of Malate Dehydrogenase from Rhodovulum Steppense A-20s Grown
      Chemotrophically under Aerobic Condtions].
AB  - Three malate dehydrogenase isoforms (65-, 60-, and 71-fold purifications) with
      specific activities of 4.23, 3.88, and 4.56 U/mg protein were obtained in an
      electrophoretically homogenous state from Rhodovulum steppense bacteria strain A
      20s chemotropically grown under aerobic conditions. The physicochemical and
      kinetic properties of malate dehydrogenase isoforms were determined. The
      molecular weight and the Michaelis constants were determined; the effect of
      hydrogen ions on the forward and reverse MDH reaction was studied. The results of
      the study demonstrated that the enzyme consists of subunits; the molecular weight
      of subunits was determined by SDS-PAGE.

PMID- 27266246
TI  - [Study of the Accumulation of Rec A from Bacillus subtilis in the Mitochondria of
      a Recombinant Strain of the Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica].
AB  - No eukaryotic species has a system for homologous DNA recombination of the
      mitochondrial genome. We report on an integrative genetic systembased on the pQ
      SRUS construct that allows the expression of the RecA recombinase from Bacillus
      subtilis and its transportation to mitochondria of Yarrowia lipolytica. The
      targeting of recombinant RecA to mitochondria is provided by leader sequences (5'
      UTR and 3-UTR) derived from the SOD2 gene mRNA, which exhibit affinity to the
      outer mitochondrial membrane and provides cotranslational import of RecA to the
      inner space of mitochondria. The accumulation of RecA in mitochondria of the Y.
      lipolytica recombinant strain bearing the pQ-SRUS construct has been shown by
      immunoblotting of purified mitochondrial preparations.

PMID- 27266247
TI  - [Expression Of DNA-Encoded Antidote to Organophosphorus Toxins in the
      Methylotrophic Yeast Pichia Pastoris].
AB  - A platform for the cloning and expression of active human butyrylcholinesterase
      (BuChE) in the yeast Pichia pastoris is first presented. Genetic constructs for
      BuChE gene expression, separately and in conjunction with a proline-rich peptide
      called proline-rich attachment domain (PRAD), are based on the vector
      pPICZalphaA. It is shown that the highest level of production is achieved in the
      expression of a BuChE gene without PRAD pPICZalphaA. It is found that one can
      obtain up to 125 mg of active enzyme from 1 L of culture medium at an optimal pH
      environment (pH 7.6), an optical seed culture density of 3 o.u., and an optimum
      methanol addition mode of (0.5% methanol in the first day and 0.2% thereafter
      from the second day).

PMID- 27266248
TI  - [Engineering of a System for the Production of Mutant Human Alpha-Fetoprotein in
      the Methylotrophic Yeast Pichia pastoris].
AB  - A system for the production of mutant recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein
      (rhAFPO) lacking the glycosylation site has been engineered in the yeast Pichia
      pastoris. A strain of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris GS
      115/pPICZ?A/rhAFP0, which produces unglycosylated rhAFPO and secretes it to the
      culture medium, has been constructed. Optimization and scale-up of the
      fermentation technology have resulted in an increase in the rhAFP0 yield to 20
      mg/L. A scheme of isolation and purification of biologically active rhAFP0 has
      been developed. The synthesized protein has the antitumor activity, which is
      analogous to the activity of natural human embryonic alpha-fetoprotein.

PMID- 27266249
TI  - [Biodegradation of Cellulose-Containing Substrates by Micromycetes Followed by
      Bioconversion into Biogas].
AB  - The ability of micromycetes Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus terreus to
      decompose the cellulose-containing substrates was studied. Office paper and
      cardboard, as well as a paper mixture, were found to be the most hydrolyzable.
      The cellulolytic activity of T. viride was 2-3 times higher than that of A.
      terreus; the highest values of 0.80 and 0.73 U/mLwere obtained from office paper
      and the paper mixture, respectively. The micromycete cultivation conditions
      (composition of culture medium, sucrose cosubstrate addition, seeding method) and
      the conditions of the fungus biomass treatment for its subsequent bioconversion
      into biogas by anaerobic microbial communities were optimized. It was shown that
      pretreatment improves the efficiency of biogas production from lignocellulosic
      materials under seeding with microbial community of bovine animal manure. After
      pretreatment of the Jerusalem artichoke phytomass (stems and leaves) and its
      subsequent bioconversion into biogas by methanogenic community, the biogas yield
      was increased by 1.5 times.

PMID- 27266250
TI  - [Enhanced Resistance of Pea Plants to Oxidative: Stress Caused by Paraquat during
      Colonization by Aerobic Methylobacteria].
AB  - The influence of colonization of the pea (Pisum sativum L.) by aerobic
      methylobacteria of five different species (Methylophilus flavus Ship,
      Methylobacterium extorquens G10, Methylobacillus arboreus Iva, Methylopila
      musalis MUSA, Methylopila turkiensis Sidel) on plant resistance to paraquat
      induced stresses has been studied. The normal conditions of pea colonization by
      methylobacteria were characterized by a decrease in the activity of antioxidant
      enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidases) and in the
      concentrations of endogenous H2O2, proline, and malonic dialdehyde, which is a
      product of lipid peroxidation and indicator of damage to plant cell membranes,
      and an increase in the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus (the content of
      chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids). In the presence of paraquat, the colonized
      plants had higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, stable photosynthetic
      indices, and a less intensive accumulation of the products of lipid peroxidation
      as compared to noncolonized plants. Thus, colonization by methylobacteria
      considerably increased the adaptive protection of pea plants to the paraquat
      induced oxidative stress.

PMID- 27266251
TI  - [Secretion of Phenolic Compounds into Root Exudates of Pea Seedlings upon
      Inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viceae or Pseudomonas siringae pv.
      Pisi].
AB  - The content of apigenin, naringenin, pisatin, dibutyl-ortho-phthalate, and N
      phenyl-2-naphthyl-amine were assayed in root exudates of pea (Pisum sativum L.)
      seedlings one day after their inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum, bv.
      viceae or Pseudomonas siringae pv. pisi, which represent, respectively,
      mutualistic and antagonistic strategies of interaction with a host plant. After
      inoculation with either bacteria, the concentrations of apigenin and pisatin in
      the root exudates were equal, whereas the concentrations of naringenin and N
      phenyl-2-naphthylamine were different and those of dibutyl-o-phthalate were
      unchanged. A certain role is suggested for the phenolic compounds in an
      accomplishment of symbiotic relations of bacteria with a host plant.

PMID- 27266252
TI  - [Content of Osmolytes and Flavonoids under Salt Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana
      Plants Defective in Jasmonate Signaling].
AB  - The effects of the salt stress (200 mM NaCl) and exogenous jasmonic acid (JA) on
      levels of osmolytes and flavonoids in leaves of four-week-old Arabidopsis
      thaliana L. plants of the wild-type (WT) Columbia-0 (Col-0) and the mutant jin1
      (jasmonate insensitive 1) with impaired jasmonate signaling were studied. The
      increase in proline content caused by the salt stress was higher in the Col-0
      plants than in the mutant jin1. This difference was especially marked if the
      plants had been pretreated with exogenous 0.1 uM JA. The sugar content increased
      in response to the salt stress in the JA-treated WT plants but decreased in the
      jin1 mutant. Leaf treatment with JA of the WT plants but not mutant defective in
      jasmonate signaling also enhanced the levels of anthocyanins and flavonoids
      absorbed in UV-B range. The presence of JA increased salinity resistance of the
      Col-0 plants, since the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and growth
      inhibition caused by NaCl were less pronounced. Under salt stress, JA almost did
      not render a positive effect on the jin1 plants. It is concluded that the protein
      JIN1/MYC2 is involved in control of protective systems under salt stress.

PMID- 27266253
TI  - [Accumulation of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene in Euglena gracilis Cells
      under Autotrophic and Mixotrophic Culture Conditions].
AB  - The aim of the work was to find the mode of cultivation of unicellular flagellate
      Euglena gracilis, favorable for the simultaneous accumulation of alpha-tocopherol
      and beta-carotene. Cells were grown either in photoautotrophic or
      photoheterotrophic conditions in the presence of 100 mM ethanol (variant Et) or
      40 mM glutamate (variant Gt), or their combination (variant EtGt). The exogenous
      substrates significantly stimulated light-dependent growth of E. gracilis. The
      largest increase of biomass was recorded on the 20th day in the variant EtGt and
      exceeded the autotrophic control by 7 times. The content of beta-carotene and
      chlorophyll (Chl) per cell in mixotrophic cultures exceeded the control by 2-3
      and 1.6-2 times, respectively. At the same time, alpha-tocopherol accumulation in
      autotrophic cells was greater than in the cells of mixotrophic cultures by 2-7
      times. Total yield of tocopherol per unit volume of culture medium, which
      depended not only on its intracellular content, but also on the amount of
      accumulated biomass was highest in EtGt variant. A correlation between the
      accumulation of the antioxidants and the equilibrium concentration of oxygen in
      the growth medium, which depended on the intensities of photosynthesis and
      respiration has been analyzed.

PMID- 27266254
TI  - [Antibacterial Activity of Alkylated and Acylated Derivatives of Low-Molecular
      Weight Chitosan].
AB  - A number of alkylated (quaternized) and acylated derivatives of low-molecular
      weight chitosan were obtained. The structure and composition of the compounds
      were confirmed by the results of IR and PMR spectroscopy, as well as
      conductometric titration. The effect of the acyl substituent and the degree of
      substitution of N-(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium) with the propyl fragment
      appended to amino groups of the C2 atom of polymer chains on antibacterial
      activity against typical representatives of gram-positive and gram-negative
      microorganisms (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli) was studied. The
      highest activity was in the case of N-[(2-hydroxy-3
      trimethylammonium)propyl]chitosan chloride with the maximal substitution (98%).
      The minimal inhibitory concentration of the derivative was 0.48 ug/mL and 3.90
      ug/mL for S. epidermis and E. coli, respectively.

PMID- 27266255
TI  - [Binding of Volatile Organic Compounds to Edible Biopolymers].
AB  - Capillary gas chromatography was used to study the influence of the composition
      and structure of different edible polymers (polysaccharides, vegetable fibers,
      and animal protein gelatin) on the binding of essential oil components. The
      retention of volatile organic compounds on biopolymers was shown to depend on
      their molecule structure and the presence, type, and position of a functional
      group. The maximum extent of the binding was observed for nonpolar terpene and
      sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, and the minimum extent was observed for alcohols. The
      components of essential oils were adsorbed due mostly to hydrophobic
      interactions. It was shown that the composition and structure of a compound, its
      physico-chemical state, and the presence of functional groups influence the
      binding. Gum arabic and guar gum were found to bind nonpolar compounds to a
      maximum and minimum extent, respectively. It was demonstrated the minimum
      adsorption ability of locust bean gum with respect to all studied compounds.

PMID- 27266256
TI  - [Effect Of Polyelectrolytes on Catalytic Activity of Alcohol Dehydrogenase].
AB  - Fluorescent and optical spectroscopy were used to study the interaction of
      alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) with negatively charged polystyrene sulfonate (PSS)
      and dextran sulfate (DS), as well as positively charged
      poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDADMA). As found, DS and PDADMA did not affect
      the structural and catalytic enzyme properties. In contrast, PSS slightly
      decreased the protein self-fluorescence over 1 h of incubation, which is
      associated with partial destruction of its quaternary (globular) structure.
      Investigation of the ADH activity with and without PSS showed its dependency on
      the incubation time and the PSS presence. Sodium chloride (2.0 M and 0.2 M) or
      ammonium sulfate (0.1 M) added to the reaction mixture did not completely protect
      the enzyme quaternary structure from the PSS action. However ammonium sulfate or
      0.2 M sodium chloride stabilized the enzyme and partially inhibited the negative
      PSS effect.

PMID- 27266257
TI  - Heat-Wave Effects on Oxygen, Nutrients, and Phytoplankton Can Alter Global
      Warming Potential of Gases Emitted from a Small Shallow Lake.
AB  - Increasing air temperatures may result in stronger lake stratification,
      potentially altering nutrient and biogenic gas cycling. We assessed the impact of
      climate forcing by comparing the influence of stratification on oxygen,
      nutrients, and global-warming potential (GWP) of greenhouse gases (the sum of
      CH4, CO2, and N2O in CO2 equivalents) emitted from a shallow productive lake
      during an average versus a heat-wave year. Strong stratification during the heat
      wave was accompanied by an algal bloom and chemically enhanced carbon uptake.
      Solar energy trapped at the surface created a colder, isolated hypolimnion,
      resulting in lower ebullition and overall lower GWP during the hotter-than
      average year. Furthermore, the dominant CH4 emission pathway shifted from
      ebullition to diffusion, with CH4 being produced at surprisingly high rates from
      sediments (1.2-4.1 mmol m(-2) d(-1)). Accumulated gases trapped in the
      hypolimnion during the heat wave resulted in a peak efflux to the atmosphere
      during fall overturn when 70% of total emissions were released, with littoral
      zones acting as a hot spot. The impact of climate warming on the GWP of shallow
      lakes is a more complex interplay of phytoplankton dynamics, emission pathways,
      thermal structure, and chemical conditions, as well as seasonal and spatial
      variability, than previously reported.

PMID- 27266258
TI  - Ti(N5)4 as a Potential Nitrogen-Rich Stable High-Energy Density Material.
AB  - We have studied molecular structures and kinetic stabilities of M(N5)3 (M = Sc,
      Y) and M(N5)4 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) complexes theoretically. All of these compounds
      are found to be stable with more than a 13 kcal/mol of kinetic barrier. In
      particular, Ti(N5)4 showed the largest dissociation energy of 173.0 kcal/mol and
      thermodynamic stability. This complex had a high nitrogen content (85% by
      weight), and a significantly high nitrogen to metal ratio (20:1) among the
      neutral M(N5)n species studied here and in the literature. Ti(N5)4 is thus
      forecasted to be a good candidate for a nitrogen-rich high-energy density
      material (HEDM). We reveal in further detail using ab initio molecular dynamics
      simulations that the dissociation pathways of M(N5)n involve the rearrangements
      of the bonding configurations before dissociation. 

PMID- 27266259
TI  - N,N,O and N,O,N Meridional cis Coordination of Two Guanines to Copper(II) by
      d(CGCGCG)2.
AB  - Many research groups study the generation of supramolecular n-dimensional arrays
      by combining metals with DNA building blocks. Most of the time, the natural
      nucleobases are modified to obtain higher-affinity metal binding sites. Using
      unmodified nucleobases avoids a potentially difficult synthesis; however, they
      have the possible disadvantage of a less defined and/or weaker coordination mode
      of the metal. Structural studies on the behavior of copper(II) as a linking metal
      and guanine as the natural ligand for metals in unmodified DNA are reported.
      Previously, the ability of mono- and dinuclear metal complexes to induce Z-DNA
      has been explored [Medina-Molner, A.; Spingler, B. Chem. Commun. 2012, 48, 1961;
      Medina-Molner, A.; Rohner, M.; Pandiarajan, D.; Spingler, B. Dalton Trans. 2015,
      44, 3664]. Herein, X-ray crystallographic studies of the structures resulting
      from the combination of copper(II) ions with DNA hexamers of the general sequence
      d(CG)3 are presented. Three different packing motifs were observed in three
      crystal structures with resolutions ranging from 2.15 to 1.45 A. The motifs are
      dependent upon other cations being present and/or the crystallization conditions.
      The first examples of intramolecular O6,N7-chelates of a neutral purine
      nucleobase to copper(II) were obtained as well as the first meridional N,N,O and
      N,O,N coordination modes of two guanines to copper(II). The fascinating
      coordination chemistry of copper(II) complexes generated by the Z-DNA
      oligonucleotides and the differences to simple nucleobases complexes with
      copper(II) are discussed in detail. 

PMID- 27266260
TI  - Bivalent Inhibitors of c-Src Tyrosine Kinase That Bind a Regulatory Domain.
AB  - We have developed a general methodology to produce bivalent kinase inhibitors for
      c-Src that interact with the SH2 and ATP binding pockets. Our approach led to a
      highly selective bivalent inhibitor of c-Src. We demonstrate impressive
      selectivity for c-Src over homologous kinases. Exploration of the unexpected high
      level of selectivity yielded insight into the inherent flexibility of homologous
      kinases. Finally, we demonstrate that our methodology is modular and both the ATP
      competitive fragment and conjugation chemistry can be swapped. 

PMID- 27266261
TI  - Quantitative and In-Depth Survey of the Isotopic Abundance Distribution Errors in
      Shotgun Proteomics.
AB  - Accuracy is an important metric when mass spectrometry (MS) is used in large
      scale quantitative proteomics research. For MS-based quantification by extracting
      ion chromatogram (XIC), both the mass and intensity dimensions must be accurate.
      Although much research has focused on mass accuracy in recent years, less
      attention has been paid to intensity errors. Here, we investigated signal
      intensity measurement errors systematically and quantitatively using the natural
      properties of isotopic distributions. First, we defined a normalized isotopic
      abundance error model and presented its merits and demerits. Second, a
      comprehensive survey of the isotopic abundance errors using data sets with
      increasing sample complexities and concentrations was performed. We examined
      parameters such as error distribution, relationships between signal intensities
      within one isotopic cluster, and correlations between different peak errors in
      isotopic profiles. Our data demonstrated that the high resolution MS platforms
      might also generate large isotopic intensity measurement errors (approximately
      20%). Meanwhile, this error can be reduced to less than 5% using a novel
      correction algorithm, which is based on the theoretical isotopic abundance
      distribution. Finally, a nonlinear relationship was observed as the abundance
      error decreased in isotopic profiles with higher intensity. Our findings are
      expected to provide insight into isotopic abundance recalibration in quantitative
      proteomics.

PMID- 27266262
TI  - Left ventricular long axis function assessed during cine-cardiovascular magnetic
      resonance is an independent predictor of adverse cardiac events.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left ventricular pump function requires a complex interplay involving
      myocardial fibers orientated in the longitudinal, oblique and circumferential
      directions. Long axis dysfunction appears to be an early marker for a number of
      pathological states. We hypothesized that mitral annular plane systolic excursion
      (MAPSE) measured during cine-cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) reflects
      changes in long axis function and may be an early marker for adverse
      cardiovascular outcomes. The aims of this study were therefore: 1) To assess the
      feasibility and reproducibility of MAPSE measurements during routine cine-CMR;
      and 2) To assess whether MAPSE, as a surrogate for long axis function, is a
      predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). METHODS: Four hundred
      consecutive patients undergoing CMR were prospectively enrolled. MAPSE was
      measured in the 4-chamber cine view. Patients were prospectively followed for
      major adverse cardiac events (MACE) - death, non-fatal myocardial infarction,
      hospitalization for heart failure or unstable angina, and late revascularization.
      Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was used to identify factors
      independently associated with MACE. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) was
      calculated to assess whether addition of MAPSE resulted in improved risk
      reclassification of MACE. RESULTS: Seventy-two MACE occurred during a median
      follow-up of 14.5 months. By Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with lateral MAPSE
      <1.11 cm (median) experienced significantly higher incidence of MACE than
      patients with a MAPSE >=1.11 cm (p = 0.027). After adjustment for established
      clinical risk factors which were univariate predictors (age, diabetes,
      hypertension, NYHA class, LV mass), lateral MAPSE remained a significant
      independent predictor of MACE (HR = 4.384 per cm decrease or 1.344 per 2 mm
      decrease; p = 0.020). Incorporation of lateral MAPSE into this risk model
      resulted in a net reclassification improvement (NRI) of 0.18 (p = 0.006).
      CONCLUSIONS: Reduced long axis function assessed with lateral MAPSE during cine
      CMR is an independent predictor of MACE.

PMID- 27266263
TI  - Covert contraceptive use among women attending a reproductive health clinic in a
      municipality in Ghana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Covert contraceptive use (CCU) in sub-Saharan Africa is an indication
      of women's inability to exercise autonomy in their reproductive choices. The aim
      of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of CCU among a sample
      of FP clients in a municipality of Ghana. METHODS: We conducted a mixed method
      study among women attending a public reproductive health clinic in Sunyani, a
      city of over 250,000 inhabitants in Ghana. An initial survey inquired into
      sociodemographic characteristics, use of family planning (FP) methods and partner
      awareness of contraceptive use. The predictors of CCU were explored using
      logistic regressions. We used the findings to develop a guide which we applied in
      depth interviews and focus group discussions with attendants at the same
      facility. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using a framework approach.
      RESULTS: We interviewed 300 women, 48 % of whom were aged between 26-33 years.
      The injectable was the most widely used method (56 %). The prevalence of CCU was
      34 %. In multivariate analysis, single women were more likely to practice CCU
      than married or co-habiting women (Adjusted OR = 12.12, 95 % C.I. 4.73-31.1).
      Muslim and traditionalist women were similarly more likely to practice CCU than
      non-Muslim, non-traditionalist (Adjusted OR = 4.56, 2.29-9.06). Women who
      preferred to have their first or next child in 4 or more years from the time of
      the interview were more likely to be in CCU than women who intended to have
      children within 4 years of the interview (2.57; 1.37-4.83). Single women saw in
      covert use a statement of their social autonomy. To succeed in CCU, women wished
      that clinic attendance cards would not be given to them to keep at home. Though
      many participants saw in CCU a source of anxiety, they expected health workers to
      consider it and uphold confidentiality in the provision of services. CONCLUSIONS:
      Covert contraceptive use was high in this municipality and being single was the
      strongest predictor of the practice. Providers of FP services should reflect on
      how to adequately address the challenges faced by women who practice CCU.

PMID- 27266264
TI  - Intraprocedural left ventricular free wall rupture diagnosed by left
      ventriculogram in a patient with infero-posterior myocardial infarction and
      severe aortic stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left ventricular wall rupture remains a major lethal complication of
      acute myocardial infarction and hypertension is a well-known predisposing factor
      of cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction. CASE PRESENTATION: An 87-year-old
      man was admitted to our hospital, diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
      The echocardiogram showed 0.67-cm(2) aortic valve, consistent with severe aortic
      stenosis (AS). A coronary angiography showed a chronic occlusion of the proximal
      left circumflex artery and a 99 % stenosis and thrombus in the mid right coronary
      artery. During percutaneous angioplasty of the latter, transient hypotension and
      bradycardia developed at the time of balloon inflation, and low doses of
      noradrenaline and etilefrine were intravenously administered as needed. The
      patient suddenly lost consciousness and developed electro-mechanical
      dissociation. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation followed by insertion of an intra
      aortic balloon pump (IABP) and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support were
      initiated. The echocardiogram revealed moderate pericardial effusion, though the
      site of free wall rupture was not distinctly visible. A left ventriculogram
      clearly showed an infero-posterior apical wall rupture. Surgical treatment was
      withheld because of the interim development of brain death. CONCLUSIONS: In this
      patient, who presented with severe AS, the administration of catecholamine to
      stabilize the blood pressure probably increased the intraventricular pressures
      considerably despite apparently normal measurements of the central aortic
      pressure. IABP, temporary pacemaker, or both are recommended instead of
      intravenous catecholamines for patients with AMI complicated with significant AS
      to stabilize hemodynamic function during angioplasty.

PMID- 27266265
TI  - Thrombotic microangiopathy as first manifestation of acute human immunodeficiency
      virus infection: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We present the case of a patient with acute human immunodeficiency
      virus infection and a thrombotic microangiopathy as the first clinical
      manifestation, a presentation that has not, to the best of our knowledge, been
      previously reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old Bolivian man presented with
      epistaxis and thrombocytopenia. We found microangiopathic anemia, lymphopenia,
      elevated lactate dehydrogenase, progressive acute renal failure, negative direct
      antiglobulin test, and normal activity of ADAMTS13. An human immunodeficiency
      virus ELISA test was negative, with an human immunodeficiency virus viral load of
      10,000,000 RNA copies/mL. Antiretroviral therapy and three sessions of
      therapeutic plasma exchange were able to control thrombotic microangiopathy.
      CONCLUSIONS: Hematologic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection
      are frequent. However, the debut of acute human immunodeficiency virus infection
      with thrombotic microangiopathy is a rare event. A high index of suspicion and
      early treatment is required.

PMID- 27266266
TI  - 'Candidatus Phytoplasma hispanicum', a novel taxon associated with Mexican
      periwinkle virescence disease of Catharanthus roseus.
AB  - Mexican periwinkle virescence (MPV) phytoplasma was originally discovered in
      diseased plants of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) in Yucatan,
      Mexico. On the basis of results from RFLP analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene
      sequences, strain MPV was previously classified as the first known member of
      phytoplasma group 16SrXIII, and a new subgroup (16SrXIII-A) was established to
      accommodate MPV phytoplasma. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences
      indicated that strain MPV represents a lineage distinct from previously described
      'CandidatusPhytoplasma' species. Nucleotide sequence alignments revealed that
      strain MPV shared less than 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with all
      previously described 'Ca.Phytoplasma' species. Based on unique properties of the
      DNA, we propose recognition of Mexican periwinkle virescence phytoplasma strain
      MPV as representative of a novel taxon, 'CandidatusPhytoplasma hispanicum'.

PMID- 27266267
TI  - Streamlined Total Synthesis of Uncialamycin and Its Application to the Synthesis
      of Designed Analogues for Biological Investigations.
AB  - From the enediyne class of antitumor antibiotics, uncialamycin is among the
      rarest and most potent, yet one of the structurally simpler, making it attractive
      for chemical synthesis and potential applications in biology and medicine. In
      this article we describe a streamlined and practical enantioselective total
      synthesis of uncialamycin that is amenable to the synthesis of novel analogues
      and renders the natural product readily available for biological and drug
      development studies. Starting from hydroxy- or methoxyisatin, the synthesis
      features a Noyori enantioselective reduction, a Yamaguchi acetylide-pyridinium
      coupling, a stereoselective acetylide-aldehyde cyclization, and a newly developed
      annulation reaction that allows efficient coupling of a cyanophthalide and a p
      methoxy semiquinone aminal to forge the anthraquinone moiety of the molecule.
      Overall, the developed streamlined synthesis proceeds in 22 linear steps (14
      chromatographic separations) and 11% overall yield. The developed synthetic
      strategies and technologies were applied to the synthesis of a series of designed
      uncialamycin analogues equipped with suitable functional groups for conjugation
      to antibodies and other delivery systems. Biological evaluation of a select
      number of these analogues led to the identification of compounds with low
      picomolar potencies against certain cancer cell lines. These compounds and others
      like them may serve as powerful payloads for the development of antibody drug
      conjugates (ADCs) intended for personalized targeted cancer therapy.

PMID- 27266268
TI  - Effective Enhancement of Hypoglycemic Effect of Insulin by Liver-Targeted
      Nanoparticles Containing Cholic Acid-Modified Chitosan Derivative.
AB  - Liver is responsible for the balance of blood glucose level. In this study,
      cholic acid and N-(2-hydroxy)-propyl-3-trimethylammonium chloride modified
      chitosan (HTCC-CA) was used as a liver-targeted vehicle for insulin delivery. A
      novel approach was developed to effectively load insulin by mixing insulin and
      HTCC-CA in 50% ethanol and water mixed solvent at pH 2 and then dialysis against
      pH 7.4 phosphate buffer subsequently against water. The insulin-loaded HTCC-CA
      nanoparticles have an average diameter of 86 nm and insulin loading efficiency of
      98.7%. Due to random distribution of the hydrophobic cholic acid groups in HTCC
      CA, some of the cholic acid groups located on the nanoparticle surface. Compared
      with free insulin, the nanoparticles increased in vitro cellular uptake of
      insulin to 466%, and the nanoparticles accumulated in liver for more time after
      subcutaneous injection into mice. The therapy for diabetic rats displayed that
      the nanoparticles increased the pharmacological bioavailability of insulin to
      475% relative to free insulin, and the nanoparticles could maintain the
      hypoglycemic effect for more than 24 h. This study demonstrates that the
      nanoparticles with cholic acid groups on their surface possess liver-targeted
      property and biocompatible insulin-loaded HTCC-CA nanoparticles can effectively
      enhance the hypoglycemic effect of insulin.

PMID- 27266269
TI  - Design of trials for interrupting the transmission of endemic pathogens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many interventions against infectious diseases have geographically
      diffuse effects. This leads to contamination between arms in cluster-randomized
      trials (CRTs). Pathogen elimination is the goal of many intervention programs
      against infectious agents, but contamination means that standard CRT designs and
      analyses do not provide inferences about the potential of interventions to
      interrupt pathogen transmission at maximum scale-up. METHODS: A generic model of
      disease transmission was used to simulate infections in stepped wedge cluster
      randomized trials (SWCRTs) of a transmission-reducing intervention, where the
      intervention has spatially diffuse effects. Simulations of such trials were then
      used to examine the potential of such designs for providing generalizable causal
      inferences about the impact of such interventions, including measurements of the
      contamination effects. The simulations were applied to the geography of Rusinga
      Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya, the site of the SolarMal trial on the use of odor
      baited mosquito traps to eliminate Plasmodium falciparum malaria. These were used
      to compare variants in the proposed SWCRT designs for the SolarMal trial.
      RESULTS: Measures of contamination effects were found that could be assessed in
      the simulated trials. Inspired by analyses of trials of insecticide-treated nets
      against malaria when applied to the geography of the SolarMal trial, these
      measures were found to be robust to different variants of SWCRT design. Analyses
      of the likely extent of contamination effects supported the choice of cluster
      size for the trial. CONCLUSIONS: The SWCRT is an appropriate design for trials
      that assess the feasibility of local elimination of a pathogen. The effects of
      incomplete coverage can be estimated by analyzing the extent of contamination
      between arms in such trials, and the estimates also support inferences about
      causality. The SolarMal example illustrates how generic transmission models
      incorporating spatial smoothing can be used to simulate such trials for a power
      calculation and optimization of cluster size and randomization strategies. The
      approach is applicable to a range of infectious diseases transmitted via
      environmental reservoirs or via arthropod vectors.

PMID- 27266270
TI  - Seasonality in diabetes in Yaounde, Cameroon: a relation with precipitation and
      temperature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a growing health concern in developing countries, with
      Cameroon population having an estimated 6% affected. Of note, hospital attendees
      appear to be increasing all over the country, with fluctuating numbers throughout
      the annual calendar. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship
      between diabete hospitalization admission rates and climate variations in
      Yaounde. METHODS: A retrospectively designed study was conducted in four health
      facilities of Yaounde (Central Hospital, University teaching hospital, Biyem-Assi
      and Djoungolo District Hospitals), using medical records from 2000 to 2008. A
      relationship between diabetes (newly diagnosed diabetes patients or decompensated
      diabetics) hospitalization admissions and climate variations was determined using
      the "2000-2008" national meteorological database (precipitation and temperature).
      RESULTS: The monthly medians of precipitation and temperature were 154mm and 25 
      degrees C, respectively. The month of October received 239mm of precipitation.
      The monthly medians of diabetic admissions rates (newly diagnosed or
      decompensated diabetes patients) were 262 and 72 respectively. October received
      366 newly diagnosed diabetics and 99 decompensated diabetics. Interestingly,
      diabetic hospitalization admissions rates were higher during the rainy (51 %,
      1633/3232) than the dry season, though the difference was non-significant. The
      wettest month (October) reported the highest cases (10 %, 336/3232) corresponding
      to the month with the highest precipitation level (239mm). Diabetes
      hospitalization admissions rates varied across health facilities [from 6 %
      (189/3232) in 2000 to 15 % (474/3232) in 2008]. CONCLUSION: Diabetes is an
      important epidemiological disease in the city of Yaounde. The variation in the
      prevalence of diabetes is almost superimposed to that of precipitation; and the
      prevalence seems increasing during raining seasons in Yaounde.

PMID- 27266271
TI  - Band Structure of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides Photosynthetic Reaction Center from
      Low-Temperature Absorption and Hole-Burned Spectra.
AB  - Persistent/transient spectral hole burning (HB) and computer simulations are used
      to provide new insight into the excitonic structure and excitation energy
      transfer of the widely studied bacterial reaction center (bRC) of Rhodobacter
      (Rb.) sphaeroides. We focus on site energies of its cofactors and electrochromic
      shifts induced in the chemically oxidized (P(+)) and charge-separated (P(+)QM(-))
      states. Theoretical models lead to two alternative interpretations of the H-band.
      On the basis of our experimental and simulation data, we suggest that the bleach
      near 813-825 nm in transient HB spectra in the P(+)QM(-) state, often assigned to
      the upper exciton component of the special pair, is mostly due to different
      electrochromic shifts of the BL/M cofactors. From the exciton compositions in the
      charge-neutral (CN) bRC, the weak fourth excitonic band near 780 nm can be
      denoted PY+, that is, the upper excitonic band of the special pair, which in the
      CN bRC behaves as a delocalized state over PM and PL pigments that weakly mixes
      with accessory BChls. Thus, the shoulder in the absorption of Rb. sphaeroides
      near 813-815 nm does not contain the PY+ exciton band.

PMID- 27266272
TI  - An unusual case of congenital cytomegalovirus infection-related retinopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection, and
      chorioretinitis is the most common ophthalmic manifestation of congenital CMV
      infection. We experienced a unique case of CMV retinopathy showing unusual
      retinal vessels. CASE PRESENTATION: An infant boy weighing 1860 g was born at 36
      weeks. He was diagnosed with severe symptomatic congenital CMV infection, which
      was confirmed by positive CMV-DNA in urine and whole blood, and he was referred
      to our ophthalmology department on his first day of life. Ophthalmoscopic
      examination and fluorescein angiography revealed no chorioretinitis but major
      retinal vascular occlusions and arterio-venous anastomosis associated with CMV
      detection in the aqueous humor. These findings regressed within a week after
      treatment with systemic gancyclovir administration. CONCLUSIONS: To our
      knowledge, there are no reports of these ocular issues associated with congenital
      CMV infection. These findings may be useful for the early and rapid diagnosis of
      congenital CMV infection.

PMID- 27266273
TI  - Varicella-zoster virus susceptibility and primary healthcare consultations in
      Norway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Currently Norway does not recommend universal varicella vaccination
      for healthy children. This study assessed susceptibility to varicella-zoster
      virus (VZV) in the Norwegian population for the first time. METHODS: A national
      convenience sample of residual sera was tested for anti-VZV IgG by ELISA. We
      estimated age-specific seropositivity to VZV, controlling for sex and
      geographical distribution. We assessed differences between the proportions using
      the chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression. Seroprevalence data
      were compared to the varicella and herpes zoster-associated consultation rates in
      patients attending primary healthcare. RESULTS: Although 73.2 % (n = 1,540) of
      all samples were positive for VZV, only 11.2 % of samples collected from 1-year
      olds were seropositive. There was a sharp increase in the proportion of
      seropositive in 3- and 5-year-olds (40.2 % and 65.4 %, respectively). By the
      school entry age of 6 years, 69.8 % of children were seropositive. The age
      specific annual consultation rate for varicella in primary healthcare peaked in 1
      year-olds, with 2,627 cases per 100,000 population. The profile of varicella
      related consultations in primary healthcare mirrored the VZV seropositivity
      profile. The herpes zoster-related consultations in primary healthcare peaked in
      people over 70 years of age (702 cases per 100,000 population). CONCLUSIONS: VZV
      seroprevalence in Norway was somewhat lower than in some other European
      countries. The age-specific varicella-related consultation rates in primary
      healthcare mirrored the age profile of VZV seroprevalence.

PMID- 27266275
TI  - Minimally invasive versus open surgery for acute Achilles tendon rupture: a
      systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of meta-analyses have been carried out to evaluate the
      effects of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus open surgery (OS) for acute
      Achilles tendon rupture. However, discordant findings were seen in these meta
      analyses. The present study, performing a systematic review of overlapping meta
      analyses regarding MIS versus OS of acute Achilles tendon rupture, aimed to
      assist decision-makers interpret and choose among conflicting meta-analyses, as
      well as to offer treatment recommendations based on current best evidence.
      METHODS: The literature search was performed to identify systematic reviews
      comparing MIS with OS for Achilles tendon rupture. Meta-analyses only comprising
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Two authors individually
      evaluated the quality of meta-analysis and extracted data. The Jadad decision
      algorithm was conducted to ascertain which meta-analysis offered the best
      evidence. RESULTS: A total of four meta-analyses was included. All these meta
      analyses comprised RCTs or quasi-RCTs and were determined as Level-II evidence.
      The scores of the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) ranged from
      7 to 10 (median 9.5). The Jadad algorithm indicated that the best meta-analysis
      should be chosen according to the search strategies and application of selection.
      A high-quality meta-analysis with more RCTs was chosen, which suggested that
      there was no statistically significant difference between MIS and OS regarding
      rerupture rate, tissue adhesion, sural nerve injury, deep infection, and deep
      vein thrombosis. However, MIS could decrease superficial infection rate, and had
      a better patient satisfaction for good to excellent outcomes in comparison to OS.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on the best available evidence, MIS may be superior to OS for
      treating acute Achilles tendon rupture. However, due to some limitations, this
      should be cautiously interpreted, and further high-quality studies are needed.

PMID- 27266274
TI  - Connexin 43 and CaV1.2 Ion Channel Trafficking in Healthy and Diseased
      Myocardium.

PMID- 27266276
TI  - Hypothetical biomolecular probe based on a genetic switch with tunable symmetry
      and stability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genetic switches are ubiquitous in nature, frequently associated with
      the control of cellular functions and developmental programs. In the realm of
      synthetic biology, it is of great interest to engineer genetic circuits that can
      change their mode of operation from monostable to bistable, or even to
      multistable, based on the experimental fine-tuning of readily accessible
      parameters. In order to successfully design robust, bistable synthetic circuits
      to be used as biomolecular probes, or understand modes of operation of such
      naturally occurring circuits, we must identify parameters that are key in
      determining their characteristics. RESULTS: Here, we analyze the bistability
      properties of a general, asymmetric genetic toggle switch based on a chemical
      reaction kinetic description. By making appropriate approximations, we are able
      to reduce the system to two coupled differential equations. Their deterministic
      stability analysis and stochastic numerical simulations are in excellent
      agreement. Drawing upon this general framework, we develop a model of an
      experimentally realized asymmetric bistable genetic switch based on the LacI and
      TetR repressors. By varying the concentrations of two synthetic inducers,
      doxycycline and isopropyl beta-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside, we predict that it will
      be possible to repeatedly fine-tune the mode of operation of this genetic switch
      from monostable to bistable, as well as the switching rates over many orders of
      magnitude, in an experimental setting. Furthermore, we find that the shape and
      size of the bistability region is closely connected with plasmid copy number.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on our numerical calculations of the LacI-TetR asymmetric
      bistable switch phase diagram, we propose a generic work-flow for developing and
      applying biomolecular probes: Their initial state of operation should be
      specified by controlling inducer concentrations, and dilution due to cellular
      division would turn the probes into memory devices in which information could be
      preserved over multiple generations. Additionally, insights from our analysis of
      the LacI-TetR system suggest that this particular system is readily available to
      be employed in this kind of probe.

PMID- 27266278
TI  - Synthesis of Aryl Ketoamides via Aryne Insertion into Imides.
AB  - An insertion of arenes into both imides and anhydrides via reactive aryne
      intermediates is presented. The reaction is performed under exceptionally mild
      conditions, and the corresponding ketoamide products are amenable to
      derivatization to deliver a variety of synthetically useful motifs such as
      quinolones, indoles, and ketoanilines.

PMID- 27266277
TI  - Low-level prenatal lead exposure and infant sensory function.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lead is a pervasive neurotoxicant that has been associated with
      poorer cognitive, behavioral, and motor outcomes in children. The effects of lead
      on sensory function have not been well characterized. The aim of this study was
      to assess the effects of prenatal lead exposure on infant sensory function, as
      measured by auditory brainstem response (ABR) and grating visual acuity (VA).
      METHODS: Lead was measured in maternal blood in mid- and late-pregnancy (mean
      gestational age = 15.5 and 39.0 weeks, respectively) and umbilical cord blood in
      a cohort of full-term infants in rural northeastern China. ABR latencies (peaks
      I, III, V) were measured in newborns during unsedated sleep (n = 315). The ABR
      central-to-peripheral (C-P) ratio was calculated as the ratio between the III-V
      and I-III interpeak intervals. VA was measured in 6-week-olds using Teller Acuity
      Cards (n = 1019) and assigned as the narrowest grid the infant fixated on.
      Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate relationships between
      tertiles of mid-pregnancy, late-pregnancy, or cord lead and newborn ABR or 6-week
      VA. RESULTS: Higher late-pregnancy lead levels were associated with higher ABR C
      P ratios and lower VA. In covariate-adjusted analyses, mean C-P ratios were 4.6
      and 3.2 % higher in infants whose mothers had lead > 3.8 MUg/dL and lead = 2-3.8
      MUg/dL, respectively, than for infants whose mothers had lead < 2 MUg/dL (p-trend
      =0.002). In adjusted analyses for VA, mean scores were 8.5 and 7.2 % lower for
      maternal lead > 3.8 MUg/dL and lead = 2-3.8 MUg/dL, respectively, compared to
      lead < 2 MUg/dL (p-trend =0.009). CONCLUSION: Auditory and visual systems
      maturation appears delayed in infants with higher prenatal lead exposure during
      late-pregnancy, even at relatively low levels. Both systems start myelinating in
      late gestation and mature rapidly in infancy. Higher ABR C-P ratio and lower
      grating VA scores suggest effects of low-level lead exposure on sensory system
      myelination.

PMID- 27266279
TI  - Approach of pulmonologists in Turkey to noninvasive mechanical ventilation use at
      home for chronic respiratory failure.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To define approach of pulmonologists in Turkey to noninvasive
      mechanical ventilation (NIV) use for chronic respiratory failure (CRF), the most
      currently applied technique for home mechanical ventilation. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A 38-question survey, developed and tested by the authors, was
      distributed throughout Turkey to 2205 pulmonologists by e-mail. RESULT: Twenty
      seven percent of the pulmonologists responded (n=596). Domiciliary NIV was
      reported to be prescribed by 340 physicians [57.1% of all responders and 81% of
      pulmonologists practicing NIV at clinical practice (n= 420)]. NIV prescription
      was associated with physician's title, type of hospital, duration of medical
      license, total number of patients treated with NIV during residency and current
      number of patients treated with NIV per week (p< 0.05). Main estimated
      indications were listed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (median, 25-75
      percentile of the prescriptions: 75%, 60-85), obesity hypoventilation syndrome
      (10%, 2-15), overlap syndrome (10%, 0-20) and restrictive lung disease (5%, 2
      10). For utilization of NIV at home, Bilevel positive airway pressure-spontaneous
      mode (40%, 0-80) and oronasal mask (90%, 60-100) were stated as the most
      frequently recommended mode and interface, respectively. Pressure settings were
      most often titrated based on arterial blood gas findings (79.2%). Humidifier was
      stated not to be prescribed by approximately half of the physicians recommending
      domicilliary NIV, and the main reason for this (59.2%) was being un-refundable by
      social security foundation. CONCLUSION: There is a wide variation in Turkey for
      prescription of NIV, which is supposed to improve clinical course of patients
      with CRF. Further studies are required to determine the possible causes of these
      differences, frequency of use and patient outcomes in this setting.

PMID- 27266280
TI  - Evaluation of pulmonary microsporidiosis in iatrogenically immunosuppressed
      patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Microsporidia spp. are ubiquitous and infect a wide variety of
      intervertebrates and vertebrates, including humans. Pulmonary microsporidiosis,
      characterized by nonspecific symptoms like fever, cough and dyspnea, is often
      overlooked in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary infections in
      immunsupressed patients. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of
      pulmonary microsporidiosis in iatrogenically immunosuppressed patients and to
      evaluate the patient characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bronchoalveolar
      lavage (BAL) specimens from 63 iatrogenically immunosuppressed patients and 28
      controls were examined with PCR. By using PMP1 and PMP2 common primers
      specifically designed for Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis,
      Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon hellem small-subunit ribosomal DNA
      (SSU-rDNA) regions at 250-279 bp were amplified. In addition, PCR positive BAL
      specimens were examined with modified trichrome staining method for Microsporidia
      spores. RESULT: Out of 63 immunosuppressed patients, nine (14.2%) had
      Microsporidia spp., but none of the control patients had Microsporidia spp. on
      PCR. This difference between two groups was statistically significant (chi2
      =4.439; p=0.035). On the other hand there was not a statistically significant
      relationship between PCR positivity and patient characteristics such as gender
      and age. Of nine patients with Microsporidia PCR positive, only one had spores of
      Microsporidia sp. Out of eight patients without spores, one had Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis, one patient had Klebsiella pneumoniae and five patients had
      Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the
      pulmonary microsporidiosis in immunosupressed patients in Turkey. The results of
      the study indicated that Microsporidia spp. should be taken into account in the
      differential diagnosis of pulmonary infections in immunosupressed patients and it
      is important to use molecular methods such as PCR in the laboratory diagnosis of
      the causative agent.

PMID- 27266281
TI  - [Efficiency of nebulised magnesium sulphate in infective exacerbations of chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Conflicting results has been achieved in a small number of clinical
      studies evaluating the efficiency of magnesium sulphate (MS) in COPD
      exacerbations. We aimed to investigate the efficiency of nebulised MS in COPD
      exacerbations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients who met the study criteria
      were randomized into two groups. All patients were treated with O2, antibiotics
      and oral corticosteroids. Additionally one group received ipratropium bromide
      (IB) 500 ug together with MS 151 mg/dose, while the other group received IB
      together with placebo. The patients were followed-up with forced expiratory
      volume in 1 second (FEV1) and visual analogue scale dyspnea scores for 48 hours.
      Peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs) were measured before and 10, 30, 60 and 120
      minutes after each nebule treatment. RESULT: The baseline characteristics of the
      patients in both groups were similar. The FEV1 values measured at 24 and 48 hours
      did not show significant changes compared to baseline in both groups. Dyspnea
      scores in both groups decreased significantly in the first day, and in only MS
      group in the second day. The % change in the dyspnea score at the end of first
      day was significantly more in the MS group [-23.8% (13.6)] compared with the
      placebo group [-9.4% (12.9)] (p= 0.002). The % changes in PEFRs at 10 minutes
      [4.7 (7.5) and -3.5 (6.0), p= 0.005] and 30 minutes [8.2 (6.7) and 1.3 (5.5), p=
      0.03] were significantly greater in the MS group compared with the placebo group
      on the first day. No side effects developed due to MS. CONCLUSION: Nebulised MS
      is a cheap, feasible and safe drug that can be added to the standart
      bronchodilator treatment since it provides additional relief of dyspnea in
      patients with COPD exacerbations. This needs to be evaluated in future clinical
      studies including greater number of patients.

PMID- 27266282
TI  - Tuberculosis screening and efficacy of prophylaxis in contacts of patients with
      pulmonary tuberculosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To evaluate tuberculosis screening and efficacy of prophylaxis in
      contacts of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total
      of 7453 contacts of 1909 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis treated at four
      tuberculosis dispensaries located in Istanbul, between 2005 and 2009 were
      included in this retrospective screening-based study. Data on demographics, smear
      positivity, PPD positivity, rate and onset of secondary tuberculosis and
      prophylaxis were recorded in contacts. RESULT: Overall 184 (2.5%) secondary cases
      of tuberculosis were identified within a mean 2.9 (1-5) years of follow-up. The
      rate for secondary tuberculosis was 3.1% (163/5335) in smear positive and 1.0%
      (20/2118) in smear negative contacts. With and without prophylaxis rates for
      secondary tuberculosis after 6 months of index case was identified in 0.7%
      (6/912) and 2.0% (9/455) of contacts aged 0-15 years, in 0.9% (3/339) and 2.8%
      (51/1826) of contacts aged 16-35 years and in 0% (0/215) and 0.9% (14/1507) of
      contacts aged >= 36 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our findings
      indicate high risk of being infected and diseased in smear positive contacts
      along with efficacy of prophylactic therapy among contacts not only in the
      childhood but also in adults, particularly in contacts aged 16-35 years.

PMID- 27266283
TI  - The sensitivity and specifity of DR-70 immunoassay as a tumor marker for non
      small cell lung cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is the most important causes of the cancer related
      mortality. Patients with lung cancer are usually diagnosed at advanced or locally
      advanced stage, for this reason early diagnosis of lung cancer is very important.
      For early detection of lung cancer some methods are emphasized such as low-dose
      computed tomography or tumor biomarkers. In this study we aimed to evaluate DR-70
      sensitivity and specificity as a tumor marker in detection of non-small cell lung
      cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2013 and April 2014, the serum samples
      from 88 non lung cancer patients, 86 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disesase were obtained. Blood samples from each participant were analyzed for DR
      70 level. RESULT: Totally 174 patients were enrolled to the study (152 male, 22
      female). Histopathologically 47(53.4%) patients were diagnosed with squamous cell
      lung cancer, 34 (38.6%) with adenocarcinoma, and 7 (8%) with non-small cell lung
      cancer. The mean serum DR-70 levels in lung cancer patients (2.43 +/- 1.82 ug/mL)
      was significantly higher compared to the 86 non-cancerous subjects (1.15 +/- 0.70
      ug/mL) (p< 0.01). DR-70 exhibited clinical sensitivity and specificity of 54.5
      and 83.7%, respectively, at an optimal cut off at 1.98 ug/mL. It could be said
      that the risk of the presence of the disease is 6.171 times higher in the cases
      where DR-70 level is 1.98 ug/mL and higher. CONCLUSION: DR-70, a marker used to
      measure fibrin degradation products, generated by all major cancers, may helps to
      find high risk lung cancer patients.

PMID- 27266284
TI  - The awareness of chest physicians about nutritional assessment in chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The number of studies that target nonpharmacologic treatments for
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are increasing because no existing
      pharmacologic treatment modality for COPD leads to significant improvement in
      lung function.Positive effects can be observed in patients with COPD using
      nutritional support alone or as an adjunct to exercise. In this study, we aimed
      to evaluate the awareness of chest physicians about the nutritional state of
      patients with COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of 15
      multiple choice questions was conducted to 121 chest physicians. The questions
      were formed to evaluate the awareness of chest physicians on the patients'
      nutritional state and the importance of nutrition in COPD follow-up. RESULT: In
      total, of the 121 physicians, only 3 (2.5%) reported undertaking routine
      assessment for nutritional state of patients with COPD. The rates of physicians
      who routinely questioned patients about weight loss and loss of appetite were
      56.2% (n= 68) and 51.2% (n= 62), respectively. Forty-five (37.2%) physicians said
      that they usually started nutritional support if they detected weight loss in
      patients with COPD. CONCLUSION: Although there is limited data on the benefits of
      nutritional supplementation for patients with COPD, some studies have suggested
      advantages of nutritional support against the progress of COPD. Our study showed
      that routine screening for malnutrition in patients with COPD is rare among chest
      physicians and this did not differ according to the hospitals in which they
      worked or from where they took their residency training. There is a need for
      further studies emphasizing the importance of nutritional state in the progress
      of COPD.

PMID- 27266285
TI  - [Epigenetic and current treatment approaches in chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease].
AB  - Epigenetics mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation and non
      coding RNAs may play are a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchs with regard epigenetic in COPD can shed light
      on pathogenes and may be relevant in the development of novel targeted therapies.
      The aim of this article is to review epigenetic mechanisms new treatments
      approaches in COPD. 

PMID- 27266286
TI  - A cytopathological approach to diagnosing intrathoracic lymphadenopathy using
      aspirates obtained by the transbronchial needle aspiration method.
AB  - Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is an effective, safe and cost-effective
      technique that allows for sampling of the mediastinal lymph node and
      peribronchial lesions. It is used in bronchogenic carcinoma staging,
      peribronchial and submucosal lesions, diagnosis of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis,
      differentiating submucosal invasion, and in diagnosing mediastinal masses. From
      our experience at the University of Abant Izzet Baysal and from a review of the
      literature, we discuss the adequacy and the differential diagnosis of aspiration
      material obtained by TBNA and cytopathological-histopathological evaluation in
      intrathoracic lymphadenopathies to increase the success rate of the TBNA method. 

PMID- 27266287
TI  - [Drug carrier nanosystems in malignant pleural mesothelioma].
AB  - Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), the incidence increased with each passing
      day, is an important lethal disease due to the limited survive with available
      treatment methods and with the lack of a standard treatment. Response and survive
      rates of cytotoxic agents which is used in MPM treatment are not good enough.
      Therefore, treatment studies of MPM seem to quite important and urgent. In cancer
      therapy, convensional chemotherapeutic agent applications, due to the lack of
      selectivity, lead to systemic toxicity. Besides the limited solubility of the
      agent used, the distribution between the cells is weak. It is very difficult to
      the pass through cellular barriers, particularly, drug resistance may develop to
      the treatment. All of these reasons lead to failure in the treatment process.
      Because of the fact that cytotoxic drugs either kill the rapidly growing and
      dividing cells or make them disfunctional by showing toxic effect on them, to
      avoid the side effects and to make an inherent effect for cytotoxic drug of
      active ingredient given for treatment on tumor, different studies have been under
      investigation. At the present time, nanocarriers as one of these solutions seem
      to have an important place. Nanocarriers are promising for the development of
      therapeutic effectiveness and safety. It seems that use of the nanocarrier in the
      treatment of mesothelioma has a potential, as effective alternative a method,
      with improve of the drug efficacy and reduce of toxicity in normal tissues. 

PMID- 27266288
TI  - beta-HCG secretion by a non-small cell lung cancer: a case report.
AB  - Paraneoplastic secretion of beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) in non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been rarely reported. A 43-year old male
      patient was admitted with dyspnea and chest pain. Thorax computed tomography (CT)
      revealed bilateral multiple masses and pleural effusion at right hemithorax.
      Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT showed pathologic 18 FDG uptake at mass
      lesions and mediastinal lymph nodes. The serum beta-HCG level was elevated. A
      bronchoscopy was performed and endobronchial lesion was observed. Since a
      definitive diagnosis was not achieved by pathologic examination of biopsy
      specimen, bronchoscopy was repeated and a sample was taken by cryobiopsy. The
      pathologic examination revealed non-small cell lung cancer.In conclusion, the
      case was presented because of extremely rare occurence of NSCLC secreting beta
      HCG. 

PMID- 27266289
TI  - An uncommon cause of multiple pulmonary nodules; hereditary hemorrhagic
      telangiectasia.
AB  - Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), or Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome (ROWS)
      is a very rare hereditary disease. The diagnosis is based on the clinical
      findings such as recurrent epistaxis, telangiectases, visceral arteriovenous
      malformations (AVMs) and family history. AVMs are found in the liver, lung or
      brain and could mimick the masses of these organs. Radiologic evaluation plays a
      critical role during diagnostic and therapeutic management of ROWS. Hence,
      radiologists should be aware of the diagnosis of HHT in the patients with AVMs,
      history of epistaxis and family history. We report a patient with multiple
      pulmonary AVMs secondary to HHT who has referred to our interventional radiology
      department for computed tomography guided transthorasic lung biopsy procedure
      with suspicious of malignancy. 

PMID- 27266290
TI  - Tracheal diverticulum: an unusual cause of chronic cough and recurrent
      respiratory infections.
AB  - Tracheal diverticulum (TD) defined as a typical benign out-pouching of the
      tracheal wall due to structural weakness, congenital or acquired in origin,
      resulting in paratracheal air cysts. It is rarely diagnosed in clinical practice
      with only limited reports in the literature. Most cases found incidentally in the
      postmortem examination and located on the right side. Uncomplicated TDs are
      usually asymptomatic and when symptoms have occurred, they usually present with
      non-specific symptoms like pharyngeal discomfort, cough, dyspnea, and recurrent
      respiratory infection due to either the compression of adjacent organs or
      secondary bacterial infection. Imaging techniques like thoraco-cervical multi
      slice spiral computed tomography (CT) and fiber-optic bronchoscopy are important
      diagnostic tools for this entity. Asymptomatic TDs usually require no treatment
      and managed conservatively while surgical excision is indicated in cases of
      compression of adjacent organs and recurrent infections. Here we report a case of
      tracheal diverticulum on the left side, which was diagnosed as part of a work-up
      for chronic cough and recurrent chest infection in a 40 year old female who was
      already on bronchodilator without any relief. Diagnosis of TD was based on
      findings of computed tomography, revealing small bud like projection on left para
      tracheal region and further confirmed by fiber-optic bronchoscopy while the
      barium contrast study showed no esophageal communication. She was managed
      conservatively and referred for surgical excision. 

PMID- 27266291
TI  - Removal of extracorporeal carbon dioxide in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      patients.
AB  - The use of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) procedures in chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients suffering from episodes of acute
      exacerbation are associated with high rates of mortality. In this case study, we
      describe the use of a new device for extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal
      (ECCO2R) that can provide partial respiratory support for patients where
      noninvasive ventilation (NIV) proved insufficient. The case described in this
      manuscript represents the first clinical feasibility study for the Hemolung
      device, and was also the first use and application of the device at our
      department. 

PMID- 27266292
TI  - The radiological appearance of a giant intrathoracic fibrolipoma.

PMID- 27266293
TI  - [The newly defined entity: combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema syndrome].

PMID- 27266294
TI  - Waterpipe tobacco smoking.

PMID- 27266295
TI  - GPs in Northern Ireland face "full blown crisis," BMA warns.

PMID- 27266296
TI  - A barrier to metal movement: Synchrotron study of iron plaque on roots of wetland
      plants.

PMID- 27266297
TI  - Structural and metabolic responses of microbial community to sewage-borne
      chlorpyrifos in constructed wetlands.
AB  - Long-term use of chlorpyrifos poses a potential threat to the environment that
      cannot be ignored, yet little is known about the succession of substrate
      microbial communities in constructed wetlands (CWs) under chlorpyrifos stress.
      Six pilot-scale CW systems receiving artificial wastewater containing 1mg/L
      chlorpyrifos were established to investigate the effects of chlorpyrifos and
      wetland vegetation on the microbial metabolism pattern of carbon sources and
      community structure, using BIOLOG and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
      (DGGE) approaches. Based on our samples, BIOLOG showed that Shannon diversity
      (H') and richness (S) values distinctly increased after 30days when chlorpyrifos
      was added. At the same time, differences between the vegetated and the non
      vegetated systems disappeared. DGGE profiles indicated that H' and S had no
      significant differences among four different treatments. The effect of
      chlorpyrifos on the microbial community was mainly reflected at the physiological
      level. Principal component analysis (PCA) of both BIOLOG and DGGE showed that
      added chlorpyrifos made a difference on test results. Meanwhile, there was no
      difference between the vegetation and no-vegetation treatments after addition of
      chlorpyrifos at the physiological level. Moreover, the vegetation had no
      significant effect on the microbial community at the genetic level. Comparisons
      were made between bacteria in this experiment and other known chlorpyrifos
      degrading bacteria. The potential chlorpyrifos-degrading ability of bacteria in
      situ may be considerable. 

PMID- 27266298
TI  - An overview of emissions of SO2 and NOx and the long-range transport of oxidized
      sulfur and nitrogen pollutants in East Asia.
AB  - The long-range transport of oxidized sulfur (sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfate)
      and oxidized nitrogen (nitrogen oxides (NOx) and nitrate) in East Asia is an area
      of increasing scientific interest and political concern. This paper reviews
      various published papers, including ground- and satellite-based observations and
      numerical simulations. The aim is to assess the status of the anthropogenic
      emissions of SO2 and NOx and the long-range transport of oxidized S and N
      pollutants over source and downwind region. China has dominated the emissions of
      SO2 and NOx in East Asia and urgently needs to strengthen the control of their
      emissions, especially NOx emissions. Oxidized S and N pollutants emitted from
      China are transported to Korea and Japan, due to persistent westerly winds, in
      winter and spring. However, the total contributions of China to S and N
      pollutants across Korea and Japan were not found to be dominant over longer time
      scales (e.g., a year). The source-receptor relationships for oxidized S and N
      pollutants in East Asia varied widely among the different studies. This is
      because: (1) the nonlinear effects of atmospheric chemistry and deposition
      processes were not well considered, when calculating the source-receptor
      relationships; (2) different meteorological and emission data inputs and solution
      schemes for key physical and chemical processes were used; and (3) different
      temporal and spatial scales were employed. Therefore, simulations using the same
      input fields and similar model configurations would be of benefit, to further
      evaluate the source-receptor relationships of the oxidized S and N pollutants. 

PMID- 27266299
TI  - Uptake of radioiodide by Paenibacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Burkholderia sp. and
      Rhodococcus sp. isolated from a boreal nutrient-poor bog.
AB  - Radionuclides, like radioiodine ((129)I), may escape deep geological nuclear
      waste repositories and migrate to the surface ecosystems. In surface ecosystems,
      microorganisms can affect their movement. Iodide uptake of six bacterial strains
      belonging to the genera Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia and Rhodococcus
      isolated from an acidic boreal nutrient-poor bog was tested. The tests were run
      in four different growth media at three temperatures. All bacterial strains
      removed iodide from the solution with the highest efficiency shown by one of the
      Paenibacillus strains with >99% of iodide removed from the solution in one of the
      used growth media. Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus and one of the two Paenibacillus
      strains showed highest iodide uptake in 1% yeast extract with maximum values for
      the distribution coefficient (Kd) ranging from 90 to 270L/kg DW. The Burkholderia
      strain showed highest uptake in 1% Tryptone (maximum Kd 170L/kg DW). The
      Paenibacillus strain V0-1-LW showed exceptionally high uptake in 0.5% peptone
      +0.25% yeast extract broth (maximum Kd>1,000,000L/kg DW). Addition of 0.1%
      glucose to the 0.5% peptone +0.25% yeast extract broth reduced iodide uptake at 4
      degrees C and 20 degrees C and enhanced iodide uptake at 37 degrees C compared to
      the uptake without glucose. This indicates that the uptake of glucose and iodide
      may be competing processes in these bacteria. We estimated that in in situ
      conditions of the bog, the bacterial uptake of iodide accounts for approximately
      0.1%-0.3% of the total sorption of iodide in the surface, subsurface peat, gyttja
      and clay layers. 

PMID- 27266300
TI  - Development of a field enhanced photocatalytic device for biocide of coliform
      bacteria.
AB  - A field enhanced flow reactor using bias assisted photocatalysis was developed
      for bacterial disinfection in lab-synthesized and natural waters. The reactor
      provided complete inactivation of contaminated waters with flow rates of
      50mL/min. The device consisted of titanium dioxide nanotube arrays, with an
      externally applied bias of up to 6V. Light intensity, applied voltage, background
      electrolytes and bacteria concentration were all found to impact the device
      performance. Complete inactivation of Escherichia coli W3110 (~8*10(3)CFU/mL)
      occurred in 15sec in the reactor irradiated at 25mW/cm(2) with an applied voltage
      of 4V in a 100ppm NaCl solution. Real world testing was conducted using source
      water from Emigration Creek in Salt Lake City, Utah. Disinfection of natural
      creek water proved more challenging, providing complete bacterial inactivation
      after 25sec at 6V. A reduction in bactericidal efficacy was attributed to the
      presence of inorganic and organic species, as well as the increase in robustness
      of natural bacteria. 

PMID- 27266301
TI  - Characterisation and seasonal variations of particles in the atmosphere of rural,
      urban and industrial areas: Organic compounds.
AB  - Atmospheric aerosol samples (PM2.5-0.3, i.e., atmospheric particles ranging from
      0.3 to 2.5MUm) were collected during two periods: spring-summer 2008 and autumn
      winter 2008-2009, using high volume samplers equipped with cascade impactors. Two
      sites located in the Northern France were compared in this study: a highly
      industrialised city (Dunkirk) and a rural site (Rubrouck). Physicochemical
      analysis of particulate matter (PM) was undertaken to propose parameters that
      could be used to distinguish the various sources and to exhibit seasonal
      variations but also to provide knowledge of chemical element composition for the
      interpretation of future toxicological studies. The study showed that PM2.5-0.3
      concentration in the atmosphere of the rural area remains stable along the year
      and was significantly lower than in the urban or industrial ones, for which
      concentrations increase during winter. High concentrations of polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, furans and dioxin like polychlorinated biphenyls
      (DL-PCBs), generated by industrial activities, traffic and municipal wastes
      incineration were detected in the samples. Specific criteria like Carbon
      Preference Index (CPI) and Combustion PAHs/Total PAHs ratio (CPAHs/TPAHs) were
      used to identify the possible sources of atmospheric pollution. They revealed
      that paraffins are mainly emitted by biogenic sources in spring-summer whereas as
      in the case of PAHs, they have numerous anthropogenic emission sources in autumn
      winter (mainly from traffic and domestic heating). 

PMID- 27266302
TI  - Temporal and spatial changes of microbial community in an industrial effluent
      receiving area in Hangzhou Bay.
AB  - Anthropogenic activities usually contaminate water environments, and have led to
      the eutrophication of many estuaries and shifts in microbial communities. In this
      study, the temporal and spatial changes of the microbial community in an
      industrial effluent receiving area in Hangzhou Bay were investigated by 454
      pyrosequencing. The bacterial community showed higher richness and biodiversity
      than the archaeal community in all sediments. Proteobacteria dominated in the
      bacterial communities of all the samples; Marine_Group_I and Methanomicrobia were
      the two dominant archaeal classes in the effluent receiving area. PCoA and AMOVA
      revealed strong seasonal but minor spatial changes in both bacterial and archaeal
      communities in the sediments. The seasonal changes of the bacterial community
      were less significant than those of the archaeal community, which mainly
      consisted of fluctuations in abundance of a large proportion of longstanding
      species rather than the appearance and disappearance of major archaeal species.
      Temperature was found to positively correlate with the dominant bacteria,
      Betaproteobacteria, and negatively correlate with the dominant archaea,
      Marine_Group_I; and might be the primary driving force for the seasonal variation
      of the microbial community. 

PMID- 27266303
TI  - Profiling kidney microRNAs from juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
      after 56days of oral exposure to decabromodiphenyl ethane.
AB  - Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is one of the most important species in
      China. Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) is a brominated flame retardant that has
      been used widely in industry, and has been observed to accumulate in the tissues
      of fish from South China. Evidence has shown that DBDPE is toxic to aquatic
      animals, but the molecular response has been unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are
      small noncoding and negative regulatory RNAs that are 20-24 nucleotides in
      length, which are involved in a wide range of biological processes. We took
      advantage of deep-sequencing techniques to accurately and comprehensively profile
      the kidney miRNA expression of grass carp after 8weeks of oral exposure to DBDPE.
      After mapping sequencing data to the genome and Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) of
      grass carp, we identified 493 miRNAs in the sequenced grass carp samples, which
      included 51 new miRNAs. The results indicated that 5 miRNAs were significantly
      down-regulated and 36 miRNAs were significantly up-regulated (FDR<0.001, 1.5-fold
      change) after DBDPE exposure. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed
      on 4 miRNAs from the two samples, and the sequencing and RT-qPCR data were
      consistent. This study provides the first comprehensive identification of grass
      carp miRNAs, and the first expression analysis of grass carp miRNAs following
      DBDPE exposure. The results indicated that miRNAs have potential for use as
      biomarkers. 

PMID- 27266304
TI  - Rapid synthesis of Ti-MCM-41 by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method towards
      photocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline.
AB  - This study employed microwave-assisted hydrothermal method to synthesize Ti-MCM
      41, which are mesoporous materials with a high surface area and excellent
      photocatalytic ability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray
      diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) were employed.
      The XRD findings showed that Ti-MCM-41 exhibited a peak at 2theta of 2.2 degrees
      , which was attributed to the hexagonal MCM-41 structure. The BET (Brunauer
      Emmett-Teller) results agreed with the TEM findings that Ti-MCM-41 has a pore
      size of about 3-5nm and a high surface area of 883m(2)/g. FTIR results
      illustrated the existence of Si-O-Si and Si-O-Ti bonds in Ti-MCM-41. The
      appearance of Ti 2p peaks in the XPS results confirmed the FTIR findings that the
      Ti was successfully doped into the MCM-41 structure. Zeta (zeta)-potential
      results indicated that the iso-electric point (IEP) of Ti-MCM-41 was at about
      pH3.02. In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC) at
      different pH was investigated under Hg lamp irradiation (wavelength 365nm). The
      rate constant (K'obs) for OTC degradation was 0.012min(-1) at pH3. Furthermore,
      TOC (total organic carbon) and high resolution LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry) analyses were conducted to elucidate the possible intermediate
      products and degradation pathway for OTC. The TOC removal efficiency of OTC
      degradation was 87.0%, 74.4% and 50.9% at pH3, 7 and 10, respectively. LC-MS
      analysis results showed that the degradation products from OTC resulted from the
      removal of functional groups from the OTC ring. 

PMID- 27266305
TI  - Environmental application and ecological significance of nano-zero valent iron.
AB  - Toxicity studies considering both the bare and stabilized forms of zero valent
      iron nanoparticles (nZVI) could be timely, given that ecological risks identified
      are minimized through modification or with substitution of approaches in the
      synthesis, development and environmental application of the nanoparticles before
      succeeding to volume production. This review is focused on the fate, transport
      and toxicological implications of the bare nZVI and surface modified particles
      used for environmental applications. 

PMID- 27266306
TI  - Non-thermal plasma treatment of Radix aconiti wastewater generated by traditional
      Chinese medicine processing.
AB  - The wastewater effluent from Radix aconiti processing, an important step in the
      production processes of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is a type of toxic
      wastewater and difficult to treat. Plasma oxidation methods have emerged as
      feasible techniques for effective decomposition of toxic organic pollutants. This
      study examined the performance of a plasma reactor operated in a dielectric
      barrier discharge (DBD) to degrade the effluent from R. aconiti processing. The
      effects of treatment time, discharge voltage, initial pH value and the feeding
      gas for the reactor on the degradation of this TCM wastewater were investigated.
      A bacterium bioluminescence assay was adopted in this study to test the toxicity
      of the TCM wastewater after non-thermal plasma treatment. The degradation ratio
      of the main toxic component was 87.77% after 60min treatment with oxygen used as
      feed gas and it was 99.59% when the initial pH value was 8.0. High discharge
      voltage and alkaline solution environment were beneficial for improving the
      degradation ratio. The treatment process was found to be capable of reducing the
      toxicity of the wastewater to a low level or even render it non-toxic. These
      experimental results suggested that the DBD plasma method may be a competitive
      technology for primary decomposition of biologically undegradable toxic organic
      pollutants in TCM wastewater. 

PMID- 27266307
TI  - Do phytotoxic allelochemicals remain in ashes after burning Chrysanthemoides
      monilifera subsp. monilifera (boneseed)?
AB  - Australia is facing challenges in controlling Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp.
      monilifera (boneseed). However, burning has achieved some success in this regard.
      We aimed to investigate the comparative phytotoxicity of boneseed dried powder
      and ashes (burnt at 450 degrees C and 250 degrees C). Phenolic compounds in
      powder and ashes were measured using Folin-Ciocalteu assay and HPLC. The
      phytotoxicity of boneseed powder and ash extracts was assessed through
      germination bioassay on Lactuca sativa and the phytotoxicity of litter and ashes
      was evaluated using field soil, both in growth chamber. Burning of boneseed
      reduced total phenolics in ashes of boneseed organs by 99% and 100% both at high
      and low temperatures. The four phenolic compounds that were detected in boneseed
      were either absent or at negligible levels in the ashes, with inversely related
      to temperature. Both boneseed ash extracts and litter ash-mediated soil
      significantly reduced phytotoxicity displaying increased germination, biometric
      and biochemical parameters of test species compared with unburnt powder extracts
      and litter powder-mediated soil respectively, with greater reduction of
      phytotoxicity found for ashes produced at the lower temperature. Interestingly,
      the ash extracts and litter ash-mediated soil were found to stimulate some of
      those parameters of the test species compared to control. There was no excessive
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in test species exposed to ash extracts
      compared with unburnt powder extracts. These findings suggest that burning of
      boneseed is an appropriate method of weed control and that this approach will
      reduce phytotoxicity of this species on native plants. 

PMID- 27266308
TI  - Microcystin accumulation and biochemical responses in the edible clam
      Corbiculaleana P. exposed to cyanobacterial crude extract.
AB  - We investigated the accumulation and effects of cyanobacterial crude extract
      (CCE) containing microcystins (MCs) on the edible clam Corbiculaleana P. Toxic
      effects were evaluated through the activity of antioxidant and detoxification
      enzymes: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-S
      transferases (GSTs) from gills, foot, mantle and remaining soft tissues. Clams
      were exposed to CCE containing 400MUg MC-LReq/L for 10days and were then kept in
      toxin-free water for 5days. Clam accumulated MCs (up to 3.41+/-0.63MUg/g dry
      weight (DW) of unbound MC and 0.31+/-0.013MUg/g DW of covalently bound MC).
      Detoxification and antioxidant enzymes in different organs responded differently
      to CCE during the experiment. The activity of SOD, CAT, and GST in the gills and
      mantle increased in MC-treated clams. In contrast, CAT and GST activity was
      significantly inhibited in the foot and mostly only slightly changed in the
      remaining tissues. The responses of biotransformation, antioxidant enzyme
      activity to CCE and the fast elimination of MCs during depuration help to explain
      how the clam can survive for long periods (over a week) during the decay of toxic
      cyanobacterial blooms in nature. 

PMID- 27266309
TI  - Lead toxicity thresholds in 17 Chinese soils based on substrate-induced
      nitrification assay.
AB  - The influence of soil properties on toxicity threshold values for Pb toward soil
      microbial processes is poorly recognized. The impact of leaching on the Pb
      threshold has not been assessed systematically. Lead toxicity was screened in 17
      Chinese soils using a substrate-induced nitrification (SIN) assay under both
      leached and unleached conditions. The effective concentration of added Pb causing
      50% inhibition (EC50) ranged from 185 to >2515mg/kg soil for leached soil and 130
      to >2490mg/kg soil for unleached soil. These results represented >13- and >19
      fold variations among leached and unleached soils, respectively. Leaching
      significantly reduced Pb toxicity for 70% of both alkaline and acidic soils
      tested, with an average leaching factor of 3.0. Soil pH and CEC were the two most
      useful predictors of Pb toxicity in soils, explaining over 90% of variance in the
      unleached EC50 value. The relationships established in the present study
      predicted Pb toxicity within a factor of two of measured values. These
      relationships between Pb toxicity and soil properties could be used to establish
      site-specific guidance on Pb toxicity thresholds. 

PMID- 27266310
TI  - Sulfate reducing bacterial community and in situ activity in mature fine tailings
      analyzed by real time qPCR and microsensor.
AB  - Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) play significant roles in anaerobic environments
      in oil sands mature fine tailings (MFTs). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is produced
      during the biological sulfate reduction process. The production of toxic H2S is
      one of the concerns because it may hinder the landscape remediation efficiency of
      oil sands tailing ponds. In present study, the in situ activity and the community
      structure of SRB in MFT and gypsum amended MFT in two settling columns were
      investigated. Combined techniques of H2S microsensor and dissimilatory sulfite
      reductase beta-subunit (dsrB) genes-based real time quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction (qPCR) were applied to detect the in situ H2S and the abundance of SRB.
      A higher diversity of SRB and more H2S were observed in gypsum amended MFT than
      that in MFT, indicating a higher sulfate reduction activity in gypsum amended
      MFT; in addition, the activity of SRB varied as depth in both MFT and gypsum
      amended MFT: the deeper the more H2S produced. Long-term plans for tailings
      management can be assessed more wisely with the information provided in this
      study. 

PMID- 27266311
TI  - Rapid degradation of dyes in water by magnetic Fe(0)/Fe3O4/graphene composites.
AB  - Magnetic Fe(0)/Fe3O4/graphene has been successfully synthesized by a one-step
      reduction method and investigated in rapid degradation of dyes in this work. The
      material was characterized by N2 sorption-desorption, scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating
      sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
      (XPS). The results indicated that Fe(0)/Fe3O4/graphene had a layered structure
      with Fe crystals highly dispersed in the interlayers of graphene, which could
      enhance the mass transfer process between Fe(0)/Fe3O4/graphene and pollutants.
      Fe(0)/Fe3O4/graphene exhibited ferromagnetism and could be easily separated and
      re-dispersed for reuse in water. Typical dyes, such as Methyl Orange, Methylene
      Blue and Crystal Violet, could be decolorized by Fe(0)/Fe3O4/graphene rapidly.
      After 20min, the decolorization efficiencies of methyl orange, methylene blue and
      crystal violet were 94.78%, 91.60% and 89.07%, respectively. The reaction
      mechanism of Fe(0)/Fe3O4/graphene with dyes mainly included adsorption and
      enhanced reduction by the composite. Thus, Fe(0)/Fe3O4/graphene prepared by the
      one-step reduction method has excellent performance in removal of dyes in water. 

PMID- 27266312
TI  - Estimating emissions from crop residue open burning in China based on statistics
      and MODIS fire products.
AB  - With the objective of reducing the large uncertainties in the estimations of
      emissions from crop residue open burning, an improved method for establishing
      emission inventories of crop residue open burning at a high spatial resolution of
      0.25 degrees *0.25 degrees  and a temporal resolution of 1month was established
      based on the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) Thermal
      Anomalies/Fire Daily Level3 Global Product (MOD/MYD14A1). Agriculture
      mechanization ratios and regional crop-specific grain-to-straw ratios were
      introduced to improve the accuracy of related activity data. Locally observed
      emission factors were used to calculate the primary pollutant emissions. MODIS
      satellite data were modified by combining them with county-level agricultural
      statistical data, which reduced the influence of missing fire counts caused by
      their small size and cloud cover. The annual emissions of CO2, CO, CH4,
      nonmethane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), N2O, NOx, NH3, SO2, fine
      particles (PM2.5), organic carbon (OC), and black carbon (BC) were 150.40, 6.70,
      0.51, 0.88, 0.01, 0.13, 0.07, 0.43, 1.09, 0.34, and 0.06Tg, respectively, in
      2012. Crop residue open burning emissions displayed typical seasonal and spatial
      variation. The highest emission regions were the Yellow-Huai River and Yangtse
      Huai River areas, and the monthly emissions were highest in June (37%).
      Uncertainties in the emission estimates, measured as 95% confidence intervals,
      range from a low of within +/-126% for N2O to a high of within +/-169% for NH3. 

PMID- 27266313
TI  - pH-dependent release characteristics of antimony and arsenic from typical
      antimony-bearing ores.
AB  - The pH-dependent leaching of antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) from three typical Sb
      bearing ores (Banxi, Muli and Tongkeng Antimony Mine) in China was assessed using
      a pH-static leaching experiment. The pH changes of the leached solutions and pH
      dependent leaching of Sb and As occurred in different ways. For the Banxi and
      Muli Sb ores, alkaline conditions were more favorable for the release of Sb
      compared to neutral and acidic conditions, but the reverse was true for the pH
      dependent release of As. For the Tongkeng Sb ore, unlike the previous two Sb
      bearing ores, acidic conditions were more favorable for Sb release than neutral
      and alkaline conditions. The ores with lower Sb and As contents released higher
      percentages of their Sb and As after 16day leaching, suggesting that they are the
      largest potential sources of pollution. This work may provide key information on
      the geochemistry of Sb and As in the weathering zone. 

PMID- 27266314
TI  - Sulfur-based autotrophic denitrification from the micro-polluted water.
AB  - Eutrophication caused by high concentrations of nutrients is a huge problem for
      many natural lakes and reservoirs. Removing the nitrogen contamination from the
      low C/N water body has become an urgent need. Autotrophic denitrification with
      the sulfur compound as electron donor was investigated in the biofilter reactors.
      Through the lab-scale experiment, it was found that different sulfur compounds
      and different carriers caused very different treatment performances. Thiosulfate
      was selected to be the best electron donor and ceramsite was chosen as the
      suitable carrier due to the good denitrification efficiency, low cost and the
      good resistibility against the high hydraulic loads. Later the optimum running
      parameters of the process were determined. Then the pilot-scale experiment was
      carried out with the real micro-polluted water from the West Lake, China. The
      results indicated that the autotrophic denitrification with thiosulfate as
      electron donor was feasible and applicable for the micro-polluted lake water. 

PMID- 27266315
TI  - The potential application of red mud and soil mixture as additive to the surface
      layer of a landfill cover system.
AB  - Red mud, the by-product of aluminum production, has been regarded as a
      problematic residue all over the world. Its storage involves risks as evidenced
      by the Ajka red mud spill, an accident in Hungary where the slurry broke free,
      flooding the surrounding areas. As an immediate remediation measure more than 5cm
      thick red mud layer was removed from the flooded soil surface. The removed red
      mud and soil mixture (RMSM) was transferred into the reservoirs for storage. In
      this paper the application of RMSM is evaluated in a field study aiming at re
      utilizing waste, decreasing cost of waste disposal and providing a value-added
      product. The purpose was to investigate the applicability of RMSM as surface
      layer component of landfill cover systems. The field study was carried out in two
      steps: in lysimeters and in field plots. The RMSM was mixed at ratios ranging
      between 0 and 50% w/w with low quality subsoil (LQS) originally used as surface
      layer of an interim landfill cover. The characteristics of the LQS+RMSM mixtures
      compared to the subsoil (LQS) and the RMSM were determined by physical-chemical,
      biological and ecotoxicological methods. The addition of RMSM to the subsoil
      (LQS) at up to 20% did not result any ecotoxic effect, but it increased the water
      holding capacity. In addition, the microbial substrate utilization became about
      triple of subsoil (LQS) after 10months. According to our results the RMSM mixed
      into subsoil (LQS) at 20% w/w dose may be applied as surface layer of landfill
      cover systems. 

PMID- 27266316
TI  - Computer simulation of the coagulation of suspended solids - The applicability of
      the Muller-Smoluchowski theory.
AB  - The results of studies carried out using a computer programme simulating the
      coagulation of suspensions containing spherical sol particles and spherical
      coagulant particles are reported. The influence of the degree of dispersion of
      the system on the coagulation reaction kinetics was investigated. The obtained
      results of kinetic studies were tested in the light of classical Muller
      Smoluchowski equations. The influence of the physical properties of the
      coagulant, such as size, density and mass, on the coagulation rate was tested. It
      was found that within the range described in this paper, the rate of the
      simulated coagulation process fulfils both the kinetic equation of a first-order
      reaction, and the kinetic equation of a second-order reaction. Within the tested
      range, a significant influence of the mass and size of the coagulant on the
      coagulation rate was ascertained. The kinetic Muller-Smoluchowski dependence is
      fulfilled in a broader range of the degree of dispersion, when the coagulant
      particle mass and the sol particle mass are equal. When the particle mass
      increases with an increase in the particle radius, the coagulation rate increases
      faster that it would result from the Muller's dependence. 

PMID- 27266317
TI  - Positively charged microporous ceramic membrane for the removal of Titan Yellow
      through electrostatic adsorption.
AB  - To develop a depth filter based on the electrostatic adsorption principle,
      positively charged microporous ceramic membrane was prepared from a diatomaceous
      earth ceramic membrane. The internal surface of the highly porous ceramic
      membrane was coated with uniformly distributed electropositive nano-Y2O3 coating.
      The dye removal performance was evaluated through pressurized filtration tests
      using Titan Yellow aqueous solution. It showed that positively charged
      microporous ceramic membrane exhibited a flow rate of 421L/(m(2).hr) under the
      trans-membrane pressure of 0.03bar. Moreover it could effectively remove Titan
      Yellow with feed concentration of 10mg/L between pH3 to 8. The removal rate
      increased with the enhancement of the surface charge properties with a maximum
      rejection of 99.6%. This study provides a new and feasible method of removing
      organic dyes in wastewater. It is convinced that there will be a broad market for
      the application of charged ceramic membrane in the field of dye removal or
      recovery from industry wastewater. 

PMID- 27266318
TI  - Distribution and transportation of mercury from glacier to lake in the Qiangyong
      Glacier Basin, southern Tibetan Plateau, China.
AB  - The Tibetan Plateau is home to the largest aggregate of glaciers outside the
      Polar Regions and is a source of fresh water to 1.4 billion people. Yet little is
      known about the transportation and cycling of Hg in high-elevation glacier basins
      on Tibetan Plateau. In this study, surface snow, glacier melting stream water and
      lake water samples were collected from the Qiangyong Glacier Basin. The
      spatiotemporal distribution and transportation of Hg from glacier to lake were
      investigated. Significant diurnal variations of dissolved Hg (DHg) concentrations
      were observed in the river water, with low concentrations in the morning (8:00am
      14:00pm) and high concentrations in the afternoon (16:00pm-20:00pm). The DHg
      concentrations were exponentially correlated with runoff, which indicated that
      runoff was the dominant factor affecting DHg concentrations in the river water.
      Moreover, significant decreases of Hg were observed during transportation from
      glacier to lake. DHg adsorption onto particulates followed by the sedimentation
      of particulate-bound Hg (PHg) could be possible as an important Hg removal
      mechanism during the transportation process. Significant decreases in Hg
      concentrations were observed downstream of Xiao Qiangyong Lake, which indicated
      that the high-elevation lake system could significantly affect the distribution
      and transportation of Hg in the Qiangyong Glacier Basin. 

PMID- 27266319
TI  - Effects of pentachlorophenol on the detoxification system in white-rumped munia
      (Lonchura striata).
AB  - Pentachlorophenol (PCP), a priority pollutant due to its persistence and high
      toxicity, has been used worldwide as a pesticide and biocide. To understand the
      adverse effects of PCP, adult male white-rumped munias (Lonchura striata) were
      orally administrated commercial PCP mixed with corn oil at dosages of 0, 0.05,
      0.5, and 5mg/(kg.day) for 42day. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
      analysis found that PCP was preferentially accumulated in the kidney rather than
      in the liver and muscle in all exposure groups. To examine the function of CYP1A
      in pollutant metabolism, we isolated two full-length cDNA fragments (designated
      as CYP1A4 and CYP1A5) from L. striata liver using reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. PCP induced the
      expression of CYP1A5, although no obvious change was observed in CYP1A4
      expression. Furthermore, PCP significantly elevated the activities of
      ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and methoxyresorufin O-demethylase and decreased the
      activity of benzyloxy-trifluoromethyl-coumarin, with no significant responses
      observed in benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase. PCP induced significant changes in
      antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities and
      malondialdehyde content, but decreased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and
      glutathione S-transferase activities and GSH content in the liver of L. striata.
      The present study demonstrated that PCP had hepatic toxic effects by affecting
      CYP1As and anti-oxidative status. 

PMID- 27266320
TI  - High-performance size exclusion chromatography with a multi-wavelength absorbance
      detector study on dissolved organic matter characterisation along a water
      distribution system.
AB  - This study examined the associations between dissolved organic matter (DOM)
      characteristics and potential nitrification occurrence in the presence of
      chloramine along a drinking water distribution system. High-performance size
      exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) coupled with a multiple wavelength detector (200
      280nm) was employed to characterise DOM by molecular weight distribution,
      bacterial activity was analysed using flow cytometry, and a package of simple
      analytical tools, such as dissolved organic carbon, absorbance at 254nm, nitrate,
      nitrite, ammonia and total disinfectant residual were also applied and their
      applicability to indicate water quality changes in distribution systems were also
      evaluated. Results showed that multi-wavelength HPSEC analysis was useful to
      provide information about DOM character while changes in molecule weight profiles
      at wavelengths less than 230nm were also able to be related to other water
      quality parameters. Correct selection of the UV wavelengths can be an important
      factor for providing appropriate indicators associated with different DOM
      compositions. DOM molecular weight in the range of 0.2-0.5kDa measured at 210nm
      correlated positively with oxidised nitrogen concentration (r=0.99), and the
      concentrations of active bacterial cells in the distribution system (r=0.85). Our
      study also showed that the changes of DOM character and bacterial cells were
      significant in those sampling points that had decreases in total disinfectant
      residual. HPSEC-UV measured at 210nm and flow cytometry can detect the changes of
      low molecular weight of DOM and bacterial levels, respectively, when
      nitrification occurred within the chloraminated distribution system. 

PMID- 27266321
TI  - Occurrence and impact of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans in the
      air and soil around a municipal solid waste incinerator.
AB  - To assess the influence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated
      dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) on the environment in the vicinity of municipal solid
      waste incinerators (MSWIs), we determined the levels of PCDD/Fs in air and soil
      samples collected around a MSWI, which is the largest in China. The International
      Toxicity Equivalency Quantity (I-TEQ) concentrations of PCDD/Fs in air samples
      were from 0.0300 to 1.03pgI-TEQ/m(3) (0.445-13.6pg/m(3)), with an average of
      0.237pgI-TEQ/m(3), while in soil samples they ranged from 0.520 to 3.40pgI-TEQ/g
      (2.41-88.7pg/g) with an average of 1.49pgI-TEQ/g. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs
      in air and soil samples were comparable to other areas, and PeCDFs were the
      dominant contributors, which was different from stack gas homologue patterns.
      Multivariate statistical analysis showed that PCDD/Fs emission from the MSWI did
      not directly affect the profiles of PCDD/Fs in air and soils, so that vehicles
      and unidentified emission sources should be considered. The daily inhalation
      levels of PCDD/Fs for children (0.0110 to 0.392pgI-TEQ/(kg.day) and adults
      (0.00600 to 0.221pgI-TEQ/(kg.day) near the MSWI were lower than the tolerable
      daily intake of 1.00 to 4.00pg WHO-TEQ/(kg.day), but in winter the values were
      higher than in summer. These results can be used as basic data for assessing the
      risk of PCDD/Fs exposure in residents living around this MSWI, and more
      monitoring programs and studies should be carried out around MSWIs. 

PMID- 27266322
TI  - The biological effect of metal ions on the granulation of aerobic granular
      activated sludge.
AB  - As a special biofilm structure, microbial attachment is believed to play an
      important role in the granulation of aerobic granular activated sludge (AGAS).
      This experiment was to investigate the biological effect of Ca(2+), Mg(2+),
      Cu(2+), Fe(2+), Zn(2+), and K(+) which are the most common ions present in
      biological wastewater treatment systems, on the microbial attachment of AGAS and
      flocculent activated sludge (FAS), from which AGAS is always derived, in order to
      provide a new strategy for the rapid cultivation and stability control of AGAS.
      The result showed that attachment biomass of AGAS was about 300% higher than that
      of FAS without the addition of metal ions. Different metal ions had different
      effects on the process of microbial attachment. FAS and AGAS reacted differently
      to the metal ions as well, and in fact, AGAS was more sensitive to the metal
      ions. Specifically, Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and K(+) could increase the microbial
      attachment ability of both AGAS and FAS under appropriate concentrations, Cu(2+),
      Fe(2+), and Zn(2+) were also beneficial to the microbial attachment of FAS at low
      concentrations, but Cu(2+), Fe(2+), and Zn(2+) greatly inhibited the attachment
      process of AGAS even at extremely low concentrations. In addition, the acylated
      homoserine lactone (AHL)-based quorum sensing system, the content of
      extracellular polymeric substances and the relative hydrophobicity of the sludges
      were greatly influenced by metal ions. As all these parameters had close
      relationships with the microbial attachment process, the microbial attachment may
      be affected by changes of these parameters. 

PMID- 27266323
TI  - Phosphate recovery from anaerobic digester effluents using CaMg(OH)4.
AB  - Dolomite lime (DL) (CaMg(OH)4) was used as an economical source of Mg(2+) for the
      removal and recovery of phosphate from an anaerobic digester effluent of a
      municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) wastewater. Batch precipitation
      results determined that phosphate was effectively reduced from 87 to less than
      4mg-P/L when the effluent water was mixed with 0.3g/L of DL. The competitive
      precipitation mechanisms of different solids in the treatment system consisting
      of Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-NH4(+)-PO4(3-)CO3(2-) were determined by comparing model
      predictions with experimental results. Thermodynamic model calculations indicated
      that hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2), Ca4H(PO4)3?3H2O, Ca3(PO4)2(beta), and
      Ca3(PO4)2(am2) were more stable than struvite (MgNH4PO3?6H2O) and calcite
      (CaCO3). However, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis determined the formation of
      struvite and calcite minerals in the treated effluent. Kinetic experimental
      results showed that most of the phosphate was removed from synthetic effluent
      containing NH4(+) within 2hr, while only 20% of the PO4(3-) was removed in the
      absence of NH4(+) after 24hr of treatment. The formation of struvite in the DL
      treated effluent was due to the rapid precipitation rate of the mineral. The
      final pH of the DL-treated effluent significantly influenced the mass ratio of
      struvite to calcite in the precipitates. Because more calcite was formed when the
      pH increased from 8.4 to 9.6, a pH range of 8.0-8.5 should be used to produce
      solid with high PO4(3-) content. This study demonstrated that DL could be used
      for effective removal of phosphate from the effluent and that resultant
      precipitates contained high content of phosphate and ammonium. 

PMID- 27266324
TI  - Biochar: A review of its impact on pesticide behavior in soil environments and
      its potential applications.
AB  - Biochar is produced from the pyrolysis of carbon-rich plant- and animal-residues
      under low oxygen and high temperature conditions and has been increasingly used
      for its positive role in soil compartmentalization through activities such as
      carbon sequestration and improving soil quality. Biochar is also considered a
      unique adsorbent due to its high specific surface area and highly carbonaceous
      nature. Therefore, soil amendments with small amounts of biochar could result in
      higher adsorption and, consequently, decrease the bioavailability of contaminants
      to microbial communities, plants, earthworms, and other organisms in the soil.
      However, the mechanisms affecting the environmental fate and behavior of organic
      contaminants, especially pesticides in biochar-amended soil, are not well
      understood. The purpose of this work is to review the role of biochar in primary
      processes, such as adsorption-desorption and leaching of pesticides. Biochar has
      demonstrable effects on the fate and effects of pesticides and has been shown to
      affect the degradation and bioavailability of pesticides for living organisms.
      Moreover, some key aspects of agricultural and environmental applications of
      biochar are highlighted. 

PMID- 27266325
TI  - Corrigendum to "Silver nanoparticles tolerant bacteria from sewage environment"
      [J. Environ. Sci. (2011) 23 (2) 346-352].

PMID- 27266326
TI  - Indian scheme to reduce antibiotic misuse is failing because of widespread
      ignorance, say pharmacists.

PMID- 27266328
TI  - Are firefighters able to perform intraosseous access and start fluid
      resuscitation in an anaphylactic patient?

PMID- 27266329
TI  - Successful treatment of a pulmonary embolism with low dose of tissue plasminogen
      activator after thoracic surgery.

PMID- 27266327
TI  - Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells and 5'adenosine monophosphate
      activated protein kinase in the inflammatory response: a potential therapeutic
      target.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The events in the cellular and molecular signaling triggered during
      inflammation mitigate tissue healing. The metabolic check-point control mediated
      by 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is crucial for
      switching the cells into an activated state capable of mediating inflammatory
      events. The cell metabolism involved in the inflammatory response represents a
      potential therapeutic target for the pharmacologic management of inflammation.
      Areas covered: In this article, a critical review is presented on triggering
      receptor expressed on myeloid cell (TREM) receptors and their role in the
      inflammatory responses, as well as homeostasis between different TREM molecules
      and their regulation. Additionally, we discussed the relationship between TREM
      and AMPK to identify novel targets to limit the inflammatory response. Literature
      search was carried out from the National Library of Medicine's Medline database
      (using PubMed as the search engine) and Google Scholar and identified relevant
      studies up to 30 March 2016 using inflammation, TREM, AMPK, as the key words.
      Expert commentary: The prevention of phenotype switching of immune cells during
      inflammation by targeting AMPK and TREM-1 could be beneficial for developing
      novel management strategies for inflammation and associated complications.

PMID- 27266331
TI  - Sweating the assets of flavin cofactors: new insight of chemical versatility from
      knowledge of structure and mechanism.
AB  - Flavins are arguably one of the most versatile cofactors by virtue of the
      reactivity of the isoalloxazine ring system. A varied catalogue of reactions for
      the diverse family of flavoenzymes has been reported, leading to unifying
      concepts in (long-range) electron transfer, oxygen activation, photochemistry and
      substrate redox reactions. Recent examples of unprecedented flavin chemistry have
      been reported that uncover hidden depths of the flavoenzyme chemical repertoire.
      These include ring expansion of flavin through prenylation and formation of the
      superoxidized flavin-N5 oxide species. These and other new flavin based species
      are reviewed here and suggest further exciting discoveries await the
      flavoenzymology field.

PMID- 27266330
TI  - Structure and mechanism of assembly line polyketide synthases.
AB  - Assembly line polyketide synthases (PKSs) are remarkable biosynthetic machines
      with considerable potential for structure-based engineering. Several types of
      protein-protein interactions, both within and between PKS modules, play important
      roles in the catalytic cycle of a multimodular PKS. Additionally, vectorial
      biosynthesis is enabled by the energetic coupling of polyketide chain elongation
      to the channeling of intermediates between successive modules. A combination of
      high-resolution analysis of smaller PKS components and lower resolution
      characterization of intact modules and bimodules has yielded insights into the
      structure and organization of a prototypical assembly line PKS. This review
      discusses our understanding of key structure-function relationships in this
      family of megasynthases, along with a recap of key unanswered questions in the
      field.

PMID- 27266333
TI  - Qualitative and quantitative determination of R-phycoerythrin from Halymenia
      floresia (Clemente) C. Agardh by polyacrylamide gel using electrophoretic elution
      technique.
AB  - R-Phycoerythrin is one of the phycobiliproteins widely found in seaweeds. In this
      study, we have shown to extract and purify R-Phycoerythrin from the south east
      cost Indian red seaweed Halymenia floresia. R-Phycoerythrin was extracted in 50mM
      phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The preparative native PAGE purification was employed
      alternative to the chromatography and therefore can be scaled up efficiently.
      Both the yield and the purity of R-Phycoerythrin are very effective. The purified
      R-Phycoerythrin showed a single band on the examination by native PAGE
      electrophrosis. SDS-PAGE analysis showed five bands at 16kDa, 21kDa, 30kDa, 39kDa
      and 47kDa which corresponds to the alpha, beta and gamma', gamma and alphabeta
      subunits. This preparative method for R-Phycoerythrin purification can offer a
      reference for R-Phycoerythrin purification from other marine red macro algae. 

PMID- 27266332
TI  - Graphitic carbon nitride as high-resolution stationary phase for gas
      chromatographic separations.
AB  - This work presents the first example of utilization of graphitic carbon nitride
      (g-C3N4) as stationary phase for capillary gas chromatographic (GC) separations.
      The statically coated g-C3N4 column showed the column efficiencies of 3760
      plates/m and weak polarity. Its resolving capability and retention behaviours
      were investigated by using the Grob test mixture, and mixtures of diverse types
      of analytes, and structural and positional isomers. The results showed superior
      separation performance of the g-C3N4 stationary phase for some critical analytes
      and preferential retention for aromatic analytes. Specifically, it exhibited high
      resolution capability for aromatic and aliphatic isomers such as
      methylnaphthalenes and dimethylnaphthalenes, phenanthrene and anthracene and
      alkane isomers. In addition, g-C3N4 column showed excellent thermal stability up
      to 280 degrees C and good repeatability with relative standard deviation (RSD)
      values less than 0.09% for intra-day, below 0.23% for inter-day and in the range
      of 1.9-8.4% for between-column, respectively. The advantageous separation
      performance shows the potential of g-C3N4 and related materials as stationary
      phase in GC and other separation technologies. 

PMID- 27266334
TI  - Mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction of cephalosporins in biological samples
      with ionic liquid-coated magnetic graphene oxide nanoparticles coupled with high
      performance liquid chromatographic analysis.
AB  - A novel mixed hemimicelles solid phase extraction based on magnetic graphene
      oxide (Fe3O4/GO) and ionic liquid (IL) was developed for the simultaneous
      extraction and determination of trace cephalosporins in spiked human urine. The
      high surface area and excellent adsorption capacity of the graphene oxide after
      modification with1-hexadecyl-3-methylmidazoliumbromide(C16mimBr) were utilized
      adequately in the solid phase extraction(SPE) process. A comprehensive study of
      the parameters affecting the extraction recovery, such as the zeta-potential of
      magnetic graphene oxide, amounts of magnetic graphene oxide and surfactant, pH of
      solution, ionic strength, extraction time, and desorption condition were
      optimized. A comparative study on the use of different surfacant-coated Fe3O4/GO
      NPs as sorbents was presented. Good linearity (R(2)>0.9987) for all calibration
      curves was obtained. The LODs were ranged between 0.6 and 1.9ng mL(-1) for the
      cephalosporins and the LOQs were 1.5 to 5.5, respectively. Satisfactory
      recoveries(84.3% to 101.7%)and low relative standard deviations from 1.7% to 6.3%
      in biological matrices were achieved. The mixed hemimicelles magnetic SPE (MSPE)
      method based on ILs and Fe3O4/GO NPs magnetic separation has ever been
      successfully used for pretreatment of complex biological samples. 

PMID- 27266335
TI  - Separation of enantiomers on chiral stationary phase based on cellulase: Effect
      of preparation method and silica particle diameters on chiral recognition
      ability.
AB  - Cellulase (Cel) was immobilized onto aminopropyl-silica gels via its amino and
      carboxy groups, respectively, using N,N'-disuccinimidyl carbonate, and 1-ethyl-3
      (3'-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodimide and N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide. They were
      termed N-Cel and C-Cel, respectively. Despite their smaller retention factors on
      a C-Cel column, the enantioseparation factors and resolution of beta-blockers,
      propranolol, alprenolol, oxprenolol and pindolol, were similar with N- and C-Cel
      columns. In addition, C-Cel was prepared using aminopropyl-silica gels, whose
      nominal particle diameters were 5 and 3, and 2.1MUm, respectively. A C-Cel column
      prepared with 2.1-MUm aminopropyl-silica gels gave the highest enantioselectivity
      and column efficiency among three C-Cel columns. Furthermore, the influence of
      N,N-dimethyl-n-octylamine (DMOA) or cellobiose concentrations on the retentivity
      and enantioselectivity for beta-blockers on a C-Cel column was investigated. The
      results indicate that single-site competition of beta-blockers with DMOA or
      cellobiose on the catalytic binding site of Cel and the further bindings at the
      secondary site in a non-competitive fashion could occur. Furthermore, the
      enantioselective bindings of beta-blockers could occur at the catalytic biding
      cite of Cel and at the secondary binding site.

PMID- 27266336
TI  - Theoretical repeatability assessment without repetitive measurements in gradient
      high-performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - This paper puts forward a time and material-saving method for evaluating the
      repeatability of area measurements in gradient HPLC with UV detection (HPLC-UV),
      based on the function of mutual information (FUMI) theory which can theoretically
      provide the measurement standard deviation (SD) and detection limits through the
      stochastic properties of baseline noise with no recourse to repetitive
      measurements of real samples. The chromatographic determination of terbinafine
      hydrochloride and enalapril maleate is taken as an example. The best choice of
      the number of noise data points, inevitable for the theoretical evaluation, is
      shown to be 512 data points (10.24s at 50 point/s sampling rate of an A/D
      converter). Coupled with the relative SD (RSD) of sample injection variability in
      the instrument used, the theoretical evaluation is proved to give identical
      values of area measurement RSDs to those estimated by the usual repetitive method
      (n=6) over a wide concentration range of the analytes within the 95% confidence
      intervals of the latter RSD. The FUMI theory is not a statistical one, but the
      "statistical" reliability of its SD estimates (n=1) is observed to be as high as
      that attained by thirty-one measurements of the same samples (n=31). 

PMID- 27266337
TI  - Quantitative determination of hydroxy polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons as a
      biomarker of exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
AB  - A high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry
      (HRGC/HRMS) method was developed for quantitative analysis of hydroxy polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs). Four hydroxy metabolites of known and suspected
      carcinogenic PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), benz[a]anthracene (B[a]A), and
      chrysene (CRY)) were selected as suitable biomarkers of PAH exposure and
      associated risks to human health. The analytical method included enzymatic
      deconjugation, liquid - liquid extraction, followed by derivatization with methyl
      N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide and instrumental analysis. Photo-induced
      oxidation of target analytes - which has plagued previously published methods -
      was controlled by a combination of minimizing exposure to light, employing an
      antioxidant (2-mercaptoethanol) and utilizing a nitrogen atmosphere. Stability
      investigations also indicated that conjugated forms of the analytes are more
      stable than the non-conjugated forms. Accuracy and precision of the method were
      77.4-101% (<4.9% RSD) in synthetic urine and 92.3-117% (<15% RSD) in human urine,
      respectively. Method detection limits, determined using eight replicates of low
      level spiked human urine, ranged from 13 to 24pg/mL. The method was successfully
      applied for analysis of a pooled human urine sample and 78 mouse urine samples
      collected from mice fed with PAH-contaminated diets. In mouse urine, greater than
      94% of each analyte was present in its conjugated form. 

PMID- 27266338
TI  - Switch from infliximab to infliximab biosimilar: efficacy and safety in a cohort
      of patients with different rheumatic diseasesResponse to: Nikiphorou E,
      Kautiainen H, Hannonen P, et al. Clinical effectiveness of CT-P13 (Infliximab
      biosimilar) used as a switch from Remicade (infliximab) in patients with
      established rheumatic disease. Report of clinical experience based on prospective
      observational data. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2015;15:1677-1683.

PMID- 27266339
TI  - Hepatoprotective Effects of Soybean Embryo by Enhancing Adiponectin-Mediated AMP
      Activated Protein Kinase alpha Pathway in High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diet
      Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
AB  - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is characterized by >5%
      deposition of triglycerides in hepatocytes, is often referred as a major risk
      factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. We investigated the
      hepatoprotective effect of whole soybean embryos containing bioactive substances
      such as isoflavones and soyasaponins. For this study, mice were randomly
      allocated into four groups that were fed different diets for 10 weeks: normal
      diets and high-fat and high-cholesterol diets (HD), and HD with 10% or 20%
      soybean embryo powder (10SE-HD and 20SE-HD). Hepatic superoxide dismutase and
      glutathione peroxidase activity of the experimental groups increased during the
      period of the study (P < .05). Hepatic mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor
      alpha, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, and Caspase 3 were decreased
      when soybean embryos were increased in the mice's diets. Both of the soybean
      embryo-treated groups showed significantly decreased serum and liver triglyceride
      and total cholesterol. Adiponectin, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) alpha,
      hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein
      1c, fatty acid synthase, and apolipoprotein B mRNA expressions were decreased in
      the mice that were fed soybean embryos. We suggest that the regular
      supplementation of soybean embryos might be a useful treatment for preventing
      NAFLD and associated complications through upregulation of adiponectin-mediated
      AMPKalpha pathway parameters, which are implicated in antioxidant, anti
      inflammatory, and lipid metabolism activities. 

PMID- 27266340
TI  - Impact of Selenium Supplementation in Neutropenia and Immunoglobulin Production
      in Childhood Cancer Patients.
AB  - Essential to human health, selenium (Se) has enzymatic functions of fundamental
      importance to human biology due to its effects on DNA damage repair, its
      antioxidant properties, and cancer prevention. The best studied relationships
      between Se and the immune system is its role in the functions of neutrophils and
      of lymphocytes. Despite these observations, it is not yet clear by which
      mechanism Se is able to modify the immune status. This was a double-blind,
      crossover study: Group 1 received Se and Group 2 received placebo (30 days).
      After this, Group 1 received placebo and Group 2 received Se (30 days). Every 30
      days, blood samples were collected for white blood cell count, red blood cell
      count, and Ig level measurement (IgA, IgG, IgE, IgM). Of the 36 patients, 17 were
      suffering from leukemia/lymphomas (LL) and 19 from solid tumors (ST). In the ST
      group's leukogram, a significant increase in neutrophils was observed after Se
      usage (P = .0192). During the analyzed period, Se minimized the triggering of
      neutropenia cases in both groups. IgA and IgG levels in ST patients were
      significantly higher than those identified in LL patients after Se usage (P =
      .0051 and P = .0055). For IgA, a significant increase in its production, after Se
      usage, was observed in the ST group when compared to the LL (P = .0011). The same
      did not occur to the IgM and IgE immunoglobulins. In our study, the
      supplementation with Se reduced the neutropenic cases (LL and ST patients) and
      reduced IgG and IgA levels in LL and increased in ST group. 

PMID- 27266341
TI  - Aqueous Extraction of Citrus unshiu Peel Induces Proangiogenic Effects Through
      the FAK and ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.
AB  - Citrus unshiu peel has been used empirically as a traditional medicine to improve
      bronchial asthma and blood circulation in northeast Asian nations, including
      Korea, Japan, and China. In this study, we report the proangiogenic effects of
      the aqueous extract of Citrus unshiu peel (AECUP). In human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells, AECUP significantly induced cellular migration and capillary
      tube formation. We also demonstrated that AECUP markedly increased the
      phosphorylation of FAK and ERK1/2 through the integrin signaling pathway.
      Additionally, we identified that narirutin and hesperidin were major constituents
      of AECUP and both showed proangiogenic effects, but at different levels.
      Collectively, these results suggest that the AECUP may have potential as a
      therapeutic agent for improving angiogenic functions with reduced harmful side
      effects. 

PMID- 27266342
TI  - Reliability of Malondialdehyde Measurements as a Marker of Oxidative Stress in
      Pediatrics.

PMID- 27266344
TI  - Classification of cancers based on copy number variation landscapes.
AB  - Genomic alterations in DNA can cause human cancer. DNA copy number variants
      (CNV), as one of the types of DNA mutations, have been considered to be
      associated with various human cancers. CNVs vary in size from 1bp up to one
      complete chromosome arm. In order to understand the difference between different
      human cancers on CNVs, in this study, we developed a method to computationally
      classify six human cancer types by using only CNV level values. The CNVs of
      23,082 genes were used as features to construct the classifier. Then the features
      are carefully selected by mRMR (minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance Feature
      Selection) and IFS (Incremental Feature Selection) methods. An accuracy of over
      0.75 was reached by using only the CNVs of 19 genes based on Dagging method in 10
      fold cross validation. It was indicated that these 19 genes may play important
      roles in differentiating cancer types. We also analyzed the biological functions
      of several top genes within the 19 gene list. The statistical results and
      biological analysis of these genes from this work might further help understand
      different human cancer types and provide guidance for related validation
      experiments. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "System Genetics"
      Guest Editor: Dr. Yudong Cai and Dr. Tao Huang.

PMID- 27266345
TI  - [Suggestion to improve the quality of paper writing for clinical research
      publication].

PMID- 27266343
TI  - Conformational selection in amyloid-based immunotherapy: Survey of crystal
      structures of antibody-amyloid complexes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The dominant feature in neurodegenerative diseases is protein
      aggregations that lead to neuronal loss. Immunotherapies using antibodies or
      antibody fragments to target the aggregations are a highly perused approach. The
      molecular mechanisms underlying the amyloid-based immunotherapy are complex.
      Deciphering the properties of amyloidogenic proteins responsible for these
      diseases is essential to obtain insights into antibody recognition of the amyloid
      antigens. SCOPE OF REVIEW: We systematically explore all available crystal
      structures of antibody-amyloid complexes related to neurodegenerative diseases,
      including antibodies that recognize the Abeta peptide, tau protein, prion
      protein, alpha-synuclein, huntingtin protein (mHTT), and polyglutamine. MAJOR
      CONCLUSIONS: We found that antibodies mostly use the conformational selection
      mechanism to recognize the highly flexible amyloid antigens. In particular,
      solanezumab bound to Abeta12-28 tripeptide motif conformation (F19F20A21), which
      is shared with the Abeta42 fibril. This motif, which is trapped by the antibody,
      may provide the missing link in amyloid formation. Water molecules often bridge
      between the antibody and amyloid, contributing to the recognition. GENERAL
      SIGNIFICANCE: This paper provides the structural basis for antibody recognition
      of amyloidogenic proteins. The analysis and discussion of known structures are
      expected to help in the design and optimization of antibodies in
      neurodegenerative diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled
      "System Genetics" Guest Editor: Dr. Yudong Cai and Dr. Tao Huang.

PMID- 27266346
TI  - [Factors influencing glucose metabolism in young obese subjects with obstructive
      sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors influencing glucose metabolism in young obese
      subjects with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: A total
      of 106 young obese subjects[18-44 years old, body mass index (BMI) >=30
      kg/m(2)]were enrolled and divided into two groups based on full-night
      polysomnography (PSG), OSAHS group[apnea hypopnea index (AHI) >=5 events/h]and
      non-OSAHS group (AHI<5 events/h). Oral glucose tolerance-insulin releasing test
      (OGTT-IRT) was performed and serum glycosylated hemoglobin A1 (HbA1c) levels were
      measured after an overnight fast. Homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR),
      Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (MI), homeostasis model assessment-beta (HOMA
      beta), the early phase insulinogenic index (DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30)), total area
      under the curve of insulin in 180 minutes (AUC-I180) and oral disposition index
      (DIo) were calculated to evaluate insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell
      function. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were conducted to determine the
      independent linear correlation of glucose measurements with PSG parameters.
      RESULTS: Prevalence of diabetes was higher in OSAHS than in non-OSAHS group
      (22.0% vs 4.3%, P=0.009). OGTT 0, 30, 60 min glucose and HbA1c levels were higher
      in OSAHS group than those in non-OASHS group (all P<0.05). DIo were lower in
      OSAHS group than those in non-OASHS group (P=0.024), HOMA-IR, MI, HOMA-beta,
      DeltaI(30)/DeltaG(30), and AUC-I(180) were similar between two groups (all
      P>0.05). In stepwise multiple linear regressions, OGTT 0, 30 and 60 min glucose
      were positively correlated with oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (beta=0.243,
      0.273 and 0.371 respectively, all P<0.05). HOMA-beta was negatively correlated
      with AHI (beta=-0.243, P=0.011). DIo was negatively correlated with ODI (beta=
      0.234, P=0.031). CONCLUSION: OSAHS worsens glucose metabolism and compensatory
      pancreatic beta-cell function in young obese subjects, which could probably be
      attributed to sleep apnea related oxygen desaturation during sleep.

PMID- 27266347
TI  - [Relationship between expression of HDAC2, IL-8, TNF-alpha in lung adenocarcinoma
      tissues and smoking].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the expression of histone
      acetylation enzyme 2 (HDAC2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha) in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and smoking. METHODS: A total of 73
      cases of lung adenocarcinoma confirmed by pathological examination after surgical
      removals were collected in the First Affiliated Hospital and Affiliated Tumor
      Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from April 2014 to March 2015. All
      patients received preoperative lung function test. Lung adenocarcinoma and para
      cancer tissues were cut by the sharp blade and stored in liquid nitrogen and the
      sampling time was less than 30 minutes. Smokers were defined as people who had
      smoked more than 100 cigarettes or inhaled the smoke of cigarettes at least one
      day a week (more than 15 minutes every day) more than three years. According to
      the lung function and whether smoking or not, the cases of lung adenocarcinoma
      were divided into three groups: smoking without chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD) group (33 cases), without smoking and COPD group (19 cases),
      smoking with COPD group (21 cases). The levels of HDAC2, IL-8 and TNF-alpha mRNA
      in lung adenocarcinoma and para-cancer tissues of groups were detected by real
      time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the expression of HDAC2 protein was
      detected by Western blotting, and statistical analysis was carried out. RESULTS:
      The expression of HDAC2, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and
      TNM stage of lung adenocarcinoma showed no significant differences with respect
      to age and gender (P>0.05). Compared with the para-cancer tissues of 73 cases,
      the expression of HDAC2 at mRNA and protein levels in lung adenocarcinoma tissues
      were significantly lower (t=4.15, 8.006, all P<0.01). and the content of IL-8 and
      TNF-alpha at mRNA levels were increased (t=-4.252, -5. 576, all P<0.01). The
      expression of HDAC2 mRNA and protein in lung adenocarcinoma tissues in smoking
      without COPD group and smoking with COPD group were significantly lower than in
      without smoking and COPD group (0.38+/-0.11, 0.35+/-0.12 vs 0.45+/-0.10 and
      0.26+/-0.09, 0.24+/-0.06 vs 0.33+/-0.10; all P<0.05), and it was the lowest
      expression in smoking with COPD group. IL-8 and TNF-alpha at mRNA levels in lung
      adenocarcinoma tissues in smoking without COPD group and smoking with COPD group
      were significantly higher than in without smoking and COPD group (0.96+/-0.19,
      1.10+/-0.18 vs 0.71+/-0.13 and 0.62+/-0.21, 0.64+/-0.20 vs 0.45+/-0.14; all
      P<0.05), and the up-regulation was more obvious in smoking with COPD group. The
      TNM stage of lung adenocarcinoma in smoking group (smoking without COPD group and
      smoking with COPD group) was higher than without smoking group (without smoking
      and COPD group)(P=0.038). CONCLUSION: HDAC2 is down-regulated and IL-8, TNF-alpha
      are up-regulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. They are influenced by smoking
      and especially when combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PMID- 27266348
TI  - [The clinical characteristics analysis of Escherichia coli bloodstream
      infection].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features of Escherichia coli bloodstream
      infection. METHODS: The clinical data of underlying diseases, antimicrobial
      susceptibility, temperature at blood sampling, results of routine blood tests,
      venous catheterization, therapy and prognosis of Escherichia coli bloodstream
      infection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January
      2007 to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. The pathogens were routinely
      isolated and identified. Susceptibilities against antimicrobial agents were
      determined by Kirby-Bauer methods. RESULTS: All patients had at least one
      underlying disease. Most of the basic diseases were hematological malignancies,
      malignant solid tumors, pneumonia and so on. Body temperature was normal in 40
      patients (6.4%), fever in 587 patients (93.5%) and low temperature in 1 patient.
      There were 252 patients with leukopenia (40.1%), 237 patients with
      granulocytopenia (37.7%) and 216 patients with agranulocytosis. The resistance
      rate to imipenem was 3.3%, which was the lowest among the total antimicrobial
      susceptibilities of 628 Escherichia Coli. The extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase
      (ESBL)-producing strains accounted for 53.8% among the total patients. The
      resistance rates of ESBLs-producing-Escherichia coli for the Sulfamethoxazole,
      Ampicillin, Gentamicin, Cefazolin, Cefuroxime, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Cefepime,
      Ceftazidime, Cefoperazone, Piperacillin and Ciprofloxacin were 80.2%, 100.0%,
      62.4%, 99.1%, 99.1%, 98.8%, 98.2%, 48.5%, 50.6%, 95.0%, 98.2%, 79.6%,
      respectively, which were higher than that of non-ESBLs-producing-Escherichia coli
      (67.9%, 79.7%, 47.6%, 50.0%, 47.2%, 41.0%, 40.3%, 27.2%, 24.1%, 40.0%, 56.2%,
      58.3%, respectively), the differences were significant statistically
      (chi(2)=12.33, 75.90, 13.92, 209.00, 224.94, 259.25, 256.59, 27.79, 46.19,
      222.85, 165.08, 33.59, all P<0.05). One hundred and seventy eight patients
      received venous catheterization when blood culture were performed. All the
      patients received antimicrobial treatment, mainly including carbapenem
      antibiotics and beta-lactamase inhibitors combinations. Of which 533 patients
      were improved, the improvement rate was 84.9%. CONCLUSIONS: There are many risk
      factors in relation to Escherichia coli bloodstream infection. The antimicrobial
      resistance rate of ESBLs-producing-Escherichia coli is higher than that of none
      ESBLs-producing-Escherichia coli. Individualized strategies should be based on
      antimicrobial sensitivity.

PMID- 27266349
TI  - [Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha in gastric cancer and its clinical
      signficance].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression level and location of hypoxia-inducible
      factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their relationship
      with clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes. METHODS: From July to
      September 2015, 27 pairs of fresh paired GC tissues and adjacent normal tissues
      were gathered from the Eighth Department of General Surgery of the First
      Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT
      PCR) and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA
      and protein in these tissues. A total of 191 GC tissues and 46 randomly selected
      adjacent normal gastric tissues were consecutively collected between December
      2006 and September 2008 from Department of General Surgery of the same hospital.
      Immunohistochemistry were performed on them to detect the expression of HIF
      1alpha and CD34[described in terms of microvessel density (MVD)], and correlation
      of different locations of HIF-1alpha (in cytoplasm or nucleus) with MVD,
      clinicopathological features, and clinical prognosis was analyzed. RESULTS: The
      average relative expression level of HIF-1alpha mRNA in GC tissues (0.625+/
      0.170) was significantly higher than in normal adjacent tissues (0.218+/-0.036,
      t=2.336, P=0.023) by qRT-PCR. From the results of Western blot, the expression
      level of HIF-1alpha protein increased in GC tissues compared with its
      corresponding normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that positive
      HIF-1alpha staining was observed in 67.54% GC tissues and 45.65% normal tissues,
      with significant difference (P=0.006). And 35.08% in GC and 45.65% in normal
      tissues were cytoplasmic positive (P=0.138); while 37.17% in GC and only 2.17% in
      normal tissues were nuclear positive, with significant difference (P<0.001). High
      differentiation group and TNM clinical early stage (I+ II) group had
      significantly higher cytoplasmic HIF-1alpha expression positive rate compared
      with low differentiation group (P=0.008) and TNM clinical intermediate-advanced
      stage (III+ IV) group (P=0.019); whereas low differentiation group had
      significantly higher nuclear HIF-1alpha expression positive rate compared with
      high differentiation group (P=0.043). The mean MVD in the nuclear HIF-1alpha
      positive GC group (115.6 +/- 7.8) was higher than that in the cytoplasmic HIF
      1alpha positive GC group (93.1+/-7.5, t=2.077, P=0.040). The median follow-up
      time was 56(3-81)months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log-Rank test results
      showed that nuclear HIF-1alpha positive patients had a shorter survival time
      (median 45 months) than cytoplasmic HIF-1alpha positive patients (median 64
      months, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that
      differentiation (HR=1.713; 95% CI: 1.019-2.882), depth of invasion (tumor stage,
      HR=6.137; 95% CI: 1.832-20.556) and lymph node metastasis (HR=2.788; 95% CI:
      1.313-5.920) were independent prognostic factors for GC (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Different location of HIF-1alpha protein may be realted to the tumorigenesis and
      progression of GC, and may become a potential prognostic indicator of GC.

PMID- 27266350
TI  - [Clinical characteristics of bone disease in multiple myeloma and clinical
      significance of monitoring bone metabolic markers].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical characteristics of bone disease in patients
      with multiple myeloma (MM) and the clinical significance of monitoring bone
      metabolic markers. METHODS: The data of 178 MM cases newly diagnosed in Beijing
      Ji Shui Tan Hospital from January 2009 to June 2014 were reviewed to analysis the
      types and classification of bone disease and to observe the clinical
      characteristics of patients with different grades of bone disease. The levels of
      bone metabolic markers total procollagen type I N-terminal peptide (tPINP) and
      beta C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (beta-CTX) were monitored
      regularly in the two years following treatment in 66 cases. RESULTS: (1) Among
      the 178 newly diagnosed MM cases, 167 cases complained of pain in bones on first
      visit, 35 cases combined with hypercalcemia, 83 cases combined with osteoporosis,
      154 cases combined with osteolytic bone destruction, and 73 cases combined with
      pathologic fracture. The most common osteolytic location was the spine. The most
      common fracture sites was the spine. (2) According to bone disease grading, the
      178 cases were divided into group A (bone grade 0-2, n=51) and group B(bone grade
      3-4, n=127). There were no significant differences between group A and group B in
      gender, median age, therapeutic effect/ineffec, median overall survival, median
      progress-free survival, mean serum lactic dehydrogenase, mean albumin, urine
      light chains and serum creatinine(all P>0.05). Compared with group A, group B had
      lower hemoglobin level[(99.78+/-29.93)vs (108.84+/-29.30) g/L], and higher blood
      calcium level[(2.47+/-0.40)vs (2.30+/-0.29) mmol/L], serum beta2-microglobuin
      level[(6.04+/-4.84)vs (4.12+/-3.97)mg/L], and bone marrow plasma cells
      percentage(33.30%+/-24.87% vs 23.51%+/-22.67%)(all P<0.05). (3) Before treatment,
      the levels of beta-CTX and tPINP in patients of group B(n=47) were higher than
      those in group A(n=19)(median 0.78 vs 0.42 MUg/L, 60.95 vs 43.47 MUg/L, both
      P<0.05). The ratio of beta-CTX /tPINP in group B was higher than that in group A
      (median 0.017 vs 0.012, P<0.05). After chemotherapy for 3 months, there were no
      differences in the level of tPINP compared with that before treatment in both
      group A and group B (both P>0.05), the level of beta-CTX decreased significantly
      compared with that before treatment in both groups(median 0.16 vs 0.42 MUg/L,
      0.26 vs 0.78 MUg/L, both P<0.05); the ratio of beta-CTX /tPINP decreased
      significantly compared with that before treatment in both group A and in group
      B(median 0.008 vs 0.012, 0.011 vs 0.017, both P<0.05). There were no differences
      in the level of beta-CTX, tPINP and beta-CTX/tPINP ratio after treatment for 6
      months, 1 year and 2 years compared with that after 3 months in both group A and
      group B (all P>0.05). (4)All patients were divided into two groups according to
      the therapeutic effect: effective group included patients who reach the effect of
      partial remission or better remission(n=48), while ineffective group included
      patients who did not reach the effect of partial remission(n=18). Before
      treatment there were no differences in the level of beta-CTX, tPINP and beta
      CTX/tPINP ratio between the effective groupand the ineffective group (all
      P>0.05). After chemotherapy for 3 months, there were no differences in the level
      of tPINP compared with that before treatment in both effective group and
      ineffective group (all P>0.05), but the level of beta-CTX decreased significantly
      compared with that before treatment both in effective group and ineffective group
      (median 0.24 vs 0.60 MUg/L, 0.44 vs 0.95 MUg/L, both P<0.05). The ratio of beta
      CTX /tPINP decreased significantly compared with that before treatment both in
      effective group and ineffective group (median 0.005 vs 0.012, 0.005 vs 0.011,
      both P<0.05). There were no differences in the level of beta-CTX, tPINP and beta
      CTX/tPINP ratio after treatment for 6 months, 1 year and 2 years compared with
      that for 3 months both in effective group and ineffective group (all P>0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Pain in bones, osteolysis and pathological fracture are the most
      common clinical manifestations in myeloma-related bone disease. The severity of
      bone disease can reflect the tumor load, but may not affect the therapeutic
      effect and the overall survival. The bone metabolic markers tPINP and beta-CTX
      can be used to evaluate the severity of myeloma-related bone disease at diagnosis
      and to monitor the effect of treatment for bone disease.

PMID- 27266351
TI  - [Application and effect observation of hybrid aortic stent grafts for
      endovascular repair in the treatment of complicated infrarenal abdominal aortic
      aneurysm].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the hybrid graft technique for
      complicated infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: The clinical
      data of 183 patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for AAA
      with challenging anatomy at Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Fudan
      University from 2010 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Endografts were
      divided into two groups: Hybrid Group (28 cases) used more than one type of stent
      graft, and Standard Group (110 cases) used only one stent graft type. Patients
      were recommended to undergo CT angiography at 1, 3, 6, 12 month after the
      procedure. Clinical data were analyzed with a focus on postoperative hospital
      stay, endoleak, limb occlusion, complications of approach, complications of
      system, converted to open operation and secondary intervention. RESULTS:
      Technical success was achieved in all patients in both groups. Compared with
      hybrid group and standard group, there was no difference in postoperative
      hospital stay ((5.35+/-2.99) and (5.92+/-3.70) days, t=0.753, P>0.05). During the
      follow up, there was no difference in endoleak (10.7% and 18.2%), limb graft
      occlusion (3.6% and 10.9%), complications of approach (0 and 1.8%), complications
      of system (7.1% and 0.9%), converted to open operation (0 and 0.9%) between two
      groups (chi(2)=0.896, 1.408, 0.517, 4.078, 0.256, all P>0.05). However, there was
      statistically significant difference in secondary intervention between two groups
      (3.6% and 19.1%, 2=4.011, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of hybrid stent graft in
      patients with unfavorable neck and iliac artery anatomy AAA is feasible, and it
      could improve the postoperative outcomes such as secondary intervention rate.

PMID- 27266352
TI  - [Comparison of clinical features and high-resolution esophageal motility
      characteristics between esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction and type II
      achalasia patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical features and high-resolution esophageal
      motility-impedance characteristics among esophagogastric junction outflow
      obstruction (Eoo) patients, type II achalasia (Ach) patients and healthy controls
      (Con), in order to explore the values of esophageal high-resolution manometry
      (HRM) in diagnosis and treatment of Eoo patients. METHODS: Patients with
      dysphagia were enrolled from December 2011 to December 2014 at the outpatient
      department of Peking University Third Hospital, so were age-matched healthy
      volunteers. All the patients with organic obstruction were excluded. All the
      participants were tested with high-resolution esophageal motility-impedance
      measurement, the patients were diagnosed as Eoo or Ach according to the Chicago
      classification criteria. Clinical features and esophageal motility
      characteristics of Eoo, Ach and Con were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 23 Eoo, 24
      Ach and 20 Con were enrolled, whose gender ratios, average ages and body mass
      indexes were of no significant differences(all P>0.05). (1) The Eoo group had
      higher percentage of food reflux[21.7% (5/23) vs 0(0/24), P=0.005]and
      belching[17.4% (4/23) vs 0 (0/24), P=0.013], but lower percentage of
      dysphagia[47.8% (11/23) vs 79.2% (19/24), P=0.025]and vomiting[0(0/23) vs
      12.5%(3/24), P=0.040]compared with the Ach group, with no significant differences
      in other symptoms(all P>0.05). Besides, the Eoo group had lower Eckardt scores
      than the Ach group[1(1, 2) vs 3 (2, 5), P<0.001]. (2) The lower esophageal
      sphincter (LES) basal pressure-minimum in the Eoo was higher than the
      Con[(26.73+/-2.77) vs (17.16+/-1.76) mmHg, P<0.05]. The mean LES basal pressure;
      and the LES integrated relaxation pressure (IRP), IRP-maximum, and LES relaxation
      percentage were significantly different among Eoo, Ach and Con[(19.80+/-1.25) vs
      (35.95+/-2.36), (8.43+/-0.72) mmHg, both P<0.05; (23.22+/-2.02) vs (48.37+/
      3.71), (12.32+/-1.29) mmHg, bothP<0.05; 38.61%+/-3.10% vs 12.42%+/-5.66%,
      64.00%+/-3.85%, both P<0.05]. (3) There were significant differences in velocity,
      amplitude, and duration of esophageal peristaltic wave and intrabolus pressure
      (all P<0.05) among Eoo, Ach and Con; and failed contraction percentage,
      panesophageal pressurization percentage, premature contraction percentage, and
      rapid contraction percentage of Eoo were lower than Ach (all P<0.05) while
      complete contraction percentage of Eoo was high compared with Ach (P<0.001), but
      no significant differences between Eoo and Con. (4) The Eoo had significantly
      less incomplete bolus clearance[0.00% (0.00%, 20.00%) vs 100.00% (90.00%,
      100.00%), P<0.001]and shorter bolus transit time[(5.44+/-0.29) s vs (24.13+/
      1.69) s, P<0.001]than Ach, but there were no significant differences between Eoo
      and Con in these two indexes[0.00% (0.00%, 20.00%) vs 0.00% (0.00%, 9.75%);
      (5.44+/-0.29) s vs (5.30+/-0.19) s; both P>0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical
      manifestations and esophageal HRM characteristics of Eoo appear to be between Ach
      and Con, which suggests that Eoo may be an early-stage of Ach. Further study of
      the pathophysiological characteristics of Eoo patients may provide more evidence
      to elucidate the pathogenesis of achalasia.

PMID- 27266353
TI  - [Clinical analysis of laparoscopic surgery in patients with maintenance
      hemodialysis and colon cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety of laparoscopic assisted radical resection of
      colon cancer in uremic patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of Zhejiang
      Jinhua Guangfu hospital 2012 March to 2015 March 5 cases of uremia patients
      complicated with colon cancer underwent laparoscopic assisted colorectal cancer
      radical resection, and compared with 10 cases, observing two groups of operative
      time, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative drainage volume, lymph nodes
      dissect, anal exhaust time, postoperative complications, postoperative
      hospitalization time and postoperative pathological staging. RESULTS: Before
      operation two groups of age, gender, tumor location was no significant difference
      (P>0.05). In preoperative comorbidities uremic patients were significantly more
      than that of ordinary patients, mainly in cardiovascular complications, and
      patients in the two groups in operation time, intraoperative bleeding, post
      operative drainage volume, lymph node dissection numbers were no significant
      difference, the postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery was almost no
      difference, but postoperative hospitalization time significantly prolonged
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with uremia as long as full preoperative
      preparation, perioperative management, plus timely hemodialysis, uremia patients
      undergoing laparoscopic assisted radical surgery is safe and feasible, and it is
      worth promoting.

PMID- 27266354
TI  - [Effect of Tripterygium wilfordii polycoride upon inflammation and TLR4/MyD88
      signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis rats model].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tripterygium wilfordii polycoride (TWP) on
      ulcerative colitis (UC), and its intervention effect on toll-like receptor 4
      (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway, thus to
      investigate its possible mechanism. METHODS: Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid
      (TNBS)/ethanol enema method was used to set up the UC rat model. With random
      number table, 90 male Wistar rats were divided into normal control group, model
      group, TWP low, medium and high dose group (3, 6, 12 mg/kg, respectively) and
      azathioprine (AZA) group (6 mg/kg), with 15 rates in each group. Four days after
      enema, rates in each group were given corresponding drug lavage for 14
      consecutive days. Disease activity index (DAI), colon gross morphological damage
      and histological grading of each group were observed. Using Western blot and
      reverse transcription (RT)-PCR method, the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway-related
      proteins in UC rat intestinal tissue were detected, namely TLR4, MyD88, tumor
      necrosis factor receptor related factor 6 (TRAF-6), nuclear factor kappa B (NF
      kappaB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1 beta (IL
      1beta). RESULTS: The DAI, colon gross morphological damage, and histological
      grading of the model group were significantly higher than that of the normal
      control group (all P<0.01), indicating successful establishment of UC model. The
      DAI, colon gross morphological damage and histological grading of the TWP high
      dose group were lower than those of the model group (0.87+/-0.25 vs 1.60+/-0.76,
      3.93+/-1.94 vs 5.40+/-2.21, 5.45+/-2.73 vs 13.27+/-3.50, P<0.05). Compared with
      the normal control group, the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF
      6, NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta in the model group rats were significantly
      increased (all P<0.01); which were significantly decreased in the TWP high dose
      group compared with model group rats (mRNA: 2.166+/-0.475 vs 5.647+/-0.275,
      1.295+/-0.087 vs 3.774+/-0.418, 1.125+/-0.188 vs 2.535+/-0.320, 1.201+/-0.152 vs
      2.082+/-0.077, 1.525+/-0.218 vs 3.094+/-0.022, 1.797+/-0.257 vs 17.152+/-0.145;
      protein: 0.252+/-0.010 vs 0.277+/-0.008, 0.172+/-0.002 vs 0.213+/-0.005, 0.233+/
      0.006 vs 0.248+/-0.003, 0.099+/-0.003 vs 0.122+/-0.007, 0.238+/-0.002 vs 0.252+/
      0.005, 0.235+/-0.003 vs 0.245+/-0.006, all P<0.05), also decreased in the AZA
      group (all P<0.01); and there were no significant differences between the TWP
      high dose group and the AZA group (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TWP can alleviate
      intestinal inflammation, promote healing of mucosa, showing a therapeutic effect
      for UC. One of its mechanisms may be through inhibiting the expression of TLR4,
      affecting the expression of TRAF-6, which is downstream to MyD66 signaling
      pathway, thus to suppress the activation of NF-kappaB and reduce the release of
      inflammatory factor such as TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.

PMID- 27266355
TI  - [Effects of microRNA-379-5p on proliferation, migration and invasion of
      hepatocellular carcinoma cell line].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of microRNA-379-5p (miR-379-5p) on
      proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.
      METHODS: Human HCC cell line HepG2 was infected with lentivirus carrying miR-379
      5p (miR-379-5p group) or lentivirus carrying negative control sequences (negative
      control group). The untreated HepG2 cells represented blank control group. Cell
      proliferation was determined by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5
      diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assays. Cell migration and invasion were
      assessed by Transwell assays. The mRNA and protein expressions of matrix
      metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were analyzed by real-time quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with
      negative control group and blank control group, cell migration and invasion was
      significantly inhibited in miR-379-5p group (P<0.05). However, there was no
      significant difference in cell proliferation among the three groups (P>0.05).
      Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in miR-379-5p group
      were significantly lower than that in negative control group and blank control
      group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-379-5p can suppress migration and invasion of HCC
      cell lines, which may be achieved by inhibiting MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions.

PMID- 27266356
TI  - [The effect and mechanism of microRNA-21 on cis-dichlorodiamineplatinum
      resistance in lung cancer cell strain].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of miR-21 on multidrug resistance (MDR) in non
      small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and to provide experimental and theoretical basis
      for MDR reversal. METHODS: Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain
      reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the mRNA level of miR-21 both in the
      chemo-sensitivity cell strain A549 and the chemo-resistance cell strain A549/DDP
      (primary A549/DDP cells). The miR-21 interference sequence was synthesized and
      transfected into A549/DDP cells by liposome as the carrier. The miR-21 expression
      level was knocked down and the change of chemo-sensitivity of cells was detected.
      Effects of miR-21 on the cell apoptosis and cell cycle in miR-21-depleted
      A549/DDP cells were analyzed by flow cytometry to elucidate the involvement of
      miR-21 in MDR reversal in NSCLC. The expression of multidrug-resistant proteins
      Survivin, Cyclin D1, Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Multidrug
      resistance-associated protein1 (MRP1) and Lipoprotein receptor-related protein
      (LRP) were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: MiR-21 level in multidrug-resistant
      NSCLC cell line A549/DDP was (5.223+/-0.316) folds higher than that in A549 cell
      line (t=48.318, P<0.01). Knockdown of miR-21 in A549/DDP cells significantly
      reversed their sensitivity to cis-DDP, meanwhile, the value of half maximal
      inhibitory concentration was significantly decreased compared with control group
      transfected with empty vector ((22.2+/-1.2) and (48.6+/-3.2) MUmol/L, t=5.608,
      P<0.01). Cell apoptosis rate in A549/DDP cell with knockdown of miR-21 was
      significantly increased compared with primary A549/DDP cell line ((27.7+/-1.1) %
      and (16.8+/-1.1) %, t=10.183, P<0.01). Cell cycle G0/G1 phase in A549/DDP cell
      with knockdown of miR-21 was significantly decreased compared with primary
      A549/DDP cell line ((37.5+/-1.2) % and (43.4+/-2.3) %, t=8.202, P<0.01). Compared
      with primary A549/DDP cell line, the expression of Survivin, Cyclin D1, EGFR,
      MRP1 and LRP in A549/DDP cell with knockdown of miR-21 were significantly
      decreased ((71.7+/-4.3)%, t=8.325, P<0.01; (69.4+/-4.5)%, t=5.162, P<0.01;
      (52.3+/-3.2)%, t=8.042, P<0.01; (60.6+/-4.2)%, t=6.641, P<0.01; (72.9+/-3.8)%,
      t=4.566, P<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: miR-21 silencing reverses the
      multidrug resistance in lung cancer cell via accelerating cell apoptosis and
      modulating multidrug resistance-related gene expression. miR-21 may be a
      potential therapeutic candidate in multidrug resistance patients with lung
      cancer.

PMID- 27266357
TI  - [The activity of moxalactam against Enterobacteriaceae and anaerobia in vitro].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the antibacterial activity of moxalactam against
      Enterobacteriaceae bacteria and anaerobic bacteria in vitro, and to compare with
      other antibacterial drugs, for providing experimental basis for the clinical
      application of moxalactam. METHODS: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of
      moxalactam and other antibacterial agents against 491 Enterobacteriaceae spp. and
      anaerobic spp.collecting from clinical settings were determined by agar dilution
      methods and E-test strips according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards
      Institute (CLSI)(2014). RESULTS: Moxalactam showed great antibacterial activity
      to Enterobacteriaceae spp., including ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli,
      Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus spp., with the MIC(50), MIC(90), and
      susceptibility rates of 0.25-4 mg/L, 0.5-8 mg/L, and >90%, respectively. The
      susceptibility rates of Enterobacteriaceae with ESBLs-producing or non-ESBLs
      producing to imipenem and meropenem were both higher than 90%. The susceptibility
      rates of ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus
      spp.to piperacillin/tazobactam and cefoperazone/sulbactam were 90%, 68%, 53% and
      76%, 66%, 76.6%, respectively, while the susceptibility rates of non-ESBLs
      producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus spp.were all more
      than 95%. The susceptibility rates of Enterobacter spp. and other Enterobacter to
      piperacillin/tazobactam were 80%, 80%and that to cefoperazone/sulbactam were 80%,
      76.7%, respectively.The MICs range of moxalactam on anaerobic spp.was from
      <=0.064 to >256 mg/L, while MIC(50) was 2 mg/L and MIC(90) was 64 mg/L.
      CONCLUSIONS: Moxalactam showed well activity against ESBLs-producing and non
      ESBLs-producing Enterobacteriaceae and anaerobia.

PMID- 27266358
TI  - [Distribution characteristics of serotypes of invasive pneumococcal disease in
      Chinese mainland children].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically estimate the regional distributions of invasive
      pneumococcal disease (IPD)'s serotypes in children of Chinese mainland. METHODS:
      The literatures which described at least 20 strains of streptococcus pneumonia
      samples isolated from children with IPD in Chinese mainland were included in this
      study. Finally, 39 literatures met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in
      this study. The average frequency of each serotype of streptococcus pneumonia was
      calculated and the uncertainty of each serotype range was described by 95% CI.
      RESULTS: This study analyzed a total of 7 391 strains of streptococcus pneumoniae
      samples which mainly came from north China, east China, central China, south
      China and southwest regions of China. The results showed that the most common
      streptococcus pneumonia serotype causing IPD was 19F[30.05% (28.16%-31.98%)], and
      the second serotype was 23F[12.16% (10.00%-14.28%)], and the others were
      19A[9.19% (7.01%-11.37%)], 6B[7.30% (5.09%-9.50%)], 14[7.02% (4.82%-9.23%)],
      6A[6.08% (3.87%-8.30%)]and 15B[6.53% (2.88%-7.34%)]. CONCLUSION: The most common
      streptococcus pneumoniae serotype is 19F, 23F, 19A, 6B, 14, 6A and 15B in Chinese
      Mainland.

PMID- 27266359
TI  - Regular cognitive self-monitoring in community-dwelling older adults using an
      internet-based tool.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Monitoring for various health conditions (e.g., breast cancer,
      hypertension) has become common practice. However, there is still no established
      tool for regular monitoring of cognition. In this pilot longitudinal study, we
      examined the utility and feasibility of internet-based cognitive self-monitoring
      using data from the first 12 months of this ongoing study. METHOD: Cognitively
      healthy community-dwelling older adults (Montreal Cognitive Assessment >= 26)
      were enrolled on a rolling basis and were trained in self-administration of the
      internet-based version of the CogState Brief Battery. The battery uses playing
      cards and includes Detection, Identification, One Back, and One Card Learning
      subtasks. RESULTS: Of the 118 participants enrolled, 26 dropped out, mostly
      around first in-home session. Common reasons for participant attrition were
      internet browser problems, health problems, and computer problems. Common reasons
      for delayed session completion were being busy, being out of town, and health
      problems. Participants needed about one reminder phone call per four completed
      sessions or one reminder email per five completed sessions. Performance across
      the monthly sessions showed slight (but significant) improvement on three of the
      four tasks. Change in performance was unaffected by individual characteristics
      with the exception of previous computer use, with less frequent users showing
      greater improvement on One Card Learning. We also found low intraindividual
      variability in monthly test scores beyond the first self-administered testing
      session. CONCLUSIONS: Internet-based self-monitoring offers a potentially
      feasible and effective method of continuous cognitive monitoring among older
      adults.

PMID- 27266360
TI  - Erythropoietin may attenuate lung inflammation in a rat model of meconium
      aspiration syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammation is believed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of
      meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The objective was to
      determine whether the recombinant human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) pretreatment could
      attenuate meconium-induced inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 24
      ventilated adult male rats were studied to examine the effects of recombinant
      human EPO (rhEPO) on meconium-induced inflammation. Seventeen rats were instilled
      with human meconium (1.5 mL/kg, 65 mg/mL) intratracheally and ventilated for 3
      hours. rhEPO (1000 U/kg) (n = 9) or saline (n = 8) was given to the animals.
      Seven rats that were ventilated and not instilled with meconium served as a sham
      controlled group. Analysis of the blood gases, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL
      8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage
      (BAL) fluid samples, and lung tissue myeloperoxidase levels were performed.
      RESULTS: Intrapulmonary instillation of meconium resulted in the increase of TNF
      alpha (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively) and IL-8 concentrations (p < 0.001
      and p < 0.001, respectively) in BAL fluid in the EPO + meconium and saline +
      meconium groups compared with the sham-controlled group. rhEPO pretreatment
      prevented the increase of BAL fluid IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 levels (p < 0.001, p
      = 0.021, and p = 0.005, respectively), and serum IL-6 levels (p = 0.036).
      CONCLUSION: rhEPO pretreatment is associated with improved BAL fluid and serum
      cytokine levels. Pretreatment with rhEPO might reduce the risk of developing of
      meconium-induced derangements.

PMID- 27266361
TI  - Effect of Hepatic Perfusion on Microwave Ablation Zones in an Ex Vivo Porcine
      Liver Model.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the size of ablation zones derived from nonperfused ex vivo
      livers with ablation zones created using an ex vivo perfused porcine liver model.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six fresh porcine livers were used to evaluate microwave
      ablation (MWA). Perfused (n = 3) and nonperfused (n = 3) livers were warmed to 37
      degrees C by oxygenated, O-positive human blood reconstituted with Ringer
      solution, using an organ perfusion circuit. During MWA, perfusion was
      discontinued in the nonperfused group and maintained in the perfused group. After
      MWA (140 watts * 2 min at 2.45 GHz) with the Acculis MTA System (AngioDynamics,
      Latham, New York), ablation zones were bisected sagittally. Sections were stained
      with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and hematoxylin-eosin to assess
      viability of cells in ablation and marginal zones. RESULTS: Comparison of 22 MWA
      zones (9 in perfused group, 13 in nonperfused group) was performed. Ablation
      zones demonstrated a central "white" and peripheral "red" zone. Cells in the
      white zone were nonviable with no NADH staining. The red zone showed progressive
      NADH staining toward the periphery, suggesting incomplete cell death. White and
      red zones of the perfused group were significantly smaller compared with the
      nonperfused group (short axis, 17.8 mm +/- 2.7 vs 21.1 mm +/- 3.2, P = .003; long
      axis, 40.69 mm +/- 3.9 vs 39.63 mm +/- 5.2, P = .44; intermediate zone,1.33 mm +/
      0.04 vs 2.7 mm +/- 0.14, P < .0001; mean +/- SD). CONCLUSIONS: MWA algorithms
      provided by this manufacturer are based on nonperfused organ data, which
      overestimate ablation zone size. Data from perfused liver models may be required
      for more accurate dosimetry guidelines.

PMID- 27266363
TI  - Direct Construction of 2-Aryliminochromenes from Arynes, N,S-Keteneacetals, and
      DMF.
AB  - A concise and direct synthetic strategy for the construction of 2
      aryliminochromene skeleton by cascade three-component coupling reaction of
      arynes, N,S-keteneacetals, and DMF in good yields has been disclosed. The process
      demonstrates the first example of aryne chemistry combined with N,S
      keteneacetals. Using this strategy, an expeditious synthesis of biologically
      important arylimino-2H-chromene-3- carboxamides was achieved.

PMID- 27266362
TI  - Angiogenic Response following Radioembolization: Results from a Randomized Pilot
      Study of Yttrium-90 with or without Sorafenib.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the regulation of serum angiogenic factors in patients with
      unresectable early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with yttrium-90 ((90)Y)
      radioembolization alone vs with sorafenib. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single
      center pilot study, 23 patients with unresectable HCC awaiting orthotopic liver
      transplantation were prospectively randomized to receive radioembolization alone
      (n = 12) or radioembolization with sorafenib (n = 11). Serum angiogenic markers
      (angiopoietin-2 [Ang-2], hepatocyte growth factor, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, c
      reactive protein, platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF], and vascular endothelial
      growth factor [VEGF]) were assayed at baseline and at 2 and 4 weeks after
      radioembolization ((90)Y alone, n = 6; (90)Y plus sorafenib, n = 7). RESULTS: In
      the (90)Y-alone group, all growth factors were elevated above baseline levels at
      2 and 4 weeks: VEGF increased 36% vs baseline at 2 weeks and 22% at 4 weeks, and
      PDGF increased 24% at 2 weeks and 3% at 4 weeks. In the (90)Y/sorafenib arm, Ang
      2 and PDGF decreased at 2 weeks and the remainder increased. By 4 weeks, only
      PDGF remained below baseline levels. VEGF increased 49% at 2 weeks and 28% at 4
      weeks, and PDGF decreased 31% at 2 weeks and 39% at 4 weeks. Differences were
      statistically significant for hepatocyte growth factor (P = .03) and PDGF (P =
      .02) at 2 weeks and for IL-6 (P = .05) at 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Radioembolization
      is associated with a mild increase in angiogenic markers. The addition of
      sorafenib blunts PDGF response; other factors such as VEGF remain unaffected. The
      predominant effect of sorafenib may be through downregulation of PDGF and not
      VEGF.

PMID- 27266364
TI  - Efficient mRNA delivery with graphene oxide-polyethylenimine for generation of
      footprint-free human induced pluripotent stem cells.
AB  - Clinical applications of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) require
      development of technologies for the production of "footprint-free" (gene
      integration-free) iPSCs, which avoid the potential risk of insertional
      mutagenesis in humans. Previously, several studies have shown that mRNA transfer
      can generate "footprint-free" iPSCs, but these studies did not use a delivery
      vehicle and thus repetitive daily transfection was required because of mRNA
      degradation. Here, we report an mRNA delivery system employing graphene oxide
      (GO)-polyethylenimine (PEI) complexes for the efficient generation of "footprint
      free" iPSCs. GO-PEI complexes were found to be very effective for loading mRNA of
      reprogramming transcription factors and protection from mRNA degradation by
      RNase. Dynamic suspension cultures of GO-PEI/RNA complexes-treated cells
      dramatically increased the reprogramming efficiency and successfully generated
      rat and human iPSCs from adult adipose tissue-derived fibroblasts without
      repetitive daily transfection. The iPSCs showed all the hallmarks of pluripotent
      stem cells including expression of pluripotency genes, epigenetic reprogramming,
      and differentiation into the three germ layers. These results demonstrate that
      mRNA delivery using GO-PEI-RNA complexes can efficiently generate "footprint
      free" iPSCs, which may advance the translation of iPSC technology into the
      clinical settings.

PMID- 27266366
TI  - Cytotoxic Activity of Oleocanthal Isolated from Virgin Olive Oil on Human
      Melanoma Cells.
AB  - Oleocanthal is one of the phenolic compounds of extra virgin olive oil with
      important anti-inflammatory properties. Although its potential anticancer
      activity has been reported, only limited evidence has been provided in cutaneous
      malignant melanoma. The present study is aimed at investigating the selective in
      vitro antiproliferative activity of oleocanthal against human malignant melanoma
      cells. Since oleocanthal is not commercially available, it was obtained as a pure
      standard by direct extraction and purification from extra virgin olive oil. Cell
      viability experiments carried out by WST-1 assay demonstrated that oleocanthal
      had a remarkable and selective activity for human melanoma cells versus normal
      dermal fibroblasts with IC50s in the low micromolar range of concentrations. Such
      an effect was paralleled by a significant inhibition of ERK1/2 and AKT
      phosphorylation and downregulation of Bcl-2 expression. These findings may
      suggest that extra virgin olive oil phenolic extract enriched in oleocanthal
      deserves further investigation in skin cancer.

PMID- 27266367
TI  - Action priming with biomechanically possible and impossible grasps: ERP evidence
      from 6-month-old infants.
AB  - Coding the direction of others' gestures is a fundamental human ability, since it
      allows the observer to attend and react to sources of potential interest in the
      environment. Shifts of attention triggered by action observation have been
      reported to occur early in infancy. Yet, the neurophysiological underpinnings of
      such action priming and the properties of gestures that might be crucial for it
      remain unknown. Here, we addressed these issues by recording
      electroencephalographic activity (EEG) from 6-month-old infants cued with
      spatially non-predictive hand grasping toward or away from the position of a
      target object, i.e., valid and invalid trials, respectively. Half of the infants
      were cued with a gesture executable by a human hand (possible gesture) and the
      other half with a gesture impossible to be executed by a human hand. Results show
      that the amplitude enhancement of the posterior N290 component in response to
      targets in valid trials, as compared to invalid trials, was present only for
      infants seeing possible gestures, while it was absent for infants seeing
      impossible gestures. These findings suggest that infants detect the biomechanical
      properties of human movements when processing hand gestures, relying on this
      information to orient their visual attention toward the target object.

PMID- 27266365
TI  - Indium-based and iodine-based labeling of HPMA copolymer-epirubicin conjugates:
      Impact of structure on the in vivo fate.
AB  - Recently, we developed 2nd generation backbone degradable N-(2
      hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-drug conjugates which contain
      enzymatically cleavable sequences (GFLG) in both polymeric backbone and side
      chains. This design allows using polymeric carriers with molecular weights above
      renal threshold without impairing their biocompatibility, thereby leading to
      significant improvement in therapeutic efficacy. For example, 2nd generation HPMA
      copolymer-epirubicin (EPI) conjugates (2P-EPI) demonstrated complete tumor
      regression in the treatment of mice bearing ovarian carcinoma. To obtain a better
      understanding of the in vivo fate of this system, we developed a dual-labeling
      strategy to simultaneously investigate the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution
      of the polymer carrier and drug EPI. First, we synthesized two different types of
      dual-radiolabeled conjugates, including 1) (111)In-2P-EPI-(125)I (polymeric
      carrier 2P was radiolabeled with (111)In and drug EPI with (125)I), and 2) (125)I
      2P-EPI-(111)In (polymeric carrier 2P was radiolabeled with (125)I and drug EPI
      with (111)In). Then, we compared the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of
      these two dual-labeled conjugates in female nude mice bearing A2780 human ovarian
      carcinoma. There was no significant difference in the blood circulation between
      polymeric carrier and payload; the carriers ((111)In-2P and (125)I-2P) showed
      similar retention of radioactivity in both tumor and major organs except kidney.
      However, compared to (111)In-labeled payload EPI, (125)I-labeled EPI showed lower
      radioactivity in normal organs and tumor at 48h and 144h after intravenous
      administration of conjugates. This may be due to different drug release rates
      resulting from steric hindrance to the formation of enzyme-substrate complex as
      indicated by cleavage experiments with lysosomal enzymes (Tritosomes). A slower
      release rate of EPI(DTPA)(111)In than EPI(Tyr)(125)I was observed. It may be also
      due to in vivo catabolism and subsequent iodine loss as literature reported.
      Nevertheless, tumor-to-tissue uptake ratios of both radionuclides were
      comparable, indicating that drug-labeling strategy does not affect the tumor
      targeting ability of HPMA copolymer conjugates.

PMID- 27266368
TI  - Graphene-Silver-Induced Self-Polarized PVDF-Based Flexible Plasmonic
      Nanogenerator Toward the Realization for New Class of Self Powered Optical
      Sensor.
AB  - Plasmonic characteristics of graphene-silver (GAg) nanocomposite coupled with
      piezoelectric property of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) have been utilized to
      realize a new class of self-powered flexible plasmonic nanogenerator (PNG). A few
      layer graphene has been prepared in a facile and cost-effective method and GAg
      doped PVDF hybrid nanocomposite (PVGAg) is synthesized in a one-pot method. The
      PNG exhibits superior piezoelectric energy conversion efficiency (~15%) under the
      dark condition. The plasmonic behavior of GAg nanocomposite makes the PNG highly
      responsive to the visible light illumination that leads to ~50% change in piezo
      voltage and ~70% change in piezo-current, leading to enhanced energy conversion
      efficiency up to ~46.6%. The piezoelectric throughput of PNG (e.g., capacitor
      charging performance) has been monitored during the detection of the different
      wavelengths of visible light illumination and showed maximum selectivity to the
      green light. The simultaneous mechanical energy harvesting and visible-light
      detection capabilities of the PNG are attractive for futuristic self-powered
      optoelectronic smart sensors and devices. 

PMID- 27266369
TI  - Role of individual-housing-based socioeconomic status measure in relation to
      smoking status among late adolescents with asthma.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to assess whether smoking status among individuals in late
      adolescence (19-22 years) with asthma was associated with socioeconomic status
      (SES) defined by HOUSES, an individual-housing-based SES measure. METHODS: A
      population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among the 1988-1989 Olmsted
      County, Minnesota Birth Cohort, with physician-diagnosed asthma and that lived in
      the community during the study period (November 1, 2008-October 31, 2012). Using
      a z score for housing value, actual square footage, and numbers of bedrooms and
      bathrooms, HOUSES was formulated and categorized into quartiles. Smoking status
      (both current and past smoker) was compared among subjects with different SES as
      measured by HOUSES using logistic regression, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS:
      Among 289 eligible subjects, 287 (99%) were successfully geo-coded to real
      property data for HOUSES. Of the 257 subjects whose smoke exposure was recorded,
      70 (27%) had a history of smoking (either past or current). An inverse
      association was observed between HOUSES and smoking status after accounting for
      age, gender, and General Medical Examination status (adjusted OR = 0.39, 95% CI =
      0.18-0.87 for comparing highest vs. lowest HOUSES in quartile; overall P = .02).
      CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of individuals with asthma in late
      adolescence was smokers during the study period, disproportionally affecting
      those with lower SES.

PMID- 27266370
TI  - Contemporary surgical issues in paediatric cochlear implantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the contemporary surgical issues in paediatric cochlear
      implantation (CI) based on published evidence. DESIGN: Narrative literature
      review. RESULTS: Surgical challenges in paediatric CI are discussed, with respect
      to post meningitic labyrinthitis ossificans; cochlear malformation; cochlear
      implantation in infants; auditory neuropathy and cochlear nerve deficiency;
      bilateral cochlear implantation; hearing preservation; otitis media; and device
      failure. CONCLUSION: Early CI is recommended if bacterial meningitis causes
      profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). CI in cochleovestibular malformation
      requires pre-operative imaging to plan surgical technique, choice of electrode,
      and to anticipate complication. Children with congenital severe to profound SNHL
      should undergo early bilateral simultaneous implantation, preferably before 12
      months of age, except those with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder who should
      be implanted after one year. Soft surgical technique should be deployed in an
      attempt to preserve any residual hearing. Otitis media with effusion is not a
      contraindication to cochlear implantation, but active or recurrent acute otitis
      media requires resolution of infection with grommet insertion pre-operatively.
      Device failure in CI recipients requires a stepwise audiological, medical,
      radiological, and device integrity assessment to determine the need for
      reimplantation.

PMID- 27266371
TI  - Endothelin-Receptor Antagonists beyond Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Cancer
      and Fibrosis.
AB  - The endothelin axis and in particular the two endothelin receptors, ETA and ETB,
      are targets for therapeutic intervention in human diseases. Endothelin-receptor
      antagonists are in clinical use to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and have
      been under clinical investigation for the treatment of several other diseases,
      such as systemic hypertension, cancer, vasospasm, and fibrogenic diseases. In
      this Perspective, we review the molecules that have been evaluated in human
      clinical trials for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, as well as
      other cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and fibrosis. We will also discuss the
      therapeutic consequences of receptor selectivity with regard to ETA-selective,
      ETB-selective, or dual ETA/ETB antagonists. We will also consider which chemical
      characteristics are relevant to clinical use and the properties of molecules
      necessary for efficacy in treating diseases against which known molecules
      displayed suboptimal efficacy.

PMID- 27266372
TI  - Bagging survival tree procedure for variable selection and prediction in the
      presence of nonsusceptible patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For clinical genomic studies with high-dimensional datasets, tree
      based ensemble methods offer a powerful solution for variable selection and
      prediction taking into account the complex interrelationships between explanatory
      variables. One of the key component of the tree-building process is the splitting
      criterion. For survival data, the classical splitting criterion is the Logrank
      statistic. However, the presence of a fraction of nonsusceptible patients in the
      studied population advocates for considering a criterion tailored to this
      peculiar situation. RESULTS: We propose a bagging survival tree procedure for
      variable selection and prediction where the survival tree-building process relies
      on a splitting criterion that explicitly focuses on time-to-event survival
      distribution among susceptible patients. A simulation study shows that our method
      achieves good performance for the variable selection and prediction. Different
      criteria for evaluating the importance of the explanatory variables and the
      prediction performance are reported. Our procedure is illustrated on a genomic
      dataset with gene expression measurements from early breast cancer patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of nonsusceptible patients among the studied
      population, our procedure represents an efficient way to select event-related
      explanatory covariates with potential higher-order interaction and identify
      homogeneous groups of susceptible patients.

PMID- 27266373
TI  - Iterative reconstruction can permit the use of lower X-ray tube current in CT
      coronary artery calcium scoring.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: CT coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) is additive to traditional
      risk factors for predicting future cardiac events but is associated with
      relatively high radiation doses. We assessed the feasibility of CACS radiation
      dose reduction using a lower tube current and iterative reconstruction (IR).
      METHODS: Artificial noise was added to the raw data from 27 CACS studies from
      patients who were symptomatic to simulate lower tube current scanning (75, 50 and
      25% original current). All studies were performed on the same CT scanner at 120
      kVp. Data were reconstructed using filtered back projection [Quantum Denoising
      Software (QDS+)] and IR [adaptive iterative dose reduction three dimensional
      mild, standard and strong]. Agatston scores were independently measured by two
      readers. CACS percentile risk scores were calculated. RESULTS: At 75, 50 and 25%
      tube currents, all adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR) reconstructions
      decreased image noise relative to QDS+ (p < 0.05). All AIDR reconstructions
      resulted in small reductions in Agatston score relative to QDS+ at the standard
      tube current (p < 0.05). Agatston scores increased with QDS+ at 75, 50 and 25%
      tube current (p < 0.05), whereas no significant change was observed with AIDR
      mild at any tested tube current. No difference in the percentile risk score with
      AIDR mild at any tube current occurred compared with QDS+ at standard tube
      current (p > 0.05). Interobserver agreement for AIDR mild remained excellent even
      at 25% tube current (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.997). CONCLUSION: Up to
      75% reduction in CACS tube current is feasible using AIDR mild. ADVANCES IN
      KNOWLEDGE: AIDR mild IR permits low tube current CACS whilst maintaining
      excellent intraobserver and interobserver variability and without altering risk
      classification.

PMID- 27266374
TI  - The impact of greyscale inversion for nodule detection in an anthropomorphic
      chest phantom: a free-response observer study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to assess the impact of greyscale inversion
      on nodule detection on posteroanterior chest X-ray images. Previous work has
      attempted this, with no consensus opinion formed. We assessed the value of "fast
      flicking" between standard and inverted display modes for nodule detection.
      METHODS: Six consultant radiologists (with 5-32 years' reporting experience)
      completed an observer task under the free-response paradigm. An anthropomorphic
      chest phantom was loaded with 50 different configurations of simulated nodules (1
      4 nodules per case) measuring 5, 8, 10 and 12 mm in spherical diameter; each
      configuration represented a single case. In addition, 25 cases contained no
      nodules. Images were displayed in three modes: (i) standard, (ii) inverted and
      (iii) fast-flicking between standard and inverted display modes. Each observer
      completed the study in a different order of display (i, ii, iii) using a
      calibrated 5-megapixel monitor. Nodules were localized with mouse clicks and
      ratings assigned using a 1-10 discrete slider-bar confidence scale. Rjafroc
      (Pittsburgh, PA) was used for data analysis; differences in nodule detection
      performance were considered significant at 0.05. RESULTS: The observer-averaged
      weighted jackknife alternative free-response receiver-operating characteristic
      figures of merit were 0.715 (standard), 0.684 (inverted) and 0.717 (fast
      flicking). Random-reader fixed-case analysis revealed no statistically
      significant difference between any treatment pair [F(2,8) = 1.22; p = 0.345].
      CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference in nodule detection was found
      for the three display conditions. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: We have investigated the
      impact of fast-flicking between standard and inverted display modes for the
      detection of nodules. We found no benefit.

PMID- 27266384
TI  - Application of near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and
      chemometrics to the differentiation of marmora samples from the Mediterranean
      basin.
AB  - Near-infrared (NIR) and X-ray fluorescence spectra were recorded for 15 different
      samples of marmora, from the Mediterranean Basin and of different colours. After
      appropriate pretreatment (SNV transform + second derivative), the results were
      subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) treatment with a view to
      differentiating them. The observed differences among the samples were chemically
      interpreted by highlighting the NIR wavelengths and minerals, respectively,
      contributing the most to the PCA models. Moreover, a mid-level data fusion
      protocol allowed integrating the information from the different techniques and,
      in particular, to correctly identify (based on the distance in the score space)
      three test samples of known type. Moreover, it should be stressed that positive
      results on the differentiation and identification of marmora were obtained using
      two completely non-invasive, non-destructive and relatively inexpensive
      techniques, which can also be used in situ.

PMID- 27266383
TI  - Quantitative Structure-Retention Relationship Models To Support Nontarget High
      Resolution Mass Spectrometric Screening of Emerging Contaminants in Environmental
      Samples.

PMID- 27266385
TI  - (99m)Tc-Methoxy-Isobutyl-Isonitrile Scintigraphy Is a Useful Tool for Assessing
      the Risk of Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate Fine-Needle
      Cytology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodular disease is a very common clinical problem. The
      diagnostic algorithm includes laboratory tests, thyroid ultrasound (US), thyroid
      scintigraphy, and, if necessary, US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology.
      However, cytology results are reported as indeterminate in a not negligible
      number of patients. This is a central problem in the workup of patients, since
      about 55-85% of those undergoing surgery do not have thyroid cancer at final
      histology diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the role
      of (99m)Tc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) thyroid scintigraphy in
      differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology
      using quantitative analysis. METHOD: One hundred five patients affected by
      nodular thyroid goiter and with a euthyroid or hypothyroid functional status were
      prospectively evaluated. All patients had a suspicious nodule >=15 mm in maximal
      diameter on US. All nodules were "cold" on (99m)Tc-pertechnetate scintigraphy and
      had a cytological diagnosis of class III or IV according to the Bethesda system.
      Planar images of the thyroid were acquired 10 and 60 minutes after (99m)Tc-MIBI
      administration. All cold nodules were MIBI-positive. Using quantitative analysis,
      the MIBI washout index (WOind) was calculated as a percentage reduction value of
      mean MIBI nodular uptake between early (+10 minutes) and late (+60 minutes)
      scans. RESULTS: Subdividing the patients into positive and negative for
      malignancy (either including or excluding patients with Hurthle cell adenoma) and
      performing receiver operating characterist curve analysis, the optimal WOind
      cutoff in differentiating malignant from benign follicular lesions was set at 
      19%. The overall sensitivity and specificity of (99m)Tc-MIBI quantitative
      analysis in identifying patients with malignant lesions was 100% and 90.9%,
      respectively. However, after excluding patients with Hurthle cell adenomas from
      the negative patient group, the overall sensitivity and specificity both reached
      100%. CONCLUSION: The use of MIBI scintigraphy using quantitative analysis in the
      workup of cold nodules with indeterminate cytology is suggested in order to
      stratify patient risk for a malignant lesion better, thus reducing the number of
      patients referred to surgery. Surgical treatment should be planned in those
      patients with a WOind up to -19%.

PMID- 27266386
TI  - Open vs. closed reduction combined with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis
      in humeral fractures.
AB  - Aim To explore a more effective surgical procedure, the outcomes of closed
      manipulative reduction (CMR) combined with minimally invasive plate
      osteosynthesis (MIPO) and conventional open reduction and internal fixation
      (ORIF) for treating proximal humeral fractures were compared. Material and
      methods In a retrospective study of patients operated for humerus shaft fractures
      from April 2008 to July 2011, the outcomes of 33 patients treated with CMR/MIPO
      were compared with the outcomes of 42 patients treated with ORIF. The fractures
      were classified, and the incision length, blood transfusion, operating time, as
      well as the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) pain scores were analyzed. The neck-shaft
      angles of the proximal humerus were detected, and the postoperative function of
      the shoulder was evaluated. Results The mean values of incision length, blood
      transfusion, and VAS pain scores at the 1st and 3rd day after CMR/MIPO and
      operation time were lower than that of ORIF. The postoperative radiographs
      verified good position of all screws and satisfactory bone fracture reduction in
      both groups. Meanwhile, in the ORIF group, nonunion (three cases) and humeral
      head necrosis (four cases) were detected. Conclusions The MR/MIPO technique
      showed smaller incisions, easier operation, less blood transfusion and more
      effective recovery of shoulder joint function for treating proximal humeral
      fractures than ORIF. 

PMID- 27266387
TI  - Nuclear translocation of the cardiac L-type calcium channel C-terminus is
      regulated by sex and 17beta-estradiol.
AB  - The cardiac voltage gated l-type Ca(2+) channel (Cav1.2) constitutes the main
      entrance gate for Ca(2+) that triggers cardiac contraction. Several studies
      showed that the distal C-terminus fragment of Cav1.2 alpha1C subunit (alpha1C
      dCT) is proteolytically cleaved and shuttles between the plasma membrane and the
      nucleus, which is regulated both developmentally and by Ca(2+). However, the
      effects of sex and sex hormone 17beta-estradiol (E2, estrogen) on alpha1C-dCT
      nuclear translocation are still unexplored. To investigate the sexual disparity
      in the alpha1C-dCT nuclear translocation, we first generated an antibody directed
      against a synthetic peptide (GRRASFHLE) located in alpha1C-dCT, and used it to
      probe ventricular myocytes from adult female and male mice. Immunocytochemistry
      of isolated mouse primary adult ventricular myocytes revealed both nuclear
      staining and cytosolic punctuate staining around the T-tubules. The ratio of
      nuclear to cytosolic intensity (Inuc/Icyt) was significantly higher in isolated
      female cardiomyocytes (1.42+/-0.05) compared to male cardiomyocytes (1.05+/
      0.02). Western blot analysis of nuclear fraction confirmed these data.
      Furthermore, we found a significant decrease in nuclear staining intensity of
      alpha1C-dCT in both female and male cardiomyocytes upon serum withdrawal for 18h
      (Inuc/Icyt 1.05+/-0.02 and 0.89+/-0.02, respectively). Interestingly, subsequent
      E2 treatment (10(-8)M) for 8h normalized the intracellular distribution of
      alpha1C-dCT in male cardiomyocytes (Inuc/Icyt 1.04+/-0.02), but not in female
      cardiomyocytes. Acute treatment of male cardiomyocytes with E2 for 45min revealed
      a similar effect. This effect of E2 was revised by ICI indicating the involvement
      of ER in this signaling pathway. Taken together, our results showed that the
      shuttling of alpha1C-CT in cardiomyocytes is regulated in a sex-dependent manner,
      and E2-activated ER may play a role in the nuclear shuttling of alpha1C-dCT in
      male cardiomyocytes. This may explain, at least partly, the observed sex
      differences in the regulation of cardiac Cav1.2 channel activity.

PMID- 27266388
TI  - A series of robust genetic indicators for definitive identification of
      cardiomyocytes.
AB  - Definitively identifying the cell type of newly generated cells in the heart and
      defining their origins are central questions in cardiac regenerative medicine.
      Currently, it is challenging to ascertain the myocardial identity and to track
      myocardial progeny during heart development and disease due to lack of proper
      genetic tools. This may lead to many misinterpretations of the findings in
      cardiac regenerative biology. In this study, we developed a set of novel mouse
      models by inserting double reporter genes nlacZ/H2B-GFP, mGFP/H2B-mCherry into
      the start codon of Tnnt2 and Myh6. nlacZ (nuclear lacZ) and mGFP (membrane GFP)
      are flanked by two LoxP sites in these animals. We found that the reporter genes
      faithfully recapitulated Tnnt2 and Myh6 cardiac expression from embryonic stage
      and adulthood. The reporter mice provide unprecedented robustness and fidelity
      for visualizing and tracing cardiomyocytes with nuclear or cell membrane
      localization signals. These animal models offer superior genetic tools to meet a
      critical need in studies of heart development, cardiac stem cell biology and
      cardiac regenerative medicine.

PMID- 27266389
TI  - Interaction between platelets and endothelial progenitor cells via LPA-Edg-2 axis
      is augmented by PPAR-delta activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-delta is a nuclear
      receptor regulating cell metabolism. The role of PPAR-delta in late endothelial
      progenitor cells (EPCs) has not been fully elucidated. We aim to understand the
      effects of PPAR-delta activation on late EPC and to reveal the underlying
      mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS: Treatment with a highly selective PPAR-delta
      agonist (GW501516) induced proliferation of late EPCs and enhanced their
      vasculogenic potential. Search for the target molecule of PPAR-delta activation
      revealed endothelial differentiation gene (Edg)-2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation
      and promoter assays demonstrated that Edg-2 gene was specifically induced by PPAR
      delta through direct transcriptional activation. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an
      Edg ligand, mimicked the pro-vasculogenic effects of GW501516 in late EPCs
      whereas Edg antagonist (Ki16425) blocked these effects. Edg-2 is a membrane
      receptor for LPA which is a major growth factor from activated platelets. Thus,
      the interaction between platelets and late EPCs via the LPA-Edg-2 axis was
      assessed. Platelet supernatant boosted the pro-vasculogenic effects of GW501516,
      which was reversed by antagonist to PPAR-delta (GSK0660) or Edg (Ki16425). Both
      of in vivo Matrigel plug model and mouse skin punch-wound model demonstrated that
      the combination of platelets and PPAR-delta-activated late EPCs synergistically
      enhanced vascular regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: There exists a synergistic
      interaction between human platelets and late EPCs leading to vascular
      regeneration. This interaction consists of LPA from platelets and its receptor
      Edg-2 on the surface of EPCs and can be potentiated by PPAR-delta activation in
      EPCs. A PPAR-delta agonist is a good candidate to achieve vasculogenesis for
      ischemic vascular disease.

PMID- 27266391
TI  - Distinct alterations in motor & reward seeking behavior are dependent on the
      gestational age of exposure to LPS-induced maternal immune activation.
AB  - The dopaminergic system is involved in motivation, reward and the associated
      motor activities. Mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental
      area (VTA) regulate motivation and reward, whereas those in the substantia nigra
      (SN) are essential for motor control. Defective VTA dopaminergic transmission has
      been implicated in schizophrenia, drug addiction and depression whereas
      dopaminergic neurons in the SN are lost in Parkinson's disease. Maternal immune
      activation (MIA) leading to in utero inflammation has been proposed to be a risk
      factor for these disorders, yet it is unclear how this stimulus can lead to the
      diverse disturbances in dopaminergic-driven behaviors that emerge at different
      stages of life in affected offspring. Here we report that gestational age is a
      critical determinant of the subsequent alterations in dopaminergic-driven
      behavior in rat offspring exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MIA.
      Behavioral analysis revealed that MIA on gestational day 16 but not gestational
      day 12 resulted in biphasic impairments in motor behavior. Specifically, motor
      impairments were evident in early life, which were resolved by adolescence, but
      subsequently re-emerged in adulthood. In contrast, reward seeking behaviors were
      altered in offspring exposed MIA on gestational day 12. These changes were not
      due to a loss of dopaminergic neurons per se in the postnatal period, suggesting
      that they reflect functional changes in dopaminergic systems. This highlights
      that gestational age may be a key determinant of how MIA leads to distinct
      alterations in dopaminergic-driven behavior across the lifespan of affected
      offspring.

PMID- 27266390
TI  - Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for respiratory diseases: Current challenges
      and perspectives, March 31 - April 1, 2016, Tours, France.
AB  - Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutics have tremendous potential to benefit
      patients with lung diseases, for which there remains substantial unmet medical
      need. To capture the current state of mAb research and development in the area of
      respiratory diseases, the Research Center of Respiratory Diseases (CEPR-INSERM
      U1100), the Laboratory of Excellence "MAbImprove," the GDR 3260 "Antibodies and
      therapeutic targeting," and the Grant Research program ARD2020 "Biotherapeutics"
      invited speakers from industry, academic and government organizations to present
      their recent research results at the Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies for
      Respiratory Diseases: Current challenges and perspectives congress held March 31 
      April 1, 2016 in Tours, France.

PMID- 27266392
TI  - Brief commentary for brain, behavior, and immunity.

PMID- 27266393
TI  - The effect of time to sentinel lymph node biopsy on cutaneous melanoma survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether timing of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in cutaneous
      melanoma improves survival is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to
      investigate if the timing of SLNB influences long-term melanoma mortality.
      METHODS: A 10-year retrospective cohort study was conducted on 748 cutaneous
      melanoma patients who underwent excision of the SLN. Hazard ratios and 95%
      confidence intervals were estimated from Cox proportional hazards models.
      RESULTS: After adjusting for sex, age, Breslow thickness, mitotic rate,
      ulceration, and histologic type, patients who underwent early SLNB (<=30 days)
      and resulted positive on final pathology had a 3 times decreased risk of melanoma
      mortality (hazard ratio = .29; 95%confidence interval = .11 to .77) in comparison
      to patients who underwent delayed SLNB (>=31 days) and resulted positive on final
      pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that early SLNB (<=30 days) improves
      melanoma survival.

PMID- 27266394
TI  - Prior probabilities modulate cortical surprise responses: A study of event
      related potentials.
AB  - The human brain predicts events in its environment based on expectations, and
      unexpected events are surprising. When probabilistic contingencies in the
      environment are precisely instructed, the individual can form expectations based
      on quantitative probabilistic information ('inference-based learning'). In
      contrast, when probabilistic contingencies are imprecisely instructed,
      expectations are formed based on the individual's cumulative experience
      ('experience-based learning'). Here, we used the urn-ball paradigm to investigate
      how variations in prior probabilities and in the precision of information about
      these priors modulate choice behavior and event-related potential (ERP)
      correlates of surprise. In the urn-ball paradigm, participants are repeatedly
      forced to infer hidden states responsible for generating observable events, given
      small samples of factual observations. We manipulated prior probabilities of the
      states, and we rendered the priors calculable or incalculable, respectively. The
      analysis of choice behavior revealed that the tendency to consider prior
      probabilities when making decisions about hidden states was stronger when prior
      probabilities were calculable, at least in some of our participants. Surprise
      related P3b amplitudes were observed in both the calculable and the incalculable
      prior probability condition. In contrast, calculability of prior probabilities
      modulated anteriorly distributed ERP amplitudes: when prior probabilities were
      calculable, surprising events elicited enhanced P3a amplitudes. However, when
      prior probabilities were incalculable, surprise was associated with enhanced N2
      amplitudes. Furthermore, interindividual variability in reliance on prior
      probabilities was associated with attenuated P3b surprise responses under
      calculable in comparison to incalculable prior probabilities. Our results suggest
      two distinct neural systems for probabilistic learning that are recruited
      depending on contextual cues such as the precision of probabilistic information.
      Individuals with stronger tendencies to rely on calculable prior probabilities
      seem to have better adapted expectations at their disposal, as indicated by an
      attenuation of their P3b surprise responses when prior probabilities are
      calculable.

PMID- 27266396
TI  - Why are children sedentary: an examination using the International Study of
      Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment.
AB  - Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour have been independently associated
      with a wide range of negative health indicators including obesity, poor cardio
      metabolic health, and poor psychosocial health. The overarching objective of this
      research was to gain a better understanding as to why children are sedentary and
      where we need to focus public health messages and interventions to reduce
      sedentary behaviour. Specifically, I aimed to provide insight on current
      awareness of sedentary behaviour guidelines, determine important correlates of
      total sedentary time (SED) and screen time (ST) in Canadian children, and
      understand correlates of SED and ST in a global context. The primary dataset used
      for this project was the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and
      the Environment (ISCOLE). Background work was completed to review current
      literature on knowledge and awareness of Canadian physical activity and sedentary
      behaviour guidelines (in all age groups) and to understand the representativeness
      of the ISCOLE dataset. In addition to the 2 background papers, this dissertation
      includes 3 manuscripts, all prepared for submission in scientific, peer-reviewed
      journals: Canadian physical activity and screen time guidelines: do children
      know?, Correlates of objectively measured sedentary time and self-reported screen
      time in Canadian children, and Correlates of total sedentary time and screen time
      in 9-11 year-old children around the world: The International Study of Childhood
      Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment. Overall, this work showed the majority of
      children around the world are accumulating large amounts of sedentary time, and
      exceeded current screen time guidelines. We found that the large majority of
      Canadian children are not aware of screen time guidelines; however, a greater
      proportion of children could identify physical activity guidelines. We also
      identified a number of correlates of SED and ST in Canadian children and in
      children around the world. The most common correlates included weight status and
      access to electronics in the house. Taken together, this work suggests that
      public health messaging should focus on increasing awareness of screen time
      guidelines. While increasing awareness of the guidelines, messaging can be
      tailored to promoting healthy weight status and reducing (or removing) children's
      access to electronic devices in hopes of reducing overall time spent sedentary. 

PMID- 27266395
TI  - EEG and behavioural correlates of different forms of motor imagery during action
      observation in rhythmical actions.
AB  - Recent studies show that participants can engage in motor imagery (MI) and action
      observation (AO) simultaneously (AO+MI), indicating a capacity for dual action
      simulation. Here we studied the electrophysiological correlates and behavioural
      outcomes of two forms of AO+MI, along with pure MI and pure AO control
      conditions. In synchronised AO+MI, participants imagined performing a rhythmical
      action in synchrony with an observed distractor action. In contrast in static
      AO+MI, where the imagery served to conflict with AO, participants imagined
      holding a static hand posture during AO. Following synchronised AO+MI, rhythmical
      execution was strongly biased toward the cycle time of the previously observed
      rhythm ('imitation bias'), whereas a weaker bias was found following pure MI, and
      particularly for static AO+MI. In line with these findings, event-related
      desynchronisation (ERD) in primary sensorimotor and parietal regions was more
      pronounced in synchronised AO+MI compared to both pure AO and pure MI. These ERD
      amplitudes were, however, highly similar for static and synchronised AO+MI;
      suggesting that, regardless of co-represented content, both AO+MI states produced
      stronger motor activations than single action simulation. In contrast,
      synchronised AO+MI produced significantly stronger ERD in rostral prefrontal
      cortex compared to the other three conditions. This specific rostral prefrontal
      involvement most likely reflected additional cognitive processing for aligning
      dual action simulations. Together these results provide an important empirical
      validation of different AO+MI states, in that the imitation bias was strongly
      modulated by the content of the AO+MI instructions, and that synchronised AO+MI
      produced stronger behavioural and neurophysiological effects compared to pure AO
      or MI.

PMID- 27266400
TI  - Prevalence and Correlates of Sex Exchange Among a Nationally Representative
      Sample of Adolescents and Young Adults.
AB  - The present study examines prevalence and correlates of exchanging sex for drugs,
      money, food shelter, or other favors (sex exchange) among a nationally
      representative sample of youth and young adults. Adolescents and young adults (n
      = 11,620, 53% female, 47% male) from the National Longitudinal Study of
      Adolescent Health were used for the current sample. Participants completed in
      home interviews at both waves. Results revealed that sex exchange was reported by
      4.9% (n = 569) of the population in wave 2 or wave 3, and 4.6% (n = 26) of those
      who exchanged sex did so at both waves. More males reported exchanging sex than
      females (n = 332 versus n = 237). Respondents who reported child sexual abuse
      were more likely to exchange sex (95% CI 2.51-4.28, p < .05) than respondents who
      reported any other form of child abuse. Both males and females who engaged in sex
      exchange were at greater risk for sexually transmitted infections; however, the
      odds of ever exchanging sex were highest among males who ever had gonorrhea (OR =
      6.2; 95% CI 3.75-10.3). Although sex exchange has been studied extensively among
      homeless and runaway youth, the current study reveals sex exchange also occurs in
      the general population. 

PMID- 27266401
TI  - Incorporating pharmacodynamic considerations into caffeine therapeutic drug
      monitoring in preterm neonates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study sought to assess the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
      relationships of caffeine citrate therapy in preterm neonates who had therapeutic
      drug monitoring (TDM) in the post-extubation period. METHODS: A retrospective
      observational study was conducted in preterm neonates who received caffeine
      citrate therapy for apnea of prematurity and had TDM done in the post-extubation
      period between January 2006 and October 2011. The relationships between
      pharmacodynamic effects (heart rate, respiratory rate, episodes of apnea, adverse
      events) and caffeine serum concentrations were explored. RESULTS: A total of 177
      blood samples were obtained from 115 preterm neonates with a median (range)
      gestational age of 29 (24 - 33) weeks and birth weight of 1230 (607 - 2304) kg.
      Caffeine citrate therapy was initiated at a median (interquartile range)
      postnatal age of 1 (1 - 3) day and TDM was performed at a postnatal age of 15 (10
      - 24) days. No direct correlations were found between respiratory rate or apneic
      episodes and caffeine serum concentrations; however, heart rate and caffeine
      serum concentrations were significantly correlated (p < 0.05). Dosing regimen of
      40/5 mg/kg q12h (loading dose/maintenance dose, time interval) led to similar
      endotracheal re-intubation rate but increased percentage of patients experiencing
      tachycardia compared to the standard regimen of 20/5 mg/kg q24h (44.7 % vs 10.2
      %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on this retrospective study, no correlation
      between episodes of apnea and caffeine serum concentrations was found in neonates
      who had TDM of caffeine citrate therapy in the post-extubation period, whereas a
      significant association between tachycardia and concentrations existed.
      Notwithstanding the absence of severe adverse reactions, TDM should be considered
      in critically ill neonates with unexplained adverse effects, such as tachycardia.

PMID- 27266402
TI  - Novel MEKC method for determination of sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate in human
      plasma with in-capillary derivatization and UV detection.
AB  - Sensitive electrophoretic method for determination of total sodium 2
      mercaptoethanesulfonate (mesna) in human plasma, based on the stacking with high
      salt concentration in MEKC and in-capillary derivatization with 2-chloro-1
      methyllepidinium tetrafluoroborate followed by UV detection was developed. In the
      method 0.03molL(-1)pH 7 phosphate buffer with the addition of 0.01molL(-1) SDS,
      and 10% ACN was used as a BGE. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method
      was 0.5MUmolL(-1). Linearity in detector response was observed over the range of
      0.5-10MUmolL(-1) with the correlation coefficient 0.9971. The intra- and inter
      day accuracy (three concentration levels, 5 days, n=3) of the method ranged from
      97.2 to 110.0% and from 94.0 to 101.2%, respectively. The novel MEKC method with
      UV detection proved to be suitable for determination of total mesna in human
      plasma. 

PMID- 27266403
TI  - A Comparative Study on Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanotube Reinforcement of PMMA
      Siloxane-Silica Anticorrosive Coatings.
AB  - Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) have been used to reinforce PMMA
      siloxane-silica nanocomposites considered to be promising candidates for
      environmentally compliant anticorrosive coatings. The organic-inorganic hybrids
      were prepared by benzoyl peroxide (BPO)-induced polymerization of methyl
      methacrylate (MMA) covalently bonded through 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl
      methacrylate (MPTS) to silica domains formed by hydrolytic condensation of
      tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide
      nanosheets were dispersed by surfactant addition and in a water/ethanol solution,
      respectively. These were added to PMMA-siloxane-silica hybrids at a carbon (CNT
      or GO) to silicon (TEOS and MPTS) molar ratio of 0.05% in two different matrices,
      both prepared at BPO/MMA molar ratios of 0.01 and 0.05. Atomic force microscopy
      and scanning electron microscopy showed very smooth, homogeneous, and defect-free
      surfaces of approximately 3-7 MUm thick coatings deposited onto A1020 carbon
      steel by dip coating. Mechanical testing and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed
      that both additives CNT and GO improved the scratch resistance, adhesion, wear
      resistance, and thermal stability of PMMA-siloxane-silica coatings. Results of
      electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 3.5% NaCl solution, discussed in terms
      of equivalent circuits, showed that the reinforced hybrid coatings act as a very
      efficient anticorrosive barrier with an impedance modulus up to 1 GOmega cm(2),
      approximately 5 orders of magnitude higher than that of bare carbon steel. In the
      case of GO addition, the high corrosion resistance was maintained for more than 6
      months in saline medium. These results suggest that both carbon nanostructures
      can be used as structural reinforcement agents, improving the thermal and
      mechanical resistance of high performance anticorrosive PMMA-siloxane-silica
      coatings and thus extending their application range to abrasive environments. 

PMID- 27266404
TI  - Regulators of gene expression in Enteric Neural Crest Cells are putative
      Hirschsprung disease genes.
AB  - The enteric nervous system (ENS) is required for peristalsis of the gut and is
      derived from Enteric Neural Crest Cells (ENCCs). During ENS development, the RET
      receptor tyrosine kinase plays a critical role in the proliferation and survival
      of ENCCs, their migration along the developing gut, and differentiation into
      enteric neurons. Mutations in RET and its ligand GDNF cause Hirschsprung disease
      (HSCR), a complex genetic disorder in which ENCCs fail to colonize variable
      lengths of the distal bowel. To identify key regulators of ENCCs and the pathways
      underlying RET signaling, gene expression profiles of untreated and GDNF-treated
      ENCCs from E14.5 mouse embryos were generated. ENCCs express genes that are
      involved in both early and late neuronal development, whereas GDNF treatment
      induced neuronal maturation. Predicted regulators of gene expression in ENCCs
      include the known HSCR genes Ret and Sox10, as well as Bdnf, App and Mapk10. The
      regulatory overlap and functional interactions between these genes were used to
      construct a regulatory network that is underlying ENS development and connects to
      known HSCR genes. In addition, the adenosine receptor A2a (Adora2a) and
      neuropeptide Y receptor Y2 (Npy2r) were identified as possible regulators of
      terminal neuronal differentiation in GDNF-treated ENCCs. The human orthologue of
      Npy2r maps to the HSCR susceptibility locus 4q31.3-q32.3, suggesting a role for
      NPY2R both in ENS development and in HSCR.

PMID- 27266405
TI  - Advancing a national cradle-to-grave-to-cradle public health agenda.

PMID- 27266406
TI  - The interval between primary melanoma excision and sentinel node biopsy is not
      associated with survival in sentinel node positive patients - An EORTC Melanoma
      Group study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Worldwide, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is the recommended staging
      procedure for stage I/II melanoma. Most melanoma guidelines recommend re-excision
      plus SNB as soon as possible after primary excision. To date, there is no
      evidence to support this timeframe. AIM: To determine melanoma specific survival
      (MSS) for time intervals between excisional biopsy and SNB in SNB positive
      patients. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2008, 1080 patients were diagnosed with a
      positive SNB in nine Melanoma Group centers. We selected 1015 patients (94%) with
      known excisional biopsy date. Time interval was calculated from primary excision
      until SNB. Kaplan-Meier estimated MSS was calculated for different cutoff values.
      Multivariable analysis was performed to correct for known prognostic factors.
      RESULTS: Median age was 51 years (Inter Quartile Range (IQR) 40-62 years), 535
      (53%) were men, 603 (59%) primary tumors were located on extremities. Median
      Breslow thickness was 3.00 mm (IQR 1.90-4.80 mm), 442 (44%) were ulcerated.
      Median follow-up was 36 months (IQR 20-62 months). Median time interval was 47
      days (IQR 32-63 days). Median Breslow thickness was equal for both <47 days and
      >=47 days interval: 3.00 mm (1.90-5.00 mm) vs 3.00 mm (1.90-4.43 mm) (p = 0.402).
      Sentinel node tumor burden was significantly higher in patients operated >=47
      days (p = 0.005). Univariate survival was not significantly different for median
      time interval. Multivariable analysis confirmed that time interval was no
      independent prognostic factor for MSS. CONCLUSIONS: Time interval from primary
      melanoma excision until SNB was no prognostic factor for MSS in this SNB positive
      cohort. This information can be used to counsel patients.

PMID- 27266407
TI  - Nodal skip metastasis is associated with a relatively poor prognosis in thoracic
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nodal skip metastasis (NSM) is common in esophageal carcinoma, even
      with different lymph node classification criteria. The prognostic impact of NSM
      in esophageal carcinoma has been unclear. Some studies found no impact on
      survival and others found a positive impact. This research was to further
      investigate the incidence of NSM in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous
      cell carcinoma (ESCC), and assess its prognostic value in thoracic ESCC. METHODS:
      We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 340 consecutive patients with
      solitary lymph node metastasis who underwent esophagectomy with three-field lymph
      node dissection for ESCC at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
      from January 2005 to December 2013. The survivals of the patients with NSM or
      adjacent node metastasis were compared. RESULTS: There were 216 patients with
      NSM, and 124 patients with adjacent node metastasis. The incidence of NSM in this
      cohort was 63.5%. No significant difference was found between the patients with
      NSM and the patients with adjacent node metastasis in age, sex, tumor location,
      pathologic T stage, histologic grade, tumor length, and the number of resected
      lymph nodes (all p > 0.05). Patients with NSM had 5-year cumulative survival of
      29.2%, which was significantly worse than the 45.6% survival in those with
      adjacent node metastasis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, NSM is associated
      with a relatively poor prognosis in thoracic ESCC.

PMID- 27266408
TI  - Systematic use of isolated pancreatic anastomosis after pancreatoduodenectomy:
      Five years of experience with zero mortality.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to perform a comprehensive evaluation of 5
      years of experience with the technique of isolated pancreatic anastomosis
      reconstruction after pancreatoduodenectomy from the perspective of safety and
      surgical efficacy using a prospective database. METHODS: The study included all
      consecutive patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy from April 2009 to April
      2014 at a single referral center for hepato-pancreato-biliary diseases. The
      primary endpoint was the safety of the procedures, which was assessed as the
      occurrence of complications during hospitalization. Ninety-day mortality was also
      assessed. Postoperative pancreatic fistulas were classified as grade A, B, or C
      according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula classification.
      RESULTS: The study group included 214 consecutive patients with a median age of
      60 years who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Portal vein resection was performed
      on 41 patients. Indications for resection were 165 pancreatic head tumors, 33
      ampullary tumors, 7 chronic pancreatitis, 3 distal bile duct tumors, and 6
      duodenal tumors. There was no perioperative or 90-day mortality in this series.
      Complications occurred in 68 patients (32%), and 42 patients presented with
      pancreatic fistulas (19.6%). Grade A fistulas were present in 38 patients. Three
      patients presented persistent pancreatic fistula and were treated with
      percutaneous drainage. One patient developed combined pancreatic and biliary
      fistulas and was reoperated on for pancreatic abscess drainage. CONCLUSIONS: The
      technique of isolated pancreatic anastomosis by diverting the pancreatic from
      biliary secretion may contribute to reducing the severity of pancreatic fistulas
      and therefore the severity of this complication.

PMID- 27266419
TI  - Pharmacogenetics of anthracyclines.
AB  - Anthracyclines constitute a fundamental part of the chemotherapy regimens
      utilized to treat a number of different malignancies both in pediatric and adult
      patients. These drugs are one of the most efficacious anticancer agents ever
      invented. On the other hand, anthracyclines are cardiotoxic. Childhood cancer
      survivors treated with anthracyclines often undergo cardiac complications which
      are influenced by genetic variations of the patients. The scientific literature
      comprises numerous investigations in the subject of the pharmacogenetics of
      anthracyclines. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of this
      research topic. Genetic variants are proposed targets in the personalized
      treatment in order to individualize dosing and therefore reduce side effects.

PMID- 27266420
TI  - Predicting Likelihood for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting After Non-ST-Elevation
      Myocardial Infarction: Finding the Best Prediction Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Up to half of patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
      (NSTEMI) do not receive dual antiplatelet therapy before angiography
      "pretreatment" because of the risk of increased bleeding if coronary artery
      bypass grafting (CABG) operation is needed. Several models have been published
      that predict the likelihood of CABG after NSTEMI, but they have not been
      independently validated. The purpose of this study was to validate these models
      and improve the best one. METHODS: We studied patients with NSTEMI who were
      enrolled in the 24-center Translational Research Investigating Underlying
      Disparities in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients' Health Status (TRIUMPH)
      registry between 2005 and 2008. Previous CABG prediction models were assessed
      using c-statistics and calibration assessments to determine the best model.
      Variables from TRIUMPH likely to be associated with CABG were tested to see
      whether they could improve the best model's performance. RESULTS: Among 2,473
      patients with NSTEMI, 11.8% underwent in-hospital CABG. C-statistics for the
      Modified Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction, Treat Angina With Aggrastat and
      Determine the Cost of Therapy With an Invasive or Conservative Strategy
      Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 18, Poppe, and Global Risk of Acute
      Coronary Events (GRACE) models were 0.54, 0.61, 0.61, and 0.62, respectively. The
      GRACE model showed the best discrimination and calibration. From the TRIUMPH
      registry, preselected variables were added to the GRACE model but did not
      significantly improve model discrimination. A GRACE model risk score of less than
      9 had high sensitivity (96%), thus making it useful for predicting patients with
      NSTEMI who were at low risk for requiring CABG, which included approximately 21%
      of patients with NSTEMI. CONCLUSIONS: This study could not improve on the GRACE
      model, which had the best predictive value for identifying a need for CABG after
      NSTEMI with a broader range of predicted risk levels and high sensitivity,
      especially in patients with scores lower than 9.

PMID- 27266422
TI  - Accuracy of the vivofit activity tracker.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of the vivofit activity
      tracker in assessing energy expenditure and step count. Thirteen participants
      wore the vivofit activity tracker for five days. Participants were required to
      independently perform 1 h of self-selected activity each day of the study. On day
      four, participants came to the lab to undergo BMR and a treadmill-walking task
      (TWT). On day five, participants completed 1 h of office-type activities. BMR
      values estimated by the vivofit were not significantly different from the values
      measured through indirect calorimetry (IC). The vivofit significantly
      underestimated EE for treadmill walking, but responded to the differences in the
      inclination. Vivofit underestimated step count for level walking but provided an
      accurate estimate for incline walking. There was a strong correlation between EE
      and the exercise intensity. The vivofit activity tracker is on par with similar
      devices and can be used to track physical activity. 

PMID- 27266421
TI  - Missed Intrapulmonary Lymph Node Metastasis and Survival After Resection of Non
      Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathologic nodal stage is a key prognostic factor for patients with
      surgically resected lung cancer. We previously described the extent of missed
      intrapulmonary nodal metastasis in a cohort of patients treated at institutions
      in metropolitan Memphis, TN. With long-term follow-up, we now quantify the
      survival impact of missed nodal metastasis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective
      cohort study to evaluate inadvertently discarded lymph nodes in re-dissected
      remnant lung resection specimens from lung cancer patients. Retrieved material
      was histologically examined and classified as lymph nodes with and without
      metastasis. Survival information was obtained from hospital cancer registries. We
      plotted survival distributions with the use of the Kaplan-Meier method and
      evaluated them with proportional hazards models that controlled for important
      demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: The study included 110 patients who
      were 54% women and 69% white. Discarded lymph nodes with metastasis were found in
      25 patients (23%). Patients with missed lymph node metastasis had an increased
      risk of death with an unadjusted hazard ratio of 2.0 (p = 0.06) and an adjusted
      hazard ratio of 1.4 (p = 0.45) compared with patients without missed lymph node
      metastasis. Patients with more than 2 missed lymph nodes with metastasis had 4.8
      times the hazard of death (p = 0.0005) compared with patients without missed
      lymph node metastasis (adjusted hazard ratio 6.5, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Metastasis to inadvertently discarded intrapulmonary lymph nodes from lung cancer
      resection specimens was associated with reduced survival. A more rigorous gross
      dissection protocol for lung cancer resection specimens may provide
      prognostically useful information.

PMID- 27266423
TI  - Small molecules and antibodies for the treatment of psoriasis: a patent review
      (2010-2015).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic condition whose therapeutic armamentarium is
      increasingly being discussed, particularly when compared to past decades. The use
      of biologic agents has profoundly changed the history of this disease, as well as
      the management of psoriatic patients. Due to the enormous interest in psoriasis,
      as demonstrated within the scientific community and pharmaceuticals, new
      therapeutic targets have been identified and novel patented therapeutics are
      being tested. AREAS COVERED: This review sought to give an overview of small
      molecules and antibodies patented in the last five years for the treatment of
      psoriasis. Therapeutic agents either in the early or advanced phase of
      development have been described, primarily based on a systematic search using the
      PubMed Medline database. EXPERT OPINION: Though the recent introduction of new
      antipsoriatic agents has facilitated the management of long-term psoriasis, there
      is still a strong desire for alternative therapeutic options. Indeed, there
      remain unmet needs regarding safety and efficacy of psoriasis treatment that
      should be addressed. In this context, recently patented drugs may prove valid,
      interesting, and promising within the therapeutic paradigm.

PMID- 27266435
TI  - Physician perceptions of Choosing Wisely and drivers of overuse.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Little is known regarding physicians' views on health service overuse
      or their awareness of the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation's
      Choosing Wisely campaign. Through the Survey on Overuse and Knowledge of Choosing
      Wisely, we assessed physician views on hypothesized drivers of overuse and
      Choosing Wisely. STUDY DESIGN: We designed the survey to investigate physicians'
      knowledge of, awareness of, and feelings toward Choosing Wisely, along with their
      concerns about malpractice, perception of patient demand, discomfort with
      uncertainty, and cost-consciousness. Where possible, we used pre-validated survey
      instruments. METHODS: We distributed the survey to clinicians practicing at
      Atrius Health, the largest ambulatory care provider in Massachusetts. We analyzed
      584 responses (72% response rate) and calculated 3 previously validated scales.
      RESULTS: Primary care physicians reported significantly greater awareness of
      Choosing Wisely (47.2%) than medical specialists (37.4%) and surgical specialists
      (27%). A majority (62%) of all respondents reported they found uncertainty
      involved in providing care disconcerting. Approximately one-third felt it unfair
      to ask physicians to be both cost-conscious and concerned with welfare, thought
      too much emphasis was placed on costs, and thought doctors were too busy to worry
      about costs. Surgical specialists were more concerned about malpractice, whereas
      primary care physicians reported feeling significantly more pressure from
      patients for tests and procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of Choosing Wisely is
      limited, but primary care physicians are more aware of the campaign than
      specialists. Although hypothesized drivers of overuse are prevalent, most
      physicians support cost-consciousness in medicine and embrace their
      responsibility in reducing costs.

PMID- 27266436
TI  - Medicaid managed care penetration and drug utilization for patients with serious
      mental illness.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: State Medicaid programs are under increasing pressure to contain
      pharmaceutical spending. Many states have attempted to limit spending through
      greater Medicaid managed care penetration, which rose nationally from 54.5% in
      1999 to 74.9% in 2011. It is not clear how this expansion has affected
      beneficiaries with serious mental illness (SMI)-a vulnerable population that
      often has their drug spending "carved out" from their managed care benefit. We
      sought to assess the association between managed care penetration and
      pharmaceutical spending on drugs for SMIs in these states. STUDY DESIGN:
      Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: State-year observations were constructed to
      study the relationship between managed care penetration and pharmaceutical
      spending on drugs for SMIs over the period 1999 to 2011. We analyzed the
      relationship using both cross-sectional and panel-data methods. RESULTS: Our
      cross-sectional analyses suggested that carve-out states with greater managed
      care penetration spend significantly less per enrollee on pharmaceuticals for the
      treatment of mental disorders: our panel data analyses did not generate
      statistically meaningful results. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should address
      whether any effects of managed care on mental health prescription utilization and
      spending reflect improved care coordination or worsening access to valuable care
      for the population with SMI.

PMID- 27266437
TI  - Implementing a hybrid approach to select patients for care management: variations
      across practices.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Appropriate selection of patients is key to the success of care
      management programs (CMPs). Hybrid patient selection approaches, in which large
      data assets are culled to develop a list of patients for more targeted clinical
      review, are increasingly common. We sought to describe the patient and practice
      characteristics associated with high-risk patient identification and selection
      for a CMP during clinical review, and to explore variation across primary care
      practices. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Standardized
      estimates of Medicare beneficiaries identified as high risk for poor outcomes and
      high medical expense, and appropriate for a CMP within a large Pioneer
      Accountable Care Organization, were developed using mixed effects logistic
      models. Study subjects were 2685 Medicare beneficiaries aged over 18 (includes
      individuals eligible for Medicare due to a disability) aligned to 35 primary care
      practices in 2013. RESULTS: Independent predictors of patient identification as
      high risk include older age; higher risk score; recent increases in medical
      conditions; higher numbers of medical hospitalizations, skilled nursing facility
      days, and primary care physician visits; and shorter relationships with the
      primary care physician. Older age, and lower income, but no prior hospice use
      were independently associated with patient selection for a CMP among the subset
      of patients identified as being high risk. Adjusted predicted percents of high
      risk patients varied significantly across practices overall and for 5 of the 6
      patient characteristics that were independently associated with identification as
      high risk. CONCLUSIONS: Inconsistency in high-risk patient identification and
      selection for a CMP may reflect differences in practice resources, but also
      highlight the need for continual training and feedback in order to protect
      against unintentional biases.

PMID- 27266438
TI  - Clinical interventions addressing nonmedical health determinants in Medicaid
      managed care.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine how interventions addressing social determinants
      of health (SDH) have been adopted in the context of Medicaid managed care
      organizations (MMCOs), which serve a large proportion of patients with social and
      economic barriers to good health. STUDY DESIGN: We designed a systematic
      literature review to examine how SDH interventions have been adopted in MMCOs.
      METHODS: The review included published articles from PubMed, Scopus, and Business
      Source databases, as well as review articles published in the gray literature and
      articles recommended by the study's National Advisory Committee to identify
      interventions describing how MMCOs have invested in interventions that address
      patients' SDH. To be included in the review, an article had to describe an
      intervention that was based in the United States, be supported financially by an
      MMCO, focus on at least 1 SDH, and be integrated into clinical care delivery.
      RESULTS: Twenty-five programs were identified in either commercial Medicaid or
      Medicaid-only MCOs that involved interventions integrated into clinical care and
      related to SDH. Interventions varied widely in terms of target populations and
      target SDH, and rarely included rigorous evaluations. The majority of programs
      described "case management services" that did not clearly distinguish between the
      delivery of medical and social interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a growing
      interest in clinical interventions that address SDH, little information is
      available in the published literature about the extent to which these
      interventions have been adopted by MMCOs, where they are likely to have early
      traction based both on capitated funding structures and the low-income
      populations served.

PMID- 27266439
TI  - Greater potential cost savings with biosimilar use.

PMID- 27266440
TI  - Multivariate Analysis to Predict the Horizontal Anterior Chamber Diameter from
      Other Anterior Chamber Parameters Using Scheimpflug Imaging: Is There a Better
      Method Than Adding a Fixed Constant?
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive association between the horizontal anterior
      chamber diameter (HACD) and other measurements using Scheimpflug imaging, and to
      assess whether a method superior to using fixed constants can be proposed.
      METHODS: This hospital-based study was performed in the Cornea and Refractive
      Surgery Services, New Medical Center (NMC) specialty hospital, Abu Dhabi.
      Initially, 100 candidates were included serially in the model building group
      (group1). All candidates underwent detailed evaluation and Scheimpflug imaging
      (CSO, Sirus, Italy). Subsequently, another 100 candidates were included serially
      in the validation group (group 2). Candidates in both groups underwent the same
      tests. RESULTS: In group 1, the mean HACD was 12.25 +/- 0.48 mm. This measurement
      correlated significantly with the horizontal visible iris diameter (HVID),
      anterior chamber depth, angle (ACA), and volume (ACV) (r = 0.2-0.7). The overall
      regression equation was HACD = 5.62 + 0.01 * ACV + 0.45 * HVID - 0.013 * ACA
      (adjusted R2 = 0.66, p < 0.001). Situation-based equations derived from the
      outcomes of group 1 were tested in group 2. Equation A included all factors found
      significant during model-building, Equation B included only non-volumetric
      significant factors, and situation C only included the HVID. Equations D through
      F used direct substitution by HVID plus a constant to predict HACD (the constant
      was 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 for Equations D, E, and F, respectively). The predicted
      HACD (pHACD) was within +/-0.5 mm of the actual HACD (aHACD) in 93%, 88%, 87%,
      83%, 69%, and 16% case for Equations A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively. The mean
      prediction error was -0.14 +/- 0.27 mm (p = 0.08), -0.15 +/- 0.28 mm (p = 0.03), 
      0.18 +/- 0.30 mm (p = 0.001), -0.18 +/- 0.32 mm (p < 0.001), 0.33 +/- 0.35 mm (p
      < 0.001), and 0.83 +/- 0.35 mm (p < 0.001) for Equations A, B, C, D, E, and F,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Regression equations using Scheimpflug-derived anterior
      chamber parameters may predict HACD to varying degrees, depending on the input
      parameters. Adding 0.5 or 1.0 mm to the corneal diameter (CD) to estimate the
      HACD is not recommended.

PMID- 27266441
TI  - HDTD: analyzing multi-tissue gene expression data.
AB  - MOTIVATION: By collecting multiple samples per subject, researchers can
      characterize intra-subject variation using physiologically relevant measurements
      such as gene expression profiling. This can yield important insights into
      fundamental biological questions ranging from cell type identity to tumour
      development. For each subject, the data measurements can be written as a matrix
      with the different subsamples (e.g. multiple tissues) indexing the columns and
      the genes indexing the rows. In this context, neither the genes nor the tissues
      are expected to be independent and straightforward application of traditional
      statistical methods that ignore this two-way dependence might lead to erroneous
      conclusions. Herein, we present a suite of tools embedded within the
      R/Bioconductor package HDTD for robustly estimating and performing hypothesis
      tests about the mean relationship and the covariance structure within the rows
      and columns. We illustrate the utility of HDTD by applying it to analyze data
      generated by the Genotype-Tissue Expression consortium. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: The R package HDTD is part of Bioconductor. The source code and a
      comprehensive user's guide are available at
      http://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/HDTD.html CONTACT: :
      A.Touloumis@brighton.ac.uk SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are
      available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 27266442
TI  - Paclitaxel-Loaded Mixed Micelles Enhance Ovarian Cancer Therapy through
      Extracellular pH-Triggered PEG Detachment and Endosomal Escape.
AB  - Although PEGylation allows a drug delivery vehicle to have prolonged blood
      circulation time, it faces the problem of reduced cellular uptake. Removal of the
      polyethylene glycol (PEG)-shell at the appropriate time through tumor
      microenvironment triggers could be a feasible solution to this problem. Here,
      paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded mixed micelles (PTX-mM) self-assembled from stearate
      modified hyaluronic acid (SHA), mPEG-b-poly(beta-amino ester) (mPEG-b-PAE), and
      ethylene acetyl-b-poly(beta-amino ester) (EA-b-PAE) were developed. In the
      preparation of PTX-mM, SHA micelles were coated with EA-b-PAE followed by
      coloading of PTX and mPEG-b-PAE. PTX-mM were capable of extracellular pH
      triggered PEG-detachment and poly(beta-amino ester) (PAE)-mediated endosomal
      escape. When the pH was changed from pH 7.4 to pH 6.8, the particle size of PTX
      mM significantly decreased from 97.5 +/- 4.4 to 71.5 +/- 2.3 nm. It also resulted
      in rapid and complete release of mPEG-b-PAE from PTX-mM as monitored using quartz
      crystal microbalance (QCM) technology. PTX-mM capable of PEG detachment provided
      significant enhancement of PTX accumulation in SKOV-3 cells compared to PEG
      nondetachable PTX-mM. Interestingly, intracellular transport studies using
      confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed that EA-b-PAE could promote the
      escape of micelles from endolysosomes. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration
      (IC50) of PTX-mM against SKOV-3 cells was 5.7 MUg/mL, and PTX-mM containing 20
      MUg/mL of PTX induced apoptosis in 53.0% of the cell population. PTX-mM exhibited
      a highly prolonged elimination half-life (t1/2, 2.83 +/- 0.37 h) and improved
      area under the curve (AUC, 7724.82 +/- 1190.75 ng/mL/h) than the PTX-loaded SHA
      micelles (PTX-M). Furthermore, PTX-mM showed the highest tumor inhibition rate
      (64.9%) and the longest survival time (53 days) against the SKOV-3 ovarian cancer
      xenograft models among all formulations. Taken together, the results suggested
      that PTX-mM have potential as an efficient anticancer formulation in treatment of
      ovarian cancer.

PMID- 27266444
TI  - DNP-Enhanced Ultrawideline Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy: Studies of Platinum in
      Metal-Organic Frameworks.
AB  - Ultrawideline dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced (195)Pt solid-state NMR
      (SSNMR) spectroscopy and theoretical calculations are used to determine the
      coordination of atomic Pt species supported within the pores of metal-organic
      frameworks (MOFs). The (195)Pt SSNMR spectra, with breadths reaching 10 000 ppm,
      were obtained by combining DNP with broadbanded cross-polarization and CPMG
      acquisition. Although the DNP enhancements in static samples are lower than those
      typically observed under magic-angle spinning conditions, the presented
      measurements would be very challenging using the conventional SSNMR methods. The
      DNP-enhanced ultrawideline NMR spectra served to separate signals from cis- and
      trans-coordinated atomic Pt(2+) species supported on the UiO-66-NH2 MOF.
      Additionally, the data revealed a dominance of kinetic effects in the formation
      of Pt(2+) complexes and the thermodynamic effects in their reduction to
      nanoparticles. A single cis-coordinated Pt(2+) complex was confirmed in MOF-253. 

PMID- 27266443
TI  - Mindfulness training increases cooperative decision making in economic exchanges:
      Evidence from fMRI.
AB  - Emotions have been shown to exert influences on decision making during economic
      exchanges. Here we investigate the underlying neural mechanisms of a training
      regimen which is hypothesized to promote emotional awareness, specifically
      mindfulness training (MT). We test the hypothesis that MT increases cooperative
      economic decision making using fMRI in a randomized longitudinal design involving
      8weeks of either MT or active control training (CT). We find that MT results in
      an increased willingness to cooperate indexed by higher acceptance rates to
      unfair monetary offers in the Ultimatum Game. While controlling for acceptance
      rates of monetary offers between intervention groups, subjects in the MT and CT
      groups show differential brain activation patterns. Specifically, a subset of
      more cooperative MT subjects displays increased activation in the septal region,
      an area linked to social attachment, which may drive the increased willingness to
      express cooperative behavior in the MT cohort. Furthermore, MT resulted in
      attenuated activity in anterior insula compared with the CT group in response to
      unfair monetary offers post-training, which may suggest that MT enables greater
      ability to effectively regulate the anterior insula and thereby promotes social
      cooperation. Finally, functional connectivity analyses show a coupling between
      the septal region and posterior insula in the MT group, suggesting an integration
      of interoceptive inputs. Together, these results highlight that MT may be
      employed in contexts where emotional regulation is required to promote social
      cooperation. 

PMID- 27266445
TI  - Evaluation of postural stability in youth athletes: the relationship between two
      rating systems.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) has been documented as a
      useful way to evaluate postural control following sport-related concussions
      sustained by youth athletes. However, limitations have been reported with its use
      due to the reliance on visual observation as the primary measurement outcome. The
      primary purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the modified
      BESS (mBESS) as rated by a clinician and a simultaneous analysis performed by an
      integrated video-force plate system. The secondary purpose was to assess if a
      history of prior concussion affected postural control. METHODS: A group of
      healthy youth athletes (n = 398; mean age 13.7 +/- 2.4 years) completed the mBESS
      while simultaneously undergoing an integrated video-force plate evaluation to
      measure postural stability. Spearman rank-order correlations were used to
      determine the strength of correlation between the 2 rating systems. In addition,
      performance on the mBESS between those with and without a history of concussion
      was compared using univariate ANCOVAs. RESULTS: A moderately high correlation was
      found during single-leg stance (rho = -0.64, p < .001), while a weak correlation
      was found during tandem stance (rho = -0.30, p < .001). No postural control
      differences were found between groups with and without a concussion history.
      CONCLUSION: The video-force plate rating system correlates well with the
      clinician rating during the single-leg stance of the mBESS, but not during double
      leg or tandem stances. A history of concussion did not affect mBESS scores.

PMID- 27266446
TI  - Engineering cell-based therapies to interface robustly with host physiology.
AB  - Engineered cell-based therapies comprise a rapidly growing clinical technology
      for treating disease by leveraging the natural capabilities of cells, including
      migration, information transduction, and biosynthesis and secretion. There now
      exists a substantial portfolio of intracellular and extracellular sensors that
      enable bioengineers to program cells to execute defined responses to specific
      changes in state or environmental cues. As our capability to construct more
      sophisticated cellular programs increases, assessing and improving the degree to
      which cell-based therapies perform as desired in vivo will become an increasingly
      important consideration and opportunity for technological advancement. In this
      review, we seek to describe both current capabilities and potential needs for
      building cell-based therapies that interface with host physiology in a manner
      that is robust - a phrase we use in this context to describe the achievement of
      therapeutic efficacy across a range of patients and implementations. We first
      review the portfolio of sensors and outputs currently available for use in cell
      based therapies by highlighting key advancements and current gaps. Then, we
      propose a conceptual framework for evaluating and pursuing robust clinical
      performance of engineered cell-based therapies.

PMID- 27266474
TI  - Depressive and anxiety disorders and short leukocyte telomere length: mediating
      effects of metabolic stress and lifestyle factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depressive and anxiety disorders are associated with shorter
      leukocyte telomere length (LTL), an indicator of cellular aging. It is, however,
      unknown which pathways underlie this association. This study examined the extent
      to which lifestyle factors and physiological changes such as inflammatory or
      metabolic alterations mediate the relationship. METHOD: We applied mediation
      analysis techniques to data from 2750 participants of the Netherlands Study of
      Depression and Anxiety. LTL was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction. Independent variables were current depressive (30-item Inventory of
      Depressive Symptoms - Self Report) and anxiety (21-item Beck's Anxiety Inventory)
      symptoms and presence of a depressive or anxiety disorder diagnosis based on DSM
      IV; mediator variables included physiological stress systems, metabolic syndrome
      components and lifestyle factors. RESULTS: Short LTL was associated with higher
      symptom severity (B = -2.4, p = 0.002) and current psychiatric diagnosis (B = 
      63.3, p = 0.024). C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, waist circumference,
      triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cigarette smoking were
      significant mediators in the relationship between psychopathology and LTL. When
      all significant mediators were included in one model, the effect sizes of the
      relationships between LTL and symptom severity and current diagnosis were reduced
      by 36.7 and 32.7%, respectively, and the remaining direct effects were no longer
      significant. CONCLUSIONS: Pro-inflammatory cytokines, metabolic alterations and
      cigarette smoking are important mediators of the association between depressive
      and anxiety disorders and LTL. This calls for future research on intervention
      programs that take into account lifestyle changes in mental health care settings.

PMID- 27266475
TI  - Carbon nanotube (CNT) and nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) reinforcement effect on
      thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) scaffolds fabricated via phase separation using
      dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent.
AB  - Although phase separation is a simple method of preparing tissue engineering
      scaffolds, it suffers from organic solvent residual in the scaffold. Searching
      for nontoxic solvents and developing effective solvent removal methods are
      current challenges in scaffold fabrication. In this study, thermoplastic
      polyurethane (TPU) scaffolds containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or
      nanofibrillated cellulose fibers (NFCs) were prepared using low toxicity dimethyl
      sulfoxide (DMSO) as a solvent. The effects of two solvent removal approaches on
      the final scaffold morphology were studied. The freeze drying method caused large
      pores, with small pores on the pore walls, which created connections between the
      pores. Meanwhile, the leaching and freeze drying method led to interconnected
      fine pores with smaller pore diameters. The nucleation effect of CNTs and the
      phase separation behavior of NFCs in the TPU solution resulted in significant
      differences in the microstructures of the resulting scaffolds. The mechanical
      performance of the nanocomposite scaffolds with different morphologies was
      investigated. Generally, the scaffolds with a fine pore structure showed higher
      compressive properties, and both the CNTs and NFCs improved the compressive
      properties of the scaffolds, with greater enhancement found in TPU/NFC
      nanocomposite scaffolds. In addition, all scaffolds showed good sustainability
      under cyclical load bearing, and the biocompatibility of the scaffolds was
      verified via 3T3 fibroblast cell culture.

PMID- 27266476
TI  - An approach to scaling size effect on strength of quasi-brittle biomedical
      materials.
AB  - Two-parameter Weibull statistics is commonly used for characterizing and modeling
      strength distribution of biomedical materials and its size dependence. The
      calibrated scale parameter and shape factor are usually sensitive to specimen
      size. Since Weibull statistics is subject to the weakest link postulate, this
      work proposed to directly resort to the weakest-link formulation for the
      cumulative failure probability to characterize size effect on strength
      distribution of quasi-brittle biomedical materials. As a preliminary examination,
      the approach was assessed by two sets of published strength data. It shows that
      the resultant expression for the cumulative probability follows either Weibull
      distribution or other type of distributions. The calibrated model parameters are
      independent of specimen size, so they can be used to transfer strength
      distribution from one set of specimens to another set of specimens with
      geometrical similarity under same loading mode. These initial results motivate a
      more comprehensive validation of the proposed approach to proceed via a larger
      set of case studies covering different quasi-brittle biomedical materials over a
      wider range of size variation.

PMID- 27266477
TI  - C-Au Covalently Bonded Molecular Junctions Using Nonprotected Alkynyl Anchoring
      Groups.
AB  - We report on an approach to realize carbon-gold (C-Au) bonded molecular junctions
      without the need for an additive to deprotect the alkynyl carbon as endstanding
      anchor group. Using the mechanically controlled break junction (MCBJ) technique,
      we determine the most probable conductance value of a family of alkynyl
      terminated oligophenylenes (OPA(n)) connected to gold electrodes through such an
      akynyl moiety in ambient conditions. The molecules bind to the gold leads through
      an sp-hybridized carbon atom at each side. Comparing our results with other
      families of molecules that present organometallic C-Au bonds, we conclude that
      the conductance of molecules contacted via an sp-hybridized carbon atom is lower
      than the ones using sp(3) hybridization due to strong differences in the coupling
      of the conducting orbitals with the gold leads.

PMID- 27266479
TI  - BF3-Etherate-Promoted Cascade Reaction of 2-Alkynylanilines with Nitriles: One
      Pot Assembly of 4-Amido-Cinnolines.
AB  - A BF3-etherate-promoted cascade reaction of nitriles with 2-alkynylanilines is
      described. This method achieves the formation of two new C-N bonds through a
      reaction sequence of diazotization with t-BuONO, nucleophilic addition of the
      alkyne to the BF3-coordinated diazonium ion, followed by nitrile addition to the
      intermediary vinyl cation and hydrolysis. The method provides efficient and
      general access to a variety of 4-amido-cinnolines. Notable features of the method
      include its broad functional group tolerance and avoidance of transition metals.

PMID- 27266478
TI  - High-Performance Three-Dimensional Tubular Nanomembrane Sensor for DNA Detection.
AB  - We report an ultrasensitive label-free DNA biosensor with fully on-chip
      integrated rolled-up nanomembrane electrodes. The hybridization of complementary
      DNA strands (avian influenza virus subtype H1N1) is selectively detected down to
      attomolar concentrations, an unprecedented level for miniaturized sensors without
      amplification. Impedimetric DNA detection with such a rolled-up biosensor shows 4
      orders of magnitude sensitivity improvement over its planar counterpart.
      Furthermore, it is observed that the impedance response of the proposed device is
      contrary to the expected behavior due to its particular geometry. To further
      investigate this difference, a thorough model analysis of the measured signal and
      the electric field calculation is performed, revealing enhanced electron
      hopping/tunneling along the DNA chains due to an enriched electric field inside
      the tube. Likewise, conformational changes of DNA might also contribute to this
      effect. Accordingly, these highly integrated three-dimensional sensors provide a
      tool to study electrical properties of DNA under versatile experimental
      conditions and open a new avenue for novel biosensing applications (i.e., for
      protein, enzyme detection, or monitoring of cell behavior under in vivo like
      conditions).

PMID- 27266481
TI  - Theoretical Study of the Reactions of Methane and Ethane with Electronically
      Excited N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)).
AB  - Comprehensive quantum chemical analysis with the usage of density functional
      theory and post-Hartree-Fock approaches were carried out to study the processes
      in the N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) + CH4 and N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) + C2H6 systems. The
      energetically favorable reaction pathways have been revealed on the basis of the
      examination of potential energy surfaces. It has been shown that the reactions
      N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) + CH4 and N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) + C2H6 occur with very small or
      even zero activation barriers and, primarily, lead to the formation of N2H + CH3
      and N2H + C2H5 products, respectively. Further, the interaction of these species
      can give rise the ground state N2(X(1)Sigmag(+)) and CH4 (or C2H6) products,
      i.e., quenching of N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) by CH4 and C2H6 molecules is the complex two
      step process. The possibility of dissociative quenching in the course of the
      interaction of N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) with CH4 and C2H6 molecules has been analyzed on
      the basis of RRKM theory. It has been revealed that, for the reaction of
      N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) with CH4, the dissociative quenching channel could occur with
      rather high probability, whereas in the N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) + C2H6 reacting system,
      an analogous process was little probable. Appropriate rate constants for revealed
      reaction channels have been estimated by using a canonical variational theory and
      capture approximation. The estimations showed that the rate constant of the
      N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) + C2H6 reaction path is considerably greater than that for the
      N2(A(3)Sigmau(+)) + CH4 one. 

PMID- 27266480
TI  - Metal Azolate/Carboxylate Frameworks as Catalysts in Oxidative and C-C Coupling
      Reactions.
AB  - The five metal azolate/carboxylate (MAC) compounds [Cd(dmpzc)(DMF)(H2O)] (Cd
      dmpzc), [Pd(H2dmpzc)2Cl2] (Pd-dmpzc), [Cu(Hdmpzc)2] (Cu-dmpzc),
      [Zn4O(dmpzc)3].Solv (Zn-dmpzc.S), and [Co4O(dmpzc)3].Solv (Co-dmpzc.S) were
      isolated by coupling 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxylic acid (H2dmpzc) to
      cadmium(II), palladium(II), copper(II), zinc(II), and cobalt(II) salts. While Cd
      dmpzc and Pd-dmpzc had never been prepared in the past, for Cu-dmpzc, Zn-dmpzc.S,
      and Co-dmpzc.S we optimized alternative synthetic paths that, in the case of the
      copper(II) and cobalt(II) derivatives, are faster and grant higher yields than
      the previously reported ones. The crystal structure details were determined ab
      initio (Cd-dmpzc and Pd-dmpzc) or refined (Cu-dmpzc, Zn-dmpzc.S, and Co-dmpzc.S)
      by means of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). While Cd-dmpzc is a nonporous 3D MAC
      framework, Pd-dmpzc shows a 3D hybrid coordination/hydrogen-bonded network, in
      which Pd(H2dmpzc)2Cl2 monomers are present. The thermal behavior of the five MAC
      compounds was investigated by coupling thermal analysis to variable-temperature
      PXRD. Their catalytic activity was assessed in oxidative and C-C coupling
      reactions, with the copper(II) and cadmium(II) derivatives being the first
      nonporous MAC frameworks to be tested as catalysts. Cu-dmpzc is the most active
      catalyst in the partial oxidation of cyclohexane by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in
      acetonitrile (yields up to 12% after 9 h) and is remarkably active in the solvent
      free microwave-assisted oxidation of 1-phenylethanol to acetophenone (yields up
      to 99% at 120  degrees C in only 0.5 h). On the other hand, activated Zn-dmpzc.S
      (Zn-dmpzc) is the most active catalyst in the Henry C-C coupling reaction of
      aromatic aldehydes with nitroethane, showing appreciable diastereoselectivity
      toward the syn-nitroalkanol isomer (syn:anti selectivity up to 79:21). 

PMID- 27266447
TI  - Imaging the pharmacology of nanomaterials by intravital microscopy: Toward
      understanding their biological behavior.
AB  - Therapeutic nanoparticles (NPs) can deliver cytotoxic chemotherapeutics and other
      drugs more safely and efficiently to patients; furthermore, selective delivery to
      target tissues can theoretically be accomplished actively through coating NPs
      with molecular ligands, and passively through exploiting physiological "enhanced
      permeability and retention" features. However, clinical trial results have been
      mixed in showing improved efficacy with drug nanoencapsulation, largely due to
      heterogeneous NP accumulation at target sites across patients. Thus, a clear need
      exists to better understand why many NP strategies fail in vivo and not result in
      significantly improved tumor uptake or therapeutic response. Multicolor in vivo
      confocal fluorescence imaging (intravital microscopy; IVM) enables integrated
      pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) measurement at the single-cell level,
      and has helped answer key questions regarding the biological mechanisms of in
      vivo NP behavior. This review summarizes progress to date and also describes
      useful technical strategies for successful IVM experimentation.

PMID- 27266482
TI  - Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Fasciola gigantica from
      western Java, Indonesia.
AB  - Fasciola gigantica and aspermic (hybrid) Fasciola flukes are thought to be
      distributed in Southeast Asian countries. The objectives of this study were to
      investigate the distribution of these flukes from unidentified ruminants in
      western Java, Indonesia, and to determine their distribution history into the
      area. Sixty Fasciola flukes from western Java were identified as F. gigantica
      based on the nucleotide sequences of the nuclear phosphoenolpyruvate
      carboxykinase (pepck) and DNA polymerase delta (pold) genes. The flukes were then
      analyzed phylogenetically based on the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial
      NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) gene, together with Fasciola flukes from
      other Asian countries. All but one F. gigantica fluke were classified in F.
      gigantica haplogroup C, which mainly contains nad1 haplotypes detected in flukes
      from Thailand, Vietnam, and China. A population genetic analysis suggested that
      haplogroup C spread from Thailand to the neighboring countries including
      Indonesia together with domestic ruminants, such as the swamp buffalo, Bubalus
      bubalis. The swamp buffalo is one of the important definitive hosts of Fasciola
      flukes in Indonesia, and is considered to have been domesticated in the north of
      Thailand. The remaining one fluke displayed a novel nad1 haplotype that has never
      been detected in the reference countries. Therefore, the origin of the fluke
      could not be established. No hybrid Fasciola flukes were detected in this study,
      in contrast to neighboring Asian countries. 

PMID- 27266483
TI  - First confirmed human case of Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum infection and
      molecular verification of the synonymy of Diphyllobothrium yonagoense with D.
      stemmacephalum (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea).
AB  - Several tapeworm species in the genus Diphyllobothrium Cobbold, 1858 have
      uncertain taxonomic positions, leading to taxonomic confusion as well as
      misdiagnosis of infections. Taxonomic revision based on DNA sequence analysis is
      considered necessary to resolve the taxonomy of several cases, including that
      between Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum, the type species of the genus, and
      Diphyllobothrium yonagoense. Diphyllobothrium yonagoense was synonymized with D.
      stemmacephalum based on morphological observations by Andersen (1987), however no
      molecular studies have been undertaken to verify the validity of this
      synonymization. In the present study, the first human case confirmed molecularly
      as D. stemmacephalum infection is reported, and the validity of the
      synonymization of D. yonagoense with D. stemmacephalum was assessed based on
      molecular phylogenetics. Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum and D. yonagoense
      grouped into the same clades with high bootstrap confidence values for both cox1
      and nad3. Genetic distances between the two taxa were very small (0.000-0.012 and
      0.000-0.017 for cox1 and nad3, respectively) and were considered to fall within
      the range of intraspecific variation. Using these molecular analyses, this study
      verified molecularly that D. yonagoense is a junior synonym of D. stemmacephalum.
      Further, the closer phylogenetic relationship between D. stemmacephalum and
      Diplogonoporus species rather than other diphyllobothriids, including
      Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense and Diphyllobothrium latum, was corroborated. The
      genus name for D. nihonkaiense and D. latum is also discussed. 

PMID- 27266484
TI  - [Formula: see text]Interpreting change on the neurobehavioral symptom inventory
      and the PTSD checklist in military personnel.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and stability
      of symptom reporting in a healthy military sample and to develop reliable change
      indices for two commonly used self-report measures in the military health care
      system. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD: Participants were 215 U.S. active duty service
      members recruited from Fort Bragg, NC as normal controls as part of a larger
      study. Participants completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) and
      Posttraumatic Checklist (PCL) twice, separated by approximately 30 days. RESULTS:
      Depending on the endorsement level used (i.e. ratings of 'mild' or greater vs.
      ratings of 'moderate' or greater), approximately 2-15% of this sample met DSM-IV
      symptom criteria for Postconcussional Disorder across time points, while 1-6% met
      DSM-IV symptom criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Effect sizes for
      change from Time 1 to Time 2 on individual symptoms were small (Cohen's d = .01
      to .13). The test-retest reliability for the NSI total score was r = .78 and the
      PCL score was r = .70. An eight-point change in symptom reporting represented
      reliable change on the NSI total score, with a seven-point change needed on the
      PCL. CONCLUSIONS: Postconcussion-like symptoms are not unique to mild TBI and are
      commonly reported in a healthy soldier sample. It is important for clinicians to
      use normative data when evaluating a service member or veteran and when
      evaluating the likelihood that a change in symptom reporting is reliable and
      clinically meaningful.

PMID- 27266485
TI  - Design, synthesis and computational evaluation of a novel intermediate salt of N
      cyclohexyl-N-(cyclohexylcarbamoyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzamide as potential
      potassium channel blocker in epileptic paroxysmal seizures.
AB  - The narrow therapeutic range and limited pharmacokinetics of available
      Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have raised serious concerns in the proper management
      of epilepsy. To overcome this, the present study attempts to identify a candidate
      molecule targeting voltage gated potassium channels anticipated to have superior
      pharmacological than existing potassium channel blockers. The compound was
      synthesized by reacting (S)-(+)-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]
      benzodiazepine5,11(10H,11aH)-dione with 4-(Trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid
      (C8H5F3O2) in DMF and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) which lead to the
      formation of an intermediate salt of N-cyclohexyl-N-(cyclohexylcarbamoyl)-4
      (trifluoromethyl)benzamide with a perfect crystalline structure. The structure of
      the compound was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analysis. The crystal
      structure is confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The
      Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies revealed that substituent of fluoro
      or trifluoromethyl moiety into the compound had a great effect on the biological
      activity in comparison to clinically used drugs. Employing computational
      approaches the compound was further tested for its affinity against potassium
      protein structure by molecular docking in addition, bioactivity and ADMET
      properties were predicted through computer aided programs.

PMID- 27266486
TI  - Spectrum-Based Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay with Ternary CdZnSe
      Nanocrystals as Labels.
AB  - Conventional electrochemiluminescence (ECL) research has been performed by
      detecting the total photons (i.e., the ECL intensity). Herein, systematic
      spectral exploration on the ECL of dual-stabilizers-capped ternary CdZnSe
      nanocrystals (NCs) and its sensing application were carried out on a homemade ECL
      spectral acquiring system. The ternary CdZnSe NCs could be repeatedly injected
      with electrons via some electrochemical ways and then result in strong cathodic
      ECL with the coupling of ammonium persulfate. ECL spectrum of the CdZnSe NCs was
      almost identical to corresponding photoluminescence spectrum, indicating that the
      excited states of CdZnSe NCs in ECL were essentially the same as those in
      photoluminescence. Importantly, after being labeled to the probe antibody (Ab2)
      of alpha-fetal protein (AFP) antigen, the ternary NCs in the Ab2|NCs conjugates
      could preserve their ECL spectrum very well. A spectrum-based ECL immunoassay was
      consequently proposed with the CdZnSe NCs as ECL tags and AFP as target
      molecules. The limit of detection is 0.010 pg/mL, with a signal-to-noise (S/N)
      ratio of 3, indicating a sensitive ECL sensing strategy that was different from
      the conventional ones. This work might open a pathway to the spectrally resolved
      ECL analysis with even-higher S/N ratios than the fluorescent analysis.

PMID- 27266487
TI  - Electrochemical Stability Window of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids as
      Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries.
AB  - This paper presents the computational assessment of the electrochemical stability
      of a series of alkyl methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids for their use as
      lithium battery electrolytes. The oxidation and reduction potentials of the
      constituent cation and anion of each ionic liquid with respect to a Li(+)/Li
      reference electrode were calculated using density functional theory following the
      method of thermodynamic cycles, and the electrochemical stability windows (ESW)s
      of these ionic liquids were obtained. The effect of varying the length of alkyl
      side chains of the methylimidazolium-based cations on the redox potentials and
      ESWs was investigated. The results show that the limits of the ESWs of these
      methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids are defined by the oxidation potential of
      the anions and the reduction potential of alkyl-methylimidazolium cations.
      Moreover, ionic liquids with [PF6](-) anion have a wider ESW. In addition to
      characterizing structure-function relationships, the accuracy of the
      computational approach was assessed through comparisons of the data against
      experimental measurements of ESWs. The potentials calculated by the thermodynamic
      cycle method are in good agreement with the experimental data while the HOMO/LUMO
      method overestimates the redox potentials. This work demonstrates that these
      approaches can provide guidance in selecting ionic liquid electrolytes when
      designing high-voltage rechargeable batteries.

PMID- 27266488
TI  - [Promoting the study of pituitary tumor translational medicine in the big data
      era].

PMID- 27266489
TI  - [Improve the clinic level of pituitary diseases through expediting the building
      of China Pituitary Disease Registry Center].

PMID- 27266490
TI  - [Analysis of curative effect of surgical therapy for male prolactinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To summarize the treatment outcome of surgery for male prolactinoma.
      METHODS: One hundred and eighty-four cases of male prolactinoma who underwent
      surgery were analyzed retrospectively.The average age of patients was 36.3 years,
      and the mean course was 41.9 months.The main clinical manifestation included
      sexual dysfunction (47.4%), headache (55.9%) and visual disturbance (46.7%). The
      serum prolactin levels ranged from 6.83 to 9 325.32 nmol/L.The size of tumors
      varied from 6 mm to 70 mm.Suprasellar adenoma with visual deficits accounted for
      40.7%. 98.9% patients underwent pituitary adenoma resection via single nasal
      transsphenoidal approach. RESULTS: Postoperative pathological Ki-67 index of most
      patients (45.1%) were less than 1%.After surgical therapy, 163 patients (88.6%)
      got relief of symptoms, 57 patients (31.0%) achieved initial remission, and 26
      patients (45.6%) unfortunately recurred. The possibility of gross resection
      decreased as tumor size increased (P<0.05). Preoperative PRL had no significant
      relation with both tumor size and extent of resection (P>0.05). The favorable
      prognosis predictive factors included microadenoma, intrasellar adenoma and Ki-67
      index<=3 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Male prolactinomas is an invasive tumor with
      higher serum prolactin level.Tumor size could predict degree of gross resection
      while predictors for recurrence include tumor size, growth pattern and Ki-67
      index.

PMID- 27266491
TI  - [Quality of life of patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma: a meta
      analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with nonfunctioning
      pituitary adenoma (NFPA) after systematic treatment. METHODS: We searched all
      published articles involving in the QoL of patients with NFPA on line, and
      analyzed the results by the Revman5.3 software. RESULTS: Five studies met the
      criteria of meta-analysis.The results of meta-analysis wereas follows: Physical
      function MD=0.76, 95%CI (-4.13, 5.64 ), P=0.76; Physical prole MD=-2.05, 95%CI (
      7.41, 3.31), P=0.45; Body pain MD=3.50, 95%CI (1.11, 5.90), P=0.004; General
      health MD=-7.19, 95%CI (-12.77, -1.61), P=0.01; Vatility MD=-3.48, 95%CI (-7.39,
      0.43), P=0.08; Social function MD=-4.64, 95%CI (-6.99, -2.38), P<0.000 1; Mental
      health MD=-0.05, 95%CI (-2.30, 2.20), P=0.96; Role emotion MD=-5.08, 95%CI (
      8.20, -1.91), P=0.002. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysisindicated thatthe QoL of
      patients with NFPA was damaged on the dimensions of general health, social
      function and role emotion.The dimension of physical painin patients with NFPA was
      better than that in general population, and there was no difference between other
      health dimensions.

PMID- 27266492
TI  - [Analysis of outcomes and learning curve of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgeries
      for 124 patients with pituitary adenomas].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcomes of the Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery
      for patients with pituitary adenomas, analyze the learning curve and provide
      reference for future surgeries. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was carried out
      on 124 patients by endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery with a single neurosurgeon
      over a period spanning from January 2010 to January 2014 at Peking Union Medical
      College Hospital.The changes of endocrine and tumor imaging before and after
      surgery were analysed. Operative time and complication rates of one surgeon in
      the early period of learning curve were compared with that in later period.
      RESULTS: There were significant differences in Gross total resection (GTR) rate
      of pituitary adenomas with different sizes and different Knosp classifications
      (P<0.01, P<0.01). GTR rate of huge adenomas was significantly lower than that of
      macroadenoma and adenomas (P<0.05). GTR rate of Knosp 4 grade adenoma was
      significantly lower than that of Knosp 0-3 level (P<0.05). No significant
      difference in GTR among all types of functional pituitary adenomas and hormone
      levels after surgery was observed (P>0.05). In addition, no significant
      difference (P>0.05) in complications among different sizes, Knosp grade and type
      of pituitary adenomas was observed.GTR of Knosp 4 adenoma in later period of the
      learning curve was significantly higher than that in early period (P<0.05).
      Meanwhile the operative time was significantly lower than early period (P<0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection has the
      advantages of wider surgical field, higher GTR rate, less trauma, fewer
      complications and better life quality of patients.Through standardized learning,
      the GTR rate of the invasive pituitary adenomas can be improved.

PMID- 27266494
TI  - [Anterior retropharyngeal debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion
      for atlantoaxial Tuberculosis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of anterior debridement combined
      with posterior atlantoaxial fusion for atlantoaxial Tuberculosis. METHODS: From
      February 2005 to February 2013, 7 patients, 3 males and 4 females, with
      atlantoaxial Tuberculosis underwent anterior debridement combined with posterior
      atlantoaxial fusion in Department of Orthopedics Zhengzhou University People's
      Hospital were selected.In the preoperative and final follow-up, Japanese
      Orthopaedic Association score (JOA), neck disability index (NDI) and Frankel
      Classification were used to evaluate neurological function and calculate
      improvement rate.At final follow-up, clinical efficacy was evaluated by Odom's
      grade.Situation of internal fixation, fusion of upper cervical were assessed by X
      ray, CT scan and MRI scan. RESULTS: Bony fusion were achieved in 7 cases after
      operation in 12 months. Tuberculosis were reached clinical cure between 17 and 21
      months. At follow The JOA score increased from (11.1+/-0.7) preoperatively to
      (15.3+/-0.5) in final follow-up(P<0.05), and the NDI decreased from (34.0+/-4.6)
      preoperatively to (10.1+/-1.3) in final follow-up (P<0.05). At last follow-up,
      according to Odom's standard, excellent were obtained in 5 cases, good 1 cases
      and ordinary 1 case. Frankel Classification of all cases improved from D class to
      E. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of anterior retropharyngeal debridement combine
      with atlantoaxial fusion, and local anti-tuberculosis drug using intraoperative,
      not only could obtain reliable clinical efficacy, completly removal of lesions,
      but also obtain strong stability, which plays an important role in the treatment
      of atlantoaxial Tuberculosis.

PMID- 27266493
TI  - [The multicenter study on the registration and follow-up of low anticoagulation
      therapy for the heart valve operation in China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimal anticoagulation methods and monitoring
      strategy for Chinese patients undergoing heart valve replacement, which is
      potentially quite different from western populations. METHODS: In this
      multicenter prospective cohort study, the anticoagulation and monitoring strategy
      data was acquired from 25 773 in-hospital patients in 35 medical centers and 20
      519 patients in outpatient clinic in 11 medical centers from January 1st, 2011 to
      December 31th, 2015. RESULTS: As for in-hospital patients, mean age of study
      population was (48.6+/-11.2) years old; main etiology of valve pathology was
      rheumatic (87.5%) origin among study cohort; 94.8% of study population received
      mechanical valve implantation; international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring
      (in all the study centers) and low-intensity anticoagulation strategy (31
      hospitals chose target INR range of 1.5-2.5, and actual values of INR among 89.2%
      of 100 069 in-hospital monitoring samples were 1.5-2.5), with mean actual INR
      values of 1.84+/-0.53, and warfarin dosage of (2.82+/-0.93) mg/d were widely
      adopted among the study centers; strategies of in-hospital warfarin
      administration were similar in all the study centers; complication rates of low
      intensity anticoagulation strategy were low in severe hemorrhage (0.02%),
      thrombosis (0.05%), and thromboembolism (0.05%) events, without anticoagulation
      related death.As for 18 974 outpatient clinic patients, the follow-up rate was
      92.47%, with a total of 30 012 patient-years (Pty). Anticoagulation-related
      morbidity and mortality rates were 0.67% and 0.15% Pty; major hemorrhage
      morbidity and mortality rates were 0.25% and 0.13% Pty; thromboembolism morbidity
      and mortality rates were 0.45% and 0.03% Pty.The mean dosage of warfarin daily
      dosage was (2.85+/-1.23) mg/d and INR value was 1.82+/-0.57.No significant
      regional difference in the intensity of anticoagulation therapy was noted during
      the study. CONCLUSIONS: INR can be used as a normalized indicator for intensity
      of anticoagulation therapy in China.The optimal anticoagulation intensity with
      INR range from 1.5 to 2.5 is safe and effective for Chinese patients with heart
      valve replacement, and there is no significant regional difference in the
      intensity of anticoagulation therapy.

PMID- 27266495
TI  - [Clinical Analysis of Surgical treatment of long bone metastases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of microwave ablation combined
      with curettage in the treatment of long bone metastases. METHODS: From April 2010
      to June 2015, 38 patients with long bone metastases were adopted, who all
      underwent microwave ablation combined with curettage with 40 lesions involved in
      Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. There were 22
      males and 16 females with an average age of 58.3 years (range from 32 to 83
      years). Solitary metastases were found in 9 cases and multiple metastases in 29
      patients. Primary malignancies included: 15 cases of lung cancer, 7 cases of
      renal carcinoma, 4 cases of breast cancer, 3 cases of liver cancer, 1 case of
      thyroid carcinoma, 1 case of endometrial carcinoma, 1 case of cervical carcinoma,
      1 case of esophageal carcinoma and 6 cases of carcinoma of unknown primary. The
      operative sites included the femur (n=21), the humerus (n=12) and the tibia
      (n=7). There were 23 cases of pathologic fractures which included: 12 in femur,
      10 in humerus and 1 in tibia. Curettage after in situ microwave ablation was
      performed in 40 lesions. Reconstructions were carried out in all lesions: bone
      cement filling alone in 1 lesion and bone cement filling with metal implants in
      the other 39 lesions. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 6.9 months (range; 1-65
      months). During the follow-up, 22 patients died and 16 patients were alive. The 6
      month overall survival (OS) was 73.7%, and the 1-year and 2-year OS were 48.6%
      and 28.1% respectively. The postoperative survival time was 7.1 months on average
      (range 2-40 months) in the 22 patients who finally died. The occurrence of
      pathological fracture had a significant effect on the OS (chi(2)=5.606, P=0.018).
      The local recurrence rate was 10% (4/40), which occurred at 6.8 months after the
      operation on average (range 2-14 months). No complications occurred in the
      perioperative period, and there were no complications such as internal fixation
      failure or pathological fracture noticed during the follow-up period. The scores
      of VAS, KPS and ECOG were significantly improved after operation. The mean MSTS
      score was 22 points (range 17-28 points) in 33 evaluable locations and the rate
      of excellent and good was 72.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Microwave ablation combined with
      curettage appears to be a safe and effective approach in the surgical treatment
      of long bone metastases, which can relieve local pain and control the local
      development of bone metastases.

PMID- 27266496
TI  - [Investigation of renal corticomedullary differentiation with age-related change
      on non-contrast-enhanced MRI].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between renal corticomedullary
      differentiation, renal cortical thickness and age-related changes with non
      contrast-enhanced steady-state free precession(SSFP) magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) and spatially selective inversion recovery(IR) pulse technology as well as
      its applied value . METHODS: A total of 76 healthy volunteers had been recruited
      from August 2014 to June 2015 in First Hospital of China Medical University.All
      volunteers were divided into three groups: 2-40 years old, 41-60 years old, 61-80
      years old. All 76 volunteers underwent non-contrast-enhanced steady-state free
      precession(SSFP) 3.0 T MRI scan using variable inversion times (TIs)(TI=1 000, 1
      100, 1 200, 1 300, 1 400, 1 500, 1 600, 1 700 ms). The renal corticomedullary
      differentiation was observed and the signal intensity of renal cortex and medulla
      were measured respectively as well in order to calculate renal corticomedullary
      contrast ratio. Besides, renal cortical thickness and renal size were measured.
      RESULTS: All 76 volunteers were successfully performed all the sequences of MRI
      scan, including 152 useful imaging of kidney in total. The renal corticomedullary
      differentiation was clearly shown in all subjects. There was negative correlation
      between the optimal inversion time(TI) and age(r=-0.65, P<0.01). Similarly,
      negative correlation was observed between renal corticomedullary contrast ratio
      and age(r=-0.35, P<0.01). The mean renal cortical thickness of all subjects was
      (5.33+/-0.71)mm and there were statistically significant difference among those
      different groups, which was negative-related with age(r=-0.79, P<0.01). There was
      no statistically significant difference between sexuality and renal cortical
      thickness.Additionally, renal cortical thickness had no statistically significant
      difference in both sides of kidneys. CONCLUSION: The renal corticomedullary
      differentiation is depicted clearly by means of non-contrast-enhanced steady
      state free precession MRI with spatially selective inversion recovery pulse
      technology. The optimal inversion time decreases along with the increase of age.
      In the meanwhile, the renal cortical thickness could be measured truthfully and
      accurately.

PMID- 27266497
TI  - [3.0 T MR diffusion tentor imaging in the differential diagnosis of breast mass
      lesions].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differential diagnostic value of DTI parameters in
      breast mass lesions by comparing apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional
      aniotropy (FA) and maximum eigenvalue (lambda1)of normal glandular tissue, benign
      lesions and malignant lesions. METHODS: A total of 71 women patients with 74 mass
      lesions between December 2013 and October 2015 were enrolled from Beijing Chao
      Yang Hospital.MRI protocol included dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI)and
      diffusion tentor imaging(DTI) were executed.The ADC, lambda1 and FA of lesions
      and normal glandular tissue were calculated.The ADC, lambda1 and FA of lesions
      were compared by paired t test between the benign/malignant tumors and the
      contratlateral healthy breast tissue.ROC curve analysis was performed to compare
      diagnostic performance based on the area under the curve(AUC). The sensitivity
      and specificity of the DCE-MRI combined with ADC and DCE-MRI combined with
      lambda1 were calculated. RESULTS: The ADC, FA and lambda1 values of malignant
      lesions were (1.09+/-0.18)*10(-3) mm(2)/s, 0.22+/-0.02 and(0.97+/-0.19)*10(-3)
      mm(2)/s , these values of benign lesions were (1.52+/-0.19)*10(-3) mm(2)/s,
      0.21+/-0.02 and(1.79+/-0.19)*10(-3) mm(2)/s, there were statistically significant
      differences (all P<0.05). Area under the curve of ADC, FA and lambda1 were 0.990,
      0.605 and 0.978, respectively. The AUC of FA was lower than that of ADC and
      lambda1(P<0.01, <0.01), but there was no difference between the AUC of ADC and
      that of lambda1(P=0.131 6). The sensitivity DCE-MRI combined with ADC and DCE-MRI
      combined with lambda1 was 88.6% vs 97.1%(P=0.353 3), the specificity was 84.6% vs
      97.4%(P=0.113 0). CONCLUSION: ADC and lambda1 is helpful to differentiate
      malignant from benign in mass lesions.

PMID- 27266498
TI  - [Differential diagnostic value of real-time tissue elastography and three
      dimensional ultrasound imaging in breast lumps].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the real-time tissue elastography and 3D contrast
      enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) in breast lumps differential diagnostic value.
      METHODS: A total of 126 patients (180 lumps) with breast mass were
      retrospectively analyzed from December 2012 to December 2014 in Tumor Hospital
      Affiliated To Xinjiang Medical University.All patients were divided into three
      groups by using stratified random method.Each group was detected by real-time
      tissue elastography, 3D CEUS and two joint inspection.Each group of 42 cases (60
      lumps) was confirmed by the pathological results as gold standard.Diagnostic
      sensitivity, specificity and coincidence rate of different methods were compared.
      RESULTS: The benign masses of ultrasound contrast showed the punctate, linear and
      nodular enhancement, and the border of enhancement was smooth.The malignant
      tumors were mainly dominated by uneven and high enhancement. There was no
      statistical difference in sensitivity, specificity and coincidence rate between
      elastography group and 3D CEUS group (64.7% vs 73.5%, 69.2% vs 76.9%, 66.7% vs
      75.0%, all P>0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and coincidence rate of two
      joint inspection group were higher than those of elastography group and 3D CEUS
      group, the differences were statistically significant (97.1%, 92.3% and 98.3% ,
      all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: 3D CEUS combined with real-time tissue elastography is
      of high value in the diagnosis of breast masses.

PMID- 27266499
TI  - [Value of DC and DRs in prediction of cardiovascular events in acute myocardial
      infarction patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of deceleration capacity of rate (DC) and
      heart rate deceleration runs(DRs) in predicting cardiovascular events in patient
      with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: This study included 166 patients
      with AMI, who underwent ECG with sinus rhythm.These patients were followed-up for
      major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The receiver operating characteristic curve
      (ROC) was drawn to determine the best values for estimating the MACE. RESULTS:
      The mean follow-up time was (20.5+/-2.8) months, with 13 cases of cardiac
      death.There was statistically significant difference of DC, DRs and standard
      diviation of NN intervals(SDNN-24) between the death group and survival group.The
      area under the curve (AUC) of DC, DR4 and DR8 were larger than SDNN-24 (0.874,
      0.804 vs 0.727). The values of DC, DR2, DR4 and root mean square of the
      successive differences(RMSSD) in the group of patients who underwent cardiac
      adverse events were smaller than the group of patients who didn't, and the AUC of
      DC was slightly higher than that of RMSSD. CONCLUSION: DC and DRs have important
      predictive value for cardiac death and MACE and can screen high-risk patients in
      patients with AMI.

PMID- 27266500
TI  - [Clinical data analysis of cardiovascular involvement in Behcet's disease].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analysis the clinical features of cardiovascular involvement in
      Behcet's disease. METHODS: We reviewed 35 medical records of Behcet's disease
      with cardiovascular lesions in Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University from
      January 2002 to January 2014. 77.1% patients (27/35) were male. The mean (x+/-s)
      age when cardiovascular diseases occur was 37.19+/-10.4 years in male and 36.0+/
      8.6 years in female respectively. RESULTS: The clinical spectrum of
      cardiovascular abnormalities included valvular regurgitation (20, 57.1%),
      conduction system disturbances (10, 28.6%), intracardiac thrombosis(1, 2.9%),
      aneurysms of the arteries (13, 37.1%), artery stenosis or occlusion (5, 14.3%),
      pulmonary vascular diseases(3, 8.6%), venous thrombosis(4, 11.4%). Twenty
      patients had more than one of these lesions. Inflammatory indicators had no
      significantly difference between the above subgroups (P>0.05). Treatments
      included corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, together with symptomatic
      treatments, intervention therapy and operation.Two inpatient died from multiple
      organ dysfunction syndrome and cardiac shock respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Cardiovascular involvement is a remarkable systemic lesion of Behcet's disease.
      Multi-subject cooperation is beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of the
      disease.

PMID- 27266502
TI  - [Effect of mouse nerve growth factor on cognitive impairment in whole brain
      irradiation rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the positive effects of mouse nerve growth factor(mNGF)
      on cognitive impairment in whole brain irradiation rats. METHODS: Fifty-five male
      Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, mNGF treated
      group, saline treated group.mNGF treated group and saline treated group were
      cranial irradiated at a single dose of 12 Gy by X-ray.30 days after radiation
      each group were treated with correspondent drugs.60 days after radiation, Morris
      water maze experiment, EB leakage of the brain, and expressions of neuN, vWF, ZO
      1 in hippocampus by immunofluorescence, and expressions of neuN, vWF, ZO-1, VEGF
      and GFAP in hippocampus by Western blot were tested and analyzed. RESULTS: The
      escape latencies: normal control group< mNGF treated group< saline treated group;
      the numbers of crossing hidden platform in these 3 groups were 3.00+/- 1.08,
      1.50+/- 1.08, 0.38+/- 0.48 times (P<0.01). EB leakage of these 3 groups were
      0.14+/-0.14, 0.66+/-0.20 and 1.36+/-0.27 MUg/g (P<0.05). In immunofluorescence,
      expressions of neuN, vWF and ZO-1: normal control group> mNGF treated group>
      saline treated group.In Western blot, expressions of neuN, vWF and ZO-1: normal
      control group> mNGF treated group> saline treated group, yet the expressions of
      VEGF and GFAP: normal control group< mNGF treated group< saline treated group.
      CONCLUSION: mNGF ameliorates cognitive impairment after whole brain irradiation.

PMID- 27266501
TI  - [Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome using pulse oximeter derived
      photoplethysmographic signals].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnosis value of photoplethysmography (PPG)-based
      device for detecting obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. METHODS: Patients who
      visited sleep medicine center in West China hospital from March 2014 to March
      2015 with a main complain of snoring were selected into this study, and they were
      simultaneously monitored with the PPG-based device while undergoing
      polysomnography (PSG). Using PSG as"gold standard", the sensitivity, specificity,
      negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV) as well as
      corresponding areas under the receiver operator curves for an apnea hypopnea
      index (AHI) >=5/h, >=15/h and >=30/h were calculated for PPG. RESULTS: Valid
      results were available for 93 subjects, among them there were 64 men and 29 women
      with a mean age of (44+/-13) years old.There were no significant difference
      between total sleep time, wake time after sleep onset, AHI and oxygen saturation
      derived by PPG and PSG.Positive correlation was found between PPG-derived and PSG
      derived AHI (r=0.945). For AHI>=5/h, >=15/h and >=30/h respectively according
      PSG, sensitivity was 93%, 88%, 92%, specificity was 79%, 93%, 95%, PPV was 95%,
      97%, 96%, NPV 75%, 76%, 91% for PPG. The corresponding areas under the receiver
      operator characteristic curves were 0.981, 0.996 and 0.995 respectively.
      CONCLUSION: PPG-derived data is consistent with simultaneous in-lab PSG in the
      diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PMID- 27266503
TI  - [The influence of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 on
      palmitic acid-induced hepatocyte apoptosis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of patatin-like phospholipase domain
      containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) on palmitic acid (PA)-induced hepatocyte apoptosis
      and its mechanism. METHODS: Human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 cells were
      transfected with PNPLA3(WT)-pcDNA3.1 (PNPLA3(WT) group) and PNPLA3(I148M)
      pcDNA3.1 (PNPLA3(I148M) group) plasmids respectively to overexpress wild type or
      mutant type PNPLA3, and cells transfected with empty vector pcDNA3.1 (NC group)
      were set as control group.After 24 h PA incubation, Oil red staining was used to
      determine lipid deposition, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated
      dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) was used to measure apoptosis.Western
      blot was used to detect the protein level of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress
      and associated apoptosis.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to
      test lysolecithin (LPC) levels in the cellular supernatant. RESULTS: After 24 h
      PA incubation, there was no significant difference in lipid deposition among
      three groups.Compared to NC group, the cell apoptosis rates of PNPLA3(WT) and
      PNPLA3(I148M) groups were increased by 2 times and 3 times respectively.The
      levels of ER stress PRKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway
      associated proteins, immunoglobulin-binding protein (BIP), p-PERK, p-eIF2alpha,
      and ER stress associated apoptosis pathway proteins, CCAAT/enhancer binding
      homologous protein (CHOP), p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), Bax,
      caspase-3 were higher, and were more significant in PNPLA3(I148M) group.The LPC
      level in the supernatant of PNPLA3(WT) and PNPLA3(I148M) groups were about 5
      times and 1.5 times of NC group respectively after PA incubation. CONCLUSION:
      PNPLA3 may be involved in palmitic acid-induced apoptosis mediated by hepatocyte
      ER stress through regulating LPC metabolism.

PMID- 27266504
TI  - Construction of the Fused Pentacycle of Talatisamine via a Combination of Radical
      and Cationic Cyclizations.
AB  - The fused 6/7/5/6/6-membered (ABCDE) ring system of talatisamine was synthesized
      in 22 steps. After preparation of the AE-ring structure from 2
      (ethoxycarbonyl)cyclohexanone, elaboration of the carboskeleton was realized by
      sequential additions of allyl magnesium bromide and the lithiated C-ring. The C11
      bridgehead radical derived from the ACE-ring underwent the 7-endo cyclization
      with the enone moiety to form the B-ring in C10-stereoselective and C11
      stereospecific manners. The 6-endo cyclization of the remaining D-ring was in
      turn attained by using the silyl enol ether as the nucleophile and the PhSeCl
      activated olefin as the electrophile. These radical and cationic cyclizations
      were demonstrated to be highly chemoselective, and they significantly contributed
      to streamlining the route to the intricately fused pentacycle of talatisamine.

PMID- 27266505
TI  - Non-perforation tension pneumoperitoneum resulting from primary non-aerobic
      bacterial peritonitis in a previously healthy middle-aged man: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tension pneumoperitoneum is a rare surgical emergency in which free
      intraperitoneal gas accumulates under pressure. The known sources of free gas are
      perforated hollow viscera. We believe this is the first published case of a
      tension non-perforation pneumoperitoneum secondary to anaerobic gas production.
      This occurred in a background of primary non-aerobic bacterial peritonitis, which
      developed in an immunocompetent adult man. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously
      healthy 45-year-old Bulgarian man presented with a 3-week history of abdominal
      pain. He displayed signs of shock, peritonitis, and abdominal compartment
      syndrome. A plain abdominal X-ray showed the pathognomonic "saddlebag sign" with
      his liver displaced downwards and medially. An emergency laparotomy released
      pressurized gas, accompanied by 3100 mL of foamy pus. A sudden hemodynamic
      deterioration occurred soon after decompression. The sources of infection and
      tension pneumoperitoneum were not found. The peritoneal exudate sample did not
      recover aerobes. A laparostomy was created and three planned re-operations were
      performed. During the second re-laparotomy we placed an intraperitoneal silo and
      his abdomen was closed with skin sutures. Definitive fascial closure was achieved
      through separation of his two rectus muscles from their posterior sheaths. He was
      discharged in good health on the 25th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Our case
      provides evidence supporting the theory that anaerobic infection may underlie the
      etiology of tension pneumoperitoneum. Prior to decompressive laparotomy the
      patient should receive an intravenous volume bolus to compensate for possible
      hypotension. If laparostomy leads to lateralization of the rectus muscles with a
      gap of 6 cm or less, the posterior part of the components separation technique is
      effective in achieving fascial closure. We present an original classification of
      tension pneumoperitoneum defining it as primary or secondary.

PMID- 27266506
TI  - Efficacy and safety of auricular point acupressure treatment for gastrointestinal
      dysfunction after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: study protocol for a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine know that auricular
      point acupressure (APP) using vaccaria seeds on the large intestine point (CO7)
      has a significant effect on postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction. A
      standardized, clinical, research design will transform this clinical experience
      into scientific evidence, thus providing a basis to promote the wider use of this
      therapy. We aim to carry out a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (RCT)
      to evaluate the efficacy and safety of APP treatment for gastrointestinal
      dysfunction after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a
      randomized, double-blind, controlled, single-center, clinical, pilot trial. It
      has been designed according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials
      (CONSORT 2010) guidelines as well as the Standards for Reporting Interventions in
      Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA). Study subjects are being selected
      from among hospitalized patients who have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy
      at the Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery of Tianjin Nankai Hospital.
      Qualified subjects will be assigned randomly either to the APP group or to the
      APP sham stimulation group on the basis of random numbers generated using SPSS
      19.0. A specifically appointed investigator will be responsible for the
      randomization. The APP therapy (or sham stimulation) will be performed 6 h after
      surgery and every 12 h subsequently; six sessions will be conducted, each lasting
      3 min. The first evaluation will be performed immediately before the first
      treatment (6 h after surgery) and, then, every 12 h for seven evaluations. The
      primary outcome is the time to first passage of flatus after surgery; the
      secondary outcome measures are abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, time to
      first defecation, psychological status, and quality of life. DISCUSSION: This
      pilot trial is a standardized, scientific, clinical trial designed to evaluate
      the efficacy and safety of APP treatment-using vaccaria seeds on CO7-for
      gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We aim to
      provide objective evidence to promote this therapy in clinical practice. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IPR-15007643 . Registered
      on 14 December 2015.

PMID- 27266507
TI  - Central wave reflection is associated with peripheral arterial resistance in
      addition to arterial stiffness in subjects without antihypertensive medication.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Augmentation index, a marker of central wave reflection, is
      influenced by age, sex, height, blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial
      stiffness. However, the detailed haemodynamic determinants of augmentation index,
      and their relations, remain uncertain. We examined the association of
      augmentation index with vascular resistance and other haemodynamic and non
      haemodynamic factors. METHODS: Background information, laboratory values, and
      haemodynamics of 488 subjects (239 men, 249 women) without antihypertensive
      medication were obtained. Indices of central wave reflection, systemic vascular
      resistance, cardiac function, and pulse wave velocity were measured using
      continuous radial pulse wave analysis and whole-body impedance cardiography.
      RESULTS: In a regression model including only haemodynamic variables,
      augmentation index in males and female subjects, respectively, was associated
      with systemic vascular resistance (beta = 0.425, beta = 0.336), pulse wave
      velocity (beta = 0.409, beta = 0.400) (P < 0.001 for all), stroke volume (beta =
      0.256, beta = 0.278) (P = 0.001 for both) and heart rate (beta = -0.150, beta = 
      0.156) (P = 0.049 and P = 0.036). When age, height, weight, smoking habits, and
      laboratory values were included in the regression model, the most significant
      explanatory variables for augmentation index in males and females, respectively,
      were age (beta = 0.577, beta = 0.557) and systemic vascular resistance (beta =
      0.437, beta = 0.295) (P < 0.001 for all). In the final regression model, pulse
      wave velocity was not a significant explanatory variable for augmentation index,
      probably due to the high correlation of this variable with age (Spearman's
      correlation >=0.617). CONCLUSION: Augmentation index is strongly associated with
      systemic vascular resistance in addition to arterial stiffness. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01742702 .

PMID- 27266508
TI  - Evaluation of rate law approximations in bottom-up kinetic models of metabolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mechanistic description of enzyme kinetics in a dynamic model of
      metabolism requires specifying the numerical values of a large number of kinetic
      parameters. The parameterization challenge is often addressed through the use of
      simplifying approximations to form reaction rate laws with reduced numbers of
      parameters. Whether such simplified models can reproduce dynamic characteristics
      of the full system is an important question. RESULTS: In this work, we compared
      the local transient response properties of dynamic models constructed using rate
      laws with varying levels of approximation. These approximate rate laws were: 1) a
      Michaelis-Menten rate law with measured enzyme parameters, 2) a Michaelis-Menten
      rate law with approximated parameters, using the convenience kinetics convention,
      3) a thermodynamic rate law resulting from a metabolite saturation assumption,
      and 4) a pure chemical reaction mass action rate law that removes the role of the
      enzyme from the reaction kinetics. We utilized in vivo data for the human red
      blood cell to compare the effect of rate law choices against the backdrop of
      physiological flux and concentration differences. We found that the Michaelis
      Menten rate law with measured enzyme parameters yields an excellent approximation
      of the full system dynamics, while other assumptions cause greater discrepancies
      in system dynamic behavior. However, iteratively replacing mechanistic rate laws
      with approximations resulted in a model that retains a high correlation with the
      true model behavior. Investigating this consistency, we determined that the order
      of magnitude differences among fluxes and concentrations in the network were
      greatly influential on the network dynamics. We further identified reaction
      features such as thermodynamic reversibility, high substrate concentration, and
      lack of allosteric regulation, which make certain reactions more suitable for
      rate law approximations. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our work generally supports the
      use of approximate rate laws when building large scale kinetic models, due to the
      key role that physiologically meaningful flux and concentration ranges play in
      determining network dynamics. However, we also showed that detailed mechanistic
      models show a clear benefit in prediction accuracy when data is available. The
      work here should help to provide guidance to future kinetic modeling efforts on
      the choice of rate law and parameterization approaches.

PMID- 27266509
TI  - Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus and abnormal pap smears in female
      sex workers compared to the general population in Antwerp, Belgium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although female sex workers (FSWs) are a well-known high-risk group
      for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections, few tailored intervention programmes
      for HPV have been established worldwide. The lack of reliable data on the
      prevalence of HPV and related cervical lesions hampers the establishment of
      evidence-based intervention programmes. The objectives of this study were to
      describe the prevalence of high-risk Human Papillomavirus (hrHPV) infections and
      abnormal pap smears in FSWs compared to a control group in Antwerp, Belgium.
      METHODS: HPV genotyping and cytology data were analysed from routine Pap smear
      tests that were collected from both FSWs and the general population (1334 samples
      for each group) between June 2006 and June 2010. Within the laboratory database,
      all FSWs were matched 1:1 for age and testing date to determine the ORs of hrHPV
      genotypes, DNA and cytology outcome. RESULTS: The prevalence of hrHPV DNA in FSWs
      was 41.7 % compared to 19.8 % in the age-matched controls with an overall OR of
      2.8 (95 % CI: 2.3-3.4). Significant differences were observed in all age groups,
      and the most significant differences were observed in the cohort under 21 years
      of age (prevalence of 64.4 % in FSWs versus 14.8 % in controls; OR 10.3 (95 % CI:
      5.0-21.2). Significantly more cervical lesions were observed in FSWs,
      particularly in the 17- to 21-year old age group (OR for LSIL or HSIL: 10.3 (95 %
      CI: 3.2-33.8). In both groups, HPV 16 was the most prevalent at 12.1 and 6.6 % in
      the FSW and control groups, respectively. HPV 18 was the 8(th) and 7(th) most
      frequent genotype at 5.0 and 2.5 % in the FSW and control groups, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: FSWs have a significantly higher prevalence of hrHPV and more
      abnormal Pap smears than does the general population in Antwerp, Belgium. The
      hrHPV prevalence in FSWs is similar to that reported in the literature. The need
      for tailored intervention programmes should be investigated further.

PMID- 27266510
TI  - T-helper-associated cytokines expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in
      patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and age-related macular
      degeneration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immune responses play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression
      of polypoidal choroidal vasculopath (PCV) and age-related macular degeneration
      (AMD). In this study, we determined the Th cell-associated immune responses by
      measuring the cytokine expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in
      both PCV and neovascular AMD (nAMD) patients. METHODS: Twenty-seven nAMD
      patients, 33 PCV patients and a gender- and age-matched group of 18 healthy
      individuals were involved in this study. The Th-cell cytokine profiles including
      levels of interferon-gamma (INF-gamma), interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-4 in cultures
      of PBMCs were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS:
      IFN-gamma,IL-17A and IL-4 production was significantly increased after
      stimulation with PHA. The levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in PHA-stimulated cultures
      were higher in PCV and nAMD patients than that in healthy controls (P = 0.038,P =
      0.014), while no difference was found between PCV and nAMD (all P > 0.05). No
      significant difference in IL-17A level in PHA-stimulated cultures was found among
      PCV, nAMD and control groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that
      circulating IFN-gamma and IL-4 producing Th1 and Th2 cells may involve in the
      pathogenesis of PCV and nAMD. PCV may have the similar immune responses with
      nAMD.

PMID- 27266511
TI  - Proximity to mining industry and respiratory diseases in children in a community
      in Northern Chile: A cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In a community in northern Chile, explosive procedures are used by
      two local industrial mines (gold, copper). We hypothesized that the prevalence of
      asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in the community may be associated with air
      pollution emissions generated by the mines. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of
      288 children (aged 6-15 years) was conducted in a community in northern Chile
      using a validated questionnaire in 2009. The proximity between each child's place
      of residence and the mines was assessed as indicator of exposure to mining
      related air pollutants. Logistic regression, semiparametric models and spatial
      Bayesian models with a parametric form for distance were used to calculate odds
      ratios and 95 % confidence intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma and
      rhinoconjunctivitis was 24 and 34 %, respectively. For rhinoconjunctivitis, the
      odds ratio for average distance between both mines and child's residence was 1.72
      (95 % confidence interval 1.00, 3.04). The spatial Bayesian models suggested a
      considerable increase in the risk for respiratory diseases closer to the mines,
      and only beyond a minimum distance of more than 1800 m the health impact was
      considered to be negligible. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that air pollution
      emissions related to industrial gold or copper mines mainly occurring in rural
      Chilean communities might increase the risk of respiratory diseases in children.

PMID- 27266512
TI  - Dirofilaria repens microfilariae from a human node fine-needle aspirate: a case
      report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human dirofilariosis is still a little known infection even in
      endemic areas. Dirofilariosis is zoonotic infection usually abortive in humans;
      instead, we report a very rare case (the 4th in the world), the first in Italy,
      in which at least two infective larvae became mature adults that mated and
      produced active microfilariae even though they did not reach peripheral blood.
      CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old Italian woman presented with a transient
      oedematous swelling on the left abdominal wall with a creeping eruption followed
      by the occurrence of a subcutaneous nodular painless mass in the iliac region.
      One month later, a similar temporary swelling appeared on the contralateral
      inguinal region associated with intermittent joint discomfort in both knees. The
      patient had recently travelled abroad, therefore many possible diagnoses were to
      be ruled out. Routine laboratory investigations revealed eosinophilia. An
      ultrasound examination of the iliac swelling evidenced a well-defined cyst with a
      big filamentous formation in continuous movement. A fine-needle aspiration of the
      lesion was performed for parasitological, cytological and histological exams. The
      prompt microscopic examination of the aspired material showed the presence of
      numerous microfilariae that were initially morphologically attributed to
      Mansonella ozzardi. Subsequently, the revision of the Giemsa stained film and
      molecular analyses of the biological material, allowed to identify Dirofilaria
      repens as etiological agent of infection. CONCLUSIONS: We report of a case in
      whom microfilariae were detected in fine-needle aspirate of subcutaneous node,
      without evidence of microfilaraemia, and the infection failed to become fully
      patent. Therefore we confirm that complete development and fertilization of D.
      repens worms in human hosts may occur, at variance with what is commonly
      believed, that Dirofilaria worms cannot fully develop in humans.

PMID- 27266513
TI  - Alcohol consumption and lung cancer risk in never smokers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to analyse the role of alcohol
      consumption on lung cancer risk in people who have never smoked. METHODS: We
      conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature following the PRISMA
      statement. We searched Medline, EMBASE and CINAHL using different combinations of
      MeSH terms and free text. We included cohort studies, pooled cohort studies and
      case-control studies comprising at least 25 anatomopathologically-confirmed
      diagnoses of lung cancer cases, a sample size larger than 100 individuals and
      more than five years of follow-up for cohort studies. We excluded studies that
      did not specifically report results for never smokers. We developed a quality
      score to assess the quality of the included papers and we ultimately included 14
      investigations with a heterogeneous design and methodology. RESULTS: Results for
      alcohol consumption and lung cancer risk in never smokers are inconclusive;
      however, several studies showed a dose-response pattern for total alcohol
      consumption and for spirits. Heterogeneous results were found for wine and beer.
      CONCLUSION: No clear effect is observed for alcohol consumption. Due to the
      limited evidence, no conclusion can be drawn for beer or wine consumption. There
      is little research available on the effect of alcohol on lung cancer risk for
      people who have never smoked, and more studies are urgently needed on this topic.

PMID- 27266514
TI  - Trans-fatty acid content of food products in Spain in 2015.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the content of trans-fatty acids (TFA) in food products
      in Spain in 2015 and assess trends in TFA content since 2010. METHODS: We
      analysed the fat content of 277 food products purchased in Spanish supermarkets
      in 2015 and calculated both the total fat and TFA content and the proportion of
      TFA to total fats. The results obtained in 2015 were compared to those yielded by
      a similar study in 2010. RESULTS: In 2015, the majority of food products studied
      had a TFA content of less than 0.2g/100g product, and a TFA/total fat ratio of
      less than 2%. No significant increases were found compared to 2010. Food groups
      with a higher TFA content were dairy products of possible natural origin.
      CONCLUSIONS: TFA content in Spain is low and has significantly fallen since 2010.

PMID- 27266515
TI  - [Influence of length of hospital stay on mortality after discharge in older
      patients with acute medical diseases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyse whether hospital length of stay is associated with
      mortality at six months after discharge in the elderly. METHODS: An observational
      longitudinal study of patients surviving at hospital discharge. A binary logistic
      regression analysis was performed to study factors related to extended stay (> 12
      days). The relationship between mortality at 6 months and length-of-stay
      quartiles was studied using a Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: 1180 patients
      were studied with a mean age of 86.6 years (standard deviation: 6.9). The median
      length of stay was 8 days (interquartile range: 5-12). Six-month mortality was
      26.1%. After adjusting for age, gender, main diagnosis, comorbidity, albumin at
      admission, functional deterioration at admission and functional and mental status
      at discharge, hospital stay above the median was associated with mortality at 6
      months: 9-12 days, HR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.01-3.14; and > 12 days, HR=2.04, 95% CI:
      1.19-3.53. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged hospital stay is an independent risk factor for
      mortality at 6 months after discharge.

PMID- 27266516
TI  - Accurate prediction of RNA-binding protein residues with two discriminative
      structural descriptors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: RNA-binding proteins participate in many important biological
      processes concerning RNA-mediated gene regulation, and several computational
      methods have been recently developed to predict the protein-RNA interactions of
      RNA-binding proteins. Newly developed discriminative descriptors will help to
      improve the prediction accuracy of these prediction methods and provide further
      meaningful information for researchers. RESULTS: In this work, we designed two
      structural features (residue electrostatic surface potential and triplet
      interface propensity) and according to the statistical and structural analysis of
      protein-RNA complexes, the two features were powerful for identifying RNA-binding
      protein residues. Using these two features and other excellent structure- and
      sequence-based features, a random forest classifier was constructed to predict
      RNA-binding residues. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve
      (AUC) of five-fold cross-validation for our method on training set RBP195 was
      0.900, and when applied to the test set RBP68, the prediction accuracy (ACC) was
      0.868, and the F-score was 0.631. CONCLUSIONS: The good prediction performance of
      our method revealed that the two newly designed descriptors could be
      discriminative for inferring protein residues interacting with RNAs. To
      facilitate the use of our method, a web-server called RNAProSite, which
      implements the proposed method, was constructed and is freely available at
      http://lilab.ecust.edu.cn/NABind .

PMID- 27266517
TI  - Adjunctive use of essential oils following scaling and root planing -a randomized
      clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hitherto no study has been published on the effect of the adjunctive
      administration of essential oils following scaling and root planing (SRP). This
      study describes the effect of a mouthrinse consisting of essential oils
      (Cymbopogon flexuosus, Thymus zygis and Rosmarinus officinalis) following SRP by
      clinical and microbiological variables in patients with generalized moderate
      chronic periodontitis. METHODS: Forty-six patients (aged 40-65 years) with
      moderate chronic periodontitis were randomized in a double-blind study and rinsed
      their oral cavity following SRP with an essential oil mouthrinse (n  =  23) or
      placebo (n  =  23) for 14 days. Probing depth (PD), attachment level (AL),
      bleeding on probing (BOP) and modified sulcus bleeding index (SBI) were recorded
      at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Subgingival plaque was taken for assessment
      of major bacteria associated with periodontitis. RESULTS: AL, PD, BOP and SBI
      were significantly improved in both groups after three (p   <   0.001) and 6
      months (p   <=   0.015). AL improved significantly better in the test than in the
      control group after 3 and 6 months (p < 0.001), so did PD after three months in
      the tendency (p  =  0.1). BOP improved better in the test group after 3 months (p
      =  0.065). Numbers of Treponema denticola (p  =  0.044) and Fusobacterium
      nucleatum (p  =  0.029) decreased more in the test than in the control group
      after 3 months, those of Tannerella forsythia after 6 months (p  =  0.039).
      Prevotella micra (p  <  0.001, p  =  0.035) and Campylobacter rectus (p  =  0.002
      , p  =  0.012) decreased significantly in both groups after 3 months.
      CONCLUSIONS: The adjunctive use of a mouthrinse containing essential oils
      following SRP has a positive effect on clinical variables and on bacterial levels
      in the subgingival biofilm. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 332-12-24092012, DRKS 00009387,
      German Clinical Trials Register, Freiburg i. Br., 16.09.2015.

PMID- 27266519
TI  - Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae on tomato yield, nutrient uptake, water
      relations, and soil carbon dynamics under deficit irrigation in field conditions.
AB  - Plant strategies to cope with future droughts may be enhanced by associations
      between roots and soil microorganisms, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)
      fungi. But how AM fungi affect crop growth and yield, together with plant
      physiology and soil carbon (C) dynamics, under water stress in actual field
      conditions is not well understood. The well-characterized mycorrhizal tomato
      (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotype 76R (referred to as MYC+) and the mutant
      nonmycorrhizal tomato genotype rmc were grown in an organic farm with a deficit
      irrigation regime and control regime that replaced evapotranspiration. AM
      increased marketable tomato yields by ~25% in both irrigation regimes but did not
      affect shoot biomass. In both irrigation regimes, MYC+ plants had higher plant
      nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations (e.g. 5 and 24% higher N and P
      concentrations in leaves at fruit set, respectively), 8% higher stomatal
      conductance (gs), 7% higher photosynthetic rates (Pn), and greater fruit set.
      Stem water potential and leaf relative water content were similar in both
      genotypes within each irrigation regime. Three-fold higher rates of root sap
      exudation in detopped MYC+ plants suggest greater capacity for water uptake
      through osmotic driven flow, especially in the deficit irrigation regime in which
      root sap exudation in rmc was nearly absent. Soil with MYC+ plants also had
      slightly higher soil extractable organic C and microbial biomass C at anthesis
      but no changes in soil CO2 emissions, although the latter were 23% lower under
      deficit irrigation. This study provides novel, field-based evidence for how
      indigenous AM fungi increase crop yield and crop water use efficiency during a
      season-long deficit irrigation and thus play an important role in coping with
      increasingly limited water availability in the future. 

PMID- 27266520
TI  - Projected climate change impacts upon dew yield in the Mediterranean basin.
AB  - Water scarcity is increasingly raising the need for non-conventional water
      resources, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. In this context,
      atmospheric moisture can potentially be harvested in the form of dew, which is
      commonly disregarded from the water budget, although its impact may be
      significant when compared to rainfall during the dry season. In this study, a dew
      atlas for the Mediterranean region is presented illustrating dew yields using the
      yield data collected for the 2013 dry season. The results indicate that
      cumulative monthly dew yield in the region can exceed 2.8mm at the end of the dry
      season and 1.5mm during the driest months, compared to <1mm of rainfall during
      the same period in some areas. Dew yields were compared with potential
      evapotranspiration (PET) and actual evapotranspiration (ET) during summer months
      thus highlighting the role of dew to many native plants in the region.
      Furthermore, forecasted trends in temperature and relative humidity were used to
      estimate dew yields under future climatic scenarios. The results showed a 27%
      decline in dew yield during the critical summer months at the end of the century
      (2080). 

PMID- 27266518
TI  - IL4 induces IL6-producing M2 macrophages associated to inhibition of
      neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myeloid cells, such as macrophages and microglia, play a crucial role
      in neuroinflammation and have been recently identified as a novel therapeutic
      target, especially for chronic forms. The general aim would be to change the
      phenotype of myeloid cells from pro- to anti-inflammatory, favoring their tissue
      trophic and regenerative functions. Myeloid cells, however, display a number of
      functional phenotypes, not immediately identifiable as pro- or anti-inflammatory,
      and associated to ambiguous markers. METHODS: We employed in vitro assays to
      study macrophage polarization/differentiation in the presence of classical
      polarizing stimuli such as IFNgamma (pro-inflammatory) and IL4 (anti
      inflammatory). We induced neuroinflammation in mice by immunization with a myelin
      antigen and treated diseased mice with intracisternal delivery of an IL4
      expressing lentiviral vector. We analyzed clinical, pathological, and
      immunological outcomes with a focus on myeloid cells. RESULTS: We found that IL6,
      usually considered a pro-inflammatory cytokine, was released in vitro by
      macrophages treated with the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL4. We show the
      existence of macrophages expressing IL6 along with classical anti-inflammatory
      markers such as CD206 and demonstrate that these cells are immunosuppressive in
      vitro. In neuroinflamed mice, we show that IL4 delivery in the central nervous
      system (CNS) is associated with clinical and pathological protection from
      disease, associated with increased IL6 expression in infiltrating macrophages.
      CONCLUSIONS: IL6 is known to mediate both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects,
      having two distinct ways to induce cell-signaling: either through the membrane
      bound receptor (anti-inflammatory) or through trans-signaling (pro-inflammatory).
      We show here that IL6-expressing macrophages are associated to protection from
      neuroinflammation, suggesting that IL6 anti-inflammatory properties prevail in
      the CNS, and calling for a general reconsideration of IL6 in macrophage
      polarization.

PMID- 27266521
TI  - Estimating adult mortality attributable to PM2.5 exposure in China with
      assimilated PM2.5 concentrations based on a ground monitoring network.
AB  - Estimates of mortality attributable to air pollution in China showed large
      differences among various studies, mainly arising from differences in exposure
      assessments and choice of the concentration-response function. The Chinese
      national monitoring network recently has included direct measurements of PM2.5
      (particulates with aerodynamic diameter<=2.5MUm), providing a potentially more
      reliable exposure assessment. We estimated adult premature mortalities due to
      PM2.5 across China in 2013 and mortality benefits for scenarios in which China
      meets the World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) and three
      interim targets (ITs) for PM2.5. Attributable adult mortalities were estimated
      with assimilated spatial PM2.5 concentrations across China based on direct PM2.5
      measurements from 506 PM2.5 monitoring sites and a regional air quality model,
      and using the integrated exposure-response model. Our results show that in China,
      83% of the population lived in areas where PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the
      Chinese Ambient Air Quality Standard of 35MUgm(-3). Premature mortalities
      attributed to PM2.5 nationwide were 1.37 million in total, and 0.69, 0.38, 0.13,
      and 0.17 million for stroke, ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease, respectively. High population density areas
      exhibited the highest health risks attributed to air pollution. The mortality
      benefits will be 23%, 39%, 66%, and 83% of the total present premature
      mortalities (1.37 million mortalities) when PM2.5 concentrations in China meet
      the WHO IT-1, IT-2, IT-3, and AQG, respectively. Our study shows that integrating
      PM2.5 concentrations based on the national monitoring network with the regional
      air quality model provides an advanced exposure estimate method with potentials
      to further improve the accuracy for mortality estimate; much higher health
      benefits could be achieved if China adopted more stringent WHO guidelines for
      PM2.5. 

PMID- 27266522
TI  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and black carbon in intertidal sediments of
      China coastal zones: Concentration, ecological risk, source and their
      relationship.
AB  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and black carbon (BC) have attracted many
      attentions, especially in the coastal environments. In this study, spatiotemporal
      distributions of PAHs and BC, and the correlations between BC and PAHs were
      investigated in the intertidal sediments of China coastal zones. BC in sediments
      was measured through dichromate oxidation (BCCr) and thermal oxidation (BCCTO).
      The concentrations of BCCr in the intertidal sediments ranged between 0.61 and
      6.32mgg(-1), while BCCTO ranged between 0.57 and 4.76mgg(-1). Spatial variations
      of delta(13)C signatures in TOC and BC were observed, varying from -21.130/00 to 
      24.870/00 and from -23.530/00 to -16.780/00, respectively. PAH contents of
      sediments ranged from 195.9 to 4610.2ngg(-1) in winter and 98.2 to 2796.5ngg(-1)
      in summer, and significantly seasonal variations were observed at most sampling
      sites. However, the results of potential toxicity assessment indicated low
      ecological risk in the intertidal sediments of China coastal zones. Greater
      concentrations of PAHs measured in the sediments of estuarine environments
      indicated that rivers runoff may have been responsible for the higher PAH
      pollution levels in the intertidal sediments of China coastal zones. Pearson's
      correlation analysis suggested that pyrogenic compounds of PAH were significantly
      related to BC, due to that both BC and these compounds derived mainly from the
      combustion process of fossil fuels and biomass. Overall, increasing energy
      consumptions caused by anthropogenic activities can contribute more emissions of
      BC as well as PAHs and thus improve the importance of BC in indicating pyrogenic
      compounds of PAHs in the intertidal sediments of China coastal zones. 

PMID- 27266523
TI  - Factors affecting population dynamics of leaf beetles in a subarctic region: The
      interplay between climate warming and pollution decline.
AB  - Understanding the mechanisms by which abiotic drivers, such as climate and
      pollution, influence population dynamics of animals is important for our ability
      to predict the population trajectories of individual species under different
      global change scenarios. We monitored four leaf beetle species (Coleoptera:
      Chrysomelidae) feeding on willows (Salix spp.) in 13 sites along a pollution
      gradient in subarctic forests of north-western Russia from 1993 to 2014. During a
      subset of years, we also measured the impacts of natural enemies and host plant
      quality on the performance of one of these species, Chrysomela lapponica. Spring
      and fall temperatures increased by 2.5-3 degrees C during the 21-year observation
      period, while emissions of sulfur dioxide and heavy metals from the nickel-copper
      smelter at Monchegorsk decreased fivefold. However, contrary to predictions of
      increasing herbivory with climate warming, and in spite of discovered increase in
      host plant quality with increase in temperatures, none of the beetle species
      became more abundant during the past 20years. No directional trends were observed
      in densities of either Phratora vitellinae or Plagiodera versicolora, whereas
      densities of both C. lapponica and Gonioctena pallida showed a simultaneous rapid
      20-fold decline in the early 2000s, remaining at very low levels thereafter. Time
      series analysis and model selection indicated that these abrupt population
      declines were associated with decreases in aerial emissions from the smelter.
      Observed declines in the population densities of C. lapponica can be explained by
      increases in mortality from natural enemies due to the combined action of climate
      warming and declining pollution. This pattern suggests that at least in some tri
      trophic systems, top-down factors override bottom-up effects and govern the
      impacts of environmental changes on insect herbivores. 

PMID- 27266524
TI  - Continual removal of H3K9 promoter methylation by Jmjd2 demethylases is vital for
      ESC self-renewal and early development.
AB  - Chromatin-associated proteins are essential for the specification and maintenance
      of cell identity. They exert these functions through modulating and maintaining
      transcriptional patterns. To elucidate the functions of the Jmjd2 family of
      H3K9/H3K36 histone demethylases, we generated conditional Jmjd2a/Kdm4a,
      Jmjd2b/Kdm4b and Jmjd2c/Kdm4c/Gasc1 single, double and triple knockout mouse
      embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We report that while individual Jmjd2 family members
      are dispensable for ESC maintenance and embryogenesis, combined deficiency for
      specifically Jmjd2a and Jmjd2c leads to early embryonic lethality and impaired
      ESC self-renewal, with spontaneous differentiation towards primitive endoderm
      under permissive culture conditions. We further show that Jmjd2a and Jmjd2c both
      localize to H3K4me3-positive promoters, where they have widespread and redundant
      roles in preventing accumulation of H3K9me3 and H3K36me3. Jmjd2 catalytic
      activity is required for ESC maintenance, and increased H3K9me3 levels in
      knockout ESCs compromise the expression of several Jmjd2a/c targets, including
      genes that are important for ESC self-renewal. Thus, continual removal of H3K9
      promoter methylation by Jmjd2 demethylases represents a novel mechanism ensuring
      transcriptional competence and stability of the pluripotent cell identity.

PMID- 27266526
TI  - Discovery and Rational Design of Pteridin-7(8H)-one-Based Inhibitors Targeting
      FMS-like Tyrosine Kinase 3 (FLT3) and Its Mutants.
AB  - FLT3 has been validated as a therapeutic target for the treatment of acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML). In this paper, we describe for the first time, pteridin
      7(8H)-one as a scaffold for potent FLT3 inhibitors derived from structural
      optimizations on irreversible EGFR inhibitors. The representative inhibitor (31)
      demonstrates single-digit nanomolar inhibition against FLT3 and subnanomolar KD
      for drug-resistance FLT3 mutants. In profiling of the in vitro tumor cell lines,
      it shows good selectivity against AML cells harboring FLT3-ITD mutations over
      other leukemia and solid tumor cell lines. The mechanism of action study
      illustrates that pteridin-7(8H)-one derivatives suppress the phosphorylation of
      FLT3 and its downstream pathways, thereby inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and
      apoptosis in AML cells. In in vivo studies, 31 significantly suppresses the tumor
      growth in MV4-11 xenograft model. Overall, we provide a structurally distinct
      chemical scaffold with which to develop FLT3 mutants-selective inhibitors for AML
      treatment.

PMID- 27266525
TI  - Nucleosome eviction in mitosis assists condensin loading and chromosome
      condensation.
AB  - Condensins associate with DNA and shape mitotic chromosomes. Condensins are
      enriched nearby highly expressed genes during mitosis, but how this binding is
      achieved and what features associated with transcription attract condensins
      remain unclear. Here, we report that condensin accumulates at or in the immediate
      vicinity of nucleosome-depleted regions during fission yeast mitosis. Two
      transcriptional coactivators, the Gcn5 histone acetyltransferase and the RSC
      chromatin-remodelling complex, bind to promoters adjoining condensin-binding
      sites and locally evict nucleosomes to facilitate condensin binding and allow
      efficient mitotic chromosome condensation. The function of Gcn5 is closely linked
      to condensin positioning, since neither the localization of topoisomerase II nor
      that of the cohesin loader Mis4 is altered in gcn5 mutant cells. We propose that
      nucleosomes act as a barrier for the initial binding of condensin and that
      nucleosome-depleted regions formed at highly expressed genes by transcriptional
      coactivators constitute access points into chromosomes where condensin binds free
      genomic DNA.

PMID- 27266527
TI  - 3D Hierarchical Pt-Nitrogen-Doped-Graphene-Carbonized Commercially Available
      Sponge as a Superior Electrocatalyst for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells.
AB  - Three-dimensional hierarchical nitrogen-doped graphene (3D-NG) frameworks were
      successfully fabricated through a feasible solution dip-coating method with
      commercially available sponges as the initial backbone. A spongy template can
      help hinder the graphene plates restacking in the period of the annealing
      process. The Pt/3D-NG catalyst was synthesized employing a polyol reduction
      process. The resultant Pt/3D-NG exhibits 2.3 times higher activity for methanol
      electro-oxidation along with the improvement in stability as compared with Pt/G
      owing to their favorable features including large specific surface area, high
      pore volume, high N doping level, and the homogeneous dispersion of Pt
      nanoparticles. Besides, Pt/3D-NG also presents high oxygen reduction reaction
      (ORR) performance in acid media when compared with Pt/3D-G and Pt/G. This work
      raises a valid solution for the fabrication of 3D functional freestanding
      graphene-based composites for a variety of applications in fuel cell catalysis,
      energy storage, and conversion. 

PMID- 27266528
TI  - Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in children.

PMID- 27266529
TI  - Platelets activation is associated with elevated plasma mitochondrial DNA during
      cardiopulmonary bypass.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was reported as a pro-inflammatory agent.
      In our previous study, elevation of plasma mtDNA was revealed after cardiac
      surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Platelets were activated during the
      cardiac surgery and recent study revealed its ability to release mtDNA. Our
      present study postulated that the elevated plasma mtDNA comes from activated
      platelets, which plays a critical role in post-CPB inflammatory responses.
      METHODS: Sixty-eight patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
      with CPB were enrolled in our study. Blood samples were collected before
      induction of anaesthesia (T1), at the end of CPB (T2), 12 h post-CPB (T3), 24 h
      post-CPB (T4), 48 h post-CPB (T5) and 72 h post-CPB (T6). Blood samples were
      analyzed for the routine blood test and prepared for plasma isolation. MtDNA
      concentration was measured by rt-PCR, and TNF-alpha and IL-6 were examined by
      specific ELISA kits. Subgroup study was analyzed by activation levels of
      platelet. Basic information, mtDNA level, TNF-alpha level and IL-6 level were all
      carefully studied in each quartile. RESULTS: Activation level of platelets
      increased and peaked at T2, which decreased gradually from T3 to T6 (P < 0.05).
      MtDNA increased after CPB, peaked at T3, and then backed from T4 to T6 (P <
      0.05). Bivariate correlation between peak activation level of platelets and peak
      plasma mtDNA level showed a positive correlation between these two parameters (r
      = 0.683, P < 0.0001). Both TNF-alpha and IL-6 showed similar patterns as mtDNA,
      with an increase from T1 to T3 and a decrease from T4 to T6 (P < 0.05). Subgroup
      analysis further demonstrated that patients with higher activation levels of PLT
      had higher plasma mtDNA levels and inflammatory level (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Our study revealed the dynamic changes of activation level of platelets and
      identified the interesting association between platelets activation and plasma
      mtDNA, suggesting a novel potential mechanism of activated platelets-induced post
      CPB inflammatory responses.

PMID- 27266531
TI  - Effects of Rho Kinase Inhibitors on Intraocular Pressure and Aqueous Humor
      Dynamics in Nonhuman Primates and Rabbits.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study examines the effects of 2 Rho kinase inhibitors on
      intraocular pressure (IOP) and aqueous humor dynamics. METHODS: IOPs of New
      Zealand albino rabbits with ocular normotension and cynomolgus macaques (nonhuman
      primate, NHP) with chronic unilateral laser-induced glaucoma were measured at
      baseline and periodically after a 9 a.m. dose of H-1152, Y-27632, or vehicle. In
      a separate group of NHPs, aqueous flow, outflow facility, uveoscleral outflow,
      and IOP were determined after treatment with Y-27632 or vehicle control. RESULTS:
      Decreases in IOP were found in rabbits (n = 5) at 6 h after one dose of 2% Y
      27632 (29%, P = 0.0002) or 1% H-1152 (35%, P = 0.0001), and in hypertensive eyes
      of NHPs (n = 7-9) at 3 h after one dose of 2% Y-27632 (35%, P = 0.005) or 1% H
      1152 (51%, P = 0.0003). With 2 doses of 1% Y-27632 or vehicle in NHP hypertensive
      eyes (n = 12), significant drug effects were IOP reduction of 28% (P = 0.05) at
      2.5 h after the second dose and increases in aqueous flow (36%; P = 0.013),
      uveoscleral outflow (59%, P = 0.008), and outflow facility (40%; P = 0.01). In
      normotensive eyes of the same animals, aqueous flow increased by 21% (P = 0.03).
      No significant change was found in any of the other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Y
      27632 and H-1152 lower IOP in rabbits and hypertensive eyes of NHPs for at least
      6 h after single doses. The Y-27632 effect on IOP in hypertensive NHP eyes is
      caused by increases in outflow facility and uveoscleral outflow. An increase in
      aqueous humor formation attenuates but does not prevent an IOP decrease.

PMID- 27266530
TI  - Exploring the psychological morbidity of waiting for sinus surgery using a mixed
      methods approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) often have to endure
      significant wait times for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The pyschiatric impact
      of placement on a waitlist for ESS has not been explored. METHODS: Questionnaires
      measuring CRS symptom severity and health-related anxiety and stress (SNOT-22,
      HADS, WPAI-GH) were sent to patients diagnosed with CRS and currently on a
      waitlist for ESS. Fifteen representative waitlisted patients participated in one
      on-one semi-structured interviews discussing their experience with their wait for
      ESS. A deductive thematic analysis was used to interpret the interview data using
      a quantitative driven mixed methods analysis. RESULTS: Participants waiting for
      ESS reported worsening clinical symptomatology during their waiting period.
      Participants reported waitlist and CRS impact on both work and social aspects of
      their lives. The HADS scale showed no overall significant level of depression or
      anxiety in the HADS screening questionnaire. The qualitative data describe the
      effects of the symptom burden of CRS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients waitlisted for ESS
      did not demonstrate any significant level of psychiatric distress, however
      variability exists. The qualitative arm of this study elucidates how patients
      cope with their wait.

PMID- 27266533
TI  - Impact of Repeated Questioning on Interviewers: Learning From a Forensic
      Interview Training Project.
AB  - Forensic interviewers have a difficult job with high risk for career burnout and
      secondary trauma. Few studies have addressed how new forensic interviewers or
      trainees experience repeated questioning and multiple interviews. This study
      simulated the process of training new forensic interviewers through the creation
      of two interview videos in which social work graduate students participated as
      actors portraying the roles of interviewer and child. These films served as
      instructional aids preparing graduate social work students for professional child
      welfare roles while promoting research-based approaches to interviewing children
      about sexual abuse allegations. Qualitative data from two cohorts of student
      actors were collected to analyze interviewers' perspectives on repeated
      questioning and interviews in child sexual abuse cases. Two themes were extracted
      from the subjects' experiences: "It is emotionally taxing" and "Navigating the
      interviewer role is unexpectedly complex." Exposure to repeated questions and
      multiple interviews affected the performance and confidence of the interviewers. 

PMID- 27266532
TI  - Chemopreventive Agents Attenuate Rapid Inhibition of Gap Junctional Intercellular
      Communication Induced by Environmental Toxicants.
AB  - Altered gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) has been associated
      with chemical carcinogenesis, where both chemical tumor promoters and
      chemopreventive agents (CPAs) are known to conversely modulate GJIC. The aim of
      this study was to investigate whether attenuation of chemically inhibited GJIC
      represents a common outcome induced by different CPAs, which could be effectively
      evaluated using in vitro methods. Rat liver epithelial cells WB-F344 were
      pretreated with a CPA for either 30 min or 24 h, and then exposed to GJIC
      inhibiting concentration of a selected tumor promoter or environmental toxicant
      [12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), lindane, fluoranthene, 1,1,1
      trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), or
      pentachlorophenol]. Out of nine CPAs tested, quercetin and silibinin elicited the
      most pronounced effects, preventing the dysregulation of GJIC by all the GJIC
      inhibitors, but DDT. Metformin and curcumin attenuated the effects of three GJIC
      inhibitors, whereas the other CPAs prevented the effects of two (diallyl sulfide,
      emodin) or one (indole-3-carbinol, thymoquinone) GJIC inhibitor. Significant
      attenuation of chemically induced inhibition of GJIC was observed in 27 (50%) out
      of 54 possible combinations of nine CPAs and six GJIC inhibitors. Our data
      demonstrate that in vitro evaluation of GJIC can be used as an effective
      screening tool for identification of chemicals with potential chemopreventive
      activity.

PMID- 27266534
TI  - Investigative Interviewing of Aboriginal Children in Cases of Suspected Sexual
      Abuse.
AB  - This study examined the investigative interviewing of Australian Aboriginal
      children in cases of alleged sexual abuse, with a focus on three commonly
      included components of interview protocols: ground rules, practice narrative, and
      substantive phase. Analysis of 70 field transcripts revealed that the overall
      delivery and practice of ground rules at the beginning of the interview was
      positively associated with the spontaneous usage of rules in children's
      narratives of abuse. When specifically examining the "don't know" rule, however,
      only practice had an effect of children's usage of the rule (as opposed to simple
      delivery or no delivery at all). Children spoke more words overall, and
      interviewers used more open-ended prompts during the substantive phase when the
      interviews contained a practice narrative. Children most often disclosed sexual
      abuse in response to an open-ended prompt; however, they produced the most words
      in response to suggestive prompts. This article concludes with a discussion of
      the effectiveness of ground rules, practice narratives, and questioning with
      Aboriginal children. 

PMID- 27266535
TI  - The Continuum of Disclosure: Exploring Factors Predicting Tentative Disclosure of
      Child Sexual Abuse Allegations During Forensic Interviews and the Implications
      for Practice, Policy, and Future Research.
AB  - When a child sexual abuse investigation ensues, many children do not disclose
      readily to professionals. Defining disclosure beyond the disclosure versus
      nondisclosure dichotomy is essential, yet little research exists on factors
      associated with a continuum of disclosure, including active and tentative
      disclosure. Through the coding of 196 forensic interviews using content analysis
      and subsequent regression analysis, findings suggest that children of color,
      children abused by adults, unintentional initial disclosure, and those lacking
      family support were more likely to tentatively disclose in this study.
      Implications include a need to understand tentative disclosure as part of a
      normal continuum of disclosure within court proceedings and investigations of
      abuse allegations. 

PMID- 27266536
TI  - Caregiver Needs Following Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse.
AB  - Caregiver support is vital in improving outcomes for child sexual abuse victims;
      however, the disclosure can significantly affect caregivers, thus impacting their
      ability to meet their children's needs. To maximize the support from caregivers,
      their own needs following disclosure need to be met. This study investigated the
      impact of child sexual abuse disclosure and associated needs as identified by
      caregivers. Sixty needs assessment forms were collected from families who
      accessed a parenting support pilot program run in New Zealand. These forms were
      completed by nonoffending caregivers during an assessment session with their
      counselor and consisted of both open-ended and Likert scale questions focusing on
      both the needs of the child and the family. Caregivers identified a range of
      impacts of the disclosure on their children, themselves, and other families
      members and the related support that may be needed. In particular, caregivers
      identified that they needed support with child behavior management and with their
      own coping. The findings suggest that interventions with caregivers following
      disclosure of child sexual abuse may be a valuable adjunct to therapy provided
      directly to the child. 

PMID- 27266537
TI  - Gender Differences in Sexually Abused Children and Adolescents: A Multicenter
      Study in Turkey.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine gender-based differences in abuse
      related characteristics and post-abuse psychiatric disorders among sexually
      abused children and adolescents. The researchers retrospectively examined files,
      judicial reports, and social examination reports of 1,250 sexually abused youth
      cases. Results showed that boys were more often victimized by penetration, force,
      and physical violence. Incidence of sexual abuse by family members, familiar
      persons, and multiple persons was higher among girls. In addition, a higher rate
      of major depressive disorder as well as alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking
      were found in sexually abused girls. No difference was observed between boys and
      girls in terms of post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and other
      mental disorders. Intellectual disability was more frequent in boys. 

PMID- 27266538
TI  - Contributions of Child Sexual Abuse, Self-Blame, Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms,
      and Alcohol Use to Women's Risk for Forcible and Substance-Facilitated Sexual
      Assault.
AB  - Child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault have been linked to increased self
      blame, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and alcohol use. The current study aims to
      examine (a) whether these constructs explain women's risk for later adult sexual
      assault and revictimization, (b) whether such factors differentially confer risk
      for specific types of adult sexual assault (i.e., substance-facilitated and
      forcible), and (c) if self-blame confers risk indirectly through other risk
      factors. Multiple types of self-blame, posttraumatic stress, and alcohol use were
      examined among 929 female college students as serial mediators of the
      relationship between child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault and as risk
      factors for sexual revictimization among child sexual abuse survivors. In the
      model predicting risk for substance-facilitated adult sexual assault, child
      sexual abuse indirectly predicted greater risk for substance-facilitated adult
      sexual assault mediated through two separate paths: global blame-to-posttraumatic
      stress and global blame-to-alcohol use. In the model predicting risk for forcible
      adult sexual assault, child sexual abuse directly predicted greater risk for
      forcible adult sexual assault, and this relation was mediated by the global blame
      to-posttraumatic-stress path. Among child sexual abuse survivors, child sexual
      abuse specific characterological and behavioral self-blame directly predicted
      greater risk for forcible and substance-facilitated revictimization, but the
      pathways were not mediated by posttraumatic stress or alcohol use. Results
      emphasize the importance of assessing different types of self-blame in predicting
      posttraumatic stress symptoms as well as examining risk for sexual victimization
      and revictimization. Findings did not support hypotheses that increased
      posttraumatic stress would predict increased alcohol use but did indicate that
      heightened self-blame is consistently associated with heightened posttraumatic
      stress and that heightened global self-blame predicts increased alcohol use.
      Implications for future research and intervention are discussed. 

PMID- 27266539
TI  - Maladaptive Schemas as Mediators in the Relationship Between Child Sexual Abuse
      and Displaced Aggression.
AB  - Child sexual abuse is one of the most serious forms of abuse due to the
      psychological consequences that persist even into adulthood. Expressions of anger
      among child sexual abuse survivors remain common even years after the event.
      While child sexual abuse has been extensively studied, the expression of
      displaced aggression has been studied less. Some factors, such as the maladaptive
      early schemas, might account for this deficiency. The objective of this study was
      to analyze the relationships between child sexual abuse, displaced aggression,
      and these schemas according to gender and determine if these early schemas
      mediate the relationship between child sexual abuse and displaced aggression. A
      total of 168 Spanish subjects who were victims of child sexual abuse completed
      measures of childhood trauma, displaced aggression, and early maladaptive
      schemas. The results depict the relationship between child sexual abuse,
      displaced aggression, and early maladaptive schemas. Women scored higher than men
      in child sexual abuse, emotional abuse, disconnection or rejection and impaired
      autonomy. Mediational analysis found a significant mediation effect of
      disconnection or rejection on the relationship between child sexual abuse and
      displaced aggression; however, impaired autonomy did not mediate significantly. 

PMID- 27266540
TI  - Attitudes Toward Juvenile Sex Offender Legislation: The Influence of Case
      Specific Information.
AB  - This study examined attitudes toward the application of adult sex offender
      legislation to juvenile sex offenders. Participants were randomly assigned to one
      of nine conditions. In the generic condition, the participants were asked to
      envision a generic juvenile sex offender, whereas in the manipulated conditions,
      participants read a vignette with three manipulated variables: offense type,
      victim age, and victim gender. Afterward, all participants (n = 978) completed
      questionnaires assessing perceptions of juvenile sex offenders and juvenile sex
      offender legislation. Overall, participants in the generic juvenile sex offender
      condition rated the perpetrator as more dangerous and more likely to reoffend
      than participants in the experimental conditions. Moreover, participants in the
      generic juvenile sex offender condition were more likely to endorse more punitive
      punishments and viewed perpetrators as "superpredators." When examining
      differences between the experimental conditions, participants reading vignettes
      with younger victims and male victims as well as vignettes with contact offenses
      were more likely to view the perpetrator as dangerous, likely to recidivate, as a
      "superpredator," and deserving of more punitive punishments. Implications for
      public policy as well as future research directions are discussed. 

PMID- 27266541
TI  - Monogenic mutations associated with IgA deficiency.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: For twenty years, two paradigms have been considered as the main
      genetic contributors to immunoglobulin A deficiency, including cytogenetic
      defects involving large chromosomal aberrations and an association with the human
      major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus. However, an overview of recent
      studies suggests a role for several monogenic disorders in the development of
      this disease. Areas covered: This review examines the concept of monogenic
      disorders for patients with IgA deficiency in order to identify the underlying
      pathogenic mechanism(s). Expert commentary: A clinical/immunologic workup
      followed by targeted gene mutation analysis has been proposed for an approach to
      IgA deficient patients.

PMID- 27266542
TI  - The impact of self-efficacy, expectations, and readiness on hearing aid outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of self-efficacy and expectations for hearing
      aids, and readiness to improve hearing, on hearing aid outcome measures in first
      time adult hearing aid users Design: A prospective, single centre design.
      Predictor variables measured at the hearing assessment included measures of self
      efficacy, expectations and readiness to improve hearing. Outcome measures
      obtained at six-week follow-up were the Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile and
      Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life. STUDY SAMPLE: A sample of 30 first
      time adult hearing aid users were recruited through a public-sector funded
      audiology clinic. RESULTS: When measured prior to hearing aid fitting, self
      efficacy for hearing aids predicted satisfaction with hearing aids but was not
      related to other hearing aid outcomes. Expectations of hearing aids, in
      particular positive expectations, and readiness to improve hearing predicted
      outcomes for hearing aid satisfaction and benefit, although not hearing aid use.
      Hearing sensitivity was not correlated with hearing aid outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:
      These results suggest that assessment of expectations of hearing aids, and
      readiness to improve hearing, may be useful to help identify individuals
      attending audiology clinics who would most likely benefit from hearing aid
      provision.

PMID- 27266543
TI  - HIV-1 Immunogen: an overview of almost 30 years of clinical testing of a
      candidate therapeutic vaccine.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although current antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV
      infection into a chronic, manageable disease, ART does not cure HIV infection.
      Furthermore, the majority of the world's infected individuals live in resource
      limited countries in which access to ART is limited. Thus, the development of an
      effective therapeutic HIV vaccine would be an invaluable treatment alternative.
      AREAS COVERED: Developed by the late Dr. Jonas Salk, HIV-1 Immunogen (Remune(r))
      is a candidate therapeutic vaccine that has been studied in thousands of HIV
      infected individuals in more than a dozen clinical trials during almost three
      decades. This Drug Evaluation, which summarizes the results of these trials that
      have shown the vaccine to be safe and immunogenic, also discusses the
      contradictory and controversial conclusions drawn from the phases 2, 2/3 and 3
      trials that assessed the clinical efficacy of this vaccine. EXPERT OPINION: Given
      the lack of unequivocal clinical benefits of HIV-1 Immunogen despite almost 30
      years of extensive testing, it does not appear, in our view, that this vaccine is
      a clinically effective immunotherapy. However, inclusion of this vaccine in the
      newly proposed 'Kick/Shock and Kill' strategy for HIV eradication, or use as a
      prophylactic vaccine, could be considered for future trials.

PMID- 27266544
TI  - Radioiodine therapy versus antithyroid drugs in Graves' disease: a meta-analysis
      of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was performed to compare radioiodine therapy with
      antithyroid drugs in terms of clinical outcomes, including development or
      worsening of ophthalmopathy, hyperthyroid cure rate, hypothyroidism, relapse rate
      and adverse events. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in
      PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SinoMed and National Knowledge Infrastructure,
      China, were systematically reviewed to compare the effects of radioiodine therapy
      with antithyroid drugs in patients with Graves' disease. Results were expressed
      as risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and weighted mean differences
      with 95% CIs. Pooled estimates were performed using a fixed-effects model or
      random-effects model, depending on the heterogeneity among studies. RESULTS: 17
      RCTs involving 4024 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included.
      Results showed that radioiodine treatment has increased risk in new
      ophthalmopathy, development or worsening of ophthalmopathy and hypothyroidism.
      Whereas, compared with antithyroid drugs, radioiodine treatment seems to have a
      higher hyperthyroid cure rate, lower recurrence rate and lower incidence of
      adverse events. CONCLUSION: Radioiodine therapy is associated with a higher
      hyperthyroid cure rate and lower relapse rate compared with antithyroid drugs.
      However, it also increases the risk of ophthalmopathy and hypothyroidism.
      ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Considering that antithyroid drug treatment can be
      associated with unsatisfactory control of hyperthyroidism, we would recommend
      radioiodine therapy as the treatment of choice for patients with Graves' disease.

PMID- 27266545
TI  - Economic analysis of ALK testing and crizotinib therapy for advanced non-small
      cell lung cancer.
AB  - AIM: The economic outcome of crizotinib in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
      harboring anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement would be investigated.
      MATERIALS & METHODS: Based on a mathematical model, the economic outcome of three
      techniques for testing ALK gene rearrangement combing with crizotinib would be
      evaluated and compared with traditional regimen. The impact of the crizotinib
      patient assistance program (PAP) was assessed. RESULTS: Ventana
      immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase
      chain reaction and IHC testing plus fluorescent in situ hybridization
      confirmation for anaplastic lymphoma kinase testing following crizotinib
      treatment leaded to the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of US$16,820 and
      US$223,242, US$24,424 and US$223,271, and US$16,850 and US$254,668 per quality
      adjusted life-year gained with and without PAP, respectively. CONCLUSION: Gene
      guided crizotinib therapy might be a cost-effective alternative comparing with
      the traditional regimen in the PAP setting.

PMID- 27266546
TI  - From the Editor.

PMID- 27266557
TI  - Improving combination antiretroviral therapy by targeting HIV-1 gene
      transcription.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) has not allowed the cure
      of HIV. The main obstacle to HIV eradication is the existence of quiescent
      reservoirs. Several other limitations of cART have been described, such as strict
      life-long treatment and high costs, restricting it to Western countries, as well
      as the development of multidrug resistance. Given these limitations and the
      impetus to find a cure, the development of new treatments is necessary. Areas
      covered: In this review, we discuss the current status of several efficient
      molecules able to suppress HIV gene transcription, including NF-kB and Tat
      inhibitors. We also assess the potential of new proteins belonging to the
      intriguing DING family, which have been reported to have potential anti-HIV-1
      activity by inhibiting HIV gene transcription. Expert opinion: Targeting HIV-1
      gene transcription is an alternative approach, which could overcome cART-related
      issues, such as the emergence of multidrug resistance. Improving cART will rely
      on the identification and characterization of new actors inhibiting HIV-1
      transcription. Combining such efforts with the use of new technologies, the
      development of new models for preclinical studies, and improvement in drug
      delivery will considerably reduce drug toxicity and thus increase patient
      adherence.

PMID- 27266559
TI  - The Decade in Clinical Thyroid Disease: An Analysis of Published Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of the
      clinical thyroidology literature using bibliographic analysis. METHODS: The
      subject "clinical thyroidology" was divided into six broad topics: iodine
      deficiency/iodine nutrition, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism/thyrotoxicosis,
      thyroiditis/autoimmune thyroid disease, thyroid nodules/multinodular goiter, and
      thyroid cancer. Using Scopus, an online bibliographic searching tool, this study
      sought to examine the trends in the publication of clinical thyroid disease
      related research articles over the decade from 2006 through the end of 2015.
      Citation counts were also retrieved for individual research papers in order to
      find papers that might have had a bigger impact on clinical practice. Review
      articles, guidelines, and editorials were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 19,055
      articles were published in the broad area of clinical thyroid disease. The
      largest proportion was in the topic of thyroid cancer, accounting for >30% of the
      total. The numbers of papers published annually on thyroid nodules and thyroid
      cancer increased progressively over the decade. The largest proportion of
      clinical thyroid publications emanated from the United States, and the majority
      of papers were published in subspecialty journals. Within each clinical thyroid
      topic, the most highly cited papers published from 2006 to 2015 were identified,
      and outliers-that is, papers that had been cited far more often that others in
      the topic-were also identified. The most highly cited paper in all of clinical
      thyroidology was a 2006 study describing the increase in thyroid cancer incidence
      in the United States (JAMA 295:2164-2167). Most of the highly cited clinical
      papers were case series or cohort studies, rather than randomized controlled
      trials. CONCLUSIONS: The number of papers in clinical thyroid disease is
      expanding rapidly, with >1000 papers published annually over the last decade.
      Research papers on thyroid nodules and cancer accounted for 51% of all clinical
      thyroid disease-related papers. More randomized controlled trials have been
      published in the last few years, portending a bright future for clinical
      thyroidology.

PMID- 27266558
TI  - Evaluation of Breast Lipid Composition in Patients with Benign Tissue and Cancer
      by Using Multiple Gradient-Echo MR Imaging.
AB  - Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility of the use of a rapid, noninvasive, in
      vivo imaging method to measure fatty acid fractions of breast adipose tissue
      during diagnostic breast magnetic resonance (MR) examinations and to investigate
      associations between fatty acid fractions in breast adipose tissue and breast
      cancer status by using this method. Materials and Methods The institutional
      review board approved this retrospective HIPAA-compliant study and informed
      consent was waived. Between July 2013 and September 2014, multiple-echo three
      dimensional gradient-echo data were acquired for 89 women. Spectra were generated
      and used to estimate fractions of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA),
      polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), and saturated fatty acid (SFA) in the breast
      adipose tissue. Analysis of covariance and exact Mann-Whitney tests were used to
      compare groups and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to
      characterize the association of each imaging measure with each attribute. Results
      For postmenopausal women, MUFA was lower (0.38 +/- 0.06 vs 0.46 +/- 0.10; P <
      .05) and SFA was higher (0.31 +/- 0.07 vs 0.19 +/- 0.11; P < .05) for women with
      invasive ductal carcinoma than for those with benign tissue. No correlation was
      found between body mass index (BMI) and fatty acid fractions in breast adipose
      tissue. In women with benign tissue, postmenopausal women had a higher PUFA (0.35
      +/- 0.06 vs 0.27 +/- 0.05; P < .01) and lower SFA (0.19 +/- 0.11 vs 0.30 +/-
      0.12; P < .05) than premenopausal women. Conclusion There is a possible link
      between the presence of invasive ductal carcinoma and fatty acid fractions in
      breast adipose tissue for postmenopausal women in whom BMI values are not
      correlated with the fatty acid fractions. ((c)) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental
      material is available for this article.

PMID- 27266560
TI  - The roots of Salvia rhytidea: a rich source of biologically active diterpenoids.
AB  - Sahandinone (1), 12-deoxysalvipisone (2), miltirone (3), 7alpha-acetoxyroyleanone
      (4), and labda-7,14-dien-13-ol (5) were isolated from the roots of Salvia
      rhytidea Benth. (Lamiaceae). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of
      spectroscopic analyses including EIMS and NMR. The 13C NMR spectroscopic data
      were revised for the quaternary carbons of both 1 and 3 with the help of HMBC
      spectra in respect to the spectral data previously reported in the literature.
      Compounds 1 and 3, two very potent anticancer agents, were isolated in high
      yields from the roots of the plant. The biological activities of the plants'
      constituents were reported in the literature as antimicrobial, cytotoxic and
      antimalarial are discussed in this article.

PMID- 27266563
TI  - Test-retest, retest, and retest: Growth curve models of repeat testing with
      Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT).
AB  - Computerized neuropsychological testing has become an important tool in the
      identification and management of sports-related concussions; however, the
      psychometric effect of repeat testing has not been studied extensively beyond
      test-retest statistics. The current study analyzed data from Division I
      collegiate athletes who completed Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and
      Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) baseline assessments at four sequential time points
      that varied over the course of their athletic careers. Administrations were part
      of a larger National Institutes of Health (NIH) study. Growth curve modeling
      showed that the two memory composite scores increased significantly with
      successive administrations: Change in Verbal Memory was best represented with a
      quadratic model, while a linear model best fit Visual Memory. Visual Motor Speed
      and Reaction Time composites showed no significant linear or quadratic growth.
      The results demonstrate the effect of repeated test administrations for memory
      composite scores, while speed composites were not significantly impacted by
      repeat testing. Acceptable test-retest reliability was demonstrated for all four
      composites as well.

PMID- 27266564
TI  - Oxidative stress and altered expression of peroxiredoxin genes family (PRDXS) and
      sulfiredoxin-1 (SRXN1) in human lung tissue following exposure to sulfur mustard.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a potent and mutagenic agent that targets
      human lung tissue. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this investigation is to
      characterize the expression of sulfiredoxin-1 (SRXN1) and peroxiredoxin (PRDXs)
      genes and oxidative stress (OS) status in human lung after exposure to SM.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lung biopsy specimens bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids
      were provided from SM-exposed patients (n = 6) and controls (n = 5). Changes in
      gene expression were measured using RT(2) Profiler PCR Array. OS was considered
      by measuring BAL fluid levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls
      (PC). RESULTS: Mean of MDA and PC values in BAL fluid of patients (0.6467 +/-
      0.05922 nmol/l and 1.391 +/- 0.421 nmol/mg, respectively) was higher than in
      controls (0.486 +/- 0.04615 nmol/l and 0.949 +/- 0.149 nmol/mg, respectively).
      Expression of all examined genes was in the order PRDX1> PRDX3> PRDX6> SRXN1>
      PRDX2> PRDX4> PRDX5. Among the most upregulated genes was the PRDX1, which was
      overexpressed by 10.1029-fold (p = 0.000634). SM-exposed individuals demonstrated
      expression of PRDX3 4.6231 (p = 0.000134), PRDX6 3.4964 (p = 0.001102), SRXN1
      3.3719 (p < 0.0001) and PRDX2 2.7725-folds (p = 0.000383) higher than those of
      controls that reveal. CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of PRDXs and SRXN1 genes may be
      because of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and OS in lung tissue of
      patients after SM exposure. Expression of SRXN1 and PRDXNs genes, especially I,
      II, III, and VI is increased in SM-injured lungs, suggesting the induction of
      cellular responses to increased production of ROS and OS in lung of the patients.
      Therefore, sulfiredoxin and peroxiredoxins can be targeted as biomarkers of OS in
      these patients.

PMID- 27266576
TI  - The Effect of Education on Upper Extremity Function in Patients with Lymphedema
      after Breast Cancer Treatments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of education on the
      upper extremity functions of patients with lymphedema (LE) after breast cancer
      treatments. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with LE after breast cancer treatments
      participated in the study. The patients were separated into two groups. Group 1
      (n = 19) was educated about the causes and symptoms of LE and the methods for
      minimizing complications from LE, such as skin care, changes that must be made in
      daily life activities, exercises, and protective clothing. Group 2 (n = 19) was
      treated through standard means (surgical, chemotherapy, radiotherapy). A
      universal goniometer was used to assess the range of motion of the upper
      extremity of the patients. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand
      questionnaire (DASH) and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) were used
      to assess shoulder function. The measures were carried out once by the same
      physiotherapist. The chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the
      data. RESULTS: Group 1, educated about LE, performed better than the other group
      in shoulder flexion range. When shoulder abduction, internal-external rotation,
      and elbow flexion motions were compared by using the DASH and SPADI, no
      significant difference was observed between the groups (p > 0.05). However, when
      shoulder function was compared, Group 1 was better. There was no significant
      difference between the groups when the severity of LE was compared. CONCLUSION:
      This study underscores the need to develop and implement strategies for LE
      prevention and education for all breast cancer patients.

PMID- 27266578
TI  - Developmental timing of suicide attempts and cardiovascular risk during young
      adulthood.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Self-control/self-regulation has received increased attention in
      health research. Suicide attempts index severe dysregulation in emotional,
      behavioral, and/or physiological domains. The current study tested whether own
      and/or others' suicide attempts during the early life course predicted
      cardiovascular risk by young adulthood and whether developmental timing of
      suicide attempts, sex of the person, and source of suicide attempts exposure
      modified these associations. METHOD: Data came from the National Longitudinal
      Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). At each assessment during Waves
      I-IV (covering approximately ages 12-32 years), participants reported whether
      they and/or a friend/family member had attempted suicide. At Wave IV, trained
      interviewers assessed participants' obesity and hypertension and collected
      bloodspots from which high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was assayed.
      Sample sizes in the present analyses ranged from n = 7,884 to n = 8,474. RESULTS:
      Exposure to own and others' suicide attempts during adolescence was relatively
      common. In males, suicide attempts during adolescence (~age 15 years) were
      associated with hypertension and elevated inflammation more than 1 decade later.
      Associations among suicide attempts by others and cardiovascular risk also
      emerged. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to one's own or others' severe dysregulation in
      the form of suicide attempts during the early life course signals risk for
      cardiovascular health problems by the late twenties. Adolescent males who
      attempted suicide and individuals exposed to suicide attempts in their social
      network may benefit from a dual focus on mental and physical health in care.
      (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27266579
TI  - High Spin Polarization at Ferromagnetic Metal-Organic Interfaces: A Generic
      Property.
AB  - A high spin polarization of states around the Fermi level, EF, at room
      temperature has been measured in the past at the interface between a few
      molecular candidates and the ferromagnetic metal Co. Is this promising property
      for spintronics limited to these candidates? Previous reports suggested that
      certain conditions, such as strong ferromagnetism, i.e., a fully occupied spin-up
      d band of the ferromagnet, or the presence of pi bonds on the molecule, i.e.,
      molecular conjugation, needed to be met. What rules govern the presence of this
      property? We have performed spin-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements
      on a variety of such interfaces. We find that this property is robust against
      changes to the molecule and ferromagnetic metal's electronic properties,
      including the aforementioned conditions. This affirms the generality of highly
      spin-polarized states at the interface between a ferromagnetic metal and a
      molecule and augurs bright prospects toward integrating these interfaces within
      organic spintronic devices. 

PMID- 27266580
TI  - Codelivery of a miR-124 Mimic and Obatoclax by Cholesterol-Penetratin Micelles
      Simultaneously Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Autophagic Flux in Breast Cancer in
      Vitro and in Vivo.
AB  - Penetratin is a classical cell-penetrating peptide with the potential to assist
      in the transmembrane delivery of proteins or drugs. However, the synthesis and
      application of cholesterol-penetratin (Chol-P) conjugates as nonviral delivery
      systems for microRNAs or drugs have not previously been reported. In this study,
      the amphiphilic Chol-P was shown to self-assemble into micelles and efficiently
      deliver miR-124 and obatoclax. The codelivered miR-124-M-Oba had a homogeneous
      particle size and a positive zeta potential. Treatment with miR-124 mincreased
      cytotoxicity, and cell proliferation, was promoted by miR-124 inhibitor-loaded
      micelles in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Moreover, the inhibitory effects on
      cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration were increased in the
      miR-124-M-Oba group compared to the miR-124-M group. miR-124-M-Oba induced higher
      levels of mitochondrial apoptosis via Bax and caspase-9 activation. In addition,
      we found that the cationic Chol-P and miR-124-M could potently induce autophagy,
      and miR-124 was degraded in the corresponding autophagolysosomes. The obatoclax
      encapsulated in miR-124-M-Oba could inhibit the degradation of miR-124 and p62 in
      autophagolysosomes, which consequently maintained the concentration of miR-124 in
      breast cancer cells. Furthermore, miR-124-M-Oba potently inhibited tumor growth
      in subcutaneous xenograft breast cancer models. In summary, the miR-124-M-Oba
      prepared in this work showed improved apoptosis induction and autophagic flux
      inhibitory effects in MCF-7 cells, and miR-124-M-Oba may have potential
      applications in breast cancer therapy.

PMID- 27266582
TI  - Potential of risk-based population guidelines to reduce cardiovascular risk in a
      large integrated health system.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We evaluated an alternative way to implement guidelines using an
      automated risk calculator and risk-based decision tool to calculate patients'
      risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and recommend therapies. We compared such an
      approach with traditional guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study
      of 1,506,109 Kaiser Permanente Southern California members 35 years or older.
      METHODS: We estimated 3-year risks of fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction
      and stroke using an independently developed risk calculator, then graphically
      compared risks with observed outcomes. We used the area under the receiver
      operating characteristics curve to assess discrimination, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow
      statistic to test fit. We compared the characteristics and outcomes of
      populations identified for medication therapy by the risk-based decision tool and
      traditional guidelines using bivariate statistics. RESULTS: A risk score was
      obtained in 72% (1,082,158) of members. The risk calculator was fairly good in
      discrimination: the area under the curve was 0.774 (95% CI, 0.770-0.779) for
      myocardial infarction and 0.805 (95% CI, 0.801-0.808) for stroke. Predictiveness
      and fit was good based on graphical analysis and Hosmer-Lemeshow P < .0001. The
      risk-based decision tool identified high-risk patients for treatment who were not
      identified by traditional guidelines (3.80% of all those identified for statins,
      3.04% for antihypertensives), as well as low-risk patients who were identified by
      guidelines (3.80% for statins, 2.51% for antihypertensives). CONCLUSIONS: The
      risk calculator provided risk estimates in most patients and demonstrated fairly
      good discrimination and predictiveness. The risk-based decision tool identified
      high-risk patients for treatment not identified by traditional guidelines, as
      well as low-risk patients for whom treatment may be unnecessary.

PMID- 27266581
TI  - Breast cancer multigene testing trends and impact on chemotherapy use.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A 21-gene test that predicts recurrence risk among women with hormone
      receptor positive (HR+), localized breast cancer was nationally recommended in
      2007, but we know little about its subsequent impact. We evaluated: a) patient
      characteristics associated with test use, b) correlations between Recurrence
      Score (RS) and chemotherapy, and c) whether test introduction was associated with
      a reduction in chemotherapy use. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.
      METHODS: The Kaiser Permanente Northern California tumor registry and electronic
      health records from 2005 to 2012 were used to identify HR+, human epidermal
      growth factor receptor 2 negative, node-negative cancers. Analyses used logistic
      regression with propensity score matching and 2-level logistic regression.
      RESULTS: Of the 7004 patients who met guidelines for testing, 22% were tested and
      26% had chemotherapy. Test use was more likely in younger women (for ages 40-49
      years vs 50-64 years: odds ratio [OR], 1.22; 95% CI, 1.04-1.44), in women with
      tumors sized 1.0 to 2.0 cm versus > 2 cm (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03-1.40), and in
      women from higher-income neighborhoods (for each $10,000 increase in area median
      income: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.07). Among patients with low RS, 8% had
      chemotherapy versus 72% among patients with high RS (P < .01). In propensity
      score-matched analyses, testing was associated with an absolute reduction of 6.2%
      in the proportion of women receiving chemotherapy (95% CI, 2.9%-9.5%); the 2
      level model showed a similar but nonsignificant (P = .14) association.
      CONCLUSIONS: The 21-gene test is used in a minority of eligible patients in this
      integrated plan. Its use appears to be associated with a modest decrease in
      overall chemotherapy use.

PMID- 27266583
TI  - Enhanced primary care and impact on quality of care in Massachusetts.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) telephone
      survey data, we evaluated whether individuals who reported access to enhanced
      primary care features experienced improved quality of care. STUDY DESIGN: Cross
      sectional population-level survey. METHODS: We assessed a sample of 16,731
      Massachusetts residents contacted by telephone using random-digit dialing, to
      complete the BRFSS in 2008. A randomized subset of 5693 respondents received an
      additional 5-question enhanced primary care assessment module. We defined an
      "enhanced" primary care group as those who reported having a regular, personal
      provider and responded that their provider "always" or "almost always" 1) had
      knowledge of their medical history, 2) gave them an appointment right away when
      necessary, 3) was up-to-date in their knowledge of the patient's specialist care,
      and 4) asked them about all of their medications. Multivariable logistic
      regression was used to compare the "enhanced" versus "usual care" groups and
      assess several quality process measures. RESULTS: Nearly one-third of
      participants endorsed having indicators of enhanced care, and this group reported
      significantly higher rates of diabetes process measures (56% vs 38%), cholesterol
      screening (89% vs 81%), influenza vaccination (57% vs 49%), pneumonia vaccination
      (51% vs 43%), and lower cost and/or access barriers to care (22% vs 33%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced primary care was associated with improved self-reported
      quality outcomes in a statewide telephone survey. A brief, 5-question module
      provided a novel population measure of access to enhanced primary care. This is a
      scalable option for other states hoping to characterize their own primary care
      improvement efforts through the patient-centered medical home model.

PMID- 27266584
TI  - Referring wisely: orthopedic referral guidelines at an academic institution.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop local orthopedic guidelines for use in referral decision
      support and electronic consultation programs at University of California, San
      Francisco Health. STUDY DESIGN: Modified Delphi method. METHODS: We performed a 2
      phase modified Delphi study to identify consensus between primary care and
      orthopedic clinicians for common musculoskeletal problems. RESULTS: Clinicians
      agreed that confirming patient interest in an orthopedic procedure should be
      completed prior to referral in 81% of clinical scenarios, as well as conservative
      management in 80%, physical therapy in 60%, and x-ray prior to referral in 42% of
      scenarios. Clinicians agreed an MRI should not be performed prior to referral in
      most (58%) clinical scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of national
      guidelines, a process for local guideline generation is needed in order to
      provide nuanced and detailed decision support at the point of referral. The
      Delphi method proved an effective process to achieve this end.

PMID- 27266585
TI  - A cost-effectiveness analysis of over-the-counter statins.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the costs and benefits of over-the-counter (OTC) statins
      under the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association
      guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: A 10-year cost-effectiveness model using a health
      system perspective was developed to analyze the impact of making an OTC statin
      drug available. METHODS: We calibrated the model by using nationally
      representative survey data on statin use and cardiovascular risk, data from
      clinical studies on the safety and efficacy of statins, and data from a study on
      consumer decisions to use an OTC statin. RESULTS: We estimated that OTC statins
      would result in 252,359 fewer major coronary events, 41,133 fewer strokes, and
      135,299 fewer coronary revascularization procedures over 10 years, as well as
      reduce coronary heart disease- and stroke-related deaths by 68,534 over the same
      time frame. These averted events would save more than $10.8 billion in healthcare
      costs while the costs of drug therapy would increase by $28.3 billion. Increased
      statin utilization is estimated to cause 3864 more cases of rhabdomyolysis-a very
      rare but severe side effect of statins. The estimated incremental cost
      effectiveness ratio (ICER) of OTC statins was $5667 per quality-adjusted life
      year, and the 95% CI of the ICER was $1384 to $12,701. CONCLUSIONS: With proper
      labeling and consumer education, it is highly likely that OTC statins would be
      cost-effective, as they significantly improve population health without large
      increases in healthcare costs.

PMID- 27266586
TI  - Evaluations of Corneas in Eyes with Isolated Iris Coloboma.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the differences in the corneas of eyes with
      isolated iris coloboma. METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective study.
      Among patients who applied to our hospital within the last 3-year period, those
      with isolated iris coloboma in one eye and a completely normal contralateral eye
      were included in the study. In addition to a complete ophthalmologic examination,
      all patients were scanned by Pentacam Scheimpflug camera in the dark, and a
      corneal endothelium cell count was taken using a Topcon Specular Microscope. Data
      entered using SPSS software were then evaluated by paired t-test; p < 0.05 value
      was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Nine patients, seven men and
      two women, with a mean age of 35.77 +/- 22.50 (range 8-60) years, were included
      in the study. In comparison to normal eyes, the colobomatous eyes were
      statistically found to have lower keratometry values in diopters (43.82 +/- 2.17,
      44.46 +/- 1.86; p = 0.040), a greater negative asphericity (Q value) (-0.38 +/-
      0.07, -0.22 +/- 0.20; p = 0.042), increased corneal thickness (569.78 +/- 25.42,
      537.33 +/- 27.36; p < 0.001), decreased anterior chamber depth (2.50 +/- 0.32,
      2.81 +/- 0.50; p = 0.005), a shallower angle (30.51 +/- 10.68, 35.29 +/- 9.99; p
      = 0.057), higher best-fit sphere (BFS) values of the anterior and posterior
      corneal surfaces (7.88 +/- 0.39, 7.67 +/- 0.37; p = 0.001; 6.40 +/- 0.26, 6.23 +/
      0.19; p = 0.006), larger pupil diameter (3.48 +/- 0.49, 2.80 +/- 0.34; p =
      0.001), smaller horizontal corneal diameter (HCD) (11.06 +/- 0.42; 11.26 +/-
      0.45; p = 0.009), and higher value of endothelial cell density (ECD) (3161 +/-
      431; 2923 +/- 590; p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: We have determined that a number of
      factors such as keratometry values, particularly of the corneal endothelium, are
      different from those of normal eyes. These differences should be taken into
      account in the follow-up and treatment of eyes with iris coloboma.

PMID- 27266587
TI  - Campylobacter geochelonis sp. nov. isolated from the western Hermann's tortoise
      (Testudo hermanni hermanni).
AB  - During a screening study to determine the presence of species of the genus
      Campylobacter in reptiles, three putative strains (RC7, RC11 and RC20T) were
      isolated from different individuals of the western Hermann's tortoise (Testudo
      hermanni hermanni). Initially, these isolates were characterized as representing
      Campylobacterfetus subsp. fetus by multiplex PCR and partial 16S rRNA gene
      sequence analysis. Further whole- genome characterization revealed considerable
      differences compared to other Campylobacter species. A polyphasic study was then
      undertaken to determine the exact taxonomic position of the isolates. The three
      strains were characterized by conventional phenotypic tests and whole genome
      sequencing. We generated robust phylogenies that showed a distinct clade
      containing only these strains using the 16S rRNA and atpA genes and a set of 40
      universal proteins. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrates their designation as
      representing a novel species and this was further confirmed using whole- genome
      average nucleotide identity within the genus Campylobacter (~80 %). Compared to
      most Campylobacter species, these strains hydrolysed hippurate, and grew well at
      25  degrees C but not at 42  degrees C. Phenotypic and genetic analyses
      demonstrate that the three Campylobacter strains isolated from the western
      Hermann's tortoise represent a novel species within the genus Campylobacter, for
      which the name Campylobactergeochelonis sp. nov. is proposed, with RC20T (=DSM
      102159T=LMG 29375T) as the type strain.

PMID- 27266589
TI  - JC virus/human immunodeficiency virus 1 co-infection in the Brazilian Amazonian
      region.
AB  - JC virus (JCV) is a member of the Polyomaviridae family and is associated to a
      severe disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, PML, which is
      gradually increasing in incidence as an opportunistic infection among AIDS
      patients. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of JCV among HIV
      1 carriers including their types and molecular subtypes and the possible
      association with disease. Urine samples from 66 HIV-1 infected subjects were
      investigated for the presence of the virus by amplifying VP1 (215bp) and IG
      (610bp) regions using the polymerase chain reaction. JCV was detected in 32% of
      the samples. The results confirmed the occurrence of type B (subtype Af2); in
      addition, another polyomavirus, BKV, was also detected in 1.5% of samples of the
      HIV-1 infected subjects. Apparently, there was no significant difference between
      mono- (HIV-1 only) and co-infected (HIV-1/JCV) subjects regarding their
      TCD4(+)/TCD8(+) lymphocyte counts or HIV-1 plasma viral load. Self admitted
      seizures, hearing and visual loses were not significantly different between the
      two groups. 

PMID- 27266590
TI  - Malaria diagnosis: still a challenge in non-endemic countries.

PMID- 27266588
TI  - The role of dose rate in radiation cancer risk: evaluating the effect of dose
      rate at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels using key events in critical
      pathways following exposure to low LET radiation.
AB  - PURPOSE: This review evaluates the role of dose rate on cell and molecular
      responses. It focuses on the influence of dose rate on key events in critical
      pathways in the development of cancer. This approach is similar to that used by
      the U.S. EPA and others to evaluate risk from chemicals. It provides a
      mechanistic method to account for the influence of the dose rate from low-LET
      radiation, especially in the low-dose region on cancer risk assessment.
      Molecular, cellular, and tissues changes are observed in many key events and
      change as a function of dose rate. The magnitude and direction of change can be
      used to help establish an appropriate dose rate effectiveness factor (DREF).
      CONCLUSIONS: Extensive data on key events suggest that exposure to low dose-rates
      are less effective in producing changes than high dose rates. Most of these data
      at the molecular and cellular level support a large (2-30) DREF. In addition,
      some evidence suggests that doses delivered at a low dose rate decrease damage to
      levels below that observed in the controls. However, there are some data human
      and mechanistic data that support a dose-rate effectiveness factor of 1. In
      summary, a review of the available molecular, cellular and tissue data indicates
      that not only is dose rate an important variable in understanding radiation risk
      but it also supports the selection of a DREF greater than one as currently
      recommended by ICRP ( 2007 ) and BEIR VII (NRC/NAS 2006 ).

PMID- 27266591
TI  - Disseminated Bacille Calmette-Guerin disease in immunocompetent adult patients.

PMID- 27266592
TI  - Association of genetic polymorphisms of CISH with the risk of pulmonary
      tuberculosis in Zahedan, Southeast Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the current study we aimed to find out the impact of cytokine
      inducible Src homology 2 domain protein (CISH) gene polymorphisms on the risk of
      pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a sample of Iranian population. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Polymorphisms of CISH rs2239751, rs414171, and rs6768300 were determined
      in 200 PTB patients and 200 healthy subjects using T-ARMS-PCR or PCR-RFLP method.
      RESULTS: The results showed that rs414171 A>T genotypes significantly decreased
      the risk of PTB (OR=0.16, 95% CI=0.10-0.27, p<0.0001, AT vs AA; OR=0.31, 95%
      CI=0.14-0.68, p<0.0001, TT vs AA; OR=0.19, 95% CI=0.12-0.29, p<0.0001, AT+TT vs
      AA; OR=0.29, 95%CI=0.20-0.42, p<0.0001, T vs A). For rs6768300, the findings
      indicated that this variant decreased the risk of PTB (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33-0.82,
      p=0.005, CG vs GG; OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.38-0.87, p=0.012, C vs G). No significant
      association was observed between CISH rs2239751 polymorphism and risk/protection
      of PTB. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that CISH rs414171 and rs6768300
      variants might be associated with protection from PTB.

PMID- 27266593
TI  - Corrigendum to "Antibodies to dendritic neuronal surface antigens in opsoclonus
      myoclonus ataxia syndrome" [J. Neuroimmunol. 286 (2015) 86-92].

PMID- 27266595
TI  - Discussion.

PMID- 27266594
TI  - The use of machine learning for the identification of peripheral artery disease
      and future mortality risk.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A key aspect of the precision medicine effort is the development of
      informatics tools that can analyze and interpret "big data" sets in an automated
      and adaptive fashion while providing accurate and actionable clinical
      information. The aims of this study were to develop machine learning algorithms
      for the identification of disease and the prognostication of mortality risk and
      to determine whether such models perform better than classical statistical
      analyses. METHODS: Focusing on peripheral artery disease (PAD), patient data were
      derived from a prospective, observational study of 1755 patients who presented
      for elective coronary angiography. We employed multiple supervised machine
      learning algorithms and used diverse clinical, demographic, imaging, and genomic
      information in a hypothesis-free manner to build models that could identify
      patients with PAD and predict future mortality. Comparison was made to standard
      stepwise linear regression models. RESULTS: Our machine-learned models
      outperformed stepwise logistic regression models both for the identification of
      patients with PAD (area under the curve, 0.87 vs 0.76, respectively; P = .03) and
      for the prediction of future mortality (area under the curve, 0.76 vs 0.65,
      respectively; P = .10). Both machine-learned models were markedly better
      calibrated than the stepwise logistic regression models, thus providing more
      accurate disease and mortality risk estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Machine learning
      approaches can produce more accurate disease classification and prediction
      models. These tools may prove clinically useful for the automated identification
      of patients with highly morbid diseases for which aggressive risk factor
      management can improve outcomes.

PMID- 27266596
TI  - Cranial nerve injury is associated with dual antiplatelet therapy use and
      cervical hematoma after carotid endarterectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine predictors of cranial nerve injury (CNI) after carotid
      endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: Consecutive CEAs performed over a 5-year period
      were enrolled in this study. Outcomes analyzed included 30-day major adverse
      event rate (composite of stroke, death, and myocardial infarction), death,
      stroke, disabling stroke, myocardial infarction, cervical hematoma and CNI rate,
      reoperation, and hospital readmission at 30 days. RESULTS: There were 1258 CEAs
      were included in the study, 1168 (93%) were performed using an eversion
      technique. Patients with symptoms comprised 27% of the cohort (n = 340). At 30
      days, there were no deaths, 23 major adverse events (1.8%), 11 strokes (0.9%:
      nine minor, two major), 12 myocardial infarctions (0.9%), 41 cervical hematomas
      (3.3%), 9 reoperations (0.7%) and 10 hospital readmissions (0.8%). Median
      duration of stay was 1 day (interquartile range, 1-2 days). CNI rate at discharge
      was 2.3% (n = 29). Two patients (9%) had more than one cranial nerve affected.
      The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve was most frequently involved
      (n = 16; 52%), followed by the hypoglossal (n = 9; 29%), the vagus (n = 4; 13%),
      and the spinal accessory nerve (n = 2; 6%). Horner's syndrome, consistent with an
      injury to the cervical sympathetic chain, occurred in 13 patients (1%) who had a
      true cranial nerve affected as well. The vast majority (94%) of these CNIs and
      all Horner's syndrome neurapraxias were transient; only the two accessory lesions
      persisted at their follow-up visit (median, 32 months; range, 8-72 months).
      Significant predictors for CNI included diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.0-6.2; P = .048), cervical hematoma (OR, 41.7; 95%
      CI, 13.8-125.4; P < .001), and dual antiplatelet therapy (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.7
      11.4; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: CNI is predominantly a transient complication, but
      is associated significantly with dual antiplatelet therapy use and the occurrence
      of a postoperative cervical hematoma. Scrupulous attention to hemostasis might
      reduce the incidence of CNI.

PMID- 27266597
TI  - Use of hyperspectral imaging to assess endothelial dysfunction in peripheral
      arterial disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a technology that with limited
      training can noninvasively measure oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) and deoxygenated
      hemoglobin concentrations in the skin to create an oxygenation map. This pilot
      study determined whether HSI could be used to demonstrate vascular dysfunction in
      the upper extremity of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary
      artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This prospective study included 93 consecutive,
      consented patients presenting to the vascular clinic, with and without diagnosed
      arterial disease, and healthy volunteers. Patients underwent HSI at the upper
      arm, forearm, and palm before and after cuff occlusion (50 mm Hg above systolic)
      for 5 minutes. Medical records of enrolled patients were reviewed for demographic
      data, medications, surgical history, and other pertinent information. RESULTS:
      Significant changes occurred with oxyHb, with minimal to no effects on
      deoxygenated hemoglobin. The highest values of oxyHb were detected in the upper
      arm, followed by the forearm and hand. The absolute and percentage change in
      oxyHb measured in the upper arm and forearm was significantly reduced in controls
      aged >40 years compared with controls aged <40 years. Significant differences
      were noted in the upper arm oxyHb absolute change in response to cuff occlusion
      comparing PAD or CAD (n = 47) vs the older control cohort (P = .028). When the 23
      patients with PAD only were separated out, the upper arm oxyHb response to cuff
      occlusion is even more significantly impaired (P < .01) compared with controls.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests the ability of HSI to assess the presence of PAD
      or CAD based on systemic vascular dysfunction at sites remote from the clinically
      diseased vascular bed. This could enable early screening and tracking of arterial
      disease patients before the development of clinically advanced disease.

PMID- 27266598
TI  - Unique Abnormalities in Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Systemic
      Sclerosis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma [SSc])
      adversely affects long-term prognosis, often remaining undetectable despite close
      clinical examination and 2-dimensional echocardiographic monitoring. Speckle
      derived strain of the right ventricle (RV) was utilized to detect occult
      abnormalities in regional and global contractility in SSc patients. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: A total of 138 SSc patients with technically adequate echocardiograms
      was studied and compared with 40 age- and sex-matched healthy non-SSc controls.
      Standard assessment of RV chamber function included tricuspid annular plane
      systolic excursion and fractional area change. RV longitudinal systolic speckle
      derived strain was assessed in the basal, mid, and apical free wall. Tricuspid
      annular plane systolic excursion was not different between groups (P=0.307).
      Although fractional area change was lower in SSc patients than in controls (mean,
      48.9 versus 55; P=0.002), the mean fractional area change was still within the
      normal range (>35). In contrast, RV longitudinal systolic speckle-derived strain
      measures were significantly different between groups, both globally (-20.4%
      versus -17.7%; P=0.005) and regionally: they were decreased in the apex (-8.5%
      versus -17.1%; P<0.0001) and mid segments (-12.4% versus -20.9%; P<0.0001), and
      increased in the base (-32.2% versus -23.3%; P=0.0001) for the SSc group. The
      regional difference in the base compared with the apex was significantly greater
      for SSc than for controls (P<0.0001 for interaction). The differences observed in
      regional strain between SSc and control were unchanged after adjusting for RV
      systolic pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Speckle-derived strain reveals a heterogenous
      pattern of regional heart strain in SSc that is not detected by conventional
      measures of function, suggestive of occult RV myocardial disease.

PMID- 27266600
TI  - Subclinical Right Ventricular Dysfunction by Strain Analysis: Refining the
      Targets of Echocardiographic Imaging in Systemic Sclerosis.

PMID- 27266599
TI  - Cognitive Machine-Learning Algorithm for Cardiac Imaging: A Pilot Study for
      Differentiating Constrictive Pericarditis From Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Associating a patient's profile with the memories of prototypical
      patients built through previous repeat clinical experience is a key process in
      clinical judgment. We hypothesized that a similar process using a cognitive
      computing tool would be well suited for learning and recalling multidimensional
      attributes of speckle tracking echocardiography data sets derived from patients
      with known constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Clinical and echocardiographic data of 50 patients with constrictive
      pericarditis and 44 with restrictive cardiomyopathy were used for developing an
      associative memory classifier-based machine-learning algorithm. The speckle
      tracking echocardiography data were normalized in reference to 47 controls with
      no structural heart disease, and the diagnostic area under the receiver operating
      characteristic curve of the associative memory classifier was evaluated for
      differentiating constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy. Using
      only speckle tracking echocardiography variables, associative memory classifier
      achieved a diagnostic area under the curve of 89.2%, which improved to 96.2% with
      addition of 4 echocardiographic variables. In comparison, the area under the
      curve of early diastolic mitral annular velocity and left ventricular
      longitudinal strain were 82.1% and 63.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the
      associative memory classifier demonstrated greater accuracy and shorter learning
      curves than other machine-learning approaches, with accuracy asymptotically
      approaching 90% after a training fraction of 0.3 and remaining flat at higher
      training fractions. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates feasibility of a
      cognitive machine-learning approach for learning and recalling patterns observed
      during echocardiographic evaluations. Incorporation of machine-learning
      algorithms in cardiac imaging may aid standardized assessments and support the
      quality of interpretations, particularly for novice readers with limited
      experience.

PMID- 27266601
TI  - Unleashing the Potential of Machine-Based Learning for the Diagnosis of Cardiac
      Diseases.

PMID- 27266617
TI  - Lipocalin-2 mediates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by promoting neutrophil
      macrophage crosstalk via the induction of CXCR2.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver is a hallmark of
      non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the pathological events which
      trigger the infiltration of inflammatory cells to mediate NASH pathogenesis
      remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the role of neutrophil
      derived lipocalin 2 (LCN2) in mediating the transition from simple steatosis to
      NASH. METHODS: Animal models of NASH were induced by high fat high cholesterol
      (HFHC) diet and methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet in LCN2 knockout
      mice and wild-type controls. RESULTS: Circulating levels of LCN2 and its hepatic
      expression were markedly increased in both murine models and human subjects with
      NASH, and these changes were associated with increased infiltration of
      neutrophils. In diet-induced NASH models, hepatic injury, necroinflammation and
      infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages were substantially attenuated by
      genetic depletion of LCN2. In contrast, chronic infusion of recombinant LCN2
      exacerbated diet-induced liver injury, inflammation and macrophage accumulation
      in a neutrophil-dependent manner. Primary mouse neutrophils lacking LCN2
      exhibited a defective migration capacity, which can be reversed by replenishment
      with recombinant LCN2. Mechanistically, LCN2 induced the expression of the
      chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 (CXCR2), thereby leading to activation of
      ERK1/2 and production of proinflammatory chemokines. LCN2-induced inflammation,
      infiltration of macrophages and liver injury was abrogated in CXCR2-deficient
      mice. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated that LCN2 acts as a central
      mediator to facilitate the crosstalk between neutrophils and hepatic macrophages
      via induction of the chemokine receptor CXCR2, thereby exacerbating
      steatohepatitis. LAY SUMMARY: Lipocalin-2 levels in blood and the liver were
      markedly increased in both mouse models and human subjects with NASH, and these
      changes were associated with increased infiltration of neutrophils in the liver.
      In diet-induced NASH models, hepatic injury, necroinflammation and infiltration
      of neutrophils and macrophages were substantially attenuated by genetic depletion
      of lipocalin-2, but was augmented by chronic infusion of recombinant lipocalin-2.
      Lipocalin-2 induced the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR2, thereby
      leading to activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase ERK1/2 and
      production of proinflammatory chemokines. Lipocalin-2-induced inflammation,
      infiltration of macrophages and liver injury was abrogated in CXCR2-deficient
      mice.

PMID- 27266618
TI  - Survival benefit of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma associated with
      portal vein invasion.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The presence of portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) in
      patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is regarded as indicating an
      advanced stage, and liver resection (LR) is not recommended. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the survival benefit of LR for HCC patients with PVTT
      through the analysis of the data from a Japanese nationwide survey. METHODS: We
      analyzed data for 6474 HCC patients with PVTT registered between 2000 and 2007.
      Of these patients, 2093 patients who underwent LR and 4381 patients who received
      other treatments were compared. The propensity scores were calculated and we
      successfully matched 1058 patients (66.1% of the LR group). RESULTS: In the Child
      Pugh A patients, the median survival time (MST) in the LR group was 1.77years
      longer than that in the non-LR group (2.87years vs. 1.10years; p<0.001) and
      0.88years longer than that in the non-LR group (2.45years vs. 1.57years; p<0.001)
      in a propensity score-matched cohort. A subgroup analysis revealed that LR
      provides a survival benefit regardless of age, etiology of HCC, tumor marker
      elevation, and tumor number. The survival benefit was not statistically
      significant only in patients with PVTT invading the main trunk or contralateral
      branch. In the LR group, the postoperative 90-day mortality rate was 3.7% (68
      patients). CONCLUSIONS: As long as the PVTT is limited to the first-order branch,
      LR is associated with a longer survival outcome than non-surgical treatment. LAY
      SUMMARY: The presence of portal vein tumor thrombosis in patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma is regarded as indicating an advanced stage, and liver
      resection is not recommended. We performed a multicenter, nationwide study to
      assess the survival benefit of liver resection in hepatocellular carcinoma
      patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis using propensity score-based matching.
      As long as the portal vein tumor thrombosis is limited to the first-order branch,
      liver resection is associated with a longer survival outcome than non-surgical
      treatment.

PMID- 27266619
TI  - Congenital dislocation of the knee at birth - Part I: Clinical signs and
      classification.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Congenital dislocation of the knee (CDK) is rare, and clinical
      semiology at birth is not always suitably analyzed. Existing classifications fail
      to guide treatment. The aim of the present study was to develop a CDK
      classification for the neonatal period. HYPOTHESIS: A classification based on
      neonatal severity of clinical signs is easy to implement on simple criteria.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-one CDKs (40 patients) seen neonatally were included.
      Three types could be distinguished in terms of reduction and stability: type I,
      easily reducible CDK, with reduction snap when the femoral condyles pass in
      flexion, remaining stable in flexion; type II, "recalcitrant" dislocation,
      reducible by posteroanterior "piston" but unstable, with iterative dislocation
      once posteroanterior pressure on the condyles is relaxed; and type III,
      irreducible. The number of anterior skin grooves, global range of motion, flexion
      deficit and reduction stability were noted for each type. RESULTS: Mean age at
      first consultation was 5.6 days (range: 0-30). CDK was type I, II and III in
      respectively 28, 16 and 7 cases. Number of skin grooves, flexion and baseline
      range of motion were greater in type I than types II and III. CONCLUSION: The
      present neonatal clinical classification is original, logical and simple. It may
      be useful for prognosis and guiding treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, single
      center retrospective series.

PMID- 27266620
TI  - Patients with Low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Scores Have Longer
      Door-to-Needle Times: Analysis of a Telestroke Network.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The benefits of intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (IV
      tPA) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are time dependent. Because emergency rooms
      quickly initiate a stroke alert with more severe symptoms, we hypothesized that
      patients with lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores,
      indicating a less severe stroke, would have longer door-to-needle (DTN) times
      compared to patients with higher NIHSS scores. METHODS: Data obtained from the 19
      hospital Providence Stroke Registry were used to identify AIS patients who
      received IV-tPA within 4.5 hours of last-known-well. NIHSS scores were obtained
      prior to tPA administration at the time of emergency department presentation and
      categorized as low-NIHSS (score = 0-5) or high-NIHSS (score = 6-42) strokes.
      Median DTN times were collected for both groups as the primary outcome variable.
      Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to assess the effect of NIHSS
      scores on DTN and its 2 components: door-to-CT (DCT) and CT-to-needle (CTN)
      times. RESULTS: We identified 692 AIS patients who received IV-tPA within 4.5
      hours of last-known-well, with 198 patients presenting with low-NIHSS strokes and
      494 patients with high-NIHSS strokes. In multivariable analysis, median DTN time
      was estimated to be 18% higher for low-NIHSS strokes than high-NIHSS strokes
      after adjusting for covariates (P < .001). Median DCT times were also higher for
      low-NIHSS (19 minutes) compared to high-NIHSS (11 minutes) strokes after
      adjusting for covariates (P < .001), whereas CTN times were unchanged (P = .055).
      CONCLUSION: In AIS patients receiving IV-tPA in a telestroke network, lower NIHSS
      scores were associated with longer DTN and DCT times.

PMID- 27266621
TI  - Ischemic Stroke and Six Genetic Variants in CRP, EPHX2, FGA, and NOTCH3 Genes: A
      Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a leading cause of death and disability
      worldwide. As genetic heritability for IS is estimated at about 35%-40%, the
      identification of genetic variants associated with IS risk is of great
      importance. The main objective of this study was to carry out a meta-analysis for
      polymorphisms in CRP, EPHX2, FGA, and NOTCH3 genes and the risk for IS. METHODS:
      Literature search for 6 candidate polymorphisms and IS was conducted using HuGE
      Navigator, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Meta-Analyst program was used to
      calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with a random effects model. RESULTS: Twenty
      five published studies for 6 candidate polymorphisms were included: CRP-rs1800947
      (5 studies), CRP-rs1205 (3 studies), EPHX2-rs751141 (5 studies), FGA-rs6050 (6
      studies), NOTCH3-rs3815188 (3 studies), and NOTCH3-rs1043994 (3 studies), for a
      total number of 7,825 IS cases and 56,532 control subjects. We did not find
      significant pooled ORs (P values > .05) for any of the genetic variants evaluated
      in this work. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis results did not show significant
      associations between these 6 polymorphisms in 4 candidate genes and IS, despite
      the functional role of some of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (e.g.,
      rs6050 in FGA gene). Future studies are needed to identify additional main
      genetic risk factors for IS in different populations.

PMID- 27266622
TI  - Impact of Patients' Income on Stroke Prognosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For patients diagnosed with stroke, the association between
      socioeconomic status and patient outcomes is poorly understood. Our objective was
      to define the impact of patients' socioeconomic status on their prognosis after
      stroke in the United States. METHODS: Utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample,
      we identified discharges involving a diagnosis of stroke from 2008 to 2013.
      Cohort was dichotomized to low-income patients (L-patients) and not-low-income
      patients (NL-patients). Z-test statistic was used to test the impact of income on
      stroke outcome. RESULTS: The reported annual total in-hospital mortality for L
      patients and NL-patients diagnosed with stroke at U.S. hospitals decreased
      significantly during the study period (P < .001). The mortality of L-patients
      decreased significantly from 1759 (4.16%) to 955 (2.54%) during study period.
      Similarly, NL-patients' mortality decreased significantly from 4818 (4.52%) to
      2300 (2.47%) during the same period. The difference between the annual total in
      hospital mortality for L-patients and NL-patients due to stroke was statistically
      significant throughout the entire study period (P < .0001). Notably, from 2008 to
      2013, the annual total routine discharges, annual total discharges to short-term
      hospital, annual total discharges to another institution, and annual total
      discharges to home health care were statistically significantly different between
      the 2 populations of patients (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status has
      an impact on patient outcome after treatment of stroke in hospitals in the United
      States. Further study is needed to investigate the etiology of these differences
      between patients' socioeconomic status and their clinical outcomes after stroke.

PMID- 27266624
TI  - Historical Study (1986-2014): Improvements in Nutritional Status of Dialysis
      Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is common in dialysis patients and is associated with
      adverse clinical outcomes. Despite an increased focus on improved nutrition in
      dialysis patients, it is claimed that the prevalence of malnutrition in this
      group of patients has not changed during the last decades. Direct historical
      comparisons of the nutritional status of dialysis patients have never been
      published. To directly compare the nutritional status of past and current
      dialysis patients, we implemented the methodology of a study from 1986 on a
      population of dialysis patients in 2014. DESIGN: Historical study comparing
      results of two cross-sectional studies performed in 1986 and 2014. SETTING: We
      compared the nutritional status of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD)
      patients attending the dialysis center at Roskilde Hospital, Denmark, in February
      to June 2014, with that of HD and PD patients treated at the dialysis center at
      Fredericia Hospital, Denmark, in April 1986. SUBJECTS: Maintenance PD and HD
      patients (n = 64 in 2014 and n = 48 in 1986). METHODS: We performed anthropometry
      (body weight, triceps skinfold, and midarm muscle circumferences [MAMCs]) and
      determined plasma transferrin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Relative body weight,
      triceps skinfold, MAMC, body mass index, and prevalence of protein-caloric
      malnutrition as defined in the original study from 1986. RESULTS: Average
      relative body weight, triceps skinfold, MAMC, and body mass index were
      significantly higher in 2014 compared with 1986. The prevalence of protein
      caloric malnutrition was significantly lower in 2014 (18%) compared with 1986
      (52%). CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional status of maintenance dialysis patients has
      improved during the last 3 decades. The reason for this improvement could not be
      identified in the present study, but the most likely contributors are the higher
      prevalence of obesity in the general population, less predialytic malnutrition,
      and an improved focus on nutrition in maintenance dialysis patients.

PMID- 27266623
TI  - Differences in Clinical Characteristics between Patients with Transient Ischemic
      Attack Whose Symptoms Do and Do Not Persist on Arrival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Symptoms of transient ischemic attack (TIA) persist on arrival and
      subsequently resolve in some patients admitted to hospitals early after onset.
      Differences in clinical characteristics between patients with acute TIA whose
      symptoms do and do not persist on arrival remain unclear. METHODS: We
      retrospectively extracted data of consecutive TIA patients with an onset-to-door
      time (ODT) of 24 hours or less and without a history of stroke from a multicenter
      TIA database. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and
      without persisting symptoms on arrival. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-six patients
      (158 men, 68.0 +/- 12.9 years) were included. Of the total number of patients,
      105 (39.5%) had persisting symptoms with a mean National Institutes of Health
      Stroke Scale score of 2.4 (median, 1.0). Patients with persisting symptoms were
      more likely to have sensory disorder, ambulance-transported admission, long
      duration TIA (>=60 minutes), and shorter ODT than those without. Multivariate
      analysis showed that sensory disorder (odds ratio [OR] 2.52, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 1.35-4.77), ambulance-transported admission (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.00
      3.28), and long-duration TIA (OR 3.96, 95% CI 2.12-7.71) were positively
      associated and that an ODT of more than 12 hours (OR .18, 95% CI .04-.63) was
      inversely associated with the presence ofpersisting symptoms. Patients with
      persisting symptoms were more likely to be examined by a stroke physician at
      first (69% versus 57%, P = .049) and then hospitalized in a stroke unit (59%
      versus 43%, P = .010). CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestations and management after
      admission might differ between patients with acute TIA whose symptoms do and do
      not persist on arrival.

PMID- 27266625
TI  - Soil bacteria showing a potential of chlorpyrifos degradation and plant growth
      enhancement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since 1960s, the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos has been
      widely used for the purpose of pest control. However, given its persistence and
      toxicity towards life forms, the elimination of chlorpyrifos from contaminated
      sites has become an urgent issue. For this process bioremediation is the method
      of choice. RESULTS: Two bacterial strains, JCp4 and FCp1, exhibiting chlorpyrifos
      degradation potential were isolated from pesticide contaminated agricultural
      fields. These isolates were able to degrade 84.4% and 78.6% of the initial
      concentration of chlorpyrifos (100mgL(-1)) within a period of only 10 days. Based
      on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, these strains were identified as Achromobacter
      xylosoxidans (JCp4) and Ochrobactrum sp. (FCp1). These strains exhibited the
      ability to degrade chlorpyrifos in sterilized as well as non-sterilized soils,
      and were able to degrade 93-100% of the input concentration (200mgkg(-1)) within
      42 days. The rate of degradation in inoculated soils ranged from 4.40 to 4.76mg(
      1)kg(-1)d(-1) with rate constants varying between 0.047 and 0.069d(-1). These
      strains also displayed substantial plant growth promoting traits such as
      phosphate solubilization, indole acetic acid production and ammonia production
      both in absence as well as in the presence of chlorpyrifos. However, presence of
      chlorpyrifos (100 and 200mgL(-1)) was found to have a negative effect on indole
      acetic acid production and phosphate solubilization with percentage reduction
      values ranging between 2.65-10.6% and 4.5-17.6%, respectively. Plant growth
      experiment demonstrated that chlorpyrifos has a negative effect on plant growth
      and causes a decrease in parameters such as percentage germination, plant height
      and biomass. Inoculation of soil with chlorpyrifos-degrading strains was found to
      enhance plant growth significantly in terms of plant length and weight. Moreover,
      it was noted that these strains degraded chlorpyrifos at an increased rate
      (5.69mg(-1)kg(-1)d(-1)) in planted soil. CONCLUSION: The results of this study
      clearly demonstrate that the chlorpyrifos-degrading strains have the potential to
      develop into promising candidates for raising the productivity of crops in
      pesticide contaminated soils.

PMID- 27266626
TI  - Production of mycelial biomass by the Amazonian edible mushroom Pleurotus
      albidus.
AB  - Edible mushroom species are considered as an adequate source of food in a healthy
      diet due to high content of protein, fiber, vitamins, and a variety of minerals.
      The representatives of Pleurotus genus are characterized by distinct gastronomic,
      nutritional, and medicinal properties among the edible mushrooms commercialized
      worldwide. In the present study, the growth of mycelial biomass of Pleurotus
      albidus cultivated in submerged fermentation was evaluated. Saccharose, fructose,
      and maltose were the three main carbon sources for mycelial biomass formation
      with corresponding yields of 7.28gL(-1), 7.07gL(-1), and 6.99gL(-1). Inorganic
      nitrogen sources did not stimulate growth and the optimal yield was significantly
      higher with yeast extract (7.98gL(-1)). The factorial design used to evaluate the
      influence of saccharose and yeast extract concentration, agitation speed, and
      initial pH indicated that all variables significantly influenced the production
      of biomass, especially the concentration of saccharose. The greater amount of
      saccharose resulted in the production of significantly more biomass. The highest
      mycelial biomass production (9.81gL(-1)) was reached in the medium formulated
      with 30.0gL(-1) saccharose, 2.5gL(-1) yeast extract, pH 7.0, and a speed of
      agitation at 180rpm. Furthermore, P. albidus manifested different aspects of
      morphology and physiology under the growth conditions employed. Media composition
      affected mycelial biomass production indicating that the diversification of
      carbon sources promoted its improvement and can be used as food or supplement. 

PMID- 27266627
TI  - Streptomyces lunalinharesii 235 prevents the formation of a sulfate-reducing
      bacterial biofilm.
AB  - Streptomyces lunalinharesii strain 235 produces an antimicrobial substance that
      is active against sulfate reducing bacteria, the major bacterial group
      responsible for biofilm formation and biocorrosion in petroleum reservoirs. The
      use of this antimicrobial substance for sulfate reducing bacteria control is
      therefore a promising alternative to chemical biocides. In this study the
      antimicrobial substance did not interfere with the biofilm stability, but the
      sulfate reducing bacteria biofilm formation was six-fold smaller in carbon steel
      coupons treated with the antimicrobial substance when compared to the untreated
      control. A reduction in the most probable number counts of planktonic cells of
      sulfate reducing bacteria was observed after treatments with the sub-minimal
      inhibitory concentration, minimal inhibitory concentration, and supra-minimal
      inhibitory concentration of the antimicrobial substance. Additionally, when the
      treated coupons were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, the biofilm
      formation was found to be substantially reduced when the supra-minimal inhibitory
      concentration of the antimicrobial substance was used. The coupons used for the
      biofilm formation had a small weight loss after antimicrobial substance
      treatment, but corrosion damage was not observed by scanning electron microscopy.
      The absence of the dsrA gene fragment in the scraped cell suspension after
      treatment with the supra-minimal inhibitory concentration of the antimicrobial
      substance suggests that Desulfovibrio alaskensis was not able to adhere to the
      coupons. This is the first report on an antimicrobial substance produced by
      Streptomyces active against sulfate reducing bacteria biofilm formation. The
      application of antimicrobial substance as a potential biocide for sulfate
      reducing bacteria growth control could be of great interest to the petroleum
      industry. 

PMID- 27266628
TI  - Simultaneous production of amylases and proteases by Bacillus subtilis in brewery
      wastes.
AB  - The simultaneous production of amylase (AA) and protease (PA) activity by
      Bacillus subtilis UO-01 in brewery wastes was studied by combining the response
      surface methodology with the kinetic study of the process. The optimum conditions
      (T=36.0 degrees C and pH=6.8) for high biomass production (0.92g/L) were similar
      to the conditions (T=36.8 degrees C and pH=6.6) for high AA synthesis
      (9.26EU/mL). However, the maximum PA level (9.77EU/mL) was obtained at pH 7.1 and
      37.8 degrees C. Under these conditions, a considerably high reduction (between
      69.9 and 77.8%) of the initial chemical oxygen demand of the waste was achieved.
      In verification experiments under the optimized conditions for production of each
      enzyme, the AA and PA obtained after 15h of incubation were, respectively, 9.35
      and 9.87EU/mL. By using the Luedeking and Piret model, both enzymes were
      classified as growth-associated metabolites. Protease production delay seemed to
      be related to the consumption of non-protein and protein nitrogen. These results
      indicate that the brewery waste could be successfully used for a high scale
      production of amylases and proteases at a low cost. 

PMID- 27266629
TI  - Diversity of group A rotavirus genes detected in the Triangulo Mineiro region,
      Minas Gerais, Brazil.
AB  - Group A rotaviruses are the main causative agent of infantile gastroenteritis.
      The segmented nature of the viral genome allows reassortment of genome segments,
      which can generate genetic variants. In this study, we characterized the
      diversity of the VP7, VP4 (VP8*), VP6, NSP4, and NSP5 genes of the rotaviruses
      that circulated from 2005 to 2011 in the Triangulo Mineiro (TM) region of Brazil.
      Samples with genotypes G2 (sublineages IVa-1 and IVa-3), G1 (sublineage I-A), G9
      (lineage III), G12 (lineages II and III), G8 (lineage II), G3 (lineage III), P[4]
      (sublineages IVa and IVb), P[8] (sublineages P[8]-3.6, P[8]-3.3, and P[8]-3.1),
      I2 (lineage VII), E2 (lineages VI, XII, and X), and H2 (lineage III) were
      identified. The associations found in the samples were G1, G9, or G12 with P[8]
      I1-E1-H1; G2 or G8 with P[4]-I2-E2-H2; G12 with I3-E3-H6; and G3 with P[4]-I2-E3
      H3 (previously unreported combination). Reassortment events in G2P[4] strains and
      an apparent pattern of temporal segregation within the lineages were observed.
      Five TM samples contained genes that exhibited high nucleotide and amino acid
      identities with strains of animal origin. The present study includes a period of
      pre- and post-introduction of rotavirus vaccination in all Brazilian territories,
      thereby serving as a basis for monitoring changes in the genetic constitution of
      rotaviruses. The results also contribute to the understanding of the diversity
      and evolution of rotaviruses in a global context. 

PMID- 27266630
TI  - l-(+)-Lactic acid production by Lactobacillus rhamnosus B103 from dairy industry
      waste.
AB  - Lactic acid, which can be obtained through fermentation, is an interesting
      compound because it can be utilized in different fields, such as in the food,
      pharmaceutical and chemical industries as a bio-based molecule for bio-refinery.
      In addition, lactic acid has recently gained more interest due to the possibility
      of manufacturing poly(lactic acid), a green polymer that can replace petroleum
      derived plastics and be applied in medicine for the regeneration of tissues and
      in sutures, repairs and implants. One of the great advantages of fermentation is
      the possibility of using agribusiness wastes to obtain optically pure lactic
      acid. The conventional batch process of fermentation has some disadvantages such
      as inhibition by the substrate or the final product. To avoid these problems,
      this study was focused on improving the production of lactic acid through
      different feeding strategies using whey, a residue of agribusiness. The
      downstream process is a significant bottleneck because cost-effective methods of
      producing high-purity lactic acid are lacking. Thus, the investigation of
      different methods for the purification of lactic acid was one of the aims of this
      work. The pH-stat strategy showed the maximum production of lactic acid of
      143.7g/L. Following purification of the lactic acid sample, recovery of reducing
      sugars and protein and color removal were 0.28%, 100% and 100%, respectively. 

PMID- 27266632
TI  - Full genome sequencing of the bluetongue virus-1 isolate MKD20/08/Ind from goat
      in India.
AB  - This communication reports full genome sequencing of the bluetongue virus-1 (BTV
      1) isolate MKD20/08/Ind from goat in northern India. The total BTV-1 genome size
      was found to be 19,190bp. A comparison study between the Indian isolate and other
      global isolates revealed that it belongs to the 'Eastern' BTV topotype. The full
      genome sequence of BTV-1 will provide vital information on its geographical
      origin and it will also be proved useful for comparing the Indian isolate with
      global isolates from other host species. 

PMID- 27266631
TI  - Aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities in lactobacilli and
      streptococci.
AB  - Aminotransferases and glutamate dehydrogenase are two main types of enzymes
      involved in the initial steps of amino acid catabolism, which plays a key role in
      the cheese flavor development. In the present work, glutamate dehydrogenase and
      aminotransferase activities were screened in twenty one strains of lactic acid
      bacteria of dairy interest, either cheese-isolated or commercial starters,
      including fifteen mesophilic lactobacilli, four thermophilic lactobacilli, and
      two streptococci. The strains of Streptococcus thermophilus showed the highest
      glutamate dehydrogenase activity, which was significantly elevated compared with
      the lactobacilli. Aspartate aminotransferase prevailed in most strains tested,
      while the levels and specificity of other aminotransferases were highly strain-
      and species-dependent. The knowledge of enzymatic profiles of these starter and
      cheese-isolated cultures is helpful in proposing appropriate combinations of
      strains for improved or increased cheese flavor. 

PMID- 27266633
TI  - Staphylococcus xylosus fermentation of pork fatty waste: raw material for
      biodiesel production.
AB  - The need for cleaner sources of energy has stirred research into utilising
      alternate fuel sources with favourable emission and sustainability such as
      biodiesel. However, there are technical constraints that hinder the widespread
      use of some of the low cost raw materials such as pork fatty wastes. Currently
      available technology permits the use of lipolytic microorganisms to sustainably
      produce energy from fat sources; and several microorganisms and their metabolites
      are being investigated as potential energy sources. Thus, the aim of this study
      was to characterise the process of Staphylococcus xylosus mediated fermentation
      of pork fatty waste. We also wanted to explore the possibility of fermentation
      effecting a modification in the lipid carbon chain to reduce its melting point
      and thereby act directly on one of the main technical barriers to obtaining
      biodiesel from this abundant source of lipids. Pork fatty waste was obtained from
      slaughterhouses in southern Brazil during evisceration of the carcasses and the
      kidney casing of slaughtered animals was used as feedstock. Fermentation was
      performed in BHI broth with different concentrations of fatty waste and for
      different time periods which enabled evaluation of the effect of fermentation
      time on the melting point of swine fat. The lowest melting point was observed
      around 46 degrees C, indicating that these chemical and biological reactions can
      occur under milder conditions, and that such pre-treatment may further facilitate
      production of biodiesel from fatty animal waste. 

PMID- 27266636
TI  - [Innate immunity primary immunodeficiencies and infections].
AB  - The diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) is important for the
      early and adaptive care of patients and their families. Among the various known
      PIDs, a number of them concern the innate immune system, which involve a set of
      cells and mechanisms involved in the host defense by a nonspecific and fast
      response. The majority of patients with innate immunity defects have a
      predisposition to one isolated type of infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal),
      dependent on the genetic defect involved. This article describes the different
      PIDs involving innate immunity and the immunological investigations allowing for
      their diagnosis. 

PMID- 27266634
TI  - Neurofibromin is a novel regulator of Ras-induced reactive oxygen species
      production in mice and humans.
AB  - Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) predisposes individuals to early and debilitating
      cardiovascular disease. Loss of function mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor
      gene, which encodes the protein neurofibromin, leads to accelerated p21(Ras)
      activity and phosphorylation of multiple downstream kinases, including Erk and
      Akt. Nf1 heterozygous (Nf1(+/-)) mice develop a robust neointima that mimics
      human disease. Monocytes/macrophages play a central role in NF1 arterial stenosis
      as Nf1 mutations in myeloid cells alone are sufficient to reproduce the enhanced
      neointima observed in Nf1(+/-) mice. Though the molecular mechanisms underlying
      NF1 arterial stenosis remain elusive, macrophages are important producers of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ras activity directly regulates ROS production.
      Here, we use compound mutant and lineage-restricted mice to demonstrate that
      Nf1(+/-) macrophages produce excessive ROS, which enhance Nf1(+/-) smooth muscle
      cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Further, use of a specific NADPH oxidase
      2 inhibitor to limit ROS production prevents neointima formation in Nf1(+/-)
      mice. Finally, mononuclear cells from asymptomatic NF1 patients have increased
      oxidative DNA damage, an indicator of chronic exposure to oxidative stress. These
      data provide genetic and pharmacologic evidence that excessive exposure to
      oxidant species underlie NF1 arterial stenosis and provide a platform for
      designing novels therapies and interventions.

PMID- 27266637
TI  - [Marble bone disease: The role of SPECT/CT hybrid imaging].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Osteopetrosis is an autosomal metabolic bone disease characterized
      by a decrease in bone resorption. It can be dominant or recessive. The patient
      often has increased bone fragility with fractures, which are usually the first
      sign of disease. Symptoms are variable, ranging from mild hematological disorders
      to severe neurological complications that can be life threatening. This work
      reports on the contribution of single-photon emission computed tomography
      (SPECT)/CT in the diagnosis and management of osteoarticular complications of
      marble bone disease, based on a clinical case. CASE REPORT: A 2-year-old child,
      born after a consanguineous marriage, was hospitalized because of mucocutaneous
      pallor, splenomegaly, failure to thrive, and altered psychomotor development.
      Radiographic examination showed signs of osteopetrosis. SPECT/CT revealed a
      double fracture of the right coracoid process and the 10th right rib. DISCUSSION,
      CONCLUSION: Fractures are a common complication of osteopetrosis. They are
      spontaneous or associated with minor trauma. SPECT/CT is important in the
      evaluation of the extension of bone lesions, and it confirms the diagnosis of
      osteomyelitis or fracture when radiological images are atypical or clinical
      expression is unusual.

PMID- 27266635
TI  - Default mode network differences between rigidity- and tremor-predominant
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) traditionally is characterized by tremor,
      rigidity, and bradykinesia, although cognitive impairment also is a common
      symptom. The clinical presentation of PD is heterogeneous and associated with
      different risk factors for developing cognitive impairment. PD patients with
      primary akinetic/rigidity (PDAR) are more likely to develop cognitive deficits
      compared to those with tremor-predominant symptoms (PDT). Because cognitive
      impairment in PD appears to be related to changes in the default mode network
      (DMN), this study tested the hypothesis that DMN integrity is different between
      PDAR and PDT subtypes. METHOD: Resting state fMRI (rs-fMRI) and whole brain
      volumetric data were obtained from 17 PDAR, 15 PDT and 24 healthy controls (HCs)
      using a 3T scanner. PD patients were matched closely to HCs for demographic and
      cognitive variables, and showed no symptoms of dementia. Voxel-based morphometry
      (VBM) was used to examine brain gray matter (GM) volume changes between groups.
      Independent component analysis (ICA) interrogated differences in the DMN among
      PDAR, PDT, and HC. RESULTS: There was decreased activity in the left inferior
      parietal cortex (IPC) and the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) within the
      DMN between PDAR and both HC and PDT subjects, even after controlling for
      multiple comparisons, but not between PDT and HC. GM volume differences between
      groups were detected at a lower threshold (p < 0.001, uncorrected). Resting state
      activity in IPC and PCC were correlated with some measures of cognitive
      performance in PD but not in HC. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to
      demonstrate DMN differences between cognitively comparable PDAR and PDT subtypes.
      The DMN differences between PD and HC appear to be driven by the PDAR subtype.
      Further studies are warranted to understand the underlying neural mechanisms and
      their relevance to clinical and cognitive outcomes in PDAR and PDT subtypes.

PMID- 27266638
TI  - Traumatic spinal epidural hematoma in a 1-year-old boy.
AB  - Traumatic spinal epidural hematoma is uncommon in children, making rapid
      diagnosis difficult. In this report, we present a case of traumatic cervical
      epidural hematoma in a 1-year-old boy, diagnosed with computed tomography
      scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Management was conservative and
      the lesion regressed spontaneously. The presentation in childhood is often
      nonspecific. MRI is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing these lesions.
      Conservative treatment has to be considered in cases with a benign clinical
      course and provided that the patient is followed up neurologically with repeated
      MRI. 

PMID- 27266639
TI  - [Collagenous gastritis and colitis in a 10-year-old girl].
AB  - There are few data in the literature on microscopic gastritis and colitis in the
      pediatric population. The diagnosis is often made after the occurrence of
      complications. We report the case of a 10.5 year-old girl for whom the diagnosis
      was made several years after the initial symptoms. Test for infections,
      inflammation, and auto-immunity yielded normal results. Upper endoscopy and
      colonoscopy revealed an abnormal mucosa. However, histology showed microscopic
      inflammation and fibrotic lesions in the lamina propria, and a thick
      subepithelial collagenous band. This led to the diagnosis of collagenous
      gastritis and colitis. Budesonide treatment resulted in the cessation of diarrhea
      and significant weight gain. Treatment by oral budesonide indeed seems to be
      highly effective but relapses are frequent when the treatment is stopped. This
      case shows the importance of being vigilant regarding transit disorders with
      impact on growth kinetics. Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy need to be carried out
      when children have organic diarrhea with normal blood tests. 

PMID- 27266640
TI  - [Erythema nodosum due to tinea].
AB  - Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most common clinical and pathological variant of
      panniculitis. A Celsus kerion is an inflammatory and suppurative tinea of the
      scalp. We report on a rare case of EN secondary to a kerion of the scalp.
      OBSERVATION: A 9-year-old child without a notable medical history, had a squamous
      plaque of the vertex for 15 days, which became painful and purulent. Five days
      after the plaque appeared, he presented with painful, hot, erythematous lesions
      symmetrically on the extensor surfaces of the legs and forearms. A medical
      examination found a fever of 38.5 degrees C, a squamous purulent and crusty plate
      of the vertex (6/5cm) with pustules and a few hairs cut short, and symmetrical
      painful erythematous hot nodules on the anterior surfaces of the two legs and
      forearms. A mycological sample of the crusts of the scalp lesion confirmed the
      presence of Trichophyton mentagrophytes. A bacteriological sample was not taken,
      and a skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of EN. The results of other
      paraclinical investigations were normal. The diagnosis of EN secondary to an
      inflammatory scalp tinea was established, and our patient was prescribed an
      orally and locally administered antimycotic, rest, and elevation of the limbs.
      DISCUSSION: EN is an acute nodular hypodermitis considered a nonspecific
      hypersensitive reaction to various allergens. Rarely, it can occur secondary to a
      fungal infection of the scalp such as a kerion or even secondary to the
      antifungal treatment of this tinea. EN secondary to a kerion of the scalp before
      the beginning of antifungal treatment has been reported in the literature, with a
      spontaneous improvement of the EN after treatment of the tinea.

PMID- 27266641
TI  - [Trends in vaccination coverage among children aged 12-23 months and mothers
      during 2006-2012 in Togo].

PMID- 27266642
TI  - [Acute poisoning by pesticides in children].
AB  - Acute pesticide poisoning in children is rare but potentially serious. Some
      clinical patterns (toxidromes) are suggestive of the drug class: cholinergic
      crisis for organophosphate or carbamate insecticides; neurological syndrome for
      rodenticides; digestive and respiratory syndrome for herbicides. Treatment is
      symptomatic and only a few patients are treated with an antidote: atropine and
      pralidoxime for organophosphate insecticides, vitamin K for anticoagulant
      rodenticides. 

PMID- 27266643
TI  - Chylomicron retention disease: A rare cause of chronic diarrhea.
AB  - Chylomicron retention disease (CRD) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary
      hypocholesterolemic disorder. The disease most frequently presents in infants and
      is characterized by a lipid malabsorption syndrome with steatorrhea, chronic
      diarrhea, and growth retardation. The disease is characterized by normal fasting
      serum triglyceride levels combined with the absence of apolipoprotein (apo) B48
      and chylomicrons after a fat load. In this report, we describe the clinical,
      laboratory, and histological data as well as the molecular DNA analysis of a 12
      month-old girl from Tunisia with CRD. The patient was treated with a low-fat diet
      and fat-soluble vitamin supplementation resulting in significant improvement. 

PMID- 27266644
TI  - [Superior mesenteric artery syndrome or Wilkie's syndrome].

PMID- 27266645
TI  - [Pediatric brucellosis : A case report and literature review].
AB  - Brucellosis is an overlooked infection of widespread geographic distribution.
      This disease is rarely evoked when assessing unexplained pediatric fever, and
      only 20-30 cases (children and adults) are confirmed per year. Risk factors for
      contracting brucellosis are exposure to bodily fluids and consumption of
      unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals. Most cases of brucellosis are
      associated with traveling to or importing contaminated goods from endemic areas.
      Here, we report a case of brucellosis in a 16-month-old patient hospitalized for
      an acute febrile illness in a French general pediatric ward. An antibiotic
      regimen of rifampicin and co-trimoxazole given over 6 weeks led to successful
      cure without relapse. The child had eaten a cake made from unpasteurized goat's
      milk and imported from Oran, a region in Algeria. His mother had consumed the
      same cake and was hospitalized for brucellosis 15 days later. Clinicians should
      suspect brucellosis when encountering febrile patients who have traveled to
      endemic areas, been exposed to body fluids or products of abortion of farm
      animals, or consumed unpasteurized products. 

PMID- 27266646
TI  - Activation of a chondrocyte volume-sensitive Cl(-) conductance prior to
      macroscopic cartilage lesion formation in the rabbit knee anterior cruciate
      ligament transection osteoarthritis model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) rabbit
      osteoarthritis (OA) model confers permanent knee instability and induces joint
      degeneration. The degeneration process is complex, but includes chondrocyte
      apoptosis and OA-like loss of cartilage integrity. Previously, we reported that
      activation of a volume-sensitive Cl(-) current (ICl,vol) can mediate cell
      shrinkage and apoptosis in rabbit articular chondrocytes. Our objective was
      therefore to investigate whether ICl,vol was activated in the early stages of the
      rabbit ACLT OA model. DESIGN: Adult Rabbits underwent unilateral ACLT and
      contralateral arthrotomy (sham) surgery. Rabbits were euthanized at 2 or 4 weeks.
      Samples were analyzed histologically and with assays of cell volume, apoptosis
      and electrophysiological characterization of ICl,vol. RESULTS: At 2 and 4 weeks
      post ACLT cartilage appeared histologically normal, nevertheless cell swelling
      and caspase 3/7 activity were both significantly increased compared to sham
      controls. In cell-volume experiments, exposure of chondrocytes to hypotonic
      solution led to a greater increase in cell size in ACLT compared to controls.
      Caspase-3/7 activity, an indicator of apoptosis, was elevated in both ACLT 2wk
      and 4wk. Whole-cell currents were recorded with patch clamp of chondrocytes in
      iso-osmotic and hypo-osmotic external solutions under conditions where Na(+),
      K(+) and Ca(2+) currents were minimized. ACLT treatment resulted in a large
      increase in hypotonic-activated chloride conductance. CONCLUSION: Changes in
      chondrocyte ion channels take place prior to the onset of apparent cartilage loss
      in the ACLT rabbit model of OA. Further studies are needed to investigate if
      pharmacological inhibition of ICl,vol decreases progression of OA in animal
      models.

PMID- 27266647
TI  - Spatiotemporal distribution of delta(13)CCO2 in a shallow cave and its potential
      use as indicator of anthropic pressure.
AB  - This study deals with the spatiotemporal dynamics of CO2 and its isotopic
      composition (delta(13)CCO2) in the atmosphere of Altamira Cave (northern Spain)
      over two annual cycles. In general terms, the cavity shows two distinct
      ventilation modes, acting as a CO2 reservoir from October to May (recharge
      stage), while actively exchanging gases with the outside atmosphere between July
      and September (discharge stage). In recharge mode, the in-cave air shows higher
      and relatively homogeneous CO2 values (3332 +/- 521 ppm) with lower delta(13)CCO2
      (-23.2 +/- 0.40/00). In contrast, during the discharge stage, the CO2
      concentrations are lower and relatively more variable (1383 +/- 435 ppm) and
      accompanied by higher delta(13)CCO2 (up to -120/00). This seasonal pattern is
      controlled by the distinct rates of exchange of air masses with the external
      atmosphere through the annual cycle, as well as by changes in the production of
      CO2 in the soil and natural fluctuations in the concentration of dissolved
      inorganic carbon transported by drip water into the cave. In contrast to the
      interpretations of previous studies in Altamira Cave, no local air intakes into
      the deepest cave sections were flagged by our delta(13)C measurements. This
      finding is also supported by analyses of CO2 and (222)Rn in air, density of
      airborne particles and air temperature. In addition, preliminary experiments
      examining the visitor-produced disturbances on delta(13)CCO2 were conducted
      during the various cave ventilation stages to explore the potential use of this
      parameter as an indicator of anthropic pressure in caves. Our data show that
      visits (overall stay of 60-85 min; i.e., 4 people for 20 min) significantly
      affected delta(13)CCO2 (up to Deltadelta(13)C ~ -20/00) in the Polychrome Hall of
      Altamira Cave under conditions of low natural CO2 (discharge stage), whereas it
      remained almost unaltered under circumstances of high CO2 concentration (recharge
      stage). This demonstrates that delta(13)CCO2 is sensitive to perturbations
      produced by visitors during certain periods. 

PMID- 27266648
TI  - Sample size for estimating the mean concentration of organisms in ballast water.
AB  - We consider the computation of sample sizes for estimating the mean concentration
      of organisms in ballast water. Given the possible heterogeneity of their
      distribution in the tank, we adopt a negative binomial model to obtain confidence
      intervals for the mean concentration. We show that the results obtained by Chen
      and Chen (2012) in a different set-up hold for the proposed model and use them to
      develop algorithms to compute sample sizes both in cases where the mean
      concentration is known to lie in some bounded interval or where there is no
      information about its range. We also construct simple diagrams that may be easily
      employed to decide for compliance with the D-2 regulation of the International
      Maritime Organization (IMO). 

PMID- 27266649
TI  - Lead removal from aqueous solutions by raw sawdust and magnesium pretreated
      biochar: Experimental investigations and numerical modelling.
AB  - Lead removal from aqueous solutions by raw cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.)
      sawdust (RCS) and its derivative magnesium pretreated biochar (Mg-B) was
      investigated under static and dynamic conditions through batch and column assays.
      The Hydrus-1D model was used to estimate the transport parameters of the lead
      measured breakthrough curves. The batch experiments results showed that Mg-B was
      very efficient in removing lead compared to RCS and several other previously
      tested natural and modified materials. The column experiments results indicated
      that for both RCS and Mg-B, lead breakthrough curves and the related removal
      efficiencies were mainly dependent on the used initial concentration and the
      adsorbents bed height. The use of Hydrus-1D showed that the two-site chemical non
      equilibrium model describes better the experimental lead breakthrough curves for
      both RCS and Mg-B as the equilibrium model. 

PMID- 27266650
TI  - Assessment of the risk of pollution by sulfur compounds and heavy metals in soils
      located in the proximity of a disused for 20 years sulfur mine (SE Poland).
AB  - The study assessed the long-term effects of anthropogenic pressure of the sulfur
      industry on turf-covered soils located in the vicinity of the sulfur mine
      Grzybow. The study assumes that 20 years which elapsed since the end of the
      exploitation of sulfur is a period sufficiently long for the content of sulfur
      compounds in soils not to exceed the permissible level and that soil of the
      region can be classified as not contaminated. A part of the study involved
      identification of changes in the contents Stot. and SSO4(2-) in soils collected
      in the 1970s and early twenty-first century. It was also traced the relationship
      between the content of sulfur compounds and selected soil properties and
      estimated risk of soil environment pollution by heavy metals. Mean contents of
      trace elements studied amounted to 10.2-10.8 mg kg(-1) for Pb, 14.3-39.4 mg kg(
      1) for Zn, 0.2-0.4 mg kg(-1) for Cd, 3.8-32.2 mg kg(-1) for Cr, 2.7-15.1 mg kg(
      1) for Cu and 2.9-18.7 mg kg(-1) for Ni. Based on the results of SSO4(2-) content
      in soils collected at a distance of 1 km from the mine, it was found out that
      despite the passage of years, the amount of this type of sulfur still is
      increased and exceeds 0.14 g kg(-1). As the distance from the mine grew lower
      (from 0.017 to 0.03 g kg(-1)) average content of the sulfur form was observed. In
      the studied soil material we found generally positive, strong correlation between
      the Stot. and SSO4(2-) content and analyzed trace elements. The degree of
      contamination of examined soils with heavy metals was estimated on the basis of
      the integrated pollution index, which pointed to a moderate and low level of
      antropogenization of this area. In addition, the relationship between the
      determined characteristics of soils (Corg. contents, the fraction <0.002 mm and
      pH) and heavy metals confirms that the trace elements present in soils do not
      occur in mobile forms in the soil solution. 

PMID- 27266651
TI  - Case reports of aconite poisoning in mainland China from 2004 to 2015: A
      retrospective analysis.
AB  - Aconitum species have long been used in key traditional medicines in China, but
      cases of fatal aconite poisoning have also been reported. This paper presents a
      review of 40 single and multi-person cases of fatal aconite poisoning. The cases
      involved 53 victims in mainland China described in 27 case reports published
      between January 2004 and September 2015. We summarize the details of the case
      reports in order to highlight the features of fatal aconite-poisoning cases in
      China, including victims' sex and age, route of intoxication, clinical symptoms,
      medicolegal autopsy findings, and results of toxicological analysis. Our results
      indicate a need for legal medical experts encountering cases of fatal aconite
      poisoning to pay increased attention to the methods used for collecting
      biological samples. In addition, prevention strategies should focus on increasing
      public awareness regarding the potential toxicity of Aconitum, harm caused by
      medicinal liquors containing aconitine, and possibility of Aconitum alkaloids
      accumulating in the body. 

PMID- 27266652
TI  - A quantitative comparison analysis of diatoms in the lung tissues and the
      drowning medium as an indicator of drowning.
AB  - The presence of diatoms in the lung tissues, internal organs and bone marrow is
      considered as the supportive evidence in the diagnosis of death by drowning.
      Generally, the diatoms detected in the lung tissues are regarded as insignificant
      since these diatoms can be detected in the lung tissues of the postmortem
      immersion bodies. In this study, we analyzed the relationships between the
      numbers of the diatoms in the lung tissues and the drowning medium. We made a
      comparison analysis between the diatoms in the lung tissues and the drowning
      medium using the ratio of diatom numbers in both samples (L/D ratio), utilizing
      Microwave Digestion - Vacuum Filtration - Automated Scanning Electron Microscopy
      method. Our data indicate that the L/D ratios in victims of the drowning group
      were higher than the postmortem immersion group. A higher L/D ratio provides
      valuable information about the cause of death in drowning victims. Quantitative
      diatom analysis in the lung tissues, especially combined with the diatom analysis
      of the drowning medium, provides supportive evidence in determining if a body
      recovered in water was due to drowning or not. 

PMID- 27266653
TI  - Are We Missing Traumatic Bowel and Mesenteric Injuries?
AB  - PURPOSE: Traumatic bowel and mesenteric injury (TBMI), although an uncommon
      entity, can be lethal if not detected and treated in a timely manner. The purpose
      of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice multidetector
      computed tomography (MDCT) for the detection of TBMI in patients at our level 1
      trauma centre. METHODS: We used our hospital's trauma registry to identify
      patients with a diagnosis of TBMI from January 1, 2006, to June 30, 2013. Only
      patients who had a 64-slice MDCT scan at presentation and subsequently underwent
      laparotomy or laparoscopy were included in the study cohort. Using the surgical
      findings as the gold standard, the accuracy of prospective radiology reports was
      analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 4781 trauma patients who presented to our institution,
      44 (0.92%) had surgically proven TBMI. Twenty-two of 44 were excluded as they did
      not have MDCT before surgery. The study cohort consisted of 14 males and 8
      females with a median age of 41.5 years and a median injury severity score of 27.
      In total 17 of 22 had blunt trauma and 5 of 22 had penetrating injury. A correct
      preoperative imaging diagnosis of TBMI was made in 14 of 22 of patients. The
      overall sensitivity of the radiology reports was 63.6% (95% confidence interval
      [CI]: 41%-82%), specificity was 79.6% (95% CI: 67%-89%), PPV was 53.9% (95% CI:
      33%-73%), and the NPV was 85.5% (95% CI: 73%-94%). Accuracy was calculated at
      75.3%. However, only 59% (10 of 17) of patients with blunt injury had a correct
      preoperative diagnosis. Review of the findings demonstrated that majority of
      patients with missed blunt TBMI (5 of 7) demonstrated only indirect signs of
      injury. CONCLUSION: The detection of TBMI in trauma patients on 64-slice MDCT can
      be improved, especially in patients presenting with blunt injury. Missed cases in
      this population occurred because the possibility of TBMI was not considered
      despite the presence of indirect imaging signs. The prospective diagnosis of TBMI
      remains challenging despite advances in CT technology and widespread use of 64
      slice MDCT.

PMID- 27266654
TI  - Regioselective Intermolecular Diamination and Aminooxygenation of Alkenes with
      Saccharin.
AB  - Palladium catalysis enables the regioselective difunctionalization of alkenes
      using saccharin as the nitrogen source in the initial step of aminopalladation.
      Depending on the reaction conditions, diamination or aminooxygenation pathways
      can be accessed using hypervalent iodine reagents as the terminal oxidants. The
      aminooxygenation of allylic ethers originates from an unprecedented ambident
      behavior of saccharin. The participating palladium catalysts contain a palladium
      saccharide unit. Two representative complexes of this type could be isolated and
      characterized.

PMID- 27266656
TI  - Stepwise Synthesis of Bis-Alkynyl Co(III)(cyclam) Complexes under Ambient
      Conditions.
AB  - Reported herein is a new synthetic method for the synthesis of Co(III)(cyclam)
      bis-alkynyls (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) under aerobic
      conditions. Upon the treatment of AgOTf in acetonitrile, complex trans
      [Co(cyclam)(C2C6H4NMe2)Cl]Cl (1) was converted to trans-[Co(cyclam)(C2C6H4NMe2)
      (NCMe)](OTf)2 (2), and 2 was in turn reacted with HC2Ar under weakly basic
      conditions to afford the novel bis-alkynyls trans
      [Co(cyclam)(C2C6H4NMe2)(C2Ar)](OTf) (Ar = C6H4NMe2 (3) and C6F5 (4)) in
      reasonable yields. Voltammetric analysis revealed a modest NMe2/NMe2 coupling
      across the Co-alkynyl backbone in 3, while DFT calculations identified the HOMO
      in 3 as the superexchange pathway for such coupling. 

PMID- 27266655
TI  - Metals from mine waste as potential cause of oxidative stress in burrowing crab
      Neohelice granulata from San Antonio bay.
AB  - The Natural Protected Area San Antonio bay is of particular importance for its
      congregation of migratory shorebirds and it has been declared one of the Western
      Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network International site (WHSRN). Present study
      represents the first assessment of variation on oxidative stress biomarkers in
      male crab Neohelice granulata from San Antonio bay (Rio Negro, Argentina) under
      field conditions, associated mainly to metal contamination coming from passive
      mining wastes. Three sites were sampled once every three months from November
      2012 to August 2013 within this sea inlet (Pile, Fishery and Port) and a control
      site at the southeast of the bay (Punta Perdices). Accumulation of Ni, Zn, Cr and
      Al varied only with seasons although without a constant trend, meanwhile Cd, Cu
      and Pb also varied among sites being highest in Pile and Port. Biochemical
      results indicated that variations in catalase activity was only site specific
      being maximum in Pile; meanwhile lipid radical, alpha-tocopherol and
      metallothioneins were only seasonal specific being higher in autumn and winter.
      Seasonal variation was also found for total thioles, being the content higher in
      summer and autumn than in winter. Correlation analysis revealed that
      malondialdehyde and alpha-tocopherol have a positive association with Al and
      negative with Ni, meanwhile GST has a positive association with Fe. Crabs from
      the closest area to the waste pile did not exhibit a differentiated oxidative
      pressure despite the higher accumulation of metals. It is possible that crabs
      from contaminated areas have developed a tolerance to metals, indicating a strong
      ecotoxicological selective pressure. More studies are needed to assess whether
      there is a transfer of metals through the food chain. 

PMID- 27266657
TI  - Dual FITC lateral flow immunoassay for sensitive detection of Escherichia coli
      O157:H7 in food samples.
AB  - A pattern of signal amplification lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for pathogen
      detection, which used fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled antigen and
      antibody for dual FITC-LFIA was developed. Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E.coli
      O157:H7) was selected as the model analyte. In the signal amplification LFIA
      method, FITC was mixed with sample culture medium, with the presence of E.coli
      O157:H7 in the samples, the bacteria could emit a yellow-green fluorescence after
      incubation, creating a fluorescent antigen probe. This antigen probe was added to
      LFIA, which already contained E.coli O157:H7 monoclonal antibodies-FITC (McAb
      E.coli O157:H7-FITC) dispersed in the conjugate pad. Another E.coli O157:H7 McAb
      was the test line, and goat anti-mouse IgG antibody was the control line in
      nitrocellulose (NC) membrane. The visual limit of detection (LOD) of the strip
      for qualitative detection was 10(5) CFU/mL while the LOD for semi-quantitative
      detection could down to 10(4) CFU/mL by using scanning reader. Signal
      amplification LFIA was perfectly applied to the detection of food samples with
      E.coli O157:H7. The LOD was substantially improved to 1 CFU/mL of the original
      bacterial content after pre-incubation of the bread, milk and jelly samples in
      broth for 10, 8 and 8h respectively. The results of this method was more
      sensitive by 10-fold than the conventional colloidal gold (CG) based strips and
      comparable to the traditional ELISA. This simple, low-cost and easy to be
      popularized method served as a significant step towards the development of
      monitoring food-borne pathogens in food-safety testing. 

PMID- 27266658
TI  - Molecularly imprinted polymer-based bulk optode for the determination of itopride
      hydrochloride in physiological fluids.
AB  - We report here for the first time on the use of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers as
      modifiers in bulk optodes, Miptode, for the determination of a pharmaceutical
      compound, itopride hydrochloride as an example in a concentration range of 1*10(
      1)-1*10(-4)molL(-1). In comparison to the optode containing the ion exchanger
      only (Miptode 3), the optode containing the ion exchanger and the MIP particles
      (Miptode 2) showed improved selectivity over the most lipophilic species, Na(+)
      and K(+), by more than two orders of magnitude. For instance, the optical
      selectivity coefficients using Miptode 2, [Formula: see text] , were as follow:
      NH4(+)?-6; Na(+)=-4.0, which were greatly enhanced in comparison with that
      obtained by Miptode 3. This work opens a new avenue for using miptodes for the
      determination of all the pharmaceutical preparations without the need for the
      development of new ionophores. 

PMID- 27266659
TI  - 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles for colorimetric
      sialic acid detection.
AB  - A simple and selective colorimetric sensor for sialic acid detection, based on
      the aggregation of 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles
      (4-MPBA-AuNPs) was developed. The color of the solution changed from wine-red to
      blue after binding with sialic acid. The colorimetric sensor provided good
      analytical performances with a linear dynamic range of 80uM to 2.00mM and a 68+/
      2uM limit of detection without any effect from possible interferences and sample
      matrix. In addition, the quantitative results were obtained within only 10min.
      This developed sensor was used to detect sialic acid in blood serum samples and
      the results were in good agreement with those from the current periodate
      resorcinol method (P>0.05) thus indicating that this developed colorimetric
      sensor can be used as an alternative method for sialic acid detection with a
      shorter analysis time and a high accuracy. 

PMID- 27266660
TI  - Atomic force microscopy combined with human pluripotent stem cell derived
      cardiomyocytes for biomechanical sensing.
AB  - Cardiomyocyte contraction and relaxation are important parameters of cardiac
      function altered in many heart pathologies. Biosensing of these parameters
      represents an important tool in drug development and disease modeling. Human
      embryonic stem cells and especially patient specific induced pluripotent stem
      cell-derived cardiomyocytes are well established as cardiac disease model.. Here,
      a live stem cell derived embryoid body (EB) based cardiac cell syncytium served
      as a biorecognition element coupled to the microcantilever probe from atomic
      force microscope thus providing reliable micromechanical cellular biosensor
      suitable for whole-day testing. The biosensor was optimized regarding the type of
      cantilever, temperature and exchange of media; in combination with standardized
      protocol, it allowed testing of compounds and conditions affecting the
      biomechanical properties of EB. The studied effectors included calcium , drugs
      modulating the catecholaminergic fight-or-flight stress response such as the beta
      adrenergic blocker metoprolol and the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol.
      Arrhythmogenic effects were studied using caffeine. Furthermore, with EBs
      originating from patient's stem cells, this biosensor can help to characterize
      heart diseases such as dystrophies. 

PMID- 27266661
TI  - A sensitive spectrofluorometric method for detection of berberine hydrochloride
      using Ag nanoclusters directed by natural fish sperm DNA.
AB  - A novel DNA-directed AgNCs (DNA-AgNCs) was synthesized with economical raw
      material (natural fish sperm DNA) through a simple and rapid approach, and it
      first showed high and stable fluorescence emission as a AgNCs stabilized by
      natural DNA at about 635nm. Moreover, its emission intensity could be enhanced
      tremendously in acetic acid (HAc) medium. Whereas, when berberine hydrochloride
      (BRH) entered the solution system, it would interact and combine efficiently with
      DNA on the surface of AgNCs, which could lead to subtle change of charge
      distribution on its surface, and make it more lyophobic, inducing aggregation of
      DNA-AgNCs. As a result, fluorescence of the system was quenched visually; the
      process represented a color variance from yellow to hot pink under HAc medium,
      then back to yellowish-brown when BRH worked. Based on above phenomenon, a
      selective and accurate spectrofluorometric method for BRH detection was
      established. It can be applied to detect trace amounts of BRH in aqueous solution
      in the linear range from 1.0nM to 2000.0nM; and the detection limit (3sigma/k)
      was 0.3nM, which is pretty lower compared to most reported spectral methods.
      Simultaneously, a semi-quantitative determination by visual evaluation from 5.0nM
      to 2000.0nM was also achieved. This method provided excellent selectivity for the
      detection of BRH in the presence of ten kinds of common natural amino acids and
      nine kinds of common mental ions. Furthermore, the BRH content in compound
      berberine tablets from drugstore was successfully investigated by this method and
      the results showed high accuracy. 

PMID- 27266663
TI  - The traditional food of migrants: Meat, water, and other challenges for dietary
      advice. An ethnography in Guanajuato, Mexico.
AB  - The term "traditional diet" is used variously in public health and nutrition
      literature to refer to a substantial variety of foodways. Yet it is difficult to
      draw generalities about dietary tradition for specific ethnic groups. Given the
      strong association between migration and dietary change, it is particularly
      important that dietary advice for migrants be both accurate and specific. In this
      article, I examine the cultural construct of "traditional foods" through mixed
      method research on diet and foodways among rural farmers in Guanajuato, MX and
      migrants from this community to other Mexican and U.S. destinations. Findings
      reveal first, that quantitatively salient terms may contain important variation,
      and second, that some "traditional" dietary items -like "refresco," "carne," and
      "agua" - may be used in nutritionally contradictory ways between clinicians and
      Mexican immigrant patients. Specifically, the term "traditional food" in
      nutritional advice for Mexican migrants may be intended to promote consumption of
      fresh produce or less meat; but it may also invoke other foods (e.g., meats or
      corn), inspire more regular consumption of formerly rare foods (e.g., meats,
      flavored waters), or set up financially impossible goals (e.g., leaner meats than
      can be afforded). Salience studies with ethnographic follow up in target
      populations can promote the most useful and accurate terms for dietary advice.

PMID- 27266662
TI  - Burst-suppression is reactive to photic stimulation in comatose children with
      acquired brain injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Burst-suppression is an electroencephalographic pattern observed
      during coma. In individuals without known brain pathologies undergoing deep
      general anesthesia, somatosensory stimulation transiently increases the
      occurrence of bursts. We investigated the reactivity of burst-suppression in
      children with acquired brain injury. METHODS: Intensive care unit
      electroencephalographic monitoring recordings containing burst-suppression were
      obtained from 5 comatose children with acquired brain injury of various
      etiologies. Intermittent photic stimulation was performed at 1Hz for 1min to
      assess reactivity. We quantified reactivity by measuring the change in the burst
      ratio (fraction of time in burst) following photic stimulation. RESULTS: Photic
      stimulation evoked bursts in all patients, resulting in a transient increase in
      the burst ratio, while the mean heart rate remained unchanged. The regression
      slope of the change in burst ratio, referred to as the standardized burst ratio
      reactivity, correlated with subjects' Glasgow Coma Scale scores. CONCLUSIONS:
      Reactivity of the burst-suppression pattern to photic stimulation occurs across
      diverse coma etiologies. Standardized burst ratio reactivity appears to reflect
      coma severity. SIGNIFICANCE: Measurement of burst ratio reactivity could
      represent a simple method to monitor coma severity in critically ill children.

PMID- 27266664
TI  - Predictors of binge eating in male and female youths in the United Arab Emirates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Binge eating is a health-risk behavior associated with obesity, eating
      disorders and many other diseases. However, binge eating research remains narrow
      especially in Arab countries where obesity is a primary health concern but
      studies on psychological factors of compulsive overeating are rare. The present
      study addressed this gap by examining prevalence rates and key predictors of
      binge eating among youths in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). METHOD: Binge eating
      was assessed together with stress levels, emotional eating, body-related shame
      and guilt, obsessive-compulsiveness and depression in 254 youths using
      standardized self-report measures. The study comprised three online-based
      assessments over a 3-month period. RESULTS: Moderate to severe binge eating was
      reported by one-third of participants. Emotional eating and body-related guilt
      were the most consistent and powerful positive binge eating predictors. While
      stress levels and body-related shame were statistically significant predictors at
      follow up, neither obsessive-compulsiveness nor depressive symptomatology
      predicted binge eating in this study. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight binge eating
      as a common concern among youths in the UAE with prevalence rates similar to
      Western samples. Furthermore, the data suggest that binge eating may operate as a
      maladaptive coping strategy by alleviating negative emotions including boredom
      and loneliness. The finding that body-related guilt predicted binge eating is
      important as until now inconsistencies persist as to the relationship between
      body-related guilt and eating pathology. The study points towards multifactorial
      risk and maintenance factors of binge eating and extends our understanding within
      a population where until now research is poor.

PMID- 27266665
TI  - Ethanol downregulates N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine-phospholipase D expression
      in BV2 microglial cells via epigenetic mechanisms.
AB  - Excessive ethanol drinking has deleterious effects on the brain. However, the
      effects of alcohol on microglia, the main mediator of the brain's innate immune
      response remain poorly understood. On the other hand, the endocannabinoid system
      plays a fundamental role in regulating microglial reactivity and function. Here
      we studied the effects of acute ethanol exposure to murine BV2 microglial cells
      on N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine-phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), a major
      synthesizing enzyme of anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines. We found that
      ethanol downregulated microglial NAPE-PLD expression by activating cAMP/PKA and
      ERK1/2. These signaling pathways converged on increased phosphorylation of CREB.
      Moreover, ethanol induced and increase in histone acetyltransferase activity
      which led to higher levels of acetylation of histone H3. Taken together, our
      results suggest that ethanol actions on microglial NAPE-PLD expression might
      involve epigenetic mechanisms. 

PMID- 27266666
TI  - Antinociceptive effect of clinical analgesics in a nonhuman primate model of knee
      osteoarthritis.
AB  - A number of potential analgesic pharmacotherapies developed in preclinical
      osteoarthritis animal models have failed clinical trials. A possible basis for
      the lack of translation of preclinical findings to clinical efficacy is the use
      of a preclinical species that is distinct from that of humans. The current study
      tested clinical analgesics in a nonhuman primate model of knee osteoarthritis.
      Following a medial meniscectomy, the animals developed a robust ipsilateral
      reduction in knee pressure threshold (hyperalgesia) and an ipsilateral reduction
      in weight bearing (resting pain). The serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor
      duloxetine and opioid morphine increased ipsilateral pressure threshold and
      weight bearing. By contrast, the anticonvulsant pregabalin did not affect either
      pressure hyperalgesia or resting pain. The current findings in the nonhuman
      primate model of osteoarthritis parallel clinical findings, in that duloxetine
      and opioids are used in the management of osteoarthritis pain whereas pregabalin
      is not. The current findings also suggest the possible differentiation of
      pharmacotherapeutics in a nonhuman primate model, of distinguishing potential
      clinically useful analgesics for the management of osteoarthritic pain from those
      that are not. 

PMID- 27266668
TI  - 2,2'-Fluorine mono-carbonyl curcumin induce reactive oxygen species-Mediated
      apoptosis in Human lung cancer NCI-H460 cells.
AB  - In this paper, we synthesized three fluorine-substituted mono-carbonyl curcumin
      analogs and evaluated their cytotoxicity against several cancer cells by the MTT
      assay. The results exhibited that all the three compounds were more active than
      the leading curcumin. Especially, 2,2'-F mono-carbonyl curcumin, 1a, surfaced as
      an important lead compound displaying almost 4-fold cytotoxicity relative to
      curcumin. More importantly, 1a was more stable in (RPMI)-1640 medium and more
      massive uptake than curcumin, which may be relationship to their cytotoxicity,
      apoptotic acitivity and reactive oxygen species generation. And then, the
      generation of reactive oxygen species can disrupt the intracellular redox
      balance, induce lipid peroxidation, cause the collapse of the mitochondrial
      membrane potential and ultimately lead to apoptosis. The results not only suggest
      that 2,2'-F mono-carbonyl curcumin (1a) may cause cancer cells apoptosis through
      reactive oxygen species-Mediated pathway, but also gives us an important
      information for design of mono-carbonyl curcumin analog. 

PMID- 27266667
TI  - Preventive and alleviative effects of the dual enkephalinase inhibitor (Denki)
      PL265 in a murine model of neuropathic pain.
AB  - Neuropathic pain remains difficult to treat due to the involvement of various
      pathophysiological mechanisms in its pathogeny. Among the different opioidergic
      systems the enkephalinergic one is primarily recruited via activation of delta
      opioid receptor (DOP) in chronic pain and of mu opioid receptor (MOP) in acute
      pain. To investigate the role of their endogenous ligands Met and Leu-enkephalin
      in neuropathic pain control, a dual inhibitor of their degrading enzymes, PL265,
      which acts restrictively at the level of peripheral nociceptors, was administered
      per os to assess its efficacy in pain prevention and alleviation using a partial
      sciatic nerve ligation model (PSNL) in mice. We demonstrated here that the pre
      injury oral administration of PL265 (50mg/kg) during the 9 days of neuropathy
      development reduces thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia for two weeks
      after the end of treatment. The repeated administration (50mg/kg daily, during 10
      days) does not induce tolerance. Therefore, protecting the enkephalins released
      at the peripheral level during neuropathic pain with oral PL265 seems to be a
      promising approach to prevent and alleviate the painful symptoms of neuropathic
      pain in humans without the unwanted effects of exogenous opiates such as
      morphine. 

PMID- 27266669
TI  - Cooperative N-Heterocyclic Carbene/Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Umpolung
      Annulations.
AB  - A combination of NHC organocatalysis and transition-metal catalysis gives rise to
      fundamentally new cooperative reactivity and enables the regio- and
      enantioselective annulation reaction between enals and vinyl benzoxazinanones.
      The cooperative umpolung annulation eliminates mutual deactivation and leads to a
      diverse set of benzazepine derivatives in good yields with excellent
      enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). The development of such a cooperative
      catalytic system dramatically expands the scope of NHC organocatalysis by opening
      up new metal-catalyzed reaction pathways for homoenolate intermediates.

PMID- 27266670
TI  - Gas-Phase Reactions of Atomic Gold Cations with Linear Alkanes (C2-C9).
AB  - To develop proper ionization methods for alkanes, the reactivity of bare or
      ligated transition metal ions toward alkanes has attracted increasing interests.
      In this study, the reactions of the gold cations with linear alkanes from ethane
      up to nonane (CnH2n+2, n = 2-9) under mild conditions have been characterized by
      mass spectrometry and density functional theory calculations. When reacting with
      Au(+), small alkanes (n = 2-6) were confirmed to follow specific reaction
      channels of dehydrogenation for ethane and hydride transfer for others to
      generate product ions characteristic of the original alkanes, which indicates
      that Au(+) can act as a reagent ion to ionize alkanes from ethane to n-hexane.
      Strong dependence of the chain length of alkanes was observed for the rate
      constants and reaction efficiencies. Extensive fragmentation took place for
      larger alkanes (n > 6). Theoretical results show that the fragmentation induced
      by the hydride transfer occurs after the release of AuH. Moreover, the
      fragmentation of n-heptane was successfully avoided when the reaction took place
      in a high-pressure reactor. This implies that Au(+) is a potential reagent ion to
      ionize linear and even the branched alkanes. 

PMID- 27266671
TI  - Evolutionary dynamics of cytoplasmic segregation and fusion: Mitochondrial mixing
      facilitated the evolution of sex at the origin of eukaryotes.
AB  - Sexual reproduction is a trait shared by all complex life, but the complete
      account of its origin is missing. Virtually all theoretical work on the evolution
      of sex has been centered around the benefits of reciprocal recombination among
      nuclear genes, paying little attention to the evolutionary dynamics of multi-copy
      mitochondrial genomes. Here I develop a mathematical model to study the evolution
      of nuclear alleles inducing cell fusion in an ancestral population of clonal
      proto-eukaryotes. Segregational drift maintains high mitochondrial variance
      between clonally reproducing hosts, but the effect of segregation is opposed by
      cytoplasmic mixing which tends to reduce variation between cells in favor of
      higher heterogeneity within the cell. Despite the reduced long-term population
      fitness, alleles responsible for sexual cell fusion can spread to fixation. The
      evolution of sex requires negative epistatic interactions between mitochondrial
      mutations under strong purifying selection, low mutation load and weak
      mitochondrial-nuclear associations. I argue that similar conditions could have
      been maintained during the late stages of eukaryogenesis, facilitating the
      evolution of sexual cell fusion and meiotic recombination without compromising
      the stability of the emerging complex cell.

PMID- 27266672
TI  - Literal grid map models for animal navigation: Assumptions and predictions.
AB  - Many animals can navigate from unfamiliar locations to a familiar target location
      with no outward route information or direct sensory contact with the target or
      any familiar landmarks. Several models have been proposed to explain this
      phenomenon, one possibility being a literal interpretation of a grid map. In this
      paper we systematically compare four such models, which we label: Correct
      Bicoordinate navigation, both Target and Release site based, Approximate
      Bicoordinate navigation, and Directional navigation. Predictions of spatial
      patterns of initial orientation errors and efficiencies depend on a combination
      of assumptions about the navigation mechanism and the geometry of the
      environmental coordinate fields used as model inputs. When coordinates axes are
      orthogonal at the target the predictions from the Correct Bicoordinate (Target
      based) model and Approximate Bicoordinate model are identical. However, if the
      coordinate axes are non-orthogonal different regional patterns of initial
      orientation errors and efficiencies can be expected from these two models. Field
      anomalies produce high magnitudes of orientation errors close to the target,
      while region-wide nonlinearity leads to orientation errors increasing with
      distance from the target. In general, initial orientation error patterns are more
      useful for distinguishing between different assumption combinations than
      efficiencies. We discuss how consideration of model predictions may be helpful in
      the design of experiments.

PMID- 27266674
TI  - Coherent Coupling of WS2 Monolayers with Metallic Photonic Nanostructures at Room
      Temperature.
AB  - Room temperature strong coupling of WS2 monolayer exciton transitions to metallic
      Fabry-Perot and plasmonic optical cavities is demonstrated. A Rabi splitting of
      101 meV is observed for the Fabry-Perot cavity. The enhanced magnitude and
      visibility of WS2 monolayer strong coupling is attributed to the larger
      absorption coefficient, the narrower line width of the A exciton transition, and
      greater spin-orbit coupling. For WS2 coupled to plasmonic arrays, the Rabi
      splitting still reaches 60 meV despite the less favorable coupling conditions,
      and displays interesting photoluminescence features. The unambiguous signature of
      WS2 monolayer strong coupling in easily fabricated metallic resonators at room
      temperature suggests many possibilities for combining light-matter hybridization
      with spin and valleytronics.

PMID- 27266673
TI  - Skeletal muscle mass and body fat in relation to successful ageing of older
      adults: The multi-national MEDIS study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The determinants that promote successful ageing still remain unknown.
      The aim of the present work was to evaluate the role of skeletal muscle mass and
      body fat percentage (BF%), in the level of successful ageing. METHODS: during
      2005-2011, 2663 older (aged 65-100 years) from 21 Mediterranean islands and the
      rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled in the
      study. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI)
      and BF% were calculated using population formulas. Dietary habits, energy intake,
      expenditure and energy balance were derived throughout standard procedures. A
      successful ageing index ranging from 0 to 10 was used. RESULTS: The mean ASM mass
      was 24+/-6.0kg, the SMI was 0.84+/-0.21 and the BF% was 44%. Females had lower
      SMI and higher BF% in comparison with males, respectively [(SMI: 0.66+/-0.09 vs.
      1.03+/-0.11; BF%: 51% vs. 34%, (p<0.001)]. High successful agers had better rates
      in ASM (p=0.01), SMI (p<0.001) and BF% (p<0.001), compared with the medium and
      low successful ones. Changes in SMI [b-coefficient (95% CI):2.14 (1.57 to 2.71)]
      were positively associated with successful ageing, while changes in BF% [b
      coefficient (95% CI): -0.04 (-0.05 to -0.03)] were inversely associated with
      successful ageing. Results from sensitivity analysis showed that the effects of
      variations on body composition were consistent, less pronounced in the positive
      energy balance group and more pronounced among the oldest old. CONCLUSIONS: Body
      composition changes seem to be associated with lower quality of life in the older
      adults, as measured through successful ageing.

PMID- 27266675
TI  - How do I best manage insomnia and other sleep disorders in older adults with
      cancer?
AB  - Insomnia is common in older adults with cancer, with a reported prevalence of 19
      60% in prior studies. Cancer treatments are associated with increased risk of
      insomnia or aggravation of pre-existing insomnia symptoms, and patients who are
      receiving active cancer treatments are more likely to report insomnia. Insomnia
      can lead to significant physical and psychological consequences with increased
      mortality. We discuss physiological sleep changes in older adults, and
      illustrated the various sleep disorders. We present a literature review on the
      prevalence and the effects of insomnia on the quality of life in older adults
      with cancer. We discuss the risk factors and presented a theoretical framework of
      insomnia in older adults with cancer. We present a case study to illustrate the
      assessment and management of insomnia in older adults with cancer, comparing and
      contrasting a number of tools for sleep assessment. There are currently no
      guidelines on the treatment of sleep disorders in older adults with cancer. We
      present an algorithm developed at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center by
      a multidisciplinary team for managing insomnia, using evidence-based
      pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.

PMID- 27266676
TI  - Countdown to the 2016 Olympic Games: A travel medicine checklist.

PMID- 27266677
TI  - Online cognition: factors facilitating reliable online neuropsychological test
      results.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Online neuropsychological test batteries could allow for large-scale
      cognitive data collection in clinical studies. However, the few online
      neuropsychological test batteries that are currently available often still
      require supervision or lack proper psychometric evaluation. In this paper, we
      have outlined prerequisites for proper development and use of online
      neuropsychological tests, with the focus on reliable measurement of cognitive
      function in an unmonitored setting. METHOD: First, we identified several
      technical, contextual, and psychological factors that should be taken into
      account in order to facilitate reliable test results of online tests in the
      unmonitored setting. Second, we outlined a methodology of quality assurance
      needed in order to obtain reliable cognitive data in the long run. RESULTS: Based
      on factors that distinguish the online unmonitored test setting from the
      traditional face-to-face setting, we provide a set of basic requirements and
      suggestions for optimal development and use of unmonitored online
      neuropsychological tests, including suggestions on acquiring reliability,
      validity, and norm scores. CONCLUSIONS: When properly addressing factors that
      could hamper reliable test results during development and use, online
      neuropsychological tests could aid large-scale data collection for clinical
      studies in the future. Investment in both proper development of online
      neuropsychological test platforms and the performance of accompanying
      psychometric studies is currently required.

PMID- 27266678
TI  - Electrochemical Ion Transfer with Thin Films of Poly(3-octylthiophene).
AB  - We report on the limiting conditions for ion-transfer voltammetry between an ion
      exchanger doped and plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane and an
      electrolyte solution that was triggered via the oxidation of a poly(3
      octylthiophene) (POT) solid-contact (SC), which was unexpectedly related to the
      thickness of the POT SC. An electropolymerized 60 nm thick film of POT coated
      with a plasticized PVC membrane exhibited a significant sodium transfer
      voltammetric signal whereas a thicker film (180 nm) did not display a measurable
      level of ion transfer due to a lack of oxidation of thick POT beneath the
      membrane film. In contrast, this peculiar phenomenon was not observed when the
      POT film was in direct contact with an organic solvent-based electrolyte. This
      evidence is indicative of three key points: (i) the coated membrane imposes a
      degree of rigidity to the system, which restricts the swelling of the POT film
      and its concomitant p-doping; (ii) this phenomenon is exacerbated with thicker
      POT films due to an initial morphology (rougher comprising a network of large POT
      nanoparticles), which gives rise to a diminished surface area and electrochemical
      reactivity in the POT SC; (iii) the rate of sodium transfer is higher with a thin
      POT film due to a smoother surface morphology made up of a network of smaller POT
      nanoparticles with an increased surface area and electrochemical reactivity. A
      variety of techniques including cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical
      impedance spectroscopy (EIS), ellipsometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
      atomic force microscopy (AFM), and synchrotron radiation-X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy (SR-XPS) were used to elucidate the mechanism of the POT
      thickness/POT surface roughness dependency on the electrochemical reactivity of
      the PVC/POT SC system.

PMID- 27266679
TI  - Water Diffusion Dependence on Amphiphilic Block Design in (Amphiphilic
      Hydrophobic) Diblock Copolymer Membranes.
AB  - Polyelectrolyte membranes (PEMs) are applied in polyelectrolyte fuel cells
      (PEFC). The proton conductive pathways within PEMs are provided by nanometer
      sized water containing pores. Large-scale application of PEFC requires the
      production of low-cost membranes with high proton conductivity and therefore good
      connected pore networks. Pore network formation within four alternative model
      diblock (hydrophobic_amphiphilic) copolymers in the presence of water is studied
      by dissipative particle dynamics. Each hydrophobic block contains 50
      consecutively connected hydrophobic (A) fragments, and amphiphilic blocks contain
      40 hydrophobic A beads and 10 hydrophilic C beads. For one amphiphilic block the
      C beads are distributed uniformly along the backbone. For the other architectures
      C beads are located at the end of the side chains attached at regular intervals
      along the backbone. Water diffusion through the pores is modeled by Monte Carlo
      tracer diffusion through mapped morphologies. Diffusion is highest for the
      grafted architectures and increases with increase of length of the side chains. A
      consistent picture emerges in which diffusion strongly increases with the value
      of ?Nbond? within the amphiphilic block, where ?Nbond? is the average number of
      bonds between hydrophobic A beads and the nearest C bead.

PMID- 27266680
TI  - [Application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the donor organ function
      maintenance].

PMID- 27266681
TI  - [Effectiveness and safety of conversion therapy with the combination of sirolimus
      with low dose cyclosporine in renal transplantation recipients: a five-year
      clinical observation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of the conversion therapy from
      traditional cyclosporine (CsA) triple immunosuppression therapy to sirolimus
      (SRL) combined with low dose CsA and prednisone (Pred) in renal transplantation
      recipients in a five-year follow-up period. METHODS: A prospective, open-label
      non-randomized study was performed with 46 renal allograft recipients who visited
      Tongji Hospital regularly for follow-up visits between January 2007 and May 2011
      and were taking CsA+ mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)+ Pred. Conversion therapy to
      SRL+ low dose CsA+ Pred was initiated after renal transplantation. The recipients
      were allocated to 2 groups according to their renal function and proteinuria
      before the conversion: active conversion group [n=27, serum creatinine (SCr) <=
      140 MUmol/L with no or minimal proteinuria] and passive conversion group [n=19,
      SCr>140 MUmol/L with less than moderate proteinuria]. After conversion, dosages
      of SRL and CsA were adjusted for trough levels of 5-7 MUg/L and 20-60 MUg/L,
      respectively. SCr and urine protein were compared before and after the conversion
      in five-year follow-up. Incidence of acute rejection, renal graft survival and
      SRL-related adverse effects of the immunosuppressive regimen were also observed.
      RESULTS: After conversion, an average 63% dose reduction of CsA was achieved in
      all the patients. In the active conversion group, the mean SCr level was (110+/
      19) MUmol/L at the time of conversion. Eight patients in this group withdrew from
      the study during the follow-up period for the following reasons: arthralgia (1
      case), deteriorated proteinuria (2 cases), chronic diarrhea (2 cases), mild or
      suspicious acute rejection (2 cases), and recurrent fever (1 case). The rest
      patients (19/27) with a mean follow-up time of 5 years had a stable SCr level
      [(103+/-12) MUmol/L] and a 100% 5-year graft survival. In the passive conversion
      group, the mean SCr level was (205+/-45) MUmol/L at the time of conversion. There
      were 4 patients quitting the study, 2 for deteriorated proteinuria and 2 for lost
      to follow-up. Chronic allograft failure developed in 10 patients in this group 1
      50 months after conversion, while the remaining 5 patients had a stable SCr
      during the 5-year follow-up period [(218 +/-46) MUmol/L before conversion vs
      (205+/-73) MUmol/L 5 years after conversion]. The overall 5-year graft survival
      after the conversion therapy in the passive conversion group was 33.3%,
      significantly lower than that of the active conversion group (P<0.001). Acute
      rejection was observed in 2 cases in the active conversion group, while not
      observed in the passive conversion group. None of the patients developed
      leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, oral ulcer, or pneumonia in the follow-up.
      CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy of SRL and low dose of CsA is overall a safe
      and effective maintenance immunosuppressive regimen, but it is important to
      initiate at an appropriate stage. More favourable long-term benefits may be
      obtained from the conversion therapy in patients with normal or only slightly
      impaired renal graft function. It may offer an option of individualized
      immunosuppressive therapy after renal transplantation.

PMID- 27266682
TI  - [Expression and significance of neutrophil surface adhesion molecules in renal
      transplant recipients with cytomegalovirus infection].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the expression and its diagnostic significance of neutrophil
      surface adhesion molecules including CD11b, CD15 and CD62L after renal
      transplantation in recipients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. METHODS:
      Blood samples were collected from 142 kidney transplant recipients, including 95
      males and 47 females, who received allogeneic renal transplantation between
      September 2009 and January 2015 in 309th Hospital of the PLA. Healthy volunteers
      (22 males and 9 females) were recruited from physical examination center in 309th
      Hospital of the PLA from September 2009 to January 2015 as healthy control group.
      Renal transplant recipients were divided into high active CMV infection group,
      active CMV infection group and CMV negative control group according to CMV-pp65
      antigen detection. Neutrophil surface adhesion molecules CD11b, CD15 and CD62L
      were detected by flow cytometry and their mean fluorescence intensity compared
      among the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of CD11b, CD15
      and CD62L in detecting active infection in renal transplant recipients were made.
      RESULTS: The mean fluorescence intensity of CD15 in high active CMV infection
      group(n=17) and active CMV infection group(n=65)were 776.31+/-89.53 and 554.39+/
      67.89, respectively, with significant differences compared with CMV negative
      control group (n=60, 334.92+/-44.69) and healthy control group (n=31, 310.56+/
      39.67) (all P<0.05); the expression proportions of CD11b and CD62L in high active
      CMV infection group and were 42.31%+/-6.11% and 40.35%+/-6.47%, respectively,
      with significant differences compared with active CMV infection group(62.45%+/
      5.67% and 65.65%+/-5.33%), CMV negative control group(70.74%+/-6.55% and 70.37%+/
      6.71%) and healthy control group(72.52%+/-6.48% and 72.43%+/-6.51%) (all P<0.05).
      The optimal cut-off values of CD11b and CD62L in diagnosing active CMV infection
      group were 56.61% and 44.35%, respectively, with the sensitivity being both
      100.00%, the specificity being 76.67% and 58.06% respectively, and the area under
      the curve (AUC) being 0.851 and 0.628 respectively; the optimal cut-off values of
      CD11b and CD62L in diagnosing high active CMV infection group were 66.57% and
      69.56% respectively, with the sensitivity being 81.54% and 87.69% respectively,
      the specificity being 100.00% and 98.33% respectively, and the AUC being 1.000
      and 0.991 respectively; the optimal cut-off values of mean fluorescence intensity
      of CD15 in diagnosing high active CMV infection group and active CMV infection
      group were 542.71 and 408.03 respectively, the sensitivity in the two groups
      being 100.00% and 98.46% respectively, the specificity being both 100.00%, and
      the AUC being 1.000 and 0.999 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophils CD15
      expression may be up-regulated in renal transplantation recipients with CMV
      infection, while neutrophils CD11b and CD62L expressions are down-regulated. Such
      changes in CD15, CD11b and CD62L expression can be used as a basis for laboratory
      diagnosis of active CMV infection.

PMID- 27266683
TI  - [Clinical analysis on effect of retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in elderly
      donors for renal transplantation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of retroperitoneoscopic donor
      nephrectomy in elderly donors for renal transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective
      analysis was conducted with 123 cases of retroperitoneoscopic living donor kidney
      transplantation in 309th Hospital of PLA from March 2011 to March 2014, including
      44 elderly donors (age>=55 years) and 79 young to middle-aged donors (age <55
      years). Comparisons were made in terms of postoperative complications in both
      donors and recipients, renal function recovery in the donors and function of
      graft in the recipients. RESULTS: The clinical baseline data of the two groups
      shows that glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of donors in the elderly donor group
      was lower than the young donor group (P=0.04). The 123 donors all underwent
      retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy successfully. Postoperative complications
      in donors and recipients of both groups had no significant differences (P=0.60;
      P=1.00). In the elderly donor group, the mean serum creatinine level of donors
      was significantly higher than that in the young donors group [(115.8+/-22.3) vs
      (102.5+/-16.3) MUmol/L, P<0.01] 3 days after operation; and estimated GFR (eGFR)
      was lower [(53.0+/-9.1)vs(59.6+/-8.3)ml.min(-1).(1.73 m(2))(-1,) P<0.01]. Serum
      creatinine and eGFR of the two groups showed no significant differences one week
      and six months after surgery (all P>0.05). Four recipients in the elderly donor
      group had delayed graft function (DGF), 3 had acute rejection; 8 recipients in
      the young donor group had DGF, 5 had acute rejection; no statistically
      significant differences were observed between the 2 groups (both P=1.00).
      Recipients' eGFR were higher in the young donor group than in the elderly donor
      group at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, but
      with no statistically significant differences(all P>0.05). After (27.8+/-12.6)
      months follow-up, 1 recipient in the elderly donor group died from pulmonary
      infection; two recipients in the young donor group had kidney dysfunction. Graft
      survival in the two groups showed no significant difference(P=0.95). CONCLUSIONS:
      Retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy is safe and feasible for elderly donors.
      With careful preoperative evaluation, precise operation, and close postoperative
      monitoring and follow-up, it could provide satisfactory clinical outcome.

PMID- 27266684
TI  - [Massive hemorrhage caused by fungal infections after donation-after-cardiac
      death kidney transplantation: clinical features, prevention and treatment
      experience].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics and prevention and treatment strategies
      of massive hemorrhage caused by fungal infections after donation-after-cardiac
      death (DCD) kidney transplantation. METHODS: A total of 91 cases of DCD kidney
      transplantation between August 25, 2013 and June 30, 2015 in Third Affiliated
      Hospital of Sun Yat-sen Univservity were retrospectively analyzed. The
      characteristics of and prevention and treatments strategies for postoperative
      massive hemorrhage caused by fungal infections were summarized. RESULTS: Ninety
      one cases of DCD kidney transplantation were divided into 2 groups based on
      regimens for preventing postoperative fungal infections: fluconazole prophylaxis
      group: a total of 26 cases of renal transplant before June 11, 2014 received
      fluconazole regimen, from postoperative day 0 to 2 weeks; micafungin prophylaxis
      group: a total of 65 cases of renal transplant after June 11, 2014 received
      micafungin regimen, also for 2 weeks from postoperative day 0. Two cases in
      fluconazole group developed postoperative massive hemorrhage. In case 1, the
      hemorrhage occurred at 2 weeks after transplantation. Graft nephrectomy was
      performed during surgical exploration for hemostasis, yet the massive hemorrhage
      relapsed 2 weeks later. Endoluminal exclusion of external iliac artery using
      endovascular covered stent-graft at the anastomosis site was performed and the
      massive bleeding was successfully stopped. The patient was restored to
      hemodialysis and waited for second kidney transplantation. Candia albicans was
      detected in the culture of blood and drainage liquid from incision. The other
      case of hemorrhage occurred at 3 weeks after transplantation. Graft nephrectomy
      plus endovascular exclusion using covered stent-graft were also performed to stop
      the massive bleeding. Massive fungal hyphae and spores were observed at the stump
      of renal graft artery under microscope. The patient received second kidney
      transplantation after 6 months successfully. No massive hemorrhage caused by
      fungal infections occurred in micafungin prophylaxis group. CONCLUSIONS: Massive
      hemorrhage cased by fungal infections after DCD kidney transplantation is usually
      characterized by delayed and recurrent course, and may result in graft
      nephrectomy or even death of patients. Endovascular exclusion using covered stent
      can successfully stop bleeding and rescue life of patients. Two-week preemptive
      prophylaxis of fungal infections using micafungin can effectively prevent delayed
      fungal massive hemorrhage in DCD kidney transplantation.

PMID- 27266685
TI  - [Effect of metanephric mesenchymal stem cells after renal ischemia reperfusion
      injury in mice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of metanephric mesenchymal stem cells (MMSCs )
      after renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). METHODS: C57BL/6J male mice were
      divided into control group (n=5) and experimental group (n=30). The control group
      was given a sham operation, while in the experimental group, a model of renal IRI
      was established. The experimental group was further divided into two groups
      according to the material injected through the femoral vein: IRI group (injected
      with normal saline, 10 ml/kg) and cell therapy group (injected with normal saline
      containing 5*10(5) MMSCs, 10 ml/kg). Samples of blood and kidney tissues were
      collected from five mice from each group at 12 h, 24 h and 72 h after IRI. The
      serum creatinine (SCr) level was detected, and the results of kidney tissue
      pathological staining and Paller score of renal tubules were analyzed to assess
      the effect of MMSCs after renal IRI. In addition, the expression of microRNA
      26a(miR-26a)in kidney tissues was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase
      chain reaction (RT-PCR) and compared among the groups. RESULTS: (1) In both IRI
      group and cell therapy group, the levels of SCr at 12 h, 24 h and 72 h after
      operation were all significantly higher than those of the control group, besides,
      the level of SCr at 24 h was significantly higher than that at 12 h and 72 h (all
      P<0.05). The levels of SCr at 12 h, 24 h and 72 h were of no significant
      differences between IRI group and cell therapy group(all P>0.05). (2)Paller
      scores of renal tubules at 12 h, 24 h and 72 h in both IRI group and cell therapy
      group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the scores
      at 24 h were significantly higher than that at 72 h, while the latter were in
      turn higher than the scores at 12 h (all P<0.05). In the cell therapy group,
      Paller score of renal tubules at 24 h(57.2+/-6.3)was significantly lower than
      that in IRI group(70.8+/-14.8) (P<0.05). Histological examination showed renal
      tubular epithelial cell atrophy, swelling and protein cast in kidney tissues from
      IRI group at 24 h, compared with the control group and the cell therapy group at
      the same time.(3) In IRI group and cell therapy group, the levels of miR-26a in
      the kidney tissues at 12 h and 24 h were significantly lower than those of the
      control group (P<0.05). In the cell therapy group, the level of miR-26a in the
      kidney tissues at 24 h (0.416+/-0.139) and 72 h (1.152+/-0.239)were significantly
      higher than that in the IRI group(0.244+/-0.067, 0.855+/-0.038, both P<0.05). A
      negative correlation between the levels of miR-26a and SCr level were found (r=
      0.5, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: MMSCs have a certain repairing effect on renal IRI,
      accompanied by an increase in miR-26a expression.

PMID- 27266686
TI  - [Propensity score matching-based analysis of short-term outcomes of Laparoscopic
      assisted Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction for left colorectal cancer radical
      resection].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore short-term outcomes obtained with Laparoscopic-assisted
      Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction for left colorectal cancer radical resection.
      METHODS: A total of 123 patients with left colorectal tumor who had undergone
      laparoscopic surgery between Jan.2014 and Jun.2015 were reviewed. According to
      surgical approach, transanal specimen extraction using the Cai Tube (study group,
      n=29) and trans-abdominal incision specimen extraction (control group, n=123)
      were studied. Propensity score matching was applied at a ratio of 1?1 comparing
      the study (n=23) and control (n=23) groups. RESULTS: The two matched groups had
      similar baseline characteristics. There was no significant difference in the
      length of distal or proximal resection margin, the rate of circumferential
      resection negative margin, the estimated blood loss, the levels of C-reactive
      protein on 2nd day after surgery, the postoperative time to take liquid, the
      postoperative hospital day, the hospital fee and the postoperative anal function.
      The study group presented longer operative time[(237.8+/-68.1)min vs (168.9+/
      47.5)min, P<0.05], less number of lymph nodes dissected (12.4+/-5.4 vs 16.4+/
      7.2, P<0.05), higher white cell count on 2nd day after surgery[(11.7+/
      3.4)*10(9)/L vs (9.4+/-2.6)*10(9)/L, P<0.05], but quicker postoperative recovery
      of bowel function[(2.6+/-0.7)d vs (3.4+/-0.7)d, P<0.05], shorter postoperative
      ambulation time[(2.3+/-0.6)d vs (3.6+/-0.7)d, P<0.05], lower rate of
      postoperative complications (0/23 vs 6/23, P<0.05) and lower rate of utilization
      of painkillers in addition to postoperative analgesia pump (1/20 vs 9/23,
      P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic-assisted left colorectal cancer radical
      resection using the Cai Tube is in line with oncologic principle, less pain,
      quicker recovery and better cosmetic results.

PMID- 27266687
TI  - [Survival analysis of gastric cancer cases with pathological complete response
      received neoadjuvant chemotherapy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the survival situation of gastric cancer patients with
      pathological complete response (pCR)following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).
      METHODS: The clinical data of patients with gastric cancer treated with NAC
      following by surgical resection between Jan 2011 and Dec 2013 at General Hospital
      of Chinese People's Liberation Army was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: A
      total of 23 patients (16.0%, 23/144)achieved pathologic complete response. The
      median follow-up time of the survivors was 42.8 (range 16.0-58.7)months. All
      patients underwent R0 resection and D2 lymphadenectomy. The overall survival and
      recurrence-free survival rates at 3 years were 95.7% and 90.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The
      patients with advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy have good
      prognosis. Modified chemotherapy regimens may further improve the pathological
      complete response rate.

PMID- 27266688
TI  - [Clinical research of second resection on early stage primary bladder
      adenocarcinoma and literature review].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics, as well
      as the diagnosis and treatment of primary bladder adenocarcinoma in the early
      stage. METHODS: The clinical features, pathological results, diagnosis and
      treatment profiles of 7 cases of primary bladder adenocarcinoma admitted in
      Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2010 to July 2015 were
      analyzed ret rospectively. RESULTS: All seven cases were diagnosed pathologically
      as primary bladder adenocarinoma.Histological staging T1 was revealed in six
      cases, while T2 in one case after the first resection.After four weeks, all
      patients received the second resection while one patient underwent immediately
      radical cystectomy. Multimodality therapy such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy
      was performed for longer postoperative survival.only one man died while another
      patient had been healthy for 6 years till January 2016. CONCLUSION: Primary
      bladder adenocarcinoma is a highly malignant disease in bladder cancer.According
      to the results of the second resection, multimodality therapy for patients in
      early stage with no lymph node or other organs metastasis can improve the quality
      of life without affectiong their lives.

PMID- 27266689
TI  - [Discussion of laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair for recurrent
      inguinal hernia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the surgical techniques and the clinical efficacy of
      laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) for recurrent inguinal
      hernia. METHODS: Clinical data of 367 patients with recurrent inguinal hernia who
      underwent TAPP repair from Mar. 2009 to Mar. 2015 in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital
      of Capital Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS:
      Laparoscopic operations were completed successfully in 365 cases, however, 2
      cases were converted to open surgery.The operation time was (55.7+/-19.3) min (30
      100 min) and the hospital stay was (4.9+/-2.7) d (2-12 d). The incidences of
      postoperative pain, hydrocele, and urinary retention were 4.1%(15/367),
      13.1%(48/367), and 1.3%(5/367) respectively.Other complications such as foreign
      body sensation, wound infection, and intestinal obstruction.All cases were
      followed up from 3 to 72 months ((36.5+/-14.7) months), 2 recurrent cases was
      observed and no mesh infection and long-term chronic pain were observed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic TAPP repair has advantages of minimal invasion and few
      complications, which is safe and effective for recurrent inguinal hernia.

PMID- 27266690
TI  - [The effect of Notch1 on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of Notch1 on myocardial ischemia
      reperfusion injury and explore underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: H9c2
      cells were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), ischemic preconditioning (IPC)
      and ischemic postconditioning (IPost) treatment following infection with
      lentiviral vector-Notch1 intracellular domain (Lv-N1ICD) or Lv-N1ICD-shRNA, and
      divided into control group, H/R group, H/R+ N1ICD group, IPC group, IPC+ N1ICD
      shRNA group, IPost group, IPost+ N1ICD-shRNA group, respectively. Apoptosis was
      detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI), and reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      was detected by 2', 7'dichlorofluorescin-diacetate (DCFH-DA). The expression of p
      glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (p-GSK-3beta)/GSK-3beta were detected by Western
      blot analysis. RESULTS: The apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes in control group,
      H/R group, H/R+ N1ICD group, IPC group, IPC+ N1ICD-shRNA group, IPost group,
      IPost+ N1ICD-shRNA group was (5.34+/-1.70)%, (47.03+/-4.10)%, (33.89+/-12.25)%,
      (35.85+/-3.17)%, (51.12+/-8.22)%, (37.35+/-3.82)%, (47.90+/-3.08)%, respectively,
      showing significant differences in all group (F=18.47, P<0.05). ROS in control
      group, H/R group, H/R+ N1ICD group, IPC group, IPC+ N1ICD-shRNA group, IPost
      group, IPost+ N1ICD-shRNA group was 624.66+/-79.52, 1 221.87+/-63.66, 913.12+/
      115.82, 935.85+/-201.62, 1 204.03+/-113.82, 967.15+/-106.11, 1 296.59+/-222.38,
      respectively, showing significant differences in all group (F=8.77, P<0.05). The
      ratio of p-GSK-3beta to GSK-3beta in control group, H/R group, H/R+ N1ICD group,
      IPC group, IPC+ N1ICD-shRNA group, IPost group, IPost+ N1ICD-shRNA group was
      0.58+/-0.12, 0.62+/-0.20, 1.24+/-0.09, 1.16+/-0.12, 0.72+/-0.15, 1.16+/-0.12,
      0.75+/-0.12, respectively, showing significant differences in all group (F=11.21,
      P<0.05). CONCLUSION: As an endogenous cardioprotective factor, Notch1 reduces
      myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury by promoting GSK-3beta phosphorylation,
      inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reducing ROS formation.

PMID- 27266691
TI  - [Effect of CD40 knock out on cytotoxic effector function in CD8(+) T cell of mice
      with cigarette smoke-induced emphysema].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of CD40 knock out on the cytotoxic function of
      CD8(+) T cell of mice with cigarette smoke-induced emphysema. METHODS: A total of
      40 male C57 mice were divided into four groups according to the random number
      table, including CD40(+ /+) control group, CD40(+ /+) smoke-exposure group, CD40(
      /-)control group, CD40(-/-)smoke-exposure group. The smoke-exposure groups were
      exposed to cigarette smoke for 24 weeks to establish emphysema model.
      Morphological changes were evaluated by linear intercepts. The percentages of
      CD8, perforin, granzyme B positive cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.
      The mRNA expressions of perforin, granzyme B, interleukin (IL) -27 were measured
      by fluorescent real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The IL
      27 cytokine level was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
      RESULTS: The mean linear intercepts in CD40(+ /+) smoke-exposure group was
      significantly higher than CD40(+ /+) control group, CD40(-/-)control group, and
      CD40(-/-)smoke-exposure group [(37.2+/-3.6) vs (24.0+/-3.4), (22.5+/-2.4),
      (29.9+/-1.7) MUm] (all P<0.05). CD40(-/-)smoke-exposure group was higher than
      CD40(+ /+) control group, CD40(-/-)control group (all P<0.05). The percentages of
      CD8 positive, perforin positive and granzyme B positive cells in CD40(+ /+) smoke
      exposure group [(16.3+/-2.3)%, (11.4+/-2.1)%, (10.7+/-1.9)%] were significantly
      higher than CD40(+ /+) control group [(8.3+/-1.6)%, (5.1+/-1.2)%, (4.6+/-1.0)%],
      CD40(-/-)control group [ (6.4+/-1.5)%, (4.3+/-1.0)%, (4.2+/-1.0)%] and CD40(-/
      )smoke-exposure group [(8.6+/-1.7)%, (5.6+/-1.3)%, (5.5+/-1.3)%] (all P<0.05). RT
      PCR results showed that the mRNA expressions of perforin, granzyme B and IL-27 in
      CD40(+ /+) smoke-exposure group [(20.3+/-7.3), (18.3+/-12.3), (2.2+/-0.7)] were
      significantly higher than CD40(+ /+) control group [(9.4+/-4.8), (10.6+/-3.8),
      (1.3+/-0.6)], CD40(-/-)control group [ (8.1+/-3.1), (7.7+/-3.5), (1.1+/-0.5)] and
      CD40(-/-)smoke-exposure group [(12.9+/-6.2), (10.4+/-4.6), (1.5+/-0.4)] (all
      P<0.05). ELISA results showed that the level of IL-27 in CD40(+ /+) smoke
      exposure group was significantly higher than CD40(+ /+) control group, CD40(-/
      )control group and CD40(-/-)smoke-exposure group [(3 242+/-754) vs (1 627+/-710),
      (1 600+/-680), (1 850+/-583) ng/L] (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Knockout the CD40
      gene can inhibit the cytotoxic effector function in CD8(+) T cells of mice with
      cigarette smoke-induced emphysema, and alleviate the degree of emphysema.

PMID- 27266692
TI  - [Effect of mitochondrial apoptosis on pulmonary fibrosis in rats with severe
      scald injury].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of mitochondrial apoptosis on pulmonary fibrosis
      in rats with severe scald injury. METHODS: According to the random digital table,
      a total number of 32 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: sham burn (group A),
      burn group (group B), 12-week post burn recovery group (group C), and 12-week
      post burn recovery plus a second burn injury group (group D). In group A and
      group B, lung tissues were harvested on post burn day 4. After received first
      burn injury 12 weeks, the group C and group D received separately a second sham
      burn injury and burn injury. Lung tissues were harvested on post burn day 4 after
      the second burn injury. All tissues were examined for cells apoptosis by Terminal
      deoxynucleoitidyl Transferase Mediated Nick End Labeling (TUNEL). Pulmonary
      fibrosis was assessed by Masson trichrome staining and Sirius red staining. The
      protein expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 were assessed by
      Western blot. RESULTS: Both Masson trichrome staining and Sirius red staining
      showed obvious pulmonary fibrosis in group C and group D. The apoptosis rates of
      group B, C and D were significantly higher than that in group A ((15.50+/-3.30)%,
      (7.88+/-3.10)%, (15.88+/-3.23)% vs (2.10+/-1.07)%, all P<0.05). Compared to group
      A, cleaved Caspase-3 levels were significantly higher in group B, C and D
      ((0.59+/-0.11), (0.33+/-0.08), (0.73+/-0.13) vs (0.16+/-0.05), all P<0.05). The
      ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in group B, C and D also increased significantly ((2.08+/
      0.30), (0.83+/-0.09), (1.54+/-0.12) vs (0.64+/-0.05), all P<0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Severe burn injury can induce pulmonary fibrosis and mitochondrial apoptosis may
      play an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

PMID- 27266693
TI  - [A meta-analysis of perioperative hyperoxia for the surgical site infections in
      patients with general surgery].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systemically analyze the effect of perioperative hyperoxia for the
      surgical site infections in patients with general surgery. METHODS: Electronic
      databases consisting of Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database, CNKI
      and VIP were systemically searched from established time to November 18, 2015.
      The randomized controlled trials about perioperative high and low-concentration
      oxygen for the surgical site infections in patients with general surgery were
      screened strictly and analyzed by the software of Revman 5.3. The included trials
      were stratified according to the colorectal or non-colorectal surgery, the
      duration of oxygen inhalation and the kinds of mixed gas to perform subgroup
      analyses. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by removing the low-quality trials,
      etc. The outcome was the surgical site infections. RESULTS: There were 989
      relevant articles were searched out. At last, 9 randomized controlled trials
      consisting of 3 281 patients were included. The 80% oxygen group and 30% oxygen
      group consists of 1 644 and 1 637 patients, respectively. The rates of surgical
      site infection were 15.1% (248/1 644) and 17.5% (286/1 637) in the two group.
      Heterogeneity existed between the included trials and random-effect model was
      used, the RR=0.80, 95%CI: 0.60-1.08, P=0.15. Therefore, statistically significant
      difference was not found for the surgical site infections in the general surgery
      between the perioperative high and low-concentration oxygen. However, the results
      of subgroup analyses showed that the perioperative hyperoxia decreaced the
      surgical site infections significant in the subgroups of colorectal surgery and
      intraoperative plus postoperative 6 h oxygen inhalation. CONCLUSIONS:
      Perioperative hyperoxia does not reduce surgical site infections in patients with
      general surgery. However, the results of two subgroup analyses (colorectal
      surgery and intraoperative plus postoperative 6 h oxygen inhalation trials) show
      a significantly benefit for perioperative hyperoxia in decreasing surgical site
      infections.

PMID- 27266694
TI  - [Evaluation and characterization of the certified reference materials for
      coagulation factor VIII and IX activity testing].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and characterize the certified reference materials for
      coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX) activity testing. METHODS:
      The homogeneity and stability of three lots of certified reference materials (F01
      F03) with different factor concentrations were evaluated according to
      guidelines"Reference materials-general and statistical principles for
      certification","Guidance on evaluating the homogeneity and stability of samples
      used for proficiency testing"and"Technical Norm of Primary Reference Material".
      The certified reference materials were characterized by eight laboratories using
      one-stage method, which were calibrated by the coagulation standard provided by
      the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) in UK.
      RESULTS: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) of homogeneity test of FVIII activity
      of three lots of certified reference materials were 3.9%, 3.3% and 3.4%,
      respectively. While that of FIX activity were 3.7%, 3.0% and 1.8%, respectively.
      The results of one-way ANOVA showed that all certified reference materials had
      good homogeneity (P>0.05), and the between-bottle homogeneity uncertainties (ubb)
      of FVIII and FIX activity were 0.5%-2.9% and 0.1%-3.9%, respectively. All
      certified reference materials stored in -80 C remained stable in 9 months by
      trend analysis, and the long-term stability uncertainties(ults) of FVIII and FIX
      activity were 0.5%-5.1% and 1.3%-4.4%, respectively. The characterization
      uncertainties (uchar) of FVIII and FIX activity testing were 0.9%-2.4% and 1.1%
      2.4%, respectively. The combined uncertainties and extended uncertainties
      (coverage factor k=2) were calculated. The assigned values of each lot of
      certified reference materials for FVIII activity were (85+/-13)%, (36.0+/-3.4)%
      and (20.5+/-2.3)%, and that were (102+/-13)%, (47.8+/-6.9)% and (29.3+/-3.8)% for
      FIX activity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The certified reference materials for
      FVIII and FIX activity testing have good homogeneity and stability. The results
      of the characterization are accurate and reliable.

PMID- 27266695
TI  - Organocatalytic Asymmetric Michael Addition of 3-Pyrrolyloxindoles to beta
      Phthalimidonitroethene for the Synthesis of 3,3'-Disubstituted Oxindoles Bearing
      Contiguous 3,alpha,beta-Triamino Functionality.
AB  - An organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition reaction of 3-pyrrolyloxindoles to
      beta-phthalimidonitroethene has been developed with a bifunctional thiourea
      tertiary amine as the catalyst. A range of 3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles bearing
      contiguous 3,alpha,beta-triamino functionality could be obtained in high yields
      with good diastereoselectivities and high enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield,
      99:1 dr, and 98% ee). The higher reactivity of beta-phthalimidonitroethene
      compared to the reactivity of ordinary nitroalkenes in the reaction with 3
      pyrrolyloxindoles was demonstrated by contrast experiments.

PMID- 27266696
TI  - Risperidone-induced priapism in an autistic child: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Priapism is a prolonged stimulation with painful, persistent penile
      erection unaccompanied by sexual desire. It is a rare but serious urological
      emergency. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic widely prescribed for the
      treatment of behavior problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. It
      seems associated with priapism in children. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case
      of a 12-year-old Moroccan boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who
      developed priapism while on an existing regimen of risperidone, and we report the
      treatment decisions that followed. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians who prescribe
      risperidone should be aware of the possibility of this rare complication in their
      patients. Information about this possible side effect and instructions regarding
      appropriate response should be made available to caregivers of those in the at
      risk group of young patients.

PMID- 27266697
TI  - The impact of albendazole treatment on the incidence of viral- and bacterial
      induced diarrhea in school children in southern Vietnam: study protocol for a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anthelmintics are one of the more commonly available classes of drugs
      to treat infections by parasitic helminths (especially nematodes) in the human
      intestinal tract. As a result of their cost-effectiveness, mass school-based
      deworming programs are becoming routine practice in developing countries.
      However, experimental and clinical evidence suggests that anthelmintic treatments
      may increase susceptibility to other gastrointestinal infections caused by
      bacteria, viruses, or protozoa. Hypothesizing that anthelmintics may increase
      diarrheal infections in treated children, we aim to evaluate the impact of
      anthelmintics on the incidence of diarrheal disease caused by viral and bacterial
      pathogens in school children in southern Vietnam. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a
      randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effects
      of albendazole treatment versus placebo on the incidence of viral- and bacterial
      induced diarrhea in 350 helminth-infected and 350 helminth-uninfected Vietnamese
      school children aged 6-15 years. Four hundred milligrams of albendazole, or
      placebo treatment will be administered once every 3 months for 12 months. At the
      end of 12 months, all participants will receive albendazole treatment. The
      primary endpoint of this study is the incidence of diarrheal disease assessed by
      12 months of weekly active and passive case surveillance. Secondary endpoints
      include the prevalence and intensities of helminth, viral, and bacterial
      infections, alterations in host immunity and the gut microbiota with helminth and
      pathogen clearance, changes in mean z scores of body weight indices over time,
      and the number and severity of adverse events. DISCUSSION: In order to reduce
      helminth burdens, anthelmintics are being routinely administered to children in
      developing countries. However, the effects of anthelmintic treatment on
      susceptibility to other diseases, including diarrheal pathogens, remain unknown.
      It is important to monitor for unintended consequences of drug treatments in co
      infected populations. In this trial, we will examine how anthelmintic treatment
      impacts host susceptibility to diarrheal infections, with the aim of informing
      deworming programs of any indirect effects of mass anthelmintic administrations
      on co-infecting enteric pathogens. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov:
      NCT02597556 . Registered on 3 November 2015.

PMID- 27266698
TI  - Arterial stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease: relation with in
      stent restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most important issues in
      modern medicine due to its high mortality and prevalence. An early detection and
      prevention can reduce morbidity and mortality. Arterial stiffness is a potent and
      independent predictor of CAD. We aimed to investigate the arterial stiffness in
      CAD patients undergoing the coronary angiography. Also, we investigated a
      possible correlation between arterial stiffness and in-stent restenosis (ISR), an
      important limitation of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: The
      study included 160 patients undergoing coronary angiography, treated either with
      PCI or with CABG. The pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) were
      measured by the Arteriograph. RESULTS: PWV in the CAD group (12.24 +/- 2.78 m/s)
      was significantly higher compared to the control group (8.27 +/- 1.89 m/s). PWV
      in ISR and left main (LM) stenosis group (14.03 +/- 3.15 and 13.89 +/- 2.95 m/s)
      was significantly higher compared to the control and CAD groups. Peripheral and
      central AIx were significantly higher in CAD group (1.38 +/- 30.63 % and 38.35 +/
      15.52 %) than in control group (-11.35 +/- 26.74 % and 26.91 +/- 10.62 %).
      Patients with LM stenosis have significantly higher values of peripheral and
      central AIx (23.37 +/- 23.77 % and 49.71 +/- 12.02 %) than the CAD and ISR group.
      CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed a positive correlation between arterial
      stiffness measures, PWV and AIx, and CAD. Also, this study showed the correlation
      between PWV and ISR which can help to select more appropriate stent.

PMID- 27266699
TI  - Integrated miRNA and mRNA expression profiling in fetal hippocampus with Down
      syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: Down syndrome (DS), caused by triplication of human chromosome 21,
      is the most common aneuploidies. The main characteristic of DS patients is
      intellectual disability. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important regulatory roles in
      various biological processes, such as embryonic development, cell
      differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Several miRNAs have shown
      association with DS. However, the role of miRNAs in DS patients has not been well
      elaborated. METHODS: In this research, total RNA extracted from fetal hippocampal
      tissues was used to analyze miRNA and mRNA expression via Affymetrix miRNA 4.0
      and PrimeView Human Gene Expression Array, respectively. Then miRNA and gene
      expression profiles were integrated by correlation analysis to identify
      dysregulated miRNAs with their predicted target mRNAs. Microarray data were
      further validated by real-time PCR. Regulation of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)
      expression by hsa-miR-138 was determined by luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS:
      We analyzed microRNA expression profile in hippocampal tissues from DS fetal
      using miRNA microarray. Further with the use of mRNA microarray data, we
      integrate miRNA expression and mRNA expression in hippocampus of trisomy 21 fetus
      to elucidate the mechanism that underlying DS abnormalities. We characterized the
      repertoire of specific miRNAs involved in hippocampus in trisomy 21 patients,
      highlighting hsa-miR-138 and hsa-miR-409, in particular the importance of hsa-miR
      138, especially the -5p strand. Furthermore, the expression level of predicted
      target genes of hsa-miR-138-5p in trisomy 21 fetus, including zeste homolog 2
      (EZH2) were further confirmed. In addition, luciferase assay indicated that EZH2
      was a direct target of hsa-miR-138 in HEK293T cells. CONCLUSION: The function of
      hsa-miR-138-5p and its target EZH2 was involved in hippocampus in DS patients.
      Our findings provide a clue to study the underlying molecular mechanisms in DS
      patients, and its potential contribution in improving understanding of
      intellectual disability development in DS patients.

PMID- 27266700
TI  - Clinical exhibition of increased accommodative loads for binocular fusion in
      patients with basic intermittent exotropia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the accommodative loads change needed to maintain
      binocular fusion in patients with intermittent exotropia (IXT). METHODS:
      Seventeen consecutive patients with basic IXT and 15 normal controls were
      recruited. The WAM-5500 autorefractor (GrandSeiko, Fukuyama, Japan) was used to
      measure refractive error (D) under binocular and monocular viewing conditions at
      6 m, 50 cm, 33 cm and 20 cm. The difference between binocular and monocular
      refractive error (D) at each distance defined the change in the accommodative
      load. The changes in accommodative load were compared between IXT patients and
      normal controls. We also investigated the change in accommodative loads according
      to the fixing preference in patients with IXT. RESULTS: In IXT patients, the mean
      angles of deviation were 20.2 +/- 7.19 and 21.0 +/- 8.02 prism diopters at 6 m
      and 33 cm, respectively. Under binocular viewing, the changes in accommodative
      loads of each eye in IXT patients were significantly higher at 50, 33 and 20 cm
      than those of normal controls (p < 0.05, all). The changes in accommodative loads
      of fixating and deviating eyes at 6 m were not significantly different between
      IXT patients and normal controls (p = 0.193, 0.155, respectively). The changes in
      accommodative loads of the fixating eye at each distance were not significantly
      different from those of the deviating eye in IXT patients (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      The changes of accommodative loads at near fixation increased more in IXT
      patients than they did in normal controls while maintaining binocular fusion.

PMID- 27266701
TI  - Clinical manifestations and cerebrospinal fluid status in ocular syphilis in HIV
      Negative patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Syphilis with ocular involvement has reemerged as a critical health
      problem. The aim of the present study was to explore the clinical manifestations
      and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) status in ocular syphilis in human immunodeficiency
      virus (HIV)-negative patients. METHODS: The clinical records of patients with
      ocular syphilis presenting to the Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital in the period
      from January 2011 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The
      median age of 25 HIV-negative patients with ocular syphilis was 53 years, 18
      patients (72.0 %) were males and 7 (28.0 %) were females. None of them self
      identified themselves as men who had sex with men (MSM). The ocular lesions
      included: uveitis (13 cases), optic neuropathy (6 cases), retinal vasculitis (5
      cases), retinal detachment (3 cases), and neuroretinitis (4 cases). Serum
      toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST) titer ranged from 1 to 512, with a
      median of 64. Overall, 18 (72.0 %) of the 25 patients had abnormal CSF results,
      15 (60.0 %) CSF samples had elevated white blood cell counts, 13 (52.0 %) had
      elevated protein levels, and 9 (36.0 %) had reactive CSF Venereal Disease
      Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, respectively. Mann-Whitney U tests showed higher
      serum TRUST titer (>32) correlated with the abnormal CSF results. CONCLUSIONS:
      The demographic characteristics of patients with ocular syphilis in this study
      were different from previous reports. The study showed a high CSF abnormal rate
      in HIV-negative patients. The recommendation for CSF examination from all
      patients with ocular syphilis, including HIV-negative cases, is strongly
      supported by the present data.

PMID- 27266702
TI  - Panax ginseng and salvia miltiorrhiza supplementation abolishes eccentric
      exercise-induced vascular stiffening: a double-blind randomized control trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Muscle damage induced by unaccustomed or eccentric exercise results
      in delayed onset vascular stiffening. We tested the hypothesis that a 7-day
      supplementation of panax ginseng and salvia miltiorrhiza prior to an acute
      eccentric exercise could attenuate arterial stiffening. METHODS: By using a
      double-blind study placebo-controlled randomized design, subjects were randomly
      assigned to either the Chinese herb (N = 12) or the placebo group (N = 11) and
      performed a downhill running (eccentric exercise) trial and a control (seated
      rest) trial. RESULTS: Muscle soreness increased 1-2 days after exercise similarly
      in both groups, whereas the herb group demonstrated a faster recovery on active
      range of motion. Plasma creatine kinase concentration increased significantly at
      24 h in both groups but the magnitude of increase was attenuated in the herb
      group. Arterial stiffness as measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity
      increased significantly at 24 h in the placebo group but such increase was absent
      in the herb group. Flow-mediated dilation did not change in either group. Plasma
      concentrations of CRP and IL-6 increased in the placebo group but no such
      increases were observed in the herb group. Changes in arterial stiffness induced
      by eccentric exercise were associated with the corresponding changes in IL-6 (r =
      0.46, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A short-term Chinese herb supplementation of panax
      ginseng and salvia miltiorrhiza ameliorated the delayed onset vascular stiffening
      induced by acute downhill running exercise. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02007304. Registered Dec. 5, 2013).

PMID- 27266703
TI  - Risky and rushed public crack cocaine smoking: the potential for supervised
      inhalation facilities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the multitude of public health and community harms associated
      with crack cocaine use, little is known about factors associated with smoking
      crack in public and related risks such as rushed public crack smoking. METHODS:
      Data were derived from two prospective cohort studies of people who use illicit
      drugs in Vancouver, Canada between 2010 and 2014. Multivariable generalized
      estimating equations were used to identify the prevalence and correlates of
      public crack smoking and rushed public crack smoking. RESULTS: In total, 1085
      participants who had smoked crack in the prior six months were eligible for the
      analysis, of which 379 (34.9 %) reported always or usually smoking crack in
      public in the previous six months at some point during the study period. Factors
      positively and independently associated with public crack smoking included public
      injection drug use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 5.42, 95 % confidence interval
      [CI]: 3.76-7.82), homelessness (AOR: 3.48, 95 % CI: 2.77-4.36), at least daily
      crack use (AOR: 2.69, 95 % CI: 2.19-3.31), crack pipe sharing (AOR: 1.98, 95 %
      CI: 1.60-2.46), drug dealing (AOR: 1.59, 95 % CI: 1.30-1.94), recent
      incarceration (AOR: 1.47, 95 % CI: 1.09-1.98), noticing police presence when
      buying or using drugs (AOR: 1.30, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.60), and younger age (AOR:
      1.03, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.04). Rushed public crack smoking, which was reported by 216
      (28.8 %) of 751 participants who had smoked crack in public at least once during
      the study period, was positively and independently associated with homelessness
      (AOR: 2.61, 95 % CI: 1.96-3.49), at least daily crack use (AOR: 1.48, 95 % CI:
      1.11-1.98), crack pipe sharing (AOR: 1.44, 95 % CI: 1.10-1.89), drug dealing
      (AOR: 1.39, 95 % CI: 1.04-1.86), and younger age (AOR: 1.02, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.04).
      CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of public crack smoking and rushed public crack
      smoking was observed in this setting. These findings point to the need for
      implementing and evaluating evidence-based public health interventions, such as
      supervised inhalation facilities, to reduce the risks and harms associated with
      smoking crack in public.

PMID- 27266704
TI  - Roles of acid-extruding ion transporters in regulation of breast cancer cell
      growth in a 3-dimensional microenvironment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 3-dimensional (3D) microenvironment of breast carcinomas is
      characterized by profoundly altered pH homeostasis, reflecting increased
      metabolic acid production and a confined extracellular space characterized by
      poor diffusion, yet the relative contributions of specific pH-regulatory
      transporters to 3D growth are poorly understood. The aim of this work was to
      determine how 3D spheroid growth of breast cancer cells impacts the expression
      and spatial organization of major acid extruding proteins, and how these proteins
      in turn are required for spheroid growth. METHODS: MCF-7 (Luminal-A) and MDA-MB
      231 (Triple-negative) human breast cancer cells were grown as ~700-950 MUm
      diameter spheroids, which were subjected to Western blotting for relevant
      transporters (2- and 3D growth), quantitative immunohistochemical analysis, and
      spheroid growth assays. Individual transporter contributions were assessed (i)
      pharmacologically, (ii) by stable shRNA- and transient siRNA-mediated knockdown,
      and (iii) by CRISPR/Cas9 knockout. RESULTS: In MCF-7 spheroids, expression of the
      lactate-H(+) cotransporter MCT1 (SLC16A1) increased from the spheroid periphery
      to its core, the Na(+),HCO3 (-) cotransporter NBCn1 (SLC4A7) was most highly
      expressed at the periphery, and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger NHE1 (SLC9A1) and MCT4
      (SLC16A3) were evenly distributed. A similar pattern was seen in MDA-MB-231
      spheroids, except that these cells do not express MCT1. The relative total
      expression of NBCn1 and NHE1 was decreased in 3D compared to 2D, while that of
      MCT1 and MCT4 was unaltered. Inhibition of MCT1 (AR-C155858) attenuated MCF-7
      spheroid growth and this was exacerbated by addition of S0859, an inhibitor of
      Na(+),HCO3 (-) cotransporters and MCTs. The pharmacological data was
      recapitulated by stable knockdown of MCT1 or NBCn1, whereas knockdown of MCT4 had
      no effect. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of NHE1, but neither partial NHE1 knockdown nor
      the NHE1 inhibitor cariporide, inhibited MCF-7 spheroid growth. In contrast,
      growth of MDA-MB-231 spheroids was inhibited by stable or transient NHE1
      knockdown and by NHE1 knockout, but not by knockdown of NBCn1 or MCT4.
      CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates the distinct expression and localization
      patterns of four major acid-extruding transporters in 3D spheroids of human
      breast cancer cells and reveals that 3D growth is dependent on these transporters
      in a cell type-dependent manner, with potentially important implications for
      breast cancer therapy.

PMID- 27266707
TI  - Snatching defeat from the jaws of Pyrrhic victory.

PMID- 27266706
TI  - Combined [(18)F]DPA-714 micro-positron emission tomography and autoradiography
      imaging of microglia activation after closed head injury in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and
      disability. Neuroinflammation contributes to acute damage after TBI and modulates
      long-term evolution of degenerative and regenerative responses to injury. The aim
      of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of microglia activation to
      trauma severity, brain energy metabolism, and cellular reactions to injury in a
      mouse closed head injury model using combined in vivo PET imaging, ex vivo
      autoradiography, and immunohistochemistry. METHODS: A weight-drop closed head
      injury model was used to produce a mixed diffuse and focal TBI or a purely
      diffuse mild TBI (mTBI) in C57BL6 mice. Lesion severity was determined by
      evaluating histological damage and functional outcome using a standardized
      neuroscore (NSS), gliosis, and axonal injury by immunohistochemistry. Repeated
      intra-individual in vivo MUPET imaging with the specific 18-kDa translocator
      protein (TSPO) radioligand [(18)F]DPA-714 was performed on day 1, 7, and 16 and
      [(18)F]FDG-MUPET imaging for energy metabolism on days 2-5 after trauma using
      freshly synthesized radiotracers. Immediately after [(18)F]DPA-714-MUPET imaging
      on days 7 and 16, cellular identity of the [(18)F]DPA-714 uptake was confirmed by
      exposing freshly cut cryosections to film autoradiography and successive
      immunostaining with antibodies against the microglia/macrophage marker IBA-1.
      RESULTS: Functional outcome correlated with focal brain lesions, gliosis, and
      axonal injury. [(18)F]DPA-714-MUPET showed increased radiotracer uptake in focal
      brain lesions on days 7 and 16 after TBI and correlated with reduced cerebral
      [(18)F]FDG uptake on days 2-5, with functional outcome and number of IBA-1
      positive cells on day 7. In autoradiography, [(18)F]DPA-714 uptake co-localized
      with areas of IBA1-positive staining and correlated strongly with both NSS and
      the number of IBA1-positive cells, gliosis, and axonal injury. After mTBI,
      numbers of IBA-1 positive cells with microglial morphology increased in both
      brain hemispheres; however, uptake of [(18)F]DPA-714 was not increased in
      autoradiography or in MUPET imaging. CONCLUSIONS: [(18)F]DPA-714 uptake in
      MUPET/autoradiography correlates with trauma severity, brain metabolic deficits,
      and microglia activation after closed head TBI.

PMID- 27266705
TI  - Genome-wide imputation study identifies novel HLA locus for pulmonary fibrosis
      and potential role for auto-immunity in fibrotic idiopathic interstitial
      pneumonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (fIIP) are a group of
      fatal lung diseases with largely unknown etiology and without definitive
      treatment other than lung transplant to prolong life. There is strong evidence
      for the importance of both rare and common genetic risk alleles in familial and
      sporadic disease. We have previously used genome-wide single nucleotide
      polymorphism data to identify 10 risk loci for fIIP. Here we extend that work to
      imputed genome-wide genotypes and conduct new RNA sequencing studies of lung
      tissue to identify and characterize new fIIP risk loci. RESULTS: We performed
      genome-wide genotype imputation association analyses in 1616 non-Hispanic white
      (NHW) cases and 4683 NHW controls followed by validation and replication (878
      cases, 2017 controls) genotyping and targeted gene expression in lung tissue.
      Following meta-analysis of the discovery and replication populations, we
      identified a novel fIIP locus in the HLA region of chromosome 6 (rs7887 P meta  =
      3.7 * 10(-09)). Imputation of classic HLA alleles identified two in high linkage
      disequilibrium that are associated with fIIP (DRB1*15:01 P = 1.3 * 10(-7) and
      DQB1*06:02 P = 6.1 * 10(-8)). Targeted RNA-sequencing of the HLA locus identified
      21 genes differentially expressed between fibrotic and control lung tissue (Q <
      0.001), many of which are involved in immune and inflammatory response
      regulation. In addition, the putative risk alleles, DRB1*15:01 and DQB1*06:02,
      are associated with expression of the DQB1 gene among fIIP cases (Q < 1 * 10(
      16)). CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a genome-wide significant association
      between the HLA region and fIIP. Two HLA alleles are associated with fIIP and
      affect expression of HLA genes in lung tissue, indicating that the potential
      genetic risk due to HLA alleles may involve gene regulation in addition to
      altered protein structure. These studies reveal the importance of the HLA region
      for risk of fIIP and a basis for the potential etiologic role of auto-immunity in
      fIIP.

PMID- 27266709
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27266710
TI  - Correction to Conferring Natural-Derived Porous Microspheres with Surface
      Multifunctionality through Facile Coordination-Enabled Self-Assembly Process.

PMID- 27266708
TI  - Higher-order assemblies of oligomeric cargo receptor complexes form the membrane
      scaffold of the Cvt vesicle.
AB  - Selective autophagy is the mechanism by which large cargos are specifically
      sequestered for degradation. The structural details of cargo and receptor
      assembly giving rise to autophagic vesicles remain to be elucidated. We utilize
      the yeast cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway, a prototype of selective
      autophagy, together with a multi-scale analysis approach to study the molecular
      structure of Cvt vesicles. We report the oligomeric nature of the major Cvt cargo
      Ape1 with a combined 2.8 A X-ray and negative stain EM structure, as well as the
      secondary cargo Ams1 with a 6.3 A cryo-EM structure. We show that the major
      dodecameric cargo prApe1 exhibits a tendency to form higher-order chain
      structures that are broken upon interaction with the receptor Atg19 in vitro The
      stoichiometry of these cargo-receptor complexes is key to maintaining the size of
      the Cvt aggregate in vivo Using correlative light and electron microscopy, we
      further visualize key stages of Cvt vesicle biogenesis. Our findings suggest that
      Atg19 interaction limits Ape1 aggregate size while serving as a vehicle for
      vacuolar delivery of tetrameric Ams1.

PMID- 27266711
TI  - Mediastinal myelolipoma showing gradual enlargement over 9 years: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myelolipoma is a rare benign tumor composed of mature adipose tissue
      and normal hematopoietic tissue. Although surgical resection has been recommended
      due to the potential of progressive enlargement, the natural history of
      mediastinal myelolipoma has not yet been described. Herein we report a surgically
      resected mediastinal myelolipoma showing gradual enlargement over a period of 9
      years. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old woman presented with a posterior
      mediastinal mass shadow detected by computed tomography (CT) examination. She had
      a medical history of sigmoidectomy for colon cancer 13 years previously. A CT
      scan showed a smooth, well-demarcated 2.8 * 2.1-cm paravertebral mass shadow,
      composed of a fat density area and a soft tissue density area, which showed
      gradual enlargement from a 1.6 * 1.0-cm nodule 9 years previously. This was not
      accompanied by chronic anemia or hematologic disease including thalassemia, and
      no abnormal accumulation was observed on bone marrow scintigraphy or fluoro-2
      deoxyglucose positron emission tomography. With a clinical diagnosis of
      mediastinal myelolipoma, surgical resection was performed, and pathological
      examination confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced a rare case with
      mediastinal myelolipoma showing gradual enlargement, with a tumor doubling time
      of 1,212 days.

PMID- 27266713
TI  - Nutritional Epigenetics and the Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with
      Bioactive Food Constituents.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive and life-threatening disease
      often diagnosed at intermediate or advanced stages, which substantially limits
      therapeutic approaches to its successful treatment. This indicates that the
      prevention of HCC may be the most promising strategy in reducing its incidence
      and mortality. Emerging evidence indicates that numerous nutrients and
      nonnutrient dietary bioactive components can reduce the occurrence and/or delay
      the development of HCC through modifications of deregulated epigenetic
      mechanisms. This review examines the existing knowledge on the epigenetic
      mechanism-based studies in in vitro and in vivo models of HCC on the
      chemopreventive potential of epigenetic food components, including dietary methyl
      group donors, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, sodium butyrate, resveratrol, curcumin,
      and sulforaphane, on liver carcinogenesis. Future direction and potential
      challenges in the effective use of bioactive food constituents in the prevention
      of HCC are highlighted and discussed.

PMID- 27266712
TI  - Translational research in diagnosis and management of soft tissue tumours.
AB  - Finding a soft tissue mass in the superficial regions is a common event in daily
      clinical practice. Correct management of the diagnostic process is crucial to
      avoid blunders. Diagnosis is posed by pathology, although both imaging and a
      better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms play an important a
      role in the characterization, staging and follow-up of soft tissue masses.
      Cellular and molecular mechanisms can explain either the development of chemo
      resistance and the underlying pre- and post-surgery metastasis formation. These
      are mandatory to improve prognosis and unveil novel parameters predicting
      therapeutic response. Imaging mainly involves ultrasound and MR and is
      fundamental not only in diagnosis but also in the first step of therapy: the
      biopsy. Novel imaging techniques like Ultrasound Elastosonography, Dynamic
      Contrast-Enhanced MR imaging (DCE), Diffusion Weighted MR imaging (DWI) and MR
      Spectroscopy (MRS) are discussed. This paper aims at reviewing and discussing
      pathological methods and imaging in the diagnosis of soft tissue masses
      underscoring that the most appropriate treatment depends on advanced molecular
      and radiological studies. 

PMID- 27266714
TI  - UPLC-QTOFMS(E)-Guided Dereplication of the Endangered Chinese Species Garcinia
      paucinervis to Identify Additional Benzophenone Derivatives.
AB  - A number of Garcinia species accumulate benzophenone derivatives that may be
      useful for the treatment of breast cancer. The dereplication of new benzophenone
      derivatives from Garcinia species is challenging due to the occurrence of
      multiple isomers and the known compounds found in their extracts. In the current
      study, a strategy is described using the UPLC-QTOFMS(E) technique to identify
      tentatively the known and uncharacterized benzophenones of interest based upon
      the characteristic fragmentation ions. Several UPLC-QTOFMS peaks (a-ee) appeared
      to contain benzophenone derivatives, and 12 of these peaks contained compounds
      with MS ionization profiles not consistent with previously identified compounds
      from the seeds of Garcinia paucinervis, an endangered Chinese species. The
      targeted isolation of unidentified compounds of interest afforded five new
      benzophenones, paucinones E-I (1-5), which were determined by MS and NMR analysis
      and ECD spectroscopy. These compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against
      three breast cancer cell lines inclusive of MDA-MB-231, SKBR3, and MCF-7. These
      results indicate that the UPLC-QTOFMS(E)-guided isolation procedure is an
      efficient strategy for isolating new benzophenones from Garcinia species.

PMID- 27266715
TI  - RNA structure through multidimensional chemical mapping.
AB  - The discoveries of myriad non-coding RNA molecules, each transiting through
      multiple flexible states in cells or virions, present major challenges for
      structure determination. Advances in high-throughput chemical mapping give new
      routes for characterizing entire transcriptomes in vivo, but the resulting one
      dimensional data generally remain too information-poor to allow accurate de novo
      structure determination. Multidimensional chemical mapping (MCM) methods seek to
      address this challenge. Mutate-and-map (M2), RNA interaction groups by mutational
      profiling (RING-MaP and MaP-2D analysis) and multiplexed *OH cleavage analysis
      (MOHCA) measure how the chemical reactivities of every nucleotide in an RNA
      molecule change in response to modifications at every other nucleotide. A growing
      body of in vitro blind tests and compensatory mutation/rescue experiments
      indicate that MCM methods give consistently accurate secondary structures and
      global tertiary structures for ribozymes, ribosomal domains and ligand-bound
      riboswitch aptamers up to 200 nucleotides in length. Importantly, MCM analyses
      provide detailed information on structurally heterogeneous RNA states, such as
      ligand-free riboswitches that are functionally important but difficult to resolve
      with other approaches. The sequencing requirements of currently available MCM
      protocols scale at least quadratically with RNA length, precluding general
      application to transcriptomes or viral genomes at present. We propose a modify
      cross-link-map (MXM) expansion to overcome this and other current limitations to
      resolving the in vivo 'RNA structurome'.

PMID- 27266716
TI  - Localization and Possible Function of P2X Receptors in Normal and Diseased
      Retinae.
AB  - Purines, when present in the extracellular space, can mediate fast
      neurotransmission in the retina and central nervous system. Over the last decade
      there has been emerging evidence for the expression of P2X and P2Y receptors in a
      range of retinal neuronal subtypes. These results have highlighted important
      roles for purines in modulating specific retinal circuits, including the rod
      pathway and amacrine cell circuits. Traditionally, synaptic release of adenosine
      triphosphate (ATP) involves the novel anion vesicular nucleotide transporter,
      VNUT, which has recently been identified in a single wide-field amacrine cell
      population. In addition, nontraditional, conductive mechanisms of release have
      also been described in the retina. In the synapse, the enzymes involved in rapid
      degradation of purines are present in both plexiform layers of the retina. A role
      for P2X receptors in retinal diseases has also emerged recently. High
      concentrations of ATP lead to photoreceptor loss, through mechanisms involving
      P2X7 receptors. In addition, activation of P2X7 receptors is associated with
      activation of the inflammasome, a protein complex important for the release of
      proinflammatory cytokines. P2X receptors, especially P2X7, are emerging as
      targets to combat retinal disease.

PMID- 27266717
TI  - Facile Self-Cross-Linking Synthesis of 3D Nanoporous Co3O4/Carbon Hybrid
      Electrode Materials for Supercapacitors.
AB  - A hybrid electrode material with ultrafine Co3O4 nanoparticles embedded
      throughout a hierarchically nanoporous graphitic carbon matrix has been obtained
      via a facile self-cross-linking route. Sodium alginate, a biopolymer with an
      ability of cross-linking with multivalent cobalt cations to form ordered
      microcrystalline zones, is used as a carbon source to produce nanoporous carbon
      frameworks of the hybrids. Ultrafine Co3O4 nanoparticles with tunable particle
      size (3-30 nm) are in situ grown within the nanoporous graphitic carbon
      frameworks by a simple carbonization of Co-cross-linked alginate. The obtained
      hybrid electrodes exhibit high specific capacitance of 645, 548, 486, and 347 F/g
      at scan rates of 5, 10, 20, and 50 mV/s, respectively, and excellent cycle
      performance with only 1% fading in capacitance after 10 000 cycles at a high
      current density of 20 A/g. Such excellent capacitive performance is ascribed to
      the collaborative contributions of well-dispersed ultrafine Co3O4 nanoparticles
      and conductive nanoporous carbon frameworks. 

PMID- 27266718
TI  - Efficiency of methylated DNA immunoprecipitation bisulphite sequencing for whole
      genome DNA methylation analysis.
AB  - AIMS: We compared four common methods for measuring DNA methylation levels and
      recommended the most efficient method in terms of cost and coverage. MATERIALS &
      METHODS: The DNA methylation status of liver and stomach tissues was profiled
      using four different methods, whole-genome bisulphite sequencing (WG-BS),
      targeted bisulphite sequencing (Targeted-BS), methylated DNA immunoprecipitation
      sequencing (MeDIP-seq) and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation bisulphite
      sequencing (MeDIP-BS). We calculated DNA methylation levels using each method and
      compared the results. RESULTS: MeDIP-BS yielded the most similar DNA methylation
      profile to WG-BS, with 20 times less data, suggesting remarkable cost savings and
      coverage efficiency compared with the other methods. CONCLUSION: MeDIP-BS is a
      practical cost-effective method for analyzing whole-genome DNA methylation that
      is highly accurate at base-pair resolution.

PMID- 27266719
TI  - Mothering and anxiety: Social support and competence as mitigating factors for
      first-time mothers.
AB  - This study investigated anxiety as a phenomenon distinct from depression and
      evaluated several variables that influence anxiety in first-time mothers. This
      explored the relationship between maternal sense of competence (both of mothering
      and efficacy) and perceived social support (from family, friends, and significant
      others) and first-time mothers' postpartum anxiety, when depression,
      socioeconomic status (SES), and marital status were controlled for. The
      population studied were 86 first-time mothers made up of women with children 24
      months or younger in two populations of Kentucky and Michigan. The constructs of
      maternal sense of competence and perceived social support were found to be
      significant in explaining first-time mothers' anxiety. The study concluded that a
      combined association of perceived social support and maternal sense of competence
      were associated with a 34% (change in R-squared = .339) decrease of a first-time
      mothers' anxiety. However, not all types of social support, or maternal
      competence appeared to be equally important with regards to maternal anxiety:
      social support from friends and family and maternal sense of competence in regard
      to productivity appeared to be most significant. Lastly, some recommendations for
      health practitioners who work with mothers are provided.

PMID- 27266720
TI  - Ceruloplasmin decreases respiratory burst reaction during pregnancy.
AB  - Testing of pregnant women reveals weakening of neutrophil-mediated effector
      functions, such as reactive oxygen species generation. This study provides data
      confirming the phenomenon, gained through application of the flow cytometry
      technique. Key factors influencing neutrophil functional activity in blood plasma
      of pregnant women have not been detected so far. At the same time, concentration
      of ceruloplasmin - a copper-containing glycoprotein - is known to increase in
      blood significantly during pregnancy. We observed the negative correlation
      between ceruloplasmin concentration in blood plasma of pregnant women and the
      intensity of respiratory burst of neutrophils. Fractionation of plasma using gel
      filtration revealed that ceruloplasmin-containing fraction demonstrated
      suppression of the respiratory burst reaction. Partial elimination of
      ceruloplasmin from the blood of pregnant women, performed with the help of
      specific antibodies and followed by immunoprecipitation, leads to an increased
      respiratory burst reaction. On the contrary, addition of ceruloplasmin to blood
      samples of healthy donors noticeably decreases the respiratory burst reaction.
      The results presented prove that change in ceruloplasmin level in plasma is
      necessary and sufficient for modulating the ability of neutrophils to produce
      reactive oxygen species during pregnancy. 

PMID- 27266721
TI  - Pharmacogenetic-based strategy using de novo tacrolimus once daily after kidney
      transplantation: prospective pilot study.
AB  - AIM: The once daily tacrolimus formulation (Tac-OD) has been associated with
      better patient adherence and low variability in exposure. Patients carrying the
      CYP3A5*1 allele show accelerated clearance of Tac. Authors prospectively evaluate
      a simplified strategy for Tac-OD administration. PATIENTS & METHODS: After
      grafting, 151 patients were divided into four groups and received a daily dose
      calculated according to CYP3A5 genotypes and unchanged for the first 3 days:
      CYP3A5*3/*3: 0.20 mg/kg/day, CYP3A5*3/*3: 0.25 mg/kg/day, CYP3A5*1/*3: 0.30
      mg/kg/day and CYP3A5*1/*1: 0.35 mg/kg/day. The dose was adaptated on day 4 and
      remained unchanged a further three days and so on. RESULTS: On day 3, median Cmin
      fell within the therapeutic range in all study groups. CYP3A5 expressors require
      significantly higher Tac-OD throughout the follow-up period to achieve a
      comparable Cmin. CONCLUSION: This simplified strategy does not hamper treatment
      efficacy.

PMID- 27266722
TI  - T1a Versus T1b Differentiated Thyroid Cancers: Do We Need to Make the
      Distinction?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)
      staging system trialed a subdivision of T1 tumors into T1a (<1 cm) and T1b (1.0-2
      cm). The 2009 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines recommended total
      thyroidectomy for tumors >1 cm, and lobectomy for those <=1 cm. These AJCC
      staging parameters remain a focus of debate, and ATA guidelines are in
      transition. The aim of this study was to determine if the T1 staging subdivision
      is associated with different treatment strategies and patterns of patient
      survival. METHODS: All adult patients with AJCC pT1 differentiated thyroid cancer
      (DTC) from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB; 1998-2012) and Surveillance,
      Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program (2004-2012) were divided into two
      groups based on tumor size: T1a versus T1b. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic
      features were evaluated. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine
      factors associated with undergoing total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine.
      Cox proportional hazards models were performed to determine factors associated
      with overall and disease-specific survival. RESULTS: Among 149,912 DTC patients,
      98,111 (65.4%) were T1a and 51,801 (34.6%) T1b in the NCDB; in SEER, among 18,381
      patients, 11,208 (61.0%) had T1a and 7173 (39.0%) T1b tumors. Patients with T1b
      cancers were younger (48 vs. 51 years T1a) and more likely to have private
      insurance (76.2% vs. 74.1%), no comorbidities (86.0% vs. 83.8%), and undergo
      treatment at academic medical centers (41.4% vs. 40.3%; all p < 0.01). They also
      were more likely to undergo total thyroidectomy (87.7% vs. 74.3%), and had more
      lymphovascular invasion (10.2% vs. 3.3%), positive surgical margins (7.9% vs.
      3.8%), metastatic lymph nodes (35.8% vs. 23.8%), and distant metastases (0.4% vs.
      0.3%; all p < 0.01). Factors associated with radioactive-iodine use included
      younger patient age, lower income, having insurance, positive surgical margins,
      and T1b stage (p < 0.01). After adjustment, overall (p = 0.23) and disease
      specific survival (p = 0.93) were similar among patients with T1a versus T1b
      tumors. CONCLUSION: These results illustrate that patients with pT1a versus pT1b
      tumors undergo different treatment strategies. Based on the newly published 2015
      ATA guidelines, whereby either lobectomy or total thyroidectomy can be performed
      for low-risk tumors, it might be anticipated that treatment differences will
      diminish over time. Therefore, division of AJCC T1 staging into T1a versus T1b
      subgroups might become obsolete over time.

PMID- 27266723
TI  - Irreversible Electroporation in the Epidural Space of the Porcine Spine: Effects
      on Adjacent Structures.
AB  - Purpose To determine the effects of irreversible electroporation (IRE) on the
      neural tissues after ablation in the epidural space of the porcine spine.
      Materials and Methods The institutional animal care and use committee approved
      this study. With the IRE electrode positioned in the right lateral recess of the
      spinal epidural space, 20 IRE ablations were performed with computed tomographic
      (CT) guidance by using different applied voltages in four animals that were
      euthanized immediately after magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the spine,
      performed 6 hours after IRE (terminal group). Histopathologic characteristics of
      the neural tissues were assessed and used to select a voltage for a survival
      study. Sixteen CT-guided IRE ablations in the epidural space were performed by
      using 667 V in four animals that were survived for 7 days (survival group).
      Clinical characteristics, MR imaging findings (obtained 6 hours after IRE and
      before euthanasia), histopathologic characteristics, and simulated electric field
      strengths were assessed. A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the
      simulated electric field strength to histologic findings. Results The mean
      distance between the IRE electrode and the spinal cord and nerve root was 1.71 mm
      +/- 0.90 and 8.47 mm + 3.44, respectively. There was no clinical evidence of
      paraplegia after IRE ablation. MR imaging and histopathologic examination showed
      no neural tissue lesions within the spinal cord; however, five of 16 nerve roots
      (31.2%) demonstrated moderate wallerian degeneration in the survival group. The
      severity of histopathologic injury in the survival group was not significantly
      related to either the simulated electric field strength or the distance between
      the IRE electrode and the neural structure (P > .05). Conclusion Although the
      spinal cord appears resistant to the toxic effects of IRE, injury to the nerve
      roots may be a limiting factor for the use of IRE ablation in the epidural space.
      (c) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

PMID- 27266724
TI  - Effect of Cr(VI) concentration on gas and particle production during iron
      oxidation in aqueous solutions containing Cl- ions.
AB  - Zero-valent iron (ZVI) is commonly used as a medium in permeable reactive
      barriers (PRBs) because of its high reducing ability. The generation of H2 gas in
      PRBs, however, can decrease the permeability of PRBs and reduce the contact area
      between the PRB and contaminated groundwater. This study investigated the effect
      of the initial Cr(VI) concentration ([Cr(VI)init]) in aqueous solutions
      containing Cl- ions on the generation of H2 gas. ZVI chips were reacted in
      reactors with 0.5-M NaCl solutions with [Cr(VI)init] ranging between 51 and 303
      mg/L. The initial pH was set at 3. The oxidation of ZVI chips by Cr(VI) in
      aqueous solutions containing Cl- ions produced H2 gas and particles (Fe(III)
      Cr(III)(oxy)hydroxides). The Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions increased as
      the [Cr(VI)init] increased, as did H2 gas generation. The positive effect of
      [Cr(VI)init] on H2 gas generation might be due to an increase in the redox
      potential gradient as [Cr(VI)init] increases. This increased gradient would
      enhance H+ ion penetration through the passive film (Fe(III)
      Cr(III)(oxy)hydroxides), which formed on the ZVI surface, by diffusion from the
      solution to pits beneath the passive film.

PMID- 27266725
TI  - Phenolic acids, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Naviglio(r)
      extracts from Schizogyne sericea (Asteraceae).
AB  - Schizogyne sericea, well-known as 'salado', is a halophytic shrub widespread on
      coastal rocks of Tenerife (Canary Islands). This plant is used traditionally as
      analgesic, astringent, anti-inflammatory and vulnerary agent. In the present
      work, we have analysed the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of S. sericea for the
      content of phenolic acids by HPLC-DAD. The dynamic solid-liquid Naviglio(r)
      extractor was used to extract the flowering aerial parts. Aqueous extracts showed
      higher levels of phenolics than ethanolic extracts. S. sericea extracts were rich
      in chlorogenic and isochlorogenic acids. The Naviglio(r) extracts obtained were
      assayed for in vitro biological activities, namely antioxidant, antimicrobial and
      cytotoxicity on tumour cells by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, agar disc-diffusion and MTT
      methods, respectively. Results showed that aqueous extracts, being richer in
      phenolic acids, are endowed with relevant radical scavenging activity (TEAC
      values in the range 208-960 MUmol TE/g) while ethanolic extracts exhibited
      noteworthy antiproliferative effects on tumour cells.

PMID- 27266726
TI  - Estimation and mapping of uranium content of geological units in France.
AB  - In France, natural radiation accounts for most of the population exposure to
      ionizing radiation. The Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety
      (IRSN) carries out studies to evaluate the variability of natural radioactivity
      over the French territory. In this framework, the present study consisted in the
      evaluation of uranium concentrations in bedrocks. The objective was to provide
      estimate of uranium content of each geological unit defined in the geological map
      of France (1:1,000,000). The methodology was based on the interpretation of
      existing geochemical data (results of whole rock sample analysis) and the
      knowledge of petrology and lithology of the geological units, which allowed
      obtaining a first estimate of the uranium content of rocks. Then, this first
      estimate was improved thanks to some additional information. For example, some
      particular or regional sedimentary rocks which could present uranium contents
      higher than those generally observed for these lithologies, were identified.
      Moreover, databases on mining provided information on the location of uranium and
      coal/lignite mines and thus indicated the location of particular uranium-rich
      rocks. The geological units, defined from their boundaries extracted from the
      geological map of France (1:1,000,000), were finally classified into 5 categories
      based on their mean uranium content. The map obtained provided useful data for
      establishing the geogenic radon map of France, but also for mapping countrywide
      exposure to terrestrial radiation and for the evaluation of background levels of
      natural radioactivity used for impact assessment of anthropogenic activities.

PMID- 27266728
TI  - Description and prevalence of Mycoplasma ciconiae sp. nov. isolated from white
      stork nestlings (Ciconia ciconia).
AB  - The mycoplasma strain ST 57T was isolated from the trachea of a clinically
      healthy, free-ranging white stork nestling in Nielitz, Mecklenburg-Western
      Pomerania, Germany. Strain ST 57T grew in fried-egg-shaped colonies on mycoplasma
      (SP4) agar plates and was dependent on sterol for growth. The organism fermented
      glucose and did not hydrolyse arginine or urea. The optimal growth temperature
      was 37  degrees C, with a temperature range from 23 to 44  degrees C. Strain ST
      57Tcould not be identified as a representative of any of the currently described
      mycoplasma species by alignment of the 16S rRNA gene sequence or 16S-23S
      intergenic transcribed spacer region, or by immunobinding assays. Thus, this
      organism appears to be a representative of a novel species, for which the name
      Mycoplasma ciconiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ST 57T (=ATCC BAA
      2401T=DSM 25251T). Four further strains of this species are included in this
      description (ST 24=DSM 29908, ST 56 Clone 1=DSM 29054, ST 99=DSM 29909, ST
      102=DSM 29010). The prevalence of this mycoplasma species in clinically healthy,
      white stork nestlings in northern Germany was determined. Our species-specific
      PCR detected 57.8 % (48/83) of the samples positive for M. ciconiae sp. nov. As
      this species appears to be widespread in the healthy free-ranging white stork
      population, we conclude that this species is either apathogenic or an
      opportunistic pathogen in white storks.

PMID- 27266729
TI  - The postcode lottery lives on.
AB  - The postcode lottery was something that the National Institute for Health and
      Care Excellence, as it is now called, was originally set up to eradicate back in
      1999. 

PMID- 27266727
TI  - Determinants of hepcidin levels in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury: Impact
      on pAKT/PTEN pathways?
AB  - The antimicrobial beta-defensin-like role of hepcidin (HEPC) has been
      increasingly investigated for its potential role in acute kidney injury (AKI). In
      sepsis-induced AKI, there is a complex interplay between positive and negative
      regulation of HEPC, with consequently altered distributions of iron caused by
      changes in HEPC levels. The aim of the current research was to assess serum HEPC
      levels in a cohort of septic patients with AKI and investigate the regulatory
      impact of hypoxia-inducing factor (HIF)-1alpha, erythropoietin (EPO) and
      inflammation on HEPC levels and related signal cascades in these patients.
      Baseline, higher levels of SCr (2.3-fold), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (1.8-fold),
      uric acid (2.3-fold) and white blood cell (2.3-fold) were noted in septic AKI
      patients, along with decreased levels of albumin (15.7%), creatinine (44.7%) and
      BUN/creatinine ratios (23.8%), compared to in normal subjects. These hosts also
      had increased serum levels of TNFalpha (4.4-times) and TGFbeta1 (3.2-times)
      compared to controls (p < 0.05). Further, HEPC and HIF-1alpha levels were also
      increased (8.8- and 3.6-times control levels), while EPO levels were decreased
      (77.8%) from control levels. After 12 weeks of antibiotic therapy, all septic AKI
      patients showed significant improvement of the altered markers of kidney
      dysfunction. In line with significant reductions in serum TNFalpha and TGFbeta1
      (25.5% and 26.2%, respectively), HEPC and HIF-1alpha levels were significantly
      decreased (31.6% and 19.3%), and EPO levels increased (1.9-fold) compared to
      pretreatment values. There was a significant positive correlation between HEPC
      levels and kidney function markers (SCr and BUN), inflammatory TNFalpha and
      TGFbeta1 and serum HIF-1alpha and pAKT in septic AKI patients before and after
      treatment. Based on the results here, we conclude that HEPC, EPO and HIF-1alpha
      are involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced AKI and confirm the dominating
      effects of inflammatory determinants over hypoxia-related complications.

PMID- 27266730
TI  - Charities call for staff and funds to reduce infant death levels.
AB  - 'SERIOUS' STAFFING and funding shortages must be addressed urgently if the
      numbers of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in the UK are to be reduced, charities
      have urged. 

PMID- 27266731
TI  - Neonatal unit receives prestigious accreditation.
AB  - A NEONATAL intensive care unit in Southampton has become the first in the country
      to gain a family-friendly accreditation award from the charity Bliss. 

PMID- 27266732
TI  - New website offers wider content for readers on the go.
AB  - NURSING CHILDREN and Young People is launching a new website designed to give our
      readers a better experience when using the journal online. 

PMID- 27266733
TI  - Gaps in community workforce putting pressure on parents.
AB  - THE WELLCHILD charity has called for workforce and training to be reviewed as it
      celebrates its tenth anniversary. 

PMID- 27266734
TI  - Wear it with pride.
AB  - NURSES AT one NHS hospital trust are to be awarded badges for their achievements.

PMID- 27266736
TI  - Cuts endanger more services.
AB  - WHEN BARNSLEY council put out its tender for the 0-19 service last autumn, it
      laid down strict criteria. A ceiling of L4.8 million a year was put on any bids
      for the service, which incorporates school nursing teams and health visitors.
      That represented a cut of more than L1 million on the existing contract. 

PMID- 27266737
TI  - Lessons in speed from Formula One.
AB  - A COLLABORATION between Formula One team Williams and the University Hospital of
      Wales (UHW) has provided clinicians with a host of ideas about how to improve
      care. 

PMID- 27266738
TI  - Noticeboard.
AB  - Courses, events, grants, and awards to progress your career. 

PMID- 27266742
TI  - Research essentials.
AB  - CONDUCTING RESEARCH to a high standard requires funding and grant applications to
      funding bodies need a detailed breakdown of justified costs to show value for
      money. All expenditure must be accounted for, even down to the cost of tea and
      coffee. 

PMID- 27266743
TI  - Development of more focused questionnaires improves results.
AB  - The need to elicit parental experiences and perspectives on a child's end of life
      care is a fundamental element of measuring quality of care but, additionally, is
      crucial for care improvement and development. 

PMID- 27266744
TI  - Research and commentary.
AB  - Background Families' experiences at the end of life are affected by the quality
      of care family and child receive. Parental voices are an important element of
      gathering information on caring experiences and quality issues. 

PMID- 27266748
TI  - Student voice - Care begins at home.
AB  - WHILE I don't imagine anyone in any line of work feels happy about calling in
      sick, I have never known anyone experience the same level of guilt about it as
      nurses. 

PMID- 27266749
TI  - Storyboarding as an aid to learning about death in children's nursing.
AB  - The sudden or anticipated death of a child is one of the most challenging and
      unique experiences that children's nursing students will encounter in practice.
      There is evidence to suggest that the effect this can have on a practitioner can
      affect quality of care. Although education for nurses about dealing with death
      has been studied, there is limited research into the education of those working
      with dying children and how effective it is in preparing them to deal with the
      situation. This deficit presents those involved in children's nurse education
      with a significant challenge and an opportunity to be innovative. This article
      examines the use of storyboarding as a creative teaching tool to enable
      children's nursing students to reflect on their experiences of working with
      children and families in death situations. The wider implications for the use of
      this technique in practice and education are considered. 

PMID- 27266750
TI  - An experience-based treatment model for children unwilling to eat.
AB  - Background Guidance during Meals is a two-week inpatient intervention undertaken
      at the Folke Bernadotte Regional Habilitation Centre, Sweden, to help parents
      deal with children's eating problems. Parents are given advice about medical
      and/or behavioural reasons for food selectivity and possible treatment
      strategies. Aims To identify the way parents handle mealtimes and associated
      difficulties and investigate parents' opinion on children's progress using
      Guidance during Meals. Method A questionnaire, consisting of 30 statements and
      answered by 41 parents, was used to investigate parents' opinions regarding the
      success of the intervention in altering their child's eating habits at home.
      Findings Most parents thought that the intervention had helped them and their
      child, by teaching them how to guide their child during mealtimes, what made it
      easier for their child to eat, and how to communicate with their child in an
      encouraging way. Most children retained their increased interest in eating once
      back at home. These results were not dependent on time of onset of eating
      problems, number of intervention periods, length of time since the intervention,
      or gastrostomy. Conclusion The Guidance during Meals intervention helps parents
      develop knowledge about factors that hinder or facilitate eating in their child
      and tools that can help their child finish meals, and gives them a sense of hope
      that positive change can occur. 

PMID- 27266751
TI  - Children's nurses' post-operative pain assessment practices.
AB  - Pain assessment is crucial to achieving optimal pain management in children. Pain
      that is insufficiently controlled can have extensive short- and long-term
      repercussions. Many studies continue to report that children experience
      unnecessary post-operative pain when they are in hospital. The purpose of this
      literature review was to explore post-operative pain assessment practices used by
      children's nurses. A literature search of databases was undertaken and inclusion
      criteria identified. Four themes emerged: pain assessment tools; behavioural
      cues; documentation; and communication between child, parent/carer and nurse. The
      findings showed that pain assessment tools were inadequately used, that
      children's behavioural cues were misinterpreted, and that there was inconsistency
      in the documentation of pain scores and in communication about pain scores
      between children, parent/carer and nurse. Addressing the key issues identified
      from the articles reviewed can help improve nursing practice and care. 

PMID- 27266752
TI  - How a short stay unit can reduce children's waiting times.
AB  - Admitting children to emergency departments (EDs) often places them in an
      environment better suited to the treatment of adult patients. These children are
      often triaged and treated as adults, resulting in children being given the wrong
      triage categories and having their treatment delayed. EDs have problems giving
      drugs to children, staff are unfamiliar with children's emergency care, and
      children find EDs frightening. A paediatric emergency short stay unit (PESSU) was
      opened at Caboolture Hospital, Queensland, Australia, in January 2014. Admission
      to the PESSU has significantly reduced waiting times for children arriving at the
      ED and enabled specialist nursing and medical care to be provided quickly. This
      has been supported by the development of the paediatric flow nurse role ( Gray et
      al 2016 ). 

PMID- 27266753
TI  - The clinical and economic burden of significant bleeding during lung resection
      surgery: A retrospective matched cohort analysis of real-world data.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this retrospective study was to quantify the
      clinical and economic burden of significant bleeding in lung resection surgery in
      the US. METHODS: This study utilized 2009-2012 data from the Premier Perspective
      DatabaseTM. Adult patients with primary pulmonary lobectomy or segmentectomy
      procedures were categorized by the surgical approach (VATS vs open) and primary
      diagnosis (primary or metastatic lung cancer vs non-lung cancer). Patients
      requiring >=3 units of blood products with at least 1 unit of PRBCs: "significant
      bleeding" cohort; those requiring <3 units: "non-significant bleeding" cohort;
      and those not requiring blood products: "no bleeding" cohort. A matched cohort
      analysis was performed between the "significant bleeding" and the "no bleeding
      cohort" using matching variables: hospital, lung cancer diagnosis, year of
      surgery, APR-DRG severity score, procedure type and approach, age, and gender.
      RESULTS: The "All-patient" cohort comprised 21,429 patients: 213 "significant
      bleeding"; 2,780 "non-significant bleeding"; and 18,436 "no bleeding". Overall
      incidence of significant chest bleeding was 0.99%. Patients from "significant
      bleeding" cohort and "non-significant bleeding" cohort had 2.5 days and 2 days (p
      < 0.0001) longer length of stay in the hospital compared to those in the "no
      bleeding" cohort, respectively. Overall, hospital costs for "significant
      bleeding" cohort were higher than "no bleeding" cohort for those who were covered
      under Medicare ($59,871 vs $23,641), were >=76 years of age ($64,010 vs $24,243),
      had greater severity of illness ($97,813 vs $51,871) and underwent open
      segmentectomy ($74,220 vs $21,903). Hospital costs for "significant bleeding"
      cohort and "non-significant bleeding" were significantly higher ($11,589 and
      $5,280, respectively, p < 0.0001) than no bleeding cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Although
      significant bleeding during lung resection surgery is rare, patients with such
      complication could stay longer at the hospital and cost an average of $13,103
      more than those without.

PMID- 27266754
TI  - Effect of the addition of rituximab to salvage chemotherapy prior to autologous
      stem cell transplant in aggressive CD20+ lymphoma: a cohort comparison from the
      NCIC Clinical Trials Group Study LY.12<sup/>.
AB  - The impact of the addition of rituximab to salvage chemotherapy prior to
      autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) was evaluated in a retrospective subgroup
      analysis of NCIC CTG LY.12. Among 414 patients who relapsed following R-CHOP, 96
      received salvage chemotherapy alone [R - cohort]; and 318 received rituximab with
      chemotherapy [R + cohort] following a protocol amendment. The R-cohort had a
      higher proportion of patients with PS >=2 and relapse <1 year after R-CHOP. The
      response rate (45.6% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.0003), CR/CRu (15.7% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.003)
      and transplantation rate (51.9% vs. 31.3%, p = 0.0004) was higher in the R +
      cohort. Event-free (27% vs. 22%, p = 0.0954) and overall survival at four years
      (43% vs. 31%; p = 0.045) were greater in the R + cohort when the patients with
      best response SD/PD to R-CHOP were excluded. Addition of rituximab to salvage
      therapy before ASCT appears to improve the response rate, transplantation rate,
      and overall survival in patients with CD20+ lymphoma who responded to R-CHOP.

PMID- 27266759
TI  - GPU-Accelerated State-Averaged Complete Active Space Self-Consistent Field
      Interfaced with Ab Initio Multiple Spawning Unravels the Photodynamics of
      Provitamin D3.
AB  - Excited-state molecular dynamics is essential to the study of photochemical
      reactions, which occur under nonequilibrium conditions. However, the
      computational cost of such simulations has often dictated compromises between
      accuracy and efficiency. The need for an accurate description of both the
      molecular electronic structure and nuclear dynamics has historically stymied the
      simulation of medium- to large-size molecular systems. Here, we show how to
      alleviate this problem by combining ab initio multiple spawning (AIMS) for the
      nuclear dynamics and GPU-accelerated state-averaged complete active space self
      consistent field (SA-CASSCF) for the electronic structure. We demonstrate the new
      approach by first-principles SA-CASSCF/AIMS nonadiabatic dynamics simulation of
      photoinduced electrocyclic ring-opening in the 51-atom provitamin D3 molecule. 

PMID- 27266767
TI  - Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular response to biophysical
      cues using synthetic biology approaches.
AB  - The use of synthetic surfaces and materials to influence and study cell behavior
      has vastly progressed our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms
      involved in cellular response to physicochemical and biophysical cues.
      Reconstituting cytoskeletal proteins and interfacing them with a defined
      microenvironment has also garnered deep insight into the engineering mechanisms
      existing within the cell. This review presents recent experimental findings on
      the influence of several parameters of the extracellular environment on cell
      behavior and fate, such as substrate topography, stiffness, chemistry and charge.
      In addition, the use of synthetic environments to measure physical properties of
      the reconstituted cytoskeleton and their interaction with intracellular proteins
      such as molecular motors is discussed, which is relevant for understanding cell
      migration, division and structural integrity, as well as intracellular transport.
      Insight is provided regarding the next steps to be taken in this
      interdisciplinary field, in order to achieve the global aim of artificially
      directing cellular response.

PMID- 27266768
TI  - Identifying improvements to complex pathways: evidence synthesis and stakeholder
      engagement in infant congenital heart disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Many infants die in the year following discharge from hospital after
      surgical or catheter intervention for congenital heart disease (3-5% of
      discharged infants). There is considerable variability in the provision of care
      and support in this period, and some families experience barriers to care. We
      aimed to identify ways to improve discharge and postdischarge care for this
      patient group. DESIGN: A systematic evidence synthesis aligned with a process of
      eliciting the perspectives of families and professionals from community, primary,
      secondary and tertiary care. SETTING: UK. RESULTS: A set of evidence-informed
      recommendations for improving the discharge and postdischarge care of infants
      following intervention for congenital heart disease was produced. These address
      known challenges with current care processes and, recognising current resource
      constraints, are targeted at patient groups based on the number of patients
      affected and the level and nature of their risk of adverse 1-year outcome. The
      recommendations include: structured discharge documentation, discharging certain
      high-risk patients via their local hospital, enhanced surveillance for patients
      with certain (high-risk) cardiac diagnoses and an early warning tool for parents
      and community health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Our recommendations set out a
      comprehensive, system-wide approach for improving discharge and postdischarge
      services. This approach could be used to address challenges in delivering care
      for other patient populations that can fall through gaps between sectors and
      organisations.

PMID- 27266769
TI  - Default options in advance directives: study protocol for a randomised clinical
      trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although most seriously ill Americans wish to avoid burdensome and
      aggressive care at the end of life, such care is often provided unless patients
      or family members specifically request otherwise. Advance directives (ADs) were
      created to provide opportunities to set limits on aggressive care near life's
      end. This study tests the hypothesis that redesigning ADs such that comfort
      oriented care is provided as the default, rather than requiring patients to
      actively choose it, will promote better patient-centred outcomes. METHODS AND
      ANALYSIS: This multicentre trial randomises seriously ill adults to receive 1 of
      3 different ADs: (1) a traditional AD that requires patients to actively choose
      their goals of care or preferences for specific interventions (eg, feeding tube
      insertion) or otherwise have their care guided by their surrogates and the
      prevailing societal default toward aggressive care; (2) an AD that defaults to
      life-extending care and receipt of life-sustaining interventions, enabling
      patients to opt out from such care; or (3) an AD that defaults to comfort care,
      enabling patients to opt into life-extending care. We seek to enrol 270 patients
      who return complete, legally valid ADs so as to generate sufficient power to
      detect differences in the primary outcome of hospital-free days (days alive and
      not in an acute care facility). Secondary outcomes include hospital and intensive
      care unit admissions, costs of care, hospice usage, decision conflict and
      satisfaction, quality of life, concordance of preferences with care received and
      bereavement outcomes for surrogates of patients who die. ETHICS AND
      DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Boards at
      all trial centres, and is guided by a data safety and monitoring board and an
      ethics advisory board. Study results will be disseminated using methods that
      describe the results in ways that key stakeholders can best understand and
      implement. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02017548; Pre-results.

PMID- 27266770
TI  - When procedures meet practice in community pharmacies: qualitative insights from
      pharmacists and pharmacy support staff.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to explore how members of community pharmacy staff
      perceive and experience the role of procedures within the workplace in community
      pharmacies. SETTING: Community pharmacies in England and Wales. PARTICIPANTS: 24
      community pharmacy staff including pharmacists and pharmacy support staff were
      interviewed regarding their view of procedures in community pharmacy. Transcripts
      were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: 3 main themes were identified.
      According to the 'dissemination and creation of standard operating procedures'
      theme, community pharmacy staff were required to follow a large amount of
      procedures as part of their work. At times, complying with all procedures was not
      possible. According to the 'complying with procedures' theme, there are several
      factors that influenced compliance with procedures, including work demands, the
      high workload and the social norm within the pharmacy. Lack of staff, pressure to
      hit targets and poor communication also affected how able staff felt to follow
      procedures. The third theme 'procedural compliance versus using professional
      judgement' highlighted tensions between the standardisation of practice and the
      professional autonomy of pharmacists. Pharmacists feared being unsupported by
      their employer for working outside of procedures, even when acting for patient
      benefit. Some support staff believed that strictly following procedures would
      keep patients and themselves safe. Dispensers described following the guidance of
      the pharmacist which sometimes meant working outside of procedures, but
      occasionally felt unable to voice concerns about not working to rule.
      CONCLUSIONS: Organisational resilience in community pharmacy was apparent and
      findings from this study should help to inform policymakers and practitioners
      regarding factors likely to influence the implementation of procedures in
      community pharmacy settings. Future research should focus on exploring community
      pharmacy employees' intentions and attitudes towards rule-breaking behaviour and
      the impact this may have on patient safety.

PMID- 27266771
TI  - Comparing cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy and psychoeducation for non
      specific symptoms associated with indoor air: a randomised control trial
      protocol.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Indoor air-related conditions share similarities with other
      conditions that are characterised by medically unexplained symptoms (MUS)-a
      combination of non-specific symptoms that cannot be fully explained by structural
      bodily pathology. In cases of indoor air-related conditions, these symptoms are
      not fully explained by either medical conditions or the immunological
      toxicological effects of environmental factors. The condition may be disabling,
      including a non-adaptive health behaviour. In this multifaceted phenomenon,
      psychosocial factors influence the experienced symptoms. Currently, there is no
      evidence of clinical management of symptoms, which are associated with the indoor
      environment and cannot be resolved by removing the triggering environmental
      factors. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of treatment-as-usual
      (TAU) and two psychosocial interventions on the quality of life, and the work
      ability of employees with non-specific indoor air-related symptomatology. METHODS
      AND ANALYSES: The aim of this ongoing randomised controlled trial is to recruit
      60 participants, in collaboration with 5 occupational health service units. The
      main inclusion criterion is the presence of indoor air-related recurrent symptoms
      in >=2 organ systems, which have no pathophysiological explanation. After
      baseline clinical investigations, participants are randomised into interventions,
      which all include TAU: cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, psychoeducation and
      TAU (control condition). Health-related quality of life, measured using the 15D
      scale, is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include somatic and psychiatric
      symptoms, occupational factors, and related underlying mechanisms (ie, cognitive
      functioning). Questionnaires are completed at baseline, at 3, 6 and 12-month
      follow-ups. Data collection will continue until 2017. The study will provide new
      information on the individual factors related to indoor air-associated symptoms,
      and on ways in which to support work ability. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The
      Coordinating Ethics Committee of the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa,
      Finland, has granted approval for the study. The results will be published in
      peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02069002; Pre-results.

PMID- 27266773
TI  - Clinical outcomes at 12 months and risk of inflammatory bowel disease in patients
      with an intermediate raised fecal calprotectin: a 'real-world' view.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A recent systematic review confirmed the usefulness of fecal
      calprotectin (FC) in distinguishing organic (inflammatory bowel disease (IBD))
      from non-organic gastrointestinal disease (irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)). FC
      levels <50 MUg/g have a negative predictive value >92% to exclude organic
      gastrointestinal (GI) disease. Levels >250 MUg/g correlate with endoscopic IBD
      disease activity; sensitivity 90%. We aimed to determine clinical outcomes in
      intermediate raised FC results (50-250 MUg/g). SETTING: Primary care general
      practices in Coventry and Warwickshire, and 3 secondary care hospitals.
      PARTICIPANTS: 443 FC results in adults (>16 years old) were reviewed from July
      2012 to October 2013. Clinical data was collected from hospital databases and
      general practitioners. Long-term clinical data was available in 41 patients (out
      of 48). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of new diagnoses of
      IBD, IBS and other diagnoses for the intermediate group. The number referred and
      discharged from secondary care. RESULTS: A new IBD diagnosis was made in 19%
      (n=8) of intermediate results (1% of normal and 38% of raised results). 5% (n=2)
      of intermediate results had known IBD in remission. A new IBS diagnosis was made
      in 27% (n=11) of intermediate results, while 34% (n=14) remained undiagnosed,
      although 8 of these were not referred to secondary care. CONCLUSIONS: FC testing
      remains useful in aiding diagnosis of organic GI conditions. However, unlike
      negative and strongly positive FC results, intermediate FC results lead to a
      mixture of diagnoses. The OR of a new diagnosis of IBD for an intermediate result
      compared to normal FC result was 26.6, while an intermediate FC result gave an OR
      of 0.54 for a new IBS diagnosis compared to normal FC. For intermediate FC
      results, 1 in 3 patients remained in secondary care after 12 months with an OR of
      3.6 compared to a normal FC result.

PMID- 27266772
TI  - Validation of the Kinyarwanda-version Short-Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire
      and Short-Form Nepean Dyspepsia Index to assess dyspepsia prevalence and quality
      of-life impact in Rwanda.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to develop and validate Kinyarwanda versions of Short-Form
      Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (SF-LDQ) and Short-Form Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF
      NDI) to measure the frequency and severity of dyspepsia and associated quality-of
      life impact in Rwanda. SETTING: A single, tertiary care centre in Rwanda.
      PARTICIPANTS: 200 consecutive Kinyarwanda-speaking patients referred to endoscopy
      (100 patients) or medical outpatients (100 patients). INTERVENTIONS: Kinyarwanda
      versions of the SF-LDQ and SF-NDI were developed from English versions by
      translation, with back translation, crosschecking and pilot testing. Study
      participants completed these questionnaires at enrolment (time 1), and then
      completed the surveys again with blinded phone interviewers 3 days later (time
      2). 20 randomly selected participants, diagnosed with a peptic ulcer on index
      endoscopy, completed a third survey by phone at day 30 (time 3), after therapy.
      PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Internal consistency at time 1 (by Cronbach's alpha)
      and test-retest reliability between time 1 and time 2 (Spearman's correlation
      coefficient) for translated SF-LDQ and SF-NDI; validity versus clinical diagnosis
      (by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve) and responsiveness to
      treatment for SF-LDQ (by change in mean score). All outcomes were measured as per
      protocol. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha of the translated SF-LDQ was 0.93, showing
      high internal consistency. Spearman's correlation coefficient comparing time 1
      and time 2 was 0.978 (p<0.001), demonstrating high reliability. Cronbach's alpha
      for the translated SF-NDI was 0.92. A cut-off score of 16 on the SF-LDQ showed a
      sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 71% for the diagnosis of dyspepsia,
      correctly classifying 89% of patients. In the responsiveness analysis, the mean
      SF-LDQ score was reduced from 20.1 prior to treatment to 13.9 after 30 days of
      treatment (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The Kinyarwanda versions of the SF-LDQ and SF
      NDI were valid, reliable and responsive to treatment.

PMID- 27266774
TI  - Electronic nicotine delivery system landscape in licensed tobacco retailers:
      results of a county-level survey in Oklahoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have recently emerged as
      a component of the tobacco retail environment. The aims of this study were to
      describe the availability, types of ENDS and placement of ENDS relative to
      traditional tobacco products at franchised licensed tobacco retailers and non
      franchised licensed tobacco retailers. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING:
      Franchised and non-franchised tobacco retailers in Cleveland County, Oklahoma,
      USA. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of stores selling ENDS,
      the variability in brands of ENDS sold, the location of the ENDS within the
      retailers, the quantity of ENDS sold compared with traditional tobacco products,
      and the presence of outdoor signage. RESULTS: Data from 57 randomly sampled
      tobacco retailers were used to describe the presence of ENDS at independent non
      franchised and franchised tobacco retailers. The overwhelming majority (90%) of
      licensed tobacco retailers sold ENDS, and differences were observed between
      franchised and non-franchised stores. 45 of the 51 retailers (88%) selling ENDS
      had them placed at the point of sale. 2 of the 21 franchised retailers (9.5%) had
      ENDS placed at <=31/2 feet above floor level compared to none of the 30 non
      franchised retailers (0%). CONCLUSIONS: This small study is the first to
      characterise ENDS within the tobacco retail environment in a county in Oklahoma,
      USA. The results from this study demonstrate the complexity of the tobacco retail
      landscape and generate questions for future studies regarding the incorporation
      and placement of ENDS in tobacco retail environments.

PMID- 27266775
TI  - Longitudinal trends in use and costs of targeted therapies for common cancers in
      Taiwan: a retrospective observational study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Some targeted therapies have improved survival and overall quality of
      cancer care generally, but these increasingly expensive medicines have led to
      increases in pharmaceutical expenditure. This study examined trends in use and
      expenditures of antineoplastic agents in Taiwan, and estimated market shares by
      prescription volume and costs of targeted therapies over time. We also determined
      which cancer types accounted for the highest use of targeted therapies. DESIGN:
      This is a retrospective observational study focusing on the utilisation of
      targeted therapies for treatment of cancer. SETTING: The monthly claims data for
      antineoplastic agents were retrieved from Taiwan's National Health Insurance
      Research Database (2009-2012). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We calculated market shares
      by prescription volume and costs for each class of antineoplastic agent by cancer
      type. Using a time series design with Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average
      (ARIMA) models, we estimated trends in use and costs of targeted therapies.
      RESULTS: Among all antineoplastic agents, use of targeted therapies grew from
      6.24% in 2009 to 12.29% in 2012, but their costs rose from 26.16% to 41.57% in
      that time. Monoclonal antibodies and protein kinase inhibitors contributed the
      most (respectively, 23.84% and 16.12% of costs for antineoplastic agents in
      2012). During 2009-2012, lung (44.64% of use; 28.26% of costs), female breast
      (16.49% of use; 27.18% of costs) and colorectal (12.11% of use; 13.16% of costs)
      cancers accounted for the highest use of targeted therapies. CONCLUSIONS: In
      Taiwan, targeted therapies are increasingly used for different cancers,
      representing a substantial economic burden. It is important to establish
      mechanisms to monitor their use and outcomes.

PMID- 27266798
TI  - A more general model for testing measurement invariance and differential item
      functioning.
AB  - The evaluation of measurement invariance is an important step in establishing the
      validity and comparability of measurements across individuals. Most commonly,
      measurement invariance has been examined using 1 of 2 primary latent variable
      modeling approaches: the multiple groups model or the multiple-indicator multiple
      cause (MIMIC) model. Both approaches offer opportunities to detect differential
      item functioning within multi-item scales, and thereby to test measurement
      invariance, but both approaches also have significant limitations. The multiple
      groups model allows 1 to examine the invariance of all model parameters but only
      across levels of a single categorical individual difference variable (e.g.,
      ethnicity). In contrast, the MIMIC model permits both categorical and continuous
      individual difference variables (e.g., sex and age) but permits only a subset of
      the model parameters to vary as a function of these characteristics. The current
      article argues that moderated nonlinear factor analysis (MNLFA) constitutes an
      alternative, more flexible model for evaluating measurement invariance and
      differential item functioning. We show that the MNLFA subsumes and combines the
      strengths of the multiple group and MIMIC models, allowing for a full and
      simultaneous assessment of measurement invariance and differential item
      functioning across multiple categorical and/or continuous individual difference
      variables. The relationships between the MNLFA model and the multiple groups and
      MIMIC models are shown mathematically and via an empirical demonstration.
      (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27266799
TI  - Measurement invariance via multigroup SEM: Issues and solutions with chi-square
      difference tests.
AB  - Multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM) plays a key role in studying
      measurement invariance and in group comparison. When population covariance
      matrices are deemed not equal across groups, the next step to substantiate
      measurement invariance is to see whether the sample covariance matrices in all
      the groups can be adequately fitted by the same factor model, called configural
      invariance. After configural invariance is established, cross-group equalities of
      factor loadings, error variances, and factor variances-covariances are then
      examined in sequence. With mean structures, cross-group equalities of intercepts
      and factor means are also examined. The established rule is that if the statistic
      at the current model is not significant at the level of .05, one then moves on to
      testing the next more restricted model using a chi-square-difference statistic.
      This article argues that such an established rule is unable to control either
      Type I or Type II errors. Analysis, an example, and Monte Carlo results show why
      and how chi-square-difference tests are easily misused. The fundamental issue is
      that chi-square-difference tests are developed under the assumption that the base
      model is sufficiently close to the population, and a nonsignificant chi-square
      statistic tells little about how good the model is. To overcome this issue, this
      article further proposes that null hypothesis testing in multigroup SEM be
      replaced by equivalence testing, which allows researchers to effectively control
      the size of misspecification before moving on to testing a more restricted model.
      R code is also provided to facilitate the applications of equivalence testing for
      multigroup SEM. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27266776
TI  - Effect of affordable technology on physical activity levels and mobility outcomes
      in rehabilitation: a protocol for the Activity and MObility UsiNg Technology
      (AMOUNT) rehabilitation trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: People with mobility limitations can benefit from rehabilitation
      programmes that provide a high dose of exercise. However, since providing a high
      dose of exercise is logistically challenging and resource-intensive, people in
      rehabilitation spend most of the day inactive. This trial aims to evaluate the
      effect of the addition of affordable technology to usual care on physical
      activity and mobility in people with mobility limitations admitted to inpatient
      aged and neurological rehabilitation units compared to usual care alone. METHODS
      AND ANALYSIS: A pragmatic, assessor blinded, parallel-group randomised trial
      recruiting 300 consenting rehabilitation patients with reduced mobility will be
      conducted. Participants will be individually randomised to intervention or
      control groups. The intervention group will receive technology-based exercise to
      target mobility and physical activity problems for 6 months. The technology will
      include the use of video and computer games/exercises and tablet applications as
      well as activity monitors. The control group will not receive any additional
      intervention and both groups will receive usual inpatient and outpatient
      rehabilitation care over the 6-month study period. The coprimary outcomes will be
      objectively assessed physical activity (proportion of the day spent upright) and
      mobility (Short Physical Performance Battery) at 6 months after randomisation.
      Secondary outcomes will include: self-reported and objectively assessed physical
      activity, mobility, cognition, activity performance and participation, utility
      based quality of life, balance confidence, technology self-efficacy, falls and
      service utilisation. Linear models will assess the effect of group allocation for
      each continuously scored outcome measure with baseline scores entered as a
      covariate. Fall rates between groups will be compared using negative binomial
      regression. Primary analyses will be preplanned, conducted while masked to group
      allocation and use an intention-to-treat approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The
      protocol has been approved by the relevant Human Research Ethics Committees and
      the results will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publication and
      conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12614000936628. Pre
      results.

PMID- 27266800
TI  - Synthesis and Characterization of (89)Zr-Labeled Ultrasmall Nanoparticles.
AB  - The ultrasmall nanoparticle AGuIX is a versatile platform that tolerates a range
      of chemical diversity for theranostic applications. Our previous work showed that
      AGuIX clears rapidly from normal tissues, while durably accumulating within the
      tumor microenvironment. On this basis, AGuIX was used to detect tumor tissue with
      Gd(3+) enhanced MRI and can sensitize tumors to radiation therapy. As we begin
      the translation of AGuIX, we appreciated that coupling AGuIX to a long-lived
      radioisotope would help to more completely measure the magnitude and duration of
      its retention within the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, we developed (89)Zr
      DFO-AGuIX. AGuIX was coupled to DFO and then to (89)Zr in ~99% radiochemical
      yield. Stability studies showed that (89)Zr-DFO-AGuIX did not dissociate after 72
      h. In animals bearing U87MG xenografts, it was detectable at levels above
      background for 72 h. Lastly, (89)Zr-DFO-AGuIX did not accumulate in inflammatory
      abscesses in vivo, highlighting its specificity for well vascularized tumors.

PMID- 27266801
TI  - A prospective study of collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
AB  - Collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (cFSGS) is characterized by rapid
      progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We evaluated the
      clinicopathological spectrum of cFSGS and compared its clinical behavior to
      steroid and tacrolimus (TAC)-resistant noncollapsing focal segmental
      glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). All patients (>14 years) diagnosed with cFSGS were
      enrolled in the study. Staining for differentiated podocyte markers such as WT 1,
      PAX and KI67 were performed in all patients. The outcome and histological
      features of cFSGS was compared with a prospectively followed cohort of steroid
      and TAC-resistant noncollapsing FSGS. The study included 22 cFSGS patients and 19
      cases of steroid and TAC-resistant FSGS. Complete remission, partial remission,
      steroid resistance, progression to ESRD and death were observed in 13.6%, 4.5%,
      27.3%, 36.4% and 18.2% patients, respectively. Patients with cFSGS had higher
      serum creatinine and more advanced tubulointerstitial changes compared to
      resistant FSGS. Twenty-six percent of therapy resistant noncollapsing FSGS
      progressed to ESRD after two years of stopping TAC. However, there was no
      difference in progression to ESRD between cFSGS and therapy-resistant
      noncollapsing FSGS at the end of two years. Glomerular collapse in the setting of
      FSGS is poorly responsive to treatment and has a high rate of progression to
      ESRD. The long-term prognosis of cFSGS and steroid and TAC-resistant FSGS are
      similar. 

PMID- 27266802
TI  - Expression and Clinical Significance of Metalloproteases and Their Inhibitors by
      Endothelial Cells From Invasive Breast Carcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given that tumor blood vessels are important in tumor progression and
      metastasis, tumor endothelial cells (ECs) are the main targets of antiangiogenic
      therapy. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the phenotype of matrix
      metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) from ECs at the
      tumor center and its relationship to MMP/TIMP global expression and its
      relationship to the occurrence of distant metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An
      immunohistochemical study was performed using tissue arrays and specific
      antibodies against MMPs (MMP-2, -7, -9, -11, -13, and -14) and TIMPs (TIMP-1, -2,
      and -3) at the tumor center in 104 patients with primary ductal invasive breast
      tumors. RESULTS: MMP-11 expression by ECs was related to shorter relapse-free
      survival, whereas TIMP-3 expression was related to low occurrence of distant
      metastasis. In addition, MMP-11 and TIMP-2 expression by ECs was associated with
      shorter overall survival, whereas TIMP-3 expression by ECs was associated with
      longer overall survival. Our findings indicate significant relationships between
      the expression of MMPs/TIMPs by ECs and the global expression of these factors at
      the tumor scene. CONCLUSION: High MMP/TIMP expression by ECs from breast
      carcinomas, which may be consequence of the cross-talk between tumor cells and
      their surrounding microenvironment.

PMID- 27266803
TI  - Practice Patterns of Radiation Field Design for Sentinel Lymph Node-Positive
      Early-Stage Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent randomized trials have led to decreased use of completion
      axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in early-stage breast cancer patients with
      a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN), causing controversy surrounding
      radiotherapy coverage of the axilla. We investigated the practice variation among
      radiation oncologists for regional nodal coverage for clinicopathologic scenarios
      and evaluated axillary field design decision-making processes. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A customized, web-based questionnaire was e-mailed to 983 community (n =
      617) and academic (n = 366) radiation oncologists with a breast cancer
      subspecialty practicing in the United States. The survey consisted of 18 multiple
      choice questions evaluating general clinical preferences surrounding radiation
      therapy (RT) field design for patients with early-stage breast cancer and a
      positive SLN. Seven case scenarios were developed to investigate the field design
      in the setting of specific clinical and pathologic risk factors. Nodal coverage
      was classified as standard tangents (STs), high tangents (HTs), STs and a
      supraclavicular field (SCF), or STs and full axillary coverage (AX). RESULTS: A
      total of 145 evaluable responses were collected, with a response rate of 15.0%.
      Of the respondents, 12 (8.3%) reported using completion ALND for patients with 1
      to 3 positive SLNs without extracapsular extension (ECE) and 66 (45.5%) performed
      ALND with 1 to 3 positive SLNs with ECE. For micrometastatic SLNs, with no
      lymphovascular system invasion, 115 (87.1%) used STs or HTs. The use of
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) influenced RT field design for patients with a
      positive SLN without ECE, with 64 (48.5%) using STs and SCF or STs and AX
      treatment without NAC and 94 (70.7%) using SCF and AX after NAC. With
      macrometastatic SLN involvement, most respondents preferred SCF (45.27%) and AX
      (45.66%). In contrast, for micrometastatic involvement, HTs (43.61%) were
      frequently chosen. Forty (27.8%) reported using online predictive nomograms to
      predict further axillary involvement, with no difference between the academic and
      community radiation oncologists (P = .11). CONCLUSION: In SLN biopsy-positive
      early-stage breast cancer with omission of completion ALND, axillary RT is
      increasing used to cover the undissected axilla. Most respondents use SCF or AX
      for patients with low to intermediate pathologic features. Online prediction
      nomograms are used by a few practitioners to assist in clinical decision-making
      in this setting.

PMID- 27266804
TI  - Phase 2 Study of Trabectedin in Patients With Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER-2
      Negative, Advanced Breast Carcinoma According to Expression of Xeroderma
      Pigmentosum G Gene.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preclinical and clinical data suggest that xeroderma pigmentosum G
      gene (XPG) status might predict trabectedin efficacy. This phase 2 study
      evaluated the efficacy of trabectedin at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 as a 3-hour
      intravenous infusion every 3 weeks in hormone receptor-positive, HER-2 (human
      epidermal growth factor receptor 2)-negative, advanced breast cancer patients
      according to the tumor level of XPG mRNA expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Patients were stratified into high-XPG (>3) or low-XPG (<= 3) groups. The primary
      efficacy end point was progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 16 weeks (PFS4);
      secondary efficacy end points were overall response rate (ORR), duration of
      response, PFS, overall survival, and safety of trabectedin in this patient
      population. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were treated, 21 with high XPG and 23
      with low XPG. Four high-XPG and 6 low-XPG patients experienced PFS4; the
      criterion for further recruitment (> 6 patients experienced PFS4) was thus not
      met, and recruitment was stopped. One high-XPG patient had a partial response
      (ORR, 5%). One low-XPG patient had a complete response, and 2 low-XPG patients
      had partial responses (ORR, 13%). Comparison of efficacy parameters between high
      XPG and low-XPG patients showed no statistically significant differences. ORR in
      the efficacy population was 9.3%, median PFS was 1.9 months, and overall survival
      was 11.8 months. The safety of trabectedin in breast carcinoma was similar to
      that shown in other indications. CONCLUSION: Trabectedin as single agent had
      limited activity in hormone-positive, HER-2-negative advanced breast cancer. XPG
      mRNA expression was not predictive of trabectedin efficacy.

PMID- 27266805
TI  - How important is coronary artery disease when considering lung transplant
      candidates?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a relative contraindication for
      lung transplantation, but should it be if amenable to effective palliation?
      METHODS: From January 2005 to July 2010, 356 adults undergoing primary lung
      transplantation had no significant (<50%) coronary arterial stenosis and 70 had
      significant (>=50%) CAD requiring prior or concomitant revascularization.
      Propensity matching on 38 pre-transplant patient characteristics identified 61
      well-matched pairs (87% of possible matches) and 295 no-CAD unmatched patients to
      compare post-operative morbidity, graft function, and time-related pulmonary
      function and survival. RESULTS: Compared with no-CAD patients, those with CAD
      intervention were older, more likely to be male, had more comorbidities, and were
      more likely to have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Among propensity-matched
      patients, 5 died in-hospital in the CAD intervention group and 6 in the no-CAD
      group (p = 0.7). Intensive care unit stay (5 vs 7 days), post-operative stay (14
      vs 15 days), tracheostomy requirement (12 vs 11 patients), primary graft
      dysfunction scores (p >0.8), and early longitudinal post-transplant pulmonary
      function (p = 0.2) were similar, as was time-related mortality (20% vs 22% and
      51% vs 52% at 1 and 4 years, respectively; p = 0.6). Unmatched no-CAD patients
      had fewer comorbidities and lower mortality than matched patients (15% and 39% at
      1 and 4 years, respectively; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CAD is an important risk
      factor in lung transplant candidates, but its influence can be minimized in
      experienced centers by effective palliation. Surprisingly, however, CAD is a
      marker for an unfavorable patient phenotype with worse than typical post
      transplant survival, irrespective of whether CAD is present.

PMID- 27266806
TI  - Biventricular response to pulmonary artery banding in children with dilated
      cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 27266807
TI  - Breast Cancer-Related Arm Lymphedema: Fluctuation over Six Months and the Effect
      of the Weather.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An understanding of normal fluctuation of lymphedema over time is
      important to identify real change, whether it is from response to treatment or
      worsening of the condition. The weather is another factor that possibly
      influences lymphedema but has had minimal investigation to date. The purpose of
      this study was to determine the extent to which breast cancer-related lymphedema
      (BCRL) fluctuated over a 6-month period and the influence of temperature,
      humidity, and barometric pressure. METHOD AND RESULTS: Women with unilateral BCRL
      (n = 26) and without BCRL (n = 17) were measured on nine occasions over 6 months
      using a standardized protocol. Measures included self-reported arm swelling, arm
      volume, and extracellular fluid with bioimpedance. Daily weather data were
      obtained for analysis of effects on lymphedema. Neither arm volume nor
      extracellular fluid varied significantly for women with lymphedema; coefficients
      of variation were 2.3% and 3.7%, respectively. Women without lymphedema had even
      less fluctuation, with coefficient of variation of 1.9% for arm volume and 2.9%
      for ECF. Correlation of weather and lymphedema data showed that temperature was
      the only aspect of the weather to have any effect on BCRL, with the maximum
      temperature on the day before measurement slightly affecting ECF (r = 0.27, p <
      0.001), arm volume (r = 0.23, p < 0.001), and self-reported swelling (r = 0.26, p
      < 0.001). For women without lymphedema, the weather did not affect any measure.
      CONCLUSIONS: Established BCRL is relatively stable over a 6-month period.
      Temperature was the only aspect of the weather found to impact lymphedema.

PMID- 27266808
TI  - Advances in hemophilia and the role of current and emerging prophylaxis.
AB  - The primary goal of hemophilia treatment and management is the prevention of
      painful, disabling, and costly joint arthropathy that results from its
      characteristic bleeding into joints and muscles. Prophylactic treatment with
      clotting-factor concentrates has been shown to prevent hemophilic arthropathy and
      is, therefore, the standard of care for hemophilia A and B. Data has demonstrated
      the clinical efficacy and overall benefits of prophylaxis in young children,
      adolescents, and adults. Early initiation with prima-ry prophylaxis is ideal, but
      secondary prophylaxis in adolescents and adults has also demonstrated significant
      success. Because the standard of care includes prophylaxis with factor
      concentrate replacement in order to prevent joint damage in patients with
      hemophilia, prophylaxis is now more common and needs to be addressed in all
      clinical settings, including managed care. However, further research is needed to
      help clinicians develop individualized factor-replacement protocols and under
      stand the impact of long-term use into adulthood. World Federation of Hemophilia
      guidelines do not have definitive recommendations on continuation of prophylaxis
      into adulthood. The optimal regimen for initiating prophylaxis, duration of
      treatment, and dosing regimens continue to be studied. 

PMID- 27266809
TI  - Economic costs of hemophilia and the impact of prophylactic treatment on patient
      management.
AB  - Hemophilia is a rare congenital bleeding disorder characterized by spontaneous
      and potentially life-threatening bleeding episodes. In addition to its clinical
      burden on the patient, the condition also places a significant economic burden on
      healthcare payers, patients/caregivers, and society. Hemophilia is associated
      with staggering direct costs from hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and drug
      treatments, as well as high indirect costs from diminished work productivity and
      absenteeism from work and school. Additionally, hemophilia incurs tremendous
      intangible costs, including reduced quality of life, pain and suffering, and the
      emotional and physical toll on the patient and caregivers. The evolution of
      treatment patterns in hemophilia has transformed the once-fatal disease into a
      chronic but potentially well-managed condition through the use of prophylaxis
      treatment. However, other complications, such as development of inhibitory
      antibodies, have added to the complexity of managing the disease and its costs.
      To ensure optimal treatment outcomes and disease management, there is a critical
      need to understand the utilization of healthcare resources in the treatment of
      hemophilia and to educate patients on the importance of treatment adherence and
      compliance to reduce long-term effects on musculoskeletal health. 

PMID- 27266810
TI  - Differentiation of functional endothelial cells from human induced pluripotent
      stem cells: A novel, highly efficient and cost effective method.
AB  - Endothelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC- EC)
      are of significant value for research on human vascular development, in vitro
      disease models and drug screening. Here we report an alternative, highly
      efficient and cost-effective simple three step method (mesoderm induction,
      endothelial cell differentiation and endothelial cell expansion) to differentiate
      hiPSC directly into endothelial cells. We demonstrate that efficiency of
      described method to derive CD31+ and VE-Cadherin+ double positive cells is higher
      than 80% in 12 days. Most notably we established that hiPSC-EC differentiation
      efficacy depends on optimization of both mesoderm differentiation and endothelial
      cell differentiation steps.

PMID- 27266811
TI  - Identification of vector-borne pathogens in dogs and cats from Southern Brazil.
AB  - Dogs and cats are often infected with vector-borne pathogens and play a crucial
      role as reservoirs and hosts in their life cycles. The aim of the present study
      was to investigate the occurrence of vector-borne pathogens among dogs and cats
      in the northwestern region of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. One hundred
      and ten blood samples were collected from dogs (n=80) and cats (n=30). Laboratory
      analysis were carried out through stained blood smears, indirect enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Babesia vogeli and Ehrlichia canis (only for
      dogs) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) aiming the detection of pathogens. The
      following pathogens were screened by PCR among dogs and cats: Babesia spp. and
      Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA gene), Anaplasma spp. (16S rRNA gene), and Ehrlichia
      spp. (dsb gene for dogs and 16S rRNA gene for cats) and Bartonella spp. (nuoG
      gene only for cats). Using blood smears structures morphologically compatible
      with piroplasms were found in 5.45% (6/110) of the samples. Anti-B. vogeli and
      anti-E. canis antibodies were detected in 91% (73/80) and 9% (7/80) of the dogs,
      respectively. All the seropositive dogs to E. canis were also to B. vogeli.
      Nineteen (17.3%) animals were positive to hemoparasites by PCR. After sequencing
      Rangelia vitalii 6/80 (7.5%), B. vogeli 3/80 (4%), Hepatozoon spp. 1/80 (1%), and
      Anaplasma spp. 1/80 (1%) were found in the dogs, and B. vogeli 2/30 (7%) and
      Bartonella spp. 6/30 (20%) were detected in the screened cats. No sample was
      positive for genes dsb and 16S rRNA of Ehrlichia spp. Only those animals which
      were positive for R. vitalii showed findings compatible with rangeliosis, such as
      anemia (100%), thrombocytopenia (67%), jaundice (50%), external bleeding (50%),
      and anorexia (50%). This is the first time that B. vogeli detected among cats in
      Southern Brazil.

PMID- 27266813
TI  - How Should Risk-Based Regulation Reflect Current Public Opinion?
AB  - Risk-based regulation of novel agricultural products with public choice manifest
      via traceability and labelling is a more effective approach than the use of
      regulatory processes to reflect public concerns, which may not always be
      supported by evidence.

PMID- 27266812
TI  - Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor reduces cardiac allograft
      vasculopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a leading expression of
      chronic organ rejection at and beyond 1 year post-transplantation. Host bone
      marrow (BM)-derived cell migration to the allograft has been demonstrated in
      earlier work. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is endogenously
      overexpressed within allografts. Graft neo-angiogenesis has been proposed as a
      mechanism by which VEGF may contribute to CAV. Herein we assess the therapeutic
      effect of inhibition of VEGF expression in CAV. METHODS: In 129J mice, female
      donor hearts were heterotopically transplanted into C57/B16 males and treated
      with soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sVEGFR1) or vehicle control. The effect of VEGF
      inhibition on BM-mediated microvascular outgrowth and endothelial cell migration
      and proliferation were assessed using in vitro assays of aortic ring
      angiogenesis, wound healing and proliferation, respectively. RESULTS: At 21 days
      post-transplantation, treatment with sVEGFR1 significantly reduced both percent
      luminal narrowing (p < 0.05) and percent of vessels affected (p < 0.005). sVEGFR1
      significantly reduced average wet heart weight (p < 0.05), whereas mean
      ventricular cross-sectional area remained similar. Treatment of aortic rings with
      both sVEGFR1 and VEGFR2 tyrosine phosphorylation inhibitor (Ki 8751)
      significantly reduced BM-mediated microvascular outgrowth length (p < 0.05) and
      area (p < 0.05). Treatment of human coronary artery endothelial cells with
      sVEGFR1 and Ki 8751 significantly reduced BM-mediated endothelial cell migration
      (p < 0.005) and proliferation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VEGF inhibition reduces
      the severity and incidence of CAV in mouse models of cardiac transplantation,
      while attenuating myocardial edema and neo-angiogenesis. Using this model, we
      provide in vitro evidence of the role of VEGF signaling in BM-mediated
      microvascular outgrowth and endothelial cell migration and proliferation. VEGF
      inhibition may represent a novel approach to CAV treatment and prevention.

PMID- 27266814
TI  - Effector Molecules and Regulatory Proteins: Applications.
AB  - Bacteria respond to their external environment by modulating gene expression in
      the presence of certain effector molecules. The adaptive responses are mediated
      by transcriptional regulators that, after binding to the DNA, recognize these
      effector molecules and modify transcription. Some applications of regulatory
      proteins are reviewed here.

PMID- 27266815
TI  - AIRE genetic variants and predisposition to polygenic autoimmune disease: The
      case of Graves' disease and a systematic literature review.
AB  - Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE) is a transcriptional regulator that is crucial for
      establishing central tolerance as illustrated by the Mendelian Autoimmune
      Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal Dystrophy (APECED) syndrome associated
      with AIRE-inactivating recessive or dominant mutations. Polymorphisms in AIRE
      have been proposed to be implicated in genetic susceptibility to non-Mendelian
      organ specific autoimmune diseases. Because there is evidence that in
      predisposition to Graves' disease (GD) central tolerance is crucial, we
      investigated whether AIRE polymorphisms could modulate risk of GD. A case-control
      association study using 29 variants and conducted in 150 GD patients and 200
      controls did not detect any significant association. This result is not
      exceptional: a systematic review of the literature, including GWAS, on the
      association of AIRE variants with organ specific autoimmune diseases did not show
      clear associations; similarly heterozygous recessive mutations are not associated
      to non-Mendelian autoimmunity. Dominant negative mutations of AIRE are associated
      to autoimmunity but as mild forms of APECED rather than to non-Mendelian organ
      specific autoimmunity. The lack of association of common AIRE polymorphisms with
      polygenic autoimmune diseases is counterintuitive as many other genes less
      relevant for immunological tolerance have been found to be associated. These
      findings give rise to the intriguing possibility that evolution has excluded
      functionally modifying polymorphisms in AIRE. 

PMID- 27266816
TI  - Extended lymphadenectomy in elderly and/or highly co-morbid gastric cancer
      patients: A retrospective multicenter study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy is considered the gold
      standard treatment for advanced gastric cancer, with no age- or comorbidity
      related limitations. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of curative gastrectomy
      with extended nodal dissection, verifying survival in elderly and highly co
      morbid patients. METHODS: In a retrospective multicenter study, we examined 1322
      non-metastatic gastric-cancer patients that underwent curative gastrectomy with
      D2 versus D1 lymphadenectomy from January 2000 to December 2009. Postoperative
      complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS)
      according to age and the Charlson Comorbidity Score were analyzed in relation to
      the extent of lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Postoperative morbidity was 30.4%.
      Complications were more frequent in highly co-morbid elderly patients, and,
      although general morbidity rates after D2 and D1 lymphadenectomy were similar
      (29.9% and 33.2%, respectively), they increased following D2 in highly co-morbid
      elderly patients (39.6%). D2-lymphadenectomy significantly improved 5-year OS and
      DSS (48.0% vs. 37.6% in D1, p < 0.001 and 72.6% vs. 58.1% in D1, p < 0.001,
      respectively) in all patients. In elderly patients, this benefit was present only
      in 5-year DSS. D2 nodal dissection induced better 5-year OS and DSS rates in
      elderly patients with positive nodes (29.7% vs. 21.2% in D1, p = 0.008 and 47.5%
      vs. 30.6% in D1, p = 0.001, respectively), although it was present only in DSS
      when highly co-morbid elderly patients were considered. CONCLUSION: Extended
      lymphadenectomy confirmed better survival rates in gastric cancer patients. Due
      to high postoperative complication rate and no significant improvement of the OS,
      D1 lymphadenectomy should be considered in elderly and/or highly co-morbid
      gastric cancer patients.

PMID- 27266817
TI  - The role of surgery for unusual sites of metastases from colorectal cancer: A
      review of the literature.
AB  - Although systemic therapy represents the backbone of metastatic colorectal cancer
      management, surgical resection in selected patients may lead to improved
      survival, such as observed for hepatic, pulmonary or peritoneal metastases. In
      regards to surgery for less frequent sites of metastases, far less data are
      available. The purpose of this article is to review the literature regarding the
      role of surgery for unusual sites of metastases from colorectal cancer,
      specifically adrenal, ovarian, and retroperitoneal sites. There are no randomized
      data to strongly support surgical approach in these scenarios. Despite that,
      benefit following surgery was suggested in several retrospective studies, with
      some reports of long-term survival. A careful selection of patients is certainly
      the key to obtaining better outcomes. Potential characteristics suggesting
      greater benefit from metastasectomy are isolated site of metastasis, longer
      disease-free interval from previous treatment, complete resectability, and good
      performance status.

PMID- 27266818
TI  - Management of sarcomas possibly involving the knee joint when to perform extra
      articular resection of the knee joint and is it safe?
AB  - We reviewed the oncological and functional outcomes of patients treated for a
      primary sarcoma possibly involving the knee joint and present an algorithm to
      guide treatment. The records of 76 patients who had a primary bone or soft tissue
      sarcoma possibly invading the knee between 1996 and 2012 were identified. Mean
      age and follow-up was 32 years (9-74) and 64 months (12-195), respectively.
      Patients were grouped according to the resection (Intra-articular [IAR] vs. Extra
      articular [EAR] vs. Amputation/rotationplasty) for survival and functional
      outcomes. Overall 5 and 10 year survival was 61% and 53%, respectively. No
      differences in survival were found between the 3 groups (p = 0.55). Sixteen
      patients developed local recurrence with no difference between the groups. Mean
      MSTS score was 24.5 (12-30). Mean flexion at final follow-up was 106 degrees  (70
      130 degrees ). We conclude that EAR of the knee allows for good oncologic and
      functional outcomes but with an increased risk of complications compared to IAR.
      Intra-operative assessment of joint involvement can be done in patients where
      joint infiltration by the tumour is not clear to avoid an unnecessary EAR. For
      chondrosarcoma patients with joint involvement, an EAR should be carefully
      considered because they present a significantly higher local recurrence risk.

PMID- 27266819
TI  - Superiority of Deformable Image Co-registration in the Integration of Diagnostic
      Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography to the Radiotherapy Treatment
      Planning Pathway for Oesophageal Carcinoma.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the use of image co-registration in incorporating diagnostic
      positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) directly into the
      radiotherapy treatment planning pathway, and to describe the pattern of local
      recurrence relative to the PET-avid volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen
      patients were retrospectively identified, six of whom had local recurrence. The
      accuracy of deformable image registration (DIR) and rigid registration of the
      diagnostic PET-CT and recurrence CT, to the planning CT, were quantitatively
      assessed by comparing co-registration of oesophagus, trachea and aorta contours.
      DIR was used to examine the correlation between PET-avid volumes, dosimetry and
      site of recurrence. RESULTS: Positional metrics including the dice similarity
      coefficient (DSC) and conformity index (CI), showed DIR to be superior to rigid
      registration in the co-registration of diagnostic and recurrence imaging to the
      planning CT. For diagnostic PET-CT, DIR was superior to rigid registration in the
      transfer of oesophagus (DSC=0.75 versus 0.65, P<0.009 and CI=0.59 versus 0.48,
      P<0.003), trachea (DSC=0.88 versus 0.65, P<0.004 and CI=0.78 versus 0.51,
      P<0.0001) and aorta structures (DSC=0.93 versus 0.86, P<0.006 and CI=0.86 versus
      0.76, P<0.006). For recurrence imaging, DIR was superior to rigid registration in
      the transfer of trachea (DSC=0.91 versus 0.66, P<0.03 and CI=0.83 versus 0.51,
      P<0.02) and oesophagus structures (DSC=0.74 versus 0.51, P<0.004 and CI=0.61
      versus 0.37, P<0.006) with a non-significant trend for the aorta (DSC=0.91 versus
      0.75, P<0.08 and CI=0.83 versus 0.63, P<0.06) structure. A mean inclusivity index
      of 0.93 (range 0.79-1) showed that the relapse volume was within the planning
      target volume (PTVPET-CT); all relapses occurred within the high dose region.
      CONCLUSION: DIR is superior to rigid registration in the co-registration of PET
      CT and recurrence CT to the planning CT, and can be considered in the direct
      integration of PET-CT to the treatment planning process. Local recurrences occur
      within the PTVPET-CT, suggesting that this is a suitable target for dose
      escalation strategies.

PMID- 27266820
TI  - Administrative database code accuracy did not vary notably with changes in
      disease prevalence.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Previous mathematical analyses of diagnostic tests based on the
      categorization of a continuous measure have found that test sensitivity and
      specificity varies significantly by disease prevalence. This study determined if
      the accuracy of diagnostic codes varied by disease prevalence. STUDY DESIGN AND
      SETTING: We used data from two previous studies in which the true status of renal
      disease and primary subarachnoid hemorrhage, respectively, had been determined.
      In multiple stratified random samples from the two previous studies having
      varying disease prevalence, we measured the accuracy of diagnostic codes for each
      disease using sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive
      value. RESULTS: Diagnostic code sensitivity and specificity did not change
      notably within clinically sensible disease prevalence. In contrast, positive and
      negative predictive values changed significantly with disease prevalence.
      CONCLUSION: Disease prevalence had no important influence on the sensitivity and
      specificity of diagnostic codes in administrative databases.

PMID- 27266821
TI  - Epicardial and paracardial adipose tissue volume and attenuation - Association
      with high-risk coronary plaque on computed tomographic angiography in the ROMICAT
      II trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To determine whether epicardial (EAT) and paracardial
      adipose tissue (PAT) volume and attenuation are associated with high-risk
      coronary plaque features. METHODS: In subjects with suspected acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS) enrolled in the ROMICAT II trial, EAT and PAT volumes indexed to
      body surface area (BSA) and attenuation were measured on non-contrast coronary
      artery calcium score (CACS) CT. High-risk plaque features (napkin-ring sign,
      positive remodeling, low density plaque, spotty calcium) and stenosis were
      assessed on coronary CT angiography (CTA). The association of EAT and PAT volume
      and attenuation with high-risk plaque and whether this was independent of
      clinical risk assessment, CACS and significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was
      determined. RESULTS: Of 467 (mean 54 +/- 8 yrs, 53% male) with CACS and CTA, 167
      (36%) had high-risk plaque features. Those with high-risk plaque had
      significantly higher indexed EAT (median 59 (Q1-Q3:45-75) cc/m(2) vs. 49 (35-65)
      cc/m(2), p < 0.001) and PAT volume (median:51 (36-73) cc/m(2) vs. 33 (22-52)
      cc/m(2), p < 0.001). Higher indexed EAT volume was associated with high-risk
      plaque [univariate OR 1.02 (95%-CI:1.01-1.03) per cc/m(2) of EAT, p < 0.001],
      which remained significant [univariate OR 1.04 (95%-CI:1.00-1.08) per cc/m(2) of
      EAT, p = 0.040] after adjustment for risk factors, CACS, and stenosis >=50%.
      Higher indexed PAT volume was associated with high-risk plaque in univariate
      analysis [OR 1.02 (1.01-1.03) per cc/m(2) of PAT, p < 0.001], though this was not
      significant in multivariate analysis. At a threshold of >62.3 cc/m(2), EAT volume
      was associated with high-risk plaque [univariate OR 2.50 (95%-CI:1.69-3.72), p <
      0.001)], which remained significant [OR 1.83 (95%-CI:1.10-3.05), p = 0.020] after
      adjustment. Subjects with high-risk plaque had lower mean attenuation EAT (-88.1
      vs. -86.9 HU, p = 0.008) and PAT (-106 vs. -103 HU, p < 0.001), though this was
      not significant in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Greater volumes of EAT
      are associated with high-risk plaque independent of risk factors, CACS and
      obstructive CAD. This observation supports possible local influence of EAT on
      development of high-risk coronary plaque.

PMID- 27266822
TI  - Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors antidepressant use is related to
      lower baroreflex sensitivity independently of the severity of depressive
      symptoms. A community-study of 9213 participants from the Paris Prospective Study
      III.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We assess the respective relationship of high depressive
      symptoms and antidepressant use (ATD) with baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in
      subjects from the community who enrolled the Paris Prospective Study III.
      METHODS: Recruitment took place in a large health preventive centre in Paris
      (France), between May 2008 and June 2012. BRS was investigated by spectral
      analysis of the spontaneous carotid distension rate and RR intervals using non
      invasive high-resolution ultrasound carotid-echotracking. A total score >=7 on a
      13-item standardized questionnaire defined the presence of high depressive
      symptoms. Information on ATD use was obtained on a face-to-face interview with a
      medical doctor who checked the most recent medical prescriptions and/or medical
      package. RESULTS: There were 9213 participants aged 50-75 years (38.6% of women),
      including 5.6% with high-depressive symptoms and 5.2% on ATD. High depressive
      symptoms were not associated with low BRS (below the median) even in unadjusted
      logistic regression analysis (OR = 1.09; 95%CI: 0.91-1.30). Instead, ATD use was
      related to low BRS in multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR = 1.27; 95%
      CI: 1.04-1.54). This association remains after adjusting for and matching on
      propensity score of receiving ATD. A specific association with serotonin and
      norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors was observed (OR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.16-3.22).
      CONCLUSIONS: ATD use and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in
      particular, but not high depressive symptoms, is associated with low BRS. If
      confirmed, these results may bring novel insights into the mechanisms linking
      depressive symptoms and/or ATD use with cardiovascular disease onset.

PMID- 27266823
TI  - Carotid endothelial shear stress reduction with aging is associated with plaque
      development in twelve years.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Atherosclerosis is associated with clinical, biochemical and
      haemodynamic risk factors. In a group of subjects studied twelve years apart, we
      evaluated carotid plaque development in relation to baseline and to changes at
      follow-up in common carotid haemodynamic profile. METHODS: Forty-eight
      participants were recruited to a cardiovascular disease prevention programme.
      Atherosclerotic plaques were evaluated and scored by echography. Endothelial
      shear stress, circumferential wall tension, and Peterson's elastic modulus as an
      index of arterial stiffness, were computed by echo-Doppler, along with blood
      viscosity data. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to test the
      association among the development of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk factors
      and haemodynamic variations. Analyses were also performed on participants who
      presented at the follow-up with carotid haemodynamic variations in the left or
      right common carotid only. RESULTS: Participants (69% male) were aged 64.5 +/-
      9.7 years at follow-up. Peak and mean endothelial shear stress was significantly
      lower at follow-up as previously reported; circumferential wall tension and
      arterial stiffness were significantly higher. Carotid plaque scores increased
      after 12 years (0.39 +/- 0.72 vs. 0.67 +/- 0.86, p < 0.01). Of the 96 common
      carotids analysed, shear stress reduction with aging was an independent predictor
      of carotid atherosclerosis (B = -0.063; odds ratio = 0.94; p = 0.01). Out of 48
      participants, 21 (44%) showed shear stress reduction with aging in only one side
      of the body and, on this side, the plaque score increased (0.52 +/- 0.98 vs. 0.90
      +/- 0.94, p < 0.05), remaining unchanged in the contralateral carotid tree.
      CONCLUSIONS: Aging-related shear stress reduction is an independent predictor of
      atherosclerosis development.

PMID- 27266824
TI  - A non-hypocholesterolemic atorvastatin treatment improves vessel elasticity by
      acting on elastin composition in WHHL rabbits.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Statins are prescribed for their preventative effects within
      atherosclerosis development. To our knowledge, no study focusing on very low-dose
      (non-hypolipidemic effect) and long-term atorvastatin treatment in vivo was
      available. Our aim was to assess the effect of such atorvastatin treatment on the
      mechanical and functional characteristics of arteries in the context of primary
      prevention. METHODS: An atorvastatin treatment (2.5 mg/kg/day) was tested against
      controls on 34 male 3 to 12 month-old WHHL rabbits. No effect on total
      cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL or LDL was observed. The arterial stiffness was
      evaluated on vigil animals by pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement. Then, in
      vitro measurements were made to evaluate (1) the endothelial and vascular smooth
      muscle function, (2) the elasticity of the arterial wall and (3) the composition
      in collagen and elastin in the aorta. RESULTS: The PWV increasing observed with
      age in control group was canceled by treatment, creating a significance
      difference between groups at 12 months (5.17 +/- 0.50 vs 2.14 +/- 0.34 m s(-1) in
      control and treated groups respectively). Vasoreactivity modifications can't
      explain this result but maintain of elasticity with treatment in large arteries
      was confirm by a static tensile test. A first possible explanation is the change
      of wall composition with treatment, validated by the percentage of elastin at 12
      months, 4.4% lower in the control group compared to the treated group (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a non-hypocholesterolemic statin treatment
      could improve vessel elasticity in the atherosclerotic WHHL model. The great
      novelty of this work is the vessel wall composition changing associated. This
      first approach in animal opens the reflection on the use of these low doses in
      humans. This could be interesting in the context of arterial stiffening with
      aging, non-hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis or with cholesterol reduce by another
      therapy or lifestyle modification.

PMID- 27266825
TI  - Combined Medical and Surgical Approach Improves Healing of Septic Perianal
      Crohn's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Septic perianal Crohn's disease (SPCD) is a treatment challenge in
      spite of tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNF). Our aim was to define the
      success of SPCD management with a combined medical and surgical approach and to
      identify clinical and genetic factors predictive of healing. STUDY DESIGN: A
      retrospective chart review of patients with SPCD treated at the Penn State Milton
      S Hershey Medical Center was done. Primary end point was complete healing (ie
      normal clinical exam and no pain for at least 6 months). Genetic analysis of 185
      single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with Crohn's disease was performed in
      78 patients. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-five episodes of SPCD were
      identified in 114 patients with a mean follow-up of 77 +/- 7.4 months. Overall,
      80 of 135 episodes healed (59.3%) and did not differ between those receiving anti
      TNF and not (60.4% vs 56.8%). There appeared to be a consistent improved heal
      rate in each subcategory of surgically managed patients that received anti-TNF.
      Female sex was significantly predictive of healing in only those receiving anti
      TNF agents (63.6% vs 25.0%; p = 0.0005). Twenty-two (19.3%) patients ultimately
      received a permanent diversion with either a total proctocolectomy or completion
      proctectomy. Multivariate analysis suggested several single nucleotide
      polymorphisms in Crohn's disease-associated genes to be possibly associated with
      healing, but lost significance after Bonferroni correction. CONCLUSIONS: Overall,
      there is an approximate 60% rate of healing SPCD using a combined medical and
      surgical approach. About 20% of SPCD patients will require a permanent stoma.
      There were no clear genetic predictors of healing SPCD.

PMID- 27266826
TI  - Emergency presentation of cystic lymphangioma of the colon: A case report and
      literature review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Colonic lymphangioma is an unusual benign malformation. The
      clinical presentation of lymphangiomas vary from incidental discovery on imaging
      to presenting with acute abdomen. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a
      73-year-old male, undergoing surgery due to acute abdomen associated with severe
      anemia, in whose case a lymphangioma of the cecum was recognised only in the
      postoperative histopathological examination. DISCUSSION: The management of
      colonic lymphangioma depends on the individual situation; close surveillance or
      endoscopic therapy may be appropriate for asymptomatic lesions smaller than 2.5cm
      in diameter. Surgical intervention can be considered for larger lesions or in
      patients who develop complications. CONCLUSION: The interest in our case lies in
      the relatively rare diagnosis of colon lymphangioma and how the cardinal sign was
      anemia, which may be due to the serosanguineous cystic contents of
      lymphangiomatosis from the internal bleeding and can cause fatal complications
      that require emergency surgery.

PMID- 27266827
TI  - A case report of successful removal of multiples sewing needles in the
      gastrointestinal tract and pancreas using intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most ingested foreign bodies pass uneventfully through the digestive
      tract without any major disturbances. OBJECTIVES: We reports a rare case of
      successful localization and surgical removal of needles in the gastrointestinal
      tract using C-arm fluoroscopy intraoperatively. CASE REPORT: A 46year old female,
      a non-hospitalized psychiatric patient, presented with acute abdominal pain.
      Imaging showed 16 needles all over the digestive tract. C arm fluoroscopy was
      used to successfully localize and remove all of the needles intraoperatively. One
      needle was withdrawn from the pancreas manually without pancreatic resection.
      DISCUSSION: It is estimated that up to 10-20% cases require endoscopic removal
      and 1% cases with the presence of obstruction or perforation necessitate surgical
      interventions [1-4] (Hsieh et al., 2005; Anderson and Dean, 2011; Cheng and Tam,
      1999; Ricci et al., 2014). Migration to the pancreas extremely rare [5,6]
      (Toyonaga et al., 2001; Yasuda et al., 2010). Timely diagnosis can be difficult
      [7] (Tsui and Mossey, 1997). CT scan is a modality of choice to preoperatively
      locate the foreign body [8] (Takada et al., 2000). We herein successfully
      localized and removed 15 needles using C-arm fluoroscopy intraoperatively. It is
      extremely useful to accurately detect radiopaque foreign bodies. On the basic of
      findings on CT, treatment of choice such as endoscopic removal or surgical
      intervention may be attempted. CONCLUSIONS: CT scan is a modality of choice to
      preoperatively locate the foreign body. Sharp-pointed objects should be removed
      even if the patient is asymptomatic as the increased mortality and the risk of
      related complications. Intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopy is a feasible, cost
      effective modality with real-time image to accurately detect multiple radiopaque
      objects especially when they are disseminating throughout the digestive tract.

PMID- 27266828
TI  - Appendiceal perforation, necrotizing groin infection and spermatic cord necrosis
      in a case of Amyand's hernia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inguinal hernias containing the appendix are described as Amyand's
      hernias. The surgical approach to these types of hernias is dependent on the type
      present and associated intra-operative findings. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present
      a case of complicated type IV Amyand's hernia, which was managed though combined
      abdominal and inguinal approach. Though the patient had a prolonged post
      operative course due to pulmonary embolism, he progressed to full recovery.
      DISCUSSION: The different grades of Amyand's hernia are repaired in varying ways,
      including laparoscopic and open approaches with or without mesh. The type of
      repair must be tailored to the patient and disease process. CONCLUSION: Primary
      repair of a perforated Amyand's hernia provides adequate strength with decreased
      risk of infection due to synthetic material.

PMID- 27266829
TI  - Bilateral periprosthetic tibial stress fracture after total knee arthroplasty: A
      case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Periprosthetic fractures around the knee after total knee
      arthroplasty can be seen in the femur, tibia and patella. The tibial fractures
      are rare cases. Our case with bilateral tibial stress fracture developed after
      total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the first of its kind in the literature.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: 75-year-old male patient with bilateral knee osteoarthritis
      had not benefited from conservative treatment methods previously applied. Left
      TKA was applied. In the second month postoperatively, periprosthetic tibial
      fracture was identified and osteosynthesis was implemented with locked tibia
      proximal plate-screw. Bone union in 12 weeks was observed in his follow-ups.
      After 15 months of his first operation, TKA was applied to the right knee.
      Postoperatively in the second month, as in the first operation, periprosthetic
      tibial fracture was detected. Osteosynthesis with locking plate-screw was applied
      and union in 12 weeks was observed in his follow-up. He was seen mobilized
      independently and without support in the last control of the case made in the
      24th month after the second operation. DISCUSSION: The number of TKA applications
      is expected to increase in the future. The incidence of periprosthetic fractures
      should also be expected to increase in these cases. Periprosthetic tibial
      fractures after TKA are rarely seen. The treatment of periprosthetic fractures
      around the knee after TKA can be difficult. CONCLUSION: In the case of persistent
      pain in the upper end of the tibia after the surgery, stress fracture should be
      considered.

PMID- 27266831
TI  - Primary adult midgut volvulus mimicking acute appendicitis: A case report and
      review of the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Adult midgut volvulus is a rare surgical disease but remains an
      important cause of small bowel obstruction. It is most commonly secondary to
      postoperative adhesions. Primary cases may be due to congenital malformations.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the case of an adult primary midgut volvulus in a
      35-year-old Chinese male. Based on the clinical presentation and investigations,
      the patient was presumed to have acute appendicitis. An open appendectomy was
      performed. During the operation, the appendix appeared normal. Instead a jejunal
      volvulus was found secondary to extensive adhesions. DISCUSSION: The
      epidemiology, embryology and etiology of jejunal volvulus are highlighted.
      Clinical presentation includes acute colicky abdominal pain usually in the peri
      umbilical or epigastric regions, with possible signs of small bowel obstruction.
      Radiologic diagnosis is confirmed with the ultrasonic 'whirpool' sign or via
      computed tomography (CT) scan. Early surgical intervention is necessary to avert
      bowel ischemia in the presence of a closed loop obstruction. CONCLUSION: While
      rare, adult midgut volvulus has the potential for morbidity and mortality if not
      diagnosed early with intestinal ischaemia and related sequlae. Clinicians should
      consider this and if in doubt, perform an early contrast CT scan.

PMID- 27266830
TI  - Pyomyoma after abortion: Uterus conserving surgery is possible to maintain
      fertility. Case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pyomyoma is a rare complication associated with high rates of
      morbidity and mortality. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the case of a 28-year
      old nulligravida patient presenting pyomyoma following a spontaneous abortion at
      fourteen weeks and four days. Fourteen days following spontaneous miscarriage she
      was referred to the hospital with abdominal pain and fever. An antibiotic
      treatment was initiated. However, after ten days, the patient's condition
      deteriorated and a decision for an emergency laparotomy made. The pyomyoma was
      successfully resected and the patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful. A
      new pregnancy was confirmed two years later. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of
      pyomyoma can be difficult but surgical treatment is often indicated. Performing a
      prompt myomectomy avoids the need for hysterectomy, preserving future fertility.
      CONCLUSION: Pregnancy is possible following uterine sparing treatment of
      pyomyoma.

PMID- 27266832
TI  - Long-term progress of six cases of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors of
      the mediastinum that underwent surgical treatment: Case report series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor is a rare type of soft
      tissue malignant tumor that occurs in only 5% of cases. It tends to occur in the
      arms and legs and trunk of the body, with mediastinal occurrence in only a few
      cases. Among mediastinal tumors, only 18.8% occur primarily in the nerves, and of
      these, only 10.3% are malignant, with very few reports indicating the long-term
      progress of patients with MPNST of the mediastinum. CASE PRESENTATION: We studied
      six cases of mediastinal primary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in
      which surgery was carried out at this Center between 1977 and 2000. Four of the
      cases were men and two were women. The period of observation was between 14 and
      277 months and the median follow-up time was 119.5 months. The tumors were
      contained in a membrane and completely excisable in three cases, with the patient
      demonstrating long-term survival with no recurrence in each case. The remaining
      three cases were not completely excisable due to invasion into the aorta. In two
      cases, the patients were treated post-surgically with chemotherapy; however, in
      all three cases the patient died as a result of the original condition.
      DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Nerve sheath tumors localized within the membrane
      offer good long-term prognosis even if malignant. Furthermore, long-term survival
      is possible even if the tumor has invaded neighboring organs, provided it can be
      completely excised. In cases where complete excision is difficult, a
      multidisciplinary approach including radiotherapy and anti-cancer drug treatment
      may contribute to improved prognosis but this is a subject that requires further
      study.

PMID- 27266833
TI  - Ln2Ga[B3O6(OH)]2[B7O9(OH)2](CH3CO2)2 (Ln = Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy): A Series of
      Lanthanide Galloborates Decorated by Acetate Anions.
AB  - The first examples of mixed-anion lanthanide galloborates, namely,
      Ln2Ga[B3O6(OH)]2[B7O9(OH)2](CH3CO2)2 [Ln = Y (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Gd (4), Dy
      (5)], have been obtained through hydrothermal synthesis. The title compounds are
      isomorphic and belong to monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15). Their structures
      possess [B7O13(OH)2] borate layers further bridged with [B3O7] clusters to give a
      three-dimensional (3D) borate framework displaying two types of rhombus-like
      B14O14 14-membered-ring (14-MR) channels along the b axis. The Ga(3+) ions are
      octahedrally coordinated and located at one end of the B14O14 14-MR channels,
      forming small tunnels of B7Ga 8-MRs, which are filled by the Ln(III) ions. The Ln
      ions and Ga cations are further held together by bridging acetate anions. It is
      worth noting that in these compounds there are two different types of borate
      clusters and two types of anions that are uncommon in the borates reported.
      Luminescent studies revealed the characteristic emission bands of Ln ions for
      compounds 2-5, and the luminescent lifetimes are 3.6, 0.86, and 3.05 ns for
      compounds 2, 3, and 5, respectively. Magnetic measurements suggest that there are
      antiferromagnetic interactions between magnetic centers for compounds 2-5. 

PMID- 27266834
TI  - Tandem Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-H Amination/Annulation Reactions: Synthesis of
      Indoloquinoline Derivatives in Water.
AB  - An efficient Rh(III)-catalyzed synthetic method for indoloquinoline derivatives
      from readily available indoles and isoxazoles was developed. This annulation
      procedure undergoes tandem C-H activation, cyclization, and condensation steps.
      In this domino cyclization reaction, water is an efficient solvent. A
      catalytically competent five-membered rhodacycle has been isolated and
      characterized, thus revealing a key intermediate in the catalytic cycle.

PMID- 27266835
TI  - Dual resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin and dicrotophos in Hippodamia convergens
      (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).
AB  - Insecticide resistance is usually associated with pests, but may also evolve in
      natural enemies. In this study, adult beetles of three distinct North American
      populations of Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, and the progeny of
      reciprocal crosses between the resistant and most susceptible population, were
      treated topically with varying concentrations of lambda-cyhalothrin and
      dicrotophos. In addition, the LD50s of both insecticides were applied in
      combination to resistant individuals. The developmental and reproductive
      performance of each population was assessed in the absence of insecticide
      exposure to compare baseline fitness. California and Kansas populations were
      susceptible to both materials, whereas Georgia (GA) beetles exhibited a
      resistance ratio (RR50) of 158 to lambda-cyhalothrin and 530 to dicrotophos.
      Inheritance of lambda-cyhalothrin resistance was X-linked, whereas inheritance of
      dicrotophos resistance was autosomal. Mortality of resistant beetles treated with
      a mixture of LD50s of both materials was twice that of those treated with lambda
      cyhalothrin alone, but not significantly different from those receiving
      dicrotophos alone. Life history parameters were largely similar among
      populations, except that Georgia beetles had higher egg fertility relative to
      susceptible populations. We conclude that the high levels of resistance to lambda
      cyhalothrin and dicrotophos in Georgia beetles reflect heavy loads of these
      insecticides in local environments, most likely the large acreage under intensive
      cotton cultivation. 

PMID- 27266836
TI  - Environmental occurrence, analysis and human exposure to the flame retardant
      tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A)-A review.
AB  - TBBP-A is a high production volume chemical applied widely as a flame retardant
      in printed circuit boards. Recent studies have raised concern over potential
      harmful implications of TBBP-A exposure in human and wildlife, leading to its
      classification under group 2A "Probably carcinogenic to humans" by the
      International Agency for Research on Cancer. This article provides a
      comprehensive review of the available literature on TBBP-A analysis,
      environmental levels and human exposure. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been identified as the method of choice for robust,
      accurate and sensitive analysis of TBBP-A in different matrices. TBBP-A has been
      detected in almost all environmental compartments all over the world, rendering
      it a ubiquitous contaminant. Human exposure studies revealed dust ingestion and
      diet as the major pathways of TBBP-A exposure in the general population. Toddlers
      are likely to be more exposed than adults via accidental indoor dust ingestion.
      Moreover, exposure to TBBP-A may occur prenatally and via breast milk. There are
      no current restrictions on the production of TBBP-A in the EU or worldwide.
      However, more research is required to characterise human exposure to TBBP-A in
      and around production facilities, as well as in e-waste recycling regions.

PMID- 27266837
TI  - Nuclear compartmentalization of DNA repair.
AB  - The continuous threats on genome integrity by endogenous and exogenous sources
      have rendered cells competent to overcome these challenges by activating DNA
      repair pathways. A complex network of proteins and their modifications
      participate in orchestrated signaling cascades, which are induced in response to
      DNA damage and may determine the choice of repair pathway. In this review, we
      summarize recent findings in the field of DNA Double Strand Break repair with
      regard to the positioning of the break in the highly compartmentalized nucleus.
      We aim to highlight the importance of chromatin state along with the nuclear
      position of the DNA lesions on the choice of DNA repair pathway and maintenance
      of genome integrity.

PMID- 27266838
TI  - Tension pneumopericardium in blunt thoracic trauma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pneumopericardium, defined as the presence of gas in the
      pericardial sac, is a rare condition caused mostly by trauma. Tension
      pneumopericardium is a cause of hemodynamic instability; hence, it consists in a
      life-threatening situation and should be regarded in blunt chest trauma. CASE
      REPORT: A 51-year-old male was victim of a 4m fall and burial. He was stable upon
      admission and presented a simple pneumopericardium and pneumomediastinum on CT.
      While being submitted to an upper digestive endoscopy he presented respiratory
      failure and had to be intubated, suddenly evolving to shock. He was promptly
      referred to the operating room; a pericardial window confirmed tension
      pneumopericardium and immediately hemodynamic stability was restored. A
      pericardial drain was placed and kept for 15days. He was discharged at the 18th
      day post-trauma after a satisfactory recovery at the trauma ICU. DISCUSSION:
      Blunt thoracic trauma causes pneumopericardium by various mechanisms. Tension
      pneumopericardium is a possible outcome, probably related to positive-pressure
      ventilation. It leads to hemodynamic instability and requires immediate
      decompression and placement of a pericardial drain.

PMID- 27266839
TI  - Right hemicolectomy for mesenteric phlebosclerosis potentially caused by long
      term use of herbal medicine: A case report and literature review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mesenteric phlebosclerosis is a rare ischemic disease affecting the
      colon. Systemic disease and herbal medicine have been pointed out as possible
      causes, and the disease is characterized by calcifications involved the mesocolic
      veins. Patients who do not respond to conservative therapy require surgical
      treatment. In surgical intervention, an adequate extent of colonic resection is
      important. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of an 87-year-old woman with
      mesenteric phlebosclerosis who had consumed herbal medicine for 40 years. She
      suffered from ileus caused by mesenteric phlebosclerosis, and the symptoms did
      not improve with conservative therapy. Right hemicolectomy was performed since
      the disease was localized in the right colon. Long-term use of herbal medicine
      was considered the potential cause of mesenteric phlebosclerosis. The
      postoperative course was mostly uneventful. The patient stopped using herbal
      medicine and had no signs of recurrence 2 years after surgery. DISCUSSION AND
      CONCLUSION: The greatest concern in surgery for mesenteric phleboscrerosis is to
      detect the affected area, which should be removed. Characteristic findings in
      computed tomography and intraoperative findings can help to determine the optimal
      extent of colonic resection. Mesenteric phlebosclerosis caused by herbal
      medicines occurs as localized disease in the right colon compared with mesenteric
      phlebosclerosis caused by other pathogenesis. Limited colonic resection is
      usually indicated for mesenteric phlebosclerosis caused by herbal medicine.

PMID- 27266840
TI  - Laceration of a branch of the profunda femoris artery caused by a spike of the
      displaced lesser trochanter in an inter-trochanteric femoral fracture. A case
      report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Injury of femoral vessels is an extremely rare complication in
      intertrochanteric femoral fractures. In most cases reported, the vascular lesion
      involves the superficial femoral artery, whereas in very few cases does it
      involve the profunda femoris artery. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of
      acute bleeding due to laceration of a perforating branch of the profunda femoris
      artery caused by a sharp fragment of the displaced lesser trochanter in an
      intertrochanteric femoral fracture; the lesion was treated by transcatheter
      embolization. DISCUSSION: The arterial injury may be iatrogenic, occurring during
      intramedullary internal fixation, or less frequently, the injury may be due to
      the fracture itself, caused by a sharp bone fragment that damages the profunda
      femoris artery or one of its perforating branches. CONCLUSION: We believe that
      intertrochanteric femoral fractures with avulsed lesser trochanter are at risk
      for femoral vessel injuries caused by the displaced bone spike, and we advise
      meticulous clinical and laboratory monitoring pre- and post-operatively to
      prevent serious complications.

PMID- 27266841
TI  - A reexamination of poneratoxin from the venom of the bullet ant Paraponera
      clavata.
AB  - In 1991, Piek et al. [45] described a voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC)
      modifier from "bullet ant" (Paraponera clavata) venom they called poneratoxin
      (PoTx). Using UV chromatography and Edman degradation they showed two "identical
      peptides" of 25 residues. We reinvestigated PoTx using ultra performance liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-TMS). De novo sequencing showed the
      two peptides were actually structurally different peptides: the originally
      described PoTx and a glycyl pro-peptide (glycyl-PoTx) that lacks C-terminus
      amidation. We examined P. clavata venom from different geographical locations and
      discovered two additional PoTx analogs: an A23E substitution analog and a D22N;
      A23V substitutions analog. We tested PoTx and these three natural analogs on the
      mammalian sensory voltage-gated sodium channel, Nav1.7, using whole cell voltage
      clamp. PoTx and each analog induced slowly activating currents in response to
      small depolarizing steps and sustained currents due to blockade of channel
      inactivation, similar to that described previously in skeletal muscle [19].
      Glycyl-PoTx had the same potency and efficacy as PoTx. A23E PoTx, with a decrease
      in both C-terminal net positive charge and hydrophobicity, had an eight-fold
      reduction in potency compared to PoTx. In contrast, the D22N; A23V PoTx, with an
      increase in both C-terminal net positive charge and hydrophobicity, had a nearly
      five-fold increase in potency compared to PoTx. We found that changes in PoTx C
      terminus caused a significant change in PoTx potency.

PMID- 27266842
TI  - Hyperoxia disrupts the intestinal barrier in newborn rats.
AB  - Animal studies have demonstrated that neonatal hyperoxia injures the distal small
      intestine. This study aimed to determine the effects of neonatal hyperoxia
      exposure on the intestinal morphology and intestinal barrier integrity in newborn
      rats. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were exposed to either ambient air or hyperoxia.
      The ambient air and normobaric hyperoxia groups were maintained in room air and
      85% O2 for 2weeks, respectively. The rats were euthanized on Postnatal Day 14,
      and the terminal ileum was collected for histological analyses and oxidative
      stress measurements. The generation of reactive oxygen species was evaluated by
      measuring the production of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The expression
      and localization of epithelial injury markers [intestinal fatty acid binding
      protein (I-FABP)] and intestinal barrier proteins [occludin and zonula occludens
      (ZO)-1] were analyzed through immunofluorescence staining and western blotting.
      The body weight at birth was comparable between the two groups. On Postnatal Day
      14, the rats in the hyperoxia group exhibited significantly lower body weight, a
      higher serum interleukin-6 level, a higher intestinal injury score, higher 8-OHdG
      and I-FABP expression, and lower occludin and ZO-1 protein expression than did
      those in the ambient air group. Hyperoxia exposure injured the distal small
      intestine and disrupted the intestinal barrier in newborn rats. This may be
      attributable to oxidative stress during the postnatal period.

PMID- 27266843
TI  - The Hexadehydro-Diels-Alder Cycloisomerization Reaction Proceeds by a Stepwise
      Mechanism.
AB  - We report here experiments showing that the hexadehydro-Diels-Alder (HDDA)
      cycloisomerization reaction proceeds in a stepwise manner-i.e., via a diradical
      intermediate. Judicious use of substituent effects was decisive. We prepared (i)
      a series of triyne HDDA substrates that differed only in the R group present on
      the remote terminus of the diynophilic alkyne and (ii) an analogous series of
      dienophilic alkynes (n-C7H15COC=CR) for use in classical Diels-Alder (DA)
      reactions (with 1,3-cyclopentadiene). The R groups were CF3, CHO, COMe/Et, CO2Me,
      CONMe2/Et2, H, and 1-propynyl. The relative rates of both the HDDA cyclization
      reactions and the simple DA cycloadditions were measured. The reactivity trends
      revealed a dramatic difference in the behaviors of the CF3 (slowest HDDA and
      nearly fastest DA) and 1-propynyl (fastest HDDA and slowest DA) containing
      members of each series. These differences can be explained by invoking radical
      stabilizing energies rather than electron-withdrawing effects as the dominating
      feature of the HDDA reaction.

PMID- 27266844
TI  - Quantifying spatiotemporal heterogeneity of MERS-CoV transmission in the Middle
      East region: A combined modelling approach.
AB  - MERS coronavirus cases notified in the Middle East region since the
      identification of the virus in 2012 have displayed variations in time and across
      geography. Through a combined modelling approach, we estimate the rates of
      generation of cases along the zoonotic and human-to-human transmission routes and
      assess their spatiotemporal heterogeneity. We consider all cases notified to WHO
      from March 2012 to mid-September 2014. We use a stochastic modelling of the time
      series of case incidence in the Middle East region to estimate time- and space
      dependent zoonotic and human-to-human transmission parameters. The model also
      accounts for possible lack of identification of secondary transmissions among
      notified cases. This approach is combined with the analysis of imported cases out
      of the region to assess the rate of underreporting of cases. Out of a total of 32
      possible models, based on different parameterisation and scenario considered, the
      best-fit model is characterised by a large heterogeneity in time and across space
      for both zoonotic and human-to-human transmission. The variation in time that
      occurred during Spring 2014 led to a 17-fold and 3-fold increase in the two
      transmissions, respectively, bringing the reproductive rate to values above 1
      during that period for all regions under study. The model suggests that 75% of
      MERS-CoV cases are secondary cases (human-to-human transmission), which is
      substantially higher than the 34% of reported cases with an epidemiological link
      to another case. Overall, estimated reporting rate is 0.26. Our findings show a
      higher level of spatial heterogeneity in zoonotic transmission compared to human
      to-human, highlighting the strong environmental component of the epidemic. Since
      sporadic introductions are predicted to be a small proportion of notified cases
      and are responsible for triggering secondary transmissions, a more comprehensive
      understanding of zoonotic source and path of transmission could be critical to
      limit the epidemic spread.

PMID- 27266846
TI  - EpiJSON: A unified data-format for epidemiology.
AB  - Epidemiology relies on data but the divergent ways data are recorded and
      transferred, both within and between outbreaks, and the expanding range of data
      types are creating an increasingly complex problem for the discipline. There is a
      need for a consistent, interpretable and precise way to transfer data while
      maintaining its fidelity. We introduce 'EpiJSON', a new, flexible, and standards
      compliant format for the interchange of epidemiological data using JavaScript
      Object Notation. This format is designed to enable the widest range of
      epidemiological data to be unambiguously held and transferred between people,
      software and institutions. In this paper, we provide a full description of the
      format and a discussion of the design decisions made. We introduce a schema
      enabling automatic checks of the validity of data stored as EpiJSON, which can
      serve as a basis for the development of additional tools. In addition, we also
      present the R package 'repijson' which provides conversion tools between this
      format, line-list data and pre-existing analysis tools. An example is given to
      illustrate how EpiJSON can be used to store line list data. EpiJSON, designed
      around modern standards for interchange of information on the internet, is simple
      to implement, read and check. As such, it provides an ideal new standard for
      epidemiological, and other, data transfer to the fast-growing open-source
      platform for the analysis of disease outbreaks.

PMID- 27266845
TI  - Decision-making for foot-and-mouth disease control: Objectives matter.
AB  - Formal decision-analytic methods can be used to frame disease control problems,
      the first step of which is to define a clear and specific objective. We
      demonstrate the imperative of framing clearly-defined management objectives in
      finding optimal control actions for control of disease outbreaks. We illustrate
      an analysis that can be applied rapidly at the start of an outbreak when there
      are multiple stakeholders involved with potentially multiple objectives, and when
      there are also multiple disease models upon which to compare control actions. The
      output of our analysis frames subsequent discourse between policy-makers,
      modellers and other stakeholders, by highlighting areas of discord among
      different management objectives and also among different models used in the
      analysis. We illustrate this approach in the context of a hypothetical foot-and
      mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Cumbria, UK using outputs from five rigorously
      studied simulation models of FMD spread. We present both relative rankings and
      relative performance of controls within each model and across a range of
      objectives. Results illustrate how control actions change across both the base
      metric used to measure management success and across the statistic used to rank
      control actions according to said metric. This work represents a first step
      towards reconciling the extensive modelling work on disease control problems with
      frameworks for structured decision making.

PMID- 27266847
TI  - A generalized-growth model to characterize the early ascending phase of
      infectious disease outbreaks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A better characterization of the early growth dynamics of an epidemic
      is needed to dissect the important drivers of disease transmission, refine
      existing transmission models, and improve disease forecasts. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We introduce a 2-parameter generalized-growth model to characterize the
      ascending phase of an outbreak and capture epidemic profiles ranging from sub
      exponential to exponential growth. We test the model against empirical outbreak
      data representing a variety of viral pathogens in historic and contemporary
      populations, and provide simulations highlighting the importance of sub
      exponential growth for forecasting purposes. RESULTS: We applied the generalized
      growth model to 20 infectious disease outbreaks representing a range of
      transmission routes. We uncovered epidemic profiles ranging from very slow growth
      (p=0.14 for the Ebola outbreak in Bomi, Liberia (2014)) to near exponential
      (p>0.9 for the smallpox outbreak in Khulna (1972), and the 1918 pandemic
      influenza in San Francisco). The foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Uruguay
      displayed a profile of slower growth while the growth pattern of the HIV/AIDS
      epidemic in Japan was approximately linear. The West African Ebola epidemic
      provided a unique opportunity to explore how growth profiles vary by geography;
      analysis of the largest district-level outbreaks revealed substantial growth
      variations (mean p=0.59, range: 0.14-0.97). The districts of Margibi in Liberia
      and Bombali and Bo in Sierra Leone had near-exponential growth, while the
      districts of Bomi in Liberia and Kenema in Sierra Leone displayed near constant
      incidences. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal significant variation in epidemic
      growth patterns across different infectious disease outbreaks and highlights that
      sub-exponential growth is a common phenomenon, especially for pathogens that are
      not airborne. Sub-exponential growth profiles may result from heterogeneity in
      contact structures or risk groups, reactive behavior changes, or the early onset
      of interventions strategies, and consideration of "deceleration parameters" may
      be useful to refine existing mathematical transmission models and improve disease
      forecasts.

PMID- 27266849
TI  - A population's higher-risk sexual behaviour is associated with its average sexual
      behaviour-An ecological analysis of subpopulations in Ethiopia, Kenya, South
      Africa, Uganda and the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the large variation in the prevalence of sexually transmitted
      infections between populations it is important to characterize how sexual vary
      between populations. In this paper we assess how the distribution of lifetime
      sexual partners varies between populations. We ask: do populations with higher
      mean lifetime sexual partners merely differ by virtue of the presence of a core
      group with increased number of partners or do the population distributions move
      as more coherent wholes? METHODS: We defined those in the top decile of lifetime
      sex partners in each country as constituting the higher-risk behaviour group
      (HRB). Spearman's correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between mean
      lifetime partners and prevalence of those in the HRB by ethnic group within
      Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and the United States. In each case, data
      from nationally representative surveys were used. Two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum
      were applied to test if there was a difference in the number of lifetime partners
      between the highest and lowest-risk subpopulations, separately for men and women.
      To account for autocorrelation, all analyses were conducted using means/medians
      excluding those in the HRB. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically
      significant. RESULTS: In each country, a positive correlation existed between
      subpopulations' mean lifetime partners and the prevalence of the HRB. Spearman's
      correlation varied from 0.20 to 0.99 for men and 0.74 to 1.0 for women. This
      association was statistically significant in 6 out of 10 comparisons. There was a
      statistically significant difference in the number of lifetime partners between
      the highest and lowest-risk ethnic groups in all countries except South Africa,
      where the difference was only significant for women. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that sexual behaviours vary coherently between different populations. As
      such, sexually transmitted infection control efforts would benefit from including
      both targeted campaigns focusing on the HRB and population-strategies that seek
      to address factors responsible for high mean risk behaviour.

PMID- 27266848
TI  - Design and methods of a social network isolation study for reducing respiratory
      infection transmission: The eX-FLU cluster randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Social networks are increasingly recognized as important points of
      intervention, yet relatively few intervention studies of respiratory infection
      transmission have utilized a network design. Here we describe the design,
      methods, and social network structure of a randomized intervention for isolating
      respiratory infection cases in a university setting over a 10-week period.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 590 students in six residence halls enrolled in
      the eX-FLU study during a chain-referral recruitment process from September 2012
      January 2013. Of these, 262 joined as "seed" participants, who nominated their
      social contacts to join the study, of which 328 "nominees" enrolled. Participants
      were cluster-randomized by 117 residence halls. Participants were asked to
      respond to weekly surveys on health behaviors, social interactions, and influenza
      like illness (ILI) symptoms. Participants were randomized to either a 3-Day dorm
      room isolation intervention or a control group (no isolation) upon illness onset.
      ILI cases reported on their isolation behavior during illness and provided throat
      and nasal swab specimens at onset, day-three, and day-six of illness. A subsample
      of individuals (N=103) participated in a sub-study using a novel smartphone
      application, iEpi, which collected sensor and contextually-dependent survey data
      on social interactions. Within the social network, participants were
      significantly positively assortative by intervention group, enrollment type,
      residence hall, iEpi participation, age, gender, race, and alcohol use (all
      P<0.002). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We identified a feasible study design for
      testing the impact of isolation from social networks in a university setting.
      These data provide an unparalleled opportunity to address questions about
      isolation and infection transmission, as well as insights into social networks
      and behaviors among college-aged students. Several important lessons were learned
      over the course of this project, including feasible isolation durations, the need
      for extensive organizational efforts, as well as the need for specialized
      programmers and server space for managing survey and smartphone data.

PMID- 27266850
TI  - Extension of Structure-Reactivity Correlations for the Hydrogen Abstraction
      Reaction to the Methyl Radical and Comparison to the Chlorine Atom, Bromine Atom,
      and Hydroxyl Radical.
AB  - Recently, we presented structure-reactivity correlations for the gas-phase rate
      constants for hydrogen abstraction from sp(3)-hybridized carbon by three
      electrophilic radicals (X(*) + HCR3 -> XH + (*)CR3; X = Cl(*), HO(*), and Br(*));
      the reaction enthalpy effect was represented by the independent variable DeltarH
      and the "polar effect" by the independent variables F and R, the Hammett-Taft
      constants for field/inductive and resonance effects. Here we present a parallel
      treatment for the less electronegative CH3(*). In spite of a limited and
      scattered database, the resulting least-squares fit [log k437(CH3(*)) = 
      0.0251(DeltarH) + 0.96(SigmaF) - 0.56(SigmaR) - 19.15] was modestly successful
      and useful for initial predictions. As expected, the polar effect appears to be
      minor and its directionality, i.e., the "philicity" of CH3(*), may depend on the
      nature of the substituents. 

PMID- 27266851
TI  - Cepharanthine and Piperine ameliorate diabetic nephropathy in rats: role of NF
      kappaB and NLRP3 inflammasome.
AB  - AIMS: Hyperglycemia leads to elevation of oxidative stress and proinflammatory
      cytokines which are the main causes of diabetic nephropathy (DN). NLRP3
      inflammasome and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) are recently assumed to
      participate in the development of DN. We aimed to investigate the effects of
      Cepharanthine (CEP), Piperine (Pip) and their combination in streptozotocin (STZ)
      induced DN focusing on their role to modulate NLRP3 and TXNIP induced
      inflammation. MAIN METHODS: Diabetic rats were treated with intraperitoneal
      (i.p.) injection of CEP (10mg/kg/day), Pip (30mg/kg/day) or their combination for
      8weeks. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF
      alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) were assessed by ELISA technique. TXNIP
      and NLRP3 genes expressions were evaluated by real time-PCR. KEY FINDINGS:
      Diabetic rats showed significant increase in renal TXNIP and NLRP3 expression.
      CEP, Pip or their combination significantly decreased TXNIP and NLRP3 expression
      in diabetic kidneys. Hyperglycemia induced NF-kappaB activation leading to
      increased IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels. CEP, Pip or their combination showed
      significant inhibition of NF-kappaB together with decreased IL-1beta and TNF
      alpha levels in diabetic rats. Also, diabetic rats showed significant decrease in
      creatinine clearance and increase in blood glucose, serum creatinine, blood urea
      nitrogen, malondialdehyde, proteinuria, and kidney weight to body Weight ratio.
      All of these changes were reversed by CEP, Pip or their combination.
      SIGNIFICANCE: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of CEP and Pip which
      were accompanied by inhibition of NF-kappaB and NLRP3 activation might be helpful
      mechanisms to halt the progression of DN.

PMID- 27266852
TI  - YouTube as a Potential Training Resource for Laparoscopic Fundoplication.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the surgical proficiency and educational quality of YouTube
      videos demonstrating laparoscopic fundoplication (LF). DESIGN: In this cross
      sectional study, a search was performed on YouTube for videos demonstrating the
      LF procedure. The surgical and educational proficiency was evaluated using the
      objective component rating scale, the educational quality rating score, and total
      video quality score. Statistical significance was determined by analysis of
      variance, receiver operating characteristic curve, and odds ratio analysis.
      RESULTS: A total of 71 videos were included in the study; 28 (39.4%) videos were
      evaluated as good, 23 (32.4%) were moderate, and 20 (28.2%) were poor. Good-rated
      videos were significantly longer (good, 22.0 +/- 5.2min; moderate, 7.8 +/-
      0.9min; poor, 8.5 +/- 1.0min; p = 0.007) and video duration was predictive of
      good quality (AUC, 0.672 +/- 0.067; 95% CI: 0.541-0.802; p = 0.015). For good
      quality, the cut-off video duration was 7:42 minute. This cut-off value had a
      sensitivity of 67.9%, a specificity of 60.5%, and an odds ratio of 3.23 (95% CI:
      1.19-8.79; p = 0.022) in predicting good quality. Videos uploaded from industrial
      sources and with a higher views/days online ratio had a higher objective
      component rating scale and total video quality score. In contrast, the
      likes/dislikes ratio was not predictive of video quality. CONCLUSIONS: Many
      videos showing the LF procedure have been uploaded to YouTube with varying
      degrees of quality. A process for filtering LF videos with high surgical and
      educational quality is feasible by evaluating the video duration, uploading
      source, and the views/days online ratio. However, alternative videos platforms
      aimed at professionals should also be considered for educational purposes.

PMID- 27266853
TI  - Combining Diuretic Response and Hemoconcentration to Predict Rehospitalization
      After Admission for Acute Heart Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both diuretic response and hemoconcentration are indicators of
      decongestion and have individually been found to predict rehospitalization after
      admission for acute heart failure (HF). This study examines the value of
      combining diuretic response and hemoconcentration to better predict patients at
      low risk for rehospitalization after admission for acute HF. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      Diuretic response (defined as weight change per 40 mg of furosemide on day 4
      after admission) and hemoconcentration (change in hemoglobin at discharge or day
      7) were tested both individually and combined to predict the risk of HF and
      cardiovascular rehospitalization 60 days after hospitalization for acute HF.
      Analyses were performed in 1180 patients enrolled in the Placebo-Controlled
      Randomized Study of the Selective Adenosine Receptor Antagonist Rolofylline for
      Patients Hospitalized With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Volume Overload
      to Assess Treatment Effect on Congestion and Renal Function (PROTECT) trial and
      validated in 1776 patients enrolled in the Efficacy of Vasopressin Antagonism in
      Heart Failure Outcome Study With Tolvaptan (EVEREST) trial. Poor diuretic
      response was associated with low systolic blood pressure, high blood urea
      nitrogen, and history of coronary revascularization in both data sets (all
      P<0.05). Hemoconcentration was mainly associated with better renal function
      (P<0.05). Patients who displayed both favorable diuretic response and
      hemoconcentration had a markedly lower risk of rehospitalization for HF in
      PROTECT (multivariable HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.70; P<0.001) compared with all
      other patients. This finding was confirmed in EVEREST (multivariable HR, 0.52;
      95% CI, 0.33 to 0.82; P=0.004) for patients with favorable diuretic response and
      hemoconcentration compared with all other patients. CONCLUSIONS: Combining 2
      indicators of decongestion, hemoconcentration and diuretic response improves risk
      prediction for early rehospitalization after an admission for acute HF and may
      provide clinicians with an easily accessible tool to identify low-risk patients.
      CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique
      identifiers: NCT00354458 and NCT00071331.

PMID- 27266855
TI  - Direct Tracking of Amyloid and Tu Dynamics in Neuroblastoma Cells Using
      Nanoplasmonic Fiber Tip Probes.
AB  - Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the pathological hallmarks of
      Alzheimer's disease. However, there has been a long-standing discussion on the
      dynamic relations between Abeta and tau proteins, partially due to the lack of a
      tool to track protein dynamics in individual live neurons at the early stage of
      Abeta generation and tau phosphorylation. Here, we developed nanoplasmonic fiber
      tip probe (nFTP) technology to simultaneously monitor Abeta42 generation and tau
      phosphorylation (at serine 262) in living, single neuroblastoma cells over 12 h.
      We observed that Abeta42 generation, under clinically relevant anesthetic
      treatment, preceded tau phosphorylation, which then facilitated Abeta42
      generation. This observation is also supported by measuring proteins in cell
      lysates using the ultrasensitive label-free photonic crystal nanosensors. nFTP
      therefore provides an advanced method to investigate protein expression and post
      translational modification in live cells and determine outcomes of intervention
      of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

PMID- 27266856
TI  - Bound Flavin-Cytochrome Model of Extracellular Electron Transfer in Shewanella
      oneidensis: Analysis by Free Energy Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - Flavins are known to enhance extracellular electron transfer (EET) in Shewanella
      oneidensis MR-1 bacteria, which reduce electron acceptors through outer-membrane
      (OM) cytochromes c. Free-shuttle and bound-redox cofactor mechanisms were
      proposed to explain this enhancement, but recent electrochemical reports favor a
      flavin-bound model, proposing two one-electron reductions of flavin, namely,
      oxidized (Ox) to semiquinone (Sq) and semiquinone to hydroquinone (Hq), at anodic
      and cathodic conditions, respectively. In this work, to provide a mechanistic
      understanding of riboflavin (RF) binding at the multiheme OM cytochrome OmcA, we
      explored binding configurations at hemes 2, 5, 7, and 10. Subsequently, on the
      basis of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, binding free energies and redox
      potential shifts upon RF binding for the Ox/Sq and Sq/Hq reductions were
      analyzed. Our results demonstrated an upshift in the Ox/Sq and a downshift in the
      Sq/Hq redox potentials, consistent with a bound RF-OmcA model. Furthermore,
      binding free energy MD simulations indicated an RF binding preference at heme 7.
      MD simulations of the OmcA-MtrC complex interfacing at hemes 5 revealed a small
      interprotein redox potential difference with an electron transfer rate of 10(7)
      10(8)/s.

PMID- 27266857
TI  - Take Charge of Pain: evaluating a community-targeted self-management education
      program for people with musculoskeletal pain.
AB  - Issue addressed Musculoskeletal conditions are highly prevalent, affecting 28% of
      the Australian population. Given the persistent nature of many musculoskeletal
      conditions self-management is recognised as an important aspect of effective
      disease management. However, participant recruitment and retention for formal
      self-management programs is a challenge. Methods Arthritis SA (Arthritis
      Foundation of South Australia, a non-profit community health organisation)
      redesigned a shorter, community-orientated self-management education program
      delivered by health professionals. The program utilises aspects of the Stanford
      model of chronic disease self-management and motivational interviewing as well as
      principles of adult learning to create an effective learning environment. The
      program aims to guide participants to learn and practise a range of pain
      management strategies that are known to be effective in improving quality of
      life. This study used a pre- and post-test (at 6 weeks) design to determine
      whether this program achieved benefits in self-reported health outcomes. Outcomes
      that were measured included pain, fatigue, health distress, self-efficacy and
      communication. Results A response rate of 47% (n=102) was achieved and small but
      statistically significant improvements in mean [s.d.] pain scores (6.1 [2.3] to
      5.4 [2.4], P=0.001), health distress (2.3 [1.3] to 2.0 [1.3], P=0.002) and self
      efficacy (6.2 [2.1] to 6.8 [2.2], P=0.002) were found. Conclusion Community-based
      participants of this shorter, focused program recorded small but significant
      improvements in self-reported pain, health distress and self-efficacy. For those
      who completed the current program, Arthritis SA is currently exploring the
      potential of developing a booster session to promote sustainable positive health
      outcomes. So what? Supporting self-management through education is recognised as
      important but also as a key challenge for effective management of musculoskeletal
      conditions. Using a pre-post evaluation design, this study demonstrated
      effectiveness (short-term improvements for self-reported pain, health distress
      and self-efficacy) for a redesigned and shortened community-targeted program
      focusing on musculoskeletal pain.

PMID- 27266858
TI  - Theoretical Insights into the Catalytic Mechanism of N-Heterocyclic Olefins in
      Carboxylative Cyclization of Propargyl Alcohol with CO2.
AB  - The mechanism of carboxylative cyclization of propargyl alcohol with CO2
      catalyzed by N-heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) has been studied by density functional
      theory calculations. The calculations reveal that the catalytic reaction tends to
      proceed via the NHO-mediated basic ionic pair mechanism, in which free NHO
      primarily acts as a basic precursor to trigger the carboxylation of propargyl
      alcohol with CO2, leading to a [NHOH](+)[carbonate](-) ion pair intermediate.
      Then, the catalytic cycle proceeds, including isomerization of the
      [NHOH](+)[carbonate](-) ion pair intermediate, intramolecular nucleophilic
      addition of the carbonate oxygen anion to the alkynyl group, and protonation of
      the alkenyl carbon anion with an external propargyl alcohol molecule. Molecule
      orbital and nature population analysis discloses that the preference for the
      basic ionic pair mechanism is due to the favorable orbital and charge
      interactions between the alpha-carbon atom of NHO and the hydroxyl hydrogen of
      propargyl alcohol. The [NHOH](+) cation has proven to be crucial for stabilizing
      the [carbonate](-) anion, which allows the reaction to proceed through a more
      thermodynamically stable pathway. The investigations of the effect of
      substituents of NHOs predict that N-substituents with a strong electron donating
      effect and a bulky steric effect might improve the catalytic activity of NHOs for
      the reaction.

PMID- 27266854
TI  - Predicting Heart Failure With Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction: The
      International Collaboration on Heart Failure Subtypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent and deadly disease, and preventive
      strategies focused on at-risk individuals are needed. Current HF prediction
      models have not examined HF subtypes. We sought to develop and validate risk
      prediction models for HF with preserved and reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF,
      HFrEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 28,820 participants from 4 community-based
      cohorts, 982 developed incident HFpEF and 909 HFrEF during a median follow-up of
      12 years. Three cohorts were combined, and a 2:1 random split was used for
      derivation and internal validation, with the fourth cohort as external
      validation. Models accounted for multiple competing risks (death, other HF
      subtype, and unclassified HF). The HFpEF-specific model included age, sex,
      systolic blood pressure, body mass index, antihypertensive treatment, and
      previous myocardial infarction; it had good discrimination in derivation (c
      statistic 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-0.82) and validation samples
      (internal: 0.79; 95% CI, 0.77-0.82 and external: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.71-0.80). The
      HFrEF-specific model additionally included smoking, left ventricular hypertrophy,
      left bundle branch block, and diabetes mellitus; it had good discrimination in
      derivation (c-statistic 0.82; 95% CI, 0.80-0.84) and validation samples
      (internal: 0.80; 95% CI, 0.78-0.83 and external: 0.76; 95% CI, 0.71-0.80). Age
      was more strongly associated with HFpEF, and male sex, left ventricular
      hypertrophy, bundle branch block, previous myocardial infarction, and smoking
      with HFrEF (P value for each comparison <=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We describe and
      validate risk prediction models for HF subtypes and show good discrimination in a
      large sample. Some risk factors differed between HFpEF and HFrEF, supporting the
      notion of pathogenetic differences among HF subtypes.

PMID- 27266859
TI  - Overdiagnosis of heart failure in primary care: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Access to echocardiography in primary care is limited, but is
      necessary to accurately diagnose heart failure (HF). AIM: To determine the
      proportion of patients with a GP's diagnosis of HF who really have HF. DESIGN AND
      SETTING: A cross-sectional study of patients in 30 general practices with a GP's
      diagnosis of heart failure, based on the International Classification of Primary
      Care (ICPC) code K77, between June and November 2011. METHOD: Electronic medical
      records of the patients' GPs were scrutinised for information on the diagnosis.
      An expert panel consisting of two cardiologists and an experienced GP used all
      available diagnostic information, and established the presence or absence of HF
      according to the criteria of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) HF
      guidelines. RESULTS: In total, 683 individuals had a GP's diagnosis of HF. The
      mean age was 77.9 (SD 11.4) years, and 42.2% were male. Of these 683, 79.6%
      received cooperative care from a cardiologist. In 73.5% of cases,
      echocardiography was available for panel re-evaluation. Based on consensus
      opinion of the panel, 434 patients (63.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 59.9 to
      67.1) had definite HF, of which 222 (32.5%, 95% CI = 30.9 to 34.1) had HF with a
      reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 207 (30.3%, 95% CI = 29.0 to 31.6) had HF with
      a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and five (0.7%, 95% CI = 1.2 to 2.6) had
      isolated right-sided HF. In 17.3% of cases (95% CI = 14.4 to 20.0), the panel
      considered HF absent, and in 19.2% (95% CI = 16.3 to 22.2) the diagnosis remained
      uncertain. CONCLUSION: More than one-third of primary care patients labelled with
      HF may not have HF, and such overdiagnosis may result in inadequate patient
      management.

PMID- 27266860
TI  - Influence of ethnicity on acceptability of method of blood pressure monitoring: a
      cross-sectional study in primary care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ambulatory and/or home monitoring are recommended in the UK and the
      US for the diagnosis of hypertension but little is known about their
      acceptability. AIM: To determine the acceptability of different methods of
      measuring blood pressure to people from different minority ethnic groups. DESIGN
      AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study with focus groups in primary care in the West
      Midlands. METHOD: People of different ethnicities with and without hypertension
      were assessed for acceptability of clinic, home, and ambulatory blood pressure
      measurement using completion rate, questionnaire, and focus groups. RESULTS: A
      total of 770 participants were included, who were white British (n = 300), South
      Asian (n = 241), and African Caribbean (n = 229). White British participants had
      significantly higher successful completion rates across all monitoring modalities
      compared with the other ethnic groups, especially for ambulatory monitoring:
      white British (n = 277, 92% [95% confidence interval [CI] = 89% to 95%]) versus
      South Asian (n = 171, 71% [95% CI = 65% to 76%], P<0.001) and African Caribbean
      (n = 188, 82% [95% CI = 77% to 87%], P<0.001), respectively. There were
      significantly lower acceptability scores for minority ethnic participants across
      all monitoring methods compared with white British participants. Focus group
      results highlighted self-monitoring as most acceptable and ambulatory monitoring
      least acceptable without consistent differences by ethnicity. Clinic monitoring
      was seen as inconvenient and anxiety provoking but with the advantage of
      immediate professional input. CONCLUSION: Reduced acceptability and completion
      rates among minority ethnic groups raise important questions for the
      implementation and interpretation of blood pressure monitoring. Selection of
      method of blood pressure monitoring should take into account clinical need,
      patient preference, and potential cultural barriers to monitoring.

PMID- 27266861
TI  - Alerts in electronic medical records to promote a colorectal cancer screening
      programme: a cluster randomised controlled trial in primary care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Participation rates in colorectal cancer screening are below
      recommended European targets. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of an alert in
      primary care electronic medical records (EMRs) to increase individuals'
      participation in an organised, population-based colorectal cancer screening
      programme when compared with usual care. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cluster randomised
      controlled trial in primary care centres of Barcelona, Spain. METHOD:
      Participants were males and females aged 50-69 years, who were invited to the
      first round of a screening programme based on the faecal immunochemical test
      (FIT) (n = 41 042), and their primary care professional. The randomisation unit
      was the physician cluster (n = 130) and patients were blinded to the study group.
      The control group followed usual care as per the colorectal cancer screening
      programme. In the intervention group, as well as usual care, an alert to health
      professionals (cluster level) to promote screening was introduced in the
      individual's primary care EMR for 1 year. The main outcome was colorectal cancer
      screening participation at individual participant level. RESULTS: In total, 67
      physicians and 21 619 patients (intervention group) and 63 physicians and 19 423
      patients (control group) were randomised. In the intention-to-treat analysis
      screening participation was 44.1% and 42.2% respectively (odds ratio 1.08, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] = 0.97 to 1.20, P = 0.146). However, in the per-protocol
      analysis screening uptake in the intervention group showed a statistically
      significant increase, after adjusting for potential confounders (OR, 1.11; 95% CI
      = 1.02 to 1.22; P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The use of an alert in an individual's
      primary care EMR is associated with a statistically significant increased uptake
      of an organised, FIT-based colorectal cancer screening programme in patients
      attending primary care centres.

PMID- 27266862
TI  - Medication management strategy for older people with polypharmacy in general
      practice: a qualitative study on prescribing behaviour in primary care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For older patients with polypharmacy, medication management is a
      process of careful deliberation that needs periodic adjustment based on treatment
      effects and changing conditions. Because of the heterogeneity of the patient
      group, and limited applicability of current guidelines, it is difficult for GPs
      to build up a routine. AIM: To gain insight into GPs' medication management
      strategies for patients with polypharmacy, and to explore the GPs' perspectives
      and needs on decision-making support to facilitate this medication management.
      DESIGN AND SETTING: Two focus group meetings with Dutch GPs, discussing four
      clinical vignettes of patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. METHOD:
      Questions about medication management of the vignettes were answered
      individually; the strategy chosen in each case was discussed in plenary. Analysis
      followed a Framework approach. RESULTS: In total, 12 GPs described a similar
      strategy regarding the patients' medication management: defining treatment goals;
      determining primary goals; and adjusting medications based on the treatment
      effect, GPs' and patients' preferences, and patient characteristics. There was
      variation in the execution of this strategy between the GPs. The GPs would like
      to discuss their choices with other professionals and they valued structured
      medication reviews with the patient, as well as quick and practical support tools
      that work on demand. CONCLUSION: To facilitate decision making, a more extensive
      and structured collaboration between healthcare professionals is desired, as well
      as support to execute structured medication reviews with eligible patients, and
      some on-demand tools for individual consultations.

PMID- 27266863
TI  - Faecal calprotectin in patients with suspected colorectal cancer: a diagnostic
      accuracy study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: NICE guidance exists for the use of faecal calprotectin (FC) when
      irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease are suspected. Often,
      however, colorectal cancer is considered within the differential. Should FC have
      a high diagnostic accuracy for colorectal cancer, it may be applicable as a
      primary care screening test for all patients with lower gastrointestinal
      symptoms. AIM: To determine the negative and positive predictive value (NPV/PPV)
      of FC in patients referred from primary care with suspected colorectal cancer.
      DESIGN AND SETTING: A diagnostic accuracy study conducted at a single secondary
      care site METHOD: Consenting patients referred with suspected colorectal cancer
      within the '2-week wait' pathway provided a stool sample for FC prior to
      investigation. FC levels were reconciled with end diagnoses: cancer, adenomatous
      polyps >=10 mm, and all enteric organic disease. RESULTS: A total of 654 patients
      completed the evaluation; median age 69 years, female 56%. The NPV for colorectal
      cancer was 98.6% and 97.2% when including polyps >=10 mm. The PPV for all organic
      enteric disease was 32.7%. The diagnostic yield for cancer based on clinical
      suspicion was 6.3%. By altering the FC cut-off to fix the NPV at 97.0%, the PPV
      for cancer increased from 8.7% to 13.3%. CONCLUSION: FC has a high NPV for
      colorectal cancer and significant polyps in patients with suspected cancer. In
      total, 27.8% of patients had a normal FC and could safely have been spared a '2
      week wait' referral. The addition of FC testing into the current symptom-based
      assessment has the potential to increase colorectal cancer detection rate yet be
      clinically and cost effective.

PMID- 27266864
TI  - Prevention of hospital-acquired thrombosis from a primary care perspective: a
      qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although there is considerable risk for patients from hospital
      acquired thrombosis (HAT), current systems for reducing this risk appear
      inefficient and have focused predominantly on secondary care, leaving the role of
      primary care underexplored, despite the onset of HAT often occurring post
      discharge. AIM: To gain an understanding of the perspectives of primary care
      clinicians on their contribution to the prevention of HAT. Their current role,
      perceptions of patient awareness, the barriers to better care, and suggestions
      for how these may be overcome were discussed. DESIGN AND SETTING: Qualitative
      study using semi-structured interviews in Oxfordshire and South Birmingham,
      England. METHOD: Semi-structured telephone interviews with clinicians working at
      practices of a variety of size, socioeconomic status, and geographical location.
      RESULTS: A number of factors that influenced the management of HAT emerged,
      including patient characteristics, a lack of clarity of responsibility, limited
      communication and poor coordination, and the constraints of limited practice
      resources. Suggestions for improving the current system include a broader role
      for primary care supported by appropriate training and the requisite funding.
      CONCLUSION: The role of primary care remains limited, despite being ideally
      positioned to either raise patient awareness before admission or support patient
      adherence to the thromboprophylaxis regimen prescribed in hospital. This
      situation may begin to be addressed by more robust lines of communication between
      secondary and primary care and by providing more consistent training for primary
      care staff. In turn, this relies on the allocation of appropriate funds to allow
      practices to meet the increased demand on their time and resources.

PMID- 27266865
TI  - Beliefs and attitudes of older adults and carers about deprescribing of
      medications: a qualitative focus group study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deprescribing describes the complex process that is required for the
      safe and effective cessation of medications that are likely to cause more harm
      than benefit. Knowledgeof older adults' and carers' attitudes towards
      deprescribing will enhance shared decision making in medication optimisation.
      AIM: To explore the views, beliefs, and attitudes of older adults and carers on
      deprescribing. DESIGN AND SETTING: Qualitative focus group study in New South
      Wales, Australia. METHOD: Four focus groups with 14 older adults and 14 carers
      were conducted. Results were analysed using a previously developed framework
      (directed content analysis) with additional conventional content analysis.
      RESULTS: The willingness of both older adults and carers to have one or more
      medications deprescribed was influenced by the following main themes: their
      perception of the appropriateness of that medication; fear of outcomes of
      withdrawal; dislike of taking medications; and the availability of a process for
      withdrawal (including a discussion with a healthcare professional and knowing
      that the medication could be restarted if necessary). A patient's regular GP was
      identified as a strong influence both for and against medication withdrawal. The
      identified themes supported the previously developed framework. An additional
      theme unique to the carers was the complexity involved in making decisions about
      medications for their care recipients. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that
      discussions between the healthcare professional and the olderadult or carer about
      withdrawing medications should address reasons for deprescribing. GPs should be
      aware of their major influence on patients and regularly discuss appropriateness
      of current medication use with older adults and their carers.

PMID- 27266866
TI  - Focal seizures in a patient with myotonic disorder type 2 co-segregating with a
      chloride voltage-gated channel 1 gene mutation: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myotonic dystrophy type 2 is a multisystem disorder with both
      neurological and non-neurological signs and symptoms. Seizures are not a commonly
      associated neurological feature of this disorder. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year
      old white American man presented with a long history of clinical and
      electrophysiological features of a myotonic disorder. He also developed multiple
      episodes of focal seizures and underwent a series of investigations which showed
      no structural or metabolic etiology. Genetic testing revealed that he had an
      expansion mutation in CCHC-type zinc finger, nucleic acid binding protein gene
      confirming the diagnosis of myotonic disorder type 2 and carried a mutation in
      the chloride voltage-gated channel 1 gene. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare
      association between myotonic dystrophy type 2 and a seizure disorder. The
      pathophysiology of a possible relationship between these two neurological
      conditions is discussed.

PMID- 27266867
TI  - The efficacy and safety of Fufangdanshen tablets (Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae
      formula tablets) for mild to moderate vascular dementia: a study protocol for a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common subtype of dementia
      after Alzheimer's disease (AD). Currently, there are no medications approved for
      treating patients with VaD. Fufangdanshen (FFDS) tablets (Radix Salviae
      miltiorrhizae formula tablets) are a traditional Chinese medicine that has been
      reported to improve memory. However, the existing evidence for FFDS tablets in
      clinical practice derives from methodologically flawed studies. To further
      investigate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of FFDS tables in the
      treatment of mild to moderate VaD, we designed and reported the methodology for a
      24-week randomized, double-blind, parallel, multicenter study. METHODS/DESIGN:
      This ongoing study is a double-blind, randomized, parallel placebo-controlled
      trial. A total of 240 patients with mild to moderate VaD will be enrolled. After
      a 2-week run-in period, the eligible patients will be randomized to receive
      either three FFDS or placebo tablets three times per day for 24 weeks, with a
      follow-up 12 weeks after the last treatment. The primary efficacy measurement
      will be the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog)
      and the Clinician Interview-Based Impression of Change (CIBIC-plus). The
      secondary efficacy measurements will include the Mini Mental State Examination
      (MMSE) and activities of daily living (ADL). Adverse events will also be
      reported. DISCUSSION: This randomized trial will be the first rigorous study on
      the efficacy and safety of FFDS tablets for treating cognitive symptoms in
      patients with VaD using a rational design. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01761227 . Registered on 2 January 2013.

PMID- 27266868
TI  - A cluster randomized trial of a transition intervention for adolescents with
      congenital heart disease: rationale and design of the CHAPTER 2 study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The population of adolescents and young adults with congenital heart
      disease (CHD) is growing exponentially. These survivors are at risk of late
      cardiac complications and require lifelong cardiology care. However, there is a
      paucity of data on how to prepare adolescents to assume responsibility for their
      health and function within the adult health care system. Evidence-based
      transition strategies are required. METHODS: The Congenital Heart Adolescents
      Participating in Transition Evaluation Research (CHAPTER 2) Study is a two-site
      cluster randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of a nurse
      led transition intervention for 16-17 year olds with moderate or complex CHD. The
      primary endpoint is excess time to adult CHD care, defined as the time interval
      between the final pediatric cardiology appointment and the first adult CHD
      appointment, minus the recommended time interval between these appointments.
      Secondary endpoints include the MyHeart score (CHD knowledge), Transition
      Readiness Assessment Questionnaire score, and need for catheter or surgical re
      intervention. Participants are enrolled in clusters based on week of attendance
      in the pediatric cardiology clinic. The intervention consists of two one-hour
      individualized sessions between a cardiology nurse and study participant. Session
      One focuses on knowledge of the participant's CHD, review of their cardiac
      anatomy and prior interventions, and potential late cardiac complications.
      Session Two focuses on self-management and communication skills through review
      and discussion of videos and role-play. The study will recruit 120 participants.
      DISCUSSION: Many adolescents and young adults experience a gap in care
      predisposing them to late cardiac complications. The CHAPTER 2 Study will
      investigate the impact of a nurse-led transition intervention among adolescents
      with CHD. Fidelity of the intervention is a major focus and priority. This study
      will build on our experience by (i) enrolling at two tertiary care programs, (ii)
      including a self-management intervention component, and (iii) evaluating the
      impact of the intervention on time to ACHD care, a clinically relevant outcome.
      The results of this study will inform pediatric cardiology programs, patients and
      policy makers in judging whether a structured intervention program provides
      clinically meaningful outcomes for adolescents and young adults living with CHD.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01723332.

PMID- 27266869
TI  - Beyond type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension: an axis including sleep apnea,
      left ventricular hypertrophy, endothelial dysfunction, and aortic stiffness among
      Mexican Americans in Starr County, Texas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is an increasing appreciation for a series of less traditional
      risk factors that should not be ignored when considering type 2 diabetes,
      obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. These include aortic
      stiffness, cardiac structure, impaired endothelial function and obstructive sleep
      apnea. They are associated to varying degrees with each disease categorization
      and with each other. It is not clear whether they represent additional
      complications, concomitants or antecedents of disease. Starr County, Texas, with
      its predominantly Mexican American population has been shown previously to bear a
      disproportionate burden of the major disease categories, but little is known
      about the distribution of these less traditional factors. METHODS: Type 2
      diabetes, obesity and hypertension frequencies were determined through a
      systematic survey of Starr County conducted from 2002 to 2006. Individuals from
      this examination and an enriched set with type 2 diabetes were re-examined from
      2010 to 2014 including assessment of cardiac structure, sleep apnea, endothelial
      function and aortic stiffness. Individual and combined frequencies of these inter
      related (i.e., axis) conditions were estimated and associations evaluated.
      RESULTS: Household screening of 5230 individuals aged 20 years and above followed
      by direct physical assessment of 1610 identified 23.7 % of men and 26.7 % of
      women with type 2 diabetes, 46.2 and 49.5 % of men and women, respectively with
      obesity and 32.1 and 32.4 % with hypertension. Evaluation of pulse wave velocity,
      left ventricular mass, endothelial function and sleep apnea identified 22.3,
      12.7, 48.6 and 45.2 % of men as having "at risk" values for each condition,
      respectively. Corresponding numbers in women were 16.0, 17.9, 23.6 and 28.8 %.
      Cumulatively, 88 % of the population has one or more of these while 50 % have
      three or more. CONCLUSIONS: The full axis of conditions is high among Mexican
      Americans in Starr County, Texas. Individual and joint patterns suggest a genesis
      well before overt disease. Whether they are all mediated by common underlying
      factors or whether there exist multiple mechanisms remains to be seen.

PMID- 27266870
TI  - The association between intraocular pressure and different combination of
      metabolic syndrome components.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the association between metabolic syndrome and intraocular
      pressure is well known, the relationship between the intraocular pressure and
      different combination of the components of metabolic syndrome has not been
      actively researched yet. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between
      the intraocular pressure and metabolic syndrome components with their different
      combinations. METHODS: Thirty-one thousand two hundred seventy one healthy people
      aged 19-79 who attended a community hospital for a health check-up between
      January 2011 and December 2013 were enrolled in the study. Subjects with a
      history of intraocular disease, at least in one eye and those receiving medical
      treatment for glaucoma were excluded. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed following
      the criteria defined in Circulation 2009. RESULTS: Subjects with combination of
      three metabolic syndrome components of triglycerides, abdominal obesity, and
      fasting glucose had the highest intraocular pressure. And subjects with the
      combination of four components of blood pressure, high-density lipoproteins,
      triglycerides, fasting glucose had a significantly higher intraocular pressure
      than ones with the combination of all five metabolic syndrome components.
      CONCLUSIONS: The difference in the risk of high intraocular pressure according to
      the different combination of the metabolic syndrome components could be
      confirmed. If additional follow-up studies are conducted, the findings can be
      used as an indicator for predicting intraocular pressure increases in patients
      with metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 27266871
TI  - The effect of using blood culture bottle of bronchoalveolar larvage fluid in
      pneumonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in infectious
      disease, and increasing antimicrobial resistance has raised concerns of treatment
      failure. Therefore, we evaluated the value of a blood culture bottle for
      bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples on pathogen identification and on treatment
      modification in patients with pneumonia. METHODS: We conducted a prospective
      study and enrolled 39 patients who were hospitalized for pneumonia. Enrolled
      patients underwent BAL; a 10-ml aliquot was transferred to a sterile container
      for standard quantitative culture, and a 5 ml aliquot was transferred to both an
      aerobic and an anaerobic blood culture bottle. RESULTS: Microbes were detected in
      all 39 (100 %) specimens and possible pathogens were identified in 34 patients
      (84.6 %) from BAL blood culture bottles. In contrast, microbes were detected in
      10 patients (25.6 %) and possible pathogens were isolated in 8 patients (20.5 %)
      in BAL fluid using conventional culture methods. Finally, 8 of 39 (20.5 %)
      patients changed antibiotics according to the BAL blood culture results and
      pneumonia improved in 6 of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Using blood culture
      bottles for BAL sampling in patients with pneumonia is a sensitive method to
      detect pathogens in order to identify an adequate antibiotic treatment regimen.

PMID- 27266872
TI  - High molecular weight of polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus against amyloid
      beta-induced neurotoxicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hericium erinaceus (HE) is a well-known mushroom in traditional
      Chinese food and medicine. HE extracts from the fruiting body and mycelia not
      only exhibit immunomodulatory, antimutagenic and antitumor activity but also have
      neuroprotective properties. Here, we purified HE polysaccharides (HEPS), composed
      of two high molecular weight polysaccharides (1.7 * 10(5) Da and 1.1 * 10(5) Da),
      and evaluated their protective effects on amyloid beta (Abeta)-induced
      neurotoxicity in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. METHODS: HEPS were prepared and
      purified using a 95 % ethanol extraction method. The components of HEPS were
      analyzed and the molecular weights of the polysaccharides were determined using
      high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The neuroprotective effects of the
      polysaccharides were evaluated through a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
      radical scavenging assay and an MTT assay and by quantifying reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMP) of Abeta-induced
      neurotoxicity in cells. RESULT: Our results showed that 250 MUg/ml HEPS was
      harmless and promoted cell viability with 1.2 MUM Abeta treatment. We observed
      that the free radical scavenging rate exceeded 90 % when the concentration of
      HEPS was higher than 1 mg/mL in cells. The HEPS decreased the production of ROS
      from 80 to 58 % in a dose-dependent manner. Cell pretreatment with 250 MUg/mL
      HEPS significantly reduced Abeta-induced high MMPs from 74 to 51 % and 94 to 62 %
      at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Finally, 250 MUg/mL of HEPS prevented Abeta-induced
      cell shrinkage and nuclear degradation of PC12 cells. CONCLUSION: Our results
      demonstrate that HEPS exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective effects on Abeta
      induced neurotoxicity in neurons.

PMID- 27266873
TI  - Estimating micro area behavioural risk factor prevalence from large population
      based surveys: a full Bayesian approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An important public health goal is to decrease the prevalence of key
      behavioural risk factors, such as tobacco use and obesity. Survey information is
      often available at the regional level, but heterogeneity within large geographic
      regions cannot be assessed. Advanced spatial analysis techniques are demonstrated
      to produce sensible micro area estimates of behavioural risk factors that enable
      identification of areas with high prevalence. METHODS: A spatial Bayesian
      hierarchical model was used to estimate the micro area prevalence of current
      smoking and excess bodyweight for the Erie-St. Clair region in southwestern
      Ontario. Estimates were mapped for male and female respondents of five cycles of
      the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). The micro areas were 2006 Census
      Dissemination Areas, with an average population of 400-700 people. Two individual
      level models were specified: one controlled for survey cycle and age group (model
      1), and one controlled for survey cycle, age group and micro area median
      household income (model 2). Post-stratification was used to derive micro area
      behavioural risk factor estimates weighted to the population structure. SaTScan
      analyses were conducted on the granular, postal-code level CCHS data to
      corroborate findings of elevated prevalence. RESULTS: Current smoking was
      elevated in two urban areas for both sexes (Sarnia and Windsor), and an
      additional small community (Chatham) for males only. Areas of excess bodyweight
      were prevalent in an urban core (Windsor) among males, but not females. Precision
      of the posterior post-stratified current smoking estimates was improved in model
      2, as indicated by narrower credible intervals and a lower coefficient of
      variation. For excess bodyweight, both models had similar precision. Aggregation
      of the micro area estimates to CCHS design-based estimates validated the
      findings. CONCLUSIONS: This is among the first studies to apply a full Bayesian
      model to complex sample survey data to identify micro areas with variation in
      risk factor prevalence, accounting for spatial correlation and other covariates.
      Application of micro area analysis techniques helps define areas for public
      health planning, and may be informative to surveillance and research modeling of
      relevant chronic disease outcomes.

PMID- 27266874
TI  - Detection of differentially expressed candidate genes for a fatty liver QTL on
      mouse chromosome 12.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The SMXA-5 mouse is an animal model of high-fat diet-induced fatty
      liver. The major QTL for fatty liver, Fl1sa on chromosome 12, was identified in a
      SM/J * SMXA-5 intercross. The SMXA-5 genome consists of the SM/J and A/J genomes,
      and the A/J allele of Fl1sa is a fatty liver-susceptibility allele. The existence
      of the responsible genes for fatty liver within Fl1sa was confirmed in A/J-12(SM)
      consomic mice. The aim of this study was to identify candidate genes for Fl1sa,
      and to investigate whether the identified genes affect the lipid metabolism.
      RESULTS: A/J-12(SM) mice showed a significantly lower liver triglyceride content
      compared to A/J mice when fed the high-fat diet for 7 weeks. We detected
      differences in the accumulation of liver lipids in response to the high-fat diet
      between A/J and A/J-12(SM) consomic mice. To identify candidate genes for Fl1sa,
      we performed DNA microarray analysis using the livers of A/J-12(SM) and A/J mice
      fed the high-fat diet. The mRNA levels of three genes (Iah1, Rrm2, Prkd1) in the
      chromosomal region of Fl1sa were significantly different between the strains.
      Iah1 mRNA levels in the liver, kidney, and lung were significantly higher in A/J
      12(SM) mice than in A/J mice. The hepatic Iah1 mRNA level in A/J-12(SM) mice was
      3.2-fold higher than that in A/J mice. To examine the effect of Iah1 on hepatic
      lipid metabolism, we constructed a stable cell line expressing the mouse Iah1
      protein in mouse hepatoma Hepa1-6 cells. Overexpression of Iah1 in Hepa1-6 cells
      suppressed the mRNA levels of Cd36 and Dgat2, which play important roles in
      triglyceride synthesis and lipid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      demonstrated that Fl1sa on the proximal region of chromosome 12 affected fatty
      liver in mice on a high-fat diet. Iah1 (isoamyl acetate-hydrolyzing esterase 1
      homolog) was identified as one of the candidate genes for Fl1sa. This study
      revealed that the mouse Iah1 gene regulated the expression of genes related to
      lipid metabolism in the liver.

PMID- 27266876
TI  - High fat Mediterranean diet is not linked to greater weight gain than low fat
      diet.

PMID- 27266877
TI  - Lanostane Triterpenes Isolated from Antrodia heteromorpha and Their Inhibitory
      Effects on RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis.
AB  - Two new spiro-lanostane triterpenoids, antrolactones A and B (1 and 2), along
      with polyporenic acid C (3), were isolated from an EtOAc-soluble extract of
      Antrodia heteromorpha culture medium, and the chemical structures of the new
      compounds were elucidated by application of NMR, MS, and ECD spectroscopic
      techniques. All isolated compounds exhibited inhibitory effects on receptor
      activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand-induced osteoclastogenesis.

PMID- 27266875
TI  - Expression of IL-1beta in rhesus EAE and MS lesions is mainly induced in the CNS
      itself.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-1beta is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a
      role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model for MS. Yet, detailed studies on IL
      1beta expression in different stages of MS lesion development and a comparison of
      IL-1beta expression in MS and EAE are lacking. METHODS: Here, we performed an
      extensive characterization of IL-1beta expression in brain tissue of MS patients,
      which included different MS lesion types, and in brain tissue of rhesus macaques
      with EAE. RESULTS: In rhesus EAE brain tissue, we observed prominent IL-1beta
      staining in MHC class II(+) cells within perivascular infiltrates and at the
      edges of large demyelinating lesions. Surprisingly, staining was localized to
      resident microglia or differentiated macrophages rather than to infiltrating
      monocytes, suggesting that IL-1beta expression is induced within the central
      nervous system (CNS). By contrast, IL-1beta staining in MS brain tissue was much
      less pronounced. Staining was found in the parenchyma of active and chronic
      active MS lesions and in nodules of MHC class II(+) microglia in otherwise normal
      appearing white matter. IL-1beta expression was detected in a minority of the
      nodules only, which could not be distinguished by the expression of pro- and anti
      inflammatory markers. These nodules were exclusively found in MS, and it remains
      to be determined whether IL-1beta(+) nodules are destined to progress into active
      lesions or whether they merely reflect a transient response to cellular stress.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although the exact localization and relative intensity of IL-1beta
      expression in EAE and MS is different, the staining pattern in both
      neuroinflammatory disorders is most consistent with the idea that the expression
      of IL-1beta during lesion development is induced in the tissue rather than in the
      periphery.

PMID- 27266878
TI  - Catastrophic expenditure and impoverishment of patients affected by 7 rare
      diseases in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: China is actively promoting regulation of rare diseases, rare disease
      and orphan drugs have been formally incorporated into the national planning.
      However, few studies have been done to evaluate the affordability of rare disease
      patients in China. This study aims to provide policy recommendations for the
      establishment of social security mechanism for rare diseases in China, so as to
      address the problem of poverty caused by these diseases. METHODS: A total of 7
      rare diseases were selected by Delphi method. Affordability of treatment for the
      7 rare diseases was assessed through annual per capital income, catastrophic
      expenditure and impoverishment expenditure among urban and rural residents in
      China. RESULTS: Assessed through annual per capital income, health expenditure
      for the 7 rare diseases are all rather high. The highest health expenditure is
      equivalent to income of 69.34 years of one urban resident, and the burden is
      heavier for rural residents. Through catastrophic expenditure assessment,
      proportions of the population experiencing catastrophic expenditure caused by the
      7 rare diseases are all under 0.167 0/00. However, once one is ill and taking
      medications, he will suffer from catastrophic health expenditure. Through
      impoverishment expenditure assessment, the proportions of impoverishment payment
      are low among both urban and rural residents, but the 7 rare diseases could lead
      nearly 4.6 million people into poverty on a national scale. CONCLUSION: The
      affordability of treatment for rare disease as well as orphan drugs is rather
      poor. Residents of different income levels all have difficulties to afford the
      treatment for rare diseases, so poverty caused by rare diseases is quite
      widespread. Therefore, social security mechanism for rare disease patients should
      be established and specific payment pattern for orphan drugs should be set up.

PMID- 27266879
TI  - Validity and reliability of intraoral scanners compared to conventional gypsum
      models measurements: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of 3D technology and the trend of increasing the use
      of intraoral scanners in dental office routine lead to the need for comparisons
      with conventional techniques. OBJECTIVE: To determine if intra- and inter-arch
      measurements from digital dental models acquired by an intraoral scanner are as
      reliable and valid as the similar measurements achieved from dental models
      obtained through conventional intraoral impressions. SEARCH METHODS: An
      unrestricted electronic search of seven databases until February 2015. SELECTION
      CRITERIA: Studies that focused on the accuracy and reliability of images obtained
      from intraoral scanners compared to images obtained from conventional
      impressions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: After study selection the QUADAS risk
      of bias assessment tool for diagnostic studies was used to assess the risk of
      bias (RoB) among the included studies. RESULTS: Four articles were included in
      the qualitative synthesis. The scanners evaluated were OrthoProof, Lava, iOC
      intraoral, Lava COS, iTero and D250. These studies evaluated the reliability of
      tooth widths, Bolton ratio measurements, and image superimposition. Two studies
      were classified as having low RoB; one had moderate RoB and the remaining one had
      high RoB. Only one study evaluated the time required to complete clinical
      procedures and patient's opinion about the procedure. Patients reported feeling
      more comfortable with the conventional dental impression method. LIMITATIONS:
      Associated costs were not considered in any of the included study. CONCLUSIONS
      AND IMPLICATIONS: Inter- and intra-arch measurements from digital models produced
      from intraoral scans appeared to be reliable and accurate in comparison to those
      from conventional impressions. This assessment only applies to the intraoral
      scanners models considered in the finally included studies. Digital models
      produced by intraoral scan eliminate the need of impressions materials; however,
      currently, longer time is needed to take the digital images. REGISTRATION:
      PROSPERO (CRD42014009702). FUNDING: None.

PMID- 27266880
TI  - Variations in the recruitment of syntactic knowledge contribute to SES
      differences in syntactic development.
AB  - Average differences in children's language abilities by socioeconomic status
      (SES) emerge early in development and predict academic achievement. Previous
      research has focused on coarse-grained outcome measures such as vocabulary size,
      but less is known about the extent to which SES differences exist in children's
      strategies for comprehension and learning. We measured children's (N = 98)
      comprehension of passive sentences to investigate whether SES differences are
      more pronounced in overall knowledge of the construction or in more specific
      abilities to process sentences during real-time interpretation. SES differences
      in comprehension emerged when syntactic revision of passives was necessary, and
      disappeared when the need to revise was removed. Further, syntactic revision but
      not knowledge of the passive best explained the association between SES and a
      standardized measure of syntactic development. These results demonstrate that SES
      differences in syntactic development may result from how children recruit
      syntactic information within sentences.

PMID- 27266881
TI  - Attenuated LKB1-SIK1 signaling promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and
      radioresistance of non-small cell lung cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is one of the main therapeutic approaches for non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, radioresistant cancer cells can eventually
      cause tumor relapse and even fatal metastasis. It is thought that radioresistance
      and metastasis could be potentially linked by epithelial-mesenchymal transition
      (EMT). In this study, we established radioresistant NSCLC cells to investigate
      the potential relationship among radioresistance, EMT, and enhanced metastatic
      potential and the underlying mechanism involving liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-Salt
      inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) signaling. METHODS: The radioresistant cell lines A549R
      and H1299R were generated by dose-gradient irradiation of the parental A549 and
      H1299 cells. The radioresistance/sensitivity was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8
      assay, apoptosis analysis, and/or clonogenic cell survival assay. The EMT
      phenotype and the signaling change were assessed by Western blotting. The
      abilities of invasion and migration were evaluated by transwell assays and wound
      healing assays. RESULTS: The radioresistant cell lines A549R and H1299R displayed
      mesenchymal features with enhanced invasion and migration. Mechanistically, A549R
      and H1299R cells had attenuated LKB1-SIK1 signaling, which leaded to the up
      regulation of Zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox factor 1 (ZEB1)--a transcription
      factor that drives EMT. Re-expression of LKB1 in A549R cells reversed the EMT
      phenotype, whereas knockdown of LKB1 in H1299R cells further promoted the EMT
      phenotype. Moreover, re-expression of LKB1 in A549 cells increased the
      radiosensitivity, whereas knockdown of LKB1 in H1299 cells decreased the
      radiosensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that attenuated LKB1-SIK1
      signaling promotes EMT and radioresistance of NSCLC cells, which subsequently
      contributes to the enhanced metastatic potential. Targeting the LKB1-SIK1-ZEB1
      pathway to suppress EMT might provide therapeutic benefits.

PMID- 27266882
TI  - Luteolin Impacts on the DNA Damage Pathway in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) exhibited high chemoresistance to current
      treatments. Here we aimed at identifying and repositioning approved drugs that
      could be selectively toxic toward OSCC cells. Through a cell-based drug screening
      of 1,280 chemical molecules, we selected compounds lethal to oral cancer SCC-25
      cells, while sparing normal keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Within the chemical
      library, the natural flavonoid luteolin was identified as a potent cytotoxic
      agent against oral cancer cells in vitro, along with metixene hydrochloride and
      nitazoxanide. Of note, they exhibit low toxicity and high efficiency compared to
      the standard-of-care, such as cisplatin and the epidermal growth factor receptor
      inhibitor tyrphostin. From a molecular standpoint, luteolin causes
      phosphorylation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and H2AX in a DNA repair
      pathway and can be efficiently combined with a checkpoint kinase (CHK)
      pharmacological inhibitor. Thus, luteolin emerges as a potent cytotoxic and/or
      adjuvant therapy in oral cancer, as it is a natural compound presenting better
      effects in vitro compared to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Future in vivo
      exploration is next required to provide the proof-of-concept that luteolin could
      be an efficient anticancer molecule.

PMID- 27266883
TI  - Kinesio Taping Does Not Provide Additional Benefits in Patients With Chronic Low
      Back Pain Who Receive Exercise and Manual Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - Study Design Randomized controlled trial. Background Many clinical practice
      guidelines endorse both manual therapy and exercise as effective treatment
      options for patients with low back pain. To optimize the effects of the
      treatments recommended by the guidelines, a new intervention known as Kinesio
      Taping is being widely used in these patients. Objectives To determine the
      effectiveness of Kinesio Taping in patients with chronic nonspecific low back
      pain when added to a physical therapy program consisting of exercise and manual
      therapy. Methods One hundred forty-eight patients with chronic nonspecific low
      back pain were randomly allocated to receive 10 (twice weekly) sessions of
      physical therapy, consisting of exercise and manual therapy, or the same
      treatment with the addition of Kinesio Taping applied to the lower back. The
      primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability (5 weeks after randomization)
      and the secondary outcomes were pain intensity, disability (3 months and 6 months
      after randomization), global perceived effect, and satisfaction with care (5
      weeks after treatment). Data were collected by a blinded assessor. Results No
      between-group differences were observed in the primary outcomes of pain intensity
      (mean difference, -0.01 points; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.88, 0.85) or
      disability (mean difference, 1.14 points; 95% CI: -0.85, 3.13) at 5 weeks' follow
      up. In addition, no between-group differences were observed for any of the other
      outcomes evaluated, except for disability 6 months after randomization (mean
      difference, 2.01 points; 95% CI: 0.03, 4.00) in favor of the control group.
      Conclusion Patients who received a physical therapy program consisting of
      exercise and manual therapy did not get additional benefit from the use of
      Kinesio Taping. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1b. Prospectively registered May
      28, 2013 at www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01866332). J Orthop Sports Phys Ther
      2016;46(7):506-513. Epub 6 Jun 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6590. 

PMID- 27266884
TI  - The Effectiveness of Physical Agents for Lower-Limb Soft Tissue Injuries: A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - Study Design Systematic review. Background Soft tissue injuries to the lower limb
      bring a substantial health and economic burden to society. Physical agents are
      commonly used to treat these injuries. However, the effectiveness of many such
      physical agents is not clearly established in the literature. Objective To
      evaluate the effectiveness and safety of physical agents for soft tissue injuries
      of the lower limb. Methods We searched 5 databases from 1990 to 2015 for
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and case-control studies.
      Paired reviewers independently screened the retrieved literature and appraised
      relevant studies using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria.
      Studies with a high risk of bias were excluded. We synthesized low-risk-of-bias
      studies according to principles of best-evidence synthesis. Results We screened
      10261 articles. Of 43 RCTs identified, 20 had a high risk of bias and were
      excluded from the analysis, and 23 RCTs had a low risk of bias and were included
      in the analysis. The available higher-quality evidence suggests that patients
      with persistent plantar fasciitis may benefit from ultrasound or foot orthoses,
      while those with persistent midportion Achilles tendinopathy may benefit from
      shockwave therapy. However, the current evidence does not support the use of
      shockwave therapy for recent plantar fasciitis, low-Dye taping for persistent
      plantar fasciitis, low-level laser therapy for recent ankle sprains, or splints
      for persistent midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Finally, evidence on the
      effectiveness of the following interventions is not established in the current
      literature: (1) shockwave therapy for persistent plantar fasciitis, (2)
      cryotherapy or assistive devices for recent ankle sprains, (3) braces for
      persistent midportion Achilles tendinopathy, and (4) taping or electric muscle
      stimulation for patellofemoral pain syndrome. Conclusion Almost half the
      identified RCTs that evaluated the effectiveness of physical agents for the
      management of lower-limb soft tissue injuries had a high risk of bias. High
      quality RCTs are still needed to assess the effectiveness of physical agents for
      managing the broad range of lower-limb soft tissue injuries. The effectiveness of
      most interventions remains unclear. Level of Evidence Therapy, 1a. Protocol
      registered July 10, 2014 with PROSPERO (CRD42014010621). J Orthop Sports Phys
      Ther 2016;46(7):523-554. Epub 6 Jun 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6521. 

PMID- 27266885
TI  - The Effect of Velocity of Joint Mobilization on Corticospinal Excitability in
      Individuals With a History of Ankle Sprain.
AB  - Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Background Joint mobilization and
      manipulation decrease pain and improve patient function. Yet, the processes
      underlying these changes are not well understood. Measures of corticospinal
      excitability provide insight into potential mechanisms mediated by the central
      nervous system. Objectives To investigate the differential effects of joint
      mobilization and manipulation at the talocrural joint on corticospinal
      excitability in individuals with resolved symptoms following ankle sprain.
      Methods Twenty-seven participants with a history of ankle sprain were randomly
      assigned to the control, joint mobilization, or thrust manipulation group. The
      motor-evoked potential (MEP) and cortical silent period (CSP) of the tibialis
      anterior and gastrocnemius were obtained with transcranial magnetic stimulation
      at rest and during active contraction of the tibialis anterior. The slopes of
      MEP/CSP input/output curves and the maximal MEP/CSP values were calculated to
      indicate corticospinal excitability. Behavioral measures, including ankle
      dorsiflexion and dynamic balance, were evaluated. Results A repeated-measures
      analysis of variance of the MEP slope showed a significant group-by-time
      interaction for the tibialis anterior at rest (P = .002) and during active
      contraction (P = .042). After intervention, the thrust manipulation group had an
      increase in corticospinal excitability, while the corticospinal excitability
      decreased in the mobilization group. The thrust manipulation group, but not other
      groups, also demonstrated a significant increase in the maximal MEP amplitude of
      the tibialis anterior after intervention. Conclusion The findings suggest that
      joint manipulation and mobilization have different effects on corticospinal
      excitability. The increased corticospinal excitability following thrust
      manipulation may provide a window for physical therapists to optimize muscle
      recruitment and subsequently movement. The trial was registered at
      ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00847769). J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(7):562-570.
      Epub 6 Jun 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6602. 

PMID- 27266886
TI  - Reliability of a Qualitative Video Analysis for Running.
AB  - Study Design Reliability study. Background Video analysis of running gait is
      frequently performed in orthopaedic and sports medicine practices to assess
      biomechanical factors that may contribute to injury. However, the reliability of
      a whole-body assessment has not been determined. Objective To determine the
      intrarater and interrater reliability of the qualitative assessment of specific
      running kinematics from a 2-dimensional video. Methods Running-gait analysis was
      performed on videos recorded from 15 individuals (8 male, 7 female) running at a
      self-selected pace (3.17 +/- 0.40 m/s, 8:28 +/- 1:04 min/mi) using a high-speed
      camera (120 frames per second). These videos were independently rated on 2
      occasions by 3 experienced physical therapists using a standardized qualitative
      assessment. Fifteen sagittal and frontal plane kinematic variables were rated on
      a 3- or 5-point categorical scale at specific events of the gait cycle, including
      initial contact (n = 3) and midstance (n = 9), or across the full gait cycle (n =
      3). The video frame number corresponding to each gait event was also recorded.
      Intrarater and interrater reliability values were calculated for gait-event
      detection (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] and standard error of
      measurement [SEM]) and the individual kinematic variables (weighted kappa
      [kappaw]). Results Gait-event detection was highly reproducible within raters
      (ICC = 0.94-1.00; SEM, 0.3-1.0 frames) and between raters (ICC = 0.77-1.00; SEM,
      0.4-1.9 frames). Eleven of the 15 kinematic variables demonstrated substantial
      (kappaw = 0.60-0.799) or excellent (kappaw>0.80) intrarater agreement, with the
      exception of foot-to-center-of-mass position (kappaw = 0.59), forefoot position
      (kappaw = 0.58), ankle dorsiflexion at midstance (kappaw = 0.49), and center-of
      mass vertical excursion (kappaw = 0.36). Interrater agreement for the kinematic
      measures varied more widely (kappaw = 0.00-0.85), with 5 variables showing
      substantial or excellent reliability. Conclusion The qualitative assessment of
      specific kinematic measures during running can be reliably performed with the use
      of a high-speed video camera. Detection of specific gait events was highly
      reproducible, as were common kinematic variables such as rearfoot position, foot
      strike pattern, tibial inclination angle, knee flexion angle, and forward trunk
      lean. Other variables should be used with caution. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther
      2016;46(7):556-561. Epub 6 Jun 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6280. 

PMID- 27266887
TI  - Treatment of Progressive First Metatarsophalangeal Hallux Valgus Deformity: A
      Biomechanically Based Muscle-Strengthening Approach.
AB  - Synopsis Hallux valgus is a progressive deformity of the first
      metatarsophalangeal joint that changes the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot.
      To date, surgery is the only treatment to correct this deformity, though the
      recurrence rate is as high as 15%. This clinical commentary provides instruction
      in a strengthening approach for treatment of hallux valgus deformity, by
      addressing the moment actions of 5 muscles identified as having the ability to
      counter the hallux valgus process. Unlike surgery, muscle strengthening does not
      correct the deformity, but, instead, reduces the pain and associated gait
      impairments that affect the mobility of people who live with the disorder. This
      review is organized in 4 parts. Part 1 defines the terms of foot motion and
      posture. Part 2 details the anatomy and biomechanics, and describes how the foot
      is changed with deformity. Part 3 details the muscles targeted for strengthening;
      the intrinsics being the abductor hallucis, adductor hallucis, and the flexor
      hallucis brevis; the extrinsics being the tibialis posterior and fibularis
      longus. Part 4 instructs the exercise and reviews the related literature.
      Instructions are given for the short-foot, the toe-spread-out, and the heel-raise
      exercises. The routine may be performed by almost anyone at home and may be
      adopted into physical therapist practice, with intent to strengthen the foot
      muscles as an adjunct to almost any protocol of care, but especially for the
      treatment of hallux valgus deformity. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(7):596
      605. Epub 6 Jun 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6704. 

PMID- 27266888
TI  - Identification of a novel subgroup 16SrII-U phytoplasma associated with papaya
      little leaf disease.
AB  - Papaya is an important fruit crop cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.
      Papaya little leaf (PLL) disease was observed in China. The phytoplasma 16S rRNA
      gene was detected from symptomatic papaya trees via PCR using phytoplasma
      universal primers P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. No amplification products were
      obtained from templates of asymptomatic papaya trees. These results indicated a
      direct association between phytoplasma infection and PLL disease. Comparative and
      phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the papaya
      infecting phytoplasmas under study belonged to the peanut witches' broom
      phytoplasma group (16SrII). Genotyping through use of computer-simulated RFLP
      analysis of 16S rRNA genes and coefficients of RFLP pattern similarities (0.97)
      reveal that the PLL phytoplasma was placed in a new subgroup. In this article, we
      describe the molecular characterization of a new phytoplasma associated with PLL
      disease and propose that the PLL phytoplasma be considered as a novel subgroup,
      16SrII-U.

PMID- 27266889
TI  - An interview with Alfredo Falcone and Lisa Salvatore: RECOURSE and
      trifluridine/tipiracil in metastatic colorectal cancer.
AB  - Professor Alfredo Falcone and Dr Lisa Salvatore speak to Roshaine Gunawardana,
      Managing Commissioning Editor: Professor Alfredo Falcone is the Director of the
      Department of Oncology and the Specialization School at the University Hospital
      of Pisa, Italy. He trained in Pisa and Genoa, Italy, and has held major positions
      in Italian oncology since 2000. He currently has more than 300 publications,
      including papers in peer-reviewed international and national journals, book
      chapters, and more than 600 abstracts of presentations to international and
      national conferences. The majority of his papers regard clinical and
      translational research, with a particular focus on metastatic colorectal cancer.
      Dr Lisa Salvatore is a medical oncologist in the Department of Translational
      Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Pisa.
      She has been an author on about 40 publications in major peer-reviewed
      publications and has made numerous presentations in national and international
      conferences. Her main interest is focused on clinical and translational research
      in metastatic colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 27266890
TI  - Use of Evidence in the Implementation of Social Programs: A Qualitative Study
      from Chile.
AB  - Through this qualitative, empirical study the authors aim to explore and describe
      the sources of knowledge that are used to guide intervention practice by social
      workers in Chile. Particular attention was paid to factors that may facilitate or
      hinder the use of research-based evidence to guide social interventions design,
      implementation, and outcome evaluation. In order to explore these issues, 25 semi
      structured interviews with social workers from Chilean social service non-profit
      organizations were conducted. The main findings suggest that social workers do
      not use research-based evidence to support their social interventions due to
      various personal organizational constraints (e.g., lack of time, lack of access
      to resources for disseminating evidence, lack of English command). In addition,
      no evaluation processes of social programs which will support evidence-based
      effectiveness could be found. One key barrier to support use of evidence and
      evidence production may be related to the fact that most non-governmental
      organizations maintain a hierarchical and vertical relationship with state
      agencies (program design, oversight, and funding) for social program development.

PMID- 27266891
TI  - New adduct of abietane-type diterpene from Salvia leriifolia Benth.
AB  - A new adduct of abietane-type diterpene, salvialeriicone (1), was isolated from
      Salvia leriifolia Benth., along with a new chemical entity nor-abietane
      diterpene, 2-isopropyl-8,8-dimethyl-7,8-dihydrophenanthrene-1,4,5(6H)-trione (2).
      Their structures were determined using mass spectrometry, and 1D- and 2D-NMR
      spectroscopy. 

PMID- 27266893
TI  - Acute effects of 3G mobile phone radiations on frontal haemodynamics during a
      cognitive task in teenagers and possible protective value of Om chanting.
AB  - Mobile phone induced electromagnetic field (MPEMF) as well as chanting of Vedic
      mantra 'OM' has been shown to affect cognition and brain haemodynamics, but
      findings are still inconclusive. Twenty right-handed healthy teenagers (eight
      males and 12 females) in the age range of 18.25 +/- 0.44 years were randomly
      divided into four groups: (1) MPONOM (mobile phone 'ON' followed by 'OM'
      chanting); (2) MPOFOM (mobile phone 'OFF' followed by 'OM' chanting); (3) MPONSS
      (mobile phone 'ON' followed by 'SS' chanting); and (4) MPOFSS (mobile phone 'OFF'
      followed by 'SS' chanting). Brain haemodynamics during Stroop task were recorded
      using a 64-channel fNIRS device at three points of time: (1) baseline, (2) after
      30 min of MPON/OF exposure, and (3) after 5 min of OM/SS chanting. RM-ANOVA was
      applied to perform within- and between-group comparisons, respectively. Between
      group analysis revealed that total scores on incongruent Stroop task were
      significantly better after OM as compared to SS chanting (MPOFOM vs MPOFSS), pre
      frontal activation was significantly lesser after OM as compared to SS chanting
      in channel 13. There was no significant difference between MPON and MPOF
      conditions for Stroop performance, as well as brain haemodynamics. These findings
      need confirmation through a larger trial in future.

PMID- 27266892
TI  - Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody Levels at Diagnosis and After Thionamide Course
      Predict Graves' Disease Relapse.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thionamides are associated with a high risk of recurrence following
      cessation. Thyrotropin receptor-stimulating antibody (TRAb) levels at diagnosis
      and/or after thionamides may be biomarkers of this risk. This study assesses the
      natural history of Graves' thyrotoxicosis following thionamide withdrawal and
      factors that predict recurrence, particularly TRAb levels at diagnosis and
      cessation. METHODS: An observational study was conducted of patients with a first
      presentation of Graves' disease, who were prescribed (and completed) a course of
      primary thionamide treatment (n = 266) in a university teaching hospital
      endocrine clinic. Recurrence rates over four years and factors predictive of
      recurrent thyrotoxicosis were assessed. RESULTS: The relapse rate was 31% at one
      year and 70% at four years. Younger age (39 years [range 30-49 years] vs. 47
      years [range 37-53 years]; p = 0.011), higher TRAb levels at diagnosis (8.8 IU/L
      [range 5.3-17.0 IU/L] vs. 5.7 IU/L [range 4.1-9.1 IU/L]; p = 0.003), and higher
      TRAb levels at cessation of therapy (1.2 IU/L [range 0-2.3 IU/L] vs. <0.9 IU/L
      [range 0-1.3 IU/L]; p = 0.003) were associated with a higher risk of relapse. By
      four years, cessation TRAb <0.9 IU/L was associated with a 58% risk of recurrence
      compared with 82% with TRAb >1.5 IU/L (p = 0.001). TRAb at diagnosis >12 IU/L was
      associated with an 84% risk of recurrence over four years compared with 57% with
      TRAbs <5 IU/L (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: High TRAb at diagnosis and/or positive
      TRAb at cessation of therapy suggest a high likelihood of relapse, mostly within
      the first two years. They stratify patients likely to need definitive therapy
      (radioiodine or surgery).

PMID- 27266894
TI  - Bacteria-Affinity 3D Macroporous Graphene/MWCNTs/Fe3O4 Foams for High-Performance
      Microbial Fuel Cells.
AB  - Promoting the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) relies heavily on the
      structure design and composition tailoring of electrode materials. In this work,
      three-dimensional (3D) macroporous graphene foams incorporated with intercalated
      spacer of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and bacterial anchor of Fe3O4
      nanospheres (named as G/MWCNTs/Fe3O4 foams) were first synthesized and used as
      anodes for Shewanella-inoculated microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Thanks to the
      macroporous structure of 3D graphene foams, the expanded electrode surface by
      MWCNTs spacing, as well as the high affinity of Fe3O4 nanospheres toward
      Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, the anode exhibited high bacterial loading
      capability. In addition to spacing graphene nanosheets for accommodating
      bacterial cells, MWCNTs paved a smoother way for electron transport in the
      electrode substrate of MFCs. Meanwhile, the embedded bioaffinity Fe3O4
      nanospheres capable of preserving the bacterial metabolic activity provided
      guarantee for the long-term durability of the MFCs. With these merits, the
      constructed MFC possessed significantly higher power output and stronger
      stability than that with conventional graphite rod anode. 

PMID- 27266895
TI  - Measuring the quality of motivational interviewing in primary health care
      encounters: The development and validation of the motivational interviewing
      assessment scale (MIAS).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented
      method to help patients change behaviour. Tools that are often used to measure MI
      are the motivational interviewing skills code' (MISC), the 'motivational
      interviewing treatment integrity' (MITI) and the 'behaviour change counselling
      index' (BECCI). The first two instruments have not been designed to be used in
      primary healthcare (PHC) settings. The BECCI actually is time-consuming. The
      motivational interviewing assessment scale (MIAS, 'EVEM' in Spanish) was
      developed to measure MI in PHC encounters as an alternative to the previous
      instruments. OBJECTIVES: To validate MIAS as an instrument to assess the quality
      of MI in PHC settings. METHODS: (a) DEVELOPMENT: Sixteen experts in MI
      participated in the design, face and consensus validity, using a Delphi-type
      methodology. (b) VALIDATION:  SETTING: 27 PHC centres located in Spain. SUBJECTS:
      four experts in MI tested its psychometric properties with 332 video recordings
      coming from the Dislip-EM study (consultations provided by 37 practitioners).
      MEASUREMENTS: dimensionality, internal consistency, reliability (intra-class
      correlation coefficient-ICC), sensitivity to change and convergent validity with
      the BECCI scale. RESULTS: A 14-item scale was obtained after the validation
      process. Factor analysis: two factors explained 76.6% of the total variance.
      Internal consistency, alpha = 0.99. Reliability: intra-rater ICC = 0.96; inter
      rater ICC = 0.97. Sensitivity to change: means before and after training were
      23.63 versus 38.57 (P < 0.001). Spearman's coefficient between the MIAS and the
      BECCI scale was 0.98 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The MIAS is a consistent and
      reliable instrument to assess the use of MI in PHC settings. [Box: see text].

PMID- 27266896
TI  - Water Dissociation upon Adsorption onto Free Iron Clusters Is Size Dependent.
AB  - Cationic iron clusters, produced through laser ablation and subsequently
      complexed with a water molecule Fen(+)-H2O (n = 6-15) are mass-selectively
      investigated via infrared multiple photon dissociation (IR-MPD) spectroscopy in
      the 300-1700 cm(-1) spectral range. The experimental data are complemented by
      density functional theory calculations at the OPBE/TZP level for the Fe13(+)-H2O
      system. The observed spectra can be explained by a mixture of clusters where for
      a majority water is adsorbed molecularly but for a small but significant fraction
      also dissociation of water molecules occurs. The bands observed at frequencies
      300-700 cm(-1) exhibit regular, size-dependent frequency shifts, showing that (a)
      dissociation takes places on all cluster sizes and (b) the interaction of water
      with the cluster surface is not influenced much by the particular cluster
      structure. The intensity evolution of the absorption bands suggests that
      dissociation is increasingly probable for larger cluster sizes. 

PMID- 27266897
TI  - Preparation of nitrate-selective porous magnetic resin and assessment of its
      performance in removing nitrate from groundwater.
AB  - Nitrate-selective, porous magnetic anion-exchange resin (NS-PMAER) with enhanced
      affinity and higher selectivity for nitrate was synthesized, characterized and
      its performance in nitrate removal was investigated. The results show that NS
      PMAER consists of spherical particles with an average size of 200 MUm. It has
      mean pore diameter, total pore volume, and BET specific surface area of 21.38 nm,
      0.3605 cm3/g, and 67.455 m2/g, respectively. The specific saturation
      magnetization of NS-PMAER was about 10.79 emu/g. Fourier transform infrared
      spectrometer (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicate
      that NS-PMAER has selectivity for nitrate higher than that of MIEX(r) resin; its
      coefficients of selectivity toward nitrate for nitrate and sulfate are 20.978 and
      6.769, respectively, higher than those of MIEX(r) resin (1.256 and 4.342,
      respectively). Its working exchange capacity was 72.41 mg/mL. Column-exchange
      experiments' results suggest that it could be easily regenerated using 1.5 mol/L
      sodium chloride solution for a contact time of 30 min. Its recovery rate stayed
      at > 95% even after five rounds of recycling. Results of the pilot test indicate
      that NS-PMAER could effectively remove nitrate in groundwater, and ensure that
      nitrate concentrations of effluent to meet the guideline limit for drinking water
      by the World Health Organization.

PMID- 27266898
TI  - [Spontaneous regression of a pulmonary adenocarcinoma].

PMID- 27266899
TI  - [Review of reimbursement for instrumental techniques used for assisted coughing
      and thoracic expansion. A French National Health Authority assessment (HAS)].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In France, children with neuromuscular diseases and patients with
      traumatic spinal cord injuries receive reimbursement for home use of intermittent
      positive-pressure breathing and mechanical in-exsufflators devices. The aim of
      the study was to update the indications for reimbursement for these both devices.
      METHODS: A literature review was conducted with several bibliographic databases
      using the main keywords: intermittent positive-pressure breathing, mechanical
      insufflation, mechanically-assisted cough, airway clearance. Nine health
      professionals were interviewed during two meetings. One health professional was
      interviewed via a questionnaire. An estimation of the population treated with in
      exsufflators or intermittent positive-pressure breathing was undertaken from
      consumer data available for all beneficiaries of the health insurance system.
      STATE OF THE ART: The review identified 111 references which included 14 clinical
      practice guidelines, two systematic reviews and one randomized controlled trial.
      Some clinical data were available. Clinical practice guidelines were in favor of
      using intermittent positive-pressure breathing and in-exsufflators in patients
      with neuromuscular disease and spinal cord injuries. The healthcare professionals
      emphasized the need to reimburse the patient for home use of intermittent
      positive-pressure breathing and in-exsufflators. The patient population treated
      in the identified clinical situations was estimated at 3100 per year.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low level of evidence and after interviewing healthcare
      professionals, the Haute Autorite de sante (HAS) recommended reimbursement of the
      costs of in-exsufflators (assisted coughing) and intermittent positive-pressure
      breathing (thoracic expansion) devices in adults and children with neurological
      and neuromuscular disease, including spinal cord injury.

PMID- 27266900
TI  - [Bevacizumab in combination with first-line treatment for metastatic non-small
      cell lung cancer in clinical practice. Results of the EOLE study].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The EOLE cohort aimed to describe, in routine clinical practice,
      the characteristics and management of patients receiving bevacizumab in
      combination with first-line metastatic chemotherapy for advanced metastatic or
      recurrent non squamous non-small cell lung cancer (nsNSCLC), as well as its
      efficacy and safety. METHODS: A total of 423 patients were enrolled in this
      prospective, national, multicenter study. Data were collected every 3 months over
      an 18-month period. RESULTS: Amongst the 407 patients analyzed (mean age 60+/-10
      years, male 68%, ECOG-PS<=1 88%, smokers or former smokers 87%, cardiovascular
      comorbidities 40%), all except for 2 patients received bevacizumab (7.5 or
      15mg/kg/3 weeks in 99% of patients) in combination with doublet chemotherapy. A
      total of 160 (60%) patients who completed induction received bevacizumab
      maintenance therapy. Median progression-free survival was 6.9 months (95% CI=[6.0
      7.5]). Median overall survival (12.8 months [10.4-14.7]) was longer in patients
      with ECOG-PS<=1 (14.4 months [12.3-15.9] versus 4.9 months [3.4-8.3] if ECOG
      PS=2). A total of 131 (32%) patients experienced at least one serious adverse
      event (SAE), and 51 (12%) at least one bevacizumab-related SAE. CONCLUSION: EOLE
      confirms the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in aNSCLC patients, in current
      medical practice.

PMID- 27266901
TI  - [Molecular epidemiology of the lung cancer].
AB  - Lung cancers are common malignancies, which have a very poor prognosis. These are
      the leading cause of cancer deaths in France and worldwide. Behind this
      unfavourable prognosis hides many disparities according to age, sex, social level
      and exposure to risk factors. The detection of the genetic abnormalities, which
      drive carcinogenesis has totally changed the therapeutic approach. Tumours are
      now classified according to their molecular profile which is itself associated
      with new demographic data. We here review the most recent data on this topic.

PMID- 27266902
TI  - In vitro performance investigation of bioresorbable scaffolds - Standard tests
      for vascular stents and beyond.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Biodegradable polymers are the main materials for coronary
      scaffolds. Magnesium has been investigated as a potential alternative and was
      successfully tested in human clinical trials. However, it is still challenging to
      achieve mechanical parameters comparative to permanent bare metal (BMS) and drug
      eluting stents (DES). As such, in vitro tests are required to assess mechanical
      parameters correlated to the safety and efficacy of the device.
      METHODS/MATERIALS: In vitro bench tests evaluate scaffold profiles, length,
      deliverability, expansion behavior including acute elastic and time-dependent
      recoil, bending stiffness and radial strength. The Absorb GT1 (Abbott Vascular,
      Temecula, CA), DESolve (Elixir Medical Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA) and the
      Magmaris (BIOTRONIK AG, Bulach, Switzerland) that was previously tested in the
      BIOSOLVE II study, were tested. RESULTS: Crimped profiles were 1.38+/-0.01mm
      (Absorb GT1), 1.39+/-0.01mm (DESolve) and 1.44+/-0.00mm (Magmaris) enabling 6F
      compatibility. Trackability was measured depending on stiffness and force
      transmission (pushability). Acute elastic recoil was measured at free expansion
      and within a mock vessel, respectively, yielding results of 5.86+/-0.76 and
      5.22+/-0.38% (Absorb), 7.85+/-3.45 and 9.42+/-0.21% (DESolve) and 5.57+/-0.72 and
      4.94+/-0.31% (Magmaris). Time-dependent recoil (after 1h) was observed for the
      Absorb and DESolve scaffolds but not for the Magmaris. The self-correcting wall
      apposition behavior of the DESolve did not prevent time-dependent recoil under
      vessel loading. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the suggested test methods allow
      assessment of technical feasibility based on objective mechanical data and
      highlight the main differences between polymeric and metallic bioresorbable
      scaffolds.

PMID- 27266904
TI  - Incidence of venous thromboembolism in patients with diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
      (DLBCL) is an important complication. We aimed to asses the risk of VTE and the
      quality of VTE discharge diagnosis in a cohort of DLBCL patients. Objective
      confirmed VTE events during two years of follow-up were identified by the review
      of medical records of consecutive patients with DLBCL at Aalborg University
      Hospital from 2007 until 2013. Information on baseline disease stage, lifestyle
      factors, and anticoagulant therapy were registered. Cox regression was used to
      assess VTE risk factors. The data quality on VTE discharge diagnosis was
      evaluated by comparing data on VTE discharge diagnosis from the Danish National
      Registry of Patients with information from the medical records. Eleven percent of
      patients were diagnosed with VTE. Prior VTE, performance status, and Ann Arbor
      stage were associated with VTE. The positive predictive value of a VTE discharge
      diagnosis was 85% and the sensitivity 53%.

PMID- 27266903
TI  - Serum Levels of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Insulin Secretion among
      Children Age 7-9 Years: A Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are endocrine disruptors and
      have been suggested as possible risk factors for diabetes. Few studies have been
      performed to investigate this association among children. OBJECTIVES: In this
      study, we prospectively examined the relationship between the serum concentration
      of POPs and glucose metabolism in children. METHODS: Data were collected from the
      Ewha Birth & Growth Cohort Study, an ongoing birth cohort study initially
      constructed between 2001 and 2006. In 2010-2012, the POP concentration was
      measured in serum from a total of 214 children, 7-9 years of age. Using fasting
      glucose and insulin measurements at both baseline and the second year of follow
      up, the homeostatic model assessment of beta-cell function (HOMA-beta) and
      homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated.
      Multiple linear regression analysis and a linear mixed-effects model were used to
      determine the relationship between POP tertiles and metabolic biomarkers.
      RESULTS: Compared with the lowest tertile of total marker PCBs, participants in
      the third tertile had decreased HOMA-beta values, after adjustment for age, sex,
      body mass index z-score, mother's education, ponderal index, and history of
      breastfeeding (-18.94%; 95% CI: -32.97%, -1.98%). In a linear mixed model, the
      HOMA-beta values were still lower in subjects in the highest compared with the
      lowest tertile of total PCBs at the 2-year follow-up period (108.3 vs. 135.0,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggested that exposure to
      POPs among children might affect insulin secretory function, which could lead to
      an increased risk of developing diabetes. Citation: Park SH, Ha EH, Hong YS, Park
      H. 2016. Serum levels of persistent organic pollutants and insulin secretion
      among children age 7-9 years: a prospective cohort study. Environ Health Perspect
      124:1924-1930; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP147.

PMID- 27266914
TI  - Total Synthesis of Thailanstatin A.
AB  - The total synthesis of the spliceosome inhibitor thailanstatin A has been
      achieved in a longest linear sequence of nine steps from readily available
      starting materials. A key feature of the developed synthetic strategy is the
      implementation of a unique, biomimetic asymmetric intramolecular oxa-Michael
      reaction/hydrogenation sequence that allows diastereodivergent access to highly
      functionalized tetrahydropyrans, which can be used for the synthesis of designed
      analogues of this bioactive molecule.

PMID- 27266916
TI  - Ketyl Radical Formation via Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in an Aqueous
      Solution versus Hydrogen Atom Transfer in Isopropanol after Photoexcitation of
      Aromatic Carbonyl Compounds.
AB  - The excited npi* and pipi* triplets of two benzophenone (BP) and two
      anthraquinone (AQ) derivatives have been observed in acetonitrile, isopropanol,
      and mixed aqueous solutions using time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopic and
      nanosecond transient absorption experiments. These experimental results, combined
      with results from density functional theory calculations, reveal the effects of
      solvent and substituents on the properties, relative energies, and chemical
      reactivities of the npi* and pipi* triplets. The triplet npi* configuration was
      found to act as the reactive species for a subsequent hydrogen atom transfer
      reaction to produce a ketyl radical intermediate in the isopropanol solvent,
      while the triplet pipi* undergoes a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) in
      aqueous solutions to produce a ketyl radical intermediate. This PCET reaction,
      which occurs via a concerted proton transfer (to the excited carbonyl group) and
      electron transfer (to the excited phenyl ring), can account for the experimental
      observation by several different research groups over the past 40 years of the
      formation of ketyl radicals after photolysis of a number of BP and AQ derivatives
      in aqueous solutions, although water is considered to be a relatively "inert"
      hydrogen-donor solvent.

PMID- 27266917
TI  - Letter.

PMID- 27266915
TI  - Estradiol impacts the endocannabinoid system in female rats to influence
      behavioral and structural responses to cocaine.
AB  - Compared with men, women show enhanced responses to drugs of abuse, and
      consequently are thought to be more vulnerable to addiction. The ovarian hormone
      estradiol has emerged as a key facilitator in the heightened development of
      addiction in females. These actions of estradiol appear mediated by estrogen
      receptor (ER) activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 (mGluR5).
      However, the downstream effectors of this ER/mGluR5 signaling pathway are
      unknown. Here we investigate whether cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) activation is
      a part of the mechanism whereby estradiol influences behavioral and synaptic
      correlates of addiction. Following repeated cocaine administration, estradiol
      treated ovariectomized rats exhibited both sensitized locomotor responses and
      decreases in the dendritic spine density of nucleus accumbens core medium-spiny
      neurons in comparison to oil-treated controls. Both effects of estradiol were
      blocked by AM251, a CB1R inverse agonist. These results indicate that part of the
      signaling mechanism through which estradiol impacts behavioral and synaptic
      correlates of addiction in female rats requires activation of CB1Rs.

PMID- 27266943
TI  - Free serum valproate concentration more reliable than total concentration in
      critically ill patients.

PMID- 27266918
TI  - Serum apelin is associated with affective disorders in peritoneal dialysis
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Depression and anxiety are prevalent affective disorders in peritoneal
      dialysis (PD) patients. Recent research has proposed a potential role of
      apelinergic system in pathogenesis of depression. The present study aimed to
      evaluate the frequency of depression and anxiety and their potential relation
      with serum apelin levels among PD patients. METHODS: A total of 40 PD patients
      were enrolled into the study. Depressive symptoms and anxiety were assessed with
      the Beck's Depression Inventory and the Beck's Anxiety Inventory. Serum apelin-12
      levels were measured by immunoenzymatic assays using commercially available ELISA
      kit for standard human apelin. RESULTS: Of the patients, 16 (40%) had depression,
      20 (50%) had anxiety. The patients with depression and anxiety had a
      significantly longer time on dialysis (p < 0.001 for both), significantly higher
      serum apelin (p < 0.001 for both) and C-reactive protein levels (p < 0.001 for
      both) than those without depression and anxiety. In multivariate analysis, serum
      apelin was the only parameter associated independently with depression and
      anxiety scores. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of PD patients had depression
      and anxiety. Increased levels of serum apelin may constitute a significant
      independent predictor of development of depression and anxiety in PD patients.

PMID- 27266944
TI  - Persistent nodal histoplasmosis in nuclear factor kappa B essential modulator
      deficiency: Report of a case and review of infection in primary
      immunodeficiencies.

PMID- 27266945
TI  - A way out of the dismal arithmetic of hepatitis C treatment.

PMID- 27266946
TI  - It's time to end insurance restrictions on life-saving hepatitis C treatments.

PMID- 27266947
TI  - Does patient cost sharing for HCV drugs make sense?

PMID- 27266948
TI  - Sofosbuvir initial therapy abandonment and manufacturer coupons in a commercially
      insured population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe rates of sofosbuvir initial medication adherence as a
      function of the insurer-required member cost (ie, out-of-pocket cost) and to
      determine how manufacturer coupons affect insurer-required member cost. STUDY
      DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional analysis. METHODS: Administrative pharmacy
      claims data from 13 million commercially insured members were used to identify
      sofosbuvir new starts between January 2014 and September 2014. Members were
      categorized as either sofosbuvir initial adherence or as abandoning therapy. A
      multivariate logistic regression model adjusting for sociodemographic
      characteristics, severity of illness, and total drug costs (health insurer plus
      member amount) for non-sofosbuvir pharmacy claims in 2014 was used to evaluate
      the association between insurer-required member cost and initial medication
      adherence. In a sub-analysis, sofosbuvir index claims with coupon data available
      were analyzed to determine how coupon use impacted insurer-required member cost.
      RESULTS: A total of 67.3% of members had a pre-coupon member cost of < $250 for
      their index sofosbuvir claim. Just 201 (5.0%) members were exposed to a member
      cost of more than $10,000. The logistic regression model demonstrated an
      association between member cost and abandonment starting at $2500 to < $5000
      (odds ratio: 1.9; 95% CI, 1.01-3.43; P = .0393). The average member sofosbuvir
      index claim cost was $1349 before coupon was applied, and $28 after. Overall,
      coupons offset the member amounts paid by 98%: $771,593 of the $787,860 member
      cost requested by the insurer. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that a 30-day
      supply sofosbuvir member cost of > $2500 was associated with increased initial
      therapy abandonment, and that manufacturer coupons substantially reduced
      sofosbuvir insurer-required member cost. Insurers and policy makers should
      consider the impact of member cost on medication adherence and the impact coupons
      have on the actual member cost.

PMID- 27266950
TI  - Real-world outcomes of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in treatment-naive patients with
      hepatitis C.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) regimens have documented
      substantially reduced effectiveness in sustained virologic response (SVR) in the
      context of real-world clinical practice compared with clinical trials. Real-world
      and clinical trial SVR and cost-per-SVR data have not been reported for the all
      oral, peginterferon-free and ribavirin (RBV)-free ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF)
      regimen. Our objective was to compare the rates of SVR achievement and cost per
      SVR between pooled data from clinical studies of LDV/SOF and from real-world
      clinical practice. METHODS: Data were derived from the Hepatitis C Therapeutic
      Registry and Research Network (HCV-TARGET), a real-world, multicenter,
      prospective, observational study; and from the TRIO Network, a retrospective
      database of HCV-treated patients. The 1-year cost per SVR was calculated as the
      total cost of an SVR ([cost of treatment regimen, adverse events, and monitoring
      costs] per SVR) during the first year of treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, the
      SVR rates obtained in real-world studies ranged from 94% to 98%, comparing
      favorably with the SVRs achieved in the ION-1 and ION-3 trials (94% and 95%-99%
      with 8 and 12 weeks of RBV-free therapy, respectively). A single SVR, on average,
      cost $84,989 among patients enrolled in the ION-3 trial, with higher costs
      ($101,204) among patients with compensated cirrhosis compared with noncirrhotic
      patients ($81,668). In the pooled TARGET/TRIO population, the average cost of an
      SVR was $84,770, with costs of $101,380 and $81,368 in patients with compensated
      cirrhosis and patients without cirrhosis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the
      results obtained with prior HCV regimens, this study suggests that similar SVR
      rates are achieved with LDV/SOF in clinical trial-based studies and real-world
      studies. Further, achieving an SVR in real-world clinical practice was not
      associated with excess costs.

PMID- 27266949
TI  - Improving HCV cure rates in HIV-coinfected patients - a real-world perspective.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study rates and predictors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure among
      human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected patients, and then to evaluate
      the effect of attendance at clinic visits on HCV cure. METHODS: Retrospective
      cohort study of adult HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who initiated and completed
      treatment for HCV with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) between January 1, 2014,
      and June 30, 2015. RESULTS: Eighty-four participants reported completing
      treatment. The median age was 58 years (interquartile ratio, 50-66); 88% were
      male and 50% were black. One-third were cirrhotic and half were HCV-treatment
      experienced. The most commonly used regimen was sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (40%)
      followed by simeprevir/sofosbuvir (30%). Cure was achieved in 83.3%, 11.9%
      relapsed, and 2.3% experienced virological breakthrough. Two patients (2.3%) did
      not complete treatment based on pill counts and follow-up visit documentation. In
      multivariable analysis, cure was associated with attendance at follow-up clinic
      visits (odds ratio [OR], 9.0; 95% CI, 2.91-163) and with use of an integrase
      based HIV regimen versus other non-integrase regimens, such as non-nucleoside
      analogues or protease inhibitors (OR, 6.22; 95% CI 1.81-141). Age, race,
      genotype, presence of cirrhosis, prior HCV treatment, HCV regimen, and pre
      treatment CD4 counts were not associated with cure. CONCLUSIONS: Real-world HCV
      cure rates with DAAs in HCV/HIV coinfection are lower than those seen in clinical
      trials. Cure is associated with attendance at follow-up clinic visits and with
      use of an integrase-based HIV regimen. Future studies should evaluate best
      antiretroviral regimens, predictors of attendance at follow-up visits, impact of
      different monitoring protocols on medication adherence, and interventions to
      ensure adequate models of HIV/HCV care.

PMID- 27266951
TI  - The wider public health value of HCV treatment accrued by liver transplant
      recipients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Organs for transplantation are scarce, but new medical therapies can
      prevent organ failure and the need for transplants. We sought to describe the
      unique value created by treatments that spare organs from failure and thus
      conserve donated organs for transplant into others, using hepatitis C virus (HCV)
      as a case study. STUDY DESIGN: Epidemiologic-economic model. METHODS: Using data
      on trends in chronic liver disease, liver disease progression, and liver
      transplant allocation models, as well as the effectiveness of new HCV treatments,
      we estimate the potential effects of systematic HCV screening and treatment on
      the demand for liver transplants in the United States. We estimate the spillover
      benefits to patients with all-cause liver disease in terms of increased
      availability of transplants and life-years gained. RESULTS: We estimated that
      systematic HCV screening and treatment could spare 10,490 liver transplants to
      HCV-infected patients from 2015 to 2035. An estimated 7321 transplants would
      accrue to patients with end-stage liver disease without HCV and 3169 transplants
      to those with uncured HCV, providing approximately 52,700 and 22,800 additional
      life-years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment advances for HCV have the
      potential to generate considerable spillover benefits to patients awaiting
      transplants for non-HCV-mediated liver failure. For other diseases in which organ
      transplants are in short supply, our study provides a novel pathway by which
      positive spillovers may accrue from treatments that prevent end-stage organ
      disease.

PMID- 27266952
TI  - Coverage for hepatitis C drugs in Medicare Part D.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The recent arrival of new hepatitis C virus (HCV) drugs has brought
      fiscal pressures onto Medicare Part D; spending on HCV drugs in Part D jumped
      from $283 million in 2013 to $4.5 billion in 2014. We examined the current
      benefit designs for HCV drugs in Part D plans and analyzed patients' financial
      burden for those drugs. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of CMS' July
      2015 Part D Plan Formulary File and the Wolters Kluwer Health Medi-Span
      Electronic Drug File v.2. METHODS: We analyzed the type and amount of cost
      sharing for HCV drugs and the extent to which plans apply utilization management
      tools. We then estimated total out-of-pocket spending for beneficiaries to
      complete a course of treatment. RESULTS: All Part D plans covered at least 1
      recently introduced HCV drug, as of July 2015. Nearly all plans charged
      relatively high coinsurance and required prior authorization for new HCV drugs.
      For enrollees with no subsidy, the mean out-of-pocket spending needed to complete
      a course of treatment is substantial, ranging from $6297 to $10,889. For
      enrollees with a low-income subsidy, out-of-pocket spending varies between $10.80
      and $1191. CONCLUSIONS: Under the current Part D benefits, HCV drug users with no
      subsidy face sizable financial burdens, even with catastrophic coverage and the
      recent in-gap discount for brand name drugs. As baby boomers-the group most
      likely to have HCV-join Medicare, efforts should be made to ensure patient access
      to these needed drugs.

PMID- 27266953
TI  - Value of expanding HCV screening and treatment policies in the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the value of expanding screening and treatment for
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: Discrete
      time Markov model. METHODS: We modeled HCV progression and transmission to
      analyze the costs and benefits of investment in screening and treatment over a 20
      year time horizon. Population-level parameters were estimated using National
      Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data and published literature. We
      considered 3 screening scenarios that vary in terms of clinical guidelines and
      physician awareness of guidelines. For each screening scenario, we modeled 3
      approaches to treatment, varying the fibrosis stage of treatment initiation. Net
      social value was the key model outcome, calculated as the value of benefits from
      improved quality-adjusted survival and reduced transmission minus screening,
      treatment, and medical costs. RESULTS: Expanded screening policies generated the
      largest value to society. However, this value is constrained by the availability
      of treatment to diagnosed patients. Screening all individuals in the population
      generates $0.68 billion in social value if diagnosed patients are treated in
      fibrosis stages F3-F4 compared with $824 billion if all diagnosed patients in
      stages F0-F4 are treated. Moreover, increased screening generates cumulative net
      social value by year 8 to 9 under expanded treatment policies compared with 20
      years if only patients in stages F3-F4 are treated. CONCLUSIONS: Although
      increasing screening for HCV may generate some value to society, only when paired
      with expanded access to treatment at earlier disease stages will it produce
      considerable value. Such a "test and treat" strategy is likely to entail higher
      short-term costs but also yield the greatest social benefits.

PMID- 27266954
TI  - Costs and spillover effects of private insurers' coverage of hepatitis C
      treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment incentives for private payers may
      be misaligned because payers must bear immediate costs and may not realize long
      term benefits. However, these benefits may accrue to future payers, including
      Medicare. We examined how and to what extent private payers' current HCV
      treatment coverage decisions impact Medicare's and private payers' future costs.
      STUDY DESIGN: Discrete-time Markov model. METHODS: We modeled HCV disease
      progression and transmission to simulate the economic and social effects of
      different private-payer HCV treatment scenarios on Medicare. The model examined
      differences between a baseline scenario (current practice guidelines) and 2
      alternative scenarios that expand treatment coverage. Spillover effects were
      measured as reduced HCV treatment costs and medical expenditures in Medicare. We
      calculated the spillover effects and net social value of each scenario (total
      value of quality-adjusted life-years accrued over time minus cumulative treatment
      and medical costs). RESULTS: With expanded HCV treatment coverage, private payers
      experience reduced medical expenditures in the 3-to-5-year time horizon; however,
      they still face higher treatment costs. Over a 20-year horizon, private payers
      experience overall savings of $10 billion to $14 billion after treatment costs.
      The expansion of coverage by private payers generates positive spillover benefits
      to Medicare of $0.3 billion to $0.7 billion over a 5-year horizon, and $4 billion
      to $11 billion over a 20-year horizon. CONCLUSIONS: When private payers increase
      HCV treatment coverage, they may achieve significant savings while inducing
      spillover benefits to Medicare. Future savings, however, may not motivate
      immediate treatment investments among private payers who experience high
      beneficiary turnover.

PMID- 27266955
TI  - Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics in psoriasis treatment: current challenges
      and future prospects.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Topical, systemic, oral disease modifying, and biologic agents are
      part of the armamentarium to manage psoriatic disease. The choice of therapy
      depends upon disease severity, relevant co-morbidities and patient preference.
      There is great variability in patient response with these agents, and there is
      still no clear method of selecting the preferred therapeutic agent for efficacy
      or lack of adverse events. AREAS COVERED: This article will review the
      pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic targets that are currently known with respect
      to psoriasis vulgaris, and the most frequent co-morbidity of psoriasis, psoriatic
      arthritis. EXPERT OPINION: Presently, no clinically actionable biomarker exists
      for any therapeutic agent used to treat psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. The
      lack of validated outcome measures and conflicting results of open-label studies
      conducted may be attributed to a multitude of issues that confound discovery.
      Consequently, studies have been underpowered to identify genes or genetic
      variants worth translating to clinical practice. In order to achieve a
      pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomic signature, improvements in study design of future
      investigations are required, including carefully designed prospective studies. It
      is imperative to combine known clinical, serological, and molecular markers with
      consistent outcomes and an adequate health economic evaluation before they can be
      adopted widely in clinical practice.

PMID- 27266956
TI  - Have microfluidics delivered for drug discovery?

PMID- 27266957
TI  - Metformin is also effective on lactic acidosis-exposed melanoma cells switched to
      oxidative phosphorylation.
AB  - Low extracellular pH promotes in melanoma cells a malignant phenotype
      characterized by an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, endowed
      with mesenchymal markers, high invasiveness and pro-metastatic property. Here, we
      demonstrate that melanoma cells exposed to an acidic extracellular
      microenvironment, 6.7+/-0.1, shift to an oxidative phosphorylation (Oxphos)
      metabolism. Metformin, a biguanide commonly used for type 2 diabetes, inhibited
      the most relevant features of acid-induced phenotype, including EMT and Oxphos.
      When we tested effects of lactic acidosis, to verify whether sodium lactate might
      have additional effects on acidic melanoma cells, we found that EMT and Oxphos
      also characterized lactic acid-treated cells. An increased level of motility was
      the only gained property of lactic acidic-exposed melanoma cells. Metformin
      treatment inhibited both EMT markers and Oxphos and, when its concentration
      raised to 10 mM, it induced a striking inhibition of proliferation and colony
      formation of acidic melanoma cells, both grown in protons enriched medium or
      lactic acidosis. Thus, our study provides the first evidence that metformin may
      target either proton or lactic acidosis-exposed melanoma cells inhibiting EMT and
      Oxphox metabolism. These findings disclose a new potential rationale of metformin
      addition to advanced melanoma therapy, e.g. targeting acidic cell subpopulation.

PMID- 27266958
TI  - Economic impact of onabotulinumtoxinA for overactive bladder with urinary
      incontinence in Europe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that has a significant
      impact on patients' health-related quality-of-life and is associated with a
      substantial economic burden to healthcare systems. OnabotulinumtoxinA has a well
      established efficacy and safety profile as a treatment for OAB; however, the
      economic impact of using onabotulinumtoxinA has not been well described. METHODS:
      An economic model was developed to assess the budget impact associated with OAB
      treatment in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, using onabotulinumtoxinA
      alongside best supportive care (BSC)-comprising incontinence pads and/or
      anticholinergic use and/or clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC)-vs BSC alone.
      The model time horizon spanned 5 years, and included direct costs associated with
      treatment, BSC, and adverse events. RESULTS: Per 100,000 patients in each
      country, the use of onabotulinumtoxinA resulted in estimated cost savings of
      ?97,200 (Italy), ?71,580 (Spain), and ?19,710 (UK), and cost increases of ?23,840
      in France and ?284,760 in Germany, largely due to day-case and inpatient
      administration, respectively. Projecting these results to the population of
      individuals aged 18 years and above gave national budget saving estimates of
      ?9,924,790, ?27,458,290, and ?48,270,760, for the UK, Spain, and Italy,
      respectively, compared to cost increases of ?12,160,020 and ?196,086,530 for
      France and Germany, respectively. Anticholinergic treatment and incontinence pads
      were the largest contributors to overall spending on OAB management when
      onabotulinumtoxinA use was not increased, and remained so in four of five
      scenarios where onabotulinumtoxinA use was increased. This decreased resource use
      was equivalent to cost offsets ranging from ?106,110 to ?176,600 per 100,000
      population. CONCLUSIONS: In three of five countries investigated, the use of
      onabotulinumtoxinA, in addition to BSC, was shown to result in healthcare budget
      cost savings over 5 years. Scenario analyses showed increased costs in Germany
      and France were largely attributable to the treatment setting rather than
      onabotulinumtoxinA acquisition costs.

PMID- 27266960
TI  - Single-Component Conductors: A Sturdy Electronic Structure Generated by Bulky
      Substituents.
AB  - While the introduction of large, bulky substituents such as tert-butyl, -SiMe3,
      or -Si(isopropyl)3 has been used recently to control the solid state structures
      and charge mobility of organic semiconductors, this crystal engineering strategy
      is usually avoided in molecular metals where a maximized overlap is sought. In
      order to investigate such steric effects in single component conductors, the
      ethyl group of the known [Au(Et-thiazdt)2] radical complex has been replaced by
      an isopropyl one to give a novel single component molecular conductor denoted
      [Au(iPr-thiazdt)2] (iPr-thiazdt: N-isopropyl-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione-4,5
      dithiolate). It exhibits a very original stacked structure of crisscross
      molecules interacting laterally to give a truly three-dimensional network. This
      system is weakly conducting at ambient pressure (5 S.cm(-1)), and both transport
      and optical measurements evidence a slowly decreasing energy gap under applied
      pressure with a regime change around 1.5 GPa. In contrast with other conducting
      systems amenable to a metallic state under physical or chemical pressure, the
      Mott insulating state is stable here up to 4 GPa, a consequence of its peculiar
      electronic structure. 

PMID- 27266959
TI  - The relationship of pro-inflammatory markers to vascular endothelial function
      after acute stroke.
AB  - : Purpose/Aim: Data from chronic stroke studies have reported reduced blood flow
      and vascular endothelial function in the stroke-affected limb. It is unclear
      whether these differences are present early after stroke. First, we investigated
      whether vascular endothelial function in the stroke-affected limb would be
      different from healthy adults. Second, we examined whether between-limb
      differences in vascular endothelial function existed in the stroke-affected arm
      compared to the non-affected arm. Last, we tested whether reduced vascular
      endothelial function was related to pro-inflammatory markers that are present
      early after stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vascular endothelial function was
      assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery within 72 h post
      stroke. All participants withheld medications from midnight until after the
      procedure. Ultrasound scans and blood draws for pro-inflammatory markers occurred
      on the same day between 7:30 am and 9:00 am. RESULTS: People with acute stroke
      had significantly lower FMD (4.2% +/- 4.6%) than control participants (8.5% +/-
      5.2%, p = 0.037). Stroke participants had between-limb differences in FMD (4.2%
      +/- 4.6% stroke-affected vs. 5.3% +/- 4.4% non-affected, p = 0.02), whereas, the
      control participants did not. Of the pro-inflammatory markers, only vascular cell
      adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) had a significant relationship to FMD (stroke
      affected limb, r = -0.62, p = 0.03; non-affected limb, r = -0.75, p = 0.005), but
      not tumor necrosis factor alpha nor interleukin-6. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular
      endothelial function is reduced starting in the early stage of stroke recovery.
      People with higher levels of VCAM-1 had a lower FMD response.

PMID- 27266961
TI  - Do the anterior and lateral thalamic nuclei make distinct contributions to
      spatial representation and memory?
AB  - The anterior and lateral thalamus has long been considered to play an important
      role in spatial and mnemonic cognitive functions; however, it remains unclear
      whether each region makes a unique contribution to spatial information
      processing. We begin by reviewing evidence from anatomical studies and
      electrophysiological recordings which suggest that at least one of the functions
      of the anterior thalamus is to guide spatial orientation in relation to a global
      or distal spatial framework, while the lateral thalamus serves to guide behavior
      in relation to a local or proximal framework. We conclude by reviewing
      experimental work using targeted manipulations (lesion or neuronal silencing) of
      thalamic nuclei during spatial behavior and single-unit recordings from neuronal
      representations of space. Our summary of this literature suggests that although
      the evidence strongly supports a working model of spatial information processing
      involving the anterior thalamus, research regarding the role of the lateral
      thalamus is limited and requires further attention. We therefore identify a
      number of major gaps in this research and suggest avenues of future study that
      could potentially solidify our understanding of the relative roles of anterior
      and lateral thalamic regions in spatial representation and memory.

PMID- 27266962
TI  - Pilot Feasibility Study of an Educational Intervention in Women With Gestational
      Diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To pilot test the feasibility of an educational intervention, Start
      Understanding Gestational Diabetes and Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes
      (SUGAR), in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). DESIGN: A pretest
      posttest, two-group study design. SETTING: Three obstetrics and gynecology
      offices in the southeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three women with
      a first-time diagnosis of GDM. METHODS: Women diagnosed with GDM were recruited
      and placed in a control group or educational intervention group. Women completed
      six self-report, standardized questionnaires at baseline (third trimester) and
      posttest (6-8 weeks postpartum). Women in the intervention group (n = 18)
      received the SUGAR educational intervention after the baseline data collection
      with a booster session at 2 to 4 weeks postpartum. Women in the control group (n
      = 5) received an attention control treatment. RESULTS: Study participants had
      obesity, and most had a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The attrition
      rate was low (n = 2; 8%). The educational intervention significantly increased
      diabetes mellitus knowledge for women in the SUGAR group. In addition, 39% of
      participants received the recommended postpartum glucose screening. CONCLUSION:
      Although the effect of the SUGAR intervention with a small sample was not
      expected to produce statistically significant changes, we add our pilot study to
      the limited research of diabetes mellitus preventative care for women with GDM
      and provide preliminary findings to develop meaningful education and support for
      women diagnosed with GDM. Future researchers need to focus on prevention programs
      that center on self-efficacy, postpartum glucose screening, and adoption of
      healthy lifestyle behaviors.

PMID- 27266963
TI  - A Comparison of Maternal and Paternal Experiences of Becoming Parents of a Very
      Preterm Infant.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal and paternal experiences of very preterm (VPT)
      birth (gestational age < 32 weeks) and the NICU stay. DESIGN: Qualitative study.
      SETTING: Data collection took place at parents' homes 3 to 6 months after NICU
      discharge. PARTICIPANTS: Ten parental couples participated in the study (20
      parents). All VPT infants were healthy, without any neonatal or postnatal
      complications or injuries. METHODS: Computer-assisted content analysis was used
      to highlight thematic clusters from parents' narratives, which were labeled
      through qualitative interpretation. RESULTS: Two main dimensions (Adjustment
      Process to Preterm Birth and Parental Role Assumption) and three main thematic
      clusters (Facing the Unexpected, Learning to Parent, and Finally Back Home)
      described the parental experience. Mothers focused mostly on the Finally Back
      Home cluster, which was characterized by moderate levels of adjustment to preterm
      birth and by awareness of their own maternal roles. Fathers focused mostly on the
      Learning to Parent cluster, which was characterized by low to moderate levels of
      adjustment to preterm birth and by a limited assumption of paternal role.
      CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study is unique in that we compared mothers
      and fathers who experienced the VPT births of their infants and described their
      experiences of the NICU stay. We found that the VPT birth experience for parents
      involves a dynamic adjustment. Differences in maternal and paternal experiences
      may indicate the need for tailored supportive interventions in the NICU.

PMID- 27266964
TI  - A Child with Severe Developmental Delay and Growth Retardation.

PMID- 27266966
TI  - Cellulitis-Like Lesions: An Unusual Manifestation of a Parvovirus B19 Infection.

PMID- 27266965
TI  - The Role of Nutrition in Brain Development: The Golden Opportunity of the "First
      1000 Days".

PMID- 27266967
TI  - Memory performance is related to the cortisol awakening response in older people,
      but not to the diurnal cortisol slope.
AB  - There are large individual differences in age-related cognitive decline.
      Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis) functioning has been suggested as
      one of the mechanisms underlying these differences. This study aimed to
      investigate the relationships between the diurnal cortisol cycle, measured as the
      cortisol awakening response (CAR), and the diurnal cortisol slope (DCS) and the
      memory performance of healthy older people. To do so, we assessed the verbal,
      visual, and working memory performance of 64 participants (32 men) from 57 to 76
      years old who also provided 14 saliva samples on two consecutive weekdays to
      determine their diurnal cortisol cycle. The CAR was linearly and negatively
      associated with verbal (significantly) and visual (marginally) memory domains,
      but not with working memory. Sex did not moderate these relationships.
      Furthermore, no associations were found between the DCS and any of the three
      memory domains assessed. Our results indicate that the two components of the
      diurnal cortisol cycle have different relationships with memory performance, with
      the CAR being more relevant than DCS in understanding the link from HPA-axis
      activity and regulation to different types of memory. These results suggest that
      the CAR is related to memory domains dependent on hippocampal functioning (i.e.,
      declarative memory), but not to those that are more dependent on prefrontal
      cortex functioning (i.e., working memory).

PMID- 27266970
TI  - Cell reprogramming during regeneration in Drosophila: transgression of
      compartment boundaries.
AB  - We discuss recent work about cellular reprogramming during regeneration of the
      imaginal discs of Drosophila. These contain various lineage blocks, compartments,
      which express distinct genetic programmes. It has been found that after massive
      damage to a compartment cells from a neighbour compartment can transgress the
      compartment border and contribute to its regeneration. The transgressing cells
      are genetically reprogrammed and acquire a new identity, a process facilitated by
      up regulation of the JNK pathway and transient loss of epigenetic control by the
      Pc-G and trx-G genes. The final acquisition of the new identity appears to be
      mediated by induction by neighbour cells, a phenomenon akin the Community Effect
      described for the specification of amphibian muscle cells.

PMID- 27266968
TI  - Examining the concurrent and longitudinal relationship between diurnal cortisol
      rhythms and conduct problems during childhood.
AB  - Previous literature indicates that both hypoactivity and hyperactivity of the HPA
      axis may be related to conduct disorder and externalizing behaviors in young
      children. Using a longitudinal sample of 283 typically-developing children, the
      current study examined both the concurrent and the longitudinal association
      between HPA functioning and externalizing behavior problems, such as conduct
      problems. Diurnal cortisol rhythms and externalizing problems were assessed at
      ages 6 and 9. Results suggest that concurrent HPA functioning is not
      significantly related to externalizing behavior at ages 6 or 9. However, more
      blunted cortisol rhythms at age 6 (less change across the day from morning to
      evening) predicted a greater increase in externalizing behavior between age 6 and
      age 9 than did steeper cortisol rhythms. Further analyses revealed that this
      association was driven by conduct problems and aggressive behavior, rather than
      attention problems. The relationship between HPA functioning and subsequent
      externalizing behavior in children adds to the limited longitudinal work on this
      topic, suggesting that the association changes over time. These results may serve
      to clarify the inconsistencies in the cross-sectional literature, particularly
      with respect to young school-age children.

PMID- 27266972
TI  - Old questions, new models: unraveling complex organ regeneration with new
      experimental approaches.
AB  - How do some animals like crabs, flatworms and salamanders regenerate entire body
      parts after a severe injury? Which are the mechanisms and how did that
      regenerative ability evolve over time? The ability to regenerate complex organs
      is widespread in the animal kingdom, but fundamental, centuries-old questions
      remain unanswered. Forward genetics approaches that were so successful in probing
      embryonic development are lacking in most regenerative models, and candidate gene
      approaches can be biased and misleading. We summarize recent progress in
      establishing new genetic tools and approaches to study regeneration and provide a
      personal perspective on the feasibility and value of establishing such tools,
      based on our experience with a new experimental model, the crustacean Parhyale
      hawaiensis.

PMID- 27266969
TI  - Regeneration of pancreatic insulin-producing cells by in situ adaptive cell
      conversion.
AB  - The impaired ability to produce or respond to insulin, a hormone synthetized by
      the pancreatic beta-cells, leads to diabetes. There is an excruciating need of
      finding new approaches to protect or restore these cells once they are lost.
      Replacement and ex vivo directed reprogramming methods have an undeniable
      therapeutic potential, yet they exhibit crucial flaws. The in vivo conversion of
      adult cells to functional insulin-producing cells is a promising alternative for
      regenerative treatments in diabetes. The stunning natural transdifferentiation
      potential of the adult endocrine pancreas was recently uncovered. Modulating
      molecular targets involved in beta-cell fate maintenance or in general
      differentiation mechanisms can further potentiate this intrinsic cell plasticity,
      which leads to insulin production reconstitution.

PMID- 27266973
TI  - Insights into sensory hair cell regeneration from the zebrafish lateral line.
AB  - Loss of mechanosensory hair cells in the inner ear leads to loss of hearing. In
      humans this results in permanent deafness, as mammals are largely unable to
      regenerate hair cells. In contrast, zebrafish robustly regenerate hair cells in
      the sensory lateral line and ear and recent gene expression and time-lapse
      analyses of cell behaviors at the single cell level have greatly advanced our
      understanding of the mechanisms responsible for hair cell regeneration. In the
      lateral line, hair cell regeneration is controlled via dynamic interactions
      between Notch and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, and likely also between Fgf and the
      retinoic acid signaling pathways. Less is known about what initiates regeneration
      and we discuss potential pathways that may trigger proliferation after hair cell
      damage.

PMID- 27266971
TI  - The early wound signals.
AB  - Wounding of tissue barriers, such as epithelia, disrupts homeostasis and allows
      infection. Within minutes, animals detect injury and respond to it by recruitment
      of phagocytes and barrier breach closure. The signals that activate these first
      events are scarcely known. Commonly considered are cytoplasmic factors released
      into the extracellular space by lysing cells (Damage Associated Molecular
      Patterns, DAMPs). DAMPs activate inflammatory gene transcription through pattern
      recognition receptors. But the promptness of wound responses is difficult to
      explain by transcriptional mechanisms alone. This review highlights the emerging
      role of nonlytic stress signals in the rapid detection of wounds.

PMID- 27266974
TI  - Influence of Polarization on Carbohydrate Hydration: A Comparative Study Using
      Additive and Polarizable Force Fields.
AB  - Carbohydrates are known to closely modulate their surrounding solvent structures
      and influence solvation dynamics. Spectroscopic investigations studying far-IR
      regions (below 1000 cm(-1)) have observed spectral shifts in the libration band
      (around 600 cm(-1)) of water in the presence of monosaccharides and
      polysaccharides. In this paper, we use molecular dynamics simulations to gain
      atomistic insight into carbohydrate-water interactions and to specifically
      highlight the differences between additive (nonpolarizable) and polarizable
      simulations. A total of six monosaccharide systems, alpha and beta anomers of
      glucose, galactose, and mannose, were studied using additive and polarizable
      Chemistry at HARvard Macromolecular Mechanics (CHARMM) carbohydrate force fields.
      Solvents were modeled using three additive water models TIP3P, TIP4P, and TIP5P
      in additive simulations and polarizable water model SWM4 in polarizable
      simulations. The presence of carbohydrate has a significant effect on the
      microscopic water structure, with the effects being pronounced for proximal water
      molecules. Notably, disruption of the tetrahedral arrangement of proximal water
      molecules was observed due to the formation of strong carbohydrate-water hydrogen
      bonds in both additive and polarizable simulations. However, the inclusion of
      polarization resulted in significant water-bridge occupancies, improved ordered
      water structures (tetrahedral order parameter), and longer carbohydrate-water H
      bond correlations as compared to those for additive simulations. Additionally,
      polarizable simulations also allowed the calculation of power spectra from the
      dipole-dipole autocorrelation function, which corresponds to the IR spectra. From
      the power spectra, we could identify spectral signatures differentiating the
      proximal and bulk water structures, which could not be captured from additive
      simulations.

PMID- 27266975
TI  - Health-related quality of life after maxillectomy: obturator rehabilitation
      compared with flap reconstruction.
AB  - Health-related quality of life (QoL) reported by patients has the potential to
      improve care after ablative surgery of the midface, as existing treatment
      algorithms still generally revolve around outcomes assessed traditionally only by
      clinicians. Decisions in particular relate to reconstruction with a flap compared
      with rehabilitation with an obturator, the need for adjuvant treatment, and
      morbidity related to the size of the defect. We prospectively collected health
      related QoL assessments for 39 consecutive patients treated by maxillectomy
      between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2014 using the University of Washington
      Quality of Life Questionnaire, and who had a mean (SD) duration of follow-up of
      14 (4). We made sub-group analyses using paired t tests and analysis of variance
      (ANOVA) to compare reconstruction with a flap with rehabilitation with
      obturators, size of the vertical defect, and whether adjuvant treatment with
      radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy adversely affected it. Overall there was a
      significant decrease in health-related QoL after treatment compared with before
      (p<0.001), but there was no significant difference in the effects of any of the
      paired reconstructive and rehabilitation treatments on it. Obturators remain an
      important option for rehabilitation in selected patients in addition to
      reconstruction with a flap. We found that neither increasing the size of the
      vertical defect (in an attempt to ensure clear margins) nor the use of
      postoperative radiotherapy seemed to have any adverse effect on QoL. More
      patients are required before we can conclude that the potential survival benefits
      of such measures may outweigh any adverse effects.

PMID- 27266976
TI  - Cross-cover of oral and maxillofacial surgery out-of-hours: an audit of a new
      adult treatment clinic.
AB  - We present our experience of launching the adult treatment clinic - a daytime
      clinic for semiurgent referrals to oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). This
      has proved to be an effective way in which cross-covering junior doctors could
      refer patients for a safe and efficient review in a supervised environment.

PMID- 27266977
TI  - Outcomes of treatment of fractures of the frontal sinus: review from a tertiary
      multispecialty craniofacial trauma service.
AB  - There are no agreed national guidelines for the treatment of fractures of the
      frontal sinus and the naso-orbitoethmoid complex. The Oxford University Hospitals
      Craniofacial Trauma unit was set up five years ago as a joint oral and
      maxillofacial, ENT, and neurosurgical service, and we present our experience to
      date in the treatment of patients with such fractures. The study includes 91
      patients with data collected from a prospective database. Patients underwent
      cranialisation if they met the criteria of persistent leak of cerebrospinal fluid
      (CSF), displaced fracture of the posterior wall or obstruction of the nasofrontal
      outflow tract. The mean follow-up time was 42 months (range 1-10 years). Three
      groups of patients were analysed. Group 1 met the criteria for, and were treated
      by, cranialisation (n=50). Group 2 met the criteria for cranialisation, but were
      treated conservatively because of coexisting conditions (n=8). Group 3 did not
      match the criteria for treatment, and were managed conservatively (n=33). The
      numbers of patients with complications or who required further operation were:
      group 1 (4/50), group 2 (3/8), and group 3 (3/33). There were significantly fewer
      complications among those patients who met the operative criteria and were
      treated by cranialisation than among those treated conservatively (p=0.04). These
      outcomes from one dedicated multispecialist craniofacial trauma unit in the UK
      may help surgeons who care for patients with this specific group of injuries. Our
      morbidity was in keeping with published figures. 

PMID- 27266978
TI  - Similar Fecal Microbiota Signatures in Patients With Diarrhea-Predominant
      Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Patients With Depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often have
      psychiatric comorbidities. Alterations in the intestinal microbiota have been
      associated with IBS and depression, but it is not clear if there is a microbial
      relationship between these disorders. We studied the profiles of fecal microbiota
      samples from patients with IBS, depression, or comorbidities of IBS and
      depression; we determined the relationships among these profiles and clinical and
      pathophysiological features of these disorders. METHODS: We used 454
      pyrosequencing to analyze fecal microbiota samples from 100 subjects (40 with
      diarrhea-predominant IBS [IBS-D], 15 with depression, 25 with comorbidities of
      IBS and depression, and 20 healthy individuals [controls]), recruited at Peking
      University. Abdominal and psychological symptoms were evaluated with validated
      questionnaires. Visceral sensitivity was evaluated using a barostat. Colonic
      mucosal inflammation was assayed by immunohistochemical analyses of sigmoid
      tissue biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Fecal microbiota signatures were similar
      between patients with IBS-D and depression in that they were less diverse than
      samples from controls and had similar abundances of alterations. They were
      characterized by high proportions of Bacteroides (type I), Prevotella (type II),
      or nondominant microbiota (type III). Most patients with IBS-D or depression had
      type I or type II profiles (IBS-D had 85% type I and type II profiles, depression
      had 80% type I and type II profiles). Colon tissues from patients with type I or
      type II profiles had higher levels of inflammatory markers than colon tissues
      from patients with type III profiles. The level of colon inflammation correlated
      with the severity of IBS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBS-D and
      depression have similar alterations in fecal microbiota; these might be related
      to the pathogenesis of these disorders. We identified 3 microbial profiles in
      patients that could indicate different subtypes of IBS and depression or be used
      as diagnostic biomarkers.

PMID- 27266979
TI  - Incidence of Achalasia in South Australia Based on Esophageal Manometry Findings.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Achalasia is a disorder of esophageal motility with a reported
      incidence of 0.5 to 1.6 per 100,000 persons per year in Europe, Asia, Canada, and
      America. However, estimates of incidence values have been derived predominantly
      from retrospective searches of databases of hospital discharge codes and personal
      communications with gastroenterologists, and are likely to be incorrect. We
      performed a cohort study based on esophageal manometry findings to determine the
      incidence of achalasia in South Australia. METHODS: We collected data from the
      Australian Bureau of Statistics on the South Australian population. Cases of
      achalasia diagnosed by esophageal manometry were identified from the 3 adult
      manometry laboratory databases in South Australia. Endoscopy reports and case
      notes were reviewed for correlations with diagnoses. The annual incidence of
      achalasia in the South Australian population was calculated for the decade 2004
      to 2013. Findings were standardized to those of the European Standard Population
      based on age. RESULTS: The annual incidence of achalasia in South Australia
      ranged from 2.3 to 2.8 per 100,000 persons. The mean age at diagnosis was 62.1 +/
      18.1 years. The incidence of achalasia increased with age (Spearman rho, 0.95; P
      < .01). The age-standardized incidence ranged from 2.1 (95% CI, 1.8-2.3) to 2.5
      (95% CI, 2.2-2.7). CONCLUSIONS: Based on a cohort study of esophageal manometry,
      we determined the incidence of achalasia in South Australia to be 2.3 to 2.8 per
      100,000 persons and to increase with age. South Australia's relative geographic
      isolation and the population's access to manometry allowed for more accurate
      identification of cases than hospital code analyses, with a low probability of
      missed cases.

PMID- 27266980
TI  - Low Serum Vitamin D During Remission Increases Risk of Clinical Relapse in
      Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Vitamin D levels have been associated with disease activity in
      patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), but it is unclear whether they affect the
      risk of disease relapse. We sought to determine the association between baseline
      vitamin D levels during a period of clinical remission and risk of subsequent UC
      relapse. METHODS: We performed a physician-blinded prospective study of 70
      patients with UC in clinical remission followed up after a surveillance
      colonoscopy at a tertiary academic medical center. Serum samples were collected
      at the time of colonoscopy and baseline endoscopic and histologic activity were
      determined. Levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D were measured using an enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. The primary outcome was rate of clinical relapse, determined
      over 12 months. RESULTS: The mean baseline vitamin D level was lower among
      patients with relapse (29.5 ng/mL) than without (50.3 ng/mL) (P = .001).
      Remission vitamin D level (<=35 ng/mL) was associated with a risk of clinical
      relapse (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.56; P = .044)
      over 12 months, independent of endoscopic or histologic grade at enrollment. A
      receiver operating characteristic curve of vitamin D levels for the outcome of
      relapse had an area under the curve of 0.72; and a serum level of 35 ng/mL or
      less had a sensitivity of 70% (95% CI, 46%-88%) and a specificity of 74% (95% CI
      57%-83%) for predicting risk of clinical relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of
      vitamin D of 35 ng/mL or less during periods of clinical remission increase the
      risk of UC relapse. Clinical trials to obtain vitamin D levels higher than this
      threshold should be considered.

PMID- 27266981
TI  - Regarding "Colorectal Cancer Screening Quality Measures: Beyond Colonoscopy".

PMID- 27266983
TI  - Endometrial tuberculosis compounding polycystic ovary syndrome in a subfertile
      woman: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic female genital tuberculosis can impair tubal and
      endometrial function and later present as subfertility. A majority of the
      patients with genital tuberculosis in endemic regions present with subfertility
      and the delay in presentation, coupled with the potential the disease has in
      mimicking other gynecological conditions, renders it elusive. In addition to the
      challenge of diagnosing genital tuberculosis, fertility outcomes after treatment
      are not impressive. This is particularly so in the background of another
      confounding subfertility factor to which interventional efforts may initially be
      directed, at the expense of undiagnosed genital tuberculosis. We therefore
      present a case of subfertility due to endometrial tuberculosis, but confounded by
      other subfertility factors notably polycystic ovary syndrome. To the best of our
      knowledge this case report is the first of its kind in the literature. CASE
      PRESENTATION: This is a case report of a 42-year-old woman of African descent who
      presented to our fertility clinic with a 10-year history of primary subfertility
      and amenorrhea of 6 years duration. She was a nurse in a medical ward and had no
      prior history of tuberculosis. She had undergone a diagnostic laparoscopy 8 years
      prior which demonstrated dense pelvic adhesions and an impression of tubal factor
      subfertility was made. At presentation, her gonadal hormone profile and pelvic
      ultrasound were consistent with polycystic ovary syndrome. A negative response to
      a progesterone challenge test prompted a hysteroscopic evaluation which revealed
      endometrial atrophy. Endometrial biopsies confirmed histological features
      consistent with tuberculosis. Normal endometrial function was not restored
      despite adequate treatment and her options were limited to surrogacy or adoption.
      CONCLUSIONS: Genital tuberculosis is elusive in presentation and clinicians
      should consider it in patients with amenorrhea and/or tubal disease from
      tuberculosis-endemic regions. Due to the attendant high cost of fertility
      treatment and associated poor fertility outcomes, it is prudent to explore
      options to diagnose it early. A routine endometrial biopsy in a patient with
      subfertility in a tuberculosis-endemic area would be pragmatic. An alternative
      algorithm in management would be risk stratification prior to endometrial biopsy.

PMID- 27266982
TI  - Global Trends in Pancreatic Cancer Mortality From 1980 Through 2013 and
      Predictions for 2017.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality, and
      its mortality has not decreased in recent years. We sought to determine global
      trends in pancreatic cancer mortality. METHODS: We derived data on deaths from
      pancreatic cancer from the World Health Organization database for 59 countries
      from 1980 through 2013. Age-standardized mortalities were computed for persons of
      all ages and for persons 35-64 years old; for selected countries, they were
      computed for persons 25-49 years old. Joinpoint regression models were used to
      identify significant changes in mortality. For selected larger countries, we
      predicted number of deaths and mortality for 2017. RESULTS: Between 1980 and
      2013, overall pancreatic cancer mortality in men increased in the European Union
      (EU) as well as in Southern and Eastern Europe, Brazil, Japan, and Republic of
      Korea. Overall pancreatic cancer mortality decreased in most Northern European
      countries, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the United States (US). In women,
      mortality increased in the EU, Brazil, US, Japan, and Republic of Korea but
      decreased in Canada and Mexico. In 2012, Eastern Europe and Japan had the highest
      pancreatic cancer mortality for both sexes. In men 25-49 years old, mortality
      decreased in the EU, US, Japan, and most large European countries. On the basis
      of our data, we predict overall pancreatic cancer mortality in 2017 to level off
      in men in the EU and US but increase in Japan. In women, mortality will continue
      to increase in most countries except the US; the greatest increase is predicted
      to occur in Japan. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from pancreatic cancer has not
      decreased as it has for other cancers in recent years. A notable exception is a
      decrease in mortality in men 25-49 years old, which could indicate a reversal in
      the current increasing global trends.

PMID- 27266984
TI  - T follicular helper cells in patients with acute schistosomiasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in schistosome infection
      is not fully defined. In a previous study, a higher frequency of circulating PD
      1(+)CXCR5(+)CD4(+) Tfh cells was observed in patients with chronic
      schistosomiasis relative to healthy controls (HCs) and it correlated positively
      with the level of soluble egg antigen (SEA) specific antibodies in serum.
      However, the function of Tfh cells in patients with acute schistosomiasis remains
      elusive; this was investigated in the present study. METHODS: The frequency of
      circulating Tfh cells and the expression of inducible T cell co-stimulator
      (ICOS), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and B cell subsets were analyzed in 12
      patients with acute schistosomiasis and 10 HCs by flow cytometry. The expression
      of Bcl6, c-Maf and IL-21 mRNA were detected by quantitative real-time reverse
      transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). The concentration of serum IL-21 and IgG specific to
      Schistosoma japonicum antigen were then determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA). Correlations between PD-1(+)CXCR5(+)CD4(+) Tfh cells, memory B
      cells and IgG specific to S. japonicum were analyzed by Spearman's rank
      correlation. RESULTS: The frequency of PD-1(+)CXCR5(+)CD4(+) Tfh and memory B
      cells was increased in acute schistosomiasis patients relative to HCs. Moreover,
      the levels of IL-21 in serum and the expression of IL-21 mRNA were higher in
      acute schistosomiasis patients. However, there was no significant correlation
      between PD-1(+)CXCR5(+)CD4(+) Tfh cells, memory B cells and IgG specific to S.
      japonicum antigen in patients with acute schistosomiasis. CONCLUSIONS: PD
      1(+)CXCR5(+)CD4(+) Tfh cells in peripheral blood are involved in the immune
      response of patients with acute schistosomiasis. Understanding the immunological
      mechanism is helpful for the development of vaccination strategies to control
      schistosomiasis.

PMID- 27266986
TI  - Impact of lifestyle interventions on depressive symptoms in individuals at-risk
      of, or with, type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of
      randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Depression affects one in four individuals with type 2
      diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The impact of T2DM lifestyle interventions on
      depression is unclear. The aim of this analysis was to examine the influence of
      lifestyle interventions on depressive symptoms scores in individuals at-risk of
      or with T2DM. METHOD AND RESULTS: Major bibliographic databases were searched for
      studies published in English from 1990 to 2015. Meta-analysis was conducted by
      random-effects model. Nineteen studies were included in the meta-analyses. A
      significant reduction in depression scores was shown for lifestyle interventions
      in the pooled analysis (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD): -0.165; 95%CI: 
      0.265, -0.064; I(2):67.9%) and when limited to individuals with T2DM (SMD: 
      0.202; 95%CI: -0.288, -0.079; I(2):72.5%). In subgroup analyses the most
      effective intervention methods were face-to-face individual consultations (SMD: 
      0.241; 95%CI: -0.403, -0.078, I(2): 50.8%) with a duration of <=6 months (SMD: 
      0.203; 95%CI: -0.381, -0.026, I(2):59.9%). Interventions were most effective when
      delivered four times a month (SMD: -0.247; 95%CI: -0.441, -0.053, I(2):76.3%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle interventions were effective in improving depression among
      people with T2DM.

PMID- 27266985
TI  - Rationale and design of the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robust data on the contemporary management of atrial fibrillation
      (AF) patients in China are limited. Importantly current practice in AF management
      has changing dramatically in recent years. Data from a large registry study will
      enable us to evaluate the uptake and outcomes with different therapies in a large
      Chinese AF population. METHODS/DESIGN: The Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry
      study (CAFR) aims to enroll 20,000 consecutive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients
      from 32 tertiary and non-tertiary hospitals in Beijing, China, and follow up
      these patients every 6 months until 2020. Key data collected includes basic
      sociodemographic information, symptoms and signs, medical history, results of
      physical examination and laboratory test, details of treatments and personal
      insurance status. For patients who consent, 5 ml of blood sample will be stored
      at -80  degrees C for future analyses of biomarkers. At each 6 month follow up
      visit, data relating to clinical outcomes will be collected. Data from a randomly
      selected 10 % of patients will be internally validated with their raw source
      data. Ischemic stroke events will be adjudicated by an independent endpoint
      committee. DISCUSSION: CAFR will be one of the largest registries of Asian AF
      patients (and the largest in Chinese AF patients), as well as providing the
      longest follow up. This study would provide a valuable opportunity for 'real
      world' clinical epidemiology with insights into the uptake (and outcomes) of
      contemporary AF management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry
      ChiCTR-OCH-13003729 . Registered 22 October 2013.

PMID- 27266987
TI  - Response to letter to the editor: Gallo F et al., "The economic burden of severe
      hypoglycemia: Two sides of the same coin" Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2016;26:850
      851.

PMID- 27266988
TI  - Concordance of dietary sodium intake and concomitant phosphate load: Implications
      for sodium interventions.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Both a high dietary sodium and high phosphate load are
      associated with an increased cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney
      disease (CKD), and possibly also in non-CKD populations. Sodium and phosphate are
      abundantly present in processed food. We hypothesized that (modulation of)
      dietary sodium is accompanied by changes in phosphate load across populations
      with normal and impaired renal function. METHODS AND RESULTS: We first
      investigated the association between sodium and phosphate load in 24-h urine
      samples from healthy controls (n = 252), patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
      (DM, n = 255) and renal transplant recipients (RTR, n = 705). Secondly, we
      assessed the effect of sodium restriction on phosphate excretion in a nondiabetic
      CKD cohort (ND-CKD: n = 43) and a diabetic CKD cohort (D-CKD: n = 39). Sodium
      excretion correlated with phosphate excretion in healthy controls (R = 0.386, P <
      0.001), DM (R = 0.490, P < 0.001), and RTR (R = 0.519, P < 0.001). This
      correlation was also present during regular sodium intake in the intervention
      studies (ND-CKD: R = 0.491, P < 0.001; D-CKD: R = 0.729, P < 0.001). In
      multivariable regression analysis, sodium excretion remained significantly
      correlated with phosphate excretion after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, and
      eGFR in all observational cohorts. In ND-CKD and D-CKD moderate sodium
      restriction reduced phosphate excretion (31 +/- 10 to 28 +/- 10 mmol/d; P = 0.04
      and 26 +/- 11 to 23 +/- 9 mmol/d; P = 0.02 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary
      exposure to sodium and phosphate are correlated across the spectrum of renal
      function impairment. The concomitant reduction in phosphate intake accompanying
      sodium restriction underlines the off-target effects on other nutritional
      components, which may contribute to the beneficial cardiovascular effects of
      sodium restriction. (f) Registration numbers: Dutch Trial Register NTR675,
      NTR2366.

PMID- 27266989
TI  - Biological effects of marine diesel oil exposure in red king crab (Paralithodes
      camtschaticus) assessed through a water and foodborne exposure experiment.
AB  - Shipping activities are expected to increase in the Arctic Seas. Today, the
      majority of vessels are using marine diesel oil (MDO) as propulsion fuel.
      However, there is a general lack of knowledge of how cold-water marine species
      respond to acute exposures to MDO. Arctic red king crabs (Paralithodes
      camtschaticus) were exposed to mechanically dispersed MDO in a flow-through
      exposure system for one week followed by three weeks of recovery. Observations of
      increased movements in exposed crabs were interpreted as avoidance behaviour.
      Further, glutathione peroxidase activity increased in high exposed crab, the
      catalase activity showed an insignificant increase with exposure, while no
      differences between groups were observed for lipid peroxidation and
      acetylcholinesterase activity. After three weeks of recovery in clean seawater,
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations in the crabs were significantly
      reduced, with no specific biomarker responses in exposed groups compared to the
      control. The results suggest that effects from instantaneous MDO spill only will
      have short-term effects on the red king crab. 

PMID- 27266990
TI  - Systemic and Brain Pharmacokinetics of Perforin Inhibitor Prodrugs.
AB  - We have recently reported that by converting a perforin inhibitor into an l-type
      amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)-utilizing prodrug its cellular uptake can be
      greatly increased. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vivo and
      brain pharmacokinetics of two perforin inhibitors and their LAT1-utilizing
      prodrugs 1 and 2. In addition, the brain uptake mechanism and entry into primary
      mouse cortical neurons and astrocytes were evaluated. After 23 MUmol/kg i.p.
      bolus injection, the prodrugs' unbound area under the concentration curve in
      brain was 0.3 nmol/g * min, whereas the parent drugs could not reach the brain.
      The unbound brain concentrations of the prodrugs after 100 MUM in situ mouse
      brain perfusion were 521.4 +/- 46.9 and 126.9 +/- 19.9 pmol/g for prodrugs 1 and
      2, respectively. The combination of competing transporter substrates for LAT1, l
      tryptophan, and for organic anion transporting polypeptides, probenecid,
      decreased the brain concentrations to 352.4 +/- 44.5 and 70.9 +/- 7.0 pmol/g,
      respectively. In addition, in vitro uptake studies showed that at 100 MUM prodrug
      1 had 3.4-fold and 4.5-fold higher uptake rate into neurons and astrocytes,
      respectively, compared to its parent drug. Thus, the prodrugs enhance
      significantly the therapeutic potential of the parent drugs for the treatment of
      disorders of central nervous system in which neuroinflammation is involved.

PMID- 27266991
TI  - Anatomical Effects of Axillary Nodes Dissection on Rat Lymphatic System Model:
      Indocyanine Green Mapping and Dissection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Axillary nodes dissection (AND) is an important risk factor for the
      appearance of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). The anatomy and
      pathophysiology leading to the development of BCRL after AND are not completely
      understood. Despite the existence of lymphedema models after AND, none of them
      were able to create lymphedemas without additional chemical inflammatory drugs or
      auxiliary physical techniques (radiotherapy). In this study, we aimed to describe
      the anatomical changes of AND on a rat's front leg before and after a new surgery
      technique. METHODS AND RESULTS: AND was performed on seven Wistar rats with a
      new, posterior surgical approach. Indocyanine green mapping was done before and
      after surgery to detect "normal and secondary superficial lymphatic pathways" of
      the operated rat's front legs. Twelve months after surgery, dissections were
      performed. Subcutaneous blue dye injection of the hand was used to observe
      superficial and deep lymphatic pathways. Postsurgery, an acute edema of arm and
      shoulder appeared and persisted for 14-21 days. However, none of the rats showed
      a chronic secondary lymphedema. In two cases, seromas also appeared. All rats
      showed substitution functional lymphatic pathways as perforating lymph vessels
      around the surgical sites. CONCLUSION: This is the first description of
      perforating lymph vessels as lymphatic substitution pathways after AND on rats.
      These results help to understand why a chronic secondary lymphedema could not be
      created in rats after AND without additional chemical or physical interventions.

PMID- 27266993
TI  - Pressure Controlled Chemical Gardens.
AB  - The dissolution of metal salts in silicate solution can result in the growth of
      hollow precipitate tubes. These "chemical gardens" are a model of self
      organization far from the equilibrium and create permanent macroscopic
      structures. The reproducibility of the growth process is greatly improved if the
      solid salt seed is replaced by a salt solution that is steadily injected by a
      pump; however, this modification of the original experiment eliminates the
      membrane-based osmotic pump at the base of conventional chemical gardens and does
      not allow for analyses in terms of the involved pressure. Here we describe a new
      experimental method that delivers the salt solution according to a controlled
      hydrostatic pressure. In one form of the experiment, this pressure slowly
      decreases as zinc sulfate solution flows into the silicate-containing reaction
      vessel, whereas a second version holds the respective solution heights constant.
      In addition to three known growth regimes (jetting, popping, budding), we observe
      single tubes that fill the vessel in a horizontally undulating but vertically
      layered fashion (crowding). The resulting, dried product has a cylindrical shape,
      very low density, and one continuous connection from top to bottom. We also
      present phase diagrams of these growth modes and show that the flow
      characteristics of our experiments follow a reaction-independent Hagen-Poiseuille
      equation. 

PMID- 27266994
TI  - A new regulatory mechanism controlling carotenogenesis in the fungus Mucor
      circinelloides as a target to generate beta-carotene over-producing strains by
      genetic engineering.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carotenoids are natural pigments with antioxidant properties that
      have important functions in human physiology and must be supplied through the
      diet. They also have important industrial applications as food colourants, animal
      feed additives and nutraceuticals. Some of them, such as beta-carotene, are
      produced on an industrial scale with the use of microorganisms, including fungi.
      The mucoral Blakeslea trispora is used by the industry to produce beta-carotene,
      although optimisation of production by molecular genetic engineering is
      unfeasible. However, the phylogenetically closely related Mucor circinelloides,
      which is also able to accumulate beta-carotene, possesses a vast collection of
      genetic tools with which to manipulate its genome. RESULTS: This work combines
      classical forward and modern reverse genetic techniques to deepen the regulation
      of carotenoid synthesis and generate candidate strains for biotechnological
      production of beta-carotene. Mutagenesis followed by screening for mutants with
      altered colour in the dark and/or in light led to the isolation of 26 mutants
      that, together with eight previously isolated mutants, have been analysed in this
      work. Although most of the mutants harboured mutations in known structural and
      regulatory carotenogenic genes, eight of them lacked mutations in those genes.
      Whole-genome sequencing of six of these strains revealed the presence of many
      mutations throughout their genomes, which makes identification of the mutation
      that produced the phenotype difficult. However, deletion of the crgA gene, a well
      known repressor of carotenoid biosynthesis in M. circinelloides, in two mutants
      (MU206 and MU218) with high levels of beta-carotene resulted in a further
      increase in beta-carotene content to differing extents with respect to the crgA
      single-null strain; in particular, one strain derived from MU218 was able to
      accumulate up to 4 mg/g of beta-carotene. The additive effect of crgA deletion
      and the mutations present in MU218 suggests the existence of a previously unknown
      regulatory mechanism that represses carotenoid biosynthesis independently and in
      parallel to crgA. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a mucoral model such as M.
      circinelloides can allow the identification of the regulatory mechanisms that
      control carotenoid biosynthesis, which can then be manipulated to generate
      tailored strains of biotechnological interest. Mutants in the repressor crgA and
      in the newly identified regulatory mechanism generated in this work accumulate
      high levels of beta-carotene and are candidates for further improvements in
      biotechnological beta-carotene production.

PMID- 27266992
TI  - Experimental psychopathology paradigms for alcohol use disorders: Applications
      for translational research.
AB  - In spite of high prevalence and disease burden, scientific consensus on the
      etiology and treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) has yet to be reached. The
      development and utilization of experimental psychopathology paradigms in the
      human laboratory represents a cornerstone of AUD research. In this review, we
      describe and critically evaluate the major experimental psychopathology paradigms
      developed for AUD, with an emphasis on their implications, strengths, weaknesses,
      and methodological considerations. Specifically we review alcohol administration,
      self-administration, cue-reactivity, and stress-reactivity paradigms. We also
      provide an introduction to the application of experimental psychopathology
      methods to translational research including genetics, neuroimaging,
      pharmacological and behavioral treatment development, and translational science.
      Through refining and manipulating key phenotypes of interest, these experimental
      paradigms have the potential to elucidate AUD etiological factors, improve the
      efficiency of treatment developments, and refine treatment targets thus advancing
      precision medicine.

PMID- 27266995
TI  - Accuracy Assessment of Immediate and Delayed Implant Placements Using CAD/CAM
      Surgical Guides.
AB  - The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of immediately placed implants
      using Anatomage Invivo5 computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing
      (CAD/CAM) surgical guides and compare the accuracy to delayed implant placement
      protocol. Patients who had implants placed using Anatomage Invivo5 CAD/CAM
      surgical guides during the period of 2012-2015 were evaluated retrospectively.
      Patients who received immediate implant placements and/or delayed implant
      placements replacing 1-2 teeth were included in this study. Pre- and postsurgical
      images were superimposed to evaluate deviations at the crest, apex, and angle. A
      total of 40 implants placed in 29 patients were included in this study. The
      overall mean deviations measured at the crest, apex, and angle were 0.86 mm, 1.25
      mm, and 3.79 degrees , respectively. The means for the immediate group deviations
      were: crest = 0.85 mm, apex = 1.10, and angle = 3.49 degrees . The means for the
      delayed group deviations were: crest = 0.88 mm, apex = 1.59, and angle = 4.29
      degrees . No statistically significant difference was found at the crest and
      angle; however, there was a statistically significant difference between the
      immediate and delayed group at the apex, with the immediate group presenting more
      accurate placements at the apical point than the delayed group. CAD/CAM surgical
      guides can be reliable tools to accurately place implants immediately and/or in a
      delayed fashion. No statistically significant differences were found between the
      delayed and the immediate group at the crest and angle, however apical position
      was more accurate in the immediate group.

PMID- 27266996
TI  - Experimental Proof for the Role of Nonlinear Photoionization in Plasmonic
      Phototherapy.
AB  - Targeting individual cells within a heterogeneous tissue is a key challenge in
      cancer therapy, encouraging new approaches for cancer treatment that complement
      the shortcomings of conventional therapies. The highly localized interactions
      triggered by focused laser beams promise great potential for targeting single
      cells or small cell clusters; however, most laser-tissue interactions often
      involve macroscopic processes that may harm healthy nearby tissue and reduce
      specificity. Specific targeting of living cells using femtosecond pulses and
      nanoparticles has been demonstrated promising for various potential therapeutic
      applications including drug delivery via optoporation, drug release, and
      selective cell death. Here, using an intense resonant femtosecond pulse and cell
      specific gold nanorods, we show that at certain irradiation parameters cell death
      is triggered by nonlinear plasmonic photoionization and not by thermally driven
      processes. The experimental results are supported by a physical model for the
      pulse-particle-medium interactions. A good correlation is found between the
      calculated total number and energy of the generated free electrons and the
      observed cell death, suggesting that femtosecond photoionization plays the
      dominant role in cell death.

PMID- 27266997
TI  - Design and synthesis of N-(5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-(R)-1,2,3,4
      tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamides as novel Hsp90 inhibitors.
AB  - Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an attractive chemotherapeutic target for
      antitumor drug development. Herein, we reported the design and synthesis of two
      series of novel N-(5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline
      3- carboxamides as Hsp90 inhibitors using (S)-Tic (1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline
      3- carboxylic acid) (A1-13) and (R)-Tic (B1-13) as scaffold, respectively.
      Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) screening showed that compounds B1-13 with
      (R)-Tic scaffold exhibited potent ability to stabilize Hsp90alpha. Compound B7
      showed not only the most potent ability to induce thermal stabilization of
      Hsp90alpha but also the strongest cytotoxicity. The IC50 values of B7 were 0.98
      MUM and 1.74 MUM against the proliferation of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and
      human cervical cancer HeLa cell lines, respectively. Moreover, CETSA melt and
      ITDRFCETSA (isothermal dose-response fingerprint) curves confirmed that B7 bound
      to Hsp90alpha in 293T cells. Western blotting results indicated that B7 induced
      the degradation of Hsp90 clients CDK4, Her2, Cdc-2 and C-raf. In addition,
      docking and Molecular dynamics (MD) refinement of the B7-Hsp90 complex showed
      that the binding model of B7 to Hsp90 was similar with that of 8-benzyladenines.
      The overall properties warrant compound B7 a promising lead for the development
      of Hsp90 inhibitor antitumor drugs. 

PMID- 27266998
TI  - Design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of multitarget-directed ligands
      with both serotonergic subtype 4 receptor (5-HT4R) partial agonist and 5-HT6R
      antagonist activities, as potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4R) activation and blockade of the 5-HT6 receptor (5-HT6R)
      are known to enhance the release of numerous neurotransmitters whose depletion is
      implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Furthermore, 5-HT4R agonists seem to
      favor production of the neurotrophic soluble amyloid protein precursor alpha
      (sAPPalpha). Consequently, combining 5-HT4R agonist/5-HT6R antagonist activities
      in a single chemical compound would constitute a novel approach able to display
      both a symptomatic and disease-modifying effect in AD. Seventeen novel
      derivatives of RS67333 (1) were synthesized and evaluated as potential dual
      target compounds. Among them, four agents showed nanomolar and submicromolar
      affinities toward 5-HT4R and 5-HT6R, respectively; one of them, 7m, was selected
      on the basis of its in vitro affinity (Ki5-HT4R = 5.3 nM, Ki5-HT6R = 219 nM) for
      further in vivo experiments, where 7m showed an antiamnesic effect in the mouse
      at 1 mg/kg ip. 

PMID- 27266999
TI  - Development of 4,5-dihydro-benzodiazepinone derivatives as a new chemical series
      of BRD4 inhibitors.
AB  - Bromodomains (BRDs) are protein interaction modules that selectively recognize
      epsilon -N-lysine residues, serving as key epigenetic readers and play a key role
      in epigenetic regulation of gene transcription. Bromodomain-containing protein 4
      (BRD4), a protein containing two BRDs termed BD1 and BD2, has emerged as an
      attractive candidate for the development of inhibitors targeting gene
      transcription in several types of cancers. In this study, we made structural
      modifications of previously reported BRD4 inhibitors, to develop new chemical
      scaffold 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-one. Four series of compounds (compounds 7
      10) were synthesized, and the BRD4-inhibitory activity and anti-proliferative
      effect of these compounds were evaluated. We found compound 10d has remarkable
      anti-proliferative activities toward leukemia cells and could induce apoptosis by
      mitochondrial pathways. Notably, the analysis of molecular docking suggested that
      hydrophobic interaction was essential for compound 10d to bind to BD1. In
      conclusion, these results demonstrate the potential of compound 10d to be
      utilized as a BRD4 inhibitor with apoptosis inducing effect in future leukemia
      therapy. 

PMID- 27267000
TI  - Synthesis, antiarrhythmic activity, and toxicological evaluation of mexiletine
      analogues.
AB  - Four mexiletine analogues have been tested for their antiarrhythmic, inotropic,
      and chronotropic effects on isolated guinea pig heart tissues and to assess
      calcium antagonist activity, in comparison with the parent compound mexiletine.
      All analogues showed from moderate to high antiarrhythmic activity. In
      particular, three of them (1b,c,e) were more active and potent than the reference
      drug, while exhibiting only modest or no negative inotropic and chronotropic
      effects and vasorelaxant activity, thus showing high selectivity of action. All
      compounds showed no cytotoxicity and 1b,c,d did not impair motor coordination.
      All in, these new analogues exhibit an interesting cardiovascular profile and
      deserve further investigation. 

PMID- 27267001
TI  - A series of pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-3(4H)-one derivatives as aldose reductase
      inhibitors with antioxidant activity.
AB  - A series of pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-3(4H)-one based derivatives were designed as
      inhibitors of aldose reductase (ALR2), the enzyme which plays a key role in the
      development of diabetes complications as well as in the oxidative stress
      processes associated with diabetes and other pathologies. Most of the
      derivatives, having a substituted C2 aromatic group and a N4 acetic acid group on
      the core structure, were found to be potent and selective aldose reductase
      inhibitors with submicromolar IC50 values, and 9c was the most active with IC50
      value 0.009 MUM. Particularly, a number of the designed compounds bearing
      phenolic hydroxyl substituted C2-styryl side chain showed excellent not only in
      ALR2 inhibition but also in antioxidant, and among these 11i was proved to be the
      top one with an antioxidant ability even comparable to that of the well-known
      antioxidant Trolox. Structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies
      highlighted the importance of phenolic hydroxyl substituents and vinyl spacer in
      C2 side chain of the scaffold for the construction of efficient and
      multifunctional ALR2 inhibitors. 

PMID- 27267002
TI  - Hit to lead optimization of a series of N-[4-(1,3-benzothiazol-2
      yl)phenyl]acetamides as monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors with potential
      anticancer activity.
AB  - A total of thirty five new N-[4-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)phenyl]acetamide
      derivatives were synthesized and structures of all the compounds were confirmed
      on the basis of elemental analysis and collective use of IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR
      and mass spectral data. Compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit human
      monoacylglycerol lipase (hMAGL) enzyme. Eight compounds 4, 19-21, 24-26, and 34
      reduced the hMAGL activity less than 50% at 100 nM concentrations. The halogen
      substituted aniline derivatives 20, 21 and 24-26 were found to be most active
      among all the synthesized compounds having IC50 value in the range of 6.5-9 nM.
      Twenty five compounds were selected by NCI, USA for one dose anticancer
      screening. Compound 21 (NSC: 780167) and 24 (NSC: 780168) fulfilled prearranged
      doorstep growth inhibition criteria and further selected for NCI full panel five
      dose assay at 10-fold dilutions of five different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1,
      10 and 100 MUM). Both the compounds 21 and 24 were found to be most active
      against MCF7 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell lines. The GI50 value of 32.5 nM
      (MCF7) and 23.8 nM (MDA-MB-468) was observed for compound 21. Compound 24 showed
      GI50 values of 37.1 nM against MCF7 breast cancer cell line and 25.1 nM against
      MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line. 

PMID- 27267003
TI  - Do cinnamylideneacetophenones have antioxidant properties and a protective effect
      toward the oxidation of phosphatidylcholines?
AB  - Cinnamylideneacetophenones (CA) are an important group of alpha,beta,gamma,delta
      diunsaturated ketones that have been widely used in a variety of synthetic
      transformations. Biological studies concerning these compounds are scarce and
      refer mainly to antiviral and antibacterial evaluations. Curcumin (CR), a natural
      polyphenol, is a yellow pigment extracted from the plant Curcuma longa, which is
      one of the major spices used in the Indian culinary. It has been reported that CR
      has cancer chemopreventive properties in a range of animal models of chemical
      carcinogenesis, along with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.
      Inspired by the biological activity shown by CR and their structural resemblance
      with CA, it was considered to study the ability of the latter molecules to
      inhibit lipid oxidation induced by the hydroxyl radical (Fenton reaction) by
      electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) using phosphatidylcholine
      (PC) liposomes as a model of cell membrane. Compound 4, holding a methylated
      hydroxy group in the position R(2), and CR showed similar effects in inhibiting
      lipid peroxidation. In the presence of 7, the extension of oxidation was higher
      than the one verified in all other compounds. Other methodologies, namely DPPH
      radical scavenging and oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assays, were
      performed to complement and clarify the results attained by oxidation of PC
      monitored by ESI-MS and to evaluate the antioxidant profile of compounds. For
      both assays, compound 7 showed to be rather efficient due to its specific
      structure. This derivative can form a quite stable allylic radical by abstraction
      of a hydrogen atom which accounts for these results. 

PMID- 27267004
TI  - 4-Phenylureido/thioureido-substituted 2,2-dimethylchroman analogs of cromakalim
      bearing a bulky 'carbamate' moiety at the 6-position as potent inhibitors of
      glucose-sensitive insulin secretion.
AB  - The synthesis of 2,2-dimethylchromans bearing a 3/4-chloro/cyano-substituted
      phenylureido or phenylthioureido moiety at the 4-position and an
      alkoxycarbonylamino ('carbamate') group at the 6-position is described. These new
      analogs of the potassium channel opener (+/-)-cromakalim were further tested on
      rat pancreatic islets as putative inhibitors of insulin release and on rat aorta
      rings as putative vasorelaxants. All compounds inhibited insulin secretion and
      induced a myorelaxant activity. Compound 14o [R/S-N-3-cyanophenyl-N'-(6-tert
      butoxycarbonylamino-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-4-yl)urea; BPDZ 711]
      emerged as the most potent inhibitor of the glucose-sensitive insulin releasing
      process (IC50 = 0.24 MUM) and displayed selectivity towards the pancreatic
      endocrine tissue. Radioisotopic, fluorimetric and pharmacological investigations
      were performed on rat pancreatic islet and rat vascular smooth muscle cells in
      order to decipher its mechanism of action. Our findings suggest that the
      mechanism of action of 14o is rather unspecific. The compound behaves as a KATP
      channel opener, a Ca(2+) entry blocker, and promotes an intracellular calcium
      translocation. 

PMID- 27267005
TI  - Structural optimization of pyridine-type DAPY derivatives to exploit the tolerant
      regions of the NNRTI binding pocket.
AB  - Based on the crystallographic studies of diarylpyrimidines (DAPYs), we embarked
      on incorporating the hydrophilic piperidyl or morpholinyl group into the known
      DAPY derivatives bearing the pyridine moiety as a core structure, with the double
      aim to exploit additional interactions with the HIV-1 NNRTI binding pocket
      (NNIBP), as well as to improve the compound solubility. The antiviral evaluation
      result show that the most potent compounds I-8b2, I-8b3, I-8b4 and I-8c3
      exhibited anti-HIV-1 (IIIB) strain activity ranging from 7.4 nM to 9.4 nM (SI =
      168-1283), superior to FDA-approved drugs of nevirapine (NVP), lamivudine (3TC)
      and delavirdine (DLV), and comparable to etravirine (ETV), zidovudine (AZT) and
      efavirenz (EFV). Additionally, compounds I-8c2 and I-8c3 showed moderate activity
      against NNRTI resistant strains baring mutations K103N and Y181C with EC50 values
      of 6.2 MUM and 6.8 MUM, respectively. Preliminary structure-activity
      relationships (SARs), reverse transcriptase inhibition efficacy and molecular
      modeling of selected compounds are also presented. These outcomes support our
      design hypothesis and demonstrate that the piperidyl group modified pyridine
      typed DAPY derivatives are highly potent NNRTIs with improved water solubility. 

PMID- 27267006
TI  - Nitrobenzofurazan derivatives of N'-hydroxyamidines as potent inhibitors of
      indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1.
AB  - Tryptophan metabolism through the kynurenine pathway is considered as a crucial
      mechanism in immune tolerance. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) plays a key
      role in tryptophan catabolism in the immune system and it is also considered as
      an important therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer and other diseases
      that are linked with kynurenine pathway. In this study, a series of
      nitrobenzofurazan derivatives of N'-hydroxybenzimidamides (1) and N'-hydroxy-2
      phenylacetimidamides (2) were synthesized and their inhibitory activities against
      human IDO1 enzyme were tested using in-vitro and cellular enzyme activity assay.
      The optimization leads to the identification of potent compounds, 1d, 2i and 2k
      (IC50 = 39-80 nM), which are either competitive or uncompetitive inhibitors of
      IDO1 enzyme. These compounds also showed IDO1 inhibition potencies in the
      nanomolar range (IC50 = 50-71 nM) in MDA-MB-231 cells with no/negligible amount
      of cytotoxicity. The stronger selectivity of the potent compounds for IDO1 enzyme
      over tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) enzyme (312-1593-fold) also makes them very
      attractive for further immunotherapeutic applications. 

PMID- 27267007
TI  - New cinnamic - N-benzylpiperidine and cinnamic - N,N-dibenzyl(N-methyl)amine
      hybrids as Alzheimer-directed multitarget drugs with antioxidant, cholinergic,
      neuroprotective and neurogenic properties.
AB  - Here we describe new families of multi-target directed ligands obtained by
      linking antioxidant cinnamic-related structures with N-benzylpiperidine (NBP) or
      N,N-dibenzyl(N-methyl)amine (DBMA) fragments. Resulting hybrids, in addition to
      their antioxidant and neuroprotective properties against mitochondrial oxidative
      stress, are active at relevant molecular targets in Alzheimer's disease, such as
      cholinesterases (hAChE and hBuChE) and monoamine oxidases (hMAO-A and hMAO-B).
      Hybrids derived from umbellic - NBP (8), caffeic - NBP (9), and ferulic - DBMA
      (12) displayed balanced biological profiles, with IC50s in the low-micromolar and
      submicromolar range for hChEs and hMAOs, and an antioxidant potency comparable to
      vitamin E. Moreover, the caffeic - NBP hybrid 9 is able to improve the
      differentiation of adult SGZ-derived neural stem cells into a neuronal phenotype
      in vitro. 

PMID- 27267008
TI  - Preoperative Assessment of Risk Factors.
AB  - Hemostasis is essential during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. Patients
      must be adequately assessed for bleeding risk to appropriately consent to
      surgery. The patient and the surgeon must be aware of the individual bleeding
      risk for a given procedure. A thorough history and physical examination is the
      best screening methodology available to determine whether a patient requires
      further hematologic work-up. Included in this assessment should be any
      medications and herbals that the patient consumes. This ensures a safe evaluation
      of the patient, streamlines appropriate consultation and testing when necessary,
      and confers accurate surgical risk assessment. 

PMID- 27267009
TI  - Anesthetic Techniques in Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery.
AB  - Endoscopic sinus approach has become one of the most common surgical techniques
      for endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. Anesthetic management has an
      important impact on the overall patient management, from the preoperative
      assessment and management to the quality of the surgical field and the
      postoperative recovery. Hemostasis is critical for adequate anatomical endoscopic
      visualization. Mild controlled hypotension seems to improve the visibility of the
      surgical field. Reduction of intraoperative bleeding should be considered during
      the treatment planning. Preoperative preparations include the optimization of
      comorbidities and cessation of drugs that may inhibit coagulation. 

PMID- 27267011
TI  - Quality Control Approach to Anticoagulants and Transfusion.
AB  - Quality can be defined by processes of care and by the characteristics of the
      care and its outcomes. In terms of blood loss and transfusion, otolaryngologists
      should be aware of available guidelines, standards for use of blood products,
      devices and hemostatic agents, outcomes metrics relevant to patients, and tools
      for implementing quality improvements. This article reviews the definition of
      health care quality, and discusses the data regarding anticoagulant medications
      (particularly new oral anticoagulants) and guidelines for blood product
      transfusion. A brief outline of quality tools is provided to help
      otolaryngologists create quality plans for themselves and their
      institutions/systems. 

PMID- 27267010
TI  - Blood-Sparing Techniques in Head and Neck Surgery.
AB  - Given the risks and potential complications of allogenic blood transfusion (ABT),
      as well as the expanding population of patients for whom ABT may not be an
      option, it is important for the treating physician, anesthesiologist, and surgeon
      to be well-versed in various alternatives. A good grasp of the concepts discussed
      in this article will help to customize a treatment plan that is specific to each
      patient's underlying disease and personal preferences without compromising
      appropriate medical care. 

PMID- 27267012
TI  - Surgical Adhesives in Facial Plastic Surgery.
AB  - In facial plastic surgery, attaining hemostasis may require adjuncts to
      traditional surgical techniques. Fibrin tissue adhesives have broad applications
      in surgery and are particularly useful when addressing the soft tissue
      encountered in facial plastic surgery. Beyond hemostasis, tissue adhesion and
      enhanced wound healing are reported benefits associated with a decrease in
      operating time, necessity for drains and pressure dressings, and incidence of
      wound healing complications. These products are clinically accessible to most
      physicians who perform facial plastic surgery, including skin grafts, flaps,
      rhytidectomy, and endoscopic forehead lift. 

PMID- 27267013
TI  - Hemostasis in Pediatric Surgery.
AB  - Hemostasis is an important concept in pediatric otolaryngologic surgery. This
      article details the considerations the otolaryngologist should take when it comes
      to clinical evaluation and surgical technique. It begins with the preoperative
      evaluation, and evolves into the use of different mechanical and chemical methods
      of operative hemostasis. We detail use of different hemostatic techniques in
      common pediatric procedures, and finally, we discuss indications for
      intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusion in pediatric patients if the
      surgeon encounters significant intraoperative hemorrhage. This paper gives a
      comprehensive look into the hemostatic considerations for the pediatric patient
      through the preoperative to postoperative period. 

PMID- 27267015
TI  - Surgical Management of Severe Epistaxis.
AB  - Many patients with severe epistaxis benefit from endoscopic intervention for
      control of bleeding. Critical maneuvers to improve endoscopic visualization
      during surgery include head-of-bed elevation, application of topical
      vasoconstrictors, and local injection of vasonstrictors. Controlled, hypotensive
      anesthesia may also decrease intraoperative blood loss and improve visualization
      during surgery. Intractable posterior epistaxis can be controlled with high rates
      of success with endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation. Although less common,
      intractable anterior epistaxis may be controlled by anterior ethmoid artery
      ligation once this artery is identified as the primary source. Less common
      sources of severe epistaxis are also discussed in this article. 

PMID- 27267014
TI  - Hemostasis in Tonsillectomy.
AB  - Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed procedure with an accepted risk of
      posttonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) approaching 5%, but catastrophic effects of
      hemorrhage are exceedingly rare. A variety of surgical techniques and hemostatic
      agents have been used to reduce the rate of hemorrhage, although none eliminate
      the risk. Numerous patient, surgical, and postoperative care factors have been
      studied for an association with PTH. The most consistent risk factors for PTH
      seem to be patient age and coagulopathies. Surgeon skill and surgical technique
      are most consistently associated with primary PTH. 

PMID- 27267016
TI  - Treatment of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia-Related Epistaxis.
AB  - Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disease with
      an incidence of 1:5000. Recurrent, spontaneous epistaxis is the most common
      presenting symptom. Severity of epistaxis varies widely, from mild, self-limited
      nosebleeds to severe, life-threatening nasal hemorrhage. Treatment of HHT-related
      epistaxis presents a challenge to the otolaryngologist due to the recurrent,
      persistent nature of epistaxis often requiring multiple treatments. Treatment
      modalities range from conservative topical therapies to more aggressive surgical
      treatments. 

PMID- 27267017
TI  - Hemostasis in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.
AB  - Intraoperative bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery poses an additional
      dimension to an already technically challenging surgical approach because of the
      narrow sinonasal surgical field, single working hand, and the use of endoscopic
      instruments. Poor visualization is one of the most important factors that
      increase the risk of intraoperative complications such as inadvertent injury to
      major vessels and nerves, and incomplete surgery. This article provide a logical
      approach to improving the surgical field, minimizing risk of inadvertent vascular
      injury, and managing intraoperative bleeding. 

PMID- 27267018
TI  - Hemostasis in Skull Base Surgery.
AB  - Having absolute hemostasis is crucial in skull base surgery, because bleeding
      decreases visualization and increases the risk of postoperative complications.
      Achieving hemostasis starts from the preoperative evaluation. A thorough clinical
      history and routine tests guide the surgeon to minimize bleeding risk
      preoperatively, and comprehensive study of preoperative images helps the surgeon
      to predict bleeding risk and to consider preoperative embolization in suitable
      cases. Many hemostatic agents are available to control intraoperative bleeding;
      understanding of their indications and properties is crucial to achieve
      hemostasis. Whether endoscopic or transcranial approach, microsurgical techniques
      to avoid and control bleeding are the same. 

PMID- 27267019
TI  - Hemostasis in Airway Surgery: Adult and Pediatric.
AB  - Surgical bleeding is an unlikely, but potentially devastating, event during the
      surgical management of pediatric and adult laryngotracheal disorders. Therefore,
      an intimate knowledge of the anatomy of the large vessels coursing in the
      vicinity of the airway is imperative. Anatomic variants in the position of the
      inominate artery or the superior thyroid artery can place individuals with these
      variations at particular risk in these cases. Delayed bleeding from an inominate
      artery fistula is a particularly devastating complication from open airway
      surgery. A high index of suspicion is necessary to allow for early identification
      and aggressive treatment of this potential complication. 

PMID- 27267020
TI  - Hemostasis in Laryngeal Surgery.
AB  - The larynx is a highly vascularized organ supplied by the superior and inferior
      laryngeal arteries. Both microphonosurgery and external laryngeal surgery require
      excellent hemostasis. Topical agents including adrenalin and fibrin-based
      products as well as surgical instrumentation, such as coagulation devices or in
      some cases embolization, are in the surgeon's armamentarium and facilitate
      efficient and successful surgery. 

PMID- 27267021
TI  - Hemostatic Options for Transoral Robotic Surgery of the Pharynx and Base of
      Tongue.
AB  - Surgery with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) offers significant advantages
      compared with traditional open surgical approaches and potentially minimizes the
      long-term side effects of organ preservation therapy with chemoradiation. Angled
      telescopes and wristed instruments allow visualization and access to areas of the
      pharynx that are difficult to reach with line-of-sight instrumentation. Although
      the application of TORS in head and neck surgery has expanded considerably, there
      are still only limited data available on the postoperative complications and
      their management. As further data become available, it is likely that further
      risk factors and treatment strategies will become available. 

PMID- 27267022
TI  - Thyroidectomy Hemostasis.
AB  - Total thyroidectomy has significantly changed over the years from a morbid
      procedure to one that is performed routinely on an outpatient basis. This article
      reviews the history of thyroid surgery with regard to hemostasis, discusses
      surgical vascular anatomy, and describes the methods of hemostasis. It compares
      traditional hemostatic surgical techniques with newer techniques such as the
      Harmonic Scalpel and LigaSure hand pieces. The use of adjunctive hemostatic
      agents and indications for a drain in thyroid are discussed. 

PMID- 27267023
TI  - Hemostasis in Otologic and Neurotologic Surgery.
AB  - Hemostasis is a critical component of otologic and neurotologic surgery. In these
      surgeries the surgical field is small; thus, even a small amount of bleeding can
      obstruct the view of critical and extremely small structures. Additionally,
      relatively large vascular structures traverse the area; if they are encroached on
      by trauma or disease, bleeding must be controlled within a very small space in a
      meticulous fashion that does not encroach on structures of the middle ear and
      mastoid. The authors discuss several hemostatic agents in the middle ear,
      mastoid, and lateral skull base, highlighting their origins, mechanisms,
      advantages, and complications. 

PMID- 27267024
TI  - Hemostasis in Orbital Surgery.
AB  - This article highlights the major vascular supply of the orbit and structures
      supplied by these vessels. Key anatomic principles are then reviewed as they
      pertain to endoscopic orbital surgery in order to avoid serious orbital
      hemorrhages. Next, preoperative planning and patient education are outlined as
      well as description of orbital compartment syndrome. This is followed by
      discussion of various techniques for managing orbital hemorrhage in the
      intraoperative and postoperative setting. 

PMID- 27267025
TI  - Managing Vascular Tumors-Open Approaches.
AB  - The most common vascular tumors encountered by the otolaryngologist are rare
      chromaffin cell tumors termed paragangliomas. Within the head and neck region,
      they commonly arise from the carotid body, vagus nerve (glomus vagale), and
      jugular vein (glomus jugulare). Other vascular head and neck tumors include
      sinonasal malignancies, because of proximity to or involvement of the pterygoid
      plexus as well as the rich vascularity of the sinonasal mucosa; juvenile
      nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, a vascular tumor of male adolescents; unusual
      vascular tumors such as hemangiopericytoma; and metastatic renal cell cancer,
      which has a proclivity for an unusually rich blood supply. 

PMID- 27267026
TI  - Endoscopic Management of Vascular Sinonasal Tumors, Including Angiofibroma.
AB  - The greatest challenge in the surgical treatment of angiofibromas is dealing with
      the hypervascularity of these tumors. Staging systems that take into account the
      vascularity of the tumor may be more prognostic. A variety of treatment
      strategies are used to deal with the vascularity of angiofibromas, including
      preoperative embolization, segmentation of the tumor into vascular territories,
      use of hemostatic tools, and staging of surgery. Even large angiofibromas with
      intracranial extension and residual vascularity can be successfully managed by a
      skull base team using endoscopic techniques. 

PMID- 27267027
TI  - Management of Major Vascular Injury: Open.
AB  - Major blood vessels are in proximity to other vital structures in the neck and
      base of skull. Infections and tumors of the head and neck can invade vascular
      structures. Vascular injuries can lead to massive hemorrhage, cerebral ischemia,
      or stroke. Emergency and definitive management can be challenging. 

PMID- 27267028
TI  - Management of Major Vascular Injury During Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base
      Surgery.
AB  - A major vascular injury is the most feared complication of endoscopic sinus and
      skull base surgery. Risk factors for vascular injury are discussed, and an
      algorithm for management of a major vascular injury is presented. A team of
      surgeons (otolaryngology and neurosurgery) is important for identification and
      control of a major vascular injury applying basic principles of vascular control.
      A variety of techniques can be used to control a major injury, including
      coagulation, a muscle patch, sacrifice of the artery, and angiographic stenting.
      Immediate and close angiographic follow-up is critical to prevent and manage
      subsequent complications of vascular injury. 

PMID- 27267029
TI  - Management of Carotid Blowout from Radiation Necrosis.
AB  - Although the incidence of carotid blowout has decreased with the advent of better
      reconstructive techniques, it remains a real risk after major head and neck
      surgery, especially in an irradiated field. A systematic, multidisciplinary
      approach incorporating appropriate history and physical examination, adequate
      resuscitation, diagnostic computed tomography, and diagnostic and therapeutic
      angiography can manage most of these patients in a safe and effective manner.
      Surgery has a limited role in acute management, although surgical techniques are
      useful both for prevention of this problem and for wound management after carotid
      blowout. 

PMID- 27267030
TI  - Endovascular Management of Diseases in Relation to Otolaryngology.
AB  - Endovascular techniques can be utilized in many common otolaryngologic
      conditions. Advancements in in these techniques including but not limited to
      better distal access catheters, new embolization materials and stents allows this
      to be a relatively safe and successful procedure. Here we highlighted a few
      related procedures. 

PMID- 27267031
TI  - Education and Training in Hemostasis: Perspectives of the Early Practitioner and
      Expert Practitioner.
AB  - Hemorrhagic emergencies in otolaryngology can present significant challenges to
      the early practitioner. The development of procedural skills, clinical decision
      making, effective communication strategies, and leadership remain critical to
      ensuring positive patient outcomes. Procedural task trainers and simulation-based
      complex scenarios provide safe and effective learning environments for young
      practitioners to build confidence and develop such skills. This article reviews
      the principles of managing epistaxis and postoperative neck hematoma geared
      toward early learners by providing a road map for educators to use in simulation
      based curriculums. 

PMID- 27267032
TI  - Simulation Training for Vascular Emergencies in Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base
      Surgery.
AB  - Carotid artery injury during endonasal surgery is a feared and potentially
      catastrophic complication. Simulation training provides the opportunity for a
      realistic experience with management of major vascular injuries. The sheep model
      of carotid artery injury reproduces the challenges of dealing with vascular
      emergencies during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery, which include working
      in narrow nasal confines, high-flow/high-pressure vascular injury, and the
      immediately challenging surgical field. Simulated vascular emergencies allow for
      research and development; training using various surgical techniques to control
      the field, including hemostatic products or direct vascular closure techniques;
      and consequently improved patient care and outcomes. 

PMID- 27267033
TI  - Hemostasis in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

PMID- 27267037
TI  - Endothelin 1, ADMA and SDMA in pregnancies with obstetric and thrombotic
      antiphospholipid syndrome.

PMID- 27267039
TI  - Twisted and tubular silica structures by anionic surfactant fibers encapsulation.
AB  - Organic molecules imprinting can be used for introducing specific properties and
      functionalities such as chirality to mesoporous materials. Particularly organic
      self-assemblies can work as a scaffold for templating inorganic materials such as
      silica. During recent years chiral imprinting of anionic surfactant for
      fabrication of twisted rod-like silica structures assisted by co-structuring
      directing agent were thoroughly investigated. The organic self-assemblies of
      anionic surfactants can also be used for introducing other shapes in rod-like
      silica structures. Here we report the formation of amphiphilic N-miristoyl-l
      alanine self-assemblies in aqueous solution upon stirring and at presence of l
      arginine. These anionic surfactant self-assemblies form fibers that grow by
      increasing the stirring duration. The fibers were studied using transmission
      electron microscopy, infra-red spectroscopy and vibrational circular dichroism.
      Addition of silica precursor 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethylene and co-structuring
      directing agent N-trimethoxysilylpropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride at
      different stages of fibers' growth leads to formation of different silica
      structures. By controlling stirring duration, we obtained twisted tubular silica
      structures as a result of fibers encapsulation. We decorated these structures
      with gold nanoparticles by different methods and measured their optical activity.

PMID- 27267038
TI  - Risk factors for open-angle glaucoma in Nigeria: results from the Nigeria
      National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The glaucoma-specific blindness prevalence in Nigeria (0.7 %, 95 % CI
      0.6-0.9 %) among those aged >=40 years is one of the highest ever reported. This
      study determined the risk factors for open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in adults
      examined in the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey. METHODS:
      A nationally representative sample of 13,591 people aged >=40 years in 305
      clusters in Nigeria were examined (response rate 90.4 %) between January 2005 to
      June 2007. Everyone had logMAR visual acuity measurement, Frequency Doubling
      Technology (FDT) visual field testing, autorefraction, A-scan biometry and optic
      disc assessment. Full ocular examination (n = 6397), included Goldmann
      applanation tonometry. Values for defining glaucoma using International Society
      of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria were derived from the
      study population. Disc images were graded by Moorfields Eye Hospital Reading
      Centre. Socio-demographic factors (age, gender, ethnicity, literacy and place of
      residence), ocular parameters (intraocular pressure [IOP], axial length and mean
      ocular perfusion pressure [MOPP]) and systemic parameters (blood pressure, blood
      glucose and body mass index [BMI]) were assessed for association with OAG.
      RESULTS: Thirteen thousand eighty-one (96 %) of 13,591 participants had vertical
      cup:disc ratio measured in at least one eye. 682 eyes of 462 participants were
      classified as OAG, with 12,738 controls. In univariate analyses the following
      were associated with OAG: increasing age, male gender, Igbo and Yoruba ethnic
      groups, illiteracy, longer axial length, higher IOP, lower MOPP, greater severity
      of hypertension and low BMI (underweight). In multivariate analysis, increasing
      age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95 % CI 1.03-1.05), higher IOP (OR 1.22, 95 % CI 1.18
      1.25) and Igbo ethnicity (OR 1.73, 95 % CI 1.18-2.56) were independent risk
      factors for OAG. CONCLUSION: Case detection strategies for OAG should be improved
      for those aged >=40 years and for ethnic groups most at risk as a public health
      intervention.

PMID- 27267040
TI  - Wettability and spontaneous penetration of a water drop into hydrophobic pores.
AB  - The penetration of a water drop into hydrophobic pores reflects its instability
      on a porous surface. To understand the mechanism of penetration and to predict
      the behavior of such a drop, an investigation was conducted through experimental
      study combined theoretical analysis. Water drops with volumes from 0.5 to 15MUL
      were examined on Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates containing pores of
      800MUm and less in diameter. Results showed a critical condition at which a drop
      starts to penetrate into a certain sized pore. The critical condition presents a
      parabolic relationship between the volume of a water drop and the size of a
      hydrophobic pore. This behavior was due to a net force resulting from Laplace
      pressure, and capillary pressure. This force was found to be affected by the
      porosity, wetting angle, and there after the critical condition. The finding of
      this research will be beneficial for future design of structured surfaces. 

PMID- 27267042
TI  - Zirconium/PVA modified flat-sheet PVDF membrane as a cost-effective adsorptive
      and filtration material: A case study on decontamination of organic arsenic in
      aqueous solutions.
AB  - Organic arsenic in waters has been a global concern in drinking water due to its
      higher toxicity to humans. In this study, a novel zirconium/polyvinyl alcohol
      (PVA) modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane was applied to remove
      organic arsenic from water. The impregnation of zirconium ions within the
      modified membrane was attributed to the coordination reactions among the
      zirconium ions, ether and hydroxyl groups. The synthesized membrane worked better
      at the acidic conditions and achieved the optimal uptake for both
      monomethylarsonic (MMA) and dimethylarsinic (DMA) at pH 2.0. The adsorption
      isotherm study demonstrated that the adsorption of both organic arsenic species
      was controlled by the mono-layer adsorption process; the maximum adsorption
      capacities for MMA and DMA were 73.04 and 37.53mg/g at pH 2, and 29.78 and
      19.03mg/g at pH 7.0, respectively. The presence of humic acid had a negligible
      impact on the uptake of organic arsenic, whereas varying impacts on the arsenic
      adsorption were observed due to the presence of coexisting anions such as
      fluoride, phosphate, carbonate and silicate. A single piece of membrane with a
      surface area of only 12.56cm(2) could treat 7.5-L MMA and 4.1-L DMA solution with
      an influent concentration of about 100MUg/L to meet the WHO and USEPA standard of
      10MUg/L. Based on the XPS analyses, the ion exchange reaction between chloride
      ions on the membrane surface and organic arsenic species was responsible for the
      removal of both MMA and DMA. 

PMID- 27267041
TI  - Facile synthesis of hydroxyapatite/yeast biomass composites and their adsorption
      behaviors for lead (II).
AB  - For the first time, the hydroxyapatite (HAp)/yeast biomass composites were
      successfully synthesized through a facile alkaline ultrasound cavitation method,
      and used as a novel sorbent for removal of Pb(2+) from aqueous solution. The
      obtained HAp/yeast biomass composites were characterized by various techniques,
      including SEM, EDX, XRD, TGA, FTIR, XPS and fluorescence detection, respectively.
      It was found that the yeast cells were wrapped by the well-dispersed HAp, and
      more functional groups (such as carboxyl, hydroxyl and amino) on yeast surface
      were exposed. Also, varying factors that may affect the adsorption efficiency of
      HAp/yeast biomass composites, such as solution pH, reaction temperature and time,
      have been carefully investigated respectively. Remarkably, more than 99% of
      Pb(2+) can be removed by the HAp/yeast biomass composites. Evidence from FTIR and
      XPS analysis revealed that the higher removal efficiency should be ascribed to
      the synergetic effect of synthesized HAp and more functional groups exposed on
      yeast surface. 

PMID- 27267044
TI  - Clinical characteristics and outcomes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused
      by Enterobacter species versus Escherichia coli: a matched case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Enterobacter species are important nosocomial pathogens, and there is
      growing concern about their ability to develop resistance during antimicrobial
      therapy. However, few data are available on the clinical characteristics and
      outcomes of Enterobacter spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). METHODS: We
      retrospectively identified all patients with SBP caused by Enterobacter species
      admitted to a tertiary care hospital between January 1997 and December 2013. Each
      case was age- and sex-matched with four patients with Escherichia coli SBP.
      RESULTS: A total of 32 cases with Enterobacter SBP and 128 controls with E. coli
      SBP were included. Twenty-one (65.6 %) cases and 111 (86.7 %) controls had Child
      Pugh class C (P = 0.006). Cases were significantly more likely to have
      hepatocellular carcinoma (65.6 % vs. 37.5 %, P = 0.004) and upper
      gastrointestinal bleeding (28.1 % vs. 9.4 %, P = 0.005). The initial response to
      empirical therapy (81.3 % vs. 81.2 %, P = 0.995) and the 30-day mortality (37.5 %
      vs. 28.9 %, P = 0.35) were not significantly different between the groups. Drug
      resistance emerged in one case and in no controls (4.3 % [1/23] vs. 0 % [0/98], P
      = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with E. coli SBP, patients with Enterobacter SBP
      more frequently had hepatocellular carcinoma and upper gastrointestinal bleeding,
      yet clinical outcomes were comparable. Development of resistance during third
      generation cephalosporin therapy was infrequent in patients with Enterobacter
      SBP.

PMID- 27267043
TI  - The triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio as a
      predictor of insulin resistance but not of beta cell function in a Chinese
      population with different glucose tolerance status.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio
      was a surrogate marker of IR; however, the relationship of TG/HDL-C with IR might
      vary by ethnicity. This study aims to investigate whether lipid ratios-TG/HDL-C,
      cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio, low-density
      lipoprotein-cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C)) could
      be potential clinical markers of insulin resistance (IR) and beta cell function
      and further to explore the optimal cut-offs in a Chinese population with
      different levels of glucose tolerance. METHODS: Four hundred seventy-nine
      subjects without a history of diabetes underwent a 75 g 2 h Oral Glucose
      Tolerance Test (OGTT). New-onset diabetes (n = 101), pre-diabetes (n = 186), and
      normal glucose tolerance (n = 192) were screened. IR was defined by HOMA-IR >
      2.69. Based on indices (HOMA-beta, early-phase disposition index [DI30],
      (DeltaIns30/DeltaGlu30)/HOMA-IR and total-phase index [DI120]) that indicated
      different phases of insulin secretion, the subjects were divided into two groups,
      and the lower group was defined as having inadequate beta cell compensation.
      Logistic regression models and accurate estimates of the areas under receiver
      operating characteristic curves (AUROC) were obtained. RESULTS: In all of the
      subjects, TG/HDL, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and TG were significantly associated
      with IR. The AUROCs of TG/HDL-C and TG were 0.71 (95 % CI: 0.66-0.75) and 0.71
      (95 % CI: 0.65-0.75), respectively. The optimal cut-offs of TG/HDL-C and TG for
      IR diagnosis were 1.11 and 1.33 mmol/L, respectively. The AUROCs of TC/HDL-C and
      LDL-C/HDL-C were 0.66 and 0.65, respectively, but they were not acceptable for IR
      diagnosis. TG/HDL-C,LDL-C/HDL-C and TG were significantly associated with HOMA
      beta, but AUROCs were less than 0.50; therefore, the lipid ratios could not be
      predictors of basal beta cell dysfunction. None of the lipid ratios was
      associated with early-phase insulin secretion. Only TG/HDL-C and TG were
      significantly correlated with total-phase insulin secretion, but they also were
      not acceptable predictors of total-phase insulin secretion (0.60 < AUROC < 0.70).
      CONCLUSIONS: In a Chinese population with different levels of glucose tolerance,
      TG/HDL-C and TG could be the predictors of IR. The lipid ratios could not be
      reliable makers of beta cell function in the population.

PMID- 27267045
TI  - The Essential Role of Drp1 and Its Regulation by S-Nitrosylation of Parkin in
      Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration: Implications for Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - AIMS: Dysfunctional regulation of mitochondrial dynamics, which switches the
      balance to fission, is involved in neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD).
      Dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1), a key regulator of mitochondrial fission, has
      been attributed recently to such neurodegeneration in PD. However, the machinery
      that connects Drp1 to the pathophysiology of PD is unclear. RESULTS: We
      demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) was overproduced on 1-methyl-4
      phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) treatment, which subsequently engendered S
      nitrosylation of Parkin (SNO-Parkin), and thus decreased the interaction with
      Drp1, leading to elevated Drp1 expression. Consistent with this, Drp1 was
      elevated in the ventral midbrain of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
      (MPTP)-treated PD mouse models, a region usually affected by PD. Concomitantly,
      in a mouse model of MPTP-induced PD, both SNO-Parkin and Drp1 levels were
      increased, whereas no significant difference in SNO-Drp1 protein levels were
      found in these mice. In addition, NO stress, induced by MPP+, triggered the
      phosphorylation of Drp1 Ser616 and caused its subsequent recruitment to the
      mitochondria. These events create a death-prone environment that contributes to
      the loss of dopaminergic neurons. INNOVATION: We first showed that SNO-Parkin
      reduced its ability as a suppressor of Drp1 expression, leading to upregulation
      of Drp1 in neurotoxin-based PD models, in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Our
      results provide a molecular explanation for the contribution of Drp1 to the
      pathogenesis of sporadic PD. These findings indicate that the SNO-Parkin pathway
      may be a novel therapeutic target to treat PD. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 25, 609
      622.

PMID- 27267046
TI  - Can solid phase assays be better utilized to measure efficacy of antibody removal
      therapies?
AB  - Antibody removal therapies are used for patients with antibody-mediated-rejection
      or those requiring desensitization to become transplantable. Accurate measurement
      of antibody levels prior to, and during treatment, are required to choose the
      best therapeutic approach, and to provide measure of treatment efficacy.
      Currently, the FDA does not regard solid-phase assays for HLA-antibody
      identification as a reliable surrogate-marker for treatment efficacy. Serum
      samples from 40 patients (58 assays; >2200 positive data points) undergoing
      antibody-removal-therapies were tested as sample-pairs, pre- and post-treatment.
      MFI values of IgG and C1q single-antigen-bead assays were compared with antibody
      titer values (serial dilutions). Antibody reduction was tracked and the
      differences in pre-to-post-treatment values were calculated as delta-reduction of
      antibody levels. Dynamic patterns of titration studies reduced effects of serum
      inherent inhibitory factors (prozone-like); eliminated over-saturation
      limitations, and provided better estimation of antibody-binding strength compared
      with the other methods. Moreover, delta-reduction of antibody values using
      titration studies was significantly more uniform compared with either IgG or C1q
      tests. Analyzing antibody results using only C1q positive or only higher MFI
      values did not change the overall magnitude of results. Overall, titration
      studies provided better estimate of responsiveness to treatment and thus can
      serve as companion to monitoring efficacy of antibody-removal therapies. 

PMID- 27267047
TI  - Discrepancies between selected Pareto optimal plans and final deliverable plans
      in radiotherapy multi-criteria optimization.
AB  - Multi-criteria optimization provides decision makers with a range of clinical
      choices through Pareto plans that can be explored during real time navigation and
      then converted into deliverable plans. Our study shows that dosimetric
      differences can arise between the two steps, which could compromise the clinical
      choices made during navigation.

PMID- 27267048
TI  - Vaginal dose de-escalation in image guided adaptive brachytherapy for locally
      advanced cervical cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Vaginal stenosis is a major problem following radiotherapy in cervical
      cancer. We investigated a new dose planning strategy for vaginal dose de
      escalation (VDD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive locally advanced
      cervical cancer patients without lower or middle vaginal involvement at diagnosis
      from 3 institutions were analysed. External beam radiotherapy was combined with
      MRI-guided brachytherapy. VDD was obtained by decreasing dwell times in
      ovoid/ring and increasing dwell times in tandem/needles. The aim was to maintain
      the target dose (D90 of HR-CTV?85Gy EQD2) while reducing the dose to the surface
      of the vagina to <140% of the physical fractional brachytherapy dose
      corresponding to a total EQD2 of 85Gy. RESULTS: The mean vaginal loading
      (ovoid/ring) was reduced from 51% to 33% of the total loading with VDD, which
      significantly reduced the dose to the vaginal dose points (p<0.001) without
      compromising the target dose. The dose to the ICRU recto-vaginal point was
      reduced by a mean of 4+/-4Gy EQD2 (p<0.001), while doses to bladder and rectum
      (D2cm3) were reduced by 2+/-2Gy and 3+/-2Gy, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      VDD significantly reduces dose to the upper vagina which is expected to result in
      reduction of vaginal stenosis.

PMID- 27267051
TI  - Research culture in allied health: a systematic review.
AB  - Research evidence is required to guide optimal allied health practice and inform
      policymakers in primary health care. Factors that influence a positive research
      culture are not fully understood, and nor is the impact of a positive research
      culture on allied health professionals. The aim of this systematic review was to
      identify factors that affect allied health research culture and capacity. An
      extensive search of 11 databases was conducted in June 2015. Studies were
      included if they were published in English, had full-text availability and
      reported research findings relating to allied health professions. Study quality
      was evaluated using the McMaster Critical Review Forms. Fifteen studies were
      eligible for inclusion. A meta-analysis was not performed because of
      heterogeneity between studies. Allied health professionals perceive that their
      individual research skills are lower in comparison to their teams and
      organisation. Motivators for conducting research for allied health professionals
      include developing skills, increasing job satisfaction and career advancement.
      Barriers include a lack of time, limited research skills and other work roles
      taking priority. Multilayered strategies, such as collaborations with external
      partners and developing research leadership positions, aimed at addressing
      barriers and enablers, are important to enhance allied health research culture
      and capacity.

PMID- 27267049
TI  - Pre-treatment non-target lung FDG-PET uptake predicts symptomatic radiation
      pneumonitis following Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR).
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine if pre-treatment non-target lung FDG-PET uptake predicts
      for symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) following lung stereotactic ablative
      radiotherapy (SABR). METHODS: We reviewed a 258 patient database from our
      institution to identify 28 patients who experienced symptomatic (grade ? 2) RP
      after SABR, and compared them to 57 controls who did not develop symptomatic RP.
      We compared clinical, dosimetric and functional imaging characteristics between
      the 2 cohorts including pre-treatment non-target lung FDG-PET uptake. RESULTS:
      Median follow-up time was 26.9 months. Patients who experienced symptomatic RP
      had significantly higher non-target lung FDG-PET uptake as measured by mean SUV
      (p < 0.0001) than controls. ROC analysis for symptomatic RP revealed area under
      the curve (AUC) of 0.74, with sensitivity 82.1% and specificity 57.9% with cutoff
      mean non-target lung SUV > 0.56. Predictive value increased (AUC of 0.82) when
      mean non-target lung SUV was combined with mean lung dose (MLD). We developed a 0
      2 point model using these 2 variables, 1 point each for SUV > 0.56 or MLD > 5.88
      Gy equivalent dose in 2 Gy per fraction (EQD2), predictive for symptomatic RP in
      our cohort with hazard ratio 10.01 for score 2 versus 0 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with elevated pre-SABR non-target lung FDG-PET uptake are at increased
      risk of symptomatic RP after lung SABR. Our predictive model suggests patients
      with mean non-target lung SUV > 0.56 and MLD > 5.88 Gy EQD2 are at highest risk.
      Our predictive model should be validated in an external cohort before clinical
      implementation.

PMID- 27267050
TI  - KOTMIN13, a Korean herbal medicine alleviates allergic inflammation in vivo and
      in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ethanol extract of KOTMIN13, composed of Inula japonica Flowers,
      Trichosanthes kirilowii Semen, Peucedanum praeruptorum Radix, and Allium
      macrostemon Bulbs, was investigated for its anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic
      activities. METHODS: The anti-asthmatic effects of KOTMIN13 were evaluated on
      ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. Anti-allergic properties of KOTMIN13
      in bone-marrow derived mast cells (BMMC) and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA)
      in vivo were also examined. RESULTS: In asthma model, KOTMIN13 effectively
      suppressed airway hyperresponsiveness induced by aerosolized methacholine when
      compared to the levels of OVA-induced mice. KOTMIN13 treatment reduced the total
      leukocytes, eosinophil percentage, and Th2 cytokines in the bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluids in OVA-induced mice. The increased levels of eotaxin and Th2
      cytokines in the lung as well as serum IgE were decreased by KOTMIN13. The
      histological analysis shows that the increased inflammatory cell infiltration and
      mucus secretion were also reduced. In addition, the degranulation and leukotriene
      C4 production were inhibited in BMMC with IC50 values of 3.9 MUg/ml and 1.7
      MUg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, KOTMIN13 treatment attenuated mast-mediated
      PCA reaction. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that KOTMIN13 has anti
      asthmatic and anti-allergic effects in vivo and in vitro models.

PMID- 27267052
TI  - Commensal-Specific CD4(+) Cells From Patients With Crohn's Disease Have a T
      Helper 17 Inflammatory Profile.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Crohn's disease (CD) has been associated with an altered
      immune response to commensal microbiota, mostly based on increased seroreactivity
      to microbial proteins. Although T cells are believed to contribute to the
      development of CD, little is known about the antigens involved. We investigated
      the antigen-specificity of T cells isolated from patients with CD. METHODS: We
      isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 65 patients with CD and 45
      healthy individuals (controls). We investigated T-cell reactivity to commensal
      microbial antigens using proliferation assays (based on thymidine incorporation
      and carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester dilution). Gene expression patterns
      were determined using microarray and real-time polymerase chain reaction
      analyses. Cytokines, chemokines, and antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, or multiplex cytokine assays. Intestinal
      crypts were obtained from surgical resection specimens of 7 individuals without
      inflammatory bowel disease. We examined the effects of commensal-specific CD4(+)
      T cells on primary intestinal epithelial cells from these samples. RESULTS: The
      bacterial proteins FlaX, A4-fla2, and YidX increased proliferation of CD4(+) T
      cells isolated from peripheral blood of patients with CD compared with controls.
      In blood samples from controls, CD4(+) T cells specific for FlaX, A4-fla2, or
      YidX had a T-helper (Th)1 phenotype; a larger proportion of CD4(+) T cells
      specific for these proteins in patients with CD had a Th17 phenotype or produced
      Th1 and Th17 cytokines. When supernatants collected from commensal-specific
      CD4(+) T cells from patients with CD were applied to healthy intestinal
      epithelial cells, the epithelial cells increased the expression of the chemokine
      (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL8 and the CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20).
      CONCLUSIONS: A larger proportion of commensal-specific CD4(+) T cells from
      patients with CD have a Th17 phenotype or produce Th1 and Th17 cytokines,
      compared with T cells from controls; this might contribute to intestinal
      inflammation in patients with CD. These cells might be targeted for treatment of
      CD. The transcriptional data of commensal-specific CD4(+) T cells from healthy
      individuals and CD patients have been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus at
      the National Center for Biotechnology Information (accession no: GSE70469).

PMID- 27267054
TI  - Rh(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation Leading to Substituted Indolizines by
      Cleavage of C(sp(2))-H/C(sp(3))-H Bonds.
AB  - Rhodium(III)-catalyzed oxidative annulation reactions of pyridinium
      trifluoromethanesulfonate salts with alkynes leading to substituted indolizines
      by cleavage of C(sp(2))-H/C(sp(3))-H bonds are developed. The starting materials
      are readily available, and the reactions have a broad substrate scope. This
      reaction overcomes some drawbacks of the previous indolizine synthetic methods
      and provides a new efficient route to indolizine derivatives.

PMID- 27267053
TI  - Effectiveness of Sofosbuvir, Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir, or
      Paritaprevir/Ritonavir/Ombitasvir and Dasabuvir Regimens for Treatment of
      Patients With Hepatitis C in the Veterans Affairs National Health Care System.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: We investigated the real-world effectiveness of sofosbuvir,
      ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, and paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir and dasabuvir (PrOD)
      in treatment of different subgroups of patients infected with hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) genotypes 1, 2, 3, or 4. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of
      data from 17,487 patients with HCV infection (13,974 with HCV genotype 1; 2131
      with genotype 2; 1237 with genotype 3; and 135 with genotype 4) who began
      treatment with sofosbuvir (n = 2986), ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (n = 11,327), or PrOD
      (n = 3174), with or without ribavirin, from January 1, 2014 through June 20, 2015
      in the Veterans Affairs health care system. Data through April 15, 2016 were
      analyzed to assess completion of treatments and sustained virologic response 12
      weeks after treatment (SVR12). Mean age of patients was 61 +/- 7 years, 97% were
      male, 52% were non-Hispanic white, 29% were non-Hispanic black, 32% had a
      diagnosis of cirrhosis (9.9% with decompensated cirrhosis), 36% had a Fibrosis-4
      index score >3.25 (indicator of cirrhosis), and 29% had received prior antiviral
      treatment. RESULTS: An SVR12 was achieved by 92.8% (95% confidence interval [CI],
      92.3%-93.2%) of subjects with HCV genotype 1 infection (no significant difference
      between ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and PrOD regimens), 86.2% (95% CI, 84.6%-87.7%) of
      those with genotype 2 infection (treated with sofosbuvir and ribavirin), 74.8%
      (95% CI, 72.2%-77.3%) of those with genotype 3 infection (77.9% in patients given
      ledipasvir/sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, 87.0% in patients given sofosbuvir and
      pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin, and 70.6% of patients given sofosbuvir plus
      ribavirin), and 89.6% (95% CI 82.8%-93.9%) of those with genotype 4 infection.
      Among patients with cirrhosis, 90.6% of patients with HCV genotype 1, 77.3% with
      HCV genotype 2, 65.7% with HCV genotype 3, and 83.9% with HCV genotype 4 achieved
      an SVR12. Among previously treated patients, 92.6% with genotype 1; 80.2% with
      genotype 2; 69.2% with genotype 3; and 93.5% with genotype 4 achieved SVR12.
      Among treatment-naive patients, 92.8% with genotype 1; 88.0% with genotype 2;
      77.5% with genotype 3; and 88.3% with genotype 4 achieved SVR12. Eight-week
      regimens of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir produced an SVR12 in 94.3% of eligible patients
      with HCV genotype 1 infection; this regimen was underused. CONCLUSIONS: High
      proportions of patients with HCV infections genotypes 1-4 (ranging from 75% to
      93%) in the Veterans Affairs national health care system achieved SVR12,
      approaching the results reported in clinical trials, especially in patients with
      genotype 1 infection. An 8-week regimen of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir is effective for
      eligible patients with HCV genotype 1 infection and could reduce costs. There is
      substantial room for improvement in SVRs among persons with cirrhosis and
      genotype 2 or 3 infections.

PMID- 27267055
TI  - Serum microRNA-196 and microRNA-200 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of
      patients with diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to compare expressions of 6 microRNAs (miRNAs)
      in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PAC) and non-cancer patients,
      moreover according to the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus. METHODS:
      Expressions of miRNA-192, -196, -200, -21, -30 and -423 were measured in 77
      patients with PAC and 64 non-cancer patients (34 patients with type 2 DM and 30
      control persons). 60 patients with PAC (78%) had DM or prediabetes and it was of
      new-onset (less than 2 years before the cancer diagnosis) in 44 out of them.
      RESULTS: The expressions of all microRNAs were 1.4-3.7 times higher
      (significantly) in the PAC group compared to non-cancer patients. No difference
      was found between PAC diabetic and PAC non-diabetic patients. MicroRNA-200 was
      significantly higher in PAC patients with significant body weight loss against
      those without weight loss. Adding miRNA-196 and -200 to the current marker CA 19
      9 improved the discriminative ability of the test (compared to CA 19-9 alone).
      CONCLUSION: MicroRNA-196 and -200 could be used as additional markers in PAC
      diagnosis.

PMID- 27267056
TI  - Theoretical approach to local infusion of antibiotics for infected pancreatic
      necrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Infected pancreatic necrosis is a major complications of
      acute pancreatitis. If drainage is required, local administration of antibiotics
      through transmural nasocystic or percutaneous catheter may allow increasing local
      antibiotic concentrations. Drug diffusion becomes the main factor influencing
      local drug tissue penetration. The present study aims at providing the rationale
      for the design of new research protocols evaluating the efficacy of local
      antibiotics for infected pancreatic necrosis. METHODS: A review of
      microbiological data was performed for the most common organisms causing the
      infection, antibiotics spectrum and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). A
      search of the physico-chemical properties of antibiotics was performed to
      calculate the diffusion coefficients. An estimation of the antibiotic
      concentrations in pancreatic tissue was obtained using a mathematical model.
      Efficacy factors (EF) were calculated and the stability of the antibiotic
      solutions were evaluated to optimize the dosing regimen. RESULTS: Piperacillin,
      vancomycin and metronidazole achieve high concentrations in the surrounding
      tissue very fast. Imipenem, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, linezolid and
      cloxacillin achieve intermediate concentration values. Tigecycline, showed the
      lowest concentration values (<2 mg/L). Calculated EF is highest for piperacillin
      and imipenem short after administration and near to surface diffusion area (0.5
      cm), but EF of imipenem is higher at deeper areas and longer time after
      administration. CONCLUSIONS: Considering obtained results, some solutions are
      proposed using saline as diluent and 25  degrees C of temperature during
      administration. Imipenem has the best theoretical results in empiric local
      treatment. Linezolid and tigecycline solutions are not recommended.

PMID- 27267057
TI  - Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses of the Fuzhuan brick tea
      fermentation fungus Aspergillus cristatus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aspergillus cristatus is the dominant fungus involved in the
      fermentation of Chinese Fuzhuan brick tea. Aspergillus cristatus is a homothallic
      fungus that undergoes a sexual stage without asexual conidiation when cultured in
      hypotonic medium. The asexual stage is induced by a high salt concentration,
      which completely inhibits sexual development. The taxon is therefore appropriate
      for investigating the mechanisms of asexual and sexual reproduction in fungi. In
      this study, de novo genome sequencing and analysis of transcriptomes during
      culture under high- and low-osmolarity conditions were performed. These analyses
      facilitated investigation of the evolution of mating-type genes, which determine
      the mode of sexual reproduction, in A. cristatus, the response of the high
      osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway to osmotic stimulation, and the detection of
      mycotoxins and evaluation of the relationship with the location of the encoding
      genes. RESULTS: The A. cristatus genome comprised 27.9 Mb and included 68
      scaffolds, from which 10,136 protein-coding gene models were predicted. A
      phylogenetic analysis suggested a considerable phylogenetic distance between A.
      cristatus and A. nidulans. Comparison of the mating-type gene loci among
      Aspergillus species indicated that the mode in A. cristatus differs from those in
      other Aspergillus species. The components of the HOG pathway were conserved in
      the genome of A. cristatus. Differential gene expression analysis in A. cristatus
      using RNA-Seq demonstrated that the expression of most genes in the HOG pathway
      was unaffected by osmotic pressure. No gene clusters associated with the
      production of carcinogens were detected. CONCLUSIONS: A model of the mating-type
      locus in A. cristatus is reported for the first time. Aspergillus cristatus has
      evolved various mechanisms to cope with high osmotic stress. As a fungus
      associated with Fuzhuan tea, it is considered to be safe under low- and high
      osmolarity conditions.

PMID- 27267058
TI  - Alcohol prevention at sporting events: study protocol for a quasi-experimental
      control group study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol intoxication and overserving of alcohol at sporting events
      are of great concern, given the relationships between alcohol consumption, public
      disturbances, and violence. During recent years this matter has been on the
      agenda for Swedish policymakers, authorities and key stakeholders, with demands
      that actions be taken. There is promising potential for utilizing an
      environmental approach to alcohol prevention as a strategy to reduce the level of
      alcohol intoxication among spectators at sporting events. Examples of prevention
      strategies may be community mobilization, Responsible Beverage Service training,
      policy work, and improved controls and sanctions. This paper describes the design
      of a quasi-experimental control group study to examine the effects of a multi
      component community-based alcohol intervention at matches in the Swedish Premier
      Football League. METHODS: A baseline assessment was conducted during 2015 and at
      least two follow-up assessments will be conducted in 2016 and 2017. The two
      largest cities in Sweden are included in the study, with Stockholm as the
      intervention area and Gothenburg as the control area. The setting is Licensed
      Premises (LP) inside and outside Swedish football arenas, in addition to arena
      entrances. Spectators are randomly selected and invited to participate in the
      study by providing a breath alcohol sample as a proxy for Blood Alcohol
      Concentration (BAC). Actors are hired and trained by an expert panel to act out a
      standardized scene of severe pseudo-intoxication. Four types of cross-sectional
      data are generated: (i) BAC levels among >= 4 200 spectators, frequency of
      alcohol service to pseudo-intoxicated patrons attempting to purchase alcohol at
      LP (ii) outside the arenas (>=200 attempts) and (iii) inside the arenas (>= 200
      attempts), and (iv) frequency of security staff interventions towards pseudo
      intoxicated patrons attempting to enter the arenas (>= 200 attempts). DISCUSSION:
      There is an urgent need nationally and internationally to reduce alcohol-related
      problems at sporting events, and it is essential to test prevention strategies to
      reduce intoxication levels among spectators. This project makes an important
      contribution not only to the research community, but also to enabling public
      health officials, decision-makers, authorities, the general public, and the
      sports community, to implement appropriate evidence-based strategies.

PMID- 27267060
TI  - GATA3-driven expression of miR-503 inhibits prostate cancer progression by
      repressing ZNF217 expression.
AB  - Although increasing evidence demonstrated that deregulation of mircoRNA-503
      (miRNA-503) contributes to tumorigenesis, little is known about the biological
      role and intrinsic regulatory mechanisms of miR-503 in prostate cancer (PCa). In
      present study, we found that miR-503 was significantly downregulated in advanced
      PCa tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of miR-503 was strongly associated
      with aggressive clinical-pathological features and poor prognosis in PCa
      patients. Ectopic expression of miR-503 significantly inhibited tumor cells
      growth, cell migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies
      revealed that ZNF217 was a direct target downstream target of miR-503. Knockdown
      of ZNF217 mimicked the tumor-suppressive effects of miR-503 overexpression on PCa
      invasion, whereas ZNF217 overexpression attenuated the tumor-suppressive function
      of miR-503. Subsequently, miR-503 further modulated the activation of ZNF217
      downstream epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes. Besides, we also found
      that GATA3 directly increased miR-503 expression and thus decreased ZNF217
      expression, indicating the involvement of GATA3/miR-503/ZNF217 signaling in EMT
      process. Collectively, our results demonstrated that GATA3-driven expression of
      miR-503 inhibits PCa progression by repressing ZNF217 expression, and also
      implicated the potential application of miR-503 in PCa therapy.

PMID- 27267061
TI  - A novel role of c-FLIP protein in regulation of ER stress response.
AB  - Cellular-Flice-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) is an apoptosis modulator known
      to inhibit the extrinsic apoptotic pathway thus blocking Caspase-8 processing in
      the Death Inducing Signalling Complex (DISC). We previously demonstrated that c
      FLIP localizes at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and that c-FLIP-deficient mouse
      embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) display an enlarged ER morphology. In the present
      study, we have addressed the consequences of c-FLIP ablation in the ER stress
      response by investigating the effects of pharmacologically-induced ER stress in
      Wild Type (WT) and c-FLIP-/- MEFs. Surprisingly, c-FLIP-/- MEFs were found to be
      strikingly more resistant than WT MEFs to ER stress-mediated apoptosis. Analysis
      of Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) pathways revealed that Pancreatic ER Kinase
      (PERK) and Inositol-Requiring Enzyme 1 (IRE1) branch signalling is compromised in
      c-FLIP-/- cells when compared with WT cells. We found that c-FLIP modulates the
      PERK pathway by interfering with the activity of the serine threonine kinase AKT.
      Indeed, c-FLIP-/- MEFs display higher levels of active AKT than WT MEFs upon ER
      stress, while treatment with a specific AKT inhibitor of c-FLIP-/- MEFs subjected
      to ER stress restores the PERK but not the IRE1 pathway. Importantly, the AKT
      inhibitor or dominant negative AKT transfection sensitizes c-FLIP-/- cells to ER
      stress-induced cell death while the expression of a constitutively active AKT
      reduces WT cells sensitivity to ER stress-induced death. Thus, our results
      demonstrate that c-FLIP modulation of AKT activity is crucial in controlling PERK
      signalling and sensitivity to ER stress, and highlight c-FLIP as a novel
      molecular player in PERK and IRE1-mediated ER stress response.

PMID- 27267059
TI  - Interleukin-6: an emerging regulator of pathological pain.
AB  - Interleukin-6 is an inflammatory cytokine with wide-ranging biological effects.
      It has been widely demonstrated that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in
      the development of pathological pain. Recently, various pathological pain models
      have shown elevated expression levels of interleukin-6 and its receptor in the
      spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. Additionally, the administration of
      interleukin-6 could cause mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, and an
      intrathecal injection of anti-interleukin-6 neutralizing antibody alleviated
      these pain-related behaviors. These studies indicated a pivotal role of
      interleukin-6 in pathological pain. In this review, we summarize the recent
      progress in understanding the roles and mechanisms of interleukin-6 in mediating
      pathological pain associated with bone cancer, peripheral nerve injury, spinal
      cord injury, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, complete Freund's
      adjuvant injection, and carrageenan injection. Understanding and regulating
      interleukin-6 could be an interesting lead to novel therapeutic strategies for
      pathological pain.

PMID- 27267062
TI  - Fgf regulates dedifferentiation during skeletal muscle regeneration in adult
      zebrafish.
AB  - Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) regulate critical biological processes such as
      embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, wound healing, and tissue
      regeneration. In zebrafish, Fgf signaling plays an important role in the
      regeneration of the spinal cord, liver, heart, fin, and photoreceptors, although
      its exact mechanism of action is not fully understood. Utilizing an adult
      zebrafish extraocular muscle (EOM) regeneration model, we demonstrate that
      blocking Fgf receptor function using either a chemical inhibitor (SU5402) or a
      dominant-negative transgenic construct (dnFGFR1a:EGFP) impairs muscle
      regeneration. Adult zebrafish EOMs regenerate through a myocyte dedifferentiation
      process, which involves a muscle-to-mesenchyme transition and cell cycle reentry
      by differentiated myocytes. Blocking Fgf signaling reduced cell proliferation and
      active caspase 3 levels in the regenerating muscle with no detectable levels of
      apoptosis, supporting the hypothesis that Fgf signaling is involved in the early
      steps of dedifferentiation. Fgf signaling in regenerating myocytes involves the
      MAPK/ERK pathway: inhibition of MEK activity with U0126 mimicked the phenotype of
      the Fgf receptor inhibition on both muscle regeneration and cell proliferation,
      and activated ERK (p-ERK) was detected in injured muscles by immunofluorescence
      and western blot. Interestingly, following injury, ERK2 expression is
      specifically induced and activated by phosphorylation, suggesting a key role in
      muscle regeneration. We conclude that the critical early steps of myocyte
      dedifferentiation in EOM regeneration are dependent on Fgf signaling.

PMID- 27267064
TI  - Synthesis and antituberculosis activity of the first macrocyclic glycoterpenoids
      comprising glucosamine and diterpenoid isosteviol.
AB  - The first macrocyclic glycoterpenoids comprising glucosamine and diterpenoid
      isosteviol moieties were synthesized and evaluated for inhibition activity
      against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. 

PMID- 27267063
TI  - The comparison of glycosphingolipids isolated from an epithelial ovarian cancer
      cell line and a nontumorigenic epithelial ovarian cell line using MALDI-MS and
      MALDI-MS/MS.
AB  - Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are important biomolecules, which are linked to many
      diseases such as GSL storage disorders and cancer. Consequently, the expression
      of GSLs may be altered in ovarian cancer cell lines in comparison to apparently
      healthy cell lines. Here, differential expressions of GSLs in an epithelial
      ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 and a nontumorigenic epithelial ovarian cell line
      T29 were studied using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass
      spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and MALDI-MS/MS. The isolation of GSLs from SKOV3 and T29
      cell lines was carried out using Folch partition. GSLs were successfully detected
      by MALDI-MS, and structurally assigned by a comparison of their MALDI-MS/MS
      fragmentation patterns with MS/MS data found in SimLipid database. Additionally,
      LIPID MAPS was used to assign GSL ion masses in MALDI-MS spectra. Seventeen
      neutral GSLs were identified in Folch partition lower (chloroform/methanol)
      phases originating from both cell lines, while five globo series neutral GSLs
      were identified only in the Folch partition lower phase of SKOV3 cell line.
      Several different sialylated GSLs were detected in Folch partition upper
      (water/methanol) phases of SKOV3 and T29 cell lines. Overall, this study
      demonstrates the alteration and increased glycosylation of GSLs in an epithelial
      ovarian cancer cell line in comparison to a nontumorigenic epithelial ovarian
      cell line. 

PMID- 27267065
TI  - Rapid synthesis of linear homologous oligoarabinofuranosides related to
      mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan and a neoglycoconjugate thereof.
AB  - Rapid and simple synthesis of oligosaccharides related to one of the terminal
      motifs of mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan is described. An array of homologous
      linear alpha(1 -> 5)-linked oligoarabinofuranosides with 4-(2-chloroethoxy)phenyl
      aglycon and selectively unprotected 5-OH group at the non-reducing end was
      obtained by oligomerization of 3-O-benzoyl beta-D-arabinofuranose 1,2,5
      orthobenzoate. Subsequent introduction of beta(1 -> 2)-linked arabinofuranose
      disaccharide moiety by step-wise glycosylation furnished the target
      oligosaccharides which were conjugated with bovine serum albumin. 

PMID- 27267066
TI  - Structural and binding properties of laminarin revealed by analytical
      ultracentrifugation and calorimetric analyses.
AB  - One of the beta-1,3-glucans, laminarin, has been widely used as a substrate for
      enzymes including endo-1,3-beta-glucanase. To obtain quantitative information
      about the molecular interaction between laminarin and endo-1,3-beta-glucanase,
      the structural properties of laminarin should be determined. The results from
      pioneering work using analytical ultracentrifugation for carbohydrate analysis
      showed that laminarin from Laminaria digitata predominantly exists as a single
      chain species with approximately 5% of triple-helical species. Differential
      scanning calorimetry experiments did not show a peak assignable to the transition
      from triple-helix to single-chain, supporting the notion that a large proportion
      of laminarin is the single-chain species. The interaction of laminarin with an
      inactive variant of endo-1,3-beta-glucanase from Cellulosimicrobium cellulans,
      E119A, was quantitatively analyzed using isothermal titration calorimetry. The
      binding was enthalpically driven and the binding affinity was approximately 10(6)
      M(-1). The results from binding stoichiometric analysis indicated that on
      average, E119A binds to laminarin in a 2:1 ratio. This seems to be reasonable,
      because laminarin mainly exists as a monomer, the apparent molecular mass of
      laminarin is 3.6 kDa, and E119A would have substrate-binding subsites
      corresponding to 6 glucose units. The analytical ultracentrifugation experiments
      could detect different complex species of laminarin and endo-1,3-beta-glucanase. 

PMID- 27267067
TI  - Circulating Progenitor Cells Identify Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients
      With Coronary Artery Disease.
AB  - RATIONALE: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a clinical manifestation of
      extracoronary atherosclerosis. Despite sharing the same risk factors, only 20% to
      30% of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) develop PAD. Decline in the
      number of bone marrow-derived circulating progenitor cells (PCs) is thought to
      contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Whether specific changes in
      PCs differentiate patients with both PAD and CAD from those with CAD alone is
      unknown. OBJECTIVE: Determine whether differences exist in PCs counts of CAD
      patients with and without known PAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: 1497 patients (mean
      age: 65 years; 62% men) with known CAD were identified in the Emory
      Cardiovascular Biobank. Presence of PAD (n=308) was determined by history, review
      of medical records, or imaging and was classified as carotid (53%), lower
      extremity (41%), upper extremity (3%), and aortic disease (33%). Circulating PCs
      were enumerated by flow cytometry. Patients with CAD and PAD had significantly
      lower PC counts compared with those with only CAD. In multivariable analysis, a
      50% decrease in cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34+) or CD34+/vascular
      endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2+) counts was associated with a 31%
      (P=0.032) and 183% (P=0.002) increase in the odds of having PAD, respectively.
      CD34+ and CD34+/VEGFR2+ counts significantly improved risk prediction metrics for
      prevalent PAD. Low CD34+/VEGFR2+ counts were associated with a 1.40-fold (95%
      confidence interval, 1.03-1.91) and a 1.64-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.07
      2.50) increases in the risk of mortality and PAD-related events, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: PAD is associated with low CD34+ and CD34+/VEGFR2+ PC counts.
      Whether low PC counts are useful in screening for PAD needs to be investigated.

PMID- 27267069
TI  - Uveitis and the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.

PMID- 27267068
TI  - Effect of Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cell Treatment, Early or Late After
      Acute Myocardial Infarction: Twelve Months CMR and Long-Term Clinical Results.
AB  - RATIONALE: Intracoronary delivery of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear
      cells (BM-MNC) may improve remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) after acute
      myocardial infarction (AMI). OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate long-term efficacy of BM
      MNC treatment after AMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a multicenter study, we
      randomized 200 patients with large AMI in a 1:1:1 pattern into an open-labeled
      control and 2 BM-MNC treatment groups. In the BM-MNC groups, cells were either
      administered 5 to 7 days (early) or 3 to 4 weeks (late) after AMI. Cardiac
      magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and after 12 months. The
      current analysis investigates the change from baseline to 12 months in global LV
      ejection fraction, LV volumes, scar size, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic
      peptide values comparing the 2 treatment groups with control in a linear
      regression model. Besides the complete case analysis, multiple imputation
      analysis was performed to address for missing data. Furthermore, the long-term
      clinical event rate was computed. The absolute change in LV ejection fraction
      from baseline to 12 months was -1.9+/-9.8% for control (mean+/-SD), -0.9+/-10.5%
      for the early treatment group, and -0.7+/-10.1% for the late treatment group. The
      difference between the groups was not significant, both for complete case
      analysis and multiple imputation analysis. A combined clinical end point occurred
      equally in all the groups. Overall, 1-year mortality was low (2.25%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with AMI and LV dysfunction, treatment with BM-MNC
      either 5 to 7 days or 3 to 4 weeks after AMI did not improve LV function at 12
      months, compared with control. The results are limited by an important drop out
      rate. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: URL:
      http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00355186.

PMID- 27267070
TI  - Serotype distribution and penicillin-non-susceptibility of Streptococcus
      pneumoniae causing invasive diseases in Kuwait: A 10-year study of impact of
      pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The impact of PCV7 and PCV13 on pneumococcal infections in Kuwait is
      not known. Therefore we evaluated the impact on pneumococcal serotype
      distribution and penicillin-non-susceptibility in invasive infections in Kuwait.
      METHODS: Children < 2 y were given PCV7 from Aug 2006 to Jul 2010 (period I), and
      PCV13 from Aug 2010 to Jul 2013 (period II) with a pre-vaccination period from
      Aug 2003 to Jul 2006. Serotype and penicillin-non-susceptibility of blood and
      cerebrospinal fluid isolates from all ages were determined. RESULTS: In <2 y old
      children, even with a small number of infections, a drop in PCV7 serotypes was
      evident after vaccination. For all age groups combined, in the pre-vaccination
      period, PCV7, PCV13, PCV13 non-PCV7 serotypes and penicillin-non-susceptibility
      constituted 53.2%, 72.6%, 19.4% and 6.5% of the isolates respectively. PCV7,
      PCV13 non-PCV7 serotypes and penicillin-non-susceptibility changed to 32.7%,
      28.2% and 7.3% (period I) and 6.6%, 22.2% and 8.9% (period II). CONCLUSIONS:
      Vaccines reduced invasive infections due to PCV7 serotypes.

PMID- 27267071
TI  - In Situ Generated HypoIodite Activator for the C2 Sulfonylation of Heteroaromatic
      N-oxides.
AB  - A mild approach for direct C2 sulfonylation of heteroaromatic N-oxides with
      sulfonyl hydrazides affording 2-sulfonyl quinolines/pyridines has been developed.
      A variety of heteroaromatic N-oxides and sulfonyl hydrazides participate
      effectively in this transformation which uses hypoiodites (generated in situ from
      NaI and TBHP) as a means of substrate activators. In this reaction, the N-oxide
      plays a dual role, acting as a traceless directing group as well as a source of
      oxygen atom.

PMID- 27267072
TI  - Characterization of therapeutic antibodies and related products by two
      dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with UV absorbance and mass
      spectrometric detection.
AB  - The development of analytical tools for the characterization of large
      biomolecules is an emerging and rapidly evolving area. This development activity
      is motivated largely by the current trend involving the increase in development
      and use of large biomolecules for therapeutic uses. Given the inherent complexity
      of these biomolecules, which arises from their sheer size and possibilities for
      chemical modification as well as changes over time (e.g., through modification in
      solution, aggregation), two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) has
      attracted considerable interest as an analytical tool to address the challenges
      faced in characterizing these materials. The immediate potential benefits of 2D
      LC over conventional one-dimensional liquid chromatography in this context
      include: (1) higher overall resolving power; (2) complementary information gained
      from two dimensions of separation in a single analysis; and (3) enabling indirect
      coupling of separation modes that are inherently incompatible with mass
      spectrometric (MS) detection (e.g., ion-exchange, because of high-salt eluents)
      to MS through a more compatible second dimension separation such as reversed
      phase LC. In this review we summarize the work in this area, most of which has
      occurred in the past five years. Although the future is bright for further
      development in this area, some challenges have already been addressed through new
      2D-LC methods. These include: (1) deep characterization of monoclonal antibodies
      to understand charge heterogeneity, glycosylation patterns, and other
      modifications; (2) characterization of antibody-drug conjugates to understand the
      extent and localization of small molecule conjugation; (3) detailed study of
      excipients in protein drug formulations; and (4) detection of host-cell proteins
      on biotherapeutic molecule preparations. We fully expect that in the near future
      we will see this list expanded, and that continued development will lead to
      methods with further improved performance metrics. 

PMID- 27267073
TI  - A new anti-human Fc method to capture and analyze ADCs for characterization of
      drug distribution and the drug-to-antibody ratio in serum from pre-clinical
      species.
AB  - Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are becoming a major class of oncology
      therapeutics. They combine monoclonal antibody specificity for over-expressed
      tumor antigens and the high cytoxicity of small molecular drugs (SMDs) and can
      therefore selectively kill tumor cells while minimizing toxicity to normal cells.
      Nevertheless, the premature deconjugation of ADCs in the circulation may trigger
      off target toxicity in patients. The released free drug level must be low in
      circulation for an extended period of time as well as the de-conjugation rate to
      ensure an acceptable therapeutic window. As a result, the assessment of the
      stability of the linker between payload and mAb in the systemic circulation is of
      paramount importance before entering in clinical trial. Here we report a new
      universal method to immunocapture and analyze by LC-MS the stability and
      distribution of ADCs in sera from relevant preclinical species (mouse, rat and
      cynomolgus monkey). Furthermore we demonstrated that this workflow can be applied
      to both ADCs with cleavable and non cleavable linkers. Last but not least, the
      results obtained in cynomolgus serum using immunoprecipitation and LC-MS analysis
      were cross validated using an ELISA orthogonal method. As the ligand used for
      immunoprecipitation is targeting the Fc part of mAb (CaptureSelectTM Human IgG-Fc
      PK Biotin), this protocol can be applied to analyze the stability of virtually
      all ADCs in sera for preclinical studies without the need to prepare specific
      molecular tools. 

PMID- 27267074
TI  - Quantifying Individual Brain Connectivity with Functional Principal Component
      Analysis for Networks.
AB  - In typical functional connectivity studies, connections between voxels or regions
      in the brain are represented as edges in a network. Networks for different
      subjects are constructed at a given graph density and are summarized by some
      network measure such as path length. Examining these summary measures for many
      density values yields samples of connectivity curves, one for each individual.
      This has led to the adoption of basic tools of functional data analysis, most
      commonly to compare control and disease groups through the average curves in each
      group. Such group differences, however, neglect the variability in the sample of
      connectivity curves. In this article, the use of functional principal component
      analysis (FPCA) is demonstrated to enrich functional connectivity studies by
      providing increased power and flexibility for statistical inference.
      Specifically, individual connectivity curves are related to individual
      characteristics such as age and measures of cognitive function, thus providing a
      tool to relate brain connectivity with these variables at the individual level.
      This individual level analysis opens a new perspective that goes beyond previous
      group level comparisons. Using a large data set of resting-state functional
      magnetic resonance imaging scans, relationships between connectivity and two
      measures of cognitive function-episodic memory and executive function-were
      investigated. The group-based approach was implemented by dichotomizing the
      continuous cognitive variable and testing for group differences, resulting in no
      statistically significant findings. To demonstrate the new approach, FPCA was
      implemented, followed by linear regression models with cognitive scores as
      responses, identifying significant associations of connectivity in the right
      middle temporal region with both cognitive scores.

PMID- 27267075
TI  - Whole exome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism array analyses to
      identify germline alterations in genes associated with testosterone metabolism in
      a patient with androgen insensitivity syndrome and early-onset colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), a disorder of sexual
      development in 46, XY individuals, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the
      androgen receptor (AR) gene. A variety of tumors have been reported in
      association with AIS, but no cases with colorectal cancer (CRC) have been
      described. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present a male patient with AIS who
      developed multiple early-onset CRCs and his pedigree. His first cousin was
      diagnosed with AIS and harbored the same AR gene mutation, but with no signs of
      CRC. The difference in clinical management for the two patients was that
      testosterone treatment was given to the proband for a much longer time compared
      with the cousin. The CRC family history was negative, and no germline mutations
      in well-known CRC-related genes were identified. A single nucleotide polymorphism
      array revealed a microduplication on chromosome 22q11.22 that encompassed a
      microRNA potentially related to CRC pathogenesis. In the proband, whole exome
      sequencing identified a polymorphism in an oncogene and 13 rare loss-of-function
      variants, of which two were in CRC-related genes and four were in genes
      associated with other human cancers. CONCLUSIONS: By pathway analysis, all
      inherited germline genetic events were connected in a unique network whose
      alteration in the proband, together with continuous testosterone stimulation, may
      have played a role in CRC pathogenesis.

PMID- 27267076
TI  - Serum 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine as a marker of DNA oxidative damage in horses
      with recurrent airway obstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been reported that equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)
      is a state of oxidative stress. Oxidant-antioxidant imbalance is known to
      increase the conversion of deoxyguanosine to 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)
      in DNA. 8-OHdG can easily be measured using ELISA tests in serum or urine
      samples. In this study, we analysed serum 8-OHdG levels in horses with recurrent
      airway obstruction and in healthy controls. RESULTS: The study material consisted
      of seven healthy horses and seven horses with symptomatic RAO. All horses were
      exposed to moldy hay and straw for 48 h to induce clinical exacerbation of RAO.
      The serum 8-OHdG levels were determined using the ELISA Highly Sensitive 8-OHdG
      kit. The difference between the levels of 8-OHdG in healthy and RAO-affected
      horses was significant. The median level of 8-OHdG was 0.044 ng/ml in the healthy
      controls versus 0.498 ng/ml in RAO horses (P = 0.0021). CONCLUSIONS: The results
      of the study strongly suggest that DNA damage coexists in the course of equine
      RAO. We therefore propose that future research should aim at the development of
      new drugs that target pro-inflammatory molecules, since DNA damage appears to be
      the result of chronic inflammation.

PMID- 27267077
TI  - End-of-Life Care: Whose Decision Is It Anyway? A Case Study in an Assisted Living
      Facility.

PMID- 27267078
TI  - 101 Solution-focused questions for help with depression.

PMID- 27267079
TI  - Paracoccusacridae sp. nov., isolated from the insect Acrida cinerea living in
      deserted cropland.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterial strain,
      designated SCU-M53T, was isolated from the insect Acrida cinerea. Phylogenetic
      analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SCU-M53T
      belonged to the genus Paracoccus, having Paracoccus chinensisNBRC 104937T (97.04
      % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Paracoccus niistensis KCTC 22789T (96.70
      %) as the most closely related phylogenetic neighbours. Growth occurred at 10-40 
      degrees C (optimum 25-30  degrees C), pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum pH 6.5-7.5) and with 0
      4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0-1 % NaCl). The fatty acids of strain SCU-M53T were C18
      : 1omega7c, C18 : 0, C16 : 0, C14 : 0 3-OH, C14 : 0 and C10 : 0 3-OH. The polar
      lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylcholine, an unknown aminolipid, two unknown phospholipids and two
      unknown lipids. The isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10. The DNA G+C content was
      60.6 mol%. Strain SCU-M53T exhibited 36.5 and 28.6 % DNA-DNA relatedness to P.
      chinensis NBRC 104937T and P. niistensis KCTC 22789T, respectively. According to
      these results, strain SCU-M53T represents a novel species of the genus
      Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus acridae sp. nov. is proposed. The type
      strain is SCU-M53T (=KCTC 42932T=CGMCC 1.15419T).

PMID- 27267080
TI  - Changes in Thyroid Hormone Levels Within the Normal and/or Subclinical Hyper- or
      Hypothyroid Range Do Not Affect Circulating Irisin Levels in Humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both thyroid hormones and irisin increase energy expenditure and
      induce browning of adipose tissue. However, irisin physiology and regulation
      remain largely unknown, and existing data are mainly derived from observational
      studies. In this study, we aimed to elucidate whether changes in thyroid-axis
      hormones alter circulating irisin levels in humans, thereby exerting a direct
      downstream effect on serum irisin. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Samples from a cross
      sectional evaluation and two interventions were utilized, including patients who
      had previously undergone thyroidectomy. In the cross-sectional study, 96
      consecutively enrolled subjects were divided into a euthyroid group and a
      subclinical hyperthyroid group, according to their serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels
      (TSH cutoff 0.3 mIU/L). In interventional study A, 34 patients who had undergone
      thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer were withdrawn from their thyroxine
      replacement treatment for five weeks. In interventional study B, 13 patients
      underwent a recombinant human TSH stimulation protocol, and blood samples were
      drawn at baseline, day 3 (i.e., at least 24 hours after the second intramuscular
      injection), day 5, and day 10. RESULTS: Irisin concentrations were not associated
      with thyroid-axis hormones (i.e., TSH, free thyroxine, and free
      triiodiothyronine) cross-sectionally in either the overall cohort or in the
      euthyroid and/or subclinical hyperthyroid subgroups (p > 0.05). There was no
      significant difference between euthyroid and subclinical hyperthyroid subjects (p
      = 0.60). Levothyroxine withdrawal did not result in any changes in irisin
      concentrations (p = 0.33). Recombinant human TSH stimulation did not induce any
      significant changes in circulating irisin (p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in
      thyroid-axis hormone levels within the physiological or supraphysiological range
      do not affect circulating irisin levels in humans. Therefore, their metabolic
      effects are most likely independent of each other. Other regulators of irisin
      levels should be identified in the future.

PMID- 27267081
TI  - Erlotinib for Japanese patients with activating EGFR mutation-positive non-small
      cell lung cancer: combined analyses from two Phase II studies.
AB  - AIMS: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of erlotinib, and patient
      characteristics affecting progression-free survival (PFS), by analyzing data from
      two Phase II studies of first-line erlotinib in activating EGFR mutation-positive
      non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS: Data were combined from patients who
      received first-line erlotinib monotherapy in JO22903 (single-arm study; JapicCTI
      101085) and JO25567 (randomized study; JapicCTI-111390). RESULTS: Median PFS was
      10.9 months in efficacy-evaluable patients (n = 177). Major adverse events were
      dermatologic; no new safety signals were observed. Baseline pleural/cardiac
      effusion notably affected PFS (yes median 8.0 months vs no median 15.3 months) as
      confirmed in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.25-0.58).
      CONCLUSION: Efficacy and safety of erlotinib monotherapy were consistent with
      previous studies. Baseline pleural/pericardial effusion was associated with
      shorter PFS.

PMID- 27267082
TI  - An electromyographic study of the effect of hand grip sizes on forearm muscle
      activity and golf performance.
AB  - The study describes the differences in surface electromyography (EMG) activity of
      two forearm muscles in the lead and trail arm at specific phases of the golf
      swing using a 7-iron with three different grip sizes among amateur and
      professional golfers. Fifteen right-handed male golfers performed five golf
      swings using golf clubs with three different grip sizes. Surface EMG was used to
      measure muscle activity of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and flexor
      digitorum superficialis (FDS) on both forearms. There were no significant
      differences in forearm muscle activity when using the three golf grips within the
      group of 15 golfers (p > 0.05). When using the undersize grip, club head speed
      significantly increased (p = 0.044). During the backswing and downswing phases,
      amateurs produced significantly greater forearm muscle activity with all three
      grip sizes (p < 0.05). In conclusion, forearm muscle activity is not affected by
      grip sizes. However, club head speed increases when using undersize grips. 

PMID- 27267083
TI  - Early Onset Scoliosis-A Comprehensive Guide from the Oxford Meetings (2015).

PMID- 27267084
TI  - Synthesis of Amphiphilic Poly(beta-amino ester) for Efficiently Minicircle DNA
      Delivery in Vivo.
AB  - Minicircle DNA (mcDNA) is a kind of enhanced nonviral DNA vector with excellent
      profiles in biosafety and transgene expression. Herein, we reported a novel
      amphiphilic polymer comprising polyethylenimine(PEI) modified Poly(beta-amino
      ester) PEI-PBAE(C16) for efficient mcDNA delivery in vivo. The synthesized
      polymer could condense mcDNA into nanoscaled structure and exhibited efficient
      gene transfection ability without detectable cytotoxicity. Importantly, when
      injected into mouse intraperitoneally, these PEI-PBAE(C16) nanocomplexes were
      able to result in high level of trangene expression which lasted at least 72 h.
      Overall, these results demonstrated the PEI-PBAE(C16) can mediate effective and
      safe gene delivery in vivo with clinical application potential. 

PMID- 27267085
TI  - Culture scale-up and immobilisation of a mixed methanotrophic consortium for
      methane remediation in pilot-scale bio-filters.
AB  - Robust methanotrophic consortia for methane (CH4) remediation and by-product
      development are presently not readily available for industrial use. In this
      study, a mixed methanotrophic consortium (MMC), sequentially enriched from a
      marine sediment, was assessed for CH4 removal efficiency and potential biomass
      generated by-product development. Suitable packing material for bio-filters to
      support MMC biofilm establishment and growth was also evaluated. The enriched MMC
      removed ~7-13% CH4 under a very high gas flow rate (2.5 L min-1; 20-25% CH4) in
      continuous-stirred tank reactors (~10 L working volume) and the biomass contained
      long-chain fatty acids (i.e. C16 and C18). Cultivation of the MMC on plastic bio
      balls abated ~95-97% CH4 in pilot-scale non-sterile outdoor-operated bio-filters
      (0.1 L min-1; 1% CH4). Contamination by cyanobacteria had beneficial effects on
      treating low-level CH4, by providing additional oxygen for methane oxidation by
      MMC, suggesting that the co-cultivation of MMC with cyanobacterial mats does not
      interfere with and may actually be beneficial for remediation of CH4 and CO2 at
      industrial scale.

PMID- 27267086
TI  - Report calls for bold action to prevent early deaths.

PMID- 27267087
TI  - Protein Conformational Flexibility Enables the Formation of Dense Liquid
      Clusters: Tests Using Solution Shear.
AB  - According to recently proposed two-step nucleation mechanisms, crystal nuclei
      form within preexisting dense liquid clusters. Clusters with radii about 100 nm,
      which capture from 10(-7) to 10(-3) of the total protein, have been observed with
      numerous proteins and shown to host crystal nucleation. Theories aiming to
      understand the mesoscopic size and small protein fraction held in the clusters
      have proposed that in solutions of single-chain proteins, the clusters consist of
      partially misfolded protein molecules. To test this conjecture, we perturb the
      protein conformation by shearing solutions of the protein lysozyme. We
      demonstrate that shear rates greater than a threshold applied for longer than 1 h
      reduce the volume of the cluster population. The likely mechanism of the observed
      response involves enhanced partial unfolding of lysozyme molecules, which exposes
      hydrophobic surfaces between the constituent domains to the aqueous solution. 

PMID- 27267088
TI  - Factor Analysis of the MSVT, NV-MSVT, and RBANS Memory Subtests.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The current investigation sought to define the relationship between
      established performance validity tests and measures of memory via a factor
      analytic strategy first published by Heyanka, Thaler, Linck, Pastorek, Miller,
      Romesser, & Sim (2015). A Factor analytic approach to the validation of the Word
      Memory Test and Test of Memory Malingering as measures of effort and not memory.
      Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 30, 369-376. METHOD: The full range of
      Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT) and Non-Verbal Medical Symptom Validity Test
      (NV-MSVT) subtests were factor analyzed with the memory scales of the Repeatable
      Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) in a sample of
      346 service members with a history of concussion. RESULTS: A two-factor solution
      was extracted with the MSVT and NV-MSVT effort and paired associate subtests
      loading on one factor and the RBANS subtests loading on a second factor.
      CONCLUSIONS: Results support the conclusion that the effort subtests of the MSVT
      and NV-MSVT tap a different construct from established memory measures.

PMID- 27267089
TI  - High Resistivity Lipid Bilayers Assembled on Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Cushions:
      An Impedance Study.
AB  - Supported membranes on top of polymer cushions are interesting models of
      biomembranes as cell membranes are supported on a polymer network of proteins and
      sugars. In this work lipid vesicles formed by a mixture of 30% 1,2-dioleoyl-sn
      glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and 70% 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-l
      serine (DOPS) are assembled on top of a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) cushion
      of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(styrene sodium sulfonate) (PSS).
      The assembly results in the formation of a bilayer on top of the PEM as proven by
      means of the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation technique (QCM-D) and
      by cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). The electrical properties of
      the bilayer are studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The
      bilayer supported on the PEMs shows a high resistance, on the order of 10(7)
      Omega cm(2), which is indicative of a continuous, dense bilayer. Such resistance
      is comparable with the resistance of black lipid membranes. This is the first
      time that such values are obtained for lipid bilayers supported on PEMs. The
      assembly of polyelectrolytes on top of a lipid bilayer decreases the resistance
      of the bilayer up to 2 orders of magnitude. The assembly of the polyelectrolytes
      on the lipids induces defects or pores in the bilayer which in turn prompts a
      decrease in the measured resistance.

PMID- 27267090
TI  - Suboptimal decision making by children with ADHD in the face of risk: Poor risk
      adjustment and delay aversion rather than general proneness to taking risks.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Suboptimal decision making in the face of risk (DMR) in children with
      attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be mediated by deficits in a
      number of different neuropsychological processes. We investigated DMR in children
      with ADHD using the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) to distinguish difficulties in
      adjusting to changing probabilities of choice outcomes (so-called risk
      adjustment) from general risk proneness, and to distinguish these 2 processes
      from delay aversion (the tendency to choose the least delayed option) and
      impairments in the ability to reflect on choice options. Based on previous
      research, we predicted that suboptimal performance on this task in children with
      ADHD would be primarily relate to problems with risk adjustment and delay
      aversion rather than general risk proneness. METHOD: Drug naive children with
      ADHD (n = 36), 8 to 12 years, and an age-matched group of typically developing
      children (n = 34) performed the CGT. RESULTS: As predicted, children with ADHD
      were not more prone to making risky choices (i.e., risk proneness). However, they
      had difficulty adjusting to changing risk levels and were more delay aversive
      with these 2 effects being correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings add to the
      growing body of evidence that children with ADHD do not favor risk taking per se
      when performing gambling tasks, but rather may lack the cognitive skills or
      motivational style to appraise changing patterns of risk effectively. (PsycINFO
      Database Record

PMID- 27267091
TI  - Coronary Care Unit to Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: Acute Medical Cardiac Care
      Adapting With the Times.

PMID- 27267092
TI  - Angioinvasive lymphomatoid papulosis (type E): a first Japanese case.

PMID- 27267093
TI  - Practice pearls in the management of lung cancer in the elderly.
AB  - Lung cancer is a disease that afflicts the elderly. It is a leading cause of
      cancer mortality worldwide. Treatment of lung cancer which was predominantly
      combination chemotherapy was initially thought to be too toxic for older patients
      with cancer due to their frail state. However a number of recent studies have
      shown that this is not necessarily true and many elderly can actually tolerate
      combination chemotherapy and derive just as much benefit from it as younger
      patients with lung cancer do. More recently it has been found that a significant
      proportion of lung cancer patients have tumors that harbor mutations that are
      targetable by molecularly targeted therapy (MTT). These targeted therapies have a
      much better tolerated side effect profile, hence have been used in elderly
      patient with lung cancer with great success. A new generation of drugs called
      immune checkpoint inhibitors have now come into the fray with exciting results in
      the second line treatment of lung cancer with a low side effect profile. A key
      element in deciding whether an elderly patient with lung cancer can tolerate
      treatment involves a detailed assessment using the comprehensive geriatric
      assessment (CGA). A number of CGA and clinical factors have also been found to be
      able to predict chemotherapy associated toxicity. This review of lung cancer in
      the elderly was part of a lecture on "Practice pearls in the management of lung
      cancer in the elderly" presented at the SIOG Annual Meeting in Prague in November
      2015.

PMID- 27267094
TI  - Problems with balance and binocular visual dysfunction are associated with post
      stroke fatigue.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fatigue after stroke is hard to define and measure and how it is
      associated with other complications after stroke still needs to be explored.
      These issues are relevant in stroke rehabilitation and in the patient's daily
      life. OBJECTIVE: To investigate fatigue after stroke and its relation to balance,
      gait, and Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD). METHODS: Adults with stroke (n =
      29, age 18-67 years) were tested with the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS),
      objective and subjective BVD measures, Balance Evaluation Systems Test, Ten Meter
      Walk Test, and a Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire, before and after a
      four-month intervention program and at three- and six-month follow-ups. We used
      principle component analysis to extract underlying factors of MFIS. Associations
      between MFIS factors and patient characteristics were analyzed by repeated
      measures ANOVA. The associations between MFIS factors and physical measures were
      assessed using pairwise correlations. RESULTS: Three components were extracted
      from the MFIS, explaining 71% of variance: Cognitive fatigue, Physical fatigue
      and Arousal. We found that women register higher MFIS scores than men. There was
      a strong association between the level of Cognitive and Physical Fatigue and BVD,
      between Arousal and balance and dizziness, and between Cognitive Fatigue and
      gait. CONCLUSION: The three extracted components of MFIS proved clinically
      informative. The arousal component revealed particularly interesting results in
      studying fatigue. The correlation analysis shown at this component differs from
      cognitive and physical fatigue and describes another aspect of PSF, important in
      future treatment and research.

PMID- 27267104
TI  - Stimulus size mediates Gestalt processes in object perception - evidence from
      simultanagnosia.
AB  - Simultanagnosia caused by posterior temporo-parietal brain damage is
      characterized through an inability to recognize a global Gestalt from an
      arrangement of single objects while perception of single objects appears widely
      intact. We asked whether recognition of single objects in simultanagnosia is
      still intact if objects are really large, i.e. if they exceed the size of a usual
      computer screen. Single objects were presented in three different sizes:
      'regular', 'medium', and 'large'. Simultanagnosia patients demonstrated a
      decrease of recognition performance with increasing object size; recognition of
      'large' objects was significantly impaired while perception of 'regular' sized
      objects was unaffected. The results argue against the traditional view of
      preserved recognition of single objects in simultanagnosia. They provide evidence
      for a more general perceptual impairment that emerges irrespective of presenting
      single or multiple objects, but whenever the visual system has to assemble
      information over larger spatial distances or other demanding viewing conditions.
      It appears that perception of large single objects requires intact abilities of
      dorsal Gestalt processing, in addition to regular functions of ventral object
      recognition.

PMID- 27267105
TI  - Pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory
      multiple myeloma and moderate renal impairment: a pooled analysis of three
      clinical trials.
AB  - Renal impairment (RI) is a major comorbidity in patients with multiple myeloma
      (MM). Here we present the pooled safety and efficacy analysis of three clinical
      trials (MM-002, MM-003, and MM-010) of pomalidomide + low-dose dexamethasone (POM
      + LoDEX) in patients with moderate RI (creatinine clearance [CrCl] >= 30 to <60
      mL/min) and without RI (>= 60 mL/min). Trial protocols were approved by the
      institutional review board of each site involved. Patients with RI were older
      than patients without RI, although other baseline characteristics were similar.
      The dosing and safety profile of POM + LoDEX was similar across RI subgroups.
      Median overall response rate, progression-free survival, time to progression, and
      duration of response were not significantly different between RI subgroups.
      However, patients with vs. without RI had significantly shorter median overall
      survival (10.5 vs. 14.0 months, respectively; p = .004). This analysis
      demonstrates that POM + LoDEX is a safe and effective treatment for patients with
      moderate RI. The trials were registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00833833 (MM
      002), NCT01311687 (MM-003), and NCT01712789 (MM-010) and at EudraCT as 2010
      019820-30 (MM-003) and 2012-001888-78 (MM-010).

PMID- 27267106
TI  - Comparative efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in
      treating major depressive disorder: a protocol for network meta-analysis of
      randomised controlled trials.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There have been inconsistent findings from randomised controlled
      trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews on the efficacies of selective serotonin
      reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as the first-line treatment of major depressive
      disorder (MDD). Besides inconsistencies among randomised controlled trials
      (RCTs), their risks of bias and evidence grading have seldom been evaluated in
      meta-analysis. This study aims to compare the efficacy of SSRIs by conducting a
      Bayesian network meta-analysis, which will be the most comprehensive evaluation
      of evidence to resolve the inconsistency among previous studies. METHODS AND
      ANALYSES: SSRIs including citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine,
      paroxetine, sertraline and vilazodone have been selected. Systematic database
      searching and screening will be conducted for the RCTs on drug treatment of
      patients with MDD according to pre-specified search strategies and selection
      criteria. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, the US Food and
      Drug Administration Website, ClinicalTrial.gov and WHO Clinical Trials will be
      searched. Outcome data including Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS),
      Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Clinical Global Impression
      (CGI) from eligible RCTs will be extracted. The outcomes will be analysed as ORs
      and mean differences under a random-effects model. A Bayesian network meta
      analysis will be conducted with WinBUGS software, to compare the efficacies of
      SSRIs. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis will be performed to explain the study
      heterogeneity and evaluate the robustness of the results. Meta-regression
      analysis will be conducted to determine the possible factors affecting the
      efficacy outcomes. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool will be used to
      assess the RCT quality, and the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment,
      Development and Evaluation will be used to assess the strength of evidence from
      the meta-analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval is required
      because this study includes neither confidential personal patient data nor
      interventions with patients. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42015024879.

PMID- 27267108
TI  - Systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of implementing guidelines on low
      back pain management in primary care: is transferability to other countries
      possible?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The primary aim is to identify, summarise and quality assess the
      available literature on the cost-effectiveness of implementing low back pain
      guidelines in primary care. The secondary aim is to assess the transferability of
      the results to determine whether the identified studies can be included in a
      comparison with a Danish implementation study to establish which strategy
      procures most value for money. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: The
      search was conducted in Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, NHS Economic Evaluation
      Database, Scopus, CINAHL and EconLit. No restrictions were made concerning
      language, year of publication or publication type. The bibliographies of the
      included studies were searched for any studies not captured in the literature
      search. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: To be included, a study must
      be: (1) based on a randomised controlled trial comparing implementation
      strategies, (2) the guideline must concern treatment of low back pain in primary
      care and (3) the economic evaluation should contain primary data on cost and cost
      effectiveness. RESULTS: The title and abstract were assessed for 308 studies; of
      these, three studies were found eligible for inclusion. The Consensus Health
      Economic Criteria (CHEC) list showed that the 3 studies were of moderate
      methodological quality while application of Welte's model showed that cost
      results from two studies could, with adjustments, be transferred to a Danish
      setting. It was questionable whether the associated effects could be transferred.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite the resemblance of the implementation strategies, the 3
      studies report conflicting results on cost-effectiveness. This review showed that
      transferring the results from the identified studies is not straightforward and
      underlines the importance of transparent reporting. Future research should focus
      on transferability of effects, for example, development of a supplement to
      Welte's model.

PMID- 27267107
TI  - Association between different risk factors and vascular accelerated ageing (EVA
      study): study protocol for a cross-sectional, descriptive observational study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The process of population ageing that is occurring in developed
      societies represents a major challenge for the health system. The aim of this
      study is to analyse factors that have an influence on early vascular ageing
      (EVA), estimated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and Cardio Ankle
      Vascular Index (CAVI), and to determine differences by gender in a Spanish
      population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional
      study. STUDY POPULATION: From the population assigned to the participating
      healthcare centres, a cluster random sampling stratified by age and gender will
      be performed to obtain 500 participants aged between 35 and 75. Those who meet
      the inclusion criteria and give written informed consent will be included in the
      study. MEASUREMENTS: Main dependent variables: cf-PWV determined using the
      SphygmoCor System and CAVI estimated using VASERA. Secondary dependent variables:
      telomere length, carotid intima-media thickness, central and peripheral
      augmentation index, ankle-brachial pulse wave velocity, ankle-brachial index,
      retinal arteriovenous index, and renal and cardiac organ damage. INDEPENDENT
      VARIABLES: lifestyles (physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet,
      alcohol and tobacco consumption); psychological factors (depression, anxiety and
      chronic stress); inflammatory factors and oxidative stress. ETHICS AND
      DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the clinical research ethics
      committee of the healthcare area of Salamanca. All study participants will sign
      an informed consent form agreeing to participate in the study in compliance with
      the Declaration of Helsinki and the WHO standards for observational studies. The
      results of this study will allow the understanding of the relationship of the
      different influencing factors and their relative weight in the development of
      EVA. At least 5 publications in first-quartile scientific journals are planned.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02623894; Pre-results.

PMID- 27267109
TI  - Physiotherapy informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT): protocol for
      a randomised controlled trial of PACT versus usual physiotherapy care for adults
      with chronic low back pain.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common condition and source of
      significant suffering, disability and healthcare costs. Current physiotherapy
      treatment is moderately effective. Combining theory-based psychological methods
      with physiotherapy could improve outcomes for people with CLBP. The primary aim
      of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of
      Physiotherapy informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT) on functioning
      in patients with CLBP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The PACT trial is a two-armed,
      parallel-group, multicentre RCT to assess the efficacy of PACT in comparison with
      usual physiotherapy care (UC). 240 patients referred to physiotherapy with CLBP
      will be recruited from three National Health Service (NHS) hospitals trusts.
      Inclusion criteria are: age >=18 years, CLBP >=12-week duration, scoring >=3
      points on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and adequate
      understanding of spoken and written English to participate. Patients will be
      randomised to PACT or UC (120 per arm stratified by centre) by an independent
      randomisation service and followed up at 3 and 12 months post randomisation. The
      sample size of 240 will provide adequate power to detect a standardised mean
      difference of 0.40 in the primary outcome (RMDQ; 5% significance, 80% power)
      assuming attrition of 20%. Analysis will be by intention to treat conducted by
      the trial statistician, blind to treatment group, following a prespecified
      analysis plan. Estimates of treatment effect at the follow-up assessments will
      use an intention-to-treat framework, implemented using a linear mixed-effects
      model. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has full ethical approval
      (14/SC/0277). It will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and
      conference presentations. The results will enable clinicians, patients and health
      service managers to make informed decisions regarding the efficacy of PACT for
      patients with CLBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN95392287; Pre-results.

PMID- 27267110
TI  - Research priorities relating to the debate on assisted dying: what do we still
      need to know? Results of a modified Delphi technique.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the main areas of uncertainty and subsequent research
      priorities to inform the ongoing debate around assisted dying. DESIGN: Two-round
      electronic modified Delphi consultation with experts and interested bodies.
      SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 110 groups and individuals interested in the subject of
      end-of-life care and/or assisted dying were approached to participate.
      Respondents included health and social care professionals, researchers,
      campaigners, patients and carers predominantly based in the UK. In the first
      round, the respondents were asked to propose high-priority research questions
      related to the topic of assisted dying. The collected research questions were
      then deduplicated and presented to all respondents in a second round in which
      they could rate each question in terms of importance. RESULTS: 24% and 26% of
      participants responded to the first and second rounds, respectively. Respondents
      suggested 85 unique research questions in the first round. These were grouped by
      theme and rated in terms of importance in the second round. Emergent themes were
      as follows: palliative care/symptom control; patient characteristics, experiences
      and decisions; families and carers; society and the general public; arguments for
      and against assisted dying; international experiences/analysis of existing
      national data; suicide; mental health, psychological and psychosocial
      considerations; comorbidities; the role of clinicians; environment and external
      influences; broader topics incorporating assisted dying; and moral, ethical and
      legal issues. 10 of the 85 proposed questions were rated as being important
      (>=7/10) by at least 50% of respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Research questions with the
      highest levels of consensus were predominantly concerned with understanding how
      and why people make end-of-life decisions, and which factors influence those
      decisions. Dissemination of these findings alongside a focused examination of the
      existing literature may be the most effective way to add evidence to the ongoing
      debate around assisted dying.

PMID- 27267111
TI  - beta-Blockers for the prevention of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (betaLOCK COPD): a randomised controlled study protocol.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A substantial majority of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD)-related morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs are due to acute
      exacerbations, but existing medications have only a modest effect on reducing
      their frequency, even when used in combination. Observational studies suggest
      beta-blockers may reduce the risk of COPD exacerbations; thus, we will conduct a
      randomised, placebo-controlled trial to definitively assess the impact of
      metoprolol succinate on the rate of COPD exacerbations. METHODS AND ANALYSES:
      This is a multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective randomised
      trial that will enrol 1028 patients with at least moderately severe COPD over a 3
      year period. Participants with at least moderate COPD will be randomised in a 1:1
      fashion to receive metoprolol or placebo; the cohort will be enriched for
      patients at high risk for exacerbations. Patients will be screened and then
      randomised over a 2-week period and will then undergo a dose titration period for
      the following 6 weeks. Thereafter, patients will be followed for 42 additional
      weeks on their target dose of metoprolol or placebo followed by a 4-week washout
      period. The primary end point is time to first occurrence of an acute
      exacerbation during the treatment period. Secondary end points include rates and
      severity of COPD exacerbations; rate of major cardiovascular events; all-cause
      mortality; lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)); dyspnoea;
      quality of life; exercise capacity; markers of cardiac stretch (pro-NT brain
      natriuretic peptide) and systemic inflammation (high-sensitivity C reactive
      protein and fibrinogen). Analyses will be performed on an intent-to-treat basis.
      ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has been approved by the Department
      of Defense Human Protection Research Office and will be approved by the
      institutional review board of all participating centres. Study findings will be
      disseminated through presentations at national and international conferences and
      publications in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02587351;
      Pre-results.

PMID- 27267112
TI  - The prevalence and genotypic analysis of Toxoplasma gondii from individuals in
      Scotland, 2006-2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Contemporary information relating to the prevalence of Toxoplasma
      gondii in humans is lacking for the UK population, with even less information
      available about the human prevalence of the parasite in Scotland. To address
      this, two different study groups were used to determine the prevalence and
      genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in the Scottish population. METHODS: The first
      study group included serum samples from blood donors (n = 3273) over a four-year
      period (2006-2009) and the second study group comprised of DNA samples extracted
      from human brains (n = 151) over a five-year period (2008-2012). A T. gondii IgG
      ELISA was performed to determine seroprevalence and available sera from
      individuals who had seroconverted were tested by TgERP ELISA (sporozoite specific
      antigen). Human brain DNA was tested for T. gondii by ITS1 PCR and positives
      genotyped at the SAG3 and GRA6 loci by PCR-RFLP analysis. RESULTS: Seroprevalence
      to T. gondii from blood donors was found to be 13.2 % (95 % CI: 11.5-15.1 %).
      Evidence of seroconversion (n = 2) as well as reversion to sero-negative status
      (n = 6) was evident from blood donors who had donated within all four collection
      periods (n = 184). The TgERP ELISA (indicating oocyst infection) was positive for
      one individual. The molecular detection of T. gondii DNA from human brains
      indicated a prevalence of 17.9 % (95 % CI: 12.1-24.9 %), with genotyping
      identifying alleles for types I and III. An increase in age was associated with
      an increase in detection of the parasite within both study groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our research provides current figures for the prevalence of T. gondii in Scotland
      and also shows evidence of seroreversion within the cohort of blood donors. In
      both study groups there was a correlation between increasing age and an increase
      in T. gondii prevalence, indicating that acquired infection plays an important
      role within the Scottish population.

PMID- 27267113
TI  - Transition to blended learning: experiences from the first year of our blended
      learning Bachelor of Nursing Studies programme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The School of Nursing at Dublin City University offered a new blended
      learning Bachelor of Nursing Studies programme in the academic year 2011. AIM: To
      document the experiences of the academic team making the transition from a face
      to-face classroom-delivered programme to the new blended learning format. METHOD:
      Academics who delivered the programme were asked to describe their experiences of
      developing the new programme via two focus groups. RESULTS: Five dominant themes
      were identified: Staff Readiness; Student Readiness; Programme Delivery and
      Student Engagement; Assessment of Module Learning Outcomes and Feedback; and
      Reflecting on the First Year and Thinking of the Future. Face-to-face tutorials
      were identified as very important to both academics and students. Reservations
      about whether migrating the programme to an online format encouraged students to
      engage in additional practices of plagiarism were expressed by some. Student
      ability/readiness to engage with technology-enhanced learning was an important
      determinant of their own success academically. DISCUSSION: In the field of
      nursing blended learning is a relatively new and emerging field which will
      require huge cultural shifts for staff and students alike.

PMID- 27267114
TI  - Effects of sediment amended with Deepwater Horizon incident slick oil on the
      infaunal amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus.
AB  - Crude oil released from the Deepwater Horizon disaster into the Gulf of Mexico
      posed potential impacts to infaunal invertebrates inhabiting near shore habitats.
      The effects of sediment-associated weathered slick oil on the amphipod
      Leptocheirus plumulosus was assessed using 28-d exposures to total PAH sediment
      concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 24mg/kg (sum of 50 PAHs or tPAH50). Survival
      and growth rate were significantly decreased in the 2.6, 11.4 and 24.2mg/kg
      treatments, but only growth in 5.5mg/kg. Offspring production was dramatically
      decreased but was variable and significantly different only for 24.2mg/kg. The
      concentrations associated with 20% decreases relative to reference were 1.05 (95%
      CI=0-2.89) mg/kg tPAH50 for growth rate and 0.632 (95% CI=0.11-2.15) mg/kg tPAH50
      for offspring production. The concentrations of PAHs affecting amphipods are
      within the range of concentrations measured in marsh areas reportedly impacted by
      DWH oil after its release. 

PMID- 27267115
TI  - Effects of hypoxia caused by mussel farming on benthic foraminifera in semi
      closed Gamak Bay, South Korea.
AB  - Seawater monitoring and geochemical and benthic foraminiferal analysis of
      sediments were conducted to identify the effects of hypoxia created by a mussel
      farm on benthic foraminifera in a semi-closed bay. Extremely polluted reductive
      conditions with a high content of organic matter (OM) at >12.0% and oxygen
      minimum zones (OMZs) with dissolved oxygen (DO) <0.4mg?L(-1) were formed below
      the mussel farm in the northwest area of Gamak Bay, and gradually diffused toward
      the south. Highly similar patterns of variation were observed in species
      diversity, abundance frequency, and benthic foraminiferal assemblage distributed
      from Elphidium subarcticum-Ammonia beccarii in the northwest area through E.
      subarcticum-A. beccarii-Trochammina hadai, E. subarcticum-A. beccarii
      Elphidiumclavatum, and E. clavatum-Ammonia ketienziensis in the southern area.
      These phenomena were caused by hydrodynamics in the current water mass. It was
      thought that E. subarcticum is a bioindicator of organic pollution caused by the
      mussel farm. 

PMID- 27267116
TI  - Spatial distribution and pollution evaluation of heavy metals in Yangtze estuary
      sediment.
AB  - To analyze the spatial distribution patterns and ecological risks of heavy
      metals, 30 sediment samples were taken in the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) in May
      2011. The content of Al, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb increased as follows:
      inner-region<river mouth<adjacent sea. According to Igeo and RI, As, Cr and Cd
      were the main pollutants. What is more, the greatest contaminated area appeared
      at the river mouth of the south branch of YRE. In Tucker 3, considering the
      fractions of metals, Mn turned to be the severest pollutant and As did not
      contribute too much to the contamination of the YRE. That was most probably
      because that Mn was closely related to the carbonate-associated (CARB) and As was
      related to organic-associated (OM) which is more stable than CARB. The fractions
      played an important role in the contamination assessment of heavy metals. 

PMID- 27267117
TI  - A comprehensive guide of remediation technologies for oil contaminated soil -
      Present works and future directions.
AB  - Oil spills result in negative impacts on the environment, economy and society.
      Due to tidal and waves actions, the oil spillage affects the shorelines by
      adhering to the soil, making it difficult for immediate cleaning of the soil. As
      shoreline clean-up is the most costly component of a response operation, there is
      a need for effective oil remediation technologies. This paper provides a review
      on the remediation technologies for soil contaminated with various types of oil,
      including diesel, crude oil, petroleum, lubricating oil, bitumen and bunker oil.
      The methods discussed include solvent extraction, bioremediation,
      phytoremediation, chemical oxidation, electrokinetic remediation, thermal
      technologies, ultrasonication, flotation and integrated remediation technologies.
      Each of these technologies was discussed, and associated with their advantages,
      disadvantages, advancements and future work in detail. Nonetheless, it is
      important to note that no single remediation technology is considered the best
      solution for the remediation of oil contaminated soil. CAPSULE: This review
      provides a comprehensive literature on the various remediation technologies
      studied in the removal of different oil types from soil.

PMID- 27267118
TI  - Evaluation of microplastics in Jurujuba Cove, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil, an area of
      mussels farming.
AB  - Once non-biodegradable, microplastics remain on the environment absorbing toxic
      hydrophobic compounds making them a risk to biodiversity when ingested or
      filtered by organisms and entering in the food chain. To evaluate the potential
      of the contamination by microplastics in mussels cultivated in Jurujuba Cove,
      Niteroi, RJ, waters of three stations were collected during a rain and dry
      seasons using a plankton net and later filtered. Microplastics were quantified
      and characterized morphologically and chemically. The results showed a high
      concentration of microplastics in both seasons with diversity of colors, types
      and sizes. Synthetic polymers were present in all samples. The presence of
      microplastics was probably due to a high and constant load of effluent that this
      area receives and to the mussel farming activity that use many plastic materials.
      Areas with high concentrations of microplastics could not be used for mussel
      cultivation due to the risk of contamination to consumers. 

PMID- 27267119
TI  - In vitro impact of pegvisomant on growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma
      cells.
AB  - Pegvisomant (PEG), an antagonist of growth hormone (GH)-receptor (GHR),
      normalizes insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) oversecretion in most acromegalic
      patients unresponsive to somatostatin analogs (SSAs) and/or uncontrolled by
      transsphenoidal surgery. The residual GH-secreting tumor is therefore exposed to
      the action of circulating PEG. However, the biological effect of PEG at the
      pituitary level remains unknown. To assess the impact of PEG in vitro on the
      hormonal secretion (GH and prolactin (PRL)), proliferation and cellular viability
      of eight human GH-secreting tumors in primary cultures and of the rat
      somatolactotroph cell line GH4C1. We found that the mRNA expression levels of GHR
      were characterized in 31 human GH-secreting adenomas (0.086 copy/copy beta-Gus)
      and the GHR was identified by immunocytochemistry staining. In 5/8 adenomas, a
      dose-dependent inhibition of GH secretion was observed under PEG with a maximum
      of 38.2+/-17% at 1MUg/mL (P<0.0001 vs control). A dose-dependent inhibition of
      PRL secretion occurred in three mixed GH/PRL adenomas under PEG with a maximum of
      52.8+/-11.5% at 10MUg/mL (P<0.0001 vs control). No impact on proliferation of
      either human primary tumors or GH4C1 cell line was observed. We conclude that PEG
      inhibits the secretion of GH and PRL in primary cultures of human GH(/PRL)
      secreting pituitary adenomas without effect on cell viability or cell
      proliferation.

PMID- 27267120
TI  - SAHA-induced loss of tumor suppressor Pten gene promotes thyroid carcinogenesis
      in a mouse model.
AB  - Thyroid cancer is on the rise. Novel approaches are needed to improve the outcome
      of patients with recurrent and advanced metastatic thyroid cancers. FDA approval
      of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; vorinostat), an inhibitor of histone
      deacetylase, for the treatment of hematological malignancies led to the clinical
      trials of vorinostat for advanced thyroid cancer. However, patients were
      resistant to vorinostat treatment. To understand the molecular basis of
      resistance, we tested the efficacy of SAHA in two mouse models of metastatic
      follicular thyroid cancer: Thrb(PV/PV) and Thrb(PV/PV)Pten(+/-) mice. In both,
      thyroid cancer is driven by overactivation of PI3K-AKT signaling. However, the
      latter exhibit more aggressive cancer progression due to haplodeficiency of the
      tumor suppressor, the Pten gene. SAHA had no effects on thyroid cancer
      progression in Thrb(PV/PV) mice, indicative of resistance to SAHA. Unexpectedly,
      thyroid cancer progressed in SAHA-treated Thrb(PV/PV)Pten(+/-) mice with
      accelerated occurrence of vascular invasion, anaplastic foci, and lung
      metastasis. Molecular analyses showed further activated PI3K-AKT in thyroid
      tumors of SAHA-treated Thrb(PV/PV)Pten(+/-) mice, resulting in the activated
      effectors, p-Rb, CDK6, p21(Cip1), p-cSrc, ezrin, and matrix metalloproteinases,
      to increase proliferation and invasion of tumor cells. Single-molecule DNA
      analysis indicated that the wild-type allele of the Pten gene was progressively
      lost, whereas carcinogenesis progressed in SAHA-treated Thrb(PV/PV)Pten(+/-)
      mice. Thus, this study has uncovered a novel mechanism by which SAHA-induced loss
      of the tumor suppressor Pten gene to promote thyroid cancer progression.
      Effectors downstream of the Pten loss-induced signaling may be potential targets
      to overcome resistance of thyroid cancer to SAHA.

PMID- 27267122
TI  - Role of Halloween genes in ecdysteroids biosynthesis of the swimming crab
      (Portunus trituberculatus): Implications from RNA interference and eyestalk
      ablation.
AB  - Molting, including metamorphosis molting in arthropods are controlled by the
      ecdysteroids that are synthesized and secreted by the crustacean Y-organ (YO) or
      the insect prothoracic gland (PG). The Halloween genes encoding the enzymes
      mainly involved in the biosynthesis of ecdysteroids are well studied in insects
      but not in crustaceans. Given the importance of Halloween genes in ecdysteroids
      biosynthesis, we have previously reported the cDNA cloning of disembodied (Dib)
      in P. trituberculatus. Here, cDNA sequences of another two Halloween genes, Spook
      (Spo) and Shadow (Sad), were further identified and characterized. The predicted
      amino acid sequences for these two Halloween genes of Portunus trituberculatus
      were compared to those of several other arthropods, and several typical domains
      of the cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase (CYP) were identified. Similar to the
      tissue distribution of Dib, the Spo and Sad also showed high specificity to the
      YO. RNA interference (RNAi) of these 3 genes indicated they all play essential
      role in ecdysteroids biosynthesis. To investigate the relationships of the
      Halloween genes to the eyestalk neuropeptides such as molt-inhibiting hormone
      (MIH), effects of eyestalk ablation (ESA) on the expression of Dib, Spo and Sad
      were detected. Expression of Dib and Sad, but not Spo, was significantly induced
      by ESA. The result indicated that the inhibition of MIH in ecdysteroids
      biosynthesis may be partly through the transcriptional regulation of certain
      Halloween genes, such as Dib and Sad, while the Spo might not be the target for
      MIH signal.

PMID- 27267121
TI  - Primary cancer cell culture: mammary-optimized vs conditional reprogramming.
AB  - The impact of different culture conditions on biology of primary cancer cells is
      not always addressed. Here, conditional reprogramming (CRC) was compared with
      mammary-optimized EpiCult-B (EpiC) for primary mammary epithelial cell isolation
      and propagation, allograft generation, and genome-wide transcriptional
      consequences using cancer and non-cancer mammary tissue from mice with different
      dosages of Brca1 and p53 Selective comparison to DMEM was included. Primary
      cultures were established with all three media, but CRC was most efficient for
      initial isolation (P<0.05). Allograft development was faster using cells grown in
      EpiC compared with CRC (P<0.05). Transcriptome comparison of paired CRC and EpiC
      cultures revealed 1700 differentially expressed genes by passage 20. CRC promoted
      Trp53 gene family upregulation and increased expression of epithelial
      differentiation genes, whereas EpiC elevated expression of epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition genes. Differences did not persist in allografts where both methods
      yielded allografts with relatively similar transcriptomes. Restricting passage
      (<7) reduced numbers of differentially expressed genes below 50. In conclusion,
      CRC was most efficient for initial cell isolation but EpiC was quicker for
      allograft generation. The extensive culture-specific gene expression patterns
      that emerged with longer passage could be limited by reducing passage number when
      both culture transcriptomes were equally similar to that of the primary tissue.
      Defining impact of culture condition and passage on the transcriptome of primary
      cells could assist experimental design and interpretation. For example,
      differences that appear with passage and culture condition are potentially
      exploitable for comparative studies targeting specific biological networks in
      different transcriptional environments.

PMID- 27267124
TI  - One-Pot Synthesis of Substituted Benzo[b]furans and Indoles from
      Dichlorophenols/Dichloroanilines Using a Palladium-Dihydroxyterphenylphosphine
      Catalyst.
AB  - Disubstituted benzo[b]furans were synthesized by ortho-selective Sonogashira
      coupling of dichlorophenols and terminal alkynes, followed by cyclization and
      Suzuki-Miyaura coupling in one pot, using a palladium-dihydroxyterphenylphosphine
      (Cy-DHTP) catalyst. The use of substoichiometric amounts of tetrabutylammonium
      chloride was effective in accelerating the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. This protocol
      was also successfully applied to the one-pot synthesis of disubstituted indoles
      from dichloroaniline derivatives.

PMID- 27267123
TI  - Sexual Trauma, the Dopamine D4 Receptor, and Suicidal Ideation Among Hospitalized
      Adolescents: A Preliminary Investigation.
AB  - Though an association exists between sexual trauma and adolescent suicidal
      thoughts and behaviors (STBs), not all adolescents with a sexual assault history
      develop STBs. The present study examined whether carrier status of the DRD4 VNTR
      polymorphism (DRD4 L vs. DRD4S) moderated the relationship between sexual trauma
      and STBs in a sample of psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. A total of 76
      psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents provided saliva samples for genotyping
      procedures and completed assessment measures. Using hierarchical regression
      analyses, results indicated that DRD4 L carriers with a sexual trauma history
      reported significantly more severe suicidal ideation than DRD4S homozygotes.
      There was no interaction evident for the prediction of suicide attempts. To our
      knowledge, this is the first study to provide preliminary support for synergistic
      effects of sexual trauma, DRD4, and severity of SI in adolescents. Further
      studies of the relationship between sexual trauma, DRD4, and STBs utilizing
      larger samples are needed.

PMID- 27267125
TI  - PhenoImageShare: an image annotation and query infrastructure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High throughput imaging is now available to many groups and it is
      possible to generate a large quantity of high quality images quickly. Managing
      this data, consistently annotating it, or making it available to the community
      are all challenges that come with these methods. RESULTS: PhenoImageShare
      provides an ontology-enabled lightweight image data query, annotation service and
      a single point of access backed by a Solr server for programmatic access to an
      integrated image collection enabling improved community access. PhenoImageShare
      also provides an easy to use online image annotation tool with functionality to
      draw regions of interest on images and to annotate them with terms from an
      autosuggest-enabled ontology-lookup widget. The provenance of each image, and
      annotation, is kept and links to original resources are provided. The semantic
      and intuitive search interface is species and imaging technology neutral.
      PhenoImageShare now provides access to annotation for over 100,000 images for 2
      species. CONCLUSION: The PhenoImageShare platform provides underlying
      infrastructure for both programmatic access and user-facing tools for biologists
      enabling the query and annotation of federated images. PhenoImageShare is
      accessible online at http://www.phenoimageshare.org .

PMID- 27267126
TI  - Nano-based strategies to overcome p-glycoprotein-mediated drug resistance.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The discussion about cancer treatment has a long history.
      Chemotherapy, one of the promising approaches in cancer therapy, is limited in
      the clinic as plenty of factors evolve and prevent appropriate therapeutic
      response to drugs. Multi-drug resistance (MDR), which is mostly P-glycoprotein
      mediated, is described as the most well-known impediment in this contribution. It
      extrudes several agents out of cells, arising MDR and decreasing the
      bioavailability of drugs. Hence, cancer cells become insensitive to chemotherapy.
      AREAS COVERED: Many agents have been developed to reverse MDR, but it is
      difficult to deliver them into cancer sites and cancer cells. The emerging nano
      based drug delivery systems have been more effective to overcome P-glycoprotein
      mediated MDR by increasing the intracellular delivery of these agents. Here, we
      represent systems including siRNA-targeted inhibition of P-gp, monoclonal
      antibodies, natural extracts, conventional inhibitors, hard nanoparticles and
      soft nanoparticles as delivery systems in addition to a novel approach applying
      cell penetrating peptides. EXPERT OPINION: Overcoming cancer drug resistance
      using innovative nanotechnology is being increasingly used and developed. Among
      resistance mechanisms, drug efflux transporter inhibitors and MDR gene expression
      silencing are among the those being investigated. In the near future, it seems
      some of these nanomedical approaches might become the mainstay of effective
      treatment of important human conditions like cancer.

PMID- 27267127
TI  - Pichia pastoris Mut(S) strains are prone to misincorporation of O-methyl-L
      homoserine at methionine residues when methanol is used as the sole carbon
      source.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the last few decades the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris
      has become a popular host for a wide range of products such as vaccines and
      therapeutic proteins. Several P. pastoris engineered strains and mutants have
      been developed to improve the performance of the expression system. Yield and
      quality of a recombinant product are important parameters to monitor during the
      host selection and development process but little information is published
      regarding quality differences of a product produced by different P. pastoris
      strains. RESULTS: We compared titer and quality of several Nanobodies((r))
      produced in wild type and Mut(S) strains. Titer in fed-batch fermentation was
      comparable between all strains for each Nanobody but a significant difference in
      quality was observed. Nanobodies expressed in Mut(S) strains contained a product
      variant with a Delta-16 Da mass difference that was not observed in wild type
      strains. This variant showed substitution of methionine residues due to
      misincorporation of O-methyl-L-homoserine, also called methoxine. Methoxine is
      likely synthesized by the enzymatic action of O-acetyl homoserine sulfhydrylase
      and we confirmed that Nanobodies produced in the corresponding knock-out strain
      contained no methoxine variants. We could show the incorporation of methoxine
      during biosynthesis by its addition to the culture medium. CONCLUSION: We showed
      that misincorporation of methoxine occurs particularly in P. pastoris Mut(S)
      strains. This reduction in product quality could outweigh the advantages of using
      Mut strains, such as lower oxygen and methanol demand, heat formation and in some
      cases improved expression. Methoxine incorporation in recombinant proteins is
      likely to occur when an excess of methanol is present during fermentation but can
      be avoided when the methanol feed rate protocol is carefully designed.

PMID- 27267128
TI  - Electropalatographic (EPG) evidence of covert contrasts in disordered speech.
AB  - The phenomenon of covert contrasts has intrigued researchers and clinicians since
      it was first identified using instrumental data nearly 50 years ago. The term
      covert contrast refers to phonological contrasts that listeners do not readily
      identify and which therefore pass unrecorded in transcription-based studies.
      Covert contrasts are viewed as significant from theoretical and clinical
      perspectives. Although influential, there are relatively few instrumental studies
      of covert contrasts. The studies that do exist are limited to revealing contrasts
      that manifest in specific phonetic parameters or phonological processes. However,
      recent studies have provided convincing new evidence that covert contrasts are
      likely to be widespread in child speech. The purpose of this article is
      threefold: to review electropalatography (EPG) studies of covert contrasts; to
      provide EPG examples from the speech of individuals with speech disorders and to
      discuss the implications in child speech.

PMID- 27267129
TI  - Cytokines, adipocytokines and inflammatory markers in patients on continuous
      ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cytokines are essential mediators of immune response. Chronic renal
      failure patients suffer from chronic inflammation that results from factors such
      as impaired renal function, accumulation of uremic toxins and bio incompatibility
      of dialyzer membranes. These patients are also at increased risk of
      cardiovascular diseases. We have evaluated cytokines, adipocytokines and
      inflammatory markers in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing
      hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: We have determined serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha),
      interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), leptin and
      ghrelin levels of chronic renal failure patients treated with either HD (n = 20)
      or CAPD (n = 20). TNF-alpha, IL-6, ghrelin and leptin measurements were performed
      by commercially available kits based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
      method. hsCRP levels were determined by turbidimetric methods. RESULTS: Serum TNF
      alpha and IL-6 levels of patients on HD were significantly higher than those of
      the ones on CAPD (p < 0.05). Ghrelin, leptin and hsCRP concentrations were
      similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that cytokine production is
      more obvious in HD process.

PMID- 27267130
TI  - Cardiac renin-angiotensin system (gene expression) and plasma angiotensin II in
      chickens with T3-induced pulmonary hypertension.
AB  - The relative expression of renin, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and
      angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) was performed using quantitative real-time
      PCR on tissue from the heart ventricles to investigate the effect of 3,5,3'-l
      triiodothyronine (T3)-induced pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) in broiler
      chickens at 12 and 42 d of age. Plasma angiotensin II was also measured using
      enzyme immunoassay at 12, 21, 28, 32 and 42 d. Renin transcript in the right
      ventricle of the treated group was significantly increased at 12 d and decreased
      at 42 d of age compared to controls. ACE transcript in the left ventricle of the
      treated group was significantly increased at 42 d of age compared to controls. In
      the right ventricle, the expression of this gene was significantly increased at
      12 d while decreased at 42 d of age in the treated group compared to control.
      AT1R transcript in the right ventricle of the treated group was significantly
      increased at 12 and 42 d of age compared to control. In the left ventricle of the
      treated group, the transcript of this gene was only higher at 12 d of age than
      control. Plasma angiotensin II was significantly increased in pulmonary
      hypertensive chickens at 28 d of age compared to control. It is concluded that
      gene expression of renin, ACE and AT1R was relatively upregulated in the heart of
      chickens developing pulmonary hypertension. The right ventricle of hearts from
      pulmonary hypertensive chickens showed considerable reductions of renin/ACE and
      elevation of AT1R which may provide evidence of diminished responsiveness of the
      renin-angiotensin system. 

PMID- 27267131
TI  - Re-interventions after endovascular aortic repair for infrarenal abdominal
      aneurysms: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early morbidity and mortality are generally lower after endovascular
      aortic repair (EVAR), than after open repair but re-interventions and late
      complications are more common. The aim of the present study was to make a
      detailed description of re-interventions after EVAR-including incidence,
      indications, procedures, and outcome-with special reference to non-access-related
      re-interventions. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-center cohort study of
      re-interventions after standard EVAR with special reference to non-access-related
      re-interventions. Consecutive patients (n = 405) treated with standard EVAR for
      non-ruptured (n = 337) or ruptured (n = 68) infrarenal aneurysms between 2005 and
      2013 were analysed. Median follow-up was 29 months (range 0-108). RESULTS: Eighty
      nine patients (22 %) underwent 113 re-interventions during follow-up. Twenty
      seven patients (7 %) had 28 access related re-intervention, 65 patients (16 %)
      had 85 non-access related reinterventions. Non-access related re-interventions
      were more common in ruptured aneurysms than in unruptured aneurysms (22 vs. 15 %,
      p = 0.002). The most frequent indications were endoleak type I (n = 19), type II
      (n = 21), or type III (n = 5); stent graft migration (n = 9); and thrombosis (n =
      14). The most frequent procedures were embolization of endoleak type II (n = 21),
      additional iliac stent graft (n = 19), proximal extension (n = 12), thrombolysis
      (n = 8), iliac limb bare-metal stenting (n = 6), and stent graft relining (n =
      7). Endovascular technique was used in 83 % of re-interventions. Thirty-day
      mortality after non-access-related re-interventions was 15 % when initiated from
      symptoms (rupture or infection) and 0 % when initiated from follow-up findings (p
      = 0.014). Cumulative survival five years after EVAR was 72 % in patients with a
      re-intervention and 59 % in patients without (p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Non-access
      related re-intervention rates are still considerable after EVAR and more frequent
      after ruptured aneurysms. Endoleak embolization is the most frequent procedure,
      followed by additional iliac stent grafts. Outcomes after re-interventions are
      generally good, except when initiated by rupture or infection.

PMID- 27267132
TI  - P2 and behavioral effects of stroke count in Chinese characters: Evidence for an
      analytic and attentional view.
AB  - The inconsistent stroke-count effect in Chinese character recognition has
      resulted in an intense debate between the analytic and holistic views of
      character processing. The length effects of English words on behavioral responses
      and event-related potentials (ERPs) are similarly inconclusive. In this study, we
      identified any behavioral and ERP stroke-count effects when orthographic
      neighborhood sizes are balanced across three stroke counts. A delayed character
      matching task was conducted while ERPs were recorded. The behavioral data
      indicated that both response latency and error rate increased with increasing
      stroke count. The ERP data showed higher P2 but lower N2 amplitudes in the large
      count than in the median count condition. A higher P2 can reflect increased
      attentional load and reduced attentional resource for processing each stroke
      because of the additional strokes in the large count condition. The behavioral
      and ERP effects of stroke count provide evidence for the analytic view of
      character processing but also provide evidence against the holistic view.

PMID- 27267133
TI  - Blocking of TRPV-1 in the parodontium relieves orthodontic pain by inhibiting the
      expression of TRPV-1 in the trigeminal ganglion during experimental tooth
      movement in rats.
AB  - Orthodontic pain has confused the orthodontics for a long time, and recent
      research demonstrated that transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1)
      had crucial functions in transduction of painful stimuli. The present research
      investigated the analgesia effects of the blocking TRPV1 on orthodontic pain
      during experimental tooth movement. Under challenge with experimental tooth
      movement, the expression of TRPV1 in the parodontium was increased in a time
      dependent and force-dependent manner. And treatment with selective TRPV1
      antagonist AMG-9810 in the parodontium reduced the expression of TRPV1 in the
      trigeminal ganglion (TG) and decreased the secretion of IL-1beta in the gingival
      crevicular fluid. Furthermore, AMG-9810 could relieve orthodontic pain arising
      from experimental tooth movement in rats. We suggest that TRPV1 both in the
      parodontium and trigeminal ganglion are involved in orthodontic pain, and TRPV1
      in the parodontium influence on orthodontic pain through reducing the expression
      of TRPV1 in trigeminal ganglion. Our finding may help to develop strategies for
      relieving orthodontic pain after orthodontics.

PMID- 27267135
TI  - Parenteral nutrition in short bowel syndrome patients, regardless of its
      duration, increases serum proinflammatory cytokines.
AB  - Short bowel syndrome is a severe malabsorption disorder, and prolonged parenteral
      nutrition is essential for survival in some cases. Among the undesirable effects
      of long-term parenteral nutrition is an increase in proinflammatory cytokines.
      The aim of the present study was to measure the serum levels of interleukin-6,
      interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and transforming growth factor beta,
      in patients with short bowel syndrome on cyclic parenteral nutrition and patients
      who had previously received but no longer require parenteral nutrition. The study
      was cross-sectional and observational. Three groups were studied as follows:
      Parenteral nutrition group, 9 patients with short bowel syndrome that receive
      cyclic parenteral nutrition; Oral nutrition group, 10 patients with the same
      syndrome who had been weaned off parenteral nutrition for at least 1 year prior
      to the study; Control group, 13 healthy adults, matched for age and sex to
      parenteral and oral groups. The following data were collected: age, tobacco use,
      drug therapies, dietary intake, body weight, height, blood collection. All
      interleukins were significantly higher in the parenteral group compared with the
      control group as follows: interleukin-6: 22 +/- 19 vs 1.5 +/- 1.4 pg/mL, P=
      .0002; transforming growth factor beta: 854 +/- 204 vs 607 +/- 280 pg/mL, P= .04;
      interleukin-10: 8 +/- 37 vs 0.6 +/- 4, P= .03; tumor necrosis factor alpha: 20 +/
      8 vs 8 +/- 4 pg/mL, P< .0001. We concluded that parenteral nutrition in short
      bowel syndrome patients, regardless of its duration, increases serum
      proinflammatory cytokines.

PMID- 27267134
TI  - Systematic review of published trials: long-term safety of topical
      corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors in pediatric patients with
      atopic dermatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many clinicians have concerns about the safety of atopic dermatitis
      (AD) treatments, particularly in children requiring long-term daily maintenance
      therapy. Topical corticosteroids (TCS) have been widely used for >5 decades. Long
      term TCS monotherapy has been associated with adverse cutaneous effects including
      atrophy, rebound flares, and increased percutaneous absorption with potential for
      adverse systemic effects. Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), tacrolimus and
      pimecrolimus, available for 1-2 decades, are not associated with atrophy or
      increased percutaneous absorption after prolonged use and have much lower
      potential for systemic effects. However, since 2006 TCIs have carried a
      controversial Boxed Warning based on a theoretical risk of malignancy (eg, skin
      and lymphoma) that has limited TCI use for standard-of-care maintenance therapy.
      METHODS: A comparative systematic search of PubMed was done for long-term (>=12
      week) clinical trials of TCS or TCI treatment in patients <12 years with AD.
      Citations were reviewed for inclusion based on MeSH terms, abstracts, and
      relevant article text. Studies were excluded if they did not encompass subjects
      <12 years, or were <12 weeks' duration, retrospective, meta-analyses, or limited
      to anecdotal case reports. RESULTS: Of 27 trials meeting criteria, 21 included
      5825 pediatric patients treated with TCIs, and 6 included 1999 patients treated
      with TCS. TCS studies were limited to low- to mid-potency products, and all but
      one study lacked a vehicle control. Eight TCI studies were vehicle-controlled,
      and safety data were well reported, with <=5 % of patients reporting
      discontinuation due to adverse effects (DAEs). Cutaneous and systemic adverse
      events (AEs) were similar in TCI and vehicle groups, with no reports of lymphoma.
      Safety data in TCS trials were less well reported. DAE incidence was addressed in
      just 2 trials, and systemic and cutaneous AEs were mostly unreported.
      CONCLUSIONS: Data supporting long-term use of TCIs are robust, documenting safety
      and efficacy, while data supporting long-term TCS use are limited to low- to mid
      potency products. Our review identifies a lack of information on the safety of
      commonly prescribed, long-term monotherapy with mid- to high-potency TCS in
      pediatric AD, and supports standard-of-care maintenance therapy with TCIs and
      intermittent use of low- to mid-potency TCS for flares.

PMID- 27267136
TI  - Effect of Mutation and Substrate Binding on the Stability of Cytochrome P450BM3
      Variants.
AB  - Cytochrome P450BM3 is a heme-containing enzyme from Bacillus megaterium that
      exhibits high monooxygenase activity and has a self-sufficient electron transfer
      system in the full-length enzyme. Its potential synthetic applications drive
      protein engineering efforts to produce variants capable of oxidizing nonnative
      substrates such as pharmaceuticals and aromatic pollutants. However, promiscuous
      P450BM3 mutants often exhibit lower stability, thereby hindering their industrial
      application. This study demonstrated that the heme domain
      R47L/F87V/L188Q/E267V/F81I pentuple mutant (PM) is destabilized because of the
      disruption of hydrophobic contacts and salt bridge interactions. This was
      directly observed from crystal structures of PM in the presence and absence of
      ligands (palmitic acid and metyrapone). The instability of the tertiary structure
      and heme environment of substrate-free PM was confirmed by pulse proteolysis and
      circular dichroism, respectively. Binding of the inhibitor, metyrapone,
      significantly stabilized PM, but the presence of the native substrate, palmitic
      acid, had no effect. On the basis of high-temperature molecular dynamics
      simulations, the lid domain, beta-sheet 1, and Cys ligand loop (a beta-bulge
      segment connected to the heme) are the most labile regions and, thus, potential
      sites for stabilizing mutations. Possible approaches to stabilization include
      improvement of hydrophobic packing interactions in the lid domain and
      introduction of new salt bridges into beta-sheet 1 and the heme region. An
      understanding of the molecular factors behind the loss of stability of P450BM3
      variants therefore expedites site-directed mutagenesis studies aimed at
      developing thermostability.

PMID- 27267137
TI  - Multispectral Chiral Imaging with a Metalens.
AB  - The vast majority of biologically active compounds, ranging from amino acids to
      essential nutrients such as glucose, possess intrinsic handedness. This in turn
      gives rise to chiral optical properties that provide a basis for detecting and
      quantifying enantio-specific concentrations of these molecules. However,
      traditional chiroptical spectroscopy and imaging techniques require cascading of
      multiple optical components in sophisticated setups. Here, we present a planar
      lens with an engineered dispersive response, which simultaneously forms two
      images with opposite helicity of an object within the same field-of-view. In this
      way, chiroptical properties can be probed across the visible spectrum using only
      the lens and a camera without the addition of polarizers or dispersive optical
      devices. We map the circular dichroism of the exoskeleton of a chiral beetle,
      Chrysina gloriosa, which is known to exhibit high reflectivity of left-circularly
      polarized light, with high spatial resolution limited by the numerical aperture
      of the planar lens. Our results demonstrate the potential of metasurfaces in
      realizing a compact and multifunctional device with unprecedented imaging
      capabilities.

PMID- 27267138
TI  - Undergraduate Training in Human Sexuality-Evaluation of the Impact on Medical
      Doctors' Practice Ten Years After Graduation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that an indicator of a doctor's ability to
      assess patients' sexual function relates to the level of earlier training. The
      amount and quality of training the doctor receives at the undergraduate level and
      beyond could contribute to the doctor's confidence and competence. AIMS: To
      evaluate whether doctors found that the teaching in human sexuality received at
      medical school was sufficient for their future practice and whether their chosen
      medical specialty and exposure to issues related to sexual health affected this
      opinion. METHODS: One hundred seventy doctors maintaining contact with the
      University of Sheffield Medical School Alumni Office after qualifying in 2004
      were sent self-completion postal questionnaires. Space was allocated for
      supplementary comments to their answers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-completion
      postal questionnaire. RESULTS: Although the response rate was low, there appeared
      to be an impact of the teaching of human sexuality on the clinical practice of
      doctors. More than two-thirds of respondents rated the teaching as useful and
      more than 70% felt more confident in diagnosing and managing male and female
      sexual issues. CONCLUSION: The results show a link between the undergraduate
      teaching of sexual medicine and education and a subsequent proactive approach to
      sexuality issues; unfortunately, the study does not provide any information about
      the level of skills or ability in this field of medicine. We have confirmed that
      the Sheffield model might be suitable for teaching sexual medicine issues in the
      United Kingdom but cannot confirm that the current format is suitable for
      international undergraduate audiences. Future study could include other medical
      schools and a comparison of sexual medicine practice among physicians who
      received undergraduate medical education and overall numbers could be increased
      to compare current practice with the number of hours of sexual medicine education
      as a key parameter.

PMID- 27267139
TI  - Use of a Self-Reflection Tool to Enhance Resident Learning on an Adolescent
      Medicine Rotation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Adolescent Medicine (AM) educators in pediatric residency programs are
      seeking new ways to engage learners in adolescent health. This mixed-methods
      study presents a novel self-reflection tool and addresses whether self-reflection
      enhanced residents' perception of the value of an adolescent rotation, in
      particular, its relevance to their future practice. METHODS: The self-reflection
      tool included 17 Likert scale items on residents' comfort with the essential
      tasks of adolescent care and open-ended questions that promoted self-reflection
      and goal setting. Semi-structured, postrotation interviews encouraged residents
      to discuss their experiences. Likert scale data were analyzed using descriptive
      statistics, and interview notes and written comments on the self-reflection tool
      were combined for qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: Residents' pre-to post-self
      evaluations showed statistically significant increases in comfort with most of
      the adolescent health care tasks. Four major themes emerged from our qualitative
      analysis: (1) the value of observing skilled attendings as role models; (2) the
      comfort gained through broad and frequent adolescent care experiences; (3) the
      career relevance of AM; and (4) the ability to set personally meaningful goals
      for the rotation. CONCLUSIONS: Residents used the self-reflection tool to
      mindfully set goals and found their AM education valuable and relevant to their
      future careers. Our tool helped make explicit to residents the norms, values, and
      beliefs of the hidden curriculum applied to the care of adolescents and helped
      them to improve the self-assessed quality of their rapport and communications
      with adolescents. We conclude that a structured self-reflection exercise can
      enhance residents' experiences on an AM rotation.

PMID- 27267140
TI  - Pathological Internet Use Is on the Rise Among European Adolescents.
AB  - PURPOSE: Increased Internet accessibility has been accompanied by an increased
      awareness of pathological Internet use (PIU). The aim of the study was to
      investigate a potential increase of PIU among European adolescents. METHODS:
      Comparable data from two large cross-sectional multicentre, school-based studies
      conducted in 2009/2010 and 2011/2012 in five European countries (Estonia,
      Germany, Italy, Romania, and Spain) were used. The Young's Diagnostic
      Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of PIU. RESULTS: The comparison
      of the two samples provides evidence that the prevalence of PIU is on the rise
      (4.01%-6.87%, odds ratio = 1.69, p < .001) except in Germany. Comparison with
      data on Internet accessibility suggests that the rise in prevalence of adolescent
      PIU may be a consequence of increased Internet accessibility. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings are the first data to confirm the rise of PIU among European
      adolescents. They definitively warrant further efforts in the implementation and
      evaluation of preventive interventions.

PMID- 27267141
TI  - A Depression Prevention Intervention for Adolescents in the Emergency Department.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate acceptability and feasibility of a theoretically based two
      part (brief in-person + 8-week automated text message) depression prevention
      program, "intervention for DepressiOn and Violence prevention in the Emergency
      department" (iDOVE), for high-risk adolescents. METHODS: English-speaking
      emergency department (ED) patients (age 13-17, any chief complaint) were
      sequentially approached for consent on a convenience sample of shifts and
      screened for inclusion based on current depressive symptoms and past-year
      violence. After consent, baseline assessments were obtained; all participants
      were enrolled in the two-part intervention (brief in-ED + 8-week two-way text
      messaging). At 8 weeks, quantitative and qualitative follow-up assessments were
      obtained. Measures included feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary data on
      efficacy. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim, double coded, and
      interpreted using thematic analysis. Quantitative results were analyzed
      descriptively and with paired t tests. RESULTS: As planned, 16 participants
      (eight each gender) were recruited (75% of those who were eligible; 66% nonwhite,
      63% low income, mean age 15.4). The intervention had high feasibility and
      acceptability: 93.8% completed 8-week follow-up; 80% of daily text messages
      received responses; 31% of participants requested >=1 "on-demand" text message.
      In-person and text message portions were rated as good/excellent by 87%.
      Qualitatively, participants articulated: (1) iDOVE was welcome and helpful, if
      unexpected in the ED; (2) the daily text message mood assessment was "most
      important"; (3) content was "uplifting"; and (4) balancing intervention
      "relatability" and automation was challenging. Participants' mean DeltaBDI-2
      (Beck Depression Inventory) from baseline to 8-week follow-up was -4.9, (p =
      .02). CONCLUSIONS: This automated preventive text message intervention is
      acceptable and feasible. Qualitative data emphasize the importance of creating
      positive, relevant, and interactive digital health tools for adolescents.

PMID- 27267143
TI  - Diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumour: Current treatment concepts and
      future perspectives.
AB  - At present, the optimal treatment strategy in patients with diffuse-type
      tenosynovial giant cell tumour (D-TGCT) is unclear. The purpose of this review
      was to describe current treatment options, and to highlight recent developments
      in the knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of D-TGCT as well as related
      therapeutic implications. Epidemiology, clinical features, and the pathogenesis
      of D-TGCT and the most widely used treatment modalities are described. D-TGCT is
      a benign clonal neoplastic proliferation arising from the synovium. Patients are
      often symptomatic and require multiple surgical procedures during their lifetime.
      Currently, surgery is the main treatment for patients with D-TGCT, with relapse
      rates ranging from 14% to 55%. Radiosynovectomy and external beam radiotherapy
      have been used in combination with surgical excision or as single modalities. The
      finding that D-TGCT cells overexpress colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1),
      resulting in recruitment of CSF1 receptor (CSF1R)-bearing macrophages that are
      polyclonal and make up the bulk of the tumour, has led to clinical trials with
      CSF1R inhibitors. These inhibitors include small molecules such as imatinib,
      nilotinib, PLX3397, and the monoclonal antibody RG7155. In conclusion, D-TGCT
      impairs patients' quality of life significantly. The evidence that the
      pathogenetic loop of D-TGCT can be inhibited could potentially change the
      therapeutic armamentarium for this condition. Clinical trials of agents that
      target D-TGCT are currently ongoing. In the meantime, international registries
      should be activated in order to provide useful information on this relatively
      rare tumour.

PMID- 27267142
TI  - Social Epidemiology of Depression and Anxiety by Gender Identity.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study investigates depression and anxiety in gender minority (i.e.,
      transgender and/or gender nonconforming) compared with nongender minority
      (cisgender) young adults. METHODS: Data were from the Growing Up Today Study, a
      national cohort of U.S. young adults. A two-step method (maternal-reported natal
      sex in 1996 cross-classified with participant-reported current gender identity in
      2010) was used to identify gender minority and nongender minority respondents (n
      = 7,831; mean age = 26 years). Differences in past week depressive symptoms and
      anxious symptoms were examined cross-sectionally by gender identity. Gender
      minority and nongender minority respondents were compared using age-adjusted
      logistic regression models. RESULTS: In gender minorities, the prevalence of
      depressive and anxious symptoms meeting clinical cutoffs was 52% and 38%,
      respectively, compared with nongender minorities (27% and 30% in females and 25%
      and 14% in males; p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Gender identity is an understudied
      social determinant of mental health. Surveillance efforts to monitor mental
      health disparities should include survey questions to assess gender identity in
      epidemiologic research. Research and interventions to understand and ameliorate
      mental health disparities by gender identity are needed.

PMID- 27267144
TI  - European Research on Electrochemotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer (EURECA)
      project: Results of the treatment of skin cancer.
AB  - Electrochemotherapy is an effective and safe method for local treatment of
      cutaneous and subcutaneous tumours, where electric pulses cause increased
      permeability of cell membranes in the tumour mass, enabling dramatically enhanced
      effectiveness of bleomycin and other hydrophilic drugs. Here, we report results
      of a European multi-institutional prospective study of the effectiveness of
      electrochemotherapy in the treatment of skin cancer of the head and neck (HN)
      area, where standard treatments had either failed or were not deemed suitable or
      declined by the patient. A total of 105 patients affected by primary or recurrent
      skin cancer of the HN area were enrolled; of these, 99 were eligible for
      evaluation of tumour response. By far, the majority (82%) were treated only once,
      and 18% of patients had a second treatment. The objective response was highest
      for basal cell carcinoma (97%) and for other histologies was 74%. Small, primary,
      and treatment-naive carcinomas responded significantly better (p < 0.05), as
      investigated by univariate analysis. Electrochemotherapy was well tolerated and
      led to a significant improvement of quality of life, estimated by the European
      Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaires.
      At 1-year follow-up, the percentages of overall and disease-free survival were
      76% and 89%, respectively. Electrochemotherapy is an effective option for skin
      cancers of the HN area and can be considered a feasible alternative to standard
      treatments when such an alternative is appropriate. The precise role for
      electrochemotherapy in the treatment algorithm for non-melanoma skin cancer of
      the HN region requires data from future randomised controlled studies. (ISRCTN
      registry N. 30427).

PMID- 27267146
TI  - Vertebral shape and body elongation in Triturus newts.
AB  - Body elongation in vertebrates is often related to a lengthening of the vertebrae
      and an increase in their number. Changes in the number and shape of vertebrae are
      not necessarily linked. In tailed amphibians, a change in body shape is mostly
      associated with an increase in the number of trunk and tail vertebrae. Body
      elongation without a numerical change of vertebrae is rare. In Triturus aquatic
      salamanders body elongation is achieved by trunk elongation through an increase
      in the number of trunk vertebrae. We used computed microtomography and three
      dimensional geometric morphometrics to document the size, shape and number of
      trunk vertebrae in seven Triturus species. The data suggest that body elongation
      has occurred more frequently than body shortening, possibly related to a more
      aquatic versus a more terrestrial locomotor style. Our results show that body
      elongation is achieved through an increase in the number of trunk vertebrae, and
      that interspecific differences in vertebral shape are correlated with this
      pattern of elongation. More gracile trunk vertebrae were found in the more
      elongated species. The shape differences are such that single trunk vertebrae can
      be used for the identification of species with a possible application in the
      identification of subfossil and fossil material.

PMID- 27267145
TI  - Towards low carbon society in Iskandar Malaysia: Implementation and feasibility
      of community organic waste composting.
AB  - Rapid population growth and urbanisation have generated large amount of municipal
      solid waste (MSW) in many cities. Up to 40-60% of Malaysia's MSW is reported to
      be food waste where such waste is highly putrescible and can cause bad odour and
      public health issue if its disposal is delayed. In this study, the implementation
      of community composting in a village within Iskandar Malaysia is presented as a
      case study to showcase effective MSW management and mitigation of GHG emission.
      The selected village, Felda Taib Andak (FTA), is located within a palm oil
      plantation and a crude palm oil processing mill. This project showcases a
      community-composting prototype to compost food and oil palm wastes into high
      quality compost. The objective of this article is to highlight the economic and
      environment impacts of a community-based composting project to the key
      stakeholders in the community, including residents, oil palm plantation owners
      and palm oil mill operators by comparing three different scenarios, through a
      life cycle approach, in terms of the greenhouse gas emission and cost benefit
      analysis. First scenario is the baseline case, where all the domestic waste is
      sent to landfill site. In the second scenario, a small-scale centralised
      composting project was implemented. In the third scenario, the data obtained from
      Scenario 2 was used to do a projection on the GHG emission and costing analysis
      for a pilot-scale centralised composting plant. The study showed a reduction
      potential of 71.64% on GHG emission through the diversion of food waste from
      landfill, compost utilisation and significant revenue from the compost sale in
      Scenario 3. This thus provided better insight into the feasibility and
      desirability in implementing a pilot-scale centralised composting plant for a sub
      urban community in Malaysia to achieve a low carbon and self-sustainable society,
      in terms of environment and economic aspects.

PMID- 27267147
TI  - Locomotor flexibility of Polypterus senegalus across various aquatic and
      terrestrial substrates.
AB  - Amphibious fishes show wide variation in form and function. Examination of
      terrestrial locomotion in fishes has largely focused on highly specialized taxa.
      From an evolutionary perspective we are interested in how relatively
      unspecialized fishes locomote when exposed to different terrestrial environments.
      In this study, we explore the locomotory repertoire of the basal actinopterygian
      Polypterus senegalus. We describe its terrestrial locomotory strategies on
      different surfaces and compare them with steady aquatic locomotion. Our study is
      the first to describe axial and appendicular-based terrestrial locomotion across
      a range of substrates in this species and shows two distinct terrestrial gaits in
      P. senegalus, each with substantial variation. One uses body undulation against
      complex surfaces and the other incorporates alternating, supportive pectoral fins
      to achieve a tetrapod-like gait. Gait use is correlated with substrate. P.
      senegalus uses body and pectoral fins in diverse ways, showing opportunistic and
      flexible strategies of navigating novel environments.

PMID- 27267148
TI  - The economic burden of tuberous sclerosis complex in the UK: A retrospective
      cohort study in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multi-system genetic disorder
      characterized by the development of diverse clinical manifestations. The
      complexity of this disease is likely to result in substantial challenges and
      costs in disease management throughout the patient's lifetime. This retrospective
      database study aims to quantify healthcare resources utilized by TSC patients.
      METHODS: TSC patients in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to the
      Hospital Episodes Statistics database were identified between January 1987 and
      June 2013. Analyses were conducted over the most recent 3-year period of data and
      stratified by pediatric (< 18) and adult patients. Prescriptions, procedures,
      diagnostic tests, and healthcare encounters were reported in comparison with a
      matched comparator cohort. Costs and key economic drivers by primary organ system
      manifestations were also examined. RESULTS: A total of 286 patients with TSC were
      identified and consistently reported 2-fold greater resource use than the matched
      presumably healthy controls. Despite this comparatively greater resource use,
      half of TSC patients did not record any procedures, and 20% of patients did not
      record any diagnostic tests; however, inpatient hospitalizations were greater for
      the TSC cohort (3.1 vs 1.3), but length of stay was comparable. TSC patients had
      costs totaling L12,681 per patient over the 3-year period, a figure 2.7-fold
      greater than the total costs in the comparator cohort (L4,777). Costs for
      patients with specific primary manifestations were even greater, with brain
      manifestations incurring L22,139 per affected patient. Kidney and nervous system
      manifestations were the main cost drivers. CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of
      TSC and its impact on NHS healthcare resources is mostly attributable to the
      broad spectrum of manifestations that develop within multiple organ systems. TSC
      patients may benefit from co-ordinated care based on their requirement for high
      numbers of healthcare visits across specialties.

PMID- 27267149
TI  - Frontier Orbital Engineering of Metal-Organic Frameworks with Extended Inorganic
      Connectivity: Porous Alkaline-Earth Oxides.
AB  - The development of conductive metal-organic frameworks is challenging owing to
      poor electronic communication between metal clusters and the organic ligands that
      bridge them. One route to overcoming this bottleneck is to extend the inorganic
      dimensionality, while using the organic components to provide chemical
      functionality. Using density functional theory methods, we demonstrate how the
      properties of the alkaline-earth oxides SrO and BaO are transformed upon
      formation of porous solids with organic oxygen sources (acetate and
      trifluoroacetate). The electron affinity is significantly enhanced in the hybrid
      materials, while the ionization potential can be tuned over a large range with
      the polarity of the organic moiety. Furthermore, because of their high-vacuum
      fraction, these materials have dielectric properties suitable for low-kappa
      applications. 

PMID- 27267150
TI  - Synthesis, High-Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy, and Vibrational Structure of
      Cubane, C8H8.
AB  - Carbon-cage molecules have generated a considerable interest from both
      experimental and theoretical points of view. We recently performed a high
      resolution study of adamantane (C10H16), the smallest hydrocarbon cage belonging
      to the diamandoid family ( Pirali , O. ; et al. J. Chem. Phys. 2012 , 136 ,
      024310 ). There exist another family of hydrocarbon cages with additional
      interesting chemical properties: the so-called platonic hydrocarbons that
      comprise dodecahedrane (C20H20) and cubane (C8H8). Both possess C-C bond angles
      that deviate from the tetrahedral angle (109.8 degrees ) of the sp(3) hybridized
      form of carbon. This generates a considerable strain in the molecule. We report a
      new wide-range high-resolution study of the infrared spectrum of cubane. The
      sample was synthesized in Bari upon decarboxylation of 1,4-cubanedicarboxylic
      acid thanks to the improved synthesis of literature. Several spectra have been
      recorded at the AILES beamline of the SOLEIL synchrotron facility. They cover the
      600-3200 cm(-1) region. Besides the three infrared-active fundamentals (nu10,
      nu11, and nu12), we could record many combination bands, all of them displaying a
      well-resolved octahedral rotational structure. We present here a preliminary
      analysis of some of the recorded bands, performed thanks the SPVIEW and XTDS
      software, based on the tensorial formalism developed in the Dijon group. A
      comparison with ab initio calculations, allowing to identify some combination
      bands, is also presented. 

PMID- 27267151
TI  - Mindfulness Meditation-Based Intervention Is Feasible, Acceptable, and Safe for
      Chronic Low Back Pain Requiring Long-Term Daily Opioid Therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although mindfulness meditation (MM) is increasingly used for chronic
      pain treatment, limited evidence supports its clinical application for opioid
      treated chronic low back pain (CLBP). The goal of this study was to determine
      feasibility, acceptability, and safety of an MM-based intervention in patients
      with CLBP requiring daily opioid therapy. DESIGN: 26-week pilot randomized
      controlled trial comparing MM-based intervention, combined with usual care, to
      usual care alone. SETTING: Outpatient. PATIENTS: Adults with CLBP treated with
      >=30 mg of morphine-equivalent dose (MED) per day for 3 months or longer.
      INTERVENTIONS: Targeted MM-based intervention consisted of eight weekly 2-hour
      group sessions and home practice (30 minutes/d, 6 days/wk) during the study.
      "Usual care" for opioid-treated CLBP was provided to participants by their
      regular clinicians. OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility and acceptability of the MM
      intervention were assessed by adherence to intervention protocol and treatment
      satisfaction among experimental participants. Safety was evaluated by inquiry
      about side effects/adverse events and opioid dose among all study participants.
      RESULTS: Thirty-five participants enrolled during the 10-week recruitment period.
      The mean age (+/-standard deviation) was 51.8 +/- 9.7 years; the patients were
      predominantly female, with substantial CLBP-related pain and disability, and
      treated with 148.3 +/- 129.2 mg of MED per day. All participants completed
      baseline assessments; none missed both follow-up assessments or withdrew. Among
      experimental participants (n = 21), 19 attended 1 or more intervention sessions
      and 14 attended 4 or more. They reported, on average, 164.0 +/- 122.1 minutes of
      formal practice per week during the 26-week study and 103.5 +/- 111.5 minutes of
      brief, informal practice per week. Seventeen patients evaluated the intervention,
      indicating satisfaction; their qualitative responses described the course as
      useful for pain management (n = 10) and for improving pain coping skills (n = 8).
      No serious adverse events or safety concerns occurred among the study
      participants. CONCLUSIONS: MM-based intervention is feasible, acceptable, and
      safe in opioid-treated CLBP.

PMID- 27267152
TI  - Population genetic structure of the freshwater snail, Bulinus globosus,
      (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) from selected habitats of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
AB  - The freshwater snail Bulinus globosus is an important intermediate host of
      Schistosoma haematobium, the causative agent of urinary schistosomiasis. This
      disease is of major health concern, especially in Africa where the majority of
      cases have been reported. In this study the inter- and intra-genetic diversity
      and population genetic structure of B. globosus from nine locations in the
      KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa was studied using four polymorphic
      microsatellite loci (BgZ1-BgZ4). Moderate genetic diversity was detected within
      populations with a mean diversity (HE) of 0.49+/-0.09. The majority of
      populations significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p<0.05), due
      to a deficit of heterozygotes. Such deviations may be due to founder events that
      were caused by bottlenecks that occurred as a result of frequent droughts and
      flooding that these snails' habitats are exposed to. Overall, the populations
      studied seem to be partially inbreeders/selfers with mean estimates of 0.24/0.38.
      A discernable genetic structure was elucidated among populations as evident by
      the mean pairwise FST of 0.58+/-0.13. There was no significant association
      between genetic and geographical distance among populations, an indication of
      limited gene flow. This increases the chances of populations losing alleles due
      to genetic drift. Populations in close proximity demonstrated high genetic
      differentiation (58.77% total variation) due to allelic differences between them.
      The sample populations fell into 12 clusters, however, the populations from
      uMkhanyakude and uThungulu exhibited no discernable genetic structure.
      Genetically, the Bhobhoyi site found within the uGu district was equidistant to
      the two main sampling regions. 

PMID- 27267153
TI  - Understanding Ion Binding Affinity and Selectivity in beta-Parvalbumin Using
      Molecular Dynamics and Mean Spherical Approximation Theory.
AB  - Parvalbumin (PV) is a globular calcium (Ca(2+))-selective protein expressed in a
      variety of biological tissues. Our computational studies of the rat beta
      parvalbumin (beta-PV) isoform seek to elucidate the molecular thermodynamics of
      Ca(2+) versus magnesium (Mg(2+)) binding at the protein's two EF-hand motifs.
      Specifically, we have utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and a mean
      field electrolyte model (mean spherical approximation (MSA) theory) to delineate
      how the EF-hand scaffold controls the "local" thermodynamics of Ca(2+) binding
      selectivity over Mg(2+). Our MD simulations provide the probability density of
      metal-chelating oxygens within the EF-hand scaffolds for both Ca(2+) and Mg(2+),
      as well the conformational strain induced by Mg(2+) relative to Ca(2+) binding.
      MSA theory utilizes the binding domain oxygen and charge distributions to predict
      the chemical potential of ion binding, as well as their corresponding
      concentrations within the binding domain. We find that the electrostatic and
      steric contributions toward ion binding were similar for Mg(2+) and Ca(2+), yet
      the latter was 5.5 kcal/mol lower in enthalpy when internal strain within the EF
      hand was considered. We therefore speculate that beyond differences in
      dehydration energies for the Ca(2+) versus Mg(2+), strain induced in the beta-PV
      EF hand by cation binding significantly contributes to the nearly 10,000-fold
      difference in binding affinity reported in the literature. We further
      complemented our analyses of local factors governing cation binding selectivity
      with whole-protein (global) contributions, such as interhelical residue-residue
      contacts and solvent exposure of hydrophobic surface. These contributions were
      found to be comparable for both Ca(2+)- and Mg(2+)-bound beta-PV, which may
      implicate local factors, EF-hand strain, and dehydration, in providing the
      primary means of selectivity. We anticipate these methods could be used to
      estimate metal binding thermodynamics across a broad range of PV sequence
      homologues and EF-hand-containing, Ca(2+) binding proteins.

PMID- 27267155
TI  - Applying multivariate statistics to discriminate uranium ore concentrate
      geolocations using (radio)chemical data in support of nuclear forensic
      investigations.
AB  - The application of Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to U and Th series gamma
      spectrometry data provides a discriminatory tool to help determine the provenance
      of illicitly recovered uranium ore concentrates (UOCs). The PCA is applied to a
      database of radiometric signatures from 19 historic UOCs from Australia, Canada,
      and the USA representing many uranium geological deposits. In this study a key
      process to obtain accurate radiometric data (gamma and alpha) is to digest the U
      ores and UOCs using a lithium tetraborate fusion. Six UOCs from the same sample
      set were analysed 'blind' and compared against the database to identify their
      geolocation. These UOCs were all accurately linked to their correct geolocations
      which can aid the forensic laboratory in determining which further analytical
      techniques should be used to improve the confidence of the particular location.

PMID- 27267156
TI  - Extraction, purification and anti-radiation activity of persimmon tannin from
      Diospyros kaki L.f.
AB  - In this study, persimmon tannin was extracted from Diospyros kaki L.f. using
      ultrasound-assisted extraction and purified by D101 macroporous resin column
      chromatography and polysulfone ultrafiltration membrane. The tannin content of
      the final persimmon tannin extracts was attained to 39.56% calculated as catechin
      equivalents. Also, the radioprotective effects of persimmon tannin for HEK 293T
      cells proliferation and apoptosis after Gamma irradiation were investigated by
      CCK-8, Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry assay and intracellular reactive
      oxygen species assay (ROS). Persimmon tannin was pre-incubated with HEK 293T
      cells for 12 h prior to Gamma irradiation. It was found that pretreatment with
      persimmon tannin increased cell viability and inhibited generation of Gamma
      radiation induced ROS in HEK 293T cells exposed to 8 Gy Gamma-radiation. The
      percentage of apoptotic cells were only 6.7% when the radiation dose was 8 Gy and
      pretreated with 200 MUg/ml of persimmon tannin. All these results indicated that
      persimmon tannin offered a potent radioprotective effect on cell vitality and
      cell apoptosis of Gamma-radiation exposure in HEK 293T cells. This study would
      serve as a pre-clinical evaluation of persimmon tannin for use in people with
      radiation protection.

PMID- 27267157
TI  - Impacts of C-uptake by plants on the spatial distribution of 14C accumulated in
      vegetation around a nuclear facility-Application of a sophisticated land surface
      14C model to the Rokkasho reprocessing plant, Japan.
AB  - The impacts of carbon uptake by plants on the spatial distribution of radiocarbon
      (14C) accumulated in vegetation around a nuclear facility were investigated by
      numerical simulations using a sophisticated land surface 14C model (SOLVEG-II).
      In the simulation, SOLVEG-II was combined with a mesoscale meteorological model
      and an atmospheric dispersion model. The model combination was applied to
      simulate the transfer of 14CO2 and to assess the radiological impact of 14C
      accumulation in rice grains during test operations of the Rokkasho reprocessing
      plant (RRP), Japan, in 2007. The calculated 14C-specific activities in rice
      grains agreed with the observed activities in paddy fields around the RRP within
      a factor of four. The annual effective dose delivered from 14C in the rice grain
      was estimated to be less than 0.7 MUSv, only 0.07% of the annual effective dose
      limit of 1 mSv for the public. Numerical experiments of hypothetical continuous
      atmospheric 14CO2 release from the RRP showed that the 14C-specific activities of
      rice plants at harvest differed from the annual mean activities in the air. The
      difference was attributed to seasonal variations in the atmospheric 14CO2
      concentration and the growth of the rice plant. Accumulation of 14C in the rice
      plant significantly increased when 14CO2 releases were limited during daytime
      hours, compared with the results observed during the nighttime. These results
      indicated that plant growth stages and diurnal photosynthesis should be
      considered in predictions of the ingestion dose of 14C for long-term chronic
      releases and short-term diurnal releases of 14CO2, respectively.

PMID- 27267154
TI  - A randomized clinical trial aimed at preventing poor psychosocial and glycemic
      outcomes in teens with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
AB  - Adolescents with type 1 diabetes have an increased risk for a variety of
      emotional and behavioral challenges as well as negative diabetes outcomes. This
      study was designed to compare the effectiveness of a depression-prevention,
      resilience promotion program with an advanced diabetes education program. Each
      program consisted of 9 group-based sessions. There were 264 adolescents enrolled
      in this multi-site randomized clinical trial. The primary outcomes were
      depressive symptoms and glycemic control; secondary outcomes included resilience
      skills, diabetes management and adherence, and diabetes-specific distress. The
      goal of the present paper is to describe the study design, the intervention, and
      the baseline characteristics of the sample. Preliminary data suggests that
      enrollment, randomization and retention were successful. Longitudinal follow-up
      and examination of mechanisms of action as they relate to psychosocial and
      glycemic outcomes will be explored in the future.

PMID- 27267158
TI  - Geological and physicochemical controls of the spatial distribution of partition
      coefficients for radionuclides (Sr-90, Cs-137, Co-60, Pu-239,240 and Am-241) at a
      site of nuclear reactors and radioactive waste disposal (St. Petersburg region,
      Russian Federation).
AB  - The paper presents a study of the sorption properties of sediments of different
      geological ages and lithological types, governing radionuclide retention in the
      subsurface (up to 160 m beneath the surface) within the area of potential
      influence of the Northwestern Center of Atomic Energy (NWCAE), St. Petersburg
      region, RF. The focus of this work is mostly on the sedimentary rocks of two
      types, i.e., weakly cemented sandstone and lithified clay formations of Cambrian
      and Vendian series. The first lithological unit is associated with a groundwater
      reservoir (Lomonosov aquifer), and the second one, with both a relative aquitard
      in the upper part of the Vendian formation (Kotlin clay) and a regional aquifer
      (Gdov aquifer) in the lower part of the formation. The main mechanisms
      responsible for the variability of the sorption distribution coefficient (Kd,
      defined as the ratio of the concentration of solute on solid phase to its
      concentration in solution at equilibrium) was identified for radionuclides such
      as Sr-90, Cs-137, Co-60, Pu-239,240, and Am-241. It was shown that the main
      factors contributing to the chemical heterogeneity of the Cambrian sandstone were
      related to the presence of secondary minerals (iron and magnesium oxides and
      hydroxides produced by the weathering process) in trace amounts, forming
      correlated layer structures. The statistical analysis of nonlinear isotherms
      confirmed this conclusion. For the Vendian formation, a determinate trend was
      established in the Kd change over depth as a result of temporal trends in the
      sedimentation process and pore-water chemistry. The geostatistical
      characteristics and the spatial correlation models for describing linear sorption
      of different radionuclides are not identical, and the exhibition of chemical
      heterogeneity of sedimentary rock of a particular lithological type depends on
      radionuclide chemistry. Moreover, variogram analysis for some Kd data sets (both
      in Cambrian and Vendian formations) demonstrates the total absence of auto
      correlation (pure nugget effect). It can be supposed that sampling distances did
      not allow the evaluation of small-scale variability in sediment sorption
      properties.

PMID- 27267159
TI  - Accuracy associated with the activity determination by in situ gamma spectrometry
      of naturally occurring radionuclides in soils.
AB  - In situ gamma spectrometry (ISGS) is a technique mainly focused on the
      determination of man-made radionuclides deposited on soils. It is widely used for
      the radioactive characterization of soils in which there has been an
      incorporation of such radionuclides, especially 137Cs. Its use for the activity
      determination of naturally occurring radionuclides in soils has been more
      limited, and the accuracy associated with those measurements has yet to be
      treated extensively. There are numerous factors affecting the accuracy of the
      activity determination of naturally occurring radionuclides, such as the assumed
      soil geometry, the soil's geological and mineral composition, its moisture
      content, etc. The present work studies the accuracy associated with the ISGS
      determination of the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soils
      using a portable HPGe detector. For 40K and 232Th activity determinations, the
      uncertainties associated with ISGS are generally of the order of 15%. However,
      226Ra activity determined from its daughters 214Pb and 214Bi can be significantly
      overestimated when there is a major presence of 222Rn in the air around the
      detector. Finally, absorbed dose rate in air values were calculated from the
      naturally occurring radionuclide concentration in soils. The results showed good
      correspondence between the values obtained from ISGS and those obtained from
      laboratory determinations with the same soils.

PMID- 27267160
TI  - Mid-range atmospheric dispersion modelling. Intercomparison of simple models in
      EMRAS-2 project.
AB  - An intercomparison of atmospheric dispersion models has been carried out for a
      hypothetical accident occurring in a nuclear power plant in the center of Spain.
      The accident consisted of a steam generator tube rupture, and two radionuclides
      have been considered for the exercise: 137-Cs and 131-I. Meteorological
      conditions and radionuclide release rates were supplied. Models provided
      deposition maps, timeintegrated concentrations in air and arrival times of the
      plumes to specific locations. The effect of the meteorological conditions used in
      the modelling was clear, with different behavior of the plume with neutral
      stability vs. stable conditions. The predicted arrival times of the plume at
      specific locations showed much less variability than deposition and air
      concentrations. This variability in part reflects the uncertainties inherent in
      atmospheric dispersion modelling and in the selection of parameter values, such
      as deposition velocities or diffusivities.

PMID- 27267161
TI  - How does C/EBPalpha speed up cell reprogramming?

PMID- 27267162
TI  - The historical path of evaluation as reflected in the content of Evaluation and
      Program Planning.
AB  - This paper examines the intellectual structure of evaluation by means of citation
      analysis. By using various article attributes and citation counts in Google
      Scholar and (Social) Science Citation Index Web of Science, we analyze all
      articles published in Evaluation and Program Planning from 2000 until 2012. We
      identify and discuss the characteristics and development of the field as
      reflected in the history of those citations.

PMID- 27267163
TI  - Genetic susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis and its implications for novel
      drug discovery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Over 100 susceptibility loci have now been identified for
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA), several of which are already the targets of approved
      RA therapies providing proof of concept for the use of genetics in novel drug
      development for RA. Determining how these loci contribute to disease will be key
      to elucidating the mechanisms driving disease development, which has the
      potential for major impact on therapeutic development. AREAS COVERED: Here the
      authors review the use of genetics in drug discovery, including the use of
      'omics' data to prioritise potential drug targets at susceptibility loci using RA
      as an exemplar. They discuss the current state of RA genetics its impact on
      stratified medicine, and how the findings from RA genetics studies can be used to
      inform drug discovery. EXPERT OPINION: It is anticipated that functional
      characterisation of disease variants will provide biological validation of a gene
      as a drug target, providing safer targets, with an increased likelihood of
      efficacy. In the future, techniques such as genome editing may represent a
      plausible option for RA therapy. Technologies such as genome-wide chromatin
      conformation capture Hi-C and CRISPR will be crucial to inform our understanding
      of how diseases develop and in developing new treatments.

PMID- 27267168
TI  - The Causes of the Scientific and Regulatory Gap in the Listing of New Persistent
      Organic Pollutants into the Stockholm Convention.

PMID- 27267167
TI  - Estimation of the Pressure Drop Required for Lymph Flow through Initial Lymphatic
      Networks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymphatic function is critical for maintaining interstitial fluid
      balance and is linked to multiple pathological conditions. While smooth muscle
      contractile mechanisms responsible for fluid flow through collecting lymphatic
      vessels are well studied, how fluid flows into and through initial lymphatic
      networks remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to estimate
      the pressure difference needed for flow through an intact initial lymphatic
      network. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pressure drops were computed for real and
      theoretical networks with varying branch orders using a segmental Poiseuille flow
      model. Vessel geometries per branch order were based on measurements from adult
      Wistar rat mesenteric initial lymphatic networks. For computational predications
      based on real network geometries and combinations of low or high output
      velocities (2 mm/s, 4 mm/s) and viscosities (1 cp, 1.5 cp), pressure drops were
      estimated to range 0.31-2.57 mmHg. The anatomical data for the real networks were
      also used to create a set of theoretical networks in order to identify possible
      minimum and maximum pressure drops. The pressure difference range for the
      theoretical networks was 0.16-3.16 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the
      possibility for suction pressures generated from cyclic smooth muscle
      contractions of upstream collecting lymphatics being sufficient for fluid flow
      through an initial lymphatic network.

PMID- 27267169
TI  - A Combination of Buccal Plate Preservation and Dual Zone Therapeutic Technique in
      Immediate Implants: A One-Year Follow-Up.

PMID- 27267171
TI  - Identifying and assessing highly hazardous drugs within quality risk management
      programs.
AB  - Historically, pharmaceutical industry regulatory guidelines have assigned certain
      active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to various categories of concern, such
      as "cytotoxic", "hormones", and "steroids". These categories have been used to
      identify APIs requiring segregation or dedication in order to prevent cross
      contamination and protect the quality and safety of drug products. Since these
      terms were never defined by regulatory authorities, and many novel
      pharmacological mechanisms challenge these categories, there is a recognized need
      to modify the historical use of these terms. The application of a risk-based
      approach using a health-based limit, such as an acceptable daily exposure (ADE),
      is more appropriate for the development of a Quality Risk Management Program
      (QRMP) than the use of categories of concern. The toxicological and
      pharmacological characteristics of these categories are discussed to help
      identify and prioritize compounds requiring special attention. Controlling
      airborne concentrations and the contamination of product contact surfaces in
      accordance with values derived from quantitative risk assessments can prevent
      adverse effects in workers and patients, regardless of specific categorical
      designations to which these APIs have been assigned. The authors acknowledge the
      movement away from placing compounds into categories and, while not yet
      universal, the importance of basing QRMPs on compound-specific ADEs and risk
      assessments. Based on the results of a risk assessment, segregation and
      dedication may also be required for some compounds to prevent cross contamination
      during manufacture of APIs. 

PMID- 27267172
TI  - A harmonization effort for acceptable daily exposure application to
      pharmaceutical manufacturing - Operational considerations.
AB  - A European Union (EU) regulatory guideline came into effect for all new
      pharmaceutical products on June 1st, 2015, and for all existing pharmaceutical
      products on December 1st, 2015. This guideline centers around the use of the
      Acceptable Daily Exposure (ADE) [synonymous with the Permitted Daily Exposure
      (PDE)] and operational considerations associated with implementation are outlined
      here. The EU guidance states that all active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)
      require an ADE; however, other substances such as starting materials, process
      intermediates, and cleaning agents may benefit from an ADE. Problems in setting
      ADEs for these additional substances typically relate to toxicological data
      limitations precluding the ability to establish a formal ADE. Established
      methodologies such as occupational exposure limits or bands (OELs or OEBs) and
      the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) can be used or adjusted for use as
      interim ADEs when only limited data are available and until a more formal ADE can
      be established. Once formal ADEs are derived, it is important that the documents
      are routinely updated and that these updates are communicated to appropriate
      stakeholders. Another key operational consideration related to data-poor
      substances includes the use of maximum daily dose (MDD) in setting cross
      contamination limits. The MDD is an important part of the maximum allowable/safe
      concentration (MAC/MSC) calculation and there are important considerations for
      its use and definition. Finally, other considerations discussed include
      operational aspects of setting ADEs for pediatrics, considerations for large
      molecules, and risk management in shared facilities. 

PMID- 27267173
TI  - Multiblock Copolymer Grafting for Butanol Biofuel Recovery by a Sustainable
      Membrane Process.
AB  - Biobutanol is an attractive renewable biofuel mainly obtained by the acetone
      butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation process. Nevertheless, the alcohol
      concentration has to be limited to a maximum of 2 wt % in ABE fermentation broths
      to avoid butanol toxicity to the microorganisms. The pervaporation (PV) membrane
      process is a key sustainable technology for butanol recovery in these challenging
      conditions. In this work, the grafting of azido-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-N3)
      onto a PDMS-based multiblock copolymer containing alkyne side groups led to a
      series of original membrane materials with increasing PDMS contents from 50 to 71
      wt %. Their membrane properties were assessed for butanol recovery by
      pervaporation from a model aqueous solution containing 2 wt % of n-butanol at 50 
      degrees C. The membrane flux J50MUm for a reference thickness of 50 MUm strongly
      increased from 84 to 192 g/h m(2) with increasing PDMS content for free-standing
      dense membranes with thicknesses in the range of 38-95 MUm. At the same time, the
      intrinsic butanol permeability increased from 1.47 to 4.68 kg MUm/h m(2) kPa and
      the permeate butanol content was also strongly improved from 38 to 53 wt %,
      corresponding to high and very high membrane separation factors of 30 and 55,
      respectively. Therefore, the new grafted copolymer materials strongly overcame
      the common permeability/selectivity trade-off for butanol recovery by a
      sustainable membrane process. 

PMID- 27267174
TI  - Decreasing the required lumbar extensor moment induces earlier onset of flexion
      relaxation.
AB  - Flexion relaxation (FR) is characterized by the lumbar erector spinae (LES)
      becoming myoelectrically silent near full trunk flexion. This study was designed
      to: (1) determine if decreasing the lumbar moment during flexion would induce FR
      to occur earlier; (2) characterize thoracic and abdominal muscle activity during
      FR. Ten male participants performed four trunk flexion/extension movement
      conditions; lumbar moment was altered by attaching 0, 5, 10, or 15lb
      counterweights to the torso. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from eight trunk
      muscles. Lumbar moment, lumbar flexion and trunk inclination angles were
      calculated at the critical point of LES inactivation (CPLES). Results
      demonstrated that counterweights decreased the lumbar moment and lumbar flexion
      angle at CPLES (p<0.0001 and p=0.0029, respectively); the hypothesis that FR
      occurs earlier when lumbar moment is reduced was accepted. The counterweights did
      not alter trunk inclination at CPLES (p=0.1987); this is believed to result from
      an altered hip to spine flexion ratio when counterweights were attached. Lumbar
      multifidus demonstrated FR, similar to LES, while thoracic muscles remained
      active throughout flexion. Abdominal muscles activated at the same instant as
      CPLES, except in the 15lb condition where abdominal muscles activated before
      CPLES resulting in a period of increased co-contraction. 

PMID- 27267175
TI  - Ultrasonographic caval indices do not significantly contribute to predicting
      fluid responsiveness immediately after coronary artery bypass grafting when
      compared to passive leg raising.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Appropriate fluid management is one of the most important elements of
      early goal-directed therapy after cardiothoracic surgery. Reliable determination
      of fluid responsivenss remains the fundamental issue in volume therapy. The
      purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of dynamic IVC-derived
      parameters (collapsibility index, distensibility index) in comparison to passive
      leg raising, in postoperative fluid management in mechanically ventilated
      patients with left ventricular ejection fraction >= 30 %, immediately after
      elective coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Prospective observational case
      series study including 35 patients with LVEF >= 30 %, undergoingelective coronary
      artery bypass grafting was conducted. Transthoracic echocardiography, passive leg
      raising and intravenous administration of saline were performed in all study
      subjects. Dynamic parameters derived from ultrasonographic assessment of the IVC
      diameter (collapsibility index-CI and distensibility index-DI), cardiac output
      RESULTS: There were 24 (68.57 %) responders in the study population. There were
      no statistical differences between the groups in relation to: clinical
      parameters, pre- and postoperative LVEF, fluid balance and CVP. Change in cardiac
      output after passive leg raising correlated significantly with that after the
      volume expansion (p=0.000, r=0.822). Dynamic IVC derivatives were slightly higher
      in fluid responders, however this trend did not reach statistical significance.
      None of the caval indices correlated with fluid responsiveness. CONCLUSION:
      Dynamic IVC-derived parameters do not predict fluid responsiveness in
      mechanically ventilated patients with preserved ejection fraction immediately
      after elective coronary artery bypass grafting. Passive leg raising is not
      inferior to volume expansion in differentiating between fluid responders and
      nonresponders. Immediate fluid challenge after CABG is safe and well tolerated.

PMID- 27267176
TI  - Cerebrospinal fluid in tuberculous meningitis exhibits only the L-enantiomer of
      lactic acid.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The defining feature of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from
      infants and children with tuberculous meningitis (TBM), derived from an earlier
      untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics study, was highly
      elevated lactic acid. Undetermined was the contribution from host response (L
      lactic acid) or of microbial origin (D-lactic acid), which was set out to be
      determined in this study. METHODS: In this follow-up study, we used targeted
      ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass
      spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) to determine the ratio of the L and D enantiomers
      of lactic acid in these CSF samples. RESULTS: Here we report for the first time
      that the lactic acid observed in the CSF of confirmed TBM cases was in the L-form
      and solely a response from the host to the infection, with no contribution from
      any bacteria. The significance of elevated lactic acid in TBM appears to be that
      it is a crucial energy substrate, used preferentially over glucose by microglia,
      and exhibits neuroprotective capabilities. CONCLUSION: These results provide
      experimental evidence to support our conceptual astrocyte-microglia lactate
      shuttle model formulated from our previous NMR-based metabolomics study -
      highlighting the fact that lactic acid plays an important role in
      neuroinflammatory diseases such as TBM. Furthermore, this study reinforces our
      belief that the determination of enantiomers of metabolites corresponding to
      infectious diseases is of critical importance in substantiating the clinical
      significance of disease markers.

PMID- 27267178
TI  - Access to Structurally Diverse Quinoline-Fused Heterocycles via Rhodium(III)
      Catalyzed C-C/C-N Coupling of Bifunctional Substrates.
AB  - Rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H activation of heteroarenes and functionalization with
      bifunctional substrates such as anthranils allows facile construction of
      quinoline-fused heterocycles under redox-neutral conditions. The couplings
      feature broad substrate scope and provide step-economical access to two classes
      of quinoline-fused condensed heterocycles.

PMID- 27267177
TI  - Selection of reliable reference genes for RT-qPCR studies in Octopus vulgaris
      paralarvae during development and immune-stimulation.
AB  - The common octopus, Octopus vulgaris is a new candidate species for aquaculture.
      However, rearing of octopus paralarvae is hampered by high mortality and poor
      growth rates that impede its entire culture. The study of genes involved in the
      octopus development and immune response capability could help to understand the
      key of paralarvae survival and thus, to complete the octopus life cycle.
      Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) is the most frequently tool used to quantify
      the gene expression because of specificity and sensitivity. However, reliability
      of RT-qPCR requires the selection of appropriate normalization genes whose
      expression must be stable across the different experimental conditions of the
      study. Hence, the aim of the present work is to evaluate the stability of six
      candidate genes: beta-actin (ACT), elongation factor 1-alpha (EF), ubiquitin
      (UBI), beta-tubulin (TUB), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH) and
      ribosomal RNA 18 (18S) in order to select the best reference gene. The stability
      of gene expression was analyzed using geNorm, NormFinder and Bestkeeper, in
      octopus paralarvae of seven developmental stages (embryo, paralarvae of 0, 10,
      15, 20, 30 and 34days) and paralarvae of 20days after challenge with Vibrio
      lentus and Vibrio splendidus. The results were validated by measuring the
      expression of PGRP, a stimuli-specific gene. Our results showed UBI, EF and 18S
      as the most suitable reference genes during development of octopus paralarvae,
      and UBI, ACT and 18S for bacterial infection. These results provide a basis for
      further studies exploring molecular mechanism of their development and innate
      immune defense.

PMID- 27267180
TI  - Skin care in nursing: A critical discussion of nursing practice and research.
AB  - Skin (self-)care is part of human life from birth until death. Today many
      different skin care practices, preferences, traditions and routines exist in
      parallel. In addition, preventive and therapeutic skin care is delivered in
      nursing and healthcare by formal and informal caregivers. The aim of this
      contribution is a critical discussion about skin care in the context of
      professional nursing practice. An explicit skin assessment using accurate
      diagnostic statements is needed for clinical decision making. Special attention
      should be paid on high risk skin areas, which may be either too dry or too moist.
      From a safety perspective the protection and maintenance of skin integrity should
      have the highest priority. Skin cleansing is the removal of unwanted substances
      from the skin surface. Despite cleansing efficacy soap, other surfactants and
      water will inevitably always result in the destruction of the skin barrier.
      Thousands of products are available to hydrate, moisturize, protect and restore
      skin properties dependent upon their formulation and the concentration of
      ingredients. These products intended to left in contact with skin exhibit several
      actions on and in the skin interfering with skin biology. Unwanted side effects
      include hyper-hydration and disorganization of lipid bilayers in the stratum
      corneum, a dysfunctional barrier, increased susceptibility to irritants and
      allergies, and increases of skin surface pH. Where the skin barrier is impaired
      appropriate interventions, e.g. apply lipophilic products in sufficient quantity
      to treat dry skin or protect the skin from exposure to irritants should be
      provided. A key statement of this contribution is: every skin care activity
      matters. Every time something is placed on the skin, a functional and structural
      response is provoked. This response can be either desired or undesired,
      beneficial or harmful. The choice of all skin care interventions in nursing and
      healthcare practice must be based on an accurate assessment of the skin and
      concomitant health conditions and on a clearly defined outcome. A standardized
      skin care and skin care product language is needed for researchers planning and
      conducting clinical trials, for reviewers doing systematic reviews and evidence
      base summaries, for nurses and other healthcare workers to deliver evidence-based
      and safe skin care. 

PMID- 27267179
TI  - Analysis of the virulence-associated RevSR two-component signal transduction
      system of Clostridium perfringens.
AB  - Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium
      that causes human gas gangrene (clostridial myonecrosis) and food poisoning.
      Early studies showed that virulence was regulated by the VirSR two-component
      signal transduction system. However, our identification of the RevR orphan
      response regulator indicated that more than one system was involved in
      controlling virulence. To further characterize this virulence-associated
      regulator, gel mobility shift experiments, coupled with DNase I footprinting,
      were used to identify the RevR DNA binding sequence. Bioinformatics analysis
      suggested that an orphan sensor histidine kinase, CPE1757 (renamed RevS), was the
      cognate sensor of RevR. Interaction between RevS and RevR was demonstrated by use
      of a bacterial two-hybrid system and validated by protein-protein interaction
      studies using biolayer interferometry. To assess the involvement of RevS in
      virulence regulation, the revS gene was inactivated by Targetron insertion. When
      isogenic wild-type, revS and complemented revS strains were tested in a mouse
      myonecrosis model, the revS mutant was found to be attenuated in virulence, which
      was similar to the attenuation observed previously with the revR mutant. However,
      transcriptional analysis of selected RevR-regulated genes in the revS mutant
      revealed a different pattern of expression to a revR mutant, suggesting that the
      RevSR system is more complex than originally thought. Taken together, the results
      have led to the identification and characterization of the two essential parts of
      a new regulatory network that is involved in the regulation of virulence in C.
      perfringens. 

PMID- 27267181
TI  - The effectiveness and experience of self-management following acute coronary
      syndrome: A review of the literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions used to support self
      management, and to explore patients' experiences after acute coronary syndrome in
      relation to self-management. DESIGN: Scoping review. DATA SOURCES: Keyword search
      of CINAHL Plus, Medline, the Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases for studies
      conducted with adult population and published in English between 1993 and 2014.
      REVIEW METHODS: From title and abstract review, duplicated articles and obviously
      irrelevant studies were removed. The full texts of the remaining articles were
      assessed against the selection criteria. Studies were included if they were
      original research on: (1) effectiveness of self-management interventions among
      individuals following acute coronary syndrome; or (2) patients' experience of
      self-managing recovery from acute coronary syndrome. RESULTS: 44 articles (19
      quantitative and 25 qualitative) were included. Most studies were conducted in
      western countries and quantitative studies were UK centric. Self-management
      interventions tended to be complex and include several components, including
      education and counselling, goal setting and problem solving skills which were
      mainly professional-led rather than patient-led. The review demonstrated
      variation in the effectiveness of self-management interventions in main outcomes
      assessed - anxiety and depression, quality of life and health behavioural
      outcomes. For most participants in the qualitative studies, acute coronary
      syndrome was unexpected and the recovery trajectory was a complex process.
      Experiences of making adjustment and adopting lifestyle changes following acute
      coronary syndrome were influenced by subjective life experiences and individual,
      sociocultural and environmental contexts. Participants' misunderstandings,
      misconceptions and confusion about disease processes and management were another
      influential factor. They emphasised a need for ongoing input and continued
      support from health professionals in their self-management of rehabilitation and
      recovery, particularly during the initial recovery period following hospital
      discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of the effectiveness of self-management
      interventions among people with acute coronary syndrome remains inconclusive.
      Findings from the patients' experiences in relation to self-management following
      acute coronary syndrome provided important insights into what problems patients
      might have encountered during self-managing recovery and what support they might
      need, which can be used to inform the development of self-management
      interventions. Theoretical or conceptual frameworks have been minimally employed
      in these studies and should be incorporated in future development and evaluation
      of self-management interventions as a way of ensuring clarity and consistency
      related to how interventions are conceptualised, operationalised and empirically
      studied. Further research is needed to evaluate self-management interventions
      among people following acute coronary syndrome for sustained effect and within
      different health care contexts.

PMID- 27267182
TI  - Protocol for a prospective observational study of conventional treatment and
      traditional Korean medicine combination treatment for children with cerebral
      palsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy leads to many complications as well as delayed motor
      development, and early intensive rehabilitation in infancy, which is based on the
      theory of brain plasticity, is emphasized. In addition to conventional treatment,
      including physical, occupational, or speech-language therapies, children also
      have a demand for traditional Korean medicine interventions such as acupuncture
      or herbal medicine; however, a lack of evidence has made traditional Korean
      medicine difficult to implement in practice. We planned a multicentre,
      prospective, observational study to assess the effectiveness, safety and cost
      effectiveness of conventional treatment and traditional Korean medicine
      combination treatment for children with cerebral palsy. METHODS/DESIGN: Three
      hundred children with cerebral palsy aged 6 to 78 months will be recruited from
      six institutions. Data from each child are collected every month for a one-year
      period, during which time treatment might be changed or discontinued. A qualified
      investigator visits the sites to measure effectiveness variables, including Gross
      Motor Function Measure and Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory. Adverse
      events and cost-effectiveness variables are collected using surveys conducted at
      baseline, mid-study, and end of study, as well as monthly tracking surveys. In
      the analyses, participants will be classified into two groups: group A children
      will be the conventional treatment group with physical, occupational, speech
      language or other conventional rehabilitation therapies, whereas group B children
      will be the combination treatment group with traditional Korean medicine
      interventions, that is, herbal medicine, chuna, moxibustion and acupuncture, in
      addition to conventional treatment. DISCUSSION: Only a few clinical case reports
      have evaluated the effectiveness and safety of traditional Korean medicine;
      therefore, more data are required to provide optimal information to children with
      cerebral palsy and their guardians. We hypothesized that traditional Korean
      medicine combination treatment for children with cerebral palsy would have
      benefits compared with conventional therapy alone. The findings of this study
      might provide informative data for conducting economic evaluations and developing
      clinical research on combination treatment for cerebral palsy in South Korea.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02223741.

PMID- 27267183
TI  - Sulfate as a pivotal factor in regulation of Serratia sp. strain S2B pigment
      biosynthesis.
AB  - In the present work, we investigated the prodiginine family as secondary
      metabolite members. Bacterial strain S2B, with the ability to produce red
      pigment, was isolated from the Sarcheshmeh copper mine in Iran. 16S rDNA gene
      sequencing revealed that the strain was placed in the Serratia genus. Pigment
      production was optimized using low-cost culture medium and the effects of various
      physicochemical factors were studied via statistical approaches. Purification of
      the produced pigment by silica gel column chromatography showed a strong red
      pigment fraction and a weaker orange band. Mass spectrometry, FT-IR spectroscopy
      and (1)H NMR analysis revealed that the red pigment was prodigiosin and the
      orange band was a prodigiosin-like analog, with molecular weights of 323 and 317
      Da, respectively. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity studies confirmed their
      membership in the prodiginine family. Analysis of the production pattern of the
      pigments in the presence of different concentrations of ammonium salts revealed
      the role of sulfate as an important factor in regulation of the pigment
      biosynthesis pathway. Overall, the data showed that regulation of the pigment
      biosynthesis pathway in Serratia sp. strain S2B was affected by inorganic
      micronutrients, particularly the sulfate ions. 

PMID- 27267184
TI  - Proximal nailfold microhemorrhage events are manifested as distal cuticular
      (eponychial) hemosiderin-containing deposits (CEHD) (syn. Maricq sign) and can
      aid in the diagnosis of dermatomyositis and systemic sclerosis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Many patients present with cutaneous signs and symptoms that suggest
      a diagnosis on the autoimmune disease spectrum. During the "acute phase" of
      disease activity, patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and dermatomyositis (DM)
      have characteristic nailfold findings, including dilated capillaries,
      microhemorrhages, and hemosiderin deposits. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature
      on the presentation of microhemorrhages and to highlight the differences (in
      terms of terminology, characterization, and clinical relevance) between proximal
      microhemorrhage events and the distal products, often thought of as "hemosiderin
      deposits" located in the cuticle (eponychium). Because we found no studies
      directly showing these cuticular products are in fact "hemosiderin-containing,"
      we conducted a direct staining experiment in vivo using Prussian blue in order to
      increase our confidence that these products are indeed hemosiderin-containing and
      that the terminology is accurate for further use. EVIDENCE REVIEW: In July
      December 2014, the MeSH function in PubMed was used to identify approximately 165
      articles relating to capillaroscopy. We reviewed these articles for mention of
      microhemorrhages and hemosiderin deposits. In addition, we used PubMed and Google
      Scholar searches for "hemosiderin + nail", "Prussian Blue + nail", and
      "hemosiderin deposit." We found no papers reporting the use of Prussian Blue
      directly on nailfolds of patients with SSc and DM in vivo. FINDINGS: In our
      literature review, "microhemorrhages" and "hemosiderin deposits" were often used
      synonymously, yet they are clearly distinct entities. We present a case in which
      the presence of these deposits supported a diagnosis of amyopathic DM. We used
      Prussian blue staining solution to visualize the cuticular (eponychial)
      hemosoderin-containing deposits (CEHD) - distal cuticular products that reflect
      previous proximal nailfold microhemorrhage events. CEHD can serve as an indicator
      of active autoimmune disease, particularly in SSc and DM. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: CEHD are in fact hemosiderin-containing deposits that can reflect the
      active inflammatory phase of microvascular injury occuring in autoimmune
      disorders such as DM and SSc. CEHD can be visualized and documented at the
      bedside with tools commonly available to any dermatologist (portable dermatoscope
      and compact digital camera).

PMID- 27267185
TI  - Update on treatment of photodermatosis.
AB  - Photodermatoses are a group of skin conditions associated with an abnormal
      reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There are several of the photosensitive
      rashes which mainly affect the UV exposed areas of the skin. It can be classified
      into four groups: immunology mediated photodermatoses, chemical and drug induced
      photosensitivity, photoaggravated dermatoses, and genetic disorders. A systematic
      approach including history, physical examination, phototesting, photopatch
      testing, and laboratory tests are important in diagnosis of a photodermatosis
      patient. In order to optimally treat a disease of photodermatoses, we need to
      consider which treatment offers the most appropriate result in each disease, such
      as sunscreens, systemic medication, topical medication, phototherapy, and others.
      For all groups of photodermatoses, photoprotection is one of the essential parts
      of management. Photoprotection, which includes sunscreening and wearing
      photoprotective clothing, a wide brimmed hat, and sunglasses, is important. There
      are also promising emerging photoprotective agents. 

PMID- 27267186
TI  - Patient satisfaction with current psoriasis treatment: a real-world study in the
      USA.
AB  - Psoriasis patients often report dissatisfaction with treatment. However, it is
      less clear how the severity of key psoriasis symptoms (painful skin, itching, and
      scaling) as well as overall disease severity influence patient dissatisfaction
      levels. Using the Adelphi 2011/2013 Psoriasis Disease Specific Programmes, two
      "real world" surveys of US dermatologists and their patients, patient
      satisfaction was evaluated. Dermatologists provided data on disease
      characteristics, while patients indicated their satisfaction with existing
      treatment. Physician-reported severity (none, mild, moderate/severe) of psoriasis
      related itching, pain, and scaling, overall disease severity (mild, moderate and
      severe) and therapy type were compared by patient satisfaction levels (satisfied
      vs. dissatisfied). Multivariate regressions examined the relationship between
      patient satisfaction, clinical symptoms, and psoriasis overall disease severity,
      controlling for differences in patient demographics and comorbidities. The sample
      comprised 633 psoriasis patients (56% male) with a mean age of 45. Overall, 18%
      of patients reported dissatisfaction with their psoriasis treatment. Dissatisfied
      patients were more likely to have moderate (65% vs. 40%) or severe (21% vs 3%)
      psoriasis compared to patients who were satisfied (both p<0.05). Dissatisfied
      patients were also more likely to have more severe pain (30% moderate-to-severe
      pain vs. 9%), more severe itching (61% moderate-to-severe itching vs. 25%), and
      more severe scaling (68% moderate-to-severe scaling vs. 33%) than satisfied
      patients (all p< 0.05). Multivariate analyses confirmed these results. Clinicians
      should be aware that some psoriasis patients, especially those with severe
      overall disease or symptoms, may be dissatisfied and are in need of better
      treatment. 

PMID- 27267187
TI  - Use of high frequency ultrasonography in dermatology departments in Spain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High Frequency Ultrasonography (HFUS) is a rapid, reliable, and
      effective diagnostic technique that has become progressively employed within the
      past years among dermatologists. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of HFUS among
      dermatology departments in Spain. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional
      descriptive study was conducted in 23 dermatology departments at Spanish public
      hospitals. Study data was collected during 10 working days. RESULTS: Fifty
      dermatologists from 11 Spanish regions participated in the study; 659 HFUS
      procedures were undertaken in 633 patients. HFUS indications were benign tumors
      (41%), malignant tumors (28%), inflammatory diseases (18%), skin appendage
      conditions (10%), and cosmetic conditions (1%). HFUS was performed for assessing
      the clinical differential diagnosis (58% of cases), surgical planning (17%),
      follow-up (17%), and other reasons (7%). Among the diagnostic group, the scan
      confirmed clinical diagnosis in 82% of cases and helped to change the clinical
      diagnosis in 17% cases (10% of total scans). HFUS procedure duration was less
      than 5 minutes (45%), between 5 and 10 minutes (32%), and more than 10 minutes
      (21%). Mean patient satisfaction score (range 0 to 5) was 4.8. CONCLUSIONS: The
      use of HFUS in usual practice is increasing, especially among younger
      dermatologists. This procedure is effective both for confirming and changing
      diagnosis, as well as for therapy decision making and follow-up. It is also worth
      remarking that a very high degree of patient satisfaction was recorded. The
      descriptive results reported in this study support the use of ultrasonography
      techniques and further reinforce their use in Dermatology.

PMID- 27267188
TI  - Dermatology in Doximity.
AB  - Doximity, currently the largest online social networking service for United
      States (US) health care professionals and medical students, provides a wide
      variety of content to a large audience. In fact, its database includes 1,078,305
      physicians in the US. It is therefore important to evaluate this content from
      time to time. Our objective is to analyze both the residency rankings and news
      content presented in Doximity, with respect to dermatology. The study compared
      the residency rankings created by Doximity to another dermatology residency
      ranking system that used a different algorithm. In terms of dermatology content,
      seven dermatology-related search terms were entered into the Doximity search
      query and data was collected on the first 20 "relevant" articles. Our study
      evaluated a total of 140 articles. The search term "skin cancer" yielded the most
      articles totaling 6,001. Informative articles were the most common type of
      article for each content item searched except for "dermatology", yielding
      research articles as the most common content type (70%). The search term
      "melanoma awareness" had the largest number of shares (19,032). In comparing
      dermatology residency rankings on Doximity with another ranking system that
      accounted for scholarly achievement, there was 50% overlap. In conclusion, it is
      vital to evaluate content on social media websites that are utilized by US
      medical students and health care professionals. We hope this information
      presented provides an up-to-date analysis on the quality of one particular social
      media platform. 

PMID- 27267189
TI  - Amitriptyline-induced cutaneous hyperpigmentation: case report and review of
      psychotropic drug-associated mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several drugs can be associated with hyperpigmentation of mucosa or
      skin. They include antibiotic, antimalarial, antineoplastic, and psychotropic
      medications. PURPOSE: To describe a 42-year-old woman with amitriptyline
      associated photo-distributed hyperpigmentation and to review psychotropic drug
      induced hyperpigmentation of the skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The features of a
      woman with amitriptyline-induced hyperpigmentation are presented. Using PubMed,
      the following terms were searched and relevant citations were assessed and
      discussed for context: amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, citalopram, desipramine,
      drug-associated, drug-induced, Fontana Masson, hyperpigmentation, imipramine,
      melanin, melanophages, mirtazapine, phenytoin, psychotropic, sertraline,
      thioridazine, tricyclic antidepressant. RESULTS: Photo-distributed
      hyperpigmentation on the upper back of a woman developed six and a half years
      after initiation of amitriptyline therapy. Biopsy of the affected area showed
      pigment-laden melanophages and intradermal melanin deposition. CONCLUSIONS:
      Psychotropic drugs associated with cutaneous hyperpigmentation include
      amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, citalopram, desipramine, imipramine, mirtazapine,
      phenytoin, sertraline, and thioridazine. The hyperpigmentation may initially
      appear many years after starting the medication. Pathology typically shows
      melanophages and melanin in the dermis. Fontana Masson stain confirms the
      presence of melanin; Perl stain for hemosiderin or iron is negative.
      Discontinuation of the drug may result in spontaneous improvement. Further
      studies are needed to better understand the role of Q-switched laser in treating
      drug-induced hyperpigmentation.

PMID- 27267190
TI  - An uncommon presentation of an uncommon disease: relapsing polychondritis overlap
      with systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare rheumatologic disorder in which recurrent
      episodes of inflammation result in destruction of cartilage of the ears and nose.
      The joints, eyes, audio-vestibular system, heart valves, respiratory tract,
      kidneys, and skin can also be involved. Skin involvement is most frequently
      linked to concomitant myelodysplastic syndrome and has rarely been associated
      with systemic lupus erythematosus. A 47-year-old woman presented with violaceous,
      indurated, tender plaques on the bilateral cartilaginous ears with sparing of the
      lobes, consistent with RP. Further investigations revealed positive ANA and anti
      Smith antibody, oral ulcers, a photo-distributed skin eruption, and biopsy-proven
      lupus nephritis, leading to a second concomitant diagnosis of systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE). The diagnosis of SLE associated with RP was made and the
      patient was started on oral prednisone and hydroxychloroquine. This is a rare
      report of SLE associated with RP. It is unclear whether RP occurring in patients
      with SLE represents another clinical manifestation of SLE or a coexisting
      disease. However, a significant ANA titer in a patient with RP strongly suggests
      the presence of an associated autoimmune disorder. If immunologic abnormalities
      usually found in SLE are detected in patients with RP, it is important to monitor
      patients for the development of other manifestations of SLE. 

PMID- 27267191
TI  - Wade histoid leprosy revisited.
AB  - An 18-year-old man presented with a 4-year history of erythematous patches on the
      trunk, followed 2-years later by multiple nodules, mostly located on the limbs,
      and distal paresthesias. Two close contacts were treated for leprosy during his
      childhood. Histopathological examination revealed a histiocytic infiltrate with
      acid-fast bacilli on Ziehl-Neelsen stain. The slit-skin and nasal smears showed
      numerous acid-fast bacilli. The correlation between clinical, epidemiological,
      histopathological, and microbiological features allowed the diagnosis of
      lepromatous leprosy, histoid variant. Multidrug therapy as recommended by the WHO
      was initiated. A rapid and sustained improvement was seen. Histoid leprosy is a
      rare manifestation of lepromatous leprosy, first described by Wade in 1960. Since
      then few cases have been reported, the majority of them from countries with a
      high prevalence of the disease. Early recognition and treatment are of most
      importance to prevent neurological disabilities and achieve epidemiological
      control. 

PMID- 27267192
TI  - Progeria and the early aging in children: a case report.
AB  - The Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome or progeria is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome
      characterized by premature aging and involvement of internal systems, such as the
      circulatory and locomotor. The diagnosis is essentially clinical and the
      manifestations become more evident from the first year of life. Long term outcome
      data from Progeria Research Foundation clinical trials have demonstrated an
      increase in survival in recent years. Even though new trials are ongoing, the
      recognition of this syndrome is essential to prevent cardiovascular and
      cerebrovascular complications. A patient, initially asymptomatic, who developed
      characteristic signs of the syndrome at the age of 6 months is reported. She was
      referred for evaluation only when she was two years and eleven months old. The
      diagnosis of Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome was suspected owing to clinical
      characteristics. The diagnosis was confirmed by genetic testing. A mutation
      c.1824C> T in exon 11 of the LMNA gene was detected. She was registered in the
      Progeria Research Foundation and was invited to participate in the weighing and
      supplementation program. She was included in the lonafarnib protocol study. This
      medication is a farnesyl transferase inhibitor that prevents the production of
      progerina and slows cardiovascular and neurological complications of the
      syndrome. This case highlights the importance of diagnosing progeria patients
      because they may be referred to the Progeria Research Foundation, which offers
      genetic screening and inclusion in clinical and therapeutic follow-up protocols
      without any costs. Progeria trials and research may also contribute to new drug
      developments related to prevention of aging and atherosclerosis in the near
      future. 

PMID- 27267193
TI  - Generalized morphea as the first sign of breast carcinoma: a case report.
AB  - Generalized morphea is a rare idiopathic form of scleroderma that literally means
      "hard skin." Morphea is usually considered an isolated event that is not
      associated with malignancy. However, case reports of lung, hematologic, and
      breast cancer occurring simultaneously with large plaque morphea have caused
      dermatologists to question whether a work-up for malignancy is appropriate. We
      highlight a case of generalized morphea that preceded invasive ductal carcinoma
      of the breast and provide a discussion about the possible paraneoplastic origin
      of generalized morphea and systemic sclerosis (SSc). 

PMID- 27267194
TI  - Neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands in an elderly man.
AB  - recently diagnosed with stage II lung adenocarcinoma, who presented to the clinic
      with a 14-day history of painful macules that progressed to bullae on the dorsal
      surface of his hands; decreased range of motion was noted. Examination revealed
      bilateral small, tender violaceous vesicopustules admixed with larger tense
      hemorrhagic pus-filled bullae on the dorsal aspect of his hands. Biopsy
      demonstrated changes consistent with neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands.
      The patient had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in the 1970s, although the
      condition was asymptomatic at the time of presentation. Treatment with prednisone
      60 mg daily resulted in significant improvement by the next day. This regimen was
      continued for two weeks and was followed by a 6-week steroid taper. After a
      review of the approximate 75 cases currently reported, we also discuss the
      recurrence rate of NDDH of approximately 10%. 

PMID- 27267195
TI  - Nevoid hyperkeratosis of the nipple and the areola.
AB  - A 25-year-old woman presented to our dermatology unit with progressive diffuse
      thickening of the both areolas. A skin biopsy was taken from the right areola
      showing irregular filiform acanthosis with elongation and anastomosis of rete
      ridges, irregular orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, pseudocyst formation, and
      hyperpigmentation of the basal layer. The cause of nevoid hyperkeratosis of the
      nipple and areola is unknown. Eighty percent of cases occur in women and are
      often manifested during puberty or pregnancy. The disease may also occur in men
      receiving hormonal therapy. There is no uniformly effective treatment.
      Dermatologists, gynecologists, and general practitioners have an important part
      to play in recognizing this condition that may be underdiagnosed because of lack
      of awareness. 

PMID- 27267196
TI  - Verrucous tumor mimicking squamous cell carcinoma in immunocompetent patient.
AB  - Mycobacteria cause a range of diseases in both immunocompetent and
      immunosuppressed individuals. An increase in non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM)
      infections targeting skin has been described. Many hypotheses have been developed
      in order to explain it: the increasing burden of immunocompromised individuals,
      immigration from endemic countries, improved laboratory identification
      techniques, and changes inhuman behavior that expose individuals to this NTM.
      Mycobacterium mucogenicum group comprises M. mucogenicum, Mycobacterium
      aubagnense, and Mycobacterium phocaicum. This group of organisms was first named
      Mycobacterium chelonae-like organism in 1982. Most clinically significant cases
      of those organisms involved catheter-related infections. Nevertheless, we report
      an interesting patient with a cutaneous infection produced by M. mucogenicum
      mimicking a squamous cell carcinoma; an excellent response to combined therapy
      with rifampicin and clarythromicin was observed. 

PMID- 27267197
TI  - Dapsone for treatment of erythema nodosum.
AB  - Erythema Nodosum (EN) is the most common form of septal panniculitis, with over
      100 reported infectious, malignant, inflammatory, idiopathic, and autoimmune
      causes. 

PMID- 27267198
TI  - Multiple cutaneous lipomatous neurofibromas.
AB  - Cutaneous lipomatous neurofibroma is a rare variant of neurofibroma with a little
      known pathogenesis; its presence has never been described in Brazil. A 61- year
      old woman complaining scalp papules for one year, presented with skin colored to
      yellowish papules on the scalp. She noted that they were sometimes itchy and
      occasionally bled. Dermoscopy showed amorphous material, milky white, with a
      small poorly delimited yellowish area. Histopathological examination revealed
      spindle cell proliferation associated with mature adipocytes. Cutaneous
      lipomatous neurofibroma appears to be an underdiagnosed condition owing to the
      low index of suspicion and lack of knowledge of its existence. Few cases have
      been reported in the literature. 

PMID- 27267199
TI  - Atypical rosacea in a male patient: case study.
AB  - Rosacea fulminans is a rare disorder of unknown cause, almost exclusively
      affecting women. There are only a few reported cases in men. The condition is
      characterized by the abrupt onset of pustules and nodules predominantly affecting
      the cheeks or chin without any systemic upset. We report the case of a 37-year
      old man who presented with papulopustules, predominantly localized to his nose.
      Histopathological features were consistent with rosacea fulminans. The patient
      was managed with treatments including oral prednisolone, isotretinoin, and
      trimethioprim. 

PMID- 27267200
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of human brain tissue identifies reduced expression of
      complement complex C1Q Genes in Rett syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MECP2, the gene mutated in the majority of Rett syndrome cases, is a
      transcriptional regulator that can activate or repress transcription. Although
      the transcription regulatory function of MECP2 has been known for over a decade,
      it remains unclear how transcriptional dysregulation leads to the
      neurodevelopmental disorder. Notably, little convergence was previously observed
      between the genes abnormally expressed in the brain of Rett syndrome mouse models
      and those identified in human studies. METHODS: Here we carried out a
      comprehensive transcriptome analysis of human brain tissue from Rett syndrome
      brain using both RNA-seq and microarrays. RESULTS: We identified over two hundred
      differentially expressed genes, and identified the complement C1Q complex genes
      (C1QA, C1QB and C1QC) as a point of convergence between gene expression changes
      in human and mouse Rett syndrome brain. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study
      support a role for alterations in the expression level of C1Q complex genes in
      RTT pathogenesis.

PMID- 27267201
TI  - Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection: A Systematic Survey of Clinical
      Practice Guidelines.
AB  - BACKGROUND Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of
      hospital-acquired infectious diarrhea. OBJECTIVE To analyze the methodological
      quality, content, and supporting evidence among clinical practice guidelines
      (CPGs) on CDI prevention. DESIGN AND SETTING We searched medical databases and
      gray literature for CPGs on CDI prevention published January 2004-January 2015.
      Three reviewers independently screened articles and rated CPG quality using the
      Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument,
      composed of 23 items, rated 1-7, within 6 domains. We reported each domain score
      as a percentage of its maximum possible score and standardized range. We
      summarized recommendations, extracted their supporting articles, and rated
      individually the level of evidence using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based
      Medicine Levels of Evidence. RESULTS Of 2,578 articles screened, 5 guidelines met
      inclusion criteria. Median AGREE II scores and interquartile ranges were: clarity
      of presentation, 75.9% (75.9%-79.6%); scope and purpose, 74.1% (68.5%-85.2%);
      editorial independence, 63.9% (47.2%-66.7%); applicability, 43.1% (19.4%-55.6%);
      stakeholder involvement, 40.7% (38.9%-44.4%); and rigor of development, 18.1%
      (17.4%-35.4%). CPGs addressed several common strategies for CDI prevention,
      including antibiotic stewardship, hypochlorite solutions, probiotic prophylaxis,
      and bundle strategies. Recommendations were often not consistent with evidence,
      and most were based on low-level studies. CONCLUSION CPGs did not adhere well to
      AGREE II reporting standards. Furthermore, there was limited transparency in
      moving from evidence to recommendations. CDI prevention CPGs need to better
      adhere to AGREE-II and be transparent in moving from evidence to recommendations,
      and recommendations need to be consistent with available evidence. Infect Control
      Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:901-908.

PMID- 27267204
TI  - Glyphosate and adverse pregnancy outcomes, a systematic review of observational
      studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A study in frog and chicken embryos, and reports of a high incidence
      of birth defects in regions of intensive GM-soy planting have raised concerns on
      the teratogenic potential of glyphosate-based herbicides. These public concerns
      prompted us to conduct a systematic review of the epidemiological studies testing
      hypotheses of associations between glyphosate exposure and adverse pregnancy
      outcomes including birth defects. METHODS: A systematic and comprehensive
      literature search was performed in MEDLINE, TOXLINE, Bireme-BVS and SCOPUS
      databases using different combinations of exposure and outcome terms. A case
      control study on the association between pesticides and congenital malformations
      in areas of extensive GM soy crops in South America, and reports on the
      occurrence of birth defects in these regions were reviewed as well. RESULTS: The
      search found ten studies testing associations between glyphosate and birth
      defects, abortions, pre-term deliveries, small for gestational date births,
      childhood diseases or altered sex ratios. Two additional studies examined changes
      of time-to-pregnancy in glyphosate-exposed populations. Except for an excess of
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD (OR = 3.6, 1.3-9.6) among
      children born to glyphosate appliers, no significant associations between this
      herbicide and adverse pregnancy outcomes were described. Evidence that in South
      American regions of intensive GM-soy planting incidence of birth defects is high
      remains elusive. CONCLUSIONS: Current epidemiological evidence, albeit limited to
      a few studies using non-quantitative and indirect estimates and dichotomous
      analysis of exposures, does not lend support to public concerns that glyphosate
      based pesticides might pose developmental risks to the unborn child. Nonetheless,
      owing to methodological limitations of existing analytical observational studies,
      and particularly to a lack of a direct measurement (urine and/or blood levels),
      or an indirect estimation of exposure that has proven valid, these negative
      findings cannot be taken as definitive evidence that GLY, at current levels of
      occupational and environmental exposures, brings no risk for human development
      and reproduction.

PMID- 27267202
TI  - Long range physical cell-to-cell signalling via mitochondria inside membrane
      nanotubes: a hypothesis.
AB  - Coordinated interaction of single cells by cell-to-cell communication
      (signalling) enables complex behaviour necessary for the functioning of
      multicellular organisms. A quite newly discovered cell-to-cell signalling
      mechanism relies on nanotubular cell-co-cell connections, termed "membrane
      nanotubes" (MNTs). The present paper presents the hypothesis that mitochondria
      inside MNTs can form a connected structure (mitochondrial network) which enables
      the exchange of energy and signals between cells. It is proposed that two modes
      of energy and signal transmission may occur: electrical/electrochemical and
      electromagnetic (optical). Experimental work supporting the hypothesis is
      reviewed, and suggestions for future research regarding the discussed topic are
      given.

PMID- 27267205
TI  - Heterosexual practices of women and men living with HIV attending hospital
      outpatient services (ANRS-VESPA2 survey): a French comparative study with the
      general population (CSF survey).
AB  - HAART has improved the well-being of many people living with HIV (PLWH). This
      study aimed at (i) comparing heterosexual practices between PLWH and the general
      population by gender, and (ii) identifying factors associated with sexual
      practices and at-risk behaviors in the two populations. Self-reported data were
      collected among PLWH attending hospitals (VESPA2 survey; n = 3022) and the
      general population (CSF survey; n = 10,280). Significant differences between the
      two samples were corrected for by implementing propensity score matching on both
      socio-demographic characteristics and sexual behavior in terms of number of
      partners. Men not reporting heterosexual intercourse were excluded. After
      matching, 61% of women (out of 707) and 68% of men (out of 709) were sexually
      active in both populations. PLWH practiced oral sex less than the general
      population and used condoms more consistently over the previous 12-month period,
      irrespective of having multiple sexual partners or not. For women living with
      HIV: those with several sexual partners and those consuming drugs over the
      previous 12 months were more likely to practice oral sex; those living in a
      couple for at least 6 years and migrants were less likely to practice anal
      intercourse. For men living with HIV: those reporting bisexual relationships and
      those with multiple sexual partners over the previous 12 months were more likely
      to practice anal heterosexual intercourse; migrants reported less oral sex,
      irrespective of HIV status. Error term correlations showed that anal intercourse
      was not linked to condom use for women or men from either population. Our results
      show that PLWH had a lower rate of heterosexual practices compared with the
      general population, and used condoms more often, irrespective of the number of
      sexual partners and strong cultural background (e.g., for Sub-Saharan African
      women). Further preventive information needs to be disseminated on the risk of
      infection transmission through heterosexual anal intercourse.

PMID- 27267203
TI  - Questions regarding the safety and duration of immunity following live yellow
      fever vaccination.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health agencies have
      concluded that yellow fever booster vaccination is unnecessary since a single
      dose of vaccine confers lifelong immunity. Areas covered: We reviewed the
      clinical studies cited by health authorities in their investigation of both the
      safety profile and duration of immunity for the YFV-17D vaccine and examined the
      position that booster vaccination is no longer needed. We found that antiviral
      immunity may be lost in 1-in-3 to 1-in-5 individuals within 5 to 10 years after a
      single vaccination and that children may be at greater risk for primary vaccine
      failure. The safety profile of YFV-17D was compared to other licensed vaccines
      including oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the rotavirus vaccine, RotaShield, which
      have subsequently been withdrawn from the US and world market, respectively.
      Expert commentary: Based on these results and recent epidemiological data on
      vaccine failures (particularly evident at >10 years after vaccination), we
      believe that current recommendations to no longer administer YFV-17D booster
      vaccination be carefully re-evaluated, and that further development of safer
      vaccine approaches should be considered.

PMID- 27267206
TI  - Control and optimization in the modeling of fibrosis: Comment on "Towards a
      unified approach in the modeling of fibrosis: A review with research
      perspectives" by Martine Ben Amar and Carlo Bianca.

PMID- 27267207
TI  - Recursive Factorization of the Inverse Overlap Matrix in Linear-Scaling Quantum
      Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - We present a reduced complexity algorithm to compute the inverse overlap factors
      required to solve the generalized eigenvalue problem in a quantum-based molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulation. Our method is based on the recursive, iterative
      refinement of an initial guess of Z (inverse square root of the overlap matrix
      S). The initial guess of Z is obtained beforehand by using either an approximate
      divide-and-conquer technique or dynamical methods, propagated within an extended
      Lagrangian dynamics from previous MD time steps. With this formulation, we
      achieve long-term stability and energy conservation even under the incomplete,
      approximate, iterative refinement of Z. Linear-scaling performance is obtained
      using numerically thresholded sparse matrix algebra based on the ELLPACK-R sparse
      matrix data format, which also enables efficient shared-memory parallelization.
      As we show in this article using self-consistent density-functional-based tight
      binding MD, our approach is faster than conventional methods based on the
      diagonalization of overlap matrix S for systems as small as a few hundred atoms,
      substantially accelerating quantum-based simulations even for molecular
      structures of intermediate size. For a 4158-atom water-solvated polyalanine
      system, we find an average speedup factor of 122 for the computation of Z in each
      MD step. 

PMID- 27267208
TI  - "The Wisdom of Age": Perspectives on Aging and Growth among Lesbian Older Adults.
AB  - Older lesbian-identified women are a health disparate yet resilient population
      about whom knowledge is limited and emerging. Among the areas in need of research
      are older lesbians' experiences of later life and stress-related growth. This
      article presents the findings from a qualitative study that investigated older
      lesbians' experiences of adversity and adaptation as they age. In-depth,
      exploratory interviews were conducted with 12 lesbian-identified women who were
      between the ages of 65-80. This study applied grounded theory methodology to
      identify respondents sources of stress and fear, their strengths and coping
      strategies and how those relate to each other and to their growth in later life.
      We advance a model of adaptive change that shows how spirituality, social
      support, and resistance to cultural norms help older lesbian adults cope with
      loss, illness, and discrimination and develop wisdom in later life. Knowledgeable
      practitioners can help older lesbian women identify and maintain sources of
      social support, explore spirituality, and facilitate continuous growth through
      the end of life. Social workers can advocate for services that are welcoming and
      affirmative so as to reduce fears of isolation and dependence associated with
      health decline.

PMID- 27267209
TI  - Clinician as Medical Story Teller.

PMID- 27267210
TI  - New American Thyroid Association Sonographic Patterns for Thyroid Nodules Perform
      Well in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Institutional Experience, Systematic Review,
      and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) thyroid nodule guidelines
      recommend selecting nodules for biopsy based on a sonographic pattern
      classification. These patterns were developed based on features of differentiated
      thyroid cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and the inter
      observer agreement of this classification system in medullary thyroid carcinoma
      (MTC). METHODS: The medical records of all patients with MTC evaluated at the
      authors' institution between 1998 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Only
      patients with presurgical thyroid ultrasound available for review were included
      in the study. Five independent reviewers assessed the stored ultrasound images
      for composition, echogenicity, margins, presence of calcifications, and
      extrathyroidal extension for each nodule. The presence of suspicious lymph nodes
      was also evaluated when presurgical lateral neck ultrasound was available for
      review. Each nodule was classified according to the ATA sonographic patterns.
      Inter-observer agreement was calculated for each sonographic feature and for the
      sonographic patterns. To validate the findings, a systematic review of the
      literature and meta-analysis on the sonographic features of MTC was conducted.
      RESULTS: In this institutional cohort, the inter-observer agreement for
      individual sonographic features was moderate to good (kappa = 0.45-0.71), and for
      the ATA classification it was good (kappa = 0.72). Ninety-seven percent (29/30)
      of the MTCs were classified in the intermediate or high suspicion patterns. A
      total of 249 MTCs were included in the meta-analysis. Based on pooled frequencies
      for solid composition and hypoechogenicity, >95% of MTCs would be classified at
      least in the intermediate suspicion pattern, warranting the lowest-size threshold
      for biopsy (>=1 cm). CONCLUSIONS: The sonographic patterns proposed by the ATA
      perform well in MTC, and inter-observer agreement is good to very good.

PMID- 27267211
TI  - Immune checkpoint inhibitors as first-line and salvage therapy for advanced non
      small-cell lung cancer.
AB  - Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a poor prognosis with few
      treatment options available for patients after failure of first-line therapy.
      Nivolumab is the first immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting the PD-1 to be
      approved in recurrent NSCLC with squamous and nonsquamous histology. More
      recently, pembrolizumab has also been approved as salvage therapy in PD-L1
      positive recurrent NSCLC. The success of immunotherapy in malignant melanoma,
      previously a disease with no effective treatment, has generated optimism and
      expectation that some of the checkpoint inhibitors currently in clinical
      development will soon become available as first-line therapy and hence improve
      outcomes for the vast majority of patients with advanced NSCLC. This article
      summarizes the progress accomplished in the field and discusses controversies
      surrounding the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. 

PMID- 27267212
TI  - Cognitive-behavioural phenotype in a group of girls from 1.2 to 12 years old with
      the Incontinentia Pigmenti syndrome: Recommendations for clinical management.
AB  - Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP, OMIM#308300) is a rare X-linked genomic disorder
      (about 1,400 cases) that affects the neuroectodermal tissue and Central Nervous
      System (CNS). The objective of this study was to describe the cognitive
      behavioural profile in children in order to plan a clinical intervention to
      improve their quality of life. A total of 14 girls (age range: from 1 year and 2
      months to 12 years and 10 months) with IP and the IKBKG/NEMO gene deletion were
      submitted to a cognitive assessment including intelligence scales, language and
      visuo-spatial competence tests, learning ability tests, and a behavioural
      assessment. Five girls had severe to mild intellectual deficiencies and the
      remaining nine had a normal neurodevelopment. Four girls were of school age and
      two of these showed no intellectual disability, but had specific disabilities in
      calculation and arithmetic reasoning. This is the first description of the
      cognitive-behavioural profile in relation to developmental age. We stress the
      importance of an early assessment of learning abilities in individuals with IP
      without intellectual deficiencies to prevent the onset of any such deficit.

PMID- 27267213
TI  - Bacteriological quality of bottled drinking water versus municipal tap water in
      Dharan municipality, Nepal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Water-related diseases are of great concern in developing countries
      like Nepal. Every year, there are countless morbidity and mortality due to the
      consumption of unsafe drinking water. Recently, there have been increased uses of
      bottled drinking water in an assumption that the bottled water is safer than the
      tap water and its use will help to protect from water-related diseases. So, the
      main objective of this study was to analyze the bacteriological quality of
      bottled drinking water and that of municipal tap water. METHODS: A total of 100
      samples (76 tap water and 24 bottled water) were analyzed for bacteriological
      quality and pH. The methods used were spread plate method for total plate count
      (TPC) and membrane filter method for total coliform count (TCC), fecal coliform
      count (FCC), and fecal streptococcal count (FSC). pH meter was used for measuring
      pH. RESULTS: One hundred percent of the tap water samples and 87.5 % of the
      bottled water samples were found to be contaminated with heterotrophic bacteria.
      Of the tap water samples, 55.3 % were positive for total coliforms, compared with
      25 % of the bottled water. No bottled water samples were positive for fecal
      coliforms and fecal streptococci, in contrast to 21.1 % and 14.5 % of the tap
      water samples being contaminated with fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci,
      respectively. One hundred percent of the tap water samples and 54.2 % of the
      bottled water samples had pH in the acceptable range. CONCLUSIONS: All of the
      municipal tap water samples and most of the bottled drinking water samples
      distributed in Dharan municipality were found to be contaminated with one or more
      than one type of indicator organisms. On the basis of our findings, we may
      conclude that comparatively, the bottled drinking water may have been safer (than
      tap water) to drink.

PMID- 27267214
TI  - Pathological findings in a Dachshund-cross dog with neuroaxonal dystrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) is a neurodegenerative condition
      affecting humans and animals characterized by the widespread presence of swollen
      axons (spheroids). CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report the pathological findings
      in a case of neuroaxonal dystrophy in a Dachshund-cross puppy, which was
      euthanized because of a proprioceptive positioning deficits and irreversible
      ataxia of the hind limbs. Histologically, there was a bilaterally symmetric
      neuroaxonal dystrophy with eosinophilic axonal spheroids exclusively localized at
      the level of the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus, medial
      lemniscus, gracilis nucleus, medial cuneatus nucleus in the brain as well as the
      gracilis and cuneatus fasciculi throughout the spinal cord. CONCLUSION: To the
      authors' knowledge, this is the first report of canine neuroaxonal dystrophy with
      this exclusive and specific localization only in the neuronal circuit implicated
      in the transmission of conscious proprioceptive information.

PMID- 27267215
TI  - Phenylobacterium aquaticum sp. nov., isolated from the reservoir of a water
      purifier.
AB  - A Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod
      shaped bacterial strain designated W2-3-4T was isolated from the reservoir of a
      water purifier. This bacterium was characterized to determine its taxonomic
      position by using a polyphasic approach. Strain W2-3-4T grew well at 25-30 
      degrees C on nutrient and R2A agars. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence
      similarity, strain W2-3-4T was shown to belong to the family Caulobacteraceaeand
      to be related to Phenylobacterium conjunctumFWC21T (98.0 % sequence similarity)
      and Phenylobacterium haematophilum CCUG 26751T (97.2 %). Lower sequence
      similarities were found with the type strains of all other recognized members of
      the genus Phenylobacterium (95.7-97.1 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was
      68.7 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were
      summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1omega7c and/or C18 : 1omega6c), C16 : 0, C18
      : 1omega7c 11-methyl and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1omega7c and/or C16 :
      1omega6c). The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown phospholipid,
      four unknown glycolipids and three unidentified polar lipids. DNA-DNA relatedness
      values between strain W2-3-4Tand its closest phylogenetically neighbours were
      below 7 %. Strain W2-3-4T could be differentiated genotypically and
      phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Phenylobacterium. The isolate
      therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Phenylobacterium
      aquaticum sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain W2-3-4T (=KACC 18306T=LMG
      28593T).

PMID- 27267216
TI  - Cognitive Behavioural Coaching principles and basic tools to support trainees.

PMID- 27267217
TI  - Massive Fabrication of Polymer Microdiscs by Phase Separation and Freestanding
      Process.
AB  - We present a facile method to fabricate polymer thin films with tens of
      nanometers thickness and several micrometers size (also called "microdiscs"
      herein) by applying phase separation of polymer blend. A water-soluble supporting
      layer is employed to obtain a freestanding microdisc suspension. Owing to their
      miniaturized size, microdiscs can be injected through a syringe needle. Herein,
      poly(d,l-lactic acid) microdiscs were fabricated with various thicknesses and
      sizes, in the range from ca. 10 to 60 nm and from ca. 1.0 to 10.0 MUm,
      respectively. Magnetic nanoparticles were deposited on polymer microdiscs with a
      surface coating method. The magnetic manipulation of microdiscs in a liquid
      environment under an external magnetic field was achieved with controllable
      velocity by adjusting the microdisc dimensions and the loading amount of magnetic
      components. Such biocompatible polymer microdiscs are expected to serve as
      injectable vehicles for targeted drug delivery. 

PMID- 27267218
TI  - A voice from the streets about Spice.

PMID- 27267219
TI  - Everybody's working for the weekend: changes in enjoyment of everyday activities
      across the retirement threshold.
AB  - BACKGROUND: the aim of this study was to explore the associations between use of
      time and momentary hedonic affect ('enjoyment') in adults in the peri-retirement
      period. METHODS: a total of 124 adults [61 males, 63 females; age 62 (4) years]
      completed a computerised use-of-time recall on 4 days at each of four time points
      (3-6 months pre-, 3, 6 and 12 months post-retirement), as well as surveys
      regarding self-reported health, well-being, sleep quality and loneliness. They
      reported how much they enjoyed each activity on a 0-10 scale. An individual
      Enjoyment Index was calculated as the time-weighted average of each participant's
      enjoyment ratings. Time-weighted enjoyment ratings were also calculated for nine
      mutually exclusive and exhaustive activity domains (Sleep, Chores, Work, Social,
      Screen Time, Self-care, Quiet Time, Transport, Physical Activity) and sub
      domains. RESULTS: the mean (+/-SD) Enjoyment Index was 7.43 +/- 0.61, and was
      significantly and positively associated with well-being (P = 0.003 to P < 0.0001)
      and sleep quality (P = 0.03 to P < 0.0001), and negatively associated with
      loneliness (P = 0.003 to P < 0.0001). Mean Enjoyment Index values increased
      significantly (P < 0.0001) from pre-retirement (7.19 +/- 0.82) to post-retirement
      (7.46 +/- 0.89, 7.42 +/- 0.91 and 7.49 +/- 0.89 at 3, 6 and 12 months post
      retirement). There were significant differences in enjoyment across domains, with
      Physical Activity (7.86 +/- 1.11) and Social (7.66 +/- 0.85) being the most
      enjoyable, and Work (7.10 +/- 0.89) and Chores (7.09 +/- 0.85) the least
      enjoyable. CONCLUSION: enjoyment of everyday activities increased after
      retirement and remained elevated for at least 12 months. Work appears to
      constitute a relative hedonic deficit.

PMID- 27267220
TI  - Initial manifestation of type I diabetes mellitus as an unusual cause of early
      post-operative seizures.
AB  - We present a case of an 18-year-old patient who underwent resective epilepsy
      surgery for intractable epilepsy caused by focal cortical dysplasia. In the early
      post-surgical period, the patient started experiencing atypical seizures
      refractory to antiepileptic treatment. In due course, abnormally low levels of
      blood sodium and extremely high levels of blood glucose were discovered.
      Significant hyperglycaemia was initially ascribed to steroid-induced diabetes,
      and antibodies specific to type I diabetes mellitus were subsequently detected,
      confirming the diagnosis. Following stabilization of glucose and electrolyte
      levels, the patient became seizure-free. To our knowledge, this is the first
      report of presentation of type I diabetes as the cause of early post-operative
      seizures. We discuss less common aetiologies of seizures in the early post
      operative period, including metabolic disturbances. Based on our experience, we
      stress the importance of electrolyte and glucose monitoring in the setting of
      acute post-operative seizures. 

PMID- 27267221
TI  - Surfactant-Triggered Nanoarchitectonics of Fullerene C60 Crystals at a Liquid
      Liquid Interface.
AB  - Here, we report the structural and morphological modulation of fullerene C60
      crystals induced by nonionic surfactants diglycerol monolaurate (C12G2) and
      monomyristate (C14G2). C60 crystals synthesized at a liquid-liquid interface
      comprising isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and a saturated solution of C60 in
      ethylbenzene (EB) exhibited a one-dimensional (1D) morphology with well-defined
      faceted structure. Average length and diameter of the faceted rods were ca. 4.8
      MUm and 747 nm, respectively. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern (pXRD) confirmed a
      hexagonal-close packed (hcp) structure with cell dimensions ca. a = 2.394 nm and
      c = 1.388 nm. The 1D rod morphology of C60 crystals was transformed into
      "Konpeito candy-like" crystals (average diameter ca. 1.2 MUm) when the C60
      crystals were grown in the presence of C12G2 or C14G2 surfactant (1%) in EB. The
      pXRD spectra of "Konpeito-like" crystals could be assigned to the face-centered
      cubic (fcc) phase with cell dimensions ca. a = 1.4309 nm (for C12G2) and a =
      1.4318 nm (for C14G2). However, clusters or aggregates of C60 lacking a uniform
      morphology were observed at lower surfactant concentrations (0.1%), although
      these crystals exhibited an fcc crystal structure. The self-assembled 1D faceted
      C60 crystals and "Konpeito-like" C60 crystals exhibited intense photoluminescence
      (PL) (~35 times greater than pC60) and a blue-shifted PL intensity maximum (~15
      nm) compared to those of pC60, demonstrating the potential use of this method for
      the control of the optoelectronic properties of fullerene nanostructures. The
      "Konpeito-like" crystals were transformed into high surface area nanoporous
      carbon with a graphitic microstructure upon heat-treatment at 2000  degrees C.
      The heat-treated samples showed enhanced electrochemical supercapacitance
      performance (specific capacitance is ca. 175 F g-1, which is about 20 times
      greater than pC60) with long cyclic stability demonstrating the potential of the
      materials in supercapacitor device fabrication.

PMID- 27267222
TI  - Hour glass half full or half empty? Future time perspective and preoccupation
      with negative events across the life span.
AB  - According to socioemotional selectivity theory, older adults' emotional well
      being stems from having a limited future time perspective that motivates them to
      maximize well-being in the "here and now." Presumably, then, older adults' time
      horizons are associated with emotional competencies that boost positive affect
      and dampen negative affect, but little research has addressed this. Using a U.S.
      adult life-span sample (N = 3,933; 18-93 years), we found that a 2-factor model
      of future time perspective (future opportunities; limited time) fit the data
      better than a 1-factor model. Through middle age, people perceived the life-span
      hourglass as half full-they focused more on future opportunities than limited
      time. Around Age 60, the balance changed to increasingly perceiving the life-span
      hourglass as half empty-they focused less on future opportunities and more on
      limited time, even after accounting for perceived health, self-reported decision
      making ability, and retirement status. At all ages, women's time horizons focused
      more on future opportunities compared with men's, and men's focused more on
      limited time. Focusing on future opportunities was associated with reporting less
      preoccupation with negative events, whereas focusing on limited time was
      associated with reporting more preoccupation. Older adults reported less
      preoccupation with negative events, and this association was stronger after
      controlling for their perceptions of limited time and fewer future opportunities,
      suggesting that other pathways may explain older adults' reports of their ability
      to disengage from negative events. Insights gained and questions raised by
      measuring future time perspective as 2 dimensions are discussed. (PsycINFO
      Database Record

PMID- 27267224
TI  - Malnourishment and length of hospital stay among paediatric cancer patients with
      febrile neutropaenia: a developing country perspective.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of malnourishment among paediatric cancer patients
      undergoing chemotherapy in developing countries is poorly documented despite
      greater potential for malnourishment in such settings. We aimed to estimate the
      prevalence of malnourishment among paediatric cancer patients in Mexico City, and
      assess the association between malnourishment and length of hospital stay.
      METHODS: Individuals eligible for this study were paediatric cancer patients
      (aged <18 years) admitted to Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gomez (Mexico
      City) with febrile neutropaenia. Our exposure of interest, malnourishment, was
      defined as an age-adjusted and sex-adjusted z-score<-2 (ie, 2 SDs below the
      expected mean of the WHO reference population). We estimated time ratios (TRs)
      and 95% confidence limits (CLs) for the association between malnourishment and
      length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Our study population comprised 111 paediatric
      cancer patients with febrile neutropaenia, of whom 71% were aged <10 years and
      52% were males. The prevalence of malnourishment was 14%, equal to a 530%
      (standardised morbidity ratio=6.3; 95% CL 3.7, 10) excess of malnourishment
      compared with the world reference population. The median length of hospital stay
      for malnourished patients was 15 days, which corresponded with a 50% (TR=1.5, 95%
      CL 1.0, 2.3) relative increase in length of stay compared with patients who were
      not malnourished. Patients with body mass indices equal to the mean of the world
      reference population had the shortest length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies
      should explore potential interventions for malnourishment to reduce the length of
      hospital stay or other established adverse consequences of malnourishment.

PMID- 27267225
TI  - Comment on Montenigro et al., "Cumulative Head Impact Exposure Predicts Later
      Life Depression, Apathy, Executive Dysfunction, and Cognitive Impairment in
      Former High School and College Football Players".

PMID- 27267223
TI  - Life-table studies revealed significant effects of deforestation on the
      development and survivorship of Anopheles minimus larvae.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many developing countries are experiencing rapid ecological changes
      such as deforestation and shifting agricultural practices. These environmental
      changes may have an important consequence on malaria due to their impact on
      vector survival and reproduction. Despite intensive deforestation and malaria
      transmission in the China-Myanmar border area, the impact of deforestation on
      malaria vectors in the border area is unknown. METHODS: We conducted life table
      studies on Anopheles minimus larvae to determine the pupation rate and
      development time in microcosms under deforested, banana plantation, and forested
      environments. RESULTS: The pupation rate of An. minimus was 3.8 % in the forested
      environment. It was significantly increased to 12.5 % in banana plantations and
      to 52.5 % in the deforested area. Deforestation reduced larval-to-pupal
      development time by 1.9-3.3 days. Food supplementation to aquatic habitats in
      forested environments and banana plantations significantly increased larval
      survival rate to a similar level as in the deforested environment. CONCLUSION:
      Deforestation enhanced the survival and development of An. minimus larvae, a
      major malaria vector in the China-Myanmar border area. Experimental determination
      of the life table parameters on mosquito larvae under a variety of environmental
      conditions is valuable to model malaria transmission dynamics and impact by
      climate and environmental changes.

PMID- 27267226
TI  - A corpus of potentially contradictory research claims from cardiovascular
      research abstracts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research literature in biomedicine and related fields contains a huge
      number of claims, such as the effectiveness of treatments. These claims are not
      always consistent and may even contradict each other. Being able to identify
      contradictory claims is important for those who rely on the biomedical
      literature. Automated methods to identify and resolve them are required to cope
      with the amount of information available. However, research in this area has been
      hampered by a lack of suitable resources. We describe a methodology to develop a
      corpus which addresses this gap by providing examples of potentially
      contradictory claims and demonstrate how it can be applied to identify these
      claims from Medline abstracts related to the topic of cardiovascular disease.
      METHODS: A set of systematic reviews concerned with four topics in cardiovascular
      disease were identified from Medline and analysed to determine whether the
      abstracts they reviewed contained contradictory research claims. For each review,
      annotators were asked to analyse these abstracts to identify claims within them
      that answered the question addressed in the review. The annotators were also
      asked to indicate how the claim related to that question and the type of the
      claim. RESULTS: A total of 259 abstracts associated with 24 systematic reviews
      were used to form the corpus. Agreement between the annotators was high,
      suggesting that the information they provided is reliable. CONCLUSIONS: The paper
      describes a methodology for constructing a corpus containing contradictory
      research claims from the biomedical literature. The corpus is made available to
      enable further research into this area and support the development of automated
      approaches to contradiction identification.

PMID- 27267227
TI  - Comparative Analysis of Radiographic Hip Joint Geometry Using Measurement Tools
      on Picture Archiving and Communication System: A Prospective Study of 100 Pelvic
      Radiographs of Koreans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A contralateral normal hip joint has been often used as a reference
      standard in preoperative planning and intraoperative assessment of hip
      arthroplasty, with the assumption that bilateral hip joint geometries have no
      significant differences. However, one previous study using analog measurements on
      hardcopy films reported significant bilateral variation in hip joint geometry. We
      therefore investigated the level of agreement between the right and left hips for
      each measurement and determined index values and the range of normal bilateral
      variations. METHODS: We assessed 100 standard anteroposterior radiographs of the
      pelvis in this study. Two independent observers measured the actual value of
      femoral head diameter, location of the femoral head center, acetabular offset,
      femoral offset, hip offset, greater trochanteric height, neck-shaft angle,
      medullary canal diameter, and proximal femoral diameter. Intraclass correlation
      coefficients (ICCs) and values of mean difference were calculated for each
      measurement. RESULTS: The results demonstrated perfect agreement (ICC >0.8)
      between the right and left hips for most parameters and substantial agreement for
      greater trochanteric height (ICC = 0.735) and femoral offset (ICC = 0.773). The
      mean difference and standard deviation in the measurement between the right and
      left hips for the location of the femoral head center and the acetabular offset
      were 0.60 +/- 0.48 mm and 0.42 +/- 0.30 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hip joint
      geometry is not influenced by side. In hip arthroplasty, a contralateral normal
      hip can be reliably used as a guide for preoperative planning using measurement
      tools on a picture archiving and communication system.

PMID- 27267228
TI  - Intravenous vs Topical Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty Without
      Tourniquet Application: A Randomized Controlled Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Use of tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective and safe in reducing the
      blood loss in total knee arthroplasty (TKR) performed using a tourniquet, but,
      data in TKR performed without tourniquet are limited, and there is no study
      comparing the topical (T) with intravenous (IV) TXA administration. Our aim was
      to compare the topical (T) with intravenous (IV) TXA administration in TKR
      performed without tourniquet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients
      undergoing unilateral TKR for knee osteoarthritis were included in a prospective
      randomized study. Operations were performed under spinal anesthesia, no
      tourniquet was used, and the postoperative regime was the same for all patients.
      Patients were divided into 3 groups; in group C (control), 40 patients received
      no TXA, in group IV, 40 patients received 1 g of TXA intravenously, and in group
      L, 1 g of TXA was applied locally to 40 patients. The primary outcome measures
      included the calculated blood loss, the transfusion rate, and quantity of
      allogeneic blood units, whereas secondary outcome measures were complications.
      RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in patient's
      demographics and perioperative results. Calculated blood loss, allogeneic blood
      transfusion rate, and quantity in group C were significantly higher compared with
      those of TXA groups (P < .001). There was no significant difference in
      complications rate between the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of
      this study, IV or T administration of 1-g TXA significantly reduced the blood
      loss and the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing TKR
      without a tourniquet (with no significant difference between the 2 routes of
      administration).

PMID- 27267229
TI  - The Distance of the Common Peroneal Nerve to the Posterolateral Structures of the
      Knee.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The common peroneal nerve (CPN) is an important structure of the
      lower limb and is at risk of injury during total knee arthroplasty. The aim of
      this study was to use a tibial reference system to determine the position of the
      CPN relative to the knee center and popliteus. METHODS: Two hundred consecutive
      knee magnetic resonance images at the level of a standard tibial arthroplasty cut
      were evaluated for (1) distance of the CPN from the posterolateral capsule; (2)
      angle of the CPN from the center of the tibial anteroposterior axis; and (3)
      location of CPN with respect to the popliteus. RESULTS: The mean distance between
      the CPN and the posterolateral joint capsule was 11.9 mm (range, 4.7-22.13 mm),
      which correlated positively with the medial-lateral axis of the tibia (Pearson
      correlation, 0.157; P = .026) and negatively with the angle of the nerve from the
      midline (Pearson correlation, -0.237, P = .001). The mean angle of the nerve from
      the midline was 42.2 degrees  (range, 25.0 degrees -64.0 degrees ). In 116 knees
      (58%), the CPN was in line with the popliteus from the center of the knee, in 69
      knees (34.5%) the CPN was lateral to the popliteus, and in 15 knees (7.5%), the
      CPN was medial to the popliteus. A danger zone was identified as between 29.95
      degrees  and 54.57 degrees  from the anteroposterior axis. CONCLUSION: The CPN is
      at risk during total knee arthroplasty. This study describes a method to help
      predict the location of the CPN intraoperatively and therefore avoid direct
      injury.

PMID- 27267231
TI  - Hearing-related quality of life outcomes for Singaporean children using hearing
      aids or cochlear implants.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Children Using Hearing Devices Quality of Life Questionnaire
      (CuHDQOL) is a new parent-administered hearing-specific questionnaire for
      children fitted with hearing devices. The aim of this study was to assess
      outcomes for hearing-impaired children in Singapore using this measure, as well
      as to examine its applicability for use in a clinical setting. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The CuHDQOL has 26 items, uses a recall period of 1 month, and is
      divided into three sections: parental perspectives and expectations (eight
      items), impact on the family (eight items) and hearing-related quality of life
      (QOL) of the child (10 items). Responses are made on a 5-point Likert scale, and
      transformed to a score from 0-100. Twenty-two parents of children with hearing
      aids and 14 parents of children with cochlear implants completed the CuHDQOL.
      RESULTS: The mean total CuHDQOL scores was 62/100 for the children using hearing
      aids and 53/100 for children with cochlear implants. Scores for the children
      using hearing aids were higher across all subscales, with a linear regression
      showing this to be significant for the parental perspectives and expectations
      subscale (B=-10.58, P=0.041). Analyses of Variance showed that both the 'Parent
      Perspective and Expectations' and the 'Hearing-related QOL' subscales were
      significantly higher than the 'Impact on Family' subscale for both groups
      (P<=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The CuHDQOL was found to be a simple, efficient
      questionnaire that could easily be incorporated into clinical practice to provide
      a more holistic evaluation of a child's outcomes post intervention, and/or to
      monitor their progress over time.

PMID- 27267230
TI  - Risk Factors for Wound Complications After Direct Anterior Approach Hip
      Arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that wound complications may be
      higher after direct anterior approach (DAA) hip arthroplasty, but, specific risk
      factors have not been closely examined. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective
      case-control study of 651 consecutive DAA hip arthroplasty surgeries performed by
      2 surgeons over a 3-year period. Outcome measures included any postoperative
      wound problem (including prolonged drainage, wound dehiscence, wound necrosis,
      suture granuloma, and superficial infection) requiring additional intervention or
      reoperation. Univariate odds ratios (ORs) were calculated, and multivariate
      logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk correlation.
      Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were created to determine disease
      predictability. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients (11.5%) experienced wound
      complications requiring additional intervention, of which, 13 (1.9%) required
      reoperation. Multivariate regression analysis found that development of wound
      complications was significantly and independently associated with body mass index
      (BMI) 30-35 kg/m2 (OR 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-3.88), BMI 35-40
      kg/m2 (OR 3.40; 95% CI 1.42-8.26), BMI > 40 kg/m2 (OR 7.28; 95% CI 2.55-20.78),
      and diabetes mellitus (OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.46-6.07). Reoperation for wound
      complication was significantly associated with BMI > 40 kg/m2 (OR 5.68; 95% CI
      1.17-27.48) and diabetes mellitus (OR 13.08; 95% CI 3.97-43.11). Optimal cutoff
      values for BMI were found through receiver operator characteristic curve analysis
      to be 28.0 kg/m2 for development of wound complications and 28.2 kg/m2 for
      reoperation for wound complications. CONCLUSION: Obesity and diabetes mellitus
      are significantly associated with postoperative wound-healing complications and
      the need for reoperation for these wound complications after DAA hip
      arthroplasty.

PMID- 27267233
TI  - Prolonged and intensive medication use are associated with the obesity paradox
      after percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis
      of 12 studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity paradox is defined as the unexpected decrease in the total
      number of death which has been observed among patients who are overweight and
      obese compared to patients with normal weight after undergoing revascularization
      by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite of so many recent studies
      which showed the existence of this phenomenon, prolonged and intensive medication
      use were only suggested to be among the reasons responsible for this 'obesity
      paradox' but it was never confirmed whether this hypothesis should really be
      considered true or not. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether
      prolonged and intensive medication use were associated with this obesity paradox
      after PCI. METHODS: Medline, PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were
      searched for studies showing the existence of this 'obesity paradox' in patients
      who underwent coronary revascularization by PCI and only articles comprising of
      medication use among the patients analyzed were considered relevant for this
      research. Medication use among the different subgroups of patients was
      calculated. Mortality was considered as the clinical endpoint in this study. Risk
      Ratio (RR) with 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) was used to express the pooled
      effect on discontinuous variables and the pooled analyses were performed with
      RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: Twelve studies consisting of a total number of 91,582
      patients was included in this meta-analysis. An intensive medication use after
      the hospital discharge and during the follow up period after PCI was observed in
      the subgroup of obese patients, followed by the overweight patients and the
      normal weight patients respectively. Our results showed that the short-term (30
      days) mortality in overweight and obese patients was significantly lower compared
      to the normal weight patients with RR: 0.72; 95 % CI: 0.56-0.92, p = 0.008 and
      RR: 0.47, 95 % CI: 0.34-0.65; p < 0.00001 respectively. The long-term (>= one
      year) mortality was also significantly lower in the overweight and the obese
      groups with RR: 0.74, 95 % CI: 0.67-0.82; p < 0.00001 and RR: 0.63, 95 % CI: 0.55
      0.72; p < 0.00001 respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study has confirmed to some
      extent, that prolonged and intensive use of medications which were more prominent
      in patients who were overweight and obese during the follow up period, might
      apparently be among the reasons responsible for this obesity paradox after PCI.

PMID- 27267232
TI  - Lanthipeptides: chemical synthesis versus in vivo biosynthesis as tools for
      pharmaceutical production.
AB  - Lanthipeptides (also called lantibiotics for those with antibacterial activities)
      are ribosomally synthesized post-translationally modified peptides having
      thioether cross-linked amino acids, lanthionines, as a structural element.
      Lanthipeptides have conceivable potentials to be used as therapeutics, however,
      the lack of stable, high-yield, well-characterized processes for their
      sustainable production limit their availability for clinical studies and further
      pharmaceutical commercialization. Though many reviews have discussed the various
      techniques that are currently employed to produce lanthipeptides, a direct
      comparison between these methods to assess industrial applicability has not yet
      been described. In this review we provide a synoptic comparison of research
      efforts on total synthesis and in vivo biosynthesis aimed at fostering
      lanthipeptides production. We further examine current applications and propose
      measures to enhance product yields. Owing to their elaborate chemical structures,
      chemical synthesis of these biomolecules is economically less feasible for large
      scale applications, and hence biological production seems to be the only
      realistic alternative. 

PMID- 27267235
TI  - A Sketch of the Taiwan Zebrafish Core Facility.
AB  - In the past three decades, the number of zebrafish laboratories has significantly
      increased in Taiwan. The Taiwan Zebrafish Core Facility (TZCF), a government
      funded core facility, was launched to serve this growing community. The Core
      Facility was built on two sites, one located at the National Health Research
      Institutes (NHRI, called Taiwan Zebrafish Core Facility at NHRI or TZeNH) and the
      other is located at the Academia Sinica (Taiwan Zebrafish Core Facility at AS
      a.k.a. TZCAS). The total surface area of the TZCF is about 180 m(2) encompassing
      2880 fish tanks. Each site has a separate quarantine room and centralized water
      recirculating systems, monitoring key water parameters. To prevent diseases,
      three main strategies have been implemented: (1) imported fish must be
      quarantined; (2) only bleached embryos are introduced into the main facilities;
      and (3) working practices were implemented to minimize pathogen transfer between
      stocks and facilities. Currently, there is no health program in place; however, a
      fourth measure for the health program, specific regular pathogen tests, is being
      planned. In March 2015, the TZCF at NHRI has been AAALAC accredited. It is our
      goal to ensure that we provide "disease-free" fish and embryos to the Taiwanese
      research community.

PMID- 27267234
TI  - Maternal and perinatal conditions and the risk of developing celiac disease
      during childhood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Celiac disease (CD) is increasing worldwide, which might be due to
      the changing environmental and lifestyle exposures. We aimed to explore how
      conditions related to maternity, delivery and the neonatal period influence CD
      onset during childhood. METHODS: Using Sweden's national registers we had access
      to information on 1 912 204 children born between 1991 and 2009, 6 596 of whom
      developed CD before 15 years of age. Logistic regression analyses were performed
      to determine how CD is associated with maternity, delivery and the neonatal
      period. RESULTS: Regardless of sex, a reduction in CD risk was observed in
      children born to mothers aged >=35 years (odds ratio [OR] 0.8; 95 % confidence
      interval [CI] 0.7-0.9) and with high maternal income (OR 0.9; 95 % CI 0.8-0.9).
      Being a second-born child, however, was positively associated with CD. Among
      boys, elective caesarean delivery increased the risk of CD (OR 1.2; 95 % CI 1.0
      1.4), while maternal overweight (OR 0.9; 95 % CI 0.8-0.9), premature rupture of
      the membrane (OR 0.4; 95 % CI 0.2-0.8) and low birth weight showed a negative
      association. Girls had an increased CD risk compared to boys and in girls the
      risk was increased by repeated maternal urinary tract infections (OR 1.1; 95 % CI
      1.0-1.2). CONCLUSIONS: Elective caesarean delivery and repeated maternal urinary
      tract infections during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of CD onset
      during childhood, suggesting the role of dysbiosis during early life. High
      maternal age and high income reduced the risk of CD, which might be due to infant
      feeding practices and life style.

PMID- 27267242
TI  - Korean nurses' perspectives regarding handoffs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nursing handoffs are communicative routines in most nursing units.
      The handoff is critical to the continuity and safety of patient care. Negative
      perceptions of handoffs could hinder efficient communication between nurses.
      AIMS: This study identified the perceptions of nurses' handoffs in Korea. DESIGN:
      A descriptive survey was employed. The population included nurses who worked in a
      general ward in 201 hospitals with more than 300 beds. RESULTS: 27.9% responded
      that the current handoff method needed to be changed and 75.8% had no handoff
      related guideline. "Handoffs are frequently interrupted by outsiders' visits" was
      the most frequent problem expressed. Variables associated with a perceived need
      for change in handoff methods were age, handoff method, and preparation time for
      handoffs. CONCLUSION: Nurses recognized that handoffs were frequently interrupted
      by external factors and consumed too much time. Therefore, a standardized handoff
      method is needed to ensure the accuracy of information.

PMID- 27267243
TI  - Variation in left posterior parietal-motor cortex interhemispheric facilitation
      following right parietal continuous theta-burst stimulation in healthy adults.
AB  - Spatial neglect is modeled on an imbalance of interhemispheric inhibition (IHI);
      however evidence is emerging that it may not explain neglect in all cases. The
      aim of this study was to investigate the IHI imbalance model of visual neglect in
      healthy adults, using paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation to probe
      excitability of projections from posterior parietal cortex (PPC) to contralateral
      primary motor cortex (M1) bilaterally. Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were
      recorded from the first dorsal interossei and facilitation was determined as
      ratio of conditioned to non-conditioned MEP amplitude. A laterality index
      reflecting the balance of excitability between the two hemispheres was
      calculated. A temporal order judgment task (TOJ) assessed visual attention.
      Continuous theta-burst stimulation was used to transiently suppress right
      parietal cortex activity and the effect on laterality and judgment task measured,
      along with associations between baseline and post stimulation measures.
      Stimulation had conflicting results on laterality, with most participants
      demonstrating an effect in the negative direction with no decrement in the TOJ
      task. Correlation analysis suggests a strong association between laterality
      direction and degree of facilitation of left PPC-to right M1 following
      stimulation (r=.902), with larger MEP facilitation at baseline demonstrating
      greater reduction (r=-.908). Findings indicate there was relative balance between
      the cortices at baseline but right PPC suppression did not evoke left PPC
      facilitation in most participants, contrary to the IHI imbalance model. Left M1
      facilitation prior to stimulation may predict an individual's response to
      continuous theta-burst stimulation of right PPC.

PMID- 27267244
TI  - The high-frequency component of heart rate variability during extended
      wakefulness is closely associated with the depth of the ensuing sleep in C57BL6
      mice.
AB  - This study aimed to test the hypothesis that, during extended wakefulness,
      parasympathetic activity is associated with the depth of the subsequent recovery
      sleep in mice. Fourteen male C57BL/6 mice were implanted with electrodes for
      sleep recording. Continuous spectral analysis was performed on the
      electroencephalogram (EEG) to obtain theta power (6-9Hz) and delta power (0-4Hz),
      as well as the R-R interval signals in order to quantify the high-frequency power
      (HF) and normalized low-frequency power (LF%) that are used to assess
      parasympathetic and sympathetic activity, respectively. All animals underwent a
      sleep deprivation experiment and a control experiment (6-h intervention and 1-h
      recovery period) on two separate days. During sleep deprivation, HF and theta
      power during wakefulness were significantly higher than during the control
      wakefulness after the second hour and first hour, respectively. During recovery
      non-rapid eye movement sleep, there was a rebound in sleep time and delta power
      as well as an elevation in HF relative to control post-intervention sleep. Both
      the rise in HF and theta power during extended wakefulness were found to be
      positively correlated with the delta power rebound. Furthermore, the HF change
      during extended wakefulness was also correlated with the amount of sleep loss and
      the enhancement of waking theta power. Our finding suggests that waking
      parasympathetic activity intimately reflects the cumulative sleep pressure,
      suggesting a potential role to be an autonomic marker for sleep propensity.

PMID- 27267247
TI  - Noradrenergic Locus Coeruleus pathways in pain modulation.
AB  - The noradrenergic system is crucial for several activities in the body, including
      the modulation of pain. As the major producer of noradrenaline (NA) in the
      central nervous system (CNS), the Locus Coeruleus (LC) is a nucleus that has been
      studied in several pain conditions, mostly due to its strategic location. Indeed,
      apart from a well-known descending LC-spinal pathway that is important for pain
      control, an ascending pathway passing through this nucleus may be responsible for
      the noradrenergic inputs to higher centers of the pain processing, such as the
      limbic system and frontal cortices. Thus, the noradrenergic system appears to
      modulate different components of the pain experience and accordingly, its
      manipulation has distinct behavioral outcomes. The main goal of this review is to
      bring together the data available regarding the noradrenergic system in relation
      to pain, particularly focusing on the ascending and descending LC projections in
      different conditions. How such findings influence our understanding of these
      conditions is also discussed.

PMID- 27267246
TI  - AMP kinase regulates ligand-gated K-ATP channels in substantia nigra dopamine
      neurons.
AB  - AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master enzyme that regulates ATP
      sensitive K(+) (K-ATP) channels in pancreatic beta-cells and cardiac myocytes. We
      used patch pipettes to record currents and potentials to investigate effects of
      AMPK on K-ATP currents in substantia nigra compacta (SNC) dopamine neurons in
      slices of rat midbrain. When slices were superfused repeatedly with the K-ATP
      channel opener diazoxide, we were surprised to find that diazoxide currents
      gradually increased in magnitude, reaching 300% of the control value 60min after
      starting whole-cell recording. However, diazoxide current increased significantly
      more, to 472% of control, when recorded in the presence of the AMPK activator
      A769662. Moreover, superfusing the slice with the AMPK blocking agent
      dorsomorphin significantly reduced diazoxide current to 38% of control. Control
      experiments showed that outward currents evoked by the K-ATP channel opener NN
      414 also increased over time, but not currents evoked by the GABAB agonist
      baclofen. Delaying the application of diazoxide after starting whole-cell
      recording correlated with augmentation of current. Loose-patch recording showed
      that diazoxide produced a 34% slowing of spontaneous firing rate that did not
      intensify with repeated applications of diazoxide. However, superfusion with
      A769662 significantly augmented the inhibitory effect of diazoxide on firing
      rate. We conclude that K-ATP channel function is augmented by AMPK, which is
      activated during the process of making whole-cell recordings. Our results suggest
      that AMPK and K-ATP interactions may play an important role in regulating
      dopamine neuronal excitability.

PMID- 27267248
TI  - Characterization of TistH, a multifunctional peptide from the scorpion Tityus
      stigmurus: Structure, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity.
AB  - The presence of bioactive peptides in animal venoms has been targeted in
      scientific research for assessing biological activities, as well as mechanisms of
      action. A recent study by our group observed hypotensive action of TistH (Tityus
      stigmurus Hypotensin), a peptide deduced from the transcriptome of T. stigmurus
      venom gland. The present study aims to analyze TistH structure properties and to
      evaluate its toxicity on normal and tumor cells, its in vitro antimicrobial
      activity, as well as its inflammatory effect. Circular dichroism analyses of
      TistH showed a general predominance of alpha-helix conformation in TFE (20-70%)
      and structural stability to pH variations. TistH was not cytotoxic to normal cell
      lines (3T3, RAW and HEK), and also not to cancer cell lines (HeLa, B16, 786-0,
      SiHa and HepG2). The peptide did not present inflammatory activity up to 6 h
      after administered subcutaneously to Swiss mice. It was observed that
      concentrations of 4-1024 MUg/mL of TistH produced no inhibition against the
      bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis e Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa. The results of antifungal assays showed a moderate activity of TistH
      against Candida albicans strain LM-108 and the filamentous fungus Trichophyton
      rubrum LM-640, with growth inhibition at a concentration of 1024 MUg/mL. In
      contrast, the peptide presented a greater activity (MIC 128 MUg/mL) against C.
      albicans LM-106, Candida tropicalis ATCC 13308 and Aspergillus flavus strains LM
      247 and LM-26, fungi that cause oral and vaginal infections, candidiasis and
      respiratory allergies, respectively. The present data contribute to a better
      understanding of TistH and its possible use as a bioactive compound. This
      multifunctional peptide is capable of acting as anti-hypertensive, as well as to
      inhibit the growth of fungal strains, having low toxicity, which suggests its
      safety for using as a pharmacological agent. 

PMID- 27267245
TI  - Cognitive flexibility impairment and reduced frontal cortex BDNF expression in
      the ouabain model of mania.
AB  - Central infusion of the Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor, ouabain in rats serves as an
      animal model of mania because it leads to hyperactivity, as well as reproduces
      ion dysregulation and reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels
      similar to that observed in bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is also associated
      with cognitive inflexibility and working memory deficits. It is unknown whether
      ouabain treatment in rats leads to similar cognitive flexibility and working
      memory deficits. The present study examined the effects of an intracerebral
      ventricular infusion of ouabain in rats on spontaneous alternation, probabilistic
      reversal learning and BDNF expression levels in the frontal cortex. Ouabain
      treatment significantly increased locomotor activity, but did not affect
      alternation performance in a Y-maze. Ouabain treatment selectively impaired
      reversal learning in a spatial discrimination task using an 80/20 probabilistic
      reinforcement procedure. The reversal learning deficit in ouabain-treated rats
      resulted from an impaired ability to maintain a new choice pattern (increased
      regressive errors). Ouabain treatment also decreased sensitivity to negative
      feedback during the initial phase of reversal learning. Expression of BDNF mRNA
      and protein levels was downregulated in the frontal cortex which also negatively
      correlated with regressive errors. These findings suggest that the ouabain model
      of mania may be useful in understanding the neuropathophysiology that contributes
      to cognitive flexibility deficits and test potential treatments to alleviate
      cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder.

PMID- 27267249
TI  - Brain regions involved in subprocesses of small-space episodic object-location
      memory: a systematic review of lesion and functional neuroimaging studies.
AB  - Object-location memory (OLM) enables us to keep track of the locations of objects
      in our environment. The neurocognitive model of OLM (Postma, A., Kessels, R. P.
      C., & Van Asselen, M. (2004). The neuropsychology of object-location memory. In
      G. L. Allen (Ed.), Human spatial memory: Remembering where (pp. 143-160). Mahwah,
      NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, Postma, A., Kessels, R. P. C., & Van Asselen, M. (2008).
      How the brain remembers and forgets where things are: The neurocognition of
      object-location memory. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 32, 1339-1345. doi:
      10.1016/j.neubiorev.2008.05.001 ) proposes that distinct brain regions are
      specialised for different subprocesses of OLM (object processing, location
      processing, and object-location binding; categorical and coordinate OLM;
      egocentric and allocentric OLM). It was based mainly on findings from lesion
      studies. However, recent episodic memory studies point to a contribution of
      additional or different brain regions to object and location processing within
      episodic OLM. To evaluate and update the neurocognitive model of OLM, we
      therefore conducted a systematic literature search for lesion as well as
      functional neuroimaging studies contrasting small-space episodic OLM with object
      memory or location memory. We identified 10 relevant lesion studies and 8
      relevant functional neuroimaging studies. We could confirm some of the proposals
      of the neurocognitive model of OLM, but also differing hypotheses from episodic
      memory research, about which brain regions are involved in the different
      subprocesses of small-space episodic OLM. In addition, we were able to identify
      new brain regions as well as important research gaps.

PMID- 27267250
TI  - Estimating the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Portugal.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Due to globalized migratory processes, female genital
      mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has spread to other countries, including countries in
      Europe, where, with a few exceptions, it remains a concealed problem. To the
      authors' knowledge, this is the first national extensive study to estimate the
      prevalence of FGM/C in Portugal. STUDY DESIGN: Prevalence estimation. METHODS:
      Using extrapolation of country-of-origin prevalence data and the 2011 Census
      data, this study estimated: the prevalence of FGM/C in Portugal among women of
      reproductive age (15-49 years) and among all women aged >=15 years; and the
      number of girls aged <15 years living in Portugal who have undergone or will
      probably undergo FGM/C. RESULTS: It is estimated that 6576 women aged >=15 years
      living in Portugal have undergone FGM/C, with cases distributed unevenly
      throughout the national territory. In addition, it is estimated that 1830 girls
      aged <15 years living in Portugal have undergone or are likely to undergo FGM/C.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study estimated that more than 6000 women living in Portugal
      have undergone FGM/C, and many girls remain at risk. These two groups need
      different types of interventions. Awareness of the number and geographical
      dispersion of cases of FGM/C will enable more informed and targeted definition of
      public health policies for protection of females who have undergone or are at
      risk of undergoing FGM/C.

PMID- 27267251
TI  - The Associations Between Children's and Adolescents' Suicidal and Self-Harming
      Behaviors, and Related Behaviors Within Their Social Networks: A Systematic
      Review.
AB  - Social influences-including the suicidal and self-harming behaviors of others
      have been highlighted as a risk factor for suicidal and self-harming behavior in
      young people, but synthesis of the evidence is lacking. A systematic review of 86
      relevant papers was conducted. Considerable published evidence was obtained for
      positive associations between young people's suicidal and self-harming behavior
      and that of people they know, with those reporting knowing people who had engaged
      in suicidal or self-harming behaviors more likely to report engaging in similar
      behaviors themselves. Findings are discussed in relation to a number of
      methodological and measurement issues-including the role of normative perceptions
      and implications for the prevention of suicidal and self-harming behavior are
      considered.

PMID- 27267253
TI  - Composition and metabolism of phospholipids in Octopus vulgaris and Sepia
      officinalis hatchlings.
AB  - The objective of the present study was to characterise the fatty acid (FA)
      profiles of the major phospholipids, of Octopus vulgaris and Sepia officinalis
      hatchlings, namely phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS),
      phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE); and to evaluate the
      capability of both cephalopod species on dietary phospholipid remodelling. Thus,
      O. vulgaris and S. officinalis hatchlings were in vivo incubated with 0.3MUM of L
      ?-1-palmitoyl-2-[1-(14)C]arachidonyl-PC or L-?-1-palmitoyl-2-[1-(14)C]arachidonyl
      PE. Octopus and cuttlefish hatchlings phospholipids showed a characteristic FA
      profiles with PC presenting high contents of 16:0 and 22:6n-3 (DHA); PS having
      high 18:0, DHA and 20:5n-3 (EPA); PI a high content of saturated FA; and PE
      showing high contents of DHA and EPA. Interestingly, the highest content of 20:4n
      6 (ARA) was found in PE rather than PI. Irrespective of the phospholipid in which
      [1-(14)C]ARA was initially bound (either PC or PE), the esterification pattern of
      [1-(14)C]ARA in octopus lipids was similar to that found in their tissues with
      high esterification of this FA into PE. In contrast, in cuttlefish hatchlings [1
      (14)C]ARA was mainly recovered in the same phospholipid that was provided. These
      results showed a characteristic FA profiles in the major phospholipids of the two
      species, as well as a contrasting capability to remodel dietary phospholipids,
      which may suggest a difference in phospholipase activities. 

PMID- 27267252
TI  - N-Myristoyltransferase Inhibition Induces ER-Stress, Cell Cycle Arrest, and
      Apoptosis in Cancer Cells.
AB  - N-Myristoyltransferase (NMT) covalently attaches a C14 fatty acid to the N
      terminal glycine of proteins and has been proposed as a therapeutic target in
      cancer. We have recently shown that selective NMT inhibition leads to dose
      responsive loss of N-myristoylation on more than 100 protein targets in cells,
      and cytotoxicity in cancer cells. N-myristoylation lies upstream of multiple pro
      proliferative and oncogenic pathways, but to date the complex substrate
      specificity of NMT has limited determination of which diseases are most likely to
      respond to a selective NMT inhibitor. We describe here the phenotype of NMT
      inhibition in HeLa cells and show that cells die through apoptosis following or
      concurrent with accumulation in the G1 phase. We used quantitative proteomics to
      map protein expression changes for more than 2700 proteins in response to
      treatment with an NMT inhibitor in HeLa cells and observed down-regulation of
      proteins involved in cell cycle regulation and up-regulation of proteins involved
      in the endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response, with similar
      results in breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and colon (HCT116) cancer cell lines. This
      study describes the cellular response to NMT inhibition at the proteome level and
      provides a starting point for selective targeting of specific diseases with NMT
      inhibitors, potentially in combination with other targeted agents.

PMID- 27267254
TI  - Single-dose pharmacokinetics of ibrutinib in subjects with varying degrees of
      hepatic impairment<sup/>.
AB  - This open-label, single-dose study was designed to characterize pharmacokinetics
      and safety profile of ibrutinib in hepatically impaired subjects. Each subject
      received single oral dose of ibrutinib (140 mg) following an overnight fast
      (hepatic impairment-mild [n = 6], moderate [n = 10], and severe [n = 8]; healthy
      control [n = 6]). Subjects with hepatic impairment showed significant increase in
      ibrutinib plasma exposures and fraction unbound ibrutinib. Compared to control
      group, mean exposure (AUClast; unbound) in mild, moderate, and severe cohorts was
      4.1-, 9.8-, 13.4-fold higher, respectively. Terminal half-life trended slightly
      longer in moderately and severely impaired subjects, but risk of accumulation on
      repeated dosing appears negligible as half-life did not exceed 10 h. Based on
      observed effects on exposure, reduced doses are recommended for patients with
      mild and moderate liver impairment (Child-Pugh Class A and B), whereas 140 mg is
      considered too high for severely impaired patients (Class-C). A single dose of
      140 mg was well tolerated in this study (NCT01767948).

PMID- 27267255
TI  - Coronary flow velocity reserve by echocardiography: feasibility, reproducibility
      and agreement with PET in overweight and obese patients with stable and
      revascularized coronary artery disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) measured by transthoracic
      Doppler echocardiography of the LAD is used to assess microvascular function but
      validation studies in clinical settings are lacking. We aimed to assess
      feasibility, reproducibility and agreement with myocardial flow reserve (MFR)
      measured by PET in overweight and obese patients. METHODS: Participants with
      revascularized coronary artery disease were examined by CFVR. Subgroups were
      examined by repeated CFVR (reproducibility) or Rubidium-82-PET (agreement). To
      account for time variation, results were computed for scans performed within a
      week (1-week) and for all scans regardless of time gap (total) and to account for
      scar tissue for patients with and without previous myocardial infarction (MI).
      RESULTS: Eighty-six patients with median BMI 30.9 (IQR 29.4-32.9) kg * m(-2) and
      CFVR 2.29 (1.90-2.63) were included. CFVR was feasible in 83 (97 %) using a
      contrast agent in 14 %. For reproducibility overall (n = 21) limits of agreement
      (LOA) were (-0.75;0.71), within-subjects coefficient of variation (CV) 11 %, and
      reliability 0.84. For reproducibility within 1-week (n = 13) LOA were (
      0.33;0.25), within-subjects CV 5 %, and reliability 0.97. Agreement with MFR of
      the LAD territory (n = 35) was without significant bias and overall LOA were (
      1.40;1.46). Agreement was best for examinations performed within 1-week of
      participants without MI of the LAD-territory (n = 12); LOA = (-0.68;0.88).
      CONCLUSIONS: CFVR was highly feasible with a good reproducibility on par with
      other contemporary measures applied in cardiology. Agreement with MFR was
      acceptable, though discrepancy related to prior MI has to be considered. CFVR of
      LAD is a valid tool in overweight and obese patients.

PMID- 27267257
TI  - Automated Glycan Assembly of Complex Oligosaccharides Related to Blood Group
      Determinants.
AB  - Lactotetraosyl (Lc4) and neo-lactotetraosyl (nLc4) are backbones that are common
      to many glycans. Using automated glycan assembly, these common core structures
      were constructed and elaborated to access synthetically challenging glycans of
      biological relevance. The incorporation of alpha-fucoses is demonstrated for H
      type I and II; alpha(1,3)-galactose epitopes were prepared, and the
      pentasaccharide HNK-1 required incorporation of a 3-O-sulfate. In addition to
      preparing the target structures, essential insights were gained regarding the
      relationships of glycosylating agents and nucleophiles as well as the linker
      stability.

PMID- 27267256
TI  - Global research trends of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: a
      bibliometric analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a virus
      that causes severe viral pneumonia in humans, known to have a high mortality rate
      and a similarity in clinical symptoms with severe acute respiratory syndrome
      coronavirus. It was first isolated in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2012 and
      after that, MERS-CoV exhibited outbreaks in several regions of the world. This
      study aimed to assess the characteristics of publications involving MERS-CoV at
      global level by using a bibliometric analysis. METHODS: Scopus database was
      searched on March 4, 2016 for MERS-CoV publications published between 2012 and
      2015. It was performed on the same day in order to avoid the possible bias came
      from update on the database because the metrics are changing over time. All
      publication types were considered; however publications as errata were excluded.
      Analysis parameters include year of publication, publication type, patterns of
      international collaboration, research institutions, journals, impact factor, h
      index, language, and times cited. RESULTS: A total of 883 MERS-CoV research
      publications were published across the world. The MERS-CoV-associated
      publications were originated from 92 countries/territories, indicating the
      international spread of MERS-CoV research. The USA was the largest contributor,
      with 319 articles published over 4 years, followed by KSA (113 articles). The
      total number of citations for these publications has already achieved 8,015, with
      an average of 9.01 citations per each publication. The h-index for MERS-CoV
      associated publications was 48. The USA also have the highest h-index (32),
      followed by KSA (26) and UK (22). Netherland produced the greatest proportion of
      publications with international research collaboration (72.7 %) followed by the
      UK (71 %) and Germany (69.1 %) out of the total number of publications for each
      country. CONCLUSIONS: There is a rapid increase in research activities related to
      MERS-CoV from 2012 to 2015. This study demonstrates that the MERS-CoV related
      literature has grown to be more extensive and global over the past 4 years. The
      bulk of publications in the field of MERS-CoV research are published by high
      income countries such as the USA. Furthermore, the USA, the UK and KSA may have
      higher quality of articles according to the value of h-index.

PMID- 27267258
TI  - Finding the experts in the crowd: Validity and reliability of crowdsourced
      measures of children's gradient speech contrasts.
AB  - Perceptual ratings aggregated across multiple nonexpert listeners can be used to
      measure covert contrast in child speech. Online crowdsourcing provides access to
      a large pool of raters, but for practical purposes, researchers may wish to use
      smaller samples. The ratings obtained from these smaller samples may not maintain
      the high levels of validity seen in larger samples. This study aims to measure
      the validity and reliability of crowdsourced continuous ratings of child speech,
      obtained through Visual Analog Scaling, and to identify ways to improve these
      measurements. We first assess overall validity and interrater reliability for
      measurements obtained from a large set of raters. Second, we investigate two
      rater-level measures of quality, individual validity and intrarater reliability,
      and examine the relationship between them. Third, we show that these estimates
      may be used to establish guidelines for the inclusion of raters, thus impacting
      the quality of results obtained when smaller samples are used.

PMID- 27267259
TI  - Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic considerations for epilepsy - depression
      comorbidities.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy may be frequently associated with psychiatric disorders
      and its co-existence with depression usually results in the reduced quality of
      life of patients with epilepsy. Also, the efficacy of antiepileptic treatment in
      depressed patients with epilepsy may be significantly reduced. AREAS COVERED:
      Results of experimental studies indicate that antidepressants co-administered
      with antiepileptic drugs may either increase their anticonvulsant activity,
      remain neutral or decrease the protective action of antiepileptic drugs in models
      of seizures. Apart from purely pharmacodynamic interactions, pharmacokinetic
      mechanisms have been proven to contribute to the final outcome. We report on
      clinical data regarding the pharmacokinetic interactions of enzyme-inducing
      antiepileptic drugs with various antidepressants, whose plasma concentration may
      be significantly reduced. On the other hand, antidepressants (especially
      selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may influence the metabolism of
      antiepileptics, in many cases resulting in the elevation of plasma concentration
      of antiepileptic drugs. EXPERT OPINION: The preclinical data may provide valuable
      clues on how to combine these two groups of drugs - antidepressant drugs neutral
      or potentiating the anticonvulsant action of antiepileptics are recommended in
      this regard. Avoidance of antidepressants clearly decreasing the convulsive
      threshold or decreasing the anticonvulsant efficacy of antiepileptic drugs (f.e.
      bupropion or mianserin) in patients with epilepsy is recommended.

PMID- 27267261
TI  - Medical Research Volunteer Program (MRVP): innovative program promoting
      undergraduate research in the medical field.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most educational institutions lack a structured system that provides
      undergraduate students with research exposure in the medical field. The objective
      of this paper is to describe the structure of the Medical Research Volunteer
      Program (MRVP) which was established at the American University of Beirut,
      Lebanon, as well as to assess the success of the program. METHODS: The MRVP is a
      program that targets undergraduate students interested in becoming involved in
      the medical research field early on in their academic career. It provides
      students with an active experience and the opportunity to learn from and support
      physicians, clinical researchers, basic science researchers and other health
      professionals. Through this program, students are assigned to researchers and
      become part of a research team where they observe and aid on a volunteer basis.
      This paper presents the MRVP's four major pillars: the students, the faculty
      members, the MRVP committee, and the online portal. Moreover, details of the MRVP
      process are provided. The success of the program was assessed by carrying out
      analyses using information gathered from the MRVP participants (both students and
      faculty). Satisfaction with the program was assessed using a set of questions
      rated on a Likert scale, ranging from 1 (lowest satisfaction) to 5 (highest
      satisfaction). RESULTS: A total of 211 students applied to the program with a
      total of 164 matches being completed. Since the beginning of the program, three
      students have each co-authored a publication in peer-reviewed journals with their
      respective faculty members. The majority of the students rated the program
      positively. Of the total number of students who completed the program period,
      35.1 % rated the effectiveness of the program with a 5, 54.8 % rated 4, and 8.6 %
      rated 3. A small number of students gave lower ratings of 2 and 1 (1.1 % and 0.4
      %, respectively). CONCLUSION: The MRVP is a program that provides undergraduate
      students with the opportunity to learn about research firsthand as they volunteer
      and aid in different research projects. This program also provides faculty
      members with the help to conduct their research projects and opportunity to
      influence future generations. It was shown that so far the MRVP has been
      successful in reaching its goals, for both students and faculty.

PMID- 27267260
TI  - Dietary conjugated linoleic acid affects blood parameters, liver morphology and
      expression of selected hepatic genes in laying hens.
AB  - The objective of this research were to investigate the effect of a conjugated
      linoleic acid (CLA)-enriched diet on Isa Brown laying hen health status and to
      provide a comprehensive analysis of changes in blood parameters, liver morphology
      and selected hepatic gene expression. Hens were allocated to the control and
      experimental group (diet enriched with 0.75% CLA) for a total period of 4 m. At
      the end of the experiment half of the hens from each group were slaughtered for
      analyses. The remaining hens were transferred to an organic farm for the next 5 m
      and fed on the diet without CLA supplementation. The CLA-enriched diet resulted
      in significant changes in blood and serum parameters; specifically, haematocrit
      (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and white blood cells (WBC) count were
      decreased compared to the control. The total cholesterol (TC) was not
      significantly affected while the triacylglycerol's (TG) concentration was
      elevated. The activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly
      increased in the CLA-supplemented group, while aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
      showed an increasing tendency. Liver biopsies showed pathological changes
      classified as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Additionally, the
      expression of hepatic genes involved in fatty acids synthesis (ME1, ACLY, ACC,
      FASN, SCD1), oxidation (CPT1alpha, PPARA), detoxification processes (Cytochrome
      P450, CYP, Flavin-containing monooxygenase, FMO3), oxidative stress (NOX4, XbP1)
      and inflammation (IL6, TNFalpha) were elevated. Cessation of CLA supplementation
      for 5 m of organic farming resulted in normalisation of blood and hepatic
      parameters to the levels observed in control hens. The results of this study
      indicate that dietary CLA triggers an integrated stress response in laying hens
      and activates mechanisms involved in liver detoxification.

PMID- 27267262
TI  - A review of the new provisions for sanctioning mentally disordered offenders in
      China, in a broader historical context.
AB  - Reforms of the criminal justice system in China in recent years have included the
      2012 Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP), which resulted in new disposals for
      mentally disordered offenders. From a Western perspective, changes in Chinese
      criminal law are sometimes cliched as toothless window dressing, but they may
      represent a genuine step forward in safeguarding human rights. Taking a
      historical perspective, this paper reveals that in the East, as much as in the
      West, there is a 'moral tradition' of not punishing mentally disordered offenders
      who are not considered responsible for their acts. There are clear differences in
      disposal for those acquitted having been found 'not guilty by reason of
      insanity'. Whereas Western jurisdictions have offered (criminal) courts the
      opportunity for commitment in (forensic) mental hospitals from the early 19th
      Century, in China, disposal has remained, until the recent changes, the
      responsibility of the administration (mainly the police) or the family of the
      offender. A few high profile cases brought to light the inadequacy of these
      arrangements and the general disregard of obvious mental health issues when
      sentencing offenders. There was lack of clarity regarding who would take
      responsibility for treatment and issues of future public protection arising from
      a mental disorder. The 2012 CCP introduces the power of mental health commitment
      by the judiciary for those found non-responsible for an offense because of a
      mental disorder. Similar to provisions in Western jurisdictions there remain
      human rights concerns regarding aspects of 2012 CCP and the role of 'preventive
      detention' for mentally disordered offenders on indeterminate secure mental
      health detention. Nevertheless, the shift to judicial decision making in such
      cases and the possibility of mental health commitment are welcome steps in
      improving the human rights of this vulnerable population.

PMID- 27267263
TI  - Erratum to: Unraveling the pectinolytic function of Bacteroides xylanisolvens
      using a RNA-seq approach and mutagenesis.

PMID- 27267265
TI  - Bis(dipyrrinato)zinc(II) Complexes: Emission in the Solid State.
AB  - This Communication reports the first observation of solid-state photoluminescence
      in bis(dipyrrinato)zinc(II) complexes with various substituents. The report
      discusses the effect of their substituents on their crystal structures and
      spectroscopic properties. Their meso-aryl groups are revealed to play important
      roles in the spectroscopic properties in the solid state. 

PMID- 27267264
TI  - Intra-islet glucagon-like peptide 1.
AB  - PURPOSE: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is originally identified in the gut as
      an incretin hormone, and it is potent in stimulating insulin secretion in the
      pancreas. However, increasing evidence suggests that GLP-1 is also produced
      locally within pancreatic islets. This review focuses on the past and current
      discoveries regarding intra-islet GLP-1 production and its functions. MAIN
      FINDINGS: There has been a long-standing debate with regard to whether GLP-1 is
      produced in the pancreatic alpha cells. Early controversies lead to the widely
      accepted conclusion that the vast majority of proglucagon is processed to form
      glucagon in the pancreas, whereas an insignificant amount is cleaved to produce
      GLP-1. With technological advancements, recent studies have shown that bioactive
      GLP-1 is produced locally in the pancreas, and the expression and secretion of
      GLP-1 within islets are regulated by various factors such as cytokines,
      hyperglycemia, and beta cell injury. CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1 is produced by the
      pancreatic alpha cells, and it is fully functional as an incretin. Therefore,
      intra-islet GLP-1 may exert insulinotropic and glucagonostatic effects locally
      via paracrine and/or autocrine actions, under both normal and diabetic
      conditions.

PMID- 27267266
TI  - Two-Dimensional Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite Photonic Films.
AB  - Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have created enormous expectations for low
      cost and high-performance optoelectronic devices. In prospect, future
      advancements may derive from reaping novel electrical and optical properties
      beyond pristine perovskites through microscopic structure design and engineering.
      Herein, we report the successful preparation of two-dimensional inverse-opal
      perovskite (IOP) photonic films, featuring unique nanostructures and vivid
      colors. Further compositional and structural managements promise optical property
      and energy level tunability of the IOP films. They are further functionalized in
      solar cells, resulting in colorful devices with respectable power conversion
      efficiency. Such concept has not been previously applied for perovskite-based
      solar cells, which could open a route for more versatile optoelectronic devices.

PMID- 27267267
TI  - Investor Outlook: Rising from the Ashes; GSK's European Approval of Strimvelis
      for ADA-SCID.
AB  - GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) and partner San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene
      Therapy's recent positive European approval for Strimvelis for treatment of
      severe combined immunodeficiency due to adenosine deaminase deficiency (ADA-SCID)
      represents the second EU-approved gene therapy and the first gamma-retrovirus and
      first ex vivo gene therapy. In this article we discuss the significance and
      implications of this historic approval for the broader gene therapy field.

PMID- 27267268
TI  - Efficacy of lixisenatide in patients with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis of
      patients with diverse beta-cell function in the GetGoal-M and GetGoal-S trials.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate the impact of beta-cell function on the efficacy of
      lixisenatide, a once-daily prandial glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, in
      patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this post hoc
      analysis, patients from the Phase 3 GetGoal-M and GetGoal-S clinical trials
      randomized to lixisenatide 20MUg once daily were stratified into quartiles by
      baseline beta-cell function, as measured by the secretory units of islet in
      transplantation (SUIT) index. RESULTS: Patients (N=437) were distributed evenly
      among SUIT index quartiles 1 to 4 (lowest to highest beta-cell function).
      Clinical outcomes improved from baseline across all SUIT quartiles; mean changes
      at week 24 were: glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; % [mmol/mol]), -0.99 (-10.8), -0.87
      (-9.5), -0.86 (-9.4), -0.83 (-9.1); and postprandial plasma glucose (PPG;
      mmol/L), -7.9, -5.6, -5.5, -4.3 (overall effect P<0.0001). Furthermore,
      postprandial glucagon was reduced in all SUIT quartiles, while insulinogenic
      index improved only in patients with higher baseline SUIT (overall effect
      P=0.0286). No severe symptomatic hypoglycemic events were reported. CONCLUSIONS:
      Lixisenatide treatment resulted in reductions in HbA1c and PPG levels across all
      SUIT quartiles. This suggests that non-insulin-related actions of lixisenatide
      contribute to improved glycemic control in T2D.

PMID- 27267269
TI  - Expression density of receptors to IL-1beta in atopic dermatitis.
AB  - Interleukin 1 (IL-1 beta) and the system for regulation of its biological effects
      play an important role in the development and behavior of inflammatory processes
      in atopic dermatitis. Notably, cells that are actively involved in the
      pathological process have altered expression of cytokine receptors. However,
      standard evaluation of cells by flow cytometry measures only the percentage of
      cells expressing the appropriate marker, which is not enough for a full
      assessment of these changes. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in
      the expression of IL-1beta cytokine receptors in patients with atopic dermatitis
      by both percentage of cells with receptors in various subsets and the absolute
      number of membrane-bound receptors themselves. It was found that an increase or
      decrease in the percentage of cells expressing the receptors in subsets of immune
      cells in patients with atopic dermatitis was not associated with a change in the
      number of receptors on the cell surface. Moreover, the changes in the percentage
      of cells and the number of receptors may occur in different directions, as shown
      for IL-1R2 expression on B cells and IL-1R1 expression for monocytes. Changes in
      the parameters of IL-1beta receptor expressions are associated with disease
      severity index SCORAD in atopic dermatitis. These findings underline the
      importance of studying the density of cytokine receptor expression in the
      pathology.

PMID- 27267270
TI  - A novel dendritic cell-targeted lentiviral vector, encoding Ag85A-ESAT6 fusion
      gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, could elicit potent cell-mediated immune
      responses in mice.
AB  - Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      (Mtb), leading to high mortality worldwide. It is well-established that cellular
      immunity plays a critical role to control Mtb infection. Dendritic Cells (DCs)
      are potent antigen presenting cells, which play an important role to prime cell
      mediated immune responses. In vivo targeting of DCs has been shown to induce both
      strong cellular immunity and protection against tumor challenges. The aim of the
      present study was not only to assess the immunizing potential of a novel DC
      targeted recombinant lentivirus expressing fusion antigen Ag85A-ESAT6 of Mtb, but
      also to compare it with a recombinant lentivirus with broad cellular tropism
      expressing the same antigen in mice. The findings demonstrated that our novel
      recombinant DC-targeted lentivector was able to successfully transduce and
      express the fusion antigen Ag85A-E6 in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, a single
      footpad injection of targeted lentivectors could elicit strong T-helper 1 (Th1)
      immunity against the above mentioned antigen, as indicated by the specific high
      level production of IFN-gamma and IL-2 using spleen lymphocytes and
      lymphoproliferative responses. Despite of these promising results, more attempts
      are required to elucidate the protective and therapeutic efficacy of this
      approach in future.

PMID- 27267271
TI  - Esterase D enhances type I interferon signal transduction to suppress foot-and
      mouth disease virus replication.
AB  - The enzymatic activities of esterase D (ESD) are involved in many human diseases.
      However, no antiviral property of ESD has been described to date. Foot-and-mouth
      disease virus (FMDV) is the etiological agent of foot-and-mouth disease. In this
      study, we showed that FMDV infection triggered ESD expression. Overexpression of
      ESD significantly suppressed FMDV replication and knockdown of ESD expression
      enhanced virus replication, showing an essential antiviral role of ESD.
      Furthermore, we found that Sendai-virus-induced interferon (IFN) signaling was
      enhanced by upregulation of ESD, and ESD promoted activation of the IFN-beta
      promoter simulated by IFN regulatory factor (IRF)3 or its upstream molecules
      (retinoic acid-inducible gene-I, melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5,
      virus-induced signaling adaptor and TANK binding kinase 1). Detailed analysis
      revealed that ESD protein enhanced IRF3 phosphorylation during FMDV infection.
      Overexpression of ESD also promoted the expression of various antiviral
      interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and knockdown of ESD impaired the expression
      of these antiviral genes during FMDV infection. Our findings demonstrate a new
      mechanism evolved by ESD to enhance type I IFN signal transduction and suppress
      viral replication during FMDV infection.

PMID- 27267272
TI  - NK cells control HIV-1 infection of macrophages through soluble factors and
      cellular contacts in the human decidua.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During the first trimester of pregnancy, HIV-1 in utero transmission
      is rare despite the permissivity of the placenta and the decidua (the uterine
      mucosa during pregnancy) to infection. In the decidua from the first trimester of
      pregnancy, macrophages (dMs) are the HIV-1 main target cells. Decidual natural
      killer (dNK) cells account for 70 % of decidual leukocytes. They display distinct
      phenotype and functions compared to peripheral NK cells. At the periphery, NK
      cells are involved in the control of HIV-1 infection. In this study, we
      investigate whether human decidual natural killer (dNK) cells control dM HIV-1
      infection. RESULTS: Autologous cocultures of infected dMs with dNK cells reveal
      that dNK cells strongly inhibit dM HIV-1 infection. The addition of dNK cells to
      dMs at different times after infection suggests that the control occurs before
      the complete establishment of the infection. Double chamber cocultures show that
      cellular contacts are necessary for an optimal control of infection.
      Nevertheless, soluble factors secreted by dMs and dNK cells in double chamber
      cocultures partially inhibit dM HIV-1 infection, indicating that soluble factors
      have also a role in the control of infection. IFN-gamma secretion is increased in
      infected and uninfected cocultures. We show that IFN-gamma is involved in the
      control of dM HIV-1 infection by dNK cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      demonstrate that human dNK cells inhibit efficiently HIV-1 infection in dMs in
      vitro, and highlight the role of innate immune determinants in the control of HIV
      1 transmission.

PMID- 27267273
TI  - Gendered sexual uses of alcohol and associated risks: a qualitative study of
      Nigerian University students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol misuse among young people is a global phenomenon. In many
      countries, young people engage in heavy drinking and this exacerbates risky
      sexual behaviour. In Nigeria, alcohol held multiple roles in the traditional era
      but was mainly consumed by adult males for pleasure. Adult females and young
      people were culturally constrained from drinking in most communities. In
      contemporary Nigeria, young people's drinking is increasing, and many engage in
      sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol. METHODS: This study draws on
      the traditional gender and social sexual scripts to explore the factors that
      motivate young people to use alcohol for sexual purposes. In-depth interviews
      were conducted with 19 to 23-year old male and female undergraduate students from
      a Nigerian university. Thematic analysis was conducted with the aid of NVivo 10
      software. RESULTS: Men drink to become confident to initiate sexual
      relationships, stimulate sexual urges, prolong erection, increase sexual
      satisfaction and become more aggressive during sexual intercourse. Women also
      drink to be bold in initiating sexual relationships, for sexual arousal and to
      increase satisfaction. Relatedly, not every brand of alcohol is used for sexual
      purposes. For example, while men use 'herbal' alcoholic beverages and a mixture
      of locally-produced gin and marijuana, women use champagne and other flavoured
      alcoholic beverages. The results also revealed that young people use alcohol or
      salt in a bid to prevent conception after sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS:
      Adherence to the traditional gender (masculinity) and social sexual scripts
      amongst men and the enactment of what appears to be a new form of femininity
      script amongst women contribute to a culturally specific understanding of the
      motivations to use alcohol for sexual purposes. Evidence-based strategies should
      be employed to distribute information about the consequences of sexual
      intercourse under the influence of alcohol.

PMID- 27267276
TI  - Resisting the onset of herbivore attack: plants perceive and respond to insect
      eggs.
AB  - Plants can respond to attack by herbivorous insects very soon after herbivores
      start producing a new generation by depositing eggs onto their leaves. Egg
      induced plant responses may result in killing the attacker in its egg stage.
      However, if the eggs do survive, they can also prime feeding-induced plant
      defenses against the larvae hatching from eggs. In this paper we focus first on
      egg-induced plant responses that resemble hypersensitive responses (HR) to
      phytopathogens and lead to egg desiccation or detachment from plants. We then
      summarize the current knowledge about egg-mediated effects on feeding-induced
      plant defenses against larvae. Finally, we discuss the insect species specificity
      of plant responses to eggs and the variability of insect susceptibility to these
      responses.

PMID- 27267274
TI  - An Unrecognized Function of Cholesterol: Regulating the Mechanism Controlling
      Membrane Phospholipid Asymmetry.
AB  - An asymmetric distribution of phospholipids in the membrane bilayer is
      inseparable from physiological functions, including shape preservation and
      survival of erythrocytes, and by implication other cells. Aminophospholipids,
      notably phosphatidylserine (PS), are confined to the inner leaflet of the
      erythrocyte membrane lipid bilayer by the ATP-dependent flippase enzyme, ATP11C,
      counteracting the activity of an ATP-independent scramblase. Phospholipid
      scramblase 1 (PLSCR1), a single-transmembrane protein, was previously reported to
      possess scrambling activity in erythrocytes. However, its function was cast in
      doubt by the retention of scramblase activity in erythrocytes of knockout mice
      lacking this protein. We show that in the human erythrocyte PLSCR1 is the
      predominant scramblase and by reconstitution into liposomes that its activity
      resides in the transmembrane domain. At or below physiological intracellular
      calcium concentrations, total suppression of flippase activity nevertheless
      leaves the membrane asymmetry undisturbed. When liposomes or erythrocytes are
      depleted of cholesterol (a reversible process in the case of erythrocytes), PS
      quickly appears at the outer surface, implying that cholesterol acts in the cell
      as a powerful scramblase inhibitor. Thus, our results bring to light a previously
      unsuspected function of cholesterol in regulating phospholipid scrambling.

PMID- 27267277
TI  - Plant phenotypic plasticity in the phytobiome: a volatile issue.
AB  - Plants live in a diverse and dynamic phytobiome, consisting of a microbiome as
      well as a macrobiome. They respond to arthropod herbivory with the emission of
      herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPV) that are public information and can be
      used by any member of the phytobiome. Other members of the phytobiome, which do
      not directly participate in the interaction, may both modulate the induction of
      HIPV in the plant, as well as respond to the volatiles. The use of HIPV by
      individual phytobiome members may have beneficial as well as detrimental
      consequences for the plant. The collective result of phytobiome-modulated HIPV
      emission on the responses of phytobiome members and the resulting phytobiome
      dynamics will determine whether and under which circumstances HIPV emission has a
      net benefit to the plant or not. Only when we understand HIPV emission in the
      total phytobiome context can we understand the evolutionary consequences of HIPV
      emission by plants.

PMID- 27267278
TI  - Photo-induced interaction of thioglycolic acid (TGA)-capped CdTe quantum dots
      with cyanine dyes.
AB  - The photo-induced interaction of three different sizes of thioglycolic acid (TGA)
      capped CdTe quantum dots (CdTe QDs) with two monomethine cyanine dyes belonging
      to the thiazole orange (TO) family has been studied. Positively charged cyanines
      interact with QDs surface which is negatively charged due to capping agent
      carboxylate ions. The energy transfer parameters including Stern-Volmer constant,
      Ksv, number of binding sites, n, quenching sphere radius, r, the critical energy
      transfer distance, R0, and energy transfer efficiencies, E have been calculated.
      The effect of structure and the number of aggregating molecules have been studied
      as a function of CdTe QDs particle size. Combining organic and inorganic
      semiconductors leads to increase of the effective absorption cross section of the
      QDs which can be utilized in novel nanoscale designs for light-emitting,
      photovoltaic and sensor applications. A synthesized triplet emission of the
      studied dyes was observed using CdTe QDs as donors and this is expected to play a
      potential role in molecular oxygen sensitization and in photodynamic therapy
      (PDT) applications. 

PMID- 27267279
TI  - Analysis of binding ability of two tetramethylpyridylporphyrins to albumin and
      its complex with bilirubin.
AB  - An interaction between 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(N-methyl-x-pyridyl)porphyrins, x=2; 4
      (TMPyPs) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and its bilirubin (BR) complex was
      investigated by UV-Viz and fluorescence spectroscopy under imitated physiological
      conditions involving molecular docking studies. The parameters of forming
      intermolecular complexes (binding constants, quenching rate constants, quenching
      sphere radius etc.) were determined. It was showed that the interaction between
      proteins and TMPyPs occurs via static quenching of protein fluorescence and has
      predominantly hydrophobic and electrostatic character. It was revealed that
      obtained complexes are relatively stable, but in the case of TMPyP4 binding with
      proteins occurs better than TMPyP2. Nevertheless, both TMPyPs have better binding
      ability with free protein compared to BRBSA at the same time. The influence of
      TMPyPs on the conformational changes in protein molecules was studied using
      synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. It was found that there is no competition
      of BR with TMPyPs for binging sites on protein molecule and BR displacement does
      not occur. Molecular docking calculations have showed that TMPyPs can bind with
      albumin via tryptophan residue in the hydrophilic binding site of protein
      molecule but it is not one possible interaction way. 

PMID- 27267280
TI  - Off-On-Off fluorescence behavior of an intramolecular charge transfer probe
      toward anions and CO2.
AB  - The photophysical behavior of a newly developed fluorescent probe,
      tricyanoethylphenyl phenanthroimidazole (TCPPI) has been studied. Upon
      interaction of different class of anions TCPPI displayed naked-eye sensitive
      fluorescence "turn-on" response to detect selectively F(-) (0.98MUM, 18.62ppb)
      and CN(-) (1.12MUM, 29.12ppb) anions in acetonitrile (MeCN). Job's plot analysis
      revealed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry between probe and anions. The spectral data
      analysis and 1H NMR titration studies suggested about the affinity of F(-) and
      CN(-) anions with moderately acidic -NH fragment of imidazolyl unit of probe
      through deprotonation and H-bonding interaction. Moreover, the anion activated
      probe upon interaction with CO2 revived photophysical properties of probe, "On
      Off-On" type fluorescence and enabled anion-induced CO2 sensing in the medium. 

PMID- 27267281
TI  - Using FTIR-photoacoustic spectroscopy for phosphorus speciation analysis of
      biochars.
AB  - In the last decade, numerous studies have evaluated the benefits of biochar for
      improving soil quality. The purposes of the current study were to use Fourier
      transform infrared-photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) to analyse P species in
      biochar and to determine the effect of pyrolysis temperature on P speciation. The
      photoacoustic detector has a range of advantages for the very dark biochar
      samples in comparison to more traditional reflectance or transmission FTIR
      detectors. The spectra turned out to be more informative in the regions with P
      vibrations for biochar produced at temperatures above 400 degrees C, where most
      of the remaining organic compounds were aromatic and therefore not overlapping
      with the P vibrations. For biochars produced from the solid fraction of digestate
      from biogas production, an increase in the pyrolysis temperature led to the
      formation of a large variety of P species. Hydroxylapatite and tricalcium
      phosphate were the most dominant P species in the mid to high temperature range
      (600-900 degrees C), while at 1050 degrees C apatite, iron phosphates, variscite
      and calcium phosphates were identified. However, the changes in P speciation in
      biochars produced from bone meal at different temperatures were smaller than in
      the biochars from digestate. Hydroxylapatite and calcium phosphates were
      identified in biochar produced at all temperatures, while there was some
      indication of struvite formation. 

PMID- 27267282
TI  - A novel colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for iron(III) ion
      detection and its application to cellular imaging.
AB  - A novel rhodamine-based dual probe Rh-2 for trivalent ferric ions (Fe(3+)) was
      successfully designed and synthesized, which exhibited a highly sensitive and
      selective recognition towards Fe(3+) with an enhanced fluorescence emission in
      methanol-water media (v/v=7/3, pH=7.2). The probe Rh-2 could be applied to the
      determination of Fe(3+) with a linear range covering from 3.0*10(-7) to 1.4*10(
      5)M and a detection limit of 1.24*10(-8)M. Meanwhile, the binding ratio of Rh-2
      and Fe(3+) was found to be 1:1. Most importantly, the fluorescence and color
      signal changes of the Rh-2 solution were specific to Fe(3+) over other commonly
      coexistent metal ions. Moreover, the probe Rh-2 has been used to image Fe(3+) in
      living cells with satisfying results. 

PMID- 27267283
TI  - Theoretical and experimental studies of the stability of drug-drug interact.
AB  - Several factors can intervene in the molecular properties and consequently in the
      stability of drugs. The molecular complexes formation often occur due to favor
      the formation of hydrogen bonds, leading the system to configuration more energy
      stable. This work we aim to investigate through theoretical and experimental
      methods the relation between stability and properties of molecular complexes the
      molecular complex formed between the drugs, efavirenz (EFV), lamivudine (3TC) and
      zidovudine (AZT). With this study was possible determining the most stable
      complex formed between the compounds evaluated. In addition the energy and
      structural properties of the complex formed in relation to its individual
      components allowed us to evaluate the stability of the same. 

PMID- 27267284
TI  - Discovering "The Italian Flag" by Fernando Melani (1907-1985).
AB  - In the occasion of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the founding of
      Italy (1861-2011), it was decided to analyse the artwork "The Italian Flag" (La
      Bandiera Italiana) created by the artist Fernando Melani (Pistoia, 1907-1985),
      one of the precursors of the Poor Art artistic movement in Italy. This project is
      a follow-up to a previous study which was mainly focused on the pigments and dyes
      found in his home-studio. The main goal of this paper is to identify a correct
      diagnostic plan, based on the use of a combination of non-invasive and micro
      invasive methodologies, in order to determine the state of preservation and
      define the best conservation procedures for a contemporary artwork. Visible,
      infrared and infrared false colour images as well as the Fibre Optic Reflectance
      Spectroscopy (FORS) technique were applied in situ to analyse The Italian Flag.
      Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR)
      and micro-Raman spectroscopies, Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy
      (Py-GC/MS), High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Arrays Detection
      (HPLC-DAD) and Mass Spectrometric Detection (HPLC-ESI-Q-ToF) were all applied to
      three small samples detached from the three painted (green-blue, white and red
      yellow, respectively) areas of the flag. The combination of the data obtained
      with all these techniques made possible a comprehensive understanding of both the
      chemical composition and physical behaviour of the materials used by the artist
      and supported curators in defining the preventive conservation of this artwork. 

PMID- 27267285
TI  - Fungal Endocarditis: Update on Diagnosis and Management.
AB  - Fungal endocarditis is an extremely debilitating disease associated with high
      morbidity and mortality. Candida spp. are the most common isolated organisms in
      fungal endocarditis. It is most prevalent in patients who are immunosuppressed
      and intravenous drug users. Most patients present with constitutional symptoms,
      which are indistinguishable from bacterial endocarditis, hence a high index of
      suspicion is required for pursuing diagnosis. Diagnosis of fungal endocarditis
      can be very challenging: most of the time, blood cultures are negative or take a
      long time to yield growth. Fungal endocarditis mandates an aggressive treatment
      strategy. A medical and surgical combined approach is the cornerstone of therapy.

PMID- 27267286
TI  - Prevention of Medical Events During Air Travel: A Narrative Review.
AB  - Prior to traveling, and when seeking medical pretravel advice, patients consult
      their personal physicians. Inflight medical issues are estimated to occur up to
      350 times per day worldwide (1/14,000-40,000 passengers). Specific
      characteristics of the air cabin environment are associated with hypoxia and the
      expansion of trapped gases into body cavities, which can lead to harm. The most
      frequent medical events during air travel include abdominal pain; ear, nose, and
      throat pathologies; psychiatric disorders; and life-threatening events such as
      acute respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. Physicians need to be aware of the
      management of these conditions in this unusual setting. Chronic respiratory and
      cardiovascular diseases are common and are at increased risk of acute
      exacerbation. Physicians must be trained in these conditions and inform their
      patients about their prevention.

PMID- 27267287
TI  - An Uncharted Constellation: TAFRO Syndrome.

PMID- 27267288
TI  - Grim Messenger: Virchow's Node Presenting with Virchow's Triad.

PMID- 27267289
TI  - Prediction of Renal Allograft Acute Rejection Using a Novel Non-Invasive Model
      Based on Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse.
AB  - Point shear wave elastography based on acoustic radiation force impulse is a
      novel technology used to quantify tissue stiffness by measuring shear wave speed.
      A total of 115 kidney transplantation recipients were consecutively enrolled in
      this prospective study. The patients were subdivided into two groups using 1 mo
      post-transplantation as the cutoff time for determining the development of acute
      rejection (AR). Shear wave speed was significantly higher in the AR group than in
      the non-AR group. We created a model called SEV, comprising shear wave speed,
      estimated glomerular filtration rate and kidney volume change, that could
      successfully discriminate patients with or without AR. The area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curve of SEV was 0.89, which was higher than
      values for other variables; it was even better in patients within 1 mo post
      transplantation (0.954), but was lower than the estimated glomerular filtration
      rate in patients after 1 mo post-transplantation. Therefore, the SEV model may
      predict AR after renal transplantation with a high degree of accuracy, and it may
      be more useful in the early post-operative stage after renal transplantation.

PMID- 27267291
TI  - Impact of disease-causing mutations on inter-domain interactions in cMyBP-C: a
      steered molecular dynamics study.
AB  - The molecular interactions of the sarcomeric proteins are essential in the
      regulation of various cardiac functions. Mutations in the gene MYBPC3 coding for
      cardiac myosin-binding protein-C (cMyBP-C), a multi-domain protein, are the most
      common cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The N-terminal complex, C1
      motif-C2 is a central region in cMyBP-C for the regulation of cardiac muscle
      contraction. However, the mechanism of binding/unbinding of this complex during
      health and disease is unknown. Here, we study possible mechanisms of unbinding
      using steered molecular dynamics simulations for the complex in the wild type, in
      single mutations (E258K in C1, E441K in C2), as well as in a double mutation
      (E258K in C1 + E441K in C2), which are associated with severe HCM. The observed
      molecular events and the calculation of force utilized for the unbinding suggest
      the following: (i) double mutation can encourage the formation of rigid complex
      that required large amount of force and long-time to unbind, (ii) C1 appears to
      start to unbind ahead of C2 regardless of the mutation, and (iii) unbinding of C2
      requires larger amount of force than C1. This molecular insight suggests that key
      HCM-causing mutations might significantly modify the native affinity required for
      the assembly of the domains in cMyBP-C, which is essential for normal cardiac
      function.

PMID- 27267292
TI  - Overweight during childhood and internalizing symptoms in early adolescence: The
      mediating role of peer victimization and the desire to be thinner.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Overweight is associated with depression and anxiety among adults. It
      is unclear whether this association begins in childhood. Overweight among
      children is associated with a higher risk of peer victimization, and may mediate
      an association between overweight and internalizing symptoms. No study has tested
      this hypothesis in a longitudinal population-based sample using developmental
      trajectories of overweight in middle childhood. METHODS: Data was drawn from the
      population-based Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. A three-group
      trajectory model of overweight development (6-12 years) was previously identified
      using a semi-parametric group-based approach (n=1678): "early-onset" (11.0%),
      "late-onset" (16.6%) and "never overweight" (72.5%). Mediation models tested the
      link between overweight status and child-reported depression and anxiety at 13
      years via peer victimization and body dissatisfaction. RESULTS: Children on an
      early-onset overweight trajectory were at increased risk for both depression
      (B=.318, 95% CI=.141;.496) and anxiety (B=.262, 95% CI=.09;.44) at 13 years.
      These direct associations were mediated by peer victimization and subsequent
      desire to be thinner. Children on a late-onset childhood overweight trajectory
      were at increased risk for both depression (B=.332, 95% CI=.187;.477) and anxiety
      (B=.215; 95% CI=.072;.358) at 13 years, mediated by the desire to be thinner.
      LIMITATIONS: We were unable to control for previous levels of body
      dissatisfaction. Our measure of peer victimization was not specific to weight
      based teasing. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight during middle childhood increases risk of
      early adolescence internalizing symptoms. Peer victimization and body
      dissatisfaction are partly responsible for this link.

PMID- 27267293
TI  - Comorbidity between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder:
      Prevalence, explanatory theories, and clinical impact.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline
      personality disorder (BPD) has been controversial and widely debated.
      Specifically, the comorbidity between both disorders has yielded a plethora of
      research, but there are no comprehensive reviews on this issue. OBJECTIVE: To
      determine the empirical evidence regarding the comorbidity between BD and BPD
      based on prevalence data, explanatory theories for their co-occurrence, and
      clinical impact of one disorder in the other. METHOD: A comprehensive search of
      databases (PubMed and PsycINFO) was performed. Published manuscripts between
      January 1985 and August 2015 were identified. Overall, 70 studies fulfilled
      inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Over a fifth of subjects showed comorbidity between
      BPD and BD. Empirical evidence from common underlying factors was inconclusive,
      but BPD appears to be a risk factor for BD. Data also indicated that the negative
      impact of BPD in BD (e.g., suicidality, worse mood course) was greater than vice
      verse. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence of comorbidity between BD and BPD
      and the negative effects of BPD in subjects with BD, further studies are needed
      to clarify the factor associated with the comorbidity between these two
      disorders. This information is important to develop appropriate treatments for
      subjects with both disorders, improve their clinical course, and prevent the
      increased risk of suicidality commonly found in these subjects.

PMID- 27267294
TI  - Depression with melancholic features is associated with higher long-term risk for
      dementia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression has been reported to increase the risk of subsequently
      developing dementia, but the nature of this relation remains to be elucidated.
      Depression can be a prodrome/manifestation of dementia or an early risk factor,
      and the effect may differ according to depression subtypes. Our aim was to study
      the association between early-onset depression and different depression subtypes,
      and the later occurrence of dementia. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study
      including 322 subjects with depression, recruited between 1977 and 1984. A
      comparison cohort (non-exposed) was recruited retrospectively, to include 322
      subjects admitted at the same hospital for routine surgery (appendicectomy or
      cholecystectomy), at the same period as the depressed cohort. Subjects were
      contacted again between 2009 and 2014, to assess their dementia status. We
      computed the risk for dementia in subjects with early onset depression and
      quantified the association between different depression subtypes (namely
      melancholic, anxious, and psychotic) and dementia. RESULTS: The odds of dementia
      were increased by 2.90 times (95% C.I. 1.61-5.21; p<0.0001) for the depressed
      cohort when compared to the surgical cohort. When the analysis was restricted to
      patients younger than 45 years old at baseline, the odds for dementia in the
      depressed cohort were also significantly higher when compared to the surgical
      cohort (8.53; 95% C.I. 2.40-30.16). In the multivariate Cox analysis, subjects
      having depression with melancholic features had an increased risk for developing
      dementia compared to those without melancholic features (HR=3.64; 95% C.I. 1.78
      11.26; p=0.025). LIMITATIONS: About 59% of the participants with depression and
      53% of those non-exposed were lost during follow up. The inclusion of biological
      biomarkers would strengthen the results. The sample included a low number of
      bipolar patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results support depression as an early risk
      factor for dementia. Depression with melancholic features was found as an
      important risk factor for dementia, playing a main role in the relation between
      these disorders.

PMID- 27267295
TI  - Long-term relationships between perceived social support and posttraumatic stress
      after the 2011 Oslo bombing: A three-year longitudinal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: After traumatic events, social support and posttraumatic stress are
      interrelated, but little is known about the underlying dynamics behind this
      association. Levels of social support and posttraumatic stress may change and
      affect each other over time, but there are also stable time-invariant individual
      differences in both constructs. The present study aimed to determine the amount
      of variance explained by stable individual differences in levels of social
      support and posttraumatic stress across three years, and to determine whether and
      to what extent social support and posttraumatic stress may affect one another
      when these stable individual differences are controlled for. METHODS: We used
      data from ministerial employees present in the Governmental district during the
      2011 Oslo bombing attack (N=255). Data was collected ten months, two years, and
      three years after the terror attack. Using a random intercept cross lagged panel
      model (RI-CLPM), we tested the possible directional effects between social
      support and posttraumatic stress within persons when variance between persons was
      taken into account. RESULTS: The intraclass correlations of the three measures of
      posttraumatic stress and social support were.83 and.74, respectively. The
      remaining variation within persons could not be explained by change in either of
      these constructs. LIMITATION: We have no information on the processes that might
      have occurred before 10 months after the incident. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      indicate that the long-term longitudinal linkage between social support and
      posttraumatic stress may be best explained by stable individual differences
      rather than causal processes operating within persons.

PMID- 27267296
TI  - General AMBER Force Field Parameters for Diphenyl Diselenides and Diphenyl
      Ditellurides.
AB  - The General AMBER Force Field (GAFF) has been extended to describe a series of
      selenium and tellurium diphenyl dichalcogenides. These compounds, besides being
      eco-friendly catalysts for numerous oxidations in organic chemistry, display
      peroxidase activity, i.e., can reduce hydrogen peroxide and harmful organic
      hydroperoxides to water/alcohols and as such are very promising antioxidant
      drugs. The novel GAFF parameters are tested in MD simulations in different
      solvents and the (77)Se NMR chemical shift of diphenyl diselenide is computed
      using structures extracted from MD snapshots and found in nice agreement with the
      measured value in CDCl3. The whole computational protocol is described in detail
      and integrated with in-house code to allow easy derivation of the force field
      parameters for analogous compounds as well as for Se/Te organocompounds in
      general. 

PMID- 27267298
TI  - Inhalation devices: from basic science to practical use, innovative vs generic
      products.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inhalation therapy is a convenient method of treating respiratory
      diseases. The key factors required for inhalation are the preparation of drug
      carriers (aerosol particles) allowing reproducible dosing during administration.
      These technical challenges are accomplished with a variety of inhalation devices
      (inhalers) and medicinal formulations, which are optimized to be easily converted
      into inhalable aerosols. Areas covered: This review is focused on the most
      important, but often overlooked, effects, which are required for the reliable and
      reproducible inhalable drug administration. The effects of patient-related issues
      that influence inhalation therapy, such as proper selection of inhalers for
      specific cases is discussed. We also discuss factors that are the most essential
      if generic inhalation product should be considered equivalent to the drugs with
      the clinically confirmed efficacy. Expert opinion: Proper device selection is
      crucial in clinical results of inhalation therapy. The patients' ability to
      coordinate inhalation with actuation, generation of optimal flow through the
      device, use of optimal inspiratory volume, all produces crucial effects on
      disease control. Also the severity of the disease process effects proper use of
      inhalers. Interchanging of inhalers can produce potentially conflicting problem
      regarding efficacy and safety of inhalation therapy.

PMID- 27267299
TI  - Multiscale modelling approaches for assessing cosmetic ingredients safety.
AB  - The European Union's ban on animal testing for cosmetic ingredients and products
      has generated a strong momentum for the development of in silico and in vitro
      alternative methods. One of the focus of the COSMOS project was ab initio
      prediction of kinetics and toxic effects through multiscale pharmacokinetic
      modeling and in vitro data integration. In our experience, mathematical or
      computer modeling and in vitro experiments are complementary. We present here a
      summary of the main models and results obtained within the framework of the
      project on these topics. A first section presents our work at the organelle and
      cellular level. We then go toward modeling cell levels effects (monitored
      continuously), multiscale physiologically based pharmacokinetic and effect
      models, and route to route extrapolation. We follow with a short presentation of
      the automated KNIME workflows developed for dissemination and easy use of the
      models. We end with a discussion of two challenges to the field: our limited
      ability to deal with massive data and complex computations.

PMID- 27267300
TI  - Unexpected link between MAX and meiotic onset.

PMID- 27267297
TI  - Hepatitis C virus vaccine candidates inducing protective neutralizing antibodies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: With more than 150 million chronically infected people, hepatitis C
      virus (HCV) remains a substantial global health burden. Direct-acting antivirals
      have dramatically improved viral cure. However, limited access to therapy, late
      stage detection of infection and re-infection following cure illustrate the need
      for a vaccine for global control of infection. Vaccines with induction of
      neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) have been shown to protect successfully against
      infections by multiple viruses and are currently developed for HCV. Areas
      covered: Here we review the progress towards the development of vaccines aiming
      to confer protection against chronic HCV infection by inducing broadly nAbs. The
      understanding or viral immune evasion in infected patients, the development of
      novel model systems and the recent structural characterization of viral envelope
      glycoprotein E2 has markedly advanced our understanding of the molecular
      mechanisms of virus neutralization with the concomitant development of several
      vaccine candidates. Expert commentary: While HCV vaccine development remains
      challenged by the high viral diversity and immune evasion, marked progress in HCV
      research has advanced vaccine design. Several vaccine candidates have shown
      robust induction of nAbs in animal models and humans. Randomized clinical trials
      are the next step to assess their clinical efficacy for protection against
      chronic infection.

PMID- 27267302
TI  - How reliable are randomised controlled trials for studying the relationship
      between diet and disease? A narrative review.
AB  - Large numbers of randomised controlled trials (RCT) have been carried out in
      order to investigate diet-disease relationships. This article examines eight sets
      of studies and compares the findings with those from epidemiological studies
      (cohort studies in seven of the cases). The studies cover the role of dietary
      factors in blood pressure, body weight, cancer and heart disease. In some cases,
      the findings from the two types of study are consistent, whereas in other cases
      the findings appear to be in conflict. A critical evaluation of this evidence
      suggests factors that may account for conflicting findings. Very often RCT
      recruit subjects with a history of the disease under study (or at high risk of
      it) and have a follow-up of only a few weeks or months. Cohort studies, in
      contrast, typically recruit healthy subjects and have a follow-up of 5-15 years.
      Owing to these differences, findings from RCT are not necessarily more reliable
      than those from well-designed prospective cohort studies. We cannot assume that
      the results of RCT can be freely applied beyond the specific features of the
      studies. 

PMID- 27267301
TI  - A rating of perceived exertion scale using facial expressions for conveying
      exercise intensity for children and young adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To design a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale using facial
      expressions and assessed the validity of the scale for both children and young
      adults. DESIGN: Pearson moment-product correlation analysis was used to assess
      the correlation among heart rate (HR), RPE and pedaling workload. METHODS:
      Fifteen children and 15 young adults participated in the study. Each participant
      randomly performed 5 pedaling tests with one repetition based on their submaximal
      acceptable workloads. Under each load condition, participants pedaled on a cycle
      ergometer for 10min; subsequently, participants completed Borg category ratio
      (CR10) or facial RPE (FRPE) scale assessments. Participants' heart rates (HR)
      were used to compare their scores on the Borg CR10 and Facial RPE scales.
      RESULTS: The results show that both Borg CR10 and FRPE scales reflected different
      pedaling workload levels. For young adults, HR positively correlated with both
      RPE scores under the various workload levels (r=0.989 and 0.977, all p<0.005);
      for children, only FRPE scores were positively correlated with HR (r=0.908,
      p<0.05). In other words, FRPE scores effectively reflected the HR of children,
      whereas Borg CR10 scores did not. CONCLUSIONS: The children may not understand
      words as effectively as young adults did, however, they understand facial
      expressions. The FRPE scale proposed in this study may be available in some
      special cases because it can assess those who cannot comprehend the written words
      used for the scale.

PMID- 27267303
TI  - Metabolomics Insights into the Modulatory Effects of Long-Term Low Calorie Intake
      in Mice.
AB  - There is increasing evidence that calorie restriction without malnutrition can
      extend longevity and delay the onset of age-associated disorders. Identifying the
      biochemical perturbations associated with different dietary habits would provide
      valuable insights into associations between metabolism and longevity. To reveal
      the effects of long-term dietary interventions on metabolic perturbations, we
      investigated serum and urinary metabolic changes induced by interactive high/low
      fat diet in combination with/without reduced caloric intake over a life span in
      mice using NMR-based metabonomics. We found that the high calorie dietary regime
      disturbed lipid metabolism, suppressed glycolysis and TCA cycles, stimulated
      oxidative stress, promoted nucleotide metabolism and gluconeogenesis, and
      perturbed gut microbiota-host interactions. Such changes could be modified by
      long-term low calorie intake. Most importantly, we found that the calorie intake
      index exerts a dominant effect on metabolic perturbations irrespective of dietary
      regime. Our investigation provides a holistic view of the metabolic impact of
      long-term dietary interventions, which are important for detecting physiological
      changes and dietary effects on mammalian metabolism.

PMID- 27267304
TI  - Characterization and identification of differentially expressed microRNAs during
      the process of the peribiliary fibrosis induced by Clonorchis sinensis.
AB  - Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) infection can lead to biliary fibrosis.
      MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulation of genes expression in the
      liver diseases. However, the differential expression of miRNAs that probably
      regulates the portal fibrogenesis caused by C. sinensis has not yet been
      investigated. Hepatic miRNAs expression profiles from C. sinensis-infected mice
      at different time-points were analyzed by miRNA microarray and validated by
      quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). 349 miRNAs were differentially expressed in
      the liver of the C. sinensis-infected mice at 2, 8 or 16weeks post infection
      (p.i.), compared with those at 0week p.i., and there were 143 down-regulated and
      206 up-regulated miRNAs among them. These all dysregulated miRNAs were
      potentially involved in the pathological processes of clonorchiasis by regulation
      of cancer-related signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, MAPK signaling
      pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, PI3K /AKT signaling pathway, etc.
      169 of these dysregulated miRNAs were predicted to be involved in the TGF/Smads
      signaling pathway which plays an important role in the biliary fibrosis caused by
      C. sinensis. Additionally, miRNA-32, miRNA-34a, miRNA-125b and miRNA-497 were
      negatively correlated with Smad7 expression, indicating these miRNAs may
      specifically down-regulate Smad7 expression and participate in regulation of
      biliary fibrosis caused by C. sinensis. The results of the present study for the
      first time demonstrated that miRNAs were differentially expressed in the liver of
      mice infected by C. sinensis, and these miRNAs may play important roles in
      regulation of peribiliary fibrosis caused by C. sinensis, which may provide
      possible therapeutic targets for clonorchiasis.

PMID- 27267305
TI  - High prevalence of HBV/A1 subgenotype in native south Americans may be explained
      by recent economic developments in the Amazon.
AB  - Native American populations present the highest prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus
      (HBV) infection in the Americas, which may be associated to severe disease
      outcomes. Ten HBV genotypes (A-J) have been described, displaying a remarkable
      geographic structure, which most likely reflects historic patterns of human
      migrations. In this study, we characterize the HBV strains circulating in a
      historical sample of Native South Americans to characterize the historical viral
      dynamics in this population. The sample consisted of 1070 individuals belonging
      to 38 populations collected between 1965 and 1997. Presence of HBV DNA was
      checked by quantitative real-time PCR, and determination of HBV genotypes and
      subgenotypes was performed through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of a
      fragment including part of HBsAg and Pol coding regions (S/Pol). A Bayesian
      Skyline Plot analysis was performed to compare the viral population dynamics of
      HBV/A1 strains found in Native Americans and in the general Brazilian population.
      A total of 109 individuals were positive for HBV DNA (~ 10%), and 70 samples were
      successfully sequenced and genotyped. Subgenotype A1 (HBV/A1), related to African
      populations and the African slave trade, was the most prevalent (66-94%). The
      Skyline Plot analysis showed a marked population expansion of HBV/A1 in Native
      Americans occurring more recently (1945-1965) than in the general Brazilian
      population. Our results suggest that historic processes that contributed to
      formation of HBV/A1 circulating in Native American are related with more recent
      migratory waves towards the Amazon basin, which generated a different viral
      dynamics in this region.

PMID- 27267306
TI  - Generation of Hydrogen and Methane during Experimental Low-Temperature Reaction
      of Ultramafic Rocks with Water.
AB  - Serpentinization of ultramafic rocks is widely recognized as a source of
      molecular hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) to support microbial activity, but the
      extent and rates of formation of these compounds in low-temperature, near-surface
      environments are poorly understood. Laboratory experiments were conducted to
      examine the production of H2 and CH4 during low-temperature reaction of water
      with ultramafic rocks and minerals. Experiments were performed by heating olivine
      or harzburgite with aqueous solutions at 90 degrees C for up to 213 days in glass
      bottles sealed with butyl rubber stoppers. Although H2 and CH4 increased steadily
      throughout the experiments, the levels were very similar to those found in
      mineral-free controls, indicating that the rubber stoppers were the predominant
      source of these compounds. Levels of H2 above background were observed only
      during the first few days of reaction of harzburgite when CO2 was added to the
      headspace, with no detectable production of H2 or CH4 above background during
      further heating of the harzburgite or in experiments with other mineral
      reactants. Consequently, our results indicate that production of H2 and CH4
      during low-temperature alteration of ultramafic rocks may be much more limited
      than some recent experimental studies have suggested. We also found no evidence
      to support a recent report suggesting that spinels in ultramafic rocks may
      stimulate H2 production. While secondary silicates were observed to precipitate
      during the experiments, formation of these deposits was dominated by Si released
      by dissolution of the glass bottles, and reaction of the primary silicate
      minerals appeared to be very limited. While use of glass bottles and rubber
      stoppers has become commonplace in experiments intended to study processes that
      occur during serpentinization of ultramafic rocks at low temperatures, the high
      levels of H2, CH4, and SiO2 released during heating indicate that these reactor
      materials are unsuitable for this purpose. KEY WORDS: Serpentinization-Hydrogen
      generation-Abiotic methane synthesis. Astrobiology 16, 389-406.

PMID- 27267308
TI  - American Indian/Alaska Native Elders: A Growing Demographic that Is Changing How
      We View Aging.
AB  - Today, AIAN Elders are more actively engaged in their families and communities,
      encouraging the development of intergenerational programs, language and cultural
      revitalization, being stewards in research conducted in their communities, as
      well passing on their knowledge and experiences on how to live as healthy Native
      people. Elders have traditionally been quiet and observant of their environment,
      but the current and future cohorts of Elders are advocates, leaders, and culture
      bearers for their families and communities and they are now in positions of
      leadership. Western society acknowledges the value of traditional knowledge and
      AIAN Elders are viewed as exemplars of healthy aging and their lessons and
      experiences can be attributed to our own lives. This commentary highlights the
      paradigm shift in how society views older adults, specifically AIAN Elders and
      their role in health and wellbeing.

PMID- 27267307
TI  - Influence of DNA-Microbubble Coupling on Contrast Ultrasound-Mediated Gene
      Transfection in Muscle and Liver.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Contrast ultrasound-mediated gene delivery (CUMGD) is a promising
      approach for enhancing gene therapy that relies on microbubble (MB) cavitation to
      augment complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) transfection. The aims of this
      study were to determine optimal conditions for charge-coupling cDNA to MBs and to
      evaluate the advantages of surface loading for gene transfection in muscle and
      liver. METHODS: Charge coupling of fluorescently labeled cDNA to either neutral
      MBs (MBN) or cationic MBs (MB+) in low- to high-ionic conditions (0.3%-1.8% NaCl)
      was assessed by flow cytometry. MB aggregation from cDNA coupling was determined
      by electrozone sensing. Tissue transfection of luciferase in murine hindlimb
      skeletal muscle and liver was made by CUMGD with MBN or MB+ combined with
      subsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated cDNA concentrations (2.5, 50, and 200
      MUg/10(8) MBs). RESULTS: Charge-coupling of cDNA was detected for MB+ but not
      MBN. Coupling occurred over almost the entire range of ionic conditions, with a
      peak at 1.2% NaCl, although electrostatic interference occurred at >1.5% NaCl.
      DNA-mediated aggregation of MB+ was observed at <=0.6% NaCl but did not reduce
      the ability to produce inertial cavitation. Transfection with CUMGD in muscle and
      liver was low for both MBs at subsaturation concentrations. In muscle, higher
      cDNA concentrations produced a 10-fold higher degree of transfection with MB+,
      which was approximately fivefold higher (P < .05) than that for MBN. There was no
      effect of DNA supersaturation. The same pattern was seen for liver except that
      supersaturation further increased transfection with MBN equal to that of MB+.
      CONCLUSIONS: Efficient charge-coupling of cDNA to MB+ but not MBN occurs over a
      relatively wide range of ionic conditions without aggregation. Transfection with
      CUMGD is much more efficient with charge-coupling of cDNA to MBs and is not
      affected by supersaturation except in the liver, which is specialized for
      macromolecular and cDNA uptake.

PMID- 27267309
TI  - Access to HIV treatment and care for people who inject drugs in Kenya: a short
      report.
AB  - People who inject drugs (PWID) experience a range of barriers to HIV treatment
      and care access. The Kenyan government and community-based organisations have
      sought to develop HIV care for PWID. A principal approach to delivery in Kenya is
      to provide care from clinics serving the general population and for this to be
      linked to support from community-based organisations providing harm reduction
      outreach. This study explores accounts of PWID accessing care in Kenya to
      identify care barriers and facilitators. PWID accounts were collected within a
      qualitative longitudinal study. In-depth interviews with PWID living with HIV (n
      = 44) are combined with interviews with other PWID, care providers and community
      observation. Results show that some PWID are able to access care successfully,
      whilst other PWID report challenges. The results focus on three principal themes
      to give insights into these experiences: the hardship of addiction and the costs
      of care, the silencing of HIV in the community and then discrimination and
      support in the clinic. Some PWID are able to overcome, often with social and
      outreach support, barriers to clinic access; for others, the challenges of
      addiction, hardship, stigma and discrimination are too constraining. We discuss
      how clinics serving the general population could be further adapted to increase
      access. Clinic-based care, even with community links, may, however, be
      fundamentally challenging for some PWID to access. Additional strategies to
      develop stand-alone care for PWID and also decentralise HIV treatment and care to
      community settings and involve peers in delivery should be considered.

PMID- 27267310
TI  - Frequency of Hand Decontamination of Intraoperative Providers and Reduction of
      Postoperative Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial of a
      Novel Hand Hygiene System.
AB  - BACKGROUND Healthcare provider hands are an important source of intraoperative
      bacterial transmission events associated with postoperative infection
      development. OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of a novel hand hygiene
      improvement system leveraging provider proximity and individual and group
      performance feedback in reducing 30-day postoperative healthcare-associated
      infections via increased provider hourly hand decontamination events. DESIGN
      Randomized, prospective study. SETTING Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New
      Hampshire and UMass Memorial Medical Center in Massachusetts. PATIENTS Patients
      undergoing surgery. METHODS Operating room environments were randomly assigned to
      usual intraoperative hand hygiene or to a personalized, body-worn hand hygiene
      system. Anesthesia and circulating nurse provider hourly hand decontamination
      events were continuously monitored and reported. All patients were followed
      prospectively for the development of 30-day postoperative healthcare-associated
      infections. RESULTS A total of 3,256 operating room environments and patients
      (1,620 control and 1,636 treatment) were enrolled. The mean (SD) provider hand
      decontamination event rate achieved was 4.3 (2.9) events per hour, an approximate
      8-fold increase in hand decontamination events above that of conventional wall
      mounted devices (0.57 events/hour); P<.001. Use of the hand hygiene system was
      not associated with a reduction in healthcare-associated infections (odds ratio,
      1.07 [95% CI, 0.82-1.40], P=.626). CONCLUSIONS The hand hygiene system evaluated
      in this study increased the frequency of hand decontamination events without
      reducing 30-day postoperative healthcare-associated infections. Future work is
      indicated to optimize the efficacy of this hand hygiene improvement strategy.
      Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:888-895.

PMID- 27267312
TI  - Formation of Superlattices of Gold Nanoparticles Using Ostwald Ripening in
      Emulsions: Transition from fcc to bcc Structure.
AB  - An efficient method to form 3D superlattices of gold nanoparticles inside oil
      emulsion droplets is presented. We demonstrate that this method relies on Ostwald
      ripening, a well-known phenomenon occurring during the aging of emulsions. The
      key point is that the nanoparticle concentration inside the smaller droplets is
      increasing very slowly with time, thus inducing the crystallization of the
      nanoparticles into superlattices. Using oil-in-water emulsions doped with
      hydrophobic gold nanoparticles, we demonstrate that this method is efficient for
      different types of oils (toluene, cyclohexane, dodecane, and hexadecane). 3D
      superlattices of the nanoparticles are obtained, with dimensions reaching a
      hundred nanometers. The kinetics of the crystallization depends on the solubility
      of the oil in water but also on the initial concentration of the gold
      nanoparticles in oil. This method also provides an innovative way to obtain the
      complete phase diagram of nanoparticle suspensions with concentration. Indeed,
      during this slow crystallization process, a transition from a disordered
      suspension to a fcc structure is observed, followed by a transition toward a bcc
      structure. This evolution with time provides key results to understand the role
      played by the ligands located at the surface of the nanoparticles in order to
      control the type of superlattices which are formed.

PMID- 27267311
TI  - Epilepsy in KCNH1-related syndromes.
AB  - KCNH1 mutations have been identified in patients with Zimmermann-Laband syndrome
      and Temple-Baraitser syndrome, as well as patients with uncharacterized syndromes
      with intellectual disability and overlapping features. These syndromes include
      dysmorphic facial features, nail hypo/aplasia, thumb and skeletal anomalies,
      intellectual disability, and seizures. We report the epilepsy phenotype in
      patients with KCNH1 mutations. Demographic data, electroclinical features,
      response to antiepileptic drugs, and results of significant diagnostic
      investigations of nine patients carrying mutations in KCNH1 were obtained from
      referring centres. Epilepsy was present in 7/9 patients. Both generalized and
      focal tonic-clonic seizures were observed. Complete seizure control was achieved
      with pharmacological treatment in 2/7 patients; polytherapy was required in 4/7
      patients. Status epilepticus occurred in 4/7 patients. EEG showed a diffusely
      slow background in 7/7 patients with epilepsy, with variable epileptiform
      abnormalities. Cerebral folate deficiency and an increase in urinary hypoxanthine
      and uridine were observed in one patient. Epilepsy is a key phenotypic feature in
      most individuals with KCNH1-related syndromes, suggesting a direct role of KCNH1
      in epileptogenesis, although the underlying mechanism is not understood. 

PMID- 27267313
TI  - Olanzapine for Nausea, Delirium, Anxiety, Insomnia, and Cachexia #315.

PMID- 27267314
TI  - Diabetes knowledge among Greek Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Diabetes knowledge has been shown to improve glycemic
      control and associate with several demographic parameters. In Greece, a country
      with high obesity rates, disease knowledge has never been evaluated in diabetic
      patients. This cross sectional study aimed to assess diabetes knowledge and its
      associations between social and demographic parameters, among Greek type 2
      diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. METHODS: One hundred fifty nine patients with
      T2DM were recruited from an urban and a rural clinic in Greece. Diabetes
      knowledge was assessed with the Brief Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT). Basic
      anthropometry was performed. Data regarding glycemic control and sociodemographic
      characteristics were collected from the patients' medical files. RESULTS: Greek
      T2DM patients demonstrated poor disease knowledge (mean DKT score 8.3+/-2.2/14.0
      and mean DKT as a percent of correct answers 59.6+/-15.8%). No differences were
      observed between sex, place of residence, or glycemic control, among subjects.
      Patients with higher education demonstrated greater diabetes knowledge. Simple
      obesity with concurrent central obesity or suboptimal glycemic control decreased
      diabetes knowledge among participants. Additionally, waist circumference was
      inversely correlated to diabetes knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the DKT, Greek
      patients exhibit poor diabetes knowledge. This study provides evidence for the
      need for better diabetes education in order to ameliorate disease outcome.

PMID- 27267315
TI  - Thyroid dysfunction in the era of precision medicine.
AB  - The launching of the Precision Medicine Initiative by the President of the United
      States in January 2015 was an invitation for all healthcare professionals to
      review their practice. This call should stimulate thyroidologists working in
      different areas (from basic research or epidemiology to the frontline of the
      clinical arena or to those designing public health programs) to be aware of this
      new outlook. The aim of the initiative is to eradicate imprecision in estimating
      the probability of a correct diagnosis, to be as sure as possible of the most
      effective treatment, and to maximize the chances of a successful outcome. This
      paper summarizes some of the current challenges faced by endocrinologists in the
      field of thyroid dysfunction, and illustrates how precision medicine may improve
      diagnosis and therapy in the future. 

PMID- 27267316
TI  - Encapsulated, High-Performance, Stretchable Array of Stacked Planar Micro
      Supercapacitors as Waterproof Wearable Energy Storage Devices.
AB  - We report the fabrication of an encapsulated, high-performance, stretchable array
      of stacked planar micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) as a wearable energy storage
      device for waterproof applications. A pair of planar all-solid-state MSCs with
      spray-coated multiwalled carbon nanotube electrodes and a drop-cast UV
      patternable ion-gel electrolyte was fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate
      film using serial connection to increase the operation voltage of the MSC.
      Additionally, multiple MSCs could be vertically stacked with parallel connections
      to increase both the total capacitance and the areal capacitance owing to the use
      of a solid-state patterned electrolyte. The overall device of five parallel
      connected stacked MSCs, a microlight-emitting diode (MU-LED), and a switch was
      encapsulated in thin Ecoflex film so that the capacitance remained at 82% of its
      initial value even after 4 d in water; the MU-LED was lit without noticeable
      decrease in brightness under deformation including bending and stretching.
      Furthermore, an Ecoflex encapsulated oximeter wound around a finger was operated
      using the stored energy of the MSC array attached to the hand (even in water) to
      give information on arterial pulse rate and oxygen saturation in the blood. This
      study suggests potential applications of our encapsulated MSC array in wearable
      energy storage devices especially in water. 

PMID- 27267317
TI  - Could cannabidiol be used as an alternative to antipsychotics?
AB  - Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects close to 1% of the population.
      Individuals with this disorder often present signs such as hallucination,
      anxiety, reduced attention, and social withdrawal. Although antipsychotic drugs
      remain the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment, they are associated with
      severe side effects. Recently, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as a
      potential therapeutic target for pharmacotherapy that is involved in a wide range
      of disorders, including schizophrenia. Since its discovery, a lot of effort has
      been devoted to the study of compounds that can modulate its activity for
      therapeutic purposes. Among them, cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component
      of cannabis, shows great promise for the treatment of psychosis, and is
      associated with fewer extrapyramidal side effects than conventional antipsychotic
      drugs. The overarching goal of this review is to provide current available
      knowledge on the role of the dopamine system and the ECS in schizophrenia, and to
      discuss key findings from animal studies and clinical trials investigating the
      antipsychotic potential of CBD.

PMID- 27267318
TI  - Visual attentional bias for food in adolescents with binge-eating disorder.
AB  - Evidence suggests that adults with binge-eating disorder (BED) are prone of
      having their attention interfered by food cues, and that food-related attentional
      biases are associated with calorie intake and eating disorder psychopathology.
      For adolescents with BED experimental evidence on attentional processing of food
      cues is lacking. Using eye-tracking and a visual search task, the present study
      examined visual orienting and disengagement processes of food in youth with BED.
      Eye-movement data and reaction times were recorded in 25 adolescents (12-20
      years) with BED and 25 controls (CG) individually matched for sex, age, body mass
      index, and socio-economic status. During a free exploration paradigm, the BED
      group showed a greater gaze duration bias for food images than the CG. Groups did
      not differ in gaze direction biases. In a visual search task, the BED group
      showed a greater detection bias for food targets than the CG. Group differences
      were more pronounced for personally attractive than unattractive food images.
      Regarding clinical associations, only in the BED group the gaze duration bias for
      food was associated with increased hunger and lower body mass index, and the
      detection bias for food targets was associated with greater reward sensitivity.
      The study provided first evidence of an attentional bias to food in adolescents
      with BED. However, more research is needed for further specifying disengagement
      and orienting processes in adolescent BED, including overt and covert attention,
      and their prospective associations with binge-eating behaviors and associated
      psychopathology.

PMID- 27267319
TI  - Association of the miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism with gastric cancer
      susceptibility and prognosis.
AB  - AIM: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in miRNA-coding region may be involved in
      the development or progression of gastric cancer (GC). MATERIALS & METHODS: Six
      SNPs (miR-146a rs2910164, miR-196a2 rs11614913, miR-27a rs895819, miR-423
      rs6505162, miR-608 rs4919510, miR-149 rs2292832) were genotyped in 898
      histologically confirmed GC cases and 992 controls in this hospital-based case
      control study. RESULTS: The G/G genotype of rs2910164 was associated with reduced
      risk of GC (odds ratio: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60-0.97; p = 0.024). Meanwhile, in 838 GC
      cases receiving radical tumorectomy, cases bearing the G/G genotype of rs2910164
      had shorter survival time comparing to cases with C/C or C/G genotype (hazard
      ratio: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04-1.78, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: rs2910164 of miR-146a is
      associated with GC.

PMID- 27267320
TI  - lncRNA Up-Regulated in Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Facilitates Tumor Growth
      and Acts as a Negative Prognostic Factor of Recurrence.
AB  - PURPOSE: While lncRNAs (long noncoding RNAs) have been shown to have critical
      regulatory roles in cancer biology, the biological functions and prognostic
      values in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer remain largely unknown. We identified
      a lncRNA termed lncRNA-UNMIBC (up-regulated in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer)
      and evaluated its prognostic value in patients with primary nonmuscle invasive
      bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the expression of lncRNA
      UNMIBC in the tissues of 75 cases of primary nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer
      and adjacent normal mucosa by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
      Data were compared with clinicopathological parameters using the Kaplan-Meier
      method and multivariate Cox regression analysis. The functions of lncRNA-UNMIBC
      were assessed by silencing the lncRNA in vitro and in vivo. RNA
      immunoprecipitation was performed to assay whether lncRNA-UNMIBC could be
      physically associated with EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) and SUZ12 (SUZ12
      polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit), which are core components of PRC2
      (polycomb repressive complex 2). Chromatin immunoprecipitation was done to
      examine histone modification status. RESULTS: The expression level of lncRNA
      UNMIBC was up-regulated in the tissues of 45 cases of primary nonmuscle invasive
      bladder cancer compared with normal mucosa. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that
      lncRNA-UNMIBC expression was significantly associated with recurrence (log rank
      test p = 0.0151). We also found that lncRNA-UNMIBC had a key role in G0/G1
      arrest. Furthermore, RNA and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated
      that lncRNA-UNMIBC was physically associated with EZH2 and SUZ12, leading to an
      altered histone H3 lysine 27 methylation status of target genes. CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings indicate that lncRNA-UNMIBC can facilitate tumor growth and may
      act as a negative prognostic factor of recurrence.

PMID- 27267321
TI  - Cell versus Chemokine Therapy in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Chronic Intrinsic
      Urinary Sphincter Deficiency.
AB  - PURPOSE: Mixed efficacy results of autologous skeletal muscle precursor cell
      therapy in women with chronic intrinsic urinary sphincter deficiency have
      increased interest in the therapeutic value of alternative regenerative medicine
      approaches. The goal of this study was to compare the effects of the cell homing
      chemokine CXCL12 (C-X-C motif chemokine 12) and skeletal muscle precursor cells
      on chronic urinary sphincter regeneration in chronic intrinsic urinary sphincter
      deficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five million autologous skeletal muscle
      precursor cells or 100 ng CXCL12 were injected in the urinary sphincter complex
      of adult female cynomolgus monkeys with chronic (6-month history) intrinsic
      urinary sphincter deficiency. These treatment groups of 3 monkeys per group were
      compared to a group of 3 with no intrinsic urinary sphincter deficiency and no
      injection, and a group of 3 with intrinsic urinary sphincter deficiency plus
      vehicle injection. Maximal urethral pressure was measured at rest, during
      stimulation of the urinary sphincter pudendal nerves at baseline and again 6
      months after treatment. The monkeys were then necropsied. The urinary sphincters
      were collected for tissue analysis of muscle and collagen content,
      vascularization and motor endplates. RESULTS: CXCL12 but not skeletal muscle
      precursor cells increased resting maximal urethral pressure in nonhuman primates
      with chronic intrinsic urinary sphincter deficiency compared to that in monkeys
      with intrinsic urinary sphincter plus vehicle injection (p >0.05). Skeletal
      muscle precursor cells and CXCL12 only partially restored pudendal nerve
      stimulated increases in maximal urethral pressure (p >0.05), sphincter
      vascularization and motor endplate expression in monkeys with chronic intrinsic
      urinary sphincter deficiency. Additionally, CXCL12 but not skeletal muscle
      precursor cell injections decreased collagen and increased the muscle content of
      urinary sphincter complex in monkeys with chronic intrinsic urinary sphincter
      deficiency compared to those with intrinsic urinary sphincter plus vehicle
      injection and no intrinsic urinary sphincter plus no injection (p <0.05 and
      >0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results raise questions about cell
      therapy for chronic intrinsic urinary sphincter deficiency and identify a
      chemokine treatment (CXCL12) as a potential alternative treatment of chronic
      intrinsic urinary sphincter deficiency.

PMID- 27267322
TI  - Coarse-Grained Simulations of Heme Proteins: Validation and Study of Large
      Conformational Transitions.
AB  - Heme proteins are ubiquitous in nature and perform many diverse functions in all
      kingdoms of life. Many of these functions are related to large-scale
      conformational transitions and allosteric processes. Sampling of these large
      conformational changes is computationally very challenging. In this context,
      coarse-grain simulations emerge as an efficient approach to explore the
      conformational landscape. In this work, we present a coarse-grained model of the
      heme group and thoroughly validate this model in different benchmark examples,
      which include the monomeric heme proteins myoglobin and neuroglobin and the
      tetrameric human hemoglobin where we evaluated the method's ability to explore
      conformational changes (as the formation of hexacoordinated species) and
      allosteric transitions (as the well-known R -> T transition). The obtained
      results are compared with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Overall, the
      results indicate that this approach conserves the essential dynamical information
      on different allosteric processes. 

PMID- 27267323
TI  - Subjective socioeconomic status causes aggression: A test of the theory of social
      deprivation.
AB  - Seven studies (overall N = 3690) addressed the relation between people's
      subjective socioeconomic status (SES) and their aggression levels. Based on
      relative deprivation theory, we proposed that people low in subjective SES would
      feel at a disadvantage, which in turn would elicit aggressive responses. In 3
      correlational studies, subjective SES was negatively related to trait aggression.
      Importantly, this relation held when controlling for measures that are related to
      1 or both subjective SES and trait aggression, such as the dark tetrad and the
      Big Five. Four experimental studies then demonstrated that participants in a low
      status condition were more aggressive than were participants in a high status
      condition. Compared with a medium-SES condition, participants of low subjective
      SES were more aggressive rather than participants of high subjective SES being
      less aggressive. Moreover, low SES increased aggressive behavior toward targets
      that were the source for participants' experience of disadvantage but also toward
      neutral targets. Sequential mediation analyses suggest that the experience of
      disadvantage underlies the effect of subjective SES on aggressive affect, whereas
      aggressive affect was the proximal determinant of aggressive behavior. Taken
      together, the present research found comprehensive support for key predictions
      derived from the theory of relative deprivation of how the perception of low SES
      is related to the person's judgments, emotional reactions, and actions. (PsycINFO
      Database Record

PMID- 27267324
TI  - How taking photos increases enjoyment of experiences.
AB  - Experiences are vital to the lives and well-being of people; hence, understanding
      the factors that amplify or dampen enjoyment of experiences is important. One
      such factor is photo-taking, which has gone unexamined by prior research even as
      it has become ubiquitous. We identify engagement as a relevant process that
      influences whether photo-taking will increase or decrease enjoyment. Across 3
      field and 6 lab experiments, we find that taking photos enhances enjoyment of
      positive experiences across a range of contexts and methodologies. This occurs
      when photo-taking increases engagement with the experience, which is less likely
      when the experience itself is already highly engaging, or when photo-taking
      interferes with the experience. As further evidence of an engagement-based
      process, we show that photo-taking directs greater visual attention to aspects of
      the experience one may want to photograph. Lastly, we also find that this greater
      engagement due to photo-taking results in worse evaluations of negative
      experiences. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27267325
TI  - Coresidence duration and cues of maternal investment regulate sibling altruism
      across cultures.
AB  - Genetic relatedness is a fundamental determinant of social behavior across
      species. Over the last few decades, researchers have been investigating the
      proximate psychological mechanisms that enable humans to assess their genetic
      relatedness to others. Much of this work has focused on identifying cues that
      predicted relatedness in ancestral environments and examining how they regulate
      kin-directed behaviors. Despite progress, many basic questions remain unanswered.
      Here we address three of these questions. First, we examine the replicability of
      the effect of two association-based cues to relatedness-maternal perinatal
      association (MPA) and coresidence duration-on sibling-directed altruism. MPA, the
      observation of a newborn being cared for by one's mother, strongly signals
      relatedness, but is only available to the older sibling in a sib-pair. Younger
      siblings, to whom the MPA cue is not available, appear to fall back on the
      duration of their coresidence with an older sibling. Second, we determine whether
      the effects of MPA and coresidence duration on sibling-directed altruism obtain
      across cultures. Last, we explore whether paternal perinatal association (PPA)
      informs sibship. Data from six studies conducted in California, Hawaii, Dominica,
      Belgium, and Argentina support past findings regarding the role of MPA and
      coresidence duration as cues to siblingship. By contrast, PPA had no effect on
      altruism. We report on levels of altruism toward full, half, and step siblings,
      and discuss the role alternate cues might play in discriminating among these
      types of siblings. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27267326
TI  - Autoinflammatory syndromes: rare diseases with important implications in quality
      of life.

PMID- 27267327
TI  - The correlation between antiphospholipid syndrome and cryoglobulinemia: case
      series of 4 patients and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cryoglobulinemia is an immune-complex-mediated small vessel
      vasculitis that classically involves the skin, kidneys and peripheral nerves.
      Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune hypercoagulable disorder which
      causes blood vessel thrombosis. It can present as a multi-organ microthrombotic
      disorder which is called catastrophic APS. OBJECTIVE: In this case series we aim
      to describe the diagnostic and management challenges that arise when these two
      severe disorders simultaneously present in the same patient. METHODS: We describe
      four patients who were admitted to our hospital due to multi-organ life
      threatening damage mediated by cryoglobulinemic vasculitis with concurrent APS.
      RESULTS: Clinical manifestations included leg ulcers, livedo reticularis, renal
      failure, and peripheral neuropathy. Suggested etiologies for the combined
      syndromes were hepatitis C, systemic lupus erythematosus and myeloproliferative
      disease rectal maltoma. All of our patients were treated with anticoagulation,
      high-dose corticosteroids, rituximab, intravenous gammaglobulins and plasma
      exchange. CONCLUSION: The rare association of severe or catastrophic APS with
      cryoglobulinemia in patients should be considered by physicians who treat
      patients with multi-organ ischemia or necrosis.

PMID- 27267328
TI  - Analysis of the psychometric properties of the American Orthopaedic Foot and
      Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) in rheumatoid arthritis patients: application of the
      Rasch model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To tested the reliability and validity of Aofas in a sample of
      rheumatoid arthritis patients. METHODS: The scale was applicable to rheumatoid
      arthritis patients, twice by the interviewer 1 and once by the interviewer 2. The
      Aofas was subjected to test-retest reliability analysis (with 20 Rheumatoid
      arthritis subjects). The psychometric properties were investigated using Rasch
      analysis on 33 Rheumatoid arthritis patients. RESULTS: Intra-Class Correlation
      Coefficient (ICC) were (0.90<ICC<0.95; p<0.001) for intra-observer reliability
      and (0.75<ICC<0.91; p<0.001) for inter-observer reliability. Subjects separation
      rates were 1.9 and 4.75 for the items, showing that patients fell into three
      ability levels, and the items were divided into six difficulties levels. The
      Rasch analysis showed that eight items was satisfactory. One erroneous item have
      been identified, showing percentages above the 5% allowed by the statistical
      model. Further Rasch modeling suggested revising the original item 8.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the Brazilian versions of Aofas exhibit
      adequate reliability, construct validity, response stability. These findings
      indicate that Aofas Ankle-Hindfoot scale presents a significant potential for
      clinical applicability in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Other studies in
      populations with other characteristics are now underway.

PMID- 27267329
TI  - The impact of comorbidities on the physical function in patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of comorbidities with mobility
      limitation and functional disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to
      identify which comorbidity indicator is the most appropriate to determine this
      association. METHODS: Sixty rheumatoid arthritis patients were enrolled in a
      cross-sectional study for a period of 11 months. Comorbidities were assessed
      using three indicators: (i) the total number of comorbidities; (ii) the Charlson
      comorbidity index; and (iii) the functional comorbidity index. Disease activity
      was assessed using the Disease Activity Score 28. Functional capacity was
      measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire, and mobility was measured
      using Timed Up and Go Test and Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test. Statistical analysis
      was performed using a stepwise log-linear multiple regression with a significance
      level of 5%. RESULTS: In the final model, only comorbidity was associated with
      mobility limitation. The functional comorbidity index score explained 19.1% of
      the variability of the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test (coefficient of determination
      [R(2)]=0.191) and 19.5% of the Timed Up and Go Test variability (R(2)=0.195).
      With regard to functional disability, the associated factors were comorbidity and
      disease activity, which together explained 32.9% of the variability of the Health
      Assessment Questionnaire score (adjusted R(2)=0.329). CONCLUSION: Comorbidities
      were associated with mobility limitation and functional disability in rheumatoid
      arthritis patients. The functional comorbidity index proved to be an appropriate
      comorbidity indicator to determine this association.

PMID- 27267330
TI  - Quality of life in spondyloarthritis: analysis of a large Brazilian cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze quality of life and demographic and clinical variables
      associated to its impairment in a large Brazilian cohort of patients with
      spondyloarthritis (SpA). METHODS: A common protocol of investigation was applied
      to 1465 Brazilian patients classified as SpA according to the European
      Spondyloarthropaties Study Group (ESSG) criteria, attended at 29 reference
      centers for Rheumatology in Brazil. Clinical and demographic variables were
      recorded. Quality of life was analyzed through the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality
      of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean ASQoL score was 7.74 (+5.39).
      When analyzing the specific diseases in the SpA group, the ASQoL scores did not
      present statistical significance. Demographic data showed worse scores of ASQoL
      associated with female gender (p=0.014) and African-Brazilian ethnicity
      (p<0.001). The analysis of the clinical symptoms showed that buttock pain
      (p=0.032), cervical pain (p<0.001) and hip pain (p=0.001) were statistically
      associated with worse scores of ASQoL. Continuous use of nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs (p<0.001) and biologic agents (p=0.044) were associated with
      higher scores of ASQoL, while the other medications did not interfere with the
      ASQoL scores. CONCLUSION: In this large series of patients with SpA, female
      gender and African-Brazilian ethnicity, as well as predominant axial symptoms,
      were associated with impaired quality of life.

PMID- 27267331
TI  - Th17 cells and CD4(+) multifunctional T cells in patients with systemic lupus
      erythematosus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence suggests that abnormalities involving
      Th17 lymphocytes are associated with the pathophysiology of systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE). In addition, multifunctional T cells (MFT), i.e., those
      producing multiple cytokines simultaneously, are present in the inflammatory
      milieu and may be implicated in the autoimmune process observed in SLE. In the
      present study, we aimed to characterize the functional status of CD4(+) T cells
      in SLE by simultaneously determining the concentration of IL-2, IFN-gamma and IL
      17 in lymphocyte cultures under exogenous and self-antigenic stimuli. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with active disease, 18 with inactive disease, and
      14 healthy controls had functional status of CD4(+) T cells analyzed. RESULTS: We
      found that SLE patients presented a decreased number of total CD4(+) cells, an
      increased number of activated T cells, and an increased frequency of Th17 cells
      compared to healthy controls (HC). MFT cells had increased frequency in SLE
      patients and there was an increased frequency of tri-functional MFT in patients
      with active SLE compared with those with inactive SLE. Interestingly, MTF cells
      produced larger amounts of IFNgamma than mono-functional T cells in patients and
      controls. CONCLUSION: Taken together these data indicate the participation of
      recently activated Th17 cells and MTF cells in the SLE pathophysiology.

PMID- 27267332
TI  - Guidelines for the management and treatment of periodic fever syndromes familial
      Mediterranean fever.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish guidelines based on scientific evidence for the
      management of familial Mediterranean fever. DESCRIPTION OF THE EVIDENCE
      COLLECTION METHOD: The Guideline was prepared from 5 clinical questions that were
      structured through PICO (Patient, Intervention or indicator, Comparison and
      Outcome), to search key primary scientific information databases. After defining
      the potential studies to support the recommendations, these were graduated
      considering their strength of evidence and grade of recommendation. RESULTS:
      10,341 articles were retrieved and evaluated by title and abstract; from these,
      46 articles were selected to support the recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. The
      diagnosis of FMF is based on clinical manifestations, characterized by recurrent
      febrile episodes associated with abdominal pain, chest or arthritis of large
      joints. 2. FMF is a genetic disease presenting an autosomal recessive trait,
      caused by mutation in the MEFV gene. 3. Laboratory tests are not specific,
      demonstrating high serum levels of inflammatory proteins in the acute phase of
      the disease, but also often showing high levels even between attacks. SAA serum
      levels may be especially useful in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. 4.
      The therapy of choice is colchicine; this drug has proven its effectiveness in
      preventing acute inflammatory episodes and progression toward amyloidosis in
      adults. 5. Based on the available information, the use of biological drugs
      appears to be an alternative for patients with FMF who do not respond or are
      intolerant to therapy with colchicine.

PMID- 27267333
TI  - Guidelines for the management and treatment of periodic fever syndromes:
      Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (cryopyrinopathies - CAPS).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish guidelines based on cientific evidences for the
      management of cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes. DESCRIPTION OF THE
      EVIDENCE COLLECTION METHOD: The Guideline was prepared from 4 clinical questions
      that were structured through PICO (Patient, Intervention or indicator, Comparison
      and Outcome), to search in key primary scientific information databases. After
      defining the potential studies to support the recommendations, these were
      graduated considering their strength of evidence and grade of recommendation.
      RESULTS: 1215 articles were retrieved and evaluated by title and abstract; from
      these, 42 articles were selected to support the recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS:
      1. The diagnosis of CAPS is based on clinical history and clinical
      manifestations, and later confirmed by genetic study. CAPS may manifest itself in
      three phenotypes: FCAS (mild form), MWS (intermediate form) and CINCA (severe
      form). Neurological, ophthalmic, otorhinolaryngological and radiological
      assessments may be highly valuable in distinguishing between syndromes; 2. The
      genetic diagnosis with NLRP3 gene analysis must be conducted in suspected cases
      of CAPS, i.e., individuals presenting before 20 years of age, recurrent episodes
      of inflammation expressed by a mild fever and urticaria; 3. Laboratory
      abnormalities include leukocytosis and elevated serum levels of inflammatory
      proteins; and 4. Targeted therapies directed against interleukin-1 lead to rapid
      remission of symptoms in most patients. However, there are important limitations
      on the long-term safety. None of the three anti-IL-1beta inhibitors prevents
      progression of bone lesions.

PMID- 27267334
TI  - Guidelines for the management and treatment of periodic fever syndromes: periodic
      fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish guidelines based on scientific evidence for the
      management of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis
      (PFAPA) syndrome. DESCRIPTION OF THE EVIDENCE COLLECTION METHOD: The Guideline
      was prepared from 5 clinical questions that were structured through PICO
      (Patient, Intervention or indicator, Comparison and Outcome), to search in key
      primary scientific information databases. After defining the potential studies to
      support the recommendations, these were graduated considering their strength of
      evidence and grade of recommendation. RESULTS: 806 articles were retrieved and
      evaluated by title and abstract; from these, 32 articles were selected to support
      the recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. PFAPA is a diagnosis of exclusion
      established on clinical grounds, and one must suspect of this problem in children
      with recurrent and periodic febrile episodes of unknown origin, or with recurrent
      tonsillitis interspersed with asymptomatic periods, especially in children in
      good general condition and with preservation of weight and height development. 2.
      Laboratory findings are nonspecific. Additional tests do not reveal pathognomonic
      changes. 3. The evidence supporting an indication for surgical treatment
      (tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy), is based on two non-blinded
      randomized clinical trials with small numbers of patients. 4. The use of
      prednisone at the onset of fever in patients with PFAPA proved to be an effective
      strategy. There is still need for more qualified evidence to support its use in
      patients with PFAPA. 5. Despite promising results obtained in studies with IL
      1beta inhibitors, such studies are limited to a few case reports.

PMID- 27267335
TI  - Primary immunodeficiency association with systemic lupus erythematosus: review of
      literature and lessons learned by the Rheumatology Division of a tertiary
      university hospital at Sao Paulo, Brazil.
AB  - Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID) represent a heterogeneous group of
      diseases resulting from inherited defects in the development, maturation and
      normal function of immune cells; thus, turning individuals susceptible to
      recurrent infections, allergy, autoimmunity, and malignancies. In this
      retrospective study, autoimmune diseases (AIDs), in special systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE) which arose associated to the course of PID, are described.
      Classically, the literature describes three groups of PID associated with SLE:
      (1) deficiency of Complement pathway components, (2) defects in immunoglobulin
      synthesis, and (3) chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Currently, other PID have
      been described with clinical manifestation of SLE, such as Wiskott-Aldrich
      syndrome (WAS), autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy
      (APECED), autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) and idiopathic CD4(+)
      lymphocytopenia. Also we present findings from an adult cohort from the
      outpatient clinic of the Rheumatology Division of Universidade Federal de Sao
      Paulo. The PID manifestations found by our study group were considered mild in
      terms of severity of infections and mortality in early life. Thus, it is possible
      that some immunodeficiency states are compatible with survival regarding
      infectious susceptibility; however these states might represent a strong
      predisposing factor for the development of immune disorders like those observed
      in SLE.

PMID- 27267336
TI  - Psychological aspects of juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome: a literature review.
AB  - Juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (JFMS) is a non-inflammatory chronic pain
      condition that occurs mainly in girls aged 9-15 years. JFMS is characterized by
      constant widespread pain in different parts of the body, poor sleep quality,
      daytime sleepiness and an altered mood. Concomitant psychological and organic
      factors result in a diminished capacity to cope with pain. The quality of life of
      individuals with chronic pain and their caregivers is severely restricted and the
      occurrence of symptoms of anxiety and depression is common in this population.
      The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the literature
      on psychosocial factors related to JFMS. The findings reveal differences in
      opinion between patients and family members regarding the effect of the
      condition, as mothers tend to classify JFMS as more severe than the patients
      themselves. Individuals with JFMS seem to share the same personality traits and
      there seems to be a type of family environment that is favorable to the
      occurrence of this condition. Psychological and functional aspects should be
      treated with methods that can help patients and family members alter their coping
      strategies regarding day-to-day problems, attenuate the dysfunctional
      consequences of pain and fatigue and diminish the risk of catastrophizing that
      individuals submitted to constant pain develop in relation to their surrounding
      environment. 

PMID- 27267337
TI  - Musculoskeletal ultrasound findings in paracoccidioidomycosis.
AB  - Paracoccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic to South America. The
      infection is usually asymptomatic and mostly affects the upper and lower
      respiratory tracts with clinical-radiological dissociation. Joint involvement is
      rare with no specific pattern or radiological injury. We report a case of
      paracoccidioidomycosis in which the patient's initial symptoms were hoarseness
      and arthritis. After an ultrasound examination, we performed the differential
      diagnosis of other noninfectious arthropathies and analysis of the material
      collected, which revealed infection with the fungus Paracoccidioides
      brasiliensis. 

PMID- 27267338
TI  - Pyomyositis in childhood-systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Pyomyositis is a pyogenic infection of skeletal muscle that arises from
      hematogenous spread and usually presents with localized abscess. This muscle
      infection has been rarely reported in adult-onset systemic lupus erythematous
      and, to the best of our knowledge, has not been diagnosed in pediatric lupus
      population. Among our childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematous population,
      including 289 patients, one presented pyomyositis. This patient was diagnosed
      with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematous at the age of 10 years-old.
      After six years, while being treated with prednisone, azathioprine and
      hydroxychloroquine, she was hospitalized due to a 30-day history of insidious
      pain in the left thigh and no apparent trauma or fever were reported. Her
      physical examination showed muscle tenderness and woody induration. Laboratory
      tests revealed anemia, increased acute phase reactants and normal muscle enzymes.
      Computer tomography of the left thigh showed collection on the middle third of
      the vastus intermedius, suggesting purulent stage of pyomyositis. Treatment with
      broad-spectrum antibiotic was initiated, leading to a complete clinical
      resolution. In conclusion, we described the first case of pyomyositis during
      childhood in pediatric lupus population. This report reinforces that the presence
      of localized muscle pain in immunocompromised patients, even without elevation of
      muscle enzymes, should raise the suspicion of pyomyositis. A prompt antibiotic
      therapy is strongly recommended.

PMID- 27267339
TI  - Generalized morphea in a child with harlequin ichthyosis: a rare association.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Harlequin ichthyosis (HI) is a severe and rare hereditary
      congenital skin disorder characterized by excessive dryness, ectropion and
      eclabion. The association of ichthyosis with systemic sclerosis has been
      described in only three children. No patient with generalized morphea (GM)
      associated with harlequin ichthyosis was described. CASE REPORT: A 4-years and 6
      months girl, diagnosed with harlequin ichthyosis based on diffuse cutaneous
      thickening, scaling, erythema, ectropion and eclabium since the first hours of
      birth was described. She was treated with acitretin (1.0mg/kg/day) and emollient
      cream. At 3 years and 9 months, she developed muscle contractures with pain on
      motion and limitation in elbows and knees, and diffuse sclerodermic plaques on
      the abdomen, back, suprapubic area and lower limbs. Skin biopsy showed rectified
      epidermis and mild hyperorthokeratosis, reticular dermis with perivascular and
      periadnexal infiltrates of lymphocytes and mononuclear cells, and reticular
      dermis and sweat gland sclerosis surrounded by a dense collagen tissue,
      compatible with scleroderma. The patient fulfilled the GM subtype criteria.
      Methotrexate and prednisone were introduced. At 4 years and 3 months, new
      scleroderma lesions occurred and azathioprine was associated with previous
      therapy, with no apparent changes after two months. DISCUSSION: A case of
      harlequin ichthyosis associated with a GM was reported. The treatment of these
      two conditions is a challenge and requires a multidisciplinary team.

PMID- 27267342
TI  - The value of health professions education: the importance of understanding the
      learner perspective.
AB  - The value of health professions education (HPE), with increasing demand for value
      resultant on financial constraint, has come under increasing scrutiny. An
      essential aspect for critical consideration is the extent to which the value
      ascribed by the learner differs from that of the HPE provider, especially in
      relation to the learning Methods and assessment of the HPE curriculum. The
      challenge of reconciling the tensions and differing perspectives of the learners
      and HPE providers can be met through co-production of the curriculum. The focus
      of the co-production approach is the recognition of the importance of diversity
      and social justice. 

PMID- 27267340
TI  - Skeletal abnormalities of tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome type I.
AB  - The tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) type I is a rare genetic disorder
      related to the TRPS1 gene mutation in chromosome 8, characterized by craniofacial
      abnormalities and disturbances in formation and maturation of bone matrix. The
      hallmarks are sparse and brittle hair, tendency to premature baldness, bulbous
      nose called pear-shaped, long and flat filter and low ear implantation. The most
      noticeable skeletal changes are clinodactyly, phalangeal epiphyses of the hands
      appearing as cone-shaped, short stature and hip joint malformations. We report a
      case of a teenager boy diagnosed with TRPS and referred for rheumatologic
      evaluation due to joint complaints. 

PMID- 27267341
TI  - Difficulties in the differential diagnosis between Takayasu arteritis and
      rheumatic fever: case report.
AB  - In this article, we present the case of a patient with heart failure with
      biological aortic valve prosthesis and multiple vascular changes consistent with
      Takayasu arteritis (TA) who was seen in our department receiving corticosteroids
      and secondary prevention of rheumatic fever (RF); it was not possible to exclude
      the association between both diseases. 

PMID- 27267343
TI  - Modulation of microglia polarization dynamics during diabetic retinopathy in
      db/db mice.

PMID- 27267344
TI  - Metabolite mapping reveals severe widespread perturbation of multiple metabolic
      processes in Huntington's disease human brain.
AB  - Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetically-mediated neurodegenerative disorder
      wherein the aetiological defect is a mutation in the Huntington's gene (HTT),
      which alters the structure of the huntingtin protein (Htt) through lengthening of
      its polyglutamine tract, thus initiating a cascade that ultimately leads to
      premature death. However, neurodegeneration typically manifests in HD only in
      middle age, and mechanisms linking the causative mutation to brain disease are
      poorly understood. Brain metabolism is severely perturbed in HD, and some studies
      have indicated a potential role for mutant Htt as a driver of these metabolic
      aberrations. Here, our objective was to determine the effects of HD on brain
      metabolism by measuring levels of polar metabolites in regions known to undergo
      varying degrees of damage. We performed gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry
      based metabolomic analyses in a case-control study of eleven brain regions in
      short post-mortem-delay human tissue from nine well-characterized HD patients and
      nine matched controls. In each patient, we measured metabolite content in
      representative tissue-samples from eleven brain regions that display varying
      degrees of damage in HD, thus identifying the presence and abundance of 63
      different metabolites from several molecular classes, including carbohydrates,
      amino acids, nucleosides, and neurotransmitters. Robust alterations in regional
      brain-metabolite abundances were observed in HD patients: these included changes
      in levels of small molecules that play important roles as intermediates in the
      tricarboxylic-acid and urea cycles, and amino-acid metabolism. Our findings point
      to widespread disruption of brain metabolism and indicate a complex phenotype
      beyond the gradient of neuropathologic damage observed in HD brain.

PMID- 27267346
TI  - What is compassion and how can we measure it? A review of definitions and
      measures.
AB  - The importance of compassion is widely recognized and it is receiving increasing
      research attention. Yet, there is lack of consensus on definition and a paucity
      of psychometrically robust measures of this construct. Without an agreed
      definition and adequate measures, we cannot study compassion, measure compassion
      or evaluate whether interventions designed to enhance compassion are effective.
      In response, this paper proposes a definition of compassion and offers a
      systematic review of self- and observer-rated measures. Following consolidation
      of existing definitions, we propose that compassion consists of five elements:
      recognizing suffering, understanding the universality of human suffering, feeling
      for the person suffering, tolerating uncomfortable feelings, and motivation to
      act/acting to alleviate suffering. Three databases were searched (Web of Science,
      PsycInfo, and Medline) and nine measures included and rated for quality. Quality
      ratings ranged from 2 to 7 out of 14 with low ratings due to poor internal
      consistency for subscales, insufficient evidence for factor structure and/or
      failure to examine floor/ceiling effects, test-retest reliability, and
      discriminant validity. We call our five-element definition, and if supported, the
      development of a measure of compassion based on this operational definition, and
      which demonstrates adequate psychometric properties.

PMID- 27267345
TI  - Non-suicidal self-injury and life stress: A systematic meta-analysis and
      theoretical elaboration.
AB  - Recent years have seen a considerable growth of interest in the study of life
      stress and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The current article presents a
      systematic review of the empirical literature on this association. In addition to
      providing a comprehensive meta-analysis, the current article includes a
      qualitative review of the findings for which there were too few cases (i.e., <3)
      for reliable approximations of effect sizes. Across the studies included in the
      meta-analysis, a significant but modest relation between life stress and NSSI was
      found (pooled OR=1.81 [95% CI=1.49-2.21]). After an adjustment was made for
      publication bias, the estimated effect size was smaller but still significant
      (pooled OR=1.33 [95% CI=1.08-1.63]). This relation was moderated by sample type,
      NSSI measure type, and length of period covered by the NSSI measure. The
      empirical literature is characterized by several methodological limitations,
      particularly the frequent use of cross-sectional analyses involving temporal
      overlap between assessments of life stress and NSSI, leaving unclear the precise
      nature of the relation between these two phenomena (e.g., whether life stress may
      be a cause, concomitant, or consequence of NSSI). Theoretically informed research
      utilizing multi-wave designs, assessing life stress and NSSI over relatively
      brief intervals, and featuring interview-based assessments of these constructs
      holds promise for advancing our understanding of their relation. The current
      review concludes with a theoretical elaboration of the association between NSSI
      and life stress, with the aim of providing a conceptual framework to guide future
      study in this area.

PMID- 27267347
TI  - Psychological variables and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV performance.
AB  - The MMPI-2 and WAIS-IV are commonly used together in neuropsychological
      evaluations yet little is known about their interrelationships. This study
      explored the potential influence of psychological factors on WAIS-IV performance
      in a sample of 180 predominantly male veteran referrals that underwent a
      comprehensive neuropsychological examination in a VA Medical Center. Exclusionary
      criteria included failed performance validity testing and self-report distortion
      on the MMPI-2. A Principal Components Analysis was performed on the 15 MMPI-2
      content scales, yielding three broader higher-order psychological dimensions:
      Internalized Emotional Dysfunction (IED), Externalized Emotional Dysfunction
      (EED), and Fear. Level of IED was not related to performance on the WAIS-IV Full
      Scale IQ or its four indexes: (Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning,
      Working Memory, and Processing Speed). EED was not related to WAIS-IV
      performance. Level of Fear, which encompasses health preoccupations (HEA) and
      distorted perceptions (BIZ), was significantly related to WAIS-IV Full Scale IQ
      and Verbal Comprehension. These results challenge the common use of high scores
      on the MMPI-2 IED measures (chiefly depression and anxiety) to explain deficient
      WAIS-IV performance. In addition, they provide impetus for further investigation
      of the relation between verbal intelligence and Fear.

PMID- 27267349
TI  - Comparative Evaluation of Bioactive Glass (Putty) and Platelet Rich Fibrin in
      Treating Furcation Defects.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare a second-generation bioactive glass putty
      biomaterial against platelet rich fibrin in treating grade II furcation defects.
      Subjects were 15 systemically healthy patients (10 males and 5 females, ages 20
      50 with a mean age of 38.33) with 20 mandibular molar class II furcation defects
      according to Glickman's classification. The 20 mandibular molar furcation defects
      were randomly allocated as follows: Group I, 10 furcation defects were treated
      using bioactive glass (NovaBone) bone graft putty material; Group II, 10
      furcation defects were treated using platelet rich fibrin (PRF). Customized
      acrylic stents were fabricated on study casts and trimmed to the height contour
      of the teeth to serve as a fixed reference point for measurements. The following
      measurements were collected: gingival index, plaque index, vertical probing depth
      (from gingival margin to base of the pocket), clinical attachment level (CEJ to
      the base of the pocket), and horizontal probing depth of furcation involvement
      (using stent). Results showed that both groups had improvement in gingival index
      (GI) and plaque index (PI) at the recall intervals. There was an overall
      reduction in both vertical and horizontal probing depth in both groups; however,
      the Putty group (Group I) showed consistently more vertical probing depth
      reduction than the PRF group (Group II) at the end of third month (P-value =
      0.0004), sixth month (P-value = 0.00001), and ninth month (P-value = 0.0004). Our
      conclusion was that use of bioactive glass osteostimulative biomaterial yields
      superior clinical results, including increased pocket depth reduction of class II
      furcation defects as compared to an autologous platelet concentrate. The clinical
      significance of our findings include the ease of use and superior biologic
      performance of second-generation putty bioglass biomaterials in furcation
      defects.

PMID- 27267348
TI  - Heating and Compression Bandage Treatment Is Effective for Chronic Lymphedema
      with Dermatolymphangioadenitis-A Case-Controlled Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the therapeutic effect of far infrared rays and
      compression bandaging in the treatment of chronic lymphedema with
      dermatolymphangioadenitis (DLA). METHODS: Between 2005 and 2013, 106 patients
      with chronic lymphedema with DLA treated at the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital
      were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were divided into an infrared and a
      bandaging group (80 patients, group 1) and bandaging only group (26 patients,
      group 2). Outcome measures include DLA frequency, patients' subjective feedback
      with regards to their symptoms, and the relationship between continuous elastic
      compression bandaging and relapse of DLA. RESULTS: The frequency of DLA in group
      1 and group 2 were significantly reduced after treatment (p = 0.000 and 0.004,
      respectively). Seventy five percent (60) of patients in group 1 and 19% (5) of
      patients in group 2 suffered no further episodes of DLA during the follow-up
      period. In group 1, over 90% of patients reported a subjective improvement in
      their symptoms and the relapse rate was shown to be lower using elastic
      compression bandaging when higher pressures were applied. CONCLUSION: Heating
      with compression bandaging can be an effective treatment strategy to reduce DLA
      and improve the quality of life for those patients with chronic lymphedema
      associated with DLA.

PMID- 27267350
TI  - Salience-driven overestimation of total somatosensory stimulation.
AB  - Psychological characterisation of sensory systems often focusses on minimal units
      of perception, such as thresholds, acuity, selectivity and precision. Research on
      how these units are aggregated to create integrated, synthetic experiences is
      rarer. We investigated mechanisms of somatosensory integration by asking
      volunteers to judge the total intensity of stimuli delivered to two fingers
      simultaneously. Across four experiments, covering physiological pathways for
      tactile, cold and warm stimuli, we found that judgements of total intensity were
      particularly poor when the two simultaneous stimuli had different intensities.
      Total intensity of discrepant stimuli was systematically overestimated. This bias
      was absent when the two stimulated digits were on different hands. Taken
      together, our results showed that the weaker stimulus of a discrepant pair was
      not extinguished, but contributed less to the perception of the total than the
      stronger stimulus. Thus, perception of somatosensory totals is biased towards the
      most salient element. 'Peak' biases in human judgements are well-known,
      particularly in affective experience. We show that a similar mechanism also
      influences sensory experience.

PMID- 27267351
TI  - Dietary manganese source does not affect Mn, Zn and Cu tissue deposition and the
      activity of manganese-containing enzymes in lambs.
AB  - Manganese (Mn) is a trace element required for normal physiological processes in
      animals and humans. Organic forms of trace elements are expected to have higher
      bioavailability in comparison with inorganic sources. The effect of feeding a
      diet supplemented with different sources of manganese to lambs was studied in a
      112-d feeding trial. The aim of this study was to investigate the deposition of
      Mn in relation to activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), manganese superoxide
      dismutase (MnSOD) and arginase in the tissues of lambs fed the diet supplemented
      with an inorganic or an organic source of manganese up to the maximum total Mn
      content allowed in the European Union (150mg Mn/kg). A total of eighteen female
      lambs of the improved Valachian breed were randomly allocated to three dietary
      treatments and fed an unsupplemented basal diet (Control, 31mg Mn/kg) or the
      identical diet supplemented with manganese sulphate (MnSO4) or manganese chelate
      of glycine hydrate (Mn-Gly) with a total Mn content up to 150mg/kg. Regardless of
      the source, feed supplementation with manganese increased Mn concentrations in
      plasma (P?0.05) and the liver (P?0.001) as well as the activity of liver MnSOD
      (P?0.05) and arginase (P?0.001) compared with the control lambs. In the kidney
      cortex, the concentration of Mn was greatest in lambs fed the diet supplemented
      with the chelated Mn source compared with animals receiving the inorganic Mn
      source (P?0.05) and the unsupplemented diet (P?0.001). The 112-d intake of feed
      enriched with manganese did not result in any change in Mn levels, SOD or MnSOD
      activity in pancreas and kidney tissues. Plasma Cu concentration was depressed in
      both supplemented treatments. No analyzed tissue showed a change in zinc and
      copper levels, except the greater Cu concentration in the liver of lambs fed the
      diet with Mn-Gly. The presented results did not indicate any differences between
      dietary Mn sources either in Mn tissue deposition or activity of SOD, MnSOD and
      arginase in lamb tissues; however, it seems that manganese intake of up to
      150mg/kg in feed may decrease plasma Cu concentration in lambs.

PMID- 27267352
TI  - Structural and Electrochemical Properties of Physisorbed and Chemisorbed Water
      Layers on the Ceramic Oxides Y2O3, YSZ, and ZrO2.
AB  - A combination of operando Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, operando
      electrochemical-impedance spectroscopy, and moisture-sorption measurements has
      been exploited to study the adsorption and conduction behavior of H2O and D2O on
      the technologically important ceramic oxides YSZ (8 mol % Y2O3), ZrO2, and Y2O3.
      Because the characterization of the chemisorbed and physisorbed water layers is
      imperative to a full understanding of (electro-)catalytically active doped oxide
      surfaces and their application in technology, the presented data provide the
      specific reactivity of these oxides toward water over a pressure-and-temperature
      parameter range extending up to, e.g., solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC)-relevant
      conditions. The characteristic changes of the related infrared bands could
      directly be linked to the associated conductivity and moisture-sorption data. For
      YSZ, a sequential dissociative water ("ice-like" layer) and polymeric chained
      water ("liquid-like") water-adsorption model for isothermal and isobaric
      conditions over a pressure range of 10(-5) to 24 mbar and a temperature range
      from room temperature up to 1173 K could be experimentally verified. On pure
      monoclinic ZrO2, in contrast to highly hydroxylated YSZ and Y2O3, a high surface
      concentration of OH groups from water chemisorption is absent at any temperature
      and pressure. Thus, the ice-like and following molecular water layers exhibit no
      measurable protonic conduction. We show that the water layers, even under these
      rather extreme experimental conditions, play a key role in understanding the
      function of these materials. Furthermore, the reported data are supposed to
      provide an extended basis for the further investigation of close-to-real gas
      adsorption or catalyzed heterogeneous reactions. 

PMID- 27267353
TI  - Incorporating PARP-inhibitors into clinical routine: A tailored treatment
      strategy to tackle ovarian cancer.
AB  - DNA repair mechanisms play a key role in oncogenesis and cancer progression in
      women with BRCA mutation-positive (BRCAm) ovarian cancer (OC). The BRCA1/2 and
      poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) proteins are considered the foremost mediators
      among the various components of double-strand and single-strand repair,
      respectively. A series of new therapeutic drugs that target PARP have been
      developed for BRCAm OC. This class of agents provokes tumour-specific
      cytotoxicity with minimal side effects by inducing synthetic lethality, of which
      they are the first clinical example. The European Medicines Agency granted
      accelerated licensing approval for the first-in-class-drug that inhibits PARP,
      olaparib (LynparzaTM, AstraZeneca). Olaparib can be used as a monotherapeutic
      maintenance treatment in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed (germline
      and/or somatic) BRCAm high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or
      primary peritoneal cancer responsive to platinum-based chemotherapy. Seen in
      light of these recent events, this review article will focus on (a) how PARP
      inhibitors exploit cancer-specific defects in the homologous recombination repair
      apparatus and (b) how BRCA testing is implemented in routine clinical care.

PMID- 27267354
TI  - Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Autoimmunity as a Prognostic Biomarker of Better
      Response in Metastatic Cancer Long-Term Survivors Treated with Sunitinib.

PMID- 27267355
TI  - Neurological signs in 23 dogs with suspected rostral cerebellar ischaemic stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In dogs with ischaemic stroke, a very common site of infarction is
      the cerebellum. The aim of this study was to characterise neurological signs in
      relation to infarct topography in dogs with suspected cerebellar ischaemic stroke
      and to report short-term outcome confined to the hospitalisation period. A
      retrospective multicentre study of dogs with suspected cerebellar ischaemic
      stroke examined from 2010-2015 at five veterinary referral hospitals was
      performed. Findings from clinical, neurological, and paraclinical investigations
      including magnetic resonance imaging were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-three dogs,
      13 females and 10 males with a median age of 8 years and 8 months, were included
      in the study. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (n = 9) was a commonly
      represented breed. All ischaemic strokes were located to the vascular territory
      of the rostral cerebellar artery including four extensive and 19 limited
      occlusions. The most prominent neurological deficits were gait abnormalities
      (ataxia with hypermetria n = 11, ataxia without hypermetria n = 4, non-ambulatory
      n = 6), head tilt (n = 13), nystagmus (n = 8), decreased menace response (n = 7),
      postural reaction deficits (n = 7), and proprioceptive deficits (n = 5).
      Neurological signs appeared irrespective of the infarct being classified as
      extensive or limited. All dogs survived and were discharged within 1-10 days of
      hospitalisation. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs affected by rostral cerebellar ischaemic
      stroke typically present with a collection of neurological deficits characterised
      by ataxia, head tilt, and nystagmus irrespective of the specific cerebellar
      infarct topography. In dogs with peracute to acute onset of these neurological
      deficits, cerebellar ischaemic stroke should be considered an important
      differential diagnosis, and neuroimaging investigations are indicated. Although
      dogs are often severely compromised at presentation, short-term prognosis is
      excellent and rapid clinical improvement may be observed within the first week
      following the ischaemic stroke.

PMID- 27267357
TI  - Self-Assembly into Strands in Amphiphilic Polymer Brushes.
AB  - The self-assembly of amphiphilic macromolecules end-grafted to a plane surface is
      studied using mean-field theory and computer simulations. Chain backbones are
      built from hydrophobic groups, whereas side groups are hydrophilic. The brush is
      immersed in a solvent, which can be good or poor, but on average is not far from
      theta conditions. It is demonstrated that the strong amphiphilicity of
      macromolecules at a monomer unit level leads to their self-assembly into a system
      of strands with a 2D hexagonal order in a cross-section parallel to the grafting
      plane. The structure period is determined by the length of side groups. In
      theory, this effect is explained by the orientation of strongly amphiphilic
      monomer units at a strand/solvent boundary that leads to an effective negative
      contribution to the surface tension. Computer simulations with molecular dynamics
      (MD) are used for a detailed study of the local brush structure. The aggregation
      number of strands grows with the increase of the grafting density and side group
      length.

PMID- 27267356
TI  - Hymenobacter coalescens sp. nov., isolated from wetland freshwater.
AB  - A non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain WW84T, was isolated from
      freshwater collected from the Woopo wetland (Republic of Korea). Cells were Gram
      stain-negative, aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major fatty
      acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1I and/or anteiso-C17 :
      1B. The strain contained MK-7 as the major isoprenoid quinone,
      phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipid and sym-homospermidine as the
      major polyamine. The DNA G+C content was 59 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on
      16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain WW84T forms an evolutionary lineage
      within the radiation including the members of the genus Hymenobacter with
      Hymenobactero cellatus Myx 2105T (96.96 % sequence similarity) as its nearest
      neighbor. A number of phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain WW84T from
      the related members of the genus Hymenobacter. On the basis of the evidence
      presented in this study, a novel species, Hymenobacter coalescens sp. nov. is
      proposed with strain WW84T (=KCTC 32530T=JCM 19493T) as the type strain.

PMID- 27267358
TI  - Molecular detection of Bartonella spp. in terrestrial leeches (Haemadipsa
      rjukjuana) feeding on human and animal blood in Gageo-do, Republic of Korea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leeches can transmit pathogens and are therefore potentially
      hazardous to human and animal health. However, only a few studies of diseases
      transmitted by land leeches have been reported. The purpose of the present study
      was to analyse which pathogens are carried in Haemadipsa rjukjuana, the first
      recorded sanguivorous land leech in the Republic of Korea (ROK). FINDINGS: A
      total of 173 H. rjukjuana were collected from Mt. Dock-Sil on Gageo-do Island,
      ROK during July 2011. Conventional PCR was conducted for analysis of the origin
      of blood meal, as well as for detection of species of Anaplasma, Bartonella,
      Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia in the leech specimens. Bartonella
      DNA was detected in eight of the specimens studied based on partial ITS sequence
      analysis. Seven of the DNA samples were closely related to Bartonella grahamii
      (99.6-100 % similarity), and one sample exhibited a 90.6 % similarity with
      Bartonella sp. from Taiwan. Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were
      generated for a total of 35 of the 173 leech internal organ samples. These
      included sequences of human (n = 10), mouse (n = 8), weasel (n = 6) and bird (n =
      11) origin. Of these 35 sequences, 68.5 % were from mammals, including humans,
      and 31.4 % were from migratory birds that pass through Gageo-do, ROK.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although the present study does not provide evidence that leeches
      indeed transmit Bartonella species to hosts directly, to our knowledge this is
      the first report on Bartonella DNA being detected from leeches. Therefore,
      further studies are needed to explore the possibility of zoonotic pathogen
      transmission by land leeches.

PMID- 27267359
TI  - Authors' reply to Tufan and colleagues and Boucaud-Maitre.

PMID- 27267360
TI  - Cascade Reaction of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes: Mechanistic Studies on
      Cycloadditions with Nitrosoarenes and cis-Diazenes.
AB  - Tandem ring opening, elimination, and cycloaddition of donor-acceptor
      cyclopropanes were observed in Yb(OTf)3-catalyzed cycloaddition with
      nitrosoarenes. The reaction results in formation of tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine
      instead of the normal cycloadduct isoxazolidine via in situ nitrone formation. A
      similar cascade sequence was observed with cis-diazines. Mechanistic studies on
      this unique transformation offer an entirely new approach for reaction design
      with donor-acceptor cyclopropanes.

PMID- 27267361
TI  - Kinetics of the West Nile virus induced transcripts of selected cytokines and
      Toll-like receptors in equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
AB  - West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most common causes of epidemic viral
      encephalitis in horses worldwide. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are
      amongst the first to encounter the virus following a mosquito bite. This study
      aimed to elucidate the transcription kinetics of cytokine, Toll-like receptor
      (TLRs) and TLRs-associated genes following WNV challenge of equine PBMCs. PBMCs
      were challenged with an Australian strain of WNV (WNVNSW2011) and transcriptomes
      were quantified at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h post-infection (pi) using qRT-PCR. Type I
      and II interferons (IFNalpha, beta and gamma) mRNA transcription increased
      following WNV exposure, as did the transcripts for IL1alpha, IL1beta, IL6, IL8,
      and IL22, but with slightly varying kinetics. TLR1, 3, 5, 7-9 transcripts were
      also upregulated in equine PBMCsin response to WNV challenge, as were those for
      MyD88, NF-kappaB, TRAF3, STAT1 and 2, IRF3 and 7, ISG15, as well as SOCS1 and 3
      compared to the control cells. Expression of selected genes in the draining lymph
      node, spleen and brain (medulla oblongata) of experimentally infected horses was
      also assessed and transcription of most of these genes was also upregulated here.
      Although qRT-PCR detected higher viral RNA at 24 h pi compared to 6 h pi, the
      virus did not replicate productively in equine PBMCs. The up-regulation of gene
      transcription for selected cytokines, IFNs, TLRs and TLRs-associated molecules
      suggests their involvement in virus recognition and control of WNV infection in
      the horse.

PMID- 27267362
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of cardiovascular magnetic resonance for patients with
      suspected cardiac amyloidosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic
      value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in cardiac amyloidosis (CA).
      METHODS: A wide variety of electronic databases were searched for studies of CMR
      that reported the diagnostic accuracy in patients with suspected CA. Research
      manuscripts were subjected to further systematic review and meta-analysis.
      Methodological evaluation was performed under the guidance of the Quality
      Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies -2 (QUADAS-2). Heterogeneity was
      assessed, and a random-effects model was used to assess the diagnostic effects of
      CMR on pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, and summary receiver operating
      characteristics (SROC). RESULTS: Seven studies that reported the performance of
      CMR for CA were included in the present systematic review, among which five
      studies (257 patients) that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of late gadolinium
      enhancement (LGE) CMR were analyzed in the present meta-analysis. Heterogeneity
      was observed only in specificity. A summary sensitivity and specificity of 85 %
      (95 % CI: 77-91 %) and 92 % (95 % CI: 83-97 %) indicated a high diagnostic
      accuracy of LGE for CA. The AUC of SROC curve was 0.9530, suggesting that LGE is
      an effective way of diagnosing patients with possible cardiac involvement in
      amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS: LGE-CMR seems to have a relatively high diagnostic
      accuracy for amyloidosis patients with possible cardiac involvement. Combined CMR
      techniques may provide important information for the selection of suitable
      therapy.

PMID- 27267363
TI  - Early predictors of behavioural problems in pre-schoolers - a longitudinal study
      of constitutional and environmental main and interaction effects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The early environment is important for child development and
      wellbeing. Gene-by-environment studies investigating the impact of the serotonin
      transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and the Brain Derived
      Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphisms by life events on mental health
      and behaviour problems have been inconclusive. Methodological differences
      regarding sample sizes, study population, definitions of adversities and measures
      of mental health problems obstacle their comparability. Furthermore, very few
      studies included children. The aim of this study was to examine the associations
      between a broad range of risk factors covering pregnancy and birth, genetic
      polymorphism, experience of multiple life events and psychosocial environment,
      and child behaviour at age 3, using a comparably large, representative,
      population-based sample. METHODS: A total of 1,106 children, and their mothers,
      were followed from pregnancy to age 3. Information on pregnancy and birth-related
      factors was retrieved from the Medical Birth Register. Questionnaires on
      depressive symptoms, child behaviour and child experiences of life events were
      filled in by the mothers. Child saliva samples were used for genotyping the 5
      HTTLPR and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms. Multiple logistic regression was used to
      investigate the association between psychological scales and genetic
      polymorphisms. RESULTS: Symptoms of postpartum depression increased the risk of
      both internalizing and externalizing problems. Experience of multiple life events
      was also a predictor of behavioural problems across the scales. No gene-by
      environment or gene-by-gene-by-environment interactions were found. Children of
      immigrants had an increased risk of internalizing problems and parental
      unemployment was significantly associated with both internalizing and
      externalizing type of problems. CONCLUSION: This study shows the importance of
      the psychosocial environment for psychosocial health in preschool children, and
      adds to the literature of null-findings of gene-by-environment effects of 5
      HTTLPR and BDNF in children.

PMID- 27267364
TI  - Molecular Insights into Division of Single Human Cancer Cells in On-Chip
      Transparent Microtubes.
AB  - In vivo, mammalian cells proliferate within 3D environments consisting of
      numerous microcavities and channels, which contain a variety of chemical and
      physical cues. External environments often differ between normal and pathological
      states, such as the unique spatial constraints that metastasizing cancer cells
      experience as they circulate the vasculature through arterioles and narrow
      capillaries, where they can divide and acquire elongated cylindrical shapes.
      While metastatic tumors cause most cancer deaths, factors impacting early cancer
      cell proliferation inside the vasculature and those that can promote the
      formation of secondary tumors remain largely unknown. Prior studies investigating
      confined mitosis have mainly used 2D cell culture systems. Here, we mimic aspects
      of metastasizing tumor cells dividing inside blood capillaries by investigating
      single-cell divisions of living human cancer cells, trapped inside 3D rolled-up,
      transparent nanomembranes. We assess the molecular effects of tubular confinement
      on key mitotic features, using optical high- and super-resolution microscopy. Our
      experiments show that tubular confinement affects the morphology and dynamics of
      the mitotic spindle, chromosome arrangements, and the organization of the cell
      cortex. Moreover, we reveal that membrane blebbing and/or associated processes
      act as a potential genome-safety mechanism, limiting the extent of genomic
      instability caused by mitosis in confined circumstances, especially in tubular 3D
      microenvironments. Collectively, our study demonstrates the potential of rolled
      up nanomembranes for gaining molecular insights into key cellular events
      occurring in tubular 3D microenvironments in vivo.

PMID- 27267365
TI  - Low-grade sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum parasites
      from Lubango, Angola.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria is a major parasitic disease, affecting millions of people in
      endemic areas. Plasmodium falciparum parasites are responsible for the most
      severe cases and its resistance to anti-malarial drugs is notorious. This is a
      possible obstacle to the effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT)
      based on sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) cures administrated to pregnant women
      (IPTp) during their pregnancy. As this intervention is recommended in Angola
      since 2006, it has assessed, in this country, the molecular profiles in P.
      falciparum dhfr and dhps, two polymorphic genes associated to pyrimethamine and
      sulfadoxine resistance, respectively. METHODS: Blood samples from 52 falciparum
      patients were collected in Lubango, Angola and pfdhfr and pfdhps polymorphisms
      were analysed using nested-PCR and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: In the pfdhfr gene,
      the 108N mutation was almost fixed (98 %), followed by 59R (63 %), 51I (46 %),
      50R and 164L (2 %, respectively). No 16V/S mutations were found. The most common
      double mutant genotype was CNRN (59 + 108; 46 %), followed by CICN (51 + 108; 29
      %) whereas IRN (51 + 59 + 108; 15 %), CNRNVL (59 + 108 + 164; 2 %) and RICN (50 +
      51 + 108; 2 %) triple mutant genotypes were detected. Investigations of the
      pfdhps gene showed that the 437G mutation was the most prevalent (97 %). Only two
      and one samples disclosed the 540E (7 %) and the 436A (3 %), respectively. Single
      mutant SGKAA (437; 86 %) was higher than SGEAA (437 + 540; 7 %) or AGKAA (436 +
      437; 3 %) double mutants genotypes. No polymorphism was detected at codons 581G
      and 613T/S. Combining pfdhfr and pfdhps alleles two triple mutant haplotypes
      (double mutant in dhfr and single mutant in dhps) were observed: the
      ACICNVI/SGKAA in 14 (56 %) samples and the ACNRNVI/SGKAA in five (20 %) samples.
      One quadruple mutant haplotype was detected (ACIRNVI/SGKAA) in six (24 %) P.
      falciparum samples. No quintuple pfdhfr-pfdhps mutant was noted. CONCLUSION:
      pfdhfr and pfdhps gene mutations in isolates from Lubango are suggestive of a low
      grade SP resistance and IPT for pregnant women and infant based on SP treatment
      could be effective. Routine molecular studies targeting polymorphism in these two
      genes need to be routinely conducted at country level.

PMID- 27267366
TI  - Central Nervous System Injury and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate
      Oxidase: Oxidative Stress and Therapeutic Targets.
AB  - Injury to the central nervous system (CNS) includes both traumatic brain and
      spinal cord injury (TBI and SCI, respectively). These injuries, which are
      heterogeneous and, therefore, difficult to treat, result in long-lasting
      functional, cognitive, and behavioral deficits. Severity of injury is determined
      by multiple factors, and is largely mediated by the activity of the CNS
      inflammatory system, including the primary CNS immune cells, microglia. The
      nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) family of
      enzymes is a primary source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), key inflammatory
      mediators after CNS injury. ROS play a central role in inflammation, contributing
      to cytokine translation and release, microglial polarization and activation, and
      clearance of damaged tissue. NOX has been suggested as a potential therapeutic
      target in CNS trauma, as inhibition of this enzyme family modulates inflammatory
      cell response and ROS production. The purpose of this review is to understand how
      the different NOX enzymes function and what role they play in the scope of CNS
      trauma.

PMID- 27267367
TI  - Health status and health service utilization in remote and mountainous areas in
      Vietnam.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-rated health status and healthcare services utilization are
      important indicators to evaluate the performance of health system. In
      disadvantaged areas, however, little is known about the access and outcomes of
      health care services. This study aimed to assess health-related quality of life
      (HRQOL), health status and healthcare access and utilization of residents in
      mountainous and remote areas in Vietnam. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was
      conducted in a convenient sample of residents in two provinces of Vietnam.
      Information about socio-economic, health status, HRQOL, healthcare seeking and
      services utilization were interviewed. EuroQol - 5 Dimensions - 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5
      L) was used to measure HRQOL. RESULTS: Of 200 respondents, mean age was 44.9 (SD
      = 13.9), 38.0 % were male. One third reported having any problem in Mobility,
      Usual activities, Pain or Discomfort, Anxiety or Depression. Women tended to
      suffer more problems in Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression and lower overall
      HRQOL than men. Over 90 % of respondents reported at least one health problem.
      Flu, cold and headache were the most commonly reported symptoms (41.5 %). Most of
      people preferred community health center when they had illness (96.0 %). Only
      18.5 % people used traditional healers with the average of 5.8 times per year.
      Ethnicity, households' expenditure, illness and morbidity status, difficulty in
      accessing health care services were related to HRQOL.; Meanwhile, socioeconomic
      status, health problems, quality of services, and distances were associated with
      access to healthcare and traditional medicine services. CONCLUSIONS: Residents in
      difficult-to-reach areas had high prevalence of health problems and experienced
      social and structural barriers of healthcare services access. It is necessary to
      improve the availability and quality of healthcare and traditional medicine
      services to improve the health status of disadvantaged people.

PMID- 27267369
TI  - Steps toward improving ethical evaluation in health technology assessment: a
      proposed framework.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While evaluation of ethical aspects in health technology assessment
      (HTA) has gained much attention during the past years, the integration of ethics
      in HTA practice still presents many challenges. In response to the increasing
      demand for expansion of health technology assessment (HTA) methodology to include
      ethical issues more systematically, this article reports on a multi-stage study
      that aimed at construction of a framework for improving the integration of ethics
      in HTA. METHODS: The framework was developed through the following phases: 1) a
      systematic review and content analysis of guidance documents for ethics in HTA;
      2) identification of factors influencing the integration of ethical
      considerations in HTA; 3) preparation of an action-oriented framework based on
      the key elements of the existing guidance documents and identified barriers to
      and facilitators of their implementation; and 4) expert consultation and revision
      of the framework. RESULTS: The proposed framework consists of three main
      components: an algorithmic flowchart, which exhibits the different steps of an
      ethical inquiry throughout the HTA process, including: defining the objectives
      and scope of the evaluation, stakeholder analysis, assessing organizational
      capacity, framing ethical evaluation questions, ethical analysis, deliberation,
      and knowledge translation; a stepwise guide, which focuses on the task objectives
      and potential questions that are required to be addressed at each step; and a
      list of some commonly recommended or used tools to help facilitate the evaluation
      process. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed framework can be used to support and promote
      good practice in integration of ethics into HTA. However, further validation of
      the framework through case studies and expert consultation is required to
      establish its utility for HTA practice.

PMID- 27267368
TI  - Transcriptomic profiling of Melon necrotic spot virus-infected melon plants
      revealed virus strain and plant cultivar-specific alterations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Viruses are among the most destructive and difficult to control plant
      pathogens. Melon (Cucumis melo L.) has become the model species for the
      agriculturally important Cucurbitaceae family. Approaches that take advantage of
      recently developed genomic tools in melon have been extremely useful for
      understanding viral pathogenesis and can contribute to the identification of
      target genes for breeding new resistant cultivars. In this work, we have used a
      recently described melon microarray for transcriptome profiling of two melon
      cultivars infected with two strains of Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) that only
      differ on their 3'-untranslated regions. RESULTS: Melon plant tissues from the
      cultivars Tendral or Planters Jumbo were locally infected with either MNSV
      Malpha5 or MNSV-Malpha5/3'264 and analysed in a time-course experiment. Principal
      component and hierarchical clustering analyses identified treatment (healthy vs.
      infected) and sampling date (3 vs. 5 dpi) as the primary and secondary variables,
      respectively. Out of 7566 and 7074 genes deregulated by MNSV-Malpha5 and MNSV
      Malpha5/3'264, 1851 and 1356, respectively, were strain-specific. Likewise, MNSV
      Malpha5/3'264 specifically deregulated 2925 and 1618 genes in Tendral and
      Planters Jumbo, respectively. The GO categories that were significantly affected
      were clearly different for the different virus/host combinations. Grouping genes
      according to their patterns of expression allowed for the identification of two
      groups that were specifically deregulated by MNSV-Malpha5/3'264 with respect to
      MNSV-Malpha5 in Tendral, and one group that was antagonistically regulated in
      Planters Jumbo vs. Tendral after MNSV-Malpha5/3'264 infection. Genes in these
      three groups belonged to diverse functional classes, and no obvious regulatory
      commonalities were identified. When data on MNSV-Malpha5/Tendral infections were
      compared to equivalent data on cucumber mosaic virus or watermelon mosaic virus
      infections, cytokinin-O-glucosyltransferase2 was identified as the only gene that
      was deregulated by all three viruses, with infection dynamics correlating with
      the amplitude of transcriptome remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: Strain-specific changes,
      as well as cultivar-specific changes, were identified by profiling the
      transcriptomes of plants from two melon cultivars infected with two MNSV strains.
      No obvious regulatory features shared among deregulated genes have been
      identified, pointing toward regulation through differential functional pathways.

PMID- 27267371
TI  - Perceived influence and college students' diet and physical activity behaviors:
      an examination of ego-centric social networks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is partially a social phenomenon, with college students
      particularly vulnerable to changes in social networks and obesity-related
      behaviors. Currently, little is known about the structure of social networks
      among college students and their potential influence on diet and physical
      activity behaviors. The purpose of the study was to examine social influences
      impacting college students' diet and physical activity behaviors, including
      sources of influence, comparisons between sources' and students' behaviors, and
      associations with meeting diet and physical activity recommendations. METHODS:
      Data was collected from 40 students attending college in Hawaii. Participants
      completed diet and physical activity questionnaires and a name generator.
      Participants rated nominees' influence on their diet and physical activity
      behaviors as well as compared nominees' behaviors to their own. Descriptive
      statistics were used to look at perceptions of influence across network groups.
      Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between network
      variables and odds of meeting recommendations. RESULTS: A total of 325
      nominations were made and included: family (n = 116), college friends (n = 104),
      high school friends (n = 87), and significant others (n = 18). Nearly half of
      participants were not from Hawaii. Significant others of non-Hawaii students were
      perceived to be the most influential (M(SD) = 9(1.07)) and high school friends
      the least influential (M(SD) = 1.31(.42)) network. Overall, perceived influence
      was highest for diet compared to physical activity, but varied based on
      comparisons with nominees' behaviors. Significant others were most often
      perceived has having similar (44 %) or worse (39 %) eating behaviors than
      participants, and those with similar eating behaviors were perceived as most
      influential (M(SD) = 9.25(1.04)). Few associations were seen between network
      variables and odds of meeting recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Among the groups
      nominated, high school friends were perceived as least influential, especially
      among students who moved a long distance for college. Intervention strategies
      addressing perceived norms and using peer leaders may help promote physical
      activity among college students, while diet interventions may need to involve
      significant others in order to be successful. Testing of these types of
      intervention strategies and continued examination of social networks and their
      influences on diet and physical activity behaviors are needed.

PMID- 27267370
TI  - HIV infection, viral hepatitis and liver fibrosis among prison inmates in West
      Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prisoners represent a vulnerable population for blood-borne and
      sexually transmitted infections which can potentially lead to liver fibrosis and
      ultimately cirrhosis. However, little is known about the prevalence of liver
      fibrosis and associated risk factors among inmates in sub-Saharan Africa.
      METHODS: Screening of liver fibrosis was undertaken in a randomly selected sample
      of male inmates incarcerated in Lome, Togo and in Dakar, Senegal using transient
      elastography. A liver stiffness measurement >=9.5 KPa was retained to define the
      presence of a severe liver fibrosis. All included inmates were also screened for
      HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. Substances
      abuse including alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use were assessed during face-to
      face interviews. Odds Ratio (OR) estimates were computed with their 95 %
      Confidence Interval (CI) to identify factors associated with severe liver
      fibrosis. RESULTS: Overall, 680 inmates were included with a median age of 30
      years [interquartile range: 24-35]. The prevalence of severe fibrosis was 3.1 %
      (4.9 % in Lome and 1.2 % in Dakar). Infections with HIV, HBV and HCV were
      identified in 2.6 %, 12.5 % and 0.5 % of inmates, respectively. Factors
      associated with a severe liver fibrosis were HIV infection (OR = 7.6; CI 1.8
      32.1), HBV infection (OR = 4.8; CI 1.8-12.8), HCV infection (OR = 52.6; CI 4.1
      673.8), use of traditional medicines (OR = 3.7; CI 1.4-10.1) and being
      incarcerated in Lome (OR = 3.3; CI 1.1-9.8) compared to Dakar. CONCLUSIONS: HIV
      infection and viral hepatitis infections were identified as important and
      independent determinants of severe liver fibrosis. While access to active
      antiviral therapies against HIV and viral hepatitis expands in Africa, adapted
      strategies for the monitoring of liver disease need to be explored, especially in
      vulnerable populations such as inmates.

PMID- 27267373
TI  - Performance Characteristics of Commercial Immunoassays for the Detection of IgG
      and IgM Antibodies to beta2 Glycoprotein I and an Initial Assessment of Newly
      Developed Reference Materials for Assay Calibration.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the performance characteristics and impact of newly
      developed reference calibrators on the commutability between anti-beta2
      glycoprotein I (anti-beta2 GPI) immunoassays in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
      and/or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and
      immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-beta2 GPI immunoassays from four manufacturers were
      evaluated. Serum samples from 269 patients (APS only, n = 31; SLE and APS, n =
      83; SLE only, n = 129; pregnancy-related clinical manifestations without APS, n =
      26) and 162 women with histories of successful pregnancies were tested. Results
      were expressed in kit-specific arbitrary units and in the calibrator reference
      units (RUs) based on 99th percentile cutoff values. Diagnostic accuracies,
      correlation between kits, and specific clinical manifestations in APS were
      investigated. RESULTS: The sensitivities of the assays ranged from 15.8% to 27.2%
      (IgG) and 12.3% to 15.8% (IgM) while specificities ranged from 79.4% to 86.5%
      (IgG) and 80.6% to 84.5% (IgM). There was moderate to almost perfect interassay
      reliability (Cohen kappa, 0.69-0.98), and Spearman correlation coefficients were
      generally improved when results of the IgG determinations were expressed in RUs.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although qualitative agreements between immunoassays for both
      antibody isotypes are acceptable, correlations with APS clinical manifestations
      were kit dependent. Only the use of IgG reference material improved quantitative
      correlations between assays.

PMID- 27267374
TI  - Elevated Cell-Free DNA Measured by a Simple Assay Is Associated With Increased
      Rate of Colorectal Cancer Relapse.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: For patients with early stage colorectal cancer (CRC), markers of
      high-risk relapse are needed. In a previous study on 38 randomly selected
      patients with CRC, we found good correlation between presurgery cell-free DNA
      (CFD) concentrations and standard prognostic factors. In the current study, we
      revisited the same patients at 5-year survival, aiming to evaluate the predictive
      power of presurgery CFD levels. METHODS: We revisited 38 patients with CRC
      previously analyzed for 5-year outcome. CFD was measured using a simple
      fluorescent assay that we developed. RESULTS: All recurrent patients and patients
      who had died of cancer within 5 years were shown to have presurgery CFD values
      above 800 ng/mL. The negative predictive value for cancer-related disease was
      100%. Cox regression analysis for disease-free survival showed a hazard ratio of
      6.03 (P = .003) for CFD, which was higher than the ratio of the disease stage,
      1.9 (P = .006). The survival-free curve of stage I and II patients with elevated
      CFD was significantly different from patients with normal levels (P = .0136); 5
      (41.7%) of 12 patients had died of cancer or had experienced a recurrence.
      CONCLUSIONS: CFD may possibly be a decisive criterion to identify patients with
      local disease who might benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

PMID- 27267375
TI  - Pathology Consultation on Patients With a Large Rh Immune Globulin Dose
      Requirement.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To review the differential diagnosis and laboratory issues for women
      with a large calculated dose of Rh immune globulin (RhIG). METHODS: A case-based
      approach is used to review the differential diagnosis of patients with a large
      calculated dose of RhIG, RhIG dosing for women with baseline elevations in
      hemoglobin F, the formulations of RhIG, and issues for the transfusion medicine
      service with the release of large doses of RhIG. RESULTS: A large fetomaternal
      bleed after delivery requiring multiple doses of RhIG is rare. Such patients may
      require intravenous RhIG to avoid multiple injections. Patients with a large
      percentage of circulating fetal RBCs should be evaluated for a disorder of
      hemoglobin synthesis and, if present, should have quantification of the
      circulating fetal RBCs by flow cytometry. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate laboratory
      evaluation of women with large fetomaternal bleeds is essential for appropriate
      RhIG administration.

PMID- 27267372
TI  - Equine rhinitis B viruses in horse fecal samples from the Middle East.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Among all known picornaviruses, only two species, equine rhinitis A
      virus and equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) are known to infect horses, causing
      respiratory infections. No reports have described the detection of ERBV in fecal
      samples of horses and no complete genome sequences of ERBV3 are available.
      METHODS: We performed a molecular epidemiology study to detect ERBVs in horses
      from Dubai and Hong Kong. Complete genome sequencing of the ERBVs as well as
      viral loads and genome, phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis were performed on
      the positive samples. RESULTS: ERBV was detected in four (13.8 %) of the 29 fecal
      samples in horses from Dubai, with viral loads 8.28 * 10(3) to 5.83 * 10(4)
      copies per ml, but none of the 47 fecal samples in horses from Hong Kong by RT
      PCR. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that three of
      the four strains were ERBV3 and one was ERBV2. The major difference between the
      genomes of ERBV3 and those of ERBV1 and ERBV2 lied in the amino acid sequences of
      their VP1 proteins. The Ka/Ks ratios of all the coding regions in the ERBV3
      genomes were all <0.1, suggesting that ERBV3 were stably evolving in horses.
      Using the uncorrelated lognormal distributed relaxed clock model on VP1 gene, the
      date of the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of ERBV3 was estimated to be 1785
      (HPDs, 1176 to 1937) and the MRCA dates of ERBV1 and ERBV2 were estimated to be
      1848 (HPDs, 1466 to 1949) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both acid stable (ERBV3) and
      acid labile (ERBV2) ERBVs could be found in fecal samples of horses. Detection of
      ERBVs in fecal samples would have implications for their transmission and
      potential role in gastrointestinal diseases as well as fecal sampling as an
      alternative method of identifying infected horses.

PMID- 27267376
TI  - Aberrant epilepsy-associated mutant Nav1.6 sodium channel activity can be
      targeted with cannabidiol.
AB  - Mutations in brain isoforms of voltage-gated sodium channels have been identified
      in patients with distinct epileptic phenotypes. Clinically, these patients often
      do not respond well to classic anti-epileptics and many remain refractory to
      treatment. Exogenous as well as endogenous cannabinoids have been shown to target
      voltage-gated sodium channels and cannabidiol has recently received attention for
      its potential efficacy in the treatment of childhood epilepsies. In this study,
      we further investigated the ability of cannabinoids to modulate sodium currents
      from wild-type and epilepsy-associated mutant voltage-gated sodium channels. We
      first determined the biophysical consequences of epilepsy-associated missense
      mutations in both Nav1.1 (arginine 1648 to histidine and asparagine 1788 to
      lysine) and Nav1.6 (asparagine 1768 to aspartic acid and leucine 1331 to valine)
      by obtaining whole-cell patch clamp recordings in human embryonic kidney 293T
      cells with 200 MUM Navbeta4 peptide in the pipette solution to induce resurgent
      sodium currents. Resurgent sodium current is an atypical near threshold current
      predicted to increase neuronal excitability and has been implicated in multiple
      disorders of excitability. We found that both mutations in Nav1.6 dramatically
      increased resurgent currents while mutations in Nav1.1 did not. We then examined
      the effects of anandamide and cannabidiol on peak transient and resurgent
      currents from wild-type and mutant channels. Interestingly, we found that
      cannabidiol can preferentially target resurgent sodium currents over peak
      transient currents generated by wild-type Nav1.6 as well as the aberrant
      resurgent and persistent current generated by Nav1.6 mutant channels. To further
      validate our findings, we examined the effects of cannabidiol on endogenous
      sodium currents from striatal neurons, and similarly we found an inhibition of
      resurgent and persistent current by cannabidiol. Moreover, current clamp
      recordings show that cannabidiol reduces overall action potential firing of
      striatal neurons. These findings suggest that cannabidiol could be exerting its
      anticonvulsant effects, at least in part, through its actions on voltage-gated
      sodium channels, and resurgent current may be a promising therapeutic target for
      the treatment of epilepsy syndromes.

PMID- 27267377
TI  - Reply: Perifascicular necrosis in anti-synthetase syndrome beyond anti-Jo-1.

PMID- 27267378
TI  - Perifascicular necrosis in anti-synthetase syndrome beyond anti-Jo-1.

PMID- 27267379
TI  - Response to letter to editor titled "Physical restraint in mechanically
      ventilated adults: A complex early diagnosis by protocols?".

PMID- 27267380
TI  - Eluxadoline for the treatment of diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatment is challenging physicians
      because of its multifactorial physiopathology. In particular, abdominal pain and
      diarrhea management lack one unique effective pharmacological remedy. Opioid
      receptors, present in the central nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous
      system (ENS), are involved in visceral sensitivity and gastrointestinal motility
      control. To date only a few opioid receptor modulators are currently in use for
      the treatment of IBS but with dosage limitations due to the early development of
      severe constipation. AREAS COVERED: In this drug evaluation manuscript we review
      the irritable bowel syndrome therapeutic needs and chemistry, pharmacokinetics
      and -dynamics, clinical study results with the new opioid receptor ligand
      eluxadoline for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome
      (IBS-D). EXPERT OPINION: Eluxadoline shows a peculiar pharmacological profile
      with MU-opioid agonism and delta-opioid antagonism actions. Its efficacy over
      placebo for the treatment of abdominal pain and diarrhea in IBS-D has been
      demonstrated in short- and long-term clinical studies in humans. Its safety has
      been evaluated in the same studies. Interestingly, eluxadoline showed a low rate
      of constipation development in IBS patients in comparison with known effects of
      other opioid receptor modulators. Patients with a history of acute pancreatitis
      should not be treated with eluxadoline.

PMID- 27267381
TI  - WITHDRAWN: Use of Repositionable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Systems in Past
      Mechanical Prosthetic Mitral Valve Recipients.
AB  - This article has been withdrawn, at the request of the Editor, due to the absence
      of the corresponding permissions for use of all the data/images. The Publisher
      apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on
      Article Withdrawal can be found at
      http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

PMID- 27267382
TI  - Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease in the Elderly. Consensus Document of the Spanish
      Societies of Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Primary Care, and Geriatrics.

PMID- 27267383
TI  - Effects of Excimer Laser Coronary Atherectomy Assessed by OCT.

PMID- 27267384
TI  - Update on the imaging diagnosis of otosclerosis.
AB  - Otosclerosis is a primary osteodystrophy of the temporal bone that causes
      progressive conductive hearing loss. The diagnosis is generally clinical, but
      multidetector CT (MDCT), the imaging technique of choice, is sometimes necessary.
      The objective of this article is to systematically review the usefulness of
      imaging techniques for the diagnosis and postsurgical assessment of otosclerosis,
      fundamentally the role of MDCT, to decrease the surgical risk. 

PMID- 27267385
TI  - Biological Maturation, Central Adiposity, and Metabolic Risk in Adolescents: A
      Mediation Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Earlier biological maturation has been related to increased metabolic
      risk. In this study, we verified mediating effects by central adiposity of the
      relationship between somatic maturity and metabolic risk factors in adolescents.
      METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 1034 adolescents aged 10-16 years from
      Londrina/PR/Brazil were evaluated. The age of peak height velocity (PHV) method
      was used to evaluate somatic maturity. Central adiposity was estimated through
      waist circumference measurements. Fasting glucose, triglycerides, high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and blood pressure were measured as metabolic
      risk indicators. Physical activity (Baecke questionnaire) and cardiorespiratory
      fitness (20-m shuttle run test) were used as covariates. RESULTS: Except for
      fasting glucose, waist circumference showed partial or full mediation of the
      relationship between maturity and the following metabolic risk factors with their
      respective z-score values: triglycerides (boys = -3.554 vs. girls = -5.031), HDL
      C (boys = +5.300 vs. girls = +5.905), systolic blood pressure (boys = -3.540 vs.
      girls = -3.763), diastolic blood pressure (boys = -2.967 vs. girls = -3.264), and
      metabolic risk score (boys = -5.339 vs. girls = -6.362). CONCLUSIONS: The results
      suggest that central obesity plays a mediating role in the relationship between
      somatic maturation and metabolic risk during adolescence.

PMID- 27267387
TI  - Surviving brain damage after assault: from vegetative state to meaningful life.

PMID- 27267386
TI  - cAMP-specific PDE4 phosphodiesterases and AIP in the pathogenesis of pituitary
      tumors.
AB  - PDE4 cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases regulate cAMP abundance in cells and
      therefore regulate numerous processes, including cell growth and differentiation.
      The rat PDE4A5 isoform (human homolog PDE4A4) interacts with the AIP protein
      (also called XAP2 or ARA-9). Germline mutations in AIP occur in approximately 20%
      of patients with Familial Isolated Pituitary Adenoma (FIPA) and 20% of childhood
      onset simplex somatotroph adenomas. We therefore examined the protein expression
      of PDE4A4 and the closely related isoform PDE4A8 in normal human pituitary tissue
      and in pituitary adenomas. PDE4A4 had low expression in normal pituitary but was
      significantly overexpressed in somatotroph, lactotroph, corticotroph and
      clinically nonfunctioning gonadotroph adenomas (P<0.0001 for all subtypes).
      Likewise, PDE4A8 was expressed in normal pituitary and was also significantly
      overexpressed in the adenoma subtypes (P<0.0001 for all). Among the different
      adenoma subtypes, corticotroph and lactotroph adenomas were the highest and
      lowest expressed for PDE4A4, respectively, whereas the opposite was observed for
      PDE4A8. Naturally occurring oncogenic variants in AIP were shown by a two-hybrid
      assay to disrupt the ability of AIP to interact with PDE4A5. A reverse two-hybrid
      screen identified numerous additional variants in the tetratricopeptide repeat
      (TPR) region of AIP that also disrupted its ability to interact with PDE4A5. The
      expression of PDE4A4 and PDE4A8 in normal pituitary, their increased expression
      in adenomatous pituitary cells where AIP is meant to participate, and the
      disruption of the PDE4A4-AIP interaction by AIP mutants may play a role in
      pituitary tumorigenesis.

PMID- 27267388
TI  - Quantitative fetal fibronectin and cervical length to predict preterm birth in
      asymptomatic women with previous cervical surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quantitative fetal fibronectin testing has demonstrated accuracy for
      prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic women with a history of
      preterm birth. Predictive accuracy in women with previous cervical surgery (a
      potentially different risk mechanism) is not known. OBJECTIVE: We sought to
      compare the predictive accuracy of cervicovaginal fluid quantitative fetal
      fibronectin and cervical length testing in asymptomatic women with previous
      cervical surgery to that in women with 1 previous preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: We
      conducted a prospective blinded secondary analysis of a larger observational
      study of cervicovaginal fluid quantitative fetal fibronectin concentration in
      asymptomatic women measured with a Hologic 10Q system (Hologic, Marlborough, MA).
      Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth (<30, <34, and <37 weeks) with
      cervicovaginal fluid quantitative fetal fibronectin concentration in primiparous
      women who had undergone at least 1 invasive cervical procedure (n = 473) was
      compared with prediction in women who had previous spontaneous preterm birth,
      preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, or late miscarriage (n = 821).
      Relationship with cervical length was explored. RESULTS: The rate of spontaneous
      preterm birth <34 weeks in the cervical surgery group was 3% compared with 9% in
      previous spontaneous preterm birth group. Receiver operating characteristic
      curves comparing quantitative fetal fibronectin for prediction at all 3
      gestational end points were comparable between the cervical surgery and previous
      spontaneous preterm birth groups (34 weeks: area under the curve, 0.78 [95%
      confidence interval 0.64-0.93] vs 0.71 [95% confidence interval 0.64-0.78]; P =
      .39). Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth using cervical length compared with
      quantitative fetal fibronectin for prediction of preterm birth <34 weeks of
      gestation offered similar prediction (area under the curve, 0.88 [95% confidence
      interval 0.79-0.96] vs 0.77 [95% confidence interval 0.62-0.92], P = .12 in the
      cervical surgery group; and 0.77 [95% confidence interval 0.70-0.84] vs 0.74 [95%
      confidence interval 0.67-0.81], P = .32 in the previous spontaneous preterm birth
      group). CONCLUSION: Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth using cervicovaginal
      fluid quantitative fetal fibronectin in asymptomatic women with cervical surgery
      is valid, and has comparative accuracy to that in women with a history of
      spontaneous preterm birth.

PMID- 27267389
TI  - Dietary pollutants induce oxidative stress, altering maternal antioxidant
      provisioning and reproductive output in the temperate sea urchin Evechinus
      chloroticus.
AB  - Evidence is growing to suggest that the capacity to withstand oxidative stress
      may play an important role in shaping life-history trade-offs, although little is
      known on the relationship in broadcast spawning marine invertebrates. In this
      group, variation in gamete quantity and quality are important drivers of
      offspring survival and successful recruitment. Therefore the provisioning of eggs
      with antioxidants may be an important driver of life history strategies because
      they play a critical role in preventing damage from reactive oxygen species to
      macromolecules. In this study, a suite of oxidative stress biomarkers was
      measured in the gonads and eggs of the sea urchin Evechinus chloroticus exposed
      to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Links between oxidative stress
      markers and core components of fitness including fecundity, gamete quality and
      maternal transfer of antioxidants were assessed. Experimental induction of
      oxidative stress was achieved via exposure to a mix of four PAHs over a 21-day
      period. In PAH exposed individuals, we observed a significant upregulation of the
      antioxidant defence and detoxification enzymes SOD, CAT, GR, GPx and GST, as well
      as a greater pool of the non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione in gonad tissue
      and eggs. In contrast, glutathione redox status was not affected by PAH exposure,
      with the percentage of reduced glutathione remaining at approximately 80% in both
      gonad tissue and released eggs. PAH-exposed adults experienced greater than three
      and five-fold increases in oxidative protein and lipid damage, respectively, in
      gonad tissue. In contrast, eggs maintained low levels of damage, not differing
      from baseline levels found in eggs released from PAH-naive mothers. PAH exposure
      also resulted in a 2-fold reduction in fecundity of reproductively mature females
      but no significant alteration to egg diameter. Although PAH-exposed females
      released fewer eggs, successful fertilisation of those eggs was slightly enhanced
      with average rates ranging from 90-99% in comparison to 76-90% in control eggs.
      Early-stage offspring reflected maternal antioxidant status with populations
      derived from PAH-exposed mothers demonstrating significantly higher antioxidant
      levels than those derived from PAH-naive mothers. This maternally inherited
      protection enhanced the capacity of embryos to minimise oxidative damage to
      lipids and proteins during early development but, despite this, did not reduce
      the proportion of morphological abnormalities in the population. Overall, these
      findings indicate that when faced with short-term contaminant stress E.
      chloroticus has the capacity to trade high reproductive output during a spawning
      event for a greater antioxidant investment in eggs. However, this production of
      potentially more resilient offspring did not translate to a fitness gain, at
      least for the early larval stages in the present experimental conditions. 

PMID- 27267390
TI  - Accumulation and detoxication responses of the gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis to
      single and combined exposures to natural (cyanobacteria) and anthropogenic (the
      herbicide RoundUp((r)) Flash) stressors.
AB  - Freshwater gastropods are increasingly exposed to multiple stressors in the field
      such as the herbicide glyphosate in Roundup formulations and cyanobacterial
      blooms either producing or not producing microcystins (MCs), potentially leading
      to interacting effects. Here, the responses of Lymnaea stagnalis to a 21-day
      exposure to non-MC or MC-producing (33MUgL(-1)) Planktothrix agardhii alone or in
      combination with the commercial formulation RoundUp((r)) Flash at a concentration
      of 1MUgL(-1) glyphosate, followed by 14days of depuration, were studied via i)
      accumulation of free and bound MCs in tissues, and ii) activities of anti-oxidant
      (catalase CAT) and biotransformation (glutathione-S-transferase GST) enzymes.
      During the intoxication, the cyanobacterial exposure induced an early increase of
      CAT activity, independently of the MC content, probably related to the production
      of secondary cyanobacterial metabolites. The GST activity was induced by
      RoundUp((r)) Flash alone or in combination with non MC-producing cyanobacteria,
      but was inhibited by MC-producing cyanobacteria with or without RoundUp((r))
      Flash. Moreover, MC accumulation in L. stagnalis was 3.2 times increased when
      snails were concomitantly exposed to MC-producing cyanobacteria with
      RoundUp((r)), suggesting interacting effects of MCs on biotransformation
      processes. The potent inhibition of detoxication systems by MCs and RoundUp((r))
      Flash was reversible during the depuration, during which CAT and GST activities
      were significantly higher in snails previously exposed to MC-producing
      cyanobacteria with or without RoundUp((r)) Flash than in other conditions,
      probably related to the oxidative stress caused by accumulated MCs remaining in
      tissues. 

PMID- 27267391
TI  - Assessment of gold nanoparticle effects in a marine teleost (Sparus aurata) using
      molecular and biochemical biomarkers.
AB  - Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are increasingly employed in a variety of applications
      and are likely to be increasing in the environment, posing a potential emerging
      environmental threat. Information on possible hazardous effects of engineered
      nanoparticles is urgently required to ensure human and environmental safety and
      promote the safe use of novel nanotechnologies. Nevertheless, there is a lack of
      comprehensive knowledge on AuNP effects in marine species. The present study
      aimed to assess AuNP effects in a marine teleost, Sparus aurata, by combining
      endpoints at different biological levels (molecular and biochemical). For that
      purpose, fish were exposed via water for 96h to 4, 80 and 1600MUgL(-1) of AuNP
      (~40nm) coated with citrate or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Results revealed a
      significant impact of AuNP-PVP in the hepatic expression of antioxidant, immune
      and apoptosis related genes. Total oxidative status was increased in plasma after
      exposure to the lowest concentration of AuNP-PVP, although without altering the
      total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, AuNP did not induce significant damage
      in the liver since the activity of neither hepatic indicator (aspartate
      aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) increased. Overall, the present study
      demonstrated that AuNP, even with a biocompatible coating is able to alter
      oxidative status and expression of relevant target genes in marine fish. Another
      important finding is that effects are mainly induced by the lowest and
      intermediate concentrations of the PVP coated AuNP revealing the importance of
      different coatings. 

PMID- 27267402
TI  - Acute neuromuscular and performance responses to Nordic hamstring exercises
      completed before or after football training.
AB  - The optimal scheduling of Nordic Hamstring exercises (NHEs) relative to football
      training sessions is unknown. We examined the acute neuromuscular and performance
      responses to NHE undertaken either before (BT) or after (AT) simulated football
      training. Twelve amateur players performed six sets of five repetitions of the
      NHE either before or after 60 min of standardised football-specific exercise
      (SAFT60). Surface electromyography signals (EMG) of the hamstring muscles were
      recorded during both the NHE, and maximum eccentric actions of the knee flexors
      (0.52 rad . s-1) performed before and after the NHE programme, and at 15 min
      intervals during SAFT60. Ten-metre sprint times were recorded on three occasions
      during each 15 min SAFT60 segment. Greater eccentric hamstring fatigue following
      the NHE programme was observed in BT versus AT (19.8 %; very likely small
      effect), which was particularly apparent in the latter range of knee flexion (0
      15 degrees ; 39.6%; likely moderate effect), and synonymous with hamstring EMG
      declines (likely small-likely moderate effects). Performing NHE BT attenuated
      sprint performance declines (2.0-3.2%; likely small effects), but decreased
      eccentric hamstring peak torque (-14.1 to -18.9%; likely small effects) during
      football-specific exercise. Performing NHE prior to football training reduces
      eccentric hamstring strength and may exacerbate hamstring injury risk.

PMID- 27267403
TI  - Association of DDX58 177 C > T polymorphism with decreased risk of Epstein-Barr
      virus-related nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
AB  - Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is frequently related to Epstein-Barr virus
      (EBV) infection. Its malignant capacity is attributed to disruption of an EBV
      host balance influenced by environmental and genetic drivers. EBV structures
      activate Type I interferon (IFN) pathway of the innate immunity, therefore,
      genetic polymorphisms could influence this response. We explored the impact of
      four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on EBV-associated cHL susceptibility.
      Toll-like receptors 9 (TLR9_rs5743836), and 3 (TLR3_rs3775291), Interleukin-28B
      (IL28B_rs12979860), and DEAD-box polypeptide 58 (DDX58_rs10813831) were genotyped
      in 73 EBV-positive and 106 EBV-negative cHL patients and 396 controls. Only
      DDX58_rs10813831 T-allele was decreased among EBV-positive cHL compared to
      controls. A stratified analysis in EBV-positive cHL showed that the reduced rate
      was associated with younger age and nodular sclerosis. In conclusion,
      DDX58_rs10813831 T-allele may be associated with a reduced risk of nodular
      sclerosis EBV-related cHL, which suggests a role for RIG-I (retinoic acid
      inducible gene I), encoded by DDX58, in these cases.

PMID- 27267404
TI  - Identification mouse patatin-like phospholipase domain containing protein 1 as a
      skin-specific and membrane-associated protein.
AB  - Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing protein 1 (PNPLA1) mutations have
      been identified to be associated with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis
      (ARCI) in recent years. However, its molecular characters have not been achieved
      until now. In the current study, the full length coding cDNA sequence of mouse
      PNPLA1 (mPNPLA1) was identified firstly. There were several putative
      transmembrane domains (TMDs) in mPNPLA1 by bioinformation analysis. mPNPLA1 was
      further found to be expressed exclusively in the membrane fraction in mammalian
      cells. However, it did not colocalized with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or
      lipid droplets (LDs). Moreover, the mRNA levels of mPNPLA1 was detected to be
      highly expressed in the skin, while very weak or even less in other mouse tissues
      by quantitative PCR. In addition, based on experiments with inhibitors and
      inducer of protein degradation pathways, mPNPLA1 was demonstrated to be degraded
      by macroautophagy, but not by the proteasome. These results indicated PNPLA1 was
      a skin-specific and membrane-associated protein for the first time, suggesting
      that it may mainly play a role in the skin. 

PMID- 27267401
TI  - Chemical Tools for Dissecting the Role of lncRNAs in Epigenetic Regulation.
AB  - Proper control and maintenance of gene expression is critical for cellular
      identity and maintenance. Transcription of RNA from the genome is intimately
      controlled by post-translational chemical modification of histone tails and DNA.
      Recent studies have demonstrated that chromatin-remodeling complexes seek out
      their target genomic loci through the help of noncoding RNA molecules. Within
      this Review, we will outline how the use of biochemical techniques has shed light
      on the mechanisms employed by RNA to guide these complexes and therefore control
      gene expression.

PMID- 27267405
TI  - Detection of piRNAs in whitespotted bamboo shark liver.
AB  - Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are 26 to 31-nt small non-coding RNAs that have
      been reported mostly in germ-line cells and cancer cells. However, the presence
      of piRNAs in the whitespotted bamboo shark liver has not yet been reported. In a
      previous study of microRNAs in shark liver, some piRNAs were detected from small
      RNAs sequenced by Solexa technology. A total of 4857 piRNAs were predicted and
      found in shark liver. We further selected 17 piRNAs with high and significantly
      differential expression between normal and regenerative liver tissues for
      subsequent verification by Northern blotting. Ten piRNAs were further identified,
      and six of these were matched to known piRNAs in piRNABank. The actual expression
      of six known and four novel piRNAs was validated by qRT-PCR. In addition, a total
      of 401 target genes of the 10 piRNAs were predicted by miRanda. Through GO and
      pathway function analyses, only five piRNAs could be annotated with eighteen GO
      annotations. The results indicated that the identified piRNAs are involved in
      many important biological responses, including immune inflammation, cell-specific
      differentiation and development, and angiogenesis. This manuscript provides the
      first identification of piRNAs in the liver of whitespotted bamboo shark using
      Solexa technology as well as further elucidation of the regulatory role of piRNAs
      in whitespotted bamboo shark liver. These findings may provide a useful resource
      and may facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies against liver
      damage. 

PMID- 27267406
TI  - Cloning and expression of retinoblastoma-binding protein 4 gene in embryo
      diapause termination and in response to salinity stress from brine shrimp Artemia
      sinica.
AB  - Retinoblastoma binding protein 4 (RBBP4) is a nuclear protein with four WD-repeat
      sequences and thus belongs to a highly conserved subfamily of proteins with such
      domains. This retinoblastoma-binding protein plays an important role in
      nucleosome assembly and histone modification, which influences gene transcription
      and regulates cell cycle and proliferation. Artemia sinica (brine shrimp)
      undergoes an unusual diapause process under stress conditions of high salinity
      and low temperature. However, the role of RBBP4 in diapause termination of embryo
      development in A. sinica remains unknown. Here, the full-length cDNA of the As
      rbbp4 gene was obtained from A. sinica and found to contain 1411 nucleotides,
      including a 1281 bp open reading frame (ORF), 63 bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR)
      and a 67-bp 3'-UTR, which encodes a 427 amino acid (48 kDa) protein.
      Bioinformatic analysis indicated As-RBBP4 to be mainly located in the nucleus,
      with a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.79. Protein sequence domain analysis
      showed that As-RBBP4 is a conserved protein, especially in the WD40 domain. No
      specificity in expression of this gene was observed in tissues or organs by in
      situ hybridization. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses of As
      RBBP4 gene and protein expression, respectively, showed notably high levels at 10
      h and a subsequent downward trend. Obvious trends in upregulation of As-RBBP4
      were observed under conditions of low temperature and high salinity stress. As
      E2F1 and As-CyclinE also presented similar trends as that of As-RBBP4 in Western
      blots. Analysis of the RBBP4 expression in early embryonic development of A.
      sinica indicated that this protein plays an important role in diapause
      termination and cell cycle regulation. 

PMID- 27267407
TI  - Annual Zebrafish Husbandry Workshop USA: A Resource for All Zebrafish Users.
AB  - Understandably, in the early years of the growth of the zebrafish model,
      husbandry parameters varied widely from laboratory to laboratory. But with the
      explosion in the number of investigators opting to utilize zebrafish in their
      research, the standardization of husbandry parameters is not only practical but
      also absolutely critical to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of
      experimental results. For more than 13 years, technicians, veterinarians,
      laboratory managers, regulatory officers, and investigators have joined together
      for an annual workshop on zebrafish husbandry. The meeting is held in conjunction
      with the World Aquaculture Society's annual conference, a congeries of fish
      experts and aquatic species enthusiasts. From a lineup of five speakers and
      perhaps 25 attendees, the workshop has grown to a one and a half day event with
      more than 20 speakers and ~90 attendees.

PMID- 27267408
TI  - Heterologous biosynthesis and manipulation of alkanes in Escherichia coli.
AB  - Biosynthesis of alkanes in microbial foundries offers a sustainable and green
      supplement to traditional fossil fuels. The dynamic equilibrium of fatty
      aldehydes, key intermediates, played a critical role in microbial alkanes
      production, due to the poor catalytic capability of aldehyde deformylating
      oxygenase (ADO). In our study, exploration of competitive pathway together with
      multi-modular optimization was utilized to improve fatty aldehydes balance and
      consequently enhance alkanes formation in Escherichia coli. Endogenous fatty
      alcohol formation was supposed to be competitive with alkane production, since
      both of the two routes consumed the same intermediate-fatty aldehyde.
      Nevertheless, in our case, alkanes production in E. coli was enhanced from trace
      amount to 58.8mg/L by the facilitation of moderate fatty alcohol biosynthesis,
      which was validated by deletion of endogenous aldehyde reductase (AHR),
      overexpression of fatty alcohol oxidase (FAO) and consequent transcriptional
      assay of aar, ado and adhP genes. Moreover, alkanes production was further
      improved to 81.8mg/L, 86.6mg/L or 101.7mg/L by manipulation of fatty acid
      biosynthesis, lipids degradation or electron transfer system modules, which
      directly referenced to fatty aldehydes dynamic pools. A titer of 1.31g/L alkanes
      was achieved in 2.5L fed-batch fermentation, which was the highest reported titer
      in E. coli. Our research has offered a reference for chemical overproduction in
      microbial cell factories facilitated by exploring competitive pathway.

PMID- 27267410
TI  - Gene Therapy Briefs.

PMID- 27267409
TI  - Optimal tracers for parallel labeling experiments and 13C metabolic flux
      analysis: A new precision and synergy scoring system.
AB  - 13C-Metabolic flux analysis (13C-MFA) is a widely used approach in metabolic
      engineering for quantifying intracellular metabolic fluxes. The precision of
      fluxes determined by 13C-MFA depends largely on the choice of isotopic tracers
      and the specific set of labeling measurements. A recent advance in the field is
      the use of parallel labeling experiments for improved flux precision and
      accuracy. However, as of today, no systemic methods exist for identifying optimal
      tracers for parallel labeling experiments. In this contribution, we have
      addressed this problem by introducing a new scoring system and evaluating
      thousands of different isotopic tracer schemes. Based on this extensive analysis
      we have identified optimal tracers for 13C-MFA. The best single tracers were
      doubly 13C-labeled glucose tracers, including [1,6-13C]glucose, [5,6-13C]glucose
      and [1,2-13C]glucose, which consistently produced the highest flux precision
      independent of the metabolic flux map (here, 100 random flux maps were
      evaluated). Moreover, we demonstrate that pure glucose tracers perform better
      overall than mixtures of glucose tracers. For parallel labeling experiments the
      optimal isotopic tracers were [1,6-13C]glucose and [1,2-13C]glucose. Combined
      analysis of [1,6-13C]glucose and [1,2-13C]glucose labeling data improved the flux
      precision score by nearly 20-fold compared to widely use tracer mixture 80% [1
      13C]glucose +20% [U-13C]glucose.

PMID- 27267411
TI  - Lower Extremity Kinematic Profile of Gait of Patients After Ankle Fracture: A
      Case-Control Study.
AB  - The present study examined the differences in the lower extremity gait kinematic
      profile of patients recovering from ankle fracture compared with healthy
      controls. In addition, we inquired whether the profile would differ among
      fracture severity groups. A total of 48 patients participated in the present
      prospective, case-control study. The gait of 24 patients recovering from an ankle
      fracture injury and 24 healthy matched controls was examined using an inertial
      measurement unit sensor system. The following gait parameters were evaluated:
      knee range of motion (ROM) during the swing phase, maximum knee flexion angle
      during stance, thigh and calf ROM, and stride duration. Statistically significant
      differences were found between the ankle fracture group and the control group for
      all parameters. The patients with ankle fracture had a lower knee ROM during
      swing phase compared with the control group (mean +/- standard deviation 43.0
      degrees  +/- 15.5 degrees  compared with 66.7 degrees  +/- 5.1 degrees ,
      respectively; p < .001). The maximum knee flexion angle during stance was lower
      in the patients with ankle fracture than in the control group (mean +/- standard
      deviation 10.5 degrees  +/- 6.1 degrees  compared with 21.2 degrees  +/- 4.5
      degrees , respectively; p < .001). Patients with ankle fracture also had lower
      gait cycle thigh and calf ROM angles (p < .001) and a longer stride duration (p <
      .001) compared with the control group. No statistically significant differences
      were found among the severity groups. These results suggest that the gait
      kinematic characteristics vary between healthy people and patients recovering
      from an ankle fracture injury during the short-term period after injury. 

PMID- 27267412
TI  - Functional Outcomes After Temporary Bridging With Locking Plates in Lisfranc
      Injuries.
AB  - The standard operative treatment of Lisfranc fracture dislocations currently
      consists of open reduction and transarticular fixation. Recently, bridge plating
      has been used more often. Using joint spanning, the reduced fracture dislocation
      is temporary stabilized to minimize articular damage. The present study describes
      the outcomes of patients treated with bridge plating after tarsometatarsal
      fracture dislocations compared with transarticular screw fixation. A
      retrospective cohort study was performed. Patients with an isolated
      tarsometatarsal injury who had been treated operatively from June 2000 to October
      2013 were included. The primary functional outcome was measured using the
      American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society midfoot score and the Foot Function
      Index. The secondary outcome was patient satisfaction, which was measured using
      the EuroQol 5 dimensions questionnaire and a visual analog scale. A total of 34
      patients were included. Bridge plating was used in 21 patients. In 13 patients,
      Kirschner wires or transarticular screws or a combination were used. The median
      follow-up period was 49 (interquartile range 18 to 89) months. The implants were
      removed in 10 of 13 patients in the transarticular group and 17 of 21 patients in
      the bridge plating group. The incidence of wound complications was comparable in
      both groups. The median American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was
      lower in the transarticular group (77 versus 66). The Foot Function Index score
      was 18 in both groups. Patient satisfaction was 90% in the bridge plating group
      and 80% in the transarticular group. Bridge plating for Lisfranc injuries led to
      at least similar results compared with transarticular fixation in terms of
      functional outcomes and patient satisfaction. Longer follow-up is necessary to
      determine whether the prevention of secondary damage to the articular surface
      leads to less post-traumatic arthritis and better functional outcomes. 

PMID- 27267413
TI  - Ultrasound-Guided Therapy for Knee and Foot Ganglion Cysts.
AB  - The present study evaluated the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided
      aspiration/injection of ganglion cysts in the lower extremities (knee and foot)
      that required referral to the radiology department for precise localization. The
      present study is the first series to describe such results. The study population
      consisted of 15 patients who had undergone treatment from April 2012 to January
      2015. Follow-up was by telephone survey, which was performed at a mean of 15 +/-
      6 months after treatment. Almost 90% of patients experienced immediate
      improvement in symptoms (mostly pain), and 77% of these patients had not
      experienced a recurrence of symptoms at a mean follow-up time of 14 +/- 6 months.
      In conclusion, ultrasound-guided therapy is a safe and potentially effective
      treatment for most cases of symptomatic lower extremity ganglion cysts.

PMID- 27267415
TI  - Anthracene-terpyridine metal complexes as new G-quadruplex DNA binders.
AB  - The formation of quadruple-stranded DNA induced by planar metal complexes has
      particular interest in the development of novel anticancer drugs. This is
      especially relevant for the inhibition of telomerase, which plays an essential
      role in cancer cell immortalization and is overexpressed in ca. 85-90% of cancer
      cells. Moreover, G-quadruplexes also exist in other locations in the human
      genome, namely oncogene promoter regions, and it has been hypothesized that they
      play a regulatory role in gene transcription. Herein we report a series of new
      anthracene-containing terpyridine ligands and the corresponding Cu(II) and Pt(II)
      complexes, with different linkers between the anthracenyl moiety and the
      terpyridine chelating unit. The interaction of these ligands and metal complexes
      with different topologies of DNA was studied by several biophysical techniques.
      The Pt(II) and Cu(II) complexes tested showed affinity for quadruplex-forming
      sequences with a good selectivity over duplex DNA. Importantly, the free ligands
      do not have significant affinity for any of the DNA sequences used, which shows
      that the presence of the metal is essential for high affinity (and selectivity).
      This effect is more evident in the case of the Pt(II) complexes. Moreover, the
      presence of a longer linker between the chelating terpyridine unit and the
      anthracene moiety enhances the interaction with G-quadruplex-forming sequences.
      We further evaluated the ability of the Cu(II) complexes to interact with, and
      stabilize G-quadruplex containing regions in oncogene promoters via a polymerase
      stop assay. These studies indicated that the metal complexes are able to induce G
      quadruplex formation and stop polymerase activity.

PMID- 27267414
TI  - Insights into the transcriptional and translational mechanisms of linear
      organellar chromosomes in the box jellyfish Alatina alata (Cnidaria: Medusozoa:
      Cubozoa).
AB  - BACKGROUND: In most animals, the mitochondrial genome is characterized by its
      small size, organization into a single circular molecule, and a relative
      conservation of the number of encoded genes. In box jellyfish (Cubozoa,
      Cnidaria), the mitochondrial genome is organized into 8 linear mito-chromosomes
      harboring between one and 4 genes each, including 2 extra protein-coding genes:
      mt-polB and orf314. Such an organization challenges the traditional view of
      mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) expression in animals. In this study, we investigate
      the pattern of mitochondrial gene expression in the box jellyfish Alatina alata,
      as well as several key nuclear-encoded molecular pathways involved in the
      processing of mitochondrial gene transcription. RESULTS: Read coverage of DNA-seq
      data is relatively uniform for all 8 mito-chromosomes, suggesting that each mito
      chromosome is present in equimolar proportion in the mitochondrion. Comparison of
      DNA and RNA-seq based assemblies indicates that mito-chromosomes are transcribed
      into individual transcripts in which the beginning and ending are highly
      conserved. Expression levels for mt-polB and orf314 are similar to those of other
      mitochondrial-encoded genes, which provides further evidence for them having
      functional roles in the mitochondrion. Survey of the transcriptome suggests
      recognition of the mitochondrial tRNA-Met by the cytoplasmic aminoacyl-tRNA
      synthetase counterpart and C-to-U editing of the cytoplasmic tRNA-Trp after
      import into the mitochondrion. Moreover, several mitochondrial ribosomal proteins
      appear to be lost. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first survey of
      mitochondrial gene expression of the linear multi-chromosomal mtDNA in box
      jellyfish (Cubozoa). Future exploration of small RNAs and the proteome of the
      mitochondrion will test the hypotheses presented herein.

PMID- 27267420
TI  - Hunting Down HIV-1 Gag Proteins at the Plasma Membrane of Human T Lymphocytes.

PMID- 27267416
TI  - Descriptive Characteristics and Initial Psychometric Properties of the Non
      Suicidal Self-Injury Disorder Scale.
AB  - Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is highly prevalent and associated with tissue
      damage, emotional distress, and psychiatric disorders. While often discussed in
      the context of Borderline Personality Disorder and suicide, research demonstrates
      that NSSI is distinct from these constructs and should be viewed as an
      independent diagnostic category. Recently, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Disorder
      (NSSID) was included in the revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
      Disorders as a condition for further study. In this article, we describe the
      properties of a self-report measure designed to assess proposed criteria for
      NSSID. Undergraduate students at 2 large, public universities completed the NSSID
      Scale (NSSIDS) along with other measures of NSSI characteristics and
      psychopathology. Among participants with a history of NSSI, approximately half
      (54.55%) met diagnostic criteria for NSSID. Participants were most frequently
      excluded from an NSSID diagnosis on the basis of criterion A (frequency of NSSI)
      and criterion E (distress or impairment related to NSSI), while participants were
      least likely to be excluded from diagnosis on the basis of criterion D (NSSI
      method exclusions) and criterion F (diagnostic "rule-outs"). Consistent with
      previous literature, the most commonly reported precipitants to NSSI were
      negative feelings or thoughts (criterion C2). Participants who met criteria for
      NSSID reported more severe depression, anxiety, and NSSI than participants who
      engaged in NSSI but did not meet criteria for NSSID. These results support the
      use of the NSSIDS as a reliable and valid self-report measure of NSSID symptoms.

PMID- 27267421
TI  - Palladium-Catalyzed Alkoxycarbonylation of Unactivated Secondary Alkyl Bromides
      at Low Pressure.
AB  - Catalytic carbonylations of organohalides are important C-C bond formations in
      chemical synthesis. Carbonylations of unactivated alkyl halides remain a
      challenge and currently require the use of alkyl iodides under harsh conditions
      and high pressures of CO. Herein we report a palladium-catalyzed
      alkoxycarbonylation of secondary alkyl bromides that proceeds at low pressure (2
      atm CO) under mild conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies are consistent
      with a hybrid organometallic-radical process. These reactions efficiently deliver
      esters from unactivated alkyl bromides across a diverse range of substrates and
      represent the first catalytic carbonylations of alkyl bromides with carbon
      monoxide.

PMID- 27267422
TI  - Unexpected Role of p-Toluenesulfonylmethyl Isocyanide as a Sulfonylating Agent in
      Reactions with alpha-Bromocarbonyl Compounds.
AB  - The reactions of p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) with alpha
      bromocarbonyl compounds leading efficiently to alpha-sulfonated ketones, esters,
      and amides were reported, in which an explicit new role of TosMIC as the
      sulfonylating agent was uncovered for the first time. Mechanistic study by
      control experiments and DFT calculations suggested that the reaction is initiated
      by Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed hydration of TosMIC to form a formamide intermediate, which
      undergoes facile C-S bond cleavage under the mediation of a Cs2CO3 additive.

PMID- 27267423
TI  - Concentrations and human health implications of heavy metals in wild aquatic
      organisms captured from the core area of Daya Bay's Fishery Resource Reserve,
      South China Sea.
AB  - Heavy metal concentrations in edible organisms from the core area of Daya Bay's
      Fishery Resource Reserve, South China Sea, were determined. Samples of 14
      crustacean, fish, and shellfish species were collected and analyzed. The As, Cd,
      Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations were 0.18-1.16, 0.002-0.919, 0.40-2.85,
      0.07-4.10, 0.004-0.055, 0.14-1.19, 0.014-0.070, and 4.57-15.94MUg/g wet weight,
      respectively. The As concentrations were higher than the Chinese maximum
      permissible levels in all of the fish and shellfish species and two crustacean
      species, indicating that consumption of these wild species by humans may pose
      health risks. However, calculations of the health risks posed to humans indicated
      that no significant adverse health effects would be associated with consuming
      these species. 

PMID- 27267424
TI  - A reliable, non-invasive technique for measuring growth in tadpoles exposed to
      salt.
AB  - The use of chemical de-icers raises salt levels in roadside streams and ponds,
      which has adverse effects on tadpole development. Experiments on the effects of
      de-icers on tadpole development are often hampered by difficulties measuring body
      size without introducing handling stress that may skew results or cause
      unintended mortality. We have found a linear relationship between surface area
      and body mass in tadpoles that is unaffected by exposure to salt. Measuring
      surface area is therefore a suitable technique whose use should be encouraged
      when investigating the effects of salt exposure on tadpole growth and
      development. 

PMID- 27267425
TI  - miRNA-216 and miRNA-499 target cyb561d2 in zebrafish in response to fipronil
      exposure.
AB  - MicroRNA (miRNA) can regulate the expression of its target gene by mediating mRNA
      cleavage or by translational repression at a post-transcriptional level. Usually,
      one miRNA may regulate many genes as its targets, while one gene may also be
      targeted by many miRNAs. We previously demonstrated that cyb561d2, whose protein
      product is involved in cell defense, and chemical stress, is targeted by miR-155
      in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) when exposed to fipronil (5-amino-1-[2,6
      dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl) sulphinyl]-1H-pyrazole
      3-carbonitrile). Microcosm Targets prediction showed that the cyb561d2 gene is
      also highly possibly targeted by miR-194a, miR-216b, miR-429, and miR-499. These
      interactions need to be further validated experimentally. In this study, we
      evaluated the effects of fipronil on miR-194a, miR-216b, miR-429, miR-499 and
      cyb561d2 in zebrafish and investigated whether these four miRNAs could regulate
      the expression of cyb561d2 in both mRNA and protein levels. The expression of
      cyb561d2 was upregulated in both mRNA and protein level in a dose-dependent
      manner upon stimulation of fipronil, and miR-216b and miR-499 were downregulated
      concurrently, whereas there was no significant changes were observed in the
      expression level of miR-194a and miR-429. The dual luciferase report assay
      demonstrated that miR-216b and miR-499 interacted with cyb561d2 3'-untranslated
      regions (3'-UTR), miR-194a and miR-429 did not stimulate degradation of cyb561d2
      mRNA. The expression of cyb561d2 was reduced in both mRNA and protein level when
      ZF4 cells were transfected with miR-499 mimic, whereas expression level of both
      mRNA and protein was increased when endogenous miR-499 was inhibited by
      transfection with miR-499 inhibitor. Likewise, the mRNA and protein level of
      cyb561d2 was affected by treatment with the mimics and the inhibitor of miR-216b.
      In contrast, when ZF4 cells were transfected with a mimic of miR-194a or miR-429,
      the expression of cyb561d2 mRNA was not significantly changed. As a result,
      cyb561d2 is targeted by miR-155, miR-216b and miR-499 upon fipronil exposure, and
      miR-194a and miR-429 can not target cyb561d2. The expression pattern of these 3
      miRNAs presents novel fipronil responses that could be used as a toxicological
      biomarker. 

PMID- 27267427
TI  - Deprotonation Induced Ligand Oxidation in a Ni(II) Complex of a Redox Noninnocent
      N(1)-(2-Aminophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine and Its Use in Catalytic Alcohol
      Oxidation.
AB  - Two nickel(II)-complexes, [Ni(II)(H3L)2](ClO4)2 ([1](ClO4)2) and [Ni(II)(HL)2]
      (2), containing the redox-active tridentate ligand N(1)-(2-aminophenyl)benzene
      1,2-diamine (H3L) have been synthesized. Complex [1](ClO4)2 is octahedral
      containing two neutral H3L ligands in a facial coordination mode, whereas complex
      2 is a singlet diradical species with approximately planar configuration at the
      tetracoordinate metal atom with two pendant NH2 side arms from each of the
      coordinated ligands. Both complexes are found to be chemically interconvertible;
      complex [1](2+) gets converted to complex 2 when exposed to base and oxygen via
      simultaneous deprotonation and oxidation of the coordinated ligands. Molecular
      and electronic structures of the isolated complexes are scrutinized thoroughly by
      various spectroscopic techniques, single crystal X-ray crystallography, and
      density functional theory. The observed dissociation of a ligand arm upon
      oxidation of the ligand was exploited to bring about catalytic alcohol oxidation
      using coordinatively saturated complex [1](ClO4)2 as a catalyst precursor. Both
      the complexes [1](ClO4)2and 2 were tested for catalytic oxidation of both primary
      and secondary alcohols. 

PMID- 27267426
TI  - Shift from darbepoetin-alpha to continuous erythropoietin receptor activator
      decreases serum aluminium concentration in patients on hemodialysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The response of erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESA) in uremic
      patients may be associated with the changes of biochemical parameters, metal
      elements and inflammation status during the shift from one ESA to another.
      METHOD: We compared changes in above mentioned factors after switching from
      darbepoetin-alpha (DPO) 20MUg weekly for 10 weeks to continuous erythropoietin
      receptor activator (CERA) 100MUg monthly for 10 weeks in uremic patients on
      hemodialysis. The haematocrit (Hct), metal elements and inflammation status are
      the primary outcome. Subjects included 54 patients without transfusion or
      bleeding or additional ESAs. Responders (IR, n=36) were defined as patients with
      an increase in Hct after the swtich. RESULT: Although there was no significant
      difference in overall mean Hct after the switch (p=0.135), there are
      significantly greater mean number of red blood cells (RBC) (p=0.006), higher
      platelet numbers (p=0.001), larger RBCs (p=0.017) and higher creatinine (p=0.04)
      and total cholesterol (T-CHOL) (p=0.003) levels. Mean overall aluminium (Al)
      level decreased significantly (p=0.001). C-reactive protein (CRP) also decreased
      (p=0.016). The overall LDH increased (p=0.049) and potassium decreased
      significantly (p=0.036), which indicating active erythropoiesis. The calcium (Ca)
      level was significantly higher (p=0.034) and phosphate was significantly lower
      (p=0.028) after the shift. Although there was no significant increase in overall
      levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) after the shift (p=0.061), but the pre-shift
      and post-shift PTH level was significantly higher in IRs than in non-IRs (p=0.003
      and p=0.027, respectively). IRs had a significantly lower initial T-CHOL (p=0.03)
      and initial CRP (p=0.012) than non-responders, which may be related to lower
      inflammation. CONCLUSION: We found the shift from DPO to CERA results in lower Al
      levels, a reduced inflammatory response, and an increase in RBC number and PTH
      level in uremic patients on hemodialysis.

PMID- 27267428
TI  - Effects of Bulky Substituents of Push-Pull Porphyrins on Photovoltaic Properties
      of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - To evaluate the effects of substituent bulkiness around a porphyrin core on the
      photovoltaic properties of porphyrin-sensitized solar cells, long alkoxy groups
      were introduced at the meso-phenyl group (ZnPBAT-o-C8) and the anchoring group
      (ZnPBAT-o-C8Cn, n = 4, 8) of an asymmetrically substituted push-pull porphyrin
      with double electron-donating diarylamino groups and a single electron
      withdrawing carboxyphenylethynyl anchoring group. The spectroscopic and
      electrochemical properties of ZnPBAT-o-C8 and ZnPBAT-o-C8Cn were found to be
      superior to those of a push-pull porphyrin reference (YD2-o-C8), demonstrating
      their excellent light-harvesting and redox properties for dye-sensitized solar
      cells. A power conversion efficiency (eta) of the ZnPBAT-o-C8-sensitized solar
      cell (eta = 9.1%) is higher than that of the YD2-o-C8-sensitized solar cell (eta
      = 8.6%) using iodine-based electrolyte due to the enhanced light-harvesting
      ability of ZnPBAT-o-C8. In contrast, the solar cells based on ZnPBAT-o-C8Cn,
      possessing the additional alkoxy chains in the anchoring group, revealed the
      lower eta values of 7.3% (n = 4) and 7.0% (n = 8). Although ZnPBAT-o-C8Cn
      exhibited higher resistance at the TiO2-dye-electrolyte interface by virtue of
      the extra alkoxy chains, the reduced amount of the porphyrins on TiO2 by
      excessive addition of coadsorbent chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) for mitigating the
      aggregation on TiO2 resulted in the low eta values. Meanwhile, the ZnPBAT-o-C8
      sensitized solar cell showed the lower eta value of 8.1% than the YD2-o-C8
      sensitized solar cell (eta = 9.8%) using cobalt-based electrolyte. The smaller
      eta value of the ZnPBAT-o-C8-sensitized solar cell may be attributed to the
      insufficient blocking effect of the bulky substituents of ZnPBAT-o-C8 under the
      cobalt-based electrolyte conditions. Overall, the alkoxy chain length and
      substitution position around the porphyrin core are important factors to affect
      the cell performance. 

PMID- 27267429
TI  - Sodium pyrophosphate enhances iron bioavailability from bouillon cubes fortified
      with ferric pyrophosphate.
AB  - Fe fortification of centrally manufactured and frequently consumed condiments
      such as bouillon cubes could help prevent Fe deficiency in developing countries.
      However, Fe compounds that do not cause sensory changes in the fortified product,
      such as ferric pyrophosphate (FePP), exhibit low absorption in humans. Tetra
      sodium pyrophosphate (NaPP) can form soluble complexes with Fe, which could
      increase Fe bioavailability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate
      Fe bioavailability from bouillon cubes fortified with either FePP only,
      FePP+NaPP, ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) only, or FeSO4+NaPP. We first conducted in
      vitro studies using a protocol of simulated digestion to assess the dialysable
      and ionic Fe, and the cellular ferritin response in a Caco-2 cell model. Second,
      Fe absorption from bouillon prepared from intrinsically labelled cubes (2.5 mg
      stable Fe isotopes/cube) was assessed in twenty-four Fe-deficient women, by
      measuring Fe incorporation into erythrocytes 2 weeks after consumption. Fe
      bioavailability in humans increased by 46 % (P<0.005) when comparing bouillons
      fortified with FePP only (4.4 %) and bouillons fortified with FePP+NaPP (6.4 %).
      Fe absorption from bouillons fortified with FeSO4 only and with FeSO4+NaPP was
      33.8 and 27.8 %, respectively (NS). The outcome from the human study is in
      agreement with the dialysable Fe from the in vitro experiments. Our findings
      suggest that the addition of NaPP could be a promising strategy to increase Fe
      absorption from FePP-fortified bouillon cubes, and if confirmed by further
      research, for other fortified foods with complex food matrices as well. 

PMID- 27267430
TI  - Decreasing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the United States, 2007-2012:
      Epidemiologic findings from a large US claims database.
AB  - AIMS: To explore epidemiological trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in the
      US between 2007 and 2012 using a large US claims database, with a particular
      focus on demographics, prevalence, newly-diagnosed cases, and comorbidities.
      METHODS: Truven Health MarketScan(r) Databases were used to identify patients
      with claims evidence of T2D in the years 2007 and 2012. Newly-diagnosed T2D was
      characterized by an absence of any T2D claims or related drug claims for 6months
      preceding the index claim. Demographic and comorbidity characteristics of the
      prevalent and new-onset T2D groups were compared and analyzed descriptively for
      trends over time. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of T2D remained stable from
      2007 (1.24 million cases/15.07 million enrolled; 8.2%) to 2012 (2.04 million
      cases/24.52 million enrolled; 8.3%), while the percentage of newly-diagnosed
      cases fell dramatically from 2007 (152,252 cases; 1.1%) to 2012 (147,011 cases;
      0.65%). The mean age of patients with prevalent T2D was similar in 2007 (60.6y)
      and 2012 (60.0y), while the mean age of newly-diagnosed T2D patients decreased by
      3years from 2007 (57.7y) to 2012 (54.8y). Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were
      the most common comorbidities, evident in 50-75% of T2D patients, and increased
      markedly from 2007 to 2012 in both prevalent and new-onset T2D populations.
      Cardiovascular disease decreased slightly in prevalent (-0.9%) and new-onset (
      2.8%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: This large US health claims database analysis suggests
      stabilization in prevalence and declining incidence of T2D over a recent 5-year
      period, a downward shift in age at T2D diagnosis, but increases in several
      comorbidities.

PMID- 27267431
TI  - Lispro administered by the QS-M Needle-Free Jet Injector generates an earlier
      insulin exposure.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and
      pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) profiles of lispro administered by the QS-M needle-free
      jet injector in Chinese subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized,
      double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over study was performed. Eighteen healthy
      volunteers were recruited. Lispro (0.2 units/kg) was administered by the QS-M
      needle-free jet injector or by conventional pen. Seven-hour euglycemic clamp
      tests were performed. RESULTS: A larger area under the curve (AUCs) of insulin
      concentration and glucose infusion rate (GIR) during the first 20 minutes after
      lispro injection by the jet injector compared to the insulin pen was observed
      (24.91 +/- 15.25 vs. 12.52 +/- 7.60 mg. kg(-1), P < 0.001 for AUCGIR,0-20 min;
      0.36 +/- 0.24 vs. 0.10 +/- 0.04 U min L(-1), P < 0.001 for AUCINS, 0-20 min).
      Needle-free injection showed a shorter time to reach maximum insulin
      concentration (37.78 +/- 11.14 vs. 80.56 +/- 37.18 min, P < 0.001) and GIR (73.24
      +/- 29.89 vs. 116.18 +/- 51.89 min, P = 0.006). There were no differences in
      total insulin exposure and hypoglycemic effects between the two devices.
      CONCLUSION: Lispro administered by QS-M needle-free injector results in earlier
      and higher insulin exposure than conventional pen, and a greater early glucose
      lowering effect with similar overall potency.

PMID- 27267432
TI  - Polymer-Embedded Fabrication of Co2P Nanoparticles Encapsulated in N,P-Doped
      Graphene for Hydrogen Generation.
AB  - We developed a method to engineer well-distributed dicobalt phosphide (Co2P)
      nanoparticles encapsulated in N,P-doped graphene (Co2P@NPG) as electrocatalysts
      for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We fabricated such nanostructure by the
      absorption of initiator and functional monomers, including acrylamide and phytic
      acid on graphene oxides, followed by UV-initiated polymerization, then by
      adsorption of cobalt ions and finally calcination to form N,P-doped graphene
      structures. Our experimental results show significantly enhanced performance for
      such engineered nanostructures due to the synergistic effect from nanoparticles
      encapsulation and nitrogen and phosphorus doping on graphene structures. The
      obtained Co2P@NPG modified cathode exhibits small overpotentials of only -45 mV
      at 1 mA cm(-2), respectively, with a low Tafel slope of 58 mV dec(-1) and high
      exchange current density of 0.21 mA cm(-2) in 0.5 M H2SO4. In addition,
      encapsulation by N,P-doped graphene effectively prevent nanoparticle from
      corrosion, exhibiting nearly unfading catalytic performance after 30 h testing.
      This versatile method also opens a door for unprecedented design and fabrication
      of novel low-cost metal phosphide electrocatalysts encapsulated by graphene.

PMID- 27267433
TI  - Steady-State and Time-Resolved Studies into the Origin of the Intrinsic
      Fluorescence of G-Quadruplexes.
AB  - Stretches of guanines in DNA and RNA can fold into guanine quadruplex structures
      (GQSs). These structures protect telomeres in DNA and regulate gene expression in
      RNA. GQSs have an intrinsic fluorescence that is sensitive to different
      parameters, including loop sequence and length. However, the dependence of GQS
      fluorescence on solution and sequence parameters and the origin of this
      fluorescence are poorly understood. Herein we examine effects of dangling
      nucleotides and cosolute conditions on GQS fluorescence using both steady-state
      and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The quantum yield of
      dGGGTGGGTGGGTGGG, termed "dG3T", is found to be modest at ~2 * 10(-3).
      Nevertheless, dG3T and its variants are significantly brighter than the common
      nucleic acid fluorophore 2-aminopurine (2AP) largely due to their sizable
      extinction coefficients. Dangling 5'-end nucleotides generally reduce emission
      and blue-shift the resultant spectrum, whereas dangling 3'-end nucleotides
      slightly enhance fluorescence, particularly on the red side of the emission band.
      Time-resolved fluorescence decays are broadly distributed in time and require
      three exponential components for accurate fits. Time-resolved emission spectra
      suggest the presence of two emitting populations centered at ~330 and ~390 nm,
      with the redder component being a well-defined long-lived (~1 ns) entity.
      Insights into GQS fluorescence obtained here should be useful in designing
      brighter intrinsic RNA and DNA quadruplexes for use in label-free
      biotechnological applications.

PMID- 27267434
TI  - Pharmacophore modeling, comprehensive 3D-QSAR, and binding mode analysis of TGR5
      agonists.
AB  - Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) is emerging as an important and
      promising target for the development of anti-diabetic drugs. Pharmacophore
      modeling and atom-based 3D-QSAR studies were carried out on a new series of 5
      phenoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamides as highly potent agonists of
      TGR5. The generated best six featured pharmacophore model AAHHRR consists of two
      hydrogen bond acceptors (A): two hydrophobic groups (H) and two aromatic rings
      (R). The constructed 3D-QSAR model acquired excellent correlation coefficient
      value (R2 = 0.9018), exhibited good predictive power (Q2 = 0.8494) and high
      Fisher ratio (F = 61.2). The pharmacophore model was validated through Guner
      Henry (GH) scoring method. The GH value of 0.5743 indicated that the AAHHRR model
      was statistically valuable and reliable in the identification of TGR5 agonists.
      Furthermore, the combined approach of molecular docking and binding free energy
      calculations were carried out for the 5-phenoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4
      carboxamides to explore the binding mode and interaction pattern. The generated
      contour maps revealed the important structural insights for the activity of the
      compounds. The results obtained from this study could be helpful in the
      development of novel and more potent agonists of TGR5.

PMID- 27267435
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27267436
TI  - Modified Karydakis procedure for giant pilonidal sinus.

PMID- 27267437
TI  - Nanostructural Characterization of Kidney Stones as a Tool for Hardness
      Evaluation and Nanomedicine Development.

PMID- 27267438
TI  - Development of Obesity: Mechanisms and Physiology.
AB  - Normal adult animals living in nonstressful environments that receive
      nutritionally sound diets balance their energy expenditure with their energy
      intake over the long-term. Most knowledge of mechanisms underlying the precise
      balance of energy is derived from research on rodent models and human correlates.
      This knowledge is believed applicable and pertinent for understanding causes of
      obesity in dogs and cats. The roles of satiation and adiposity feedback,
      cognitive input, energy expenditure, and physical activity are reviewed. Dietary
      and environmental factors especially relevant to promotion of overweight body
      condition are reviewed. These include dietary fat and palatability, inactive and
      stressful lifestyle, and obesogenic effects of neutering. 

PMID- 27267439
TI  - Other Risks/Possible Benefits of Obesity.
AB  - Obesity is not a cosmetic or social issue; it is an animal health issue. The
      metabolic effects of obesity on insulin resistance and development of
      hyperlipidemia and the mechanical stress excess weight places on the
      musculoskeletal system are well established in the literature. Additional health
      risks from obesity, such as fatty accumulation in the liver, intestinal bacterial
      dysbiosis, and changes to renal architecture, are less well understood, but have
      been demonstrated to occur clinically in obese animals and may lead to
      deleterious long-term health effects. Keeping dogs and cats lean lowers their
      risk for development of certain diseases and leads to a longer and better quality
      of life. 

PMID- 27267440
TI  - Can symptoms help in differential diagnosis between substance-induced vs
      independent psychosis in adults with a lifetime diagnosis of cocaine use
      disorder?
AB  - The main goal of this study it is explore the psychopathological differences
      between IPD and SIPD in a sample of 125 adults with a lifetime diagnosis of
      cocaine disorder recruited from treatment setting and through street contacts. A
      secondary analysis of six cross-sectional studies was conducted between 2000 and
      2010. SIPD and IPD were diagnosed using the Psychiatric Research Interview for
      Substance and Mental Disorders (PRISM). 38 subjects (30.4%) were diagnosed with
      lifetime IPD and 87 (69.6%) with lifetime SIPD. A binomial logistic regression
      analysis using SIPD as the reference group showed that only previous prison
      admissions (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.05, 6.36) and visual hallucinations (OR 5.21; 95%
      CI 1.54, 17.65) remained significant variables in the group with lifetime SIPD.
      In the group with lifetime IPD, grandiose delusions (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.06, 0.60)
      and disorganized speech (OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.04, 0.61) remained significant. Model
      predicts the diagnosis of lifetime SIPD with a sensitivity of 80.3% and a
      specificity of 78.2%. This clinical profile of lifetime SIPD could help
      distinguish between IPD and SIPD among adults with lifetime diagnosis of cocaine
      disorder.

PMID- 27267441
TI  - CRY1 and CRY2 genetic variants in seasonality: A longitudinal and cross-sectional
      study.
AB  - Cryptochromes are key components of the circadian clocks that generate and
      maintain seasonal variations. The aim of our study was to analyze the
      associations of CRY1 and CRY2 genetic variants with the problematicity of
      seasonal variations, and whether the problematicity of seasonal variations
      changed during the follow-up of 11 years. Altogether 21 CRY1 and 16 CRY2 single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped and analyzed in 5910 individuals
      from a Finnish nationwide population-based sample who had filled in the self
      report on the seasonal variations in mood and behavior in the year 2000. In the
      year 2011, 3356 of these individuals filled in the same self-report on the
      seasonal variations in mood and behavior. Regression models were used to test
      whether any of the SNPs associated with the problematicity of seasonal variations
      or with a change in the problematicity from 2000 to 2011. In the longitudinal
      analysis, CRY2 SNP rs61884508 was protective from worsening of problematicity of
      seasonal variations. In the cross-sectional analysis, CRY2 SNP rs72902437 showed
      evidence of association with problematicity of seasonal variations, as did SNP
      rs1554338 (in the MAPK8IP1 and downstream of CRY2).

PMID- 27267443
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 27267442
TI  - Flourishing after depression: Factors associated with achieving complete mental
      health among those with a history of depression.
AB  - This study investigated factors associated with complete mental health among a
      nationally representative sample of Canadians with a history of depression by
      conducting secondary analysis of the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-
      Mental Health (n=20,955). Complete mental health was defined as 1) the absence of
      mental illness, substance abuse, or suicidal ideation in the past year; 2)
      happiness or life satisfaction almost every day/past month, and 3) social and
      psychological well-being. The prevalence of complete mental health among those
      with and without a history of depression was determined. In a sample of formerly
      depressed respondents (n=2528), a series of logistic regressions were completed
      controlling for demographics, socioeconomic status, health and lifetime mental
      health conditions, health behaviours, social support, adverse childhood
      experiences, and religiosity. Two in five individuals (39%) with a history of
      depression had achieved complete mental health in comparison to 78% of those
      without a history of depression. In comparison to the formally depressed adults
      who were not in complete mental health, those in complete mental health were more
      likely to be female, White, older, affluent, married, with a confidant, free of
      disabling pain, insomnia, and childhood adversities and without a history of
      substance abuse. They were also more likely to exercise regularly and use
      spirituality to cope.

PMID- 27267445
TI  - Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for chronic pain in individuals
      with HIV: a systematic review.
AB  - Chronic pain occurs in as many as 85% of individuals with HIV and is associated
      with substantial functional impairment. Little guidance is available for HIV
      providers seeking to address their patients' chronic pain. We conducted a
      systematic review to identify clinical trials and observational studies that
      examined the impact of pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic interventions on pain
      and/or functional outcomes among HIV-infected individuals with chronic pain in
      high-development countries. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria and were mostly
      low or very low quality. Seven examined pharmacologic interventions (gabapentin,
      pregabalin, capsaicin, analgesics including opioids) and four examined non
      pharmacologic interventions (cognitive behavioral therapy, self-hypnosis, smoked
      cannabis). The only controlled studies with positive results were of capsaicin
      and cannabis, and had short-term follow-up (<=12 weeks). Among the seven studies
      of pharmacologic interventions, five had substantial pharmaceutical industry
      sponsorship. These findings highlight several important gaps in the HIV/chronic
      pain literature that require further research.

PMID- 27267444
TI  - MYC interaction with the tumor suppressive SWI/SNF complex member INI1 regulates
      transcription and cellular transformation.
AB  - MYC is a key driver of cellular transformation and is deregulated in most human
      cancers. Studies of MYC and its interactors have provided mechanistic insight
      into its role as a regulator of gene transcription. MYC has been previously
      linked to chromatin regulation through its interaction with INI1
      (SMARCB1/hSNF5/BAF47), a core member of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex.
      INI1 is a potent tumor suppressor that is inactivated in several types of
      cancers, most prominently as the hallmark alteration in pediatric malignant
      rhabdoid tumors. However, the molecular and functional interaction of MYC and
      INI1 remains unclear. Here, we characterize the MYC-INI1 interaction in mammalian
      cells, mapping their minimal binding domains to functionally significant regions
      of MYC (leucine zipper) and INI1 (repeat motifs), and demonstrating that the
      interaction does not interfere with MYC-MAX interaction. Protein-protein
      interaction network analysis expands the MYC-INI1 interaction to the SWI/SNF
      complex and a larger network of chromatin regulatory complexes. Genome-wide
      analysis reveals that the DNA-binding regions and target genes of INI1
      significantly overlap with those of MYC. In an INI1-deficient rhabdoid tumor
      system, we observe that with re-expression of INI1, MYC and INI1 bind to common
      target genes and have opposing effects on gene expression. Functionally, INI1 re
      expression suppresses cell proliferation and MYC-potentiated transformation. Our
      findings thus establish the antagonistic roles of the INI1 and MYC
      transcriptional regulators in mediating cellular and oncogenic functions.

PMID- 27267446
TI  - Availability of evidence on cataract in low/middle-income settings: a review of
      reviews using evidence gap maps approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite high-quality evidence being essential for planning and
      delivering eye health programmes, evidence on what works is relatively scarce. To
      address this need, we developed eye health Evidence Gap Maps (EGMs) with the
      first one focusing on cataract. These maps summarise, critically appraise and
      present evidence in a user-friendly format. This paper presents experiences of
      developing the cataract gap map and discusses the challenges and benefits of the
      process. METHODS: Following a comprehensive search of relevant databases, we
      sifted and extracted data from all relevant reviews on cataract. Critical
      appraisal was conducted by two reviewers independently using Supported the Use of
      Research Evidence checklist and a summary quality assessment was shared with the
      authors for comments. RESULTS: A total of 52 reviews were included in the map.
      The majority of the reviews addressed quality of clinical care (20) and types of
      treatment (18). Overall, 30 reviews provided strong evidence in response to the
      research question, 14 reviews showed weak or no evidence and in 14 reviews the
      results were inconclusive. 14 reviews were regarded as high quality, 12 were
      medium quality and 26 were graded as low quality. To verify the validity of the
      Supporting the Use for Research Evidence (SURE) checklist, studies were also
      appraised using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) tool.
      Based on the kappa statistics test, results showed excellent agreement between
      the two checklists (K=0.79). DISCUSSION: EGMs support policy makers and programme
      managers to make informed decisions and enable researchers to prioritise future
      work based on the most evident gaps on knowledge.

PMID- 27267447
TI  - Treatment of severe chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease using 100%
      autologous serum eye drops from a sealed manufacturing system: a retrospective
      cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To analyse patients with chronic ocular graft-versus-host
      disease (GvHD) under treatment with 100% autologous serum eye drops from a sealed
      manufacturing system. METHODS: 17 patients with chronic ocular GvHD received 100%
      autologous serum eye drops from single use vials manufactured in a sealed system.
      Retrospective analysis included visual acuity, corneal staining, frequency of
      artificial tears, ocular symptoms by means of a questionnaire and information on
      subjective side effects and cost compensation. RESULTS: Data of prior to
      autologous serum eye drops therapy and at a 6-month follow-up were obtained. They
      demonstrated a significant increase in visual acuity (logMAR oculus dexter/right
      eye (OD) 0.5+/-0.32 to 0.4+/-0.3; oculus sinister/left eye (OS) 0.6+/-0.35 to
      0.3+/-0.35; p=0.177/0.003) and significant improvement in corneal staining
      (Oxford grading scheme: OD from 3+/-1.03 to 2+/-1.43, OS from 4+/-1.0 to 2+/
      1.09, p=0.004/0.001) and ocular symptoms (ocular surface disease index: 88+/
      20.59 to 63+/-22.77; p=0.02). Frequency of artificial tears was reduced and no
      side effects were reported. Patient satisfaction was 100%, and cost compensation
      by health insurance reached 80%. CONCLUSIONS: 100% autologous serum eye drops
      using a sealed manufacturing system were efficient in improving the ocular
      surface, patient symptoms and visual acuity without side effects. It seems to be
      safe to use 100% autologous serum despite earlier suspicions regarding immune
      complex accumulations and exacerbation of ocular surface inflammation. The
      potential effects of serum levels of systemic immunosuppressives through
      readministration onto the ocular surface need to be elucidated.

PMID- 27267448
TI  - Incidence of optic canal fracture in the traumatic optic neuropathy and its
      effect on the visual outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To correlate the intraoperative endoscopic findings with high
      resolution CT (HRCT) for the diagnosis of optic canal fractures (OCF). To compare
      the visual outcome of patients with different types of OCF and without. DESIGN: A
      retrospective, comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: 1275 consecutive patients
      (1275 eyes) with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). METHODS: Altogether,
      1275 patients who underwent endoscopic transethmoid optic canal decompression
      (ETOCD) for unilateral indirect TON were reviewed from 1 October 2006 to 30
      September 2014. HRCT performed prior to surgery were compared with findings
      during surgery. The visual outcomes before and after surgery were also compared.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence and type of OCF detected by HRCT and during
      surgery; visual acuity prior to surgery and at 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: A
      total of 1275 patients (1275 eyes) were included, with 708 patients that had OCF
      visible on HRCT image. During surgery, an additional 187 (20.9%) patients with
      OCF were noticed. Among these, 136 had undisplaced fractures, most of which were
      linear intracanalicular fractures. The initial visual acuity of patients with OCF
      was worse than that of patients without OCF (p<0.01). However, no statistical
      difference existed in the final visual acuity at 3 months after surgery (>0.05).
      Significant statistical difference of surgical efficacy existed between all the
      patients with OCF and without OCF (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with
      OCF, 20.9% were not detected by HRCT. Patients with OCF had a worse initial
      visual acuity than those without OCF. There was no significant difference in
      final visual acuity after ETOCD.

PMID- 27267449
TI  - Indocyanine-green-guided targeted laser photocoagulation of capillary
      macroaneurysms in macular oedema: a pilot study.
AB  - AIMS: In longstanding diabetic macular oedema (DME) or retinal vein occlusion
      (RVO), capillary macroaneurysms may develop. Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)
      has been shown to optimise their detection. Here, we report the anatomical and
      functional outcome of the elective photocoagulation of capillary macroaneurysms.
      METHODS: A retrospective, interventional, two-centre study. In eyes with chronic
      macular oedema and severe hard exsudates due to diabetic retinopathy or RVO, the
      presence of capillary macroaneurysms (defined by a diameter larger than 150 um)
      was assessed by ICGA and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Capillary
      macroaneurysms were selectively photocoagulated, the presence of photothrombosis
      within the lumen being assessed by immediate OCT. RESULTS: Four eyes from three
      patients with DME and five eyes from five patients with RVO were included. The
      median duration of visual loss was 4 years. Median initial visual acuity (VA) was
      20/200. The median number of capillary macroaneurysms per eye was 2 (range, 1-8)
      and their median size was 410 um (range, 154-603). Six months after
      photocoagulation, there was a significant reduction in macular thickness (mean+/
      SD, 528 um+/-200 vs 271 um+/-152, p<0.05) and improvement of VA (mean log MAR,
      0.82 vs 0.58, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: During macular oedema with severe hard
      exsudates due to DME or RVO, systematic detection of capillary macroaneurysms by
      ICGA followed by their OCT-controlled photocoagulation may be of interest. These
      results may contribute to re-evaluate the role of photocoagulation in the
      management of longstanding macular oedema.

PMID- 27267450
TI  - Longitudinal comparison of femtosecond-assisted sub-Bowman keratomileusis versus
      photorefractive keratectomy for high myopia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To longitudinally compare the visual and refractive outcomes and changes
      in corneal thickness between femtosecond-assisted sub-Bowmen keratomileusis (SBK)
      and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with mitomycin C in eyes with high myopia.
      METHODS: Patients with spherical equivalent >=6 dioptres (D) who underwent
      femtosecond-assisted SBK or PRK with mitomycin C were recruited. All patients
      were examined preoperatively and after 1 week, and, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months
      postoperatively. Assessments included uncorrected and best-corrected distance
      visual acuity , and manifest refraction spherical equivalent. Corneal thickness
      was measured using swept source optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: A total of
      110 eyes were included (68 PRK, 42 SBK). Change in efficacy index and safety
      index was not significantly different between both groups beyond 1 week
      postoperatively (p>=0.116). Manifest refraction spherical equivalent changed
      significantly from -9.02+/-1.92 D preoperatively to -0.21+/-0.31 D and from 
      8.25+/-1.10 D preoperatively to -0.53+/-0.55 D at 1 year after PRK and SBK,
      respectively (p<0.0001). The variance of postoperative refraction was
      significantly smaller after PRK throughout the 1-year follow-up compared with SBK
      (p<=0.0024). The central corneal thickness stabilised at 1 week after PRK and 3
      months after SBK. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that femtosecond-assisted SBK and
      PRK with mitomycin C have comparable safety and efficacy for correction of high
      myopia. However, better predictability of postoperative refraction was noted
      after PRK compared with SBK.

PMID- 27267451
TI  - New appraisals of Kyrieleis plaques: a multimodal imaging study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Kyrieleis retinal periarteritis reflects the severe intraocular
      inflammation experienced by the eye. Its aetiology has not been well established,
      since only nine cases have been reported and there is no pathological study
      available in the literature. We determine the pathogenesis of Kyrieleis
      periarteritis based on interpretation of multimodal imaging findings. METHODS:
      Charts of patients with Kyrieleis arteritis seen between 2006 and 2014 were
      retrieved from eight uveitis referral centres throughout the world. Follow-up
      ranged from 5 to 12 months. RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes with Kyrieleis arteritis
      from 25 patients were included in the study. Nineteen patients (72%) were male
      and six (28%) were female. Twenty-three patients were diagnosed with
      toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis and two patients had cytomegalovirus retinitis.
      Fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence and indocyanine green
      angiography were performed on 25/25 (100%) eyes. In eight eyes (32%), baseline
      spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans were performed along
      the segmental Kyrieleis arteritis. Fluorescein angiography showed early
      hypofluorescence and intermediate hyperfluorescence associated with the areas of
      focal arteritis, whereas indocyanine green angiography of these accumulations
      showed early hypofluorescence and late hyperfluorescence. Fundus autofluorescence
      revealed an increased autofluorescence of the vessels corresponding to the
      Kyrieleis plaques, while SD-OCT scans along the segmental Kyrieleis arteritis
      showed hyperreflectivity of the vessel wall. CONCLUSIONS: These imaging
      modalities provide in vivo, quasi-histologic images demonstrating that Kyrieleis
      plaques are characterised by an inflammatory involvement within the vessels'
      endothelium.

PMID- 27267452
TI  - Improving Synthetic Biology Communication: Recommended Practices for Visual
      Depiction and Digital Submission of Genetic Designs.
AB  - Research is communicated more effectively and reproducibly when articles depict
      genetic designs consistently and fully disclose the complete sequences of all
      reported constructs. ACS Synthetic Biology is now providing authors with updated
      guidance and piloting a new tool and publication workflow that facilitate
      compliance with these recommended practices and standards for visual
      representation and data exchange.

PMID- 27267453
TI  - Corynebacteriumpollutisoli sp. nov., isolated from hexachlorocyclohexane
      contaminated soil.
AB  - A Gram-stain-positive, alkaliphilic, non-spore-forming, non-motile bacterium,
      designated VDS11T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the
      hexachlorocyclohexane dumpsite, located at Ummari Village, Lucknow, Uttar
      Pradesh, India. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain VDS11T
      occupies a distinct phylogenetic position within the genus Corynebacterium,
      showing the highest sequence similarity with Corynebacterium humireducens MFC-5T
      (98.7 %) and Corynebacterium nasicanis 2673/12T (98.4 %). The DNA G+C content was
      50.6 mol% and the DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) relatedness value with C.
      humireducens MFC-5T and C. nasicanis 2673/12T was 49.7 and 39.6 %, respectively.
      Strain VDS11T contained C16 : 0 (28.3), C18 : 1omega9c (52.3), C18 : 0 (1.3) and
      C20 : 0 (3.0) as the major cellular fatty acids. The major isoprenoid quinone was
      MK-9(H2). Strain VDS11T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol,
      phosphatidylinositol, unidentified aminolipids, glycolipids, phospholipids and
      unidentified lipids as the major polar lipids. The peptidoglycan type was A31
      (meso 2, 6-diaminopimelic acid, directly cross-linked). Based on the results of
      DDH studies and the biochemical and physiological data, strain VDS11T represents
      a novel species of the genus Corynebacteriumfor which the name Corynebacterium
      pollutisoli sp. nov., has been proposed. The type strain is VDS11T(=DSM
      100104T=MCC 2722T=KCTC 39687T).

PMID- 27267454
TI  - Pulmonary hypoplasia and anasarca syndrome in Cika cattle.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hydrops foetalis is defined as excessive fluid accumulation within
      the foetal extravascular compartments and body cavities. It has been described in
      human and veterinary medicine, but despite several descriptive studies its
      aetiology is still not fully clarified. Pulmonary hypoplasia and anasarca (PHA)
      syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality in cattle that is characterised by
      hydrops foetalis including extreme subcutaneous oedema (anasarca) and undeveloped
      or poorly formed lungs (pulmonary hypoplasia). Until now, sporadic cases of PHA
      were reported in cattle breeds like Australian Dexter, Belted Galloway, Maine
      Anjou, and Shorthorn. This report describes the first known cases of PHA syndrome
      in Slovenian Cika cattle. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old cow aborted a male
      calf in the seventh month of pregnancy, while a male calf was delivered by
      caesarean section on the due date from a 14-year-old cow. The pedigree analysis
      showed that the calves were sired by the same bull, the dams were paternal half
      sisters and the second calf was the product of a dam-son mating. Gross lesions
      were similar in both cases and characterized by severe anasarca, hydrothorax,
      hydropericardium, ascites, hypoplastic lungs, absence of lymph nodes, and an
      enlarged heart. The first calf was also athymic. Histopathology of the second
      affected calf confirmed severe oedema of the subcutis and interstitium of the
      organs, and pulmonary hypoplasia. The lymph vessels in the subcutis and other
      organs were severely dilated. Histopathology of the second calf revealed also
      lack of bronchus associated lymphoid tissue and adrenal gland hypoplasia.
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings were consistent with known forms of the bovine PHA
      syndrome. This is the first report of the PHA syndrome occurring in the local
      endangered breed of Cika cattle. Observed inbreeding practice supports that this
      lethal defect most likely follows an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. In
      the light of the disease phenotype it is assumed that a mutation causing an
      impaired development of lymph vessels is responsible for the hydrops foetalis
      associated malformations in bovine PHA.

PMID- 27267455
TI  - Characterization and classification of adherent cells in monolayer culture using
      automated tracking and evolutionary algorithms.
AB  - This paper presents a novel method for tracking and characterizing adherent cells
      in monolayer culture. A system of cell tracking employing computer vision
      techniques was applied to time-lapse videos of replicate normal human uro
      epithelial cell cultures exposed to different concentrations of adenosine
      triphosphate (ATP) and a selective purinergic P2X antagonist (PPADS), acquired
      over a 24h period. Subsequent analysis following feature extraction demonstrated
      the ability of the technique to successfully separate the modulated classes of
      cell using evolutionary algorithms. Specifically, a Cartesian Genetic Program
      (CGP) network was evolved that identified average migration speed, in-contact
      angular velocity, cohesivity and average cell clump size as the principal
      features contributing to the separation. Our approach not only provides non
      biased and parsimonious insight into modulated class behaviours, but can be
      extracted as mathematical formulae for the parameterization of computational
      models. 

PMID- 27267456
TI  - A cross-sectional study to compare levels of psychiatric morbidity between young
      people and adults exposed to violence in a large urban center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Teenagers and young adults are more exposed to violence and traumatic
      events than adults, and these factors can be associated with mental disorders.
      This paper aims at investigating whether young people are more exposed to
      violence and traumatic events and to compare pattern of mental disorders with
      adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using the Composite International
      Diagnostic Interview, conducted between 2007 and 2008 with a randomly selected
      sample of 15 to 75 year-old residents of Sao Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: Two thousand
      five hundred thirty-six participants were divided into two groups: 1096 (43.2 %)
      young people (15 to 24 years), and 1440 (56.8 %) adults (25 to 75 years). 12
      month exposure to traumatic events was higher among young people (32.1 % vs. 20.6
      %; p < 0.001). Assaultive violence was reported by 13.4 % of young people and 8.6
      % of adults (p = 0.012); 20.1 % of young people and 13 % of adults reported
      suffering other injury or shocking events (p < 0.001); sudden death/life
      threatening illness of a close person was declared by 6.1 % of young people and
      3.2 % of adults (p = 0.017). Prevalence of alcohol related disorders was higher
      among young people (5.4 % vs. 2.5 %; P = 0.032); depressive disorders were more
      prevalent among adults (9.0 % vs. 4.7 %; P = 0.004). Alcohol related disorders
      were associated to assaultive violence among young people (OR = 3.4; 95 % CI =
      1.36 to 8.52; p = 0.004) and adults (OR = 2.38; 95 % CI = 1.23 to 4.61; p =
      0.002). Phobic/anxiety disorders were associated to other injury or shocking
      events among young people (OR = 1.28; 95 % CI = 0.67 to 2.44; p = 0.025). Major
      depressive disorder was associated to assaultive violence among young people (OR
      = 2.27; 95 % CI = 1.09 to 4.74; p = 0.004) and adults (OR = 1.28; 95 % CI = 0.85
      to 1.93; p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Exposure to violence and traumatic events was
      higher among young people. Alcohol related disorders, depression and
      phobic/anxiety disorders were significantly higher among young people exposed to
      traumatic events. Despite the study design, high exposure to violence and
      traumatic events in this age group can be considered important factors in
      triggering mental disorders in this vulnerable age period.

PMID- 27267457
TI  - Research Methods in Healthcare Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship-Quasi
      Experimental Designs.
AB  - Quasi-experimental studies evaluate the association between an intervention and
      an outcome using experiments in which the intervention is not randomly assigned.
      Quasi-experimental studies are often used to evaluate rapid responses to
      outbreaks or other patient safety problems requiring prompt, nonrandomized
      interventions. Quasi-experimental studies can be categorized into 3 major types:
      interrupted time-series designs, designs with control groups, and designs without
      control groups. This methods paper highlights key considerations for quasi
      experimental studies in healthcare epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship,
      including study design and analytic approaches to avoid selection bias and other
      common pitfalls of quasi-experimental studies. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
      2016;1-6.

PMID- 27267458
TI  - LaCyTools: A Targeted Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Data Processing
      Package for Relative Quantitation of Glycopeptides.
AB  - Bottom-up glycoproteomics by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is
      an established approach for assessing glycosylation in a protein- and site
      specific manner. Consequently, tools are needed to automatically align,
      calibrate, and integrate LC-MS glycoproteomics data. We developed a modular
      software package designed to tackle the individual aspects of an LC-MS
      experiment, called LaCyTools. Targeted alignment is performed using user defined
      m/z and retention time (tr) combinations. Subsequently, sum spectra are created
      for each user defined analyte group. Quantitation is performed on the sum
      spectra, where each user defined analyte can have its own tr, minimum, and
      maximum charge states. Consequently, LaCyTools deals with multiple charge states,
      which gives an output per charge state if desired, and offers various analyte and
      spectra quality criteria. We compared throughput and performance of LaCyTools to
      combinations of available tools that deal with individual processing steps.
      LaCyTools yielded relative quantitation of equal precision (relative standard
      deviation <0.5%) and higher trueness due to the use of MS peak area instead of MS
      peak intensity. In conclusion, LaCyTools is an accurate automated data processing
      tool for high-throughput analysis of LC-MS glycoproteomics data. Released under
      the Apache 2.0 license, it is freely available on GitHub (
      https://github.com/Tarskin/LaCyTools ).

PMID- 27267459
TI  - Outcomes of patients with Goodpasture syndrome: A nationwide cohort-based study
      from the French Society of Hemapheresis.
AB  - The overall and renal outcomes of patients with Goodpasture syndrome (GS), a rare
      autoimmune disorder characterized by circulating anti-GBM antibodies and rapidly
      progressive glomerulonephritis and/or pulmonary hemorrhage, have mostly been
      reported in small-sized cohorts or by aggregating patients receiving a variety of
      therapies that include aggressive (i.e., combined plasma exchanges,
      corticosteroids, and cyclophosphamide) and less aggressive (i.e., either plasma
      exchanges or immunosuppressive drugs, or no treatment). To address the prognosis
      of GS patients with relatively homogeneous management including plasma exchanges,
      we conducted a multicenter retrospective study on GS patients included in the
      registry of the French Society of Hemapheresis. 122 patients were included
      (kidney alone (n = 28), lung alone (n = 5), or combined involvement (n = 89)).
      All 122 patients received plasma exchanges (median number of sessions: 13 [9
      17]), either alone (n = 8) or associated with combined corticosteroids and oral
      or IV cyclophosphamide (n = 101) or with corticosteroids alone (n = 12) or
      cyclophosphamide alone (n = 2). One-year survival was 86.9%. 7/16 patients died
      from severe infection. In multivariate analyses (Cox's regression model), being
      aged <60 years, and number of plasma exchanges were correlated to overall
      survival. The use of alternative immunosuppressive drugs (because of refractory
      or relapsing GS) was correlated to mortality at one year. Superiority of oral
      cyclophosphamide compared to intravenous intake was close to significant. Using a
      logistic regression model, renal survival in patients alive at 1 year was only
      predicted by serum creatinine <500 MUmol/L at presentation. This large series
      describes the predictive factors for overall and renal survival of GS patients
      treated by plasma exchanges. Interventional studies that compare oral and
      intravenous cyclophosphamide, as well as testing new immunosuppressive therapies,
      are warranted.

PMID- 27267460
TI  - Infections as risk factor for autoimmune diseases - A nationwide study.
AB  - Viruses, bacteria and other infectious pathogens are the major postulated
      environmental triggers of autoimmunity. In the present nation-wide study we
      describe the association between infections and 29 autoimmune diseases. We used
      the Danish Civil Registration System to identify 4.5 million persons born between
      1945 and 2000. Information on infections and autoimmune diseases was obtained
      from the Danish Hospital Register. The cohort was followed from 1977 to 2012.
      Incidence rate ratios for developing an autoimmune disease were estimated using
      poisson regression. We found an association between hospital admission for an
      infection and 29 autoimmune diseases. This study shows that infections are risk
      factors for a broad spectrum of autoimmune diseases in a dose-response and
      temporal manner, in agreement with the hypothesis that infections are an
      environmental risk factor contributing to the etiology of autoimmune diseases
      together with genetic factors.

PMID- 27267461
TI  - Rb selectively inhibits innate IFN-beta production by enhancing deacetylation of
      IFN-beta promoter through HDAC1 and HDAC8.
AB  - Type I IFN production is tightly controlled by host to generate efficient viral
      clearance without harmful immunopathology or induction of autoimmune disorders.
      Epigenetic regulation of type I IFN production in innate immunity and
      inflammatory disorders remains to be fully understood. Several tumor suppressors
      have been shown to regulate immune response and inflammation. However, the non
      classical functions of tumor suppressors in innate immunity and inflammatory
      diseases need further identification. Here we report retinoblastoma protein (Rb)
      deficiency selectively enhanced TLR- and virus-triggered production of IFN-beta
      which thus induced more IFN-alpha generation in the later phase of innate
      stimuli, but had no effect on the production of TNF, IL-6 and early phase IFN
      alpha in macrophages. Rb1(fl/fl)Lyz2cre(+) Rb-deficient mice exhibited more
      resistant to lethal virus infection and more effective clearance of influenza
      virus. Rb selectively bound Ifnb1 enhancer region, but not the promoter of Ifna4,
      Tnf and Il6, by interacting with c-Jun, the component of IFN-beta enhanceosome.
      Then Rb recruited HDAC1 and HDAC8 to attenuate acetylation of Histone H3/H4 in
      Ifnb1 promoter, resulting in suppression of Ifnb1 transcription. Therefore, Rb
      selectively inhibits innate IFN-beta production by enhancing deacetylation of
      Ifnb1 promoter, exhibiting a previous unknown non-classical role in innate
      immunity, which also suggests a role of Rb in the regulation of type I IFN
      production in inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

PMID- 27267462
TI  - Use of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets in a population with universal
      coverage following a mass distribution campaign in Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uganda conducted an LLIN mass distribution campaign in 2013 with the
      goal of achieving universal coverage. Using data from the 2014 malaria indicator
      survey, this analysis estimated the proportion of the population with access to
      an LLIN that slept under one the night before the survey and factors associated
      with not using an LLIN in households that had achieved universal coverage.
      METHODS: This was a secondary data analysis using the 2014 malaria indicator
      survey dataset. The outcome was use of an LLIN among households that achieved
      universal coverage, while independent variables include age, gender, number of
      household members, residence, number of sleeping rooms, spraying of rooms with
      insecticide, number of children under 5 years of age, number of women of child
      bearing age, relationship structure and community distribution of ant-malarial
      medicine. RESULTS: Overall, 3361 (62 %) households of the 5345 achieved universal
      coverage and were included in the analysis giving a total population of 14,450
      individuals. Of these, 11,884 (80.10 %) reported to have slept under an LLIN the
      night before the survey. Children between 6 and 14 years were significantly less
      likely to use an LLIN when compared to those under 5 years (75.26 vs 83.12 %),
      [adjusted OR, 1.29 (1.11-1.49), p = 0.001]. The odds of not using an LLIN,
      significantly increased from households with five members when compared to those
      that had one member (79.53 vs 84.88 %), [adjusted OR, 2.16 (1.38-3.38), p =
      0.001] and rising even further in households with six or more members (78.04 vs
      84.88 %), [OR, 2.27 (1.36-3.71), p = 0.003]. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis has
      showed that 80 % of the population used an LLIN among households that achieved
      universal coverage following the 2013 mass distribution campaign, especially
      among children under 5 years, an operational success in this category. However,
      children between 6 and 14 years and individuals from households with five or more
      numbers are less likely to use the LLINs. In order to improve usage in these
      categories, it may require re-focusing the behaviour change communication message
      to be all-inclusive, especially in era of universal coverage, and to increase the
      number of LLINs distributed in households with more than four members during
      future mass distribution campaigns, respectively.

PMID- 27267463
TI  - Under-representation of frail older people in meta-analysis of dipeptidyl
      peptidase-4 inhibitors and hypoglycaemia.

PMID- 27267464
TI  - Kate's Journey: Introducing Students to the Human Side of Aging Services and
      Supports.
AB  - Although using novels to teach aging is not a new concept, teaching the human
      side of long-term services and supports from the perspective of the care
      recipient via novels has not been thoroughly explored. Literature often reflects
      societal norms and issues; thus, the use of a novel in the classroom allows for
      critical reflection and analysis of self and other, particularly when engaging
      students in aging concepts and experiences of growing old. This article describes
      the employment of Kate Quinton's Days (1984), a novel that brings into focus the
      important, and often forgotten, human side of aging services and supports.
      Additionally, the novel focuses on administrative and medical bureaucracy within
      the context of home health, and family dynamics that come into play with issues
      of aging and long-term care. Students may have had limited exposure to various
      aspects of aging and care that play out in the novel, and bringing the character
      Kate and her life story into the classroom allows for discussions that would not
      otherwise be as meaningful or instructive. The authors found that students
      related in important ways to Kate and went beyond the "system" to consider the
      lived experience of care and support as we age.

PMID- 27267465
TI  - Comorbidities and factors associated with central nervous system infections and
      death in non-perinatal listeriosis: a clinical case series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Listeriosis is a rare disease caused by the bacterium Listeria
      monocytogenes and mainly affects at risk people. Listeriosis can lead to sepsis,
      central nervous system (CNS) infections and death. The objectives of this study
      were to describe and quantify comorbidities and neurological sequelae underlying
      non-perinatal listeriosis cases and to describe the factors associated with death
      and CNS infections in non-perinatal listeriosis. METHODS: We retrospectively
      collected clinical data through computerized, paper or microfilmed medical
      records in two Belgian university hospitals. Logistic regression models and
      likelihood ratio tests allowed identifying factors associated with death and CNS
      infections. RESULTS: Sixty-four cases of non-perinatal listeriosis were included
      in the clinical case series and 84 % were affected by at least one comorbid
      condition. The main comorbidities were cancer, renal and severe cardio-vascular
      diseases. Twenty-nine patients (45 %) suffered from a CNS infection and 14
      patients (22 %) died during hospitalization, among whom six (43 %) had a CNS
      involvement. Among surviving patients, eleven suffered from neurological sequelae
      (22 %) at hospital discharge; all had CNS infection. Five of these patients (45
      %) still suffered of their neurological sequelae after a median follow-up of one
      year (range: 0.08-19). The factor associated with death during the
      hospitalization was the presence of a severe cardiovascular disease (OR = 4.72, p
      = 0.015). Two factors inversely related with CNS infections were antibiotic
      monotherapy (OR = 0.28, p = 0.04) and the presence of renal disease (OR = 0.18, p
      = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In a public health context these results could be a
      starting point for future burden of listeriosis studies taking into account
      comorbidity.

PMID- 27267466
TI  - Cationic liposomes containing antioxidants reduces pulmonary injury in
      experimental model of sepsis: Liposomes antioxidants reduces pulmonary damage.
AB  - The intracellular redox state of alveolar cells is a determining factor for
      tolerance to oxidative and pro-inflammatory stresses. This study investigated the
      effects of intratracheal co-administration of antioxidants encapsulated in
      liposomes on the lungs of rats subjected to sepsis. For this, male rats subjected
      to sepsis induced by lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli or placebo
      operation were treated (intratracheally) with antibiotic, 0.9% saline and
      antioxidants encapsulated or non-encapsulated in liposomes. Experimental model of
      sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was performed in order to expose the
      cecum. The cecum was then gently squeezed to extrude a small amount of feces from
      the perforation site. As an index of oxidative damage, superoxide anions, lipid
      peroxidation, protein carbonyls, catalase activity, nitrates/nitrites, cell
      viability and mortality rate were measured. Infected animals treated with
      antibiotic plus antioxidants encapsulated in liposomes showed reduced levels of
      superoxide anion (54% or 7.650+/-1.263 nmol/min/mg protein), lipid peroxidation
      (33% or 0.117+/-0.041 nmol/mg protein), protein carbonyl (57% or 0.039 +/- 0.022
      nmol/mg protein) and mortality rate (3.3%), p value <0.001. This treatment also
      reduced the level of nitrite/nitrate and increased cell viability (90.7%) of
      alveolar macrophages. Taken togheter, theses results support that cationic
      liposomes containing antioxidants should be explored as coadjuvants in the
      treatment of pulmonary oxidative damage.

PMID- 27267467
TI  - First detection of Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae in the flea Vermipsylla
      alakurt from north-western China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vermipsylla is a genus of the family Vermipsyllidae within the order
      Siphonaptera of fleas. Vermipsylla alakurt is mainly distributed in alpine
      pastoral areas of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and Nepal, and infests sheep, yaks
      and horses, causing irritation, poor condition, anaemia and even death. However,
      to date, no rickettsial agents have been reported in V. alakurt. FINDINGS: A
      total of 133 fleas were collected directly from the tails of three sheep flocks
      (n = 335) in Minfeng County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, north-western
      China. Of these, 55 fleas were identified by morphological examination and
      molecular analysis of four loci (the ribosomal 18S and 28S rDNA genes and the
      mitochondrial genes cytochrome  c oxidase subunit II and elongation factor 1
      alpha). Eight Rickettsia-specific gene fragments originated from seven genes: the
      17-kilodalton antigen gene (17-kDa), citrate synthase gene (gltA), 16S rRNA gene
      (rrs), outer membrane protein A gene (ompA), surface cell antigen 1 gene (sca1),
      PS120 protein gene (gene D), and outer membrane protein B gene (ompB, two
      fragments), were used to identify the species of Rickettsia in 53 fleas. The
      amplified products were sequenced and included in a phylogenetic analysis to
      verify the taxonomic identification of the rickettsial agents. Based on
      morphological and molecular evidence, the flea was identified as Vermipsylla
      alakurt. Nine samples were positive (16.98 %, 9/53) for Rickettsia spp. The
      phylogenetic tree revealed that the rickettsial agents found in V. alakurt
      cluster with Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests
      that: (i) V. alakurt may serve as a carrier for Candidatus R. barbariae; and (ii)
      Candidatus R. barbariae, previously reported in Israel, is the eighth newly
      discovered validated Rickettsia species in China. This finding extends our
      knowledge of the distribution of Candidatus R. barbariae and the profile of
      carriers, which not only comprise ticks but also fleas.

PMID- 27267468
TI  - The application of health literacy measurement tools (collective or individual
      domains) in assessing chronic disease management: a systematic review protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The term "health literacy" (HL) was first coined in 1974, and its
      most common definition is currently defined as a person's ability to access,
      understand, evaluate, communicate, and use health information to make decisions
      for one's health. The previous systematic reviews assessing the effect of
      existing HL measurement tools on health outcomes have simply searched for the
      term "health literacy" only to identify measures instead of incorporating either
      one or more of the five domains in their search. Furthermore, as the domain "use"
      is fairly new, few studies have actually assessed this domain. In this protocol,
      we propose to identify and assess HL measures that applied the mentioned five
      domains either collectively or individually in assessing chronic disease
      management, in particular for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD). The ultimate goal is to provide recommendations towards the development
      and validation of a patient-centric HL measurement tool for the two diseases.
      METHODS/DESIGN: A comprehensive, electronic search will be conducted to identify
      potential studies dating from 1974 to 2016 from databases such as Embase,
      MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science,
      ERIC, PsycINFO, and HAPI. Database searches will be complemented with grey
      literature. Two independent reviewers will perform tool selection, study
      selection, data extraction, and quality assessment using pre-designed study
      forms. Any disagreement will be resolved through discussion or a third reviewer.
      Only studies that have developed or validated HL measurement tools (including one
      or more of the five domains mentioned above) among asthma and COPD patients will
      be included. Information collected from the studies will include instrument
      details such as versions, purpose, underlying constructs, administration, mapping
      of items onto the five domains, internal structure, scoring, response processes,
      standard error of measurement (SEM), correlation with other variables, clinically
      important difference, and item response theory (IRT)-based analyses. The
      identified strengths and weaknesses as well as reliability, validity,
      responsiveness, and interpretability of the tools from the validation studies
      will also be assessed using the COSMIN checklist. A synthesis will be presented
      for all tools in relation to asthma and COPD management. DISCUSSION: This
      systematic review will be one of several key contributions central to a global
      evidence-based strategy funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
      (CIHR) for measuring HL in patients with asthma and COPD, highlighting the gaps
      and inconsistencies of domains between existing tools. The knowledge generated
      from this review will provide the team information on (1) the five-domain model
      and cross domains, (2) underlying constructs, (3) tool length, (4) time for
      completion, (5) reading level, and (6) format for development of the proposed
      tool. Other aspects of the published validation studies such as reliability
      coefficients, SEM, correlations with other variables, clinically important
      difference, and IRT-based analyses will be important for comparison purposes when
      testing, interpreting, and validating the developed tool. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
      REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016037532.

PMID- 27267469
TI  - Serglycin proteoglycans limit enteropathy in Trichinella spiralis-infected mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serglycin proteoglycans are essential for maturation of secretory
      granules and for the correct granular storage of cationic proteases in
      hematopoietic cells, e.g. mast cells. However, little is known about the in vivo
      functions of serglycin proteoglycans during infection. Here we investigated the
      potential role of serglycin proteoglycans in host defense after infection with
      the nematode Trichinella spiralis. RESULTS: Twelve days post infection lack of
      serglycin proteoglycans caused significantly increased enteropathy. The serglycin
      deficient mice showed significantly increased intestinal worm burden, reduced
      recruitment of mast cells to the intestinal crypts, decreased levels of the mast
      cell proteases MCPT5 and MCPT6 in intestinal tissue, decreased serum levels of
      TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-10 and IL-13, increased levels of IL-4 and total IgE in
      serum, and increased intestinal levels of the neutrophil markers myeloperoxidase
      and elastase, as compared to wild type mice. At five weeks post infection,
      increased larvae burden and inflammation were seen in the muscle tissue of the
      serglycin-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the serglycin
      deficient mice were more susceptible to T. spiralis infection and displayed an
      unbalanced immune response compared to wild type mice. These findings point to an
      essential regulatory role of serglycin proteoglycans in immunity.

PMID- 27267470
TI  - The dynamics of fidelity over the time course of long-term memory.
AB  - Bayesian models of cognition assume that prior knowledge about the world
      influences judgments. Recent approaches have suggested that the loss of fidelity
      from working to long-term (LT) memory is simply due to an increased rate of
      guessing (e.g. Brady, Konkle, Gill, Oliva, & Alvarez, 2013). That is, recall is
      the result of either remembering (with some noise) or guessing. This stands in
      contrast to Bayesian models of cognition while assume that prior knowledge about
      the world influences judgments, and that recall is a combination of expectations
      learned from the environment and noisy memory representations. Here, we evaluate
      the time course of fidelity in LT episodic memory, and the relative contribution
      of prior category knowledge and guessing, using a continuous recall paradigm. At
      an aggregate level, performance reflects a high rate of guessing. However, when
      aggregate data is partitioned by lag (i.e., the number of presentations from
      study to test), or is un-aggregated, performance appears to be more complex than
      just remembering with some noise and guessing. We implemented three models: the
      standard remember-guess model, a three-component remember-guess model, and a
      Bayesian mixture model and evaluated these models against the data. The results
      emphasize the importance of taking into account the influence of prior category
      knowledge on memory.

PMID- 27267472
TI  - Erratum to: 'Point-of-sale cigarette marketing and smoking-induced deprivation in
      smokers: results from a population-based survey'.

PMID- 27267473
TI  - Isolation of dengue virus serotype 4 genotype II from a patient with high viral
      load and a mixed Th1/Th17 inflammatory cytokine profile in South Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We report the isolation and characterization of dengue virus (DENV)
      serotype 4 from a resident of Santa Fe, state of Parana, South Brazil, in March
      2013. This patient presented with hemorrhagic manifestations, high viral load
      and, interestingly, a mixed Th1/Th17 cytokine profile. CASE PRESENTATION: The
      patient presented with classical dengue symptoms, such as fever, rash, myalgia,
      arthralgia, and hemorrhagic manifestations including petechiae, gum bleeding and
      a positive tourniquet test result. A serum sample obtained 1 day after the
      initial appearance of clinical symptoms was positive for NS1 viral antigen, but
      this sample was negative for both IgM and IgG against DENV. Dengue virus
      infection was confirmed by isolation of the virus from C6/36 cells, and dengue
      virus serotyping was performed via one-step RT-PCR. The infection was confirmed
      to be caused by a serotype 4 dengue virus. Additionally, based on multiple
      alignment and phylogeny analyses of its complete genome sequence, the viral
      strain was classified as genotype II (termed LRV13/422). Moreover, a mixed
      Th1/Th17 cytokine profile was detected in the patient's serum, and this result
      demonstrated significant inflammation. Biological characterization of the virus
      via in vitro assays comparing LRV13/422 with a laboratory-adapted reference
      strain of dengue virus serotype 4 (TVP/360) showed that LRV13/422 infects both
      vertebrate and invertebrate cell lines more efficiently than TVP/360. However,
      LRV13/422 was unable to inhibit type I interferon responses, as suggested by the
      results obtained for other dengue virus strains. Furthermore, LRV13/422 is the
      first completely sequenced serotype 4 dengue virus isolated in South Brazil.
      CONCLUSION: The high viral load and mixed Th1/Th17 cytokine profile observed in
      the patient's serum could have implications for the development of the
      hemorrhagic signs observed, and these potential relationships can now be further
      studied using suitable animal models and/or in vitro systems.

PMID- 27267471
TI  - Stepped wedge cluster randomised trials: a review of the statistical methodology
      used and available.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous reviews have focussed on the rationale for employing the
      stepped wedge design (SWD), the areas of research to which the design has been
      applied and the general characteristics of the design. However these did not
      focus on the statistical methods nor addressed the appropriateness of sample size
      methods used.This was a review of the literature of the statistical methodology
      used in stepped wedge cluster randomised trials. METHODS: Literature Review. The
      Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane databases were searched for
      methodological guides and RCTs which employed the stepped wedge design. RESULTS:
      This review identified 102 trials which employed the stepped wedge design
      compared to 37 from the most recent review by Beard et al. 2015. Forty six trials
      were cohort designs and 45 % (n = 46) had fewer than 10 clusters. Of the 42
      articles discussing the design methodology 10 covered analysis and seven covered
      sample size. For cohort stepped wedge designs there was only one paper
      considering analysis and one considering sample size methods. Most trials
      employed either a GEE or mixed model approach to analysis (n = 77) but only 22
      trials (22 %) estimated sample size in a way which accounted for the stepped
      wedge design that was subsequently used. CONCLUSIONS: Many studies which employ
      the stepped wedge design have few clusters but use methods of analysis which may
      require more clusters for unbiased and efficient intervention effect estimates.
      There is the need for research on the minimum number of clusters required for
      both types of stepped wedge design. Researchers should distinguish in the sample
      size calculation between cohort and cross sectional stepped wedge designs.
      Further research is needed on the effect of adjusting for the potential
      confounding of time on the study power.

PMID- 27267474
TI  - Application of portable online LED UV fluorescence sensor to predict the
      degradation of dissolved organic matter and trace organic contaminants during
      ozonation.
AB  - This work aims to correlate signals of LED UV/fluorescence sensor with the
      degradation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and trace-level organic
      contaminants (TOrCs) during ozonation process. Six sets of bench-scale ozonation
      kinetic experiments incorporated with three different water matrices and 14 TOrCs
      of different reactivity (group I ~ V) were conducted. Calibrated by tryptophan
      and humic substances standards and verified by the lab benchtop spectroscopy, the
      newly developed portable/online LED sensor, which measures the UV280 absorbance,
      protein-like and humic-like fluorescence simultaneously, was feasible to monitor
      chromophores and fluorophores with good sensitivity and accuracy. The liquid
      chromatography with organic carbon detector combined with 2D synchronous
      correlation analysis further demonstrated how the DOM components of large
      molecular weight were transformed into small moieties as a function of the
      decrease of humic-like fluorescence. For TOrCs, their removal rates were well
      correlated with the decrease of the LED UV/fluorescence signals, and their
      elimination patterns were mainly determined by their reactivity with O3 and
      hydroxyl radicals. At approximately 50% reduction of humic-like fluorescence
      almost complete oxidation of TOrCs of group I and II was reached, a similar
      removal percentage (25-75%) of TOrCs of group III and IV, and a poor removal
      percentage (<25%) of group V. This study might contribute to the smart control of
      advanced oxidation processes for the water and wastewater treatment in the
      future.

PMID- 27267475
TI  - Reductive transformation of carbamazepine by abiotic and biotic processes.
AB  - The antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) is ubiquitously present in the
      anthropogenic water cycle and is therefore of concern regarding the potable water
      supply. Despite of its persistent behavior in the aquatic environment, a redox
      dependent removal at bank filtration sites with anaerobic aquifer passage was
      reported repeatedly but not elucidated in detail yet. The reductive
      transformation of CBZ was studied, using abiotic systems (catalytic
      hydrogenation, electrochemistry) as well as biologically active systems (column
      systems, batch degradation tests). In catalytic hydrogenation CBZ is gradually
      hydrogenated and nine transformation products (TPs) were detected by liquid
      chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. 10,11-Dihydro-CBZ ((2H)-CBZ)
      was the major stable product in these abiotic, surface catalyzed reduction
      processes and turned out to be not a precursor of the more hydrogenated TPs. In
      the biotic reduction processes the formation of (2H)-CBZ alone could not explain
      the observed CBZ decline. There, also traces of (6H)-CBZ and (8H)-CBZ were formed
      by microbes under anaerobic conditions and four phase-II metabolites of reduced
      CBZ could be detected and tentatively identified. Thus, the spectrum of reduction
      products of CBZ is more diverse than previously thought. In environmental samples
      CBZ removal along an anaerobic soil passage was confirmed and (2H)-CBZ was
      determined at one of the sites.

PMID- 27267476
TI  - Iron encapsulated in boron and nitrogen codoped carbon nanotubes as synergistic
      catalysts for Fenton-like reaction.
AB  - Iron nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated in B, N-codoped carbon nanotubes (Fe@C-BN)
      as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts were obtained by a simple and scalable
      pyrolysis method, and their performances were examined in the oxidative
      degradation of various organics in the presence of the different oxidants. The
      results showed that organic dyes can be effectively degraded by Fe@C-BN in the
      presence of peroxymonosulfate. Calcination temperature and mass of iron salt
      significantly affected the structures and performances of the catalysts. The
      effects of several reaction conditions, such as initial dye concentration,
      oxidant type (peroxymonosulfate, peroxydisulfate, and H2O2) and dosage, initial
      pH, inorganic anions, reaction temperature and dye types on oxidation as well as
      the stability of the composite were extensively evaluated in view of the
      practical applications. Through the investigation of reaction processes, HO(.)
      and SO4(.-) radicals were identified using quenching experiments. Owing to the
      synergistic effects between the iron NPs and B, N-doped carbon, Fe@C-BN catalysts
      intrinsically display an excellent catalytic activity for Fenton-like reaction.
      This study gives new insights into the design and preparation of iron NPs
      encapsulated in B, N-codoped carbon nanotubes as an effective strategy to enhance
      the overall catalytic activity.

PMID- 27267477
TI  - Halogenated methanesulfonic acids: A new class of organic micropollutants in the
      water cycle.
AB  - Mobile and persistent organic micropollutants may impact raw and drinking waters
      and are thus of concern for human health. To identify such possible substances of
      concern nineteen water samples from five European countries (France, Switzerland,
      The Netherlands, Spain and Germany) and different compartments of the water cycle
      (urban effluent, surface water, ground water and drinking water) were enriched
      with mixed-mode solid phase extraction. Hydrophilic interaction liquid
      chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry non-target screening of these
      samples led to the detection and structural elucidation of seven novel organic
      micropollutants. One structure could already be confirmed by a reference standard
      (trifluoromethanesulfonic acid) and six were tentatively identified based on
      experimental evidence (chloromethanesulfonic acid, dichloromethanesulfonic acid,
      trichloromethanesulfonic acid, bromomethanesulfonic acid, dibromomethanesulfonic
      acid and bromochloromethanesulfonic acid). Approximated concentrations for these
      substances show that trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, a chemical registered under
      the European Union regulation REACH with a production volume of more than 100
      t/a, is able to spread along the water cycle and may be present in concentrations
      up to the MUg/L range. Chlorinated and brominated methanesulfonic acids were
      predominantly detected together which indicates a common source and first
      experimental evidence points towards water disinfection as a potential origin.
      Halogenated methanesulfonic acids were detected in drinking waters and thus may
      be new substances of concern.

PMID- 27267478
TI  - Crystallisation of minerals from concentrated saline dairy effluent.
AB  - An understanding of crystallisation within saline effluents is important for the
      design of both brine crystallisers and brine disposal ponds. In this work,
      crystallisation of a saline effluent concentrate from the Australian dairy
      industry has been examined at 22 wt% and 30 wt% total solids and at temperatures
      between 10 and 70  degrees C. The precipitation occurs more rapidly at higher
      temperatures. This trend is dictated by precipitation of calcium phosphate salts,
      albeit the major constituents of the mixture are NaCl and lactose. The
      crystallisation induction time can be shortened by introducing cavitation induced
      by ultrasound. In particular, the use of two short acoustic pulses between 3.7
      J/g and 16 J/g at 20 kHz spaced ten minutes apart has maximum impact upon both
      induction time and crystal size. It is believed that the first ultrasound pulse
      either generates new nuclei or enhances the mass transfer of solute toward the
      surface of sub-micron growing crystals. Conversely, the second pulse disrupts the
      growing crystals and forms secondary nuclei. The ultrasound cannot shift the
      solution equilibrium and so is not able to improve the low crystal yield. To
      increase this total yield, further evaporation is necessary. The work provides
      direction to personnel in the dairy industry of the feasibility of brine
      crystallisation with respect to energy demand and solid recovery.

PMID- 27267479
TI  - Metagenomic insights into ultraviolet disinfection effects on antibiotic
      resistome in biologically treated wastewater.
AB  - High-throughput sequencing-based metagenomic approaches were used to
      comprehensively investigate ultraviolet effects on the microbial community
      structure, and diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and
      mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in biologically treated wastewater. After
      ultraviolet radiation, some dominant genera, like Aeromonas and Halomonas, in the
      wastewater almost disappeared, while the relative abundance of some minor genera
      including Pseudomonas and Bacillus increased dozens of times. Metagenomic
      analysis showed that 159 ARGs within 14 types were detectable in the samples, and
      the radiation at 500 mJ/cm(2) obviously increased their total relative abundance
      from 31.68 ppm to 190.78 ppm, which was supported by quantitative real time PCR.
      As the dominant persistent ARGs, multidrug resistance genes carried by
      Pseudomonas and bacitracin resistance gene bacA carried by Bacillus mainly
      contributed to the ARGs abundance increase. Bacterial community shift and MGEs
      replication induced by the radiation might drive the resistome alteration. The
      findings may shed new light on the mechanism behind the ultraviolet radiation
      effects on antibiotic resistance in wastewater.

PMID- 27267480
TI  - Increases in Cardiac Output and Oxygen Consumption During Enhanced External
      Counterpulsation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Regular enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) improves exercise
      capacity possibly through a training effect, but the roles of oxygen consumption
      (VO2) vs. direct EECP effects (diastolic augmentation, DA-ratio), and their
      relation to cardiac index (CI) during EECP are unknown. METHODS: We studied eight
      patients with angina pectoris (median [range] age 72 [53-85], 25% women), who
      underwent EECP for 35 daily sessions. Before, during and after the first and last
      sessions, we assessed VO2, DA-ratio and CI. RESULTS: At first EECP, CI increased
      from 2.2 (1.7-2.9) L/min/m2 prior to EECP to 3.0 (2.2-3.8) during EECP (p=0.011),
      and returned to 2.4 (0.8-3.0). Similarly, VO2 increased during EECP and returned
      to baseline after EECP. These patterns were reproduced at the last EECP session.
      Absolute values of CI and VO2 correlated with each other during but not prior to
      or after EECP. The increase in CI correlated with the increase in VO2 by trend:
      (first session, r 0.52, p=0.19; second session r 0.69, p=0.09), but not with DA
      ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Acutely during EECP, there is an increase in cardiac output
      that is unrelated to direct EECP effects but related to, and may be secondary to,
      an increase in peripheral O2 demand. This may represent a training effect.

PMID- 27267481
TI  - An Unusual Cause of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Recorded on a Heartrate
      Monitor.
AB  - Coronary vasospasm is an uncommon, but perhaps under-recognised, cause of cardiac
      arrest. We present a novel case of an exercise-induced out-of-hospital cardiac
      arrest due to coronary vasospasm, captured on a heartrate monitor, and discuss
      the management options for this condition. 

PMID- 27267482
TI  - Obituary - Henry Krum.

PMID- 27267483
TI  - Modified Separator Using Thin Carbon Layer Obtained from Its Cathode for Advanced
      Lithium Sulfur Batteries.
AB  - The realization of a practical lithium sulfur battery system, despite its high
      theoretical specific capacity, is severely limited by fast capacity decay, which
      is mainly attributed to polysulfide dissolution and shuttle effect. To address
      this issue, we designed a thin cathode inactive material interlayer modified
      separator to block polysulfides. There are two advantages for this strategy.
      First, the coating material totally comes from the cathode, thus avoids the
      additional weights involved. Second, the cathode inactive material modified
      separator improve the reversible capacity and cycle performance by combining
      gelatin to chemically bond polysulfides and the carbon layer to physically block
      polysulfides. The research results confirm that with the cathode inactive
      material modified separator, the batteries retain a reversible capacity of 644
      mAh g(-1) after 150 cycles, showing a low capacity decay of about 0.11% per
      circle at the rate of 0.5C. 

PMID- 27267484
TI  - Negative Birefringence in the Higher Homologs of the 5O.m Series of Liquid
      Crystals.
AB  - A detailed study of the different parameters of the higher homologs of the 5O.m
      (m = 14, 16) series of liquid-crystalline compounds is reported. These are
      interdigitated compounds with unsymmetrical alkyl chain length. The compounds
      have a unique nature, unlike the other members of the nO.m series. The molecular
      structure reported in this article is not purely uniaxial; it has a bending
      tendency. In this article, we report that both the compounds exhibit negative
      birefringence. For the optical study, the refractive indices, ne and no, of the
      sample are measured by the thin-prism technique, using a He-Ne laser beam of
      wavelength 633 nm. A four-parameter model was used for fitting the experimental
      results. From the experimentally measured refractive indices, it is possible to
      compare different parameters with those of the theoretical models.

PMID- 27267485
TI  - A New Method for Treatment of Lymphedema of Limbs: Standardized Manual Massage
      with a New Device Linforoll in Conservative and Surgical Therapy Protocols.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Edema fluid in lymphedematous limbs should be evacuated to sites
      where it can be absorbed. It should be moved either to the hypogastrium or
      arm/scapular regions along tissue channels or implanted silicon channels or
      through lymphovenous anastomoses. For that purpose, the manual lymphatic drainage
      of limb is an effective method. Standardization of manual massage applied force
      and timing becomes necessary. AIM: A device with known pressing area and
      continuously showing the applied force while moving it toward the root of the
      limb is needed. Moreover, force could be adjusted to the stiffness of the
      massaged tissues that varies at different levels of the limb. Results from such a
      device would be repeatable and reproducible by others. METHODS: In this study we
      present data on tissue fluid hydromechanics obtained from 20 patients with
      obstructive limb lymphedema during massage with a massaging roller called
      Linforoll. Linforoll is composed of a hand piece with roller and pressure sensor
      connected wireless to the computer displaying the pressure curve of the applied
      force. Electron microscopy studies for checking eventual tissue changes were
      done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Linforoll provides the possibilities of: 1)
      regulating the applied force according to the hydromechanic conditions of the
      massaged tissues; 2) standardization of massage repeatable in the same patient;
      3) decrease of limb volume; 4) evident increase in tissue elasticity; 5)
      application as a driving force for fluid flow along the surgically implanted
      tubing and vessels running to the lymphovenous shunts.

PMID- 27267487
TI  - Management and Restoration of an Implant With Irreversibly Damaged Internal
      Threads: A Clinical Report.
AB  - This report describes a method to restore an implant with irreversibly damaged
      internal threads. The remaining fractured post from the previous restoration was
      removed using a combination of an impression coping and an end-cutting bur. An
      elastomeric impression of the internal surface of the damaged implant, as well as
      the position of the adjacent implant, was made for fabrication of a new cast post
      and core and an implant supported 2-unit ceramometal splinted prosthesis.

PMID- 27267486
TI  - Thresholds for clinical importance for four key domains of the EORTC QLQ-C30:
      physical functioning, emotional functioning, fatigue and pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The EORTC QLQ-C30 is one of the most widely used quality of life
      questionnaires in cancer research. Availability of thresholds for clinical
      importance for the individual questionnaire domains could help to increase its
      interpretability. The aim of our study was to identify thresholds for clinical
      importance for four EORTC QLQ-C30 scales: Physical Functioning (PF), Emotional
      Functioning (EF), Pain (PA) and Fatigue (FA). METHODS: We recruited adult cancer
      patients from Austria, the Netherlands, Poland and the UK. No restrictions were
      placed on diagnosis or type or stage of treatment. Patients completed the QLQ-C30
      and three anchor items reflecting potential attributes of clinically important
      levels of PF, EF, PA and FA. We merged the anchor items assessing perceived
      burden, limitations in daily activities and need for help into a dichotomous
      external criterion to estimate thresholds for clinical importance using Receiver
      Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: In our sample of 548 cancer
      patients (mean age 60.6 years; 54 % female), the QLQ-C30 scales showed high
      diagnostic accuracy in identifying patients reporting burden, limitations and/or
      need for help related to PF, EF, PA and FA. All areas under the curve were above
      0.86. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to estimate thresholds for clinical importance
      for four QLQ-C30 scales. When used in daily clinical practice, these thresholds
      can help to identify patients with clinically important problems requiring
      further exploration and possibly intervention by health care professionals.

PMID- 27267488
TI  - Parallel and Low-Order Scaling Implementation of Hartree-Fock Exchange Using
      Local Density Fitting.
AB  - Calculations using modern linear-scaling electron-correlation methods are often
      much faster than the necessary reference Hartree-Fock (HF) calculations. We
      report a newly implemented HF program that speeds up the most time-consuming
      step, namely, the evaluation of the exchange contributions to the Fock matrix.
      Using localized orbitals and their sparsity, local density fitting (LDF), and
      atomic orbital domains, we demonstrate that the calculation of the exchange
      matrix scales asymptotically linearly with molecular size. The remaining parts of
      the HF calculation scale cubically but become dominant only for very large
      molecular sizes or with many processing cores. The method is well parallelized,
      and the speedup scales well with up to about 100 CPU cores on multiple compute
      nodes. The effect of the local approximations on the accuracy of computed HF and
      local second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory energies is systematically
      investigated, and default values are established for the parameters that
      determine the domain sizes. Using these values, calculations for molecules with
      hundreds of atoms in combination with triple-zeta basis sets can be carried out
      in less than 1 h, with just a few compute nodes. The method can also be used to
      speed up density functional theory calculations with hybrid functionals that
      contain HF exchange. 

PMID- 27267489
TI  - Health status among urban residents living in proximity to petroleum coke
      storage: a first examination.
AB  - We conducted an in-person survey in neighborhoods in south Chicago to examine
      whether residence near outdoor petroleum coke storage piles was associated with
      poorer health status and illness symptoms. A total of 223 adults (>=18) completed
      the surveys in English or Spanish, including 136 from a neighborhood exposed to
      the petroleum coke and 87 from a nearby comparison neighborhood. Exposure was
      defined based on prevailing winds and distance. We conducted a propensity score
      regression analysis, and found that residents in the exposed neighborhood were
      significantly more likely to report poor self-rated health, more unhealthy
      physical and mental health days, more illness symptoms including in particular
      respiratory and neurological symptoms, and worse perceived environmental
      conditions. The survey is limited by the small sample and the self-report nature
      of the data, but provides initial quantitative evidence that residence near
      outdoor petroleum coke storage piles may pose a public health risk. 

PMID- 27267491
TI  - Do memory aids help everyday memory? A controlled trial of a Memory Aids Service.
AB  - There is a growing body of knowledge about the use of compensatory memory aids in
      memory rehabilitation, but relatively few controlled trials on how to train the
      use of such aids. This study investigated the effects of systematic training in
      the use of compensatory memory aids on everyday memory functioning within a
      Memory Aids Service. In a controlled clinical trial, a comparison was made
      between treatment participants and waiting list controls. Participants had
      everyday memory problems secondary to progressive or non-progressive neurological
      conditions. Following baseline assessment and goal setting, treatment
      participants underwent three training sessions, in which memory aids were matched
      to goals, across a six week period, with a follow-up assessment 12 weeks later.
      Outcome was measured by a goal attainment diary, neuropsychological test
      performance, psychosocial questionnaires and a problem solving inventory. There
      was a significant treatment effect of training on the goal attainment diary but
      only at 12 weeks follow-up. A post-hoc analysis indicated that treatment was
      effective for participants with a non-progressive condition but not for
      participants with a progressive condition. We conclude that a Memory Aids Service
      can be beneficial for patients with a non-progressive neurological condition, and
      make suggestions that might inform future applications of memory aids with those
      who have a progressive neurological disorder.

PMID- 27267490
TI  - Are cancer-related decision aids appropriate for socially disadvantaged patients?
      A systematic review of US randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shared decision-making (SDM) is considered a key component of high
      quality cancer care and may be supported by patient decision aids (PtDAs). Many
      patients, however, face multiple social disadvantages that may influence their
      ability to fully participate in SDM or to use PtDAs; additionally, these social
      disadvantages are among the determinants of health associated with greater cancer
      risk, unwarranted variations in care and worse outcomes. The purpose of this
      systematic review is to describe the extent to which disadvantaged social groups
      in the United States (US) have been included in trials of cancer-related PtDAs
      and to highlight strategies, lessons learned and future opportunities for
      developing and evaluating PtDAs that are appropriate for disadvantaged
      populations. METHODS: We selected cancer-related US studies from the Cochrane
      2014 review of PtDAs and added RCTs meeting Cochrane criteria from searches of
      PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO (January 2010 to December 2013); and reference lists.
      Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts; three reviewers
      independently screened full text articles, performed data extraction and
      assessed: 1) inclusion of participants based on seven indicators of social
      disadvantage (limited education; female gender; uninsured or Medicaid status; non
      U.S. nativity; non-White race or Hispanic ethnicity; limited English proficiency;
      low-literacy), and 2) attention to social disadvantage in the development or
      evaluation of PtDAs. RESULTS: Twenty-three of 39 eligible RCTs included
      participants from at least one disadvantaged subgroup, most frequently
      racial/ethnic minorities or individuals with limited education and/or low
      literacy. Seventeen studies discussed strategies and lessons learned in attending
      to the needs of disadvantaged social groups in PtDA development; 14 studies
      targeted disadvantaged groups or addressed subgroup differences in PtDA
      evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of the US population is represented in a
      majority of cancer-related PtDA RCTs, but fewer studies have tailored PtDAs to
      address the multiple social disadvantages that may impact patients' participation
      in SDM. More detailed attention to the comprehensive range of social factors that
      determine cancer risk, variations in care and outcomes is needed in the
      development and evaluation of PtDAs for disadvantaged populations. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Registered 24 October 2014 in PROSPERO International prospective
      register of systematic reviews ( CRD42014014470 ).

PMID- 27267492
TI  - Turtles as a Possible Reservoir of Nontyphoidal Salmonella in Shanghai, China.
AB  - Terrapins and turtles are known to transmit Salmonella to humans. However, little
      was known about the occurrence of this pathogen in soft-shelled terrapin that is
      a popular delicacy in Chinese and other East Asian cuisines. We isolated and
      characterized 82 (24.4%) isolates of Salmonella from 336 fecal samples of soft
      shelled terrapins (51 of 172; 29.7%) and pet turtles (31 of 164; 18.9%) in
      Shanghai. Salmonella Thompson was the most common serotype (17.1%) among others.
      Many isolates (84.1%) were resistant to multiple antimicrobials (>=3). Molecular
      analysis of Salmonella Thompson and Salmonella Typhimurium using pulsed-field gel
      electrophoresis unveiled a close genetic relationship between several human and
      terrapin isolates. Our results highlight the risk associated with the handling
      and consumption of turtles and their role in the spread of Salmonella in the
      human salmonellosis.

PMID- 27267493
TI  - Effectiveness of auditory and tactile crossmodal cues in a dual-task visual and
      auditory scenario.
AB  - In this study, we examined how spatially informative auditory and tactile cues
      affected participants' performance on a visual search task while they
      simultaneously performed a secondary auditory task. Visual search task
      performance was assessed via reaction time and accuracy. Tactile and auditory
      cues provided the approximate location of the visual target within the search
      display. The inclusion of tactile and auditory cues improved performance in
      comparison to the no-cue baseline conditions. In comparison to the no-cue
      conditions, both tactile and auditory cues resulted in faster response times in
      the visual search only (single task) and visual-auditory (dual-task) conditions.
      However, the effectiveness of auditory and tactile cueing for visual task
      accuracy was shown to be dependent on task-type condition. Crossmodal cueing
      remains a viable strategy for improving task performance without increasing
      attentional load within a singular sensory modality. Practitioner Summary:
      Crossmodal cueing with dual-task performance has not been widely explored, yet
      has practical applications. We examined the effects of auditory and tactile
      crossmodal cues on visual search performance, with and without a secondary
      auditory task. Tactile cues aided visual search accuracy when also engaged in a
      secondary auditory task, whereas auditory cues did not.

PMID- 27267494
TI  - A Fluorescent Polymer Probe with High Selectivity toward Vascular Endothelial
      Cells for and beyond Noninvasive Two-Photon Intravital Imaging of Brain
      Vasculature.
AB  - A chromophore-engineering strategy that relies on the introduction of a ground
      state distortion in a quadrupolar chromophore was used to obtain a quasi
      quadrupolar chromophore with red emission and large two-photon absorption (2PA)
      cross-section in polar solvents. This molecule was functionalized with water
      solubilizing polymer chains. It constitutes not only a remarkable contrast agent
      for intravital two-photon microscopy of the functional cerebral vasculature in a
      minimally invasive configuration but presents intriguing endothelial staining
      ability that makes it a valuable probe for premortem histological staining. 

PMID- 27267495
TI  - Antithyroid Drugs-The Most Common Treatment for Graves' Disease in the United
      States: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

PMID- 27267496
TI  - Epidemiology of chronic myeloid leukemia in Spain and its possible therapeutic
      implications.

PMID- 27267498
TI  - An update on the pharmacotherapeutic interventions for smoking cessation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking can damage every organ in the body and is the
      leading known preventable cause of death globally. It is estimated that 70% of
      patients want to quit, and about 50% report a quit attempt in the past year, yet
      only 4-7% are successful. These low quit rates represent the importance of
      appropriate treatment for smoking cessation through behavioral and
      pharmacotherapeutic means. AREAS COVERED: Pharmacotherapy approximately doubles
      patients' chances of quitting, and the first-line approved pharmacotherapetuic
      options include nicotine gum, lozenge, patch, nasal spray, and inhaler, sustained
      release bupropion, and varenicline. Second-line therapies include nortriptyline
      and clonidine. Recent evidence suggests a potential role for cytisine and
      naltrexone. Healthcare providers play an important role in helping patients quit
      smoking; therefore, a clear understanding of appropriate dosing, regimen,
      technique, disadvantages, advantages, warnings/precautions, and contraindications
      for available pharmacotherapeutic options is essential. EXPERT OPINION: To
      improve chances of success, providers should consider patient preferences and
      prior experiences with quitting, provide medication-specific counseling for the
      selected therapy, and encourage adherence with the behavioral and
      pharmacotherapeutic treatment regimen.

PMID- 27267497
TI  - Notch1 regulated autophagy controls survival and suppressor activity of activated
      murine T-regulatory cells.
AB  - Cell survival is one of several processes regulated by the Notch pathway in
      mammalian cells. Here we report functional outcomes of non-nuclear Notch
      signaling to activate autophagy, a conserved cellular response to nutrient
      stress, regulating survival in murine natural T-regulatory cells (Tregs), an
      immune subset controlling tolerance and inflammation. Induction of autophagy
      required ligand-dependent, Notch intracellular domain (NIC) activity, which
      controlled mitochondrial organization and survival of activated Tregs.
      Consistently, NIC immune-precipitated Beclin and Atg14, constituents of the
      autophagy initiation complex. Further, ectopic expression of an effector of
      autophagy (Atg3) or recombinant NIC tagged to a nuclear export signal (NIC-NES),
      restored autophagy and suppressor function in Notch1(-/-) Tregs. Furthermore,
      Notch1 deficiency in the Treg lineage resulted in immune hyperactivity,
      implicating Notch activity in Treg homeostasis. Notch1 integration with
      autophagy, revealed in these experiments, holds implications for Notch regulated
      cell-fate decisions governing differentiation.

PMID- 27267499
TI  - Reduced rat plasma lysophosphatidylglycerol or lysophosphatidic acid level as a
      biomarker of aristolochic acid-induced renal and adipose dysfunctions.
AB  - AIMS: Food products and diet pills containing aristolochic acid (AA) are
      responsible for a rapid progression of nephropathy associated with reduced body
      weight in human beings. In this study, we investigated the relationship of
      dietary NaCl and lysophospholipid (LPL) plasma levels to body weight gain in AA
      treated rats. MAIN METHODS: Male rats receiving a salt-deficient chow, normal
      salt chow or high salt chow were injected intraperitoneally daily with AA for
      15days. Body weight, visceral fat mass, food intake, levels of LPL in plasma and
      its synthesized enzyme were investigated. KEY FINDINGS: Body weight gain,
      visceral fat mass and daily food intake were smaller in AA-treated rats than
      those of control rats, regardless of dietary salt concentration. AA treatment
      decreased plasma levels of major lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) molecular species in
      rats fed the normal or high-salt chow but not the salt-deficient chow, whereas
      both the plasma lysophospholipase D activity and kidney mRNA level of autotaxin
      of AA-treated rats fed chow with defined salt concentrations were lower than
      those of control rats. Plasma levels of major molecular species of
      lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG) in AA-treated rat groups fed chow with defined
      salt concentrations were lower than those of control rats. SIGNIFICANCE: Plasma
      levels of LPG and LPA seem to be relevant to the reduced body weight gain and fat
      mass due to AA treatment.

PMID- 27267500
TI  - The relationship of body image with symptoms of depression and anxiety in
      patients with anorexia nervosa during outpatient psychotherapy: Results of the
      ANTOP study.
AB  - Body image disturbance represents a central characteristic of anorexia nervosa
      (AN). Depression and anxiety are the most common mental comorbidities in patients
      with AN. This study aims to investigate the relationship of body image with
      symptoms of depression and anxiety during outpatient psychotherapy in AN.
      Analyses were conducted using the data set of the Anorexia Nervosa Treatment
      Outpatient Study (ANTOP) randomized controlled trial. The ANTOP study included N
      = 242 females with AN between 18 and 56 years of age. The trial was designed to
      compare enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E) and focal psychodynamic
      therapy (FPT) with optimized treatment as usual (TAU-O) for patients with AN. The
      analyses on body image dimensions were conducted using measures of correlations
      and multiple linear regression analyses to assess the relationship and
      longitudinal prediction of symptoms of depression and anxiety by body image
      dimensions. Results showed that body image perceptions were significantly
      associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with AN at all
      treatment stages. In addition, body image dimensions at early treatment stages
      predict depression and anxiety in follow-up measurements. The correlation of
      symptoms of depression and anxiety by body image perceptions increased along
      treatment course. The persistence of body image disturbance, while body mass
      index increases under treatment (persistency effect), may constitute a relevant
      factor contributing to the course of the most common affective comorbidities of
      depression and anxiety in patients with AN. Body image disturbances in patients
      with AN should therefore be explicitly targeted within the specialized
      psychotherapy of affected patients. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27267501
TI  - Therapeutic interventions in the treatment of eating disorders: A naturalistic
      study.
AB  - This study used naturalistic data from psychodynamic (PD) and cognitive
      behavioral (CB) clinicians in the community to offer a portrait of treatments for
      eating disorder (ED) patients as provided in everyday clinical practice. The
      research aims were (1) to examine the therapeutic interventions reported by PD
      and CB clinicians working with ED patients; and (2) to assess the impact of
      different variables (such as patient personality styles, ED symptomatology, and
      therapists' theoretical orientation and experience) on the technique use reported
      by clinicians. A national sample of PD and CB clinicians (N = 105) completed the
      Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-200 (SWAP-200; Westen & Shedler, 1999a,
      1999b) to assess personality disorders of a female patient with EDs in their
      care, as well as the Comparative Psychotherapy Process Scale-Bulimia Nervosa
      (CPPS-BN; Thompson-Brenner & Westen, 2005) to describe the characteristic
      interventions used in their treatments. Results showed that PD clinicians tended
      to use primarily PD interventions, while CB clinicians employed CB techniques
      supplementing them with a wider range of PD strategies. However, clinicians from
      both theoretical orientations used adjunctive treatment techniques for EDs at a
      similar level. In addition, use of PD interventions was strongly associated with
      the personality styles of ED patients regardless of therapists' orientation,
      primarily being used more often when patients exhibited dysregulated and
      impulsive styles. Conversely, use of CB interventions was primarily related to a
      clinicians' CB orientation, patients with more explicit symptoms of anorexia
      nervosa, and negatively related to clinicians' years of experience. The clinical
      implications of these findings were discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27267502
TI  - Relationship-focused therapy for bulimia and binge eating: Introduction to the
      special section.
AB  - Individuals with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder commonly report co
      occurring interpersonal problems, and treatment that focuses on relationships and
      relational functioning has shown benefit relative to other forms of treatment.
      Relational psychotherapy for eating disorders can vary on several important
      dimensions, such as how structured and symptom-focused versus exploratory and
      patient-directed it is, whether it focuses on past relationships and patterns in
      relationships over time versus focusing on current relationships, and whether it
      includes the relationship with the therapist as an explicit topic of conversation
      and mechanism for relational change. The cases in this special section provide
      the opportunity to closely compare 3 therapeutic approaches on each of these
      dimensions. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy for Bulimia Nervosa, Integrative Dynamic
      Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy for the Prevention
      of Weight Gain and Eating Disorders are each highly distinct approaches. The
      authors of each case explain the intended mechanisms of treatment response, the
      measures that assess changes in eating disorder symptoms as well as the
      mechanisms of change, and provide extensive excerpts from case material to
      demonstrate and illustrate the particular evidence-based treatment. Therapists
      and researchers may usefully consider the process and outcome variables described
      in these interpersonal approaches. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27267503
TI  - Interpersonal psychotherapy for the prevention of excess weight gain and eating
      disorders: A brief case study.
AB  - This article presents a brief case study of "Jane Doe," a 13-year-old, non
      Hispanic White girl 2 participating in a clinical research trial of interpersonal
      psychotherapy-weight gain (IPT-WG). Girls at-risk for adult obesity and binge
      eating disorder (BED) were randomly assigned to take part in 12 weeks of
      preventative group treatment. Jane's IPT-WG group included five other early
      adolescent girls (mostly aged 12-13) at risk for adult obesity and BED. The case
      of Jane illustrates a successful example of IPT-WG for the prevention of
      excessive weight gain and for the prevention of BED. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27267504
TI  - Integrative dynamic therapy for bulimia nervosa: An evidence-based case study.
AB  - Both cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy are
      commonly used to treat eating disorders. To further investigate the effectiveness
      of integrative dynamic therapy (IDT) for bulimia nervosa (BN), our research group
      undertook a randomized, controlled pilot study comparing IDT with CBT for BN. The
      case described here was selected from a sample of N = 38 female patients with the
      symptoms of BN who enrolled in the study. IDT incorporated aspects of the first 4
      week stage of CBT, including psychoeducation, self-monitoring, and regular
      eating. Subsequently, the treatment focused on emotional expression, emotion
      regulation (defenses), intrapsychic conflict, and interpersonal relationships.
      The objectives of the report are to demonstrate the effectiveness of an
      integrative approach to the treatment of eating disorders to address the symptoms
      of BN and personality issues using pre-, mid-, and posttreatment data, and to
      illustrate the patient and clinician reactions to each approach to treatment
      using excerpts from session transcripts and alliance data. (PsycINFO Database
      Record 

PMID- 27267505
TI  - Psychoanalytic psychotherapy with a client with bulimia nervosa.
AB  - This case study presents the progress of one patient with bulimia nervosa who was
      originally very compromised in psychological domains that are the focus of
      analytic treatment, and includes in-session therapeutic process and a range of
      outcomes, for example, eating disorder symptoms, attachment status, and
      reflective functioning. Nested in a study showing more rapid behavioral
      improvement in subjects receiving cognitive behavior therapy than in subjects
      receiving psychoanalytic psychotherapy, the case highlights the importance of
      supplementing RCTs with single case studies and the need of adapting the
      therapeutic approach as well as the current therapeutic dialogue to the
      individual client. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27267506
TI  - Relationship-focused psychotherapies for eating disorders come of age.
AB  - This is a commentary on 3 case studies of relationship-focused therapies for
      eating disorders. The 3 approaches vary along a number of dimensions, but
      nevertheless share important similarities especially related to the role played
      by variables such as interpersonal problems and affect dysregulation. I briefly
      review research on interpersonal- and attachment-based models of eating disorders
      that provide the evidence-base for theories of therapy that are relationship
      focused. The Interpersonal Psychotherapy case presented by Tanofsky-Kraff,
      Shomaker, Young, and Wilfley (2016) illustrates how a group context can
      facilitate change in key role disputes and role transitions in an adolescent at
      risk of developing an eating disorder later in her life. The Integrative-Dynamic
      Therapy case presented by Richards, Shingleton, Goldman, Siegel, and Thompson
      Brenner (2016) is a novel sequential combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy
      followed by dynamic psychotherapy for a young adult with bulimia nervosa that
      likely reflects what most clinicians do in everyday practice. The Psychoanalytic
      Psychotherapy case presented by Lunn, Poulsen, and Daniel (2016) of a patient
      with severe personality pathology demonstrates how treatments for eating
      disorders sometimes must address complex attachment dysfunction, self
      organization, and therapist countertransference in order to provide a useful
      therapeutic experience. Relationship-focused theories and therapies for eating
      disorders have come a long way over the past decades, thus providing therapists
      with a wider range of approaches that can be truly personalized to their clients.
      (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27267507
TI  - Improving psychotherapy for anorexia nervosa: Introduction to the special section
      on innovative treatment approaches.
AB  - The available forms of psychotherapy for anorexia nervosa (AN) are helpful to
      many patients; however, a substantial proportion of adults with AN continues to
      show persistent symptoms and medical risks following treatment. Clinical
      investigators are therefore developing innovative adjunctive treatments for
      adults, to augment treatment effects. The 3 cases in this special section each
      demonstrate a creative, potent adjunctive treatment approach: Exposure and
      Response Prevention, Cognitive Remediation Therapy, and Unified Couples Therapy.
      In addition to demonstrating the treatment and response, the authors also discuss
      the important opportunities and struggles associated with the experience of
      providing each treatment for AN. Because adults with AN are often very attached
      to symptoms, and afraid of change, it is crucial to develop a basis for the
      therapeutic alliance and motivation to change. In these detailed, vivid, evidence
      based case examples, the authors demonstrate highly distinct, innovative
      approaches to these issues. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27267508
TI  - Overcoming fear of eating: A case study of a novel use of exposure and response
      prevention.
AB  - Even after successful weight restoration, many patients with anorexia nervosa
      (AN) continue to exhibit maladaptive eating including repetitive behaviors (i.e.,
      food rituals) used to decrease anxiety about food, and to describe fears related
      to food content, including its effect on shape and weight. Although there are
      important differences between eating disorders and anxiety disorders, the shared
      clinical phenomena suggest potentially useful overlap in treatment strategies.
      This case study will describe treatment of a woman with AN using Exposure and
      Response Prevention for Anorexia Nervosa (AN-EXRP) as an adjunct to concurrent
      inpatient treatment. This is a novel use of a treatment approach with established
      efficacy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. AN-EXRP specifically targets
      eating-related anxiety with the intent to improve the restrictive eating patterns
      that persist after acute weight restoration. The case study described includes
      descriptions of (a) the treatment rationale and its phases of implementation, (b)
      illustrative sample dialogue between the patient and therapist, (c) pre- and
      posttreatment data on outcome measures of interest (e.g., food intake at a
      laboratory meal, self-report anxiety ratings, self-report eating-related rituals,
      and preoccupations), and (d) therapist considerations (e.g., maintaining
      alliance, adhering to treatment frame). (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27267509
TI  - Cognitive remediation therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy with an older
      adult with anorexia nervosa: A brief case report.
AB  - Cognitive remediation therapy represents a new approach to the treatment of
      anorexia nervosa (AN) emerging from research, suggesting that adults with chronic
      AN have specific neurocognitive inefficiencies. Specifically, adults with AN
      demonstrate an overly detailed cognitive processing bias (Roberts, Tchanturia, &
      Treasure, 2013) and difficulties shifting set quickly and efficiently (Roberts,
      Tchanturia, Stahl, Southgate, & Treasure, 2007). These characteristics manifest
      as rigid, rule-bound, and detail-focused cognitions, beliefs, and behaviors.
      Versions of these problems appear to persist after weight restoration (Tchanturia
      et al., 2004) and are observable in patient's healthy sisters (Roberts et al.,
      2013). Thus, central coherence difficulties and set-shifting problems have been
      proposed as endophenotypes and maintaining factors of AN (Roberts et al., 2013).
      (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27267511
TI  - Anorexia nervosa in adults: The urgent need for novel outpatient treatments that
      work.
AB  - Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric disorder that often follows a
      protracted course, and continues to confound those who attempt treatment once the
      patient has reached adulthood. Several randomized clinical trials for adults with
      AN have tested well-known therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy,
      supportive psychotherapies, or focal psychodynamic therapy, all of which have
      delivered frustratingly few helpful treatment strategies. Perhaps a different
      path could be pursued where we do not aim to cure all patients with 1 or 2 of
      these well-trodden therapies. Instead, a more targeted alternative, testing
      several novel approaches, could collectively reach a larger cohort of patients
      suffering from AN, the most lethal of all psychiatric disorders. (PsycINFO
      Database Record

PMID- 27267512
TI  - Mechanisms of Sb(III) Photooxidation by the Excitation of Organic Fe(III)
      Complexes.
AB  - Organic Fe(III) complexes are widely distributed in the aqueous environment,
      which can efficiently generate free radicals under light illumination, playing a
      significant role in heavy metal speciation. However, the potential importance of
      the photooxidation of Sb(III) by organic Fe(III) complexes remains unclear.
      Therefore, the photooxidation mechanisms of Sb(III) were comprehensively
      investigated in Fe(III)-oxalate, Fe(III)-citrate and Fe(III)-fulvic acid (FA)
      solutions by kinetic measurements and modeling. Rapid photooxidation of Sb(III)
      was observed in an Fe(III)-oxalate solution over the pH range of 3 to 7. The
      addition of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) as an .OH scavenger quenched the Sb(III)
      oxidation, suggesting that .OH is an important oxidant for Sb(III). However, the
      incomplete quenching of Sb(III) oxidation indicated the existence of other
      oxidants, presumably an Fe(IV) species in irradiated Fe(III)-oxalate solution. In
      acidic solutions, .OH may be formed by the reaction of Fe(II)(C2O4) with H2O2,
      but a hypothetical Fe(IV) species may be generated by the reaction of
      Fe(II)(C2O4)2(2-) with H2O2 at higher pH. Kinetic modeling provides a
      quantitative explanation of the results. Evidence for the existence of .OH and
      hypothetical Fe(IV) was also observed in an irradiated Fe(III)-citrate and
      Fe(III)-FA system. This study demonstrated an important pathway of Sb(III)
      oxidation in surface waters.

PMID- 27267510
TI  - Couple-based interventions in the treatment of adult anorexia nervosa: A brief
      case example of UCAN.
AB  - Adult anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and often fatal illness that
      significantly erodes quality of life for both the patient and loved ones.
      Treatment of adults with AN has focused largely on individual therapy, with
      recent findings suggesting that improvement is limited and dropout rates are
      high. In an effort to improve treatment response, we developed a couple-based
      intervention, Uniting Couples in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa (UCAN) as an
      adjunct treatment to standard multidisciplinary care. UCAN leverages the support
      of a partner and the relationship in treatment by decreasing avoidance around AN,
      teaching the couple how to effectively address the eating disorder, and helping
      to foster a more satisfying relationship. This paper presents a case study of a
      couple who completed UCAN, "Laura and Steve," including their experiences in
      treatment and outcome measures at pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up. Laura
      showed clinically significant change on the Restraint subscale of the Eating
      Disorders Examination at follow-up, and both partners showed clinically
      significant improvements in relationship satisfaction, as well as on self
      reported and observed communication. Both partners reported very high
      satisfaction with the treatment. A discussion of therapists' experiences in
      delivering UCAN is provided, including common challenges for therapists with
      primarily a couple therapy or an individual CBT for eating disorders background,
      as well as important factors for therapists to consider in order to optimally
      leverage the benefits of including partners in treatment for AN. (PsycINFO
      Database Record 

PMID- 27267513
TI  - Depression and performance on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of
      Neuropsychological Status.
AB  - There is strong evidence that depression is associated with neuropsychological
      deficits across multiple domains. However, research on this topic has spanned a
      variety of measures with different psychometric properties and normative samples,
      which prevents drawing definitive conclusions about the pattern of
      neuropsychological deficiencies. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of
      Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a brief neurocognitive battery that is
      routinely used in clinical settings and provides co-normed measures of attention,
      language, memory, and visuospatial/constructional skills. The present study
      examined the association between depression and RBANS performance in a sample of
      66 18-65 year-old adults who completed a neuropsychological evaluation at an
      outpatient clinic. Results indicated that depressed participants, relative to
      controls, demonstrated poorer performance in immediate and delayed memory,
      attention, and visuospatial/constructional abilities, and the four domains were
      diminished to a similar degree. These results were replicated using a continuous
      measure of depression symptoms. In addition, the association between depression
      and delayed memory was at least partially due to current psychotropic medication.
      The present study suggests that the RBANS is sensitive to the neuropsychological
      deficits typically found in depression, such that mild to moderate depression in
      adult outpatients is associated with comparable deficits in attention, memory,
      and visuospatial/constructional abilities.

PMID- 27267515
TI  - FDA Approves Drug Combo for Kidney Cancer.
AB  - The FDA has approved the combination of lenvatinib and everolimus to treat
      advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The approval marks the first time
      that tyrosine kinase and mTOR inhibitors have been combined successfully as
      second-line treatment for renal cell carcinoma following prior VEGF-targeted
      therapy.

PMID- 27267514
TI  - Effect of Transplant on Platelet Function Markers (P-Selectin and Platelet
      Aggregation) and Adiponectin in Renal Transplant Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In chronic kidney disease, both bleeding and thrombotic complications
      are observed, although with expected recovery after a successful transplant.
      Adiponectin has protective properties with respect to atherogenesis and
      inflammation. Plasma adiponectin levels are markedly elevated among patients with
      end-stage renal disease and are lower after kidney transplant. However, this
      topic is still debated in the literature. Here, we evaluated the effect of
      transplant on platelet function markers (P-selectin and platelet aggregation) and
      adiponectin in renal transplant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study
      included 14 renal transplant patients. Preoperative and week 1, month 1, month 6,
      year 1, and year 2 samples after transplant were studied. In addition to plasma
      adiponectin, P-selectin levels, and platelet aggregation tests, biochemical tests
      and coagulation parameters were also studied. RESULTS: We observed a significant
      decrease in adiponectin levels 2 years after transplant. Platelet function tests
      with ADP and collagen were significantly improved, and no changes in P-selectin,
      ristocetin, and epinephrine levels were observed. CONCLUSIONS: According to our
      findings, glomerular filtration rate has an important effect on platelet
      function, but adiponectin levels became normal only in the second year after
      transplant. Late improvement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and
      adiponectin after transplant suggested to us that patients with kidney transplant
      may still have risk of cardiovascular events, especially in the first years.

PMID- 27267516
TI  - BGB-283 Deemed Effective in Phase I Study.
AB  - In a phase I trial, BGB-283, which targets the RAF family of proteins, was found
      to be safe and tolerable-and effective-in treating patients with a variety of
      solid tumors harboring mutations in BRAF, KRAS, and NRAS.

PMID- 27267517
TI  - Frequency of abnormal T-cells in hypereosinophilic syndrome and hypereosinophilia
      of undetermined significance- Extended follow-up.

PMID- 27267519
TI  - Rheumatoid arthritis and metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 27267518
TI  - Sino nasal inhalation of isotonic versus hypertonic saline (6.0%) in CF patients
      with chronic rhinosinusitis - Results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized,
      double-blind, controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis is a hallmark of Cystic fibrosis (CF)
      impairing the patients' quality of life and overall health. However, therapeutic
      options have not been sufficiently evaluated. Bronchial inhalation of mucolytic
      substances is a gold standard in CF therapy. Previously, we found that sinonasal
      inhalation of dornase alfa as vibrating aerosol reduces symptoms of chronic
      rhinosinusitis more effectively than NaCl 0.9% (net treatment benefit: -5.87+/
      2.3 points, p=0.017; SNOT-20 total score). This multicenter study compares the
      effect of NaCl 6.0% vs. NaCl 0.9% following the protocol from our preceding study
      with dornase alfa. METHODS: Sixty nine CF patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in
      eleven German CF centers were randomized to receive sinonasal vibrating
      inhalation of either NaCl 6.0% or NaCl 0.9% for 28days. After 28days of wash-out,
      patients crossed over to the alternative treatment. The primary outcome parameter
      was symptom score in the disease-specific quality of life Sino-Nasal Outcome Test
      20 (SNOT-20). Additionally, pulmonary function was assessed, as well as
      rhinomanometry and inflammatory markers in nasal lavage (neutrophil elastase,
      interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8) in a subgroup. RESULTS: Both therapeutic
      arms were well tolerated and showed slight improvements in SNOT-20 total scores
      (NaCl 6.0%: -3.1+/-6.5 points, NaCl 0.9%: -5.1+/-8.3 points, ns). In both
      treatment groups, changes of inflammatory parameters in nasal lavage from day 1
      to day 29 were not significant. We suppose that the irritating properties of NaCl
      6.0% reduced the suitability of the SNOT-20 scores as an outcome parameter.
      Alternative primary outcome parameters such as MR-imaging or the quantity of
      sinonasal secretions mobilized with both saline concentrations were, however, not
      feasible. CONCLUSION: Sinonasal inhalation with NaCl 6.0% did not lead to
      superior results vs. NaCl 0.9%, whereas dornase alfa had been significantly more
      effective than NaCl 0.9%.

PMID- 27267520
TI  - Electrocardiographic changes in dermatomyositis and polymyositis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cardiac involvement is frequent in inflammatory myopathies.
      Electrocardiogram (ECG) may show evidence of this involvement and its changes
      should be well-known and described. OBJECTIVES: Due to the lack of studies in the
      literature, we conducted an analysis of the ECG findings in patients with
      dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM), comparing them with a control group.
      METHODS: This cross-sectional study compared the ECG of 86 individuals with no
      rheumatic disorders (controls) with 112 patients (78 DM and 34 PM), during 2010
      2013. The ECG findings between DM and PM were also compared. RESULTS: Demographic
      characteristics, comorbidities and ECG abnormalities were similar between
      controls and patients (p>0.05), except for a higher frequency of left ventricular
      hypertrophy (LVH) in patients (10.7% vs. 1.2%, p=0.008). Demographic
      characteristics, comorbidities, clinical and laboratory manifestations, were also
      similar between the groups PM and DM, except for the presence of cutaneous
      lesions only in DM. One-third of the patients had ECG abnormalities, which were
      more prevalent in PM than DM (50% vs. 24.4%, p=0.008). LVH, left atrial
      enlargement, rhythm and conduction abnormalities were more frequent in PM than DM
      (p<0.05 for all), especially the left anterior fascicular block. CONCLUSIONS: We
      showed distinct ECG changes between DM and PM and a higher frequency of LVH in
      patients compared to controls. Investigation of cardiac involvement should be
      considered even in asymptomatic patients, especially PM. Further studies are
      necessary in order to determine the correlation of ECG findings with other
      complementary tests, clinical manifestations, disease activity and progression to
      other cardiac diseases.

PMID- 27267521
TI  - Retroperitoneal fibrosis: case series of five patients and review of the
      literature.
AB  - Chronic periaortitis (CP) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of
      nosologically allied conditions that include idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis
      (Ormond's disease), inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm, and perianeurysmal
      retroperitoneal fibrosis. Retroperitoneal fibrosis encompasses a range of
      diseases characterized by the presence of a fibro-inflammatory tissue, which
      usually surrounds the abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries and extends into the
      retroperitoneum to envelop neighboring structures-ureters. Retroperitoneal
      fibrosis is generally idiopathic, but can also be secondary to the use of certain
      drugs, malignant diseases, infections, and surgery. Here we describe a 5 years
      follow-up (2006-2011) of 5 patients admitted to our hospital with symptoms,
      laboratory, imaging and pathologic finding compatible with retroperitoneal
      fibrosis. We review our clinical course of our patient with respect to the
      literature. 

PMID- 27267522
TI  - Food intake assessment and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the food intake of women with and without fibromyalgia and
      verify if the food intake of patients with fibromyalgia interferes with the pain
      and quality of life. METHODS: Study participants were women with fibromyalgia
      (FM) seen in Fibromyalgia Outpatient Clinic, Hospital das Clinicas/UFPR and a
      control group (CT) with healthy women. Data collection was conducted from March
      to October 2012. For the assessment of food intake we used the Food Registration
      and the analyzed items were total calories, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids,
      vitamins (A, C, B12, D and E) and minerals (folate, selenium, zinc, iron, calcium
      and magnesium). The software used was Avanutri Online((r)). To evaluate the
      quality of life, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and pain threshold
      were used. RESULTS: 43 patients with FM and 44 healthy women were evaluated. CT
      group showed a mean consumption of nutrients greater than FM group except for
      iron. However, only caloric intake, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in grams
      and percentage of lipids, vitamin A, E, B12, folate, selenium and calcium were
      statistically significant. In FM group, there was a negative correlation between
      vitamin E and FIQ and a positive correlation between percentage of protein and
      pain threshold. CONCLUSION: Women with FM showed a lower qualitative and
      quantitative intake in comparison with CT group. Only vitamin E correlated with
      quality of life and percentage of protein in the diet with sensation of pain.

PMID- 27267523
TI  - Osteoporosis in primary care: an opportunity to approach risk factors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Climacteric women are susceptible to a number of changes, among
      them osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and
      susceptibility to fracture. Currently, this disease is a public health issue,
      being necessary to recognize its risk factors. OBJECTIVES: Identify risk factors
      related to osteoporosis in women attending PROPIS/PROEX/UFMA, tracing a socio
      demographic characterization and considering community lifestyles. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: This is a transversal retrospective clinical with a quantitative
      approach study conducted between March and June 2013 in Sao Luis-MA with 107
      women treated at the Programa de Praticas de Integralidade em Saude (PROPIS -
      Integrality Health Practice Program). The study was approved by the University
      Hospital Ethics Committee of UFMA under opinion no. 362/07. Data were tabulated
      and analyzed in the epidemiological Epi-Info((r)) software, version 3.4.1.
      RESULTS: The brown color was predominant, consensual relationships proved to be a
      protective factor and low education was a risk factor. The average age of the
      group with menopause was 54.1 years and without menopause was 31.3 years
      (p<0.0001). The average age of menopause was 43.7 years. The irregular menstrual
      cycle was a protective factor. The average number of pregnancies was 4.56 for the
      group with menopause and 2.45 for the group without menopause, with most births
      occurring normally (p<0.0001). Smoking, physical inactivity and caffeine intake
      were risk factors, while the absence of alcoholism and of soda intake were
      protective factors for the disease. CONCLUSION: The patients followed the
      socioeconomic and demographic profile of Maranhao. Most had menarche and
      menopause in appropriate periods, showed no positive family history of
      osteoporosis, did not usually drink alcohol, were sedentary and the caffeine
      intake was high.

PMID- 27267524
TI  - Metabolic syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis followed at a University
      Hospital in Northeastern Brazil.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are 30-60% more likely to
      develop cardiovascular disease (CV) than the general population. Metabolic
      syndrome (MS), defined by a number of cardiovascular risk factors, confers a
      greater risk of CVdisease and diabetes. The association of MS with RA is not yet
      fully understood and its prevalence varies from 19 to 63% across studies.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of MS in a population of RA patients
      followed in a hospital in Northeastern Brazil and analyze associations of
      demographic and clinical factors with MS. METHODS: Outpatients with RA were
      evaluated in a cross-sectional study regarding demographic, clinical, laboratory
      and anthropometric data. The criteria for defining MS were those adopted by
      NCEPIII (2005) and IDF (2006). RESULTS: 110 patients with RA were studied; 97.3%
      were female, with a mean age of 55.5 years (SD=12.9) and duration of illness of
      11.2 years (SD=7.3). The MS prevalence from NCEPIII (2005) and IDF (2005) were,
      respectively, 50% and 53.4%. Advanced age (57.9+/-11.9 versus 52.9+/-13.5;
      p=0.04) and smoking load >20 packs/year (29% versus 9%, p=0.008) were associated
      with MS. The major components of the metabolic syndrome were abdominal obesity
      (98.1%), hypertension (80%) and low HDL cholesterol (72.2%). CONCLUSIONS: RA
      patients in a tertiary center in Northeastern Brazil showed high prevalence of
      MS. It is worth noting that almost all patients had MS and abdominal obesity,
      which has important practical implications. In addition to the components of MS,
      age and smoking were associated with this syndrome.

PMID- 27267525
TI  - Comparative study of functional capacity and quality of life among obese and non
      obese elderly people with knee osteoarthritis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The association between osteoarthritis (OA) and obesity can lead to
      a reduced functional capacity, compromising the quality of life (QoL) of the
      elderly. OBJECTIVE: To compare the functional capacity and QoL of obese and non
      obese older adults with knee OA. METHODS: The sample consisted of 35 subjects
      with OA divided into two groups, obese and non-obese subjects, according to their
      body mass index. To assess functional capacity, performance tests such as Timed
      Up and Go (TUG), gait speed test, and the six-minute walk test (6 MWT) were
      carried out. To assess QoL, WOMAC and SF-36 questionnaires were administered. We
      performed descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software version
      20.0. RESULTS: Elderly patients with OA were divided into two groups (obese,
      n=16; non-obese, n=19). Socio-demographic characteristics were similar between
      groups (p>0.05). The obese group showed a worst performance in TUG, brisk walking
      speed and 6 MWT. A more severe pain was found in the following items: "performing
      heavy housework chores", "going down stairs", "bending to floor" and "getting up
      from bed" in the obese group (p<0.05). In addition, the obese group had more
      difficulty to perform tasks for the following items: "going down stairs", "rising
      from a chair", "standing" and "getting on/off toilet" (p<0.05). There was no
      statistically significant difference in the assessed domains of SF-36 between
      groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: OA associated with obesity caused a negative impact
      on functional capacity; however, quality of life scores were low, and no
      difference in obese and non-obese subjects was found.

PMID- 27267526
TI  - Indirect and direct costs of treating patients with ankylosing spondylitis in the
      Brazilian public health system.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis require a team approach from
      multiple professionals, various treatment modalities for continuous periods of
      time, and can lead to the loss of labour capacity in a young population. So, it
      is necessary to measure its socio-economic impact. OBJECTIVES: To describe the
      use of public resources to treat AS in a tertiary hospital after the use of
      biological medications was approved for treating spondyloarthritis in the Health
      Public System, establishing approximate values for the direct and indirect costs
      of treating this illness in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 93 patients selected
      from the ambulatory spondyloarthritis clinic at the Hospital de Clinicas of the
      Federal University of Parana between September 2011 and September 2012 had their
      direct costs indirect treatment costs estimation. RESULTS: 70 patients (75.28%)
      were male and 23 (24.72%) female. The mean age was 43.95 years. The disease
      duration was calculated based on the age of diagnosis and the mean was 8.92 years
      (standard deviation: 7.32); 63.44% were using anti-tumour necrotic factor drugs.
      Comparing male and female patients the mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease
      Activity Index was 4.64 and 5.49 while the mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis
      Functional Index was 5.03 and 6.35 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian
      public health system's spending related to ankylosing spondylitis has increased
      in recent years. An important part of these costs is due to the introduction of
      new, more expensive health technologies, as in the case of nuclear magnetic
      resonance and, mainly, the incorporation of anti-tumour necrotic factor therapy
      into the therapeutic arsenal. The mean annual direct and indirect cost to the
      Brazilian public health system to treat a patient with ankylosing spondylitis,
      according to our findings, is US$ 23,183.56.

PMID- 27267527
TI  - Assessment of cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using the
      SCORE risk index.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes systemic
      involvement and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
      OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prediction index of 10-year risk of a fatal
      cardiovascular disease event in female RA patients versus controls. METHODS: Case
      control study with analysis of 100 female patients matched for age and gender
      versus 100 patients in the control group. For the prediction of 10-year risk of a
      fatal cardiovascular disease event, the SCORE and modified SCORE (mSCORE) risk
      indexes were used, as suggested by EULAR, in the subgroup with two or more of the
      following: duration of disease >=10 years, RF and/or anti-CCP positivity, and
      extra-articular manifestations. RESULTS: The prevalence of analyzed comorbidities
      was similar in RA patients compared with the control group (p>0.05). The means of
      the SCORE risk index in RA patients and in the control group were 1.99 (SD: 1.89)
      and 1.56 (SD: 1.87) (p=0.06), respectively. The means of mSCORE index in RA
      patients and in the control group were 2.84 (SD=2.86) and 1.56 (SD=1.87)
      (p=0.001), respectively. By using the SCORE risk index, 11% of RA patients were
      classified as of high risk, and with the use of mSCORE risk index, 36% were at
      high risk (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The SCORE risk index is similar in both groups,
      but with the application of the mSCORE index, we recognized that RA patients have
      a higher 10-year risk of a fatal cardiovascular disease event, and this
      reinforces the importance of factors inherent to the disease not measured in the
      SCORE risk index, but considered in mSCORE risk index.

PMID- 27267528
TI  - Brazilian multicenter study of 71 patients with juvenile-onset Takayasu's
      arteritis: clinical and angiographic features.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and angiographic characteristics of
      Takayasu's arteritis in Brazilian children and adolescents. METHODS: A
      retrospective data collection was performed in 71 children and adolescents
      followed in 10 Brazilian reference centers in Pediatric Rheumatology. The
      evaluation was carried out in three different time points: from onset of symptoms
      to diagnosis, from the 6th to 12th month of diagnosis, and in the last visit.
      RESULTS: Of 71 selected patients, 51 (71.8%) were girls. The mean age of onset of
      symptoms and of time to diagnosis was 9.2 (+/-4.2) years and 1.2 (+/-1.4) years,
      respectively. At the end of the study, 20 patients were in a state of disease
      activity, 39 in remission and 5 had evolved to death. The most common symptoms in
      baseline assessment, second evaluation, and final evaluation were, respectively:
      constitutional, musculoskeletal, and neurological symptoms. A decrease in
      peripheral pulses was the most frequent cardiovascular signal, and an increase in
      erythrocyte sedimentation rate was the most frequent laboratory finding in all
      three evaluation periods. The tuberculin test was positive in 41% of those
      tested. Stenosis was the most frequent angiographic lesion, abdominal artery was
      the most affected segment, and angiographic type IV the most frequent. Most (90%)
      participants were treated with glucocorticoids, 85.9% required another
      immunosuppressive drug, and 29.6% underwent angioplasty. CONCLUSION: This is the
      largest study on juvenile-onset Takayasu arteritis, and a high number of patients
      under the age of 10 years, with predominance of constitutional symptoms early in
      the disease, was observed.

PMID- 27267529
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma for osteoarthritis treatment.
AB  - We conducted a comprehensive and systematic search of the literature on the use
      of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of osteoarthritis, using the
      Medline, Lilacs, Cochrane and SciELO databases, from May 2012 to October 2013. A
      total of 23 studies were selected, with nine being controlled trials and, of
      these, seven randomized, which included 725 patients. In this series, the group
      receiving PRP showed improvement in pain and joint function compared to placebo
      and hyaluronic acid. The response lasted up to two years and was better in milder
      cases. However it was found that there is no standardization in the PRP
      production method, neither in the number, timing, and volume of applications.
      Furthermore, the populations studied were not clearly described in many studies.
      Thus, these results should be analyzed with caution, and further studies with
      more standardized methods would be necessary for a more consistent conclusion
      about the PRP role in osteoarthritis. 

PMID- 27267530
TI  - Periodontitis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - A large number of studies have shown a potential association between periodontal
      and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE). Similar mechanisms of tissue destruction concerning
      periodontitis and other autoimmune diseases have stimulated the study of a
      possible relationship between these conditions. This study aims to review the
      literature about this potential association and their different pathogenic
      mechanisms. Considering that periodontal disease is a disease characterized by
      inflammation influenced by infectious factors, such as SLE, it is plausible to
      suggest that SLE would influence periodontal disease and vice versa. However,
      this issue is not yet fully elucidated and several mechanisms have been proposed
      to explain this association, as deregulation mainly in innate immune system, with
      action of phagocytic cells and proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta and IL
      18 in both conditions' pathogenesis, leading to tissue destruction. However,
      studies assessing the relationship between these diseases are scarce, and more
      studies focused on common immunological mechanisms should be conducted to further
      understanding. 

PMID- 27267531
TI  - Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis: a new boost is needed in Latin American
      populations.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease which
      affects several organs and tissue, predominantly the synovial joints. Like many
      other autoimmune diseases, RA is a complex disease, where genetic variants,
      environmental factors and random events interact to trigger pathological
      pathways. Genetic implication in RA is evident, and recent advances have expanded
      our knowledge about the genetic factors that contribute to RA. An exponential
      increment in the number of genes associated with the disease has been described,
      mainly through gene wide screen studies (GWAS) involving international consortia
      with large patient cohorts. However, there are a few studies on Latin American
      populations. This article describes what is known about the RA genetics, the
      future that is emerging, and how this will develop a more personalized approach
      for the treatment of the disease. Latin American RA patients cannot be excluded
      from this final aim, and a higher collaboration with the international consortia
      may be needed for a better knowledge of the genetic profile of patients from this
      origin.

PMID- 27267532
TI  - Association between rheumatic fever and Takayasu's arteritis - Case report.
AB  - Takayasu's arteritis (TA) and rheumatic fever are diseases that can start with
      cardiac features, making the diagnosis difficult. There are reports of
      association of RF with Takayasu's arteritis beginning with cardiac involvement in
      pediatric patients. The aim of this study is to report the possible association
      of RF and TA in patients with cardiac abnormalities. We describe the case of an
      adolescent initially diagnosed with RF who progressed with changes that allowed
      making the diagnosis of TA. TA and RF are two important causes of valve
      involvement that may have systemic manifestations. 

PMID- 27267533
TI  - Acute acalculous cholecystitis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a rare initial
      manifestation.
AB  - Acute acalculous cholecystitis is a very rare gastrointestinal manifestation in
      systemic lupus erythematosus and becomes rarer as an initial manifestation. There
      are only two cases reported. The authors report a 20-year-old black woman that
      presented acute acalculous cholecystitis revealed by abdominal computed
      tomography. During hospitalization, she was diagnosed systemic lupus
      erythematosus. Conservative treatment with antibiotics was performed with
      complete remission of the symptoms. Corticosteroid was started in ambulatory.
      Cholecystectomy has been the treatment of choice in acute acalculous
      cholecystitis as a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient
      responded well to conservative treatment, and surgery was not required. This case
      is unique in the way that corticosteroid was started in ambulatory care. We
      should not forget that the acute acalculous cholecystitis can be the initial
      presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus although its occurrence is very
      rare. Conservative treatment should be considered. Abdominal computed tomography
      was a determinant exam for better assessment of acute acalculous cholecystitis. 

PMID- 27267534
TI  - Chronic polyarthritis as isolated manifestation of toxocariasis.
AB  - Human toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonosis mainly caused by Toxocara canis or
      Toxocara cati and is acquired by ingestion of the parasite's embryonated eggs.
      Arthralgia and/or arthritis were reported in up to 17% of the cases, generally
      with acute duration (less than 6 weeks). However, to our knowledge, chronic
      polyarthritis, as the isolated presentation of Toxocara infection, was not
      reported. One of the 5809 patients that was followed up at our service (0.017%)
      had chronic polyarthritis as the single manifestation of toxocariasis and was
      described herein. A 3-year-old girl was referred to our service with severe
      painful chronic polyarthritis for a period longer than 10 weeks and morning
      stiffness of 30min. Dog contact exposure history in the recreational areas of
      neighborhood was reported. Her exams showed high levels of eosinophils in
      peripheral blood (29%), bone marrow aspirate revealed marked eosinophilia (32%)
      and Toxocara enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) was positive (1:1280). She
      was treated with paracetamol (40mg/kg/day) and thiabendazole (25mg/kg/day) for 10
      days, and all manifestations reduced. After eight months of follow-up, she was on
      clinical and laboratorial remission. In conclusion, we described a case of
      chronic polyarthritis, as isolated manifestation of toxocariasis, mimicking
      juvenile idiopathic arthritis and leukemia. Importantly, this zoonosis should be
      considered in patients with arthritis and eosinophilia.

PMID- 27267535
TI  - NCPDP recommendations for dose accumulation monitoring in the inpatient setting:
      Acetaminophen case model, version 1.0.
AB  - PURPOSE: Best practices and guidance are provided for improved electronic
      detection and alerting of inadvertent supratherapeutic cumulative doses of
      acetaminophen and other medications with narrow therapeutic ranges in inpatient
      settings. SUMMARY: Despite the use of medication safety technologies, overdosage
      and associated sentinel events continue to be serious problems in many inpatient
      settings. The tools needed to monitor and employ dose alerts, accumulators, and
      warning systems are available to reduce inadvertent overdose. Required are staff
      training and the implementation of processes that provide guidance and
      documentation of the drug reconciliation process from admittance to discharge for
      safe patient passage through the various transitions of care. Recommendations to
      achieve optimal patient safety outcomes include the adoption and integration of
      available technologies with full functionality configured to meet the
      institution's policies and processes, initial training and retraining of all
      staff who use these systems, continuing education of the patient care staff on
      the dosing safety requirements, and assigning a prominent role to the clinical
      pharmacist in the entire drug-use and reconciliation process. CONCLUSION: The key
      factors contributing to inadvertent overdosage in inpatient settings include a
      lack of recognition of recommended maximum daily dosages; failure to optimally
      communicate medication information at transitions of care; failure to optimally
      implement medication safety technologies, particularly dose accumulator
      calculation features and associated alerts; and alert fatigue and override.

PMID- 27267536
TI  - Preventing inpatient acetaminophen overexposure.

PMID- 27267538
TI  - Worldwide Exposures to Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Associated Health Effects:
      Current Knowledge and Data Gaps.
AB  - Information on exposure to, and health effects of, cardiovascular disease (CVD)
      risk factors is needed to develop effective strategies to prevent CVD events and
      deaths. Here, we provide an overview of the data and evidence on worldwide
      exposures to CVD risk factors and the associated health effects. Global
      comparative risk assessment studies have estimated that hundreds of thousands or
      millions of CVD deaths are attributable to established CVD risk factors (high
      blood pressure and serum cholesterol, smoking, and high blood glucose), high body
      mass index, harmful alcohol use, some dietary and environmental exposures, and
      physical inactivity. The established risk factors plus body mass index are
      collectively responsible for ~9.7 million annual CVD deaths, with high blood
      pressure accounting for more CVD deaths than any other risk factor. Age
      standardized CVD death rates attributable to established risk factors plus high
      body mass index are lowest in high-income countries, followed by Latin America
      and the Caribbean; they are highest in the region of central and eastern Europe
      and central Asia. However, estimates of the health effects of CVD risk factors
      are highly uncertain because there are insufficient population-based data on
      exposure to most CVD risk factors and because the magnitudes of their effects on
      CVDs in observational studies are likely to be biased. We identify directions for
      research and surveillance to better estimate the effects of CVD risk factors and
      policy options for reducing CVD burden by modifying preventable risk factors.

PMID- 27267539
TI  - The Importance of Bringing Science and Medicine to Lay Audiences.

PMID- 27267540
TI  - Letter by Providencia and Lambiase Regarding Article, "Atrial Fibrillation Begets
      Heart Failure and Vice Versa: Temporal Associations and Differences in Preserved
      Versus Reduced Ejection Fraction".

PMID- 27267537
TI  - Exercise Dose in Clinical Practice.
AB  - There is wide variability in the physical activity patterns of the patients in
      contemporary clinical cardiovascular practice. This review is designed to address
      the impact of exercise dose on key cardiovascular risk factors and on mortality.
      We begin by examining the body of literature that supports a dose-response
      relationship between exercise and cardiovascular disease risk factors, including
      plasma lipids, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. We next explore the
      relationship between exercise dose and mortality by reviewing the relevant
      epidemiological literature underlying current physical activity guideline
      recommendations. We then expand this discussion to critically examine recent data
      pertaining to the impact of exercise dose at the lowest and highest ends of the
      spectrum. Finally, we provide a framework for how the key concepts of exercise
      dose can be integrated into clinical practice.

PMID- 27267541
TI  - Response to Letter Regarding Article, "Atrial Fibrillation Begets Heart Failure
      and Vice Versa: Temporal Associations and Differences in Preserved Versus Reduced
      Ejection Fraction".

PMID- 27267542
TI  - Palladium-Catalyzed ipso-Borylation of Aryl Sulfides with Diborons.
AB  - A catalytic Miyaura-type ipso-borylation of aryl sulfides with diboron reagents
      has been achieved, providing arylboronate esters of synthetic use. The key
      conditions to transform inherently reluctant C-S bonds into C-B bonds include a
      palladium-NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene) precatalyst, bis(pinacolato)diboron, and
      lithium hexamethyldisilazide. This protocol is applicable to a reasonable range
      of aryl alkyl sulfides. Twofold borylation was observed in the reaction of
      diphenyl sulfide.

PMID- 27267543
TI  - Hyper-recovery of platelets after induction therapy is a predictor of relapse
      free survival in acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - We verified the association between standard clinical and laboratory variables
      and the risk of relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which led us to
      retrospectively examine the effect of regeneration of hematopoiesis in patients
      with newly diagnosed AML. We used data from 230 patients who obtained remission
      after cytarabine-based induction chemotherapy. Platelet counts >=500 * 109/L and
      hemoglobin levels >=9 g/dL on day 28 after treatment initiation were
      significantly associated with relapse-free survival (RFS) rate, conferring
      respective multivariate risk ratios of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.18-0.79) and 0.60 (95% CI:
      0.40-0.89) for the occurrence of relapse or death. No disease relapse occurred in
      core binding factor leukemia patients whose platelet counts recovered >=500 *
      109/L at 28 days after therapy initiation. We conclude that regeneration of
      hematopoiesis, especially platelet hyper-recovery, after induction chemotherapy
      is a significant predictor of RFS in patients with AML.

PMID- 27267544
TI  - Chemical Dimerizers in Three-Hybrid Systems for Small Molecule-Target Protein
      Profiling.
AB  - The identification of the molecular targets and mechanisms underpinning the
      beneficial or detrimental effects of small-molecule leads and drugs constitutes a
      crucial aspect of current drug discovery. Over the last two decades, three-hybrid
      (3H) systems have progressively taken an important position in the armamentarium
      of small molecule-target protein profiling technologies. Yet, a prerequisite for
      successful 3H analysis is the availability of appropriate chemical inducers of
      dimerization. Herein, we present a comprehensive and critical overview of the
      chemical dimerizers specifically applied in both yeast and mammalian three-hybrid
      systems for small molecule-target protein profiling within the broader scope of
      target deconvolution and drug discovery. Furthermore, examples and alternative
      suggestions for typical components of chemical dimerizers for 3H systems are
      discussed. As illustrated, more tools have become available that increase the
      sensitivity and efficiency of 3H-based screening platforms. Hence, it is
      anticipated that the great potential of 3H systems will further materialize in
      important contributions to drug discovery.

PMID- 27267545
TI  - Controlled Growth of Ultrathin Film of Organic Semiconductors by Balancing the
      Competitive Processes in Dip-Coating for Organic Transistors.
AB  - Ultrathin film with thickness below 15 nm of organic semiconductors provides
      excellent platform for some fundamental research and practical applications in
      the field of organic electronics. However, it is quite challenging to develop a
      general principle for the growth of uniform and continuous ultrathin film over
      large area. Dip-coating is a useful technique to prepare diverse structures of
      organic semiconductors, but the assembly of organic semiconductors in dip-coating
      is quite complicated, and there are no reports about the core rules for the
      growth of ultrathin film via dip-coating until now. In this work, we develop a
      general strategy for the growth of ultrathin film of organic semiconductor via
      dip-coating, which provides a relatively facile model to analyze the growth
      behavior. The balance between the three direct factors (nucleation rate, assembly
      rate, and recession rate) is the key to determine the growth of ultrathin film.
      Under the direction of this rule, ultrathin films of four organic semiconductors
      are obtained. The field-effect transistors constructed on the ultrathin film show
      good field-effect property. This work provides a general principle and systematic
      guideline to prepare ultrathin film of organic semiconductors via dip-coating,
      which would be highly meaningful for organic electronics as well as for the
      assembly of other materials via solution processes.

PMID- 27267546
TI  - Deficiency of cold-inducible ribonucleic acid-binding protein reduces renal
      injury after ischemia-reperfusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, commonly caused by major operation
      and shock, leads to acute kidney injury and is associated with high morbidity and
      mortality. Cold-inducible ribonucleic acid-binding protein, a cold shock protein,
      has recently been identified as a damage-associated molecular pattern. We
      hypothesized that cold-inducible ribonucleic acid-binding protein exacerbates
      severity of injury in renal ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: Renal ischemia was
      induced in an 8-week-old male C57BL/6 wild-type mice and Cirp(-/-) mice via
      bilateral clamping of renal pedicles for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion for
      5 or 24 hours and harvest of blood and renal tissue for analysis. Anti-cold
      inducible ribonucleic acid-binding protein antibody or non-immunized
      immunoglobulin G (IgG) was injected intravenously (10 mg/kg body weight) at time
      of reperfusion. RESULTS: After renal ischemia-reperfusion, Cirp(-/-) mice
      demonstrated a reduction of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine of 53% and 60%,
      respectively, compared with wild-type mice. Serum IL-6 levels were reduced
      significantly: 70% in Cirp(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice after renal
      ischemia-reperfusion. Levels of nitrotyrosine, an oxidatively modified protein
      marker, and cyclooxygenase-2, an inflammatory mediator, also were significantly
      decreased in the kidneys of the Cirp(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice after
      renal ischemia-reperfusion. Renal caspase-3 activity was decreased in Cirp(-/-)
      mice compared with wild-type mice after renal ischemia-reperfusion, which
      corresponded to the reduction of apoptotic cells determined by terminal
      deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay. Injection of
      neutralizing anti-cold-inducible ribonucleic acid-binding protein antibody into
      wild-type mice led to an 82% reduction in blood urea nitrogen compared with the
      vehicle after renal ischemia-reperfusion. CONCLUSION: Deficiency of cold
      inducible ribonucleic acid-binding protein results in less renal injury after
      renal ischemia-reperfusion by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress.
      Furthermore, blockade of cold-inducible ribonucleic acid-binding protein shows a
      protective effect, indicating cold-inducible ribonucleic acid-binding protein as
      a target in the treatment of renal ischemia-reperfusion.

PMID- 27267547
TI  - Survival outcome of salvage hepatectomy in patients with local, recurrent
      hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent radiofrequency ablation as their first
      treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Local recurrence is a specific problem after radiofrequency ablation
      of small hepatocellular carcinoma, and additional treatment is an important
      issue. We aimed to investigate the outcome of salvage hepatectomy in patients who
      develop local, recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment with
      radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: From 2001-2013, we reviewed 58 patients from 6
      university hospitals with local, recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent
      salvage hepatectomy after their initial radiofrequency ablation treatment.
      Pathologic characteristics and prognostic factors influencing overall survival
      were analyzed. RESULTS: Noncurative resection, des-gamma carboxy prothrombin
      levels >40 mAU/mL, and multiple preceding treatments before salvage hepatectomy
      were negative prognostic factors for overall survival. The 5-year survivals for
      the prognostic factors were 0%, 24%, and 30%, respectively, after salvage
      hepatectomy, and 0%, 54%, and 54% after initial radiofrequency ablation
      treatment, respectively. As for the pathologic finding of local, recurrent
      hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation, vascular invasion was
      observed frequently in patients with increases in des-gamma carboxy prothrombin
      levels and with multiple preceding treatments before salvage hepatectomy with a
      frequency of 59% and 53%, respectively (P < .01 and .05). CONCLUSION: Noncurative
      resection, increases in serum des-gamma carboxy prothrombin, and multiple
      preceding treatments were prognostic factors for subsequent salvage hepatectomy;
      nevertheless, survival outcomes were still acceptable when a curative salvage
      hepatectomy was performed. Increases in serum des-gamma carboxy prothrombin and
      multiple preceding treatments were positive predictors for pathologic vascular
      invasion. These factors should be taken into consideration when selecting
      treatment modalities for locally recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma following
      radiofrequency ablation. Repetition of unsuccessful, loco-regional treatment
      would appear to decrease the potential survival.

PMID- 27267548
TI  - Impact of frailty on surgical outcomes: The right patient for the right
      procedure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measuring frailty may improve patient selection for high-risk
      procedures. METHODS: Data were obtained from the American College of Surgeons
      National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for patients who underwent elective
      high-risk operative procedures, and a frailty index was used to classify the
      patients. RESULTS: Our study analyzed 232,352 patients with a mean age of 65
      years; the majority of patients were males (54%) and white (78%). The most common
      procedure was colectomy (41%), followed by lower extremity bypass (25%),
      gastrectomy (8%), endovascular abdominal aneurism repair (7%), pancreatectomy
      (7%), cardiac operation (6%), nephrectomy (3%), and pulmonary resection (2%). A
      majority of the patients were classified as mildly frail (34%), followed by
      nonfrail (29%), moderately frail (21%), and severely frail (15%). On univariate
      analysis, age, race, procedure, sex, and frailty scores were associated with
      complications, prolonged duration of stay, and 30-day mortality (P < .0001). On
      multivariate analysis, frailty was associated with complications, prolonged
      duration of stay, and 30-day mortality. Increasing frailty disproportionately
      impacted mortality; colectomy showed the greatest mortality in severely frail
      patients (9.36%), followed by esophagectomy (8.2%), pulmonary resection (6.4%),
      pancreatectomy (5.8%), cardiac procedures (4.4%), gastrectomy (4.3%), nephrectomy
      (3.32%), endovascular abdominal aneurism repair (2.49%), and lower extremity
      bypass (2.41%; P = .0001). A similar association between duration of stay and
      morbidity with frailty was noted. CONCLUSION: Frailty has a significant impact on
      postoperative outcomes that varies with type of procedure.

PMID- 27267549
TI  - Is preoperative distinction between complicated and uncomplicated acute
      appendicitis feasible without imaging?
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the main aims of appendicitis research is the differential
      diagnostics between complicated and uncomplicated acute appendicitis that enable
      provision of the optimal treatment for each patient. METHODS: Data in the present
      study were collected prospectively in our randomized antibiotic treatment for
      uncomplicated acute appendicitis trial (APPAC) comparing surgery and antibiotic
      treatment for uncomplicated acute appendicitis (NCT01022567). We evaluated 705
      patients who had acute appendicitis on computed tomography. Patients with
      uncomplicated acute appendicitis (n = 368) were compared with all complicated
      acute appendicitis patients (n = 337), and subgroup analyses were performed
      between uncomplicated acute appendicitis and an appendicolith appendicitis (CA1;
      n = 256) and uncomplicated acute appendicitis and perforation and/or abscess
      (CA2; n = 78). Age, sex, body temperature ( degrees C), duration of symptoms,
      white blood cell count (E9/L), and C-reactive protein (mg/L) were recorded on
      admission. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated for white
      blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and temperature. RESULTS: CA2 patients had
      significantly greater C-reactive protein levels (mean 122 and 47, respectively, P
      < .001) and longer duration of symptoms than uncomplicated acute appendicitis
      patients; 81% of CA2 patients and 38% of uncomplicated acute appendicitis
      patients had symptoms >24 hours before admission (P < .001). In receiver
      operating characteristic analysis, C-reactive protein and temperature had
      clinically significant results only in comparison with uncomplicated acute
      appendicitis and CA2 (area under the curve >0.7), but no optimum cutoff points
      could be identified. CONCLUSION: In clinical decision making, neither clinical
      findings nor laboratory markers are reliable enough to estimate the severity of
      the acute appendicitis accurately or to determine the presence of an
      appendicolith. The current results emphasize the role of computed tomography in
      the differential diagnosis of complicated and uncomplicated acute appendicitis.

PMID- 27267550
TI  - Natural history of nonenhancing lesions incidentally detected during the
      diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Incidental detection of nonenhancing tumors during imaging studies
      for patients with classical hepatocellular carcinoma is not unusual. These tumors
      are considered to have a high potential of malignant transformation. The aim of
      this study was to clarify the natural history of such tumors. METHODS: In 93
      patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, 138
      nonenhancing or enhancing nodules without washout were detected during dynamic
      computed tomography and observed without further treatments. We subsequently
      compared the cumulative occurrence of new hepatocellular carcinomas to that of
      the malignant transformation of these lesions. We additionally compared the
      appearance of new hepatocellular carcinomas between the patients with (n = 93)
      and without (n = 782) nonenhancing lesions or enhancing lesions without washout.
      RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 0.7 years (range, 0.2-6.8), the
      median intervals from resection to the appearance of new classical hepatocellular
      carcinoma and malignant transformation of nonenhancing lesions or enhancing
      lesions without washout were 1.6 years (95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.9) and 2.3
      years (1.9-6.8 years; P = .002), respectively. On the other hand, the median
      intervals from resection to the appearance of new lesions in patients with and
      without nonenhancing lesions or enhancing lesions without washout were 1.6 years
      (95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.9) and 2.1 years (1.9-2.1 years; P = .031),
      respectively. CONCLUSION: During the natural history of nonenhancing lesions and
      enhancing lesions without washout that coexist with hepatocellular carcinoma, new
      lesions often develop prior to the malignant transformation of these lesions.
      This should be considered a risk factor for the appearance of new hepatocellular
      carcinoma.

PMID- 27267551
TI  - Long-term effects of physical exercise during rehabilitation in patients with
      severe burns.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We have reported that a 12-week exercise program is beneficial for
      the exercise performance of severely burned children. It is not known, however,
      whether the beneficial effects remain at 2 years postburn. METHODS: Severely
      burned children who received no long-term anabolic drugs were consented to this
      Institutional Review Board-approved study. Patients chose between a voluntary
      exercise program (EX-group) and no exercise (NoEX-group) after discharge from the
      acute burn unit. Peak torque per lean leg mass, maximal oxygen consumption, and
      percent predicted peak heart rate were assessed. In addition, body mass index
      percentile and lean body mass index were recorded. Both groups were compared for
      up to 2 years postburn using mixed multiple analysis of variance. RESULTS: A
      total of 125 patients with a mean age of 12 +/- 4 years were analyzed.
      Demographics between the EX-group (N = 82) and NoEX-group (N = 43) were
      comparable. In the EX-group, peak torque per lean leg mass, percent predicted
      peak heart rate, and maximal oxygen consumption increased significantly with
      exercise (P < .01). Between discharge and 12-24 months, body mass index
      percentile increased significantly in the EX-Group (P < .05) but did not change
      in the NoEX-group. There were no significant differences between groups in body
      mass index percentile, lean body mass index, peak torque per lean leg mass, and
      maximal oxygen consumption at 24 months postburn. CONCLUSION: Exercise
      significantly improves the physical performance of burned children. The benefits
      are limited to early time points, however, and greatly narrow with further
      recovery time. Continued participation in exercise activities or a maintenance
      exercise program is recommended for exercise-induced adaptations to continue.

PMID- 27267552
TI  - Survival outcomes after prolonged intensive care unit length of stay among trauma
      patients: The evidence for never giving up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prolonged intensive care unit length of stay (ICU-LOS) is associated
      with high mortality for medical and surgical patients. Existing literature
      suggests that this may not be true for trauma patients. The objective of this
      study was to determine mortality associated with varying ICU-LOS among trauma
      patients and to assess for independent predictors of mortality. METHODS: Adult
      ICU patients (16-64 years) in the National Trauma Data Bank (2007-2012) were
      categorized by ICU-LOS: 1, 2-9, 10-40, and >40 days (determined based on
      inflection points). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine
      associations with mortality for each. Models accounted for clustering of patients
      within hospitals and potential confounding associated with: age, gender,
      race/ethnicity, insurance status, Injury Severity Score, blunt/penetrating
      injury, Glasgow Coma Scale, in-hospital complications, ventilator dependency, and
      emergency department disposition. RESULTS: Among the 596,598 patients included,
      6.5% (n = 38,812) died. Mortality varied with ICU-LOS: 9.9%, 4.9%, 6.6%, and
      9.8%. Age >35 years was a significant predictor of mortality in each. Injury
      Severity Score and the Glasgow Coma Scale independently predicted mortality in
      patients with LOS <=40 days as did penetrating injuries, cardiac arrest, and
      renal failure. Identification with non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity was also
      consistently significant. Once patients survived 9 days, mortality steadily
      decreased, remaining relatively stable until 40 days. Thereafter, trauma patients
      continued to demonstrate high survival with >87% remaining alive in the ICU >90
      days. CONCLUSION: The results reveal that in contrast to expectations of high
      mortality associated with prolonged ICU-LOS, critically injured adult trauma
      patients who do not die within the first few days demonstrate an enhanced ability
      to survive, with an overall survival of >92% and maintained at >85% among extreme
      ICU-LOS (>40 days). The data advocate the utility of aggressive critical-care
      support for trauma patients, irrespective of duration of ICU stay.

PMID- 27267553
TI  - Living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: patients' preferences and
      needs for information provision and care options.
AB  - Aims: The clinical management and care of patients with an implantable
      cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has shifted from face-to-face in-clinic visits
      to remote monitoring. Reduced interactions between patients and healthcare
      professionals may impede patients' transition to adapting post-implant. We
      examined patients' needs and preferences for information provision and care
      options and overall satisfaction with treatment. Methods and results: Patients
      implanted with a first-time ICD or defibrillator with cardiac resynchronization
      therapy (n = 389) within the last 2 years at Odense University Hospital were
      asked to complete a purpose-designed and standardized set of questionnaires. The
      level of satisfaction with information provision was high; only 13.1% were
      dissatisfied. Psychological support for patients (39.9%), their relatives
      (43.1%), and deactivation of the ICD towards end of life (47.8%) were among the
      top five topics that patients reported to have received no information about. The
      top five care options that patients had missed were talking to the same
      healthcare professional (75.2%), receiving ongoing feedback via remote monitoring
      (61.1%), having a personal conversation with a staff member 2-3 weeks post
      implant (59.6%), having an exercise tolerance test (52.5%), and staff asking how
      patients felt while hospitalized (50.4%). Patients with a secondary prevention
      indication and cardiac arrest survivors had specific needs, including a wish for
      a psychological consult post-discharge. Conclusion: Despite a high satisfaction
      level with information provision, particular topics are not broached with
      patients (e.g. device activation) and patients have unmet needs that are not met
      in current clinical practice.

PMID- 27267554
TI  - Results from a multicentre comparison of cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency ablation
      for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: is cryoablation more reproducible?
AB  - AIM: Cryoballoon ablation (Cryoballoon) has emerged as a new alternative for the
      treatment of symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Whether the
      results of Cryoballoon are more reproducible than those of radiofrequency (RF)
      ablation remains to be proved. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 860 consecutive
      patients undergoing a first ablation procedure for paroxysmal AF (467 treated
      with RF and 393 treated with Cryoballoon) were selected from a prospective
      multicentre survey of AF ablation (FrenchAF). Radiofrequency and Cryoballoon were
      compared regarding mid-term efficacy and safety. During a median follow-up of 14
      months (interquartile range 8-23), patients treated with Cryoballoon displayed
      similar rates of freedom from atrial arrhythmia relapse in centres performing
      this technique (68-80% at 18 months). However, in centres performing RF, a
      greater heterogeneity in procedural results was observed (46-79% were free from
      atrial arrhythmia relapse at 18 months). On multivariate analysis, Cryoballoon
      (HR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.35-0.65, P < 0.001) and annual AF ablation caseload (HR =
      0.87 per every 100 AF ablation procedures per year; 95% CI 0.80-0.96, P = 0.003)
      were independent predictors of procedural success. However, on sensitivity
      analysis, according to the ablation method, annual AF ablation caseload predicted
      only sinus rhythm maintenance in the subgroup of patients treated with RF.
      Analysis of interoperator results with Cryoballoon and RF confirmed lower
      reproducibility of RF, but suggested that besides caseload, other operator
      related factors may play a role. CONCLUSION: Cryoballoon seems to be less
      operator-dependent and more reproducible than RF in the setting of paroxysmal AF
      ablation.

PMID- 27267555
TI  - Dermal wound healing potency of single alkaloid (betaine) versus standardized
      crude alkaloid enriched-ointment of Evolvulus alsinoides.
AB  - CONTEXT: Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. (Convolvulaceae), well known as shankhpushpi
      in Ayurvedic text, is traditionally used for several healing purposes. OBJECTIVE:
      A comparative evaluation of dermal wound healing potential of acidic and basic
      alkaloid enriched-ointment (AAO and BAO) of aerial parts of E. alsinoides versus
      pure alkaloid, betaine (BEO), was undertaken. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effect of
      topical application (50 mg/animal/day) of AAO-1%, AAO-2%, BAO-1%, BAO-2%, BEO
      0.5% and BEO-1% was assessed through excision (14 days) and incision (10 days)
      models on rats. The percentage wound contraction, total protein content, and
      breaking strengths were determined followed by histopathological studies. RESULTS
      AND DISCUSSION: The total alkaloid in acidic and basic alkaloid enriched
      fractions was found to be 0.1114 and 0.1134 MUg/mL, respectively. Thus, 0.1528,
      0.3056, 0.1380 and 0.2459 MUg of total alkaloid were estimated to be present in
      AAO-1%, AAO-2%, BAO-1% and BAO-2%, respectively. AAO and BAO promoted wound
      healing activity significantly in both the models. Higher rate of wound
      contraction (p < 0.001) with significant increase in protein content in the
      treatment groups (from 2.32 to 2.55) demonstrated stimulation of cellular
      proliferation and epithelization, which was further supported by
      histopathological reports. High skin breaking strength (mean value 393 in control
      was increased to the range of 535-572 in treated groups) proved a significant (p
      < 0.001) wound healing potential of E. alsinoides. Early dermal and epidermal
      regeneration in drug-treated groups also confirmed the positive effect.
      CONCLUSION: Observation of higher healing power of alkaloid enriched-ointment
      compared with single alkaloid ointment corroborated the synergy mechanism.

PMID- 27267557
TI  - The characteristics of emergency department presentations related to acute
      herbicide or insecticide poisoning in South Korea between 2011 and 2014.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine epidemiologic data regarding acute herbicide
      or insecticide poisoning in adults from 2011 to 2014 at the national level in
      South Korea. Further, the association between governmental regulations involving
      pesticides and changes in pesticide poisoning occurrences over time was
      determined. Data were obtained from the emergency department (ED)-based Injury In
      depth Surveillance system conducted by the Korea Center for Disease Control and
      Prevention (KCDC). Governmental regulations on pesticides were downloaded from
      the homepage of the Korea Rural Development Administration. Pesticides were
      classified according to guidelines provided by the World Health Organization
      (WHO) and by the respective Resistance Action Committee (RAC). Trends in the
      number of ED presentations and case fatality rate (CFR) due to pesticide
      poisoning were investigated. The overall CFR due to poisoning from herbicides or
      insecticides in adults in South Korea was 16.8% during 2011-2014. However, CFR
      significantly decreased over the 4-year period. The ED presentations of paraquat
      (PQ) poisoning fell significantly, whereas poisoning due to glyphosate,
      glufosinate, or combined herbicides increased markedly over the 4 years. Between
      2011 and 2013, PQ was the most common pesticide poisoning, whereas glyphosate
      became the most frequent in 2014. PQ produced the highest rate of fatality
      followed by endosulfan. Although the frequency of PQ poisoning decreased, which
      may be attributed to governmental regulations, the CFR and incidence of pesticide
      poisoning in adults remain a public health concern that needs to be addressed.

PMID- 27267558
TI  - Harvesting Broad Frequency Band Blue Energy by a Triboelectric-Electromagnetic
      Hybrid Nanogenerator.
AB  - Ocean wave associated energy is huge, but it has little use toward world energy.
      Although such blue energy is capable of meeting all of our energy needs, there is
      no effective way to harvest it due to its low frequency and irregular amplitude,
      which may restrict the application of traditional power generators. In this work,
      we report a hybrid nanogenerator that consists of a spiral-interdigitated
      electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (S-TENG) and a wrap-around electromagnetic
      generator (W-EMG) for harvesting ocean energy. In this design, the S-TENG can be
      fully isolated from the external environment through packaging and indirectly
      driven by the noncontact attractive forces between pairs of magnets, and W-EMG
      can be easily hybridized. Notably, the hybrid nanogenerator could generate
      electricity under either rotation mode or fluctuation mode to collect energy in
      ocean tide, current, and wave energy due to the unique structural design. In
      addition, the characteristics and advantages of outputs indicate that the S-TENG
      is irreplaceable for harvesting low rotation speeds (<100 rpm) or motion
      frequencies (<2 Hz) energy, which fits the frequency range for most of the water
      wave based blue energy, while W-EMG is able to produce larger output at high
      frequencies (>10 Hz). The complementary output can be maximized and hybridized
      for harvesting energy in a broad frequency range. Finally, a single hybrid
      nanogenerator unit was demonstrated to harvest blue energy as a practical power
      source to drive several LEDs under different simulated water wave conditions. We
      also proposed a blue energy harvesting system floating on the ocean surface that
      could simultaneously harvest wind, solar, and wave energy. The proposed hybrid
      nanogenerator renders an effective and sustainable progress in practical
      applications of the hybrid nanogenerator toward harvesting water wave energy
      offered by nature.

PMID- 27267559
TI  - The successful use of familial searching in six Hungarian high profile cases by
      applying a new module in Familias 3.
AB  - Commonly DNA profiles obtained from biological samples found at crime scenes or
      of unknown bodies are searched against a large national or local database of
      reference and crime scene DNA profiles. The aim is to find a direct match, i.e.
      an identical profile or in the case of a mixture, at least an overlap of all
      alleles. Familial searching is, instead, the concept of searching for relatives
      of a stain donor in the database, i.e. a quest for relatives of the possible
      perpetrator or an unidentified body. The current paper provides the tool to
      perform effective searches for relatives of a target DNA profile in a large
      database. In addition, the algorithm accounts for mixtures which is common in
      crime stains. Specifically we focus on six high profile Hungarian cases where
      familial searching has succeeded in providing investigative leads. An
      implementation of the methods is included in the latest version of the software
      Familias, freely available at www.familias.no.

PMID- 27267556
TI  - Advances and Future Directions for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research:
      Recommendations From the 2015 Strategic Planning Conference.
AB  - On March 10 to March 12, 2015, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
      and Stroke and the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance sponsored a workshop in Bethesda,
      Maryland, to assess progress and new opportunities for research in tuberous
      sclerosis complex with the goal of updating the 2003 Research Plan for Tuberous
      Sclerosis (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/about_ninds/plans/tscler_research_plan.htm).
      In addition to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and
      Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, participants in the strategic planning effort and
      workshop included representatives from six other Institutes of the National
      Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
      Research Program, and a broad cross-section of basic scientists and clinicians
      with expertise in tuberous sclerosis complex along with representatives from the
      pharmaceutical industry. Here we summarize the outcomes from the extensive
      premeeting deliberations and final workshop recommendations, including (1)
      progress in the field since publication of the initial 2003 research plan for
      tuberous sclerosis complex, (2) the key gaps, needs, and challenges that hinder
      progress in tuberous sclerosis complex research, and (3) a new set of research
      priorities along with specific recommendations for addressing the major
      challenges in each priority area. The new research plan is organized around both
      short-term and long-term goals with the expectation that progress toward specific
      objectives can be achieved within a five to ten year time frame.

PMID- 27267560
TI  - A quantitative headspace-solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-flame
      ionization detector method to analyze short chain free fatty acids in rat feces.
AB  - This study sought to develop and validate a quantitative method to analyze short
      chain free fatty acids (SCFAs) in rat feces by solid-phase microextraction and
      gas chromatography (SPME-GC) using the salt mixture ammonium sulfate and sodium
      dihydrogen phosphate as salting out agent. Conditioning and extraction time,
      linearity, limits of detection and quantification, repeatability, and recovery
      were evaluated. The proposed method allows quantification with improved
      sensitivity as compared with other methods exploiting SPME-GC. The method has
      been applied to analyze rat fecal samples, quantifying acetic, propionic,
      isobutyric, butyric, isopentanoic, pentanoic, and hexanoic acids.

PMID- 27267561
TI  - The Pareto Analysis for Establishing Content Criteria in Surgical Training.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Current surgical training is still highly dependent on expensive
      operating room (OR) experience. Although there have been many attempts to
      transfer more training to the skills laboratory, little research is focused on
      which technical behaviors can lead to the highest profit when they are trained
      outside the OR. The Pareto principle states that in any population that
      contributes to a common effect, a few account for the bulk of the effect. This
      principle has been widely used in business management to increase company
      profits. This study uses the Pareto principle for establishing content criteria
      for more efficient surgical training. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted
      to assess verbal guidance provided by 9 supervising surgeons to 12 trainees
      performing 64 laparoscopic cholecystectomies in the OR. The verbal corrections
      were documented, tallied, and clustered according to the aimed change in novice
      behavior. The corrections were rank ordered, and a cumulative distribution curve
      was used to calculate which corrections accounted for 80% of the total number of
      verbal corrections. RESULTS: In total, 253 different verbal corrections were
      uttered 1587 times and were categorized into 40 different clusters of aimed
      changes in novice behaviors. The 35 highest-ranking verbal corrections (14%) and
      the 11 highest-ranking clusters (28%) accounted for 80% of the total number of
      given verbal corrections. CONCLUSIONS: Following the Pareto principle, we were
      able to identify the aspects of trainee behavior that account for most
      corrections given by supervisors during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy on humans.
      This strategy can be used for the development of new training programs to prepare
      the trainee in advance for the challenges encountered in the clinical setting in
      an OR.

PMID- 27267562
TI  - Reliability and Validity of 3 Methods of Assessing Orthopedic Resident Skill in
      Shoulder Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Traditional measures for evaluating resident surgical technical skills
      (e.g., case logs) assess operative volume but not level of surgical proficiency.
      Our goal was to compare the reliability and validity of 3 tools for measuring
      surgical skill among orthopedic residents when performing 3 open surgical
      approaches to the shoulder. METHODS: A total of 23 residents at different stages
      of their surgical training were tested for technical skill pertaining to 3
      shoulder surgical approaches using the following measures: Objective Structured
      Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) checklists, the Global Rating Scale (GRS),
      and a final pass/fail assessment determined by 3 upper extremity surgeons.
      Adverse events were recorded. The Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to assess
      reliability of the OSATS checklists and GRS scores. Interrater reliability was
      calculated with intraclass correlation coefficients. Correlations among OSATS
      checklist scores, GRS scores, and pass/fail assessment were calculated with
      Spearman rho. Validity of OSATS checklists was determined using analysis of
      variance with postgraduate year (PGY) as a between-subjects factor. Significance
      was set at p < 0.05 for all tests. RESULTS: Criterion validity was shown between
      the OSATS checklists and GRS for the 3 open shoulder approaches. Checklist scores
      showed superior interrater reliability compared with GRS and subjective pass/fail
      measurements. GRS scores were positively correlated across training years. The
      incidence of adverse events was significantly higher among PGY-1 and PGY-2
      residents compared with more experienced residents. CONCLUSION: OSATS checklists
      are a valid and reliable assessment of technical skills across 3 surgical
      shoulder approaches. However, checklist scores do not measure quality of
      technique. Documenting adverse events is necessary to assess quality of technique
      and ultimate pass/fail status. Multiple methods of assessing surgical skill
      should be considered when evaluating orthopedic resident surgical performance.

PMID- 27267563
TI  - Objective Assessment of Laparoscopic Force and Psychomotor Skills in a Novel
      Virtual Reality-Based Haptic Simulator.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most of the commercially available virtual reality-based laparoscopic
      simulators do not effectively evaluate combined psychomotor and force-based
      laparoscopic skills. Consequently, the lack of training on these critical skills
      leads to intraoperative errors. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of the
      novel virtual reality-based simulator, this study analyzed the combined
      psychomotor (i.e., motion or movement) and force skills of residents and expert
      surgeons. The study also examined the effectiveness of real-time visual force
      feedback and tool motion during training. DESIGN: Bimanual fundamental (i.e.,
      probing, pulling, sweeping, grasping, and twisting) and complex tasks (i.e.,
      tissue dissection) were evaluated. In both tasks, visual feedback on applied
      force and tool motion were provided. The skills of the participants while
      performing the early tasks were assessed with and without visual feedback.
      Participants performed 5 repetitions of fundamental and complex tasks. Reaction
      force and instrument acceleration were used as metrics. SETTING: Surgical
      Gastroenterology, Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital; Institute of
      Surgical Gastroenterology, Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government
      General Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Residents (N = 25; postgraduates and surgeons
      with <2 years of laparoscopic surgery) and expert surgeons (N = 25; surgeons with
      >4 and <=10 years of laparoscopic surgery). RESULTS: Residents applied large
      forces compared with expert surgeons and performed abrupt tool movements (p <
      0.001). However, visual + haptic feedback improved the performance of residents
      (p < 0.001). In complex tasks, visual + haptic feedback did not influence the
      applied force of expert surgeons, but influenced their tool motion (p < 0.001).
      Furthermore, in complex tissue sweeping task, expert surgeons applied more force,
      but were within the tissue damage limits. In both groups, exertion of large
      forces and abrupt tool motion were observed during grasping, probing or pulling,
      and tissue sweeping maneuvers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Modern day curriculum
      based training should evaluate the skills of residents with robust force and
      psychomotor-based exercises for proficient laparoscopy. Visual feedback on force
      and motion during training has the potential to enhance the learning curve of
      residents.

PMID- 27267564
TI  - Proteome changes in rat serum after a chronic ingestion of enriched uranium:
      Toward a biological signature of internal contamination and radiological effect.
AB  - The civilian and military use of uranium results in an increased risk of human
      exposure. The toxicity of uranium results from both its chemical and radiological
      properties that vary with isotopic composition. Validated biomarkers of health
      effects associated with exposure to uranium are neither sensitive nor specific to
      uranium radiotoxicity and/or radiological effect. This study aimed at
      investigating if serum proteins could be useful as biomarkers of both uranium
      exposure and radiological effect. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically
      exposed through drinking water to low levels (40mg/L, corresponding to 1mg of
      uranium per animal per day) of either 4% (235)U-enriched uranium (EU) or 12% EU
      during 6 weeks. A proteomics approach based on two-dimensional electrophoresis
      (2D-DIGE) and mass spectrometry (MS) was used to establish protein expression
      profiles that could be relevant for discriminating between groups, and to
      identify some differentially expressed proteins following uranium ingestion. It
      demonstrated that the expressions of 174 protein spots over 1045 quantified spots
      were altered after uranium exposure (p<0.05). Using both inferential and non
      supervised multivariate statistics, we show sets of spots features that lead to a
      clear discrimination between controls and EU exposed groups on the one hand (21
      spots), and between 4% EU and 12% EU on the other hand (7 spots), showing that
      investigation of the serum proteome may possibly be of relevance to address both
      uranium contamination and radiological effect. Finally, using bioinformatics
      tools, pathway analyses of differentially expressed MS-identified proteins find
      that acute phase, inflammatory and immune responses as well as oxidative stress
      are likely involved in the response to contamination, suggesting a physiological
      perturbation, but that does not necessarily lead to a toxic effect. 

PMID- 27267566
TI  - Sequenom, the U.S. Supreme Court, and Personalized Medicine.

PMID- 27267565
TI  - Microfluidics in systems biology-hype or truly useful?
AB  - Systems biology often relies on large-scale measurements and model-building to
      understand how complex biological systems function. Microfluidic technology has
      been touted as a tool for high-throughput experiments and has been a valuable
      tool to some systems biology research. This review focuses on applications where
      microfluidics can enhance experimental sensitivity and throughput, particularly
      in recent development in single-cell analyses and analyses on multi-cellular or
      complex biological entities. We conclude that microfluidics is not necessarily
      always useful for systems biology, but when used appropriately can greatly
      enhance experimentalists' ability to measure and control, and thereby enhance the
      understanding of and expand the utility of biological systems.

PMID- 27267567
TI  - On the intracellular release mechanism of hydrophobic cargo and its relation to
      the biodegradation behavior of mesoporous silica nanocarriers.
AB  - The intracellular release mechanism of hydrophobic molecules from surface
      functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles was studied in relation to the
      biodegradation behavior of the nanocarrier, with the purpose of determining the
      dominant release mechanism for the studied drug delivery system. To be able to
      follow the real-time intracellular release, a hydrophobic fluorescent dye was
      used as model drug molecule. The in vitro release of the dye was investigated
      under varying conditions in terms of pH, polarity, protein and lipid content,
      presence of hydrophobic structures and ultimately, in live cancer cells. Results
      of investigating the drug delivery system show that the degradation and drug
      release mechanisms display a clear interdependency in simple aqueous solvents. In
      pure aqueous media, the cargo release was primarily dependent on the degradation
      of the nanocarrier, while in complex media, mimicking intracellular conditions,
      the physicochemical properties of the cargo molecule itself and its interaction
      with the carrier and/or surrounding media were found to be the main release
      governing factors. Since the material degradation was retarded upon loading with
      hydrophobic guest molecules, the cargo could be efficiently delivered into live
      cancer cells and released intracellularly without pronounced premature release
      under extracellular conditions. From a rational design point of view, pinpointing
      the interdependency between these two processes can be of paramount importance
      considering future applications and fundamental understanding of the drug
      delivery system.

PMID- 27267568
TI  - Predictive models reduce talent development costs in female gymnastics.
AB  - This retrospective study focuses on the comparison of different predictive models
      based on the results of a talent identification test battery for female gymnasts.
      We studied to what extent these models have the potential to optimise selection
      procedures, and at the same time reduce talent development costs in female
      artistic gymnastics. The dropout rate of 243 female elite gymnasts was
      investigated, 5 years past talent selection, using linear (discriminant analysis)
      and non-linear predictive models (Kohonen feature maps and multilayer
      perceptron). The coaches classified 51.9% of the participants correct.
      Discriminant analysis improved the correct classification to 71.6% while the non
      linear technique of Kohonen feature maps reached 73.7% correctness. Application
      of the multilayer perceptron even classified 79.8% of the gymnasts correctly. The
      combination of different predictive models for talent selection can avoid
      deselection of high-potential female gymnasts. The selection procedure based upon
      the different statistical analyses results in decrease of 33.3% of cost because
      the pool of selected athletes can be reduced to 92 instead of 138 gymnasts (as
      selected by the coaches). Reduction of the costs allows the limited resources to
      be fully invested in the high-potential athletes.

PMID- 27267569
TI  - Corrigendum to "Differential Arc expression in the hippocampus and striatum
      during the transition from attentive to automatic navigation on a plus maze"
      [Neurobiol. Learn. Mem. 131 (2016) 36-45].

PMID- 27267570
TI  - Doxorubicin-loaded fucoidan capped gold nanoparticles for drug delivery and
      photoacoustic imaging.
AB  - Polymer nanoparticles are emerging as a useful tool for a wide variety of
      biomedical and therapeutic applications. The present study demonstrates the
      multifunctional doxorubicin-loaded fucoidan capped gold nanoparticles (DOX-Fu
      AuNPs) for drug delivery and photoacoustic imaging (PAI). Biocompatible AuNPs
      were synthesized using a naturally occurring fucoidan (Fu) as a capping and
      reducing agent. The Fu AuNPs synthesis was determined using UV-visible spectrum,
      and it was further characterized using high resolution transmission electron
      microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The release of DOX from DOX-Fu
      AuNPs was greater in acidic pH (4.5) than in neutral pH (7.4). The in vitro
      cytotoxic effect of fucoidan, Fu AuNPs, DOX, and DOX-Fu AuNPs inhibited the
      proliferation of human breast cancer cells with an inhibitory concentration of
      35MUg/mL, 30MUg/mL, 15MUg/mL, and 5MUg/mL at 24h. DOX-Fu AuNPs induced both early
      and late apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner compared with untreated
      control cells. The ability of DOX-Fu AuNPs as a contrast agent for in vitro
      breast cancer imaging with PAI has been evaluated. These results suggest that the
      multifunctional DOX-Fu AuNPs for drug delivery and PAI can soon provide
      considerable contribution to human health. 

PMID- 27267571
TI  - Preparation and sustainable release of modified konjac glucomannan/chitosan
      nanospheres.
AB  - Biodegradable and biocompatible polymer nanospheres are useful materials for
      controlled drug delivery. In the present study, novel composite nanospheres were
      prepared from carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CKGM) and 2-hydroxypropyl
      trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) as a vaccine delivery vehicle by
      electrostatic complexation in a neutral aqueous solution without the use of
      chemical crosslinkers. By altering the CKGM and HACC concentrations, the average
      CKGM/HACC particle size could be tuned from approximately 600nm to 1460nm and the
      zeta potential from 39mV to 50mV. Furthermore, using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model
      molecule for vaccines, various parameters were determined to affect the CKGM/HACC
      nanosphere encapsulation efficiency and in vitro controlled release properties.
      Under optimum conditions, the OVA encapsulation efficiency of CKGM/HACC
      nanospheres was 71.8%, while sustained and continuous in vitro OVA release over a
      period of more than 24h was observed. Therefore, CKGM/HACC nanospheres are novel
      drug delivery carriers with great potential for medical applications. 

PMID- 27267572
TI  - Optimization of chitin yield from shrimp shell waste by Bacillus subtilis and
      impact of gamma irradiation on production of low molecular weight chitosan.
AB  - Chitin and chitosan have been produced from the exoskeletons of crustacean shells
      such as shrimps. In this study, seventy bacterial isolates, isolated from soil,
      were tested for proteolytic enzymes production. The most efficient one,
      identified as Bacillus subtilis, was employed to extract chitin from shrimp shell
      waste (SSW). Following one-variable-at-a-time approach, the relevant factors
      affecting deproteinization (DP) and demineralization (DM) were sucrose
      concentration (10%, w/v), SSW concentration (5%, w/v), inoculum size (15%, v/v),
      and fermentation time (6days). These factors were optimized subsequently using
      Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. Maximum DP (97.65%) and DM
      (82.94%) were predicted at sucrose concentration (5%), SSW concentration (12.5%),
      inoculum size (10%, containing 35*10(8) CFU/mL), and fermentation time (7days).
      The predicted optimum values were verified by additional experiment. The values
      of DP (96.0%) and DM (82.1%) obtained experimentally correlated to the predicted
      values which justify the authenticity of optimum points. Overall 1.3-fold
      increase in DP% and DM% was obtained compared with 75.27% and 63.50%,
      respectively, before optimization. Gamma-irradiation (35kGy) reduced
      deacetylation time of irradiated chitin by 4.5-fold compared with non-irradiated
      chitin. The molecular weight of chitosan was decreased from 1.9*10(6) (non
      irradiated) to 3.7*10(4)g/mol (at 35kGy). 

PMID- 27267573
TI  - Synthesis of water soluble chitosan derivatives with halogeno-1,2,3-triazole and
      their antifungal activity.
AB  - Chitosan is an abundant and renewable polysaccharide, which exhibits attractive
      bioactivities and natural properties. Improvement such as chemical modification
      of chitosan is often performed prior to further utilization. Three novel water
      soluble chitosan derivatives containing 1,2,3- triazole with or without halogen
      was designed and synthesized. Their antifungal activity against three kinds of
      phytopathogens was estimated by hyphal measurement in vitro. The inhibitory
      property and water solubility of the synthesized chitosan derivatives exhibited a
      remarkable improvement over chitosan. It is hypothesized that thiazolyl groups
      enable the synthesized chitosan to possess obviously better antifungal activity.
      Moreover, CTCTS and BTCTS, which have halogens at the periphery of polymers,
      inhibited the growth of tested phytopathogens more effectively with inhibitory
      indices of 81-93% at 1.0mg/mL. The halogens could have a synergistic effect with
      triazole as they exhibited antifungal activity and electron-withdrawing capacity,
      which improve the antifungal activity of chitosan derivatives. 

PMID- 27267574
TI  - Fabrication of electrospun almond gum/PVA nanofibers as a thermostable delivery
      system for vanillin.
AB  - In this study, the fabrication of vanillin incorporated almond gum/polyvinyl
      alcohol (PVA) nanofibers through electrospinning has been investigated.
      Electrospinning of only almond gum was proved impossible. It was found that the
      aqueous solution of almond gum/PVA (80:20, concentration=7% (w/w)) containing 3%
      (w/w) vanillin could have successfully electrospun to uniform nanofibers with
      diameters as low as 77nm. According to the thermal analysis, incorporated
      vanillin in almond gum/PVA nanofibers showed higher thermal stability than free
      vanillin, making this composite especially suitable for high temperature
      applications. XRD and FTIR analyses proved the presence of vanillin in the almond
      gum/PVA nanofibers. It was also found that vanillin was dispersed as big
      crystallites in the matrix of almond gum/PVA nanofibers. FTIR analysis showed
      almond gum and PVA had chemical cross-linking by etheric bonds between COH groups
      of almond gum and OH groups of PVA. Also, in the nanofibers, there were no major
      interaction between vanillin and either almond gum or PVA. 

PMID- 27267575
TI  - 3D Printed scaffolds with bactericidal activity aimed for bone tissue
      regeneration.
AB  - Nowadays, the incidence of bone disorders has steeply ascended and it is expected
      to double in the next decade, especially due to the ageing of the worldwide
      population. Bone defects and fractures lead to reduced patient's quality of life.
      Autografts, allografts and xenografts have been used to overcome different types
      of bone injuries, although limited availability, immune rejection or implant
      failure demand the development of new bone replacements. Moreover, the bacterial
      colonization of bone substitutes is the main cause of implant rejection. To
      vanquish these drawbacks, researchers from tissue engineering area are currently
      using computer-aided design models or medical data to produce 3D scaffolds by
      Rapid Prototyping (RP). Herein, Tricalcium phosphate (TCP)/Sodium Alginate (SA)
      scaffolds were produced using RP and subsequently functionalized with silver
      nanoparticles (AgNPs) through two different incorporation methods. The obtained
      results revealed that the composite scaffolds produced by direct incorporation of
      AgNPs are the most suitable for being used in bone tissue regeneration since they
      present appropriate mechanical properties, biocompatibility and bactericidal
      activity.

PMID- 27267576
TI  - A Summary of the First HIV Microbiome Workshop 2015.
AB  - The role of microbiota in the pathogenesis of HIV infection has become the
      subject of intense research in recent years. A rapidly growing amount of data
      suggest that microbial dysbiosis-in the gut or the genital tract-can influence
      HIV transmission and/or disease progression; however, a deeper understanding of
      the mechanisms involved is lacking. To better understand the relationship between
      the microbiome and HIV infection, investigators from a wide variety of
      disciplines, including those working in basic and clinical HIV studies,
      cardiovascular disease, reproductive health, and bioinformatics, gathered at the
      first International Workshop on Microbiome in HIV Pathogenesis, Prevention and
      Treatment, at NIH on 7 and 8 April, 2015.

PMID- 27267577
TI  - Saksenaea erythrospora infection after medical tourism for esthetic breast
      augmentation surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis caused by Saksenaea erythrospora is rarely reported in
      humans. Three previous cases have been reported in the literature, two associated
      with trauma (a sailing accident in Argentina and a combat trauma in Iraq) and one
      as a cause of invasive rhinosinusitis (India), all in immunocompetent patients .
      The first case of mucormycosis following esthetic surgery, associated with
      medical tourism, is reported herein. CASE REPORT: A case study of an S.
      erythrospora infection in an immunocompetent woman after the completion of
      esthetic surgery (dermolipectomy and breast augmentation) is reported. The
      infection presented as a rapidly progressive necrotizing infection of the skin
      and soft tissue, which required a bilateral mastectomy and extensive surgical
      debridement associated with prolonged antifungal therapy. The organism was
      identified phenotypically and confirmed biologically after rDNA amplification and
      sequencing. Two months later, the patient remains hospitalized awaiting the start
      of reconstructive surgeries. The present case is, to the best of the authors'
      knowledge, the first report from Colombia. CONCLUSIONS: Mucormycosis should be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of necrotizing infections of the skin
      and soft tissue that evolve rapidly after cosmetic surgery performed in tropical
      or subtropical countries.

PMID- 27267578
TI  - A man with disabling low back pain: Echinococcus of the sacrum.
AB  - Bone involvement in hydatid disease is rare, and when it does occur, the most
      common sites of involvement are the spine and pelvis. A case of bone hydatid
      disease involving the sacrum is reported here. 

PMID- 27267580
TI  - Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Two Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. Cultivars
      Targeted To Explore Possible Mechanism of Genotype-Dependent Accumulation of
      Cadmium.
AB  - A low-shoot-Cd (QLQ) and a high-shoot-Cd cultivar (T308) of water spinach
      (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) were used to investigate molecular mechanism of the
      genotype difference in cadmium (Cd) accumulation. RNA-Seq under 9 and 72 h
      cadmium exposures (5 mg L(-1)) were undertaken to explore Cd induced genotype
      differences in molecular processes. In total, 253 747 540 clean reads were
      assembled into 57 524 unigenes. Among them, 6136 and 10 064 unigenes were
      differentially expressed in QLQ and T308, respectively. Cell wall biosynthesis
      genes, such as GAUT and laccase, and three Cd efflux genes (Nramp5, MATE9, and
      YSL7) had higher expression levels in QLQ, while the genes in sulfur and
      glutathione metabolism pathway, e.g., sulfate transporter and cysteine synthase,
      showed higher expression levels in T308. These findings would be useful for
      further understanding of the mechanisms related to genotype-dependent Cd
      accumulation and developing the molecular assisted screening and breeding of low
      shoot-Cd cultivars for water spinach. 

PMID- 27267579
TI  - Chromosome fusions triggered by noncoding RNA.
AB  - Chromosomal fusions are common in normal and cancer cells and can produce
      aberrant gene products that promote transformation. The mechanisms driving these
      fusions are poorly understood, but recurrent fusions are widespread. This
      suggests an underlying mechanism, and some authors have proposed a possible role
      for RNA in this process. The unicellular eukaryote Oxytricha trifallax displays
      an exorbitant capacity for natural genome editing, when it rewrites its germline
      genome to form a somatic epigenome. This developmental process provides a
      powerful model system to directly test the influence of small noncoding RNAs on
      chromosome fusion events during somatic differentiation. Here we show that small
      RNAs are capable of inducing chromosome fusions in 4 distinct cases (out of 4
      tested), including one fusion of 3 chromosomes. We further show that these RNA
      mediated chromosome fusions are heritable over multiple sexual generations and
      that transmission of the acquired fusion is associated with endogenous production
      of novel piRNA molecules that target the fused junction. We also demonstrate the
      capacity of a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) to induce chromosome fusion of 2 distal
      germline loci. These results underscore the ability of short-lived, aberrant RNAs
      to act as drivers of chromosome fusion events that can be stably transmitted to
      future generations.

PMID- 27267582
TI  - Synthesis and Coordination Chemistry of a Phosphine-Decorated Fluorescein:
      "Double Turn-On" Sensing of Gold(III) Ions in Water.
AB  - Although phosphine ligands are ubiquitous in transition metal chemistry, few
      reports of fluorescent phosphines exist that explore the effect of metal
      coordination on the photophysical properties of a phosphine-bound fluorescent
      group. The coordination chemistry of a derivative of fluorescein decorated with
      an o-phenylene-linked phosphine group has been studied with late transition
      metals. An Au(I) complex of the phosphine-decorated fluorescein has been
      structurally characterized, showing that the metal center is held closely over
      the plane of the fluorophore. Despite the presence of the heavy metal center,
      however, the phosphine-gold complex displays greatly increased fluorescence
      compared to the free ligand, in which photoelectron transfer from the lone-pair
      bearing phosphine causes low emission. The phosphine-decorated fluorescein ligand
      was tested in a simple sensing system for metal ions in aqueous solution and
      shows a "turn-on" response to Au, Ag, and Hg, with an especially dramatic
      response to Au(III) species. The selectivity for Au(III) was determined to be the
      result of a "double turn-on" response that is both reaction- and coordination
      based. 

PMID- 27267581
TI  - High rates of venous thromboembolic events in patients undergoing systemic
      therapy for urothelial carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing systemic therapy for urothelial carcinoma (UC)
      are at increased risk for venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. The objective of
      the current study was to determine the rate of VTE events in patients undergoing
      systemic therapy for UC and assess factors affecting this rate. METHODS: This
      study was registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42015025774). We searched
      Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science
      libraries through August 2014. As per PRISMA guidelines, 2 reviewers
      independently reviewed titles and abstracts. Disagreements were arbitrated by a
      third reviewer. After full text review, data were abstracted and pooled using a
      random effects model. Authors were contacted for clarification of data. To
      determine VTE risk factors, subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted.
      RESULTS: We identified 3,635 publications in the initial search, of which 410 met
      inclusion criteria for full text review. Of these, we were able to obtain data on
      the outcome of interest for 62 publications. A total of 5,082 patients, of which
      77% were male, underwent systemic therapy for UC, with 373 VTE events. The
      proportion of patients who had had prior surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation was
      55%, 25%, and 9%, respectively. Fixed effects and random effects models were used
      to estimate the VTE rate, yielding event rates of 6.7% and 5.4%, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: VTE occurs frequently in patients undergoing systemic therapy for
      UC. The VTE rate was affected by the country of origin, history of radiation, as
      well as by the systemic treatment class. The study was limited by the incomplete
      reporting of all variables of interest.

PMID- 27267583
TI  - The role of the carrier in the formulation of pharmaceutical solid dispersions.
      Part II: amorphous carriers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Amorphous solid dispersions are considered as one of the most
      powerful strategies to formulate poorly soluble drugs. They are made up of an
      active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) dispersed at the molecular level in an
      amorphous polymeric carrier. As the latter component constitutes the largest part
      of the formulation, its characteristics will contribute to a large extent to the
      properties and behavior of the solid dispersion. Areas covered: Amorphous
      polymers are most often used in modern solid dispersion formulations. This review
      discusses carrier properties like molecular weight, conformation, hygroscopicity,
      their stabilization effects, issues related to solid dispersion manufacturing
      technology, response to downstream processing, and potential to generate
      supersaturation, next to criteria to select a carrier to formulate stable
      amorphous solid dispersions. Expert opinion: Different amorphous carriers lead to
      solid dispersions with various properties in terms of physical stability, phase
      behavior and drug release rate and extent. Despite more than 50 years of
      intensive research in this field it remains difficult to predict what carrier is
      best suited for a given API, pointing to the complex nature of this formulation
      strategy. Sustained efforts to understand the link and complex interplay between
      material properties, processing parameters, physical stability and dissolution
      behavior are required from pharmaceutical scientists with a strong
      physicochemical background to shift the development from trial and error to
      science driven.

PMID- 27267584
TI  - Probing the pigment binding sites in LHCII with resonance Raman spectroscopy: The
      effect of mutations at S123.
AB  - Resonance Raman spectroscopy was used to evaluate the structure of light
      harvesting chlorophyll (Chl) a/b complexes of photosystem II (LHCII),
      reconstituted from wild-type (WT) and mutant apoproteins over-expressed in
      Escherichia coli. The point mutations involved residue S123, exchanged for either
      P (S123P) or G (S123G). In all reconstituted proteins, lutein 2 displayed a
      distorted conformation, as it does in purified LHCII trimers. Reconstituted WT
      and S123G also exhibited a conformation of bound neoxanthin (Nx) molecules
      identical to the native protein, while the S123P mutation was found to induce a
      change in Nx conformation. This structural change of neoxanthin is accompanied by
      a blue shift of the absorption of this carotenoid molecule. The interactions
      assumed by (and thus the structure of the binding sites of) the bound Chls b were
      found identical in all the reconstituted proteins, and only marginally perturbed
      as compared to purified LHCII. The interactions assumed by bound Chls a were also
      identical in purified LHCII and the reconstituted WT. However, the keto carbonyl
      group of one Chl a, originally free-from-interactions in WT LHCII, becomes
      involved in a strong H-bond with its environment in LHCII reconstituted from the
      S123P apoprotein. As the absorption in the Qy region of this protein is identical
      to that of the LHCII reconstituted from the WT apoprotein, we conclude that the
      interaction state of the keto carbonyl of Chl a does not play a significant role
      in tuning the binding site energy of these molecules.

PMID- 27267585
TI  - Insights into Stereoselective Aminomethylation Reaction of alpha,beta-Unsaturated
      Aldehyde with N,O-Acetal via N-Heterocyclic Carbene and Bronsted Acid/Base
      Cooperative Organocatalysis.
AB  - A theoretical investigation has been performed to interrogate the mechanism and
      stereoselectivities of aminomethylation reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated
      aldehyde with N,O-acetal, which is initiated by N-heterocyclic carbene and
      Bronsted acid (BA). The calculated results disclose that the reaction contains
      several steps, i.e., formation of the actual catalysts NHC and Bronsted acid
      Et3N.H(+) coupled with activation of C-O bond of N,O-acetal, nucleophilic attack
      of NHC on alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde, formation of Breslow intermediate,
      beta-protonation for the formation of enolate intermediate, nucleophilic addition
      on the Re/Si face to enolate by the activated iminium cation, esterification
      coupled with regeneration of Et3N.H(+), and dissociation of NHC from product.
      Addition on the prochiral face of enolate should be the stereocontrolling step,
      in which the chiral alpha-carbon is formed. Furthermore, NBO, GRI, and FMO
      analyses have been performed to explore the roles of catalysts and origin of
      stereoselectivity. Surprisingly, the added Bronsted base (BB) Et3N plays an
      indispensable role in the esterification process, indicating the reaction
      proceeds under NHC-BA/BB multicatalysis rather than NHC-BA dual catalysis
      proposed in the experiment. This theoretical work provides a case on the
      exploration of the special roles of the multicatalysts in NHC chemistry, which is
      valuable for rational design on new cooperative organocatalysis.

PMID- 27267586
TI  - Selenium status in neonates with connatal infection.
AB  - Infectious diseases impair Se metabolism, and low Se status is associated with
      mortality risk in adults with critical disease. The Se status of neonates is
      poorly characterised, and a potential impact of connatal infection is unknown. We
      hypothesised that an infection negatively affects the Se status of neonates. We
      conducted an observational case-control study at three intensive care units at
      the Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany. Plasma samples were collected
      from forty-four neonates. On the basis of clinical signs for bacterial infection
      and concentrations of IL-6 or C-reactive protein, neonates were classified into
      control (n 23) and infected (n 21) groups. Plasma Se and selenoprotein P (SePP)
      concentrations were determined by X-ray fluorescence and ELISA, respectively, at
      day of birth (day 1) and 48 h later (day 3). Se and SePP showed a positive
      correlation in both groups of neonates. Se concentrations indicative of Se
      deficit in adults (500 ng/l). During antibiotic therapy, SePP increased
      significantly from day 1 (1.03 (sd 0.10) mg/l) to day 3 (1.34 (sd 0.10) mg/l),
      indicative of improved hepatic Se metabolism. We conclude that both Se and SePP
      are suitable biomarkers for assessing Se status in neonates and for identifying
      subjects at risk of deficiency. 

PMID- 27267587
TI  - Mechanism of the Stereoselective alpha-Alkylation of Aldehydes Driven by the
      Photochemical Activity of Enamines.
AB  - Herein we describe our efforts to elucidate the key mechanistic aspects of the
      previously reported enantioselective photochemical alpha-alkylation of aldehydes
      with electron-poor organic halides. The chemistry exploits the potential of
      chiral enamines, key organocatalytic intermediates in thermal asymmetric
      processes, to directly participate in the photoexcitation of substrates either by
      forming a photoactive electron donor-acceptor complex or by directly reaching an
      electronically excited state upon light absorption. These photochemical
      mechanisms generate radicals from closed-shell precursors under mild conditions.
      At the same time, the ground-state chiral enamines provide effective
      stereochemical control over the enantioselective radical-trapping process. We use
      a combination of conventional photophysical investigations, nuclear magnetic
      resonance spectroscopy, and kinetic studies to gain a better understanding of the
      factors governing these enantioselective photochemical catalytic processes.
      Measurements of the quantum yield reveal that a radical chain mechanism is
      operative, while reaction-profile analysis and rate-order assessment indicate the
      trapping of the carbon-centered radical by the enamine, to form the carbon-carbon
      bond, as rate-determining. Our kinetic studies unveil the existence of a delicate
      interplay between the light-triggered initiation step and the radical chain
      propagation manifold, both mediated by the chiral enamines.

PMID- 27267588
TI  - Depression Symptoms Among Homeless Smokers: Effect of Motivational Interviewing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is higher among homeless individuals than the general
      population. Homeless individuals are also more likely to have symptoms of
      depression. Depression symptoms may add to the burden of homelessness by
      increasing psychological distress and serve as a barrier to quitting smoking.
      OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this study is to assess the impact of depression
      symptoms on psychological distress in homeless smokers. The effect of depression
      symptoms on abstinence and the effect of Motivational Interviewing (MI) on
      cessation among smokers is also explored. METHODS: Homeless smokers (N = 430)
      enrolled in a smoking cessation study were randomized to Motivational
      Interviewing (MI) or standard care (SC). Participants received nicotine
      replacement therapy and were followed for 26 weeks. Participants were categorized
      into a depression symptoms (DS) group or control group using the Patient Health
      Questionnaire-9. Between group differences of perceived stress, hopelessness,
      confidence, craving and abstinence were assessed at weeks 8 and 26. The
      interaction between depression symptoms (levels: DS and control) and the
      intervention (levels: MI and SC) was also assessed. RESULTS: Homeless smokers in
      the DS group reported higher levels of hopelessness, perceived stress, and
      craving. There was no effect of DS status on abstinence at week 8 or week 26.
      There was no significant interaction between depression symptoms (DS vs. Control)
      and the intervention (MI vs. SC). CONCLUSION: Despite reporting greater
      psychological distress, homeless smokers with depression symptoms in this sample
      had abstinence levels similar to the control group. Future research should
      explore protective factors among depressed smokers.

PMID- 27267589
TI  - Metal-Organic Frameworks as Highly Active Electrocatalysts for High-Energy
      Density, Aqueous Zinc-Polyiodide Redox Flow Batteries.
AB  - The new aqueous zinc-polyiodide redox flow battery (RFB) system with highly
      soluble active materials as well as ambipolar and bifunctional designs
      demonstrated significantly enhanced energy density, which shows great potential
      to reduce RFB cost. However, the poor kinetic reversibility and electrochemical
      activity of the redox reaction of I3(-)/I(-) couples on graphite felts (GFs)
      electrode can result in low energy efficiency. Two nanoporous metal-organic
      frameworks (MOFs), MIL-125-NH2 and UiO-66-CH3, that have high surface areas when
      introduced to GF surfaces accelerated the I3(-)/I(-) redox reaction. The flow
      cell with MOF-modified GFs serving as a positive electrode showed higher energy
      efficiency than the pristine GFs; increases of about 6.4% and 2.7% occurred at
      the current density of 30 mA/cm(2) for MIL-125-NH2 and UiO-66-CH3, respectively.
      Moreover, UiO-66-CH3 is more promising due to its excellent chemical stability in
      the weakly acidic electrolyte. This letter highlights a way for MOFs to be used
      in the field of RFBs.

PMID- 27267590
TI  - A qualitative study of how people with severe mental illness experience living in
      sheltered housing with a private fully equipped apartment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are a number of supported housing options for people with
      severe mental illness (SMI), but limited knowledge about residents' experiences.
      The aim of this study was to explore how people with SMI experienced sheltered
      housing consisting of both a private fully equipped apartment and a shared
      accommodation room for socializing. METHODS: Fourteen people with SMI living in
      sheltered housing apartments participated in a qualitative study with semi
      structured face to face individual or group interviews. RESULTS: Residents'
      access to the service providers in the sheltered housing, who were seen as both
      "ordinary people" and skilled to observe symptom changes at an early stage, were
      major factors for the perception of security. In addition, residents highlighted
      the possibility of living in a fully equipped apartment, and having access to a
      shared accommodation room to connect with other residents. Having a fully
      equipped apartment including their own equipment such as a washing machine was
      said to help reduce conflicts. Short tenancy agreements made some informants feel
      insecure. It was also essential to have meaningful daily activities outside the
      residence to avoid re-hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The positive experience was
      connected to having a fully private equipped apartment including shared
      accommodation room. The service providers should be aware of the dilemma with in
      house support, to make residents feel secure versus increased dependency on
      service providers.

PMID- 27267591
TI  - Heritability of hypothyroidism in the Finnish Hovawart population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Hovawart is a working and companion dog breed of German origin. A
      few hundred Hovawart dogs are registered annually in Finland. The most common
      disease with a proposed genetic background in Hovawarts is hypothyroidism. The
      disease is usually caused by lymphocytic thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder
      which destroys the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can be treated medically with
      hormone replacement. Its overall incidence could also be reduced through
      selection, provided that the trait shows an adequate genetic basis. The aim of
      this study was to estimate the heritability of hypothyroidism in the Finnish
      Hovawart population. RESULTS: The pedigree data for the study were provided by
      the Finnish Kennel Club and the hypothyroidism data by the Finnish Hovawart Club.
      The data included 4953 dogs born between 1990 and 2010, of which 107 had
      hypothyroidism and 4846 were unaffected. Prior to the estimation of heritability,
      we studied the effects of gender, birth year, birth month, and inbreeding on
      susceptibility to hypothyroidism. Heritability was estimated with the probit
      model both via restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and Gibbs sampling, using
      litter and sire of the dog as random effects. None of the studied systematic
      effects or level of inbreeding had a significant effect on susceptibility to
      hypothyroidism. The estimated heritability of hypothyroidism varied from 0.47 (SE
      = 0.18) using REML to 0.62 (SD = 0.21) using Gibbs sampling. CONCLUSIONS: Based
      on our analysis, the heritability of hypothyroidism is moderate to high,
      suggesting that its prevalence could be decreased through selection. Thus,
      breeders should notify the breed association of any affected dogs, and their use
      for breeding should be avoided.

PMID- 27267592
TI  - Safety of concurrent treatment of cats with fluralaner and emodepsid
      praziquantel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fluralaner is a novel systemic ectoparasiticide for cats providing
      immediate and persistent flea- and tick-control after a single topical dose.
      Emodepsid and praziquantel are routinely used to control intestinal worm
      infections in cats. The safety of concurrent use of fluralaner and a commercially
      available emodepsid-praziquantel combination topical solution was investigated
      using topical administrations at the maximum recommended dose rates. FINDINGS:
      Few mild and transient clinical findings like erythema at the administration site
      and single incidences of salivation or vomiting were observed. All of which were
      consistent with the individual product leaflets. There were no findings
      suggesting an increased safety risk associated with the concurrent treatment of
      cats with fluralaner and emodepsid-praziquantel. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent
      treatment with fluralaner, emodepsid and praziquantel is well tolerated in cats.

PMID- 27267593
TI  - Erratum to: SNP-based analysis of genetic diversity reveals important alleles
      associated with seed size in rice.

PMID- 27267594
TI  - Reducing the failure rate of hip resurfacing in dysplasia patients: a
      retrospective analysis of 363 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arthritis secondary to developmental hip dysplasia often mandates
      implant surgery at a relatively young age. Hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA),
      compared with standard stemmed total hip arthroplasty (THA), affords a more
      active lifestyle including extreme-motion activities but stimulates concerns
      pertaining to implant failure. METHODS: We addressed the primary modes of failure
      through a series of interventions, including a new guideline for achieving proper
      implant alignment through intraoperative x-rays. We then compared two sequential
      cohorts in a single-surgeon practice: patients with developmental dysplasia who
      underwent HRA before (Group 1; 121 hips in 105 patients) and after (Group 2; 242
      hips in 210 patients) June 2008, at which time the four interventions were all in
      place. RESULTS: Implants in Group 2 failed less frequently within two years (0.8
      % vs. 6.6 %, p = 0.002) and were more likely to have projected seven-year Kaplan
      Meier survivorship (99 % vs. 89 %, p < 0.0001 by log-rank test). Patients in
      Group 2 were more likely to have normal metal ion levels (77 % vs. 56 %, p =
      0.0008) and optimum metal ion levels (99 % vs. 86 %, p = 0.0008). Patients in
      Group 2 also benefited from a 19-min decrease in mean operation time, a 45 %
      decrease in mean estimated blood loss, and a 0.9-day decrease in mean hospital
      stay (p < 0.0001 in each instance). CONCLUSIONS: We believe the interventions
      reported here, combined with sufficient surgeon experience and properly designed
      implants, afford patients with mild developmental dysplasia a more active
      lifestyle with favorable implant survival.

PMID- 27267596
TI  - Inclusion of the EXAMINE study in a meta-analysis of the addition of dipeptidyl
      peptidase-4 inhibitors to sulphonylureas and risk of hypoglycaemia.

PMID- 27267595
TI  - Evaluation of custom multiplex real - time RT - PCR in comparison to fast - track
      diagnostics respiratory 21 pathogens kit for detection of multiple respiratory
      viruses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory infections in children can be fatal, rapid
      identification of the causative agent and timely treatment can be life saving.
      Multiplex real time RT-PCR helps in simultaneous detection of multiple viruses
      saving cost, time and labour. Commercially available multiplex real time RT-PCR
      kits are very expensive. Therefore the aim of the present study was to develop a
      cost effective multiplex real time RT-PCR for the detection of 18 respiratory
      viruses and compare it with an in-vitro diagnostics approved Fast Track
      Diagnostic Respiratory Pathogens 21 Kit (FTD). METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirates
      and throat swabs were collected and processed for extraction of nucleic acid
      using an automated extraction system and multiplex real time RT-PCR was performed
      using the FTD kit and a custom assay on 356 samples. RESULTS: Custom and FTD
      assays detected one or more respiratory viruses in 268 (75.29 %) and 262 (73.60
      %) samples respectively. The concordance between the custom assay and the FTD
      assay was 100 % for HCoV OC43, HCoV 229E, HPIV-1, HPIV-2, HBoV, HPeV, Flu A, and
      Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 94.66 - 99.71 % for the remaining viruses; Flu B
      (99.71 %), HRV (99.71 %), HPIV-3 (98.87 %), HPIV-4 (99.43 %), HCoV NL63 (99.71
      %), HMPV A/B (99.71 %), RSV A/B (94.66 %), EV (98.31 %), HCoV HKU1 (99.71 %),
      HAdV (99.71 %). Major discrepancy was observed for RSV A/B, which was over
      detected in 18 samples by the custom assay as compared to the FTD assay. The
      custom assay was much cheaper than the FTD assay and the time taken was only 29
      min more. CONCLUSION: The custom primer and probe mix was found to be comparable
      to the FTD assay with good concordance but was much cheaper and the time taken
      for reporting was only 29 min more. The low cost custom multiplex RT-PCR can be a
      useful alternative to the costly FTD kit for rapid identification of viral
      aetiology in resource limited settings.

PMID- 27267597
TI  - Hospitalization and ambulatory care in imported-malaria: evaluation of trends and
      impact on mortality. A prospective multicentric 14-year observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospitalization is usually recommended for imported malaria. The goal
      of the present study is to evaluate the evolution in clinical pathways while
      measuring their impact on mortality. METHODS: This is a 14-year prospective
      observational study divided into three periods. We evaluated for adult (>=15
      years) and paediatric (<15 years) case trends in severity, clinical pathways
      (hospitalization in medical ward (MW) or intensive care unit (ICU), ambulatory
      care) and mortality. RESULTS: In total, 21,386 imported malaria cases were
      included, 4269 of them were paediatrics (20 %). Rises in severe forms for adults
      [from 8 % in period 1-14 % in period 3 (p = 0.0001)] and paediatrics [from 12 to
      18 % (p < 0.0001)] were found. For adults, MW admission rates decreased [-15 %
      (CI 95 % -17; -13)] while ambulatory care [+7 % (CI 95 % 5-9)] and ICU admission
      rates [+4 % (CI 95 % 3-5)] increased. For paediatrics, increase in ICU admissions
      (+3 %) was shown. We did not observe any change in overall mortality during the
      study periods, whether among adults or children, regardless of care pathway.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates a changing management of imported
      malaria in adults, with an increasing trend for ambulatory care. The absence of
      change in mortality for adults indicates that ambulatory care can be proposed for
      adults presenting non-severe imported malaria.

PMID- 27267598
TI  - Quality of life in patients with vitiligo: a cross-sectional study based on
      Vitiligo Quality of Life index (VitiQoL).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a multi-factorial pigmentary skin disorder. Recently, the
      importance of emotional and psychological issues is proposed in incidence,
      progression, relapse and remission of vitiligo. There are limited studies
      conducted in developing countries, which assess life quality of patients with
      vitiligo. The aim of this study was the application and evaluation of a disease
      specific quality of life index in Iranian patients, for the first time. METHODS:
      This cross-sectional biphasic study was conducted on 25 patients as a pilot and
      another 173 patients as the main study group, in Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran,
      2013-2014. Persian version of Vitiligo Quality of Life index (VitiQoL) was
      developed with backward-forward method. Based on the pilot study, the validity
      and reliability were assessed. The Vitiligo Area and Score Index (VASI), VitiQoL,
      and their relationship, demographic and clinical characteristic of patients were
      measured. RESULTS: The Mean and standard deviation of the VitiQoL score was 30.5
      +/- 14.5 (range 0-60 in Persian version). There was a significant relationship
      between VASI score and VitiQoL (p = 0.015, r = 0.187). Confirmatory factor
      analysis revealed three important factors within VitiQoL: participation
      limitation, stigma, and behavior. In subscale analysis based on behavior factor,
      female patients had poorer quality of life (p = 0.02). Concomitant psychiatric
      problems, e.g. anxiety and depression, were not associated with QOL; however,
      they were near to being meaningful (p = 0.06, r = 0.14). CONCLUSION: VitiQoL is a
      valid index in estimating life quality of vitiligo patients and has proper
      relation to disease severity. Focusing on patient's life quality is an important
      entity in the management of vitiligo patients; relevant supportive group-based
      consultations and therapies are also important arms when approaching vitiligo.

PMID- 27267599
TI  - Pandoraea terrae sp. nov., isolated from forest soil, and emended description of
      the genus Pandoraea Coenye et al. 2000.
AB  - A Gram-staining-negative, facultatively aerobic, white-colony-forming bacterium,
      designated strain SE-S21T, was isolated from forest soil of Jeju Island in Korea.
      Cells were motile rods with a single polar flagellum, showing catalase- and
      oxidase-positive reactions. Growth was observed at 10-40  degrees C (optimum, 30 
      degrees C), pH 4.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5) and with 0-4.0 % (w/v) NaCl
      (optimum, 0-2 %). Only ubiquinone-8 was detected as the isoprenoid quinone, and
      C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, C19 : 1omega8c cyclo and summed feature 2 (comprising C12
      : 0 aldehyde and/or unknown) were found to be the major fatty acids.
      Phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an
      unknown aminophospholipid, an unknown aminolipid and an unknown lipid were
      detected as the major polar lipids. Putrescine and 2-hydroxyputrescine were the
      predominant polyamines. The DNA G+C content was 61.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses
      based on 16S rRNA and DNA gyrase B gene sequences revealed that strain SE-S21T
      formed a phyletic lineage within the genus Pandoraea. Strain SE-S21T was most
      closely related to Pandoraea faecigallinarum KOxT and Pandoraea pnomenusa CCUG
      38742T with 98.8 % and 98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively.
      However, the DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain SE-S21T and the type
      strains of P. faecigallinarum and P. pnomenusa were 26.6+/-5.7 % and 20.5+/-3.7
      %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular
      features, strain SE-S21T clearly represents a novel species of the genus
      Pandoraea, for which the name Pandoraea terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type
      strain is SE-S21T (=KACC 18127T=JCM 30137T). An emended description of the genus
      Pandoraea is also proposed.

PMID- 27267600
TI  - Adverse effects of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) for acute
      respiratory failure: a systematic review protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The extracorporeal membrane carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) system is
      primarily designed for the purpose of removing CO2 from the body for patients
      with potentially reversible severe acute hypercapnic respiratory failure or being
      considered for lung transplantation. Systematic reviews have focused on the
      effectiveness of ECCO2R. To the author's best knowledge, this is the first
      systematic review to focus on the adverse effects of this procedure. METHODS: We
      will conduct a systematic review of procedure-related adverse effects of ECCO2R
      systems. A high sensitivity search strategy will be employed in Cochrane Library,
      MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and product regulatory databases and ongoing
      trial registers to identify citations. Reference lists of relevant studies and
      grey literature will also be searched. Screening of the results will be performed
      by two reviewers independently using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion
      criteria. Clinical trials and observational studies will be included. Data will
      be extracted using a purposefully developed extraction form. Appropriateness for
      statistical pooling of the results will be determined and carried out if
      heterogeneity is low to moderate. The GRADE framework will be employed to grade
      the overall quality of the evidence. DISCUSSION: In the UK, the current access to
      the use of ECCO2R is possible only with special arrangements for clinical
      governance, consent and for audit or research. Current evidence on ECCO2R
      suggests that there are a number of well-recognised complications which vary
      greatly across studies. This systematic review will consolidate the existing
      knowledge on adverse effects resulting from the use of ECCO2R. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
      REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015023503 .

PMID- 27267601
TI  - Characteristics of bacterial pathogens associated with acute diarrhea in children
      under 5 years of age: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute diarrhea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in
      children, particularly in those under the age of 5 years. Rotavirus is recognized
      as the leading cause of acute diarrhea in children, however, the contribution of
      bacterial pathogens as causative agents varies throughout the world. Here we
      report a hospital-based prospective study to analyze the characteristics of
      bacterial pathogens associated with acute diarrhea in children under 5 years of
      age. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 508 patients with acute diarrhea
      under 5 years of age who presented at our hospital. Nine pathogens were isolated
      and identified by culturing, serology or PCR, these included Salmonella spp.,
      Shigella spp., Vibrio cholerae, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC), Aeromonas
      spp., Plesiomonas spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia
      enterocolitica. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests of these pathogens were
      conducted. The most commonly detected pathogen, Salmonella spp., was further
      investigated by PCR and sequencing of antibiotic resistance-related genes.
      RESULTS: Pathogens were identified in 20.1 % of the 508 samples. The most
      commonly detected pathogens were Salmonella spp. (8.5 %), followed by DEC (4.7
      %), Campylobacter jejuni (3.0 %) and Aeromonas spp. (2.0 %). The resistance rates
      to ampicillin and tetracycline in Salmonella spp. were >60 %, but were <30 % to
      cephalosporins and quinolones. More than 50 % of DEC strains displayed resistance
      to ampicillin, cefotaxime and tetracycline, and 60 % of C. jejuni strains were
      resistant to ciprofloxacin but highly sensitive to the other antibiotics. Among
      12 cephalosporin-resistant Salmonella isolates, TEM-1 and CTX-M-14 determinants
      were present in two (16.7 %) isolates. PCR screening for plasmid-mediated
      quinolone resistance genes revealed gyrA mutations in one of three highly
      quinolone resistant isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Salmonella spp., DEC, Campylobacter
      spp. and Aeromonas spp. were the most commonly detected bacterial pathogens in
      children under the age of 5 years with acute diarrhea. Our findings indicate that
      ampicillin and tetracycline are not suitable as first line therapeutic drugs
      against Salmonella spp. Resistance to third generation cephalosporins and
      quinolones was also detected. TEM-1 and CTX-M-14 genetic determinants, and gyrA
      mutations, were the major mechanisms associated with high levels of cephalosporin
      and quinolone resistance, respectively, in Salmonella isolates.

PMID- 27267602
TI  - Time to publication among completed diagnostic accuracy studies: associated with
      reported accuracy estimates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous evaluations have documented that studies evaluating the
      effectiveness of therapeutic interventions are not always reported, and that
      those with statistically significant results are published more rapidly than
      those without. This can lead to reporting bias in systematic reviews and other
      literature syntheses. We evaluated whether diagnostic accuracy studies that
      report promising results about the performance of medical tests are also
      published more rapidly. METHODS: We obtained all primary diagnostic accuracy
      studies included in meta-analyses of Medline-indexed systematic reviews that were
      published between September 2011 and January 2012. For each primary study, we
      extracted estimates of diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, Youden's
      index), the completion date of participant recruitment, and the publication date.
      We calculated the time from completion to publication and assessed associations
      with reported accuracy estimates. RESULTS: Forty-nine systematic reviews were
      identified, containing 92 meta-analyses and 924 unique primary studies, of which
      756 could be included. Study completion dates were missing for 285 (38 %) of
      these. Median time from completion to publication in the remaining 471 studies
      was 24 months (IQR 16 to 35). Primary studies that reported higher estimates of
      sensitivity (Spearman's rho = -0.14; p = 0.003), specificity (rho = -0.17; p <
      0.001), and Youden's index (rho = -0.22; p < 0.001) had significantly shorter
      times to publication. When comparing time to publication in studies reporting
      accuracy estimates above versus below the median, the median number of months was
      23 versus 25 for sensitivity (p = 0.046), 22 versus 27 for specificity (p =
      0.001), and 22 versus 27 for Youden's index (p < 0.001). These differential time
      lags remained significant in multivariable Cox regression analyses with
      adjustment for other study characteristics, with hazard ratios of publication of
      1.06 (95 % CI 1.02 to 1.11; p = 0.007) for logit-transformed estimates of
      sensitivity, 1.09 (95 % CI 1.04 to 1.14; p < 0.001) for logit-transformed
      estimates of specificity, and 1.09 (95 % CI 1.03 to 1.14; p = 0.001) for logit
      transformed estimates of Youden's index. CONCLUSIONS: Time to publication was
      significantly shorter for studies reporting higher estimates of diagnostic
      accuracy compared to those reporting lower estimates. This suggests that
      searching and analyzing the published literature, rather than all completed
      studies, can produce a biased view of the performance of medical tests.

PMID- 27267603
TI  - Using eye tracking and gaze pattern analysis to test a "dirty bomb" decision aid
      in a pilot RCT in urban adults with limited literacy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eye tracking is commonly used in marketing to understand complex
      responses to materials, but has not been used to understand how low-literacy
      adults access health information or its relationship to decision making. METHODS:
      This study assessed how participants use a literacy appropriate "dirty bomb"
      decision aid. Participants were randomized to receive a CDC "factsheet" (n = 21)
      or literacy-appropriate aid (n = 29) shown on a computer screen. Using 7 content
      similar slides, gaze patterns, mean pupil fixation time and mean overall time
      reading and looking at slides were compared. Groups were also compared by
      literacy level and effect on 'confidence of knowledge' and intended behavior.
      RESULTS: Results revealed differing abilities to read densely written material.
      Intervention participants more precisely followed text on 4 of 7 content-similar
      slides compared to control participants whose gaze patterns indicated unread
      text, or repeated attempts at reading the same text, suggesting difficulty in
      understanding key preparedness messages. Controls had significantly longer pupil
      fixations on 5 of 7 slides and spent more overall time on every slide. In those
      with very low literacy, intervention participants were more likely than controls
      to say they understood what a "dirty bomb" is and how to respond if one should
      occur. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate limited- literacy adults, especially those
      with very low literacy, may not be able to understand how to respond during a
      "dirty bomb" using available materials, making them vulnerable to negative health
      events. This study provides insights into how individuals perceive and process
      risk communication messages, illustrating a rich and nuanced understanding of the
      qualitative experience of a limited literacy population with written materials.
      It also demonstrates the feasibility of using these methods on a wider scale to
      develop more effective health and risk communication messages designed to
      increase knowledge of and compliance with general health guidelines, and enhance
      decision making. This has application for those with learning disabilities, those
      with limited media-literacy skills, and those needing to access the diverse array
      of assistive technologies now available. Eye tracking is thus a practical
      approach to understanding these diverse needs to ensure the development of cogent
      and salient communication.

PMID- 27267604
TI  - Dynamical Interactions of 5-Fluorouracil Drug with Dendritic Peptide Vectors: The
      Impact of Dendrimer Generation, Charge, Counterions, and Structured Water.
AB  - Molecular dynamics simulations are utilized to investigate the interactions
      between the skin cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and peptide-based dendritic
      carrier systems. We find that these drug-carrier interactions do not conform to
      the traditional picture of long-time retention of the drug within a hydrophobic
      core of the dendrimer carrier. Rather, 5FU, which is moderately soluble in its
      own right, experiences weak, transient chattering interactions all over the
      dendrimer, mediated through multiple short-lived hydrogen bonding and close
      contact events. We find that charge on the periphery of the dendrimer actually
      has a negative effect on the frequency of drug-carrier interactions due to a
      counterion screening effect that has not previously been observed. However,
      charge is nevertheless an important feature since neutral dendrimers are shown to
      have a significant mutual attraction that can lead to clustering or
      agglomeration. This clustering is prevented due to charge repulsion for the
      titrated dendrimers, such that they remain independent in solution.

PMID- 27267605
TI  - SGK-1 and PHLPP1: Ras-mediated effectors during ECM-detachment.

PMID- 27267606
TI  - Blindness, cataract surgery and mortality in Ethiopia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the relationships between blindness, the intervention of
      cataract surgery and all-cause mortality in a rural Ethiopian population. DESIGN:
      Population-based, interventional prospective study. METHODS: Community-based
      detection methods identified blind Ethiopian persons from two selected kebeles in
      Amhara region, Ethiopia. Data from 1201 blind patients were collected-628
      cataract-blind and 573 blind from other conditions. Free cataract surgery was
      provided for consenting, cataract-blind patients. Follow-up surveys were
      conducted after 12 months (+/-1 month)-the main outcome measure for this report
      is all-cause mortality at 1 year. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 110
      persons died from the selected population (mortality 9.2%), which consisted of
      those cataract-blind patients who received cataract surgery (N=461), cataract
      blind patients who did not receive surgery (N=167) and all non-cataract-blind
      patients (N=573). Of the 461 patients who received cataract surgery, 44 patients
      died (9.5%). Of the 740 patients who did not receive surgery, 66 died (8.9%)-28
      patients from the cohort of cataract-blind patients who did not receive surgery
      (16.8%) and 38 patients from the cohort of non-cataract blind (6.6%). Subgroup
      analysis revealed significantly increased odds of mortality for cataract-blind
      patients over 75 years of age who did not receive surgery and for unmarried
      patients of all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, mortality risk was
      significantly elevated for older cataract-blind patients when compared with non
      cataract-blind patients-an elevation of risk that was not noted in an age-matched
      cohort of cataract-blind patients who underwent cataract surgery as early as 1
      year follow-up.

PMID- 27267607
TI  - Do visually impaired children and their parents agree on the child's vision
      related quality of life and functional vision?
AB  - AIMS: To investigate agreement between children with visual impairment (VI) and
      their parents on their ratings of the child's vision-related quality of life
      (VQoL) and functional vision (FV) using two novel self-report patient-reported
      outcome measures developed for this population. METHODS: 99 children aged 10-15
      years (mean age=12.2, SD=1.9) with VI (best corrected acuity (logarithm of the
      minimum angle of resolution) 0.50 or worse in better eye) and their parents
      participated in a national postal survey, completing the child and proxy versions
      of our novel instruments assessing VQoL and FV of children with VI-the vision
      related quality of life instrument for children and young people (VQoL_CYP) and
      the functional vision questionnaire for children and young people (FVQ_CYP),
      respectively. Parent-child agreement was investigated using the Bland-Altman (BA)
      method. Variation across key sociodemographic and clinical characteristics was
      examined using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. RESULTS: Average parental
      ratings of their child's VQoL and FV were significantly lower than the children's
      own ratings, but the range of disagreement was wide, with parents both
      overestimating and underestimating their child's VQoL (mean score difference=5.7,
      BA limits of agreement (LOA): lower -22.10 (CI 95% -24.61 to 19.59) and upper
      33.50 (CI 95% 30.99 to 36.01)), but more consistently underestimating the child's
      FV (mean score difference=-11.8, BA LOA: lower -39.60 (CI 95% -42.12 to 37.08)
      and upper 16 (CI 95% 13.48 to 18.52)). There was variation in agreement by some
      child characteristics, including vision level, time of onset and course of VI
      progression. CONCLUSIONS: Visually impaired children and their parents perceive
      the broader impact of living with VI very differently. There is value in routine
      capture of information independently from children and their parents for
      comprehensively gauging the impact of childhood VI and tailoring appropriate
      interventions.

PMID- 27267609
TI  - Good outcomes for lymphoma treatment during pregnancy.

PMID- 27267610
TI  - Trends in immunotherapy for brain metastases.

PMID- 27267611
TI  - Long waiting times for test results for NHS patients.

PMID- 27267608
TI  - Pembrolizumab for patients with melanoma or non-small-cell lung cancer and
      untreated brain metastases: early analysis of a non-randomised, open-label, phase
      2 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy targeting the PD-1 axis has activity in several tumour
      types. We aimed to establish the activity and safety of the PD-1 inhibitor
      pembrolizumab in patients with untreated brain metastases from melanoma or non
      small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: In this non-randomised, open-label,
      phase 2 trial, we enrolled patients aged 18 years or older with melanoma or NSCLC
      with untreated brain metastases from the Yale Cancer Center. Patients had at
      least one untreated or progressive brain metastasis between 5 and 20 mm in
      diameter without associated neurological symptoms or the need for
      corticosteroids. Patients with NSCLC had tumour tissue positive for PD-L1
      expression; this was not required for patients with melanoma. Patients were given
      10 mg/kg pembrolizumab every 2 weeks until progression. The primary endpoint was
      brain metastasis response assessed in all treated patients. The trial is ongoing
      and here we present an early analysis. The study is registered with
      ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02085070. FINDINGS: Between March 31, 2014, and May
      31, 2015, we screened 52 patients with untreated or progressive brain metastases
      (18 with melanoma, 34 with NSCLC), and enrolled 36 (18 with melanoma, 18 with
      NSCLC). A brain metastasis response was achieved in four (22%; 95% CI 7-48) of 18
      patients with melanoma and six (33%; 14-59) of 18 patients with NSCLC. Responses
      were durable, with all but one patient with NSCLC who responded showing an
      ongoing response at the time of data analysis on June 30, 2015. Treatment-related
      serious and grade 3-4 adverse events were grade 3 elevated aminotransferases (n=1
      [6%]) in the melanoma cohort, and grade 3 colitis (n=1 [6%]), grade 3 pneumonitis
      (n=1 [6%]), grade 3 fatigue (n=1 [6%]), grade 4 hyperkalemia (n=1 [6%]), and
      grade 2 acute kidney injury (n=1 [6%]) in the NSCLC cohort. Clinically
      significant neurological adverse events included transient grade 3 cognitive
      dysfunction and grade 1-2 seizures (n=3 [17%]) in the melanoma cohort.
      INTERPRETATION: Pembrolizumab shows activity in brain metastases in patients with
      melanoma or NSCLC with an acceptable safety profile, which suggests that there
      might be a role for systemic immunotherapy in patients with untreated or
      progressive brain metastases. FUNDING: Merck and the Yale Cancer Center.

PMID- 27267612
TI  - Stronger correlation of surrogate endpoints with survival needed.

PMID- 27267613
TI  - Digestive Disease Week 2016.

PMID- 27267614
TI  - Transplanting Sensitized Kidney Transplant Patients With Equivalent Outcomes
      Utilizing Stringent HLA Crossmatching.
AB  - OBJECIVES: Elevated panel reactive antibody levels have been traditionally
      associated with increased acute rejection rate and decreased long-term graft
      survival after kidney transplant. In this study, our objective was to determine
      patient and allograft outcomes in sensitized kidney transplant recipients with
      advanced HLA antibody detection and stringent protein sequence epitope analyses.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a subanalysis of a prospective, risk-stratified
      randomized controlled trial that compared interleukin 2 receptor antagonist to
      rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction in 200 kidney transplant recipients,
      examining outcomes based on panel reactive antibody levels of < 20% (low) versus
      >= 20% (high, sensitized). The study was conducted between February 2009 and July
      2011. All patients underwent solid-phase single antigen bead assays to detect HLA
      antibodies and stringent HLA epitope analyses with protein sequence alignment for
      virtual crossmatching. Delayed graft function, acute rejection rates, and graft
      loss were the main outcomes measured. RESULTS: Both the low (134 patients) and
      high (66 patients) panel reactive antibody level cohorts had equivalent induction
      and maintenance immunosuppression. Patients in the high-level group were more
      likely to be female (P < .001), African American (P < .001), and received a
      kidney from a deceased donor (P = .004). Acute rejection rates were similar
      between the low (rate of 8%) and high (rate of 9%) panel reactive antibody groups
      (P = .783). Delayed graft function, borderline rejection, graft loss, and death
      were not different between groups. Multivariate analyses demonstrated delayed
      graft function to be the strongest predictor of acute rejection (odds ratio, 5.7;
      P = .005); panel reactive antibody level, as a continuous variable, had no
      significant correlation with acute rejection (C statistic, 0.48; P = .771).
      CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate biologic matching with single antigen bead assays and
      stringent epitope analyses provided excellent outcomes in sensitized patients
      regardless of the induction therapy choice.

PMID- 27267615
TI  - Variation in induction of labour rates across Irish hospitals; a cross-sectional
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In developed countries, rates of induction of labour (IOL) have
      increased and vary between hospitals. We aimed to identify whether national
      variations could be explained by sociodemographic, clinical and organisational
      differences. METHODS: Two national databases in Ireland that routinely collect
      clinical and administrative data, the National Perinatal Reporting System and the
      Hospital Inpatient Enquiry Scheme, were used to analyse data for all women with
      singleton births weighing >=500 g in 2009. We used logistic multilevel models to
      examine variation between hospitals, and to determine how much variation was due
      to individual level sociodemographic, clinical and organisational variables.
      Analyses were stratified for nulliparas, multiparas without prior caesarean
      section (CS) and multiparas with prior CS. RESULTS: Of 69 304 eligible births,
      the rate of IOL nationally was 25.0% (range 14.5-33.2%).In nulliparas, the mean
      rate was 30.9% (range 18.6-45.7%). The rate was 24.8% (13.5-33.3%) and 3.8% (0.0
      10.2%) for multiparas without and with prior CS, respectively. In nulliparas and
      multiparas without prior CS IOL was predicted by maternal birth in Ireland,
      increasing birthweight, antepartum complications, giving birth on a weekday and
      the model of obstetric care. Even after adjusting for known sociodemographic and
      clinical variables, variation between hospitals remained. CONCLUSION: We found
      that clinical, sociodemographic and organisational factors all contributed to
      variation. However, unexplained variation persisted possibly due to
      organisational factors such as hospital-specific policies on IOL. The results
      indicate that the prevalence of antenatal complications, changing immigration
      patterns and policies on IOL after previous CS are factors likely to influence
      future IOL rates.

PMID- 27267616
TI  - Optimal insecticide-treated bed-net coverage and malaria treatment in a malaria
      HIV co-infection model.
AB  - We propose and study a mathematical model for malaria-HIV co-infection
      transmission and control, in which malaria treatment and insecticide-treated nets
      are incorporated. The existence of a backward bifurcation is established
      analytically, and the occurrence of such backward bifurcation is influenced by
      disease-induced mortality, insecticide-treated bed-net coverage and malaria
      treatment parameters. To further assess the impact of malaria treatment and
      insecticide-treated bed-net coverage, we formulate an optimal control problem
      with malaria treatment and insecticide-treated nets as control functions. Using
      reasonable parameter values, numerical simulations of the optimal control suggest
      the possibility of eliminating malaria and reducing HIV prevalence significantly,
      within a short time horizon.

PMID- 27267618
TI  - What should we do NOW? Review of a large NHS Trust's meticillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus screening.

PMID- 27267617
TI  - From microbiology to cell biology: when an intracellular bacterium becomes part
      of its host cell.
AB  - Mitochondria and chloroplasts are now called organelles, but they used to be
      bacteria. As they transitioned from endosymbionts to organelles, they became more
      and more integrated into the biochemistry and cell biology of their hosts. Work
      over the last 15 years has shown that other symbioses show striking similarities
      to mitochondria and chloroplasts. In particular, many sap-feeding insects house
      intracellular bacteria that have genomes that overlap mitochondria and
      chloroplasts in terms of size and coding capacity. The massive levels of gene
      loss in some of these bacteria suggest that they, too, are becoming highly
      integrated with their host cells. Understanding these bacteria will require
      inspiration from eukaryotic cell biology, because a traditional microbiological
      framework is insufficient for understanding how they work.

PMID- 27267619
TI  - A cross-sectional survey of environmental health in remote Aboriginal communities
      in Western Australia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Australian Aboriginal population experiences significantly
      poorer health than the non-Aboriginal population. The contribution of
      environmental risk factors in remote communities to this health disparity is
      poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To describe and quantify major environmental risk
      factors and associated health outcomes in remote Aboriginal communities in
      Western Australia. METHODS: The association between environmental health
      indicators, community infrastructure and reported health outcomes was analysed
      using linear and logistic regression of survey data. RESULTS:
      Housing/overcrowding was significantly associated with increased reports of
      hearing/eyesight (OR 3.01 95 % CI 1.58-5.73), skin (OR 2.71 95 % CI 1.31-5.60),
      gastrointestinal (OR 3.51 95 % CI 1.49-8.26) and flu/colds (OR 2.47 95 % CI 1.27
      4.78) as health concerns. Dust was significantly associated with hearing/eyesight
      (OR 3.16 95 % CI 1.82-5.48), asthma/respiratory (OR 2.48 95 % CI 1.43-4.29) and
      flu/colds (OR 3.31 95 % CI 1.88-5.86) as health concerns. CONCLUSION: Poor
      environmental health is prevalent in remote Aboriginal communities and requires
      further delineation to inform environmental health policy.

PMID- 27267620
TI  - Visualizing and Clustering Protein Similarity Networks: Sequences, Structures,
      and Functions.
AB  - Research in the recent decade has demonstrated the usefulness of protein network
      knowledge in furthering the study of molecular evolution of proteins,
      understanding the robustness of cells to perturbation, and annotating new protein
      functions. In this study, we aimed to provide a general clustering approach to
      visualize the sequence-structure-function relationship of protein networks, and
      investigate possible causes for inconsistency in the protein classifications
      based on sequences, structures, and functions. Such visualization of protein
      networks could facilitate our understanding of the overall relationship among
      proteins and help researchers comprehend various protein databases. As a
      demonstration, we clustered 1437 enzymes by their sequences and structures using
      the minimum span clustering (MSC) method. The general structure of this protein
      network was delineated at two clustering resolutions, and the second level MSC
      clustering was found to be highly similar to existing enzyme classifications. The
      clustering of these enzymes based on sequence, structure, and function
      information is consistent with each other. For proteases, the Jaccard's
      similarity coefficient is 0.86 between sequence and function classifications,
      0.82 between sequence and structure classifications, and 0.78 between structure
      and function classifications. From our clustering results, we discussed possible
      examples of divergent evolution and convergent evolution of enzymes. Our
      clustering approach provides a panoramic view of the sequence-structure-function
      network of proteins, helps visualize the relation between related proteins
      intuitively, and is useful in predicting the structure and function of newly
      determined protein sequences.

PMID- 27267621
TI  - Quantified degree of poultry exposure differs for human cases of avian influenza
      H5N1 and H7N9.
AB  - Preliminary evidence suggests that direct poultry contact may play a lesser role
      in transmission of avian influenza A(H7N9) than A(H5N1) to humans. To better
      understand differences in risk factors, we quantified the degree of poultry
      contact reported by H5N1 and H7N9 World Health Organization-confirmed cases. We
      used publicly available data to classify cases by their degree of poultry
      contact, including direct and indirect. To account for potential data
      limitations, we used two methods: (1) case population method in which all cases
      were classified using a range of sources; and (2) case subset method in which
      only cases with detailed contact information from published research literature
      were classified. In the case population, detailed exposure information was
      unavailable for a large proportion of cases (H5N1, 54%; H7N9, 86%). In the case
      subset, direct contact proportions were higher in H5N1 cases (70.3%) than H7N9
      cases (40.0%) (chi 2 = 18.5, P < 0.001), and indirect contact proportions were
      higher in H7N9 cases (44.6%) than H5N1 cases (19.4%) (chi 2 = 15.5, P < 0.001).
      Together with emerging evidence, our descriptive analysis suggests direct poultry
      contact is a clearer risk factor for H5N1 than for H7N9, and that other risk
      factors should also be considered for H7N9.

PMID- 27267622
TI  - Comparative proteomic analysis reveals intracellular targets for bacillomycin L
      to induce Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn hyphal cell death.
AB  - Bacillomycin L, a natural iturinic lipopeptide produced by Bacillus
      amyloliquefaciens, is characterized by strong antifungal activity against a
      variety of agronomically important filamentous fungi including Rhizoctonia solani
      Kuhn. To further understand its antifungal actions, proteomes were comparatively
      studied within R. solani hyphal cells treated with or without bacillomycin L. The
      results show that 39 proteins were alternatively expressed within cells in
      response to this lipopeptide, which are involved in stress response,
      carbohydrate, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, cellular component
      organization, calcium homeostasis, protein degradation, RNA processing, gene
      transcription, and others, suggesting that, in addition to inducing cell membrane
      permeabilization, iturin exhibits antibiotic activities by targeting
      intracellular molecules. Based on these results, a model of action of
      bacillomycin L against R. solani hyphal cells was proposed. Our study provides
      new insight into the antibiotic mechanisms of iturins.

PMID- 27267623
TI  - Intact spore MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and proteomic analysis of Puccinia
      pathogenic fungi.
AB  - The aim of this work was to develop a method for the identification of pathogens
      causing rust diseases of crops using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
      time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) of intact cells or spores
      (IC/IS). All optimizations were performed with Puccinia triticina, the causal
      agent of wheat leaf rust. Experiments included selection of washing solvents for
      spores, finding of an optimal concentration of spores in suspension and the most
      suitable matrix system as well as an evaluation of different sample preparation
      techniques. The best results were obtained when the spores were washed with
      acetonitrile/0.1% (v/v) trifluoroacetic acid, 7:3, v/v. A mixture of ferulic and
      sinapinic acids (5:15mgml(-1)) dissolved in acetonitrile/2.5% (v/v)
      trifluoroacetic acid, 7:3, v/v, was found optimal for the deposition of samples
      (50MUg spores per MUl) by two-layer volume technique. The optimized protocol was
      subsequently applied to other Puccinia species (Puccinia graminis, Puccinia
      striiformis and Puccinia coronata). Together with the use of the software
      BIOSPEAN, not only different species but also various pathotypes of the same
      species, which differ in their virulence, could be discriminated. There were 108
      and 29 proteins identified from P. striiformis and P. graminis spores,
      respectively, after an acidic extraction in the matrix solvent mimicking the
      sample preparation for MALDI. Besides the presence of ribosomal proteins,
      histones, regulatory proteins and enzymes, also extracellular proteins
      participating in the pathogenesis were found. Finally, for both species, several
      proteins were assigned to signals in typical mass spectrometric profiles and
      suggested as diagnostic markers.

PMID- 27267624
TI  - Media Use by Children, and Parents' Views on Children's Media Usage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: New (mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and social media) and
      traditional media (television) have come to dominate the lives of many children
      and adolescents. Despite all of this media time and new technology, many parents
      seem to have few rules regarding the use of media by their children and
      adolescents. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate media access/use
      of children and to evaluate beliefs and attitudes of parents concerning the use
      of old and new media in Turkey. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional electronic
      survey of a national convenience sample in Turkey via SurveyMonkey, including 41
      questions regarding topics relevant to television, computers, mobile phones,
      iPad/tablet use, and social media accounts. RESULTS: The responses of the 333
      participants (238 women, 95 men; 27-63 years) were evaluated. The average daily
      watching alone time was 0 to 2 hours among 53.4% (46/86), and daily coviewing
      time with parents of children was 0 to 2 hours among 62.7% (54/86) of children
      below 2 years of age. Regarding parents' monitoring their children's computer use
      (n=178), 35.4% (63/178) of the parents prefer coviewing, 13.5% of the parents use
      a family filter (24/178), and 33.1% (59/178) of the parents prefer to check Web
      history. Approximately 71.2% (237/333) of the participants had an iPad/tablet in
      the house, 84.3% (200/333) of the parents give their children permission to use
      the iPad/tablet. Of the parents, 22.5% (45/200) noted that their children used
      the iPad/tablet at the table during lunch/dinner and 57.9% (26/45) of these
      children were aged 5 years and below. Of parents, 27.3% (91/333) agreed that the
      optimal age for owning a mobile phone was 12 years, and 18.0% (60/333) of the
      parents noted that their children (one-third was below 2 years) used the mobile
      phone at the table during meals. A total of 33.3% (111/333) children/adolescents
      have a Facebook profile, and 54.0% (60/111) were below 13 years of age.
      Approximately 89.2% (297/333) of the parents emphasized that the Internet is
      essential for their child's education. DISCUSSION: According to our study
      results, knowledge regarding the use of old and new media is limited among the
      parents in Turkey. Our study showed that screen time and mobile device use
      (including during meals) are common in children below 2 years of age, whereas no
      screen time was recommended for children below 2 years of age. We concluded that
      there is need for evidence-based guidelines regarding the use of the Internet and
      social media for parents and parents should ensure that there is a plan in place
      for the use of children's media.

PMID- 27267625
TI  - Aminoflavone-loaded EGFR-targeted unimolecular micelle nanoparticles exhibit anti
      cancer effects in triple negative breast cancer.
AB  - Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer
      for which there is no available targeted therapy. TNBC cases contribute
      disproportionately to breast cancer-related mortality, thus the need for novel
      and effective therapeutic methods is urgent. We have previously shown that a
      National Cancer Institute (NCI) investigational drug aminoflavone (AF) exhibits
      strong growth inhibitory effects in TNBC cells. However, in vivo pulmonary
      toxicity resulted in withdrawal or termination of several human clinical trials
      for AF. Herein we report the in vivo efficacy of a nanoformulation of AF that
      enhances the therapeutic index of AF in TNBC. We engineered a unique unimolecular
      micelle nanoparticle (NP) loaded with AF and conjugated with GE11, a 12 amino
      acid peptide targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), since EGFR
      amplification is frequently observed in TNBC tumors. These unimolecular micelles
      possessed excellent stability and preferentially released drug payload at
      endosomal pH levels rather than blood pH levels. Use of the GE11 targeting
      peptide resulted in enhanced cellular uptake and strong growth inhibitory effects
      in TNBC cells. Further, AF-loaded, GE11-conjugated (targeted) unimolecular
      micelle NPs significantly inhibit orthotopic TNBC tumor growth in a xenograft
      model, compared to treatment with AF-loaded, GE11-lacking (non-targeted)
      unimolecular micelle NPs or free AF. Interestingly, the animals treated with AF
      loaded, targeted NPs had the highest plasma and tumor level of AF among different
      treatment groups yet exhibited no increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase
      (AST) activity level or observable tissue damage at the time of sacrifice.
      Together, these results highlight AF-loaded, EGFR-targeted unimolecular micelle
      NPs as an effective therapeutic option for EGFR-overexpressing TNBC.

PMID- 27267626
TI  - 808 nm Light-triggered and hyaluronic acid-targeted dual-photosensitizers
      nanoplatform by fully utilizing Nd(3+)-sensitized upconversion emission with
      enhanced anti-tumor efficacy.
AB  - The current near-infrared (NIR) light-induced photodynamic therapy (PDT) can
      enhance the tissue penetration depth to trigger photosensitizers (PSs) far from
      the surface. NIR-mediated PDT is still challenged by overheating effect on normal
      tissues, limited tumor selectivity and low reactive oxygen species (ROS) yields.
      Here we construct a dual-agent photosensitizing nanoplatform by combining UV-blue
      upconversion emitting NaYF4:Yb/Tm@NaYF4:Yb@NaNdF4:Yb@NaYF4 (labeled as UCNPs)
      multi-shell nanocrystals with titanium dioxide (TiO2, UV-light-excited PS) and
      hypocrellin A (HA, blue-light-excited PS), which can induce cancer cell apoptosis
      by 808 nm light-triggered and hyaluronic acid (Hyal)-targeted PDT. In this
      construction strategy, the crystallized TiO2 shells on the surface of UCNPs can
      play dual roles as UV-light excited PS and conjugation site for Hyal, and then
      Hyal is served as targeting-ligand as well as the carrier of HA simultaneously.
      The step-by-step reactive mode of loading PSs and modifying targeting-ligands is
      a controllable and ordered design based on the use of one intermediate product as
      the reaction site for the next component. The Nd(3+)-sensitized UCNPs with
      quenching reduction layer can efficiently convert 808 nm NIR light to UV-blue
      emission for simultaneous activation of two PSs with enhanced intracellular ROS
      generation. Through the in vitro and in vivo experiment results, the dual
      photosensitizers nanoplatform presents enhanced anti-tumor efficacy by effective
      targeting cellular uptake and taking full advantage of upconversion emission,
      which may make a major step toward next generation of NIR-mediated PDT.

PMID- 27267627
TI  - Peptide inhibition of p22phox and Rubicon interaction as a therapeutic strategy
      for septic shock.
AB  - Sepsis is a clinical syndrome that complicates severe infection and is
      characterized by the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), is a life
      threatening disease characterized by inflammation of the entire body. Upon
      microbial infection, p22phox-gp91phox NADPH oxidase (NOX) complexes produce
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are critical for the elimination of invading
      microbes. However, excess production of ROS represents a key element in the
      cascade of deleterious processes in sepsis. We have previously reported direct
      crosstalk between autophagy and phagocytosis machineries by demonstrating that
      the Rubicon protein interacts with p22phox upon microbial infection, facilitating
      phagosomal trafficking of the p22phox-gp91phox NOX complex to induce a ROS burst,
      inflammatory cytokine production, and thereby, potent anti-microbial activities.
      Here, we showed N8 peptide, an N-terminal 8-amino acid peptide derived from
      p22phox, was sufficient for Rubicon interaction and thus, capable of robustly
      blocking the Rubicon-p22phox interaction and profoundly suppressing ROS and
      inflammatory cytokine production. Consequently, treatment with the Tat-N8 peptide
      or a N8 peptide-mimetic small-molecule dramatically reduced the mortality
      associated with Cecal-Ligation-and-Puncture-induced polymicrobial sepsis in mice.
      This study demonstrates a new anti-sepsis therapeutic strategy by blocking the
      crosstalk between autophagy and phagocytosis innate immunity machineries,
      representing a potential paradigm shift for urgently needed therapeutic
      intervention against this life-threatening SIRS.

PMID- 27267628
TI  - Synergistic targeting tenascin C and neuropilin-1 for specific penetration of
      nanoparticles for anti-glioblastoma treatment.
AB  - The pathological and physiological barriers of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) lead
      to insufficient extravasation and penetration of nano-sized therapeutics. As the
      main driver of interstitial fluid pressure-related drug efflux, the aberrant
      extracellular matrix (ECM) appears to be a valuable target that plays a crucial
      role in forming pathological barriers of GBM. Herein, a new Ft peptide was
      synthesized by coupling FHK and tLyp-1 sequence together via a cysteine to
      synergistically target glioma-associated tenascin C (extracellular matrix
      component) and neuropilin-1 on neovasculature and glioma cells to enable specific
      penetration of nanoparticles for anti-glioblastoma treatment. In vitro, Ft
      peptide-functionalization not only enabled the internalization of poly
      (ethyleneglycol)-poly (lactic acid) nanoparticulate system in 2D U87 MG cells and
      HUVEC cells but also facilitated its deep penetration in 3D glioma spheroids.
      Similarly, in vivo real-time 2D and 3D imaging clearly showed a substantial
      accumulation of the Ft-functionalized nanoparticles (Ft-NP) in the glioma foci of
      intracranial U87 glioma-bearing mice. Glioma distribution assay demonstrated a
      tenascin C-mediated accumulation in glioma foci and neuropilin-1-mediated
      transportation through glioma cells. Paclitaxel-loaded Ft-NP (Ft-NP-PTX) induced
      higher cytotoxic effect and apoptosis rate compared with FHK or tLyp-1-modified
      ones. The highest anti-glioma efficacy was also achieved following the i.v.
      administration of Ft-NP-PTX, with a median survival promotion of 269% than that
      of the saline-treated mice, while only limited life span promotion was obtained
      after the treatment of other formulations (31.3%, 59.4%, 134.4% and 109.3%
      respectively for Taxol((r)), NP-PTX, tLyp-1-NP-PTX and FHK-NP-PTX). In
      conclusion, all these evidences together verified the improved therapeutic effect
      of Ft-NP-PTX for anti-glioma drug delivery via neuropilin-1- and tenascin C
      mediated specific penetration of nanoparticles in to glioma parenchyma.

PMID- 27267629
TI  - Transparent, resilient human amniotic membrane laminates for corneal
      transplantation.
AB  - This study evaluated a new technique to toughen and optically clarify human
      amniotic membrane (AM) tissue, which is naturally thin and clouded, and
      determined the suitability of the altered tissue for corneal transplantation. The
      technique created a tissue laminate by repeatedly depositing wet layers of AM and
      dehydrating them, followed by chemical cross-linking to tighten integration at
      the layer interfaces and within the layers, thereby improving the physical
      properties of the laminates by increasing light transmittance and mechanical
      strength. Interestingly, this improvement only occurred in laminates with at
      least 4 layers. Cross-linking also improved the resistance of the laminates to
      collagenase degradation, such as occurs in corneal melting. This study also
      confirmed that the AM tissue was biocompatible by inserting AM monolayers into
      the corneal stroma of rabbits, and by performing lamellar keratoplasty in rabbits
      with cross-linked AM laminates. The laminates were sufficiently thick and
      resilient to need only one set of sutures, whereas in previously described multi
      layer AM transplantation technique, each layer required separate sutures. The
      current findings are a promising advance in the engineering of novel biomaterials
      and the alteration of existing tissues for medical use.

PMID- 27267630
TI  - Endogenous human skin equivalent promotes in vitro morphogenesis of follicle-like
      structures.
AB  - Three-dimensional constructs formed by cells embedded in an exogenous scaffold
      could not represent a faithful in vitro replica of native and functional tissues.
      In this work we produced an endogenous human skin equivalent by means of a tissue
      engineering process that induces the full morphogenesis of functional dermal and
      epidermal compartments. In such an organotypic context we demonstrated that -by
      using adult human skin cells-it is possible to generate follicle-like structures
      in vitro resembling what occurs in vivo in the fetal skin. Immunotypization
      evidences an inward-oriented differentiation of the follicular-like structures
      through immunopositivity for epithelial stem cell markers such as p63 and K19.
      Moreover we detected the presence of versican within the intricate network of the
      dermal compartment, suggesting its role as an inductive factor for the
      morphogenesis of appendage-like structures. These results support the importance
      of the repository and regulatory role of the endogenous extra cellular matrix in
      guiding tissue morphogenesis. The microenvironment provided by the endogenous
      human skin equivalent preserves p63 and K19 positive cells and could finally be
      involved in: (i) triggering the arrangement of the keratinocytes in follicle-like
      structures; (ii) promoting the convolute profile of the derma-epidermal junction
      and (iii) improving epidermis barrier function. We argue that the nature of
      dermal compartment plays a role in directing epithelial cell fate and function in
      vitro.

PMID- 27267631
TI  - Nanoscale effects in dendrimer-mediated targeting of neuroinflammation.
AB  - Neuroinflammation, mediated by activated microglia and astrocytes, plays a key
      role in the pathogenesis of many neurological disorders. Systemically
      administered dendrimers target neuroinflammation and deliver drugs with
      significant efficacy, without the need for ligands. Elucidating the nanoscale
      aspects of targeting neuroinflammation will enable superior nanodevices for
      eventual translation. Using a rabbit model of cerebral palsy, we studied the in
      vivo contributions of dendrimer physicochemical properties and disease
      pathophysiology on dendrimer brain uptake, diffusion, and cell specific
      localization. Neutral dendrimers move efficiently within the brain parenchyma and
      rapidly localize in glial cells in regions of injury. Dendrimer uptake is also
      dependent on the extent of blood-brain-barrier breakdown, glial activation, and
      disease severity (mild, moderate, or severe), which can lend the dendrimer to be
      used as an imaging biomarker for disease phenotype. This new understanding of the
      in vivo mechanism of dendrimer-mediated delivery in a clinically-relevant rabbit
      model provides greater opportunity for clinical translation of targeted brain
      injury therapies.

PMID- 27267632
TI  - Polyplex-mediated inhibition of chemokine receptor CXCR4 and chromatin-remodeling
      enzyme NCOA3 impedes pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies due to intense
      desmoplasia, extreme hypoxia and inherent chemoresistance. Studies have
      implicated the expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 and nuclear receptor co
      activator-3 (NCOA3) in the development of desmoplasia and metastatic spread of
      PC. Using a series of polymeric CXCR4 antagonists (PCX), we optimized formulation
      of PCX/siNCOA3 polyplexes to simultaneously target CXCR4 and NCOA3 in PC.
      Cholesterol-modified PCX showed maximum CXCR4 antagonism, NCOA3 silencing and
      inhibition of PC cell migration in vitro. The optimized PCX/siNCOA3 polyplexes
      were used in evaluating antitumor and antimetastatic activity in orthotopic mouse
      model of metastatic PC. The polyplexes displayed significant inhibition of
      primary tumor growth, which was accompanied by a decrease in tumor necrosis and
      increased tumor perfusion. The polyplexes also showed significant antimetastatic
      effect and effective suppression of metastasis to distant organs. Overall, dual
      function PCX/siNCOA3 polyplexes can effectively regulate tumor microenvironment
      to decrease progression and dissemination of PC.

PMID- 27267633
TI  - Living alone and depression: the modifying role of the perceived neighborhood
      environment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Older adults who live alone are more likely to report feelings of
      depression than those who live with a spouse or other family members. This study
      examines the effects of residential status and perceived neighborhood
      characteristics on depression in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: This
      study is based on a probability sample of 1049 adults aged 55-98 years (M = 69
      years) residing in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA, USA in 2014. Thirty percent
      of participants reported living alone. We tested a multivariate model using
      living alone (vs. living with a family member or others) and perceived
      neighborhood physical and social quality as predictors of depressive
      symptomatology while controlling for age, sex, race, education, and disability.
      RESULTS: Living alone (compared to living with a family member) was associated
      with elevated levels of depressive symptomatology. However, perceptions of
      neighborhood social quality moderated this association. Living alone was more
      highly associated with depression when the perceived social quality of the
      neighborhood was low. Neighborhood social quality was not associated with
      depression among older adults who lived with a family member. Perceptions of
      neighborhood physical quality were not significantly associated with depression.
      CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of good neighborhood social quality is important for
      adults who live alone, in terms of fewer symptoms of depression.

PMID- 27267634
TI  - Perampanel for the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in
      idiopathic generalized epilepsy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The non-competitive alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole
      propionic acid (AMPA) - receptor antagonist perampanel (PER) was approved in 2015
      for treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (pGTCS). The aim of
      this narrative review is to summarize available data on pharmacological
      properties, efficacy and tolerability of PER in pGTCs. AREAS COVERED: Data
      sources included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov,
      conference proceedings of the ILAE congresses and the most recent conference
      proceedings of the American Epilepsy Society (2013 to 2015). EXPERT OPINION: A
      placebo-controlled clinical phase III study including 164 patients (>= 12 years)
      with pGTCS in idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) demonstrated efficacy of
      PER in reducing pGTCS with good tolerability profile, and without aggravating
      absence seizures or myoclonic seizures. Dizziness, the main adverse event (AE),
      can be avoided by bedtime administration. Psychiatric AEs ranging from mild
      depression to aggression and suicidal attempts should be especially monitored in
      patients with a history of psychiatric disorders. Co-administration of enzyme
      inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) might decrease PER plasma levels and make
      dose adjustment necessary. A reduced efficacy of progesterone-containing oral
      contraceptives should be considered when administering PER to young women. There
      is lack of evidence on PER treatment in pregnancy. Although no teratogenic
      effects were observed in animal models, PER is not recommended for women of
      childbearing age without contraception.

PMID- 27267635
TI  - Neuropsychiatric manifestations in autoimmune diseases.

PMID- 27267636
TI  - Sensory disturbance and polyneuropathy in rheumatoid arthritis patients with foot
      deformity.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Our aim in this study was to present the results of sensory
      evaluation tests and electrophysiological evaluations in rheumatoid arthritis
      (RA) patients with foot deformity and to determine their relation with general
      health status and lower extremity functionality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one
      patients with RA diagnosis and foot deformity were included in the study.
      Demographic and disease characteristics of the patients were recorded, and a
      detailed neurological examination was performed. Superficial sensation, pain,
      heat, vibration, and two-point discrimination sensation were evaluated in each
      foot, and their sum was used to determine the sensory deficits index (SDI) of 0
      10. The presence of polyneuropathy was evaluated with electrophysiological
      methods. The Health Assessment Questionnaire and mobility and walking subscales
      of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales-2 were used to assess general health
      status and lower extremity functionality, respectively. According to the sensory
      examination and electromyography results, patients were compared in terms of
      their general health status and lower extremity functional status. RESULTS:
      Sensory disturbance was detected in 39 patients (74%) during the examination;
      however, 27 patients (52.9%) had polyneuropathy determined
      electrophysiologically. In patients with sensory deficits, statistically
      significant deterioration was detected in general health and foot functionality,
      including mobility and walking, when compared to patients with a normal sensory
      evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Even in the presence of normal electrophysiological
      tests, sensory dysfunction alone seems to be associated with severe disability in
      general health status and foot functionality when compared to patients with a
      normal sensory examination.

PMID- 27267637
TI  - Influence of medical care in the quality of life (WHOQOL-100) of women living
      with systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Lupus requires careful treatment by medical specialists. This study aimed to
      evaluate the quality of life of patients living with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
      (SLE). The method approached women with a confirmed diagnosis of SLE under
      medical supervision in a University hospital outpatient clinic or in a private
      clinic. We used an instrument containing relevant information of the patient and
      also the Portuguese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life
      Group (WHOQOL-100) questionnaire. The study population consisted of 39 women,
      married in their majority (56.4%); prevalently aged 37-60 years old; prevalence
      of diagnosis time over five years (66.7%); and in use of less than 5 medications
      (69.2%). 92.3% had the disease inactive with higher means in mobility (p=0.0463)
      and quality of life (p=0.0199) facets; on the other hand, the physical safety and
      security facet (p=0.0093) showed higher mean for people with active disease.
      Health and social care analysis showed availability and quality (p=0.0434), even
      when with other associated diseases (33.3%); and the highest means were
      Dependence on medicinal substances and medical aids (p=0.0143). The negative
      results for associated diseases were higher in sexual activity (p=0.0431) and
      transportation (p=0.0319) facets. IN CONCLUSION: if women living with SLE receive
      continuous medical attention, they will enjoy good quality of life, while
      minimizing the complications inherent in this condition.

PMID- 27267638
TI  - On lupus, vitamin D and leukopenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immune regulation is among the noncalcemic effects of vitamin D. So,
      this vitamin may play a role in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE). OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency
      in SLE and its association with clinical, serological and treatment profile as
      well as with disease activity. METHODS: Serum OH vitamin D3 levels were measured
      in 153 SLE patients and 85 controls. Data on clinical, serological and treatment
      profile of lupus patients were obtained through chart review. Blood cell count
      and SLEDAI (SLE disease activity index) were measured simultaneously with vitamin
      D determination. RESULTS: SLE patients have lower levels of vitamin D than
      controls (p=0.03). In univariate analysis serum vitamin D was associated with
      leukopenia (p=0.02), use of cyclophosphamide (p=0.007) and methotrexate (p=0.03).
      A negative correlation was verified with prednisone dose (p=0.003). No
      association was found with disease activity measured by SLEDAI (p=0.88). In a
      multiple regression study only leukopenia remained as an independent association
      (B=4.04; p=0.02). A negative correlation of serum vitamin level with granulocyte
      (p=0.01) was also found, but not with lymphocyte count (p=0.33). CONCLUSION: SLE
      patients have more deficiency of vitamin D than controls. This deficiency is not
      associated with disease activity but with leucopenia (granulocytopenia).

PMID- 27267639
TI  - Ozone decreases sperm quality in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the deleterious effects of air pollutants exposure in
      the Sao Paulo metropolitan region on semen quality in systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: A seven-years longitudinal repeated-measures panel
      study was performed at the Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution and
      Rheumatology Division. Two semen samples from 28 post-pubertal SLE patients were
      analyzed. Daily concentrations of air pollutants exposure: PM10, SO2, NO2, ozone,
      CO, and meteorological variables were evaluated on 90 days before each semen
      collection dates using generalized estimating equation models. RESULTS:
      Intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCYC) and ozone had an association with a decrease
      in sperm quality of SLE patients. IVCYC was associated with decreases of 64.3
      million of spermatozoa/mL (95% CI 39.01-89.65; p=0.0001) and 149.14 million of
      spermatozoa/ejaculate (95% CI 81.93-216.38; p=0.017). With regard to ozone, the
      most relevant adverse effects were observed from lags 80-88, when the exposure to
      an interquartile range increase in ozone 9-day moving average concentration led
      to decreases of 22.9 million of spermatozoa/mL (95% CI 5.8-40.0; p=0.009) and
      70.5 million of spermatozoa/ejaculate (95% CI 12.3-128.7; p=0.016). Further
      analysis of 17 patients that never used IVCYC showed association between exposure
      to ozone (80-88 days) and decrease of 30.0 million of spermatozoa/mL (95% CI 7.0
      53.0; p=0.011) and 79.0 million of spermatozoa/ejaculate (95% CI 2.1-155.9;
      p=0.044). CONCLUSION: Ozone and IVCYC had a consistent adverse effect on semen
      quality of SLE patients during spermatogenesis. Minimizing exposure to air
      pollution should be taken into account, especially for patients with chronic
      systemic inflammatory diseases living in large cities.

PMID- 27267640
TI  - Mild and moderate Mannose Binding Lectin deficiency are associated with systemic
      lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis in Brazilian patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The potential association of mannose binding lectin (MBL) deficiency
      and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been investigated in several studies,
      but results have been mixed. One explanation for the conflicting results could be
      differences in ethnic background of study subjects. In this study we investigated
      the association of MBL deficiency and SLE in a large cohort of Brazilian SLE
      patients and controls. METHODS: Serum MBL and Complement levels were determined
      for 286 Brazilian adult SLE patients and 301 healthy Brazilian adults as
      controls. MBL deficiency was classified as mild (<1000 and >=500MUg/L), moderate
      (<500 and >=100MUg/L) or severe (<100MUg/L). RESULTS: SLE patients presented
      higher frequency of mild and moderate MBL deficiency compared to controls. SLE
      patients with MBL deficiency presented higher frequency of lupus nephritis
      compared to those without MBL deficiency. MBL deficiency was not associated with
      any other clinical manifestation, use of immunosuppressant therapy, disease
      activity, disease severity serum or Complement levels. CONCLUSION: This study
      shows that an association between MBL deficiency and SLE does exist in the
      Brazilian population. We also found an association between MBL deficiency and
      lupus nephritis. These findings support the hypothesis that MBL deficiency
      contributes to the development of SLE and lupus nephritis.

PMID- 27267641
TI  - Alcohol, smoking and illicit drug use in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate alcohol, smoking and/or illicit drug use, and history of
      bullying in adolescent childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy
      controls. METHODS: 174 adolescents with pediatric rheumatic diseases were
      selected. All of the 34 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and
      35 healthy controls participated in this study. A cross-sectional study included
      demographic/anthropometric data and puberty markers assessments; structured
      questionnaire and CRAFFT screening interview. RESULTS: McNemar tests indicated an
      excellent test-retest reliability of the structured questionnaire (p=1.0). The
      median current age was similar between childhood-onset systemic lupus
      erythematosus patients and controls [15 (12-18) vs. 15 (12-18) years, p=0.563].
      The median of menarche age was significantly higher in childhood-onset systemic
      lupus erythematosus patients compared to controls [12 (10-15) vs. 11.5 (9-15)
      years, p=0.041], particularly in those that lupus had occurred before first
      menstruation [13 (12-15) vs. 11.5(9-15) years, p=0.007]. The other puberty marker
      and sexual function parameters were similar in both groups (p>0.05). Alcohol use
      was similar in both childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and
      controls (38% vs. 46%, p=0.628). A trend of lower frequency of CRAFFT score >=2
      (high risk for substance abuse/dependence) was evidenced in childhood-onset
      systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared to controls (0% vs. 15%, p=0.053).
      Bullying was reported similarly for the two groups (43% vs. 44%, p=0.950).
      Further analysis in lupus patients regarding alcohol/smoking/illicit drug use
      showed no differences in demographic data, puberty markers, history of bullying,
      sexual function, contraceptive use, disease activity/damage scores,
      clinical/laboratorial features and treatments (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study
      showed high frequencies of early alcohol use in lupus adolescents and healthy
      controls, despite of a possible low risk for substance abuse/dependence in
      childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

PMID- 27267642
TI  - Hepatitis C virus antibodies in high risk juvenile onset systemic lupus
      erythematosus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in
      high risk juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE). STUDY DESIGN: Forty low
      income JSLE patients (6M:34F; mean age 19+/-4.4 yrs; mean disease duration 6+/
      3.2 yrs) were studied. Twenty healthy children and adolescents matched for social
      economical level were included as controls. Anti-HCV tests were performed using a
      third generation microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Inclusion criterion was low
      social economical level. RESULTS: The frequencies of anti-HCV antibody were low
      and comparable between JSLE and control group (2.5% vs. 0, p=1.0). JSLE patients
      had significantly more risk factors for HCV infection compared to the control
      group, including immunosuppressive treatment (90% vs. 0, p<0.0001),
      hospitalization (50% vs. 12.5%, p=0.0006) and invasive procedures (47.5% vs.
      12.5%, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The observed low frequency of anti-HCV antibodies
      in high risk JSLE suggests that this virus does not seem to have a relevant role
      in the pathogenesis of this disease.

PMID- 27267643
TI  - Myelopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical, laboratory, radiological
      and progression findings in a cohort of 1,193 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical, laboratory, radiological and progression
      characteristics of myelopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 1193 patients with
      SLE (ACR criteria) in order to identify patients with myelopathy
      (neuropsychiatric ACR). Disease activity was assessed by the SLE activity index
      (SLEDAI) on the date of the event and functional capacity was assessed by the
      Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at the last visit. RESULTS: We identified
      14 (1.2%) patients with myelopathy. All were women with a mean age of 30+/-11.5
      years. Myelopathy occurred at the diagnosis of SLE in four (28%) patients; and
      nine (64%) patients had another type of neuropsychiatric manifestation
      associated. Neurological recurrence was observed in one (7%) patient. Disease
      activity was observed in 2 (14%) patients. Cerebrospinal fluid presented
      pleocytosis on 7 (53%) patients; antiphospholipid antibodies were positive in 5
      (45%). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed T2 hyperintensity with a
      predominance of longitudinal involvement in 6 (86%) patients. Most were treated
      with intravenous corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. No patient had full
      recovery and four (36%) had high EDSS scores. Three (21%) patients died from
      sepsis early in the course of their myelopathy, during or after immunosuppressive
      therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Myelopathy occurred in 14 (1.2%) of the patients in our
      cohort and this may be the first manifestation of the disease occurring
      independently of systemic disease activity. Although rare, myelopathy shows great
      morbidity and mortality, can be recurrent and MRI is critical for diagnosis.

PMID- 27267645
TI  - Prevalence of low back pain in older Brazilians: a systematic review with meta
      analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of low back pain (LBP) is expected to increase worldwide
      with aging of the population but its prevalence in older people is not clear,
      mainly in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of LBP in
      older Brazilians. METHODS: Electronic searches on SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE, EMBASE
      and CINAHL, as well as hand-searching identified studies investigating prevalence
      of LBP in older Brazilians aged 60 years or over. Two independent reviewers
      selected studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria, assessed risk of bias for
      each included study and extracted relevant data. Meta-analysis was conducted when
      enough homogeneity allowed and the GRADE system was used to summarize the overall
      quality of the evidence. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included with a total of
      28,448 participants. Data from point- and period-prevalence of LBP were obtained.
      Meta-analysis was conducted for 13 studies reporting point-prevalence. Pooled
      point-prevalence of LBP was 25.0% (95% CI 18.0-32.0). Other three studies
      investigated period-prevalence: one-week prevalence=15.0% (95% CI 13.0-18.0); six
      month prevalence=43.0% (95% CI 42.0-44.0); and 12-month prevalence=13.0% (95% CI
      11.0-16.0). Sensitivity analyses were performed for point-prevalence and
      exclusion of studies with poorer methodological quality tended to increase the
      estimated prevalence of LBP. CONCLUSION: Moderate-quality evidence showed that at
      any point in time one in four older Brazilians suffers from LBP. This was the
      first systematic review investigating nationwide data on the prevalence of LBP in
      older people and contributes important clinical and epidemiological evidence for
      policymakers.

PMID- 27267644
TI  - Association between academic performance and cognitive dysfunction in patients
      with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an association between the profile of
      cognitive dysfunction and academic outcomes in patients with juvenile systemic
      lupus erythematosus (JSLE). METHODS: Patients aged <=18 years at the onset of the
      disease and education level at or above the fifth grade of elementary school were
      selected. Cognitive evaluation was performed according to the American College of
      Rheumatology (ACR) recommendations. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were
      assessed by Beck scales; disease activity was assessed by Systemic Lupus
      Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI); and cumulative damage was assessed
      by Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC). The presence of
      autoantibodies and medication use were also assessed. A significance level of 5%
      (p<0.05) was adopted. RESULTS: 41 patients with a mean age of 14.5+/-2.84 years
      were included. Cognitive dysfunction was noted in 17 (41.46%) patients. There was
      a significant worsening in mathematical performance in patients with cognitive
      dysfunction (p=0.039). Anxiety symptoms were observed in 8 patients (19.51%) and
      were associated with visual perception (p=0.037) and symptoms of depression were
      observed in 1 patient (2.43%). CONCLUSION: Patients with JSLE concomitantly with
      cognitive dysfunction showed worse academic performance in mathematics compared
      to patients without cognitive impairment.

PMID- 27267646
TI  - IgA nephropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: case report and
      literature review.
AB  - Systemic erythematosus lupus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease which
      has nephritis as one of the most striking manifestations. Although it can coexist
      with other autoimmune diseases, and determine the predisposition to various
      infectious complications, SLE is rarely described in association with non-lupus
      nephropathies etiologies. We report the rare association of SLE and primary IgA
      nephropathy (IgAN), the most frequent primary glomerulopathy in the world
      population. The patient was diagnosed with SLE due to the occurrence of malar
      rash, alopecia, pleural effusion, proteinuria, ANA 1: 1280, nuclear fine speckled
      pattern, and anticardiolipin IgM and 280U/mL. Renal biopsy revealed mesangial
      hypercellularity with isolated IgA deposits, consistent with primary IgAN. It was
      treated with antimalarial drug, prednisone and inhibitor of angiotensin
      converting enzyme, showing good progress. Since they are relatively common
      diseases, the coexistence of SLE and IgAN may in fact be an uncommon finding for
      unknown reasons or an underdiagnosed condition. This report focus on the
      importance of the distinction between the activity of renal disease in SLE and
      non-SLE nephropathy, especially IgAN, a definition that has important
      implications on renal prognosis and therapeutic regimens to be adopted in both
      the short and long terms. 

PMID- 27267647
TI  - Miliary tuberculosis: a severe opportunistic infection in juvenile systemic lupus
      erythematosus patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: One of the main issues in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus
      (JSLE) patients is infection, such as tuberculosis (TB). Of note, SLE patients
      are susceptible to pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB. However, to our knowledge,
      this contagious disease was rarely reported in pediatric lupus population,
      particularly diffuse or miliary TB. Therefore, from January 1983 to December
      2011, 5,635 patients were followed-up at our Pediatric Rheumatology Unit and 285
      (5%) of them met the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for
      SLE. CASE REPORTS: Four (1.4%) of our JSLE patients had disseminated TB and were
      described herein. All of them were female gender, received BCG vaccination and
      did not have a history of TB household contact. The median of current age at TB
      diagnosis and the period between JSLE and TB diagnosis were 17 years old (range
      14-20) and 5.5 years (range 2-7), respectively. All patients developed miliary TB
      during the course of the disease. The median of SLE Disease Activity Index 2000
      (SLEDAI-2K) was 4 (2-16) and the patients were treated with immunosuppressive
      agents (glucocorticoid, azathioprine and/or intravenous cyclophosphamide). Two of
      them presented sepsis and TB diagnosis was only established at autopsy,
      especially with lungs, central nervous system and abdominal involvements. Anti-TB
      therapy (isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide) was indicated in the other two
      TB cases, however they deceased. DISCUSSION: Miliary TB is a rare and severe
      opportunist infection in pediatric lupus population. This study reinforces the
      importance of routine searches for TB in JSLE patients.

PMID- 27267648
TI  - Is there an association between systemic lupus erythematosus and periodontal
      disease?
AB  - Periodontal disease results from the interaction between pathogenic bacteria that
      colonize supragingival and subgingival biofilms and the host, triggering an
      inflammatory response, with systemic effects leading to immune-mediated
      destruction of the attachment apparatus and loss of supporting alveolar bone.
      Immunological pathways and predisposing genetic factors common to periodontal
      disease and rheumatic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, have been
      described. Case reports have suggested greater severity of periodontal disease in
      patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. However, studies evaluating the
      influence of the treatment of one disease on the clinical and laboratory
      manifestations of the other have yielded conflicting results. 

PMID- 27267649
TI  - Loading Actinides in Multilayered Structures for Nuclear Waste Treatment: The
      First Case Study of Uranium Capture with Vanadium Carbide MXene.
AB  - Efficient nuclear waste treatment and environmental management are important
      hurdles that need to be overcome if nuclear energy is to become more widely used.
      Herein, we demonstrate the first case of using two-dimensional (2D) multilayered
      V2CTx nanosheets prepared by HF etching of V2AlC to remove actinides from aqueous
      solutions. The V2CTx material is found to be a highly efficient uranium (U(VI))
      sorbent, evidenced by a high uptake capacity of 174 mg g(-1), fast sorption
      kinetics, and desirable selectivity. Fitting of the sorption isotherm indicated
      that the sorption followed a heterogeneous adsorption model, most probably due to
      the presence of heterogeneous adsorption sites. Density functional theory
      calculations, in combination with X-ray absorption fine structure
      characterizations, suggest that the uranyl ions prefer to coordinate with
      hydroxyl groups bonded to the V-sites of the nanosheets via forming bidentate
      inner-sphere complexes. 

PMID- 27267650
TI  - Effect of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles on growth and physiology of
      globally important food crops: A critical review.
AB  - The concentrations of engineered metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have
      increased in the environment due to increasing demand of NPs based products. This
      is causing a major concern for sustainable agriculture. This review presents the
      effects of NPs on agricultural crops at biochemical, physiological and molecular
      levels. Numerous studies showed that metal and metal oxide NPs affected the
      growth, yield and quality of important agricultural crops. The NPs altered
      mineral nutrition, photosynthesis and caused oxidative stress and induced
      genotoxicity in crops. The activities of antioxidant enzymes increased at low NPs
      toxicity while decreased at higher NPs toxicity in crops. Due to exposure of crop
      plants to NPs, the concentration of NPs increased in different plant parts
      including fruits and grains which could transfer to the food chain and pose a
      threat to human health. In conclusion, most of the NPs have both positive and
      negative effects on crops at physiological, morphological, biochemical and
      molecular levels. The effects of NPs on crop plants vary greatly with plant
      species, growth stages, growth conditions, method, dose, and duration of NPs
      exposure along with other factors. Further research orientation is also discussed
      in this review article.

PMID- 27267651
TI  - Decomposition of Iodinated Pharmaceuticals by UV-254 nm-assisted Advanced
      Oxidation Processes.
AB  - Iodinated pharmaceuticals, thyroxine (a thyroid hormone) and diatrizoate (an
      iodinated X-ray contrast medium), are among the most prescribed active
      pharmaceutical ingredients. Both of them have been reported to potentially
      disrupt thyroid homeostasis even at very low concentrations. In this study, UV
      254 nm-based photolysis and photochemical processes, i.e., UV only, UV/H2O2, and
      UV/S2O82-, were evaluated for the destruction of these two pharmaceuticals.
      Approximately 40% of 0.5MUM thyroxine or diatrizoate was degraded through direct
      photolysis at UV fluence of 160mJcm-2, probably resulting from the photosensitive
      cleavage of C-I bonds. While the addition of H2O2 only accelerated the
      degradation efficiency to a low degree, the destruction rates of both chemicals
      were significantly enhanced in the UV/S2O82- system, suggesting the potential
      vulnerability of the iodinated chemicals toward UV/S2O82- treatment. Such
      efficient destruction also occurred in the presence of radical scavengers when
      biologically treated wastewater samples were used as reaction matrices. The
      effects of initial oxidant concentrations, solution pH, as well as the presence
      of natural organic matter (humic acid or fulvic acid) and alkalinity were also
      investigated in this study. These results provide insights for the removal of
      iodinated pharmaceuticals in water and/or wastewater using UV-based photochemical
      processes.

PMID- 27267652
TI  - PMab-44 Detects Bovine Podoplanin in Immunohistochemistry.
AB  - Podoplanin (PDPN)/Aggrus is a type I transmembrane O-glycoprotein, which is
      expressed in several normal tissues including podocytes of kidney and lymphatic
      endothelial cells. PDPN activates platelet aggregation by binding to C-type
      lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) on platelet; however, only bovine PDPN (bovPDPN)
      does not possess the platelet-aggregating activity. Although many monoclonal
      antibodies (mAbs) against human PDPN, mouse PDPN, rat PDPN, and rabbit PDPN have
      been established, anti-bovPDPN mAbs have not been developed. In this study, we
      immunized mice with the recombinant proteins of bovPDPN and developed anti
      bovPDPN mAbs, which are useful in immunohistochemical analysis. One of the
      clones, PMab-44, is useful for detecting podocytes and lymphatic endothelial
      cells in normal bovine tissues. PMab-44 also detected bovPDPN specifically in
      flow cytometry. PMab-44 is expected to be useful for investigating the function
      of bovPDPN.

PMID- 27267653
TI  - Communicating printed headings to the ear.
AB  - Two experiments compared three methods of translating printed headings into an
      auditory format. In both experiments, college students listened to a text with
      instructions to stop the recording whenever they heard a heading and type the
      hierarchical level and exact wording of the heading. Listeners were poor at
      identifying headings and their levels if the headings were not distinguished from
      the rest of the text. However, listeners were very good at identifying headings
      if any method of signalling was used to distinguish headings and communicate
      their hierarchical level. The methods included: (1) tones preceding headings, (2)
      changes of speaker to indicate headings or (3) verbal labels preceding headings.
      Although all three signalling methods improved identification of a heading's
      hierarchical level, the labelling method was the most effective means of
      communicating hierarchical level. Thus, the study identifies a simple method of
      effectively communicating headings in spoken text. Practitioner Summary: The
      study attempted to identify effective ways of communicating heading information
      in spoken text. College students listened to texts in order to detect headings
      and record their wording and hierarchical level. Performance was excellent when
      headings were preceded by verbal phrases that signalled the upcoming headings and
      their levels. 

PMID- 27267654
TI  - Internet-based versus Conventional Referral System for Retinopathy of Prematurity
      Screening in Iran.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of an internet-based versus traditional referral
      system for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening in Iran. METHODS: Two
      referral screening systems were compared in this prospective observational study.
      Group A (internet-based) comprised premature babies who were registered into an
      online system for screening. Their appointments were scheduled automatically
      based on standardized criteria. Group B (conventional) comprised premature babies
      whose referrals were based on oral or written recommendations. Babies were
      referred based on standard criteria (gestational age, GA, <37 weeks or birth
      weight < 3000 g). RESULTS: A total of 2115 neonates were screened between October
      2011 and October 2012. From these 1896 met the inclusion criteria (group A n =
      856, group B n = 1040). Time of first examination for neonates with GA<=27 weeks
      was 30.07+/- 2.72 weeks postmenstrual age in group A and 38.52+/- 7.03 weeks in
      group B (p = 0.049), and for neonates with GA>27 weeks was 4.86 +/-1.77 and 8.16
      +/-4.93 weeks after birth in groups A and B, respectively (p < 0.001). All
      registered babies in group A attended their first screening exam. One case (0.1%)
      of advanced ROP developed in group A (in a patient with poor follow-up
      compliance), whereas advanced stages of ROP were seen in 26 cases (2.5%) in group
      B (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An internet-based registration system for ROP
      screening resulted in fewer cases of delayed first examination and resulted in
      fewer babies with advanced ROP.

PMID- 27267655
TI  - Expression and antimicrobial activity of c-type lysozyme in taimen (Hucho taimen,
      Pallas).
AB  - Lysozymes are important defense proteins of the innate immune system and possess
      high antibacterial activities. In the present study, a full-length c-type
      lysozyme cDNA (HtLysC) was cloned and characterized from taimen (Hucho taimen,
      Pallas). The cDNA contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 432 bp encoding 143
      amino acid (aa), with 97% identity to LysC of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
      mykiss). The amino acid sequence possessed a LYZ1 domain (16-140 aa) which
      contained two conserved residues (Glu 50 and Asp 67), eight conserved cysteine
      residues and a calcium binding site. RT-PCR analysis showed that HtLysC
      transcripts were most abundant in liver and less in muscle. The expression of
      HtLysC was up-regulated in the liver when challenged with Yersinia ruckeri. The
      recombinant HtLysC (rHtLysC) had lytic activities against Micrococcus
      lysodeikticus, Aeromonas salmonicida and Y. ruckeri. Enzyme assay showed that the
      optimal temperature and pH of rHtLysC were 55  degrees C and 6.0, respectively.
      Taken together, these results indicated that HtLysC might play an important role
      in innate immune defense against bacterial pathogens as a functional lysozyme.

PMID- 27267656
TI  - Preparation of Prussian Blue Submicron Particles with a Pore Structure by Two
      Step Optimization for Na-Ion Battery Cathodes.
AB  - Traditional Prussian blue (Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3) synthesized by simple rapid
      precipitation shows poor electrochemical performance because of the presence of
      vacancies occupied by coordinated water. When the precipitation rate is reduced
      and polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 is added as a surface active agent, the as-prepared
      Prussian blue has fewer vacancies in the crystal structure than in that of
      traditional Prussian blue. It has a well-defined face-centered-cubic structure,
      which can provide large channels for Na(+) insertion/extraction. The material,
      synthesized by slow precipitation, has an initial discharge capacity of 113 mA h
      g(-1) and maintains 93 mA h g(-1) under a current density of 50 mA g(-1) after
      150 charge-discharge cycles. After further optimization by a chemical etching
      method, the complex nanoporous structure of Prussian blue has a high Brunauer
      Emmett-Teller surface area and a stable structure to achieve high specific
      capacity and long cycle life. Surprisingly, the electrode shows an initial
      discharge capacity of 115 mA h g(-1) and a Coulombic efficiency of approximately
      100% with capacity retention of 96% after 150 cycles. Experimental results show
      that Prussian blue can also be used as a cathode for Na-ion batteries. 

PMID- 27267657
TI  - [Effects of growth hormone treatment on anthropometrics, metabolic risk, and body
      composition variables in small for gestational age patients].
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Small for gestational age (SGA) children without
      catch-up growth can benefit from treatment with growth hormone (rhGH). However,
      they should be monitored very closely because they are at increased risk of
      metabolic syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A group of 28 SGA children with a mean
      age of 8.79 years and undergoing treatment with rhGH were selected for
      evaluation. Over the course of 4 years, an annual evaluation was performed on the
      anthropometric variables (weight, height, body mass index [BMI], growth rate,
      blood pressure and waist perimeter), metabolic risk variables (glycaemia,
      glycosylated haemoglobin, cholesterol ratio, insulinaemia, insulin-like growth
      factor 1[IGF1], IGF binding protein-3 [IGFBP-3], IGF1/IGFBP3 ratio, and HOMA
      index), and body composition variables. RESULTS: Treatment with rhGH was
      associated with a significant increase in height (-2.76+/-.11 SD to -1.53+/-.17
      SD, P=.000), weight (-1.50+/-.09 SD to -1.21+/-.13 SD; P=.016), and growth rate (
      1.43+/-.35 SD to .41+/-.41 SD; P=.009), without a corresponding change in the
      BMI. Insulinaemia (9.33+/-1.93mU/ml to 16.55+/-1.72mU/ml; P=.044) and the HOMA
      index (3.63+/-.76 to 6.43+/-.67; P=.042) increased, approaching insulin
      resistance levels. No changes were observed in the lipid profile. Body
      composition changes were observed, with a significant increase in lean mass
      (73.19+/-1.26 to 78.74+/-1.31; P=.037), and a reduction of fat mass (26.81+/-1.26
      to 21.26+/-1.31; P=.021). CONCLUSION: Treatment with rhGH is effective for
      improving anthropometric variables in SGA patients who have not experienced a
      catch-up growth. It also produces changes in body composition, which may lead to
      a reduction in risk of metabolic syndrome. However, some insulin resistance was
      observed. It is important to follow up this patient group in order to find out
      whether these changes persist into adulthood.

PMID- 27267658
TI  - Accuracy of Dynamic Navigation for Dental Implant Placement-Model-Based
      Evaluation.
AB  - The purpose of this model-based study was to determine the accuracy of placing
      dental implants using a new dynamic navigation system. This investigation focuses
      on measurements of overall accuracy for implant placement relative to the virtual
      plan in both dentate and edentulous models, and provides a comparison with a meta
      analysis of values reported in the literature for comparable static guidance,
      dynamic guidance, and freehand placement studies. This study involves 1 surgeon
      experienced with dynamic navigation placing implants in models under clinical
      simulation using a dynamic navigation system (X-Guide, X-Nav Technologies, LLC,
      Lansdale, Pa) based on optical triangulation tracking. Virtual implants were
      placed into planned sites using the navigation system computer. Post-implant
      placement cone-beam scans were taken. These scans were mesh overlaid with the
      virtual plan and used to determine deviations from the virtual plan. The primary
      outcome variables were platform and angular deviations comparing the actual
      placement to the virtual plan. The angular accuracy of implants delivered using
      the tested device was 0.89 degrees  +/- 0.35 degrees  for dentate case types and
      1.26 degrees  +/- 0.66 degrees  for edentulous case types, measured relative to
      the preoperative implant plan. Three-dimensional positional accuracy was 0.38 +/-
      0.21 mm for dentate and 0.56 +/- 0.17 mm for edentulous, measured from the
      implant apex.

PMID- 27267659
TI  - "Not just eliminating the mosquito but draining the swamp": A critical
      geopolitics of Turkish Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction and
      Turkey's approach to illicit drugs.
AB  - In the 1970s, Turkey ceased to be a significant producer state of illicit drugs,
      but it continued to serve as a key route for the trade of drugs between East and
      West. Over the past decade, however, authorities identified two concerns beyond
      its continued transit state status. These reported problems entail both new modes
      of production and a rising incidence of drug abuse within the nation-state -
      particularly among its youth. Amid these developments, new law enforcement
      institutions emerged and acquired European sponsorship, leading to the
      establishment of TUBIM (the Turkish Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug
      Addiction). Coordinating with and reporting to the European Union agency EMCDDA
      (the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction), TUBIM's primary
      assigned duties entail the collection and analysis of data on drug abuse,
      trafficking, and prevention, the geographic identification of sites of concern
      (e.g. consumption, drug-related crimes, and peoples undergoing treatment), and
      the production of annual national reports. In this article, we examine the
      geopolitical origins of TUBIM as Turkey's central apparatus for confronting drug
      problems and its role as a vehicle for policy development, interpretation, and
      enforcement. In doing so, we emphasize the political and spatial dimensions
      inherent to the country's institutional and policy-driven approaches to contend
      with drug-related problems, and we assess how this line of attack reveals
      particular ambiguities in mission when evaluated from scales at world regional,
      national, and local levels. In sum, we assess how Turkey's new institutional and
      legislative landscapes condition the state's engagements with drug use, matters
      of user's health, and policy implementation at local scales and amid ongoing
      political developments.

PMID- 27267660
TI  - Amyloid beta induces microglia to phagocytose neurons via activation of protein
      kinase Cs and NADPH oxidase.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease is characterized by brain plaques of amyloid beta and by
      neuronal loss, but it is unclear how amyloid beta causes neuronal loss and how to
      prevent this loss. We have previously shown that amyloid beta causes neuronal
      loss by inducing microglia to phagocytose neurons, and here we investigated
      whether protein kinase Cs and NADPH oxidase were involved in this. The loss of
      neurons induced by amyloid beta in co-cultures of primary glia and neurons was
      completely prevented by inhibiting protein kinase Cs with Go6976 or Go6983.
      Directly activating protein kinase Cs with phorbol myristate acetate stimulated
      microglial phagocytosis, and induced neuronal loss mediated by MFG-E8/vitronectin
      receptor pathway of microglial phagocytosis. Blocking phagocytosis by MFG-E8
      knockout or receptor inhibition left live neurons, indicating microglial
      phagocytosis was the cause of neuronal death. Phorbol myristate acetate
      stimulated the microglial NADPH oxidase, and inhibiting the oxidase prevented
      neuronal loss. A physiological activator of NADPH oxidase, fMLP, also induced
      neuronal loss dependent on microglia. Amyloid beta-induced neuronal loss was
      blocked by NADPH oxidase inhibitors, superoxide dismutase or Toll-like receptor
      function-blocking antibodies. The results indicate that amyloid beta induces
      microglial phagocytosis of neurons via activating protein kinase Cs and NADPH
      oxidase, and that activating the kinases or oxidase is sufficient to induce
      neuronal loss by microglial phagocytosis. Thus inhibiting protein kinase Cs or
      NADPH oxidase might be beneficial in Alzheimer's disease or other brain
      pathologies involving inflammatory neuronal loss mediated by microglia.

PMID- 27267661
TI  - Clinical and prognostic role of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -9 and their
      inhibitors in breast cancer and liver diseases: A review.
AB  - Matrix metalloproteinases are a family of zinc endopeptidases with proteolytic
      activity against the extracellular matrix components. In particular, two members
      of this family named Gelatinase A and B, as amply documented in the literature,
      play a key role in the process of tumor growth/metastasis in breast and
      hepatocellular carcinoma. Their activity is regulated by Tissue Inhibitor of
      metalloproteinases-1 and -2, which are the physiological inhibitor of Gelatinases
      A and B respectively. The aim of this review is to determine the current
      understanding of the clinical and prognostic role of Metalloproteinases-2 and -9
      and their inhibitors in the course of breast cancer and liver diseases. Forty-one
      articles were selected from PubMed by entering the following keywords: liver
      diseases, breast cancer, MMP-2, TIMP-2; all articles were read and notes were
      made regarding the number of enrolled patients, pathology, measures, results and
      these data were used to write this review. Over-expression of both gelatinases is
      associated with the relapse of disease, metastasis, shorter overall survival in
      breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma and invasion and progression to tumors
      in chronic liver diseases, and MMPs/TIMPs ratio could be useful in the follow-up
      of these patients.

PMID- 27267663
TI  - Exceptional body composition changes attributed to collagen peptide
      supplementation and resistance training in older sarcopenic men.

PMID- 27267662
TI  - Axially Chiral Enamides: Substituent Effects, Rotation Barriers, and Implications
      for their Cyclization Reactions.
AB  - The barrier to rotation around the N-alkenyl bond of 38 N-alkenyl-N
      alkylacetamide derivatives was measured (DeltaG(?) rotation varied between <8.0
      and 31.0 kcal mol(-1)). The most important factor in controlling the rate of
      rotation was the level of alkene substitution, followed by the size of the
      nitrogen substituent and, finally, the size of the acyl substituent. Tertiary
      enamides with four alkenyl substituents exhibited half-lives for rotation between
      5.5 days and 99 years at 298 K, sufficient to isolate enantiomerically enriched
      atropisomers. The radical cyclizations of a subset of N-alkenyl-N-benzyl-alpha
      haloacetamides exhibiting relatively high barriers to rotation round the N
      alkenyl bond (DeltaG(?) rotation >20 kcal mol(-1)) were studied to determine the
      regiochemistry of cyclization. Those with high barriers (>27 kcal mol(-1)) did
      not lead to cyclization, but those with lower values produced highly
      functionalized gamma-lactams via a 5-endo-trig radical-polar crossover process
      that was terminated by reduction, an unusual cyclopropanation sequence, or
      trapping with H2O, depending upon the reaction conditions. Because elevated
      temperatures were necessary for cyclization, this precluded study of the
      asymmetric transfer in the reaction of individual atropisomers. However,
      enantiomerically enriched atropsiomeric enamides should be regarded as potential
      asymmetric building blocks for reactions that can be accomplished at room
      temperature.

PMID- 27267664
TI  - Integrating Well-Being Information and the Multidimensional Adaptive Prediction
      Process to Estimate Individual-Level Future Health Care Expenditure Levels.
AB  - Decades of research exist focusing on the utility of self-reported health risk
      and status data in health care cost predictive models. However, in many of these
      studies a limited number of self-reported measures were considered. Compounding
      this issue, prior research evaluated models specified with a single covariate
      vector and distribution. In this study, the authors incorporate well-being data
      into the Multidimensional Adaptive Prediction Process (MAPP) and then use a
      simulation analysis to highlight the value of these findings for future cost
      mitigation. Data were collected on employees and dependents of a nationally based
      employer over 36 months beginning in January 2010. The first 2 years of data
      (2010, 2011) were utilized in model development and selection; 51239 and 54085
      members were included in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The final results were
      based on prospective prediction of 2012 cost levels using 2011 data. The well
      being-augmented MAPP results showed a 5.7% and 13% improvement in accurate cost
      capture relative to a reference modeling approach and the first study of MAPP,
      respectively. The simulation analysis results demonstrated that reduced well
      being risk across a population can help mitigate the expected upward cost trend.
      This research advances health care cost predictive modeling by incorporating well
      being information within MAPP and then leveraging the results in a simulation
      analysis of well-being improvement.

PMID- 27267665
TI  - First-Principles Photoemission Spectroscopy of DNA and RNA Nucleobases from
      Koopmans-Compliant Functionals.
AB  - The need to interpret ultraviolet photoemission data strongly motivates the
      refinement of first-principles techniques that are able to accurately predict
      spectral properties. In this work, we employ Koopmans-compliant functionals,
      constructed to enforce piecewise linearity in approximate density functionals, to
      calculate the structural and electronic properties of DNA and RNA nucleobases.
      Our results show that not only ionization potentials and electron affinities are
      accurately predicted with mean absolute errors of <0.1 eV, but also that
      calculated photoemission spectra are in excellent agreement with experimental
      ultraviolet photoemission spectra. In particular, the role and contribution of
      different tautomers to the photoemission spectra are highlighted and discussed in
      detail. The structural properties of nucleobases are also investigated, showing
      an improved description with respect to local and semilocal density-functional
      theory. Methodologically, our results further consolidate the role of Koopmans
      compliant functionals in providing, through orbital-density-dependent potentials,
      accurate electronic and spectral properties. 

PMID- 27267666
TI  - Reactive Transport Model of Sulfur Cycling as Impacted by Perchlorate and Nitrate
      Treatments.
AB  - Microbial souring in oil reservoirs produces toxic, corrosive hydrogen sulfide
      through microbial sulfate reduction, often accompanying (sea)water flooding
      during secondary oil recovery. With data from column experiments as constraints,
      we developed the first reactive-transport model of a new candidate inhibitor,
      perchlorate, and compared it with the commonly used inhibitor, nitrate. Our model
      provided a good fit to the data, which suggest that perchlorate is more effective
      than nitrate on a per mole of inhibitor basis. Critically, we used our model to
      gain insight into the underlying competing mechanisms controlling the action of
      each inhibitor. This analysis suggested that competition by heterotrophic
      perchlorate reducers and direct inhibition by nitrite produced from heterotrophic
      nitrate reduction were the most important mechanisms for the perchlorate and
      nitrate treatments, respectively, in the modeled column experiments. This work
      demonstrates modeling to be a powerful tool for increasing and testing our
      understanding of reservoir-souring generation, prevention, and remediation
      processes, allowing us to incorporate insights derived from laboratory
      experiments into a framework that can potentially be used to assess risk and
      design optimal treatment schemes.

PMID- 27267667
TI  - nr0b1 (DAX1) mutation in zebrafish causes female-to-male sex reversal through
      abnormal gonadal proliferation and differentiation.
AB  - Sex determinations are diverse in vertebrates. Although many sex-determining
      genes and pathways are conserved, the mechanistic roles of these genes and
      pathways in the genetic sex determination are not well understood. DAX1 (encoded
      by the NR0B1 gene) is a vertebrate specific orphan nuclear receptor that
      regulates gonadal development and sexual determination. In human, duplication of
      the NR0B1 gene leads to male-to-female sex reversal. In mice, Nr0b1 shows both
      pro-testis and anti-testis functions. We generated inheritable nr0b1 mutation in
      the zebrafish and found the nr0b1 mutation caused homozygous mutants to develop
      as fertile males due to female-to-male sex reversal. The nr0b1 mutation did not
      increase Caspase-3 labeling nor tp53 expression in the developing gonads.
      Introduction of a tp53 mutation into the nr0b1 mutant did not rescue the sex
      reversal phenotype. Further examination revealed reduction in cell proliferation
      and abnormal somatic cell differentiation in the nr0b1 mutant gonads at the
      undifferentiated and bi-potential ovary stages. Together, our results suggest
      nr0b1 regulates somatic cell differentiation and cell proliferation to ensure
      normal sex development in the zebrafish.

PMID- 27267669
TI  - Basic FGF and PDGF-BB synergistically stimulate hyaluronan and IL-6 production by
      orbital fibroblasts.
AB  - Orbital fibroblast activation is a central pathologic feature of Graves'
      Ophthalmopathy (GO). Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been proposed to contribute to GO, but
      their effects on orbital fibroblasts are largely unknown. We found that bFGF
      stimulated proliferation and hyaluronan production, but not IL-6 production by
      orbital fibroblasts, while VEGF hardly affected orbital fibroblast activity.
      Remarkably, co-stimulation of orbital fibroblasts with bFGF and PDGF-BB
      synergistically enhanced IL-6 and hyaluronan production and displayed an additive
      effect on proliferation compared to either bFGF or PDGF-BB stimulation.
      Nintedanib, a FGF- and PDGF-receptor targeting drug, more efficiently blocked
      bFGF + PDGF-BB-induced IL-6 and hyaluronan production than dasatinib that only
      targets PDGF-receptor. In conclusion, bFGF may contribute to orbital inflammation
      and tissue remodeling in GO, especially through synergistic interaction with PDGF
      BB. Multi-target therapy directed at the bFGF and PDGF pathways may potentially
      be of interest for the treatment of GO.

PMID- 27267670
TI  - Stage 2 Sleep EEG Sigma Activity and Motor Learning in Childhood ADHD: A Pilot
      Study.
AB  - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with deficits in
      motor learning and sleep. In healthy adults, overnight improvements in motor
      skills are associated with sleep spindle activity in the sleep
      electroencephalogram (EEG). This association is poorly characterized in children,
      particularly in pediatric ADHD. Polysomnographic sleep was monitored in 7
      children with ADHD and 14 typically developing controls. All children were
      trained on a validated motor sequence task (MST) in the evening with retesting
      the following morning. Analyses focused on MST precision (speed-accuracy trade
      off). NREM Stage 2 sleep EEG power spectral analyses focused on spindle-frequency
      EEG activity in the sigma (12-15 Hz) band. The ADHD group demonstrated a
      selective decrease in power within the sigma band. Evening MST precision was
      lower in ADHD, yet no difference in performance was observed following sleep.
      Moreover, ADHD status moderated the association between slow sleep spindle
      activity (12-13.5 Hz) and overnight improvement; spindle-frequency EEG activity
      was positively associated with performance improvements in children with ADHD but
      not in controls. These data highlight the importance of sleep in supporting next
      day behavior in ADHD while indicating that differences in sleep neurophysiology
      may contribute to deficits in this population.

PMID- 27267668
TI  - One carbon metabolism in pregnancy: Impact on maternal, fetal and neonatal
      health.
AB  - One carbon metabolism or methyl transfer, a crucial component of metabolism in
      all cells and tissues, supports the critical function of synthesis of purines,
      thymidylate and methylation via multiple methyl transferases driven by the
      ubiquitous methyl donor s-adenosylmethionine. Serine is the primary methyl donor
      to the one carbon pool. Intracellular folates and methionine metabolism are the
      critical components of one carbon transfer. Methionine metabolism requires
      vitamin B12, B6 as cofactors and is modulated by endocrine signals and is
      responsive to nutrient intake. Perturbations in one carbon transfer can have
      profound effects on cell proliferation, growth and function. Epidemiological
      studies in humans and experimental model have established a strong relationship
      between impaired fetal growth and the immediate and long term consequences to the
      health of the offspring. It is speculated that during development, maternal
      environmental and nutrient influences by their effects on one carbon transfer can
      impact the health of the mother, impair growth and reprogram metabolism of the
      fetus, and cause long term morbidity in the offspring. The potential for such
      effects is underscored by the unique responses in methionine metabolism in the
      human mother during pregnancy, the absence of transsulfuration activity in the
      fetus, ontogeny of methionine metabolism in the placenta and the unique
      metabolism of serine and glycine in the fetus. Dietary protein restriction in
      animals and marginal protein intake in humans causes characteristic changes in
      one carbon metabolism. The impact of perturbations in one carbon metabolism on
      the health of the mother during pregnancy, on fetal growth and the neonate are
      discussed and their possible mechanism explored.

PMID- 27267671
TI  - p97 Disease Mutations Modulate Nucleotide-Induced Conformation to Alter Protein
      Protein Interactions.
AB  - The AAA+ ATPase p97/VCP adopts at least three conformations that depend on the
      binding of ADP and ATP and alter the orientation of the N-terminal protein
      protein interaction (PPI) domain into "up" and "down" conformations. Point
      mutations that cause multisystem proteinopathy 1 (MSP1) are found at the
      interface of the N domain and D1-ATPase domain and potentially alter the
      conformational preferences of p97. Additionally, binding of "adaptor" proteins to
      the N-domain regulates p97's catalytic activity. We propose that p97/adaptor PPIs
      are coupled to p97 conformational states. We evaluated the binding of nucleotides
      and the adaptor proteins p37 and p47 to wild-type p97 and MSP1 mutants. Notably,
      p47 and p37 bind 8-fold more weakly to the ADP-bound conformation of wild-type
      p97 compared to the ATP-bound conformation. However, MSP1 mutants lose this
      nucleotide-induced conformational coupling because they destabilize the ADP
      bound, "down" conformation of the N-domain. Loss in conformation coupling to PPIs
      could contribute to the mechanism of MSP1.

PMID- 27267672
TI  - Two new sesquiterpenes from the aerial parts of Schizonepeta tenuifolia.
AB  - Two new sesquiterpenes named petafolias A-B were isolated from the aerial parts
      of Schizonepeta tenuifolia. Their structures were elucidated by various
      spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS, CD, 1D, and 2D NMR).

PMID- 27267673
TI  - Seeing Blue As Red: A Hypnotic Suggestion Can Alter Visual Awareness of Colors.
AB  - Some highly hypnotizable individuals have reported changes in objects' color with
      suggestions given in normal waking state. However, it is not clear whether this
      occurs only in their imagination. The authors show that, although subjects could
      imagine colors, a posthypnotic suggestion was necessary for seeing altered
      colors, even for a hypnotic virtuoso. She reported posthypnotic color alterations
      also selectively in response to specific target shapes in briefly presented
      object arrays. Surprisingly, another highly hypnotizable person showed a very
      different pattern of results. The control participants could not simulate
      virtuosos' results by applying cognitive strategies. The results imply that
      hypnosis can alter the functioning of automatic visual processes but only in some
      of the most hypnotizable individuals.

PMID- 27267674
TI  - The Elkins Hypnotizability Scale: Assessment of Reliability and Validity.
AB  - Measuring hypnotizability is an integral part of hypnosis research and is also
      relevant for predicting effectiveness of hypnosis-based therapies. The Elkins
      Hypnotizability Scale (EHS) was designed to meet the needs of modern hypnosis
      research and clinical practice. Reliability, validity, and normative data were
      explored by subjecting 230 participants to the EHS and Stanford Hypnotic
      Susceptibility Scale: Form C (SHSS:C). The EHS demonstrated adequate internal
      consistency (alpha = .78), its items showed good discriminating ability, and
      scores of the two scales were highly correlated (rho = .86). Results indicate
      that the EHS is a reliable and valid tool to assess hypnotizability. Further
      research is needed to establish its role as a surrogate for the SHSS:C.

PMID- 27267675
TI  - Asymmetric Tactile Foot Stimulation: How Postural Studies May Suggest New Views
      of Hypnotizability.
AB  - Earlier studies have shown hypnotizability-related postural effects of visual
      suppression and of leg and neck proprioceptive alteration. This study completes
      this investigation by demonstrating the postural effects of asymmetric tactile
      foot stimulation in standing participants with different hypnotizability scores.
      During this stimulation, body sway changed in medium-to-high more than in low-to
      medium hypnotizable participants. Findings support the view that high
      hypnotizability is associated with higher vulnerability of posture to sensory
      alteration; together with earlier results, they suggest a role of the cerebellum
      in the observed hypnotizability-related differences and prompt investigation of
      cerebral structures and factors potentially responsible for both the cognitive
      and physiological aspects of hypnotizability.

PMID- 27267676
TI  - Complementing the Latest APA Definition of Hypnosis: Sensory-Motor and Vascular
      Peculiarities Involved in Hypnotizability.
AB  - The aim of this article is to complement the recently revised American
      Psychological Association (APA) definition of hypnotizability. It (a) lists a few
      differences in sensorimotor integration between subjects with high (highs) and
      low (lows) hypnotizability scores in the ordinary state of consciousness and in
      the absence of suggestions, (b) proposes that hypnotizability-related cerebellar
      peculiarities may account for them,

PMID- 27267677
TI  - Attentional Dissociation in Hypnosis And Neural Connectivity: Preliminary
      Evidence from Bilateral Electrodermal Activity.
AB  - According to recent findings, interhemispheric interactions and information
      connectivity represent crucial mechanisms used in processing information across
      various sensory modalities. To study these interactions, the authors measured
      bilateral electrodermal activity (EDA) in 33 psychiatric outpatients. The results
      show that, during congruent Stroop stimuli in hypnosis, the patients with higher
      hypnotizability manifest a decreased level of interhemispheric information
      transfer measured by pointwise transinformation (PTI) that was calculated from
      left and right EDA records. These results show that specific shifts of
      attentional focus during hypnosis are related to changes of interhemispheric
      interactions that may be reflected in neural connectivity calculated from the
      bilateral EDA measurement. This attentional shift may cause dissociated
      attentional control disturbing integrative functions of consciousness and
      contextual experiences.

PMID- 27267678
TI  - From the Influence of Traumas to Therapeutic Letting Go: The Contribution of
      Hypnosis and EMDR.
AB  - The development of new psychotherapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization and
      Reprocessing (EDMR) has led to numerous fresh approaches to both the treatment of
      trauma and to the understanding of underlying psychopathology. A unified view
      appears to be slowly emerging in an attempt to corroborate clinical practice with
      neurobiological data. This article attempts to demonstrate links between
      alternate psychotherapies by highlighting what appears to be an invariant among
      these approaches, namely "letting go." This concept refers to a psycho-physical
      dynamic that combines psychological dissociation and reassociation, as well as
      the body's vagotonic mechanisms. Following an explanation of this process, it is
      demonstrated how letting go can manifest itself physiologically and why this may
      be significant in the study of trauma.

PMID- 27267680
TI  - In Memoriam: Graham Dene Burrows, 1938-2016.

PMID- 27267679
TI  - An Evaluation of the Effect of Hypnosis on Postoperative Analgesia following
      Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
AB  - Little attention has been paid to the effectiveness of hypnosis in improving the
      results of surgery in Iran. One hundred and twenty patients scheduled for
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into either control (standard
      care) or experimental (hypnosis) groups. Prior to surgery and again after
      surgery, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting were assessed. The results suggest
      that hypnosis could effectively reduce pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy
      and significantly reduce hospitalization time.

PMID- 27267681
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27267683
TI  - Erratum to: "What They Want: Inclusion of Blood and Marrow Transplantation
      Survivor Preference in the Development of Models of Care for Long-Term Health in
      Sydney, Australia" [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2016;22:731-743].

PMID- 27267684
TI  - Repeated ventral midbrain neurotensin injections sensitize to amphetamine-induced
      locomotion and ERK activation: A role for NMDA receptors.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that activation of ventral midbrain NMDA receptors is
      required to initiate sensitization by amphetamine. In view of the recent evidence
      that neurotensin modulates ventral midbrain glutamate neurotransmission, we
      tested the hypothesis that neurotensin is acting upstream to glutamate to
      initiate sensitization to the behavioral and neurochemical effects of
      amphetamine. During a first testing phase, adult male rats implanted with
      bilateral ventral midbrain cannulae were injected every second day for three days
      with D-[Tyr11]neurotensin (1.5 nmol/side), the preferred NMDA GluN2A/B
      antagonist, CPP (40 or 120 pmol/side), the selective GluN2B antagonist, Ro04-5595
      (200 or 1200 pmol/side), CPP (40 or 120 pmol/side) + D-[Tyr11]neurotensin (1.5
      nmol/side) or Ro04-5595 (200 or 1200 pmol/side) + D-[Tyr11]neurotensin (1.5
      nmol/side) and locomotor activity was measured immediately after the injection.
      Five days after the last central injection, the locomotor response or the
      expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (pERK1/2)
      in neurons of different limbic nuclei was measured following a systemic injection
      of amphetamine sulfate (0.75 mg/kg, i.p.). Results show that amphetamine induced
      significantly stronger locomotor activity and pERK1/2 expression in the nucleus
      accumbens shell and infralimbic cortex in neurotensin pre-exposed animals than in
      controls (vehicle pre-exposed). These sensitization effects initiated by
      neurotensin were prevented by CPP, but not Ro04-5595. These results support the
      hypothesis that neurotensin is stimulating glutamate neurotransmission to
      initiate neural changes that sub-serve amphetamine sensitization and that
      glutamate is acting on NMDA receptors that are mostly likely composed of GluN2A,
      but not GluN2B, subunits. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled
      'Ionotropic glutamate receptors'.

PMID- 27267685
TI  - Metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGlu5, mediates enhancements of hippocampal long
      term potentiation after environmental enrichment in young and old mice.
AB  - The metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor, mGlu5, is of particular relevance for
      hippocampal function. It is critically required for the expression of long-term
      potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), regulates neuronal
      oscillations, maintains the stability of place fields and is required for
      hippocampus-dependent memory. MGlu5-dysfunctions are associated with profound
      cognitive deficits in humans, and mGlu5 has been targeted as a putative cognitive
      enhancer. Cognitive enhancement, by means of environmental enrichment (EE) in
      rodents, results in improved hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory. Here, we
      explored whether mGlu5 contributes to these enhancements. MGlu5-antagonism dose
      dependently impaired the early phase of LTP (>4 h) in the CA1 region of young(3-4
      month old) mice. Late-LTP (>24 h) was also impaired. LTP (>24 h) elicited in old
      (10-14 month old) mice displayed reduced sensitivity to mGlu5 antagonism. Short
      term potentiation (STP, < 2 h) that was elicited by weaker afferent stimulation
      was unaffected by mGlu5-antagonism in both age-groups. EE significantly amplified
      STP (<2 h) in old and young animals, but did not increase the duration of
      synaptic potentiation, or promote induction of LTP. The improvement in STP was
      prevented by mGlu5-antagonism, in both young and old animals. These results
      indicate that modifications of the synapse that underlie improvements of LTP by
      EE require the contribution of mGlu5. Strikingly, although LTP in old mice does
      not critically depend on mGlu5, improvements in synaptic potentiation resulting
      from EE are mGlu5-dependent in old mice. Regarded in light of the known role for
      mGlu5 in hippocampal function and pathophysiology, these data suggest that mGlu5
      regulation of synaptic information storage is pivotal to optimal hippocampal
      function. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic
      Glutamate Receptors, 5 years on'.

PMID- 27267686
TI  - High fat diet augments amphetamine sensitization in mice: Role of feeding
      pattern, obesity, and dopamine terminal changes.
AB  - High fat (HF) diet-induced obesity has been shown to augment behavioral responses
      to psychostimulants that target the dopamine system. The purpose of this study
      was to characterize dopamine terminal changes induced by a HF diet that
      correspond with enhanced locomotor sensitization to amphetamine. C57BL/6J mice
      had limited (2hr 3 d/week) or extended (24 h 7 d/week) access to a HF diet or
      standard chow for six weeks. Mice were then repeatedly exposed to amphetamine
      (AMPH), and their locomotor responses to an amphetamine challenge were measured.
      Fast scan cyclic voltammetry was used to identify changes in dopamine terminal
      function after AMPH exposure. Exposure to a HF diet reduced dopamine uptake and
      increased locomotor responses to acute, high-dose AMPH administration compared to
      chow fed mice. Microdialysis showed elevated extracellular dopamine in the
      nucleus accumbens (NAc) coincided with enhanced locomotion after acute AMPH in HF
      fed mice. All mice exhibited locomotor sensitization to amphetamine, but both
      extended and limited access to a HF diet augmented this response. Neither HF-fed
      group showed the robust amphetamine sensitization-induced increases in dopamine
      release, reuptake, and amphetamine potency observed in chow fed animals. However,
      the potency of amphetamine as an uptake inhibitor was significantly elevated
      after sensitization in mice with extended (but not limited) access to HF.
      Conversely, after amphetamine sensitization, mice with limited (but not extended)
      access to HF displayed reduced autoreceptor sensitivity to the D2/D3 agonist
      quinpirole. Additionally, we observed reduced membrane dopamine transporter (DAT)
      levels after HF, and a shift in DAT localization to the cytosol was detected with
      limited access to HF. This study showed that different patterns of HF exposure
      produced distinct dopamine terminal adaptations to repeated AMPH, which differed
      from chow fed mice, and enhanced sensitization to AMPH. Locomotor sensitization
      in chow fed mice coincided with elevated DAT function and increased AMPH potency;
      however, the enhanced behavioral response to AMPH after HF exposure was unique in
      that it coincided with reduced DAT function and diet pattern-specific
      adaptations.

PMID- 27267687
TI  - Evaluating the neurotherapeutic potential of a water-soluble progesterone analog
      after traumatic brain injury in rats.
AB  - The poor aqueous solubility of progesterone (PROG) limits its potential use as a
      therapeutic agent. We designed and tested EIDD-1723, a novel water-soluble analog
      of PROG with >100-fold higher solubility than that of native PROG, as candidate
      for development as a field-ready treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The
      pharmacokinetic effects of EIDD-1723 on morphological and functional outcomes in
      rats with bilateral cortical impact injury were evaluated. Following TBI, 10
      mg/kg doses of EIDD-1723 or PROG were given intramuscularly (i.m.) at 1, 6 and 24
      h post-injury, then daily for the next 6 days, with tapering of the last 2
      treatments. Rats were tested pre-injury to establish baseline performance on grip
      strength and sensory neglect, and then retested at 4, 9 and 21 days post-TBI.
      Spatial learning was evaluated from days 11-17 post-TBI. At 22 days post-injury,
      rats were perfused and brains extracted and processed for lesion size. For the
      edema assay the animals were killed and brains removed at 24 h post-injury. EIDD
      1723 significantly reduced cerebral edema and improved recovery from motor,
      sensory and spatial learning deficits as well as, or better than, native PROG.
      Pharmacokinetic investigation after a single i.m. injection in rats revealed that
      EIDD-1723 was rapidly converted to the active metabolite EIDD-036, demonstrating
      first-order elimination kinetics and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
      Our results suggest that EIDD-1723 represents a substantial advantage over
      current PROG formulations because it overcomes storage, formulation and delivery
      limitations of PROG and can thereby reduce the time between injury and treatment.

PMID- 27267689
TI  - Antioxidant-rich beetroot juice does not adversely affect acute neuromuscular
      adaptation following eccentric exercise.
AB  - This study examined the effects of beetroot juice on the repeated bout effect
      (RBE) to eccentric exercise. Twenty-nine recreationally active males performed
      two bouts of 100-drop jumps, separated by 14-21 days. Using a double-blind,
      independent groups design, participants consumed either a higher dose beetroot
      juice (H-BT; 250 ml, n = 10), a lower dose beetroot juice (L-BT; 125 ml, n = 9)
      or an isocaloric placebo (PLA; 250 ml, n = 10) for 3 days after bout 1; no drinks
      were consumed after bout 2. Maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC),
      countermovement jump (CMJ), pressure-pain threshold (PPT) and creatine kinase
      (CK) were measured pre, post, 24, 48 and 72 h following both bouts. In bout 2,
      CMJ and MIVC recovered quicker and CK activity was attenuated (versus bout 1) (P
      < 0.05) in all groups, demonstrating an RBE. At 24 h post bout 1, MIVC was 84.1
      +/- 16.1, 83.6 +/- 11.6, 79.7 +/- 15.1% relative to baseline values in the H-BT,
      L-BT and PLA groups, respectively; at 24 h post bout 2, MIVC recovered to 90.7 +/
      13.7, 92.9 +/- 6.9, 87.8 +/- 6.9, in the H-BT, L-BT and PLA groups,
      respectively. These findings suggest that supplementation with antioxidant-rich
      beetroot juice does not adversely affect acute adaptations to a bout of eccentric
      exercise.

PMID- 27267690
TI  - Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic decomposition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic
      acid over ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 photocatalyst.
AB  - ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a
      simple hydrothermal method and applied to visible-light photocatalytic
      decomposition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from aqueous phase. The
      flower-like ZnIn2S4 particles were dispersed on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets
      in the ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 composite. The composite showed higher separation rate of
      electron-hole pairs as compared to ZnIn2S4 and g-C3N4. Consequently, the
      ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 composite exhibited enhanced visible light photocatalytic
      decomposition efficiency of 2,4-D, within 20% ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 composite owning the
      highest photocatalytic efficiency and initial rate. The initial rates of 2,4-D
      degradation on g-C3N4, ZnIn2S4, and 20% ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 were 1.23, 0.57 and
      3.69mmol/(gcath), respectively. The h(+) and O2(-) were found to be the dominant
      active species for 2,4-D decomposition. The photocatalytic degradation pathways
      of 2,4-D by ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation were explored. The
      ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 composite displayed high photostability in recycling tests,
      reflecting its promising potential as an effective visible light photocatalyst
      for 2,4-D treatment.

PMID- 27267691
TI  - Pyrosequencing analysis of bacterial diversity in soils contaminated long-term
      with PAHs and heavy metals: Implications to bioremediation.
AB  - Diversity, distribution and composition of bacterial community of soils
      contaminated long-term with both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and
      heavy metals were explored for the first time following 454 pyrosequencing.
      Strikingly, the complete picture of the Gram positive (+ve) and Gram negative (
      ve) bacterial profile obtained in our study illustrates novel postulates that
      include: (1) Metal-tolerant and PAH-degrading Gram -ves belonging to the class
      Alphaproteobacteria persist relatively more in the real contaminated sites
      compared to Gram +ves, (2) Gram +ves are not always resistant to heavy metal
      toxicity, (3) Stenotrophomonas followed by Burkholderia and Pseudomonas are the
      dominant genera of PAH degraders with high metabolic activity in long-term
      contaminated soils, (4) Actinobacteria is the predominant group among the Gram
      +ves in soils contaminated with high molecular weight PAHs that co-exist with
      toxic heavy metals like Pb, Cu and Zn, (5) Microbial communities are nutrient
      driven in natural environments and (6) Catabolically potential Gram +/-ves with
      diverse applicability to remediate the real contaminated sites evolve eventually
      in the historically-polluted soils. Thus, the most promising indigenous Gram +/
      ve strains from the long-term contaminated sites with increased catabolic
      potential, enzymatic activity and metal tolerance need to be harnessed for mixed
      contaminant cleanups.

PMID- 27267688
TI  - Adeno-Associated Virus-Based Gene Therapy for CNS Diseases.
AB  - Gene therapy is at the cusp of a revolution for treating a large spectrum of CNS
      disorders by providing a durable therapeutic protein via a single administration.
      Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene transfer is of particular interest as
      a therapeutic tool because of its safety profile and efficiency in transducing a
      wide range of cell types. The purpose of this review is to describe the most
      notable advancements in preclinical and clinical research on AAV-based CNS gene
      therapy and to discuss prospects for future development based on a new generation
      of vectors and delivery.

PMID- 27267692
TI  - Source apportionment of mass concentration and inhalation risk with long-term
      ambient PCDD/Fs measurements in an urban area.
AB  - This study applies a receptor model to quantify source contributions to ambient
      concentration of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs)
      and inhalation cancer risk in Taipei from 2003 through 2009. Seventeen PCDD/F
      congeners were used in the effective variance solution to the Chemical Mass
      Balance equations to estimate source-specific mass contributions and inhalation
      risks. The average total PCDD/F concentration was 0.611pg/Nm(3) (0.036pg I
      TEQ/Nm(3)). Traffic emissions contributed the most to the PCDD/F concentration
      (55.7%), followed by waste incinerators (18.6%) and joss stick burning (9.6%).
      For the inhalation cancer risk, the average was 1.1*10(-6) with traffic, waste
      incinerators, and joss paper burning as the main contributors (67.3%, 19.4%, and
      6.3%, respectively). The mass and risk contributions of waste incinerators
      decreased significantly from 2003 to 2009 and were higher at downwind sites than
      at upwind sites. Reducing PCDD/F emissions from traffic and waste incinerators
      would provide the greatest health benefit. Policies that reduce the uncontrolled
      burning of joss stick and joss paper also need to be implemented.

PMID- 27267693
TI  - Analysis of a gas-liquid film plasma reactor for organic compound oxidation.
AB  - A pulsed electrical discharge plasma formed in a tubular reactor with flowing
      argon carrier gas and a liquid water film was analyzed using methylene blue as a
      liquid phase hydroxyl radical scavenger and simultaneous measurements of hydrogen
      peroxide formation. The effects of liquid flow rate, liquid conductivity,
      concentration of dye, and the addition of ferrous ion on dye decoloration and
      degradation were determined. Higher liquid flow rates and concentrations of dye
      resulted in less decoloration percentages and hydrogen peroxide formation due to
      initial liquid conductivity effects and lower residence times in the reactor. The
      highest decoloration energy yield of dye found in these studies was 5.2g/kWh when
      using the higher liquid flow rate and adding the catalyst. The non-homogeneous
      nature of the plasma discharge favors the production of hydrogen peroxide in the
      plasma-liquid interface over the chemical oxidation of the organic in the bulk
      liquid phase and post-plasma reactions with the Fenton catalyst lead to complete
      utilization of the plasma-formed hydrogen peroxide.

PMID- 27267694
TI  - Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor level at diagnosis predicts transformation
      in patients with follicular lymphoma.
AB  - We evaluated 121 patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) and analyzed the
      association between the soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level at
      diagnosis and the cumulative incidence of transformation. By a receiver-operating
      characteristic analysis, we determined a cutoff value of sIL-2R for
      transformation at 4360 U/mL to classify patients into two groups. Patients in the
      high sIL-2R group showed a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and shorter
      disease-specific survival (DSS) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018). Furthermore, the
      cumulative incidence of transformation in the high sIL-2R group was higher than
      that in the low sIL-2R group (40.9% vs. 7.3% at 5 years, p < 0.001). In a
      multivariate analysis, high sIL-2R was an independent predictive risk factor for
      transformation (HR 7.42, 95% CI: 2.75-20.0, p < 0.001). This study showed that
      the sIL-2R level at diagnosis may be a prognostic factor for transformation, PFS,
      and DSS in patients with FL.

PMID- 27267695
TI  - Altered intrinsic regional brain activity in female asthmatics with or without
      depressive symptoms: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that asthma patients are more
      susceptible to anxiety or depression and have more specifically elevated
      depressive symptomology. These psychological factors are associated with
      anatomical brain changes. However, little is known about alterations in
      spontaneous brain activity in asthma patients with depressive symptoms. Here we
      hypothesized that asthma patients exhibit an altered regional spontaneous brain
      activity, which may contribute to their increased susceptibility to depression
      and poor perception of asthma symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine
      spontaneous brain activity in female asthma patients using resting-state
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: Eleven asthmatics
      without depressive symptoms (ASs), 14 asthmatics with depressive symptoms (ADs),
      and 15 age- and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) completed rs-fMRI. The
      regional homogeneity (ReHo) value was calculated based on rs-fMRI to assess local
      signal synchrony strength and compared among the groups. Correlation analyses
      were conducted between both ReHo values and clinical parameters. RESULT: Compared
      with HCs, ASs showed a significantly increased ReHo in the right insula; whereas
      ADs showed a significantly decreased ReHo in the right insula, which positively
      correlated with nocturnal symptom score in the Asthma Control Test (r = 0.562, P
      = 0.036). No significant correlation was observed between the total ACT scores
      and right insula activities (r = 0.263, P = 0.364). CONCLUSION: Decreased ReHo in
      the right insula may play an important role in depressive symptoms and abnormal
      asthma symptom perception.

PMID- 27267696
TI  - Perinatal outcome of macrosomic infants born to diabetic versus non-diabetic
      mothers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and perinatal complications of macrosomic
      infants born to diabetic and non-diabetic mothers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A six
      year retrospective study of newborns at our hospital. A total of 996 macrosomic
      newborns were found. Maternal characteristics, mode of delivery, and perinatal
      outcomes were studied. RESULTS: Of 18005 newborns, 996 were macrosomic infants
      (5.53%). Of these, 103 (10.3%) were born to diabetic mothers. Diabetic mothers
      had higher parity (1.89 vs. 1.35; P<0.000), cesarean section rate (52.4 vs.
      31.1%; P<0.05), and resuscitation rate (5.8 vs. 1.8%; P<0.006; RR: 2.9; 95% CI:
      1.42-5.9), and greater need for hospitalization (19.4 vs. 9.6%; p<0.002; RR: 2;
      95% CI: 1.3-3.2) and intensive care (5.8 vs. 0.7%; P<0.000; RR: 5.3; 95% CI: 2.8
      10) mostly for hypoglycemia (7.8 vs. 1%; P<0.000; RR: 5; 95% CI: 2.8-8.3),
      jaundice (8.7 vs. 2.1%; P<0.000; RR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.9-5.9), respiratory distress
      (4.9 vs. 1.3%; P<0.009; RR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.4-6.7), and asphyxia (2.9 vs. 0.4%;
      P<0.005; RR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.8-11.1). No differences were found in birth trauma.
      CONCLUSIONS: Macrosomic infants born to diabetic mothers have an increased risk
      of hospital admission in the neonatal period for hypoglycemia, jaundice,
      respiratory distress, and asphyxia, and a greater need of intensive care.
      Obstetric trauma rates were similar in both groups.

PMID- 27267698
TI  - Natural Products as a Source for Novel Antibiotics.
AB  - Natural products have historically been of crucial importance in the
      identification and development of antibacterial agents. Interest in these systems
      has waned in recent years, but the rapid emergence of resistant bacterial strains
      has forced their re-evaluation as a route to identify novel chemical skeletons
      with antibacterial activity for elaboration in drug development. This overview
      examines the current situation, highlights new natural product systems which have
      been found, together with re-examination of some old ones, and new technologies
      for their identification. While natural products certainly have the potential to
      re-emerge as a key start-point in antibacterial drug discovery, reports of new or
      reinvestigated structures need to be supported with sufficient quality chemical
      (solubility, stability), biochemical (including toxicity in particular, along
      with target information) and microbiological [minimum inhibitory concentration
      (MIC) and resistance frequency] validation data to assist in the identification
      of promising hit structures and to avoid wasted effort from trawling over already
      cultivated territory. This is particularly important in a resource-limited
      research environment.

PMID- 27267697
TI  - Recent Structural Insights into Cytochrome P450 Function.
AB  - Cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes are important in the metabolism of drugs,
      steroids, fat-soluble vitamins, carcinogens, pesticides, and many other types of
      chemicals. Their catalytic activities are important issues in areas such as drug
      drug interactions and endocrine function. During the past 30 years, structures of
      P450s have been very helpful in understanding function, particularly the
      mammalian P450 structures available in the past 15 years. We review recent
      activity in this area, focusing on the past 2 years (2014-2015). Structural work
      with microbial P450s includes studies related to the biosynthesis of natural
      products and the use of parasitic and fungal P450 structures as targets for drug
      discovery. Studies on mammalian P450s include the utilization of information
      about 'drug-metabolizing' P450s to improve drug development and also to
      understand the molecular bases of endocrine dysfunction.

PMID- 27267700
TI  - Tuning the Selectivity of Dendron Micelles Through Variations of the
      Poly(ethylene glycol) Corona.
AB  - Engineering controllable cellular interactions into nanoscale drug delivery
      systems is key to enable their full potential. Here, using folic acid (FA) as a
      model targeting ligand and dendron micelles (DM) as a nanoparticle (NP) platform,
      we present a comprehensive experimental and modeling investigation of the
      structural properties of DMs that govern the formation of controllable, FA
      mediated cellular interactions. Our experimental results demonstrate that a high
      level of control over the specific cell interactions of FA-targeted DMs can be
      achieved through modulation of the PEG corona length and the FA content. Using
      various molecular weight PEGs (0.6K, 1K, and 2K g/mol) and contents of dendron-FA
      conjugate incorporated into DMs (0, 5, 10, 25 wt %), the cell interactions of the
      targeted DMs could be controlled to exhibit minimal to >25-fold enhancement over
      nontargeted DMs. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that structural
      characteristics, such as solvent accessible surface area of FA, local PEG density
      near FA, and FA mobility, account in part for the experimental differences in
      cellular interactions. The molecular structure that allows FA to depart from the
      surface of DMs to facilitate the initial cell surface binding was revealed to be
      the most important contributor for determining FA-mediated cellular interactions
      of DMs. The modular properties of DMs in controlling their specific cell
      interactions support the potential of DMs as a delivery platform and offer design
      cues for future development of targeted NPs.

PMID- 27267701
TI  - Arsenite accumulation in the mouse eye.
AB  - Elevated arsenic (As) concentrations in drinking water are a major worldwide
      public health concern. Exposure to As is associated with carcinogenesis, skin
      lesions, cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, and other disorders.
      However, little is known regarding chronic As-mediated effects on the eye.
      Oxidative stress is believed to be an important factor in As-related pathology
      and is also implicated in certain eye diseases such as cataract. Thus, elevated
      exposure to arsenic could potentially be a contributing factor for ocular
      pathology. A pilot study was therefore initiated to determine whether As could be
      detected in eye tissue of mice exposed to sodium arsenite in drinking water.
      Total As concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass
      spectroscopy in whole eyes, lens, liver, heart, lung, kidneys, spleen, brain, and
      hair from mice given 0, 10, 50, or 250 ppm sodium arsenite in their drinking
      water for 4 wk or 0, 10 or 50 ppm for 6 mo. Dose-dependent increases in As
      concentration were observed in all organs and tissues. Surprisingly, As
      concentrations in the eye and lens were significantly higher than those in liver,
      lung, heart, spleen, and brain and similar to that found in kidneys. The
      relatively high concentration in the eye, and the lens in particular, suggests As
      exposure may be a contributing factor in cataract formation in parts of the world
      where As in drinking water is endemic.

PMID- 27267702
TI  - Effect of genetic strain and gender on age-related changes in body composition of
      the laboratory rat.
AB  - Body fat serves as a storage compartment for lipophilic pollutants and affects
      the pharmacokinetics of many toxic chemicals. Understanding how body fat varies
      with gender, strain, and age may be essential for development of experimental
      models to study mechanisms of toxicity. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based
      analysis serves as a noninvasive means of assessing proportions of fat, lean, and
      fluid in rodents over their lifetime. The aim of this study was to track changes
      in body composition of male and female Long-Evans (LE), Sprague-Dawley (SD),
      Fischer (F334), and Brown Norway (BN) rats from postweaning over a >2-yr period.
      Percent fat of preweaned LE and SD rats was markedly higher compared to the other
      strains. LE and SD strains displayed marked increases in body fat from weaning to
      8 mo of age. Postweaned F344 male and females showed relatively low levels of
      percent fat; however, at 2 yr of age percent fat of females was equal to that of
      SD and LE in females. BN rats showed the highest levels of lean tissue and lowest
      levels of fat. Percent fat of the BN strain rose at the slowest rate as they
      aged. Percent fluid was consistently higher in males for all strains. Females
      tended to have higher percent fat than males in LE, SD, and F344 strains.
      Assessing changes in body fat as well as lean and fluid of various strains of
      male and female rats over their lifetime may prove useful in many research
      endeavors, including pharmacokinetics of lipophilic toxicants, mechanisms
      underlying obesity, and metabolic disorders.

PMID- 27267699
TI  - Systematic Targeting of Protein-Protein Interactions.
AB  - Over the past decade, protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have gone from being
      neglected as 'undruggable' to being considered attractive targets for the
      development of therapeutics. Recent advances in computational analysis, fragment
      based screening, and molecular design have revealed promising strategies to
      address the basic molecular recognition challenge: how to target large protein
      surfaces with specificity. Several systematic and complementary workflows have
      been developed to yield successful inhibitors of PPIs. Here we review the major
      contemporary approaches utilized for the discovery of inhibitors and focus on a
      structure-based workflow, from the selection of a biological target to design.

PMID- 27267703
TI  - Does a methionine-to-norleucine substitution in PGLa influence peptide-membrane
      interactions?
AB  - Yes. To understand the molecular mechanisms of amphiphilic membrane-active
      peptides, it is essential to study their interactions with lipid bilayers under
      near-native conditions. Amino acid composition largely determines the non
      specific properties of peptides, on the basis of the physicochemical properties
      of the side chains. The resultant effects on peptides' functional properties
      include influences on the conformation, structural dynamics and binding
      affinities within the peptide interactome. Here, we studied the effect of
      substituting oxidation-prone methionine (Met) with non-oxidizable norleucine
      (Nle) in the model alpha-helical antimicrobial peptide PGLa, through systematic
      comparison of PGLa with the (2)Met/(2)Nle mutant. Both peptides were evaluated
      for their bacteriostatic and hemolytic activities (using in situ assays), for
      their conformational preferences in isotropic solutions (using circular dichroism
      spectropolarimetry) and for their abilities to modulate membrane curvature (using
      a solid-state (31)P NMR assay). We determined the membrane-bound states in detail
      and characterized the orientational dynamics of both peptides in oriented
      phospholipid membranes by solid-state (19)F NMR spectroscopy. On the one hand,
      the bioactivity results, the structure in the diluted membrane-mimicking
      environments and the strong inhibition of the negative membrane curvature were
      comparable between PGLa and the mutant. On the other hand, the alignments in DMPC
      bilayer were qualitatively the same but differed in absolute values - the more
      hydrophobic Nle residue inserted deeper in the membrane core. Furthermore, the
      mutant peptide displayed a significantly reduced ability to re-orient from the
      monomeric, surficial to the putative dimeric, tilted state. Overall, these
      results confirm the functional isosterism of Nle and Met in the helical membrane
      active peptides but highlight differences in the ways in which the two residues
      affect non-specific binding to the lipid bilayer and homomeric peptide-peptide
      interactions.

PMID- 27267704
TI  - Effect of ethanol perturbation on viscosity and permeability of an inner membrane
      in Bacillus subtilis spores.
AB  - In this work, we investigated how a combination of ethanol and high temperature
      (70 degrees C), affect the properties of the inner membrane of Bacillus subtilis
      spores. We observed membrane permeabilization for ethanol concentrations >=50%,
      as indicated by the staining of the spores' DNA by the cell impermeable dye
      Propidium Iodide. The loss of membrane integrity was also confirmed by a decrease
      in the peak corresponding to dipicolinic acid using infrared spectroscopy.
      Finally, the spore refractivity (as measured by phase contrast microscopy) was
      decreased after the ethanol-heat treatment, suggesting a partial rehydration of
      the protoplast. Previously we have used fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy
      (FLIM) combined with the fluorescent molecular rotor Bodipy-C12 to study the
      microscopic viscosity in the inner membrane of B. subtilis spores, and showed
      that at normal conditions it is characterized by a very high viscosity. Here we
      demonstrate that the ethanol/high temperature treatment led to a decrease of the
      viscosity of the inner membrane, from 1000cP to 860cP for wild type spores at 50%
      of ethanol. Altogether, our present work confirms the deleterious effect of
      ethanol on the structure of B. subtilis spores, as well as demonstrates the
      ability of FLIM - Bodipy-C12 to measure changes in the microviscosity of the
      spores upon perturbation.

PMID- 27267705
TI  - Neural indices of phonemic discrimination and sentence-level speech
      intelligibility in quiet and noise: A mismatch negativity study.
AB  - Successful speech communication requires the extraction of important acoustic
      cues from irrelevant background noise. In order to better understand this
      process, this study examined the effects of background noise on mismatch
      negativity (MMN) latency, amplitude, and spectral power measures as well as
      behavioral speech intelligibility tasks. Auditory event-related potentials
      (AERPs) were obtained from 15 normal-hearing participants to determine whether
      pre-attentive MMN measures recorded in response to a consonant (from /ba/ to
      /bu/) and vowel change (from /ba/ to /da/) in a double-oddball paradigm can
      predict sentence-level speech perception. The results showed that background
      noise increased MMN latencies and decreased MMN amplitudes with a reduction in
      the theta frequency band power. Differential noise-induced effects were observed
      for the pre-attentive processing of consonant and vowel changes due to different
      degrees of signal degradation by noise. Linear mixed-effects models further
      revealed significant correlations between the MMN measures and speech
      intelligibility scores across conditions and stimuli. These results confirm the
      utility of MMN as an objective neural marker for understanding noise-induced
      variations as well as individual differences in speech perception, which has
      important implications for potential clinical applications.

PMID- 27267706
TI  - Relative blood loss and operative time can predict length of stay following
      orthognathic surgery.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the length of stay (LOS) following
      orthognathic surgery and thereby to establish a benchmark. The secondary aim was
      to identify predictors of postoperative LOS following orthognathic surgery.
      Patients were treated consecutively during the period 2010 to 2012. Inclusion
      criteria were (1) patient age >=18 years, and (2) surgery involving a three-piece
      Le Fort I osteotomy, or a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO), or
      bimaxillary surgery. A total of 335 patients were included. The following data
      were recorded: height, weight, body mass index (BMI), age, sex, operative time,
      intraoperative blood loss, and type of surgery. LOS was defined as the duration
      of time from date of surgery to date of discharge. The average LOS was 1.3 days
      following Le Fort I osteotomy, 1.3 days following BSSO, and 1.8 days following
      bimaxillary surgery. In the multivariate regression model (R(2)=0.11), predictors
      of a prolonged LOS were operative time (P<0.001) and relative blood loss
      (P=0.002). No significant effect of age, BMI, sex, or treatment on LOS was
      observed. The short duration of LOS found in this study supports the possibility
      of increasing outpatient pathways for selected patients. 

PMID- 27267707
TI  - Temporomandibular joint arthroscopy technique using a single working cannula.
AB  - The traditional arthroscopy technique includes the creation of three ports in
      order to enable visualization, operation, and arthrocentesis. The aim of this
      study was to assess an advanced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy
      technique that requires only a single cannula, through which a one-piece
      instrument containing a visualization canal, irrigation canal, and a working
      canal is inserted, as an alternative to the traditional double-puncture
      technique. This retrospective study assessed eight patients (13 TMJs) with pain
      and/or limited range of movement that was refractory to conservative therapy, who
      were treated between June 2015 and December 2015. The temporomandibular joint
      disorder (TMD) was diagnosed by physical examination and mouth opening
      measurements. The duration of surgery was recorded and compared to that
      documented for traditional arthroscopies performed by the same surgeon. Operative
      single-cannula arthroscopy (OSCA) was performed using a holmium YAG (Ho:YAG)
      230MUm fibre laser for ablation. The OSCA technique proved effective in improving
      mouth opening in all patients (mean increase 9.12+/-1.96mm) and in reducing pain
      (mean visual analogue scale decrease of 3.25+/-1.28). The operation time was
      approximately half that of the traditional technique. The OSCA technique is as
      efficient as the traditional technique, is simple to learn, and is simpler to
      execute.

PMID- 27267708
TI  - Primary delayed onset craniosynostosis in a child demonstrated by serial computed
      tomography imaging.
AB  - Primary delayed onset craniosynostosis is a rarely reported phenomenon. The
      unique case of a 2-year-old boy who had computed tomography (CT) scans performed
      20 months apart demonstrating the post-gestational development of sagittal suture
      craniosynostosis is presented. The otherwise healthy male initially presented to
      the emergency department at age 7 months with soft tissue swelling over his left
      parietal region secondary to a fall. A CT scan revealed a possible left parietal
      skull fracture without intracranial pathology and patent cranial sutures with a
      normocephalic calvarial configuration. Twenty months later, his paediatrician
      referred the boy to the craniofacial service for evaluation of progressive
      dolichocephaly. A new CT scan showed complete fusion of the sagittal suture with
      resultant biparietal narrowing, frontal bossing, and occipital prominence. The
      patient subsequently underwent uncomplicated frontoparietal craniotomy with
      calvarial vault reconstruction. Prior reports in the literature of cases of non
      syndromic primary delayed onset craniosynostosis all lack 'pre-synostosis' CT
      imaging that proves post-birth patency of the cranial sutures. This case report
      documents CT demonstrating true primary delayed onset craniosynostosis.

PMID- 27267709
TI  - Every day I'm rufflin': Calcium sensing and actin dynamics in the growth factor
      independent membrane ruffling of professional phagocytes.
AB  - Professional phagocytes continuously extend dynamic, actin-driven membrane
      protrusions. These protrusions, often referred to as membrane ruffles, serve a
      critical role in the essential phagocyte processes of macropinocytosis and
      phagocytosis. Small GTPases, such as RAC1/2, spatially and temporally regulate
      membrane ruffle formation. We have recently shown that extracellular calcium
      regulates the elaboration of membrane ruffles primarily through the synthesis of
      phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) at the plasma membrane. RAC1/2 guanine nucleotide
      exchange factors harbouring polybasic stretches are recruited by PtdOH to sites
      of ruffle formation. Here we discuss our findings and offer perspectives on how
      the regulation of dynamic actin structures at the plasma membrane by small
      GTPases is a critical component of phagocyte function.

PMID- 27267710
TI  - Can Probiotics Reduce Inflammation and Enhance Gut Immune Health in People Living
      with HIV: Study Designs for the Probiotic Visbiome for Inflammation and
      Translocation (PROOV IT) Pilot Trials.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Despite substantial improvements in HIV outcomes with combination
      antiretroviral therapy (cART), morbidity and mortality remain above population
      norms. The gut mucosal immune system is not completely restored by cART, and the
      resultant microbial translocation may contribute to chronic inflammation,
      inadequate CD4 T-cell recovery, and increased rates of serious non-AIDS events.
      Since the microbial environment surrounding a CD4 T cell may influence its
      development and function, we hypothesize that probiotics provided during cART
      might reduce inflammation and improve gut immune health in HIV-positive treatment
      naive individuals (PROOV IT I) and individuals with suboptimal CD4 recovery on
      cART (PROOV IT II). METHODS: These prospective, double-blinded, randomized,
      placebo-controlled, multicenter pilot studies will assess the impact of the
      probiotic Visbiome at 900 billion bacteria daily. Forty HIV positive cART-naive
      men will be randomized in the PROOV IT I study, coincident with antiretroviral
      initiation, and be followed for 24 weeks. In PROOV IT II, 36 men on cART, but
      with a CD4 T-cell count below 350 cells/mm(3) will be followed for 48 weeks. The
      primary outcome for both studies is the comparison of blood CD8 T-cell immune
      activation. Secondary analyses will include comparison of blood inflammatory
      biomarkers, microbial translocation, blood and gut immunology and HIV levels, the
      bacterial community composition, diet, intestinal permeability, and the safety,
      adherence and tolerability of the study product. DISCUSSION: These studies will
      evaluate the ability of probiotics as a safe and tolerable therapeutic
      intervention to reduce systemic immune activation and to accelerate gut immune
      restoration in people living with HIV.

PMID- 27267712
TI  - Effects of Intracerebroventricular Administration of Neuropeptide Y on Metabolic
      Gene Expression and Energy Metabolism in Male Rats.
AB  - Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an important neurotransmitter in the control of energy
      metabolism. Several studies have shown that obesity is associated with increased
      levels of NPY in the hypothalamus. We hypothesized that the central release of
      NPY has coordinated and integrated effects on energy metabolism in different
      tissues, resulting in increased energy storage and decreased energy expenditure
      (EE). We first investigated the acute effects of an intracerebroventricular (ICV)
      infusion of NPY on gene expression in liver, brown adipose tissue, soleus muscle,
      and sc and epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT). We found increased expression
      of genes involved in gluconeogenesis and triglyceride secretion in the liver
      already 2-hour after the start of the NPY administration. In brown adipose
      tissue, the expression of thermogenic genes was decreased. In sc WAT, the
      expression of genes involved in lipogenesis was increased, whereas in soleus
      muscle, the expression of lipolytic genes was decreased after ICV NPY. These
      findings indicate that the ICV infusion of NPY acutely and simultaneously
      increases lipogenesis and decreases lipolysis in different tissues. Subsequently,
      we investigated the acute effects of ICV NPY on locomotor activity, respiratory
      exchange ratio, EE, and body temperature. The ICV infusion of NPY increased
      locomotor activity, body temperature, and EE as well as respiratory exchange
      ratio. Together, these results show that an acutely increased central
      availability of NPY results in a shift of metabolism towards lipid storage and an
      increased use of carbohydrates, while at the same time increasing activity, EE,
      and body temperature.

PMID- 27267711
TI  - Runx1 Regulates Myeloid Precursor Differentiation Into Osteoclasts Without
      Affecting Differentiation Into Antigen Presenting or Phagocytic Cells in Both
      Males and Females.
AB  - Runt-related transcription factor 1 (Runx1), a master regulator of hematopoiesis,
      is expressed in preosteoclasts. Previously we evaluated the bone phenotype of
      CD11b-Cre Runx1(fl/fl) mice and demonstrated enhanced osteoclasts and decreased
      bone mass in males. However, an assessment of the effects of Runx1 deletion in
      female osteoclast precursors was impossible with this model. Moreover, the role
      of Runx1 in myeloid cell differentiation into other lineages is unknown.
      Therefore, we generated LysM-Cre Runx1(fl/fl) mice, which delete Runx1 equally
      (~80% deletion) in myeloid precursor cells from both sexes and examined the
      capacity of these cells to differentiate into osteoclasts and phagocytic and
      antigen-presenting cells. Both female and male LysM-Cre Runx1(fl/fl) mice had
      decreased trabecular bone mass (72% decrease in bone volume fraction) and
      increased osteoclast number (2-3 times) (P < .05) without alteration of
      osteoblast histomorphometric indices. We also demonstrated that loss of Runx1 in
      pluripotential myeloid precursors with LysM-Cre did not alter the number of
      myeloid precursor cells in bone marrow or their ability to differentiate into
      phagocytizing or antigen-presenting cells. This study demonstrates that
      abrogation of Runx1 in multipotential myeloid precursor cells significantly and
      specifically enhanced the ability of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB
      ligand to stimulate osteoclast formation and fusion in female and male mice
      without affecting other myeloid cell fates. In turn, increased osteoclast
      activity in LysM-Cre Runx1(fl/fl) mice likely contributed to a decrease in bone
      mass. These dramatic effects were not due to increased osteoclast precursors in
      the deleted mutants and argue that inhibition of Runx1 in multipotential myeloid
      precursor cells is important for osteoclast formation and function.

PMID- 27267714
TI  - Endometrial Cancer-Associated FGF18 Expression Is Reduced by Bazedoxifene in
      Human Endometrial Stromal Cells In Vitro and in Murine Endometrium.
AB  - Endometrial cancer develops during exposure to estrogen unopposed by
      progesterone. Traditional formulations for menopausal hormone therapy include a
      progestin in women with a uterus. However, progestin exposure increases breast
      cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Alternatives to progestin include
      bazedoxifene (BZA), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, which prevents
      estrogen induced endometrial hyperplasia in clinical trials. Molecular mechanisms
      responsible for BZA's antiproliferative effect are not fully elucidated. We
      profiled endometrial adenocarcinoma, hyperplasia, and normal proliferative
      endometrium for differential expression in genes known to be regulated by
      estrogens or progesterone. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)18, a paracrine growth
      factor promoting epithelial proliferation, was significantly increased in
      adenocarcinoma. Progesterone represses FGF18 by inducing heart and neural crest
      derivatives expressed transcript 2 (HAND2) in stromal cells. Notably, we
      confirmed lower HAND2 mRNA in adenocarcinoma, along with higher FGF tyrosine
      kinase receptor 2 and E74-like factor 5, collectively promoting FGF18 activity.
      We hypothesized BZA reduces epithelial proliferation by inhibiting FGF18
      synthesis in stromal cells. To determine whether BZA regulates FGF18, we treated
      primary stromal cells with BZA or vehicle. In vitro, BZA reduced FGF18, but did
      not affect, HAND2. CD1 female mice received either BZA, conjugated estrogen (CE),
      or combined BZA/CE for 8 weeks. CE-treated mice had nearly 3-fold higher FGF18
      expression. In contrast, BZA-treated mice, alone or with CE, had similar FGF18 as
      controls. Unexpectedly, BZA, alone or with CE, reduced HAND2 more than 80%,
      differing from progesterone regulation. Reduction of FGF18 is a potential
      mechanism by which BZA reduces endometrial proliferation and hyperplasia induced
      by estrogens. However, BZA works independently of HAND2, revealing a novel
      mechanism for progestin-free hormone therapy in postmenopausal women.

PMID- 27267713
TI  - Angiotensin Type-2 Receptors Influence the Activity of Vasopressin Neurons in the
      Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus in Male Mice.
AB  - It is known that angiotensin-II acts at its type-1 receptor to stimulate
      vasopressin (AVP) secretion, which may contribute to angiotensin-II-induced
      hypertension. Less well known is the impact of angiotensin type-2 receptor (AT2R)
      activation on these processes. Studies conducted in a transgenic AT2R enhanced
      green fluorescent protein reporter mouse revealed that although AT2R are not
      themselves localized to AVP neurons within the paraventricular nucleus of the
      hypothalamus (PVN), they are localized to neurons that extend processes into the
      PVN. In the present set of studies, we set out to characterize the origin,
      phenotype, and function of nerve terminals within the PVN that arise from AT2R
      enhanced green fluorescent protein-positive neurons and synapse onto AVP neurons.
      Initial experiments combined genetic and neuroanatomical techniques to determine
      that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons derived from the peri-PVN area
      containing AT2R make appositions onto AVP neurons within the PVN, thereby
      positioning AT2R to negatively regulate neuroendocrine secretion. Subsequent
      patch-clamp electrophysiological experiments revealed that selective activation
      of AT2R in the peri-PVN area using compound 21 facilitates inhibitory (ie,
      GABAergic) neurotransmission and leads to reduced activity of AVP neurons within
      the PVN. Final experiments determined the functional impact of AT2R activation by
      testing the effects of compound 21 on plasma AVP levels. Collectively, these
      experiments revealed that AT2R expressing neurons make GABAergic synapses onto
      AVP neurons that inhibit AVP neuronal activity and suppress baseline systemic AVP
      levels. These findings have direct implications in the targeting of AT2R for
      disorders of AVP secretion and also for the alleviation of high blood pressure.

PMID- 27267715
TI  - Bacterial community composition and structure in an Urban River impacted by
      different pollutant sources.
AB  - Microbial communities in terrestrial fresh water are diverse and dynamic in
      composition due to different environmental factors. The goal of this study was to
      undertake a comprehensive analysis of bacterial composition along different
      rivers and creeks and correlate these to land-use practices and pollutant
      sources. Here we used 454 pyrosequencing to determine the total bacterial
      community composition, and bacterial communities that are potentially of fecal
      origin, and of relevance to water quality assessment. The results were analyzed
      using UniFrac coupled with principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) to compare
      diversity, abundance, and community composition. Detrended correspondence
      analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to correlate
      bacterial composition in streams and creeks to different environmental parameters
      impacting bacterial communities in the sediment and surface water within the
      watershed. Bacteria were dominated by the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes,
      Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria, with Bacteroidetes significantly (P<0.001)
      higher in all water samples than sediment, where as Acidobacteria and
      Actinobacteria where significantly higher (P<0.05) in all the sediment samples
      than surface water. Overall results, using the beta diversity measures, coupled
      with PCoA and DCA showed that bacterial composition in sediment and surface water
      was significantly different (P<0.001). Also, there were differences in bacterial
      community composition between agricultural runoff and urban runoff based on
      parsimony tests using 454 pyrosequencing data. Fecal indicator bacteria in
      surface water along different creeks and channels were significantly correlated
      with pH (P<0.01), NO2 (P<0.03), and NH4N (P<0.005); and in the sediment with NO3
      (P<0.015). Our results suggest that microbial community compositions were
      influenced by several environmental factors, and pH, NO2, and NH4 were the major
      environmental factors driving FIB in surface water based on CCA analysis, while
      NO3 was the only factor in sediment. 

PMID- 27267716
TI  - Selective toxin effects on faster and slower growing individuals in the formation
      of hormesis at the population level - A case study with Lactuca sativa and PCIB.
AB  - Natural plant populations have large phenotypic plasticity that enhances
      acclimation to local stress factors such as toxin exposures. While consequences
      of high toxin exposures are well addressed, effects of low-dose toxin exposures
      on plant populations are seldom investigated. In particular, the importance of
      'selective low-dose toxicity' and hormesis, i.e. stimulatory effects, has not
      been studied simultaneously. Since selective toxicity can change the size
      distribution of populations, we assumed that hormesis alters the size
      distribution at the population level, and investigated whether and how these two
      low-dose phenomena coexist. The study was conducted with Lactuca sativa L.
      exposed to the auxin-inhibitor 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid (PCIB)
      in vitro. In two separate experiments, L. sativa was exposed to 12 PCIB doses in
      24 replicates (50 plants/replicate). Shoot/root growth responses at the
      population level were compared to the fast-growing (>=90% percentile) and the
      slow-growing subpopulations (<=10% percentile) by Mann-Whitney U testing and dose
      response modelling. In the formation of pronounced PCIB hormesis at the
      population level, low-dose effects proved selective, but widely stimulatory which
      seems to counteract low-dose selective toxicity. The selectivity of hormesis was
      dose- and growth rate-dependent. Stimulation occurred at lower concentrations and
      stimulation percentage was higher among slow-growing individuals, but partly or
      entirely masked at the population level by moderate or negligible stimulation
      among the faster growing individuals. We conclude that the hormetic effect up to
      the maximum stimulation may be primarily facilitated by an increase in size of
      the most slow-growing individuals, while thereafter it seems that mainly the fast
      growing individuals contributed to the observed hormesis at the population level.
      As size distribution within a population is related to survival, our study hints
      that selective effects on slow- and fast-growing individuals may change
      population dynamics, providing that similar effects can be repeated under field
      conditions. 

PMID- 27267717
TI  - Fragrances as new contaminants in the Venice lagoon.
AB  - Fragrance Materials (FMs) are omnipresent components of household and Personal
      Care Products (PCPs). In spite of their widespread use, little is known about
      their environmental occurrence. We selected 17 among the longest-lasting and most
      stable fragrance ingredients that are commercially available, namely: Amberketal,
      Ambrofix, Amyl Salicylate, Benzyl Salicylate, Bourgeonal, Dupical, Hexyl
      Salicylate, Isobutavan, Lemonile, Mefranal, Myraldene, Okoumal, Oranger Crystals,
      Pelargene, Peonile, Tridecene-2-Nitrile, Ultravanil. A new analytical method was
      developed to quantify FMs in water samples and it was applied to perform the
      first study about the distribution of these compounds in the surface waters of
      the city of Venice and its lagoon. Total FMs concentrations range from about
      30ngL(-1) to more than 10MUgL(-1) in polluted canals during the low tide. Sewage
      discharges were supposed to be the main sources of the selected FMs in the
      environment. Salicylates, oestrogenic and allergenic compounds, were in general
      the most abundant and widespread components. This study reports for the first
      time the detection of most of the selected FMs in surface waters and represent
      the first step to understand their environmental fate. 

PMID- 27267718
TI  - A conceptual framework for hydropeaking mitigation.
AB  - Hydropower plants are an important source of renewable energy. In the near
      future, high-head storage hydropower plants will gain further importance as a key
      element of large-scale electricity production systems. However, these power
      plants can cause hydropeaking which is characterized by intense unnatural
      discharge fluctuations in downstream river reaches. Consequences on environmental
      conditions in these sections are diverse and include changes to the hydrology,
      hydraulics and sediment regime on very short time scales. These altered
      conditions affect river ecosystems and biota, for instance due to drift and
      stranding of fishes and invertebrates. Several structural and operational
      measures exist to mitigate hydropeaking and the adverse effects on ecosystems,
      but estimating and predicting their ecological benefit remains challenging. We
      developed a conceptual framework to support the ecological evaluation of
      hydropeaking mitigation measures based on current mitigation projects in
      Switzerland and the scientific literature. We refined this framework with an
      international panel of hydropeaking experts. The framework is based on a set of
      indicators, which covers all hydrological phases of hydropeaking and the most
      important affected abiotic and biotic processes. Effects of mitigation measures
      on these indicators can be predicted quantitatively using prediction tools such
      as discharge scenarios and numerical habitat models. Our framework allows a
      comparison of hydropeaking effects among alternative mitigation measures, to the
      pre-mitigation situation, and to reference river sections. We further identified
      key issues that should be addressed to increase the efficiency of current and
      future projects. They include the spatial and temporal context of mitigation
      projects, the interactions of river morphology with hydropeaking effects, and the
      role of appropriate monitoring to evaluate the success of mitigation projects. 

PMID- 27267719
TI  - Common trends in elements? Within- and between-tree variations of wood-chemistry
      measured by X-ray fluorescence - A dendrochemical study.
AB  - Element composition of annually resolved tree-rings constitutes a promising
      biological proxy for reconstructions of environmental conditions and pollution
      history. However, several methodological and physiological issues have to be
      addressed before sound conclusions can be drawn from dendrochemical time series.
      For example, radial and vertical translocation processes of elements in the wood
      might blur or obscure any dendrochemical signal. In this study, we tested the
      degree of synchronism of elemental time series within and between trees of one
      coniferous (Pinus sylvestris L.) and one broadleaf (Castanea sativa Mill.)
      species growing in conventionally managed forests without direct pollution
      sources in their surroundings. Micro X-ray fluorescence (MUXRF) analysis was used
      to establish time series of relative concentrations of multiple elements (Mg, Al,
      P, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe and Ni) for different stem heights and stem exposures.
      We found a common long-term (decadal) trend for most elements in both species,
      but only little coherence in the high frequency domain (inter-annual variations).
      Aligning the element curves by cambial age instead of year of ring formation
      reduced the standard deviations between the single measurements. This points at
      an influence of age on longer term trends and would require a detrending in order
      to extract any environmental signal from dendrochemical time series. The common
      signal was stronger for pine than for chestnut. In pine, many elements show a
      concentration gradient with higher values towards the tree crown. Mobility of
      elements in the stem leading to high within- and between-tree variability, as
      well as a potential age-trend apparently complicate the establishment of reliable
      dendrochemical chronologies. For future wood-chemical studies, we recommend to
      work with element ratios instead of single element time series, to consider
      potential age trends and to analyze more than one sample per tree to account for
      internal variability. 

PMID- 27267720
TI  - Experimental sulfate amendment alters peatland bacterial community structure.
AB  - As part of a long-term, peatland-scale sulfate addition experiment, the impact of
      varying sulfate deposition on bacterial community responses was assessed using
      16S tag encoded pyrosequencing. In three separate areas of the peatland, sulfate
      manipulations included an eight year quadrupling of atmospheric sulfate
      deposition (experimental), a 3-year recovery to background deposition following
      5years of elevated deposition (recovery), and a control area. Peat concentrations
      of methylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative neurotoxin, were measured, the
      production of which is attributable to a growing list of microorganisms,
      including many sulfate-reducing Deltaproteobacteria. The total bacterial and
      Deltaproteobacterial community structures in the experimental treatment differed
      significantly from those in the control and recovery treatments that were either
      indistinguishable or very similar to one another. Notably, the relatively rapid
      return (within three years) of bacterial community structure in the recovery
      treatment to a state similar to the control, demonstrates significant resilience
      of the peatland bacterial community to changes in atmospheric sulfate deposition.
      Changes in MeHg accumulation between sulfate treatments correlated with changes
      in the Deltaproteobacterial community, suggesting that sulfate may affect MeHg
      production through changes in the community structure of this group. 

PMID- 27267721
TI  - Effects of bottom water dissolved oxygen variability on copper and lead
      fractionation in the sediments across the oxygen minimum zone, western
      continental margin of India.
AB  - This study describes the effect of varying bottom-water oxygen concentration on
      geochemical fractionation (operational speciation) of Cu and Pb in the underneath
      sediments across the oxygen minimum zone (Arabian Sea) in the west coast of
      India. Both, Cu and Pb were redistributed among the different binding phases of
      the sediments with changing dissolved oxygen level (from oxic to hypoxic and
      close to suboxic) in the bottom water. The average lability of Cu-sediment
      complexes gradually decreased (i.e., stability increased) with the decreasing
      dissolved oxygen concentrations of the bottom water. Decreasing bottom-water
      oxygen concentration increased Cu association with sedimentary organic matter.
      However, Pb association with Fe/Mn-oxyhydroxide phases in the sediments gradually
      decreased with the decreasing dissolved oxygen concentration of the overlying
      bottom water (due to dissolution of Fe/Mn oxyhydroxide phase). The lability of Pb
      sediment complexes increased with the decreasing bottom-water oxygen
      concentration. This study suggests that bottom-water oxygen concentration is one
      of the key factors governing stability and lability of Cu and Pb complexes in the
      underneath sediment. Sedimentary organic matter and Fe/Mn oxyhydroxide binding
      phases were the major hosting phases for Cu and Pb respectively in the study
      area. Increasing lability of Pb-complexes in bottom sediments may lead to
      positive benthic fluxes of Pb at low oxygen environment. 

PMID- 27267722
TI  - The Australian SuperSite Network: A continental, long-term terrestrial ecosystem
      observatory.
AB  - Ecosystem monitoring networks aim to collect data on physical, chemical and
      biological systems and their interactions that shape the biosphere. Here we
      introduce the Australian SuperSite Network that, along with complementary
      facilities of Australia's Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), delivers
      field infrastructure and diverse, ecosystem-related datasets for use by
      researchers, educators and policy makers. The SuperSite Network uses
      infrastructure replicated across research sites in different biomes, to allow
      comparisons across ecosystems and improve scalability of findings to regional,
      continental and global scales. This conforms with the approaches of other
      ecosystem monitoring networks such as Critical Zone Observatories, the U.S.
      National Ecological Observatory Network; Analysis and Experimentation on
      Ecosystems, Europe; Chinese Ecosystem Research Network; International Long Term
      Ecological Research network and the United States Long Term Ecological Research
      Network. The Australian SuperSite Network currently involves 10 SuperSites across
      a diverse range of biomes, including tropical rainforest, grassland and savanna;
      wet and dry sclerophyll forest and woodland; and semi-arid grassland, woodland
      and savanna. The focus of the SuperSite Network is on using vegetation, faunal
      and biophysical monitoring to develop a process-based understanding of ecosystem
      function and change in Australian biomes; and to link this with data streams
      provided by the series of flux towers across the network. The Australian
      SuperSite Network is also intended to support a range of auxiliary researchers
      who contribute to the growing body of knowledge within and across the SuperSite
      Network, public outreach and education to promote environmental awareness and the
      role of ecosystem monitoring in the management of Australian environments. 

PMID- 27267724
TI  - Anthropogenic and natural methane emissions from a shale gas exploration area of
      Quebec, Canada.
AB  - The increasing number of studies on the determination of natural methane in
      groundwater of shale gas prospection areas offers a unique opportunity for
      refining the quantification of natural methane emissions. Here methane emissions,
      computed from four potential sources, are reported for an area of ca. 16,500km(2)
      of the St. Lawrence Lowlands, Quebec (Canada), where Utica shales are targeted by
      the petroleum industry. Methane emissions can be caused by 1) groundwater
      degassing as a result of groundwater abstraction for domestic and municipal uses;
      2) groundwater discharge along rivers; 3) migration to the surface by (macro- and
      micro-) diffuse seepage; 4) degassing of hydraulic fracturing fluids during first
      phases of drilling. Methane emissions related to groundwater discharge to rivers
      (2.47*10(-4) to 9.35*10(-3)Tgyr(-1)) surpass those of diffuse seepage (4.13*10(
      6) to 7.14*10(-5)Tgyr(-1)) and groundwater abstraction (6.35*10(-6) to 2.49*10(
      4)Tgyr(-1)). The methane emission from the degassing of flowback waters during
      drilling of the Utica shale over a 10- to 20-year horizon is estimated from
      2.55*10(-3) to 1.62*10(-2)Tgyr(-1). These emissions are from one third to sixty
      six times the methane emissions from groundwater discharge to rivers. This study
      shows that different methane emission sources need to be considered in
      environmental assessments of methane exploitation projects to better understand
      their impacts. 

PMID- 27267723
TI  - Microcystin-LR bioaccumulation and depuration kinetics in lettuce and arugula:
      Human health risk assessment.
AB  - Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is one of the most toxic and common microcystins (MCs)
      variant found in aquatic ecosystems. Little is known about the possibility of
      recovering microcystins contaminated agricultural crops. The objectives of this
      study were to determine the bioaccumulation and depuration kinetics of MC-LR in
      leaf tissues of lettuce and arugula, and estimate the total daily intake (ToDI)
      of MC-LR via contaminated vegetables by humans. Arugula and lettuce were
      irrigated with contaminated water having 5 and 10MUgL(-1) of MC-LR for 7days
      (bioaccumulation), and subsequently, with uncontaminated water for 7days
      (depuration). Quantification of MC-LR was performed by LC-MS/MS. The one
      compartment biokinetic model was employed for MC-LR bioaccumulation and
      depuration data analysis. MC-LR was only accumulated in lettuce. After 7days of
      irrigation with uncontaminated water, over 25% of accumulated MC-LR was still
      retained in leaf tissues of plants treated with 10MUgL(-1) MC-LR. Total daily
      toxin intake by adult consumers (60kg-bw) exceeded the 0.04MUgMC-LRkg(-1) limit
      recommended by WHO. Bioaccumulation was found to be linearly proportional to the
      exposure concentration of the toxin, increasing over time; and estimated to
      become saturated after 30days of uninterrupted exposure. On the other hand, MC-LR
      depuration was less efficient at higher exposure concentrations. This is because
      biokinetic half-life calculations gave 2.9 and 3.7days for 5 and 10MUgL(-1) MC-LR
      treatments, which means 29-37days are required to eliminate the toxin. For the
      first time, our results demonstrated the possibility of MC-LR decontamination of
      lettuce plants. 

PMID- 27267725
TI  - Spatial variations in the consumption of illicit stimulant drugs across
      Australia: A nationwide application of wastewater-based epidemiology.
AB  - Obtaining representative information on illicit drug use and patterns across a
      country remains difficult using surveys because of low response rates and
      response biases. A range of studies have used wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)
      as a complementary approach to monitor community-wide illicit drug use. In
      Australia, no large-scale WBE studies have been conducted to date to reveal
      illicit drug use profiles in a national context. In this study, we performed the
      first Australia-wide WBE monitoring to examine spatial patterns in the use of
      three illicit stimulants (cocaine, as its human metabolite benzoylecgonine;
      methamphetamine; and 3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)). A total of 112
      daily composite wastewater samples were collected from 14 wastewater treatment
      plants across four states and two territories. These covered approximately 40% of
      the Australian population. We identified and quantified illicit drug residues
      using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. There were
      distinctive spatial patterns of illicit stimulant use in Australia. Multivariate
      analyses showed that consumption of cocaine and MDMA was higher in the large
      cities than in rural areas. Also, cocaine consumption differed significantly
      between different jurisdictions. Methamphetamine consumption was more similar
      between urban and rural locations. Only a few cities had elevated levels of use.
      Extrapolation of the WBE estimates suggested that the annual consumption was
      3tonnes for cocaine and 9tonnes combined for methamphetamine and MDMA, which
      outweighed the annual seizure amount by 25 times and 45 times, respectively.
      These ratios imply the difficulty of detecting the trafficking of these
      stimulants in Australia, possibly more so for methamphetamine than cocaine. The
      obtained spatial pattern of use was compared with that in the most recent
      national household survey. Together both WBE and survey methods provide a more
      comprehensive evaluation of drug use that can assist governments in developing
      policies to reduce drug use and harm in the communities. 

PMID- 27267726
TI  - PAH related effects on fish in sedimentation ponds for road runoff and potential
      transfer of PAHs from sediment to biota.
AB  - Road runoff is an important source of pollution to the aquatic environment, and
      sedimentation ponds have been installed to mitigate effects on the aquatic
      environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate if a) fish from
      sedimentation ponds were affected by road pollution and; b) the transfer of PAHs
      from road runoff material to aquatic organisms was substantial. Minnow from a
      sedimentation pond (Skullerud) near Oslo (Norway) had higher levels of CYP1A
      enzyme and DNA stand breaks than minnow from the nearby river, but high
      concentrations of PAH-metabolites in bile revealed that both populations were
      highly exposed. Principal component analysis revealed that CYP1A and age of fish
      were correlated, while levels of PAH-metabolites were not correlated to CYP1A or
      DNA damage. Minnow from a lake un-affected by traffic had much lower levels of
      PAH-metabolites than the exposed fish, and also an improved condition. The latter
      results indicate that fish health was affected by road runoff. A closer
      investigation of PAH levels of the ecosystems of two sedimentation ponds
      (Skullerud and Vassum) and nearby environments were conducted. The concentration
      of the 16 EPA PAHs in sediments of the sedimentation ponds were high (1900
      4200ngg(-1)), and even higher levels were observed in plants. Principal component
      analysis of selected ion chromatograms of PAHs showed a clear separation of
      plants vs. sediments. The plants preferentially accumulated the high molecular
      PAHs, both from sedimentation ponds with a petrogenic PAH isomer ratio in
      sediments; and from a lake with pyrogenic PAH isomer ratio in sediments. 

PMID- 27267728
TI  - Toxicological implications and laxative potential of ethanol root extract of
      Morella serrata in loperamide-induced constipated Wistar rats.
AB  - CONTEXT: Morella serrata L. (Myricaceae) is commonly used in South Africa to
      treat several diseases including constipation. OBJECTIVES: This study
      investigated toxicological implications and laxative potential of the ethanol
      root extract of the plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: While normal control animals
      were placed on sterile placebo, the loperamide-constipated rats were treated with
      the extract at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg doses for 7 days, and their feeding patterns
      and faecal properties were monitored. Gastrointestinal transit ratio and the
      toxicity profile of the tested doses were thereafter evaluated. RESULTS: The
      significantly increased faecal volume (192.08%), feed (63.63%), water intake
      (55.97%) and improved intestinal motility (95.05%) in the constipated rats
      following treatment with the extract (at 300 mg/kg) suggested laxative potential
      of the extract. The 1.5-2.0-fold normalization of the platelets, erythrocytes and
      leukocytes counts in the extract-treated constipated rats suggests its non
      haematotoxic tendency. Furthermore, the extract (at the highest investigated
      dose) reversed the attenuation in the concentrations of the electrolytes (0.5-2
      fold), total protein (62.12%) and albumin (55.88%) in the constipated animals as
      well as attenuated activities of hepatic enzymes (0.5-3.0-fold) and levels of
      urea (126.67%), creatinine (40.32%), cholesterol (3-fold) and triglycerides (9
      fold). These further support its non-toxic and therapeutic attributes against
      constipation. CONCLUSION: Overall, the effect exhibited by M. serrata in this
      study competed well with Senokot (standard drug) and proved that it may be
      relatively safe and with excellent laxative potential, thus, supporting its
      pharmacological applications in South Africa.

PMID- 27267727
TI  - Effect of steam activated biochar application to industrially contaminated soils
      on bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and ecotoxicity of soils.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the effect of steam activation of biochars
      on the immobilization of freely dissolved (Cfree) and bioaccessible fraction
      (Cbioacc) of PAHs in soils. Additionally, the toxicity to various organisms like
      Vibrio fischeri, Lepidium sativum and Folsomia candida was measured before and
      after the amendment of biochars to soils. Three biochars produced from willow,
      coconut and wheat straw were steam activated and added to three different soils
      with varying content and origin of PAHs (coke vs. bitumen). The soils with the
      addition of the biochars (activated and non-activated) were incubated for a
      period of 60days. Steam activation of the biochars resulted in more pronounced
      reduction of both Cfree and Cbioacc. The range of the increase in effectiveness
      was from 10 to 84% for Cfree and from 50 to 99% for Cbioacc. In contrast, the
      effect of activation on the toxicity of the soils studied varied greatly and was
      specific to a particular test and soil type. Essentially, biochar activation did
      not result in a change of phytotoxicity, but it increased or decreased (depending
      on the parameter, type of biochar, contaminant source, and soil and soil type)
      the toxic effect to F. candida, and decreased the toxicity of leachates to V.
      fischeri. 

PMID- 27267729
TI  - Decision sharing in preventive cardiology.

PMID- 27267731
TI  - Induction of Haustorium Development by Sphaeropsidones in Radicles of the
      Parasitic Weeds Striga and Orobanche. A Structure-Activity Relationship Study.
AB  - Crop attack by parasitic weeds such as Striga and Orobanche occurs through
      developmental processes triggered by host chemodetection. Seeds of those weed
      species remain dormant in the soil until germination is triggered by host root
      exudates. The development of haustorium, a parasitic plant organ that invades the
      host to withdraw its nutrients, is also initiated in Orobanchaceae by host
      molecular cues. The induction of haustorium development by exogenous signals has
      previously been reported for Striga but not for Orobanche species. In this work,
      we demonstrate that sphaeropsidone and epi-sphaeropsidone, two phytotoxic
      cyclohexene oxides isolated from the fungus Diplodia cupressi, a causal agent of
      cypress canker, induce haustorium development in radicles of the parasitic weeds
      Striga hermonthica, Orobanche crenata, and Orobanche cumana. This is the first
      report of chemical stimulation of haustorium development in radicles of Orobanche
      in the absence of host. In addition, SAR studies were carried out by testing the
      haustorium-inducing activity of the natural cyclohexene oxides, seven already
      known and four new hemisynthetic derivatives, in O. cumana, O. crenata, and S.
      hermonthica, to find a molecular specificity model required for haustorium
      induction. The results suggested that the haustorium-inducing activity is due to
      the possibility to convert the natural sphaeropsidone and natural and
      hemisynthetic derivatives in the corresponding 3-methoxyquinone and that the
      stereochemistry at C-5 also seems to affect this activity. 

PMID- 27267730
TI  - Dihydrocapsaicin suppresses proinflammatory cytokines expression by enhancing
      nuclear factor IA in a NF-kappaB-dependent manner.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and represents the
      leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Accumulating
      evidences have showed that Dihydrocapsaicin (DHC) has been found to exert
      multiple pharmacological and physiological effects. Nevertheless, the effects and
      possible mechanism of DHC on proinflammatory response remain largely unexplained.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: We found that DHC markedly upregulated NFIA and suppressed
      NF-kappaB expression in THP-1 macrophages. Up-regulation of proinflammatory
      cytokines induced by LPS including TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 were markedly
      suppressed by DHC treatment. We also observed that protein level of NFIA was
      significantly increased while NF-kappaB and proinflammatory cytokines were
      decreased by DHC treatment in apoE(-/-) mice. Lentivirus-mediated overexpression
      of NFIA suppressed NF-kappaB and proinflammatory cytokines expression both in THP
      1 macrophages and plaque tissues of apoE-/- mice. Moreover, treatment with
      lentivirus-mediated overexpression of NFIA made the down-regulation of DHC on NF
      kappaB and proinflammatory cytokines expression notably accentuated in THP-1
      macrophages and apoE(-/-) mice. In addition, treatment with siRNA targeting NF
      kappaB accentuated the suppression of proinflammatory cytokines by lentivirus
      mediated overexpression of NFIA. CONCLUSION: These observations demonstrated that
      DHC can significantly decrease proinflammatory cytokines through enhancing NFIA
      and inhibiting NF-kappaB expression and thus DHC may be a promising candidate as
      an anti-inflammatory drug for atherosclerosis as well as other disorders.

PMID- 27267732
TI  - Design and evaluation of buccal films as paediatric dosage form for transmucosal
      delivery of ondansetron.
AB  - In the process of implementation and innovation of paediatric dosage forms,
      buccal films for transmucosal administration of drug represent one of the most
      interesting approach. In fact, films are able to provide an extended duration of
      activity allowing minimal dosage and frequency and offer an exact and flexible
      dose, associated with ease of handling. The objective of the present study was to
      develop polymeric films for the sustained release of ondansetron hydrochloride, a
      selective inhibitor of 5-HT3 receptors indicated in paediatrics for the
      prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cytotoxic chemotherapy
      or radiotherapy and postoperatively. Films were prepared by casting and drying of
      aqueous solutions containing different weight ratios of
      hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) with chitosan (CH) or sodium hyaluronate (HA)
      or gelatin (GEL) and characterized for their physico-chemical and functional
      properties. The presence of HA, GEL and CH did not improve the mucoadhesive
      properties of HPMC film. The inclusion of GEL and CH in HPMC film increased in
      vitro drug release with respect to the inclusion of HA, although films containing
      HA showed the highest water uptake. Moreover in agreement with the release
      behaviour, the inclusion of CH and GEL provided higher drug permeation through
      porcine buccal mucosa with respect to HPMC film and ensured linear permeation
      profiles of drug. 

PMID- 27267733
TI  - Supramolecular Nanostructure Formation of Coassembled Amyloid Inspired Peptides.
AB  - Characterization of amyloid-like aggregates through converging approaches can
      yield deeper understanding of their complex self-assembly mechanisms and the
      nature of their strong mechanical stability, which may in turn contribute to the
      design of novel supramolecular peptide nanostructures as functional materials. In
      this study, we investigated the coassembly kinetics of oppositely charged short
      amyloid-inspired peptides (AIPs) into supramolecular nanostructures by using
      confocal fluorescence imaging of thioflavin T binding, turbidity assay and in
      situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis. We showed that coassembly
      kinetics of the AIP nanostructures were consistent with nucleation-dependent
      amyloid-like aggregation, and aggregation behavior of the AIPs was affected by
      the initial monomer concentration and sonication. Moreover, SAXS analysis was
      performed to gain structural information on the size, shape, electron density,
      and internal organization of the coassembled AIP nanostructures. The scattering
      data of the coassembled AIP nanostructures were best fitted into to a combination
      of polydisperse core-shell cylinder (PCSC) and decoupling flexible cylinder
      (FCPR) models, and the structural parameters were estimated based on the fitting
      results of the scattering data. The stability of the coassembled AIP
      nanostructures in both fiber organization and bulk viscoelastic properties was
      also revealed via temperature-dependent SAXS analysis and oscillatory rheology
      measurements, respectively.

PMID- 27267734
TI  - An Alternative Route to Pentavalent Postperovskite.
AB  - Two different high-pressure and -temperature synthetic routes have been used to
      produce only the second-known pentavalent CaIrO3-type oxide. Postperovskite
      NaOsO3 has been prepared from GdFeO3-type perovskite NaOsO3 at 16 GPa and 1135 K.
      Furthermore, it has also been synthesized at the considerably lower pressure of 6
      GPa and 1100 K from a precursor of hexavalent Na2OsO4 and nominally pentavalent
      KSbO3-like phases. The latter synthetic pathway offers a new lower-pressure route
      to the postperovskite form, one that completely foregoes any perovskite precursor
      or intermediate. This work suggests that postperovskite can be obtained in other
      compounds and chemistries where generalized rules based on the perovskite
      structure may not apply or where no perovskite is known. One more obvious
      consequence of our second route is that perovskite formation may even mask and
      hinder other less extreme chemical pathways to postperovskite phases. 

PMID- 27267735
TI  - Energetic Salts Based on 3,5-Bis(dinitromethyl)-1,2,4-triazole Monoanion and
      Dianion: Controllable Preparation, Characterization, and High Performance.
AB  - Molecular modification of known explosives is considered to be an efficient route
      to design new energetic materials. A new family of energetic salts based on the
      3,5-bis(dinitromethyl)-1,2,4-triazole monoanion and dianion were controllably
      synthesized by using 1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene as a precursor. X-ray structure
      determination of monohydrazinium 3,5-bis(dinitromethyl)-1,2,4-triazolate (5) and
      monoammonium (6) and diammonium 3,5-bis(dinitromethyl)-1,2,4-triazolate hydrate
      (8.H2O) further confirmed the structures of these anions. In addition, as
      supported by X-ray data, in the monoanion system, the roving proton on the ring
      nitrogen rather than on the gem-dinitro carbon results in extensive hydrogen
      bonding interactions and higher packing coefficients. Interestingly, 5 and 6
      possess the highest calculated crystal densities, 1.965 and 1.957 g cm(-3) at 150
      K, for hydrazinium and ammonium energetic salts, respectively. Energetic
      evaluation indicates that 5 (detonation velocity vD = 9086 m s(-1); detonation
      pressure P = 38.7 GPa) and 6 (vD, 9271 m s(-1); P = 41.0 GPa) exhibit great
      detonation properties, superior to those of current highly explosive benchmarks,
      such as 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7
      tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX).

PMID- 27267736
TI  - Targeting the Androgen Receptor: Remaining questions and future directions.

PMID- 27267737
TI  - Clinical, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects of urachal carcinoma-A
      comprehensive review with meta-analysis of 1,010 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urachal carcinoma (UrC) is a rare and poorly
      investigated disease. Our current knowledge is mainly based on single
      institutional studies. Despite growing interest in UrC, the included case numbers
      in recently published studies are still low. Therefore, we aimed to provide a
      comprehensive meta-analysis on the clinical, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects
      of UrC. METHODS: A systematic Medline/PubMed search was performed on UrC using
      the terms "urachal carcinoma," "urachal cancer," and "urachus." Original articles
      and reviews in English language with case numbers>10 were selected. RESULTS: The
      vast majority (91%, 489/532) of UrCs are diagnosed at later stages (Sheldon>=III)
      when the tumor invades the urinary bladder. About 21% (136/646) of UrC patients
      have distant metastasis at first presentation. Although for patients with non
      metastatic UrC surgical treatment provides an acceptable disease control, the
      systemic treatment of patients with progressed/metastatic UrC-in lack of
      prospective clinical trials-are less well established. Comparing cisplatin-based
      and 5-FU-based therapies in 74 published UrC cases, we found the latter to be
      superior in terms of radiographic response rates (9% vs. 44%, P = 0.043), but the
      combination of these 2 therapies provided the lowest progression rate (14%) with
      a similarly high response rate (43%). CONCLUSIONS: Owing to the lack of evidence
      based guidelines, the therapy of UrC remains challenging. Given the infrequency
      of UrC, large prospective studies comparing different systemic therapies can
      hardly be conducted. Our metadata indicates that 5-FU-containing chemotherapy
      regimens are more effective than cisplatin-based treatment modalities, whereas
      their combination seems to provide the strongest antitumor effect. Nevertheless,
      in the lack of evidences from prospective clinical trials, therapeutic decision
      making necessarily remains on an individual basis. In this situation, targeted
      therapies may provide a reasonable alternative. Therefore, better understanding
      of the molecular background of UrC is needed to rationalize treatment decisions
      in UrC.

PMID- 27267738
TI  - Tailpipe emissions from gasoline direct injection (GDI) and port fuel injection
      (PFI) vehicles at both low and high ambient temperatures.
AB  - Vehicle emissions are greatly influenced by various factors that are related to
      engine technology and driving conditions. Only the fuel injection method and
      ambient temperature are investigated in this research. Regulated gaseous and
      particulate matter (PM) emissions from two advanced gasoline-fueled vehicles, one
      with direct fuel injection (GDI) and the other with port fuel injection (PFI),
      are tested with conventional gasoline and ethanol-blended gasoline (E10) at both 
      7  degrees C and 30  degrees C. The total particle number (PN) concentrations and
      size distributions are monitored with an Electrical Low Pressure Impactor
      (ELPI(+)). The solid PN concentrations are measured with a condensation particle
      counter (CPC) after removing volatile matters through the particle measurement
      program (PMP) system. The results indicate that decreasing the ambient
      temperature from 30  degrees C to -7  degrees C significantly increases the fuel
      consumption and all measured emissions except for NOx. The GDI vehicle exhibits
      lower fuel consumption than the PFI vehicle but emits more total hydrocarbons
      (THC), PM mass and solid PN emissions at 30  degrees C. The adaptability of GDI
      technology appears to be better than that of PFI technology at low ambient
      temperature. For example, the CO, THC and PM mass emission factors of the PFI
      vehicle are higher than those of the GDI vehicle and the solid PN emission
      factors are comparable in the cold-start tests at -7  degrees C. Specifically,
      during start-up the particulate matter emissions of the PFI are much higher than
      the GDI. In most cases, the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of the accumulation
      mode particles is 58-86 nm for both vehicles, and the GMD of the nucleation mode
      particles is 10-20 nm. The results suggest that the gaseous and particulate
      emissions from the PFI vehicle should not be neglected compared to those from the
      GDI vehicle especially in a cold environment. 

PMID- 27267739
TI  - Field evaluation and calibration of a small axial passive air sampler for gaseous
      and particle bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oxygenated PAHs.
AB  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their oxygenated analogues (OPAHs)
      are ubiquitous air pollutants known to cause adverse health effects. PAH air
      levels are commonly monitored by active sampling but passive sampling has become
      popular because of its lower cost and simplicity, which facilitate long-term
      sampling and increased spatial coverage. However, passive samplers are less
      suitable for short-term sampling and are in general less accurate than active
      samplers because they require reliable sampling rate (Rs) measurements for
      individual analytes under diverse environmental conditions. In this study a small
      passive sampler designed to sample both particle-bound and gaseous compounds was
      evaluated and calibrated for PAHs and OPAHs in a traffic environment by co
      deployment with active samplers for two weeks. Despite the relatively low average
      air concentrations of PM10 (20 MUg/m(3)), PM2.5 (5 MUg/m(3)), total PAHs (4.2
      ng/m(3)), and OPAHs (2.3 ng/m(3)) at the site, detectable quantities (on average
      24 times above blank values) of the full range of PAHs and OPAHs were captured,
      with low variability (average RSD of 16%). This was accomplished by using a
      Tenax((r)) TA-modified glass fiber substrate that is compatible with highly
      sensitive thermal desorption GC-MS analysis, which made it possible to achieve
      detection limits per sample in the pg range. Experiments with inverted samplers
      revealed that the relative contribution of gravitational settling to the sampling
      of particles carrying PAHs and OPAHs was around 3.5 times larger than other
      deposition mechanisms. Average Rs values for individual OPAHs and PAHs were 0.046
      +/- 0.03 m(3)/day and 0.12 +/- 0.07 m(3)/day, respectively, with no appreciable
      difference between the values for particle-associated and gaseous compounds.
      Furthermore, the Rs values were competitive with other currently used passive
      samplers if normalized for substrate area. Overall, the new sampler's
      performance, simplicity and ability to generate relatively time-resolved data
      make it a promising candidate for diverse SVOC monitoring studies. 

PMID- 27267740
TI  - Location and speciation of gadolinium and yttrium in roots of Zea mays by LA-ICP
      MS and ToF-SIMS.
AB  - Increasing production of rare earth elements (REE) might lead to future
      contamination of the environment. REE have been shown to accumulate in high
      concentrations in roots of plants. Plant experiments with Zea mays exposed to a
      nutrient solution containing gadolinium (Gd) or yttrium (Y) with 10 mg L(-1) Gd
      or Y were carried out to investigate this accumulation behaviour. Total
      concentrations of 3.17 g kg(-1) and 8.43 g kg(-1) of Gd and Y were measured in
      treated plant roots. Using a novel combination of laser ablation mass
      spectrometry and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, imaging of
      location and concentration of Gd and Y was carried out in root thin sections of
      treated roots. Single spots of elevated REE concentration were found at the
      epidermis, while inside the cortex, weak signals of Gd(+) and Y(+) were aligning
      with the root cell structures. The composition of Gd-containing secondary ions
      proves an REE-oxide phase accumulated at the epidermis, limiting REE availability
      for further uptake. 

PMID- 27267741
TI  - Feather mercury concentrations in Southern Ocean seabirds: Variation by species,
      site and time.
AB  - We studied mercury contamination in 25 seabird species breeding along a
      latitudinal gradient across the Southern Ocean, from Gough Island (40 degrees S)
      through Marion Island (47 degrees S) to Byers Peninsula (63 degrees S). Total
      mercury concentrations in body feather samples of adults caught at breeding
      colonies from 2008 to 2011 were determined. Krill (Euphausia spp.) and other
      zooplankton consumers had low mercury concentrations (gentoo penguin Pygoscelis
      papua, chinstrap penguin Pseudomonas Antarctica, common diving petrel
      Pelecanoides urinatrix, broad-billed prion Pachyptila vittata; mean levels 308
      753 ng g(-1)), whereas seabirds consuming squid or carrion had high mercury
      concentrations (ascending order: Kerguelen petrel Aphrodroma brevirostris,
      southern giant petrel Macronectes giganteus, soft-plumaged petrel Pterodroma
      mollis, sooty albatross Phoebetria fusca, Atlantic petrel Pterodroma incerta,
      northern giant petrel Macronectes halli, great-winged petrel Pterodroma
      macroptera; 10,720-28038 ng g(-1)). The two species with the highest mercury
      concentrations, northern giant petrels and great-winged petrels, bred at Marion
      Island. Among species investigated at multiple sites, southern giant petrels had
      higher mercury levels at Marion than at Gough Island and Byers Peninsula. Mercury
      levels among Byers Peninsula seabirds were low, in two species even lower than
      levels measured 10 years before at Bird Island, South Georgia. Replicate
      measurements after about 25 years at Gough Island showed much higher mercury
      levels in feathers of sooty albatrosses (by 187%), soft-plumaged petrels (53%)
      and Atlantic petrels (49%). Concentrations similar to the past were detected in
      southern giant petrels at Gough and Marion islands, and in northern giant petrels
      at Marion. There were no clear indications that timing of moult or migratory
      behavior affected mercury contamination patterns among species. Causes of inter
      site or temporal differences in mercury contamination could not be verified due
      to a lack of long-term data related to species' diet and trophic levels, which
      should be collected in future together with data on mercury contamination. 

PMID- 27267743
TI  - Effect of heavy metals and organic matter on root exudates (low molecular weight
      organic acids) of herbaceous species: An assessment in sand and soil conditions
      under different levels of contamination.
AB  - Bioavailability of heavy metals can be modified by different root exudates. Among
      them, low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) play an important role in this
      process. Three plant species (Poa annua, Medicago polymorpha and Malva
      sylvestris), potentially used for phytoremediation, have been assessed for both
      metal uptake and LMWOAs excretion in contaminated environments with different
      concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn. The experiments have been carried out in washed
      sand and in three contaminated soils where two organic amendments were added
      (biosolid compost and alperujo compost). The most abundant LMWOAs excreted by all
      studied plants were oxalic and malic acids, although citric and fumaric acids
      were also detected. The general tendency was that plants responded to an increase
      of heavy metal stress releasing higher amounts of LMWOAs. This is an efficient
      exclusion mechanism reducing the metal uptake and allowing the plant growth at
      high levels of contamination. In the experiment using wash sand as substrate, the
      organic acids composition and quantity depended mainly on plant species and metal
      contamination. M. polymorpha was the species that released the highest
      concentrations of LMWOAs, both in sand and in soils with no amendment addition,
      whereas a decrease of these acids was observed with the addition of amendments.
      Our results established a clear effect of organic matter on the composition and
      total amount of LMWOAs released. The increase of organic matter and nutrients,
      through amendments, improved the soil quality reducing phytotoxicity. As a
      result, organic acids exudates decreased and were solely composed of oxalic acid
      (except for M. polymorpha). The release of LMWOAs has proved to be an important
      mechanism against heavy metal stress, unique to each species and modifiable by
      means of organic amendment addition. 

PMID- 27267742
TI  - Concentrations and patterns of hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers and
      polychlorinated biphenyls in arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) from Svalbard.
AB  - Concentrations and patterns of hydroxylated (OH) polybrominated diphenyl ethers
      (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in liver from
      arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) sampled from Svalbard 1997-2011 (n = 100). The most
      important OH-PBDE in the arctic foxes was 6-OH-BDE47 detected in 24% of the
      samples. Relationships between 6-OH-BDE47, delta(13)C and BDE47 suggest that 6-OH
      BDE47 residues in arctic foxes are related to marine dietary input, while the
      relative importance of the metabolic/natural origin of this compound remains
      unclear. 4-OH-CB187 and 4-OH-CB146 were the main OH-PCBs among the analyzed
      compounds. The OH-PCB pattern in the present arctic foxes indicates that arctic
      foxes have a capacity to biotransform a wide range of PCBs of different
      structures. Formation and retention of OH-PCBs was tightly related to PCB
      exposure. Furthermore, SigmaOH-PCB concentrations were four times higher in the
      leanest compared to the fattest foxes. Concentrations of 4-OH-CB187 and 4-OH
      CB146 among the highest contaminated arctic foxes were similar to the previously
      reported concentrations for polar bears. Given the high endocrine disruptive
      potential of OH-PCBs, we suggest that endocrine system may be affected by the
      relatively high OH-PCB residues in the Svalbard arctic fox population. 

PMID- 27267744
TI  - Direct Entry to 4,10-Didesmethyl (9S)-Dihydroerythronolide A via Catalytic Allene
      Osmylation.
AB  - Desmethyl erythronolides have emerged as macrolide targets that may prove
      effective against resistant bacteria. A five-step sequence to 4,10-didesmethyl
      (9S)-dihydroerythronolide A (1) from known cyclic bis[allene] 13 is reported. Key
      structural and mechanistic aspects of the synthesis are discussed along with
      catalytic allene osmylation. An improved route to 13 is also described.

PMID- 27267745
TI  - Application of freeze-drying in the development of oral drug delivery systems.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: With continual focus on oral drug delivery systems (ODDS), the role
      of freeze-drying becomes increasingly valuable. While freeze-drying is
      fundamentally a desiccation process, the advantageous material properties
      attributed to freeze-drying extend far beyond the preparation of stable
      pharmaceutical products. The formulation and process variables are important
      considerations as they affect the final freeze-dried product characteristics. It
      is of interest to expound on the principles and effects of freeze-drying in the
      hope of introducing novel products for applications in the development of ODDS.
      Areas covered: In this review, basic principles, general formulation and process
      variables associated with freeze-drying will be covered. The application of
      freeze-drying in 3 areas: modification of active ingredients, development of
      novel freeze-dried excipients and development of freeze-dried final dosage forms
      will be discussed. Expert opinion: As a pharmaceutical unit operation, freeze
      drying has created new dimensions in the area of oral drug delivery, where the
      properties of the drugs, excipients and characteristics of the final solid dosage
      form can be modified by the freeze-drying process. With the emergence of new
      applications, the role of freeze-drying technology in ODDS is indeed a relevant
      and promising one.

PMID- 27267746
TI  - Patterns of metastasis and recurrence in thymic epithelial tumours: longitudinal
      imaging review in correlation with histological subtypes.
AB  - AIM: To determine the patterns of metastasis and recurrence in thymic epithelial
      tumours based on longitudinal imaging studies, and to correlate the patterns with
      World Health Organization (WHO) histological classifications. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with histopathologically confirmed thymomas
      (n=62) and thymic carcinomas (n=15) who were followed with cross-sectional follow
      up imaging after surgery were retrospectively studied. All cross-sectional
      imaging studies during the disease course were reviewed to identify metastasis or
      recurrence. The sites of involvement and the time of involvement measured from
      surgery were recorded. RESULTS: Metastasis or recurrence was noted in 24 (31%) of
      the 77 patients. Patients with metastasis or recurrence were significantly
      younger than those without (median age: 46 versus 60, respectively; p=0.0005),
      and more commonly had thymic carcinomas than thymomas (p=0.002). The most common
      site of involvement was the pleura (17/24), followed by the lung (9/24), and
      thoracic nodes (9/24). Abdominopelvic involvement was noted in 12 patients, most
      frequently in the liver (n=8). Lung metastasis was more common in thymic
      carcinomas than thymomas (p=0.0005). Time from surgery to the development of
      metastasis or recurrence was shortest in thymic carcinoma, followed by high-risk
      thymomas, and was longest in low-risk thymoma (median time in months: 25.1, 68.8,
      and not reached, respectively; p=0.0015). CONCLUSIONS: The patterns of metastasis
      and recurrence of thymic epithelial tumours differ significantly across
      histological subgroups, with thymic carcinomas more commonly having metastasis
      with shorter length of time after surgery. The knowledge of different patterns of
      tumour spread may contribute to further understanding of the biological and
      clinical behaviours of these tumours.

PMID- 27267748
TI  - Histological and biological comparisons between complete and incomplete discoid
      lateral meniscus.
AB  - The discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) is an anatomically abnormal meniscus that
      covers a greater area of the tibial plateau than the normal meniscus. The DLM is
      classified into two types: complete (CDLM) and incomplete (ICDLM) types. In this
      study, we investigated the histological and cell biological characteristics of
      CDLM and ICDLM. The number of blood vessels, proteoglycan deposition, and
      collagen distribution were assessed using meniscal tissues. Collagen production
      was also investigated in CDLM and ICDLM cells. The intercondylar region of the
      CDLM had a higher number of blood vessels than the inner region of the ICDLM.
      Safranin O staining density and type II collagen deposition in ICDLM were higher
      than those in CDLM. Type II collagen-positive cells were higher in ICLDM than in
      CDLM. CDLM cells showed slender fibroblastic morphology, while ICDLM cells were
      triangular chondrocytic in shape. This study demonstrated that the intercondylar
      region of the CDLM showed similar properties to the outer region of the meniscus.
      The inner region of the ICDLM, on the other hand, differed from the intercondylar
      region of the CDLM. Our results suggest that the intercondylar region of the CDLM
      may have a high healing potential like the outer meniscus.

PMID- 27267747
TI  - Comparative Analysis of the Host Response to Community-acquired and Hospital
      acquired Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients.
AB  - RATIONALE: Preclinical studies suggest that hospitalized patients are susceptible
      to infections caused by nosocomial respiratory pathogens at least in part because
      of immune suppression caused by the condition for which they were admitted.
      OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterize the systemic host response in hospital
      acquired pneumonia (HAP) when compared with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
      METHODS: We performed a prospective study in two intensive care units (ICUs) in
      453 patients with HAP (n = 222) or CAP (n = 231). Immune responses were
      determined on ICU admission by measuring 19 plasma biomarkers reflecting organ
      systems implicated in infection pathogenesis (in 192 patients with HAP and 183
      patients with CAP) and by applying genome-wide blood gene expression profiling
      (in 111 patients with HAP and 110 patients with CAP). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
      RESULTS: Patients with HAP and CAP presented with similar disease severities and
      mortality rates did not differ up to 1 year after admission. Plasma proteome
      analysis revealed largely similar responses, including systemic inflammatory and
      cytokine responses, and activation of coagulation and the vascular endothelium.
      The blood leukocyte genomic response was greater than 75% common in patients with
      HAP and CAP, comprising proinflammatory, antiinflammatory, T-cell signaling, and
      metabolic pathway gene sets. Patients with HAP showed overexpression of genes
      involved in cell-cell junction remodeling, adhesion, and diapedesis, which
      corresponded with lower plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 and soluble E
      selectin. In addition, patients with HAP demonstrated underexpression of a type-I
      interferon signaling gene signature. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HAP and CAP
      present with a largely similar host response at ICU admission.

PMID- 27267749
TI  - Therapeutic options and management of polyneuropathy associated with anti-MAG
      antibodies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: IgM monoclonal gammopathy with anti-MAG (myelin associated
      glycoprotein) antibodies is associated with demyelinating polyneuropathy. MAG
      mediates adhesion between the Schwann cell membrane (non-compact myelin) and
      axons. Various drugs have been tried in this form of neuropathy, with varying
      responses, but to date there is no consensus on the treatment of this disease.
      AREAS COVERED: Based on the medical literature and the experience of our group of
      clinicians, we offer some proposals for the management of anti-MAG neuropathy.
      Expert commentary: It is not certain that anti-MAG antibodies are the only factor
      responsible for symptoms of this clinically heterogeneous neuropathy. Some
      patients with mild non-evolving symptoms do not require treatment; for more
      severe cases, treatment should be prompt: intravenous immunoglobulins (or
      sometimes therapeutic plasma exchange) as first line treatment, then
      immunosuppressant in refractory forms (such as rituximab).

PMID- 27267750
TI  - Enhancing Intercellular Coordination: Rewiring Quorum Sensing Networks for
      Increased Protein Expression through Autonomous Induction.
AB  - While inducing agents are often used to redirect resources from growth and
      proliferation toward product outputs, they can be prohibitively expensive on the
      industrial scale. Previously, we developed an autonomously guided protein
      production system based on the rewiring of E. coli's native quorum sensing (QS)
      signal transduction cascade. Self-secreted autoinducer, AI-2, accumulated over
      time and actuated recombinant gene expression-its design, co-opting the
      collective nature of QS-mediated behavior. We recently demonstrated that
      desynchronization of autoinduced intercellular feedback leads to bimodality in QS
      activation. In this work, we developed a new QS-enabled system with enhanced
      feedback to reduce cell heterogeneity. This narrows the population distribution
      of protein expression, leading to significant per cell and overall increases in
      productivity. We believe directed engineering of cell populations and/or cell
      consortia will offer many such opportunities in future bioprocessing
      applications.

PMID- 27267751
TI  - Obesity and psychotropic medication: a prospective register linkage study among
      midlife women and men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both obesity and mental health are major public health issues. This
      study aimed to examine whether overweight and obesity among midlife employees are
      associated with subsequent psychotropic medication. A further aim was to examine
      the potential effect of key covariates on the association. METHODS: The Helsinki
      Health Study baseline survey was conducted in 2000-2002 among 40-60-year-old
      employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland (n = 8960). The participants were
      classified as of normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m(2)),
      obese (30-34.9 kg/m(2)) or severely obese (>=35 kg/m(2)) based on self-reported
      body mass index. Data on psychotropic medication purchases from baseline to 2009
      were derived from registers of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The
      final analysis included 4760 women and 1338 men. Antidepressants and sedatives
      were examined separately. Covariates included socio-demographic factors,
      workload, health behaviours, physical functioning, somatic ill-health and
      psychotropic medication prior to baseline. Hazard ratios (HR) for the first
      psychotropic medication purchase were calculated using Cox regression analysis.
      RESULTS: Third of women and quarter of men made at least one psychotropic
      medication purchase during the follow-up. Adjusting for age, obese (HR = 1.57; 95
      % CI = 1.10-2.24) and severely obese (HR = 2.15; 95 % CI = 1.29-3.56) men were at
      risk of having psychotropic medication compared to men of normal weight. These
      associations disappeared after further adjustment. Severe obesity remained
      associated with subsequent sedative medication among the men even after full
      adjustment (HR = 2.12; 95 % CI = 1.17-3.84). No associations were found among the
      women. CONCLUSIONS: Obese and severely obese men, but not women, were at risk of
      psychotropic medication. Further studies are needed to deepen understanding of
      the relationship between obesity and mental ill-health, and the possible
      protecting effects of age, employment, and living environment.

PMID- 27267752
TI  - Experimental Determination of High-Order Bending Elastic Constants of Lipid
      Bilayers.
AB  - We present a method to describe the formation of small lipid vesicles in terms of
      three bending elastic constants that can be experimentally measured. Our method
      combines a general expression of the elastic free energy of the bilayer and the
      thermodynamic description of molecular aggregation. The resulting model requires
      the size distribution of liposomes, which is determined from the X-ray scattered
      intensity spectra of vesicular dispersions. By using two different preparation
      methods, we studied a series of vesicular solutions made of distinct lipids and
      we obtained their corresponding bending elastic constants that are consistent
      with known bending rigidities.

PMID- 27267754
TI  - Continuous physical examination during subcortical resection in awake craniotomy
      patients: Its usefulness and surgical outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the value of physical examination as a monitoring tool
      during subcortical resection in awake craniotomy patients and surgical outcomes.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Authors reviewed medical records of patients underwent
      awake craniotomy with continuous physical examination for pathology adjacent to
      the eloquent area. RESULTS: Between January 2006 and August 2015, there were 37
      patients underwent awake craniotomy with continuous physical examination.
      Pathology was located in the left cerebral hemisphere in 28 patients (75.7%).
      Thirty patients (81.1%) had neuroepithelial tumors. Degree of resections were
      defined as total, subtotal, and partial in 16 (43.2%), 11 (29.7%) and 10 (27.0%)
      patients, respectively. Median follow up duration was 14 months. The reasons for
      termination of subcortical resection were divided into 3 groups as follows: 1) by
      anatomical landmark with the aid of neuronavigation in 20 patients (54%), 2) by
      reaching subcortical stimulation threshold in 8 patients (21.6%), and 3) by
      abnormal physical examination in 9 patients (24.3%). Among these 3 groups, there
      were statistically significant differences in the intraoperative (p=0.002) and
      early postoperative neurological deficit (p=0.005) with the lowest deficit in
      neuronavigation group. However, there were no differences in neurological outcome
      at later follow up (3-months p=0.103; 6-months p=0.285). There were no
      differences in the degree of resection among the groups. CONCLUSION: Continuous
      physical examination has shown to be of value as an additional layer of
      monitoring of subcortical white matter during resection and combining several
      methods may help increase the efficacy of mapping and monitoring of subcortical
      functions.

PMID- 27267753
TI  - Safety and tolerability of an anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody, MEDI-551, in
      subjects with systemic sclerosis: a phase I, randomized, placebo-controlled,
      escalating single-dose study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a clinically heterogeneous, life
      threatening disease characterized by fibrosis, microvasculopathy, and
      autoimmunity. Extensive nonclinical and clinical data implicate B cells in the
      pathogenesis of SSc. MEDI-551 is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody
      that targets the B cell surface antigen CD19 and mediates antibody-dependent,
      cell-mediated cytotoxicity of B cells. This clinical study evaluated the safety
      and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of MEDI-551 in subjects
      with SSc. METHODS: This phase I multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo
      controlled, single escalating dose study enrolled adult subjects with either
      limited or diffuse cutaneous SSc. A single intravenous dose of MEDI-551 was
      administered, and safety and tolerability were evaluated. MEDI-551
      pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity were also assessed.
      Safety assessments included the incidence of adverse events and changes in
      clinical and laboratory results. MEDI-551 serum concentrations, effects on
      circulating and tissue B cells and plasma cells (PCs), and antidrug antibodies
      were analyzed. Modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) and pulmonary function tests
      were used to explore the clinical effect of MEDI-551. RESULTS: The study enrolled
      28 subjects with SSc (mean age, 47.3 years; 67.9 % female). Twenty-four received
      a single dose of MEDI-551 (0.1-10.0 mg/kg) and four received placebo. Treatment
      emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 95.8 % of subjects in the MEDI-551
      group and in 75.0 % of subjects in the placebo group; the majority of TEAEs were
      mild or moderate in severity. Two serious adverse events were considered possibly
      related to the study drug. One death, deemed not related to the study drug,
      occurred in a MEDI-551-treated subject. MEDI-551 exhibited linear PK in the dose
      range of 1.0 to 10.0 mg/kg, and more rapid clearance at lower doses. Dose
      dependent depletion of circulating B cells and plasma cells was observed. MRSS
      assessments suggest a possible clinical effect of MEDI-551 on affected skin.
      CONCLUSIONS: A single escalating dose of MEDI-551 was tolerable and safe in this
      subject population. B cell depletion was achieved and was dose dependent. A
      signal of clinical effect was observed. Based on these results, further
      investigation of MEDI-551 as a disease-modifying treatment for SSc is warranted.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT00946699 ; registered
      23 July 2009.

PMID- 27267755
TI  - The PLE(2)NO self-management and exercise program for knee osteoarthritis: Study
      Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: International recommendations suggest exercise and self-management
      programs, including non-pharmacological treatments, for knee osteoarthritis (KOA)
      because they can benefit pain relief and improve function and exercise adherence.
      The implementation of a combined self-management and exercise program termed
      PLE(2)NO may be a good method for controlling KOA symptoms because it encourages
      the development of self-efficacy to manage the pathology. This study will assess
      the effects of a self-management and exercise program in comparison to an
      educational intervention (control program) on symptoms, physical fitness, health
      related quality of life, self-management behaviors, self-efficacy, physical
      activity level and coping strategies. METHODS/DESIGN: This PLE(2)NO study is a
      single-blinded, randomized controlled trial of elderly (aged above 60 yrs old)
      patients with clinical and radiographic KOA. The patients will be allocated into
      either an educational group (control) or a self-management and exercise group
      (experimental). All participants will receive a supplement of chondroitin and
      glucosamine sulfates. This paper describes the protocol that will be used in the
      PLE(2)NO program. DISCUSSION: This program has several strengths. First, it
      involves a combination of self-management and exercise approaches, is available
      in close proximity to the patients and occurs over a short period of time. The
      latter two characteristics are crucial for maintaining participant adherence.
      Exercise components will be implemented using low-cost resources that permit
      their widespread application. Moreover, the program will provide guidance
      regarding the effectiveness of using a self-management and exercise program to
      control KOA symptoms and improve self-efficacy and health-related quality of
      life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02562833 (09/23/2015).

PMID- 27267756
TI  - Co-infection of a hypovirulent isolate of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum with a new
      botybirnavirus and a strain of a mitovirus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a notorious plant fungal pathogen, causes
      yield loss of many crops and vegetables, and is a natural host of a diverse
      viruses with positive-sense RNA (+ssRNA), negative-sense RNA (-ssRNA), double
      stranded RNA (dsRNA), or DNA genomes. Mixed-infection with multiple related or
      unrelated mycoviruses is a common phenomenon in S. sclerotiorum. However, a
      single strain co-infected with dsRNA and + ssRNA viruses has not been reported in
      S. sclerotiorum. RESULTS: We report two unrelated viruses, Sclerotinia
      sclerotiorum botybirnavirus 2 (SsBRV2) with a bipartite dsRNA genome and
      Sclerotinia sclerotiorum mitovirus 4 (SsMV4/AH16) with a + ssRNA genome, which
      were originally detected in a single hypovirulent strain AH16 of S. sclerotiorum.
      SsMV4/AH16 has a typical genome of mitovirus and is a strain of mitovirus SsMV4.
      The genome of SsBRV2 consists of two separated dsRNA segments. The large dsRNA
      segment is 6159 bp in length and only has a single open reading frame (ORF)
      encoding a putative 1868-aa polyprotein with a conserved RNA dependent RNA
      polymerase (RdRp) domain. The small dsRNA segment is 5872 bp in length and
      encodes a putative 1778-aa protein. Phylogenetic analysis using RdRp conserved
      domain sequences revealed that SsBRV2 is phylogenetically related to the
      previously reported three bipartite viruses SsBRV1, Botrytis porri RNA virus 1
      (BpRV1), and soybean leaf-associated botybirnavirus 1 (SlaBRV1). Electron
      microscopy demonstrated that SsBRV2 forms rigid spherical virions with a diameter
      of approximately 40 nm in infected mycelia. The virion of SsBRV2 was successfully
      introduced into a virus-free strain, which provides conclusive evidence that
      SsBRV2 confers hypovirulence on phytopathogenic fungus S. sclerotiorum.
      CONCLUSIONS: A bisegmented dsRNA virus (SsBRV2/AH16) and a nonsegmented + ssRNA
      virus (SsMV4/AH16) were characterized in a hypovirulent strain AH16 of S.
      sclerotiorum. SsMV4/AH16 is a strain of a reported mitovirus, whereas SsBRV2 is a
      new botybirnavirus. SsBRV2 is the causal agent of hypovirulence on S.
      sclerotiorum. Our findings supplied a first evidence that a single S.
      sclerotiorum strain is co-infected by dsRNA and + ssRNA mycoviruses.

PMID- 27267757
TI  - Sub-Saharan red cell antigen phenotypes and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
      deficiency variants in French Guiana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of Plasmodium vivax infections requires the use of
      primaquine, which can lead to severe haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate
      dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient individuals. However, most of the Latin American
      countries, which are still endemic for vivax malaria, lack information on the
      distribution of G6PD deficiency (G6PDd). No survey has been performed so far in
      French Guiana. Herein, 80 individuals of the French Guianan Noir Marron
      population were scrutinized for red cell surface antigens of six blood group
      systems (ABO, Rh, Kell, Kidd, Duffy and MNS) and G6PD genetic polymorphisms.
      First, the sub-Saharan origin of the red cell phenotypes was assessed in relation
      with the literature. Then, given that the main sub-Saharan G6PDd variants are
      expected to be encountered, only the G6PD sequences of exons 4, 5, 6 and 9 were
      screened. This work aims at appraising the G6PD gene variation in this
      population, and thus, contributing to the G6PD piecemeal information in Latin
      America. RESULTS: Ninety-seven percent (97 %) of the red cells are Fy(a- b-),
      either D+ C- E- c+ e+ or D+ C+ E- c+ e+ and 44 % exhibited the Fya-/Jkb-/S-
      combined phenotype. Noteworthy is the detection of the G6PD(Val68Met) variant
      characterized by c.202G > A transition, G6PD(Asn126Asp) variant characterized by
      c.376A>G transition and G6PD(Asp181Val) variant characterized by c.542A>T
      transversion of the G6PD gene in 22.5 % of the sample, characteristic of the A(
      (202)), A and Santamaria G6PDd variants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: French
      Guianan Noir Marron population represents a pool of Rh-D antigen positive, Duffy
      negative and G6PD-deficient erythrocytes, the latter accounting for one in every
      eight persons. The present study provides the first community-based estimation of
      the frequency of G6PDd polymorphisms in French Guiana. These results contribute
      to the G6PD genetic background information puzzle in Latin America.

PMID- 27267758
TI  - Comparison of abnormal isoform of prion protein in prion-infected cell lines and
      primary-cultured neurons by PrPSc-specific immunostaining.
AB  - We established abnormal isoform of prion protein (PrPSc)-specific double
      immunostaining using mAb 132, which recognizes aa 119-127 of the PrP molecule,
      and novel PrPSc-specific mAb 8D5, which recognizes the N-terminal region of the
      PrP molecule. Using the PrPSc-specific double immunostaining, we analysed PrPSc
      in immortalized neuronal cell lines and primary cerebral-neuronal cultures
      infected with prions. The PrPSc-specific double immunostaining showed the
      existence of PrPSc positive for both mAbs 132 and 8D5, as well as those positive
      only for either mAb 132 or mAb 8D5. This indicated that double immunostaining
      detects a greater number of PrPSc species than single immunostaining. Double
      immunostaining revealed cell-type-dependent differences in PrPSc staining
      patterns. In the 22 L prion strain-infected Neuro2a (N2a)-3 cells, a subclone of
      N2a neuroblastoma cell line, or GT1-7, a subclone of the GT1 hypothalamic
      neuronal cell line, granular PrPSc stains were observed at the perinuclear
      regions and cytoplasm, whereas unique string-like PrPSc stains were predominantly
      observed on the surface of the 22 L strain-infected primary cerebral neurons.
      Only 14 % of PrPSc in the 22 L strain-infected N2a-3 cells were positive for mAb
      8D5, indicating that most of the PrPSc in N2a-3 lack the N-terminal portion. In
      contrast, nearly half PrPSc detected in the 22 L strain-infected primary cerebral
      neurons were positive for mAb 8D5, suggesting the abundance of full-length PrPSc
      that possesses the N-terminal portion of PrP. Further analysis of prion-infected
      primary neurons using PrPSc-specific immunostaining will reveal the neuron
      specific mechanism for prion propagation.

PMID- 27267759
TI  - Microvascular endothelial cells-derived microvesicles imply in ischemic stroke by
      modulating astrocyte and blood brain barrier function and cerebral blood flow.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endothelial cell (EC) released microvesicles (EMVs) can affect
      various target cells by transferring carried genetic information. Astrocytes are
      the main components of the blood brain barrier (BBB) structure in the brain and
      participate in regulating BBB integrity and blood flow. The interactions between
      ECs and astrocytes are essential for BBB integrity in homeostasis and
      pathological conditions. Here, we studied the effects of human brain
      microvascular ECs released EMVs on astrocyte functions. Additionally, we
      investigated the effects of EMVs treated astrocytes on regulating BBB function
      and cerebral ischemic damage. RESULTS: EMVs prepared from ECs cultured in normal
      condition (n-EMVs) or oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD-EMVs) condition had
      diverse effects on astrocytes. The n-EMVs promoted, while the OGD-EMVs inhibited
      the proliferation of astrocytes via regulating PI3K/Akt pathway. Glial fibrillary
      acidic protein (GFAP) expression (marker of astrocyte activation) was up
      regulated by n-EMVs, while down-regulated by OGD-EMVs. Meanwhile, n-EMVs
      inhibited but OGD-EMVs promoted the apoptosis of astrocytes accompanied by
      up/down-regulating the expression of Caspase-9 and Bcl-2. In the BBB model of ECs
      astrocytes co-culture, the n-EMVs, conversely to OGD-EMVs, decreased the
      permeability of BBB accompanied with up-regulation of zonula occudens-1(ZO-1) and
      Claudin-5. In a transient cerebral ischemia mouse model, n-EMVs ameliorated,
      while OGD-EMVs aggravated, BBB disruption, local cerebral blood flow (CBF)
      reduction, infarct volume and neurological deficit score. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      suggest that EMVs diversely modulate astrocyte functions, BBB integrity and CBF,
      and could serve as a novel therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.

PMID- 27267760
TI  - Association mapping for cold tolerance in two large maize inbred panels.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breeding for cold tolerance in maize promises to allow increasing
      growth area and production in temperate zones. The objective of this research was
      to conduct genome-wide association analyses (GWAS) in temperate maize inbred
      lines and to find strategies for pyramiding genes for cold tolerance. Two panels
      of 306 dent and 292 European flint maize inbred lines were evaluated per se and
      in testcrosses under cold and control conditions in a growth chamber. We recorded
      indirect measures for cold tolerance as the traits number of days from sowing to
      emergence, relative leaf chlorophyll content or quantum efficiency of photosystem
      II. Association mapping for identifying genes associated to cold tolerance in
      both panels was based on genotyping with 49,585 genome-wide single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) markers. RESULTS: We found 275 significant associations, most
      of them in the inbreds evaluated per se, in the flint panel, and under control
      conditions. A few candidate genes coincided between the current research and
      previous reports. A total of 47 flint inbreds harbored the favorable alleles for
      six significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) detected for inbreds per se
      evaluated under cold conditions, four of them had also the favorable alleles for
      the main QTL detected from the testcrosses. Only four dent inbreds (EZ47, F924,
      NK807 and PHJ40) harbored the favorable alleles for three main QTL detected from
      the evaluation of the dent inbreds per se under cold conditions. There were more
      QTL in the flint panel and most of the QTL were associated with days to emergence
      and PhiPSII. CONCLUSIONS: These results open new possibilities to genetically
      improve cold tolerance either with genome-wide selection or with marker assisted
      selection.

PMID- 27267761
TI  - Comparing the performance of the EQ-5D-3L and the EQ-5D-5L in young Portuguese
      adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some studies have reported a ceiling effect in EQ-5D-3L, especially
      in healthy and/or young individuals. Recently, two further levels have been
      included in its measurement model (EQ-5D-5L). The purposes of this study were (1)
      to assess the properties of the EQ-5D-5L in comparison with the standard EQ-5D-3L
      in a sample of young adults, (2) to foreground the importance of collecting
      qualitative data to confirm, validate or refine the EQ-5D questionnaire items and
      (3) to raise questions pertaining to the wording in these questionnaire items.
      METHODS: The data used came from a sample of respondents aged 30 or under (n =
      624). They completed both versions of the EQ-5D, which were compared in terms of
      feasibility, level of inconsistency and ceiling effect. Agreement between the
      instruments was assessed using correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots.
      Known-groups validity of the EQ-5D-5L was also assessed using non-parametric
      tests. The discriminative properties were compared using receiver operating
      characteristic curves. Finally, four interviews were conducted for retrospective
      reports to elicit respondents' understanding and perceptions of the format,
      instructions, items, and responses. RESULTS: Quantitative results show a ceiling
      effect reduction of 25.3 % and a high level agreement between both indices. Known
      groups validity was confirmed for the EQ-5D-5L. Explorative interviews indicated
      ambiguity and low degree of certainty in regards to conceptualizing differences
      between levels moderate-slight across three dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: The EQ-5D-5L
      performed better than the EQ-5D-3L. However, the explorative interviews
      demonstrated several limitations in the EQ-5D questionnaire wording and high
      context-dependent answers point to lack of illnesses' experience amongst young
      adults.

PMID- 27267762
TI  - Electrolyte disturbances and risk factors of acute kidney injury patients
      receiving dialysis in exertional heat stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a life-threatening illness and leads
      to multi-organ dysfunction including acute kidney injury (AKI). The clinical
      significance of abnormal electrolytes and renal outcomes in ESH patients has been
      poorly documented. We aim to exhibit the electrolyte abnormalities, renal
      outcomes and risk factors of patients with AKI receiving dialysis in EHS.
      METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in EHS patients between 2003 and 2014 were
      conducted. Clinical and laboratory outcomes including serum and urine
      electrolytes, AKI and dialysis were assessed on admission, during hospitalization
      and at the time of their discharge from the hospital. A logistic regression
      analysis was performed for risk factors of acute dialysis. RESULTS: All 66
      subjects with mean age 22.1 +/- 4.3 years were included. On admission, the common
      electrolyte disturbances were hypokalemia (71.2 %), hypophosphatemia (59.1 %),
      hyponatremia (53.0 %), hypocalcemia (51.5 %), and hypomagnesemia (34.9 %).
      Electrolytes depletion was confirmed as renal loss (potassium loss; 54.2 %,
      phosphate loss; 86.7 %, sodium loss; 64.7 % and magnesium loss; 83.3 %). During
      hospitalization ranging from 2 to 209 days, 90.9 % patients suffered from AKI
      with 16.7 % receiving acute dialysis, and 3 % patients died. At discharge, AKI
      and electrolyte abnormalities had dramatically improved. The prognosis factors
      for AKI receiving dialysis were identified as neurological status, renal function
      and serum muscle enzyme at time of admission. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that
      hypoelectrolytemia and AKI are frequently observed in patients with EHS.
      Neurological impairment, impaired renal function, and increased serum muscle
      enzyme should be considered risk factors of acute dialysis.

PMID- 27267763
TI  - How do general practitioners contribute to preventing long-term work disability
      of their patients suffering from depressive disorders? A qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is a major cause of work absenteeism that general
      practitioners (GPs) face directly since they are responsible for sickness
      certification and for supervising the return to work (RTW). These activities give
      GPs a key role in preventing long-term work disability, yet their practices in
      this regard remain poorly documented. The objectives of this study were therefore
      to describe GPs' practices with people experiencing work disability due to
      depressive disorders and explore how GPs' work context may impact on their
      practices. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 13
      GPs and six mental healthcare professionals in two sub-regions of Quebec. The sub
      regions differed in terms of availability of specialized resources offering
      public mental health services. Data were anonymized and transcribed verbatim.
      Thematic analysis was performed to identify patterns in the GPs' practices and
      highlight impacting factors in their work context. RESULTS: Our results
      identified a set of practices common to all the GPs and other practices that
      differentiated them. Two profiles were defined on the basis of the various
      practices documented. The first is characterized by the integration of the RTW
      goal into the treatment goal right from sickness certification and by
      interventions that include the workplace, albeit indirectly. The second is
      characterized by a lack of early RTW-oriented action and by interventions that
      include little workplace involvement. Regardless of the practice profile, actions
      intended to improve collaboration with key stakeholders remain the exception.
      However, two characteristics of the work context appear to have an impact: the
      availability of a dedicated mental health nurse and the regular provision of
      clinical information by psychotherapists. These conditions are rarely present but
      tend to make a significant difference for the GPs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      highlight the significant role of GPs in the prevention of long-term work
      disability and their need for support through the organization of mental health
      services at the primary care level.

PMID- 27267767
TI  - Former medical director faces claims that he failed to act over concerns about
      doctor.

PMID- 27267765
TI  - Domains of quality for clinical ethics case consultation: a mixed-method
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: "Clinical ethics consultation" (CEC) is the provision of consultative
      services by an individual or team with the aim of helping health professionals,
      patients, and their families grapple with difficult ethical issues arising during
      health care. There are almost 25,000 articles in the worldwide literature on CEC,
      but very few explicitly address measuring the quality of CEC. Many more address
      quality implicitly, however. This article describes a rigorous protocol for
      compiling the diverse literature on CEC, analyzing it with a quality measurement
      lens, and seeking a set of potential quality domains for CEC based on areas of
      existing, but hitherto unrecognized, consensus in the literature. METHODS/DESIGN:
      This mixed-method systematic review will follow a sequential pattern: scoping
      review, qualitative synthesis, and then a quantitative synthesis. The scoping
      review will include categorizing all quality measures for CEC discussed in the
      literature, both quantitative and qualitative. The qualitative synthesis will
      generate a comprehensive analytic framework for understanding the quality of CEC
      and is expected to inform the quantitative synthesis, which will be a meta
      analysis of studies reporting the effects of CEC on pre-specified clinical
      outcomes. DISCUSSION: The literature on CEC is broad and diverse and has never
      been examined with specific regard to quality measurement. We propose a novel
      mixed-methods approach to compile and synthesize this literature and to derive a
      framework for assessing quality in CEC. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO
      CRD42015023282.

PMID- 27267764
TI  - Autoinflammatory Skin Disorders: The Inflammasomme in Focus.
AB  - Autoinflammatory skin disorders are a group of heterogeneous diseases that
      include diseases such as cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) and
      familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Therapeutic strategies targeting IL-1
      cytokines have proved helpful in ameliorating some of these diseases. While
      inflammasomes are the major regulators of IL-1 cytokines, inflammasome
      independent complexes can also process IL-1 cytokines. Herein, we focus on recent
      advances in our understanding of how IL-1 cytokines, stemming from inflammasome
      dependent and -independent pathways are involved in the regulation of skin
      conditions. Importantly, we discuss several mouse models of skin inflammation
      generated to help elucidate the basic cellular and molecular effects and
      modulation of IL-1 in the skin. Such models offer perspectives on how these
      signaling pathways could be targeted to improve therapeutic approaches in the
      treatment of these rare and debilitating inflammatory skin disorders.

PMID- 27267766
TI  - Common pathway signature in lung and liver fibrosis.
AB  - Fibrosis, a progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix components,
      encompasses a wide spectrum of distinct organs, and accounts for an increasing
      burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the tremendous clinical
      impact, the mechanisms governing the fibrotic process are not yet understood, and
      to date, no clinically reliable therapies for fibrosis have been discovered. Here
      we applied Regeneration Intelligence, a new bioinformatics software suite for
      qualitative analysis of intracellular signaling pathway activation using
      transcriptomic data, to assess a network of molecular signaling in lung and liver
      fibrosis. In both tissues, our analysis detected major conserved signaling
      pathways strongly associated with fibrosis, suggesting that some of the pathways
      identified by our algorithm but not yet wet-lab validated as fibrogenesis
      related, may be attractive targets for future research. While the majority of
      significantly disrupted pathways were specific to histologically distinct organs,
      several pathways have been concurrently activated or downregulated among the
      hepatic and pulmonary fibrosis samples, providing new evidence of evolutionary
      conserved pathways that may be relevant as possible therapeutic targets. While
      future confirmatory studies are warranted to validate these observations, our
      platform proposes a promising new approach for detecting fibrosis-promoting
      pathways and tailoring the right therapy to prevent fibrogenesis.

PMID- 27267768
TI  - Temporal bone radiology report classification using open source machine learning
      and natural langue processing libraries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiology reports are a rich resource for biomedical research. Prior
      to utilization, trained experts must manually review reports to identify discrete
      outcomes. The Audiological and Genetic Database (AudGenDB) is a public, de
      identified research database that contains over 16,000 radiology reports. Because
      the reports are unlabeled, it is difficult to select those with specific
      abnormalities. We implemented a classification pipeline using a human-in-the-loop
      machine learning approach and open source libraries to label the reports with one
      or more of four abnormality region labels: inner, middle, outer, and mastoid,
      indicating the presence of an abnormality in the specified ear region. METHODS:
      Trained abstractors labeled radiology reports taken from AudGenDB to form a gold
      standard. These were split into training (80 %) and test (20 %) sets. We applied
      open source libraries to normalize and convert every report to an n-gram feature
      vector. We trained logistic regression, support vector machine (linear and
      Gaussian), decision tree, random forest, and naive Bayes models for each ear
      region. The models were evaluated on the hold-out test set. RESULTS: Our gold
      standard data set contained 726 reports. The best classifiers were linear support
      vector machine for inner and outer ear, logistic regression for middle ear, and
      decision tree for mastoid. Classifier test set accuracy was 90 %, 90 %, 93 %, and
      82 % for the inner, middle, outer and mastoid regions, respectively. The logistic
      regression method was very consistent, achieving accuracy scores within 2.75 % of
      the best classifier across regions and a receiver operator characteristic area
      under the curve of 0.92 or greater across all regions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      indicate that the applied methods achieve accuracy scores sufficient to support
      our objective of extracting discrete features from radiology reports to enhance
      cohort identification in AudGenDB. The models described here are available in
      several free, open source libraries that make them more accessible and simplify
      their utilization as demonstrated in this work. We additionally implemented the
      models as a web service that accepts radiology report text in an HTTP request and
      provides the predicted region labels. This service has been used to label the
      reports in AudGenDB and is freely available.

PMID- 27267769
TI  - Two-Way Radio Modem Data Transfer for Newborn Hearing Screening Devices.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The success of a newborn hearing screening program depends on
      successful tracking and follow-up to ensure that children who have had positive
      screening results in the first few days of life receive appropriate and timely
      diagnostic and intervention services. The easy availability, through a suitable
      infrastructure, of the data necessary for the tracking, diagnosis, and care of
      children concerned is a major key to enhancing the quality and efficiency of
      newborn hearing screening programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two systems for the
      automated two-way transmission of newborn hearing screening and configuration
      data, based on mobile communication technology, for the screening devices MADSEN
      AccuScreen(r) and Natus Echo-Screen(r) were developed and tested in a field
      study. Radio modem connections were compared with conventional analogue modem
      transmissions from Natus Echo-Screen devices for duration, transmission rate,
      number of lost connections, and frequency of use. RESULTS: The average session
      duration was significantly lower with the MADSEN AccuScreen (12 s) and Natus Echo
      Screen both with radio modem (15 s) than the Natus Echo-Screen with analogue
      modem (108 s). The transmission rate was significantly higher (898 and 1,758 vs.
      181 bytes/s) for the devices with radio modems. Both radio modem devices had
      significantly lower rates of broken connections after initial connection (2.1 and
      0.9 vs. 5.5%). An increase in the frequency of data transmission from the clinics
      with mobile radio devices was found. CONCLUSIONS: The use of mobile communication
      technology in newborn hearing screening devices offers improvements in the
      average session duration, transmission rate, and reliability of the connection
      over analogue solutions. We observed a behavioral change in clinical staff using
      the new technology: the data exchange with the tracking center is more often
      used. The requirements for on-site support were reduced. These savings outweigh
      the small increase in costs for the Internet service provider.

PMID- 27267770
TI  - Hip kinetics during gait are clinically meaningful outcomes in young boys with
      Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
AB  - Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked genetic neuromuscular disorder
      characterized by progressive proximal to distal muscle weakness. The success of
      randomized clinical trials for novel therapeutics depends on outcome measurements
      that are sensitive to change. As the development of motor skills may lead to
      functional improvements in young boys with DMD, their inclusion may potentially
      confound clinical trials. Three-dimensional gait analysis is an under-utilized
      approach that can quantify joint moments and powers, which reflect functional
      muscle strength. In this study, gait kinetics, kinematics, spatial-temporal
      parameters, and timed functional tests were quantified over a one-year period for
      21 boys between 4 and 8 years old who were enrolled in a multisite natural
      history study. At baseline, hip moments and powers were inadequate. Between the
      two visits, 12 boys began a corticosteroid regimen (mean duration 10.8+/-2.4
      months) while 9 boys remained steroid-naive. Significant between-group
      differences favoring steroid use were found for primary kinetic outcomes (peak
      hip extensor moments (p=.007), duration of hip extensor moments (p=.007), peak
      hip power generation (p=.028)), and spatial-temporal parameters (walking speed
      (p=.016) and cadence (p=.021)). Significant between-group differences were not
      found for kinematics or timed functional tests with the exception of the 10m walk
      test (p=.03), which improves in typically developing children within this age
      range. These results indicate that hip joint kinetics can be used to identify
      weakness in young boys with DMD and are sensitive to corticosteroid intervention.
      Inclusion of gait analysis may enhance detection of a treatment effect in
      clinical trials particularly for young boys with more preserved muscle function.

PMID- 27267771
TI  - The effect of proprioceptive knee bracing on knee stability during three
      different sport related movement tasks in healthy subjects and the implications
      to the management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Proprioceptive knee braces have been shown to improve knee
      mechanics, however much of the work to date has focused on tasks such as slow
      step down tasks rather than more dynamic sporting tasks. OBJECTIVE: This study
      aimed to explore if such improvements in stability may be seen during faster
      sports specific tasks as well as slower tasks. METHOD: Twelve subjects performed
      a slow step down, single leg drop jump and pivot turn jump with and without a
      silicone web brace. 3D kinematics of the knee were collected using a ten camera
      Qualisys motion analysis system. Reflective markers were placed on the foot,
      shank, thigh and pelvis using the Calibrated Anatomical Systems Technique. A two
      way ANOVA with repeated measures was performed with post-hoc pairwise comparison
      to explore the differences between the two conditions and three tasks. RESULTS:
      Significant differences were seen in the knee joint angles and angular velocities
      in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes between the tasks. The brace
      showed a reduction in knee valgum and internal rotation across all tasks, with
      the most notable effect during the single leg drop jump and pivot turn jump. The
      transverse plane also showed a significant reduction in the external rotation
      knee angular velocity when wearing the brace. DISCUSSION: The brace influenced
      the knee joint kinematics in coronal and transverse planes which confirms that
      such braces can have a significant effect on knee control during dynamic tasks.
      Further studies are required exploring the efficacy of proprioceptive braces in
      athletic patient cohort.

PMID- 27267772
TI  - Author's reply.

PMID- 27267773
TI  - Retropneumoperitoneum due to fulminant spondylodiscitis.

PMID- 27267774
TI  - Sepsis biomarkers in severe burn patients: Cut-off point or time profile?

PMID- 27267776
TI  - Learning Microbial Interaction Networks from Metagenomic Count Data.
AB  - Many microbes associate with higher eukaryotes and impact their vitality. To
      engineer microbiomes for host benefit, we must understand the rules of community
      assembly and maintenance that, in large part, demand an understanding of the
      direct interactions among community members. Toward this end, we have developed a
      Poisson-multivariate normal hierarchical model to learn direct interactions from
      the count-based output of standard metagenomics sequencing experiments. Our model
      controls for confounding predictors at the Poisson layer and captures direct
      taxon-taxon interactions at the multivariate normal layer using an l1 penalized
      precision matrix. We show in a synthetic experiment that our method handily
      outperforms state-of-the-art methods such as SparCC and the graphical lasso
      (glasso). In a real in planta perturbation experiment of a nine-member bacterial
      community, we show our model, but not SparCC or glasso, correctly resolves a
      direct interaction structure among three community members that associates with
      Arabidopsis thaliana roots. We conclude that our method provides a structured,
      accurate, and distributionally reasonable way of modeling correlated count-based
      random variables and capturing direct interactions among them.

PMID- 27267775
TI  - Deconvolution of Ensemble Chromatin Interaction Data Reveals the Latent Mixing
      Structures in Cell Subpopulations.
AB  - Chromosome conformation capture (3C) experiments provide a window into the
      spatial packing of a genome in three dimensions within the cell. This structure
      has been shown to be correlated with gene regulation, cancer mutations, and other
      genomic functions. However, 3C provides mixed measurements on a population of
      typically millions of cells, each with a different genome structure due to the
      fluidity of the genome and differing cell states. Here, we present several
      algorithms to deconvolve these measured 3C matrices into estimations of the
      contact matrices for each subpopulation of cells and relative densities of each
      subpopulation. We formulate the problem as that of choosing matrices and
      densities that minimize the Frobenius distance between the observed 3C matrix and
      the weighted sum of the estimated subpopulation matrices. Results on HeLa 5C and
      mouse and bacteria Hi-C data demonstrate the methods' effectiveness. We also show
      that domain boundaries from deconvolved matrices are often more enriched or
      depleted for regulatory chromatin markers when compared to boundaries from
      convolved matrices.

PMID- 27267777
TI  - Global and Targeted Metabolomics Evidence of the Protective Effect of Chinese
      Patent Medicine Jinkui Shenqi Pill on Adrenal Insufficiency after Acute
      Glucocorticoid Withdrawal in Rats.
AB  - Glucocorticoids are commonly used in anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory
      therapies, but glucocorticoid withdrawal can result in life-threatening risk of
      adrenal insufficiency. Chinese patented pharmaceutical product Jinkui Shenqi pill
      (JKSQ) has potent efficacy on clinical adrenal insufficiency resulting from
      glucocorticoid withdrawal. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains
      unclear. We used an animal model to study JKSQ-induced metabolic changes under
      adrenal insufficiency and healthy conditions. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated
      with hydrocortisone for 7 days with or without 15 days of JKSQ pretreatment. Sera
      were collected after 72 h hydrocortisone withdrawal and used for global and free
      fatty acids (FFAs)-targeted metabolomics analyses using gas chromatography/time
      of-flight mass spectrometry and ultraperformance liquid chromatography/quadruple
      time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Rats without hydrocortisone treatment were used
      as controls. JKSQ pretreatment normalized the significant changes of 13 serum
      metabolites in hydrocortisone-withdrawal rats, involving carbohydrates, lipids,
      and amino acids. The most prominent effect of JKSQ was on the changes of FFAs and
      some [product FFA]/[precursor FFA] ratios, which represent estimated desaturase
      and elongase activities. The opposite metabolic responses of JKSQ in adrenal
      insufficiency rats and normal rats highlighted the "Bian Zheng Lun Zhi"
      (treatment based on ZHENG differentiation) guideline of TCM and suggested that
      altered fatty acid metabolism was associated with adrenal insufficiency after
      glucocorticoid withdrawal and the protective effects of JKSQ.

PMID- 27267779
TI  - Prevalence of sorbitol non-fermenting Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in
      Black Bengal goats on smallholdings.
AB  - A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Bangladesh with the sampling of 514
      Black Bengal goats on smallholdings to determine the presence of sorbitol non
      fermenting (SNF) Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Swab samples collected
      from the recto-anal junction were plated onto cefixime and potassium tellurite
      added sorbitol MacConkey (CT-SMAC) agar, a selective medium for STEC O157
      serogroup, where this serogroup and other SNF STEC produce colourless colonies.
      The SNF E. coli (SNF EC) isolates obtained from the survey were investigated by
      PCR for the presence of Shiga toxin-producing genes, stx1 and stx2, and two other
      virulence genes, eae and hlyA that code for adherence factor (intimin protein)
      and pore-forming cytolysin, respectively. The SNF EC isolates were also assessed
      for the presence of the rfbO157 gene to verify their identity to O157 serogroup.
      The results revealed that the proportions of goats carrying SNF EC isolates and
      stx1 and stx2 genes were 6.2% (32/514) [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.4-8.7)],
      1.2% (95% CI 0.5-2.6) and 1.2% (95% CI 0.5-2.6), respectively. All the SNF STEC
      tested negative for rfbO157, hlyA and eae genes. The risk for transmission of
      STEC from Black Bengal goats to humans is low.

PMID- 27267778
TI  - Cross-talk between 4-1BB and TLR1-TLR2 Signaling in CD8+ T Cells Regulates TLR2's
      Costimulatory Effects.
AB  - The activation of TLR-MyD88 (Toll-like receptor-myeloid differentiation factor
      88) signaling within T cells functions as a potent costimulatory signal that
      boosts antitumor and antiviral responses. However, the molecular mechanisms
      underlying the costimulatory processes are poorly understood. We compared
      microarray gene analysis data between TLR1-TLR2-stimulated and unstimulated T
      cell receptor transgenic "pmel" and MyD88(-/-) pmel CD8(+) T cells and identified
      changes in the expression of several TNF family members. In particular, TLR
      stimulation increased 4-1BB levels in pmel but not in MyD88(-/-)pmel T cells. A
      link between 4-1BB and TLR1-TLR2 signaling in CD8(+) T cells was highlighted by
      the suboptimal responses of 4-1BB(-/-) T cells to TLR1-TLR2 agonist, but their
      normal response to CD28 or OX40 costimulation. Blocking 4-1BB signaling with
      antibodies also hindered the costimulatory effects of the TLR1-TLR2 agonist. The
      elevated levels of 4-1BB transcripts in TLR1-TLR2-stimulated cells were not due
      to increased mRNA stability nor increased histone activation, but instead were
      associated with increased binding of p65 and c-Jun to two distinct 4-1BB promoter
      sites. Combining TLR1-TLR2 ligand with an agonistic antibody to 4-1BB enhanced
      the antitumor activity in mice with established melanoma tumors. These studies
      reveal that the costimulatory effects of TLR1-TLR2 signaling in CD8(+) T cells
      are in part mediated by 4-1BB and are important for mounting an effective
      antitumor immune response. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(8); 708-16. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27267780
TI  - BK Virus in Kidney Transplant: Current Concepts, Recent Advances, and Future
      Directions.
AB  - BK virus nephropathy is a challenging clinical problem in kidney transplant
      recipients with wide range of surveillance and management practices, based on
      individual experience. BK virus reactivation in kidney transplant recipients can
      result in BK virus nephropathy and graft loss. The most effective strategy for
      early diagnosis and treatment of BK virus nephropathy is regular monitoring for
      BK virus, currently achieved by quantification of viral DNA in blood by
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Immunosuppression reduction remains the
      mainstay of treatment; however, viral clearance is often followed by acute
      rejection, likely secondary to a delay between immune reconstitution and viral
      clearance. Impaired cell-mediated immune response to BK virus has been shown to
      correlate with progression to BK virus nephropathy, while reconstitution of this
      response correlates with resolution of nephropathy. There is recent research to
      support monitoring BK virus-specific cell-mediated immune response as a predictor
      of disease progression and resolution. In this article, we review the current
      concepts and recent developments in understanding BK virus-associated disease in
      the context of kidney transplant and outline areas for future research. 

PMID- 27267781
TI  - Well-defined reducible cationic nanogels based on functionalized low-molecular
      weight PGMA for effective pDNA and siRNA delivery.
AB  - Nucleic acid-based gene therapy is a promising treatment option to cure numerous
      intractable diseases. For non-viral gene carriers, low-molecular-weight polymeric
      vectors generally demonstrate poor transfection performance, but benefit their
      final removals from the body. Recently, it was reported that aminated
      poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) is one potential gene vector. Based on
      ethylenediamine (ED)-functionalized low-molecular-weight PGMA (denoted by PGED),
      a flexible strategy was herein proposed to design new well-defined reducible
      cationic nanogels (denoted by PGED-NGs) with friendly crosslinking reagents for
      highly efficient nucleic acid delivery. alpha-Lipoic acid (LA), one natural
      antioxidant in human body, was readily introduced into ED-functionalized PGMA and
      crosslinked to produce cationic PGED-NGs with plentiful reducible lipoyl groups.
      PGED-NGs could effectively complex plasmid DNA (pDNA) and short interfering RNA
      (siRNA). Compared with pristine PGED, PGED-NGs exhibited much better performance
      of pDNA transfection. PGED-NGs also could efficiently transport MALAT1 siRNA (siR
      M) into hepatoma cells and significantly suppressed the cancer cell proliferation
      and migration. The present work indicated that reducible cationic nanogels
      involving LA crosslinking reagents are one kind of competitive candidates for
      high-performance nucleic acid delivery systems. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
      Recently, the design of new types of high-performance nanoparticles is of great
      significance in delivering therapeutics. Nucleic acid-based therapy is a
      promising treatment option to cure numerous intractable diseases. A facile and
      straightforward strategy to fabricate safe nucleic acid delivery nanovectors is
      highly desirable. In this work, based on ethylenediamine-functionalized low
      molecular-weight poly(glycidyl methacrylate), a flexible strategy was proposed to
      design new well-defined reducible cationic nanogels (denoted by PGED-NGs) with
      alpha-Lipoic acid, one friendly crosslinking reagent, for highly efficient
      nucleic acid delivery. Such PGED-NGs possess plentiful reducible lipoyl groups,
      effectively encapsulated pDNA and siRNA and exhibited excellent abilities of
      nucleic acid delivery. The present work indicated that reducible cationic
      nanogels involving alpha-lipoic acid crosslinking reagents are one kind of
      competitive candidates for high-performance nucleic acid delivery systems.

PMID- 27267782
TI  - Preferred Features of E-Mental Health Programs for Prevention of Major Depression
      in Male Workers: Results From a Canadian National Survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major depression is a prevalent mental disorder and imposes
      considerable burden on health and productivity. Men are not immune to major
      depression, yet they often delay seeking help because of perceived stigma and
      gender norms. E-mental health programs hold potential for early prevention of
      major depression. However, we have little knowledge about men's preferences for
      design features of e-mental health programs. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this
      study was to (1) estimate and compare the proportions of Internet use for medical
      information, preferred design features, and likely use of e-mental health
      programs; (2) examine factors associated with the likely use of e-mental health
      programs; and (3) understand potential barriers to the use of e-mental health
      programs among Canadian working men, who were at high risk of a major depressive
      episode (MDE). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey in 10 Canadian provinces was
      conducted between March and December 2015. Random digit dialing method was used
      through household landlines and cell phones to collect data from 511 working men
      who were at high risk of having an MDE and 330 working men who were at low risk
      of having an MDE. RESULTS: High-risk men were more likely to endorse the
      importance of accessing health resources on the Internet than low-risk men (83.4%
      vs 75.0%, respectively; P=.01). Of the 17 different features assessed, the top
      three features most likely to be used by high-risk men were: "information about
      improving sleep hygiene" (61.3%), "practice and exercise to help reduce symptoms
      of stress and depression" (59.5%), and "having access to quality information and
      resources about work stress issues" (57.8%). Compared with men at low risk for
      MDE, men at high risk for MDE were much more likely to consider using almost
      every one of the different design features. Differences in preferences for the
      design features by age among men at high risk of MDE were found only for 3 of 17
      features. Differences in preferences for design features between English- and
      French-speaking participants were found only for 4 out of the 17 features.
      Analysis of qualitative data revealed that privacy issues, perceived stigma, ease
      of navigation, personal relevance, and lack of personal interaction, time, and
      knowledge were identified as barriers to the use of e-mental health programs in
      working men who were at high risk of MDE. CONCLUSION: E-mental health programs
      may be a promising strategy for prevention of depression in working men.
      Development of e-mental health programs should consider men's preferences and
      perceived barriers to enhance the acceptability of this approach.

PMID- 27267783
TI  - Identifying frailty risk profiles of home-dwelling older people: focus on
      sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This paper investigates risk profiles of frailty among older people,
      as these are essential for detecting those individuals at risk for adverse
      outcomes and to undertake specific preventive actions. Frailty is not only a
      physical problem, but also refers to emotional, social, and environmental
      hazards. METHODS: Using data generated from the Belgian Ageing Studies, a cross
      sectional study (n = 28,049), we tested a multivariate regression model that
      included sociodemographic and socioeconomic indicators as well as four dimensions
      of frailty, for men and women separately. RESULTS: The findings indicated that
      for both men and women, increased age, having no partner, having moved house in
      the previous 10 years, having a lower educational level and having a lower
      household income are risk characteristics for frailty. Moreover, when looking at
      the different frailty domains, different risk profiles arose, and gender-specific
      risk characteristics were detected. DISCUSSION: This paper elaborates on
      practical implications, and formulates a number of future research
      recommendations to tackle frailty in an aging society. The conclusion
      demonstrates the necessity for a thorough knowledge of risk profiles of frailty,
      as this will save both time and money and permit preventive actions to be more
      individually tailored.

PMID- 27267784
TI  - Goal saliency boosts infants' action prediction for human manual actions, but not
      for mechanical claws.
AB  - Previous research indicates that infants' prediction of the goals of observed
      actions is influenced by own experience with the type of agent performing the
      action (i.e., human hand vs. non-human agent) as well as by action-relevant
      features of goal objects (e.g., object size). The present study investigated the
      combined effects of these factors on 12-month-olds' action prediction. Infants'
      (N=49) goal-directed gaze shifts were recorded as they observed 14 trials in
      which either a human hand or a mechanical claw reached for a small goal area (low
      saliency goal) or a large goal area (high-saliency goal). Only infants who had
      observed the human hand reaching for a high-saliency goal fixated the goal object
      ahead of time, and they rapidly learned to predict the action goal across trials.
      By contrast, infants in all other conditions did not track the observed action in
      a predictive manner, and their gaze shifts to the action goal did not change
      systematically across trials. Thus, high-saliency goals seem to boost infants'
      predictive gaze shifts during the observation of human manual actions, but not of
      actions performed by a mechanical device. This supports the assumption that
      infants' action predictions are based on interactive effects of action-relevant
      object features (e.g., size) and own action experience.

PMID- 27267786
TI  - Effect of micronized fenofibrate on microvascular complications of type 2
      diabetes: a systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Micronized fenofibrate prevents the progression of microvascular
      complications in type 2 diabetes, but no systematic review has summarized these
      effects. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to investigate the effects
      of micronized fenofibrate on type 2 diabetes-related microvascular complications.
      RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The PubMed database was systematically searched for
      trials in English language published between January 1990 and November 2015 that
      examined the effects of fenofibrate on microvascular complications in patients
      with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: Thirteen trials of the 290 clinical studies
      reviewed met the inclusion criteria. Fenofibrate significantly slowed the
      progression of early diabetic retinopathy by 30 to 40% within 4 to 5 years in
      patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-existing retinopathy at baseline.
      Fenofibrate also consistently reduced the progression of urinary albumin
      excretion in the trials studied. One large study demonstrated a significant
      effect (47% reduction) of the drug on diabetes-related minor amputations.
      CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence supports the adjunctive early use of
      fenofibrate in type 2 diabetes mellitus for the prevention of microvascular
      complications, particularly in individuals presenting with the first signs of the
      complication and during the initial stages of the disease.

PMID- 27267785
TI  - Efficacy and safety of a sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone rapidly dissolving
      tablet for the treatment of adults with opioid dependence: A randomized trial.
AB  - This prospective, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority study evaluated
      the efficacy and safety of a sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone rapidly dissolving
      tablet (Zubsolv(r); buprenorphine/naloxone rapidly dissolving tablet) versus
      generic buprenorphine for induction of opioid maintenance among dependent adults.
      The study, conducted at 13 sites from June 2013 to January 2014, included a 2-day
      blinded induction phase and a 27-day open-label stabilization/maintenance phase.
      During the blinded induction, patients received fixed doses of
      buprenorphine/naloxone rapidly dissolving tablets or generic buprenorphine.
      During open-label stabilization/early maintenance, all patients received
      buprenorphine/naloxone rapidly dissolving tablets. The primary efficacy
      assessment was treatment retention at day 3; buprenorphine/naloxone rapidly
      dissolving tablets were considered non-inferior to generic buprenorphine if the
      lower limit of the 95% confidence interval for the difference between the
      treatments was >=-10% in patients retained on day 3. Secondary assessments
      included opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings as measured using the Clinical
      Opiate Withdrawal Scale, the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale, and the opioid
      cravings visual analogue scale. Safety was also assessed. A total of 313 patients
      were randomly assigned to induction with generic buprenorphine or
      buprenorphine/naloxone rapidly dissolving tablets. The mean age was 38.4 years,
      and the mean duration of opioid dependence was 12.4 years. For the primary
      efficacy assessment, 235 of 256 patients (91.8%) were retained at day 3 and
      continued to the maintenance phase. The lower limit of the 95% confidence
      interval was -13.7; thus, buprenorphine/naloxone rapidly dissolving tablets did
      not demonstrate non-inferiority to generic buprenorphine, and significantly more
      patients who received induction with generic buprenorphine (122/128 [95.3%]) were
      retained at day 3 compared with those who received induction with
      buprenorphine/naloxone rapidly dissolving tablets (113/128 [88.3%]; 95%
      confidence interval: -13.7, -0.4; p = 0.040). The rates of clinical response, as
      measured by the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale, the Subjective Opiate
      Withdrawal Scale, and the visual analogue scale, were comparable among patients
      regardless of the induction medication. Treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone
      rapidly dissolving tablets was generally safe and reduced the severity of
      withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

PMID- 27267787
TI  - Synthesis and Characterization of Water-Soluble Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes for
      Near-Infrared Fluorescence Biological Imaging.
AB  - Near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores attract increasing attention as a molecular
      marker (or probe) for in vivo and in vitro biological fluorescence imaging. Three
      types of new NIR fluorescent conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs: Q-FlTBTTFl, Q
      FlBBTFl, and Q-FlTBBTTFl) are synthesized with quaternized ammonium ionic groups
      in their side-chains for water solubility. The emission wavelength is modulated
      in the range 600-1300 nm, by adjusting the intramolecular charge transfer in the
      molecular backbone based on the electron-rich fluorene (and/or thiophene) and
      electron-deficient benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole (or benzo[1,2-c:4,5
      c']bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole) moieties. The COEs show a remarkably larger Stokes
      shift (147-276 nm) compared to commercial rhodamine and cyanine dyes in water,
      avoiding self-quenching and interference from the excitation backscattered light.
      The photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiency is improved substantially by up to
      27.8% in water by fabricating a vesicular complex, COE/v, with a block ionomer,
      poly[(ethylene oxide)-block-(sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonate)].
      In vitro cellular uptake images with the COEs are obtained with good
      biocompatibility by confocal single-photon and two-photon microscopy. The ex vivo
      and in vivo images of a mouse xenograft model treated with the Q-FlBBTFl/v
      exhibit a substantially stronger fluorescence signal at the tumor site than at
      the other organs, highlighting the potential of the COE/v as an NIR fluorescent
      imaging agent for the diagnosis of cancer. 

PMID- 27267789
TI  - Novel heterozygous mutation in YAP1 in a family with isolated ocular colobomas.

PMID- 27267790
TI  - Atomic Scale Interface Manipulation, Structural Engineering, and Their Impact on
      Ultrathin Carbon Films in Controlling Wear, Friction, and Corrosion.
AB  - Reducing friction, wear, and corrosion of diverse materials/devices using <2 nm
      thick protective carbon films remains challenging, which limits the developments
      of many technologies, such as magnetic data storage systems. Here, we present a
      novel approach based on atomic scale interface manipulation to engineer and
      control the friction, wear, corrosion, and structural characteristics of 0.7-1.7
      nm carbon-based films on CoCrPt:oxide-based magnetic media. We demonstrate that
      when an atomically thin (~0.5 nm) chromium nitride (CrNx) layer is sandwiched
      between the magnetic media and an ultrathin carbon overlayer (1.2 nm), it
      modifies the film-substrate interface, creates various types of interfacial
      bonding, increases the interfacial adhesion, and tunes the structure of carbon in
      terms of its sp(3) bonding. These contribute to its remarkable functional
      properties, such as stable and lowest coefficient of friction (~0.15-0.2),
      highest wear resistance and better corrosion resistance despite being only ~1.7
      nm thick, surpassing those of ~2.7 nm thick current commercial carbon overcoat
      (COC) and other overcoats in this work. While this approach has direct
      implications for advancing current magnetic storage technology with its ultralow
      thickness, it can also be applied to advance the protective and barrier
      capabilities of other ultrathin materials for associated technologies. 

PMID- 27267788
TI  - In Vitro Resistance Development to Nemonoxacin in Streptococcus pneumoniae: A
      Unique Profile for a Novel Nonfluorinated Quinolone.
AB  - Selection of resistant strains in Streptococcus pneumoniae was studied in vitro
      with nemonoxacin, a novel nonfluorinated quinolone (NFQ), in comparison with
      quinolone benchmarks, ciprofloxacin, garenoxacin, and gatifloxacin. In stepwise
      resistance selection studies, a 256-fold loss of potency was observed after three
      to four steps of exposure to ciprofloxacin or garenoxacin. In contrast, the loss
      of potency was limited to eightfold after three steps of exposure to nemonoxacin
      and repeated attempts to isolate highly resistant organisms after four steps of
      exposure yielded isolates that could not be subcultured in liquid medium. The
      quinolone resistance-determining regions of the target genes, parC, parE, gyrA,
      and gyrB, were analyzed through DNA sequencing. Known mutations, especially in
      the hotspots of parC and gyrA, were selected with exposure to garenoxacin,
      ciprofloxacin, and gatifloxacin. In contrast, mutations selected with nemonoxacin
      were limited to GyrA, GyrB, and ParE, sparing ParC, which is known as a key
      driver of resistance in clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae. This observation is
      consistent with previous data using other NFQs, which showed no loss of potency
      due to ParC mutations in clinical isolates. This apparently unique feature of
      nemonoxacin is potentially attributable to the structural uniqueness of the NFQs,
      distinguishing them from the fluoroquinolones that are commonly prescribed for
      infections by S. pneumoniae.

PMID- 27267791
TI  - Complexity and nonlinear biomarkers in emotional disorders: A meta-analytic
      study.
AB  - This meta-analysis aimed at gathering and summarising the findings on nonlinear
      biomarkers in the field of emotional disorders under the hypothesis that diseased
      systems show lowered complexity and hence less flexibility to adjust daily
      contexts. Scientific manuscripts from 1970 to 2014 were reviewed, 58 articles
      were analysed, and independent meta-analyses on anxiety disorders, bipolar
      disorders, and depressive disorders were conducted. Results revealed that anxious
      patients exhibited lower complexity than controls (p<0.05) despite panic patients
      showed more irregular respiratory activity. Inconclusive results were found for
      bipolar patients but pointed to higher randomness when suffering manic episodes.
      Finally, depressed patients showed a loss of complexity in the cardiac system and
      a loss of orderliness (despite a higher complexity) in brain and stress-related
      hormonal systems. As a conclusion, our findings highlight that either a loss of
      complexity or a loss of ordered complexity characterise the physiological systems
      of patients with emotional disorders. Several considerations for complexity, its
      related measurements, and suggestions for further research are discussed.

PMID- 27267793
TI  - Soft Liner/Clip Attachment for Bar-Retained Implant Overdentures: A Technical
      Note.

PMID- 27267792
TI  - Food, nutrients and nutraceuticals affecting the course of inflammatory bowel
      disease.
AB  - Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis; Crohn's disease) are
      debilitating relapsing inflammatory disorders affecting the gastrointestinal
      tract, with deleterious effect on quality of life, and increasing incidence and
      prevalence. Mucosal inflammation, due to altered microbiota, increased intestinal
      permeability and immune system dysfunction underlies the symptoms and may be
      caused in susceptible individuals by different factors (or a combination of
      them), including dietary habits and components. In this review we describe the
      influence of the Western diet, obesity, and different nutraceuticals/functional
      foods (bioactive peptides, phytochemicals, omega 3-polyunsaturated fatty acids,
      vitamin D, probiotics and prebiotics) on the course of IBD, and provide some
      hints that could be useful for nutritional guidance. Hopefully, research will
      soon offer enough reliable data to slow down the spread of the disease and to
      make diet a cornerstone in IBD therapy. 

PMID- 27267794
TI  - Effects of different surface modification and contents on municipal solid waste
      incineration fly ash/epoxy composites.
AB  - Incineration fly ash, a waste from municipal solid waste incineration plant can
      be used to replace conventional filler as reinforcing filler to enhance the
      mechanical strength of a composite. Surface modification was performed on the
      incineration fly ash before mixing into the soft polymer matrix so as to improve
      interfacial bond of the filler and epoxy resin. In this study, detailed
      characterisation of mechanical, morphological and leaching behaviours of
      municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash infused composite has been
      carried out. Flexural and tensile test was conducted to determine the effect on
      mechanical properties of the composite by varying the concentration of
      incineration fly ash filler added into polymer matrix and surface modification of
      incineration fly ash filler using silane coupling agent and colloidal mesoporous
      silica (CMS). The results indicated that composite infused with incineration fly
      ash filler surface treated with CMS shown improvement on the tensile and flexural
      strengths. In addition, SEM images showed that surface modification of
      incineration fly ash with colloidal mesoporous silica enhanced the interfacial
      bonding with polymer resin which explained the improvement of mechanical
      strength. Leaching test showed result of toxic metals such as Pb, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr,
      Cd and Rb immobilised in the polymer matrix of the composite. Hence, the use of
      MSWI fly ash as reinforcing filler in the composite appears green and sustainable
      because this approach is a promising opportunity to substitute valuable raw
      material with MSWI fly ash.

PMID- 27267796
TI  - The era of phased introduction of new implants.

PMID- 27267795
TI  - Surrogate markers of long-term outcome in primary total hip arthroplasty: A
      systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: High failure rates of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty implants have
      highlighted the need for more careful introduction and monitoring of new implants
      and for the evaluation of the safety of medical devices. The National Joint
      Registry and other regulatory services are unable to detect failing implants at
      an early enough stage. We aimed to identify validated surrogate markers of long
      term outcome in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).
      METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of studies evaluating surrogate markers
      for predicting long-term outcome in primary THA. Long-term outcome was defined as
      revision rate of an implant at ten years according to National Institute of
      Health and Care Excellence guidelines. We conducted a search of Medline and
      Embase (OVID) databases. Separate search strategies were devised for the Cochrane
      database and Google Scholar. Each search was performed to include articles from
      the date of their inception to June 8, 2015. RESULTS: Our search strategy
      identified 1082 studies of which 115 studies were included for full article
      review. Following review, 17 articles were found that investigated surrogate
      markers of long-term outcome. These included one systematic review, one
      randomised control trial (RCT), one case control study and 13 case series.
      Validated surrogate markers included Radiostereometric Analysis (RSA) and Einzel
      Bild-Rontgen-Analyse (EBRA), each measuring implant migration and wear. We
      identified five RSA studies (one systematic review and four case series) and four
      EBRA studies (one RCT and three case series). Patient Reported Outcome Measures
      (PROMs) at six months have been investigated but have not been validated against
      long-term outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review identified two validated
      surrogate markers of long-term primary THA outcome: RSA and EBRA, each measuring
      implant migration and wear. We recommend the consideration of RSA in the pre
      market testing of new implants. EBRA can be used to investigate acetabular wear
      but not femoral migration. Further studies are needed to validate the use of
      PROMs for post-market surveillance.Cite this article: T. T. Malak, J. A. J.
      Broomfield, A. J. R. Palmer, S. Hopewell, A. Carr, C. Brown, D. Prieto-Alhambra,
      S. Glyn-Jones. Surrogate markers of long-term outcome in primary total hip
      arthroplasty: A systematic review. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:206-214. DOI:
      10.1302/2046-3758.56.2000568.

PMID- 27267797
TI  - Presenting risk information in sexual and reproductive health care.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Presenting risk information to patients is an important part of
      clinical encounters. Good risk communication improves patient satisfaction with
      their care and the decisions they make. In sexual and reproductive healthcare
      (SRH), women frequently need to make decisions based on their perceived risk.
      Risk perception can be altered by how actual risk is presented to patients.
      METHODS: Databases were searched using MeSH terms combined with a keyword search
      for articles relevant to SRH; the search was limited to English language.
      RESULTS: Personalised risk communication where a risk score is provided,
      increases knowledge and slightly increases uptake of screening tests. Decision
      aids improve a patient's knowledge of the options, create realistic expectations
      of their benefits and harms, reduce difficulty with decision-making, and increase
      participation in the process. The most effective way to present risks uses a
      range of structured, tailored presentation styles; interactive formats are best.
      Framing the information improves patient understanding. Most people understand
      natural frequencies or event rates better than probability formats with varying
      denominators. Expressing changes in risk as an absolute risk reduction or
      relative risk reduction with baseline risk formats improves understanding.
      Descriptive terms such as 'low risk' or 'high risk' should be quantified as a
      frequency rather than a percentage. Using a consistent denominator to portray
      risk is recommended. Using the 'number needed to treat' and visual aids puts
      benefits or risks into perspective. The duration of risk should be presented.
      CONCLUSION: Presenting risk information to patients can be optimised using a
      number of strategies.

PMID- 27267798
TI  - On being an expert witness in sexual and reproductive health.
AB  - A new generation of expert witnesses in sexual and reproductive health is needed,
      including those in nursing as well as medical roles. Being an expert witness is a
      significant commitment alongside clinical work. Nevertheless, the work is
      stimulating and rewarding. Training is essential before starting medicolegal
      work. In particular expert witnesses need to be able to apply appropriate legal
      tests to the evidence, to deal with the range of expert opinion on a matter, and
      explain clearly what constitutes an appropriate standard of care for a clinician
      in their discipline and specialty. Expert witnesses must be aware of pitfalls
      such as being sued for substandard work and being reported to their professional
      regulator for straying outside their area of expertise. Expert witnesses must be
      truly independent and ideally their reports should be the same whoever they
      receive their instructions from. In addition to report writing, expert witnesses
      are required to comment on court documents, participate in conferences with a
      barrister and hold formal discussions with an opposing expert witness. Expert
      witnesses need to be administratively efficient and responsive. Although
      appearance in court is not that common, this is an essential part of the role.
      Apart from litigation in the civil courts, other types of case may present
      themselves including patent cases, work in the Court of Protection and health
      professionals' Fitness to Practise hearings.

PMID- 27267799
TI  - Zika virus misinformation on the internet.

PMID- 27267800
TI  - Combining the High Tech with the Soft Touch: Population Health Management Using
      eHealth and Peer Support.

PMID- 27267801
TI  - Extended Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Ring Systems in the Chalcone-Flavanone
      Molecular Switch Scaffold.
AB  - Previous work on the o-hydroxychalcone/flavanone molecular switching scaffold
      showed that simple substitutions alter the pH range in which rapid
      interconversion occurs. Herein, more impactful structural modifications were
      performed via alteration of the characteristic phenyl rings to alternative
      aromatic systems. It was determined that the scaffold was still viable after
      these changes and that the range of accessible midpoint pH values was markedly
      increased. To further explore the switch's scope, scaffolds able to have multiple
      switching events were also investigated.

PMID- 27267802
TI  - Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 improves glucose tolerance and reduces
      body weight gain in rats by stimulating energy expenditure.
AB  - Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) reduces postprandial TAG
      absorption and exerts anti-obesity effects in rats and humans; however, the
      underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we
      addressed the mechanistic insights of the anti-obesity activity of LG2055 by
      feeding Sprague-Dawley rats diets containing skimmed milk fermented or not by
      LG2055 for 4 weeks and by analysing energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, the
      levels of SCFA in the caecum and serum inflammatory markers. Rats fed the LG2055
      containing diet demonstrated significantly higher carbohydrate oxidation in the
      dark cycle (active phase for rats) compared with the control group, which
      resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure. LG2055 significantly
      reduced cumulative blood glucose levels (AUC) compared with the control diet
      after 3 weeks and increased the molar ratio of butyrate:total SCFA in the caecum
      after 4 weeks. Furthermore, the LG2055-supplemented diet significantly reduced
      the levels of serum amyloid P component - an indicator of the inflammatory
      process. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that, in addition to the
      inhibition of dietary TAG absorption reported previously, the intake of probiotic
      LG2055 enhanced energy expenditure via carbohydrate oxidation, improved glucose
      tolerance and attenuated inflammation, suggesting multiple additive and/or
      synergistic actions underlying the anti-obesity effects exerted by LG2055.

PMID- 27267803
TI  - Prediction of Excited-State Energies and Singlet-Triplet Gaps of Charge-Transfer
      States Using a Restricted Open-Shell Kohn-Sham Approach.
AB  - Organic molecules with charge-transfer (CT) excited states are widely used in
      industry and are especially attractive as candidates for fabrication of energy
      efficient OLEDs, as they can harvest energy from nonradiative triplets by means
      of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). It is therefore useful to
      have computational protocols for accurate estimation of their electronic spectra
      in order to screen candidate molecules for OLED applications. However, it is
      difficult to predict the photophysical properties of TADF molecules with LR
      TDDFT, as semilocal LR-TDDFT is incapable of accurately modeling CT states.
      Herein, we study absorption energies, emission energies, zero-zero transition
      energies, and singlet-triplet gaps of TADF molecules using a restricted open
      shell Kohn-Sham (ROKS) approach instead and discover that ROKS calculations with
      semilocal hybrid functionals are in good agreement with experiments-unlike TDDFT,
      which significantly underestimates energy gaps. We also propose a cheap
      computational protocol for studying excited states with large CT character that
      is found to give good agreement with experimental results without having to
      perform any excited-state geometry optimizations. 

PMID- 27267804
TI  - WISP1 is a novel adipokine linked to metabolic parameters in gestational diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP1)
      levels and their correlation with metabolic parameters in pregnant women with
      gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and non-GDM healthy pregnant women. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, the study group was
      composed of 62 women with GDM and 73 healthy pregnant women matched for age, body
      mass index (BMI) and gestational age. Blood samples were collected at 25-29th
      gestational week. Serum WISP1, betatrophin, glucose, fasting insulin,
      glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density
      lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, C reactive protein,
      alanine aminotransferase and creatinine levels were measured. Homeostasis model
      assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values was calculated. The level of
      significance was accepted as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Circulating WISP1 in the GDM
      group was significantly higher than the control group (p <0.001). Further, WISP1
      was positively correlated with BMI, HOMA-IR values and fasting glucose, fasting
      insulin, triglyceride, betatrophin levels. BMI, HOMA-IR and betatrophin
      independently and positively predicted WISP1 levels. CONCLUSION: These results
      demonstrate a relationship between WISP1 and the metabolic parameters of GDM.
      And, WISP1 might be involved in the pathophysiology of GDM. As a part of this
      pathophysiological mechanism, the activation of WISP1 and betatrophin might take
      place through several ways; WISP1 and betatrophin might either use same signaling
      pathways and potentiate each other or they might also constitute the sequential
      steps of a common pathway.

PMID- 27267805
TI  - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Affects Acetic Acid Production during Anaerobic
      Fermentation of Waste Activated Sludge by Altering Activity and Viability of
      Acetogen.
AB  - Till now, almost all the studies on anaerobic fermentation of waste activated
      sludge (WAS) for bioproducts generation focused on the influences of operating
      conditions, pretreatment methods and sludge characteristics, and few considered
      those of widespread persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in sludge, for example,
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Herein, phenanthrene, which was a
      typical PAH and widespread in WAS, was selected as a model compound to
      investigate its effect on WAS anaerobic fermentation for short-chain fatty acids
      (SCFAs) accumulation. Experimental results showed that the concentration of SCFAs
      derived from WAS was increased in the presence of phenanthrene during anaerobic
      fermentation. The yield of acetic acid which was the predominant SCFA in the
      fermentation reactor with the concentration of 100 mg/kg dry sludge was 1.8 fold
      of that in the control. Mechanism exploration revealed that the present
      phenanthrene mainly affected the acidification process of anaerobic fermentation
      and caused the shift of the microbial community to benefit the accumulation of
      acetic acid. Further investigation showed that both the activities of key enzymes
      (phosphotransacetylase and acetate kinase) involved in acetic acid production and
      the quantities of their corresponding encoding genes were enhanced in the
      presence of phenanthrene. Viability tests by determining the adenosine 5'
      triphosphate content and membrane potential confirmed that the acetogens were
      more viable in anaerobic fermentation systems with phenanthrene, which resulted
      in the increased production of acetic acid.

PMID- 27267806
TI  - HDAC6 promotes cell proliferation and confers resistance to temozolomide in
      glioblastoma.
AB  - Histone deacetylases are considered to be among the most promising targets in
      drug development for cancer therapy. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a unique
      cytoplasmic enzyme that regulates many biological processes involved in
      tumorigenesis through its deacetylase and ubiquitin-binding activities. Here, we
      report that HDAC6 is overexpressed in glioblastoma tissues and cell lines.
      Overexpression of HDAC6 promotes the proliferation and spheroid formation of
      glioblastoma cells. HDAC6 overexpression confers resistance to temozolomide (TMZ)
      mediated cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction. Conversely,
      knockdown of HDAC6 inhibits cell proliferation, impairs spheroid formation and
      sensitizes glioblastoma cells to TMZ. The inhibition of HDAC6 deacetylase
      activity by selective inhibitors inhibits the proliferation of glioblastoma cells
      and induces apoptosis. HDAC6 selective inhibitors can sensitize glioblastoma
      cells to TMZ. Moreover, we showed that HDAC6 mediated EGFR stabilization might
      partly account for its oncogenic role in glioblastoma. TMZ resistant glioblastoma
      cells showed higher expression of HDAC6 and more activation of EGFR. HDAC6
      inhibitors decrease EGFR protein levels and impair the activation of the EGFR
      pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that the inhibition of HDAC6 may be
      a promising strategy for the treatment of glioblastoma.

PMID- 27267808
TI  - Developing oxygen-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as a prognostic biomarker
      of radiation response.
AB  - Oxygen-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (OE-MRI) techniques were evaluated as
      potential non-invasive predictive biomarkers of radiation response. Semi
      quantitative blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) and tissue oxygen level
      dependent (TOLD) contrast, and quantitative responses of relaxation rates
      (DeltaR1 and DeltaR2*) to an oxygen breathing challenge during hypofractionated
      radiotherapy were applied. OE-MRI was performed on subcutaneous Dunning R3327-AT1
      rat prostate tumors (n=25) at 4.7 T prior to each irradiation (2F * 15 Gy) to the
      gross tumor volume. Response to radiation, while inhaling air or oxygen, was
      assessed by tumor growth delay measured up to four times the initial irradiated
      tumor volume (VQT). Radiation-induced hypoxia changes were confirmed using a
      double hypoxia marker assay. Inhaling oxygen during hypofractionated radiotherapy
      significantly improved radiation response. A correlation was observed between the
      difference in the 2nd and 1st DeltaR1 (DeltaDeltaR1) and VQT for air breathing
      rats. The TOLD response before the 2nd fraction showed a moderate correlation
      with VQT for oxygen breathing rats. The correlations indicate useful prognostic
      factors to predict tumor response to hypofractionation and could readily be
      applied for patient stratification and personalized radiotherapy treatment
      planning.

PMID- 27267809
TI  - Smac mimetic triggers necroptosis in pancreatic carcinoma cells when caspase
      activation is blocked.
AB  - Evasion of apoptosis represents a key mechanism of treatment resistance of
      pancreatic cancer (PC) and contributes to the poor prognosis of this cancer type.
      Here, we report that induction of necroptosis is an alternative strategy to
      trigger programmed cell death in apoptosis-resistant PC cells. We show that the
      second mitochondrial activator of caspases (Smac) mimetic BV6 that antagonizes
      inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins induces necroptosis in PC cells in which
      apoptosis is blocked by the caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk. Intriguingly, BV6
      switches autocrine/paracrine production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha by PC
      cells into a death signal and also acts in concert with exogenously supplied
      TNFalpha to trigger necroptosis, when caspase activation is simultaneously
      blocked. BV6 stimulates TNFalpha production and formation of the receptor
      interacting protein (RIP)1/RIP3-containing necrosome complex in PC cells.
      Knockdown of TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) protects PC cells from BV6- or BV6/TNFalpha
      mediated cell death, demonstrating that TNFalpha autocrine/paracrine signaling by
      PC cells contributes to BV6-induced necroptosis. Importantly, genetic silencing
      of receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) or mixed lineage kinase domain
      like protein (MLKL) significantly rescues PC cells from BV6- or BV6/TNFalpha
      induced cell death. Similarly, pharmacological inhibition of RIP1, RIP3 or MLKL
      significantly reduces BV6- or BV6/TNFalpha-stimulated cell death. By
      demonstrating that Smac mimetics can bypass resistance to apoptosis by triggering
      necroptosis as an alternative form of programmed cell death, our findings have
      important implications for the design of new treatment concepts for PC.

PMID- 27267807
TI  - Combined targeting of TGF-beta, EGFR and HER2 suppresses lymphangiogenesis and
      metastasis in a pancreatic cancer model.
AB  - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) are aggressive with frequent lymphatic
      spread. By analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we determined that ~35%
      of PDACs have a pro-angiogenic gene signature. We now show that the same PDACs
      exhibit increased expression of lymphangiogenic genes and lymphatic endothelial
      cell (LEC) markers, and that LEC abundance in human PDACs correlates with
      endothelial cell microvessel density. Lymphangiogenic genes and LECs are also
      elevated in murine PDACs arising in the KRC (mutated Kras; deleted RB) and KIC
      (mutated Kras; deleted INK4a) genetic models. Moreover, pancreatic cancer cells
      (PCCs) derived from KRC tumors express and secrete high levels of lymphangiogenic
      factors, including the EGF receptor ligand, amphiregulin. Importantly, TGF-beta1
      increases lymphangiogenic genes and amphiregulin expression in KRC PCCs but not
      in murine PCCs that lack SMAD4, and combinatorial targeting of the TGF-beta type
      I receptor (TbetaRI) with LY2157299 and EGFR/HER2 with lapatinib suppresses tumor
      growth and metastasis in a syngeneic orthotopic model, and attenuates tumor
      lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis while reducing lymphangiogenic genes and
      amphiregulin and enhancing apoptosis. Therefore, this combination could be
      beneficial in PDACs with lymphangiogenic or angiogenic gene signatures.

PMID- 27267811
TI  - Bedtime Stories that Work: The Effect of Protagonist Liking on Narrative
      Persuasion.
AB  - The experiment described in this article draws on affective disposition theory to
      clarify how protagonist likeability influences participants' sleep hygiene
      related self-efficacy and outcome expectations immediately after media exposure
      and 3 days later. Results indicate that protagonist likeability is an important
      factor in narrative persuasion. Protagonist likeability did not directly affect
      participants' sleep hygiene-related self-efficacy immediately postexposure, but
      it did influence self-efficacy 3 days later. The dislikeable protagonist
      influenced self-efficacy more than the likeable protagonist. Further, protagonist
      likeability did not directly affect outcome expectations either immediately
      postexposure or 3 days later. However, mediation analyses demonstrated that
      protagonist likeability indirectly influenced both self-efficacy and outcome
      expectations via perceived liking of the protagonist immediately after exposure
      and 3 days later. Implications of these findings are further discussed.

PMID- 27267810
TI  - Harnessing Fluorine-Sulfur Contacts and Multipolar Interactions for the Design of
      p53 Mutant Y220C Rescue Drugs.
AB  - Many oncogenic mutants of the tumor suppressor p53 are conformationally unstable,
      including the frequently occurring Y220C mutant. We have previously developed
      several small-molecule stabilizers of this mutant. One of these molecules,
      PhiKan083, 1-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazole-3-yl)-N-methylmethanamine, binds to a mutation
      induced surface crevice with a KD = 150 MUM, thereby increasing the melting
      temperature of the protein and slowing its rate of aggregation. Incorporation of
      fluorine atoms into small molecule ligands can substantially improve binding
      affinity to their protein targets. We have, therefore, harnessed fluorine-protein
      interactions to improve the affinity of this ligand. Step-wise introduction of
      fluorines at the carbazole ethyl anchor, which is deeply buried within the
      binding site in the Y220C-PhiKan083 complex, led to a 5-fold increase in affinity
      for a 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl anchor (ligand efficiency of 0.3 kcal mol(-1) atom(
      1)). High-resolution crystal structures of the Y220C-ligand complexes combined
      with quantum chemical calculations revealed favorable interactions of the
      fluorines with protein backbone carbonyl groups (Leu145 and Trp146) and the
      sulfur of Cys220 at the mutation site. Affinity gains were, however, only
      achieved upon trifluorination, despite favorable interactions of the mono- and
      difluorinated anchors with the binding pocket, indicating a trade-off between
      energetically favorable protein-fluorine interactions and increased desolvation
      penalties. Taken together, the optimized carbazole scaffold provides a promising
      starting point for the development of high-affinity ligands to reactivate the
      tumor suppressor function of the p53 mutant Y220C in cancer cells.

PMID- 27267812
TI  - Two new phenolic compounds from the seeds of Machilus yunnanensis.
AB  - Chemical constituents investigation on the seeds of Machilus yunnanensis led to
      two new phenolic compounds 8-O-acetyl-phenylethanoid-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
      (1) and (E)-2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylaldehyde (2), together with 16 known
      compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data
      analysis (IR, MS, 1D, and 2D NMR). Meanwhile, compounds 1-3, 6-13, 17, and 18
      were evaluated for vasorelaxant effects on the rat endothelium-intact thoracic
      aorta rings precontracted with phenylephrine (PE) or KCl. The bioassay results
      showed that compound 17 had significant vasorelaxant effect on the endothelium
      intact thoracic aorta rings precontracted with KCl. 

PMID- 27267813
TI  - Effects of thalamic deep brain stimulation on spontaneous language production.
AB  - The thalamus is thought to contribute to language-related processing, but
      specifications of this notion remain vague. An assessment of potential effects of
      thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) on spontaneous language may help to
      delineate respective functions. For this purpose, we analyzed spontaneous
      language samples from thirteen (six female / seven male) patients with essential
      tremor treated with DBS of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) in
      their respective ON vs. OFF conditions. Samples were obtained from semi
      structured interviews and examined on multidimensional linguistic levels. In the
      VIM-DBS ON condition, participants used a significantly higher proportion of
      paratactic as opposed to hypotactic sentence structures. This increase correlated
      negatively with the change in the more global cognitive score, which in itself
      did not change significantly. In conclusion, VIM-DBS appears to induce the use of
      a simplified syntactic structure. The findings are discussed in relation to
      concepts of thalamic roles in language-related cognitive behavior.

PMID- 27267814
TI  - Lipid-based dispersions of exemestane for improved dissolution rate and
      intestinal permeability: in vitro and ex vivo characterization.
AB  - Current study aimed to develop lipid dispersions of poorly water soluble
      exemestane by employing lipid carriers such as Gelucire 44/14 and TPGS with
      porous calcium silicate (PCS) as an adsorbent carrier and formulate into a solid
      dosage form. The lipid dispersions at 1:5 ratio showed the highest solubility and
      dissolution compared to pure exemestane. Further, the ex vivo intestinal
      permeation studies showed improved apparent permeability (Papp, cm/s) of
      exemestane from the lipid dispersions (GLD1:5 1.3 * 10-2 cm/s; TLD1:5 1.8 * 10-2
      cm/s) compared to pure exemestane (0.7 * 10-2 cm/s). The optimized lipid
      dispersions (GLD1:5 and TLD1:5) were evaluated for scalability to develop into
      capsules.

PMID- 27267815
TI  - Preparation time influences ankle and knee joint control during dynamic change of
      direction movements.
AB  - The influence of preparation time on ankle joint biomechanics during highly
      dynamic movements is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
      impact of limited preparation time on ankle joint loading during highly dynamic
      run-and-cut movements. Thirteen male basketball players performed 45 degrees 
      sidestep-cutting and 180 degrees -turning manoeuvres in reaction to light signals
      which appeared during the approach run. Both movements were executed under (1) an
      easy condition, in which the light signal appeared very early, (2) a medium
      condition and (3) a hard condition with very little time to prepare the
      movements. Maximum ankle inversion angles, moments and velocities during ground
      contact, as well as EMG signals of three lower extremity muscles, were analysed.
      In 180 degrees -turning movements, reduced preparation time led to significantly
      increased maximum ankle inversion velocities. Muscular activation levels,
      however, did not change. Increased inversion velocities, without accompanying
      changes in muscular activation, may have the potential to destabilise the ankle
      joint when less preparation time is available. This may result in a higher injury
      risk during turning movements and should therefore be considered in ankle injury
      research and the aetiology of ankle sprains.

PMID- 27267816
TI  - Complete remission of disseminated granulomatous dermatitis related to chronic
      eosinophilic leukemia following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

PMID- 27267818
TI  - Prostatectomy vs radiation therapy for prostate cancer: The (still) unsolved
      dilemma.

PMID- 27267817
TI  - AISF position paper on liver transplantation and pregnancy: Women in Hepatology
      Group, Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF).
AB  - After the first successful pregnancy in a liver transplant recipient in 1978,
      much evidence has accumulated on the course, outcomes and management strategies
      of pregnancy following liver transplantation. Generally, liver transplantation
      restores sexual function and fertility as early as a few months after transplant.
      Considering that one third of all liver transplant recipients are women, that
      approximately one-third of them are of reproductive age (18-49 years), and that
      15% of female liver transplant recipients are paediatric patients who have a >70%
      probability of reaching reproductive age, the issue of pregnancy after liver
      transplantation is rather relevant, and obstetricians, paediatricians, and
      transplant hepatologists ever more frequently encounter such patients. Pregnancy
      outcomes for both the mother and infant in liver transplant recipients are
      generally good, but there is an increased incidence of preterm delivery,
      hypertension/preeclampsia, foetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes,
      which, by definition, render pregnancy in liver transplant recipients a high-risk
      one. In contrast, the risk of congenital anomalies and the live birth rate are
      comparable to those of the general population. Currently there are still no
      robust guidelines on the management of pregnancies after liver transplantation.
      The aim of this position paper is to review the available evidence on pregnancy
      in liver transplant recipients and to provide national Italian recommendations
      for clinicians caring for these patients. 

PMID- 27267819
TI  - Performance of recidivism risk assessment instruments in U.S. correctional
      settings.
AB  - With the population of adults under correctional supervision in the United States
      at an all-time high, psychologists and other professionals working in U.S.
      correctional agencies face mounting pressures to identify offenders at greater
      risk of recidivism and to guide treatment and supervision recommendations. Risk
      assessment instruments are increasingly being used to assist with these tasks;
      however, relatively little is known regarding the performance of these tools in
      U.S. correctional settings. In this review, we synthesize the findings of studies
      examining the predictive validity of assessments completed using instruments
      designed to predict general recidivism risk, including committing a new crime and
      violating conditions of probation or parole, among adult offenders in the United
      States. We searched for studies conducted in the United States and published
      between January 1970 and December 2012 in peer-reviewed journals, government
      reports, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations using PsycINFO, the U.S.
      National Criminal Justice Reference Service Abstracts, and Google. We identified
      53 studies (72 samples) conducted in U.S. correctional settings examining the
      predictive validity of 19 risk assessment instruments. The instruments varied
      widely in the number, type, and content of their items. For most instruments,
      predictive validity had been examined in 1 or 2 studies conducted in the United
      States that were published during the reference period. Only 2 studies reported
      on interrater reliability. No instrument emerged as producing the "most" reliable
      and valid risk assessments. Findings suggest the need for continued evaluation of
      the performance of instruments used to predict recidivism risk in U.S.
      correctional agencies. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27267820
TI  - Ultrafast Band Structure Control of a Two-Dimensional Heterostructure.
AB  - The electronic structure of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors can be
      significantly altered by screening effects, either from free charge carriers in
      the material or by environmental screening from the surrounding medium. The
      physical properties of 2D semiconductors placed in a heterostructure with other
      2D materials are therefore governed by a complex interplay of both intra- and
      interlayer interactions. Here, using time- and angle-resolved photoemission, we
      are able to isolate both the layer-resolved band structure and, more importantly,
      the transient band structure evolution of a model 2D heterostructure formed of a
      single layer of MoS2 on graphene. Our results reveal a pronounced renormalization
      of the quasiparticle gap of the MoS2 layer. Following optical excitation, the
      band gap is reduced by up to ~400 meV on femtosecond time scales due to a
      persistence of strong electronic interactions despite the environmental screening
      by the n-doped graphene. This points to a large degree of tunability of both the
      electronic structure and the electron dynamics for 2D semiconductors embedded in
      a van der Waals-bonded heterostructure.

PMID- 27267821
TI  - Role of astrocyte activation in fine particulate matter-enhancement of existing
      ischemic stroke in Sprague-Dawley male rats.
AB  - Exposure to particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5
      MUm (PM2.5) is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke, but potential
      neurotoxic mechanisms remain to be determined. In this study, adult male Sprague-
      Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups as follows: control (CON), PM2.5
      exposure (PM alone), ischemic stroke (IS), and ischemic stroke and PM2.5 (IS-PM).
      Ischemic stroke groups were prepared by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO),
      and neurobehavior was assessed daily for 7 consecutive days. The control group
      was administered intranasally 20 MUl PBS, while PM2.5 alone was given as 20 MUl
      of PM2.5 (10 mg/ml) intranasal daily for 7 consecutive days. The spontaneous
      locomotion and exploratory behavior of rats were assessed by the open field test.
      Cells positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and inducible nitric
      oxide synthase (iNOS) were determined for astrocyte activation and inflammatory
      reactions. Neuronal edema and pyknosis in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and
      midbrain were observed in IS groups with or without PM2.5 treatment. Astrocyte
      activity was enhanced, whereas spontaneous locomotion and exploratory movements
      decreased in the IS-PM group. Data demonstrated that astrocytes activation and
      inflammatory reactions may play a role in IS and that exposure to PM2.5 may
      aggravate the neurobehavioral alterations observed in rats suffering from IS.

PMID- 27267822
TI  - Involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) in inhibition of
      benzene on mouse hematopoietic system.
AB  - Benzene is an occupational and environmental pollutant that damages the
      hematopoietic system through oxidant mechanisms. The aims of this study were to
      assess the role of oxidation in benzene-mediated damage by determination of the
      levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to evaluate the role of hypoxia
      inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in this process. C57BL/6 mice were exposed
      to benzene at varying concentrations of 60, 150, or 300 mg/kg/d for 15 d. Mice in
      the benzene groups displayed weight loss, and hematologic consequences including
      decreased red and white blood cell counts, reduced platelet count, diminished
      hemoglobin content, and lower number of hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow
      (BM). There was an elevated proportional neutrophil count and decrease in
      relative thymus weight. In BM there was a significant increase in ROS levels at
      150 mg/kg benzene. However, as a result of diminished cellular viability, ROS
      levels were not markedly different between the 300-mg/kg benzene dose and the
      control, as the number of hematopoietic stem cells was reduced. HIF-1alpha
      expression and protein levels were decreased in BM cells at all doses of benzene.
      In conclusion, data indicated that HIF-1alpha may be involved in benzene-induced
      inhibition of mouse hematopoiesis and that oxidative stress may play a role in
      the observed toxicity.

PMID- 27267823
TI  - lncRNA UCA1 inhibits esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma growth by regulating the
      Wnt signaling pathway.
AB  - Esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common tumors
      worldwide. Recent studies suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) might play
      a key role in regulating cellular processes and cancer progression. One of the
      lncRNAs, urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (UCA1), is known to be dysregulated in
      several cancers, including bladder carcinoma, colorectal, melanoma, breast,
      gastric, and ESCC. However, contributions of UCA1 to ESCC remain largely
      undiscovered. In order to understand the role and mechanisms underlying UCA1 in
      ESCC, the association of UCA1 expression with risk of esophageal cancer
      development was determined in 106 esophageal cancer tissues of ESCC patients and
      adjacent normal tissues using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR). The relative expression of UCA1 was significantly reduced in
      cancer versus adjacent normal tissues suggesting an enhanced risk of esophageal
      cancer. To investigate the biological functions of UCA1 in ESCC, it was of
      interest to examine whether overexpression of UCA1 might influence cell
      proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, migration, and invasion in
      vitro using EC109 cells. Our results demonstrated that UCA1 decreased cell
      proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression of EC109 cells.
      Further, mRNA microarray analysis of overexpressed UCA1 in EC109 cells revealed
      that abnormal expression of UCA1 also inhibited the Wnt signaling pathway. Gene
      levels of DKK1 were elevated while C-myc fell significantly in overexpressed UCA1
      EC109 cells. Interestingly, Western blot demonstrated no significant differences
      in relative expression of CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) but marked reduction in beta
      catenin (active form) levels in both total and nuclear proteins. These results
      suggest that UCA1 may inhibit ESCC growth by regulating the Wnt signaling
      pathway. In conclusion, UCA1 may be a novel biomarker involved in ESCC
      development that may provide a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

PMID- 27267824
TI  - Adaptive response in mouse bone-marrow stromal cells exposed to 900-MHz
      radiofrequency fields: Gamma-radiation-induced DNA strand breaks and repair.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine whether radiofrequency field (RF)
      preexposure induced adaptive responses (AR) in mouse bone-marrow stromal cells
      (BMSC) and the mechanisms underlying the observed findings. Cells were preexposed
      to 900-MHz radiofrequency fields (RF) at 120 MUW/cm(2) power intensity for 4 h/d
      for 5 d. Some cells were subjected to 1.5 Gy gamma-radiation (GR) 4 h following
      the last RF exposure. The intensity of strand breaks in the DNA was assessed
      immediately at 4 h. Subsequently, some BMSC were examined at 30, 60, 90, or 120
      min utilizing the alkaline comet assay and gamma-H2AX foci technique. Data showed
      no significant differences in number and intensity of strand breaks in DNA
      between RF-exposed and control cells. A significant increase in number and
      intensity of DNA strand breaks was noted in cells exposed to GR exposure alone.
      RF followed by GR exposure significantly decreased number of strand breaks and
      resulted in faster kinetics of repair of DNA strand breaks compared to GR alone.
      Thus, data suggest that RF preexposure protected cells from damage induced by GR.
      Evidence indicates that in RF-mediated AR more rapid repair kinetics occurs under
      conditions of GR-induced damage, which may be attributed to diminished DNA strand
      breakage.

PMID- 27267825
TI  - Analysis of the miRNA-mRNA networks in malignant transformation BEAS-2B cells
      induced by alpha-particles.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the toxicity induced by irradiation with
      alpha-particles on malignant transformation of immortalized human bronchial
      epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) using miRNA-mRNA networks. The expression of BEAS-2B
      cells was determined by measuring colony formation, mtDNA, mitochondrial membrane
      potential (MMP), and ROS levels. Changes in BEAS-2B cell gene expression were
      observed and quantified using microarrays that included an increase in 157 mRNA
      and 20 miRNA expression and a decrease in 77 mRNA and 48 miRNA. Bioinformatic
      software was used to analyze these different mRNA and miRNA, which indicated that
      miR-107 and miR-494 play an important role in alpha-particles-mediated cellular
      malignant transformation processes. The pathways related to systemic lupus
      erythematosus, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, MAPK signaling pathway,
      regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) were
      stimulated, while those of ribosome, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta
      signaling pathway, and metabolic pathways were inhibited. Data suggest that miRNA
      and mRNA play a crucial role in alpha-particles-mediated malignant transformation
      processes. It is worth noting that three target genes associated with lung cancer
      were identified and upregulated PEG 10 (paternally expressed gene 10), ARHGAP26,
      and IRS1.

PMID- 27267826
TI  - Radon-induced alterations in p53-mediated energy metabolism of malignantly
      transformed human bronchial epithelial cells.
AB  - Radon and its progeny were confirmed to be a category I carcinogenic agent.
      However, the molecular basis underlying carcinogenesis induced by radon has not
      been fully elucidated. Expression of p53, a key regulator in glycolysis, is known
      to be decreased in carcinogenesis. The aim of this investigation was to determine
      changes in energy metabolism mediated by p53-related metabolic pathway using
      radon-induced transformation of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. HBE cells
      were exposed to radon for 20 min at a concentration of 20,000 Bq/m(3) and
      cultured for 3 d, and exposed again at the same concentration and duration. This
      was repeated 10 times with culture for 35 passages until malignant transformation
      occurred. During the culturing process, the levels of lactate and lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH) and ratio of NAD(+)/NADH gradually increased between
      passages. Between passages 30 and 35, p53 target gene synthesis of cytochrome c
      oxidase 2 (SCO2), TP53-induced glycolysis, and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR)
      expression were significantly decreased. Data demonstrated that p53-associated
      metabolic pathways may be altered in radon-mediated malignant transformation.

PMID- 27267827
TI  - Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula "Xiaofeng granules" suppressed gouty
      arthritis animal models and inhibited the proteoglycan degradation on
      chondrocytes induced by monosodium urate.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Xiaofeng Granules (XF) is a kind of granules
      prepared by the famous traditional Chinese medicine formula for its efficiency in
      treating gouty diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated the relevance between
      XF that made from Modified simiaowan (MSW) as the anti-gouty arthritis drugs and
      protective mechanisms for cartilage matrix in order to provide the evidence for
      new drug application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated
      the anti-gouty arthritis activity of XF in rats and rabbits models induced by MSU
      together with chondrocytes focusing on the link to proteoglycan degradation in
      vitro studies. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that XF significantly reduced
      the swelling rate and attenuated the pathological changes in joints. The XF
      containing serum were used medicated serum in cellular experiments. The in vitro
      data were in accordance with the in vivo results, showing that the constituents
      in XF-containing serum had obvious inhibitory effects on the activation of pro
      inflammatory mediators in chondrocytes. Moreover, XF-containing serum
      substantially inhibited MSU-induced expression of glycosaminoglycans(GAG) and
      hydroxyproline(Hyp), and up regulated proteoglycan, which might be associated
      with the regulation of the balance of MMP-3/TIMP-1and ADAMTS-4/TIMP-3
      inchondrocytes. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, XF that made from MSW showed obvious
      effects on acute gouty arthritis, which also provided an effective protection on
      cartilage matrix degradation.

PMID- 27267828
TI  - Pharmacokinetic comparative study of gastrodin after oral administration of
      Gastrodia elata Bl. extract and its compatibility with the different indigents of
      Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. to rats.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Da Chuan Xiong Decoction Compound preparation
      (DCXDCP) is a classic TCM formula of an aqueous extract made from Chuanxiong
      Rhizoma (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., umbelliferae) and Tianma Rhizoma (Gastrodia
      elata Bl., Orchidaceae). Gastrodin (GAS), a bioactive component of tianma, its
      pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior significantly changed after oral administration of
      DCXDCP compared with the extract of tianma. However, little is known about how
      the ingredients of chuanxiong influenced on the PK of GAS. AIM OF THE STUDY: To
      study the possible PK behavior differences of GAS after individually oral
      administration of tianma extract and tianma extract mixed with different active
      ingredients of chuanxiong to rats, as well as explore whether there were some
      herb-herb interactions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different DCXDCP suspensions were
      prepared by mixing tianma extract with different active ingredients of
      chuanxiong. The rats were randomly assigned to six groups and were orally treated
      with different DCXDCP. At different predetermined time points after
      administration, the concentrations of GAS in the rat plasma were determined using
      HPLC, and the main PK parameters were investigated. RESULTS: The results showed
      that tetramethylpyrazine had no significant effects on the PK parameters of GAS
      (p>0.05), whereas ferulic acid (FA), total phenolic acids and total alkaloids
      significantly increased AUC0-infinity (p<0.05). In general the observed changes
      in the PK parameters of GAS in DCXDCP could be closely related to the total
      phenolic acids and total alkaloids. CONCLUSION: It could be shown that total
      phenolic acids and total alkaloids present in Ligusticum chuanxiong in addition
      to other components not tested yet play an important role in affecting the PK of
      gastrodin in DCXDCP.

PMID- 27267829
TI  - Crateva adansonii DC, an African ethnomedicinal plant, exerts cytotoxicity in
      vitro and prevents experimental mammary tumorigenesis in vivo.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Crateva adansonii DC is a plant traditionally
      used in Cameroon to treat constipation, asthma, snakebites, postmenopausal
      complaints and cancers. AIM: The anticancer potential of the
      dichloromethane/methanol extract of C. adansonii stem barks was investigated
      using human breast cancer cell and 7,12 dimethylbenz(a)anththracene (DMBA)
      induced mammary tumorigenesis model in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The
      cytotoxicity of C. adansonii extract was assessed in vitro towards breast
      carcinoma (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and non-tumoral cell lines (NIH/3T3 and HUVEC)
      by Alamar Blue assay. Furthermore, in vivo studies were performed on female
      Wistar rats treated either with C. adansonii extract at a dose of 75 or 300mg/kg
      body weight or with tamoxifen (3.3mg/kg body weight), starting 1 week prior DMBA
      treatment and lasted 12 weeks. The investigation focused on tumour burden, tumour
      DNA fingerprint, morphological, histological, hematological, and biochemical
      parameters. RESULTS: CC50 values for the in vitro assays were 289ug/mL against
      MCF-7 cells and >500ug/mL in others cells, leading to a selectivity index >=1.73.
      C. adansonii extract significantly (p<0.001) revealed in vivo the reduction of
      the cumulative tumour yield (87.23%), total tumour burden (88.64%), average
      tumour weight (71.11%) and tumour volume (78.07%) at the dose of 75mg/kg as
      compared to DMBA control group. A weak effect was also observed at 300mg/kg. This
      extract showed a moderate hyperplasia at the dose of 75mg/kg while at 300mg/kg no
      significant change was noted as compared to DMBA group. It protected rats from
      the DNA alteration induced by DMBA and increased antioxydant enzymes activities
      in mammary gland tissue homogenates. In addition, Ultra-High Performance Liquid
      Chromatography/ESI-QTOF-Mass Spectrometry analysis of C. adansonii extract
      detected structure-related of many well-known anticancer agents such as flavane
      gallate, flavonol, phenylpropanoids, sesquiterpene derivatives, gallotannins and
      lignans. The LD50 of C. adansonii was estimated to be greater than 5000mg/kg.
      CONCLUSIONS: These aforementioned results suggest that the C. adansonii extract
      may possess antitumor constituents, which could combat breast cancer and prevent
      chemically-induced breast cancer in rats.

PMID- 27267830
TI  - Antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts, fractions and compounds from
      Harungana madagascariensis Lam. ex Poir. (Hypericaceae).
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Harungana madagascariensis Lam. ex Poir.
      (Hypericaceae) is used in folk medicine to treat a variety of human ailments,
      mainly antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and viral infections. In the present
      study, the methanol extract from the leaves (HML) and bark (HMB) of this plant as
      well as fractions (HMBa-c), sub-fractions (HMBa1-5) and compounds isolated from
      HMBa and HMBb namely betulinic acid (1), madagascin (2), ferruginin A (3) and
      Kaempferol-3-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (4) were tested for their antimicrobial
      activities against a panel of 28 g-negative bacteria including multidrug
      resistant (MDR) phenotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The broth microdilution method
      was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal
      bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the above samples; column chromatography was
      used for the fractionation and purification of the bark extract whilst the
      chemical structures of compounds were determined using spectroscopic techniques.
      RESULTS: Crude extract HMB together with fraction HMBa and sub-fraction HMBa3
      were active on the 28 tested bacterial strains. HML as well as fractions HMBb,
      HMBc and sub-fractions HMBa1, HMBa2, HMBa4 and HMBa5 were selectively active. MIC
      values below or equal to 1024ug/mL were recorded with these samples on 92.9% (for
      HML and HMBa 4), 82.1% (for HMBb), 78.6% (for HMBa2), 50.0% (for HMBa5) and 42.9%
      (for HMBc) tested bacteria. For crude material, the lowest MIC value below 8ug/mL
      was obtained with HMB against Escherichia coli ATCC10536 and W3110 strains, and
      with sub-fraction HMBa3 against Klebsiella pneumoniae K2 strains. MIC values
      below 10ug/mL were recorded with compound 3 against E. coli ATCC10536,
      Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC13048 and EA294, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01, K.
      pneumoniae K2 and Kp55 and Enterobacter cloacae BM67. CONCLUSIONS: Harungana
      madagascariensis is a potential source of antimicrobial drugs to fight against
      MDR bacteria. The anthranol 3 is the main antibacterial constituents of the bark
      of the plant. HMB and compound 3 deserve further investigations to develop
      natural drug to combat Gram-negative bacteria and otherwise MDR phenotypes.

PMID- 27267831
TI  - The ethanolic extract of the Eclipta prostrata L. ameliorates the cognitive
      impairment in mice induced by scopolamine.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Eclipta prostrata L. (Asteraceae) has been
      prescribed for whole body nourishment and nervine tonic in Asia. However, the
      effects of E. prostrata in learning and memory have not been fully explored. AIM
      OF THE STUDY: To scientifically elucidate the effects of E. prostrata on
      cognitive functions, we examined whether E. prostrata could ameliorate a
      cholinergic blockade-induced memory impairment, and we also investigated the
      effects of E. prostrata on the synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Memory impairment was induced by scopolamine, a cholinergic
      muscarinic receptor antagonist. The anti-amnesic effects of the ethanolic extract
      of Eclipta prostrata L. (EEEP) were measured in mice by the passive avoidance, Y
      maze and Morris water maze tasks. To test the effects of EEEP on synaptic
      plasticity, we measured long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. We also
      studied several signaling molecules related to learning and memory, such as
      phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt) or phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase
      3beta (GSK-3beta). RESULTS: In the passive avoidance task, EEEP (50 or 100mg/kg,
      p.o.) significantly ameliorated the shortened step-through latency induced by
      scopolamine. EEEP (100mg/kg, p.o.) also showed significant increase in
      alternation behavior during the Y-maze task. In the Morris water maze task,
      scopolamine-induced a decrease in both the swimming time within the target zone
      and the number of crossings where the platform had been placed were significantly
      reversed by EEEP (50 or 100mg/kg, p.o.). Moreover, EEEP (100MUg/ml) significantly
      enhanced hippocampal LTP without affecting basal synaptic transmission. The
      administration of EEEP (100mg/kg) increased the phosphorylation levels of Akt and
      GSK-3beta in the hippocampal region. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that EEEP
      has memory-ameliorating activity against scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment
      and facilitates LTP in the hippocampus. This could be, at least in part, mediated
      by the activation of the Akt-GSK-3beta signaling pathway.

PMID- 27267832
TI  - A Preoperative Measurement of Serum MicroRNA-125b May Predict the Presence of
      Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinomas Patients.
AB  - The high recurrence rate remains a major problem that strongly influenced the
      prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who received hepatectomy.
      The presence of microvascular invasion (MVI) is regarded as the most important
      risk factor that contributes to the postoperative recurrence. Our previous study
      has hinted that serum microRNA-125b (miR-125b) was associated with MVI. The aim
      of the present study was to identify whether serum miR-125b can serve as a
      biomarker to reliably predict microvascular invasion (MVI) preoperatively. MiR
      125b was quantified in 108 HCC patients' serum before they received surgery by
      quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Our results revealed that MVI was
      associated with relapse free survival (RFS) of postoperative HCC patients;
      surgical margin width was associated with postoperative RFS in MVI present
      patients, but not in the patients without MVI. Multivariate analysis revealed
      that miR-125b, tumor size and AFP were the independent predictive factors
      associated with MVI in this cohort (P = .001, .001, .003, respectively). The
      probability of the predictive accuracy of miR-125b was 76.95% (51.32% specificity
      and 87.50% sensitivity), which was almost equal to the classifier established by
      combination of AFP and tumor size (78.82% probability, 65.63% specificity and
      84.21% sensitivity). Furthermore, the combination of tumor size, AFP and miR-125b
      yielded a ROC curve area of 86.68% (72.37% specificity and 84.38% sensitivity).
      Our study indicated that serum miR-125b can be used to predict MVI of HCC
      patients before they received hepatic resection. Therefore, miR-125b can
      potentially guide individualized treatment, which helps HCC patients, with or
      without MVI, to benefit from different surgical approach. 

PMID- 27267833
TI  - Genomic Alterations in Biliary Tract Cancer Using Targeted Sequencing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare and heterogeneous group of
      tumors classified anatomically into intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and
      gallbladder adenocarcinomas. Patient-derived tumor cell (PDC) models with genome
      analysis can be a valuable platform to develop a method to overcome the clinical
      barrier on BTCs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and June 2015, 40 BTC
      patients' samples were collected. PDCs were isolated and cultured from surgical
      specimens, biopsy tissues, or malignant effusions including ascites and pleural
      fluid. Genome analysis using targeted panel sequencing as well as digital
      multiplexed gene analysis was applied to PDCs as well as primary tumors. RESULTS:
      Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (N=15, 37.5%), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
      (N=10, 25.0%), gallbladder cancer (N=14, 35.0%), and ampulla of Vater cancer
      (N=1, 2.5%) were included. We identified 15 mutations with diverse genetic
      alterations in 19 cases of BTC from primary tumor specimens. The most common
      molecular alterations were in TP53 (8/19, 42.1%), including missense mutations
      such as C242Y, E285K, G112S, P19T, R148T, R248Q, and R273L. We also detected two
      NRAS mutations (G12C and Q61L), two KRAS mutations (G12A and G12S), two ERBB2
      mutations (V777L and pM774delinsMA) and amplification, and three PIK3CA mutations
      (N345K, E545K, and E521K). PDC models were successfully established in 27 of 40
      samples (67.5%), including 22/24 from body fluids (91.7%) and 5/16 from tissue
      specimens (31.3%). CONCLUSIONS: PDC models are promising tools for uncovering
      driver mutations and identifying rational therapeutic strategies in BTC.
      Application of this model is expected to inform clinical trials of drugs for
      molecular-based targeted therapy.

PMID- 27267834
TI  - Scanning Acoustic Microscopy-A Novel Noninvasive Method to Determine Tumor
      Interstitial Fluid Pressure in a Xenograft Tumor Model.
AB  - Elevated tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP) is a prominent feature of solid
      tumors and hampers the transmigration of therapeutic macromolecules, for example,
      large monoclonal antibodies, from tumor-supplying vessels into the tumor
      interstitium. TIFP values of up to 40 mm Hg have been measured in experimental
      solid tumors using two conventional invasive techniques: the wick-in-needle and
      the micropuncture technique. We propose a novel noninvasive method of determining
      TIFP via ultrasonic investigation with scanning acoustic microscopy at 30-MHz
      frequency. In our experimental setup, we observed for the impedance fluctuations
      in the outer tumor hull of A431-vulva carcinoma-derived tumor xenograft mice. The
      gain dependence of signal strength was quantified, and the relaxation of tissue
      was calibrated with simultaneous hydrostatic pressure measurements. Signal
      patterns from the acoustical images were translated into TIFP curves, and a
      putative saturation effect was found for tumor pressures larger than 3 mm Hg.
      This is the first noninvasive approach to determine TIFP values in tumors. This
      technique can provide a potentially promising noninvasive assessment of TIFP and,
      therefore, can be used to determine the TIFP before treatment approach as well to
      measure therapeutic efficacy highlighted by lowered TFP values. 

PMID- 27267835
TI  - Expression of SOCS1 and CXCL12 Proteins in Primary Breast Cancer Are Associated
      with Presence of Circulating Tumor Cells in Peripheral Blood.
AB  - Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are independent prognostic factors in the primary
      and metastatic breast cancer patients and play crucial role in hematogenous tumor
      dissemination. The aim of this study was to correlate the presence of CTCs in
      peripheral blood with the expression of proteins in tumor tissue that have a
      putative role in regulation of cell growth and metastatic potential. This
      prospective study included 203 primary breast cancer patients treated by
      definitive surgery. CTCs were detected by quantitative real-time PCR for the
      expression of epithelial (CK19) or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-inducing
      transcription factor genes (TWIST1, SNAIL1, SLUG, and ZEB1). Expression of APC,
      ADAM23, CXCL12, E-cadherin, RASSF1, SYK, TIMP3, BRMS1, and SOCS1 proteins in
      primary breast tumor tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. CTCs with
      epithelial markers were found in 17 (9.2%) patients. Their occurrence was
      associated with inhibition of SOCS1 expression (odds ratio [OR] = 0.07; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.13; P < .001). CTCs with positive epithelial-to
      mesenchymal transition markers were detected in 30 (15.8%) patients; however, no
      association with analyzed protein expressions was found. Overall, CTCs were
      detected in 44 (22.9%) patients. Presence of any CTC marker was significantly
      associated with positive CXCL12 expression (OR = 3.08; 95% CI, 1.15-8.26; P =
      .025) and lack of SOCS1 expression (OR = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.04-0.25; P < .001) in
      patient's tumor tissues. As both CXCL12 and SOCS1 proteins are involved in
      cytokine signaling, our results provide support for the hypothesis that aberrant
      signaling cross talk between cytokine and chemokine responses could have an
      important role in hematogenous dissemination of tumor cells in breast cancer. 

PMID- 27267836
TI  - Increased Expression of PHGDH and Prognostic Significance in Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - Phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) plays an essential role in cancer-specific
      metabolic reprogramming. It has been reported as a putative metabolic oncogene in
      several types of human malignant tumors, such as breast cancer and melanoma. To
      date, PHGDH expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) as well as its association with
      clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic implication remain
      undetermined. In this study, we determined the PHGDH protein expression using
      tissue microarray immunohistochemistry (TMA-IHC) on 193 pairs of formalin-fixed,
      paraffin-embedded specimens of CRC and adjacent tissues, 25 chronic colitis, 41
      low-, and 19 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia specimens, and we also
      determined PHGDH mRNA level using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT
      PCR) on additional 23 pairs of fresh CRC tissues and adjacent tissues. We found
      that both PHGDH mRNA and protein was highly expressed in tumor tissues in
      comparison with matched adjacent non-tumor tissues, and high PHGDH protein
      expression was correlated with advanced TNM stage (P = .038) and larger tumor (P
      = .001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PHGDH protein
      expression (HR = 2.285, 95% CI = 1.18 to 4.41, P = .014), tumor differentiation
      (HR = .307, 95% CI = .154 to 0.609, P = .001), and TNM stage (HR = 1.791, 95% CI
      = 1.125 to 2.85, P = .014) were independent prognostic factors in CRC. Kaplan
      Meier survival curves and log rank test showed that high PHGDH protein expression
      contributed to poor outcome in CRC patients (P < .001). In conclusion, these
      results suggest that assessment of PHGDH expression could be useful in
      identifying a high-risk subgroup of CRC. 

PMID- 27267837
TI  - BEZ235 (PIK3/mTOR inhibitor) Overcomes Pazopanib Resistance in Patient-Derived
      Refractory Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although pazopanib treatment has become the standard chemotherapy in
      salvage setting for metastatic sarcoma patients, most patients progress after
      pazopanib treatment in 4 to 6 months. After failure to pazopanib, patients have
      limited options for treatment. Therefore, subsequent therapy in patients who
      failed to pazopanib is urgently needed and the use of patient derived cells or
      patient derived tumors for accompanying testing with various pharmacological
      inhibitors could offer additional treatment options for these patients. METHODS:
      Patient derived tumor cells were collected from ascites at the time of
      progression to pazopanib and a 13-drug panel was tested for drug sensitivity. We
      confirmed the results using in vitro cell viability assay and immunoblot assay.
      We also performed the genomic profiling of PDX model. RESULTS: The growth of
      patient derived tumor cells was significantly reduced by exposure to 1.0 MUM
      AZD2014 compared with control (control versus AZD2014, mean growth = 100.0% vs
      16.04%, difference = 83.96%, 95% CI = 70.01% to 97.92%, P = .0435). Similarly,
      1.0 MUM BEZ235 profoundly inhibited tumor cell growth in vitro when compared to
      control (control versus BEZ235, mean growth = 100.0% vs 7.308%, difference =
      92.69%, 95% CI = 78.87% to 106.5%, P < .0001). Despite the presence of CDK4
      amplification in the patient-derived tumor cells, LEE011 did not considerably
      inhibit cell proliferation when compared with control (control vs LEE011, mean
      growth = 100.0% vs 80.23%, difference = 19.77%, 95% CI = 1.828% to 37.72%, P =
      .0377). The immunoblot analysis showed that BEZ235 treatment decreased pAKT,
      pmTOR and pERK whereas AZD2014 decreased only pmTOR. CONCLUSION: Taken together,
      upregulation of mTOR/AKT pathway in sarcoma patient derived cells was
      considerably inhibited by the treatment of AZD2014 and BEZ235 with downregulation
      of AKT pathway (greater extent for BEZ235). These molecules may be considered as
      treatment option in STS patient who have failed to pazopanib in the context of
      clinical trials.

PMID- 27267838
TI  - Rapid Cancer Fluorescence Imaging Using A gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase-Specific
      Probe For Primary Lung Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We set out to examine the activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase
      (GGT) in lung cancer and the validity of gamma-glutamyl hydroxymethyl rhodamine
      green (gGlu-HMRG) for intraoperative imaging of primary lung cancer. METHODS: GGT
      activities and mRNA expression levels of GGT1 (one of the GGT subtypes) in five
      human lung cancer cell lines were examined by fluorescence imaging and
      quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In vivo imaging of
      an orthotopic A549 xenograft model in nude mice was performed to confirm its
      applicability to intraoperative imaging. Furthermore, ex vivo imaging of 73
      specimens from lung cancer patients were performed and analyzed to calculate the
      sensitivity/specificity of gGlu-HMRG for lung cancer diagnosis. RESULTS: GGT
      activities and mRNA expression levels of GGT1 are diverse depending on cell type;
      A549, H441, and H460 showed relatively high GGT activities and expression levels,
      whereas H82 and H226 showed lower values. In the in vivo mouse model study, tiny
      pleural dissemination and hilar/mediastinal lymph node metastasis (less than 1 mm
      in diameter) were clearly detected 15 minutes after topical application of gGlu
      HMRG. In the ex vivo study of specimens from patients, the sensitivity and
      specificity of gGlu-HMRG were calculated to be 43.8% (32/73) and 84.9% (62/73),
      respectively. When limited to female patients, never smokers, and
      adenocarcinomas, these values were 78.9% (15/19) and 73.7% (14/19), respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although GGT activity of lung cancer cells vary, gGlu-HMRG can serve
      as an intraoperative imaging tool to detect small foci of lung cancer when such
      cells have sufficient GGT activity.

PMID- 27267839
TI  - Intracranial Tumor Cell Migration and the Development of Multiple Brain
      Metastases in Malignant Melanoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A majority of patients with melanoma brain metastases develop
      multiple lesions, and these patients show particularly poor prognosis. To develop
      improved treatment strategies, detailed insights into the biology of melanoma
      brain metastases, and particularly the development of multiple lesions, are
      needed. The purpose of this preclinical investigation was to study melanoma cell
      migration within the brain after cell injection into a well-defined intracerebral
      site. METHODS: A-07, D-12, R-18, and U-25 human melanoma cells transfected with
      green fluorescent protein were injected stereotactically into the right cerebral
      hemisphere of nude mice. Moribund mice were killed and autopsied, and the brain
      was evaluated by fluorescence imaging or histological examination. RESULTS:
      Intracerebral inoculation of melanoma cells produced multiple lesions involving
      all regions of the brain, suggesting that the cells were able to migrate over
      substantial distances within the brain. Multiple modes of transport were
      identified, and all transport modes were observed in all four melanoma lines.
      Thus, the melanoma cells were passively transported via the flow of cerebrospinal
      fluid in the meninges and ventricles, they migrated actively along leptomeningeal
      and brain parenchymal blood vessels, and they migrated actively along the
      surfaces separating different brain compartments. CONCLUSION: Migration of
      melanoma cells after initial arrest, extravasation, and growth at a single
      location within the brain may contribute significantly to the development of
      multiple melanoma brain metastases.

PMID- 27267840
TI  - Evaluating Changes to Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in Brain Metastasis over Time
      and after Radiation Treatment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The incidence of brain metastasis due to breast cancer is
      increasing, and prognosis is poor. Treatment is challenging because the blood
      brain barrier (BBB) limits efficacy of systemic therapies. In this work, we
      develop a clinically relevant whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) plan to investigate
      the impact of radiation on brain metastasis development and BBB permeability in a
      murine model. We hypothesize that radiotherapy will decrease tumor burden and
      increase tumor permeability, which could offer a mechanism to increase drug
      uptake in brain metastases. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) and high-resolution anatomical MRI were used to evaluate BBB integrity
      associated with brain metastases due to breast cancer in the MDA-MB-231-BR-HER2
      model during their natural development. Novel image-guided microirradiation
      technology was employed to develop WBRT treatment plans and to investigate if
      this altered brain metastatic growth or permeability. Histology and
      immunohistochemistry were performed on whole brain slices corresponding with MRI
      to validate and further investigate radiological findings. RESULTS: Herein, we
      show successful implementation of microirradiation technology that can deliver
      WBRT to small animals. We further report that WBRT following diagnosis of brain
      metastasis can mitigate, but not eliminate, tumor growth in the MDA-MB-231-BR
      HER2 model. Moreover, radiotherapy did not impact BBB permeability associated
      with metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically relevant WBRT is not curative when
      delivered after MRI-detectable tumors have developed in this model. A dose of 20
      Gy in 2 fractions was not sufficient to increase tumor permeability such that it
      could be used as a method to increase systemic drug uptake in brain metastasis.

PMID- 27267842
TI  - miR-1207-3p Is a Novel Prognostic Biomarker of Prostate Cancer.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be dysregulated in prostate cancer (PCa).
      In this study, we investigated if miR-1207-3p is capable of distinguishing
      between indolent and aggressive PCa and if it contributes to explaining the
      disproportionate aggressiveness of PCa in men of African ancestry (moAA). A total
      of 404 patients with primary adenocarcinoma of the prostate were recruited
      between 1988 and 2003 at the Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA. Patient
      clinicopathological features and demographic characteristics such as race were
      identified. RNA samples from 404 postprostatectomy prostate tumor tissue samples
      were analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain
      reaction for the mRNA expression of miR-1207-3p. miR-1207-3p expression in PCa
      that resulted in overall death or PCa-specific death is significantly higher than
      in PCa cases that did not. The same positive correlation holds true for other
      clinical characteristics such as biochemical recurrence, Gleason score, clinical
      stage, and prostate-specific antigen level. Furthermore, miR-1207-3p expression
      was significantly less in moAA in comparison to Caucasian men. We also evaluated
      whether miR-1207-3p is associated with clinical outcomes adjusted for age at
      diagnosis and tumor stage in the modeling. Using competing risk regression, the
      PCa patients with a high miR-1207-3p expression (>=6 vs 3) had a high risk to
      develop PCa recurrence (hazard rate = 2.5, P < .001) adjusting for age at
      diagnosis and tumor stage. In conclusion, miR-1207-3p is a promising novel
      prognostic biomarker for PCa. Furthermore, miR-1207-3p may also be important in
      explaining the disproportionate aggressiveness of PCa in moAA. 

PMID- 27267841
TI  - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Identifies Differential Response to Pro-Oxidant
      Chemotherapy in a Xenograft Model.
AB  - Induction of oxidative stress is a key component of cancer therapy. Pro-oxidant
      drugs have been demonstrated to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy and
      chemotherapy. An emerging concept is that therapeutic outcomes are dictated by
      the differential redox buffering reserve in subpopulations of malignant cells,
      indicating the need for noninvasive biomarkers of tumor redox that can be used
      for dose identification and response assessment in a longitudinal setting.
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhanced with the thiol-binding contrast agent
      Gd-LC6-SH, and hemodynamic response imaging (HRI) in combination with hypercapnia
      and hyperoxia were investigated as biomarkers of the pharmacodynamics of the
      small molecule pro-oxidant imexon (IMX). Human multiple myeloma cell lines 8226/S
      and an IMX-resistant variant, 8226/IM10, were established as contralateral tumors
      in SCID mice. T1slope, an MRI measure of the washout rate of Gd-LC6-SH, was
      significantly lower post-IMX therapy in 8226/S tumors compared with vehicle
      controls, indicating treatment-related oxidization of the tumor microenvironment,
      which was confirmed by analysis of tumor tissue for thiols. T1slope and ex vivo
      assays for thiols both indicated a more reduced microenvironment in 8226/IM10
      tumors following IMX therapy. HRI with hypercapnia challenge revealed IMX
      inhibition of vascular dilation in 8226/S tumors but not 8226/IM10 tumors,
      consistent with decreased immunohistochemical staining for smooth muscle actin in
      treated 8226/S tumors. MRI enhanced with Gd-LC6-SH, and HRI coupled with a
      hypercapnic challenge provide noninvasive biomarkers of tumor response to the
      redox modulator imexon. 

PMID- 27267843
TI  - Application of a Serum Protein Signature for Pancreatic Cancer to Separate Cases
      from Controls in a Pancreatic Surveillance Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer (PC) surveillance is currently offered to
      individuals with a genetic predisposition to PC, but routinely used radiological
      screening modalities are not entirely reliable in detecting early-stage PC or its
      precursor lesions. We recently identified a discriminating PC biomarker signature
      in a sporadic patient cohort. In this study, we investigated if protein profiling
      can accurately distinguish PC from non-PC in a pancreatic surveillance cohort of
      genetically predisposed individuals. METHODS: Serum samples of 66 individuals
      with a CDKN2A germline mutation who participated in the pancreatic surveillance
      program (5 cases, 61 controls) were obtained following a standardized protocol.
      After sample clean-up, peptide and protein profiles were obtained on an ultrahigh
      resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry platform. A discriminant score for each
      sample was calculated with a previously designed prediction rule, and the median
      discriminant scores of cases and controls were compared. Individuals with
      precursor lesions of PC (n = 4) and individuals with a recent diagnosis of
      melanoma (n = 4) were also separately considered. RESULTS: Cases had a higher
      median discriminant score than controls (0.26 vs 0.016; P = .001). The only
      individual with pathologically confirmed precursor lesions of PC could also be
      clearly distinguished from controls, and having a (recent) medical history of
      melanoma did not influence the protein signatures. CONCLUSIONS: Peptide and
      protein signatures are able to accurately distinguish PC cases from controls in a
      pancreatic surveillance setting. Mass spectrometry-based protein profiling
      therefore seems to be a promising candidate for implementation in the pancreatic
      surveillance program as an additional screening modality.

PMID- 27267844
TI  - Dasatinib-Induced CMV Hepatitis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Rare
      Complication of a Common Drug.
AB  - Dasatinib is a common anticancer drug used in the treatment of leukemia. Several
      side effects have been reported, the most common being myelosuppression,
      diarrhea, edema, and nausea. Three papers have been published reporting hepatic
      side effects of dasatinib treatment. A rare side effect of dasatinib treatment is
      reactivation of latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Never before has
      dasatinib therapy shown to be the cause of CMV hepatitis in an immunocompetent
      patient. We present a case of an immunocompetent patient who was treated with the
      standard dose of dasatinib therapy and subsequently developed CMV hepatitis. Well
      known side effects of dasatinib therapy are understood and documented; unknown
      adverse drug reactions can occur and should be monitored for. This is a
      significant finding given the high rate of CMV seropositivity in the general
      population. 

PMID- 27267845
TI  - Detection of Biomarkers with Solid-Phase Proximity Ligation Assay in Patients
      with Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the search for prognostic biomarkers, a significant amount of
      precious biobanked blood samples is needed for conventional analyses. Solid-phase
      proximity ligation assay (SP-PLA) is an analytic method with the ability to
      analyze many proteins at the same time in small amounts of plasma. The aim of
      this study was to explore the potential use of SP-PLA for biomarker validation in
      patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Plasma samples from
      patients with stage I to IV CRC, with (n = 31) and without (n = 29) disease
      dissemination at diagnosis or later, were analyzed with SP-PLA using 35
      antibodies targeting an equal number of proteins in 5-MUl plasma samples.
      Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), analyzed earlier in this cohort using a different
      technology, was used as a reference. RESULTS: A total of 21 of the 35
      investigated proteins were detectable with SP-PLA. Patients in stage II to III
      with disseminated disease had lower plasma concentrations of HCC-4 (P = .025).
      Low plasma levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 were seen in
      patients with disseminated disease stage II (P = .003). The level of CEA was
      higher in patients with disease dissemination compared with those without (P =
      .007). CONCLUSION: SP-PLA has the ability to analyze many protein markers
      simultaneously in a small amount of blood. However, none of the markers selected
      for the present SP-PLA analyses gave better prognostic information than CEA.

PMID- 27267846
TI  - A Prognostic Model in Metastatic or Recurrent Gastric Cancer Patients with Good
      Performance Status Who Received First-Line Chemotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Good performance status is widely known as a superior prognostic
      predictor. However, some patients have large survival differences despite having
      good performance status that are influenced by certain prognostic factors. The
      purpose of this study was to explore baseline host- or tumor-related factors and
      to establish a prognostic model for metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer
      patients with good performance status who received first-line chemotherapy.
      METHODS: A total of 310 metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer patients with good
      performance status who received first-line chemotherapy were enrolled. Prognostic
      significance was determined using multivariate Cox regression analysis.
      Incorporating all pretreatment indicators, a prognostic model was established.
      Overall survival outcomes were compared with different risk groups using the
      Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, no
      previous gastrectomy [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) =
      1.08-1.85], number of distant metastatic sites (HR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.11-1.96),
      bone metastasis (HR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.16-4.18), liver metastasis (HR = 1.77; 95%
      CI = 1.31-2.39), and an elevated neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (HR = 1.37; 95% CI =
      1.04-1.79) were independent prognostic factors of overall survival. Patients were
      categorized into three risk groups according to their risk scores. Median
      survival times for the low-risk (0 point), intermediate-risk (1-3 points), and
      high-risk (>=4 points) groups were 19.7, 10.7 and 5.1 months, respectively (P <
      .001). CONCLUSIONS: A prognostic model was developed that could facilitate risk
      stratification for metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer patients with good
      performance status who received first-line chemotherapy to help clinicians choose
      an applicable treatment based on the estimated prognosis.

PMID- 27267847
TI  - The Environmental Pollutant Tributyltin Chloride Disrupts the Hypothalamic
      Pituitary-Adrenal Axis at Different Levels in Female Rats.
AB  - Tributyltin chloride (TBT) is an environmental contaminant that is used as a
      biocide in antifouling paints. TBT has been shown to induce endocrine-disrupting
      effects. However, studies evaluating the effects of TBT on the hypothalamus
      pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are especially rare. The current study demonstrates
      that exposure to TBT is critically responsible for the improper function of the
      mammalian HPA axis as well as the development of abnormal morphophysiology in the
      pituitary and adrenal glands. Female rats were treated with TBT, and their HPA
      axis morphophysiology was assessed. High CRH and low ACTH expression and high
      plasma corticosterone levels were detected in TBT rats. In addition, TBT leads to
      an increased in the inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression in the
      hypothalamus of TBT rats. Morphophysiological abnormalities, including increases
      in inflammation, a disrupted cellular redox balance, apoptosis, and collagen
      deposition in the pituitary and adrenal glands, were observed in TBT rats.
      Increases in adiposity and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma
      protein expression in the adrenal gland were observed in TBT rats. Together,
      these data provide in vivo evidence that TBT leads to functional dissociation
      between CRH, ACTH, and costicosterone, which could be associated an inflammation
      and increased of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in hypothalamus.
      Thus, TBT exerts toxic effects at different levels on the HPA axis function.

PMID- 27267848
TI  - Role of mTOR Inhibitors in Growth Hormone-Producing Pituitary Adenomas Harboring
      Different FGFR4 Genotypes.
AB  - Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are common intracranial lesions. Available medical
      therapies are limited in PAs, and therefore, it is essential to identify
      treatments that control PA growth when surgery is not an option. Fibroblast
      growth factor 4 is implicated in PA pathogenesis; therefore, in this study, we
      used an isogenic mammosomatotroph cell line (GH4C1) harboring different
      fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-4 genotypes to establish and
      characterize intracranial xenograft mouse models that can be used for preclinical
      drug testing. We show that proliferating GH4C1 tumors have an average latency of
      3 weeks to form. Histological analysis revealed that prototypic FGFR4 (G388)
      tumors express increased prolactin and less GH, whereas tumors possessing the
      polymorphic variant of FGFR4 (R388) express increased GH relative to prolactin.
      All tumors show abundant mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling as
      confirmed using phosphorylated (p)-S6 and p-4E-binding protein 1 as downstream
      regulators of this pathway. We subsequently demonstrate that the mTOR inhibitor
      RAD001 decreases tumor growth rate and reduces p-S6 but not p-4E-binding protein
      1 activation, regardless of FGFR4 status. More importantly, GH activity was
      significantly reduced after mTOR inhibition in the R388 polymorphic variant
      tumors. This reduction was also associated with a concomitant reduction in serum
      IGF-1 levels in the R388 group. In summary, we demonstrate that the GH4C1 FGFR
      polymorphic xenograft is a useful model for examining PAs. Furthermore, we show
      that RAD001 can efficiently reduce tumor growth rate by a reduction in mTOR
      signaling and more importantly results in control of GH expression and IGF-1
      secretion, providing further support for using mTOR inhibitors in PA patients, in
      particular GH-producing adenomas.

PMID- 27267849
TI  - CD103 and Intratumoral Immune Response in Breast Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: CD103 is expressed in several immune cell types but in the context of
      the intratumoral immune response may be most important as a marker of antigen
      activated CD8 T cells. METHODS: We have examined the prognostic significance of
      CD103 TILs in breast cancer by IHC in a cohort of 424 breast cancer patients.
      RESULTS: CD103 TILs were present in all subtypes but were more abundant in ER
      negative tumors where CD103 TILs were preferentially localized to the
      intraepithelial compartment. CD103 was associated with tumor size, tumor grade,
      and ER/PR status (P < 0.05). CD103 TIL density and the epithelial to stromal
      ratio was highest in the basal-like tumors. Intraepithelial CD103 but not
      intrastromal CD103 was associated with better relapse-free and overall survival
      in basal-like subtype tumors [HR = 0.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.17-0.72;
      P = 0.0047 and HR = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.17-0.66; P = 0.0017, respectively). CD8
      status showed similar but less significant associations, but the combination of
      dual CD103+CD8+ TIL status was the most strongly prognostic combination for
      relapse-free and overall survival (HR = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.07-0.62; P = 0.006 and HR
      = 0.09; 95% CI, 0.07-0.57; P = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CD103 TILs are
      indicative of a good prognosis specifically within the basal-like subtype of
      breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6290-7. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27267850
TI  - A Novel HSP90 Inhibitor-Drug Conjugate to SN38 Is Highly Effective in Small Cell
      Lung Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive disease
      representing 12% to 13% of total lung cancers, with median survival of <2 years.
      No targeted therapies have proven effective in SCLC. Although most patients
      respond initially to cytotoxic chemotherapies, resistance rapidly emerges,
      response to second-line agents is limited, and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) are
      a major issue. This study performs preclinical evaluation of a new compound, STA
      8666, in SCLC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To avoid DLT for useful cytotoxic agents, the
      recently developed drug STA-8666 combines a chemical moiety targeting active
      HSP90 (concentrated in tumors) fused via cleavable linker to SN38, the active
      metabolite of irinotecan. We compare potency and mechanism of action of STA-8666
      and irinotecan in vitro and in vivo RESULTS: In two SCLC xenograft and patient
      derived xenograft models, STA-8666 was tolerated without side effects up to 150
      mg/kg. At this dose, STA-8666 controlled or eliminated established tumors whether
      used in a first-line setting or in tumors that had progressed following treatment
      on standard first- and second-line agents for SCLC. At 50 mg/kg, STA-8666
      strongly enhanced the action of carboplatin. Pharmacokinetic profiling confirmed
      durable STA-8666 exposure in tumors compared with irinotecan. STA-8666 induced a
      more rapid, robust, and stable induction of cell-cycle arrest, expression of
      signaling proteins associated with DNA damage and cell-cycle checkpoints, and
      apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, in comparison with irinotecan. CONCLUSIONS:
      Together, these results strongly support clinical development of STA-8666 for use
      in the first- or second-line setting for SCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 22(20); 5120-9.
      (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27267851
TI  - SNP rs16906252C>T Is an Expression and Methylation Quantitative Trait Locus
      Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing MGMT-Methylated Colorectal
      Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Methylation of the MGMT promoter is the major cause of O6-methylguanine
      methyltransferase deficiency in cancer and has been associated with the T variant
      of the promoter enhancer SNP rs16906252C>T. We sought evidence for an association
      between the rs16906252C>T genotype and increased risk of developing a subtype of
      colorectal cancer featuring MGMT methylation, mediated by genotype-dependent
      epigenetic silencing within normal tissues. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: By applying a
      molecular pathologic epidemiology case-control study design, associations between
      rs16906252C>T and risk for colorectal cancer overall, and colorectal cancer
      stratified by MGMT methylation status, were estimated using multinomial logistic
      regression in two independent retrospective series of colorectal cancer cases and
      controls. The test sample comprised 1,054 colorectal cancer cases and 451
      controls from Sydney, Australia. The validation sample comprised 612 colorectal
      cancer cases and 245 controls from the Australasian Colon Cancer Family Registry
      (ACCFR). To determine whether rs16906252C>T was linked to a constitutively
      altered epigenetic state, quantitative allelic expression and methylation
      analyses were performed in normal tissues. RESULTS: An association between
      rs16906252C>T and increased risk of developing MGMT-methylated colorectal cancer
      in the Sydney sample was observed [OR, 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0
      5.3; P < 0.0001], which was replicated in the ACCFR sample (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 2.4
      6.8; P < 0.0001). The T allele demonstrated about 2.5-fold reduced transcription
      in normal colorectal mucosa from cases and controls and was selectively
      methylated in a minority of normal cells, indicating that rs16906252C>T
      represents an expression and methylation quantitative trait locus. CONCLUSIONS:
      We provide evidence that rs16906252C>T is associated with elevated risk for MGMT
      methylated colorectal cancer, likely mediated by constitutive epigenetic
      repression of the T allele. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6266-77. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27267852
TI  - Targeting Estrogen Receptor Signaling with Fulvestrant Enhances Immune and
      Chemotherapy-Mediated Cytotoxicity of Human Lung Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The conversion of tumor cells from an epithelial to a mesenchymal-like
      phenotype, via a process designated as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition
      (EMT), is known to mediate tumor resistance to a variety of cell death inducers,
      including cytotoxic effector immune cells. The goal of this study was to identify
      and potentially repurpose FDA-approved compounds capable of reducing mesenchymal
      features of human lung carcinoma cells, which could be used in combination with
      immunotherapies or chemotherapeutic strategies to improve clinical responses.
      EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In the current report, we have utilized a quantitative high
      throughput screening (qHTS) of a pharmaceutical collection of more than 2,000
      compounds to identify clinically approved drugs capable of augmenting the
      sensitivity of mesenchymal-like, lung cancer cells to immune- and chemotherapy
      mediated lysis, both in vitro and in vivo RESULTS: The estrogen receptor
      antagonist fulvestrant was shown to reduce mesenchymal features of lung carcinoma
      cells, resulting in tumor sensitization to the cytotoxic effect of antigen
      specific T cells, natural killer (NK) effector cells, and chemotherapy both in
      vivo and in vitro CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report
      defining a potential role for estrogenic signaling in promoting tumor resistance
      to immune-mediated cytotoxicity and chemotherapy in lung cancer. Our data
      demonstrate a robust association between the acquisition of mesenchymal
      attributes, therapeutic resistance of lung carcinoma cells, and the expression of
      estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), supporting further investigations on the role of
      estrogen signaling in lung cancer progression via the induction of EMT. Clin
      Cancer Res; 22(24); 6204-16. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27267853
TI  - Recurrent Mutations in the MTOR Regulator RRAGC in Follicular Lymphoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was performed to further our understanding of the biological
      and genetic basis of follicular lymphoma and to identify potential novel therapy
      targets. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We analyzed previously generated whole exome
      sequencing data of 23 follicular lymphoma cases and one transformed follicular
      lymphoma case and expanded findings to a combined total of 125 follicular
      lymphoma/3 transformed follicular lymphoma. We modeled the three-dimensional
      location of RRAGC-associated hotspot mutations. We performed functional studies
      on novel RRAGC mutants in stable retrovirally transduced HEK293T cells, stable
      lentivirally transduced lymphoma cell lines, and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      RESULTS: We report recurrent mutations, including multiple amino acid hotspots,
      in the small G-protein RRAGC, which is part of a protein complex that signals
      intracellular amino acid concentrations to MTOR, in 9.4% of follicular lymphoma
      cases. Mutations in RRAGC distinctly clustered on one protein surface area
      surrounding the GTP/GDP-binding sites. Mutated RRAGC proteins demonstrated
      increased binding to RPTOR (raptor) and substantially decreased interactions with
      the product of the tumor suppressor gene FLCN (folliculin). In stable
      retrovirally transfected 293T cells, cultured in the presence or absence of
      leucine, multiple RRAGC mutations demonstrated elevated MTOR activation as
      evidenced by increased RPS6KB/S6-kinase phosphorylation. Similar activation
      phenotypes were uncovered in yeast engineered to express mutations in the RRAGC
      homolog Gtr2 and in multiple lymphoma cell lines expressing HA-tagged RRAGC
      mutant proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Our discovery of activating mutations in RRAGC in
      approximately 10% of follicular lymphoma provides the mechanistic rationale to
      study mutational MTOR activation and MTOR inhibition as a potential novel
      actionable therapeutic target in follicular lymphoma. Clin Cancer Res; 22(21);
      5383-93. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27267854
TI  - Biomarker Associations with Efficacy of Abiraterone Acetate and Exemestane in
      Postmenopausal Patients with Estrogen Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Abiraterone may suppress androgens that stimulate breast cancer growth.
      We conducted a biomarker analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), formalin
      fixed paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPETs), and serum samples from postmenopausal
      estrogen receptor (ER)+ breast cancer patients to identify subgroups with
      differential abiraterone sensitivity. METHODS: Patients (randomized 1:1:1) were
      treated with 1,000 mg/d abiraterone acetate + 5 mg/d prednisone (AA), AA + 25
      mg/d exemestane (AAE), or exemestane. The biomarker population included treated
      patients (n = 293). The CTC population included patients with >=3 baseline CTCs
      (n = 104). Biomarker [e.g., androgen receptor (AR), ER, Ki-67, CYP17] expression
      was evaluated. Cox regression stratified by prior therapies in the metastatic
      setting (0/1 vs. 2) and setting of letrozole/anastrozole (adjuvant vs.
      metastatic) was used to assess biomarker associations with progression-free
      survival (PFS). RESULTS: Serum testosterone and estrogen levels were lowered and
      progesterone increased with AA. Baseline AR or ER expression was not associated
      with PFS in CTCs or FFPETs for AAE versus exemestane, but dual positivity of AR
      and ER expression was associated with improved PFS [HR, 0.41; 95% confidence
      interval (CI), 0.16-1.07; P = 0.070]. For AR expression in FFPETs obtained <1
      year prior to first dose (n = 67), a trend for improved PFS was noted for AAE
      versus exemestane (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.24-1.33; P = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: An AA
      pharmacodynamic effect was shown by decreased serum androgen and estrogen levels
      and increased progesterone. AR and ER dual expression in CTCs and newly obtained
      FFPETs may predict AA sensitivity. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6002-9. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27267857
TI  - Potential lipase inhibitors from Chinese medicinal herbs.
AB  - CONTEXT: Obesity has become a major health concern, and it places both personal
      and economic burdens on the world's population. Traditional Chinese medicinal
      herbs are rich source of lead compounds and are possible drug candidates, which
      may be used to treat this condition. OBJECTIVE: This study screened potent
      pancreatic lipase inhibitors found in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for
      ability to treat obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A porcine pancreatic lipase
      inhibition assay was established, and the inhibitory activity of 35 traditional
      Chinese medicinal herbs was evaluated at a concentration of 200 MUg/mL. Two
      elutions of herbal extracts with strong lipase inhibitory activity were further
      fractionated by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography into 22 sub
      fractions each, and these sub-fractions were tested for anti-lipase activity. Sub
      fractions, which exhibited strong lipase inhibitory activity, were continuously
      fractionated into individual compounds. Two active compounds with potent anti
      lipase activity were finally isolated and identified from two traditional Chinese
      medicinal herbs, respectively. RESULTS: Among 35 traditional Chinese medicinal
      herbs, the 95% ethanol elutions of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen
      (Araliaceae) and Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils (Magnoliaceae) showed strong
      anti-lipase activity. Two compounds, including 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 and honokiol
      were identified using bioactivity-guided isolation with IC50 = 33.7 and 59.4
      MUg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION: 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 and honokiol might be
      suitable candidates for the treatment of obesity.

PMID- 27267855
TI  - CD44 Expression Level and Isoform Contributes to Pancreatic Cancer Cell
      Plasticity, Invasiveness, and Response to Therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: A subpopulation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells is
      thought to be inherently resistant to chemotherapy or to give rise to tumor cells
      that become resistant during treatment. Here we determined the role of CD44
      expression and its isoforms as a marker and potential target for tumor cells that
      give rise to invasive and gemcitabine-resistant tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: RT
      PCR, Western blotting, and DNA sequencing was used to determine CD44 isoform and
      expression levels. Flow cytometry was used to sort cells on the basis of their
      CD44 expression level. CD44 expression was knocked down using shRNA. Tumorigenic
      properties were determined by clonogenic and Matrigel assays, IHC, tumor growth
      in vivo using luciferase imaging and by tumor weight. RESULTS: We identified an
      invasive cell population that gives rise to gemcitabine-resistant tumors. These
      cancer cells express a high level of CD44 standard isoform and have an EMT
      phenotype (CD44s/EMT). In vivo, CD44s/EMT engraft and expand rapidly and give
      rise to tumors that express high levels of CD44 isoforms that contain multiple
      exon variants. CD44low-expressing cells show continued sensitivity to gemcitabine
      in vivo and knockdown of CD44 in CD44s/EMT cells increases sensitivity to
      gemcitabine and decreases invasiveness. CONCLUSIONS: PDAC cells expressing high
      levels of CD44s with a mesenchymal-like phenotype were highly invasive and
      developed gemcitabine resistance in vivo Thus, initial targeting CD44 or
      reversing the CD44high phenotype may improve therapeutic response. Clin Cancer
      Res; 22(22); 5592-604. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27267856
TI  - An FGFR3 Autocrine Loop Sustains Acquired Resistance to Trastuzumab in Gastric
      Cancer Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: The majority of gastric cancer patients who achieve an initial response
      to trastuzumab-based regimens develop resistance within 1 year of treatment. This
      study was aimed at identifying the molecular mechanisms responsible for
      resistance. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A HER2+-trastuzumab sensitive NCI-N87 gastric
      cancer orthotopic nude mouse model was treated with trastuzumab until resistance
      emerged. Differentially expressed transcripts between trastuzumab-resistant and
      sensitive gastric cancer cell lines were annotated for functional
      interrelatedness by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Immunohistochemical
      analyses were performed in pretreatment versus posttreatment biopsies from
      gastric cancer patients receiving trastuzumab-based treatments. All statistical
      tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Four NCI-N87 trastuzumab-resistant (N87-TR) cell
      lines were established. Microarray analysis showed HER2 downregulation, induction
      of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and indicated fibroblast growth factor
      receptor 3 (FGFR3) as one of the top upregulated genes in N87-TR cell lines. In
      vitro, N87-TR cell lines demonstrated a higher sensitivity than did trastuzumab
      sensitive parental cells to the FGFR3 inhibitor dovitinib, which reduced
      expression of pAKT, ZEB1, and cell migration. Oral dovitinib significantly (P =
      0.0006) reduced tumor burden and prolonged mice survival duration in N87-TR mouse
      models. A higher expression of FGFR3, phosphorylated AKT, and ZEB1 were observed
      in biopsies from patients progressing under trastuzumab-based therapies if
      compared with matched pretreatment biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified
      the FGFR3/AKT axis as an escape pathway responsible for trastuzumab resistance in
      gastric cancer, thus indicating the inhibition of FGFR3 as a potential strategy
      to modulate this resistance. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6164-75. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27267858
TI  - Bending the Arc of Exercise and Recreation Technology Toward People With
      Disabilities.
AB  - Most of the published research on exercise and disability has focused on short
      term efficacy studies targeting specific disability groups. These studies often
      use grant-related or other financial resources to temporarily remove the many
      barriers that people with physical/mobility disability experience when attempting
      to become physically active. In this commentary, we explore how technology can be
      used to promote more sustainable physical activity outcomes in the home and
      community using a set of 4 overlapping domains: Access, Usability, Adherence, and
      Health and Function. In addition, we describe how the order in which these
      domains should be addressed will vary depending on the needs of the target group
      and the context of their environment. Finally, we provide examples of various
      types of technologies (eg, hardware and software) that can support the
      "afterlife" of successful short-term exercise and rehabilitation trials in people
      with physical/mobility disability who desire to self-manage their own health and
      maintain a regular and sustainable pattern of physical activity across their life
      span.

PMID- 27267859
TI  - Deep Brain Stimulation for Addiction Treatment: Further Considerations on
      Scientific and Ethical Issues.

PMID- 27267860
TI  - Transcranial Laser Stimulation as Neuroenhancement for Attention Bias
      Modification in Adults with Elevated Depression Symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low-level light therapy (LLLT) with transcranial laser is a non
      invasive form of neuroenhancement shown to regulate neuronal metabolism and
      cognition. Attention bias modification (ABM) is a cognitive intervention designed
      to improve depression by decreasing negative attentional bias, but to date its
      efficacy has been inconclusive. Adjunctive neuroenhancement to augment clinical
      effectiveness has shown promise, particularly for individuals who respond
      positively to the primary intervention. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: This randomized,
      sham-controlled proof-of-principle study is the first to test the hypothesis that
      augmentative LLLT will improve the effects of ABM among adults with elevated
      symptoms of depression. METHODS: Fifty-one adult participants with elevated
      symptoms of depression received ABM before and after laser stimulation and were
      randomized to one of three conditions: right forehead, left forehead, or sham.
      Participants repeated LLLT two days later and were assessed for depression
      symptoms one and two weeks later. RESULTS: A significant three-way interaction
      between LLLT condition, ABM response, and time indicated that right LLLT led to
      greater symptom improvement among participants whose attention was responsive to
      ABM (i.e., attention was directed away from negative stimuli). Minimal change in
      depression was observed in the left and sham LLLT. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial
      effects of ABM on depression symptoms may be enhanced when paired with adjunctive
      interventions such as right prefrontal LLLT; however, cognitive response to ABM
      likely moderates the impact of neuroenhancement. The results suggest that larger
      clinical trials examining the efficacy of using photoneuromodulation to augment
      cognitive training are warranted.

PMID- 27267862
TI  - Thailandins A and B, New Polyene Macrolactone Compounds Isolated from
      Actinokineospora bangkokensis Strain 44EHW(T), Possessing Antifungal Activity
      against Anthracnose Fungi and Pathogenic Yeasts.
AB  - Two new polyene macrolactone antibiotics, thailandins A, 1, and B, 2, were
      isolated from the fermentation broth of rhizosphere soil-associated
      Actinokineospora bangkokensis strain 44EHW(T). The new compounds from this strain
      were purified using semipreparative HPLC and Sephadex LH-20 gel filtration while
      following an antifungal activity guided fractionation. Their structures were
      elucidated through spectroscopic techniques including UV, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR.
      These compounds demonstrated broad spectrum antifungal activity against fungi
      causing anthracnose disease (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides DoA d0762,
      Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes DoA c1060, and Colletotrichum capsici DoA c1511) as
      well as pathogenic yeasts (Candida albicans MT 2013/1, Candida parasilopsis DKMU
      434, and Cryptococcus neoformans MT 2013/2) with minimum inhibitory
      concentrations ranging between 16 and 32 MUg/mL. This is the first report of
      polyene antibiotics produced by Actinokineospora species as bioactive compounds
      against anthracnose fungi and pathogenic yeast strains. 

PMID- 27267861
TI  - Dual Effects of Limbic Seizures on Psychosis-Relevant Behaviors Shown by Nucleus
      Accumbens Kindling in Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A paradox in epilepsy and psychiatry is that temporal lobe epilepsy
      is often predisposed to schizophrenic-like psychosis, whereas convulsive therapy
      can relieve schizophrenic symptoms. We have previously demonstrated that the
      nucleus accumbens is a key structure in mediating postictal psychosis induced by
      a hippocampal electrographic seizure. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this
      study is to test a hypothesis that accumbens kindling cumulating in a single (1
      time) or repeated (5-times) convulsive seizures have different effects on animal
      models of psychosis. METHODS: Electrical stimulation at 60 Hz was applied to
      nucleus accumbens to evoke afterdischarges until one, or five, convulsive
      seizures that involved the hind limbs (stage 5 seizures) were attained.
      Behavioral tests, performed at 3 days after the last seizure, included gating of
      hippocampal auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and prepulse inhibition to an
      acoustic startle response (PPI), tested without drug injection or after ketamine
      (3 mg/kg s.c.) injection, as well as locomotion induced by ketamine or
      methamphetamine (1 mg/kg i.p.). RESULTS: Compared to non-kindled control rats, 1
      time, but not 5-times, convulsive seizures induced PPI deficit and decreased
      gating of hippocampal AEP, without drug injection. Compared to non-kindled rats,
      5-times, but not 1-time, convulsive seizures antagonized ketamine-induced
      hyperlocomotion, ketamine-induced PPI deficit and AEP gating decrease. However,
      both 1- and 5-times convulsive seizures significantly enhanced methamphetamine
      induced locomotion as compared to non-kindled rats. CONCLUSIONS: Accumbens
      kindling ending with 1 convulsive seizure may induce schizophrenic-like
      behaviors, while repeated (>=5) convulsive seizures induced by accumbens kindling
      may have therapeutic effects on dopamine independent psychosis.

PMID- 27267863
TI  - Melatonin regulates catecholamine biosynthesis by modulating bone morphogenetic
      protein and glucocorticoid actions.
AB  - Melatonin is functionally involved in the control of circadian rhythm and
      hormonal secretion. In the present study, we investigated the roles of melatonin
      in the interaction of catecholamine synthesis with adrenocortical steroids by
      focusing on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 expressed in the adrenal medulla
      using rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Melatonin treatment significantly reduced
      the mRNA expression of catecholamine synthases, including the rate-limiting
      enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine decarboxylase and
      dopamine-beta-hydroxylase expressed in PC12 cells. In accordance with changes in
      the expression levels of enzymes, dopamine production and cAMP synthesis
      determined in the culture medium and cell lysate were also suppressed by
      melatonin. The MT1 receptor, but not the MT2 receptor, was expressed in PC12
      cells, and luzindole treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of melatonin on Th
      expression, suggesting that MT1 is a functional receptor for the control of
      catecholamine synthesis. Interestingly, melatonin enhanced the inhibitory effect
      of BMP-4 on Th mRNA expression in PC12 cells. Melatonin treatment accelerated BMP
      4-induced phosphorylation of SMAD1/5/8 and transcription of the BMP target gene
      Id1. Of note, melatonin significantly upregulated Alk2 and Bmpr2 mRNA levels but
      suppressed inhibitory Smad6/7 expression, leading to the enhancement of SMAD1/5/8
      signaling in PC12 cells, while BMP-4 did not affect Mt1 expression. Regarding the
      interaction with adrenocortical steroids, melatonin preferentially enhanced
      glucocorticoid-induced Th mRNA through upregulation of the glucocorticoid
      receptor and downregulation of Bmp4 expression, whereas melatonin repressed Th
      mRNA expression induced by aldosterone or androgen without affecting expression
      levels of the receptors for mineralocorticoid and androgen. Collectively, the
      results indicate that melatonin plays a modulatory role in catecholamine
      synthesis by cooperating with BMP-4 and glucocorticoid in the adrenal medulla.

PMID- 27267864
TI  - Composition and Concentration Gradient Induced Structural Transition from
      Micelles to Vesicles in the Mixed System of Ionic Liquid-Diclofenac Sodium.
AB  - Catanionic surfactant-hydrotrope mixtures have proven to be a striking
      alternative to tune microstructures over a wide range of compositions and also to
      minimize precipitation that is normally observed in catanionic mixtures at an
      equimolar ratio. These mixtures are supposed to be of great relevance in
      biological systems when a hydrotrope is a "drug". Keeping this in view, here we
      report composition- and dilution-induced structural changes in a catanionic
      mixture comprising ionic liquids (ILs), such as 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium
      bromide (C12mimBr)/1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (C14mimBr), and a
      drug, diclofenac sodium (DFNa), in aqueous solution. The structural changes are
      probed by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), dynamic light scattering (DLS),
      and zeta-potential measurements. SANS data and size distribution curves clearly
      depict the formation of low curvature structures on going from the cation-rich to
      anion-rich composition up to a 0.7 mole fraction of DFNa (XDFNa). The amphiphilic
      nature of DFNa is supposed to alter the surface charge density, which is provoked
      by its incorporation into resulting aggregates, as confirmed by modified zeta
      potential values. The modification of the average packing parameter resulting
      from the IL and DFNa complexation equilibrium seems to play a vital role in
      bringing out structural transitions of mixed aggregates. We also focused our
      attention to study the effect of dilution in concentrations ranging from 100 to
      25 mM. At XDFNa = 0.0 and 0.1, the size of prolate ellipsoids decreases on
      dilution, mimicking classic behavior, but an opposite trend is observed at other
      XDFNa values. Dilution-induced transformation to larger aggregates is thought to
      be driven by the release of DFNa molecules from the mixed micelles on account of
      the critical micelle concentration (cmc) (solubility) mismatch between the two
      components. The role of other interactions such as cation-pi and pi-pi in
      stabilizing the mixed aggregates in addition to hydrophobic interactions is
      probed by (1)H NMR.

PMID- 27267865
TI  - Crystalline Metaphosphate Acid Salts: Synthesis in Organic Media, Structures,
      Hydrogen-Bonding Capability, and Implication of Superacidity.
AB  - Metaphosphate acids cannot be thoroughly studied in aqueous media because their
      acidity is leveled by the solvent, and the resulting metaphosphates are
      susceptible to acid-catalyzed hydrolysis. Exploration of metaphosphate acid
      chemistry has now been made possible with the development of a general synthetic
      method for organic media soluble metaphosphate acids. Protonation of the [PPN](+)
      salts ([PPN](+) = [N(PPh3)2](+)) of tri-, tetra-, and hexametaphosphates results
      in five new metaphosphate acids, [PPN]2[P3O9H] (2), [PPN]4[(P4O12)3H8] (3),
      [PPN]4[P6O18H2].2H2O (4), [PPN]3[P6O18H3] (5), and [PPN]2[P6O18H2(H3O)2] (6),
      obtained in yields of 80, 71, 66, 88, and 76%, respectively. Additionally, our
      synthetic method can be extended to pyrophosphate to produce [PPN][P2O7H3] (7) in
      77% yield. The structural configurations of these oxoacids are dictated by strong
      hydrogen bonds and the anticooperative effect. Intramolecular hydrogen bonds are
      observed in 2, 4, and 5 and the previously reported [PPN]2[P4O12H2] (1), while
      intermolecular hydrogen bonds are observed in 3, 6, and 7. The hydrogen bonds in
      3-7 possess short distances and are classified as low-barrier hydrogen bonds. Gas
      phase acidity computations reveal that the parent tri- and tetrametaphosphoric
      acids are superacids. Their remarkable acidity is attributable to the
      stabilization of their corresponding conjugate bases via intramolecular hydrogen
      bonding. 

PMID- 27267866
TI  - Cs[H2NB2(C6F5)6] Featuring an Unequivocal 16-Coordinate Cation.
AB  - Cesium bis(perfluoro-triphenylborane)amide, Cs[H2NB2(C6F5)6] (1), has been
      prepared by the reaction of sodium salt and CsF in dichloromethane and water. The
      compound is exceptional for a [H2NB2(C6F5)6](-) salt in that it contains a
      monatomic solute-free cation. Determination of the molecular structure revealed a
      novel C2 symmetrical conformation of the weakly coordinating [H2NB2(C6F5)6](-)
      anion, which gives rise to an unprecedented 16-coordinate (CN 16) Cs(+) cation in
      a likewise unprecedented tetracosahedral arrangement of F atoms. The poor
      solubility of 1 allows nearly quantitative separation of Cs(+) from water, which
      suggests potential applications as an effective (134/137)Cs remover from nuclear
      waste solutions, administration as an antidote for (134/137)Cs poisoning, and use
      for (131/137)Cs radiotherapy (brachytherapy). Rb[H2NB2(C6F5)6].CH2Cl2 (2) has
      also been characterized, featuring two inequivalent Rb(+) cations having CN 10,
      one of which involves Rb(+)(eta(2)-Cl2CH2)2 coordination.

PMID- 27267868
TI  - Silver-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Alkynylation of alpha,alpha-Difluoroarylacetic
      Acids with Ethynylbenziodoxolone Reagents.
AB  - A decarboxylating alkynylation of alpha,alpha-difluoroarylacetic acids with
      ethynylbenziodoxolone reagents is reported. AgNO3 serves as the catalyst and
      K2S2O8 as the oxidant. A series of functional groups were tolerated, and moderate
      to good yields were obtained.

PMID- 27267867
TI  - Cardiovascular Disease and 10-Year Mortality in Postmenopausal Women with
      Clinical Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have greater cardiac risk
      factor clustering but the link with mortality is incompletely described.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes in 295 postmenopausal women enrolled in the
      National Institutes of Health-National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH
      NHLBI) sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study according to
      clinical features of PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25/295 (8%) women
      had clinical features of PCOS defined by a premenopausal history of irregular
      menses and current biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenemia, defined as the top
      quartile of androstenedione (>=701 pg/mL), testosterone (>=30.9 ng/dL), or free
      testosterone (>=4.5 pg/mL). Cox proportional hazard model estimated death (n =
      80). RESULTS: Women with clinical features of PCOS had an earlier menopause (p =
      0.01), were more often smokers (p < 0.04), and trended toward more angiographic
      coronary artery disease (CAD) (p = 0.07) than women without these features.
      Cumulative 10-year mortality was 28% for women with (n = 25) versus 27% without
      clinical features of PCOS (n = 270) (p = 0.85). PCOS was not a significant
      predictor (p = NS) in prognostic models including diabetes, waist circumference,
      hypertension, and angiographic CAD. CONCLUSION: From this longer-term follow up
      of a relatively small cohort of postmenopausal women with suspected ischemia, the
      prevalence of PCOS is similar to the general population, and clinical features of
      PCOS are not associated with CAD or mortality. These findings question whether
      identification of clinical features of PCOS in postmenopausal women who already
      have known cardiovascular disease provides any additional opportunity for risk
      factor intervention.

PMID- 27267869
TI  - Effects of gremlin-2 on the transition of primordial follicles during early
      folliculogenesis in the human ovary.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the localization and function of gremlin-2 during human
      ovarian folliculogenesis. STUDY DESIGN: Ovarian tissue from a gynecologic cancer
      patient was cultured in the presence or absence of gremlin-2 and then analyzed
      histologically. Growing follicles were counted by the microscopic observations of
      ovarian histological sections. Immunocytochemical staining was carried out to
      detect the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4 and phosphorylated
      Smad 1/5/8 (p-Smad 1/5/8). RESULTS: Gremlin-2 was detected in human primordial,
      primary, and early growing follicles before culture. By day 4 of culture, the
      follicle growth rate in the presence of gremlin-2 (13.7%; 24/175) was
      significantly lower than that of the control (54.8%; 92/175; p<0.01). BMP4
      expression was similar in the presence and absence of gremlin-2, whereas the p
      Smad 1/5/8 signal was noticeably stronger in the absence of gremlin-2 in
      primordial and early-stage growing follicles. CONCLUSIONS: Gremlin-2 maintains
      the follicle store as primordial follicles by suppressing Smad 1/5/8 signaling in
      the human ovary. The data presented here provide potential insight into
      reproductive medicine for cases of intractable infertility, such as premature
      ovarian insufficiency and cancer survivors.

PMID- 27267870
TI  - Cross sectional, comparative study of serum erythropoietin, transferrin receptor,
      ferritin levels and other hematological indices in normal pregnancies and iron
      deficiency anemia during pregnancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test the correlation of the serum erythropoietin levels, serum
      transferrrin receptor levels and serum ferritin levels along with other
      hematological parameters in normal pregnant and anemic pregnant patients. STUDY
      DESIGN: In a prospective study, 120 pregnant women were recruited between 18 and
      36 weeks of gestation; 53 normal pregnant patients, 67 anemic pregnant patients,
      in which, 17 had mild, 30 had moderate anemia, 20 had severe anemia. A blood
      sample was taken. The various hematological parameters, hemoglobin (Hb), mean
      corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total
      iron binding capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin, percentage saturation of iron,
      serum erythropoietin (SEPO) levels, serum transferrin receptors (STfRS) were
      performed. For statistics, Student's 't' test, Pearson's Chi test, Mann Whitney
      test and Bartlett test were used as per data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: MCV was
      significantly reduced in anemic pregnancies as compared to non-anemic pregnancies
      (80.2+/-9.6 vs 94.12+/-9.8fl, p=0.001), MCHC was also reduced in them (30.2+/
      3.38% vs 34.2+/-2.33%, p=0.176), TIBC was significantly increased in anemic
      pregnancies (343.31+/-28.54% vs 322.88+/-23.84%, p=0.001), serum ferritin was
      significantly reduced (24.9+/-10.48MUg/L vs 31.03+/-9.98MUg/L, p=0.001),
      percentage saturation of iron was also reduced (53.85+/-13.21% vs 62.04+/-15.79%,
      p=0.0024), serum erythropoietin levels were significantly higher in anemic women
      (26.24+/-26.61mU/ml vs 18.12+/-19.08mU/ml, p=0.064). The levels were
      significantly higher in severe anemia (46.5+/-46.8mU/ml than in moderate anemia
      27.4+/-28.1mU/ml and mild anemia 22.8+/-22.8mU/ml. Serum transferrin receptors
      were significantly higher in anemic pregnancies than in non-anemic pregnancies
      (1.40+/-0.0802MUg/ml vs 1.08+/-0.641MUg/ml, p=0.019) with rise being higher in
      severe anemia (2.28+/-0.986MUg/ml) than in moderate (1.4+/-0.816MUg/ml) and mild
      anemia (1.16+/-0.702MUg/ml). CONCLUSION: Various hematological parameters
      especially sTfR, serum erythropoietin, serum ferritin and sTfR/log ferritin
      levels correlate with the severity of anemia.

PMID- 27267871
TI  - Vitrified-warmed embryo transfer is associated with mean higher singleton birth
      weight compared to fresh embryo transfer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test for differences in birth weight between singletons born after
      IVF with fresh embryo transfer vs. vitrified-warmed 2PN embryo transfer
      (vitrification protocol). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 464 singleton live
      births after IVF or ICSI during a 12 year period. SETTING: University hospital.
      INTERVENTIONS: Fresh embryo transfer, vitrified-warmed 2PN embryo transfer
      (vitrification protocol). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Birth weight standardized as a z
      score, adjusting for gestational week at delivery and fetal sex. As a reference,
      birth weight means from regular deliveries from the same hospital were used.
      Multivariate regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between
      the dependent variable z-score (fetal birth weight) and the independent predictor
      variables maternal age, weight, height, body mass index, RDS prophylaxis,
      transfer protocol, number of embryos transferred, indication for IVF treatment
      and sperm quality. RESULTS: The mean z-score was significantly lower after fresh
      transfer (-0.11+/-92) as compared to vitrification transfer (0.72+/-83)
      (p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that only maternal height
      and maternal body mass index, but not type of cryopreservation protocol, was a
      significant predictor of birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: In this analysis focusing on
      2PN oocytes, vitrified-warmed embryo transfer is associated with mean higher
      birth weight compared to fresh embryo transfer. Maternal height and body mass
      index are significant confounders of fetal birth weight and need to be taken into
      account when studying birth weight differences between ART protocols.

PMID- 27267872
TI  - Ultrasound guidance during hysteroscopic myomectomy in G1 and G2 Submucous
      Myomas: for a safer one step surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hysteroscopic myomectomy is the gold standard method for treatment of
      submucous fibroids. Hysteroscopic myomectomy techniques for removal of submucous
      fibroids still have controversies. In this study we aimed to describe usefulness
      of ultrasound guidance in hysteroscopic myomectomy for a safe and effective
      removal of submucous G1 and G2 fibroids. STUDY DESIGN: This is a multicentre
      study. 64 symptomatic patients with submucous fibroid underwent ultrasound guided
      hysteroscopic myomectomy. First we excised intrauterine dome of fibroid until
      reaching the level of cavity wall by the method of resectoscopic (electrosurgical
      resection using a loop electrode) slicing. Next remnant intramural node was
      squeezed by uterine contractions induced. After we had excised the intrauterine
      dome of fibroid by slicing method, we formed cavitation for the intramural part
      (newly raised myoma dome). The cavity was filled with distension solution and we
      evaluated the margins of the uterus and the margins of the myoma by
      sonographically. Then the myoma was excised under ultrasonographic guidance by
      transabdominal probe. We obtained a regular uterine cavity. RESULTS: Mean
      operation time was 42+/-7min. Mean Mannitol volume was 4.3+/-1.7l and the mean
      intraoperational fluid deficit was 500ml. Not in any case uterine perforation was
      occurred. All fibroids removed totally. In 8 (19%) cases intrauterine synechiae
      detected and all these synechiaes were incised by a scissor during hysteroscopy.
      CONCLUSION: There is still no single technique proven to be unequivocally
      superior to the others for treating fibroids with intramural development (G1-G2).
      Ultrasound guided hysteroscopy seems to be an effective and safe method for
      resection of G1 and G2 fibroids.

PMID- 27267873
TI  - Rational excipient selection for co-amorphous formulations.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: For almost two decades there has been intense debate about whether
      the amorphous solid state form could resolve the solubility problems and
      subsequent bioavailability issues of many small molecule drugs. Since the
      amorphous form is a high energy and unstable state of solid matter, any material
      in that form requires stabilization. Areas covered: This review examines the
      technologies being exploited to stabilize the amorphous state in co-amorphous
      formulations. The review emphasizes the importance of the appropriate selection
      criteria of stabilizing excipient and focuses on the mechanisms of stabilization.
      Expert opinion: An extensive literature review has revealed that the current
      research seeking to achieve stabilization of an amorphous form tends to be
      conducted on a case-by-case basis. This kind of approach is very inefficient
      since it can rarely be transferred to other cases. The greatest weakness in the
      selection of stabilizing excipient for co-amorphous formulations is that modern
      computational tools have rarely been utilized as a predictive tool in the
      selection of the excipient. It is evident that more research needs to be done to
      study larger datasets with modern in silico tools, chemometrics and advanced
      statistical tools to achieve a more predictive, and systematic approach for the
      screening of stabilizing excipients to be incorporated into co-amorphous
      formulations.

PMID- 27267874
TI  - The incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder among survivors after
      earthquakes:a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological
      disorder caused by unusual threats or catastrophic events. Little is known about
      the combined incidence of PTSD after earthquakes. This study aimed at evaluating
      the combined incidence of PTSD among survivors after earthquakes using systematic
      review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The electronic databases of PubMed, Embase,
      Web of Science and PsycARTICLES were searched for relevant articles in this
      study. Loney criteria were used to assess the quality of eligible articles. The
      combined incidence of PTSD was estimated by using the Freeman-Tukey double
      arcsine transformation method. Subgroup analyses were conducted using the
      following variables: the time of PTSD assessment, gender, educational level,
      marital status, damage to one's house, bereavement, injury of body and witnessing
      death. RESULTS: Forty-six eligible articles containing 76,101 earthquake
      survivors met the inclusion criteria, of which 17,706 were diagnosed as having
      PTSD. Using a random effects model, the combined incidence of PTSD after
      earthquakes was 23.66 %. Moreover, the combined incidence of PTSD among survivors
      who were diagnosed at not more than 9 months after earthquake was 28.76 %, while
      for survivors who were diagnosed at over nine months after earthquake the
      combined incidence was 19.48 %. A high degree of heterogeneity (I(2) = 99.5 %,
      p<0.001) was observed in the results, with incidence ranging from 1.20 to 82.64
      %. The subgroup analyses showed that the incidence of PTSD after earthquake
      varied significantly across studies in relation to the time of PTSD assessment,
      gender, educational level, damage to one's house, bereavement, injury of body and
      witnessing death. However, stratified analyses could not entirely explain the
      heterogeneity in the results. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high heterogeneity observed
      in this study, future studies should aim at exploring more possible risk factors
      for PTSD after earthquakes, especially genetic factors. In spite of that, the
      results of this study suggest that nearly 1 in 4 earthquake survivors are
      diagnosed as having PTSD. Therefore, the local government should plan effective
      psychological interventions for earthquake survivors.

PMID- 27267875
TI  - The prevalence and clinical characteristics of nonradiographic axial
      spondyloarthritis among patients with inflammatory back pain in rheumatology
      practices: a multinational, multicenter study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who by definition have
      radiographic sacroiliitis, typically experience symptoms for a decade or more
      before being diagnosed. Yet, even patients without radiographic sacroiliitis
      (i.e., nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis [nr-axSpA]) report a significant
      disease burden. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the
      prevalence and clinical characteristics of nr-axSpA among patients with
      inflammatory back pain (IBP) in rheumatology clinics in a number of countries
      across the world. A secondary objective was to estimate the prevalence of IBP
      among patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: Data were collected
      from 51 rheumatology outpatient clinics in 19 countries in Latin America, Africa,
      Europe, and Asia. As consecutive patients with CLBP (N = 2517) were seen by
      physicians at the sites, their clinical histories were evaluated to determine
      whether they met the new Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society
      criteria for IBP. For those who did, their available clinical history (e.g.,
      family history, C-reactive protein [CRP] levels) was documented in a case report
      form to establish whether they met criteria for nr-axSpA, AS, or other IBP.
      Patients diagnosed with nr-axSpA or AS completed patient-reported outcome
      measures to assess disease activity and functional limitations. RESULTS: A total
      of 2517 patients with CLBP were identified across all sites. Of these, 974 (38.70
      %) fulfilled the criteria for IBP. Among IBP patients, 29.10 % met criteria for
      nr-axSpA, and 53.72 % met criteria for AS. The prevalence of nr-axSpA varied
      significantly by region (p < 0.05), with the highest prevalence reported in Asia
      (36.46 %) and the lowest reported in Africa (16.02 %). Patients with nr-axSpA
      reported mean +/- SD Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scores based on
      erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP of 2.62 +/- 1.17 and 2.52 +/- 1.21,
      respectively, indicating high levels of disease activity (patients with AS
      reported corresponding scores of 2.97 +/- 1.13 and 2.93 +/- 1.18). Similarly, the
      overall Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score of 4.03 +/- 2.23
      for patients with nr-axSpA (4.56 +/- 2.17 for patients with AS) suggested
      suboptimal disease control. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, in the
      centers that participated in the study, 29 % of patients with IBP met the
      criteria for nr-axSpA and 39 % of patients with CLBP had IBP. The disease burden
      in nr-axSpA is substantial and similar to that of AS, with both groups of
      patients experiencing inadequate disease control. These findings suggest the need
      for early detection of nr-axSpA and initiation of available treatment options to
      slow disease progression and improve patient well-being.

PMID- 27267876
TI  - Addressing antimicrobial resistance in China: policy implementation in a complex
      context.
AB  - The effectiveness of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections is decreasing
      in China because of the widespread development of resistant organisms. Although
      China has enacted a number of regulations to address this problem, but the impact
      is very limited. This paper investigates the implementation of these regulations
      through the lens of complex adaptive systems (CAS). It presents the findings from
      reviews of relevant policy documents and published papers. The paper identifies
      different types of agent and explores their interaction with regard to the use of
      antibiotics and their responses to changes of the regulations. It focuses
      particularly on the impact of perverse financial incentives on overall patterns
      of use of antibiotics. Implications for the possibilities of nonlinear results,
      interactive relationships, and new pathways of policy implementation are
      discussed. The paper concludes that policy-makers need to better understand the
      objectives, incentives and potential adaptive behaviors of the agents when they
      implement interventions to improve antibiotic use and reduce the risk of
      emergence of resistant organisms.

PMID- 27267877
TI  - Challenges encountered by local health volunteers in early diagnosis and prompt
      treatment of malaria in Myanmar artemisinin resistance containment zones.
AB  - BACKGROUND: After artemisinin resistance was reported, the Myanmar artemisinin
      resistance containment (MARC) project was initiated in 2011. One of the
      activities of MARC is to train volunteers for early diagnosis and prompt
      treatment by providing rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and artemisinin combination
      therapy. This study aimed to fulfil the gap of information on the challenges
      faced by malaria volunteers in artemisinin-containment areas. METHODS: A cross
      sectional, descriptive study was conducted in 11 townships in MARC areas to
      assess the challenges in early diagnosis of malaria and treatment by malaria
      volunteers using qualitative and quantitative approaches. RESULTS: Altogether 405
      volunteers participated in the study. Although 97.5 % of volunteers can interpret
      a positive result for malaria, only 41.2 % correctly stated the persistence of a
      positive result in recently infected cases. Over 80 % knew the effects of
      temperature and humidity on performance of the malaria RDT. Unexpectedly, 15.1 %
      perceived that expired RDTs can still be useful for diagnosis although 98.3 % of
      respondents cited that the overall results of RDTs were reliable. Although most
      of them knew the treatment for malaria based on RDT results, some could not give
      the correct answer, while a few (2 %) mentioned artesunate monotherapy for RDT
      negative cases. Training received by volunteers was also varied in study sites
      and 92.1 % believed that it was not sufficient. A certain portion of them faced
      the problem of regular supply of RDTs (9.9 %) and drugs (47.5 %), interpretation
      of result of RDTs (30 %), and performing blood test (20 %). The median RDT tested
      per month (25th, 75th percentile) was 6.0 (2.0, 15.0) indicating the need for
      prioritization based on endemicity. Regular reporting, supervision, monitoring
      system, and proper refresher training using uniform content of guideline to
      correct misconception of the volunteers, were needed to be strengthened.
      Moreover, the reliable and regular supply of materials and exchange system for
      expired RDTs and anti-malarials was important in the effectiveness of volunteers
      in MARC zones. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate refresher training, monitoring, supervision,
      and regular reliable supply of RDTs and anti-malarials were needed for capacity
      strengthening of volunteers in MARC zones.

PMID- 27267878
TI  - A joint effort over a period of time: factors affecting use of urate-lowering
      therapy for long-term treatment of gout.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although international guidelines encourage urate lowering therapy
      (ULT) for people who have more than two attacks of gout, only 30 % of patients
      are prescribed it and only 40 % of those adhere to the treatment. The aim was to
      explore reasons for this through an exploration of patient experience and
      understanding of ULT treatment for gout. METHODS: A qualitative study was
      conducted throughout the United Kingdom. Narrative and semi-structured video
      recorded interviews and thematic analysis were used. RESULTS: Participants talked
      about their views and experiences of treatment, and the factors that affected
      their use of ULT. The analysis revealed five main themes: 1) knowledge and
      understanding of gout and its treatment; 2) resistance to taking medication; 3)
      uncertainty about when to start ULT; 4) experiences of using ULT; and 5) desire
      for information and monitoring. CONCLUSION: Patients' understanding and
      experiences of gout and ULT are complex and it is important for clinicians to be
      aware of these when working with patients. It is also important for clinicians to
      know that patients' perceptions and behaviour are not fixed, but can change over
      time, with changes to their condition, with dialogue and increased understanding.
      Patients want this interaction with their clinicians, through "a joint effort
      over a period of time".

PMID- 27267880
TI  - Evaluation of rotigotine transdermal patch for the treatment of apathy and motor
      symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the
      efficacy of rotigotine transdermal patch on apathy and motor symptoms in patients
      with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Patients with PD-associated apathy
      (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [UPDRS] I item 4 [motivation] >=2 and
      patient-rated Apathy Scale [AS] >=14) were randomized 1:1:1 to "low-dose"
      rotigotine (<=6 mg/24 h for early PD [those not receiving levodopa] or <=8 mg/24
      h for advanced PD [those receiving levodopa]), "high-dose" rotigotine (<=8 mg/24
      h for early PD or <=16 mg/24 h for advanced PD), or placebo, and maintained at
      optimal/maximal dose for 12 weeks. Coprimary efficacy variables were: change from
      baseline to End of Maintenance in patient-rated AS and UPDRS II + III total
      score. Recruitment was stopped after an interim futility analysis; therefore, all
      p values are exploratory. RESULTS: Of 122 patients randomized, 81.1 % completed
      the study (placebo, n = 32/40 [80.0 %]; low-dose rotigotine, n = 30/41 [73.2 %];
      high-dose rotigotine, n = 37/41 [90.2 %]). No treatment difference was observed
      in the change in patient-rated AS (least squares mean [95 % confidence interval
      (CI)] difference: low-dose, 0.04 [-2.42, 2.50], p =0.977; high-dose, -0.22 [
      2.61, 2.18], p = 0.859). Rotigotine improved UPDRS II + III total scores versus
      placebo (least squares mean [95 % CI] treatment difference: low-dose, -7.29 [
      12.30, -2.28], p = 0.005; high-dose, -6.06 [-10.90, -1.21], p = 0.015), and the
      "mood/apathy" domain of the Non-Motor Symptom Scale as rated by the investigator
      (secondary outcome). The most frequent adverse events in rotigotine-treated
      patients were application site reactions, somnolence, and nausea. CONCLUSIONS:
      Rotigotine did not improve PD-associated apathy as rated by the patient but
      provided clinically relevant improvement in motor control and activities of daily
      living. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01782222 . Trial
      registration date: January 30, 2013.

PMID- 27267882
TI  - Relationship Status and Long-Term Care Facility Use in Later Life.

PMID- 27267879
TI  - Amyloid Precursor-Like Protein 2 deletion-induced retinal synaptopathy related to
      congenital stationary night blindness: structural, functional and molecular
      characteristics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Amyloid precursor protein knockout mice (APP-KO) have impaired
      differentiation of amacrine and horizontal cells. APP is part of a gene family
      and its paralogue amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2) has both shared as
      well as distinct expression patterns to APP, including in the retina. Given the
      impact of APP in the retina we investigated how APLP2 expression affected the
      retina using APLP2 knockout mice (APLP2-KO). RESULTS: Using histology,
      morphometric analysis with noninvasive imaging technique and electron microscopy,
      we showed that APLP2-KO retina displayed abnormal formation of the outer synaptic
      layer, accompanied with greatly impaired photoreceptor ribbon synapses in adults.
      Moreover, APLP2-KO displayed a significant decease in ON-bipolar, rod bipolar and
      type 2 OFF-cone bipolar cells (36, 21 and 63 %, respectively). Reduction of the
      number of bipolar cells was accompanied with disrupted dendrites, reduced
      expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 at the dendritic tips and
      alteration of axon terminals in the OFF laminae of the inner plexiform layer. In
      contrast, the APP-KO photoreceptor ribbon synapses and bipolar cells were intact.
      The APLP2-KO retina displayed numerous phenotypic similarities with the
      congenital stationary night blindness, a non-progressive retinal degeneration
      disease characterized by the loss of night vision. The pathological phenotypes in
      the APLP2-KO mouse correlated to altered transcription of genes involved in pre-
      and postsynatic structure/function, including CACNA1F, GRM6, TRMP1 and Galpha0,
      and a normal scotopic a-wave electroretinogram amplitude, markedly reduced
      scotopic electroretinogram b-wave and modestly reduced photopic cone response.
      This confirmed the impaired function of the photoreceptor ribbon synapses and
      retinal bipolar cells, as is also observed in congenital stationary night
      blindness. Since congenital stationary night blindness present at birth, we
      extended our analysis to retinal differentiation and showed impaired
      differentiation of different bipolar cell subtypes and an altered temporal
      sequence of development from OFF to ON laminae in the inner plexiform layer. This
      was associated with the altered expression patterns of bipolar cell generation
      and differentiation factors, including MATH3, CHX10, VSX1 and OTX2. CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings demonstrate that APLP2 couples retina development and synaptic
      genes and present the first evidence that APLP2 expression may be linked to
      synaptic disease.

PMID- 27267881
TI  - Factors contributing to chronic ankle instability: a protocol for a systematic
      review of systematic reviews.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are a significant clinical problem. Researchers have
      identified a multitude of factors contributing to the presence of recurrent ankle
      sprains including deficits in balance, postural control, kinematics, muscle
      activity, strength, range of motion, ligament laxity and bone/joint
      characteristics. Unfortunately, the literature examining the presence of these
      factors in chronic ankle instability (CAI) is conflicting. As a result,
      researchers have attempted to integrate this evidence using systematic reviews to
      reach conclusions; however, readers are now faced with an increasing number of
      systematic review findings that are also conflicting. The overall aim of this
      review is to critically appraise the methodological quality of previous
      systematic reviews and pool this evidence to identify contributing factors to
      CAI. METHODS: A systematic review will be conducted on systematic reviews that
      investigate the presence of various deficits identified in CAI. Databases will be
      searched using pre-determined search terms. Reviews will then be assessed for
      inclusion based on the set eligibility criteria. Two independent reviewers will
      assess the articles for inclusion before evaluating the methodological quality
      and presence of bias of the included studies; any disagreements will be resolved
      by discussion between reviewers to reach consensus or by a third reviewer. Data
      concerning the specific research question, search strategy, inclusion/exclusion
      criteria, population, method and outcomes will be extracted. Findings will be
      analysed with respect to the methodological quality of the included reviews.
      DISCUSSION: It is expected that this review will clarify the cause of
      contradicting findings in the literature and facilitate future research
      directions. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016032592 .

PMID- 27267883
TI  - Four members of obesity forum resign over controversial diet report.

PMID- 27267884
TI  - Genetic diversity of species Fowl aviadenovirus D and Fowl aviadenovirus E.
AB  - Complete genomes of eight reference strains representing different serotypes
      within the species Fowl aviadenovirus D (FAdV-D) and Fowl aviadenovirus E (FAdV
      E) were sequenced. The sequenced genomes of FAdV-D and FAdV-E members comprise 43
      287 to 44 336  bp, and have a gene organization identical to that of an earlier
      sequenced FAdV-D member (strain A-2A). Highest diversity was noticed in the hexon
      and fiber genes and ORF19. All genomes sequenced in this study contain one fiber
      gene. Phylogenetic analyses and G+C content support the division of the genus
      Aviadenovirus into the currently recognized species. Our data also suggest that
      strain SR48 should be considered as FAdV-11 instead of FAdV-2 and similarly
      strain HG as FAdV-8b. The present results complete the list of genome sequences
      of reference strains representing all serotypes in species FAdV-D and FAdV-E.

PMID- 27267885
TI  - Longitudinal measurement invariance in prospective oral health-related quality of
      life assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prospective assessments of oral health-related quality of life
      (OHRQoL) changes are prone to response shift effects when patients
      reconceptualize, reprioritize, or recalibrate the perceived meanings of OHRQoL
      test items. If this occurs, OHRQoL measurements are not "invariant" and may
      reflect changes in problem profiles or perceptions of OHRQoL test items. This
      suggests that response shift effects must be measured and controlled to achieve
      valid prospective OHRQoL measurement. The aim of this study was to quantify
      response shift effects of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) scores in prospective
      studies of prosthodontic patients. METHODS: Data came from the Dimensions of Oral
      Health-Related Quality of Life Project. The final sample included 554 patients
      who completed the OHIP questionnaire on two occasions: pre- and post-treatment.
      Only items that compose the 14-item OHIP were analyzed. Structural equation
      models that included pre- and post-treatment latent factors of OHRQoL with
      different across-occasion constraints for factor loadings, intercepts, and
      residual variances were fit to the data using confirmatory factor analysis.
      RESULTS: Data fit both the unconstrained model (RMSEA = .038, SRMR = .051, CFI =
      .92, TLI = .91) and the partially constrained model with freed residual variances
      (RMSEA = .037, SRMR = .064, CFI = .92, TLI = .92) well, meaning that the data are
      well approximated by a one-factor model at each occasion, and suggesting strong
      factorial across-occasion measurement invariance. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      provided cogent evidence for the absence of response shift in single factor OHIP
      models, indicating that longitudinal OHIP assessments of OHRQoL measure similar
      constructs across occasions.

PMID- 27267886
TI  - Re: Jennifer R. Rider, Kathryn M. Wilson, Jennifer A. Sinnott, Rachel S. Kelly,
      Lorelei A. Muccia, Edward L. Giovannucci. Ejaculation Frequency and Risk of
      Prostate Cancer: Updated Results with an Additional Decade of Follow-up. Eur Urol
      2016;70:974-82.

PMID- 27267888
TI  - Retraction.

PMID- 27267887
TI  - Strategies in primary healthcare to implement early identification of risky
      alcohol consumption: why do they work or not? A qualitative evaluation of the
      ODHIN study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Screening and brief interventions (SBI) in primary healthcare are
      cost-effective in risky drinkers, yet they are not offered to all eligible
      patients. This qualitative study aimed to provide more insight into the factors
      and mechanisms of why, how, for whom and under what circumstances implementation
      strategies work or do not work in increasing SBI. METHODS: Semi-structured
      interviews were conducted between February and July 2014 with 40 GPs and 28
      nurses in Catalonia, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Participants were
      purposefully selected from the European Optimising Delivery of Healthcare
      Interventions (ODHIN) trial. This randomised controlled trial evaluated the
      influence of training and support, financial reimbursement and an internet-based
      method of delivering advice on SBI. Amongst them were 38 providers with a high
      screening performance and 30 with a low screening performance from different
      allocation groups. Realist evaluation was combined with the Tailored
      Implementation for Chronic Diseases framework for identification of
      implementation determinants to guide the interviews and analysis. Transcripts
      were analysed thematically with the diagram affinity method. RESULTS: Training
      and support motivated SBI by improved knowledge, skills and prioritisation.
      Continuous provision, sufficient time to learn intervention techniques and to
      tailor to individual experienced barriers, seemed important T&S conditions.
      Catalan and Polish professionals perceived financial reimbursement to be an
      additional stimulating factor as well, as effects on SBI were smoothened by
      personnel levels and salary levels. Structural payment for preventive services
      rather than a temporary project based payment, might have increased the effects
      of financial reimbursement. Implementing e-BI seem to require more guidance than
      was delivered in ODHIN. Despite the allocation, important preconditions for SBI
      routine seemed frequent exposure of this topic in media and guidelines, SBI
      facilitating information systems, and having SBI in protocol-led care. Hence, the
      second order analysis revealed that the applied implementation strategies have
      high potential on the micro professional level and meso-organisational level,
      however due to influences from the macro- level such as societal and political
      culture the effects risks to get nullified. CONCLUSIONS: Essential determinants
      perceived for the implementation of SBI routines were identified, in particular
      for training and support and financial reimbursement. However, focusing only on
      the primary healthcare setting seems insufficient and a more integrated SBI
      culture, together with meso- and macro-focused implementation process is
      requested. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial identifier: NCT01501552
      .

PMID- 27267889
TI  - Post-discharge stroke patients' information needs as input to proposing patient
      centred eHealth services.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the potential of eHealth services to revolutionize the way
      healthcare and prevention is provided many applications developed for patients
      fail to deliver their promise. Therefore, the aim of this study is to use patient
      journey mapping to explore post-discharge stroke patients' information needs to
      propose eHealth services that meet their needs throughout their care and
      rehabilitation processes. METHODS: Three focus groups with younger (<65 years)
      and older (> = 65 years) stroke patients were performed. Content analysis was
      used to analyse the data. Stroke patients' information needs was explored using
      patient journey model. RESULTS: Four main events (discharge from hospital,
      discharge from rehab clinic, coming home, and clinical encounters) and two phases
      (at rehab clinic, at home) have been identified in patients' post-discharge
      journey. The main categories identified in this study indicate that patients not
      only need to have access to health related information about their care and
      rehabilitation processes but also practical guidance through healthcare and
      community services. Patients also have different information needs at different
      events and during different phases. Potential supportive eHealth services were
      suggested by the researchers considering different parts of the patients'
      journeys. CONCLUSIONS: Patient journey models and qualitative analysis of
      patients' information needs are powerful tools that can be used to improve
      healthcare from a patient perspective. As patients' understanding of their
      illness changes over time, their need of more flexible support throughout the
      care and rehabilitation processes increases. To design appropriate eHealth
      services that meet patients' information needs, it is imperative to understand
      the current care and rehabilitation processes and identify patients' information
      needs throughout their journey.

PMID- 27267890
TI  - What role can gender-transformative programming for men play in increasing men's
      HIV testing and engagement in HIV care and treatment in South Africa?
AB  - Men are less likely than women to test for HIV and engage in HIV care and
      treatment. We conducted in-depth interviews with men participating in One Man Can
      (OMC) - a rights-based gender equality and health programme intervention
      conducted in rural Limpopo and Eastern Cape, South Africa - to explore
      masculinity-related barriers to HIV testing/care/treatment and how participation
      in OMC impacted on these. Men who participated in OMC reported an increased
      capability to overcome masculinity-related barriers to testing/care/treatment.
      They also reported increased ability to express vulnerability and discuss HIV
      openly with others, which led to greater willingness to be tested for HIV and
      receive HIV care and treatment for those who were living with HIV. Interventions
      that challenge masculine norms and promote gender equality (i.e. gender
      transformative interventions) represent a promising new approach to address men's
      barriers to testing, care and treatment.

PMID- 27267891
TI  - Effects of Black Raspberry Extract and Protocatechuic Acid on Carcinogen-DNA
      Adducts and Mutagenesis, and Oxidative Stress in Rat and Human Oral Cells.
AB  - Effects of black raspberry (BRB) extract and protocatechuic acid (PCA) on DNA
      adduct formation and mutagenesis induced by metabolites of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene
      (DBP) were investigated in rat oral fibroblasts. The DBP metabolites, (+/-)-anti
      11,12-dihydroxy-11,12,-dihydrodibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DBP-diol) and 11,12-dihydroxy
      13,14-epoxy-11,12,13,14-tetrahydrodibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DBPDE) induced dose
      dependent DNA adducts and mutations. DBPDE was considerably more potent, whereas
      the parent compound had no significant effect. Treatment with BRB extract (BRBE)
      and PCA resulted in reduced DBP-derived DNA adduct levels and reduced mutagenesis
      induced by DBP-diol, but only BRBE was similarly effective against (DBPDE). BRBE
      did not directly inactivate DBPDE, but rather induced a cellular response
      enhanced DNA repair. When BRBE was added to cells 1 day after the DBP-diol, the
      BRBE greatly enhanced removal of DBP-derived DNA adducts. As oxidative stress can
      contribute to several stages of carcinogenesis, BRBE and PCA were investigated
      for their abilities to reduce oxidative stress in a human leukoplakia cell line
      by monitoring the redox indicator, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate
      (H2DCF) in cellular and acellular systems. BRBE effectively inhibited the
      oxidation, but PCA was only minimally effective against H2DCF. These results
      taken together provide evidence that BRBE and PCA can inhibit initiation of
      carcinogenesis by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; and in addition, BRBE reduces
      oxidative stress. Cancer Prev Res; 9(8); 704-12. (c)2016 AACR. 

PMID- 27267893
TI  - A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Phase IIB Trial of Curcumin in Oral
      Leukoplakia.
AB  - Oral leukoplakia is a potentially malignant lesion of the oral cavity, for which
      no effective treatment is available. We investigated the effectiveness of
      curcumin, a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB/COX-2, molecules perturbed in oral
      carcinogenesis, to treat leukoplakia. Subjects with oral leukoplakia (n = 223)
      were randomized (1:1 ratio) to receive orally, either 3.6 g/day of curcumin (n =
      111) or placebo (n = 112), for 6 months. The primary endpoint was clinical
      response obtained by bi-dimensional measurement of leukoplakia size at
      recruitment and 6 months. Histologic response, combined clinical and histologic
      response, durability and effect of long-term therapy for an additional six months
      in partial responders, safety and compliance were the secondary endpoints.
      Clinical response was observed in 75 (67.5%) subjects [95% confidence interval
      (CI), 58.4-75.6] in the curcumin and 62 (55.3%; 95% CI, 46.1-64.2) in placebo arm
      (P = 0.03). This response was durable, with 16 of the 18 (88.9%; 95% CI, 67.2
      96.9) subjects with complete response in curcumin and 7 of 8 subjects (87.5%) in
      placebo arm, demonstrating no relapse after 6 months follow-up. Difference in
      histologic response between curcumin and placebo was not significant (HR, 0.88,
      95% CI, 0.45-1.71; P = 0.71). Combined clinical and histologic response
      assessment indicated a significantly better response with curcumin (HR, 0.50; 95%
      CI, 0.27-0.92; P = 0.02). Continued therapy, in subjects with partial response at
      6 months, did not yield additional benefit. The treatment did not raise any
      safety concerns. Treatment of oral leukoplakia with curcumin (3.6 g for six
      months), thus was well tolerated and demonstrated significant and durable
      clinical response for 6 months. Cancer Prev Res; 9(8); 683-91. (c)2016 AACR. 

PMID- 27267894
TI  - Life-saving first aid tips in the palm of your hands...courtesy of the Red Cross.

PMID- 27267892
TI  - STAT3 as a Chemoprevention Target in Carcinogen-Induced Head and Neck Squamous
      Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a frequently fatal disease due,
      in large part, to a high rate of second primary tumor (SPT) formation. The 4
      nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) mouse model of oral carcinogenesis provides a
      robust system in which to study chemopreventive agents in the context of
      chemically induced HNSCC tumors. STAT3 is a potent oncogene that is
      hyperactivated by tyrosine phosphorylation early in HNSCC carcinogenesis and is a
      rational therapeutic target. We recently reported that loss-of-function of the
      STAT3 phosphatase PTPRT promotes STAT3 activation in HNSCC tumors and preclinical
      models and may serve as a predictive biomarker of response to STAT3 inhibitors,
      including the small-molecule Stattic. We therefore investigated the hypothesis
      that Ptprt-knockout (KO) mice would be more susceptible to 4-NQO-induced oral
      carcinogenesis and more sensitive to Stattic-mediated chemoprevention compared
      with wild-type (WT) mice. Herein, we demonstrate that Ptprt WT and KO mice
      develop similar spectra of HNSCC disease severity upon 12 weeks of 4-NQO
      administration, with no apparent effect of Ptprt genotype on carcinogenesis or
      treatment outcome. Targeting of STAT3 with Stattic resulted in a chemopreventive
      effect against 4-NQO-induced oral cancer (P = 0.0402). While these results do not
      support a central role for PTPRT in 4-NQO-induced HNSCC carcinogenesis, further
      investigation of STAT3 as a chemoprevention target in this cancer is warranted.
      Cancer Prev Res; 9(8); 657-63. (c)2016 AACR. 

PMID- 27267895
TI  - Sport, exercise and the menstrual cycle: where is the research?

PMID- 27267896
TI  - The isotype repertoire of antibodies against novel UH-RA peptides in rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, autoantibodies against novel UH-RA peptides (UH-RA.1 and UH
      RA.21) were identified as candidate biomarkers for patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA) who are seronegative for the current diagnostic markers rheumatoid
      factor and anticitrullinated protein antibodies. Previously, screening for anti
      UH-RA autoantibodies was based on measuring the immunoglobulin (Ig) G response.
      We aimed to investigate whether measurement of other isotypes could improve the
      performance of diagnostic testing. In addition, assigning the isotype profile
      might provide valuable information on effector functions of the antibodies.
      METHODS: The isotype profile of antibodies against UH-RA.1 and UH-RA.21 was
      studied. The IgG, IgM, and IgA classes, together with the 4 different IgG
      subclasses, were determined in 285 patients with RA, 88 rheumatic control
      subjects, and 90 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Anti-UH-RA.1 antibodies were
      primarily of the IgM isotype and twice as prevalent as IgG (IgG3-dominated) and
      IgA. RA sensitivity when testing for anti-UH-RA.1 IgM was shown to be higher than
      when testing for the IgG isotype: 18 % versus 9 % sensitivity when RA specificity
      was set to 90 %. Within antibodies against UH-RA.21, IgG and IgA were more common
      than IgM. Different anti-UH-RA.21 IgG subclasses were found, with the highest
      prevalence found for IgG2. Combined testing for IgG and IgA slightly increased RA
      sensitivity of UH-RA.21-specific antibody testing to 27 % compared with solely
      testing for IgG (23 %). Notably, a higher number of anti-UH-RA.21 antibody
      isotypes was related to increased levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
      Finally, for both antibody responses, the full antibody isotype use was
      demonstrated in early and seronegative disease. CONCLUSIONS: The isotype
      distribution of anti-UH-RA.1 and anti-UH-RA.21 antibodies was successfully
      outlined, and, for antibodies against UH-RA.1, we found that isotype-specific
      testing might have implications for diagnostic testing. The exact mechanisms by
      which the different antibody isotypes act still have to be unraveled.

PMID- 27267897
TI  - The relationship between self-reported mental health and redeemed prescriptions
      of antidepressants: a register-based cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poor mental health is a major problem in most western societies,
      especially predominant among young adults. However, associations of self-reported
      poor mental health with subsequent psychiatric or medical treatment are unknown.
      We examined the relation between self-reported mental health and redeeming
      prescriptions of antidepressants among three age groups. METHODS: We analyzed
      data from 16,233 individuals aged 16 years and over randomly selected to
      participate in the 2010 North Denmark Region Health Survey completed in February
      2010. Mental health was defined according to the Short-Form 12 instrument (SF-12)
      and dichotomized into poor and good. Outcome data were retrieved from
      administrative information on redeemed prescriptions of antidepressants between
      February 2010 and December 2012. Crude cumulative incidence curves were produced
      to illustrate the probability of redeeming new prescriptions of antidepressants
      over time. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate risk of redeeming
      prescriptions of antidepressants when having poor mental health, adjusted for
      preselected explanatory covariates. RESULTS: Among the young (16-29 years-old),
      620 (23 %) participants suffered from poor mental health. Among the adults (30-59
      years-old) and elderly (60 years-old or over), 1592 (18 %) participants and 723
      (15 %) reported poor mental health, respectively. Overall, women were more likely
      than men to rate their mental health as poor. For all age groups, there was an
      increased probability for redeeming prescriptions of antidepressants when having
      poor mental health. The hazard ratio [HR] for redeeming prescriptions of
      antidepressants for those reporting poor versus good mental health, adjusted for
      sex, ethnicity, marital status, education level, occupational status, smoking and
      physical activity was 3.1 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 2.20-4.29) for young
      participants. For adults, the HR was 2.3 (95 % CI 1.86-2.78) and for elderly, it
      was 3.5 (95 % CI 2.66-4.57). CONCLUSION: Self-reported poor mental health was
      more frequent among younger than older participants. Overall, antidepressants
      were the most often used treatment. An increased probability of redeeming
      antidepressant prescriptions when having self-reported poor mental health was
      observed in all age groups. These findings suggest that frequent reporting of
      poor mental health is a common issue for all age groups that needs more
      attention.

PMID- 27267898
TI  - Addressing the impact of economic sanctions on Iranian drug shortages in the
      joint comprehensive plan of action: promoting access to medicines and health
      diplomacy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The U.S Congress initiated sanctions against Iran after the 1979 U.S.
      Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran, and since then the scope of multilateral
      sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the United
      Nations Security Council have progressively expanded throughout the intervening
      years. Though primarily targeted at Iran's nuclear proliferation activities,
      sanctions have nevertheless resulted in negative public health outcomes for
      ordinary Iranian citizens. This includes creating vital domestic shortages to
      life-saving medicines, leaving an estimated 6 million Iranian patients with
      limited treatment access for a host of diseases. Sanctions have also crippled
      Iran's domestic pharmaceutical industry, leading to the disruption of generic
      medicines production and forcing the country to import medicines and raw
      materials that are of lower or questionable quality. DISCUSSION: Countries such
      as the United States have responded to this medical crisis by implementing export
      control exemptions with the aim of easing the trade of humanitarian goods
      (including certain pharmaceuticals and medical devices). However, despite these
      efforts, pharmaceutical firms and international banking institutions remain
      cautious about doing business with Iran, leaving the country faced with
      continuing shortages. We conducted a review of key characteristics of the Iranian
      drug shortage that identified 73 shortage drugs that closely tracked with the
      disease burden in the country. Additionally, 44 % of these drugs were also
      classified as essential medicines by the World Health Organization. A vast
      majority of these drugs were also covered under export control exemptions that
      theoretically should make them easier to procure, but nevertheless will still in
      shortage. Based on our review of the sanctions regulatory framework and key
      characteristics of the Iranian drug shortage, we propose policy intervention
      leveraging the recently negotiated P5 + 1 agreement that begins the process of
      providing Iran relief from the international economic sanctions regime. This
      specifically includes advocating for the application of "health diplomacy" in
      ongoing multilateral negotiations following commencement of "implementation day,"
      by advocating for an additional set of reform measures incorporated into this
      historic negotiation that will finally address the humanitarian and medical
      crisis of drug shortages in Iran.

PMID- 27267899
TI  - A case report of a giant rectal adenoma causing secretory diarrhea and acute
      renal failure: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare depletion syndrome caused
      by a secretory villous adenoma or a carcinoma of the rectosigmoid tract. An
      aggressive hydroelectrolyte rebalancing is often needed, and curative treatment
      is obtained only with complete removal of the lesion, by endoscopy or surgery.
      Low clinical suspicion often delays the diagnosis, resulting in detrimental
      complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 75-year-old woman,
      presenting to the emergency department with acute renal failure and electrolyte
      imbalance, reporting an history of recurrent episodes of dehydration and chronic
      diarrhea. After being admitted to the nephrology department she underwent
      diagnostic investigation that revealed the presence of a giant adenoma of the
      rectum. The patients received supportive therapy and was subsequently treated
      with surgery, with a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: A prompt diagnosis plays an
      important role in the treatment of McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome. We describe a
      case of this condition in detail and review the related literature, underlining
      the typical diagnostic features and exploring the possible therapeutic options.

PMID- 27267900
TI  - Postpartum depressive symptoms and its association to daytime sleepiness and
      restless legs during pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression is a common condition, which consequences might
      be harmful for both mother and child. Since sleep and depression are closely
      related it is possible that women who suffer from sleep related problems during
      pregnancy are more likely to develop depression in the postpartum period. This
      study aims to investigate the possible association between depressive symptoms in
      the postpartum period and sleep related problems during pregnancy. METHODS: In
      this study 293 women in the last trimester of pregnancy answered a questionnaire
      about symptoms of restless legs, snoring and daytime sleepiness. They also
      completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The same women were screened for
      depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) four to
      ten weeks after giving birth. Additional information about social data, pregnancy
      and delivery was received from the medical charts. RESULTS: Women with postpartum
      depressive symptoms had higher prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness defined
      as ESS score >=10 (OR 3.84, CI 1.57-9.39), and restless legs syndrome (OR 2.837
      CI 1.18-6.84) in last trimester of pregnancy, when adjusted for socio-demographic
      factors and obstetric risk factors. No association was found between postpartum
      depressive symptoms and snoring. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms after
      childbirth are preceded by sleep related problems such as daytime sleepiness and
      restless legs, already during pregnancy. The results from Epworth Sleepiness
      Scale and a questionnaire concerning Restless Legs Syndrome completed during
      pregnancy might be a valuable contribution for detecting women at risk for
      postpartum depression, enabling preventive interventions.

PMID- 27267901
TI  - Effectiveness and content analysis of interventions to enhance medication
      adherence in hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertension control through pharmacological treatment has led to
      substantial benefits in the prevention of morbidity and mortality from
      cardiovascular diseases. However, evidence from a number of studies suggests that
      as many as 50 to 80 % of patients treated for hypertension have low adherence to
      their treatment regimen. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate
      the effectiveness of medication adherence interventions for hypertension. In
      addition, we aim to explore what barriers and facilitators in the interventions
      may have been targeted and how these might be related to the effect size on blood
      pressure (BP). METHODS: This review is a hypertension-specific update to the
      previous Cochrane Review by Nieuwlaat et al. (2014) on interventions to enhance
      medication adherence. A systematic literature search will be carried out, and two
      authors will independently screen titles and abstracts for their eligibility for
      inclusion and independently extract data from the selected studies and assess the
      methodological quality using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. A meta
      analysis will be conducted, and additionally, theoretical factors in
      interventions will be identified using the Theoretical Domains Framework.
      DISCUSSION: This review will generate new information by quantitatively
      evaluating the effectiveness of adherence interventions for hypertension and
      potentially identify which theoretical domains are associated with more effective
      interventions and which domains have not been the subject of intervention
      development. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016033358.

PMID- 27267903
TI  - Increased uptake and improved outcomes of bowel cancer screening with a faecal
      immunochemical test: results from a pilot study within the national screening
      programme in England.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The National Health Service Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP)
      in England uses a guaiac-based faecal occult blood test (gFOBt). A quantitative
      faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for haemoglobin (Hb) has many advantages,
      including being specific for human blood, detecting Hb at a much lower
      concentration with a single faecal sample and improved uptake. METHODS: In 2014,
      a large comparative pilot study was performed within BCSP to establish the
      acceptability and diagnostic performance of FIT. Over a 6-month period, 40 930 (1
      in 28) subjects were sent a FIT (OC-SENSOR) instead of a gFOBt. A bespoke FIT
      package was used to mail FIT sampling devices to and from FIT subjects. All
      participants positive with either gFOBt or FIT (cut-off 20 ug Hb/g faeces) were
      referred for follow-up. Subgroup analysis included cut-off concentrations, age,
      sex, screening history and deprivation quintile. RESULTS: While overall uptake
      increased by over 7 percentage points with FIT (66.4% vs 59.3%, OR 1.35, 95% CI
      1.33 to 1.38), uptake by previous non-responders almost doubled (FIT 23.9% vs
      gFOBt 12.5%, OR 2.20, 95% CI 2.10 to 2.29). The increase in overall uptake was
      significantly higher in men than women and was observed across all deprivation
      quintiles. With the conventional 20 ug/g cut-off, FIT positivity was 7.8% and
      ranged from 5.7% in 59-64-year-old women to 11.1% in 70-75-year-old men. Cancer
      detection increased twofold and that for advanced adenomas nearly fivefold.
      Detection rates remained higher with FIT for advanced adenomas, even at 180 ug
      Hb/g. CONCLUSIONS: Markedly improved participation rates were achieved in a
      mature gFOBt-based national screening programme and disparities between men and
      women were reduced. High positivity rates, particularly in men and previous non
      respondents, challenge the available colonoscopy resource, but improvements in
      neoplasia detection are still achievable within this limited resource.

PMID- 27267902
TI  - Long non-coding RNA ATB promotes glioma malignancy by negatively regulating miR
      200a.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glioma is one of the most common and aggressive primary malignant
      tumor in the brain. Accumulating evidences indicated that aberrantly expressed
      non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs
      (miRNAs), contribute to tumorigenesis. However, potential mechanisms between
      lncRNAs and miRNAs in glioma remain largely unknown. METHODS: Long non-coding RNA
      activated by TGF-beta (LncRNA-ATB) expression in glioma tissues and cells was
      quantified by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Glioma cell lines U251 and
      A172 were transfected with sh-ATB, miR-200a mimics, miR-200a inhibitors, after we
      assayed the cell phenotype and expression of the relevant molecules. Dual
      luciferase reporter assay, RIP and a xenograft mouse model were used to examine
      the expression of sh-ATB and its target gene miR-200a. RESULTS: ATB is abnormally
      up-regulated both in glioma tissues and cell lines compared with normal brain
      tissues, and glioma patients with high ATB expression had shorter overall
      survival time. Knockdown of ATB significantly inhibits glioma malignancy,
      including cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion in vitro, and
      the xenograft tumor formation in vivo. In addition, ATB was confirmed to target
      miR-200a, and miR-200a inhibition reversed the malignant characteristics of ATB
      knockdown on glioma cells. In particular, ATB may act as a ceRNA, effectively
      becoming a sink for miR-200a, thereby modulating the derepression of TGF-beta2.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ATB plays an oncogenic role of glioma
      cells by inhibiting miR-200a and facilitating TGF-beta2 in glioma, thereby may
      represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of human glioma.

PMID- 27267904
TI  - Involvement of oxidative stress in tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate-induced autophagy
      of mouse Leydig TM3 cells in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As a plasticizer, plastic softener, and flame-retardant, tri-ortho
      cresyl phosphate (TOCP) is and has been widely used in industry and reported to
      have a toxic effect on the male reproductive system in animals besides
      neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. We have reported that TOCP inhibits
      spermatogenesis and induces autophagy of rat spermatogonial stem cells, but it is
      still unknown whether TOCP induces autophagy of mouse Leydig cells and its
      potential mechanism. METHODS: Cell viability was observed by MTT assay. Level of
      testosterone was measured by radioimmunoassay. Apoptosis was observed by AnnexinV
      FITC/PI assay. The contents of LC3, Atg5-Atg12, and Beclin 1 were detected by
      Western blotting analysis. Autophagosomes were investigated by transmission
      electron microscopy. The contents of MDA and GSH and the activities of SOD, GSH
      PX, total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured
      by oxidative stress kits. RESULTS: The present study shows that TOCP markedly
      inhibited viability and testosterone output of mouse Leydig TM3 cells but had no
      effect on apoptosis. However, TOCP significantly increased both LC3-II and the
      ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I and the contents of autophagy proteins Atg5 and Beclin
      1. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that TOCP increased autophagic
      vacuoles of the cytoplasm, indicating that TOCP could induce autophagy of the
      cells. TOCP significantly induced oxidative stress of mouse Leydig TM3 cells.
      H2O2 also inhibited viability and induced autophagy of the cells; however,
      inhibition of oxidative stress by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) could rescue the
      inhibition of cell viability and induction of autophagy by TOCP. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results show oxidative stress might be involved in TOCP-induced autophagy of
      mouse Leydig TM3 cells.

PMID- 27267905
TI  - Association between multimorbidity patterns and chronic pain in elderly primary
      care patients: a cross-sectional observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is a highly prevalent health problem, which may reduce
      adherence, produce conflicts in treatment, and is not yet supported by evidence
      based clinical recommendations. Many older people suffer from more than one
      chronic disease as well as from chronic pain. There is some evidence that disease
      management can become more complex if multimorbid patients suffer from chronic
      pain. In order to better consider the patients' comorbidity spectrum in clinical
      pain treatment recommendations, evidence is needed regarding which disease
      combinations are frequently related with the presence of chronic pain. Therefore,
      our aim is to identify diseases and disease combinations in a multimorbid
      population, which are associated with the patient-reported presence of chronic
      pain. METHODS: Analyses are based on cross-sectional data of the MultiCare Cohort
      Study, an observational cohort study based on interviews with 3189 multimorbid
      patients aged 65+, randomly selected from 158 practices, and their GPs. The
      response rate was 46.2 %. Data were collected in GP interviews and comprehensive
      patient interviews. Diseases and disease combinations associated with chronic
      pain were identified by CART (classification and regression tree) analyses
      performed separately for both genders. 46 chronic conditions were used as
      predictor variables and a dichotomized score from the Graded Chronic Pain Scale
      was used as outcome variable. RESULTS: About 60 % of the study participants were
      female. Women more often reported chronic pain than men. The most important
      predictor of a higher pain level in the female population was chronic low back
      problems, especially if combined with chronic gastritis, hyperuricemia/gout,
      cardiac insufficiency, neuropathies or depression. Regarding the pain level the
      male population was also divided best by chronic low back problems, especially if
      combined with intestinal diverticulosis, neuropathies or chronic ischemic heart
      disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses are a first step in identifying diseases and
      disease combinations that are related to chronic pain. The most important
      condition seems to be low back problems. Back pain and pain in other body regions
      seems to be interrelated with cardiometabolic conditions. In women, psychosocial
      issues like depression also seem to be relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ISRCTN89818205 .

PMID- 27267907
TI  - Alcohol Use after Liver Transplantation is Independent of Liver Disease Etiology.
AB  - AIM: To assess alcohol use after liver transplantation (LT) and compare liver
      transplant recipients for alcoholic liver disease (ALD) with recipients for non
      ALD causes. METHODS: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
      Diseases liver transplant database stratified to ALD and non-ALD causes. RESULTS:
      Among 488 LT recipients reporting pre-transplant alcohol use (147 ALD),
      proportion of LT recipients reporting alcohol use was similar comparing ALD and
      non-ALD transplants (25.4% vs. 27.2%; P = 0.56). Among ALD transplants, of 31
      with alcohol use, 23 (74%) relapsed at >=2 year, 25 (80%) reported intermittent
      drinking and 4 (13%) reported heavy drinking. Among Non-ALD recipients, alcohol
      use was equally distributed to within 2, 2-5 and after 5 years of LT with 82%
      reporting intermittent drinking and 9% heavy drinking. Patients with pre
      transplant drinking of >20 years and abstinence duration of <2 years were over
      2.5-fold likely to report post-transplant alcohol use compared to drinking of >20
      years and abstinence of >2 years, 2.56 [95% CI: 1.41-4.67]. Etiology (ALD vs. non
      ALD) did not predict post-transplant alcohol use. Of 139 ALD patients with follow
      up biopsy data, 13 (7 with post-transplant alcohol use) had steatohepatitis.
      Histology on 319 non-ALD recipients showed recurrent disease in 91, none due to
      alcohol. Overall survival was similar between drinkers and abstainers (71% vs.
      66%; P = 0.35). Recurrent ALD was cause of death in one ALD and none of non-ALD
      patients. CONCLUSION: Alcohol use after LT is independent of LT indication.
      Patients with non-ALD etiology should be carefully screened for alcohol use prior
      to LT to identify those at risk for post-LT alcohol use.

PMID- 27267908
TI  - Silver-Free Palladium-Catalyzed sp(3) and sp(2) C-H Alkynylation Promoted by a
      1,2,3-Triazole Amine Directing Group.
AB  - Triazole amine was identified as an effective directing group in promoting C-H
      alkynylation under silver-free conditions. No other external oxidant was
      required, and the alkynylation products were received in good to excellent
      yields. X-ray crystallographic analysis confirmed a direct C-H activation
      intermediate. Other typical directing groups, including pyridine amine (PIP) and
      8-aminoquinoline (QA), gave almost no reaction under identical conditions, which
      highlighted the unique reactivity of the triazole directing group in direct C-H
      functionalization.

PMID- 27267909
TI  - Surface Mobility of Amorphous o-Terphenyl: A Strong Inhibitory Effect of Low
      Concentration Polystyrene.
AB  - Previous work has shown that a surface wave on amorphous o-terphenyl (OTP) decays
      by viscous flow at high temperatures and by surface diffusion at low
      temperatures. We report that the surface mass transport can be efficiently
      suppressed by low-concentration polymers. Surface-grating decay has been measured
      for OTP containing 1 wt % polystyrene (PS, Mw = 1-8 kg/mol), which is miscible
      with OTP. The additive has no significant effect on the decay kinetics in the
      viscous-flow regime, but a significant effect in the surface-diffusion regime. In
      the latter case, surface evolution slows down and becomes nonexponential
      (decelerating over time). The effect increases with falling temperature and the
      molecular weight of PS. These results are attributed to the very different
      mobility of PS (slow) and OTP (fast) and their segregation during surface
      evolution, and relevant for understanding the surface mobility of multicomponent
      amorphous materials.

PMID- 27267906
TI  - Persistent misconceptions about HIV transmission among males and females in
      Malawi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of HIV in Malawi is one of the highest in sub-Saharan
      Africa, and misconceptions about its mode of transmission are considered a major
      contributor to the continued spread of the virus. METHODS: Using the 2010 Malawi
      Demographic and Health Survey, the current study explored factors associated with
      misconceptions about HIV transmission among males and females. RESULTS: We found
      that higher levels of ABC prevention knowledge were associated with lower
      likelihood of endorsing misconceptions among females and males (OR = 0.85, p <
      0.001; OR = 0.85, p < 0.001, respectively). Compared to those in the Northern
      region, both females and males in the Central (OR = 0.54, p < 0.001; OR = 0.53, p
      < 0.001, respectively) and Southern regions (OR = 0.49, p < 0.001; OR = 0.43, p <
      0.001, respectively) were less likely to endorse misconceptions about HIV
      transmission. Moreover, marital status and ethnicity were significant predictors
      of HIV transmission misconceptions among females but not among males. Also,
      household wealth quintiles, education, religion, and urban-rural residence were
      significantly associated with endorsing misconceptions about HIV transmission.
      CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, we recommend that education on HIV
      transmission in Malawi should integrate cultural and ethnic considerations of
      HIV/AIDS.

PMID- 27267910
TI  - Phenotypic and Signaling Consequences of a Novel Aberrantly Spliced Transcript
      FGF Receptor-3 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) plays important roles in cell
      proliferation, differentiation, and angiogenesis. FGFR3 is abnormally upregulated
      in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where it correlates positively with
      clinicopathologic index, HCC differentiation, and advanced nuclear grade. In this
      study, we describe an aberrantly spliced transcript of FGFR3, termed FGFR3Delta7
      9, was identified as a high frequency even in HCC. FGFR3Delta7-9 lacks exons
      encoding the immunoglobulin-like III domain and promoted the proliferation,
      migration, and metastasis of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo
      Coimmunoprecipation and surface plasmon resonance assays demonstrated that the
      binding affinity of the aberrant FGFR3Delta7-9 receptor to FGFs was significantly
      higher than wild-type FGFR3IIIc Furthermore, FGFR3Delta7-9 could be self
      activated by homodimerization and autophosphorylation even in the absence of
      ligand. Finally, FGFR3Delta7-9 more potently induced phosphorylation of the ERK
      and AKT kinases, leading to abnormal downstream signaling through the ERK and
      PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. FGFR3Delta7-9 also upregulated the metastasis-associated
      molecules Snail, MMP-9, and downregulated E-cadherin, which associated directly
      with FGFR3Delta7-9 Thus, as a ligand-dependent or -independent receptor,
      FGFR3Delta7-9 exerted multiple potent oncogenic functions in HCC cells, including
      proliferation, migration, and lung metastatic capacity. Overall, FGFR3 mRNA
      missplicing in HCC contributes significantly to its malignant character, with
      implications for therapeutic targeting. Cancer Res; 76(14); 4205-15. (c)2016
      AACR.

PMID- 27267911
TI  - The effect of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) on health service
      delivery in mission facilities in Ghana: a retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2004, Ghana began implementation of a National Health Insurance
      Scheme (NHIS) to minimize out-of-pocket expenditure at the point of use of
      service. The implementation of the scheme was accompanied by increased access and
      use of health care services. Evidence suggests most health facilities are faced
      with management challenges in the delivery of services. The study aimed to assess
      the effect of the introduction of the NHIS on health service delivery in mission
      health facilities in Ghana. We conceptualised the effect of NHIS on facilities
      using service delivery indicators such as outpatient and inpatient turn out,
      estimation of general service readiness, revenue and expenditure, claims
      processing and availability of essential medicines. We collected data from 38
      mission facilities, grouped into the three ecological zones; southern, middle and
      northern. Structured questionnaires and exit interviews were used to collect data
      for the periods 2003 and 2010. The data was analysed in SPSS and MS Excel.
      RESULTS: The facilities displayed high readiness to deliver services. There were
      significant increases in outpatient and inpatient attendance, revenue,
      expenditure and improved access to medicines. Generally, facilities reported
      increased readiness to deliver services. However, challenging issues around high
      rates of non-reimbursement of NHIS claims due to errors in claims processing,
      lack of feedback regarding errors, and lack of clarity on claims reporting
      procedures were reported. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the NHIS saw
      improvement and expansion of services resulting in benefits to the facilities as
      well as constraints. The constraints could be minimized if claims processing is
      improved at the facility level and delays in reimbursements also reduced.

PMID- 27267912
TI  - Molecular and phenotypic characterization of strains of Shigella sonnei isolated
      over 31 years suggests the circulation of two prevalent subtypes in Sao Paulo
      State, Brazil.
AB  - Shigella sonnei is an important causative agent of bacillary dysentery worldwide
      that has recently emerged in developing countries. However, there are few studies
      that have characterized strains ofS. sonnei isolated in Brazil. The aims of this
      study were to assess the presence of 12 virulence genes, the antimicrobial
      resistance profile against 16 drugs and the genotypic diversity of strains of S.
      sonnei isolated in this country. Seventy-two strains of S. sonnei isolated from
      human diarrhoeic faeces in Sao Paulo State, Brazil from 1983-2014 were studied.
      All of the strains contained the ipaH, iuc and sigA genes. The ipaBCD gene was
      detected in 19 % of the strains, the ial and virF genes in 18 % and the sen gene
      in 10 % of the strains. The set1A, set1B, pic,sepA and sat genes were not
      detected. A total of 42 (58.3 %) strains were resistant to trimethoprim
      sulfamethoxazole. Thirty (41.6 %) strains were resistant to tetracycline. The S.
      sonnei strains were grouped in two clusters called A and B by PFGE and ERIC-PCR,
      and the majority of the strains comprised in each cluster presented >=80 %
      similarity. In conclusion, the pathogenic potential of the strains studied was
      highlighted by the presence of important virulence genes. The high rates of
      resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline are alarming once
      those drugs can be used in the treatment of shigellosis. The PFGE and ERIC-PCR
      results suggest that there are two prevalent subtypes in the studied strains of
      S. sonnei that differed little over 31 years and have been contaminating humans
      and causing diseases in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. 

PMID- 27267913
TI  - Experiences of households using integrated malaria prevention in two rural
      communities in Wakiso district, Uganda: a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The integrated approach to malaria prevention which advocates use of
      several methods in a holistic manner is being explored to complement existing
      strategies. A pilot project that promoted integrated malaria prevention
      established 40 demonstration households using the approach. As part of impact
      evaluation of the project 2 years after implementation, the experiences of these
      households using integrated malaria prevention were assessed. METHODS: A
      qualitative cross-sectional survey was carried out in Wakiso district, Uganda
      which involved 40 in-depth interviews among households implementing integrated
      malaria prevention. The study assessed practices on malaria prevention, benefits
      and challenges of using integrated malaria prevention, preference of malaria
      prevention methods, and impact of the demonstration households on the community.
      Thematic analysis was employed using Atlas ti software. RESULTS: The households
      continued to use many of the malaria prevention methods in the integrated
      approach including sleeping under long-lasting insecticidal nets, screening in
      windows and ventilators, removing mosquito breeding sites, and closing of doors
      early in the evenings. The major benefits reported from using integrated malaria
      prevention were reduction in mosquito populations in their houses and less
      occurrence of malaria particularly among children. Although several community
      members learnt about and admired various malaria prevention methods from the
      demonstration households especially screening in windows and ventilators, the
      majority could not afford to implement some of them due to lack of resources. The
      main challenge established in using integrated malaria prevention was the much
      time required to implement the several methods some of which had to be done
      regularly such as early closing of windows. In addition, complacency had led to
      some households not utilizing a number of methods in the integrated approach
      because of using others. CONCLUSION: Use of the integrated approach to malaria
      prevention benefited the demonstration households mainly through observed
      reduction in mosquitoes indoors and malaria occurrence hence could be promoted in
      other areas. Other studies to quantify the protective effect of integrated
      malaria prevention particularly regarding malaria prevalence and contribution of
      each of the methods are required.

PMID- 27267914
TI  - Soluble Siglec-9 suppresses arthritis in a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model
      and inhibits M1 activation of RAW264.7 macrophages.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of soluble sialic
      acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin (sSiglec)-9 on joint inflammation and
      destruction in a murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model and in monolayer
      cultures of murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages) and
      fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) derived from patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis. METHODS: DBA/1J mice were immunized with type II collagen. Effects of
      sSiglec-9 were evaluated using a physiologic arthritis score, histological
      analysis, serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentration, and the
      proportion of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)-positive regulatory T (Treg) cells. In vivo
      biofluorescence imaging was used to assess the distribution of sSiglec-9. Levels
      of M1 (TNF-alpha, interleukin [IL]-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and M2
      (CD206, Arginase-1, and IL-10) macrophage markers and phosphorylation of
      intracellular signaling molecules were examined in macrophages, and levels of
      matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 were examined in FLS.
      RESULTS: sSiglec-9 significantly suppressed the clinical and histological
      incidence and severity of arthritis. The proportion of Foxp3-positive Treg cells
      significantly improved and serum TNF-alpha concentration decreased in vivo.
      Although sSiglec-9 reduced the expression of M1 markers in macrophages, it did
      not affect the expression of M2 markers and MMPs in FLS. Nuclear factor (NF)-kB
      p65 phosphorylation was attenuated by sSiglec-9, and chemical blockade of the NF
      kB pathway reduced M1 marker expression in RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: In this
      study, we have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of sSiglec-9 in a murine CIA
      model. The mechanism underlying these effects involves the suppression of M1
      proinflammatory macrophages by inhibiting the NF-kB pathway. sSiglec-9 may
      provide a novel therapeutic option for patients with rheumatoid arthritis
      refractory to currently available drugs.

PMID- 27267915
TI  - Prevalence of patients receiving renal replacement therapy in El Salvador in
      2014.
AB  - : El Salvador has the highest renal failure mortality rate in the Americas. Five
      healthcare providers offer renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the country. The
      national RRT prevalence has never been reported. AIMS: To determine the RRT
      prevalence in El Salvador and some basic characteristics. METHODS: The
      association of nephrology coordinated a nationwide cross-sectional survey during
      the third quarter of 2014. 31 renal centres participated in the survey, covering
      99.5% of patients. RESULTS: National RRT prevalence: 595 per million population
      (pmp), N=3807, average age 50.4 years, 67.5% male. By modality: peritoneal
      dialysis (PD) 289 pmp, haemodialysis (HD) 233 pmp, with functioning kidney
      transplantation 74 pmp (living donor only). Social security covers 25% of the
      population but treats 49.7% of RRT patients. Generally, higher prevalence was
      observed in municipalities with renal centres or located on the coast or
      lowlands. Ninety-five percent of HD patients receive fewer than 3 weekly
      sessions. Of PD patients, 59% do not belong to a continuous outpatient or
      automated programme, and 25% still use rigid catheter. Aetiology of chronic
      kidney disease: unavailable/undetermined 50%, hypertension 21.1%, diabetes 18.9%,
      glomerulonephritis 6.7%, obstructive causes 1.2%, tubulointerstitial 0.9%,
      polycystic 0.4% and other 0.7%. DISCUSSION: Despite the increase in RRT services,
      the prevalence is lower than the Latin American average (660 pmp). Three quarters
      of HD and PD patients are under-dialysed. Obsolete RRT techniques are still used.
      The presence of Mesoamerican nephropathy influences the demographic
      characteristics (many young patients, two-thirds male, high prevalence in
      lowlands and coastlands).

PMID- 27267916
TI  - Immune response and histology of humoral rejection in kidney transplantation.
AB  - The adaptive immune response forms the basis of allograft rejection. Its weapons
      are direct cellular cytotoxicity, identified from the beginning of organ
      transplantation, and/or antibodies, limited to hyperacute rejection by preformed
      antibodies and not as an allogenic response. This resulted in allogenic response
      being thought for decades to have just a cellular origin. But the experimental
      studies by Gorer demonstrating tissue damage in allografts due to antibodies
      secreted by B lymphocytes activated against polymorphic molecules were
      disregarded. The special coexistence of binding and unbinding between antibodies
      and antigens of the endothelial cell membranes has been the cause of the delay in
      demonstrating the humoral allogenic response. The endothelium, the target tissue
      of antibodies, has a high turnover, and antigen-antibody binding is non-covalent.
      If endothelial cells are attacked by the humoral response, immunoglobulins are
      rapidly removed from their surface by shedding and/or internalization, as well as
      degrading the components of the complement system by the action of MCP, DAF and
      CD59. Thus, the presence of complement proteins in the membrane of endothelial
      cells is transient. In fact, the acute form of antibody-mediated rejection was
      not demonstrated until C4d complement fragment deposition was identified, which
      is the only component that binds covalently to endothelial cells. This review
      examines the relationship between humoral immune response and the types of acute
      and chronic histological lesion shown on biopsy of the transplanted organ. 

PMID- 27267917
TI  - Sudden cardiac death in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A relatively high proportion of deaths in dialysis patients occur
      suddenly and unexpectedly. The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in non
      dialysis advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages has been less well
      investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the incidence and
      predictors of SCD in a cohort of 1078 patients with CKD not yet on dialysis.
      METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study, which included patients with
      advanced CKD not yet on dialysis (stage 4-5). The association between baseline
      variables and SCD was assessed using Cox and competing-risk (Fine and Grey)
      regression models. Demographic, clinical information, medication use, and
      baseline biochemical parameters of potential interest were included as
      covariates. RESULTS: During the study period (median follow-up time 12 months),
      210 patients died (19%), and SCD occurred in 34 cases (16% of total deaths). All
      cause mortality and SCD incidence rates were 113 (95% CI: 99-128), and 18 (95%
      CI: 13-26) events per 1000 patients/year, respectively. By Cox regression
      analysis, covariates significantly associated with SCD were: Age, comorbidity
      index, and treatment with antiplatelet drugs. This latter covariate showed a
      beneficial effect over the development of SCD. By competing-risk regression, in
      which the competing event was non-sudden death from any cause, only age and
      comorbidity index remained significantly associated with SCD. CONCLUSIONS: SCD is
      relatively common in non-dialysis advanced CKD patients. SCD was closely related
      to age and comorbidity, and some indirect data from this study suggest that
      unrecognised or undertreated cardiovascular disease may predispose to a higher
      risk of SCD.

PMID- 27267918
TI  - Hyperchloremia - Why and how.
AB  - Hyperchloremia is a common electrolyte disorder that is associated with a diverse
      group of clinical conditions. The kidney plays an important role in the
      regulation of chloride concentration through a variety of transporters that are
      present along the nephron. Nevertheless, hyperchloremia can occur when water
      losses exceed sodium and chloride losses, when the capacity to handle excessive
      chloride is overwhelmed, or when the serum bicarbonate is low with a concomitant
      rise in chloride as occurs with a normal anion gap metabolic acidosis or
      respiratory alkalosis. The varied nature of the underlying causes of the
      hyperchloremia will, to a large extent, determine how to treat this electrolyte
      disturbance. 

PMID- 27267919
TI  - Autoantibodies against alternative complement pathway proteins in renal
      pathologies.
AB  - Complement system activation plays an important role in several renal
      pathologies, including antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis, ischaemia
      reperfusion injury of trasplanted kidneys or renal allograft rejection. Besides
      these conditions, alternative pathway abnormalities are directly involved in the
      pathogenesis of C3 glomerulopathies and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
      These abnormalities may be inherited or acquired, the latter as autoantibodies
      directed against the various components and regulators of the alternative
      complement pathway. The functional consequences of some of these antibodies and
      their association with these conditions are well known, whereas for other
      antibodies only isolated cases have been reported. This article describes the
      autoantibodies that target the alternative complement pathway proteins, their
      characteristics and their clinical relevance in renal pathologies.

PMID- 27267920
TI  - Risk factors associated with hernias on peritoneal dialysis.

PMID- 27267921
TI  - Musculoskeletal pain in patients with chronic kidney disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is a very common symptom in
      patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and is associated with a significant
      deterioration in quality of life. AIMS: To determine the prevalence and clinical
      characteristics associated with CMP in patients with advanced CKD not on
      dialysis, and to analyse their relation with other uraemic symptoms and their
      prognosis significance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study to analyse
      the uraemic symptoms of an unselected cohort of patients with CKD stage 4-5 pre
      dialysis. In order to characterise patients with CMP, demographic and
      anthropometric data were collected, as well as data on comorbidities and kidney
      function. In addition, inflammatory parameters, uric parameters, bone mineral
      metabolism including 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHCC), creatine kinase and
      drugs of potential interest including allopurinol, statins and erythropoiesis
      stimulating agents were recorded. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 1169
      patients (mean age 65+/-15 years, 54% male). A total of 38% of patients
      complained of CMP, and this symptom was more prevalent in women than in men (49
      vs. 28%; P<.0001). Muscle weakness, pruritus, muscle cramps, ecchymosis,
      insomnia, oedema and dyspnoea were the most common symptoms associated with CMP.
      There were no significant associations between serum levels of creatine kinase,
      25-OHCC, treatment with allopurinol, statins or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents
      and CMP. The female gender, elderly age, obesity, comorbidity (mainly diabetes,
      heart failure or COPD), and elevated levels of inflammatory markers (C-reactive
      protein and non-neutrophilic leukocytes) were the best determinants of CMP. While
      patients with CMP showed a worse survival rate, a multivariate analysis adjusted
      for demographic data ruled out the independent association of CMP with mortality.
      CONCLUSIONS: CMP is highly prevalent in patients with advanced CKD and is
      associated with other common symptoms of chronic uraemia. As with the general
      population, elderly age, the female gender, obesity and some comorbid conditions
      are the best determinants of CMP. Increased inflammatory markers commonly
      observed in patients with CMP may have a relevant role in its pathogenesis.

PMID- 27267922
TI  - Intestinal metaplasia of the bladder in 89 patients: a study with emphasis on
      long-term outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intestinal metaplasia of the bladder is an uncommon glandular
      proliferation. We examined a large series of intestinal metaplasia for the
      clinicopathological features and discuss the significance of this lesion.
      METHODS: All cases of intestinal metaplasia diagnosed in our institution between
      1990 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a history of
      urothelial carcinoma or concurrent adenocarcinoma were excluded. Patient
      characteristics, pathological features, and follow-up outcomes were obtained.
      RESULTS: We identified 89 patients with intestinal metaplasia during this period.
      Sixty seven were men and 22 were women. Mean age at diagnosis was 57 years (range
      23-81). Common presenting complaints included haematuria (73 cases), mucosuria
      (13 cases), and irritative voiding symptoms (seven cases). The majority of
      intestinal metaplasias located on or near the trigone (67 cases). Eighty-two
      patients underwent transurethral resection of their lesions. Partial cystectomy
      was performed in the remaining seven patients. The mean follow-up of 78 patients
      was 105 months (range 6-255). One case of bladder adenocarcinoma was indentified
      6 months later. The initial histologic findings had revealed intestinal
      metaplasia with severe dysplasia. Four patients presented recurrence during the
      follow-up, and this occurred 9, 13, 17 and 24 months after the surgery.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although intestinal metaplasia can be treated effectively by
      transurethral resection in most cases, its potential malignancy need to be taken
      into consideration after the evidence of recurrences and its association with
      bladder adenocarcinoma. Therefore, it is necessary to perform close surveillance
      following the surgery, particularly in patients with dysplastic changes.

PMID- 27267923
TI  - Religious beliefs and practices in pregnancy and labour: an inductive qualitative
      study among post-partum women in Ghana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Religiosity in health care delivery has attracted some attention in
      contemporary literature. The religious beliefs and practices of patients play an
      important role in the recovery of the patient. Pregnant women and women in labour
      exhibit their faith and use religious artefacts. This phenomenon is poorly
      understood in Ghana. The study sought to investigate the religious beliefs and
      practices of post-partum Ghanaian women. METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological
      study was conducted inductively involving 13 women who were sampled purposively.
      Individual in-depth interviews were conducted in English, Ga, Twi and Ewe. The
      interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. Concurrent analysis was done
      employing the principles of content analysis. Ethical approval was obtained for
      the study and anonymity and confidentiality were ensured. RESULTS: Themes
      generated revealed religious beliefs and practices such as prayer, singing,
      thanksgiving at church, fellowship and emotional support. Pastors' spiritual
      interventions in pregnancy included prayer and revelations, reversing negative
      dreams, laying of hands and anointing women. Also, traditional beliefs and
      practices were food and water restrictions and tribal rituals. Religious
      artefacts used in pregnancy and labour were anointing oil, blessed water,
      sticker, blessed white handkerchief, blessed sand, Bible and Rosary. Family
      influence and secrecy were associated with the use of artefacts. CONCLUSIONS:
      Religiosity should be a key component of training health care professionals so
      that they can understand the religious needs of their clients and provide
      holistic care. We concluded that pregnant women and women in labour should be
      supported to exercise their religious beliefs and practices.

PMID- 27267924
TI  - Use of MicroRNA biomarkers to distinguish enchondroma from low-grade
      chondrosarcoma.
AB  - Establishing a definitive diagnosis between benign enchondroma versus low-grade
      chondrosarcoma presents a potential challenge to both clinicians and
      pathologists. microRNAs (small non-coding RNAs) have proven to be effective
      biomarkers for the identification of tumors and tumor progression. We present
      analysis, both array and quantitative PCR, that shows consistently and
      substantially increased expression of two microRNAs, miRs-181a and -138, in low
      grade chondrosarcomas compared with enchondromas. The data suggest these
      microRNAs would provide an analytical distinction between the chondrosarcoma and
      benign neoplasms that can be performed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded
      specimens. Together with recent publications, these data indicate that miRs-181a
      and -138 also play a role in tumor development and homeostasis and may provide
      new targets for the development of much needed therapeutic intervention.

PMID- 27267925
TI  - Sixty seconds on . . . Government research.

PMID- 27267926
TI  - Gigwa-Genotype investigator for genome-wide analyses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exploring the structure of genomes and analyzing their evolution is
      essential to understanding the ecological adaptation of organisms. However, with
      the large amounts of data being produced by next-generation sequencing,
      computational challenges arise in terms of storage, search, sharing, analysis and
      visualization. This is particularly true with regards to studies of genomic
      variation, which are currently lacking scalable and user-friendly data
      exploration solutions. DESCRIPTION: Here we present Gigwa, a web-based tool that
      provides an easy and intuitive way to explore large amounts of genotyping data by
      filtering it not only on the basis of variant features, including functional
      annotations, but also on genotype patterns. The data storage relies on MongoDB,
      which offers good scalability properties. Gigwa can handle multiple databases and
      may be deployed in either single- or multi-user mode. In addition, it provides a
      wide range of popular export formats. CONCLUSIONS: The Gigwa application is
      suitable for managing large amounts of genomic variation data. Its user-friendly
      web interface makes such processing widely accessible. It can either be simply
      deployed on a workstation or be used to provide a shared data portal for a given
      community of researchers.

PMID- 27267927
TI  - L1CAM: Cell adhesion and more.
AB  - L1CAM is a cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily which was
      originally discovered as a major player in the development of the nervous system.
      L1CAM was demonstrated to have prognostic value in different cancers and to be a
      promising target for anti-cancer therapy. Here we overview the present data on
      L1CAM structure and function, regulation of its expression, role in cancer and
      therapeutic potential.

PMID- 27267928
TI  - The challenge of proving the existence of metazoan life in permanently anoxic
      deep-sea sediments.
AB  - The demonstration of the existence of metazoan life in absence of free oxygen is
      one of the most fascinating and difficult challenges in biology. Danovaro et al.
      (2010) discovered three new species of the Phylum Loricifera, living in the
      anoxic sediments of the L'Atalante, a deep-hypersaline anoxic basin of the
      Mediterranean Sea. Multiple and independent analyses based on staining,
      incorporation of radiolabeled substrates, CellTracker Green incorporation
      experiments and ultra-structure analyses, allowed Danovaro et al. (2010) to
      conclude that these animals were able to spend their entire life cycle under
      anoxic conditions. Bernhard et al. (2015) investigated the same basin. Due to
      technical difficulties in sampling operations, they could not collect samples
      from the permanently anoxic sediment, and sampled only the redoxcline portion of
      the L'Atalante basin. They found ten individuals of Loricifera and provided
      alternative interpretations of the results of Danovaro et al. (2010). Here we
      analyze these interpretations, and present additional evidence indicating that
      the Loricifera encountered in the anoxic basin L'Atalante were actually alive at
      the time of sampling. We also discuss the reliability of different methodologies
      and approaches in providing evidence of metazoans living in anoxic conditions,
      paving the way for future investigations.This paper is a response to Bernhard JM,
      Morrison CR, Pape E, Beaudoin DJ, Todaro MA, Pachiadaki MG, Kormas KAr, Edgcomb
      VG. 2015. Metazoans of redoxcline sediments in Mediterranean deep-sea hypersaline
      anoxic basins. BMC Biology 2015 13:105.See research article at
      http://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-015-0213-6.

PMID- 27267929
TI  - Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiovar trifolii, Ensifer numidicus and Mesorhizobium
      amorphae symbiovar ciceri (or Mesorhizobium loti) are new endosymbiotic bacteria
      of Lens culinaris Medik.
AB  - A total of 142 rhizobial bacteria were isolated from root nodules of Lens
      culinaris Medik endemic to Tunisia and they belonged to the species Rhizobium
      leguminosarum, and for the first time to Ensifer and Mesorhizobium, genera never
      previously described as microsymbionts of lentil. Phenotypically, our results
      indicate that L. culinaris Medik strains showed heterogenic responses to the
      different phenotypic features and they effectively nodulated their original host.
      Based on the concatenation of the 16S rRNA with relevant housekeeping genes
      (glnA, recA, dnaK), rhizobia that nodulate lentil belonged almost exclusively to
      the known R. leguminosarum sv. viciae. Interestingly, R. leguminosarum sv.
      trifolii, Ensifer numidicus (10 isolates) and Mesorhizobium amorphae (or M. loti)
      (9 isolates) isolates species, not considered, up to now, as a natural symbiont
      of lentil are reported. The E. numidicus and M. amorphae (or M. loti) strains
      induced fixing nodules on Medicago sativa and Cicer arietinum host plants,
      respectively. Symbiotic gene phylogenies showed that the E. numidicus, new
      symbiont of lentil, markedly diverged from strains of R. leguminosarum, the usual
      symbionts of lentil, and converged to the symbiovar meliloti so far described
      within E. meliloti Indeed, the nodC and nodA genes from the M. amorphae showed
      more than 99% similarity with respect to those from M. mediterraneum, the common
      chickpea nodulating species, and would be included in the new infrasubspecific
      division named M. amorphae symbiovar ciceri, or to M. loti, related to the
      strains able to effectively nodulate C. arietinum host plant. On the basis of
      these data, R. leguminosarum sv. trifolii (type strain LBg3 (T)), M. loti or M.
      amorphae sv. ciceri (type strain LB4 (T)) and E. numidicus (type strain LBi2 (T))
      are proposed as new symbionts of L. culinaris Medik.

PMID- 27267930
TI  - Methane release from sediment seeps to the atmosphere is counteracted by highly
      active Methylococcaceae in the water column of deep oligotrophic Lake Constance.
AB  - Methane emissions from freshwater environments contribute substantially to global
      warming but are under strong control of aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria.
      Recently discovered methane seeps (pockmarks) in freshwater lake sediments have
      the potential to bypass this control by their strong outgassing activity. Whether
      this is counteracted by pelagic methanotrophs is not well understood yet. We used
      a (3)H-CH4-radiotracer technique and pmoA-based molecular approaches to assess
      the activity, abundance and community structure of pelagic methanotrophs above
      active pockmarks in deep oligotrophic Lake Constance. Above profundal pockmarks,
      methane oxidation rates (up to 458 nmol CH4 l(-1) d(-1)) exceeded those of the
      surrounding water column by two orders of magnitude and coincided with maximum
      methanotroph abundances of 0.6% of the microbial community. Phylogenetic analysis
      indicated a dominance of members of the Methylococcaceae in the water column of
      both, pockmark and reference sites, with most of the retrieved sequences being
      associated with a water-column specific clade. Communities at pockmark and
      reference locations also differed in parts, which was likely caused by
      entrainment of sediment-hosted methanotrophs at pockmark sites. Our results show
      that the release of seep-derived methane to the atmosphere is counteracted by a
      distinct methanotrophic community with a pronounced activity throughout bottom
      waters.

PMID- 27267931
TI  - Subalpine conifers in different geographical locations host highly similar foliar
      bacterial endophyte communities.
AB  - Pines in the subalpine environment at Niwot Ridge, CO, have been found to host
      communities of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) within their needles. The significance
      and ubiquity of this pattern is not known, but recent evidence of nitrogen (N)
      fixing activity in Pinus flexilis (limber pine) foliage calls for a better
      understanding of the processes that regulate endophytic communities in forest
      tree canopies. Here, to test if AAB dominate the foliar bacterial microbiota in
      other subalpine locations, we compared the 16S rRNA community in needles from P.
      flexilis and P. contorta (lodgepole pine) growing in the Eastern Sierra Nevada,
      CA, and Niwot Ridge, CO. AAB made up the majority of the bacterial community in
      both species at both sites. Multiple distinct AAB taxa, resolved at the single
      nucleotide level, were shared across host species and sites, with dominant OTUs
      identical or highly similar to database sequences from cold environments,
      including high altitude air sampled in Colorado, and the endosphere of Arctic
      plants. Our results suggest strong selection for community composition,
      potentially amplified by the long lifespan of individual Pinus needles, along
      with low dispersal constraints on canopy bacteria.

PMID- 27267933
TI  - Tofacitinib for the treatment of psoriasis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The identification of a number of psoriasis-susceptibility genes
      and a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the intracellular metabolic
      pathways, have generated new perspectives on psoriasis treatment, in particular
      new compounds that inhibit certain intracellular proteins involved in the immune
      response. In contrast to biologic agents, these compounds block intracellular
      targets such as transcriptional factors or enzymes. AREAS COVERED: Tofacitinib is
      a small molecule that acts as a reversible, competitive inhibitor of ATP in the
      ATP binding site of JAK proteins, determining their inactivation, thus prevents
      the downstream activation of the STAT proteins, which are then unable to up
      regulate the pro-inflammatory genes implicated in psoriasis. The authors present
      an overview of Phases I - III clinical trials of tofacitinib for psoriasis based
      on peer-reviewed literature. EXPERT OPINION: In clinical practice, it is
      important to assess the response of psoriasis to tofacitinib and identify
      possible clinical, genetic, and immune biomarkers to predict the response.
      Comorbidities associated with psoriasis, in particular metabolic syndrome and
      obesity, are also an important aspect of using tofacitinib in clinical practice.
      There are some evidences that a drug such as tofacitinib could be used to improve
      not only psoriasis, but also some of its important comorbidities.

PMID- 27267932
TI  - Benthic protists: the under-charted majority.
AB  - Marine protist diversity inventories have largely focused on planktonic
      environments, while benthic protists have received relatively little attention.
      We therefore hypothesize that current diversity surveys have only skimmed the
      surface of protist diversity in marine sediments, which may harbor greater
      diversity than planktonic environments. We tested this by analyzing sequences of
      the hypervariable V4 18S rRNA from benthic and planktonic protist communities
      sampled in European coastal regions. Despite a similar number of OTUs in both
      realms, richness estimations indicated that we recovered at least 70% of the
      diversity in planktonic protist communities, but only 33% in benthic communities.
      There was also little overlap of OTUs between planktonic and benthic communities,
      as well as between separate benthic communities. We argue that these patterns
      reflect the heterogeneity and diversity of benthic habitats. A comparison of all
      OTUs against the Protist Ribosomal Reference database showed that a higher
      proportion of benthic than planktonic protist diversity is missing from public
      databases; similar results were obtained by comparing all OTUs against
      environmental references from NCBI's Short Read Archive. We suggest that the
      benthic realm may therefore be the world's largest reservoir of marine protist
      diversity, with most taxa at present undescribed.

PMID- 27267934
TI  - Fermentation properties and potential prebiotic activity of Bimuno(r) galacto
      oligosaccharide (65 % galacto-oligosaccharide content) on in vitro gut microbiota
      parameters.
AB  - Prebiotic oligosaccharides have the ability to generate important changes in the
      gut microbiota composition that may confer health benefits to the host. Reducing
      the impurities in prebiotic mixtures could expand their applications in food
      industries and improve their selectivity and prebiotic effect on the potential
      beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. This study aimed to
      determine the in vitro potential fermentation properties of a 65 % galacto
      oligosaccharide (GOS) content Bimuno(r) GOS (B-GOS) on gut microbiota composition
      and their metabolites. Fermentation of 65 % B-GOS was compared with 52 % B-GOS in
      pH- and volume-controlled dose-response anaerobic batch culture experiments. In
      total, three different doses (1, 0.5 and 0.33 g equivalent to 0.1, 0.05 and 0.033
      g/l) were tested. Changes in the gut microbiota during a time course were
      identified by fluorescence in situ hybridisation, whereas small molecular weight
      metabolomics profiles and SCFA were determined by 1H-NMR analysis and GC,
      respectively. The 65 % B-GOS showed positive modulation of the microbiota
      composition during the first 8 h of fermentation with all doses. Administration
      of the specific doses of B-GOS induced a significant increase in acetate as the
      major SCFA synthesised compared with propionate and butyrate concentrations, but
      there were no significant differences between substrates. The 65 % B-GOS in syrup
      format seems to have, in all the analysis, an efficient prebiotic effect.
      However, the applicability of such changes remains to be shown in an in vivo
      trial.

PMID- 27267936
TI  - Synthesis of Cyclic Porphyrin Trimers through Alkyne Metathesis
      Cyclooligomerization and Their Host-Guest Binding Study.
AB  - Cyclic porphyrin trimers were synthesized through one-step cyclooligomerization
      via alkyne metathesis from diyne monomers. These macrocycles show interesting
      host-guest binding interactions with fullerenes, selectively binding C70 (6 *
      10(3) M(-1)) over C60 and C84 (no binding observed). The fullerene-encapsulated
      host-guest complex can undergo guest or host exchange in the presence of another
      guest (2,4,6-tri(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine) or host (cage COP5) molecule with
      higher binding affinity.

PMID- 27267935
TI  - A factor analysis of the meanings of anorexia nervosa: intrapsychic, relational,
      and avoidant dimensions and their clinical correlates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a difficult to treat disorder characterized
      by ambivalence towards recovery and high mortality. Eating symptomatology has a
      sort of adaptive function for those who suffer from AN but no studies have to
      date investigated the relationship between the reported meanings of AN and
      patients' clinical characteristics. Therefore, we aimed to perform a factor
      analysis of a new measure testing its psychometric properties in order to clarify
      whether subjective meanings of AN can be related to AN severity, to ascertain if
      some personality traits correlate with the meanings attributed to AN by patients,
      and finally to verify to what extent such meanings relate to patients' duration
      of both illness and treatment. METHODS: Eighty-one inpatients affected by AN were
      recruited for this study and clinical data were recorded. Participants were asked
      to complete a novel instrument, the Meanings of Anorexia Nervosa Questionnaire
      (MANQ) focused on the measurement of values that patients attribute to AN and
      other measures as follows: Eating Disorders Inventory-2, Beck Depression
      Inventory, Temperament and Character Inventory, and Anorexia Nervosa Stages of
      Change Questionnaire. RESULTS: As measured by the MANQ, body dissatisfaction,
      problems of adolescence, and distress at school or work mainly triggered the
      onset of AN. Balance and self-control were mostly reported as meanings of AN
      while the most frequent negative effects were: being controlled by the illness,
      obsessive thoughts about body shape, and feeling alone. Differences were found
      between diagnostic subtypes. When a factorial analysis was performed, three
      factors emerged: intrapsychic (e.g., balance/safety, self-control, control/power,
      way to be valued), relational (e.g., communication, way to be recognized), and
      avoidant (e.g., the avoidance of negative feelings, emotions, and experiences).
      These factors correlated with patients' personality and motivation to treatments
      but were unrelated to duration of both illness and treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Given
      the ego-syntonic nature of AN, the understanding of patients' value of their
      disorder could be relevant in treatment; moreover, the positive value of AN
      resulted to be unrelated to the duration of both illness and treatments. Future
      research is warranted to replicate these findings and test their clinical
      implications.

PMID- 27267937
TI  - Performativity Double Standards and the Sexual Orientation Climate at a Southern
      Liberal Arts University.
AB  - This study employs quantitative and qualitative methods to examine how
      heterosexual, bisexual, and gay students rate and describe a Southern,
      religiously affiliated university's sexual orientation climate. Using qualitative
      data, queer theory, and the concept tyranny of sexualized spaces, we explain why
      non-heterosexual students have more negative perceptions of the university
      climate than heterosexual male students, in both bivariate and multivariate
      analyses. Although heterosexual students see few problems with the campus sexual
      orientation climate, bisexual men and women describe being challenged on the
      authenticity of their orientation, and lesbian and, to a greater extent, gay male
      students report harassment and exclusion in a number of settings. These distinct
      processes are influenced by broader heteronormative standards. We also shed much
      needed light on how gendered sexual performativity double standards within an
      important campus microclimate (fraternity parties) contribute to creating a
      tyrannical sexualized space and negatively affect overall campus climate
      perceptions.

PMID- 27267938
TI  - Influence of Surface Treatment on Magnetic Properties of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles
      Synthesized by Electrochemical Method.
AB  - The changes of magnetic properties in magnetite nanoparticles during two
      different stabilization processes were investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles
      (MNPs) were obtained by electrochemical synthesis from two kinds of salts:
      (CH3)4NCl and NaCl. After that, two methods-steric and electrostatic-were used to
      stabilize MNPs with oleic acid (OA) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), respectively. As
      a consequence, aqueous and organic dispersions were obtained after surface
      modification. The coated nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, zeta potential,
      thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), cyclic voltammetry (CV), magnetization
      measurements, and infrared and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The results showed that
      the particles were between 8 and 13 nm in size. In addition, the MNPs were coated
      with negative charge layers from NaOH by physisorption and coated with
      carboxylate groups from OA by the chemisorption process, and hence, they
      exhibited different reactivity and behavior depending on the nature of the
      electrolyte used in the electrochemical synthesis. Furthermore, the uncoated and
      coated MNPs had a narrow size distribution. Additionally, the saturation
      magnetization values showed dependence on the magnetite synthesis conditions and
      surface modifiers.

PMID- 27267939
TI  - Inhibition of Fat Accumulation by Hesperidin in Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - Hesperidin, abundant in citrus fruits, has a wide range of pharmacological
      effects, including anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative,
      radioprotective, and antiviral activities. However, relatively few studies on the
      effects of hesperidin on lipid metabolism have been reported. Here, using
      Caenorhaditis elegans as a model animal, we found that 100 MUM hesperidin
      significantly decreased fat accumulation in both high-fat worms cultured in
      nematode growth medium containing 10 mM glucose (83.5 +/- 1.2% versus control by
      Sudan Black B staining and 87.6 +/- 2.0% versus control by Oil Red O staining; p
      < 0.001) and daf-2 mutant worms (87.8 +/- 1.4% versus control by Oil Red O
      staining; p < 0.001). Furthermore, 50 MUM hesperidin decreased the ratio of oleic
      acid/stearic acid (C18:1Delta9/C18:0) (p < 0.05), and supplementation of oleic
      acid could restore the inhibitory effect of hesperidin on fat accumulation.
      Hesperidin significantly downregulated the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase,
      fat-6, and fat-7 (p < 0.05), and mutation of fat-6 and fat-7 reversed fat
      accumulation inhibited by hesperidin. In addition, hesperidin decreased the
      expression of other genes involved in lipid metabolism, including pod-2, mdt-15,
      acs-2, and kat-1 (p < 0.05). These results suggested that hesperidin reduced fat
      accumulation by affecting several lipid metabolism pathways, such as fat-6 and
      fat-7. This study provided new insights into elucidating the mechanism underlying
      the regulation of lipid metabolism by hesperidin. 

PMID- 27267940
TI  - Noninvasive Ventilation and Clinical Outcome.

PMID- 27267941
TI  - Detection of differential DNA methylation in repetitive DNA of mice and humans
      perinatally exposed to bisphenol A.
AB  - Developmental exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to induce changes in
      DNA methylation in both mouse and human genic regions; however, the response in
      repetitive elements and transposons has not been explored. Here we present novel
      methodology to combine genomic DNA enrichment with RepeatMasker analysis on next
      generation sequencing data to determine the effect of perinatal BPA exposure on
      repetitive DNA at the class, family, subfamily, and individual insertion level in
      both mouse and human samples. Mice were treated during gestation and lactation to
      BPA in chow at 0, 50, or 50,000 ng/g levels and total BPA was measured in
      stratified human fetal liver tissue samples as low (non-detect to 0.83 ng/g),
      medium (3.5 to 5.79 ng/g), or high (35.44 to 96.76 ng/g). Transposon methylation
      changes were evident in human classes, families, and subfamilies, with the medium
      group exhibiting hypomethylation compared to both high and low BPA groups. Mouse
      repeat classes, families, and subfamilies did not respond to BPA with
      significantly detectable differential DNA methylation. In human samples, 1251
      individual transposon loci were detected as differentially methylated by BPA
      exposure, but only 19 were detected in mice. Of note, this approach recapitulated
      the discovery of a previously known mouse environmentally labile metastable
      epiallele, Cabp(IAP). Thus, by querying repetitive DNA in both mouse and humans,
      we report the first known transposons in humans that respond to perinatal BPA
      exposure.

PMID- 27267942
TI  - Capillary lactate concentration on admission of normotensive trauma patients: a
      prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated serum blood lactate is an indicator of on-going bleeding in
      severe trauma patients. Point-of-care (POC) capillary lactate measurement devices
      may be useful to rapidly assess lactate concentration at the bedside. The aim of
      this study was to test the diagnostic performance of capillary lactate to predict
      significant transfusion in normotensive trauma patients. METHODS: We conducted a
      prospective observational study in one level-I trauma centre. From August 2011 to
      February 2013, 120 consecutive adult patients with systolic blood pressure (SBP)
      higher than 90 mmHg were included. Capillary lactate was measured on admission in
      the trauma bay. The primary outcome was defined as a significant transfusion
      within the first 48 h. Diagnostic performance was determined using receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We also tested the agreement
      between capillary lactate and blood lactate concentrations using Bland and Altman
      analysis. RESULTS: Of the 120 normotensive trauma patients, 30 (25 %) required at
      least one unit of packed red blood cells (RBC) and 12 (10 %) patients received at
      least four RBC within the first 48 h. All patients with significant RBC
      transfusion had capillary lactate higher than 3.5 mmol/l. The area under the ROC
      curve of capillary lactate on admission to predict transfusion of at least 4 RBC
      units was 0.68 [95 % CI 0.58 - 0.78]. The average bias between capillary and
      blood lactate measurements was 2.4 mmol/l with a standard deviation of 3.0 mmol/l
      (n = 60 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Although a significant association was found
      between POC lactate concentration and transfusion requirements, the diagnostic
      performance of capillary lactate measurements was poor. Due to large disagreement
      between capillary lactate and blood lactate, capillary lactate cannot be
      considered in the clinical setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, No.
      NCT01793428 .

PMID- 27267944
TI  - HPV genotypes detected in the oropharyngeal mucosa of HIV-infected men who have
      sex with men in Northern Italy.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological profile of HPV
      oropharyngeal infections in HIV-infected men who have sex with men. A total of
      135 subjects were enrolled at the L. Sacco University Hospital (Milan, Italy) to
      evaluate their HPV oropharyngeal infection status at baseline and at a follow-up
      visit at least 12 months later. HPV DNA was detected from oropharyngeal swabs
      using an in-house nested PCR that amplifies a segment of the L1 gene. The PCR
      products were then sequenced and genotyped. A greater percentage of high-risk
      genotypes was identified compared to low-risk genotypes (13.7% vs. 6.9%, P <
      0.05), and two uncommon alpha-HPV genotypes were detected, i.e. HPV-102 and HPV
      114. HPV infection prevalence was 24.4% and the cumulative incidence was 24.1%.
      During the follow-up period, one case of HPV infection (HPV-33) persisted, while
      the overall rate of infection clearance was 58.3%. HPV oropharyngeal infection
      was widespread in the cohort examined, and most of the infections were transient
      and cleared within 12 months. These results may help to clarify the role of HPV
      in the oropharynx and may also improve our understanding of the need to implement
      preventive strategies in at-risk populations.

PMID- 27267943
TI  - Multimorbidity and use of hypnotic and anxiolytic drugs: cross-sectional and
      follow-up study in primary healthcare in Iceland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of multimorbidity is increasing worldwide, presumably
      leading to an increased use of medicines. During the last decades the use of
      hypnotic and anxiolytic benzodiazepine derivatives and related drugs has
      increased dramatically. These drugs are frequently prescribed for people with a
      sleep disorder often merely designated as "insomnia" in the medical records and
      lacking a clear connection with the roots of the patients' problems. Our aim was
      to analyse the prevalence of multimorbidity in primary healthcare in Iceland,
      while concurrently investigating a possible association with the prevalence and
      incidence of hypnotic/anxiolytic prescriptions, short-term versus chronic use.
      METHODS: Data were retrieved from a comprehensive database of medical records
      from primary healthcare in Iceland to find multimorbid patients and prescriptions
      for hypnotics and anxiolytics, linking diagnoses (ICD-10) and prescriptions (2009
      2012) to examine a possible association. Nearly 222,000 patients, 83 % being
      local residents in the capital area, who contacted 16 healthcare centres served
      in total by 140 general practitioners, were set as a reference to find the
      prevalence of multimorbidity as well as the prevalence and incidence of
      hypnotic/anxiolytic prescriptions. RESULTS: The prevalence of multimorbidity in
      the primary care population was 35 %, lowest in the young, increasing with age up
      to the 80+ group where it dropped somewhat. The prevalence of hypnotic/anxiolytic
      prescriptions was 13.9 %. The incidence rate was 19.4 per 1000 persons per year
      in 2011, and 85 % of the patients prescribed hypnotics/anxiolytics were
      multimorbid. Compared to patients without multimorbidity, multimorbid patients
      were far more likely to be prescribed a hypnotic and/or an anxiolytic, OR = 14.9
      (95 % CI = 14.4-15.4). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with multiple chronic conditions are
      common in the primary care setting, and prevalence and incidence of
      hypnotic/anxiolytic prescriptions are high. Solely explaining use of these drugs
      by linear thinking, i.e. that "insomnia" leads to their prescription is probably
      simplistic, since the majority of patients prescribed these drugs are multimorbid
      having several chronic conditions which could lead to sleeping problems. However,
      multimorbidity as such is not an indication for hypnotics, and doctors should be
      urged to greater caution in their prescribing, bearing in mind non
      pharmacological therapy options.

PMID- 27267949
TI  - Preoperative oral immunonutrition versus standard preoperative oral diet in well
      nourished patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is still associated to high morbility,
      especially due to pancreatic surgery related and infectious complications: many
      risk factors have already been advocated. Aim of this study is to evaluate the
      role of preoperative oral immunonutrition in well nourished patients scheduled
      for pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: From February 2014 to June 2015, 54 well
      nourished patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy were enrolled for 5 days
      preoperative oral immunonutrition. A series of consecutive patients submitted to
      the same intervention in the same department, with preoperative standard oral
      diet, was matched 1:1. For analysis demographic, pathological and surgical
      variables were considered. Mortality rate, overall postoperative morbility,
      pancreatic fistula, post pancreatectomy haemorrhage, delayed gastric emptying,
      infectious complications and length of hospital stay were described for each
      groups. Chi squared test, Fisher's Exact test and Student's T test were used for
      comparison. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.
      Statistics was performed using a freeware Microsoft Excel ((r)) based program and
      SPSS v 10.00. RESULTS: No statistical differences in term of mortality (2.1% in
      each groups) and overall morbility rate (41.6% vs 47.9%) occurred between the
      groups as well as for pancreatic surgery related complications. Conversely,
      statistical differences were found for infectious complications (22.9% vs 43.7%,
      p = 0.034) and length of hospital stay (18.3 +/- 6.8 days vs 21.7 +/- 8.3, p =
      0.035) in immunonutrition group. CONCLUSION: Preoperative oral immunonutrition is
      effective for well nourished patients scheduled for pancreaticoduodenectomy; it
      helps to reduce the risk of postoperative infectious complications and length of
      hospital stays.

PMID- 27267948
TI  - Diet Quality and Colorectal Cancer Risk in the Women's Health Initiative
      Observational Study.
AB  - Diet quality index scores on Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010), Alternative
      HEI-2010, alternative Mediterranean Diet Index, and the Dietary Approaches to
      Stop Hypertension (DASH) index have been inversely associated with all-cause and
      cancer-specific death. This study assessed the association between these scores
      and colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence as well as CRC-specific mortality in the
      Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (1993-2012), a US study of
      postmenopausal women. During an average of 12.4 years of follow-up, there were
      938 cases of CRC and 238 CRC-specific deaths. We estimated multivariate hazard
      ratios and 95% confidence intervals for relationships between quintiles of diet
      scores (from baseline food frequency questionnaires) and outcomes. HEI-2010 score
      (hazard ratios were 0.81, 0.77, and 0.73 with P values of 0.04, 0.01, and <0.01
      for quintiles 3-5 vs. quintile 1, respectively) and DASH score (hazard ratios
      were 0.72, 0.74, and 0.78 with P values of <0.01, <0.01, and 0.03 for quintiles 3
      5 vs. quintile 1, respectively), but not other diet scores, were associated with
      a lower risk of CRC in adjusted models. No diet scores were significantly
      associated with CRC-specific mortality. Closer adherence to HEI-2010 and DASH
      dietary recommendations was inversely associated with risk of CRC in this large
      cohort of postmenopausal women. 

PMID- 27267951
TI  - A sham-controlled randomized trial of adjunctive light therapy for non-seasonal
      depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy and safety of
      morning bright light therapy (BLT) in the treatment of patients with a current
      major depressive episode (MDE) in bipolar and unipolar disorder without a
      seasonal pattern. It was a randomized, sham-controlled trial. METHODS: Adults,
      ages 18-70 years were randomized to treatment either with BLT or a sham negative
      ion generator (as a placebo control). The subjects were required to be on a
      stable and therapeutic dose of psychotropic medication for at least 4 weeks prior
      to enrollment and their treatment had to be insufficiently effective. Their
      clinical state was monitored at the baseline and at the end of treatment. The
      Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-21 items (HDRS-21), Montgomery-Asberg Depression
      Rating Scale (MADRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Clinical Global
      Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and Patient Global Impression (PGI) were used. The
      results were analyzed with an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. RESULTS: Ninety
      five patients were enrolled (50 diagnosed with bipolar disorder and 45 with
      unipolar depression). Fifty-two patients were randomized to treatment with BLT
      and forty-three were in the placebo group (ITT population). Eighty-three subjects
      completed the study. There were 12 dropouts (5 in the light group and 7 in the
      placebo group). After 14 days of treatment, a significant improvement was found
      in all groups (p<0.001). The subjects treated with BLT did not significantly
      differ in terms of improvement in HDRS-21 scores at the endpoint when compared to
      patients treated with placebo (p=0.2). However, further analysis demonstrated
      significantly higher response (50% v. 27.9%, p=0.02) and remission rates (28.8%
      v. 11.6%, p=0.04) among patients treated with morning BLT when compared to
      placebo group. It should be noted that in the population of drug-resistant
      patients, BLT was more efficacious than placebo. There were no statistically
      significant differences between unipolar and bipolar disorders (p=0.4).
      CONCLUSION: Although overall improvement in HDRS-21 scores were not superior in
      the BLT group, both response and remission rates were significantly higher among
      patients treated with BLT relative to those receiving the sham intervention. BLT
      was also more efficacious than placebo in the population of patients with drug
      resistant depression. Further studies to define the subpopulation of patients
      with non-seasonal depression who may benefit the most from BLT are needed.

PMID- 27267950
TI  - Partial sleep deprivation impacts impulsive action but not impulsive decision
      making.
AB  - Sleep deprivation may lead to increased impulsivity, however, previous literature
      has focused on examining effects of total sleep deprivation (TSD) rather than the
      more common condition, partial sleep deprivation (PSD) or 'short sleep'.
      Moreover, it has been unclear whether PSD impacts impulse-related cognitive
      processes, and specifically if it differentially affects impulsive action versus
      impulsive decision-making. We sought to determine if short compared to long sleep
      (6 vs. 9h/night) impacts impulsive action via behavioral inhibition (Go/No-Go),
      and/or impulsive decision-making processes of risk taking (Balloon Analogue Risk
      Task [BART]) and preferences for immediate over delayed rewards (Delay
      Discounting). In a within-subject design, 34 participants (71% female, mean
      age=37.0years, SD=10.54) were assigned to four consecutive nights of 6h/night
      (short sleep) and 9h/night (long sleep) in their own home in random
      counterbalanced order. Sleep was measured via wrist-worn actigraphs to confirm
      adherence to the sleep schedules (mean short sleep=5.9h, SD=0.3; mean long
      sleep=8.6h, SD=0.3, p<0.001). The Go/No-Go, BART, and Delay Discounting tasks
      were completed following both sleep conditions. Participants had more inhibition
      errors on the Go/No-Go task after short (mean false alarms=19.79%, SD=14.51)
      versus long sleep (mean=15.97%, SD=9.51, p=0.039). This effect was strongest in
      participants reporting longer habitual time in bed (p=0.04). There were no
      differences in performance following long- versus short-sleep for either delay
      discounting or the BART (p's>0.4). Overall, these results indicate that four days
      of PSD diminishes behavioral inhibition abilities, but may not alter impulsive
      decision-making. These findings contribute to the emerging understanding of how
      partial sleep deprivation, currently an epidemic, impacts cognitive ability.
      Future research should continue to explore the connection between PSD and
      cognitive functions, and ways to minimize the occurrence and negative
      consequences of short sleep.

PMID- 27267952
TI  - Hostile interpretation bias in depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research suggests an important relationship between interpretation
      bias, hostility and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Extant literature has yet to
      examine hostile interpretation bias in clinically depressed samples; the current
      studies sought to fill this gap. METHOD: Study 1 participants included
      undergraduates who met criteria for MDD (n=36) or no anxiety or mood diagnosis
      (n=35). Each participant completed a structured clinical interview along with
      measures of depression, hostile interpretation bias, and trait hostility. In
      Study 2, a sample of treatment-seeking individuals with elevated trait anger
      completed measures of depression, hostile interpretation bias, and trait anger.
      RESULTS: Study 1 demonstrated that, relative to the non-depressed group,
      individuals with depression displayed greater hostile interpretation bias but
      comparable levels of trait hostility. In Study 2, greater hostile interpretation
      bias was associated with greater depressive symptoms, and this relationship was
      independent of co-occurring trait anger. LIMITATIONS: The correlational nature of
      these studies precludes interpretation of causal relationships between
      constructs. Additionally, replication of these results should be sought in a
      larger, more diverse sample. CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings suggest hostile
      interpretation bias may play a unique role in depression and could be a treatable
      feature of interpersonal mechanisms maintaining MDD.

PMID- 27267953
TI  - A cross-sectional study of associations between casual partner, friend
      discrimination, social support and anxiety symptoms among Chinese transgender
      women.
AB  - Anxiety symptoms are the prevalent mental disorders for transgender women.
      However, only a few studies are available pertaining to this problem among
      Chinese Transgender women. Chinese Transgender women are a vulnerable population
      which is exposed to discrimination and loss of social support due to their gender
      identity and transition. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and
      factors associated with anxiety symptoms among Chinese transgender women. A cross
      sectional study was performed by convenience sampling. This comprised of 209
      Chinese transgender women in Shenyang, China. The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale
      (SAS) was used to assess anxiety symptoms for these transgender women.
      Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the associated
      factors of SAS. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms in Chinese transgender women
      was found to be 34.5%. Regression analyses indicated that SAS was associated with
      casual partnership, friend discrimination and social support in the final model.
      Sexual partnership and discrimination contributed the most to the model, R
      square, accounting for 19.2% and 15.5% of the total variance respectively.
      Chinese transgender women showed considerably high level of anxiety symptoms. It
      was also found that they were exposed to significant transition challenges, such
      as high risk sexual partnership, excessive discrimination and a reduction in
      social support. Furthermore, anxiety symptoms was best predicted by the absence
      or presence of a casual partner, friend discrimination and social support rather
      than the disclosure of their gender identity, knowledge of HIV prevention and
      health service. Improvement of social support, reduction of friend discrimination
      and determination of the characteristics of risky sexual partnerships especially
      for the casual partner can help to attenuate anxiety symptoms and increase mental
      well-being for transgender women.

PMID- 27267954
TI  - BDNF DNA methylation changes as a biomarker of psychiatric disorders: literature
      review and open access database analysis.
AB  - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in nervous
      system development and function and it is well established that BDNF is involved
      in the pathogenesis of a wide range of psychiatric disorders. Recently, numerous
      studies have associated the DNA methylation level of BDNF promoters with certain
      psychiatric phenotypes. In this review, we summarize data from current literature
      as well as from our own analysis with respect to the correlation of BDNF
      methylation changes with psychiatric disorders and address questions about
      whether DNA methylation related to the BDNF can be useful as biomarker for
      specific neuropsychiatric disorders. 

PMID- 27267955
TI  - Designing Health Websites Based on Users' Web-Based Information-Seeking
      Behaviors: A Mixed-Method Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laypeople increasingly use the Internet as a source of health
      information, but finding and discovering the right information remains
      problematic. These issues are partially due to the mismatch between the design of
      consumer health websites and the needs of health information seekers,
      particularly the lack of support for "exploring" health information. OBJECTIVE:
      The aim of this research was to create a design for consumer health websites by
      supporting different health information-seeking behaviors. We created a website
      called Better Health Explorer with the new design. Through the evaluation of this
      new design, we derive design implications for future implementations. METHODS:
      Better Health Explorer was designed using a user-centered approach. The design
      was implemented and assessed through a laboratory-based observational study.
      Participants tried to use Better Health Explorer and another live health website.
      Both websites contained the same content. A mixed-method approach was adopted to
      analyze multiple types of data collected in the experiment, including screen
      recordings, activity logs, Web browsing histories, and audiotaped interviews.
      RESULTS: Overall, 31 participants took part in the observational study. Our new
      design showed a positive result for improving the experience of health
      information seeking, by providing a wide range of information and an engaging
      environment. The results showed better knowledge acquisition, a higher number of
      page reads, and more query reformulations in both focused and exploratory search
      tasks. In addition, participants spent more time to discover health information
      with our design in exploratory search tasks, indicating higher engagement with
      the website. Finally, we identify 4 design considerations for designing consumer
      health websites and health information-seeking apps: (1) providing a dynamic
      information scope; (2) supporting serendipity; (3) considering trust
      implications; and (4) enhancing interactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Better Health
      Explorer provides strong support for the heterogeneous and shifting behaviors of
      health information seekers and eases the health information-seeking process. Our
      findings show the importance of understanding different health information
      seeking behaviors and highlight the implications for designers of consumer health
      websites and health information-seeking apps.

PMID- 27267957
TI  - A novel mutation of ROBO3 in horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis.

PMID- 27267956
TI  - Chemical Dissolution Pathways of MoS2 Nanosheets in Biological and Environmental
      Media.
AB  - Material stability and dissolution in aqueous media are key issues to address in
      the development of a new nanomaterial intended for technological application.
      Dissolution phenomena affect biological and environmental persistence; fate,
      transport, and biokinetics; device and product stability; and toxicity pathways
      and mechanisms. This article shows that MoS2 nanosheets are thermodynamically and
      kinetically unstable to O2-oxidation under ambient conditions in a variety of
      aqueous media. The oxidation is accompanied by nanosheet degradation and release
      of soluble molybdenum and sulfur species, and generates protons that can
      colloidally destabilize the remaining sheets. The oxidation kinetics are pH
      dependent, and a kinetic law is developed for use in biokinetic and environmental
      fate modeling. MoS2 nanosheets fabricated by chemical exfoliation with n-butyl
      lithium are a mixture of 1T (primary) and 2H (secondary) phases and oxidize
      rapidly with a typical half-life of 1-30 days. Ultrasonically exfoliated sheets
      are in pure 2H phase, and oxidize much more slowly. Cytotoxicity experiments on
      MoS2 nanosheets and molybdate ion controls reveal the relative roles of the
      nanosheet and soluble fractions in the biological response. These results
      indicate that MoS2 nanosheets will not show long-term persistence in living
      systems and oxic natural waters, with important implications for biomedical
      applications and environmental risk.

PMID- 27267958
TI  - [Stress level assessment of the nursing staff in the Intensive Care Unit of a
      university hospital].
AB  - The objective was to determine the work stress level among nursing staff in the
      Intensive Care Unit of a university hospital and to analyse its relationship with
      the various sociodemographic and working variables of the studied sample. A study
      was designed using a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional approach. The
      target population of the study was the nursing staff selected by non-random
      sampling. The instrument used was the Job Content Questionnaire. Data analysis
      was performed using SPSS 20. The mean, ranges and standard deviation for each of
      the variables were calculated. A bivariate analysis was also performed on the
      social and occupational variables of the sample. The participation rate was
      80.90% (N=89). The mean of the Social support dimension was 3.13+/-0.397, for the
      Psychological demands at work dimension it was 3.10+/-0.384, with a mean of
      2.96+/-0.436 being obtained for the Control over the work dimension. In the
      analysis of sociodemographic and work variables of the sample, only the
      professional category was significant, with nurses recording higher values in
      perception of job demands and control over their work compared to nursing
      assistants. In conclusion, there is a moderate perception of work stress in the
      analysed group of professionals. Among the sources of stress in the workplace was
      the low control in decision-making by practitioners, as well as the need to
      continually learn new things. On the other hand, the support received from
      colleagues is valued positively by the sample. 

PMID- 27267959
TI  - Laterosporulin10: a novel defensin like Class IId bacteriocin from Brevibacillus
      sp. strain SKDU10 with inhibitory activity against microbial pathogens.
AB  - Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced by bacteria to acquire
      survival benefits during competitive inter- and intra-species interactions in
      complex ecosystems. In this study, an AMP-producing soil bacterial strain
      designated SKDU10 was isolated and identified as a member of the genus
      Brevibacillus. The AMP produced by strain SKDU10 identified as a class IId
      bacteriocin with 57.6 % homology to laterosporulin, a defensin-like class IId
      bacteriocin. However, substantial differences were observed in the antimicrobial
      activity spectrum of this bacteriocin named laterosporulin10 when compared to
      laterosporulin. Laterosporulin10 effectively inhibited the growth of
      Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb H37Rv) with LD50 values
      of 4.0 uM and 0.5 uM, respectively. Furthermore, laterosporulin10 inhibited the
      growth of Mtb H37Rv strain at about 20 times lower MIC value compared to S.
      aureus MTCC 1430 or M. smegmatis MC2 155 in vitro and ex vivo. Electron
      micrographs along with membrane permeabilization studies using FACS analysis
      revealed that laterosporulin10 is a membrane-permeabilizing peptide.
      Interestingly, laterosporulin10 was able to efficiently kill Mtb H37Rv strain
      residing inside the macrophages and did not show haemolysis up to 40 uM
      concentration.

PMID- 27267960
TI  - The Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome: a case report of simultaneous osteo-cutaneous
      malformations in the hand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We describe a male with functionally impairing radial deviation of
      the thumb who presented to us at 24 years of age. Two sclerotic skin lesions had
      been excised 7 years before because of consecutive skin contracture. Latest
      radiological examination showed a spotted pattern consistent with
      osteopoikilosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A corrective osteotomy of the thumb was
      carried out due to the patients discomfort. Facing the simultaneous osteo
      cutaneous malformation we postulated a Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome. Buschke
      Ollendorff syndrome is a rare autosomal-dominant hereditary disorder of
      connective tissue with typical osteo-cutaneous manifestations. To explore our
      hypothesis, biopsies were taken from the affected bone lesions and surrounding
      skin and soft tissue for histological investigation and genetic testing of the
      LEMD3 gene was performed on blood of the patient. The histology showed typical
      changes of the bone architecture and a fibrotic collagenous nodule of the skin.
      The genetic testing on DNA extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes confirmed a
      heterozygous loss of function mutation in the LEM domain-containing protein 3
      (LEMD3) gene coding for the inner nuclear membrane protein MAN1, which causes
      osteopoikilosis by antagonizing transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and
      bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling. CONCLUSIONS: In atypical cases of
      simultaneous occurrence of fibrotic skin lesions and a spotted pattern in the X
      ray we recommend the genetic screening of the LEMD3 gene. A correct diagnosis of
      Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome is necessary to spare patients from expensive
      investigations and to provide reassurance about the benign nature of the disease.

PMID- 27267961
TI  - An observational study of the use of beclomethasone dipropionate suppositories in
      the treatment of lower urinary tract inflammation in men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonbacterial prostatitis, together with chronic pelvic pain syndrome,
      accounts for 90-95 % of prostatitis cases. Anti-inflammatory medications are
      commonly used to reduce storage/inflammatory symptoms that can deteriorate
      quality of life. The purpose of this study was to observe the efficacy and safety
      of beclomethasone dipropionate rectal suppositories (Topster(r)) in inflammations
      of the lower urinary tract in men. METHODS: Patients underwent diagnostic and
      therapeutic protocols according to current evidence-based practice. Efficacy
      assessments: voiding parameters, perineal pain, International Prostate Symptom
      Score (IPSS), digital rectal examination (DRE). Adverse events and patient
      compliance were recorded throughout the study. RESULTS: One hundred eighty
      patients were enrolled, mean age 52 +/- 14.97. Most frequent diagnosis:
      nonbacterial prostatitis (85 %). All patients completed visits 1 and 2. All
      patients were treated with beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) suppositories,
      136/180 also with Serenoa repens (SR) extract. Antibiotics were rarely required.
      162/180 patients presented clinically significant improvements and terminated
      treatment. Mean change vs. baseline in voiding frequency: -3.55 +/- 2.70 n/day in
      patients taking only BDP and -3.68 +/- 2.81 n/day in those taking both BDP and SR
      (P<.0001 in both groups). Uroflowmetry improved significantly; change from
      baseline 3.26 +/- 5.35 ml/s in BDP only group and 5.61 +/- 7.32 ml/s in BDP + SR
      group (P = 0.0002 for BDP, P<.0001 for BDP + SR). Urine stream normal in 35 % of
      patients at visit 1 and 57.22 % of patients at visit 2. Mean change in perineal
      pain, on 0-10 VAS, -0.66 +/- 2.24 for BDP only group (P = 0.0699) and -1.37 +/-
      2.40 for BDP + SR group (P<.0001). IPSS increased at visit 2. No adverse events
      were reported. For all parameters, none of the comparisons between groups was
      found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the
      drug's good safety profile. We also observed an improvement in the main storage
      symptoms and clinical findings associated with lower urinary tract inflammation
      in patients treated with beclomethasone dipropionate suppositories.

PMID- 27267962
TI  - Prediction of extravasation in pelvic fracture using coagulation biomarkers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of coagulation biomarkers, which are easy and
      quick to analyze in emergency settings, for prediction of arterial extravasation
      due to pelvic fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of pelvic
      fracture patients transferred to the emergency department of Gunma University
      Hospital between December 2009 and May 2015 were reviewed. Patients were divided
      into two groups, those with (Extra(+)) and without (Extra(-)) arterial
      extravasation on enhanced CT or angiography. Levels of fibrin degradation
      products (FDP), D-dimer, fibrinogen, the ratio of FDP to fibrinogen, the ratio of
      D-dimer to fibrinogen, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, the Glasgow Coma
      Scale, pH, base excess, hemoglobin and lactate levels, the pattern of pelvic
      injury, and injury severity score were measured at hospital admission, and
      compared between the two groups. Parameters with a significant difference between
      the two groups were used to construct receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
      curves. RESULTS: The study included 29 patients with pelvic fracture. FDP, D
      dimer, the ratio of FDP to fibrinogen and the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen were
      the most useful parameters for predicting arterial extravasation due to pelvic
      fracture. FDP, D-dimer, the ratio of FDP to fibrinogen, the ratio of D-dimer to
      fibrinogen, and hemoglobin and lactate levels were significantly higher in the
      Extra(+) group than in the Extra(-) group (FDP, 354.8MUg/mL [median] versus
      96.6MUg/mL; D-dimer, 122.3MUg/mL versus 42.1MUg/mL; the ratio of FDP to
      fibrinogen, 3.39 versus 0.42; the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen, 1.14 versus
      0.18; hemoglobin, 10.5g/dL versus 13.5g/dL; lactate, 3.5mmol/L versus 1.7mmol/L).
      The area under the ROC curves for FDP, D-dimer, the ratio of FDP to fibrinogen,
      the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen, hemoglobin and lactate levels were 0.900,
      0.882, 0.918, 0.900, 0.815 and 0.765, respectively. CONCLUSION: Coagulation
      biomarkers, and hemoglobin and lactate levels could be useful to predict the
      existence of arterial extravasation due to pelvic fracture. The ratio of FDP to
      fibrinogen and the ratio of D-dimer to fibrinogen were the most accurate markers.
      Coagulation biomarkers may enable more rapid and specific treatment for pelvic
      fracture.

PMID- 27267963
TI  - Recommendations on e-infrastructures for next-generation sequencing.
AB  - With ever-increasing amounts of data being produced by next-generation sequencing
      (NGS) experiments, the requirements placed on supporting e-infrastructures have
      grown. In this work, we provide recommendations based on the collective
      experiences from participants in the EU COST Action SeqAhead for the tasks of
      data preprocessing, upstream processing, data delivery, and downstream analysis,
      as well as long-term storage and archiving. We cover demands on computational and
      storage resources, networks, software stacks, automation of analysis, education,
      and also discuss emerging trends in the field. E-infrastructures for NGS require
      substantial effort to set up and maintain over time, and with sequencing
      technologies and best practices for data analysis evolving rapidly it is
      important to prioritize both processing capacity and e-infrastructure flexibility
      when making strategic decisions to support the data analysis demands of tomorrow.
      Due to increasingly demanding technical requirements we recommend that e
      infrastructure development and maintenance be handled by a professional service
      unit, be it internal or external to the organization, and emphasis should be
      placed on collaboration between researchers and IT professionals.

PMID- 27267964
TI  - Computational Insights into the Central Role of Nonbonding Interactions in Modern
      Covalent Organocatalysis.
AB  - The flexibility, complexity, and size of contemporary organocatalytic
      transformations pose interesting and powerful opportunities to computational and
      experimental chemists alike. In this Account, we disclose our recent
      computational investigations of three branches of organocatalysis in which
      nonbonding interactions, such as C-H...O/N interactions, play a crucial role in
      the organization of transition states, catalysis, and selectivity. We begin with
      two examples of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis, both collaborations with
      the Scheidt laboratory at Northwestern. In the first example, we discuss the
      discovery of an unusual diverging mechanism in a catalytic kinetic resolution of
      a dynamic racemate that depends on the stereochemistry of the product being
      formed. Specifically, the major product is formed through a concerted
      asynchronous [2 + 2] aldol-lactonization, while the minor products come from a
      stepwise spiro-lactonization pathway. Stereoselectivity and catalysis are the
      results of electrophilic activation from C-H...O interactions between the
      catalyst and the substrate and conjugative stabilization of the electrophile. In
      the second example, we show how knowledge and understanding of the computed
      transition states led to the development of a more enantioselective NHC catalyst
      for the butyrolactonization of acyl phosphonates. The identification of mutually
      exclusive C-H...O interactions in the computed major and minor TSs directly
      resulted in structural hypotheses that would lead to targeted destabilization of
      the minor TS, leading to enhanced stereoinduction. Synthesis and evaluation of
      the newly designed NHC catalyst validated our hypotheses. Next, we discuss two
      works related to Lewis base catalysis involving 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)
      and its derivatives. In the first, we discuss our collaboration with the Smith
      laboratory at St Andrews, in which we discovered the origins of the
      regioselectivity in carboxyl transfer reactions. We disclose how different Lewis
      base catalysts (NHC or DMAP) can lead to different regiomeric products as a
      result of differing magnitudes of aromatic and C-H...O interactions present in
      the respective transition states. In the second example, we discuss the mechanism
      and origins of the stereoselectivity of a reaction catalyzed by a planar-chiral 4
      (pyrrolidino)pyridine derivative, namely, the coupling of ketenes with
      cyanopyrrole. We discovered that the chiral base mechanism is operative, in
      contrast to the originally proposed Bronsted acid mechanism. The selectivity is
      determined by the ease with which the major and minor TSs can realize strong
      stabilizing C-H...N interactions between the pyrrole cyano group and the
      catalyst. These interactions induce increased catalyst distortion in the minor
      TS, thereby leading to enantioselectivity. Finally, we discuss our computations
      related to amine-based organocatalysis in collaboration with the Carter
      laboratory at Oregon State. We probed the mechanism and stereoselectivity of a
      bifunctional amine thiourea-catalyzed Michael reaction. Our computations led to
      the design of an improved catalyst. However, synthesis and tests revealed that
      this catalyst was prone to degradation to side products that also catalyze the
      reaction, ultimately reducing the observed enantioselectivity. Lastly, we discuss
      our study of the mechanism and stereoselectivity of a proline sulfonamide
      catalyzed Robinson annulation, in which we discovered that the enantioselectivity
      is controlled by the first Michael step but the diastereoselectivity is
      controlled by the following Mannich step.

PMID- 27267965
TI  - Outcomes of a four-year specialist-taught physical education program on physical
      activity: a cluster randomized controlled trial, the LOOK study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a 4-year
      specialist-taught Physical Education (PE) program on physical activity (PA) among
      primary school children. METHODS: A 4-year cluster randomised controlled trial
      was conducted in children (initially aged 8 years) from 29 primary schools (13
      Intervention, 16 Control). Intervention students (N = 457) received 2 * 45 min PE
      lessons per week from specialist-trained PE teachers (68 lessons per year, 272
      lessons over 4 years). Control group students (N = 396) received usual practice
      PE from generalist classroom teachers. PA during PE lessons was examined using
      the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT). Pedometers (steps/day)
      were worn for 7 days each year, and accelerometers were worn concurrently in the
      final two years to assess moderate to vigorous (MVPA) and sedentary activity.
      Linear and generalized mixed models were used to determine differences in
      Intervention and Control student PA and the proportion of students meeting PA
      guidelines. RESULTS: The intervention increased SOFIT-observed student MVPA
      during PE lessons by 6.5 mins (16.7 v 10.2, p < 0.001). Within intervention
      schools, participants increased their whole-day step counts (boys = 449 [CI,140
      to 756]; girls = 424 [CI,222 to 626]) and minutes of MVPA (boys = 8.0 [CI,6.8 to
      9.2]; girls = 3.5 [CI,1.7 to 5.4]) on PE days. However, compared to the Control
      group the Intervention did not: increase habitual steps/day or MVPA when averaged
      over 7 days; elicit greater improvements in these measures over time; or increase
      the odds of meeting step/day or MVPA recommendations. At age 11 years
      Intervention group boys were 20 mins less sedentary per day (380 [CI,369 to 391]
      vs 360 [CI,350 to 369]) and this effect was sustained at age 12 years.
      CONCLUSIONS: Well-designed specialist-taught PE can improve student PA during PE
      lessons. However for PE to be a significant contributor to improving habitual PA
      in pre-adolescent children, daily classes are likely to be required, and even
      this would need to be supplemented with a wider multicomponent strategy. Our
      finding of a reduction in sedentary time among Intervention boys warrants further
      investigation into the potential role PE could play in influencing sedentary
      behaviour.

PMID- 27267966
TI  - Five minutes with . . . Scarlett McNally, RCS council member.

PMID- 27267967
TI  - Retraction Note: Impact of weight loss diet associated with flaxseed on
      inflammatory markers in men with cardiovascular risk factors: a clinical study.

PMID- 27267968
TI  - Sodium selenite and cancer related lymphedema: Biological and pharmacological
      effects.
AB  - A significant percentage of cancer patients develop secondary lymphedema after
      surgery or radiotherapy. The preferred treatment of secondary lymphedema is
      complex physical therapy. Pharmacotherapy, for example with diuretics, has
      received little attention, because they were not effective and only offered short
      term solutions. Sodium selenite showed promise as a cost-effective, nontoxic anti
      inflammatory agent. Treatment with sodium selenite lowers reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) production, causes a spontaneous reduction in lymphedema volume, increases
      the efficacy of physical therapy for lymphedema, and reduces the incidence of
      erysipelas infections in patients with chronic lymphedema. Besides biological
      effects in reducing excessive production of ROS, sodium selenite also displays
      various pharmacological effects. So far the exact mechanisms of these
      pharmacological effects are mostly unknown, but probably include inhibition of
      adhesion protein expression. 

PMID- 27267969
TI  - Positive correlation of thyroid hormones and serum copper in children with
      congenital hypothyroidism.
AB  - Thyroid hormones are of central relevance for growth and development. However,
      the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. Recent
      studies in humans and mice have demonstrated that serum levels of selenium (Se)
      and copper (Cu) are positively affected by thyroid hormones. Given the importance
      of these trace elements for many biochemical processes, we tested whether this
      interaction is found in children at risk for hypothyroidism, potentially
      providing a novel factor contributing to the disturbed development observed in
      congenital hypothyroidism (CH). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 84
      children diagnosed with CH displaying a wide range of thyroid hormone
      concentrations. Serum Se and Cu concentrations were measured by total reflection
      X-ray fluorescence. Data for thyrotropin (TSH) were available in all, thyroxine
      (T4) and free thyroxine (fT4) in the majority and triiodothyronine (T3) in 29 of
      the children. Spearman rank analyzes were performed. Cu and thyroid hormones
      showed a strong positive correlation (Cu/T4, rho=0.5241, P=0.0003; Cu/T3,
      rho=0.6003, P=0.0006). Unlike in adults, no associations were found between Se
      and any of the thyroid hormones. Our data highlight that serum Cu and thyroid
      hormones are strongly associated already in early postnatal life. Severely
      hypothyroid children are thus at risk of developing a Cu deficiency if not
      adequately nourished or supplemented. This finding needs to be verified in larger
      groups of children in order not to miss an easily-avoidable risk factor for poor
      development. 

PMID- 27267970
TI  - Innervation from the entorhinal cortex to the dentate gyrus and the vulnerability
      to Zn2.
AB  - Hippocampal Zn2+ homeostasis is critical for cognitive activity and hippocampus
      dependent memory. Extracellular Zn2+ signaling is linked to extracellular
      glutamate signaling and leads to intracellular Zn2+ signaling, which is involved
      in cognitive activity. On the other hand, excess intracellular Zn2+ signaling
      that is induced by excess glutamate signaling is involved in cognitive decline.
      In the hippocampal formation, the dentate gyrus is the most vulnerable to aging
      and is thought to contribute to age-related cognitive decline. The layer II of
      the entorhinal cortex is the most vulnerable to neuronal death in Alzheimer's
      disease. The perforant pathway provides input from the layer II to the dentate
      gyrus and is one of the earliest affected pathways in Alzheimer's disease. Medial
      perforant pathway-dentate granule cell synapses are vulnerable to either excess
      intracellular Zn2+ or beta-amyloid (Abeta)-bound zinc, which induce transient
      cognitive decline via attenuation of medial perforant pathway LTP. However, it is
      unknown whether the vulnerability to excess intracellular Zn2+ is involved in
      region-specific vulnerability to aging and Alzheimer's disease. To discover a
      strategy to prevent short-term cognitive decline in normal aging process and the
      pre-dementia stage of Alzheimer's disease, the present paper deals with
      vulnerability of medial perforant pathway-dentate granule cell synapses to
      intracellular Zn2+ dyshomeostasis and its possible involvement in differential
      vulnerability to aging and Alzheimer's disease in the hippocampal formation.

PMID- 27267971
TI  - Hydrogel Composites Containing Sacrificial Collapsed Hollow Particles as Dual
      Action pH-Responsive Biomaterials.
AB  - In this study hydrogel composites are investigated that contain sacrificial pH
      responsive collapsed hollow particles (CHPs) entrapped within a poly(acrylamide)
      (PAAm) network. The CHPs were prepared using a scalable (mainly) water-based
      method and had a bowl-like morphology that was comparable to that of red blood
      cells. The CHPs were constructed from poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic
      acid), which is a pH-responsive copolymer. The PAAm/CHP composite morphology was
      probed with optical microscopy, CLSM and SEM. These data showed the CHPs were
      dispersed throughout the PAAm network. Inclusion of the CHPs within the gel
      composites increased the modulus in a tunable manner. The CHPs fragmented at pH
      values greater than the pKa of the particles, and this process decreased the gel
      modulus to values similar to that of the parent PAAm hydrogel. CHPs containing a
      model drug were used to demonstrate pH-triggered release from PAAm/CHP and the
      release kinetics obeyed Fickian diffusion. The composite gels had low
      cytotoxicity as evidenced by Live/Dead and MTT assays. The hydrogel composites
      showed dual action pH-triggered softening with simultaneous drug release which
      occurred without a volume increase. The hydrogel composites may have potential
      application as enteric gels or for intra-articular drug delivery.

PMID- 27267972
TI  - Transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics driven biomarker discovery in COPD:
      an update.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
      characterized by progressive irreversible airflow limitation, remains a
      challenge. Lack of sensitive diagnostic markers and alternative treatments have
      limited patients' survival rate. Herein, we provide for clinicians and scientists
      a comprehensive review on the various omics platforms used to investigate COPD.
      AREAS COVERED: This review consists of articles from PubMed (2009-2016) as well
      as views of the contributing authors. The review highlights the need for COPD
      biomarker identification and also provides an update on promising candidate
      markers identified in various biological fluids using omics technologies. Expert
      commentary: The multi-omics approach holds promise for the development of robust
      early stage COPD diagnostic markers, screening of high-risk population, and also
      improved prognosis which could lead to personalized medicine in future. Various
      factors regulating an omics study including sample size, control selection,
      disease phenotyping, usage of complementary techniques and result replication in
      omics-based research are outlined.

PMID- 27267974
TI  - Running performance in the heat is improved by similar magnitude with pre
      exercise cold-water immersion and mid-exercise facial water spray.
AB  - This investigation compared the effects of external pre-cooling and mid-exercise
      cooling methods on running time trial performance and associated physiological
      responses. Nine trained male runners completed familiarisation and three
      randomised 5 km running time trials on a non-motorised treadmill in the heat (33
      degrees C). The trials included pre-cooling by cold-water immersion (CWI), mid
      exercise cooling by intermittent facial water spray (SPRAY), and a control of no
      cooling (CON). Temperature, cardiorespiratory, muscular activation, and
      perceptual responses were measured as well as blood concentrations of lactate and
      prolactin. Performance time was significantly faster with CWI (24.5 +/- 2.8 min;
      P = 0.01) and SPRAY (24.6 +/- 3.3 min; P = 0.01) compared to CON (25.2 +/- 3.2
      min). Both cooling strategies significantly (P < 0.05) reduced forehead
      temperatures and thermal sensation, and increased muscle activation. Only pre
      cooling significantly lowered rectal temperature both pre-exercise (by 0.5 +/-
      0.3 degrees C; P < 0.01) and throughout exercise, and reduced sweat rate (P <
      0.05). Both cooling strategies improved performance by a similar magnitude, and
      are ergogenic for athletes. The observed physiological changes suggest some
      involvement of central and psychophysiological mechanisms of performance
      improvement.

PMID- 27267975
TI  - Controlling Blinding Trachoma in the Egyptian Delta: Integrating Clinical,
      Epidemiological and Anthropological Understandings.
AB  - Trachoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness in the world. The disease is
      hyperendemic in rural Egypt, where more than 75% of children show signs of having
      had at least one episode of infectious trachoma during the first year of life.
      Earlier anthropological and epidemiological observations suggested that trachoma
      prevalence would decrease if children had their faces washed with soap and water
      at least once each day. We conducted a community-based intervention to increase
      face washing in order to control trachoma. In this paper we describe the overall
      design of this intervention trial and discuss how we integrated anthropological
      methods and ethnographic data into the design of this successful multi
      disciplinary, cross-cultural project to prevent trachoma. 

PMID- 27267973
TI  - Characterization of B cells in healthy pregnant women from late pregnancy to post
      partum: a prospective observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: B cells play a role in pregnancy due to their humoral and regulatory
      activities. To our knowledge, different maturational stages (from transitional to
      memory) of circulating B cell subsets have not yet been characterized (cell
      quantification and phenotype identification) in healthy pregnant women. Thus, the
      objective of our study was to characterize these subsets (as well as regulatory B
      cells) from late pregnancy to post-partum and to compare them with the
      circulating B cells of non-pregnant women. METHODS: In all of the enrolled women,
      flow cytometry was used to characterize the circulating B cell subsets according
      to the expression of IgD and CD38 (Bm1-Bm5 classification system). Regulatory B
      cells were characterized based on the expression of surface antigens (CD24, CD27,
      and CD38) and the production of IL-10 after lipopolysaccharide stimulation.
      RESULTS: Compared to the absolute counts of B cells in the non-pregnant women (n
      = 35), those in the pregnant women (n = 43) were significantly lower (p < 0.05)
      during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and on delivery day (immediately after
      delivery). The percentages of these cells on delivery day and at post-partum were
      significantly lower than those in the non-pregnant women. In general, the
      absolute counts and percentages of the majority of the B cell subsets were
      significantly lower in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and on delivery day than in
      the non-pregnant women. However, these counts and percentages did not differ
      significantly between the post-partum and the non-pregnant women. The most
      notable exceptions to the above were the percentages of naive B cells (which were
      significantly higher in the 3rd trimester and on delivery day than in the non
      pregnant women) and of CD24(hi)CD38(hi) regulatory B cells (which were
      significantly higher in the post-partum than in the non-pregnant women).
      CONCLUSION: According to our study, the peripheral B cell compartment undergoes
      quantitative changes during normal late pregnancy and post-partum. Such findings
      may allow us to better understand immunomodulation during human pregnancy and
      provide evidence that could aid in the development of new strategies to diagnose
      and treat pregnancy-associated disturbances. Our findings could also be useful
      for studies of the mechanisms of maternal responses to vaccination and infection.

PMID- 27267976
TI  - Causation as Strategy: Interpreting Humours among Tibetan Refugees.
AB  - The article focuses on the incidence of humoural wind ( rlung ) disorders among
      Tibetan exiles in India. It investigates the reasons behind the emergence of
      rlung as a significant problem among Tibetan exiles, and seeks to unpack some of
      the local meanings of this 'epidemic'. Previous studies have generally described
      rlung disorders as symptomatic of political and moral concerns, highlighting the
      connections that Tibetans make between physical, moral and psychological states
      in the context of Buddhist practice and everyday life. This paper aims to further
      nuance these findings by showing that, while Tibetan exiles include complex
      causes linked to morality and psychosocial wellbeing in their explanations of
      rlung disorders, they also 'cut' into this explanatory network in strategic ways,
      sometimes bypassing religious or psychosocial interpretations of illness
      altogether. Drawing on this analysis, the article warns researchers against
      literal readings of general religious precepts when analysing people's everyday
      negotiations of illness and wellbeing: the attribution of causation is always
      strategic, and religious observance should never be assumed to be uniform, or
      taken as a given. 

PMID- 27267977
TI  - Myths, Fallacies and Misconceptions: Applying Social Marketing for Promoting
      Appropriate Health Seeking Behavior in Pakistan.
AB  - Myths and fallacies have existed ever since societies began, influencing the
      perceptions about health, and the cause and cure of health related problems. The
      role of such myths in governing the health and health seeking behavior of people
      is quite explicit. Misconceptions about breast-feeding, pre-lacteal feed,
      weaning, dietary habits and other health related matters are commonly heard in
      the cultures of developing countries. False perceptions have undoubtedly an
      impact on the health seeking behavior. People coming from the low socio-economic
      strata in rural areas suffer the most. They lack access to formal health care
      services and are unable to afford specialized medical care. This gives rise to
      alternative health seeking behaviors. A considerable majority of people prefer to
      go to spiritual healers, quacks and other non-formal health providers for the
      treatment of their ailments. This paper has reviewed a variety of myths,
      fallacies and misconceptions collectively in the cultural context and has
      attempted to relate them to the health seeking behaviors of Pakistani people. The
      paper is based on the contemporary literature review and library work, focusing
      on finding the feasible strategies to address a variety of myths and
      misconceptions. Since myths have many adverse implications on the health of the
      people, an effective way of motivating low income and high risk people to adopt
      healthy behavior is 'social marketing'. Creating 'health promotion committees' at
      village level sounds like another doable strategy to ameliorate the situation in
      order to educate people to take care of not only their own health but of the
      future generations as well. 

PMID- 27267978
TI  - 'Do as I say, not as I do': Medical Education and Foucault's Normalizing
      Technologies of Self.
AB  - Medical training as a process of professional socialization has been well
      explored within the fields of medical education, medical sociology and medical
      anthropology. Our contribution is to outline a bio-power, more specifically an
      anatomo-politics, of medical education. The current research aimed to explore
      perspectives on what is commonly termed the 'hidden curriculum'. We conducted
      interviews with pre-clinical medical students, clinical teachers and medical
      educators within a New Zealand medical school. In this paper, we outline ways
      that respondents described the juxtaposition of the undeclared or hidden aspects
      of medical education with the formal declared curriculum. Our respondents were
      aware of incongruencies across these components that resulted in mixed messages
      to students. Curricula initiatives aim to encourage new forms of subjectivity so
      that students are often expected to be the kinds of doctors that their teachers
      are not. However, the success of such initiatives is dependent on the degree of
      alignment between informal and formal components of the curriculum. 

PMID- 27267979
TI  - Nurturing Women and the BRCA Genes: Gender, Activism and the Paradox of Health
      Awareness.
AB  - This paper explores the relationship between breast cancer activism and a newly
      emergent arena of 'predictive' medicine, breast cancer genetics. Drawing on
      ethnographic research in UK cancer genetic clinics, it explores the way the goals
      and gendered values of a certain kind of breast cancer activism operate at the
      interface between patients and practitioners. It examines how the morality of
      health awareness and the value female nurturance are implicated in and configured
      by clinical encounters. Outlining the dense and dynamic 'traffic' around the work
      of transmission, the paper examines how the same gendered values that may enable
      this field of practice can also result in uneasy consequences for patients, their
      kin, as well as practitioners. Exploring these intersections demonstrates the
      scope and challenges for knowledge and care, as well as the paradoxical value of
      health awareness in an emerging field of genetic medicine. 

PMID- 27267980
TI  - Ambivalence and Anxiety in the Psychiatric Systems of the United States and
      Japan.
AB  - Obsessive-compulsive disorder and the Japanese condition known as taijin kyofusho
      are classified as 'anxiety disorders' by US and Japanese psychiatrists. While
      members of the biomedical community might prefer to see this as evidence of a
      human universal, the similarity between the two is not primarily biological, but
      cultural and developmental. Both disorders develop out of a conflict between or
      within cultural significant values, values that refer to and develop from the
      dynamics of emotional attachment. 

PMID- 27267981
TI  - Reviews.

PMID- 27267982
TI  - Animals, anoxic environments, and reasons to go deep.
AB  - One of the classic questions in the early evolution of eukaryotic life concerns
      the role of oxygen. Many unicellular eukaryotes are strict anaerobes and many
      animals have long anoxic phases in their life cycle. But are there also animals
      that can complete their life cycle without oxygen? In an ongoing debate in BMC
      Biology, Danovaro and colleagues say "yes" while Bernhard and colleagues say
      "no". The debate concerns reports of anoxic metazoans in deep sea anaerobic
      habitats.

PMID- 27267983
TI  - Changing the Antibiotic Prescribing of general practice registrars: the ChAP
      study protocol for a prospective controlled study of a multimodal educational
      intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Australian General Practitioners (GPs) are generous prescribers of
      antibiotics, prompting concerns including increasing antimicrobial resistance in
      the community. Recent data show that GPs in vocational training have prescribing
      patterns comparable with the high prescribing rate of their established GP
      supervisors. Evidence-based guidelines consistently advise that antibiotics are
      not indicated for uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and are
      rarely indicated for acute bronchitis. A number of interventions have been
      trialled to promote rational antibiotic prescribing by established GPs (with
      variable effectiveness), but the impact of such interventions in a training
      setting is unclear. We hypothesise that intervening while early-career GPs are
      still developing their practice patterns and prescribing habits will result in
      better adherence to evidence-based guidelines as manifested by lower antibiotic
      prescribing rates for URTIs and acute bronchitis. METHODS/DESIGN: The
      intervention consists of two online modules, a face-to-face workshop for GP
      trainees, a face-to-face workshop for their supervisors and encouragement for the
      trainee-supervisor dyad to include a case-based discussion of evidence-based
      antibiotic prescribing in their weekly one-on-one teaching meetings. We will use
      a non-randomised, non-equivalent control group design to assess the impact on
      antibiotic prescribing for acute upper respiratory infections and acute
      bronchitis by GP trainees in vocational training. DISCUSSION: Early-career GPs
      who are still developing their clinical practice and prescribing habits are an
      underutilized target-group for interventions to curb the growth of antimicrobial
      resistance in the community. Interventions that are embedded into existing
      training programs or are linked to continuing professional development have
      potential to increase the impact of existing interventions at limited additional
      cost. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry,
      ACTRN12614001209684 (registered 17/11/2014).

PMID- 27267984
TI  - The association of Red cell distribution width and in-hospital mortality in older
      adults admitted to the emergency department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that elevated
      red cell distribution width (RDW) at admission increases the risk of mortality in
      older patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the ED between May 2013 and
      October 2013. We included patients who were older than 65 years who visited the
      ED with any medical problems. Baseline RDW values were measured at the time of
      admission to the ED. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality.
      Multivariate logistic analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 1,990 patients
      were finally included in this study. The mean age was 75 years (SD 7), and 936
      (47 %) subjects were male. The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.76 % (74
      patients). RDW values higher in non-survivors than in survivors (15.9 +/- 2.5 vs.
      13.8 +/- 1.7, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that RDW was
      associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality after adjusting for other
      confounding factors. DISCUSSION: RDW value at admission is an independent
      predictor of all-cause in-hospital mortality among patients older than 65 years.
      After adjustment for multiple confounders, the all-cause in-hospital mortality
      rate increased by 21.8% for each 1% increase in RDW. CONCLUSION: These results
      show that RDW at admission is associated with in-hospital mortality among
      patients older than 65. Thus, RDW at admission may represent a surrogate marker
      of disease severity. We caution against using these findings to aid clinical
      decision-making process until they are externally validated.

PMID- 27267985
TI  - Lanthanide-Potassium Biphenyl-3,3'-disulfonyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate Frameworks: Gas
      Sorption, Proton Conductivity, and Luminescent Sensing of Metal Ions.
AB  - A novel sulfonate-carboxylate ligand of biphenyl-3,3'-disulfonyl-4,4'
      dicarboxylic acid (H4-BPDSDC) and its lanthanide-organic frameworks
      {[LnK(BPDSDC)(DMF)(H2O)].x(solvent)}n (JXNU-2, where JXNU denotes Jiangxi Normal
      University, DMF indicates dimethylformamide, and Ln = Sm(3+), Eu(3+), and Pr(3+))
      were synthesized and structurally characterized. The three isomorphous lanthanide
      compounds feature three-dimensional frameworks constructed from one-dimensional
      (1D) rod-shaped heterometallic Ln-K secondary building units and are an
      illustration of a Kagome-like lattice with large 1D hexagonal channels and small
      1D trigonal channels. The porous material of the representive JXNU-2(Sm) has an
      affinity to quadrupolar molecules such as CO2 and C2H2. In addition, the JXNU
      2(Sm) compound exhibits humidity- and temperature-dependent proton conductivity
      with a large value of 1.11 * 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 80  degrees C and 98% relative
      humidity. The hydrophilic sulfonate group on the surface of channels facilitates
      enrichment of the solvate water molecules in the channels, which enhances the
      proton conductivity of this material. Moreover, the JXNU-2(Eu) material with the
      characteristic bright red color shows the potential for recognition of K(+) and
      Fe(3+) ions. The enhancing Eu(3+) luminescence with the K(+) ion and quenching
      Eu(3+) luminescence with the Fe(3+) ion can be associated with the functional
      groups of the organic ligand. 

PMID- 27267986
TI  - Validity of clinically significant change classifications yielded by Jacobson
      Truax and Hageman-Arrindell methods.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reporting of the clinical significance of observed changes is
      recommended when publishing mental health treatment outcome studies and is
      increasingly used in routine outcomes monitoring systems. Since recovery rates
      vary with the method chosen, we investigated the validity of classifications of
      clinically significant change when the Jacobson-Truax method and the Hageman
      Arrindell method were used. METHODS: Of 718 inpatients who completed the
      Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and
      Satisfaction Questionnaire at admission and discharge to a psychiatric clinic,
      355 were invited (and 119 agreed) to complete the questionnaires and the Recovery
      Assessment Scale six weeks post discharge. RESULTS: Both the JT and HA methods
      showed comparably good validity when referenced against the other indices.
      Clinically significant change on the DASS-21 was related to a greater consumer
      based sense of recovery, greater perceived quality of life, and fewer
      readmissions to hospital within 28 days of discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Since there
      was found to be no advantage to using one method over another when recovery is of
      interest, the simpler JT method is recommended for routine usage.

PMID- 27267987
TI  - The impact of manganese on biofilm development of Bacillus subtilis.
AB  - Bacterial biofilms are dynamic and structurally complex communities, involving
      cell-to-cell interactions. In recent years, various environmental signals that
      induce the complex biofilm development of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus
      subtilis have been identified. These signalling molecules are often media
      components or molecules produced by the cells themselves, as well as those of
      other interacting species. The responses can also be due to depletion of certain
      molecules in the vicinity of the cells. Extracellular manganese (Mn2+) is
      essential for proper biofilm development of B. subtilis. Mn2+ is also a component
      of practically all laboratory biofilm-promoting media used for B. subtilis.
      Comparison of complex colony biofilms in the presence or absence of supplemented
      Mn2+ using microarray analyses revealed that genes involved in biofilm formation
      are indeed downregulated in the absence of Mn2+. In addition, Mn2+ also affects
      the transcription of several other genes involved in distinct differentiation
      pathways of various cellular processes. The effects of Mn2+ on other biofilm
      related traits like motility, antimicrobial production, stress and sporulation
      were followed using fluorescent reporter strains. The global transcriptome and
      morphology studies highlight the importance of Mn2+ during biofilm development
      and provide an overview on the expressional changes in colony biofilms in B.
      subtilis.

PMID- 27267988
TI  - Biochemical recurrence-free survival and pathological outcomes after radical
      prostatectomy for high-risk prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We propose to improve the prognostic assessment after radical
      prostatectomy (RP) by dividing high-risk prostate cancer (hrPCa) (according to
      the d'Amico classification) into subgroups combining 1, 2 or 3 criteria of
      aggressiveness (cT2c-T3a, PSA >20 ng/ml, Gleason score (GS) > 7). METHODS: Data
      from 4795 hrPCa patients who underwent RP in two French university hospitals from
      1991 to 2013 were analyzed. Subgroups were formed to determine whether an
      increasing number (1, 2 or 3) of criteria of tumor aggressiveness was associated
      with poorer oncological results and early biochemical recurrence (BCR) (PSA > 0.2
      ng/ml). These results were compared using Fisher's exact test and BCR was
      compared according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Eight hundred fifteen
      patients were treated by RP for hrPCa (8 %). Four hundred eleven patients (79.5
      %) presented 1 RF (Risk Factor), 93 (18.0 %) 2 RF and 13 (2.5 %) 3 RF. Lymph node
      invasion and positive margin rates were 12.4 and 44.1 %, respectively. The
      prognostic sub-stratification based on these 3 factors was significantly
      predictive for adverse pathologic features and for oncologic outcomes. BCR free
      survival was respectively 56.4, 27.06 and 18.46 % for 1RF, 2RF and 3RF (p <
      0.0001). However, no predominant negative criterion was found. CONCLUSION:
      Oncologic results after RP are heterogenous within the hrPCa risk group. Sub
      stratification based on three well-defined criteria leads to a better
      identification of the most aggressive cancers. On the other hand, RP provides
      both effective cancer control and satisfactory survival rates in patients with
      only one risk factor.

PMID- 27267989
TI  - Comparison between a serum creatinine-and a cystatin C-based glomerular
      filtration rate equation in patients receiving amphotericin B.
AB  - Serum cystatin C (Cys C) has a number of advantages over serum creatinine in the
      evaluation of kidney function. Apart from Cys C level itself, several formulas
      have also been introduced in different clinical settings for the estimation of
      glomerular filtration rate (GFR) based upon serum Cys C level. The aim of the
      present study was to compare a serum Cys C-based equation with Cockcroft-Gault
      serum creatinine-based formula, both used in the calculation of GFR, in patients
      receiving amphotericin B. Fifty four adult patients with no history of acute or
      chronic kidney injury having been planned to receive conventional amphotericin B
      for an anticipated duration of at least 1 week for any indication were recruited.
      At three time points during amphotericin B treatment, including days 0, 7, and
      14, serum cystatin C as well as creatinine levels were measured. GFR at the above
      time points was estimated by both creatinine (Cockcroft-Gault) and serum Cys C
      based equations. There was significant correlation between creatinine-based and
      Cys C-based GFR values at days 0 (R = 0.606, P = 0.001) and 7 (R = 0.714, P <
      0.001). In contrast to GFR estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation, the mean
      (95 % confidence interval) Cys C-based GFR values at different studied time
      points were comparable within as well as between patients with and without
      amphotericin B nephrotoxicity. Our results suggested that the Gentian Cys C-based
      GFR equation correlated significantly with the Cockcroft-Gault formula at least
      at the early time period of treatment with amphotericin B. Graphical abstract
      Comparison between a serum creatinine-and a cystatin C-based glomerular
      filtration rate equation in patients receiving amphotericin B. 

PMID- 27267990
TI  - A critical appraisal of continence in bladder exstrophy: Long-term outcomes of
      the complete primary repair.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Long-term continence outcomes for patients with bladder exstrophy
      are lacking in the literature. The complete primary repair of exstrophy (CPRE) is
      a widely adopted approach that seeks to normalize anatomy at the initial repair,
      thereby allowing early bladder filling and cycling. Previous reports of
      continence following CPRE, however, are limited by variable follow-up duration
      and continence definitions. OBJECTIVE: To assess continence and factors
      associated with a positive outcome in a cohort of patients following CPRE with
      long-term follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was conducted of
      all patients with primary bladder closure using CPRE at the present institution
      for classic bladder exstrophy from 1990 to 2010. Patients <6 years of age or with
      an incomplete continence assessment at last follow-up were excluded. Continence
      was defined as voiding volitionally with dry intervals of >=3 h, which was
      consistent with other high-volume series in the literature. RESULTS: Twenty-nine
      of the 52 patients (56%) were eligible for inclusion. Twelve patients were
      continent at last follow-up, including seven boys and five girls. Mean follow-up
      for the entire cohort was 148 months. The Summary table displays comparisons
      between continent and incontinent patients. Of patients achieving continence, 42%
      did not require further continence operations, while 17% required only one
      additional continence operation. DISCUSSION: Long-term CPRE continence rates were
      lower than previously reported, but comparable to other series in the literature.
      Of those achieving continence, 59% will do so with zero or one additional
      operation. Sex and osteotomy status were not associated with continence outcomes,
      although age at follow-up was a predictor of continence, favoring older patients
      in the present series. The study was limited by lack of standardized, patient
      reported continence outcomes and by the retrospective nature of the review.
      However, the data add to the literature of long-term continence outcomes and are
      important for counseling families both at initial repair and follow-up.
      CONCLUSIONS: Complete primary repair of exstrophy can achieve continence without
      additional operations in a subset of patients. Some patients, however, may not
      achieve continence until adolescence, underscoring the need for long-term
      urologic follow-up in patients with bladder exstrophy.

PMID- 27267991
TI  - Urethral duplication in girls: Three cases associating an accessory epispadiac
      urethra and a main hypospadiac urethra.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Urethral duplication is extremely rare in girls, with less than 40
      cases reported so far. Most of them present as a prepubic sinus. Literature is
      scare regarding aetiology, classification and management in other forms. This
      study presents three cases of sagittal urethral duplication in girls presenting a
      main hypospadiac urethra and an accessory epispadiac urethra. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed of three girls with
      urethral duplication managed over a 30-year period at a single institution.
      Circumstances of diagnosis, management and outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: The
      oldest case presented as a neonatal retrovesical mass with an accessory clitoral
      stream, whereas the two more recent cases presented with antenatal hydrocolpos
      and bilateral ureterohydronephrosis. Cases 1 and 3 had an incomplete duplication,
      while Case 2 had a complete form. In Case 3, the duplication was associated with
      a urogenital sinus and an anteriorly placed anus. Management involved resection
      of the epispadiac accessory urethra to achieve continence, with dilatation and/or
      mobilisation of the hypospadiac one. All girls are now aged >5 years old and are
      continent, and one is old enough to have normal menstruation. Renal function is
      normal in all. The summary table presents the schematic anatomical description as
      shown on micturating cystourethrogram and endoscopy, as well as the management
      for each patient. DISCUSSION: Step-by-step management is necessary in urethral
      duplication. The neonatal emergency is to release the urinary tract compression
      by evacuating urinary retention or hydrocolpos. Later in infancy, decision has to
      be taken regarding the urethras. If the resection of the epispadiac accessory
      urethra seems acceptable to achieve continence, the attitude towards the
      hypospadiac channel is more controversial and should be individualised.
      Embryologic and aetiopathogenic pathways are still missing to uniformly
      characterise the malformation. CONCLUSION: Paediatric urologists should remember
      that there is a wide spectrum of urethral duplication in girls, and that various
      presentations exist beside the more classic prepubic sinus.

PMID- 27267992
TI  - Altitude as a risk factor for the development of hypospadias. Geographical
      cluster distribution analysis in South America.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hypospadias is the most common congenital anomaly affecting the
      genitals. It has been established as a multifactorial disease with increasing
      prevalence. Many risk factors have been identified such as prematurity, birth
      weight, mother's age, and exposure to endocrine disruptors. In recent decades
      multiple authors using surveillance systems have described an increase in
      prevalence of hypospadias, but most of the published literature comes from
      developed countries in Europe and North America and few of the published studies
      have involved cluster analysis. Few large-scale studies have been performed
      addressing the effect of altitude and other geographical aspects on the
      development of hypospadias. Acknowledging this limitation, we present novel
      results of a multinational spatial scan statistical analysis over a 30-year
      period in South America and an altitude analysis of hypospadias distribution on a
      continent level. METHOD: A retrospective review was performed of the Latin
      American collaborative study of congenital malformations (ECLAMC). A total of
      4,020,384 newborns was surveyed between 1982 and December 2011 in all
      participating centers. We selected all patients with hypospadias. All degrees of
      clinical severity were included in the analysis. Each participating center was
      geographically identified with its coordinates and altitude above sea level. A
      spatial scan statistical analysis was performed using Kulldorf's methodology and
      a prevalence trend analysis over time in centers below and above 2000 m. RESULTS:
      During the study period we found 159 hospitals in six different countries
      (Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay) with 4,537 cases of
      hypospadias and a global prevalence rate of 11.3/10,000 newborns. Trend analysis
      showed that centers below 2000 m had an increasing trend with an average of
      10/10,000 newborns as opposed to those centers above 2000 m that showed a
      reducing trend with an average prevalence of 7.8 (p = 0.1246). We identified
      clusters with significant increases of prevalence in five centers along the coast
      at an average altitude of 219.8 m above sea level (p > 0.0000). Reduction in
      prevalence was found in clusters located in two centers on the Andes mountains.
      Altitude of 2,000 m was associated with hypospadias (Figure), with an OR 0.59
      (0.5-0.69). There are ethnic arguments to support our results supported by
      protective polymorphism distribution in high lands. CONCLUSION: Altitude above
      2,000 m is suggested to have a protective effect for hypospadias. Specific
      clusters have been identified with increased risk for hypospadias. Environmental
      risk factors in these areas need to be further studied given the association seen
      between altitude and the distribution of more severe cases.

PMID- 27267994
TI  - [Dyslipidemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

PMID- 27267993
TI  - Surgical and molecular pathology of pancreatic neoplasms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Histologic characteristics have proven to be very useful for
      classifying different types of tumors of the pancreas. As a result, the major
      tumor types in the pancreas have long been classified based on their microscopic
      appearance. MAIN BODY: Recent advances in whole exome sequencing, gene expression
      profiling, and knowledge of tumorigenic pathways have deepened our understanding
      of the underlying biology of pancreatic neoplasia. These advances have not only
      confirmed the traditional histologic classification system, but also opened new
      doors to early diagnosis and targeted treatment. CONCLUSION: This review
      discusses the histopathology, genetic and epigenetic alterations and potential
      treatment targets of the five major malignant pancreatic tumors - pancreatic
      ductal adenocarcinoma, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, solid-pseudopapillary
      neoplasm, acinar cell carcinoma and pancreatoblastoma.

PMID- 27267995
TI  - The His131Arg substitution in the FCGR2A gene (rs1801274) is not associated with
      the severity of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The virulence and pathogenicity of different influenza strains are
      responsible for a more or less severe disease. Recent studies have attempted to
      understand how host genetic factors may influence the clinical presentation of
      the disease. In the present study, the His131Arg (rs1801274) polymorphism was
      investigated in individuals from a Brazilian admixed population with a diagnosis
      of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. METHODS: In the present study, the influence
      of the His131Arg (rs1801274) polymorphism, a variant of the FCGR2A gene, was
      investigated in 436 patients with a diagnosis of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09,
      evaluated at health services in the northern and northeastern regions of Brazil
      between June 2009 and August 2010. Patients were divided into a group of non
      hospitalized patients (n = 192) and a group of hospitalized patients (n = 244;
      100 of them died). RESULTS: No significant difference in the allele or genotype
      frequencies of the rs1801274 polymorphism was observed between groups (p = 0.952
      and p = 0.388). Multinomial logistic regression showed no effect of the rs1801274
      polymorphism on severity or death of patients from the Brazilian admixed
      population (p = 0.368 and p = 0.469). CONCLUSIONS: The rs1801274 polymorphism is
      not associated with severe disease in patients infected with influenza
      A(H1N1)pdm09.

PMID- 27267996
TI  - Fabrication and evaluation of nanoparticle-assembled BSA microparticles for
      enhanced liver delivery of glycyrrhetinic acid.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to prepare and evaluate microparticle
      formulation encapsulated with glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) based on bovine serum
      albumin (BSA). The drug-loaded nanoparticles were firstly formed by a simple
      desolvation method, and were further assembled into microparticles using zinc
      chloride and glutaraldehyde as crosslinkers. The obtained microparticles
      contained approximately 30% (w/w) drug and showed as spherical particles with a
      size of about 2 MUm. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder
      diffraction (XRPD) analysis indicated that GA lost its crystallinity during the
      nano/microencapsulation process. In vitro dissolution study demonstrated a
      typical sustained-release pattern for 24 h with a burst of 28.1% at the first 30
      min, which fitted well by Higuchi model. After intravenous administration into
      mice, the microparticle formulation remained a higher drug level than the
      solution formulation in blood and liver for more than 18 h. These results
      suggested the potential benefit of using the prepared albumin microparticles as a
      promising vector for enhanced liver delivery of poorly water-soluble drug.

PMID- 27267997
TI  - Carnosic acid promotes degradation of the androgen receptor and is regulated by
      the unfolded protein response pathway in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer is extremely effective; however,
      due to the continuous expression and/or mutagenesis of androgen receptor (AR),
      the resistance to antihormonal therapy is a natural progression. Consequently,
      targeting the AR for degradation offers an alternate approach to overcome this
      resistance in prostate cancer. In this study, we demonstrate that carnosic acid,
      a benzenediol diterpene, binds the ligand-binding domain of the AR and degrades
      the AR via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated proteasomal degradative
      pathway. In vitro, carnosic acid treatment induced degradation of AR and
      decreased expression of prostate-specific antigen in human prostate cancer cell
      lines LNCaP and 22Rv1. Carnosic acid also promoted the expression of ER proteins
      including BiP and CHOP in a dose-dependent manner. Downregulation of CHOP by
      small interfering RNA somewhat restored expression of AR suggesting that AR
      degradation is dependent on ER stress pathway. Future studies will need to
      evaluate other aspects of the unfolded protein response pathway to characterize
      the regulation of AR degradation. Furthermore, cotreating cells individually with
      carnosic acid and proteasome inhibitor (MG-132) and carnosic acid and an ER
      stress modulator (salubrinal) restored protein levels of AR, suggesting that AR
      degradation is mediated by ER stress-dependent proteasomal degradation pathway.
      Degradation of AR and induction of CHOP protein were also evident in vivo along
      with a 53% reduction in growth of xenograft prostate cancer tumors. In addition,
      carnosic acid-induced ER stress in prostate cancer cells but not in normal
      prostate epithelial cells procured from patient biopsies. In conclusion, these
      data suggest that molecules such as carnosic acid could be further evaluated and
      optimized as a potential therapeutic alternative to target AR in prostate cancer.

PMID- 27267998
TI  - Hypermutation and unique mutational signatures of occupational cholangiocarcinoma
      in printing workers exposed to haloalkanes.
AB  - Cholangiocarcinoma is a relatively rare cancer, but its incidence is increasing
      worldwide. Although several risk factors have been suggested, the etiology and
      pathogenesis of the majority of cholangiocarcinomas remain unclear. Recently, a
      high incidence of early-onset cholangiocarcinoma was reported among the workers
      of a printing company in Osaka, Japan. These workers underwent high exposure to
      organic solvents, mainly haloalkanes such as 1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-DCP) and/or
      dichloromethane. We performed whole-exome analysis on four cases of
      cholangiocarcinoma among the printing workers. An average of 44.8 somatic
      mutations was detected per Mb in the genome of the printing workers'
      cholangiocarcinoma tissues, approximately 30-fold higher than that found in
      control common cholangiocarcinoma tissues. Furthermore, C:G-to-T:A transitions
      with substantial strand bias as well as unique trinucleotide mutational changes
      of GpCpY to GpTpY and NpCpY to NpTpY or NpApY were predominant in all of the
      printing workers' cholangiocarcinoma genomes. These results were consistent with
      the epidemiological observation that they had been exposed to high concentrations
      of chemical compounds. Whole-genome analysis of Salmonella typhimurium strain
      TA100 exposed to 1,2-DCP revealed a partial recapitulation of the mutational
      signature in the printing workers' cholangiocarcinoma. Although our results
      provide mutational signatures unique to occupational cholangiocarcinoma, the
      underlying mechanisms of the disease should be further investigated by using
      appropriate model systems and by comparison with genomic data from other cancers.

PMID- 27268000
TI  - HCV knowledge among a sample of HCV positive Aboriginal Australians residing in
      New South Wales.
AB  - Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are overrepresented in both the
      prevalence and incidence of the hepatitis C (HCV). HCV knowledge has been
      associated with a range of positive health behaviours. HCV knowledge has
      previously been investigated as a single construct; however examining different
      knowledge domains (i.e. transmission, risk of complications, testing and
      treatment) separately may be beneficial. This study investigated whether having
      greater HCV knowledge in different domains is associated with self-reported
      positive health behaviours. 203 Aboriginal people living with HCV completed a
      survey assessing HCV knowledge, testing and care, lifestyle changes since
      diagnosis and treatment intent. Respondents' knowledge was relatively high.
      Greater knowledge of risk of health complications was associated with undertaking
      more positive lifestyle changes since diagnosis. Respondents testing and
      treatment knowledge was significantly associated with incarceration, lifestyle
      changes since diagnosis and future treatment intentions. This study illustrates
      the importance of ensuring that knowledge is high across different HCV domains to
      optimise a range of positive health behaviours of Aboriginal people living with
      HCV. Future health promotion campaigns targeted at Aboriginal people living with
      HCV could benefit from broadening their focus from prevention to other domains
      such as testing and treatment.

PMID- 27268001
TI  - Could targeting disease specific fear and anxiety improve COPD outcomes?

PMID- 27267999
TI  - An exome-wide analysis of low frequency and rare variants in relation to risk of
      breast cancer in African American Women: the AMBER Consortium.
AB  - A large percentage of breast cancer heritability remains unaccounted for, and
      most of the known susceptibility loci have been established in European and Asian
      populations. Rare variants may contribute to the unexplained heritability of this
      disease, including in women of African ancestry (AA). We conducted an exome-wide
      analysis of rare variants in relation to risk of overall and subtype-specific
      breast cancer in the African American Breast Cancer Epidemiology and Risk (AMBER)
      Consortium, which includes data from four large studies of AA women. Genotyping
      on the Illumina Human Exome Beadchip yielded data for 170 812 SNPs and 8287
      subjects: 3629 cases (1093 estrogen receptor negative (ER-), 1968 ER+, 568 ER
      unknown) and 4658 controls, the largest exome chip study to date for AA breast
      cancer. Pooled gene-based association analyses were performed using the unified
      optimal sequence kernel association test (SKAT-O) for variants with minor allele
      frequency (MAF) <= 5%. In addition, each variant with MAF >0.5% was tested for
      association using logistic regression. There were no significant associations
      with overall breast cancer. However, a novel gene, FBXL22 (P = 8.2*10(-6)), and a
      gene previously identified in GWAS of European ancestry populations, PDE4D (P =
      1.2*10(-6)), were significantly associated with ER- breast cancer after
      correction for multiple testing. Cases with the associated rare variants were
      also negative for progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptors-thus,
      triple-negative cancer. Replication is required to confirm these gene-level
      associations, which are based on very small counts at extremely rare SNPs.

PMID- 27268002
TI  - A link between asthenia, pallor, and jaundice.

PMID- 27268003
TI  - Prenatal, birth and early life predictors of sedentary behavior in young people:
      a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim was to systematically summarize the evidence on whether
      prenatal, birth and early life factors up to 6 years of age predict sedentary
      behavior in young people (<=18 years). METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were followed,
      and searches were conducted in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE and Web of Science up
      to December 1, 2015. We included observational (non-intervention) and
      longitudinal studies, that reported data on the association between one or more
      of the potential predictors and objectively or subjectively measured sedentary
      behavior. Study quality was assessed using a formal checklist and data extraction
      was performed using standardized forms independently by two researchers. RESULTS:
      More than 18,000 articles were screened, and 16 studies, examining 10 different
      predictors, were included. Study quality was variable (0.36-0.95). Two studies
      suggest that heritability and BMI in children aged 2-6 years were significant
      predictors of sedentary behavior later in life, while four and seven studies
      suggest no evidence for an association between gestational age, birth weight and
      sedentary behavior respectively. There was insufficient evidence whether other
      prenatal, birth and early life factors act as predictors of later sedentary
      behavior in young people. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that heritability and
      early childhood BMI may predict sedentary behavior in young people. However,
      small number of studies included and methodological limitations, including
      subjective and poorly validated sedentary behavior assessment, limits the
      conclusions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The systematic review is registered in the
      International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO, 17.10.2014 (
      CRD42014014156 ).

PMID- 27268004
TI  - A cross-sectional study on nutrient intake and -status in inflammatory bowel
      disease patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be associated with
      nutritional problems. The aim of this study was to investigate diet and
      nutritional status of IBD patients. METHODS: A total of 78 participants (35 men
      and 43 women aged 18-74 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. The
      majority (80 %) of the participant received infliximab treatment. Participants
      filled out disease related questionnaires and 31 participants also a 3-day food
      record. Body composition was measured and blood samples analysed in order to
      estimate nutritional status. RESULTS: The majority (87 %) claimed that diet
      affects digestive tract symptoms and 72 % had changed diet accordingly. The most
      common foods restricted were dairy products (60 %), processed meat (55 %), soft
      drinks (46 %), alcohol (45 %) and fast food (44 %). Body mass index was mostly in
      the overweight range but 46 % of the participants had been diagnosed with some
      nutritional deficiency since IBD diagnosis (most common was iron deficiency: 39
      %). Patients who restricted meat products had lower ferritin values (48 +/- 39
      vs. 95 +/- 74 MUg/L, P = 0.011). Intake of vitamin D and calcium were not
      adequate (65 % below recommeded intake for both) and 60 % had poor vitamin D
      status. CONCLUSION: IBD patients often change their dietary intake in order to
      affect digestive tract symptoms. Many patients have a history of nutrient
      deficiency. Restriction of dairy and meat consumption is common and is negatively
      associated with intake or status of micronutrients like calcium and iron. Dietary
      advice by a dietitian and use of potentially helpful dietary supplements is
      indicated.

PMID- 27268005
TI  - Steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT)
      presenting as major depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric disease with
      symptoms of cognitive impairment, stroke-like episodes, seizures, and psychotic
      or affective symptoms associated with autoimmune thyroiditis and excellent
      steroid responsiveness; therefore, it is also called "steroid responsive
      encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis" (SREAT). CASE
      PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 50-year-old woman who developed a first
      onset depressive syndrome with predominant cognitive impairment and inability to
      work. Antidepressive treatment and cognitive behavioral therapy over two years
      were unsuccessful. Neurological examination was unremarkable. Serum analysis
      showed increased thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies. Cerebrospinal
      fluid protein and albumin quotient were increased. Magnetic resonance imaging
      depicted unspecific, supratentorial white matter lesions and frontal accentuated
      brain atrophy. Electroencephalography was normal. Neuropsychological testing for
      attentional performance was below average. High-dose intravenous treatment with
      methylprednisolone over 5 days and oral dose reduction over 3 weeks led to the
      sustained improvement of clinical symptoms. Following discharge from the
      hospital, the patient returned to work, and 6.5 months after the start of
      therapy, no neuropsychological deficit remained. CONCLUSION: This case report
      illustrates that SREAT might present with purely depressive symptoms, thus
      mimicking classical major depression. In such cases, corticosteroid therapy may
      be an effective treatment option.

PMID- 27268006
TI  - Study protocol: realist evaluation of effectiveness and sustainability of a
      community health workers programme in improving maternal and child health in
      Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Achievement of improved maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes
      continues to be an issue of international priority, particularly for sub-Saharan
      African countries such as Nigeria. Evidence suggests that the use of Community
      Health Workers (CHWs) can be effective in broadening access to, and coverage of,
      health services and improving MCH outcomes in such countries. METHODS/DESIGN: In
      this paper, we report the methodology for a 5-year study which aims to evaluate
      the context, processes, outcomes and longer-term sustainability of a Nigerian CHW
      scheme. Evaluation of complex interventions requires a comprehensive
      understanding of intervention context, mechanisms and outcomes. The
      multidisciplinary and mixed-method realist approach will facilitate such
      evaluation. A favourable policy environment within which the study is conducted
      will ensure the successful uptake of results into policy and practice. A realist
      evaluation provides an overall methodological framework for this
      multidisciplinary and mixed methods research, which will be undertaken in Anambra
      state. The study will draw upon health economics, social sciences and statistics.
      The study comprises three steps: (1) initial theory development; (2) theory
      validation and (3) theory refinement and development of lessons learned. Specific
      methods for data collection will include in-depth interviews and focus group
      discussions with purposefully identified key stakeholders (managers, service
      providers and service users), document reviews, analyses of quantitative data
      from the CHW programme and health information system, and a small-scale survey.
      The impact of the programme on key output and outcome indicators will be assessed
      through an interrupted time-series analysis (ITS) of monthly quantitative data
      from health information system and programme reports. Ethics approvals for this
      study were obtained from the University of Leeds and the University of Nigeria.
      DISCUSSION: This study will provide a timely and important contribution to health
      systems strengthening specifically within Anambra state in southeast Nigeria but
      also more widely across Nigeria. This paper should be of interest to researchers
      who are interested in adapting and applying robust methodologies for assessing
      complex health system interventions. The paper will also be useful to
      policymakers and practitioners who are interested in commissioning and engaging
      in such complex evaluations to inform policies and practices.

PMID- 27268008
TI  - Socioeconomic factors and burn. The challenges of poverty and social gradient in
      our tumultuous world.

PMID- 27268007
TI  - Rapid identification of fungi in culture-negative clinical blood and respiratory
      samples by DNA sequence analyses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical diagnoses of fungal infections often rely upon culture
      techniques followed by microscopic examination of positive cultures and
      histopathological specimens. Culturing of microorganisms is prone to false
      negatives, while microscopy methods can be complicated by atypical phenotypes and
      organisms that are morphologically indistinguishable in tissues. Delays in
      diagnoses (or the lack thereof) and inaccurate identification of infectious
      organisms contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in patients. METHODS:
      Two-hundred randomized, heterogeneous patient blood and respiratory samples that
      were culture-negative were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      amplification of internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal RNA genes
      utilizing panfungal primers. Amplicons were sequenced, subjected to sequence
      similarity searches, and compared using phylogenetic analyses. RESULTS: Thirteen
      fungal sequences were detected in three whole-blood samples and nine respiratory
      samples. Bioinformatic analyses were performed which indicated the presence of
      multiple pathogens and potential pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this
      pilot study demonstrate the utility of PCR assays and sequence analyses in
      clinical tests for fungi to facilitate rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatments
      to deal with the false negatives from culture results.

PMID- 27268009
TI  - Steam vaporizers: A danger for paediatric burns.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Steam vaporizers are used to humidify air in dry environments. They
      are marketed to moisten children's airway secretions and thus to help relieve
      symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections. Unfortunately the
      steam emitted from the unit can also pose a significant risk of burns to
      children. Our study aimed to ascertain patterns of injury and treatment outcomes
      from steam burns resulting from these devices. Potential preventative measures
      are discussed. METHODS: Children who had sustained vaporizer scald burns were
      identified at the outpatient burns clinic over a 10-month period (November 2014
      August 2015). Medical records were reviewed retrospectively and data collected on
      pattern of injury, management and outcomes. RESULTS: Ten children were treated
      for vaporizer steam burns over the study period. The mean age was 1.6 years and 8
      (80%) patients were male. Operative intervention was undergone in 5 (50%) cases;
      four acutely and one as a secondary reconstructive procedure. Hand burns
      accounted for 8 (80%) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Steam vaporizers can cause
      significant burns in the paediatric population. Toddlers were most at risk,
      frequently sustaining hand burns that underwent skin grafting. Greater public
      awareness of the danger is indicated and measures to prevent such injuries should
      be addressed by appropriate authorities.

PMID- 27268010
TI  - The burned ear; possibilities and challenges in framework reconstruction and
      coverage.
AB  - Ear reconstruction remains a challenging procedure, especially in burn victims.
      The ear is particularly vulnerable to thermal injury because of its location and
      the thin integument. The thermal injury could subsequently include skin and the
      deeper located auricular cartilage framework. This type of injury could have long
      lasting mutilating effect not only because the ear's morphology is mainly related
      to this framework but also because it will not recover or regenerate once
      injured. Grafts of costal cartilage or synthetic materials might replace missing
      cartilage. However, the poor quality of the adjacent skin and subcutaneous
      tissues makes the reconstruction of a burned ear an even more daunting procedure
      than congenital or many oncologic indications. As such, regeneration of the skin
      will be the next step in reconstruction of the burned ear. There is still much
      development and research to be done, but encouraging results have been shown in
      tissue engineering of skin and cartilage. Furthermore, 3D (bio)printing of
      cartilage to facilitate reproduction of the ear's complex shape certainly has
      potential and might find an interesting role in ear reconstruction. In this
      review, different clinical challenges and options for ear reconstruction in burn
      patients are described. Subsequently, although still far from large scale
      clinical application, state of the art developments in the field of tissue
      engineering and 3D (bio)printing are also discussed.

PMID- 27268011
TI  - Systematic review and meta-analysis of complications and outcomes of obese
      patients with burns.
AB  - Obesity has been described as a factor that contributes to poorer outcomes and
      more severe complications in burned patients. We thus aimed to meta-analyse the
      literature present regarding the extent to which obesity contributes to the
      prevalence of various complications in burns. We searched MEDLINE, Science Direct
      and Web of Science for 363 articles. Eventually, we selected only 7 articles for
      our analysis based on our selection criteria. Data was analysed via Review
      Manager 5.3, using Mantel-Haenszel statistics and random effect models. Length of
      stay and mortality rates were significantly different for obese patients compared
      to non-obese patients at a Mean Difference (MD) of 2.16 (95% CI=0.42-3.87; I2=0;
      p=0.01) and Odds Ratio (OR)=1.97 (95% CI=1.07-3.46; I2=65%; p=0.03) respectively.
      Number of wound infections, number of burn operations and length of ICU stay were
      not found to be statistically different. We postulate that our significant
      findings are due to the proinflammatory state and poorer glycemic control in
      obese patients. As our review was limited by the few articles currently available
      in the literature, it is suggested that more studies of high quality be performed
      to better understand the implications of obesity in burns.

PMID- 27268012
TI  - The Parkland Burn Center experience with 297 cases of child abuse from 1974 to
      2010.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pediatric burns due to abuse are unfortunately relatively common,
      accounting for 5.8-8.8% of all cases of abuse annually. Our goal was to evaluate
      our 36-year experience in the evaluation and management of the victims of abuse
      in the North Texas area. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database containing
      records on all admissions from 1974 through 2010 was queried for all patients
      aged less than 18 years. Patients admitted for management of a non-burn injury
      were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: Of 5,553 pediatric burn admissions, 297
      (5.3%) were due to abuse. Children with non-accidental injuries tended to be
      younger (2.1 vs. 5.0 years, p<0.0001) and male (66.0 vs. 56.5%, p=0.0008). Scald
      was the most common mechanism of injury overall (44.8%), and was also the
      predominant cause of inflicted burns (89.6 vs. 42.3%, p<0.0001). Multivariate
      logistic regression identified age, gender, presence of a scald, contact, or
      chemical burn, and injury to the hands, bilateral feet, buttocks, back, and
      perineum to be significant predictors of abuse. Victims of abuse were also found
      to have worse outcomes, including mortality (5.4 vs. 2.3%, p=0.0005). After
      adjusting for age, mechanism of injury, and burn size, abuse remained a
      significant predictor of mortality (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5-7.2) CONCLUSIONS:
      Clinicians should approach all burn injuries in young children with a high index
      of suspicion, but in particular those with scalds, or injuries to the buttocks,
      perineum, or bilateral feet should provoke suspicion. Burns due to abuse are
      associated with worse outcomes, including length of stay and mortality.

PMID- 27268014
TI  - FO-SPR based dextrose sensor using Ag/ZnO nanorods/GOx for insulinoma detection.
AB  - In this piece of work, a fiber optic sensor has been fabricated and characterized
      using surface plasmon resonance for dextrose sensing. The concentration range
      used in this study is for diagnosing the cases of hypoglycaemia especially in
      suppression tests of insulinoma. Insulinoma is a medical case in which the person
      is recognized being hypoglycaemic with the blood dextrose level falling down to
      2.2mM or less. Thus, the sensor has been characterized for the dextrose
      concentration range of 0 mM-10mM including the cases of normal blood dextrose
      range. Coatings of silver layer and zinc oxide nanorods have been carried out on
      the bare core fiber with a dual role of zinc oxide followed by immobilization of
      glucose oxidase. A three stage optimization procedure has been adopted for the
      best performance of the sensor. Absorbance spectra have been plotted and peak
      absorbance wavelengths have been extracted for each concentration chosen along
      with the sensitivities. The results have been made conclusive with control
      experiments. The probe has also been tested on sample having blood serum to check
      the reliability of the sensor. The sensor shows better selectivity and response
      time along with its real time applications, online monitoring, remote sensing and
      reusability. 

PMID- 27268013
TI  - Enhanced dopamine detection sensitivity by PEDOT/graphene oxide coating on in
      vivo carbon fiber electrodes.
AB  - Dopamine (DA) is a monoamine neurotransmitter responsible for regulating a
      variety of vital life functions. In vivo detection of DA poses a challenge due to
      the low concentration and high speed of physiological signaling. Fast scan cyclic
      voltammetry at carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFEs) is an effective method to
      monitor real-time in vivo DA signaling, however the sensitivity is somewhat
      limited. Electrodeposition of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/graphene
      oxide (GO) onto the CFE surface is shown to increase the sensitivity and lower
      the limit of detection for DA compared to bare CFEs. Thicker PEDOT/GO coatings
      demonstrate higher sensitivities for DA, but display the negative drawback of
      slow adsorption and electron transfer kinetics. The moderate thickness resulting
      from 25 s electrodeposition of PEDOT/GO produces the optimal electrode,
      exhibiting an 880% increase in sensitivity, a 50% decrease in limit of detection
      and minimally altered electrode kinetics. PEDOT/GO coated electrodes rapidly and
      robustly detect DA, both in solution and in the rat dorsal striatum. This
      increase in DA sensitivity is likely due to increasing the electrode surface area
      with a PEDOT/GO coating and improved adsorption of DA's oxidation product (DA-o
      quinone). Increasing DA sensitivity without compromising electrode kinetics is
      expected to significantly improve our understanding of the DA function in vivo.

PMID- 27268015
TI  - Effect of interpregnancy interval on adverse pregnancy outcomes in northern
      Tanzania: a registry-based retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both short and long interpregnancy intervals have been associated
      with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. There is limited
      information about the impact of interpregnancy interval on pregnancy (IPI)
      outcomes in Tanzania. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of IPI
      on adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study
      using maternally-linked data from Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC)
      birth registry. A total of 17,030 singlet births from women who delivered
      singleton infant at KCMC from 2000 to 2010 were studied. Women with multi-fetal
      gestations and those who were referred from rural areas for various medical
      reasons were excluded. Outcome variables were preterm birth, low birth weight
      infants and perinatal death. A multiple logistic regression was used to assess
      the association between IPI and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: The median IPI was
      36 months. Compared with IPIs of 24-36 months (referent group), short
      interpregnancy intervals (<24 months) was associated with preterm delivery (OR 1
      . 52; 95 % CI 1.31-1.74); low birth weight (OR 1 . 61; 95 % CI 1 . 34-1.72) and
      perinatal death, (OR 1 . 63; 95 % CI 1.22-1.91). The IPI of 37-59 months or
      longer were also associated with higher risks of preterm birth and low birth
      weight, but not with perinatal death. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed that both
      short and long IPI are independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
      These finding emphasize the importance of providing support for family planning
      programs which will support optimal IPI and improve pregnancy outcomes.

PMID- 27268016
TI  - Understanding Zika virus pathogenesis: an interview with Catherine Spong.
AB  - A recent outbreak of Zika virus has been linked to fetal abnormalities in
      pregnant women who have been infected. The scientific community is working toward
      understanding Zika virus pathogenesis to better manage affected women and
      children. In an interview with Dr. Catherine Spong, we discuss the aims and
      challenges of a forthcoming longitudinal study of a cohort of pregnant women in
      areas of current active Zika virus transmission. 

PMID- 27268018
TI  - Community-Based Health Education Programs Designed to Improve Clinical Measures
      Are Unlikely to Reduce Short-Term Costs or Utilization Without Additional
      Features Targeting These Outcomes.
AB  - Stakeholders often expect programs for persons with chronic conditions to "bend
      the cost curve." This study assessed whether a diabetes self-management education
      (DSME) program offered as part of a multicomponent initiative could affect
      emergency department (ED) visits, hospital stays, and the associated costs for an
      underserved population in addition to the clinical indicators that DSME programs
      attempt to improve. The program was implemented in Camden, New Jersey, by the
      Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers to address disparities in diabetes care.
      Data used are from medical records and from patient-level information about
      hospital services from Camden's hospitals. Using multivariate regression models
      to control for individual characteristics, changes in utilization over time and
      changes relative to 2 comparison groups were assessed. No reductions in ED
      visits, inpatient stays, or costs for participants were found over time or
      relative to the comparison groups. High utilization rates and costs for diabetes
      are associated with longer term disease progression and its sequelae; thus, DSME
      or peer support may not affect these in the near term. Some clinical indicators
      improved among participants, and these might lead to fewer costly adverse health
      events in the future. DSME deployed at the community level, without explicit
      segmentation and targeting of high health care utilizers or without components
      designed to affect costs and utilization, should not be expected to reduce short
      term medical needs for participating individuals or care-seeking behaviors such
      that utilization is reduced. Stakeholders must include financial outcomes in a
      program's design if those outcomes are to improve.

PMID- 27268017
TI  - c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation has a prognostic implication and is negatively
      associated with FOXO1 activation in gastric cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since the biological function of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in
      gastric cancer remains unclear, we investigated the clinical significance of JNK
      activation and its association with FOXO1 activation. METHODS:
      Immunohistochemical tissue array analysis of 483 human gastric cancer specimens
      was performed, and the results of the immunostaining were quantified. The
      correlation between JNK activation (nuclear staining for pJNK) and
      clinicopathological features, the proliferation index, prognosis or FOXO1
      inactivation (cytoplasmic staining for pFOXO1) was analyzed. The SNU-638 gastric
      cancer cell line was used for in vitro analysis. RESULTS: Nuclear staining of
      pJNK was found in 38 % of the gastric carcinomas and was higher in the early
      stages of pTNM (P < 0.001). pJNK staining negatively correlated with lymphatic
      invasion (P = 0.034) and positively correlated with intestinal type by Lauren's
      classification (P = 0.037), Ki-67-labeling index (P < 0.001), cyclin D1 (P =
      0.045), cyclin E (P < 0.001) and pFOXO1 (P < 0.001). JNK activation correlated
      with a longer patients survival (P =0.008) and patients with a JNK-active and
      FOXO1-inactive tumor had a higher survival rate than the remainder of the
      population (P = 0.004). In vitro analysis showed that JNK inhibition by SP600125
      in SNU-638 cells decreased cyclin D1 protein expression and increased FOXO1
      activation. Further, JNK inhibition markedly suppressed colony formation, which
      was partially restored by FOXO1 shRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      indicate that JNK activation may serve as a valuable prognostic factor in gastric
      cancer, and that it is implicated in gastric tumorigenesis, at least in part,
      through FOXO1 inhibition.

PMID- 27268019
TI  - Alloyed Crystalline Au-Ag Hollow Nanostructures with High Chemical Stability and
      Catalytic Performance.
AB  - For bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs), the degree of alloying is beginning to be
      recognized as a significant factor affecting the NP properties. Here, we report
      an alloyed crystalline Au-Ag hollow nanostructure that exhibits a high catalytic
      performance, as well as structural and chemical stability. The Au-Ag alloyed
      hollow and porous nanoshell structures (HPNSs) with different morphologies and
      subnanoscale crystalline structures were synthesized by adjusting the size of the
      sacrificial Ag NPs via a galvanic replacement reaction. The catalytic activities
      of the nanomaterials were evaluated by the model reaction of the catalytic
      reduction of p-nitrophenol by NaBH4 to p-aminophenol. The experimental results
      show that the subnanoscale crystalline structure of the Au-Ag bimetallic HPNSs
      has much greater significance than the apparent morphology does in determining
      the catalytic ability of the nanostructures. The Au-Ag alloyed HPNSs with better
      surface crystalline alloying microstructures and open morphologies were found to
      exhibit much higher catalytic reaction rates and better cyclic usage
      efficiencies, probably because of the better dispersion of active Au atoms within
      these materials. These galvanic replacement-synthesized alloyed Au-Ag HPNSs,
      fabricated by a facile method that avoids Ag degradation, have potential
      applications in catalysis, nanomedicine (especially in drug/gene delivery and
      cancer theranostics), and biosensing. 

PMID- 27268021
TI  - Operational research as implementation science: definitions, challenges and
      research priorities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Operational research (OR) is the discipline of using models, either
      quantitative or qualitative, to aid decision-making in complex implementation
      problems. The methods of OR have been used in healthcare since the 1950s in
      diverse areas such as emergency medicine and the interface between acute and
      community care; hospital performance; scheduling and management of patient home
      visits; scheduling of patient appointments; and many other complex implementation
      problems of an operational or logistical nature. DISCUSSION: To date, there has
      been limited debate about the role that operational research should take within
      implementation science. I detail three such roles for OR all grounded in upfront
      system thinking: structuring implementation problems, prospective evaluation of
      improvement interventions, and strategic reconfiguration. Case studies from
      mental health, emergency medicine, and stroke care are used to illustrate each
      role. I then describe the challenges for applied OR within implementation science
      at the organisational, interventional, and disciplinary levels. Two key
      challenges include the difficulty faced in achieving a position of mutual
      understanding between implementation scientists and research users and a stark
      lack of evaluation of OR interventions. To address these challenges, I propose a
      research agenda to evaluate applied OR through the lens of implementation
      science, the liberation of OR from the specialist research and consultancy
      environment, and co-design of models with service users. Operational research is
      a mature discipline that has developed a significant volume of methodology to
      improve health services. OR offers implementation scientists the opportunity to
      do more upfront system thinking before committing resources or taking risks. OR
      has three roles within implementation science: structuring an implementation
      problem, prospective evaluation of implementation problems, and a tool for
      strategic reconfiguration of health services. Challenges facing OR as
      implementation science include limited evidence and evaluation of impact, limited
      service user involvement, a lack of managerial awareness, effective communication
      between research users and OR modellers, and availability of healthcare data. To
      progress the science, a focus is needed in three key areas: evaluation of OR
      interventions, embedding the knowledge of OR in health services, and educating OR
      modellers about the aims and benefits of service user involvement.

PMID- 27268022
TI  - [Validity of anthropometric measurements and weight perceptions reported by
      relatives of children under 4 years old].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of weight and height measurements reported by
      parents and the perception of their children's weight status in order to assess
      the prevalence of overweight children under 4 years old. METHODS: Cross-sectional
      study. Anthropometric data was collected by self-report questionnaires completed
      by parents of children 3-45 months old: 1) information from paediatric check-ups
      (gold standard); 2) information reported from the home environment; and 3) data
      from individual perceptions. WHO standards were used. RESULTS: Reported height
      was underestimated, thus reported weight/height and BMI/age were overestimated.
      Overweight prevalence according to paediatric check-ups was 18.6%, compared to
      26.5% reported prevalence, showing a moderate concordance (Kappa: 0.47 [0.34
      0.60]), 70% sensitivity and 84% specificity. Subjective perception was 11.2%,
      representing 30% sensitivity and 93% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The reported
      information has little validity for population-based studies, as height is
      underestimated and overweight status is not correctly perceived due to distortion
      of individual perception. Questionnaires must be validated and awareness raised
      among families.

PMID- 27268023
TI  - Social security status and mortality in Belgian and Spanish male workers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in mortality rates between social security
      statuses in two independent samples of Belgian and Spanish male workers. METHODS:
      Study of two retrospective cohorts (Belgium, n=23,607; Spain, n=44,385) of 50-60
      year old male employees with 4 years of follow-up. Mortality rate ratios (MRR)
      were estimated using Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Mortality for subjects
      with permanent disability was higher than for the employed, for both Belgium
      [MRR=4.56 (95% CI: 2.88-7.21)] and Spain [MRR=7.15 (95% CI: 5.37-9.51)]. For the
      unemployed/early retirees, mortality was higher in Spain [MRR=1.64 (95% CI: 1.24
      2.17)] than in Belgium [MRR=0.88 (95% CI: 0.46-1.71)]. CONCLUSION: MRR
      differences between Belgium and Spain for unemployed workers could be partly
      explained because of differences between the two social security systems. Future
      studies should further explore mortality differences between countries with
      different social security systems.

PMID- 27268024
TI  - Do low-risk nulliparous women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler in the third
      trimester have poorer perinatal outcomes? A longitudinal prospective study on
      uterine artery Doppler in low-risk nulliparous women and correlation with
      pregnancy outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate uterine artery (UtA) Doppler over the course of pregnancy
      in low-risk nulliparous women and to analyze whether an abnormal uterine artery
      pulsatility index (UtA-PI) at a 32-34 week' scan implies poorer perinatal
      outcomes. METHODS: An observational prospective study was carried out including
      616 low-risk nulliparous women. Women with any of the following were excluded:
      fetal abnormalities, multiple pregnancy, and heparin, metformin or hypotensive
      treatment. Maternal characteristics, mean arterial pressure measurements and UtA
      Doppler findings were recorded longitudinally. RESULTS: Complete pregnancy data
      were available for 489/616 women (79.3%). Of these, 385 women had a normal UtA-PI
      throughout pregnancy (Group 0), while 50 (10.1%) had an UtA-PI > 95th percentile
      in the first or the second trimester that normalized in the third trimester
      (Group 1), and 56 (11.4%) had an abnormal UtA-PI in the third trimester (Group
      2). We found that the rate of pre-eclampsia (PE) was higher in Group 2 (7/56
      versus 4/435, p = 0.003) as was the rate of intrauterine growth restriction
      (IUGR) (6/56 versus 14/435, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Low-risk nulliparous women
      with abnormal UtA Doppler findings in the third trimester are at a higher risk of
      developing PE and having a baby with IUGR.

PMID- 27268026
TI  - Re: Moxifloxacin should not be discounted in the treatment of bacterial
      meningitis.

PMID- 27268027
TI  - Vaccination with endosomal unknown epitopes produces therapeutic response in
      rheumatoid arthritis patients and modulates adjuvant arthritis of rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our previous results showed that intrasynovial Rifamycin SV caused
      the lysis of synoviocites and freed the autoantigens which in turn stimulated the
      immunoregulatory rather than autoreactive T cell response in rheumatoid patients.
      Here, we hypothesize that disruption in vitro of peripheral blood mononuclear
      cells, by freeze/thawing or by lytic action of Rifamycin SV, would induce the
      release of endosomal pathogenic autoantigens from APCs present in the
      circulation, which could then be isolated from degrading enzymes by
      ultrafiltration. METHODS: The preparation of the ultrafiltrates are based on the
      rupture of PBMCs (5 * 10(6) cells/mL) by the addition of Rifamycin SV in culture
      (250 MUg/mL), which causes the lysis of 90 % of the cells in 3 h, or by three
      cycles of freeze/thawing of the PBMC, from -80  degrees C to room temperature.
      The lysate and the fragmented cells were then centrifuged and ultrafiltered by
      passage through a filtration device with a cut-off of 10 kDa. Also the synovial
      fluid was subjected to ultrafiltration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: At clinical
      monitoring of the 30th day, 22/58 (38 %) patients subcutaneously treated with the
      autologous ultrafiltrate prepared by the freeze/thawing of PBMCs reached an
      ACR20. Comparable results were obtained with the other two ultrafiltrates. Cell
      cultures The addition of ultrafiltrates to rheumatoid PBMCs cultures led to the
      upregulation of a marker for T-regulatory cells, and downregulation of a cell
      proliferation marker; changes that together have the meaning of a global
      immunomodulatory response and that only a specific antigen (ultrafiltrate UF-f/t)
      might induce in the rheumatoid patient, probably by activating pre-existing
      protective network. Experimental arthritis All the ultrafiltrates except that
      prepared by Rifamycin SV were able to modulate the adjuvant arthritis in rats. In
      particular, longlasting synovial fluid induced a significant reduction of the
      severity of subsequent arthritis (p < 0.01) while SF from recent RA effusion (5
      10 days after a previous complete extraction) and knee osteoarthrosis were
      ineffective. It is reasonable to assume there are at least two unknown endosomal
      immunoactive epitopes; one developing its immunotherapeutic property in RA, and
      the other, related to the molecule of HSP60, reduces the severity of oncoming
      arthritis. Both epitopes are present in humans, have a molecular weight of <=10
      kDa and do not appear to be bystander antigens. Please see Additional file 1 for
      the abstract in Italian.

PMID- 27268028
TI  - Combinatorial Pairwise Assembly Efficiently Generates High Affinity Binders and
      Enables a "Mix-and-Read" Detection Scheme.
AB  - We show that a combinatorial library constructed by random pairwise assembly of
      low affinity binders can efficiently generate binders with increased affinity.
      Such a library based on the Sso7d scaffold, from a pool of low affinity binders
      subjected to random mutagenesis, contained putative high affinity clones for a
      model target (lysozyme) at higher frequency than a library of monovalent mutants
      generated by random mutagenesis alone. Increased binding affinity was due to
      intramolecular avidity generated by linking binders targeting nonoverlapping
      epitopes; individual binders of KD ~ 1.3 MUM and 250 nM produced a bivalent
      binder with apparent KD ~ 2 nM. Furthermore, the bivalent protein retained
      thermal stability (TM = 84.5  degrees C) and high recombinant expression yields
      in E. coli. Finally, when binders comprising the bivalent protein are fused to
      two of the three fragments of tripartite split-green fluorescent protein (GFP),
      target-dependent reconstitution of fluorescence occurs, thereby enabling a "mix
      and-read" assay for target quantification.

PMID- 27268029
TI  - Adverse effects and tolerability of beta blockers.

PMID- 27268025
TI  - Potential neuroprotective properties of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
AB  - Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's
      disease (PD) enforce an overwhelming social and economic burden on society. They
      are primarily characterized through the accumulation of modified proteins, which
      further trigger biological responses such as inflammation, oxidative stress,
      excitotoxicity and modulation of signalling pathways. In a hope for cure, these
      diseases have been studied extensively over the last decade to successfully
      develop symptom-oriented therapies. However, so far no definite cure has been
      found. Therefore, there is a need to identify a class of drug capable of
      reversing neural damage and preventing further neural death. This review
      therefore assesses the reliability of the neuroprotective benefits of
      epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) by shedding light on their biological,
      pharmacological, antioxidant and metal chelation properties, with emphasis on
      their ability to invoke a range of cellular mechanisms in the brain. It also
      discusses the possible use of nanotechnology to enhance the neuroprotective
      benefits of EGCG.

PMID- 27268030
TI  - Health Disparities Research Among Small Tribal Populations: Describing
      Appropriate Criteria for Aggregating Tribal Health Data.
AB  - In response to community concerns, we used the Tribal Participatory Research
      framework in collaboration with 5 American-Indian communities in Washington,
      Idaho, and Montana to identify the appropriate criteria for aggregating health
      data on small tribes. Across tribal sites, 10 key informant interviews and 10
      focus groups (n = 39) were conducted between July 2012 and April 2013. Using
      thematic analysis of focus group content, we identified 5 guiding criteria for
      aggregating tribal health data: geographic proximity, community type,
      environmental exposures, access to resources and services, and economic
      development. Preliminary findings were presented to focus group participants for
      validation at each site, and a culminating workshop with representatives from all
      5 tribes verified our final results. Using this approach requires critical
      assessment of research questions and study designs by investigators and tribal
      leaders to determine when aggregation or stratification is appropriate and how to
      group data to yield robust results relevant to local concerns. At project
      inception, tribal leaders should be consulted regarding the validity of proposed
      groupings. After regular project updates, they should be consulted again to
      confirm that findings are appropriately contextualized for dissemination.

PMID- 27268031
TI  - Androgen Deprivation Therapy and the Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in
      Patients With Prostate Cancer.
AB  - Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay treatment for advanced
      prostate cancer. By lowering androgen levels, ADT inhibits the progression of
      prostate cancer, but it may also affect gut autoimmunity. We investigated the
      association between ADT and the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease using a
      cohort of 31,842 men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1988 and 2014,
      identified in the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Exposure to
      ADT was treated as a time-varying variable and lagged by 1 year to account for
      diagnostic delays, with nonuse as the reference category. During 133,018 person
      years of follow-up, 48 men were newly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis
      (incidence rate (IR) = 36/100,000 person-years (PY)) and 12 were diagnosed with
      Crohn's disease (IR = 9/100,000 PY). In Cox proportional hazards models, ADT was
      associated with a decreased risk of ulcerative colitis (IR = 24/100,000 PY vs. IR
      = 50/100,000 PY; hazard ratio = 0.52, 95% confidence interval: 0.28, 0.99) and a
      nonsignificant decreased risk of Crohn's disease (hazard ratio = 0.38, 95%
      confidence interval: 0.11, 1.37). These findings indicate that the use of ADT may
      be associated with intestinal autoimmunity. Further research is warranted to
      replicate these findings and assess their clinical significance.

PMID- 27268032
TI  - Associations Between Maternal Pregravid Obesity and Gestational Diabetes and the
      Timing of Pubarche in Daughters.
AB  - We investigated whether in utero exposure to maternal pregravid obesity and/or
      gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was associated with early puberty in girls.
      We used data from a longitudinal study of 421 mother-daughter pairs enrolled in
      an integrated health services organization, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
      (2005-2012). Girls aged 6-8 years were followed annually through ages 12-14
      years. Onset of puberty was assessed using study clinic-based Tanner staging. We
      examined associations of self-reported pregravid obesity and maternal GDM with
      timing of the daughter's transition to pubertal maturation stage 2 or above for
      development of breasts and pubic hair, using accelerated failure time regression
      models with interval censoring to estimate time ratios and hazard ratios and
      corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Maternal obesity (pregravid body mass
      index (BMI; weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) >=30) was associated with a daughter's
      earlier transition to breast and pubic hair stage 2+ in comparison with girls
      whose mothers had pregravid BMI <25. These associations were attenuated and not
      statistically significant after adjustment for covariates. Girls whose mothers
      had both pregravid BMI >=25 and GDM were at higher risk of an earlier transition
      to pubic hair stage 2+ than those whose mothers had neither condition (adjusted
      time ratio = 0.89, 95% confidence interval: 0.83, 0.96; hazard ratio = 2.97, 95%
      confidence interval: 1.52, 5.83). These findings suggest that exposure to
      maternal obesity and hyperglycemia places girls at higher risk of earlier
      pubarche. 

PMID- 27268033
TI  - Hybrid Antifouling and Antimicrobial Coatings Prepared by Electroless Co
      Deposition of Fluoropolymer and Cationic Silica Nanoparticles on Stainless Steel:
      Efficacy against Listeria monocytogenes.
AB  - Controlling formation, establishment, and proliferation of microbial biofilms on
      surfaces is critical for ensuring public safety. Herein, we report on the
      synthesis of antimicrobial nanoparticles and their co-deposition along with
      fluorinated nanoparticles during electroless nickel plating of stainless steel.
      Plating bath composition is optimized to ensure sufficiently low surface energy
      to resist fouling and microbial adhesion as well as to exert significant (>99.99%
      reduction) antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes. The resulting
      coatings present hybrid antifouling and antimicrobial character, can be applied
      onto stainless steel, and do not rely on leaching or migration of the
      antimicrobial nanoparticles to be effective. Such coatings can support reducing
      public health issues related to microbial cross-contamination in areas such as
      food processing, hospitals, and water purification. 

PMID- 27268034
TI  - Time course decomposition of cell heterogeneity in TFEB signaling states reveals
      homeostatic mechanisms restricting the magnitude and duration of TFEB responses
      to mTOR activity modulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: TFEB (transcription factor EB) regulates metabolic homeostasis
      through its activation of lysosomal biogenesis following its nuclear
      translocation. TFEB activity is inhibited by mTOR phosphorylation, which signals
      its cytoplasmic retention. To date, the temporal relationship between alterations
      to mTOR activity states and changes in TFEB subcellular localization and
      concentration has not been sufficiently addressed. METHODS: mTOR was activated by
      renewed addition of fully-supplemented medium, or inhibited by Torin1 or nutrient
      deprivation. Single-cell TFEB protein levels and subcellular localization in HeLa
      and MCF7 cells were measured over a time course of 15 hours by multispectral
      imaging cytometry. To extract single-cell level information on heterogeneous TFEB
      activity phenotypes, we developed a framework for identification of TFEB activity
      subpopulations. Through unsupervised clustering, cells were classified according
      to their TFEB nuclear concentration, which corresponded with downstream lysosomal
      responses. RESULTS: Bulk population results revealed that mTOR negatively
      regulates TFEB protein levels, concomitantly to the regulation of TFEB
      localization. Subpopulation analysis revealed maximal sensitivity of HeLa cells
      to mTOR activity stimulation, leading to inactivation of 100 % of the cell
      population within 0.5 hours, which contrasted with a lower sensitivity in MCF7
      cells. Conversely, mTOR inhibition increased the fully active subpopulation only
      fractionally, and full activation of 100 % of the population required co
      inhibition of mTOR and the proteasome. Importantly, mTOR inhibition activated
      TFEB for a limited duration of 1.5 hours, and thereafter the cell population was
      progressively re-inactivated, with distinct kinetics for Torin1 and nutrient
      deprivation treatments. CONCLUSION: TFEB protein levels and subcellular
      localization are under control of a short-term rheostat, which is highly
      responsive to negative regulation by mTOR, but under conditions of mTOR
      inhibition, restricts TFEB activation in a manner dependent on the proteasome. We
      further identify a long-term, mTOR-independent homeostatic control negatively
      regulating TFEB upon prolonged mTOR inhibition. These findings are of relevance
      for developing strategies to target TFEB activity in disease treatment. Moreover,
      our quantitative approach to decipher phenotype heterogeneity in imaging datasets
      is of general interest, as shifts between subpopulations provide a quantitative
      description of single cell behaviour, indicating novel regulatory behaviors and
      revealing differences between cell types.

PMID- 27268035
TI  - VEGF receptor signal transduction - A brief update.
AB  - Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signal transduction through receptor
      tyrosine kinases VEGF receptor-1, -2 and -3 is of crucial importance for
      monocytes/macrophages, blood vascular endothelial and lymphatic endothelial cells
      both in physiology and in a number of pathologies notably cancer. This brief
      review summarizes the current status of VEGF receptor signaling with emphasis on
      in vivo data.

PMID- 27268036
TI  - Discovering cardiac pericyte biology: From physiopathological mechanisms to
      potential therapeutic applications in ischemic heart disease.
AB  - Microvascular pericytes and the more recently discovered adventitial pericyte
      like progenitor cells are a subpopulation of vascular stem cells closely
      associated with small and large blood vessels respectively. These populations of
      perivascular cells are remarkably abundant in the heart. Pericytes control
      important physiological processes such as angiogenesis, blood flow and vascular
      permeability. In the heart, this pleiotropic activity makes pericytes extremely
      interesting for applications in regenerative medicine. On the other hand,
      dysfunction of pericytes could participate in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular
      disease, such as arterial hypertension, fibro-calcific cardiovascular remodeling,
      myocardial edema and post-ischemic coronary no-reflow. On a therapeutic
      standpoint, preclinical studies in small animal models of myocardial infarction
      have demonstrated the healing potential of pericytes transplantation, which has
      been ascribed to direct vascular incorporation and paracrine pro-angiogenic and
      anti-apoptotic activities. These promising findings open the door to the clinical
      use of pericytes for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 27268037
TI  - Clinical heterogeneity of PLA2G6-related Parkinsonism: analysis of two Saudi
      families.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recessive mutations in PLA2G6 have been associated with different
      neurodegenerative disorders, including infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy,
      neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation and more recently, early-onset
      dystonia parkinsonism. METHOD: Targeted-next generation sequencing using a custom
      Neurology panel, containing 758 OMIM-listed genes implicated in neurological
      disorders, was carried out in two index cases from two different Saudi families
      displaying early-onset levodopa-responsive Parkinsonism with pyramidal signs and
      additional clinical features. The detected mutations were verified in the index
      cases and available family members by direct sequencing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:
      We identified a previously described PLA2G6 homozygous p.R741Q mutation in three
      affected and two asymptomatic individuals from two Saudi families. Our finding
      reinforces the notion of the broadness of the clinical spectrum of PLA2G6-related
      neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27268038
TI  - The negative priming effect in cognitive conflict processing.
AB  - The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate the
      specific physiological mechanisms underlying the negative nature of cognitive
      conflict and its influence on affective word evaluations. The present study used
      an affective priming paradigm where Stroop stimuli were presented for 200ms after
      which affective target words had to be evaluated as being positive or negative.
      Behavioral results showed that reaction times (RTs) were shorter for positive
      targets following congruent primes relative to incongruent primes, and for
      negative targets following incongruent primes relative to congruent primes. The
      ERP results showed that the N2 amplitude (200-300ms) for incongruent stimuli was
      significantly larger than for congruent stimuli in the Stroop task, which
      indicated a significant conflict effect. Moreover, the N400 amplitude (300-500ms)
      was smaller for negative words following incongruent primes relative to congruent
      primes, and for positive words following congruent primes relative to incongruent
      primes. The results demonstrated that cognitive conflict modulated both
      behavioral and electrophysiological correlates of subsequent emotional
      processing, consistent with its hypothesized registration as an aversive signal.

PMID- 27268039
TI  - Single session intermittent theta-burst stimulation on the left premotor cortex
      does not alleviate freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency of intermittent theta-burst stimulation
      (iTBS) to alleviate the symptoms of freezing of gait (FoG) in Parkinson's disease
      (PD). METHODS: We performed a cross-over, sham-controlled study of patients with
      severe PD, bilateral motor signs and debilitating, severe FoG, that was levodopa
      sensitive but not controlled by optimal dopatherapy. We applied iTBS to the left
      premotor cortex and measured FoG, gait initiation and continuous gait, before and
      immediately after the iTBS session. All patients received sham and true iTBS with
      a one-week interval and in randomized order. RESULTS: 15 patients were included
      in the study. Recordings were performed under usual medication and all patients
      always showed unresponsive freezing. The pre- and post-stimulation gait
      trajectories did not differ in terms of the mean trajectory completion time or
      the percent time with FoG. The percent time with FoG was 6% greater after sham
      stimulation and 3% lower after iTBS (p>0.05). Visual cueing modified gait
      initiation and continuous gait but these latter were not influenced by rTMS.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides Class I evidence that iTBS of the left
      premotor cortex does not alleviate FoG in PD.

PMID- 27268040
TI  - The neural mechanism of biomechanical constraints in the hand laterality judgment
      task: A near-infrared spectroscopy study.
AB  - The mental rotation (MR) task is defined as a discrimination task between mirror
      reversed images involving discrepancy in angular orientation. Various studies
      have shown that the MR task likely causes mental imagery, that is, visual and/or
      motor imagery, depending on stimulus types. When figures of rotated hands are
      presented to be identified as a left or right hand, reaction times (RTs) usually
      show an effect of biomechanical constraints (BC): a hand in a position difficult
      to reach with a real movement results in longer RTs. The BC effect as a marker of
      motor imagery has been investigated by brain function measures (fMRI, PET, EEG
      and MEG) as well as by RTs. Unlike other neuroimaging techniques, NIRS (near
      infrared spectroscopy) imposes few physical constraints on participants and is
      relatively unaffected by motion artifact, which permits serial assessments of
      tasks in relaxed and natural environment. Focusing on these advantages, a NIRS
      study on motor imagery in HLJ was carried out in which we measured the brain
      activation during the HLJ task and a single character judgment task. In the HLJ
      task, both the RTs and the activity of the left superior parietal lobe (SPL)
      showed an interaction between Hand (left, right) and Orientation (135 degrees ,
      225 degrees ) i.e., the BC effect, but not in the character judgment task. More
      specifically, in the analysis of BC-related activity of SPL, although the
      Hand*Orientation interaction was significant, the left SPL for the left hand
      significantly increased from 135 degrees  to 225 degrees , but the reversed
      increase (from 225 degrees  to 135 degrees ) was not found for the right hand.
      These results suggest that left SPL is involved in the BC effect and NIRS
      differentiates left hand awkwardness of right-hander in the HLJ task.

PMID- 27268041
TI  - In-vivo comparison of the neurotoxic potencies of incobotulinumtoxinA,
      onabotulinumtoxinA, and abobotulinumtoxinA.
AB  - Three botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) products, incobotulinumtoxinA,
      onabotulinumtoxinA, and abobotulinumtoxinA, all manufactured by different
      methods, are employed in clinical practice. Comparing the three BoNT/A products
      is difficult because their concentrations and volumes differ and the precise dose
      equivalence ratio is not known. We aimed to compare the neurotoxic potencies by a
      systematic analysis of injected volume and dose. The potency of BoNT in inducing
      hind limb paresis was assessed by analyzing the wheel-running performance of
      mice. To standardize the volume, the effect of an identical dose of
      incobotulinumtoxinA dissolved in different volumes of saline (15, 10, 5, and
      2MUl) was studied in four groups of mice (n=13-15). The potencies of the BoNT
      products were then compared by injecting identical volumes (10MUl) containing
      different doses into both hind leg muscles. Mice injected with
      incobotulinumtoxinA showed a volume-dependent reduction in wheel-running, with
      larger volumes inducing more intense paresis. A standardized volume containing
      the same number of mouse units of the BoNT/A products produced different degrees
      of paresis. The conversion ratio of incobotulinumtoxinA and onabotulinumtoxinA is
      estimated to be between 1:0.75 and 1:0.5. OnabotulinumtoxinA displayed a two-fold
      greater potency than abobotulinumtoxinA. Doses of onabotulinumtoxinA and
      abobotulinumtoxinA that produce an identical severity of pareses even result in
      the same duration of pareses. This wheel-running assay allows one to compare the
      neurotoxic potency of different volumes and doses of the BoNT products in vivo.
      Our results argue against common clinical practice because incobotulinumtoxinA
      and onabotulinumtoxinA are not readily interchangeable and a two-fold dose of
      abobotulinumtoxinA is needed to induce an effect identical to onabotulinumtoxinA.
      In addition, this emphasizes that the duration of BoNT-induced effect is the same
      as long as equipotent doses of BoNT are injected.

PMID- 27268042
TI  - Effects of simulated microgravity on human brain nervous tissue.
AB  - During spaceflight, the negative effects of space microgravity on astronauts are
      becoming more and more prominent, and especially, of which on the nervous system
      is urgently to be solved. For this purpose tissue blocks and primary cells of
      nervous tissues obtained from glioma of patients were cultivated after culturing
      for about 7days, explanted tissues and cells were then randomly divided into two
      groups, one for static culture (control group, C), and the other for rotary
      processing for 1day, 3days, 5days, 7days and 14days (experiment group, E).
      Figures captured by inverted microscope revealed that, with short time rotating
      for 1day or 3days, morphology changes of tissue blocks were not obvious. When the
      rotary time was extended to 7days or 14days, it was found that cell somas is
      significantly larger and the ability of adhesion is declined in comparison with
      that in control group. Additionally, the arrangement of cells migrated from
      explanted tissues was disorganized, and the migration distance became shorter. In
      immunofluorescence analysis, beta-tubulin filaments in control group appeared to
      organize into bundles. While in experiment group, beta-tubulin was highly
      disorganized. In conclusion, simulated microgravity treatment for a week affected
      the morphology of nervous tissue, and caused highly disorganized distribution of
      cytoskeleton and the increase of cell apoptosis. These morphological changes
      might be one of the causes of apoptosis induced by simulated microgravity.

PMID- 27268044
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 27268045
TI  - Corrigendum to "Characterization of recombinant human diamine oxidase (rhDAO)
      produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells" [J. Biotechnol. 227 (2016) 120
      130].

PMID- 27268046
TI  - Obesity and weight gain among former World Trade Center workers and volunteers.
AB  - A high prevalence of obesity has been observed among former World Trade Center
      (WTC) workers and volunteers. We hypothesized that unemployment and disability
      status would predict obesity. We surveyed 220 participants at the [INST] Mount
      Sinai WTC Clinical Center to assess their obesity and current employment and
      disability status, WTC occupational exposure level, medical comorbidities, and
      dietary and exercise habits. Bivariate and logistic regression multivariate
      analyses were used to explore associated risk factors. Obesity was associated
      with active employment status. Other significant covariates included non-Latino
      African American race, having a high number of comorbid chronic diseases, low
      exercise frequency, and not drinking any glass of juice daily. The association of
      obesity with active employment suggests that interventions that favor healthy
      habits among actively employed individuals are warranted.

PMID- 27268047
TI  - Adrenal Histologic Stress-Related Changes in Third Trimester Stillbirth:
      Frequency and Clinical-Pathologic Correlations in a Predominantly African
      American Population.
AB  - Adrenal histologic changes, including compact cell change (CCC), cystic change
      (CYC), and adrenal hemorrhage (AH), and their clinical correlations have only
      infrequently been investigated in stillbirth. We evaluated 75 3rd trimester
      singleton stillborns with complete autopsies (30 term; 45 preterm). 58 had
      unexplained stillbirth, and 17 had clinical placental abruption. The mothers were
      predominantly African-American (89%). CCC and CYC were diagnosed as cytoplasmic
      eosinophilia and cystic cavities in the definitive cortex, respectively. Adrenal
      changes were correlated with acute thymic involution (ATI), thymic petechiae, and
      clinical features, including abruption. CCC, CYC, and AH were present in 58
      (77%), 51 (68%), and 15 (20%) of the 75 stillborns, respectively. CCC and CYC
      were frequently seen together (p<0.001). CCC and CYC were associated with higher
      ATI grade (p<0.001 and p=0.010, respectively). The presence of CCC, but not CYC
      was associated with absence of thymic petechiae (p=0.013) and was more frequent
      with unexplained stillbirth compared to abruption (p=0.017). AH was associated
      with lower ATI grade (p=0.002), with thymic petechiae (p<0.001), and with
      abruption (p=0.004). CYC was associated with diabetes (p=0.015). Overall, CCC and
      CYC were frequent findings and correlated with higher ATI grade, suggesting
      similar causes and time frames. CCC, but not CYC, correlated with unexplained
      stillbirth compared to abruption, but its high frequency in both groups limits
      its usefulness in their separation. AH was more frequent in the abruption group
      and correlated with lower ATI grade and thymic petechiae, supporting an
      association with sudden asphyxial death.

PMID- 27268049
TI  - What is the evidence for stress resistance and slowed aging?
AB  - Stress resistance is thought to contribute to slowed-aging, although cause and
      effect between the two is controversial. On October 30, 2015 researchers gathered
      at the Front Range Consortium on Stress Resistance and Slowed Aging in Fort
      Collins, CO, to discuss what the current evidence is that stress resistance
      imparts slowed aging. Included in that discussion was defining stress resistance,
      distinguishing if there are key stresses to which resistance imparts slowed
      aging, what models aid in our understanding of stress resistance and aging, and
      how to translate that knowledge into slowed aging treatment. The following
      article is a brief summary of that discussion and recommendations for moving
      forward.

PMID- 27268048
TI  - Use of the sit-to-stand task to evaluate motor function of older adults using
      telemetry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical exercises are widely used in community programs, but not all
      older adults are willing to participate. Information and communication technology
      may solve this problem by allowing older people to participate in fitness
      programs at home. Use of remote instruction will facilitate physical exercise
      classes without requiring that participants gather at one place. The aim of this
      study was to examine use of a sit-to-stand task in evaluating motor function
      using conventional video communication in a telemetry system to enable real-time
      monitoring, and evaluation in physical performance of older adults at home.
      METHODS: The participants were 59 older individuals and 81 university students.
      Three physical exercise batteries were used: arm curl, figure-of-eight walk test,
      and functional reach. The knee extension maximum angular velocity (KEMAV) and the
      iliac elevation maximum velocity (IEMV) during standing up from a chair and the
      heel rise frequency were used in the motion-capture measurements. The results
      were assessed using multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) for the young
      and older groups. RESULTS: Young participants consistently performed better than
      their older counterparts on all items. Analyses with multi-group SEM based on
      correlations between items yielded a good model-fit for the data. Among all path
      diagrams for IEMV and KEMAV in the older and young groups, paths from muscular
      strength to skillfulness showed significant effects. The path from the IEMV to
      muscular strength was also significant in the older group. CONCLUSIONS: Multi
      group SEM suggested that video-based measurements of IEMV during sit-to-stand
      motion can estimate muscular strength, which suggests that remote monitoring of
      physical performance can support wellness of community-dwelling older adults.

PMID- 27268050
TI  - Meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy of neutrophil CD64 for neonatal sepsis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the diagnostic
      performance of nCD64 for neonatal sepsis. METHODS: Computer retrieval was
      conducted for the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Springer databases up to March
      18, 2015 to select the relevant studies on nCD64 and neonatal sepsis.
      Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood
      ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for
      diagnostic efficiency of nCD64 were pooled. In addition, the summary receiver
      operating characteristic (SROC) curve was also conducted based on the sensitivity
      and specificity. RESULTS: Seventeen studies including 3478 participants were
      included in this meta-analysis. The overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR,
      NLR and DOR were 0.77 (95 % CI: 0.74-0.79), 0.74 (95 % CI: 0.72-0.75), 3.58 (95 %
      CI: 2.85-4.49), 0.29 (95 % CI: 0.22-0.37) and 15.18 (95 % CI: 9.75-23.62),
      respectively. In addition, the area under the SROC curve (AUC) was 0.8666, and no
      threshold effect was found based on the Spearman correlation analysis (P =
      0.616). Besides, subgroup analysis showed higher sensitivity, specificity and AUC
      in term infants and proven infection group than those in preterm infants and
      clinical infection group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The n CD64 expression alone
      is not a satisfactory marker for diagnosing neonatal sepsis with relatively low
      sensitivity, specificity, PLR and NLR, in spite of relatively high SROC area.
      Therefore, the n CD64 expression used in diagnosis of neonatal sepsis should be
      treated with caution.

PMID- 27268051
TI  - Mapping Sites of O-Glycosylation and Fringe Elongation on Drosophila Notch.
AB  - Glycosylation of the Notch receptor is essential for its activity and serves as
      an important modulator of signaling. Three major forms of O-glycosylation are
      predicted to occur at consensus sites within the epidermal growth factor-like
      repeats in the extracellular domain of the receptor: O-fucosylation, O
      glucosylation, and O-GlcNAcylation. We have performed comprehensive mass spectral
      analyses of these three types of O-glycosylation on Drosophila Notch produced in
      S2 cells and identified peptides containing all 22 predicted O-fucose sites, all
      18 predicted O-glucose sites, and all 18 putative O-GlcNAc sites. Using
      semiquantitative mass spectral methods, we have evaluated the occupancy and
      relative amounts of glycans at each site. The majority of the O-fucose sites were
      modified to high stoichiometries. Upon expression of the beta3-N
      acetylglucosaminyltransferase Fringe with Notch, we observed varying degrees of
      elongation beyond O-fucose monosaccharide, indicating that Fringe preferentially
      modifies certain sites more than others. Rumi modified O-glucose sites to high
      stoichiometries, although elongation of the O-glucose was site-specific. Although
      the current putative consensus sequence for O-GlcNAcylation predicts 18 O-GlcNAc
      sites on Notch, we only observed apparent O-GlcNAc modification at five sites. In
      addition, we performed mass spectral analysis on endogenous Notch purified from
      Drosophila embryos and found that the glycosylation states were similar to those
      found on Notch from S2 cells. These data provide foundational information for
      future studies investigating the mechanisms of how O-glycosylation regulates
      Notch activity.

PMID- 27268043
TI  - Medicinal plants--prophylactic and therapeutic options for gastrointestinal and
      respiratory diseases in calves and piglets? A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets lead
      to significant economic losses in livestock husbandry. A high morbidity has been
      reported for diarrhea (calves <= 35%; piglets <= 50%) and for respiratory
      diseases (calves <= 80%; piglets <= 40%). Despite a highly diverse etiology and
      pathophysiology of these diseases, treatment with antimicrobials is often the
      first-line therapy. Multi-antimicrobial resistance in pathogens results in
      international accordance to strengthen the research in novel treatment options.
      Medicinal plants bear a potential as alternative or additional treatment. Based
      on the versatile effects of their plant specific multi-component-compositions,
      medicinal plants can potentially act as 'multi-target drugs'. Regarding the
      plurality of medicinal plants, the aim of this systematic review was to identify
      potential medicinal plant species for prevention and treatment of
      gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases and for modulation of the immune system
      and inflammation in calves and piglets. RESULTS: Based on nine initial sources
      including standard textbooks and European ethnoveterinary studies, a total of 223
      medicinal plant species related to the treatment of gastrointestinal and
      respiratory diseases was identified. A defined search strategy was established
      using the PRISMA statement to evaluate 30 medicinal plant species starting from
      20'000 peer-reviewed articles published in the last 20 years (1994-2014). This
      strategy led to 418 references (257 in vitro, 84 in vivo and 77 clinical trials,
      thereof 48 clinical trials in veterinary medicine) to evaluate effects of
      medicinal plants and their efficacy in detail. The findings indicate that the
      most promising candidates for gastrointestinal diseases are Allium sativum L.,
      Mentha x piperita L. and Salvia officinalis L.; for diseases of the respiratory
      tract Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Thymus vulgaris L. and Althea officinalis
      L. were found most promising, and Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Camellia
      sinensis (L.) KUNTZE, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Origanum vulgare L. were
      identified as best candidates for modulation of the immune system and
      inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Several medicinal plants bear a potential for novel
      treatment strategies for young livestock. There is a need for further research
      focused on gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets, and
      the findings of this review provide a basis on plant selection for future
      studies.

PMID- 27268052
TI  - Synthetic Lethal Screen Demonstrates That a JAK2 Inhibitor Suppresses a BCL6
      dependent IL10RA/JAK2/STAT3 Pathway in High Grade B-cell Lymphoma.
AB  - We demonstrate the usefulness of synthetic lethal screening of a conditionally
      BCL6-deficient Burkitt lymphoma cell line, DG75-AB7, with a library of small
      molecules to determine survival pathways suppressed by BCL6 and suggest mechanism
      based treatments for lymphoma. Lestaurtinib, a JAK2 inhibitor and one of the hits
      from the screen, repressed survival of BCL6-deficient cells in vitro and reduced
      growth and proliferation of xenografts in vivo BCL6 deficiency in DG75-AB7
      induced JAK2 mRNA and protein expression and STAT3 phosphorylation. Surface
      IL10RA was elevated by BCL6 deficiency, and blockade of IL10RA repressed STAT3
      phosphorylation. Therefore, we define an IL10RA/JAK2/STAT3 pathway each component
      of which is repressed by BCL6. We also show for the first time that JAK2 is a
      direct BCL6 target gene; BCL6 bound to the JAK2 promoter in vitro and was
      enriched by ChIP-seq. The place of JAK2 inhibitors in the treatment of diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma has not been defined; we suggest that JAK2 inhibitors might
      be most effective in poor prognosis ABC-DLBCL, which shows higher levels of
      IL10RA, JAK2, and STAT3 but lower levels of BCL6 than GC-DLBCL and might be
      usefully combined with novel approaches such as inhibition of IL10RA.

PMID- 27268053
TI  - The Baseplate of Lactobacillus delbrueckii Bacteriophage Ld17 Harbors a
      Glycerophosphodiesterase.
AB  - Glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterases (GDPDs; EC 3.1.4.46) typically hydrolyze
      glycerophosphodiesters to sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (Gro3P) and their corresponding
      alcohol during patho/physiological processes in bacteria and eukaryotes. GDPD(
      like) domains were identified in the structural particle of bacterial viruses
      (bacteriophages) specifically infecting Gram-positive bacteria. The GDPD of phage
      17 (Ld17; GDPDLd17), representative of the group b Lactobacillus delbrueckii
      subsp. bulgaricus (Ldb)-infecting bacteriophages, was shown to hydrolyze, besides
      the simple glycerophosphodiester, two complex surface-associated carbohydrates of
      the Ldb17 cell envelope: the Gro3P decoration of the major surface polysaccharide
      d-galactan and the oligo(glycerol phosphate) backbone of the partially
      glycosylated cell wall teichoic acid, a minor Ldb17 cell envelope component.
      Degradation of cell wall teichoic acid occurs according to an exolytic mechanism,
      and Gro3P substitution is presumed to be inhibitory for GDPDLd17 activity. The
      presence of the GDPDLd17 homotrimer in the viral baseplate structure involved in
      phage-host interaction together with the dependence of native GDPD activity,
      adsorption, and efficiency of plating of Ca(2+) ions supports a role for GDPDLd17
      activity during phage adsorption and/or phage genome injection. In contrast to
      GDPDLd17, we could not identify any enzymatic activity for the GDPD-like domain
      in the neck passage structure of phage 340, a 936-type Lactococcus lactis subsp.
      lactis bacteriophage.

PMID- 27268054
TI  - RNA-seq Analysis of delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-treated T Cells Reveals Altered
      Gene Expression Profiles That Regulate Immune Response and Cell Proliferation.
AB  - Marijuana has drawn significant public attention and concern both for its
      medicinal and recreational use. Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the
      main bioactive component in marijuana, has also been shown to possess potent anti
      inflammatory properties by virtue of its ability to activate cannabinoid receptor
      2 (CB-2) expressed on immune cells. In this study, we used RNA-seq to quantify
      the transcriptomes and transcript variants that are differentially regulated by
      THC in super antigen-activated lymph node cells and CD4(+) T cells. We found that
      the expressions of many transcripts were altered by THC in both total lymph node
      cells and CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, the abundance of many miRNA precursors and
      long non-coding RNAs was dramatically altered in THC-treated mice. For example,
      the expression of miR-17/92 cluster and miR-374b/421 cluster was down-regulated
      by THC. On the other hand miR-146a, which has been shown to induce apoptosis, was
      up-regulated by THC. Long non-coding RNAs that are expressed from the opposite
      strand of CD27 and Appbp2 were induced by THC. In addition, THC treatment also
      caused alternative promoter usage and splicing. The functions of those altered
      transcripts were mainly related to immune response and cell proliferation.

PMID- 27268055
TI  - Light and pH-induced Changes in Structure and Accessibility of Transmembrane
      Helix B and Its Immediate Environment in Channelrhodopsin-2.
AB  - A variant of the cation channel channelrhodopsin-2 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
      (CrChR2) was selectively labeled at position Cys-79 at the end of the first
      cytoplasmic loop and the beginning of transmembrane helix B with the fluorescent
      dye fluorescein (acetamidofluorescein). We utilized (i) time-resolved
      fluorescence anisotropy experiments to monitor the structural dynamics at the
      cytoplasmic surface close to the inner gate in the dark and after illumination in
      the open channel state and (ii) time-resolved fluorescence quenching experiments
      to observe the solvent accessibility of helix B at pH 6.0 and 7.4. The light
      induced increase in final anisotropy for acetamidofluorescein bound to the
      channel variant with a prolonged conducting state clearly shows that the
      formation of the open channel state is associated with a large conformational
      change at the cytoplasmic surface, consistent with an outward tilt of helix B.
      Furthermore, results from solute accessibility studies of the cytoplasmic end of
      helix B suggest a pH-dependent structural heterogeneity that appears below pH 7.
      At pH 7.4 conformational homogeneity was observed, whereas at pH 6.0 two protein
      fractions exist, including one in which residue 79 is buried. This inaccessible
      fraction amounts to 66% in nanodiscs and 82% in micelles. Knowledge about pH
      dependent structural heterogeneity may be important for CrChR2 applications in
      optogenetics.

PMID- 27268056
TI  - Structural Basis of the High Affinity Interaction between the Alphavirus
      Nonstructural Protein-3 (nsP3) and the SH3 Domain of Amphiphysin-2.
AB  - We show that a peptide from Chikungunya virus nsP3 protein spanning residues 1728
      1744 binds the amphiphysin-2 (BIN1) Src homology-3 (SH3) domain with an unusually
      high affinity (Kd 24 nm). Our NMR solution complex structure together with
      isothermal titration calorimetry data on several related viral and cellular
      peptide ligands reveal that this exceptional affinity originates from
      interactions between multiple basic residues in the target peptide and the
      extensive negatively charged binding surface of amphiphysin-2 SH3. Remarkably,
      these arginines show no fixed conformation in the complex structure, indicating
      that a transient or fluctuating polyelectrostatic interaction accounts for this
      affinity. Thus, via optimization of such dynamic electrostatic forces, viral
      peptides have evolved a superior binding affinity for amphiphysin-2 SH3 compared
      with typical cellular ligands, such as dynamin, thereby enabling hijacking of
      amphiphysin-2 SH3-regulated host cell processes by these viruses. Moreover, our
      data show that the previously described consensus sequence PXRPXR for amphiphysin
      SH3 ligands is inaccurate and instead define it as an extended Class II binding
      motif PXXPXRpXR, where additional positive charges between the two constant
      arginine residues can give rise to extraordinary high SH3 binding affinity.

PMID- 27268057
TI  - Mechanism for Remodeling of the Acyl Chain Composition of Cardiolipin Catalyzed
      by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Tafazzin.
AB  - Remodeling of the acyl chains of cardiolipin (CL) is responsible for final
      molecular composition of mature CL after de novo CL synthesis in mitochondria.
      Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergoes tafazzin-mediated CL remodeling, in
      which tafazzin serves as a transacylase from phospholipids to monolyso-CL (MLCL).
      In light of the diversity of the acyl compositions of mature CL between different
      organisms, the mechanism underlying tafazzin-mediated transacylation remains to
      be elucidated. We investigated the mechanism responsible for transacylation using
      purified S. cerevisiae tafazzin with liposomes composed of various sets of acyl
      donors and acceptors. The results revealed that tafazzin efficiently catalyzes
      transacylation in liposomal membranes with highly ordered lipid bilayer
      structure. Tafazzin elicited unique acyl chain specificity against
      phosphatidylcholine (PC) as follows: linoleoyl (18:2) > oleoyl (18:1) =
      palmitoleoyl (16:1) ? palmitoyl (16:0). In these reactions, tafazzin selectively
      removed the sn-2 acyl chain of PC and transferred it into the sn-1 and sn-2
      positions of MLCL isomers at equivalent rates. We demonstrated for the first time
      that MLCL and dilyso-CL have inherent abilities to function as an acyl donor to
      monolyso-PC and acyl acceptor from PC, respectively. Furthermore, a Barth
      syndrome-associated tafazzin mutant (H77Q) was shown to completely lack the
      catalytic activity in our assay. It is difficult to reconcile the present results
      with the so-called thermodynamic remodeling hypothesis, which premises that
      tafazzin reacylates MLCL by unsaturated acyl chains only in disordered non
      bilayer lipid domain. The acyl specificity of tafazzin may be one of the factors
      that determine the acyl composition of mature CL in S. cerevisiae mitochondria.

PMID- 27268058
TI  - OxyR2 Functions as a Three-state Redox Switch to Tightly Regulate Production of
      Prx2, a Peroxiredoxin of Vibrio vulnificus.
AB  - The bacterial transcriptional regulator OxyR is known to function as a two-state
      redox switch. OxyR senses cellular levels of H2O2 via a "sensing cysteine" that
      switches from the reduced to a disulfide state upon H2O2 exposure, inducing the
      expression of antioxidant genes. The reduced and disulfide states of OxyR,
      respectively, bind to extended and compact regions of DNA, where the reduced
      state blocks and the oxidized state allows transcription and further induces
      target gene expression by interacting with RNA polymerase. Vibrio vulnificus
      OxyR2 senses H2O2 with high sensitivity and induces the gene encoding the
      antioxidant Prx2. In this study, we used mass spectrometry to identify a third
      redox state of OxyR2, in which the sensing cysteine was overoxidized to S
      sulfonated cysteine (Cys-SO3H) by high H2O2 in vitro and in vivo, where the
      modification deterred the transcription of prx2 The DNA binding preferences of
      OxyR25CA-C206D, which mimics overoxidized OxyR2, suggested that overoxidized
      OxyR2 binds to the extended DNA site, masking the -35 region of the prx2
      promoter. These combined results demonstrate that OxyR2 functions as a three
      state redox switch to tightly regulate the expression of prx2, preventing futile
      production of Prx2 in cells exposed to high levels of H2O2 sufficient to
      inactivate Prx2. We further provide evidence that another OxyR homolog, OxyR1,
      displays similar three-state behavior, inviting further exploration of this
      phenomenon as a potentially general regulatory mechanism.

PMID- 27268059
TI  - Negligible risk of inducing resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with single
      dose rifampicin as post-exposure prophylaxis for leprosy.
AB  - Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for leprosy is administered as one single dose of
      rifampicin (SDR) to the contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients. SDR reduces
      the risk of developing leprosy among contacts by around 60 % in the first 2-3
      years after receiving SDR. In countries where SDR is currently being implemented
      under routine programme conditions in defined areas, questions were raised by
      health authorities and professional bodies about the possible risk of inducing
      rifampicin resistance among the M. tuberculosis strains circulating in these
      areas. This issue has not been addressed in scientific literature to date. To
      produce an authoritative consensus statement about the risk that SDR would induce
      rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis, a meeting was convened with tuberculosis (TB)
      and leprosy experts. The experts carefully reviewed and discussed the available
      evidence regarding the mechanisms and risk factors for the development of (multi)
      drug-resistance in M. tuberculosis with a view to the special situation of the
      use of SDR as PEP for leprosy. They concluded that SDR given to contacts of
      leprosy patients, in the absence of symptoms of active TB, poses a negligible
      risk of generating resistance in M. tuberculosis in individuals and at the
      population level. Thus, the benefits of SDR prophylaxis in reducing the risk of
      developing leprosy in contacts of new leprosy patients far outweigh the risks of
      generating drug resistance in M. tuberculosis. 

PMID- 27268061
TI  - Strategies for disseminating recommendations or guidelines to patients: a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess what
      dissemination strategies are feasible to inform and educate patients about
      recommendations (also known as guidelines). METHODS: The search was performed in
      February 2016 in PubMed, Ebsco/PsycINFO, Ebsco/CINAHL and Embase. Studies
      evaluating dissemination strategies, involving patients and/or reaching patients,
      were included. A hand search and a search in the grey literature, also done in
      February 2016, were added. Searches were not restricted by language or
      publication type. Publications that referred to (1) guideline(s) or
      recommendation(s), (2) dissemination, (3) dissemination with patients/patient
      organisations and (4) dissemination to patients/patient organisations were
      included in this article. Criteria 1 AND 2 were mandatory together with criteria
      3 OR 4. RESULTS: The initial search revealed 3753 unique publications. Forty
      seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for detailed review.
      The hand search and grey literature resulted in four relevant articles. After
      reading the full text of the 47 articles, 21 were relevant for answering our
      research question. Most publications had low levels of evidence, 3 or 4 of the
      Oxford levels of evidence. One article had a level of evidence of 2(b). This
      article gives an overview of tools and strategies to disseminate recommendations
      to patients. Key factors of success were a dissemination plan, written at the
      start of the recommendation development process, involvement of patients in this
      development process and the use of a combination of traditional and innovative
      dissemination tools. The lack of strong evidence calls for more research of the
      effectiveness of different dissemination strategies as well as the barriers for
      implementing a strategic approach of dissemination. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      provide the first systematic overview of tools and strategies to disseminate
      recommendations to patients and patient organisations. Participation of patients
      in the whole process is one of the most important findings. These findings are
      relevant to develop, implement and evaluate more (effective) dissemination
      strategies which can improve health care.

PMID- 27268060
TI  - Oxytocin and cardioprotection in diabetes and obesity.
AB  - Oxytocin (OT) emerges as a drug for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The
      entire OT system is synthesized in the rat and human heart. The direct myocardial
      infusion with OT into an ischemic or failing heart has the potential to elicit a
      variety of cardioprotective effects. OT treatment attenuates cardiomyocyte (CMs)
      death induced by ischemia-reperfusion by activating pro-survival pathways within
      injured CMs in vivo and in isolated cells. OT treatment reduces cardiac
      apoptosis, fibrosis, and hypertrophy. The OT/OT receptor (OTR) system is
      downregulated in the db/db mouse model of type 2 diabetes which develops genetic
      diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC) similar to human disease. We have shown that chronic
      OT treatment prevents the development of DC in the db/db mouse. In addition, OT
      stimulates glucose uptake in both cardiac stem cells and CMs, and increases cell
      resistance to diabetic conditions. OT may help replace lost CMs by stimulating
      the in situ differentiation of cardiac stem cells into functional mature CMs.
      Lastly, adult stem cells amenable for transplantation such as MSCs could be
      preconditioned with OT ex vivo and implanted into the injured heart to aid in
      tissue regeneration through direct differentiation, secretion of protective and
      cardiomyogenic factors and/or their fusion with injured CMs. 

PMID- 27268062
TI  - Diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
      xenografts: associations with tumor differentiation and collagen content.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aggressiveness of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly
      dependent on the level of differentiation and the composition of the stroma. In
      this preclinical study, we investigated the potential of diffusion-weighted
      magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic
      resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) as noninvasive methods for providing information on
      the differentiation and the stroma of PDACs. METHODS: Xenografted tumors
      initiated from four PDAC cell lines (BxPC-3, Capan-2, MIAPaCa-2, and Panc-1) were
      included in the study. DW-MRI and DCE-MRI were carried out on a 7.05-T MR
      scanner, and tumor images of ADC (the apparent diffusion coefficient), K (trans)
      (the volume transfer constant of Gd-DOTA), and v e (the fractional distribution
      volume of Gd-DOTA) were produced. The level of differentiation and the amount and
      structure of collagen I and collagen IV were determined by examining histological
      preparations. RESULTS: Differentiated tumors showed lower levels of collagen I
      and collagen IV than non-differentiated tumors. Significant correlations were
      found between ADC and v e, and both parameters differentiated clearly between
      collagen-rich non-differentiated tumors and differentiated tumors containing less
      collagen. CONCLUSION: Differentiated PDAC xenografts show higher ADC values and
      higher v e values than their non-differentiated counterparts. This observation
      supports the application of parametric MR images as tumor biomarkers in PDAC.
      Patients showing low values of ADC and v e most likely have non-differentiated
      tumors with extensive stroma and, hence, poor prognosis.

PMID- 27268063
TI  - Electronic nicotine delivery system dual use and intention to quit smoking: Will
      the socioeconomic gap in smoking get greater?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are popular among
      cigarette smokers; however, it is not known whether the use of ENDS assists or
      delays quitting cigarettes, especially among certain priority populations. We
      examined predictors of intention to quit smoking and patterns of dual use of ENDS
      and traditional cigarettes among priority populations. METHODS: This study used
      data from a 2014 survey of a national probability sample of 5717 USA adults.
      Descriptive statistics were used to examine differences in intention to quit
      cigarette use among current cigarette smokers (n=1014) and dual users of
      cigarettes and ENDS (n=248). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was
      conducted on the overall sample and the subsample of dual users to determine
      whether dual use (versus cigarette only use) and demographic characteristics
      predict self-reported intention to quit and having attempted to quit in the past
      year. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Compared to cigarette smokers,
      dual users were slightly more educated (p<0.05), more likely to intend to quit
      smoking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.8, p=0.001), and more likely to have
      attempted to quit smoking in the past year (AOR=1.7, p=0.003). Blacks reported
      higher intention to quit than Whites (AOR=1.8, p=0.003). Compared with high
      school education or less, dual users with some college (AOR=1.5, p=0.007) or a
      college degree (AOR=2.5, p<=0.0001) had high intention to quit. CONCLUSIONS: Dual
      users of ENDS and traditional cigarettes are more likely to intend to quit
      smoking and have recently made quit attempts. If using ENDS contributes to
      increased smoking cessation among more educated individuals, disparity in smoking
      by level of education will increase.

PMID- 27268064
TI  - Multilayer Approach for Advanced Hybrid Lithium Battery.
AB  - Conventional intercalated rechargeable batteries have shown their capacity limit,
      and the development of an alternative battery system with higher capacity is
      strongly needed for sustainable electrical vehicles and hand-held devices.
      Herein, we introduce a feasible and scalable multilayer approach to fabricate a
      promising hybrid lithium battery with superior capacity and multivoltage
      plateaus. A sulfur-rich electrode (90 wt % S) is covered by a dual layer of
      graphite/Li4Ti5O12, where the active materials S and Li4Ti5O12 can both take part
      in redox reactions and thus deliver a high capacity of 572 mAh gcathode(-1) (vs
      the total mass of electrode) or 1866 mAh gs(-1) (vs the mass of sulfur) at 0.1C
      (with the definition of 1C = 1675 mA gs(-1)). The battery shows unique voltage
      platforms at 2.35 and 2.1 V, contributed from S, and 1.55 V from Li4Ti5O12. A
      high rate capability of 566 mAh gcathode(-1) at 0.25C and 376 mAh gcathode(-1) at
      1C with durable cycle ability over 100 cycles can be achieved. Operando Raman and
      electron microscope analysis confirm that the graphite/Li4Ti5O12 layer slows the
      dissolution/migration of polysulfides, thereby giving rise to a higher sulfur
      utilization and a slower capacity decay. This advanced hybrid battery with a
      multilayer concept for marrying different voltage plateaus from various electrode
      materials opens a way of providing tunable capacity and multiple voltage
      platforms for energy device applications.

PMID- 27268065
TI  - First case of herpetic meningoencephalitis treated with ganciclovir.
AB  - Consensus treatment for herpetic meningoencephalitis is intravenous aciclovir but
      no guidelines are available for alternative treatment in case of renal failure
      induced by aciclovir. We report to the best of our knowledge, the first case of
      herpetic meningoencephalitis treated with success by ganciclovir.

PMID- 27268066
TI  - Individual, social and community-level predictors of wellbeing in a US sample of
      transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
AB  - In the last decade, increased attention has been paid to the physical and mental
      health needs of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. However,
      despite this surge of research, scant literature addresses factors associated
      with wellbeing among members of this population. Using data from the US Social
      Justice Sexuality Survey, this study examines predictors of wellbeing in a sample
      of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Results indicate that
      higher levels of wellbeing are predicted by education, older age and a greater
      sense of connectedness to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
      Additionally, although health insurance did not have a significant impact on
      wellbeing, increased general health was associated with greater wellbeing, as was
      perceived comfort of the healthcare provider regarding the respondent's sexual
      identity. These findings can inform multi-level intervention with transgender and
      gender non-conforming persons to promote their wellbeing, as well as guide
      policies and practices around healthcare provider training. Future research
      should further examine the interconnected predictors of wellbeing among members
      of this population.

PMID- 27268067
TI  - Dissemination of visceral leishmaniasis to Western Argentina: When will imported
      canine vector-borne zoonotic diseases start being local?

PMID- 27268068
TI  - Results of a phase II study of thalidomide and azacitidine in patients with
      clinically advanced myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic
      leukemia (CMML) and low blast count acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
AB  - Single agent azacitidine or immunomodulatory drugs are effective in
      myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), with differing target mechanisms and toxicities.
      Objectives of this ALLG MDS3 study in clinically advanced MDS, AMML and low blast
      AML were to establish safety, response and quality of life of azacitidine and
      thalidomide. Patients received azacitidine (75mg/m2/d sc 7days every 28 days),
      and oral thalidomide up to 100mg/d for maximum 12months. Eighty patients
      registered; median age 68 years (range 42-82), 49% IPSS int2-high. With 36.5
      months follow up, patients received median 9 cycles azacitidine, 6.1mths
      thalidomide. Nonhematologic toxicity grade 3+ in 85%, commonly infections.
      Overall response rate was 63%; 26% CR were unaffected by IPSS. Median response
      duration 26.3months; overall survival was 28.1months. This combination
      azacitidine and thalidomide in clinically advanced MDS, CMML and low-blast AML
      was tolerable without unexpected toxicity and encouraging responses support
      further investigation of combination approaches with hypomethylating agent and
      immunomodulatory drug.

PMID- 27268069
TI  - Does 1-Allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride Act as a Biocompatible Solvent for Stem
      Bromelain?
AB  - The broader scope of ILs in chemical sciences particularly in pharmaceutical,
      bioanalytical and many more applications is increasing day by day. Hitherto, a
      very less amount of research is available in the depiction of conformational
      stability, activity, and thermal stability of enzymes in the presence of ILs. In
      the present study, the perturbation in the structure, stability, and activity of
      stem bromelain (BM) has been observed in the presence of 1-allyl-3
      methylimidazolium chloride ([Amim][Cl]) using various techniques. This is the
      first report in which the influence of [Amim][Cl] has been studied on the enzyme
      BM. Fluorescence spectroscopy has been utilized to map out the changes in the
      environment around tryptophan (Trp) residues of BM and also to discuss the
      variations in the thermal stability of BM as an outcome of its interaction with
      the IL at different concentrations. Further, the work delineates the denaturing
      effect of high concentration of IL on enzyme structure and activity. It dictates
      the fact that low concentrations (0.01-0.10 M) of [Amim][Cl] are only changing
      the structural arrangement of the protein without having harsh consequences on
      its activity and stability. However, high concentrations of IL proved to be
      totally devastating for both activity and stability of BM. The observed decrease
      in the stability of BM at high concentration may be due to the combined effect of
      cation and anion interactions with the protein residues. The present work is
      successful in dictating the probable mechanism of interaction between BM and
      [Amim][Cl]. These results can prove to be fruitful in the studies of enzymes in
      aqueous IL systems since the used IL is thermally stable and nonvolatile in
      nature thereby providing a pathway of alteration in the activity of enzymes in
      potentially green systems.

PMID- 27268070
TI  - Evaluation of three force-position hybrid control methods for a robot-based
      biological joint-testing system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robot-based joint-testing systems (RJTS) can be used to perform
      unconstrained laxity tests, measuring the stiffness of a degree of freedom (DOF)
      of the joint at a fixed flexion angle while allowing the other DOFs unconstrained
      movement. Previous studies using the force-position hybrid (FPH) control method
      proposed by Fujie et al. (J Biomech Eng 115(3):211-7, 1993) focused on
      anterior/posterior tests. Its convergence and applicability on other clinically
      relevant DOFs such as valgus/varus have not been demonstrated. The current s1tudy
      aimed to develop a 6-DOF RJTS using an industrial robot, to propose two new force
      position hybrid control methods, and to evaluate the performance of the methods
      and FPH in controlling the RJTS for anterior/posterior and valgus/varus laxity
      tests of the knee joint. METHODS: An RJTS was developed using an industrial 6-DOF
      robot with a 6-component load-cell attached at the effector. The performances of
      FPH and two new control methods, namely force-position alternate control (FPA)
      and force-position hybrid control with force-moment control (FPHFM), for
      unconstrained anterior/posterior and valgus/varus laxity tests were evaluated and
      compared with traditional constrained tests (CT) in terms of the number of
      control iterations, total time and the constraining forces and moments. RESULTS:
      As opposed to CT, the other three control methods successfully reduced the
      constraining forces and moments for both anterior/posterior and valgus/varus
      tests, FPHFM being the best followed in order by FPA and FPH. FPHFM had root-mean
      squared constraining forces and moments of less than 2.2 N and 0.09 Nm,
      respectively at 0 degrees  flexion, and 2.3 N and 0.14 Nm at 30 degrees  flexion.
      The corresponding values for FPH were 8.5 N and 0.33 Nm, and 11.5 N and 0.45 Nm,
      respectively. Given the same control parameters including the compliance matrix,
      FPHFM and FPA reduced the constraining loads of FPH at the expense of additional
      control iterations, and thus increased total time, FPA taking about 10 % longer
      than FPHFM. CONCLUSIONS: The FPHFM would be the best choice among the methods
      considered when longer total time is acceptable in the intended clinical
      applications. The current results will be useful for selecting a force-position
      hybrid control method for unconstrained laxity tests using an RJTS.

PMID- 27268071
TI  - Research into "real world" older patients is needed.

PMID- 27268072
TI  - Effects of heat acclimation on hand cooling efficacy following exercise in the
      heat.
AB  - This study examined the separate and combined effects of heat acclimation and
      hand cooling on post-exercise cooling rates following bouts of exercise in the
      heat. Seventeen non-heat acclimated (NHA) males (mean +/- SE; age, 23 +/- 1 y;
      mass, 75.30 +/- 2.27 kg; maximal oxygen consumption [VO2 max], 54.1 +/- 1.3 ml.kg
      1.min-1) completed 2 heat stress tests (HST) when NHA, then 10 days of heat
      acclimation, then 2 HST once heat acclimated (HA) in an environmental chamber (40
      degrees C; 40%RH). HSTs were 2 60-min bouts of treadmill exercise (45% VO2 max;
      2% grade) each followed by 10 min of hand cooling (C) or no cooling (NC). Heat
      acclimation sessions were 90-240 min of treadmill or stationary bike exercise (60
      80% VO2 max). Repeated measures ANOVA with Fishers LSD post hoc (alpha < 0.05)
      identified differences. When NHA, C (0.020 +/- 0.003 degrees C.min-1) had a
      greater cooling rate than NC (0.013 +/- 0.003 degrees C.min-1) (mean difference
      [95%CI]; 0.007 degrees C [0.001,0.013], P = 0.035). Once HA, C (0.021 +/- 0.002
      degrees C.min-1) was similar to NC (0.025 +/- 0.002 degrees C.min-1) (0.004
      degrees C [-0.003,0.011], P = 0.216). Hand cooling when HA (0.021 +/- 0.002
      degrees C.min-1) was similar to when NHA (0.020 +/- 0.003 degrees C.min-1) (P =
      0.77). In conclusion, when NHA, C provided greater cooling rates than NC. Once
      HA, C and NC provided similar cooling rates.

PMID- 27268073
TI  - Diterpenoid alkaloids from the roots of Aconitum brachypodum Diels.
AB  - A new diterpenoid alkaloid, named bullatine H (1), along with 10 known
      diterpenoid alkaloids were isolated from the roots of Aconitum brachypodum Diels
      (Ranunculaceae). The structure of 1 was elucidated by analysis of its
      spectroscopic data. It should be noted that compound 1 is the first example with
      11, 13-dioxygenated denudatine-type diterpenoid alkaloid isolated from Aconitum
      brachypodum. 

PMID- 27268075
TI  - Double strand breaks may be a missing link between entropy and aging.
AB  - It has been previously suggested that an increase in entropy production leads to
      aging. However, the mechanisms linking increased entropy production in living
      mass to aging are currently unclear. Even though entropy cannot be easily
      associated with any specific molecular damage, the increase of entropy in
      structural mass may be connected with heat stress, which is known to generate
      double strand breaks. Double strand breaks, which are in turn known to play an
      important role in process of aging, are thus connected to both aging and an
      increase of entropy. In view of these associations, we propose a new model where
      the increase of entropy leads to the formation of double strand breaks, resulting
      in an aging phenotype. This not only offers a new perspective on aging research
      and facilitates experimental validation, but could also serve as a useful
      explanatory tool.

PMID- 27268076
TI  - Formation of the inner ear during embryonic and larval development of the cichlid
      fish (Oreochromis mossambicus).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The vertebrate inner ear comprises mineralized elements, namely the
      otoliths (fishes) or the otoconia (mammals). These elements serve vestibular and
      auditory functions. The formation of otoconia and otoliths is described as a
      stepwise process, and in fish, it is generally divided into an aggregation of the
      otolith primordia from precursor particles and then a growth process that
      continues throughout life. RESULTS: This study was undertaken to investigate the
      complex transition between these two steps. Therefore, we investigated the
      developmental profiles of several inner ear structural and calcium-binding
      proteins during the complete embryonic and larval development of the cichlid fish
      Oreochromis mossambicus in parallel with the morphology of inner ear and
      especially otoliths. We show that the formation of otoliths is a highly regulated
      temporal and spatial process which takes place throughout embryonic and larval
      development. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our data we defined eight phases of otolith
      differentiation from the primordia to the mature otolith.

PMID- 27268074
TI  - Does cytomegalovirus infection contribute to socioeconomic disparities in all
      cause mortality?
AB  - The social patterning of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and its implication in aging
      suggest that the virus may partially contribute to socioeconomic disparities in
      mortality. We used Cox regression and inverse odds ratio weighting to quantify
      the proportion of the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and all
      cause mortality that was attributable to mediation by CMV seropositivity. Data
      were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (1988
      1994), with mortality follow-up through December 2011. SES was assessed as
      household income (income-to-poverty ratio <=1.30;>1.30 to<=1.85;>1.85
      to<=3.50;>3.50) and education (<high school; high school; >high school). We found
      strong associations between low SES and increased mortality: hazard ratio (HR)
      1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57, 2.06 comparing the lowest versus
      highest income groups and HR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.48 comparing <high school
      versus >high school education. 65% of individuals were CMV seropositive,
      accounting for 6-15% of the SES-mortality associations. Age modified the
      associations between SES, CMV, and mortality, with CMV more strongly associated
      with mortality in older individuals. Our findings suggest that cytomegalovirus
      may partially contribute to persistent socioeconomic disparities in mortality,
      particularly among older individuals.

PMID- 27268077
TI  - Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Lignin Nanoparticles with Tunable
      Surface Properties.
AB  - Lignin nanoparticles can serve as biodegradable carriers of biocidal actives with
      minimal environmental footprint. Here we describe the colloidal synthesis and
      interfacial design of nanoparticles with tunable surface properties using two
      different lignin precursors, Kraft (Indulin AT) lignin and Organosolv (high
      purity lignin). The green synthesis process is based on flash precipitation of
      dissolved lignin polymer, which enabled the formation of nanoparticles in the
      size range of 45-250 nm. The size evolution of the two types of lignin particles
      is fitted on the basis of modified diffusive growth kinetics and mass balance
      dependencies. The surface properties of the nanoparticles are fine-tuned by
      coating them with a cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium
      chloride). We analyze how the colloidal stability and dispersion properties of
      these two types of nanoparticles vary as a function of pH and salinities. The
      data show that the properties of the nanoparticles are governed by the type of
      lignin used and the presence of polyelectrolyte surface coating. The coating
      allows the control of the nanoparticles' surface charge and the extension of
      their stability into strongly basic regimes, facilitating their potential
      application at extreme pH conditions.

PMID- 27268080
TI  - Chrysanthemum morifolium extract improves hypertension-induced cardiac
      hypertrophy in rats by reduction of blood pressure and inhibition of myocardial
      hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha expression.
AB  - CONTEXT: Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (Asteraceae) extract (CME) possesses a
      vasodilator effect in vitro. However, the use of polyphenol-rich CME in the
      treatment of hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy has not been reported.
      OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of polyphenol-rich CME on hypertension
      induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats and its possible mechanism of action.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Sprague-Dawley rat model with cardiac hypertrophy was
      induced by renovascular hypertension. The blood pressure, cardiac weight index,
      free fatty acids (FFA) in serum and myocardium, and protein expressions of
      myocardial hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1a (CPT-1a),
      pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK-4) and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) were
      measured after treating hypertensive rats with polyphenol-rich CME of anthodia 75
      150 mg/kg once daily for 4 weeks. A myocardial histological examination was also
      conducted. RESULTS: After CME treatment, the blood pressure, cardiac weight and
      cardiac weight index decreased by 5.7-9.6%, 9.2-18.4% and 10.9-20.1%,
      respectively, and the cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area also decreased by 8.3
      30.4%. The CME treatment simultaneously decreased the FFA in serum and myocardium
      and protein expressions of myocardial HIF-1alpha and GLUT-4, and increased the
      protein expressions of myocardial PPARalpha, CPT-1a and PDK-4, especially in the
      CME 150 mg/kg group (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Polyphenol
      rich CME may alleviate hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy in rats. Its mechanisms
      may be related to the reduction of blood pressure and amelioration of the
      myocardial energy metabolism. The latter may be attributed to the inhibition of
      HIF-1alpha expression and subsequent modulation of PPARalpha-mediated CPT-1a, PDK
      4 and GLUT-4 expressions.

PMID- 27268079
TI  - Epidermal growth factor signals regulate dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase
      expression in EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been shown that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      mutation status is associated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity in non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the relationship between EGFR mutation status
      and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), a 5-FU degrading enzyme, is unknown.
      METHODS: We elucidated the crosstalk among the EGFR signal cascade, the DPD gene
      (DPYD), and DPD protein expression via the transcription factor Sp1 and the
      effect of EGFR mutation status on the crosstalk. RESULTS: In the PC9 (exon19 E746
      A750) study, EGF treatment induced up-regulation of both Sp1 and DPD; gefitinib,
      an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), and mithramycin A, a specific Sp-1
      inhibitor, suppressed them. Among EGFR-mutated (PC9, HCC827; exon19 E746-A750 and
      H1975; exon21 L858R, T790M, gefitinib resistant) and -non-mutated (H1437, H1299)
      cell lines, EGF administration increased DPYD mRNA expression only in mutated
      cells (p < 0.05). Accordingly, gefitinib inhibited DPD protein expression only in
      PC9 and HCC827 cells, and mithramycin A inhibited it in EGFR-mutated cell lines,
      but not in wild-type. FU treatment decreased the level of cell viability more in
      gefitinib-treated EGFR-TKI sensitive cell lines. Further, combination treatment
      of FU and mithramycin A suppressed cell viability even in a gefitinib resistant
      cell line. CONCLUSIONS: The EGFR signal cascade regulates DPD expression via Sp1
      in EGFR mutant cells. These results might be a step towards new therapies
      targeting Sp1 and DPD in NSCLC with different EGFR mutant status.

PMID- 27268078
TI  - Phoenixin Activates Immortalized GnRH and Kisspeptin Neurons Through the Novel
      Receptor GPR173.
AB  - Reproductive function is coordinated by kisspeptin (Kiss) and GnRH neurons.
      Phoenixin-20 amide (PNX) is a recently described peptide found to increase GnRH
      stimulated LH secretion in the pituitary. However, the effects of PNX in the
      hypothalamus, the putative signaling pathways, and PNX receptor have yet to be
      identified. The mHypoA-GnRH/GFP and mHypoA-Kiss/GFP-3 cell lines represent
      populations of GnRH and Kiss neurons, respectively. PNX increased GnRH and GnRH
      receptor (GnRH-R) mRNA expression, as well as GnRH secretion, in the mHypoA
      GnRH/GFP cell model. In the mHypoA-Kiss/GFP-3 cell line, PNX increased Kiss1 mRNA
      expression. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-beta, octamer transcription
      factor-1 (Oct-1), and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) binding sites
      are localized to the 5' flanking regions of the GnRH, GnRH-R, and Kiss1 genes.
      PNX decreased C/EBP-beta mRNA expression in both cell models and increased Oct-1
      mRNA expression in the mHypoA-GnRH/GFP neurons. PNX increased CREB
      phosphorylation in both cell models and phospho-ERK1/2 in the mHypoA-GnRH/GFP
      cell model, whereas inhibiting the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway prevented PNX
      induction of GnRH and Kiss1 mRNA expression. Importantly, we determined that the
      G protein-coupled receptor, GPR173, was strongly expressed in both GnRH and
      kisspeptin cell models and small interfering RNA knockdown of GPR173 prevented
      the PNX-mediated up-regulation of GnRH, GnRH-R, and Kiss1 mRNA expression and the
      down-regulation of C/EBP-beta mRNA expression. PNX also increased GPR173 mRNA
      expression in the mHypoA-GnRH/GFP cells. Taken together, these studies are the
      first to implicate that PNX acts through GPR173 to activate the cAMP/protein
      kinase A pathway through CREB, and potentially C/EBP-beta and/or Oct-1 to
      increase GnRH, GnRH-R, and Kiss1 gene expression, ultimately having a stimulatory
      effect on reproductive function. 

PMID- 27268081
TI  - Distribution, Fate, Inhalation Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk of Atmospheric
      Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Some Asian Countries.
AB  - A large-scale monitoring program, the Asia Soil and Air Monitoring Program (Asia
      SAMP), was conducted in five Asian countries, including China, Japan, South
      Korea, Vietnam, and India. Air samples were collected using passive air samplers
      with polyurethane foam disks over four consecutive 3-month periods from September
      2012 to August 2013 to measure the seasonal concentrations of 47 polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including 21 parent and 26 alkylated PAHs, at 176
      sites (11 background, 83 rural, and 82 urban). The annual concentrations of total
      47 PAHs (?47PAHs) at all sites ranged from 6.29 to 688 ng/m(3) with median of
      82.2 ng/m(3). Air concentrations of PAHs in China, Vietnam, and India were
      greater than those in Japan and South Korea. As expected, the air concentrations
      (ng/m(3)) were highest at urban sites (143 +/- 117) followed by rural (126 +/-
      147) and background sites (22.4 +/- 11.4). Significant positive correlations were
      found between PAH concentrations and atmosphere aerosol optical depth. The
      average benzo(a)pyrene equivalent concentration (BaPeq) was 5.61 ng/m(3). It was
      estimated that the annual BaPeq concentrations at 78.8% of the sampling sites
      exceeded the WHO guideline level. The mean population attributable fraction (PAF)
      for lung cancer due to inhalation exposure to outdoor PAHs was on the order
      8.80/00 (0.056-520/00) for China, 0.380/00 (0.007-3.20/00) for Japan, 0.850/00
      (0.042-4.50/00) for South Korea, 7.50/00 (0.26-270/00) for Vietnam, and 3.20/00
      (0.047-200/00) for India. We estimated a number of lifetime excess lung cancer
      cases caused by exposure to PAHs, which the concentrations ranging from 27.8 to
      2200, 1.36 to 108, 2.45 to 194, 21.8 to 1730, and 9.10 to 720 per million people
      for China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and India, respectively. Overall, the
      lung cancer risk in China and Vietnam were higher than that in Japan, South
      Korea, and India.

PMID- 27268083
TI  - Workplace Bullying Among Family Physicians: A Gender Focused Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Continuing gender disparities within the medical profession have
      raised concerns about the extent to which women physicians face an inhospitable
      work environment. The purpose of this study was to examine the types and
      frequency of workplace bullying reported by a national sample of family
      physicians employed in academic settings, as related to gender. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Data for this study were gathered as part of the Council of Academic
      Family Medicine (CAMF) Educational Research Alliance (CERA) omnibus electronic
      survey. Respondents completed questions addressing sociodemographic and practice
      characteristics, general experience with bullying, types of bullying, actions in
      response to bullying, and outcomes. A total of 1065 academic family physicians
      (male = 56.8%; female = 43.2%), mostly non-Hispanic white (84.2%) or Asian (5.3%)
      and between the ages 30 and 60 (58.7%) completed the CERA survey. RESULTS: One in
      10 respondents acknowledged bullying someone in the workplace; 30% had been
      personally bullied in the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to men, female
      physicians were more likely to report being bullied overall and, specifically, to
      experience having their opinions ignored, lack of recognition for good work,
      feeling pressured not to claim rightful benefits, and being given unmanageable
      workloads. Despite some gender differences in actions taken, outcomes for each
      kind of action were the same for men and women.

PMID- 27268082
TI  - Metal artefact reduction for patients with metallic dental fillings in helical
      neck computed tomography: comparison of adaptive iterative dose reduction 3D
      (AIDR 3D), forward-projected model-based iterative reconstruction solution
      (FIRST) and AIDR 3D with single-energy metal artefact reduction (SEMAR).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the differences in metal artefact degree and the depiction
      of structures in helical neck CT, in patients with metallic dental fillings,
      among adaptive iterative dose reduction three dimensional (AIDR 3D), forward
      projected model-based iterative reconstruction solution (FIRST) and AIDR 3D with
      single-energy metal artefact reduction (SEMAR-A). METHODS: In this retrospective
      clinical study, 22 patients (males, 13; females, 9; mean age, 64.6 +/- 12.6
      years) with metallic dental fillings who underwent contrast-enhanced helical CT
      involving the oropharyngeal region were included. Neck axial images were
      reconstructed with AIDR 3D, FIRST and SEMAR-A. Metal artefact degree and
      depiction of structures (the apex and root of the tongue, parapharyngeal space,
      superior portion of the internal jugular chain and parotid gland) were evaluated
      on a four-point scale by two radiologists. Placing regions of interest, standard
      deviations of the oral cavity and nuchal muscle (at the slice where no metal
      exists) were measured and metal artefact indices were calculated (the square root
      of the difference of the squares of them). RESULTS: In SEMAR-A, metal artefact
      was significantly reduced and depictions of all structures were significantly
      improved compared with those in FIRST and AIDR 3D (p <= 0.001, sign test). Metal
      artefact index for the oral cavity in AIDR 3D/FIRST/SEMAR-A was 572.0/477.7/88.4,
      and significant differences were seen between each reconstruction algorithm (p <
      0.0001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: SEMAR-A could provide images
      with lesser metal artefact and better depiction of structures than AIDR 3D and
      FIRST.

PMID- 27268085
TI  - Higher daunorubicin exposure benefits FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia.

PMID- 27268084
TI  - Dimethyl fumarate restores apoptosis sensitivity and inhibits tumor growth and
      metastasis in CTCL by targeting NF-kappaB.
AB  - Despite intensive efforts in recent years, a curative therapy for cutaneous T
      cell lymphoma (CTCL) has not yet been developed. Therefore, the establishment of
      new therapeutic approaches with higher efficacy rates and milder side effects is
      strongly desired. A characteristic feature of the malignant T-cell population in
      CTCL is resistance toward cell death resulting from constitutive NF-kappaB
      activation. Therefore, NF-kappaB-dependent cell death resistance represents an
      interesting therapeutic target in CTCL because an NF-kappaB-directed therapy
      would leave bystander T cells widely unaffected. We investigated the effects of
      dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on CTCL cells in vitro and in vivo. DMF induced cell
      death in primary patient-derived CD4(+) cells and CTCL cell lines, but hardly in
      T cells from healthy donors. DMF-induced cell death was linked specifically to NF
      kappaB inhibition. To study the impact of DMF in vivo, we developed 2 CTCL
      xenograft mouse models with different cutaneous localizations of the T-cell
      infiltrate. DMF treatment delayed the growth of CTCL tumors and prevented
      formation of distant metastases. In addition, DMF induced increased cell death in
      primary CTCL tumors and in liver metastases. In summary, DMF treatment represents
      a remarkable therapeutic option in CTCL because it restores CTCL apoptosis in
      vitro and in preclinical models in vivo and prevents spreading of the disease to
      distant sites. DMF treatment is of particular promise in CTCL because DMF is
      already in successful clinical use in the treatment of psoriasis and multiple
      sclerosis allowing fast translation into clinical studies in CTCL.

PMID- 27268086
TI  - c-Myb acts in parallel and cooperatively with Cebp1 to regulate neutrophil
      maturation in zebrafish.
AB  - Neutrophils are the key effectors for generating innate immunity in response to
      pathogenic infection and tissue injury in vertebrates. Dysregulation of
      neutrophil development and function is known to associate with various human
      disorders. Yet, the genetic network that orchestrates lineage commitment,
      differentiation, and maturation of neutrophils remains incompletely defined.
      Here, we present an in vivo study to delineate the genetic program underlying
      neutrophil development during zebrafish embryonic myelopoiesis. We show that loss
      of c-Myb function has no effect on macrophages but severely impairs neutrophil
      terminal differentiation, resulting in the accumulation of neutrophils with
      unsegmented nuclei and scant granule. This neutrophilic defect, which resembles
      the neutrophil-specific granule deficiency (SGD) caused by the mutations in
      CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein epsilon (C/EBPepsilon) in humans, is attributed,
      at least in part, to the downregulation of the granule protein transcription.
      Likewise, genetic inactivation of Cebp1, the zebrafish functional homolog of
      mammalian C/EBPepsilon, also leads to a similar SGD-like phenotype in zebrafish.
      Genetic epistasis and biochemical analysis further reveals that c-Myb and Cebp1
      act in parallel and cooperatively to control neutrophil differentiation by
      directly regulating granule protein gene transcription. Our study indicates that
      c-MYB is an intrinsic master regulator for neutrophil terminal differentiation
      and a potential target in SGD patients.

PMID- 27268087
TI  - Mutational hierarchies in myelodysplastic syndromes dynamically adapt and evolve
      upon therapy response and failure.
AB  - Clonal evolution is believed to be a main driver for progression of various types
      of cancer and implicated in facilitating resistance to drugs. However, the
      hierarchical organization of malignant clones in the hematopoiesis of
      myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and its impact on response to drug therapy remain
      poorly understood. Using high-throughput sequencing of patient and xenografted
      cells, we evaluated the intratumoral heterogeneity (n= 54) and reconstructed
      mutational trajectories (n = 39) in patients suffering from MDS (n = 52) and
      chronic myelomonocytic leukemia-1 (n = 2). We identified linear and also
      branching evolution paths and confirmed on a patient-specific level that somatic
      mutations in epigenetic regulators and RNA splicing genes frequently constitute
      isolated disease-initiating events. Using high-throughput exome- and/or deep
      sequencing, we analyzed 103 chronologically acquired samples from 22 patients
      covering a cumulative observation time of 75 years MDS disease progression. Our
      data revealed highly dynamic shaping of complex oligoclonal architectures,
      specifically upon treatment with lenalidomide and other drugs. Despite initial
      clinical response to treatment, patients' marrow persistently remained clonal
      with rapid outgrowth of founder-, sub-, or even fully independent clones,
      indicating an increased dynamic rate of clonal turnover. The emergence and
      disappearance of specific clones frequently correlated with changes of clinical
      parameters, highlighting their distinct and far-reaching functional properties.
      Intriguingly, increasingly complex mutational trajectories are frequently
      accompanied by clinical progression during the course of disease. These data
      substantiate a need for regular broad molecular monitoring to guide clinical
      treatment decisions in MDS.

PMID- 27268088
TI  - Therapeutic targeting of IL-7Ralpha signaling pathways in ALL treatment.
AB  - Increased understanding of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
      pathobiology has led to dramatic improvements in patient survival. However, there
      is still a need to develop targeted therapies to enable reduced chemotherapy
      intensity and to treat relapsed patients. The interleukin-7 receptor alpha (IL
      7Ralpha) signaling pathways are prime therapeutic targets because these pathways
      harbor genetic aberrations in both T-cell ALL and B-cell precursor ALL.
      Therapeutic targeting of the IL-7Ralpha signaling pathways may lead to improved
      outcomes in a subset of patients.

PMID- 27268089
TI  - Adult human megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors are in the CD34+CD38mid fraction.
AB  - Bipotent megakaryocyte/erythroid progenitors (MEPs) give rise to progeny limited
      to the megakaryocyte (Mk) and erythroid (E) lineages. We developed a novel dual
      detection functional in vitro colony-forming unit (CFU) assay for single cells
      that differentiates down both the Mk and E lineages (CFU-Mk/E), which allowed
      development and validation of a novel purification strategy for the
      identification and quantitation of primary functional human MEPs from granulocyte
      colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood and bone marrow. Applying
      this assay to fluorescence-activated cell sorter-sorted cell populations, we
      found that the Lin(-)CD34(+)CD38(mid)CD45RA(-)FLT3(-)MPL(+)CD36(-)CD41(-)
      population is much more highly enriched for bipotent MEPs than any previously
      reported subpopulations. We also developed purification strategies for primary
      human lineage-committed Mk and E progenitors identified as CFU-Mk and burst
      forming unit-E. Comparative expression analyses in MEP, MkP, and ErP populations
      revealed differential expression of MYB We tested whether alterations in MYB
      concentration affect the Mk-E fate decision at the single cell level in MEPs and
      found that short hairpin RNA-mediated MYB knockdown promoted commitment of MEPs
      to the Mk lineage, further defining its role in MEP lineage fate. There are
      numerous applications for these novel enrichment strategies, including
      facilitating mechanistic studies of MEP lineage commitment, improving approaches
      for in vitro expansion of Mk and E cells, and developing improved therapies for
      benign and malignant hematologic disease.

PMID- 27268091
TI  - Distribution of thyroid hormone and thyrotropin receptors in reproductive tissues
      of adult female rabbits.
AB  - PURPOSE: Thyroid dysfunctions are related to anovulation, miscarriages, and
      infertility in women and laboratory animals. Mechanisms associated with these
      effects are unknown, although indirect or direct actions of thyroid hormones and
      thyrotropin could be assumed. The present study aimed to identify the
      distribution of thyroid hormones (TRs) and thyrotropin (TSHR) receptors in
      reproductive organs of female rabbits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ovary of virgin and
      pregnant rabbits, as well as the oviduct, uterus, and vagina of virgin rabbits
      were excised, histologically processed, and cut. Slices from these organs were
      used for immunohistochemical studies for TRalpha1-2, TRbeta1, and TSHR. RESULTS:
      The presence of TRs and TSHR was found in the primordial, primary, secondary,
      tertiary, and Graafian follicles of virgin rabbits, as well as in the corpora
      lutea, corpora albicans, and wall of hemorrhagic cysts of pregnant rabbits.
      Oviductal regions (fimbria-infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, and utero-tubal
      junction), uterus (endometrium and myometrium), and vagina (abdominal, pelvic,
      and perineal portions) of virgin rabbits showed anti-TRs and anti-TSHR
      immunoreactivity. Additionally, the distal urethra, paravaginal ganglia, levator
      ani and iliococcygeus muscles, dorsal nerve and body of the clitoris, perigenital
      skin, and prostate had TRs and TSHR. CONCLUSIONS: The wide presence of TRs and
      TSHR in female reproductive organs suggests varied effects of thyroid hormones
      and thyrotropin in reproduction.

PMID- 27268090
TI  - Dependence on glutamine uptake and glutamine addiction characterize myeloma
      cells: a new attractive target.
AB  - The importance of glutamine (Gln) metabolism in multiple myeloma (MM) cells and
      its potential role as a therapeutic target are still unknown, although it has
      been reported that human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs) are highly sensitive to Gln
      depletion. In this study, we found that both HMCLs and primary bone marrow (BM)
      CD138(+) cells produced large amounts of ammonium in the presence of Gln. MM
      patients have lower BM plasma Gln with higher ammonium and glutamate than
      patients with indolent monoclonal gammopathies. Interestingly, HMCLs expressed
      glutaminase (GLS1) and were sensitive to its inhibition, whereas they exhibited
      negligible expression of glutamine synthetase (GS). High GLS1 and low GS
      expression were also observed in primary CD138(+) cells. Gln-free incubation or
      treatment with the glutaminolytic enzyme l-asparaginase depleted the cell
      contents of Gln, glutamate, and the anaplerotic substrate 2-oxoglutarate,
      inhibiting MM cell growth. Consistent with the dependence of MM cells on
      extracellular Gln, a gene expression profile analysis, on both proprietary and
      published datasets, showed an increased expression of the Gln transporters SNAT1,
      ASCT2, and LAT1 by CD138(+) cells across the progression of monoclonal
      gammopathies. Among these transporters, only ASCT2 inhibition in HMCLs caused a
      marked decrease in Gln uptake and a significant fall in cell growth.
      Consistently, stable ASCT2 downregulation by a lentiviral approach inhibited HMCL
      growth in vitro and in a murine model. In conclusion, MM cells strictly depend on
      extracellular Gln and show features of Gln addiction. Therefore, the inhibition
      of Gln uptake is a new attractive therapeutic strategy for MM.

PMID- 27268093
TI  - The 2015 ESPEN Sir David Cuthbertson lecture: Inflammation as the driving force
      of muscle wasting in cancer.
AB  - Alterations in amino acid protein metabolism are a key feature of the cancer
      cachexia syndrome. These changes -induced by both hormonal changes (that affect
      insulin sensitivity) and inflammatory mediators- are present in skeletal muscle
      influencing both, amino acid uptake and protein synthesis. In addition, skeletal
      muscle protein turnover is characterized by an exacerbated rate of protein
      degradation, promoted by an activation of different proteolytic systems that
      include the ubiquitin-proteasome and the autophagic-lysosomal pathways. Changes
      in the rate of myogenesis/apoptosis also determine skeletal muscle mass during
      cancer cachexia. Indeed, a decreased skeletal muscle regeneration capacity is
      observed together with an increased rate of cell death, resulting in muscle
      wasting. Mitochondrial dysfunction also results in changes in skeletal muscle
      metabolism and further contributes to the exacerbation of the cancer-wasting
      syndrome. Different inflammatory mediators -either released by the tumor or by
      healthy cells of the cancer patient- are responsible for the activation of these
      catabolic processes that take place in skeletal muscle.

PMID- 27268092
TI  - Pulmonary Manifestations of the Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome. A
      Retrospective Study of a Unique Patient Cohort.
AB  - RATIONALE: Patients with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), a
      disorder of impaired lymphocyte apoptosis, often undergo radiographic chest
      imaging to evaluate the presence and progression of lymphadenopathy. These images
      often lead to parenchymal and interstitial lung findings of unclear clinical
      significance. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the pulmonary findings associated with
      ALPS and to determine if lung abnormalities present on computed tomographic (CT)
      imaging of the chest correlate with infection or functional status. METHODS:
      Patients with lung abnormalities observed on chest CT scans were retrospectively
      identified from the largest known ALPS cohort. Lung computed tomography findings
      were characterized and correlated with medical records, bronchoalveolar lavage,
      biopsy, and lung function. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: CT images of the chest
      were available for 234 (92%) of 255 of the patients with ALPS. Among patients
      with a chest CT scan, 18 (8%) had lung abnormalities on at least one CT scan.
      Fourteen (78%) of those 18 were classified as having ALPS with undetermined
      genetic defect. Most patients (n = 16 [89%]) with lung lesions were asymptomatic.
      However, two (11%) of them had associated dyspnea and/or desaturation on room
      air. Immunosuppressive treatment was administered for lung disease in nine (50%)
      cases, and all were followed for clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with
      ALPS can develop chest radiographic findings with protean manifestations that may
      mimic pulmonary infection. Management of patients with ALPS with incidental lung
      lesions identified by CT imaging should be guided by clinical correlation.
      Symptomatic patients may benefit from chest CT imaging and lesion biopsy to
      exclude infection and guide administration of immunosuppressive therapy.

PMID- 27268094
TI  - Role of atopy in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: does an atopic
      condition affect the severity and recurrence of disease?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of atopy in chronic rhinosinusitis is unclear: it is
      particularly controversial in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. METHODS:
      A prospective study of 210 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
      was performed. Patient demographics, visual analogue scale scores, Lund-Kennedy
      endoscopy scores, Lund-Mackay computed tomography scores, serum total
      immunoglobulin E levels, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels and
      Phadiatop test findings were analysed. RESULTS: There were no significant
      differences in age, sex, visual analogue scale score, Lund-Mackay computed
      tomography score, total serum immunoglobulin E level, serum ECP level or
      Phadiatop test results between patients with primary and recurrent chronic
      rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. A total of 99 patients (47 per cent) had
      positive atopy tests. No significant differences in sex, visual analogue scale
      score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score, Lund-Mackay computed tomography score or
      recurrence rates were found between atopic and non-atopic patients; however,
      atopic patients were significantly younger than non-atopic patients. Atopy status
      did not correlate with disease severity. CONCLUSION: There was no association
      between atopy status and either disease severity or recurrence in patients with
      chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, although atopic patients were younger
      than non-atopic patients.

PMID- 27268095
TI  - CYP1B1 mutational screening in a Portuguese cohort of primary congenital glaucoma
      patients.

PMID- 27268096
TI  - Compensatory load redistribution in Labrador retrievers when carrying different
      weights--a non-randomized prospective trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retrievers are dogs particularly bred to retrieve birds or other
      small game, for the retrieval, the dogs are typically sent to the place where the
      shot game has fallen or to search the field for the wounded but still live game
      in order to return them to the hunter as quickly as possible. Examples of game
      animals are pheasants, mallard ducks and rabbits. For training, dummies with a
      variety of weights are used to simulate the retrieval of various types of game.
      The aim of this non-randomized prospective study was to investigate if peak
      vertical force, vertical impulse and paw pressure contact area are increased in
      the forelimbs when carrying different weights, and if the symmetrical weight
      distribution between contralateral limb pairs is disturbed. Ten actively working
      Labrador retrievers were walked over a pressure plate with or without carrying
      0.5, 2.0 and 4.0 kg dummies. The aim of this study was to determine if vertical
      ground reaction forces and paw pressure contact area are increased in the
      forelimbs when carrying different weights, and if symmetrical weight distribution
      is disturbed between contralateral limb pairs. RESULTS: Peak vertical force and
      vertical impulse were significantly increased in the forelimbs and decreased in
      the hindlimbs in all weight carrying conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      demonstrate the significant effects of carrying weight in the mouth on the ground
      reaction forces, which likely produce additional stress on the forelimb joints.
      Carry of game or a dummy is likely to alter the forelimb load distribution.

PMID- 27268097
TI  - Vicarious resilience in sexual assault and domestic violence advocates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is little research related to sexual assault and domestic
      violence advocates' experiences, with the bulk of the literature focused on
      stressors and systemic barriers that negatively impact efforts to assist
      survivors. However, advocates participating in these studies have also emphasized
      the positive impact they experience consequent to their work. This study explores
      the positive impact. METHOD: Vicarious resilience, personal trauma experiences,
      peer relational quality, and perceived organizational support in advocates (n =
      222) are examined. Also, overlap among the conceptual components of vicarious
      resilience is explored. RESULTS: The first set of multiple regressions showed
      that personal trauma experiences and peer relational health predicted compassion
      satisfaction and vicarious posttraumatic growth, with organizational support
      predicting only compassion satisfaction. The second set of multiple regressions
      showed that (a) there was significant shared variance between vicarious
      posttraumatic growth and compassion satisfaction; (b) after accounting for
      vicarious posttraumatic growth, organizational support accounted for significant
      variance in compassion satisfaction; and (c) after accounting for compassion
      satisfaction, peer relational health accounted for significant variance in
      vicarious posttraumatic growth. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that it may be more
      meaningful to conceptualize advocates' personal growth related to their work
      through the lens of a multidimensional construct such as vicarious resilience.
      Organizational strategies promoting vicarious resilience (e.g., shared
      organizational power, training components) are offered, and the value to trauma
      informed care of fostering advocates' vicarious resilience is discussed.
      (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27268098
TI  - Examining the effects of alexithymia on the relation between posttraumatic stress
      disorder and over-reporting.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Empirical examinations of the relation between posttraumatic stress
      disorder (PTSD) and objective measures of symptom over-reporting may be useful
      for identification of mechanisms of this previously observed relation. The
      present study examined the moderating effect of alexithymia, defined as a deficit
      in the ability to identify and describe emotions, on the relation between PTSD
      and over-reporting. METHOD: Seventy-five veterans diagnosed with PTSD were
      recruited from an outpatient Veterans Affairs facility and the community.
      Participants were administered the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test,
      along with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and PTSD Checklist within a larger study
      of behavioral and physiological correlates of PTSD. RESULTS: Hierarchical linear
      regression analyses showed a significant moderating effect of alexithymia, such
      that the relation between PTSD symptom severity and over-reporting was only
      significant in the presence of elevated alexithymia. Evaluation of the subscales
      of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale showed that the effect was greatest for the
      Difficulty Describing Emotions subscale. CONCLUSIONS: Alexithymia should be
      considered as a potential mechanism contributing to the over-reporting phenomena
      observed in the assessment and treatment of PTSD, and warrants further study.
      Brief interventions to improve understanding and description of emotional
      experiences may help to improve accuracy of symptom report. (PsycINFO Database
      Record

PMID- 27268099
TI  - New insights into the chemistry of Coenzyme Q-0: A voltammetric and spectroscopic
      study.
AB  - Coenzyme Q-0 (CoQ-0) is the only Coenzyme Q lacking an isoprenoid group on the
      quinoid ring, a feature important for its physico-chemical properties. Here, the
      redox behavior of CoQ-0 in buffered and non-buffered aqueous media was examined.
      In buffered aqueous media CoQ-0 redox chemistry can be described by a 2-electron
      2-proton redox scheme, characteristic for all benzoquinones. In non-buffered
      media the number of electrons involved in the electrode reaction of CoQ-0 is
      still 2; however, the number of protons involved varies between 0 and 2. This
      results in two additional voltammetric signals, attributed to 2-electrons-1H(+)
      and 2-electrons-0H(+) redox processes, in which mono- and di-anionic compounds of
      CoQ-0 are formed. In addition, CoQ-0 exhibits a complex chemistry in strong
      alkaline environment. The reaction of CoQ-0 and OH(-) anions generates several
      hydroxyl derivatives as products. Their structures were identified with HPLC/MS.
      The prevailing radical reaction mechanism was analyzed by electron paramagnetic
      resonance spectroscopy. The hydroxyl derivatives of CoQ-0 have a strong
      antioxidative potential and form stable complexes with Ca(2+) ions. In summary,
      our results allow mechanistic insights into the redox properties of CoQ-0 and its
      hydroxylated derivatives and provide hints on possible applications. 

PMID- 27268100
TI  - Postmating Reproductive isolation between strains of Drosophila willistoni.
AB  - Speciation can occur through the presence of reproductive isolation barriers that
      impede mating, restrict cross-fertilization, or render inviable/sterile hybrid
      progeny. The D. willistoni subgroup is ideally suited for studies of speciation,
      with examples of both allopatry and sympatry, a range of isolation barriers, and
      the availability of one species complete genome sequence to facilitate genetic
      studies of divergence. D. w. willistoni has the largest geographic distribution
      among members of the Drosophila willistoni subgroup, spanning from Argentina to
      the southern United States, including the Caribbean islands. A subspecies of D.
      w. willistoni, D. w. quechua, is geographically separated by the Andes mountain
      range and has evolved unidirectional sterility, in that only male offspring of D.
      w. quechua females * D. w. willistoni males are sterile. Whether D. w. willistoni
      flies residing east of the Andes belong to one or more D. willistoni subspecies
      remains unresolved. Here we perform fecundity assays and show that F1 hybrid
      males produced from crosses between different strains found in Central America,
      North America, and northern Caribbean islands are reproductively isolated from
      South American and southern Caribbean island strains as a result of
      unidirectional hybrid male sterility. Our results show the existence of a
      reproductive isolation barrier between the northern and southern strains and
      suggest a subdivision of the previously identified D. willistoni willistoni
      species into 2 new subspecies.

PMID- 27268101
TI  - Cortical morphometry in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Contribution of
      thickness and surface area to volume.
AB  - Although lower brain volume is a consistent neuroimaging finding in attention
      deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we lack an understanding of whether this
      effect is driven by changes in cortical thickness or surface area, which are
      governed by distinct neurodevelopmental processes. This study examined ADHD
      control differences in cortical thickness, surface area and volume, and tests
      whether thickness and surface area mediates any observed volume differences.
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data was collected from 35 males with ADHD
      combined type and 35 typically developing control participants aged 9-17 years.
      Morphometric measures were examined for between group differences and the
      specific contribution of surface area and thickness to group differences in
      volume tested using mediation analysis. Individuals with ADHD had smaller total
      cortical volume (7.3%), surface area (4.3%), and mean cortical thickness (2.8%)
      compared to controls. Differences were pronounced in frontal and parietal lobes.
      Variance in volume as a function of ADHD diagnosis was accounted for at least in
      part by the relationship between diagnosis and each of cortical thickness and
      surface area, with regional variation in the relative contributions of these
      measures. The surface area of the precuneus was a major driver of volume
      differences, attesting to the potential relevance of this region for
      neurodevelopment in ADHD. Both surface area and cortical thickness play a
      significant mediating role in determining diagnostic differences in volume, with
      regional variation in the contribution of thickness and surface area to those
      volume differences, highlighting the importance of examining both cortical
      thickness and surface area in examining ADHD.

PMID- 27268102
TI  - Differential diagnosis and treatment of acute cauda equina syndrome in the human
      immunodeficiency virus positive patient: a case report and review of the
      literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute cauda equina syndrome is an uncommon but significant neurologic
      presentation due to a variety of underlying diseases. Anatomical compression of
      nerve roots, usually by a lumbar disk hernia is a common cause in the general
      population, while inflammatory, neoplastic, and ischemic causes have also been
      recognized. Among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients with
      acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, infectious causes are encountered more
      frequently, the most prevalent of which are: cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex
      virus 1/2, varicella zoster virus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections.
      Studies of cauda equina syndrome in well-controlled HIV infection are lacking. We
      describe such a case of cauda equina syndrome in a well-controlled HIV-infected
      patient, along with a brief review of the literature regarding the syndrome's
      diagnosis and treatment in individuals with HIV infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A
      36-year-old Greek male, HIV-positive patient presented with perineal and left
      hemiscrotal numbness, lumbar pain, left-sided sciatica, and urinary incontinence.
      Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient's lumbar spine revealed intrathecal
      migration of a fragment from an intervertebral lumbar disk exerting pressure on
      the cauda equina. A cerebrospinal fluid examination, brain computed tomography
      scan, spine magnetic resonance imaging, and serological test results were
      negative for central nervous system infections. Our patient underwent emergency
      neurosurgical spinal decompression, which resolved most symptoms, except for mild
      urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Noninfectious etiologies may also cause cauda
      equina syndrome in HIV-infected individuals, especially in well-controlled
      disease under antiretroviral therapy. Prompt recognition and treatment of the
      underlying cause is important to minimize residual symptoms. Targeted
      antimicrobial chemotherapy is used to treat infectious causes, while prompt
      surgical decompression is favored for anatomical causes of cauda equina syndrome
      in the HIV-infected patient.

PMID- 27268105
TI  - Developmental Origins of Health and Disease - from a small body size at birth to
      epigenetics.
AB  - The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis proposes that
      several non-communicable diseases have their origins in prenatal life and in
      early childhood. This is believed to work through programming, an insult, taking
      place at a sensitive period of development, may have lifelong consequences,
      increasing and programming disease risk later in life. The Helsinki Birth Cohort
      Study (HBCS) has been focusing upon the importance of factors active during
      periods in early life and their influence on later health in 20,431 people born
      1924-44. This review will focus upon findings from the HBCS over the past 20
      years. Early growth patterns associated with coronary heart disease, type 2
      diabetes and other health outcomes are described. The long-term health impact of
      maternal adiposity is also discussed. Potential underlying mechanisms explaining
      the associations are discussed including epigenetic factors. Key messages Several
      non-communicable diseases - including coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes 
      have their origins in early life. Early life programming during sensitive
      periods of development may permanently program future health and disease risk.
      Optimizing the health and lifestyle of women of reproductive age will have
      positive health consequences for their offspring.

PMID- 27268106
TI  - The influence of thermal trauma on pro- and anticoagulant activity of erythrocyte
      derived microvesicles.
AB  - The goal of this research was to study the influence of erythrocyte-derived
      microvesicles on hemostasis parameters during burn. It was found that the number
      of microvesicles derived from washed erythrocytes of burn patients after 1 day of
      storage at 37 degrees C was 4.2 times bigger than the number of microvesicles
      derived from erythrocytes of healthy donors. Hemocoagulation properties of
      erythrocyte-derived microvesicles of burn patients also change: according to the
      results of thromboelastography their procoagulant activity increases
      significantly, at the same time their antithrombin and fibrinilytic activity
      decrease. Thus, we can conclude that hepercoagulation during burn is to a certain
      extent caused by the disruption of the balance between procoagulant activity of
      erythrocyte-derived microvesicles and their antithrombin and fibrinolytic
      activity. Hypercoagulation effect of erythrocyte-derived microvesicles increases
      during burn not just because of their changed properties but also due to their
      increased number after thermal trauma.

PMID- 27268104
TI  - Which Combinations of Techniques and Modes of Delivery in Internet-Based
      Interventions Effectively Change Health Behavior? A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many online interventions designed to promote health behaviors
      combine multiple behavior change techniques (BCTs), adopt different modes of
      delivery (MoD) (eg, text messages), and range in how usable they are. Research is
      therefore needed to examine the impact of these features on the effectiveness of
      online interventions. OBJECTIVE: This study applies Classification and Regression
      Trees (CART) analysis to meta-analytic data, in order to identify synergistic
      effects of BCTs, MoDs, and usability factors. METHODS: We analyzed data from Webb
      et al. This review included effect sizes from 52 online interventions targeting a
      variety of health behaviors and coded the use of 40 BCTs and 11 MoDs. Our
      research also developed a taxonomy for coding the usability of interventions.
      Meta-CART analyses were performed using the BCTs and MoDs as predictors and using
      treatment success (ie, effect size) as the outcome. RESULTS: Factors related to
      usability of the interventions influenced their efficacy. Specifically, subgroup
      analyses indicated that more efficient interventions (interventions that take
      little time to understand and use) are more likely to be effective than less
      efficient interventions. Meta-CART identified one synergistic effect:
      Interventions that included barrier identification/ problem solving and provided
      rewards for behavior change reported an average effect size that was smaller
      (g=0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.44) than interventions that used other combinations of
      techniques (g=0.43, 95% CI 0.27-0.59). No synergistic effects were found for MoDs
      or for MoDs combined with BCTs. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions that take little time
      to understand and use were more effective than those that require more time. Few
      specific combinations of BCTs that contribute to the effectiveness of online
      interventions were found. Furthermore, no synergistic effects between BCTs and
      MoDs were found, even though MoDs had strong effects when analyzed univariately
      in the original study.

PMID- 27268103
TI  - Interventions for improving adherence to treatment for latent tuberculosis
      infection: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) control relies on high
      initiation and completion rates of preventive treatment to preclude progression
      to tuberculosis disease. Specific interventions may improve initiation and
      completion rates. The objective was to systematically review data on determinants
      of initiation, adherence and completion of LTBI treatment, and on interventions
      to improve initiation and completion. METHODS: A systematic review of the
      literature (PubMed, Embase) published up to February 2014 was performed. Relevant
      prospective intervention studies were assessed using GRADE. RESULTS: Sixty-two
      articles reporting on determinants of treatment initiation and completion were
      included and 23 articles on interventions. Determinants of LTBI treatment
      completion include shorter treatment regimen and directly observed treatment
      (DOT, positive association), adverse events and alcohol use (negative
      association), and specific populations with LTBI (both positive and negative
      associations). A positive effect on completion was noted in intervention studies
      that used short regimens and social interventions; mixed results were found for
      intervention studies that used DOT or incentives. CONCLUSION: LTBI treatment
      completion can be improved by using shorter regimens and social interventions.
      Specific needs of the different populations with LTBI should be addressed taking
      into consideration the setting and condition in which the LTBI treatment
      programme is implemented.

PMID- 27268107
TI  - Direct detection of blood nitric oxide reveals a burn-dependent decrease of
      nitric oxide in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
AB  - PURPOSE: Burn is associated with severe immune dysfunction, including an anti
      inflammatory state that occurs late after burn. While increased nitric oxide (NO)
      production is associated with severe infection and sepsis, the effect of burn
      trauma on these levels during a non-lethal infection remains unknown. We
      hypothesized that in a mouse model, (1) NO levels would be increased after
      infection without trauma and (2) burn would lead to decreased NO production even
      during infection. METHODS: Mice were infected via intra-tracheal inoculation with
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14 d following a 20% total body surface area contact burn.
      At 48h following infection, blood was drawn to quantify NO concentrations using a
      microfluidic electrochemical sensor. SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS: In uninjured mice,
      infection caused a significant increase in blood NO levels. Increases in NO
      occurred in a dose-dependent response to the bacterial inoculum. Following burn,
      an identical infection did not elicit increases in NO. CONCLUSIONS: While
      increases in NO are expected over the course of an infection without prior
      trauma, burn and subsequent immune suppression decreases NO levels even in the
      presence of infection.

PMID- 27268108
TI  - Burns management in ICU: Quality of the evidence: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the quality of readily
      available evidence regarding critical care aspects of the management of patients
      with severe burn injuries. METHOD: PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Databases and
      bibliographies of included studies and burns review articles were searched from
      inception of databases to end of February 2015. We included systematic reviews,
      randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies with concurrent controls
      on the topics of (a) fluid resuscitation (b) analgesia (c) haemodynamic
      monitoring and targets (d) ventilation (e) blood transfusion. The quality of the
      studies was assessed using validated tools. RESULTS: Fifty six studies fulfilled
      the inclusion criteria. Twenty three on fluid resuscitation, 22 on analgesia,
      nine on haemodynamic monitoring and two on ventilation. No studies were found on
      blood transfusion practice. There were ten systematic reviews, 38 RCTs and eight
      cohort studies with concurrent controls. The majority of studies were single
      centre trials with small numbers of patients, surrogate outcomes and high risk of
      bias. CONCLUSIONS: There is very little high quality evidence to guide clinical
      practice in early management of the severely burnt patient. Eleven of 56 studies
      found in our search of critical care topics were of good methodological quality
      with low risk of bias.

PMID- 27268109
TI  - Differing patterns in thermal injury incidence and hospitalisations among 0-4
      year old children from England.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns in thermal injury incidence and hospitalisations
      by age, gender, calendar year and socioeconomic status among 0-4 year olds in
      England for the period 1998-2013. PARTICIPANTS: 708,050 children with linked
      primary care and hospitalisation data from the Clinical Practice Research
      Datalink (CPRD) and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), respectively. ANALYSIS:
      Incidence rates of all thermal injuries (identified in CPRD and/or HES),
      hospitalised thermal injuries, and serious thermal injuries (hospitalised for
      >=72h). Adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals
      (95%CI), estimated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Incidence rates of all
      thermal injuries, hospitalised thermal injuries, and serious thermal injuries
      were 59.5 per 10,000 person-years (95%CI 58.4-60.6), 11.3 (10.8-11.8) and 2.15
      (1.95-2.37), respectively. Socioeconomic gradients, between the most and least
      deprived quintiles, were steepest for serious thermal injuries (IRR 3.17, 95%CI
      2.53-3.96). Incidence of all thermal injuries (IRR 0.64, 95%CI 0.58-0.70) and
      serious thermal injuries (IRR 0.44, 95%CI 0.33-0.59) reduced between 1998/9 and
      2012/13. Incidence rates of hospitalised thermal injuries did not significantly
      change over time. CONCLUSION: Incidence of all thermal injuries and those
      hospitalised for >=72h reduced over time. Steep socioeconomic gradients support
      continued targeting of preventative interventions to those living in the most
      deprived areas.

PMID- 27268110
TI  - A prospective clinical trial comparing Biobrane1 Dressilk1 and PolyMem1 dressings
      on partial-thickness skin graft donor sites.

PMID- 27268111
TI  - The Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Tendinopathy: A
      Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tendinopathy is very common in the general population. There are
      increasing numbers of clinical studies referring to platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
      and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) as treatments for tendinopathy. PURPOSE: To
      perform a meta-analysis of the outcomes of the PRP groups by preparation method
      and injection technique in tendinopathy. To determine the clinical effectiveness
      of the preparations and to evaluate the effect of controls used in the studies
      reviewed. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The PubMed,
      EMBASE, CINAHL, and Medline databases were searched in March 2012, April 2014,
      and August 2015, and randomized controlled trials using autologous blood, PRP,
      PPP, or autologous conditioned plasma in tendinopathy with outcome measures of
      pain and follow-up time of 3 months were included in this review. Trials
      including surgery, tendon tears, and muscle or ligament injuries were excluded.
      Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool by
      2 reviewers. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. The primary
      outcome measure was a change in pain intensity. Where more than 1 pain scale was
      included, a functional score was selected ahead of a visual analog scale score.
      RESULTS: A total of 18 studies (1066 participants) were included. Eight studies
      were deemed to be at low risk of bias. The most significant outcomes in the PRP
      groups were seen in those treated with highly cellular leukocyte-rich PRP (LR
      PRP) preparations: GPS kit (standardized mean difference [SMD], 35.75; 95% CI,
      28.40-43.10), MyCells kit (SMD, 31.84; 95% CI, 17.56-46.13), Prosys kit (SMD,
      42.99; 95% CI, 37.73-48.25), and unspecified LR-PRP (SMD, 34.62; 95% CI, 31.69
      37.55). When the LR-PRP system types were grouped, there was a strongly positive
      effect (SMD, 36.38; 95% CI, 34.00-38.77) when compared with leukocyte-poor PRP
      (SMD, 26.77; 95% CI, 18.31-35.22). In assessing the control groups, there was no
      clear difference between different types of control injections: saline (SMD,
      14.62; 95% CI, 10.74-18.50), local anesthetic (SMD, 15.00; 95% CI, 7.66-22.34),
      corticosteroid (SMD, 23.82; 95% CI, 10.74-18.50), or dry needling (SMD, 25.22;
      95% CI, 21.27-29.16). CONCLUSION: There is good evidence to support the use of a
      single injection of LR-PRP under ultrasound guidance in tendinopathy. Both the
      preparation and intratendinous injection technique of PRP appear to be of great
      clinical significance.

PMID- 27268112
TI  - Does wine glass size influence sales for on-site consumption? A multiple
      treatment reversal design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Wine glass size can influence both perceptions of portion size and
      the amount poured, but its impact upon purchasing and consumption is unknown.
      This study aimed to examine the impact of wine glass size on wine sales for on
      site consumption, keeping portion size constant. METHODS: In one establishment
      (with separate bar and restaurant areas) in Cambridge, England, wine glass size
      (Standard; Larger; Smaller) was changed over eight fortnightly periods. The bar
      and restaurant differ in wine sales by the glass vs. by the bottle (93 % vs. 63 %
      by the glass respectively). RESULTS: Daily wine volume purchased was 9.4 % (95 %
      CI: 1.9, 17.5) higher when sold in larger compared to standard-sized glasses.
      This effect seemed principally driven by sales in the bar area (bar: 14.4 % [3.3,
      26.7]; restaurant: 8.2 % [-2.5, 20.1]). Findings were inconclusive as to whether
      sales were different with smaller vs. standard-sized glasses. CONCLUSIONS: The
      size of glasses in which wine is sold, keeping the portion size constant, can
      affect consumption, with larger glasses increasing consumption. The hypothesised
      mechanisms for these differential effects need to be tested in a replication
      study. If replicated, policy implications could include considering glass size
      amongst alcohol licensing requirements. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry:
      ISRCTN12018175 . Registered 12(th) May 2015.

PMID- 27268113
TI  - Effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria on the growth and fructan production of
      Agave americana L.
AB  - The effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria inoculation on plant growth and the
      sugar content in Agave americana was assessed. The bacterial strains ACO-34A, ACO
      40, and ACO-140, isolated from the A. americana rhizosphere, were selected for
      this study to evaluate their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. The three
      bacterial strains were evaluated via plant inoculation assays, and Azospirillum
      brasilense Cd served as a control strain. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S
      rRNA gene showed that strains ACO-34A, ACO-40 and ACO-140 were Rhizobium
      daejeonense, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas mosselii, respectively.
      All of the strains were able to synthesize indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), solubilize
      phosphate, and had nitrogenase activity. Inoculation using the plant growth
      promoting bacteria strains had a significant effect (p<0.05) on plant growth and
      the sugar content of A. americana, showing that these native plant growth
      promoting bacteria are a practical, simple, and efficient alternative to promote
      the growth of agave plants with proper biological characteristics for
      agroindustrial and biotechnological use and to increase the sugar content in this
      agave species. 

PMID- 27268114
TI  - Process optimization for production and purification of a thermostable, organic
      solvent tolerant lipase from Acinetobacter sp. AU07.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to isolate, purify and optimize the production
      conditions of an organic solvent tolerant and thermostable lipase from
      Acinetobacter sp. AU07 isolated from distillery waste. The lipase production was
      optimized by response surface methodology, and a maximum production of 14.5U/mL
      was observed at 30 degrees C and pH 7, using a 0.5% (v/v) inoculum, 2% (v/v)
      castor oil (inducer), and agitation 150rpm. The optimized conditions from the
      shake flask experiments were validated in a 3L lab scale bioreactor, and the
      lipase production increased to 48U/mL. The enzyme was purified by ammonium
      sulfate precipitation and ion exchange chromatography and the overall yield was
      36%. SDS-PAGE indicated a molecular weight of 45kDa for the purified protein, and
      Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight analysis of the
      purified lipase showed sequence similarity with GDSL family of lipases. The
      optimum temperature and pH for activity of the enzyme was found to be 50 degrees
      C and 8.0, respectively. The lipase was completely inhibited by
      phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride but minimal inhibition was observed when incubated
      with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and dithiothreitol. The enzyme was stable in
      the presence of non-polar hydrophobic solvents. Detergents like SDS inhibited
      enzyme activity; however, there was minimal loss of enzyme activity when
      incubated with hydrogen peroxide, Tween 80 and Triton X-100. The kinetic
      constants (Km and Vmax) revealed that the hydrolytic activity of the lipase was
      specific to moderate chain fatty acid esters. The Vmax, Km and Vmax/Km ratio of
      the enzyme were 16.98U/mg, 0.51mM, and 33.29, respectively when 4-nitrophenyl
      palmitate was used as a substrate. 

PMID- 27268116
TI  - Performance of two alternative methods for Listeria detection throughout Serro
      Minas cheese ripening.
AB  - The ability of pathogens to survive cheese ripening is a food-security concern.
      Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of two alternative
      methods of analysis of Listeria during the ripening of artisanal Minas cheese.
      These methods were tested and compared with the conventional method: Lateral Flow
      SystemTM, in cheeses produced on laboratory scale using raw milk collected from
      different farms and inoculated with Listeria innocua; and VIDAS((r))-LMO, in
      cheese samples collected from different manufacturers in Serro, Minas Gerais,
      Brazil. These samples were also characterized in terms of lactic acid bacteria,
      coliforms and physical-chemical analysis. In the inoculated samples, L. innocua
      was detected by Lateral Flow SystemTM method with 33% false-negative and 68%
      accuracy results. L. innocua was only detected in the inoculated samples by the
      conventional method at 60-days of cheese ripening. L. monocytogenes was not
      detected by the conventional and the VIDAS((r))-LMO methods in cheese samples
      collected from different manufacturers, which impairs evaluating the performance
      of this alternative method. We concluded that the conventional method provided a
      better recovery of L. innocua throughout cheese ripening, being able to detect L.
      innocua at 60-day, aging period which is required by the current legislation. 

PMID- 27268115
TI  - The prevalence of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme and virulence genes among
      enterococci with high-level aminoglycoside resistance in Inner Mongolia, China.
AB  - This study highlights the prevalence of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes and
      virulence determinants among clinical enterococci with high-level aminoglycoside
      resistance in Inner Mongolia, China. Screening for high-level aminoglycoside
      resistance against 117 enterococcal clinical isolates was performed using the
      agar-screening method. Out of the 117 enterococcal isolates, 46 were selected for
      further detection and determination of the distribution of aminoglycoside
      modifying enzyme-encoding genes and virulence determinants using polymerase chain
      reaction -based methods. Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were
      identified as the species of greatest clinical importance. The aac(6')-Ie-aph(2")
      Ia and ant(6')-Ia genes were found to be the most common aminoglycoside-modifying
      enzyme genes among high-level gentamicin resistance and high-level streptomycin
      resistance isolates, respectively. Moreover, gelE was the most common virulence
      gene among high-level aminoglycoside resistance isolates. Compared to
      Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis harbored multiple virulence
      determinants. The results further indicated no correlation between aminoglycoside
      modifying enzyme gene profiles and the distribution of virulence genes among the
      enterococcal isolates with high-level gentamicin resistance or high-level
      streptomycin resistance evaluated in our study. 

PMID- 27268117
TI  - CTX-M extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp,
      Shigella spp and Escherichia coli isolates in Iranian hospitals.
AB  - This study was conducted in Iran in order to assess the distribution of CTX-M
      type ESBLs producing Enterobacteriaceae. From January 2012 to December 2013,
      totally 198 E. coli, 139 Klebsiella spp, 54 Salmonella spp and 52 Shigella spp
      from seven hospitals of six provinces in Iran were screened for resistance to
      extended-spectrum cephalosporins. After identification and susceptibility
      testing, isolates presenting multiple-drug resistance (MDR) were evaluated for
      ESBL production by the disk combination method and by Etest using (cefotaxime and
      cefotaxime plus clavulanic acid). All isolates were also screened for blaCTX-M
      using conventional PCR. A total of 42.92%, 33.81%, 14.81% and 7.69% of the E.
      coli, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp and Shigella spp isolates were MDR,
      respectively. The presence of CTX-M enzyme among ESBL-producing isolates was
      85.18%, 77.7%, 50%, and 66.7%, in E. coli, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp and
      Shigella spp respectively. The overall presence of CTX-M genes in
      Enterobacteriaceae was 15.4% and among the resistant isolates was 47.6%. This
      study indicated that resistance to beta-lactams mediated by CTX-M enzymes in Iran
      had similar pattern as in other parts of the world. In order to control the
      spread of resistance, comprehensive studies and programs are needed. 

PMID- 27268118
TI  - Galectin-related protein: An integral member of the network of chicken galectins
      1. From strong sequence conservation of the gene confined to vertebrates to
      biochemical characteristics of the chicken protein and its crystal structure.

PMID- 27268119
TI  - The concurrent and predictive validity of the Dutch version of the Communicative
      Development Inventory in children with Down Syndrome for the assessment of
      expressive vocabulary in verbal and signed modalities.
AB  - The expressive vocabulary of children with Down Syndrome (DS) is generally
      measured with parental reports, such as the Communicative Development Inventory
      (CDI), given that standardized tests for assessing vocabulary levels may be too
      difficult for most young children with DS. The CDI provides important insight
      into the parents' perception of their child's vocabulary development. The CDI has
      proven to be a valid measurement of expressive vocabulary, spoken and gestural,
      in typical and atypical populations. The validity in children with DS is not well
      established and signed vocabulary is often not included. This longitudinal study
      examined the concurrent and predictive validity of the Dutch version of the CDI
      (N-CDI) in children with DS between 2;0 and 7;6 years old to assess spoken and
      signed vocabulary. N-CDI scores were assessed on strength of association with
      mental age, an expressive vocabulary test and spontaneous language analyses in a
      play setting with parents at T1 and T2 (1.5 years later), and a therapy setting
      with speech language pathologists at T1. The results of the present study show
      that the N-CDI is a valuable and valid measurement of expressive vocabulary in
      children with DS. Strengths and weaknesses of several assessment methods for
      expressive vocabulary are discussed. 

PMID- 27268120
TI  - Mapping Sources of Food Safety Information for U.S. Consumers: Findings From a
      National Survey.
AB  - This research examines the sources from which U.S. consumers obtain their food
      safety information. It seeks to determine differences in the types of information
      sources used by U.S. consumers of different sociodemographic background, as well
      as the relationships between the types of information sources used and food
      safety risk perceptions. Analyzing the 2010 Food Safety Survey (N = 4,568)
      conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, we found that age, gender,
      education, and race predicted the use of different sources for food safety
      information. Additionally, use of several information sources predicted perceived
      susceptibility to foodborne illnesses and severity of food contamination.
      Implications of the findings for food safety risk communication are discussed.

PMID- 27268122
TI  - [Clinical trials, science and economy].

PMID- 27268123
TI  - Coumarin-Spiropyran Dyad with a Hydrogenated Pyran Moiety for Rapid, Selective,
      and Sensitive Fluorometric Detection of Cyanide Anion.
AB  - We synthesized a coumarin-spiropyran dyad with a hydrogenated pyran moiety (2),
      behaving as an off-on type fluorescent receptor for rapid, selective, and
      sensitive detection of cyanide anion (CN(-)) in aqueous media. The receptor
      itself shows almost no fluorescence with a quantum yield < 0.01, due to the
      delocalization of pi-electrons over the molecule. Selective nucleophilic addition
      of CN(-) to the spirocarbon of the molecule rapidly promotes spirocycle opening
      within only 3 min. This leads to localization of pi-electrons on the coumarin
      moiety and exhibits strong light-blue fluorescence at 459 nm with very high
      quantum yield (0.52). As a result of this, the receptor facilitates rapid,
      selective, and sensitive fluorometric detection of CN(-) as low as 1.0 MUM.

PMID- 27268124
TI  - Clinical Validation of a CXCR4 Mutation Screening Assay for Waldenstrom
      Macroglobulinemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a B-cell lymphoma characterized
      by the accumulation of lymphocytes and plasmacytic cells in the bone marrow and
      by excess production of immunoglobulin M in serum. WM has been closely linked
      with the MYD88(L265P) mutation. Whole genome sequencing has identified somatic
      mutations in the CXCR4 gene in ~29% of WM cases with MYD88(L265P). CXCR4
      mutations may interfere with treatment response to ibrutinib. The goal of this
      study was to design and validate a clinical assay to detect CXCR4 mutations.
      METHODS: Thirty-three low-grade B-cell lymphomas with plasmacytic differentiation
      (23 MYD88(L265P) and 10 MYD88(WT)) involving various samples types (fresh and
      formalin-fixed tissues) formed the study group. We designed and validated Sanger
      sequencing and pyrosequencing assays to detect mutations in CXCR4 in a Clinical
      Laboratory Improvement Amendments-approved clinical laboratory. RESULTS: We
      identified 8 cases with CXCR4 mutations, including 5 single nucleotide
      substitutions (3 resulting in p.S338* and 1 in p.R334*), and 3
      insertion/deletions. Seven of 8 CXCR4 mutated cases were also MYD88(L265P)
      mutant. Among the single nucleotide substitutions, we identified a novel missense
      variant (p.L326P) and a previously reported variant (G335S) of uncertain clinical
      significance. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully validated a set of clinical assays to
      detect mutations in CXCR4 mutations in a clinical laboratory.

PMID- 27268125
TI  - New Mechanistic Insights on the Selectivity of Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Organic
      Reactions: The Role of Computational Chemistry.
AB  - With new advances in theoretical methods and increased computational power,
      applications of computational chemistry are becoming practical and routine in
      many fields of chemistry. In organic chemistry, computational chemistry plays an
      indispensable role in elucidating reaction mechanisms and the origins of various
      selectivities, such as chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities. Consequently,
      mechanistic understanding improves synthesis and assists in the rational design
      of new catalysts. In this Account, we present some of our recent works to
      illustrate how computational chemistry provides new mechanistic insights for
      improvement of the selectivities of several organic reactions. These examples
      include not only explanations for the existing experimental observations, but
      also predictions which were subsequently verified experimentally. This Account
      consists of three sections discuss three different kinds of selectivities. The
      first section discusses the regio- and stereoselectivities of hydrosilylations of
      alkynes, mainly catalyzed by [Cp*Ru(MeCN)3](+) or [CpRu(MeCN)3](+). Calculations
      suggest a new mechanism that involves a key ruthenacyclopropene intermediate.
      This mechanism not only explains the unusual Markovnikov regio-selectivity and
      anti-addition stereoselectivity observed by Trost and co-workers, but also
      motivated further experimental investigations. New intriguing experimental
      observations and further theoretical studies led to an extension of the reaction
      mechanism. The second section includes three cases of meta-selective C-H
      activation of aryl compounds. In the case of Cu-catalyzed selective meta-C-H
      activation of aniline, a new mechanism that involves a Cu(III)-Ar-mediated Heck
      like transition state, in which the Ar group acts as an electrophile, was
      proposed. This mechanism predicted a higher reactivity for more electron
      deficient Ar groups, which was supported by experiments. For two template
      mediated, meta-selective C-H bond activations catalyzed by Pd(II), different
      mechanisms were derived for the two templates. One involves a dimeric Pd-Pd or Pd
      Ag active catalyst, and the other involves a monomeric Pd catalyst, in which a
      monoprotected amino acid coordinates in a bidentate fashion and serves as an
      internal base for C-H activation. The third section discusses a desymmetry
      strategy in asymmetric synthesis. The construction of rigid skeletons is critical
      for these catalysts to distinguish two prochiral groups. Overall, fruitful
      collaborations between computational and experimental chemists have provided new
      and comprehensive mechanistic understanding and insights into these useful
      reactions.

PMID- 27268121
TI  - Biological markers of prognosis, response to therapy and outcome in ovarian
      carcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is among the most common types of cancer and
      is the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancies in western
      countries. Cancer biomarkers have a potential for improving the management of
      OvCa patients at every point from screening and detection, diagnosis, prognosis,
      follow up, response to therapy and outcome. AREAS COVERED: The literature search
      has indicated a number of candidate biomarkers have recently emerged that could
      facilitate the molecular definition of OvCa, providing information about
      prognosis and predicting response to therapy. These potentially promising
      biomarkers include immune cells and their products, tumor-derived exosomes,
      nucleic acids and epigenetic biomarkers. Expert commentary: Although most of the
      biomarkers available today require prospective validation, the development of
      noninvasive liquid biopsy-based monitoring promises to improve their utility for
      evaluations of prognosis, response to therapy and outcome in OvCa.

PMID- 27268126
TI  - Doubly N-Methylated Porphyrinoids.
AB  - Chirality-induced aromatic pi-electronic macrocycles, porphyrin and corroles,
      were synthesized through doubly inner N-methylation through multistep and one-pot
      reactions, respectively. The exact structures of doubly N-methylated porphyrin
      and corroles were revealed by single-crystal synchrotron X-ray analysis,
      exhibiting two N-methyl groups located on neighboring pyrrole rings in up/down
      conformations. These doubly inner N-substitutions of the pi-electronic
      macrocycles induced distorted geometries, resulting in chiroptical properties
      after optical resolutions.

PMID- 27268127
TI  - Which Is Better? "Live" Surgical Broadcasts vs "As-Live" Surgical Broadcasts.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recently, the role of "live" surgical broadcasts (LSB) as an
      educational tool to demonstrate surgical techniques at conferences has been
      challenged, with concerns surrounding the well-being and safety of the patient as
      well as the surgeon. There have been notions that "as-live" surgical broadcasts
      (ALSB), prerecorded unedited videos showing either the whole procedure or key
      features, may be educationally superior. Our study was hence conducted to
      determine which was deemed better by a diverse group of international urologists.
      METHODS: All participants of the World Congress of Endourology held in October
      2015 in London were invited to complete an electronic survey using the conference
      app regarding LSB demonstrations compared with ASLB, before the congress and
      again after the congress. Only ALSB videos were used in the congress. RESULTS:
      Both pre- and postconference surveys showed that 76.9% and 78.2% of the
      participants, respectively, perceived that more teaching could be achieved in
      less time using ASLB. 52.8% and 60.3% of respondents indicated ALSB as being
      superior to LSB before and after the conference, respectively. Furthermore, 52.8%
      and 54.5% of respondents regarded ALSB videos as having more educational value
      than LSB before and after the conference, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was
      little perceived difference between ALSB and LSB, showing that ALSB are at least
      noninferior as an educational tool. In view of the numerous ethical and
      logistical issues with LSB, we would advocate ASLB as the educational tool of
      choice for future surgical demonstration at conferences.

PMID- 27268128
TI  - Local Persistence of Novel MRSA Lineage after Hospital Ward Outbreak, Cambridge,
      UK, 2011-2013.

PMID- 27268129
TI  - Time to seroconversion of HBsAg to anti-HBs in individuals who lost HBsAg during
      follow-up.
AB  - To determine the time to appearance of antibody against hepatitis B surface
      antigen (anti-HBs) after clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in
      chronically infected individuals, we followed up 3963 cases with positive
      antibody against hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe) from 1991 to 2014. Of these,
      101 (67 males, 34 females) lost HBsAg. These serocleared cases were checked every
      6-month interval regarding HBsAg, anti-HBs, liver function tests, and liver
      sonography. Hepatitis B virus DNA was assessed at the time of seroclearance or
      the appearance of anti-HBs. The mean age of these patients at entry to this study
      was 34.4 +/- 13 years. The mean follow-up duration until seroclearance of HBsAg
      was 6.6 +/- 4.3 years. After the mean follow-up of 43.7 +/- 45 months, anti-HBs
      appeared in 64 (63.4%) cases. The cumulative probabilities of anti-HBs appearance
      for 2, 5 and 10 years were 24.3%, 58% and 78.2%, respectively. The appearance of
      anti-HBs was associated with age ?35 years and seroclearance of HBsAg (hazard
      ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.32-3.38, P = 0.016) but not with sex. The
      results show that anti-HBs may develop in 78.2% of cases within 10 years of HBsAg
      clearance. Age ?35 years at HBsAg loss was associated with earlier development of
      anti-HBs.

PMID- 27268130
TI  - Targeting Candida albicans filamentation for antifungal drug development.
AB  - Candida albicans remains the main etiological agent of candidiasis, as this
      otherwise normal commensal of humans is capable of causing active infection in
      immune- and medically-compromised patients. The high morbidity and mortality
      rates associated with candidiasis, coupled with the emergence of drug resistance
      demand the development of novel therapeutic strategies. However, there is a
      paucity of selective targets that can be exploited in the development of new
      antifungals. Contrary to conventional antibiotics that kill or curtail growth,
      specifically targeting virulence mechanisms represents an attractive option for
      antifungal drug development. In C. albicans, a growing body of research over the
      last few decades has provided important insights into its virulence factors and
      their contribution to the pathogenesis of candidiasis. Of these, filamentation is
      the one that has received the most attention and perhaps shows the most promise
      as a target for new anti-virulence strategies to combat C. albicans infections.

PMID- 27268131
TI  - Reporting behaviour change interventions: do the behaviour change technique
      taxonomy v1, and training in its use, improve the quality of intervention
      descriptions?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Behaviour change interventions are likely to be reproducible only if
      reported clearly. We assessed whether the behaviour change technique taxonomy
      version 1 (BCTTv1), with and without training in identifying BCTs, improves the
      clarity and replicability of written reports of observed behaviour change
      interventions. METHODS: Three studies assessed effects of using and training in
      the use of BCTTv1 on the clarity and replicability of intervention descriptions
      written after observing videos of smoking cessation interventions. Study 1
      examined the effects of using and not using BCTTv1. Study 2 examined the effects
      of using BCTTv1 and training in use of BCTTv1 compared no use and no training.
      Study 3 employed a within-group design to assess change in descriptions written
      before and after training. One-hundred and 66 'writers' watched videos of
      behaviour change interventions and wrote descriptions of the active components
      delivered. In all studies, the participants' written descriptions were evaluated
      by (i) 12 'raters' (untrained in BCTTv1) for clarity and replicability and (ii)
      12 'coders' (trained in BCTTv1) for reliability of BCT coding. Writers rated the
      usability and accessibility of using BCTTv1 to write descriptions. RESULTS:
      Ratings of clarity and replicability did not differ between groups in study 1
      (all ps > 0.05), were poorer for trained users in study 2 (all ps < 0.01) and
      improved following training in study 3 (all ps < 0.05). BCT identification was
      more reliable from descriptions written by trained BCTTv1 users (p < 0.05; study
      2) but not simple use of BCTTv1 (p = 0.93; study 1) or by writers who had written
      a description without BCTTv1, before training (p = 0.50; study 3). Writers
      reported that using BCTTv1 was difficult but 'useful', 'good' and 'desirable' and
      that their descriptions would be clear and replicable (all means above mid-point
      of the scale). CONCLUSIONS: Effects of training to use BCTTv1 on the quality of
      written reports of observed interventions were mixed, with some suggestion of
      improved clarity and replicability of reporting in the within- (study 3) but not
      the between-group studies (studies 1 and 2). Potential benefits of using BCTTv1
      may have been limited by the artificial nature and time constraints of the task.

PMID- 27268132
TI  - Vicious circle between progressive right ventricular dilatation and pulmonary
      regurgitation in patients after tetralogy of Fallot repair? Right heart
      enlargement promotes flow reversal in the left pulmonary artery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The left pulmonary artery (LPA) contributes more than the right (RPA)
      to total pulmonary regurgitation (PR) in patients after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
      repair, but the mechanism of this difference is not well understood. This study
      aimed to analyze the interplay between heart and lung size, mediastinal geometry,
      and differential PR. METHODS: Forty-eight Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR)
      studies in patients after TOF repair were analyzed. In addition to the routine
      blood flow and ventricular volume quantification cardiac angle between the
      thoracic anterior-posterior line and the interventricular septum, right and left
      lung areas as well as right and left hemithorax areas were measured on an axial
      image. Statistical analysis was performed to compare flow parameters between RPA
      and LPA and to assess correlation among right ventricular volume, pulmonary blood
      flow parameters and lung area. RESULTS: There was no difference between LPA and
      RPA diameters. The LPA showed significantly less total forward flow (2.49 +/-
      0.87 L/min/m(2) vs 2.86 +/- 0.89 L/min/m(2); p = 0.02), smaller net forward flow
      (1.40 +/- 0.51 vs 1.89 +/- 0.60 mL/min/m(2); p = <0.001), and greater regurgitant
      fraction (RF) (34 +/- 10 % vs 43 +/- 12 %; p = 0.001) than the RPA. There was no
      difference in regurgitant flow volume between RPA and LPA (p = 0.29). Indexed
      right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDVi) correlated with LPA RF (R = 0.48,
      p < 0.001), but not with RPA RF (p = 0.09). Larger RVEDVi correlated with a more
      leftward cardiac axis (R = 0.46, p < 0.001) and with smaller left lung area (R = 
      0.58, p < 0.001). LPA RF, but not RPA RF, correlated inversely with left lung
      area (R = -0.34, p = 0.02). The follow-up CMRs in 20 patients showed a
      correlation of the rate of RV enlargement with the rates of LPA RF worsening (R =
      0.50, p = 0.03), and of increasing left lung compression (R = -0.55, p = 0.012).
      CONCLUSION: An enlarged and levorotated heart is associated with left lung
      compression and impaired flow into the left lung.

PMID- 27268134
TI  - New virus discovered in blood supply: Human hepegivirus-1 (HHpgV-1).

PMID- 27268135
TI  - Generation of Hierarchically Ordered Structures on a Polymer Film by
      Electrohydrodynamic Structure Formation.
AB  - The extensive applications of hierarchical structures in optoelectronics,
      micro/nanofluidics, energy conservation, etc., have led to the development of a
      variety of approaches for their fabrication, which can be categorized as bottom
      up or top-down strategies. Current bottom-up and top-down strategies bear a
      complementary relationship to each other due to their processing characteristics,
      i.e., the advantages of one method correspond to the disadvantages of the other,
      and vice versa. Here we propose a novel method based on electrohydrodynamic
      structure formation, aimed at combining the main advantages of the two
      strategies. The method allows the fabrication of a hierarchically ordered
      structure with well-defined geometry and high mechanical durability on a polymer
      film, through a simple and low-cost process also suitable for mass-production. In
      this approach, upon application of an electric field between a template and a
      substrate sandwiching an air gap and a polymer film, the polymer is pulled toward
      the template and further flows into the template cavities, resulting in a
      hierarchical structure with primary and secondary patterns determined by
      electrohydrodynamic instability and by the template features, respectively. In
      this work, the fabrication of a hierarchical structure by electrohydrodynamic
      structure formation is studied using numerical simulations and experimental
      tests. The proposed method is then employed for the one-step fabrication of a
      hierarchical structure exhibiting a gradual transition in the periodicity of the
      primary structure using a slant template and a flat polymer film, which presents
      an excellent performance on controllable wettability. 

PMID- 27268133
TI  - Patients' Use of Multiple Hospitals in a Major US City: Implications for
      Population Management.
AB  - Understanding how often patients seek care from multiple hospitals is important
      for care of individuals and populations, but it is not routinely measured because
      of lack of data. This study used data from a health information exchange (HIE) to
      measure the frequency with which patients seek care from multiple hospitals. This
      was a retrospective cohort study (2010-2011) of all patients who sought emergency
      department (ED) or inpatient care at 6 participating hospitals in Manhattan. The
      study found that all 6 hospitals shared patients with each of the other hospitals
      and that 10.0% of all ED visits and 9.1% of all admissions were for patients who
      had been seen in a different hospital in the past 12 months. Patients are
      frequently seen by multiple hospitals, which poses a challenge for clinical care
      and population management. By capturing which patients are seen where and when,
      HIEs are well suited for facilitating population management.

PMID- 27268136
TI  - Polyhydrides of Platinum Group Metals: Nonclassical Interactions and sigma-Bond
      Activation Reactions.
AB  - The preparation, structure, dynamic behavior in solution, and reactivity of
      polyhydride complexes of platinum group metals, described during the last three
      decades, are contextualized from both organometallic and coordination chemistry
      points of view. These compounds, which contain dihydrogen, elongated dihydrogen,
      compressed dihydride, and classical dihydride ligands promote the activation of B
      H, C-H, Si-H, N-H, O-H, C-C, C-N, and C-F, among other sigma-bonds. In this
      review, it is shown that, unlike other more mature areas, the chemistry of
      polyhydrides offers new exciting conceptual challenges and at the same time the
      possibility of interacting with other fields including the conversion and storage
      of regenerative energy, organic synthetic chemistry, drug design, and material
      science. This wide range of possible interactions foresees promising advances in
      the near future. 

PMID- 27268137
TI  - The effect of tooth brushing, irrigation, and topical tetracycline administration
      on the reduction of oral bacteria in mechanically ventilated patients: a
      preliminary study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the main causes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is
      thought to be aspiration of oropharyngeal fluid containing pathogenic
      microorganisms. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of various oral
      care methods on the reduction of oral bacteria during intubation. METHODS: First,
      the effect of mechanical oral cleaning was investigated. The bacterial count on
      the tongue and in the oropharyngeal fluid was measured after tooth brushing,
      irrigation, and three hours after irrigation in mechanically ventilated patients
      at the intensive care unit (ICU). Next, the efficacy of topical administration of
      tetracycline and povidone iodine on the inhibition of bacterial growth on the
      tongue and in the oropharyngeal fluid was examined in oral cancer patients during
      neck dissection. RESULTS: The number of bacteria in the oropharyngeal fluid was
      approximately 10(5)-10(6) cfu/mL before surgery, but increased to 10(8) cfu/mL
      after intubation. Oral care with tooth brushing and mucosal cleaning did not
      reduce oral bacteria, while irrigation of the oral cavity and oropharynx
      significantly decreased it to a level of 10(5) cfu/mL (p < 0.001). However, oral
      bacteria increased again to almost 10(8) cfu/mL within three hours of irrigation.
      Oral bacteria did not decrease by topical povidone iodine application. In
      contrast, 30 min after topical administration of tetracycline, the number of oral
      bacteria decreased to 10(5) cfu/mL, and remained under 10(6) cfu/mL throughout
      the entire experimental period of 150 min. CONCLUSIONS: While the present studies
      are only preliminary, these results indicate that irrigation of the oral cavity
      and oropharynx followed by topical antibiotic administration may reduce oral
      bacteria in mechanically ventilated patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000018318 ,
      1 August 2015.

PMID- 27268138
TI  - Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in adult patients with pulmonary
      tuberculosis in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge and depression is
      a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. Current evidence
      suggests that there is an association between depressive symptoms and TB, lower
      adherence to treatment, and increased morbidity and mortality. However, there is
      paucity of data regarding these associations in Cameroon. This study aimed to
      determine the prevalence and correlates of depression in adult patients with
      pulmonary TB (PTB) in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. METHODS: A hospital-based
      cross-sectional study involving 265 patients with PTB was conducted from 2(nd)
      January to 31(st) March 2015 in the Limbe Regional Hospital and the Kumba
      District Hospital. Depression was diagnosed using the standard nine-item Patient
      Health Questionnaire, and classified as none, mild or moderate. Logistic
      regressions were used to investigate correlates of depression in these patients.
      RESULTS: Of the 265 patients (mean age 36.9 +/- 10 years) studied, 136 (51.3 %)
      were female. The prevalence of depression was 61.1 % (95 % CI: 55.1-66.8), with a
      significant proportion (36.6 %) having mild depression. Multivariable logistic
      regression analysis showed that being female (aOR = 3.0, 95 % CI (1.7-5.5), P <
      0.001), having a family history of mental illness (aOR = 2.5, 95 % CI: 1.3-5.4, P
      > 0.05), being on retreatment for TB (aOR = 11.2, 95 % CI: 5.2-31.1, P < 0.001),
      having discontinued treatment (aOR = 8.2, 95 % CI: 1.1-23.3, P < 0.05) and having
      a HIV/TB co-infection (aOR = 2.5, 95 % CI: 1.2-6.5, P < 0.001) were factors
      associated with having a higher chance of being depressed. CONCLUSION: Our study
      suggests that there is a high prevalence of depression among PTB patients, with
      more than one in two patients affected. Multidisciplinary care for TB patients
      involving mental health practitioners is highly encouraged, especially for high
      risk groups.

PMID- 27268139
TI  - Strengthening Purity: Moral Purity as a Mediator of Direct and Extended Cross
      Group Friendships on Sexual Prejudice.
AB  - The present research investigated whether enhanced perceptions of moral purity
      drive the effects of intergroup cross-group friendships on the intentions to
      interact with homosexuals. High-school students (N = 639) reported their direct
      and extended cross-group friendships with homosexuals as well as their beliefs
      regarding the moral character of the sexual minority. Participants further
      reported their desire to interact with homosexuals in the future. Results showed
      that both face-to-face encounters and extended contact with homosexuals increased
      their perceived moral purity, which in turn fostered more positive behavioral
      intentions. Results further revealed the specific role of moral purity in this
      sense, as differential perceptions along other moral domains (autonomy and
      community) had no mediation effects on behavioral tendencies toward homosexuals.
      The importance of these findings for improving intergroup relations is discussed,
      together with the importance of integrating research on intergroup contact and
      morality.

PMID- 27268140
TI  - Selective Uptake and Refolding of Globular Proteins in Coacervate Microdroplets.
AB  - Intrinsic differences in the molecular sequestration of folded and unfolded
      proteins within poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDDA)/poly(acrylate) (PAA)
      coacervate microdroplets are exploited to establish membrane-free
      microcompartments that support protein refolding, facilitate the recovery of
      secondary structure and enzyme activity, and enable the selective uptake and
      exclusion of folded and unfolded biomolecules, respectively. Native bovine serum
      albumin, carbonic anhydrase, and alpha-chymotrypsin are preferentially
      sequestered within positively charged coacervate microdroplets, and the unfolding
      of these proteins in the presence of increasing amounts of urea results in an
      exponential decrease in the equilibrium partition constants as well as the
      kinetic release of unfolded molecules from the droplets into the surrounding
      continuous phase. Slow refolding in the presence of positively charged
      microdroplets leads to the resequestration of functional proteins and the
      restoration of enzymatic activity; however, fast refolding results in protein
      aggregation at the droplet surface. In contrast, slow and fast refolding in the
      presence of negatively charged PDDA/PAA droplets gives rise to reduced protein
      aggregation and misfolding by interactions at the droplet surface to give
      increased levels of protein renaturation. Together, our observations provide new
      insights into the bottom-up design and construction of self-assembling
      microcompartments capable of supporting the selective uptake and refolding of
      globular proteins.

PMID- 27268141
TI  - p53 represses the transcription of snRNA genes by preventing the formation of
      little elongation complex.
AB  - The regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is important for a
      variety of cellular functions. ELL/EAF-containing little elongation complex (LEC)
      was found to be required for transcription of Pol II-dependent small nuclear RNA
      (snRNA) genes. It was shown that the tumor suppressor p53 interacts with ELL and
      inhibits transcription elongation activity of ELL. Here, we show that p53
      inhibits interaction between ELL/EAF and ICE1 in LEC and thereby p53 represses
      transcription of Pol II-dependent snRNA genes through inhibiting LEC function.
      Furthermore, induction of p53 expression by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation
      decreases the occupancy of ICE1 at Pol II-dependent snRNA genes. Consistent with
      the results, knockdown of p53 increased both the expression of snRNA genes and
      the occupancy of Pol II and components of LEC at snRNA genes. Our results
      indicate that p53 interferes with the interaction between ELL/EAF and ICE1 and
      represses transcription of snRNA genes by Pol II.

PMID- 27268142
TI  - Socioeconomic status and health outcomes: cystic fibrosis as a model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Socioeconomic status (SES), which indicates one's access to
      financial, educational, and social resources, is a powerful determinant of health
      outcomes in multiple chronic diseases. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal
      recessive disorder caused by mutations in a single gene. Although life expectancy
      and quality of life for patients with CF have improved exponentially, disease
      severity varies substantially, even among individuals with identical genotypes.
      AREAS COVERED: CF disease progression and outcomes are influenced by a number of
      nongenetic factors, such as material well-being, educational attainment, living
      and working conditions, physical environment and exposures, family environment,
      social support, health behaviors, and health care. This review discusses pathways
      by which financial, educational, and social resources are translated into health
      advantages in CF. Expert commentary: To achieve equitable CF outcomes, the
      contribution of nongenetic factors must be emphasized, highlighting the
      mechanisms through which the social and physical environments influence disease
      variability.

PMID- 27268143
TI  - Water Sorption Isotherms of Surfactants: A Tool To Evaluate Humectancy.
AB  - Fundamental experimental data for moisture absorption of non-ionic polydisperse
      surfactants with differing ethylene oxide (EO) content and variable aliphatic
      portions were measured at relative humidities between 0 and 95% at 25  degrees C.
      Remarkable differences in moisture absorption were observed between surfactant
      classes but also within one series of surfactants differing in either EO content
      or the long-chain aliphatic fraction. Both the EO units as well as the entire
      molecular structure, including also the lipophilic domain, were discussed to
      account for the humectant activity of surfactants. Water sorption isotherms
      showed an exponential shape, which was argued to be associated with the formation
      of a "free" water domain. These humectant properties might be relevant to the
      behavior of a foliar-applied spray droplet of agrochemical formulation products
      because the uptake of active ingredients will be enhanced as a result of deferred
      crystal precipitation. 

PMID- 27268144
TI  - Dynamics of ligand binding to GPCR: Residence time of melanocortins and its
      modulation.
AB  - Ligand binding dynamics and the concept of drug-target residence time are
      essential factors in the development of novel drugs. Conventional ligand binding
      assays, which usually collect end-point data, do not provide abundant information
      regarding the ligand binding kinetics. Therefore, novel methods that allow on
      line monitoring of ligand binding processes have to be developed and implemented
      for drug discovery studies. In this study, we provide a short overview of novel
      possibilities to characterize ligand binding dynamics to different G protein
      coupled receptors (GPCRs). Special attention has been paid to the ligand binding
      to melanocortin 4 receptors and to the development of a fluorescence anisotropy
      based assay system using receptors in budded baculovirus particles. It has been
      shown that ligand binding to melanocortin 4 receptors occurs to tandemly arranged
      interconnecting ligand binding sites and that the conventional equilibrium
      usually cannot be achieved in this system. Therefore, the apparent potencies of
      the same ligand may differ by up to four orders of magnitude, depending on the
      experimental conditions and the reporter ligand used.

PMID- 27268146
TI  - Novel histone deacetylase inhibitors derived from Magnolia officinalis
      significantly enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - Histone modifications play critical roles in the progression of non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for almost 85% of all diagnosed lung cancers.
      Magnolol and polyphenol mixture (PM) derived from Magnolia officinalis exhibited
      remarkable antitumor activities in lung cancer. However, the epigenetic effects
      and molecular mechanisms of magnolol and PM in NSCLC have yet to be reported. In
      this study, the epigenetic effects of magnolol and PM in NSCLC were examined in
      vitro and in vivo. Results revealed that magnolol and PM significantly suppressed
      the expression levels and function of class I histone deacetylases (HDACs). In
      A549 and H1299 cells, magnolol and PM remarkably induced cell apoptosis by
      arresting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase while simultaneously activating
      various pro-apoptotic signals, including TRAIL-R2 (DR5), Bax, caspase 3, cleaved
      caspase 3, and cleaved PARP. However, these apoptosis-promoting effects could be
      attenuated by TSA, which is a specific class I HDACs inhibitor. ChIP assays also
      demonstrated that magnolol and PM significantly enriched the histone acetyl mark
      (H3K27ac) in the promoter region of DR5. In A549 xenograft model, magnolol and PM
      notably reduced tumor growth by 44.40% and 35.40%, respectively. Therefore,
      magnolol and PM, as potential inhibitors of class I HDACs, induced tumor cell
      apoptosis and suppressed tumor growth partially by epigenetically activating DR5,
      which is a key protein in death receptor signaling pathway.

PMID- 27268147
TI  - Multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis isolates from calves in Oromia
      Special Zone, Central Ethiopia.
AB  - Giardia duodenalis is a widespread protozoan parasite that infects human and
      other mammals. Assessing the zoonotic transmission of the infection requires
      molecular characterization as there is considerable genetic variation within the
      species. This study was conducted to identify assemblages of Giardia duodenalis
      in dairy calves; and to assess the potential role of cattle isolates in zoonotic
      transmission in central Ethiopia. A total of 449 fecal samples were collected and
      screened using microscopy and PCR targeting the small-subunit (ssu) rRNA, triose
      phosphate isomerase (tpi), beta-giardin (bg) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh)
      genes. The overall prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in dairy calves was found to
      be 9.6% (43/449). The prevalence of infection based on sex, age and breed
      difference was statistically not significant (p>0.05). Genotyping results
      revealed the presence of assemblage E and assemblage A (AI). The genotypic
      frequency reported was 95.3% (41/43) for assemblage E and 4.7% (2/43) for
      assemblage A. There was one mixed infection with assemblages AI and E. Sequence
      analyses showed the existence of 10 genotypes within assemblage E. One genotype
      that showed novel nucleotide substitution was identified at the ssu rRNA locus.
      The other 9 genotypes, 3 at each locus, were identified at the tpi, the bg and
      the gdh loci with two of the gdh genotypes were novel. Findings of the current
      study indicate the occurrence of the livestock-specific assemblage E and the
      potentially zoonotic assemblage A, with the former being more prevalent. Although
      the zoonotic assemblage was less prevalent, there is a possibility of zoonotic
      human infection as AI is reported from both animals and humans.

PMID- 27268149
TI  - The nuclear elongation factor-1alpha gene: a promising marker for phylogenetic
      studies of Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).
AB  - Molecular systematics is a remarkable approach for understanding the taxonomic
      traits and allows the exploration of the inter-population dynamics of several
      species in the Triatominae subfamily that are involved in Trypanosoma cruzi
      transmission. Compared to other relevant species that transmit vector-borne
      diseases, such as some species of the Diptera, there are relatively few nuclear
      genetic markers available for systematic studies in the Triatominae subfamily.
      Molecular systematic studies performed on Triatominae are based on mitochondrial
      gene fragments and, less frequently, on nuclear ribosomal genes or spacers. Due
      to the fact that these markers can occasionally present problems such as nuclear
      mitochondrial genes (NUMTs) or intra-genomic variation for high gene copy
      numbers, it is necessary to use additional nuclear markers to more reliably
      address the molecular evolution of Triatominae. In this study, we performed
      phylogenetic analysis using the nuclear elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1alpha)
      gene in individuals from 12 species belonging to the Triatomini and Rhodniini
      tribes. Genetic diversities and phylogenetic topologies were compared with those
      obtained for the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and Cytochrome b (cyt b) genes, as well
      as for the D2 variable region of the ribosomal 28S rRNA gene. These results
      indicate that the EF-1alpha marker exhibits an intermediate level of diversity
      compared to mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal genes, and that phylogenetic
      analysis based on EF-1alpha is highly informative for resolving deep phylogenetic
      relationships in Triatominae, such as tribe or genera.

PMID- 27268148
TI  - CD8(+) T cells specific to a single Yersinia pseudotuberculosis epitope restrict
      bacterial replication in the liver but fail to provide sterilizing immunity.
AB  - CD8(+) T cells use contact-dependent cytolysis of target cells to protect the
      host against intracellular pathogens. We have previously shown that CD8(+) T
      cells and perforin are required to protect against the extracellular pathogen
      Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Here we establish an experimental system where
      CD8(+) T cells specific to a single model antigen are the only memory response
      present at time of challenge. Using mice immunized with a vaccine strain of
      Listeria monocytogenes that expresses secreted ovalbumin (Lm-OVA), we show that
      OVA-specific CD8(+) T cells are generated and provide limited protection against
      challenge with virulent OVA(+)Y. pseudotuberculosis. Perforin expression by OVA
      specific CD8(+) T cells was required, as Lm-OVA-immunized perforin-deficient mice
      showed higher bacterial burden as compared to Lm-OVA-immunized perforin
      sufficient mice. Surprisingly, antigen-specific T cell protection waned over
      time, as Lm-OVA-immune mice eventually succumbed to Yersinia infection. Kinetic
      analysis of infection in mice with and without OVA-specific CD8(+) T cells
      revealed that bacterial numbers increased sharply in OVA-naive mice until death,
      while OVA-immune mice held bacterial burden to a lower level throughout the
      duration of illness until death. Clonal analysis of bacterial populations in OVA
      naive and OVA-immune mice at distinct time points revealed equivalent and severe
      bottle-neck effects for bacteria in both sets of mice immediately after
      intravenous challenge, demonstrating a dominant role for other aspects of the
      immune system regardless of CD8(+) T cell status. These studies indicate that
      CD8(+) T cells against a single antigen can restrict Y. pseudotuberculosis
      colonization in a perforin-dependent manner, but ultimately are insufficient in
      their ability to provide sterilizing immunity and protect against death.

PMID- 27268145
TI  - PPARgamma signaling and emerging opportunities for improved therapeutics.
AB  - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand
      activated nuclear receptor that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism,
      endothelial function and inflammation. Rosiglitazone (RGZ) and other
      thiazolidinedione (TZD) synthetic ligands of PPARgamma are insulin sensitizers
      that have been used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, undesirable
      side effects including weight gain, fluid retention, bone loss, congestive heart
      failure, and a possible increased risk of myocardial infarction and bladder
      cancer, have limited the use of TZDs. Therefore, there is a need to better
      understand PPARgamma signaling and to develop safer and more effective PPARgamma
      directed therapeutics. In addition to PPARgamma itself, many PPARgamma ligands
      including TZDs bind to and activate G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40), also
      known as free fatty acid receptor 1. GPR40 signaling activates stress kinase
      pathways that ultimately regulate downstream PPARgamma responses. Recent studies
      in human endothelial cells have demonstrated that RGZ activation of GPR40 is
      essential to the optimal propagation of PPARgamma genomic signaling.
      RGZ/GPR40/p38 MAPK signaling induces and activates PPARgamma co-activator-1alpha,
      and recruits E1A binding protein p300 to the promoters of target genes, markedly
      enhancing PPARgamma-dependent transcription. Therefore in endothelium, GPR40 and
      PPARgamma function as an integrated signaling pathway. However, GPR40 can also
      activate ERK1/2, a proinflammatory kinase that directly phosphorylates and
      inactivates PPARgamma. Thus the role of GPR40 in PPARgamma signaling may have
      important implications for drug development. Ligands that strongly activate
      PPARgamma, but do not bind to or activate GPR40 may be safer than currently
      approved PPARgamma agonists. Alternatively, biased GPR40 agonists might be sought
      that activate both p38 MAPK and PPARgamma, but not ERK1/2, avoiding its harmful
      effects on PPARgamma signaling, insulin resistance and inflammation. Such next
      generation drugs might be useful in treating not only type 2 diabetes, but also
      diverse chronic and acute forms of vascular inflammation such as atherosclerosis
      and septic shock.

PMID- 27268150
TI  - High-throughput sequencing of microbial diversity in implant-associated
      infection.
AB  - Few molecular studies have shown that the number of bacterial species in implant
      associated infection may have been underestimated. To determine the actual
      microbial diversity in implant-associated infection, a high-throughput sequencing
      method was adopted to sequence the DNAs extracted from the tissues of infected
      and uninfected patients. Principal component analysis (PCA) and beta diversity
      showed an obvious divergence of infected and uninfected groups, and that the
      overgrowth of Proteobacteria (80.87%), Firmicutes (13.41%) in the positive deep
      infection group (P.d, via biopsy) and Proteobacteria (91.68%) in the positive
      surface infection group (P.s, via swabs) might be the causative factors in
      implant-associated infection. Moreover, Venn results indicated that a mean of 330
      common operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was obtained in all groups, of which
      113, 109, 45, 20, 13 and 12 OTUs belonging to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria,
      Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, Gemmatimonadetes and Chloroflexi were identified.
      In conclusion, many traditional "pathogenic bacteria" were identified as the
      common bacteria in operation sites, and the disruption of their complex
      interaction caused infection; therefore, further work is need to illustrate the
      aetiology of implant-associated infection using in-depth systems-level analyses.

PMID- 27268151
TI  - Molecular epidemiology of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jericho and its
      vicinity in Palestine from 1994 to 2015.
AB  - Cutaneous leishmaniases (CL) are vector-borne parasitic diseases endemic in many
      countries of the Middle East including Palestine. Between 1994 and 2015, 2160
      clinically suspected human cases of CL from the Jericho District were examined.
      Stained skin tissue smears and aspirates were checked by microscopy and cultured
      for promastigotes, respectively. For leishmanial species identification,
      amplification products from a PCR-ITS1 followed by RFLP analysis using Hae III.
      Data were analyzed using Epi Info free-software. The overall infection rate was
      41.4% (895/2160), 56.3% (504/895) of the cases were male, 43.7% (391/895) female,
      60.5% (514/849) children under age 14, 41.3% (259/627) of the cases were caused
      by Leishmaniamajor and 57.3% (359/627) by Leishmaniatropica. The case numbers
      peaked in 1995, 2001, 2004, and 2012. Statistically-significant clusters of cases
      caused by L. major were restricted to the Jericho District; those caused by L.
      tropica were from the districts of Jericho, Bethlehem, Nablus and Tubas. CL is
      seasonal and trails the sand fly season. Distribution of cases was parabolic with
      fewest in July. The monthly total number of cases of CL and just those caused by
      L. major correlated significantly with temperature, rainfall, relative humidity,
      evaporation, wind speed and sunshine (P<0.05, r2=0.7-0.9 and P<0.05, r2=0.5-0.8,
      respectively). Cases caused by L. tropica, significantly, had a single lesion
      compared to cases caused by L. major (P=0.0001), which, significantly, had
      multiple lesions (P=0.0001). This and previous studies showed that CL is present
      in all Palestinian districts. The surveillance of CL has increased public
      awareness and molecular biological methodology for leishmanial species
      identification is an essential addition to classical diagnosis. The overall
      results are discussed, correlated to climatic and environmental changes and large
      scale human activities.

PMID- 27268152
TI  - Redox-Innocent Metal-Assisted Cleavage of S-S Bond in a Disulfide-Containing
      Ligand.
AB  - Due to their redox capabilities, thiols have an important role in biological
      oxidative/reductive processes through the formation of disulfides or their
      oxidation to into sulfenic, sulfinic, or sulfonic derivatives being also relevant
      for specific enzyme activities. The mechanisms of these biological pathways often
      involve metal ion(s). In this case, deciphering metal-assisted transformation of
      the S-S bond is of primary interest. This report details the reactivity of the
      disulfide-containing 2,6-bis[(bis(pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4
      methylmercaptophenyldisulfide (L(Me(BPA)S-S)) ligand with Cu(II) using different
      experimental conditions (anaerobic, H2O-only, H2O/O2, or O2-only).
      Crystallographic snapshots show the formation of tetranuclear disulfide,
      dinuclear sulfinate, and sulfonate complexes. Mechanistic investigations using
      Zn(II) as control indicate a non-metal-redox-assisted process in all cases. When
      present, water acts as nucleophile and attacks at the S-S bond. Under anhydrous
      conditions, a different pathway involving a direct O2 attack at the disulfide is
      proposed. 

PMID- 27268153
TI  - Measuring spatial equity and access to maternal health services using enhanced
      two step floating catchment area method (E2SFCA) - a case study of the Indian
      Sundarbans.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inaccessibility due to terrain and lack of transport leaves mothers
      travelling for long hours before reaching a facility to deliver a child. In the
      present article we analyzed the issue of spatial inaccessibility and inequity of
      maternal health services in the Indian Sundarbans where complex topography and
      repeated climatic adversities make access to health services very difficult.
      METHODS: We based the article on the health-GIS study conducted in the
      Patharpratima Block of the Sundarbans in the year 2012. The region has 87
      villages that are inhabited, of which 54 villages are in the deltaic (river
      locked) region and 33 villages are located in the non-deltaic region of the
      block. We mapped all public and private maternal health facilities and road and
      water transport network. For measuring inaccessibility, we use the enhanced two
      step floating catchment area method (E2SFCA). For assessing inequity in spatial
      access, we developed an area-based socioeconomic score and constructed a
      concentration curve to depict inequity. We used ARC GIS 10.3.1 and Stata 11
      software for our analysis. RESULTS: The maternal health facilities are primarily
      located in the non-deltaic region of the block. On an average it takes 33.81 min
      to reach the closest maternal health facility. Fifty-two villages out of eighty
      seven villages have access scores less than the score calculated using Indian
      Primary Health Standards. Ten villages cannot access any maternal health
      facility; twenty-six villages have access scores of less than one doctor for 1000
      pregnant women; fifty-six villages have access scores less than the block average
      of 3.54. The access scores are lower among villages in the deltaic region
      compared to the non-deltaic region. The concentration curve is below the line of
      equality showing that access scores were lower among villages that were socio
      economically disadvantaged. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal health facilities are not
      equitably accessible to the populations that are disadvantaged and living in the
      remote pockets of the study region. Provision of a referral transport system
      along with a resilient infrastructure of roads is critical to improve access in
      these islands.

PMID- 27268154
TI  - The Vanishing Twin Syndrome: Two cases of extreme malformations associated with
      vanished twins.
AB  - Two cases of devastating fetal malformations associated with vanished
      monochorionic twins were identified upon review of pathology files. A 35 year-old
      G1P0 woman and 36 year-old G3P1 woman were both diagnosed with an intrauterine
      twin gestation via transvaginal ultrasound at 10 weeks. The spectrum of fetal
      anomalies ranged from omphalocele, bilateral upper extremity and unilateral lower
      extremity hypoplasia, to craniofacial malformation with diaphragmatic hernia. On
      histopathologic examination, the placentas demonstrated vascular anastomoses
      between the surviving co-twin and the "vanished" fetal sac. We propose
      anastomotic placental vasculature as a contributing factor to the observed fetal
      malformations. Additionally, genetic or teratogenic factors may have been
      attributed to the demise of the first twin and the anomalies seen in the other
      twin. While such instances are rare, they are important to consider when
      counseling patients regarding outcomes associated with a monochorionic vanished
      twin.

PMID- 27268155
TI  - RetroDISCO: Clearing technique to improve quantification of retrograde labeled
      motor neurons of intact mouse spinal cords.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quantification of the number of axons reinnervating a target organ is
      often used to assess regeneration after peripheral nerve repair, but because of
      axonal branching, this method can overestimate the number of motor neurons
      regenerating across an injury. Current methods to count the number of regenerated
      motor neurons include retrograde labeling followed by cryosectioning and counting
      labeled motor neuron cell bodies, however, the process of sectioning introduces
      error from potential double counting of cells in adjacent sections. NEW METHOD:
      We describe a method, retroDISCO, that optically clears whole mouse spinal cord
      without loss of fluorescent signal to allow imaging of retrograde labeled motor
      neurons using confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Complete optical clearing of spinal
      cords takes four hours and confocal microscopy can obtain z-stacks of labeled
      motor neuron pools within 3-5min. The technique is able to detect anticipated
      differences in motor neuron number after cross-suture and conduit repair compared
      to intact mice and is highly repeatable. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD:
      RetroDISCO is inexpensive, simple, robust and uses commonly available microscopy
      techniques to determine the number of motor neurons extending axons across an
      injury site, avoiding the need for labor-intensive cryosectioning and potential
      double counting of motor neuron cell bodies in adjacent sections. CONCLUSIONS:
      RetroDISCO allows rapid quantification of the degree of reinnervation without the
      confounding produced by axonal sprouting.

PMID- 27268157
TI  - Surveillance systems and methods for monitoring the post-marketing safety of
      influenza vaccines at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Annual influenza vaccine safety monitoring is an important
      component of the influenza vaccination program in the United States to ensure
      that vaccines are safe, which is important for maintaining public trust in the
      national vaccination program. This is specially the case for influenza vaccines
      since the antigen composition of the viruses of which the vaccine is made often
      changes from one season to the next, based on the circulating strain of influenza
      virus. AREAS COVERED: This review describes the two surveillance systems used by
      the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the safety of
      influenza vaccines: 1) the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS); and 2)
      the Vaccine Safety datalink (VSD). EXPERT OPINION: VAERS and VSD are used
      routinely to monitor the safety of influenza vaccines in the United States, and
      over the years they have demonstrated their value in monitoring vaccine safety
      since their implementation in 1990. Both systems, although different,
      complemented each other well to study febrile seizures in young children
      following influenza vaccination during the 2010-2011 influenza season. Other
      examples of potential safety concerns after influenza vaccines are also presented
      and discussed.

PMID- 27268156
TI  - A linear model for event-related respiration responses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive processes influence respiratory physiology. This may allow
      inferring cognitive states from measured respiration. Here, we take a first step
      towards this goal and investigate whether event-related respiratory responses can
      be identified, and whether they are accessible to a model-based approach. NEW
      METHOD: We regard respiratory responses as the output of a linear time invariant
      system that receives brief inputs after psychological events. We derive average
      responses to visual targets, aversive stimulation, and viewing of arousing
      pictures, in interpolated respiration period (RP), respiration amplitude (RA),
      and respiratory flow rate (RFR). We then base a Psychophysiological Model (PsPM)
      on these averaged event-related responses. The PsPM is inverted to yield
      estimates of cognitive input into the respiratory system. This method is
      validated in an independent data set. RESULTS: All three measures show event
      related responses, which are captured as non-zero response amplitudes in the
      PsPM. Amplitude estimates for RA and RFR distinguish between picture viewing and
      the other tasks. This pattern is replicated in the validation experiment.
      COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Existing respiratory measures are based on
      relatively short time-intervals after an event while the new method is based on
      the entire duration of respiratory responses. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest
      that interpolated respiratory measures show replicable event-related response
      patterns. PsPM inversion is a suitable approach to analysing these patterns, with
      a potential to infer cognitive processes from respiration.

PMID- 27268158
TI  - Teaching and preschoolers' ability to infer knowledge from mistakes.
AB  - For instruction to be effective, teachers must adjust the way they teach to match
      what learners know. We asked whether children's ability to infer what someone
      knows based on his or her mistakes develops alongside their teaching-children's
      use of more explicit teaching strategies and their ability to tailor how much
      information to provide in response to their pupils' mistakes. Preschoolers (N=48)
      were taught a simple game and were then introduced to four puppets: one puppet
      who played the game perfectly, two puppets who each made one mistake, and one
      puppet who made two mistakes. After watching each puppet play individually,
      children were asked to rate the puppet's understanding of the game and then were
      invited to teach the puppet. Children's ability to monitor the relative accuracy
      of the puppets-the ability to make nuanced judgments about what each puppet
      understood based on each puppet's unique mistakes-improved with age. Moreover,
      older children were more explicit and more precise teachers than younger
      children. They more often contrasted the learners' mistakes with what should be
      done and more often provided instructions that directly addressed the puppets'
      unique mistakes. Thus, between 3 and 5 years of age, developments in children's
      ability to infer knowledge from mistakes parallel developments both in the
      strategies children use to teach and in the amount of information they teach in
      response to mistakes.

PMID- 27268159
TI  - Children's generic interpretation of pretense.
AB  - We report two experiments investigating how 3- to 5-year-olds learn general
      knowledge from pretend play-how they learn about kinds of things (e.g.,
      information about dogs) from information about particular individuals in pretend
      play (a certain dog in a pretend scenario). Children watched pretend-play
      enactments in which animals showed certain behaviors or heard utterances
      conveying the same information. When children were subsequently asked about who
      shows the behavior, children who watched pretend play were more likely to give
      generic responses than were children who heard the utterances. These findings
      show that children generalize information from pretend play to kinds even without
      being prompted to think about kinds, that pretend play can be informative about
      familiar kinds, and also that pretend play is a more potent source for general
      knowledge than are utterances about individuals.

PMID- 27268160
TI  - Twelve possible strategies for enhancing interprofessional socialisation in
      higher education: Findings from an interpretive phenomenological study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the interprofessional socialisation
      experiences of health professional educators (HPEs) across five health science
      faculties in Perth, Australia. Evidence supported the importance of educators
      teaching and learning together, although there was minimal evidence with regard
      to the type of support HPEs received or required in order to socialise
      interprofessionally within higher education. Interview participants comprised 26
      HPEs from various health-related professions across Western Australia. An
      interpretive phenomenological framework was used to discover the phenomena of
      interprofessional socialisation. The examination of the data was undertaken via
      qualitative content analysis with the aid of NVivo 10 software. Content coding
      led to the development of categories, sub-categories, and then themes. Five
      themes were identified; however, only one of these themes, "interprofessional
      socialisation strategies within higher education," is explored within this
      article. Based on the data within this theme, 12 possible socialisation
      strategies (formal and informal) were identified for HPEs, which could be
      implemented within health science faculties, taking into account the
      organisation's culture and strategic intent towards interprofessional
      collaboration and education. 

PMID- 27268161
TI  - Enantioselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Spiro-nitroprolinates Mediated by a
      (R,R)-Me-DuPhos.AgF-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition.
AB  - The synthesis of constrained spirocycles is achieved effectively by means of 1,3
      dipolar cyclodditions employing alpha-imino gamma-lactones as azomethine ylide
      precursors and nitroalkenes as dipolarophiles. The complex formed by (R,R)-Me
      DuPhos 18 and AgF is the most efficient bifunctional catalyst. Final spiro
      nitroprolinates cycloadducts are obtained in good to moderate yields and both
      high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Density functional theory (DFT)
      calculations supported the expected absolute configuration as well as other
      stereochemical parameters.

PMID- 27268162
TI  - Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and measures of human fertility: a
      systematic review.
AB  - Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are found widespread in the
      environment and humans. The relation of PFASs to fertility has now been examined
      in a relatively large number of epidemiologic studies and a synthesis is in
      order. The aim of this study was to assess the current human epidemiologic
      evidence on the association between exposure to PFASs and measures of human
      fertility, with particular emphasis on perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and
      perfluorooctanoate (PFOA). Systematic literature searches were initially
      conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE and subsequently in references and citations of
      included papers. Studies were included if they assessed exposure to PFASs in
      biological samples in relation to reproductive hormones, semen characteristics,
      or time to pregnancy (TTP). Study characteristics and results were abstracted to
      predefined forms, and the studies were assessed for the risk of bias and
      confounding. Sixteen studies investigated the association between PFAS exposure
      in men and semen parameters, reproductive hormone levels, or TTP. There was a
      lack of consistent results among the numerous investigated exposure-outcome
      combinations. However, subtle associations between higher PFOS and lower
      testosterone or abnormal semen morphology cannot be excluded. Eleven studies
      assessed the association between PFAS exposure in women and TTP or reproductive
      hormones levels. Four of eight studies found prolonged TTP with higher PFOS or
      PFOA, but only one study found an association when restricting to nulliparous
      women. In men, there is little evidence of an association between PFAS exposure
      and semen quality or levels of reproductive hormones. For PFOS and PFOA, the
      literature indicates an association with female fecundability in parous women,
      which is most likely not causal.

PMID- 27268163
TI  - Semi-continuous ultrasonic sounding and changes of ultrasonic signal
      characteristics as a sensitive tool for the evaluation of ongoing microstructural
      changes of experimental mortar bars tested for their ASR potential.
AB  - Semi-continuous ultrasonic sounding of experimental mortar bars used in the
      accelerated alkali silica reactivity laboratory test (ASTM C1260) is proposed as
      a supplementary measurement technique providing data that are highly sensitive to
      minor changes in the microstructure of hardening/deteriorating concrete mixture.
      A newly designed, patent pending, heating chamber was constructed allowing
      ultrasonic sounding of mortar bars, stored in accelerating solution without
      necessity to remove the test specimens from the bath during the measurement.
      Subsequent automatic data analysis of recorded ultrasonic signals proved their
      high correlation to the measured length changes (expansion) and their high
      sensitivity to microstructural changes. The changes of P-wave velocity, and of
      the energy, amplitude, and frequency of ultrasonic signal, were in the range of
      10-80%, compared to 0.51% change of the length. Results presented in this study
      thus show that ultrasonic sounding seems to be more sensitive to microstructural
      changes due to ongoing deterioration of concrete microstructure by alkali-silica
      reaction than the dimensional changes.

PMID- 27268164
TI  - Spatial averaging effects of hydrophone on field characterization of planar
      transducer using Fresnel approximation.
AB  - The purpose of this work was to improve the existing models that allow spatial
      averaging effects of piezoelectric hydrophones to be accounted for. The model
      derived in the present study is valid for a planar source and was verified using
      transducers operating at 5 and 20MHz. It is based on Fresnel approximation and
      enables corrections for both on-axis and off-axis measurements. A single-integral
      approximate formula for the axial acoustic pressure was derived, and the validity
      of the Fresnel approximation in the near field of the planar transducer was
      examined. The numerical results obtained using 5 and 20MHz planar transmitters
      with an effective diameter of 12.7mm showed that the derived model could account
      for spatial averaging effects to within 0.2% with Beissner's exact integral
      (Beissner, 1981), for k(a+b)2?pi (where k is the circular wavenumber, and a and b
      are the effective radii of the transmitter and hydrophone, respectively). The
      field distributions along the acoustic axis and the beam directivity patterns are
      also included in the model. The spatial averaging effects of the hydrophone were
      generally observed to cause underestimation of the absolute pressure amplitudes
      of the acoustic beam, and overestimation of the cross-sectional size of the beam
      directivity pattern. However, the cross-sectional size of the directivity pattern
      was also found to be underestimated in the "far zone" (beyond Y0=a(2)/lambda) of
      the transmitter. The results of this study indicate that the spatial averaging
      effect on the beam directivity pattern is negligible for pi(gamma(2)+4gamma)s?1
      (where gamma=b/a, and s is the normalized distance to the planar transducer).

PMID- 27268201
TI  - Factors influencing diagnosis delay of advanced breast cancer in Moroccan women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer in symptomatic women of 3
      months or more is associated with advanced stage and low survival. We conducted
      this study to learn more about the extent and reasons behind diagnosis delay of
      advanced breast cancer in Moroccan women. METHODS: A group of patients with
      advanced breast cancer were interviewed at the National Institute of Oncology in
      Rabat during the period from February to December 2014. Diagnosis delay was
      devised into patient delay and system delay. Patient delay was defined as time
      from first symptoms until first medical consultation. System delay was defined as
      time from first presentation to a health care provider until definite diagnosis
      or treatment. Prospective information and clinical data were collected on a form
      during an interview with each patient and from medical records. RESULTS: In all,
      137 patients were interviewed. The mean age of women was 48.3 +/- 10.4 years. The
      median of consultation time was 6[4,12] months and the median of diagnosis time
      was 1[1,3] months. Diagnosis delay was associated to a personal reason in 96
      (70.1 %) patients and to a medical reason in 19 (13.9 %) patients. A number of
      factors predicted diagnosis delay: symptoms were not considered serious in 66
      (55.9 %) patients; traditional therapy was applied in 15 (12.7 %) patients and
      fear of cancer diagnosis and/or treatment in 14 (11.9 %) patients. A use of
      traditional methods was significantly associated with rural residence and far
      away from basic health center (p = 0.000). Paradoxically, a family history of
      breast cancer was significantly higher in who report a fear of cancer diagnosis
      and/or treatment to diagnosis delay (p < 0.001). Also, a significantly higher
      risk of more than 6 months delay was found among rural women (P = 0.035) and
      women who live far away from specialized care center (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Diagnosis delay is very serious problem in Morocco. Diagnosis delay was
      associated with complex interactions between several factors and with advanced
      stages. There is a need for improving breast cancer information in our
      populations and training of general practitioners to reduce advanced breast
      cancer by promoting early detection.

PMID- 27268202
TI  - Authors' reply to Cunningham and Messerli and colleagues.

PMID- 27268203
TI  - Increased ADMA levels are associated with poor pulmonary outcome in preterm
      neonates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized from the amino acid L-arginine by the
      action of NO synthases (NOS), is a pulmonary vasodilator. Asymmetric
      dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of NOS. Preterm infants have
      higher plasma ADMA concentrations than term infants which could cause inhibition
      of NO synthesis and deterioration in pulmonary functions. We aimed to investigate
      the relationship between serum ADMA and L-arginine levels of preterm infants and
      respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), requirement of surfactant treatment,
      duration of mechanical ventilation, oxygen treatment, and development of
      bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was
      conducted including 80 preterm infants born with gestational age (GA) <= 32 weeks
      and birth weight (BW) <= 1500 g. Blood samples were obtained from all infants
      immediately after birth, and at postnatal 28th day of age. The relationship of
      first-day serum ADMA and L-arginine levels and surfactant requirement, duration
      of mechanical ventilation, oxygen treatment was investigated. Serum ADMA and L
      arginine levels at 1st and 28th days were compared at patients with and without
      BPD. The role of serum ADMA levels at postnatal 28th day of age to predict the
      requirement of oxygen at postmenstrual 36 weeks of age was also investigated.
      RESULTS: Eighty preterm infants (42 male, 38 female) were enrolled in the study.
      Mean BW and GA for the total cohort was 1144.81 +/- 220.44 g and 28.3 +/- 1.8
      weeks, respectively. Sixty-one infants were diagnosed as RDS and 44 infants
      treated with surfactant. The first-day ADMA levels were significantly higher in
      infants with surfactant requirement (1.14 +/- 0.23 versus 0.86 +/- 0.37, p <
      0.01). First-day L-arginine levels were lower in infants with surfactant
      requirement compared to infants without surfactant requirement (22.32 +/- 2.33
      versus 23.75 +/- 2.42, p > 0.05) but not significantly. Serum ADMA and L-arginine
      concentrations at first day were not different among infants with and without BPD
      (p > 0.05). ADMA concentrations at 28th day was significantly higher in infants
      with BPD (1.00 +/- 0.25 versus 0.81 +/- 0.25, p < 0.05). The cutoff level of
      0.875 MUmol/L for ADMA at 28th day offered the best predictive value for oxygen
      requirement at postnatal 36 weeks of age with a sensitivity of 88% and a
      specificity of 54%. Conclusion: Serum ADMA and L-arginine levels are related to
      pulmonary morbidities in newborn. The results of this study show that increased
      ADMA levels are associated with poor pulmonary outcomes in preterm infants.

PMID- 27268204
TI  - Targeted epigenetic repression of a lymphoma oncogene by sequence-specific
      histone modifiers induces apoptosis in DLBCL.
AB  - Alterations to the epigenetic landscape of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
      play a fundamental role in deregulating genes involved in normal lymphocyte
      differentiation. To determine whether targeted epigenetic therapy could reverse
      these pathogenic chromatin changes and suppress the expression of a lymphoma
      oncogene, we focused on BCL6, a transcriptional repressor whose aberrant
      expression is tightly linked to DLBCL proliferation and survival. We fused zinc
      finger (ZF) domains specific for regulatory regions in the BCL6 locus to a
      repressive epigenetic modifier, the Kruppel-associated box (KRAB) repressor
      domain. Distinct ZF-KRAB fusions repressed the local chromatin landscape,
      suppressed BCL6 expression, significantly impaired DLBCL growth, and caused
      widespread cell death in a BCL6-dependent manner. Importantly, expression of
      ectopic BCL6 protein rescued ZF-KRAB-induced cell death, demonstrating the
      modifiers' specificity. We show that sequence-specific epigenetic modifiers can
      alter oncogene expression and induce apoptosis in cancer cells, underscoring
      their potential for future development as targeted epigenetic protein therapies.

PMID- 27268205
TI  - The SBOL Stack: A Platform for Storing, Publishing, and Sharing Synthetic Biology
      Designs.
AB  - Recently, synthetic biologists have developed the Synthetic Biology Open Language
      (SBOL), a data exchange standard for descriptions of genetic parts, devices,
      modules, and systems. The goals of this standard are to allow scientists to
      exchange designs of biological parts and systems, to facilitate the storage of
      genetic designs in repositories, and to facilitate the description of genetic
      designs in publications. In order to achieve these goals, the development of an
      infrastructure to store, retrieve, and exchange SBOL data is necessary. To
      address this problem, we have developed the SBOL Stack, a Resource Description
      Framework (RDF) database specifically designed for the storage, integration, and
      publication of SBOL data. This database allows users to define a library of
      synthetic parts and designs as a service, to share SBOL data with collaborators,
      and to store designs of biological systems locally. The database also allows
      external data sources to be integrated by mapping them to the SBOL data model.
      The SBOL Stack includes two Web interfaces: the SBOL Stack API and SynBioHub.
      While the former is designed for developers, the latter allows users to upload
      new SBOL biological designs, download SBOL documents, search by keyword, and
      visualize SBOL data. Since the SBOL Stack is based on semantic Web technology,
      the inherent distributed querying functionality of RDF databases can be used to
      allow different SBOL stack databases to be queried simultaneously, and therefore,
      data can be shared between different institutes, centers, or other users.

PMID- 27268206
TI  - Nonstructural protein 11 (nsp11) of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome
      virus (PRRSV) promotes PRRSV infection in MARC-145 cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) induces
      one of most important devastating disease of swine worldwide, and the current
      methods poorly control it. Previous studies have indicated that the nonstructural
      protein 11 (nsp11) of PRRSV may be an important protein for the immune escape of
      PRRSV. RESULTS: Here, we firstly explored the effect of over-expression of nsp11
      on PRRSV infection and found that over-expression of nsp11 enhanced the PRRSV
      titers while the small interfering RNA (siRNAs) specifically targeting nsp11
      could reduce the PRRSV titers in MARC-145 cells. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, PRRSV
      nsp11 promotes PRRSV infection in MARC-145 cells and siRNAs targeting nsp11 may
      be a potential therapeutic strategy to control PRRSV in future.

PMID- 27268208
TI  - Public Pressure, Private Protest: Illness Narratives of West Indian Immigrants in
      Montreal with Medically Unexplained Symptoms.
AB  - Some evidence suggests that West Indian immigrants in Canada are a marginalized
      and over-burdened group. However, little attention has been given to examining
      health status and beliefs. We partly redress this gap by investigating health
      beliefs of West Indian immigrants in Montreal with somatic, emotional, or
      medically unexplained symptoms. The overall aim was to elicit and explore illness
      narratives, explanatory models, symptom-attribution and help-seeking in the
      community. A sample of 15 West Indian immigrants took part in semi-structured
      interviews. We found that participants overwhelmingly ascribed their symptoms to
      post-migratory experience. They particularly highlighted the importance of two
      related factors: chronic overwork since migration and irregular patterns of daily
      living. Many worked long hours, including overtime and moonlighting. Participants
      related their irregular patterns of daily living to disturbances of bodily
      functions (e.g., sleeping, eating) as well as to social functions (e.g., family
      life). These themes reflected elements of ethno-physiological beliefs common in
      the West Indies, as well as North American illness models. Attributing medically
      unexplained symptoms to overwork and irregularity in personal and social realms
      may be a socially acceptable way of critiquing perceived injustices in
      participants' work, social and interpersonal situations. This is especially so
      because the dominant discourse regarding race and ethnicity in Canada tends to
      emphasize positive aspects of multiculturalism-only reluctantly acknowledging
      conflict and inequality. Narratives could be interpreted as an oblique criticism
      of Canadian society's apparent indifference to participants' ongoing
      marginalization. 

PMID- 27268207
TI  - Protozoa lectins and their role in host-pathogen interactions.
AB  - Lectins are proteins/glycoproteins of non-immune origin that agglutinate red
      blood cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, etc., and bind reversibly to carbohydrates
      present on the apposing cells. They have at least two carbohydrate binding sites
      and their binding can be inhibited by one or more carbohydrates. Owing to
      carbohydrate binding specificity of lectins, they mediate cell-cell interactions
      and play role in protozoan adhesion and host cell cytotoxicity, thus are central
      to the pathogenic property of the parasite. Several parasitic protozoa possess
      lectins which mediate parasite adherence to host cells based on their
      carbohydrate specificities. These interactions could be exploited for development
      of novel therapeutics, targeting the adherence and thus helpful in eradicating
      wide spread of protozoan diseases. The current review highlights the present
      state knowledge with regard to protozoal lectins with an emphasis on their
      haemagglutination activity, carbohydrate specificity, characteristics and also
      their role in pathogenesis notably as adhesion molecules, thereby aiding the
      pathogen in disease establishment.

PMID- 27268209
TI  - In the Presence of Biomedicine: Ayurveda, Medical Integration and Health Seeking
      in Mysore, South India.
AB  - This paper is based on a research on medical integration and health seeking in
      Mysore, South India. It explores the use of Ayurvedic services, the impact of
      biomedicine on Ayurvedic practices and the meaning of instruments with respect to
      the expectations of patients and healers. The research was done during 2002 and
      2003. The empirical data are derived from interviews, participant observation and
      survey material. Participant observation was carried out in two hospitals and
      nine clinics offering Ayurvedic services; 25 Ayurvedic practitioners and 30
      patients were interviewed. A total of 233 respondents were surveyed in the
      University of Mysore and on trains and buses between Mysore and Bangalore.
      Results suggest that Ayurvedic medicine serves as a health reserve in urban
      Mysore. For the majority of informants biomedical treatment was an obvious choice
      of treatment, a form of therapy that was taken for granted, if compared with the
      preference for Ayurvedic services, which were usually utilized because of the
      failure of biomedicine. Regarding the position of Ayurveda, three issues are
      vital: first, the lack of experience and first-hand knowledge of Ayurveda on the
      part of health seekers, secondly, the significance of instruments, tools and
      technology as regards the expectations of proper consultation, and thirdly, the
      impact of medical integration, which seems to be critical for modern Ayurveda to
      thrive in the health market. In short, in order to gain popularity in an urban
      context, Ayurvedic practitioners favour institutional integration and adoption of
      items and practices particular to biomedicine. 

PMID- 27268210
TI  - Taking Traditional Knowledge to the Market: The Commoditization of Indian
      Medicine.
AB  - Although for over a century Ayurvedic and Unani manufacturers have played a
      crucial role in the modernization of Indian medicine and influenced the way
      Indians look upon their medical traditions, this fact has been largely ignored by
      social scientists and historians working on Indian medicine. By looking through
      the lens of the industry and focusing on medicines, this study questions the
      notion that traditional medicine is largely beyond commerce and is highly
      sensitive to patients as individual subjects. The paper asks how the logic of the
      market has shaped, constrained and transformed two Indian medical traditions:
      Ayurvedic and Unani Tibb. What kind of indigenous medicines dominate the Indian
      market? To whom are these marketed and what are the images used by the industry
      to promote their products? How do large manufacturers construct the 'Indianness'
      of their commodities? Based on ethnographic research among large Ayurvedic and
      Unani manufacturers in India during the period 1996-2002, data for this paper was
      generated from open-ended interviews, conversations, observations, and company
      publications such as popular and semi-popular periodicals. Promotional materials
      and research reports were also used, as well as popular writings on Indian
      medicine such as articles in general newspapers and magazines. The paper
      concludes with a discussion of the effects of commoditization of Ayurvedic and
      Unani medicines for clinical practice and the consequences of this development
      for the poorer sections of Indian society. The paper highlights Indian medicine
      as a commercial activity. 

PMID- 27268211
TI  - Maintaining the Balance in a Juvenile Diabetic Clinic.
AB  - A paediatric diabetic clinic is described by a child psychiatrist, using a series
      of models from within and outside child psychiatry: biochemical, behavioural,
      systemic and cultural. Descriptions pivoted around the term, balance. 'Balance'
      is seen as a metaphor that structured the author's understanding of the dilemmas
      faced by the participants. The paper then places this meaning-based approach in
      the context of power: power over resources, authority over knowledge and
      responsibility for others. The clinic is understood as an ongoing interchange
      between meaning- and power-based views. The claim is that liaison child
      psychiatry needs cultural or anthropological approaches to appreciate the
      complexities of everyday medical work. 

PMID- 27268212
TI  - Beliefs and Traditions Related to a Child's First Year of Life: A Study of the
      North-west of Portugal.
AB  - In this paper we propose an approach to investigate, in the North-west of
      Portugal, the parents' behaviour at birth and during the first year of life of
      their children. We compare the heritage, specifically the beliefs and traditions,
      with the changes that resulted from the recent and deep cultural transformations
      that have taken place in Portugal in the last few decades. In parallel, we tried
      to determine if the parents' behaviours, based on beliefs and traditions, can
      affect the children's health. We based our investigation on standardized
      interviews with 76 mothers of one-year-old children (born between January and
      December 2001) who lived in two parishes of Vizela city. This is a territory
      where a more traditional way of life prevails than in other territories of the
      centre and south of the country, where there is a strong attachment for religious
      and social values and where the influence of the ancestral traditions is still
      alive. The paper concludes that cultural heritage can have important impact on
      individual health. Health professionals, who work in primary care and in
      hospitals, must be aware of the responsibility they have to change this scenario.

PMID- 27268213
TI  - The Age of Anxiety: Stones, Feathers and Re-institutionalization.
AB  - Although the value of the Italian psychiatric reform is widely acknowledged and
      hotly contested, a meticulous comment on its roots and progress is required. This
      paper attempts to examine the current state of mental health services in Italy
      and emphasizes Franco Basaglia's writings. The aim of the paper is to: (1)
      respond to the challenge of providing adequate and human rights-based mental
      health services, (2) contrast the new Italian tendency of medicalization, which
      is supported by a law proposal to re-institutionalize the mental health care
      system. The analysis is based on both current and historical library work and
      literature review. Since the present policy seems to be proceeding backwards, the
      direct study of Basaglia's writings assumes significance in not forgetting the
      past as well as in re-interpreting the present risk of re-institutionalization.
      The paper then emphasizes the veracity of Basaglia's thought and suggests a re
      reading of his work. 

PMID- 27268214
TI  - Los Naturistas-Healers Who Integrate Traditional and Biomedical Explanations in
      Their Treatment in the Bolivian Health Care System.
AB  - Medical pluralism is a common feature in most health care systems. In this system
      integration and exchanges between sectors are common, thus forming complex and
      hybrid systems. This paper analyses such a pluralistic system, and is based on an
      anthropological study involving participant observation and ethnographic
      interviews. The research focuses on a group of healers-Los Naturistas from urban
      Bolivia. They are Mestizos and serve the Indian and Indian Mestizo population.
      The study findings suggest they integrate explanatory models from both the
      traditional Andean medicine and biomedicine, but are selective in the sicknesses
      they treat. They predominantly use herbal medicine. As a group of healers Los
      Naturistas are establishing their specific place in the Bolivian health care
      system. 

PMID- 27268215
TI  - Humour as Resistance: Deviance and Pathology from a Ludic Perspective.
AB  - Humour, as one aspect of the ludic, has been argued to evolve with humankind as a
      higher order of social cognition. In a slum community known for its social
      dysfunctions and multiple psychopathologies, street humour is used to re-classify
      messages, situations and relationships, in a variety of contexts. How can we make
      sense of the discontinuity? This paper builds on work reported in a previous one
      (Cardena 2003 ). Departing from information collected through participant
      observation, document analysis and clinical work carried with the community, the
      first paper documented the ways in which humour aids the assertion of a social
      identity. In the current paper, this point is developed further to scrutinize the
      role of 'pathology' under the light of a theory of humour, the ludic and meta
      communication. The need to address the stature of socially patterned
      psychopathology as communicative act is emphasized. Deviant and aberrant
      behaviour, as ludic processes in the culture, embody a higher order of
      signification that is often overlooked by mental health agents. The failure at
      addressing this complexity halts the communication between the community's locals
      and the mental health agents, feeding back the kind of detrimental paradoxes that
      are at the core of the local's resistance. 

PMID- 27268216
TI  - Review.

PMID- 27268217
TI  - Postpartum spontaneous coronary, vertebral, and mesenteric artery dissections: a
      case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of myocardial
      infarction that must always be considered on a clinician's differential
      diagnosis, particularly in patients <50-years old with a paucity of typical
      vascular risk factors. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of a 33-year-old
      white woman, 3 weeks postpartum, presenting with retrosternal chest and back
      pain, neck pain and stiffness, and intermittent headaches. Subsequent workup
      revealed concurrent spontaneous dissections in three separate medium-sized
      arterial beds. CONCLUSIONS: She was successfully managed in a conservative
      fashion, highlighting that percutaneous or surgical revascularization can often
      be foregone in favor of conservative medical therapy.

PMID- 27268219
TI  - Effects of facial attractiveness on personality stimuli in an implicit priming
      task: an ERP study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Using event-related potentials (ERPs) in a priming paradigm, this
      study examines implicit priming in the association of personality words with
      facial attractiveness. METHOD: A total of 16 participants (8 males and 8 females;
      age range, 19-24 years; mean age, 21.30 years) were asked to judge the color (red
      and green) of positive or negative personality words after exposure to priming
      stimuli (attractive and unattractive facial images). The positive personality
      words primed by attractive faces or the negative personality words primed by
      unattractive faces were defined as congruent trials, whereas the positive
      personality words primed by unattractive faces or the negative personality words
      primed by attractive faces were defined as incongruent trials. RESULTS:
      Behavioral results showed that compared with the unattractive faces trials, the
      trials that attractive faces being the priming stimuli had longer reaction times
      and higher accuracy rates. Moreover, a more negative ERP deflection (N2)
      component was observed in the ERPs of the incongruent condition than in the ERPs
      of the congruent condition. In addition, the personality words presented after
      the attractive faces elicited larger amplitudes from the frontal region to the
      central region (P2 and P350-550 ms) compared with the personality words after
      unattractive faces as priming stimuli. CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence
      for the facial attractiveness stereotype ('What is beautiful is good') through an
      implicit priming task.

PMID- 27268218
TI  - A novel point-of-care testing strategy for sexually transmitted infections among
      pregnant women in high-burden settings: results of a feasibility study in Papua
      New Guinea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted and genital infections in pregnancy are
      associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and neonatal health
      outcomes. High prevalences of sexually transmitted infections have been
      identified among antenatal attenders in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea has
      amongst the highest neonatal mortality rates worldwide, with preterm birth and
      low birth weight major contributors to neonatal mortality. The overall aim of our
      study was to determine if a novel point-of-care testing and treatment strategy
      for the sexually transmitted and genital infections Chlamydia trachomatis (CT),
      Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Bacterial vaginosis
      (BV) in pregnancy is feasible in the high-burden, low-income setting of Papua New
      Guinea. METHODS: Women attending their first antenatal clinic visit were invited
      to participate. CT/NG and TV were tested using the GeneXpert platform (Cepheid,
      USA), and BV tested using BVBlue (Gryphus Diagnostics, USA). Participants
      received same-day test results and antibiotic treatment as indicated. Routine
      antenatal care including HIV and syphilis screening were provided. RESULTS: Point
      of-care testing was provided to 125/222 (56 %) of women attending routine
      antenatal care during the three-month study period. Among the 125 women enrolled,
      the prevalence of CT was 20.0 %; NG, 11.2 %; TV, 37.6 %; and BV, 17.6 %. Over
      half (67/125, 53.6 %) of women had one or more of these infections. Most women
      were asymptomatic (71.6 %; 47/67). Women aged 24 years and under were more likely
      to have one or more STI compared with older women (odds ratio 2.38; 95 % CI:
      1.09, 5.21). Most women with an STI received treatment on the same day (83.6 %;
      56/67). HIV prevalence was 1.6 % and active syphilis 4.0 %. CONCLUSION: Point-of
      care STI testing and treatment using a combination of novel, newly-available
      assays was feasible during routine antenatal care in this setting. This strategy
      has not previously been evaluated in any setting and offers the potential to
      transform STI management in pregnancy and to prevent their associated adverse
      health outcomes.

PMID- 27268220
TI  - A preoperative risk-scoring system to predict lymph node metastasis in
      endometrial cancer and stratify patients for lymphadenectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to validate the preoperative scoring system adopted
      in the Kanagawa Cancer Center (KCC) to stratify endometrial cancer patients for
      lymphadenectomy according to the risk of developing lymph node metastasis (LNM).
      METHODS: The records of 432 and 221 uterine cancer patients treated in the KCC
      and Yokohama City University (YCU), respectively, were retrospectively analyzed.
      The KCC classified patients for LNM risk based on tumor volume, myometrial
      invasion, histological grade, and serum CA125 levels, while YCU used only
      myometrial invasion. Lymphadenectomy was omitted for 156 patients with 0 LNM
      risk, while pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLX) or PLX with para-aortic lymphadenectomy
      (PLAX) were performed for those with low and high LNM risk, respectively. The
      predicted and actual LNM rates were compared between the KCC and YCU patients,
      and cancer recurrence and overall survival were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no
      difference in survival between patients with LNM score 0 who were or were not
      treated with lymphadenectomy. None (0%) developed LNM and only 1 (0.6%) had
      recurrence. Patients who underwent PLX but not PLAX (low LNM score) had a low
      tumor recurrence rate in the para-aortic nodes (1.3%). The KCC scoring system was
      significantly more accurate than the YCU system in predicting LNM in the high
      risk group (P<0.05) and demonstrated that PLAX was unnecessary in almost 50% of
      the YCU cases. CONCLUSION: The KCC preoperative scoring system is useful to
      predict LNM risk, and thereby prevent unnecessary lymphadenectomy or to determine
      its extent in endometrial cancer patients.

PMID- 27268221
TI  - Selenium Embedded in Metal-Organic Framework Derived Hollow Hierarchical Porous
      Carbon Spheres for Advanced Lithium-Selenium Batteries.
AB  - Metal-organic framework derived hollow hierarchical porous carbon spheres (MHPCS)
      have been fabricated via a facile hydrothermal method combined with a subsequent
      annealing treatment. Such MHPCS are composed of masses of small hollow carbon
      bubbles with a size of ~20 nm and shells of ~5 nm thickness interconnected to
      each other. MHPCS/Se composite is developed as a cathode for Li-Se cells and
      delivers an initial specific capacity up to 588.2 mA h g(-1) at a current density
      of 0.5 C, exhibiting an outstanding cycling stability over 500 cycles with a
      decay rate even down to 0.08% per cycle. This material is capable of retaining up
      to 200 mA h g(-1) even after 1000 cycles at a current density of 1 C. Such good
      electrochemical performance may be ascribed to the distinct hollow structure of
      the carbon spheres and a large amount of Se wrapped within small carbon bubbles,
      thus not only enhancing the electronic/ionic transport but also providing
      additional buffer space to adjust volume changes of Se during charge/discharge
      processes. 

PMID- 27268222
TI  - Comprehensive characterization of the in vitro and in vivo metabolites of
      ziyuglycoside I in rat microsome, intestinal flora, excretion specimen and fresh
      tissues based on LC-Q-TOF/MS.
AB  - Ziyuglycoside I is one of the major active ingredients in Sanguisorba
      officinalis, a popular medicinal plant in China. In the present study, the
      metabolites of ziyuglycoside I in rat liver microsome and intestinal flora were
      identified and structurally characterized, and the metabolic rules were summed
      based on the LC-Q-TOF/MS system. Then, the metabolites in rat excreta samples
      were rapidly screened and identified according to the in vitro metabolic rules.
      Finally, ziyuglycoside I was incubated with fresh liver/lung/kidney/stomach
      homogenates to further explore the source of the metabolites and reveal the
      possible metabolic organs involved. Four metabolites in liver microsome were
      identified as M0-Glu, M0-CH2OH, M0-Glu+CH3, M0-Glu-Ara+CH3. In intestinal flora
      incubation system, 6 degradation products including M0-Glu-Ara+O, M0-Ara, M0-Glu
      COOH, M0-Glu, M0-Glu-Ara+O and M0-Ara+H2O were tentatively identified by
      interpretation of their accurate MS(1) and MS(2) data. Fifteen metabolites in rat
      urine and feces were identified, and most of the metabolites were attributed to
      the transformation in liver microsome and intestinal flora. Specifically, more
      than a dozen of new metabolites were identified in rat fresh tissues, and
      ziyuglycoside II was confirmed as the major metabolite in rats. 

PMID- 27268223
TI  - Medicinal cannabis: Principal cannabinoids concentration and their stability
      evaluated by a high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and
      quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry method.
AB  - In the last few years, there has been a boost in the use of cannabis-based
      extracts for medicinal purposes, although their preparation procedure has not
      been standardized but rather decided by the individual pharmacists. The present
      work describes the development of a simple and rapid high performance liquid
      chromatography method with UV detection (HPLC-UV) for the qualitative and
      quantitative determination of the principal cannabinoids (CBD-A, CBD, CBN, THC
      and THC-A) that could be applied to all cannabis-based medicinal extracts (CMEs)
      and easily performed by a pharmacist. In order to evaluate the identity and
      purity of the analytes, a high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF)
      analysis was also carried out. Full method validation has been performed in terms
      of specificity, selectivity, linearity, recovery, dilution integrity and thermal
      stability. Moreover, the influence of the solvent (ethyl alcohol and olive oil)
      was evaluated on cannabinoids degradation rate. An alternative extraction method
      has then been proposed in order to preserve cannabis monoterpene component in
      final CMEs. 

PMID- 27268224
TI  - Effects of previous ovarian drilling on cumulative ongoing pregnancy rates among
      patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if history of undergoing laparoscopic ovarian drilling
      (LOD) was associated with changes in cumulative ongoing pregnancy rates following
      in-vitro fertilization in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
      METHODS: The present retrospective study was performed in an in vitro
      fertilization unit in Xiamen, China, between June 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012.
      Patient characteristics and in vitro fertilization treatment outcomes were
      compared between patients with PCOS and a history of LOD (LOD group), patients
      with PCOS without a history of LOD (no-LOD group), and age-matched patients
      without PCOS and with no history of LOD (age-matched group). RESULTS: The study
      included 110 patients in the LOD group, 127 patients in the no-LOD group, and 990
      patients in the age-matched group. A lower number of retrieved oocytes, fewer
      available embryos, and a lower number of cryopreserved embryos were observed in
      among patients in the LOD-group compared with the other groups (P<=0.001). No
      differences in birth rates following fresh embryo transfers were observed between
      the LOD-group, and the age-matched group (P=0.274) and the no-LOD group
      (P=0.120). A higher adjusted odds ratio of cumulative pregnancy per initiated in
      vitro fertilization cycle was observed in the no-LOD group when compared with the
      LOD group (1.976; 95% confidence interval 1.091-3.580). CONCLUSION: LOD could
      compromise cumulative ongoing pregnancy rates during subsequent in vitro
      fertilization.

PMID- 27268225
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 27268226
TI  - Findings from a comprehensive diarrhoea prevention and treatment programme in
      Lusaka, Zambia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Programme for the Awareness and Elimination of Diarrhoea (PAED)
      was a pilot comprehensive diarrhoea prevention and control programme aimed to
      reduce post-neonatal, all-cause under-five mortality by 15 % in Lusaka Province.
      Interventions included introduction of the rotavirus vaccine, improved clinical
      case management of diarrhoea, and a comprehensive community prevention and
      advocacy campaign on hand washing with soap, exclusive breastfeeding up to 6
      months of age, and the use of ORS and Zinc. This study aimed to assess the impact
      of PAED on under-5 mortality. METHODS: The study was a pre-post evaluation
      design. The Demographic and Health Survey style population-based two-stage
      approach was used to collect data at the beginning of the intervention and 3
      years following the start of intervention implementation in Lusaka province. The
      primary outcome of interest was an all-cause, post-neonatal under-five mortality
      rate defined as the probability of dying after the 28th day and before the fifth
      birthday among children aged 1-59 months. The Kaplan-Meier time to event analysis
      was used to estimate the probability of death; multiplying this probability by
      1000 to yield the post-neonatal mortality rate. Survival-time inverse probability
      weighting model was used to estimate Average Treatment Effect (ATE). RESULTS: The
      percentage of children under age 5 who had diarrhoea in the last 2 weeks
      preceding the survey declined from 15.8 % (95 % CI: 15.2 %, 16.4 %) in 2012 to
      12.7 % (95 % CI: 12.3 %, 13.2 %) in 2015. Over the same period, mortality in post
      neonatal children under 5 years of age declined by 34 %, from an estimated rate
      of 29 deaths per 1000 live births (95 % CI: (26, 32) death per 1000 live births)
      to 19 deaths per 1000 live births (95 % CI: (16, 21) death per 1000 live births).
      When every child in the population of children aged 1-59 months is exposed to the
      intervention, the average time-to-death was estimated to be about 8 months more
      than when no child is exposed (ATE = 7.9; 95 % CI: 4.4,11.5; P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Well-packaged diarrhoea preventive and treatment interventions
      delivered at the clinic and community-level could potentially reduce probability
      of death among children aged 1-59 months.

PMID- 27268228
TI  - Fucose decorated solid-lipid nanocarriers mediate efficient delivery of
      methotrexate in breast cancer therapeutics.
AB  - The present study is designed to engineer fucose anchored methotrexate loaded
      solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to target breast cancer. The developed nano
      carriers were characterized with respect to particle size, PDI, zeta potential,
      drug loading and entrapment, in-vitro release etc. The characterized formulations
      were used to comparatively assess cellular uptake, cell-viability, apoptosis,
      lysosomal membrane permeability, bioavailability, biodistribution, changes in
      tumor volume and animal survival. The ex-vivo results showed greater cellular
      uptake and better cytotoxicity at lower IC50 of methotrexate in breast cancer
      cells. Further, we observed increased programmed cell death (apoptosis) with
      altered lysosomal membrane permeability and better rate of degradation of
      lysosomal membrane in-vitro. On the other hand, in-vivo evaluation showed maximum
      bioavailability and tumor targeting efficiency with minimum secondary drug
      distribution in various organs with formulated and anchored nano-carrier when
      compared with free drug. Moreover, sizeable reduction in tumor burden was
      estimated with fucose decorated SLNs as compared to that seen with free MTX and
      SLNs-MTX. Fucose decorated SLNs showed promising results to develop therapeutic
      interventions for breast cancer, and paved a way to explore this promising and
      novel nano-carrier which enables to address breast cancer. 

PMID- 27268227
TI  - Social and psychological correlates of unprotected anal intercourse among
      Hispanic-American women: implications for STI/HIV prevention.
AB  - Heterosexual anal intercourse is associated with increased risk for HIV and other
      sexually transmitted infections. Research on the social and psychological risk
      factors associated with heterosexual unprotected anal intercourse among Hispanic
      women in the USA is limited. We examined demographic, mental health, relationship
      power, sexual self-efficacy, self-esteem, acculturation and HIV knowledge as
      correlates of unprotected anal intercourse among 514 HIV-negative Hispanic women,
      18 to 59 years of age, residing in one urban county in southern Florida. In both
      unadjusted and adjusted results, the likelihood of engaging in unprotected anal
      intercourse was associated with food insecurity in the past 30 days (adjusted
      odds ratio [AOR] = 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 2.40) and more
      interpersonal power attributed to the male partner (AOR = 1.63, 95%CI 1.08,
      2.45). Not significant, yet of possible importance, were ever having engaged in
      exchange sex (AOR = 1.96, 95%CI = 0.97, 3.98) and lower HIV knowledge (AOR =
      0.80, 95%CI = 0.63, 1.01). Interventions aimed at reducing heterosexual
      unprotected anal intercourse risk for HIV infection among Hispanic women may
      benefit by addressing socioeconomic and interpersonal issues, and assessing HIV
      knowledge and comprehension.

PMID- 27268229
TI  - Detection of reassortant avian influenza A (H11N9) virus in environmental samples
      from live poultry markets in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Avian influenza viruses have caused human infection and posed the
      pandemic potential. Live poultry markets are considered as a source of human
      infection with avian influenza viruses. Avian influenza routine surveillance of
      live poultry markets is taken annually in China. We isolated the 2 H11N9
      influenza virus from the surveillance program. To better understand the risk
      caused by these new viruses, we characterize the genetic and pathogenicity of the
      two viruses. METHODS: Viral isolation was conducted with specific pathogen-free
      (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs. Whole genome was sequenced, and phylogenetic
      analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Two H11N9 viruses were identified, with all 8
      segments belonging to the Eurasian lineage. The HA, NA, M, NS and PA genes were
      similar to virus isolates from ducks, and the NP, PB2 and PB1 gene segments were
      most similar to those viruses from wild birds, indicating that the H11N9 viruses
      might represent reassortant viruses from poultry and wild birds. The HA receptor
      binding preference was avian-like, and the cleavage site sequence of HA showed
      low pathogenic. The NA gene showed 94.6 % identity with the novel H7N9 virus that
      emerged in 2013. There was no drug resistance mutation in the M2 protein. The
      Asn30Asp and Thr215Ala substitutions in the M1 protein implied a potentially
      increased pathogenicity in mice. Both viruses were low-pathogenic strains, as
      assessed by the standards of intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) tests.
      CONCLUSION: Two reassortant H11N9 avian influenza viruses were detected. These
      viruses showed low pathogenicity to chickens in the IVPI test. Public health
      concern caused by the reassortant H11N9 viruses should be emphasized during the
      future surveillance.

PMID- 27268231
TI  - [Poisoning by illegal drugs in young children in spanish paediatric emergency
      departments].

PMID- 27268230
TI  - Early changes within the lymphocyte population are associated with the
      development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in trauma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early survival following severe injury has been improved with refined
      resuscitation strategies. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is common
      among this fragile group of patients leading to prolonged hospital stay and late
      mortality. MODS after trauma is widely attributed to dysregulated inflammation
      but the precise mechanics of this response and its influence on organ injury are
      incompletely understood. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship
      between early lymphocyte responses and the development of MODS during admission.
      METHODS: During a 24-month period, trauma patients were recruited from an urban
      major trauma centre to an ongoing, observational cohort study. Admission blood
      samples were obtained within 2 h of injury and before in-hospital intervention,
      including blood transfusion. The study population was predominantly male with a
      blunt mechanism of injury. Lymphocyte subset populations including T helper,
      cytotoxic T cells, NK cells and gammadelta T cells were identified using flow
      cytometry. Early cytokine release and lymphocyte count during the first 7 days of
      admission were also examined. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that trauma
      patients who developed MODS had an increased population of NK dim cells (MODS vs
      no MODS: 22 % vs 13 %, p < 0.01) and reduced gammadelta-low T cells (MODS vs no
      MODS: 0.02 (0.01-0.03) vs 0.09 (0.06-0.12) * 10^9/L, p < 0.01) at admission.
      Critically injured patients who developed MODS (n = 27) had higher interferon
      gamma (IFN-gamma) concentrations at admission, compared with patients of matched
      injury severity and shock (n = 60) who did not develop MODS (MODS vs no MODS: 4.1
      (1.8-9.0) vs 1.0 (0.6-1.8) pg/ml, p = 0.01). Lymphopenia was observed within 24 h
      of injury and was persistent in those who developed MODS. Patients with a
      lymphocyte count of 0.5 * 10(9)/L or less at 48 h, had a 45 % mortality rate.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of lymphocyte activation within 2 h of
      injury, as demonstrated by increased NK dim cells, reduced gammadelta-low T
      lymphocytes and high blood IFN-gamma concentration. These changes are associated
      with the development of MODS and lymphopenia. The study reveals new opportunities
      for investigation to characterise the cellular response to trauma and examine its
      influence on recovery.

PMID- 27268232
TI  - Association of established thyroid peroxidase autoantibody (TPOAb) genetic
      variants with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
AB  - Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common form of autoimmune thyroid
      diseases (AITD) characterized by progressive destruction of thyroid tissue that
      may lead to hypothyroidism. High thyroid autoantibodies against thyroid
      peroxidase (TPOAb) levels are present in 90% of patients with HT and serve as a
      clinical marker for the detection of early AITD/HT. The main aim of our study was
      to test whether recently identified genetic variants associated with TPOAb are
      also involved in HT development. A total of 504 unrelated individuals, including
      200 patients with HT and 304 controls, were involved in this study. Diagnosis of
      HT cases was based on clinical examination, measurement of thyroid hormones (TSH
      and fT4) and antibodies (TgAb, TPOAb) and ultrasound examination. We selected and
      genotyped 14 known TPOAb-associated genetic variants. Case-control logistic
      regression model was used to test the association of selected genetic variants
      with HT. Additionally, we tested association of the same genetic variants with
      thyroid related quantitative traits (TPOAb levels, TgAb levels and thyroid gland
      volume) using linear regression. Three genetic variants showed nominal
      association with HT; rs10774625 in ATXN2 gene (p = 0.0149, OR = 0.73, CI = 0.56
      0.94), rs7171171 near RASGRP1 gene (p = 0.0356, OR = 1.4, CI = 1.02-1.92) and
      rs11675434 in TPO gene (p = 0.041, OR = 1.31, CI = 1.01-1.69). Two of these SNPs
      (rs1077462, rs11675434) also showed association with TPOAb levels (p = 0.043,
      beta = -0.39; p = 0.042, beta = 0.40, respectively) and one (rs7171171) was
      associated with thyroid gland volume (p = 0.0226, beta = -0.21). Our findings
      suggest that variants inside or near TPO, ATXN2 and RASGRP1 genes are associated
      with HT. Identified loci are novel to HT and represent good basis for further
      exploration of HT susceptibility.

PMID- 27268233
TI  - Mechanism of Charge Transfer from Plasmonic Nanostructures to Chemically Attached
      Materials.
AB  - Plasmonic metal nanoparticles can efficiently convert the energy of visible
      photons into the energy of hot charge carriers within the nanoparticles. These
      energetic charge carriers can transfer to molecules or semiconductors, chemically
      attached to the nanoparticles, where they can induce photochemical
      transformations. Classical models of photoinduced charge excitation and transfer
      in metals suggest that the majority of the energetic charge carriers rapidly
      decay within the metal nanostructure before they are transferred into the
      neighboring molecule or semiconductor, and therefore, the efficiency of charge
      transfer is low. Herein, we present experimental evidence that calls into
      question this conventional picture. We demonstrate a system where the presence of
      a molecule, adsorbed on the surface of a plasmonic nanoparticle, significantly
      changes the flow of charge within the excited plasmonic system. The nanoparticle
      adsorbate system experiences high rates of direct, resonant flow of charge from
      the nanoparticle to the molecule, bypassing the conventional charge excitation
      and thermalization process taking place in the nanoparticle. This picture of
      charge transfer suggests that the yield of extracted hot electrons (or holes)
      from plasmonic nanoparticles can be significantly higher than the yields expected
      based on conventional models. We discuss a conceptual physical framework that
      allows us to explain our experimental observations. This analysis points us in a
      direction toward molecular control of the charge transfer process using interface
      and local field engineering strategies.

PMID- 27268234
TI  - Both H4K20 mono-methylation and H3K56 acetylation mark transcription-dependent
      histone turnover in fission yeast.
AB  - Nucleosome dynamics facilitated by histone turnover is required for transcription
      as well as DNA replication and repair. Histone turnover is often associated with
      various histone modifications such as H3K56 acetylation (H3K56Ac), H3K36
      methylation (H3K36me), and H4K20 methylation (H4K20me). In order to correlate
      histone modifications and transcription-dependent histone turnover, we performed
      genome wide analyses for euchromatic regions in G2/M-arrested fission yeast. The
      results show that transcription-dependent histone turnover at 5' promoter and 3'
      termination regions is directly correlated with the occurrence of H3K56Ac and
      H4K20 mono-methylation (H4K20me1) in actively transcribed genes. Furthermore, the
      increase of H3K56Ac and H4K20me1 and antisense RNA production was observed in the
      absence of the histone H3K36 methyltransferase Set2 and histone deacetylase
      complex (HDAC) that are involved in the suppression of histone turnover within
      the coding regions. These results together indicate that H4K20me1 as well as
      H3K56Ac are bona fide marks for transcription-dependent histone turnover in
      fission yeast.

PMID- 27268235
TI  - Absence of residual structure in the intrinsically disordered regulatory protein
      CP12 in its reduced state.
AB  - The redox switch protein CP12 is a key player of the regulation of the Benson
      Calvin cycle. Its oxidation state is controlled by the formation/dissociation of
      two intramolecular disulphide bridges during the day/night cycle. CP12 was known
      to be globally intrinsically disordered on a large scale in its reduced state,
      while being partly ordered in the oxidised state. By combining Nuclear Magnetic
      Resonance and Small Angle X-ray Scattering experiments, we showed that, contrary
      to secondary structure or disorder predictions, reduced CP12 is fully disordered,
      with no transient or local residual structure likely to be precursor of the
      structures identified in the oxidised active state and/or in the bound state with
      GAPDH or PRK. These results highlight the diversity of the mechanisms of
      regulation of conditionally disordered redox switches, and question the stability
      of oxidised CP12 scaffold.

PMID- 27268236
TI  - Inhibition of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 ameliorates obesity
      related insulin resistance.
AB  - Excess 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) may be implicated
      in the development of obesity related metabolic disorders. The present study
      measured the expression level of 11beta-HSD1 in visceral adipose tissues from 23
      patients undergoing abdominal operation. Correlation of 11beta-HSD1 expression
      with BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), HOMA-IR, and serum lipids was evaluated by
      spearman correlation analysis. High-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) rats were orally
      dosed with BVT.2733 for 4 weeks. Weight, plasma insulin, and lipids were detected
      at the end of the treatment. The effects of 11beta-HSD1 inhibition on the key
      insulin-signaling cascade and adipocytokines were measured by western blot and
      ELISA respectively. 11beta-HSD1 was increased in patients with central obesity,
      the expression level of which was closely related with WHR (r = 0.5851), BMI (r =
      0.4952), and HOMA-IR (r = 0.4637). Obesity related insulin resistance in high-fat
      DIO rats, as reflected by a marked decrease in IRS-1, IRS-2, GLUT4, and PI3K,
      could be attenuated by 11beta-HSD1 inhibition. Furthermore, the down-regulation
      of 11beta-HSD1 could correct the disordered profiles of adipocytokines including
      adiponectin, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. These findings indicated that 11beta-HSD1
      inhibition can give a potential benefit in reducing obesity and lowering insulin
      resistance by modulating the insulin-signaling pathway and adipocytokine
      production.

PMID- 27268237
TI  - Disparities in the experience and treatment of dental caries among children aged
      9-18 years: the cross-sectional study of Korean National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey (2012-2013).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to examine the association between parental
      socioeconomic status (SES) and the experience as well as treatment of dental
      caries among children aged 9 to 18 years. METHODS: Data from 1253 children aged 9
      18 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2012
      2013) were analyzed. Parental socioeconomic status was measured using household
      income level and maternal educational level. The decayed, missing, and filled
      teeth (DMFT) index was used to measure experience of dental caries (DMFT >= 1).
      Non-treatment of dental caries was measured according to whether the participants
      who experienced dental caries used a dental service at a dental clinic to treat
      caries during the previous year. Logistic regression was used to investigate the
      association between parental socioeconomic status and the experience of dental
      caries as well as the association between parental socioeconomic status and the
      non-treatment of dental caries among children that have experienced caries.
      RESULTS: A total of 808 subjects (64.5 %) experienced dental caries among 1253
      participants, and 582 of these 808 subjects (72.0 %) did not receive treatment
      among those having experience of dental caries. Parental socioeconomic status was
      not associated with experience of dental caries. However, those from low- and
      middle-income households were less likely to receive treatment than those from
      high-income households (odds ratio [OR] 2.11 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.16
      3.86], OR 2.14 [95 % CI 1.27-3.62]). In particular, those from low- and middle
      income households who had regular dental checkups were more likely to have
      untreated caries than those from high-income households (OR 3.58 [95 % CI 1.25
      10.24]). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the parental household income
      related disparities in children's dental health treatment. Efforts should be made
      to lower financial barriers to dental health services, particularly among those
      from low-income households, in order to reduce dental health disparities in the
      treatment of caries in children.

PMID- 27268239
TI  - Does Age Influence the Risk of Incident Knee Osteoarthritis After a Traumatic
      Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) after an
      anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture has long been studied and proven in the
      adolescent population. However, similar exhaustive investigations have not been
      conducted in mature-aged athletes or in older populations. PURPOSE: To identify
      whether an older adult population had an increased risk of incident radiographic
      knee OA after a traumatic knee injury compared with a young adult population.
      STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients with ACL
      ruptures who underwent primary reconstruction were enrolled in a prospective,
      longitudinal single-center study over 15 years. The adult cohort was defined as
      participants aged >=35 years who had a knee injury resulting in an ACL tear, the
      adolescent-young cohort suffered similar knee injuries and were aged <=25 years,
      and a third cohort of participants aged 26 to 34 years who suffered a knee injury
      was included to identify the existence of any age-related dose-response
      relationship for the onset of radiographic knee OA. A Kaplan-Meier survival
      analysis was employed to determine the occurrence of incident radiographic OA
      across the study populations at 2, 5, 10, and 15 years after reconstruction.
      Significance at each time point was analyzed using chi-square tests. RESULTS: A
      total of 215 patients, including 112 adolescents (mean age, 20.4 years; 50.9%
      female), 71 patients aged 26 to 34 years (mean age, 29.2 years; 42.3% female),
      and 32 adults (mean age, 40.2 years; 59.4% female), were assessed for
      International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) grading on knee radiographs. It
      was found that 53.0% and 77.8% of adults at a respective 10 and 15 years after
      reconstruction had an IKDC grade of B or greater compared with 17.7% and 61.6% of
      the adolescent-young cohort. Chi-square testing found that adults developed OA
      earlier than adolescents at 5 and 10 years after reconstruction (P = .017 and P <
      .0001, respectively). However, survival analysis did not demonstrate that adults
      were more likely to develop radiographic knee OA at 15 years after reconstruction
      compared with the adolescent-young cohort (P = .4). CONCLUSION: The age at which
      an ACL injury is sustained does not appear to influence the rate of incident
      radiographic knee OA, although mature-aged athletes are likely to arrive at the
      OA endpoint sooner.

PMID- 27268238
TI  - Left ventricular long axis strain: a new prognosticator in non-ischemic dilated
      cardiomyopathy?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long axis strain (LAS) has been shown to be a fast assessable
      parameter representing global left ventricular (LV) longitudinal function in
      cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). However, the prognostic value of LAS in
      cardiomyopathies with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has not
      been evaluated yet. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 146 subjects with non-ischemic
      dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM, LVEF <=45 %) LAS was assessed retrospectively from
      standard non-contrast SSFP cine sequences by measuring the distance between the
      epicardial border of the left ventricular apex and the midpoint of a line
      connecting the origins of the mitral valve leaflets in end-systole and end
      diastole. The final values were calculated according to the strain formula. The
      primary endpoint of the study was defined as a combination of cardiac death,
      heart transplantation or aborted sudden cardiac death and occurred in 24 subjects
      during follow-up. Patients with LAS values > -5 % showed a significant higher
      rate of cardiac events independent of the presence of late gadolinium enhancement
      (LGE). The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that LVEDV/BSA (HR:
      1.01, p < 0.05), presence of LGE (HR: 2.51, p < 0.05) and LAS (HR: 1.28, p <
      0.05) were independent predictors for cardiac events. In a sequential cox
      regression analysis LAS offered significant incremental information (p < 0.05)
      for the prediction of outcome in addition to LGE and LVEDV/BSA. Using a
      dichotomous three point scoring model for risk stratification, including LVEF <35
      %, LAS > -10 % and the presence of LGE, patients with 3 points had a
      significantly higher risk for cardiac events than those with 2 or less points.
      CONCLUSION: Assessment of long axis function with LAS offers significant
      incremental information for the prediction of cardiac events in NIDCM and
      improves risk stratification beyond established CMR parameters.

PMID- 27268240
TI  - Efficacy of a Subacromial Corticosteroid Injection for Persistent Pain After
      Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid injections have been widely used for reducing shoulder
      pain. However, catastrophic complications induced by corticosteroid such as
      infections and tendon degeneration have made surgeons hesitant to use a
      corticosteroid injection as a pain control modality, especially during the
      postoperative recovery phase. PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness and safety
      of a subacromial corticosteroid injection for persistent pain control during the
      recovery period and to analyze the factors causing persistent pain after
      arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence,
      3. METHODS: A total of 458 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff
      repair were included in this study. Patient-specific parameters, tear size and
      pattern, and pain intensity were reviewed. Seventy-two patients were administered
      a postoperative subacromial corticosteroid injection under ultrasound guidance.
      The corticosteroid injection was administered to patients who awakened overnight
      because of constant severe shoulder pain or whose pain was exacerbated at the
      time of rehabilitation exercises within 8 weeks after surgery. Pain intensity,
      patient satisfaction, and functional outcomes using the American Shoulder and
      Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant scores were compared between the patients with
      and without a subacromial corticosteroid injection. The retear rate was evaluated
      with magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: In patients
      with an injection, the mean (+/-SD) visual analog scale for pain (pVAS) score was
      7.7 +/- 1.2 at the time of the injection. This significantly decreased to 2.3 +/-
      1.4 at the end of the first month after the injection, demonstrating a 70.2%
      reduction in pain (P < .01). At 3 months after the injection, the mean pVAS score
      was 1.2 +/- 1.8. Functional outcomes at final follow-up showed no significant
      differences between patients with and without an injection (ASES score: 90.1 +/-
      14.6 with injection, 91.9 +/- 8.2 without injection [P = .91]; Constant score:
      89.1 +/- 12.9 with injection, 84.5 +/- 13.0 without injection [P = .17]).
      Patients with an injection showed no significant increase in the retear rate
      (6.8% with injection, 18.4% without injection; P = .06). According to the tear
      pattern, L-shaped rotator cuff tears (41.8%) showed a higher occurrence of severe
      postoperative persistent pain. Preoperative shoulder stiffness was revealed as a
      predisposing factor for persistent pain (odds ratio, 0.2; P = .04). CONCLUSION: A
      subacromial corticosteroid injection can be considered as a useful and safe
      modality for the treatment of patients having severe persistent pain during the
      recovery phase after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

PMID- 27268241
TI  - [Can we consider the journalist an actor in suicide prevention?]
AB  - INTRODUCTION: After more than 50 years of dedicated research, media coverage of
      suicide is now well known to have a significant influence on the suicide
      epidemiology. This influence is supposed to result from two opposite effects. The
      Werther effect (WE) refers to the robust increase of suicide rates following the
      publication of a suicide story. This specific kind of mass cluster implies a
      suggestion process, i.e. imitation of the depicted death by vulnerable persons.
      In contract, the preventive potential of medias has been labeled the "Papageno
      effect" (PE). Although more recently discovered and far less known, PE predicts
      that journalists can help prevent suicidal behaviors beyond a simple WE
      reduction. Because PE and WE directly bridge journalistic productions to suicidal
      events, several national and international health organisms (including the World
      Health Organization) started to see the media as new prevention opportunities. In
      this paper, we intend to assess the extent to which journalists can be considered
      as public health actors in the specific field of suicide prevention. METHODS:
      Based on a critical review of the so-called Media effect studies, we explore the
      opportunities, limits and constraints of collaborating with media professionals
      for public health actions. For that purpose, we focus on the main strategy
      employed so far, namely providing recommendations for more cautious coverage of
      suicide. An overview of the efficacy of these recommendations serves not only as
      a starting point for understanding how public health and journalistic
      perspectives can confront, but also how they can be combined in a fertile way.
      RESULTS: Numerous suicide prevention organisms developed strategies in order to
      assist journalists in reporting suicide stories in a safer way. As a formal
      support to these strategies, around 30 national or international guides have been
      produced around the word, with the shared aim of reducing WE and, eventually,
      promoting PE. The recommendations about articles' style and content that compose
      these guides were shown to be similar across the countries. They mostly meet
      public health concerns, rest on the available knowledge about the two effects'
      determinants and thus advocate for a less quantitatively and qualitatively
      prominent coverage. However, the way the guides were produced and implemented
      shows considerable variations. While most countries solely edited and/or
      distributed the recommendations with no complementary measures, several organisms
      associated their publication with promotion actions towards the journalists and
      general public. Evidence for the impact of the guides' publication on suicide
      rates, although encouraging, are seriously limited by methodological
      considerations. As a consequence, their efficacy is more often assessed in terms
      of media compliance to the recommendations. The extent to which media items
      respect the guidelines depends considerably on the way journalists are invited -
      or not - to resort to them. While the strategy seems inefficient when limited to
      a simple publication, the quality of suicide portrayal significantly improves
      when the guides are part of a whole prevention campaign dealing with suicide
      coverage. Moreover the journalist's implication at each step of the process seems
      a crucial point for its success. DISCUSSION: Media professionals are submitted to
      their own codes, constraints and missions which do not necessarily fit with
      public health concerns. If considered as prescriptions to reduce the suicide
      rates, journalists might see recommendations for a more cautious coverage to be a
      threat to their independence, thus accounting for their non-compliance. On the
      other hand, a real collaborative approach based on shared skills and knowledge
      could help sensitize journalists to a responsibility that PE and WE inevitably
      give them. Under these conditions, recommendations can become a precious resource
      to help media professional when facing a sensitive issue and finally contribute
      to fight against suicide.

PMID- 27268242
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of Ophiocordyceps sinensis before and after infection of
      Thitarodes larvae.
AB  - Ophiocordyceps sinensis, also referred to as the Chinese caterpillar fungus, is a
      rare entomopathogenic fungus found in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau that is used as
      a traditional Chinese medicine. O. sinensis parasitizes the larvae of the ghost
      moth Thitarodes. Characterization of the transcriptome of O. sinensis before and
      after host infection may provide novel insight into the process by which the
      fungus interacts with Thitarodes and may help researchers understand how to
      sustain this valuable resource. In this study, we performed RNA-sequencing (RNA
      seq) using Illumina HiSeqTM 2000 technology to generate gene expression profiles
      of two developmental stages of O. sinensis. Thread-like hyphae before infection
      and yeast-like hyphal bodies after infection of host larvae were collected for
      transcriptome analysis. We found that 1640 genes were differentially expressed (q
      value < 0.05), of which 818 were upregulated (49.878 %) and 822 were
      downregulated (50.122 %). Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the
      differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were especially enriched in terms
      associated with Biological Process and Molecular Function. Several genes encoding
      transporter and permease proteins, three glycoside hydrolases, two mycotoxin
      related proteins, an antigen protein, and an allergen were identified as being
      significantly up- or downregulated. Collectively, our findings provide a novel
      resource for understanding O. sinensis during two critical developmental stages,
      and offer the opportunity to further investigate the functional mechanisms
      underlying these stage-specific molecular differences.

PMID- 27268243
TI  - Endophytic Cryphonectriaceae on native Myrtales: Possible origin of Chrysoporthe
      canker on plantation-grown Eucalyptus.
AB  - Chrysoporthe austroafricana (Cryphonectriaceae) is a damaging canker pathogen on
      Eucalyptus species in Southern Africa. Recent studies have shown that the fungus
      occurs on native Syzygium species and that it has apparently undergone a host
      range expansion from these native trees to infect non-native Eucalyptus. The aim
      of this study was to consider whether Chr. austroafricana and other
      Cryphonectriaceae might exist as endophytes in native Myrtaceae, providing a
      source of inoculum to infect non-native Myrtales. Healthy branches were collected
      from Myrtaceae in Mozambique, incubated in florist foam, allowed to dry gradually
      and monitored for the appearance of fruiting bodies resembling species in the
      Cryphonectriaceae. Isolates were identified based on DNA sequence data. Two
      species in the Cryphonectriaceae were obtained, representing the first evidence
      that species in the Cryphonectriaceae occur as endophytes on native Myrtales,
      thus providing a source of inoculum to infect non-native and susceptible trees.
      This has important implications regarding the movement of planting stock used by
      ornamental tree and forestry enterprises.

PMID- 27268244
TI  - Evolutionary relationships within the Phytophthora cactorum species complex in
      Europe.
AB  - The Phytophthora cactorum species complex in Europe is composed of P. cactorum,
      Phytophthora hedraiandra, and a hybrid species Phytophthora * serendipita.
      Evolutionary analyses using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)
      method were carried out on 133 isolates from 19 countries. The AFLP data were
      complemented by sequence analysis of three genes (ITS region of ribosomal RNA
      gene, phenolic acid decarboxylase - Pheca I, and Cytochrome oxidase - Cox I),
      morphometric analysis and cardinal temperature data. The high proportion of
      clonal genotypes, low gene flow among groups, which was defined by the structure
      analysis, and low Nei's gene diversity confirms the homothallic life cycle of the
      groups. On the other hand, the ITS, Cox I and Pheca I sequence data support
      occasional hybridization between species. The structure K = 5 grouping revealed
      two groups of hybrid origin (C2 and F). While the C2 group resembles P. *
      serendipita, the F group includes Finnish isolates characterized by high oogonial
      abortion rates and slow growth. The morphological characters routinely used in
      identification of Phytophthora species are not useful for delimitation of species
      from the P. cactorum complex. Therefore, we discuss the status of P. hedraiandra
      as a separate species. The epitypification of P. cactorum is proposed.

PMID- 27268245
TI  - Carbohydrate changes during growth and fruiting in Pleurotus ostreatus.
AB  - The carbohydrate distribution in mushrooms is reported changing greatly in its
      different regions during growth and fruiting. In this study, the carbohydrate
      distribution in the compost and fruiting bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus was
      analysed. Sugar, polyol, polysaccharide, and chitin content during different
      growth phases and in different regions of the mushroom were determined. Results
      indicate that trehalose, mannitol, and glucose were first accumulated in the
      compost and then decreased during differentiation and growth of fruiting bodies.
      Meanwhile, trehalose, mannitol, and glucose also accumulated in the fruiting
      bodies and primarily distributed in the stipe, base, and pileus region,
      respectively. Polysaccharides mainly accumulated within the pileus and stipe
      regions, and chitin was mainly observed in the base region. These findings
      provide insights into carbohydrate function and utilisation during mushroom
      growth.

PMID- 27268246
TI  - Influence of plant genotype on the cultivable fungi associated to tomato
      rhizosphere and roots in different soils.
AB  - Rhizosphere and root-associated microbiota are crucial in determining plant
      health and in increasing productivity of agricultural crops. To date, research
      has mainly focused on the bacterial dimension of the microbiota. However,
      interest in the mycobiota is increasing, since fungi play a key role in soil
      ecosystems. We examined the effect of plant genotype, soil, and of Fusarium
      oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) on the cultivable component of rhizosphere and
      root-associated mycobiota of tomato. Resistant and susceptible varieties were
      cultivated on two different soils (A and B), under glasshouse conditions.
      Isolated fungi were identified by morphological and molecular approaches.
      Differences were found between the rhizosphere and the roots, which in general
      displayed a lower number of species. The structure of the mycobiota was
      significantly affected by the soil type in the rhizosphere as well as by the
      plant genotype within the roots (NPERMANOVA, p < 0.05). The addition of Fol
      changed the community structure, particularly in soil A, where Penicillium spp.
      and Fusarium spp. were the dominant responding fungi. Overall, the results
      indicated that i) soil type and plant genotype affect the fungal communities; ii)
      plant roots select few species from the rhizosphere; and iii) the fungal
      community structure is influenced by Fol.

PMID- 27268247
TI  - Camptothecine production by mixed fermentation of two endophytic fungi from
      Nothapodytes nimmoniana.
AB  - Two endophytic fungi isolated from the endangered plant Nothapodytes nimmoniana
      (Grah.) Mabb. were found to effectively synthesize CPT independent of their host
      plant under submerged fermentation conditions. Molecular characterization of
      fungi revealed their identity as Colletotrichum fructicola SUK1 (F1) and
      Corynespora cassiicola SUK2 (F2). Mixed fermentation experiments were carried out
      to study the effect of microbial signalling between the two fungal species on
      camptothecine production. Effect of culture parameters on CPT production was
      studied for both mono-cultures (F1 and F2) separately as well as for the mixed
      fermentation (F1 + F2). Further the most influencing ones were optimized
      statistically using response surface methodology. Statistical model based
      optimized parameters were whey (70 %), agitation rate (110 rpm), temperature (30 
      degrees C), and incubation period (7 d) for the mixed fermentation. Monocultures
      of the two fungal species F1 and F2 yielded CPT up to 33 +/- 1.1 mg l(-1)and 69
      +/- 1.1 mg l(-1), respectively; while their mixed fermentation under the
      optimized conditions yielded up to 146 +/- 0.2 mg l(-1). HPLC and LC-MS/MS
      techniques were used to analyze the products obtained.

PMID- 27268249
TI  - Specific Neuron Placement on Gold and Silicon Nitride-Patterned Substrates
      through a Two-Step Functionalization Method.
AB  - The control of neuron-substrate adhesion has been always a challenge for
      fabricating neuron-based cell chips and in particular for multielectrode array
      (MEA) devices, which warrants the investigation of the electrophysiological
      activity of neuronal networks. The recent introduction of high-density chips
      based on the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology,
      integrating thousands of electrodes, improved the possibility to sense large
      networks and raised the challenge to develop newly adapted functionalization
      techniques to further increase neuron electrode localization to avoid the
      positioning of cells out of the recording area. Here, we present a simple and
      straightforward chemical functionalization method that leads to the precise and
      exclusive positioning of the neural cell bodies onto modified electrodes and
      inhibits, at the same time, cellular adhesion in the surrounding insulator areas.
      Different from other approaches, this technique does not require any adhesion
      molecule as well as complex patterning technique such as MU-contact printing. The
      functionalization was first optimized on gold (Au) and silicon nitride (Si3N4)
      patterned surfaces. The procedure consisted of the introduction of a passivating
      layer of hydrophobic silane molecules (propyltriethoxysilane [PTES]) followed by
      a treatment of the Au surface using 11-amino-1-undecanethiol hydrochloride (AT).
      On model substrates, well-ordered neural networks and an optimal coupling between
      a single neuron and single micrometric functionalized Au surface were achieved.
      In addition, we presented the preliminary results of this functionalization
      method directly applied on a CMOS-MEA: the electrical spontaneous spiking and
      bursting activities of the network recorded for up to 4 weeks demonstrate an
      excellent and stable neural adhesion and functional behavior comparable with what
      expected using a standard adhesion factor, such as polylysine or laminin, thus
      demonstrating that this procedure can be considered a good starting point to
      develop alternatives to the traditional chip coatings to provide selective and
      specific neuron-substrate adhesion.

PMID- 27268248
TI  - Fusarium proliferatum strains change fumonisin biosynthesis and accumulation when
      exposed to host plant extracts.
AB  - Fumonisin concentrations in mycelia and media were studied in liquid Fusarium
      proliferatum cultures supplemented with host plant extracts. Furthermore, the
      kinetics of fumonisin accumulation in media and mycelia collected before and
      after extract addition was analysed as well as the changes in the expression of
      the FUM1 gene. Fumonisin content in culture media increased in almost all F.
      proliferatum strains shortly after plant extracts were added. The asparagus
      extract induced the highest FB level increase and the garlic extract was the
      second most effective inducer. Fumonisin level decreased constantly until 14th
      day of culturing, though for some strains also at day 8th an elevated FB level
      was observed. Pineapple extract induced the highest increase of fum1 transcript
      levels as well as fumonisin synthesis in many strains, and the peas extract
      inhibited fungal growth and fumonisin biosynthesis. Moreover, fumonisins were
      accumulated in mycelia of studied strains and in the respective media.

PMID- 27268250
TI  - Two new dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins from notoginseng medicinal fungal
      substance.
AB  - Two new dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins, namely ginsenoside Rk6 (1) and
      ginsenoside-Rh22 (2), were isolated from notoginseng medicinal fungal substance.
      The structures of 1 and 2 were established as 3beta,6alpha,12beta,26
      tetrahydroxydammar-20(21),24(25)(E)-diene-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and
      3beta,6alpha, 20(S)-trihydroxy-12(R),23(R)-expoxy-13(S),17(S)-dammar-24-ene-6-O
      beta-D-glucopyranoside on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical
      analysis, respectively.

PMID- 27268251
TI  - Functions of Polyamines in Mammals.
AB  - The content of spermidine and spermine in mammalian cells has important roles in
      protein and nucleic acid synthesis and structure, protection from oxidative
      damage, activity of ion channels, cell proliferation, differentiation, and
      apoptosis. Spermidine is essential for viability and acts as the precursor of
      hypusine, a post-translational addition to eIF5A allowing the translation of
      mRNAs encoding proteins containing polyproline tracts. Studies with Gy mice and
      human patients with the very rare X-linked genetic condition Snyder-Robinson
      syndrome that both lack spermine synthase show clearly that the correct
      spermine:spermidine ratio is critical for normal growth and development.

PMID- 27268252
TI  - Polyamines in Eukaryotes, Bacteria, and Archaea.
AB  - Polyamines are primordial polycations found in most cells and perform different
      functions in different organisms. Although polyamines are mainly known for their
      essential roles in cell growth and proliferation, their functions range from a
      critical role in cellular translation in eukaryotes and archaea, to bacterial
      biofilm formation and specialized roles in natural product biosynthesis. At first
      glance, the diversity of polyamine structures in different organisms appears
      chaotic; however, biosynthetic flexibility and evolutionary and ecological
      processes largely explain this heterogeneity. In this review, I discuss the
      biosynthetic, evolutionary, and physiological processes that constrain or expand
      polyamine structural and functional diversity.

PMID- 27268254
TI  - Nonrespiratory mortality and cancer incidence in a cohort of Canadian nickel
      workers.
AB  - Mortality and cancer incidence were examined for an updated cohort of nonsinter
      nickel workers in Sudbury and Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. Abstract results
      are provided for those with >= 15 years since first exposure. For circulatory
      disease mortality, significant elevations were observed overall in many Sudbury
      work areas and in Port Colborne staff. Underground miners, with first exposure
      before 1960, displayed significant elevations for pneumoconiosis, as well as
      silicosis and anthrasilicosis, likely due to crystalline silica. Significant
      elevations in colorectal cancer incidence were observed in Sudbury underground
      mining, mining maintenance, and maintenance work areas. Given a case-control
      study is not practical, the next cohort update should include more detailed
      occupational exposure assessment, including dust exposure, diesel engine
      emissions, solvents, various metals, silica, and sulphur dioxide.

PMID- 27268253
TI  - Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-interacting Protein-like 1 Is an Obligate Chaperone of
      Phosphodiesterase 6 and Is Assisted by the gamma-Subunit of Its Client.
AB  - Phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) is the effector enzyme in the phototransduction
      cascade and is critical for the health of both rod and cone photoreceptors. Its
      dysfunction, caused by mutations in either the enzyme itself or AIPL1 (aryl
      hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein-like 1), leads to retinal diseases
      culminating in blindness. Progress in research on PDE6 and AIPL1 has been
      severely hampered by failure to express functional PDE6 in a heterologous
      expression system. Here, we demonstrated that AIPL1 is an obligate chaperone of
      PDE6 and that it enables low yield functional folding of cone PDE6C in cultured
      cells. We further show that the AIPL1-mediated production of folded PDE6C is
      markedly elevated in the presence of the inhibitory Pgamma-subunit of PDE6. As
      illustrated in this study, a simple and sensitive system in which AIPL1 and
      Pgamma are co-expressed with PDE6 represents an effective tool for probing
      structure-function relationships of AIPL1 and reliably establishing the
      pathogenicity of its variants.

PMID- 27268255
TI  - Introduction to Protein Ensembles and Allostery.

PMID- 27268257
TI  - Effect of Ion Rigidity on Physical Properties of Ionic Liquids Studied by
      Molecular Dynamics Simulation.
AB  - In this work, we have performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to compare
      the structural and dynamical properties of three ionic liquids (ILs), 1-ethyl-3
      methyl-imidazolium tetrafluorborate ([EMI(+)][BF4(-)]), 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'
      bipyridinium bis(tetrafluorborate) ([VIO(2+)][BF4(-)]2), and 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'
      bipyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (bistriflimide in short)
      ([VIO(2+)][Tf2N(-)]2), aiming to discover the influence of ion rigidity on the
      physical properties of ILs. [VIO(2+)] is more rigid than [EMI(+)], and [BF4(-)]
      is more rigid than [Tf2N(-)]. [VIO(2+)][BF4(-)]2 has an anion distribution
      different from the other two by the higher and sharper peaks in the cation-anion
      radial distribution functions, reflecting a close-packed local structure of
      anions around cations. [VIO(2+)][BF4(-)]2 and [VIO(2+)][Tf2N(-)]2 have similar
      dynamics much slower than [EMI(+)][BF4(-)], and [VIO(2+)][Tf2N(-)]2 shows a more
      isotropic molecular distribution than [VIO(2+)][BF4(-)]2 and [EMI(+)][BF4(-)].
      Additionally, we have simulated two modified viologen-based ILs to reinforce our
      interpretations. We conclude from the above simulation results that the rigidity
      of anions influences the alignment of cations and that the rigidity of cations
      shows a large obstacle to their rotational capacity. Moreover, we have observed a
      slower diffusion of [VIO(2+)][BF4(-)]2 due to the electrostatic correlations,
      which stabilizes the ion-cage effect.

PMID- 27268256
TI  - Chromosomal rearrangement-A rare cause of complement factor I associated atypical
      haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
AB  - Chromosomal rearrangements affecting the genes encoding complement factor H and
      the factor H related proteins have been described in aHUS patients. To date such
      disorders have not been described in other aHUS associated genes. We describe
      here a heterozygous 875,324bp deletion encompassing the gene (CFI) encoding
      complement factor I and ten other genes. The index case presented with aHUS and
      did not recover renal function. No abnormalities were detected on Sanger
      sequencing of CFI but a low factor I level led to a multiplex ligation-dependent
      probe amplification assay being undertaken. This showed a complete heterozygous
      deletion of CFI. The extent of the deletion and the breakpoint was defined. In
      the Newcastle aHUS cohort we have identified and report here 32 different CFI
      variants in 56 patients but to date this is the only deletion that we have
      identified. This finding although rare does suggest that screening for
      chromosomal rearrangements affecting CFI should be undertaken in all aHUS
      patients particularly if the factor I level is unexplainably low.

PMID- 27268258
TI  - Magnetic polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol micelles for
      docetaxel delivery in breast cancer: an in vitro study on two cell lines of
      breast cancer.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to load docetaxel (DCT) and Fe3O4 magnetic
      nanoparticles (MNPs) in polymeric micelles to concentrate them by an external
      magnetic field in target tissues. Oleic acid (OA) coated MNPs were prepared by
      hydrothermal method. The micelles were characterized for their zeta potential,
      particle size, drug loading and release efficacy. Fe loading efficacy was
      determined by atomic absorption. The magnetic micelles were characterized by
      Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis
      (TGA), transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).
      The cytotoxicity of the micelles was studied by MTT assay on L929 fibroblast
      cells and also on two breast cancer cell lines of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The
      optimum formulation showed 70% drug loading efficiency, zeta potential of -2.58
      mV, particle size of 144.3 nm and drug release efficiency within 24 h of 68.9% at
      pH 5.5. Fe was loaded in these nanomicelles 290 MUg/100 ml. TGA results confirmed
      the coating of MNPs with OA and polymeric micelles. The VSM analysis confirmed
      superparamagnetic property of the micelles. DCT loaded in micelles showed
      significantly more cytotoxicity compared to free drug on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231
      cells, but blank magnetic micelles had no significant cytotoxicity on normal
      fibroblast cells.

PMID- 27268259
TI  - Synchronization of fractional-order complex-valued neural networks with time
      delay.
AB  - This paper deals with the problem of synchronization of fractional-order complex
      valued neural networks with time delays. By means of linear delay feedback
      control and a fractional-order inequality, sufficient conditions are obtained to
      guarantee the synchronization of the drive-response systems. Numerical
      simulations are provided to show the effectiveness of the obtained results. 

PMID- 27268260
TI  - Real-time object tracking based on scale-invariant features employing bio
      inspired hardware.
AB  - We developed a vision sensor system that performs a scale-invariant feature
      transform (SIFT) in real time. To apply the SIFT algorithm efficiently, we focus
      on a two-fold process performed by the visual system: whole-image parallel
      filtering and frequency-band parallel processing. The vision sensor system
      comprises an active pixel sensor, a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS)-based
      resistive network, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a digital
      computer. We employed the MOS-based resistive network for instantaneous spatial
      filtering and a configurable filter size. The FPGA is used to pipeline process
      the frequency-band signals. The proposed system was evaluated by tracking the
      feature points detected on an object in a video. 

PMID- 27268261
TI  - Health nurses' experiences and attitudes regarding collaboration with dental
      personnel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Collaboration between primary care personnel and dental personnel to
      prevent early childhood caries has been established in several countries. The
      purpose of this study was, firstly, to describe health nurses' experiences and
      attitudes regarding collaboration with dental personnel, and secondly, to
      identify characteristic of health nurses and health centres associated with the
      collaboration. METHODS: Health nurses working with children answered a
      questionnaire. In total, 163 of 296 health nurses (55 %) reported demographic
      information, referral routines, frequency of and reasons for referral of young
      children to dental personnel, contact with dental personnel and satisfaction with
      the collaboration. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression.
      RESULTS: The majority of health nurses (83 %) were familiar with referral
      routines and 31 % reported referring children to dental personnel monthly or more
      often. The most frequent reasons for referral were clinical caries (52 %), dental
      discolouration (38 %) and dental trauma (34 %). Few health nurses (18 %) had
      contact with dental personnel monthly or more often. Two-thirds of health nurses
      (71 %) reported being satisfied with the collaboration with dental personnel.
      Results of multivariate analysis showed that health nurses were more likely to
      refer children when the proportion of immigrant children under care in the health
      centres was high than when proportion of immigrant children was low (OR 6.4, CI
      2.7-14.9). Health nurses working in small health centres were more likely to be
      satisfied with the collaboration than health nurses working in large health
      centres (OR 3.2, CI 1.4-7.0). Health nurses 45 years or older were more likely to
      possess knowledge of referral routines than younger health nurses (OR 2.7, CI 1.1
      6.4). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the majority of health nurses
      possessed knowledge of collaboration routines and were satisfied with the
      collaboration. The proportion of immigrant children under care in the health
      centres, the size of the health centres and the age of health nurses were factors
      influencing the collaboration between primary care personnel and dental
      personnel.

PMID- 27268262
TI  - Plutonium(IV) and (V) Sorption to Goethite at Sub-Femtomolar to Micromolar
      Concentrations: Redox Transformations and Surface Precipitation.
AB  - Pu(IV) and Pu(V) sorption to goethite was investigated over a concentration range
      of 10(-15)-10(-5) M at pH 8. Experiments with initial Pu concentrations of 10(
      15) - 10(-8) M produced linear Pu sorption isotherms, demonstrating that Pu
      sorption to goethite is not concentration-dependent across this concentration
      range. Equivalent Pu(IV) and Pu(V) sorption Kd values obtained at 1 and 2-week
      sampling time points indicated that Pu(V) is rapidly reduced to Pu(IV) on the
      goethite surface. Further, it suggested that Pu surface redox transformations are
      sufficiently rapid to achieve an equilibrium state within 1 week, regardless of
      the initial Pu oxidation state. At initial concentrations >10(-8) M, both Pu
      oxidation states exhibited deviations from linear sorption behavior and less Pu
      was adsorbed than at lower concentrations. NanoSIMS and HRTEM analysis of samples
      with initial Pu concentrations of 10(-8) - 10(-6) M indicated that Pu surface
      and/or bulk precipitation was likely responsible for this deviation. In 10(-6) M
      Pu(IV) and Pu(V) samples, HRTEM analysis showed the formation of a body centered
      cubic (bcc) Pu4O7 structure on the goethite surface, confirming that reduction of
      Pu(V) had occurred on the mineral surface and that epitaxial distortion
      previously observed for Pu(IV) sorption occurs with Pu(V) as well.

PMID- 27268263
TI  - Comprehensive characterization of programmed death ligand structural
      rearrangements in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
AB  - Programmed death ligands (PDLs) are immune-regulatory molecules that are
      frequently affected by chromosomal alterations in B-cell lymphomas. Although PDL
      copy-number variations are well characterized, a detailed and comprehensive
      analysis of structural rearrangements (SRs) and associated phenotypic
      consequences is largely lacking. Here, we used oligonucleotide capture sequencing
      of 67 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues derived from primary B-cell
      lymphomas and 1 cell line to detect and characterize, at base-pair resolution,
      SRs of the PDL locus (9p24.1; harboring PDL1/CD274 and PDL2/PDCD1LG2). We
      describe 36 novel PDL SRs, including 17 intrachromosomal events (inversions,
      duplications, deletions) and 19 translocations involving BZRAP-AS1, CD44, GET4,
      IL4R, KIAA0226L, MID1, RCC1, PTPN1 and segments of the immunoglobulin loci.
      Moreover, analysis of the precise chromosomal breakpoints reveals 2 distinct
      cluster breakpoint regions (CBRs) within either CD274 (CBR1) or PDCD1LG2 (CBR2).
      To determine the phenotypic consequences of these SRs, we performed
      immunohistochemistry for CD274 and PDCD1LG2 on primary pretreatment biopsies and
      found that PDL SRs are significantly associated with PDL protein expression.
      Finally, stable ectopic expression of wild-type PDCD1LG2 and the PDCD1LG2-IGHV7
      81 fusion showed, in coculture, significantly reduced T-cell activation. Taken
      together, our data demonstrate the complementary utility of fluorescence in situ
      hybridization and capture sequencing approaches and provide a classification
      scheme for PDL SRs with implications for future studies using PDL immune
      checkpoint inhibitors in B-cell lymphomas.

PMID- 27268265
TI  - White Light Emission from Planar Remote Phosphor Based on NHC Cycloplatinated
      Complexes.
AB  - We report on the generation of bright white luminescence through solid-state
      illumination of remote phosphors based on novel cycloplatinated N-heterocyclic
      carbene (NHC) compounds. Following a stepwise protocol we got the new NHC
      compound [{Pt(MU-Cl)(C(?)C*)}2] (4) (HC(?)C*-kappaC* = 1-(4
      (ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene), which was used together
      with the related ones 4a (HC(?)C*-kappaC*= 1-(4-cyanophenyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol
      2-ylidene) and 4b (HC(?)C*-kappaC*= 3-methyl-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2
      ylidene) as starting materials for the synthesis of the new ionic derivatives
      [Pt(R-C(?)C*) (CNR')2]PF6 (R = -COOEt, R' = t-Bu (5), Xyl (6); R = -CN, R' = t-Bu
      (7), Xyl (8); R(?)C = Naph, R' = t-Bu (9), Xyl (10)). The X-ray structures of 6
      and 8-10 have been determined. The photophysical properties of these cationic
      compounds have been studied and supported by the time-dependent-density
      functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. The compounds 5, 8, and 9 have been
      revealed as the most efficient emitters in the solid state with quantum yields of
      41%, 21%, and 40%, respectively. White-light remote-phosphors have been prepared
      just by stacking different combinations of these compounds and [Pt(bzq) (CN)
      (CN(t)Bu)] (R1) as blue (5, 8), yellow (9), and red (R1) components onto the same
      substrate. The CCT (correlated color temperature) and the CRI (color rendering
      index) of the emitted white-light have been tuned by accurately controlling the
      individual contributions. 

PMID- 27268264
TI  - Atg7 suppression enhances chemotherapeutic agent sensitivity and overcomes stroma
      mediated chemoresistance in acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Autophagy is a cellular adaptive mechanism to stress, including that induced by
      chemotherapeutic agents. Reverse phase protein array suggested that high
      expression of the essential autophagy-related protein, Atg7, was associated with
      shorter remission in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient
      samples, indicating a role in chemoresistance. Knockdown of Atg7 in AML cells
      using short hairpin RNA markedly increased apoptosis and DNA damage following
      treatment with cytarabine and idarubicin. Interestingly, coculture of AML cells
      with stromal cells increased autophagy and chemoresistance in the AML cells
      exposed to chemotherapeutic agents, and this was reversed following Atg7
      knockdown. This effect was further enhanced by concomitant knockdown of Atg7 in
      both AML and stromal cells. These findings strongly suggest that Atg7, and likely
      microenvironment autophagy in general, plays an important role in AML
      chemoresistance. Mechanistic studies revealed that Atg7 knockdown induced a
      proapoptotic phenotype in AML cells, which was manifested by an increased NOXA
      expression at the transcriptional level. Finally, in a mouse model of human
      leukemia, Atg7 knockdown extended overall survival after chemotherapy. Thus, the
      inhibition of Atg7 appears to be a valid strategy to enhance chemosensitivity,
      and it could indeed improve outcomes in AML therapy.

PMID- 27268266
TI  - Antioxidant and antimutagenic potential of Psidium guajava leaf extracts.
AB  - Fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs rich in phenolics antioxidants contribute
      toward reduced risk of age-related diseases and cancer. In this study, Psidium
      guajava leaf extract was fractionated in various organic solvents viz. petroleum
      ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, ethanl and methanol and tested for their
      antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. Methanolic fraction showed maximum
      antioxidant activity comparable to ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxyl toluene
      (BHT) as tested by DPPH free radical scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, FRAP (Fe3 +
      reducing power) and CUPRAC (cupric ions (Cu2+) reducing ability) assays. The
      fraction was analyzed for antimutagenic activities against sodium azide (NaN3),
      methylmethane sulfonate (MMS), 2-aminofluorene (2AF) and benzo(a)pyrene (BP) in
      Ames Salmonella tester strains. The methanol extracted fraction at 80 MUg/ml
      concentration inhibited above 70% mutagenicity. Further, phytochemical analysis
      of methanol fraction that was found to be most active revealed the presence of
      nine major compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This data
      suggests that guava contains high amount of phenolics responsible for broad
      spectrum antimutagenic and antioxidant properties in vitro and could be potential
      candidates to be explored as modern phytomedicine.

PMID- 27268267
TI  - Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Characterization of Three Iron-Sulfur Clusters
      Present in the Nitrogenase Cofactor Maturase NifB from Methanocaldococcus
      infernus.
AB  - NifB utilizes two equivalents of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) to insert a carbide
      atom and fuse two substrate [Fe-S] clusters forming the NifB cofactor (NifB-co),
      which is then passed to NifEN for further modification to form the iron
      molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) of nitrogenase. Here, we demonstrate that NifB from
      the methanogen Methanocaldococcus infernus is a radical SAM enzyme able to
      reductively cleave SAM to 5'-deoxyadenosine radical and is competent in FeMo-co
      maturation. Using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy we have
      characterized three [4Fe-4S] clusters, one SAM binding cluster, and two auxiliary
      clusters probably acting as substrates for NifB-co formation. Nitrogen
      coordination to one or more of the auxiliary clusters in NifB was observed, and
      its mechanistic implications for NifB-co dissociation from the maturase are
      discussed.

PMID- 27268268
TI  - Retinal features in Mulvihill-Smith syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mulvihill-Smith syndrome is a rare progeroid syndrome of sporadic
      nature. Previously reported ophthalmological findings include astigmatism,
      myopia, endothelial dystrophy, keratoconus, cataract, band keratopathy, meibomian
      gland dysfunction, dry eye disease, amblyopia, and allergic conjunctivitis.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The proband, a 25-year-old male subject diagnosed with
      Mulvihill-Smith syndrome in childhood developed retinal changes with onset of
      adulthood. The retinal changes were monitored for progression with fundus
      photography, electrodiagnostic tests, and spectral domain optical coherence
      tomography. RESULTS: The fundus examination revealed grossly normal looking
      retina with dull foveal reflex. The optical coherence tomography scan of the
      retina revealed diffuse thickening, schisis, and folding of retinal layers in
      both eyes. The structural changes in retina were progressive with wrinkling of
      inner retinal layers and loss of foveal contour as observed over 3 years. The
      electrodiagnostic tests revealed normal photoreceptor-retinal pigment epithelial
      interface. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of retinal features in Mulvihill
      Smith syndrome. These ocular changes coincided with other systemic changes with
      the onset of adulthood. These changes may indicate the natural history of retinal
      features in this progeria syndrome with short life span. The detailed analysis
      and progression of structural changes in retina is possible with optical
      coherence tomography.

PMID- 27268269
TI  - Neofiscalin A and fiscalin C are potential novel indole alkaloid alternatives for
      the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacterial infections.
AB  - Ten indole alkaloids were obtained from the marine sponge-associated fungus
      Neosartorya siamensis KUFA 0017. We studied the antimicrobial properties of these
      and of three other compounds previously isolated from the soil fungus N.
      siamensis KUFC 6349. Only neofiscalin A showed antimicrobial activity against
      Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE); with a minimum
      inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8 MUg mL(-1) against both strains. Another
      compound, fiscalin C, presented synergistic activity against MRSA when combined
      with oxacillin, although alone showed no antibacterial effect. Moreover,
      neofiscalin A, when present at sub-MICs, hampered the ability of both MRSA and
      VRE strains to form a biofilm. Additionally, the biofilm inhibitory concentration
      values of neofiscalin A against the MRSA and VRE isolates were 96 and 80 MUg mL(
      1), respectively. At a concentration of 200 MUg mL(-1), neofiscalin A was able to
      reduce the metabolic activity of the biofilms by ~50%. One important fact is that
      our results also showed that neofiscalin A had no cytotoxicity against a human
      brain capillary endothelial cell line.

PMID- 27268270
TI  - An ABC transporter involved in the control of streptomycin production in
      Streptomyces griseus.
AB  - We screened for a gene that inhibits streptomycin production in Streptomyces
      griseus when it is introduced on a high-copy-number plasmid pIJ702, and obtained
      a plasmid pKM545. The introduction of pKM545 abolished streptomycin production on
      all media tested including YMP-sugar and Nutrient broth. S1 protection analysis
      demonstrated that the introduction of this plasmid downregulated the
      transcriptional activity of the promoter preceding strR, the pathway-specific
      transcriptional regulator for streptomycin biosynthesis. The 2.8-kb BamHI
      fragment cloned onto pKM545 contained two coding sequences SGR_5442 and 5443.
      These coding sequences and the two downstream ones (SGR_5444 and 5445)
      constituted a possible operon structure designated to be rspABCD (regulation of
      streptomycin production). RspB and RspC exhibited a marked similarity with an ATP
      binding domain and a membrane-associating domain of an ABC-2 type transporter,
      respectively, suggesting that the Rsp proteins comprise a membrane exporter. The
      gene cluster consisting of the rsp operon and the upstream divergent small coding
      sequence (SGR_5441) was widely distributed to Streptomyces genome. An rspB mutant
      of S. griseus produced 3-fold streptomycin of the parental strain in YMP liquid
      medium. The evidence implies that the Rsp translocator is involved in the export
      of a substance that specifies the expression level of streptomycin biosynthesis
      genes in S. griseus.

PMID- 27268271
TI  - Biometry and visual function of a healthy cohort in Leipzig, Germany.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional survey of ocular biometry and visual function in
      healthy eyes across the life span of a German population aged 20 to 69 years (n =
      218). Subject number in percent per age category reflected the percentage within
      the respective age band of the population of Leipzig, Germany. METHODS:
      Measurements obtained: subjective and objective refraction, best-corrected visual
      acuity, accommodation, contrast sensitivity, topography and pachymetry with
      Scheimpflug camera, axial length with non-contact partial coherence
      interferometry, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the retina.
      Pearson correlation coefficients with corresponding p-values were given to
      present interrelationships between stature, biometric and refractive parameters
      or their associations with age. Two-sample T-tests were used to calculate gender
      differences. The area under the logarithmic contrast sensitivity function
      (AULCSF) was calculated for the analysis of contrast sensitivity as a single
      figure across a range of spatial frequencies. RESULTS: The results of axial
      length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior chamber volume (ACV)
      differed as a function of the age of the participants (rho (p value): AL -0.19
      (0.006), ACD -0.56 (< 0.001), ACV-0.52 (< 0.001)). Longer eyes had deeper ACD
      (AL:ACD 0.62 (< 0.001), greater ACV (AL:ACV 0.65 (< 0.001) and steeper corneal
      radii (AL:R1ant; R2ant; R1post; R2post 0.40; 0.35; 0.36; 0.36 (all with (<
      0.001)). Spherical equivalent was associated with age (towards hyperopia: 0.34 (<
      0.001)), AL (-0.66 (< 0.001)), ACD (-0.52 (< 0.001)) and ACV (-0.46 (< 0.001)).
      Accommodation was found lower for older subjects (negative association with age,
      r = -0.82 (< 0.001)) and contrast sensitivity presented with smaller values for
      older ages (AULCSF -0.38, (< 0.001)), no change of retinal thickness with age. 58
      % of the study cohort presented with a change of refractive correction above +/
      0.50 D in one or both eyes (64 % of these were habitual spectacle wearers), need
      for improvement was present in the young age-group and for older subjects with
      increasing age. CONCLUSION: Biometrical data of healthy German eyes, stratified
      by age, gender and refractive status, enabled cross-comparison of all parameters,
      providing an important reference database for future patient-based research and
      specific in-depth investigations of biometric data in epidemiological research.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT01173614 July 28, 2010.

PMID- 27268273
TI  - Structural snapshots of the catalytic cycle of the phosphodiesterase Autotaxin.
AB  - Autotaxin (ATX) is a secreted phosphodiesterase that produces the signalling
      lipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The bimetallic active site of ATX is
      structurally related to the alkaline phosphatase superfamily. Here, we present a
      new crystal structure of ATX in complex with orthovanadate (ATX-VO5), which binds
      the Ogamma nucleophile of Thr209 and adopts a trigonal bipyramidal conformation,
      following the nucleophile attack onto the substrate. We have now a portfolio of
      ATX structures we discuss as intermediates of the catalytic mechanism: the new
      ATX-VO5 structure; a unique structure where the nucleophile Thr209 is
      phosphorylated (ATX-pThr). Comparing these to a complex with the LPA product (ATX
      LPA) and with a complex with a phosphate ion (ATX-PO4), that represent the
      Michaelis complex of the reaction, we observe movements of Thr209, changes in the
      relative displacement of the zinc ions, and a water molecule that likely fulfils
      the second nucleophilic attack. We propose that ATX follows the associative two
      step in-line displacement mechanism.

PMID- 27268274
TI  - Bronchoscopic Cryotherapy. Clinical Applications of the Cryoprobe, Cryospray, and
      Cryoadhesion.
AB  - Cryotherapy is an evolving therapeutic and diagnostic tool used during
      bronchoscopy. Through rapid freeze-thaw cycles, cryotherapy causes cell death and
      tissue necrosis or tissue adherence that can be used via the flexible or rigid
      bronchoscope. This extreme cold can be used through the working channel of the
      bronchoscope via a specialized cryoprobe or directly with the use of spray
      cryotherapy. These properties allow for multiple bronchoscopic techniques, each
      with its own equipment and procedural, safety, and efficacy considerations.
      Bronchoscopic cryotherapy can be used in a variety of clinical scenarios,
      including the treatment of malignant and benign central airway obstruction and
      low-grade airway malignancy, foreign body removal or cryoextraction,
      endobronchial biopsy, and transbronchial biopsy. The bulk of the experience with
      bronchoscopic cryotherapy consists of uncontrolled case series of malignant
      central airway obstruction. There are also controlled data supporting the use of
      cryoadhesion for endobronchial biopsies, albeit with an increased risk of
      controllable bleeding. The use of cryoadhesion for transbronchial biopsies is an
      active area of investigation with limited controlled data. In addition, there are
      promising future directions using bronchoscopic cryotherapy, including
      chemosensitizing malignancy with cryotherapy and capitalizing on the synergy
      between cryotherapy and radiation.

PMID- 27268272
TI  - Detection of cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with
      new biologicals and targeted cancer therapies from the FDA's adverse event
      reporting system.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify and summarize FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)
      cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) associated with
      biological and targeted cancer therapies (BTCT) that were approved between 2009
      and 2015. METHODS: FAERS was searched using each BTCT name as primary or
      secondary suspect drug and the adverse reaction of PML. Among BTCTs with >2 case
      reports of PML, proportional reporting ratios (PRR) and 95% confidence intervals
      (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Among 49 new BTCTs, 82 cases of PML were found for
      16 drugs. Significant PRR signals were found among 7 (14.6%) BTCTs including:
      brentuximab (24.5, CI:14.8-40.6), ofatumumab (16.3, CI:9.6-27.4), alemtuzumab
      (9.9, CI:6.0-16.4), obinutuzumab (7.4, CI:2.4-22.8), ibrutinib (5.6 CI:3.0-10.5),
      belimumab (4.5 CI:2.3-9.0), and idelalisib (4.1, CI:1.3-12.6). Among the 82 cases
      with significant signals, confirmation of the diagnosis of PML using objective
      criteria was found in 56% of the cases. A limitation of FAERS data is that
      missing data are common. CONCLUSIONS: When using BTCTs, clinicians and patients
      consider the risk of PML versus the therapeutic benefit, particularly when used
      in combination with other drugs which may cause PML, such as rituximab. It is
      important to recognize that PML may occur in some conditions, such as chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia, regardless of drug therapy.

PMID- 27268275
TI  - Cognitive dysfunction and work productivity in major depressive disorder.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is strongly associated with poor
      work-related outcomes. Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent in MDD, and research
      supports a correlation between greater depression severity and more pronounced
      cognitive deficits, which frequently persist after remission. AREAS COVERED:
      Given the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction, and the humanistic and economic
      impact of occupational impairments in individuals with MDD, the relationship
      between cognitive dysfunction in MDD and work-related outcomes requires
      characterization. A selective review of the literature was conducted to better
      understand and further highlight this relationship. Expert commentary: Although
      current evidence is limited, MDD-related cognitive dysfunction may have a direct
      negative impact on work productivity. Presenteeism is the key outcome impacted by
      cognitive deficits in MDD. Additional well-designed prospective observational
      research may clarify how cognitive dysfunction influences the MDD-work
      productivity relationship. Use of reliable, valid, and sensitive measures of
      cognitive functioning and work productivity in MDD is warranted.

PMID- 27268276
TI  - How compliant are in vitro fertilization member clinics in following embryo
      transfer guidelines? An analysis of 59,689 fresh first in vitro fertilization
      autologous cycles from 2011 to 2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether IVF clinics are compliant with American Society
      for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology
      (SART) (ASRM/SART) guidelines and assess the multiple pregnancy outcomes
      according to the number of embryos transferred. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort
      study. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Data from 59,689 fresh first
      autologous IVF cycles from the 2011-2012 SART registry. INTERVENTION(S): None.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Percentage of compliant cycles, multiple pregnancy rate
      (PR). RESULT(S): Between 2011 and 2012, a total of 59,689 fresh first autologous
      cycles were analyzed. Among cleavage-stage ET cycles, the noncompliance rate
      ranged from 10%-27.4% depending on the age group. The multiple PR was
      significantly increased in noncompliant cycles involving patients <35 years
      (38.1% vs. 28.7%) and 35-37 years (35.4% vs. 24.5%) compared with compliant
      cycles. Among blastocyst-stage ET cycles, the highest rate of noncompliance was
      seen in patients <35 years old (71%), which resulted in a statistically higher
      multiple PR (48.3% vs. 2.8%) compared with compliant cycles. Far fewer cycles
      were noncompliant in patients 35-40 years of age. In a subanalysis of compliant
      cycles, transferring two blastocyst embryos in patients 35-37 years and 38-40
      years resulted in a higher live birth rate compared with the transfer of one
      embryo (50.4% vs. 40.9% and 42.1% vs. 30.0%, respectively) but the multiple PR
      was also significantly higher (40.5% vs. 1.7% and 34.0% vs. 2.0%, respectively).
      CONCLUSION(S): Most first fresh autologous IVF cycles performed from 2011-2012
      were compliant with ASRM/SART guidelines, except those that involved a blastocyst
      ET in patients <35 years. Despite compliance, cycles that involved the transfer
      of >1 embryo resulted in a high multiple PR, whereas noncompliant cycles resulted
      in an even more remarkable multiple PR for both cleavage and blastocyst-stage
      embryos. Clinics need to be more compliant with ET limits and ASRM/SART need to
      consider revising their guidelines to limit the number of blastocyst transfer to
      one in patients <=40 years of age undergoing their first IVF cycle. Furthermore,
      decreasing the number of cleavage-stage embryos transferred in patients <=40
      years of age should also be considered.

PMID- 27268277
TI  - Retention of Women Faculty in Academia: Ensuring Success.

PMID- 27268278
TI  - Kicking modality during erratic-dynamic and static condition effects the muscular
      co-activation of attacker.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different kicking
      modality, i.e., erratic-dynamic target (EDT) versus static target (ST) on the
      performance of the roundhouse kick in two groups of taekwondo athletes of
      different skill level. Three-dimensional analysis and surface electromyography
      (SEMG) analysis were performed on 12 (Group A: six sub-elite, Group B: six elite)
      athletes to investigate muscle co-activation pattern under two conditions, i.e.,
      EDT versus ST. In the results, the muscle recruitment ratio of the agonistic
      muscles was higher for Group A, whereas Group B had higher recruitment ratio for
      antagonist muscles. Overall, the co-activation index (CI) of hip joints appeared
      higher in the extensors for Group A, whereas higher CI was observed in flexor
      muscles for Group B with comparatively higher CI during EDT condition than ST
      condition. Higher value of CI was observed in flexor muscles of the knee joints
      among Group A during EDT conditions, in contrast, higher CI in the extensor
      muscles was observed among Group B during ST conditions. In conclusion, the study
      confirmed that erratic-dynamic movements of target could change the movement
      coordination pattern to maintain the joint stability of participants.

PMID- 27268280
TI  - Effect of desipramine and fluoxetine on energy metabolism of cerebral
      mitochondria.
AB  - Brain bioenergetic abnormalities in mood disorders were detected by neuroimaging
      in vivo studies in humans. Because of the increasing importance of mitochondrial
      pathogenetic hypothesis of Depression, in this study the effects of sub-chronic
      treatment (21days) with desipramine (15mg/kg) and fluoxetine (10mg/kg) were
      evaluated on brain energy metabolism. On mitochondria in vivo located in neuronal
      soma (somatic) and on mitochondria of synapses (synaptic), the catalytic
      activities of regulatory enzymes of mitochondrial energy-yielding metabolic
      pathways were assayed. Antidepressants in vivo treatment modified the activities
      of selected enzymes of different mitochondria, leading to metabolic modifications
      in the energy metabolism of brain cortex: (a) the enhancement of cytochrome
      oxidase activity on somatic mitochondria; (b) the decrease of malate, succinate
      dehydrogenase and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase activities of synaptic
      mitochondria; (c) the selective effect of fluoxetine on enzymes related to
      glutamate metabolism. These results overcome the conflicting data so far obtained
      with antidepressants on brain energy metabolism, because the enzymatic analyses
      were made on mitochondria with diversified neuronal in vivo localization, i.e. on
      somatic and synaptic. This research is the first investigation on the
      pharmacodynamics of antidepressants studied at subcellular level, in the
      perspective of (i) assessing the role of energy metabolism of cerebral
      mitochondria in animal models of mood disorders, and (ii) highlighting new
      therapeutical strategies for antidepressants targeting brain bioenergetics.

PMID- 27268279
TI  - KAT8 Regulates Androgen Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells.
AB  - Androgen receptor (AR) plays pivotal roles in prostate cancer. Upon androgen
      stimulation, AR recruits the Protein kinase N1 (PKN1), which phosphorylates
      histone H3 at threonine 11, with subsequent recruitment of tryptophan, aspartic
      acid (WD) repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) and the su(var)3-9, enhancer of
      zeste, trithorax/mixed-lineage leukemia (SET1/MLL) histone methyltransferase
      complex to promote AR target gene activation and prostate cancer cell growth.
      However, the underlying mechanisms of target gene activation and cell growth
      subsequent to WDR5 recruitment are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate an
      epigenetic cross talk between histone modifications and AR target gene
      regulation. We discovered that K(lysine) acetyltransferase 8 (KAT8), a member of
      the MOZ, YBF2/SAS2, and TIP 60 protein 1 (MYST) family of histone
      acetyltransferases that catalyzes histone H4 lysine 16 acetylation, colocalized
      with WDR5 at AR target genes, resulting in hormone-dependent gene activation in
      prostate cancer cells. PKN1 or WDR5 knockdown severely inhibited KAT8 association
      with AR target genes and histone H4 lysine 16 acetylation upon androgen
      treatment. Knockdown of KAT8 significantly decreased AR target gene expression
      and prostate cancer cell proliferation. Collectively, these data describe a trans
      histone modification pathway involving PKN1/histone H3 threonine 11
      phosphorylation followed by WDR5/MLL histone methyltransferase and KAT8/histone
      acetyltransferase recruitment to effect androgen-dependent gene activation and
      prostate cancer cell proliferation. 

PMID- 27268281
TI  - iTRAQ technology-based identification of human peripheral serum proteins
      associated with depression.
AB  - Clinical depression is one of the most common and debilitating psychiatric
      disorders and contributes to increased risks of disability and suicide.
      Differentially expressed serum proteins may serve as biomarkers for diagnosing
      depression. In this study, samples from depressed patients are aggregated into a
      pool (22*100MUL serum was used) and samples from healthy volunteers are
      aggregated into the other pool (20*100MUL serum was used). Isobaric tag for
      relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) technology and tandem mass
      spectrometry were employed to screen for differentially expressed serum protein
      in two separate pools. We identified 472 proteins in the serum samples, and 154
      of these presented differences in abundance between the depression and control
      groups. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was employed to identify the highest
      scoring proteins in signaling pathway networks. Finally, four differentially
      expressed proteins were validated by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).
      Proteomic studies revealed that levels of c-reaction protein (CRP), inter-alpha
      trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4), serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) and
      angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) were substantially increased in depressed patients
      compared with the healthy control group. Therefore, these differentially
      expressed proteins may represent potential markers for the clinical diagnosis of
      depression.

PMID- 27268283
TI  - Mobile Health for All: Public-Private Partnerships Can Create a New Mental Health
      Landscape.
AB  - Research has already demonstrated that different mHealth approaches are feasible,
      acceptable, and clinically promising for people with mental health problems. With
      a robust evidence base just over the horizon, now is the time for policy makers,
      researchers, and the private sector to partner in preparation for the near
      future. The Lifeline Assistance Program is a useful model to draw from. Created
      in 1985 by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Lifeline is a
      nationwide program designed to help eligible low-income individuals obtain home
      phone and landline services so they can pursue employment, reach help in case of
      emergency, and access social services and healthcare. In 2005, recognizing the
      broad shift towards mobile technology and mobile-cellular infrastructure, the FCC
      expanded the program to include mobile phones and data plans. The FCC provides a
      base level of federal support, but individual states are responsible for regional
      implementation, including engagement of commercial mobile phone carriers. Given
      the high rates of disability and poverty among people with severe mental illness,
      many are eligible to benefit from Lifeline and research has shown that a large
      proportion does in fact use this program to obtain a mobile phone and data plan.
      In the singular area of mobile phone use, the gap between people with severe
      mental illness and the general population in the U.S. is vanishing. Strategic
      multi-partner programs will be able to grant access to mHealth for mental health
      programs to those who will not be able to afford them-arguably, the people who
      need them the most. Mobile technology manufacturing costs are dropping. Soon all
      mobile phones in the marketplace, including the more inexpensive devices that are
      made available through subsidy programs, will have "smart" capabilities (ie,
      internet connectivity and the capacity to host apps). Programs like Lifeline
      could be expanded to include mHealth resources that capitalize on "smart"
      functions, such as secure/encrypted clinical texting programs and mental health
      monitoring and illness-management apps. Mobile phone hardware and software
      development companies could be engaged to add mHealth programs as a standard
      component in the suite of tools that come installed on their mobile phones; thus,
      in addition to navigation apps, media players, and games, the new Android or
      iPhone could come with guided relaxation videos, medication reminder systems, and
      evidence-based self-monitoring and self-management tools. Telecommunication
      companies could be encouraged to offer mHealth options with their data plans.
      Operating system updates pushed out by the mobile carrier companies could come
      with optional mHealth applications for those who elect to download them. In the
      same manner in which the Lifeline Assistance Program has helped increase access
      to fundamental opportunities to so many low-income individuals, innovative multi
      partner programs have the potential to put mHealth for mental health resources in
      the hands of millions in the years ahead. 

PMID- 27268282
TI  - Promoting protection against a threat that evokes positive affect: The case of
      heat waves in the United Kingdom.
AB  - Heat waves can cause death, illness, and discomfort, and are expected to become
      more frequent as a result of climate change. Yet, United Kingdom residents have
      positive feelings about hot summers that may undermine their willingness to
      protect themselves against heat. We randomly assigned United Kingdom participants
      to 1 of 3 intervention strategies intended to promote heat protection, or to a
      control group. The first strategy aimed to build on the availability heuristic by
      asking participants to remember high summer temperatures, but it elicited
      thoughts of pleasantly hot summer weather. The second strategy aimed to build on
      the affect heuristic by evoking negative affect about summer temperatures, but it
      evoked thoughts of unpleasantly cold summer weather. The third strategy combined
      these 2 approaches and succeeded in evoking thoughts of unpleasantly hot summer
      weather. Across 2 experiments, the third (combined) strategy increased
      participants' expressed intentions to protect against heat compared with the
      control group, while performing at least as well as the 2 component strategies.
      We discuss implications for developing interventions about other "pleasant
      hazards." (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27268284
TI  - The role of TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 in db/db mice and high glucose-induced
      macrophage.
AB  - Accumulating evidence reveals that inflammation plays a vital part in the
      development of diabetic nephropathy (DN), little information is available about
      the TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) signal pathway activating inflammatory
      response in DN. We used bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and db/db mice to
      investigate the potential protective effects and mechanisms of TAK1 inhibitor (5Z
      7-oxozeaenol) on diabetic kidney disease. The study showed that pretreatment with
      5Z-7-oxozeaenol not only remarkably decreased high glucose (HG) stimulated
      excessive release of MCP-1 and TNF-alpha, but also significantly down-regulated
      ERK1/2, p38MAPK phosphorylation, and NF-kappaB activation in macrophages. In
      consistent, 5Z-7-oxozeaenol markedly reduced diabetes-induced albuminuria,
      histological changes, macrophage infiltration, and renal inflammatory cytokines
      expression and exerted its function through down-regulating ERK1/2, p38MAPK, NF
      kappaB activation in the kidneys of db/db mice. Our findings may provide a novel
      direction to study the molecular mechanism and a perspective intervention to halt
      the progression of DN. 

PMID- 27268285
TI  - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha modifies the effects of Shiga toxin on glial cells.
AB  - Shiga toxin (STX) is one of the main factors inducing hemorrhagic colitis and
      hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) in infections with STX-producing Escherichia coli
      (STEC). Approximately 62% of patients with HUS showed symptoms of encephalopathy
      in the 2011 Japanese outbreak of STEC infections. At that time, we reported
      elevated serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in patients
      with acute encephalopathy during the HUS phase. In the current study, we
      investigated whether TNF-alpha augments the effects of STX in glial cell lines
      and primary glial cells. We found that TNF-alpha alone or STX in combination with
      TNF-alpha activates nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling and inhibits
      growth of glial cells. The magnitude of the NF-kappaB activation and the
      inhibition of cell growth by the STX and TNF-alpha combination was greater than
      that obtained with TNF-alpha alone or STX alone. Thus, this in vitro study
      reveals the role of TNF-alpha in glial cells during STEC infections. 

PMID- 27268287
TI  - From Genetic Mapping to Molecular Breeding: Genomics Have Paved the Highway.

PMID- 27268288
TI  - Identification of differentially expressed reproductive and metabolic proteins in
      the female abalone (Haliotis laevigata) gonad following artificial induction of
      spawning.
AB  - Inefficient control of temperate abalone spawning prevents pair-wise breeding and
      production of abalone with highly marketable traits. Traditionally, abalone
      farmers have used a combination of UV irradiation and application of temperature
      gradients to the tank water to artificially induce spawning. Proteins are known
      to regulate crucial processes such as respiration, muscle contraction, feeding,
      growth and reproduction. Spawning as a pre-requisite of abalone reproduction is
      likely to be regulated, in part, by endogenous proteins. A first step in
      elucidating the mechanisms that regulate spawning is to identify which proteins
      are directly involved during spawning. The present study examined protein
      expression following traditional spawning induction in the Haliotis laevigata
      female. Gonads were collected from abalone in the following physiological states:
      (1) spawning; (2) post-spawning; and (3) failed-to-spawn. Differential protein
      abundance was initially assessed using two-dimensional difference in-gel
      electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry for protein identification. A
      number of reproductive proteins such as vitellogenin, vitelline envelope zona
      pellucida domain 29 and prohibitin, and metabolic proteins such as thioredoxin
      peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and heat shock proteins were identified.
      Differences in protein abundance levels between physiological states were further
      assessed using scheduled multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry. Positive
      associations were observed between the abundance of specific proteins, such as
      heat shock cognate 70 and peroxiredoxin 6, and the propensity or failure to spawn
      in abalone. These findings have contributed to better understand both the effects
      of oxidative and heat stress over abalone physiology and their influence on
      abalone spawning.

PMID- 27268289
TI  - Gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced
      vitamin K deficiency.
AB  - There is a well-known association between vitamin K deficiency and haemorrhagic
      events including gastrointestinal bleeding. There is also a well-known
      association between both poor dietary intake of vitamin K and chronic antibiotic
      use and the development of vitamin K deficiency. Although the medical literature
      notes that cephalosporin antibiotics have a propensity to cause vitamin K
      deficiency due to the molecular structure of the medications and their ability to
      suppress the synthesis of clotting factors, there are other antibiotics that have
      also been implicated in the development of vitamin K deficiency. There are very
      few reports of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole causing vitamin K deficiency and
      further leading to bleeding episodes. We present such a case and discuss the risk
      factors leading to such complications.

PMID- 27268286
TI  - Combinatorial strategies for combating invasive fungal infections.
AB  - Invasive fungal infections are an important cause of human mortality and
      morbidity, particularly for immunocompromised populations. However, there remains
      a paucity of antifungal drug treatments available to combat these fungal
      pathogens. Further, antifungal compounds are plagued with problems such as host
      toxicity, fungistatic activity, and the emergence of drug resistance in pathogen
      populations. A promising therapeutic strategy to increase drug effectiveness and
      mitigate the emergence of drug resistance is through the use of combination drug
      therapy. In this review we describe the current arsenal of antifungals in
      medicine and elaborate on the benefits of combination therapy to expand our
      current antifungal drug repertoire. We examine those antifungal combinations that
      have shown potential against fungal pathogens and discuss strategies being
      employed to discover novel combination therapeutics, in particular combining
      antifungal agents with non-antifungal bioactive compounds. The findings
      summarized in this review highlight the promise of combinatorial strategies in
      combatting invasive mycoses.

PMID- 27268290
TI  - Limb salvage following iatrogenic arterial injury: complications of cardiac
      support using intra-aortic balloon pumps.
AB  - This is a unique case report describing complex limb salvage in a patient who
      experienced acute limb ischaemia due to a complication of intra-aortic balloon
      pump (IABP) counterpulsation. This case focuses on a patient who had an IABP
      counterpulsation device inserted following myocardial infarction, requiring
      urgent coronary artery bypass grafting for acute coronary syndrome.
      Postoperatively, the IABP could not be removed, with consequent iliac thrombosis
      and acute limb ischaemia. Emergency femoral-to-femoral crossover bypass was
      performed using a polytetrafluoroethylene graft. A portion of the IABP balloon
      tip was entrapped and retained, however, and became the focus of delayed
      septicaemia, resulting in graft infection and wound breakdown 6 weeks later.
      Explantation of the residual balloon tip, ligation of the right external iliac
      artery and redo femoral-femoral crossover using the great saphenous vein were
      successfully performed. 

PMID- 27268291
TI  - HTLV-1-associated myelopathy in a solid organ transplant recipient.
AB  - Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is endemic in Japan, the
      Caribbean and in South American countries such as Ecuador. This virus is the
      cause of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP),
      a myelopathy characterised by chronic progressive paraparesis, spasticity and
      urinary symptoms. We report the case of a 40-year-old man who received a kidney
      transplant from a living donor and developed HAM/TSP, 24 months after transplant.
      The diagnosis was confirmed by detection of HTLV-1 in blood and cerebrospinal
      fluid by the ELISA and Western Blot tests. For myelopathy, the patient was
      treated with pulse methylprednisolone, but had poor response to treatment. We
      recommend that all patients receiving transplants and their donors who come from
      endemic countries be given a mandatory screening for HTLV-1 through an ELISA
      test, in an effort to inform candidates for renal transplantation of the
      potential risk of infection and the development of this disease. 

PMID- 27268292
TI  - Skin rash: a manifestation of early congenital syphilis.

PMID- 27268293
TI  - Reply to letter to the editor - Mechanical ventilation in idiopathic pulmonary
      fibrosis: Unresolved dilemma.

PMID- 27268294
TI  - Hepatitis C reinfection following treatment induced viral clearance among people
      who have injected drugs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although people who inject drugs (PWID) are an important group to
      receive Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antiviral therapy, initiation onto treatment
      remains low. Concerns over reinfection may make clinicians reluctant to treat
      this group. We examined the risk of HCV reinfection among a cohort of PWID
      (encompassing all those reporting a history of injecting drug use) from Scotland
      who achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). METHODS: Clinical and
      laboratory data were used to monitor RNA testing among PWID who attained SVR
      following therapy between 2000 and 2009. Data were linked to morbidity and
      mortality records. Follow-up began one year after completion of therapy, ending
      on 31st December, 2012. Frequency of RNA testing during follow-up was calculated
      and the incidence of HCV reinfection estimated. Cox proportional hazards
      regression was used to examine factors associated with HCV reinfection. RESULTS:
      Among 448 PWID with a SVR, 277 (61.8%) were tested during follow-up, median 4.5
      years; 191 (69%) received one RNA test and 86 (31%) received at least two RNA
      tests. There were seven reinfections over 410 person years generating a
      reinfection rate of 1.7/100py (95% CI 0.7-3.5). For PWID who have been
      hospitalised for an opiate or injection related cause post SVR (11%), the risk of
      HCV reinfection was greater [AHR=12.9, 95% CI 2.2-76.0, p=0.002] and the
      reinfection rate was 5.7/100py (95% CI 1.8-13.3). CONCLUSION: PWID who have been
      tested, following SVR, for HCV in Scotland appear to be at a low risk of
      reinfection. Follow-up and monitoring of this population are warranted as
      treatment is offered more widely.

PMID- 27268295
TI  - The effect of two levels of hemospermia on stallion fertility.
AB  - Hemospermia can occur consistently or intermittently in stallion ejaculates and
      may cause a reduction in the fertility of the affected ejaculate. It is unknown
      what amount of blood in an ejaculate leads to subfertility. This study
      investigated the effect of higher and lower levels of hemospermia (50% and 5%,
      respectively) on fertility using 24 reproductively normal mares inseminated over
      three consecutive estrous cycles with fresh extended semen. Mares inseminated
      with a 5% blood-contaminated ejaculate became pregnant at the same rate (75% per
      cycle; 18 of 24) as the mares inseminated with blood-free (control) semen (75%
      per cycle; 18 of 24). The ejaculates containing 50% blood were sterile (0% per
      cycle, 0 of 24). We concluded that it is the amount of blood, not the mere
      presence of blood, in an ejaculate that impacts fertility. 

PMID- 27268296
TI  - Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) receptor type II expression and AMH activity in
      bovine granulosa cells.
AB  - Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) produced by granulosa cells has previously been
      proposed to play a role in regulating granulosa cell differentiation and follicle
      selection. Although AMH receptor type II (AMHR2) dimerizes with a type I receptor
      to initiate AMH signaling, little is known about the regulation of AMHR2
      expression in bovine granulosa cells and the role of AMH in follicle development.
      The primary objectives of this study were to: (1) characterize AMHR2 expression
      in granulosa cells during follicle development; (2) identify factors that
      regulate AMHR2 mRNA expression in granulosa cells; and (3) examine the role of
      AMH signaling in granulosa cell differentiation and proliferation. Bovine
      granulosa cells were isolated from 5- to 8-mm follicles before selection and
      deviation, as well as from 9- to 12-mm and 13- to 24-mm follicles after
      selection. Analyses revealed that expression of AMHR2 was greater in 5- to 8-mm
      follicles compared with 13- to 24-mm follicles (P < 0.05). Granulosa cells
      treated with bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) or BMP15, but not BMP2,
      significantly increased AMHR2 expression when compared with control cultured
      cells (P < 0.05). In addition, expression of AMH was greater in granulosa cells
      cultured with BMP2, BMP6, or BMP15 when compared with controls (P < 0.05).
      Finally, treatment with recombinant human AMH, in vitro, inhibited CYP19A1
      expression in a dose-related (10-100 ng/mL) fashion, and reduced granulosa cell
      proliferation at 48 and 72 hours (P < 0.05). Results from these studies indicate
      that AMH signaling plays a role in both regulating granulosa cell proliferation
      and preventing granulosa cells from 5- to 8-mm follicles from undergoing
      premature differentiation before follicle selection. 

PMID- 27268297
TI  - Holding equine oocytes in a commercial embryo-holding medium: New perspective on
      holding temperature and maturation time.
AB  - In the present study, we examined the effect of holding equine oocytes in Syngro
      embryo holding medium (EHM) overnight at either 4  degrees C, 17  degrees C, or
      22  degrees C to 25  degrees C, on the time to maturation and developmental
      competence. We also examined the effect of placing denuded oocyte without
      extruded polar body back in maturation condition on subsequent maturation rate.
      In experiment 1, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered postmortem and
      placed in EHM at 22  degrees C to 25  degrees C for 18 to 20 hours (OH) or placed
      directly in maturation (DM). The maturation rate was assessed after 22, 24, or 28
      hours of culture. After denuding cumulus cells at 22 or 24 hours, oocytes without
      obvious polar body were placed back into culture and reassessed at subsequent
      time points. At 22 hours, a higher proportion of oocytes placed in OH achieved
      nuclear maturation than those placed in DM (63% and 37%, respectively, P =
      0.008). At 24 and 28 hours, no significant differences in the % MII stage oocytes
      were observed between OH and DM. The nuclear maturation rate for OH oocytes was
      similar at 22, 24, and 28 hours, indicating that the maximum maturation rate was
      reached at an earlier time than that in DM. Oocytes fertilized by
      intracytoplasmic sperm injection resulted in a 7.1% and 6.3% blastocyst rate for
      OH and DM, respectively. Denuding oocytes after 22 hours or more of culture did
      not have an adverse effect on the final nuclear maturation rate. After 28 hours
      of culture, the same nuclear maturation rate (MII) was reached for nondenuded
      oocytes and oocytes denuded after 22 hours of 24 hours of culture. In experiment
      2, COCs were held overnight at room temperature in EHM, then placed in maturation
      for 20, 22, and 28 hours. Nuclear maturation rate was significantly lower at 20
      hours than 22 and 28 hours of culture and was similar at 22 and 28 hours,
      suggesting that at least 22 hours of culture is required to reach maximal
      maturation rate for stored oocytes (43%, 62%, and 65% at 20, 22, and 28 hours,
      respectively. P < 0.001). In experiment 3, COCs were either placed directly in
      culture or held at 22  degrees C to 25  degrees C, 17  degrees C, or 4  degrees C
      overnight. After 24 hours of culture, maturation rate was similar for all groups,
      suggesting that COCs can be stored in conventional 4  degrees C transport
      condition or 17  degrees C. In preliminary studies, COCs were held at 4  degrees
      C followed by 24 hours of culture, and mature oocytes were fertilized using
      intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Twenty-three injected oocytes yielded four
      blastocysts. In conclusion, we reported that oocytes can be placed in a
      commercial EHM and stored overnight without a detrimental effect on maturation
      rates or blastocyst development. Oocytes held in holding medium require less time
      to reach the MII stage than oocytes placed in culture directly. Removing the
      cumulus cells from oocytes that have been cultured for at least 22 hours does not
      seem to alter the final nuclear maturation rate. Finally, we observed no
      detrimental effect of storing oocytes at 4  degrees C for up to 18 hours, and
      oocytes appeared to maintain developmental competence and blastocyst potential. 

PMID- 27268298
TI  - Lineage switch with t(6;11)(q27;q23) from T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma to acute
      monoblastic leukemia at relapse.
AB  - We present a patient with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) harboring
      t(6;11)(q27;q23) that converted to acute monoblastic leukemia at relapse. A 27
      year-old man developed T-LBL with a mediastinal mass. He exhibited several
      recurrences in the central nervous system and marrow. A fifth relapse occurred in
      the marrow, with 42.8% blasts with CD4, CD5, CD7, CD10, CD33, CD34, HLA-DR and
      cytoplasmic (cy) CD3. While achieving complete remission with nelarabine, sixth
      relapse occurred in the marrow with 6.8% blasts, which had characteristics of
      monoblastic features, 2 months later. Marrow blasts were positive for
      myeloperoxidase, CD4, CD33, CD56, CD64, and HLA-DR, but were negative for cyCD3,
      CD5, CD7, CD10, and CD34. Marrow cells at both the 5th lymphoid and 6th myeloid
      relapses had t(6;11)(q27;q23) and the same MLL-MLLT4 fusion transcript. In
      addition, the MLL-MLLT4 fusion sequences documented in the initial mediastinal
      cells were the same as seen in peripheral blood cells at the 6th relapse. The
      patient continues 7th remission after one course of gemtuzumab ozogamicin therapy
      followed by cord blood transplantation for more than 3 years. Sequential
      phenotypic and cytogenetic studies may yield valuable insights into the mechanism
      of leukemic recurrence and possible implications for treatment selection.

PMID- 27268299
TI  - Quasi-Racemic X-ray Structures of K27-Linked Ubiquitin Chains Prepared by Total
      Chemical Synthesis.
AB  - Quasi-racemic crystallography has been used to determine the X-ray structures of
      K27-linked ubiquitin (Ub) chains prepared through total chemical synthesis.
      Crystal structures of K27-linked di- and tri-ubiquitins reveal that the
      isopeptide linkages are confined in a unique buried conformation, which provides
      the molecular basis for the distinctive function of K27 linkage compared to the
      other seven Ub chains. K27-linked di- and triUb were found to adopt different
      structural conformations in the crystals, one being symmetric whereas the other
      triangular. Furthermore, bioactivity experiments showed that the ovarian tumor
      family de-ubiquitinase 2 significantly favors K27-linked triUb than K27-linked
      diUb. K27-linked triUb represents the so-far largest chemically synthesized
      protein (228 amino acids) that has been crystallized to afford a high-resolution
      X-ray structure.

PMID- 27268301
TI  - Variations in care quality occur across the whole week, not just at weekends.

PMID- 27268300
TI  - An evolutionarily conserved mechanism for cAMP elicited axonal regeneration
      involves direct activation of the dual leucine zipper kinase DLK.
AB  - A broadly known method to stimulate the growth potential of axons is to elevate
      intracellular levels of cAMP, however the cellular pathway(s) that mediate this
      are not known. Here we identify the Dual Leucine-zipper Kinase (DLK, Wnd in
      Drosophila) as a critical target and effector of cAMP in injured axons. DLK/Wnd
      is thought to function as an injury 'sensor', as it becomes activated after
      axonal damage. Our findings in both Drosophila and mammalian neurons indicate
      that the cAMP effector kinase PKA is a conserved and direct upstream activator of
      Wnd/DLK. PKA is required for the induction of Wnd signaling in injured axons, and
      DLK is essential for the regenerative effects of cAMP in mammalian DRG neurons.
      These findings link two important mediators of responses to axonal injury,
      DLK/Wnd and cAMP/PKA, into a unified and evolutionarily conserved molecular
      pathway for stimulating the regenerative potential of injured axons.

PMID- 27268304
TI  - Field and Laboratory Dissipation of the Herbicide Fomesafen in the Southern
      Atlantic Coastal Plain (USA).
AB  - To control weeds with evolved resistance to glyphosate, Southeastern (USA) cotton
      farmers have increased fomesafen (5-(2-chloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-p
      tolyloxy)-N-mesyl-2-nitrobenzamide) use. To refine fomesafen risk assessments,
      data are needed that describe its dissipation following application to farm
      fields. In our study, relatively low runoff rates and transport by lateral
      subsurface flow, <1.0 and 0.15% of applied respectively, were observed. The low
      runoff rate was linked to postapplication irrigation incorporation and
      implementation of a common conservation tillage practice. Moderate soil
      persistence (t1/2 = 100 days) was indicated in laboratory incubations with
      surface soil, however, analysis of soil cores from treated plots showed that ~3%
      of fomesafen applied persisted in subsoil >3 years after application. Findings
      suggest low potential for fomesafen movement from treated fields, however, the
      fate of fomesafen that accumulated in subsoil and the identity of degradates are
      uncertain. Soil and water samples were screened for degradates, but, none were
      detected. 

PMID- 27268303
TI  - Clinical Features of and Risk Factors for Fatal Ebola Virus Disease, Moyamba
      District, Sierra Leone, December 2014-February 2015.
AB  - The 2013-2016 outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa infected
      >28,000 people, including >11,000 who died, and disrupted social life in the
      region. We retrospectively studied clinical signs and symptoms and risk factors
      for fatal outcome among 31 Ebola virus-positive patients admitted to the Ebola
      Treatment Center in Moyamba District, Sierra Leone. We found a higher rate of
      bleeding manifestations than reported elsewhere during the outbreak. Significant
      predictors for death were shorter time from symptom onset to admission, male sex,
      high viral load on initial laboratory testing, severe pain, diarrhea, bloody
      feces, and development of other bleeding manifestations during hospitalization.
      These risk factors for death could be used to identify patients in need of more
      intensive medical support. The lack of fever in as many as one third of EVD cases
      may have implications for temperature-screening practices and case definitions.

PMID- 27268305
TI  - Acceptance and efficacy of interventions for family caregivers of elderly persons
      with a mental disorder: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to conduct an extended meta-analysis
      of the efficacy and acceptance of supportive interventions for alleviating
      depressive symptoms in family caregivers of elderly relatives with a mental
      disorder, including dementia. The second aim was to analyze intervention
      characteristics as potential moderators of the efficacy and acceptance of these
      interventions. METHODS: We searched electronic databases for randomized
      controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2005 and 2014. Thirty-three studies
      were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 5,980 participants. RESULTS:
      No RCTs that tested interventions for caregivers of elderly patients with mental
      disorders other than dementia were found. The weighted pooled effect size of the
      interventions for caregivers of dementia patients was positive but small
      (standardized mean difference = 0.13; CI0.95 [0.03; 0.23], p = 0.01). Meta
      regression analysis revealed higher effect sizes for interventions that were
      individually customized. Intervention discontinuation rates were low (mean 11%,
      SD = 6.3) and independent of most intervention characteristics. If the
      intervention was delivered via telecommunication intervention discontinuation
      rates tended to be higher (r = -0.39, p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Comparative
      research for caregivers of elderly patients with mental disorders other than
      dementia is lacking. RCTs of interventions for family caregivers of dementia
      patients of the last decade show good acceptance among intervention participants,
      but there is still a need to improve the efficacy of these interventions.
      Individual customization of intervention components might enhance efficacy. More
      research is needed on the acceptance of telecommunication interventions for
      family caregivers.

PMID- 27268306
TI  - Clinical outcomes of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck: a single
      institution 20-year experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study reports the clinical outcomes of head and neck adenoid
      cystic carcinoma treatment over a 20-year period. METHODS: The treatment outcome
      of 51 head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma patients treated between 1992 and
      2013 were analysed. Patients were stratified into radical treatment and disease
      control groups. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients underwent surgery and post
      operative radiotherapy. The 10-year disease-specific survival rate was 93 per
      cent. Eleven patients had tumour recurrence: of these, nine were pulmonary
      metastases. The 11 patients in the disease control group had a median follow up
      of 21 months (range, 2-172 months); 5 underwent radical radiotherapy with
      palliative intent. CONCLUSION: There was late tumour recurrence in over 25 per
      cent of patients. Adenoid cystic carcinoma has a high tendency to relapse even
      after radical excision and adjuvant therapy. However, definitive radiotherapy
      should still be considered on an individual basis because it may provide local
      control and prolong patient survival.

PMID- 27268307
TI  - Conjugation of mono and di-GalNAc sugars enhances the potency of antisense
      oligonucleotides via ASGR mediated delivery to hepatocytes.
AB  - Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) conjugated to trivalent GalNAc ligands show 10
      fold enhanced potency for suppressing gene targets expressed in hepatocytes.
      Trivalent GalNAc is a high affinity ligand for the asialoglycoprotein receptor
      (ASGR)-a C-type lectin expressed almost exclusively on hepatocytes in the liver.
      In this communication, we show that conjugation of two and even one GalNAc sugar
      to single stranded chemically modified ASOs can enhance potency 5-10 fold in
      mice. Evaluation of the mono- and di-GalNAc ASO conjugates in an ASGR binding
      assay suggested that chemical features of the ASO enhance binding to the receptor
      and provide a rationale for the enhanced potency.

PMID- 27268308
TI  - Synthesis and biological analysis of novel glycoside derivatives of l-AEP, as
      targeted antibacterial agents.
AB  - To develop targeted methods for treating bacterial infections, the feasibility of
      using glycoside derivatives of the antibacterial compound l-R
      aminoethylphosphonic acid (l-AEP) has been investigated. These derivatives are
      hypothesized to be taken up by bacterial cells via carbohydrate uptake
      mechanisms, and then hydrolyzed in situ by bacterial borne glycosidase enzymes,
      to selectively afford l-AEP. Therefore the synthesis and analysis of ten
      glycoside derivatives of l-AEP, for selective targeting of specific bacteria, is
      reported. The ability of these derivatives to inhibit the growth of a panel of
      Gram-negative bacteria in two different media is discussed. beta-Glycosides (12a)
      and (12b) that contained l-AEP linked to glucose or galactose via a carbamate
      linkage inhibited growth of a range of organisms with the best MICs being
      <0.75mg/ml; for most species the inhibition was closely related to the hydrolysis
      of the equivalent chromogenic glycosides. This suggests that for (12a) and (12b),
      release of l-AEP was indeed dependent upon the presence of the respective
      glycosidase enzyme.

PMID- 27268309
TI  - Preliminary testing of the Swedish version of the Assessment of Interprofessional
      Team Collaboration Scale (AITCS-S).
AB  - Interprofessional collaboration might improve healthcare processes and outcomes;
      however, it has been found that most instruments that aim to measure
      collaboration have undergone limited testing. The assessment of interprofessional
      team collaboration scale (AITCS) is one questionnaire that aims to evaluate
      collaboration, but it has not yet been extensively tested. The aim of this study
      was to translate and to cross-culturally adapt the AITCS for use in Sweden, to
      describe floor and ceiling values, and to investigate the AITCS in terms of
      reliability, face, and content validity. The study included a total of 349
      participants working in team-based pain rehabilitation. The participants were
      asked to fill in the Swedish version of the AITCS (AITCS-S) at baseline. Of
      these, 73 participants also completed the AITCS-S two weeks later. The results
      showed that the content and face validity were good. Internal consistency varied
      from 0.79 to 0.96 and judged to be acceptable to excellent. Test-retest stability
      showed excellent stability with intraclass correlation values above 0.75 for all
      subscales. This study concludes that the Swedish version of the AITCS is a
      reliable and valid questionnaire. Further psychometric investigations might be
      undertaken in order to attempt to develop shorter versions of the AITCS-S. 

PMID- 27268310
TI  - Percutaneous Drainage of Chronic Destructive Lumbar Osteomyelitis Abscess Via the
      Use of Bilateral Transpedicular Trocar Access.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pyogenic spondylodiskitis is an infection of intervertebral disks and
      spinal vertebral bodies. Various minimally invasive approaches to the infected
      disk spaces/abscesses have been described for management of early stages of the
      infection. Patients with chronic occurrence present with extensive infection,
      neurologic deficits, and bone destruction. Such patients commonly have
      substantial medical comorbidities. Despite the increased risks of complications,
      they often are treated with open surgical approaches without minimally invasive
      options. We describe a bilateral transpedicular approach to vertebral body
      abscess in a chronically infected patient with intraoperative contiguous
      irrigation. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present 2 cases, a 58-year-old man and a 61-year
      old man, both with a diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis. Images of lumbar spine
      showed epidural abscess and adjacent vertebral body destruction. Because of their
      poor clinical condition and chronicity of disease, these patients underwent
      percutaneous bilateral transpedicular approach. CONCLUSION: Patients in poor
      health and with chronic vertebral osteomyelitis may benefit from minimally
      invasive percutaneous transpedicular drainage and irrigation of the abscess,
      representing a minimally invasive and effective treatment alternative for these
      patients.

PMID- 27268311
TI  - Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Novel Therapy in the Treatment of Restless
      Legs Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We report a unique finding of a patient whose restless legs syndrome
      (RLS) symptoms abated after the placement of a spinal cord stimulator for chronic
      neuropathic pain. RLS is a common disorder, with many patients unable to find
      sufficient relief from their symptoms. CASE DESCRIPTION: A patient diagnosed with
      neuropathic pain who also suffered from RLS symptoms despite medication therapy
      underwent implantation of a spinal cord stimulator after a successful trial. This
      patient was interviewed formally about his RLS symptoms immediately before his
      procedure and at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 2.5 years after the procedure. The
      patient also completed the International Restless Legs Syndrome Scale
      questionnaire to objectively quantify the severity of his symptoms. Finally, the
      patient kept a 5-day journal detailing when the stimulator was in use. The
      patient reported subjective symptomatic improvement in his RLS symptoms with
      improved sleep quality and quantity, in addition to improvement in his back pain.
      The patient's score on the International Restless Legs Syndrome Scale improved
      after implantation from 33 to 0 on a 40-point scale. Moreover, when asked to keep
      a journal record of his stimulator use, the patient noted that he only used the
      stimulator before going to bed to help his RLS symptoms and no longer required
      any medication for his previous RLS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural stimulation
      may be an additional, alternative, or novel therapy in the treatment of RLS.

PMID- 27268312
TI  - Carotid Endarterectomy on Antiplatelet Agents in the Era of Point-of-Care
      Testing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The safety of carotid endarterectomy in patients with a response to
      antiplatelet agents (aspirin and clopidogrel) confirmed by point-of-care testing
      is unknown. Thus, we sought to determine whether using point-of-care assessment
      of platelet inhibition reveals risk factors for operative complications or
      predicts clinical outcomes. METHODS: We reviewed records of carotid
      endarterectomy patients treated from March 2013 to July 2015 to extract
      demographics, lesion characteristics, laboratory data, procedural complications,
      and follow-up. Administration of aspirin, clopidogrel, or therapeutic
      anticoagulation within 5 days before surgery was recorded. RESULTS: We analyzed
      79 patients with 86 lesions (mean age 70.9 +/- 10.0 years). More patients with a
      P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) <170 had neck hematomas (4/10, 40.0%) than those with a
      PRU >=170 (2/9, 22.2%) (P = 0.63). Estimated blood loss >=100 mL was more
      frequent among patients with PRU <170 (9/10, 90.0%) than among those with PRU
      >=170 (5/9, 55.6%) (P = 0.09). Clopidogrel use, regardless of response,
      independently predicted neck hematoma in a logistic regression model, with
      increased odds of 8.5. Mean postoperative modified Rankin Scale scores did not
      differ statistically between clopidogrel users and nonusers at a mean follow-up
      of 108.5 +/- 146.3 days (P = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel use within 5 days of
      carotid endarterectomy independently predicted postoperative neck hematomas, most
      of which were managed conservatively. Patients with PRU <170 were more likely to
      have estimated blood loss >=100 mL during surgery and surgery lasting >=3 hours.

PMID- 27268313
TI  - Subdural Hematoma Mimickers: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A variety of subdural pathologies that may mimic hematomas are
      reported in the literature. We aimed to identify the atypical clinical and
      radiologic presentations of subdural masses that may mimic subdural hematomas.
      METHODS: A systematic review of MEDLINE and Embase was conducted independently by
      2 reviewers to identify articles describing subdural hematoma mimickers. We also
      present a patient from our institution with a subdural pathology mimicking a
      subdural hematoma. We analyzed patient clinical presentations, underlying
      pathologies, radiologic findings, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: We included 43
      articles totaling 48 patients. The mean +/- SD patient age was 55.7 +/- 16.8
      years. Of the 45 cases describing patient history, 13 patients (27%) had a
      history of trauma. The underlying pathologies of the 48 subdural collections were
      10 metastasis (21%), 14 lymphoma (29%), 7 sarcoma (15%), 4 infectious (8%), 4
      autoimmune (8%), and 9 miscellaneous (19%). Findings on computed tomography (CT)
      scan were 18 hyperdense (41%), 11 hypodense (25%), 9 isodense (20%), 3
      isodense/hyperdense (7%), and 3 hypodense/isodense (7%). Thirty-four patients
      (71%) were treated surgically; among these patients, 65% had symptom resolution.
      Neither the pathology (P = 0.337) nor the management strategy (P = 0.671) was
      correlated with improved functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of
      atypical history and radiologic features should prompt further diagnostic tests,
      including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to elucidate the proper diagnosis,
      given that certain pathologies may be managed nonsurgically. A subdural
      collection that is hyperdense on CT scan and hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI,
      along with a history of progressive headache with no trauma, may raise the
      suspicion of an atypical subdural pathology.

PMID- 27268314
TI  - Critical Age Affecting Functional Outcome after Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for
      Malignant Hemispheric Infarction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although age already is known as a crucial factor affecting the
      functional outcome after a hemicraniectomy for malignant hemispheric infarction,
      previous studies have used arbitrary age cut-offs of 50, 60, or 70 years.
      Therefore, this study investigated predictors of the functional outcome after a
      hemicraniectomy and attempted to determine the critical age for an unfavorable
      functional outcome. METHODS: A total of 38 patients with large hemispheric
      infarction were treated with a decompressive hemicraniectomy and the
      corresponding 1-year modified Rankin Scale (mRS) data obtained. An array of
      clinical variables was then investigated in relation to the functional outcomes.
      RESULTS: A multivariate analysis that used binary multiple logistic regression
      revealed that advanced age was a statistically significant predictor of an
      unfavorable 1-year functional outcome. In a receiver operating characteristic
      curve analysis for age, a patient age >58 years was determined as an appropriate
      cut-off value for predicting an unfavorable outcome. The patients aged >58 years
      showed an 82% positive predictive value (PPV) for an unfavorable outcome with mRS
      >=4, and a 50% PPV for mRS >=5. Moreover, a patient age cutoff value of >67 years
      exhibited a 100% PPV for predicting an unfavorable functional outcome with mRS
      >=4. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age was identified as a significant predictor of an
      unfavorable outcome and functional dependency. The PPV of a patient age >58 years
      and >67 years for predicting an unfavorable outcome with functional dependency
      was 82% and 100%, respectively.

PMID- 27268315
TI  - Long-Term Effect of Flow Diversion on Large and Giant Aneurysms: MRI-DSA Clinical
      Correlation Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The long-term effect of flow diversion (FD) on aneurysms has not been
      well studied. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the effect of the Pipeline
      embolization device (Covidien, Irvine, California, USA) on large and giant
      intracranial aneurysms with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital
      subtraction angiography (DSA) and then correlate with clinical follow-up.
      METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of aneurysms treated solely with
      Pipeline without adjunctive therapy. The largest aneurysm diameters were compared
      with pretreatment and post treatment MRI and correlated with DSA and clinical
      symptoms. RESULTS: Twelve patients harboring large and giant saccular unruptured
      aneurysms, treated with Pipeline, were included. Mean follow-up times were as
      follows: MRI 22.8 months (range 1-57), DSA 18.2 months (range 1-33), and clinical
      29 months (range 1-48). Ten (83%) of 12 treated aneurysms decreased in size on
      MRI, which was first seen at an average of 17 months (range 4-57). In 70% of
      patients the change was noted on MRI <=1 year after treatment, at an average of
      9.1 months (range 4-12). MRI reduction was more likely in angiographically
      occluded aneurysms. Five aneurysms with complete occlusion on early angiogram
      showed size reduction on MRI only at >=12 months. Mean aneurysm size reduction
      was 57% (range 19.6-94.2), which correlated well with improvement of cranial
      neuropathies in 75% and headaches in 100% of patients. CONCLUSION: Most aneurysms
      treated with Pipeline decreased in size, correlating with clinical improvement.
      Some aneurysms remained unchanged on MRI until a later time point despite early
      DSA occlusion. It may be reasonable to eliminate early postprocedural imaging and
      start follow-up only as late as 1 year after FD treatment in clinically stable,
      asymptomatic patients.

PMID- 27268316
TI  - Long Noncoding RNAs and Their Regulatory Network: Potential Therapeutic Targets
      for Adult Moyamoya Disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate long noncoding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) expression
      patterns in adult moyamoya disease (MMD) patients and explore their possible
      roles in the pathophysiology of MMD. METHODS: A healthy control group (n = 10)
      and an MMD group (n = 15) were evaluated. RNA was extracted from peripheral blood
      samples and hybridized to microarray to get lncRNA expression profiles. Then
      predicted lncRNA target genes were identified, and bioinformatics analysis was
      performed to investigate their molecular functions. RESULTS: In the MMD group,
      3649 lncRNAs exhibited more than 2-fold expression than their counterparts in the
      healthy control group; of these, 1494 were upregulated, while 2155 were
      downregulated. Principal component analysis and Hclust analysis produced
      completely different clusters between the 2 groups. Gene ontology and KEGG
      pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the differentially expressed lncRNAs
      regulate multiple signaling pathways that were related with inflammation and
      vascular disease, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway
      was the core regulatory pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Long noncoding RNA expression
      profiles were quite different between MMD and control groups. Multiple signaling
      pathways that were closely associated with immune response, vasculogenesis, and
      smooth muscle contraction were indicated to participate in lncRNAs regulatory
      mechanism; of these, MAPK signaling pathway, which has been well studied for the
      treatment of many other cardiovascular diseases, was the core of this regulatory
      network. Our findings could help further understand the pathophysiology of MMD
      and provide new potential therapeutic targets.

PMID- 27268317
TI  - Histologic Evidence for Arteriovenous Malformation-Like Vasculature Occurring
      within an Intracerebral Schwannoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The phenomenon of intracerebral schwannoma is exceedingly rare, and
      its etiology still a matter of debate. No documented cases of intracerebral
      schwannoma containing vascular elements consistent with those of an arteriovenous
      malformation (AVM) have been reported. We describe such a case here. CASE
      DESCRIPTION: A left temporal intraparenchymal lesion was discovered incidentally
      in a 34-year-old man after he suffered a mild trauma. The lesion was resected and
      found on histologic examination to be an intracerebral schwannoma with AVM-like
      vasculature. The patient made a full recovery after resection. CONCLUSIONS: To
      our knowledge, this is the first case of an intracerebral schwannoma with AVM
      like characteristics to be reported in the literature. We hypothesize that the co
      occurrence of this rare pathologic entity is caused by an interrelated etiologic
      process, with the tumor microenvironment of the schwannoma inciting the
      development of the vascular malformation.

PMID- 27268318
TI  - Intraoperative Ultrasound Technology in Neuro-Oncology Practice-Current Role and
      Future Applications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgery for cranial and spinal tumors has evolved tremendously over
      the years. Not only have neuro-oncologists been able to better understand tumor
      biology and thereby improve multimodality therapy, but advances in surgical
      techniques have also directly equipped neurosurgeons with the armamentarium
      necessary to achieve more radical resections safely. Intraoperative imaging tools
      are one such adjunct. Though intraoperative magnetic resonance (MR) has emerged
      as the "gold standard" among these, logistical challenges make it difficult to
      implement across all centers. On the other hand, the use of ultrasound (US)
      intraoperatively predates the use of MR. Over the past 4 decades, technologic
      improvements have refined and expanded the scope and application of
      intraoperative US technology. Strategies to maximize its efficacy and overcome
      the various limitations have evolved. A large volume of clinical experience has
      accumulated with respect to its role as an adjunct specifically in tumor surgery.
      METHODS: We performed a literature review to evaluate the role of IOUS in tumor
      surgery. This review traces the evolution of intraoperative US over the years and
      reviews the current scope and applications with respect to neuro-oncologic
      surgery, as well as potential future applications. RESULTS: IOUS has evolved over
      the years since its introduction. Advances in technology have provided real-time
      navigated and 3-D techniques, which overcome many of the limitations of older
      IOUS techniques. This has shown to be very useful in not only localization of
      lesions, but also in improving resection rates as well as survival. CONCLUSIONS:
      IOUS is a powerful and versatile multipurpose intraoperative adjunct in tumor
      surgery, especially for resection control. The learning curve is relatively easy
      to climb and future improvements in technology are likely to widen the scope of
      its use.

PMID- 27268319
TI  - Thirdhand tobacco smoke: procedures to evaluate cytotoxicity in cell cultures.
AB  - The risks associated to tobacco smoking are not ceased with smoke extinction.
      Many toxic compounds remain in the environment after the cigarette is
      extinguished and accumulated in the air or on surfaces. However, little is known
      about the risks of this exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      procedures to collect thirdhand smoke (THS) and prepare the samples to perform
      three in vitro toxicity tests. Cellulose papers and cotton wipes were used to
      impregnate with nicotine solution and smoke cigarette in a chamber or in smoker's
      home. Samples were immersed in methanol or Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium
      (DMEM) to expose Hep-2 cells. MTT, neutral red uptake (NRU) and trypan blue
      assays were performed. The concentration of nicotine in DMEM extract of THS in
      paper and cotton was similar to those in methanol extract (p > 0.05). Alterations
      in the mitochondrial and lysosomal functions were found in both paper and cotton
      samples; however, the cytotoxic effect was not always observed. There was a
      decrease of 21-31% in MTT assay and 38-56% in NRU assay (p < 0.003). There was a
      dose-response relationship between the amount of cigarettes and lysosomal
      viability; the correlation was higher for cotton samples (r = -0.843, p < 0.001).
      As a dose-response relationship was found only in NRU assay, this test may be a
      more suitable choice rather than the MTT assay. Paper and wipe sampling can be
      reliable markers of tobacco smoke contamination. Moreover, these materials, if
      properly prepared, can be used as substrate providers to perform cellular assays.

PMID- 27268320
TI  - A Novel Timesaving Method for Hepatobiliary Imaging for Suspected Acute
      Cholecystitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To optimize resource utilization of cholescintigraphy for suspected
      acute cholecystitis with a time-saving method without a loss in diagnostic
      accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained
      for this retrospective study. Hepatobiliary imaging data for 81 patients with
      suspected acute cholecystitis were recalled for modification into 2 summed static
      images, using only the first and last 5 minutes of the dynamic images, thereby
      eliminating the middle 50 minutes of imaging data. Two nuclear medicine
      physicians interpreted the summed images to assess visualization, and those
      interpretations were compared to the original reports based on using all 60
      minutes of dynamic imaging. A third nuclear medicine physician mediated rare
      inter-reader interpretive disagreements. Comparison of interpretations of time
      saving and conventional methods and also inter-observer variability was achieved
      using the Cohen kappa coefficient analysis. RESULTS: Interpretations rendered
      using the time-saving method showed near-perfect agreement with those based on
      the full dynamic imaging protocol (Cohen kappa coefficient = 0.92 for both
      readers). Furthermore, nuclear medicine physician readers agreed with each other
      (Cohen kappa coefficient = 0.95 between the 2 readers), indicating minimal inter
      observer variability using this novel optimized technique. CONCLUSION: In the
      setting of suspected acute cholecystitis, imaging resource utilization may be
      improved, via reduced gamma camera and technologist time, using a novel time
      saving method without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy. Multicenter larger trials,
      however, will be necessary to establish reproducibility.

PMID- 27268321
TI  - Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: New Insights into an Old Class of Reactions.
AB  - The classic SEAr mechanism of electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) reactions
      described in textbooks, monographs, and reviews comprises the obligatory
      formation of arenium ion intermediates (sigma complexes) in a two-stage process.
      Our findings from several studies of EAS reactions challenge the generality of
      this mechanistic paradigm. This Account focuses on recent computational and
      experimental results for three types of EAS reactions: halogenation with
      molecular chlorine and bromine, nitration by mixed acid (mixture of nitric and
      sulfuric acids), and sulfonation with SO3. Our combined computational and
      experimental investigation of the chlorination of anisole with molecular chlorine
      in CCl4 found that addition-elimination pathways compete with the direct
      substitution processes. Detailed NMR investigation of the course of experimental
      anisole chlorination at varying temperatures revealed the formation of addition
      byproducts. Moreover, in the absence of Lewis acid catalysis, the direct
      halogenation processes do not involve arenium ion intermediates but instead
      proceed via concerted single transition states. We also obtained analogous
      results for the chlorination and bromination of several arenes in nonpolar
      solvents. We explored by theoretical computations and experimental spectroscopic
      studies the classic reaction of benzene nitration by mixed acid. The structure of
      the first intermediate in this process has been a subject of contradicting views.
      We have reported clear experimental UV/vis spectroscopic evidence for the
      formation of the first intermediate in this reaction. Our broader theoretical
      modeling of the process considers the effects of the medium as a bulk solvent but
      also the specific interactions of a H2SO4 solvent molecule with intermediates and
      transition states along the reaction path. In harmony with the obtained
      spectroscopic data, our computational results reveal that the structure of the
      initial pi complex precludes the possibility of electronic charge transfer from
      the benzene pi system to the nitronium unit. In contrast to usual
      interpretations, our computational results provide compelling evidence that in
      nonpolar, noncomplexing media and in the absence of catalysts, the mechanism of
      aromatic sulfonation with sulfur trioxide is concerted and does not involve the
      conventional sigma-complex (Wheland) intermediates. Stable under such conditions,
      (SO3)2 dimers react with benzene much more readily than monomeric sulfur
      trioxide. In polar (complexing) media, the reaction follows the classic two-stage
      SEAr mechanism. Still, the rate-controlling transition state involves two SO3
      molecules. The reactivity and regioselectivity in EAS reactions that follow the
      classic mechanistic scheme are quantified using a theoretically evaluated
      quantity, the electrophile affinity (Ealpha), which measures the stabilization
      energy associated with the formation of arenium ions. Examples of applications
      are provided.

PMID- 27268381
TI  - Carbetocin versus syntometrine for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage after
      cesarean section.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare effectiveness and tolerability of carbetocin versus
      syntometrine in prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after cesarean section
      (CS). METHODS: A double-blind randomized study conducted on 300 pregnant
      subjected randomly either to single 100 MUg IV dose of carbetocin (150 women) or
      combination of 5 IU oxytocin and 0.2 mg ergometrine (150 women) after fetal
      extraction and before placental removal. Primary outcome parameter was the
      occurrence of PPH. Other parameters were hemoglobin and hematocrit changes, the
      need of additional oxytocic, hemodynamic changes and occurrence of side effects.
      RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two study groups
      regarding hemoglobin and hematocrit at start of CS and after 2 days of surgery
      and mean blood loss during the operation (p > 0.05). There was a highly
      significant difference between the two study groups regarding incidence of
      primary PPH (2.7% versus10%) and the need of additional oxytocic (3.3%
      versus17.3%). Women in oxytocin group showed a statistically significant lower
      systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 1, 5 and 30 min than women in carbetocin
      group. Women in carbetocin group experienced more metallic taste, flushing,
      headache, dizziness, dyspnea and itching, while women in oxytocin methergine
      group experienced more palpitations. CONCLUSIONS: Carbetocin is a reasonable
      effective alternative to syntometrine in prevention of PPH after cesarean
      delivery.

PMID- 27268382
TI  - Palladium-Assisted Removal of a Solubilizing Tag from a Cys Side Chain To
      Facilitate Peptide and Protein Synthesis.
AB  - Reversible attachment of solubilizing tags to hydrophobic peptides to facilitate
      their purification and ligation is an essential yet challenging task in chemical
      protein synthesis. The efficient palladium-assisted removal of the solubilizing
      tag linked to the Cys side chain is reported. The strategy was applied for the
      efficient preparation of histone protein H4 from two fragments via one-pot
      operation of ligation, removal of the solubilizing tag, and desulfurization.

PMID- 27268383
TI  - The susceptibility of plasma coagulation factor XI to nitration and peroxynitrite
      action.
AB  - Coagulation factor XI is present in blood plasma as the zymogen, like other
      serine proteases of hemostatic system, but as the only coagulation factor forms
      140-160kDa homodimers. Its activation is induced by thrombin, and a positive
      feedback increases the generation of the extra thrombin. Experimental and
      clinical observations confirm protective roles of factor XI deficiencies in
      certain types of thromboembolic disorders. Thromboembolism still causes serious
      problems for modern civilization. Diseases associated with the blood coagulation
      system are often associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Peroxynitrite
      is produced from nitric oxide and superoxide in inflammatory diseases. The aim of
      the current study is to evaluate effects of nitrative stress triggered by
      peroxynitrite on coagulation factor XI in human plasma employing biochemical and
      bioinformatic methods. The amidolytic assay shows increase in factor XI activity
      triggered by peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite interferes factor XI by nitration and
      fragmentation, which is demonstrated by immunoprecipitation followed by western
      blotting. Nitrated factor XI is even present in control blood plasma. The results
      suggest possible modifications of factor XI on the molecular level. Computer
      simulations show tyrosine residues as targets of peroxynitrite action. The
      modifications induced by peroxynitrite in factor XI might be important in
      thrombotic disorders. 

PMID- 27268384
TI  - Thermal stability and binding energetics of thymidylate synthase ThyX.
AB  - The bacterial thymidylate synthase ThyX is a multisubstrate flavoenzyme that
      takes part in the de novo synthesis of thymidylate in a variety of
      microorganisms. Herein we study the effect of FAD and dUMP binding on the thermal
      stability of wild type (WT) ThyX from the mesophilic Paramecium bursaria
      chlorella virus-1 (PBCV-1) and from the thermophilic bacterium Thermotoga
      maritima (TmThyX), and from two variants of TmThyX, Y91F and S88W, using
      differential scanning calorimetry. The energetics underlying these processes was
      characterized by isothermal titration calorimetry. The PBCV-1 protein is
      significantly less stable against the thermal challenge than the TmThyX WT. FAD
      exerted stabilizing effect greater for PBCV-1 than for TmThyX and for both
      mutants, whereas binding of dUMP to FAD-loaded proteins stabilized further only
      TmThyX. Different thermodynamic signatures describe the FAD binding to the WT
      ThyX proteins. While TmThyX binds FAD with a low MUM binding affinity in a
      process characterized by a favorable entropy change, the assembly of PBCV-1 with
      FAD is governed by a large enthalpy change opposed by an unfavorable entropy
      change resulting in a relatively strong nM binding. An enthalpy-driven formation
      of a high affinity ternary ThyX/FAD/dUMP complex was observed only for TmThyX. 

PMID- 27268385
TI  - Antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of dried fig against oxidative stress
      and hepatotoxicity in rats.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect and
      antioxidant role of dried fig (DF) (Ficus carica L.) against ethanol-induced
      oxidative stress. Experiment was designed as normal Control, 20% ethanol, 10% DF
      and 10% DF+20% ethanol groups. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant role of the
      dried DF supplementation feed against ethanol induced oxidatif stress were
      evaluated by liver histopathological changes, measuring liver damage serum
      enzymes (LDSE), antioxidant defense system (ADS) and malondialdehyde (MDA)
      content in various tissues of rats following the exposure of experimental for
      50days. The biochemical analysis showed a considerable increase the LDSE in the
      ethanol group as compared to that of control group whereas, decreased in 10%
      DF+20% ethanol group as compared to that of ethanol group. In addition, the DF
      supplementation diet restored the ethanol-induced MDA and ADS towards to control.
      The hepatoprotection of DF is further substantiated by the almost normal
      histologic findings of liver in 10% DF+20% ethanol group against degenerative
      changes in ethanol group. The results indicated that the DF could be as important
      as diet-derived antioxidants and antihepatotoxicity in preventing oxidative
      damage in the tissues by inhibiting the production of ethanol-induced free
      radicals and hepatotoxicity in rats. 

PMID- 27268386
TI  - Predictors of Sexual Minority Youth's Reported Suicide Attempts and Mental
      Health.
AB  - Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth (LGBY) report higher rates of mental health
      concerns compared to heterosexual youth due to minority stressors. This study
      examined the interpersonal and intrapersonal variables that predict psychological
      distress and self-reported suicide attempts in a sample of 61 LGBY in the Mid
      South, which is a highly overlooked regional area for LGBY research. Youth who
      lost friends when coming out were 29 times more likely to report suicide
      attempts, and those who experienced psychological maltreatment from caregivers
      were 9.5 times more likely to report a suicide attempt. Internalized
      heterosexism, feelings of guilt or shame, and psychological maltreatment from
      caregivers were significant predictors of depression and anxiety symptoms. This
      study highlights the importance of creating affirming spaces for LGBY,
      particularly in areas of the country that experience greater political oppression
      of sexual minorities, such as the Mid-South.

PMID- 27268388
TI  - Which Child Will Live or Die in France: Examining Physician Responsibility for
      Critically Ill Children.
AB  - There exists some controversy regarding the roles of parents and physicians for
      life-support decisions for critically ill children. French medical literature
      asserts that it is inappropriate for parents to bear such responsibilities.
      Physicians are commonly responsible for these decisions. The aims of this study
      were to (a) outline how life-support decisions are made for critically ill
      children in France; (b) examine the cultural context within which these
      decisional practices have arisen; and (c) analyse the ethical implications of
      these practices. Data were obtained in 2004 from consultations with relevant
      experts, relevant French medical guidelines, French print media, empirical
      research reports and related seminal publications. Specific themes that were
      identified included: (1) the physician is responsible for medical decision making
      for children; (2) French physicians caring for critically ill children bear a
      societal responsibility for preventing severely 'handicapped' survivors; (3)
      physician authority is rooted in State responsibility for children's welfare; and
      (4) active euthanasia is sometimes practised to prevent the creation of 'les
      handicapes'. These findings highlight ethical concerns that can result from
      assigning some physicians such largely unquestioned societal moral agency. 

PMID- 27268387
TI  - Blu-ray Technology-Based Quantitative Assays for Cardiac Markers: From Disc
      Activation to Multiplex Detection.
AB  - Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity
      globally. To reduce the number of mortalities, reliable and rapid point-of-care
      (POC) diagnosis of AMI is extremely critical. We herein present a Blu-ray
      technology-based assay platform for multiplex cardiac biomarker detection; not
      only off-the-shelf Blu-ray discs (BDs) were adapted as substrates to prepare
      standard immunoassays and DNA aptamer/antibody hybrid assays for the three key
      cardiac marker proteins (myoglobin, troponin I, and C-creative protein) but also
      an unmodified optical drive was directly employed to read the assay results
      digitally. In particular, we have shown that all three cardiac markers can be
      quantitated in their respective physiological ranges of interest, and the
      detection limits achieved are comparable with conventional enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The Blu-ray assay platform was further
      validated by measuring real-world samples and establishing a linear correlation
      with the simultaneously obtained ELISA data. Without the need to modify either
      the hardware (Blu-ray discs and optical drives) or the software driver, this
      assay-on-a-BD technique promises to be a low-cost user-friendly quantitative tool
      for on-site chemical analysis and POC medical diagnosis.

PMID- 27268389
TI  - Stigma, Gender, and their Impact on Patients with Tuberculosis in Rural
      Bangladesh.
AB  - In addition to marginalization by poverty and ethnicity, gender is likely to
      contribute to vulnerability to TB-related stigma affecting women. Stigma often
      contributes to psychosocial problems and emotional suffering, and it may hinder
      help seeking and treatment adherence. TB-related stigma and its gender-specific
      features have not been carefully studied in Bangladesh, and such research is
      needed to reduce adverse effects of stigma. This study assessed and compared
      stigma in women and men, and identified crosscutting and gender-specific features
      of TB-related stigma. To assess stigma and the context of TB-related illness
      experience, meaning and help seeking behavior from patients' perspectives, a
      cultural epidemiological study administered a locally adapted semi-structured
      EMIC interview to 50 women and 52 men with pulmonary TB in rural Bangladesh.
      Indicators of TB-related stigma were assessed individually and collectively in a
      validated index. They were compared by sex, and illness narratives elaborated
      features of stigma with reference to features of TB. The study showed that six
      indicators of TB-related stigma were more prominent in accounts of women and two
      were more prominent in men's interviews. Gender differences appeared somewhat
      less after adjusting for other sociodemographic variables, and age was most
      significantly inversely related to stigma. Features of stigma more prominent in
      the accounts of women included feeling shamed or embarrassed, thinking less of
      themselves and feeling that others refused to visit or avoided them. Men were
      less likely to disclose their condition to a confidant, stay away from work or
      report that their spouse refused sex because of TB. Effective public health
      information and counselling sensitive to gender-specific features of stigma are
      needed to protect TB patients from the adverse impact of avoidable stigma.
      Further research is needed to clarify effects of gender-specific features of felt
      and enacted stigma on help seeking and treatment adherence. 

PMID- 27268390
TI  - Kal Dristi , Stolen Babies and 'Blocked Uteruses': Poverty and Infertility
      Anxieties among Married Adolescent Women Living in a Slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
AB  - The paper is about the neglect of infertility and women's interests in the health
      policy of developing countries, and how this shapes married adolescent women's
      understandings and practices surrounding infertility. Ethnographic fieldwork
      among married adolescent girls, aged 15-19, was carried out in a slum in Dhaka,
      Bangladesh from December 2001 to January 2003, including 50 in-depth interviews
      and eight case studies from 153 married adolescent girls, and observations and
      discussions with family and community members. There are newer understandings
      with the re-labelling of infertility from spirit world afflictions to something
      that is also attributed to family planning and 'build up of fat' in the uterus
      and stomach. Corrective practices range from not using or discontinuing a
      contraceptive method, dilatation and curettage (D&C) and visiting traditional
      healers. The absence of state services to address infertility concerns has
      implications for contraceptive use, with unintended pregnancies and unsafe
      abortions. Local beliefs continue to largely attribute the primary cause of
      infertility to the spirit world, but the emergence of newer infertility
      understandings reveal the influence of Western cultural beliefs (family planning
      campaigns, health practices influenced by biomedicine) and highlight the gender
      politics in the harsh environment of urban slums. 

PMID- 27268391
TI  - Children, Pregnant Women and the Culture of Malaria in Two Rural Communities of
      Ghana.
AB  - The Malaria situation in Ghana is typical of many tropical African countries,
      where it remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Control methods
      generally emphasize prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, local experiences
      and meanings continue to influence help-seeking behaviour, which either promotes
      risk of infections or prevention. The aim of this study was to elicit relevant
      contemporary ethnographic features of malaria in children and pregnant women in
      two rural villages in Ghana for intervention. Ethnographic data collection
      methods such as free listing and rating, participatory mapping, focus group
      discussions and in-depth interviews were used. Malaria was listed as the most
      common illness in the study communities. Outside help is sought two to three days
      after illness onset. Mosquitoes were identified as a major nuisance and a cause
      of malaria and convulsions. This study highlights sociocultural features of
      malaria in two rural Ghanaian communities, and it indicates needs for regular re
      evaluation of community experiences, meanings and behaviour to inform the
      implementation and effectiveness of control programmes. 

PMID- 27268392
TI  - 'Are We One Body?' Body Boundaries in Telesomatic Experiences.
AB  - This paper explores the embodiedness of body boundaries in the telesomatic
      experiences of 20 adult twins. Respondents were recruited through snowball
      sampling resulting in 16 in-depth face-to-face interviews. Interviews were
      analysed using an immersion-crystallization approach within a meaning-centred
      interpretive framework. Respondents often experienced trouble making subject
      object distinctions between themselves and their co-twins that often resulted in
      them posing the question, 'Are we (myself and my co-twin) one body?' Their
      experiences suggest that, sometimes symptoms of one illness are experienced as
      shared between two people, and their experiences highlight the ethical nature of
      individualism in western cultures as twins frequently do not view a greater level
      of attachment to their co-twins as pathological but as something special. We
      suggest that controversy regarding the ontological status of parapsychological
      phenomena has resulted in anthropologists being slow to consider these and
      similar experiences in western cultures as topics worthy of research. 

PMID- 27268393
TI  - A Service Or a Right: Informed Consent for HIV-Positive Latin American Men in
      Japan.
AB  - Since April 1996, Japanese health care providers who practise informed consent
      have been financially rewarded. Although there is no precedent for this financial
      gain, there are no detailed studies. Focused on a group of Latin American men
      living with HIV/AIDS, this paper clarifies the actual practices of informed
      consent at Japanese medical facilities. Twenty HIV-positive men were interviewed
      in order to investigate how they obtained medical treatment and how they were
      informed about their physical condition. From April to September 2002 and during
      August 2003 and 2004, a set of six interviews were conducted with each male, who
      were 28-37 years old. Participants were acquired through a hospital and a non
      governmental organization, and by snowball sampling. The interviews showed that
      most of the informants received information concerning medical treatment, but
      they were advised neither about alternative treatments nor about the feasibility
      of seeking a third party's advice. Informed consent and communication between the
      informants and physicians were obstructed by language and structural, as well as
      cultural barriers. In conclusion, this paper adds a new dimension to the
      understanding of informed consent as the authors regard the practice as an
      educational process for health care providers and patients. 

PMID- 27268394
TI  - The Voice of God.
AB  - Prayer and verbally answered prayer would seem to offer powerful evidence in
      relation to the question of human agency. Forty members of an English Pentecostal
      group completed a questionnaire on prayer: 25 reported an answering voice from
      God, 15 of them hearing Him aloud. The latter groups were interviewed and
      characteristics of phenomenology and context elicited. The voice of God cannot be
      held to be ipso facto pathological and many reported its utility in situations of
      doubt or difficulty. 

PMID- 27268397
TI  - Insiders and Outsiders and Insider(s) Again in the (In)fertility World.

PMID- 27268396
TI  - The comparison of Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17 and Th22 cytokine profiles in acute and
      chronic HIV-1 infection.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare cytokine expression on both gene and protein
      levels in acute and chronic phase of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Thirty four
      patients were enrolled for cytokine expression analysis on protein level in acute
      and chronic stage of HIV-1 infection. Using PCR array technology, expression of
      84 cytokine genes was measured in 3 patients in acute and 3 patients in chronic
      stage of HIV-1 infection. Bead-based cytometry was used to quantify levels of
      Th1/Th2/Th9/Th17/Th22 cytokines. The results showed statistically significant
      increase of 13 cytokine gene expression (cd40lg, csf2, ifna5, il12b, il1b, il20,
      lta, osm, spp1, tgfa, tnfsf 11, 14 and 8) and downregulation of the il12a
      expression in chronic HIV type 1 infection. Concentrations of IL-10, IL-4 and TNF
      alpha were increased in the acute HIV type 1 infection when compared to control
      group. During chronic HIV type 1 infection there was an increase of IL-10, TNF
      alpha, IL-2, IL-6, IL-13 and IL-22 levels when compared to control group.
      Comparison of cytokine expression between two stages of infection showed a
      significant decrease in IL-9 concentration. This study showed changes in cytokine
      profiles on both gene and protein levels in different stages of HIV-infection. 

PMID- 27268395
TI  - Heads, stalks and everything else: how can antibodies eradicate influenza as a
      human disease?
AB  - Current seasonal influenza virus vaccines are effective against infection but
      they have to be reformulated on a regular basis to counter antigenic variations.
      The majority of the antibodies induced in response to seasonal vaccination are
      strain-specific. However, antibodies targeting conserved epitopes on the
      hemagglutinin protein have been identified and they offer broad protection. Most
      of these antibodies bind the hemagglutinin stalk domain and are generated from
      preexisting memory B cells. Broadly protective stalk-biased responses induced by
      antigenically divergent influenza strains, in concert with prior immunity, are
      sufficient to eradicate seasonally circulating strains. Future vaccine trials
      should aim to harness and maintain such a response with the realistic goal of
      developing a universal influenza vaccine.

PMID- 27268398
TI  - Slaughter of pregnant cattle in German abattoirs--current situation and
      prevalence: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The slaughter of pregnant cattle and the fate of the foetuses are
      relatively new subjects in the field of animal welfare. The Scientific Committee
      on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health (SCVPH), however, does not
      believe this topic to be a critical issue because of the hitherto supposed rare
      occurrence of this practice. Some previous studies though, contradict this
      assessment, emphasising its relevance to animal welfare. With regard to the
      heterogeneous study design of previous investigations, the objective of this
      study is to evaluate the current situation concerning the slaughter of pregnant
      cattle in different German abattoirs. Additionally, the prevalence was assessed
      semi-quantitatively on the basis of a cross-sectional, voluntary and anonymous
      survey that was conducted amongst senior veterinary students of the University of
      Leipzig from 2010 until 2013. RESULTS: Of 255 evaluable questionnaires, 157
      (63.6%) mention the slaughter of pregnant cattle, corresponding to 76.9% of all
      visited abattoirs. Slaughter of pregnant cattle is reported often (>10% of
      females) in 6 (3.8%), frequently (1-10% of females) in 56 (35.7%), and rarely
      (<1% of females) in 95 (60.5%) of all cases (n = 157) respectively. About 50% of
      these animals were reported to be in the second or third stage of gestation. 15
      (10.6%) of 142 questionnaires providing information about the foetus, state that
      the foetus showed visible vital signs after the death of the mother, but in one
      case the foetus was euthanized subsequently. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that
      the slaughter of pregnant cattle is a common and widespread practice in German
      abattoirs. The SCVPH's assumption that pregnant cattle are only slaughtered in
      rare exceptional cases can no longer be maintained. The high proportion of
      foetuses in the second and third gestational stage must also be considered. In
      this context the implementation of suitable studies and detailed analysis of the
      current situation is indispensable to ensure the high standards in animal welfare
      in Germany and Europe.

PMID- 27268399
TI  - DNA Replication in Engineered Escherichia coli Genomes with Extra Replication
      Origins.
AB  - The standard outline of bacterial genomes is a single circular chromosome with a
      single replication origin. From the bioengineering perspective, it appears
      attractive to extend this basic setup. Bacteria with split chromosomes or
      multiple replication origins have been successfully constructed in the last few
      years. The characteristics of these engineered strains will largely depend on the
      respective DNA replication patterns. However, the DNA replication has not been
      investigated systematically in engineered bacteria with multiple origins or split
      replicons. Here we fill this gap by studying a set of strains consisting of (i)
      E. coli strains with an extra copy of the native replication origin (oriC), (ii)
      E. coli strains with an extra copy of the replication origin from the secondary
      chromosome of Vibrio cholerae (oriII), and (iii) a strain in which the E. coli
      chromosome is split into two linear replicons. A combination of flow cytometry,
      microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and modeling revealed
      silencing of extra oriC copies and differential timing of ectopic oriII copies
      compared to the native oriC. The results were used to derive construction rules
      for future multiorigin and multireplicon projects.

PMID- 27268400
TI  - Diagnosing cystic fibrosis-related diabetes: current methods and challenges.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is the end-point of a
      spectrum of glucose abnormalities in cystic fibrosis that begins with early
      insulin deficiency and ultimately results in accelerated nutritional decline and
      loss of lung function. Current diagnostic and management regimens are unable to
      entirely reverse this clinical decline. AREAS COVERED: This review summarises the
      current understanding of the pathophysiology of CFRD, the issues associated with
      using oral glucose tolerance tests in CF and the challenges faced in making the
      diagnosis of CFRD. Medline database searches were conducted using search terms
      "Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes", "Cystic Fibrosis" AND "glucose", "Cystic
      Fibrosis" AND "insulin", "Cystic Fibrosis" AND "Diabetes". Additionally,
      reference lists were studied. Expert commentary: Increasing evidence points to
      early glucose abnormalities being clinically relevant in cystic fibrosis and as
      such novel diagnostic methods such as continuous glucose monitoring or 30 minute
      sampled oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may play a key role in the future in
      the screening and diagnosis of early glucose abnormalities in CF.

PMID- 27268401
TI  - An empirical investigation of incompleteness in a large clinical sample of
      obsessive compulsive disorder.
AB  - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder with heterogeneous clinical
      presentations. To advance our understanding of this heterogeneity we investigated
      the prevalence and clinical features associated with incompleteness (INC), a
      putative underlying core feature of OCD. We predicted INC would be prominent in
      individuals with OCD and associated with greater severity and impairment. We
      examined the impact of INC in 307 adults with primary OCD. Participants with
      clinically significant INC (22.8% of the sample) had significantly greater OCD
      severity, greater rates of comorbidity, poorer ratings of functioning, lower
      quality of life, and higher rates of unemployment and disability. Participants
      with clinically significant INC were also more likely to be diagnosed with OCPD
      and to endorse symmetry/exactness obsessions and ordering/arranging compulsions
      than those who reported low INC. Our findings provide evidence that INC is
      associated with greater severity, comorbidity, and impairment, highlighting the
      need for improved assessment and treatment of INC in OCD.

PMID- 27268402
TI  - In Situ Analysis of the Growth and Dielectric Properties of Organic Self
      Assembled Monolayers: A Way To Tailor Organic Layers for Electronic Applications.
AB  - Organic nanoscale science and technology relies on the control of phenomena
      occurring at the molecular level. This is of particular importance for the self
      assembly of molecular monolayers (SAM) that can be used in various applications
      ranging from organic electronics to bioelectronic applications. However, the
      understanding of the elementary nanoscopic processes in molecular film growth is
      still in its infancy. Here, we developed a novel in situ and extremely sensitive
      detection method for the analysis of the electronic properties of molecular layer
      during molecular layer deposition. This low-frequency sensor (1 kHz) is employed
      to analyze the standard vapor deposition process of SAMs of molecules and,
      subsequently, it is used to optimize the growth process itself. By combining this
      method with an ex situ determination of the effective thickness of the resulting
      layers via ellipsometry, we observe a large difference of the permittivity (1
      kHz) of the examined aminosilanes in the liquid state (epsilonliquid = 5.5-8.8)
      and in SAMs (epsilonSAM = 22-52, electric field in the plane of the layer). We
      ascribe this difference to either the different orientation and order of the
      molecules, the different density of molecules, or a combination of both effects.
      Our novel in situ analyses not only allows monitoring and optimizing the
      deposition of organic layers but also demonstrates the high potential of organic
      SAMs as organic high-k layers in electronic devices. 

PMID- 27268403
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus infection is associated to patients with multiple myeloma and
      monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.

PMID- 27268405
TI  - Intergenerational variation in sexual health attitudes and beliefs among Sudanese
      refugee communities in Australia.
AB  - The aim of this study was to develop intergenerational understanding of the
      factors perceived to be influencing the sexual health and wellbeing of young
      Sudanese refugees in Queensland, Australia. Data from 11 semi-structured, face-to
      face interviews exploring sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours with
      young people aged 16 to 24 years, and five focus groups with adults from the
      broader Queensland Sudanese community, were compared and contrasted. Findings
      indicate that sexual health-related knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, along with
      patterns of sexual behaviour, are changing post-resettlement and this creates
      considerable intergenerational discord and family conflict. Study findings
      provide an understanding of how the interplay between traditional cultural
      gender, parenting and relationship norms and perceived normative Australian
      beliefs and patterns of behaviour influence the construction of both young
      people's and their parents' attitudes to sexual health post-arrival. We suggest
      that sexuality education programmes adapted to the specific cultural- and age
      related contexts need to be introduced early within the resettlement process for
      both young people and their families.

PMID- 27268404
TI  - Evaluation of Xpert(r) MTB/RIF and Ustar EasyNATTM TB IAD for diagnosis of
      tuberculous lymphadenitis of children in Tanzania: a prospective descriptive
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration biopsy has become a standard approach for
      diagnosis of peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis. The aim of this study was to
      compare the performance of Xpert MTB/RIF and Ustar EasyNAT TB IAD nucleic acid
      amplification assays, against acid-fast bacilli microscopy, cytology and
      mycobacterial culture for the diagnosis of TB lymphadenitis in children from a TB
      endemic setting in Tanzania. METHODS: Children of 8 weeks to 16 years of age,
      suspected of having TB lymphadenitis, were recruited at a district hospital in
      Tanzania. Fine needle aspirates of lymph nodes were analysed using acid-fast
      bacilli microscopy, liquid TB culture, cytology, Xpert MTB/RIF and EasyNAT.
      Latent class analysis and comparison against a composite reference standard
      comprising "culture and/or cytology" was done, to assess the performance of Xpert
      MTB/RIF and EasyNAT for the diagnosis of TB lymphadenitis. RESULTS: Seventy-nine
      children were recruited; 4 were excluded from analysis. Against a composite
      reference standard of culture and/or cytology, Xpert MTB/RIF and EasyNAT had a
      sensitivity and specificity of 58 % and 93 %; and 19 % and 100 % respectively.
      Relative to latent class definitions, cytology had a sensitivity of 100 % and
      specificity of 94.7 %. CONCLUSIONS: Combining clinical assessment, cytology and
      Xpert MTB/RIF may allow for a rapid and accurate diagnosis of childhood TB
      lymphadenitis. Larger diagnostic evaluation studies are recommended to validate
      these findings and on Xpert MTB/RIF to assess its use as a solitary initial test
      for TB lymphadenitis in children.

PMID- 27268406
TI  - A framework for assessing outcomes from newborn screening: on the road to
      measuring its promise.
AB  - Newborn screening (NBS) is intended to identify congenital conditions prior to
      the onset of symptoms in order to provide early intervention that leads to
      improved outcomes. NBS is a public health success, providing reduction in
      mortality and improved developmental outcomes for screened conditions. However,
      it is less clear to what extent newborn screening achieves the long-term goals
      relating to improved health, growth, development and function. We propose a
      framework for assessing outcomes for the health and well-being of children
      identified through NBS programs. The framework proposed here, and this
      manuscript, were approved for publication by the Secretary of Health and Human
      Services' Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children
      (ACHDNC). This framework can be applied to each screened condition within the
      Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), recognizing that the data elements
      and measures will vary by condition. As an example, we applied the framework to
      sickle cell disease and phenylketonuria (PKU), two diverse conditions with
      different outcome measures and potential sources of data. Widespread and
      consistent application of this framework across state NBS and child health
      systems is envisioned as useful to standardize approaches to assessment of
      outcomes and for continuous improvement of the NBS and child health systems.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Successful interventions for newborn screening conditions have been
      a driving force for public health newborn screening for over fifty years.
      Organizing interventions and outcome measures into a standard framework to
      systematically assess outcomes has not yet come into practice. This paper
      presents a customizable outcomes framework for organizing measures for newborn
      screening condition-specific health outcomes, and an approach to identifying
      sources and challenges to populating those measures.

PMID- 27268407
TI  - Tracking medical genetic literature through machine learning.
AB  - There has been remarkable progress in identifying the causes of genetic
      conditions as well as understanding how changes in specific genes cause disease.
      Though difficult (and often superficial) to parse, an interesting tension
      involves emphasis on basic research aimed to dissect normal and abnormal biology
      versus more clearly clinical and therapeutic investigations. To examine one facet
      of this question and to better understand progress in Mendelian-related research,
      we developed an algorithm that classifies medical literature into three
      categories (Basic, Clinical, and Management) and conducted a retrospective
      analysis. We built a supervised machine learning classification model using the
      Azure Machine Learning (ML) Platform and analyzed the literature (1970-2014) from
      NCBI's Entrez Gene2Pubmed Database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene) using genes
      from the NHGRI's Clinical Genomics Database (http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/CGD/).
      We applied our model to 376,738 articles: 288,639 (76.6%) were classified as
      Basic, 54,178 (14.4%) as Clinical, and 24,569 (6.5%) as Management. The average
      classification accuracy was 92.2%. The rate of Clinical publication was
      significantly higher than Basic or Management. The rate of publication of article
      types differed significantly when divided into key eras: Human Genome Project
      (HGP) planning phase (1984-1990); HGP launch (1990) to publication (2001);
      following HGP completion to the "Next Generation" advent (2009); the era
      following 2009. In conclusion, in addition to the findings regarding the pace and
      focus of genetic progress, our algorithm produced a database that can be used in
      a variety of contexts including automating the identification of management
      related literature.

PMID- 27268408
TI  - Diversity and host specificity of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in native
      and introduced squirrel species.
AB  - Introduction of alien species into new areas can have detrimental effects on
      native ecosystems and impact the native species. The present study aims to
      identify coccidia infecting native and introduced squirrels in Italy, to gain
      insight into possible transmission patterns and role of monoxenous coccidia in
      mediating the competition between alien and native hosts. We collected 540 faecal
      samples of native red squirrels, Sciurus vulgaris, invasive alien grey squirrels,
      S. carolinensis, and introduced Pallas's squirrels, Callosciurus erythraeus.
      Total prevalence of Eimeria spp. was 95.6% in S. vulgaris, 95.7% in S.
      carolinensis and only 4.1% in C. erythraeus. Morphological examination revealed 3
      Eimeria morphotypes. Phylogenetic analyses of Eimeria DNA based on 18S, ITS, cox
      I markers displayed fairly distinct monophyletic clades in the microscopically
      indistinguishable E2 morphotype, proving indisputable distinction between the
      isolates from red and grey squirrels. Grey squirrels successfully introduced E.
      lancasterensis from their native range, but this species does not spill over to
      native red squirrels. Similarly, there is no evidence for the transmission of E.
      sciurorum from red to grey squirrels. The possible transmission and the potential
      role of monoxenous coccidia in mediating the competition between native and
      invasive squirrels in Italy were not confirmed.

PMID- 27268409
TI  - National clinical coding of trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery.

PMID- 27268411
TI  - A Nanoprinted Model of Interstitial Cancer Migration Reveals a Link between Cell
      Deformability and Proliferation.
AB  - Metastatic progression of tumors requires the coordinated dissemination of
      cancerous cells through interstitial tissues and their replication in distant
      body locations. Despite their importance in cancer treatment decisions, key
      factors, such as cell shape adaptation and the role it plays in dense tissue
      invasion by cancerous cells, are not well understood. Here, we employ a 3D
      electrohydrodynamic nanoprinting technology to generate vertical arrays of
      topographical pores that mimic interstitial tissue resistance to the mesenchymal
      migration of cancerous cells, in order to determine the effect of nuclear size,
      cell deformability, and cell-to-substrate adhesion on tissue invasion efficiency.
      The high spatial and temporal resolution of our analysis demonstrates that the
      ability of cells to deform depends on the cell cycle phase, peaks immediately
      after mitosis, and is key to the invasion process. Increased pore penetration
      efficiency by cells in early G1 phase also coincided with their lower nuclear
      volume and higher cell deformability, compared with the later cell cycle stages.
      Furthermore, artificial decondensation of chromatin induced an increase in cell
      and nuclear deformability and improved pore penetration efficiency of cells in
      G1. Together, these results underline that along the cell cycle cells have
      different abilities to dynamically remodel their actin cytoskeleton and induce
      nuclear shape changes, which determines their pore penetration efficiency. Thus,
      our results support a mechanism in which cell proliferation and pore penetration
      are functionally linked to favor the interstitial dissemination of metastatic
      cells.

PMID- 27268410
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of human cumulus cells reveals hypoxia as the main
      determinant of follicular senescence.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Can RNA sequencing of human cumulus cells (CC) reveal molecular
      pathways involved in the physiology of reproductive aging? STUDY FINDING:
      Senescent but not young CC activate gene pathways associated with hypoxia and
      oxidative stress. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Shifts in socioeconomic norms are
      resulting in larger numbers of women postponing childbearing. The reproductive
      potential is sharply decreased with aging, and the reasons are poorly understood.
      Since CCs play an integral role in oocyte maturation and direct access to human
      oocytes is limited, we used whole transcriptome analysis of these somatic cells
      to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms playing a role in follicular
      senescence. STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS: Twenty CC samples (from a
      total of 15 patients) were obtained from oocytes of either male factor or egg
      donor patients. RNA sequencing and bioinformatic tools were used to identify
      differentially expressed genes between CCs from seven aged and eight young
      patients (<35 (years old) y.o. vs >40 y.o.). Quantitative-PCR and
      immunoflourescent staining were used for validation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF
      CHANCE: RNA sequencing identified 11 572 genes expressed in CC of both age
      cohorts, 45 of which were differentially expressed. In CC collected from patients
      >40 y.o., genes involved in the hypoxia stress response (NOS2, RORA and NR4A3),
      vasculature development (NR2F2, PTHLH), glycolysis (RALGAPA2 and TBC1D4) and cAMP
      turnover (PDE4D) were significantly overexpressed when compared with CC of
      patients younger than 35 y.o. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study
      focused almost exclusively on assessing the genetic differences in CC
      transcriptome between young and older women. These genetic findings were not
      fully correlated with embryonic development and clinical outcome. WIDER
      IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our data provide a new hypothesis-follicular
      hypoxia-as the main mechanism leading to ovarian follicular senescence and
      suggest a link between cumulus cell aging and oocyte quality decay. If specific
      molecular findings of hypoxia would be confirmed also in oocytes, genetic
      platforms could screen CC for hypoxic damage and identify healthier oocytes.
      Protocols of ovarian stimulation in older patients could also be adjusted to
      diminish oocyte exposure time to hypoxic follicles. LARGE SCALE DATA: GEO
      accession number: GSE81579 STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS: Funded in part
      by EMD Serono Grant for Fertility Innovation (GFI).

PMID- 27268412
TI  - Expression and localization of X11 family proteins in neurons.
AB  - The X11/Mint family of proteins comprises X11/X11alpha/Mint1, X11L/X11beta/Mint2,
      and X11L2/X11gamma/Mint3. Each of these molecules is an adaptor protein that
      contains a phosphotyrosine interaction/binding (PI/PTB) and two PDZ domains in
      its carboxy-terminal region. X11/Mint family members associate with a broad
      spectrum of membrane proteins, including Alzheimer's beta-amyloid precursor
      protein (APP), alcadeins, and low density lipoprotein receptor proteins, as well
      as various cytoplasmic proteins including Arf, kalirin-7, and Munc18. In
      particular, X11 and X11L are thought to play various roles in the regulation of
      neural functions in brain. Nevertheless, the protein levels and respective
      localization of individual family members remain controversial. We analyzed the
      protein levels of X11 and X11L in the corresponding single- and double-knockout
      mice. X11 and X11L did not exhibit obvious changes of their protein levels when
      the other was absent, especially in cerebrum in which they were widely co
      expressed. In cerebellum, X11 and X11L localized in characteristic patterns in
      various types of neurons, and X11 protein level increased without an obvious
      ectopic localization in X11L-knockout mice. Interestingly, only X11L protein
      existed specifically in brain, whereas, contrary to the accepted view, X11
      protein was detected at the highest levels in brain but was also strongly
      detected in pancreas, testis, and paranephros. Together, our results indicate
      that both X11 and X11L exert largely in brain neurons, but X11 may also function
      in peripheral tissues.

PMID- 27268414
TI  - The accuracy of blood pressure measured by arterial line and non-invasive cuff in
      critically ill children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accuracy of arterial lines (AL) using the flush test or stopcock
      test has not been described in children, nor has the difference between invasive
      arterial blood pressure (IABP) versus non-invasive cuff (NIBP) blood pressure.
      METHODS: After ethics approval and consent, we performed the flush test and
      stopcock test on AL (to determine over damping, under damping, and optimal
      damping), and determined the difference (NIBP-IABP) in systolic, diastolic, and
      mean blood pressure (DeltaSBP, DeltaDBP, and DeltaMAP). The primary outcome was
      incidence (95 % CI) of optimally damped AL. Predictors of DeltaBP (effect size
      (95 % CI)) were determined using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: There were
      147 AL tests in 100 enrolled patients with mean age 44.7 (SD 56) months, weight
      16.8 (SD 18.3) kg, male 59 %, postoperative-cardiovascular 52 %, peripheral-AL 78
      %, inotropes 29 %, vasodilators 15 %, and ventilated 73 %. The flush test
      performed in 66 patients (45 %) showed optimal damping in 30 (46 %; 95 % CI 34,
      57 %), over damping in 25 (38 %) and under damping in 11 patients (17 %). The
      stopcock test was over-damped in 128/146 patients (88 %), with the same damping
      as the flush test in 24/64 (38 %). In optimally damped (flush test) AL, DeltaSBP,
      DeltaDBP, and DeltaMAP were 0.8 (SD 12.2), -5.2 (SD 8.7), and -4.9 (7.6)
      respectively. A second set of AL tests was done 2 h later on the same day in 62
      patients; AL damping often changed (10/28 flush tests) and DeltaBPs correlated
      poorly (r = 0.31-0.55). Predictors (effect size) of DeltaDBP were vasodilator
      infusion (15.6 (2.9 to 28.3); p = 0.016) and optimal damping (-7.2 (-12.2 to
      2.2); p = 0.005); and of DeltaMAP were vasodilator infusion (10.0 (-0.3 to 20.4);
      p = 0.057) and optimal damping (-4.0 (-8 to 0.1); p = 0.058). There were no
      independent predictors of damping category (n = 66 flush tests). CONCLUSIONS:
      Optimally damped AL occur in half of critically ill children, and this is not
      predictable. There is much variability in ?BP between NIBP and the gold standard
      IABP, and this varies even in the same patient on the same day, and is not easily
      predictable. In critically ill children, NIBP may not be accurate enough to guide
      management, and more attention to ensuring the AL is optimally damped is needed.

PMID- 27268413
TI  - Melatonin promotes blood-brain barrier integrity in methamphetamine-induced
      inflammation in primary rat brain microvascular endothelial cells.
AB  - Melatonin is a neurohormone and has high potent of antioxidant that is widely
      reported to be active against methamphetamine (METH)-induced toxicity to neuron,
      glial cells, and brain endothelial cells. However, the role of melatonin on the
      inflammatory responses which are mostly caused by blood-brain barrier (BBB)
      impairment by METH administration has not been investigated. This study used the
      primary rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) to determine the
      protective mechanism of melatonin on METH-induced inflammatory responses in the
      BBB via nuclear factor-KB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related
      factor-2 (Nrf2) signaling. Herein, we demonstrated that melatonin reduced the
      level of the inflammatory mediators, including intercellular adhesion molecules
      (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM)-1, matrix metallopeptidase
      (MMP)-9, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nitric oxide (NO) caused by
      METH. These responses were related to the decrease of the expression and
      translocation of the NF-kappaB p65 subunit and the activity of NADPH oxidase
      (NOX)-2. In addition, melatonin promoted the antioxidant processes, modulated the
      expression and translocation of Nrf2, and also increased the level of heme
      oxygenase (HO)-1, NAD (P) H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO)-1, gamma
      glutamylcysteine synthase (gamma-GCLC), and the activity of superoxide dismutase
      (SOD) through NOX2 mechanism. In addition, we found that the protective role of
      melatonin in METH-induced inflammatory responses in the BBB was mediated through
      melatonin receptors (MT1/2). We concluded that the interaction of melatonin with
      its receptor prevented METH-induced inflammatory responses by suppressing the NF
      kappaB signaling and promoting the Nrf2 signaling before BBB impairment.

PMID- 27268416
TI  - Managing menstruation in the workplace: an overlooked issue in low- and middle
      income countries.
AB  - The potential menstrual hygiene management barriers faced by adolescent girls and
      women in workplace environments in low- and middle-income countries has been
      under addressed in research, programming and policy. Despite global efforts to
      reduce poverty among women in such contexts, there has been insufficient
      attention to the water and sanitation related barriers, specifically in relation
      to managing monthly menstruation, that may hinder girls' and women's
      contributions to the workplace, and their health and wellbeing. There is an
      urgent need to document the specific social and environmental barriers they may
      be facing in relation to menstrual management, to conduct a costing of the
      implications of inadequate supportive workplace environments for menstrual
      hygiene management, and to understand the implications for girls' and women's
      health and wellbeing. This will provide essential evidence for guiding national
      policy makers, the private sector, donors and activists focused on advancing
      girls' and women's rights. 

PMID- 27268415
TI  - Efficacy of the Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and
      Sensitive Discipline in Twin Families (VIPP-Twins): Study protocol for a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intervention programs with the aim of enhancing parenting quality
      have been found to be differentially effective in decreasing negative child
      outcomes such as externalizing behavioral problems, resulting in modest overall
      effect sizes. Here we present the protocol for a randomized controlled trial to
      examine the efficacy of the Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive
      Parenting and Sensitive Discipline for Twin Families (VIPP-Twins) on parenting
      quality and children's behavioral control and social competence. In addition, we
      aim to test the differential susceptibility theory; we examine differential
      efficacy of the intervention based on genetic make-up or temperament for both
      parents and children. Lastly, we explore neurobiological mechanisms underlying
      intervention effects on children's developmental outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN: The
      original VIPP-SD was adapted for use in families with twins. The VIPP-Twins
      consists of five biweekly sessions in which the families are visited at home,
      parent-child interactions are videotaped and parents receive positive feedback on
      selected video fragments. Families (N = 225) with a same sex twin (mean age = 3.6
      years) were recruited to participate in the study. The study consists of four
      assessments. After two baseline assessments in year 1 and year 2, a random 40 %
      of the sample will receive the VIPP-Twins program. The first post-test assessment
      will be carried out one month after the intervention and there will be a long
      term follow-up assessment two years after the intervention. Measures include
      observational assessments of parenting and children's social competence and
      behavioral control, and neurobiological assessments (i.e., hormonal functioning
      and neural (re-)activity). DISCUSSION: Results of the study will provide insights
      in the efficacy of the VIPP-Twins and reveal moderators and mediators of program
      efficacy. Overall the randomized controlled trial is an experimental test of the
      differential susceptibility theory. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register:
      NTR5312 ; Date registered: July 20, 2015.

PMID- 27268417
TI  - Comparison of panoramic radiography and CBCT to identify maxillary posterior
      roots invading the maxillary sinus.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Given the limitations of panoramic radiography for assessing
      topographic relationship of maxillary teeth with sinus floor, the purpose of this
      study was to assess signs on panoramic radiography that could predict root
      protrusion into the sinus. METHODS: A total of 46 individuals (330 maxillary
      posterior teeth) who underwent panoramic radiography and CBCT were enrolled. The
      relationship between the posterior teeth and the maxillary sinus and panoramic
      radiography signs (projection of the root apices, interruption of the maxillary
      sinus floor, lamina dura, darkening in the root apices, and superiorly curving
      sinus floor enveloping the associated tooth root) associated with protrusion of
      root apices into the sinus were evaluated. RESULTS: There were differences
      between the imaging modalities about the positioning of the root apices regarding
      the sinus (p < 0.05). Only the projecting of the root apices and the interruption
      of the sinus floor on panoramic radiography were predictors for the root
      protrusion (p < 0.05). No significant association was observed for the other
      panoramic radiography signs (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The root projection into the
      sinus and the interruption of the sinus floor are indicative signs of root
      protrusion into the sinus on CBCT.

PMID- 27268419
TI  - The mediating role of general self-efficacy in the association between perceived
      social support and oral health-related quality of life after initial periodontal
      therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although initial periodontal therapy can ease some physical and
      psychological discomforts from periodontitis and improve patients' oral health
      related quality of life (OHRQoL), it is also vital to find positive resources
      from psychological and social aspects to promote the overall OHRQoL. This study
      aims to explore the associations of perceived social support (PSS) and general
      self-efficacy with OHRQoL and the mediating role of general self-efficacy in PSS
      OHRQoL association after initial periodontal therapy. METHODS: A prospective case
      series study was conducted among consecutive outpatients with chronic
      periodontitis during the period of July 2014-April 2015. A total of 145 eligible
      patients responded to OHRQoL questionnaire and periodontal examination at
      baseline. About 4 to 5 weeks after initial periodontal therapy, 120 patients
      completed the second OHRQoL measurement and periodontal examination, along with
      PSS and general self-efficacy measurement. The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank
      test was used to determine the difference between baseline and post-treatment
      OHRQoL scores and periodontal parameters. Hierarchical linear regression analysis
      was used to explore the associations of PSS and general self-efficacy with post
      treatment OHRQoL after adjusting for some demographic and periodontal variables.
      Asymptotic and resampling strategies were performed to explore the mediating role
      of general self-efficacy. RESULTS: Initial periodontal therapy resulted in a
      significant improvement in the mean total score and all domains of OHRQoL and all
      periodontal parameters measured. In hierarchical linear regression analysis,
      clinical attachment loss (CAL) was significantly and positively associated with
      post-treatment OHRQoL score (beta = 0.265, p < 0.01), while PSS (beta = -0.303, p
      < 0.01) and general self-efficacy (beta = -0.221, p < 0.01) were significantly
      and negatively associated with post-treatment OHRQL score, respectively. A
      significant mediating role of general self-efficacy (a*b = -0.139, BCa 95 % CI: 
      0.298, -0.011) in the association between PSS and post-treatment OHRQoL was
      revealed, and the proportion of the mediating role of general self-efficacy was
      31.4 %. CONCLUSIONS: Initial periodontal therapy could significantly improve all
      aspects of OHRQoL. PSS and general self-efficacy could be the positive resources
      for improving OHRQoL after initial periodontal therapy among patients with
      periodontitis. General self-efficacy partly mediated the association between PSS
      and post-treatment OHRQoL.

PMID- 27268420
TI  - Heart failure in elderly patients, a global perspective.

PMID- 27268418
TI  - Transcriptomic comparison of Drosophila snRNP biogenesis mutants reveals mutant
      specific changes in pre-mRNA processing: implications for spinal muscular
      atrophy.
AB  - Survival motor neuron (SMN) functions in the assembly of spliceosomal small
      nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) that catalyze pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we
      used disruptions in Smn and two additional snRNP biogenesis genes, Phax and Ars2,
      to classify RNA processing differences as snRNP-dependent or gene-specific in
      Drosophila Phax and Smn mutants exhibited comparable reductions in snRNAs, and
      comparison of their transcriptomes uncovered shared sets of RNA processing
      changes. In contrast, Ars2 mutants displayed only small decreases in snRNA
      levels, and RNA processing changes in these mutants were generally distinct from
      those identified in Phax and Smn animals. Instead, RNA processing changes in Ars2
      mutants support the known interaction of Ars2 protein with the cap-binding
      complex, as splicing changes showed a clear bias toward the first intron.
      Bypassing disruptions in snRNP biogenesis, direct knockdown of spliceosomal
      proteins caused similar changes in the splicing of snRNP-dependent events.
      However, these snRNP-dependent events were largely unaltered in three Smn mutants
      expressing missense mutations that were originally identified in human spinal
      muscular atrophy (SMA) patients. Hence, findings here clarify the contributions
      of Phax, Smn, and Ars2 to snRNP biogenesis in Drosophila, and loss-of-function
      mutants for these proteins reveal differences that help disentangle cause and
      effect in SMA model flies.

PMID- 27268421
TI  - Dupilumab therapy provides clinically meaningful improvement in patient-reported
      outcomes (PROs): A phase IIb, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial in
      adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with
      substantial patient burden despite current therapies. OBJECTIVE: We sought to
      evaluate dupilumab treatment on patient-reported outcomes in adults with moderate
      to severe AD. METHODS: Adults (N = 380) with moderate to severe AD inadequately
      controlled by topical medications were randomized to 16 weeks of double-blind,
      subcutaneous treatment with dupilumab 100 mg every 4 weeks, 200 mg every 2 weeks,
      300 mg every 2 weeks, 300 mg once weekly, or placebo. Patient-reported outcomes
      included pruritus numeric rating scale; patient-reported sleep item on Scoring AD
      scale; Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale;
      Dermatology Life Quality Index; and 5-dimension 3-level EuroQol. RESULTS:
      Dupilumab reduced peak itch at 16 weeks relative to placebo by 1.1 to 3.2 points
      on numeric rating scale (P < .0001 all doses, except 100 mg every 4 weeks P <
      .05); improved sleep and health-related quality of life on Dermatology Life
      Quality Index and 5-dimension 3-level EuroQol (P < .05 all doses, except 100 mg
      every 4 weeks); and reduced anxiety and depression symptoms (P < .05 all doses).
      Dupilumab's effects appeared early and achieved clinically relevant improvements
      without significant safety concerns. LIMITATIONS: There are potential cultural
      differences affecting patient-reported outcome responses. Outcomes were secondary
      or exploratory end points. CONCLUSION: Dupilumab produced early and sustained
      patient-reported and clinically relevant improvements in sleep, mental health,
      and health-related quality of life; the two 300-mg dose regimens resulted in
      greatest benefits.

PMID- 27268423
TI  - Surface Nanobubbles Studied by Time-Resolved Fluorescence Microscopy Methods
      Combined with AFM: The Impact of Surface Treatment on Nanobubble Nucleation.
AB  - The impact of surface treatment and modification on surface nanobubble nucleation
      in water has been addressed by a new combination of fluorescence lifetime imaging
      microscopy (FLIM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In this study, rhodamine 6G
      (Rh6G)-labeled surface nanobubbles nucleated by the ethanol-water exchange were
      studied on differently cleaned borosilicate glass, silanized glass as well as
      self-assembled monolayers on transparent gold by combined AFM-FLIM. While the AFM
      data confirmed earlier reports on surface nanobubble nucleation, size, and
      apparent contact angles in dependence of the underlying substrate, the
      colocalization of these elevated features with highly fluorescent features
      observed in confocal intensity images added new information. By analyzing the
      characteristic contributions to the excited state lifetime of Rh6G in decay
      curves obtained from time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) experiments,
      the characteristic short-lived (<600 ps) component of could be associated with an
      emission at the gas-water interface. Its colocalization with nanobubble-like
      features in the AFM height images provides evidence for the observation of gas
      filled surface nanobubbles. While piranha-cleaned glass supported nanobubbles,
      milder UV-ozone or oxygen plasma treatment afforded glass-water interfaces, where
      no nanobubbles were observed by combined AFM-FLIM. Finally, the number density of
      nanobubbles scaled inversely with increasing surface hydrophobicity.

PMID- 27268425
TI  - New authority to oversee NHS complaints system must be independent, say MPs.

PMID- 27268424
TI  - Assessing cortical synchronization during transcranial direct current
      stimulation: A graph-theoretical analysis.
AB  - Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulation technique
      that can alter cortical excitability and modulate behaviour in a polarity
      dependent way. Despite the widespread use of this method in the neuroscience
      field, its effects on ongoing local or global (network level) neuronal activity
      are still not foreseeable. A way to shed light on the neuronal mechanisms
      underlying the cortical connectivity changes induced by tDCS is provided by the
      combination of tDCS with electroencephalography (EEG). In this study, twelve
      healthy subjects underwent online tDCS-EEG recording (i.e., simultaneous), during
      resting-state, using 19 EEG channels. The protocol involved anodal, cathodal and
      sham stimulation conditions, with the active and the reference electrodes in the
      left frontocentral area (FC3) and on the forehead over the right eyebrow,
      respectively. The data were processed using a network model, based on graph
      theory and the synchronization likelihood. The resulting graphs were analysed for
      four frequency bands (theta, alpha, beta and gamma) to evaluate the presence of
      tDCS-induced differences in synchronization patterns and graph theory measures.
      The resting state network connectivity resulted altered during tDCS, in a
      polarity-specific manner for theta and alpha bands. Anodal tDCS weakened
      synchronization with respect to the baseline over the fronto-central areas in the
      left hemisphere, for theta band (p<0.05). In contrast, during cathodal tDCS a
      significant increase in inter-hemispheric synchronization connectivity was
      observed over the centro-parietal, centro-occipital and parieto-occipital areas
      for the alpha band (p<0.05). Local graph measures showed a tDCS-induced polarity
      specific differences that regarded modifications of network activities rather
      than specific region properties. Our results show that applying tDCS during the
      resting state modulates local synchronization as well as network properties in
      slow frequency bands, in a polarity-specific manner. 

PMID- 27268422
TI  - Respiratory and Bronchitic Symptoms Predict Intention to Quit Smoking among
      Current Smokers with, and at Risk for, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - RATIONALE: Smoking cessation is the most important intervention for patients with
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What leads smokers with COPD to
      quit smoking remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the association
      between respiratory symptoms and other markers of COPD severity with intention to
      quit smoking among a cohort of patients with probable COPD. METHODS: We conducted
      a cross-sectional study of subjects with COPD or fixed airflow obstruction
      clinically diagnosed on the basis of pulmonary function testing. The subjects
      were identified in the COPD Outcomes-based Network for Clinical Effectiveness and
      Research Translation multicenter registry. The primary outcome was the intention
      to quit smoking within the next 30 days (yes or no), which was examined using
      model building with multivariable logistic regression, clustered by study site.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified 338 current smokers with COPD via
      the registry. Of these subjects, 57.4% (n = 194) had confirmed airflow
      obstruction based on pulmonary function testing. Nearly one-third (29.2%; n = 99)
      intended to quit smoking in the next 30 days. In adjusted analyses, compared with
      subjects without airflow obstruction based on pulmonary function testing,
      subjects with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage I/II
      COPD were more likely to be motivated to quit (odds ratio [OR], 1.85; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.37-2.49), with no association found for subjects with
      Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage III/IV disease.
      Among the entire cohort, frequent phlegm (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.22-3.64), cough
      (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.01-2.99), wheeze (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.09-3.18), and higher
      modified Medical Research Council dyspnea score (OR, 1.26 per point; 95% CI, 1.13
      1.41) were associated with increased odds of intending to quit smoking. Low self
      reported health was associated with decreased odds of intending to quit (OR,
      0.75; 95% CI, 0.62-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Frequent cough, phlegm, wheeze, and
      shortness of breath were associated with intention to quit smoking in the next 30
      days, with a less clear relationship for severity of illness graded by pulmonary
      function testing and self-rated health. These findings can be used to inform the
      content of tobacco cessation interventions to provide a more tailored approach
      for patients with respiratory diseases such as COPD.

PMID- 27268426
TI  - Langmuir-Blodgett Films of the Metal-Organic Framework MIL-101(Cr): Preparation,
      Characterization, and CO2 Adsorption Study Using a QCM-Based Setup.
AB  - This work reports the fabrication and characterization of Langmuir-Blodgett films
      of nanoparticles (size 51 +/- 10 nm) of the metal organic framework MIL-101(Cr).
      LB film characterization by SEM, UV-vis, GIXRD, and QCM has shown that the
      addition of 1 wt % of behenic acid to MOF dispersion allows obtaining dense
      monolayers at the air-water interface that can be deposited onto solid substrates
      of different nature with transfer ratios close to 1. Moreover, a QCM-based setup
      has been built and used for the first time to measure CO2 adsorption isotherms at
      303 K on MOF LB films, proving that LB films with MOF masses between 1.2 (1
      layer) and 2.3 (2 layers) MUg can be used to obtain accurate adsorption values at
      100 kPa, similar to those obtained by conventional adsorption methods that
      require much larger MOF quantities (tens of milligrams). 

PMID- 27268427
TI  - Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Pediatric Acute Gastroenteritis
      in the Outpatient Setting.
AB  - Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common illness in childhood that usually can be
      treated in the outpatient setting. Inaccurate assessment or delayed treatment of
      AGE can lead to an increased risk for invasive interventions. A literature search
      was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL Plus, the Cochrane Library, and Embase.
      Results of the query were refined to narrow the focus of relevant studies for the
      provider caring for dehydrated children in the outpatient setting. Use of
      clinical dehydration scales to assess the level of dehydration and early
      initiation of oral rehydration therapy promote optimal patient outcomes. Oral
      rehydration therapy remains the best means of rehydrating, and ondansetron is a
      safe and effective adjunct to help children with persistent vomiting. The purpose
      of this practice guideline is to identify best practices for AGE in children
      older than 6 months with symptoms for less than 7 days who are being cared for in
      the outpatient setting.

PMID- 27268428
TI  - An Innate Immunity Pathway in the Moss Physcomitrella patens.
AB  - MAP kinase (MPK) cascades in Arabidopsis thaliana and other vascular plants are
      activated by developmental cues, abiotic stress, and pathogen infection. Much
      less is known of MPK functions in nonvascular land plants such as the moss
      Physcomitrella patens Here, we provide evidence for a signaling pathway in P.
      patens required for immunity triggered by pathogen associated molecular patterns
      (PAMPs). This pathway induces rapid growth inhibition, a novel fluorescence
      burst, cell wall depositions, and accumulation of defense-related transcripts.
      Two P. patens MPKs (MPK4a and MPK4b) are phosphorylated and activated in response
      to PAMPs. This activation in response to the fungal PAMP chitin requires a chitin
      receptor and one or more MAP kinase kinase kinases and MAP kinase kinases.
      Knockout lines of MPK4a appear wild type but have increased susceptibility to the
      pathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria brassisicola Both PAMPs and
      osmotic stress activate some of the same MPKs in Arabidopsis. In contrast,
      abscisic acid treatment or osmotic stress of P. patens does not activate MPK4a or
      any other MPK, but activates at least one SnRK2 kinase. Signaling via MPK4a may
      therefore be specific to immunity, and the moss relies on other pathways to
      respond to osmotic stress.

PMID- 27268431
TI  - Quantum Chemical Insight into the Interactions and Thermodynamics Present in
      Choline Chloride Based Deep Eutectic Solvents.
AB  - We report quantum chemical calculations performed on three popular deep eutectic
      solvents (DESs) in order to elucidate the molecular interactions, charge transfer
      interactions, and thermodynamics associated with these systems. The DESs studied
      comprise 1:2 choline chloride/urea (reline), 1:2 choline chloride/ethylene glycol
      (ethaline), and 1:1 choline chloride/malonic acid (maloline). The excellent
      correlation between calculated and experimental vibrational spectra allowed for
      identification of dominant interactions in the DES systems. The DESs were found
      to be stabilized by both conventional hydrogen bonds and C-H...O/C-H...pi
      interactions between the components. The hydrogen-bonding network established in
      the DES is clearly distinct from that which exists within the neat hydrogen-bond
      donor dimer. Charge decomposition analysis indicates significant charge transfer
      from choline and chloride to the hydrogen-bond donor with a higher contribution
      from the cation, and a density of states analysis confirms the direction of the
      charge transfer. Consequently, the sum of the bond orders of the choline-Cl(-)
      interactions in the DESs correlates directly with the melting temperatures of the
      DESs, a correlation that offers insight into the effect of the tuning of the
      choline-Cl(-) interactions by the hydrogen-bond donors on the physical properties
      of the DESs. Finally, the differences in the vibrational entropy changes upon DES
      formation are consistent with the trend in the overall entropy changes upon DES
      formation.

PMID- 27268430
TI  - tRNA-Related Sequences Trigger Systemic mRNA Transport in Plants.
AB  - In plants, protein-coding mRNAs can move via the phloem vasculature to distant
      tissues, where they may act as non-cell-autonomous signals. Emerging work has
      identified many phloem-mobile mRNAs, but little is known regarding RNA motifs
      triggering mobility, the extent of mRNA transport, and the potential of
      transported mRNAs to be translated into functional proteins after transport. To
      address these aspects, we produced reporter transcripts harboring tRNA-like
      structures (TLSs) that were found to be enriched in the phloem stream and in
      mRNAs moving over chimeric graft junctions. Phenotypic and enzymatic assays on
      grafted plants indicated that mRNAs harboring a distinctive TLS can move from
      transgenic roots into wild-type leaves and from transgenic leaves into wild-type
      flowers or roots; these mRNAs can also be translated into proteins after
      transport. In addition, we provide evidence that dicistronic mRNA:tRNA
      transcripts are frequently produced in Arabidopsis thaliana and are enriched in
      the population of graft-mobile mRNAs. Our results suggest that tRNA-derived
      sequences with predicted stem-bulge-stem-loop structures are sufficient to
      mediate mRNA transport and seem to be necessary for the mobility of a large
      number of endogenous transcripts that can move through graft junctions.

PMID- 27268432
TI  - Performance evaluation of a hybrid system for efficient palm oil mill effluent
      treatment via an air-cathode, tubular upflow microbial fuel cell coupled with a
      granular activated carbon adsorption.
AB  - An air-cathode MFC-adsorption hybrid system, made from earthen pot was designed
      and tested for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery. Such design
      had demonstrated superior characteristics of low internal resistance (29.3Omega)
      and favor to low-cost, efficient wastewater treatment and power generation
      (55mW/m(3)) with average current of 2.13+/-0.4mA. The performance between MFC
      adsorption hybrid system was compared to the standalone adsorption system and
      results had demonstrated great pollutants removals of the integrated system
      especially for chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD3),
      total organic carbon (TOC), total volatile solids (TVS), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3
      N) and total nitrogen (TN) because such system combines the advantages of each
      individual unit. Besides the typical biological and electrochemical processes
      that happened in an MFC system, an additional physicochemical process from the
      activated carbon took place simultaneously in the MFC-adsorption hybrid system
      which would further improved on the wastewater quality. 

PMID- 27268429
TI  - CASEIN KINASE1-LIKE PROTEIN2 Regulates Actin Filament Stability and Stomatal
      Closure via Phosphorylation of Actin Depolymerizing Factor.
AB  - The opening and closing of stomata are crucial for plant photosynthesis and
      transpiration. Actin filaments undergo dynamic reorganization during stomatal
      closure, but the underlying mechanism for this cytoskeletal reorganization
      remains largely unclear. In this study, we identified and characterized
      Arabidopsis thaliana casein kinase 1-like protein 2 (CKL2), which responds to
      abscisic acid (ABA) treatment and participates in ABA- and drought-induced
      stomatal closure. Although CKL2 does not bind to actin filaments directly and has
      no effect on actin assembly in vitro, it colocalizes with and stabilizes actin
      filaments in guard cells. Further investigation revealed that CKL2 physically
      interacts with and phosphorylates actin depolymerizing factor 4 (ADF4) and
      inhibits its activity in actin filament disassembly. During ABA-induced stomatal
      closure, deletion of CKL2 in Arabidopsis alters actin reorganization in stomata
      and renders stomatal closure less sensitive to ABA, whereas deletion of ADF4
      impairs the disassembly of actin filaments and causes stomatal closure to be more
      sensitive to ABA Deletion of ADF4 in the ckl2 mutant partially recues its ABA
      insensitive stomatal closure phenotype. Moreover, Arabidopsis ADFs from subclass
      I are targets of CKL2 in vitro. Thus, our results suggest that CKL2 regulates
      actin filament reorganization and stomatal closure mainly through phosphorylation
      of ADF.

PMID- 27268433
TI  - Increased loading rates and specific methane yields facilitated by digesting
      grass silage at thermophilic rather than mesophilic temperatures.
AB  - This study was conducted to advance the understanding of thermophilic grass
      digestion. Late harvested grass silage was fermented at thermophilic conditions
      at increasing organic loading rates (OLR). Stable digestion took place at an OLR
      between 3 and 4gVSL(-1)d(-1). This enabled specific methane yields (SMY) as high
      as 405LCH4kgVS(-1). An accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFA), accompanied by
      a gradual deterioration of pH, FOS/TAC (ratio of VFA to alkalinity) arose at an
      OLR between 5 and 7gVSL(-1)d(-1), yet inhibition did not occur. SMY decreased
      with reduced retention time ranging between 336 and 358LCH4kgVS(-1) at OLR 7 and
      5gVSL(-1)d(-1) respectively. The biomethane efficiencies remained high (92-103%)
      at corresponding retention times. Comparative results indicated a superior
      performance with respect to higher loading and SMY as compared with mesophilic
      conditions. 

PMID- 27268434
TI  - Performance evaluation of a full-scale innovative swine waste-to-energy system.
AB  - Intensive monitoring was carried out to evaluate the performance of a full-scale
      innovative swine waste-to-energy system at a commercial swine farm with 8640
      heads of swine. Detailed mass balances over each unit of the system showed that
      the system, which includes a 7600m(3) anaerobic digester, a 65-kW microturbine,
      and a 4200m(3) aeration basin, was able to remove up to 92% of the chemical
      oxygen demand (COD), 99% of the biological oxygen demand (BOD), 77% of the total
      nitrogen (TN), and 82% of the total phosphorous (TP) discharged into the system
      as fresh pig waste. The overall biogas yield based on the COD input was 64% of
      the maximum theoretical, a value that indicates that even greater environmental
      benefits could be obtained with process optimization. Overall, the
      characterization of the materials fluxes in the system provides a greater
      understanding of the fate of organics and nutrients in large scale animal waste
      management systems. 

PMID- 27268435
TI  - Overproduction of cellulase by Trichoderma reesei RUT C30 through batch-feeding
      of synthesized low-cost sugar mixture.
AB  - Cellulase is a prerequisite for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass, but
      its high cost presents the biggest challenge. In this article, low-cost mixture
      was produced from glucose through the transglycosylation reaction catalyzed by
      beta-glucosidase for cellulase overproduction by Trichodema reesei RUT C30. As a
      result, cellulase titer of 90.3FPU/mL, which was more than 10 folds of that
      achieved with lactose as inducer, was achieved at 144h. Meanwhile, cellulase
      productivity was drastically increased to 627.1FPU/L/h, at least 3-5 folds higher
      than previously reported by the fungal species. The crude enzyme was further
      tested by hydrolyzing NaOH-pretreated corn stover with 15% solid loading, and
      96.6g/L glucose was released with 92.6% sugar yield at 96h and 44.8g/L ethanol
      was obtained. 

PMID- 27268436
TI  - Peroxide-assisted microwave activation of pyrolysis char for adsorption of dyes
      from wastewater.
AB  - In this study, mesoporous activated biochar with high surface area and controlled
      pore size was prepared from char obtained as a by-product of pyrolysis of
      Prosopis juliflora biomass. The activation was carried out by a simple process
      that involved H2O2 treatment followed by microwave pyrolysis. H2O2 impregnation
      time and microwave power were optimized to obtain biochar with high specific
      surface area and high adsorption capacity for commercial dyes such as Remazol
      Brilliant Blue and Methylene Blue. Adsorption parameters such as initial pH of
      the dye solution and adsorbent dosage were also optimized. Pore size
      distribution, surface morphology and elemental composition of activated biochar
      were thoroughly characterized. H2O2 impregnation time of 24h and microwave power
      of 600W produced nanostructured biochar with narrow and deep pores of 357m(2)g(
      1) specific surface area. Langmuir and Langmuir-Freundlich isotherms described
      the adsorption equilibrium, while pseudo second order model described the
      kinetics of adsorption. 

PMID- 27268437
TI  - Magnetite/graphene oxide nano-composite for enhancement of hydrogen production
      from gelatinaceous wastewater.
AB  - The effect of substrate to inoculum (So/Xo) ratio and supplementation of
      magnetite/graphene oxide (MGO) nano-composite material on hydrogen production
      from gelatinaceous wastewater via dark fermentation process was investigated.
      Results demonstrated that optimum So/Xo ratio of 1.0gCOD/gVSS achieved maximal
      hydrogen yield (HY) of 79.2+/-11.9mL H2/gCOD removed. Supplementation of
      anaerobes with 100mg/L MGO promoted HY up to 112.4+/-10.5mL H2/gCOD removed.
      Moreover, the degradation efficiency of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids was
      improved to 80.8+/-7.6, 34.4+/-2.3 and 31.4+/-2.2%, respectively. Acetate (HAc)
      and butyrate (HBu) concentrations increased from 102+/-6.8 to 125.3+/-6.3 and
      from 31.1+/-1.5 to 48.8+/-3.5mg/gVSS, respectively. However, propionate (HPr)
      concentration dropped from 35.9+/-2.7 to 15+/-1.3mg/gVSS. Hydrogenase enzyme
      activity increased 9-folds and the anaerobes elongated from ca. 1.8-2.9 to ca.
      2.5-5.1MUm with MGO addition. Moreover, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Clostridia
      and Bacilli were detected with the batches supplemented with MGO. 

PMID- 27268438
TI  - A bio-anodic filter facilitated entrapment, decomposition and in situ oxidation
      of algal biomass in wastewater effluent.
AB  - This study examined for the first time the use of bioelectrochemical systems
      (BES) to entrap, decompose and oxidise fresh algal biomass from an algae-laden
      effluent. The experimental process consisted of a photobioreactor for a
      continuous production of the algal-laden effluent, and a two-chamber BES equipped
      with anodic graphite granules and carbon-felt to physically remove and oxidise
      algal biomass from the influent. Results showed that the BES filter could retain
      ca. 90% of the suspended solids (SS) loaded. A coulombic efficiency (CE) of 36.6%
      (based on particulate chemical oxygen demand (PCOD) removed) was achieved, which
      was consistent with the highest CEs of BES studies (operated in microbial fuel
      cell mode (MFC)) that included additional pre-treatment steps for algae
      hydrolysis. Overall, this study suggests that a filter type BES anode can
      effectively entrap, decompose and in situ oxidise algae without the need for a
      separate pre-treatment step. 

PMID- 27268439
TI  - Improving methane production from digested manure biofibers by mechanical and
      thermal alkaline pretreatment.
AB  - Animal manure digestion is associated with limited methane production, due to the
      high content in fibers, which are hardly degradable lignocellulosic compounds. In
      this study, different mechanical and thermal alkaline pretreatment methods were
      applied to partially degradable fibers, separated from the effluent stream of
      biogas reactors. Batch and continuous experiments were conducted to evaluate the
      efficiency of these pretreatments. In batch experiments, the mechanical
      pretreatment improved the degradability up to 45%. Even higher efficiency was
      shown by applying thermal alkaline pretreatments, enhancing fibers degradability
      by more than 4-fold. In continuous experiments, the thermal alkaline
      pretreatment, using 6% NaOH at 55 degrees C was proven to be the most efficient
      pretreatment method as the methane production was increased by 26%. The findings
      demonstrated that the methane production of the biogas plants can be increased by
      further exploiting the fraction of the digested manure fibers which are discarded
      in the post-storage tank. 

PMID- 27268440
TI  - Oxidation of Tyrosine-Phosphopeptides by Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysis.
AB  - Protein phosphorylation has a key role in cell regulation. Oxidation of proteins,
      in turn, is related to many diseases and to aging, but the effects of
      phosphorylation on the oxidation of proteins and peptides have been rarely
      studied. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanistic effect of
      phosphorylation on peptide oxidation induced by titanium dioxide photocatalysis.
      The effect of phosphorylation was compared between nonphosphorylated and tyrosine
      phosphorylated peptides using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. We observed
      that tyrosine was the most preferentially oxidized amino acid, but the oxidation
      reaction was significantly inhibited by its phosphorylation. The study also shows
      that titanium dioxide photocatalysis provides a fast and easy method to study
      oxidation reactions of biomolecules, such as peptides.

PMID- 27268441
TI  - Involvement of MAK-1 and MAK-2 MAP kinases in cell wall integrity in Neurospora
      crassa.
AB  - Among three MAPK disruptants of Neurospora crassa, Deltamak-1 was sensitive and
      Deltamak-2 was hypersensitive to micafungin, a beta-1,3-glucan synthase
      inhibitor, than the wild-type or Deltaos-2 strains. We identified six micafungin
      inducible genes that are involved in cell wall integrity (CWI) and found that MAK
      1 regulated the transcription of non-anchored cell wall protein gene, ncw-1, and
      the beta-1,3-endoglucanase gene, bgt-2, whereas MAK-2 controlled the expression
      of the glycosylhydrolase-like protein gene, gh76-5, and the C4-dicarboxylate
      transporter gene, tdt-1. Western blotting analysis revealed that, in the wild
      type strain, MAK-1 was constitutively phosphorylated from conidial germination to
      hyphal development. In contrast, the phosphorylation of MAK-2 was growth phase
      dependent, and micafungin induced the phosphorylation of unphosphorylated MAK-2.
      It should be noted that the phosphorylation of MAK-1 was virtually abolished in
      the Deltamak-2 strain, but was significantly induced by micafungin, suggesting
      functional cross talk between MAK-1 and MAK-2 signalling pathway in CWI. 

PMID- 27268442
TI  - Limonoids with neuroprotective activity from the stems of Clausena emarginata.
AB  - Two new limonoids, clauemargines M-N (1-2), together with five known compounds (3
      7), were isolated from the stems of Clausena emarginata, and compounds 6 and 7
      were gained from this plant for the first time. Their structures were established
      and elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute
      configurations of 1-2 were further determined by the octant rule of saturated
      cyclic ketone. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 showed moderate neuroprotective effects
      against L-glutamic acid-induced cellular damage in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH
      cells at 10 MUM. 

PMID- 27268443
TI  - [Vaccinations].

PMID- 27268445
TI  - [Pneumococcal vaccination for children and adults].
AB  - Pneumococci are the leading bacterial causes of respiratory tract infections,
      bacteremia and meningitis. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) are effective
      and safe in young children. Their introduction led to significant reductions of
      invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), pneumonia, otitis media and antibiotic
      resistant pneumococcal infections. Beyond these effects in the vaccinated age
      groups, there is a reduction in nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage and
      therefore in transmission. This in turn led to marked reductions in IPD and
      pneumonia in non-vaccinated age groups, particularly elderly adults as evidence
      of herd protection. Recently it was shown that the 13-valent PCV13 is effective
      and safe in adults leading to the age-independent recommendation of PCV13 in all
      persons with risk factors.

PMID- 27268444
TI  - [Influenza - Not innocuous, but preventable].
AB  - Influenza is an infectious disease that can be prevented by a vaccine but the
      readiness to vaccinate against this recurrent infection is weak in the general
      population. However, influenza is not always a harmless illness as illustrated in
      our authentic case report. Individuals with an impaired immune response,
      particularly pregnant women and the elderly are particularly at risk for a
      complicated course of influenza. But it is precisely this population, which also
      has an attenuated immune response to the vaccine. The limited efficacy in this
      target group is a potential "loss of image" for any flu vaccination campaign.
      This raises the question whether we should not try to motivate healthy
      individuals to get vaccinated, particularly if they are living or working next to
      vulnerable individuals. Epidemiologic data but also recent mathematical models
      indicate that consistent vaccination of (school-)children results in reduced
      mortality in elderly people.

PMID- 27268446
TI  - [HPV vaccination].
AB  - Human Papilloma Viruses are associated with genital carcinoma (of the cervix,
      anus, vulva, vagina and the penis) as well as with non-genital carcinoma
      (oropharyngeal carcinoma) and genital warts. In Switzerland two highly efficient
      and safe vaccines are available. The safety of these vaccines has been repeatedly
      subject of controversial discussions, however so far post marketing surveillance
      has always been able to confirm the safety. In Switzerland girls and young women
      have been offered the HPV vaccination within cantonal programmes since 2008. 2015
      the recommendation for the HPV-vaccination for boys and young men was issued, and
      starting July 1, 2016 they as well will be offered vaccination free of charge
      within the cantonal programmes. This article discusses the burden of disease,
      efficacy and safety of the vaccines and presents facts which are important for
      vaccinating these young people. Specifically, aspects of the decisional capacity
      of adolescents to consent to the vaccination are presented. Finally, the future
      perspective with a focus on a new vaccine with an enlarged spectrum of HPV-types
      is discussed.

PMID- 27268447
TI  - [Chickenpox and shingles: one virus, two diseases and current vaccination
      recommendations in Switzerland].
AB  - Adults, pregnant women, premature babies and immunocompromised persons are at
      increased risk for varicella complications. Therefore the current Swiss
      vaccination recommendations against varicella include a general recommendation
      for 11 to 15 year old adolescents with a negative varicella history, as well as a
      specific recommendation for risk groups. The goal of both recommendations is to
      reduce varicella complications in persons most at risk. The vaccine is not
      universally recommended for all toddlers in Switzerland, while this is the case
      in some countries such as the United States. Pros and cons of different
      vaccination strategies, as well as possible short- and long-term effects on
      herpes zoster incidence are taken into account. In the United States, there was a
      marked decline in incidence and hospitalisations, but an increased herpes zoster
      incidence in the short term. Finally, public health aspects of herpes zoster,
      post-herpetic neuralgia and possible vaccination strategies are outlined.

PMID- 27268448
TI  - [Immunization against tick-borne encephalitis].
AB  - Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection that may cause irreversible
      damage to the brain and even result in death. No specific therapy exists. Active
      immunization is of major importance in controlling the infection. Vaccination is
      recommended to all adults and children > 6 years who live in endemic areas. Two
      inactivated vaccines are available in Switzerland. The vaccination schedule
      includes a basic immunization composed of 3 injections followed by boosting every
      10 years. The efficacy of the vaccines has never been investigated in controlled
      studies, however, from indirect evidence, the vaccines are thought to cause good
      protection and to be safe. Local reactions at the injections site may occur in
      one third and mild systemic side effects in one fifth of vaccinees. Anaphylactic
      reactions and severe central nervous side effects are very rare.

PMID- 27268449
TI  - [Rabbies vaccination].
AB  - With very few exceptions, rabies is occurring around the globe. The clinical
      course of this mammal-transmitted infection is almost universally fatal. Thus,
      the disease is causing more human deaths than any other zoonosis. Due to the lack
      of effective therapeutic options, pre- or post-exposure vaccination remains the
      only effective means to avoid development of fatal disease. Save and highly
      effective cell culture vaccines which have been available for decades provide
      long-lasting protection. Various vaccination schedules have been tested and are
      being recommended.

PMID- 27268450
TI  - [Which vaccinations for which travel-destination?].
AB  - Several vaccinations are recommended to protect international travellers,
      especially to tropical countries, from diseases in other parts of the world.
      Firstly, the routine schedule of childhood vaccinations and booster shots
      according to the Swiss immunisation programme should be checked, updated or even
      completed. Additional vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever,
      poliomyelitis, rabies or Japanese encephalitis may be recommended. This will
      depend on a number of factors including the exact destination and route
      (developing countries, rural areas), planned activities (backpacker, family
      visit, business trip), duration of travel, season, age of the traveller and
      current health status including the current medication and previous vaccinations.
      Some vaccinations, such as yellow fever, may be required for travellers to
      certain countries and the international certificate of vaccination may even be
      required when entering a country from another country where yellow fever is
      endemic. The international certificate of vaccination (or a letter of exemption
      when appropriate) is considered valid only if it is administered by an approved
      vaccination centre. Furthermore, the meningococcal vaccination (A, C, W, Y) is
      required for pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. It is recommended to start the
      vaccinations four to six weeks before departure to ensure enough time to
      administer all the necessary doses for an adequate immune response. All commonly
      used vaccines can be administered on the same day. The basic health insurance
      does not usually cover travel vaccines.

PMID- 27268451
TI  - [Vaccinations in pregnancy - Don't miss the opportunity!].
AB  - Pregnant women and neonates are prone to a variety of infections and often suffer
      from complicated courses of the disease. The growing knowledge on immunology and
      vaccinations during pregnancy has led to further development of already known
      strategies in protecting pregnant women and neonates in the most vulnerable
      moments of their lives. Vaccination during pregnancy against pertussis and
      influenza is safe and induces high levels of protecting antibodies in the mother.
      In addition, these specific antibodies are actively transferred to the fetus,
      protecting the newborn during the first weeks of life, when infections are often
      severe and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Viral infections like
      measles, rubella and varicella also may have devastating effects on mother and
      child when occurring during pregnancy. Available vaccinations (MMR, VZV) are
      inducing a stable and durable immunity, but are contraindicated during pregnancy,
      because of being live-vaccines. Therefore, every woman should be immune either by
      past infection or by vaccination before becoming pregnant. If susceptibility is
      only detected during pregnancy, vaccination should be started as soon as possible
      after birth. In conclusion, vaccinations during pregnancy offer a safe and
      efficient protection against dangerous infections for mother, fetus and newborn.

PMID- 27268452
TI  - [Vaccinations in patients with autoimmune diseases].
AB  - The number of individuals with autoimmune diseases treated with immunosuppressive
      drugs is increasing steadily. The variety of immunosuppressive drugs and in
      particular biological therapies is also rising. The autoimmune disease itself as
      well as the immunosuppressive therapy increases the risk of infection in this
      population. Particularly the risk of vaccine-preventable infections is elevated.
      Thus, preventing infections by the means of vaccination is of utmost importance.
      The Division of Infectious Diseases of the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and
      Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, performed a literature search on the
      topic of vaccinations in patients with autoimmune diseases upon request by the
      Swiss Federal Commission for Vaccination Issues. Overall, data are scarce. The
      following main points were retrieved from the literature: Inactivated vaccines
      are safe, but their immunogenicity may be reduced under immunosuppressive
      therapy. In addition to the generally recommended basic vaccinations, specific
      vaccinations, such as influenza and pneumococcal vaccination are indicated in
      these patient groups. Live vaccines are generally contraindicated under
      immunosuppressive therapy due to safety concerns. However, specific exceptions
      apply. Furthermore, certain time intervals for the administration of live
      vaccines after pausing or ceasing an immunosuppressive therapy should be
      respected.

PMID- 27268453
TI  - [Vaccinations for immunocompromised hosts - focussing on patients after a
      hematological stem cell or organ transplantation, with HIV or with functional or
      anatomical asplenia].
AB  - Patients with an acquired immune deficiency, for example due to HIV-infection,
      after a solid organ or haematological stem cell transplantation or due to
      functional or anatomical asplenia, have a greater risk to experience severe
      complications or a chronic course of infection compared to healthy individuals.
      Vaccinations would pose an ideal primary preventive method. However, their
      efficacy is reduced if applied during the immunosuppressed period. Therefore,
      whenever possible, vaccinations should be administered before the period of
      immunosuppression starts - or caught up later during the period of minimal
      possible immunosuppression. Nevertheless, the benefit conveyed through vaccines
      is undisputed, particularly if indications regarding dosing of vaccines (amount
      and frequency of doses) are optimized according to the given state of
      immunosuppression. Live attenuated vaccines are contraindicated during severe
      immunosuppression. Serologies should still be analysed and documented however,
      since these vulnerable patients require passive immunization through specific or
      standard intravenous immunoglobulins in case of relevant exposure to the
      respective antigens. For all patients therefore, careful documentation and
      communication of previous vaccinations and serologies (protective or not) among
      the various medical specialties is required to optimize patient management. For
      all immunosuppressed patients the efficacy of polysaccharide vaccines (such as
      the pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines PSV-23 and MPV-ACWY) is strongly
      reduced compared to the conjugated ones (PCV13 and MCV-ACWY). Therefore, contrary
      to most other national guidelines, the Swiss guidelines recommend to use only the
      conjugated versions in primary vaccination series as well as in boosters - this
      applies strongly for immunosuppressed patients, but is recommended also for the
      general population in Switzerland. Another common management recommendation
      specific for transplant patients is the indication to control vaccine efficacy by
      measuring titers. This is also indicated for hepatitis B in HIV-positive
      patients, but not required for any vaccine in asplenic patients. In summary,
      vaccines pose an important opportunity for primary and secondary prevention for
      vulnerable patients at highest risk of experiencing the worst forms of the
      diseases to be prevented.

PMID- 27268454
TI  - [Understanding and Handling Vaccine Hesitancy].
AB  - Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern to experts around the world and could
      increasingly jeopardize the success of vaccination campaigns. Ambivalence in
      questions of vaccination is promoted through mistrust of vaccines and providers,
      furthermore through the plethora of unfiltered and often contradictory
      information leading to uncertainty as to whom one shall believe. Individuals are
      also in a dilemma in issues of vaccination, having to decide if they will accept
      vaccines regarding only their own wellbeing or also as an act of solidarity to
      maintain a high level of vaccination rates in order to eradicate diseases.
      Finally vaccine hesitancy is also maintained by the success of vaccination.
      Vaccine preventable diseases have become so seldom that many individuals perceive
      them as negligible. The risk of vaccination then surpasses the risk of disease
      thus leading to the rejection of vaccination. Although those opposing vaccination
      comprise only a small minority of the population, their arguments seem to be
      heard disproportionately, influencing vaccine hesitants very strongly. On the
      other hand family doctors are still highly appreciated as advisors in health
      related issues. These health providers can play an important role in stimulating
      vaccine acceptance. Delivering transparent and evidence-based information on
      vaccination through competent communication skills helps to rebuild the dwindling
      trust in vaccines. Sufficient time is required for an enriching dialogue.

PMID- 27268455
TI  - [The benefits prevail - why electronic immunization records are advantageous to
      the general practitioner and his patients].
AB  - Immunization coverage throughout the Swiss population is still not optimal and
      therefore preventable diseases such as measles have not been eliminated in
      Switzerland yet. In addition, new vaccination protocols are available and
      official recommendations are becoming increasingly complex. The website
      www.myvaccines.ch has been in use since 2011 with the primary goal to increase
      immunization coverage. This service was established by Vaccinologist Professor
      Claire-Anne Siegrist from the University of Geneva and is free of charge for all
      Swiss doctors and pharmacists. It enables general practitioners and pediatricians
      to document the vaccination history of their patients in a new electronic
      immunization record. After a simple and quick process, the web-based software
      proposes up-to-date recommendations of new or follow-up vaccinations following
      the current Swiss Immunization Plan by the Federal Department of Health. Within
      this single practice, 1446 files have been recorded within the past three years.
      As a consequence, a total of 4378 immunizations have been administered, leading
      to a mean of 3.03 immunizations per patient. After introducing the electronic
      immunization record, the rates of immunizations have increased dramatically for
      all antigens (factor 2.1 to 41.5). Overall, patient acceptance was high - the
      doctor's investment was positively recognized and his approach to patient care
      was perceived as modern. As a result, the practice has become competent in
      immunization. In summary, the positive outcome of using the electronic record
      highly supports the free program www.myvaccines.ch to all general practitioners
      and pediatricians in Switzerland.

PMID- 27268456
TI  - Repeated application of Modafinil and Levodopa reveals a drug-independent precise
      timing of spatial working memory modulation.
AB  - Cognition enhancing drugs often target the dopaminergic system, which is involved
      in learning and memory, including working memory that in turn involves mainly the
      prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. In most animal models for modulations of
      working memory animals are pre-trained to a certain criterion and treated then
      acutely to test drugs effects on working memory. Thus, little is known regarding
      subchronic or chronic application of cognition enhancing drugs and working memory
      performance. Therefore we trained male rats over six days in a rewarded
      alternation test in a T-maze. Rats received daily injections of either modafinil
      or Levodopa (L-Dopa) at a lower and a higher dose 30min before training. Levodopa
      but not modafinil increased working memory performance during early training
      significantly at day 3 when compared to vehicle controls. Both drugs induced dose
      dependent differences in working memory with significantly better performance at
      low doses compared to high doses for modafinil, in contrast to L-Dopa where high
      dose treated rats performed better than low dose rats. Strikingly, these effects
      appeared only at day 3 for both drugs, followed by a decline in behavioral
      performance. Thus, a critical drug independent time window for dopaminergic
      effects upon working memory could be revealed. Evaluating the underlying
      mechanisms contributes to the understanding of temporal effects of dopamine on
      working memory performance.

PMID- 27268457
TI  - Decreasing Stereotypy Using NCR and DRO With Functionally Matched Stimulation:
      Effects on Targeted and Non-Targeted Stereotypy.
AB  - We conducted a series of studies on multiple forms of repetitive behavior
      displayed by four children with autism spectrum disorder. Study 1 showed that
      each participant's highest probability repetitive behavior persisted in the
      absence of social consequences, thereby meeting the functional definition of
      stereotypy. Study 2 showed that preferred, structurally matched stimulation
      decreased each participant's targeted (highest probability) stereotypy, as well
      as their non-targeted (lower probability) stereotypy. Study 3 showed that for
      three participants, non-contingent access to preferred stimulation decreased
      immediate and, to some extent, subsequent engagement in targeted and non-targeted
      stereotypy. For the fourth participant, non-contingent access to preferred
      stimulation decreased immediate engagement in the targeted stereotypy, but
      increased subsequent engagement in non-targeted stereotypy; this subsequent
      increase was attenuated by reducing the duration of access to the preferred
      stimulus. Study 4 showed that a trial-based differential reinforcement of other
      behavior (DRO) procedure systematically increased the period of time for which
      the targeted stereotypy was not displayed for three of three participants. In
      addition, results showed that the participants' non-targeted stereotypy either
      decreased or was unchanged when DRO was provided for the targeted stereotypy.

PMID- 27268458
TI  - Sex-Specific Effects of Arsenic Exposure on the Trajectory and Function of the
      Gut Microbiome.
AB  - The gut microbiome is deeply involved in numerous aspects of human health;
      however, it can be readily perturbed by environmental toxicants, such as arsenic.
      Meanwhile, the interaction among host, gut microbiome, and xenobiotics is a very
      complex dynamic process. Previously, we have demonstrated that gut microbiome
      phenotypes driven by host genetics and bacterial infection affect the responses
      to arsenic exposure. The role of host sex in shaping the gut microbiome raises
      the question whether sex plays a role in exposure-induced microbiome responses.
      To examine this, we used 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomics sequencing to
      analyze the changes of the gut microbiome and its associated functional
      metagenome in both female and male C57/BL6 mice. Our results clearly demonstrated
      that arsenic exposure perturbed the trajectory and function of the gut microbiome
      in a sex-specific manner.

PMID- 27268459
TI  - Genetic determinants and stroke in children with sickle cell disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To verify genetic determinants associated with stroke in children with
      sickle cell disease (SCD). METHODS: Prospective cohort with 110 children
      submitted to neonatal screening by the Neonatal Screening Program, between 1998
      and 2007, with SCD diagnosis, followed at a regional reference public service for
      hemoglobinopathies. The analyzed variables were type of hemoglobinopathy, gender,
      coexistence with alpha thalassemia (alpha-thal), haplotypes of the beta globin
      chain cluster, and stroke. The final analysis was conducted with 66 children with
      sickle cell anemia (SCA), using the chi-squared test in the program SPSS(r)
      version 14.0. RESULTS: Among children with SCD, 60% had SCA. The prevalence of
      coexistence with alpha-thal was 30.3% and the Bantu haplotype (CAR) was
      identified in 89.2%. The incidence of stroke was significantly higher in those
      with SCA (27.3% vs. 2.3%; p=0.001) and males (24.1% vs. 9.6%; p=0.044). The
      presence of alpha-thal (p=0.196), the CAR haplotype (p=0.543), and socioeconomic
      factors were not statistically significant in association with the occurrence of
      stroke. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of stroke in male children and in
      children with SCA. Coexistence with alpha-thal and haplotypes of the beta globin
      chain cluster did not show any significant association with stroke. The
      heterogeneity between previously evaluated populations, the non-reproducibility
      between studies, and the need to identify factors associated with stroke in
      patients with SCA indicate the necessity of conducting further research to
      demonstrate the relevance of genetic factors in stroke related to SCD.

PMID- 27268460
TI  - Intrafamilial heterogeneity of congenital optic disc pit maculopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Optic disc pit is a very rare clinical entity. The main complication
      of this condition is the maculopathy. Report of cases: A 40-year-old Caucasian
      man and his 6-year-old daughter underwent a complete ophthalmological
      examination. In both cases ophthalmoscopy examination showed a bilateral white
      yellow oval depression in the optic disc. Optical coherence tomography showed
      maculopathy with different degrees of severity in the two cases. Microperimetry
      and multifocal-electroretinography showed different degrees of retinal
      dysfunction in both cases. Molecular genetic analysis was performed and the
      possible pathogenic role of the MIR204 gene was excluded. DISCUSSION: The
      findings of our familial cases support the hypothesis that optic disc pit
      associated with maculopathy could be a genetic disease with an autosomal dominant
      inheritance pattern. Optical coherence tomography is the most helpful diagnostic
      tool to assess maculopathy associated with optic disc pit. Microperimetry and
      multifocal-electroretinography are useful for the diagnosis of macular
      dysfunction in the early stages, and for the prognosis and follow-up of optic
      disc pit-maculopathy which is the main cause of visual impairment in these
      patients. Furthermore, in consideration of the variable expressivity and disease
      severity reported in our cases, genetic anticipation may be hypothesized.

PMID- 27268461
TI  - Dissolution enhancement of tadalafil by liquisolid technique.
AB  - This study aimed to enhance the dissolution of tadalafil, a poorly water-soluble
      drug by applying liquisolid technique. The effects of two critical formulation
      variables, namely drug concentration (17.5% and 35%, w/w) and excipients ratio
      (10, 15 and 20) on dissolution rates were investigated. Pre-compression tests,
      including particle size distribution, flowability determination, Fourier
      transform infrared (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray
      diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were carried out to
      investigate the mechanism of dissolution enhancement. Tadalafil liquisolid
      tablets were prepared and their quality control tests, dissolution study, contact
      angle measurement, Raman mapping, and storage stability test were performed. The
      results suggested that all the liquisolid tablets exhibited significantly higher
      dissolution rates than the conventional tablets and pure tadalafil. FT-IR
      spectrum reflected no drug-excipient interactions. DSC and XRD studies indicated
      reduction in crystallinity of tadalafil, which was further confirmed by SEM and
      Raman mapping outcomes. The contact angle measurement demonstrated obvious
      increase in wetting property. Taken together, the reduction of particle size and
      crystallinity, and the improvement of wettability were the main mechanisms for
      the enhanced dissolution rate. No significant changes were observed in drug
      crystallinity and dissolution behavior after storage based on XRD, SEM and
      dissolution results.

PMID- 27268462
TI  - Disintegration of Waste Activated Sludge by Thermally-Activated Persulfates for
      Enhanced Dewaterability.
AB  - Oxidation by persulfates at elevated temperatures (thermally activated
      persulfates) disintegrates bacterial cells and extracellular polymeric substances
      (EPS) composing waste-activated sludge (WAS), facilitating the subsequent sludge
      dewatering. The WAS disintegration process by thermally activated persulfates
      exhibited different behaviors depending on the types of persulfates employed,
      that is, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) versus peroxydisulfate (PDS). The decomposition
      of PMS in WAS proceeded via a two-phase reaction, an instantaneous decomposition
      by the direct reaction with the WAS components followed by a gradual thermal
      decay. During the PMS treatment, the WAS filterability (measured by capillary
      suction time) increased in the initial stage but rapidly stagnated and even
      decreased as the reaction proceeded. In contrast, the decomposition of PDS
      exhibited pseudo first-order decay during the entire reaction, resulting in the
      greater and steadier increase in the WAS filterability compared to the case of
      PMS. The treatment by PMS produced a high portion of true colloidal solids (<1
      MUm) and eluted soluble and bound EPS, which is detrimental to the WAS
      filterability. However, the observations regarding the dissolved organic carbon,
      ammonium ions, and volatile suspended solids collectively indicated that the
      treatment by PMS more effectively disintegrated WAS compared to PDS, leading to
      higher weight (or volume) reduction by postcentrifugation.

PMID- 27268463
TI  - The effect of different foot and hand set-up positions on backstroke start
      performance.
AB  - Foot and hand set-up position effects were analysed on backstroke start
      performance. Ten swimmers randomly completed 27 starts grouped in trials (n = 3)
      of each variation, changing foot (totally immersed, partially and totally
      emerged) and hand (lowest, highest horizontal and vertical) positioning. Fifteen
      cameras recorded kinematics, and four force plates collected hands and feet
      kinetics. Standardised mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were used.
      Variations with feet immersed have shown lower vertical centre of mass (CM) set
      up position (0.16 m), vertical impulse exerted at the hands, horizontal and
      vertical impulse exerted at the feet (0.28, 0.41, 0.16 N/BW.s, respectively) than
      feet emerged with hands horizontal and vertically positioned. Most variations
      with feet partially emerged exhibited higher and lesser vertical impulse exerted
      at hands than feet immersed and emerged (e.g. vertical handgrip, 0.13, 0.15
      N/BW.s, respectively). Variation with feet emerged and hands on the lowest
      horizontal handgrip depicted shorter horizontal (0.23, 0.26 m) and vertical CM
      positioning at flight (0.16, 0.15 m) than the highest horizontal and vertical
      handgrip, respectively. Start variations have not affected 15-m time. Variations
      with feet partially or totally emerged depicted advantages, but focusing on the
      entry and underwater biomechanics is relevant for a shorter start time. 

PMID- 27268464
TI  - Management of complex orbital fractures.
AB  - The treatment of orbital injuries has evolved considerably over the last two
      decades. We describe strategies involved in the emergency management of orbital
      injuries, the use of imaging, preformed and customised materials for
      reconstruction, and endoscopic techniques. 

PMID- 27268465
TI  - Chronic Inflammation and Premenstrual Syndrome: A Missing Link Found?

PMID- 27268466
TI  - Conjoint influence of mind-wandering and sleepiness on task performance.
AB  - Recent research suggests that sleepiness and mind-wandering-the experience of
      thoughts that are both stimulus-independent and task-unrelated-frequently co
      occur and are both associated with poorer cognitive functioning. Whether these
      two phenomena have distinguishable effects on task performance remains unknown,
      however. To investigate this question, we used the online experience sampling of
      mind-wandering episodes and subjective sleepiness during a laboratory task (the
      Sustained Attention to Response Task; SART), and also assessed mind-wandering
      frequency and sleep-related disturbances in daily life using self-report
      questionnaires. The results revealed that the tendency to experience mind
      wandering episodes during the SART and daily life was associated with higher
      levels of daytime sleepiness and sleep-related disturbances. More important,
      however, mind-wandering and sleepiness were independent predictors of SART
      performance at both the within- and between-individuals levels. These findings
      demonstrate that, although mind-wandering and sleepiness frequently co-occur,
      these two phenomena have distinguishable and additive effects on task
      performance. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27268467
TI  - Free groin flap for aesthetic and functional donor-site closure of the
      anterolateral thigh flap.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Better methods for anterolateral thigh flap donor-site
      reconstruction are desirable in cases when direct closure is impossible. Multiple
      surgical strategies have been attempted, and each has its shortcomings. The use
      of a contralateral free groin flap to repair the anterolateral thigh flap donor
      site is investigated in this report. METHODS: From October 2015 to February 2016,
      free groin flaps were harvested on six patients for aesthetic and functional
      donor-site closure of the anterolateral thigh flap, which could not be directly
      closed. In these cases, the reverse-flow distal portion of the descending branch
      of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and vein were used as recipient vessels
      and anastomosed to the superficial circumflex iliac artery and vein,
      respectively. RESULTS: One flap had presented a few blisters on the distal
      margin; the other five flaps fully survived without any complications. Patients
      were highly satisfied with the aesthetic outcomes of both the anterolateral thigh
      area and the groin site. CONCLUSION: Although with theoretical risks of
      compromised venous blood flow, free groin flaps are an effective strategy for
      closure of massive anterolateral donor-site defects and can be safely performed
      with thoughtful planning and meticulous microsurgical techniques.

PMID- 27268468
TI  - Low frequency dove coos vary across noise gradients in an urbanized environment.
AB  - Urbanization poses a challenge to bird communication due to signal masking by
      ambient noise and reflective surfaces that lead to signal degradation. Bird
      species (especially oscines) have been shown to alter their singing behaviour to
      increase signal efficiency in highly urbanized environments. However, few studies
      on the effects of noise on song structure have included birds with low frequency
      vocal signals which may be especially vulnerable to noise pollution due to
      significant frequency overlap of their signals with traffic noise. We compared
      the perch coos of spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis), a species with very low
      frequency vocalizations, in different background noise levels across urban and
      peri-urban areas in Hong Kong. We documented a 10% upward shift in the minimum
      frequency of coos of spotted doves across the noise gradient (a relatively small
      but significant shift), and a reduced maximum frequency in urban habitats with a
      higher density of built up area. Hong Kong doves had significantly higher minimum
      and maximum frequencies than doves from throughout their range (from mostly rural
      sites). Our results indicate that urban species with extremely low sound
      frequencies such as doves can alter their vocalizations in response to variable
      urban acoustic environments. 

PMID- 27268469
TI  - Repurposing auranofin as an antifungal: In vitro activity against a variety of
      medically important fungi.
AB  - Repositioning old drugs can significantly decrease the time and effort that it
      takes to develop novel antifungal therapeutics, which represents a pressing and
      unmet clinical need due to the devastating nature of fungal infections. We have
      previously described the activity of auranofin, a gold thiol compound used to
      treat rheumatoid arthritis, against Candida albicans biofilms. Here we evaluate
      its antifungal spectrum of action and describe its activity against a variety of
      medically important fungi.

PMID- 27268471
TI  - Walking as a Contributor to Physical Activity in Healthy Older Adults: 2 Week
      Longitudinal Study Using Accelerometry and the Doubly Labeled Water Method.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical activity is recommended to promote healthy aging. Defining
      the importance of activities such as walking in achieving higher levels of
      physical activity might provide indications for interventions. OBJECTIVE: To
      describe the importance of walking in achieving higher levels of physical
      activity in older adults. METHODS: The study included 42 healthy subjects aged
      between 51 and 84 years (mean body mass index 25.6 kg/m(2) [SD 2.6]). Physical
      activity, walking, and nonwalking activity were monitored with an accelerometer
      for 2 weeks. Physical activity was quantified by accelerometer-derived activity
      counts. An algorithm based on template matching and signal power was developed to
      classify activity counts into nonwalking counts, short walk counts, and long walk
      counts. Additionally, in a subgroup of 31 subjects energy expenditure was
      measured using doubly labeled water to derive physical activity level (PAL).
      RESULTS: Subjects had a mean PAL of 1.84 (SD 0.19, range 1.43-2.36). About 20% of
      the activity time (21% [SD 8]) was spent walking, which accounted for about 40%
      of the total counts (43% [SD 11]). Short bouts composed 83% (SD 9) of walking
      time, providing 81% (SD 11) of walking counts. A stepwise regression model to
      predict PAL included nonwalking counts and short walk counts, explaining 58% of
      the variance of PAL (standard error of the estimate=0.12). Walking activities
      produced more counts per minute than nonwalking activities (P<.001). Long walks
      produced more counts per minute than short walks (P=.001). Nonwalking counts were
      independent of walking counts (r=-.05, P=.38). CONCLUSIONS: Walking activities
      are a major contributor to physical activity in older adults. Walking activities
      occur at higher intensities than nonwalking activities, which might prevent
      individuals from engaging in more walking activity. Finally, subjects who engage
      in more walking activities do not tend to compensate by limiting nonwalking
      activities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01609764;
      https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01609764 (Archived by WebCite at
      http://www.webcitation.org/6grls0wAp).

PMID- 27268472
TI  - Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Among People With Intellectual and
      Developmental Disabilities.
AB  - Racial and ethnic health disparities are a pervasive public health problem.
      Emerging research finds similar health disparities among people with intellectual
      and developmental disabilities (IDD) compared to nondisabled adults. However, few
      studies have examined racial and ethnic health disparities among adults with IDD.
      Using national data, we examined racial and ethnic disparities in health status
      among adults with IDD, and investigated differences in health status between
      adults with IDD and nondisabled adults within each racial and ethnic group. We
      found that Latino and Black adults with IDD had worse health outcomes compared to
      White adults with IDD, and Latino and Black adults with IDD had worse health
      outcomes than nondisabled adults from the same racial and ethnic group.

PMID- 27268470
TI  - Cardiovascular effects of anti-diabetes drugs.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease remains the major contributor to morbidity
      and mortality in diabetes. From the need to reduce cardiovascular risk in
      diabetes and to ensure that such risk is not exacerbated by drug treatments,
      governmental regulators and drug manufacturers have focused on clinical trials
      evaluating cardiovascular outcomes. AREAS COVERED: Findings from mechanistic and
      clinical trials of biguanides, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, dipeptidyl
      peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor
      agonists, and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors will be
      reviewed. These drug classes will be compared within the context of available
      cardiovascular outcomes data. Clinical implications of new study regulations will
      be examined. EXPERT OPINION: Recent cardiovascular studies provide a more
      comprehensive evaluation of specific anti-diabetes therapy in individuals with
      high cardiovascular risk. Long-term effects of anti-hyperglycemic agents in
      patients with lower cardiovascular risk are still speculative. Historical data
      supports continued use of metformin as a first-line agent. DPP-4 inhibitors and
      GLP-1 receptor agonists appear to have neutral effects on cardiovascular
      outcomes. The significantly decreased cardiovascular risk associated with
      empagliflozin SGLT-2 inhibitor therapy is impressive and may change how
      practitioners prescribe add-on therapy to metformin.

PMID- 27268474
TI  - Development of a Brief Intervention to Improve Knowledge of Autism and Behavioral
      Strategies Among Parents in Tanzania.
AB  - Despite the global presence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a paucity of
      treatment services exists in Tanzania and other low- and middle-income countries.
      The effect of delayed or low-quality treatments is enduring and contributes to
      lifelong variability in ASD-related functional impairments. Service disparities
      in Tanzania derive in part from a widespread lack of national ASD knowledge.
      Historically, in Western countries, parents have played a major role in
      increasing ASD awareness, advancing research, and encouraging empirically
      supported treatments. In the absence of established treatment services, parents
      of children with ASD have also learned to implement behavioral interventions to
      reduce the widening skills gaps. This article describes the development of an
      intervention designed to inform parents in Tanzania about ASD and empirically
      supported behavioral strategies. Preliminary data, collected from a clinical
      implementation with 29 Tanzanian families of children diagnosed with ASD or
      general developmental delays, support the initial feasibility and acceptability
      of this intervention. This brief intervention may help to ameliorate treatment
      disparities due to insufficient regional knowledge, language barriers, or limited
      service availability and may help improve functional outcomes among Tanzanian
      children with ASD.

PMID- 27268473
TI  - Who Am I? A Life Story Intervention for Persons With Intellectual Disability and
      Psychiatric Problems.
AB  - This article describes an innovative intervention based on narrative and life
      review therapy that is tailored to people with intellectual disability (ID) and
      psychiatric problems. The current study provides a first evaluation of the
      intervention. A symptom checklist (SCL-90) was used in a pre- and post-follow-up
      design, and a qualitative evaluation of the intervention was carried out with 25
      participants. Results showed large changes in psychiatric symptoms, in particular
      on depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and interpersonal
      sensitivity. Participants were mainly positive in their general explicit
      evaluations of the therapy as well as on personal learning points, intervention
      specific, group-related, and therapist-related aspects. It is concluded that the
      intervention is promising for the treatment of people with ID and psychiatric
      complaints.

PMID- 27268475
TI  - Preparing Tomorrow's Doctors to Care for Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
AB  - People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities
      have poorer health and face unique barriers to health care compared to people
      without disabilities. These health disparities can be partially attributed to
      physicians' limited knowledge about caring for patients with developmental
      disabilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of ASD
      training for medical students. Our training included a lecture and a panel
      presentation that featured people with ASD and family members. Students reported
      improved knowledge, skills, confidence, and comfort in caring for patients with
      ASD.

PMID- 27268476
TI  - Creating a SIS-A Annual Review Protocol to Determine the Need for Reassessment.
AB  - The Supports Intensity Scale - Adult Version (SIS-A) has been widely adopted
      throughout North America and the world since its publication a little over a
      decade ago. Many organizations and jurisdictions operate under regulations that
      require an annual assessment of people who receive services and supports that are
      financed through public funds. The time and energy devoted to an annual SIS-A
      reassessment has become a concern in cases where the resulting information is
      largely redundant with information from a prior assessment. This article presents
      findings from an investigation of two approaches to creating a protocol to assist
      SIS-A users in distinguishing situations where there is a high likelihood that
      support needs have not changed in meaningful ways from situations where there is
      a reasonable possibility that support needs have changed. The SIS-A Annual Review
      Protocol was created based on these analyses as well as consideration of
      conceptual issues associated with support needs assessment. Ways in which this
      protocol might be used, as well as data that need to be collected to evaluate its
      usefulness, are discussed.

PMID- 27268479
TI  - Childhood-onset ATP1A3-related conditions: Report of two new cases of phenotypic
      spectrum.

PMID- 27268481
TI  - SNF2H interacts with XRCC1 and is involved in repair of H2O2-induced DNA damage.
AB  - The protein XRCC1 has no inherent enzymatic activity, and is believed to function
      in base excision repair as a dedicated scaffold component that coordinates other
      DNA repair factors. Repair foci clearly represent the recruitment and
      accumulation of DNA repair factors at sites of damage; however, uncertainties
      remain regarding their organization in the context of nuclear architecture and
      their biological significance. Here we identified the chromatin remodeling factor
      SNF2H/SMARCA5 as a novel binding partner of XRCC1, with their interaction
      dependent on the casein kinase 2-mediated constitutive phosphorylation of XRCC1.
      The proficiency of repairing H2O2-induced damage was strongly impaired by SNF2H
      knock-down, and similar impairment was observed with knock-down of both XRCC1 and
      SNF2H simultaneously, suggesting their role in a common repair pathway. Most
      SNF2H exists in the nuclear matrix fraction, forming salt extraction-resistant
      foci-like structures in unchallenged nuclei. Remarkably, damage-induced formation
      of both PAR and XRCC1 foci depended on SNF2H, and the PAR and XRCC1 foci co
      localized with the SNF2H foci. We propose a model in which a base excision repair
      complex containing damaged chromatin is recruited to specific locations in the
      nuclear matrix for repair, with this recruitment mediated by XRCC1-SNF2H
      interaction.

PMID- 27268480
TI  - Physical equivalency of wild type and galactose alpha 1,3 galactose free porcine
      pericardium; a new source material for bioprosthetic heart valves.
AB  - Humans make high levels of antibody to carbohydrates with terminal galactose
      alpha 1,3 galactose (Gal) modifications. This Gal antigen is widely expressed in
      other mammals and is present on an array of current animal derived biomedical
      devices including bioprosthetic heart valves. There is growing interest in using
      Gal-free animal tissues from Gal knockout pigs (GTKO) as these tissues would not
      be affected by anti-Gal antibody mediated injury. In this study we compare the
      composition and biophysical characteristics of glutaraldehyde fixed porcine
      pericardium from standard and GTKO pigs. We show that with the exception of the
      Gal antigen which is only present in standard pig tissue both GTKO and standard
      pig tissue have the same general morphology and collagen content. Moreover
      uniaxial stress testing and suture retention testing indicate the tissues are
      equivalent in tensile strength. These studies indicate that genetic disruption of
      the alpha-galactosyltransferase (GGTA-1) which blocks synthesis of the Gal
      antigen has no significant impact on the structural integrity of porcine
      pericardium and suggest that this tissue could be directly substituted for
      standard pig pericardium in biomedical devices such as bioprosthetic heart
      valves. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Surgical heart valve replacement is a proven
      life saving therapy to treat heart valve dysfunction due to birth defects,
      infection and the effects of aging. Bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV) made from
      glutaraldehyde fixed animal tissues are an effective durable therapy in older
      patients (>60years) but exhibit age-dependent structural valve degeneration (SVD)
      in younger patients (<60years). SVD is principally caused by BHV calcification.
      Immune injury contributes to age-dependent SVD through the interaction of
      galactose alpha 1,3 galactose (Gal) a dominant xenogeneic antigen present on
      commercial BHVs and universally abundant human anti-Gal antibody. This study
      measures the tissue equivalency between standard pig pericardium and Gal-free
      pericardium from genetically modified pigs as a first step towards making Gal
      free BHVs.

PMID- 27268482
TI  - Biohydrogen and carboxylic acids production from wheat straw hydrolysate.
AB  - Hydrolyzed wheat straw was converted into carboxylic acids and biohydrogen using
      digesting bacteria. The fermentations were carried out using both free and
      membrane-encased thermophilic bacteria (55 degrees C) at various OLRs (4.42
      17.95g COD/L.d), in semi-continuous conditions using one or two bioreactors in a
      series. The highest production of biohydrogen and acetic acid was achieved at an
      OLR of 4.42g COD/L.d, whilst the highest lactic acid production occurred at an
      OLR of 9.33g COD/L.d. Furthermore, the bioreactor with both free and membrane
      encased cells produced 60% more lactic acid compared to the conventional, free
      cell bioreactor. In addition, an increase of 121% and 100% in the production of
      acetic and isobutyric acid, respectively, was achieved in the 2nd-stage
      bioreactor compared to the 1st-stage bioreactor. 

PMID- 27268483
TI  - An ultra-high density genetic linkage map of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
      using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) based on a reference shotgun genome
      assembly.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High density genetic linkage maps that are extensively
      anchored to assembled genome sequences of the organism in question are extremely
      useful in gene discovery. To facilitate this process in perennial ryegrass
      (Lolium perenne L.), a high density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)- and
      presence/absence variant (PAV)-based genetic linkage map has been developed in an
      F2 mapping population that has been used as a reference population in numerous
      studies. To provide a reference sequence to which to align genotyping by
      sequencing (GBS) reads, a shotgun assembly of one of the grandparents of the
      population, a tenth-generation inbred line, was created using Illumina-based
      sequencing. METHODS: The assembly was based on paired-end Illumina reads,
      scaffolded by mate pair and long jumping distance reads in the range of 3-40 kb,
      with >200-fold initial genome coverage. A total of 169 individuals from an F2
      mapping population were used to construct PstI-based GBS libraries tagged with
      unique 4-9 nucleotide barcodes, resulting in 284 million reads, with approx. 1.6
      million reads per individual. A bioinformatics pipeline was employed to identify
      both SNPs and PAVs. A core genetic map was generated using high confidence SNPs,
      to which lower confidence SNPs and PAVs were subsequently fitted in a
      straightforward binning approach. KEY RESULTS: The assembly comprises 424 750
      scaffolds, covering 1.11 Gbp of the 2.5 Gbp perennial ryegrass genome, with a
      scaffold N50 of 25 212 bp and a contig N50 of 3790 bp. It is available for
      download, and access to a genome browser has been provided. Comparison of the
      assembly with available transcript and gene model data sets for perennial
      ryegrass indicates that approx. 570 Mbp of the gene-rich portion of the genome
      has been captured. An ultra-high density genetic linkage map with 3092 SNPs and
      7260 PAVs was developed, anchoring just over 200 Mb of the reference assembly.
      CONCLUSIONS: The combined genetic map and assembly, combined with another
      recently released genome assembly, represent a significant resource for the
      perennial ryegrass genetics community.

PMID- 27268484
TI  - Organellar phylogenomics of an emerging model system: Sphagnum (peatmoss).
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sphagnum-dominated peatlands contain approx. 30 % of the
      terrestrial carbon pool in the form of partially decomposed plant material
      (peat), and, as a consequence, Sphagnum is currently a focus of studies on
      biogeochemistry and control of global climate. Sphagnum species differ in
      ecologically important traits that scale up to impact ecosystem function, and
      sequencing of the genome from selected Sphagnum species is currently underway. As
      an emerging model system, these resources for Sphagnum will facilitate linking
      nucleotide variation to plant functional traits, and through those traits to
      ecosystem processes. A solid phylogenetic framework for Sphagnum is crucial to
      comparative analyses of species-specific traits, but relationships among major
      clades within Sphagnum have been recalcitrant to resolution because the genus
      underwent a rapid radiation. Herein a well-supported hypothesis for phylogenetic
      relationships among major clades within Sphagnum based on organellar genome
      sequences (plastid, mitochondrial) is provided. METHODS: We obtained nucleotide
      sequences (273 753 nucleotides in total) from the two organellar genomes from 38
      species (including three outgroups). Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using a
      variety of methods applied to nucleotide and amino acid sequences. The Sphagnum
      phylogeny was rooted with sequences from the related Sphagnopsida genera,
      Eosphagnum and Flatbergium KEY RESULTS: Phylogenetic analyses of the data
      converge on the following subgeneric relationships: (Rigida (((Subsecunda)
      (Cuspidata)) ((Sphagnum) (Acutifolia))). All relationships were strongly
      supported. Species in the two major clades (i.e. Subsecunda + Cuspidata and
      Sphagnum + Acutifolia), which include >90 % of all Sphagnum species, differ in
      ecological niches and these differences correlate with other functional traits
      that impact biogeochemical cycling. Mitochondrial intron presence/absence are
      variable among species and genera of the Sphagnopsida. Two new nomenclatural
      combinations are made, in the genera Eosphagnum and Flatbergium CONCLUSIONS:
      Newly resolved relationships now permit phylogenetic analyses of morphological,
      biochemical and ecological traits among Sphagnum species. The results clarify
      long-standing disagreements about subgeneric relationships and intrageneric
      classification.

PMID- 27268485
TI  - The remarkable stomata of horsetails (Equisetum): patterning, ultrastructure and
      development.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The stomata of Equisetum - the sole extant representative of
      an ancient group of land plants - are unique with respect to both structure and
      development, yet little is known about details of ultrastructure and patterning,
      and existing accounts of key developmental stages are conflicting. METHODS: We
      used light and electron microscopy to examine mature stomata and stomatal
      development in Equisetum myriochaetum, and compared them with other land plants,
      including another putative fern relative, Psilotum We reviewed published reports
      of stomatal development to provide a comprehensive discussion of stomata in more
      distantly related taxa. KEY RESULTS: Stomatal development in Equisetum is
      basipetal and sequential in strict linear cell files, in contrast with Psilotum,
      in which stomatal development occurs acropetally. In Equisetum, cell asymmetry
      occurs in the axial stomatal cell file, resulting in a meristemoidal mother cell
      that subsequently undergoes two successive asymmetric mitoses. Each stomatal cell
      complex is formed from a single precursor meristemoid, and consists of four
      cells: two guard cells and two mesogene subsidiary cells. Late periclinal
      divisions occur in the developing intervening cells. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to
      the unique mature structure, several highly unusual developmental features
      include a well-defined series of asymmetric and symmetric mitoses in Equisetum,
      which differs markedly from Psilotum and other land plants. The results
      contribute to our understanding of the diverse patterns of stomatal development
      in land plants, including contrasting pathways to paracytic stomata. They add to
      a considerable catalogue of highly unusual traits of horsetails - one of the most
      evolutionarily isolated land-plant taxa.

PMID- 27268490
TI  - Differences in incomes of physicians in the United States by race and sex:
      observational study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES:  To estimate differences in annual income of physicians in the United
      States by race and sex adjusted for characteristics of physicians and practices.
      DESIGN:  Cross sectional survey study. SETTING:  Nationally representative
      samples of US physicians. PARTICIPANTS:  The 2000-13 American Community Survey
      (ACS) included 43 213 white male, 1698 black male, 15 164 white female, and 1252
      black female physicians. The 2000-08 Center for Studying Health System Change
      (HSC) physician surveys included 12 843 white male, 518 black male, 3880 white
      female, and 342 black female physicians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:  Annual income
      adjusted for age, hours worked, time period, and state of residence (from ACS
      data). Income was adjusted for age, specialty, hours worked, time period, years
      in practice, practice type, and percentage of revenue from Medicare/Medicaid
      (from HSC physician surveys). RESULTS:  White male physicians had a higher median
      annual income than black male physicians, whereas race was not consistently
      associated with median income among female physicians. For example, in 2010-13 in
      the ACS, white male physicians had an adjusted median annual income of $253 042
      (95% confidence interval $248 670 to $257 413) compared with $188 230 ($170 844
      to $205 616) for black male physicians (difference $64 812; P<0.001). White
      female physicians had an adjusted median annual income of $163 234 ($159 912 to
      166 557) compared with $152 784 ($137 927 to $167 641) for black female
      physicians (difference $10 450; P=0.17). $100 000 is currently equivalent to
      about L69 000 (?89 000). Patterns were unaffected by adjustment for specialty and
      characteristics of practice in the HSC physician surveys. CONCLUSIONS:  White
      male physicians earn substantially more than black male physicians, after
      adjustment for characteristics of physicians and practices, while white and black
      female physicians earn similar incomes to each other, but significantly less than
      their male counterparts. Whether these differences reflect disparities in job
      opportunities is important to determine.

PMID- 27268491
TI  - Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in a case of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia:
      a rare association.
AB  - Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease that may
      occur in a postvaccination condition or as a parainfectious encephalomyelitis. It
      is almost always monophasic. The underlying pathogenesis of ADEM may include
      perivascular inflammation, oedema and demyelination in the central nervous
      system. We present a case of a 15-year-old girl who was diagnosed as having ADEM,
      as well as detected to be a follow-up case of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia on
      steroid treatment. She presented with progressive weakness of the right lower
      limb for the past 4 days. MRI showed multiple subcortical lesions of varying size
      showing hyperintensities in T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR). The
      patient responded well to steroid therapy. No residual lesion was found on follow
      up. Very few cases have been found with this rare association in the literature. 

PMID- 27268492
TI  - Atypical eye complication in Takayasu's arteritis.

PMID- 27268493
TI  - Low back pain after a dental procedure: a case of Streptococcus viridans
      vertebral osteomyelitis.
AB  - Vertebral osteomyelitis due to Streptococcus viridans following a dental
      procedure is a rarely reported phenomenon. We discuss the case of a 67-year-old
      immunocompetent woman who presented with low back pain of 3 weeks duration
      associated with subjective fever and chills. On admission, the MRI of the lumbar
      spine showed L5-S1 vertebral osteomyelitis with associated paravertebral and
      epidural abscesses. Subsequently, detailed history was retaken and the patient
      reported having had a maxillary tooth extraction followed by a dental implant 2
      months prior to the onset of her symptoms. Blood and abscess fluid cultures grew
      S. viridans Transthoracic echocardiogram showed no evidence of endocarditis. The
      patient was started on intravenous ceftriaxone but her treatment course was
      complicated by agranulocytosis requiring a switch to vancomycin. She required a
      total of 9 weeks of intravenous antibiotics for complete clinical cure. 

PMID- 27268494
TI  - Treatment Fidelity Among Family Health Promoters Delivering a Physical Activity
      and Nutrition Intervention to Immigrant and Refugee Families.
AB  - Lack of treatment fidelity can be an important source of variation affecting the
      credibility and utility of outcomes from behavioral intervention research.
      Development and implementation of a well-designed treatment fidelity plan,
      especially with research involving underserved populations, requires careful
      conceptualization of study needs in conjunction with what is feasible in the
      population. The purpose of this article is to review a fidelity-monitoring plan
      consistent with the National Institutes of Health Behavior Change Consortium
      guidelines (e.g., design, training, delivery, receipt, and enactment) for an
      intervention trial designed to improve physical activity and nutrition among
      immigrant and refugee families. Description of the fidelity monitoring plan is
      provided and challenges related to monitoring treatment fidelity in a community
      based participatory intervention for immigrant and refugee families are
      discussed.

PMID- 27268495
TI  - What Does It Mean for Something to Be "Scientific"? Community Understandings of
      Science, Educational Attainment, and Community Representation Among a Sample of
      25 CBPR Projects.
AB  - Community-based participatory research (CBPR) seeks to conduct relevant,
      sustainable research that is tailored to the needs of the communities with which
      it is engaged through equitable collaboration between community representatives
      and professional researchers. Like other participatory approaches to research and
      planning, CBPR has been criticized for the potential to engage a biased sample of
      community representatives and, thereby, undermine the fundamental purpose of the
      approach. Moreover, the varying educational levels and areas of expertise,
      especially regarding science literacy, among those participating in CBPR has
      raised concern about the ability for true collaboration to exist within CBPR
      projects. This article presents findings from a qualitative study of 25 CBPR
      research projects and explores matters of science literacy, community
      representation, and the nature of CBPR. Ultimately, it is suggested that those
      who engage in CBPR should carefully consider the potential for biased community
      representation and seek to purposely and mindfully avoid any partiality.

PMID- 27268496
TI  - Surgical anatomy of the spinal accessory nerve: review of the literature and case
      report of a rare anatomical variant.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of variations in the anatomical route of
      the spinal accessory nerve from the base of the skull to the point where it
      enters the trapezius muscle. A case report is used to demonstrate an example of a
      rare but clinically important anatomical variant of this nerve. METHODS: An
      independent review of the literature using Medline, PubMed and Q Read databases
      was performed using combinations of terms including 'spinal accessory nerve',
      'anatomy', 'surgical anatomy', 'anatomical variant', 'cranial nerve XI' and
      'shoulder syndrome'. RESULTS: Our report demonstrates marked variation in spinal
      accessory nerve anatomy. At the point of crossing over the internal jugular vein,
      the spinal accessory nerve passes most commonly laterally (anterior) to the
      internal jugular vein. The reported incidence of this lateral relationship varies
      from 67 to 96 per cent. The nerve can also pierce the internal jugular vein, as
      demonstrated in our case study, with incidence ranging from 0.48 to 3.3 per cent.
      CONCLUSION: Anatomical variations of the spinal accessory nerve are not uncommon,
      and it is important for the surgeon to be aware of such variations when
      undertaking surgery in both the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck.

PMID- 27268497
TI  - The TOR signaling pathway regulates starvation-induced pseudouridylation of yeast
      U2 snRNA.
AB  - Pseudouridine (Psi) has been identified in various types of RNAs, including mRNA,
      rRNA, tRNA, snRNA, and many other noncoding RNAs. We have previously shown that
      RNA pseudouridylation, like DNA and protein modifications, can be induced by
      stress. For instance, growing yeast cells to saturation induces the formation of
      Psi93 in U2 snRNA. Here, we further investigate this inducible RNA modification.
      We show that switching yeast cells from nutrient-rich medium to different
      nutrient-deprived media (including water) results in the formation of Psi93 in U2
      snRNA. Using gene deletion/conditional depletion as well as rapamycin treatment,
      we further show that the TOR signaling pathway, which controls cell entry into
      stationary phase, regulates Psi93 formation. The RAS/cAMP signaling pathway,
      which parallels the TOR pathway, plays no role in this inducible modification.

PMID- 27268498
TI  - Facilitation of axon regeneration by enhancing mitochondrial transport and
      rescuing energy deficits.
AB  - Although neuronal regeneration is a highly energy-demanding process, axonal
      mitochondrial transport progressively declines with maturation. Mature neurons
      typically fail to regenerate after injury, thus raising a fundamental question as
      to whether mitochondrial transport is necessary to meet enhanced metabolic
      requirements during regeneration. Here, we reveal that reduced mitochondrial
      motility and energy deficits in injured axons are intrinsic mechanisms
      controlling regrowth in mature neurons. Axotomy induces acute mitochondrial
      depolarization and ATP depletion in injured axons. Thus, mature neuron-associated
      increases in mitochondria-anchoring protein syntaphilin (SNPH) and decreases in
      mitochondrial transport cause local energy deficits. Strikingly, enhancing
      mitochondrial transport via genetic manipulation facilitates regenerative
      capacity by replenishing healthy mitochondria in injured axons, thereby rescuing
      energy deficits. An in vivo sciatic nerve crush study further shows that enhanced
      mitochondrial transport in snph knockout mice accelerates axon regeneration.
      Understanding deficits in mitochondrial trafficking and energy supply in injured
      axons of mature neurons benefits development of new strategies to stimulate axon
      regeneration.

PMID- 27268500
TI  - The Developmental Basis of Stomatal Density and Flux.

PMID- 27268499
TI  - The diagnostic validity of clinical airway assessments for predicting difficult
      laryngoscopy using a grey zone approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic validity of clinical airway assessment tests for
      predicting difficult laryngoscopy in patients requiring endotracheal intubation
      were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and a
      grey zone approach. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, patients
      were evaluated during a pre-anaesthetic visit. Predictive airway assessment tests
      (i.e. Modified Mallampati [MMT] classification; upper lip bite test [ULBT]; mouth
      opening; sternomental distance; thyromental distance [TMD]; neck circumference;
      neck mobility; height to thyromental distance [HT/TMD]; neck circumference-to
      thyromental distance [NC/TMD]) were performed on each patient and LEMON, Naguib,
      and MACOCHA scores were also calculated. In addition, laryngeal images were
      acquired and assessed for percentage of glottic opening (POGO) scores. A POGO
      score of zero was categorized as difficult laryngoscopy. RESULTS: The incidence
      of difficult laryngoscopy was 14.4% (35/243). Although seven predictive airway
      assessments (i.e. MMT classification, ULBT, mouth opening, HT/TMD, NC/TMD, and
      the LEMON and Naguib models) predicted difficult laryngoscopy by ROC analyses, a
      grey zone approach showed that the parameters were inconclusive in approximately
      70% of patients. From all the tests, the HT/TMD ratio showed the highest
      sensitivity (80.0%) and ULBT had the highest specificity (95.2%). CONCLUSION:
      Using the grey zone approach, all predictive airway assessment tests showed large
      inconclusive zones which may explain previous inconsistent results in the
      prediction of difficult laryngoscopy. Our results suggest that the usefulness of
      clinical airway evaluation tests for predicting difficult laryngoscopy remains
      controversial. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01719848).

PMID- 27268501
TI  - Educating Families of Children Newly Diagnosed With Cancer.
AB  - Parents/caregivers require specialized education in order to care for their child
      with a newly diagnosed cancer. Currently, no evidence-based guidelines exist to
      identify content essential for inclusion in patient/family education prior to a
      child's initial discharge home; this study used Delphi methodology to obtain
      multidisciplinary consensus regarding essential content amongst pediatric
      oncology experts from the Children's Oncology Group. Three questionnaire rounds
      were employed to identify essential content, evaluate the importance of the
      educational topics identified, and gain expert consensus regarding the final
      ranking of topics identified and whether or not each topic was considered
      mandatory for inclusion in education for newly diagnosed patients. Disease
      specific topics were also identified for patients with leukemia, solid tumors,
      and central nervous system tumors. The results of this study provide, for the
      first time, multidisciplinary expert consensus regarding key content essential
      for inclusion in discharge education for newly diagnosed pediatric oncology
      patients.

PMID- 27268502
TI  - Nursing Implications for the Management of Lymphatic Malformation in Children
      [Formula: see text].
AB  - Lymphatic malformation (LM) is a benign congenital childhood growth that presents
      primarily at birth, with the remainder becoming evident by age 2 years. LM can
      cause devastating complications such as respiratory failure, dyspnea, dysphagia,
      organ compression, and nerve compression. Surgery is the preferred treatment
      option, although resection is not always an option due to the anatomic location
      of the malformation. Other treatments that have been tried with success include
      sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, propranolol, and sirolimus. Nurses have
      an important role in caring for the child with LM, as with any complex disease.
      Nurses provide care at the bedside, education to the family, case coordination,
      and psychosocial support. LM is a rare disease in infancy necessitating pediatric
      nurses to support families through prolonged treatments and potential
      complications.

PMID- 27268503
TI  - Daily Preharvest UV-C Light Maintains the High Stilbenoid Concentration in
      Grapes.
AB  - The fact that it is possible to induce stilbenoid synthesis in grapevine (Vitis
      vinifera) by UV-C light allows the possibility of stimulating grapevine
      phytoalexin production to increase disease resistance and immunity, and
      subsequently to limit the use of pesticides in vineyards. UV-C light was applied
      daily during three days before the harvesting of table grape variety Crimson
      seedless to study the accumulation of stilbenoid compounds during ripeness. The E
      resveratrol concentration was monitored during daily preharvest UV-C light
      application and compared with that after a single application. Daily periodic
      preharvest UV-C light treatment showed a cumulative effect on grape stilbenoids.
      An 86-fold stilbenoid level increase (sum of E-resveratrol, E-piceatannol,
      epsilon-viniferin, E-piceid, isorhapontigenin, omega-viniferin, and Z-piceid) in
      grapes was achieved. The effects of UV-C light on stilbenoid in grape cane was
      also addressed for the first time. Stilbenoid oligomers such as hopeaphenol,
      ampelopsin A, and r-viniferin were quantified in cane samples. Quality grape
      parameters indicated an acceleration of ripening in UV-C samples. 

PMID- 27268504
TI  - Western Zika Virus in Human Fetal Neural Progenitors Persists Long Term with
      Partial Cytopathic and Limited Immunogenic Effects.
AB  - The recent Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in the Western hemisphere is associated
      with severe pathology in newborns, including microcephaly and brain damage. The
      mechanisms underlying these outcomes are under intense investigation. Here, we
      show that a 2015 ZIKV isolate replicates in multiple cell types, including
      primary human fetal neural progenitors (hNPs). In immortalized cells, ZIKV is
      cytopathic and grossly rearranges endoplasmic reticulum membranes similar to
      other flaviviruses. In hNPs, ZIKV infection has a partial cytopathic phase
      characterized by cell rounding, pyknosis, and activation of caspase 3. Despite
      notable cell death, ZIKV did not activate a cytokine response in hNPs. This lack
      of cell intrinsic immunity to ZIKV is consistent with our observation that virus
      replication persists in hNPs for at least 28 days. These findings, supported by
      published fetal neuropathology, establish a proof-of-concept that neural
      progenitors in the developing human fetus can be direct targets of detrimental
      ZIKV-induced pathology.

PMID- 27268506
TI  - A segmentation and classification scheme for single tooth in MicroCT images based
      on 3D level set and k-means+.
AB  - Accurate classification of different anatomical structures of teeth from medical
      images provides crucial information for the stress analysis in dentistry.
      Usually, the anatomical structures of teeth are manually labeled by experienced
      clinical doctors, which is time consuming. However, automatic segmentation and
      classification is a challenging task because the anatomical structures and
      surroundings of the tooth in medical images are rather complex. Therefore, in
      this paper, we propose an effective framework which is designed to segment the
      tooth with a Selective Binary and Gaussian Filtering Regularized Level Set
      (GFRLS) method improved by fully utilizing 3 dimensional (3D) information, and
      classify the tooth by employing unsupervised learning i.e., k-means++ method. In
      order to evaluate the proposed method, the experiments are conducted on the
      sufficient and extensive datasets of mandibular molars. The experimental results
      show that our method can achieve higher accuracy and robustness compared to other
      three clustering methods.

PMID- 27268505
TI  - The IFITMs Inhibit Zika Virus Replication.
AB  - Zika virus has emerged as a severe health threat with a rapidly expanding range.
      The IFITM family of restriction factors inhibits the replication of a broad range
      of viruses, including the closely related flaviruses West Nile virus and dengue
      virus. Here, we show that IFITM1 and IFITM3 inhibit Zika virus infection early in
      the viral life cycle. Moreover, IFITM3 can prevent Zika-virus-induced cell death.
      These results suggest that strategies to boost the actions and/or levels of the
      IFITMs might be useful for inhibiting a broad range of emerging viruses.

PMID- 27268507
TI  - Pharmacogenetics of nevirapine excretion into breast milk and infants' exposure
      through breast milk versus postexposure prophylaxis.
AB  - AIM: The influence of genetic factors on nevirapine (NVP) breast milk
      pharmacokinetics and breastfed infants' exposure were investigated. PATIENTS &
      METHODS: Associations between nine SNPs in NVP disposition genes in mothers and
      its plasma and breast milk concentrations were explored in nursing mother-infant
      pairs. RESULTS: NVP pharmacokinetics in maternal plasma, breast milk and infant
      exposure indices were influenced by CYP2B6 516G>T and 983T>C. The median (range)
      milk-to-plasma area under the curve (AUC0-12) ratio was 0.95 (0.56-1.5).
      Calculated as percentages of pediatric treatment, infant postexposure prophylaxis
      and maternal weight-adjusted doses, the maximum exposure indices were 3.64% (1.99
      9.88), 26.0% (9.93-79.1) and 13.8% (5.77-27.7), respectively. Infant plasma
      concentration as a result of exposure through breast milk (n = 93), pre-exposure
      prophylaxis (n = 10) and both (n = 27) were 660 (104-3090), 1020 (401-3325) and
      2720 ng/ml (1360-7290), respectively. CONCLUSION: The clinical significance of
      the observed differences between routes of infants' exposure warrants further
      investigation.

PMID- 27268508
TI  - Secondary Infections with Ebola Virus in Rural Communities, Liberia and Guinea,
      2014-2015.
AB  - Persons who died of Ebola virus disease at home in rural communities in Liberia
      and Guinea resulted in more secondary infections than persons admitted to Ebola
      treatment units. Intensified monitoring of contacts of persons who died of this
      disease in the community is an evidence-based approach to reduce virus
      transmission in rural communities.

PMID- 27268509
TI  - The Task and Relational Dimensions of Online Social Support.
AB  - Online support groups are attractive to individuals suffering from various types
      of mental and physical illness due to their accessibility, convenience, and
      comfort level. Individuals coping with depression, in particular, may seek social
      support online to avoid the stigma that accompanies face-to-face support groups.
      We explored how task and relational messages created social support in online
      depression support groups using Cutrona and Suhr's social support coding scheme
      and Bales's Interaction Process Analysis coding scheme. A content analysis
      revealed emotional support as the most common type of social support within the
      group, although the majority of messages were task rather than relational.
      Informational support consisted primarily of task messages, whereas network and
      esteem support were primarily relational messages. Specific types of task and
      relational messages were associated with different support types. Results
      indicate task messages dominated online depression support groups, suggesting the
      individuals who participate in these groups are interested in solving problems
      but may also experience emotional support when their uncertainty is reduced via
      task messages.

PMID- 27268510
TI  - Inappropriate ICD shocks do not induce pro-arrhythmic electrocardiographic
      changes in men.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Longer-term electrocardiographic effects of multiple inappropriate
      ICD shocks were investigated to study their hypothesized pro-arrhythmic
      potential. DESIGN: Thirteen male patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who
      received >=2 inappropriate shocks within 24 h and for whom 12-lead ECGs were
      available both before and within 72h after the inappropriate shocks were
      analyzed. Exclusion criteria included continuous ventricular pacing, underlying
      AF, events within 6 weeks after lead implantation and concomitant acute medical
      problems. RESULTS: A total of 149 inappropriate shocks (mean 11 +/- 19) were
      received. There were no significant differences in any of the measured intervals
      or morphological indices, nor was there a correlation between the "before-after"
      differences and the number of shocks received. Non-significant changes showed
      Percentage of Loop Area increase and relative T-wave Residuum decrease while the
      opposite changes have previously been associated with arrhythmic risk.
      CONCLUSIONS: No potentially pro-arrhythmic electrocardiographic changes were
      found 19 h after multiple inappropriate shocks.

PMID- 27268511
TI  - Extra five years of aromatase inhibitors increases disease-free survival in
      breast cancer.

PMID- 27268512
TI  - Transcriptomics-Guided Design of Synthetic Promoters for a Mammalian System.
AB  - Despite recent advances in improving titers for therapeutic proteins such as
      antibodies to the 10 g/L scale, these high yields can only be achieved in select
      mammalian hosts. Regardless of the host or product, strong promoters are required
      to obtain high levels of transgene expression. However, the promoters employed to
      drive this expression are rather limited in variety and are usually either viral
      derived or screened empirically during vector design. To begin to move away from
      viral parts, we employed a more systematic approach to identify and design new
      synthetic promoters using endogenous elements. To do so, we established a
      workflow to design these elements by (1) analyzing the transcriptomics profile of
      a specific cell line under a desired, representative cell culture condition, (2)
      identifying key genetic motifs using bioinformatics that can be used to
      rationally construct synthetic promoters, (3) building synthetic promoters using
      conventional DNA synthesis and molecular biology techniques, and (4) evaluating
      the performance of these synthetic promoters using model proteins. The resulting
      promoters perform comparably to the hCMV IE promoter variants tested, but with
      endogenous components. During this design-build-test cycle we also investigated
      the underlying design rules for transcription factor binding site arrangement in
      synthetic promoters. Overall, this approach of using an "omics-guided" workflow
      for designing synthetic promoters facilitates the construction of high expression
      vectors for immediate use in current production hosts.

PMID- 27268513
TI  - Effectiveness of an interprofessional workshop on pain management for medical and
      nursing students.
AB  - Interprofessional (IP) care is critical for effective pain management, but
      evidence is lacking about the best way to teach pain management skills to medical
      and nursing students using IP strategies. In 2013 and 2014, 307 medical and 169
      nursing students participated in an IP case-based pain management workshop. The
      aims of this study were to determine (1) if students who participate in IP case
      based learning groups will have improved pain management skills compared to
      students who participate in uniprofessional case-based learning groups, and (2)
      if students mentored by faculty with IP training will have improved pain
      management skills compared to students who are not mentored by IP-trained
      faculty. Student learning was assessed and compared using scored checklists for
      each group's pain management plans. Findings show that IP mentorship and IP group
      participation improved medical students' pain management skills but did not have
      the same effect on nursing student performance. Continued work is needed to
      develop, refine, and integrate innovative and tailored IP strategies into the
      curricula of medical and nursing schools to advance the pain management
      competencies of students before they enter clinical practice. 

PMID- 27268514
TI  - Local resection may be a strong alternative to cesarean hysterectomy in
      conservative surgical management of placenta percreta: experiences from a
      tertiary hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and describe a surgical approach for uterine preservation
      and management of postpartum hemorrhage in placenta percreta. METHODS: We
      analyzed the data of patients who were diagnosed with placenta percreta
      prenatally and subsequently underwent cesarean section in which local resection
      technique was used to manage postpartum hemorrhage and uterine preservation at
      our tertiary care center between 2013 and 2016. The technique includes local
      resection of placental invasion site and suturing the new uterine edges. RESULTS:
      The technique of local resection described above was successful in preserving the
      uterus and stopping the bleeding in 8 of 12 cases. The diagnosis of placenta
      percreta in all cases was confirmed intraoperatively and postoperatively by
      histological examinations. Four cases were resorted to hysterectomy. The mean
      number of transfused erythrocyte suspension was 4.8 +/- 2.6. One complication of
      bladder injury was encountered in which treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: Local
      resection of percreta site is an effective, safe and fertility preserving
      approach that can be applied to manage the postpartum hemorrhage and preservation
      of uterus in patients with placenta percreta.

PMID- 27268515
TI  - Graphene Oxide-Assisted Liquid Phase Exfoliation of Graphite into Graphene for
      Highly Conductive Film and Electromechanical Sensors.
AB  - Here, we report a new method to prepare graphene from graphite by the liquid
      phase exfoliation process with sonication using graphene oxide (GO) as a
      dispersant. It was found that GO nanosheets act a as surfactant to the mediated
      exfoliation of graphite into a GO-adsorbed graphene complex in the aqueous
      solution, from which graphene was separated by an additional process. The
      preparation of isolated graphene from a single to a few layers is routinely
      achieved with an exfoliation yield of up to higher than 40% from the initial
      graphite material. The prepared graphene sheets showed a high quality (C/O ~
      21.5), low defect (ID/IG ~ 0.12), and high conductivity (6.2 * 10(4) S/m).
      Moreover, the large lateral size ranging from 5 to 10 MUm of graphene, which is
      believed to be due to the shielding effect of GO avoiding damage under ultrasonic
      jets and cavitation formed by the sonication process. The thin graphene film
      prepared by the spray-coating technique showed a sheet resistance of 668 Omega/sq
      with a transmittance of 80% at 550 nm after annealing at 350  degrees C for 3 h.
      The transparent electrode was even greater with the resistance only 66.02 Omega
      when graphene is deposited on an interdigitated electrode (1 mm gap). Finally, a
      flexible sensor based on a graphene spray-coating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is
      demonstrated showing excellent performance working under human touch pressure
      (<10 kPa). The graphene prepared by this method has some distinct properties
      showing it as a promising material for applications in electronics including thin
      film coatings, transparent electrodes, wearable electronics, human monitoring
      sensors, and RFID tags. 

PMID- 27268516
TI  - Prevalence and Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in People With Schizophrenia in
      Inpatient Rehabilitation Wards.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atypical antipsychotic medications increase the risk of developing
      metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular diseases in people with
      schizophrenia. AIM: To explore the prevalence of MetS and the predictors
      associated with the number of MetS components in people with chronic
      schizophrenia. METHODS: We recruited 357 participants from 10 rehabilitation
      wards in northern Taiwan. The Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory
      II, Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), and modified Baecke physical
      activity questionnaire were used to evaluate the participants. MetS prevalence
      was calculated using the modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asians.
      RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS in this sample was 37.8%. Multinomial logistic
      regression revealed that the HPLP-exercise score (odds ratio [OR] = 0.411, p =
      .002) and depressive symptoms (OR = 0.949, p = .040) were protective factors for
      >=4 MetS components. The leisure physical activity level (OR = .536, p = .024)
      was a protective factor for three MetS components. Body mass index >=24 kg/m(2)
      was the strongest risk factor for two MetS components (OR = 8.057, p < .001),
      three MetS components (OR = 11.287, p < .001), and >=four MetS components (OR =
      15.621, p < .001). Additionally, participants' age >40 (OR = 3.638, p = .012) was
      a risk factor for >=four MetS components. CONCLUSION: In this study, the
      prevalence of MetS was higher than that reported for patients utilizing community
      based services in Taiwan. The important risk factors for MetS were being
      overweight and older than 40. The protective factors for MetS were a high HPLP
      exercise score and leisure-based physical activities.

PMID- 27268517
TI  - Static headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the simultaneous
      determination of trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids in canned vegetables.
AB  - Canned vegetables appear to be a possible exposure pathway for hazardous
      disinfection by-products due to the use of sanitizers and treated water by the
      canning industry in the preparation of these foods. This work reports on two
      static headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods for the
      simultaneous determination of 10 trihalomethanes (THMs) and 13 haloacetic acids
      (HAAs) in both solid and liquid phases of the canned vegetables. Both methods
      carry out the whole process (including the leaching of target analytes from the
      vegetable), derivatization of HAAs and volatilization of THMs and HAA esters, in
      a single step within a static headspace unit. The methods proposed provide an
      efficient and simple tool for the determination of regulated disinfection by
      products in canned vegetables. Average limits of detection for THMs and HAAs were
      0.19 and 0.45MUg/kg, respectively, in the solid phase of canned vegetables, and
      0.05 and 0.09MUg/L, respectively, in the liquid phase. Satisfactory recoveries
      (90-99%) and precision, calculated as relative standard deviations (RSD<=10%),
      were obtained in both phases of canned vegetables. The methods proposed were
      applied for the analysis of frequently-used canned vegetables and confirmed the
      presence of up to 3 THMs and 5 HAAs at microgram per kilogram or liter levels in
      both phases of the samples. 

PMID- 27268518
TI  - An integrated platform for directly widely-targeted quantitative analysis of
      feces part I: Platform configuration and method validation.
AB  - Direct analysis is of great importance to understand the real chemical profile of
      a given sample, notably biological materials, because either chemical degradation
      or diverse errors and uncertainties might be resulted from sophisticated
      protocols. In comparison with biofluids, it is still challenging for direct
      analysis of solid biological samples using high performance liquid chromatography
      coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Herein, a new analytical
      platform was configured by online hyphenating pressurized liquid extraction
      (PLE), turbulent flow chromatography (TFC), and LC-MS/MS. A facile, but robust
      PLE module was constructed based on the phenomenon that noticeable back-pressure
      can be generated during rapid fluid passing through a narrow tube. TFC column
      that is advantageous at extracting low molecular analytes from rushing fluid was
      employed to link at the outlet of the PLE module to capture constituents-of
      interest. An electronic 6-port/2-position valve was introduced between TFC column
      and LC-MS/MS to fragment each measurement into extraction and elution phases,
      whereas LC-MS/MS took the charge of analyte separation and monitoring. As a proof
      of concept, simultaneous determination of 24 endogenous substances including
      eighteen steroids, five eicosanoids, and one porphyrin in feces was carried out
      in this paper. Method validation assays demonstrated the analytical platform to
      be qualified for directly simultaneous measurement of diverse endogenous analytes
      in fecal matrices. Application of this integrated platform on homolog-focused
      profiling of feces is discussed in a companion paper. 

PMID- 27268519
TI  - Rationale behind the optimum efficiency of columns packed with new 1.9MUm fully
      porous particles of narrow particle size distribution.
AB  - Columns packed with new commercially available 1.9 fully porous particles of
      narrow particle size distribution (nPSD) are characterized by extremely high
      efficiency. Under typical reversed phase conditions, these columns are able to
      generate very high number of theoretical plates (in the order of 300,000plates/m
      and more). In this paper, we investigate the origin of the high performance of
      these nPSD columns by performing a series of measurements that include, in
      addition to the traditional determination of the van Deemter curve, peak parking,
      pore blocking and inverse size exclusion experiments. Two nPSD columns (both
      100*3.0mm) have been considered in this study: the first one, packed with
      particles of 80A pore size, is commercially available. The second one is a
      prototype column packed with 1.9 fully porous particles of 120A pore size. The
      main conclusion of our study is that these nPSD columns are characterized by
      extremely low eddy dispersion, while longitudinal diffusion and mass transfer
      kinetics are substantially equivalent to those of other fully porous particles of
      similar chemistry. 

PMID- 27268520
TI  - Effect of the crosslinker type on the enantioseparation performance of beta
      cyclodextrin functionalized monoliths prepared by the one-pot approach.
AB  - Low column efficiency for enantioseparations in capillary liquid chromatography
      (CLC) is a major problem commonly encountered with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD)
      functionalized polymer-based monoliths. In order to investigate the effect of the
      crosslinker type on enantioseparation performance, three commonly used
      crosslinkers, i.e. 1,4-bis(acryloyl)piperazine (PDA), ethylene dimethacrylate
      (EDMA) and N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), were copolymerized using the one-pot
      approach with glycidyl methacrylate-mono-6-amino-6-deoxy-beta-CD (GMA-NH2-beta
      CD) as functional monomer. The three monolithic columns, including poly(GMA-NH2
      beta-CD-co-PDA) and poly(GMA-NH2-beta-CD-co-MBA), as well as the previously
      reported column poly(GMA-NH2-beta-CD-co-EDMA) were systematically compared with
      respect to morphology, permeability, beta-CD density, retention mechanism and
      efficiency. The enantioseparation ability of each column was evaluated using 14
      chiral compounds, including mandelic acid derivatives, profens, N-derivatized
      amino acids, and herbicides, as test substances. The beta-CD-functionalized
      monolith with MBA as crosslinker was found to exhibit higher polarity, higher
      column efficiency and better enantioseparation performance than those with PDA or
      EDMA as crosslinker.

PMID- 27268521
TI  - Liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry-based
      targeted metabolomic study for varietal discrimination of grapes according to
      plant sterols content.
AB  - Grapevine and derived products are rich in a wide range of compounds and its
      quality mainly depends on its metabolites, as a result of viticulture practices.
      Plant sterols, also called phytosterols (PS), are secondary metabolites regarded
      as bioactive substance present in grape berries and other plant-based food. The
      present study deals with a metabolomic approach focusing on phytosterols family
      in six varieties of Rioja grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Graciano,
      Garnacha, White Garnacha and Viura), in order to find significant differences
      among them. Liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry with a quadrupole-time of
      flight mass analyzer (LC-QTOF) was used to find as many metabolites as possible
      in the different grape berry fractions, and using statistics to help finding
      significant clustering of the metabolic profile of pulp, peel and seeds in
      relation to the variety. The best chromatographic and detection conditions were
      achieved by gas phase ionization via atmospheric pressure chemical ionization
      (APCI) in positive mode. Furthermore, analysis with electrospray (ESI) is also
      needed for phytosterol derivatives confirmation. Putative compounds of interest
      in the analyzed samples were found by an automated compound extraction algorithm
      (Molecular Feature Extraction, MFE) and an initial differential expression from
      the data was created with the aid of commercial software. Once the data were
      collected, the results were filtered, aligned and normalized, and evaluating
      applying one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a 95% significance level. For
      sample class prediction, partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) is
      used as a supervised pattern recognition method and excellent separation among
      the grape varieties is shown. An overall accuracy of 93.3% (pulp samples), 100.0%
      (peel) or 96.7% (seeds) in discriminating between grape varieties was achieved
      when comparing the different fractions. In general, 7 PS derivatives were
      identified with ID scores higher than 84%. 

PMID- 27268522
TI  - Versatile Route to Benzoannulated Medium-Ring Carbocycles via Aryne Insertion
      into Cyclic 1,3-Diketones: Application to a Synthesis of Radermachol.
AB  - A general approach involving the insertion of in situ generated aryne into the C
      C bond of cyclic 1,3-diketones for rapidly assembling functionalized benzo-fused
      medium ring carbocycles is delineated. The efficacy of the methodology has been
      demonstrated through a concise total synthesis of pentacyclic natural product
      radermachol.

PMID- 27268523
TI  - First-Principles Molecular Dynamics Studies of Organometallic Complexes and
      Homogeneous Catalytic Processes.
AB  - Computational chemistry is a valuable aid to complement experimental studies of
      organometallic systems and their reactivity. It allows probing mechanistic
      hypotheses and investigating molecular structures, shedding light on the behavior
      and properties of molecular assemblies at the atomic scale. When approaching a
      chemical problem, the computational chemist has to decide on the theoretical
      approach needed to describe electron/nuclear interactions and the composition of
      the model used to approximate the actual system. Both factors determine the
      reliability of the modeling study. The community dedicated much effort to
      developing and improving the performance and accuracy of theoretical approaches
      for electronic structure calculations, on which the description of (inter)atomic
      interactions rely. Here, the importance of the model system used in computational
      studies is highlighted through examples from our recent research focused on
      organometallic systems and homogeneous catalytic processes. We show how the
      inclusion of explicit solvent allows the characterization of molecular events
      that would otherwise not be accessible in reduced model systems (clusters). These
      include the stabilization of nascent charged fragments via microscopic solvation
      (notably, hydrogen bonding), transfer of charge (protons) between distant
      fragments mediated by solvent molecules, and solvent coordination to unsaturated
      metal centers. Furthermore, when weak interactions are involved, we show how
      conformational and solvation properties of organometallic complexes are also
      affected by the explicit inclusion of solvent molecules. Such extended model
      systems may be treated under periodic boundary conditions, thus removing the
      cluster/continuum (or vacuum) boundary, and require a statistical mechanics
      simulation technique to sample the accessible configurational space. First
      principles molecular dynamics, in which atomic forces are computed from
      electronic structure calculations (namely, density functional theory), is
      certainly the technique of choice to investigate chemical events in solution.
      This methodology is well established and thanks to advances in both algorithms
      and computational resources simulation times required for the modeling of
      chemical events are nowadays accessible, though the computational requirements
      use to be high. Specific applications reviewed here include mechanistic studies
      of the Shilov and Wacker processes, speciation in Pd chemistry, hydrogen bonding
      to metal centers, and the dynamics of agostic interactions.

PMID- 27268564
TI  - Efficacy of Inpatient Rehabilitation After Left Ventricular Assist Device
      Implantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become an increasingly
      popular and effective means for treating advanced heart failure. LVAD
      implantation requires extensive surgery and postoperative rehabilitation. The
      Functional Independence Measure (FIM) has been used to quantify functional gains
      in numerous patient populations, including those with stroke and spinal cord
      injury. This study investigated functional improvements in patients undergoing
      LVAD implantation using the FIM score. OBJECTIVE: To assess functional
      improvements in patients with advanced heart failure who underwent LVAD
      implantation. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation unit.
      SUBJECTS: Ninety consecutive patients who received acute inpatient rehabilitation
      after continuous flow LVAD implantation. METHODS: Demographic, laboratory, and
      functional outcomes data including inpatient rehabilitation unit (IRU) length of
      stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and FIM score were collected for all patients.
      Paired t-tests were used to assess change in functional measures and laboratory
      data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures included FIM gain, FIM
      efficiency, discharge disposition, rates of readmission after discharge from
      rehabilitation, and LOS in the rehabilitation unit. RESULTS: The FIM gain was
      statistically significant at 28.4 +/- 12.3 (P < .001) and compared favorably with
      benchmarks for mean FIM gains at our facility (26.4), regionally (21.5), and
      nationally (22.7) for patients admitted to IRUs with a cardiac diagnosis. FIM
      efficiency (FIM gain/IRU LOS) was 1.9 +/- 1.0 compared with the mean FIM
      efficiency at our facility (2.2), regionally (2.1), and nationally (2.2). Seventy
      four percent (n = 67) of patients were discharged directly home after inpatient
      rehabilitation, 17% (n = 16) were readmitted to the acute hospital service, and
      8% (n = 7) required additional rehabilitation at a subacute rehabilitation
      facility. The IRU LOS was 16.2 +/- 6.9 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates
      that most patients with an LVAD achieve clinically meaningful functional gains
      from acute inpatient rehabilitation, with the majority of patients being
      discharged home. Further studies need to be performed to analyze clinical
      outcomes after acute inpatient rehabilitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

PMID- 27268566
TI  - Do extraversion and neuroticism moderate the association between bullying
      victimization and internalizing symptoms? A three-wave longitudinal study.
AB  - The current study examined the moderating roles of neuroticism and extraversion
      in victims of bullying. According to a stress-diathesis model, we hypothesized
      that adolescents with high levels of neuroticism and low levels of extraversion
      would react to victimization with increased symptoms of depression and social
      anxiety. A sample of 1440 adolescents (648 girls and 792 boys; ages between 13-
      and 17-years-old) completed measures of extraversion and neuroticism at time 1,
      as well as measures of bullying victimization, depressive symptoms and social
      anxiety symptoms at time 1, time 2, and time 3 (in intervals of six months). The
      results of multilevel analyses for longitudinal data indicated that there was a
      weak association between bullying victimization and social anxiety symptoms for
      the adolescents who scored high on extraversion. In addition, the adolescents
      with high levels of extraversion presented a greater reduction in depressive
      symptoms over time than adolescents with low levels. Although neuroticism
      predicted both depression and social anxiety, no significant interactions were
      evident between neuroticism and bullying victimization. Regarding gender
      differences, the association between bullying victimization and social anxiety
      was stronger for boys than for girls, whereas the association between neuroticism
      and depression was stronger for girls.

PMID- 27268565
TI  - Falls and Fear of Falling After Stroke: A Case-Control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Falls are common after stroke, with potentially serious consequences.
      Few investigations have included age-matched control participants to directly
      compare fall characteristics between older adults with and without stroke.
      Further, fear of falling, a significant psychological consequence of falls, has
      only been examined to a limited degree as a risk factor for future falls in a
      stroke population. OBJECTIVE: To compare the fall history between older adults
      with and without a previous stroke and to identify the determinants of falls and
      fear of falling in older stroke survivors. DESIGN: Case-control observational
      study. SETTING: Primary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-five patients
      with stroke (mean age +/- standard deviation, 66 +/- 7 years) and 50 age-matched
      control participants with no previous stroke were tested. METHODS: Fall history,
      fear of falling, and physical, cognitive, and psychological function were
      assessed. A chi2 test was performed to compare characteristics between groups,
      and logistic regression was performed to determine the risk factors for falls and
      fear of falling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fall events in the past 12 months, Fall
      Efficacy Scale-International, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Ambulation Category,
      Fatigue Severity Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Patient Healthy
      Questionnaire-9 were measured for all participants. Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment
      was used to quantify severity of stroke motor impairments. RESULTS: Twenty-three
      patients and 13 control participants reported at least one fall in the past 12
      months (P = .58). Nine participants with stroke had recurrent falls (>=2 falls)
      compared with none of the control participants (P < .01). Participants with
      stroke reported greater concern for falling than did nonstroke control
      participants (P < .01). Female gender was associated with falls in the nonstroke
      group, whereas falls in the stroke group were not significantly associated with
      any measured outcomes. Fear of falling in the stroke group was associated with
      functional ambulation level and balance. Functional ambulation level alone
      explained 22% of variance in fear of falling in the stroke group. CONCLUSIONS:
      Compared with persons without a stroke, patients with stroke were significantly
      more likely to experience recurrent falls and fear of falling. Falls in patients
      with stroke were not explained by any of the outcome measures used, whereas fear
      of falling was predicted by functional ambulation level. This study has
      identified potentially modifiable risk factors with which to devise future
      prevention strategies for falls in patients with stroke. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

PMID- 27268567
TI  - Teacher-student relationships and adolescent behavioral engagement and rule
      breaking behavior: The moderating role of dopaminergic genes.
AB  - This study examined whether the dopamine transporter DAT1 and the dopamine
      receptor DRD4 genes moderate the effect of student-reported teacher-student
      relationship affiliation or dissatisfaction on parent-reported adolescent rule
      breaking behavior and behavioral engagement. The sample included 1053 adolescents
      (51% boys, Mage=13.79) from grades 7 to 9. Regression analyses were conducted
      using Mplus while controlling for multiple testing and nested data. Adolescents
      who experienced stronger affiliation with their teachers were more engaged in
      school, whereas greater dissatisfaction predicted more rule-breaking behavior. In
      addition, a significant gene-environment interaction was found for both genes
      examined. The link between low teacher-student affiliation and low engagement was
      more pronounced for DAT1-10R homozygotes. The link between high teacher-student
      dissatisfaction and more rule-breaking was stronger for DRD4 non-long carriers.
      Implications for understanding the role of teacher-student relationships in
      adolescence and suggestions for future research are outlined.

PMID- 27268568
TI  - Teleconsultation: The use of technology to improve evidence-based practices in
      rural communities.
AB  - Problem-solving consultation in schools has been found to be an effective method
      of service delivery to support teachers who are struggling to address student
      social-emotional behavioral (SEB) concerns. Despite its benefits, a number of
      barriers (e.g., lack of time and limited access to trained professionals)
      restrict the use of consultation within schools, especially in rural settings.
      The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of teleconsultation designed
      to improve behavior support to students living in rural communities. Both student
      outcomes and teacher perceptions were evaluated. Results indicated that (a)
      student disruptive behaviors improved through the implementation of an
      individualized behavior support plan developed through teleconsultation, and (b)
      teachers found the teleconsultation experience acceptable and feasible. As the
      demands placed on psychologists and the quality of videoconferencing continue to
      increase, teleconsultation is becoming a viable option for service delivery
      within rural school settings.

PMID- 27268569
TI  - Classroom quality as a predictor of first graders' time in non-instructional
      activities and literacy achievement.
AB  - This study investigated how quality of the classroom learning environment
      influenced first grade students' (n=533) time spent in two non-instructional
      classroom activities (off-task and in transition) and their subsequent literacy
      outcomes. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that higher classroom quality was
      related to higher student performance in reading comprehension and expressive
      vocabulary. Further, classroom quality predicted the amount of time students
      spent off-task and in transitions in the classroom, with slopes of change across
      the year particularly impacted. Mediation effects were detected in the case of
      expressive vocabulary such that the influence of classroom quality on students'
      achievement operated through students' time spent in these non-instructional
      activities. Results highlight the importance of overall classroom quality to how
      students navigate the classroom environment during learning opportunities, with
      subsequent literacy achievement impacted. Implications for policy and educational
      practices are discussed.

PMID- 27268570
TI  - Does psychotherapy work with school-aged youth? A meta-analytic examination of
      moderator variables that influence therapeutic outcomes.
AB  - The present study is a quantitative synthesis of the available literature to
      investigate the efficacy of psychotherapy for children's mental health outcomes.
      In particular, this study focuses on potential moderating variables-study design,
      treatment, client, and therapist characteristics-that may influence therapeutic
      outcomes for youth but have not been thoroughly accounted for in prior meta
      analytic studies. An electronic search of relevant databases resulted in 190
      unpublished and published studies that met criteria for inclusion in the
      analysis. Effect sizes differed by study design. Pre-post-test designs resulted
      in absolute magnitudes of treatment effects ranging from |-0.02| to |-0.76| while
      treatment versus control group comparison designs resulted in absolute magnitudes
      of treatment effects ranging from |-0.14| to |-2.39|. Changes in youth outcomes
      larger than 20% were found, irrespective of study design, for outcomes focused on
      psychosomatization (29% reduction), school attendance (25% increase), and stress
      (48% reduction). The magnitude of changes after psychotherapy ranged from 6%
      (externalizing problems) to 48% (stress). Several moderator variables
      significantly influenced psychotherapy treatment effect sizes, including
      frequency and length of treatment as well as treatment format. However, results
      did not support the superiority of a single type of intervention for most
      outcomes. Implications for therapy with school-aged youth and future research are
      discussed.

PMID- 27268571
TI  - Examining the effects of adult and peer mediated goal setting and feedback
      interventions for writing: Two studies.
AB  - The current study investigated the effects of goal setting and performance
      feedback on Curriculum Based Measurement in Written Expression (CBM-WE). This two
      study investigation examined the utility of the intervention using two different
      delivery mechanisms. In Study 1, fourth grade students (n=114) were provided both
      with (a) feedback from their teachers regarding their performance on CBM-WE
      probes and (b) new weekly goals or no feedback and goals, once a week for a ten
      week intervention period. Study 2 examined the effects of this intervention with
      a sample of fifth grade students (n=106) when feedback and individual goals were
      provided by peers within their classrooms twice weekly over the course of eight
      weeks compared to a practice only control condition. Results in both studies
      indicated that students receiving the goal setting and feedback intervention
      performed significantly higher on production-dependent writing indices post
      intervention than control groups (ES=.12-.28). Implications regarding the
      usefulness of goal setting and feedback utilizing CBM procedures are discussed.

PMID- 27268572
TI  - Programming generality into a performance feedback writing intervention: A
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - Substantial numbers of students in the United States are performing below grade
      level expectations in core academic areas, and these deficits are most pronounced
      in the area of writing. Although performance feedback procedures have been shown
      to produce promising short-term improvements in elementary-aged students' writing
      skills, evidence of maintenance and generalization of these intervention effects
      is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate, generalized,
      and sustained effects of incorporating multiple exemplar training into the
      performance feedback procedures of a writing intervention using a randomized
      controlled trial (RCT). Results indicated that although the addition of multiple
      exemplar training did not improve students' writing performance on measures of
      stimulus and response generalization, it did result in greater maintenance of
      intervention effects in comparison to students who received performance feedback
      without generality programming and students who engaged in weekly writing
      practice alone.

PMID- 27268573
TI  - The Single-Case Reporting guideline In BEhavioural interventions (SCRIBE) 2016
      statement.
AB  - We developed a reporting guideline to provide authors with guidance about what
      should be reported when writing a paper for publication in a scientific journal
      using a particular type of research design: the single-case experimental design.
      This report describes the methods used to develop the Single-Case Reporting
      guideline In BEhavioural interventions (SCRIBE) 2016. As a result of 2 online
      surveys and a 2-day meeting of experts, the SCRIBE 2016 checklist was developed,
      which is a set of 26 items that authors need to address when writing about single
      case research. This article complements the more detailed SCRIBE 2016 Explanation
      and Elaboration article (Tate et al., 2016) that provides a rationale for each of
      the items and examples of adequate reporting from the literature. Both these
      resources will assist authors to prepare reports of single-case research with
      clarity, completeness, accuracy, and transparency. They will also provide journal
      reviewers and editors with a practical checklist against which such reports may
      be critically evaluated. We recommend that the SCRIBE 2016 is used by authors
      preparing manuscripts describing single-case research for publication, as well as
      journal reviewers and editors who are evaluating such manuscripts. SCIENTIFIC
      ABSTRACT: Reporting guidelines, such as the Consolidated Standards of Reporting
      Trials (CONSORT) Statement, improve the reporting of research in the medical
      literature (Turner et al., 2012). Many such guidelines exist and the CONSORT
      Extension to Nonpharmacological Trials (Boutron et al., 2008) provides suitable
      guidance for reporting between-groups intervention studies in the behavioral
      sciences. The CONSORT Extension for N-of-1 Trials (CENT 2015) was developed for
      multiple crossover trials with single individuals in the medical sciences
      (Shamseer et al., 2015; Vohra et al., 2015), but there is no reporting guideline
      in the CONSORT tradition for single-case research used in the behavioral
      sciences. We developed the Single-Case Reporting guideline In BEhavioural
      interventions (SCRIBE) 2016 to meet this need. This Statement article describes
      the methodology of the development of the SCRIBE 2016, along with the outcome of
      2 Delphi surveys and a consensus meeting of experts. We present the resulting 26
      item SCRIBE 2016 checklist. The article complements the more detailed SCRIBE 2016
      Explanation and Elaboration article (Tate et al., 2016) that provides a rationale
      for each of the items and examples of adequate reporting from the literature.
      Both these resources will assist authors to prepare reports of single-case
      research with clarity, completeness, accuracy, and transparency. They will also
      provide journal reviewers and editors with a practical checklist against which
      such reports may be critically evaluated. Supplemental materials:
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/arc0000026.supp.

PMID- 27268574
TI  - The modulation of extracellular superoxide dismutase in the specifically enhanced
      cellular immune response against secondary challenge of Vibrio splendidus in
      Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas).
AB  - Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD) is a copper-containing glycoprotein
      playing an important role in antioxidant defense of living cells exposed to
      oxidative stress, and also participating in microorganism internalization and
      cell adhesion in invertebrates. EcSOD from oyster (designated CgEcSOD) had been
      previously reported to bind lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and act as a bridge
      molecule in Vibrio splendidus internalization. Its mRNA expression pattern, PAMP
      binding spectrum and microorganism binding capability were examined in the
      present study. The mRNA expression of CgEcSOD in hemocytes was significantly up
      regulated at the initial phase and decreased sharply at 48 h post V. splendidus
      stimulation. The recombinant CgEcSOD protein (rCgEcSOD) could bind LPS, PGN and
      poly (I:C), as well as various microorganisms including Micrococcus luteus,
      Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Vibrio anguillarum, V. splendidus,
      Pastoris pastoris and Yarrowia lipolytica at the presence of divalent metal ions
      Cu(2+). After the secondary V. splendidus stimulation, the mRNA and protein of
      CgEcSOD were both down-regulated significantly. The results collectively
      indicated that CgEcSOD could not only function in the immune recognition, but
      also might contribute to the immune priming of oyster by inhibiting the foreign
      microbe invasion through a specific down-regulation.

PMID- 27268575
TI  - The systematic regulation of oyster CgIL17-1 and CgIL17-5 in response to air
      exposure.
AB  - As a proinflammatory cytokine, vertebrate interleukin 17 (IL17) plays a vital
      role in the balance of inflammation and homeostasis, and is involved in a
      systemic regulation of glucose homeostasis. In the present study, a remarkable
      increase of glucose concentration was observed in oyster serum after 2 d air
      exposure, which was followed by a rapid up-regulation of CgIL17-1 and CgIL17-5.
      After oysters was received an injection of extra glucose, the mRNA expressions of
      CgIL17-1 and CgIL17-5 were also significantly up-regulated. The histopathological
      changes of hepatopancreas were observed after the oysters were treated by the
      recombinant proteins of CgIL17-1 and CgIL17-5 in vivo or subjected to air
      exposure. A significant decrease of GSK3beta (Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta)
      protein was also observed after the injection of CgIL17-1 and CgIL17-5
      recombinant proteins in vivo. When the oysters with CgIL17-1 and CgIL17-5 genes
      knocked down were subjected to air exposure, the decline of GSK3beta
      concentration was slowed down and it could still be obviously detected after 7 d
      compared with that in the control. Meanwhile, the expression of CgDefensin and
      CgDFFA was inhibited, while CgIAP was up-regulated when CgIL17-1 and CgIL17-5
      genes were knocked down, and the oysters exhibited higher mortality (p < 0.05) at
      3 d, whereas lower at the late stage of air exposure compared with that in the
      controls. The results collectively suggested that once oysters were exposed to
      air, the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines CgIL17-1 and CgIL17-5 was induced
      by the up-regulated glucose concentration in oyster serum, which would be not
      only a negative feedback to the high glucose concentration through mediating the
      regulation of GSK3beta, but also an inducer on tissue damage and immunocompetence
      as well as the adaptability to stresses.

PMID- 27268576
TI  - The medial forebrain bundle as a target for deep brain stimulation for obsessive
      compulsive disorder.
AB  - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising putative modality for the treatment
      of refractory psychiatric disorders such as major depression and obsessive
      compulsive disorder (OCD). Several targets have been posited; however, a clear
      consensus on differential efficacy and possible modes of action remain unclear.
      DBS to the supero-lateral branch of the medial forebrain bundle (slMFB) has
      recently been introduced for major depression (MD). Due to our experience with
      slMFB stimulation for MD, and because OCD might be related to similar
      dysfunctions of the reward system, treatment with slMFB DBS seams meaningful.
      Here we describe our first 2 cases together with a hypothetical mode of action.
      We describe diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) fiber tractographically (FT)-assisted
      implantation of the bilateral DBS systems in 2 male patients. In a selected
      literature overview, we discuss the possible mode of action. Both patients were
      successfully implanted and stimulated. The follow-up time was 12 months. One
      patient showed a significant response (Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale
      [YBOCS] reduction by 35%); the other patient reached remission criteria 3 months
      after surgery (YBOCS<14) and showed mild OCD just above the remission criterion
      at 12 months follow-up. While the hypermetabolism theory for OCD involves the
      cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) network, we think that there is clinical
      evidence that the reward system plays a crucial role. Our findings suggest an
      important role of this network in mechanisms of disease development and recovery.
      In this uncontrolled case series, continuous bilateral DBS to the slMFB led to
      clinically significant improvements of ratings of OCD severity. Ongoing research
      focuses on the role of the reward system in OCD, and its yet-underestimated role
      in this underlying neurobiology of the disease.

PMID- 27268589
TI  - Quantification of the indirect effects of scallop dredge fisheries on a brown
      crab fishery.
AB  - This study aimed to describe the characteristics of the by-catch of Cancer
      pagurus in king scallop dredges in the Isle of Man, and to determine the damage,
      immediate mortality and estimated mortality during fishing seasons associated
      with scallop dredges. Based on dredge surveys, spatial and seasonal variations
      were observed, with the highest number of crabs found off the west coast of the
      Isle of Man in the autumn when berried females crabs were most frequently caught.
      In general, female crabs comprised 84% of the catch. The damage levels of crabs
      was high with 45% of crabs recorded as crushed or dead or with severe damage,
      whilst 24% of crabs exhibited missing limbs. Estimates of the potential mortality
      associated with scallop dredging led to a lower and upper estimate of possible
      crab by-catch mortality of 15t and 24t respectively which represented 3.0-4.8% of
      the commercial landings of brown crab for the Isle of Man. Heaviest mortalities
      of crabs occurred in autumn to the west of the Isle of Man when female berried
      crabs move offshore into deeper water. The use of a temporary and spatially
      restricted scallop dredging closure could provide a simple solution to mitigate
      additional crab mortality in the event that scallop dredging increased beyond
      current levels in the future. 

PMID- 27268590
TI  - Dogs Identify Agents in Third-Party Interactions on the Basis of the Observed
      Degree of Contingency.
AB  - To investigate whether dogs could recognize contingent reactivity as a marker of
      agents' interaction, we performed an experiment in which dogs were presented with
      third-party contingent events. In the perfect-contingency condition, dogs were
      shown an unfamiliar self-propelled agent (SPA) that performed actions
      corresponding to audio clips of verbal commands played by a computer. In the high
      but-imperfect-contingency condition, the SPA responded to the verbal commands on
      only two thirds of the trials; in the low-contingency condition, the SPA
      responded to the commands on only one third of the trials. In the test phase, the
      SPA approached one of two tennis balls, and then the dog was allowed to choose
      one of the balls. The proportion of trials on which a dog chose the object
      indicated by the SPA increased with the degree of contingency: Dogs chose the
      target object significantly above chance level only in the perfect-contingency
      condition. This finding suggests that dogs may use the degree of temporal
      contingency observed in third-party interactions as a cue to identify agents.

PMID- 27268591
TI  - Efficacy, safety, and dose adjustment of cyclophosphamide in lymphoma patients
      requiring hemodialysis.

PMID- 27268592
TI  - Bacteremia due to ESKAPE pathogens: An emerging problem in cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: In recent years, a few of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria,
      known as ESKAPE pathogens, have been found responsible for serious infections. We
      investigated the risk factors, and impact of ESKAPE pathogens on course of blood
      stream infections (BSIs) in cancer patients in comparison to coagulase negative
      Staphylococci (CoNS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of patients with ESKAPE
      positive blood cultures at National Cancer Institute, Cairo University were
      analyzed. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates were done
      using Microscan Walk Away 96. RESULTS: In a 6month period, ESKAPE pathogens were
      isolated from non-duplicate blood cultures in 81 episodes of 72 cases of
      pediatric cancer patients, while CoNS were isolated from 135 blood cultures of
      116 patients. The ESKAPE pathogens isolated were Enterobacter spp., methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter
      baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococci in 12%, 23%, 37%, 10%, 9%, and
      9% of episodes, respectively. Health-care acquired infections constituted 75% of
      ESKAPE infections. Duration of episodes and overall mortality were significantly
      higher in ESKAPE BSIs when compared to CoNS (14.5+/-7.6 versus 09.9+/-6.9), and
      (26% versus 4%); respectively, p value <0.001. CONCLUSIONS: ESKAPE pathogens were
      significantly associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality indicating
      the need for improving the means of prevention of these types of infections
      within health care premises. Microbiology laboratories have a role in defining
      more dangerous infections and rapid diagnostics are required in the era of
      resistance.

PMID- 27268593
TI  - New Insights into the Mycolate-Containing Compound Biosynthesis and Transport in
      Mycobacteria.
AB  - Mycolic acids are extremely-long-chain fatty acids that compose a large family of
      mycolate-containing compounds, major envelope lipid components and critical
      pathogenicity factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In recent years there have
      been major advances in understanding their metabolic pathway. Unknown enzymes of
      the fatty acid synthase type II elongation system and the condensation system
      that builds the mycolic acid scaffold were identified. Missing links with the
      mycolate-containing compound biosynthesis-such as the mechanisms of transfer onto
      trehalose and of translocation through the inner membrane-were deciphered, while
      recycling processes have emerged. Beyond the more accurate picture of the
      biosynthesis and translocation pathways dedicated to these unique molecules,
      major issues that should be addressed in the future are also discussed.

PMID- 27268594
TI  - Navigating Identities: Subtle and Public Agency of Bicultural Gay Youth.
AB  - Young people who discover their sexual attraction to people of the same sex often
      go through a period of ambivalence or distress, especially when they grow up in
      an environment that condemns homosexuality. The Dutch sociopolitical context
      makes the expression of same-sex desires among those with non-Dutch roots even
      more complicated and risky, as prevailing schemes of interpretation render the
      two identities incompatible. This study explores the expressions of same-sex
      desires and identities as well as the different forms of agency of bicultural gay
      youth. In-depth interviews with 14 young adults reveal how young people negotiate
      bicultural identities in Dutch society that brings to the fore complexities in
      managing diverse sexual identities and strong religious and cultural affiliations
      in tandem. Their strategies have the effect of questioning dominant discourses
      and transcend the oppositional dichotomy between sexual and ethnic forms of
      sociocultural otherness.

PMID- 27268595
TI  - Endotoxin in Size-Separated Metal Working Fluid Aerosol Particles.
AB  - Patients with airway symptoms working in metal working industries are increasing,
      despite efforts to improve the environmental air surrounding the machines. Our
      aim was to analyse the amount of endotoxin in size-separated airborne particles
      of metal working fluid (MWF) aerosol, by using the personal sampler Sioutas
      cascade impactor, to compare filter types, and to compare the concentration of
      airborne endotoxin to that of the corresponding MWFs. In a pilot field study,
      aerosols were collected in two separate machine halls on totally 10 occasions,
      using glass fibre and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters in parallel at each
      station. Airborne endotoxin was distributed over all size fractions. While a
      major part was found in the largest size fraction (72%, 2.5-10 um), up to 8% of
      the airborne endotoxin was detected in the smallest size fraction (<0.25 um).
      Comparing the efficiency of the filter types, a significantly higher median
      endotoxin level was found with glass fibres filters collecting the largest
      particle-size fraction (1.2-fold) and with PTFE filters collecting the smallest
      ones (5-fold). The levels of endotoxin in the size-separated airborne particle
      fractions correlated to those of the MWFs supporting the aerosol-generating
      machines. Our study indicates that a significant part of inhalable aerosols of
      MWFs consists of endotoxin-containing particles below the size of intact
      bacteria, and thus small enough to readily reach the deepest part of the lung.
      Combined with other chemical irritants of the MWF, exposure to MWF aerosols
      containing endotoxin pose a risk to respiratory health problems. 

PMID- 27268596
TI  - Possible APJCP Loss of PubMed/MEDLINE Listing.

PMID- 27268597
TI  - Thailand Consensus on Helicobacter pylori Treatment 2015.
AB  - Management of Helicobacter pylori infection is an important aspect of many upper
      gastrointestinal tract diseases, such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease,
      gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. The
      Thailand Consensus on H. pylori treatment 2015 consisted of 22 national experts
      who took active roles, discussed all important clinical information and
      investigated clinical aspects in four workshops, focuising on: (1) Diagnosis (2)
      Treatment (3) Follow-up after eradication and (4) H. pylori infection and special
      conditions. Experts were invited to participate on the basis of their expertise
      and contribution to H. pylori works and/or consensus methodology. The results of
      each workshop were taken to a final consensus vote by all experts.
      Recommendations were developed from the best evidence and availability to guide
      clinicians in management of this specific infection associated with variety of
      clinical outcomes. 

PMID- 27268598
TI  - Endoscopic Ultrasound Staging of Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancies.
AB  - Since 1980, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been used as an important tool for
      the evaluation of malignant diseases in hollow viscus and bilio-pancreas, as well
      as sub-epithelial tumors. The high-resolution capacity and low penetration depth
      of EUS make it possible to obtain highly detailed images of the gastrointestinal
      wall and immediate surroundings to a depth of 4-5 cm. Thus, over the past 35
      years, EUS succeeded to modify management in significant number of cases and is
      now considered a gold standard tool for many gastrointestinal diseases,
      especially in the pancreatico-biliary tract, and adjuvant needle insertion now
      allows access to remote lesions that were difficult to reach in the past. With
      the growing spectrum of indications, tissue sampling for diagnostic purposes has
      become common. In this review, we aim to highlight the expanding spectrum of EUS
      indications and uses in staging of upper gastrointestinal malignancies,
      especially esophageal, gastric and ampullary tumors. 

PMID- 27268599
TI  - Prognostic Scores for Predicting Recurrence in Patients with Differentiated
      Thyroid Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is a cancer group that shares
      molecular and cellular origin but shows different clinical courses and prognoses.
      Several prognostic factors have been reported for predicting recurrence for
      individual patients. This literature review aimed to evaluate prognostic scores
      for predicting recurrence of DTC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of the MEDLINE
      database for articles published until December 2015 was carried out using the
      terms "thyroid neoplasms AND (recurrent OR persistent) AND (score OR model OR
      nomogram) ". Studies were eligible for review if they indicated the development
      of prognostic scoring models, derived from a group of independent prognostic
      factors, in predicting disease recurrence in DTC patients. RESULTS: Of the 308
      articles obtained, five were eligible for evaluation. Two scoring models were
      developed for DTC including both papillary and follicular carcinoma, one for
      papillary carcinoma, and the other two for papillary microcarcinoma. The number
      of patients included in the score development cohort ranged from 59 to 1,669. The
      number of evaluated potential prognostic factors ranged from 4 to 25. Tumor
      related factors were the most common factors included in the final scores, with
      cervical lymph node metastases being the most common. Only two studies showed
      internal validation of the derived score. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of
      prognostic scores for predicting disease recurrence in patients with DTC, in
      particular for follicular thyroid carcinoma. Several limitations of the created
      scores were found. Performance of the scores has not been adequately studied.
      Comprehensive validation in multiple cohorts is recommended before widespread
      use.

PMID- 27268600
TI  - Call for a Computer-Aided Cancer Detection and Classification Research Initiative
      in Oman.
AB  - Cancer is a major health problem in Oman. It is reported that cancer incidence in
      Oman is the second highest after Saudi Arabia among Gulf Cooperation Council
      countries. Based on GLOBOCAN estimates, Oman is predicted to face an almost two
      fold increase in cancer incidence in the period 2008-2020. However, cancer
      research in Oman is still in its infancy. This is due to the fact that medical
      institutions and infrastructure that play central roles in data collection and
      analysis are relatively new developments in Oman. We believe the country requires
      an organized plan and efforts to promote local cancer research. In this paper, we
      discuss current research progress in cancer diagnosis using machine learning
      techniques to optimize computer aided cancer detection and classification (CAD).
      We specifically discuss CAD using two major medical data, i.e., medical imaging
      and microarray gene expression profiling, because medical imaging like
      mammography, MRI, and PET have been widely used in Oman for assisting
      radiologists in early cancer diagnosis and microarray data have been proven to be
      a reliable source for differential diagnosis. We also discuss future cancer
      research directions and benefits to Oman economy for entering the cancer research
      and treatment business as it is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. 

PMID- 27268601
TI  - RECK Gene Promoter rs10814325 Polymorphism in Egyptian Patients with
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Top of Chronic Hepatitis C Viral Infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The reversion-inducing-cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK)
      gene is a novel transformation suppressor gene that was linked to several
      malignancies. OBJECTIVE: To analyze any association between RECK gene rs10814325
      single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and HCC susceptibility along with it is
      association wiht various clinico-pathological and laboratory data. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: RECK gene rs10814325 SNP was estimated, using real-time PCR technique,
      in 30 HCC patients on top of chronic HCV infection, 30 HCV related cirrhotic
      patients and 30 healthy controls. RESULTS: No special pattern of association
      could be detected on comparing the RECK gene rs10814325 genotypes(P=0.5), or
      alleles(P=0.49) among the studied groups. HCC patients with TT genotype had
      younger age (mean of 54.1+/-6.0 years vs 60.6+/-10.2 years for TC/CC genotypes,
      P=0.035). Abdominal distension was significantly greater in TT genotype patients
      (75% vs 30% of TC/CC genotypes, P=0.045). TT genotype was present in 75% of
      patients with lymph node metastasis. Serum GGT levels were higher in TT genotype
      patients [80 of (48.5-134.8) vs 40 IU/l (33-87.5) for TC/CCgenotypes], and lower
      limb edema was observed in 60% of TT vs 20% of TC/CCgenotypes, however, both just
      failed to reach significance (P=0.05 and P=0.06, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RECK
      gene rs10814325 T>C could not be considered a risk factor for HCC development on
      top of HCV, but may be related to the disease progression and metastasis.

PMID- 27268602
TI  - Significance of Some Proliferation Markers and Some Prognostic Factors in
      Patients with Multiple Myeloma and their Impact on the Patients' Survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is influenced by genetic and micro
      environmental changes. Malignant plasma cells produce an abnormal monoclonal
      immunoglobulin, as well as cytokines, such as IL-10 and IL-6 which stimulate
      cells of the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) and cause dysfunction and failure
      of many organs. B cell activating factor (BAFF), IL6, IL10 are known to influence
      the growth and survival of the malignant clone. AIM: The objectives of the
      present study were to investigate the circulating levels of BAFF , IL-10 and IL-6
      , correlate them with well-known parameters of disease activity in patients with
      MM, and to detect their impact on the patients' survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      This study was conducted on 89 newly diagnosed MM patients and seventy apparently
      healthy volunteers as a normal control group. BAFF, IL6, IL10 were measured by
      ELISA for both groups. Survival analysis was performed for all patients. RESULTS:
      Studied markers were higher in the MM patients compared to the normal control
      subjects. Patients' survival was improved by high serum BAFF levels. CONCLUSIONS:
      High levels of BAFF were found to improve patients' survival. BAFF and IL-6 can
      be considered probable diagnostic markers for MM.

PMID- 27268603
TI  - Interleukin-6-174 Promoter Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Hepatitis B Virus
      Infection as a Risk Factor for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). Cytokines play an important role in the regulation of immune
      responses and defense against viral infections. Human interleukin 6 (IL6) is a
      multifunctional cytokine that participates in these processes. OBJECTIVE: The aim
      of this study was to assess the IL6-174 gene polymorphism in patients with
      chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as compared with healthy controls in an
      Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totals of 297 HBV patients and 368
      control individuals were evaluated. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral
      blood and the SSP-PCR (sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction) method
      was applied for genotyping. RESULTS: The frequencies of genotypes C/C, G/G and
      C/G in HBV cases were 4.7%, 34.3%, 60.9% and in controls were 12.8%, 39.7% and
      47.6%, respectively. The frequencies of G and C allele in patients and controls
      were 78.1%, 21.9% and 67.4%, 32.6 % respectively. There was a significant
      difference in the frequencies of G/G genotype (CI=1.8-7.1, OR=3.47, P=0.00001)
      and G allele (CI=1.34-2.23, OR=1.72, P=0.0001) between HBV patients and the
      control group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the IL6-174 C/G genotype
      and the G allele are strongly associated with susceptibility to HBV infection.
      Demographic information showed that most of the subjects were male (74.4%).
      According to high frequency of G/G genotype in male participants (63.1%) men
      probably are more susceptible to hepatitis than women.

PMID- 27268604
TI  - Diverticular Disease and Colorectal Neoplasms: Association between Left Sided
      Diverticular Disease with Colorectal Cancers and Right Sided with Colonic Polyps.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both colorectal cancer (CRC) and diverticular disease (DD) are common
      in the affluent West, and their prevalence is also increasing in the rest of the
      world with economic development. Both diseases have common epidemiologic
      characteristics; increasing incidence, more common with advancing age and related
      to specific dietary changes. However, studies of associations between the two
      have generated mixed results with some showing positive correlations, whilst
      others have shown no or negative links. Most of these studies have been from the
      West with study populations that were predominantly Caucasians. Here the focus
      was on DD and colorectal neoplasms, including CRC, in Brunei. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: All patients who had undergone complete colonoscopy between 2011 and
      2014 were identified and retrospectively reviewed. Patients under the age of 18
      years old or had previous colonic surgeries (including previous CRC resection)
      were excluded. RESULTS: The total number of colonoscopies included in the study
      was 2,766 (mean age 53.2+/-14.8 years old, male 51.8%), of which DD, CRC and
      colonic polyps were detected in 17.3%, 4.7% and 28.2% respectively. The
      proportions of DD, polyps and CRC increased proportionally with age (<30 years,
      30-49, 50-69 and >=70). Overall, there was no association between the presence of
      DD and CRC (3.6% vs. 5.0%, p=0.179) but there was a significant association
      between CRC and left sided DD (p=0.034 by trend). There were also a significant
      association between presence of DD and polyps (36.1% vs. 28.2%, p=0.001), in
      particular with right-sided and pan-DD (p=0.001 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study showed that the prevalence of DD, CRC and polyps increases with age. There
      were significant associations between presence of left-sided DD with CRC and
      right-sided or pan-DD with colonic polyps. This suggests shared risk factors.
      Further studies are required to assess links in other countries of the Asian
      Pacific region.

PMID- 27268605
TI  - Virological Response to Conventional Interferon Therapy Combined with Ribavirin
      against Various HCV Genotypes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Response to antiviral therapy has been linked to different genotypes
      and this impacts on clinical management. Data on general responses to standard
      interferon (IFN) against HCV infection exists but little is known regarding HCV
      genotype specific responses. PURPOSE: Therefore, we attempted to determine
      genotype specific responses of chronic HCV patients, having different HCV
      genotypes, to standard IFN and ribavirin combination therapy administered for a
      period of six months in Kybher Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: HCV genotype was determined for all serum samples. Each patient received
      standard IFN combination therapy with ribavirin administered at dose of 3 MIU
      three times a week and 800-1200 mg/ day, respectively, for a period of six
      months. After completion of this therapy, PCR was performed for all course
      completed subjects. RESULTS: Out of total 51 selected patients the most abundant
      genotypes were 3a (49.0%) and 1a (21.6%) followed by 3b (9.8%), 1b (7.84%), 2a
      (7.84%) and untypable (3.94%). Moast responsive genotypes were 2a followed by 3a,
      with end of treatment responses of 77.7%, and 72.2%. Responses for 3b, 1b and
      untypable were 66.7%, 33.3% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IFN response is
      efficient in case of 2a and 3a genotypes while in case of untypable genotypes,
      further categorization is required to know about genomic sequences and to adopt
      some new regimes against these genotypes.

PMID- 27268606
TI  - Incidence of High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in Patients with
      Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance Papanicolaou Smears at
      Naresuan University Hospital.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial
      neoplasia (CIN2-3) among patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined
      significance (ASC-US) Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One
      hundred and eighty-seven patients with ASC-US Pap smears who underwent colposcopy
      with histological study were enrolled between September 2007 and August 2015.
      Patient factors (including age, parity, current pills used, HIV status, age at
      first sexual intercourse and number of sexual partners) were obtained. Logistic
      regression analysis was used to evaluate clinical factors associated with CIN2-3.
      RESULTS: CIN was diagnosed in 92 of 187 women (49.2%). Sixty-one of these (32.6%)
      had CIN1 and 31 (16.6%) had CIN2-3. There was no woman who had invasive cancer.
      There was no correlation of high-grade CIN with factors in this study including
      age, parity, current pills used, HIV status, age at first sexual intercourse and
      number of sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study showed no invasive
      cervical cancer was found in patients with ASC-US. There was no patient factor
      associated with high grade intraepithelial neoplasia in patients with ASC-US Pap
      smears.

PMID- 27268607
TI  - Lack of Association between the CDH1 -160C>A Polymorphism and Risk of
      Gastrointestinal Cancer - a Meta-Analysis.
AB  - E-cadherin (CDH1) genetic variations alter gene transcriptional activity of
      epithelial cells in vitro and may cause susceptibility to various cancers.
      Associations of CDH1 -160C>A polymorphism with various cancers have been widely
      reported. However, the results are controversial and inconsistent. To derive a
      more accurate estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed with
      regard to gastrointestinal (GI) cancer risk. Eligible studies were identified
      through a search of PubMed database until December 2015. Associations between the
      CDH1 -160C>A polymorphism and GI cancer risk was considered by odds ratios (ORs)
      together with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 31 studies
      including 11,606 cases and 12,655 controls were involved in this meta-analysis.
      Overall, this meta-analysis showed no association between CDH1 -160C>A
      polymorphism and GI cancer risk (A vs. C: OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.98-1.18, P =
      0.086;CA vs. CC: OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 0.97- 1.22, P = 0.118; AA vs. CC: OR = 1.10,
      95%CI = 0.89-1.35, P = 0.356; AA vs. CC + CA: OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.96-1.18, P =
      0.207; CA+AA vs. CC: OR = 1.01, 95%CI = 0.84-1.22, P = 0.89). In subgroup
      analysis, similar results were found. In conclusion, this meta-analysis has
      demonstrated that there is a lack of association of the CDH1-160C>A polymorphism
      with GI cancer susceptibility. 

PMID- 27268608
TI  - Detection of Epstein-Barr Virus and Cytomegalovirus in Gastric Cancers in Kerman,
      Iran.
AB  - Gastric cancer (GC) is a multifactorial disease with different factors having
      roles in its genesis. Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are known
      infectious agents that could contribute. In addition, there is evidence of a
      relationship with cytomegalovirus (CMV). Since data on CMV prevalence in gastric
      cancer are limited, we here evaluated the frequency of EBV and CMV in Iranian
      patients. Ninety paraffin blocks of GC tissues from patients in Kerman were
      evaluated for the presence of EBV and CMV genomes by real-time polymerase chain
      reaction. EBV was detected in 10 cases (11.1%) and CMV in seven. One out of 17
      female patients (5.88%) and nine out of 73 male patients (12.3%) were positive
      for EBV, while one out of 17 female patients (5.88%) and six out of 73 male
      patients (8.22%) were positive for CMV. The mean age for EBV-positive patients
      was 60.5+/-14.9 years and the mean age for CMV-positive patients was 67.9+/
      12.3years. This study shows that the frequency of EBV-associated GC is high in
      Kerman. It also indicates that further studies of associations between GC and CMV
      are warranted, covering larger samples and populations from different areas of
      the world. 

PMID- 27268609
TI  - Increased Serum Endoglin and Transforming Growth Factor beta1 mRNA Expression and
      Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Egyptian Patients.
AB  - Transforming growth factor-B1 (TGF-beta1 )and its coreceptor endoglin (ENG) have
      been shown to contribute to hepatocellular tumor development and malignant
      progression. Our aim was to evaluate the serum expression levels of ENG/ TGF
      beta1 mRNAs and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic Egyptian patients.
      Our study included 77 subjects. Real time polymerase chain reaction was used to
      evaluate the expression level of ENG and TGF-beta1mRNAs. The relative expression
      ratio of ENG mRNA was 0.82 (0.1 -3.2), 0.66 (0.15-5.3), 0.38(0.007-2.8) and 0.12
      (0.00-0.22) and the relative expression ratio of TGF-beta1mRNA was 1.4 (0.19 
      6.2), 1.2 (0.22-4.3), 1.0 (0.15-4.4) and 0.6 (0.00-2.2) for cirrhotic HCC
      cirrhotic, HCC only and healthy control groups respectively. Increased ENG and
      TGF-beta1 mRNA gene expression was correlated with TNM clinical stage. The
      expression ratio in TNM stage III-IV 1.1 (0.07-3.2), 1.55 (0.15-6.2) was
      statistically significantly higher than that in stage I-II 0.47 (0.007-2.8), 1.0
      (0.31-4.4) (<0.05). Our data suggested that increased ENG and TGF-beta1 gene
      expression may participate in hepatocarcinogenesis and increased risk of HCC in
      individuals with cirrhosis. Early screening for evidence of cirrhosis and
      consideration of ENG and TGF-beta1 as targets for therapy and treatment
      strategies are warranted. 

PMID- 27268610
TI  - Lack of Association between the MiR146a Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Thai
      Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MiRNAs, small non coding RNAs, play a role in the regulation of
      hematopoiesis, with effects on cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. In
      addition, MiRNAs are thought to play an important role in tumorigenesis. The
      miR146a G>C polymorphism can lead to alteration of miR146 expression, which
      appears to be associated with development and progression of several cancers.
      This study aimed to investigate the association of the miRNA146a (rs2910164) G>C
      polymorphism and susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
      and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totals of 100 childhood ALL
      patients and 200 healthy children were studied for miR146a polymorphisms using
      polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
      RESULTS: The frequency of the miR146a G allele in controls was 0.40 compared with
      0.38 in ALL patients. There was no association between miRNA146a (rs2910164) G>C
      polymorphism and susceptibility to childhood ALL (OR=1.484, 95%CI=0.712-3.093,
      p=0.290). Moreover, the frequencies of miR146a (rs2910164) G>C polymorphism were
      not associated with demographic data and clinical outcomes in ALL cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: The miRNA146a polymorphism was not significantly associated with
      susceptibility to Thai childhood ALL or any clinico-pathological variables.

PMID- 27268611
TI  - Clinico-Epidemiologic Patterns of Laryngeal Cancer: 5-year Results from a
      Regional Cancer Centre in Northeastern India.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the risk factors, clinical symptoms and patterns of spread
      in laryngeal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried
      out in the Regional Cancer Centre, Imphal, Manipur, India. One hundred and
      sixteen patients with laryngeal cancer were retrospectively reviewed for
      epidemiological data and descriptive statistics were reported for various
      variables. RESULTS: Median age at presentation was 65 years and 32.8% were
      undernourished at presentation. The male to female ratio was 5.4:1. Heavy smoking
      and tobacco chewing was associated in 91.4% and 33.6% of patients respectively.
      Tracheostomy was required in 21.5% leading to diagnosis of laryngeal cancer.
      Almost all were squamous cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine and verrucous
      carcinoma accounting for less than 2%. Supraglottic, glottic and trans-glottic
      tumors were 56.9%, 36.3% and 6.9% respectively. Nodal metastases were seen in
      81.8% of supraglottic cancers and 31.6% of glottic cancers with supraglottic
      involvement. Level II neck nodes were the commonest site followed by level III.
      Distant metastases (only liver) were apparent in 1.7% at presentation. Including
      these liver metastases, unresectable cases were limited to 6% of the patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco use is implicated in almost all of the cases and the sex
      ratio has also decreased due to increased female smokers. The supraglottis
      remains the commonest site and incidence of nodal metastases is higher than in
      other countries. There is also a higher requirement for tracheostomy at
      presentation in this region.

PMID- 27268612
TI  - Knowledge and Attitudes of Bangkok Metropolitan Women towards HPV and Self
      Sampled HPV Testing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate knowledge of Bangkok women regarding HPV and self-sampled
      HPV testing, and their attitudes towards testing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thai
      women who had lived in Bangkok for more than 5 years, aged 25-to-65 years old,
      were invited to join the study. Participating women were asked to a complete self
      questionnaire (Thai language), with literate assistance as needed. The
      questionnaire was divided into 3 parts: (I) demographic data, (II) knowledge and
      (III) attitudes towards self-sampled HPV testing. Before proceeding to Part III
      of the questionnaire, a 15-minute educational video of self-sampled HPV testing
      was presented to all participants. RESULTS: Among 2,810 women who answered the
      questionnaires, 33.7% reported that they did not know about HPV. The
      characteristic features of these women were older age (>50 years), lower income
      (<600 USD/month), unemployed status, and non-attendees at cervical cancer
      screening. Only small numbers of women (4.6%) responded that they had heard about
      self-sampled HPV testing. After having information, 59.6% would not use the self
      sampled HPV testing as a method of cervical cancer screening (non-acceptance).
      Factors significantly associated with the non-acceptance were older age, lower
      income, having no knowledge about HPV or self-collected HPV testing, a perception
      that the testing was unreliable and a concern that they might not be able to
      perform it correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half and almost all Bangkok women did
      not know about HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, respectively. Approximately 60%
      of Bangkok women refused to do the self-sampled HPV testing. Significant negative
      attitudes were concerns that the testing would be unreliable and a lack of
      confidence to perform the procedure correctly. Education about HPV and self
      sampled HPV testing, ease of the procedure, or the testing models may increase
      rate of acceptability or positive attitudes.

PMID- 27268613
TI  - Targeting HSP90 Gene Expression with 17-DMAG Nanoparticles in Breast Cancer
      Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of HSP90 gene expression is known to take place in
      breast cancer. Here we used D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid-polyethylene glycol-17
      dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxy geldanamycin (PLGA-PEG-17DMAG) complexes and
      free 17-DMAG to inhibit the expression of HSP90 gene in the T47D breast cancer
      cell line. The purpose was to determine whether nanoencapsulating 17DMAG improves
      the anti-cancer effects as compared to free 17DMAG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      T47D breast cancer cell line was grown in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FBS.
      Encapsulation of 17DMAG was conducted through a double emulsion method and
      properties of copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy and H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Assessment of drug
      cytotoxicity was by MTT assay. After treatment of T47D cells with a given amount
      of drug, RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. In order to assess HSP90
      gene expression, real-time PCR was performed. RESULTS: Taking into account drug
      load, IC50 was significant decreased in nanocapsulated 17DMAG in comparison with
      free 17DMAG. This finding was associated with decrease of HSP90 gene expression.
      CONCLUSIONS: PLGA-PEG-17DMAG complexes can be more effective than free 17DMAG in
      down-regulating of HSP90 expression, at the saesm time exerting more potent
      cytotoxic effects. Therefore, PLGA-PEG could be a superior carrier for this type
      of hydrophobic agent.

PMID- 27268614
TI  - Psychosocial Analysis of Cancer Survivors in Rural Australia: Focus on
      Demographics, Quality of Life and Financial Domains.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer treatments can have long-term physical, psychological,
      financial, sexual and cognitive effects that may influence the quality of life.
      These can vary from urban to rural areas, survival period and according to the
      type of cancer. We here aimed to describe demographics and psychosocial analysis
      of cancer survivors three to five years post-treatment in rural Australia and
      also assess relationships with financial stress and quality of life domains.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 65 participants visiting
      the outpatient oncology clinic were given a self-administered questionnaire. The
      inclusion criteria included three to five years post-treatment. Three domains
      were investigated using standardised and validated tools such as the Standard
      Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors Scale (QLACS) and the Personal and
      Household Finances (HILDA) survey. Included were demographic parameters, quality
      of life, treatment information and well-being. RESULTS: There was no evidence of
      associations between any demographic variable and either financial stress or
      cancer-specific quality of life domains. Financial stress was however
      significantly associated with the cancer-specific quality of life domains of
      appearance-related concerns, family related distress, and distress related to
      recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This unique study effectively points to psychosocial
      aspects of cancer survivors in rural regions of Australia. Although the majority
      of demographic characteristics were not been found to be associated with
      financial stress, this latter itself is significantly associated with distress
      related to family and cancer recurrence. This finding may be of assistance in
      future studies and also considering plans to fulfil unmet needs.

PMID- 27268615
TI  - Incidence and Mortality of Colorectal Cancer and Relationships with the Human
      Development Index across the World.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the standardized incidence and
      mortality rate of colorectal cancer and its relationship with the human
      development index (HDI) across the world in 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      ecologic study was conducted for assessment of the correlation between age
      specific incidence rate (ASIR) and age-specific mortality rate (ASMR) with HDI
      and its components. Data for SIR and SMR for every country for the year 2012 were
      obtained from the global cancer project. We used a bivariate method for
      assessment of the correlation between SIR and SMR and HDI. Statistical
      significance was assumed at <0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS
      (Version 22.0, SPSS Inc.). RESULTS: Countries with the highest SIR of colorectal
      cancer in the world in 2012, were Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Hungary and
      countries with the highest SMR were Hungary, Croatia and Slovakia. The
      correlation between SIR of colorectal cancer and the HDI was 0.712 (P<=0.001),
      with life expectancy at birth 0.513 (P<=0.001), with mean years of schooling
      0.641 (P<=0.001) and with level of income per each person of the population 0.514
      (P=0.013). In addition, the correlation between SMR of colorectal cancer and the
      HDI was 0.628 (P<=0.001), with life expectancy at birth 0.469 (P<=0.001), with
      mean years of schooling 0.592 (P<=0.001) and with level of income per each person
      of the population 0.378 (P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The highest SIR and SMR of
      colorectal cancer was in the WHO Europe region. There was a positive correlation
      between HDI and SIR and SMR of colorectal cancer.

PMID- 27268616
TI  - Technical Improvement Using a Three-Dimensional Video System for Laparoscopic
      Partial Nephrectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is one of the major surgical
      techniques for small renal masses. However, it is difficult to manage cutting and
      suturing procedures within acceptable time periods. To overcome this difficulty,
      we applied a three-dimensional (3D) video system with laparoscopic partial
      nephrectomy, and evaluated its utility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively
      enrolled 31 patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy between
      November 2009 and June 2014. A conventional two-dimensional (2D) video system was
      used in 20 patients, and a 3D video system in 11. Patient characteristics and
      video system type (2D or 3D) were recorded, and correlations with perioperative
      outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 55.8+/-12.4, mean
      body mass index was 25.7+/-3.9 kg/m2, mean tumor size was 2.0+/-0.8 cm, mean
      R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score was 6.9+/-1.9, and clinical stage was T1a in all
      patients. There were no significant differences in operative time (p=0.348),
      pneumoperitoneum time (p=0.322), cutting time (p=0.493), estimated blood loss
      (p=0.335), and Clavien grade of >II complication rate (p=0.719) between the two
      groups. However, warm ischemic time was significantly shorter in the 3D group
      than the 2D group (16.1 min vs. 21.2min, p=0.021), which resulted from short
      suturing time (9.1 min vs. 15.2 min, p=0.008). No open conversion occurred in
      either group. CONCLUSIONS: A 3D video system allows the shortening of warm
      ischemic time in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and thus may be useful in
      improving the procedure.

PMID- 27268617
TI  - Knowledge and Awareness of Colorectal Cancer among Undergraduate Students at King
      Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: a Survey-Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study explored the knowledge and awareness about colorectal
      cancer (CRC) among undergraduate students of one of the leading universities in
      Saudi Arabia, along with the mode of information access. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      The present cross-sectional study was conducted at the King Abdulaziz University,
      Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, among students of different faculties. The study
      questionnaire, containing 28 items, was adapted from surveys identified in the
      relevant literature. The CRC awareness questionnaire consisted of an awareness
      section (early CRC signs and symptoms, and risk factors) and a knowledge section.
      The data were analyzed using the SPSS version 21.0. RESULTS: A total of 525
      undergraduate students participated in the study. The majority were females
      (63.0%) and approximately half (56.8%) were medical students. The majority of the
      students (82.3%) were aware of CRC, and 68% thought that CRC is a preventable
      disease. Regarding colorectal cancer screening tests, only one-third of students
      (33%) had actual knowledge, while the majority of the students (77.0%) thought
      that there are tests which help in early detection. Only 4% of the participants
      had a family history of CRC. The majority of the participants (84%) thought that
      CRC is a disease that can be cured. Almost 50-60% participants had good awareness
      level regarding risk factors, and signs and symptoms. Regarding knowledge,
      participant responses varied for family history (52%), age (59%), chronic
      infection of the colon (72%), obesity and lack of exercise (66%). More than one
      third of the students had received information material regarding CRC from their
      curriculum followed by social media (20.4%), and nearly 40% from other sources
      such as TV, hospital and mass media. Female participants had significantly better
      awareness in a few questions regarding CRC awareness as compared to their male
      counterparts. There was a significant difference observed between medical and non
      medical students (<0.001) in overall score of awareness and knowledge about CRC
      while no significant difference found in gender-wise comparison. CONCLUSIONS:
      Knowledge and awareness of students about CRC were not up to the mark. Medical
      students and female students had better knowledge in a few areas, but the overall
      situation is dismal.

PMID- 27268618
TI  - Changes in Hematological Parameters with Pegylated Interferon in Chronic
      Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients.
AB  - The liver is one of the most common sites of cancer in the world, hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) predominating. HCC is the sixth most common cancer and the third
      leading cause of cancer related death overall. Hepatitis C is a major risk factor
      and HCV is a rapid spreading virus which has become a problem globally, including
      in Pakistan. Interferon alpha therapy is used against HCV disease to regulate
      cell reproduction and to boost the immune system. In minute amounts interferon
      alpha is produced naturally by the immune system in HCV patients in response to
      hepatitis C virus and binds to receptors in the target cells and starts
      transcription of 20-30 genes due to which it develops an antiviral influence.
      Interferon is also administered artificially to overcome HCV disease and remove
      the biological effect of the virus from the infected site. The use of interferon
      or Peg-IFN plus Ribavirin treatment is also associated with adverse effects on
      body. For the current study, a convenient sample of 156 HCV positive patients of
      both males and females were taken. To collect blood CP and ALT, a reduction of
      level data and other important information were collected from the patients at
      regular intervals. Findings were 11.4 % in the red blood cells (RBC), 9.64 % in
      the total leukocyte count (WBC), 8.4 % in the hemoglobin levels (HB), 30.3 % in
      the platelet (Plt) count in both sexes. There was significant reduction in ALT
      levels due to Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy. Hence strict
      haemotological monitoring of blood CP and ALT levels is necessary at regular
      intervals to reduce severe side effects which may lead to morbidity and
      mortality. 

PMID- 27268619
TI  - Susceptible and Protective Associations of HLA Alleles and Haplotypes with
      Cervical Cancer in South India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes have been implicated in cervical
      cancer in several populations. OBJECTIVES: To study the predispositions of HLA
      alleles/haplotypes with cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinically
      diagnosed and PAP smear confirmed cervical cancer patients (n 48) and age matched
      controls (n 47) were genotyped for HLA-A,-B,-DRB1* and DQB1* alleles by PCR-SSP
      methods. RESULTS: The frequencies of alleles DRB1*04 (OR=2.57), DRB1*15
      (OR=2.04), DQB1*0301 (OR=4.91), DQB1*0601 (OR=2.21), B*15 (OR=13.03) and B*07
      (OR=6.23) were higher in cervical cancer patients than in the controls. The
      frequencies of alleles DRB1*10 (OR=0.22) and B*35 (OR=0.19) were decreased.
      Strong disease associations were observed for haplotypes DRB1*15-DQB1*0601
      (OR=6.56; < 3.5.10-4), DRB1*14-DQB1*0501 (OR=6.51; <0.039) and A*11-B*07
      (OR=3.95; <0.005). The reduced frequencies of haplotypes DRB1*10-DQB1*0501
      (OR=0.45), A*03-B*35 (OR=0.25) and A*11-B*35 (OR= 0.06) among patients suggested
      a protective association. HLA-C* typing of 8 patients who possessed a unique
      three locus haplotype 'A*11-B*07-DRB1*04' (8/48; 16.66%; OR=6.51; <0.039)
      revealed the presence of a four locus haplotype 'A*11-B*07-C*01-DRB1*04' in
      patients (4/8; 50%). Amino acid variation analysis of susceptible allele
      DQB1*0601 suggested 'tyrosine' at positions beta9 and beta37 and tyrosine-non
      tyrosine genotype combination increased the risk of cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS:
      Strong susceptible associations were documented for HLA alleles B*15, B*07,
      DRB1*04, DRB1*15, DQB1*0301, DQB1*0601 and haplotypes DRB1*15-DQB1*0601 and
      DRB1*14-DQB1*0501. Further, protective associations were evidenced for alleles
      B*35 and DRB1*10 and haplotypes A*11-B*35 and DRB1*10-DQB1*0501 with cervical
      cancer in South India.

PMID- 27268620
TI  - The first review study on association of DNA methylation with gastric cancer in
      Iranian population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related
      death worldwide. Several environmental, genetic and epigenetic factors have been
      suggested to have a role in GC development. Epigenetic mechanisms like histone
      changes and promoter hyper-methylation are now being increasingly studied.
      Associations between methylation of many gene promoters with the risk of gastric
      cancer have been investigated worldwide. Such aberrant methylation may result in
      silencing of specific genes related to cell cycling, cell adhesion, apoptosis and
      DNA repair. Thus this molecular mechanism might have a key role in proliferation
      and migration of cancerous cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this review article
      we included studies conducted on DNA methylation and gastric cancer in Iranian
      populations. Using Science direct, Pubmed/PMC, Springer, Wiley online library and
      SciELO databases, all published data until 31 January 2016 were gathered. We also
      searched Science direct data base for similar investigations around the world to
      make a comparison between Iran and other countries. RESULTS: By searching these
      databases, we found that the association between methylation of seven gene
      promoters and gastric cancer had been studied in Iran until 31 January 2016.
      These genes were p16, hLMH1, E-cadherin, CTLA4, THRbeta, mir9 and APC. Searching
      in science direct database also showed that 92 articles had been published around
      the world till January 2016. Our investigation revealed that despite the
      importance of GC and its high prevalence in Iran, the methylation status of only
      a few gene promoters has been studied so far. More studies with higher sample
      numbers are needed to reveal the relation of methylation status of gene promoters
      to gastric cancer in Iran. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies will be helpful in
      identifying associations of DNA methylation in candidate genes with gastric
      cancer risk in Iranian populations.

PMID- 27268621
TI  - Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracies of Serum HE-4 Levels and 3D Power Doppler
      Angiography Parameters between Benign Endometrial Pathologies and Endometrial
      Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the diagnostic accuracies of serum human epididymis protein 4
      (HE-4) levels, virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) parameters and
      endometrial volume in endometrial cancer cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One
      hundred and seven patients (37 with endometrial cancer and 70 with benign
      endometrial pathology) were included in this study. VOCAL parameters and serum HE
      4 levels were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Area under the curve (AUC)
      values were 0.702, 0.658, 0.706 for vascularization index (VI), the flow index
      (FI) and the vascularization flow index (VFI), respectively. A cut off value of
      0.568 for VI demonstrated 70% sensitivity, 72% specificity, 56% positive
      predictive value (PPV) and a81% negative predictive value (NPV). A cut off value
      of 25.8 for showed a senitivith of 70% and a specificity of 58% with aPPV of 46%
      and NPV of 78%, and with a cut off value of 0.12 for VFI 70%, 69%, 54% and 81%,
      respectively. The area under the curve for HE-4 was 0.814. A cut off value of 458
      pmol/L was predictive of malignancy with 86% sensitivity and 63% specificity.
      CONCLUSIONS: VOCAL parameters and serum HE-4 levels were statistically
      significantly higher in the endometrial cancer patients. Serum HE-4 levels
      provided a greater sensitivity compared to power doppler angiography for
      predicting malignancy or benign endometrial pathology.

PMID- 27268622
TI  - Incidence Trend for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the North Tunisian Population, 1998
      2009.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2008, non-Hodgkin lymphoma ranked tenth among other malignancies
      worldwide with an incidence of around 5 cases per 100,000 in both genders. The
      latest available rates in Tunisia are from 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      study aimed to provide an update about NHL incidence for 2009 and its trend
      between 1998 and 2009 as well as a projection until 2024, using data from the
      Salah Azaiz Institute hospital registry and the Noth Tunisia cancer registry.
      RESULTS: In 2009, the NHL incidence in the north of Tunisia was 4.03 cases per
      100,000, 4.97 for men and 3.10 for women. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
      accounted for 63.2% of all NHL subtypes. Between 1998 and 2009, the overall trend
      showed no significant change. When we compared the trend between two periods
      (1998-2005 and 2005-2009), joinpoint regression showed a significant decrease of
      NHL incidence in the first period with an annual percentage change (APC) of -6.7%
      (95% CI:[-11.2%;-2%]), then the incidence significantly increased from 2005 to
      2009 with an APC of 30.5% (95% CI: [16.1%; 46.6%]. The analyses of the different
      subtype trends showed a significant decrease in DLBCL incidence between 1998 and
      2000 (APC:-21.5; 95% CI: [-31.4%;-10.2%]) then the incidence significantly
      increased between 2004 and 2007 (APC: 18.5; 95% CI: [3,6%;35.5%]). Joint point
      analysis of the age-period-cohort model projection showed a significant increase
      between 2002 and 2024 with an APC of 4.5% (%95 CI: [1.5%; 7.5%]). The estimated
      ASR for 2024 was 4.55/100 000 (95% CI: [3.37; 6.15]). CONCLUSIONS: This study
      revealed an overall steady trend in the incidence of NHL in northern Tunisia
      between 1998 and 2009. Projection showed an increase in the incidence in NHL in
      both genders which draw the attention to the national and worldwide burden of
      this malignancy.

PMID- 27268623
TI  - Quality Control Usage in High-Density Microarrays Reveals Differential Gene
      Expression Profiles in Ovarian Cancer.
AB  - There are several existing reports of microarray chip use for assessment of
      altered gene expression in different diseases. In fact, there have been over 1.5
      million assays of this kind performed over the last twenty years, which have
      influenced clinical and translational research studies. The most commonly used
      DNA microarray platforms are Affymetrix GeneChip and Quality Control Software
      along with their GeneChip Probe Arrays. These chips are created using several
      quality controls to confirm the success of each assay, but their actual impact on
      gene expression profiles had not been previously analyzed until the appearance of
      several bioinformatics tools for this purpose. We here performed a data mining
      analysis, in this case specifically focused on ovarian cancer, as well as healthy
      ovarian tissue and ovarian cell lines, in order to confirm quality control
      results and associated variation in gene expression profiles. The microarray data
      used in our research were downloaded from ArrayExpress and Gene Expression
      Omnibus (GEO) and analyzed with Expression Console Software using RMA, MAS5 and
      Plier algorithms. The gene expression profiles were obtained using Partek
      Genomics Suite v6.6 and data were visualized using principal component analysis,
      heat map, and Venn diagrams. Microarray quality control analysis showed that
      roughly 40% of the microarray files were false negative, demonstrating over- and
      under-estimation of expressed genes. Additionally, we confirmed the results
      performing second analysis using independent samples. About 70% of the
      significant expressed genes were correlated in both analyses. These results
      demonstrate the importance of appropriate microarray processing to obtain a
      reliable gene expression profile. 

PMID- 27268624
TI  - Differential Behaviour of Selenium Analogs against Anticancer Drug Induced
      Apoptosis of Lymphocytes in Human Peripheral Blood.
AB  - Sensitising cancer cells and at the same time desensitizing normal cells is a
      double task in cancer management. Agents which can combat the debilitating side
      effects of cancer therapeutics and simultaneously synergize with anticancer
      agents in specifically targeting cancer cells are needed. Selenium, a proven
      anticarcinogen, gains due importance in terms of its efficacy to combat the side
      effects of cancer therapy. This study is a comparative analysis of the
      chemoprotective effects of selenium compounds, methyl selenol (generated from
      organic selenomethionine (5mmol/L ; METase 40U/L)) and sodium selenite (inorganic
      form)(30MUM) in peripheral blood human lymphocytes exposed to cisplatin and
      mitomycin. Biochemical alterations occurring in many cells during apoptosis
      include loss of plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry, DNA fragmentation, and
      activation of caspase-3. The present study demonstrated that the selenium
      metabolite and selenite are efficient in protecting lymphocytes undergoing DNA
      damage and exerted their activity by reducing caspase 3 expression. Interestingly
      organic methylselenol (MeSe) was found to offer more protective effects compared
      to inorganic selenite (SeL), by reducing the induction of apoptosis by the
      cytotoxic agents. This suggests that MeSe and to a lesser extent selenite might
      have potential for assessment in clinical trials and could be considered as
      strong candidates in pharmacogenomics or in the nutriprotective arena. 

PMID- 27268625
TI  - Correlation between EGFR Expression and Radiosensitivity in Cervical
      Adenocarcinoma Cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most of the cervical cancer patients, including those with cervical
      adenocarcinomas, come at advanced stage in the developing world so its mortality
      is high. Radiotherapy is one of the treatment modality for advanced stage
      cervical adenocarcinomas, but its efficacy depends on several prognostic factors
      such as the stage, histopathology, presence of organ dysfunction and expression
      of cellular biology markers mainly involve in cell proliferation such as the
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Some research indicates that activation
      of EGFR in malignancy (including cervical cancer) correlates with aggressive
      behavior, a poor prognosis and decreasing sensitivity of radiotherapy. However,
      the combination between targeted therapies and radiotherapy are innovative
      approaches which may provide a good result. This study aimed to assess any
      correlation between expression of EGFR and response to radiotherapy in cervical
      adenocarcinoma cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 women were registered
      in a retrospective study period January 2007 and May 2014. Paraffin blocks from
      these patients were processed by classical histological techniques and for
      immunohistochemical staining of EGFR, scoring being accomplished according to the
      immunoreactive scoring (IRS) of Remmele and Stegner. RESULTS: Among the studied
      molecular factors, there was significant correlation expression of EGFR with poor
      response to radiotherapy (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study showed
      a significant correlation between expression of EGFR and sensitivity of radiation
      in cervical adenocarcinoma cases. Further research is n ecessary to obtain
      information about new therapeutic management.

PMID- 27268626
TI  - Aggressive Treatment of Performance Status 1 and 2 HCC Patients Significantly
      Improves Survival - an Egyptian Retrospective Cohort Study of 524 Cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system, only sorafenib is
      suggested for HCC patients having performance status (PS) 1 or 2 even if they
      have treatable lesions. In the current study, we aimed to explore the outcome of
      using aggressive treatment for HCC patients with PS 1 and 2. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Five hundred and twenty four patients with HCC were enrolled in this
      study and divided into 2 groups: 404 PS 1 and 120 PS 2. Of the included 524
      patients, 136 recceived non-aggressive supportive treatment and sorafenib, while
      388 patients were offered aggressive treatment in the form of surgical resection,
      transplantation, percutaneous ablation, trans-arterial chemoembolization and/or
      chemoperfusion. All the patients were followed up for a period of 2 years to
      determine their survival. RESULTS: Most HCC patients were CHILD A and B grades
      (89.4% versus 85.0%, for PS1 and PS2, respectively). Patients with PS1 were
      significantly younger. Out of the enrolled 524 patients, 388 were offered
      aggressive treatment, 253 (65.2%) having their lesions fully ablated, 94 (24.2%)
      undergoing partial ablation and 41 patients with no ablation (10.6%). The median
      survival of the patients with PS 1 who were offered aggressive treatment was 20
      months versus 9 months only for those who were offered supportive treatment and
      sorafenib (<0.001). Regarding HCC patients with PS 2, the median survivals were
      similarly 19.7 months versus 8.7 months only (<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive
      treatment of HCC patients with PS 1 and 2 significantly improves their survival.
      Revising the BCLC guidelines regarding such patients is recommended.

PMID- 27268627
TI  - Right-Sided and Left-Sided Colon Cancers are Two Distinct Disease Entities: an
      Analysis of 200 Cases in Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that there are differences in histological
      and genetic characteristics along with clinical behavior between right- and left
      sided colon carcinomas. We have compared various parameters of the two types and
      assessed associations of the results with prognosis in patients in Pakistan.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 200 cases from our institutional database; 100
      cases of right-sided and 100 cases of left-sided colon cancer. Parameters
      including age, gender, TNM stage, histological features and clinical outcome were
      analyzed. RESULTS: The patients with right-sided colon cancer were significantly
      older as compared to their counterparts with left-sided cancer. They presented
      with a lumbar mass rather than symptoms of obstruction and perforation as seen in
      left-sided colon cancers, and the histology showed higher percentage of poorly
      differentiated tumors with advanced pT stage. Moreover, Crohn's-like reactions,
      intra tumoral lymphocyte responses and other poor prognostic factors like lymph
      vascular invasion and perineural invasion were more common in right-sided
      cancers. CONCLUSIONS: We found that right- and left-sided colon cancers are
      different from each other in terms of clinical presentation, histology and
      clinical behavior. Right-sided colon cancers are more aggressive and are
      associated with poorer clinical outcome as compared to left sided colon cancers
      in our population.

PMID- 27268628
TI  - Mammography Screening Uptake among Female Health Care Workers in Primary Health
      Care Centers in Palestine - Motivators and Barriers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early detection remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control in
      terms of outcome and survival. Thus far the only breast cancer screening method
      proven effective is mammography. The awareness of female health care workers
      (HCW) about breast cancer prevention is of vital importance, as their beliefs and
      behavior may have a major impact on other women. This study was designed to
      assess mammography screening uptake among female healthcare workers at primary
      healthcare centers, and to identify the primary motivators and barriers that
      affect uptake results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study design was
      used to assess mammography screening by 299 female healthcare workers who
      completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed demographics, screening
      uptake, motivators and barriers. RESULTS: The mean age was 46 years (within age
      of risk). The majority (95.1%) demonstrated adequate knowledge about breast
      cancer and mammography screening and 50% of the participants reported having at
      least one mammogram; however only 21% of them had regularly scheduled mammograms.
      The most frequent reported motivator was the perceived benefit that early
      detection of breast cancer is important for its management (89.6%), followed by
      the belief that mammography can detect breast cancer before its symptoms appear
      (84.4%). On the other hand, the most frequent barrier reported was being busy
      (46.7%), followed by the lack of perceived susceptibility (41.5%). CONCLUSIONS:
      Mammography screening was found to be sub-optimal in a population of HCW's with
      50 % stating that they received a mammogram at least once, and a minority
      reported regular screening. There is a pressing need for educational programs
      aimed at removing the barriers that limit compliance with recommendations for
      mammography screening, and to emphasize the importance of early detection in
      breast cancer treatment. Ensuring the availability and accessibility of screening
      services, particularly for healthcare workers within their work settings are
      other important factors that would improve the acceptance and compliance for
      mammography screening programs.

PMID- 27268629
TI  - Profile of HER2 +ve Gastric Cancers in Brunei Darussalam.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer and
      is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to late
      presentation and diagnosis at advanced stages. Studies have reported that a
      variable proportion of gastric cancer is positive for the human epidermal growth
      factor receptor 2 (HER2) and patients with HER2 positive (HER2 +ve) lesions can
      benefit from targeted therapy. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence
      of HER2 +ve gastric cancers in Brunei Darussalam, a developing Southeast Asian
      nation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were identified from the Department of
      Pathology registry and retrospectively reviewed. HER2 expression was assessed by
      immunohistochemistry and only those staining 3+ were considered positive.
      RESULTS: Our study included 103 cases (66 males and 37 females) with a mean age
      of 65.1 +/- 14.8 years old. There were 14 cases positive for HER2 (10 males and 4
      females) giving a prevalence of 13.6%. The HER2 +ve cases were significantly
      older (70.6 +/- 19.3 years old) than the negative cases (64.2 +/- 13.8, p=0.041)
      and had significantly more advanced disease (stages 3 and 4, p=0.026). There were
      no significant differences in gender distribution, presence of intestinal
      metaplasia, EBV status, Helicobacter pylori status, tumor location (proximal vs.
      distal) and degree of tumor differentiation (all p values >0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Our study showed that 13.6% of our gastric cancers are positive for HER2, the
      affected patients being older and having more advanced disease at diagnosis.

PMID- 27268630
TI  - Ki-67 Immunostaining and its Correlation with Microvessel Density in Patients
      with Mutiple Myeloma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare Ki-67 index and microvessel density MVD) in multiple myeloma
      and non-myeloma patients and their correlation with each other and other
      prognostic markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients were enrolled in this
      study between 2011-2013, 30 with multiple myelomas and 10 with non-malignant
      disease as controls. Proliferative activity was analyzed by Ki-67 and microvessel
      density (MVC) was assessed by CD34 and compared between two groups. In myeloma
      patients, correlation between Ki-67, MVD and other prognostic factors was
      assessed by Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: According to Durie Salmon
      staging criteria, 13 patients were of stage 1, 5 of stage II and 12 of stage III.
      Ki-67 expression showed a positive correlation with MVD (r=0.729, <0.001) and was
      significantly higher (<0.0001) in myeloma patients (range 35-80%, mean 60.1 %) as
      compared to controls (range 8-25%, mean 18.1%). MVD/mm2 was also significantly
      (<0.0001) higher in myeloma patients (range 62-237/mm2, mean 178.0/mm2) than
      controls (range 5.2-50/mm2, mean 18.3/mm2). Ki-67 and MVD, both increased
      progressively with increasing stage of myeloma. Ki-67 showed significant positive
      correlation with blood urea and lactate dehydrogenase and a significant negative
      correlation with serum albumin. MVD showed a significant positive correlation
      with blood urea, lactate dehydrogenase, serum creatinine, beta2 microglobulin and
      skeletal lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Ki-67 and MVD are indicators of aggressiveness and
      poor prognosis having significant correlation with each other and other
      prognostic markers of multiple myeloma. Routine assessment of these markers may
      help to identify high risk patients, who may benefit from with more aggressive
      therapy.

PMID- 27268631
TI  - Overweight Relation to Liver Fluke Infection among Rural Participants from 4
      Districts of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand.
AB  - A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 730 participants from 4 rural
      districts of Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, with a reported high incidence
      of liver fluke infection. This study was aimed to examine and evaluate the
      nutritional status in relation to Opisthorchis viverrini infection. Participants
      were purposive selected from Chum Phuang, Mueang Yang, Bua Yai, and Kaeng Sanam
      Nang districts. Stool samples were prepared by Kato Katz technique and then
      assessed by microscopy. Anthropometry was evaluated according to the body mass
      index from weight and height. Descriptive statistics and Spearman rank
      correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the association between the
      nutritional status and O. viverrini infection. Of 1.64% infected with O.
      viverrini the highest proportions were found in age groups >=61 and 41-50 years
      old, Mueang Yang district. The majorities of participants had normal weight
      (32.2%), followed by class II obesity (28.1%), class I obesity (21.8%),
      underweight (10.3%), and class III obesity (8.63%). Nutritional status with class
      II obesity (rS=0.639, <0.01) and class I obesity (rS=0.582, <0.05), had
      moderately statistical significant correlations with O. viverrini infection.
      Meanwhile, normal weight (rS=0.437, <0.05) and class III obesity (rS=0.384,
      <0.05) demonstrated lower statistical significance. These findings raise the
      possibility that infection with O. viverrini may contribute to fat deposition and
      thereby have long-term consequences on human health. Further studies are needed
      to better understand whether O. viverrini contributes directly to fat deposition
      and possible mechanisms. 

PMID- 27268632
TI  - Determining the Optimal Dose Prescription for the Planning Target Volume with
      Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Non- Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine a method of dose prescription
      that minimizes normal tissue irradiation outside the planning target volume (PTV)
      during stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients with non-small cell
      lung cancer. METHODS: Previous research and patients with typical T1 lung tumors
      with peripheral lesions in the lung were selected for analysis. A PTV and several
      organs at risk (OARs) were constructed for the dose calculated; six treatment
      plans employing intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were produced, in which
      the dose was prescribed to encompass the PTV, with the prescription isodose level
      (PIL) set at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 95% of the isocenter dose. Additionally, four
      OARs around the PTV were constructed to evaluate the dose received in adjacent
      tissues. RESULTS: The use of higher PILs for SBRT resulted in improved sparing of
      OARs, with the exception of the volume of lung treated with a lower dose.
      CONCLUSIONS: The use of lower PILs is likely to create significant inhomogeneity
      of the dose delivered to the target, which may be beneficial for the control of
      tumors with poor conformity indices.

PMID- 27268633
TI  - Distribution and Characteristics of Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors: Single
      Institution Experience in Lebanon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors represent 20% of primary lung neoplasms in some
      registries. According to the WHO classification of 2004, reconsidered for 2015,
      these lung tumors are divided into 4 groups: typical and atypical carcinoid,
      small cell and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas. We report in this paper, for
      the first time in Lebanon, the distribution and the population characteristics of
      these tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive retrospective study
      concerned all the pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NET) with their
      characteristics diagnosed in Hotel Dieu de France in Beirut, Lebanon from 2001 to
      2012, with attention to features like age, gender and subgroup. RESULTS: Of 194
      patients with pulmonary NET, 12.4% were typical carcinoid tumors, 3.6% atypical
      carcinoid, 66.5% small cell lung cancer, 7.7% combined small cell carcinomas and
      9.8% large cell neuroendocrine tumors. The mean ages of patients were
      respectively 51.2 years in typical carcinoid, 64 years in atypical carcinoid,
      64.2 years in small cell lung cancers, 67.2 in combined small cell lung cancer
      and 66.9 in large cells neuroendocrine tumors. The M/F sex ratios were
      respectively 0.3, 1.3, 1.4, 2.7 and 2.2. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of lung
      neuroendocrine tumors in our Lebanese institution are comparable to those
      reported in the literature.

PMID- 27268634
TI  - Thalidomide Combined with Chemotherapy in Treating Patients with Advanced lung
      Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate efficacy and toxicity in patients with advanced lung
      cancer, including non-small cell and small cell variants (NSCLC and SCLC),
      treated with thalidomide plus chemotherapy. METHODS: Fourteen patients with
      advanced lung cancer were scheduled to receive chemotherapy combined with
      thalidomide. All patients in this study received thalidomide (100 mg orally per
      night before sleeping, produced by Changzhou Pharmaceutical Factory Co.Ltd) after
      the start of chemotherapy for at least 14 days. Chemotherapy was administered
      according to the condition of patients. After at least 14 days of treatment,
      efficacy and toxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 6 female and 8 male
      patients with advanced lung cancer recruited into this study, including 2 with
      SCLC and 12 with NSCLC. The median age was 56.7 (44-65) years. Progressive
      disease was observed in 12 patients (12/14), and stable disease in 2 (2/14).
      Grade 1 to 2 myelosuppression was observed in 4/14 patients, and Grade 1 to 2
      elevation of hepatic enzymes was recorded in 5/14 patients. Adverse effects on
      the gastrointestinal tract were documented in 2/14 patients, all beingGrade 1. No
      Grade 3-4 toxicity was recorded. No treatment related deaths occurred.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that thalidomide combined with chemotherapy
      is mildly effective and safe for treating patients with advanced lung cancer.
      However, further evaluation of this combination is warranted.

PMID- 27268635
TI  - Sporadic Early Onset Colorectal Cancer in Pakistan: a Case- Control Analysis of
      Microsatellite Instability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early onset sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is a biologically and
      clinically distinct entity hypothesized to exhibit differences in histological
      features and microsatellite instability (MSI) as compared to typical onset CRC.
      This study compared the MSI status, mismatch repair enzyme deficiency and
      clinicopathological features of early onset (aged <=45 years) with controls (>45
      years). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 cases and 30 controls were analyzed
      for MSI status using the Bethesda marker panel. Using antibodies against hMLH1,
      hMSH2 and hMSH6, mismatch repair protein expression was assessed by
      immunohistochemistry. Molecular characteristics were correlated with
      clinicopathological features. RESULTS: The early onset sporadic CRCs were
      significantly more poorly differentiated tumors, with higher N2 nodal involvement
      and greater frequency of signet ring phenotype than the typical onset cases. MSI
      was observed in 18/30 cases, with 12/18 designated as MSI-high (MSI-H) and 6/18
      designated as MSI-low (MSI-L). In the control group, 14 patients exhibited MSI,
      with 7 MSI-H and 7 MSI-L. MSI tumors in both cases and controls exhibited loss of
      hMLH1, hMSH2 and hMSH6. MSS tumors did not exhibit loss of expression of MMR
      proteins, except hMLH1 protein in 3 controls. No statistically significant
      difference was noted in MSI status or expression of MMR proteins in cases versus
      controls. CONCLUSIONS: Microsatellite status is comparable between early and
      typical onset sporadic CRC patients in Pakistan suggesting that differences in
      clinicopathological features between these two subsets are attributable to other
      molecular mechanisms.

PMID- 27268636
TI  - Breast Cancer in Men: a Report from the Department of Radiation Oncology in
      Kermanshah Province, Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease that accounts for less
      than 1% of all cancers in men and less than 1% of all diagnosed breast cancers.
      In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathological features,
      treatment options and overall survival in Kurdish MBC cases. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Seventeen MBC were referred to Department of Radiation Oncology in Imam
      Reza Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran, between 2010 and 2016. Immunohistochemical
      analysis was performed for ER, PR and Her2 biomarkers and FISH for those with
      Her2 2+. Median follow-up period was 30 months (2-65 months). We excluded from
      the study patients who did not have follow-up after initial diagnosis. Treatment
      methods were chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, target therapy and
      palliative care. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan Meier method (Prism 5).
      RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 49.2 +/- 17 years (range, 24-85 years).
      Grade II was the most grade in MBC (65%). Fourteen patients (82%) had invasive
      ductal carcinoma, one (6%) had ductal carcinoma in situ and 2 (12%) had invasive
      papillary. ER, PR and Her2 were significantly positive in 14/17, 8/17 and 2/17
      cases, respectively. The treatment included modified radical mastectomy for most
      patients. Chemotherapy with TAC and CEF regimens was delivered to 15/17 cases.
      Tamoxifen therapy was delivered to 14/17 cases. Three stage IV patients received
      Avestin and two with Her2 3+ were given Trastuzumab (Herceptin). Patients
      received adjuvant radiotherapy following surgery and chemotherapy. The site of
      metastasis was the bone in 2 cases, lung in 1 case and liver in 1 case.
      Zoledronic acid (Zometa) was prescribed for patients with bone metastasis. Five
      year overall survival rate was 64%. CONCLUSIONS: MBC is rare. Thus, we need
      larger studies are in collaboration with several research centers in the field of
      breast cancer. ER positive, grade II of invasive ductal carcinoma, stage II and
      right side happened more with MBC. Overall survival is similar to other studies.

PMID- 27268637
TI  - MMP3 in Comparison to CA 125, HE4 and the ROMA Algorithm in Differentiation of
      Ovarian Tumors.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is a highly malignant neoplasm with high mortality rates. Research
      to identify markers facilitating early detection has been pursued for many years.
      Currently, diagnosis is based on the CA 125 and HE4 markers, as well as the ROMA
      algorithm. The search continues for new proteins that meet the criteria of good
      markers A total of 90 patients were included in the present study, allocated
      into: group 1, ovarian cancer, with 29 patients; group 2, endometrial cysts, with
      30s; and group 3, simple ovarian cysts, with 31. Following histopathological
      verification, the CA 125, HE4, and metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) levels were
      determined and the ROMA algorithm was calculated for all patients. The mean
      concentrations of all determined proteins, CA 125, HE4, and MMP3, as well as the
      ROMA values, were significantly higher in group 1 (ovarian cancer) compared to
      group 3 (simple ovarian cysts). The highest significant differences for the CA
      125 levels (<0.000001) and ROMA (<0.000001) values were observed in
      postmenopausal women. For HE4, statistical significance was at the level of
      p=0.00001 compared to p=0.002 for MMP3. For the differentiation between ovarian
      cancer and endometrial cysts, the respective AUC ratios were obtained for CA 125,
      HE4, and MMP3 levels, as well as the ROMA values ( 0,93 / 0,96 / 0,75 / 0,98).
      After removing the post-menopausal patients, the MMP3 AUC value for ovarian
      cancer vs. benign ovarian cysts increased to 0.814. For post-menopausal women,
      the MMP3 AUC value for ovarian cancer vs. endometrial cysts was 0.843. As
      suggested by the results above, both the CA 125 and HE4 markers, as well as the
      ROMA algorithm, meet the criteria of a good diagnostic test for ovarian cancer.
      MMP3 seems to meet the criteria of a good diagnostic test, particularly in
      postmenopausal women; however, it is not superior to the tests used to date. 

PMID- 27268638
TI  - Robust Reference Intervals for Serum Kappa and Lambda Free Light Chains from a
      Multi Centre Study Population from Hyderabad, India: Myeloma Diagnostic
      Implications.
AB  - The International Myeloma Working Group considers the serum free light chain
      (SFLC) assay to be an adjunct to traditional tests. Apart from the FLC ratio, the
      absolute values of individual free light chains also are gaining importance as
      they appear to be more relevant in certain clinical settings. Automated assays
      are available for their determination. As laboratories put new test systems into
      use catering to different disease populations, they are required by accreditation
      and certification bodies to verify or establish performance specifications,
      including reference intervals (RIs) representative of their population. Our aim
      was to establish local RIs for SFLC in a multicentre representative healthy
      population using a robust method. There was no significant relationship between
      SFLC levels and age, gender and creatinine levels. The 95% RI for kappaSFLC was
      4.81 to 33.86mg/L, for ? SFLC was 5.19 to 23.67mg/L and for kappa/?SFLC was 0.36
      to 2.33, significantly higher than the values given by the manufacturer. The
      kappa/? SFLC ratio at 2.23, covering 100% of the data, showed 72% sensitivity
      (95% CI=39.0 - 94.0), 100% specificity (95% CI=71.5 - 100.0), 100% PPV (95%
      CI=21.5 - 100.0), 95% NPV (95% CI=75.4 - 99.9), and 79% accuracy (95% CI=56.0 -
      93.0). In the patient group, kit RI for kappa /? SFLC ratio classified 45.5%
      (n=5) as positive vs 9.1% (n=1) positive by the study RI, while the kit RI for
      kappa FLC classified 90.9% (n=10) as positive vs 54.5% (n=6) , indicating
      increased probability of false positive test results with the kit RI when applied
      to our patient population. Appropriate and specific reference intervals and
      criteria values result in fewer false-positive and false-negative results which
      means fewer wrong or missed diagnoses. 

PMID- 27268639
TI  - Prescription, Transcription and Administration Errors in Out- Patient Day Care
      Unit of a Regional Cancer Centre in South India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication errors are common but most often preventable events in any
      health care setup. Studies on medication errors involving chemotherapeutic drugs
      are limited. OBJECTIVE: We studied three aspects of medication errors -
      prescription, transcription and administration errors in 500 cancer patients who
      received ambulatory cancer chemotherapy at a resource limited setting government
      hospital attached cancer centre in South India. The frequency of medication
      errors, their types and the possible reasons for their occurrence were analysed.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study using direct observation and chart
      review in anmbulatory day care unit of a Regional Cancer Centre in South India.
      Prescription charts of 500 patients during a three month time period were studied
      and errors analysed. Transcription errors were estimated from the nurses records
      for these 500 patients who were prescribed anticancer medications or
      premedication to be administered in the day care centre, direct observations were
      made during drug administration and administration errors analysed. Medical
      oncologists prescribing anticancer medications and nurses administering
      medications also participated. RESULTS: A total of 500 patient observations were
      made and 41.6% medication errors were detected. Among the total observed errors,
      114 (54.8%) were prescription errors, 51(24.5%) were transcribing errors and 43
      (20.7%) were administration errors. The majority of the prescription errors were
      due to missing information (45.5%) and administration errors were mainly due to
      errors in drug reconstitution (55.8%). There were no life threatening events
      during the observation period since most of the errors were either intercepted
      before reaching the patient or were trivial. CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of
      potentially harmful medication errors were intercepted at the ambulatory day care
      unit of our regional cancer centre. Suggestions have been made to reduce errors
      in the future by adoption of computerised prescriptions and periodic
      sensitisation of the responsible health personnel.

PMID- 27268640
TI  - Arabic Tools for Assessment of Multidimensions of Pain and Discomfort Related to
      Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer is a worldwide health problem. Arabic countries are also
      concerned and the burden linked to the pain related to cancer is dsiquieting. The
      aim of this study is to set the panel of valid tools for assessing the multiple
      dimensions of pain in arabic speaking countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      systematic review on PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases was conducted
      using as key words cancer, pain and arabic speaking population. The content of 51
      articles was studied and nine articles were retained for their relevance for the
      issue. RESULTS: We founf eight different questionnaires. MSAS-Leb, EORTC-C30,
      EORTC- BR23, MDASI, FLIC, and COOP/WONCA are dedicated to physical and
      psychological dimensions of pain. BPI is centered on direct items for measuring
      pain accurately. ABQ-II is the unique tool focusing on barriers to cancer pain
      control. All tools are confirmed valid and reliable in the context studied for
      assessing pain and disconfort linked to cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This panel of
      questionnaires covers all relevant aims for assessing pain in diferent arabic
      speaking countries with the recommendation of a cultural adaptation to local
      arabic languages.

PMID- 27268641
TI  - No Association of the rs17822931 Polymorphism in ABCC11 with Breast Cancer Risk
      in Koreans.
AB  - ABCC11 is reported to be associated with breast cancer. However, whether ABCC11
      polymorphisms relate to breast cancer risk remains unclear. This study aimed to
      evaluate any association of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs17822931,
      in ABCC11 with breast cancer in Koreans. Genomic DNA samples of 170 women with
      breast cancer and 100 controls were assessed for SNP rs17822931 of ABCC11 by
      single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing. A 27-bp
      deletion (Delta27) of ABCC11 was analyzed by PCR amplification. The genotype of
      SNP rs17822931 was confirmed to be AA in all samples from breast cancer patients
      and Delta27 was found in none of the samples. Our finding indicated that the SNP
      rs17822931 in ABCC11 is not associated with breast cancer. However, this study
      does provide information on fundamental genetic aspects of ABCC11 with regard to
      breast cancer risk in Koreans. 

PMID- 27268642
TI  - Genetic Polymorphism of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and Risk of Prostatic Carcinoma - a Meta
      analysis of 7,281 Prostate Cancer Cases and 9,082 Healthy Controls.
AB  - Genetic polymorphisms constitute one of the reasons behind the racial variation
      in prostate cancer occurrence. Published studies regarding genetic associations
      of glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase theta 1
      (GSTT1) null deletion polymorphisms with prostatic carcinoma have generated
      inconsistent results among different populations. To date, even a single meta
      analysis is not available representing the association of these genes with
      prostate cancer in different ethnic groups. Therefore, the aim of the current
      study was to provide a clear picture of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null deletion and risk of
      prostate cancer among different ethnic groups (i.e. Asians, Europeans, Americans,
      Africans and Eurasians). A systematic search was performed with the help of
      various search engines to find out the all the recent studies (2004 to 2015)
      evaluating the role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion in prostate cancer development.
      Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of a total of 34 studies with
      7,281 cases and 9,082 controls was analyzed using STATA and MedCalc software.
      Overall, GSTM1 deletion (OR 3.67; CI 1.39-9.85; P= 0.001) was strongly associated
      with prostatic cancer. In the sub group analysis GSTM1 null deletion was also
      significantly associated with prostate cancer among Asians (OR 4.84; CI 1.08
      21.5; P= 0.03), Eurasians (OR 17.69; CI 9.87-31.70; <0.001) and Americans (OR
      0.11; CI 0.01-1.06; P= 0.05). No association was observed among Europeans
      (P=0.42) and Africans (P= 0.40). As a whole GSTT1 null deletion (OR 0.85; CI 0.28
      2.58; P= 0.77) did not show anyt significant association with prostate cancer
      risk among different populations. When the data were stratified into different
      groups, however, Africans demonstrated a significant association of GSTT1 null
      deletion (OR 1.95; CI 1.57-2.39; <0.001) with prostate cancer, whereas no
      association was found among Asians (P= 0.90), Americans (P= 0.50), Europeans (P=
      0.89) and Eurasians (P= 1.0). In conclusion, both GSTM1 and GSTT1 may contribute
      to prostate cancer development but GSTM1 may prove to be a stronger candidate
      risk factor. 

PMID- 27268643
TI  - Combination of Nimbolide and TNF-alpha-Increases Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cell
      Death through JNK-mediated DR5 Up- regulation.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), an inflammatory cytokine that plays an
      important role in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and
      apoptosis, has previously been used in anti-cancer therapy. However, the
      therapeutic applications of TNF-alpha are largely limited due to its general
      toxicity and anti-apoptotic influence. To overcome this problem, the present
      study focused on the effect of active constituents isolated from a medicinal
      plant on TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells.
      Nimbolide from Azadirachta indica was evaluated for cytotoxicity by methyl
      tetrazolium 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)
      assay and phase contrast microscopy. Effects on apoptotic signaling proteins were
      investigated using Western blot analysis. Nimbolide showed cytotoxicity against
      HT-29 cells that was significantly different from the control group (<0.01), a
      concentration of 10 MUM significantly inducing cell death (<0.01). In combination
      with TNF-alpha, nimbolide significantly enhanced-induced cell death. In apoptotic
      pathway, nimbolide activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, BH3
      interacting-domain death agonist (Bid) and up-regulated the death receptor 5
      (DR5) level. In the combination group, nimbolide markedly sensitized TNF-alpha
      induced JNK, Bid, caspase-3 activation and the up-regulation of DR5. Our findings
      overall indicate that nimbolide may enhance TNF-alpha-mediated cellular
      proliferation inhibition through increasing cell apoptosis of HT-29 cells by up
      reglation of DR5 expression via the JNK pathway. 

PMID- 27268644
TI  - High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Risks of All-Cause and Cause-Specific
      Mortality in a Japanese Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels are lower in
      Japanese compared with Western subjects. Since it is uncertain whether hsCRP is a
      potent predictor of mortality at low CRP concentrations, the present study
      examined associations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a large
      population of Japanese. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were 4,737 men and 6,343
      women aged 49-76 years participating in the baseline survey of an ongoing cohort
      study of lifestyle-related diseases between February 2004 and July 2006. Hazard
      ratios for all-cause and cause-specific mortality associated with hsCRP levels
      were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: A total of 436
      all-cause deaths occurred during a median follow- up of 8 years. The main cause
      of death was cancer. In men, hsCRP levels were positively associated with the
      risk of all-cause mortality as well as deaths from cancer and cardiovascular
      disease (CVD). All-cause mortality hazards for the 2nd (0.34-0.84 mg/L) and the
      3rd (>= 0.85 mg/L) tertiles of hsCRP were 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI],
      0.93-1.73) and 1.75 (1.30-2.37), respectively (p for trend=0.001). In women,
      increased risk of all- cause and cause-specific mortality associated with
      elevated hsCRP levels was observed, but the associations were not statistically
      significant. CONCLUSIONS: HsCRP may be an independent predictor of all-cause,
      cancer and CVD mortality in apparently healthy Japanese men, but not women. The
      differential effect of hsCRP in predicting mortality risk by sex warrants further
      investigation.

PMID- 27268645
TI  - Prevalence of IDH1/2 Mutations in Different Subtypes of Glioma in the North-East
      Population of Morocco.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genetic alterations in gliomas have increasing importance for
      classification purposes. Thus, we are especially interested in studying IDH
      mutations which may feature potential roles in diagnosis, prognosis and response
      to treatment. Our aim was to investigate IDH mutations in diffuse glioma patients
      diagnosed in university hospital centre of Fez in Morocco. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      IDH1 codon 132 and IDH2 codon 172 were direct-sequenced in 117 diffuse glioma
      samples diagnosed and treated in University Hospital Hassan II between 2010 and
      2014. RESULTS: The R132H IDH1 mutation was identified in 43/117 tumor samples and
      R172K IDH2 mutation was detected in only one anaplastic oligodendroglioma. IDH
      mutations were observed in 63.2% of astrocytomas, 73.3% of diffuse
      oligodendrogliomas and 12.90% of glioblastomas. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      confirmed other studies published earlier for other populations with some small
      discrepancies.

PMID- 27268646
TI  - Prognostic Factors of Prostate Cancer in Tunisian Men: Immunohistochemical Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the second most common male cancer and remains a
      leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Heterogeneity regarding recurrence,
      tumor progression and therapeutic response reflects the inadequacy of traditional
      prognostic factors and underlies interest in new genetic and molecular markers.
      In this work, we studied the prognostic value of the expression of 9 proteins, Ki
      67, p53, Bcl-2, PSA, HER2, E-cadherin, p21WAF1/Cip1, p27Kip1 and p16ink4a in
      prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 50
      prostate cancers diagnosed in Pathology Department of Farhet Hached Hospital,
      Sousse, Tunisia, during a period of 12 months. Clinico-pathological data and
      survival were investigated. Protein expression was analyzed by
      immunohistochemistry on archived material. RESULTS: Expression or over-expression
      of Ki-67, p53, Bcl-2, PSA, HER2, E-Cadherin, p21WAF1/Cip1, p27Kip1 and p16ink4a
      was observed in 68%, 24%, 32%, 78%, 12%, 90%, 20%, 44% and 56% of cases,
      respectively. Overall five-year survival was 68%. A statistically significant
      correlation was observed between death occurrence and advanced age (p=0.018),
      degree of tumor differentiation (p=0.0001), perineural invasion (p=0.016) and
      metastasis occurrence (p=0.05). Death occurrence was significantly correlated
      with the expression of p53 (p=0.007), Bcl-2 (p=0.02), Ki-67 (p=0.05) and p27Kip1
      (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The p53, Bcl-2, Ki-67 and p27Kip1 proteins may be useful
      additional prognostic markers for prostate cancer. The use of these proteins in
      clinical practice can improve prognosis prediction, disease screening and
      treatment response of prostatic cancer.

PMID- 27268647
TI  - Comparative Evaluation of Silibinin Effects on Cell Cycling and Apoptosis in
      Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 and T47D Cell Lines.
AB  - Silibinin is a natural polyphenol with high antioxidant and anticancer
      properties. In this study, its influence on two of the most commonly employed
      human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and T47D, and one non-malignant MCF-10A
      cell line, were investigated and compared. Cell viability, the cell cycle
      distribution and apoptosis induction were analyzed by MTT and flow cytometry,
      respectively. The effect of silibinin on PTEN, Bcl-2, P21, and P27 mRNAs
      expression was also investigated by real-time RT-PCR. It was found that silibinin
      caused G1 cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells but had no effect on the
      T47D cell cycle. Silibinin induced cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in T47D cells
      more than the MCF-7 cells and had no cytotoxic effect in MCF-10A cells under the
      same conditions. Silibinin upregulated PTEN in MCF-7 and caused slightly
      increased P21 mRNA expression in T47D cells and slightly increased PTEN and P21
      expression in MCF-10A cells. Bcl-2 expression decreased in all of the examined
      cells under silibinin treatment. P27 mRNA expression upregulated in T47D and MCF
      10A cells under silibinin treatment. PTEN mRNA in T47D and P21 and P27 mRNAsin
      MCF-7 were not affected by silibinin. These results suggest that silibinin has
      mostly different inhibitory effects in breast cancer cells and might be an
      effective anticancer agent for some cells linked to influence on cell cycle
      progression. 

PMID- 27268649
TI  - Ultrasound Breast Elastographic Evaluation of Mass-Forming Ductal Carcinoma-in
      situ with Histological Correlation - New Findings for a Toothpaste Sign.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unclear as to whether the size ratio elastographic technique is
      useful for assessing ultrasound- detected ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) masses
      since they commonly lack a significant desmoplastic reaction. The objectives of
      this study were to determine the accuracy of this elastographic technique in DCIS
      and examine if there was any histopathological correlation with the grey-scale
      strain patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female patients referred to the radiology
      department for image-guided breast biopsy were prospectively evaluated by
      ultrasound elastography prior to biopsy. Histological diagnosis was the gold
      standard. An elastographic size ratio of more than 1.1 was considered malignant.
      Elastographic strain patterns were assessed for correlation with the DCIS
      histological architectural patterns and nuclear grade. RESULTS: There were 30
      DCIS cases. Elastographic sensitivity for detection of malignancy was 86.7%
      (26/30). 10/30 (33.3%) DCIS masses demonstrated predominantly white elastographic
      strain patterns while 20/30 (66.7%) were predominantly black. There were 3
      (10.0%) DCIS masses that showed had a co-existent bull's-eye sign and 7 (23.3%)
      other masses had a co-existent toothpaste sign, a strain pattern that has never
      been reported in the literature. Four out of 4/5 comedo DCIS showed a
      predominantly white strain pattern (p=0.031) while 6/7 cases with the toothpaste
      sign were papillary DCIS (p=0.031). There was no relationship between the strain
      pattern and the DCIS nuclear grade. CONCLUSIONS: The size ratio elastographic
      technique was found to be very sensitive for ultrasound-detected DCIS masses.
      While the elastographic grey-scale strain pattern should not be used for
      diagnostic purposes, it correlated well with the DCIS architecture.

PMID- 27268648
TI  - Distribution of High Risk Human Papillomavirus Types in Western Kazakhstan -
      Retrospective Analysis of PCR Data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent
      infections with a restricted set of human papillomaviruses (HPV). Cancer of the
      cervix is the third or even the second most common cancer in women worldwide,
      more than 85% of the cases occurring in developing countries, such as China and
      India, including the Republic of Kazakhstan. The purpose was to determine the HPV
      type distribution to evaluate efficacy of vaccination and adjust cancer
      prevention strategy in Western Kazakhstan in the future. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      retrospective analysis was conducted of data obtained from PCR laboratories in 4
      regional centers for the time period covering 12 months, 2013-2014, using
      AmpliSens(r) Real-Time PCR kits for HPV testing of 12 genotypes (16, 18, 31, 33,
      35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59). RESULTS: A total of 1,661 persons were HPV
      tested within 2013-14, but a proprotion examined for 16 and 18 genotypes only
      (563) was not been included for statistic analysis of distribution and ratio of
      the most common genotypes. Males accounted for only a small number (N=90 in
      total). CONCLUSIONS: Total number of the HPV-positive appeared to be 26.0%, or
      286 of N=1098. Types distribution was as follows: type 16 (10.7%), 39 (5.83%), 51
      (5.27%), 31 (4.85%), 56 (4.58%), 18 (3.61%), 59 (2.64%), 58 (2.22%), 35 (1.94%),
      33 (1.25%). Overall the HPV infection was highest in 16-29 years old (62.4%) and
      decreased with age. Total prevalence of the HR-HPVs amongst male population was
      21.4% with top five types 16, 18, 39, 51, 31. Trends forcorrelations between
      Aktau site and type 33 (Cramer's V 0.2029), between Caucasian ethnicity and type
      33 (Cramer's V .1716), and between European ethnicities in Uralsk and type 45
      (Cramer's V .1752) were found. Of N 563 tested separately for 16 or 18 types,
      13.6% were positive. As a whole, the distribution of 16/18 types had a ratio of
      3.53:1. Given the vaccine-targeted type 16 is widely spread amongst this regional
      population, HPV immunization program of adolescent girls 10-13 years should be
      implemented appropriately.

PMID- 27268650
TI  - Digestive Neuroendocrine Tumor Distribution and Characteristics According to the
      2010 WHO Classification: a Single Institution Experience in Lebanon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NEN) are
      relatively rare tumors, not equally distributed in the gastrointestinal system.
      In 2010, a revised version of the WHO classification of GEP-NENs was published.
      This study reports for the first time the distribution and characteristics of GEP
      NENs in a Lebanese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive
      retrospective study concerns all the digestive neuroendocrine tumors with their
      characteristics diagnosed in Hotel Dieu de France in Beirut, Lebanon from 2001 to
      2012, all the pathology reports being reanalyzed according to the latest WHO 2010
      classification. The characteristics and features of GEP-NEN analyzed in this
      study were age, gender, grade and site. RESULTS: A total of 89 GEP-NENs were
      diagnosed, representing 28.2% of all neuroendocrine tumors. The mean age of GEP
      NEN patients was 58.7 years and the M/F sex ratio was 1.2. The primary
      localization was as follows: 21.3%(19) pancreatic, 18% (16) gastric, 15.7% (14)
      duodenal, 11.2% (10) appendix, 10.1% (9) intestinal, 10.1% (9) colorectal (7.9%
      colonic and 2.2% rectal), 5.6% (4) hepatic, 2.2% (2) ampulla, 1.1% (1) esophageal
      and 7.9%(5) NOS digestive (metastatic with unknown primary). Of the 89 patients
      with GEP-NEN, 56.2% (50) were diagnosed as grade I, 11.2% (10) as grade II, 20.2%
      (18) as grade III and 12.4% (11) were considered as mixed adeno-neuroendocrine
      carcinomas (MANEC). CONCLUSIONS: This study, one of the rare examples based on
      the 2010 WHO classification of neuroendocrine tumors in the literature, indicates
      that in the Lebanese population, all duodenal and appendicular tumors are G1 and
      the majority of MANEC tumors are gastric and pancreatic tumors. Moreover, more
      duodenal tumors and fewer rectal tumors were encountered in our study compared to
      European reports.

PMID- 27268651
TI  - Combination of Potassium Pentagamavunon-0 and Doxorubicin Induces Apoptosis and
      Cell Cycle Arrest and Inhibits Metastasis in Breast Cancer Cells.
AB  - A salt compound of a curcumin analogue, potassium pentagamavunon-0 (K PGV-0) has
      been synthesized to improve solubility of pentagamavunon-0 which has been proven
      to have anti-proliferative effects on several cancer cells. The purpose of this
      study was to investigate cytotoxic activity and metastasis inhibition by K PGV- 0
      alone and in combination with achemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin (dox), in
      breast cancer cells. Based on MTT assay analysis, K PGV-0 showed cytotoxic
      activity in T47D and 4T1 cell lines with IC50 values of 94.9 MUM and 49.0+/-0.2
      MUM, respectively. In general, K PGV-0+dox demonstrated synergistic effects and
      decreased cell viability up to 84.7% in T47D cells and 62.6% in 4T1 cells. Cell
      cycle modulation and apoptosis induction were examined by flow cytometry. K PGV-0
      and K PGV-0+dox caused cell accumulation in G2/M phase and apoptosis induction.
      Regarding cancer metastasis, while K PGV-0 alone did not show any inhibition of
      4T1 cell migration, K PGV-0+dox exerted inhibition. K PGV-0 and its combination
      with dox inhibited the activity of MMP-9 which has a pivotal role in
      extracellular matrix degradation. These results show that a combination of K PGV
      0 and doxorubicin inhibits cancer cell growth through cell cycling, apoptosis
      induction, and inhibition of cell migration and MMP-9 activity. Therefore, K PGV
      0 may have potential for development as a co-chemotherapeutic agent. 

PMID- 27268652
TI  - Knowledge of the General Community in Cordoba, Argentina, on Human Papilloma
      Virus Infection and its Prevention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most studies of human papilloma virus (HPV) are aimed at the natural
      history of the infection and its relation to cancer; however, there are few
      studies to assess knowledge of the general population. Our aim was analyze the
      degree of knowledge of Argentinians about HPV infection and its prevention.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a voluntary, anonymous and non-binding survey
      with 27 multiple-choice items, in twelve private and public establishments,
      selected to include a broad population in terms of education, age and gender. The
      survey consisted of three sections: individual characteristics of the volunteer,
      HPV infection basic knowledge, its prevention and the virus relationship with
      other cancers. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred ninety seven volunteers aged 18
      to 80 participated. The total number of correct answers was 45.1%. The correct
      answers for relationship HPV and cervical cancer was 62.1%. Almost 55% did not
      know about types of HPV that the vaccines for protection. Statistical analysis
      showed that women, single people, workers, the better educated, those who have
      had a STDs or HPV and receiving information through medical or educational
      establishments had greater knowledge of the topic. Only 0.2% of participants
      answered all questions correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge plays an important role
      in health care and the deficiency found in our population could influence the
      success of the measures taken in the fight against cervical cancer. In this
      regard, we believe it would be appropriate, not only to emphasize early diagnosis
      and vaccine implementation, but also incorporate new communication strategies,
      facilitating reception of accurate and precise information by all strata of
      society.

PMID- 27268653
TI  - Unique Features of Gastric Cancer in Young Patients: Experience from a General
      Hospital in Nepal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer, the fifth most common malignancy in the world,
      usually affects older individuals but can occur in younger age groups. In this
      study we compared the clinicopathological profile of young patients of gastric
      cancer with that of older patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a prospective
      study of gastric cancer patients treated over three year period (January 2012 to
      December 2014). Data of patients were obtained from the medical record. Clinical
      and pathological characters of younger patients (age 40 years or less) were
      compared with older patients (age more than 40 years). RESULTS: There were total
      of 152 patients treated during the study period. Twenty patients (13.2%) were
      less than 40 years of age and 132 (86.8%) were older. The male to female ratio in
      younger patients was 1:1.5 whereas in older patients it was 1:0.6. In the younger
      age group 14 patients (70%) had poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in contrast
      to 45% in the older age group (<0.01). Some 55% of younger and 42% of older
      patients had stage IV disease at presentation and curative surgery was not
      possible. Palliative surgery for gastric outlet obstruction or bleeding from the
      tumor was performed on 25% and 21% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric cancer in
      young people aged less than 40 years has unique characters like female
      predominance, unfavorable tumor biology, and advanced stage at presentation.
      There should be a high index of suspicion of gastric cancer even in young
      patients.

PMID- 27268654
TI  - Serum miRNA Panel in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Related
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common
      malignancies worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have great HCC diagnostic potential
      and circulating miRNAs have been reported as promising biomarkers for various
      pathologic conditions. AIM: To explore the potential benefit of serum miR-126,
      miR-129, miR-155, miR-203 and miR-223 as non-invasive diagnostic markers of
      hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of
      miRNA was evaluated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 78 serum samples (30
      treatment-naive chronic HCV, 25 post-HCV compensated cirrhosis and 23 treatment-
      naive HCC cases). RESULTS: Comparing miRNA fold changes in the HCC group vs the
      non HCC groups, there was significant fold decrease in miR-126 (P= 0.034), miR
      129 (P= 0.006), miR-155 (P= 0.011), miR-203 (<0.001) and miR-223 (P= 0.013). The
      highest AUC to differentiate HCC patients from non-HCC was 0.76 for miR-203.
      CONCLUSIONS: Among studied miRNAs, serum miR-203 has the highest potential as a
      non-invasive biomarker of HCC.

PMID- 27268655
TI  - Prognostic Value of MAC30 Expression in Human Pure Squamous Cell Carcinomas of
      the Lung.
AB  - Recent evidence haas indicated that meningioma-associate protein (MAC30) exhibits
      different expression patterns in various tumors. However, little is known about
      the value of MAC30 in human squamous cell carcinoma of lung (SQCLC). The purpose
      of our study was to investigate the expression of MAC30 and to explore its
      clinical significance in SQCLC patients. A total of 156 Chinese patients
      diagnosed with SQCLC were selected for this study. The expression of MAC30 in all
      tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative real-time PCR
      was performed to analyze MAC30 mRNA expression in 32 cases of SQCLC patients with
      corresponding non-tumor lung tissues. We observed enhanced mRNA expression of
      MAC30 in SQCLC as compared to control samples. Further, elevated MAC30 protein
      expression was strongly associated with poor tumor differentiation, TNM stage,
      and lymph node metastasis. In addition, we observed that patients with increased
      MAC30 expression demonstrated poor overall survival. Multivariate analysis
      explicated that increased MAC30 expression was a valuable independent predictable
      factor for poor tumor differentiation and short survival in SQCLC patients. Our
      present study suggests that MAC30 may serve as a biomarker for poor tumor
      differentiation and outcomes of patients with SQCLC. 

PMID- 27268656
TI  - The Efficacy of Aspirin in Preventing the Recurrence of Colorectal Adenoma: a
      Renewed Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Through search the possible randomized control trials, we make a
      renewed meta-analysis in order to assess the impact of aspirin in preventing the
      recurrence of colorectal adenoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Medicine/PubMed,
      Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese
      biomedical literature service system (SinoMed) databases were searched for the
      related randomized controlled trials until to the April 2016. Three different
      authors respectively evaluated the quality of studies and extracted data, and we
      used the STATA software to analyze, investigate heterogeneity between the data,
      using the fixed-effects model to calculate and merge data. RESULTS: 7 papers were
      included the renewed meta- analysis, among these studies, two pairs were
      identified as representing the same study population, with the only difference
      being the duration of follow-up. Thus there were only five papers included our
      meta-analysis, and one Chinese paper were also included the work. Results were
      categorized by the length of follow-up, different kinds of people, varied dose of
      oral aspirin. The relative of adenoma in patients taking aspirin vs placebo were
      0.73 (95% CI 0.55-0.98, P=0.039) with 1 year follow up; 0.84 (95% CI 0.72-0.98,
      P=0.484) with greater than 1 year follow up; for the advanced adenoma, the RR
      0.68 (95% CI 0.49-0.94, P=0.582),for one year; RR=0.75 (95% CI 0.52-1.07,
      P=0.552) for greater one year. Furthermore the white population could divided
      into two subgroups according to the different length of follow-up time. When the
      length of follow-up time less than 3-year, The RR of two subgroups respective
      were RR=0.86 (95% CI 0.76-0.98, P=0.332), I2=0%, RR=0.68 (95% CI 0.47-0.98,
      P=0.552), I2=64.6%, But with the extension of follow-up time greater than 2-year,
      with the white, oral aspirin without considering dose had no efficacy on
      preventing the recurrence of any adenoma, the RR was 0.86 (95% CI 0.71-1.05,
      P=0.302), I2=16.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicated that oral aspirin
      is associated with a remarkable decrease in the recurrence of any adenoma and
      advanced adenomas in patients follow-up for 1 year without concerning the dose of
      aspirin, but with the extension of follow-up time for greater than 1 year, oral
      aspirin can be effective on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma, but for the
      advanced adenoma, the result indicated that oral aspirin had no efficacy,
      According to the inclusion of ethnic groups, we also divided relevant papers into
      two subgroups as the yellow and white group. Then the follow-up time was less
      than 3 years, oral aspirin without considering the dose, had an significant
      efficacy on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma. But with the follow-up
      greater than 2 years, oral aspirin had no effect in the white.

PMID- 27268657
TI  - Downregulated MicroRNA-133a in Gastric Juice as a Clinicopathological Biomarker
      for Gastric Cancer Screening.
AB  - Circulatory miR-133a is a marker shared by several types of cancer. In this study
      we evaluated the feasibility of using miR-133a levels in gastric juice to screen
      for gastric cancer. A total of 204 samples of gastric juice and mucosa from
      gastric cancer, atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcer, superficial gastritis and
      healthy cases were collected by gastroscopy. The results showed that miR-133a
      levels in gastric juice and carcinoma tissues of patients with gastric cancer
      were significantly downregulated and positively correlated. Moreover, miR-133a in
      gastric juice has high operability, high reliability, high sensitivity, high
      specificity and relative stability, fit for clinical diagnosis of gastric cancer.

PMID- 27268658
TI  - Antiproliferative Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Withania Somnifera Leaves
      from Faifa Mountains, Southwest Saudi Arabia, against Several Human Cancer Cell
      Lines.
AB  - Cancer represent one of the most serious health problems and major causes of
      death around the world. Many anticancer drugs in clinical use today are natural
      products or derived from natural sources. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a
      small shrub widely distributed in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia.
      The antiproliferative activities of the methanolic extract of W. somnifera leaves
      collected from Faifa mountains, southwest Saudi Arabia against MCF-7, HCT116 and
      HepH2 cell lines were investigated. The extract showed a strong antiproliferative
      activity against all cell lines with IC50 values of 3.35, 2.19 and 1.89 MUg/ml,
      respectively. Flow cytometry results showed that the extract arrested the cell
      cycle at S phase, and the increase in the caspase 3 activity suggested that the
      extract could induce cell apoptosis by a caspase mediated pathway. These results
      demonstrated that the methanolic extract of W. somnifera leaves collected from
      Faifa mountains has comparable strong antiproliferative activities to samples
      collected from different locations. 

PMID- 27268660
TI  - Role of Re-irradiation in Salvage Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme.

PMID- 27268659
TI  - Targeted Bisulfite Sequencing-Based Analysis of MGMT Promoter Methylation in
      Meningiomas.

PMID- 27268661
TI  - Mutations in PIK3CA Sensitize Breast Cancer Cells to Physiologic Levels of
      Aspirin.

PMID- 27268662
TI  - Accessing the medical devices market in Egypt and Saudi Arabia: a systematic
      review of policies and regulations.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite the significant medical devices market size in Egypt and
      Saudi Arabia, information regarding policies and regulations for medical devices
      market access is highly deficient. AREAS COVERED: The aim of this paper is to
      provide a systematic review on market access policies and regulations in both
      countries, to allow safe and timely access to medical technology. The following
      databases were searched: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Al Manhal Arabic
      database. Additionally, the web portals of regulatory authorities of both
      countries were searched. There are 34 records included in the qualitative
      synthesis of this review. Expert commentary: Main findings include; adopted
      regulatory framework from reference countries, and interim main regulatory
      documents, In conclusion, the market access schemes are relatively structured.
      However, some recommendations are put forward to navigate towards a more
      comprehensive policy framework in both countries.

PMID- 27268663
TI  - Template Synthesis of Decaphyrin without Meso-Bridges: Cyclo[10]pyrrole.
AB  - An acenaphthylene-fused cyclo[10]pyrrole 1b was selectively synthesized via an
      oxidative coupling reaction of the corresponding 2,2'-bipyrrole with the
      appropriate dianion template, croconate anion. The structure of 1b as the
      isolated largest cyclo[n]pyrrole was elucidated by X-ray crystallographic
      analysis. The absorption spectrum exhibited a markedly red-shifted, intensified L
      band at 1982 nm, which was interpreted by application of Michl's perimeter and
      Gouterman's 4-orbital models, supported by magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) data
      and theoretical calculations.

PMID- 27268664
TI  - Monoterpene glycosides from Paeonia veitchii.
AB  - The EtOH extract of the roots of Paeonia veitchii afforded two new monoterpene
      glycosides paeonidanin I (1) and paeonidanin J (2), and a new dimeric monoterpene
      glycoside paeonidanin K (3). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of
      spectroscopic means and hydrolysis products.

PMID- 27268696
TI  - Novel substituted isoxazole FXR agonists with cyclopropyl, hydroxycyclobutyl and
      hydroxyazetidinyl linkers: Understanding and improving key determinants of
      pharmacological properties.
AB  - Several isoxazole-containing series of FXR agonists have been published over the
      last 15years, subsequent to the prototypical amphiphilic 'hammerhead'-type
      structure that was originally laid out by GW4064, the first potent synthetic FXR
      agonist. A set of novel compounds where the hammerhead is connected to the
      terminal carboxylic acid-bearing aryl or heteroaryl moiety by either a
      cyclopropyl, a hydroxycyclobutyl or a hydroxyazetidinyl linker was synthesized in
      order to improve upon the ADME properties of such isoxazoles. The resulting
      compounds all demonstrated high potencies at the target receptor FXR but with
      considerable differences in their physicochemical and in vivo profiles. The
      structure-activity relationships for key chemical features that have a major
      impact on the in vivo pharmacology of this series are discussed.

PMID- 27268697
TI  - The chemical synthesis and preliminary biological studies of phosphodiester and
      phosphorothioate analogues of 2-methoxy-lysophosphatidylethanolamine.
AB  - The chemical synthesis of phosphorothioate/phosphodiester analogues of 2-methoxy
      lysophosphatidylethanolamine has been described. For the preparation of
      phosphorothioate derivatives oxathiaphospholane approach has been employed. The
      phosphodiester compounds were prepared by OXONE(r) oxidation of corresponding
      phosphorothioates. Each lysophospholipid analogue was synthesized as a series of
      four compounds, bearing different fatty acid residues both saturated (14:0, 16:0,
      18:0) and unsaturated (18:1). The methylation of glycerol 2-hydroxyl function was
      applied in order to increase the stability of prepared analogues by preventing 1
      >2 acyl migration. The cytotoxicity of newly synthesized 2-methoxy
      lysophosphatidylethanolamine derivatives was evaluated with resazurin-based
      method in prostate cancer PC3 cell line. The highest reduction of cell viability
      was noted for LPE analogues containing myristoyl acyl chain.

PMID- 27268698
TI  - Synthesis of [(11)C]MK-1064 as a new PET radioligand for imaging of orexin-2
      receptor.
AB  - The reference standard MK-1064 {5"-chloro-N-((5,6-dimethoxypyridin-2-yl)methyl)
      [2,2':5',3"-terpyridine]-3'-carboxamide} was synthesized from methyl 2-chloro-5
      iodonicotinate and 5-(chloropyridin-3-yl)boronic acid in 4 steps with 33% overall
      chemical yield. The precursor desmethyl-MK-1064 {5"-chloro-N-((5-hydroxy-6
      methoxypyridin-2-yl)methyl)-[2,2':5',3"-terpyridine]-3'-carboxamide} for
      radiolabeling was synthesized from 2-bromopyridin-3-ol and 5"-chloro-[2,2':5',3"
      terpyridine]-3'-carboxylic acid in 6 steps with 17% overall chemical yield. The
      target tracer [(11)C]MK-1064 {5"-chloro-N-((5-[(11)C]methoxy-6-methoxypyridin-2
      yl)methyl)-[2,2':5',3"-terpyridine]-3'-carboxamide} was prepared by O
      [(11)C]methylation of its corresponding precursor desmethyl-MK-1064 with
      [(11)C]CH3OTf under basic condition and isolated by a simplified solid-phase
      extraction (SPE) method in 50-60% decay corrected radiochemical yields based on
      [(11)C]CO2 at end of bombardment (EOB). The overall synthesis time from EOB was
      23min, the radiochemical purity was >99%, and the specific activity at end of
      synthesis (EOS) was 185-555GBq/MUmol.

PMID- 27268700
TI  - San Fermin all-seeing.

PMID- 27268699
TI  - Fabrication of Sealed Nanostraw Microdevices for Oral Drug Delivery.
AB  - The oral route is preferred for systemic drug administration and provides direct
      access to diseased tissue of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, many drugs
      have poor absorption upon oral administration due to damaging enzymatic and pH
      conditions, mucus and cellular permeation barriers, and limited time for drug
      dissolution. To overcome these limitations and enhance oral drug absorption,
      micron-scale devices with planar, asymmetric geometries, termed microdevices,
      have been designed to adhere to the lining of the GI tract and release drug at
      high concentrations directly toward GI epithelium. Here we seal microdevices with
      nanostraw membranes-porous nanostructured biomolecule delivery substrates-to
      enhance the properties of these devices. We demonstrate that the nanostraws
      facilitate facile drug loading and tunable drug release, limit the influx of
      external molecules into the sealed drug reservoir, and increase the adhesion of
      devices to epithelial tissue. These findings highlight the potential of nanostraw
      microdevices to enhance the oral absorption of a wide range of therapeutics by
      binding to the lining of the GI tract, providing prolonged and proximal drug
      release, and reducing the exposure of their payload to drug-degrading
      biomolecules.

PMID- 27268701
TI  - Primary lymphocytic lymphoma of lacrimal gland.
AB  - CASE REPORT: We report a case of primary small-cell lymphocytic lacrimal gland
      lymphoma in a male diagnosed with primary antiphospholipid syndrome. These rare
      lymphomas are usually presented in the clinic as disseminations secondary to
      chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and the primary site is rare in the orbit.
      DISCUSSION: Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of tumours. Although
      treatment in the IE stage is usually radiotherapy, due to its association with
      antiphospholipid syndrome, systemic treatment with rituximab was administered.

PMID- 27268707
TI  - In vitro and in vivo studies on the antimicrobial effect of lactoferrin against
      Escherichia coli O157:H7.
AB  - Escherichia coli O157:H7 shed by clinically healthy ruminants has been linked to
      hemorrhagic colitis and the hemolytic uremic syndrome in humans. The bacteria are
      spread mainly by contaminated food and water, contact with animals carrying the
      organisms, and person-to-person contact. Although many intervention strategies
      have been studied to reduce E. coli O157:H7 carriage in ruminants and its spread
      into the environment, none of the available methods can completely eliminate the
      infection. Therefore, there is need for new intervention strategies which will
      effectively reduce E. coli O157:H7 prevalence. Lactoferrin, a member of the
      transferrin protein family, is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is found in many
      exocrine secretions, including milk, tears, saliva, and serum. Lactoferrin has a
      number of biological functions including antimicrobial and immunomodulatory
      effects. This review summarizes latest data on the antimicrobial effect of
      lactoferrin against E. coli O157:H7 in in vitro and in vivo studies.

PMID- 27268708
TI  - Visible-Light-Enabled Decarboxylative Sulfonylation of Cinnamic Acids with
      Sulfonylhydrazides under Transition-Metal-Free Conditions.
AB  - Decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions of cinnamic acids with
      sulfonylhydrazides were explored using oxygen as the sole terminal oxidant,
      realizing a conceptually novel technology for vinyl sulfone synthesis under the
      synergistic interactions of visible light irradiation, organic dye-type
      photocatalyst eosin Y, KI, and Cs2CO3 at room temperature.

PMID- 27268709
TI  - Cultured Construction: Global Evidence of the Impact of National Values on Piped
      to-Premises Water Infrastructure Development.
AB  - In 2016, the global community undertook the Sustainable Development Goals. One of
      these goals seeks to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and
      affordable drinking water for all people by the year 2030. In support of this
      undertaking, this paper seeks to discover the cultural work done by piped water
      infrastructure across 33 nations with developed and developing economies that
      have experienced change in the percentage of population served by piped-to
      premises water infrastructure at the national level of analysis. To do so, I
      regressed the 1990-2012 change in piped-to-premises water infrastructure coverage
      against Hofstede's cultural dimensions, controlling for per capita GDP, the 1990
      baseline level of coverage, percent urban population, overall 1990-2012 change in
      improved sanitation (all technologies), and per capita freshwater resources.
      Separate analyses were carried out for the urban, rural, and aggregate national
      contexts. Hofstede's dimensions provide a measure of cross-cultural difference;
      high or low scores are not in any way intended to represent better or worse but
      rather serve as a quantitative way to compare aggregate preferences for ways of
      being and doing. High scores in the cultural dimensions of Power Distance,
      Individualism-Collectivism, and Uncertainty Avoidance explain increased access to
      piped-to-premises water infrastructure in the rural context. Higher Power
      Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance scores are also statistically significant for
      increased coverage in the urban and national aggregate contexts. These results
      indicate that, as presently conceived, piped-to-premises water infrastructure
      fits best with spatial contexts that prefer hierarchy and centralized control.
      Furthermore, water infrastructure is understood to reduce uncertainty regarding
      the provision of individually valued benefits. The results of this analysis
      identify global trends that enable engineers and policy makers to design and
      manage more culturally appropriate and socially sustainable water infrastructure
      by better fitting technologies to user preferences.

PMID- 27268710
TI  - Reduction of Water/Oil Interfacial Tension by Model Asphaltenes: The Governing
      Role of Surface Concentration.
AB  - In this work, pendant drop techniques and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations
      were employed to investigate the effect of asphaltene concentrations on the
      interfacial tension (IFT) of the oil/water interface. Here, oil and asphaltene
      were represented by, respectively, common organic solvents and Violanthrone-79,
      and two types of concentration, i.e., bulk concentration and surface
      concentration, were examined. Correlations between the IFTs from experiments and
      MD simulations revealed that surface concentration, rather than the commonly used
      bulk concentration, determines the reduction of oil/water IFTs. Through analyzing
      the hydrogen bonding, the underlying mechanism for the IFT reduction was
      proposed. Our discussions here not only enable the direct comparison between
      experiments and MD simulations on the IFTs but also help with future interfacial
      studies using combined experimental and simulation approaches. The methodologies
      used in this work can be extended to many other oil/water interfaces in the
      presence of interfacially active compounds.

PMID- 27268711
TI  - Decreasing prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school-aged
      children in Nepal: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the last two decades there have been several studies describing
      the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Nepal; however, there is a lack of
      surveillance data in the country. METHODS: We searched literature in PubMed,
      MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar and local peer-reviewed journals published from
      1990 to 2015 for studies describing prevalence of intestinal parasites among
      school-aged children. We conducted meta-regression to understand the trend over
      time and pooled the prevalence using 'metaprop' command in STATA 12.1. RESULTS:
      Thirty-one studies examining 12 080 fecal specimens were included. The prevalence
      of intestinal parasitic infections showed a significantly decreasing trend (OR
      0.56; 95% CI 0.43-0.73 for each consecutive 5 years) and was similar in males and
      females. The pooled prevalence in years 1996-2000, 2001-2005, 2006-2010 and 2011
      2015 was 61.1% (95% CI 51.47-70.26), 53.2% (95% CI 20.94-83.99), 32.7% (95% CI
      26.57-39.21) and 20.4% (95% CI 15.04-26.25), respectively. The proportion of
      helminths among total intestinal parasites was higher in rural areas 57.6% (95%
      CI 43.54-71.61), and proportion of protozoa among total intestinal parasites was
      higher in urban areas 68.4% (95% CI 63.23-73.62). Poly-parasitism was observed in
      7.7% (95% CI 5.57-9.73) of children. CONCLUSION: We observed a significantly
      decreasing trend in prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school
      aged children in Nepal over the last two decades.

PMID- 27268712
TI  - Yaws: towards the WHO eradication target.
AB  - In 2012 WHO declared a target to eradicate yaws by 2020. The cornerstone of this
      strategy is community mass treatment with azithromycin. Initial studies suggest
      this is a very effective tool that may be capable of interrupting transmission.
      Alongside this there has been progress in the development and validation of
      diagnostic tests for yaws. Several new challenges have also emerged, in
      particular, evidence that Haemophilus ducreyi can cause phenotypically similar
      ulcers in yaws endemic communities, and evidence for a possible non-human primate
      reservoir. The 2020 eradication target remains ambitious and more challenges
      should be expected on the journey.

PMID- 27268713
TI  - Decrease of microscopic Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence during
      pregnancy following IPTp-SP implementation in urban cities of Gabon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Six years after the implementation of intermittent preventive
      treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in Gabon, its
      impact on placental malaria and pregnancy outcomes remains unknown. METHODS: Age,
      gestational data, use of IPTp-SP and birth weight were recorded during a hospital
      based cross-sectional survey performed in 2011 in 387 women at the end of
      pregnancy. RESULTS: Malaria prevalence was 6.7 and 5.3% in peripheral and
      placental blood respectively. Overall, 59.0% women took at least two IPTp-SP
      doses which was associated with 50% reduction of Plasmodium; (P.) falciparum
      infection in primigravidae. Previous malaria treatment was a risk factor for
      peripheral P. falciparum infection, while uptake of IPTp-SP was associated with
      reduced parasitaemia. Anaemia prevalence was 38.0%, low birth weight and
      prematurity rates were 6.0 and 12.0% respectively. Young age was associated with
      a higher frequency of malaria, anaemia, low birth weight and preterm delivery
      (p<0.01). Birth weight significantly rose with increasing age (p<0.01), parity
      (p=0.03) and number of SP doses (p=0.03). A birth weight reduction of 230 g in
      case of peripheral parasitaemia (p=0.02) and of 210 g with placental parasitaemia
      (p=0.13) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Microscopic P. falciparum prevalence during
      pregnancy significantly declined between 2005 and 2011, following IPTp-SP
      implementation in Gabon. Young women and paucigravidae remain the most
      susceptible to malaria and associated outcomes.

PMID- 27268714
TI  - The Leishmaniasis East Africa Platform (LEAP): strengthening clinical trial
      capacity in resource-limited countries to deliver new treatments for visceral
      leishmaniasis.
AB  - Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease endemic in East Africa
      where improved patient-adapted treatments are needed. The Leishmaniasis East
      Africa Platform (LEAP) was created in 2003 to strengthen clinical research
      capacity, serve as a base for training, and evaluate and facilitate
      implementation of new treatments. Major infrastructure upgrades and personnel
      training have been carried out. A short course of Sodium Stibogluconate and
      Paramomycin (SSG&PM) was evaluated and is now first-line treatment in the region;
      alternative treatments have also been assessed. LEAP can serve as a successful
      model of collaboration between different partners and countries when conducting
      clinical research in endemic countries to international standards.

PMID- 27268715
TI  - Testing the monophyly of Aesculus L. and Billia Peyr., woody genera of tribe
      Hippocastaneae of the Sapindaceae.
AB  - Hippocastaneae is a well-supported clade in Sapindaceae that comprises 15+
      species; 12+ in Aesculus, two in Billia, and one in Handeliodendron Rehder. The
      monophyly of Aesculus and Billia were widely assumed, but a recent molecular
      phylogenetic study of Sapindanceae used seven species of Aesculus and one each of
      Billia and Handeliodendron and showed that Billia and Handeliodendron were nested
      within Aesculus. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Aesculus and Billia are
      mutually monophyletic using phylogenetic analyses of seven molecular markers and
      31 accessions of Hippocastaneae representing 14 species. We performed
      phylogenetic analyses using a dataset of concatenated genes as well as with
      coalescent method for constructing a species tree from individual gene trees. The
      analysis of seven concatenated markers and the species tree strongly supported
      the mutual monophyly of Aesculus and Billia. We also recovered support for the
      traditional arrangement of genera within Hippocastaneae: Aesculus and Billia
      comprising a clade that is sister to Handeliodendron. However, the relationships
      among the genera remain incompletely resolved.

PMID- 27268716
TI  - Audiovestibular function in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
AB  - CONCLUSION: It was found that JIR children had potential sensory neural hearing
      loss and vestibular affection. Therefore, this study recommends: early complete
      audiologic evaluation of JIA child followed by regular follow-up, including
      TOAEs, extended high-frequency audiometry, and VNG. This follow-up is important
      for preliminary diagnosis and management in order to prevent the negative impact
      of hearing loss on a child's life. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess
      hearing in children with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and compare them
      with a healthy control group. In addition to conventional audiometry, extended
      high-frequency audiometry and Transient otoacoustic emission (TOAEs) were used.
      This study also tried to investigate the vestibular function in JIR children by
      videonystagmography (VNG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group comprised of 28
      children with JIR and 28 healthy children. All subjects were examined
      audiologically using basic audiological evaluation, high-frequency audiometry,
      TOAEs, and VNG. RESULTS: Children with JIR had apparent normal peripheral hearing
      in conventional audiometry; sub-clinical sensory neural hearing loss was
      detected. This sub-clinical hearing loss appeared in statistically significant
      difference between them and normal in high-frequency audiometry and TOAEs. VNG
      test results showed affected tracking and second tests.

PMID- 27268717
TI  - Pharmacological activation of cannabinoid 2 receptor attenuates inflammation,
      fibrogenesis, and promotes re-epithelialization during skin wound healing.
AB  - Previous studies showed that cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor is expressed in
      multiple effector cells during skin wound healing. Meanwhile, its functional
      involvement in inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation in other organs and
      skin diseases implied CB2 receptor might also regulate skin wound healing. To
      verify this hypothesis, mice excisional wounds were created and treated with
      highly selective CB2 receptor agonist GP1a (1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-6-methyl- N
      piperidin-1-yl-4H-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carboxamide) and antagonist AM630 ([6
      iodo-2- methyl-1-(2-morpholin-4-ylethyl)indol-3-yl]-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone)
      respectively. The inflammatory infiltration, cytokine expression, fibrogenesis,
      and wound re-epithelialization were analyzed. After CB2 receptor activation,
      neutrophil and macrophage infiltrations were reduced, and expressions of monocyte
      chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1, Interleukin
      (IL)-6, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, transforming growth factor
      (TGF)-beta1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A were decreased.
      Keratinocyte proliferation and migration were enhanced. Wound re
      epithelialization was accelerated. Fibroblast accumulation and fibroblast-to
      myofibroblast transformation were attenuated, and expression of pro-collagen I
      was decreased. Furthermore, HaCaT cells in vitro were treated with GP1a or AM630,
      which revealed that CB2 receptor activation promoted keratinocyte migration by
      inducing the epithelial to mesenchymal transition. These results, taken together,
      indicate that activating CB2 receptor could ameliorate wound healing by reducing
      inflammation, accelerating re-epithelialization, and attenuating scar formation.
      Thus, CB2 receptor agonist might be a novel perspective for skin wound therapy. 

PMID- 27268718
TI  - Taurochenodeoxycholic acid induces NR8383 cells apoptosis via PKC/JNK-dependent
      pathway.
AB  - Our former studies have suggested that taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) as a
      signaling molecule shows obvious anti-inflammatory and immune regulation
      properties. In this research, we tentatively explored the potential effects and
      the possible mechanism that involve in the apoptotic process in NR8383 cells
      induced by TCDCA. Using flow cytometry analysis, we evaluated the apoptosis rate.
      Gene expression levels were determined by qPCR. The expressions of protein kinase
      C (PKC), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and their phosphorylation were measured by
      Western Blot. We observed the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 with Caspase
      Glo(r) regent. The results demonstrated that TCDCA dramatically improved the
      apoptosis rate of NR8383 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In the
      meantime, PKC mRNA levels and activities were significantly augmented by TCDCA
      treatments. In addition, JNK, caspase-3 and caspase-8 mRNA expression levels and
      activities were increased by TCDCA, while they were markedly decreased by
      specific inhibitors. We conclude that TCDCA contributes to the apoptosis through
      the activation of the caspase cascade in NR8383 cells, and the PKC/JNK signaling
      pathway may be involved in this process. These results indicate that TCDCA may be
      a latent effective pharmaceutical product for apoptosis-related diseases. 

PMID- 27268719
TI  - Morin, a dietary bioflavonol suppresses monosodium urate crystal-induced
      inflammation in an animal model of acute gouty arthritis with reference to NLRP3
      inflammasome, hypo-xanthine phospho-ribosyl transferase, and inflammatory
      mediators.
AB  - The anti-inflammatory effect of morin, a dietary bioflavanol was explored on
      monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation in rats, an experimental
      model for acute gouty arthritis. Morin treatment (30mg/kg b.wt) significantly
      attenuated the ankle swelling and the levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide,
      serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -alpha, interleukin
      (IL)-1beta, and IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and articular elastase
      along with an increased anti-oxidant status (catalase (CAT) and superoxide
      dismutase (SOD)) in the joint homogenate of MSU crystal-induced rats.
      Histological assessment revealed that morin limited the diffusion of joint space,
      synovial hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltrations. The mRNA expression of
      NLRP3 (nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family, pyrin domain
      containing 3) inflammasome, caspase-1, pro-inflammatory cytokines, MCP-1,
      inflammatory enzymes (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase
      2 (COX-2)), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 was found downregulated
      and HPRT (hypo-xanthine phospho-ribosyl transferase) mRNA expression was
      upregulated in morin treated MSU crystal-induced rats. In addition, morin
      treatment reduced the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65, p-NF-kappaB p65, iNOS,
      COX-2, and TNF-alpha. The results clearly demonstrated that morin exert a potent
      anti-inflammatory effect on MSU crystal-induced inflammation in rats. 

PMID- 27268720
TI  - Mobile Electronic Medical Records Promote Workflow: Physicians' Perspective From
      a Survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As a result of demographic changes, physicians are required to
      deliver needed services with limited resources. Research suggests that tablet PCs
      with access to patient data may streamline clinical workflow. A recent study
      found tablets with mobile electronic medical records (EMRs) can facilitate data
      retrieval and produce time savings across the clinical routine within hospital
      settings. However, the reasons for these time savings, including details on how
      tablets were being used, remain unclear. The same applies to physicians'
      perceptions of this tool within an inpatient setting. OBJECTIVE: This study
      examined physicians' perception of tablets with EMRs in an inpatient setting. The
      rationale was to identify both subjective and objective factors that impacted the
      successful implementation and use of tablets running an EMR. METHODS: We
      developed a 57-item survey questionnaire designed to examine users' perception of
      and attitude toward tablets, which was administered to 14 participating
      physicians following 7 weeks of tablet use. Five participants volunteered to
      participate in a second study that investigated physicians' patterns of tablet
      use within the EMR environment by digitally tracking and storing usage behavior.
      Statistical analyses of questionnaire results included mean values with their
      bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals and multivariate analysis of variance to
      identify predictors of tablet use. RESULTS: Physicians reported high degrees of
      satisfaction with the tablets. There was a general consensus among physicians
      that tablet use streamlined clinical workflow through optimized data retrieval
      (rated 0.69, 0.23-1.15 points better than control) and improved communication
      with patients and other physicians (rated 0.85, 0.54-1.15 and 0.77, 0.38-1.15
      points better than control, respectively). Age (F3,11=3.54, P=.04), occupational
      group (F1,11=7.17, P=.04), and attitude toward novel technologies (F1,11=10.54,
      P=.02) predicted physicians' satisfaction with the devices and their motivation
      regarding their further use. Tracking data yielded that only a few of the
      available functions were used frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Although tablet PCs were
      consistently perceived as beneficial, several factors contributed to the fact
      that their full potential was not fully exploited. Training in functionality and
      providing a reliable infrastructure might foster successful tablet
      implementation.

PMID- 27268721
TI  - Photocatalytic Properties of TiO2 Composites Immobilized with Gold Nanoparticle
      Assemblies Using the Streptavidin-Biotin Interaction.
AB  - A method using biomolecules to precisely fabricate the morphology of metal
      nanoparticles immobilized on the surface of a semiconductor using biomolecules is
      described. A biotin moiety (Biot) is introduced onto the surface of a gold
      nanoparticle (AuNP) by covalent coupling with alpha-lipoic acid to assemble AuNPs
      in the presence of streptavidin (STV). The assembly of Biot-AuNP/STV is
      immobilized on the surface of TiO2 chemically modified with 1-(3
      aminopropyl)silatrane (APS) to provide a positively charged surface. The Au
      content immobilized on the surface of TiO2 is clearly increased to 9.5 wt % (Au)
      as a result of the STV-biotin interaction and the electrostatic interaction
      between negatively charged Biot-AuNPs and the positively charged surface of
      APS/TiO2. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis reveals that the
      composite has an ordered surface geometry in which Biot-AuNPs are spread over the
      composite surface in two dimensions. The photocatalytic activity toward
      decomposition of methyl orange dye promoted by this composite is 55%, which is
      higher than that of the other composites. The Biot-AuNP/STV@APS/TiO2 composite
      efficiently reduces O2 molecules at Eonset = -0.23 V vs Ag|AgCl, which is more
      positive than that of other composites (Eonset = -0.40 to -0.32 V). The result
      suggests that an increased number of AuNPs immobilized in close contact with the
      TiO2 surface facilitates photoinduced charge transfer. This strategy, which takes
      advantage of the specific interactions provided by biomolecules and the chemical
      modification on the surface, has remarkable potential for efficient fabrication
      of metal nanoparticles on the surface of the semiconductor, which accelerates the
      reduction of oxygen molecules.

PMID- 27268722
TI  - Stimulation of biofilm formation by oxidative stress in Campylobacter jejuni
      under aerobic conditions.

PMID- 27268723
TI  - Analysis of Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome Defined
      on the Basis of Bronchodilator Response and Degree of Emphysema.
AB  - RATIONALE: Despite the increasing recognition of asthma-chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS) as a clinical entity, it remains poorly
      characterized due to a lack of agreement on its definition and diagnostic
      criteria. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to use spirometry and computed
      tomography (CT) to help better define ACOS as well as to classify subjects with
      ACOS based on Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)
      letter grade. METHODS: We analyzed 10,192 subjects enrolled in the COPDGene
      Study. Subjects were non-Hispanic white or African American current or former
      smokers aged 45-80 years with at least a 10-pack-year smoking history. Subjects
      were categorized as having either ACOS with a bronchodilator response or chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema on the basis of spirometry, high
      resolution CT, and a history of asthma or hay fever. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
      RESULTS: Subjects with ACOS were younger (60.6 vs. 65.9 years old; P < 0.0001),
      more likely to be African American (26.8% vs. 14.4%; P < 0.0001), had a higher
      body mass index (29.6 vs. 25.1 kg/m(2); P < 0.0001), and were more likely to be
      current smokers (50.9% vs. 20.7%; P < 0.0001). The majority of subjects with ACOS
      were categorized as GOLD grade B. Despite less severe spirometry and CT findings
      in subjects with ACOS, there was no significant difference in severe or frequent
      exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchodilator responsiveness and degree of emphysema
      can help define ACOS. When defined on the basis of bronchodilator responsiveness
      and degree of emphysema, patients with ACOS represent a unique and high-risk
      group with distinct clinical features.

PMID- 27268725
TI  - Predictors of sexual behaviour among men and women in New York City area prisons.
AB  - The USA currently has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Individuals at
      greatest risk for HIV also tend to be among those at an elevated risk for
      incarceration. The HIV epidemic is driven by injection drug use and sexual
      behaviour, and estimates of prison-based sexual behaviour vary widely. This study
      examined sexual behaviour among 1369 incarcerated men and women in the New York
      City area. Approximately 13% of the sample (n = 176) reported being sexually
      active while incarcerated over the previous 6 months. Multiple logistic
      regression models were used to examine the predictors of prison sexual behaviour.
      The following variables were associated with increased odds of sexual activity in
      the previous six months: female gender (OR = 3.28; 95%CI = 1.95,5.51), Black race
      (OR = 2.26; 95%CI = 1.47,3.46), history of drug use (OR = 1.85; 95%CI =
      1.04,3.30), bisexual (OR = 3.19; 95%CI = 1.90,5.38) or homosexual identity (OR =
      8.50; 95%CI = 3.92,18.43) and conjugal visitation programme participation (OR =
      66.26; 95%CI = 31.42,139.74). Educational programmes regarding sexually
      transmitted infections and appropriate harm reduction measures are warranted for
      this population. The expansion of conjugal visitation programmes may also be
      useful in helping prisoners sustain their relationships with partners from their
      community and reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission in this
      environment.

PMID- 27268724
TI  - Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Biosensing: In Vivo Diagnostics and
      Multimodal Imaging.
AB  - This perspective presents recent developments in the application of surface
      enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to biosensing, with a focus on in vivo
      diagnostics. We describe the concepts and methodologies developed to date and the
      target analytes that can be detected. We also discuss how SERS has evolved from a
      "point-and-shoot" stand-alone technique in an analytical chemistry laboratory to
      an integrated quantitative analytical tool for multimodal imaging diagnostics.
      Finally, we offer a guide to the future of SERS in the context of clinical
      diagnostics.

PMID- 27268726
TI  - Oncology outcomes in Retroperitoneal sarcomas: Prognostic factors in a
      Retrospective Cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Retroperitoneal sarcomas are a rare group of malignant soft tissue
      tumors with a generally poor prognosis. The aim of the study was to define the
      demographic characteristics and prognostic factors for patients with
      retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) in a Tertiary Referral Center at Mexico. METHODS:
      A retrospective study of patients with RPS treated from January 2005 to December
      2012 at the National Cancer Institute at Mexico. Patient, tumor and treatment
      variables were analyzed including use of adjuvant therapy and survival status.
      Survival and local recurrence curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier
      method. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients with a mean age of 47 years with
      retroperitoneal sarcoma were included. Median follow-up was 25 months (range 1
      108 months). The average tumor size was 23.7 cm. Histology, 58 (61.1%) were
      liposarcoma, 14 (14.7%), leiomyosarcomas and 23 (24.2%) were from other
      histologies. In 64 (67.4%) patients were high-grade malignancies. The median
      survival was 51 months for patients with complete resection, 25.1 months for
      those with incomplete resection, and 4.4 months for those with unresectable
      tumors. Complete resection (p = 0.0001), and liposarcoma (p = 0.03) were
      prognostic factors for overall survival. CONCLUSION: In this study of patients
      with retroperitoneal, complete resection and liposarcoma histology are prognostic
      factors related to the disease-free and overall survival. Patients approached
      with curative intent should undergo aggressive attempts at complete surgical
      resection.

PMID- 27268727
TI  - Identification and characterization of a chitin deacetylase from a metagenomic
      library of deep-sea sediments of the Arctic Ocean.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The chemical and biological compositions of deep-sea sediments are
      interesting because of the underexplored diversity when it comes to
      bioprospecting. The special geographical location and climates make Arctic Ocean
      a unique ocean area containing an abundance of microbial resources. METHODS: A
      metagenomic library was constructed based on the deep-sea sediments of Arctic
      Ocean. Part of insertion fragments of this library were sequenced. A chitin
      deacetylase gene, cdaYJ, was identified and characterized. RESULTS: A metagenomic
      library with 2750 clones was obtained and ten clones were sequenced. Results
      revealed several interesting genes, including a chitin deacetylase coding
      sequence, cdaYJ. The CdaYJ is homologous to some known chitin deacetylases and
      contains conserved chitin deacetylase active sites. CdaYJ protein exhibits a long
      N-terminal and a relative short C-terminal. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that
      CdaYJ showed highest homology to CDAs from Alphaproteobacteria. The cdaYJ gene
      was subcloned into the pET-28a vector and the recombinant CdaYJ (rCdaYJ) was
      expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). rCdaYJ showed a molecular weight of
      43kDa, and exhibited deacetylation activity by using p-nitroacetanilide as
      substrate. The optimal pH and temperature of rCdaYJ were tested as pH7.4 and 28
      degrees C, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The construction of metagenomic library of
      the Arctic deep-sea sediments provides us an opportunity to look into the
      microbial communities and exploiting valuable gene resources. A chitin
      deacetylase CdaYJ was identified from the library. It showed highest
      deacetylation activity under slight alkaline and low temperature conditions.
      CdaYJ might be a candidate chitin deacetylase that possesses industrial and
      pharmaceutical potentials.

PMID- 27268728
TI  - LncRNA-uc.167 influences cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of P19
      cells by regulating Mef2c.
AB  - In our previous study we screened thousands of lncRNAs for their relationship
      with ventricular septal defect. Among these lncRNAs, uc.167 attracted our
      attention for its high level of conservation and that it was antisense to the
      Mef2c gene, which encodes myocyte enhancer factor 2C. This study aims to
      investigate the role of uc.167 during cardiomyocyte maturation in P19 cells
      induction and possible mechanism. The uc.167 expression level in human heart
      tissue of ventricular septum defect (VSD) was evaluated by qRT-PCR. The UCSC
      database was searched to investigate the bioinformatics of uc.167. We constructed
      overexpression vector of uc.167 and Mef2c. To detect proliferation and apoptosis,
      we combined cell cycle analysis and CCK8, Hoechst staining, flow cytometry and
      caspase-3 assays, respectively. The cardiomyogenesis related RNAs (cTnT, GATA4,
      and Mef2c) and proteins were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. In this
      study, we found that uc.167 expression was significantly increased in VSD heart
      tissues. uc.167 is on the opposite strand to the coding gene Mef2c. The
      expression model of Mef2c and uc.167 showed an opposite correlation in the
      embryonic development and process of differentiation of P19 cells into
      cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of uc.167 inhibited proliferation but promoted
      apoptosis in P19 cells compared with the vector group, and those relative mRNAs
      and proteins decreased during the differentiation process. Whereas, co-expression
      of Mef2c and uc.167 can partially reverse the negative effects of uc.167 on
      proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Taken together, our findings
      suggest that uc.167 contributes to the development potential of VSD and may
      constitute a potential therapeutic target in this disease. uc.167 influences cell
      proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of P19 cell by regulating Mef2c. 

PMID- 27268729
TI  - SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) of the intestinal nematode
      Strongyloides ratti is involved in mucosa-associated parasite-host interaction.
AB  - The secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), found in the
      excretory/secretory products of Strongyloides ratti, is most strongly expressed
      in parasitic females. Since SPARC proteins are involved in the modulation of cell
      matrix interactions, a role of the secreted S. ratti SPARC (Sr-SPARC) in the
      manifestation of the parasite in the host's intestine is postulated. The full
      length cDNA of Sr-SPARC was identified and the protein was recombinantly
      expressed. The purified protein was biologically active, able to bind calcium,
      and to attach to mucosa-associated human cells. Addition of Sr-SPARC to an in
      vitro mucosal three-dimensional-cell culture model led to a time-dependent
      release of the cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-22, IL-10 and TSLP. Of importance,
      exposure with Sr-SPARC fostered wound closure in an intestinal epithelial cell
      model. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that SPARC released from the
      nematode is a multifunctional protein affecting the mucosal immune system.

PMID- 27268730
TI  - Heterogeneity of the serine synthetic pathway in Entamoeba species.
AB  - Phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP) catalyzes the third step of the phosphorylated
      serine biosynthetic pathway, and occurred multiple times in evolution, while
      enzymes catalyzing the first and second steps in the pathway have single
      respective origins. In the present study, we examined the existence of PSP among
      genus Entamoeba including a human enteric parasite, Entamoeba histolytica. E.
      histolytica as well as majority of Entamoeba species have the first and second
      enzymes, but lacks PSP. In contrast, a reptilian enteric parasite, Entamoeba
      invadens possesses canonical PSP. Thus, there are variations in the existence of
      the serine biosynthetic ability among Entamoeba species.

PMID- 27268731
TI  - Enhanced Hydrothermal Stability and Catalytic Performance of HKUST-1 by
      Incorporating Carboxyl-Functionalized Attapulgite.
AB  - Much attention has been paid to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) due to their
      large surface areas, tunable functionality, and diverse structure. Nevertheless,
      most reported MOFs show poor hydrothermal stability, which seriously hinders
      their applications. Here a strategy is adopted to tailor the properties of MOFs
      by means of incorporating carboxyl-functionalized natural clay attapulgite (ATP)
      into HKUST-1, a well-known MOF. A new type of hybrid material was thus fabricated
      from the hybridization of HKUST-1 and ATP. Our results indicated that the
      hydrothermal stability of the MOFs as well as the catalytic performance was
      apparently improved. The frameworks of HKUST-1 were severely destroyed after
      hydrothermal treatment (hot water vapor, 60  degrees C), while that of the hybrid
      materials was maintained. For the hybrid materials containing 8.4 wt % of ATP,
      the surface area reached 1302 m(2).g(-1) and was even higher than that of
      pristine HKUST-1 (1245 m(2).g(-1)). In the ring-opening of styrene oxide, the
      conversion reached 98.9% at only 20 min under catalysis from the hybrid material,
      which was obviously higher than that over pristine HKUST-1 (80.9%). Moreover, the
      hybrid materials showed excellent reusability and the catalytic activity was
      recoverable without loss after six cycles. Our materials provide promising
      candidates for heterogeneous catalysis owing to the good catalytic activity and
      reusability. 

PMID- 27268732
TI  - Investigating the real-world emission characteristics of light-duty gasoline
      vehicles and their relationship to local socioeconomic conditions in three
      communities in Los Angeles, California.
AB  - This paper discusses results from a vehicular emissions research study of over
      350 vehicles conducted in three communities in Los Angeles, CA, in 2010 using
      vehicle chase measurements. The study explores the real-world emission behavior
      of light-duty gasoline vehicles, characterizes real-world super-emitters in the
      different regions, and investigates the relationship of on-road vehicle emissions
      with the socioeconomic status (SES) of the region. The study found that in
      comparison to a 2007 earlier study in a neighboring community, vehicle emissions
      for all measured pollutants had experienced a significant reduction over the
      years, with oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and black carbon (BC) emissions showing the
      largest reductions. Mean emission factors of the sampled vehicles in low-SES
      communities were roughly 2-3 times higher for NOX, BC, carbon monoxide, and
      ultrafine particles, and 4-11 times greater for fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
      than for vehicles in the high-SES neighborhood. Further analysis indicated that
      the emission factors of vehicles within a technology group were also higher in
      low-SES communities compared to similar vehicles in the high-SES community,
      suggesting that vehicle age alone did not explain the higher vehicular emission
      in low-SES communities. Evaluation of the emission factor distribution found that
      emissions from 12% of the sampled vehicles were greater than five times the mean
      from all of the sampled fleet, and these vehicles were consequently categorized
      as "real-world super-emitters." Low-SES communities had approximately twice as
      many super-emitters for most of the pollutants as compared to the high-SES
      community. Vehicle emissions calculated using model-year-specific average fuel
      consumption assumptions suggested that approximately 5% of the sampled vehicles
      accounted for nearly half of the total CO, PM2.5, and UFP emissions, and 15% of
      the vehicles were responsible for more than half of the total NOX and BC
      emissions from the vehicles sampled during the study. IMPLICATIONS: This study
      evaluated the real-world emission behavior and super-emitter distribution of
      light-duty gasoline vehicles in California, and investigated the relationship of
      on-road vehicle emissions with local socioeconomic conditions. The study observed
      a significant reduction in vehicle emissions for all measured pollutants when
      compared to an earlier study in Wilmington, CA, and found a higher prevalence of
      high-emitting vehicles in low-socioeconomic-status communities. As overall fleet
      emissions decrease from stringent vehicle emission regulations, a small fraction
      of the fleet may contribute to a disproportionate share of the overall on-road
      vehicle emissions. Therefore, this work will have important implications for
      improving air quality and public health, especially in low-SES communities.

PMID- 27268733
TI  - A neurotoxic alcohol exposure paradigm does not induce hepatic encephalopathy.
AB  - Alcohol abuse is associated with neurological dysfunction, brain morphological
      deficits and frank neurotoxicity. Although these disruptions may be a secondary
      effect due to hepatic encephalopathy, no clear evidence of causality is
      available. This study examined whether a 72h period of alcohol intoxication known
      to induce physical dependence, followed by a single withdrawal, was sufficient to
      induce signs of hepatic encephalopathy in male and female mice. Animals were
      continuously intoxicated via alcohol vapor inhalation, a procedure previously
      shown to induce significant neurotoxicity in female mice. At peak synchronized
      withdrawal (8h following the end of alcohol exposure), blood samples were taken
      and levels of several liver-regulated markers and brain swelling were
      characterized. Glutathione levels were also determined in the medial frontal
      cortex (mFC) and hippocampus. Results revealed elevated levels of cholesterol,
      albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and decreased
      levels of blood urea nitrogen and total bilirubin in alcohol-exposed male and
      female groups compared to controls. Brain water weight was not affected by
      alcohol exposure, though males tended to have slightly more water weight overall.
      Alcohol exposure led to reductions in tissue levels of glutathione in both the
      hippocampus and mFC which may indicate increased oxidative stress. Combined,
      these results suggest that hepatic encephalopathy does not appear to play a
      significant role in the neurotoxicity observed following alcohol exposure in this
      model.

PMID- 27268735
TI  - Data analytics identify glycated haemoglobin co-markers for type 2 diabetes
      mellitus diagnosis.
AB  - Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is being more commonly used as an alternative test
      for the identification of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or to add to fasting
      blood glucose level and oral glucose tolerance test results, because it is easily
      obtained using point-of-care technology and represents long-term blood sugar
      levels. HbA1c cut-off values of 6.5% or above have been recommended for clinical
      use based on the presence of diabetic comorbidities from population studies.
      However, outcomes of large trials with a HbA1c of 6.5% as a cut-off have been
      inconsistent for a diagnosis of T2DM. This suggests that a HbA1c cut-off of 6.5%
      as a single marker may not be sensitive enough or be too simple and miss
      individuals at risk or with already overt, undiagnosed diabetes. In this study,
      data mining algorithms have been applied on a large clinical dataset to identify
      an optimal cut-off value for HbA1c and to identify whether additional biomarkers
      can be used together with HbA1c to enhance diagnostic accuracy of T2DM. T2DM
      classification accuracy increased if 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG), an
      oxidative stress marker, was included in the algorithm from 78.71% for HbA1c at
      6.5% to 86.64%. A similar result was obtained when interleukin-6 (IL-6) was
      included (accuracy=85.63%) but with a lower optimal HbA1c range between 5.73 and
      6.22%. The application of data analytics to medical records from the Diabetes
      Screening programme demonstrates that data analytics, combined with large
      clinical datasets can be used to identify clinically appropriate cut-off values
      and identify novel biomarkers that when included improve the accuracy of T2DM
      diagnosis even when HbA1c levels are below or equal to the current cut-off of
      6.5%.

PMID- 27268734
TI  - Antioxidant-Mediated Modulation of Protein Reactivity for 3,4
      Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde, a Toxic Dopamine Metabolite.
AB  - 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) is an endogenously produced toxic
      aldehyde. It is a bifunctional electrophile implicated in the loss of
      dopaminergic cells concomitant with Parkinson's disease and neurodegeneration.
      DOPAL is known to react with proteins and amino acids such as N-acetyl lysine
      (NAL); oxidation of the catechol moiety to the quinone of DOPAL increases this
      reactivity. Here, we demonstrate the ability of the antioxidants N
      acetylcysteine, glutathione, and ascorbic acid to mitigate the reactivity of
      DOPAL with proteins and amino acids in a dose-dependent fashion. Conversely,
      Trolox did not lessen the observed reactivity with proteins. Interestingly, use
      of tricine, a buffer and reducing agent, in these systems also decreased the
      reactivity of DOPAL with amines, yielding tricine-derived free radical species.
      Modification of amines with aldehydes typically involves Schiff base chemistry;
      however, the observance of free radicals suggests that an oxidative step is
      involved in the reaction of DOPAL with lysine. Furthermore, while Schiff base
      formation is usually optimal at pH 5, the reaction rate of DOPAL with NAL is
      negligible at pH 5 and is enhanced under basic conditions (e.g., pH 9).
      Conditions of high pH are also favorable for catechol auto-oxidation, known to
      occur for DOPAL. The antioxidant-mediated protection demonstrated here suggests
      that oxidative stress may impart cellular vulnerability to protein modification
      by DOPAL. Therefore, depleted antioxidants and increased levels of lipid
      peroxidation products, known to prevent the detoxifying metabolism of DOPAL, may
      present a survival challenge to dopaminergic cells targeted in Parkinson's
      disease.

PMID- 27268736
TI  - Automatic limb identification and sleeping parameters assessment for pressure
      ulcer prevention.
AB  - Pressure ulcers (PUs) are common among vulnerable patients such as elderly,
      bedridden and diabetic. PUs are very painful for patients and costly for
      hospitals and nursing homes. Assessment of sleeping parameters on at-risk limbs
      is critical for ulcer prevention. An effective assessment depends on automatic
      identification and tracking of at-risk limbs. An accurate limb identification can
      be used to analyze the pressure distribution and assess risk for each limb. In
      this paper, we propose a graph-based clustering approach to extract the body
      limbs from the pressure data collected by a commercial pressure map system. A
      robust signature-based technique is employed to automatically label each limb.
      Finally, an assessment technique is applied to evaluate the experienced stress by
      each limb over time. The experimental results indicate high performance and more
      than 94% average accuracy of the proposed approach.

PMID- 27268738
TI  - Dhis and Dhat: Evidence of Semen Retention Syndrome Amongst White Britons.
AB  - The uncritical application of western psychiatric concepts in non-western
      societies resulting in culturally invalid psychiatric syndromes, have been
      extensively documented. Such instances are considered 'category errors'. In
      contrast, 'reverse category errors' although theoretically postulated, have never
      been empirically demonstrated. Diagnostic criteria of an established South Asian
      culture specific neurosis, Dhat syndrome, were deployed by a psychiatrist of
      South Asian origin, amongst 47 white Britons in London, UK, presenting for the
      first time with a clinic diagnosis of ICD-9 Depressive Neurosis (Dysthymic
      Disroder, ICD-11). The proceedure yielded a new disorder, Semen Retention
      Syndrome. Based on narrative accounts and quantitative scores on the Hamilton
      Depression Rating Scale, the evidence suggests that a significant subset of white
      British subjects diagnosed with Dysthymic Disorder, may in fact be expressing a
      psychological variation of a previously unknown local White British somatisation
      phenomena labelled Semen Retention Syndrome. Anxiety and depressive symptoms
      presented by this subset of subjects were primarily attributed to a core
      irrational belief and a cognitive error centered around misunderstood concepts of
      semen physiology. Consequently, the undue focus on mood idioms by both white
      British patients and their health professionals, leads to a mistaken diagnosis of
      Mood Disorder, and results in incorrect treatment. The implications of this
      ethnocentric mode of reasoning raises concerns about existing concepts in
      psychiatric phenomenology and for official international diagnostic
      classificatory systems. The paper concludes by arguing that category errors in
      both directions are instances of cultural iatrogenesis, and underscore the
      importance of a culturally valid psychiatry. 

PMID- 27268737
TI  - Implantable and transdermal polymeric drug delivery technologies for the
      treatment of central nervous system disorders.
AB  - The complexity of the brain and the membranous blood-brain barrier (BBB) has
      proved to be a significant limitation to the systemic delivery of pharmaceuticals
      to the brain rendering them sub-therapeutic and ineffective in the treatment of
      neurological diseases. Apart from this, lack of innovation in product development
      to counteract the problem is also a major contributing factor to a poor
      therapeutic outcome. Various innovative strategies show potential in treating
      some of the neurological disorders; however, drug delivery remains the most
      popular. To attain therapeutic drug levels in the central nervous system, large,
      intolerable systemic doses are generally administered. The major factors
      responsible for the success maintenance therapy of neurological diseases included
      controlled and sustained release of neurotherapeutics, reduced frequency of
      administration, higher bioavailability, and patient compliances. Conventional
      oral or injectable formulations cannot satisfy all the requirements in many
      circumstances. This article reviews the therapeutic implantable polymeric and
      transdermal devices employed in an attempt to effectively achieve therapeutic
      quantities of drug across the BBB over a prolonged period, to improve patient
      disease prognosis.

PMID- 27268739
TI  - Semen Anxiety: Materiality, Agency and the Internet.
AB  - Semen is a potent cultural symbol of masculinity. The social life of semen is
      poorly understood because of the intensely personal nature of its being. But the
      Internet has opened up new avenues for people to explore sensitive issues without
      disclosing their identity. This paper examines a set of questions submitted
      anonymously for answering by a medical team over a three month period to a UK
      based consumer health website. The questions are analysed for emergent themes and
      these are divided into three groups: those concerning the material quality of
      semen; semen relating to masturbation; and those that concern semen and potency.
      It argues that far from being a phenomenon isolated to non-western cultures,
      semen anxiety is present in the UK in the twenty-first century and is the
      expression of anxieties surrounding shifting gender roles and masculine
      identities. 

PMID- 27268740
TI  - Toxic Emissions: The Role of Semen in GWS Narratives.
AB  - Narratives about Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) contain discussions of sex and
      reproduction and there is a high level of anxiety about these subjects. Although
      similar to other medically unexplained conditions, GWS has distinctive features.
      The most salient of these is its contagious nature, with the main vehicle for
      contamination being semen. GWS sufferers believe their semen to be affected by
      their participation in the Gulf War. This paper focuses on a number of specific
      symptoms described by Gulf veterans including: Burning Semen Syndrome, low
      libido, impotence and birth defects and aims to interpret why certain symptoms
      became powerful markers of the condition. Furthermore, the paper looks at the
      meaning conveyed by such symptom reporting. Data were generated from 14 months
      ethnographic fieldwork in the UK including participant observation, semi
      structured interviews and document analysis. Concerns about lack of potency,
      toxicity and quality suggest that semen itself is a substance in which social
      concerns are enacted. The paper argues that such a focus on and anxiety about
      semen suggests that GWS narratives express concerns about masculinity, or, more
      precisely a loss of masculinity. 

PMID- 27268741
TI  - 'Pass the Cream, Hold the Butter': Meanings of HIV Positive Semen for Bugchasers
      and Giftgivers.
AB  - It has been argued by some that sexual health campaigns' ignorance of the
      richness of meanings associated with semen for gay men has actually led to an
      increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS(Rofes 1996 ). This paper reviews some of these
      meanings and their employment among a group of gay men who actively want to be
      infected with HIV as well as wanting to infect others ('bugchasers' and
      'giftgivers'). Based on the analysis of exchanges posted on a website used by
      bugchasers and giftgivers, this research asks if the attitude towards semen of
      men who apparently actively seek and spread HIV infection, an extreme act, would
      be equally extreme. It attempts to show that despite the extreme negativity and
      apparent sexual transgression engaged in by these men, their conceptions of what
      semen is and does is quite normative-semen causes pregnancy. These findings
      illustrate both that semen has the same richness of meaning for gay men as for
      the heterosexual population. Therefore, semen's meanings cannot be ignored when
      attempting to educate men about sexual practices. Bugchasing and giftgiving as
      behaviours and discourse that employ HIV infected semen containing the men's DNA
      are a way of overcoming the sense of isolation that results from 'cold, sterile',
      protected sex, despite their initial appearance as abject, transgressive and
      destructive. 

PMID- 27268742
TI  - Body Praxis and Networks of Power.
AB  - Departing from what has in medical anthropology been termed the individual body,
      the social body and body politics, actor-networks in medical pluralism are
      investigated on the basis of a study of complementary and alternative forms of
      medicine (CAM) in Denmark, including participant-observation in 12 clinics of
      reflexology, biopathy and kinesiology, as well as interviews and informal
      conversations with more than 40 alternative practitioners and 300 patients of CAM
      clinics. In this study, several actor-networks that connect metaphorical models
      of the body, clinical technology, social relations and political structures of
      the Danish society are revealed: a technocrat network, a social-democratic
      consultancy network and a neo-liberal network. The co-existence of several actor
      networks has phenomenological as well as structural implications. The
      implications for patients using several forms of therapy is important insofar as
      the patients' move between different actor-networks of healing implies switches
      between different experiences of body and self. Each of the actor-networks at the
      same time implies different positions in relation to the public healthcare
      system, and some actor-networks appear to be more compatible than others with the
      generalized and technical properties of public healthcare. 

PMID- 27268743
TI  - 'Our Families are Killing Us': HIV/AIDS, Witchcraft and Social Tensions in the
      Caprivi Region, Namibia.
AB  - The importance of exploring 'indigenous' constructions of illness is vital when
      explanatory models of ill health differ markedly from dominant biomedical
      paradigms. In the Caprivi region of Namibia, an upsurge of witchcraft accusations
      can be seen as a direct reaction to increasing AIDS-related illness and deaths,
      and to changes in socio-economic attitudes and expectations. The mobilization of
      witchcraft narratives provides a socially acceptable explanation for illness, and
      can positively influence decisions regarding the care and identity of the ill
      person. However, drawing upon data collected at kin and village level, this paper
      demonstrates that while witchcraft accusations can avert stigma and blame away
      from the ill person, they can also result in significant disruption to
      livelihoods, and place considerable tension upon key social capital networks at a
      time when the household is particularly vulnerable. Such findings have
      significant implications for the effectiveness of HIV prevention and AIDS
      mitigation initiatives, and for livelihood security. 

PMID- 27268744
TI  - Hope from Abroad in the International Medical Travel of Yemeni Patients.
AB  - Studies of care-seeking behaviour have generally focused only on the medical
      facilities that are available within a country's national boundaries. However, a
      growing number of patients worldwide are pursuing medical services outside of
      their own countries. The burgeoning literature on 'medical tourism' tends to
      offer the perspectives of the treatment destinations, not the experiences of
      patients. This paper examines the international medical travel of patients from
      the capital-poor country of Yemen. Families in Yemen often sacrifice greatly to
      seek the advanced, trustworthy technological medicine that is unavailable
      locally. The paper draws on interviews conducted with 71 Yemeni medical
      travellers in India and Jordan, as well as a survey of 205 doctors in Yemen about
      their disclosure practices regarding terminally ill patients. While perhaps an
      attractive option in today's global world, the use of medical services abroad
      affects local perceptions: it perpetuates a lack of trust in local capabilities,
      invites criticism of the government for not providing care to its citizens and
      fosters the hope that a cure exists somewhere in the world. 

PMID- 27268745
TI  - Beyond Meaning: Globalization and the Icons of Power.
AB  - As the nature of symbolic mechanisms has been reconsidered, shared meaning in
      healing rituals can no longer be unproblematically assumed. Globalization
      processes challenge the idea of local worlds of meaning as foundational for
      healing. Discussing two episodes of healing in 'global assemblages', the paper
      questions the centrality of meaning in the healing encounter. In search for
      alternatives, it turns to the ethical phenomenology of Levinas. It is suggested
      that in the core of healing encounter lies 'the healing gesture' of the Other
      seen as an icon of power. 

PMID- 27268746
TI  - Wrongdoing and Retribution: Children's Conceptions of Illness Causality in a
      Central Indian Village.
AB  - This paper is a study of children's conceptions of illness causality. Based on
      ethnographic research in a central Indian tribal community, it is a response to
      the lack of systematic attention within mainstream anthropology on children, and
      within medical anthropology on children's understanding of illness causation. A
      combination of participant observation and structured interviews was used to
      examine local distinctions between 'natural' and 'supernatural' illness, which
      are underpinned by ideas about supernatural retribution. The focus in this paper
      is on how children learn and reason about such ideas, and on the processes by
      which they assume culpability for 'supernatural' illnesses. By arguing that
      children do not simply replicate adult conceptions about illness causality but
      instead apply their own experience to their understanding and representation of
      such ideas, this paper challenges taken-for-granted assumptions about the
      acquisition and reproduction of cultural knowledge. 

PMID- 27268748
TI  - Reply to Rejoinder: Examining the Complex Social Basis of Medical Decision
      Making.

PMID- 27268747
TI  - Rejoinder : Which Child will Live or Die in France.

PMID- 27268749
TI  - Prognostic Impact of Discordance in Hormone Receptor Status Between Primary and
      Recurrent Sites in Patients With Recurrent Breast Cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recent retrospective studies have reported discordance rate of
      hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
      statuses between primary and recurrent tumors and prognostic values of
      discordance. However, the results of these reports may possibly include
      analytical error. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 153 patients from whom
      pathological specimens of tumor tissues were available from both primary and
      recurrent sites. For all specimens, immunohistochemistry was performed for these
      statuses with a standardized method. Two experienced pathologists evaluated these
      specimens in a blinded fashion. RESULTS: The discordance rates for estrogen
      receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 were 18%, 26%, and 7%, respectively.
      Subtype changes based on HR and HER2 status occurred in 21% of patients. Clinical
      outcome was significantly worse in the patients with the tumors that were
      primarily HR-positive (HR(+)) converted to HR-negative (HR(-)) at recurrent sites
      than in the patients with the tumors in which HR status did not change or
      converted from HR(-) to HR(+) (P = .001). Clinical outcome was also significantly
      worse in the patients with the primarily HR(+) tumor that converted to triple
      negative in the recurrence sites than in the patients with a constantly HR(+)
      tumor (P < .001). By the Cox multivariate analyses, loss of HR expression and
      conversion to triple negative at the recurrence sites were independent indicators
      of worse clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: Discordance in HR and HER2 status often
      occurred between primary and recurrent breast cancer and had independent
      prognostic impact in the patients with recurrent breast cancer.

PMID- 27268751
TI  - Intramolecular, Exciplex-Mediated, Proton-Coupled, Charge-Transfer Processes in
      N,N-Dimethyl-3-(1-pyrenyl)propan-1-ammonium Cations: Influence of Anion, Solvent
      Polarity, and Temperature.
AB  - An intramolecular exciplex-mediated, proton-coupled, charge-transfer (PCCT)
      process has been investigated for a series of N,N-dimethyl-3-(1-pyrenyl)propan-1
      ammonium cations with different anions (PyS) in solvents of low to intermediate
      polarity over a wide temperature range. Solvent mediates both the equilibrium
      between conformations of the cation that place the pyrenyl and ammonium groups in
      proximity (conformation C) or far from each other (conformation O) and the
      ability of the ammonium group to transfer a proton adiabatically in the PyS
      excited singlet state. Thus, exciplex emission, concurrent with the PCCT process,
      was observed only in hydrogen-bond accepting solvents of relatively low polarity
      (tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, and 1,4-dioxane) and not in dichloromethane.
      From the exciplex emission and other spectroscopic and thermodynamic data, the
      acidity of the ammonium group in conformation C of the excited singlet state of
      PyS (pKa*) has been estimated to be ca. -3.4 in tetrahydrofuran. The ratios
      between the intensities of emission from the exciplex and the locally excited
      state (IEx/ILE) appear to be much more dependent on the nature of the anion than
      are the rates of exciplex formation and decay, although the excited state data do
      not provide a quantitative measure of the anion effect on the C-O equilibrium.
      The activation energies associated with exciplex formation in THF are calculated
      to be 0.08 to 0.15 eV lower than for the neutral amine, N,N-dimethyl-3-(1
      pyrenyl)propan-1-amine. Decay of the exciplexes formed from the deprotonation of
      PyS is hypothesized to occur through charge-recombination processes. To our
      knowledge, this is the first example in which photoacidity and intramolecular
      exciplex formation (i.e., a PCCT reaction) are coupled. 

PMID- 27268750
TI  - Classification, Treatment Strategy, and Associated Drug Resistance in Breast
      Cancer.
AB  - Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, affecting 1.7
      million patients every year worldwide. As a result of its heterogeneous nature,
      the genetic profile and associated clinical feature varies greatly among
      different breast cancer subtypes. With the advancement of molecular biology, our
      understanding of breast cancer has improved greatly in recent years. In this
      review, we examine different types of breast cancer and summarize their clinical
      features, current treatment schemes, and potential drug resistance profiles in
      response to treatments. We believe that the understanding of the molecular
      mechanisms of each treatment and subsequent drug resistance development will
      eventually lead to the discovery of more effective and efficient second-line
      therapeutics.

PMID- 27268752
TI  - Active Components of Essential Oils as Anti-Obesity Potential Drugs Investigated
      by in Silico Techniques.
AB  - In this study, for the first time, we have considered essential oils (EOs) as
      possible resources of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs), in particular against
      the mitochondrial isoform VA that, actually, represents an innovative target for
      the obesity treatment. In silico structure-based virtual screening was performed
      in order to speed up the identification of promising antiobesity agents. The
      potential hit compounds were submitted to in vitro assays and experimental
      results, corroborated by molecular modeling studies, showed EOs components as a
      new class of CAIs with a competitive mechanism of action due to the zinc ion
      coordination within the active sites of these metallo-enzymes. 

PMID- 27268753
TI  - Connexin32 deficiency exacerbates carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocellular
      injury and liver fibrosis in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Liver fibrosis results from the perpetuation of the normal wound
      healing response to several types of injury. Despite the wealth of knowledge
      regarding the involvement of intracellular and extracellular signaling pathways
      in liver fibrogenesis, information about the role of intercellular communication
      mediated by gap junctions is scarce. METHODS: In this study, liver fibrosis was
      chemically induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice lacking connexin32, the major
      liver gap junction constituent. The manifestation of liver fibrosis was evaluated
      based on a series of read-outs, including collagen morphometric and mRNA
      analysis, oxidative stress, apoptotic, proliferative and inflammatory markers.
      RESULTS: More pronounced liver damage and enhanced collagen deposition were
      observed in connexin32 knockout mice compared to wild-type animals in
      experimentally triggered induced liver fibrosis. No differences between both
      groups were noticed in apoptotic signaling nor in inflammation markers. However,
      connexin32 deficient mice displayed decreased catalase activity and increased
      malondialdehyde levels. CONCLUSION: These findings could suggest that connexin32
      based signaling mediates tissue resistance against liver damage by the modulation
      of the antioxidant capacity. In turn, this could point to a role for connexin32
      signaling as a therapeutic target in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

PMID- 27268754
TI  - A new predictive tool for the early risk assessment of gestational diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - AIMS: The Italian National Institute of Health has recently introduced a
      selective screening based on the risk profile of pregnant women, which while
      recommending against screening of women at low risk (LR) for GDM, it recommends
      an early test for women at high risk (HR) for GDM. Herein, we assessed the
      accuracy and cost-effectiveness of this screening and developed a new index that
      improves these requirements. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 3974 pregnant
      women. GDM was diagnosed with a 2h 75-g OGTT at 16-18 weeks (early test) or 24-28
      weeks of gestation, according to the IADPSG guidelines. RESULTS: 55.6% of HR
      women had GDM, although only 38.4% underwent early screening. Among 2654 women at
      medium risk, 20.9% had GDM; paradoxically, among 770 LR women, that would not
      have been screened, 26.6% received a GDM diagnosis. Based on these unsatisfactory
      results, we elaborated the Capula's index, that reduced both screening tests
      (p<0.001) and potentially undetected GDM cases (p<0.001), and corrected the
      paradoxical prevalence estimates of GDM obtained with the current Italian
      guidelines. Also, Capula's index improved correlation of GDM risk profile with
      obstetric and neonatal adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Capula's index improves
      accuracy of selective screening for GDM.

PMID- 27268755
TI  - Development of high-throughput multi-residue method for non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs monitoring in swine muscle by LC-MS/MS.
AB  - A reliable and simple method for the detection and quantification of residues of
      14 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a metamizole metabolite in swine
      muscle was developed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem
      mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with acetonitrile
      (ACN) in solid-liquid extraction followed by a low-temperature partitioning (LLE
      LTP) process at -20 +/- 2 degrees C. After evaporation to dryness, the residue
      was reconstituted with hexane and a mixture of water:acetonitrile (1:1). LC
      separation was achieved on a reversed-phase (RP18) column with gradient elution
      using water (phase A) and ACN (phase B) both containing 1 mmol l(-)(1) ammonium
      acetate (NH4COO) with 0.025% acetic acid. Analysis was carried out on a triple
      quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring
      mode using an electrospray interface in negative and positive mode in a single
      run. Method validation was performed according to the criteria of Commission
      Decision No. 2002/657/EC. The matrix effect and linearity were evaluated.
      Decision limit (CCalpha), detection capability (CCbeta), accuracy and
      repeatability of the method are also reported. The proposed method proved to be
      simple, easy and adequate for high-throughput analysis and was applied to routine
      analysis by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply. 

PMID- 27268756
TI  - Characteristics of bioavailable organic phosphorus in sediment and its
      contribution to lake eutrophication in China.
AB  - This study aims to establish the relative importance of sediment organic
      phosphorus (Po) to the total P and the major classes of organic molecules that
      contribute to sediment Po, determined by measuring their susceptibility to
      enzymatic hydrolysis, across a suite of lakes ranging from oligotrophic to
      eutrophic status. The results showed that Po accounted for 21-60% of total P, and
      bioavailable Po accounted for 9-34% of Po in the sediments. The bioavailable Po
      includes mainly labile (H2O-Po) and moderately labile (NaOH-Po) P forms. For H2O
      Po (accounting for only1.4% of Po), 53% (average) was labile monoester P, 28% was
      diester P and 17% was phytate-like P. For NaOH-Po (accounting for 9-33% of Po),
      32% was labile monoester P, 33% was phytate-like P and 18% was diester P. The
      composition of bioavailable Po, determined by enzyme assays, was related to the
      lake nutrient levels, which implies that sediment bioavailable Po could act as an
      effective indicator for lake eutrophic status. With the increase of lake nutrient
      levels, bioavailable Po content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the sediment
      all increased, indicating that Po represents an important and bioavailable source
      of P that increases with eutrophication, and could contribute to internal loading
      and resistance of eutrophic lakes to remediation. This implies that eutrophic
      lakes would maintain long-term eutrophic status and algal bloom phenomena even
      after the external input of P was controlled and the total P concentration of
      water has declined. Thus, in order to reduce the release risk of sediment P more
      efficiently and effectively, sediment P control technique should focus not only
      on reducing the total P and inorganic P, but should also pay close attention to
      the removal of bioavailable Po.

PMID- 27268757
TI  - Pediatric Nerve Biopsy Diagnostic and Treatment Utility in Tertiary Care
      Referral.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pediatric neuropathies are both unique and similar to their adult
      counterparts, with genetic varieties thought to be more common. The objective of
      this work was to assess the utility of nerve biopsy in children at a tertiary
      referral center in light of availability of current genetic testing. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed the clinical, nerve biopsy, and genetic testing findings
      of 316 pediatric (age <=18 years) patients. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was
      9.8 years (4 days to 18 years). Nerve biopsy was nontargeted in 198 (182 whole
      sural, seven superficial peroneal, and nine other), targeted in 21 (14 fascicular
      sciatic and seven brachial plexus), and unknown in 97 cases. Prebiopsy
      localizations and diagnoses were diverse, most commonly with length-dependent
      localizations (n = 150). Median follow-up was 6 months (0 to 480 months). A
      distinctive histopathologic diagnosis was made in 106 cases (33%), including
      inflammatory or immune (n = 30), neoplastic (n = 19), hereditary (n = 41),
      vasculitis (n = 10), and other (n = 6). Nerve biopsy confirmed the suspected
      diagnosis in 91 (29%) individuals and changed or refined the initial diagnosis in
      182 (58%). Treatment modifications as a result of biopsy occurred in 80 (25%)
      cases; 59 (19% of the entire cohort) with clinical improvements noted, most
      commonly by immunotherapy (n = 30). Low diagnostic yield occurred in "hypotonic
      infants" without nerve conduction abnormalities. Pain at the biopsy site beyond 1
      month was rare (n = 3; 1%). Forty-four patients underwent genetic testing. Among
      demyelinating varieties, mutations were identified in five of 11 (46%) cases
      compared with only six of 33 (18%) cases of axonal varieties. CONCLUSION:
      Pediatric nerve biopsy provides diagnostic information that frequently alters
      treatment recommendations. Furthermore, it leads to clinical improvements,
      especially in inflammatory immune neuropathies. For suspected inherited
      varieties, genetic testing has the highest diagnostic yield in demyelinating
      phenotypes.

PMID- 27268759
TI  - Telomeric Region of the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Locus Is Susceptible to
      Structural Variations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most patients with spinal muscular atrophy lack the survival motor
      neuron 1 gene (SMN1) in the telomeric region of the spinal muscular atrophy locus
      on chromosome 5q13. On the other hand, the copy number of SMN2, a centromeric
      homolog of SMN1, is increased in many of these patients. This study aimed to
      clarify the mechanism underlying these structural variations. METHODS: We
      determined the copy numbers of telomeric and centromeric genes in the spinal
      muscular atrophy locus of 86 patients and 22 control subjects using multiplex
      ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis. Then, we chose 74 patients
      lacking SMN1 exons 7 and 8, and compared their dataset with that of 22 control
      subjects retaining SMN1 exons 7 and 8. RESULTS: The SMN2 copy number was shown to
      vary widely and to correlate with the disease severity of the patients.
      Interestingly, telomeric NAIP and telomeric GTF2H2 showed similar tendencies. We
      also noted positive correlations among the copy number of SMN2 and the telomeric
      genes of the spinal muscular atrophy locus. However, the copy numbers of
      centromeric NAIP and centromeric GTF2H2 were stable among the patients, with both
      approximating a value of two. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that the
      telomeric region of the spinal muscular atrophy locus appears to be susceptible
      to structural variation, whereas the centromeric region is stable. Moreover,
      according to our results, new SMN2 copies may be generated in the telomeric
      region of the spinal muscular atrophy locus, supporting the SMN1-to-SMN2 gene
      conversion theory.

PMID- 27268760
TI  - A Cross-sectional Survey of Growth and Nutritional Status in Children With
      Cerebral Palsy in West China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We describe the growth and nutritional status of children with
      cerebral palsy (2 to 18 years old) in West China and to explore the correlation
      between the nutritional status and age, gender, and gross and fine motor
      function. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey of children registered
      as having cerebral palsy in the China Disabled Persons' Federation branch in
      Chengdu. Growth (height and weight) and nutritional (body mass index) status were
      recorded. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability
      Classification System (MACS) were used to determine gross and fine motor
      function, respectively. The association between nutritional status and age, GMFCS
      and MACS levels was evaluated. RESULTS: We enrolled 377 children (53.6% male),
      among whom 160 (42.4%) were stunting, 48 (12.7%) underweight, 81 (21.5%) thin,
      and 70 (18.5%) overweight and obese. Thinness was the main nutritional problem in
      older patients (12 to 18 years), whereas overweight and obesity were the major
      issues in younger patients (2 to 12 years). Growth deviation and malnutrition
      were significantly more prevalent in patients with severe motor impairments. A
      significant negative correlation was found between nutritional status and age,
      GMFCS and MACS levels, and between growth and GMFCS and MACS levels. CONCLUSIONS:
      Growth abnormality is common in children with cerebral palsy. Malnutrition and
      overnutrition both exist in children with cerebral palsy. Characteristics at
      different age stages and motor functional levels should be taken into
      consideration in the management of growth and nutrition in this population.

PMID- 27268758
TI  - Leveraging a Sturge-Weber Gene Discovery: An Agenda for Future Research.
AB  - Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a vascular neurocutaneous disorder that results
      from a somatic mosaic mutation in GNAQ, which is also responsible for isolated
      port-wine birthmarks. Infants with SWS are born with a cutaneous capillary
      malformation (port-wine birthmark) of the forehead or upper eyelid which can
      signal an increased risk of brain and/or eye involvement prior to the onset of
      specific symptoms. This symptom-free interval represents a time when a targeted
      intervention could help to minimize the neurological and ophthalmologic
      manifestations of the disorder. This paper summarizes a 2015 SWS workshop in
      Bethesda, Maryland that was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.
      Meeting attendees included a diverse group of clinical and translational
      researchers with a goal of establishing research priorities for the next few
      years. The initial portion of the meeting included a thorough review of the
      recent genetic discovery and what is known of the pathogenesis of SWS. Breakout
      sessions related to neurology, dermatology, and ophthalmology aimed to establish
      SWS research priorities in each field. Key priorities for future development
      include the need for clinical consensus guidelines, further work to develop a
      clinical trial network, improvement of tissue banking for research purposes, and
      the need for multiple animal and cell culture models of SWS.

PMID- 27268761
TI  - Worsening of Seizures After Asparagine Supplementation in a Child with Asparagine
      Synthetase Deficiency.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Asparagine synthetase deficiency is an autosomal recessive
      neurometabolic disorder characterized clinically by severe congenital
      microcephaly, global developmental delay, intractable epilepsy, and motor
      impairment in the form of spastic quadriparesis. Diagnosis is confirmed by
      findings of low cerebral spinal fluid or plasma asparagine in addition to a
      mutation of the subsequently in ASNS gene. There is no documented trial of
      asparagine as a treatment for this disorder. PATIENT DESCRIPTION: We present a
      child with asparagine synthetase deficiency whose mental status improved slightly
      from a vegetative state to a minimally conscious state after starting asparagine
      supplementation. He subsequently became irritable, developed sleep disturbance,
      and experienced worsening seizures, requiring discontinuation of the asparagine
      supplements. CONCLUSIONS: Asparagine supplementation may be not effective in
      controlling the seizures in asparagine synthetase deficiency, and it is likely to
      make them worse.

PMID- 27268762
TI  - Acute Infantile Encephalopathy as Presentation of Succinic Semialdehyde
      Dehydrogenase Deficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency is a rare neurological
      disorder resulting from impaired gamma-aminobutyric acid metabolism. The syndrome
      typically presents as a static encephalopathy with developmental delays,
      hypotonia, and seizures. METHODS: A six-month-old previously healthy girl
      developed acute choreoathetosis and severe hypotonia in the setting of influenza
      A infection. In our database of 112 patients with succinic semialdehyde
      dehydrogenase deficiency, one additional patient was identified who presented
      with an acute illness (encephalopathy associated with bronchiolitis at age five
      months). RESULTS: Urine organic acid and cerebrospinal fluid analyses confirmed
      elevated 4-hydroxybutyric acid in both cases, verified by enzymatic
      quantification in lymphocytes in the second patient. Brain magnetic resonance
      imaging scans in both cases showed bilateral symmetric T2 hyperintensities of
      globus pallidi. The lesions demonstrated restricted diffusion, consistent with
      acute symptom onset. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to most organic acidopathies,
      succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency typically presents with
      nonprogressive global developmental delays. Here we report that succinic
      semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency can present fulminantly during a febrile
      illness as well as in the more common static fashion, thereby broadening the
      spectrum of onset patterns in this disorder.

PMID- 27268763
TI  - Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Associated With Licorice
      Consumption: A Case Report in a 10-Year-Old Boy. Pediatric Neurology
      2015;52(4):457-459.

PMID- 27268764
TI  - Rub Evoked Reflex Epilepsy in an Infant With Cerebellar Hypoplasia.

PMID- 27268765
TI  - Canadian student leaders' perspective on interprofessional education: A consensus
      statement.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to report on the outcomes of an interprofessional
      education (IPE) consensus-building exercise amongst student leaders enrolled in
      health science-related degree programs. The 12 participants included
      undergraduate and graduate students from eight different universities situated in
      five Canadian provinces. Their areas of study spanned a broad range of
      professions and disciplines including child and youth care, health promotion,
      nursing, kinesiology, medicine, physical education, psychology, and social work.
      A consensus statement regarding IPE and, more specifically, "what we know," "what
      we don't know," and "where do we go from here" is presented. These insights are
      unique, and a willingness to embrace them may be critical in building the next
      generation of improved IPE offerings across the country. 

PMID- 27268766
TI  - ABCB1 1199G>A polymorphism (rs2229109) affects the transport of imatinib,
      nilotinib and dasatinib.
AB  - AIM: ABCB1 (or P-glycoprotein) is implicated in the multidrug-resistance
      phenotype, including the resistance toward anticancer drugs such as tyrosine
      kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the
      influence of the ABCB1 1199G>A SNP on ABCB1 transport activity toward selected
      TKIs (imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib) that are currently used in chronic
      myelogenous leukemia. MATERIAL & METHODS: Two different cell lines, HEK293 and
      K562, were stably transfected with ABCB1 1199G wild-type or ABCB1 1199A variant
      allele. The impact of this polymorphism on accumulation and antiproliferative
      effects of imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib was evaluated. RESULTS: In K562
      models, the expression of Asn400 variant protein was associated with lower
      antiproliferative effects of imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib compared with
      Ser400 wild-type protein. Moreover, in HEK293 cells, imatinib and nilotinib
      intracellular accumulation were lower in variant compared with wild-type models.
      CONCLUSION: Imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib are transported more efficiently by
      the ABCB1 variant (Asn400) compared with the wild-type (Ser400) protein. The
      impact of ABCB1 1199G>A SNP on TKI response should be further investigated in
      chronic myelogenous leukemia patients.

PMID- 27268767
TI  - Determining the temporal development of dentin-composite bond strength during
      curing.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: As composite restorations cure a competition develops between bond
      formation and shrinkage stress at the composite-dentin interface. Thus,
      understanding the temporal development of tooth-composite bond strength should
      enable better assessment of tooth-composite debonding. METHODS: In this study,
      bond strengths of composite-dentin specimens obtained from tensile test at
      different curing times were used to determine the bond formation rate. By varying
      the composite thickness and output from the curing light, their effects on the
      rate of bond formation for two different materials (a conventional and a bulk
      fill composite) were also investigated. The proportions of cohesive and adhesive
      failure were determined by analysis of electron micrographs of the fractured
      surfaces. RESULTS: The development of dentin-composite bond strength (S) with
      time (t) can be described by the equation: S=Smax(1-exp(-alphat)), where Smax is
      the final bond strength (~12MPa for both composites) and alpha the rate of bond
      formation. Using bulk-fill and thinner specimens gave faster bond formation. In
      fact, the higher the irradiance at the interface, the higher the rate of bond
      formation. However, alpha had a maximum value of ~0.6s(-1) and the rule of
      reciprocity did not hold. A minimum dose of ~2J/cm(2) was required to achieve
      adequate bond strength. The predominant failure mode changed from cohesive in the
      composite and adhesive to interfacial at the adhesive-dentin interface,
      indicating the latter to be the weakest link in the cured dentin-composite
      assemblies considered. SIGNIFICANCE: When combined with the temporal development
      of shrinkage stress, the current results will help determine the likelihood of
      tooth-composite debonding.

PMID- 27268769
TI  - Morphological and Functional Evaluation of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Rosacea
      Patients.

PMID- 27268768
TI  - Bystander Attitudes to Prevent Sexual Assault: A Study of College Students in the
      United States, Japan, India, Vietnam, and China.
AB  - College women are at a high risk of sexual assault. Although programs that aim to
      change bystander behaviors have been shown to be potentially effective in
      preventing sexual assault on campuses in the United States, little is known about
      bystander behaviors outside of the United States. The purpose of this study was
      to explore and compare factors affecting bystander behaviors regarding sexual
      assault intervention and prevention among undergraduate students in the United
      States, Japan, India, Vietnam, and China. A total of 1,136 students participated
      in a self-reported survey. Results demonstrate substantial variations across
      countries. Bystander behaviors are associated with multilevel factors, including
      gender, knowledge of individuals who have experienced a sexual assault, and
      knowledge about campus or community organizations.

PMID- 27268770
TI  - Tunable Electrical Conductivity and Magnetic Property of the Two Dimensional
      Metal Organic Framework [Cu(TPyP)Cu2(O2CCH3)4].
AB  - The coordination chemistry between copper acetate [Cu2(OAc)4] and 5,10,15,20
      tetra-4-pyridyl-21H,23H-porphine (porphyrin, H2TPyP) is found to give rise to
      either a 2D metal-organic framework (MOF) [Cu(TPyP)Cu2(O2CCH3)4] or a 3D MOF
      [Cu(TPyP)CuCl2].2.5TCE.7H2O], depending on the choice of solvent. The 2D MOF can
      be made into a film, which was doped with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane
      (TCNQ), and the electrical conductivity of the thin film was increased by 3
      orders of magnitude with respect to that of the undoped Cu-MOF. The formation of
      a charge-transfer complex between TCNQ and the 2D Cu-MOF also imparts stronger
      paramagnetic properties than for the undoped MOF. 

PMID- 27268776
TI  - [Traumatic superior orbital fissure syndrome: Update].
AB  - The traumatic superior orbital fissure syndrome is an uncommon complication of
      craniomaxillofacial trauma. The diagnosis is clinical and associates
      ophtalmoplegia (constantly at initial clinical examination), ptosis and
      anaesthesia of the forehead. Young men victim of road traffic accidents are most
      often affected. CT-scan usually shows facial and/or craniofacial fractures more
      or less spreading towards the superior orbital fissure. The absence of fracture
      seen at the X-rays does not eliminate the diagnosis. Initial management should be
      multidisciplinary (maxillofacial surgeons, ophthalmologists and neurosurgeons)
      and conducted early if possible. It combines high-dose corticosteroids and
      decompression surgery if necessary. Abstention may be indicated in cases of
      delayed diagnosis with spontaneous improvement. Symptoms improve early but follow
      up should be extended over several months given the recovery time.

PMID- 27268777
TI  - Microenvironment of macula flava in the human vocal fold as a stem cell niche.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that the cells in the maculae flavae are
      tissue stem cells of the human vocal fold mucosa, and that the maculae flavae are
      a candidate for a stem cell niche. The role of microenvironment in the maculae
      flavae of the human vocal fold mucosa was investigated. METHOD: Anterior maculae
      flavae from six surgical specimens were cultured in a mesenchymal stem cell
      growth medium or a Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. RESULTS: Using mesenchymal
      stem cell growth medium, the subcultured cells formed a colony-forming unit, and
      cell division reflected asymmetric self-renewal. This indicates that these cells
      are mesenchymal stem cells or stromal stem cells in the bone marrow. Using
      Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, the subcultured cells showed symmetric cell
      division without a colony-forming unit. CONCLUSION: A proper microenvironment in
      the maculae flavae of the human vocal fold mucosa is necessary to be effective as
      a stem cell niche that maintains the stemness of the contained tissue stem cells.

PMID- 27268778
TI  - Extrapolating theoretical efficacy of inactivated influenza A/H5N1 virus vaccine
      from human immunogenicity studies.
AB  - Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 has been a public health concern for almost
      20years due to its potential ability to become transmissible among humans. Phase
      I and II clinical trials have assessed safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity
      of inactivated influenza A/H5N1 virus vaccines. A shortage of vaccine is likely
      to occur during the first months of a pandemic. Hence, determining whether to
      give one dose to more people or two doses to fewer people to best protect the
      population is essential. We use hemagglutination-inhibition antibody titers as an
      immune correlate for avian influenza vaccines. Using an established relationship
      to obtain a theoretical vaccine efficacy from immunogenicity data from thirteen
      arms of six phase I and phase II clinical trials of inactivated influenza A/H5N1
      virus vaccines, we assessed: (1) the proportion of theoretical vaccine efficacy
      achieved after a single dose (defined as primary response level), and (2) whether
      theoretical efficacy increases after a second dose, with and without adjuvant.
      Participants receiving vaccine with AS03 adjuvant had higher primary response
      levels (range: 0.48-0.57) compared to participants receiving vaccine with MF59
      adjuvant (range: 0.32-0.47), with no observed trends in primary response levels
      by antigen dosage. After the first and second doses, vaccine with AS03 at dosage
      levels 3.75, 7.5 and 15mcg had the highest estimated theoretical vaccine
      efficacy: Dose (1) 45% (95% CI: 36-57%), 53% (95% CI: 42-63%) and 55% (95% CI: 44
      64%), respectively and Dose (2) 93% (95% CI: 89-96%), 97% (95% CI: 95-98%) and
      97% (95% CI: 96-100%), respectively. On average, the estimated theoretical
      vaccine efficacy of lower dose adjuvanted vaccines (AS03 and MF59) was 17% higher
      than that of higher dose unadjuvanted vaccines, suggesting that including an
      adjuvant is dose-sparing. These data indicate adjuvanted inactivated influenza
      A/H5N1 virus vaccine produces high theoretical efficacy after two doses to
      protect individuals against a potential avian influenza pandemic.

PMID- 27268779
TI  - One year in review 2016: novelties in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease characterised by inflammation of
      the synovial tissue in joints, which can lead to joint destruction. The primary
      goal of the treatment is to control pain and inflammation, reduce joint damage
      and disability, and maintain or improve physical function and quality of life.
      The present review is aimed at providing a critical analysis of the recent
      literature on the novelties in the treatment of RA, with a particular focus on
      the most relevant studies published over the last year. 

PMID- 27268780
TI  - Juvenile eosinophilic fasciitis: three case reports with review of the
      literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Eosinophilic fasciitis is an uncommon scleroderma-like disorder
      characterised by induration and thickening of skin and soft tissue, usually
      associated with peripheral eosinophilia, poorly characterised in childhood.
      METHODS: We report 3 paediatric cases of eosinophilic fasciitis showing unusual
      clinical and histopathological features with a review of the literature. RESULTS:
      All cases presented progressive motility impairment started from upper limbs with
      no skin abnormalities. All cases showed systemic inflammatory involvement and 2
      patients had acute complications. Two patients developed disabling outcomes
      despite appropriate treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophilic fasciitis may present
      unusual clinical and histopathological features during childhood and requires
      early recognition in order to prevent acute complications and disabling outcomes.

PMID- 27268781
TI  - Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Cross-Coupling of Benzyl Chlorides with Aryl
      Chlorides/Fluorides: A One-Pot Synthesis of Diarylmethanes.
AB  - The first nickel-catalyzed, magnesium-mediated reductive cross-coupling between
      benzyl chlorides and aryl chlorides or fluorides is reported. A variety of
      diarylmethanes can be prepared in good to excellent yields in a one-pot manner
      using easy-to-access mixed PPh3/NHC Ni(II) complexes of Ni(PPh3)(NHC)Br2 (NHC =
      1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, IPr, 1a; 1,3-di-tert
      butylimidazol-2-ylidene, ItBu, 1b) as catalyst precursors. Activation of
      polychloroarenes or chemoselective cross-coupling based on the difference in
      catalytic activity between 1a and 1b is used to construct oligo-diarylmethane
      motifs.

PMID- 27268782
TI  - Insecticide chlorpyrifos and fungicide carbendazim, common food contaminants
      mixture, induce hepatic, renal, and splenic oxidative damage in female rats.
AB  - The fungicide carbendazim (CBZ) and insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) are currently
      applied together by farmers for the control of pests. Here, we investigated the
      impacts of 7 days oral co-exposure to 10 mg/kg body weight of CPF and 50 mg/kg
      body weight of CBZ on selected oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarkers in the
      liver, kidney, and spleen of female rats. The results showed that while the body
      weight gain and relative organ weights were not significantly affected after
      separate exposure to CPF and CBZ, there was a significant decrease in the body
      weight gain with concomitant increases in the relative kidney and spleen weights
      of rats treated with the mixture. Also, CPF and CBZ co-exposure significantly
      increased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine ( p < 0.05) when compared with the
      groups treated with CBZ or CPF alone and the control. The significant decreases
      in both antioxidant enzymes activities and nonenzymatic antioxidant level
      following individual administration of CPF and CBZ to rats were intensified in
      the co-exposure group ( p < 0.05). Additionally, the marked increases in the
      levels of oxidative stress indices in liver, kidney, and spleen of rats treated
      with CPF or CBZ alone were intensified in the co-exposure group ( p < 0.05).
      Histopathologically, co-exposure to CPF and CBZ exacerbates their individual
      effects on the liver, kidney, and spleen. These findings showed that co-exposure
      to CPF and CBZ in rats elicited more severe oxidative damage on the liver,
      kidney, and spleen of the rats, indicative of an additive effect compared to CPF
      or CBZ alone and as such, may pose a greater environmental risk to humans.

PMID- 27268783
TI  - Electrically Responsive Surfaces: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations.
AB  - Stimuli-responsive surfaces have sparked considerable interest in recent years,
      especially in view of their biomimetic nature and widespread biomedical
      applications. Significant efforts are continuously being directed at developing
      functional surfaces exhibiting specific property changes triggered by variations
      in electrical potential, temperature, pH and concentration, irradiation with
      light, or exposure to a magnetic field. In this respect, electrical stimulus
      offers several attractive features, including a high level of spatial and
      temporal controllability, rapid and reverse inducement, and noninvasiveness. In
      this Account, we discuss how surfaces can be designed and methodologies developed
      to produce electrically switchable systems, based on research by our groups. We
      aim to provide fundamental mechanistic and structural features of these dynamic
      systems, while highlighting their capabilities and potential applications. We
      begin by briefly describing the current state-of-the-art in integrating
      electroactive species on surfaces to control the immobilization of diverse
      biological entities. This premise leads us to portray our electrically switchable
      surfaces, capable of controlling nonspecific and specific biological interactions
      by exploiting molecular motions of surface-bound electroswitchable molecules. We
      demonstrate that our self-assembled monolayer-based electrically switchable
      surfaces can modulate the interactions of surfaces with proteins, mammalian and
      bacterial cells. We emphasize how these systems are ubiquitous in both switching
      biomolecular interactions in highly complex biological conditions while still
      offering antifouling properties. We also introduce how novel characterization
      techniques, such as surface sensitive vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG)
      spectroscopy, can be used for probing the electrically switchable molecular
      surfaces in situ. SFG spectroscopy is a technique that not only allowed
      determining the structural orientation of the surface-tethered molecules under
      electroinduced switching, but also provided an in-depth characterization of the
      system reversibility. Furthermore, the unique support from molecular dynamics
      (MD) simulations is highlighted. MD simulations with polarizable force fields
      (FFs), which could give proper description of the charge polarization caused by
      electrical stimulus, have helped not only back many of the experimental
      observations, but also to rationalize the mechanism of switching behavior. More
      importantly, this polarizable FF-based approach can efficiently be extended to
      light or pH stimulated surfaces when integrated with reactive FF methods. The
      interplay between experimental and theoretical studies has led to a higher level
      of understanding of the switchable surfaces, and to a more precise interpretation
      and rationalization of the observed data. The perspectives on the challenges and
      opportunities for future progress on stimuli-responsive surfaces are also
      presented.

PMID- 27268784
TI  - Gating, Regulation, and Structure in K2P K+ Channels: In Varietate Concordia?
AB  - K2P K(+) channels with two pore domains in tandem associate as dimers to produce
      so-called background conductances that are regulated by a variety of stimuli.
      Whereas gating in K2P channels has been poorly understood, recent developments
      have provided important clues regarding the gating mechanism for this family of
      proteins. Two modes of gating present in other K(+) channels have been
      considered. The first is the so-called activation gating that occurs by bundle
      crossing and the splaying apart of pore-lining helices commanding ion passage.
      The second mode involves a change in conformation at the selectivity filter (SF),
      which impedes ion flow at this narrow portion of the conduction pathway and
      accounts for extracellular pH modulation of several K2P channels. Although some
      evidence supports the existence of an activation gate in K2P channels, recent
      results suggest that perhaps all stimuli, even those sensed at a distant location
      in the protein, are also mediated by SF gating. Recently resolved crystal
      structures of K2P channels in conductive and nonconductive conformations revealed
      that the nonconductive state is reached by blockade by a lipid acyl chain that
      gains access to the channel cavity through intramembrane fenestrations. Here we
      discuss whether this novel type of gating, proposed so far only for membrane
      tension gating, might mediate gating in response to other stimuli or whether SF
      gating is the only type of opening/closing mechanism present in K2P channels. 

PMID- 27268785
TI  - Rare case of stress cardiomyopathy due to intramuscular epinephrine
      administration.
AB  - We report a case of a 37-year-old woman who presented to our hospital with
      retrosternal chest pain following intramuscular administration of epinephrine due
      to presumed anaphylaxis. On arrival, she was found to have ST segment depression
      in the anterolateral leads on ECG and elevated cardiac troponins. She was
      diagnosed with stress cardiomyopathy based on left ventricle dysfunction and
      angiographically normal coronary arteries on cardiac catheterisation. To the best
      of our knowledge, this is the third reported case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy
      following appropriately dosed intramuscular administration of epinephrine for
      anaphylaxis. This case highlights the importance of considering stress
      cardiomyopathy in patients presenting with chest pain syndrome following systemic
      administration of epinephrine. 

PMID- 27268787
TI  - Pedunculated Epibulbar Osseous Choristoma in a Newborn.

PMID- 27268786
TI  - The Impact of Echocardiographic Screening for Rheumatic Heart Disease on Patient
      Quality of Life.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) on child
      reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the context of a Ugandan
      school-based echocardiographic screening program. Echocardiography-based
      screening has emerged as a tool for the early detection of RHD, but little is
      known about its impact on those screened. STUDY DESIGN: Participants included 358
      children from Gulu and 28 children from Kampala Uganda. The Pediatric Quality of
      Life Inventory Version 4.0 was used to assess HRQOL in 4 groups of children: Gulu
      prescreen, Gulu postscreen, Gulu previously linked to care, and Kampala
      previously linked to care. Children in the pre- and postscreen groups were
      selected from a single school before and after screening occurred and matched by
      age and sex. Children previously linked to care were recruited from previous
      screening studies. RESULTS: When the echocardiogram was normal, there was no
      difference in HRQOL in the prescreen and postscreen groups. In the postscreen
      group, identification of latent RHD resulted in lower physical (75.3 vs 68.3, P =
      .03) and emotional (71.7 vs 63.4, P < .01) HRQOL, despite a lack of symptoms. The
      Kampala group had longer linkage to care (42 months vs 6 months, P < .01) and
      demonstrated greater HRQOL scores compared with the Gulu-linked group (70.7 vs
      77.8, P < .01) and the combined Gulu cohort (77.8 vs 69.4, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS:
      Echocardiography-based screening for RHD does not diminish HRQOL in Ugandan
      children; rather, a diminished HRQOL score may be associated with being
      identified as RHD positive. Further investigation is needed to understand if
      longer linkage to care may ultimately normalize or improve HRQOL.

PMID- 27268788
TI  - UK rate of avoidable deaths is higher than EU average.

PMID- 27268789
TI  - Surgery for obese people with diabetes could save the NHS L100 000 a patient,
      finds study.

PMID- 27268790
TI  - Sub-lethal effects and bioconcentration of the human pharmaceutical clotrimazole
      in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
AB  - The aim of this study was to characterize biomarker responses, haematological
      profiles, structural changes and uptake in juvenile rainbow trout exposed to
      clotrimazole (CLO) at three concentrations (0.01 - [lowest environmentally
      relevant concentration], 1.0 [highest environmentally relevant concentration] and
      10 MUg L(-1)) in a semi-static system over a period of 42 days. Antioxidant
      defence enzymes, which responded to CLO exposure, changed the oxidative stress
      status of cells, but no differences were observed in lipid peroxidation.
      Clotrimazole triggered a biphasic response of CYP3A-like activity in liver
      microsomes, which may indicate a detoxification process in the liver.
      Histopathological alterations were most pronounced in kidneys and testes in the
      group exposed to 10 MUg L(-1). Structural changes in the kidney included
      tubulonephrosis and hyaline droplet degeneration in the tubular epithelial cells.
      The relative proportions of germ cells in testes were changed: The number of
      spermatozoa was reduced, and the spermatogonia and spermatocytes were increased.
      The highest CLO concentration was detected in fish liver (3710 ng per gram wet
      tissue) and kidney (4280 ng per gram wet tissue). Depuration half-life was
      estimated to be 72, 159, and 682 h in liver, muscle, and kidney, respectively.
      Taken together, these results provide valuable toxicological data on the effects
      of CLO on aquatic non-target organisms, which could be useful for further
      understanding of the potential risks in the real aquatic environment. 

PMID- 27268791
TI  - Removal of phosphate using iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized by eucalyptus
      leaf extract in the presence of CTAB surfactant.
AB  - This study investigated the use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a
      stabilizer in green synthesis to improve the reactivity of iron oxide
      nanoparticles (IONP). Results show that efficiency in removing phosphate
      increased from 71.0% to 97.3%. To understand how to improve the reactivity of
      IONP by CTAB: firstly, characterizations of IONP before and after phosphate
      removal by SEM, EDS, FTIR, XPS show the adsorption of P onto the IONP; secondly,
      batch experiments indicate that the adsorption capacity of phosphate increased
      when temperature or initial phosphate concentration increased and decreased with
      an increase in both adsorbent dose and pH. Adsorption followed the pseudo-second
      order kinetics model and the equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir
      isotherm. Thermodynamic data confirmed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of
      the adsorption process. Finally, it was proposed that the adsorption of phosphate
      using CTAB-modified IONP was mainly associated with inner-sphere complexing
      mechanism and electrostatic attraction. 

PMID- 27268792
TI  - Resistance and uptake of cadmium by yeast, Pichia hampshirensis 4Aer, isolated
      from industrial effluent and its potential use in decontamination of wastewater.
AB  - Pichia hampshirensis 4Aer is first ever used yeast for the bioremediation of
      environmental cadmium (Cd(+2)) which could maximally remove 22 mM/g and 28 mM/g
      Cd(+2) from aqueous medium at lab and large scales, respectively. The biosorption
      was found to be the function of temperature, pH of solution, initial Cd(+2)
      concentration and biomass dosage. Competitive biosorption was investigated in
      binary and multi-metal system which indicated the decrease in Cd(+2) biosorption
      with increasing the competitive metal ions attributed to their higher
      electronegativity and larger radius. FTIR analysis revealed the active
      participation of amide and carbonyl moieties in Cd(+2) adsorption confirmed by
      EDX analysis. Electron micrographs summoned further surface adsorption and
      increased cell size due to intracellular Cd(+2) accumulation. Cd(+2) was the
      causative agent of some metal binding proteins as well as prodigious increase in
      glutathione and other non-protein thiols levels which is the crucial for the
      yeast to thrive oxidative stress generated by Cd(+2). Our experimental data were
      consistent with Langmuir as well as Freundlich isotherm models. The yeast obeyed
      pseudo second order kinetic model which makes it an effective biosorbent for
      Cd(+2). High bioremediation potential and spontaneity and feasibility of the
      process make P. hampshirensis 4Aer an impending foundation for green chemistry to
      exterminate environmental Cd(+2). 

PMID- 27268793
TI  - Biocatalysis mechanism for p-fluoronitrobenzene degradation in the thermophilic
      bioelectrocatalysis system: Sequential combination of reduction and oxidation.
AB  - To verify the potentially synthetic anodic and cathodic biocatalysis mechanism in
      bioelectrocatalysis systems (BECSs), a single-chamber thermophilic
      bioelectrocatalysis system (R3) was operated under strictly anaerobic conditions
      using the biocathode donated dual-chamber (R1) and bioanode donated dual-chamber
      (R2) BECSs as controls. Direct bioelectrocatalytic oxidation was found to be
      infeasible while bioelectrocatalytic reduction was the dominant process for p
      Fluoronitrobenzene (p-FNB) removal, with p-FNB removal of 0.188 mM d(-1) in R1
      and 0.182 mM d(-1) in R3. Cyclic voltammetry experiments confirmed that
      defluorination in the BECSs was an oxidative metabolic process catalyzed by
      bioanodes following the reductive reaction, which explained the 0.034 mM d(-1)
      defluorination in R3, but negligible defluorination in controls. Taken together,
      these results revealed a sequentially combined reduction and oxidation mechanism
      in the thermophilic BECS for p-FNB removal. Moreover, the enrichment of
      Betaproteobacteria and uniquely selected Bacilli in R3 were probably functional
      populations for p-FNB degradation. 

PMID- 27268794
TI  - Enantioselective toxic effects of cyproconazole enantiomers against Chlorella
      pyrenoidosa.
AB  - Enantioselectivity in ecotoxicity, digestion and uptake of chiral pesticide
      cyproconazole to Chlorella pyrenoidosa was studied. The 96h-EC50 values of rac-
      and the four enantiomers were 9.005, 6.616, 8.311, 4.290 and 9.410 mg/L,
      respectively. At the concentrations of 8 mg/L and 14 mg/L, the contents of
      pigments exposed in rac-, enantiomer-2 and 4 were higher than that exposed in
      enantiomer-1 and 3. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity of
      algae exposed to enantiomer-1 and 3 was higher than that exposed to the rac-,
      enantiomer-2 and 4 at three levels. In addition, the malondialdehyde (MDA)
      concentrations in algae disposed with enantiomer-1 and 3 were increased
      remarkably at three levels. For the digestion experiment, the half-lives of four
      enantiomers in algae suspension were 28.06, 19.10, 21.13, 15.17 days,
      respectively. During the uptake experiment, the order of the concentrations of
      cyproconazole in algae cells was enantiomer-4, 2, 3 and 1. Based on these data,
      we concluded that ecotoxicity, digestion and uptake of chiral pesticide
      cyproconazole to C. pyrenoidosa were enantioselective, and such enantiomeric
      differences must be taken into consideration when assessing the risk of
      cyproconazole to environment. 

PMID- 27268850
TI  - Numerical assessment of a criterion for the optimal choice of the operative
      conditions in magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia on a realistic model of the
      human head.
AB  - PURPOSE: This paper presents a numerical study aiming at assessing the
      effectiveness of a recently proposed optimisation criterion for determining the
      optimal operative conditions in magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia applied to the
      clinically relevant case of brain tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is
      carried out using the Zubal numerical phantom, and performing electromagnetic
      thermal co-simulations. The Pennes model is used for thermal balance; the
      dissipation models for the magnetic nanoparticles are those available in the
      literature. The results concerning the optimal therapeutic concentration of
      nanoparticles, obtained through the analysis, are validated using experimental
      data on the specific absorption rate of iron oxide nanoparticles, available in
      the literature. RESULTS: The numerical estimates obtained by applying the
      criterion to the treatment of brain tumours shows that the acceptable values for
      the product between the magnetic field amplitude and frequency may be two to four
      times larger than the safety threshold of 4.85 * 10(8)A/m/s usually considered.
      This would allow the reduction of the dosage of nanoparticles required for an
      effective treatment. In particular, depending on the tumour depth, concentrations
      of nanoparticles smaller than 10 mg/mL of tumour may be sufficient for heating
      tumours smaller than 10 mm above 42  degrees C. Moreover, the study of the
      clinical scalability shows that, whatever the tumour position, lesions larger
      than 15 mm may be successfully treated with concentrations lower than 10 mg/mL.
      The criterion also allows the prediction of the temperature rise in healthy
      tissue, thus assuring safe treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The criterion can represent a
      helpful tool for planning and optimising an effective hyperthermia treatment.

PMID- 27268795
TI  - The Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor.
AB  - The Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor is a powerful toolset for the analysis,
      annotation, and prioritization of genomic variants in coding and non-coding
      regions. It provides access to an extensive collection of genomic annotation,
      with a variety of interfaces to suit different requirements, and simple options
      for configuring and extending analysis. It is open source, free to use, and
      supports full reproducibility of results. The Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor
      can simplify and accelerate variant interpretation in a wide range of study
      designs.

PMID- 27268851
TI  - Movement rehabilitation: are the principles of re-learning in the recovery of
      function the same as those of original learning?
AB  - This paper addresses the change in movement dynamics in rehabilitation through
      discussing issues that pertain to the question as to whether the principles of re
      learning in functional recovery are the same as those of original learning. The
      many varieties of disease and injury states lead to significant differences in
      the constraints to action and these impairments in turn influence the pathway of
      change in re-learning and/or recovery of function. These altered constraints
      channel the effectiveness of many conditions and strategies of practice that
      influence learning and performance. Nevertheless, it is proposed that there is a
      small set of principles for the change in dynamics of motor learning, which drive
      the continuously evolving stability and instability of movement forms through the
      lifespan. However, this common set of dynamical principles is realized in
      individual pathways of change in the movement dynamics of learning, re-learning
      and recovery of function. The inherent individual differences of humans and
      environments insure that the coordination, control and skill of movement
      rehabilitation are challenged in distinct ways by the changing constraints
      arising from the many manifestations of disease and injury. Implications for
      rehabilitation The many varieties of disease and injury states lead to
      significant differences in the constraints to action that in turn influence the
      pathway of change in re-learning and/or recovery of function, and the
      effectiveness of the many conditions/strategies of practice to influence learning
      and performance. There are a small set of principles for the change in dynamics
      of motor learning that drive the continuously evolving ebb and flow of stability
      and instability of movement forms through the lifespan. The inherent individual
      differences of humans and environments insure that the coordination, control and
      skill of movement rehabilitation are uniquely challenged by the changing
      constraints arising from the many manifestations of disease and injury.

PMID- 27268852
TI  - Digit Span Performance in Children with Dystrophinopathy: A Verbal Span or
      Working Memory Contribution?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In a large cohort of boys with dystrophinopathies and their
      unaffected siblings, we examined whether consistently observed performance on
      digit span is due primarily to a verbal span or executive deficit. We
      additionally assessed whether digit span performance contributed to the observed
      variability in reading performance noted in this population. METHODS: Performance
      of 170 boys with dystrophinopathy was compared to 95 unaffected sibling controls
      on measures of verbal function, reading, and digit span. Maximum digit span
      forward (DSF) and backward (DSB) lengths were converted to Z-scores using
      normative data. Independent sample t tests, analysis of variance, and
      hierarchical multiple regression were run (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Probands
      performed worse than controls on digit span, even after accounting for
      differences in general verbal function (p<.0001). Differences were significant
      for both DSF (p<.005) and DSB (p<.0001) span length, and an interaction effect
      yielded significantly worse DSB compared with DSF (p=.01). Reading performance
      was also lower in probands (p<.0001). The contribution of general level of verbal
      function, and forward and backward span lengths, did not vary between groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: In boys with dystrophinopathy, decreased performance on digit span
      appears to be due to both decreased span forward (measuring verbal span only) and
      backward (measuring verbal span and working memory). The extent to which sibling
      controls exhibited better performance compared to the probands was significantly
      greater for backward span when compared with forward span. Thus, immediate verbal
      memory and executive control are differentially compromised among boys with
      dystrophinopathy, and both of these abilities independently contribute to reading
      performance. (JINS, 2016, 22, 777-784).

PMID- 27268853
TI  - Novel plasmid conferring kanamycin and tetracycline resistance in the turkey
      derived Campylobacter jejuni strain 11601MD.
AB  - In Campylobacter spp., resistance to the antimicrobials kanamycin and
      tetracycline is frequently associated with plasmid-borne genes. However,
      relatively few plasmids of Campylobacter jejuni have been fully characterized to
      date. A novel plasmid (p11601MD; 44,095nt) harboring tet(O) was identified in C.
      jejuni strain 11601MD, which was isolated from the jejunum of a turkey produced
      conventionally in North Carolina. Analysis of the p11601MD sequence revealed the
      presence of a high-GC content cassette with four genes that included tet(O) and a
      putative aminoglycoside transferase gene (aphA-3) highly similar to kanamycin
      resistance determinants. Several genes putatively involved in conjugative
      transfer were also identified on the plasmid. These findings will contribute to a
      better understanding of the distribution of potentially self-mobilizing plasmids
      harboring antibiotic resistance determinants in Campylobacter spp. from turkeys
      and other sources.

PMID- 27268855
TI  - Are maintenance and continuous therapies indicated for every patient with
      multiple myeloma?
AB  - Maintenance therapy after autologous stem cell transplantation, as well as
      continuous regimens for older, transplant ineligible patients, are emerging as an
      effective strategy to control the minimal residual disease that persists after
      response to initial treatments and is the main cause of relapse in patients
      affected by multiple myeloma (MM). However, though such approaches have
      consistently demonstrated in clinical trials to be able to delay disease
      recurrence, thus improving progression-free survival and, at least in some
      studies, overall survival, the use of these long term therapies (LTTs) in the
      daily clinical practice is not uniformly applied and some questions remains
      unanswered. This article aims to provide a synthetic discussion of the most
      consistent data on novel agent-based LTTs in newly diagnosed MM, to recognize the
      best candidate for these treatments and to describe a landscape of their possible
      future application. 

PMID- 27268854
TI  - A review of the methods used to define glucocorticoid exposure and risk
      attribution when investigating the risk of fracture in a rheumatoid arthritis
      population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoid therapy is used widely in patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA) with good efficacy but concerns about safety including fractures.
      Estimates of fracture risk for any given patient are complicated by the dynamic
      pattern of glucocorticoid use, where patients vary in their dose, duration and
      timing of glucocorticoid use. OBJECTIVE: To investigate which methods are
      currently used to attribute fractures to glucocorticoid exposure and investigate
      whether such methods can consider individual treatment patterns. RESULTS: Thirty
      eight studies used five common definitions of risk attribution to glucocorticoid
      exposure: "current use", "ever use", "daily dose", "cumulative dose" and "time
      variant". One study attempted to combine multiple definitions where "cumulative
      dose" was nested within "daily dose", covering the effects of dose and duration
      but not timing. The majority of results demonstrated an equivocal or increased
      risk of fracture with increased exposure, although there was wide variation, with
      odds ratios, hazard ratios and relative risks ranging from 0.16 to 8.16. Within
      definitions there was also variability in the results with the smallest range for
      "time variant", 1.07 to 2.8, and the largest for "cumulative dose", ranging from
      risk estimates of 0.88 to 8.12. CONCLUSION: Many studies have looked into the
      effect of glucocorticoids on fracture risk in patients with RA. Despite this,
      there is no clear consensus about the magnitude of risk. This is a consequence of
      the varied analysis models and their different assumptions. Moreover, no current
      analysis method allows consideration of dose, duration and timing of
      glucocorticoid therapy, preventing a clear understanding of fracture risk for
      patients and their individual treatment patterns.

PMID- 27268856
TI  - New concepts in HIV-1 vaccine development.
AB  - With 2 million people newly infected with HIV-1 in 2014, an effective HIV-1
      vaccine remains a major public health priority. HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials in
      humans, complemented by active and passive immunization studies in non-human
      primates, have identified several key vaccine-induced immunological responses
      that may correlate with protection against HIV-1 infection. Potential correlates
      of protection in these studies include V2-specific, polyfunctional, and broadly
      neutralizing antibody responses, as well as effector memory T cell responses.
      Here we review how these correlates of protection are guiding current approaches
      to HIV-1 vaccine development. These approaches include improvements on the ALVAC
      HIV/AIDSVAX B/E vaccine regimen used in the RV144 clinical trial in Thailand,
      adenovirus serotype 26 vectors with gp140 boosting, intravenous infusions of
      bNAbs, and replicating viral vectors.

PMID- 27268867
TI  - Use of formative research and social network theory to develop a group walking
      intervention: Sumter County on the Move!
AB  - Although social support is a frequently cited enabler of physical activity, few
      studies have examined how to harness social support in interventions. This paper
      describes community-based formative research to design a walking program for
      mobilizing naturally occurring social networks to support increases in walking
      behavior. Focus group methods were used to engage community members in
      discussions about desired walking program features. The research was conducted
      with underserved communities in Sumter County, South Carolina. The majority of
      focus group participants were women (76%) and African American (92%). Several
      important themes emerged from the focus group results regarding attitudes toward
      walking, facilitators of and barriers to walking, ideal walking program
      characteristics, and strategies for encouraging community members to walk. Most
      noteably, the role of existing social networks as a supportive influence on
      physical activity was a recurring theme in our formative research and a gap in
      the existing evidence base. The resulting walking program focused on strategies
      for mobilizing, supporting and reinforcing existing social networks as mechanisms
      for increasing walking. Our approach to linking theory, empirical evidence and
      community-based formative research for the development of a walking intervention
      offers an example for practitioners developing intervention strategies for a wide
      range of behaviors.

PMID- 27268868
TI  - Ability to downregulate the level of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1
      after DNA damage is retained in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells with
      functional ATM/p53 signaling pathway.

PMID- 27268869
TI  - [Effectiveness of an intervention to improve the implementation of a surgical
      safety check-list in a tertiary hospital].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of verification of a Surgical Safety
      Checklist and improvements made. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study in 28 Clinical
      Management Units with surgical activity in the University Hospital Virgen del
      Rocio (HUVR) and University Hospital Virgen Macarena (HUVM). A situation analysis
      was made to estimate the completing of a Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC), after
      which a new system of completing the SSC was introduced as an element of
      improvement, which included a reusable vinyl board. Subsequently, the prevalence
      over two periods was calculated, to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.
      RESULTS: A total 1,964 SSC were reviewed in the HUVR-HUVM in June (baseline), and
      in December 2013 and June 2014. A percentage completion of 65.8%, 86.2%, and 88%
      was obtained in the HUVR, and 70.9%, 77.2%, and 75% in the HUVM, respectively. Of
      these SSC, 15.1% (baseline) were completed entirely in the HUVR, increasing to
      36.6% (P<.001), and 89.8% (P<.001) in the last measurement. In the HUVM, 15.6%
      (baseline) were fully completed, increasing to 18.3% (P=.323), and 29.4% (P=.001)
      in the last measurement. CONCLUSION: The percentage of completion of SSC obtained
      is around 80%, and is similar to that reported in the literature. The re-design
      of the SSC procedure, including the use of a vinyl board, the designation of SSC
      coordinator role, and professional staff training, is effective for improve
      outcomes in terms of completing the SSC, and quality of the completion.

PMID- 27268870
TI  - [Development and evolution of a balanced scorecard in primary health care:
      Lessons learned].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe the design, implementation, and monitoring of eSOAP
      (Primary Health Care Balanced Scorecard) and its role in the deployment of
      strategic objectives and clinical management, as well as to show the lessons
      learned during six years of follow-up. METHOD: Descriptive study areas:
      methodology (conceptual framework, strategic matrix, strategic map, and processes
      map), technology and standardisation. RESULTS: As of December 2014, 9,046 (78%)
      professionals are registered in eSOAP. A total of 381 indicators were measured
      from 16 data sources, of which 36% were of results (EFQM model), 39.1% of
      clinical management, and 20% were included in the Program Centre Contract. The
      Balanced Scorecard has enabled to deploy all strategic lines of Primary Health
      Care, and has enabled the healthcare professionals to evaluate the evolution of
      results over time, and at patient level (e.g. 16% increase in control of diabetic
      patients). A total of 295,779 reports were generated and 13,080 professionals
      were evaluated by goals. CONCLUSIONS: There was an increased use of the eSOAP
      application by the professionals. The Balanced Scorecard was the key in deploying
      Primary Health Care strategies. It has helped clinical management and improved
      relevant indicators (health, patient experience, and costs), such as the
      management models that we used as references (EFQM Kaplan and Norton), and new
      emerging scenarios (Triple aim).

PMID- 27268871
TI  - The Role of Gay Identity Confusion and Outness in Sex-Seeking on Mobile Dating
      Apps Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Conditional Process Analysis.
AB  - Mobile dating apps are now a popular platform for men who have sex with men (MSM)
      to connect with others. Based on the uses and gratifications (U&G) theory, this
      study explores the relationship between sex-seeking and the number of casual sex
      partners met through MSM-based mobile dating apps (Grindr, Jack'd, and SCRUFF).
      The conditional process analysis (N = 401) shows that this relationship was
      significant and was mediated by the intensity of app use. That is, sex-seeking
      indirectly affected the number of casual sex partners through the intensity of
      app use. Furthermore, gay identity confusion and outness to the world moderated
      this indirect effect: it was stronger when the user was either more confused
      about his sexuality or was less out to the world. This research introduces an
      alternative way to incorporate psychographics variables into the U&G framework.

PMID- 27268906
TI  - Chemical probes of quorum sensing: from compound development to biological
      discovery.
AB  - Bacteria can utilize chemical signals to coordinate the expression of group
      beneficial behaviors in a method of cell-cell communication called quorum sensing
      (QS). The discovery that QS controls the production of virulence factors and
      biofilm formation in many common pathogens has driven an explosion of research
      aimed at both deepening our fundamental understanding of these regulatory
      networks and developing chemical agents that can attenuate QS signaling. The
      inherently chemical nature of QS makes studying these pathways with small
      molecule tools a complementary approach to traditional microbiology techniques.
      Indeed, chemical tools are beginning to yield new insights into QS regulation and
      provide novel strategies to inhibit QS. Here, we review the most recent advances
      in the development of chemical probes of QS systems in Gram-negative bacteria,
      with an emphasis on the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa We first
      describe reports of novel small molecule modulators of QS receptors and QS signal
      synthases. Next, in several case studies, we showcase how chemical tools have
      been deployed to reveal new knowledge of QS biology and outline lessons for how
      researchers might best target QS to combat bacterial virulence. To close, we
      detail the outstanding challenges in the field and suggest strategies to overcome
      these issues.

PMID- 27268908
TI  - Enantioselective Intermolecular [2 + 2] Photocycloaddition Reactions of 2(1H)
      Quinolones Induced by Visible Light Irradiation.
AB  - In the presence of a chiral thioxanthone catalyst (10 mol %) the title compounds
      underwent a clean intermolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition with electron
      deficient olefins at lambda = 419 nm. The reactions not only proceeded with
      excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity but also delivered the respective
      cyclobutane products with significant enantiomeric excess (up to 95% ee). Key to
      the success of the reactions is a two-point hydrogen bonding between quinolone
      and catalyst enabling efficient energy transfer and high enantioface
      differentiation. Preliminary work indicated that solar irradiation can be used
      for this process and that the substrate scope can be further expanded to
      isoquinolones.

PMID- 27268909
TI  - Microenvironmental Control of Adipocyte Fate and Function.
AB  - The properties of tissue-specific microenvironments vary widely in the human body
      and demonstrably influence the structure and function of many cell types.
      Adipocytes are no exception, responding to cues in specialized niches to perform
      vital metabolic and endocrine functions. The adipose microenvironment is
      remodeled during tissue expansion to maintain the structural and functional
      integrity of the tissue and disrupted remodeling in obesity contributes to the
      progression of metabolic syndrome, breast cancer, and other malignancies. The
      increasing incidence of these obesity-related diseases and the recent focus on
      improved in vitro models of human tissue biology underscore growing interest in
      the regulatory role of adipocyte microenvironments in health and disease.

PMID- 27268907
TI  - Neglected filoviruses.
AB  - Eight viruses are currently assigned to the family Filoviridae Marburg virus,
      Sudan virus and, in particular, Ebola virus have received the most attention both
      by researchers and the public from 1967 to 2013. During this period, natural
      human filovirus disease outbreaks occurred sporadically in Equatorial Africa and,
      despite high case-fatality rates, never included more than several dozen to a few
      hundred infections per outbreak. Research emphasis shifted almost exclusively to
      Ebola virus in 2014, when this virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak
      that has thus far involved more than 28 646 people and caused more than 11 323
      deaths in Western Africa. Consequently, major efforts are currently underway to
      develop licensed medical countermeasures against Ebola virus infection. However,
      the ecology of and mechanisms behind Ebola virus emergence are as little
      understood as they are for all other filoviruses. Consequently, the possibility
      of the future occurrence of a large disease outbreak caused by other less
      characterized filoviruses (i.e. Bundibugyo virus, Lloviu virus, Ravn virus,
      Reston virus and Tai Forest virus) is impossible to rule out. Yet, for many of
      these viruses, not even rudimentary research tools are available, let alone
      medical countermeasures. This review summarizes the current knowledge on these
      less well-characterized filoviruses.

PMID- 27268911
TI  - Smoking, hormonal factors and molecular markers in female lung cancer.
AB  - There has been substantial argumentation about differences in lung cancer
      occurrence and characteristics between men and women. Lung cancer incidence
      suggests that gender-related factors may influence lung cancer risk. The
      carcinogenic effect of tobacco smoke and the use of hormone replacement therapy
      could result in susceptibility to lung cancer among women. Mutations in EGFR and
      HER-2/neu genes, and ROS1 gene fusions may also play a role in gender-based
      survival rate differences. This review summarizes the latest data of disease
      markers and its usefulness in female lung cancer.

PMID- 27268912
TI  - Protein synthesis inhibitors of natural origin for CML therapy: semisynthetic
      homoharringtonine (Omacetaxine mepesuccinate).
AB  - Omacetaxine mepesuccinate is a drug approved in 2014 by FDA for the use in CML
      therapy in patients resistant to at least two thymidine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
      It possesses unique mechanism of anticancer activity that is principally
      different from mechanism of activity of TKIs. Omacetaxine mepesuccinate inhibits
      protein translation through prevention of the initial elongation step of protein
      synthesis and its use benefits CML patients possessing the BCR-ABL oncogene.
      Because of the superior activity of Omacetaxine in patients who became resistant
      to therapy with TKIs, FDA decided on the accelerated approval of this drug taking
      its consideration not only its activity as such but also a favorable benefit-to
      risk profile in patients included into clinical studies.

PMID- 27268910
TI  - Cellular Organization and Cytoskeletal Regulation of the Hippo Signaling Network.
AB  - The Hippo signaling network integrates diverse upstream signals to control cell
      fate decisions and regulate organ growth. Recent studies have provided new
      insights into the cellular organization of Hippo signaling, its relationship to
      cell-cell junctions, and how the cytoskeleton modulates Hippo signaling. Cell
      cell junctions serve as platforms for Hippo signaling by localizing scaffolding
      proteins that interact with core components of the pathway. Interactions of Hippo
      pathway components with cell-cell junctions and the cytoskeleton also suggest
      potential mechanisms for the regulation of the pathway by cell contact and cell
      polarity. As our understanding of the complexity of Hippo signaling increases, a
      future challenge will be to understand how the diverse inputs into the pathway
      are integrated and to define their respective contributions in vivo.

PMID- 27268913
TI  - Malignant melanoma: diagnosis, treatment and cancer stem cells.
AB  - Malignant melanoma represents a neoplasm stemming from melanocytes or the cells
      that develop from melanocytes. Melanocytes, pigment-producing cells, arise from
      the neural crest and migrate to their final destinations in the skin, uveal
      tract, meninges, and mucosa. Most melanocytes are found at the epidermal-dermal
      junction of the skin, and the vast majority of melanocytes arise from cutaneous
      sites. Cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most
      often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers
      mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form
      malignant tumours. Malignant tumours consist of heterogeneous populations of
      tumour cells. Cancer stem cells (CSC) represent a population of cells within a
      tumour with highly tumorigenic and chemoresistant properties. These cells may be
      identified by the expression of CSC markers and also by functional assays as
      tumour-initiating properties in vivo, high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity tested
      by Aldefluor assay. There are several key stem cells markers specified for
      malignant melanoma: CD20, CD133, ABCB5, CD271 and ALDH1A. The review provides a
      detailed overview of risk factors, diagnosis, treatment possibilities and
      specific properties of cancer stem cells in malignant melanoma.

PMID- 27268914
TI  - DNA from microdissected tissues may be extracted and stored on microscopic
      slides.
AB  - With regard to complex structure of tissues, laser capture microdissection
      represents an important step in analytical workflow streaming to proper molecular
      characterization of different cell types in examined samples. Therefore the
      simple method for simultaneous processing of higher numbers of microdissected
      tissues leading not only to rapid and efficient DNA isolation but allowing also
      the repeated sampling and easy storage may be useful in the practice of
      histopathological laboratories. We elaborated such a methodology applicable
      downstream after the microdissection from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded
      tissues.The tissues for examination are microdissected directly into the circular
      areas having the diameter 2 mm and marked on the microscopic slide. In this way,
      one slide is able to accommodate multiple samples. The DNA extraction is
      performed in low volume of buffer with Proteinase K in a droplet covered by
      mineral oil just on the slide. Mineral oil in the quality for molecular biology
      not only avoids evaporation during DNA extraction, but it helps to position the
      microdisssected tissue, to control the level of cell lysis microscopically and to
      protect the DNA sample during subsequent manipulations. We provided the evidence
      that DNA isolated by our methodology remains in the positions on microscopic
      slide for months without any changes in the lengths of available fragments and
      that it may be removed from each position repetitively for different kinds of
      analysis. The new methodological approach presented by us can be practically
      applied in broad spectrum of laboratories performing routinely genetic analysis
      on microdissected tissues.

PMID- 27268915
TI  - Daidzein exerts anti-tumor activity against bladder cancer cells via inhibition
      of FGFR3 pathway.
AB  - Bladder cancer is one of the causes of cancer-related death and has a high
      mortality rate. Daidzein, a natural isoflavone compound predominantly extracted
      from soybeans, has been reported to exhibit several bioactivities, including anti
      tumor. However, the effects of daidzein on bladder cancer remains unrevealed.
      Here we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of daidzein on bladder
      cancer using multiple in vitro cell lines and in vivo xenograft mice studies. Our
      results showed that daidzein reduced cell viability in a time- and concentration
      dependent manner. Daidzein significantly impaired colony formation, caused G1/S
      cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis of the bladder cancer cells. We also
      verified that daidzein efficiently suppressed RT112 cell xenograft tumor growth
      in nude mice. Mechanism studies indicated that significant down-regulation of the
      FGFR3 signaling pathway was responsible for the efficacy of daidzein. The
      phosphorylation levels of FGFR3, Akt and Erk proteins were suppressed in
      association with the decreasing of some apoptosis-suppressing molecules under the
      daidzein treatment. Knockdown of endogenous FGFR3 impaired the activity of
      daidzein against bladder cancer, which suggested that the effect of daidzein was
      mainly mediated by FGFR3 pathway. In addition, the function model of daidzein was
      similar with FGFR3 antagonist PD173074 in RT112 cells. Taken together, the
      results this study demonstrate that daidzein is capable of inhibiting bladder
      cancer growth and might be a novel effective chemotherapeutic agent for the
      application to combat bladder carcinoma.

PMID- 27268916
TI  - Resveratrol inhibits hypoxia-induced glioma cell migration and invasion by the p
      STAT3/miR-34a axis.
AB  - Hypoxia promotes aggressiveness, angiogenesis and resistance in glioma. It has
      been reported that resveratrol has strong anti-tumor ability and can inhibit
      migration and invasion of varieties of tumor including glioma. However, whether
      resveratrol inhibits hypoxia-induced migration and invasion of glioma cells is
      still unknown. In this study, we found glioma U87 and U251 cells migration and
      invasion was reduced by resveratrol under hypoxia condition and higher doses led
      to stronger block, while proliferation of U87 and U251 cells was hardly effected.
      Mechanically, hypoxia-induced upregulation of phosphorylated signal transducer
      and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT3) was blocked by resveratrol. MicroRNA
      34a (miR-34a) is a tumor suppressor whose promoter region has a conserved STAT3
      binding site and can be negatively regulated by STAT3. Interestingly, miR-34a was
      downregulated under hypoxia but upregulated by resveratrol which was perhaps
      relevant to changes in level of p-STAT3. The effect of resveratrol on p-STAT3 and
      miR-34a was both time-and dose-dependent. Summarizing, resveratrol inhibits
      hypoxia-induced migration and invasion possibly via p-STAT3/miR-34a axis and this
      effect is both time-and dose-dependent.

PMID- 27268917
TI  - Knockdown of 14-kDa phosphohistidine phosphatase expression suppresses lung
      cancer cell growth in vivo possibly through inhibition of NF-kappaB signaling
      pathway.
AB  - In previous study, we reported that 14-kDa phosphohistidine phosphatase (PHP14)
      was associated with lung cancer cell migration and invasion. We also found that
      the expression of PHP14 was markedly increased in a part of human lung cancer
      tissues. In this study, we investigated the impact of PHP14 knockdown on lung
      cancer cell tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo, as well as the regulatory
      pathway. Depletion of endogenous PHP14 expression in lung cancer cells reduced
      colony formation activity of lung cancer cells in vitro and inhibited the
      xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Further experiments revealed that the NF-kappaB
      signal pathway inhibitor PDTC inhibited the upregulated expression of MMP9
      induced by PHP14 overexpression in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, knockdown of
      PHP14 in lung cancer cells correlated with decreased expression of a subset of NF
      kappaB-regulated genes, such as BCL-2, COX-2, MCP-1, MMP9 and VEGF-C, which play
      an important role in tumor progression. Together these data suggest that
      knockdown of PHP14 in lung cancer cells inhibits lung cancer tumor growth in
      vivo, possibly via regulating the NF-kappaB pathway.

PMID- 27268919
TI  - Genes and pathways identified in thyroid carcinoma based on bioinformatics
      analysis.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the key genes and pathways
      associated with thyroid carcinoma. Based on the microarray data of GSE27155, we
      identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between four types of
      thyroid carcinoma samples (papillary carcinoma (PTC), oncocytic carcinoma (OTC),
      follicular carcinoma (FTC) and anaplastic carcinoma (ATC)) and normal controls.
      With the obtained DEGs, we performed gene functional interaction (FI) network
      analysis. Then we conducted Venn diagram analysis to identify the intersection
      and specific DEGs of the four types of thyroid carcinomas. The intersections DEGs
      were performed by functional enrichment and transcription factor (TF) prediction
      analyses. These specific DEGs were performed by pathway enrichment analysis.
      There were respectively 323, 318, 118 and 1005 DEGs identified in PTC, OTC, FTC
      and ATC. Twelve sub-network modules were extracted based on gene FI network
      analysis and eight thyroid carcinoma-associated DEGs were involved in the
      network, such as TIMP1. Based on the Venn diagram analysis, 27 common DEGs were
      identified, such as HMGB3 which was regulated by TF of NKX3-1. There were 149 PTC
      specific DEGs (like CLDN1), 160 OTC-specific DEGs, 94 FTC-specific DEGs (like
      PPARG), and 789 ATC-specific DEGs (like CDK1). They were enriched in some
      pathways, such as Cell cycle, Citrate cycle, and Oxidative phosphorylation.
      TIMP1, HMGB3, CLDN1, CDK1 and PPARG as well as pathways of Cell cycle, Citrate
      cycle, and Oxidative phosphorylation may play important roles in the progression
      of thyroid carcinoma.

PMID- 27268918
TI  - Significant prognostic values of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial complex I
      subunits in tumor patients.
AB  - In cancer biology, it remains still open question concerning the oncogenic versus
      oncosuppressor behavior of metabolic genes, which includes those encoding
      mitochondrial complex I (CI) subunits. The prognostic value of nuclear genome
      mRNAs expression of CI subunits is to be evaluated in the tumor patients. We used
      the Kaplan Meier plotter database, the cBio Cancer Genomics Portal, and the
      Oncomine in which gene expression data and survival information were from
      thousands of tumor patients to assess the relevance of nuclear genome mRNAs level
      of CI subunits to patients' survival, as well as their alterations in gene and
      expression level in tumors. We presented that the relative expression level of
      overwhelming majority of the nuclear genes of CI subunits with survival
      significance (overall survival, relapse free survival, progression free survival,
      distant metastasis free survival, post progression survival, and first
      progression), had consistent effects for patients in each type of four tumors
      separately, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and gastric
      cancer. However, in gene level, frequent cumulative or individual alteration of
      these genes could not significantly affect patients' survival and the
      overexpression of the individual gene was not ubiquitous in tumors versus normal
      tissues. Given that reprogrammed energy metabolism was viewed as an emerging
      hallmark of tumor, thus tumor patients' survival might potentially to be
      evaluated by certain threshold for overall expression of CI subunits.
      Comprehensive understanding of the nuclear genome encoded CI subunits may have
      guiding significance for the diagnosis and prognosis in tumor patients.

PMID- 27268920
TI  - Aptamer-modified PLGA nanoparticle delivery of triplex forming oligonucleotide
      for targeted prostate cancer therapy.
AB  - Presented study aimed to prepare A10 aptamer-modified poly (D,L-lactic-co
      glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with triplex forming
      oligonucleotides(TFO) for targeted prostate cancer therapy. We first synthesized
      a PLGA-PEG-Apt copolymer. The PLGA-PEG-Apt nanoparticles (NP-Apt) were loaded
      with TFO using double emulsion solvent evaporation method. Carboxy-fluorescein
      labeled TFO-NP-Apt, TFO-NP and TFO were prepared for cellular uptake experiments.
      Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) test was used to determine the ability of TFO-NP-Apt
      to inhibit LNCaP cell proliferation. RT-PCR and Western blot was conducted to
      analyze AR gene expressing. Then, a mouse model of prostate cancer was used to
      evaluate the anti-cancer effect of TFO-NP-Apt in vivo. We confirmed that the PLGA
      PEG-Apt conjugation was successful. The TFO encapsulation efficiency and drug
      loading percentage were 46.1+/- 3.6% and 40.8+/-5.3%, respectively. TFO-NP-Apt
      showed a more efficient cellular uptake than TFO-NP or TFO in LNCaP cells. TFO-NP
      Apt was significantly more cytotoxic than TFO-NP and TFO in the CCK-8 test
      (p<0.001). TFO-NP-Apt silenced the AR gene better than unconjugated Apt, naked
      TFO, NP or saline. TFO-NP-Apt were more effective than TFO-NP, naked TFO, NP and
      saline at inhibiting prostate cancer growth in vivo (p<0.05). Aptamer-modified
      TFO-loaded PLGA nanoparticles may prove useful in targeted therapy for advanced
      prostate cancer.

PMID- 27268921
TI  - Prognostic significance of miR-23b in combination with P-gp, MRP and LRP/MVP
      expression in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - Recently, miR-23b has emerged as a promising new cancer biomarker but its role in
      lung cancer has not been established yet. Patients still do not respond well to
      available treatments, probably due to expression of multidrug resistance (MDR)
      proteins, such as P-gp, MRP and LRP/MVP. The aim of this study was to determine
      the role of miR-23b in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its relationship to
      the patient outcome together with MDR transporter proteins. We
      immunohistochemically evaluated expression of P-gp, MRP and LRP/MVP and
      quantified the relative levels of miR-23b in 62 NSCLC patients' samples. The
      prognostic significance of miR-23b and MDR proteins was tested by Kaplan-Meier
      and Cox-regression analysis. Our results showed that miR-23b is mostly
      downregulated in NSCLC samples (57/62) and that its upregulation in tumors is
      connected with longer progression-free survival (PFS; P = 0.065) and overall
      survival (OS; P = 0.048). The Cox proportional hazard model revealed that the
      risk of death or relapse in NSCLC patients with miR-23b downregulation increases
      together with LRP/MVP expression and both risks decrease with miR-23b
      upregulation (HRPFS = 4.342, PPFS = 0.022; HROS = 4.408, POS = 0.015). Our
      findings indicate that miR-23b, especially in combination with LRP/MVP
      expression, might serve as a suitable prognostic biomarker for NSCLC patients.

PMID- 27268922
TI  - Expression of ER stress markers (GRP78/BiP and PERK) in patients with tongue
      cancer.
AB  - The glucose-regulated protein (GRP78/BiP) and PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum
      kinase (PERK) plays a crucial role in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress
      response. GRP78/BiP is highly elevated in various human cancers. Our study is to
      examine the clinicopathological significance of GRP78/BiP and PERK expression in
      patients with tongue cancer. A total of 85 tongue cancer patients were analyzed,
      and tumor specimens were stained by immunohistochemistry for GRP78/BiP, PERK,
      GLUT1, Ki-67 and microvessel density (MVD) determined by CD34.GRP78/BiP and PERK
      were highly expressed in 47% and 35% of all patients, respectively. GRP78/BiP
      disclosed a significant relationship with PERK expression, lymphatic permeation,
      vascular invasion, glucose metabolism and cell proliferation. The expression of
      GRP78/BiP was significantly higher in metastatic sites than in primary sites (79%
      vs. 47%, p=0.003). We found that the high expression of GRP78/BiP was proven to
      be an independent prognostic factor for predicting poor outcome in patients with
      tongue cancer. In the analysis of PFS, PERK was identified as an independent
      predictor. The increased GRP78/BiP expression was clarified as an independent
      prognostic marker for predicting worse outcome. Our study suggests that the
      expression of GRP78/BiP as ER stress marker is important in the pathogenesis and
      development of tongue cancer.

PMID- 27268923
TI  - Prognostic factors to predict outcome of reduced intensity allogeneic
      haematopoietic cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
AB  - Despite advances in immunochemotherapy CLL remains an incurable disease..
      Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has proven curative
      potential with ability to overcome adverse prognostic factors, however due to its
      toxicity it is generally perceived as the last option. We performed retrospective
      study to explore the outcomes and possible determinants of survival in the
      unselected consecutive cohort of 68 CLL patients (median age 59 years) receiving
      reduced intensity HCT as a part of salvage therapy in 2 Czech centers. The median
      interval from diagnosis to HCT was 69 months with median 3 of prior regimens, all
      patients were refractory to purine analogues. 49% of patients were transplanted
      with advanced (i.e. refractory or progressive disease or CR/PR>3), 38% had high
      risk cytogenetics. With median follow-up of 35 months the 3-year Kaplan-Meier
      survival probability for OS and PFS were 39% and 26%, respectively. Altogether 18
      patients (26%) have relapsed or progressed. During the follow-up 41 patients
      died, 32 (78%) of transplant related factors (NRM), the others of relapse or
      disease progression.Univariate analysis failed to identify any clinical and pre-
      or post-transplant variables having clear prognostic significance for OS or PFS.
      The marginal OS advantage favoring HCT performed recently was detected (3-year
      OS: 31% for HCT until 2006 and 47% thereafter, p=0.0923). In multivariable
      hazards model only the female donors were associated with shorter OS (HR 2.278,
      p=0.016) whereas transplanted T-cell> 2.75x108/kg predicted inferior PFS(HR
      1.957, p=0.035). No prognostic impact of donor type, age of donor and recipient,
      HLA mismatch, disease status pre-HCT, number of previous therapy lines, interval
      from dg. to HCT and number of transplanted hematopoietic cells was found. Our
      findings support the conclusion that alloHCT is able to overcome well known
      negative cytogenetic prognostic factors and that preferring male to female donors
      could be beneficial.

PMID- 27268924
TI  - Cardiac tamponade - unusual clinical manifestation of undiagnosed malignant
      neoplasm.
AB  - Cardiac tamponade may be the first or predominant symptom of some pathologies but
      its etiology is not uncommonly unknown on admission to hospital. The purpose of
      this study was to evaluate the predominant causes of cardiac tamponade in
      previously healthy patients treated emergently in a single cardiac surgical
      center. The study involved 81 patients with the mean age of 58.1+/-16.0 years who
      underwent emergent subxyphoid pericardiotomy due to cardiac tamponade.
      Pericardial effusion was analyzed macro- and microscopically. Examinations done
      in the cardiac surgical department revealed pericarditis secondary to infection
      (n=17) or autoimmunologic processes (n=2) and malignancy in 18 patients
      (predominantly of the lungs (n=11)). Pericardial effusion obtained from patients
      with viral and autoimmunologic-induced pericarditis was straw-color and odorless
      while with bacterial infections dark yellow, iridescent and usually malodorous.
      Additional workup in the regional hospitals enabled to reveal malignant tumors in
      29 patients, leukemia or lymphoma in 5 subjects. In all but one of the neoplastic
      cases, pericardial fluid was turbid and dark red or plummy. In 10 patients
      etiology of tamponade remained unknown. In conclusion, cardiac tamponade in
      previously healthy patients may be occasionally the predominant symptom of
      cancer, especially of the lungs. Macroscopic intraoperative appearance of
      pericardial fluid may be helpful in identification of causative condition of
      cardiac tamponade.

PMID- 27268925
TI  - Efficacy of intra-arterial neoadjuvant chemotherapy through the superior
      epigastric artery in the treatment of locally advanced triple negative breast
      cancer.
AB  - Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with aggressive behaviour and
      poor prognosis, but has limited treatment options. To explore novel and effective
      therapies against TNBC, we retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of neoadjuvant
      intra-arterial chemotherapy through the superior epigastric artery in the
      treatment of locally advanced TNBC. Fifty-one locally advanced TNBC patients who
      received this neoadjuvant therapy from Mar 2001 to Mar 2012 were included in this
      study. The superior epigastric artery was selected for cannulation to deliver
      chemotherapy drugs. The regimen for intra-arterial chemoinfusion consisted of 75
      mg/m2 epirubicin and 75 mg/m2 docetaxel. Clinical and pathological tumor
      responses, disease free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity
      profiles were recorded and retrospectively analyzed. In 51 patients treated with
      neoadjuvant intra-arterial chemoinfusion through the superior epigastric artery,
      the overall response rate (ORR) was 84.3%; 16 patients achieved pathological
      complete response (pCR). Following surgical treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy,
      5-year DFS and OS were 72.4% and 75.9%, respectively, in the study population. In
      addition, this neoadjuvant approach showed favorable toxicity profiles. Moreover,
      patients who achieved pCR showed a superior survival outcome compared with those
      who did not. Cox regression analysis indicated that Ki-67 expression is an
      independent predictor for DFS and OS. Our results suggest that intra-arterial
      chemotherapy through the superior epigastric artery has great therapeutic
      potential for the treatment of locally advanced TNBC. This approach merits
      further clinical evaluation and may become a novel therapeutic option for locally
      advanced TNBC.

PMID- 27268926
TI  - Electroneurography in the evaluation of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy in
      colorectal cancer patients.
AB  - Cold-induced neuropathy is the most observed side effect of oxaliplatin. Presence
      of neuropathy is routinely assessed by electroneurographical examination. The use
      of electroneurography has not been a part of typical oncological monitoring and
      treatment protocols, leading to untreated, irreversible damage to patients'
      peripheral nerves, undiagnosed for long periods of time. 36 colorectal cancer
      patients followed FOLFOX4 with/without bevacizumab or XELOX were enrolled between
      February 2013 and January 2015 in the study at the University Hospital
      Oncological Department, Krakow, Poland. Electroneurography was performed prior to
      the first cycle of chemotherapy and after the 4th cycle. 32 out of 36 enrolled
      patients completed neurological evaluation. Pre-treatment neurographic
      examination revealed presence of peripheral neuropathy in 10 (31.25%) patients; 6
      (18.75%) had sensory neuropathy and 4 (12.5%) had mixed, sensorimotor neuropathy.
      After treatment examination revealed significant increase in the number of
      neuropathic patients; presence of peripheral neuropathy was observed in 19
      patients (59%), sensory polyneuropathy was diagnosed in10 patients (31.25%) and
      mixed neuropathy was diagnosed in 9 patients (28.13%). Early electrophysiological
      monitoring followed by a symptom dependent oxaliplatin regimen would be highly
      beneficial for patients undergoing oxaliplatin treatment, improving their well
      being and positively affecting their life quality.

PMID- 27268927
TI  - Analysis of circulating miRNAs 21 and 375 as potential biomarkers for early
      diagnosis of prostate cancer.
AB  - To investigate the diagnostic potential of plasma miR-21 and miR-375 by comparing
      their levels in prostate cancer (PCa) patients to subjects without cancer in a
      Chinese population. The study population included 57 PCa patients and 28 benign
      prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. The plasma levels of miR-21 and miR-375
      were quantitated with Taqman based quantitative real-time polymerase chain
      reaction. In the BPH group, the median relative expression levels of miR-21 and
      miR-375 were 0.07 and 0.55, respectively; In the PCa group, the median values of
      miR-21 and miR-375 were 1.32 and 1.74, respectively. Both miR-21 (p=0.014) and
      miR-375 (p=0.005) plasma levels were significantly higher in PCa group than in
      BPH group. Using ROC analysis the AUC of miR-21 was 0.799, 95% CI between 0.690
      and 0.908 (p=8*10-6); for miR-375, the AUC was 0.757, 95% CI between 0.640-0.874
      (p=0.000126). The largest AUC (0.881) was obtained when the data of miR-21, miR
      375 and PSA were combined, with a sensitivity of 87.7% and a specificity of 75%.
      The results of this study showed that circulating miR-21 and miR-375 can
      discriminate PCa patients from BPH controls at early stages. Combinations of the
      studied miRNAs and PSA remarkably increased specificity compared with PSA alone.
      The combination method has the potential to be used as a noninvasive diagnostic
      cocktail for PCa screening.

PMID- 27268928
TI  - Genetic variants and risk of prostate cancer using pathway analysis of a genome
      wide association study.
AB  - This study explored candidate causal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to
      clarify the biological mechanism of prostate cancer (PCa). Identify candidate
      Causal SNPs and Pathways (ICSNPathway) analysis was applied using a PCa genome
      wide association study (GWAS) dataset that included 473,736 SNPs in 1151 cases of
      PCa and 1156 controls of European ancestry. Five candidate causal SNPs, three
      candidate causal genes, and two candidate causal pathways were identified using
      integrating linkage disequilibrium analysis, functional SNP annotation, and
      pathway-based analysis. The ICSNPathway analysis suggested three hypothetical
      mechanisms of PCa. The first was rs13112390, rs13112358, rs2048074 to nei-like
      DNA glycosylase 3 (NEIL3) gene to damaged DNA binding. The second was rs3087386
      to REV1, DNA directed polymerase (REV1) gene to damaged DNA binding. The third
      was rs1063134 to potassium channel, inwardly rectifying subfamily J, member 4
      (KCNJ4) gene to inward rectifier potassium channel activity.

PMID- 27268929
TI  - Indication of pre-surgical radiochemotherapy enhances psychosocial morbidity
      among patients with resectable locally advanced rectal cancer.
AB  - Patients with cancer experience stress-determined psychosocial comorbidities and
      behavioural alterations. Patients expectation to be cured by the first line
      surgery and their emotional status can be negatively influenced by the decision
      to include neoadjuvant long-course radiotherapy prior to surgical intervention.
      From the patient's perspective such treatment algorithmindicates incurability of
      the disease. The aim of this study was to analyse the extent and dynamics of
      stress and related psychosocial disturbances among patients with resectable
      rectal cancer to whom the neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy before surgery has been
      indicated.Three standardised assessment tools evaluating psychosocial morbidity
      of rectal cancer patients have been implemented: The EORTC QLQ C30-3, the EORTC
      QLQ CR29 module and the HADS questionnaires previously tested for internal
      consistency were answered by patients before and after long-course radiotherapy
      and after surgery and the scores of clinical and psychosocial values were
      evaluated by means of the EORTC and HADS manuals. The most profound psychosocial
      distress was experienced by patients after the decision to apply neoadjuvant
      radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy before surgical intervention. The
      involvement of pre-surgical radiotherapy into the treatment algorithm increased
      emotional disturbances (anxiety, feelings of hopelessness) and negatively
      influenced patient's treatment adherence and positive expectations from the
      healing process. The negative psychosocial consequences appeared to be more
      enhanced in female patients. Despite provided information about advances of
      neoadjuvant radiotherapy onto success of surgical intervention, the emotional and
      cognitive disorders improved only slightly. The results clearly indicate that
      addressed communication and targeted psychosocial support has to find place
      before pre-surgical radiochemotherapy and as a standard part through the
      trajectory of the entire multimodal rectal cancer treatment.

PMID- 27268930
TI  - Stage of bladder cancer in Central Europe - Polish perspective.
AB  - Mortality rate from bladder cancer in Europe is the highest in its Central
      Region. This study is an attempt to find underlying factors by proper
      characterisation of large cohort of Polish patients with bladder cancer.This is a
      multicentre study enrolling 1360 consecutive patients diagnosed with primary
      urothelial carcinoma of the bladder in years 2012-2013 in Poland. All patients
      underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. Data on staging and
      grading of all cancers were collected, as well as several demographic and
      clinical factors were tested for the association with muscle invasiveness of the
      cancer.Mean age of the cohort was 69.6 years, male to female ratio was 3:1.
      Bladder cancer stage Ta, T1 and muscle-invasive (MIBC) was diagnosed in 533
      (39.2%), 516 (37.9%) and 296 (21.8%) patients, respectively. Patients with MIBC
      were older (73 vs. 68 years, p<0.05), had lower body mass index (25.4 vs. 26.5
      kg/m2, p<0.05), lower haemoglobin concentration (12.2 vs. 13.4 mg/l, p<0.05),
      longer history of haematuria (86.2 vs. 74.4 days) and longer time interval from
      first symptom to diagnosis (118.0 vs. 88.2 days), compared to patients with Ta
      and T1 tumors.High mortality rate from bladder cancer in Central Europe can
      result from very high incidence of high-risk T1 tumors and high prevalence of
      prognostic factors of poor survival.

PMID- 27268931
TI  - Salmonella enterica isolates from layer farm environments are able to form
      biofilm on eggshell surfaces.
AB  - This study examined the eggshell biofilm forming ability of Salmonella enterica
      isolates recovered from egg farms. Multicellular behaviour and biofilm production
      were examined at 22 and 37 degrees C by Congo red morphology and the crystal
      violet staining assay. The results indicated that the biofilm forming behaviour
      of Salmonella isolates was dependent on temperature and associated with serovars.
      Significantly greater biofilm production was observed at 22 degrees C compared
      with 37 degrees C. The number of viable biofilm cells attached to eggshells after
      incubation for 48 h at 22 degrees C was significantly influenced by serovar.
      Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed firm attachment of bacterial
      cells to the eggshell surface. The relative expression of csgD and adrA gene was
      significantly higher in eggshell biofilm cells of S. Mbandaka and S. Oranienburg.
      These findings demonstrate that Salmonella isolates are capable of forming
      biofilm on the eggshell surface and that this behaviour is influenced by
      temperature and serovar.

PMID- 27268932
TI  - Centennial Celebration: Endocrine Reviews Past Highlights for June.

PMID- 27268935
TI  - Modelling the impact of liner shipping network perturbations on container cargo
      routing: Southeast Asia to Europe application.
AB  - Understanding how container routing stands to be impacted by different scenarios
      of liner shipping network perturbations such as natural disasters or new major
      infrastructure developments is of key importance for decision-making in the liner
      shipping industry. The variety of actors and processes within modern supply
      chains and the complexity of their relationships have previously led to the
      development of simulation-based models, whose application has been largely
      compromised by their dependency on extensive and often confidential sets of data.
      This study proposes the application of optimisation techniques less dependent on
      complex data sets in order to develop a quantitative framework to assess the
      impacts of disruptive events on liner shipping networks. We provide a
      categorization of liner network perturbations, differentiating between systemic
      and external and formulate a container assignment model that minimises routing
      costs extending previous implementations to allow feasible solutions when routing
      capacity is reduced below transport demand. We develop a base case network for
      the Southeast Asia to Europe liner shipping trade and review of accidents related
      to port disruptions for two scenarios of seismic and political conflict hazards.
      Numerical results identify alternative routing paths and costs in the aftermath
      of port disruptions scenarios and suggest higher vulnerability of intra-regional
      connectivity.

PMID- 27268936
TI  - [Cost effectiveness and budget impact analysis of inhaled nitric oxide in a
      neonatal unit from the perspective of the public health system].
AB  - : Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is currently the first-line therapy in severe
      hypoxaemic respiratory failure of the newborn. Most of regional neonatal centres
      in Chile do not have this therapeutic alternative. OBJECTIVE: To determine the
      cost effectiveness of inhaled nitric oxide in the treatment of respiratory
      failure associated with pulmonary hypertension of the newborn compared to the
      usual care, including the transfer to a more complex unit. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A
      clinical decision tree was designed from the perspective of Chilean Public Health
      Service. Incremental cost effectiveness rates (ICER) were calculated,
      deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed, and probabilistic budget impact
      was estimated using: TreeAge Pro Healthcare 2014 software. RESULTS: The iNO
      option leads to an increase in mean cost of $ 11.7 million Chilean pesos
      (?15,000) per patient treated, with an ICER compared with the usual care of $23
      million pesos (?30,000) in case of death or ECMO avoided. By sensitising the
      results by incidence, it was found that from 7 cases and upwards treated
      annually, inhaled nitric oxide is less costly than the transfer to a more complex
      unit. CONCLUSIONS: From the perspective of a Chilean regional hospital,
      incorporating inhaled nitric oxide into the management of neonatal respiratory
      failure is the optimal alternative in most scenarios.

PMID- 27268937
TI  - Rh-Catalyzed N-O Bond Cleavage of Anthranil: A C-H Amination Reagent for
      Simultaneous Incorporation of Amine and a Functional Group.
AB  - A novel Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H bond amination with the simultaneous release of a
      formyl group at distal positions is realized employing anthranil as a new type of
      C-H amination reagent. This chemistry provides an efficient protocol for the
      synthesis of 2-acyl diarylamines, which are important structural motifs in many
      bioactive compounds. This new type of C-H amination reagent possesses the
      advantages of high atom economy, avoids the use of external oxidants, and enables
      further transformation of the amination products.

PMID- 27268938
TI  - Honey Bees' Behavior Is Impaired by Chronic Exposure to the Neonicotinoid
      Thiacloprid in the Field.
AB  - The decline of pollinators worldwide is of growing concern and has been related
      to the use of plant-protecting chemicals. Most studies have focused on three
      neonicotinoid insecticides (clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam)
      currently subject to a moratorium in the EU. Here, we focus on thiacloprid, a
      widely used cyano-substituted neonicotinoid thought to be less toxic to honey
      bees and of which use has increased in the last years. Honey bees (Apis mellifera
      carnica) were exposed chronically to thiacloprid in the field for several weeks
      at a sublethal concentration. Foraging behavior, homing success, navigation
      performance, and social communication were impaired, and thiacloprid residue
      levels increased both in the foragers and the nest mates over time. The effects
      observed in the field were not due to a repellent taste of the substance. For the
      first time, we present the necessary data for the risk evaluation of thiacloprid
      taken up chronically by honey bees in field conditions.

PMID- 27268939
TI  - Tocilizumab in recent polymyalgia rheumatica: how can we manage the interleukin-6
      blockage?

PMID- 27268940
TI  - A Snapshot of Coagulopathy After Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
AB  - Cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is often associated with
      important blood loss, allogeneic blood product usage, morbidity, and mortality.
      Coagulopathy during CPB is complex, and the current lack of uniformity for
      triggers and hemostatic agents has led to a wide variability in bleeding
      treatment. The aim of this review is to provide a simplified picture of the data
      available on patients' coagulation status at the end of CPB in order to provide
      relevant information for the development of tailored transfusion algorithms. A
      nonsystematic literature review was carried out to identify changes in
      coagulation parameters during CPB. Both prothrombin time and activated partial
      thromboplastin time increased during CPB, by a median of 33.3% and 17.9%,
      respectively. However, there was marked variability across the published studies,
      indicating these tests may be unreliable for guiding hemostatic therapy. Some
      thrombin generation (TG) parameters were affected, as indicated by a median
      increase in TG lag time of 55.0%, a decrease in TG peak of 17.5%, and only a
      slight decrease in endogenous thrombin potential of 7%. The most affected
      parameters were fibrinogen levels and platelet count/function. Both plasma
      fibrinogen concentration and FIBTEM maximum clot firmness decreased during CPB
      (median change of 36.4% and 33.3%, respectively) as did platelet count (44.5%)
      and platelet component (34.2%). This review provides initial information
      regarding changes in coagulation parameters during CPB but highlights the
      variability in the reported results. Further studies are warranted to guide
      physicians on the parameters most appropriate to guide hemostatic therapy. 

PMID- 27268941
TI  - An Algorithmic Approach to Management of Venous Thromboembolism.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with significant morbidity and
      mortality. Factors such as the presence of transient risk factors for VTE, risk
      of bleeding, and location of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) determine the duration of
      anticoagulation. Extended anticoagulation is offered to patients with unprovoked
      pulmonary embolism (PE) or proximal DVT and a low risk of bleeding.
      Anticoagulation for 3 months is advised in patients with provoked DVT or PE, high
      risk of bleeding, and isolated distal or upper extremity DVT. In patients with
      unprovoked PE or proximal DVT and a low risk of bleeding, who want to stop
      anticoagulation after 3 months, further risk stratification is necessary.
      Clinical scoring system, and thrombophilia testing otherwise not routinely
      performed, may be considered to measure risk of annual recurrence in such cases.
      Short-term anticoagulation may be considered in subsegmental PE and superficial
      vein thrombosis, particularly if patients are at low risk of bleeding and have
      persistent risk factors for recurrent VTE. In cases of catheter-associated
      thrombosis, the catheter need not be removed routinely, and the patient may be
      anticoagulated for 3 months or longer if the catheter is maintained in patients
      with cancer. Extensive screening for occult cancer in cases of unprovoked VTE is
      not beneficial. New oral anticoagulants such as apixaban, rivaroxaban, or
      dabigatran may be preferred to vitamin K antagonists in patients without cancer
      or renal failure, more so after the development of reversal agents such as
      idarucizumab and andexanet alfa.

PMID- 27268942
TI  - Improved Synthesis of Larger Resorcinarenes.
AB  - The synthesis of the larger resorcin[5 and 6]arene macrocycles [5](OMe) and
      [6](OMe) has been realized by a Lewis acid-catalyzed condensation of 1,3
      dimethoxy-2-methylbenzene with paraformaldehyde in o-dichlorobenzene as the
      solvent. The methoxy-resorcin[5 and 6]arenes were quantitatively demethylated by
      treatment with BBr3 to obtain the corresponding macrocycles with free OH groups.
      X-ray studies showed that in the solid state both the conformation and the
      packing of [6](OMe) and [5](OMe) are driven by C-H...O, C-H...pi, and pi...pi
      interactions.

PMID- 27268943
TI  - Unloading results in rapid loss of TGFbeta signaling in articular cartilage: role
      of loading-induced TGFbeta signaling in maintenance of articular chondrocyte
      phenotype?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recently it was shown that loading of articular cartilage explants
      activates TGFbeta signaling. Here we investigated if in vivo chondrocytes express
      permanently high TGFbeta signaling, and the consequence of the loss of
      compressive loading-mediated TGFbeta signaling on chondrocyte function and
      phenotype. METHOD: Bovine articular cartilage explants were collected within 10
      min post mortem and stained immediately and after 30, 60 and 360 min for
      phosphorylated-Smad2, indicating active TGFbeta signaling. Explants were unloaded
      for 48 h and subsequently repeatedly loaded with a compressive load of 3 MPa. In
      addition, explants were cultured unloaded for 2 weeks and the effect of loading
      or exogenous TGFbeta on proteoglycan level and chondrocyte phenotype (Col10a1
      mRNA expression) was analyzed. RESULTS: Unloading of articular cartilage results
      in rapid loss of TGFbeta signaling while subsequent compressive loading swiftly
      restored this. Loading and exogenous TGFbeta enhanced expression of TGFbeta1 and
      ALK5. Unloading of explants for 2 weeks resulted in proteoglycan loss and
      increased Col10a1 expression. Both loading and exogenous TGFbeta inhibited
      elevated Col10a1 expression but not proteoglycan loss. CONCLUSION: Our data might
      imply that in vivo regular physiological loading of articular cartilage leads to
      enduring TGFbeta signaling and TGFbeta-induced gene expression. We propose a
      hypothetical model in which loading activates a self-perpetuating system that
      prevents hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes and is crucial for
      cartilage homeostasis.

PMID- 27268944
TI  - Improvement of sound source localization abilities in patients bilaterally
      supplied with active middle ear implants.
AB  - CONCLUSIONS: Patients, who are bilaterally supplied with active middle ear
      implants, perform slightly better in sound localization tasks than when
      unilaterally aided or unaided. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of bilateral
      use of active middle ear implants on sound source localization in the horizontal
      plane in patients with a sloping moderate-to-severe hearing loss. METHODS: Ten
      adults supplied with Med-EL Vibrant Soundbridge systems (VSB) in both ears
      participated in the study. Four listening conditions were tested: unaided, aided
      with VSB on left or right ear and on both sides. In each condition the subjects
      had to judge the direction of broadband noises delivered randomly across a
      semicircular array of 11 loudspeakers arranged in an anechoic chamber. RESULTS:
      When unaided or bilaterally aided, the subjects localized on average 40% of the
      stimuli correct; when unilaterally aided (left or right), this rate dropped to 20
      30% in either condition. Precision of sound localization was highest when
      bilaterally aided, i.e. the mean RMS angular error was 10 degrees , and lowest
      when unilaterally aided, i.e. 15 degrees . This is in line with bilateral hearing
      aid users, who show similar performance in sound localization tasks.

PMID- 27268945
TI  - Determination of ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac in aqueous samples using a
      multi-template molecularly imprinted polymer as selective adsorbent for solid
      phase extraction.
AB  - This study describes the application of multi-template molecularly imprinted
      polymer (MIP) as selective sorbent in the solid-phase extraction (SPE) of
      naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac from wastewater and river water. MIP was
      synthesized at 70 degrees C by employing naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac as
      multi-templates, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 2-vinyl pyridine and toluene as
      cross-linker, functional monomer and porogen, respectively. Wastewater and river
      water samples (pH 2.5) were percolated through SPE cartridge packed with 50mg of
      the MIP. The cartridge was washed with 2mL of methanol-water 10:90% (v:v) prior
      to elution with 2mL of acetic acid-acetonitrile 20:80% (v:v). Quantification of
      eluted compounds was performed with high performance liquid chromatography
      equipped with photo diode array detection. The detection limits were 0.15, 1.00
      and 0.63MUgL(-1) for naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac, respectively. Recoveries
      for naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac in deionized water spiked at 5 and 50MUgL(
      1) were greater than 80%. Ibuprofen was the most frequently detected compound
      with maximum concentrations of 221, 67.9 and 11.4MUgL(-1) in wastewater influent,
      effluent and river water, respectively. 

PMID- 27268946
TI  - Prediction of salt effects on protein phase behavior by HIC retention and thermal
      stability.
AB  - In the biopharmaceutical industry it is mandatory to know and ensure the correct
      protein phase state as a critical quality attribute in every process step.
      Unwanted protein precipitation or crystallization can lead to column, pipe or
      filter blocking. In formulation, the formation of aggregates can even be lethal
      when injected into the patient. The typical methodology to illustrate protein
      phase states is the generation of protein phase diagrams. Commonly, protein phase
      behavior is shown in dependence of protein and precipitant concentration. Despite
      using high-throughput methods for the generation of phase diagrams, the time
      necessary to reach equilibrium is the bottleneck. Faster methods to predict
      protein phase behavior are desirable. In this study, hydrophobic interaction
      chromatography retention times were correlated to crystal size and form. High
      throughput thermal stability measurements (melting and aggregation temperatures),
      using an Optim((r))2 system, were successfully correlated to glucose isomerase
      stability. By using hydrophobic interaction chromatography and thermal stability
      determinations, glucose isomerase conformational and colloidal stability were
      successfully predicted for different salts in a specific pH range. 

PMID- 27268947
TI  - Coupling ex vivo electroporation of mouse retinas and luciferase reporter assays
      to assess rod-specific promoter activity.
AB  - Ex vivo electroporation of mouse retinas is an established tool to modulate gene
      expression and to study cell type-specific gene expression. Here we coupled ex
      vivo electroporation to luciferase reporter assays to facilitate the study of rod
      photoreceptor-specific gene promoters. The activity of the rod-specific proximal
      bovine rhodopsin promoter was significantly increased in C57BL/6J wild-type
      retinas at postnatal days 1 and 7 by 3.4-fold and 8.7-fold respectively. In
      C57BL/6J Nr2e3(rd7/rd7) retinas, where the rod photoreceptor-specific nuclear
      receptor Nr2e3 is not expressed, a significant increase by 2.5-fold was only
      observed at postnatal day 7. Cone-specific S-opsin promoter activity was not
      modulated in C57BL/6J wild-type and Nr2e3(rd7/rd7) retinas. Taken together, we
      describe an easily implementable protocol to assess rod-specific promoter
      activity in a physiological context resembling that of the developing postnatal
      mouse retina.

PMID- 27268948
TI  - How to train plastic surgeons of the future.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Plastic surgery is a competitive and over-subscribed career choice
      despite minimal medical school exposure. We quantify factors influencing career
      interest in plastic surgery, speciality appeal and workforce planning. These
      findings optimise and refine evidence-based plastic surgery training and
      postgraduate selection criteria. METHODS: Medical students from two national
      plastic surgery courses complete a post-course questionnaire. Data categories
      included past experience and career interest in plastic surgery, sources of
      exposure, motivational factors, and sub-speciality interest. Data were recorded
      on modified Likert scales, with linear regression and t-test analyses performed.
      RESULTS: 175 students completed the questionnaire (81% response). Duration of
      medical student exposure to plastic surgery was significantly associated with
      career interest (Linear coefficient 0.12, 95% CI 0.08-0.17, P < 0.0001; r(2) =
      0.15). 75 h experience is a significant cut-off to categorise students. Mean (95%
      CI) career interest is 31 percentage points higher in students with >75 h
      experience (89.2%, 83.2-95.2) compared to students with <=75 h experience (58.1%,
      52.9-63.3) (P < 0.0001). Influential sources included: (1) Operating Room (2)
      Consultant/Attending interaction (3) Resident interaction. Motivational factors
      towards a career in plastic surgery included operative satisfaction (91%),
      improving patient quality of life (89%), and reconstructive surgery (88%). Sub
      speciality interests included: (1) Hand and Upper Limb (28%); (2) Cleft Lip and
      Palate (26%); (3) Burns (15%). CONCLUSION: This study identified influential and
      motivational factors upon a career in plastic surgery. Medical student exposure
      can be tailored to maximise positive educational exposure to optimise evidence
      based plastic surgery training and workforce planning.

PMID- 27268949
TI  - Web Health Monitoring Survey: A New Approach to Enhance the Effectiveness of
      Telemedicine Systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aging of the European population and interest in a healthy population
      in western countries have contributed to an increase in the number of health
      surveys, where the role of survey design, data collection, and data analysis
      methodology is clear and recognized by the whole scientific community. Survey
      methodology has had to couple with the challenges deriving from data collection
      through information and communications technology (ICT). Telemedicine systems
      have not used patients as a source of information, often limiting them to
      collecting only biometric data. A more effective telemonitoring system would be
      able to collect objective and subjective data (biometric parameters and symptoms
      reported by the patients themselves), and to control the quality of subjective
      data collected: this goal be achieved only by using and merging competencies from
      both survey methodology and health research. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our
      study was to propose new metrics to control the quality of data, along with the
      well-known indicators of survey methodology. Web questionnaires administered
      daily to a group of patients for an extended length of time are a Web health
      monitoring survey (WHMS) in a telemedicine system. METHODS: We calculated
      indicators based on paradata collected during a WHMS study involving 12 patients,
      who signed in to the website daily for 2 months. RESULTS: The patients'
      involvement was very high: the patients' response rate ranged between 1.00 and
      0.82, with an outlier of 0.65. Item nonresponse rate was very low, ranging
      between 0.0% and 7.4%. We propose adherence to the chosen time to connect to the
      website as a measure of involvement and cooperation by the patients: the
      difference from the median time ranged between 11 and 24 minutes, demonstrating
      very good cooperation and involvement from all patients. To measure habituation
      to the questionnaire, we also compared nonresponse rates to the items between the
      first and the second month of the study, and found no significant difference. We
      computed the time to complete the questionnaire both as a measure of possible
      burden for patient, and to detect the risk of automatic responses. Neither of
      these hypothesis was confirmed, and differences in time to completion seemed to
      depend on health conditions. Focus groups with patients confirmed their
      appreciation for this "new" active role in a telemonitoring system. CONCLUSIONS:
      The main and innovative aspect of our proposal is the use of a Web questionnaire
      to virtually recreate a checkup visit, integrating subjective (patient's
      information) with objective data (biometric information). Our results, although
      preliminary and if need of further study, appear promising in proposing more
      effective telemedicine systems. Survey methodology could have an effective role
      in this growing field of research and applications.

PMID- 27268951
TI  - Sodium Atom Emission from Aqueous Surfactant Solutions Exposed to Ultrasound.
AB  - Emission from electronically excited sodium atoms (Na*) was observed when argon
      saturated aqueous solutions of the anionic surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulfate,
      sodium octyl sulfate, sodium 1-pentanesulfonate, and sodium 1-octanesulfonate
      were sonicated using 358 kHz ultrasound. The same emission band, centered at
      about 590 nm, was also obtained in aqueous NaCl solutions, although a ~100-fold
      higher concentration than that used for the surfactant solutions was required to
      obtain an emission of comparable intensity. The results have been interpreted in
      terms of the surfactant adsorbing at the gas-solution interface of the bubbles
      generated by the ultrasound, generating an electrostatic surface potential, and
      attracting Na+ counterions to the bubble surface. It is reasoned that Na+ ions
      are simultaneously reduced and electronically excited at the bubble-solution
      interface during the final stages of the collapse phase of the acoustically
      driven bubble. It is proposed that sodium ion bound water molecules reduce
      interfacial Na+ under the extreme, perhaps supercritical, conditions the
      interface experiences on bubble implosion.

PMID- 27268950
TI  - Comparison of Antigenic Dominants of VP7 in G9 and G1 Rotavirus Strains
      Circulating in La Rioja, Argentina, with the Vaccine Strains.
AB  - A massive vaccination in Argentina was implemented recently. The antigenic
      dominants of VP7 in G9 and G1 rotavirus strains, circulating in La Rioja,
      Argentina with strain vaccines were compared. From 2000 to 2010 in several
      attention centers of La Rioja, at northwestern Argentina, 418 stool samples from
      children younger than 5 years old were collected. Ninety were positive by
      immunochromatography and 51 were genotyped by reverse transcriptase-polymerase
      chain reaction followed by nested-multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with
      type-specific primers. Six G9 strains and four G1 strains were sequenced by
      MACROGEN Korea. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted in MEGA 6.0. The 940 bp
      were aligned using CLUSTALW and the tree was inferred using the UPGMA method. The
      antigenic dominants of VP7, 7-1a, 7-1b, and 7-2 were studied using BioEdit,
      7.2.5. In the comparison between G9-lineage III d rotavirus (RV) strains
      circulating in La Rioja with ROTAVAC vaccine strain, three differences were
      detected corresponding to 100, 211, and 145 positions. In the comparison between
      G1-Lineage 1 strains and G1 Rotarix and G1 RotaTeq, three differences were
      observed in 94, 123, and 217 positions. All these positions were important for
      the escape to neutralization for study with monoclonal antibody. In conclusion,
      the differences between the G1 strains in La Rioja, Argentina and the G1
      components of the RotaTeq and Rotarix vaccine strains are few, but important for
      the escape immunologic, and need to be monitored for appropriate evaluation of
      long-term impact of vaccine used in Argentina. Nevertheless, the VP7 antigenic
      regions of G9 RV strains circulating in La Rioja and ROTAVAC vaccine strains are
      different to other zones of Argentina and could play an important role in the
      failure of vaccine response in these regions and Argentina.

PMID- 27268953
TI  - (Almost) Stationary Isotachophoretic Concentration Boundary in a Nanofluidic
      Channel Using Charge Inversion.
AB  - The present work is an experimental study of a new means to induce a quasi
      stationary boundary for concentration or separation in a nanochannel induced by
      charge inversion. Instead of using pressure-driven counter-flow to keep the front
      stationary, we exploit charge inversion by a highly charged electrolyte,
      Ru(bpy)3Cl2, that changes the sign of the zeta potential in part of the channel
      from negative to positive. Having a non-charge inverting electrolyte (MgCl2) in
      the other part of the channel and applying an electric field can create a
      standing front at the interface between them without added dispersion due to an
      externally applied pressure-driven counterflow. The resulting slow moving front
      position can be easily imaged optically since Ru(bpy)3Cl2 is fluorescent. A
      simple analytical model for the velocity field and front axial position that
      reproduces the experimental location of the front shows that the location can be
      tuned by changing the concentration of the electrolytes (and thus local zeta
      potential). Both of these give the charge inversion-mediated boundary significant
      advantages over current methods of concentration and separation and the method
      is, therefore, of particular importance to chemical and biochemical analysis
      systems such as chromatography and separations and for enhancing the stacking
      performance of field amplified sample injection and isotachophoresis. By choosing
      a non-charge inverting electrolyte other than MgCl2, either this electrolyte or
      the Ru(bpy)3Cl2 solution can be made to be the leading or trailing electrolyte.

PMID- 27268952
TI  - Intensive Care Unit Structure Variation and Implications for Early Mobilization
      Practices. An International Survey.
AB  - RATIONALE: Early mobilization (EM) improves outcomes for mechanically ventilated
      patients. Variation in structure and organizational characteristics may affect
      implementation of EM practices. OBJECTIVES: We queried intensive care unit (ICU)
      environment and standardized ICU practices to evaluate organizational
      characteristics that enable EM practice. METHODS: We recruited 151 ICUs in
      France, 150 in Germany, 150 in the United Kingdom, and 500 in the United States
      by telephone. Survey domains included respondent characteristics, hospital and
      ICU characteristics, and ICU practices and protocols. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
      RESULTS: We surveyed 1,484 ICU leaders and received a 64% response rate (951
      ICUs). Eighty-eight percent of respondents were in nursing leadership roles; the
      remainder were physiotherapists. Surveyed ICUs were predominantly mixed medical
      surgical units (67%), and 27% were medical ICUs. ICU staffing models differed
      significantly (P < 0.001 each) by country for high-intensity staffing,
      nurse/patient ratios, and dedicated physiotherapists. ICU practices differed by
      country, with EM practices present in 40% of French ICUs, 59% of German ICUs, 52%
      of U.K. ICUs, and 45% of U.S. ICUs. Formal written EM protocols were present in
      24%, 30%, 20%, and 30%, respectively, of those countries' ICUs. In multivariate
      analysis, EM practice was associated with multidisciplinary rounds (odds ratio
      [OR], 1.77; P = 0.001), setting daily goals for patients (OR, 1.62; P = 0.02),
      presence of a dedicated physiotherapist (OR, 2.48; P < 0.001), and the ICU's
      being located in Germany (reference, United States; OR, 2.84; P < 0.001). EM
      practice was also associated with higher nurse staffing levels (1:1 nurse/patient
      ratio as a reference; 1:2 nurse/patient ratio OR, 0.59; P = 0.05; 1:3
      nurse/patient ratio OR, 0.33; P = 0.005; 1:4 or less nurse/patient ratio OR,
      0.37; P = 0.005). Those responding rarely cited ambulation of mechanically
      ventilated patients, use of a bedside cycle, or neuromuscular electrical
      stimulation as part of their EM practice. Physical therapy initiation, barriers
      to EM practice, and EM equipment were highly variable among respondents.
      CONCLUSIONS: International ICU structure and practice is quite heterogeneous, and
      several factors (multidisciplinary rounds, setting daily goals for patients,
      presence of a dedicated physiotherapist, country, and nurse/patient staffing
      ratio) are significantly associated with the practice of EM. Practice and
      barriers may be far different based upon staffing structure. To achieve
      successful implementation, whether through trials or quality improvement, ICU
      staffing and practice patterns must be taken into account.

PMID- 27268954
TI  - Laparoscopic Gastrostomy Is Superior to Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube
      Placement in Children Less Than 5 years of Age.
AB  - PURPOSE: Minimally invasive procedures for enteral access in children have
      evolved over the years, resulting in various techniques of gastrostomy tube
      placement. The two most common techniques are laparoscopic gastrostomy (LG) and
      percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Our study compares the outcomes of
      both procedures exclusively in children under the age of five. METHODS: All
      procedures relating to enteral access in children <5 years of age were reviewed
      retrospectively from July 2009 to July of 2014 as approved by our Institutional
      Review Board. Demographics, techniques, and complications were collected and
      analyzed. RESULTS: Of 293 patients in our study, 150 patients underwent PEG, 75
      LG, and 68 LG with Nissen fundoplication (LNG). The most common indication for
      enteral tube placement was failure to thrive and feeding intolerance. Operative
      time was less in the PEG group than in the other two groups (P = .001). Overall
      complication rate was 60% for LG and LNG and 58% for PEG (P = NS). The major
      complication rate was 3.3% in the PEG group and 0.7% for the LG and LNG groups.
      There were two deaths in the PEG group. Sixty-eight patients (45.3%) from the PEG
      group underwent tube changes under anesthesia, requiring additional trip to the
      operating room with general anesthesia compared with LG and LNG groups (2%) (P =
      .001). From the PEG group, 134 patients (89%) required many fluoroscopic
      interventions for tube dislodgments and conversion to gastrojejunostomy tubes for
      significant reflux and inability to use the gastrostomy (P = .001). CONCLUSION:
      PEG tubes had a higher major complication rate than LG tubes with or without
      fundoplication in children <5 years of age. Despite longer operative time, LG
      seems to be the procedure of choice for children of this age for enteral access.
      Elimination of unnecessary tube changes under anesthesia and the fluoroscopic
      interventions after the PEG would be beneficial.

PMID- 27268955
TI  - Targeting inflammation in diabetic kidney disease: early clinical trials.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The age-standardized death rate from diabetic kidney disease
      increased by 106% from 1990 to 2013, indicating that novel therapeutic approaches
      are needed, in addition to the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers currently
      in use. Clinical trial results of anti-fibrotic therapy have been disappointing.
      However, promising anti-inflammatory drugs are currently on phase 1 and 2
      randomized controlled trials. AREAS COVERED: The authors review the preclinical,
      phase 1 and 2 clinical trial information of drugs tested for diabetic kidney
      disease that directly target inflammation as a main or key mode of action. Agents
      mainly targeting other pathways, such as endothelin receptor or mineralocorticoid
      receptor blockers and vitamin D receptor activators are not discussed. EXPERT
      OPINION: Agents targeting inflammation have shown promising results in the
      treatment of diabetic kidney disease when added on top of RAS blockade. The
      success of pentoxifylline in open label trials supports the concept of targeting
      inflammation. In early clinical trials, the pentoxifylline derivative CTP-499,
      the CCR2 inhibitor CCX140-B, the CCL2 inhibitor emapticap pegol and the JAK1/JAK2
      inhibitor baricitinib were the most promising drugs for diabetic kidney disease.
      The termination of trials testing the anti-IL-1beta antibody gevokizumab in 2015
      will postpone the evaluation of therapies targeting inflammatory cytokines.

PMID- 27268956
TI  - Growth Factor-Mediated Migration of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells for Accelerated
      Scaffold Recruitment.
AB  - Tissue engineering approaches using growth factor-functionalized acellular
      scaffolds to support and guide repair driven by endogenous cells are thought to
      require a careful balance between cell recruitment and growth factor release
      kinetics. The objective of this study was to identify a growth factor combination
      that accelerates progenitor cell migration into self-assembling peptide hydrogels
      in the context of cartilage defect repair. A novel 3D gel-to-gel migration assay
      enabled quantification of the chemotactic impact of platelet-derived growth
      factor-BB (PDGF-BB), heparin-binding insulin-like growth factor-1 (HB-IGF-1), and
      transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) on progenitor cells derived from
      subchondral bovine trabecular bone (bone-marrow progenitor cells, BM-PCs)
      encapsulated in the peptide hydrogel [KLDL]3. Only the combination of PDGF-BB and
      TGF-beta1 stimulated significant migration of BM-PCs over a 4-day period,
      measured by confocal microscopy. Both PDGF-BB and TGF-beta1 were slowly released
      from the gel, as measured using their (125)I-labeled forms, and they remained
      significantly present in the gel at 4 days. In the context of augmenting
      microfracture surgery for cartilage repair, our strategy of delivering
      chemotactic and proanabolic growth factors in KLD may provide the necessary local
      stimulus to help increase defect cellularity, providing more cells to generate
      repair tissue.

PMID- 27268957
TI  - Species and tissues specific differentiation of processed animal proteins in
      aquafeeds using proteomics tools.
AB  - The rapidly growing aquaculture industry drives the search for sustainable
      protein sources in fish feed. In the European Union (EU) since 2013 non-ruminant
      processed animal proteins (PAP) are again permitted to be used in aquafeeds. To
      ensure that commercial fish feeds do not contain PAP from prohibited species, EU
      reference methods were established. However, due to the heterogeneous and complex
      nature of PAP complementary methods are required to guarantee the safe use of
      this fish feed ingredient. In addition, there is a need for tissue specific PAP
      detection to identify the sources (i.e. bovine carcass, blood, or meat) of
      illegal PAP use. In the present study, we investigated and compared different
      protein extraction, solubilisation and digestion protocols on different
      proteomics platforms for the detection and differentiation of prohibited PAP. In
      addition, we assessed if tissue specific PAP detection was feasible using
      proteomics tools. All work was performed independently in two different
      laboratories. We found that irrespective of sample preparation gel-based
      proteomics tools were inappropriate when working with PAP. Gel-free shotgun
      proteomics approaches in combination with direct spectral comparison were able to
      provide quality species and tissue specific data to complement and refine current
      methods of PAP detection and identification. SIGNIFICANCE: To guarantee the safe
      use of processed animal protein (PAP) in aquafeeds efficient PAP detection and
      monitoring tools are required. The present study investigated and compared
      various proteomics workflows and shows that the application of shotgun proteomics
      in combination with direct comparison of spectral libraries provides for the
      desired species and tissue specific classification of this heat sterilized and
      pressure treated (>=133 degrees C, at 3bar for 20min) protein feed ingredient.

PMID- 27268958
TI  - Quantitative proteomics analysis using 2D-PAGE to investigate the effects of
      cigarette smoke and aerosol of a prototypic modified risk tobacco product on the
      lung proteome in C57BL/6 mice.
AB  - Smoking is associated with several serious diseases, such as lung cancer and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Within our systems toxicology
      framework, we are assessing whether potential modified risk tobacco products
      (MRTP) can reduce smoking-related health risks compared to conventional
      cigarettes. In this article, we evaluated to what extent 2D-PAGE/MALDI MS/MS (2D
      PAGE) can complement the iTRAQ LC-MS/MS results from a previously reported mouse
      inhalation study, in which we assessed a prototypic MRTP (pMRTP). Selected
      differentially expressed proteins identified by both LC-MS/MS and 2D-PAGE
      approaches were further verified using reverse-phase protein microarrays. LC
      MS/MS captured the effects of cigarette smoke (CS) on the lung proteome more
      comprehensively than 2D-PAGE. However, an integrated analysis of both proteomics
      data sets showed that 2D-PAGE data complement the LC-MS/MS results by supporting
      the overall trend of lower effects of pMRTP aerosol than CS on the lung proteome.
      Biological effects of CS exposure supported by both methods included increases in
      immune-related, surfactant metabolism, proteasome, and actin cytoskeleton protein
      clusters. Overall, while 2D-PAGE has its value, especially as a complementary
      method for the analysis of effects on intact proteins, LC-MS/MS approaches will
      likely be the method of choice for proteome analysis in systems toxicology
      investigations. SIGNIFICANCE: Quantitative proteomics is anticipated to play a
      growing role within systems toxicology assessment frameworks in the future. To
      further understand how different proteomics technologies can contribute to
      toxicity assessment, we conducted a quantitative proteomics analysis using 2D
      PAGE and isobaric tag-based LC-MS/MS approaches and compared the results produced
      from the 2 approaches. Using a prototypic modified risk tobacco product (pMRTP)
      as our test item, we show compared with cigarette smoke, how 2D-PAGE results can
      complement and support LC-MS/MS data, demonstrating the much lower effects of
      pMRTP aerosol than cigarette smoke on the mouse lung proteome. The combined
      analysis of 2D-PAGE and LC-MS/MS data identified an effect of cigarette smoke on
      the proteasome and actin cytoskeleton in the lung.

PMID- 27268959
TI  - The WRKY57 Transcription Factor Affects the Expression of Jasmonate ZIM-Domain
      Genes Transcriptionally to Compromise Botrytis cinerea Resistance.
AB  - Although necrotrophic pathogens cause many devastating plant diseases, our
      understanding of the plant defense response to them is limited. Here, we found
      that loss of function of WRKY57 enhanced the resistance of Arabidopsis
      (Arabidopsis thaliana) against Botrytis cinerea infection. Further investigation
      suggested that the negative regulation of WRKY57 against B cinerea depends on the
      jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments
      revealed that WRKY57 directly binds to the promoters of JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN1
      (JAZ1) and JAZ5, encoding two important repressors of the JA signaling pathway,
      and activates their transcription. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated
      that WRKY57 interacts with nuclear-encoded SIGMA FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN1 (SIB1)
      and SIB2. Further experiments display that the same domain, the VQ motif, of SIB1
      and SIB2 interact with WRKY33 and WRKY57. Moreover, transient transcriptional
      activity assays confirmed that WRKY57 and WRKY33 competitively regulate JAZ1 and
      JAZ5, SIB1 and SIB2 further enhance these competitions of WRKY57 to WRKY33.
      Therefore, coordinated regulation of Arabidopsis against B cinerea by
      transcription activators and repressors would benefit plants by allowing fine
      regulation of defense.

PMID- 27268960
TI  - Functional Promiscuity of Two Divergent Paralogs of Type III Plant Polyketide
      Synthases.
AB  - Plants effectively defend themselves against biotic and abiotic stresses by
      synthesizing diverse secondary metabolites, including health-protective
      flavonoids. These display incredible chemical diversity and ubiquitous occurrence
      and confer impeccable biological and agricultural applications. Chalcone synthase
      (CHS), a type III plant polyketide synthase, is critical for flavonoid
      biosynthesis. It catalyzes acyl-coenzyme A thioesters to synthesize naringenin
      chalcone through a polyketidic intermediate. The functional divergence among the
      evolutionarily generated members of a gene family is pivotal in driving the
      chemical diversity. Against this backdrop, this study was aimed to functionally
      characterize members of the CHS gene family from Rheum emodi, an endangered and
      endemic high-altitude medicinal herb of northwestern Himalayas. Two full-length
      cDNAs (1,179 bp each), ReCHS1 and ReCHS2, encoding unique paralogs were isolated
      and characterized. Heterologous expression and purification in Escherichia coli,
      bottom-up proteomic characterization, high-performance liquid chromatography
      electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, and enzyme kinetic
      studies using five different substrates confirmed their catalytic potential.
      Phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of higher synonymous mutations in
      the intronless divergents of ReCHS. ReCHS2 displayed significant enzymatic
      efficiency (Vmax/Km) with different substrates. There were significant spatial
      and altitudinal variations in messenger RNA transcript levels of ReCHSs
      correlating positively with metabolite accumulation. Furthermore, the
      elicitations in the form of methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, ultraviolet B
      light, and wounding, chosen on the basis of identified cis-regulatory promoter
      elements, presented considerable differences in the transcript profiles of
      ReCHSs. Taken together, our results demonstrate differential propensities of CHS
      paralogs in terms of the accumulation of flavonoids and their relative substrate
      selectivities.

PMID- 27268961
TI  - Herbaceous Angiosperms Are Not More Vulnerable to Drought-Induced Embolism Than
      Angiosperm Trees.
AB  - The water transport pipeline in herbs is assumed to be more vulnerable to drought
      than in trees due to the formation of frequent embolisms (gas bubbles), which
      could be removed by the occurrence of root pressure, especially in grasses. Here,
      we studied hydraulic failure in herbaceous angiosperms by measuring the pressure
      inducing 50% loss of hydraulic conductance (P50) in stems of 26 species, mainly
      European grasses (Poaceae). Our measurements show a large range in P50 from -0.5
      to -7.5 MPa, which overlaps with 94% of the woody angiosperm species in a
      worldwide, published data set and which strongly correlates with an aridity
      index. Moreover, the P50 values obtained were substantially more negative than
      the midday water potentials for five grass species monitored throughout the
      entire growing season, suggesting that embolism formation and repair are not
      routine and mainly occur under water deficits. These results show that both herbs
      and trees share the ability to withstand very negative water potentials without
      considerable embolism formation in their xylem conduits during drought stress. In
      addition, structure-function trade-offs in grass stems reveal that more resistant
      species are more lignified, which was confirmed for herbaceous and closely
      related woody species of the daisy group (Asteraceae). Our findings could imply
      that herbs with more lignified stems will become more abundant in future
      grasslands under more frequent and severe droughts, potentially resulting in
      lower forage digestibility.

PMID- 27268962
TI  - Maize and Arabidopsis ARGOS Proteins Interact with Ethylene Receptor Signaling
      Complex, Supporting a Regulatory Role for ARGOS in Ethylene Signal Transduction.
AB  - The phytohormone ethylene regulates plant growth and development as well as plant
      response to environmental cues. ARGOS genes reduce plant sensitivity to ethylene
      when overexpressed in transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and maize
      (Zea mays). A previous genetic study suggested that the endoplasmic reticulum and
      Golgi-localized maize ARGOS1 targets the ethylene signal transduction components
      at or upstream of CONSTITUTIVE TRIPLE RESPONSE1, but the mechanism of ARGOS
      modulating ethylene signaling is unknown. Here, we demonstrate in Arabidopsis
      that ZmARGOS1, as well as the Arabidopsis ARGOS homolog ORGAN SIZE RELATED1,
      physically interacts with Arabidopsis REVERSION-TO-ETHYLENE SENSITIVITY1 (RTE1),
      an ethylene receptor interacting protein that regulates the activity of ETHYLENE
      RESPONSE1. The protein-protein interaction was also detected with the yeast split
      ubiquitin two-hybrid system. Using the same yeast assay, we found that maize RTE1
      homolog REVERSION-TO-ETHYLENE SENSITIVITY1 LIKE4 (ZmRTL4) and ZmRTL2 also
      interact with maize and Arabidopsis ARGOS proteins. Like AtRTE1 in Arabidopsis,
      ZmRTL4 and ZmRTL2 reduce ethylene responses when overexpressed in maize,
      indicating a similar mechanism for ARGOS regulating ethylene signaling in maize.
      A polypeptide fragment derived from ZmARGOS8, consisting of a Pro-rich motif
      flanked by two transmembrane helices that are conserved among members of the
      ARGOS family, can interact with AtRTE1 and maize RTL proteins in Arabidopsis. The
      conserved domain is necessary and sufficient to reduce ethylene sensitivity in
      Arabidopsis and maize. Overall, these results suggest a physical association
      between ARGOS and the ethylene receptor signaling complex via AtRTE1 and maize
      RTL proteins, supporting a role for ARGOS in regulating ethylene perception and
      the early steps of signal transduction in Arabidopsis and maize.

PMID- 27268963
TI  - Derivation of the critical effect size/benchmark response for the dose-response
      analysis of the uptake of radioactive iodine in the human thyroid.
AB  - Potential adverse effects of chemical substances on thyroid function are usually
      examined by measuring serum levels of thyroid-related hormones. Instead, recent
      risk assessments for thyroid-active chemicals have focussed on iodine uptake
      inhibition, an upstream event that by itself is not necessarily adverse.
      Establishing the extent of uptake inhibition that can be considered de minimis,
      the chosen benchmark response (BMR), is therefore critical. The BMR values
      selected by two international advisory bodies were 5% and 50%, a difference that
      had correspondingly large impacts on the estimated risks and health-based
      guidance values that were established. Potential treatment-related inhibition of
      thyroidal iodine uptake is usually determined by comparing thyroidal uptake of
      radioactive iodine (RAIU) during treatment with a single pre-treatment RAIU
      value. In the present study it is demonstrated that the physiological intra
      individual variation in iodine uptake is much larger than 5%. Consequently, in
      treatment RAIU values, expressed as a percentage of the pre-treatment value, have
      an inherent variation, that needs to be considered when conducting dose-response
      analyses. Based on statistical and biological considerations, a BMR of 20% is
      proposed for benchmark dose analysis of human thyroidal iodine uptake data, to
      take the inherent variation in relative RAIU data into account. Implications for
      the tolerated daily intakes for perchlorate and chlorate, recently established by
      the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), are discussed. 

PMID- 27268964
TI  - Isoledene from Mesua ferrea oleo-gum resin induces apoptosis in HCT 116 cells
      through ROS-mediated modulation of multiple proteins in the apoptotic pathways: A
      mechanistic study.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common human malignant tumors
      worldwide. Arising from the transformation of epithelial cells in the colon
      and/or rectum into malignant cells, the foundation of CRC pathogenesis lies in
      the progressive accumulation of mutations in oncogenes and tumor-suppressor
      genes, such as KRAS and APC. Resistance to apoptosis is one of the key mechanisms
      in the development of CRC as it is for any other kind of cancer. Natural products
      have been shown to induce the expression of apoptosis regulators that are blocked
      in cancer cells. In the present study, a series of in vitro assays were employed
      to study the apoptosis-inducing attributes of Isoledene rich sub-fraction (IR-SF)
      collected from the oleo-gum resin of M. ferrea. Data obtained, showed that IR-SF
      inhibited cell proliferation and induced typical apoptotic changes in the overall
      morphology of all the CRC cell lines tested. Fluorescent staining assays revealed
      characteristic nuclear condensation, and marked decrease in mitochondrial outer
      membrane potential in the treated cells. In addition, an increment in the levels
      of ROS, caspase-8, -9 and -3 was observed. Proteomic analysis revealed that IR-SF
      up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, i.e., Bid, Bim and
      cytochrome c. Cytochrome c in turn activated caspases cascade resulting in the
      induction of apoptosis. Moreover, IR-SF significantly down-regulated Bcl-2, Bcl
      w, survivin, xIAP and HSPs pro-survival proteins and induced DNA fragmentation
      and G0/G1-phase arrest in HCT 116 cells. Chemical characterization of IR-SF by GC
      MS and HPLC methods identified Isoledene as one of the major compounds.
      Altogether, results of the present study demonstrate that IR-SF may induce
      apoptosis in human colorectal carcinoma cells through activation of ROS-mediated
      apoptotic pathways. 

PMID- 27268965
TI  - Predictive Model for the Design of Zwitterionic Polymer Brushes: A Statistical
      Design of Experiments Approach.
AB  - The performance of polymer interfaces in biology is governed by a wide spectrum
      of interfacial properties. With the ultimate goal of identifying design
      parameters for stem cell culture coatings, we developed a statistical model that
      describes the dependence of brush properties on surface-initiated polymerization
      (SIP) parameters. Employing a design of experiments (DOE) approach, we identified
      operating boundaries within which four gel architecture regimes can be realized,
      including a new regime of associated brushes in thin films. Our statistical model
      can accurately predict the brush thickness and the degree of intermolecular
      association of poly[{2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl} dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium
      hydroxide] (PMEDSAH), a previously reported synthetic substrate for feeder-free
      and xeno-free culture of human embryonic stem cells. DOE-based multifunctional
      predictions offer a powerful quantitative framework for designing polymer
      interfaces. For example, model predictions can be used to decrease the critical
      thickness at which the wettability transition occurs by simply increasing the
      catalyst quantity from 1 to 3 mol %. 

PMID- 27268966
TI  - Applicability of two automated disintegration apparatuses for rapidly
      disintegrating (mini)tablets.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Orally disintegrating (mini)tablets (OD(M)Ts) are of interest in the
      field of pharmaceutics. Their orodispersible character is defined by the
      disintegration time, which is measured with a basket apparatus according to the
      European Pharmacopoeia. This method, however, lacks applicability for ODTs and
      especially ODMTs. New disintegration apparatuses have been described in
      literature, but a qualification to assess the applicability has not been
      described. A qualification procedure for two automated disintegration
      apparatuses, OD-mate and Hermes apparatus, is introduced. METHODS: Aspects of the
      operational qualification as well as precision and accuracy regarding a
      performance qualification were evaluated for both apparatuses analog to the ICH
      guideline Q2. While the OQ study is performed separately for each apparatus,
      accuracy and precision were performed following the same protocol for both
      testers. KEY FINDINGS: Small RSDs (16.9% OD-mate; 15.2% Hermes compared to 32.3%
      for the pharmacopeial method) were found despite very fast disintegration times
      (1.5 s for both apparatuses). By comparing these RSDs to practical examples, the
      authors propose threshold values for repeatability depending on the mean
      disintegration time. Obtained results from the qualification were used to assess
      the applicability of both apparatuses.

PMID- 27268967
TI  - Application of life cycle assessment for hospital solid waste management: A case
      study.
AB  - This study was meant to determine environmental aspects of hospital waste
      management scenarios using a life cycle analysis approach. The survey for this
      study was conducted at the largest hospital in a major city of Pakistan. The
      hospital was thoroughly analyzed from November 2014 to January 2015 to quantify
      its wastes by category. The functional unit of the study was selected as 1 tonne
      of disposable solid hospital waste. System boundaries included transportation of
      hospital solid waste and its treatment and disposal by landfilling, incineration,
      composting, and material recycling methods. These methods were evaluated based on
      their greenhouse gas emissions. Landfilling and incineration turned out to be the
      worst final disposal alternatives, whereas composting and material recovery
      displayed savings in emissions. An integrated system (composting, incineration,
      and material recycling) was found as the best solution among the evaluated
      scenarios. This study can be used by policymakers for the formulation of an
      integrated hospital waste management plan. IMPLICATIONS: This study deals with
      environmental aspects of hospital waste management scenarios. It is an increasing
      area of concern in many developing and resource-constrained countries of the
      world. The life cycle analysis (LCA) approach is a useful tool for estimation of
      greenhouse gas emissions from different waste management activities. There is a
      shortage of information in existing literature regarding LCA of hospital wastes.
      To the best knowledge of the authors this work is the first attempt at
      quantifying the environmental footprint of hospital waste in Pakistan.

PMID- 27268968
TI  - Evaluation of Presto(plus) assay and LightMix kit Trichomonas vaginalis assay for
      detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in dry vaginal swabs.
AB  - This is an evaluation study of the Presto(plus) Assay for T. vaginalis by
      comparing to the TIB MOLBIOL LightMix Kit Trichomonas vaginalis Assay using 615
      dry collected vaginal and rectal swabs. Discordant samples were analyzed by the
      Qiagen(r) Microbial DNA qPCR for TV Assay. Both assays showed comparable
      performances (McNemar p>0.05).

PMID- 27268969
TI  - Identification of Metabolites of the Fungicide Penconazole in Human Urine.
AB  - Penconazole (PEN) is a fungicide used in agriculture that has been classified as
      hazardous to humans and the environment. The objective of this work was to
      identify PEN urinary metabolites in humans and propose a biomarker for PEN
      exposure. Five urine samples were collected from agricultural workers who worked
      with and were exposed to PEN. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography
      coupled with hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry, with the
      source operating in the electrospray ionization mode. Metabolites previously
      identified in animal studies were searched as possible metabolites in humans.
      Candidate metabolites were first identified by multiple reaction monitoring
      following the protonated molecular ions that generated the protonated triazole
      moiety, which is expected to be present in all PEN metabolites; second, the
      isotopic patterns of the molecular ions were checked for consistency with the
      presence of two chlorine atoms; third, the full mass spectra were evaluated for
      consistency with the molecular structure. Seven different oxidized metabolites
      were found, both in the free and glucuronide conjugate forms. The major
      metabolite was the monohydroxyl-derivative PEN-OH (median molar fraction
      approximately 0.92 as a sum of free and glucuronide conjugated form). The product
      of further oxidation was the carboxyl-derivate PEN-COOH (median molar fraction
      approximately 0.03). After hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase, the free compounds
      were quantified in the presence of deuterated PEN as an internal standard; PEN-OH
      levels ranged from 230 to 460 MUg/L, and PEN-COOH levels ranged from 5.2 to 16.7
      MUg/L. We propose a pathway for PEN metabolism in humans and suggest PEN-OH,
      after hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates, as a biomarker for monitoring human
      exposure to PEN.

PMID- 27268970
TI  - Administrative data measured surgical site infection probability within 30 days
      of surgery in elderly patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Elderly patients are inordinately affected by surgical site
      infections (SSIs). This study derived and internally validated a model that used
      routinely collected health administrative data to measure the probability of SSI
      in elderly patients within 30 days of surgery. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: All
      people exceeding 65 years undergoing surgery from two hospitals with known SSI
      status were linked to population-based administrative data sets in Ontario,
      Canada. We used bootstrap methods to create a multivariate model that used health
      administrative data to predict the probability of SSI. RESULTS: Of 3,436
      patients, 177 (5.1%) had an SSI. The Elderly SSI Risk Model included six
      covariates: number of distinct physician fee codes within 30 days of surgery;
      presence or absence of a postdischarge prescription for an antibiotic; presence
      or absence of three diagnostic codes; and a previously derived score that gauged
      SSI risk based on procedure codes. The model was highly explanatory (Nagelkerke's
      R2, 0.458), strongly discriminative (C statistic, 0.918), and well calibrated
      (calibration slope, 1). CONCLUSION: Health administrative data can effectively
      determine 30-day risk of SSI risk in elderly patients undergoing a broad
      assortment of surgeries. External validation is necessary before this can be
      routinely used to monitor SSIs in the elderly.

PMID- 27268971
TI  - The rote administrative approach to death in senior housing: Using the other
      door.
AB  - Understanding death in long-term care (LTC) facilities and the preexisting
      standards and policies pertaining to the death experience in LTC is essential.
      Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 administrators of CCRCs and data
      analyzed through content analysis. Results of the current study reveal that
      administrators spoke of approaching death in their facility similar to any other
      procedural task, removal of the residents' bodies varied by community, and
      coordination responsibilities ranged from maintenance crews to management.
      Notification practices for residents and staff were also inconsistent.
      Differences existed in internal cultures on providing forms of respect. These
      practices were standard for some facilities while others were flexible to
      accommodate family requests. The majority of the sites did not offer additional
      training on death and dying for staff members. Findings suggest the need for
      consistency regarding how senior housing administrators approach the death of a
      resident and provide support for staff members.

PMID- 27268972
TI  - Associations of urinary cadmium with circulating sex hormone levels in pre- and
      postmenopausal Japanese women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exposure to cadmium has been suspected as a risk factor for breast
      cancer. The present study examined the associations between urinary cadmium
      levels and circulating sex hormone levels that are linked to breast cancer risk
      in healthy women. METHODS: The study subjects were 396 premenopausal Japanese
      women who had regular menstrual cycles less than 40 days long and 207
      postmenopausal Japanese women. Urinary cadmium was measured using spot urine
      samples. Plasma estradiol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were
      measured. Additionally, the follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone,
      and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured for premenopausal women. RESULTS:
      In premenopausal women, the urinary cadmium level either expressed in MUg per
      liter or per g of urine creatinine was significantly inversely associated with
      total and free testosterone levels after controlling for age, body mass index,
      smoking status, alcohol intake, and the phase of the menstrual cycle. Total and
      free testosterone levels were 14.6% and 15.0% lower, respectively, in women in
      the highest quartile of urinary cadmium per g creatinine in those in the lowest
      quartile. In postmenopausal women, the urinary cadmium in MUg per liter as well
      as per g creatinine was significantly inversely associated with the estradiol
      level after controlling for covariates. The estradiol level was 25.8% lower in
      women in the highest tertile of urinary cadmium per g creatinine than in those in
      the lowest tertile. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest inverse associations between
      urinary cadmium and the plasma estradiol or testosterone level in Japanese women.

PMID- 27268973
TI  - Efficient decolorization and detoxification of textile industry effluent by
      Salvinia molesta in lagoon treatment.
AB  - Salvinia molesta, an aquatic fern was observed to have a potential of degrading
      azo dye Rubine GFL up to 97% at a concentration of 100mg/L within 72h using 60+/
      2g of root biomass. Both root as well as stem tissues showed induction in
      activities of the enzymes such as lignin peroxidase, veratryl alcohol oxidase,
      laccase, tyrosinase, catalase, DCIP reductase and superoxide dismutase during
      decolorization of Rubine GFL. FTIR, GC-MS, HPLC and UV-visible spectrophotometric
      analysis confirmed phytotransformation of the model dye into smaller molecules.
      Analysis of metabolites revealed breakdown of an azo bond of Rubine GFL by the
      action of lignin peroxidase and laccase and formation of 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline
      and N-methylbenzene-1, 4-diamine. Anatomical tracing of dye in the stem of S.
      molesta confirmed the presence of dye in tissues and subsequent removal after 48h
      of treatment. The concentration of chlorophyll pigments like chlorophyll a,
      chlorophyll b and carotenoid was observed during the treatment. Toxicity analysis
      on seeds of Triticum aestivum and Phaseolus mungo revealed the decreased toxicity
      of dye metabolites. In situ treatment of a real textile effluent was further
      monitored in a constructed lagoon of the dimensions of 7m*5m*2m (total surface
      area 35m(2)) using S. molesta for 192h. This large scale treatment was found to
      significantly reduce the values of COD, BOD5 and ADMI by 76%, 82% and 81%
      considering initial values 1185, 1440mg/L and 950 units, respectively.

PMID- 27268974
TI  - The association between wind-related variables and stroke symptom onset: A case
      crossover study on Jeju Island.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although several studies have investigated the effects of ambient
      temperature on the risk of stroke, few studies have examined the relationship
      between other meteorological conditions and stroke. Therefore, the aim of this
      study was to analyze the association between wind-related variables and stroke
      symptoms onset. METHODS: Data regarding the onset of stroke symptoms occurring
      between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007 on Jeju Island were collected from
      the Jeju National University Hospital stroke registry. A fixed-strata case
      crossover analysis based on time of onset and adjusted for ambient temperature,
      relative humidity, air pressure, and pollutants was used to analyze the effects
      of wind speed, the daily wind speed range (DWR), and the wind chill index on
      stroke symptom onset using varied lag terms. Models examining the modification
      effects by age, sex, smoking status, season, and type of stroke were also
      analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 409 stroke events (381 ischemic and 28 hemorrhagic)
      were registered between 2006 and 2007. The odds ratios (ORs) for wind speed, DWR,
      and wind chill among the total sample at lag 0-8 were 1.18 (95% confidence
      interval (CI): 1.06-1.31), 1.08 (95% CI: 1.02-1.14), and 1.22 (95% CI: 1.07-1.39)
      respectively. The ORs for wind speed, DWR, and wind chill for ischemic stroke
      patients were slightly greater than for patients in the total sample (OR=1.20,
      95% CI: 1.08-1.34; OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.15; and OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.07-1.39,
      respectively). Statistically significant season-specific effects were found for
      spring and winter, and various delayed effects were observed. In addition, age,
      sex, and smoking status modified the effect size of wind speed, DWR, and wind
      chill. CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses showed that the risk of stroke symptoms onset
      was associated with wind speed, DWR, and wind chill on Jeju Island.

PMID- 27268975
TI  - What are Head Cavities? - A History of Studies on Vertebrate Head Segmentation.
AB  - Motivated by the discovery of segmental epithelial coeloms, or "head cavities,"
      in elasmobranch embryos toward the end of the 19th century, the debate over the
      presence of mesodermal segments in the vertebrate head became a central problem
      in comparative embryology. The classical segmental view assumed only one type of
      metamerism in the vertebrate head, in which each metamere was thought to contain
      one head somite and one pharyngeal arch, innervated by a set of cranial nerves
      serially homologous to dorsal and ventral roots of spinal nerves. The non
      segmental view, on the other hand, rejected the somite-like properties of head
      cavities. A series of small mesodermal cysts in early Torpedo embryos, which were
      thought to represent true somite homologs, provided a third possible view on the
      nature of the vertebrate head. Recent molecular developmental data have shed new
      light on the vertebrate head problem, explaining that head mesoderm evolved, not
      by the modification of rostral somites of an amphioxus-like ancestor, but through
      the polarization of unspecified paraxial mesoderm into head mesoderm anteriorly
      and trunk somites posteriorly. 

PMID- 27268976
TI  - Evolution of the Vertebrate Cranium: Viewed from Hagfish Developmental Studies.
AB  - Our knowledge of vertebrate cranium evolution has relied largely on the study of
      gnathostomes. Recent evolutionary and developmental studies of cyclostomes have
      shed new light on the history of the vertebrate skull. The recent ability to
      obtain embryos of the hagfish, Eptatretus burgeri, has enabled new studies which
      have suggested an embryonic morphological pattern (the "cyclostome pattern") of
      craniofacial development. This pattern is shared by cyclostomes, but not by
      modern jawed vertebrates. Because this pattern of embryonic head development is
      thought to be present in some stem gnathostomes (ostracoderms), it is possible
      that the cyclostome pattern represents the vertebrate ancestral pattern. The
      study of cyclostomes may thus lead to an understanding of the most ancestral
      basis of craniofacial development. In this review, we summarize the development
      of the hagfish chondrocranium in light of the cyclostome pattern, present an
      updated comparison of the cyclostome chondrocranium, and discuss several aspects
      of the evolution and development of the vertebrate skull. 

PMID- 27268977
TI  - Effects of Inertial Power and Inertial Force on Bat Wings.
AB  - The inertial power and inertial force of wings are important factors in
      evaluating the flight performance of native bats. Based on measurement data of
      wing size and motions of Eptesicus fuscus, we present a new computational bat
      wing model with divided fragments of skeletons and membrane. The motions of the
      model were verified by comparing the joint and tip trajectories with native bats.
      The influences of flap, sweep, elbow, wrist and digits motions, the effects of
      different bones and membrane of bat wing, the components on vertical, spanwise
      and fore-aft directions of the inertial power and force were analyzed. Our
      results indicate that the flap, sweep, and elbow motions contribute the main
      inertial power and force; the membrane occupies an important proportion of the
      inertial power and force; inertial power on flap direction was larger, while
      variations of inertial forces on different directions were not evident. These
      methods and results offer insights into flight dynamics in other flying animals
      and may contribute to the design of future robotic bats. 

PMID- 27268978
TI  - Ontogeny and Sexual Differences in Swimming Proximity to Conspecifics in Response
      to Visual Cues in Medaka Fish.
AB  - Adult medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) exhibit complex social behaviors that depend
      mainly on visual cues from conspecifics. The ontogeny of visually-mediated social
      behaviors from larval/juvenile to adult medaka fish, however, is unknown. In the
      present study, we established a simple behavioral paradigm to evaluate the
      swimming proximity to conspecifics based on visual cues in an inter-individual
      interaction of two medaka fish throughout life. When two fish were placed
      separately in a cylindrical tank with a concentric transparent wall, the two fish
      maintained close proximity to each other. A normal fish inside the tank
      maintained proximity to an optic nerve-cut fish outside of the tank, while the
      converse was not true. This behavioral paradigm enabled us to quantify visually
      induced motivation of a single fish inside the tank. The proximity was detected
      from larval/juvenile to adult fish. Larval fish, however, maintained close
      proximity not only to conspecifics, but also to heterospecifics. As the growth
      stage increased, the degree of proximity to heterospecifics decreased, suggesting
      that shoaling preferences toward conspecifics and/or visual ability to recognize
      conspecifics is refined and established according to the growth stage.
      Furthermore, the proximity of adult female fish was affected by their
      reproductive status and social familiarity. Only before spawning, adult females
      maintained closer proximity to familiar males rather than to unfamiliar males,
      suggesting that proximity was affected by familiarity in a female-specific
      manner. This simple behavioral paradigm will contribute to our understanding of
      the neural basis of the development of visually-mediated social behavior using
      medaka fish. 

PMID- 27268979
TI  - Environmental Enrichment Accelerates the Ontogeny of Cryptic Behavior in Pharaoh
      Cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis).
AB  - We examined effect of environmental enrichment on cuttlefish, the most neutrally
      advanced invertebrate, to compare species variation of genetic and environmental
      influences. Cuttlefish were reared from seven to 117 days in one of three
      environments, namely, "poor" (artificial bottom without objects), "standard"
      (sandy bottom), and "enriched" (sandy bottom with objects). In Experiment 1, we
      explored whether enrichment affects the exhibition of crypsis in the cuttlefish.
      The cuttlefish in the standard and enriched environments spent most of their time
      at the bottom, exhibiting the mottled or disruptive pattern starting at 27 days
      of age. On the contrary, those in the poor environment exhibited uniform pattern
      starting at 87 days of age. Additionally, they repeatedly attempted to dig from
      27 to 87 days of age, and moved around by hovering from 77 to 117 days of age. In
      Experiment 2, we exposed the cuttlefish to six novel substrates every other month
      after 53 days of age to verify whether enrichment actually affected the
      maturation of cryptic ability. Cuttlefish from the poor environment tended not to
      dig into white sandy bottom at 53-55 days of age. Additionally, they did not
      clearly exhibit appropriate body patterns in response to the six substrates
      compared to those from the other two environments at 81-83 days of age. However,
      at 113-115 days of age, most cuttlefish from the three environments exhibited
      similar cryptic behaviors in response to novel substrates. We conclude that
      physical enrichment promotes crypsis and accelerates the maturation of this
      ability in cuttlefish. 

PMID- 27268980
TI  - Vanadium-Binding Ability of Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase from the Vanadium-Rich
      Fan Worm, Pseudopotamilla occelata.
AB  - Polychaete fan worms and ascidians accumulate high levels of vanadium ions.
      Several vanadiumbinding proteins, known as vanabins, have been found in
      ascidians. However, no vanadium-binding factors have been isolated from the fan
      worm. In the present study, we sought to identify vanadiumbinding proteins in the
      branchial crown of the fan worm using immobilized metal ion affinity
      chromatography. A nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) homolog was isolated and
      determined to be a vanadium-binding protein. Kinase activity of the NDK
      homologue, PoNDK, was suppressed by the addition of V(IV), but was unaffected by
      V(V). The effect of V(IV) on PoNDK precedes its activation by Mg(II). This is the
      first report to describe the relationship between NDK and V(IV). PoNDK is located
      in the epidermis of the branchial crown, and its distribution is very similar to
      that of vanadium. These results suggest that PoNDK is associated with vanadium
      accumulation and metabolism in P. occelata. 

PMID- 27268981
TI  - Evolutionary Changes in the Developmental Origin of Hatching Gland Cells in Basal
      Ray-Finned Fishes.
AB  - Hatching gland cells (HGCs) originate from different germ layers between frogs
      and teleosts, although the hatching enzyme genes are orthologous. Teleostei HGCs
      differentiate in the mesoendodermal cells at the anterior end of the involved
      hypoblast layer (known as the polster) in late gastrula embryos. Conversely, frog
      HGCs differentiate in the epidermal cells at the neural plate border in early
      neurula embryos. To infer the transition in the developmental origin of HGCs, we
      studied two basal ray-finned fishes, bichir (Polypterus) and sturgeon. We
      observed expression patterns of their hatching enzyme (HE) and that of three
      transcription factors that are critical for HGC differentiation: KLF17 is common
      to both teleosts and frogs; whereas FoxA3 and Pax3 are specific to teleosts and
      frogs, respectively. We then inferred the transition in the developmental origin
      of HGCs. In sturgeon, the KLF17, FoxA3, and HE genes were expressed during the
      tailbud stage in the cell mass at the anterior region of the body axis, a region
      corresponding to the polster in teleost embryos. In contrast, the bichir was
      suggested to possess both teleost- and amphibian-type HGCs, i.e. the KLF17 and
      FoxA3 genes were expressed in the anterior cell mass corresponding to the
      polster, and the KLF17, Pax3 and HE genes were expressed in dorsal epidermal
      layer of the head. The change in developmental origin is thought to have occurred
      during the evolution of basal ray-finned fish, because bichir has two HGCs, while
      sturgeon only has the teleost-type. 

PMID- 27268982
TI  - Involvement of JunB Proto-Oncogene in Tail Formation During Early Xenopus
      Embryogenesis.
AB  - Integration of signaling pathways is important for the establishment of the body
      plan during embryogenesis. However, little is known about how the multiple
      signals interact to regulate morphogenesis. Here, we show that junb is expressed
      in the posterior neural plate and the caudal fin during Xenopus embryogenesis and
      that overexpression of wild-type JunB induces small head phenotypes and ectopic
      tail-like structures. A mutant form of JunB that lacked GSK3 and MAPK
      phosphorylation sites showed stronger tail-like structure-inducing activity than
      wild-type JunB. Moreover, the mutant JunB induced expression of tailbud and
      neural marker genes, but not somite and chordoneural hinge (CNH) marker genes in
      ectopic tail-like structures. In ectodermal explants of Xenopus embryos,
      overexpression of JunB increased the expression of tailbud and posterior marker
      genes including fgf3, xbra (t) and wnt8. These results indicate that JunB is
      capable of inducing the ectopic formation of tissues similar to the tailbud, and
      that the tailbud-inducing activity of JunB is likely to be regulated by FGF and
      Wnt pathways. Overall, our results suggest that JunB is a regulator of tail
      organization possibly through integration of several morphogen signaling
      pathways. 

PMID- 27268983
TI  - Generation of Albino Cynops pyrrhogaster by Genomic Editing of the tyrosinase
      Gene.
AB  - Albino animals are useful for in situ hybridization experiments that demonstrate
      gene expression in embryos and organs, for the immunological rejection of skin
      grafts transplanted to host animals, and to identify tissues with regenerative
      ability during limbs and retina regeneration processes. Cynops pyrrhogaster has
      extensive regenerating capacities. To facilitate regenerative research, in the
      present study, we produced albino C. pyrrhogaster using genomic editing. The DNA
      fragment containing part of the tyrosinase gene from C. pyrrhogaster was
      amplified using degenerate primers corresponding to evolutionarily conserved
      nucleotide sequences among several species, and the nucleotide sequence was
      determined. We designed a transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)
      that targets a candidate of the C. pyrrhogaster tyrosinase gene. Fertilized eggs
      were injected with TALEN mRNA, and albinos of C. pyrrhogaster were obtained. The
      results of the present study demonstrated that TALEN can be used effectively for
      genomic editing in C. pyrrhogaster and that the candidates of the tyrosinase gene
      that were cloned by us are essential for melanin synthesis. The albino newts
      created in the present study can be used as versatile experimental material. 

PMID- 27268984
TI  - The Feather Structure of Oriental Honey Buzzards (Pernis ptilorhynchus) and Other
      Hawk Species in Relation to Their Foraging Behavior.
AB  - The basic structure of a bird feather may be adapted to suit a variety of
      functions on different parts of the body and in different species. In Oriental
      honey buzzards (Pernis ptilorhynchus), a species which often preys on the larvae
      of bees and wasps, it is thought that the bird's integument may provide
      protection against the stings of these insects. We investigated the structure of
      Oriental honey buzzard feathers from the face, head, and neck using light and
      scanning electron microscopy. The structure and appearance of the feathers were
      compared with those of two other hawk species which live in similar habitats but
      have different diets: the grey-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus) and the black
      kite (Milvus migrans). All feathers of Oriental honey buzzards that were examined
      were smaller than feathers from the same regions of the body of other species and
      had a reduced number of plumulaceous barbs; barbs were also closer together at
      the feather tip and had a high barbule density. The small 'scale feathers' on the
      face had deep barbules with a curved, armor-like appearance, which may help
      prevent stings from reaching the skin. A unique filamentous substance was
      observed on all the honey buzzard feathers, particularly those from around the
      eye of a male bird. It is possible that this may be related to a chemical defense
      mechanism to deter bees and wasps. 

PMID- 27268985
TI  - Neo-sex Chromosomes in the Maculipennis Species Group (Dichroplus: Acrididae,
      Melanoplinae): The Cases of D. maculipennis and D. vittigerum.
AB  - South American melanopline grasshoppers display a disproportionate number of
      derived karyotypes, including many cases of neo-sex chromosome systems. This is
      especially true of the genus Dichroplus and its Maculipennis species group. We
      analyzed the karyotype and neo-sex chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis of
      Dichroplus maculipennis and D. vittigerum from Argentina using conventional and
      fluorescent cytogenetic protocols in order to elucidate the behavior and origin
      of these neo-XY systems in relation to the current phylogeny of this group. Our
      results showed that D. maculipennis (2n = 22?/22?; neoXY/neoXX) and D.
      vittigerum, whose karyotype is described here for the first time (2n = 18?/18?;
      neoXY/neoXX), show highly evolved neo-XY systems, although with significant
      differences between them. Furthermore, both species differ for two autosomal
      fixed Robertsonian fusions present in D. vittigerum. Analysis of karyotypic
      character state optimization strongly suggests the independent origin and
      evolution of neo-sex systems within this species group. 

PMID- 27268986
TI  - Multiple Neuropeptide-Coding Genes Involved in Planarian Pharynx Extension.
AB  - Planarian feeding behavior involves three steps: moving toward food, extending
      the pharynx from their planarian's ventral side after arriving at the food, and
      ingesting the food through the pharynx. Although pharynx extension is a
      remarkable behavior, it remains unknown what neuronal cell types are involved in
      its regulation. To identify neurons involved in regulating pharynx extension, we
      quantitatively analyzed pharynx extension and sought to identify these neurons by
      RNA interference (RNAi) and in situ hybridization. This assay, when performed
      using planarians with amputation of various body parts, clearly showed that the
      head portion is indispensable for inducing pharynx extension. We thus tested the
      effects of knockdown of brain neurons such as serotonergic, GABAergic, and
      dopaminergic neurons by RNAi, but did not observe any effects on pharynx
      extension behavior. However, animals with RNAi of the Prohormone Convertase 2
      (PC2, a neuropeptide processing enzyme) gene did not perform the pharynx
      extension behavior, suggesting the possible involvement of neuropeptide(s in the
      regulation of pharynx extension. We screened 24 neuropeptide-coding genes,
      analyzed their functions by RNAi using the pharynx extension assay system, and
      identified at least five neuropeptide genes involved in pharynx extension. These
      was expressed in different cells or neurons, and some of them were expressed in
      the brain, suggesting complex regulation of planarian feeding behavior by the
      nervous system. 

PMID- 27268987
TI  - Gonadal Morphology and Gametogenesis in Japanese Red Coral Corallium japonicum
      (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) Collected off Cape Ashizuri, Japan.
AB  - Colonies of the Japanese red coral Corallium japonicum Kishinouye, 1903 collected
      off Cape Ashizuri, Japan were gonochoric and produced gonads in siphonozooids
      annually, mainly during the spring season. Polyp anatomy, gonadal morphology and
      gametogenesis in this species were revealed by light and electron microscopy. A
      siphonozooid had a pharynx with a prominent siphonoglyph and eight mesenteries:
      two sulcal, two asulcal, and four lateral. A rudimentary retractor was found on
      one side of each mesoglea of these mesenteries. The retractor arrangement in the
      siphonozooid was reverse of what was described in the autozooids of octocorals.
      Gonads initiated as small protrusions on the mesenteries, except in the asulcal
      ones, and even at an incipient stage they were covered with a sac-shaped thin
      layer of mesoglea, which was continuous with the mesoglea of mesenteries.
      Gastrodermis enveloped the complete outer surface of the thin layer of mesoglea
      throughout gametogenesis in both oocytes and sperm cysts. Oocytes produced many
      microvilli on their cortical surfaces beneath the thin layer of mesoglea
      concomitantly with the accumulation of lipid globules in the cells, whereas in
      sperm cysts spermatocytes and spermatids increased in number without microvilli
      production, followed by synchronous spermiogenesis involving remarkable changes
      in the shape and position of organelles. Based on the comparison of patterns in
      gonadal development between octocorals including C. japonicum, hexacorals and
      scyphozoans, octocoral and stauromedusa species may be characterized by the fact
      that gametogenesis never occurs in the matrix of mesoglea, but rather exclusively
      within the thin sac of mesoglea surrounded by gastrodermis. 

PMID- 27268989
TI  - Custom, taste and science: Raising chickens in the Pearl River Delta Region,
      South China.
AB  - In this paper, I examine chicken husbandry as practised in an immigrant village
      located in the north-western sector of Hong Kong's New Territories-the southern
      extension of the Pearl River Delta. People in South China use whole chickens as
      offerings in rituals and as banquet food. Demand for fresh, flavourful, whole
      chickens dominates the ways in which chickens are raised and sold in this region.
      Chicken farming is a highly competitive industry. The supply of birds from
      individual farms directly and immediately affects the market price, making
      neighbouring farms potential competitors with one another. On the other hand,
      diseases that kill the birds can easily spread from one farm to another, making
      the farmers inter-dependent in an environmental sense. It is the practice of
      poultry farmers not to visit their neighbours at home on the farm. Co-operation
      in respect to husbandry is minimal. This social structure effectively eliminates
      the spread of infectious diseases, but has contributed to the cellularization of
      households, fostering a loosely organized local community. The outbreak of avian
      flu, however, has created threats to and opportunities for chicken production,
      thus promoting co-operation and division of labour among chicken farmers. 

PMID- 27268988
TI  - Asian flus in ethnographic and political context: A biosocial approach.
AB  - This collection highlights some of the social, cultural, political and economic
      factors that must be considered in developing a biosocial approach to pandemic
      influenza control and prevention. To date, most discussions of the current spread
      of avian influenza and a predicted human influenza pandemic have lacked rigorous
      analysis of the local contexts in which flus arise and in which the effects of a
      pandemic would most strongly be felt. Such local engagement is necessary to the
      development of an effective and ethical programme of epidemic control. The papers
      in this special issue take a step towards filling this gap by exploring the local
      moral worlds associated with avian influenza in China, Indonesia and Thailand. 

PMID- 27268990
TI  - Surviving the crisis: Adaptive wisdom, coping mechanisms and local responses to
      avian influenza threats in Haining, China.
AB  - Based on ethnographic research conducted in the summer of 2006, this paper
      examines local responses to the imminent threat of avian flu in Haining County of
      Zhejiang Province. During our field investigation, we conducted interviews with
      officials from local medical institutions (including the hospitals, the animal
      husbandry and veterinary station, and health clinics), to bureaus of public
      health and agro-economy. We also visited chicken farms, restaurants and farming
      households. We address the following factors that commonly structured the
      perceptions and actions of different social actors in the area of study: The
      changing mode of information-sharing and communication practices in the local
      communities; the official drive to professionalize the emergency response
      management system in the county; and the coping mechanisms that helped the
      villagers and town residents to weather the storm of avian flu. Our field
      research suggests that collective survival consciousness was translated into a
      spirit of voluntarism during the crisis. One important practical lesson we have
      learned from this study is that the adaptive wisdom embedded in local memories
      demonstrated its operational worth as a resourceful knowledge base for ordinary
      farmers to deal with food shortage, famine, plague and future pandemics. 

PMID- 27268991
TI  - Community response to avian flu in Central Java, Indonesia.
AB  - This pilot study suggests that it is more appropriate to think of avian flu as a
      bio-social and bio-political challenge for Indonesia than merely an
      epidemiological challenge involving a disease of zoonotic origin. Our examination
      of popular perceptions of avian flu in Central Java reveals important differences
      of opinion about which types of fowl are responsible for avian flu transmission
      and the degree of risk H5N1 poses to humans. The opinions of backyard farmers and
      commercial poultry farmers are motivated by different forms of practical logic
      and are differentially influenced by media accounts, government education
      programmes, foreign aid and rumours about who stands to profit from the disease.
      Rumours reflect collective anxieties about globalization, the agenda of big
      business and the trustworthiness of the national government. We also illustrate
      how a commodity chain analysis can assist in the identification of different
      stake-holders in the informal and formal poultry industries. The position of each
      stake-holder needs to be considered in any comprehensive investigation of avian
      flu. An economic analysis of the capital investment of stake-holders provides
      insight into how each responds to government directives about the reporting of
      dead chickens, vaccinating birds etc. Finally, we call for research on avian flu
      preparedness attentive to Indonesia's de-centralized form of political rule and
      the social organization of communities so that clear lines of communication and
      command can be established and mutual assistance mobilized. 

PMID- 27268992
TI  - Ethnography of epidemiologic transition: Avian flu, global health politics and
      agro-industrial capitalism in Thailand.
AB  - This paper situates the ethnography of avian flu within the geo-political context
      of a new epidemiologic transition. Drawing on anthropological experience and
      insight, this paper examines areas of enquiry in which an ethnographic approach
      could contribute to a better implementation of prevention and control measures.
      Within the context of newly emerging diseases and accelerated globalization, the
      task of ethnography needs to extend far beyond the local. This paper reveals two
      major global issues that the ethnography of epidemiologic transition must take
      into consideration: (1) Global agro-industrial capitalism, and (2) global
      politics in the context of international health organizations and multi-national
      drug companies. The case of Thailand poses a question of how the strength of
      ethnographic practice could be deployed to account for the reality of the global
      local interface of the new epidemiologic transition. 

PMID- 27268993
TI  - Institutional responses to avian influenza in Thailand: Control of outbreaks in
      poultry and preparedness in the case of human-to-human transmission.
AB  - Thailand faced an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry and in humans in
      early 2004. By the end of the same year, more than 62 million birds had died or
      been culled and 17 human cases, with 12 dead, had been detected. Among the human
      cases, most people were infected via direct contact with ill or deceased poultry,
      or when living in households with abnormal poultry deaths. One family cluster
      with probable human-to-human transmission was identified in September 2004.
      Recognizing the threat of avian and pandemic influenza, the Thai Government
      endorsed a three-year national strategic plan for 2005-7 with a total budget of
      120 million US dollars. In accordance with the national strategic plan, the
      institutional response was implemented to improve the bio-security of poultry
      raising, including active surveillance and rapid control of animal and human
      outbreaks via grassroots participation. The country also started its minimum
      stockpiling for essential drugs and supplies, with a surge capacity to care for
      patients if a pandemic should occur. 

PMID- 27268994
TI  - What to do about antimicrobial resistance.

PMID- 27268995
TI  - Health Care Ergonomics: Contributions of Thomas Waters.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the contributions of Thomas
      Waters's work in the field of health care ergonomics and beyond. BACKGROUND:
      Waters's research of safe patient handling with a focus on reducing
      musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in health care workers contributed to current
      studies and prevention strategies. He worked with several groups to share his
      research and assist in developing safe patient handling guidelines and curriculum
      for nursing students and health care workers. METHODS: The citations of articles
      that were published by Waters in health care ergonomics were evaluated for
      quality and themes of conclusions. Quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods
      Appraisal Tool and centrality to original research rating. Themes were documented
      by the type of population the citing articles were investigating. RESULTS: In
      total, 266 articles that referenced the top seven cited articles were evaluated.
      More than 95% of them were rated either medium or high quality. The important
      themes of these citing articles were as follows: (a) Safe patient handling is
      effective in reducing MSDs in health care workers. (b) Shift work has negative
      impact on nurses. (c) There is no safe way to manually lift a patient. (d) Nurse
      curriculums should contain safe patient handling. CONCLUSION: The research of
      Waters has contributed significantly to the health care ergonomics and beyond.
      His work, in combination with other pioneers in the field, has generated multiple
      initiatives, such as a standard safe patient-handling curriculum and safe patient
      handling programs.

PMID- 27268996
TI  - Leveraging Health Care Simulation Technology for Human Factors Research: Closing
      the Gap Between Lab and Bedside.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We describe health care simulation, designed primarily for training,
      and provide examples of how human factors experts can collaborate with health
      care professionals and simulationists-experts in the design and implementation of
      simulation-to use contemporary simulation to improve health care delivery.
      BACKGROUND: The need-and the opportunity-to apply human factors expertise in
      efforts to achieve improved health outcomes has never been greater. Health care
      is a complex adaptive system, and simulation is an effective and flexible tool
      that can be used by human factors experts to better understand and improve
      individual, team, and system performance within health care. METHOD: Expert
      opinion is presented, based on a panel delivered during the 2014 Human Factors
      and Ergonomics Society Health Care Symposium. RESULTS: Diverse simulators,
      physically or virtually representing humans or human organs, and simulation
      applications in education, research, and systems analysis that may be of use to
      human factors experts are presented. Examples of simulation designed to improve
      individual, team, and system performance are provided, as are applications in
      computational modeling, research, and lifelong learning. CONCLUSION: The adoption
      or adaptation of current and future training and assessment simulation
      technologies and facilities provides opportunities for human factors research and
      engineering, with benefits for health care safety, quality, resilience, and
      efficiency. APPLICATION: Human factors experts, health care providers, and
      simulationists can use contemporary simulation equipment and techniques to study
      and improve health care delivery.

PMID- 27268997
TI  - A conserved dimorphism-regulating histidine kinase controls the dimorphic
      switching in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.
AB  - Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii, thermally dimorphic fungi, are the
      causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Paracoccidioides infection
      occurs when conidia or mycelium fragments are inhaled by the host, which causes
      the Paracoccidioides cells to transition to the yeast form. The development of
      disease requires conidia inside the host alveoli to differentiate into yeast
      cells in a temperature-dependent manner. We describe the presence of a two
      component signal transduction system in P. brasiliensis, which we investigated by
      expression analysis of a hypothetical protein gene (PADG_07579) that showed high
      similarity with the dimorphism-regulating histidine kinase (DRK1) gene of
      Blastomyces dermatitidis and Histoplasma capsulatum This gene was sensitive to
      environmental redox changes, which was demonstrated by a dose-dependent decrease
      in transcript levels after peroxide stimulation and a subtler decrease in
      transcript levels after NO stimulation. Furthermore, the higher PbDRK1 levels
      after treatment with increasing NaCl concentrations suggest that this histidine
      kinase can play a role as osmosensing. In the mycelium-yeast (M->Y) transition,
      PbDRK1 mRNA expression increased 14-fold after 24 h incubation at 37 degrees C,
      consistent with similar observations in other virulent fungi. These results
      demonstrate that the PbDRK1 gene is differentially expressed during the dimorphic
      M->Y transition. Finally, when P. brasiliensis mycelium cells were exposed to a
      histidine kinase inhibitor and incubated at 37 degrees C, there was a delay in
      the dimorphic M->Y transition, suggesting that histidine kinases could be targets
      of interest for PCM therapy.

PMID- 27268998
TI  - Sonography of Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases: Correlation With Computed
      Tomographic Findings and Endoscopy.
AB  - Sonographic evaluation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may be difficult
      because of overlying intraluminal bowel gas and gas-related artifacts. However,
      in the absence of these factors and with the development of high-resolution
      scanners and the technical experience of radiologists, sonography can become a
      powerful tool for GI tract assessment. This pictorial essay focuses on
      sonographic findings of GI tract lesions compared with endoscopic, computed
      tomographic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings. Neoplastic and non
      neoplastic diseases and postoperative complications are illustrated, and the
      distinctive sonographic characteristics of these entities are highlighted. 

PMID- 27268999
TI  - A Survey of Ultrasound Milestone Incorporation Into Emergency Medicine Training
      Programs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: With the introduction of the Emergency Medicine Milestone Project in
      2013, residencies now assess emergency ultrasound (US) skills at regular
      intervals. However, it is unclear how programs are implementing the emergency US
      milestones and assessing competency. With the use of the milestone tool, a survey
      was distributed to emergency US educators to determine when programs are
      providing emergency US education, when residents are expected to attain
      competency, and whether the milestones reflect their expectations of trainees.
      METHODS: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional survey study distributed
      electronically to designated emergency US experts at 169 programs. Participants
      were queried on education and competency evaluation within the context of the
      milestones by designating a postgraduate year when the 5 milestone levels were
      taught and competency was expected. Survey findings were reported as percentages
      of total respondents from descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Responses were
      received from 53% of programs, and 99% were familiar with the milestones. Most
      programs provide level 1 (88%) and 2 (85%) instruction during postgraduate year
      1. Most programs expect level 1 competency before residency (61%) and expect
      mastery of level 2 by the end of postgraduate year 1 (60%). Sixty-two percent
      believe the milestones do not accurately reflect their expectations, citing
      insufficient minimum scan numbers, lack of specificity, and unattainable level 5
      requirements. CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial variability in the frequency and
      methods of competency evaluation using the emergency US milestones. However, most
      responders agree that residents should obtain level 2 competency by postgraduate
      year 1. Variation exists regarding what year and what skills define level 3 or
      greater competency.

PMID- 27269000
TI  - A Simple Rule for Prenatal Diagnosis of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return.
AB  - The objective of this series was to describe a simple rule for prenatal diagnosis
      of total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR). Fourteen fetuses had a
      prenatal diagnosis of TAPVR by the simple rule, including the following
      components: (1) the major criterion, which was the absence of a connection
      between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium; and (2) at least 1 of the
      following minor criteria: (a) the presence of a vascular confluence behind the
      atria, (b) abnormal spectral Doppler waveforms in the pulmonary veins, (c) a
      smooth posterior wall of the left atrium, (d) increased retroatrial space, (e) a
      dilated coronary sinus (cardiac type), (f) a dilated superior vena cava or
      brachiocephalic vein, and (g) an additional vessel on the 3-vessel/3-vessel and
      trachea view or a vertical descending vein. All were accurately diagnosed, and
      none were missed by the diagnosis. In summary, the simple rule described is
      helpful in increasing the number of accurate prenatal diagnoses of TAPVR. 

PMID- 27269001
TI  - Use of Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography and Focused Cardiac Sonography in
      Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Time to Embrace It?
AB  - Focused cardiac sonography and targeted neonatal echocardiography refer to goal
      directed cardiac imaging using ultrasound, typically by noncardiologic
      specialists. Although the former consists of a rapid qualitative assessment of
      cardiac function, which is usually performed by acute care practitioners, the
      latter refers to detailed functional echocardiography to obtain quantitative and
      qualitative indexes of pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in sick neonates and
      is typically performed by neonatologists. Although the use of these modalities is
      increasing, they still remain unavailable in most North American centers
      providing acute care to neonates, partly because of limited data regarding their
      direct impact on patient care. Here we present a series of 5 cases from a large
      perinatal unit in which immediate availability of relevant expertise led to
      important and arguably life-saving clinical interventions. In 4 of these cases,
      focused cardiac sonography was sufficient to make the diagnosis, whereas in 1
      case, clinical integration of detailed systemic hemodynamics measured on target
      neonatal echocardiography was required. 

PMID- 27269002
TI  - A Novel Semiautomated Fractional Limb Volume Tool for Rapid and Reproducible
      Fetal Soft Tissue Assessment.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to document the reproducibility and efficiency of a
      semiautomated image analysis tool that rapidly provides fetal fractional limb
      volume measurements. Fifty pregnant women underwent 3-dimensional sonographic
      examinations for fractional arm and thigh volumes at a mean menstrual age of 31.3
      weeks. Manual and semiautomated fractional limb volume measurements were
      calculated, with the semiautomated measurements calculated by novel software (5D
      Limb Vol; Samsung Medison, Seoul, Korea). The software applies an image
      transformation method based on the major axis length, minor axis length, and limb
      center coordinates. A transformed image is used to perform a global optimization
      technique for determination of an optimal limb soft tissue boundary. Bland-Altman
      analysis defined bias with 95% limits of agreement (LOA) between methods, and
      timing differences between manual versus automated methods were compared by a
      paired t test. Bland-Altman analysis indicated an acceptable bias with 95% LOA
      between the manual and semiautomated methods: mean arm volume +/- SD, 1.7% +/-
      4.6% (95% LOA, -7.3% to 10.7%); and mean thigh volume, 0.0% +/- 3.8% (95% LOA, 
      7.5% to 7.5%). The computer-assisted software completed measurements about 5
      times faster compared to manual tracings. In conclusion, semiautomated fractional
      limb volume measurements are significantly faster to calculate when compared to a
      manual procedure. These results are reproducible and are likely to reduce
      operator dependency. The addition of computer-assisted fractional limb volume to
      standard biometry may improve the precision of estimated fetal weight by adding a
      soft tissue component to the weight estimation process. 

PMID- 27269003
TI  - Repeatability of Junctional Zone Measurements Using 3-Dimensional Transvaginal
      Sonography in Healthy Fertile Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe the junctional zone and determine the intraobserver and
      interobserver repeatability of junctional zone measurements using 3-dimensional
      (3D) transvaginal sonography in healthy fertile women. METHODS: We examined 82
      consecutive women with 3D transvaginal sonography. The maximum and minimum
      junctional zone thickness was measured in all uterine walls. The difference
      between maximum and minimum thickness and average measurements (maximum thickness
      + minimum thickness/2) of the anterior, posterior, fundal, and lateral walls were
      calculated. Among the first 40 consecutive women, intraobserver and interobserver
      repeatability was evaluated according to the Bland-Altman method and expressed as
      a coefficient of repeatability. RESULTS: Using 3D transvaginal sonography, we
      visualized a thin and regular junctional zone in most women. The posterior
      uterine wall had the largest median maximum junctional zone thickness value of
      5.2 (interquartile range, 3.8-6.5) mm. Ten women (12%) had maximum thickness
      values of 8.0 to 12.0 mm. The maximum thickness in each uterine wall had
      intraobserver and interobserver coefficients of repeatability of +/-2.1 to +/-3.4
      and +/-2.6 to +/-3.9 mm, respectively, which were reduced by average
      measurements: +/-1.9 and +/-2.0 mm (anterior and posterior walls) and +/-1.5 mm
      (fundal and lateral walls) for intraobserver and interobserver values.
      Correlations between measurements were poor in the narrow range of junctional
      zone thickness. CONCLUSIONS: The junctional zone has an indistinct outline on 3D
      transvaginal sonography, resulting in measurement errors within a broad range of
      +/-2 to +/-4 mm, which were only reduced to some extent by average measurements.
      The thickness of the junctional zone varied within a narrow range in this healthy
      fertile population, and reliability measurements of junctional zone thickness
      have to be evaluated in women with a wider range of thickness. The observer
      repeatability and reliability of junctional zone measurements need to be further
      evaluated and refined before applying this method in clinical practice.

PMID- 27269004
TI  - Effect of captopril and telmisartan on methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity in
      rats: impact of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.
AB  - Methotrexate (MTX) is a commonly used antineoplastic and anti-rheumatoid drug
      whose efficacy is limited by its hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the possible protective role of captopril (100 mg/kg/day, p.o. for
      seven days), an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and telmisartan (10
      mg/kg/day p.o. for seven days), an angiotensin II receptor blocker with
      peroxisome proliferative receptor gamma (PPARgamma) agonism, in a model of MTX
      (single dose 20 mg/kg i.p. at the fifth day) induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
      Results of the present study revealed MTX-induced hepatotoxicity as demonstrated
      by increased level of liver enzymes and confirmed by histopathology. Pretreatment
      with captopril or telmisartan produced a significant hepatic protection
      manifested as a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum levels of alanine
      transferase (ALT) and aspartate transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
      enzymes; hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and total nitrites and nitrates (NOx)
      levels; as well as a significant increase in hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD)
      activity. In addition, there was a remarkable improvement in the
      histopathological features and a significant reduction in the expression of COX
      2, iNOS and caspase-3 enzymes as compared with the MTX group. We recommend
      considering captopril/Telmisartan, if tolerated and not contraindicated, as
      preferable antihypertensive agents in patients receiving MTX in their
      chemotherapy protocols. 

PMID- 27269005
TI  - Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Sociodemographic, Behavioral, and Clinical
      Characteristics in a Population of Catalan School Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present study were to examine the presence of sluggish
      cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms in children; associations of the symptoms with
      sociodemographic characteristics of the children; and relationships between SCT
      symptoms and symptoms of ADHD, dyslexia, academic performance, and behavioral
      problems. METHOD: We evaluated Catalan schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 years in
      Barcelona, 2012-2013. Parents filled out the SCT-Child Behavior Checklist (SCT
      CBCL), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and a questionnaire
      concerning sociodemographic characteristics. Teachers completed the ADHD criteria
      of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) (ADHD-
      DSM-IV), a list of dyslexia symptoms, and evaluated the children's academic
      performance. SCT symptoms were studied as a continuous and dichotomous variable.
      RESULTS: In all, 11% of the children in our sample scored above the clinical cut
      off on the SCT-CBCL scale. We observed a higher rate of SCT symptoms in boys,
      children whose father was unemployed, those whose maternal educational level was
      lower, children with a high socioeconomic vulnerability index at home, those who
      reported maternal smoking during pregnancy and current second-hand smoke exposure
      at home, and children with an ADHD diagnosis. More SCT symptoms were associated
      with inattention symptoms, symptoms of dyslexia, academic problems, and emotional
      and peer relationship problems. CONCLUSION: We observed a higher prevalence of
      SCT symptoms in our sample than expected in the general population. While girls
      are less prone to SCT symptoms, some socioeconomic indicators, dyslexia, and
      inattention symptoms as well as exposure to smoking at home increase the risk of
      SCT and must be taken into account during assessments.

PMID- 27269006
TI  - Functioning of Young Adults With ADHD in the Military.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the functioning of young adults with ADHD in a military
      setting. METHOD: In all, 14,655 young adults with ADHD (mean age at first
      examination 17.8 +/- 0.7) attending mandatory service in the Israeli military
      were compared with matched controls on several functioning domains. RESULTS:
      Young adults with ADHD had more sessions with mental health care professionals,
      physician appointments, sick days, and disqualifications of professions than
      controls ( p < .001). Young adults with ADHD were also less medically fit for
      combat service (odds ratio [OR] = 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.72,
      0.79]), more medically unfit for military service in general (OR = 1.26, 95% CI =
      [1.13, 1.40]), and had higher rates of overweight and obesity ( p < .001). In
      addition, they were more likely to be diagnosed with a personality disorder (OR =
      1.29, 95% CI = [1.07, 1.53]) or with minor affective and anxiety disorders (OR =
      1.33, 95% CI = [1.06, 1.67]) than matched controls. CONCLUSION: These results
      support a negative effect of ADHD on the functioning of young adults in a
      military setting.

PMID- 27269007
TI  - Rates of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Victimization Among Adults
      With ADHD.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Research has demonstrated an association between ADHD and intimate
      partner violence (IPV). However, it is unclear whether adults with ADHD
      persisting from childhood are especially at risk, and whether ADHD is a unique
      risk factor beyond well-established predictors of IPV. METHOD: Adults with (n =
      95) and without childhood histories of ADHD (n = 121) who were recruited from
      Amazon's Mechanical Turk reported their levels of IPV perpetration and
      victimization, and provided data on additional risk factors of IPV (e.g.,
      childhood maltreatment, alcohol abuse). RESULTS: While controlling for additional
      risk factors, adults diagnosed with ADHD as children, particularly those with
      elevated current ADHD symptoms (ADHD-Persist), reported higher rates of IPV
      perpetration and victimization than adults with ADHD histories but low current
      symptoms (ADHD-Desist) and adults who were never diagnosed with ADHD (control).
      CONCLUSION: Adults with ADHD histories and elevated current symptoms are most
      likely to report IPV perpetration and victimization.

PMID- 27269008
TI  - Behavioral Health.

PMID- 27269009
TI  - Focus On Behavioral Health.
AB  - Long stigmatized, behavioral health conditions are finally becoming a focal point
      not just for policy makers but also in public discussions about the well-being of
      the United States. This is in part because of a rising opioid epidemic; the
      concentration of people with mental illnesses in prisons and jails; and a greater
      appreciation of the toll taken by depression and other mental disorders on
      individuals, families, and the economy. The United States spends more on mental
      health and addiction than on any other medical condition, including heart
      disease, trauma, and cancer. Within this spending, there's been a shift toward
      outpatient and other types of community treatment and away from inpatient care.
      Meanwhile, the Affordable Care Act has made it possible for more people with
      serious mental illnesses to obtain care, but treatment rates for racial and
      ethnic minorities still trail those of whites.

PMID- 27269011
TI  - US Veterans' Use Of VA Mental Health Services And Disability Compensation
      Increased From 2001 To 2010.
AB  - There has been concern about the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs
      (VA) health care system to provide care for veterans returning from war zones in
      the Middle East and Afghanistan. We used two nationally representative surveys of
      US veterans in 2001 and 2010 to examine changes in the veteran population and
      veterans' use of health care services after a decade of war. The population was
      older and more diverse in 2010 than in 2001. In both years, veterans who served
      in the World War II era or earlier were more likely to have been exposed to
      combat-related trauma than veterans of more recent service eras. In 2010 veterans
      who served in the Persian Gulf War era (1990 through the wars in Iraq and
      Afghanistan) were more likely to have used VA mental health services and to have
      received VA disability compensation than veterans of previous service eras.
      Compared to veterans in 2001, those in 2010 were two times more likely to have
      used any VA health services and were more likely to have received VA disability
      compensation. These findings highlight changes in the veteran population over
      time that are important to consider in planning for future VA services.

PMID- 27269010
TI  - Insurance Financing Increased For Mental Health Conditions But Not For Substance
      Use Disorders, 1986-2014.
AB  - This study updates previous estimates of US spending on mental health and
      substance use disorders through 2014. The results reveal that the long-term trend
      of greater insurance financing of mental health care continued in recent years.
      The share of total mental health treatment expenditures financed by private
      insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid increased from 44 percent in 1986 to 68 percent
      in 2014. In contrast, the share of spending for substance use disorder treatment
      financed by private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid was 45 percent in 1986 and
      46 percent in 2014. From 2004 to 2013, a growing percentage of adults received
      mental health treatment (12.6 percent and 14.6 percent, respectively), albeit
      only because of the increased use of psychiatric medications. In the same period,
      only 1.2-1.3 percent of adults received substance use disorder treatment in
      inpatient, outpatient, or residential settings, although the use of medications
      to treat substance use disorders increased rapidly.

PMID- 27269012
TI  - Rapid Growth Of Antipsychotic Prescriptions For Children Who Are Publicly Insured
      Has Ceased, But Concerns Remain.
AB  - The rapid growth of antipsychotic medication use among publicly insured children
      in the early and mid-2000s spurred new state efforts to monitor and improve
      prescription behavior. A starting point for many oversight initiatives was the
      foster care system, where most of the children are insured publicly through
      Medicaid. To understand the context and the effects of these initiatives, we
      analyzed patterns and trends in antipsychotic treatment of Medicaid-insured
      children in foster care and those in Medicaid but not in foster care. We found
      that the trend of rapidly increasing use of antipsychotics appears to have ceased
      since 2008. Children in foster care treated with antipsychotic medications are
      now more likely than other Medicaid-insured children to receive psychosocial
      interventions and metabolic monitoring for the side effects of the medications.
      However, challenges persist in increasing safety monitoring and access to
      psychosocial treatment. Development of specialized managed care plans for
      children in foster care represents a promising policy opportunity. New national
      quality measures for safe and judicious antipsychotic medication use are also now
      available to guide improvement. Oversight policies developed for foster care
      appear to have potential for adaptation to the broader population of Medicaid
      covered children.

PMID- 27269013
TI  - Building The Mental Health Workforce Capacity Needed To Treat Adults With Serious
      Mental Illnesses.
AB  - There are widespread shortages of mental health professionals in the United
      States, especially for the care of adults with serious mental illnesses. Such
      shortages are aggravated by maldistribution of mental health professionals and
      attractive practice opportunities treating adults with less severe conditions.
      The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and legislation extending mental health parity
      coverage are contributing to an increasing demand for mental health services. I
      consider four policy recommendations to reinvigorate the mental health workforce
      to meet the rising mental health care demand by adults with serious mental
      illnesses: expanding loan repayment programs for mental health professionals to
      practice in underserved areas; raising Medicaid reimbursement for treating
      serious mental illness; increasing training opportunities for social workers in
      relevant evidence-based psychosocial services; and disseminating service models
      that integrate mental health specialists as consultants in general medical care.
      Achieving progress in attracting mental health professionals to care for adults
      with serious mental illnesses will require vigorous policy interventions.

PMID- 27269014
TI  - Removing Obstacles To Eliminating Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Behavioral
      Health Care.
AB  - Despite decades of research, racial and ethnic disparities in behavioral health
      care persist. The Affordable Care Act expanded access to behavioral health care,
      but many reform initiatives fail to consider research about racial/ethnic
      minorities. Mistaken assumptions that underlie the expansion of behavioral health
      care run the risk of replicating existing service disparities. Based on a review
      of relevant literature and numerous observational and field studies with minority
      populations, we identified the following three mistaken assumptions: Improvement
      in health care access alone will reduce disparities, current service planning
      addresses minority patients' preferences, and evidence-based interventions are
      readily available for diverse populations. We propose tailoring the provision of
      care to remove obstacles that minority patients face in accessing treatment,
      promoting innovative services that respond to patients' needs and preferences,
      and allowing flexibility in evidence-based practice and the expansion of the
      behavioral health workforce. These proposals should help meet the health care
      needs of a growing racial/ethnic minority population.

PMID- 27269015
TI  - Quality Measures For Mental Health And Substance Use: Gaps, Opportunities, And
      Challenges.
AB  - Following up on its Crossing the Quality Chasm report, in 2006 the Institute of
      Medicine issued a report that included sweeping recommendations to improve the
      quality of behavioral health care in the United States. To date, few of those
      recommendations have been implemented, and there is little evidence that
      behavioral health care quality has improved significantly over the past ten
      years. However, the advent of health care reform, parity of insurance coverage,
      and growing recognition of the impact of behavioral health disorders on
      population health and health care costs have created new demands and
      opportunities for expanded and innovative strategies to assess the quality of
      care for this patient population. We provide an overview of the current state of
      quality measurement in behavioral health, identify key priorities for measure
      development, and describe the most important challenges. We recommend a
      coordinated plan that would boost investment in developing, evaluating, and
      implementing behavioral health quality measures; conduct research to develop the
      evidence necessary to support a more robust set of measures; overcome barriers to
      the improvement and linking of data sources; and expand efforts to build the
      capacity of the clinical workforce, in partnership with consumers, to improve
      quality.

PMID- 27269016
TI  - Federal Parity In The Evolving Mental Health And Addiction Care Landscape.
AB  - The intent of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and
      Addiction Equity Act of 2008 is to eliminate differences between health insurance
      coverage of mental health and substance use disorder benefits and coverage of
      medical or surgical benefits. The Affordable Care Act significantly extended the
      reach of the Wellstone-Domenici law by applying it to new insurance markets. We
      summarize the evolution of legislative and regulatory actions to bring about
      federal insurance parity. We also summarize available evidence on how the
      Wellstone-Domenici law has contributed to addressing insurance discrimination;
      rectifying market inefficiencies due to adverse selection; and altering
      utilization, spending, and health outcomes for people with mental health and
      substance use disorders. In addition, we highlight important gaps in knowledge
      about how parity has been implemented, describe the groups still lacking parity
      level coverage, and make recommendations on steps to improve the likelihood that
      the Wellstone-Domenici law will fulfill the aims of its architects.

PMID- 27269017
TI  - Access To Mental Health Care Increased But Not For Substance Use, While
      Disparities Remain.
AB  - We assessed whether early implementation of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid
      expansion and state health insurance exchanges increased access to mental health
      and substance use treatment among those in need and whether these changes
      differed by racial/ethnic group. We found that mental health treatment rates
      increased significantly but found no evidence of a reduction in the wide
      racial/ethnic disparities in mental health treatment that preceded ACA expansion
      from 2005 to 2013.

PMID- 27269018
TI  - Risk-Adjustment Simulation: Plans May Have Incentives To Distort Mental Health
      And Substance Use Coverage.
AB  - Under the Affordable Care Act, the risk-adjustment program is designed to
      compensate health plans for enrolling people with poorer health status so that
      plans compete on cost and quality rather than the avoidance of high-cost
      individuals. This study examined health plan incentives to limit covered services
      for mental health and substance use disorders under the risk-adjustment system
      used in the health insurance Marketplaces. Through a simulation of the program on
      a population constructed to reflect Marketplace enrollees, we analyzed the cost
      consequences for plans enrolling people with mental health and substance use
      disorders. Our assessment points to systematic underpayment to plans for people
      with these diagnoses. We document how Marketplace risk adjustment does not remove
      incentives for plans to limit coverage for services associated with mental health
      and substance use disorders. Adding mental health and substance use diagnoses
      used in Medicare Part D risk adjustment is one potential policy step toward
      addressing this problem in the Marketplaces.

PMID- 27269019
TI  - Achieving Mental Health Care Parity Might Require Changes In Payments And
      Competition.
AB  - One of the most prominent features of the Affordable Care Act has been the
      promotion of individual health plans chosen by consumers in the Marketplaces.
      These plans are subject to regulation and paid by risk-adjusted capitation, a set
      of policies known as managed competition. Individual health insurance markets,
      however, are vulnerable to what economists describe as efficiency problems
      stemming from adverse selection, and Marketplaces are no exception. Health plans
      have incentives to discriminate against services used by people with certain
      chronic illnesses, including mental health conditions. Parity regulations, which
      dictate coverage for mental health benefits on par with medical and surgical
      benefits, can eliminate discrimination in coverage but redirect discrimination
      toward hard-to-regulate tactics from managed care such as restrictive network
      design and provider payment. This article reviews policy options to contend with
      ongoing selection issues. "Better enforcement" of parity has less chance of
      success than more fundamental but feasible changes in the way plans are paid or
      in the way competition among plans is structured.

PMID- 27269020
TI  - Decline In Public Substance Use Disorder Treatment Centers Most Serious In
      Counties With High Shares Of Black Residents.
AB  - Previous research has associated declines in health care resources such as
      hospitals and trauma centers with communities' racial composition. However,
      little is known about changes in the substance use disorder treatment
      infrastructure in recent years and the implications for black communities. We
      used data for the period 2002-10 from the National Survey of Substance Abuse
      Treatment Services to describe changes in the supply of public and private
      outpatient facilities for substance use disorder treatment, and to determine
      whether these trends had implications for the geographical availability of these
      facilities in counties with high percentages of black residents. During the study
      period the number of publicly owned facilities declined 17.2 percent, whereas the
      number of private for-profit facilities grew 19.1 percent. At baseline, counties
      with very high percentages of black residents (that is, more than one standard
      deviation above the mean) were more likely than counties with less than the mean
      percentage of black residents to be served by public facilities and were thus
      disproportionately affected by the overall decline in public facilities. Future
      research should examine the effect of expanding eligibility for Medicaid on the
      supply of substance use disorder treatment facilities across diverse communities.

PMID- 27269022
TI  - In Fighting An Opioid Epidemic, Medication-Assisted Treatment Is Effective But
      Underused.

PMID- 27269021
TI  - Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Are Associated With Sustained Reductions In
      Opioid Prescribing By Physicians.
AB  - State prescription drug monitoring programs are promising tools to rein in the
      epidemic of prescription opioid overdose. We used data from a national survey to
      assess the effects of these programs on the prescribing of opioid analgesics and
      other pain medications in ambulatory care settings at the point of care in twenty
      four states from 2001 to 2010. We found that the implementation of a prescription
      drug monitoring program was associated with more than a 30 percent reduction in
      the rate of prescribing of Schedule II opioids. This reduction was seen
      immediately following the launch of the program and was maintained in the second
      and third years afterward. Effects on overall opioid prescribing and prescribing
      of non-opioid analgesics were limited. Increased use of these programs and the
      adoption of new policies and practices governing their use may have contributed
      to sustained effectiveness. Future studies are needed to evaluate the policies'
      comparative effectiveness.

PMID- 27269023
TI  - Justice-Involved Adults With Substance Use Disorders: Coverage Increased But
      Rates Of Treatment Did Not In 2014.
AB  - More than one-third of US adults in the criminal justice system have substance
      use disorders, which contribute to health problems and recidivism. Health
      insurance and criminal justice reforms initiated in the last decade offer
      opportunities for increasing treatment access among justice-involved individuals.
      Using national survey data, we examined trends in treatment of substance use
      disorders from 2004 to 2014 among adults who reported past-year criminal justice
      contact and met screening criteria for substance use disorders. We found that the
      uninsurance rate was relatively unchanged in that population from 2004 to 2013.
      In 2014, the first year of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion, the
      uninsurance rate among justice-involved individuals with substance use disorders
      declined from 38 percent to 28 percent. Although overall treatment rates did not
      increase in 2014, individuals receiving treatment were more likely to have their
      care paid for by Medicaid than in the prior decade. Medicaid reimbursement can be
      a critical lever for improving the quality and continuity of substance use
      disorder treatment for justice-involved populations.

PMID- 27269025
TI  - Improving Access To Care And Reducing Involvement In The Criminal Justice System
      For People With Mental Illness.
AB  - People with mental illness make up a disproportionate share of the criminal
      justice-involved population. The passage of critical new reforms affecting health
      care for vulnerable populations under the Affordable Care Act and the Paul
      Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
      presents unique opportunities to transform systems of care and avert criminal
      justice involvement. In addition, state and local jurisdictions have implemented
      a number of strategies to divert people with mental illness from the criminal
      justice system and reduce recidivism. In this article we summarize current
      knowledge about the involvement of people with mental illness in the criminal
      justice system and consider the recent opportunities presented by national and
      local policies that aim to lower the proportion of such people who are
      incarcerated.

PMID- 27269024
TI  - Gun Violence, Mental Illness, And Laws That Prohibit Gun Possession: Evidence
      From Two Florida Counties.
AB  - Gun violence kills about ninety people every day in the United States, a toll
      measured in wasted and ruined lives and with an annual economic price tag
      exceeding $200 billion. Some policy makers suggest that reforming mental health
      care systems and improving point-of-purchase background checks to keep guns from
      mentally disturbed people will address the problem. Epidemiological research
      shows that serious mental illness contributes little to the risk of interpersonal
      violence but is a strong factor in suicide, which accounts for most firearm
      fatalities. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of gun restrictions focused on mental
      illness remains poorly understood. This article examines gun-related suicide and
      violent crime in people with serious mental illnesses, and whether legal
      restrictions on firearm sales to people with a history of mental health
      adjudication are effective in preventing gun violence. Among the study population
      in two large Florida counties, we found that 62 percent of violent gun crime
      arrests and 28 percent of gun suicides involved individuals not legally permitted
      to have a gun at the time. Suggested policy reforms include enacting risk-based
      gun removal laws and prohibiting guns from people involuntarily detained in short
      term psychiatric hospitalizations.

PMID- 27269026
TI  - Suicide Prevention: An Emerging Priority For Health Care.
AB  - Suicide is a significant public health problem. It is the tenth leading cause of
      death in the United States, and the rate has risen in recent years. Many suicide
      deaths are among people recently seen or currently under care in clinical
      settings, but suicide prevention has not been a core priority in health care. In
      recent years, new treatment and management strategies have been developed,
      tested, and implemented in some organizations, but they are not yet widely used.
      This article examines the feasibility of improving suicide prevention in health
      care settings. In particular, we consider Zero Suicide, a model for better
      identification and treatment of patients at risk for suicide. The approach
      incorporates new tools for screening, treatment, and support; it has been
      deployed with promising results in behavioral health programs and primary care
      settings. Broader adoption of improved suicide prevention care may be an
      effective strategy for reducing deaths by suicide.

PMID- 27269027
TI  - The Recovery Movement: Implications For Mental Health Care And Enabling People To
      Participate Fully In Life.
AB  - The recovery movement, which broadly recognizes the ability of people with mental
      illnesses to participate in the mainstream of society, stems from a confluence of
      factors, including longitudinal data showing that many people eventually recover
      from serious mental illness. Perhaps as important to the emergence and growth of
      the recovery movement has been the increasing role that people "in recovery" have
      played in advocating for person-centered care, greater self-determination for
      those with mental illnesses, and an enhanced focus on restoring functioning for
      individuals above and beyond symptom reduction. The Americans with Disabilities
      Act of 1990 redefined serious forms of mental illness as disabilities, which led
      to the development of a range of accommodations to enable people with psychiatric
      disabilities to live in their own homes, work, go to school, and perform other
      normative adult roles such as parent and parishioner even while suffering
      symptoms. The Affordable Care Act provides additional levers for expanding the
      use of peer health navigators and shifting care to a collaborative model in which
      people can play active roles in their own care. While stigma and discrimination
      continue to pose formidable obstacles, the foundations have been laid for mental
      health practice to come closer to resembling health care for other medical
      conditions.

PMID- 27269028
TI  - Individual Placement And Support Services Boost Employment For People With
      Serious Mental Illnesses, But Funding Is Lacking.
AB  - The majority of people with serious mental illnesses want to work. Individual
      placement and support services, an evidence-based supported employment
      intervention, enables about 60 percent of people with serious mental illnesses
      who receive the services to gain competitive employment and improve their lives,
      but the approach does not lead to fewer people on government-funded disability
      rolls. Yet individual placement and support employment services are still
      unavailable to a large majority of people with serious mental illnesses in the
      United States. Disability policies and lack of a simple funding mechanism remain
      the chief barriers. A recent federal emphasis on early-intervention programs may
      increase access to employment services for people with early psychosis, but
      whether these interventions will prevent disability over time is unknown.

PMID- 27269029
TI  - Behavioral Health Information Technology: From Chaos To Clarity.
AB  - The use of health information technology (IT) in general health care has been
      shown to have significant potential to facilitate the delivery of safe, high
      quality, and cost-effective care. However, its application to behavioral health
      care has been slow, limiting the extent to which consumers seeking care for
      mental health or substance use disorders can derive its benefits. The goal of
      this article is to provide an overview of the use of health IT in behavioral
      health and to describe some unique challenges experienced in that domain. We also
      highlight current obstacles to, and recommendations for, the use of health IT in
      improving the quality of behavioral health care. We conclude with recommendations
      for prioritizing the work that we believe will move the US health care system
      toward more effective, efficient, and patient-centric care in behavioral health.

PMID- 27269030
TI  - Global Burden Of Disease Studies: Implications For Mental And Substance Use
      Disorders.
AB  - Global Burden of Disease studies have highlighted mental and substance use
      disorders as the leading cause of disability globally. Using the studies'
      findings for policy and planning requires an understanding of how estimates are
      generated, the required epidemiological data are gathered, disability and
      premature mortality are defined and counted, and comparative risk assessment for
      risk-factor analysis is undertaken. The high burden of mental and substance use
      disorders has increased their priority on the global health agenda, but not
      enough to prompt concerted action by governments and international agencies.
      Using Global Burden of Disease estimates in health policy and planning requires
      combining them with other information such as evidence on the cost-effectiveness
      of interventions designed to reduce the disorders' burden. Concerted action is
      required by mental health advocates and policy makers to assemble this evidence,
      taking into account the health, social, and economic challenges facing each
      country.

PMID- 27269032
TI  - In Two Maine Towns, Schools Address The Mental Health Of Refugee Children.
AB  - School-based programs in Auburn and Lewiston help meet the unique health needs of
      refugees from war-torn Somalia.

PMID- 27269031
TI  - Trends In News Media Coverage Of Mental Illness In The United States: 1995-2014.
AB  - The United States is engaged in ongoing dialogue around mental illness. To assess
      trends in this national discourse, we studied the volume and content of a random
      sample of 400 news stories about mental illness from the period 1995-2014.
      Compared to news stories in the first decade of the study period, those in the
      second decade were more likely to mention mass shootings by people with mental
      illnesses. The most frequently mentioned topic across the study period was
      violence (55 percent overall) divided into categories of interpersonal violence
      or self-directed (suicide) violence, followed by stories about any type of
      treatment for mental illness (47 percent). Fewer news stories, only 14 percent,
      described successful treatment for or recovery from mental illness. The news
      media's continued emphasis on interpersonal violence is highly disproportionate
      to actual rates of violence among those with mental illnesses. Research suggests
      that this focus may exacerbate social stigma and decrease support for public
      policies that benefit people with mental illnesses.

PMID- 27269033
TI  - Foundation Funding For Behavioral Health Care.

PMID- 27269035
TI  - Working Together To Help People In China Breathe Better.

PMID- 27269041
TI  - Internal Consistency and Power When Comparing Total Scores from Two Groups.
AB  - Researchers now know that when theoretical reliability increases, power can
      increase, decrease, or stay the same. However, no analytic research has examined
      the relationship of power to the most commonly used type of reliability-internal
      consistency-and the most commonly used measures of internal consistency,
      coefficient alpha and ICC(A,k). We examine the relationship between the power of
      independent samples t tests and internal consistency. We explicate the
      mathematical model upon which researchers usually calculate internal consistency,
      one in which total scores are calculated as the sum of observed scores on K
      measures. Using this model, we derive a new formula for effect size to show that
      power and internal consistency are influenced by many of the same parameters but
      not always in the same direction. Changing an experiment in one way (e.g.,
      lengthening the measure) is likely to influence multiple parameters
      simultaneously; thus, there are no simple relationships between such changes and
      internal consistency or power. If researchers revise measures to increase
      internal consistency, this might not increase power. To increase power,
      researchers should increase sample size, select measures that assess areas where
      group differences are largest, and use more powerful statistical procedures
      (e.g., ANCOVA). 

PMID- 27269042
TI  - Interprofessional Education and Practice Guide No. 6: Developing practice-based
      interprofessional learning using a short placement model.
AB  - Offering undergraduate and post-qualified learners opportunities to take part in,
      and reflect on, the nature of interprofessional working when in practice remains
      an important goal for interprofessional educators. There are a plethora of
      opportunities within hospital and community care for learners to actively
      participate in health and social care delivery where collaborative practice
      prevails. However, it remains challenging to know how to establish and sustain
      meaningful interprofessional practice-based learning. This is because profession
      specific teaching is prioritised and many teams are under-resourced, leaving
      little time for additional teaching activities. In some instances, practitioners
      lack the knowledge concerning how to design meaningful interprofessional learning
      and often feel unprepared for this teaching because of limited interprofessional
      faculty development. Others are simply unaware of the presence of the different
      students within their practice area. This guide offers key lessons developed over
      many years for setting up practice-based interprofessional education. The
      learning model has been adapted and adopted in different settings and countries
      and offers a method for engaging clinical front-line practitioners in learning
      with, and from learners who can help support and in some instances advance care
      delivery. 

PMID- 27269043
TI  - A phase IIb randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ubrogepant for
      the acute treatment of migraine.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of
      ubrogepant (MK-1602), a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist (CGRP
      RA), for the acute treatment of migraine. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo
      controlled study randomized 834 participants to treat one migraine attack with
      ubrogepant 1 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, or placebo in a 1:1 ratio. The co
      primary endpoints were pain freedom and headache response at two hours. The first
      primary hypothesis tested the dose-response trend for two-hour pain freedom using
      a logistic regression model. Subsequent hypotheses tested the effects of each
      dose on the co-primary endpoints, using a closed sequential testing procedure to
      control for multiplicity. RESULTS: A total of 527 participants received
      ubrogepant and 113 received placebo. A positive response trend in the proportion
      of participants achieving two-hour pain freedom was demonstrated (p < 0.001).
      Ubrogepant 100 mg was significantly superior to placebo for two-hour pain freedom
      (25.5% vs 8.9%) but not for two-hour headache response. Per the prespecified
      multiplicity strategy, this nonsignificant result precluded further formal
      hypothesis testing, although the 50 mg and 25 mg doses demonstrated nominal
      significance over placebo for two-hour pain freedom (unadjusted p < 0.05).
      Overall, adverse events were similar between ubrogepant and placebo. CONCLUSION:
      This trial supports ubrogepant's efficacy and provides further evidence that CGRP
      RAs are viable options for the acute treatment of migraine.

PMID- 27269044
TI  - COMT haplotypes, catecholamine metabolites in plasma and clinical response in
      schizophrenic and bipolar patients.
AB  - AIM: We examined the association of COMT haplotypes and plasma metabolites of
      catecholamines in relation to the clinical response to antipsychotics in
      schizophrenic and bipolar patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: We studied 165 patients
      before and after four weeks of treatment, and 163 healthy controls. We assessed
      four COMT haplotypes and the plasma concentrations of HVA, DOPAC and MHPG.
      RESULTS: Bipolar patients: haplotypes are associated with age at onset and
      clinical evolution. In schizophrenic patients, an haplotype previously associated
      with increased risk, is related to better response of negative symptoms.
      CONCLUSION: Haplotypes would be good indicators of the clinical status and the
      treatment response in bipolar and schizophrenic patients. Larger studies are
      required to elucidate the clinical usefulness of these findings.

PMID- 27269045
TI  - Corrigendum to "Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA)
      2013: Unveiling the pathogenic, clinical and diagnostic aspects" [J. Autoimmun.
      47C (2013) 1-16].

PMID- 27269046
TI  - Are good intentions putting the vaccination ecosystem at risk?
AB  - Vaccination is made possible by an interconnected and interdependent ecosystem of
      vaccine producers, vaccination policy makers and implementers, and vaccine
      procurers and funders. The future of vaccination depends on the continued health
      of this ecosystem and its ability to produce, purchase, deliver, and innovate.
      However, the number of vaccine producers that also do significant research and
      development has decreased over the last several years. Many of these R&D-based
      producers have been forced to cease production of critical vaccines, despite
      global shortages, so that in several cases only one or two producers remain. We
      discuss the reasons for these changes and what might be done to maintain a
      healthy vaccination ecosystem.

PMID- 27269047
TI  - Association of Combined Complement Factor H Y402H and ARMS/LOC387715 A69S
      Polymorphisms with Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Complement factor H (CFH) Y402H (rs1061170) and age-related maculopathy
      susceptibility2 (ARMS2)/LOC387715 A69S (rs10490924) polymorphisms shown to have
      significant association with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this meta
      analysis, we pooled the results of the available association studies between
      combined ARMS2/LOC387715A69S-CFHY402H genotypes and AMD to estimate the possible
      synergistic or multiplicative effects. METHODS: Heterogeneity of studies was
      evaluated using the Cochran Q-test and the I-square index. To modify the
      heterogeneity in the variables, we used random effects model. Meta-analysis was
      performed using STATA. To estimate the additive or supra-additive effects, we
      calculated relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable
      proportion due to interaction (AP), synergy index (S), and multiplicative index
      (V). RESULTS: We included eight studies with 2915 AMD patients and 3505 control
      subjects. Considering the GGTT genotypes as reference lines, the pooled AMD Odds
      Ratios for stratified combined genotypes were 2.32 (95% CI 1.64-3.28) for GGnon
      TT, 2.49 (95% CI 1.72-3.60) for non-GGTT, and 7.82 (95% CI 5.09-12.00) for non
      GGnon-TT. Pooled synergy analysis revealed RERI = 4.08 (95% CI 3.15-5.27), AP =
      0.50 (95% CI 0.42-0.57), S = 2.31 (95% CI 1.9-2.82), and V = 1.21 (95% CI 0.93
      1.49). CONCLUSION: This analysis revealed the synergistic and positive
      multiplicative effect of these two genes indicating that there is a common
      pathway of ARMS2/LOC387715 and CFH in AMD pathogenesis which may be the
      complement system pathway.

PMID- 27269048
TI  - Topological semimetals predicted from first-principles calculations.
AB  - We have given a summary on our theoretical predictions of three kinds of
      topological semimetals (TSMs), namely, Dirac semimetal (DSM), Weyl semimetal
      (WSM) and node-line semimetal (NLSM). TSMs are new states of quantum matter,
      which are different from topological insulators. They are characterized by the
      topological stability of the Fermi surface, whether it encloses band crossing
      points, i.e. Dirac cone-like energy nodes, or not. They are distinguished from
      each other by the degeneracy and momentum space distribution of the nodal points.
      To realize these intriguing topological quantum states is quite challenging and
      crucial to both fundamental science and future application. Na3Bi and Cd3As2 were
      theoretically predicted to be DSM in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Their
      experimental verification in 2014 have ignited intensive studies on TSMs. The
      subsequent theoretical prediction of a nonmagnetic WSM in the TaAs family
      stimulated a second wave and many experimental works were released out in 2015.
      In 2014, a kind of three dimensional crystal of carbon was proposed to be an NLSM
      due to negligible spin-orbit coupling and coexistence of time-reversal and
      inversion symmetry. Though the final experimental confirmation of NLSM is still
      missing, there have been several theoretical proposals, including Cu3PdN from us.
      In the final part, we have summarized the whole family of TSMs and their
      relationships.

PMID- 27269049
TI  - Erratum to "Interleukin-10 deficiency aggravates angiotensin II-induced cardiac
      remodeling in mice"[Life Sci. 146 (2016) 214-221].

PMID- 27269050
TI  - Agomelatine affects rat suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons via melatonin and
      serotonin receptors.
AB  - AIMS: The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which functions as a
      circadian pacemaker in mammals, is influenced by melatonin and serotonin.
      Agomelatine, which acts as an antidepressant and can synchronize disturbed
      circadian rhythms, displays a unique mechanism of action involving both
      melatonergic agonist and 5-HT2C antagonist properties. This study investigated
      the dose-dependent effects of agomelatine, melatonin and a selective 5-HT2C
      receptor antagonist, S32006, on SCN neurons in an in vitro slice preparation.
      MAIN METHODS: Brain slices containing the SCN were prepared from male Wistar rats
      and maintained in a recording chamber. Changes in firing rates of SCN neurons
      were recorded after perfusion of drugs. KEY FINDINGS: SCN firing rates were dose
      dependently suppressed by 19.2-80.9% following perfusion of 0.04-0.32mM
      agomelatine (p<0.001, IC50=0.14mM). Perfusion with melatonin (0.4-3.2mM) resulted
      in 16.6-62.5% dose-dependent reductions in firing rates (at least p<0.01,
      IC50=1.59mM) and of the duration of suppression. A selective melatonin receptor
      antagonist (S22153 at 0.32mM) and a 5-HT2c receptor agonist (Ro60-0175) reduced
      the suppressive effects of 0.16mM agomelatine by 35% and 50.2%, respectively. A 5
      HT2C receptor antagonist (S32006; 0.03-0.12mM) significantly decreased SCN firing
      rates (19.6-91.8%; at least p<0.05, IC50=0.05mM). Co-perfusion of S32006 (0.06mM)
      with a 5-HT2C agonist (Ro60-0175; 0.003mM) reduced suppressions evoked by S32006
      alone by ~72.1%. SIGNIFICANCE: These results are consistent with the hypothesis
      that agomelatine acts directly on the SCN via both agonist effects at
      melatonergic receptors and antagonist effects at 5-HT2C receptors, which parallel
      its mechanisms of action as an antidepressant.

PMID- 27269051
TI  - Murine Fam65b forms ring-like structures at the base of stereocilia critical for
      mechanosensory hair cell function.
AB  - Cochlear hair cells convert sound-induced vibration into electrical signals.
      FAM65B mutations cause hearing loss by an unknown mechanism. Using biochemistry
      and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), we show here that
      Fam65b oligomers form a circumferential ring near the basal taper of the
      mechanically sensitive stereocilia of murine hair cells. Taperin, a second
      protein near the taper, forms a dense-core-like structure that is disrupted in
      the absence of Fam65b. Stereocilia of Fam65b-deficient murine hair cells start to
      develop, but mechanotransduction is affected and stereocilia deteriorate. Yeast
      two-hybrid screens identify RhoC as a Fam65b binding partner. RhoC co-localizes
      with Fam65b in stereocilia and regulates Fam65b oligomerization. Binding to RhoC
      and oligomerization are critical for Fam65b function. Our findings thus reveal a
      highly organized compartment near the base of stereocilia that is critical for
      hair cell function and affected in disease.

PMID- 27269052
TI  - Survey of undeclared egg allergen levels in the most frequently recalled food
      types (including products bearing precautionary labelling).
AB  - Since the number of recalls involving undeclared allergens is commonly associated
      with bakery and snack foods, we aimed to determine the frequency of egg allergens
      in a large number of these products using two commercial enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Samples were chosen that either had no egg
      identified on the product label or which had an egg precautionary statement.
      Among all samples, egg protein was detected in 5% of products using a Morinaga
      (MO) kit and 1% of products using a R-Biopharm (RB) kit. For bakery samples, egg
      protein was detected in 6% of 363 samples with no precautionary labelling (6% by
      MO and 1% by RB kit) and 12% of 80 samples which had precautionary labelling. For
      snack samples, egg protein was detected in 2% of 371 samples with no
      precautionary labelling (2% by MO and < 1% by RB kit) and 5% of 21 samples which
      had precautionary labelling. The disagreement rates between two methods were 5.2%
      for bakery products and 2.6% for snack products. The sample repeatability was at
      an acceptable level for bakery (< 12.5%) and snack foods (< 7.5%) for each
      method. The relative standard deviation between test kits was high (103.1%) for
      bakery foods. Four bakery products without precautionary labelling had a higher
      level of egg protein per serving compared with the eliciting dose (ED10 of 3.7 mg
      protein) for egg allergic patients. These results highlight the fact that
      detection methodology plays a vital role for accurate labelling control and
      mitigation of risk for egg allergic consumers. 

PMID- 27269053
TI  - Electro-hyperthermia up-regulates tumour suppressor Septin 4 to induce apoptotic
      cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) has been shown to be effective
      against various types of human tumours, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
      Here we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the cytotoxic
      effects of mEHT to HCC cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human liver cancer cell
      lines, Huh7 and HepG2, were treated with mEHT (42  degrees C/60 min) three times
      at 2-day intervals. Growth inhibition and apoptotic induction were evaluated
      using MTS, microscopic analysis, a clonogenic assay, annexin V/PI staining and a
      ccK18 ELISA. Global changes in gene expression were examined using RNA sequencing
      to obtain insights into molecular changes in response to mEHT. For in vivo
      evaluation of mEHT we used HepG2 HCC xenografts grown in nude mice. RESULTS: mEHT
      suppressed HCC cell proliferation and long-term colony formation through
      induction of apoptosis. The growth inhibitory effects are induced through a
      subset of molecular changes. Notably the expression level of septin 4 (SEPT4)
      (involved in pro-apoptotic activity and growth suppression) was up-regulated,
      whereas a key regulator of invasiveness G-Protein coupled receptor 64 (GPR64) was
      repressed. Subsequent Western blotting confirmed that the common increase in
      tumour suppressor SEPT4 in both Huh7 and HepG2 cells is accompanied by the
      restoration of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 and decrease in pro
      caspase 7 and pro-caspase 3, thereby accelerating apoptotic signalling in HCC
      cells. Additionally, mEHT significantly inhibited the growth of human HCC
      xenografts in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that apoptotic cell
      death induced by mEHT is mediated by the up-regulation of tumour suppressor SEPT4
      in human HCC cells.

PMID- 27269054
TI  - Effect of booster doses of poliovirus vaccine in previously vaccinated children,
      Clinical Trial Results 2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Considering the current polio situation Pakistan needs vaccine
      combinations to reach maximum population level immunity. The trial assessed
      whether inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) can be used to rapidly boost
      immunity among children in Pakistan. METHODS: A five-arm randomized clinical
      trial was conducted among children (6-24months, 5-6years and 10-11years).
      Children were randomized in four intervention arms as per the vaccines they
      received (bOPV, IPV, bOPV+vitamin A, and bOPV+IPV) and a control arm which did
      not receive any vaccine. Baseline seroprevalence of poliovirus antibodies and
      serological immune response 28days after intervention were assessed. RESULTS: The
      baseline seroprevalence was high for all serotypes and the three age groups [PV1:
      97%, 100%, 96%, PV2: 86%, 100%, 99%, PV3: 83%, 95%, 87% for the three age groups
      respectively]. There was significantly higher rate of immune response observed in
      the study arms which included IPV (95-99%) compared with bOPV only arms (11-43%),
      [p<0.001]; Vitamin A was not associated with improved immune response. Immune
      response rates in the IPV only arm and IPV+bOPV arm were similar [p>0.5].
      CONCLUSION: IPV has shown the ability to efficiently close existing immunity gaps
      in a vulnerable population of children in rural Pakistan.

PMID- 27269055
TI  - Influential factors inducing suboptimal humoral response to vector-based
      influenza immunisation in Thoroughbred foals.
AB  - CONTEXT: Numerous equine influenza (EI) epizooties are reported worldwide. EI
      vaccination is the most efficient methods of prevention. However, not all horses
      develop protective immunity after immunisation, increasing the risk of infection
      and transmission. OBJECTIVES: This field study aimed to understand the poor
      response to primary EI vaccination. STUDY DESIGN: The EI antibody response was
      measured in 174 Thoroughbred foals set in 3 stud farms (SF#1 to SF#3) over a
      2years period. All foals were immunised with a commercial recombinant canarypox
      based EI vaccine. Sera were tested by single radial haemolysis against the
      A/equine/Jouars/4/06 EIV strain (H3N8) at the time of the first vaccination (V1),
      2weeks and 3months after the second immunisation (V2), 2days and 3months after
      the third immunisation (V3). RESULTS: The frequency of poor-responders (no
      detectable antibody titres) was surprisingly elevated after V2 (56.8%), increased
      to 81.7% at V2+3months and reached 98.6% at V3. The frequency of poor-responder
      was still 19.2%, 3months after V3. Two independent influential factors were
      identified. The short (V2+2weeks) and mid-term (V2+3months, V3+3months) antibody
      levels were positively correlated to the age at V1 (p-value=0.003, 0.031 and
      0.0038, respectively). Presence of maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) at V1 was
      negatively correlated with antibody levels after V3 only (p-value=0.0056). Given
      that SF#1 antibody response was below clinical protective levels at all-time
      points studied, the annual boost immunisation (V4) was brought forward by 7.0+/
      1.1months. V1 was delayed by 7weeks the following year, which significantly
      increased short- and mid-term antibody titres (p-value=9.9e-07 and 2.31e-07,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: The age and MDA at first immunisation with the
      canarypox-based IE vaccine play an independent role in the establishment of
      antibody levels. This study also highlights the benefit provided by serological
      surveillance to evaluate herd immunity and to implement corrective
      management/vaccination measures.

PMID- 27269056
TI  - Assessment of safety and reproductive performance after vaccination with a
      modified live-virus PRRS genotype 1 vaccine in pregnant sows at various stages of
      gestation.
AB  - The objective of the present study was to assess safety and efficacy of a new
      modified live-virus porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) genotype
      1 vaccine in pregnant sows at various stages of gestation under field conditions.
      A total of 505 sows and gilts were allocated to two treatment groups and
      maintained in separate facilities. Animals of group 1 were vaccinated with a
      commercial modified live genotype 1 PRRSV vaccine (control product, CP), while
      animals of group 2 were immunized with a new modified live genotype 1 PRRSV
      vaccine (investigational veterinary product, IVP) (ReproCyc(r) PRRS EU,
      Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH). Injection site reactions were noted to be
      significantly less frequent in the IVP group compared to the CP group for pain
      (p=0.039), redness (p=0.030), heat (p=0.016) and swelling (p=0.002). The mean
      total number of piglets alive at weaning did not differ significantly between
      both study groups (10.6 vs. 11.0, p=0.375). However, pre-weaning mortality was
      significantly higher (p=0.005) in piglets from the CP group (14.1% vs. 10.9%).
      Analyses of reproductive performance data for both groups did not result in
      statistically significant differences between CP group and IVP group for number
      of piglets alive (12.7 and 12.6, respectively), healthy live (11.9 and 11.8),
      weak (0.7 and 0.5), stillborn (1.0 and 0.8) and mummified piglets (0.3 and 0.2)
      per litter. No differences were detected between both groups for piglet birth
      weights, while body weights at weaning (7.2kg vs. 6.6kg, p=0.026) and average
      daily gain (0.2445kg vs. 0.2211kg, p=0.037) were significantly higher in piglets
      from the IVP group. In conclusion, the administration of a single dose of
      ReproCyc(r) PRRS EU to sows and gilts at various stages of gestation confirmed
      non-inferiority to a commercial PRRS vaccine regarding safety and efficacy
      parameters under field conditions.

PMID- 27269057
TI  - Improving the immunogenicity of a trivalent Neisseria meningitidis native outer
      membrane vesicle vaccine by genetic modification.
AB  - Trivalent native outer membrane vesicles (nOMVs) derived from three genetically
      modified Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B strains have been previously
      evaluated immunologically in mice and rabbits. This nOMV vaccine elicited serum
      bactericidal activity (SBA) against multiple N. meningitidis serogroup B strains
      as well as strains from serogroups C, Y, W, and X. In this study, we used
      trivalent nOMVs isolated from the same vaccine strains and evaluated their
      immunogenicity in an infant Rhesus macaque (IRM) model whose immune responses to
      the vaccine are likely to be more predictive of the responses in human infants.
      IRMs were immunized with trivalent nOMV vaccines and sera were evaluated for
      exogenous human serum complement-dependent SBA (hSBA). Antibody responses to
      selected hSBA generating antigens contained within the trivalent nOMVs were also
      measured and we found that antibody titers against factor H binding protein
      variant 2 (fHbpv2) were very low in the sera from animals immunized with these
      original nOMV vaccines. To increase the fHbp content in the nOMVs, the vaccine
      strains were further genetically altered by addition of another fHbp gene copy
      into the porB locus. Trivalent nOMVs from the three new vaccine strains had
      higher fHbp antigen levels and generated higher anti-fHbp antibody responses in
      immunized mice and IRMs. As expected, fHbp insertion into the porB locus resulted
      in no PorB expression. Interestingly, higher expression of PorA, an hSBA
      generating antigen, was observed for all three modified vaccine strains. Compared
      to the trivalent nOMVs from the original strains, higher PorA levels in the
      improved nOMVs resulted in higher anti-PorA antibody responses in mice and IRMs.
      In addition, hSBA titers against other strains with PorA as the only hSBA antigen
      in common with the vaccine strains also increased.

PMID- 27269058
TI  - Evaluation of different heterologous prime-boost immunization strategies against
      Babesia bovis using viral vectored and protein-adjuvant vaccines based on a
      chimeric multi-antigen.
AB  - Protection against the intraerythrocytic bovine parasite Babesia bovis requires
      both humoral and cellular immune responses. Therefore, tailored combinations of
      immunogens targeted at both arms of the immune system are strategies of choice to
      pursue sterilizing immunity. In this study, different heterologous prime-boost
      vaccination schemes were evaluated in mice to compare the immunogenicity induced
      by a recombinant adenovirus, a modified vaccinia Ankara vector or a subunit
      vaccine all expressing a chimeric multi-antigen. This multi-antigen includes the
      immunodominant B and T cell epitopes of three B. bovis proteins: Merozoite
      Surface Antigen - 2c (MSA-2c), Rhoptry Associated Protein - 1 (RAP-1) and Heat
      Shock Protein 20 (HSP20). Both priming with the adenovirus or recombinant multi
      antigen and boosting with the modified vaccinia Ankara vector achieved a high
      degree of activation of TNFalpha and IFNgamma-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+)
      specific T cells 60days after the first immunization. High titers of specific IgG
      antibodies were also detected at the same time point and lasted up to day 120 of
      the first immunization. Only the adenovirus - MVA combination triggered a marked
      isotype skew for the IgG2a antibody subclass meanwhile for the other immune
      traits analyzed here, both vaccination schemes showed similar performances. The
      immunological characterization in the murine model of these rationally designed
      immunogens led us to propose that adenoviruses as well as the bacterially
      expressed multi-antigen are highly reliable primer candidates to be considered in
      future experiments in cattle to test protection against bovine babesiosis.

PMID- 27269059
TI  - The impact of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccination program on the nasopharyngeal
      carriage, serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus
      pneumoniae among healthy children in Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 7-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) was introduced by
      the Turkey National Immunization Program in 2008 and replaced by the PCV13 in
      2011. We assessed the impact of PCV vaccination on the nasopharyngeal (NP)
      carriage, serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus
      pneumoniae (SP) among healthy Turkish children. METHODS: A prospective
      surveillance study was performed between September 2011 and September 2013 in
      Istanbul, Turkey. NP swabs, demographic data, and vaccination statuses were
      obtained from 2165 healthy children aged 0-18years. Pneumococcal carriage was
      defined by a positive culture; serotyping was performed via multiplex
      conventional PCR, and the antibiotic susceptibilities of the isolates were
      determined based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the
      Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). RESULTS: The prevalence of
      pneumococcal carriage was 6.4%. The carriage rates were 8%, 7%, and 5% in the
      following age groups: 0-24months, 25-60months, and >60months, respectively. The
      carriage rate was significantly higher in the 0-24month age group than in the
      >60months age group (p=0.03). Sixty percent of the children were not vaccinated
      with any PCV; 4%, 2%, and 4% received at least 1, 2 or 3 doses and 30% children
      received the full schedule (4 doses) of either PCV7 or PCV13. Among the isolated
      S. pneumoniae strains, 45% were of the non-vaccine type (NVT) and 55% were of the
      vaccine type (VT). The children who received at least a single PCV dose had
      significantly lower odds of colonization via VT serotypes than the non-vaccinated
      children [odds ratio: 0.61 (95% confidence interval=0.41-0.91), p=0.01]. The
      percentages of the serotypes covered by PCV7 and PCV13 were 51% and 56%,
      respectively. The most frequently isolated serotypes were 6A/B/C (n=22, 16.5%),
      19F (n=18, 13.5%), 23F (n=15, 11.2%), serotype 9V/A (n=10, 7.5%), 12F (n=5,
      4.5%), 15A/F (n=7, 4.5%) and 22 A/F (n=6, 4.5%). Using the meningitis criteria
      and the MIC, 62% of the isolates were resistant to penicillin and 13% were non
      sensitive to ceftriaxone. Erythromycin and clindamycin resistance were 43% and
      31%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We shown that following nation-wide PCV
      vaccination, S. pneumoniae NP carriage was decreased.

PMID- 27269060
TI  - The effect of mass vaccination campaigns against polio on the utilization of
      routine immunization services: A regression discontinuity design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In most low and middle-income countries (LMIC), vaccines are
      primarily distributed by routine immunization services (RI) at health facilities.
      Additional opportunities for vaccination are also provided through mass
      vaccination campaigns, conducted periodically as part of disease-specific
      initiatives. It is unclear whether these campaigns are detrimental to RI
      services, or wether they may stimulate the utilization of RI. METHODS: Unobserved
      confounders and reverse causality have limited existing evaluations of the
      effects of mass vaccination campaigns on RI services. We explored the use of a
      regression discontinuity design (RDD) to measure these effects more precisely.
      This is a quasi-experimental method, which exploits random variations in birth
      dates to identify the causal effects of vaccination campaigns. We applied RDD to
      survey data on a nationwide vaccination campaign against Polio conducted in
      Bangladesh. RESULTS: We compared systematically the children born immediately
      before vs. after the vaccination campaign. These two groups had similar
      background characteristics, but differed by their exposure to the vaccination
      campaign. Contrary to previous studies, exposure to the campaign had positive
      effects on RI utilization. Children exposed to the campaign received between
      0.296 and 0.469 additional doses of DPT vaccine by age 4months than unexposed
      children. CONCLUSIONS: RDD constitutes a promising tool to assess the effects of
      mass vaccination campaigns on RI services. It could be tested in additional
      settings, using larger and more precise datasets. It could also be extended to
      measure the effects of other disease-specific interventions on the functioning of
      health systems, in particular those that occur at a discrete point in time and/or
      include age-related eligibility criteria.

PMID- 27269061
TI  - Self-adjuvanted mRNA vaccines induce local innate immune responses that lead to a
      potent and boostable adaptive immunity.
AB  - mRNA represents a new platform for the development of therapeutic and
      prophylactic vaccines with high flexibility with respect to production and
      application. We have previously shown that our two component self-adjuvanted mRNA
      based vaccines (termed RNActive(r) vaccines) induce balanced immune responses
      comprising both humoral and cellular effector as well as memory responses. Here,
      we evaluated the early events upon intradermal application to gain more detailed
      insights into the underlying mode of action of our mRNA-based vaccine. We showed
      that the vaccine is taken up in the skin by both non-leukocytic and leukocytic
      cells, the latter being mostly represented by antigen presenting cells (APCs).
      mRNA was then transported to the draining lymph nodes (dLNs) by migratory
      dendritic cells. Moreover, the encoded protein was expressed and efficiently
      presented by APCs within the dLNs as shown by T cell proliferation and immune
      cell activation, followed by the induction of the adaptive immunity. Importantly,
      the immunostimulation was limited to the injection site and lymphoid organs as no
      proinflammatory cytokines were detected in the sera of the immunized mice
      indicating a favorable safety profile of the mRNA-based vaccines. Notably, a
      substantial boostability of the immune responses was observed, indicating that
      mRNA can be used effectively in repetitive immunization schedules. The evaluation
      of the immunostimulation following prime and boost vaccination revealed no signs
      of exhaustion as demonstrated by comparable levels of cytokine production at the
      injection site and immune cell activation within dLNs. In summary, our data
      provide mechanistic insight into the mode of action and a rational for the use of
      mRNA-based vaccines as a promising immunization platform.

PMID- 27269062
TI  - Fred Chang: The shape of things to come.

PMID- 27269063
TI  - Tapping out a mechanical code for T cell triggering.
AB  - Mechanical forces play increasingly recognized roles in T cell receptor (TCR)
      signal transduction. Hu and Butte (2016. J. Cell Biol.
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201511053) demonstrate that actin is required for T
      cells to generate forces at the TCR and that exogenous application of force can
      emulate these cytoskeletal forces and trigger T cell activation.

PMID- 27269064
TI  - How inhibitory cues can both constrain and promote cell migration.
AB  - Collective cell migration is a common feature in both embryogenesis and
      metastasis. By coupling studies of neural crest migration in vivo and in vitro
      with mathematical modeling, Szabo et al. (2016, J. Cell Biol.,
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201602083) demonstrate that the proteoglycan
      versican forms a physical boundary that constrains neural crest cells to discrete
      streams, in turn facilitating their migration.

PMID- 27269066
TI  - CFD modeling of the underwash effect of military helmets as a possible mechanism
      for blast-induced traumatic brain injury.
AB  - Underwash occurs as the incoming shockwaves enter the helmet subspace and develop
      a high pressure region at the opposite side of the head. The mechanism leading to
      the underwash is yet not well understood. To investigate this effect, the
      turbulent, supersonic flow of compressible air approaching the head-helmet
      assembly from different directions was studied through computational fluid
      dynamics simulations. The effects of different incident overpressures and helmet
      gap size on the underwash incidence were further evaluated. The backflow-induced
      pressure from the air traveling outside of the helmet on the outflow from the
      helmet, as well as the momentum change in the backside curve of the helmet were
      postulated as the main reasons for this effect. Side shockwaves predicted the
      highest underwash overpressures. The increase rate of the underwash reduced with
      increasing the incident shockwave intensity.

PMID- 27269065
TI  - Roles of paxillin family members in adhesion and ECM degradation coupling at
      invadosomes.
AB  - Invadosomes are acto-adhesive structures able to both bind the extracellular
      matrix (ECM) and digest it. Paxillin family members-paxillin, Hic-5, and leupaxin
      are implicated in mechanosensing and turnover of adhesion sites, but the
      contribution of each paxillin family protein to invadosome activities is unclear.
      We use genetic approaches to show that paxillin and Hic-5 have both redundant and
      distinctive functions in invadosome formation. The essential function of paxillin
      like activity is based on the coordinated activity of LD motifs and LIM domains,
      which support invadosome assembly and morphology, respectively. However, paxillin
      preferentially regulates invadosome assembly, whereas Hic-5 regulates the
      coupling between ECM degradation and acto-adhesive functions. Mass spectrometry
      analysis revealed new partners that are important for paxillin and Hic-5
      specificities: paxillin regulates the acto-adhesive machinery through janus
      kinase 1 (JAK1), whereas Hic-5 controls ECM degradation via IQGAP1. Integrating
      the redundancy and specificities of paxillin and Hic-5 in a functional complex
      provides insights into the coupling between the acto-adhesive and ECM-degradative
      machineries in invadosomes.

PMID- 27269120
TI  - Zinc-Mediated C-3 alpha-Prenylation of Isatins with Prenyl Bromide: Access to 3
      Prenyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles and Its Application.
AB  - A convenient and highly alpha-regioselective strategy for the synthesis of 3
      prenyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles has been developed starting from isatins and
      prenylzinc with good to excellent yields. This protocol provides a
      straightforward and practical way to introduce an alpha-prenyl moiety into the C
      3 position of isatins. The advantages of this reaction are use of the cheap and
      readily available reagents, operational simplicity, and wide substrate scope.
      Furthermore, this transformation was applied to the synthesis of several oxindole
      containing natural products, which further demonstrated the synthetic utility of
      this methodology.

PMID- 27269119
TI  - Discriminating Self and Non-Self by RNA: Roles for RNA Structure, Misfolding, and
      Modification in Regulating the Innate Immune Sensor PKR.
AB  - Pathogens are recognized by the innate immune system in part via their unique and
      complex RNA signatures. A key sensor in human innate immunity is the RNA
      activated protein kinase, protein kinase R (PKR), which has two double-stranded
      RNA (dsRNA) binding motifs (dsRBMs) at its N-terminus. Early studies described
      PKR as being activated potently by long stretches of perfect dsRNA, a signature
      typical of viruses. More recently, we and others have found that PKR is also
      activated by RNAs having structural defects such as bulges and internal loops.
      This Account describes advances in our understanding of the ability of PKR to
      detect diverse foreign RNAs and how that recognition plays significant roles in
      discriminating self from non-self. The experiments discussed employ a wide range
      of techniques including activation assays, native polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis (PAGE), protein footprinting, and small-angle X-ray scattering
      (SAXS). We discuss how misfolding and dimerization of RNA lead to activation of
      PKR. We also present recent findings on the activation of PKR by varied bacterial
      functional RNAs including ribozymes and riboswitches, which are among the few
      structured RNAs known to interact with PKR in a site-specific manner. Molecular
      models for how these structured RNAs activate PKR are provided. Studies by SAXS
      revealed that PKR straightens bent RNAs. Most external and internal RNA cellular
      modifications introduced in vitro and found naturally, such as the m7G cap and
      m6A group, abrogate activation of PKR, but other modifications, such as 5'-ppp
      and 2'-fluoro groups, are immunostimulatory and potential anticancer agents.
      Genome-wide studies of RNA folding in vitro and in vivo have provided fresh
      insights into general differences in RNA structure among bacteria, viruses, and
      human. These studies suggest that in vivo, cellular human RNAs are less folded
      than once thought, unwound by helicases, destabilized by m6A modifications, and
      often bound up with proteins, all conditions known to abrogate activation of PKR.
      It thus appears that non-self RNAs are detected as unmodified, naked RNAs with
      appreciable secondary and tertiary structure. Observation that PKR is activated
      by structured but otherwise diverse RNAs is consistent both with the broad
      spectrum nature of innate immunity and the nonspecific recognition of RNA by the
      dsRBM family. These findings provide a possible explanation for the apparent
      absence of protein-free structured human RNAs, such as ribozymes and
      riboswitches.

PMID- 27269121
TI  - The Interaction of Same-Sex Marriage Access With Sexual Minority Identity on
      Mental Health and Subjective Wellbeing.
AB  - Previous psychological and public health research has highlighted the impact of
      legal recognition of same-sex relationships on individual identity and mental
      health. Using a sample of U.S. sexual minority (N = 313) and heterosexual (N =
      214) adults, participants completed a battery of mental health inventories prior
      to the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage. Analyses of covariance
      (ANCOVAs) examining identity revealed sexual minority participants living in
      states where same-sex marriage was banned experienced significantly higher levels
      of internalized homonegativity than sexual minority participants living in states
      where same-sex marriage was legal, even after controlling for state-level
      political climate. Mental health ANCOVAs revealed sexual minority participants
      residing in states without same-sex marriage experienced greater anxiety and
      lower subjective wellbeing compared to sexual minority participants residing in
      states with same-sex marriage and heterosexual participants residing in states
      with or without same-sex marriage. Implications for public policy and future
      research directions are discussed.

PMID- 27269122
TI  - Serum and erythrocyte folate status of New Zealand women of childbearing age
      following a countrywide voluntary programme by the baking industry to fortify
      bread with folic acid.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the folate status of New Zealand women of childbearing age
      following the introduction, in 2010, of a new voluntary folic acid fortification
      of bread programme. DESIGN: The 2011 Folate and Women's Health Survey was a cross
      sectional survey of women aged 18-44 years carried out in 2011. The survey used a
      stratified random sampling technique with the Electoral Roll as the sampling
      frame. Women were asked about consumption of folic-acid-fortified breads and
      breakfast cereals in a telephone interview. During a clinic visit, blood was
      collected for serum and erythrocyte folate measurement by microbiological assay.
      SETTING: A North Island (Wellington) and South Island (Dunedin) city centre in
      New Zealand. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and eighty-eight women, of whom 278 completed
      a clinic visit. RESULTS: Geometric mean serum and erythrocyte folate
      concentrations were 30 nmol/l and 996 nmol/l, respectively. Folate status was 30
      40 % higher compared with women of childbearing age sampled as part of a national
      survey in 2008/09, prior to the introduction of the voluntary folic acid bread
      fortification programme. In the 2011 Folate and Women's Health Survey, reported
      consumption of fortified bread and fortified breakfast cereal in the past week
      was associated with 25 % (P=0.01) and 15 % (P=0.04) higher serum folate
      concentrations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum and erythrocyte folate
      concentrations have increased in New Zealand women of childbearing age since the
      number of folic-acid-fortified breads was increased voluntarily in 2010.
      Consumption of fortified breads and breakfast cereals was associated with a
      higher folate status.

PMID- 27269124
TI  - Directing Soft Matter in Water Using Electric Fields.
AB  - Directing the spatial organization of functional supramolecular and polymeric
      materials at larger length scales is essential for many biological and molecular
      optoelectronic applications. Although the application of electrical fields is one
      of the most powerful approaches to induce spatial control, it is rarely applied
      experimentally in aqueous solutions, since the low susceptibility of soft and
      biological materials requires the use of high fields, which leads to parasitic
      heating and electrochemical degradation. In this work, we demonstrate that we can
      apply electric fields when we use a mineral liquid crystal as a responsive
      template. Besides aligning and positioning functional soft matter, we show that
      the concentration of the liquid crystal template controls the morphology of the
      assembly. As our setup is very easy to operate and our approach lacks specific
      molecular interactions, we believe it will be applicable for a wide range of
      (aqueous) materials. 

PMID- 27269123
TI  - Latent-variable modeling of brain gray-matter volume and psychopathy in
      incarcerated offenders.
AB  - Advanced statistical modeling has become a prominent feature in psychological
      science and can be a useful approach for representing the neural architecture
      linked to psychopathology. Psychopathy, a disorder characterized by dysfunction
      in interpersonal-affective and impulsive-antisocial domains, is associated with
      widespread neural abnormalities. Several imaging studies suggest that underlying
      structural deficits in paralimbic regions are associated with psychopathy.
      Although these studies are useful, they make assumptions about the organization
      of the brain and its relevance to individuals displaying psychopathic features.
      Capitalizing on statistical modeling, in the present study (N = 254), we used
      latent-variable methods to examine the structure of gray-matter volume in male
      offenders, and assessed the latent relations between psychopathy and gray-matter
      factors reflecting paralimbic and nonparalimbic regions. Results revealed good
      fit for a 4-factor gray-matter paralimbic model and these first-order factors
      were accounted for by a superordinate paralimbic "system" factor. Moreover, a
      superordinate psychopathy factor significantly predicted the paralimbic, but not
      the nonparalimbic factor. The latent-variable paralimbic model, specifically
      linked with psychopathy, goes beyond understanding single brain regions within
      the system and provides evidence for psychopathy-related gray-matter volume
      reductions in the paralimbic system as a whole. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27269125
TI  - Influence of Different Defects in Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes on TiO2
      Nanoparticle Formation through Atomic Layer Deposition.
AB  - The chemical inertness of carbon nanotubes (CNT) requires some degree of "defect
      engineering" for controlled deposition of metal oxides through atomic layer
      deposition (ALD). The type, quantity, and distribution of such defects rules the
      deposition rate and defines the growth behavior. In this work, we employed ALD to
      grow titanium oxide (TiO2) on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNT). The
      effects of nitrogen doping and oxygen plasma pretreatment of the CNT on the
      morphology and total amount of TiO2 were systematically studied using
      transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric
      analysis. The induced chemical changes for each functionalization route were
      identified by X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopies. The TiO2 mass
      fraction deposited with the same number of cycles for the pristine CNT, nitrogen
      doped CNT, and plasma-treated CNT were 8, 47, and 80%, respectively. We
      demonstrate that TiO2 nucleation is dependent mainly on surface incorporation of
      heteroatoms and their distribution rather than structural defects that govern the
      growth behavior. Therefore, selecting the best way to functionalize CNT will
      allow us to tailor TiO2 distribution and hence fabricate complex
      heterostructures. 

PMID- 27269126
TI  - Incorporating measurable ('minimal') residual disease-directed treatment
      strategies to optimize outcomes in adults with acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Curative-intent therapy leads to complete remissions in many adults with acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML), but relapse remains common. Numerous studies have
      unequivocally demonstrated that the persistence of measurable ('minimal')
      residual disease (MRD) at the submicroscopic level during morphologic remission
      identifies patients at high risk of disease recurrence and short survival. This
      association has provided the impetus to customize anti-leukemia therapy based on
      MRD data, a strategy that is now routinely pursued in acute promyelocytic
      leukemia (APL). While it is currently uncertain whether this approach will
      improve outcomes in AML other than APL, randomized studies have validated MRD
      based risk-stratified treatment algorithms in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Here,
      we review the available studies examining MRD-directed therapy in AML, appraise
      their strengths and limitations, and discuss avenues for future investigation.

PMID- 27269127
TI  - Time-Resolved Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect of Magnetic Thin Films for Ultrafast
      Thermal Characterization.
AB  - Thermomagnetic and magneto-optical effects are two fundamental but unique
      phenomena existing in magnetic materials. In this work, we demonstrate ultrafast
      time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (TR-MOKE) as an advanced thermal
      characterization technique by studying the original factors of the MOKE signal
      from four magnetic transducers, including TbFe, GdFeCo, Co/Pd, and CoFe/Pt. A
      figure of merit is proposed to evaluate the performance of the transducer layers,
      corresponding to the degree of the signal-to-noise ratio in TR-MOKE measurements.
      We observe improved figure of merit for rare-earth transition-metal-based TbFe
      and GdFeCo transducers and attribute this improvement to their relatively larger
      temperature-dependent magnetization and the Kerr rotation angle at the saturated
      magnetization state. Furthermore, an optimal thickness of TbFe is found to be
      ~18.5 nm to give the best performance. Our findings will facilitate the nanoscale
      thermal characterization and the device design where the thermo-magneto-optical
      coupling plays an important role. 

PMID- 27269128
TI  - Synovial sarcoma of the hypopharynx - a case report and literature review.

PMID- 27269129
TI  - Transoral robotic supraglottic partial laryngectomy: report of the first
      Brazilian case.

PMID- 27269130
TI  - New York University medical cadavers found in mass grave.

PMID- 27269131
TI  - Kaushik Ramaiya: a doctor who makes more than a difference.

PMID- 27269132
TI  - A positive association between umbilical cord RBC folate and fetal TL at birth
      supports a potential for fetal reprogramming.
AB  - Telomere length (TL) has been studied extensively in adults; however, limited
      information exists regarding maternal influences on TL in utero. The objective of
      this study was to investigate the relationship between fetal red blood cell (RBC)
      folate levels, a surrogate measure for maternal folate levels, and TL. We
      hypothesized that umbilical cord RBC folate concentrations would positively
      correlate with fetal TL. Data for this analysis were collected as part of a
      prospective cohort study that recruited pregnant women upon admission into labor
      and delivery. Cord blood was collected for 96 maternal-fetal dyads, and DNA
      analysis was performed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The telomere
      to single copy gene ratio method was used to determine TL, and RBC folate levels
      were measured. Statistical analysis was conducted by incorporating a
      bootstrapping approach into generalized linear modeling-based analyses.
      Consistent significant positive correlations were observed between RBC folate and
      TL (telomere to single copy gene ratio) with 9880 of the 10000 (98.8%) iterations
      performed having a P value less than .05. Our study shows a positive association
      between umbilical cord RBC folate and fetal TL at birth. These findings may
      provide a pathway of understanding and preventing adult-onset disease and
      mortality through intrauterine reprogramming.

PMID- 27269133
TI  - Prognostic value of posttreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in head and neck
      squamous cell carcinoma treated by chemoradiotherapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: An inflammatory-immunological marker, C-reactive protein (CRP),
      neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), was evaluated as a predictive marker of
      advanced head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: This
      study included 104 patients with treatment-naive head and neck cancer who
      underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy. An inflammatory marker was measured at
      baseline and after 1 month of treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses
      using Cox proportional hazards model were used to identify predictors of
      progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A univariate
      analysis revealed that T,N-stage, the pre- and posttreatment NLRs were
      significant predictors of progression after the chemoradiotherapy. However, the
      posttreatment NLR remained an independent predictor of PFS in the multivariate
      analysis (HR=2.23, 95% CI 1.15-2.321; P=0.001). A high posttreatment NLR was
      significantly associated with an increased risk of death (HR=1.87, 95% CI 0.89
      3.31; P=0.037). CONCLUSION: A high posttreatment NLR is associated with poor
      prognostic factor. An early reduction in the NLR after treatment may indicate
      survival improvement in the patients.

PMID- 27269177
TI  - CXC chemokine CXCL12 tissue expression and circulating levels in peptic ulcer
      patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.
AB  - Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is among the most prevalent human
      infections. CXCL12 is a well-known CXC chemokine involved in inflammation and
      play major roles in angiogenesis. There is currently very limited data on the
      role of CXCL12 in peptic ulcer disease. Hence, we aimed to explore whether CXCL12
      is involved in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer induced by H. pylori. In this
      study, we enrolled 102 H. pylori-infected patients, including 51 with active
      ulcer (GA) and 51 with healing ulcer (GH). We also recruited 50 healthy subjects
      as control, which did not show any sign or symptoms of chronic inflammatory
      diseases, infection, or immune-related disorders. Endoscopy was performed to
      determine the stage of the disease. ELISA was used for detection of H. pylori
      infection and CXCL12 measurement. We also employed western blotting to detect
      CXCL12 in ulcerative lesions of H. pylori. Demographic data were also collected
      by questionnaire. Our results demonstrated that CXCL12 serum levels in GA group
      (151.8+/-18.31pg/mL) were significantly higher than those in GH (36.89+/
      6.78pg/mL) and control groups (33.77+/-9.12pg/mL) (P<0.0001). However, we did not
      observe a significant difference between GH and control groups. Moreover,
      overexpression of CXCL12 in gastric lesions of patients in GA group was confirmed
      by Western blot analysis. According to the result of the present study, it could
      be concluded that CXCL12 is involved in the pathogenesis and healing of H. pylori
      induced peptic ulcer. CXCL12 serum levels may also be used to distinguish between
      GA and GH phases of the disease.

PMID- 27269134
TI  - Monocyclic monoterpenes as penetration enhancers of ligustrazine hydrochloride
      for dermal delivery.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to explore the enhancing effects and the mechanism
      of monocyclic monoterpene penetration enhancers (menthol and menthone) on the
      transdermal absorption of ligustrazine hydrochloride (LH). Franz-type diffusion
      cells were used to determine percutaneous parameters of LH in vitro and surface
      changes of porcine skin were studied by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The
      effects of promoters on the biophysical natures of stratum corneum (SC) were
      researched by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR). Penetration parameters of
      menthol (p < 0.01) and menthone groups (p < 0.05) were greater than those of the
      control; morphological changes of skin monitored by SEM demonstrated that the
      menthone group had the most disruption and desquamation of SC flakes, which
      resulted from extracted lipids. FT-IR measurements showed menthone had the
      greatest changes in peak shift and peak area, which resulted from C-H stretching
      vibrations of SC lipids. The results suggest that the penetration mechanism might
      include disturbing and extracting SC lipids and the hydrogen bond connection.

PMID- 27269178
TI  - Vitamin D status and its modulatory effect on interferon gamma and interleukin-10
      production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the influence of vitamin D on the production
      of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and the anti
      inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), in peripheral blood mononuclear
      cell (PBMC) cultures. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects were investigated. Serum
      levels of calcium, 25(OH) D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were assessed. PBMCs
      were activated in-vitro by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the presence and absence
      of vitamin D3 and then levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 were determined in culture
      supernatant using enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Serum calcium levels were
      significantly lower in the vitamin D deficient group while serum PTH levels were
      significantly higher in the vitamin D deficient group. PTH levels were inversely
      correlated to both calcium and 25(OH) D levels. In culture, vitamin D inhibited
      IFN-gamma production and increased IL-10 production by PBMCs. Serum vitamin D
      status had no influence on the amount of cytokine produced in culture.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that vitamin D modulates IFN-gamma and IL-10
      production and provides a rationale for evaluating vitamin D as an
      immunomodulatory agent.

PMID- 27269179
TI  - Persistent elevated bone marrow plasma levels of thrombopoietin in patients with
      aplastic anemia.
AB  - Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is an immune-mediated bone marrow (BM) failure
      syndrome. Plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) levels are elevated in AA patients with
      reduced blood counts. However, whether elevated TPO can recover to normal level
      in AA patients in complete remission (CR) after efficient immunosuppressive
      therapy (IST) is unknown. We measured TPO levels of BM plasma in a large cohort
      of AA patients with focusing on patients in CR after IST. Our data showed that BM
      plasma TPO levels were still high in patients who had reached normal blood counts
      levels for a long time. We speculate that downregulated expression of MPL (TPO
      receptor) in HSPC (hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells) may be related to the
      upregulated TPO in AA.

PMID- 27269180
TI  - Associations between inflammatory cytokines and organ damage in pediatric
      patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
AB  - Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially fatal disease
      characterized by overwhelming inflammation response and multiple organ damage.
      Most of the clinical and laboratory manifestations of HLH are thought to be
      related to hypercytokinemia and organ infiltration with lymphocytes and
      histiocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between
      cytokines and various manifestations of HLH. A total of 105 patients diagnosed
      with HLH were enrolled in this retrospective study. The information including the
      patients' demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings at
      presentation and cytokine data were collected. The median age at diagnosis was
      2.8years, with 74 patients (70.4%) documented Epstein-Barr virus infection.
      Hepatomegaly (88.6%), splenomegaly (81.9%), cytopenia (68.6%), elevated ferritin
      level (93.3%), hypofibrinogenemia (61.9%) and hemophagocytosis (77.3%) were found
      in more than half of the patients. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and interferon (IFN)
      gamma were found to be moderately or significantly elevated in most patients. In
      the correlation analysis, IFN-gamma was closely related to the concentration of
      alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin,
      lactate dehydrase (LDH), triglyceride and fibrinogen, while IL-10 was associated
      with platelet count. When split the patients into two groups according to the
      cytokine levels, patients with high IFN-gamma presented higher level of ALT, AST,
      bilirubin, LDH, triglyceride, and fibrinogen, while patients with high IL-10
      presented much lower hemoglobin and platelet count. In conclusion, the present
      study put forward clinical evidence that hypercytokinemia is related to organ
      damage in HLH. IFN-gamma may contribute to liver impairment and coagulation
      disease, while IL-10 is a cytokine related to cytopenias.

PMID- 27269181
TI  - IL-36 receptor is expressed by human blood and intestinal T lymphocytes and is
      dose-dependently activated via IL-36beta and induces CD4+ lymphocyte
      proliferation.
AB  - We show that IL-36R is expressed by T (CD4+ and CD8+) and B (CD19+) lymphocytes
      in human blood and also by CD4+ T lymphocytes in the intestinal lamina propria.
      IL-36R protein was mostly stored in the cytoplasm of CD4 lymphocytes and B cells,
      during steady state conditions and the greatest expression of IL-36R mRNA was
      measured in CD4+ (T helper) lymphocytes. IL-36 beta, which functions via IL-36R
      induced rapid and significant (P<0.05) proliferation of CD4+ lymphocytes, within
      48h. IL-36R expression was also maintained on the surface of circulating CD4+
      lymphocytes which enter the intestinal lamina propria. In conclusion our study is
      the first to show that (1) all human blood lymphocytes express IL-36R; (2) IL-36R
      expression is maintained by circulating CD4+ lymphocytes which enter the
      intestinal lamina propria and (3) IL-36R/IL-36 beta induces rapid CD4 lymphocyte
      proliferation. The possible significance of these results in the context of human
      disease is discussed.

PMID- 27269182
TI  - Controlling the Motion of Ferrofluid Droplets Using Surface Tension Gradients and
      Magnetoviscous Pinning.
AB  - This work demonstrates the controlled motion and stopping of individual
      ferrofluid droplets due to a surface tension gradient and a uniform magnetic
      field. The surface tension gradients are created by patterning hydrophilic
      aluminum regions, shaped as wedges, on a hydrophobic copper surface. This pattern
      facilitates the spontaneous motion of water-based ferrofluid droplets down the
      length of the wedge toward the more hydrophilic aluminum end due to a net
      capillarity force created by the underlying surface wettability gradient. We
      observed that applying a magnetic field parallel to the surface tension gradient
      direction has little or no effect on the droplet's motion, while a moderate
      perpendicular magnetic field can stop the motion altogether effectively "pinning"
      the droplet. In the absence of the surface tension gradient, droplets elongate in
      the presence of a parallel field but do not travel. This control of the motion of
      individual droplets might lend itself to some biomedical and lab-on-a-chip
      applications. The directional dependence of the magnetoviscosity observed in this
      work is believed to be the consequence of the formation of nanoparticle chains in
      the fluid due to the existence of a minority of relatively larger magnetic
      particles.

PMID- 27269183
TI  - A proposal for prospective late outcome analysis of decellularized aortic valves.

PMID- 27269184
TI  - First case of Perceval S prosthesis early structural valve deterioration: Not an
      easy reoperation.

PMID- 27269186
TI  - Thrombotic thrombocytopenic pupura (TTP) dinner symposium proceedings.
AB  - Answering TTP was established to engage the thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
      (TTP) community to further the common goals of patient support, education of
      patients and medical professionals, and the funding of research to improve the
      treatment and care of TTP patients. Answering TTP convened a dinner symposium on
      23 June 2015 in Toronto, Canada during the International Society of Thrombosis
      and Haemostasis (ISTH) Congress to bring TTP clinicians and research together to
      highlight the key clinical and research questions in the field. These questions
      are increasingly important given the recent advances and novel therapies that
      have or will soon enter clinical study for patients with TTP. 

PMID- 27269185
TI  - Contributions of Phase, Sulfur Vacancies, and Edges to the Hydrogen Evolution
      Reaction Catalytic Activity of Porous Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets.
AB  - Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising nonprecious catalyst for the hydrogen
      evolution reaction (HER) that has been extensively studied due to its excellent
      performance, but the lack of understanding of the factors that impact its
      catalytic activity hinders further design and enhancement of MoS2-based
      electrocatalysts. Here, by using novel porous (holey) metallic 1T phase MoS2
      nanosheets synthesized by a liquid-ammonia-assisted lithiation route, we
      systematically investigated the contributions of crystal structure (phase),
      edges, and sulfur vacancies (S-vacancies) to the catalytic activity toward HER
      from five representative MoS2 nanosheet samples, including 2H and 1T phase,
      porous 2H and 1T phase, and sulfur-compensated porous 2H phase. Superior HER
      catalytic activity was achieved in the porous 1T phase MoS2 nanosheets that have
      even more edges and S-vacancies than conventional 1T phase MoS2. A comparative
      study revealed that the phase serves as the key role in determining the HER
      performance, as 1T phase MoS2 always outperforms the corresponding 2H phase MoS2
      samples, and that both edges and S-vacancies also contribute significantly to the
      catalytic activity in porous MoS2 samples. Then, using combined defect
      characterization techniques of electron spin resonance spectroscopy and positron
      annihilation lifetime spectroscopy to quantify the S-vacancies, the contributions
      of each factor were individually elucidated. This study presents new insights and
      opens up new avenues for designing electrocatalysts based on MoS2 or other
      layered materials with enhanced HER performance.

PMID- 27269187
TI  - Velusetrag for the treatment of chronic constipation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic constipation is a frequent complaint in daily clinical
      practice. Notwithstanding the availability of numerous drugs, its treatment it is
      still unsatisfactory. However, new emerging treatments are in the pipeline and
      some drugs seem to be promising; among these velusetrag, a selective 5-HT4
      receptors agonist. AREAS COVERED: An in depth Medline literature search was
      performed concerning topics related to the treatment of constipated patients with
      velusetrag. In addition, abstracts concerning the topic were searched by hand in
      our libraries. EXPERT OPINION: After analyzing the available data, the authors
      feel that velusetrag may likely improve symptoms and the quality of life of
      chronically constipated subjects. However, additional data is needed to fully
      understand the safety and efficacy of velusetrag, particularly in patients on
      long-term therapy. Thanks to the once-daily dosing and the pharmacologic
      properties, velusetrag could be used as a single agent or in association with
      other drugs. In the future, this drug holds the potential to be an effective
      adjunct to the therapeutic armamentarium for chronic constipation.

PMID- 27269188
TI  - Immobilized Multifunctional Polymersomes on Solid Surfaces: Infrared Light
      Induced Selective Photochemical Reactions, pH Responsive Behavior, and Probing
      Mechanical Properties under Liquid Phase.
AB  - Fixing polymersomes onto surfaces is in high demand not only for the
      characterization with advanced microscopy techniques but also for designing
      specific compartments in microsystem devices in the scope of nanobiotechnology.
      For this purpose, this study reports the immobilization of multifunctional,
      responsive, and photo-cross-linked polymersomes on solid substrates by utilizing
      strong adamantane-beta-cyclodextrin host-guest interactions. To reduce
      nonspecific binding and retain better spherical shape, the level of attractive
      forces acting on the immobilized polymersomes was tuned through poly(ethylene
      glycol) passivation as well as decreased beta-cyclodextrin content on the
      corresponding substrates. One significant feature of this system is the pH
      responsivity of the polymersomes which has been demonstrated by swelling of the
      immobilized vesicles at acidic condition through in situ AFM measurements. Also,
      light responsivity has been provided by introducing nitroveratryloxycarbonyl
      (NVOC) protected amine molecules as photocleavable groups to the polymersome
      surface before immobilization. The subsequent low-energy femtosecond pulsed laser
      irradiation resulted in the cleavage of NVOC groups on immobilized polymersomes
      which in turn led to free amino groups as an additional functionality. The freed
      amines were further conjugated with a fluorescent dye having an activated ester
      that illustrates the concept of bio/chemo recognition for a potential binding of
      biological compounds. In addition to the responsive nature, the mechanical
      stability of the analyzed polymersomes was supported by computing Young's modulus
      and bending modulus of the membrane through force curves obtained by atomic force
      microscopy measurements. Overall, polymersomes with a robust and pH-swellable
      membrane combined with effective light responsive behavior are promising tools to
      design smart and stable compartments on surfaces for the development of
      microsystem devices such as chemo/biosensors. 

PMID- 27269189
TI  - Towards a Mobile-Based Platform for Traceability Control and Hazard Analysis in
      the Context of Parenteral Nutrition: Description of a Framework and a Prototype
      App.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The parenteral nutrient (PN) mixtures may pose great risks of
      physical, microbiological, and chemical contamination during their preparation,
      storage, distribution, and administration. These potential hazards must be
      controlled under high levels of excellence to prevent any serious complications
      for the patients. As a result, management control and traceability of any of
      these medications is of utmost relevance for the patient care, along with
      ensuring treatment continuity and adherence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is
      to develop a mobile-based platform to support the control procedures and
      traceability services in the domain of parenteral nutrient (PN) mixtures in an
      efficient and nonintrusive manner. METHODS: A comprehensive approach combining
      techniques of software engineering and knowledge engineering was used for the
      characterization of the framework. Local try-outs for evaluation were performed
      in a number of application areas, carrying out a test/retest monitoring to detect
      possible errors or conflicts in different contexts and control processes
      throughout the entire cycle of PN. From these data, the absolute and relative
      frequencies (percentages) were calculated. RESULTS: A mobile application for the
      Android operating system was developed. This application allows reading different
      types of tags and interacts with the local server according to a proposed model.
      Also, through an internal caching mechanism, the availability of the system is
      preserved even in the event of problems with the network connection. A set of
      1040 test traces were generated for the assessment of the system under various
      environments tested. Among those, 102 traces (9.81%) involved conflictive
      situations that were properly taken care of in this paper by suggesting solutions
      to overcome them. CONCLUSIONS: A mobile oriented system was generated and tested
      in order to allow enhanced control and quality management of PN mixtures that is
      easy to integrate into the daily praxis of health care processes.

PMID- 27269190
TI  - COLORcation: A new application to phenotype exploratory behavior models of
      anxiety in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Behavioral analyses in rodents have successfully delineated the
      function of many genes and signaling pathways in the brain. Behavioral testing
      uses highly defined experimental conditions to identify abnormalities in a given
      mouse strain or genotype. The open field (OF) is widely used to assess both
      locomotion and anxiety in rodents. In this test, the more a mouse explores and
      spend time in the center of the arena, the less anxious it is considered to be.
      However, the simplistic distinction between center and border substantially
      reduces the information content of the analysis and may fail to detect
      biologically meaningful differences. NEW METHOD: Here we describe COLORcation, a
      new application for improved analyses of mouse behavior in the OF. RESULTS: The
      application analyses animal exploration patterns in detailed spatial resolution
      (e.g. 10*10 bins) to provide a color-encoded heat map of mouse activity. In
      addition, COLORcation provides new parameters to track activity and locomotion of
      the test animals. We demonstrate the use of COLORcation in different experimental
      paradigms, including pharmacological and restraint-based induction of stress and
      anxiety. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): COLORcation is compatible with
      multiple acquisition systems, giving users the option to make the most of their
      raw data organized text files containing time and coordinates of animal locations
      as input. CONCLUSION: These analyses validate the utility of the software and
      establish its reliability and potential as a new tool to analyze OF data.

PMID- 27269191
TI  - Stabilization of an axially moving accelerated/decelerated system via an adaptive
      boundary control.
AB  - In this study, an adaptive boundary control is developed for vibration
      suppression of an axially moving accelerated/decelerated belt system. The dynamic
      model of the belt system is represented by partial-ordinary differential
      equations with consideration of the high acceleration/deceleration and unknown
      distributed disturbance. By utilizing adaptive technique and Lyapunov-based back
      stepping method, an adaptive boundary control is proposed for vibration
      suppression of the belt system, a disturbance observer is introduced to attenuate
      the effects of unknown boundary disturbance, the adaptive law is developed to
      handle parametric uncertainties and the S-curve acceleration/deceleration method
      is adopted to plan the belt's speed. With the proposed control scheme, the well
      posedness and stability of the closed-loop system are mathematically
      demonstrated. Simulations are displayed to illustrate the effectiveness of the
      proposed control. 

PMID- 27269192
TI  - Cage-rotor induction motor inter-turn short circuit fault detection with and
      without saturation effect by MEC model.
AB  - The inter-turn short fault for the Cage-Rotor-Induction-Machine (CRIM) is studied
      in this paper and its local saturation is taken into account. However, in order
      to observe the exact behavior of machine, the Magnetic-Equivalent-Circuit (MEC)
      and nonlinear B-H curve are proposed to provide an insight into the machine model
      and saturation effect respectively. The electrical machines are generally
      operated near to their saturation zone due to some design necessities. Hence,
      when the machine is exposed to a fault such as short circuit or eccentricities,
      it is operated within its saturation zone and thus, time and space harmonics are
      integrated and as a result, current and torque harmonics are generated which the
      phenomenon cannot be explored when saturation is dismissed. Nonetheless, inter
      turn short circuit may lead to local saturation and this occurrence is studied in
      this paper using MEC model. In order to achieve the mentioned objectives, two and
      also four-pole machines are modeled as two samples and the machines performances
      are analyzed in healthy and faulty cases with and without saturation effect. A
      novel strategy is proposed to precisely detect inter-turn short circuit fault
      according to the stator's lines current signatures and the accuracy of the
      proposed method is verified by experimental results. 

PMID- 27269193
TI  - Novel application of continuously variable transmission system using composite
      recurrent Laguerre orthogonal polynomials modified PSO NN control system.
AB  - Because the V-belt continuously variable transmission system spurred by permanent
      magnet (PM) synchronous motor has much unknown nonlinear and time-varying
      characteristics, the better control performance design for the linear control
      design is a time consuming procedure. In order to overcome difficulties for
      design of the linear controllers, the composite recurrent Laguerre orthogonal
      polynomials modified particle swarm optimization (PSO) neural network (NN)
      control system which has online learning capability to come back to the nonlinear
      and time-varying of system, is developed for controlling PM synchronous motor
      servo-driven V-belt continuously variable transmission system with the lumped
      nonlinear load disturbances. The composite recurrent Laguerre orthogonal
      polynomials NN control system consists of an inspector control, a recurrent
      Laguerre orthogonal polynomials NN control with adaptation law and a recouped
      control with estimation law. Moreover, the adaptation law of online parameters in
      the recurrent Laguerre orthogonal polynomials NN is originated from Lyapunov
      stability theorem. Additionally, two optimal learning rates of the parameters by
      means of modified PSO are posed in order to achieve better convergence. At last,
      comparative studies shown by experimental results are illustrated to demonstrate
      the control performance of the proposed control scheme. 

PMID- 27269194
TI  - A dual pH/Redox responsive copper-ligand nanoliposome bioactive complex for the
      treatment of chronic inflammation.
AB  - A novel dual pH/redox-responsive polymeric nanoliposome system (NLs) loaded with
      a copper-liganded bioactive complex was prepared and designed as a controlled
      delivery system for the management of inflammation. The NLs were synthesised
      after preparation of the copper-glyglycine-prednisolone succinate]
      ([(Cu(glygly)(PS)]) complex, and the dual pH/redox responsive biopolymer
      respectively. The methodology undertaken for the development of the drug delivery
      system involved coordination of the bioactive to Copper (II), preparation of dual
      pH/redox responsive biopolymer, and the synthesis of dual pH/redox nanoliposomes.
      Characterisations of the prepared copper-liganded bioactive [Copper-glyglycine
      prednisolone succinate] ([(Cu(glygly)(PS)]) complex, dual pH/redox responsive
      biopolymer (Eudragit E100-cystamine) and [(Cu(glygly)(PS)]-loaded NLs were
      carried out using spectroscopic and physicochemical techniques. Results indicated
      a high inflammatory/oxidant inhibitory activity of [Cu(glygly)(PS)] in comparison
      to the free PS drug. The [Cu(glygly)(PS)] complex exhibited a significant free
      radical-scavenging activity (60.1+/-1.2%) and lipoxygenase (LOX-5) inhibitory
      activity (36.6+/-1.3%) in comparison to PS which resulted in activity of 4.4+/
      1.4% and inhibition of 6.1+/-2.6% respectively. The [Cu(glygly)(PS)] loaded NLs
      demonstrated low release profiles of 22.9+/-5.4% in 6h at pH 7.4, in comparison
      to a significant accelerated release at pH 5 in a reducing environment of 75.9+/
      3.7% over 6h duration. Results suggest that the novel copper-liganded bioactive
      delivery system with controlled drug release mechanism could serve as a potential
      drug delivery system candidate in the management of inflammation. 

PMID- 27269195
TI  - Risk factors for advanced resuscitation in term and near-term infants: a case
      control study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: (1) To determine which antepartum and/or intrapartum factors are
      associated with the need for advanced neonatal resuscitation (ANR) at birth in
      infants with gestational age (GA) >=34 weeks. (2) To develop a risk score for the
      need for ANR in neonates with GA >=34 weeks. DESIGN: Prospective multicentre,
      case-control study. In total, 16 centres participated in this study: 10 in
      Argentina, 1 in Chile, 3 in Brazil and 2 in the USA. RESULTS: A case-control
      study conducted from December 2011 to April 2013. Of a total of 61 593 births, 58
      429 were reported as an GA >=34 weeks, and of these, only 219 (0.37%) received
      ANR. After excluding 23 cases, 196 cases and 784 consecutive birth controls were
      included in the analysis. The final model was generated with three antepartum and
      seven intrapartum factors, which correctly classified 88.9% of the observations.
      The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AROC) performed to evaluate
      discrimination was 0.88, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.91. The AROC performed for external
      validity testing of the model in the validation sample was 0.87 with 95% CI 0.58
      to 0.92. CONCLUSIONS: We identified 10 risk factors significantly associated with
      the need for ANR in newborns >=34 weeks. We developed a validated risk score that
      allows the identification of newborns at higher risk of need for ANR. Using this
      tool, the presence of specialised personnel in the delivery room may be
      designated more appropriately.

PMID- 27269196
TI  - A Single-Center Pilot Prospective Study of Topical Application of Platelet
      Derived Eye Drops for Patients with Ocular Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease.
AB  - Ocular involvement of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a complication
      that occurs in up to 60% of patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation. Conventional therapeutic options include medical and surgical
      procedures that are administered depending on the severity of the condition, but
      most of them have provided unsatisfactory results and, to date, there is no
      consensus about treatment. We considered that topical application of a platelet
      lysate, administered as eye drops, might be considered an alternative worthwhile
      of investigation to treat ocular surface disorders in patients suffering from
      cGVHD. Therefore, we conducted a single-center prospective pilot study to assess
      the efficacy and safety of using eye drops made from reconstituted lysed platelet
      concentrate. Twenty-six patients with ocular cGVHD were eligible for the study;
      all but 2 completed their scheduled 1-year treatment and complied with the
      hematologic and ophthalmic regimen. At their first assessment interviews, after
      30 days of treatment, 91% of patients reported an improvement in their symptoms
      and for 32%, substantive objective differences were measured. Remission of
      corneal damage was seen for 86% of our cohort, and improved National Institutes
      of Health scores for 73%, of whom 8% achieved the best score of 0 (ie, non-dry
      eye). Similar results were seen at later time points. Comparing outcomes for our
      patient cohort to those determined retrospectively for patients in our
      institutional database revealed a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 65%. This OS is
      comparable to patients with limited cGVHD (75%) and is superior to that of
      patients with nonocular extensive cGVHD or without cGVHD (30% and 59%,
      respectively) (P = .013). Our results suggest that platelet-derived eye drops are
      a safe, practical, and well-tolerated therapeutic option that offers substantial
      benefits for most patients affected by ocular cGVHD at onset. The favorable OS of
      our patient cohort suggests that this topical therapy, rather than systemic
      immunosuppression, may be the treatment of choice.

PMID- 27269197
TI  - Swallowing disorders in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease is a type of chronic neurodegenerative
      pathology with a typical movement pattern, as well as different, less studied
      symptoms such as dysphagia. Disease-related disorders in efficacy or safety in
      the process of swallowing usually lead to malnutrition, dehydration or
      pneumonias. The aim of this study was identifying and analyzing swallowing
      disorders in Parkinson's disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The initial sample
      consisted of 52 subjects with Parkinson's disease to whom the specific test for
      dysphagia SDQ was applied. Nineteen participants (36.5%) with some degree of
      dysphagia in the SDQ test were selected to be evaluated by volume-viscosity
      clinical exploration method and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.
      RESULTS: Disorders in swallowing efficiency and safety were detected in 94.7% of
      the selected sample. With regards to efficiency, disorders were found in food
      transport (89.5%), insufficient labial closing (68.4%) and oral residues (47.4%),
      relating to duration of ingestion. Alterations in security were also observed:
      pharynx residues (52.7%), coughing (47.4%), penetration (31.64%), aspiration and
      decrease of SaO2 (5.3%), relating to the diagnosis of respiratory pathology in
      the previous year. CONCLUSION: The SDQ test detected swallowing disorders in
      36.5% of the subjects with Parkinson's disease. Disorders in swallowing
      efficiency and safety were demonstrated in 94.7% of this subset. Disorders of
      efficiency were more frequent than those of safety, establishing a relationship
      with greater time in ingestion and the appearance of respiratory pathology and
      pneumonias.

PMID- 27269198
TI  - Bacterial Peptide deformylase inhibition of cyano substituted biaryl analogs:
      Synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation, molecular docking study and in silico
      ADME prediction.
AB  - Herein, we report the synthesis and screening of cyano substituted biaryl analogs
      5(a-m) as Peptide deformylase (PDF) enzyme inhibitors. The compounds 5a (IC50
      value=13.16MUM), 5d (IC50 value=15.66MUM) and 5j (IC50 value=19.16MUM) had shown
      good PDF inhibition activity. The compounds 5a (MIC range=11.00-15.83MUg/mL), 5b
      (MIC range=23.75-28.50MUg/mL) and 5j (MIC range=7.66-16.91MUg/mL) had also shown
      potent antibacterial activity when compared with ciprofloxacin (MIC range=25
      50MUg/mL). Thus, the active derivatives were not only potent PDF inhibitors but
      also efficient antibacterial agents. In order to gain more insight on the binding
      mode of the compounds with PDF, the synthesized compounds 5(a-m) were docked
      against PDF enzyme of Escherichia coli and compounds exhibited good binding
      properties. In silico ADME properties of synthesized compounds were also analyzed
      and showed potential to develop as good oral drug candidates.

PMID- 27269199
TI  - Low serotonin1B receptor binding potential in the anterior cingulate cortex in
      drug-free patients with recurrent major depressive disorder.
AB  - The pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) is not fully understood
      and the diagnosis is largely based on history and clinical examination. So far,
      several lines of preclinical data and a single imaging study implicate a role for
      the serotonin1B (5-HT1B) receptor subtype. We sought to study 5-HT1B receptor
      binding in brain regions of reported relevance in patients with MDD. Subjects
      were examined at the Karolinska Institutet PET centre using positron emission
      tomography (PET) and the 5-HT1B receptor selective radioligand [(11)C]AZ10419369.
      Ten drug-free patients with recurrent MDD and ten control subjects matched for
      age and sex were examined. The main outcome measure was [(11)C]AZ10419369 binding
      in brain regions of reported relevance in the pathophysiology of MDD. The
      [(11)C]AZ10419369 binding potential was significantly lower in the MDD group
      compared with the healthy control group in the anterior cingulate cortex (20%
      between-group difference), the subgenual prefrontal cortex (17% between-group
      difference), and in the hippocampus (32% between-group difference). The low
      anterior cingulate [(11)C]AZ10419369 binding potential in patients with recurrent
      MDD positions 5-HT1B receptor binding in this region as a putative biomarker for
      MDD and corroborate a role of the anterior cingulate cortex and associated areas
      in the pathophysiology of recurrent MDD.

PMID- 27269200
TI  - Children in clinical trials: towards evidence-based pediatric pharmacotherapy
      using pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In pediatric pharmacotherapy, many drugs are still used off-label,
      and their efficacy and safety is not well characterized. Different efficacy and
      safety profiles in children of varying ages may be anticipated, due to
      developmental changes occurring across pediatric life. AREAS COVERED: Beside
      pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, pharmacodynamic (PD) studies are urgently needed.
      Validated PKPD models can be used to derive optimal dosing regimens for children
      of different ages, which can be evaluated in a prospective study before
      implementation in clinical practice. Strategies should be developed to ensure
      that formularies update their drug dosing guidelines regularly according to the
      most recent advances in research, allowing for clinicians to integrate these
      guidelines in daily practice. Expert commentary: We anticipate a trend towards a
      systems-level approach in pediatric modeling to optimally use the information
      gained in pediatric trials. For this approach, properly designed clinical PKPD
      studies will remain the backbone of pediatric research.

PMID- 27269201
TI  - Match play demands of 11 versus 11 professional football using Global Positioning
      System tracking: Variations across common playing formations.
AB  - This study aimed to examine Global Positioning System (GPS) determined movement
      patterns across the 5 most common playing formations (4-4-2; 4-3-3; 3-5-2; 3-4-3;
      4-2-3-1) employed in 11 versus 11 football match play in England. Elite male
      footballers (n=46) were monitored over the course of a season; total distance
      (TD), high speed running (HSR), high metabolic load distance (HMLD), high speed
      accelerations (Acc) and decelerations (Dec) data was collected for analysis. It
      was found that 3-5-2 formation elicited higher TD (10528+/-565m, p=0.05), HSR
      (642+/-215m, p=0.001), and HMLD (2025+/-304m, p=0.001) than all other formations
      and above average Acc and Dec (34+/-7, p=0.036 and 57+/-10, p=0.006), with 4-2-3
      1 eliciting the highest Acc and Dec (38+/-8 and 61+/-12). Positional data showed
      that CM in 4-3-3 covered >11% TD than in 4-4-2 (p=0.012). FW in 3-5-2 covered
      >45% HSR than in 4-2-3-1 (p=0.004). CM in 4-3-3 covered >14% HMLD than in 4-4-2
      (p=0.367). FW in 4-3-3 performed >49% accelerations than in 4-2-3-1 (p=0.293). WD
      in 3-5-2 performed >20% more decelerations than in 4-4-2 (p=0.161). This study is
      important for coaches understanding, that positional physical characteristics are
      influenced by the demands of playing in different formations during match play. 

PMID- 27269202
TI  - Veterinary clinical nutrition: success stories: an overview.
AB  - In this overview of success stories in veterinary clinical nutrition topics in
      cats and dogs reviewed include the dietary management of chronic kidney disease,
      dissolution of urinary tract uroliths by dietary modification, the recognition
      that taurine and L-carnitine deficiencies can cause dilated cardiomyopathy; that
      clinical signs associated with feline hyperthyroidism (caused by a benign
      adenoma) can be controlled by a low-iodine diet alone; that dietary management of
      canine osteoarthritis can also reduce non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug doses;
      and that disease-free intervals and survival times can be statistically longer in
      dogs with Stage III lymphoma managed with diet. As we discover more about
      nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics, and as we expand our basic understanding of
      idiopathic diseases we are bound to identify more nutritionally related causes,
      and be able to develop novel dietary strategies to manage disease processes,
      including the formulation of diets designed to alter gene expression to obtain
      beneficial clinical outcomes.

PMID- 27269203
TI  - Elucidating the influence of praziquantel nanosuspensions on the in vivo
      metabolism of Taenia crassiceps cysticerci.
AB  - The aim of this work was to develop nanosuspensions of praziquantel (PZQ) and to
      evaluate their influence on the energetic metabolism of cysticerci inoculated in
      BALB/c mice. We analyzed metabolic alterations of glycolytic pathways and the
      tricarboxylic acid cycle in the parasite. The nanosuspensions were prepared by
      precipitation and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), poloxamer 188 (P188) and poloxamer 407
      (P407) were used as stabilizers. Nanosuspension prepared with PVA had a particle
      size of 100nm, while P188- and P407-based nanosuspensions had particle sizes of
      74nm and 285nm, respectively. The zeta potential was -8.1, -8.6, and -13.2 for
      the formulations stabilized with PVA, P188 and P407, respectively. Treatments of
      T. crassiceps cysticerci-infected mice resulted in an increase in glycolysis
      organic acids, and enhanced the partial reversion of the tricarboxylic acid
      cycle, the urea cycle and the production of ketonic bodies in the parasites when
      compared to the groups treated with conventional PZQ. These data suggest that PZQ
      nanosuspensions greatly modified the energetic metabolism of cysticerci in vivo.
      Moreover, the remarkable metabolic alterations produced by the stabilizers
      indicate that further studies on nanoformulations are required to find
      potentially suitable nanomedicines. 

PMID- 27269204
TI  - Hybrid Biomaterial with Conjugated Growth Factors and Mesenchymal Stem Cells for
      Ectopic Bone Formation.
AB  - Bone is a highly vascularized tissue and efficient bone regeneration requires
      neovascularization, especially for critical-sized bone defects. We developed a
      novel hybrid biomaterial comprising nanocalcium sulfate (nCS) and fibrin hydrogel
      to deliver mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and angiogenic factors, vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), to
      promote neovascularization and bone formation. MSC and growth factor(s)-loaded
      scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously into mice to examine their angiogenic and
      osteogenic potential. Micro CT, alkaline phosphatase activity assay, and
      histological analysis were used to evaluate bone formation, while
      immunohistochemistry was employed to assess neovessel formation. The presence of
      fibrin preserved the nCS scaffold structure and promoted de novo bone formation.
      In addition, the presence of bone morphogenic protein 2-expressing MSC in nCS and
      fibrin hydrogels improved bone regeneration significantly. While FGF9 alone had
      no significant effect, the combination FGF9 and VEGF conjugated in fibrin
      enhanced neovascularization and bone formation more than 4-fold compared to nCS
      with MSC. Overall, our results suggested that the combination of nCS (to support
      bone formation) with a fibrin-based VEGF/FGF9 release system (support vascular
      formation) is an innovative and effective strategy that significantly enhanced
      ectopic bone formation in vivo.

PMID- 27269205
TI  - Unilateral and bilateral MRI-targeted repetitive transcranial magnetic
      stimulation for treatment-resistant depression: a randomized controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several factors may mitigate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial
      magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over sham rTMS in patients with treatment-resistant
      depression (TRD). These factors include unilateral stimulation (i.e., treatment
      of only the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex [DLPFC]), suboptimal methods of
      targeting the DLPFC and insufficient stimulation intensity (based on coil-to
      cortex distance). METHODS: We recruited patients with TRD between the ages of 18
      and 85 years from a university hospital, and participants were randomized to
      receive sequential bilateral rTMS (600 pulses at 1 Hz followed by 1500 pulses at
      10 Hz), unilateral high-frequency left (HFL)-rTMS (2100 pulses at 10 Hz) or sham
      rTMS for 3 or 6 weeks depending on treatment response. Stimulation was targeted
      with MRI localization over the junction of the middle and anterior thirds of the
      middle frontal gyrus, using 120% of the coil-to-cortex adjusted motor threshold.
      Our primary outcome of interest was the remission rate. RESULTS: A total of 121
      patients participated in this study. The remission rate was significantly higher
      in the bilateral group than the sham group. The remission rate in the HFL-rTMS
      group was intermediate and did not differ statistically from the rate in the 2
      other groups. There were no significant differences in reduction of depression
      scores among the 3 groups. LIMITATIONS: The number of pulses used per session in
      the unilateral group was somewhat lower in our trial than in more recent trials,
      and the sham condition did not involve active stimulation. CONCLUSION: Our
      findings suggest that sequential bilateral rTMS is superior to sham rTMS;
      however, adjusting for coil-to-cortex distance did not yield enhanced efficacy
      rates.

PMID- 27269206
TI  - Long-term fatigue after perimesencephalic subarachnoid haemorrhage in relation to
      cognitive functioning, mood and comorbidity.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study relationships between fatigue and objective and subjective
      cognitive functioning, mood and comorbidity in the long term after
      perimesencephalic subarachnoid haemorrhage (PM-SAH). METHODS: Cross-sectional
      study. Objective cognitive functioning was measured with: Trail Making Test;
      Symbol Substitution; D2; Verbal and Semantic Fluency; Tower Test; Digit Span; 15
      Words Test; Rey Complex Figure. Subjective cognitive functioning: Cognitive
      Failure Questionnaire. Fatigue: Fatigue Severity Scale. Mood: Hospital Anxiety
      and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Forty-six patients, mean age 50.4 (SD = 9.4), mean
      time after PM-SAH 4.7 (SD = 1.6) years participated. Patients with fatigue (33%)
      had significantly lower scores than patients without fatigue on most objective
      cognitive functioning tests (p < 0.05). Fatigue score was significantly
      associated with subjective and objective cognitive functioning, mood and
      comorbidity. After adjustment for mood and comorbidity, fatigue remained
      associated with attention and executive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      supports our previous findings that a third of patients with PM-SAH experience
      fatigue and problems of cognitive functioning, also in the long term. Future
      research should investigate whether these patients would benefit from long-term
      follow-up and/or cognitive rehabilitation programmes. Implications for
      Rehabilitation Consequences for patients with PM-SAH are underestimated. One in
      every three patients suffered from fatigue in the long term after onset of PM
      SAH. Patients with PM-SAH should be screened for problems of cognitive
      functioning, fatigue and mood in outpatient clinic just as patients with
      aneurysmal SAH.

PMID- 27269207
TI  - First Experience with Three-Dimensional Thoracolaparoscopy in Esophageal Cancer
      Surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic techniques are rapidly gaining interest in esophageal
      cancer surgery due to lower pulmonary complication rates and faster postoperative
      recovery. Conventional two-dimensional endoscopic surgery has two main
      limitations: lack of depth perception and limited dexterity due to the use of
      rigid instruments. Theoretically, three-dimensional (3D) endoscopy can overcome
      these limitations, but to date, its use has not been reported in the context of
      esophageal cancer surgery. We studied our first series of 3D thoracolaparoscopic
      esophagectomies to document the safety and feasibility of implementing this
      technique. METHODS: Patients who underwent a thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy
      using a glasses-based 3D system with a 100 degrees  angulating camera tip were
      included. Continuity of the digestive tract was restored with gastric tube
      reconstruction and a cervical anastomosis. RESULTS: All 13 resections were
      completed thoracolaparoscopically. Median duration of surgery was 360 minutes
      (range: 245-590 minutes), and median blood loss was 170 mL (range: 50-230 mL). A
      median of 20 lymph nodes was resected, and all resections were microscopically
      radical. Median hospital stay was 9 days. Two patients developed pneumonia (15%),
      and three patients experienced an anastomotic leakage (23%). All postoperative
      complications were managed on the ward. CONCLUSION: In this series, the newest
      generation glasses-based 3D systems proved safe and useful for the
      thoracolaparoscopic resection of esophageal cancer. Besides better visualization,
      dexterity seemed to be improved using the 100 degrees  flexible 3D camera.
      Implementation was without significant problems, and the first results are
      promising.

PMID- 27269212
TI  - What Do All the Numbers Mean?

PMID- 27269211
TI  - Track-Density Imaging of the Human Brainstem for Anatomic Localization of Fiber
      Tracts and Nerve Nuclei in Vivo: Initial Experience with 3-T Magnetic Resonance
      Imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The brainstem comprises a large variety of fiber tracts and nerve
      nuclei and is unarguably one of the most crucial parts of the brain. Reliable
      noninvasive visualization of its anatomy may help relate normal and pathological
      anatomic variations to neurologic/psychiatric disorders. In this study, we
      explored the potential of direction-encoded track-density imaging (TDI) for
      depicting the intricate anatomy of the brainstem. METHODS: A total of 18 healthy
      volunteers (10 females, 8 males; median age, 34.5 years; interquartile range, 31
      44.5 years) were examined on a 3-T MRI system. Diffusion tensor imaging data were
      processed using MRtrix to generate TDI images. These images were then compared
      with anatomic atlases to identify nerve nuclei and fiber tracts. The ability of
      TDI to delineate anatomic structures in the mesencephalon, pons, and medulla
      oblongata was evaluated using a 6-point Likert scale (5, excellent; 4, good; 3,
      moderate; 2, poor; 1, no adequate differentiation; 0, evaluation not possible).
      RESULTS: All generated TDI images were evaluable without limitations. In the
      mesencephalon, delineation of the substantia nigra, crus cerebri, and red nucleus
      was rated as excellent, that of the medial lemniscus was rated as good, and that
      of the inferior colliculus was rated as poor. Delineation of all anatomic
      structures in the pons was rated as excellent. In the medulla oblongata,
      delineation of the pyramid was rated as excellent and that of the medial
      lemniscus as moderate, whereas delineation of the inferior olive was not
      possible. CONCLUSIONS: TDI images provide optimal delineation of nerve nuclei and
      fibers in the upper brainstem, but have more difficulty identifying more caudal
      structures.

PMID- 27269210
TI  - Invasive Giant Cell Tumor of the Lateral Skull Base: A Systematic Review, Meta
      Analysis, and Case Illustration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current literature regarding cranial giant cell tumor (GCT)
      management includes scattered case reports and small case series. We present a
      comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis on this subject, along with a
      case report describing our management of a patient with temporal GCT. METHODS: A
      systematic literature review of all reports on GCTs of the skull was performed,
      followed by a meta-analysis examining the effect of radiation and degree of
      resection on tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Fifty-nine abstracts published between
      1945 and 2015, reporting 110 cases of GCT, were reviewed. After exclusions were
      applied, 31 reports, covering 67 patients, were selected for meta-analysis.
      Average patient age was 33.7 years, and the male:female ratio was roughly 1:1.
      Tumor locations were temporal in 37 patients, sphenoid in 20 patients, occipital
      in 6 patients, frontal in 2 patients, and the temporomandibular joint in 2
      patients. Treatments were surgery plus radiation in 25 patients, surgery alone in
      41 patients, and radiation alone in 1 patient. In the 66 patients who underwent
      surgery, the degree of resection was gross total resection (GTR) in 34 patients,
      subtotal resection (STR) in 31 patients, and not recorded in 1 patient. The mean
      follow-up time was 36 months. Recurrence occurred in 8.8% of patients in the GTR
      group and in 32.3% of those in the STR group (odds ratio, 0.203; 95% confidence
      interval, 0.033-0.937; P = 0.018). The odds ratio for STR alone compared with STR
      plus radiation was 14.01 (P = 0.0038). CONCLUSION: GCTs of the skull commonly
      affect young adults, with an equal sex distribution, and are most often centered
      in temporal bone. GTR is associated with the lowest recurrence rate and should be
      the goal of treatment. If GTR cannot be achieved, the combination of STR and
      radiation results in a similar recurrence rate. With the advent of denosumab,
      there is now a role for chemotherapy in the treatment of GCTs.

PMID- 27269213
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27269214
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - El cancer es un problema sanitario de primera magnitud a escala mundial. Su
      tratamiento es uno de los mayores campos de innovacion y desarrollo en medicina.
      La vision del cancer como una enfermedad sistemica, heterogenea y de una elevada
      complejidad hace que los enfermos deban recibir una atencion oncologica de
      calidad, proporcionada por equipos multidisciplinares altamente cualificados.
      Ademas de la gran incidencia de malnutricion en estos pacientes, la intervencion
      nutricional precoz puede mejorar su pronostico, aumentar la calidad de vida y
      disminuir la tasa de complicaciones de la enfermedad. Por ello, es necesaria una
      estrecha colaboracion entre el oncologo y el experto en nutricion. 

PMID- 27269215
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - El sindrome de caquexia cancerosa es responsable de la muerte de un numero
      significativo de pacientes con cancer. Se caracteriza por la presencia de una
      ingesta reducida, con inflamacion sistemica y un metabolismo alterado. Los
      enfermos presentan caracteristicamente una progresiva perdida de peso y de masa
      muscular, junto a deterioro funcional. La perdida muscular se debe a la
      combinacion de reduccion de la sintesis proteica con aumento de su degradacion.
      Ello conduce tanto a un acortamiento como a una reduccion en el area de la fibra
      muscular. Asimismo, existen datos que apoyan que selectivamente algunos de los
      tipos de fibra muscular se ven mas afectados. Es necesario definir bien los
      valores de corte de sarcopenia para diagnosticar la perdida muscular y existen
      diferentes metodos. El sistema de la ubiquitina-proteasoma parece desempenar un
      papel predominante en la degradacion de la proteina miofibrilar. La tendencia a
      perder masa muscular en los pacientes con caquexia cancerosa parece estar
      asociada a la activacion de senales catabolicas por citoquinas proinflamatorias,
      asi como por productos tumorales del tipo factor inductor de proteolisis. En
      referencia a los factores pronosticos, el riesgo de muerte esta bien documentado
      en pacientes con sarcopenia y, especialmente, en aquellos con obesidad asociada a
      la sarcopenia. Asimismo, se ha establecido una relacion directa entre la perdida
      intensa de masa muscular y la supervivencia en pacientes con diferentes tipos de
      tumores del tipo de cancer de pancreas, pulmon, tracto biliar o cancer
      colorrectal. Respecto de la terapia en el sindrome de caquexia cancerosa, es
      factible que requiera tratamiento con varios grupos combinados que incluyan,
      junto al soporte nutricional, farmacos orexigenos, con efecto anabolico y
      antinflamatorio, asociados a intervenciones que estimulen el ejercicio fisico. 

PMID- 27269216
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - La atencion nutricional en el paciente oncohematologico debe formar parte del
      tratamiento global del paciente. Las alteraciones debidas a la localizacion de la
      neoplasia y los efectos secundarios del tratamiento oncoespecifico muchas veces
      dificultan o impiden la alimentacion oral. Esto puede dar lugar a una
      desnutricion y es de gran importancia su deteccion, valoracion e intervencion
      temprana. El primer paso en la intervencion nutricional es el consejo dietetico.
      Este articulo muestra que aspectos deben tenerse en cuenta para poder elaborar un
      consejo dietetico y la importancia de que este sea individualizado. Se describen
      como ejemplo cuatro situaciones especiales, donde es necesario trasladar las
      recomendaciones nutricionales a un plan dietetico. Tambien se incide en el uso de
      los probioticos en pacientes inmunocomprometidos. 

PMID- 27269217
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - Cada vez es mayor el numero de ancianos con diagnostico de cancer que acuden a
      las consultas de Oncologia Medica. El proceso del envejecimiento y la gran
      variabilidad existente en la poblacion geriatrica implican que, para hacer un
      abordaje adecuado del paciente, se deba considerar la edad fisiologica del
      anciano, y no su edad biologica. Para ello, es preciso hacer una evaluacion
      somera, especifica e individualizada a cada uno de los ancianos con diagnostico
      de cancer que acudan a nuestra consulta. La valoracion geriatrica integral (VGI)
      es la herramienta clave que permite evaluarlos de forma adecuada, e incluso
      orienta la toma de decisiones "personalizada" en los ancianos con diagnostico de
      cancer. Dado que la VGI consume mucho tiempo en la consulta diaria, se estan
      desarrollando distintas herramientas de cribado que permitan acortar la atencion
      al paciente, al seleccionar aquellos ancianos que deban someterse a una VGI y
      aquellos en los que esta no sea necesaria. Se han publicado distintos modelos de
      VGI en la Oncogeriatria y se han desarrollado distintas herramientas de cribado
      de fragilidad; los mas conocidos son el cuestionario Vulnerable Elders Survey-13
      (VES-13) y el cuestionario G-8. En este articulo se hace una revision acerca de
      la evidencia cientifica existente en cuanto a la atencion y valoracion del
      anciano oncologico, asi como los distintos parametros de los que se disponen para
      la toma de decisiones definitiva. Dichos datos reflejan el papel de la
      Oncogeriatria como la via para ofrecer una atencion global optima a este grupo
      poblacional. 

PMID- 27269218
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - En la actualidad existe una alta variabilidad en la practica clinica en nutricion
      que podria afectar al estado nutricional de los pacientes oncologicos. La
      implementacion de guias de practica clinica de adecuada calidad puede ayudarnos a
      disminuir esta variabilidad y minimizar los efectos deletereos de la malnutricion
      en los pacientes oncologicos. Las guias suelen estar basadas en la evidencia,
      formulando las recomendaciones a partir de la mejor informacion disponible. No
      obstante, es importante tener en cuenta la calidad metodologica en la elaboracion
      de las guias y valorar si existen conflictos de interes. Los principales
      problemas de las guias actuales suelen ser que existe limitada evidencia de alta
      calidad, y que las recomendaciones basadas exclusivamente en la evidencia pueden
      no ser utiles en la practica clinica diaria, ya que no tienen en cuenta la
      aplicabilidad que es fundamental para su implementacion. Por otro lado, las guias
      clinicas hasta la actualidad han sido inconsistentes en la forma de evaluar la
      calidad de la evidencia y el grado de recomendacion. Como resultado, los usuarios
      se enfrentan al desafio de comprender los mensajes que los diferentes sistemas de
      grados de evidencia tratan de comunicar. En esta revision se realiza un resumen
      de las recomendaciones de las principales guias clinicas sobre valoracion y/o
      soporte nutricional en pacientes oncohematologicos desarrolladas en los ultimos
      10 anos, incluyendo algunas guias de calidad de sociedades cientificas que no son
      accesibles a traves de las bases de datos comunmente usadas como PubMed. 

PMID- 27269219
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - Durante la ultima decada, el conocimiento de nuevos mecanismos implicados en el
      desarrollo del cancer ha permitido el diseno de nuevos farmacos para su
      tratamiento y la mayor parte de ellos son farmacos que se administran por via
      oral. Uno de los principales problemas de los pacientes oncohematologicos es la
      desnutricion, que suele tener causas multifactoriales (de la propia enfermedad,
      de los pacientes y de los diferentes tratamientos administrados). Para minimizar
      el impacto de la desnutricion es necesaria una intervencion nutricional, ya sea
      adaptando la dieta o mediante la instauracion de soporte nutricional artificial,
      en funcion de la gravedad de cada caso. En cualquier paciente que este recibiendo
      un tratamiento oncologico hay que evaluar las posibles interacciones que pueden
      existir con el soporte nutricional instaurado, ya sea dieta oral, suplementacion
      oral o nutricion enteral. Estas interacciones pueden disminuir la eficacia,
      aumentar la toxicidad de los tratamientos o producir deficits nutricionales. Se
      detallan las principales interacciones que se pueden producir, las interacciones
      entre los tratamientos oncologicos y el soporte nutricional. 

PMID- 27269220
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - Los datos del estudio PREDYCES(r) nos revelaron que en Espana la desnutricion
      relacionada con la enfermedad (DRE) afecta a uno de cada cuatro pacientes
      hospitalizados. Esta cifra aumenta hasta el 36,8% en los pacientes hematologicos.
      Se calcula que un 20% de los pacientes oncologicos muere por complicaciones
      relacionadas con la DRE. Nuestro grupo se planteo en 2011 comenzar la
      implantacion de un cribado nutricional en los servicios con mayor riesgo de DRE.
      La presente revision trata de describir todo el proceso que hemos seguido para
      mejorar la situacion nutricional en los pacientes ingresados en el Servicio de
      Hematologia del Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Leon (CAULE),
      mayoritariamente con diagnostico de neoplasias hematologicas. En un primer
      estudio piloto, detectamos una alta prevalencia de desnutricion, que tendio a
      aumentar durante la hospitalizacion. Ademas, solo el 8,3% los enfermos valorados
      recibieron algun tipo de soporte nutricional y no se estaban cubriendo sus
      necesidades ni caloricas ni proteicas, lo que se asociaba a un peor pronostico.
      Por este motivo, nos decidimos a implantar de manera sistematica un cribado y una
      intervencion nutricional adecuada, que comenzo en 2011 y que ha recibido el
      reconocimiento como Buena Practica del Sistema Nacional de Salud. 

PMID- 27269221
TI  - Three-dimensional evaluation of the alar cinch suture after Le Fort I osteotomy.
AB  - Orthognathic surgery has an influence on the overlying soft tissues of the
      translated bony maxillomandibular complex. Improvements in both function and
      facial appearance are the goals of surgery. However, unwanted changes to the soft
      tissues, especially in the nose region, frequently occur. The most common
      secondary change in the nasolabial region is widening of the alar base. Various
      surgical techniques have been developed to minimize this effect. The purpose of
      this study was to evaluate the changes in the nasal region due to orthognathic
      surgery, especially the alar width and nasal volume, using combined cone beam
      computed tomography (CBCT) and three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry
      datasets. Twenty-six patients who underwent a Le Fort I advancement osteotomy
      between 2006 and 2013 were included. From 2006 to 2010, no alar base cinch
      sutures were performed. From 2010 onwards, alar base cinch sutures were used.
      Preoperative and postoperative documentation consisted of 3D stereophotogrammetry
      and CBCT scans. 3D measurements were performed on the combined datasets, and the
      alar base width and nose volume were analyzed. No difference in alar base width
      or nose volume was observed between patients who had undergone an alar cinch and
      those who had not. Postoperatively the nose widened and the volume increased in
      both groups. 

PMID- 27269223
TI  - Editorial note on journal style.

PMID- 27269222
TI  - Three-dimensional virtual simulation of alar width changes following bimaxillary
      osteotomies.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) soft
      tissue simulation of nose width changes following bimaxillary osteotomies and to
      identify patient- and surgery-related factors that may affect the accuracy of
      simulation. Sixty patients (mean age 26 years) who underwent bimaxillary
      osteotomies participated in this study. Cone beam computed tomography scans were
      acquired preoperatively and at 1-year postoperative. The 3D hard and soft tissue
      rendered preoperative and postoperative virtual head models were superimposed,
      after which the maxilla and mandible were segmented and aligned to the
      postoperative position. The postoperative changes in alar width were simulated
      using a mass tensor model (MTM)-based algorithm and compared with the
      postoperative outcome. 3D cephalometric analyses were used to quantify the
      simulation error. The postoperative alar width was increased by 1.6+/-1.1mm and
      the mean error between the 3D simulation and the actual postoperative alar width
      was 1.0+/-0.9mm. The predictability was not correlated to factors such as age,
      sex, alar cinch suture, VY closure, maxillary advancement, or a history of
      surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion. The MTM-based simulation model of
      postoperative alar width change was found to be reasonably accurate, although
      there is room for further improvement. 

PMID- 27269224
TI  - When the field is a ward or a clinic: Hospital ethnography.

PMID- 27269225
TI  - Negotiated interactive observation: Doing fieldwork in hospital settings.
AB  - In this paper I discuss the possibilities and limitations of the ethnographer
      participating in the different on-going activities and events in highly
      specialised healthcare systems. The concept of participant observation is based
      on a number of assumptions, particularly that the ethnographer will become one of
      'them' to be able to follow the steps belonging to the accepted ethnographic
      research practice of doing fieldwork. The character of fieldwork in highly
      specialised healthcare systems does not fit well with this assumption. I suggest
      that we need to rethink the concept of participant observation and I propose
      negotiated interactive observation as a more appropriate way to describe
      ethnographic fieldwork in a setting such as the hospital or the clinic. 

PMID- 27269226
TI  - 'Untangling the web of critical incidents': Ethnography in a paediatric setting.
AB  - Critical incidents (CIs) are the elements that bring about an alert or wake up
      call for clinicians in hospital wards. They are considered critical because the
      safety of patients, staff or visitors is at risk. Not all CIs result in dire
      consequences, nor do they require Root Cause Analysis (RCA). Nonetheless,
      incidents affect patients and involve clinicians' interactions with each other.
      This paper describes the complexities embedded in two CIs in a major paediatric
      hospital in Australia. An anthropological ethnographic research approach enabled
      the researcher to observe, document, interpret and make sense of the activities
      of clinicians in two different clinical areas of the hospital, i.e., the
      Rehabilitation Unit and the Neonatal Unit (NU). Ethnographic research
      significantly exposes and highlights hospital dramas and shows the effects on
      clinicians' everyday lives. We suggest that CIs have two dimensions: a medical
      and a social. The medical dimension encompasses factors in the treatment and care
      of the patient. The social dimension encompasses the social relationships and the
      socio-affectivity (emotional responses and labour) of treating clinicians. Our
      main argument is that foregrounding of the socio-cultural dimensions of CIs
      informs and impacts on the medical dimensions. Our conclusions demonstrate that
      the social dimensions of CIs have important ramifications for clinical
      interactions in everyday practices and these impact on the positive learning of
      clinicians after a CI has occurred. 

PMID- 27269227
TI  - What's in a rehab? Ethnographic evaluation research in Indigenous Australian
      residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres.
AB  - Residential rehabilitation centres are a popular form of treatment for Indigenous
      Australians suffering from alcohol and drug misuse; however, there has been very
      little substantive research and evaluation in this area. Based on long-term
      ethnographic research, this study examines the informal aspects of a treatment
      programme in an Indigenous residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation service.
      Evaluation of such services often focuses on treatment length and/or treatment
      level obtained as key indicators of success. This study suggests that 'treatment'
      may be more complex and layered with multiple levels of meaning, which may not
      necessarily be captured in some evaluation designs. For the residential
      rehabilitation centre discussed in this paper, oscillating periods of mutual
      support and discipline have an important therapeutic function. Standard measures
      of treatment length and level obtained are meaningless without incorporating
      understanding of this process. This paper presents some of the ethnographic
      findings, alongside some of the evaluation implications of doing this kind of
      research. 

PMID- 27269228
TI  - Patients' perspectives on hospitalisation: Experiences from a cancer ward in
      Kenya.
AB  - This paper explores how adult cancer in-patients feel about and make sense of
      their condition and therapy. Data was collected through observation and informal
      conversations with patients and hospital staff, over a period of 12 months, on a
      cancer ward in a teaching hospital in Kenya. I held in-depth conversations on
      multiple occasions with 42 patients. Most of them expected to recover quite
      fully, despite having postponed seeking medical help, and delays in referral.
      Long periods of suffering, prolonged diagnosis and treatment, and socio-economic
      difficulties shape the patients' perspectives on hospitalisation. The low
      position of patients in the social and medical hierarchy, and inadequate hospital
      resources, hamper their capacity to negotiate their care. The needs of the cancer
      patients can better be met when their experiences during hospitalisation are
      understood. This can foster co-operation between patients and hospital staff to
      facilitate coping with chronic illness. The patients' views highlight both
      material and non-material needs in cancer management in a developing country. 

PMID- 27269229
TI  - Death dwells in spaces: Bodies in the hospital mortuary.
AB  - This paper explores the idea of death spaces, in particular the ways that
      diverse, at times disruptive, meanings about the dead are inscribed in mortuary
      spaces. The author draws upon data from an ethnographic study based in a
      hospital's Department of Anatomical Pathology to introduce the concept of three
      co-constructed spaces: that of sentiment, science and spirit. The author explores
      the daily interactions between the living and the materially dead through
      description of perceptions and practices that form the discursive space of the
      mortuary. 

PMID- 27269231
TI  - Determining the Solar Inactivation Rate of BK Polyomavirus by Molecular Beacon.
AB  - The application of molecular beacons (MB) that bind to precise sequences of mRNA
      provides a near-universal approach in detecting evidence of viral replication.
      Here, we demonstrate the detection of BK Polyomavirus (BKPyV), an emerging
      indicator of microbiological water quality, by a quantum dot-based MB. The MB
      allowed us to rapidly characterize the inactivation rate of BKPyV following
      exposure to a solar simulator (kobs = 0.578 +/- 0.024 h(-1), R(2) = 0.92).
      Results were validated through a traditional cell-culture assay with
      immunofluorescence detection (kobs = 0.568 +/- 0.011 h(-1), R(2) = 0.97), which
      exhibited a strong correlation to MB data (R(2) = 0.93). Obtaining solar
      inactivation rates for BKPyV demonstrates the first use of a MB in characterizing
      a microbiological inactivation profile and helps assess the appropriateness of
      adopting BKPyV as an indicator organism for water quality.

PMID- 27269232
TI  - Survival and Prognostic Factors of Colorectal Liver Metastases After Surgical and
      Nonsurgical Treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer is one leading cause of cancer-related death
      worldwide, and distant metastases determine an unfavorable prognosis. Surgical
      resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) improves survival and provides
      the chance for cure. The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze the
      outcome of patients with CRLM in a population-based manner, and thereby, to
      compare the prognosis of patients undergoing resection with those receiving
      nonsurgical treatment. Moreover, we set out to identify and confirm important
      prognostic factors after resection of CRLM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the
      outcome of 506 patients diagnosed with CRLM in our institution from 1996 to 2011.
      Survival and the impact of clinical and pathologic factors were analyzed by
      univariate analysis. Important independent prognostic factors were analyzed by
      multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate (5y-OSR) for
      patients receiving resection of CRLM (n = 152) was 46% (95% confidence interval
      (CI), 37%-54%) compared with a 5y-OSR of 6% (95% CI, 4%-9%) for patients treated
      nonsurgically (n = 354). There was no perioperative mortality. Multivariate
      analysis revealed, among other factors, good performance status of the patient
      (low American Society of Anesthesiologists score), the absence of extrahepatic
      metastases, < 5 metastatic lesions, and a tumor-free resection margin (R0) as
      important, independent prognostic factors. Importantly, repeated hepatic
      resections of CRLM performed in 13 patients were associated with an excellent
      outcome (5y-OSR, 47%; 95% CI, 17%-72%). CONCLUSION: Surgical resection, which can
      be performed with tolerable site-effects, is the first choice for patients
      diagnosed with metachronous and synchronous CRLM. Of note, repeated resections
      should be advised in recurrent intrahepatic colorectal cancer whenever possible.

PMID- 27269233
TI  - Attitudes towards interprofessional collaboration among primary care physicians
      and nurses in Singapore.
AB  - Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has been shown to improve patient outcomes,
      cost efficiency, and health professional satisfaction, and enhance healthy
      workplaces. We determined the attitudes of primary care physicians and nurses
      towards IPC and factors facilitating IPC using a cross-sectional study design in
      Singapore. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire, based on the Jefferson
      Scale of Attitudes toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration (JSAPNC), was distributed
      to primary healthcare physicians and nurses working in National Healthcare Group
      Polyclinics (N = 455). We found that the mean JSAPNC score for physicians was
      poorer than that for nurses (50.39 [SD = 4.67] vs. 51.61 [SD = 4.19],
      respectively, mean difference, MD = 1.22, CI = 0.35-2.09, p = .006). Nurses with
      advanced education had better mean JSAPNC score than nurses with basic education
      (52.28 [SD = 4.22] vs. 51.12 [SD = 4.11], respectively, MD = 1.16, CI = 0.12
      2.20, p = .029). Male participants had poorer mean JSAPNC score compared to
      females (50.27 [SD = 5.02] vs. 51.38 [SD = 4.22], respectively MD = 1.11, CI =
      0.07-2.14, p = .036). With regression analysis, only educational qualification
      among nurses was independently and positively associated with JSAPNC scores (p =
      .018). In conclusion, primary care nurses in Singapore had more positive
      attitudes towards IPC than physicians. Among nurses, those with advanced
      education had more positive attitudes than those with basic education. Greater
      emphasis on IPC education in training of physicians and nurses could help improve
      attitudes further. 

PMID- 27269235
TI  - Tightening a loose loop of suture in a continuous laparoscopic suture line.

PMID- 27269234
TI  - Adverse impact of intermittent portal clamping on long-term postoperative
      outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Introduction To evaluate the impact of intermittent portal clamping (IPC) on long
      term postoperative outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
      Methods Clinical records of 355 patients underwent curative liver resection for
      HCC in January 2007 to December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. According to
      how portal clamping was performed, patients were grouped as: IPC, n=113; other
      portal clamping (OPC), n=190; and no portal clamping (NPC), n=52. Results Median
      recurrence-free survival (RFS) was statistically significantly shorter in the IPC
      (39.4 months) than OPC (47.3 months, p=0.010) and NPC groups (51.4 months,
      p=0.008). Median overall survival (OS) was also significantly shorter with IPC
      (46.3 months), versus 52.9 months with OPC (p=0.022) and 56.2 months with NPC
      (p=0.015). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that 5-year cumulative RFS was
      much lower in the IPC (42.5%) than OPC (50.9%, p=0.014) and NPC groups (49.6%,
      p=0.013). Five-year cumulative OS was also much lower in the IPC (44.9%) than OPC
      (58.0%, p=0.020) and NPC groups (57.7%, p=0.025). On univariate analysis, tumour
      grade, size and number, TNM stage, blood transfusion, vascular invasion and IPC
      were significantly inversely correlated with RFS and OS. On multivariate
      analysis, tumour size and number, blood transfusion, vascular invasion and IPC
      remained significant. Conclusions Our study suggests that IPC is an independent
      risk factor for poor long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with HCC.

PMID- 27269236
TI  - The use of unicondylar cement spacers as a bone preserving measure in two-stage
      revision knee arthroplasty.

PMID- 27269237
TI  - A comparative audit of gunshot wounds and stab wounds to the neck in a South
      African metropolitan trauma service.
AB  - Introduction The aim of this comparative study of gunshot wounds (GSWs) and stab
      wounds (SWs) to the neck was to quantify the impact of the mechanism of injury on
      the outcome and management of penetrating neck injury (PNI). Methods A
      prospective trauma registry was interrogated retrospectively. Data were analysed
      pertaining to demographics and injury severity score (ISS), physiology on
      presentation, anatomical site of wounds and injuries sustained, investigations,
      management, outcome and complications. Results There were 452 SW and 58 GSW cases
      over the 46 months of the study. Patients with GSWs were more likely to have
      extracervical injuries than those with SWs (69% vs 63%). The incidence of a
      'significant cervical injury' was almost twice as high in the GSW cohort (55% vs
      31%). For patients with transcervical GSWs, this increased to 80%. The mean ISS
      was 17 for GSW and 11 for SW patients. Those in the GSW cohort presented with
      threatened airways and a requirement for an emergency airway three times as often
      as patients with SWs (24% vs 7% and 14% vs 5% respectively). The incidence among
      GSW and SW patients respectively was 5% and 6% for airway injuries, 12% and 8%
      for injuries to the digestive tract, 21% and 16% for vascular injuries, 59% and
      10% for associated cervical injuries, 36% and 14% for maxillofacial injuries, 16%
      and 9% for injuries to the head, and 35% and 45% for injuries to the chest. In
      the GSW group, 91% underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA), with 23% of
      these being positive for a vascular injury. For SWs, 74% of patients underwent
      CTA, with 17% positive for a vascular injury. Slightly more patients with GSWs
      required operative intervention than those with SWs (29% vs 26%). Conclusions
      Patients with GSWs to the neck have a worse outcome than those with injuries
      secondary to SWs. However, the proportion of neck injuries actually requiring
      direct surgical intervention is not increased and most cases with PNI secondary
      to GSWs can be managed conservatively with a good outcome. Imaging should be
      performed for all GSWs to the neck. 

PMID- 27269238
TI  - Avoiding fluid loss from an unused portal during hip arthroscopy.

PMID- 27269239
TI  - Surgery in the older person: Training needs for the provision of
      multidisciplinary care.
AB  - Introduction Many older surgical patients are exposed to high risks of morbidity
      and mortality when undergoing both elective and emergency surgery. Methods We
      provide an overview of perioperative care teams and the educational opportunities
      available to surgeons who undertake surgery in the older person. Findings The
      number of older people undergoing surgery is increasing at a rate faster than the
      proportion of older people in the overall population. Management of the older
      surgical patient throughout the surgical pathway forms part of the Specialty
      Training Curriculum for Geriatric Medicine. While 'surgery in childhood'
      continues to form part of the general surgical higher training syllabus, surgery
      in the later years of life does not. There are limited postgraduate courses and
      training opportunities currently available to surgeons in this field. There is
      clear societal need to address perioperative care for older surgical patients,
      which has proved successful in some centers. Moreover, surgical trainees support
      the inclusion of geriatric medicine issues into their training. Conclusions The
      ageing population requires a multidisciplinary perioperative approach, with
      dedicated and appropriately trained clinicians and allied health care
      professionals to improve outcomes. 

PMID- 27269240
TI  - Hybrid tracheostomy.

PMID- 27269241
TI  - Modular emergency general surgery training: A pilot study of a novel programme.
AB  - Introduction Pan-speciality consensus guidance advocates mandatory emergency
      general surgery (EGS) training modules for specialist registrars (StRs). This
      pilot study evaluated the impact of EGS modules aimed at StRs over 1 year.
      Methods Eleven StRs were allocated a focused 4-week EGS module, in addition to
      the standard 1:12 on-call duty rota, in a tertiary surgical centre. Primary
      outcome measures included the number of indicative emergency operations and
      validated Procedure Based Assessments (PBAs) performed, both during the EGS
      module and over the training year. Results StRs performed a median of 11 (range 5
      15) laparotomies during the EGS module versus 31 (range 9-49) over the whole
      training year. StRs attended 43.7% of available laparotomies during the module
      (range 24.1-63.7%). EGS modules provided more than one-third of the total
      emergency laparotomy experience, and a quarter of the emergency colectomy,
      appendicectomy and Hartmann's procedure experience. There were no differences in
      EGS module-related outcomes between junior and senior StRs. Significantly more
      PBAs related to laparotomy and segmental colectomy were completed during EGS
      modules than the on-call duty rota, at 32% versus 14% (p<0.001) and 48% versus
      22% (p=0.019), respectively. Performance levels were maintained following module
      completion. Conclusions These findings provide an important baseline when
      considering future modular EGS training. 

PMID- 27269242
TI  - A report on an acute, in-hours, outpatient review clinic with ultrasonography
      facilities for the early evaluation of general surgical patients.
AB  - Introduction In 2013 our hospital introduced an in-hours, consultant-led,
      outpatient acute surgical clinic (ASC) for emergency general surgical patients.
      In 2014 this clinic was equipped with a dedicated ultrasonography service. This
      prospective cohort study evaluated this service before and after the introduction
      of ultrasonography facilities. Methods Data were recorded prospectively for all
      patients attending the clinic during 2013 and 2014. The primary outcome was
      patient destination (whether there was follow-up/admission) after clinic
      attendance. Results The ASC reviewed patients with a wide age range and array of
      general surgical complaints. In 2013, 186 patients attended the ASC. After the
      introduction of the ultrasonography service in 2014, 304 patients attended. In
      2014, there was a reduction in the proportion of patients admitted to hospital
      from the clinic (18.3% vs 8.9%, p=0.002). However, the proportion of patients
      discharged after ASC review remained comparable with 2013 (30.1% in 2013 vs 38.8%
      in 2014, p=0.051). The proportion of patients undergoing computed tomography (CT)
      scans also fell (14.0% vs 4.9%, p<0.001). Conclusions The ASC assessed a wide
      array of general surgical complaints. Only a small proportion required hospital
      admission. The introduction of an ultrasonography service was associated with a
      further reduction in admission rates and computed tomography. 

PMID- 27269243
TI  - General paediatric surgery for patients aged under 5 years: a 5-year experience
      at a district general hospital.
AB  - Introduction The gradual shift of general paediatric surgery (GPS) provision from
      district general hospitals (DGH) to specialised units is well recognised in the
      UK. The consequences of centralisation include a reduction in exposure to GPS for
      current surgical trainees. The GPS practice of a DGH is examined here. Methods
      All operations performed on children aged under 5 years over a 5-year period were
      identified using the local electronic operation database. Electronic hospital
      records and clinic letters were accessed to collect data on demographics,
      operations performed and outcome measures. Results 472 GPS operations were
      performed on children between the age of 22 days and 5 years between 2009 and
      2014, of which 43 were on an emergency basis and 105 were performed on patients
      aged less than 1 year. Three patients were admitted following day case surgery.
      Six patients were readmitted within 30 days. Complication rates for all
      procedures and the four most common procedures were similar to those found in
      published literature. Conclusions GPS for patients aged less than 5 years is
      comparatively safe in the DGH setting. The training opportunities available at
      DGHs are invaluable to surgical trainees and vital for sustaining the future
      provision of GPS by such hospitals. 

PMID- 27269244
TI  - Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography in Crohn's Disease: Noninvasive Imaging of
      Disease Activity.

PMID- 27269246
TI  - Common genetic variants in platelet surface receptors and its association with
      ischemic stroke.
AB  - Ischemic stroke has been named one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
      Whereas numerous biological mechanisms and molecules were found to be associated
      with stroke, platelets are particularly contributive to its pathogenesis. Recent
      data indicate considerable variability in platelet phenotype which accounts for
      differences in platelet surface receptor function, count and reactivity. These
      features collectively influence both the events leading to a disease and
      effectiveness of antiplatelet therapies. Consequently, genetic variants
      predisposing to cerebrovascular diseases can be sequenced using a wide array of
      techniques and become a useful tool in clinical setting. In this review, we
      provide an outline of common platelet polymorphisms that impose risk on ischemic
      stroke development and should be evaluated as targets to improve treatment. As
      study results are often inconsistent, partly due to differences in demographic
      characteristics between study populations and the fact that the functional impact
      of these variants has been relatively small, we conclude that both rare, low
      frequency and common variants might account for genetic contribution on abnormal
      platelet response to antiplatelet drugs.

PMID- 27269247
TI  - The Budget Impact of Increased Use of Febuxostat in the Management of Gout: A US
      Health Plan Managed Care Pharmacy and Medical Costs Perspective.
AB  - PURPOSE: Gout is a chronic disease characterized by the deposition of urate
      crystals in the joints and throughout the body, caused by an excess burden of
      serum uric acid (sUA). The study estimates pharmacy and medical cost budgetary
      impacts of wider adoption by US payers of febuxostat, a urate-lowering therapy
      (ULT) for the treatment of gout. METHODS: A US payer-perspective budget impact
      model followed ULT patients from a 1,000,000-member plan over 3 years. The
      current market share scenario, febuxostat (6%) and ULT allopurinol (94%), was
      compared with an 18% febuxostat market share. Data were implemented from
      randomized controlled trials, census and epidemiologic studies, and real-world
      database analyses. An innovation was the inclusion of gout-related chronic kidney
      disease costs. Cost results were estimated as annual and cumulative incremental
      costs, expressed as total costs, cost per member per month, and cost per treated
      member per month. Clinical results were also estimated. FINDINGS: Increasing the
      febuxostat market share resulted in a 6.3% increase in patients achieving the sUA
      target level of <6.0 mg/dL and a 1.4% reduction in gout flares during the 3-year
      period. Total cost increased 1.4%, with a 49.9% increase in ULT costs, a 1.4%
      reduction in flare costs, a 1.2% reduction in chronic kidney disease costs, and a
      2.8% reduction in gout care costs. The cumulative incremental costs were
      $1,307,425 in the first year, $1,939,016 through the second year, and $2,092,744
      through the third year. By the third year, savings in medical costs offset most
      of the increase in treatment costs. Impacts on cumulative cost per member per
      month and cumulative cost per treated member per month followed the same pattern,
      with the highest impact in the first year and cumulative impacts declining during
      the 3-year period. The cumulative cost per member per month impact was estimated
      as $0.109, $0.081, and $0.058 and the cumulative cost per treated member per
      month impact was estimated as $12.416, $9.207, and $6.625 in the first year,
      through the second year, and through the third year, respectively. IMPLICATIONS:
      Expanding the febuxostat market share would result in improved clinical outcomes,
      but with an overall increase in costs over 3 years due to higher costs of
      treatment. By the third year, savings in medical costs, primarily in chronic
      kidney disease costs, would offset most of the increase in treatment costs.
      Expanded use of febuxostat in the treatment of all gout patients, independent of
      renal impairment status, should be considered based on improved clinical outcomes
      and longer-term medical cost savings associated with these improved outcomes.

PMID- 27269248
TI  - A joint modeling approach for uncovering associations between gene expression,
      bioactivity and chemical structure in early drug discovery to guide lead
      selection and genomic biomarker development.
AB  - The modern drug discovery process involves multiple sources of high-dimensional
      data. This imposes the challenge of data integration. A typical example is the
      integration of chemical structure (fingerprint features), phenotypic bioactivity
      (bioassay read-outs) data for targets of interest, and transcriptomic (gene
      expression) data in early drug discovery to better understand the chemical and
      biological mechanisms of candidate drugs, and to facilitate early detection of
      safety issues prior to later and expensive phases of drug development cycles. In
      this paper, we discuss a joint model for the transcriptomic and the phenotypic
      variables conditioned on the chemical structure. This modeling approach can be
      used to uncover, for a given set of compounds, the association between gene
      expression and biological activity taking into account the influence of the
      chemical structure of the compound on both variables. The model allows to detect
      genes that are associated with the bioactivity data facilitating the
      identification of potential genomic biomarkers for compounds efficacy. In
      addition, the effect of every structural feature on both genes and pIC50 and
      their associations can be simultaneously investigated. Two oncology projects are
      used to illustrate the applicability and usefulness of the joint model to
      integrate multi-source high-dimensional information to aid drug discovery.

PMID- 27269245
TI  - Long-term Effects of Hepatitis B Immunization of Infants in Preventing Liver
      Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases with
      age, but protective antibody responses decrease with time after infants are
      immunized against hepatitis B virus (HBV). We investigated whether immunization
      of infants against HBV prevents their developing HCC as adults. We also searched
      for strategies to maximize the cancer-preventive effects. METHODS: We collected
      data from 2 Taiwan HCC registry systems on 1509 patients (6-26 years old)
      diagnosed with HCC from 1983 through 2011. Data on history of HBV immunization
      and prenatal maternal levels of HBV antigens of all HCC patients born after July
      1984 were retrieved from the HBV immunization data bank of the Taiwan Center for
      Disease Control. We collected data on birth cohort-specific populations (6-26
      years old) of Taiwan using the National Household Registry System. Rates of HCC
      incidence per 10(5) person-years were derived by dividing the number of patients
      with HCC by the person-years of the general population. Relative risks (RR) for
      HCC were estimated by Poisson regression analysis in vaccinated vs unvaccinated
      birth cohorts. We stratified patients by age group to evaluate the association of
      birth cohorts and HCC risks. RESULTS: Of the 1509 patients with HCC, 1343 were
      born before, and 166 were born after, the HBV vaccination program began. HCC
      incidence per 10(5) person-years was 0.92 in the unvaccinated cohort and 0.23 in
      the vaccinated birth cohorts. The RRs for HCC in patients 6-9 years old, 10-14
      years old, 15-19 years old, and 20-26 years old who were vaccinated vs
      unvaccinated were 0.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.40), 0.34 (95% CI,
      0.25-0.48), 0.37 (95% CI, 0.25-0.51), and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.32-0.56), respectively.
      The RR for HCC in 6- to 26-year-olds was lower in the later vs the earlier
      cohorts (born in 1992-2005 vs 1986-1992; P < .001 and 1986-1992 vs 1984-1986; P <
      .002). Transmission of HBV from highly infectious mothers and incomplete
      immunization were associated with development of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Based on an
      analysis of 1509 patients with HCC in Taiwan, immunization of infants against HBV
      reduces their risk of developing HCC as children and young adults. Improving HBV
      vaccination strategies and overcoming risk factors could reduce the incidence of
      liver cancer.

PMID- 27269249
TI  - Synthesis of a novel slow-release potassium fertilizer from modified Pidgeon
      magnesium slag by potassium carbonate.
AB  - A novel slow-release potassium fertilizer (SPF) was synthesized using Pidgeon
      magnesium slag (PMS) and potassium carbonate, which could minimize fertilizer
      nutrient loss and PMS disposal problems. Orthogonal experiments were conducted to
      determine the optimum conditions for synthesis. The potassium (K)-bearing
      compounds of SPF existed mainly in the form of crystalline phases
      Ca1.197K0.166SiO4, K2MgSiO4, and K4CaSi3O9, and in the noncrystalline phase. The
      active silicon content of SPF was 2.09 times as much as that of magnesium slag,
      and the slow-release character of SPF met the requirement for partly slow-release
      fertilizer in the national standard (GB/T23348-2009). The best models for
      describing the K release kinetics in water and 2% citric acid were the Elovich
      model and the first-order model, respectively. The heavy metal contents of SPF
      conformed to the national standard for organic-inorganic compound fertilizers,
      and the leaching mass concentrations of heavy metals and Fluorine were far lower
      than the limit values of the identification standard for hazardous waste
      identification for extraction toxicity (GB5085.3-2007), and also met the class II
      quality standard for ground water. The environmental risk of SPF is therefore
      very low, but because SPF is alkaline, its effect on soil pH should be taken into
      account. IMPLICATIONS: PMS is the solid waste resulting from the production of
      magnesium metal by Pidgeon's reduction process. Utilization of PMS in the high
      technology and high-value areas may promote the high-efficiency development of
      worldwide collection metallic magnesium industry and contribute to the reduction
      of emissions of fine dust to air. This paper presents one of the new techniques
      in the use of PMS as a slow-release fertilizer by adding K2CO3. The product can
      serve as a very cost-effective and reliable artificial fertilizer.

PMID- 27269250
TI  - De novo sequencing and transcriptome analysis of a low temperature tolerant
      Saccharum spontaneum clone IND 00-1037.
AB  - Saccharum spontaneum L., a wild relative of sugarcane, is known for its
      adaptability to environmental stresses, particularly cold stress. In the present
      study, an attempt was made for transcriptome profiling of the low temperature (10
      degrees C) tolerant S. spontaneum clone IND 00-1037 collected from high altitude
      regions of Arunachal Pradesh, North Eastern India. The Illumina Nextseq500
      platform yielded a total of 47.63 and 48.18 million reads corresponding to 4.7
      and 4.8 gigabase pairs (Gb) of processed reads for control and cold stressed (10
      degrees C for 24h) samples, respectively. These reads were de novo assembled into
      214,611 unigenes with an average length of 801bp. Further, all unigenes were
      aligned to GO, KEGG and COG databases in order to identify novel genes and
      pathways responsive upon low temperature conditions. The differential gene
      expression analysis revealed that about 2583 genes were upregulated and 3302
      genes were down regulated during the stress. This is perhaps the comprehensive
      transcriptome data of a low temperature tolerant clone of S. spontaneum. This
      study would aid in identifying novel genes and also in future genomic studies
      pertaining to sugarcane and its wild relatives. 

PMID- 27269251
TI  - A Water-Soluble Cyclotriveratrylene-Based Supra-amphiphile: Synthesis, pH
      Responsive Self-Assembly in Water, and Its Application in Controlled Drug
      Release.
AB  - A new water-soluble cyclotriveratrylene (WCTV) was designed and synthesized, and
      benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride (G) was chosen as the guest molecule to
      construct a supra-amphiphile by the host-guest interaction between WCTV and G in
      water, which is pH responsive. The supra-amphiphiles self-assembled into vesicles
      in water. When the pH of the solution was below 7.0, the supra-amphiphile
      disassociated, and the vesicles collapsed. Then, the pH-responsive self-assembly
      system was utilized for controlled drug release.

PMID- 27269252
TI  - Esmolol attenuates lung injury and inflammation in severe acute pancreatitis
      rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that beta-adrenergic blockers attenuate
      systemic inflammation and improve survival in sepsis. We investigated whether
      esmolol can reduce lung injury and modulate inflammatory response in a rat model
      of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: A taurocholate-induced SAP was used,
      with or without continuously intravenous pumping of esmolol (15 mg/kg/h). Heart
      rate and arterial pressure were monitored. Nine hrs after esmolol administration,
      blood was drawn for blood gas analyses and cytokine (interleukin(IL)-6, tumor
      necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) detections, lungs and pancreata were isolated for
      measurements of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and histological damage. In an
      additional 20 animals, rats were randomized into SAP or SAP + esmolol groups to
      assess effects of esmolol on survival time. RESULTS: Treatment with esmolol was
      associated with improved survival time (11.1 +/- 1.6 h vs. 9.2 +/- 2.0 h, p =
      0.044) and less severe disease, as assessed by lung and pancreas histology. Blood
      gas analyses were ameliorated in esmolol group. Arterial PO2 increased (109.7 +/-
      12.4 mmHg vs 93.9 +/- 4.1 mmHg, p = 0.008) while lactate levels (2.1 +/- 0.5 vs
      3.1 +/- 0.7 mmol/L, p = 0.001) decreased in SAP + esmolol group as compared with
      SAP group. Esmolol treatment also abated the increase in bronchoalveolar lavage
      fluid protein and proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, esmolol reduced SAP
      induced plasma amylase activity (p = 0.02), blunted the expression of TNF-alpha
      (p = 0.003) and IL-6 (p < 0.001), and decreased pancreas/lung MPO activities.
      CONCLUSIONS: Continuous infusion of esmolol, a selective beta-1 adrenergic
      blocker, improves outcome, reduces inflammatory responses and also offers lung
      and pancreas protective effects in SAP rats. This may offer novel therapeutic
      strategies in treating patients suffering from SAP.

PMID- 27269254
TI  - Keratosis obturans complicated with facial nerve palsy: a diagnostic dilemma.

PMID- 27269253
TI  - Bilateral same-day endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty: initial
      results.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Same-day closure of bilateral tympanic membrane perforations is a
      quick and more comfortable procedure for the patients. However, conventional
      bilateral same-day tympanoplasty or myringoplasty has been rarely performed
      because of the theoretical risk of postoperative complications. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the advantages and outcomes of bilateral simultaneous endoscopic
      cartilage tympanoplasty in patients with bilateral tympanic membrane
      perforations. METHODS: From February 2012 to March 2013, patients with bilateral
      dry tympanic membrane perforations who had some degree of hearing loss
      corresponding to the size and location of the perforation entered the study.
      There was no suspicion to disrupted ossicular chain, mastoid involvement or other
      middle or inner ear pathology. Endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty was
      done using the underlay (medial) technique. The graft was harvested from cymba
      cartilage in just one ear with preservation of perichondrium in one side. A
      1.5cm*1.5cm cartilage seemed to be enough for tympanoplasty in both sides.
      RESULTS: Nine patients (4 males and 5 females) with the mean age of 37.9 years
      underwent bilateral transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty in a same-day surgery. The
      mean duration of follow up was 15.8 months. There were detected no complications
      including hearing loss, otorrhea and wound complication with no retraction pocket
      or displaced graft during follow-up period. The grafts take rate was 94.44% (only
      one case of unilateral incomplete closure). The mean of air-bone gap overall
      improved from 13.88dB preoperatively to 9.16dB postoperatively (p<0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Bilateral endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty can be
      considered as a safe minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in a same
      day surgery. It reduces the costs and operation time and is practical with a low
      rate of postoperative complications.

PMID- 27269255
TI  - The first investigative science-based evidence of Morgellons psychogenesis.
AB  - Morgellons disease is an infrequent syndromic condition, that typically affects
      middle-aged white women, characterized by crawling sensations on and under the
      skin, associated with itchy rashes, stinging sores, fiber-like filaments emerging
      from the sores, severe fatigue, concentrating difficulty, and memory loss. The
      scientific community is prone to believe that Morgellons is the manifestation of
      various psychiatric syndromes (Munchausen, Munchausen by proxy, Ekbom, Wittmaack
      Ekbom). Up until now, no investigative science-based evidence about its
      psychogenesis has ever been provided. In order to close this gap, we have
      analyzed the filaments extracted from the skin lesions of a 49-year-old Caucasian
      female patient, by using a Field Emission Gun-Environmental Electron Scanning
      Microscope equipped with an X-ray microprobe, for the chemico-elemental
      characterization of the filaments, comparing them with those collected during a
      detailed indoor investigation, with careful air monitoring, in her apartment. Our
      results prove the self-introduction under the epidermis of environmental
      filaments. For the first time in the literature, we have scientifically
      demonstrated the self-induced nature of Morgellons disease, thereby wiping out
      fanciful theories about its etiopathogenesis. 

PMID- 27269256
TI  - Distinguishing the C3 vs SH4 Mass Split by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas
      Chromatography-High Resolution Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - The C3 vs SH4 (0.0034 Da) mass split is considered to be one of the most critical
      mass splits in petroleomics and is relevant because of the regulatory
      requirements for sulfur in petroleum fractions. To date, there are two ways to
      resolve mass splits such as C3 vs SH4: (a) ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform
      mass spectrometry (FT-MS); (b) high-resolution chromatography such as
      comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC*GC). High-resolution
      chromatography minimizes the mass spectral resolution required to distinguish
      these key chemical constituents and provides additional sample characterization
      via isomer separation. High resolution mass spectrometry enables unambiguous
      chemical formulas determination and structural elucidation. In this paper, we
      demonstrate the combination of high resolution GC*GC with high resolution time-of
      flight mass spectrometry to distinguish the C3 vs SH4 mass split and other common
      mass splits in a crude oil sample.

PMID- 27269257
TI  - Corrigendum to "Inhibition of serotonin reuptake in the prepubertal rat ovary by
      fluoxetine and effects on ovarian functions" [Reprod. Toxicol. 59 (2016) 80-88].

PMID- 27269258
TI  - Introduction: Reappraising Paul Feyerabend.
AB  - This volume is devoted to a reappraisal of the philosophy of Paul Feyerabend. It
      has four aims. The first is to reassess his already well-known work from the
      1960s and 1970s in light of contemporary developments in the history and
      philosophy of science. The second is to explore themes in his neglected later
      work, including recently published and previously unavailable writings. The third
      is to assess the contributions that Feyerabend can make to contemporary debate,
      on topics such as perspectivism, realism, and political philosophy of science.
      The fourth and final aim is to reconsider Feyerabend's place within the history
      of philosophy of science in the light of new scholarship.

PMID- 27269259
TI  - Historical antecedents to the philosophy of Paul Feyerabend.
AB  - Paul Feyerabend has been considered a very radical philosopher of science for
      proposing that we may advance hypotheses contrary to well-confirmed experimental
      results, that observations make theoretical assumptions, that all methodological
      rules have exceptions, that ordinary citizens may challenge the judgment of
      experts, and that human happiness should be a key value for science. As radical
      as these theses may sound, they all have historical antecedents. In defending the
      Copernican view, Galileo exemplified the first two; Mill, Aristotle and
      Machiavelli all argued for pluralism; Aristotle gave commonsense reasons for why
      ordinary citizens may be able to judge the work of experts; and a combination of
      Plato's and Aristotle's views can offer strong support for the connection between
      science and happiness.

PMID- 27269260
TI  - Rediscovering Einstein's legacy: How Einstein anticipates Kuhn and Feyerabend on
      the nature of science.
AB  - Thomas Kuhn and Paul Feyerabend promote incommensurability as a central component
      of their conflicting accounts of the nature of science. This paper argues that in
      so doing, they both develop Albert Einstein's views, albeit in different
      directions. Einstein describes scientific revolutions as conceptual replacements,
      not mere revisions, endorsing 'Kant-on-wheels' metaphysics in light of 'world
      change'. Einstein emphasizes underdetermination of theory by evidence, rational
      disagreement in theory choice, and the non-neutrality of empirical evidence.
      Einstein even uses the term 'incommensurable' specifically to apply to challenges
      posed to comparatively evaluating scientific theories in 1949, more than a decade
      before Kuhn and Feyerabend. This analysis shows how Einstein anticipates
      substantial components of Kuhn and Feyerabend's views, and suggests that there
      are strong reasons to suspect that Kuhn and Feyerabend were directly inspired by
      Einstein's use of the term 'incommensurable', as well as his more general
      methodological and philosophical reflections.

PMID- 27269261
TI  - Was Feyerabend a Popperian? Methodological issues in the History of the
      Philosophy of Science.
AB  - For more than three decades, there has been significant debate about the relation
      between Feyerabend and Popper. The discussion has been nurtured and complicated
      by the rift that opened up between the two and by the later Feyerabend's
      controversial portrayal of his earlier self. The first part of the paper provides
      an overview of the accounts of the relation that have been proposed over the
      years, disentangles the problems they deal with, and analyses the evidence
      supporting their conclusions as well as the methodological approaches used to
      process that evidence. Rather than advancing a further speculative account of the
      relation based on Feyerabend's philosophical work or autobiographical
      recollections, the second part of the paper strives to clarify the problems at
      issue by making use of a wider range of evidence. It outlines a historical
      reconstruction of the social context within which Feyerabend's intellectual
      trajectory developed, putting a special emphasis on the interplay between the
      perceived intellectual identity of Feyerabend, Feyerabend's own intellectual self
      concept, and the peculiar features of the evolving Popperian research group.

PMID- 27269262
TI  - Feyerabend's 'The concept of intelligibility in modern physics' (1948).
AB  - This essay introduces the transcription and translation of Paul Feyerabend's Der
      Begriff der Verstandlichkeit in der modernen Physik [The concept of
      intelligibility in modern physics] (1948), which is an early essay written by
      Paul Feyerabend in 1948 on the topic of intelligibility (Verstandlichkeit) and
      visualizability (Anschaulichkeit) of physical theories. The existence of such
      essay was likely. It is listed in his bibliography as his first publication. Yet
      the content of the essay was unknown, as no original or copy is extant in
      Feyerabend's Nachlass and no known published version was available to the
      community-until now. The essay has both historical and philosophical interest: it
      is, as far as our current knowledge goes, Feyerabend's earliest extant
      publication. It documents Feyerabend's philosophical interest as a physicist-to
      be, in what he himself called his "positivist" phase; and it gives a rare if
      fragmentary insight into the early discussions of the 'Third Vienna Circle' and,
      more generally, the philosophical culture of discussion in Vienna.

PMID- 27269263
TI  - The concept of intelligibility in modern physics (1948).
AB  - This is an English translation of Paul Feyerabend's earliest extant essay "Der
      Begriff der Verstandlichkeit in der modernen Physik" (1948). In it, Feyerabend
      defends positivism as a progressive framework for scientific research in certain
      stages of scientific development. He argues that in physics visualizability
      (Anschaulichkeit) and intelligibility (Verstandlichkeit) are time-conditioned
      concepts: what is deemed visualizable in the development of physical theories is
      relative to a specific historical context and changes over time. He concludes
      that from time to time the abandonment of visualizability is crucial for progress
      in physics, as it is conducive to major theory change, illustrating the point on
      the basis of advances in atomic theory.

PMID- 27269264
TI  - Der Begriff der Verstandlichkeit in der modernen Physik (1948).
AB  - This is a critical transcription of Paul Feyerabend's earliest extant essay "Der
      Begriff der Verstandlichkeit in der modernen Physik" (1948) recovered from the
      European Forum Alpbach archives. In it, Feyerabend defends positivism as a
      progressive framework for scientific research in certain stages of scientific
      development. He argues that in physics visualizability (Anschaulichkeit) and
      intelligibility (Verstandlichkeit) are time-conditioned concepts: what is deemed
      visualizable in the development of physical theories is relative to a specific
      historical context and changes over time. He concludes that from time to time the
      abandonment of visualizability is crucial for progress in physics, as it is
      conducive to major theory change, illustrating the point on the basis of advances
      in atomic theory.

PMID- 27269265
TI  - Reasons for relativism: Feyerabend on the 'Rise of Rationalism' in ancient
      Greece.
AB  - This paper argues that essential features of Feyerabend's philosophy, namely his
      radicalization of critical rationalism and his turn to relativism, could be
      understood better in the light of his engagement with early Greek thought. In
      contrast to his earlier, Popperian views he came to see the Homeric worldview as
      a genuine alternative, which was not falsified by the Presocratics. Unlike socio
      psychological and externalist accounts my reading of his published and
      unpublished material suggests that his alternative reconstruction of the ancient
      beginnings of the Western scientific tradition motivate and justify his moderate
      Protagorean relativism. 

PMID- 27269266
TI  - The rise of western rationalism: Paul Feyerabend's story.
AB  - I summarize certain aspects of Paul Feyerabend's account of the development of
      Western rationalism, show the ways in which that account is supposed to run up
      against an alternative, that of Karl Popper, and then try to give a preliminary
      comparison of the two. My interest is primarily in whether what Feyerabend called
      his 'story' constitutes a possible history of our epistemic concepts and their
      trajectory. I express some grave reservations about that story, and about
      Feyerabend's framework, finding Popper's views less problematic here. However, I
      also suggest that one important aspect of Feyerabend's material, his treatment of
      religious belief, can be given an interpretation which makes it tenable, and
      perhaps preferable to a Popperian approach. 

PMID- 27269267
TI  - Feyerabend, truth, and relativisms: Footnotes to the Italian debate.
AB  - There is a substantial literature on Feyerabend's relativism-including a few
      papers in this collection-but fewer specific studies of the ways that his
      writings and ideas have been taken up among the non-academic public. This is odd,
      given his obvious interest in the lives and concerns of persons who were not
      'intellectuals'-a term that, for him, had a pejorative ring to it. It is also
      odd, given the abundance of evidence of how Feyerabend's relativism played a role
      in a specific national and cultural context-namely, contemporary Italian debates
      about relativism. This paper offers a study of how Feyerabend's ideas have been
      deployed by Italian intellectuals and cultural commentators-including the current
      Pope-and critically assesses them.

PMID- 27269268
TI  - Between relativism and pluralism: Philosophical and political relativism in
      Feyerabend's late work.
AB  - Relativism is one of the most problematic terms associated with philosophical
      discourse, with Feyerabend considered among the most important twentieth century
      theorists subscribing to it. This paper provides a detailed overview of
      relativist positions advanced in Feyerabend's mid-to-late work and investigates
      the associated epistemic and political applications. Emphasis is placed on how
      Feyerabend supported certain aspects of relativism, and at what stage he rejected
      others. It is noted that Feyerabend had already imposed limitations on relativism
      in Farewell to Reason, in which he entertained the possibility of epistemic
      definition within stable contexts, and advanced the notion that opportunities and
      equality associated with political and cultural units could only be valid within
      a democratic system. In Conquest of Abundance, political relativism is largely
      discarded, while epistemological relativism is increasingly treated as an appeal
      for diversity in all areas. In this re-reading of his work, it becomes clear that
      Feyerabend was already advocating a moderate form of epistemic and political
      relativism in the middle of his career, which he subsequently developed in the
      direction of "ontological pluralism" in his later work. This paper thus shows
      that Feyerabend's relativism should not be completely rejected, but rather that
      it continues to offer interesting food for thought.

PMID- 27269269
TI  - Relativism in Feyerabend's later writings.
AB  - This paper reconstructs, and distinguishes between, Feyerabend's different forms
      of relativism in his later writings. Science in a Free Society remains close to
      familiar forms of relativism, while, at the same time, developing an original but
      under-argued form of political relativism, and rejecting "conversion" models of
      cultural exchange. Farewell to Reason moves away from common renderings of
      relativism, and develops a range of different new forms. Central here are links
      between relativism, skepticism and infallibilism. In the last six years of his
      life, Feyerabend often criticizes a peculiar radical form of relativism that
      arguably no-one has ever proposed or defended. In the same context, Feyerabend
      sketches an "ontological" form of relativism. It combines "Kantian humility",
      metaphysical pluralism and constructivism. 

PMID- 27269270
TI  - Challenging Expertise: Paul Feyerabend vs. Harry Collins & Robert Evans on
      democracy, public participation and scientific authority: Paul Feyerabend vs.
      Harry Collins & Robert Evans on scientific authority and public participation.
AB  - This paper compares Feyerabend's arguments in Science in a Free Society to the
      controversial theory of expertise proposed by Harry Collins and Robert Evans as a
      Third Wave of Science Studies. Is the legitimacy of democratic decisions
      threatened by the unquestioned authority of scientific advice? Or does, on the
      contrary, science need protection from too much democratic participation in
      technical decisions? Where Feyerabend's political relativism envisions democratic
      society as inherently pluralist and demands equal contribution of all traditions
      and worldviews to public decision-making, Collins and Evans hold a conception of
      elective modernism, defending the reality and value of technical expertise and
      arguing that science deserves a privileged status in modern democracies, because
      scientific values are also democratic values. I will argue that Feyerabend's
      political relativism provides a valuable framework for the evaluation of Collins'
      and Evans' theory of expertise. By constructing a dialog between Feyerabend and
      this more recent approach in Science and Technology Studies, the aim of this
      article is not only to show where the two positions differ and in what way they
      might be reconciled, but also how Feyerabend's philosophy provides substantial
      input to contemporary debate. 

PMID- 27269271
TI  - Feyerabend on politics, education, and scientific culture.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is to offer a sympathetic reconstruction of the
      political thought of Paul Feyerabend. Using a critical discussion of the idea of
      the 'free society' it is suggested that his political thought is best understood
      in terms of three thematic concerns-liberation, hegemony, and the authority of
      science-and that the political significance of those claims become clear when
      they are considered in the context of his educational views. It emerges that
      Feyerabend is best understood as calling for the grounding of cognitive and
      cultural authorities-like the sciences-in informed deliberation, rather than the
      uncritical embrace of prevailing convictions. It therefore emerges that a free
      society is best understood as one of epistemically responsible citizenship rather
      than epistemically anarchistic relativism of the 'anything goes' sort-a striking
      anticipation of current debates about philosophy of science in society.

PMID- 27269272
TI  - Late Feyerabend on materialism, mysticism, and religion.
AB  - Feyerabend's interests in religion and mysticism grew through his career. In his
      later writings, Feyerabend's numerous critiques of scientific materialism are
      often accompanied by purported advantages of religious orientations and
      temperaments. These recommendations do not simply follow from his tolerant
      theoretical pluralism; they are more positive attempts to articulate distinctive
      aspects of human life satisfied by religion, but not by scientific materialism.
      Elevating the human need for mystery, reverence, and love, he contrasts these
      goods with the deliverances of monistic conceptions of science and reason. I
      bring attention to some of the common themes in these remarks to argue that they
      were integral with other parts of his philosophical project and that they could
      serve as helpful rejoinders to contemporary exhortations to science-based
      secularism from philosophers of science. 

PMID- 27269273
TI  - Feyerabend's perspectivism.
AB  - Although, Feyerabend himself seems never to have used the term 'perspectivism' to
      designate a philosophical position, I think his views about science are very well
      characterized as perspectival. In fact, his later writings contain much that
      contributes to current thinking about perspectivism. I would like, therefore, to
      distinguish my own perspectivism from Feyerabend's. In the end, I will argue, his
      perspectivism is lacking enough of the critical bite that the younger Feyerabend
      found so attractive in Popper's philosophy. 

PMID- 27269274
TI  - The abundant world: Paul Feyerabend's metaphysics of science.
AB  - The goal of this paper is to provide an interpretation of Feyerabend's
      metaphysics of science as found in late works like Conquest of Abundance and
      Tyranny of Science. Feyerabend's late metaphysics consists of an attempt to
      criticize and provide a systematic alternative to traditional scientific realism,
      a package of views he sometimes referred to as "scientific materialism."
      Scientific materialism is objectionable not only on metaphysical grounds, nor
      because it provides a poor ground for understanding science, but because it
      implies problematic claims about the epistemic and cultural authority of science,
      claims incompatible with situating science properly in democratic societies. I
      show how Feyerabend's metaphysical view, which I call "the abundant world" or
      "abundant realism," constitute a sophisticated and challenging form of
      ontological pluralism that makes interesting connections with contemporary
      philosophy of science and issues of the political and policy role of science in a
      democratic society. 

PMID- 27269275
TI  - Acceptance of technology-based tools in a sample of Parkinson's patients.
AB  - Objectives Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative
      movement disorder in the United States. Patients' opinions of technology-based
      tools for education and communication as related to Parkinson's disease are
      unclear with little documented research addressing the issue. The goal of this
      research was to investigate patient opinions about technology-based tools with a
      focus on differences between patients of different age groups. Methods A cross
      sectional survey was used to assess views on using multiple different electronic
      methods for receiving instructions and communicating with healthcare providers in
      109 Parkinson's disease patients. Results Approximately 28% (n = 28) of the
      subjects reported having unmet needs related to Parkinson's disease. Those 65 and
      over were less likely to believe that using technology to communicate with the
      healthcare center would result in themselves having a better understanding of
      their care (odds ratio = 0.36, 95% confidence interval: 0.14, 0.95). Those over
      75 had a lower odds of being willing to use electronic methods (odds ratio =
      0.33, 95% confidence interval: 0.14, 0.79), a lower odds of believing that
      technology would result in better self-understanding of medical needs (odds ratio
      = 0.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.12, 0.63) and a lower odds of believing that
      technology would result in their healthcare providers better understanding their
      needs (odds ratio = 0.32, 95% confidence interval: 0.14, 0.73). Discussion The
      results of this study indicate that older Parkinson's disease patients report a
      less favorable view regarding the role of technology in communicating with
      healthcare providers and for understanding their care.

PMID- 27269276
TI  - Lisinopril-Induced Alopecia: A Case Report.
AB  - The American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association
      (ACCF/AHA) guidelines consider angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors as
      one of the mainstay therapies in the management of heart failure. The widespread
      use of ACE inhibitors has been associated with several notable adverse effects
      such as hyperkalemia and an increased serum creatinine. There are no previous
      reports of alopecia associated with lisinopril use; however, a few previous cases
      of alopecia associated with other ACE inhibitors exist. This report discusses a
      case of lisinopril-induced alopecia of a 53-year-old male presenting to our
      outpatient heart failure clinic with a chief complaint of a new onset of
      alopecia. Upon evaluation, it was suspected that the patient's alopecia was
      likely medication induced by lisinopril; therefore, lisinopril was discontinued
      and switched to an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), losartan potassium.
      Alopecia resolved in 4 weeks after the therapeutic intervention. Our report
      suggests that the patient likely experienced a medication-induced alopecia, which
      was successfully resolved through proper identification and removal of the
      causative agent. Causality assessment between lisinopril and alopecia was
      determined using the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale-a total
      score of 6 was achieved and thus identified the adverse drug reaction as
      probable. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility that lisinopril may be an
      offending agent in a patient with unexplained alopecia.

PMID- 27269277
TI  - Use of the My Health Record by people with communication disability in Australia:
      A review to inform the design and direction of future research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with communication disability often struggle to convey their
      health information to multiple service providers and are at increased risk of
      adverse health outcomes related to the poor exchange of health information.
      OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to (a) review the literature informing
      future research on the Australian personally controlled electronic health record,
      'My Health Record' (MyHR), specifically to include people with communication
      disability and their family members or service providers, and (b) to propose a
      range of suitable methodologies that might be applied in research to inform
      training, policy and practice in relation to supporting people with communication
      disability and their representatives to engage in using MyHR. METHOD: The authors
      reviewed the literature and, with a cross-disciplinary perspective, considered
      ways to apply sociotechnical, health informatics, and inclusive methodologies to
      research on MyHR use by adults with communication disability. RESEARCH OUTCOMES:
      This article outlines a range of research methods suitable for investigating the
      use of MyHR by people who have communication disability associated with a range
      of acquired or lifelong health conditions, and their family members, and direct
      support workers. CONCLUSION: In planning the allocation of funds towards the
      health and well-being of adults with disabilities, both disability and health
      service providers must consider the supports needed for people with communication
      disability to use MyHR. There is an urgent need to focus research efforts on MyHR
      in populations with communication disability, who struggle to communicate their
      health information across multiple health and disability service providers. The
      design of studies and priorities for future research should be set in
      consultation with people with communication disability and their representatives.

PMID- 27269278
TI  - Modeling Clustered Data with Very Few Clusters.
AB  - Small-sample inference with clustered data has received increased attention
      recently in the methodological literature, with several simulation studies being
      presented on the small-sample behavior of many methods. However, nearly all
      previous studies focus on a single class of methods (e.g., only multilevel
      models, only corrections to sandwich estimators), and the differential
      performance of various methods that can be implemented to accommodate clustered
      data with very few clusters is largely unknown, potentially due to the rigid
      disciplinary preferences. Furthermore, a majority of these studies focus on
      scenarios with 15 or more clusters and feature unrealistically simple data
      generation models with very few predictors. This article, motivated by an applied
      educational psychology cluster randomized trial, presents a simulation study that
      simultaneously addresses the extreme small sample and differential performance
      (estimation bias, Type I error rates, and relative power) of 12 methods to
      account for clustered data with a model that features a more realistic number of
      predictors. The motivating data are then modeled with each method, and results
      are compared. Results show that generalized estimating equations perform poorly;
      the choice of Bayesian prior distributions affects performance; and fixed effect
      models perform quite well. Limitations and implications for applications are also
      discussed. 

PMID- 27269280
TI  - Aneuploidies level in sperm nuclei in patients with infertility.
AB  - Male infertility is a relevant social and medical problem. Male infertility is
      mostly caused by genetic disorders. The purpose of the study was to analyze the
      correlation of chromosome aberrations, as well as DNA fragmentation and various
      manifestations of spermatogenesis disorder. Sperm samples of 58 males with
      infertility and 23 conditionally healthy males were studied. All patients
      diagnosed with asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia and
      oligoteratozoospermia underwent subsequent analysis of sperm DNA fragmentation.
      Sperm DNA fragmentation was examined with sperm chromatin dispersion test (sperm
      chromatin dispersion, Spermprocessor, India) with an Axioscope 40 fluorescent
      microscope. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with fluorescent probes (Vysis
      Multi Vysion PGT, Abbot Molecular) was used to study chromosome abnormalities in
      sperm nuclei with regard to X and Y chromosomes, as well as to chromosomes 18 and
      21. It was found that the development of pathospermia was characterized by
      genetic discontinuity, which manifests as DNA fragmentation and disjunction of
      chromosomes in meiosis with spermatogenesis. It was also found that the
      prevailing type of pathospermia in men with infertility was oligozoospermia. In
      addition, this group also had the highest rate of numerical chromosome
      abnormalities. This was caused by the degeneration of spermatozoids with
      aneuploidies in chromosomes.

PMID- 27269279
TI  - Efficacy of Bevacizumab Compared to Mitomycin C Modulated Trabeculectomy in
      Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: A One-Year Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of bevacizumab over mitomycin C (MMC) modulated
      trabeculectomy in cases of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). METHOD: In this
      prospective randomized controlled study, 80 eyes of 80 patients with uncontrolled
      POAG or intolerant to antiglaucoma medications were randomized to two groups:
      Group 1 (n = 40) patients underwent trabeculectomy modulated with MMC (0.2
      mg/ml), whereas Group 2 (n = 40) patients underwent trabeculectomy modulated with
      bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml). The outcome measures were best corrected visual
      acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications and
      bleb morphological features based on Moorfields Bleb Grading System (MBGS). All
      patients were followed up for one year post trabeculectomy. RESULTS: The mean
      preoperative IOP in the bevacizumab group improved from 22.41 +/-1.08 mm Hg with
      3.2 +/- 0.9 glaucoma medications to 13.68 +/- 0.79 mm Hg with 0.11 +/- 0.32
      glaucoma medications at one year (P < 0.001). The mean preoperative IOP in the
      MMC group improved from 22.64 +/- 0.90 mm Hg with 3.1 +/- 0.8 glaucoma
      medications to 13.84 +/- 0.73 mm Hg with 0.17 +/- 0.38 glaucoma medications at
      one year (P < 0.001). IOP was comparable between two groups at one year (P =
      0.43). No significant differences were found in bleb morphological features based
      on MBGS regarding central bleb area, peripheral bleb area, height and central
      vascularity between the two groups at six months and one year. However, there was
      a statistically significant difference in peripheral bleb vascularity and
      peripheral non-bleb vascularity with bevacizumab group exhibiting a low degree of
      vascularity at one year (P = 0.029 and 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION:
      Adjunctive bevacizumab in trabeculectomy is effective and comparable to MMC for
      controlling IOP in POAG patients for the first year.

PMID- 27269281
TI  - Detection of Chlamydiales DNA in questing ticks.

PMID- 27269282
TI  - Factors that affect stabilisation times of canine spontaneous
      hypoadrenocorticism.
AB  - The objective of this retrospective study was to examine factors that may have
      affected the stabilisation times of 50 dogs with spontaneous hypoadrenocorticism
      that were being treated with fludrocortisone acetate, with particular emphasis on
      dosing frequency and the concurrent use of prednisolone. Stabilisation was
      defined as an absence of clinical signs with a sodium:potassium ratio >27:1 and
      both electrolyte concentrations within a laboratory reference range. It was found
      that the median time till stabilisation was three months. The frequency of
      fludrocortisone treatment (once, twice or changed from once to twice a day) had
      no effect on the stabilisation time. The two groups of dogs that were started and
      stabilised on once a day or twice a day dosing had a median stabilisation time of
      two months. However, dogs that failed to stabilise on once a day dosing of
      fludrocortisone and were then changed onto twice a day dosing then stabilised a
      median of one month later. Concurrent use of prednisolone resulted in
      significantly faster stabilisation times. It was concluded that dogs with
      hypoadrenocorticism should be continued on prednisolone therapy until they are
      stabilised. If a dog is failing to stabilise on once a day fludrocortisone
      acetate, a change to twice a day administration could be considered. 

PMID- 27269283
TI  - Pentagone internalises glypicans to fine-tune multiple signalling pathways.
AB  - Tight regulation of signalling activity is crucial for proper tissue patterning
      and growth. Here we investigate the function of Pentagone (Pent), a secreted
      protein that acts in a regulatory feedback during establishment and maintenance
      of BMP/Dpp morphogen signalling during Drosophila wing development. We show that
      Pent internalises the Dpp co-receptors, the glypicans Dally and Dally-like
      protein (Dlp), and propose that this internalisation is important in the
      establishment of a long range Dpp gradient. Pent-induced endocytosis and
      degradation of glypicans requires dynamin- and Rab5, but not clathrin or active
      BMP signalling. Thus, Pent modifies the ability of cells to trap and transduce
      BMP by fine-tuning the levels of the BMP reception system at the plasma membrane.
      In addition, and in accordance with the role of glypicans in multiple signalling
      pathways, we establish a requirement of Pent for Wg signalling. Our data propose
      a novel mechanism by which morphogen signalling is regulated.

PMID- 27269284
TI  - Nucleosome disassembly during human non-homologous end joining followed by
      concerted HIRA- and CAF-1-dependent reassembly.
AB  - The cell achieves DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in the context of
      chromatin structure. However, the mechanisms used to expose DSBs to the repair
      machinery and to restore the chromatin organization after repair remain elusive.
      Here we show that induction of a DSB in human cells causes local nucleosome
      disassembly, apparently independently from DNA end resection. This efficient
      removal of histone H3 from the genome during non-homologous end joining was
      promoted by both ATM and the ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeler INO80. Chromatin
      reassembly during DSB repair was dependent on the HIRA histone chaperone that is
      specific to the replication-independent histone variant H3.3 and on CAF-1 that is
      specific to the replication-dependent canonical histones H3.1/H3.2. Our data
      suggest that the epigenetic information is re-established after DSB repair by the
      concerted and interdependent action of replication-independent and replication
      dependent chromatin assembly pathways.

PMID- 27269285
TI  - Peripheral optogenetic stimulation induces whisker movement and sensory
      perception in head-fixed mice.
AB  - We discovered that optical stimulation of the mystacial pad in Emx1-Cre;Ai27D
      transgenic mice induces whisker movements due to activation of ChR2 expressed in
      muscles controlling retraction and protraction. Using high-speed videography in
      anesthetized mice, we characterize the amplitude of whisker protractions evoked
      by varying the intensity, duration, and frequency of optogenetic stimulation.
      Recordings from primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in anesthetized mice indicated
      that optogenetic whisker pad stimulation evokes robust yet longer latency
      responses than mechanical whisker stimulation. In head-fixed mice trained to
      report optogenetic whisker pad stimulation, psychometric curves showed similar
      dependence on stimulus duration as evoked whisker movements and S1 activity.
      Furthermore, optogenetic stimulation of S1 in expert mice was sufficient to
      substitute for peripheral stimulation. We conclude that whisker protractions
      evoked by optogenetic activation of whisker pad muscles results in cortical
      activity and sensory perception, consistent with the coding of evoked whisker
      movements by reafferent sensory input.

PMID- 27269288
TI  - "Their Today Is Our Future": Direct Carers' Work Experience and Formal Caring
      Relationships in a Community-Based Eldercare Program in Shanghai.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to explore direct carers' work experience and formal
      caring relationships with older adults in a community-based eldercare program in
      Shanghai. Existing evidence has primarily focused on direct carers' work
      experience in residential care settings. However, direct carers' experiences of
      caring older adults in the community also deserve exploration. This qualitative
      study purposively sampled direct carers who worked in government-sponsored
      programs. Carers participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews ( N = 37).
      Results reveal that despite occasional frustration, direct carers undertook
      demanding workloads and fostered strong emotional attachments with older adult
      clients. "Karma" was a critical cultural factor pertaining to their work ethic
      and motivated their care provision to benefit their future elderly selves. This
      study recognizes the cultural aspects of caring relationships that contribute to
      the quality of care of the community-based older adults in urban China.

PMID- 27269286
TI  - Golgi self-correction generates bioequivalent glycans to preserve cellular
      homeostasis.
AB  - Essential biological systems employ self-correcting mechanisms to maintain
      cellular homeostasis. Mammalian cell function is dynamically regulated by the
      interaction of cell surface galectins with branched N-glycans. Here we report
      that N-glycan branching deficiency triggers the Golgi to generate bioequivalent N
      glycans that preserve galectin-glycoprotein interactions and cellular
      homeostasis. Galectins bind N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) units within N-glycans
      initiated from UDP-GlcNAc by the medial-Golgi branching enzymes as well as the
      trans-Golgi poly-LacNAc extension enzyme beta1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase
      (B3GNT). Marginally reducing LacNAc content by limiting N-glycans to three
      branches results in T-cell hyperactivity and autoimmunity; yet further
      restricting branching does not produce a more hyperactive state. Rather, new poly
      LacNAc extension by B3GNT maintains galectin binding and immune homeostasis. Poly
      LacNAc extension is triggered by redistribution of unused UDP-GlcNAc from the
      medial to trans-Golgi via inter-cisternal tubules. These data demonstrate the
      functional equivalency of structurally dissimilar N-glycans and suggest a self
      correcting feature of the Golgi that sustains cellular homeostasis.

PMID- 27269289
TI  - Perceived Benefits, Barriers, and Drivers of Telemedicine From the Perspective of
      Skilled Nursing Facility Administrative Staff Stakeholders.
AB  - Potentially avoidable hospitalizations (PAHs) of skilled nursing facility (SNF)
      patients are common and costly. Telemedicine represents a unique approach to
      manage and potentially reduce PAHs in SNFs, having been used in a variety of
      settings to improve coordination of care and enhance access to providers.
      Nonetheless, broad implementation and use of telemedicine lags in SNFs relative
      to other health care settings. To understand why, we surveyed SNF administrative
      staff attending a 1-day telemedicine summit. Participants saw the highest value
      of telemedicine in improving the quality of care and reducing readmissions. They
      identified hospital and managed care telemedicine requirements as primary drivers
      of adoption. The most significant barrier to adoption was the initial investment
      required. A joint research-policy effort to improve the evidence base around
      telemedicine in SNFs and introduce incentives may improve adoption and continued
      use of telemedicine in this setting.

PMID- 27269290
TI  - Comparing Effects of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Social Values Between Younger and
      Older Employees.
AB  - Socioemotional selectivity theory proposes that older adults emphasize emotional
      goals and interpersonal closeness to a greater extent than do younger adults,
      suggesting that holding social work-related values (SWVs) may be beneficial to
      older employees. This project aimed at examining two dimensions of SWVs,
      intrinsic and extrinsic SWVs, and tested whether age and work situation would
      moderate their effects on self-rated job performance. A cross-sectional survey
      (Study 1, N = 357) and a 14-day experience sampling study (Study 2, N = 77) were
      conducted among Chinese managerial employees. Study 1 showed that the direct
      effect of intrinsic SWVs on self-rated job performance was stronger in older
      employees than in younger employees. Study 2 demonstrated that older employees
      who valued intrinsic SWVs while being in social situations performed much better
      than when they did not value intrinsic SWVs but being in social situations;
      however such positive effect was not shown in younger employees. Findings of this
      project reveal that the effect of SWVs varies across locus of effect (intrinsic
      versus extrinsic), age, and work situation. Among older employees, the positive
      effect of intrinsic SWVs is more crucial than that of extrinsic SWVs on self
      rated job performance. Findings of this project imply that intrinsically
      rewarding incentives would be more effective in motivating older employees to
      reach peak performance. 

PMID- 27269287
TI  - Ral-Arf6 crosstalk regulates Ral dependent exocyst trafficking and anchorage
      independent growth signalling.
AB  - Integrin dependent regulation of growth factor signalling confers anchorage
      dependence that is deregulated in cancers. Downstream of integrins and oncogenic
      Ras the small GTPase Ral is a vital mediator of adhesion dependent trafficking
      and signalling. This study identifies a novel regulatory crosstalk between Ral
      and Arf6 that controls Ral function in cells. In re-adherent mouse fibroblasts
      (MEFs) integrin dependent activation of RalA drives Arf6 activation. Independent
      of adhesion constitutively active RalA and RalB could both however activate Arf6.
      This is further conserved in oncogenic H-Ras containing bladder cancer T24 cells,
      which express anchorage independent active Ral that supports Arf6 activation.
      Arf6 mediates active Ral-exocyst dependent delivery of raft microdomains to the
      plasma membrane that supports anchorage independent growth signalling.
      Accordingly in T24 cells the RalB-Arf6 crosstalk is seen to preferentially
      regulate anchorage independent Erk signalling. Active Ral we further find uses a
      Ral-RalBP1-ARNO-Arf6 pathway to mediate Arf6 activation. This study hence
      identifies Arf6, through this regulatory crosstalk, to be a key downstream
      mediator of Ral isoform function along adhesion dependent pathways in normal and
      cancer cells.

PMID- 27269291
TI  - Impulsivity, working memory, and impaired control over alcohol: A latent variable
      analysis.
AB  - Impaired control over alcohol is an important risk factor for heavy drinking
      among young adults and may mediate, in part, the association between personality
      risk and alcohol problems. Research suggests that trait impulsivity is associated
      with impaired control over alcohol; however, few studies of this association have
      included a range of impulsivity facets. The purpose of this study was to examine
      specific pathways from higher order impulsivity factors to alcohol problems
      mediated via impaired control over alcohol. We also examined the moderating role
      of working memory in these associations. Young heavy drinkers (N = 300) completed
      2 multidimensional impulsivity measures along with self-report measures of
      impaired control over alcohol, alcohol use, and alcohol problems. Working memory
      was assessed using a computerized digit span task. Results showed that the
      impulsivity facets loaded onto 2 higher order factors that were labeled Response
      and Reflection Impulsivity. Response impulsivity predicted unique variance in
      self-reported impaired control and alcohol problems, whereas reflection
      impulsivity predicted unique variance in heavy drinking frequency only. Further,
      significant indirect associations were observed from response and reflection
      impulsivity to alcohol problems mediated via impaired control and heavy drinking
      frequency, respectively. Working memory and sensation seeking were not uniquely
      associated with the alcohol variables, and no support was found for the
      moderating role of working memory. The results help to clarify associations among
      impulsivity, impaired control, and alcohol problems, suggesting that impaired
      control may play a specific role in the pathway to alcohol problems from response
      impulsivity but not from reflection impulsivity. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27269292
TI  - Contextual influences on early drinking: Characteristics of drinking and
      nondrinking days.
AB  - Research characterizing the adolescent drinking context is limited, often relies
      on samples of current drinkers reporting on recent/last or typical drinking
      experiences, and provides little information about the context of very early use.
      The present study uses repeated monthly assessments to describe the context of
      drinking days and matched nondrinking days to determine the unique risk
      associated with different drinking-related characteristics. Additionally, we used
      latent class analysis to empirically identify key configurations of drinking
      related characteristics and both family- and nonfamily-related environmental
      characteristics (social context, physical location, source of alcohol). Data
      included 688 days (344 drinking days, 344 nondrinking days) from 164 middle
      school students enrolled in a prospective study on drinking initiation and
      progression (62% female; 26% non-White, 11% Hispanic). Results supported 4
      patterns: (a) heavier drinking occurring in a peer context, lighter drinking
      occurring in (b) a family context or (c) a peer context, and (d) drinking alcohol
      obtained at home without permission. Latent classes varied as a function of
      gender, age, peer norms, and parenting behaviors as well as alcohol type and
      perceived alcohol availability. Findings indicated that highly endorsed contexts
      were not necessarily the riskiest ones, and simply targeting an oft-reported
      source of alcohol, physical location, or social context may not be an effective
      strategy for reducing underage drinking. Additionally, although greater
      monitoring and anticipated parent reaction to drinking are typically protective
      against adolescent drinking, we found they were associated with parent-sanctioned
      drinking, suggesting the role of parenting practices must be considered in the
      context of drinking pattern. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27269293
TI  - A population-based study of help seeking and self-medication among trauma-exposed
      individuals.
AB  - Epidemiologic studies of trauma highlight the imbalance between prevalence of
      psychiatric diagnoses and help seeking. We investigated prevalence and correlates
      of help seeking and self-medication in Norwegian adults with trauma history with
      a focus on common posttrauma outcomes of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and
      substance use disorders (alcohol or drug). Participants reporting at least 1 PTSD
      symptom (n = 307) were asked if they consulted with a doctor/another professional
      (help seeking) or used drugs/alcohol (self-medication) for trauma-related
      problems. PTSD, alcohol abuse or dependence (AUD), and drug use or dependence
      (DUD) were assessed via structured diagnostic interviews. Help seeking and self
      medication were endorsed by 37.4% and 10.4% of the sample, respectively. As
      compared to the full sample, help seeking was endorsed at a greater rate in
      individuals with PTSD (chi2 = 8.59, p = .005) and at a lower rate in those with
      AUD (chi2 = 7.34, p < .004). Self-medication was more likely to be endorsed by
      individuals with PTSD than without PTSD (chi2 = 25.68, p < .001). In regression
      analyses, PTSD was associated with increased likelihood of self-medication (odds
      ratio [OR] = 4.56) and help seeking (OR = 2.29), while AUD was associated with
      decreased likelihood of help-seeking (OR = .29). When self-medication was
      included as a predictor, PTSD was no longer associated with help seeking,
      although AUD remained inversely associated. PTSD and AUDs have a nuanced
      relationship with formal help seeking as well as the use of substances to cope.
      Trauma-exposed individuals are likely engaging in adaptive and maladaptive coping
      strategies, the latter of which may be compounding distress. (PsycINFO Database
      Record

PMID- 27269294
TI  - Intravenous administration of expanded allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal
      stem cells in refractory rheumatoid arthritis (Cx611): results of a multicentre,
      dose escalation, randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled phase Ib/IIa
      clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of the intravenous
      administration of Cx611, a preparation of allogeneic expanded adipose-derived
      stem cells (eASCs), in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as
      well as to obtain preliminary clinical efficacy data in this population. METHODS:
      It is a multicentre, dose escalation, randomised, single-blind (double-blind for
      efficacy), placebo-controlled, phase Ib/IIa clinical trial. Patients with active
      refractory RA (failure to at least two biologicals) were randomised to receive
      three intravenous infusions of Cx611: 1 million/kg (cohort A), 2 million/kg
      (cohort B), 4 million/kg (cohort C) or placebo, on days 1, 8 and 15, and they
      were followed for therapy assessment for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients
      were treated (20 in cohort A, 20 in cohort B, 6 in cohort C and 7 in placebo
      group). A total of 141 adverse events (AEs) were reported. Seventeen patients
      from the group A (85%), 15 from the group B (75%), 6 from the group C (100%) and
      4 from the placebo group (57%) experienced at least one AE.Eight AEs from 6
      patients were grade 3 in intensity (severe), 5 in cohort A (lacunar infarction,
      diarrhoea, tendon rupture, rheumatoid nodule and arthritis), 2 in cohort B
      (sciatica and RA) and 1 in the placebo group (asthenia). Only one of the grade 3
      AEs was serious (the lacunar infarction). American College of Rheumatology 20
      responses for cohorts A, B, C and placebo were 45%, 20%, 33% and 29%,
      respectively, at month 1, and 25%, 15%, 17% and 0%, respectively, at month 3.
      CONCLUSIONS: The intravenous infusion of Cx611 was in general well tolerated,
      without evidence of dose-related toxicity at the dose range and time period
      studied. In addition, a trend for clinical efficacy was observed. These data, in
      our opinion, justify further investigation of this innovative therapy in patients
      with RA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: EudraCT: 2010-021602-37; NCT01663116;
      Results.

PMID- 27269295
TI  - Canakinumab treatment for patients with active recurrent or chronic TNF receptor
      associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS): an open-label, phase II study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of canakinumab, a high-affinity human
      monoclonal anti-interleukin-1beta antibody, in inducing complete or almost
      complete responses in patients with active tumour necrosis factor receptor
      associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). METHODS: Twenty patients (aged 7-78 years)
      with active recurrent or chronic TRAPS were treated with canakinumab 150 mg every
      4 weeks for 4 months (2 mg/kg for those <=40 kg) in this open-label, proof-of
      concept, phase II study. Canakinumab was then withdrawn for up to 5 months, with
      reintroduction on relapse, and 4 weekly administration (subsequently increased to
      every 8 weeks) for 24 months. The primary efficacy variable was the proportion of
      patients achieving complete or almost complete response at day 15, defined as
      clinical remission (Physician's Global Assessment score <=1) and full or partial
      serological remission. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (19/20, 95%; 95% CI 75.1% to
      99.9%) achieved the primary efficacy variable. Responses to canakinumab occurred
      rapidly; median time to clinical remission 4 days (95% CI 3 to 8 days). All
      patients relapsed after canakinumab was withdrawn; median time to relapse 91.5
      days (95% CI 65 to 117 days). On reintroduction of canakinumab, clinical and
      serological responses were similar to those seen during the first phase, and were
      sustained throughout treatment. Canakinumab was well tolerated and clinical
      responses were accompanied by rapid and sustained improvement in health-related
      quality of life. Weight normalised pharmacokinetics of canakinumab, although
      limited, appeared to be consistent with historical canakinumab data. CONCLUSIONS:
      Canakinumab induces rapid disease control in patients with active TRAPS, and
      clinical benefits are sustained during long-term treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION
      NUMBER: NCT01242813; Results.

PMID- 27269297
TI  - High soluble IL-7 receptor expression in Sjogren's syndrome identifies patients
      with increased immunopathology and dryness.

PMID- 27269296
TI  - Disease activity is associated with reduced left ventricular systolic myocardial
      function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Disease activity has emerged as a new, independent risk factor for
      cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We tested if
      disease activity in RA was associated with lower left ventricular (LV) systolic
      function independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS:
      Echocardiographic assessment was performed in 78 patients with RA having low,
      moderate or high disease activity (Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI)
      >3.3), 41 patients in remission (SDAI <=3.3) and 46 controls, all without known
      cardiac disease. LV systolic function was assessed by biplane Simpson ejection
      fraction, stress-corrected midwall shortening (scMWS) and global longitudinal
      strain (GLS). RESULTS: Patients with active RA had higher prevalence of
      hypertension and diabetes compared with patients in remission and controls (both
      p<0.05). LV ejection fraction (endocardial function) was normal in all three
      groups, while mean scMWS and GLS (myocardial function) were reduced in patients
      with RA with active disease compared with patients with RA in remission (95+/-18%
      vs 105+/-17% and -18.9+/-3.1% vs -20.6+/-3.5%, respectively, both p<0.01).
      Patients with RA in remission had similar scMWS and GLS as the controls. In
      multivariable analyses, having active RA was associated with lower GLS
      (beta=0.21) and scMWS (beta=-0.22, both p<0.05), both reflecting lower LV
      systolic myocardial function, independent of cardiovascular risk factors and LV
      ejection fraction. Classification of RA disease activity by other disease
      activity composite scores yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Active RA is
      associated with lower LV systolic myocardial function despite normal ejection
      fraction and independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

PMID- 27269299
TI  - Local collective motion analysis for multi-probe dynamic imaging and
      microrheology.
AB  - Dynamical artifacts, such as mechanical drift, advection, and hydrodynamic flow,
      can adversely affect multi-probe dynamic imaging and passive particle-tracking
      microrheology experiments. Alternatively, active driving by molecular motors can
      cause interesting non-Brownian motion of probes in local regions. Existing drift
      correction techniques, which require large ensembles of probes or fast temporal
      sampling, are inadequate for handling complex spatio-temporal drifts and non
      Brownian motion of localized domains containing relatively few probes. Here, we
      report an analytical method based on local collective motion (LCM) analysis of as
      few as two probes for detecting the presence of non-Brownian motion and for
      accurately eliminating it to reveal the underlying Brownian motion. By
      calculating an ensemble-average, time-dependent, LCM mean square displacement
      (MSD) of two or more localized probes and comparing this MSD to constituent
      single-probe MSDs, we can identify temporal regimes during which either thermal
      or athermal motion dominates. Single-probe motion, when referenced relative to
      the moving frame attached to the multi-probe LCM trajectory, provides a true
      Brownian MSD after scaling by an appropriate correction factor that depends on
      the number of probes used in LCM analysis. We show that LCM analysis can be used
      to correct many different dynamical artifacts, including spatially varying
      drifts, gradient flows, cell motion, time-dependent drift, and temporally varying
      oscillatory advection, thereby offering a significant improvement over existing
      approaches.

PMID- 27269298
TI  - Physical impairment and body weight history in postmenopausal women: the Women's
      Health Initiative.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine whether weight history and weight transitions over adult
      lifespan contribute to physical impairment among postmenopausal women. DESIGN:
      BMI categories were calculated among postmenopausal women who reported their
      weight and height at age 18 years. Multiple-variable logistic regression was used
      to determine the association between BMI at age 18 years and BMI transitions over
      adulthood on severe physical impairment (SPI), defined as scoring <60 on the
      Physical Functioning subscale of the Rand thirty-six-item Short-Form Health
      Survey. SETTING: Participants were part of the Women's Health Initiative
      Observational Study (WHI OS), where participants' health was followed over time
      via questionnaires and clinical assessments. SUBJECTS: Postmenopausal women (n 76
      016; mean age 63.5 (sd 7.3) years). RESULTS: Women with overweight (BMI=25.0-29.9
      kg/m2) or obesity (BMI>=30.0 kg/m2) at 18 years had greater odds (OR (95 % CI))
      of SPI (1.51 (1.35, 1.69) and 2.14 (1.72, 2.65), respectively) than normal-weight
      (BMI=18.5-24.9 kg/m2) counterparts. Transitions from normal weight to
      overweight/obese or to underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2) were associated with greater
      odds of SPI (1.97 (1.84, 2.11) and 1.35 (1.06, 1.71), respectively) compared with
      weight stability. Shifting from underweight to overweight/obese also had
      increased odds of SPI (1.52 (1.11, 2.09)). Overweight/obese to normal BMI
      transitions resulted in a reduced SPI odds (0.52 (0.39, 0.71)). CONCLUSIONS:
      Higher weight history and transitions into higher weight classes were associated
      with higher likelihood of SPI, while transitioning into lower weight classes for
      those with overweight/obesity was protective among postmenopausal women.

PMID- 27269301
TI  - Parathyroidectomy: Complex Decisions about a Complex Procedure.

PMID- 27269300
TI  - Rates and Outcomes of Parathyroidectomy for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in the
      United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Secondary hyperparathyroidism is common among patients
      with ESRD. Although medical therapy for secondary hyperparathyroidism has changed
      dramatically over the last decade, rates of parathyroidectomy for secondary
      hyperparathyroidism across the United States population are unknown. We examined
      temporal trends in rates of parathyroidectomy, in-hospital mortality, length of
      hospital stay, and costs of hospitalization. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, &
      MEASUREMENTS: Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Nationwide
      Inpatient Sample, a representative national database on hospital stay regardless
      of age and payer in the United States, we identified parathyroidectomies for
      secondary hyperparathyroidism from 2002 to 2011. Data from the US Renal Data
      System reports were used to calculate the rate of parathyroidectomy. RESULTS: We
      identified 32,971 parathyroidectomies for secondary hyperparathyroidism between
      2002 and 2011. The overall rate of parathyroidectomy was approximately 5.4/1000
      patients (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 5.0/1000 to 6.0/1000). The rate
      decreased from 2003 (7.9/1000 patients; 95% CI, 6.2/1000 to 9.6/1000), reached a
      nadir in 2005 (3.3/1000 patients; 95% CI, 2.6/1000 to 4.0/1000), increased again
      through 2006 (5.4/1000 patients; 95% CI, 4.4/1000 to 6.4/1000), and remained
      stable since that time. Rates of in-hospital mortality decreased from 1.7% (95%
      CI, 0.8% to 2.6%) in 2002 to 0.8% (95% CI, 0.1% to 1.6%) in 2011 (P for trend
      <0.001). In-hospital mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with
      heart failure (odds ratio [OR], 4.23; 95% CI, 2.59 to 6.91) and peripheral
      vascular disease (OR, 4.59; 95% CI, 2.75 to 7.65) and lower among patients with
      prior kidney transplantation (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.65). CONCLUSIONS:
      Despite the use of multiple medical therapies, rates of parathyroidectomy of
      secondary hyperparathyroidism have not declined in recent years.

PMID- 27269303
TI  - Damage criteria for cerebral cortex cells subjected to hyperthermia.
AB  - Temperatures above the normal physiological threshold may cause damage to cells
      and tissue. In this study, the response of a culture of dissociated cerebral
      cortex cells exposed to laser-induced temperature gradients was examined. The
      cellular response was evaluated using a fluorescent dye indicating metabolic
      activity. Furthermore, by using a finite element model of the heating during the
      pulsed laser application, threshold temperatures could be extracted for the
      cellular response at different laser pulse lengths. These threshold temperatures
      were used in an Arrhenius model to extract the kinetic parameters, i.e. the
      activation energy (Ea), and the frequency factor (Ac), for the system. A damage
      signal ratio was defined and calculated to 5% for the cells to increase their
      metabolism as a response to the heat. Furthermore, efficient stimulation with 20
      ms long laser pulses did not evoke changes in metabolism. Thus, 20 ms could be a
      potential pulse length for functional stimulation of neural cells.

PMID- 27269302
TI  - Peritonitis before Peritoneal Dialysis Training: Analysis of Causative Organisms,
      Clinical Outcomes, Risk Factors, and Long-Term Consequences.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peritonitis before peritoneal dialysis (PD) training
      (pretraining peritonitis [PTP]) is an uncommon event. The study aim was to
      examine the causative organisms, clinical outcomes, risk factors, and long-term
      consequences of PTP. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: In this
      single-center, retrospective, observational study involving all incident patients
      on PD who developed PTP between 1998 and 2012, we examined the causative
      organisms, primary response rate, complete cure rate, risk factors, and
      associations of PTP with peritoneal equilibration test (PET) and patient
      survival. For each patient in the PTP group, the patients who underwent catheter
      insertion immediately before and after the index case were identified as
      controls. RESULTS: Among 1252 incident patients on PD, 52 (4.2%) patients
      developed PTP, and 104 patients were identified as controls. The two groups were
      similar in age, sex distribution, comorbidities, and residual renal function, but
      the PTP group had significantly lower hemoglobin and serum albumin. Patients were
      followed up for a median of 37.5 months (interquartile range [IQR], 16.3-62.2
      months). The most common causative organisms of PTP were Staphylococcus aureus
      (30.8%) and polymicrobial (21.2%); 25% had negative growth. The primary response
      and complete cure rates were 82.7% and 78.8%, respectively. In the PTP group,
      7.7% of patients died, 9.6% of patients required catheter removal, and PD
      training was significantly delayed (median =42.0; IQR, 26.0-65.8 days versus
      27.5; IQR, 23.0-35.0 days; P=0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis
      showed that serum albumin was the only predictor of PTP (adjusted odds ratio,
      0.89 per 1-g/dl increase; 95% confidence interval, 0.82 to 0.97). There were no
      differences in PET results and dialysis adequacy (measured around 1 month after
      PD training). The PTP group had significantly worse patient survival (median
      =41.2; IQR, 21.8-60.5 months versus 55.8; IQR, 40.4-71.2 months; P=0.02).
      Technique failure occurred in 11.5% and 10.6% of patients in the PTP and control
      groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: S. aureus is the most common causative
      organism of PTP. Nutritional interventions in patients who are hypoalbuminemic
      before catheter insertion deserve additional study.

PMID- 27269304
TI  - Magnetic Fluorescent Nanoformulation for Intracellular Drug Delivery to Human
      Breast Cancer, Primary Tumors, and Tumor Biopsies: Beyond Targeting Expectations.
AB  - We report the development of a chemotherapeutic nanoformulation made of
      polyvinylpyrrolidone-stabilized magnetofluorescent nanoparticles (Fl-PMNPs)
      loaded with anticancer drugs as a promising drug carrier homing to human breast
      cancer cells, primary tumors, and solid tumors. First, nanoparticle uptake and
      cell death were evaluated in three types of human breast cells: two metastatic
      cancerous MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and nontumorigenic MCF-10A cells. While Fl
      PMNPs were not toxic to cells even at the highest concentrations used, Dox-loaded
      Fl-PMNPs showed significant potency, effectively killing the different breast
      cancer cells, albeit at different affinities. Interestingly and superior to free
      Dox, Dox-loaded Fl-PMNPs were found to be more effective in killing the
      metastatic cells (2- to 3-fold enhanced cytotoxicities for MDA-MB-231 compared to
      MCF-7), compared to the normal noncancerous MCF-10A cells (up to 8-fold),
      suggesting huge potentials as selective anticancer agents. Electron and live
      confocal microscopy imaging mechanistically confirmed that the nanoparticles were
      successfully endocytosed and packaged into vesicles inside the cytoplasm, where
      Dox is released and then translocated to the nucleus exerting its cytotoxic
      action and causing apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, commendable and enhanced
      penetration in 3D multilayered primary tumor cells derived from primary lesions
      as well as in patient breast tumor biopsies was observed, killing the tumor cells
      inside. The designed nanocarriers described here can potentially open new
      opportunities for breast cancer patients, especially in theranostic imaging and
      hyperthermia. While many prior studies have focused on targeting ligands to
      specific receptors to improve efficacies, we discovered that even with passive
      targeted tailored delivery system enhanced toxic responses can be attained.

PMID- 27269305
TI  - Fertility concerns among child and adolescent cancer survivors and their parents:
      A qualitative analysis.
AB  - Cancer diagnoses and treatment may have long-term effects on fertility.
      Semistructured interviews were administered to young cancer survivors (<20 years)
      and their parents (n = 97). Fertility related concerns were reported by 45
      participants (46.4%). Themes included: distress regarding potential infertility;
      the effect of infertility on future relationships, self-esteem, and
      miscommunications/confusion about fertility status; access to fertility testing;
      and preservation options. Parents also reported challenges regarding how and when
      it was developmentally appropriate to talk to their children about fertility. The
      development of comprehensive consumer-driven approaches to managing the fertility
      concerns of young survivors and their families is essential.

PMID- 27269306
TI  - Inhalation of 50% Oxygen Does Not Impair Respiratory Depression During Midazolam
      Sedation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate how inhalation of 50% oxygen during intravenous midazolam
      sedation affects respiratory variables and thus the availability of oxygen.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study subjects were 21 healthy adult volunteers (American
      Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I). They were allocated to undergo
      midazolam sedation during high-concentration oxygen inhalation (group H) or
      during normal air inhalation (group N) in a single-blinded randomized crossover
      design, with an interval of at least 3 days between the 2 sedation sessions. In
      each experiment, midazolam 0.05 mg/kg was administered, after which the following
      variables were measured for 40 minutes: oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry
      (SpO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (ETCO2), respiration rate (RR),
      tidal volume (VT), and minute volume (MV). Subsequently, flumazenil 0.5 mg was
      administered, and the same variables were measured for 10 minutes. RESULTS: SpO2
      decreased after midazolam administration in the 2 groups. SpO2 in group H was
      higher than that in group N at all time points. RR increased and VT decreased
      after midazolam administration in the 2 groups; however, in contrast to SpO2, the
      levels of these parameters did not meaningfully differ between groups at any time
      point. MV remained unchanged in the 2 groups. ETCO2 decreased similarly after
      midazolam administration in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Inhalation of 50% oxygen
      during midazolam sedation did not enhance respiratory depression by midazolam.
      This suggests that high-concentration oxygen inhalation during midazolam sedation
      could prevent hypoxia.

PMID- 27269307
TI  - Benzylic C(sp(3))-H Functionalization for C-N and C-O Bond Formation via Visible
      Light Photoredox Catalysis.
AB  - A visible light mediated highly selective benzylic C-H bond functionalization for
      intermolecular C-N and C-O bond formation is reported. This cross-dehydrogenative
      coupling reaction demonstrates a straightforward protocol for incorporating the
      heteroaromatics to the benzylic position. Benzylic oxidation of various alkyl
      aryls to corresponding carbonyl compounds has also been reported.

PMID- 27269308
TI  - Computational geometry assessment for morphometric analysis of the mandible.
AB  - This paper presents a fully automated algorithm for geometry assessment of the
      mandible. Anatomical landmarks could be reliably detected and distances were
      statistically evaluated with principal component analysis. The method allows for
      the first time to generate a mean mandible shape with statistically valid
      geometrical variations based on a large set of 497 CT-scans of human mandibles.
      The data may be used in bioengineering for designing novel oral implants, for
      planning of computer-guided surgery, and for the improvement of biomechanical
      models, as it is shown that commercially available mandible replicas differ
      significantly from the mean of the investigated population.

PMID- 27269360
TI  - Getting to the Heart of the Story: Using Talanoa to Explore Pacific Mental
      Health.
AB  - Talanoa is an established format for generating discussion about complex topics
      used throughout the Pacific. Pacific researchers use talanoa to gather data with
      migrant Pacific Island populations, in countries such as the United States of
      America, Australia, and Aotearoa/New Zealand (A/NZ). Using talanoa in this way,
      changes the way that the approach is used as, on the one hand it is out of its
      original context, and on the other hand, extends its use to gather data with
      Pacific Islanders. In this article, we discuss the implementation of talanoa in
      an explorative qualitative research project, and discuss its effectiveness and
      usefulness for getting to the heart of the story about Tongan interpretations of
      mental illness and distress.

PMID- 27269361
TI  - FeF3@Thin Nickel Ammine Nitrate Matrix: Smart Configurations and Applications as
      Superior Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries.
AB  - Iron fluorides (FeFx) for Li-ion battery cathodes are still in the stage of
      intensive research due to their low delivery capacity and limited lifetime. One
      critical reason for cathode degradation is the severe aggregation of FeFx
      nanocrystals upon long-term cycling. To maximize the capacity and cyclability of
      these cathodes, we propose herein a novel and applicable method using a thin
      layered nickel ammine nitrate (NAN) matrix as a feasible encapsulation material
      to disperse the FeF3 nanoparticles. Such core-shell hybrids with smart
      configurations are constructed via a green, scalable, in situ encapsulation
      approach. The outer thin-film NAN matrix with prominent electrochemical stability
      can keep the FeF3 nanoactives encapsulated throughout the cyclic testing,
      protecting them from adverse aggregation into bulk crystals and thus leading to
      drastic improvements of electrode behaviors (e.g., high electrode capacity up to
      ~423 mA h g(-1), greatly prolonged cyclic period, and promoted rate
      capabilities). This present work may set up a new and general platform to develop
      intriguing core-shell hybrid cathodes for Li-ion batteries, not only for FeFx but
      also for a wide spectrum of other cathode materials. 

PMID- 27269362
TI  - Direct Growth of Graphene Films on 3D Grating Structural Quartz Substrates for
      High-Performance Pressure-Sensitive Sensors.
AB  - Conformal graphene films have directly been synthesized on the surface of grating
      microstructured quartz substrates by a simple chemical vapor deposition process.
      The wonderful conformality and relatively high quality of the as-prepared
      graphene on the three-dimensional substrate have been verified by scanning
      electron microscopy and Raman spectra. This conformal graphene film possesses
      excellent electrical and optical properties with a sheet resistance of <2000
      Omega.sq(-1) and a transmittance of >80% (at 550 nm), which can be attached with
      a flat graphene film on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrate, and then could work
      as a pressure-sensitive sensor. This device possesses a high-pressure sensitivity
      of -6.524 kPa(-1) in a low-pressure range of 0-200 Pa. Meanwhile, this pressure
      sensitive sensor exhibits super-reliability (>=5000 cycles) and an ultrafast
      response time (<=4 ms). Owing to these features, this pressure-sensitive sensor
      based on 3D conformal graphene is adequately introduced to test wind pressure,
      expressing higher accuracy and a lower background noise level than a market
      anemometer. 

PMID- 27269363
TI  - Microscopic Mechanism and Kinetics of Ice Formation at Complex Interfaces:
      Zooming in on Kaolinite.
AB  - Most ice in nature forms because of impurities which boost the exceedingly low
      nucleation rate of pure supercooled water. However, the microscopic details of
      ice nucleation on these substances remain largely unknown. Here, we have
      unraveled the molecular mechanism and the kinetics of ice formation on kaolinite,
      a clay mineral playing a key role in climate science. We find that the formation
      of ice at strong supercooling in the presence of this clay is about 20 orders of
      magnitude faster than homogeneous freezing. The critical nucleus is substantially
      smaller than that found for homogeneous nucleation and, in contrast to the
      predictions of classical nucleation theory (CNT), it has a strong two-dimensional
      character. Nonetheless, we show that CNT describes correctly the formation of ice
      at this complex interface. Kaolinite also promotes the exclusive nucleation of
      hexagonal ice, as opposed to homogeneous freezing where a mixture of cubic and
      hexagonal polytypes is observed. 

PMID- 27269364
TI  - Stop stalling and make PrEP for HIV available now.

PMID- 27269365
TI  - Birth of Four Chimeric Plastid Gene Clusters in Japanese Umbrella Pine.
AB  - Many genes in the plastid genomes (plastomes) of plants are organized as gene
      clusters, in which genes are co-transcribed, resembling bacterial operons. These
      plastid operons are highly conserved, even among conifers, whose plastomes are
      highly rearranged relative to other seed plants. We have determined the complete
      plastome sequence of Sciadopitys verticillata (Japanese umbrella pine), the sole
      member of Sciadopityaceae. The Sciadopitys plastome is characterized by extensive
      inversions, pseudogenization of four tRNA genes after tandem duplications, and a
      unique pair of 370-bp inverted repeats involved in the formation of isomeric
      plastomes. We showed that plastomic inversions in Sciadopitys have led to
      shuffling of the remote conserved operons, resulting in the birth of four
      chimeric gene clusters. Our data also demonstrated that the relocated genes can
      be co-transcribed in these chimeric gene clusters. The plastome of Sciadopitys
      advances our current understanding of how the conifer plastomes have evolved
      toward increased diversity and complexity.

PMID- 27269366
TI  - Short sleep duration and obesity among children: A systematic review and meta
      analysis of prospective studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous epidemiology studies have demonstrated that short sleep
      duration may be associated with the development of obesity, although the effects
      remain controversial. This study aimed to assess epidemiologic evidence
      systematically on the relation between sleep duration and obesity in children.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: We searched the Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Science
      Citation Index databases and reference lists of the included articles. Pooled
      odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using a random
      effects model. RESULTS: Fifty cohorts from thirteen studies were included in the
      pooled analysis. They included 35,540 participants from around the world. In
      children/adolescents the pooled OR was 1.71 (1.36-2.14; I2=91.3%), the positive
      association was consistent after omitting any of the studies. In subgroup
      analyses, the results indicated that the heterogeneity of effect may due to
      differences in geographical location, cut-off for short sleep duration and
      definition of obesity/overweight. The publication bias tests indicated a no
      evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides evidence
      that short sleep duration in children is associated with a significantly
      increased risk of obesity. Enough sleep duration is potentially important for the
      prevention of obesity among children.

PMID- 27269367
TI  - Mediterranean diet adherence and body composition among Southern Italian
      adolescents.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet has been associated
      with health benefits in young populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cardio-metabolic
      parameters in adolescents living in Sicily, Southern Italy. METHODS: A cross
      sectional study was conducted during two school years (2012-2013 and 2013-2014)
      on 1643 adolescents of 11-16 years attending 15 secondary schools. Socio
      demographic, dietary, lifestyle, and anthropometric data were collected. The
      KIDMED score was used to evaluate the adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Linear
      and logistic regression models were used to test the association between the
      variable of interest and the outcomes. RESULTS: A higher percentage of boys
      compared with girls was overweight (30.8% vs. 25.4%) and obese (28.7% vs. 18.5%)
      and only 9.1% had high adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Vegetable intake was
      negatively associated with being overweight/obese whereas higher intake of
      sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and fast foods was associated with overweight
      and obesity. A good adherence to the Mediterranean diet resulted in 30% decreased
      odds of being overweight or obese (odd ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval: 0.56
      0.87) in both boys and girls. An inverse correlation was found between KIDMED
      score and BMI, waist circumference and fat mass. No relation with blood pressure
      was found. CONCLUSIONS: Mediterranean dietary pattern resulted significantly
      associated with weight status in adolescents. These results underline the
      importance of providing lifestyle and dietary habits education to prevent
      overweight and obesity in adolescent.

PMID- 27269369
TI  - Surface-Charge Anisotropy of Scheelite Crystals.
AB  - Atomic force microscopy was employed to measure the colloidal interactions
      between silicon nitride cantilever tips and scheelite crystal surfaces in 1 mM
      KCl solutions of varying pH. By fitting the Derjguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek
      (DLVO) theoretical model to the recorded force-distance curves, the surface
      charge density and surface-potential values were calculated for three
      crystallographic surfaces including {112}, {101}, and {001}. The calculated
      surface-potential values were negative in both acidic and basic solutions and
      varied among crystallographic surfaces. The determined surface-potential values
      were within zeta-potential values reported in the literature for powdered
      scheelite minerals. The surface {101} was the most negatively charged surface,
      followed by {112} and {001}. The surface potential for {001} was only slightly
      affected by pH, whereas the surface potential for both {112} and {101} increased
      with increasing pH. Anisotropy in surface-charge density was analyzed in relation
      to the surface density of active oxygen atoms, that is, the density of oxygen
      atoms with one or two broken bond(s) within tungstate ions located in the topmost
      surface layer. On a surface with a higher surface density of active oxygen atoms,
      a larger number of OH(-) are expected to adsorb through hydrogen bonding, leading
      to a more negatively charged surface.

PMID- 27269368
TI  - Development of a translational model to screen medications for cocaine use
      disorder II: Choice between intravenous cocaine and money in humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A medication for treating cocaine use disorder has yet to be
      approved. Laboratory-based evaluation of candidate medications in animals and
      humans is a valuable means to demonstrate safety, tolerability and initial
      efficacy of potential medications. However, animal-to-human translation has been
      hampered by a lack of coordination. Therefore, we designed homologous cocaine
      self-administration studies in rhesus monkeys (see companion article) and human
      subjects in an attempt to develop linked, functionally equivalent procedures for
      research on candidate medications for cocaine use disorder. METHODS: Eight (N=8)
      subjects with cocaine use disorder completed 12 experimental sessions in which
      they responded to receive money ($0.01, $1.00 and $3.00) or intravenous cocaine
      (0, 3, 10 and 30mg/70kg) under independent, concurrent progressive-ratio
      schedules. Prior to the completion of 9 choice trials, subjects sampled the
      cocaine dose available during that session and were informed of the monetary
      alternative value. RESULTS: The allocation of behavior varied systematically as a
      function of cocaine dose and money value. Moreover, a similar pattern of cocaine
      choice was demonstrated in rhesus monkeys and humans across different cocaine
      doses and magnitudes of the species-specific alternative reinforcers. The
      subjective and cardiovascular responses to IV cocaine were an orderly function of
      dose, although heart rate and blood pressure remained within safe limits.
      CONCLUSIONS: These coordinated studies successfully established drug versus non
      drug choice procedures in humans and rhesus monkeys that yielded similar cocaine
      choice behavior across species. This translational research platform will be used
      in future research to enhance the efficiency of developing interventions to
      reduce cocaine use.

PMID- 27269370
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of 16-dehydropregnenolone hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin
      inclusion complex following peroral administration.
AB  - 16-Dehydropregnenolone (16-DHP) is an active compound with an unsatisfied in vivo
      behavior and poor water-solubility, which limits its clinical application. To
      improve its in vivo behavior and water-solubility, a Hydroxypropyl-beta
      Cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) inclusion complex of 16-DHP was prepared in this paper.
      Pharmacokinetic studies after oral administration of 16-DHP-HP-beta-CD at doses
      of 37.5, 75, 150 mg/kg were carried out to investigate its dose proportionality
      in rats. The relative bioavailability was researched by comparing the area under
      the plasma concentration-time curve of 16-DHP-HP-beta-CD and free 16-DHP after
      oral administration in rats at the dose of 75 mg/kg. At the same time, tissue
      distribution of 16-DHP-HP-beta-CD after oral administration at the dose of 240
      mg/kg in mice was also investigated. Consequently, 16-DHP-HP-beta-CD appeared to
      be a linear pharmacokinetic character after peroral administration to the rat at
      the doses tested. Compared to free 16-DHP, inclusion complex could significantly
      improve the relative bioavailability (467%). Tissue distribution studies
      indicated that 16-DHP-HP-beta-CD tended to distribute into stomach, intestine,
      lung, brain and liver.

PMID- 27269371
TI  - Autologous stem cell transplantation in HIV-positive patients affected by
      relapsed/partially responding lymphoma: let it be.

PMID- 27269373
TI  - Fusion of the endoplasmic reticulum by membrane-bound GTPases.
AB  - The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane forms an elaborate network of tubules and
      sheets that is continuously remodeled. This dynamic behavior requires membrane
      fusion that is mediated by dynamin-like GTPases: the atlastins in metazoans and
      Sey1p and related proteins in yeast and plants. Crystal structures of the
      cytosolic domains of these membrane proteins and biochemical experiments can now
      be integrated into a model that explains many aspects of the molecular mechanism
      by which these membrane-bound GTPases mediate membrane fusion.

PMID- 27269372
TI  - Contextual signaling in cancer.
AB  - The formation and maintenance of an organism are highly dependent on the orderly
      control of cell growth, differentiation, death, and migration. These processes
      are tightly regulated by signaling cascades in which a limited number of
      molecules dictate these cellular events. While these signaling pathways are
      highly conserved across species and cell types, the functional outcomes that
      result from their engagement are specified by the context in which they are
      activated. Using the Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) cancer predisposition
      syndrome as an illustrative platform, we discuss how NF1/RAS signaling can create
      functional diversity at multiple levels (molecular, cellular, tissue, and
      genetic/genomic). As such, the ability of related molecules (e.g., K-RAS, H-RAS)
      to activate distinct effectors, as well as cell type- and tissue-specific
      differences in molecular composition and effector engagement, generate numerous
      unique functional effects. These variations, coupled with a multitude of
      extracellular cues and genomic/genetic changes that each modify the innate
      signaling properties of the cell, enable precise control of cellular physiology
      in both health and disease. Understanding these contextual influences is
      important when trying to dissect the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of cancer
      relevant to molecularly-targeted therapeutics.

PMID- 27269374
TI  - Computational models of airway branching morphogenesis.
AB  - The bronchial network of the mammalian lung consists of millions of dichotomous
      branches arranged in a highly complex, space-filling tree. Recent computational
      models of branching morphogenesis in the lung have helped uncover the biological
      mechanisms that construct this ramified architecture. In this review, we focus on
      three different theoretical approaches - geometric modeling, reaction-diffusion
      modeling, and continuum mechanical modeling - and discuss how, taken together,
      these models have identified the geometric principles necessary to build an
      efficient bronchial network, as well as the patterning mechanisms that specify
      airway geometry in the developing embryo. We emphasize models that are integrated
      with biological experiments and suggest how recent progress in computational
      modeling has advanced our understanding of airway branching morphogenesis.

PMID- 27269375
TI  - Human monocytes and macrophages undergo M1-type inflammatory polarization in
      response to high levels of glucose.
AB  - Emerging data suggest that elevated glucose may promote inflammatory activation
      of monocytic lineage cells with the ability to injure vascular endothelial tissue
      of diabetic patients, however evidence in primary human monocytes and macrophages
      is still insufficient. We investigated the effect of high glucose concentration
      on the inflammatory capacity of human macrophages in vitro and examined whether
      similar responses were detectable in circulating monocytes from prediabetic
      patients. Primary monocytes were isolated from healthy blood donors and
      differentiated into macrophages. Differentiated macrophages were exposed to
      normal levels of glucose (NG), high glucose (HG) or high mannitol as osmotic
      pressure control (OP) for three days. Using PCR, ELISA and flow cytometry, we
      found that HG macrophages showed overexpression of CD11c and inducible nitric
      oxide synthase as well as down-regulation of arginase-1 and interleukin (IL)-10
      with respect to NG and OP macrophages. Consistent with in vitro results,
      circulating monocytes from hyperglycemic patients exhibited higher levels of
      CD11c and lower expression of CD206 than monocytes from normoglycemic controls.
      In subjects with hyperglycemia, elevation in CD11c(+) monocytes was associated
      with increased obesity, insulin resistance, and triglyceridemia as well as low
      serum IL-10. Our data suggest that human monocytes and macrophages undergo M1
      like inflammatory polarization when exposed to high levels of glucose on in vitro
      culture conditions and in patients with hyperglycemia. These results demonstrate
      that excess glucose has direct effects on macrophage activation though the
      molecular mechanisms mediating such a response remain to be elucidated.

PMID- 27269376
TI  - How dental team members describe adverse events.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although some patients experience adverse events (AEs) resulting in
      harm caused by treatments in dentistry, few published reports have detailed how
      dental providers describe these events. Understanding how dental treatment
      professionals view AEs is essential to building a safer environment in dental
      practice. METHODS: The authors interviewed dental professionals and domain
      experts through focus groups and in-depth interviews and asked them to identify
      the types of AEs that may occur in dental settings. RESULTS: The initial
      interview and focus group findings yielded 1,514 items that included both causes
      and AEs. In total, 632 causes were coded into 1 of the 8 categories of the
      Eindhoven classification, and 882 AEs were coded into 12 categories of a newly
      developed dental AE classification. Interrater reliability was moderate among
      coders. The list was reanalyzed, and duplicate items were removed leaving a total
      of 747 unique AEs and 540 causes. The most frequently identified AE types were
      "aspiration and ingestion" at 14% (n = 142), "wrong-site, wrong-procedure, wrong
      patient errors" at 13%, "hard-tissue damage" at 13%, and "soft-tissue damage" at
      12%. CONCLUSIONS: Dental providers identified a large and diverse list of AEs.
      These events ranged from "death due to cardiac arrest" to "jaw fatigue from
      lengthy procedures." PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Identifying threats to patient
      safety is a key element of improving dental patient safety. An inventory of
      dental AEs underpins efforts to track, prevent, and mitigate these events.

PMID- 27269378
TI  - Why Australasian vertebrate animals are so unique - A palaeontological
      perspective.
AB  - Australasia has a unique fauna of living vertebrates, which include the oldest
      known species on the planet (the lungfish Neoceratodus) as well as many diverse,
      highly endemic families of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The
      origin of most of the Australian vertebrate fauna has developed from two phases.
      Firstly, when Australia was subsumed within the greater Gondwana landmass,
      migration of animals from one region to another was possible by a land
      connection. Many of our most primitive forms of reptiles and mammals probably
      entered the country at this time, such as varanids, madtsooid snakes, monotremes
      and basal marsupials. Secondly, following the breakup of Gondwana, the isolation
      of Australia for its last 40 million years and subsequent changing climatic
      conditions drove the radiation of marsupial, reptile and amphibian families
      within the continent. The gradual aridification of central Australia further
      divided the landmass into discrete regional areas characterised by rainfall,
      vegetation, and climatic zones.

PMID- 27269377
TI  - Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Extract and 6-Prenylnaringenin Induce P450 1A1 Catalyzed
      Estrogen 2-Hydroxylation.
AB  - Humulus lupulus L. (hops) is a popular botanical dietary supplement used by women
      as a sleep aid and for postmenopausal symptom relief. In addition to its efficacy
      for menopausal symptoms, hops can also modulate the chemical estrogen
      carcinogenesis pathway and potentially protect women from breast cancer. In the
      present study, an enriched hop extract and the key bioactive compounds [6
      prenylnarigenin (6-PN), 8-prenylnarigenin (8-PN), isoxanthohumol (IX), and
      xanthohumol (XH)] were tested for their effects on estrogen metabolism in breast
      cells (MCF-10A and MCF-7). The methoxyestrones (2-/4-MeOE1) were analyzed as
      biomarkers for the nontoxic P450 1A1 catalyzed 2-hydroxylation and the genotoxic
      P450 1B1 catalyzed 4-hydroxylation pathways, respectively. The results indicated
      that the hop extract and 6-PN preferentially induced the 2-hydroxylation pathway
      in both cell lines. 8-PN only showed slight up-regulation of metabolism in MCF-7
      cells, whereas IX and XH did not have significant effects in either cell line. To
      further explore the influence of hops and its bioactive marker compounds on P450
      1A1/1B1, mRNA expression and ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (EROD) activity were
      measured. The results correlated with the metabolism data and showed that hop
      extract and 6-PN preferentially enhanced P450 1A1 mRNA expression and increased
      P450 1A1/1B1 activity. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation by the
      isolated compounds was tested using xenobiotic response element (XRE) luciferase
      construct transfected cells. 6-PN was found to be an AhR agonist that
      significantly induced XRE activation and inhibited 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p
      dioxin (TCDD) induced XRE activity. 6-PN mediated induction of EROD activity was
      also inhibited by the AhR antagonist CH223191. These data show that the hop
      extract and 6-PN preferentially enhance the nontoxic estrogen 2-hydroxylation
      pathway through AhR mediated up-regulation of P450 1A1, which further emphasizes
      the importance of standardization of botanical extracts to multiple chemical
      markers for both safety and desired bioactivity.

PMID- 27269381
TI  - Symbiont abundance is more important than pre-infection partner choice in a
      Rhizobium - legume mutualism.
AB  - It is known that the genetic diversity of conspecific rhizobia present in root
      nodules differs greatly among populations of a legume species, which has led to
      the suggestion that both dispersal limitation and the local environment affect
      rhizobial genotypic composition. However, it remains unclear whether rhizobial
      genotypes residing in root nodules are representative of the entire population of
      compatible symbiotic rhizobia. Since symbiotic preferences differ among legume
      populations, the genetic composition of rhizobia found within nodules may reflect
      the preferences of the local hosts, rather than the full diversity of potential
      nodulating rhizobia present in the soil. Here, we assessed whether Vicia cracca
      legume hosts of different provenances select different Rhizobium leguminosarum
      genotypes than sympatric V. cracca hosts, when presented a natural soil rhizobial
      population. Through combining V. cracca plants and rhizobia from adjacent and
      more distant populations, we found that V. cracca hosts are relatively randomly
      associated with rhizobial genotypes. This indicates that pre-infection partner
      choice is relatively weak in certain legume hosts when faced with a natural
      population of rhizobia. 

PMID- 27269382
TI  - Developing an Evidence-Based Epilepsy Risk Assessment eHealth Solution: From
      Concept to Market.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is possibly the most
      common cause of death as a result of complications from epilepsy. The need to
      educate and regularly review risk for all patients with epilepsy is paramount,
      but rarely delivered in actual clinical practice. Evidence suggests that
      education around SUDEP and modifiable risk variables translate into better self
      management of epilepsy. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop and implement an eHealth
      solution to support education and self-management of risks, in epilepsy. METHODS:
      We undertook an innovation pathways approach, including problem identification,
      feasibility assessment, design, implementation, and marketing. People with
      epilepsy were provided a smartphone-based app (Epilepsy Self-Monitor, EpSMon),
      which translates the clinical risk assessment tool into an educational and self
      monitoring platform, for the self-management of epilepsy. RESULTS: Results
      include the success of the marketing campaign, and in what areas, with an
      estimated reach of approximately 38 million people. EpSMon has proved a success
      in academic and clinical circles, attracting awards and nominations for awards.
      The number of users of EpSMon, after 3 months, turned out to be lower than
      expected (N=221). A 4-month trial of the app in use in the United Kingdom, and
      the success of the marketing strategy, point to necessary changes to the model of
      delivery and marketing, summarized in this paper. These include the marketing
      message, user cost model, and need for the availability of an Android version.
      CONCLUSIONS: EpSMon has proven a success in respect to its reception by
      academics, clinicians, stakeholder groups, and the patients who use it. There is
      work needed to promote the model and increase its acceptability/attractiveness,
      including broadening the marketing message, increasing its availability, and
      reducing its cost. Future development and promotion of the tool will hopefully
      inform iterative design of its core features for a receptive audience and lead to
      increased uptake as it is launched worldwide in 2016.

PMID- 27269383
TI  - Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of heavy metals in the surface
      sediments of the Bohai and Yellow Seas.
AB  - A total of 141 surface sediments were collected and analyzed for their
      geochemistry, total organic carbon, and grain size to assess the heavy metal
      pollution in the Bohai and Yellow Seas. The enrichment factor (EF) and
      geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Ni, As, and Hg were
      calculated to assess anthropogenic contamination, and the results suggest that
      moderate Pb, Cd, and As contamination occurs in the study area. Sediment quality
      guidelines were applied to assess the adverse biological effects of these metals.
      The spatial distribution of the mean Effects Range-Median quotient for the vast
      majority of the study area is between 0.1 and 0.5, indicating low impact and
      potential negative biological effects. Multivariate analysis indicates that Cu,
      Pb, Zn, Cr, and Ni resulted primarily from lithogenic sources, whereas As, Cd,
      and Hg were mainly attributed to anthropogenic sources. 

PMID- 27269384
TI  - Seasonal variation in diffusive exchange of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      across the air-seawater interface in coastal urban area.
AB  - Concentrations of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air-seawater
      interface were measured over 1year in the coastal region of Incheon, South Korea.
      Most individual PAHs and total PAHs in air displayed statistically significant
      negative correlations with temperature, but not significant in seawater. Less
      hydrophobic compounds with three rings were at or near equilibrium in summer,
      while PAHs with four to six rings were in disequilibrium in all seasons, with
      higher fugacity gradients in colder seasons and for more hydrophobic compounds.
      Differently from fugacity gradients, the highest net fluxes occurred for some
      three- and four-ring PAHs showing the highest atmospheric concentrations. Net
      gaseous exchange, which was higher in winter, occurred from air to seawater with
      an annual cumulative flux of 2075MUg/m(2)/year (for Sigma15PAHs), indicating that
      atmospheric PAHs in this region, originating from coal/biomass combustion, can
      deteriorate the quality of seawater and sediment. 

PMID- 27269385
TI  - Growth effects of shading and sedimentation in two tropical seagrass species:
      Implications for port management and impact assessment.
AB  - Seagrass meadows in many parts of the globe are threatened by a range of
      processes including port development, dredging and land clearing in coastal
      catchments, which can reduce water clarity and increase sedimentation pressure.
      As rates of seagrass loss increase, there is an urgent need to understand the
      potential impacts of development on these critical species. This research
      compares the effects of shading and burial by fine sand on two seagrass species
      Zostera muelleri and Halophila ovalis in Port Curtis Bay, an industrial harbour
      located on the continental margin adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Heritage
      Area, Australia. The research finds that shading in combination with burial
      causes a significant decline in growth rates in both species, but that burial
      >=10mm reduces growth rates to a greater extent than shading. The paper concludes
      by discussing the implications of these findings for port management and impact
      assessment. 

PMID- 27269386
TI  - Impacts of crab bioturbation and local pollution on sulfate reduction, Hg
      distribution and methylation in mangrove sediments, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AB  - Mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) are highly toxic and poorly studied in
      mangroves. Burrowing Uca crabs change sediment topography and biogeochemistry and
      thus may affect Hg distribution and MeHg formation. We studied added (203)Hg
      distribution, Me(203)Hg formation and sulfate reduction rates (SRR) in sediment
      aquariums containing Uca leptodactyla; and analyzed profiles of Me(203)Hg
      formation and SRR in sediment cores from two mangroves with distinct
      environmental impacts. MeHg formation and SRR were higher in the top (<=6cm)
      sediment and there was no significant difference in Hg methylation in more or
      less impacted mangroves. In aquariums, crab bioturbation favored Hg retention in
      the sediment. In the treatment without crabs, Hg volatilization and water Hg
      concentrations were higher. Hg methylation was higher in bioturbated aquariums
      but SRR were similar in both treatments. These findings suggest that bioturbating
      activity favors Hg retention in sediment but also promotes MeHg formation near
      the surface. 

PMID- 27269387
TI  - A diffusional kurtosis imaging study of idiopathic generalized epilepsy with
      unilateral interictal epileptiform discharges in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate brain abnormalities in children with a
      clinical diagnosis of idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and unilateral
      interictal epileptiform discharges (IED) demonstrated on electroencephalography
      (EEG) by diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: DKI images
      were obtained from 18 patients (n=9 each in the left and right hemispheres).
      Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and mean kurtosis (MK) maps
      were estimated through voxel-based analyses, and compared with 18 normal controls
      matched for age and sex. RESULTS: In the left side group, the significant
      differences of FA were in the left fusiform gyrus and occipital lobe of the white
      matter (WM). The significant differences of MD were in the left pons. The
      significant differences of MK were in the anterior cingulate gyrus, limbic lobe,
      gray matter (GM) and WM of the right cerebrum. In the right side group, the
      significant differences of FA were in the WM of the left cerebrum. MD identified
      differences in the frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal lobes of both
      hemispheres, especially in the limbic system, fusiform gyrus, uncus, and
      parahippocampal gyrus. The significant differences of MK were in the GM of the
      right cerebrum, particularly in the rolandic operculum and frontal lobe.
      CONCLUSIONS: DKI is sensitive for the detection of diffusion abnormalities in
      both WM and GM of IGE in children. Secondary brain abnormalities may exist in
      regions outside the unilateral epileptogenic zone through the limbic epileptic
      network, and can be detected by DKI indices FA, MD and MK.

PMID- 27269389
TI  - Potential drug therapies for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common, complex chronic widespread pain
      condition is characterized by fatigue, sleep disturbance and cognitive
      dysfunction. Treatment of FM is difficult, requiring both pharmacological and non
      pharmacological approaches, with an empiric approach to drug therapy focused
      toward individual symptoms, particularly pain. The effectiveness of current
      medications is limited with many patients discontinuing use. AREAS COVERED: A
      systemic database search has identified 26 molecular entities as potential
      emerging drug therapies. Advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of
      FM provides clues to targets for new medications. Investigation of bioamine
      modulation and alpha2delta ligands and novel targets such as dopamine receptors,
      NMDA receptors, cannabinoid receptors, melatonin receptors and potassium channels
      has identified potential drug therapies. EXPERT OPINION: Modest improvement of
      health status in patients with FM has been observed with drugs targeting a
      diverse range of molecular mechanisms. No single drug, however, offered
      substantial efficacy against all the symptoms characteristic of FM.
      Identification of new and improved therapies for FM needs to address the
      heterogeneity of the condition, which suggests existence of patient subgroups,
      the relationship of central and peripheral aspects of the pathophysiology and a
      requirement of combination therapy with drugs targeting multiple molecular
      mechanisms.

PMID- 27269388
TI  - Tissue Engineering Strategies for Myocardial Regeneration: Acellular Versus
      Cellular Scaffolds?
AB  - Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in industrialized
      nations with myocardial infarction (MI) contributing to at least one fifth of the
      reported deaths. The hypoxic environment eventually leads to cellular death and
      scar tissue formation. The scar tissue that forms is not mechanically functional
      and often leads to myocardial remodeling and eventual heart failure. Tissue
      engineering and regenerative medicine principles provide an alternative approach
      to restoring myocardial function by designing constructs that will restore the
      mechanical function of the heart. In this review, we will describe the cellular
      events that take place after an MI and describe current treatments. We will also
      describe how biomaterials, alone or in combination with a cellular component,
      have been used to engineer suitable myocardium replacement constructs and how new
      advanced culture systems will be required to achieve clinical success.

PMID- 27269391
TI  - Medicinal plants used for ophthalmological problems in Navarra (Spain).
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Several plants have been found to have effective
      against number of ophthalmological problems in Navarra. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Information was collected using semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews with
      686 informants in 267 locations. In order to confirm the pharmacological
      application of the uses more cited by the informants, a literature review was
      conducted. RESULTS: A total of 57 pharmaceutical uses were reported, for 19
      plants and 13 families, mainly represented by Asteraceae. The most frequently
      used parts were inflorescences, flowers, aerial parts, leaves and flowered aerial
      parts. The related affections fell into eleven categories: bloodshot eyes, watery
      eyes and wounds, improve vision, irrited eyelids, rheums and styes, tired eyes,
      conjunctivitis, eyewash, ocular problems in general. The most cited plants were:
      Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., Santolina chamaecyparissus L. ssp. squarrosa (DC.)
      Nyman, Sambucus nigra L. ssp. nigra, Rosa agrestis Savi and Calendula officinalis
      L. None of them have been pharmacologically validated by Official International
      Organisms. From the therapeutic point of view, Allium sativum L., Foeniculum
      vulgare Mill., C. officinalis, and S. chamaecyparissus ssp. squarrosa deserve
      special attention, because ethnobotanical and pharmacological studies suggest
      that these medicinal plants are effective for ophthalmological problems.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present study constitutes a good basis for further phytochemical
      and pharmacological research of these four plants, which could be of interest in
      the design of new inexpensive, effective and safe drugs. The remaining plants are
      needed to be screened through standard pharmacological and clinical procedures
      for their activities.

PMID- 27269390
TI  - Anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of Lavandula dentata L. and
      Lavandula stoechas L.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Plants from genus Lavandula have been used as
      anti-inflammatory drugs in Mediterranean traditional medicine. Nowadays, there is
      a growing interest for complementary medicine, including herbal remedies, to
      treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). AIM OF THE STUDY: To test the anti
      inflammatory properties of Lavandula dentata and Lavandula stoechas extracts in
      two inflammatory experimental models: TNBS model of rat colitis and the
      carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice, in order to mimic the intestinal
      conditions and the extra-intestinal manifestations of human IBD, respectively.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: The extracts were characterized through the qualitative
      HPLC analysis. Then, they were assayed in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies
      were performed in BMDMs and CMT-93 epithelial cells with different concentrations
      of the extracts (ranging from 0.1 to 100ug/ml). The extracts were tested in vivo
      in the TNBS model of rat colitis (10 and 25mg/kg) and in the carrageenan-induced
      paw edema in mice (10, 25 and 100mg/kg). RESULTS: L. dentata and L. stoechas
      extracts displayed immunomodulatory properties in vitro down-regulating different
      mediators of inflammation like cytokines and nitric oxide. They also showed anti
      inflammatory effects in the TNBS model of colitis as evidenced by reduced
      myeloperoxidase activity and increased total glutathione content, indicating a
      decrease of neutrophil infiltration and an improvement of the oxidative state.
      Besides, both extracts modulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and
      chemokines, and ameliorated the altered epithelial barrier function. They also
      displayed anti-inflammatory effects in the carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice,
      since a significant reduction of the paw thickness was observed. This was
      associated with a down-regulation of the expression of different inducible
      enzymes like MMP-9, iNOS and COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, all involved
      in the maintenance of the inflammatory condition. CONCLUSION: L. dentata and L.
      stoechas extracts showed intestinal anti-inflammatory effect, confirming their
      potential use as herbal remedies in gastrointestinal disorders. In addition,
      their anti-inflammatory effect was also observed in other locations, thus
      suggesting a possible use for the treatment of the extra-intestinal symptoms of
      IBD.

PMID- 27269392
TI  - The effect of Astragalus as an adjuvant treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A
      (preliminary) meta-analysis.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Astragalus is a traditional Chinese medicine that
      is widely used for tonifying Qi (Qi mainly means life energy) to treat diabetes
      mellitus and its complications. AIM OF THE STUDY: We performed a meta-analysis to
      evaluate the effect of Astragalus in adjuvant treatment of type 2 diabetes
      mellitus (T2DM), and to provide novel information to improve clinical decision
      making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an exhaustive database search
      (PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database
      (CNKI), Wanfang data and SinoMed) of studies associated with "Astragalus" and
      "type 2 diabetes mellitus" until December 2015. Following quality assessment of
      study eligibility, the extracted data were statistically analyzed using STATA,
      ver. 12.0 (Stata Corp.). RESULTS: A total of 13 studies with 1054 participants
      were included in this meta-analysis. Two subgroups were identified, based on
      Astragalus dosing regimens: control group vs. Astragalus injection (AI); control
      group vs. Astragalus aqueous decoction (AAD). The pooled results showed that, in
      comparison with control group, Astragalus administration significantly reduced
      fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in both the AI group (WMD=-0.28, 95% CI=-0.46 to 
      0.10, P=0.002, I(2)=18.5%) and the AAD group (WMD=-0.83, 95% CI=-1.07 to -0.58,
      P=0.000, I(2)=0.0%); postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) was also significantly
      reduced in the AI group (WMD=-0.47, 95% CI=-0.77 to -0.17, P=0.002, I(2)=46.8%)
      and the AAD group (WMD=-1.19, 95% CI=-1.63 to -0.75, P=0.000, I(2)=49.3%).
      Fasting insulin (Fins) was significantly reduced only in the AAD treatment group
      (SMD=-0.33, 95% CI=-0.55 to -0.10, P=0.005, I(2)=1.0%) as was the homeostasis
      model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IRI) levels (SMD=-1.66, 95% CI=
      3.24 to -0.09, P=0.038, I(2)=94.0%). Although AAD treatment significantly reduced
      levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (WMD=-1.77, 95% CI=-3.06 to -0.47,
      P=0.007, I(2)=90.8%), AI treatment failed to show significant efficacy (WMD=
      0.28, 95% CI=-0.63 to 0.06, P=0.102, I(2)=83.8%). Sensitivity analysis failed to
      detect outliers in all studies while Egger's linear regression test revealed a
      lack of publication bias in this meta-analysis (P=0.771, 95%CI =-3.51 to 4.56).
      CONCLUSIONS: Astragalus may be beneficial as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment
      of type 2 diabetes. However, due to the limited quality of existing studies,
      further high-quality studies are warranted before definitive conclusions may be
      reached.

PMID- 27269393
TI  - Estimating the most efficient allocation of interventions to achieve reductions
      in Plasmodium falciparum malaria burden and transmission in Africa: a modelling
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reducing the burden of malaria is a global priority, but financial
      constraints mean that available resources must be allocated rationally to
      maximise their effect. We aimed to develop a model to estimate the most efficient
      (ie, minimum cost) ordering of interventions to reduce malaria burden and
      transmission. We also aimed to estimate the efficiency of different spatial
      scales of implementation. METHODS: We combined a dynamic model capturing
      heterogeneity in malaria transmission across Africa with financial unit cost data
      for key malaria interventions. We combined estimates of patterns of malaria
      endemicity, seasonality in rainfall, and mosquito composition to map optimum
      packages of these interventions across Africa. Using non-linear optimisation
      methods, we examined how these optimum packages vary when control measures are
      deployed and assessed at national, subnational first administrative (provincial),
      or fine-scale (5 km(2) pixel) spatial scales. FINDINGS: The most efficient
      package in a given setting varies depending on whether disease reduction or
      elimination is the target. Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets are generally
      the most cost-effective first intervention to achieve either goal, with seasonal
      malaria chemoprevention or indoor residual spraying added second depending on
      seasonality and vector species. These interventions are estimated to reduce
      malaria transmission to less than one case per 1000 people per year in 43.4% (95%
      CI 40.0-49.0) of the population at risk in Africa. Adding three rounds of mass
      drug administration per year is estimated to increase this proportion to 90.9%
      (95% CI 86.9-94.6). Further optimisation can be achieved by targeting policies at
      the provincial level, achieving an estimated 32.1% (95% CI 29.6-34.5) cost saving
      relative to adopting country-wide policies. Nevertheless, we predict that only 26
      (95% CI 22-29) of 41 countries could reduce transmission to these levels with
      these approaches. INTERPRETATION: These results highlight the cost-benefits of
      carefully tailoring malaria interventions to the ecological landscape of
      different areas. However, novel interventions are necessary if malaria
      eradication is to be achieved. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK
      Medical Research Council.

PMID- 27269410
TI  - Comparison of intravenous ferrous sucrose and oral ferrous sulphate in treatment
      of postpartum iron deficiency anemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and
      tolerability of intravenous ferrous sucrose, compared to oral ferrous sulphate in
      women with postpartum iron deficiency anemia (IDA). METHODS: In a single center,
      randomized, controlled study, 352 patients with hemoglobin 9 gm/dl or less and
      serum ferritin of <15 MUg/l two days after delivery were equally randomized to
      receive intravenous ferrous sucrose (up to three calculated replacement doses) or
      oral ferrous sulphate (150 mg twice daily for six weeks). Primary measures were
      to assess the rise in hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin. RESULTS: By day 5, the
      Hb level in women treated with intravenous ferrous sucrose had rised from 8.48 +/
      0.47 to 9.4 +/- 0.56 gm/dl. Women treated with intravenous ferrous sucrose had
      significantly higher Hb levels on day 5, day 14 and day 40 (p < 0.01) than those
      treated with oral ferrous sulphate. Throughout the study, ferritin level rose
      rapidly in those treated with intravenous iron and remained significantly higher
      than in those treated with oral iron (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Intravenous ferrous
      sucrose increases Hb level more rapidly than ferrous sulphate in women with
      postpartum IDA. It also replenishes iron stores more rapidly with better
      tolerability.

PMID- 27269411
TI  - Self-Driven Desalination and Advanced Treatment of Wastewater in a Modularized
      Filtration Air Cathode Microbial Desalination Cell.
AB  - Microbial desalination cells (MDCs) extract organic energy from wastewater for in
      situ desalination of saline water. However, to desalinate salt water, traditional
      MDCs often require an anolyte (wastewater) and a catholyte (other synthetic
      water) to produce electricity. Correspondingly, the traditional MDCs also
      produced anode effluent and cathode effluent, and may produce a concentrate
      solution, resulting in a low production of diluate. In this study, nitrogen-doped
      carbon nanotube membranes and Pt carbon cloths were utilized as filtration
      material and cathode to fabricate a modularized filtration air cathode MDC (F
      MDC). With real wastewater flowing from anode to cathode, and finally to the
      middle membrane stack, the diluate volume production reached 82.4%, with the
      removal efficiency of salinity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reached 93.6% and
      97.3% respectively. The final diluate conductivity was 68 +/- 12 MUS/cm, and the
      turbidity was 0.41 NTU, which were sufficient for boiler supplementary or
      industrial cooling. The concentrate production was only 17.6%, and almost all the
      phosphorus and salt, and most of the nitrogen were recovered, potentially
      allowing the recovery of nutrients and other chemicals. These results show the
      potential utility of the modularized F-MDC in the application of municipal
      wastewater advanced treatment and self-driven desalination.

PMID- 27269412
TI  - Surgical treatment of class II dento-facial deformity during adolescence: Long
      term follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term stability of
      patients operated during adolescence on the base of clinical measurements and
      cephalometric analysis. Although, the potential benefits of early orthognathic
      surgery are known to be a reduction in treatment times and a greater healing
      potential leading to a better adaptation and stability of the occlusion, muscles,
      bones and joints, no consensus can be found in literature on the minimum age for
      surgical correction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, thirty patients (age
      <= 15) with a class II dento-skeletal malocclusion were selected, of which 11
      having a hyperdivergent (II,1) and 19 a hypodivergent (II,2) growth pattern,
      representing 2 distinct groups with a different treatment plan and long-term
      behavior. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Observing the performance of all parameters
      over-time, it is seen that subjects belonging to division II,2 have a
      modification of the growth vectors maintaining the harmonious development between
      the jaws and the facial aesthetics. Less predictable is the trend in
      hyperdivergent patients, which are more prone to relapse in the long-term. Early
      surgery in these patients should be considered in the light of the degree of
      deformity and its influence felt by the patient on his development of self-image
      and interpersonal relationship.

PMID- 27269413
TI  - Incidence and predictors of bleeding complications after percutaneous coronary
      intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bleeding complications remain one of the most important challenges in
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly in Asians who are known to
      be vulnerable to the use of antiplatelets or anticoagulants. However, the
      incidence and predictors of bleeding complications after PCI have not been
      thoroughly investigated in Japan. METHODS: We studied 13,075 consecutive patients
      in a Japanese multicenter PCI registry (Japan Cardiovascular Database - Keio
      interhospital Cardiovascular Study: JCD-KiCS) from September 2008 to March 2014.
      Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate
      independent predictors of bleeding complications, and to create three risk
      prediction models for bleeding events. Model 1 included patients' characteristics
      alone. In model 2, we added patients' clinical presentation. Model 3 included
      covariates in model 2 along with angiographic and technical factors. Model
      discrimination was assessed using the area under the receiver operating curve
      (AUC). RESULTS: Overall, bleeding complications, according to the pre-specified
      US National Cardiovascular Data Registry criteria, were observed in 402 patients
      (3.1%). Independent predictors of bleeding complications included age, female
      gender, previous PCI, previous heart failure, hemodialysis (variables included in
      model 1), ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, cardiogenic
      shock (added in model 2), transradial intervention, use of intra-aortic balloon
      pumping or a rotablator, and PCI for chronic total occlusion (added in model 3).
      Above all, previous PCI and transradial intervention were inverse predictors of
      bleeding. The predictability of the risk models improved as the number of
      variables increased, with AUC of 0.667, 0.747, and 0.791 for models 1, 2, and 3,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of bleeding complications among Japanese
      PCI patients was approximately 3% in standard nomenclature, which is equivalent
      to that of other international registries. Patients' characteristics, clinical
      presentation, and angiographic and technical factors all independently
      contributed to its prediction.

PMID- 27269415
TI  - Gene- and Stem Cell-Based Approaches to Regulate Hypertrophic Differentiation in
      Articular Cartilage Disorders.
AB  - Hypertrophy is a key component of endochondral ossification, the process
      controlling skeletal (cartilage, bone) development by differentiation of
      mesenchymal stem cells. Hypertrophic events also occur on cartilage injury such
      as during osteoarthritis (OA) and to a certain extent in focal lesions that may
      lead to OA if let untreated. Strategies based on the delivery on therapeutic
      genes and progenitor cells (the cells mostly recruited in spontaneous and guided
      repair) offer potential tools to delay or even prevent such undesirable events in
      sites of cartilage damage. The goal of this review is to revisit the mechanisms
      of hypertrophy during skeletal development and diseases and to provide an
      overview of the most recent advances in gene and stem cell therapy in the field
      of cartilage repair.

PMID- 27269414
TI  - Use of Hes1-GFP reporter mice to assess activity of the Hes1 promoter in bone
      cells under chronic inflammation.
AB  - Notch signaling plays a critical role in maintaining bone homeostasis partially
      by controlling the formation of osteoblasts from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
      We reported that TNF activates Notch signaling in MSCs which inhibits osteoblast
      differentiation in TNF transgenic (TNF-Tg) mice, a mouse model of chronic
      inflammatory arthritis. In the current study, we used Hes1-GFP and Hes1-GFP/TNF
      Tg mice to study the distribution and dynamic change of Notch active cells in
      normal and inflammatory bone loss and mechanisms mediating their enhanced
      proliferation. We found that Hes1-GFP+ cells are composed of cells expressing
      mesenchymal, hematopoietic and endothelial surface markers. CD45-/Hes1-GFP+ cells
      express high levels of mesenchymal markers and form CFU-F and CFU-ALP colonies.
      Expansion of CFU-F colonies is associated with a rapid increase in Hes1-GFP+ cell
      numbers and their GFP intensity. The GFP signal is lost when a CFU-F colony
      differentiates into an ALP+ osteoblast colony. TNF increases the numbers of CD45
      /Hes1-GFP+ cells, which are stained negatively for osteoblast marker osteocalcin
      and localized adjacent to endosteal and trabecular bone surfaces. CD45-/Hes1-GFP+
      cells in Hes1-GFP/TNF-Tg mice have increased BrdU incorporation and PDGFRbeta
      levels. TNF increases the number of proliferating Hes1-GFP+ cells, which is
      prevented by a specific PDGFRbeta inhibitor. Notch inhibition blocks TNF-mediated
      PDGFRbeta expression and cell proliferation. Thus, TNF-induced MSC proliferation
      is mediated by PDGFRbeta signal, which works at downstream of Notch. Hes1-GFP
      mice can be used to assess the activation status of Notch in bone cells.

PMID- 27269416
TI  - Randomized, controlled trial of povidone-iodine to reduce simple traumatic wound
      infections in the emergency department.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Povidone Iodine (PVI) has been used to prevent wound infection for
      a long time, yet the merits and effectiveness of this agent in reducing the rates
      of infection in simple traumatic wounds have been debated. The aim of this study
      is determine the effect of PVI as skin disinfectant in preventing simple
      traumatic wound infection after repair in emergency departments. METHODS: This
      study is a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial, conducted at the emergency
      departments of two university hospitals. In this trial, those collecting and
      analyzing data were unaware of the assigned treatment. Participants included ED
      patients with simple traumatic wounds, randomly assigned to either experiment or
      control groups. Wounds were similarly irrigated with normal saline in both
      groups. But the skin around the wounds of patients in the experiment group was
      cleansed by PVI solution. The patients were followed till their next ED visit for
      stitch removal. The presence or absence of wound infection was considered as the
      primary outcome and assessed by an ED physician. RESULTS: In total, 444 patients
      were screened and included in the study. The patients were statistically similar
      according to their baseline characteristics. Men constituted 85% of the study
      participants. The highest numbers of reported wound sites belonged to head (30%),
      lower limbs (24%) and upper limbs (19%) accordingly. The rates of infections in
      the experiment and control groups were similar (p=0.231) but a significant
      association was observed between the rate of infections and wound location. Lower
      limbs (OR=9.23, p<0.0001) and upper limbs (OR=5.47, p=0.011) indicated the
      highest risks of wound infections among other locations. CONCLUSION: Our study
      showed that using PVI in the management of traumatic wounds did not reduced rate
      of infections.

PMID- 27269417
TI  - Analysis of relevant proteins from bone graft harvested using the reamer
      irrigator and aspirator system (RIA) versus iliac crest (IC) bone graft and RIA
      waste water.
AB  - PURPOSE: Femoral reaming using a Reamer Irrigator Aspirator (RIA) can produce
      greater than three liters of waste water per procedure, which contains cells and
      proteins that could promote bone healing. This purpose of this study was to
      determine the protein profile of RIA waste water and compare protein synthesis by
      cells harvested via RIA versus iliac crest (IC) bone graft. METHOD: Bone graft
      was collected from 30 patients-15 using RIA from the femur and 15 harvested from
      the iliac crest. Waste water collected during the RIA procedure was analyzed in
      12 patients. Cells from each graft were cultured in monolayer using growth media
      for 14days and inductive media for the next 14days. Media samples were collected
      on days 14, 21, and 28. Proteins for analysis were chosen based on their
      potential in bone healing, pro-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory processes.
      RESULTS: Proteins present in RIA waste water indicate the potential for clinical
      use of this filtrate as an adjunct for enhancing bone production, healing, and
      remodeling. Similarly, cells cultured from RIA bone graft harvests compared
      favorably to those from iliac crest bone grafts with respect to their potential
      to aid in bone healing. CONCLUSION: RIA waste water has potential to serve as an
      autogenic and allogenic enhancer for bone healing. Continued development of
      processing protocols for viable commercial use of the waste water and pre
      clinical studies designed to evaluate RIA waste water products for bone healing
      are ongoing.

PMID- 27269418
TI  - Fixation of displaced femoral neck fractures in young adults: Fixed-angle devices
      or Pauwel screws?
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to compare the incidence of complications after fixation of
      displaced femoral neck fractures in young adults treated with fixed-angle devices
      versus multiple cancellous screws and a trochanteric lag screw (Pauwel screw).
      METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a level I trauma centre.
      Sixty-two skeletally mature patients (age range, 16-60 years) with displaced
      femoral neck fractures were included in the study. Forty-seven were treated with
      a fixed-angle device (sliding hip plate with screw or helical blade) and 15 with
      multiple cancellous screws placed in a Pauwel configuration. The main outcome
      measure was postoperative complication of osteonecrosis or nonunion treated with
      a surgical procedure. RESULTS: Significantly fewer failures occurred in the fixed
      angle group (21%) than in the screws group (60%) (p=0.008). Osteonecrosis was
      rare in the fixed-angle group, occurring in 2% of cases versus 33% of cases in
      the screws group (p=0.002). Consistent with previous studies, good to excellent
      reductions were associated with a failure rate of 25% and fair to poor reductions
      were associated with a failure rate of 55% (p=0.07). The best-case scenario of a
      good to excellent reduction stabilised with a fixed-angle device yielded a
      success rate of 85%. CONCLUSION: In young patients with displaced high-energy
      femoral neck fractures, fixed-angle devices resulted in fewer treatment failures
      than did Pauwel screws.

PMID- 27269419
TI  - Pharmacogenomics of multifactorial diseases: a focus on psoriatic arthritis.
AB  - This review will outline the current pharmacogenomics knowledge about psoriatic
      arthritis with a special attention to the perspectives and the challenges for its
      implementation in the clinical practice. To date, different drugs have been
      developed to contrast the symptoms and the progression of psoriatic arthritis.
      However, patients have shown high variability of drug response in relation to
      their genetic makeup. In this context, the advances made in the knowledge and the
      potentialities of genome-drugs associations paved the path for the development of
      a precision medicine. In fact, these associations may be successfully combined
      with the environment information to provide new strategies able to prevent and
      improve the disease management as well as to enhance the patients quality of
      life.

PMID- 27269420
TI  - Expanding the bounds of military psychiatry: three clinical encounters.
AB  - This paper deals with clinical situations frequently encountered in military
      psychiatry. Using three narratives of soldiers assessed at the Israeli Defence
      Forces (IDF) during a period of marked conflict between Israel and the
      Palestinian Authority, the author portrays ethical dilemmas generated during
      assessments for fitness to go to combat. When the focus of the assessment is the
      soldier's refusal to serve in the army, particularly during periods of increased
      conflict, the psychiatrist faces a dilemma because of double loyalties, to the
      army of which he is a part, and to the soldier and his right to live. Based on
      previous literature and experience, some cases of refusal to serve may be
      understood going beyond the boundaries imposed by the medical model. The author
      discusses these issues in the context of Israeli society. In Israel, conscription
      is universal, and the army is not professional. However, given the lack of social
      legitimacy in Israel for refusal to serve in the IDF due to conscientious
      objection, soldiers who are otherwise aware of the ethical dilemmas imposed upon
      them by the harsh Israeli reality are left with no option other than to get
      exempted from military duties on psychiatric grounds. The author discusses how
      social and historical factors contribute to the construction of psychiatric and
      psychological symptoms. 

PMID- 27269421
TI  - Meaning of 9/11 for two Pakistani communities: from external intruders to the
      internalisation of a negative self-image.
AB  - Since September 11, the increase in international tensions and the subsequent
      wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have created turmoil and fears in immigrant
      communities, fanned by the media in the context of the war against terrorism.
      This paper aims to compare the meaning systems evoked around 9/11 within two
      Pakistani groups-an immigrant community in Montreal and a group in Karachi. It
      also intends to examine the representation of themselves and of the 'Other'
      within these two groups. Results suggest that both Karachi and Montreal Pakistani
      respondents favour a conspiracy scenario which protects the Muslim community from
      the responsibility of 9/11 events. They refer to an argumentation process based
      on 'proofs', thus mirroring the political rhetoric used by the US government and
      its allies to justify the military intervention in Iraq. In the Montreal group,
      the pervasive feeling of fear and the bleak image that the community has of
      itself support the hypothesis of an immigrant internalisation of the negative
      representations of Muslim and South Asian identities in the North American
      context. The negative self-image observed in these minority groups indicates that
      more effort than ever should be dedicated to understanding the impact of the
      present international context on minority-majority relations in multi-ethnic
      societies. It is as if America is sitting right here in the living room with us
      ... We have to ask them permission to breathe. (Parveen, Karachi). 

PMID- 27269422
TI  - The paediatric clinic as negotiated social space.
AB  - Contemporary urban diversity combined with increasing specialisation in tertiary
      care, technological innovations, and complexity of pathologies, render patient
      physician relations challenging for both patients and practitioners. Based on
      ongoing research in a university paediatric hospital in Montreal, this paper
      examines how patient-physician relations are played out in the space of the
      clinic in which a set of social, cultural, structural and asymmetrical relations
      intertwine. Through an ethnographic approach, which includes the observation of
      multi-disciplinary clinical settings as well as interviews with clinicians and
      families (migrants and non-migrants), the paper examines how the 'images' of both
      the patient (his family) and the physician play an active role in the clinical
      encounter. Interpretations of parental attitudes by practitioners are linked to
      their perceived background within the local and institutional configuration of
      norms and values, including the notion of a 'good parent'. This research
      problematises the concept of culture as it is engaged by clinicians (by excluding
      their own) and promotes reflection on an anthropologically informed clinical
      practice. 

PMID- 27269423
TI  - Trichinellosis: a possible link between human infection and the traditional earth
      oven or 'mumu' method of cooking in Morehead District, Western Province, Papua
      New Guinea.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate if the traditional method of cooking pig meat in an
      earth-oven or mumu, as practiced by people in Morehead District, Western
      Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG), could be a source of infection with Trichinella
      papuae and of the disease trichinellosis. PROCEDURE: As the locality lacks
      suitable river stones normally used in a mumu in PNG, people use various
      substitute materials, such as pieces of termite mounds, balls of dried clay and
      small rough stones. Samples of these were tested and compared with conventional
      mumu stones in their capacity to retain heat. RESULTS: None of the substitute
      materials tested was as efficient in retaining heat as the conventional mumu
      stones. CONCLUSIONS: Cooking pig meat in a mumu in Morehead District has the
      potential to be a source of infection with T. papuae. Loss of heat in a Morehead
      mumu is accelerated probably as the mumu is prepared on the surface of the ground
      and not in a shallow pit or depression as is the custom elsewhere in the country.

PMID- 27269424
TI  - Perspectives on access to personal health information in New Zealand/Aotearoa.
AB  - This study used group interviews to explore Maori and European New Zealander
      (Pakeha) perspectives on access to personal health information. Two predominant
      themes emerged: the tension between the individual and society, and differences
      inherent in the use of formal and informal moral codes. Maori and Pakeha differed
      in their concept of autonomy and relied on distinct moral codes when considering
      questions of access; Western values and moral codes were notably less relevant to
      Maori who described distinct, collectivist means of ensuring social care of the
      sick and dying. Pakeha but not Maori participants often used hypothetical
      situations to reach an abstract determination of 'who should know'; the latter
      instead used personal experience to decide case-by-case. Generational differences
      were also evident, particularly in the Maori groups. In conclusion, culture
      should be considered in access to personal health information in New Zealand.
      Similar cultural variation is likely to be found in other countries; recognition
      of such differences will help ensure that access to sensitive information is
      appropriate, inclusive, and ethical. 

PMID- 27269425
TI  - 'A routine thing': clinician strategies for implementing HIV testing for at-risk
      patients in a busy healthcare organisation (and implications for implementation
      of other new practice recommendations).
AB  - Increasing HIV testing is a necessary step toward control of the disease. Many
      experts suggest routinely offering HIV testing to specific population segments.
      We explore provider discourse regarding an HIV test implementation project with
      the aim of illuminating a structurally emergent clinician strategy for promoting
      testing and the socio-cultural factors underlying it. Twenty US Veterans Affairs
      Healthcare System clinical care providers were interviewed. Using standard
      anthropological text analysis techniques, themes, their relationships, and the
      significance of these for increasing appropriately targeted HIV test offers were
      established. Presenting the HIV test offer to their patients as if routine
      ('routinisation') supported providers' desire to do no harm by lessening the
      test's potential stigma. Offering the test helped providers maintain professional
      integrity: it empowered veterans to realise access to care and fit with
      providers' sense of honour and duty. Routinising HIV testing also helped
      providers to manage scarce time effectively. Findings can be leveraged to support
      routine screening's successful roll-out. The carefully managed introduction of
      routine HIV test offering policies will formalise and legitimise productive
      strategies of destigmatisation already being enacted by some front-line
      providers. The fact that routinisation strategies are in use although HIV testing
      is not actually routine attests to the potential power routinisation has to
      reduce HIV's stigma, increase HIV test uptake, and thereby improve access to
      care. What I've learned about tough questions is: The more routine you make them,
      the easier it is to get the questions answered, the less destructive it is to the
      relationship and that's the sort of paradigm I've come to believe in and will use
      now into the future. (Marvin K, MD). 

PMID- 27269426
TI  - Metaphors to cure by: Tojolab'al Maya midwifery and cognition.
AB  - The southern Mexican state of Chiapas has the highest concentration of indigenous
      peoples in Mexico and ranks first among all states for the percentage of births
      attended by nurses or midwives. Efforts to improve maternal and child health in
      this region, therefore, must engage indigenous midwives and healers in a
      meaningful way, which presupposes an understanding and respect for the area's
      rich ethnomedical traditions. To this end, the present paper synthesises findings
      of in-depth ethnographic fieldwork by the author among Tojolab'al Mayan midwives.
      Several cultural themes underlying cognitive models of reproductive health are
      presented. Results indicate that several prominent metaphors relating to natural
      cycles of agricultural growth, death and regeneration form a bridge that links
      human fertility and illness to a living, dynamic cosmology. As suggested by
      quantitative analyses presented here, these 'metaphors to cure by' provide clues
      that are likely to prove central to the translation of public health programmes
      and clinician-patient communication in this population. 

PMID- 27269427
TI  - Tairyoku as a belief system of health and illness: a study of cancer patients in
      Japan.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to investigate the concept of tairyoku (body power)
      within the context of palliative care in contemporary Japan, and to explore its
      use by cancer patients at palliative care units (PCUs). Tairyoku is thought to be
      vital energy, analogous to qi in Chinese Medicine. In this paper it is shown that
      tairyoku is used to monitor bodily condition by patients and that it plays an
      important role in treatment decision-making for them. Medical professionals also
      use the word tairyoku; however, they do not agree with the patients' idea of
      increasing tairyoku in order to cure cancer. This situation causes disagreement
      about treatment between patients and medical staff at PCUs; however, this paper
      will show that tairyoku is the important concept to help patients manage their
      illness and sustain their autonomy, and finally accept imminent death. 

PMID- 27269428
TI  - Stress as an idiom for resilience: health and migration among sub-Saharan
      Africans in Switzerland.
AB  - Most research on migrants examines what makes them ill. Inspired by Antonovsky's
      salutogenic approach, this study shifts the perspective and asks why migrants
      stay healthy. At the centre of interest are sub-Saharan Africans living in
      Switzerland who consider themselves and/or are considered by others as mastering
      problems affecting their health. The mixed Swiss-African research team explored
      meanings of health and resilience in 20 case studies in Zurich and Basel and five
      group discussions in Bern, Biel and Geneva. The data show that migrants with
      resilient trajectories have a dynamic and multi-dimensional understanding of
      health. Moreover, they have learnt to interpret difficulties as 'stress': a
      popular illness concept in Switzerland and Europe but less known in their home
      countries. The paper argues that resilience is closely related with the
      appropriation of 'stress' as an illness concept: it not only gives meaning and
      helps to explain diffuse symptoms of ill-health, it also offers an agenda for
      action and contributes to their feeling of social belonging in the host country.
      These findings have important implications for policy and practice in the rapidly
      changing field of migration and health. 

PMID- 27269429
TI  - Keeping the feet of the gods and the saints warm: mundane pragmatics in times of
      suffering and uncertainty.
AB  - In this article the author writes about mundane pragmatics, or everyday deeds, in
      times of suffering and uncertainty. Such pragmatics differ from cultural
      practices such as biomedical therapies or individual health-seeking behaviour
      patterns. Medical anthropologists and others working in the field of health and
      illness often overlook such pragmatics. However, these actions are of great
      social value and express the connectedness and bonds between people. They also
      express our deep beliefs, hopes, powerlessness and vulnerability. 

PMID- 27269432
TI  - Breastfeeding Associated with Reduced Mortality in Women with Breast Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study whether breastfeeding affects survival from breast cancer.
      BACKGROUND: There are few studies on the relationship between breastfeeding,
      reproductive health, and breast cancer survival. This study is a follow-up of an
      earlier study showing no convincing associations between breastfeeding and breast
      cancer prognostic parameters. METHODS: From a cohort of 629 women with primary
      breast cancer having undergone surgery between 1988 and 1992, 341 were traced and
      consequently studied 20 years later regarding breastfeeding and reproductive
      variables, as well as for prognostic parameters such as the Nottingham
      histological grade, tumor size, lymph node status, and vascular invasion (VI).
      Multivariate Cox regression analyses were used. RESULTS: Increased breast cancer
      mortality was associated with the Nottingham prognostic index (hazard rate ratio
      (HR) 4.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.04-9.79), VI (HR 3.44; CI 2.03-5.82),
      fewer pregnancies (three categories; >2, 1-2, 0) (HR per category 2.04; CI 1.34
      3.11), and breastfeeding <=6 months (HR 2.74; CI 1.41-5.35). The HRs for overall
      mortality were, as expected, lower for the Nottingham prognostic index (HR 1.28;
      CI 0.89-1.85) and VI (HR 2.09; CI 1.38-3.17), and they were slightly lower for
      the number of pregnancies (HR 1.61; CI 1.48-4.59), but notably similar for
      breastfeeding (HR 3.01;CI 1.92-4.73). CONCLUSION: A total breastfeeding history
      >6 months and pregnancy are associated with both greater overall and breast
      cancer-specific survival for women diagnosed with breast cancer, having lived
      long enough for other causes of death to contribute substantially to mortality.

PMID- 27269431
TI  - Immunization with inactivated Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus
      vaccine leads to lung immunopathology on challenge with live virus.
AB  - To determine if a hypersensitive-type lung pathology might occur when mice were
      given an inactivated MERS-CoV vaccine and challenged with infectious virus as was
      seen with SARS-CoV vaccines, we prepared and vaccinated mice with an inactivated
      MERS-CoV vaccine. Neutralizing antibody was induced by vaccine with and without
      adjuvant and lung virus was reduced in vaccinated mice after challenge. Lung
      mononuclear infiltrates occurred in all groups after virus challenge but with
      increased infiltrates that contained eosinophils and increases in the eosinophil
      promoting IL-5 and IL-13 cytokines only in the vaccine groups. Inactivated MERS
      CoV vaccine appears to carry a hypersensitive-type lung pathology risk from MERS
      CoV infection that is similar to that found with inactivated SARS-CoV vaccines
      from SARS-CoV infection.

PMID- 27269433
TI  - Appendiceal mucocoele with midgut malrotation.
AB  - Introduction Malrotation of the midgut and appendiceal mucocoele are both
      extremely rare pathological conditions in adults. To our knowledge, there are
      only two reported cases in the English literature with a combination of both
      conditions. Case History A 65-year-old man presented with a 10-day history of
      upper abdominal pain associated with abdominal bloating and weight loss. He was
      otherwise fit and healthy with no significant past medical history. On
      examination, his abdomen was soft with tenderness and palpable fullness over the
      left upper quadrant. The initial blood test, chest x-ray and abdominal x-ray
      demonstrated no significant abnormality. Computed tomography showed a 17cm x 8cm
      x 6cm elongated cystic mass with possible malrotation of the intestines.
      Histopathology showed a low grade mucinous tumour of the appendix. At 12 months
      following surgery, there was no evidence of recurrence or postoperative
      complications and the patient was discharged from the care of the colorectal
      team. Conclusions We report a patient with a combination of two rare conditions.
      This case illustrates how a combination of pathologies can present a challenge to
      the unwary general surgeon. 

PMID- 27269434
TI  - Schwannoma of the biliary tract resembling cholangiocarcinoma: A case report and
      review.
AB  - Schwannomas are benign tumours derived from Schwann cells and are extremely rare
      in the biliary tract. We present the case of a 62-year-old patient with a common
      bile duct schwannoma that resembled a cholangiocarcinoma. We also review all 17
      previously published cases of schwannoma of the biliary tract and discuss the
      challenges of preoperative diagnosis. 

PMID- 27269435
TI  - Right iliac fossa pain from a grossly enlarged and torted appendix in a patient
      with known colitis.
AB  - A 27-year-old man with a background of well controlled colitis presented with a
      12-hour history of central abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. A
      diagnostic laparoscopy revealed an extremely large, gangrenous appendix, which
      had descended into the pelvis posterior to adhesions in the right iliac fossa and
      was torted 720 degrees . The decision was taken to convert to a lower midline
      laparotomy and as the base appeared healthy, a standard appendicectomy was
      performed. The patient recovered well and was discharged after two days. The
      appendix measured 104mm x 53mm x 51mm. Histology revealed acute haemorrhagic and
      necrotising appendicitis with foci of impending perforation. There was no
      malignancy or mucocoele. Acute torsion (or volvulus) of the appendix is an
      unusual cause of this common general surgical emergency. 

PMID- 27269436
TI  - Towards an evidence-based management of right iliac fossa pain in the over 50
      year-old patient.
AB  - Introduction Right iliac fossa pain is a common presenting complaint to general
      surgery. The differential diagnosis is wide, particularly in the elderly.
      Computed tomography (CT) is often used in the 'older' population, as they have a
      higher prevalence of acute colonic diverticulitis and colonic neoplasia, both of
      which should be identified prior to surgery. There is, however, no published
      evidence to support this practice. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the
      records of all patients aged over 50 years who presented with right iliac fossa
      (RIF) pain to a district general hospital. We determined whether tenderness was
      predominantly right- or left-sided and whether systemic inflammatory response
      syndrome (SIRS) was present on admission. The use of imaging modalities, their
      results and, if performed, operative findings were recorded. Results Of 3160
      patients identified, 89 met the inclusion criteria. Diagnoses included
      appendicitis (27%), neoplasia (15%), non-specific abdominal pain (15%) and acute
      colonic diverticulitis (10%). CT was performed in 82% of patients, with a
      sensitivity of 97% based on operative findings. Six patients underwent surgery
      without a scan, two of whom required a change in the planned procedure due to
      unexpected findings. Conclusions Unless contraindicated, CT scanning should be
      mandatory in patients aged over 50 years presenting with signs of peritonism in
      the RIF or lower abdomen. 

PMID- 27269437
TI  - Type 4 appendiceal diverticulum within a de Garengeot hernia.
AB  - A de Garengeot hernia is defined as an incarcerated femoral hernia containing the
      vermiform appendix. We describe the case of a patient with a type 4 appendiceal
      diverticulum within a de Garengeot hernia and delineate valuable learning points.
      A 76-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of a non-reducible painless
      femoral mass. Outpatient ultrasonography demonstrated a 36mm * 20mm smooth
      walled, multiloculated, partially cystic lesion anterior to the right inguinal
      ligament in keeping with an incarcerated femoral hernia. Intraoperatively, the
      appendix was found to be incarcerated in the sac of the femoral hernia and
      appendicectomy was performed. Histopathology demonstrated no evidence of
      inflammation in the appendix. However, an incidental appendiceal diverticulum was
      identified. It is widely recognised that a de Garengeot hernia may present with
      concomitant appendicitis, secondary to raised intraluminal pressure in the
      incarcerated appendix. Appendiceal diverticulosis is also believed to develop in
      response to raised pressure in the appendix and may therefore develop secondary
      to incarceration in a de Garengeot hernia. To our knowledge, only one such case
      has been described in the literature. A de Garengeot hernia is a rare entity,
      which poses significant diagnostic challenges. A high index of clinical suspicion
      is necessary as these hernias are at particularly high risk of perforation and so
      prompt surgical management is paramount. 

PMID- 27269438
TI  - Portobiliary fistula following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - The laparoscopic approach has replaced open surgery as the gold standard for
      cholecystectomy. This technique is, however, associated with a greater incidence
      of bile duct injuries (BDIs). We report a case of portobiliary fistula (PBF), a
      rare complication of BDI, occurring post laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). PBF
      has been reported after procedures such as endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography and pathologies such as liver abscesses, but only once
      previously in the setting of LC. We discuss the management of this patient with
      apparent dual pathology, and summarise other aetiologies that may give rise to
      this condition. 

PMID- 27269439
TI  - Prophylactic mesh use during primary stoma formation to prevent parastomal
      hernia.
AB  - Introduction Parastomal hernia (PSH) is a common problem following stoma
      formation. The optimal technique for stoma formation is unknown although recent
      studies have focused on whether placement of prophylactic mesh at stoma formation
      can reduce PSH rates. The aim of this study was to systematically review use of
      prophylactic mesh versus no mesh with regard to occurrence of PSH and peristomal
      complications. Methods A systematic search was performed using PubMed, EmbaseTM
      and the Cochrane Library to identify randomised controlled trials that analysed
      placement of prophylactic mesh versus no mesh at time of initial surgery. Meta
      analysis was performed using random effects methods. Results A total of 506
      studies were identified by our search strategy. Of these, 8 studies were
      included, involving 430 patients (217 mesh vs 213 no mesh). Prophylactic mesh
      placement resulted in a significantly lower rate of PSH formation (42/217 [19.4%]
      vs 92/213 [43.2%]) with a combined risk ratio of 0.40 (95% confidence interval
      [CI]: 0.21-0.75, p=0.004). Placement of prophylactic mesh did not result in
      increased peristomal complications (15/218 [6.9%] vs 16/227 [7.0%]) with a
      combined risk ratio of 1.0 (95% CI: 0.49-2.01, p=0.990). Conclusions Prophylactic
      placement of mesh at primary stoma formation may reduce the incidence of PSH,
      without an increase in peristomal complications. However, the overall quality of
      the randomised controlled trials included in the meta-analysis was poor, and
      should prompt caution regarding the applicability of the findings of the
      individual studies and the meta-analysis to everyday practice.

PMID- 27269440
TI  - Parents' experience of undertaking an intensive cognitive orientation to daily
      occupational performance (CO-OP) group for children with cerebral palsy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of parents of
      children with cerebral palsy (CP) who participated in an intensive cognitive
      orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) group program addressing
      child chosen goals. METHOD: Participants were six parents of children with CP who
      participated in a CO-OP upper limb task-specific training program. Parents
      participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via phone. A grounded theory
      approach was used. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded to identify
      categories and overarching themes of the parent experience of CO-OP. RESULTS: The
      theory of CO-OP for children with CP was one of offering a unique and motivating
      learning experience for both the child and the parent, differing from other
      therapeutic approaches that families had previously been involved in. Five
      categories were identified: the unique benefits of CO-OP; the importance of
      intensity; the child's motivation; challenging the parent role; and the benefits
      and challenges of therapy within a group context. CONCLUSION: Parents felt that
      CO-OP was a worthwhile intervention that leads to achievement of goals involving
      upper limb function and had the capacity to be transferred to future goals.
      Intensity of therapy and a child's motivation were identified as important
      factors in improvements. Further studies using quantitative research methods are
      warranted to investigate the benefits of CO-OP for children with neurological
      conditions. Implications for rehabilitation The cognitive orientation to daily
      occupational performance (CO-OP) is a promising upper limb cognitive motor
      training intervention for children with cerebral palsy. In a small sample,
      parents perceived that CO-OP leads to achievement of upper limb goals. Intensity
      of therapy, the child's motivation and the parents' ability to "step-back" were
      identified as important to the success of CO-OP.

PMID- 27269441
TI  - Measuring the impact of clinically relevant interprofessional education on
      undergraduate medical and nursing student competencies: A longitudinal mixed
      methods approach.
AB  - Interprofessional education (IPE) to improve collaborative competencies is
      essential for delivering high-quality care. Yet creating clinically relevant IPE
      and linking it to improvements in behaviours remains challenging, and few
      objective measurement instruments are available. We developed a process for
      creating IPE and objective observational tools through collaborative care best
      practice models (CCBPMs). These models describe the professional and
      interprofessional behaviours needed for specific patient populations, illnesses,
      and care settings. Four IPE workshops based on CCBPMs were implemented for all
      medical and nursing students during their clinical/clerkships years. Students in
      Cohort 1 completed two IPE workshops: rapid response and end-of-life. For Cohort
      2, students completed four IPE workshops, adding chronic paediatric illness and
      transitions for the cognitively impaired. Valid and reliable collaborative
      behaviors observational assessment tools (CBOATs) derived from CCBPMs for the
      rapid response and end-of-life workshops were developed. CBOATs were used in the
      longitudinal assessment of student learning for both cohorts during two
      Interprofessional Teamwork Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (ITOSCEs)
      conducted before and after the students completed the IPE workshops. Over a 2
      year period, 457 students completed the IPE simulations and ITOSCEs. Both medical
      and nursing students demonstrated significant improvement in CBOAT scores.
      Comparisons between the cohorts showed that participation in four versus two IPE
      experiences did not significantly improve most CBOAT scores. We conclude that
      undergraduate IPE simulation experiences based on CCBPMs result in measurable
      improvements in learner behaviours necessary for effective collaborative and team
      based practice in specific care areas. 

PMID- 27269442
TI  - Managing the comorbidity of schizophrenia and ADHD.

PMID- 27269443
TI  - Ni-Catalyzed Carboxylation of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides with CO2.
AB  - A catalytic carboxylation of unactivated primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl
      chlorides with CO2 at atmospheric pressure is described. This protocol represents
      the first intermolecular cross-electrophile coupling of unactivated alkyl
      chlorides, thus leading to new knowledge in the cross-coupling arena.

PMID- 27269447
TI  - Copper-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Alkenes with Redox-Neutral Remote
      Amidation of Aldehydes.
AB  - A room-temperature and one-pot synthesis of epsilon-CF3-substituted amides via
      the copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of alkenes with redox-neutral remote
      amidation of aldehydes is described. This reaction is featured by an
      unprecedented 1,5-H atom abstraction from aldehydic C-H bonds by alpha-CF3-alkyl
      radicals resulting from the radical trifluoromethylation of alkenes, thus
      enabling a new possibility of the trifluoromethylation-initiated remote sp(2) C-H
      functionalization.

PMID- 27269448
TI  - The Aarhus convention in the nuclear sector-right to information versus
      nonproliferation?
AB  - Nuclear events and problems in siting procedures of nuclear plants poses problems
      of timely information and the question of proper and trustful information. This
      paper is divided into three parts. In the first part, the right to information
      and the Aarhus convention are analysed. The basic rights of the public in the
      field of environmental matters are presented and discussed. Such rights are also
      examined through the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. The second
      part deals with the problem of possible conflicts between the right to
      information (and environmental information) and obligations from NPT. The third
      part proposes some solutions to provide a balance between the obligation of
      giving information and the obligation of protecting certain information under the
      NPT. 

PMID- 27269449
TI  - Single-Cell-Arrayed Agarose Chip for in Situ Analysis of Cytotoxicity and
      Genotoxicity of DNA Cross-Linking Agents.
AB  - Development of approach or device to allow continuous multiple measurements, such
      as integrating cytotoxic and genotoxic analysis, is quite appealing for study of
      the drug's activity and mechanism of action or resistance. In this study, a
      single-cell-arrayed agarose chip system was developed to combine cell cultivation
      with subsequent in situ analysis of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the
      chemotherapeutic agent. The modified alkaline comet assay coupled with the
      Live/Dead assay was used to monitor the interstrand cross-links (ICLs) formation
      and the cytotoxic effects in different glioma cell lines. In addition, the ICL
      induced double strand breaks (DSBs) was measured on the chip to reflect the level
      of ICLs indirectly. Compared with the traditional methods, the microarray agarose
      device offers higher throughput, reproducibility, and robustness, exhibiting good
      potential for high-content drug screening.

PMID- 27269450
TI  - Evolutionary considerations in the development of chronic pelvic pain.
AB  - Chronic pelvic pain is common among women of reproductive age and is associated
      with significant morbidity and comorbidities. In this Viewpoint, we explore the
      evolutionary cause of pelvic pain and summarize evidence that supports a
      menstruation-related evolutionary cause of chronic visceral pelvic pain: (1)
      lifetime menstruation has increased; (2) severe dysmenorrhea is common in the
      chronic pelvic pain population, particularly among those with pain sensitization;
      and (3) a potential biological mechanism can be identified. Thus, chronic pelvic
      pain may arise from the mismatch between the slow pace of biological evolution in
      our bodies and the relatively rapid pace of cultural changes that have resulted
      in increased menstrual frequency due to earlier menarche, later mortality, and
      lower fecundity. One possible mechanism that explains the development of
      persistent pain from repeated episodes of intermittent pain is hyperalgesic
      priming, a physiological process defined as a long-lasting latent
      hyperresponsiveness of nociceptors to inflammatory mediators after an
      inflammatory or neuropathic insult. The repetitive severely painful menstrual
      episodes may play such a role. From an evolutionary perspective the relatively
      rapid increase in lifetime menstruation experience in contemporary society may
      contribute to a mismatch between lifetime menstruation and the physiological pain
      processes, leading to a maladaptive state of chronic visceral pelvic pain. Our
      current physiology does not conform to current human needs.

PMID- 27269471
TI  - Clinicians' views on parental involvement in the treatment of adolescent anorexia
      nervosa.
AB  - A questionnaire and in-depth interviews with 20 allied health clinicians
      generated data on key aspects of family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia
      nervosa that enhance recovery, processes that engage parents in treatment, and
      how and why clinicians modify or adapt the manualized Maudsley Family Based
      Treatment model. Findings indicate that clinicians support key principles in the
      Maudsley model, but that the approach is not implemented in the full, manualized
      form. Rather, aspects are integrated with clinicians' own clinical judgements
      based on assessment of the needs and capacities of families, cultural
      appropriateness, impact on family dynamics, and gains during early treatment. 

PMID- 27269473
TI  - Refractory angina: new drugs on the block.

PMID- 27269472
TI  - Subcellular localisation of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)
      capsid subunit VP1 vis-a-vis host protein Hsp90.
AB  - The VP1 subunit of the picornavirus capsid is the major antigenic determinant and
      mediates host cell attachment and virus entry. To investigate the localisation of
      Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) VP1 during infection, a
      bioinformatics approach was used to predict a surface-exposed, linear epitope
      region of the protein for subsequent expression and purification. This region,
      comprising the N-terminal 112 amino acids of the protein, was then used for
      rabbit immunisation, and the resultant polyclonal antibodies were able to
      recognise full length VP1 in infected cell lysates by Western blot. Following
      optimisation, the antibodies were used to investigate the localisation of VP1 in
      relation to Hsp90 in infected cells by indirect immunofluorescence and confocal
      microscopy. At 5h post infection, VP1 was distributed diffusely in the cytoplasm
      with strong perinuclear staining but was absent from the nucleus of all cells
      analysed. Dual-label immunofluorescence using anti-TMEV VP1 and anti-Hsp90
      antibodies indicated that the distribution of both proteins colocalised in the
      cytoplasm and perinuclear region of infected cells. This is the first report
      describing the localisation of TMEV VP1 in infected cells, and the antibodies
      produced provide a valuable tool for investigating the poorly understood
      mechanisms underlying the early steps of picornavirus assembly.

PMID- 27269474
TI  - The Influence of On-pump Versus Off-pump Surgery on Short- and Medium-term
      Postoperative Coronary Flow Reserve After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although several clinical trials have compared surgical outcomes
      between off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), whether
      there is a difference in the early- and medium-term postoperative coronary
      microvascular functions is not fully understood. We compared short- and medium
      term coronary microvascular function after off-pump and on-pump CABG. METHODS: A
      prospective study of patients undergoing off-pump and on-pump CABG. Eighty-two
      patients scheduled for CABG were recruited: 38 underwent off-pump surgery and 44
      on-pump surgery. Each participant's coronary flow reserve (CFR) and diastolic
      function were measured with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography six and 12
      months after surgery. RESULTS: Baseline and hyperaemic diastolic peak flow
      velocity in the left anterior descending artery were similar in both groups, as
      was CFR (2.22+/-0.66) in the off-pump group compared with (2.13+/-0.61) in the on
      pump group, (P=0.54). Coronary flow reserve was significantly and inversely
      correlated with high sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration (r=-0.416;
      P<0.001) and positively correlated with mitral E/A-wave velocity ratio (r=0.247;
      P=0.02). Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that only high sensitivity
      C-reactive protein concentration was independently correlated with CFR (beta=
      0.272, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Heart-lung bypass technique had no medium-term
      influence on the coronary microcirculation, despite a possible initial
      unfavourable effect. Serum hs-CRP concentration was an independent predictor of
      medium-term coronary microvascular dysfunction.

PMID- 27269475
TI  - The Aortic Root Replacement Procedure: 12-year Experience from the Australian and
      New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons Database.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aortic root replacement procedure (ARR), is often considered the
      gold standard in the management of aortic root and ascending aorta aneurysms. Our
      aim was to review the Australian experience with this procedure to ascertain
      early and late outcomes of mortality and morbidity. METHODS: We reviewed the
      Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons' (ANZSCTS)
      database for patients undergoing ARR. Preoperative, intraoperative and
      postoperative variables were analysed. Multiple regression was performed to
      determine independent predictors of 30-day mortality and permanent stroke, and
      predictors of late death. Survival estimates were obtained by cross-linking the
      ANZSCTS database with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's National
      Death Index database. RESULTS: Between January 2001 and December 2011, 954
      patients underwent ARR with a mean age of 56+/-15.2 years. The overall 30-day
      mortality was 5.9% (n=56) with a permanent stroke rate of 2.3% (n=21). The
      elective surgery mortality was 3.6%. Long-term survival was estimated as 84.4%
      and 68.7% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic root replacement
      surgery reveals acceptable early mortality, low postoperative stroke rates, and
      acceptable long-term survival.

PMID- 27269476
TI  - TDDFT screening auxiliary withdrawing group and design the novel D-A-pi-A organic
      dyes based on indoline dye for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells.
AB  - Based on the experimentally synthesized dye JZ145, we designed a series of novel
      D-A-pi-A dyes SPL201-SPL211 with different pi-conjugated bridges and a new
      auxiliary withdrawing group for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
      (DSSCs) using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT(TDDFT). The
      molecular structures, energy levels, absorption spectra, light-harvesting
      efficiency (LHE), driving force of injection(DeltaGinj) and
      regeneration(DeltaGreg), electron dipole moment (MUnormal) and lifetime of the
      first excited state(tau) were all scrutinized in details. Results reveal that the
      additional withdrawing group A2 and the pi-conjugated group di-eta-hexyl
      substituted cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT) are more promising functional groups for
      the organic dyes with D-A-pi-A structure. We further designed SPL212 and SPL213
      by employing indoline group as donor, the above screened functional groups as pi
      conjugated bridge and additional withdrawing group, biscarbodithiolic acid and
      dicyanovinyl sulfonic acid groups as acceptor group. We found that SPL212
      exhibits not only a higher molar extinction coefficient with an increment of
      30.8%, larger excited state lifetime and an obvious redshift of 201nm but also a
      broader absorption spectrum covering the entire visible range even up to near-IR
      of 1200nm compared to JZ145. So, SPL212 can be used as a promising candidate for
      DSSCs. In addition, the results also prove that biscarbodithiolic acid may be
      more favorable than dicyanovinylsulfonic acid as acceptor group in DSSCs.

PMID- 27269477
TI  - Ethanol and Water Adsorption on Transition-Metal 13-Atom Clusters: A Density
      Functional Theory Investigation within van der Waals Corrections.
AB  - Transition-metal (TM) nanoparticles supported on oxides or carbon black have
      attracted much attention as potential catalysts for ethanol steam reforming
      reactions for hydrogen production. To improve the performance of nanocatalysts, a
      fundamental understanding of the interaction mechanism between water and ethanol
      with finite TM particles is required. In this article, we employed first
      principles density functional theory with van der Waals (vdW) corrections to
      investigate the interaction of ethanol and water with TM13 clusters, where TM =
      Ni, Cu, Pd, Ag, Pt, and Au. We found that both water and ethanol bind via the
      anionic O atom to onefold TM sites, while at higher-energy structures, ethanol
      binds also via the H atom from the CH2 group to the TM sites, which can play an
      important role at real catalysts. The putative global minimum TM13 configurations
      are only slightly affected upon the adsorption of water or ethanol; however, for
      few systems, the compact higher-energy icosahedron structure changes its
      configuration upon ethanol or water adsorption. That is, those configurations are
      only shallow local minimums in the phase space. Except few deviations, we found
      similar trends for the magnitude of the adsorption energies of water and ethanol,
      that is, Ni13 > Pt13 > Pd13 and Cu13 > Au13 > Ag13, which is enhanced by the
      addition of the vdW correction (i.e., from 4% to 62%); however, the trend is the
      same. We found that the magnitude of the adsorption energy increases by shifting
      the center of gravity of the d-states toward the highest occupied molecular
      orbital. On the basis of the Mulliken and Hirshfeld charge analysis, as well as
      electron density differences, we identified the location of the charge
      redistribution and a tiny charge transfer (from 0.01 e to 0.19 e) from the
      molecules to the TM13 clusters. Our vibrational analysis indicates the red shifts
      in the OH modes upon binding of both water and ethanol molecules to the TM13
      clusters, suggesting a weakening of the O-H bonding. 

PMID- 27269478
TI  - Cortical thickness and surface area correlates with cognitive dysfunction among
      first-episode psychosis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), some have reported
      specific brain structure-function relationships among first-episode psychosis
      (FEP) patients, but findings are inconsistent. We aimed to localize the brain
      regions where cortical thickness (CTh) and surface area (cortical area; CA)
      relate to neurocognition, by performing an MRI on participants and measuring
      their neurocognitive performance using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test
      Automated Battery (CANTAB), in order to investigate any significant differences
      between FEP patients and control subjects (CS). METHOD: Exploration of potential
      correlations between specific cognitive functions and brain structure was
      performed using CANTAB computer-based neurocognitive testing and a vertex-by
      vertex whole-brain MRI analysis of 63 FEP patients and 30 CS. RESULTS:
      Significant correlations were found between cortical parameters in the frontal,
      temporal, cingular and occipital brain regions and performance in set-shifting,
      working memory manipulation, strategy usage and sustained attention tests. These
      correlations were significantly dissimilar between FEP patients and CS.
      CONCLUSIONS: Significant correlations between CTh and CA with neurocognitive
      performance were localized in brain areas known to be involved in cognition. The
      results also suggested a disrupted structure-function relationship in FEP
      patients compared with CS.

PMID- 27269479
TI  - Low methylation rates of dopamine receptor D2 gene promoter sites in Japanese
      schizophrenia subjects.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: According to the dopamine hypothesis, several studies on the gene for
      the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) have been conducted. However, no trait biomarkers
      on DRD2 are available. We examined whether the methylation rates in the upstream
      region of DRD2 in leukocytes are different in schizophrenia (SCZ) subjects
      compared to control subjects. METHODS: We selected seven CpG sites in the
      upstream region of DRD2 that may theoretically bind major transcription factors.
      The methylation rates in these regions of 50 medicated and 18 drug-naive SCZ
      subjects were compared with those of age-matched control subjects. RESULTS: The
      methylation rates were significantly lower in medicated (CpG2, P < 0.0001; CpG4,
      P = 0.013; CpG7, P < 0.0001; and average: 12.9 +/- 1.8 vs. 14.1 +/- 2.2, P =
      0.005) and drug-naive SCZ subjects (CpG1, P = 0.006; CpG2, P = 0.001; CpG3, P =
      0.001; CpG5, P = 0.02; CpG6, P = 0.015; CpG7, P = 0.027; and average: 9.86 +/-
      0.9 vs. 11.2 +/- 1.3, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed low methylation rates
      in the upstream region of DRD2 in both medicated and drug-naive SCZ subjects. Low
      methylation rates of DRD2 in leukocytes may be a trait biomarker for SCZ.

PMID- 27269480
TI  - The role of surgery in recurrent endometrial cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Endometrial cancer is a common gynecologic malignancy in the United
      States, and the recurrence rate depends on the disease stage at diagnosis.
      Recurrence can affect several areas and follow different patterns. AREAS COVERED:
      The role of surgery at the time of recurrence is not clearly defined. In this
      review, we fully describe the current evidence available. In particular, we
      describe how surgical treatment might be recommended for 1) vaginal or pelvic
      recurrences; 2) retroperitoneal or localized intra-abdominal recurrence, when a
      maximal cytoreductive effort is more likely to be successful; or 3) isolated
      distant recurrences when microscopically tumor-free margins can be achieved.
      Expert commentary: Cases should be evaluated individually, considering factors
      such as comorbidities, risks of intervention, and impact of treatment on quality
      of life.

PMID- 27269481
TI  - Evolution of prostate biopsy techniques. Looking back on a meaningful journey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The technique of prostate biopsy has evolved a long way since its
      inception to being a safe diagnostic procedure. The principles of the biopsy
      technique continue to improvise with the knowledge about prostate cancer and
      availability of newer treatment options like active surveillance and focal
      therapy. Currently, we depend on accurate cancer information from the biopsy more
      than ever for deciding the ideal treatment option. AIM: The aim of this review is
      to present the major milestones in prostate biopsy technique evolutions and its
      impact on the prostate cancer management. ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE: We performed a
      detailed non-systematic literature review to present the historical facts on the
      transformations in prostate biopsy techniques and also the direction of present
      research to improve accurate cancer detection. SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE: There is a
      clear change in trend in biopsy technique before and after the introduction of
      transrectal ultrasound and prostate specific antigen. In the earlier era, the
      biopsies were aimed at palpable nodules and obtaining adequate prostatic tissue
      for diagnosis while the later era has moved towards detection of non-palpable and
      early prostate cancer. Recently, there is an increasing trend towards image
      guided targeted biopsies to extract maximum cancer information from minimum
      biopsy cores. CONCLUSION: Prostate biopsy techniques have seen major changes
      since its inception and have a major impact on prostate cancer management. There
      is a great potential for research which can further support the newer treatment
      options like focal therapy.

PMID- 27269482
TI  - Joint Modeling of Ability and Differential Speed Using Responses and Response
      Times.
AB  - With computerized testing, it is possible to record both the responses of test
      takers to test questions (i.e., items) and the amount of time spent by a test
      taker in responding to each question. Various models have been proposed that take
      into account both test-taker ability and working speed, with the many models
      assuming a constant working speed throughout the test. The constant working speed
      assumption may be inappropriate for various reasons. For example, a test taker
      may need to adjust the pace due to time mismanagement, or a test taker who
      started out working too fast may reduce the working speed to improve accuracy. A
      model is proposed here that allows for variable working speed. An illustration of
      the model using the Amsterdam Chess Test data is provided. 

PMID- 27269486
TI  - Racial Difference in Response to Vitamin D Supplementation.
AB  - This manuscript is the result of work supported by the use of resources and
      facilities at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
      Center, specifically, the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center
      (GRECC). BACKGROUND: Deficiency in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) is common,
      especially in the elderly and African Americans (AA). While 25(OH) D deficiency
      is associated with multiple negative health outcomes, current recommendations for
      supplementation of this deficiency may be insufficient. OBJECTIVE: To determine
      the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency, the extent of vitamin D supplementation,
      and the effect of supplementation on 25(OH) D levels in an elderly Veteran
      population. The study also focused specifically on the role of race in the risk
      for 25(OH)D deficiency and in the response to vitamin D supplementation. METHODS:
      A retrospective chart review was conducted of information including 25(OH)D serum
      levels pre and post-supplementation, race, and vitamin D supplementation.
      Subjects were community-dwelling Veterans (>=60years) followed by a VA geriatric
      clinic. A total of 234 charts were reviewed (124 Caucasian, 78 AA, 32
      other/unknown race). Information collected through the chart review was analyzed
      by comparing the means of 25(OH)D levels pre and post-supplementation across
      races and across times. RESULTS: At Baseline 206 subjects (88%) were 25(OH)D
      deficient (<32ng/ml). While 80.6% of them were supplemented, only 10.24% (17 of
      166) achieved normal 25(OH)D serum levels. AAs (n=78) had significantly lower
      Baseline levels compared to Caucasians (n=124) and differences were consistent
      across time. Fewer AAs than Caucasians increased to normal (AA:6.3%;
      Caucasian:12.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Conservative oral vitamin D supplementation is
      largely ineffective at achieving therapeutic serum levels, especially for AAs.
      Future research is needed to focus on individualized supplementation strategies
      and targeted risk factors such as race.

PMID- 27269485
TI  - Patient- and Family-Centered Care as an approach to reducing disparities in
      asthma outcomes in urban African American children: A review of the literature.
AB  - We thank Cathy Eames (Director, Library Services, Detroit Medical Center) for
      valuable input and assistance with the search strategy. Funding for this research
      was supported by a grant from Children's Hospital of Michigan Research Foundation
      (Principal Investigator: Terrance L. Albrecht, Ph.D.). BACKGROUND: Patient- and
      family-centered care (PFCC) has the potential to address disparities in access
      and quality of healthcare for African American pediatric asthma patients by
      accommodating and responding to the individual needs of patients and families.
      STUDY OBJECTIVES: To identify and evaluate research on the impact of family
      provider interventions that reflect elements of PFCC on reducing disparities in
      the provision, access, quality, and use of healthcare services for African
      American pediatric asthma patients. METHODS: Electronic searches were conducted
      using PubMed, CINAHL, and Psyclnfo databases. Inclusion criteria were peer
      reviewed, English-language articles on family-provider interventions that (a)
      reflected one or more elements of PFCC and (b) addressed healthcare disparities
      in urban African American pediatric asthma patients (<=18years). RESULTS:
      Thirteen interventions or programs were identified and reviewed. Designs included
      randomized clinical trials, controlled clinical trials, pre- and post
      interventions, and program evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Few interventions were
      identified as explicitly providing PFCC in a pediatric asthma context, possibly
      because of a lack of consensus on what constitutes PFCC in practice. Some studies
      have demonstrated that PFCC improves satisfaction and communication during
      clinical interactions. More empirical research is needed to understand whether
      PFCC interventions reduce care disparities and improve the provision, access, and
      quality of asthma healthcare for urban African American children. ELECTRONIC
      DATABASES USED: PubMed, CINAHL, and Psyclnfo ABBREVIATIONS: AA-African American:
      CCT-Controlled clinical trial; ED-Emergency Department; ETS-Environmental tobacco
      smoke; FCC- Family Centered Care; PFCC-Patient and Family Centered Care; RCT-
      Randomized, controlled trial.

PMID- 27269487
TI  - Cultural and Cognitive Determinants of Personal Control in Older African
      Americans with Diabetes.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The study was funded by Pennsylvania Department of Health's
      Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) Program (SAP#4100051727).
      OBJECTIVE: To describe the determinants of personal control over diabetes
      complications in older African Americans (N=123) with type 2 diabetes. METHODS:
      We administered structured instruments to assess perceptions of personal control,
      time orientation, religiosity, depression, and cognition in this cross-sectional
      study. RESULTS: More years of education (p <= .001), better Clock Drawing (p <=
      .001), higher levels of Religiosity (p <= .04), and lower Present Time
      Orientation (p <= .01 ) were independent predictors of higher levels of Personal
      Control. DISCUSSION: Risk perceptions of control over diabetes complications vary
      among older African Americans according to cultural constructs, executive
      function, and education. This finding highlights the cultural diversity in this
      population and the potential impact of culturally-determined views and cognitive
      function on health behaviors. Cognitive screening of older persons with diabetes
      and interventions that incorporate perceptions of time and religion to increase
      rates of eye examinations are needed.

PMID- 27269488
TI  - Prostate Cancer Screening and Mortality in Blacks and Whites: A Hospital-based
      Case-Control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer incidence and mortality are substantially higher in
      Black than in white men. Prostate cancer screening remains controversial. This
      study was conducted to assess the impact of, and racial differences in, prostate
      cancer screening on prostate cancer mortality. METHODS: This was a case-control
      study of Black and White men in eight hospitals. Cases were deaths related to
      prostate cancer; controls were hospital-based subjects that were frequency
      matched to cases based on age and race. Multivariable logistic regression was
      used to test the association between screening and prostate cancer mortality.
      RESULTS: Cases had fewer PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests than controls
      (1.73 vs. 3.98, p<0.001). White controls had higher rates of PSA tests than other
      sub-groups. There was no difference in PSA testing between Black cases and
      controls. Mean co-morbidity was 10.3 in cases and 2.63 in controls. Prostate
      cancer mortality was 55 to 57% lower among the screened persons. Individuals who
      died of prostate cancer related causes were less likely to have received PSA
      testing (OR=0.65; 95% Cl 0.56-0.75). CONCLUSIONS: The odds of dying from prostate
      cancer were lower among white men receiving screening tests. Having less co
      morbidity was associated with lower odds of mortality in both races. This study
      raises the possibility that screening for prostate cancer with the PSA test may
      be more effective in white than in Black men.

PMID- 27269489
TI  - Headache in African Americans: An Overlooked Disparity.
AB  - PURPOSE: The persistence of health disparities in the U.S. has necessitated
      additional research on race-related health disparities among Americans.
      Remarkably little research has examined race differences in persons with headache
      disorders, even though 45 million Americans experience episodic or chronic
      headaches annually. This review paper examined peer-reviewed publication to
      examine potential race differences in persons with headache disorders in the
      areas of headache epidemiology, headache characteristics, psychiatric
      comorbidity, treatment utilization, and treatment outcomes. PROCEDURES: A multi
      database search (PubMed, Web of Science, PsychlNFO) identified U.S. studies that
      enrolled racially diverse samples of persons with headache disorders and
      qualitatively examined potential race-related disparities. MAIN FINDINGS:
      Compared to their Caucasian counterparts, African American headache patients are
      more likely to (i) be diagnosed with comorbid depressive disorders; (ii) report
      headaches that are more frequent and severe in nature, (iii) have their headaches
      under-diagnosed and/or undertreated; and (iv) discontinue treatment prematurely,
      regardless of socioeconomic status. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: State of the science
      treatments for chronic headaches are efficacious; unfortunately, race-related
      disparities prevent African American headache patients from benefiting from these
      treatments. Research is needed that enables African Americans with severe
      headaches to access current headache treatments to alleviate headache burden on
      the African American community.

PMID- 27269490
TI  - Access matters: Improved detection of premalignant polyps with a screening
      colonoscopy program for the uninsured.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is an effective screening modality for the early
      detection of colonic polyps and cancer, but screening rates are low particularly
      among minorities and the uninsured. In 2008, Capital Health obtained a clinical
      grant from the American Cancer Society to perform screening colonoscopies for
      patients without insurance who were established at the hospital's primary care
      clinic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the grant program with respect to
      endoscopic findings and changes in the demographics of patients undergoing
      colonoscopy. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all patients
      registered for colonoscopy at the endoscopy suite of Capital Health Regional
      Medical Center. A pre- and postimplementation analysis was designed to compare 3
      groups: 1) all colonoscopies performed in the twenty four months prior to the
      program's start (pre-program group) 2) all screening colonoscopies performed on
      uninsured patients in the program during twenty four months period (program
      group) and 3) all other colonoscopies performed in the same suite during the time
      of the program (parallel group). A descriptive analysis of demographics,
      ethnicity and insurance status was performed. RESULTS: There were a total of 4004
      colonoscopies performed during this 52month period, 53 (1.3%) were excluded
      because the data was incomplete. The pre-program group had 1892 colonoscopies of
      which 375 were screening colonoscopies, the program group had 363 screening
      colonoscopies, and the parallel group had 1750 colonoscopies of which 343 were
      screening colonoscopies. Implementation of the grant program resulted in nearly
      double the screening colonoscopies performed as compared to the pre-program
      period (375 vs 705). There was no change in the number of the reimbursed
      procedures performed in the same suite after initiation of the grant program. The
      proportion of minority patients undergoing a screening procedure in the program
      group was significantly increased compared to the other groups and this increase
      was largely accounted for by a higher proportion of Hispanic patients. The number
      of patients with polyps was higher in the program group compared with the
      preprogram and parallel group (42%, 36.8%, and 33.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:
      A grant-funded program offering screening colonoscopies to uninsured patients
      demonstrated a high number of premalignant polyps that might otherwise have been
      undetected. Our experience suggests that targeting health care disparities by
      insurance status can increase access to preventive services and detect a high
      number of premalignant lesions.

PMID- 27269491
TI  - Psychiatric Medication, African Americans and the Paradox of Mistrust.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine race differences in how generalized mistrust, mistrust in
      physicians, and mistrust in psychiatric medication shape the willingness to
      utilize psychiatric medication. METHODS: Data was used from two waves (1998 and
      2006) of the U.S. General Social Survey a representative sample of non
      institutionalized Americans. We analyzed data for 343 African American and 1,920
      white adults, ages 18-89. The data included measures of the respondents'
      willingness to utilize psychiatric medication as well as measures of generalized
      mistrust, mistrust in physicians, and mistrust in psychiatric medication. We
      employed ordinary least squares regression to test whether these three forms of
      mistrust reduce the black-white gap in psychiatric drug usage and whether race
      moderates the association between any type of mistrust and the willingness to
      endorse psychiatric medication utilization. RESULTS: Mistrust in physicians and
      psychiatric medication is related to less willingness to utilize psychiatric
      medicines for both African Americans and whites; however, paradoxically, these
      forms of mistrust decrease psychiatric drug usage more steeply for whites.
      CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of findings in this study suggests that trust or low
      levels of mistrust, rather than high levels of mistrust, actually maintains the
      black-white difference in the use of psychiatric medication.

PMID- 27269492
TI  - They Cannot Hear, Talk, and See in Sensible Ways: The Impact of Personality
      Disorders on HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.

PMID- 27269493
TI  - Parent & Family Influences on Adopting Healthy Weight-Related Behaviors: Views
      and Perceptions of Obese African-American Female Adolescents.
AB  - RTI International is acknowledged for supporting the time of Susan McRitchie,
      Keeley Pratt and Susan Sumner to participate in the design, execution, or
      analysis of this study. East Carolina University would like to acknowledge
      Brittney France for being a triangulated investigator for the qualitative
      analysis and to the Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation for financial support of
      the healthy lifestyles camp. Our purpose was to evaluate the views of obese
      African-American (AA) female adolescents concerning parent and family factors
      relating to obesity and a healthy lifestyle. Obese AA female adolescents enrolled
      in a residential healthy lifestyle program completed inventories measuring family
      functioning and perceptions of parenting styles, and participated in focus groups
      to identify themes regarding parent and family involvement in healthy lifestyle
      change. The majority of participants' mothers were scored as
      "inductive/authoritative" and fathers were "indulgent". Mothers reportedly were
      seen as more likely to encourage dieting to control weight than fathers. Common
      themes of the focus groups included a desire for family involvement,
      identification of family behaviors that were supportive as well as those which
      were perceived as unhelpful. Though generalizability of these results is limited
      by a homogenous small sample size, our results suggest that obese adolescents
      seeking weight loss treatment desire significant family involvement in their
      efforts. 

PMID- 27269494
TI  - Factors Associated with Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Acceptance Among Haitian and
      African-American parents of Adolescent Sons.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors would like to thank Cecilia Marquez, Justine
      Lavoye, Elaine Shu and Hailey Tipton for their efforts with participant
      recruitment and data collection. OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge, attitudes,
      beliefs and practices related to HPV vaccination among African-Americans and
      Haitian immigrant parents, and to compare vaccination rates of their sons. STUDY
      DESIGN: We performed semi-structured interviews with parents of boys aged 11-17
      who had not yet received the HPV vaccine. We used validated surveys of HPV
      knowledge, trust in physicians, and intention to vaccinate. We probed
      participants' thought processes about HPV vaccination, and examined parental
      attitudes, beliefs, and practices toward HPV vaccination using open-ended
      questions. We then reviewed medical records to determine whether sons were
      subsequently vaccinated. RESULTS: 25 African-American and 30 Haitian immigrant
      parents and legal guardians participated in the study. Haitian immigrants were
      more likely to be married and to practice a religion than African-Americans. Both
      groups had limited knowledge of HPV (32% of questions were answered correctly by
      Haitian immigrants vs. 31% by African-Americans). Sixty-four percent of African
      Americans and 79% of Haitians intended to vaccinate their sons, however only 24%
      of African-American and 20% of Haitian sons received vaccination within 12 months
      of the interview. Open-ended questions revealed that most African-Americans felt
      that vaccination fell within the parental role, while some Haitian immigrants
      felt uncomfortable vaccinating against sexually transmitted infections because
      they felt children should not be having sex. Both groups wanted more information
      about HPV vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: Improving HPV vaccine rates in Haitian and
      African-American boys may require culturally competent approaches that address
      ethnic-specific barriers among their parents.

PMID- 27269495
TI  - The Association of Clinician Characteristics with their Attitudes Toward Patients
      with Sickle Cell Disease: Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A high level of evidence exists to suggest that negative attitudes
      held by clinicians toward persons with sickle cell disease serve as important
      barriers to the delivery of high quality care to this patient population. Little
      is known, though, about the characteristics of clinicians that may be predictive
      of these negative attitudes. METHODS: During spring and summer 2009, we conducted
      a randomized controlled trial to test an intervention to improve clinician
      attitudes toward persons with sickle cell disease. Participating clinicians
      completed questionnaires regarding their demographic characteristics and their
      attitudes toward sickle cell patients. Principal clinician characteristics of
      interest included their race, professional discipline (nurse/physician), and the
      amount of their recent exposure to sickle cell patients in pain. Secondary
      analyses from this trial are presented here. MAIN FINDINGS: Asian clinicians
      reported more negative attitudes towards these patients than did Black or White
      clinicians, nurses reported more negative attitudes than physicians, and
      clinicians with the greatest levels of recent exposure to sickle cell patients in
      pain reported more negative attitudes than did clinicians with lower levels of
      recent exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings could facilitate the development of
      tailored educational resources needed to improve the quality of care delivered to
      persons with sickle cell disease, a national priority for sickle cell efforts.

PMID- 27269496
TI  - Combining Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) with a Random-Sample
      Survey to Assess Smoking Prevalence in an Under-Served Community.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The authors would like to thank Laura McClure for her help with
      the manuscript submission, the Liberty City Community Health Advisory Board for
      its collaboration on this study, as well as the survey interviewers, and the
      survey participants. INTRODUCTION: Underserved communities might lag behind
      Healthy People 2010 objectives of smoking reduction because of smoking behavior
      disparities. This possibility was investigated through a random-sample survey
      conducted in a disenfranchised community in Miami-Dade County, Florida, using a
      Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) framework. The survey was triggered
      by our finding that this community had higher than expected incidence of tobacco
      associated cancers. METHODS: Survey methods, resulting from a dialog between the
      Community Advisory Board and academic researchers, included: (a) surveying adult
      residents of a public housing complex located within the community; (b)
      probability sampling; (c) face-to-face interviews administered by trained
      community residents. 250 households were sampled from 750 addresses provided by
      the county Public Housing Agency. The completed surveys were reviewed by the
      academic team, yielding 204 questionnaires for the current analysis. RESULTS: Of
      the 204 respondents, 38% were current smokers. They estimated the percentages of
      smokers in their household and among their five best friends at 33% and 42%,
      respectively, and among adults and youth in the community at 72% and 53%,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A mix of state-of-art methodology with CBPR principles
      is seldom encountered in the current literature. It allowed the research team to
      find a high smoking prevalence in an underserved community, twice the statewide
      and nationwide estimates. Similar or higher levels of smoking were perceived in
      respondent's entourage. Such disparity in smoking behavior, unlikely to result
      from self-selection bias because of our rigorous methodology, calls for community
      specific tobacco control efforts commensurate to the magnitude of the problem.

PMID- 27269497
TI  - Hydroxyurea therapy in sickle cell disease: An alternative approach to
      preoperative red cell transfusion.

PMID- 27269498
TI  - Insurance Eligibility of Adult Emergency Department Patients.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This study was supported by a grant from the Maryland Emergency
      Medicine Network. The manuscript was copyedited by Linda J. Kesselring, M.S.,
      ELS, the technical editor/writer in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the
      University of Maryland School of Medicine. PURPOSE: To determine if uninsured
      patients seeking care in an inner-city emergency department (ED) were eligible
      for any of the three government-sponsored insurance programs that were available
      to them at the time this study was conducted. METHODS: In June and July 2012
      (before implementation of the Affordable Care Act), a medical student and two
      social work students trained in insurance eligibility approached a convenience
      sample of uninsured adult ED patients (age >=19years) whose conditions warranted
      discharge after treatment. The students administered a survey that collected
      information (age, marital status, income, family size, number of dependents, and
      pregnancy status) that was used to determine if the patient was eligible for
      medical insurance. Patients who were acutely ill, confused, under the influence
      of substances, acutely psychotic, non-English speaking, unable to give consent,
      under arrest, or being admitted or transferred were deemed ineligible for this
      study. RESULTS: Of the 132 patients who participated in the study, 114 (86.4%)
      were eligible for insurance. The difference between the median incomes for those
      who were eligible for insurance and those who were not ($2,300 vs $17,388) was
      statistically significant (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: EDs have a valuable opportunity
      to identify patients who are eligible for government-backed medical insurance
      programs. Identifying these individuals, and assisting them with the application
      process, has the potential to enhance the indigent population's access to medical
      care and to give hospitals a means of billing for reimbursement for services
      provided.

PMID- 27269499
TI  - Misdiagnosis in a 12 Year-Old Female with Right Aberrant Subclavian Artery and
      Difficult Swallowing.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Steven Do, Portia Daniels, David T. Nelson, UCLA Radiology
      Media Center.

PMID- 27269500
TI  - Inauguration Address of Wayne A. I. Frederick, 17th President of Howard
      University, March 6, 2015.

PMID- 27269502
TI  - Ocular syphilis in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection.
AB  - As Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease (AIDS) turns thirty-years old, much progress
      has been made. 56,000 new cases of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
      infection are expected in Americans this year. At least half or more will be in
      African Americans. Reports of the association between syphilis and HIV infection
      are well documented. We present a case of bilateral optic neuritis and panuveitis
      as the initial presentation in a previously undiagnosed patient with human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis. 

PMID- 27269503
TI  - Protective Role of Hinokitiol Against H2O2-Induced Injury in Human Corneal
      Epithelium.
AB  - PURPOSE: We recently found that hinokitiol has anti-inflammatory activity in
      human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells. Herein, we investigated the protective role
      of hinokitiol against H2O2-induced injury in HCE cells and the mechanisms that
      underlie its action. METHODS: HCE cells were incubated with different
      concentrations of hinokitiol or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), which served as a
      vehicle control, before H2O2 stimulus. The cell viability was evaluated using a
      cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. TUNEL, phosphorylated histone gammaH2A.X,
      cleaved caspase-3 expression analyses, and location of cytochrome c were
      conducted to detect cell injury and apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS),
      catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA),
      and total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) were used to determine oxidative stress.
      Bcl-2 and Bax protein expressions were measured by western blotting. RESULTS:
      Hinokitiol significantly improved the cell viability, decreased the apoptosis
      rate, inhibited DNA damage, and reduced cleaved caspase-3 expression and the
      leakage of cytochrome c from mimitochondrion to cytoplasm of HCE cells against
      the oxidative stress induced by H2O2. Generation of ROS and MDA and decreased
      activity of CAT, SOD, and T-AOC were also ameliorated by hinokitiol
      administration. Moreover, Bcl-2 expression was down-regulated while Bax was up
      regulated by H2O2 stimulus, which were reversed by hinokitiol application.
      CONCLUSION: Hinokitiol protects HCE cells against H2O2-induced injury likely by
      its antioxidant activity and modulating the Bcl-2 signaling pathway.

PMID- 27269504
TI  - Physicochemical characterisation and antimicrobial phototoxicity of an anionic
      porphyrin in natural deep eutectic solvents.
AB  - Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are a newly discovered group of eutectics
      which has shown promise as a solvent in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy
      (aPDT). The purpose of this study was to investigate preparations of an anionic
      porphyrin, meso-tetra-(4-carboxyphenyl)-porphine (TCPP), solubilised in NADES,
      with regard to their physicochemical and antibacterial properties. The NADES CS
      (pH~0), ChX (pH~4) and MFG (pH~1) solubilised TCPP with absorption maximum ~443nm
      and emission maximum ~678nm, indicating formation of the TCPP dication. Dilution
      of TCPP-NADES>1:1 (water) reduced the physical stability of the preparations. The
      photostability half-lives of TCPP in methanol, MFG, and CS were ~9h, 6.9h and
      3.2h, respectively. Nanomolar concentrations of TCPP solubilised in diluted MFG
      combined with ?27J/cm(2) blue light increased Gram-positive and Gram-negative
      bacterial phototoxicity, >99.98% and 96% bacterial reduction, respectively,
      compared to TCPP in PBS/ethanol under equivalent treatment conditions. TCPP
      solubilised in diluted CS was toxic to bacteria both in the absence (36-72%
      reduction) and presence of light. TCPP in CS, and in the CS component citric
      acid, induced a TCPP-concentration dependent increase in Gram-negative
      phototoxicity relative to controls, which was most pronounced for TCPP-CS. The
      mechanism behind the increased toxicity is unknown. 

PMID- 27269505
TI  - RNA-stable isotope probing: from carbon flow within key microbiota to targeted
      transcriptomes.
AB  - Stable isotope probing of RNA has enthused researchers right from its first
      introduction in 2002. The concept of a labelling-based detection of process
      targeted microbes independent of cellular replication or growth has allowed for a
      much more direct handle on functionally relevant microbiota than by labelling of
      other biomarkers. This has led to a widespread application of the technology, and
      breakthroughs in our understanding of carbon flow in natural microbiomes,
      autotrophic and heterotrophic physiologies, microbial food webs, host-microbe
      interactions and environmental biotechnology. Recent studies detecting labelled
      mRNA demonstrate that RNA-SIP is not limited to the analysis of rRNA, but is
      currently developing towards an approach for accessing targeted transcriptomes.
      In combination with next-generation sequencing and other methodological advances,
      RNA-SIP will continue to deliver invaluable insights into the functioning of
      microbial communities.

PMID- 27269506
TI  - Attachment in medical care: A review of the interpersonal model in chronic
      disease management.
AB  - Objective Patient-physician interaction is continually examined in an era
      prioritizing patient-centered approaches, yet elaboration beyond aspects of
      communication and empathy is lacking. Major chronic conditions would benefit
      tremendously from understanding interpersonal aspects of patient-physician
      encounters. This review intends to provide a concise introduction to the
      interpersonal model of attachment theory and how it informs both the patient
      physician interaction and medical outcomes in chronic care. Methods A narrative
      review of the theoretical, neurobiological, epidemiological, investigational, and
      clinical literature on attachment theory and its impact on medical outcomes was
      conducted, utilizing a variety of key words as searched on PubMed database.
      Studies and reviews included were of a variety of sources, including textbooks
      and peer-reviewed journals. Reports in languages other than English were
      excluded. Results Measurable, discrete attachment styles and behavioral patterns
      correlate with poor medical outcomes, including nonadherence in insecure
      dismissing attachment and care overutilization in insecure preoccupied
      attachment. Furthermore, insecure dismissing attachment is associated with
      significant mortality. These variables can be easily assessed, and their effects
      are reversible, as evidenced by collaborative care outcome data. Discussion
      Attachment theory is useful a model with application in clinical and
      investigational aspects of chronic illness care. Implications and guidelines are
      explored.

PMID- 27269507
TI  - Intimacy Behaviors and Relationship Satisfaction for Cohabitors: Intimate
      Sacrifices Are Not Always Beneficial.
AB  - Guided by interdependence theory, the authors examined how relationship
      satisfaction is explained by intimate behavior sacrifices in a sample of
      cohabitors (N = 200). Specifically, it was predicted that characteristics of
      intimate behavior sacrifices, such as ease and partner appreciation should alter
      the association of sacrifice frequency and relationship satisfaction. The pattern
      that emerged demonstrates lower satisfaction for cohabitors when they frequently
      made intimate sacrifices and their partners were less appreciative of the
      sacrifices. When making frequent, but less appreciated, intimacy sacrifices for
      their partner, cohabitors may struggle with intimacy behaviors that are partner
      oriented. 

PMID- 27269508
TI  - Biracial perception in black and white: How Black and White perceivers respond to
      phenotype and racial identity cues.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study investigates how racial identity and phenotypicality
      (i.e., racial ambiguity) shape the perception of biracial individuals in both
      White and Black perceivers. We investigated complex racial categorization and its
      downstream consequences, such as perceptions of discrimination. METHOD: We
      manipulated racial phenotypicality (Black or racially ambiguous) and racial
      identity (Black or biracial) to test these cues' influence on Black and White
      race categorizations in a sample of both White (n = 145) and Black (n = 152)
      identified individuals. RESULTS: Though racial identity and phenotypicality
      information influenced deliberate racial categorization, White and Black
      participants used the cues in different ways. For White perceivers, racial
      identity and phenotypicality additively influenced Black categorization. For
      Black perceivers, however, racial identity was only used in Black categorization
      when racial ambiguity was high. Perceived discrimination was related to White
      (but not Black) perceivers' distribution of minority resources to targets,
      however Black categorization related to perceived discrimination for Black
      perceivers only. CONCLUSION: By demonstrating how Black and White individuals use
      identity and phenotype information in race perceptions, we provide a more
      complete view of the complexities of racial categorization and its downstream
      consequences. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27269510
TI  - Action of Multiple Cell Wall-Degrading Enzymes Is Required for Elicitation of
      Innate Immune Responses During Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Infection in Rice.
AB  - Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae secretes a number of plant cell wall-degrading
      enzymes (CWDEs) whose purified preparations induce defense responses in rice.
      These defense responses are suppressed by X. oryzae pv. oryzae using type 3
      secretion system (T3SS) effectors and a type 3 secretion system mutant (T3SS(-))
      of X. oryzae pv. oryzae is an inducer of rice defense responses. We assessed the
      role of individual CWDEs in induction of rice defense responses during infection,
      by mutating them in the genetic background of a T3SS(-). We mutated the genes for
      five different plant CWDEs secreted by X. oryzae pv. oryzae, including two
      cellulases (clsA and cbsA), one xylanase (xyn), one pectinase (pglA), and an
      esterase (lipA), singly in a T3SS(-) background. We have demonstrated that, as
      compared with a T3SS(-) of X. oryzae pv. oryzae, a cbsA(-)T3SS(-), a clsA(-)T3SS(
      ), and a xyn(-)T3SS(-) are deficient in induction of rice immune responses such
      as callose deposits and programmed cell death. In comparison, a lipA(-) T3SS(-)
      and a pglA(-)T3SS(-) is as efficient in induction of host defense responses as a
      T3SS(-). Overall, these results indicate that the collective action of X. oryzae
      pv. oryzae-secreted ClsA, CbsA, and Xyn proteins is required for induction of
      rice defense responses during infection.

PMID- 27269509
TI  - Arabidopsis Proline Dehydrogenase Contributes to Flagellin-Mediated PAMP
      Triggered Immunity by Affecting RBOHD.
AB  - Plants activate different defense systems to counteract the attack of microbial
      pathogens. Among them, the recognition of conserved microbial- or pathogen
      associated molecular patterns (MAMPs or PAMPs) by pattern-recognition receptors
      stimulates MAMP- or PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). In recent years, the
      elicitors, receptors, and signaling pathways leading to PTI have been extensively
      studied. However, the contribution of organelles to this program deserves further
      characterization. Here, we studied how processes altering the mitochondrial
      electron transport chain (mETC) influence PTI establishment. With particular
      emphasis, we evaluated the effect of proline dehydrogenase (ProDH), an enzyme
      that can load electrons into the mETC and regulate the cellular redox state. We
      found that mETC uncouplers (antimycin or rotenone) and manganese superoxide
      dismutase deficiency impair flg22-induced responses such as accumulation of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) and bacterial growth limitation. ProDH mutants also
      reduce these defenses, decreasing callose deposition as well. Using ProDH
      inhibitors and ProDH inducers (exogenous Pro treatment), we showed that this
      enzyme modulates the generation of ROS by the plasma membrane respiratory burst
      NADPH oxidase homolog D. In this way, we contribute to the understanding of
      mitochondrial activities influencing early and late PTI responses and the
      coordination of the redox-associated mitochondrial enzyme ProDH with defense
      events initiated at the plasma membrane.

PMID- 27269511
TI  - Symbiotic Burkholderia Species Show Diverse Arrangements of nif/fix and nod Genes
      and Lack Typical High-Affinity Cytochrome cbb3 Oxidase Genes.
AB  - Genome analysis of fourteen mimosoid and four papilionoid beta-rhizobia together
      with fourteen reference alpha-rhizobia for both nodulation (nod) and nitrogen
      fixing (nif/fix) genes has shown phylogenetic congruence between 16S rRNA/MLSA
      (combined 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multilocus sequence analysis) and nif/fix
      genes, indicating a free-living diazotrophic ancestry of the beta-rhizobia.
      However, deeper genomic analysis revealed a complex symbiosis acquisition history
      in the beta-rhizobia that clearly separates the mimosoid and papilionoid
      nodulating groups. Mimosoid-nodulating beta-rhizobia have nod genes tightly
      clustered in the nodBCIJHASU operon, whereas papilionoid-nodulating Burkholderia
      have nodUSDABC and nodIJ genes, although their arrangement is not canonical
      because the nod genes are subdivided by the insertion of nif and other genes.
      Furthermore, the papilionoid Burkholderia spp. contain duplications of several
      nod and nif genes. The Burkholderia nifHDKEN and fixABC genes are very closely
      related to those found in free-living diazotrophs. In contrast, nifA is highly
      divergent between both groups, but the papilionoid species nifA is more similar
      to alpha-rhizobia nifA than to other groups. Surprisingly, for all Burkholderia,
      the fixNOQP and fixGHIS genes required for cbb3 cytochrome oxidase production and
      assembly are missing. In contrast, symbiotic Cupriavidus strains have fixNOQPGHIS
      genes, revealing a divergence in the evolution of two distinct electron transport
      chains required for nitrogen fixation within the beta-rhizobia.

PMID- 27269512
TI  - The Feasibility of Collecting School Nurse Data.
AB  - School nurses cite barriers to collecting comprehensive data on the care they
      provide. This study evaluated the feasibility of collecting school nurse data on
      selected child health and education outcomes. Outcome variables included school
      health office visits; health provider, parent, and staff communication; early
      dismissal; and medications administered. On an average day, the school nurses
      cared for 43.5 students, administered 14 medications, and averaged of 17 daily
      communications. Day 1 data collection times averaged 15 min or less. By Day 5,
      6.6 min was needed to complete the survey. Data collection was feasible for 76%
      of those who elected to participate. Feasibility is enhanced by limiting the
      number of data points and the number of days for data collection using a data
      collection web interface. Data collection across large numbers of nurses and a
      wide range of school nurse delivery models is necessary to measure the impact of
      school nurse presence and interventions on child health and education outcomes. 

PMID- 27269513
TI  - Nurse perspectives on the implementation of routine telemonitoring for high-risk
      diabetes patients in a primary care setting.
AB  - : Aims The purpose of this qualitative evaluation was to explore the experience
      of implementing routine telemonitoring (TM) in real-world primary care settings
      from the perspective of those delivering the intervention; namely the TM staff,
      and report on lessons learned that could inform future projects of this type.
      BACKGROUND: Routine TM for high-risk patients within primary care practices may
      help improve chronic disease control and reduce complications, including
      unnecessary hospital admissions. However, little is known about how to integrate
      routine TM in busy primary care practices. A TM pilot for diabetic patients was
      attempted in six primary care practices as part of the Beacon Community in
      Western New York. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with
      representatives of three TM agencies (n=8) participating in the pilot. Interviews
      were conducted over the phone or in person and lasted ~30 min. Interviews were
      audio-taped and transcribed. Analysis was conducted using immersion
      crystallization to identify themes. Findings TM staff revealed several themes
      related to the experience of delivering TM in real-world primary care: (1) the
      nurse-patient relationship is central to a successful TM experience, (2) TM is a
      useful tool for understanding socio-economic context and its impact on patients'
      health, (3) TM staff anecdotally report important potential impacts on patient
      health, and (4) integrating TM into primary care practices needs to be planned
      carefully. CONCLUSIONS: This qualitative study identified challenges and
      unexpected benefits that might inform future efforts. Communication and
      integration between the TM agency and the practice, including the designation of
      a point person within the office to coordinate TM and help address the broader
      contextual needs of patients, are important considerations for future
      implementation. The role of the TM nurse in developing trust with patients and
      uncovering the social and economic context within which patients manage their
      diabetes was an unexpected benefit.

PMID- 27269514
TI  - Insight into structural phase transitions from the decoupled anharmonic mode
      approximation.
AB  - We develop a formalism (decoupled anharmonic mode approximation, DAMA) that
      allows calculation of the vibrational free energy using density functional theory
      even for materials which exhibit negative curvature of the potential energy
      surface with respect to atomic displacements. We investigate vibrational modes
      beyond the harmonic approximation and approximate the potential energy surface
      with the superposition of the accurate potential along each normal mode. We show
      that the free energy can stabilize crystal structures at finite temperatures
      which appear dynamically unstable at T  =  0. The DAMA formalism is
      computationally fast because it avoids statistical sampling through molecular
      dynamics calculations, and is in principle completely ab initio. It is free of
      statistical uncertainties and independent of model parameters, but can give
      insight into the mechanism of a structural phase transition. We apply the
      formalism to the perovskite cryolite, and investigate the temperature-driven
      phase transition from the P21/n to the Immm space group. We calculate a phase
      transition temperature between 710 and 950 K, in fair agreement with the
      experimental value of 885 K. This can be related to the underestimation of the
      interaction of the vibrational states. We also calculate the main axes of the
      thermal ellipsoid and can explain the experimentally observed increase of its
      volume for the fluorine by 200-300% throughout the phase transition. Our
      calculations suggest the appearance of tunneling states in the high temperature
      phase. The convergence of the vibrational DOS and of the critical temperature
      with respect of reciprocal space sampling is investigated using the polarizable
      ion model.

PMID- 27269515
TI  - Isolated limb perfusion as a treatment option for rare types of tumours.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is an established and effective
      treatment for advanced melanoma and soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities with
      a high overall response rate. The aim of this study was to describe our
      experience of ILP for more rare types of tumours. METHODS: Patients with Merkel
      cell carcinoma (MCC) (n = 4), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n = 2), B-cell
      lymphoma (n = 1), desmoid tumours (n = 3), pigmented villonodular synovitis
      (PVNS) (n = 1) and giant cell tumour (n = 1) were treated with ILP and analysed
      retrospectively. RESULTS: The four patients with in-transit MCC had three
      complete responses (CR) and one partial response (PR); the two patients with SCC
      had one CR and one stable disease (SD); the patients with desmoid tumours had two
      PR and one SD. A CR was also observed for the patient with a giant cell tumour,
      but the patient with PVNS had a SD. The patient with cutaneous metastases of B
      cell lymphoma showed a CR, however with rapid systemic progression. Local
      toxicity according to Wieberdink was grade II in 10 patients (83%) and grade III
      in two patients (17%). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that ILP can be used as a
      treatment option also for more rare disease entities when other treatments have
      failed.

PMID- 27269516
TI  - Affinity Induced Surface Functionalization of Liposomes Using Cu-Free Click
      Chemistry.
AB  - Functionalization of nanoparticles is a key element for improving specificity of
      drug delivery systems toward diseased tissue or cells. In the current study we
      report a highly efficient and chemoselective method for post-functionalization of
      liposomes with biomacromolecules, which equally well can be used for
      functionalization of other nanoparticles or solid surfaces. The method exploits a
      synergistic effect of having both affinity and covalent anchoring tags on the
      surface of the liposome. This was achieved by synthesizing a peptide linker
      system that uses Cu-free strain-promoted click chemistry in combination with
      histidine affinity tags. The investigation of post-functionalization of PEGylated
      liposomes was performed with a cyclic RGDfE peptide. By exploring both affinity
      and covalent tags a 98 +/- 2.0% coupling efficiency was achieved, even a diluted
      system showed a coupling efficiency of 87 +/- 0.2%. The reaction kinetics and
      overall yield were quantified by HPLC. The results presented here open new
      possibilities for constructing complex nanostructures and functionalized
      surfaces.

PMID- 27269517
TI  - A Metal-Free Protocol for Aminofunctionalization of Olefins Using TsNBr2.
AB  - N,N-Dibromo-p-toluene sulfonamide (TsNBr2) has been found to be an effective
      reagent for various aminofunctionalization reactions. This reagent behaves both
      as an electrophilic bromine source as well as amine to react with olefins under
      different conditions to yield aminoether, imidazoline, diamine and amino bromine.
      The reaction proceeds rapidly under mild conditions with high regioselectivity.
      Olefins react with TsNBr2 in moist THF to form delta-amino ether at room
      temperature. Treatment of TsNBr2 with olefin in MeCN at room temperature produced
      imidazoline in high yield. Further modification of the reaction condition
      resulted in the development of a one-step procedure for the synthesis of N
      acetyl,N'-tosyl diamine derivatives directly from olefin. When the olefin was
      treated with 2.4 mol equiv of TsNBr2 in the presence of K2CO3, N,N'-ditosyl
      diamine derivative was obtained in moderate yield. Instantaneous formation of
      aminobromine was observed when an olefin was treated with the reagent in dry
      CH2Cl2 at room temperature.

PMID- 27269518
TI  - Estimation of conditions evoking fracture in finger bones under pinch loading
      based on finite element analysis.
AB  - A finger finite element (FE) model was created from CT images of a Japanese male
      in order to obtain a shape-biofidelic model. Material properties and articulation
      characteristics of the model were taken from the literature. To predict bone
      fracture and realistically represent the fracture pattern under various loading
      conditions, the ESI-Wilkins-Kamoulakos rupture model in PAM-CRASH (ESI Group
      S.A., Paris, France) was utilized in this study with parameter values of the
      rupture model determined by compression testing and simulation of porcine fibula.
      A finger pinch simulation was then conducted to validate the finger FE model. The
      force-displacement curve and fracture load from the pinch simulation was compared
      to the result of finger pinch test using cadavers. Simulation results are
      coincident with the test result, indicating that the finger FE model can be used
      in an analysis of finger bone fracture during pinch accident. With this model,
      several pinch simulations were conducted with different pinching object's
      stiffness and pinching energy. Conditions for evoking finger bone fracture under
      pinch loading were then estimated based on these results. This study offers a
      novel method to predict possible hazards of manufactured goods during the design
      process, thus finger injury due to pinch loading can be avoided.

PMID- 27269519
TI  - The Timed Depolarization of Morning and Evening Oscillators Phase Shifts the
      Circadian Clock of Drosophila.
AB  - Phase response curves (PRCs) for light or temperature stimuli have been shown to
      be most valuable in understanding how circadian clocks are entrained to daily
      environmental cycles. Nowadays, PRC experiments in which clock neurons are
      manipulated in a temporally restricted manner by thermogenetic or optogenetic
      tools are also useful to comprehend clock network properties. Here, we temporally
      depolarized specific clock neurons of Drosophila melanogaster by activating
      temperature-sensitive dTrpA1 channels to unravel their role in phase shifting the
      flies' activity rhythm. The depolarization of all clock neurons caused a PRC
      resembling the flies' light PRC, with strong phase delays in the first half of
      the subjective night and modest phase advances in its second half. However, the
      activation of the flies' pigment-dispersing factor (PDF)-positive morning (M)
      neurons (s-LNvs) only induced phase advances, and these reached into the
      subjective day, where the light PRC has its dead zone. This indicates that the M
      neurons are very potent in accelerating the clock, which is in line with previous
      observations. In contrast, the evening (E) neurons together with the PDF-positive
      l-LNvs appear to mediate phase delays. Most interestingly, the molecular clock
      (Period protein cycling) of the depolarized clock neurons was shifted in parallel
      to the behavior, and this shift was already visible within the first cycle after
      the temperature pulse. We identified cAMP response element binding protein B
      (CREB) as a putative link between membrane depolarization and the molecular
      clock.

PMID- 27269520
TI  - Ethanol Induced Brain Lipid Changes in Mice Assessed by Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Alcohol abuse is a chronic disease characterized by the consumption of alcohol at
      a level that interferes with physical and mental health and causes serious and
      persistent changes in the brain. Lipid metabolism is of particular interest due
      to its high concentration in the brain. Lipids are the main component of cell
      membranes, are involved in cell signaling, signal transduction, and energy
      storage. In this study, we analyzed lipid composition of chronically ethanol
      exposed mouse brains. Juvenile (JUV) and adult (ADU) mice were placed on a daily
      limited-access ethanol intake model for 52 days. After euthanasia, brains were
      harvested, and total lipids were extracted from brain homogenates. Samples were
      analyzed using high resolution mass spectrometry and processed by multivariate
      and univariate statistical analysis. Significant lipid changes were observed in
      different classes including sphingolipids, fatty acids, lysophosphatidylcholines,
      and other glycerophospholipids.

PMID- 27269577
TI  - Trimethylsilyl Chloride-Modified Li Anode for Enhanced Performance of Li-S Cells.
AB  - A facile and effective method to modify Li anode for Li-S cells by exposing Li
      foils to tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent, oxygen atmosphere and trimethylsilyl
      chloride ((CH3)3SiCl) liquid in sequence is proposed. The results of SEM and XPS
      show the formation of a homogeneous and dense film with a thickness of 84 nm on
      Li metal surface. AC impedance and polarization test results show the improved
      interfacial stability. The interfacial resistances as well as polarization
      potential difference have obviously decreased as compared with that of a pristine
      Li anode. CV and charge-discharge test results demonstrate that more reversible
      discharge capacity and higher Coulombic efficiency can be achieved. Specific
      capacity of 760 mAh g(-1) and an average Coulombic efficiency of 98% are retained
      after 100 cycles at 0.5C without LiNO3 additive. Additionally, the Li-S cell with
      a modified Li anode displays a greatly improved rate performance with ~425 mAh g(
      1) at 5C, making it more attractive and competitive in the applications of high
      power supply. 

PMID- 27269578
TI  - Facilitating Goodwill in Workplace Relationships: The Benefits and Challenges.

PMID- 27269580
TI  - Enhanced Promiscuity of Lipase-Inorganic Nanocrystal Composites in the
      Epoxidation of Fatty Acids in Organic Media.
AB  - In the present study, Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) was encapsulated in
      inorganic nanocrystal composites with flower-like shapes, retaining 92% of its
      catalytic activity compared to that of native lipase. Surprisingly, CALB
      inorganic crystal nanoflowers exhibited promiscuous activity at levels 25- and 4
      fold higher than those of native lipase and the commercial immobilized lipase
      Novozym 435, respectively, as demonstrated by the chemoenzymatic epoxidation of
      fatty acids conducted in organic media. To the best of our knowledge, we showed
      for the first time that the promiscuity of enzymes can be significantly improved
      by enzyme immobilization, suggesting that the enzyme-inorganic nanocrystal
      composites are a very promising type of immobilized enzyme that can be used to
      address the challenge of the extremely low efficiency of enzymatic promiscuity. 

PMID- 27269579
TI  - Unmet needs and relationship challenges of head and neck cancer patients and
      their spouses.
AB  - In head and neck cancer (HNC), couple-based interventions may be useful for
      facilitating treatment completion, patient rehabilitation, and improving both
      partners' quality of life. With the goal of identifying targets for future
      interventions, we conducted a qualitative study to understand patient and spouse
      unmet needs and relationship challenges during curative radiotherapy for HNC.
      Semistructured interviews were conducted with six HNC patients (83% male) and six
      spouses (83% female) within 6 months of completing treatment. Interviews were
      audiotaped and transcribed using grounded theory analysis. Patients and spouses
      identified several unmet needs including better preparation regarding the
      severity of physical side effects, a clearer timeline for recovery, and
      strategies for dealing with their own and each other's emotional reactions.
      Caregiver's unmet needs included balancing competing roles/responsibilities,
      making time for self-care, and finding effective strategies for encouraging
      patient's self-care. Eighty-three percent of spouses and all patients reported
      increased conflict during treatment. Other relationship challenges included
      changes in intimacy and social/leisure activities. Findings suggest that couple
      based interventions that emphasize the importance of managing physical and
      psychological symptoms through the regular practice of self-care routines may be
      beneficial for both patients and spouses. Likewise, programs that teach spouses
      ways to effectively motivate and encourage patients' self-care may help minimize
      conflict and help couples navigate HNC treatment and recovery together as a team.

PMID- 27269581
TI  - Complementary-addressed site-directed spin labeling of long natural RNAs.
AB  - Nanoscale distance measurements by pulse dipolar Electron paramagnetic resonance
      (EPR) spectroscopy allow new insights into the structure and dynamics of complex
      biopolymers. EPR detection requires site directed spin labeling (SDSL) of
      biomolecule(s), which remained challenging for long RNAs up-to-date. Here, we
      demonstrate that novel complementary-addressed SDSL approach allows efficient
      spin labeling and following structural EPR studies of long RNAs. We succeeded to
      spin-label Hepatitis C Virus RNA internal ribosome entry site consisting of ~330
      nucleotides and having a complicated spatial structure. Application of pulsed
      double electron-electron resonance provided spin-spin distance distribution,
      which agrees well with the results of molecular dynamics (MD) calculations. Thus,
      novel SDSL approach in conjunction with EPR and MD allows structural studies of
      long natural RNAs with nanometer resolution and can be applied to systems of
      biological and biomedical significance.

PMID- 27269583
TI  - Searching the literature for proteins facilitates the identification of
      biological processes, if advanced methods of analysis are linked: a case study on
      microgravity-caused changes in cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than one hundred reports were published about the
      characterization of cells from malignant and healthy tissues, as well as of
      endothelial cells and stem cells exposed to microgravity conditions. METHODS: We
      retrieved publications about microgravity related studies on each type of cells,
      extracted the proteins mentioned therein and analyzed them aiming to identify
      biological processes affected by microgravity culture conditions. RESULTS: The
      analysis revealed 66 different biological processes, 19 of them were always
      detected when papers about the four types of cells were analyzed. CONCLUSION:
      Since a response to the removal of gravity is common to the different cell types,
      some of the 19 biological processes could play a role in cellular adaption to
      microgravity. Applying computer programs, to extract and analyze proteins and
      genes mentioned in publications becomes essential for scientists interested to
      get an overview of the rapidly growing fields of gravitational biology and space
      medicine.

PMID- 27269582
TI  - How far from the SNP may the causative genes be?
AB  - While GWAS identify many disease-associated SNPs, using them to decipher disease
      mechanisms is hindered by the difficulty in mapping SNPs to genes. Most SNPs are
      in non-coding regions and it is often hard to identify the genes they implicate.
      To explore how far the SNP may be from the affected genes we used a pathway-based
      approach. We found that affected genes are often up to 2 Mbps away from the
      associated SNP, and are not necessarily the closest genes to the SNP. Existing
      approaches for mapping SNPs to genes leave many SNPs unmapped to genes and reveal
      only 86 significant phenotype-pathway associations for all known GWAS hits
      combined. Using the pathway-based approach we propose here allows mapping of
      virtually all SNPs to genes and reveals 435 statistically significant phenotype
      pathway associations. In search for mechanisms that may explain the relationships
      between SNPs and distant genes, we found that SNPs that are mapped to distant
      genes have significantly more large insertions/deletions around them than other
      SNPs, suggesting that these SNPs may sometimes be markers for large
      insertions/deletions that may affect large genomic regions.

PMID- 27269584
TI  - Effect of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Level on Long-Term Outcome in Patients With
      End-Stage Heart Failure.
AB  - Previous studies have demonstrated elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
      level indicates a poor outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). However, some
      patients with end-stage HF presented with low BNP level and the impact of the
      nearly "normal" BNP level on long-term outcome is not well understood. Our study
      aimed to evaluate the association of BNP level with long-term outcome in 218
      consecutive patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and end-stage HF. Sixty-two
      patients (28%) presented with admission BNP level <=400 pg/ml. During a median
      follow-up period of 20 months (4 to 26 months), the all-cause mortality rate in
      patients with BNP <=400 pg/ml was higher than in patients with BNP >400 pg/ml
      (76% vs 48%, p <0.001). Patients were then divided into 5 groups according to the
      BNP level (<=400, 401 to 1,000, 1,001 to 2,000, 2,001 to 3,000, and >3,000
      pg/ml), the all-cause mortality were 76%, 41%, 40%, 49%, and 75%, respectively (p
      <0.001). After multivariate adjustment, both BNP <=400 and >3,000 pg/ml were
      independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard
      ratios 1.87, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.42, p = 0.043 and hazard ratio 2.31, 95% CI 1.16 to
      4.60, p = 0.018, respectively). In conclusion, our present study demonstrated a
      "U-like" shape between BNP level and all-cause mortality in end-stage HF, and the
      seemingly "normal" BNP level might also be a risk factor for poor outcome. Low
      BNP level may be a reflection of impaired neurohormonal response or altered
      metabolism of BNP and is associated with increased risk of poor outcome.

PMID- 27269585
TI  - Gender Differences in In-Hospital Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.
AB  - Women historically have a greater risk of operative mortality than men after
      coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). There is paucity of contemporary data in
      gender outcomes of surgical revascularization and understanding modifiable
      factors that contribute to gender differences are critical for quality
      improvement and practice change. We, therefore, sought to examine whether the
      gender gap in CABG outcomes is closing in the contemporary era by conducting a
      retrospective analysis from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2003 to
      2012. We included all patients who underwent isolated CABG surgery (n =
      2,272,998; female n = 623,423 [27.4%]; male n = 1,649,575 [72.6%]). The annual
      rate of CABG surgeries decreased by 53.7% in men and 57.8% in women over the 10
      year study period. Although internal mammary artery use in women was less
      frequent than in men in 2003 (77.4% vs 81.9%, p <0.001), a significant uptrend
      closed this gap by 2012 (86.2% vs 87.0%, ptrend 0.003). Overall, unadjusted in
      hospital mortality was greater in women (3.2% vs 1.8%, p <0.001). Female gender
      remained an independent predictor of mortality after multivariate adjustment
      (odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.43, p <0.001) across all age groups. However,
      in-hospital mortality decreased at a faster rate in women (3.8% to 2.7%, RR 
      29.1%, ptrend 0.002) than in men (2.2% to 1.6%, RR -25.7%, ptrend <0.001) from
      2003 to 2012. In conclusion, CABG rates in the United States are decreasing over
      time, yet in-hospital mortality continues to improve. Women have worse in
      hospital outcomes than men; however, the gender gap is slowly closing.

PMID- 27269586
TI  - Syncope and Dyspnea and Pulmonary Embolism.
AB  - Failure to recognize ECG features consistent with acute cor pulmonale in a man
      with new onset syncope and dyspnea resulted in death from undiagnosed pulmonary
      emboli. 

PMID- 27269587
TI  - Response to "the Use of Mechanical Support Devices in Percutaneous Coronary
      Interventions: the Controversy?"

PMID- 27269588
TI  - Removal of nuclease contamination during purification of recombinant prototype
      foamy virus integrase.
AB  - Retroviral infection requires integration of the viral genome into the host
      genome. Recombinant integrase proteins may be purified following bacterial
      expression. A bulk biochemical assay of integrase function relies on the
      conversion of supercoiled plasmids to linear or relaxed circles. Single molecule
      molecular tweezer assays of integrase also evaluate the conversion of supercoiled
      DNA to nicked and broken species. A bacterial nuclease that co-purifies with
      retroviral integrase may affect the quantitation of integration activity in bulk
      or single molecule assays. During purification of retroviral integrase from
      bacteria, fractions may be screened for contaminating nuclease activity. In order
      to efficiently separate the nuclease from integrase, the binding affinities of
      each protein must differ. We find that a co-purifying nuclease may be efficiently
      separated from integrase based on heparin affinity, but not ionic affinity.

PMID- 27269589
TI  - Model-based metabolic engineering enables high yield itaconic acid production by
      Escherichia coli.
AB  - Itaconic acid is a high potential platform chemical which is currently
      industrially produced by Aspergillus terreus. Heterologous production of itaconic
      acid with Escherichia coli could help to overcome limitations of A. terreus
      regarding slow growth and high sensitivity to oxygen supply. However, the
      performance achieved so far with E. coli strains is still low. We introduced a
      plasmid (pCadCS) carrying genes for itaconic acid production into E. coli and
      applied a model-based approach to construct a high yield production strain. Based
      on the concept of minimal cut sets, we identified intervention strategies that
      guarantee high itaconic acid yield while still allowing growth. One cut set was
      selected and the corresponding genes were iteratively knocked-out. As a
      conceptual novelty, we pursued an adaptive approach allowing changes in the model
      and initially calculated intervention strategy if a genetic modification induces
      changes in byproduct formation. Using this approach, we iteratively implemented
      five interventions leading to high yield itaconic acid production in minimal
      medium with glucose as substrate supplemented with small amounts of glutamic
      acid. The derived E. coli strain (ita23: MG1655 ?aceA ?sucCD ?pykA ?pykF ?pta
      ?Picd::cam_BBa_J23115 pCadCS) synthesized 2.27g/l itaconic acid with an excellent
      yield of 0.77mol/(mol glucose). In a fed-batch cultivation, this strain produced
      32g/l itaconic acid with an overall yield of 0.68mol/(mol glucose) and a peak
      productivity of 0.45g/l/h. These values are by far the highest that have ever
      been achieved for heterologous itaconic acid production and indicate that
      realistic applications come into reach.

PMID- 27269590
TI  - Free Carriers versus Excitons in CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Thin Films at Low
      Temperatures: Charge Transfer from the Orthorhombic Phase to the Tetragonal
      Phase.
AB  - We have investigated the dynamic optical properties of CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3)
      perovskite thin films at low temperatures using time-resolved photoluminescence,
      optical transient absorption (TA), and THz TA spectroscopy. Optical spectroscopic
      results indicate that the high-temperature tetragonal phase still remains in the
      MAPbI3 thin films at low temperatures in addition to the major orthorhombic
      phase. The fast charge transfer from the orthorhombic phase to the tetragonal
      phase is likely to suppress the formation of excitons in the orthorhombic phase.
      Consequently, the near-band-edge optical responses of the photocarriers in both
      the tetragonal and orthorhombic phases of the MAPbI3 thin films are more
      accurately described by a free-carrier model, rather than an excitonic model even
      at low temperatures. 

PMID- 27269591
TI  - Pregnant women's preference for cesarean section and subsequent mode of birth - a
      six-country cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The rate of cesarean section (CS) for non-medical reasons has risen
      and it is a concern for health care. Women's preferences may vary across
      countries for psychosocial or obstetric reasons. METHODS: A prospective cohort
      study of 6549 women in routine antenatal care giving birth in Belgium, Iceland,
      Denmark, Estonia, Norway or Sweden. Preference for mode of birth was self
      reported in mid-pregnancy. Birth outcome data were collected from hospital
      records. RESULTS: A CS was preferred by 3.5% of primiparous women and 8.7% of the
      multiparous women. Preference for CS was associated with severe fear of
      childbirth (FOC), with a negative birth experience in multiparous women and with
      depressive symptoms in the primiparous. Women were somewhat more prone to prefer
      a cesarean in Iceland, odd ratio (OR) 1.70 (1.02-2.83), adjusted for age,
      education, depression, FOC, history of abuse, previous cesarean and negative
      birth experience. Out of the 404 women who preferred CS during pregnancy, 286
      (70.8%) delivered by CS, mostly for a medical indication. A total of 9% of the
      cesareans in the cohort had a non-medical indication only. CONCLUSIONS: Women's
      preference for CS often seems to be due to health concerns. Both medical and
      psychological factors need to be addressed in antenatal counseling. Obstetricians
      need to convey accurately to women the risks and benefits of CS in her specific
      case. Maternity professionals should identify and explore psychosocial reasons
      for women's preferences.

PMID- 27269594
TI  - Is the UK spending more than we thought on healthcare (and much less on social
      care)?

PMID- 27269595
TI  - Vision in our three-dimensional world.
AB  - Many aspects of our perceptual experience are dominated by the fact that our two
      eyes point forward. Whilst the location of our eyes leaves the environment behind
      our head inaccessible to vision, co-ordinated use of our two eyes gives us direct
      access to the three-dimensional structure of the scene in front of us, through
      the mechanism of stereoscopic vision. Scientific understanding of the different
      brain regions involved in stereoscopic vision and three-dimensional spatial
      cognition is changing rapidly, with consequent influences on fields as diverse as
      clinical practice in ophthalmology and the technology of virtual reality
      devices.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in our three-dimensional
      world'.

PMID- 27269596
TI  - Stereoscopic depth constancy.
AB  - Depth constancy is the ability to perceive a fixed depth interval in the world as
      constant despite changes in viewing distance and the spatial scale of depth
      variation. It is well known that the spatial frequency of depth variation has a
      large effect on threshold. In the first experiment, we determined that the visual
      system compensates for this differential sensitivity when the change in disparity
      is suprathreshold, thereby attaining constancy similar to contrast constancy in
      the luminance domain. In a second experiment, we examined the ability to perceive
      constant depth when the spatial frequency and viewing distance both changed. To
      attain constancy in this situation, the visual system has to estimate distance.
      We investigated this ability when vergence, accommodation and vertical disparity
      are all presented accurately and therefore provided veridical information about
      viewing distance. We found that constancy is nearly complete across changes in
      viewing distance. Depth constancy is most complete when the scale of the depth
      relief is constant in the world rather than when it is constant in angular units
      at the retina. These results bear on the efficacy of algorithms for creating
      stereo content.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in our three
      dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269597
TI  - Effects of cortical damage on binocular depth perception.
AB  - Stereoscopic depth perception requires considerable neural computation, including
      the initial correspondence of the two retinal images, comparison across the local
      regions of the visual field and integration with other cues to depth. The most
      common cause for loss of stereoscopic vision is amblyopia, in which one eye has
      failed to form an adequate input to the visual cortex, usually due to strabismus
      (deviating eye) or anisometropia. However, the significant cortical processing
      required to produce the percept of depth means that, even when the retinal input
      is intact from both eyes, brain damage or dysfunction can interfere with
      stereoscopic vision. In this review, I examine the evidence for impairment of
      binocular vision and depth perception that can result from insults to the brain,
      including both discrete damage, temporal lobectomy and more systemic diseases
      such as posterior cortical atrophy.This article is part of the themed issue
      'Vision in our three-dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269598
TI  - Disparity processing in primary visual cortex.
AB  - The first step in binocular stereopsis is to match features on the left retina
      with the correct features on the right retina, discarding 'false' matches. The
      physiological processing of these signals starts in the primary visual cortex,
      where the binocular energy model has been a powerful framework for understanding
      the underlying computation. For this reason, it is often used when thinking about
      how binocular matching might be performed beyond striate cortex. But this step
      depends critically on the accuracy of the model, and real V1 neurons show several
      properties that suggest they may be less sensitive to false matches than the
      energy model predicts. Several recent studies provide empirical support for an
      extended version of the energy model, in which the same principles are used, but
      the responses of single neurons are described as the sum of several subunits,
      each of which follows the principles of the energy model. These studies have
      significantly improved our understanding of the role played by striate cortex in
      the stereo correspondence problem.This article is part of the themed issue
      'Vision in our three-dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269599
TI  - The neural basis of depth perception from motion parallax.
AB  - In addition to depth cues afforded by binocular vision, the brain processes
      relative motion signals to perceive depth. When an observer translates relative
      to their visual environment, the relative motion of objects at different
      distances (motion parallax) provides a powerful cue to three-dimensional scene
      structure. Although perception of depth based on motion parallax has been studied
      extensively in humans, relatively little is known regarding the neural basis of
      this visual capability. We review recent advances in elucidating the neural
      mechanisms for representing depth-sign (near versus far) from motion parallax. We
      examine a potential neural substrate in the middle temporal visual area for depth
      perception based on motion parallax, and we explore the nature of the signals
      that provide critical inputs for disambiguating depth-sign.This article is part
      of the themed issue 'Vision in our three-dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269600
TI  - Weighted parallel contributions of binocular correlation and match signals to
      conscious perception of depth.
AB  - Binocular disparity is detected in the primary visual cortex by a process similar
      to calculation of local cross-correlation between left and right retinal images.
      As a consequence, correlation-based neural signals convey information about false
      disparities as well as the true disparity. The false responses in the initial
      disparity detectors are eliminated at later stages in order to encode only
      disparities of the features correctly matched between the two eyes. For a simple
      stimulus configuration, a feed-forward nonlinear process can transform the
      correlation signal into the match signal. For human observers, depth judgement is
      determined by a weighted sum of the correlation and match signals rather than
      depending solely on the latter. The relative weight changes with spatial and
      temporal parameters of the stimuli, allowing adaptive recruitment of the two
      computations under different visual circumstances. A full transformation from
      correlation-based to match-based representation occurs at the neuronal population
      level in cortical area V4 and manifests in single-neuron responses of inferior
      temporal and posterior parietal cortices. Neurons in area V5/MT represent
      disparity in a manner intermediate between the correlation and match signals. We
      propose that the correlation and match signals in these areas contribute to depth
      perception in a weighted, parallel manner.This article is part of the themed
      issue 'Vision in our three-dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269601
TI  - Depth perception in disparity-defined objects: finding the balance between
      averaging and segregation.
AB  - Deciding what constitutes an object, and what background, is an essential task
      for the visual system. This presents a conundrum: averaging over the visual scene
      is required to obtain a precise signal for object segregation, but segregation is
      required to define the region over which averaging should take place. Depth,
      obtained via binocular disparity (the differences between two eyes' views), could
      help with segregation by enabling identification of object and background via
      differences in depth. Here, we explore depth perception in disparity-defined
      objects. We show that a simple object segregation rule, followed by averaging
      over that segregated area, can account for depth estimation errors. To do this,
      we compared objects with smoothly varying depth edges to those with sharp depth
      edges, and found that perceived peak depth was reduced for the former. A
      computational model used a rule based on object shape to segregate and average
      over a central portion of the object, and was able to emulate the reduction in
      perceived depth. We also demonstrated that the segregated area is not predefined
      but is dependent on the object shape. We discuss how this segregation strategy
      could be employed by animals seeking to deter binocular predators.This article is
      part of the themed issue 'Vision in our three-dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269603
TI  - Defining the V5/MT neuronal pool for perceptual decisions in a visual stereo
      motion task.
AB  - In the primate visual cortex, neurons signal differences in the appearance of
      objects with high precision. However, not all activated neurons contribute
      directly to perception. We defined the perceptual pool in extrastriate visual
      area V5/MT for a stereo-motion task, based on trial-by-trial co-variation between
      perceptual decisions and neuronal firing (choice probability (CP)). Macaque
      monkeys were trained to discriminate the direction of rotation of a cylinder,
      using the binocular depth between the moving dots that form its front and rear
      surfaces. We manipulated the activity of single neurons trial-to-trial by
      introducing task-irrelevant stimulus changes: dot motion in cylinders was aligned
      with neuronal preference on only half the trials, so that neurons were strongly
      activated with high firing rates on some trials and considerably less activated
      on others. We show that single neurons maintain high neurometric sensitivity for
      binocular depth in the face of substantial changes in firing rate. CP was
      correlated with neurometric sensitivity, not level of activation. In contrast,
      for individual neurons, the correlation between perceptual choice and neuronal
      activity may be fundamentally different when responding to different stimulus
      versions. Therefore, neuronal pools supporting sensory discrimination must be
      structured flexibly and independently for each stimulus configuration to be
      discriminated.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in our three
      dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269602
TI  - Binocular depth processing in the ventral visual pathway.
AB  - One of the most powerful forms of depth perception capitalizes on the small
      relative displacements, or binocular disparities, in the images projected onto
      each eye. The brain employs these disparities to facilitate various computations,
      including sensori-motor transformations (reaching, grasping), scene segmentation
      and object recognition. In accordance with these different functions, disparity
      activates a large number of regions in the brain of both humans and monkeys.
      Here, we review how disparity processing evolves along different regions of the
      ventral visual pathway of macaques, emphasizing research based on both
      correlational and causal techniques. We will discuss the progression in the
      ventral pathway from a basic absolute disparity representation to a more complex
      three-dimensional shape code. We will show that, in the course of this evolution,
      the underlying neuronal activity becomes progressively more bound to the global
      perceptual experience. We argue that these observations most probably extend
      beyond disparity processing per se, and pertain to object processing in the
      ventral pathway in general. We conclude by posing some important unresolved
      questions whose answers may significantly advance the field, and broaden its
      scope.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in our three-dimensional
      world'.

PMID- 27269604
TI  - Neural architectures for stereo vision.
AB  - Stereoscopic vision delivers a sense of depth based on binocular information but
      additionally acts as a mechanism for achieving correspondence between patterns
      arriving at the left and right eyes. We analyse quantitatively the cortical
      architecture for stereoscopic vision in two areas of macaque visual cortex. For
      primary visual cortex V1, the result is consistent with a module that is
      isotropic in cortical space with a diameter of at least 3 mm in surface extent.
      This implies that the module for stereo is larger than the repeat distance
      between ocular dominance columns in V1. By contrast, in the extrastriate cortical
      area V5/MT, which has a specialized architecture for stereo depth, the module for
      representation of stereo is about 1 mm in surface extent, so the representation
      of stereo in V5/MT is more compressed than V1 in terms of neural wiring of the
      neocortex. The surface extent estimated for stereo in V5/MT is consistent with
      measurements of its specialized domains for binocular disparity. Within V1, we
      suggest that long-range horizontal, anatomical connections form functional
      modules that serve both binocular and monocular pattern recognition: this common
      function may explain the distortion and disruption of monocular pattern vision
      observed in amblyopia.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in our
      three-dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269605
TI  - Small or far away? Size and distance perception in the praying mantis.
AB  - Stereo or '3D' vision is an important but costly process seen in several
      evolutionarily distinct lineages including primates, birds and insects. Many
      selective advantages could have led to the evolution of stereo vision, including
      range finding, camouflage breaking and estimation of object size. In this paper,
      we investigate the possibility that stereo vision enables praying mantises to
      estimate the size of prey by using a combination of disparity cues and angular
      size cues. We used a recently developed insect 3D cinema paradigm to present
      mantises with virtual prey having differing disparity and angular size cues. We
      predicted that if they were able to use these cues to gauge the absolute size of
      objects, we should see evidence for size constancy where they would strike
      preferentially at prey of a particular physical size, across a range of simulated
      distances. We found that mantises struck most often when disparity cues implied a
      prey distance of 2.5 cm; increasing the implied distance caused a significant
      reduction in the number of strikes. We, however, found no evidence for size
      constancy. There was a significant interaction effect of the simulated distance
      and angular size on the number of strikes made by the mantis but this was not in
      the direction predicted by size constancy. This indicates that mantises do not
      use their stereo vision to estimate object size. We conclude that other selective
      advantages, not size constancy, have driven the evolution of stereo vision in the
      praying mantis.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in our three
      dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269606
TI  - Lesions to right posterior parietal cortex impair visual depth perception from
      disparity but not motion cues.
AB  - The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is understood to be active when observers
      perceive three-dimensional (3D) structure. However, it is not clear how central
      this activity is in the construction of 3D spatial representations. Here, we
      examine whether PPC is essential for two aspects of visual depth perception by
      testing patients with lesions affecting this region. First, we measured subjects'
      ability to discriminate depth structure in various 3D surfaces and objects using
      binocular disparity. Patients with lesions to right PPC (N = 3) exhibited marked
      perceptual deficits on these tasks, whereas those with left hemisphere lesions (N
      = 2) were able to reliably discriminate depth as accurately as control subjects.
      Second, we presented an ambiguous 3D stimulus defined by structure from motion to
      determine whether PPC lesions influence the rate of bistable perceptual
      alternations. Patients' percept durations for the 3D stimulus were generally
      within a normal range, although the two patients with bilateral PPC lesions
      showed the fastest perceptual alternation rates in our sample. Intermittent
      stimulus presentation reduced the reversal rate similarly across subjects.
      Together, the results suggest that PPC plays a causal role in both inferring and
      maintaining the perception of 3D structure with stereopsis supported primarily by
      the right hemisphere, but do not lend support to the view that PPC is a critical
      contributor to bistable perceptual alternations.This article is part of the
      themed issue 'Vision in our three-dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269607
TI  - Recovering stereo vision by squashing virtual bugs in a virtual reality
      environment.
AB  - Stereopsis is the rich impression of three-dimensionality, based on binocular
      disparity-the differences between the two retinal images of the same world.
      However, a substantial proportion of the population is stereo-deficient, and
      relies mostly on monocular cues to judge the relative depth or distance of
      objects in the environment. Here we trained adults who were stereo blind or
      stereo-deficient owing to strabismus and/or amblyopia in a natural visuomotor
      task-a 'bug squashing' game-in a virtual reality environment. The subjects' task
      was to squash a virtual dichoptic bug on a slanted surface, by hitting it with a
      physical cylinder they held in their hand. The perceived surface slant was
      determined by monocular texture and stereoscopic cues, with these cues being
      either consistent or in conflict, allowing us to track the relative weighting of
      monocular versus stereoscopic cues as training in the task progressed. Following
      training most participants showed greater reliance on stereoscopic cues, reduced
      suppression and improved stereoacuity. Importantly, the training-induced changes
      in relative stereo weights were significant predictors of the improvements in
      stereoacuity. We conclude that some adults deprived of normal binocular vision
      and insensitive to the disparity information can, with appropriate experience,
      recover access to more reliable stereoscopic information.This article is part of
      the themed issue 'Vision in our three-dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269608
TI  - A moving observer in a three-dimensional world.
AB  - For many tasks such as retrieving a previously viewed object, an observer must
      form a representation of the world at one location and use it at another. A world
      based three-dimensional reconstruction of the scene built up from visual
      information would fulfil this requirement, something computer vision now achieves
      with great speed and accuracy. However, I argue that it is neither easy nor
      necessary for the brain to do this. I discuss biologically plausible
      alternatives, including the possibility of avoiding three-dimensional coordinate
      frames such as ego-centric and world-based representations. For example, the
      distance, slant and local shape of surfaces dictate the propensity of visual
      features to move in the image with respect to one another as the observer's
      perspective changes (through movement or binocular viewing). Such propensities
      can be stored without the need for three-dimensional reference frames. The
      problem of representing a stable scene in the face of continual head and eye
      movements is an appropriate starting place for understanding the goal of three
      dimensional vision, more so, I argue, than the case of a static binocular
      observer.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in our three
      dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269609
TI  - Effects of generalized pooling on binocular disparity selectivity of neurons in
      the early visual cortex.
AB  - The key problem of stereoscopic vision is traditionally defined as accurately
      finding the positional shifts of corresponding object features between left and
      right images. Here, we demonstrate that the problem must be considered in a four
      dimensional parameter space; with respect not only to shifts in space (X, Y), but
      also spatial frequency (SF) and orientation (OR). The proposed model sums outputs
      of binocular energy units linearly over the multi-dimensional V1 parameter space
      (X, Y, SF, OR). Theoretical analyses and physiological experiments show that many
      binocular neurons achieve sharp binocular tuning properties by pooling the output
      of multiple neurons with relatively broad tuning. Pooling in the space domain
      sharpens disparity-selective responses in the SF domain so that the responses to
      combinations of unmatched left-right SFs are attenuated. Conversely, pooling in
      the SF domain sharpens disparity selectivity in the space domain, reducing the
      possibility of false matches. Analogous effects are observed for the OR domain in
      that the spatial pooling sharpens the binocular tuning in the OR domain. Such
      neurons become selective to relative OR disparity. Therefore, pooling allows the
      visual system to refine binocular information into a form more desirable for
      stereopsis.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in our three
      dimensional world'.

PMID- 27269610
TI  - T Lymphocyte Activation Markers as Predictors of Responsiveness to Rituximab
      among Patients with FSGS.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rituximab is used with variable success in difficult
      FSGS. Because B cell depletion significantly affects T cell function, we
      characterized T cell subsets in patients with FSGS to determine if an immunologic
      signature predictive of favorable response to rituximab could be identified.
      DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Twenty-two consecutive patients
      with FSGS (median age =14.4 years old; range =6.2-25.0 years old) and age of
      onset of nephrotic syndrome 1-18 years old receiving rituximab for clinical
      indications between October of 2009 and February of 2014 were studied.
      Indications for rituximab were lack of sustained remission despite calcineurin
      inhibitors (CNIs) and mycophenolate in steroid-resistant patients and lack of
      steroid-sparing effect with cyclophosphamide and CNI or CNI toxicity in steroid
      dependent patients. Exclusion criteria were infantile onset, known genetic
      mutations, and secondary causes. Rituximab (375 mg/m(2)) was given fortnightly up
      to a maximum of four doses. Immunologic subset monitoring was performed at
      baseline and regular intervals until relapse. Median follow-up duration
      postrituximab was 26.7 months (range =6.5-66.5 months). Baseline immunologic
      subsets were examined for association with rituximab response defined as
      resolution of proteinuria with discontinuation of prednisolone and CNI 3 months
      postrituximab. RESULTS: Twelve patients (54.5%) responded to rituximab. Mitogen
      stimulated CD154(+)CD4(+)CD3(+) subset before rituximab was significantly lower
      in FSGS responders compared with nonresponders (54.9%+/-28.1% versus 78.9%+/
      16.4%; P=0.03). IFN-gamma(+)CD3(+) and IL-2(+)CD3(+) were similarly decreased in
      responders compared with nonresponders (0.6%+/-0.8% versus 7.5%+/-6.1%; P=0.003
      and 0.2%+/-0.5% versus 4.0%+/-4.7%; P<0.01, respectively). Recovery of all three
      activation subsets occurred 6 months postrituximab treatment
      (CD154(+)CD4(+)CD3(+), 74.8%+/-17.2%; IFN-gamma(+)CD3(+), 7.1%+/-7.7%; and IL
      2(+)CD3(+), 7.9%+/-10.9%; P<0.01). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis
      using optimal cutoff values showed that activated CD154(+)CD4(+)CD3(+) <83.3%
      (area under the curve [AUC], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.61 to
      1.00), IFN-gamma(+)CD3(+)<2.5% (AUC, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.00), and IL
      2(+)CD3(+)<0.3% (AUC, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.98) were good predictors of
      rituximab response. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified prognostic markers that
      define a subset of patients with FSGS bearing an immunologic signature
      representing hyporesponsiveness to T cell stimulation and therefore, who respond
      better to rituximab.

PMID- 27269611
TI  - Geovariation in Fracture Risk among Patients Receiving Hemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fractures are a major source of morbidity and
      mortality in patients receiving dialysis. We sought to determine whether rates of
      fractures and tendon ruptures vary geographically. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS,
      & MEASUREMENTS: Data from the US Renal Data System were used to create four
      yearly cohorts, 2007-2010, including all eligible prevalent patients on
      hemodialysis in the United States on January 1 of each year. A secondary analysis
      comprising patients in a large dialysis organization conducted over the same
      period permitted inclusion of patient-level markers of mineral metabolism.
      Patients were grouped into 10 regions designated by the Centers for Medicare and
      Medicaid Services and divided by latitude into one of three bands: south, <35
      degrees ; middle, 35 degrees  to <40 degrees ; and north, >=40 degrees . Poisson
      regression was used to calculate unadjusted and adjusted region-level rate ratios
      for events. RESULTS: Overall, 327,615 patients on hemodialysis were included.
      Mean (SD) age was 61.8 (15.0) years old, 52.7% were white, and 55.0% were men.
      During 716,962 person-years of follow-up, 44,014 fractures and tendon ruptures
      occurred, the latter being only 0.3% of overall events. Event rates ranged from
      5.36 to 7.83 per 100 person-years, a 1.5-fold rate difference across regions.
      Unadjusted region-level rate ratios varied from 0.83 (95% confidence interval,
      0.81 to 0.85) to 1.20 (95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 1.23), a 1.45-fold rate
      difference. After adjustment for a wide range of case mix variables, a 1.33-fold
      variation in rates remained. Rates were higher in north and middle bands than the
      south (north rate ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.13 to 1.23; middle rate
      ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.10 to 1.17). Latitude explained 11% of
      variation, independent of region. A complementary analysis of 87,013 patients
      from a large dialysis organization further adjusted for circulating mineral
      metabolic parameters and protein energy wasting yielded similar results.
      CONCLUSIONS: Rates of fractures vary geographically in the United States dialysis
      population, even after adjustment for known patient characteristics. Latitude
      seems to contribute to this phenomenon, but additional analyses exploring whether
      other factors might influence variation are warranted.

PMID- 27269613
TI  - Assessment of the quality of cervical mucus among users of the levonorgestrel
      releasing intrauterine system at different times of use.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The quality of cervical mucus (CM) among the
      levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users is controversial.
      The objectives were to assess CM compared to the levels of oestradiol (E2) and
      the frequency of cycles with luteal activity among users of the LNG-IUS.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 224 LNG-IUS users for between two months and
      five years were recruited at a Brazilian family planning clinic. For the cross
      sectional part of the study, we enrolled 175 LNG-IUS users at 2, 6 12, 24, 36,
      48, and 60 months after insertion (25 women in each group), and we performed one
      evaluation. For the prospective part of the study, we enrolled 49 LNG-IUS users
      at the same lengths of use after insertion (7 women in each group), and we
      evaluated these women once a week for five consecutive weeks. . RESULTS: Mean (+/
      SEM) CM scores of all evaluations among women with single and weekly evaluations
      were between 3.3 +/- 0.9 and 8.5 +/- 0.3, respectively independently of the
      length of use of the LNG-IUS. Mean E2 values ranged from 45.5 +/- 6.8 to 472.5 +/
      34.7 pg/ml and the maximum ovarian follicle diameter on the days of evaluation
      varied from 14.0 +/- 1.3 to 31.2 +/- 0.4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The mean CM score of
      all evaluations, independent of the length of use of the LNG-IUS and normal
      levels of serum E2, was below 10 was according to the WHO is inadequate for sperm
      penetration.

PMID- 27269614
TI  - The spatio-temporal partitioning of sperm by males of the prospermatogenic
      parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis is in line with its gregarious lifestyle.
AB  - Male fitness depends on the number of lifetime progeny of their mates and could
      be constrained by the chance of finding a mate, lifespan and temporal patterns of
      sperm production and allocation. Here, we used the parasitic wasp Nasonia
      vitripennis with a two-week lifespan and a gregarious lifestyle, to analyze how
      the reproductive system is organized to allocate spermatozoa over consecutive
      matings. Results show that spermatogenesis is synchronized and completed one day
      before emergence so that males emerge with a full sperm complement. We also found
      a regulation of spermatozoa transfer between testis and seminal vesicles that
      allows males to partition small ejaculates over multiple matings. Overall, this
      study shows that for N. vitripennis, male fertilization potential is determined
      (1) at the pupal stage, when spermatogenesis takes place to generate a complete
      life-long stock, (2) on emergence, when transport of spermatozoa from testes to
      seminal vesicles is initiated and (3) in adulthood, during which spermatozoa are
      partitioned over successive copulations. Such life history-traits are consistent
      with the gregarious lifestyle of N. vitripennis.

PMID- 27269612
TI  - Achieving Procedural Competence during Nephrology Fellowship Training: Current
      Requirements and Educational Research.
AB  - Concerns have previously been raised as to whether training programs are ensuring
      that nephrology fellows achieve competence in the procedural skills required for
      independent practice. We sought to review the current requirements for procedural
      training as well as educational research pertaining to achieving competence in
      the core nephrology procedures of nontunneled (temporary) hemodialysis catheter
      insertion and percutaneous kidney biopsy. At this time, there is no universal
      approach to procedural training and assessment during nephrology fellowship.
      Nonetheless, simulation-based mastery learning programs have been shown to be
      effective in improving fellows' skills in nontunneled (temporary) hemodialysis
      catheter insertion and should be provided by all nephrology training programs.
      For percutaneous kidney biopsy, the development and evaluation of inexpensive
      simulators are a promising starting point for future study. Current practice with
      respect to procedural training during nephrology fellowship remains imperfect;
      however, the ongoing shift toward competency-based evaluation provides
      opportunities to refocus on improvement.

PMID- 27269631
TI  - Biofabrication of 3D Alginate-Based Hydrogel for Cancer Research: Comparison of
      Cell Spreading, Viability, and Adhesion Characteristics of Colorectal HCT116
      Tumor Cells.
AB  - Hydrogels are an important class of biomaterials as they could mimic the
      extracellular matrix (ECM). Among the naturally occurring biopolymers, alginate
      and gelatin are extensively used for many biomedical applications. For developing
      biofabrication constructs as three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models,
      realistic imaging of cell spreading and proliferation inside the hydrogels
      represents a major challenge. Therefore, we aimed to establish a system that can
      mimic the structural architecture, composition, and biological functions of the
      ECM for cancer research approaches. For this, we compared the cell behavior of
      human colon cancer HCT116 cells in two biofabricated hydrogels as follows: pure
      alginate and cross-linked alginate-gelatin (ADA-GEL) matrixes. Our data indicate
      that cells from the ADA-GEL matrix showed highest proliferation and cellular
      networks through the material. Analyzing the mRNA expression of several integrins
      of cells cultured inside of the matrix, we showed that mRNA expression of
      integrin subunits differed based on the cell focal adhesion characteristics.
      Furthermore, we showed that recultured ADA-GEL immobilized cells do not differ
      from parental HCT116 cells regarding migration and proliferation capabilities.
      Comparing adhesion and other phenotypic characteristics of HCT116 tumor cells, we
      suggest that ADA-GEL hydrogel is a more suitable 3D system than pure alginate and
      seems to optimally mimic the physiological behavior of the tumor
      microenvironment. For the first time, we present a functional 3D hydrogel
      construct for colon cancer cells, which are supporting their physiological cell
      attachment, spreading, and viability. We strongly believe that it will be
      applicable as a suitable in vitro 3D tumor model to study different aspects of
      tumor cell behavior.

PMID- 27269632
TI  - The Sandwich Generation Diner: Development of a Web-Based Health Intervention for
      Intergenerational Caregivers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women are disproportionately likely to assist aging family members;
      approximately 53 million in the United States are involved with the health care
      of aging parents, in-laws, or other relatives. The busy schedules of "sandwich
      generation" women who care for older relatives require accessible and flexible
      health education, including Web-based approaches. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes
      the development and implementation of a Web-based health education intervention,
      The Sandwich Generation Diner, as a tool for intergenerational caregivers of
      older adults with physical and cognitive impairments. METHODS: We used
      Bartholomew's Intervention Mapping (IM) process to develop our theory-based
      health education program. Bandura's (1997) self-efficacy theory provided the
      overarching theoretical model. RESULTS: The Sandwich Generation Diner website
      features four modules that address specific health care concerns. Our research
      involves randomly assigning caregiver participants to one of two experimental
      conditions that are identical in the type of information provided, but vary
      significantly in the presentation. In addition to structured Web-based
      assessments, specific website usage data are recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The Sandwich
      Generation Diner was developed to address some of the informational and self
      efficacy needs of intergenerational female caregivers. The next step is to
      demonstrate that this intervention is: (1) attractive and effective with families
      assisting older adults, and (2) feasible to embed within routine home health
      services for older adults.

PMID- 27269633
TI  - The Cumbria Rural Health Forum: initiating change and moving forward with
      technology.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Cumbria Rural Health Forum was formed by a number of public,
      private and voluntary sector organisations to collaboratively work on rural
      health and social care in the county of Cumbria, England. The aim of the forum is
      to improve health and social care delivery for rural communities, and share
      practical ideas and evidence-based best practice that can be implemented in
      Cumbria. The forum currently consists of approximately 50 organisations
      interested in and responsible for delivery of health and social care in Cumbria.
      An exploration of digital technologies for health and care was recognised as an
      initial priority. This article describes a hands-on approach undertaken within
      the forum, including its current progress and development. METHODS: The forum
      used a modified Delphi technique to facilitate its work on discussing ideas and
      reaching consensus to formulate the Cumbria Strategy for Digital Technologies in
      Health and Social Care. The group communication process took place over meetings
      and workshops held at various locations in the county. RESULTS: A roadmap for the
      implementation of digital technologies into health and social care was developed.
      The roadmap recommends the following: (i) to improve the health outcomes for
      targeted groups, within a unit, department or care pathway; (ii) to explain,
      clarify, share good (and bad) practice, assess impact and value through
      information sharing through conferences and events, influencing and advocacy for
      Cumbria; and (iii) to develop a digital-health-ready workforce where health and
      social care professionals can be supported to use digital technologies, and
      enhance recruitment and retention of staff. CONCLUSIONS: The forum experienced
      issues consistent with those in other Delphi studies, such as the repetition of
      ideas. Attendance was variable due to the unavailability of key people at times.
      Although the forum facilitated collective effort to address rural health issues,
      its power is limited to influencing and supporting implementation of change.
      Within the implementation phase, the forum has engaged in advising and
      facilitating policy change at all levels. Thus, the forum has become a voice to
      influence change towards the advancement of health and social care through
      digital technologies. The forum continues to serve as a think tank and influencer
      for change in rural health and social care issues in Cumbria. The forum has
      increased awareness of digital health and social care solutions, mapped best
      practice and developed a digital strategy for health and social care in Cumbria.

PMID- 27269635
TI  - Analyzing the Evolution of Membrane Fouling via a Novel Method Based on 3D
      Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging.
AB  - The development of novel tools for studying the fouling behavior during membrane
      processes is critical. This work explored optical coherence tomography (OCT) to
      quantitatively interpret the formation of a cake layer during a membrane process;
      the quantitative analysis was based on a novel image processing method that was
      able to precisely resolve the 3D structure of the cake layer on a micrometer
      scale. Fouling experiments were carried out with foulants having different
      physicochemical characteristics (silica nanoparticles and bentonite particles).
      The cake layers formed at a series of times were digitalized using the OCT-based
      characterization. The specific deposit (cake volume/membrane surface area) and
      surface coverage were evaluated as a function of time, which for the first time
      provided direct experimental evidence for the transition of various fouling
      mechanisms. Axial stripes were observed in the grayscale plots showing the
      deposit distribution in the scanned area; this interesting observation was in
      agreement with the instability analysis that correlated the polarized particle
      groups with the small disturbances in the boundary layer. This work confirms that
      the OCT-based characterization is able to provide deep insights into membrane
      fouling processes and offers a powerful tool for exploring membrane processes
      with enhanced performance.

PMID- 27269634
TI  - Simulated Microgravity Disrupts Cytoskeleton Organization and Increases Apoptosis
      of Rat Neural Crest Stem Cells Via Upregulating CXCR4 Expression and RhoA-ROCK1
      p38 MAPK-p53 Signaling.
AB  - Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) are a population of multipotent stem cells that
      are distributed broadly in many tissues and organs and are capable of
      differentiating into a variety of cell types that are dispersed throughout three
      germ layers. We are interested in studying the effects of simulated microgravity
      on the survival and self-renewal of NCSCs. NCSCs extracted from the hair follicle
      bulge region of the rat whisker pad were cultured in vitro, respectively, in a 2D
      adherent environment and a 3D suspension environment using the rotatory cell
      culture system (RCCS) to simulate microgravity. We found that rat NCSCs (rNCSCs)
      cultured in the RCCS for 24 h showed disrupted organization of filamentous actin,
      increased globular actin level, formation of plasma membrane blebbing and neurite
      like artifact, as well as decreased levels of cortactin and vimentin.
      Interestingly, ~70% of RCCS-cultured rNCSCs co-expressed cleaved (active) caspase
      3 and neuronal markers microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and Tuj1 instead
      of NCSC markers, suggesting stress-induced formation of neurite-like artifact in
      rNCSCs. In addition, rNCSCs showed increased C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)
      expression, RhoA GTPase activation, Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1) and p38
      mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, and p53 expression in
      the nucleus. Incubation of rNCSCs with the Galpha protein inhibitor pertussis
      toxin or CXCR4 siRNA during RCCS-culturing prevented cytoskeleton disorganization
      and plasma membrane blebbing, and it suppressed apoptosis of rNCSCs. Taken
      together, we demonstrate for the first time that simulated microgravity disrupts
      cytoskeleton organization and increases apoptosis of rNCSCs via upregulating
      CXCR4 expression and the RhoA-ROCK1-p38 MAPK-p53 signaling pathway.

PMID- 27269636
TI  - Efflux transporter variants as predictors of drug toxicity in lung cancer
      patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Chemotherapeutic drugs are underutilized in lung cancer management due in part to
      serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs). AIM: With studies revealing an association
      between interindividual patient ADR variation and efflux transporter variants, we
      carried out a meta-analysis and systemic review, in order to highlight current
      knowledge regarding the strength of association between efflux transporter SNPs
      variants and chemotherapeutic-drug induced ADRs. MATERIALS & METHODS: Papers were
      sourced from MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINHL, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Scopus.
      The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool v13 was used to evaluate six types
      of bias domains for each of the publications reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-five
      publications comprising three randomised control trials, two retrospective case
      controls and 20 clinical observation studies, totalling 3578 patients, were
      deemed eligible for review. Of the known efflux drug transporters, we report
      findings on the ABC members ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2, ABCG2, ABCA1, ABCC4 and ABCC5.
      Meta-analysis showed an decreased risk of irinotecan-induced neutropenia in
      patients expressing ABCB1 2677G>T/G (odds ratio [OR]: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.1-0.59; p =
      0.002) but increased risk for ABCC2 3972T>T (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.01-2.74; p =
      0.04). ABCG2 34G>A was associated with a threefold increased risk of irinotecan
      induced diarrhea (95% CI: 1.00-6.24; p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The majority of
      studies have identified a role for variants in effluxdrug transporters in
      contributing to lung cancer treatment-associated ADRs. However, for
      implementation of use of these transporter genetic variants as prognostic markers
      for ADR risk, future studies must incorporate larger patient numbers.

PMID- 27269637
TI  - Of butterflies and wolves: enacting lupus transformations on the Internet.
AB  - This article explores how women with lupus use the Internet to construct
      discourses about illness and transformation. The textual and symbolic content of
      Internet websites and message boards offers unique perspectives on the
      relationship between embodied experience and textual construction, and
      demonstrates the ways in which women use their participation on the Internet to
      communicate about themselves. Using common search engines, an array of lupus
      websites were identified, including message boards and personal pages, and the
      textual and symbolic content was analysed for reoccurring themes. Three distinct
      types of transformational discourses were identified: adjustment narratives;
      expert narratives; and transformations of personhood. These transformations are
      achieved and given renewed value through online participation. The article
      suggests that online communication provides a unique opportunity to understand
      embodiment but also that transformational discourses may ultimately be limiting. 

PMID- 27269638
TI  - The concept of 'mental trauma' and its transcultural application.
AB  - Impaired 'traumatic' memory of disaster-affected populations has come to the
      forefront of humanitarian work. In this article, the application of the notion of
      'mental trauma' by psychosocial intervention programmes, relating to the tsunami
      disaster, will be critically examined. It will be shown in which type of
      theoretical structure the guidelines' notion of 'mental trauma' is rooted,
      presenting 'traumatic' experience as a division of the self, which is defined
      through agency and coherence. It will be argued that this entails a certain
      subjectivity of representation, which may not have transcultural validity. It is
      concluded that rehabilitation and development programmes after disasters have to
      integrate and address multiple levels, including community-level interventions,
      drawing on local coping strategies and resources. 

PMID- 27269639
TI  - Eloquent bodies: conflict and ritual in northern Sri Lanka.
AB  - It is increasingly apparent that hostilities continue in the aftermath of war and
      conflict, where presuppositions of peace and safety are rarely reflected on the
      ground. In Sri Lanka, the 2002 ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan
      government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has recently
      collapsed. This collapse developed slowly over a period of several years,
      beginning with cautious optimism before descending into deep pessimism with
      increasingly high levels of violence brought about by the absence of any real
      progress. Efforts to rebuild and reintegrate both rural and urban communities in
      the north of the country have had to take place within an atmosphere of silence,
      suspicion and a marked escalation towards the renewed outbreak of war. This
      article, following sixteen months of fieldwork in the northern Jaffna peninsula,
      examines how Tamil youths - many of whom were imprisoned and tortured during the
      war - have transformed a well-known ritual that has seen a dramatic increase
      since occupation of the far north by government troops in 1996. The ritual,
      previously an act of devotion to a popular Tamil god, Murugan, has transformed
      into a demonstration of strength and youthful challenge. This article examines
      how toleration of ritual pain can be contrasted with the pain and suffering of
      war, and articulated not only for the self, but also for the entire community. 

PMID- 27269640
TI  - Structural violence and emotional health: a message from Easington, a former
      mining community in northern England.
AB  - This discussion paper, written by a UK general practitioner and graduate student
      of anthropology, explores the uncomfortable relationship between
      institutionalised inequalities of wealth and opportunities, and emotional health,
      in a disadvantaged community in the north-east of England. The author begins by
      locating the thesis in the corpus of anthropological literature which
      acknowledges human suffering and refuses to adopt a position of cultural
      relativism. The complex and elusive phenomenon of structural violence is
      unpacked, followed by a description of the setting and the author's methodology.
      Clinical observations are presented as contextualised narratives located around
      three themes: alcohol misuse; gendered violence; and inter-generational violence.
      The vignettes portray how the consequences of institutionalised inequalities are
      manifest in the embodied and emotional lives of many who live in economically
      marginalised communities. The author concludes with a discussion of the dilemma
      at the heart of a morally engaged practitioner's clinical practice as one who
      eschews the dominant ideology of individual responsibility for health and
      recognises that agency is compromised by structural violence. 

PMID- 27269641
TI  - Problems in the Latina paradox: measuring social support for pregnant immigrant
      women from Mexico.
AB  - Women who have immigrated to the United States from Mexico have better than
      expected birth outcomes. Part of this apparent health 'paradox' has been
      explained by high levels of social support which are thought to offset known risk
      factors for low birth weight. Yet common measures of social support during
      pregnancy suffer from presumptions of cultural homogeneity and a-priori
      definitions of meaningful social support. Analysis of qualitative data from
      ethnographic research with 28 low-income immigrant women from Mexico living in
      south Texas demonstrates that preferences for certain kinds of social support
      vary considerably, based on how each woman makes meaning of being pregnant. This
      diversity is one more piece of evidence that minority cultures cannot be
      essentialised in health disparities research. By not measuring the diversity of
      desire for different kinds of support, existing correlations between social
      support and birth outcomes may obscure other important psychosocial mediators,
      such as pregnancy-related social status, that could impact birth outcomes.
      Moreover, a measure of pregnancy-related status may offer a more thorough
      explanation of the 'protective effect' that could be explored independent of
      immigrant status. 

PMID- 27269642
TI  - The anti-politics of health reform: household power relations and child health in
      rural Senegal.
AB  - This article employs ethnographic evidence from rural Senegal to explore two
      dimensions of health sector reform. First, it makes the case that health reforms
      intersect with and exacerbate existing social, political, and economic
      inequalities. Current equity analysis draws attention to the ways that liberal
      and utilitarian frameworks for health reform fail to achieve distributive
      justice. The author's data suggest that horizontal power relations within
      households and small communities are equally important for understanding health
      disparities and the effects of health reform. Second, the article explores how
      liberal discourses of health reform, particularly calls for 'state-citizen
      partnerships' and 'responsiblization', promote depoliticised understandings of
      health. Discourses associated with health reform paradoxically highlight
      individual responsibility for health while masking the ways that individual
      health practice is constrained by structural inequalities. 

PMID- 27269643
TI  - Local perceptions of dengue fever in northeast Thailand and their implications
      for adherence to prevention campaigns.
AB  - The government of Thailand has invested heavily in community-based dengue fever
      prevention campaigns, yet community participation has been inadequate to prevent
      transmission. This ethnographic study explored local understandings of dengue in
      rural northeast Thailand, and their implications for adherence to government
      initiated prevention measures centred around mosquito control. While community
      members recognised the most severe manifestation of the disease - dengue
      haemorrhagic fever (DHF) - as life threatening, they were unaware of the
      existence of the milder form of dengue fever (DF) that makes up the majority of
      cases. Consequently, milder fevers were believed to be something other than
      dengue, such that dengue was perceived as a rare illness, hindering participation
      in prevention. Furthermore, a local illness category, khai mak mai ('fruit
      fever') complicated the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dengue fever, as
      people viewed it as both difficult to distinguish from dengue, and untreatable by
      biomedicine. 

PMID- 27269644
TI  - Mapping the body: tracing the personal and the political dimensions of HIV/AIDS
      in Khayelitsha, South Africa.
AB  - This article offers an analysis of the body-mapping dimension of the 'treatment
      literacy' initiatives of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), an HIV/AIDS-focused
      social movement in South Africa. It situates body mapping within the politics of
      HIV/AIDS activism in South Africa. The alliance between activists and biomedical
      practitioners is explored and the emphasis on the 'science of HIV' in TAC
      treatment literacy considered alongside the foregrounding of social realities,
      such as poverty and inequality. The article argues that the education activities
      of the TAC illustrate 'context-sensitive' science, rather than following a linear
      model of 'public understanding of science'. The personal accounts published
      alongside the first body maps are explored to illustrate an evident re
      socialisation of biological organs and an emphasis on the relationality of
      bodies. The bounded bodies and the activist emphasis on body politics become ways
      to counteract fears of the virulence of the illness. 

PMID- 27269646
TI  - Does small for gestational age worsen outcomes in gestational diabetics?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine whether pregnancy outcomes are worse in
      gestational diabetics with small for gestational age (SGA) than those without.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 114 199 pregnancies with
      gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in California, 6446 of which were complicated
      by SGA. SGA was defined as birth weight  < 10th percentile. Predictors included
      the presence or absence of SGA. Outcomes included respiratory distress syndrome
      (RDS), neonatal demise (NND), intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), hypoglycemia and
      jaundice. The data were also stratified by gestational age looking at 32 + 0-36 +
      6 weeks and 37 + 0-41 + 6 weeks. Univariate and multivariate analyses were
      performed. RESULTS: In the term 37 + 0 to 41 + 6 week GDM cohort the risk of RDS
      increased from 0.4% to 1.3%, the risk of neonatal demise from 0.02% to 0.09%, the
      risk of IUFD from 0.1% to 0.4%, the risk of hypoglycemia from 0.4% to 1.0% and
      the risk of jaundice from 18.0% to 23.3% (p < 0.001 for all). Similar
      relationships were seen in the 32 + 0 to 36 + 6 week group. The findings remained
      significant in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of SGA in a
      patient with gestational diabetes is associated with significantly increased
      risks of adverse outcomes compared to gestational diabetics without SGA including
      increased risks of RDS, neonatal demise, IUFD, hypoglycemia and jaundice.

PMID- 27269645
TI  - Applications and limitations of radiomics.
AB  - Radiomics is an emerging field in quantitative imaging that uses advanced imaging
      features to objectively and quantitatively describe tumour phenotypes. Radiomic
      features have recently drawn considerable interest due to its potential
      predictive power for treatment outcomes and cancer genetics, which may have
      important applications in personalized medicine. In this technical review, we
      describe applications and challenges of the radiomic field. We will review
      radiomic application areas and technical issues, as well as proper practices for
      the designs of radiomic studies.

PMID- 27269647
TI  - Recent progress for the selective pharmaceutical analyses using molecularly
      imprinted adsorbents and their related techniques: A review.
AB  - A well-organized molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) provides the amazing
      selective molecular recognition ability, which have been close to natural enzymes
      and antibodies. One of the most efficient applications of MIPs is a selective
      separation and detection of pharmaceutical compounds in biological and/or
      environmental samples. MIP-based solid phase extraction now capacitates the
      selective concentration of the targeting compound from real samples. Also, many
      of the attractive methodological approaches and applications regarding the
      analysis of pharmaceutical samples using molecular imprinting technologies (MITs)
      have been reported in recent years. In this review, we summarize a part of the
      recent these works related to a new preparation concept of the adsorption
      adsorbents, sensitive sensor techniques, cell/bacteria separation, and drug
      delivery system. We believe that our concise summary will be of assistance to
      additional methodological MITs and highly selective separations/detections.

PMID- 27269648
TI  - Association of Rho-kinase Gene Polymorphisms with Respiratory Distress Syndrome
      in Preterm Neonates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn is one of the most
      common causes of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Our objective was to
      determine the association between Rho-kinase (ROCK1 and ROCK2) gene polymorphisms
      and RDS in preterm neonates. METHODS: A total of 193 preterm infants with RDS and
      186 preterm infants without respiratory problems were included in this study.
      Polymorphisms were analyzed in genomic DNA using a BioMark 96.96 dynamic array
      system. RESULTS: We observed that ROCK1 gene rs2271255 (Lys222Glu) and rs35996865
      polymorphisms, and ROCK2 gene rs726843, rs2290156, rs10178332, and rs35768389
      (Asp601Val) polymorphisms were associated with RDS. However, no associations were
      found with rs73963110, rs1515219, rs965665, rs2230774 (Thr431Asn), rs6755196, and
      rs10929732 polymorphisms. Additionally, 12 haplotypes (6 in ROCK1 and 6 in ROCK2)
      were found to be markedly associated with RDS. CONCLUSION: This is the first
      study to examine the involvement of ROCK gene variation in the risk of incident
      RDS. The results strongly suggest that ROCK gene polymorphisms may modify
      individual susceptibility to RDS in the Turkish population.

PMID- 27269649
TI  - The changing face of septic arthritis complicating rheumatoid arthritis in the
      era of biotherapies. Retrospective single-center study over 35years.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To see whether the frequency and features of septic arthritis (SA)
      complicating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have changed over the last 35years.
      METHODS: This retrospective single-center study included all patients
      hospitalized at the rheumatology department for SA bacteriologically documented
      by synovial fluid and/or blood culture samples. The periods 1979-2002 (before
      biotherapies) and 2003-2013 (the era of biotherapies) were compared. RESULTS:
      Between 1979 and 2013, 64/514 (12.5%) SA presented with a RA - 21/157 (13.4%) in
      the 2003-2013 period and 43/357 (12.0%) in the 1979-2002 period. Over the past
      decade, median age of RA SA patients increased (61 vs. 68 years; P<0.02) and
      predominant gender became males (52% vs. 40%). The features of the RA remained
      unchanged: history (18 vs. 16years), rheumatoid factor (95% vs. 87%), and
      corticosteroids (91% vs. 81%). Over the last decade 24% (vs. 0; P<0.003) of the
      patients received a biologic DMARD: etanercept (n=2), adalimumab (n=1), rituximab
      (n=1), tocilizumab (n=1). Proportion of polyarticular infection had decreased
      strongly (9.5% vs. 37%; P<0.02). Proportion of Staphyloccus aureus infections
      remained stable, but there was a higher incidence of MRSA infections (31 vs. 6%;
      P<0.05). Blood cultures less often tested positive (29% vs. 47%; NS). Case
      fatality rate had fallen slightly in RA SA (5% vs. 9%; NS), but not in non-RA SA
      cases (7% vs. 6%; NS). CONCLUSION: This study brings reassuring findings - in the
      era of biotherapies, the rate of septic arthritis amongst patients with RA has
      not increased, and the most severe septic polyarticular forms are on the decline.

PMID- 27269650
TI  - Comparison of the Big Five personality traits in fibromyalgia and other rheumatic
      diseases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The personality of patients with fibromyalgia is still under
      debate. Some studies found high neuroticism associated with low extraversion,
      while others found that these traits do not differ from the normal population.
      Personality factors intervene in the emotional regulation and modulation of pain.
      The aim of the study was to determine the personality traits of patients with
      fibromyalgia compared to other rheumatic diseases. METHODS: In a multicentric
      study, women with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis or
      Sjogren's syndrome were asked to complete the Big Five Inventory, which
      encompasses five main personality dimensions, namely (1) extraversion vs.
      introversion, (2) agreeableness vs. antagonism, (3) conscientiousness vs.
      impulsivity, (4) neuroticism vs. emotional stability, and (5) openness vs. closed
      mindedness. Variance analysis (Student's t-test and ANOVA with post-hoc
      comparisons or Bonferroni correction) was performed. We also conducted
      hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analyses. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
      Participants were 163 women with fibromyalgia (n=48), rheumatoid arthritis
      (n=46), spondyloarthritis (n=46) and Sjogren's syndrome (n=23). The mean age was
      47.18years (+/-10.81years, range 21 to 65). Patients with fibromyalgia had higher
      scores on agreeableness (F(3, 159)=3.39, P<0.05), neuroticism (F(3, 159)=3.79,
      P<0.05) and openness (F(3, 159)=4.32, P<0.01) than those with other rheumatic
      diseases. This study highlights the specificity of personality in fibromyalgia.
      It also underlines the protective role of personality traits: in the fibromyalgia
      group, high neuroticism and low conscientiousness (high impulsivity) were
      associated with a high level of chronic pain.

PMID- 27269651
TI  - Early treatment of reactive arthritis with etanercept and 2 years follow-up.

PMID- 27269652
TI  - A unilateral erosive arthritis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PMID- 27269653
TI  - Varicella-Zoster virus hip arthritis in a rheumatoid arthritis patient.

PMID- 27269654
TI  - Use of FRAX((r)) in men.

PMID- 27269655
TI  - Raynaud's phenomenon of the tongue.

PMID- 27269656
TI  - "Puffy hand syndrome".
AB  - Intravenous drug addiction is responsible for many complications, especially
      cutaneous and infectious. There is a syndrome, rarely observed in rheumatology,
      resulting in "puffy hands": the puffy hand syndrome. We report two cases of this
      condition from our rheumatologic consultation. Our two patients had intravenous
      drug addiction. They presented with an edema of the hands, bilateral, painless,
      no pitting, occurring in one of our patient during heroin intoxication, and in
      the other 2 years after stopping injections. In our two patients, additional
      investigations (biological, radiological, ultrasound) were unremarkable, which
      helped us, in the context, to put the diagnosis of puffy hand syndrome. The
      pathophysiology, still unclear, is based in part on a lymphatic toxicity of drugs
      and their excipients. There is no etiological treatment but elastic compression
      by night has improved edema of the hands in one of our patients.

PMID- 27269657
TI  - Meeting the mental health needs of people with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative
      study of patients and professionals.
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore perspectives and experiences of people with multiple
      sclerosis (MS) and health care professionals of mental health support for MS in
      the UK. METHOD: 24 people with MS, 13 practice nurses, 12 general practitioners
      (GPs) and 9 MS specialist nurses were recruited through community groups and
      primary care practices across North West England. Semi-structured interviews were
      conducted, and data analyzed thematically using constant comparative analysis
      within and across the data sets. The theoretical framework of candidacy was used
      to interrogate data. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: candidates for care,
      management choices, defining roles, and permeability and responsiveness.
      DISCUSSION: Candidacy for care, and symptom management, depended on the framing
      of symptoms through a social or medical model of depression. Normalizing symptoms
      could prevent help-seeking by patients. Reported referral behavior varied by
      professional group, based on perceived remit, competency and training needs. GPs
      were perceived by patients and other professionals as central for management of
      mental health needs in MS, but may not perceive this role themselves, suggesting
      a need for increased knowledge, training, and improved access to specialist care.
      Implications for Rehabilitation Anxiety and depression are common in people with
      MS. Management of mental health needs in people with MS relies on complex
      decisions made by both people with MS and health care professionals. General
      practitioners may play a key role in the ongoing management of mental health
      needs of people with MS.

PMID- 27269658
TI  - Towards Leanness by 'Feeding' a Novel Thermogenic Pathway?
AB  - Upon activation, brown and beige adipocytes help to fight excessive fat in
      rodents, and their oxidative properties can be induced by cooling, capsinoids,
      and fish oil. New research now suggests that synergistic anti-obesity effects can
      be achieved by combining such strategies, and that a novel pathway mediates part
      of the effect.

PMID- 27269659
TI  - Newcastle disease virus infection induces activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
AB  - Inflammatory responses are important aspects of the innate immune system during
      virus infection. We found that Newcastle disease virus can induce inflammasome
      activation in the human macrophage-like cell line THP-1. Viral replication was
      required for inflammasome activation, and small hairpin RNA knockdown experiments
      indicated that IL-1beta secretion was mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome. We also
      verified the results in LPS-primed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from
      NLRP3-deficient and wild type mice. NDV is considered to be a promising oncolytic
      virus. Stimulating the immune system has been proposed as a key mechanism of
      oncolytic specificity, and the inflammasome appears to be an important mechanism
      by which NDV is controlled. Knockdown of inflammasome components or chemical
      inhibition of caspase-1 activity shows that cell survival was augmented and
      benefited NDV replication. This study shows that NLRP3 inflammasome activation is
      an innate cellular response to NDV infection and offers insights into the
      oncolytic specificity of NDV.

PMID- 27269660
TI  - OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AND OFFICE-BASED SURGERY.

PMID- 27269661
TI  - Clinical Comparison: Fast-Acting and Traditional Topical Dental Anesthetic.
AB  - A randomized, nonblinded clinical trial compared the effectiveness of an
      application method of a fast-acting refrigerant topical agent to a 20% benzocaine
      gel topical. In a split-mouth design, right and left anterior middle superior
      alveolar injections (N = 30) were administered with a 27-gauge needle at least 24
      hours apart with preinjection topicals. Using a cotton-tipped applicator, a
      refrigerant topical was applied for 5 seconds and 20% benzocaine gel for 2
      minutes on opposite sides at 2 separate appointments. Subjects self-reported pain
      perception after each injection using a visual analog scale (VAS). The mean VAS
      ratings demonstrated no significant difference between the 5-second application
      of the refrigerant (M = 16.2, SD = 17.7) and the 2-minute application of 20%
      benzocaine topical gel anesthetic (M = 17.9, SD = 18.2). Fifty-seven percent of
      the subjects reported greater pain reduction with the refrigerant, 33% reported
      greater pain reduction with 20% benzocaine, and 10% reported no difference.
      Results suggest the described method of application of a refrigerant as an oral
      topical anesthetic has a faster onset and provides similar benefit in pain
      reduction compared with 20% benzocaine gel. The refrigerant was easy to
      accomplish and well received by subjects, indicating potential for routine use in
      dentistry. 

PMID- 27269662
TI  - Rapid Deterioration of Basic Life Support Skills in Dentists With Basic Life
      Support Healthcare Provider.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between basic life
      support skills in dentists who had completed the American Heart Association's
      Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider qualification and time since course
      completion. Thirty-six dentists who had completed the 2005 BLS Healthcare
      Provider course participated in the study. We asked participants to perform 2
      cycles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a mannequin and evaluated basic life
      support skills. Dentists who had previously completed the BLS Healthcare Provider
      course displayed both prolonged reaction times, and the quality of their basic
      life support skills deteriorated rapidly. There were no correlations between
      basic life support skills and time since course completion. Our results suggest
      that basic life support skills deteriorate rapidly for dentists who have
      completed the BLS Healthcare Provider. Newer guidelines stressing chest
      compressions over ventilation may help improve performance over time, allowing
      better cardiopulmonary resuscitation in dental office emergencies. Moreover, it
      may be effective to provide a more specialized version of the life support course
      to train the dentists, stressing issues that may be more likely to occur in the
      dental office. 

PMID- 27269663
TI  - Female Patients Require a Higher Propofol Infusion Rate for Sedation.
AB  - Sedation may minimize physiologic and behavioral stress responses. In our
      facility, the infusion rate of propofol is adjusted according to the bispectral
      index (BIS) in all cases of implant-related surgery; multivariate analysis of
      retrospective data enabled us to extract independent factors that affect the dose
      of propofol in sedation that are considered useful indicators for achieving
      adequate sedation. The study population comprised all patients undergoing implant
      related surgery under intravenous sedation in Okayama University Hospital from
      April 2009 to March 2013. The infusion rate of propofol was adjusted to maintain
      the BIS value at 70-80. The outcome was the average infusion rate of propofol,
      and potential predictor variables were age, sex, body weight, treatment time, and
      amount of midazolam. Independent variables that affected the average infusion
      rate of propofol were extracted with multiple regression analysis. One hundred
      twenty-five subjects were enrolled. In the multiple regression analysis, female
      sex was shown to be significantly associated with a higher average infusion rate
      of propofol. Females may require a higher infusion rate of propofol than males to
      achieve adequate sedation while undergoing implant-related surgery. 

PMID- 27269664
TI  - Epinephrine Affects Pharmacokinetics of Ropivacaine Infiltrated Into Palate.
AB  - Pulpal anesthesia success rates for ropivacaine following maxillary infiltration
      anesthesia seem to be low. We investigated the hypothesis that the addition of
      epinephrine would affect the pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine by retaining
      ropivacaine in the mucosa of the injected area through the time-dependent
      distribution of ropivacaine in the rat maxilla and serum following maxillary
      infiltration anesthesia using (3)H-labeled ropivacaine. We then examined the
      vasoactivity of ropivacaine with or without epinephrine on local peripheral blood
      flow. The addition of epinephrine to ropivacaine increased ropivacaine
      concentrations in the palatal mucosa and adjacent maxilla by more than 3 times
      that of plain ropivacaine at 20 minutes. By observing the autoradiogram of (3)H
      ropivacaine, plain ropivacaine in the maxilla was remarkably reduced 20 minutes
      after injection. However, it was definitely retained in the palatal mucosa, hard
      palate, adjacent maxilla, and maxillary nerve after the administration with
      epinephrine. Ropivacaine with epinephrine significantly decreased labial blood
      flow. This study suggests that 10 MUg/mL epinephrine added to 0.5% ropivacaine
      could improve anesthetic efficacy and duration for maxillary infiltration
      anesthesia over plain ropivacaine. 

PMID- 27269665
TI  - Anesthetic Management of a Patient With Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.
AB  - Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTD) is a hereditary peripheral neuropathy and is
      characterized by progressive muscle atrophy and motor-sensory disorders in all 4
      limbs. Most reports have indicated that major challenges with general anesthetic
      administration in CMTD patients are the appropriate use of nondepolarizing muscle
      relaxants and preparation for malignant hyperthermia in neuromuscular disease.
      Moderate sedation may be associated with the same complications as those of
      general anesthesia, as well as dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system,
      reduced perioperative respiratory function, difficulty in positioning, and
      sensitivity to intravenous anesthetic agents. We decided to use intravenous
      sedation in a CMTD patient and administered midazolam initially and propofol
      continuously, with total doses of 1.5 mg and 300 mg, respectively. Anesthesia was
      completed in 3 hours and 30 minutes without adverse events. We suggest that
      dental anesthetic treatment with propofol and midazolam may be effective for
      patients with CMTD. 

PMID- 27269666
TI  - Variant Inferior Alveolar Nerves and Implications for Local Anesthesia.
AB  - A sound knowledge of anatomical variations that could be encountered during
      surgical procedures is helpful in avoiding surgical complications. The current
      article details anomalous morphology of inferior alveolar nerves encountered
      during routine dissection of the craniofacial region in the Gross Anatomy
      laboratory. We also report variations of the lingual nerves, associated with the
      inferior alveolar nerves. The variations were documented and a thorough review of
      literature was carried out. We focus on the variations themselves, and the
      clinical implications that these variations present. Thorough understanding of
      variant anatomy of the lingual and inferior alveolar nerves may determine the
      success of procedural anesthesia, the etiology of pathologic processes, and the
      avoidance of surgical misadventure. 

PMID- 27269667
TI  - General Anesthesia for a Patient With Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease.
AB  - We report the successful management of general anesthesia for a patient with
      Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD). PMD is one of a group of progressive,
      degenerative disorders of the cerebral white matter. The typical clinical
      manifestations of PMD include psychomotor retardation, nystagmus, abnormal muscle
      tone, seizures, and cognitive impairment. General anesthesia for a patient with
      PMD may be difficult mainly because of seizures and airway complications related
      to poor pharyngeal muscle control. In addition, the possibility of exacerbation
      of spasticity should be considered. A 20-year-old man with PMD required removal
      of impacted wisdom teeth under general anesthesia. General anesthesia was induced
      with thiamylal, fentanyl, and desflurane. Anesthesia was maintained with
      desflurane and continuous intravenous remifentanil under bispectral index and
      train-of-4 monitoring. Anesthesia lasted 1 hour 20 minutes and was completed
      uneventfully. Airway complications, seizures, and exacerbation of spasticity did
      not occur postoperatively. Preoperatively, our patient had no history of epilepsy
      attacks or aspiration pneumonia, and no clinical symptoms of gastroesophageal
      reflux disease. Therefore, exacerbation of spasticity was one of the most likely
      potential complications. Identification of these associated conditions and
      evaluation of risk factors during preoperative examination is important for
      performing safe anesthesia in these patients. 

PMID- 27269668
TI  - Management of Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices in
      Dental, Oral, and Maxillofacial Surgery.
AB  - The prevalence of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices as life
      prolonging and life-saving devices has evolved from a treatment of last resort to
      a first-line therapy for an increasing number of patients. As these devices
      become more and more popular in the general population, dental providers
      utilizing instruments and medications should be aware of dental equipment and
      medications that may affect these devices and understand the management of
      patients with these devices. This review article will discuss the various types
      and indications for pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators,
      common drugs and instruments affecting these devices, and management of patients
      with these devices implanted for cardiac dysrhythmias. 

PMID- 27269669
TI  - Promoting interprofessional collaboration in oncology through a teamwork skills
      simulation programme.
AB  - Outcomes in clinical oncology can be improved when care is delivered by high
      performance teams. The purpose of the initiative described in this article was to
      develop interprofessional team training opportunities using simulated cancer care
      scenarios to enhance collaborative practice skills within clinical oncology.
      Scenarios were developed based on internal needs assessment and review of patient
      safety data. Paired teams of haematology-oncology nurses and fellows completed
      the patient management scenarios, followed by debriefing and performance
      feedback. Research design consisted of an observational case study and
      questionnaire of participants in a cross-sectional analysis. Twenty-three
      learners participated in two separate sessions. All participants responded with
      scores of 4-5 on a 5-point Likert scale regarding the perceived value of the
      training programme and its effectiveness in developing skills in teamwork and
      communication. Simulation-based team training scenarios were successfully
      implemented into an interprofessional curriculum for haematology-oncology nurses
      and fellows. Participants valued the experience and indicated that they acquired
      new knowledge, skills, and attitudes to enhance interprofessional collaboration
      in cancer care. These types of training programmes have the potential to
      transform cancer care by creating high-performing teams resulting in improved
      patient outcomes, enhanced clinical effectiveness, and higher levels of
      satisfaction among patients, families, and healthcare providers. 

PMID- 27269671
TI  - Genetic modification of plant cell walls to enhance biomass yield and biofuel
      production in bioenergy crops.
AB  - Plant cell walls represent an enormous biomass resource for the generation of
      biofuels and chemicals. As lignocellulose property principally determines biomass
      recalcitrance, the genetic modification of plant cell walls has been posed as a
      powerful solution. Here, we review recent progress in understanding the effects
      of distinct cell wall polymers (cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, pectin, wall
      proteins) on the enzymatic digestibility of biomass under various physical and
      chemical pretreatments in herbaceous grasses, major agronomic crops and fast
      growing trees. We also compare the main factors of wall polymer features,
      including cellulose crystallinity (CrI), hemicellulosic Xyl/Ara ratio, monolignol
      proportion and uronic acid level. Furthermore, the review presents the main gene
      candidates, such as CesA, GH9, GH10, GT61, GT43 etc., for potential genetic cell
      wall modification towards enhancing both biomass yield and enzymatic
      saccharification in genetic mutants and transgenic plants. Regarding cell wall
      modification, it proposes a novel groove-like cell wall model that highlights to
      increase amorphous regions (density and depth) of the native cellulose
      microfibrils, providing a general strategy for bioenergy crop breeding and
      biofuel processing technology.

PMID- 27269672
TI  - Solution-Processed, Ultrathin Solar Cells from CdCl3(-)-Capped CdTe Nanocrystals:
      The Multiple Roles of CdCl3(-) Ligands.
AB  - Solution-processed CdTe solar cells using CdTe nanocrystal (NC) ink may offer an
      economically viable route for large-scale manufacturing. Here we design a new
      CdCl3(-)-capped CdTe NC ink by taking advantage of novel surface chemistry. In
      this ink, CdCl3(-) ligands act as surface ligands, sintering promoters, and
      dopants. Our solution chemistry allows obtaining very thin continuous layers of
      high-quality CdTe which is challenging for traditional vapor transport methods.
      Using benign solvents, in air, and without additional CdCl2 treatment, we obtain
      a well-sintered CdTe absorber layer from the new ink and demonstrate thin-film
      solar cells with power conversion efficiency over 10%, a record efficiency for
      sub-400 nm thick CdTe absorber layer.

PMID- 27269670
TI  - Reduced sleep spindle activity point to a TRN-MD thalamus-PFC circuit dysfunction
      in schizophrenia.
AB  - Sleep disturbances have been reliably reported in patients with schizophrenia,
      thus suggesting that abnormal sleep may represent a core feature of this
      disorder. Traditional electroencephalographic studies investigating sleep
      architecture have found reduced deep non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, or slow
      wave sleep (SWS), and increased REM density. However, these findings have been
      inconsistently observed, and have not survived meta-analysis. By contrast,
      several recent EEG studies exploring brain activity during sleep have established
      marked deficits in sleep spindles in schizophrenia, including first-episode and
      early-onset patients, compared to both healthy and psychiatric comparison
      subjects. Spindles are waxing and waning, 12-16Hz NREM sleep oscillations that
      are generated within the thalamus by the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), and
      are then synchronized and sustained in the cortex. While the functional role of
      sleep spindles still needs to be fully established, increasing evidence has shown
      that sleep spindles are implicated in learning and memory, including sleep
      dependent memory consolidation, and spindle parameters have been associated to
      general cognitive ability and IQ. In this article we will review the EEG studies
      demonstrating sleep spindle deficits in patients with schizophrenia, and show
      that spindle deficits can predict their reduced cognitive performance. We will
      then present data indicating that spindle impairments point to a TRN-MD thalamus
      prefrontal cortex circuit deficit, and discuss about the possible molecular
      mechanisms underlying thalamo-cortical sleep spindle abnormalities in
      schizophrenia.

PMID- 27269673
TI  - Corrigendum to: "Is suicide an option?: The impact of disability on suicide
      acceptability in the context of depression, suicidality, and demographic factors"
      [J. Affect. Disord. 189 (2016) 25-35].

PMID- 27269674
TI  - Differential CTX-M Expression from a Conserved Promoter: Role of Promoter
      Associated Spacer Sequences Downstream of the blaCTX-M Regulon.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this project was to explore the different CTX-M expression
      levels occurring from a single conserved promoter with different spacer
      sequences, the variation of which is hypothesized to be a key factor in
      fluctuating levels of CTX-M. METHODS: The blaCTX-M promoter fragments with five
      different spacer sequences were amplified, sequenced and cloned into the pUA66
      expression vector carrying the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. The
      expression of blaCTX-M in the transconjugants was analyzed using fluorescence
      microscopy, flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The promoters of all the blaCTX
      M genes were provided by ISEcp1 and were extremely conserved. The promoter
      associated spacer sequences varied from 42 to 127 bp and variations in GFP
      expression in the five transconjugants were observed. A nucleic acid deletion and
      point mutation were detected in the spacer sequences by variations in which the
      expression of blaCTX-M was influenced. CONCLUSION: The different spacer sequences
      have a significant impact on the activity of the conserved promoter. The shorter
      spacer sequence between the conserved promoter and the blaCTX-M gene does not
      specifically enhance the expression of blaCTX-M, contrary to previous reports.
      The expression of blaCTX-M may be regulated by changes in promoter activity
      caused by diverse spacer sequences.

PMID- 27269705
TI  - Role of nanomaterials in plants under challenging environments.
AB  - The application of nanostructured materials, designed for sustainable crop
      production, reduces nutrient losses, suppresses disease and enhances the yields.
      Nanomaterials (NMs), with a particle size less than 100 nm, influence key life
      events of the plants that include seed germination, seedling vigor, root
      initiation, growth and photosynthesis to flowering. Additionally, NMs have been
      implicated in the protection of plants against oxidative stress as they mimic the
      role of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)
      and peroxidase (POX). However, besides their beneficial effects on plants,
      applications of NMs have been proved to be phytotoxic too as they enhance the
      generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elevated level of ROS may damage
      the cellular membranes, proteins and nucleic acids. Therefore, in such a
      conflicting and ambiguous nature of NMs in plants, it is necessary to decipher
      the mechanism of cellular, biochemical and molecular protection render by NMs
      under stressful environmental conditions. This review systematically summarizes
      the role of NMs in plants under abiotic stresses such as drought, salt,
      temperature, metal, UV-B radiation and flooding. Furthermore, suitable strategies
      adopted by plants in presence of NMs under challenging environments are also
      being presented.

PMID- 27269708
TI  - Is vaccenic acid (18:1t n-7) associated with an increased incidence of hip
      fracture? An explanation for the calcium paradox.
AB  - High calcium intake may increase hip fracture (HF) incidence. This phenomenon,
      known as the calcium paradox, might be explained by vaccenic acid (18:1t n-7,
      VA), the highly specific trans fatty acid (TFA) present in dairy products. First,
      we ecologically investigated the relationship between 18:1 TFA intake and HF
      incidence using data from 12 to 13 European countries collected before 2000; then
      we measured the effects of VA and elaidic acid (18:1t n-9, EA) on osteoblasts
      from goldfish scales (tissues very similar to mammalian bone), with alkaline
      phosphatase as a marker; and finally we measured the effect of VA on mRNA
      expression in the scales for the major bone proteins type I collagen and
      osteocalcin. HF incidence was significantly correlated with 18:1 TFA intake in
      men (r=0.57) and women (r=0.65). Incubation with 1MUmol/L VA and EA for 48h
      significantly decreased alkaline phosphatase activity by 25% and 21%,
      respectively. Incubation of scales with 10MUmol/L VA for 48h significantly
      decreased mRNA expression for type I collagen and osteocalcin (by about 50%). In
      conclusion, VA may be causatively related to HF and could explain the calcium
      paradox. It may be prudent to reduce 18:1 TFA intake, irrespective of trans
      positions, to prevent HF.

PMID- 27269707
TI  - A prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the
      effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on the clinical signs
      and erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in dogs with
      osteoarthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs is a prevalent and serious condition. The
      most common treatment for the clinical signs of OA in dogs is the administration
      of nonsteroidal antiiflammatory pharmaceuticals. Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids have
      been shown to reduce the clinical signs of osteoarthritis in dogs. OBJECTIVE: The
      primary goals of this study were 1) to determine the effects of eicosapentaenoic
      acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the clinical signs of OA in dogs, 2)
      to evaluate the effects of supplementation on the arachadonic acid (ARA)/
      (EPA+DHA) algorithm and 3) to correlate alterations in the ARA/(EPA+DHA) with
      changes in the clinical signs of canine OA. METHODS: Seventy-eight client owned
      dogs were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled
      clinical trial. Dogs were randomized to placebo oil or triglyceride n-3 oil
      (providing an average dose of 69mg EPA+DHA/kg/day). Orthopedic examinations and
      blood analyses were performed at baseline, day 42, and day 84. A single
      investigator confirmed a diagnosis of OA of the coxofemoral joints and/or stifle
      joints in all dogs. RESULTS: Seventy-four dogs completed the trial. All clinical
      outcomes for measuring discomfort, lameness, and joint severity at day 84 and all
      blood metrics at day 42 and day 84 significantly (p<0.05) improved compared with
      placebo. No major side effects were observed. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
      This study demonstrated that the daily supplementation of a dogs diet with EPA
      and DHA shifts the blood fatty acid concentrations correlating to relief of
      clinical signs associated with OA in dogs.

PMID- 27269706
TI  - Association Between Time to Rehabilitation and Outcomes After Traumatic Spinal
      Cord Injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the relations between time to rehabilitation after spinal
      cord injury (SCI) and rehabilitation outcomes at discharge and 1-year postinjury.
      DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Facilities designated as Spinal Cord
      Injury Model Systems. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=3937) experiencing traumatic SCI
      between 2000 and 2014, who were 18 years or older, and who were admitted to a
      model system within 24 hours of injury. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Rasch-transformed FIM motor score at discharge and 1-year
      postinjury, discharge to a private residence, and the Craig Handicap Assessment
      and Reporting Technique (CHART) Physical Independence and Mobility scores at 1
      year postinjury. RESULTS: After accounting for health status, a 10% increase in
      time to rehabilitation was associated with a 1.50 lower FIM motor score at
      discharge (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.43 to -0.58; P=.001) and a 3.92 lower
      CHART Physical Independence score at 1-year postinjury (95% CI, -7.66 to -0.19;
      P=.04). Compared to the mean FIM motor score (37.5) and mean CHART Physical
      Independence score (74.7), the above-mentioned values represent relative declines
      of 4.0% and 5.3%, respectively. There was no association between time to
      rehabilitation and discharge to a private residence, 1-year FIM motor score, or
      the CHART mobility score. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier rehabilitation after traumatic SCI
      may improve patients' functional status at discharge.

PMID- 27269709
TI  - Dietary fat intake and red blood cell fatty acid composition of children and
      women from three different geographical areas in South Africa.
AB  - Dietary fat intake, particularly the type of fat, is reflected in the red blood
      cell (RBC) fatty acid (FA) profile and is vital in growth, development and health
      maintenance. The FA profile (%wt/wt) of RBC membrane phospholipids (as determined
      by gas chromatography) and dietary intake (as determined by 24h recall) was
      assessed in 2-6y old South African children and their caregivers randomly
      selected from three communities, i.e. an urban Northern Cape community (urban-NC;
      n=104), an urban coastal Western Cape community (urban-WC; n=93) and a rural
      Limpopo Province community (rural-LP; n=102). Mean RBC FA values across groups
      were compared using ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test while controlling for age
      and gender (children); median dietary intake values were compared using a Kruskal
      Wallis test. Dietary intakes for total fat, saturated FAs and polyunsaturated FAs
      were higher in the two urban areas compared to the rural area. Total fat intake
      in rural-LP, and omega-3 FA dietary intake in all three areas were lower than the
      South African adopted guidelines. Dietary SFA intake in both urban areas was
      higher than recommended by South African guidelines; this was reflected in the
      RBC membrane FA profile. Rural-LP children had the lowest intake of omega-3 and
      omega-6 FAs yet presented with the highest RBC docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) profile
      and highest arachidonic acid percentage. Although differences observed in dietary
      fat intake between the two urban and the rural area were reflected in the RBC
      membrane total phospholipid FA profile, the lowest total fat and alpha-linolenic
      acid (ALA) intake by rural children that presented with the highest RBC DHA
      profile warrants further investigation.

PMID- 27269710
TI  - Higher omega-3 index and DHA status in pregnant women compared to lactating women
      - Results from a German nation-wide cross-sectional study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: During pregnancy and lactation, there is a high need of long-chain
      (LC) omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for
      fetus and infant. Also, a low LC n-3 PUFA status during pregnancy is associated
      with postpartum depression. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze
      the LC n-3 PUFA status in German women during pregnancy and lactation. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: As a part of a nationwide cross-sectional study in which the
      nutrient status of women in different stages of life was determined, 213 pregnant
      (>=27th week of gestation) and 127 lactating women between 18 and 44 years were
      evaluated regarding their LC n-3 PUFA status by measuring the omega-3 index
      (relative eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA concentration in erythrocyte fatty
      acid). RESULTS: The mean omega-3 index of the total study population was 6.23+/
      1.48%. Pregnant women showed significant (p<=0.001) higher omega-3 index values
      (6.40+/-1.31%) and DHA concentrations (5.91+/-1.23%) than lactating women (omega
      3 index: 5.50+/-1.34%; DHA: 4.79+/-1.27%). Woman with LC n-3 PUFA supplementation
      showed higher omega-3 index values (7.73+/-1.28%) vs. women without
      supplementation (6.04+/-1.39%, p<=0.001). Week of pregnancy, month of lactation
      as well as smoking were negatively associated with the omega-3 index. CONCLUSION:
      Comprehensive data on the long-term LC n-3 PUFA status of German women during
      pregnancy and lactation are presented. To evaluate an optimal maternal omega-3
      index in view of the fetal and infant development further studies are needed.

PMID- 27269711
TI  - Dairy fat blend improves brain DHA and neuroplasticity and regulates
      corticosterone in mice.
AB  - Mimicking the breast milk lipid composition appears to be necessary for infant
      formula to cover the brain's needs in n-3 PUFA. In this study, we evaluated the
      impact of partial replacement of vegetable oil (VL) in infant formula by dairy
      fat (DL) on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) brain level, neuroplasticity and
      corticosterone in mice. Mice were fed with balanced VL or balanced DL diets
      enriched or not in DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA) from the first day of
      gestation. Brain DHA level, microglia number, neurogenesis, corticosterone and
      glucocorticoid receptor expression were measured in the offsprings. DL diet
      increased DHA and neuroplasticity in the brain of mice at postnatal day (PND) 14
      and at adulthood compared to VL. At PND14, ARA and DHA supplementation increased
      DHA in VL but not in DL mice brain. Importantly, DHA and ARA supplementation
      further improved neurogenesis and decreased corticosterone level in DL mice at
      adulthood. In conclusion, dairy lipids improve brain DHA level and
      neuroplasticity.

PMID- 27269712
TI  - Differential modulation of the lipid metabolism as a model for cellular
      resistance to fumonisin B1-induced cytotoxic effects in vitro.
AB  - Differential sensitivity of primary hepatocytes and Chang cells to the cancer
      promoter fumonisin B1 (FB1)-induced cytotoxic effects were investigated in
      relation to changes in membrane lipid distribution. In contrast to primary
      hepatocytes, Chang cells were resistant to FB1-induced cytotoxic effects. This
      was associated with a high cholesterol (Chol) and sphingomyelin (SM) and low
      phosphatidylcholine (PC) content, resulting in a significant (P<0.05) decrease in
      phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)/PC ratio, increased Chol/total phosphoglyceride
      (TPG) ratios and low total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content in PC and
      PE, suggesting a more rigid membrane structure. High levels of C18:1 and reduced
      polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels are likely to provide selective
      resistance to FB1-induced oxidative stress. FB1-associated lipid changes included
      decreases in SM and Chol, increases in sphinganine (Sa) and PE with the increases
      in key saturated, monounsaturated, and PUFAs in PE as key role players in the
      differential responses to FB1-induced cell growth responses in cells.

PMID- 27269714
TI  - Effect of a maternal cafeteria diet on the fatty acid composition of milk and
      offspring red blood cells.
AB  - Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to a maternal cafeteria diet
      during the lactation period alone produces detrimental effects to offspring
      metabolic health comparable to exposure during the entire perinatal period. The
      present study used a rodent model to assess the effect of a maternal cafeteria
      diet on the fat content and fatty acid composition of the dams' milk, and to
      determine the degree to which this was related to the fatty acid status of
      offspring on postnatal day 1 (PND1), weaning and 3 weeks post-weaning onto a
      standard rodent diet. As expected, omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
      (n-3 LCPUFA) content of both the milk and pup red blood cells (RBCs) was lower in
      the cafeteria (CAF) group on PND1. At 2 weeks post-partum, milk produced by CAF
      dams had a higher total fat, saturated fat and n-6 PUFA content, however these
      differences were modest in comparison with the differences in maternal intake
      between groups. Offspring suckled by CAF dams had a lower n-3 LCPUFA and n-6 PUFA
      status at weaning and higher trans fatty acid levels at both weaning and 6 weeks
      of age. These findings indicate that the fat content and fatty acid composition
      of the dam's milk is altered by exposure to a cafeteria diet. While it appears
      that the dam has a significant capacity to buffer the transfer of most dietary
      lipids into the milk, the trans fatty acids in particular appear to be readily
      transferred, resulting in persistent increases in trans fatty acid status of the
      offspring after weaning. The potential physiological implications of this
      warrants further examination.

PMID- 27269713
TI  - Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status in children, adolescents and adults
      with phenylketonuria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with phenylketonuria have been reported to be deficient in
      long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs). It has been postulated that
      good compliance with the dietary regimen negatively influences LCPUFA status.
      METHODS: In 36 patients with phenylketonuria and 18 age-matched healthy control
      subjects LCPUFA-levels in plasma phospholipids and cholesteryl esters,
      erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were evaluated.
      RESULTS: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels did
      not differ significantly between patients and control subjects in plasma and
      erythrocyte fractions. There was a significant negative correlation between SDS
      (standard deviation) scores of DHA-levels in erythrocyte parameters from the
      respective age-matched control group and patients' concurrent and long-term
      phenylalanine levels for erythrocyte phosphatidylethanolamine and erythrocyte
      phosphatidylcholine. Patients with lower (higher) phenylalanine levels had
      positive (negative) DHA-SDS. CONCLUSION: In contrast to previous reports we did
      not find lower LCPUFA-levels in patients with phenylketonuria compared to age
      matched healthy control subjects. Good dietary control was associated with better
      LCPUFA status.

PMID- 27269715
TI  - Association of polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast milk with fatty acid
      desaturase gene polymorphisms among Chinese lactating mothers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The fatty acid desaturase (FADS) controls polyunsaturated fatty acid
      (PUFA) synthesis in human tissues and breast milk. DESIGN: Evaluate the influence
      of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and various haplotypes in the FADS
      gene cluster (FADS1, FADS2, FADS3) on PUFA concentration in the breast milk of
      209 healthy Chinese women. PUFA concentrations were measured in breast milk using
      gas chromatography and genotyping was performed using the Sequenom Mass Array
      system. RESULTS: A SNP (rs1535) and 2-locus haplotypes (rs3834458-rs1535, rs1535
      rs174575) in the FADS2 gene were associated with concentrations of gamma-linoleic
      acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (AA) in breast milk. Likewise, in the FADS1 gene,
      a 2-locus constructed haplotype (rs174547-rs174553) also affected GLA and AA
      concentration (P<0.05 for all). Minor allele carriers of the SNP and haplotypes
      described above had lower concentrations of GLA and AA. In the FADS2 gene, the 3
      locus haplotype rs3834458-rs1535-rs174575, significantly affected concentrations
      of GLA but not AA. Pairwise comparison showed that individuals major homozygous
      for the SNP rs1000778 in the FADS3 gene had lower concentrations of ALA and
      linoleic acid (LA) in their breast milk. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms in the FADS
      gene cluster influence PUFA concentrations in the breast milk of Chinese Han
      lactating women.

PMID- 27269717
TI  - Fossil pigments.
AB  - Johan Lindgren introduces fossil pigments.

PMID- 27269716
TI  - Synchrotron-Based Infrared Microanalysis of Biological Redox Processes under
      Electrochemical Control.
AB  - We describe a method for addressing redox enzymes adsorbed on a carbon electrode
      using synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy combined with protein film
      electrochemistry. Redox enzymes have high turnover frequencies, typically 10-1000
      s(-1), and therefore, fast experimental triggers are needed in order to study
      subturnover kinetics and identify the involvement of transient species important
      to their catalytic mechanism. In an electrochemical experiment, this equates to
      the use of microelectrodes to lower the electrochemical cell constant and enable
      changes in potential to be applied very rapidly. We use a biological cofactor,
      flavin mononucleotide, to demonstrate the power of synchrotron infrared
      microspectroscopy relative to conventional infrared methods and show that
      vibrational spectra with good signal-to-noise ratios can be collected for
      adsorbed species with low surface coverages on microelectrodes with a geometric
      area of 25 * 25 MUm(2). We then demonstrate the applicability of synchrotron
      infrared microspectroscopy to adsorbed proteins by reporting potential-induced
      changes in the flavin mononucleotide active site of a flavoenzyme. The method we
      describe will allow time-resolved spectroscopic studies of chemical and
      structural changes at redox sites within a variety of proteins under precise
      electrochemical control.

PMID- 27269718
TI  - The insect central complex.
AB  - Hordes of tourists flock to Washington, D.C. every spring to see the cherry trees
      blossom. Once in the city, they must find their way to the Tidal Basin where the
      Japanese trees grow. Fortunately, a number of visual landmarks can help them to
      navigate. In 1910, the United States Congress passed The Height of Buildings Act,
      limiting the elevation of commercial and residential structures in D.C. to 130
      feet. Thus, the 555-foot-tall Washington Monument often looms large against the
      horizon, serving as an anchor point to help set the tourists' sense of direction.
      Once their heading is set, they can lose sight of the monument behind buildings
      or groups of tall Scandinavian visitors and still use their internal compass to
      navigate to the Basin. This compass keeps track of their paces and turns and
      updates their sense of where they are and where they need to go. Yet while their
      heading informs their actions, it does not dictate them. Tourists who have been
      to D.C. in the past can, for example, use remembered views to alter their routes
      to avoid crowds. On an even finer scale, their leg movements also depend on their
      current state - they might increase the frequency and length of their strides if
      hunger pangs compete with their desire to see cherry blossoms, for example. The
      way in which these disparate cues and motivations influence exploration is a
      neuroscience mystery across creatures large and small.

PMID- 27269719
TI  - Dendrogramma is a siphonophore.
AB  - Dendrogramma was the iconic deep-sea animal of 2014, voted among the top-ten new
      species described that year [1]. The two species described are mushroom shaped
      animals, diploblastic, with an apparent gastrovascular system that extends from
      the base of the stalk to bifurcating canals that radiate through the flat disc
      [2]. The authors could not assign the new genus to any known animal group with
      certainty, leading to numerous media reports that it belonged to an entirely new
      phylum. Here we use phylogenomic data from newly collected specimens to show that
      Dendrogramma is a cnidarian, specifically a benthic siphonophore in the family
      Rhodaliidae. Although an entire Dendrogramma colony has not been found, we
      hypothesise that the mushroom-like bodies are bracts, possibly used to aid
      buoyancy or as defensive appendages to protect feeding gastrozooids or gonads.

PMID- 27269720
TI  - Time dilates after spontaneous blinking.
AB  - Accumulating evidence from pharmacology, neuroimaging, and genetics indicates
      that striatal dopamine influences time perception [1-5]. Despite these converging
      results, it is not known whether endogenous variations in dopamine underlie
      transient fluctuations in our perception of time. Here, we exploited the finding
      that striatal dopamine release is associated with an increase in spontaneous eye
      blink rate [6-8] to examine the relationship between intra-individual
      fluctuations in dopamine and interval timing. In two studies, participants
      overestimated visual subsecond and suprasecond and auditory subsecond intervals
      if they had blinked on the previous trial. These results are consistent with the
      hypothesis that transient fluctuations in striatal dopamine contribute to intra
      individual variability in time perception.

PMID- 27269721
TI  - Insect Orientation: The Travails of Going Straight.
AB  - A study of dung beetles rolling dung balls to safety reveals unexpected facets of
      the beetle's acquisition and use of celestial information for keeping to a
      straight path.

PMID- 27269722
TI  - Gradient Sensing: Engineering the Yeast Love Affair.
AB  - A new study in fission yeasts promotes the notion that transient polarity patches
      that wander the cell surface at the onset of mating are discrete agents of
      gradient sensing. This concept unexpectedly bridges the modes of gradient sensing
      in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

PMID- 27269723
TI  - Palaeobiology: Born and Gone in Global Warming.
AB  - Why ichthyosaurs - marine Mesozoic reptiles - disappeared before the dinosaur
      extinction has remained a mystery. New research suggests they may have gone
      extinct stepwise, during one of the most extreme greenhouse periods in the
      history of complex life-forms.

PMID- 27269724
TI  - Myelination: Both Mindful and Mindless?
AB  - The amount of myelin that forms on individual axons can vary considerably. Recent
      work, including a new study, indicates that myelin profiles on distinct
      subclasses of axons might be determined by diverse mechanisms.

PMID- 27269725
TI  - Neuroendocrinology: Electromagnetogenetic Control over Feeding and Glucose
      Metabolism.
AB  - Cutting-edge experiments show a new means to control the activity of specifically
      genetically targeted neurons in the hypothalamus using electromagnetic force. At
      the flip of a switch, the system bidirectionally regulates feeding behavior and
      glucose homeostasis, demonstrating wireless control over deep brain regions and
      their strong influence over energy balance.

PMID- 27269726
TI  - Cell Biology: ERADicating Survival with BOK.
AB  - Mechanistic insights into the function of the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family member
      BOK have remained elusive. A recent study shows that healthy cells constitutively
      degrade BOK via the ER-associated degradation and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways;
      following proteasome inhibition, BOK is stabilized to initiate a unique pro
      apoptotic death program.

PMID- 27269727
TI  - Sex Allocation: L'Enfer C'est les Autres?
AB  - Brine shrimp produce a maladaptive excess of sons when co-occurring with females
      from a related parthenogenetic species. Still, this sex ratio may be adaptive if,
      by mating with females of the other species, males miss out on mating with their
      own.

PMID- 27269728
TI  - Parental Care: When the Sex Has to Stop.
AB  - How is sexual conflict during reproduction resolved when parents collaborate to
      rear offspring? A new study shows that female burying beetles communicate their
      hormonal status to their male partners to avoid costly superfluous mating, using
      an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone.

PMID- 27269729
TI  - Pre-administration of PepFect6-microRNA-146a nanocomplexes inhibits inflammatory
      responses in keratinocytes and in a mouse model of irritant contact dermatitis.
AB  - The skin is a difficult to access tissue for efficient delivery of large and/or
      charged macromolecules, including therapeutic DNA and RNA oligonucleotides. Cell
      penetrating peptide PepFect6 (PF6) has been shown to be suitable transport
      vehicle for siRNAs in cell culture and systemically in vivo in mice. MiR-146a is
      known as anti-inflammatory miRNA that inhibits multiple factors from the nuclear
      factor (NF)-kappaB pathway in various cell types, including keratinocytes. In
      this study, PF6 was shown to form unimodal nanocomplexes with miR-146a mimic that
      entered into human primary keratinocytes, where miR-146a inhibited the expression
      of its direct targets from the NF-kappaB pathway and the genes known to be
      activated by NF-kappaB, C-C motif ligand (CCL)5 and interleukin (IL)-8. The
      transfection of miR-146a mimic with PF6 was more efficient in sub-confluent
      keratinocyte cultures, affected keratinocyte proliferation less and had similar
      effect on cell viability when compared with a lipid based agent. Subcutaneous pre
      administration of PF6-miR-146a nanocomplexes attenuated ear-swelling and reduced
      the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines IL-6, CCL11, CCL24
      and C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1) in a mouse model of irritant contact dermatitis.
      Our data demonstrates that PF6-miR-146a nanoparticles might have potential in the
      development of therapeutics to target inflammatory skin diseases.

PMID- 27269730
TI  - MicroRNA-124 loaded nanoparticles enhance brain repair in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Modulation of the subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenic niche can enhance brain
      repair in several disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD). Herein, we used
      biocompatible and traceable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) containing perfluoro
      1,5-crown ether (PFCE) and coated with protamine sulfate to complex microRNA-124
      (miR-124), a neuronal fate determinant. The ability of NPs to efficiently deliver
      miR-124 and prompt SVZ neurogenesis and brain repair in PD was evaluated. In
      vitro, miR-124 NPs were efficiently internalized by neural stem/progenitors cells
      and neuroblasts and promoted their neuronal commitment and maturation. The
      expression of Sox9 and Jagged1, two miR-124 targets and stemness-related genes,
      were also decreased upon miR-124 NP treatment. In vivo, the intracerebral
      administration of miR-124 NPs increased the number of migrating neuroblasts that
      reached the granule cell layer of the olfactory bulb, both in healthy and in a 6
      hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) mouse model for PD. MiR-124 NPs were also able to induce
      migration of neurons into the lesioned striatum of 6-OHDA-treated mice. Most
      importantly, miR-124 NPs proved to ameliorate motor symptoms of 6-OHDA mice,
      monitored by the apomorphine-induced rotation test. Altogether, we provide clear
      evidences to support the use of miR-124 NPs as a new therapeutic approach to
      boost endogenous brain repair mechanisms in a setting of neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27269732
TI  - Mitochondrial functions in stem cells.
AB  - Mitochondria fulfill multiple cellular functions beyond ATP production, including
      several functions that are specialized for distinct tissue types (thermogenesis,
      steroidogenesis). Recent evidence indicates that mitochondrial activities are
      regulated within cell lineages, and through incompletely understood mechanisms,
      are important for specification of cell fate. Stem cells represent the apex of
      cell lineages, capable of self-renewal and multi-potential differentiation into
      cells with limited proliferative capacity, and are of intense interest in
      regenerative medicine. Examples of stem cells include embryonic stem cells and
      adult somatic stem cells. Tumor-initiating cells are also often described as
      cancer stem cells. For all of these cell types, the association of mitochondrial
      bioenergetic function or other mitochondrial phenotypes raises interesting
      questions about the regulation of 'stemness'.

PMID- 27269731
TI  - Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier function and cancer metabolism.
AB  - Metabolic reprogramming in cancer supports the increased biosynthesis required
      for unchecked proliferation. Increased glucose utilization is a defining feature
      of many cancers that is accompanied by altered pyruvate partitioning and
      mitochondrial metabolism. Cancer cells also require mitochondrial tricarboxylic
      acid cycle activity and electron transport chain function for biosynthetic
      competency and proliferation. Recent evidence demonstrates that mitochondrial
      pyruvate carrier (MPC) function is abnormal in some cancers and that increasing
      MPC activity may decrease cancer proliferation. Here we examine recent findings
      on MPC function and cancer metabolism. Special emphasis is placed on the
      compartmentalization of pyruvate metabolism and the alternative routes of
      metabolism that maintain the cellular biosynthetic pools required for
      unrestrained proliferation in cancer.

PMID- 27269733
TI  - Childhood Victimization, Internalizing Symptoms, and Substance Use Among Women
      Who Identify as Mostly Heterosexual.
AB  - PURPOSE: The current article examines substance use behavior and associated
      factors that contribute to risk of substance misuse, such as history of childhood
      victimization and reports of internalizing symptoms among women from various
      sexual identity subgroups. METHODS: We recruited a convenience sample of 332
      community and university student women (M age = 20.88). Approximately 61.1% of
      the sample (n = 203) identified as exclusively heterosexual (or "straight"; EH)
      at the time of the survey, whereas 21.4% (n = 71) identified as primarily
      heterosexual (or "mostly heterosexual"), 6.6% (n = 22) as bisexual (or "equally
      gay/lesbian and heterosexual"), 3.0% (n = 10) as primarily gay/lesbian (or
      "mostly gay/lesbian") and 7.8% (n = 26) as exclusively gay/lesbian. RESULTS:
      Mostly heterosexual women were more likely than EH women to report childhood
      physical abuse and lifetime tobacco and marijuana use. Mostly heterosexual women
      also had higher levels of past-year alcohol use disorder symptomology, recent
      tobacco and marijuana use, and depressive symptoms. Mostly heterosexual women
      were more likely than bisexual women to have ever tried marijuana, although,
      among lifetime users, bisexual women reported more frequent recent use.
      CONCLUSION: Mostly heterosexual women reported levels of pathological alcohol
      use, lifetime rates of tobacco and marijuana use, and recent depressive symptoms
      that were higher than EH women and relatively similar to lesbian and mostly
      lesbian women. Bisexual women reported heavier current use of marijuana and were
      more likely than mostly heterosexual women to report childhood sexual abuse.
      Implications for mental health services for clients who identify as non-EH are
      discussed.

PMID- 27269734
TI  - Mapping and ablation procedures for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) may occur in the presence or absence
      of structural heart disease. Given that the management of VT hinges on the
      presence of symptoms and risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), the main treatment
      goals are elimination of symptoms (including frequent implantable cardioverter
      defibrillator [ICD] therapies) and prevention of SCD. Unfortunately, medical
      management is suboptimal in a significant proportion of patients. As such,
      ablative therapy plays a prominent role in the treatment of ventricular
      tachycardia. AREAS COVERED: In this review, we will discuss various VT disorders
      that are encountered in patients with and without structural heart disease.
      Further, we will highlight salient features regarding mapping and ablation of the
      various VT syndromes. Finally, we will discuss what lies on the horizon for VT
      ablation. Expert commentary: Meticulous mapping should aim to find the region
      that is most likely to be successful and least likely to result in a
      complication. Although recognition of the various mechanisms of VT, familiarity
      with different methods to mapping and ablation, and awareness of potential
      limitations of current approaches is critical, a thorough understanding of the
      fundamental principles and nuances of each facet within EP is required to ensure
      optimal outcomes for our patients.

PMID- 27269736
TI  - The radiology informed consent form: recommendations from the European Society of
      Cardiology position paper.
AB  - Every radiological and nuclear medicine examination confers a definite long-term
      risk of cancer, but most patients undergoing such examinations receive no or
      inaccurate information about radiation dose and corresponding risk related to the
      dose received. Informed consent is a procedure to support (not substitute) the
      physician/patient dialogue and relationship, facilitating a free, informed and
      aware expression of the patient's will in the principle of patient autonomy.
      Physicians are responsible for providing patients with all the information on
      risks, benefits and alternatives useful to the patient to make the decision. In
      current radiological practice the information on the radiation dose and long-term
      cancer risks is difficult to find and not easy to understand. The form using
      plain language should spell-out the type of examination, the effective dose
      (mSv), the effective dose expressed in number of chest radiographs and the risk
      of cancer. The current practice clashes against the guidelines and the law. 

PMID- 27269737
TI  - Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Enantioselective Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of N
      Aryl Glycine Esters with Terminal Alkynes.
AB  - A copper-catalyzed enantioselective cross-coupling of a Csp3-H moiety (N-aryl
      glycine ester) with a Csp-H component (terminal alkyne) using molecular oxygen as
      the terminal oxidant is described for the first time. The sustainable method
      provides an efficient and environmentally friendly approach to rapidly prepare a
      diverse array of optically active non-natural alpha-amino acids.

PMID- 27269738
TI  - Chemical Reactivity Perspective into the Group 2B Metals Halides.
AB  - Chemical reactivity descriptors within the conceptual density functional theory
      can be used to understand the nature of the interactions between two monomers of
      the Group 2B metal halides. This information might be valuable in the development
      of adequate force law parameters for simulations in the liquid state. In this
      study, MX2 monomers and dimers, where M = Zn, Cd, Hg and X = F, Cl, Br, I, were
      investigated in terms of chemical reactivity descriptors. Relativistic effects
      were taken into account using the effective core potential (ECP) approach.
      Correlations were produced between global and local reactivity descriptors and
      dimerization energies. Results presented in this work represent the first
      systematic investigation of Group 2B metal halides in the literature from a
      combined point of view of both relativistic effects and chemical reactivity
      descriptors. Steric effects were found to be responsible for the deviation from
      the chemical reactivity principles. They were introduced into the chemical
      reactivity descriptors such as local softness. 

PMID- 27269735
TI  - Engineered matrices for skeletal muscle satellite cell engraftment and function.
AB  - Regeneration of traumatically injured skeletal muscles is severely limited.
      Moreover, the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle declines with aging,
      further exacerbating the problem. Recent evidence supports that delivery of
      muscle satellite cells to the injured muscles enhances muscle regeneration and
      reverses features of aging, including reduction in muscle mass and regenerative
      capacity. However, direct delivery of satellite cells presents a challenge at a
      translational level due to inflammation and donor cell death, motivating the need
      to develop engineered matrices for muscle satellite cell delivery. This review
      will highlight important aspects of satellite cell and their niche biology in the
      context of muscle regeneration, and examine recent progresses in the development
      of engineered cell delivery matrices designed for skeletal muscle regeneration.
      Understanding the interactions of muscle satellite cells and their niche in both
      native and engineered systems is crucial to developing muscle pathology-specific
      cell- and biomaterial-based therapies.

PMID- 27269739
TI  - Immunotherapy for small-cell lung cancer.

PMID- 27269740
TI  - Sequential administration of nivolumab and ipilimumab with a planned switch in
      patients with advanced melanoma (CheckMate 064): an open-label, randomised, phase
      2 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concurrent administration of the immune checkpoint inhibitors
      nivolumab and ipilimumab has shown greater efficacy than either agent alone in
      patients with advanced melanoma, albeit with more high-grade adverse events. We
      assessed whether sequential administration of nivolumab followed by ipilimumab,
      or the reverse sequence, could improve safety without compromising efficacy.
      METHODS: We did this randomised, open-label, phase 2 study at nine academic
      medical centres in the USA. Eligible patients (aged >=18 years) with unresectable
      stage III or IV melanoma (treatment-naive or who had progressed after no more
      than one previous systemic therapy, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
      performance status of 0 or 1) were randomly assigned (1:1) to induction with
      intravenous nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks for six doses followed by a planned
      switch to intravenous ipilimumab 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four doses, or the
      reverse sequence. Randomisation was done by an independent interactive voice
      response system with a permuted block schedule (block size four) without
      stratification factors. After induction, both groups received intravenous
      nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The
      primary endpoint was treatment-related grade 3-5 adverse events until the end of
      the induction period (week 25), analysed in the as-treated population. Secondary
      endpoints were the proportion of patients who achieved a response at week 25 and
      disease progression at weeks 13 and 25. Overall survival was a prespecified
      exploratory endpoint. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number
      NCT01783938, and is ongoing but no longer enrolling patients. FINDINGS: Between
      April 30, 2013, and July 21, 2014, 140 patients were enrolled and randomly
      assigned to nivolumab followed by ipilimumab (n=70) or to the reverse sequence of
      ipilimumab followed by nivolumab (n=70), of whom 68 and 70 patients,
      respectively, received at least one dose of study drug and were included in the
      analyses. The frequencies of treatment-related grade 3-5 adverse events up to
      week 25 were similar in the nivolumab followed by ipilimumab group (34 [50%; 95%
      CI 37.6-62.4] of 68 patients) and in the ipilimumab followed by nivolumab group
      (30 [43%; 31.1-55.3] of 70 patients). The most common treatment-related grade 3-4
      adverse events during the whole study period were colitis (ten [15%]) in the
      nivolumab followed by ipilimumab group vs 14 [20%] in the reverse sequence
      group), increased lipase (ten [15%] vs 12 [17%]), and diarrhoea (eight [12%] vs
      five [7%]). No treatment-related deaths occurred. The proportion of patients with
      a response at week 25 was higher with nivolumab followed by ipilimumab than with
      the reverse sequence (28 [41%; 95% CI 29.4-53.8] vs 14 [20%; 11.4-31.3]).
      Progression was reported in 26 (38%; 95% CI 26.7-50.8) patients in the nivolumab
      followed by ipilimumab group and 43 (61%; 49.0-72.8) patients in the reverse
      sequence group at week 13 and in 26 (38%; 26.7-50.8) and 42 (60%; 47.6-71.5)
      patients at week 25, respectively. After a median follow-up of 19.8 months (IQR
      12.8-25.7), median overall survival was not reached in the nivolumab followed by
      ipilimumab group (95% CI 23.7-not reached), whereas over a median follow-up of
      14.7 months (IQR 5.6-23.9) in the ipilimumab followed by nivolumab group, median
      overall survival was 16.9 months (95% CI 9.2-26.5; HR 0.48 [95% CI 0.29-0.80]). A
      higher proportion of patients in the nivolumab followed by ipilimumab group
      achieved 12-month overall survival than in the ipilimumab followed by nivolumab
      group (76%; 95% CI 64-85 vs 54%; 42-65). INTERPRETATION: Nivolumab followed by
      ipilimumab appears to be a more clinically beneficial option compared with the
      reverse sequence, albeit with a higher frequency of adverse events. FUNDING:
      Bristol-Myers Squibb.

PMID- 27269742
TI  - Sequential immunotherapy regimens-expect the unexpected.

PMID- 27269741
TI  - Nivolumab alone and nivolumab plus ipilimumab in recurrent small-cell lung cancer
      (CheckMate 032): a multicentre, open-label, phase 1/2 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatments for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) after failure of
      platinum-based chemotherapy are limited. We assessed safety and activity of
      nivolumab and nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients with SCLC who progressed
      after one or more previous regimens. METHODS: The SCLC cohort of this phase 1/2
      multicentre, multi-arm, open-label trial was conducted at 23 sites (academic
      centres and hospitals) in six countries. Eligible patients were 18 years of age
      or older, had limited-stage or extensive-stage SCLC, and had disease progression
      after at least one previous platinum-containing regimen. Patients received
      nivolumab (3 mg/kg bodyweight intravenously) every 2 weeks (given until disease
      progression or unacceptable toxicity), or nivolumab plus ipilimumab (1 mg/kg plus
      1 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg plus 3 mg/kg, or 3 mg/kg plus 1 mg/kg, intravenously) every 3
      weeks for four cycles, followed by nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Patients were
      either assigned to nivolumab monotherapy or assessed in a dose-escalating safety
      phase for the nivolumab/ipilimumab combination beginning at nivolumab 1 mg/kg
      plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg. Depending on tolerability, patients were then assigned
      to nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg or nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab
      1 mg/kg. The primary endpoint was objective response by investigator assessment.
      All analyses included patients who were enrolled at least 90 days before database
      lock. This trial is ongoing; here, we report an interim analysis of the SCLC
      cohort. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01928394.
      FINDINGS: Between Nov 18, 2013, and July 28, 2015, 216 patients were enrolled and
      treated (98 with nivolumab 3 mg/kg, three with nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab
      1 mg/kg, 61 with nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg, and 54 with nivolumab
      3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg). At database lock on Nov 6, 2015, median follow
      up for patients continuing in the study (including those who had died or
      discontinued treatment) was 198.5 days (IQR 163.0-464.0) for nivolumab 3 mg/kg,
      302 days (IQR not calculable) for nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg,
      361.0 days (273.0-470.0) for nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg, and 260.5
      days (248.0-288.0) for nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg. An objective
      response was achieved in ten (10%) of 98 patients receiving nivolumab 3 mg/kg,
      one (33%) of three patients receiving nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg,
      14 (23%) of 61 receiving nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg, and ten (19%)
      of 54 receiving nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg. Grade 3 or 4 treatment
      related adverse events occurred in 13 (13%) patients in the nivolumab 3 mg/kg
      cohort, 18 (30%) in the nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg cohort, and ten
      (19%) in the nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg cohort; the most commonly
      reported grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were increased lipase
      (none vs 5 [8%] vs none) and diarrhoea (none vs 3 [5%] vs 1 [2%]). No patients in
      the nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg cohort had a grade 3 or 4 treatment
      related adverse event. Six (6%) patients in the nivolumab 3 mg/kg group, seven
      (11%) in the nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg group, and four (7%) in
      the nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg group discontinued treatment due to
      treatment-related adverse events. Two patients who received nivolumab 1 mg/kg
      plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg died from treatment-related adverse events (myasthenia
      gravis and worsening of renal failure), and one patient who received nivolumab 3
      mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg died from treatment-related pneumonitis.
      INTERPRETATION: Nivolumab monotherapy and nivolumab plus ipilimumab showed
      antitumour activity with durable responses and manageable safety profiles in
      previously treated patients with SCLC. These data suggest a potential new
      treatment approach for a population of patients with limited treatment options
      and support the evaluation of nivolumab and nivolumab plus ipilimumab in phase 3
      randomised controlled trials in SCLC. FUNDING: Bristol-Myers Squibb.

PMID- 27269743
TI  - Transcriptional profiling of mitochondria associated genes in prefrontal cortex
      of subjects with major depressive disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Recent evidences suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction maybe
      involved in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD); however, the
      role of mitochondrial genes in this disorder has not been studied systematically.
      In the present study, we profiled expression of mitochondrial genes in
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) of MDD and non-psychiatric control
      subjects. METHODS: Human mitochondrial RT2 profile PCR array plates were used to
      examine differentially expressed genes in dlPFC of 11 MDD and 11 control
      subjects. Differentially expressed genes were validated independently by qRT-PCR.
      Biological relevance of differentially expressed genes was analysed by gene
      ontology (GO) and ingenuity pathways analysis (IPA). RESULTS: We found that 16
      genes were differentially expressed in the MDD group compared with control group.
      Among them, three genes were downregulated and 13 genes upregulated. None of
      these genes were affected by confounding variables, such as age, post-mortem
      interval, brain pH, and antidepressant toxicology. Seven differentially expressed
      genes were successfully validated in MDD subjects. GO and IPA analyses identified
      several new regulatory networks associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions in
      MDD. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest abnormal mitochondrial systems in the
      brain of MDD subjects which could be involved in the etiopathogenesis of this
      disorder.

PMID- 27269744
TI  - Harnessing the power of networks: the future of perioperative research.

PMID- 27269745
TI  - Improving the care of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.

PMID- 27269747
TI  - The role of plastic surgery in reconstruction after oncological surgery.
AB  - One in three people is affected by cancer in their lifetime. Surgical treatment
      commonly has the greatest impact on long-term survival, so a large proportion of
      patients undergo major oncological resection. This is the first in a symposium of
      four articles describing plastic surgical reconstruction after oncological
      resection. 

PMID- 27269748
TI  - Breast reconstruction: options post-mastectomy.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in the UK. Breast
      reconstruction after resection of breast cancers increases patients' quality of
      life and psychosocial functioning. This article introduces this field and
      explores the options available to patients with breast cancer. 

PMID- 27269749
TI  - Head and neck reconstruction.
AB  - Head and neck cancers are among the rarer types of cancer presenting in the UK.
      However, oncological resection can cause significant morbidity in these patients,
      so reconstruction has a crucial role in the management of such patients to
      improve their postoperative quality of life. 

PMID- 27269750
TI  - Overview of gynaecological and colorectal reconstruction.
AB  - Plastic surgeons are often required to reconstruct defects following radical
      pelvic surgery for advanced or recurrent anorectal and gynaecological
      malignancies. This article describes the most commonly used flaps for
      reconstruction following radical pelvic surgery and provides a treatment
      algorithm to facilitate decision making. 

PMID- 27269751
TI  - Changes to the law on consent following Montgomery vs Lanarkshire Health Board.
AB  - The Supreme Court's determination on Montgomery (AP) (Appellant) v Lanarkshire
      Health Board (Respondent) (Scotland) [2015] clarified UK law on consent. It is
      for the informed patient to determine which intervention, if any, they will
      undergo. All doctors must meet this standard and may need to reassess their
      practice to do so. 

PMID- 27269752
TI  - Contemporary interpretation of informed consent: autonomy and paternalism.
AB  - The Supreme Court's decision in the Montgomery case has questioned what is meant
      by 'informed consent'. Clinicians must establish who is a reasonable patient and
      exactly what they want to know. Obtaining informed consent requires a
      relationship to be built between patient and clinician and must respect patient
      autonomy. 

PMID- 27269753
TI  - The interplay between heart failure, metabolism and body composition.
AB  - A complex interplay exists between heart failure, metabolic status and body
      composition. The idiosyncrasies of these relationships are poorly understood, but
      they offer prognostic value and potential clinical utility. Current understanding
      of this relationship and known clinical value are discussed in this article. 

PMID- 27269754
TI  - Artifact simulating supracondylar femoral fracture on computed tomography.

PMID- 27269755
TI  - Dominique Jean Larrey: Napoleon's surgeon.

PMID- 27269756
TI  - In the footsteps of Dominique Larrey.

PMID- 27269757
TI  - Odd turns in adult life: voltage-gated potassium channel antibody syndrome.

PMID- 27269758
TI  - Congenital absence of inferior vena cava: an overlooked cause of deep vein
      thrombosis.

PMID- 27269759
TI  - Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia is a rare association with primary biliary
      cirrhosis.

PMID- 27269760
TI  - Skin lesions in calciphylaxis.

PMID- 27269761
TI  - Diagnostic capacity of tests used for knee examinations.

PMID- 27269763
TI  - Should neuromuscular blockers be used for every paediatric intubation?

PMID- 27269764
TI  - Whipple's disease.

PMID- 27269765
TI  - Percutaneous gastrostomy: troubleshooting complications.

PMID- 27269766
TI  - What is HFE haemochromatosis?

PMID- 27269767
TI  - Visual Discomfort While Viewing Three-dimensional Television as a Screening Tool
      for Pediatric Eye Diseases in Children.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of evaluating 3D asthenopia and 3D
      perception difficulty for screening of binocular vision abnormalities in
      children. METHODS: Patients aged 6-12 years with abnormal binocularity, including
      strabismus, amblyopia, and anisometropia, were included. Age-matched normal
      subjects without any ophthalmologic abnormality other than a refractive error
      were also recruited. The best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, angle of
      strabismus, and stereopsis were measured. Presenting visual acuity (PVA) was
      measured as the uncorrected visual acuity for subjects without glasses and
      spectacle-corrected visual acuity for those with glasses. After watching 3D TV
      for 30 min, a survey was administered to evaluate the 3D perception and 3D
      asthenopia. Receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted
      to evaluate the efficacy of the survey for detecting abnormal binocularity and
      poor PVA. RESULTS: One hundred subjects were enrolled in this study. Among them,
      59 had abnormal binocularity (strabismus, anisometropia, or amblyopia), and 41
      were normal control. Among the entire subjects, the number of subjects with a PVA
      of 20/40 or worse in one or both eyes was 24 (7 from the normal control and 17
      with abnormal binocularity). ROC curve analysis revealed that the survey did not
      effectively detect strabismus, anisometropia, or amblyopia. However, for
      detection of PVA 20/40 or worse in the subjects with abnormal binocularity, the
      total score of the survey yielded an area of 0.714 under the ROC curve (p =
      0.010). The sensitivity was 88.2% and specificity was 61.9% with a cutoff at
      0.50. CONCLUSION: The degree of 3D asthenopia and 3D perception while watching 3D
      TV were not effective for screening of abnormal binocularity. However, evaluation
      of the severity of 3D asthenopia and the quality of 3D perception can help screen
      of decrease in PVA that requires correction.

PMID- 27269768
TI  - Symptoms, functioning and coping strategies in individuals with schizophrenia
      spectrum disorders who do not take antipsychotic medication: a comparative
      interview study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A considerable proportion of people with schizophrenia spectrum
      disorders do not take antipsychotic medication but seem to be functioning well.
      However, little is known about this group. To test the assumption that absence of
      medication is compensated for by more effective coping and increased social
      support, this study compared symptoms, functioning, coping strategies and social
      support in non-medicated and medicated individuals with schizophrenia spectrum
      disorders. METHOD: In all, 48 participants with a DSM-IV schizophrenia spectrum
      disorder who were taking (n = 25) or not taking antipsychotic medication (n = 23)
      were included. Assessment consisted of self-ratings of symptoms, symptom-related
      distress and social support combined with a semi-structured interview that
      assessed general and social functioning, subjective evaluation of symptoms and
      coping strategies. RESULTS: Symptom severity and distress did not differ between
      the groups. However, the non-medicated participants had significantly higher
      levels of general functioning than medicated participants and a longer duration
      of being non-medicated was significantly associated with a higher level of
      general functioning. In contrast to the hypotheses, not taking medication was not
      associated with more effective coping strategies or with higher levels of social
      support. Medicated participants more frequently reported the use of professional
      help as a coping strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results corroborate previous studies
      finding improved functioning in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
      who do not take medication compared with those who take medication, but do not
      support the notion that this difference is explicable by better coping or higher
      levels of social support. Alternative explanations and avenues for research are
      discussed.

PMID- 27269769
TI  - Single-step simple ROC curve fitting via PCA.
AB  - A simple approach to fitting curves to receiver operating characteristic rating
      data is presented. It is based on the first principal component of the covariance
      space of the inverse normal integral of the cumulative rating data of the targets
      and distractors. It provides for 2 new associated d' estimates, dp' and dYNp'. A
      Monte Carlo simulation demonstrated that the parameter estimates are unbiased and
      produce estimates comparable to the iterative, maximum likelihood approach. The
      corresponding computational and plotting functions in the R programming language
      are also provided. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27269770
TI  - [Ultrasound as a part of the student curriculum].

PMID- 27269771
TI  - [Bites of venomous snakes in Switzerland].
AB  - Although snake bites are rare in Europe, there are a constant number of snake
      bites in Switzerland. There are two domestic venomous snakes in Switzerland: the
      aspic viper (Vipera aspis) and the common European adder (Vipera berus). Bites
      from venomous snakes are caused either by one of the two domestic venomous snakes
      or by an exotic venomous snake kept in a terrarium. Snake- bites can cause both a
      local and/or a systemic envenoming. Potentially fatal systemic complications are
      related to disturbances of the hemostatic- and cardiovascular system as well as
      the central or peripheral nervous system. Beside a symptomatic therapy the
      administration of antivenom is the only causal therapy to neutralize the venomous
      toxins.

PMID- 27269773
TI  - [Ultrasound training in the medical curriculum at the Bern University - a pilot
      project].

PMID- 27269774
TI  - [Zurich Sono4You].

PMID- 27269775
TI  - [Dyspepsia, Ulcer Disease - Helicobacter pylori, Gastroesophageal Reflux
      Disease].
AB  - Prevalence of H. pylori (HP) is declining, whereas reflux disease and the
      proportion of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAR) to HP-induced ulcers
      increase. Eradication heals HP-ulcer disease, interrupts cancerous progression
      and can improve dyspeptic symptoms. NSAR-ulcers heal under proton pump inhibitor
      (PPI) therapy but tend to recur after reexposition. Anticoagulants and
      antiplatlet agents increase the risk additionally. PPI reduces NSAR-ulcer
      recurrence. Reflux patients with severe inflammation and complications often need
      long-term therapy. Barrett's esophagus patients are at risk of esophageal
      adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 27269776
TI  - [Management of Type 2 Diabetes: a Practical Approach].
AB  - Over the last years, the therapeutic aims for patients with type 2 diabetes have
      changed and several novel drugs have been introduced. In this Mini-Review we
      discuss these aims and how to achieve them.

PMID- 27269777
TI  - [Unusual Migraine Manifestations].
AB  - Migraine is a complex neurologic disorder by which several systems of the central
      nervous system (autonomous system, affective, cognitive, sensoric and motoric
      system) may be affected on different levels. Around a fourth of the patients have
      migraine aura. The most common aura is the visual aura, followed by sensoric
      aura. But motoric deficits as well as deficits of higher cortical centers
      (disorders of thinking, orientation, coherence or concentration) may occur as
      well. In analogy with a headache calendar, an aura calendar can deliver important
      help in the diagnostic process of rare migraine manifestations and prevent
      underdiagnosis of unusual migraine manifestations. Complex migraine
      manifestations are diagnoses of exlusion, and a broad diagnostic work-up is
      warranted in order to exclude dangerous neurologic pathologies. There are no
      specific therapeutic recommendations, as there is a lack of randomized controlled
      studies.

PMID- 27269778
TI  - [Dysphagia and Sonography: what Association?].
AB  - Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder characterized by dysphagia,
      chest pain, and drug-resistant reflux symptoms. A detailed anamnesis and
      esophageal manometry are essential tools for a correct diagnosis. We present a
      case of a 31 years old woman with typical achalasia symptoms misdiagnosed for
      many years due to a complex background picture. Despite the evolution in medical
      sciences, this clinical case underlines the cornerstones of medical profession:
      patient-physician relation and bedside clinical approach. At the same time, it
      confirms the increasing role of ultrasonography as a simple but essential tool
      for a complete general-internal medicine evaluation.

PMID- 27269780
TI  - [Mindfulness-based stress reduction is effective in patients with chronic lumbar
      backache].

PMID- 27269779
TI  - [Goodpasture Syndrome: a Rare Cause of Acute Anuric Renal Failure].
AB  - We report a case of a 68 year old male who presented with an acute onset of
      anuric renal failure. Investigations revealed a histologically confirmed "double
      positive" anti-GBM disease with initially undetectably high antibody values. An
      induction therapy with plasma exchange, cyclophosphamide and initially high dose
      steroids and further maintenance therapy for three months was initiated. The
      patient remained dialysis-dependent despite partial recovering of renal function.
      Without pulmonary involvement there were no clues for Goodpasture's disease.
      Renal prognosis is unfavourable.

PMID- 27269781
TI  - [Months of antibiotic therapy in persistent symptoms of Lyme disease without
      effect].

PMID- 27269783
TI  - [CME-EKG: Stress induced presyncopes].

PMID- 27269787
TI  - Longitudinal evaluation of leukocyte transcripts in killer whales (Orcinus Orca).
AB  - Early identification of illness and/or presence of environmental and/or social
      stressors in free-ranging and domestic cetaceans is a priority for marine mammal
      health care professionals. Incorporation of leukocyte gene transcript analysis
      into the diagnostic tool kit has the potential to augment classical diagnostics
      based upon ease of sample storage and shipment, inducible nature and well-defined
      roles of transcription and associated downstream actions. Development of
      biomarkers that could serve to identify "insults" and potentially differentiate
      disease etiology would be of great diagnostic value. To this end, a modest number
      of peripheral blood leukocyte gene transcripts were selected for application to a
      domestic killer whale population with a focus on broad representation of
      inducible immunologically relevant genes. Normalized leukocyte transcript values,
      longitudinally acquired from 232 blood samples derived from 26 clinically healthy
      whales, were not visibly influenced temporally nor by sex or the specific Park in
      which they resided. Stability in leukocyte transcript number during periods of
      health enhances their potential use in diagnostics through identification of
      outliers. Transcript levels of two cytokine genes, IL-4 and IL-17, were highly
      variable within the group as compared to the other transcripts. IL-4 transcripts
      were typically absent. Analysis of transcript levels on the other genes of
      interest, on an individual animal basis, identified more outliers than were
      visible when analyzed in the context of the entire population. The majority of
      outliers (9 samples) were low, though elevated transcripts were identified for IL
      17 from 2 animals and one each for Cox-2 and IL-10. The low number of outliers
      was not unexpected as sample selection was intentionally directed towards animals
      that were clinically healthy at the time of collection. Outliers may reflect
      animals experiencing subclinical disease that is transient and self-limiting. The
      immunologic knowledge derived from longitudinal immunologic studies in killer
      whales, as was the target of the present study, has the potential to improve
      diagnostics and health related decision making for this and other domestic and
      free-ranging cetacean species. 

PMID- 27269788
TI  - An ELISA for quantifying quail IgY and characterizing maternal IgY transfer to
      egg yolk in several quail strains.
AB  - In avian species, maternal blood immunoglobulin Y (IgY) is transferred to the egg
      yolks of maturing oocytes, but the mechanism underlying this transfer is unknown.
      To gain insight into the mechanism of maternal IgY transfer in quail, we
      established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantitation of
      quail IgY. We characterized strain differences in blood and egg yolk IgY
      concentrations and exogenously injected IgY-Fc uptakes into egg yolks. A specific
      rabbit polyclonal antibody to quail IgY was raised for the ELISA. Blood and egg
      yolk IgY concentrations were determined in six quail strains (one inbred strain,
      L; four closed population strains, AWE, DB, PS, WE; one commercial strain,
      Commercial). The birds were also injected with digoxigenin-labeled quail IgY-Fc,
      and its uptakes into laid eggs were compared. The strain difference in blood and
      egg yolk IgY concentrations was at most 2.5-fold, between PS and AWE. The rank
      order of IgY concentrations was AWE, Commercial, DB, L>=WE>=PS. A significant
      positive correlation (|R|=0.786) between individual blood IgY and egg yolk IgY
      and the concentrated egg yolk IgY (1.5-2-fold) against blood IgY was observed.
      Interestingly, there was a significant inverse correlation (|R|=0.452) between
      injected IgY-Fc uptakes and the blood IgY concentration, implying competition of
      the injected IgY-Fc and blood IgY in the process of IgY uptake into egg yolks. In
      conclusion, we successfully determined blood and egg yolk IgY concentrations in
      various quail strains by a quail IgY-specific ELISA. The concentrated egg yolk
      IgY against the blood IgY and the inverse relationship of exogenous IgY-Fc uptake
      against the blood IgY supports the existence of a selective IgY transport
      mechanism in avian maturing oocytes. 

PMID- 27269786
TI  - NK cells are intrinsically functional in pigs with Severe Combined
      Immunodeficiency (SCID) caused by spontaneous mutations in the Artemis gene.
AB  - We have identified Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) in a line of Yorkshire
      pigs at Iowa State University. These SCID pigs lack B-cells and T-cells, but
      possess Natural Killer (NK) cells. This SCID phenotype is caused by recessive
      mutations in the Artemis gene. Interestingly, two human tumor cell lines, PANC-1
      and A375-SM, survived after injection into these SCID pigs, but, as we
      demonstrate here, these cells, as well as K562 tumor cells, can be lysed in vitro
      by NK cells from SCID and non-SCID pigs. NK cells from both SCID and non-SCID
      pigs required activation in vitro with either recombinant human IL-2 or the
      combination of recombinant porcine IL-12 and IL-18 to kill tumor targets. We also
      showed that SCID NK cells could be activated to produce perforin, and perforin
      production was greatly enhanced in NK cells from both SCID and non-SCID pigs
      after IL-2 cytokine treatment. While CD16+, CD172- NK cells constituted an
      average of only 4% in non-SCID pigs, NK cells averaged 27% of the peripheral
      blood mononuclear cell population in SCID pigs. We found no significant
      differences in killing activity per NK cell between SCID and non-SCID pigs. We
      conclude that survival of human cancer cells in these SCID pigs is not due to an
      intrinsic defect in NK cell killing ability. 

PMID- 27269789
TI  - Genome-wide association study for host response to bovine leukemia virus in
      Holstein cows.
AB  - The mechanisms of leukemogenesis induced by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and the
      processes underlying the phenomenon of differential host response to BLV
      infection still remain poorly understood. The aim of the study was to screen the
      entire cattle genome to identify markers and candidate genes that might be
      involved in host response to bovine leukemia virus infection. A genome-wide
      association study was performed using Holstein cows naturally infected by BLV. A
      data set included 43 cows (BLV positive) and 30 cows (BLV negative) genotyped for
      54,609 SNP markers (Illumina Bovine SNP50 BeadChip). The BLV status of cows was
      determined by serum ELISA, nested-PCR and hematological counts. Linear Regression
      Analysis with a False Discovery Rate and kinship matrix (computed on the
      autosomal SNPs) was calculated to find out which SNP markers significantly
      differentiate BLV-positive and BLV-negative cows. Nine markers reached genome
      wide significance. The most significant SNPs were located on chromosomes 23
      (rs41583098), 3 (rs109405425, rs110785500) and 8 (rs43564499) in close vicinity
      of a patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 1 (PNPLA1); adaptor-related
      protein complex 4, beta 1 subunit (AP4B1); tripartite motif-containing 45
      (TRIM45) and cell division cycle associated 2 (CDCA2) genes, respectively.
      Furthermore, a list of 41 candidate genes was composed based on their proximity
      to significant markers (within a distance of ca. 1 Mb) and functional involvement
      in processes potentially underlying BLV-induced pathogenesis. In conclusion, it
      was demonstrated that host response to BLV infection involves nine sub-regions of
      the cattle genome (represented by 9 SNP markers), containing many genes which,
      based on the literature, could be involved to enzootic bovine leukemia
      progression. New group of promising candidate genes associated with the host
      response to BLV infection were identified and could therefore be a target for
      future studies. The functions of candidate genes surrounding significant SNP
      markers imply that there is no single regulatory process that is solely targeted
      by BLV infection, but rather the network of interrelated pathways is deregulated,
      leading to the disruption of the control of B-cell proliferation and programmed
      cell death. 

PMID- 27269790
TI  - A chimeric protein comprising the immunogenic domains of Mannheimia haemolytica
      leukotoxin and outer membrane protein PlpE induces antibodies against leukotoxin
      and PlpE.
AB  - Mannheimia haemolytica is a very important pathogen of pneumonia in ruminants.
      Bighorn sheep (BHS, Ovis canadensis) are highly susceptible to M. haemolytica
      caused pneumonia which has significantly contributed to the drastic decline of
      bighorn sheep population in North America. Pneumonia outbreaks in wild BHS can
      cause mortality as high as 90%. Leukotoxin is the critical virulence factor of M.
      haemolytica. In a 'proof of concept' study, an experimental vaccine containing
      leukotoxin and surface antigens of M. haemolytica developed by us induced 100%
      protection of BHS, but required multiple booster injections. Vaccination of wild
      BHS is difficult. But they can be vaccinated at the time of transplantation into
      a new habitat. Administration of booster doses, however, is impossible.
      Therefore, a vaccine that does not require booster doses is necessary to immunize
      BHS against M. haemolytica pneumonia. Herpesviruses are ideal vectors for
      development of such a vaccine because of their ability to undergo latency with
      subsequent reactivation. As the first step towards developing a herpesvirus
      vectored vaccine, we constructed a chimeric protein comprising the leukotoxin
      neutralizing epitopes and the immuno-dominant epitopes of the outer membrane
      protein PlpE. The chimeric protein was efficiently expressed in primary BHS lung
      cells. The immunogenicity of the chimeric protein was evaluated in mice before
      inoculating BHS. Mice immunized with the chimeric protein developed antibodies
      against M. haemolytica leukotoxin and PlpE. More importantly, the anti-leukotoxin
      antibodies effectively neutralized leukotoxin-induced cytotoxicity. Taken
      together, these results represent the successful completion of the first step
      towards developing a herpesvirus-vectored vaccine for controlling M. haemolytica
      pneumonia in BHS, and possibly other ruminants. 

PMID- 27269791
TI  - Impact of oral meloxicam and long-distance transport on cell-mediated and humoral
      immune responses in feedlot steers receiving modified live BVDV booster
      vaccination on arrival.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of oral meloxicam (MEL)
      and long-distance transportation on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in
      preconditioned steers receiving a booster vaccination on arrival. We hypothesized
      that steers treated with MEL at 1mg/kg body weight, 6h before night-time
      transport, would be less immunocompromised on arrival (day 0) and after 7days,
      and that CMI following vaccination with a modified live bovine viral diarrhea
      virus (BVDV) recall antigen would be increased. Brahman crossbreed steers, 13-17
      months of age (n=87), were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups:
      MEL, transported (MTR) (n=22), MEL, non-transported (MNT) (n=22), lactose
      placebo, transported (CTR) (n=21), and lactose placebo, non-transported (CNT)
      (n=22). MTR and CTR steers were transported for approximately 16h non-stop on a
      truck from Mississippi to Iowa (approximately 1300km), whereas steers in the MNT
      and CNT groups remained in Mississippi as non-transported controls. Body weight
      was measured and jugular blood was collected at -1, 0, and 7days from all steers
      at the same time, regardless of location. Multi-parameter flow cytometry (MP-FCM)
      was used to identify T-cell subsets and detect the expression of three activation
      markers (CD25 [interleukin (IL)-2 receptor], intracellular interferon-gamma
      [IFNgamma], and IL-4) after in vitro stimulation with BVDV recall antigen. Plasma
      cortisol concentration was measured on day -1, 0, and 7 as a marker of transport
      associated stress. Serum antibody titer to BVDV was assessed on day -1 and day 7
      post-booster vaccination. Whole-blood samples were analyzed using MP-FCM on days
      0 and 7. Results were log transformed and analyzed using repeated measures of
      analysis of variance. Compared with non-transported controls, transport led to an
      increase in BVDV-induced expression of CD25, IFNgamma, and IL-4 in CD4(+),
      CD8(+), and gammadelta(+) T-cell subsets (P<0.05). MEL treatment mitigated the
      transportation-associated increase in CD25 expression by peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs), CD4(+), and gammadelta(+) T cells. CMI outputs for the
      MTR group were less than those of the CTR group (P<0.05); however, the MTR and NT
      groups did not differ (P>0.10). A treatment*transport interaction was noted for
      the increase in IL-4 expression by CD8(+) T cells after transport, with a
      significant difference between the CTR and MTR groups at day 7. In conclusion,
      the use of oral MEL prior to transport appears to have inhibitory or homeostatic
      effects, but further research is needed to validate the effect of MEL treatment
      on specific T-cell subsets in transported cattle. 

PMID- 27269792
TI  - In situ hybridization to detect and localize signature cytokines of T-helper (Th)
      1 and Th2 immune responses in chicken tissues.
AB  - The avian immune system has been shown to possess a repertoire of cytokines
      directing T-helper (Th) 1 and Th2 types of immune responses similar to that in
      mammals. The objective of this study was to establish in situ hybridization (ISH)
      for the localization of mRNA of selected signal cytokines, chicken interferon
      gamma (ChIFN-gamma), chicken interleukin (ChIL)-4 and ChIL-13 in fixed tissues.
      RNA probes were generated to hybridize to 488, 318, and 417bp of the respective
      target mRNA. Probe concentrations ranging from 100ng/ml to 400ng/ml were shown to
      be suitable to label cells that expressed these cytokines. The specificity of
      every probe was verified using the respective sense probe. ChIFN-gamma, ChIL-4
      and ChIL-13 positive cells were observed in the lymphocytic infiltrations of
      liver and in the periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths of spleen collected from
      specific-pathogen-free chickens. ISH of these cytokines in a severely inflamed
      liver due to infiltration with the parasite Histomonas meleagridis revealed the
      expression of both ChIFN-gamma and ChIL-13 mRNA in the mononuclear infiltrates.
      In conclusion, ChIFN-gamma, ChIL-4 and ChIL-13 mRNA were efficiently localized by
      ISH, which supplies a valid technique to characterize immune responses in fixed
      tissues. 

PMID- 27269793
TI  - Response of immune response genes to adjuvants poly [di(sodium
      carboxylatoethylphenoxy)phosphazene] (PCEP), CpG oligodeoxynucleotide and
      emulsigen at intradermal injection site in pigs.
AB  - Understanding the mechanisms by which adjuvants mediate their effects provide
      critical information on how innate immunity influences the development of
      adaptive immunity. Despite being a critical vaccine component, the mechanisms by
      which adjuvants mediate their effects are not fully understood and this is
      especially true when they are used in large animals. This lack of understanding
      limits our ability to design effective vaccines. In the present study, we
      administered polyphosphazene (PCEP), CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG), emulsigen
      or saline via an intradermal injection into pigs and assessed the impact on the
      expression of reported 'adjuvant response genes' over time. CpG induced a strong
      upregulation of the chemokine CXL10 several 'Interferon Response Genes', as well
      as TNFalpha, and IL-10, and a down-regulation of IL-17 genes. Emulsigen
      upregulated expression of chemokines CCL2 and CCL5, proinflammatory cytokines IL
      6 and TNFalpha, as well as TLR9, and several IFN response genes. PCEP induced the
      expression of chemokine CCL2 and proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. These results
      suggest that emulsigen and CpG may promote recruitment of innate immune cells and
      Th1 type cytokine production but that PCEP may promote a Th-2 type immune
      response through the induction of IL-6, an inducer of B cell activity and
      differentiation. 

PMID- 27269794
TI  - Expectancy Effect in Three Mind-Body Clinical Trials.
AB  - Expectancy, arguably the prime component of the placebo effect, has been shown to
      significantly modify the effects of many treatments. Furthermore, various forms
      of mind-body interventions have demonstrated effective improvements in outcomes.
      The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between pretreatment
      expectations and symptom reduction in a secondary analysis of 3 mind-body
      intervention programs. An adjusted correlation and regression analysis compared
      data from a 6-question expectancy questionnaire to a self-reported clinical
      impression of change score. Only 1 of the 6 expectancy questions in 1 of the 3
      studies reached significance (B = 0.087; P = .025). The combined data from all 3
      studies did not reveal significant expectancy effects. The positive effects of
      mindfulness meditation appear to be independent of an expectancy effect. 

PMID- 27269795
TI  - Remote home management for chronic kidney disease: A systematic review.
AB  - Background Remote home management is a new healthcare model that uses information
      technology to enhance patients' self-management of disease in a home setting.
      This study is designed to identify the effects of remote home management on
      patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods A comprehensive search of
      PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
      was performed in January 2015. The reference listings of the included articles in
      this review were also manually examined. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
      designed to evaluate the effects of remote home management on patients with CKD
      were included. Results Eight trials were identified. The results of this study
      suggest that the quality of life (QOL) enabled by remote home management was
      higher than typical care in certain dimensions. However, the effects of remote
      home management on blood pressure (BP) remain inconclusive. The studies that
      assessed health service utilization demonstrated a significant decrease in
      hospital readmission, emergency room visits, and number of days in the hospital.
      Another favorable result of this study is that regardless of their gender, age or
      nationality, patients tend to comply with remote home management programs and the
      use of related technologies. Conclusions The available data indicate that remote
      home management may be a novel and effective disease management strategy for
      improving CKD patients' QOL and influencing their attitudes and behaviors. And,
      relatively little is known about BP and cost-effectiveness, so future research
      should focus on these two aspects for the entire population of patients with CKD.

PMID- 27269808
TI  - An Effective Virtual Screening Protocol To Identify Promising p53-MDM2
      Inhibitors.
AB  - The p53-MDM2 interaction is a well-known protein-protein contact, and its
      disruption is a key event for p53 activation and induction of its oncosuppressor
      response. The design of small molecules that can block the p53-MDM2 interaction
      and reactivate the p53 function is a promising strategy for cancer therapy. To
      date, several compounds have been identified as p53-MDM2 inhibitors, and X-ray
      structures of MDM2 complexed with several ligands are available in the Brookhaven
      Protein Data Bank. These data have been exploited to compile a hierarchical
      virtual screening protocol. The first steps were aimed at selecting a focused
      library, which was submitted in parallel to docking and pharmacophore model
      alignment. Selected compounds were subjected to inhibition assays of both
      cellular vitality (MTT) and p53-MDM2 interaction (ELISA and co
      immunoprecipitation), disclosing four nanomolar inhibitors.

PMID- 27269809
TI  - Quantitative description of short-range order and its influence on the electronic
      structure in Ag-Pd alloys.
AB  - We investigate the effect of short-range order (SRO) on the electronic structure
      in alloys from the theoretical point of view using density of states (DOS) data.
      In particular, the interaction between the atoms at different lattice sites is
      affected by chemical disorder, which in turn is reflected in the fine structure
      of the DOS and, hence, in the outcome of spectroscopic measurements. We aim at
      quantifying the degree of potential SRO with a proper parameter. The theoretical
      modeling is done with the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green's function method.
      Therein, the extended multi-sublattice non-local coherent potential approximation
      is used to include SRO. As a model system, we use the binary solid solution Ag c
      Pd1-c at three representative concentrations c  =  0.25, 0.5 and 0.75. The degree
      of SRO is varied from local ordering to local segregation through an intermediate
      completely uncorrelated state. We observe some pronounced features, which change
      over the whole energy range of the valence bands as a function of SRO in the
      alloy. These spectral variations should be traceable in modern photoemission
      experiments.

PMID- 27269810
TI  - Successful treatment of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia with high doses of linezolid
      administered in continuous infusion.

PMID- 27269811
TI  - Construction of a Defined Biomimetic Matrix for Long-Term Maintenance of Mouse
      Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.
AB  - The existing in vitro culture systems often use undefined and animal-derived
      components for the culture of pluripotent stem cells. Artificial bioengineered
      peptides have the potential to become alternatives to these components of
      extracellular matrix (ECM). Integrins and cadherins are two cell adhesion
      proteins important for stem cell self-renewal, differentiation, and phenotype
      stability. In the present study, we sought to mimic the physico-biochemical
      properties of natural ECMs that allow self-renewal of mouse induced pluripotent
      stem cells (iPSCs). We develop a genetically engineered ECM protein (ERE-CBP)
      that contains (i) an integrin binding peptide sequence (RGD/R), (ii) an E-/N
      cadherin binding peptide sequence (SWELYYPLRANL/CBP), and (iii) 12 repeats of
      APGVGV elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs/E).While ELPs allow efficient coating by
      binding to nontreated hydrophobic tissue culture plates, RGD/R and CBP support
      integrin- and cadherin-dependent cell attachment, respectively. Mouse iPSCs on
      this composite matrix exhibit a more compact phenotype compared to cells on
      control gelatin substrate. We also demonstrated that the ERE-CBP supports
      proliferation and long-term self-renewal of mouse iPSCs for up to 17 passages
      without GSK3beta (CHIR99021) and Erk (PD0325901) inhibitors. Overall, our
      engineered ECM protein, which is cost-effective to produce in prokaryotic origin
      and flexible to modify with other cell adhesion peptides or growth factors,
      provides a novel approach for expansion of mouse iPSCs in vitro. 

PMID- 27269812
TI  - A Platform to Enable the Pharmacological Profiling of Small Molecules in Gel
      Based Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays.
AB  - We describe a polyacrylamide gel casting cassette that overcomes limitations of
      commercially available gel electrophoresis equipment. This apparatus molds a
      single polyacrylamide gel that can evaluate more than 200 samples in parallel, is
      loaded with a multichannel pipettor, and is flexible with respect to composition
      of the separating matrix. We demonstrate its use to characterize inhibitors of
      enzymes that modify protein and nucleic acid substrates. Throughputs of greater
      than 1000 samples per day were achieved when this system was paired with a
      quantitative laser-based imaging system, yielding data of remarkable quality.

PMID- 27269813
TI  - The role of rational and experiential processing in influencing the framing
      effect.
AB  - Research on individual differences and the framing effect has focused primarily
      on how variability in rational processing influences choice. However, we propose
      that measuring only rational processing presents an incomplete picture of how
      participants are responding to framed options, as orthogonal individual
      differences in experiential processing might be relevant. In two studies, we
      utilize the Rational Experiential Inventory, which captures individual
      differences in rational and experiential processing, to investigate how both
      processing types influence decisions. Our results show that differences in
      experiential processing, but not rational processing, moderated the effect of
      frame on choice. We suggest that future research should more closely examine the
      influence of experiential processing on making decisions, to gain a broader
      understanding of the conditions that contribute to the framing effect.

PMID- 27269814
TI  - "Uberizing" home care in Ontario.
AB  - This article looks at home care in Ontario and its role as a foundation for a
      sustainable healthcare system in the future. Beginning with the history and
      evolution of the service delivery model, it examines current challenges and
      opportunities to unleash the potential of home care within a more integrated
      model for patient-centred care for the future. An in-depth look at how to better
      coordinate, integrate, and fund care for patients is highlighted. 

PMID- 27269815
TI  - "We Should Talk"-Moving knowledge into action by learning to engage patients,
      families, and healthcare staff to communicate for patient safety.
AB  - Innovation in patient engagement and empowerment has been identified as a
      priority area in the Canadian healthcare system. This article describes the
      development and implementation of the We Should Talk campaign at an academic
      pediatric hospital. Through the use of a guiding theoretical framework and a
      multidisciplinary project team, a multimedia campaign was designed to inspire
      staff, patients and families to effectively communicate to improve patient
      safety. The We Should Talk campaign provides a case study for how an organization
      can foster frontline improvement through the engagement of patient, families, and
      healthcare providers. 

PMID- 27269816
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of renal cell
      carcinoma that is inconspicuous on conventional ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the safety, effectiveness and
      feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided percutaneous microwave
      ablation (MWA) of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) that is inconspicuous on
      conventional ultrasound (US). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 RCC nodules in
      29 patients (23 men and 6 women) were treated with CEUS-guided percutaneous MWA
      between January 2010 and September 2014. The median maximum diameter of the
      nodules was 2.4 cm (interquartile range: 1.8-2.9 cm). The US contrast agent was
      SonoVue, a second-generation contrast agent. CEUS was applied before the needle
      was inserted into the tumour, and percutaneous MWA was performed under CEUS
      guidance. RESULTS: In total 31 tumours were successfully visualised via CEUS
      using 1-2 (1.0-2.0 mL) contrast agent injections, and percutaneous MWA was
      performed under CEUS-guidance. The technical success rate of CEUS-guided
      percutaneous MWA of RCC was 96.9% (31/32). The mean number of sessions of CEUS
      guided percutaneous MWA for each tumour was 1.2 +/- 0.4. The mean duration of
      energy application for each tumour was 7.3 +/- 2.7 min. All patients were
      followed up for 3-71 months (median 17 months) to observe the therapeutic effects
      and complications. The therapeutic effects were assessed at follow-up with
      computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CEUS. There was
      no local tumour progression and the technique effectiveness rate was 100%
      (31/31). The complications rate was 6.5% and the major complications rate was
      3.2%. We observed one case of pleural effusion and one case of renal subcapsular
      haemorrhage after the percutaneous MWA procedures. CONCLUSION: CEUS-guided
      percutaneous MWA is a safe, efficient and feasible therapy for patients with RCCs
      inconspicuous on conventional US.

PMID- 27269817
TI  - Need for Specialized Support Services for Nurse Victims of Physical Assault by
      Psychiatric Patients.
AB  - Assault of nurses in the psychiatric setting is an ongoing global concern. In a
      prior study by these authors, many nurses reported concern about the lack of
      supportive interventions offered to nurses after the assault event. These nurses
      reported ongoing psychosocial and emotional disturbance consistent with symptoms
      of post-traumatic stress disorder. A follow-up study was done to investigate the
      perceived need of assaulted nurses for specialized support groups to assist them
      in dealing with the experience. A quantitative, cross sectional survey
      descriptive research design was done to assess assaulted nurses' perceived need
      for specialized support groups. The survey also gathered data relating to the
      reporting of the assault. A qualitative narrative section was added to gather
      data that might have been missed in the quantitative segment. The sample
      consisted of 57 previously assaulted nurses currently working at multiple acute
      care sites. Study findings showed that if specialized support groups were
      available, 57% of the nurses might be interested in attending these, and 41%
      would be interested in attending these. These nurses also reported multiple signs
      and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Considering the serious negative
      impact of assault on nurses and their desire for follow-up support, there is a
      need for the availability of supportive services. 

PMID- 27269818
TI  - Developing and implementing a social prescribing initiative in primary care:
      insights into the possibility of normalisation and sustainability from a UK case
      study.
AB  - : Aim To conduct a process-based evaluation of the inception and early
      implementation of a social prescribing initiative (Healthy Connections Stewartry)
      in two UK General Practices. BACKGROUND: Prescribing a range of social, cultural,
      arts and educational activities to clients in primary care (known as 'social
      prescribing' or 'community linking schemes') as a means of addressing long-term
      physical health conditions and promoting mental health and well-being is becoming
      increasingly prominent and popular. However, concerns exist over a lack of
      evidence of effectiveness and formalised insights into how such initiatives may
      be optimally implemented. METHODS: Within a case study design and using 1-1 semi
      structured interviews, three related data sets were developed over a 12-month
      period from 30 purposively sampled informants: the project steering group; the
      wider primary care team; and various community groups. Data analysis drew on
      various theoretical resources, particularly those pertaining to nurturing
      sufficient capacity for the organisational 'normalisation' of this practice and
      understanding the dynamic flows and linkages between potential clients,
      'prescribing' primary care staff and the available community resources. Findings
      The inception and implementation of the initiative had been broadly successful
      and that more generally, there were grounds to suggest that these practices were
      becoming 'normalised' into the day-to-day cultures and routines of the primary
      care organisations. A series of procedural features are considered significant in
      achieving such ends. Some specific barriers to change are identified and
      ultimately in the context of potential 'transferability', a wider reflection is
      undertaken of the potential for such innovative practice to become established in
      less advantageous organisational circumstances. Fundamental difficulties are
      recognised and thus the need for formally implemented 'change' processes.
      Furthermore, for social prescribing to become a pervasive feature of health-care
      provision, the need for necessary capacity and resources is stressed.

PMID- 27269820
TI  - Visible Light Photoredox-Catalyzed O-Sialylation Using Thiosialoside Donors.
AB  - An efficient protocol for the O-sialylation using thiosialoside donors under
      visible light photocatalysis was developed. Thiosialosides were activated under
      the irradiation with blue light in the presence of Ru(bpy)3(PF6)2 as
      photocatalyst, Umemoto's reagent as CF3 radical source and Cu(OTf)2 as an
      additive in acetonitrile/dichloromethane at -30  degrees C, and the subsequent
      reaction with glycosyl acceptors generally produced the desired sialosides in
      good to excellent yields with the satisfactory alpha-selectivity.

PMID- 27269819
TI  - Hepatitis C virus antibody titers associated with cognitive dysfunction in an
      asymptomatic community-based sample.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with cognitive
      dysfunction in clinic-based studies. The risk could be attributed to factors such
      as antiviral medications, substance abuse, or coincidental infection. AIM: The
      aim was to evaluate cognitive function in relation to HCV antibody titers in a
      community-based sample of asymptomatic individuals at low risk for substance
      abuse. METHOD: Adults were ascertained from a community in Mansoura, Egypt, where
      HCV is endemic (n = 258). Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Arabic
      version of the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery. Substance abuse and
      psychopathology were also assessed. Antibodies to HCV and Toxoplasma gondii
      (TOX), a common protozoan that can affect cognition, were estimated using
      serological IgG assays. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCV and TOX infection was
      17.6% and 52.9%, respectively. HCV antibody titers were significantly associated
      with worse function in four cognitive tests for accuracy and three tests for
      speed, after adjusting for covariates (p < .05, beta coefficients, 2.1-3.2). TOX
      antibody titers were associated with impaired accuracy in one test. CONCLUSIONS:
      The association between HCV antibody titers and cognitive impairment is not
      mediated by antiviral treatment or substance abuse in this sample. Whether HCV
      has a causal role in the cognitive dysfunction should be investigated.

PMID- 27269821
TI  - Mimicking Form and Function of Native Small Diameter Vascular Conduits Using
      Mulberry and Non-mulberry Patterned Silk Films.
AB  - Autologous graft replacement as a strategy to treat diseased peripheral small
      diameter (<=6 mm) blood vessel is often challenged by prior vein harvesting. To
      address this issue, we fabricated native-tissue mimicking multilayered small
      diameter vascular graft (SDVG) using mulberry (Bombyx mori) and Indian endemic
      non-mulberry (Antheraea assama and Philosamia ricini) silk. Patterned silk films
      were fabricated on microgrooved PDMS mold, casted by soft lithography. The
      biodegradable patterned film templates with aligned cell sheets were rolled onto
      an inert mandrel to mimic vascular conduit. The hemocompatible and mechanically
      strong non-mulberry films with RGD motif supported ~1.2 folds greater
      proliferation of vascular cells with aligned anchorage. Elicitation of minimal
      immune response on subcutaneous implantation of the films in mice was
      complemented by ~45% lower TNF alpha secretion by in vitro macrophage culture
      post 7 days. Pattern-induced alignment favored the functional contractile
      phenotype of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), expressing the signature markers
      calponin, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), and smooth muscle myosin heavy
      chain (SM-MHC). Endothelial cells (ECs) exhibited a typical punctuated pattern of
      von Willebrand factor (vWF). Deposition of collagen and elastin by the SMCs
      substantiated the aptness of the graft with desired biomechanical attributes.
      Furthermore, the burst strength of the fabricated conduit was in the range of
      ~915-1260 mmHg, a prerequisite to withstand physiological pressure. This novel
      fabrication approach may eliminate the need of maturation in a pulsatile
      bioreactor for obtaining functional cellular phenotype. This work is thereby an
      attestation to the immense prospects of exploring non-mulberry silk for
      bioengineering a multilayered vascular conduit similar to a native vessel in
      "form and function", befitting for in vivo transplantation. 

PMID- 27269867
TI  - Anxiety disorders in breast cancer: Prevalence, types, and determinants.
AB  - The coexistence of anxiety disorders among women with breast cancer has been
      linked with delay in diagnosis, treatment abandonment, and poor quality of life.
      This study investigated anxiety disorders with their determinants among 200
      participants with histological diagnosis of breast cancer. A questionnaire was
      designed to elicit sociodemographic and clinical factors, while the schedule for
      clinical assessment in neuropsychiatry (SCAN) was used to ascertain the presence
      of anxiety disorders. The mean age of participants was 49.6 years (SD = 11.2) and
      more than half (54%) presented with advanced cancers (stages 3 and 4). Anxiety
      disorder was observed in 38 (19%) of the participants. Low income, absence of
      previous history of breast cancer, and early stage of breast cancer were the
      significant determinants of anxiety disorders (p < 0.05). However, only absence
      of previous history of breast cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 3.460, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] = 1.200-6.960) and early stage of breast cancer (OR = 1.560, 95% CI
      = 1.120-2.174) were the determinants of anxiety disorders following logistic
      regression. We advocate for public awareness to promote early screening.
      Similarly, there is need to improve access to care and integrate culturally
      appropriate psychosocial intervention into breast cancer care using the available
      knowledge on vulnerability factors. Further study on anxiety disorders in breast
      cancer is indicated.

PMID- 27269868
TI  - Graphene Meets Microbubbles: A Superior Contrast Agent for Photoacoustic Imaging.
AB  - Coupling graphene with a soft polymer surface offers the possibility to build
      hybrid constructs with new electrical, optical, and mechanical properties.
      However, the low reactivity of graphene is a hurdle in the synthesis of such
      systems which is often bypassed by oxidizing its carbon planar structure.
      However, the defects introduced with this process jeopardize the properties of
      graphene. In this paper we present a different approach, applicable to many
      different polymer surfaces, which uses surfactant assisted ultrasonication to
      exfoliate, and simultaneously suspend, graphene in water in its intact form.
      Tethering pristine graphene sheets to the surfaces is accomplished by using
      suitable reactive functional groups of the surfactant scaffold. We focused on
      applying this approach to the fabrication of a hybrid system, made of pristine
      graphene tethered to poly(vinyl alcohol) based microbubbles (PVA MBs), designed
      for enhancing photoacoustic signals. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a powerful
      preclinical diagnostic tool which provides real time images at a resolution of 40
      MUm. The leap toward clinical imaging has so far been hindered by the limited
      tissues penetration of near-infrared (NIR) pulsed laser radiation. Many academic
      and industrial research laboratories have met this challenge by designing
      devices, each with pros and cons, to enhance the photoacoustic (PA) signal. The
      major advantages of the hybrid graphene/PVA MBs construct, however, are (i) the
      preservation of graphene properties, (ii) biocompatibility, a consequence of the
      robust anchoring of pristine graphene to the bioinert surface of the PVA bubble,
      and (iii) a very good enhancement in a NIR spectral region of the PA signal,
      which does not overlap with the signals of PA active endogenous molecules such as
      hemoglobin. 

PMID- 27269866
TI  - 6beta-N-Heterocyclic Substituted Naltrexamine Derivative BNAP: A Peripherally
      Selective Mixed MOR/KOR Ligand.
AB  - The 6beta-N-heterocyclic naltrexamine derivative, NAP, has been demonstrated to
      be a peripherally selective mu opioid receptor modulator. To further improve
      peripheral selectivity of this highly potent ligand, its pyridal ring was
      quaterinized with benzyl bromide to produce BNAP. In radioligand binding assay,
      the Ki of BNAP for MOR was 0.76 +/- 0.09 nM and was >900-fold more selective for
      MOR than DOR. The Ki for KOR was 3.46 +/- 0.05 nM. In [(35)S]GTPgammaS ligand
      stimulated assay, BNAP showed low agonist efficacy with 14.6% of the maximum
      response of DAMGO with an EC50 of 4.84 +/- 0.6 nM. However, unlike its parent
      compound NAP, BNAP displayed partial agonist activity at KOR with % maximum
      response at 45.9 +/- 1.7% of U50,488H. BNAP did not reverse morphine-induced
      antinociception when administered subcutaneously but did antagonize when
      administered intracerebroventricularly. BNAP antagonized morphine-induced
      contractions of the circular muscle in mice colon. BNAP inhibition of field
      stimulated contractions in longitudinal muscle strips for the guinea-pig ileum
      were also blocked by nor-BNI, a kappa opioid receptor antagonist. BNAP induced
      inhibition of acetic acid induced abdominal stretching in chronic morphine
      treated mice. These findings suggest that BNAP is a dual MOR antagonist/KOR
      agonist and may have functional use in irritable bowel patients.

PMID- 27269879
TI  - Release of levetiracetam from extended-release tablets that appear intact in
      patient stool.

PMID- 27269869
TI  - Alcohol intake alters immune responses and promotes CNS viral persistence in
      mice.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection leads to progressive liver disease and
      is associated with a variety of extrahepatic effects, including central nervous
      system (CNS) damage and neuropsychiatric impairments. Alcohol abuse can
      exacerbate these adverse effects on brain and behavior, but the molecular
      mechanisms are not well understood. This study investigated the role of alcohol
      in regulating viral persistence and CNS immunopathology in mice infected with
      lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a model for HCV infections in humans.
      Female and male BALB/c mice (n=94) were exposed to alcohol (ethanol; EtOH) and
      water (or water only) using a two-bottle choice paradigm, followed one week later
      by infection with either LCMV clone 13 (causes chronic infection similar to
      chronic HCV), LCMV Armstrong (causes acute infection), or vehicle. Mice were
      monitored for 60days post-infection and continued to receive 24-h access to EtOH
      and water. Animals infected with LCMV clone 13 drank more EtOH, as compared to
      those with an acute or no viral infection. Six weeks after infection with LCMV
      clone 13, mice with EtOH exposure evidenced higher serum viral titers, as
      compared to mice without EtOH exposure. EtOH intake was also associated with
      reductions in virus-specific CD8(+) T cell frequencies (particularly CD11a(hi)
      subsets) and evidence of persistent CNS viremia in chronically infected mice.
      These findings support the hypothesis that EtOH use and chronic viral infection
      can result in combined toxic effects accelerating CNS damage and neuropsychiatric
      dysfunction and suggest that examining the role of EtOH in regulating viral
      persistence and CNS immunopathology in mice infected with LCMV can lead to a more
      comprehensive understanding of comorbid alcohol use disorder and chronic viral
      infection.

PMID- 27269880
TI  - Cholesterol induces proliferation of chicken primordial germ cells.
AB  - Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of sperm and eggs and may serve
      as suitable cells for use in research in developmental biology and transgenic
      animals. However, the long-term propagation of PGCs in vitro has so far been
      plagued by the loss of their germ cell characteristics. This is largely because
      of the scarcity of knowledge concerning cell division and proliferation in these
      cells and the poor optimization of the culture medium. The sonic hedgehog (SHH)
      signaling pathway is involved in proliferation of many types of cells, but little
      is known about its role in chicken PGCs. The results of the current study
      indicate that the proliferation of chicken PGCs increases significantly when
      cholesterol, a molecule that facilitates the trafficking of HH ligands, is
      supplemented in the culture medium. This effect was attenuated when an SHH
      antagonist, cyclopamine was added, suggesting the involvement of SHH signaling in
      this process. The characterization of PGCs treated with cholesterol has shown
      that these cells express germ-cell-related markers and retain their capability to
      colonize the embryonic gonad after re-introduction to vasculature of stage-15 HH
      embryos, indicating that proliferation of PGCs induced by cholesterol does not
      alter the germ cell characteristics of these cells. 

PMID- 27269881
TI  - Distribution of hypothalamic vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactive neurons
      in the male native Thai chicken.
AB  - Avian prolactin (PRL) secretion is under stimulatory control by the PRL-releasing
      factor (PRF), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The neuroendocrine regulation
      of the avian reproductive system has been extensively studied in females.
      However, there are limited data in males. The aim of this study was to elucidate
      the VIPergic system and its relationship to PRL and testosterone (T) in the male
      native Thai chicken. The distributions of VIP-immunoreactive (-ir) neurons and
      fibers were determined by immunohistochemistry. Changes in VIP-ir neurons within
      the nucleus inferioris hypothalami (IH) and nucleus infundibuli hypothalami (IN)
      areas were compared across the reproductive stages. Plasma levels of PRL and T
      were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and then compared across the
      reproductive stages. The results revealed that the highest accumulations of VIP
      ir neurons were concentrated only within the IH-IN, and VIP-ir neurons were not
      detected within other hypothalamic nuclei. Within the IH-IN, VIP-ir neurons were
      low in premature and aging males and markedly increased in mature males. Changes
      in VIP-ir neurons within the IH-IN were directly mirrored with changes in PRL and
      T levels across the reproductive stages. These results suggested that VIP neurons
      in the IH-IN play a regulatory role in year-round reproductive activity in males.
      The present study also provides additional evidence that VIP is the PRF in non
      seasonal, continuously breeding equatorial species. 

PMID- 27269882
TI  - Impact of chronic kidney disease on patients with unprotected left main coronary
      artery disease treated with coronary artery bypass grafting or drug-eluting
      stents.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes after percutaneous
      coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents (DESs) or coronary artery bypass
      grafting (CABG) in unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease patients
      with and without chronic kidney disease. BACKGROUND: The optimal coronary
      revascularization strategy for ULMCA disease patients with chronic kidney disease
      remains uncertain. METHODS: The sample included 818 ULMCA disease patients who
      received DESs (n=358) or underwent CABG (n=460). We retrospectively compared
      clinical parameters and outcomes between different endogenous creatinine
      clearance rates [estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs), ml/min*1.73 m].
      RESULTS: The incidences of major adverse cardiocerebral events, all-cause death,
      cardiac death, and stroke were not significantly different between the DES and
      the CABG groups. The DES group had significantly higher risks of myocardial
      infarction (MI) and target vessel revascularization than the CABG group. Compared
      with the CABG group, the hazard ratios for target vessel revascularization were
      3.965 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.743-9.023, P=0.001] in the eGFR of at
      least 60 group and 46.463 (95% CI: 4.558-473.639, P=0.001) in the eGFR 45-59
      group. The rate of MI was higher in patients treated with DESs in the eGFR of
      less than 45 group (hazard ratio: 14.098, 95% CI: 1.123-176.988, P=0.040).
      CONCLUSION: For patients with ULMCA disease at risk of higher repeat
      revascularization with normal renal function or eGFR of at least 45 ml/min*1.73
      m, DESs are a safe alternative to CABG. However, for patients with severely
      reduced kidney function (eGFR<45 ml/min*1.73 m), DESs should be selected after
      careful evaluation of MI risk.

PMID- 27269883
TI  - Parent-reported symptoms, impairment, helpfulness of treatment, and unmet service
      needs in a follow-up of outpatient children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity
      disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited information exists regarding the associations between
      impairment, symptoms, helpfulness of treatments, and service needs after initial
      treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). AIMS:
      The aims of this study were to examine persistence rates and associations between
      parent-reported symptoms, impairment, helpfulness of treatments, and service
      needs in a retrospective follow-up study of children with ADHD. METHODS: Parents
      of 214 children with a mean age of 12.6 years (SD = 2.1) who were diagnosed with
      ADHD at five child and adolescent mental health clinics (CAMHS) completed
      questionnaires 1-10 years (mean = 3.7 years, SD = 2.2) after baseline assessment.
      The response rate was 43.4%. A community comparison group (n = 110) was recruited
      from the same area. RESULTS: Approximately two-thirds (60.3%) of the sample
      fulfilled the DSM-IV symptom criteria of ADHD at follow-up, 84.3% were
      functionally impaired, and most children (84.7%) were on medication. Inattentive
      and emotional symptoms were the strongest predictors of impairment across
      impairment areas. Perceived helpfulness of different treatments varied from 71.8
      88.7%, and no significant difference was found between the ADHD sub-groups
      regarding reported helpfulness. 'Adjustment of the school situation' was the most
      frequent service need, and approximately half of the parents reported needs for
      care co-ordination. Children fulfilling the symptom criteria of the ADHD Combined
      sub-group were most impaired and had most service needs. CONCLUSIONS: At follow
      up, children were highly symptomatic and impaired, despite a high rate of
      persistent medication treatment. The findings underline the need for more
      tailored treatment and co-ordinated care over time.

PMID- 27269885
TI  - Effect of "heat shock" treatments on QPX disease and stress response in the hard
      clam, Mercenaria mercenaria.
AB  - The hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, is one of the most valuable commercial
      mollusk species along the eastern coast of the United States. Throughout the past
      2 decades, the hard clam industry in the Northeast was significantly impacted by
      disease outbreaks caused by a lethal protistan parasite known as Quahog Parasite
      Unknown (QPX). QPX is an opportunistic pathogen and the infection has been shown
      to be a cold water disease, where warmer conditions (above 21 degrees C) lead to
      disease reduction and clam healing. In vitro studies also showed a sharp
      reduction in parasite growth and survivorship at temperatures exceeding 27
      degrees C. In this study, we evaluated the effect of short-term exposures to high
      temperatures on QPX disease dynamic and clam recovery. Infected clams were
      collected from an enzootic site and subsequently submitted to one of ten "heat
      shock" treatments involving a gradient of temperatures and exposure times. QPX
      prevalence was compared before and 10weeks after heat shock to assess the effect
      of each treatment on disease progress. Expression of several stress-related genes
      was measured 1 and 7days after heat shock using qPCR to evaluate the effect of
      each treatment on clam physiology. Anti-QPX activity in clam plasma was also
      measured in an attempt to link changes in defense factors to thermal stress and
      disease progress. Our results suggest that brief exposures to moderate high
      temperatures promote the greatest remission while imposing the mildest stress to
      clams. These results are discussed with the aim of providing the industry with
      possible strategies to mitigate QPX disease.

PMID- 27269884
TI  - Skin microbiota is the main reservoir of Roseomonas mucosa, an emerging
      opportunistic pathogen so far assumed to be environmental.
AB  - Roseomonas spp. are increasingly involved in human infectious diseases. The
      environmental source for infection is generally admitted in published cases owing
      to the origin of most Roseomonas species and to their affiliation to the family
      Acetobacteraceae in Rhodospirillales, which mainly groups environmental bacteria.
      For a better delineation of Roseomonas habitat and infectious reservoir, we
      related phenotype, phylotype (16S rRNA gene), genomotype (pulsed-field gel
      electrophoresis) and origin of 33 strains isolated from humans, hospital
      environment and natural environment. Genetic and metagenomic databases were also
      surveyed. The population structure of the genus showed clades associated with
      humans, whereas others grouped environmental strains only. Roseomonas mucosa is
      the main human-associated species and the study supported the idea that
      opportunistic infections due to this species are related to the patient skin
      microbiota rather than to the environment. In contrast, some strains belonging to
      other species isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis were related to
      environmental clades, suggesting an exogenous source for patient colonization.
      Accurate knowledge about the reservoirs of opportunistic pathogens that have long
      been considered of environmental origin is still needed and would be helpful to
      improve infection control and epidemiological survey of emerging human pathogens.

PMID- 27269886
TI  - Treatment of warts and molluscum: what does the evidence show?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Warts and molluscum contagiosum are very common viral skin
      infections, usually presenting in childhood. Despite the large number of people
      affected by them, high-quality trials of treatment are few and treatment is often
      chosen on the basis of cost, convenience and tradition. RECENT FINDINGS: Over
      recent years, two further trials of the most commonly used treatments for warts,
      salicylic acid and cryotherapy, have been performed and for molluscum
      contagiosum, there is growing evidence for the use of irritants. For both
      infections, there are new evaluations of immunological approaches to therapy.
      SUMMARY: Strong, high-quality evidence for treatments used very frequently for
      warts or molluscum is still lacking, but recent publications have helped to
      strengthen or weaken belief in commonly used therapies and to add weight to the
      immunological approach to management.

PMID- 27269888
TI  - Prevalence and health care seeking behaviour for sexually transmitted infections
      among in-school adolescents in Ado-Ekiti, South-Western Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, adolescents are highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted
      infections (STIs) which have the potential of jeopardising their future
      reproductive lives if poorly treated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and
      health care seeking behaviour for STIs among secondary school adolescents in Ado,
      South-Western Nigeria. SUBJECTS: Male and female adolescents aged 10-19 years.
      METHODS: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A pre-tested,
      self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information
      from 560 adolescents selected from public and private secondary schools in Ado
      Local Government Area (LGA) of Ekiti State, using a multistage sampling
      technique. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
      Analyzed data were presented in the form of tables and charts. RESULTS: Two
      hundred and fifty-one (47.1%) respondents had previous symptoms of STIs. The
      commonest symptoms among the males were penile discharge (30.5%), painful
      micturition (30.5%) and stomach pain with swollen testes (25.4%). The commonest
      symptoms among the females were genital itching (27.6%), genital sores (14.1%)
      and painful micturition (13.1%). Only 26.7% sought treatment from a health
      facility; 37.0% did nothing; 15.9% went to patent medicine stores, 10.0% used
      herbs; the rest did self-medication or prayed. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of STI
      symptoms among adolescents in Ado-Ekiti is high but their health care seeking
      behaviour is poor. Health education about the dangers of untreated STI and the
      importance of seeking treatment early, targeted at adolescents, should be
      intensified.

PMID- 27269887
TI  - IL-17A synergistically stimulates TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 production in human
      airway epithelial cells: A potential role in amplifying airway inflammation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent reports have suggested an involvement of neutrophilic
      inflammation driven by interleukin (IL)-17 from Th17 cells, especially in severe,
      refractory asthma. It remains unknown about the possible interactions of this
      cytokine and other proinflammatory cytokines to direct neutrophilic airway
      inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the effects of IL-17A, IL-17E,
      and IL-17F in combination with other stimuli such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) 
      alpha on the production and expression of IL-8 in human bronchial epithelial
      cells. We also studied their effects on other cytokine production. The possible
      role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF
      kappaB) signaling pathways was evaluated by specific inhibitors. We examined the
      effects of anti-asthma drugs, such as steroids or salmeterol. RESULTS: IL-17A
      alone induced only a minimal effect on IL-8 expression. IL-17A, but not IL-17E or
      IL-17F, in combination with TNF-alpha showed a synergistic effect on IL-8
      expression. Similar findings were found when combination with IL-1beta and IL-17A
      were used, but such was not the case with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition,
      we further found such synergy on GM-CSF production. The synergy with TNF-alpha
      and IL-17A was significantly inhibited by MAPKs inhibitors. Corticosteroids such
      as fluticasone propionate and dexamethasone, but not salmeterol, partially
      suppressed the IL-17A and TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 production. CONCLUSIONS: IL-17A
      in the combination with TNF-alpha or IL-1beta showed a synergistic augmenting
      effect on IL-8 and GM-CSF production in human airway epithelial cells.

PMID- 27269889
TI  - Long-term positive and negative psychosocial outcomes in young childhood cancer
      survivors, type 1 diabetics and their healthy peers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined posttraumatic growth (PTG) in young childhood
      cancer survivors (CCS) and type 1 diabetics (DM), with physically healthy peers
      as the control group (CG). Anxiety and depression as negative mental outcomes in
      the three groups, as well as fear of progression in DM and CCS were examined.
      METHODS: A total of 107 participants with ages ranging from 18 to 35 years were
      examined: CCS (n=33), type 1 diabetics (n=39) and peers without a history of
      chronic disease (n=35). PTG and negative psychosocial outcomes were assessed with
      self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between
      the groups regarding PTG. On a subscale level DM reported higher appreciation of
      life (p=0.024), higher personal strength (p=0.010), and more new possibilities
      (p=0.010) compared to CG. CCS experienced higher spiritual changes than DM
      (p=0.050). DM reported higher levels of anxiety compared to CCS (p=0.026) and CG
      (p=0.049). Depression was higher in DM compared to CG (p=0.003). Fear of
      progression was higher in DM compared to CCS (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These
      findings show that psychological growth was experienced by young CCS and
      participants with DM. Furthermore, these findings highlight that adolescents with
      a significant health diagnosis in childhood or youth can undergo a similar or
      even more positive psychosocial development as peers without a history of chronic
      disease. However, young type 1 diabetics seem to be a more vulnerable group in
      terms of anxiety, depression and fear of progression.

PMID- 27269890
TI  - Both high and low testosterone levels may play a role in suicidal behavior in
      adolescent, young, middle-age, and older men: a hypothesis.
AB  - Many studies suggest that testosterone plays a role in the regulation of mood and
      behavior. Most but not all investigations of the relationship between
      testosterone and suicidality found relations between testosterone and suicidal
      behavior. The balance of evidence is in favor of the view that testosterone is
      involved in the pathophysiology of suicidality. The author has previously
      proposed that suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults is associated
      with high testosterone levels, whereas suicidality in older men is associated
      with decreased testosterone levels. However, both high and low testosterone
      levels can be observed in adolescent, young, middle-aged and older men. In this
      article, the author proposes that both high and low testosterone levels may play
      a role in suicidal behavior in men of any age.

PMID- 27269892
TI  - GCK mutations in Chinese MODY2 patients: a family pedigree report and review of
      Chinese literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2 (MODY2) is caused by
      mutations in the glucokinase (GCK) gene and is rare in the Chinese population. We
      report three Chinese families with MODY2 and the sequencing of the GCK gene.
      METHODS: Three unrelated Chinese families with MODY2 and their pedigrees were
      investigated. In Family 1, the proband was a 7-year-old girl with impaired
      fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Her mother and
      maternal grandfather had IFG. In Family 2, the proband was a boy who had diabetes
      mellitus at 11 years. His sister had IFG. His father and grandmother had diabetes
      mellitus at 22 and 25 years, respectively. In Family 3, the proband was a boy who
      had IFG and IGT at 12 years. His sister had diabetes mellitus at 8 years. His
      father and grandfather had IFG and/or IGT. The GCK gene was directly sequenced.
      RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus or IFG/IGT was found among three consecutive
      generations in three families. One novel nonsense heterozygous mutation in exon 5
      (c.556 C>T, p.Arg 186 stop) was detected in Family 1. Another novel frameshift
      mutation in exon 4 (c.367-374dupTTCGACTA, p.Ile 126 fs) was found in Family 2. A
      previously reported, a missense heterozygous mutation in exon 5 (c.571 C>T, p.Arg
      191Trp) was detected in Family 3. CONCLUSIONS: The thorough investigation of
      three Chinese families with MODY2 revealed two novel mutations and one known
      mutation. GCK gene sequencing helps in MODY2, especially when there is uncertain
      IFG or IGT.

PMID- 27269891
TI  - Cystinosis in Eastern Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate CTNS (cystinosin, lysosomal
      cystine transporter) gene mutations and the clinical spectrum of nephropathic
      cystinosis among patients diagnosed with the disease in a single center in
      Turkey. METHODS: Patients' clinical and laboratory data were extracted from an
      electronic health registry. Molecular CTNS gene analysis was performed using
      either next-generation sequencing or Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Eleven patients
      (age range: 1.5-12 years) from nine families were identified. The presenting
      complaint was growth retardation in seven patients; polydipsia and polyuria in
      three patients; and vomiting in two patients. At presentation, electrolyte loss
      was noted in all patients, of which eight patients presented with metabolic
      acidosis, and three patients presented with metabolic alkalosis. All patients
      also presented with proteinuria and glucosuria, and four patients developed
      varying degrees of renal insufficiency, for which peritoneal dialysis was
      initiated in one patient. Cystine crystals were detected via ocular examination
      in one patient at presentation. No cystine crystals were detected among patients
      who underwent bone marrow aspiration. In the CTNS gene, a p.T7FX7 (c.18-21del4bp)
      mutation was detected in three patients, whereas a p.E227E (c.681 G>A)
      (homozygous) mutation was detected in eight patients. CONCLUSIONS: We detected
      two distinct mutations, p.T7FX7 (c.18-21del4bp) and p.E227E (c.681 G>A)
      (homozygous), in the CTNS gene in 11 patients with cystinosis from the East
      Anatolian region of Turkey. Patients with a homozygous c.681 G>A (p.E227E)
      mutation are more likely to develop chronic renal failure and should be monitored
      closely, whereas patients with a p.T7FX7 (c.18-21del4bp) mutation have a milder
      phenotype. Additionally, metabolic alkalosis does not exclude cystinosis,
      although cystinosis is a cause of proximal renal tubular acidosis.

PMID- 27269893
TI  - Ghrelin, insulin-like growth factor I and adipocytokines concentrations in born
      small for gestational age prepubertal children after the catch-up growth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In children born small for gestational age (SGA) with catch-up
      growth, a higher risk of insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular diseases is
      noted. Ghrelin stimulates a growth hormone (GH) secretion and regulates lipid and
      carbohydrate metabolism. We assessed gherlin's influence on achieving normal
      height and the occurrence of metabolic complications in SGA children. METHODS:
      Ghrelin, insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-I), leptin, adiponectin,
      resistin, glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations were analysed in 134
      prepubertal children in four groups: normal-height SGA, short SGA, normal-height
      born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and short AGA. RESULTS: Ghrelin and
      IGF-I concentrations were significantly higher while adiponectin - lower in
      normal-height SGA comparing to others. CONCLUSIONS: The increased production of
      ghrelin and IGF-I seems to be an adaptive mechanism to achieve normal growth in
      SGA children. The significance of high ghrelin and low adiponectin
      concentrations, observed in normal-height prepubertal SGA children, requires
      elucidation, with reference to the development of metabolic complications.

PMID- 27269895
TI  - Pseudohyperkalemia due to severe leukocytosis: case presentation.

PMID- 27269894
TI  - Orofacial antinociceptive effect of the ethanolic extract of Annona vepretorum
      Mart. (Annonaceae).
AB  - Annona vepretorum Mart. (Annonaceae) is a species popularly known in Brazil as
      "araticum" and "pinha da Caatinga". We have evaluated the antinociceptive effects
      of A. vepretorum in formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate-induced orofacial
      nociception in mice. Male Swiss mice were pretreated with either saline (p.o.),
      A. vepretorum ethanol extract (Av-EtOH 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.), or morphine
      (10 mg/kg, i.p.), before formalin, capsaicin, or glutamate was injected into the
      right upper lip. Pre-treatment with Av-EtOH at all doses produced a reduction in
      face-rubbing behavior induced by formalin in both phases, and these pre
      treatments also produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the capsaicin
      and glutamate tests. Pre-treatment with naloxone (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) did not
      reverse the antinociceptive activity of the extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg in
      the first phase of this test. Our results suggest that Av-EtOH might be useful in
      the treatment of orofacial pain. 

PMID- 27269896
TI  - The evolution of genomic stability to a mechanism in reproduction and psychiatry.
AB  - There are two forms of immune defense, the specific or adaptive immune defense
      and the unspecific innate immune defense. Vaccination is utilized against
      specific bacteria via the adaptive immune system. The innate immunity DNA stress
      defense is a non-toxic mechanism developed in yeasts and conserved in mammals and
      in plants. Although the steroidal hormone cascade has overtaken the stress
      response and allows superfast response via non-genomic receptors, the old innate
      immunity response is still mediated via the steroidal hormones cascade. The
      classical drug/receptor model has provided for many solutions, however, in
      antibiotics, cancer, and in severe mental diseases this model reaches to certain
      limits. The NIH/Department of Mental Health has developed a new model that shows
      severe mental diseases may be immune diseases that can be treated by replacing
      old diseased nerve cells by new healthy nerve cells, where the old innate
      immunity may be exploited. This means that severe mental diseases are physical
      diseases. A newly developed model, where modifications of the steroidal hormone
      cascade help to understand bipolarity, schizophrenia, and PTSD in men and women
      can be transferred to gynecological hormone modifications in women, where innate
      immunity is mediated via the same steroidal hormone cascade. Treatment via immune
      response via the DNA cascade should be developed in cancer, infections and severe
      mental disease, because foreign cells or diseased cells may be removed by the
      unspecific innate immunity.

PMID- 27269897
TI  - LandScape: a simple method to aggregate p-values and other stochastic variables
      without a priori grouping.
AB  - In many areas of science it is custom to perform many, potentially millions, of
      tests simultaneously. To gain statistical power it is common to group tests based
      on a priori criteria such as predefined regions or by sliding windows. However,
      it is not straightforward to choose grouping criteria and the results might
      depend on the chosen criteria. Methods that summarize, or aggregate, test
      statistics or p-values, without relying on a priori criteria, are therefore
      desirable. We present a simple method to aggregate a sequence of stochastic
      variables, such as test statistics or p-values, into fewer variables without
      assuming a priori defined groups. We provide different ways to evaluate the
      significance of the aggregated variables based on theoretical considerations and
      resampling techniques, and show that under certain assumptions the FWER is
      controlled in the strong sense. Validity of the method was demonstrated using
      simulations and real data analyses. Our method may be a useful supplement to
      standard procedures relying on evaluation of test statistics individually.
      Moreover, by being agnostic and not relying on predefined selected regions, it
      might be a practical alternative to conventionally used methods of aggregation of
      p-values over regions. The method is implemented in Python and freely available
      online (through GitHub, see the Supplementary information).

PMID- 27269898
TI  - The integration and interpretation of pharmacogenomics - a comparative study
      between the United States of America and Europe: towards better health care.
AB  - The study of pharmacogenomics has, by harnessing sequence information from human
      genomes, the potential to lead to novel approaches in drug discovery, an
      individualized application of drug therapy, and new insights into disease
      prevention. For this potential to be realized results need to be interpreted to
      the prescriber into a format which dictates an action. This mini review briefly
      describes the history, the regulatory environment, opinions towards, and
      implementation, integration and interpretation of pharmacogenomics in the United
      States of America and Europe. The article discusses also how interpretation of
      pharmacogenomics could move forward to better implementation in health care.

PMID- 27269899
TI  - A Call for Synthesis of Water Research to Achieve the Sustainable Development
      Goals by 2030.

PMID- 27269900
TI  - Clinical features and neuroimaging (CT and MRI) findings in presumed Zika virus
      related congenital infection and microcephaly: retrospective case series study.

PMID- 27269901
TI  - Report: impact of inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's
      disease (CD), 2 conditions characterized by chronic inflammation. Approximately
      1.17 million people in the United States are affected by these 2 conditions. It
      is theorized that a genetic susceptibility coupled with environmental factors,
      such as smoking, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, appendectomy, or diet, may
      influence the development of IBD. Patients with UC and CD may exhibit similar
      symptoms, and the conditions are often misclassified, as there is a lack of
      standard criteria for diagnosing IBD. Therefore, it is important for clinicians
      to rule out any diarrhea-related conditions for an accurate diagnosis. UC and CD
      typically manifest in early adulthood, and the chronic nature of these conditions
      greatly impacts a patient's perception, body image, and quality of life. The
      inability to participate in social activities due to UC and CD impacts not only
      patients, but also those with whom they have close relationships.

PMID- 27269902
TI  - Report: pharmacotherapy for moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease:
      evolving strategies.
AB  - Moderate to severe disease causes substantial morbidity in inflammatory bowel
      disease (IBD). The approach to pharmacotherapy for patients with moderate to
      severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is undergoing a fundamental
      transformation to change the course of disease in these patients. Disease
      severity is being redefined to consider the impact on the patient, its
      inflammatory burden, and the disease course. Prevention of disease progression
      and complications are replacing symptomatic remission as the goal of therapy. To
      achieve these goals, the treatment approach is evolving from a stepwise to a
      treat-to-target approach, with patients stratified to treatment according to
      their risk of disease progression or complications. The primary drug classes for
      induction and maintenance of remission in moderate to severe IBD are
      corticosteroids, thiopurines, tumor necrosis factor antagonists, and vedolizumab.
      Use of these drug classes is changing as IBD management evolves. This article
      reviews the efficacy, adverse effects, drug interactions, and special issues for
      each class. The role for each class is formulated based on results of key
      clinical trials and meta-analyses, as well as clinical practice guideline
      recommendations.

PMID- 27269904
TI  - Environmental Nanotoxicology.

PMID- 27269903
TI  - Report: economic implications of inflammatory bowel disease and its management.
AB  - Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the 2 most common inflammatory bowel
      diseases (IBDs), are chronic conditions with periods of exacerbation and
      remission. Patients with IBD experience clinical gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms,
      as well as the emotional burden that accompanies chronic conditions characterized
      by reduced quality of life and ability to work. With estimates of direct and
      indirect costs ranging between $14.6 and $31.6 billion in 2014, there is a
      significant healthcare burden associated with IBD. Although treatment expenses
      make up a significant portion of the cost of IBD, studies show that inappropriate
      treatment, lack of adherence to therapeutic regimens, or suboptimal treatment
      increase the cost burden. Costs for IBD include hospitalizations, the eventual
      need for surgery due to disease complications, and physician visits. The
      staggering economic burden of IBD makes early diagnosis, coupled with effective
      treatment at onset, imperative. Therefore, management of IBD must evolve beyond
      symptom control and toward sustained control of GI inflammation as measured by
      endoscopic, radiologic, and laboratory parameters.Treatment advances have made
      deep remission a realistic target for some people with IBD. However, achieving
      deep remission requires a shift in the management paradigm of IBD, encouraging
      individualized treatment with biologics that focuses less on treating symptoms
      and more on preventing potential disease progression. Although expensive at
      onset, this management strategy may ultimately lead to decreased rates of
      surgeries and hospitalizations, potentially yielding lower long-term costs for
      treatment.

PMID- 27269906
TI  - The wife of God.
AB  - The case was presented of an ultra-orthodox Jewish woman who believed that she is
      the wife of God. Such a belief may be normative in some religions, but not in
      Judaism, where closeness to God is understood as a metaphor. Although the
      patient's beliefs are not acceptable within ultra-orthodox beliefs, there are
      examples of such ideas within the history of religious Judaism. The deviance of
      her delusions from the religious norm would appear to be deceptively minor. The
      similarities in content and underlying factors with possession states such as
      dybbuk and maggid are considered. Being the wife of God may be understood in
      terms of her disappointments and represent gaining control over the
      uncontrollable in her life and society. The details of the case management are
      presented to demonstrate the importance of discussing her ideas with her and
      working with community authority figures while respecting their status and
      rulings. 

PMID- 27269907
TI  - Functionalists and zombis: Sorcery as spandrel and social rescue.
AB  - At one level, anthropologists remain functionalists in that they generally see
      acts and institutions as contributing to a greater social whole only through
      which they make sense. Thus, sorcery accusations have been traditionally
      interpreted in terms of maintaining social harmony and cohesion. In the case of
      Haitian zombification, the zombi seems a locally misidentified victim who is
      frequently mentally ill. As a hapless non-agent, the zombi cannot initiate the
      sorcery accusations, so how do we understand the recognition and rescue of the
      zombi, either in terms of social function or social action? 

PMID- 27269905
TI  - African-specific variability in the acetylcholine muscarinic receptor M4:
      association with cocaine and heroin addiction.
AB  - AIM: This study was designed to determine whether polymorphisms in acetylcholine
      receptors contribute to opioid dependence and/or cocaine dependence. PATIENTS &
      METHODS: The sample (n = 1860) was divided by drug and ancestry, and 55
      polymorphisms (nine genes) were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 20 SNPs that showed
      nominally significant associations, the association of the African-specific CHRM4
      SNP rs2229163 (Asn417=) with cocaine dependence survived correction for multiple
      testing (Pcorrected = 0.047). CHRM4 is located in a region of strong linkage
      disequilibrium on chromosome 11 that includes genes associated with
      schizophrenia. CHRM4 SNP rs2229163 is in strong linkage disequilibrium with
      several African-specific SNPs in DGKZ and AMBRA1. CONCLUSION: Cholinergic
      receptors' variants may contribute to drug addiction and have a potential role as
      pharmacogenetic markers.

PMID- 27269908
TI  - From social liminality to cultural negotiation: Transformative processes in
      immigrant mental wellbeing.
AB  - The underlying psychosocial processes that produce immigrant mental wellbeing are
      understudied in anthropology and medicine. This paper provides insights into
      these processes by describing culturally diverse immigrants' perceptions of
      mental health and adaptation strategies. Qualitative data were collected from 21
      focus groups as part of a large, multidisciplinary, participatory action research
      project about mental health with five ethnolinguistic groups (Mandarin-speaking
      Chinese, Polish, Punjabi Sikh, Somali and Spanish-speaking Latin American) in
      Ontario, Canada. In framing the analysis, transformative concepts are applied to
      address dimensions of power and culture - social liminality and cultural
      negotiation - to the ongoing psychosocial processes of coping with mental
      distress. 'Social liminality' describes how immigrants perceive themselves to be
      in a psychologically stressful, transitional state, whereas 'cultural
      negotiation' describes how they actively cope with cultural tensions and respond
      to mental health challenges. Study findings show that while social liminality and
      cultural negotiation are stressful, they also have the potential to help
      individuals adapt by producing a positive synthesis of ideas about mental health
      in new social and cultural contexts. The study contributes to the shift from
      problem identification using a biomedical model of mental illness to a more
      psychosocial and ecological approach that reveals the potential for resolving
      some mental health problems experienced in immigrant communities. Describing
      active psychosocial process of adaptation also reinforces the therapeutic and
      educational value of partnerships between practitioners and clients and immigrant
      communities and mental health systems. 

PMID- 27269909
TI  - Practitioners, postnatal depression, and translation: An investigation into the
      representation of Bangladeshi mothers in the East End.
AB  - This paper is based on research that investigated the personal, localised and
      institutional representations of the emotional experiences of Bangladeshi mothers
      in Tower Hamlets, London. The research was conducted during 2003 and 2004. Whilst
      the London borough of Tower Hamlets is not deprived by global standards, within
      the UK the borough ranks very low on certain socio-economic indicators.
      Simultaneously, the 'East End' can still conjure up images of heart-warming
      kinship and of a place that welcomes migrants. These, and other contradictory
      depictions, are used by the people who both live and work in the borough. Through
      the investigation of the narratives of those who work with Bangladeshi mothers,
      this paper explores the role of culture as presented in both self-conscious and
      implicit terms. Further to this, it examines what claims are based on these
      conceptions. This analysis demonstrates that institutions are not neutral spaces
      in which identities and representations of experience are produced, but in fact
      shape the very nature of these identities and representations. As focal points
      this paper chooses health and motherhood as loci where personal experience,
      social institutions and notions of 'culture' all intersect. To stress only that
      the experience of motherhood is undeniably a feature of shared humanity would be
      to ignore the fact that reproduction is also culturally mediated and
      reconstructed. Through discussions such as those concerning the nature of
      'postnatal depression', depicted as having both universal and culturally specific
      elements, debates around ethnicity and class are also brought into sharper focus.

PMID- 27269910
TI  - 'A person of two countries'. Life and health in exile: Somali refugees in Sweden.
AB  - Meeting and treating patients from other countries and cultures constitutes a
      challenge for health care. The number of immigrants and refugees has seen a rapid
      increase in recent years in Sweden. Expectations and experiences of health and
      illness often differ among these immigrant groups compared with the inhabitants
      of the majority society. This paper examines the situation of Somali refugees
      living in a multicultural suburban area of a large city in southern Sweden, and
      the aim was to illuminate and document their thoughts and experiences in relation
      to health and illness. Thirteen interviews with Somalis of different sexes and
      ages were conducted in the informant's homes. A hermeneutic-phenomenological
      approach was used in the analysis. The findings revealed an essential theme - a
      life in exile - that permeated every subject that was discussed and talked about.
      This was expressed in the following aspects: longing for the homeland, pain - a
      companion in exile, prejudice and discrimination, family - comfort and trouble,
      religion and beliefs in Jinns. Complex feelings of bi-nationality and of being
      uprooted were expressed. Prior knowledge about the hardships involved in a life
      as a refugee may allow and increase the possibilities for better communication,
      increased trust and mutual respect in order to achieve a meaningful encounter
      with health care personnel. 

PMID- 27269911
TI  - Cultural interpretations of the efficacy and side effects of antimalarials in
      Tanzania.
AB  - This paper examines the cultural interpretations and the perceived efficacy and
      side effects of antimalarials in Tanzania. Interviews with 56 mothers of children
      diagnosed with malaria revealed that they were nostalgic about chloroquine, a
      banned antimalarial. Additional findings indicated that a majority of the mothers
      had an overall negative disposition toward sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), the
      first-line antimalarial. Mothers considered the persistence of fever as the
      primary undesirable side effect of SP, while also mentioning a range of other
      side effects. Mothers who could not afford an alternative to SP, rationalized the
      drug's side effects as indicative of disease egress. It is argued that
      ethnographic studies of cultural perceptions of malaria and antimalarials provide
      useful perspectives on how people negotiate the identity of a febrile illness,
      and how they understand and interpret the efficacy of existing antimalarials. In
      acknowledging the intra-cultural variability in perceptions of malaria and
      antimalarials, health policy makers must be cautious when implementing a 'one
      drug fits all' approach to malaria control. 

PMID- 27269912
TI  - Translating malaria as sumaya: Justified convention or inappropriateness?
AB  - In exchanges between health professionals and consultants in the West African
      context, the word malaria is often replaced by its equivalent in the local
      dialect. In the Nouna health district of Burkina Faso the term malaria is
      regularly translated as sumaya. Acknowledging that there may be important
      epistemological differences between malaria, a term issued from the biomedical
      epistemology, and sumaya, which is borrowed from traditional medicine
      epistemology, the possible mismatches between these two terms have been assessed
      to anticipate problems that may result from their translation by different health
      stakeholders. By consulting various traditional healers and other members of the
      communities about the local meaning of the term sumaya, it has been possible to
      compare the conceptualisation of sumaya to the biomedical conceptualisation of
      malaria and assess the gap between them. An investigation based on a sample of 13
      traditional healers and over 450 individuals from Nouna's health district was
      conducted to document the meaning of the term sumaya. This paper demonstrates
      that the generally accepted translation of the word malaria as sumaya is a
      mistake when one looks at the different systems of belief and representations
      given to each of these two terms. 

PMID- 27269913
TI  - The moment of sale: Treating malaria in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
AB  - Beyond home care without active treatment, the first step of home-based
      management of malaria (HMM) is the health provider-customer interactions that
      often lead to the purchase of drugs or herbs to treat symptoms. In Abidjan, Cote
      d'Ivoire, the quality and content of such interactions in pharmacies where
      antimalarials are sold officially, with illegal drug vendors and with herbal
      medicine sellers, vary considerably. Commercial encounters associated with adult
      illness episodes of locally identified malaria, observed in 2004-5, illustrate
      that customers present to sales points, on behalf of people who are ill, with a
      pre-established diagnosis and the intent of purchasing medication with which they
      have prior familiarity. Customers sought neither diagnosis nor clarification, and
      communication between vendor and customer was limited to minimal enquiries or
      suggestions. These findings have important implications related to the need for
      vendor training to support HMM and so ensure prompt and appropriate treatment
      outside clinical settings. 

PMID- 27269914
TI  - The power of place: geography, destiny, and globalization's rough landscape, by
      Harm de Blij.

PMID- 27269915
TI  - Impotent Warriors: Gulf War Syndrome, Vulnerability and Masculinity, by Susie
      Kilshaw.

PMID- 27269916
TI  - Els van Dongen (1946-2009), Editor, Anthropology & Medicine.

PMID- 27269917
TI  - Obesity indices for prediction of chronic kidney disease: ?a cross-sectional
      study in 26 655 Chinese adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between chronic kidney disease (CKD)
      and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference(WC), waist-to-height ratio (WheiR)
      in Chinese adults.? METHODS: A total of 26 655 participants, who voluntarily
      attended annual health examination at the Health Management Center in the Third
      Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from June 2013 to February 2014,
      were enrolled for this study. Logistic regression and receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed.? RESULTS: The prevalence rate
      of CKD was 9.6% and 3.1% in male and female subjects, respectively. Multivariate
      logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, WC and WheiR were independent risk
      factors for CKD in diabetic male and hypertensive male subjects (P<0.01).
      However, no association between these obesity indices and CKD was found in women
      after multivariate adjustment. In diabetic male subjects, when BMI>=28.7 kg/m(2),
      WC=90.7 cm and WheiR=0.56, the sensitivity and specificity prediction for CKD was
      24.8%, 58.5%, 45.5% and 83.3%, 54.4%, 69.6%, respectively. In hypertensive male
      subjects, when the optimum cut-off points for BMI, WC and WheiR were >=?27.0
      kg/m(2), 91.2 cm and 0.54, the sensibility prediction for CKD were 41.0%, 47.0%
      and 50.1%, respectively, while the specificity prediction were 68.0%, 63.0% and
      61.4%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of BMI, WC, WheiR for CKD
      prediction were 0.56, 0.57, 0.59 in diabetic male subjects and 0.54, 0.56, 0.57
      in hypertensive male subjects, respectively.? CONCLUSION: BMI, WC and WheiR are
      associated with the increased risk for CKD in diabetic or hypertensive male
      subjects. However, the value for these obesity indices is limited in screening
      CKD.

PMID- 27269918
TI  - [Construction and identification of a lentiviral vector for RNA interference of
      human GLUT3 gene].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To construct an effective lentiviral vector for RNA interference
      (RNAi) with human glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3)gene.? METHODS: Four pairs of
      shRNA sequences against different parts of GLUT3-mRNA were separately cloned into
      the RNAi plasmid vector pLV-shRNA by recombinant DNA technology to construct
      shRNA expression vectors pLV-shRNA-GLUT3-1, pLV-shRNA-GLUT3-2, pLV-shRNA-GLUT3-3,
      and pLV-shRNA-GLUT3-4. The vectors were transfected into HeLa cells to detect the
      effectiveness of GLUT3 gene silencing. One of effective vectors was selected and
      co-transfected into 293T cells with lentivirus packaging plasmids to obtain
      packaged lentivirus particles LV-GLUT3. After viral titer determination, U251
      glioblastoma cells were infected with LV-GLUT3 at a multiplicity of infection
      (MOI) of 10. Finally, the expression of GLUT3 protein was detected by Western
      blot. ? RESULTS: DNA sequencing demonstrated that the shRNA sequences were
      successfully inserted into the pLV-shRNA vectors. In HeLa cells, the expression
      of GLUT3-mRNA was significantly down-regulated by the recombinant vectors
      compared with negative control. The recombinant lentivirus LV-GLUT3 harvested
      from 293T cells had a titer of 1.5*10(9) TU/mL. After infection with LV-GLUT3,
      the expression of GLUT3 protein in U251 glioblastoma cells was down-regulated. ?
      CONCLUSION: An effective lentiviral shRNA expression vector targeting the GLUT3
      gene is successfully constructed and can be used for further study on the
      functions of GLUT3 gene.

PMID- 27269919
TI  - [Effects of 7-difluoromethy-5, 4'-dimethoxygenistein on proliferation and
      apoptosis of human cervical cancer cells and its mechanism].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 7-difluoromethy-5, 4'-
      dimethoxygenistein (DFMG) on inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of
      human cervical cancer HeLa cells and its possible molecular mechanism in vitro.?
      METHODS: HeLa cells were cultured in vitro. The effect of DFMG on inhibiting
      proliferation was determined using MTT assay. The effects of DFMG on inducing
      apoptosis were assessed using flow cytometry with AV-PI staining, AO/EB staining,
      and agarose gel electrophoresis. Multiple molecular techniques, such as RT-PCR,
      Western blot, siRNA transfection, and cDNA transfection, were used to explore its
      possible molecular mechanism.? RESULTS: DFMG presented with dramatically
      inhibiting proliferation effect of HeLa cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner
      ranging from 0.25 to 64 MUg/mL and from 24 to 72 h in vitro, and its IC(50) was
      4.62 MUg/mL for 48 h. The cells treated with DFMG for 48 h showed typical
      morphological change of apoptosis, typical DNA ladder of agarose gel
      electrophoresis, and the sub-G(1) population increased in a dose-dependent
      manner. Simultaneously the expressions of c-myc mRNA, c-myc protein and its
      downstream genes, such as bax, cyto-c and caspase-9, were up-regulated, while bcl
      2 protein was down-regulated. Down-regulation of c-myc by siRNA attenuated DFMG
      induced cell proliferation inhibition and inducing apoptosis. Up-regulation
      expression of c-myc by cDNA transfection could enhance the effects of DFMG
      induced cell proliferation inhibition and inducing apoptosis.? CONCLUSION: DFMG
      could inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of human cervical cancer
      HeLa cells in vitro, and its mechanism may be closely related to regulate c-myc
      and its down-stream gene expression.

PMID- 27269920
TI  - [Correlation between cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1 and trastuzumab
      resistance in gastric cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between cyclin-dependent kinase
      inhibitor p27kip1 and trastuzumab-resistance in gastric cancer.? METHODS: We
      selected HER2-overexpressed human gastric cancer cell line NCI-N87 to establish
      trastuzumab-resistant NCI-N87/TR cell line by stepwise exposure to different
      doses of trastuzumab. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of trastuzumab
      and resistance index (RI) were calculated or analyzed by MTT assay. The
      expression levels of cdk2 and p27kip1 were detected by Western blot. After the
      treatment with cdk2 inhibitor (Purvalanol A), the expression levels of relevant
      proteins in NCI-N87/TR cells were detected by Western blot, and the sensitivity
      to trastuzumab was analyzed by MTT assay. ? RESULTS: Compared with NCI-N87 cells,
      the expression of cdk2 was significantly increased in NCI-N87/TR cells (P<0.001),
      while the expression of p27kip1 showed a significant decrease (P<0.001).
      Restoration of the p27kip1 protein expression by cdk2 inhibitor (Purvalanol A)
      increased the sensitivity of NCI-N87/TR to trastuzumab.? CONCLUSION: Down
      regulation of p27kip1 might be a mechanism for triggering trastuzumab resistance
      to gastric cancer cell line NCI-N87.

PMID- 27269921
TI  - [Effect of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride on H2O2-induced oxidative stress and
      inflammatory response in Kupffer cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, an alpha(2)
      adrenergic receptor agonist, can prevent H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress and
      inflammatory response in Kupffer cells.? METHODS: H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative
      damage model of Kupffer cell was established. Kupffer cells were pre-conditioned
      by dexmedetomidine hydrochloride or Yohimbine for 24 h. MTT colorimetry was used
      to demonstrate the survival rate of Kupffer cells. The levels of lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH), malonaldehyde (MDA) and TNF-alpha in the culture medium were
      assessed by corresponding kits.? RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride protected
      Kupffer cells from H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage, showing an increase in the
      cell survival rate while a decrease in LDH, MDA and TNF-alpha release in the
      culture supernatant. Yohimbine, an alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor antagonist,
      completely neutralized the protective effect of Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride on
      Kupffer cells. Yohimbine itself had no effect on H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative
      damage and inflammatory response.? CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride can
      prevent H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response in Kupffer
      cells through activation of alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors.

PMID- 27269922
TI  - [Expression of cyclophilin A/CD147 in carotid atherosclerotic plaque and the
      intervention of atorvastatin].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of CyPA and CD147 in rabbit models of
      vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic plaque and the therapeutic effect of
      atorvastatin.? METHODS: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomly
      divided into 3 groups. Eight rabbits were served as a normal diet group (Group
      A), and the remaining 16 rabbits underwent balloon-induced endothelial injury in
      the right carotid artery and thereafter were fed on high-cholesterol diet (1%
      cholesterol) for 12 weeks, then they were divided into 2 groups: a AS group
      (Group B), an atorvastatin group [Group C, 2.5 mg/(kg.d)]. 4 weeks later, plaque
      disrupture was triggered by China Russell's viper venom and histamine. Serum
      levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C were measured at different timepoint. The
      damaged carotid arteries were collected to undergo pathological examination. The
      macrophage, expression of CyPA and CD147 were detected by immuno-histochemical
      analysis, and the mRNA levels of CyPA and CD147 were examined by reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).? RESULTS: Compared with the
      Group A, the serum levels of TC and LDL-c in the Group B and Group C were
      significantly increased (all P<0.01). Compared with the Group B, the serum levels
      of TC and LDL-c in the Group C were reduced significantly after atorvastatin
      intervention for 4 weeks (all P<0.01). The plaques disruption and thrombosis
      occurred in 4 out of the 6 rabbits in the Group B, while only 1 rabbit
      demonstrated plaques disruption and thrombosis in the Group C. Compared with the
      Group B, the levels of CyPA, CD147 and macrophage in carotid atherosclerotic
      plaque in the Group C were decreased significantly (all P<0.01).? CONCLUSION: The
      up-regulation of CyPA and CD147 may be involved in pathogenesis of vulnerable
      carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Atorvastatin could stabilize the plaque through
      inhibiting the CyPA and CD147 expression.

PMID- 27269923
TI  - [Effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells? on angiogenesis in rats after
      brain injury].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs)
      on angiogenesis in rats after brain injury. ? METHODS: Brain injury model of rats
      was established with freely fall method. A total of 50 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats
      were randomly divided into a transplanted group and a control group (n=25 in each
      group). BM-MSCs were injected in lateral ventricle in the transplanted group, and
      normal saline was injected in the control group. Modified method for neurological
      deficit scores (mNSS) was performed at the 1, 3, 7, 21, 14 d after the operation.
      Flow cytometry were performed to detect CD34 and CD133 double-labeled peripheral
      blood cells in preoperative or 3, 6, 12, 24 h, and 3, 7 d after the operation.
      Expression of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and CD31 in the brain tissues near
      injury area was detected by immunohistochemical SP method. ? RESULTS: There was
      significant difference in the MNSS scores between the 2 groups (F=5.997, P<0.05),
      and the difference at the different time points in each group was significant
      (F=37.106, P<0.01). The mNSS scores in the control group were higher than those
      in the transplanted group at the 7, 14, 21 d after the operation (P<0.05). The
      CD34 and CDl33 double positive cells (DPCs) were present in rats' peripheral
      blood. DPCs's numbers in peripheral blood in the control group were declined at 3
      h after the sugery, they were increased and reached the highest point at 6 h
      after the surgery, and decreased gradually and reached normal levels at 24 h
      after the surgery. The same tendency was achieved in the transplanted group, and
      the DPCs's numbers were increased until 24 h after the surgery, which were
      significantly higher in the transplanted group than those in the control group at
      24 h after the surgery (P<0.05). The NSE expression in the transplanted group was
      significantly greater than that in the control group in 7 and 14 d after the
      surgery (P<0.05). The expression of CD31 in the transplanted group was
      significantly higher than that in the control group in 3 and 7 d after the
      surgery (P<0.05).? CONCLUSION: BM-MSCs transplantation can increase the number of
      peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells after traumatic brain injury in
      rats and sustain for 24 h, which in turn up-regulate the angiogenesis and
      neuronal marker, and improve the neurological function.

PMID- 27269925
TI  - [Level of serum phosphorus and adult type 2 ?diabetes mellitus].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of the serum levels of phosphorus, calcium and
      magnesium on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.? METHODS: A total of 244
      hospitalized patients were enrolled from 2014 to 2015, and they were assigned
      into a type 2 diabetic group (n=162) and control group (n=82). The serum levels
      of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium were determined. The correlations between
      blood levels of glucose and the serum levels of phosphorus, calcium or magnesium
      were analyzed. ? RESULTS: The serum level of phosphate in type 2 diabetic group
      was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no
      significant difference in the level of serum calcium and magnesium between the
      two groups. In the type 2 diabetic group, there was no significant correlation
      between the level of blood glucose and the serum level of phosphorus, calcium or
      magnesium. In the control group, the blood glucose and serum levels of phosphorus
      were positively correlated (r=0.226, P=0.042), but there was no significant
      correlation between the level of blood glucose and the serum level of calcium or
      magnesium.? CONCLUSION: Serum level of phosphorus is obviously decreased in type
      2 diabetes patients, indicating that they may have a disorder in phosphorus
      metabolism.

PMID- 27269924
TI  - [Effects of hydrogen sulfide on contraction capacity of diaphragm from type 1
      diabetic rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on contraction
      capacity of diaphragm in type 1 diabetic rats.? METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats
      were randomly divided into a normal group (NC), a diabetic group (DM), a NaHS
      treatment group (DM+NaHS) and a NaHS group (NaHS) (n=8). Intraperitoneal
      injection of streptozotocin was utilized to establish diabetic rat model. After
      the modeling, the rats in the DM+NaHS and the NaHS groups were intraperitoneally
      injected with 28 MUmol/kg NaHS solution. 8 weeks later, the diaphragm
      contractility was assessed by isolated draphragm strips perfusion. The peak
      twitch tension (Pt), maximum tetanic tension (Po) and maximal rates of
      contraction/relaxation (+/-dT/dtmax) were determined. The alterations in
      diaphragm ultrastructure were observed under electron microscopy. The diaphragm
      weight/body weight (DW/BW) was measured. The activities of succinic dehydrogenase
      (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA)
      were analyzed by spectrophotometric method. The mRNA levels of SERCA and
      prospholamban (PLB) in diaphragm were detected by RT-PCR.? RESULTS: Compared with
      the NC group, there was no significant change in all measured index in the NaHS
      group (P>0.05), while Pt, Po and +/-dT/dtmax were significantly decreased in the
      DM group (P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed obvious
      ultrastructural changes in the diaphragm. The DW/BW ratio and the activities of
      SDH, LDH and SERCA were decreased. The SERCA mRNA was decreased, while PLB mRNA
      was increased. Compared with the DM group, the diaphragm contractility and
      ultrastructure damage were improved in the DM+NaHS group. The DW/BW ratio and the
      activities of SDH, LDH and SERCA were increased. The SERCA mRNA was increased,
      while PLB mRNA was decreased (all P<0.05).? CONCLUSION: H(2)S can enhance the
      contraction capacity of diaphragm in type 1 diabetic rats, which is involved in
      regulating the activities of biological enzymes and the gene expressions of
      calcium regulatory proteins.

PMID- 27269927
TI  - [Effect of pre-transplant donor specific antibody on antibody-mediated rejection
      and graft dysfunction].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of pre-transplant donor specific antibody (DSA)
      on antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and function of transplanted kidney.?
      METHODS: A total of 88 cases of renal transplant recipients were selected. Before
      surgery, DSA was examined by Luminex liquid phase chip in renal transplant
      recipients. The recipients were divided into a DSA positive group (n=20) and a
      DSA negative group (n=68). The follow-up time was 2 years. After the operation,
      the pathologic morphology of the transplanted kidney was evaluated and classified
      according to the Banff 2005 standard. The situation for the transplanted kidney
      was evaluated.? RESULTS: The incidence of AMR in the DSA positive group and
      negative group was 20% and 1.5%, respectively, with significant difference
      between them (P<0.01). The incidence of graft loss in the DSA positive group and
      negative group was 15% and 1.5%, respectively, with significant difference
      between them (P<0.05). The pre-transplant DSA associated with AMR at multiple
      mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) was obvious different from that without AMR
      (P<0.01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the maximal
      MFI threshold for recipients with AMR was 7909.5 after renal transplantation.
      There was no significant difference in the delayed recovery of renal graft
      function (DGF) between the 2 groups (P>0.05).? CONCLUSION: The detection of DSA
      level before renal transplantation can predict the risk of AMR and the function
      of transplanted kidney. The MFI intercept point of the highest DSA (MFI>?7909.5)
      can be used to predict the risk of AMR.

PMID- 27269926
TI  - [Effect of epidermal growth factor and testosterone on androgen receptor
      activation in urethral plate fibroblasts in hypospadias].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate androgen receptor (AR) expression and the effect of
      epidermal growth factor (EGF) and testosterone on AR expression level.? METHODS:
      EGF or different concentrations of testosterone were incubated with the primary
      urethral plate fibroblasts from patients with hypospadias. The levels of AR
      expression in the fibroblasts were detected by immunocytochemical assays and
      graphical analysis.? RESULTS: There was no significant difference in AR
      activation under physiological concentrations (3*10(-8) mol/L) of testosterone
      between the control and the distal hypospadias group (P>0.05). However, there was
      a significant decrease in AR activation in the proximal hypospadias group
      compared to that in the control group (P<0.001). Under the concentration of 3*10(
      6) mol/L, the effects of testosterone on AR activation were dramatically
      different in the three groups (control group>distal hypospadias group>proximal
      hypospadias group, P<0.001). AR activation level in the group of proximal
      hypospadias was improved most obviously when EGF and physiological concentration
      of testosterone were employed in the urethral plate fibroblasts from hypospadias
      patients (P<0.001), and it was improved more in the distal hypospadias group than
      that in the control group (P=0.02).? CONCLUSION: AR expression and activation in
      the urethral plate fibroblasts from hypospadias patients are abnormal. EGF can be
      used to improve AR activation in fibroblasts from different types of hypospadias,
      especially in the proximal type.

PMID- 27269928
TI  - [Study on out-of-pocket expenditure and related factors among cancer inpatients
      with Hunan Provincial Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the level and influential factors for out-of-pocket (OOP)
      expenditure regarding Hunan Provincial Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance
      (UEBMI) and to provide evidence for improvement of medical insurance payment
      system.? METHODS: Stratified random sampling method was used to obtain 10 527
      records of cancer inpatients from January 2011 to December 2014. Social
      demographic and expenditure information were collected from UEBMI information
      system. The proportion of OOP expenditure for inpatient and each part of the cost
      was described. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze main related
      factors of OOP expenditure.? RESULTS: The median proportion of OOP for inpatients
      costs was 20.11%, and remained stable from 2011 to 2014. The main related factors
      for OOP expenditure were age, civil servant, retirment status, hospital level,
      cost of hospitalization, hospitalization duration, medicine cost, proportion of
      general medical service charges, treatment cost, expenses of examination and
      laboratory test, and cancer type.? CONCLUSION: OOP expenditure among UEBMI cancer
      inpatients was under control and stable. The level can well reflect the policy
      preferences. It could be further improved through the control of related factors,
      particularly the hospital level.

PMID- 27269929
TI  - [Meta analysis for interventional effect on unexpected injury among children and
      adolescents in China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively evaluate the interventional effect on unexpected
      injury among children and adolescents in China, and to provide scientific basis
      for the injury control strategy.? METHODS: Meta analysis was utilized to analyze
      the selected literatures. After heterogeneity test of the data, a relevant model
      was chosen to estimate the combined effect values relative risk (RR) and the
      corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Subgroup analysis were performed
      based on the intervention measures, objects and places. Sensitivity and
      publication bias were analyzed.? RESULTS: A total of 18 papers were included in
      the Meta analysis with a sample size of 32 599. The combined RR value was 0.54
      (95% CI 0.44 to 0.68). Subgroup analysis showed that the RR value of health
      education and comprehensive intervention were 0.59 and 0.50, respectively, with
      no significant difference between them (P>0.05). The RR values of the
      interventions in school alone, in school and community or in community alone were
      0.51, 0.78 or 0.63. The RR values on children alone, children and parents or
      parents alone were 0.53, 0.65 or 0.35. The differences were significant when the
      interventions were performed among different places or objects (P<0.05).
      Sensitivity analysis revealed that meta-analysis results were relatively stable.?
      CONCLUSION: The targeted interventions were significant in the prevention of
      unexpected injuries among children and adolescents. It is worth further promoting
      and spreading.

PMID- 27269930
TI  - [Study on the situation regarding endoscope cleaning and disinfection in the
      department of otolaryngology in Hunan hospitals].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the situation regarding the cleaning and sterilization
      of endonasal endoscopes in department of otolaryngology in Hunan Province, and to
      provide strategy for improving the level of sterilization and management of
      endonasal endoscopes.? METHODS: A total of 100 medical institutions were
      investigated by spot assessment, check and sampling. Data was analyzed by
      multivariate analysis.? RESULTS: The qualified rate of rules and regulations for
      endoscopy was 28.8% in the second-class hospitals and 45% in the top-class
      hospitals. The qualified rate of environment for endoscopy cleaning and
      sterilization was 36.3% in the second-class hospitals and 85% in the top-class
      hospitals. The main problems include lack of independent disinfection room, the
      space not large enough, and/or lack of ventilation system. The qualified rate of
      bacterial detection for post-sterilized endoscopes and biopsy forceps was 93.8%
      in the second-class hospitals and 95.0% in the top-class hospitals, and the main
      pathogenic bacteria was gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. The
      multivariate analysis showed that the influencial factors for endoscope cleaning
      and disinfection are as follows: staffs responsible for the cleaning and
      sterilization of otolaryngology endoscopes, the standard for cleaning and
      disinfection process, and the frequency of endoscope use.? CONCLUSION: The
      present situation of cleaning and sterilization for otolaryngology endoscopes is
      better in the top-class hospitals than that in the second-class hospitals. The
      sterilization and management of otolaryngology endoscopy are needed to be
      improved, and the staff training is needed, especially in the primary hospitals.

PMID- 27269931
TI  - [Treatment of cryptococcal meningitis by use of shunting and review in
      literature].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the time and effect of shunt operation on cryptococcal
      meningitis.? METHODS: A total 7 patients received shunt operation for the therapy
      of cryptococcal meningitis patients and the data was retrospectively analyzed.?
      RESULTS: Intracranial hypertension-caused symptoms were resolved immediately.
      There was no complication, no infection dissemination and no recrudescence of
      cryptococcal meningitis. ? CONCLUSION: Shunt operation is effective for
      intracranial hypertension caused by cryptococcal meningitis. It does not affect
      the antifungal treatment.

PMID- 27269932
TI  - [A case of retroperitoneal Castleman's disease with paraneoplastic pemphigus].
AB  - Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a rare autoimmune bullous dermatosis, which is caused
      by potential neoplasm, especially the Castleman's disease. Castleman's disease
      associated with paraneoplastic pemphigus is misdiagnosed frequently and easily in
      clinical practices. Furthermore, it is reported that the mortality rate for this
      disease is very high. Bronchiolitis obliterans is the most common complication
      and the most important cause of death. There was a female patient presenting
      recalcitrant mucocutaneous erosions, ulcers and scattered erythemas in the body.
      The patient was diagnosed and treated for pemphigus vulgaris with little success
      in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University in January 2015. Further
      investigations confirmed the diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus with
      retroperitoneal tumor. Subsequently, the patient was treated with tumor resection
      in combination with intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. The pathology
      revealed that it was the Castleman's disease. Her mucocutaneous performance
      recovered obviously and the bronchiolitis obliteran did not appear in the follow
      up. Castleman's disease associated with paraneoplastic pemphigus should be
      considered when mucosal and skin lesions showing no improvement under
      corticosteroids. Early and complete removal of the tumor together with
      immunotherapy could be beneficial to the patient's prognosis. 

PMID- 27269933
TI  - Heartbeat: Go with the flow in aortic stenosis?

PMID- 27269934
TI  - Abnormal screening chest radiograph in a 21-year-old male.
AB  - CLINICAL INTRODUCTION: A 21-year-old male with a medical history of scoliosis was
      referred for an abnormal chest radiograph performed on screening (figure 1). He
      was asymptomatic with good exercise tolerance. Blood pressure and heart rate were
      normal. The heart sounds were normal. The pulmonary examination was unremarkable.
      A treadmill test performed 3 years prior for atypical chest pain was normal. An
      ECG performed was also normal. QUESTION: What abnormality is present in the chest
      radiograph? DextrocardiaEnlarged right heart borderMediastinal massProminent
      pulmonary vasculatureSitus inversus.

PMID- 27269935
TI  - Erratum: Development of the atrial septum.

PMID- 27269936
TI  - Dyspnoea in a 36-year-old woman.

PMID- 27269938
TI  - Regarding Beau.

PMID- 27269937
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of Durvalumab (MEDI4736), an Anti-Programmed Cell Death
      Ligand-1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor, in Patients With Advanced Urothelial
      Bladder Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of durvalumab, a human monoclonal
      antibody that binds programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and the role of PD-L1
      expression on clinical response in patients with advanced urothelial bladder
      cancer (UBC). METHODS: A phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label study is being
      conducted in patients with inoperable or metastatic solid tumors. We report here
      the results from the UBC expansion cohort. Durvalumab (MEDI4736, 10 mg/kg every 2
      weeks) was administered intravenously for up to 12 months. The primary end point
      was safety, and objective response rate (ORR, confirmed) was a key secondary end
      point. An exploratory analysis of pretreatment tumor biopsies led to defining PD
      L1-positive as >= 25% of tumor cells or tumor-infiltrating immune cells
      expressing membrane PD-L1. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients (40 PD-L1-positive, 21
      PD-L1-negative), 93.4% of whom received one or more prior therapies for advanced
      disease, were treated (median duration of follow-up, 4.3 months). The most common
      treatment-related adverse events (AEs) of any grade were fatigue (13.1%),
      diarrhea (9.8%), and decreased appetite (8.2%). Grade 3 treatment-related AEs
      occurred in three patients (4.9%); there were no treatment-related grade 4 or 5
      AEs. One treatment-related AE (acute kidney injury) resulted in treatment
      discontinuation. The ORR was 31.0% (95% CI, 17.6 to 47.1) in 42 response
      evaluable patients, 46.4% (95% CI, 27.5 to 66.1) in the PD-L1-positive subgroup,
      and 0% (95% CI, 0.0 to 23.2) in the PD-L1-negative subgroup. Responses are
      ongoing in 12 of 13 responding patients, with median duration of response not yet
      reached (range, 4.1+ to 49.3+ weeks). CONCLUSION: Durvalumab demonstrated a
      manageable safety profile and evidence of meaningful clinical activity in PD-L1
      positive patients with UBC, many of whom were heavily pretreated.

PMID- 27269939
TI  - Comparative Effectiveness of Treatment Strategies for Bladder Cancer With
      Clinical Evidence of Regional Lymph Node Involvement.
AB  - PURPOSE: Patients with bladder cancer with clinical lymph node involvement (cN+)
      are at high risk for distant metastases, but are potentially curable. Such
      patients are excluded from neoadjuvant chemotherapy trials and pooled with
      patients with distant metastases in first-line chemotherapy trials not suited to
      define the role of combined-modality therapy. To address this evidence void, we
      performed a comparative effectiveness analysis. METHODS: We included cTanyN1-3M0
      bladder cancer patients from the National Cancer Data Base (2003-2012) treated
      with chemotherapy and/or cystectomy. We used multistate survival analysis,
      allowing for delayed entry, to assess overall survival (OS) according to various
      treatment strategies. Effectiveness was estimated with multivariable adjustment
      for tumor-, patient-, and facility-level characteristics. RESULTS: Among 1,739
      patients (cN1, 48%; cN2, 45%; cN3, 7%), 1,104 underwent cystectomy and 635 were
      treated with chemotherapy alone. Of the cystectomy patients, 363 received
      preoperative and 328 received adjuvant chemotherapy. The crude 5-year OS for
      chemotherapy alone, cystectomy alone, preoperative chemotherapy followed by
      cystectomy, and cystectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy was 14% (95% CI, 11%
      to 17%), 19% (95% CI, 15% to 24%), 31% (95% CI, 25% to 38%), and 26% (95% CI, 21%
      to 34%), respectively. Compared with cystectomy alone, preoperative chemotherapy
      was associated with a significant improvement in OS (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI,
      0.66 to 0.97). Adjuvant chemotherapy was also associated with a significant
      improvement in survival compared with cystectomy alone. The survival of patients
      treated with chemotherapy alone was worse than those treated with cystectomy
      alone. CONCLUSION: A subset of patients with cN+ bladder cancer achieves long
      term survival. Combined-modality therapy, with chemotherapy and cystectomy, is
      associated with the best outcomes.

PMID- 27269940
TI  - T-Cell Therapy Using Interleukin-21-Primed Cytotoxic T-Cell Lymphocytes Combined
      With Cytotoxic T-Cell Lymphocyte Antigen-4 Blockade Results in Long-Term Cell
      Persistence and Durable Tumor Regression.
AB  - Purpose Peripheral blood-derived antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs)
      provide a readily available source of effector cells that can be administered
      with minimal toxicity in an outpatient setting. In metastatic melanoma, this
      approach results in measurable albeit modest clinical responses in patients
      resistant to conventional therapy. We reasoned that concurrent cytotoxic T-cell
      lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) checkpoint blockade might enhance the antitumor
      activity of adoptively transferred CTLs. Patients and Methods Autologous MART1
      specific CTLs were generated by priming with peptide-pulsed dendritic cells in
      the presence of interleukin-21 and enriched by peptide-major histocompatibility
      complex multimer-guided cell sorting. This expeditiously yielded polyclonal CTL
      lines uniformly expressing markers associated with an enhanced survival
      potential. In this first-in-human strategy, 10 patients with stage IV melanoma
      received the MART1-specific CTLs followed by a standard course of anti-CTLA-4
      (ipilimumab). Results The toxicity profile of the combined treatment was
      comparable to that of ipilimumab monotherapy. Evaluation of best responses at 12
      weeks yielded two continuous complete remissions, one partial response (PR) using
      RECIST criteria (two PRs using immune-related response criteria), and three
      instances of stable disease. Infused CTLs persisted with frequencies up to 2.9%
      of CD8+ T cells for as long as the patients were monitored (up to 40 weeks). In
      patients who experienced complete remissions, PRs, or stable disease, the
      persisting CTLs acquired phenotypic and functional characteristics of long-lived
      memory cells. Moreover, these patients also developed responses to nontargeted
      tumor antigens (epitope spreading). Conclusion We demonstrate that combining
      antigen-specific CTLs with CTLA-4 blockade is safe and produces durable clinical
      responses, likely reflecting both enhanced activity of transferred cells and
      improved recruitment of new responses, highlighting the promise of this strategy.

PMID- 27269941
TI  - Chemotherapy Pharmacodynamics and Neuroimaging and Neurocognitive Outcomes in
      Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine associations among methotrexate pharmacodynamics,
      neuroimaging, and neurocognitive outcomes in long-term survivors of childhood
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated on a contemporary chemotherapy-only
      protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This longitudinal study linked pharmacokinetic
      assays collected during therapy to neurocognitive and brain imaging outcomes
      during long-term follow-up. A total of 218 (72.2%) of 302 eligible long-term
      survivors were recruited for outcome studies when they were more than 5 years
      post-diagnosis and older than 8 years of age. At long-term follow-up, survivors
      were an average of 13.8 years old and 7.7 years from diagnosis, and 51% were
      male. Neurocognitive testing, functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during
      an executive function task, and structural MRI with diffusion tensor imaging were
      conducted. Generalized linear models were developed to identify predictors, and
      models were adjusted for age at diagnosis, sex, and parent education. RESULTS:
      Intelligence was within normal limits (mean, 98; standard deviation, 14) compared
      with population expectations (mean, 100; standard deviation, 15), though measures
      of executive function, processing speed, and memory were less than population
      means (all P < .02 after correction for false discovery rates). Higher plasma
      concentration of methotrexate was associated with a poorer executive function
      score (P < .02). Higher plasma methotrexate was also associated with higher
      functional MRI activity, with thicker cortices in dorsolateral prefrontal brain
      regions, and with white matter microstructure in the frontostriatal tact.
      Neurocognitive impairment was associated with these imaging findings as well.
      Associations did not change after adjustment for age or dose of leucovorin
      rescue. CONCLUSION: Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated
      on contemporary chemotherapy-only protocols demonstrate executive dysfunction. A
      higher plasma concentration of methotrexate was associated with executive
      dysfunction as well as with a thicker cortex and higher activity in frontal brain
      regions, regions often associated with executive function.

PMID- 27269942
TI  - Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Phase III Trial Evaluating
      Pertuzumab Combined With Chemotherapy for Low Tumor Human Epidermal Growth Factor
      Receptor 3 mRNA-Expressing Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer (PENELOPE).
AB  - PURPOSE: The AGO-OVAR 2.29/ENGOT-ov14/PENELOPE prospectively randomized phase III
      trial evaluated the addition of pertuzumab to chemotherapy in patients with
      platinum-resistant ovarian carcinoma with low tumor human epidermal growth factor
      receptor 3 (HER3) mRNA expression. We report the results of the primary efficacy
      analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had ovarian carcinoma that
      progressed during or within 6 months of completing four or more platinum cycles,
      centrally tested low tumor HER3 mRNA expression (concentration ratio <= 2.81 by
      quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on cobas z480 [Roche
      Molecular Diagnostics, Pleasanton, CA]), and no more than two prior lines of
      chemotherapy. After investigators' selection of the chemotherapy backbone (single
      agent topotecan, weekly paclitaxel, or gemcitabine), patients were randomly
      assigned to also receive either placebo or pertuzumab (840-mg loading dose
      followed by 420 mg every 3 weeks). Stratification factors were selected
      chemotherapy, prior antiangiogenic therapy, and platinum-free interval. The
      primary end point was independent review committee-assessed progression-free
      survival (PFS). Additional end points included overall survival, investigator
      assessed PFS, objective response rate, safety, patient-reported outcomes, and
      translational research. RESULTS: Overall, 156 patients were randomly assigned.
      Adding pertuzumab to chemotherapy did not significantly improve independent
      review committee-assessed PFS for the primary analysis (stratified hazard ratio,
      0.74; 95% CI, 0.50 to 1.11; P = .14; median PFS, 4.3 months for pertuzumab plus
      chemotherapy v 2.6 months for placebo plus chemotherapy). Sensitivity analyses
      and secondary efficacy end point results were consistent with the primary
      analysis. The effect on PFS favoring pertuzumab was more pronounced in the
      gemcitabine and paclitaxel cohorts. No new safety signals were seen. CONCLUSION:
      Although the primary objective was not met, subgroup analyses showed trends in
      PFS favoring pertuzumab in the gemcitabine and paclitaxel cohorts, meriting
      further exploration of pertuzumab in ovarian cancer.

PMID- 27269944
TI  - Efficacy of High-Intensity Local Treatment for Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma of
      the Bladder: A Propensity Score-Weighted Analysis From the National Cancer Data
      Base.
AB  - Purpose Evidence from studies of other malignancies has indicated that aggressive
      local treatment (LT), even in the presence of metastatic disease, is beneficial.
      Against a backdrop of stagnant mortality rates for metastatic urothelial
      carcinoma of the bladder (mUCB) at presentation, we hypothesized that high
      intensity LT of primary tumor burden, defined as the receipt of radical
      cystectomy or >= 50 Gy of radiation therapy delivered to the bladder, affects
      overall survival (OS). Patients and Methods We identified 3,753 patients within
      the National Cancer Data Base who received multiagent systemic chemotherapy
      combined with high-intensity versus conservative LT for primary mUCB. Patients
      who received no LT, transurethral resection of the bladder tumor alone, or < 50
      Gy of radiation therapy delivered to the bladder were included in the
      conservative LT group. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) 
      adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analyses were used to compare OS
      of patients who received high-intensity versus conservative LT. Results Overall,
      297 (7.91%) and 3,456 (92.09%) patients with mUCB received high-intensity and
      conservative LT, respectively. IPTW-adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves showed that
      median OS was significantly longer in the high-intensity LT group than in the
      conservative LT group (14.92 [interquartile range, 9.82 to 30.72] v 9.95
      [interquartile range, 5.29 to 17.08] months, respectively; P < .001).
      Furthermore, in IPTW-adjusted Cox regression analysis, high-intensity LT was
      associated with a significant OS benefit (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.48 to
      0.65; P < .001). Conclusion We report an OS benefit for individuals with mUCB
      treated with high-intensity versus conservative LT. Although the findings are
      subject to the usual biases related to the observational study design, these
      preliminary data warrant further consideration in randomized controlled trials,
      particularly given the poor prognosis associated with mUCB.

PMID- 27269945
TI  - Lack of Effectiveness of Neutropenic Diet and Social Restrictions as Anti
      Infective Measures in Children With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: An Analysis of the
      AML-BFM 2004 Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although nonpharmacologic anti-infective measures are widely used in
      children treated for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), there is little evidence of
      their effectiveness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed infectious complications
      in children during intensive treatment of AML according to the AML-BFM 2004 trial
      and surveyed sites on institutional standards regarding recommended restrictions
      of social contacts (six items), pets (five items), and food (eight items). A
      scoring system was developed with a restriction score for each item.
      Multivariable Poisson regression adjusted for sex, age, weight group, risk
      stratification, and prophylactic antibiotics was used to estimate the impact of
      the restrictions on the incidence ratios of fever of unknown origin, bacteremia,
      pneumonia, and gastroenteritis. RESULTS: Data on recommendations of
      nonpharmacologic anti-infective measures and infectious complications were
      available in 339 patients treated in 37 institutions. Analyses did not
      demonstrate a significant benefit of any of the restrictions regarding food,
      social contacts, and pets on the risk of fever, bacteremia, pneumonia, and
      gastroenteritis. In contrast, age, weight group, risk stratification, and
      nonabsorbable antibiotics had some influence on infections complications.
      CONCLUSION: The lack of effectiveness of dietary restrictions and restrictions
      regarding social contacts and pets should result in reconsideration of anti
      infective policies.

PMID- 27269943
TI  - Therapeutic Impact of Cytoreductive Surgery and Irradiation of Posterior Fossa
      Ependymoma in the Molecular Era: A Retrospective Multicohort Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Posterior fossa ependymoma comprises two distinct molecular variants
      termed EPN_PFA and EPN_PFB that have a distinct biology and natural history. The
      therapeutic value of cytoreductive surgery and radiation therapy for posterior
      fossa ependymoma after accounting for molecular subgroup is not known. METHODS:
      Four independent nonoverlapping retrospective cohorts of posterior fossa
      ependymomas (n = 820) were profiled using genome-wide methylation arrays. Risk
      stratification models were designed based on known clinical and newly described
      molecular biomarkers identified by multivariable Cox proportional hazards
      analyses. RESULTS: Molecular subgroup is a powerful independent predictor of
      outcome even when accounting for age or treatment regimen. Incompletely resected
      EPN_PFA ependymomas have a dismal prognosis, with a 5-year progression-free
      survival ranging from 26.1% to 56.8% across all four cohorts. Although first-line
      (adjuvant) radiation is clearly beneficial for completely resected EPN_PFA, a
      substantial proportion of patients with EPN_PFB can be cured with surgery alone,
      and patients with relapsed EPN_PFB can often be treated successfully with delayed
      external-beam irradiation. CONCLUSION: The most impactful biomarker for posterior
      fossa ependymoma is molecular subgroup affiliation, independent of other
      demographic or treatment variables. However, both EPN_PFA and EPN_PFB still
      benefit from increased extent of resection, with the survival rates being
      particularly poor for subtotally resected EPN_PFA, even with adjuvant radiation
      therapy. Patients with EPN_PFB who undergo gross total resection are at lower
      risk for relapse and should be considered for inclusion in a randomized clinical
      trial of observation alone with radiation reserved for those who experience
      recurrence.

PMID- 27269946
TI  - Plasma ESR1 Mutations and the Treatment of Estrogen Receptor-Positive Advanced
      Breast Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: ESR1 mutations are selected by prior aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy in
      advanced breast cancer. We assessed the impact of ESR1 mutations on sensitivity
      to standard therapies in two phase III randomized trials that represent the
      development of the current standard therapy for estrogen receptor-positive
      advanced breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective-retrospective
      analysis, we assessed ESR1 mutations in available archived baseline plasma from
      the SoFEA (Study of Faslodex Versus Exemestane With or Without Arimidex) trial,
      which compared exemestane with fulvestrant-containing regimens in patients with
      prior sensitivity to nonsteroidal AI and in baseline plasma from the PALOMA3
      (Palbociclib Combined With Fulvestrant in Hormone Receptor-Positive HER2-Negative
      Metastatic Breast Cancer After Endocrine Failure) trial, which compared
      fulvestrant plus placebo with fulvestrant plus palbociclib in patients with
      progression after receiving prior endocrine therapy. ESR1 mutations were analyzed
      by multiplex digital polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: In SoFEA, ESR1 mutations
      were found in 39.1% of patients (63 of 161), of whom 49.1% (27 of 55) were
      polyclonal, with rates of mutation detection unaffected by delays in processing
      of archival plasma. Patients with ESR1 mutations had improved progression-free
      survival (PFS) after taking fulvestrant (n = 45) compared with exemestane (n =
      18; hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.92; P = .02), whereas patients
      with wild-type ESR1 had similar PFS after receiving either treatment (HR, 1.07;
      95% CI, 0.68 to 1.67; P = .77). In PALOMA3, ESR1 mutations were found in the
      plasma of 25.3% of patients (91 of 360), of whom 28.6% (26 of 91) were
      polyclonal, with mutations associated with acquired resistance to prior AI.
      Fulvestrant plus palbociclib improved PFS compared with fulvestrant plus placebo
      in both ESR1 mutant (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.74; P = .002) and ESR1 wild-type
      patients (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.70; P < .001). CONCLUSION: ESR1 mutation
      analysis in plasma after progression after prior AI therapy may help direct
      choice of further endocrine-based therapy. Additional confirmatory studies are
      required.

PMID- 27269947
TI  - Nivolumab in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Hematologic Malignancy:
      Preliminary Results of a Phase Ib Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cancer cells can exploit the programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint
      pathway to avoid immune surveillance by modulating T-lymphocyte activity. In
      part, this may occur through overexpression of PD-1 and PD-1 pathway ligands (PD
      L1 and PD-L2) in the tumor microenvironment. PD-1 blockade has produced
      significant antitumor activity in solid tumors, and similar evidence has emerged
      in hematologic malignancies. METHODS: In this phase I, open-label, dose
      escalation, cohort-expansion study, patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell
      lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma received the anti-PD-1 monoclonal
      antibody nivolumab at doses of 1 or 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks. This study aimed to
      evaluate the safety and efficacy of nivolumab and to assess PD-L1/PD-L2 locus
      integrity and protein expression. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were treated
      (follicular lymphoma, n = 10; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, n = 11; other B-cell
      lymphomas, n = 10; mycosis fungoides, n = 13; peripheral T-cell lymphoma, n = 5;
      other T-cell lymphomas, n = 5; multiple myeloma, n = 27). Patients had received a
      median of three (range, one to 12) prior systemic treatments. Drug-related
      adverse events occurred in 51 (63%) patients, and most were grade 1 or 2.
      Objective response rates were 40%, 36%, 15%, and 40% among patients with
      follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, and
      peripheral T-cell lymphoma, respectively. Median time of follow-up observation
      was 66.6 weeks (range, 1.6 to 132.0+ weeks). Durations of response in individual
      patients ranged from 6.0 to 81.6+ weeks. CONCLUSION: Nivolumab was well tolerated
      and exhibited antitumor activity in extensively pretreated patients with relapsed
      or refractory B- and T-cell lymphomas. Additional studies of nivolumab in these
      diseases are ongoing.

PMID- 27269949
TI  - Evaluation of the Risk of Relapse in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma at Event-Free
      Survival Time Points and Survival Comparison With the General Population in
      British Columbia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Studies in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) typically measure the time
      to events from diagnosis. We evaluated the risk of relapse at event-free survival
      time points in cHL and compared the risk of death to expected mortality rates in
      British Columbia (BC). METHODS: The BC Cancer Agency Lymphoid Cancer Database was
      screened to identify all patients age 16 to 69 years diagnosed with cHL between
      1989 and 2012 treated with the chemotherapy regimen of doxorubicin, bleomycin,
      vinblastine, and dacarbazine (or equivalent). We compared the observed mortality
      to the general population using age-, sex-, and calendar period-generated
      expected mortality rates from BC life-tables. Relative survival was calculated
      using a conditional approach and expressed as a standardized mortality ratio of
      observed-to-expected deaths. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred two patients were
      identified; 749 patients were male (53%), the median age was 32 years, and 68%
      had advanced-stage disease. The median follow-up time was 8.4 years. Seventy-two
      percent of relapses occurred within the first 2 years of diagnosis. For all
      patients, the 5-year risk of relapse from diagnosis was 18.1% but diminished to
      5.6% for patients remaining event free at 2 years. For advanced-stage patients
      who were event free at 2 years, the 5-year risk of relapse was only 7.6%, and for
      those who were event free at 3 years, it was comparable to that of limited-stage
      patients (4.1% v 2.5%, respectively; P = .07). Furthermore, international
      prognostic score >= 4 and bulky disease were no longer prognostic in patients who
      were event free at 1 year. Although the relative survival improved as patients
      remained in remission, it did not normalize compared with the general population.
      CONCLUSION: Patients with cHL who are event free at 2 years have an excellent
      outcome regardless of baseline prognostic factors. All patients with cHL had an
      enduring increased risk of death compared with the general population.

PMID- 27269950
TI  - Successful Therapy Reduction and Intensification for Childhood Acute
      Lymphoblastic Leukemia Based on Minimal Residual Disease Monitoring: Study ALL10
      From the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group.
AB  - PURPOSE: Outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) improved greatly
      by intensifying chemotherapy for all patients. Minimal residual disease (MRD)
      levels during the first months predict outcome and may select patients for
      therapy reduction or intensification. METHODS: Patients 1 to 18 years old with
      ALL were stratified on the basis of MRD levels after the first and second course
      of chemotherapy. Thereafter, therapy was substantially reduced in patients with
      undetectable MRD (standard risk) and intensified in patients with intermediate
      (medium risk) and high (high risk) levels of MRD. Seven hundred seventy-eight
      consecutive patients were enrolled. The method of analysis was intention-to
      treat. Outcome was compared with historical controls. RESULTS: In MRD-based
      standard-risk patients, the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was 93% (SE
      2%), the 5-year survival rate was 99% (SE 1%), and the 5-year cumulative
      incidence of relapse rate was 6% (SE 2%). The safety upper limit of number of
      observation years was reached and therapy reduction was declared safe.MRD-based
      medium-risk patients had a significantly higher 5-year EFS rate (88%, SE 2%) with
      therapy intensification (including 30 weeks of asparaginase exposure and
      dexamethasone/vincristine pulses) compared with historical controls (76%, SE 6%).
      Intensive chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation in MRD-based high-risk
      patients resulted in a significantly better 5-year EFS rate (78%, SE 8% v 16%, SE
      8% in controls). Overall outcome improved significantly (5-year EFS rate 87%, 5
      year survival rate 92%, and 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse rate 8%)
      compared with preceding Dutch Childhood Oncology Group protocols. CONCLUSION:
      Chemotherapy was substantially reduced safely in one-quarter of children with ALL
      who were selected on the basis of undetectable MRD levels, without jeopardizing
      the survival rate. Outcomes of patients with intermediate and high levels of MRD
      improved with therapy intensification.

PMID- 27269952
TI  - Ultrasound-guided peripheral vein cannulation.

PMID- 27269951
TI  - Reduced-Intensity Transplantation for Lymphomas Using Haploidentical Related
      Donors Versus HLA-Matched Sibling Donors: A Center for International Blood and
      Marrow Transplant Research Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Related donor haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (Haplo
      HCT) using post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) is increasingly used in
      patients lacking HLA-matched sibling donors (MSD). We compared outcomes after
      Haplo-HCT using PT-Cy with MSD-HCT in patients with lymphoma, using the Center
      for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We evaluated 987 adult patients undergoing either Haplo-HCT (n = 180) or
      MSD-HCT (n = 807) following reduced-intensity conditioning regimens. The
      haploidentical group received graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with
      PT-Cy with or without a calcineurin inhibitor and mycophenolate. The MSD group
      received calcineurin inhibitor-based GVHD prophylaxis. RESULTS: Median follow-up
      of survivors was 3 years. The 28-day neutrophil recovery was similar in the two
      groups (95% v 97%; P = .31). The 28-day platelet recovery was delayed in the
      haploidentical group compared with the MSD group (63% v 91%; P = .001).
      Cumulative incidence of grade II to IV acute GVHD at day 100 was similar between
      the two groups (27% v 25%; P = .84). Cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD at 1
      year was significantly lower after Haplo-HCT (12% v 45%; P < .001), and this
      benefit was confirmed on multivariate analysis (relative risk, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.14
      to 0.31; P < .001). For Haplo-HCT v MSD-HCT, 3-year rates of nonrelapse mortality
      (15% v 13%; P = .41), relapse/progression (37% v 40%; P = .51), progression-free
      survival (48% v 48%; P = .96), and overall survival (61% v 62%; P = .82) were
      similar. Multivariate analysis showed no significant difference between Haplo-HCT
      and MSD-HCT in terms of nonrelapse mortality (P = .06), progression/relapse (P =
      .10), progression-free survival (P = .83), and overall survival (P = .34).
      CONCLUSION: Haplo-HCT with PT-Cy provides survival outcomes comparable to MSD
      HCT, with a significantly lower risk of chronic GVHD.

PMID- 27269953
TI  - Cerebral edema induced by hyperammonemia: a case report.

PMID- 27269948
TI  - Age- and Tumor Subtype-Specific Breast Cancer Risk Estimates for CHEK2*1100delC
      Carriers.
AB  - PURPOSE: CHEK2*1100delC is a well-established breast cancer risk variant that is
      most prevalent in European populations; however, there are limited data on risk
      of breast cancer by age and tumor subtype, which limits its usefulness in breast
      cancer risk prediction. We aimed to generate tumor subtype- and age-specific risk
      estimates by using data from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium, including
      44,777 patients with breast cancer and 42,997 controls from 33 studies genotyped
      for CHEK2*1100delC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CHEK2*1100delC genotyping was mostly
      done by a custom Taqman assay. Breast cancer odds ratios (ORs) for CHEK2*1100delC
      carriers versus noncarriers were estimated by using logistic regression and
      adjusted for study (categorical) and age. Main analyses included patients with
      invasive breast cancer from population- and hospital-based studies. RESULTS:
      Proportions of heterozygous CHEK2*1100delC carriers in controls, in patients with
      breast cancer from population- and hospital-based studies, and in patients with
      breast cancer from familial- and clinical genetics center-based studies were
      0.5%, 1.3%, and 3.0%, respectively. The estimated OR for invasive breast cancer
      was 2.26 (95%CI, 1.90 to 2.69; P = 2.3 * 10(-20)). The OR was higher for estrogen
      receptor (ER)-positive disease (2.55 [95%CI, 2.10 to 3.10; P = 4.9 * 10(-21)])
      than it was for ER-negative disease (1.32 [95%CI, 0.93 to 1.88; P = .12]; P
      interaction = 9.9 * 10(-4)). The OR significantly declined with attained age for
      breast cancer overall (P = .001) and for ER-positive tumors (P = .001). Estimated
      cumulative risks for development of ER-positive and ER-negative tumors by age 80
      in CHEK2*1100delC carriers were 20% and 3%, respectively, compared with 9% and
      2%, respectively, in the general population of the United Kingdom. CONCLUSION:
      These CHEK2*1100delC breast cancer risk estimates provide a basis for
      incorporating CHEK2*1100delC into breast cancer risk prediction models and into
      guidelines for intensified screening and follow-up.

PMID- 27269954
TI  - Risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury after blood products transfusions.

PMID- 27269955
TI  - High immunoglobulin E values at admission predict mortality in ED patients with
      sepsis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Gamma immunoglobulin E (IgE) is associated with allergic reactions
      but has not been described as being activated after sepsis. This study aimed at
      detecting the prognostic value of plasma IgE level in sepsis progression in the
      emergency department (ED). METHODS: Plasma IgE and related cytokines levels were
      measured on enrollment, and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II
      score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and Mortality in Emergency
      Department Sepsis score were calculated on ED admission. A 28-day follow-up was
      performed for all patients. RESULTS: A total of 480 patients were consecutively
      enrolled in this study. The results revealed that nonsurvivors were in a more
      severe critical state, with reflected by higher IgE level and higher scoring
      systems (P<.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IgE level
      was independent predictor of severe sepsis (odds ratio, 1.034; 95% confidence
      interval, 1.023-1.044; P<.001) and 28-day mortality (odds ratio, 1.038; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.027-1.053; P<.001). The areas under the receiver operating
      characteristic curve (AUC) analysis showed that IgE was a useful parameter in
      prognosis of severe sepsis (AUC was 0.830; cutoff value was 303.08MUg/L) and 28
      day mortality (AUC was 0.700; cutoff value was 299.96MUg/L), Importantly, the AUC
      of combination of IgE and Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis score
      performed for the most significant prognostic ability than each parameter,
      respectively, in this cohort (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study
      indicate that septic patients with higher IgE level present with higher risk of
      mortality, and a combination of IgE level with scoring systems significantly
      increased the predictive accuracy for severe sepsis and 28-day mortality.

PMID- 27269957
TI  - Pharmacogenetic Tests in Psychiatry: From Fear to Failure to Hype.

PMID- 27269956
TI  - Safety of Intravenous Methamphetamine Administration During Ibudilast Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine dependence is a significant public health concern
      without any approved medications for treatment. We evaluated ibudilast, a
      nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, to assess the safety and tolerability
      during intravenous methamphetamine administration. We conducted a randomized,
      double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects crossover clinical trial.
      METHODS: Participants received ibudilast (20 mg twice daily followed by 50 mg
      twice daily) and placebo, with order determined by randomization, and then
      underwent intravenous methamphetamine challenges (15 and 30 mg). We monitored
      cardiovascular effects, methamphetamine pharmacokinetics, and reported adverse
      events. RESULTS: Ibudilast treatment had similar rates of adverse events compared
      with placebo, and there was no significant augmentation of cardiovascular effects
      of methamphetamine. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed no clinically significant
      change in maximum concentration or half-life of methamphetamine with ibudilast.
      CONCLUSIONS: Methamphetamine administration during ibudilast treatment was well
      tolerated without additive cardiovascular effects or serious adverse events,
      providing initial safety data to pursue ibudilast's effectiveness for the
      treatment of methamphetamine dependence.

PMID- 27269958
TI  - Paliperidone Palmitate-Associated Severe Refractory Tardive Dyskinesia With
      Tardive Dystonia: Management and Six-Months Follow-Up.

PMID- 27269959
TI  - Antidepressant Use and Subclinical Measures of Atherosclerosis: The Multi-Ethnic
      Study of Atherosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antidepressants are commonly prescribed medications used in primary
      care. The cardiovascular safety profile of antidepressant medications, in terms
      of subclinical atherosclerosis, is underexamined. METHODS: A total of 6814
      participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis were examined. At
      baseline, the mean age was 62 years with 4 race/ethnic groups represented:
      European Americans (38%), Hispanic Americans (23%), African Americans (28%), and
      Chinese Americans (11%). Antidepressants were subgrouped as serotonin reuptake
      inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), serotonin-norepinephrine
      reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and "other" (bupropion, nefazodone, trazodone,
      mirtazapine). After adjusting for potential confounders, we estimated the
      association between antidepressant use and the following measures of subclinical
      atherosclerosis: coronary artery calcium (CAC), the ankle-brachial index, and
      carotid intima-media thickness, both cross-sectionally and prospectively.
      RESULTS: A total of 324 participants were exposed to SSRIs, 88 to TCAs, 41 to
      SNRIs, and 123 to other antidepressants. For CAC incidence, the fully adjusted
      longitudinal analyses revealed no consistent associations with SSRIs (relative
      risk [RR], 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-1.37), SNRIs (RR, 0.49; 95%
      CI, 0.13-1.86), TCAs (RR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.50-1.77), other antidepressant (RR,
      0.87; 95% CI, 0.73-1.03) exposure, and subclinical disease. Similar null results
      were obtained in the cross-sectional and longitudinal exposure to antidepressants
      with changes in baseline CAC greater than 0, ankle-brachial index, and carotid
      intima-media thickness. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study do not
      support an association between antidepressants and subclinical atherosclerosis.

PMID- 27269960
TI  - Learning a New Selection Rule in Visual and Frontal Cortex.
AB  - How do you make a decision if you do not know the rules of the game? Models of
      sensory decision-making suggest that choices are slow if evidence is weak, but
      they may only apply if the subject knows the task rules. Here, we asked how the
      learning of a new rule influences neuronal activity in the visual (area V1) and
      frontal cortex (area FEF) of monkeys. We devised a new icon-selection task. On
      each day, the monkeys saw 2 new icons (small pictures) and learned which one was
      relevant. We rewarded eye movements to a saccade target connected to the relevant
      icon with a curve. Neurons in visual and frontal cortex coded the monkey's
      choice, because the representation of the selected curve was enhanced. Learning
      delayed the neuronal selection signals and we uncovered the cause of this delay
      in V1, where learning to select the relevant icon caused an early suppression of
      surrounding image elements. These results demonstrate that the learning of a new
      rule causes a transition from fast and random decisions to a more considerate
      strategy that takes additional time and they reveal the contribution of visual
      and frontal cortex to the learning process.

PMID- 27269962
TI  - Newborn Brain Function Is Affected by Fetal Exposure to Maternal Serotonin
      Reuptake Inhibitors.
AB  - Recent experimental animal studies have shown that fetal exposure to serotonin
      reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) affects brain development. Modern recording methods
      and advanced computational analyses of scalp electroencephalography (EEG) have
      opened a possibility to study if comparable changes are also observed in the
      human neonatal brain. We recruited mothers using SRI during pregnancy (n = 22)
      and controls (n = 62). Mood and anxiety of mothers, newborn neurology, and
      newborn cortical function (EEG) were assessed. The EEG parameters were compared
      between newborns exposed to drugs versus controls, followed by comparisons of
      newborn EEG features with maternal psychiatric assessments. Neurological
      assessment showed subtle abnormalities in the SRI-exposed newborns. The
      computational EEG analyses disclosed a reduced interhemispheric connectivity,
      lower cross-frequency integration, as well as reduced frontal activity at low
      frequency oscillations. These effects were not related to maternal depression or
      anxiety. Our results suggest that antenatal serotonergic treatment might change
      newborn brain function in a manner compatible with the recent experimental
      studies. The present EEG findings suggest links at the level of neuronal activity
      between human studies and animal experiments. These links will also enable
      bidirectional translation in future studies on the neuronal mechanisms and long
      term neurodevelopmental effects of early SRI exposure.

PMID- 27269964
TI  - Addendum.

PMID- 27269961
TI  - Distinct Functional Groups Emerge from the Intrinsic Properties of Molecularly
      Identified Entorhinal Interneurons and Principal Cells.
AB  - Inhibitory interneurons are an important source of synaptic inputs that may
      contribute to network mechanisms for coding of spatial location by entorhinal
      cortex (EC). The intrinsic properties of inhibitory interneurons in the EC of the
      mouse are mostly undescribed. Intrinsic properties were recorded from known cell
      types, such as, stellate and pyramidal cells and 6 classes of molecularly
      identified interneurons (regulator of calcineurin 2, somatostatin, serotonin
      receptor 3a, neuropeptide Y neurogliaform (NGF), neuropeptide Y non-NGF, and
      vasoactive intestinal protein) in acute brain slices. We report a broad
      physiological diversity between and within cell classes. We also found
      differences in the ability to produce postinhibitory rebound spikes and in the
      frequency and amplitude of incoming EPSPs. To understand the source of this
      intrinsic variability we applied hierarchical cluster analysis to functionally
      classify neurons. These analyses revealed physiologically derived cell types in
      EC that mostly corresponded to the lines identified by biomarkers with a few
      unexpected and important differences. Finally, we reduced the complex
      multidimensional space of intrinsic properties to the most salient five that
      predicted the cellular biomolecular identity with 81.4% accuracy. These results
      provide a framework for the classification of functional subtypes of cortical
      neurons by their intrinsic membrane properties.

PMID- 27269963
TI  - Epidemiology of community-acquired pneumonia and implications for vaccination of
      children living in developing and newly industrialized countries: A systematic
      literature review.
AB  - This systematic review evaluated the epidemiology of community-acquired pneumonia
      in children <6 y of age within 90 developing and newly industrialized countries.
      Literature searches (1990-2011), based on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CAB Global
      Health, WHO, UNICEF, country-specific websites, conferences, health-technology
      assessment agencies, and the reference lists of included studies, yielded 8,734
      records; 62 of 340 studies were included in this review. The highest incidence
      rate among included studies was 0.51 episodes/child-year, for children <5 y of
      age in Bangladesh. The highest prevalence was in Chinese children <6 months of
      age (37.88%). The main bacterial pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae,
      Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae and the main viral pathogens
      were respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus and rhinovirus. Community-acquired
      pneumonia remains associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Improved
      and efficient surveillance and documentation of the epidemiology and burden of
      community-acquired pneumonia across various geographical regions is warranted.

PMID- 27269965
TI  - Mutational scanning of the CHCHD2 gene in Han Chinese patients with Parkinson's
      disease and meta-analysis of the literature.
AB  - BACKGOUND: Building on recent evidence linking the CHCHD2 gene to both familial
      and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD), we carried out a case-control study to
      examine possible associations between the CHCHD2 gene and PD. METHOD: We
      sequenced all four coding regions, exon-intron boundaries, untranslated regions
      and flanking regions of CHCHD2 in 30 patients with familial disease, 554 patients
      with sporadic disease and 594 healthy controls. All subjects were Han Chinese
      from western China. RESULTS: We detected the exonic variants p.Pro2Leu,
      p.Arg18Gln and p.Arg145Gln in six patients with sporadic PD respectively. The
      p.Pro2Leu variant was more frequent in patients than in controls, but the
      difference was not significant (OR 2.149, 95%CI 0.393 to 11.753, p = 0.366). Meta
      analysis of our data with studies in the literature showed that p.Pro2Leu
      variants were associated with sporadic PD (OR 2.51, 95%CI 1.53 to 4.11, p =
      0.0002), especially in Asian populations (OR 2.92, 95%CI 1.68 to 5.07, p =
      0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CHCHD2 exonic variants are rare
      among Chinese patients with PD. Meta-analysis of the literature, however,
      suggests that p.Pro2Leu variants are associated with sporadic disease,
      particularly in Asian populations.

PMID- 27269966
TI  - Genetic risk of Parkinson's disease in the general population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We investigated whether a risk score based on genetic risk variants
      for Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with the risk and improves prediction
      of incident PD, and whether the risk score is associated with basic activities of
      daily living (BADL) in healthy individuals. METHODS: Within the population-based
      Rotterdam Study, we genotyped 26 independent risk variants for PD and constructed
      a genetic risk score in 7167 participants who were free of parkinsonism and
      dementia at baseline (1990 or 2000). Participants were followed for a maximum of
      twenty years for the onset of parkinsonism, dementia or death until January 1,
      2011 (median follow-up 12.1 years). We studied the relationship between the
      genetic risk score and incident PD with adjustment for age, sex, smoking and
      parental history. In an independent sample of 2997 persons free of parkinsonism
      and dementia, we studied whether the PD risk score was associated with impaired
      BADL. RESULTS: During follow-up (median 12.1 years), 99 persons were diagnosed
      with incident PD. The genetic risk score was associated with incident PD (hazard
      ratio per standard deviation risk 1.25 [95% confidence interval = 1.02; 1.55]),
      but did not substantially improve prediction (change in C-statistic 0.687 [0.628;
      0.745] to 0.698 [0.635; 0.760], DeltaC = 0.011 [-0.011; 0.033]). The genetic risk
      score was associated with a higher probability of any impairment in BADL (odds
      ratio = 1.11 [1.00; 1.23]). CONCLUSION: Genetic variants for PD are associated
      with the risk of incident PD in the general population and with impairment in
      daily functioning in individuals without clinical parkinsonism, but do not
      improve the clinical prediction of PD. However, we were probably underpowered to
      detect a small improvement in PD prediction.

PMID- 27269967
TI  - Interoception in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A review.
AB  - PURPOSE: This review article summarizes original scientific research published to
      date on interoception in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Sensory
      processing has been shown to be atypical in ASD, yet physiological processing and
      subjective experience of internal sensation processing, namely interoception, has
      not been reported sufficiently in research or clinical settings. BACKGROUND:
      There is a small but growing body of scientific research on interoception in ASD,
      which is relevant to understanding the behavioral and cognitive characteristics
      inherent in this condition, and may provide a foundation for clinical
      interventions such as biofeedback, pain management, and brain stimulation
      techniques. METHODS: A literature review of original research was performed using
      major scientific databases. RESULTS: Interoception, which occurs due to
      multisensory connections and integration of internal afferents in cortical and
      subcortical areas, is atypical in ASD, but the degree and directionality of this
      abnormality is not yet clear due to the heterogeneity of the condition. Between
      group interoceptive differences in individuals with and without ASD have been
      repeatedly demonstrated, with a slight tendency towards hyporeactivity in
      interoceptive awareness in individuals with ASD. SIGNIFICANCE: Multidimensional
      research combining neuroimaging with psychophysiological and self-report measures
      guided by a clear theoretical model is necessary to understand how interoceptive
      differences link to the behavioral and cognitive characteristics of ASD. Sensory
      processing models and autism theory should also be updated to incorporate these
      recent findings.

PMID- 27269968
TI  - Live liver donors' information needs: A qualitative study of practical
      implications for informed consent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As live donor liver transplantation is increasingly used to expand
      the donor pool, concerns remain regarding how best to obtain live liver donors'
      informed consent. This study assessed donors' information preferences and their
      perceptions of informed consent. METHODS: Cognitive interviews were conducted
      with donors by telephone about how knowledge items in a new survey instrument
      were material to informed consent, between November 2011 and April 2012. Thematic
      analysis was used to analyze qualitative data until reaching saturation. RESULTS:
      Twenty-nine liver donors participated (85% participation). Donors commonly
      reported being unable to understand or retain much information disclosed during
      education. Donors preferred information about major donation risks, eg, death and
      minor risks that would likely affect their daily lives, eg, wound infection.
      Donors expressed less interest in information about their rights,
      confidentiality, or the medical procedure itself. Donors' preferences varied
      regarding statistical information. Many perceived the disclosure of risk
      information to be excessive, and rationalized risks they believed to be uncommon
      or not serious. Donors were disappointed by the brevity of the postdonation
      hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the complexity and volume of
      disclosed information during evaluation were difficult for donors to adequately
      comprehend. Donors' lack of appreciation for the seriousness of complications may
      undermine their ability to provide informed consent. Future research should
      develop effective methods of information delivery to enhance informed consent.

PMID- 27269969
TI  - Features of liver tissue remodeling in intestinal failure during and after
      weaning off parenteral nutrition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intestinal failure is associated frequently with liver injury, which
      persists after weaning off parenteral nutrition. We compared features of liver
      remodeling in intestinal failure during and after weaning off parenteral
      nutrition. METHODS: Liver biopsies and serum samples were obtained from 25
      intestinal failure patients at a median age of 9.7 years (interquartile range:
      4.6-18) and from age-matched control patients. Seven patients had been receiving
      parenteral nutrition for 53 months (22-160), and 18 patients had been weaned off
      parenteral nutrition 6.3 years (2.4-17) earlier, after having received parenteral
      nutrition for 10 months (3.3-34). Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin,
      collagen 1, proinflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and matrix
      metalloproteinases (MMPs) was measured. RESULTS: Significant increases in
      immunohistochemical expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen 1 were
      observed predominantly in portal areas and were similar to increases seen in
      patients currently receiving parenteral nutrition and in patients weaned off
      parenteral nutrition. Gene and protein expressions of alpha-smooth muscle actin
      and collagen were interrelated. Gene expression of ACTA2, encoding alpha-smooth
      muscle actin, was increased only in patients who were receiving parenteral
      nutrition currently. Comparable upregulation of interleukin-1 (alpha and beta),
      epidermal growth factor, integrin-beta6, and MMP9 gene expression was observed in
      both patient groups, irrespective of whether they were receiving parenteral
      nutrition currently. Liver expression and serum levels of TIMP1 and MMP7 were
      increased only in the patients on parenteral nutrition currently but were not
      increased after weaning off parenteral nutrition. CONCLUSION: Intestinal failure
      is characterized by abnormal activation of hepatic myofibroblast and accumulation
      of collagen both during and after weaning off parenteral nutrition. Persistent
      transcriptional upregulation of proinflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines after
      weaning off parenteral nutrition suggests that factors other than parenteral
      nutrition may contribute to intestinal failure-associated liver disease.

PMID- 27269970
TI  - Mitochondrial STAT3: Powering up a potent factor.
AB  - The JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway is engaged by many cytokines and growth factor
      stimuli to control diverse biological processes including proliferation,
      angiogenesis, survival, immune modulation, and metabolism. For over two decades
      it has been accepted that STAT3-dependent biology is due to its potency as a
      transcription factor capable of regulating the expression of many hundreds of
      genes. However, recent evidence of non-canonical and non-genomic activities of
      STAT3 has emerged. The most exciting of these activities is its capacity to
      translocate into the mitochondria where it regulates the activity of the electron
      transport chain and the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition
      pore. These have broad consequences including cell survival and the production of
      reactive oxygen species and ATP in both normal tissue and under pathological
      conditions. Despite these fascinating observations there are many key unanswered
      questions about the mechanism of STAT mitochondrial activity.

PMID- 27269971
TI  - Forecasting the Value of Podiatric Medical Care in Newly Insured Diabetic
      Patients During Implementation of the Affordable Care Act in California.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because value-based care is critical to the Affordable Care Act
      success, we forecasted inpatient costs and the potential impact of podiatric
      medical care on savings in the diabetic population through improved care quality
      and decreased resource use during implementation of the health reform initiatives
      in California. METHODS: We forecasted enrollment of diabetic adults into Medicaid
      and subsidized health benefit exchange programs using the California Simulation
      of Insurance Markets (CalSIM) base model. Amputations and admissions per 1,000
      diabetic patients and inpatient costs were based on the California Office of
      Statewide Health Planning and Development 2009-2011 inpatient discharge files. We
      evaluated cost in three categories: uncomplicated admissions, amputations during
      admissions, and discharges to a skilled nursing facility. Total costs and
      projected savings were calculated by applying the metrics and cost to the
      projected enrollment. RESULTS: Diabetic patients accounted for 6.6% of those
      newly eligible for Medicaid or health benefit exchange subsidies, with a 60.8%
      take-up rate. We project costs to be $24.2 million in the diabetic take-up
      population from 2014 to 2019. Inpatient costs were 94.3% higher when amputations
      occurred during the admission and 46.7% higher when discharged to a skilled
      nursing facility. Meanwhile, 61.0% of costs were attributed to uncomplicated
      admissions. Podiatric medical services saved 4.1% with a 10% reduction in
      admissions and amputations and an additional 1% for every 10% improvement in
      access to podiatric medical care. CONCLUSIONS: When implementing the Affordable
      Care Act, inclusion of podiatric medical services on multidisciplinary teams and
      in chronic-care models featuring prevention helps shift care to ambulatory
      settings to realize the greatest cost savings.

PMID- 27269972
TI  - Radiographic Measurements of the Affected and Unaffected Feet in Patients with
      Unilateral Hallux Limitus A Case-Control Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the structural and functional causes of
      hallux limitus, including metatarsus primus elevatus, a long first metatarsal,
      first-ray hypermobility, the shape of the first metatarsal head, and the presence
      of hallux interphalangeus. Some articles have reported on the radiographic
      evaluation of these measurements in feet affected by hallux limitus, but no study
      has directly compared the affected and unaffected feet in patients with
      unilateral hallux limitus. This case-control pilot study aimed to establish
      whether any such differences exist. METHODS: Dorsoplantar and lateral
      weightbearing radiographs of both feet in 30 patients with unilateral hallux
      limitus were assessed for grade of disease, lateral intermetatarsal angle,
      metatarsal protrusion distance, plantar gapping at the first metatarsocuneiform
      joint, metatarsal head shape, and hallux abductus interphalangeus angle. Data
      analysis was performed using a statistical software program. RESULTS: Mean
      radiographic measurements for affected and unaffected feet demonstrated that
      metatarsus primus elevatus, a short first metatarsal, first-ray hypermobility, a
      flat metatarsal head shape, and hallux interphalangeus were prevalent in both
      feet. There was no statistically significant difference between feet for any of
      the radiographic parameters measured (Mann-Whitney U tests, independent-samples t
      tests, and Pearson chi(2) tests: P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant
      differences exist in the presence of the structural risk factors examined between
      affected and unaffected feet in patients with unilateral hallux limitus. The
      influence of other intrinsic factors, including footedness and family history,
      should be investigated further.

PMID- 27269973
TI  - Surgical Management of Gout in the Foot and Ankle A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The surgical management of tophaceous gout has been well documented
      in the literature, including its effect on foot pain and disability. To date,
      there have been no systematic reviews assessing the quality of the literature
      relating to the operative management of tophaceous gout and the outcomes in the
      foot and ankle. METHODS: The following electronic databases were searched (1980
      2014): Allied and Complementary Medicine, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied
      Health Literature, MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The articles
      identified were published in English and included adult participants (age >=18
      years) with diagnosed gout and surgical intervention to the foot and ankle. The
      Downs and Black Quality Index was modified to assess the quality of the articles
      being reviewed. RESULTS: Six articles were reviewed and were of moderate quality
      (mean quality score of 71%). Surgical management was conducted on men (88%) with
      a mean age of 52 years. There was wide variation in the types of surgical
      procedures performed, with 28% of studies reporting surgery to the first
      metatarsophalangeal joint. Most studies were retrospective. A wide range of
      outcome measures were reported: foot pain, function, preoperative and
      postoperative activity levels, monitoring of uric acid levels, and patient
      satisfaction after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The review demonstrated a limited number
      of good-quality studies. Several surgical procedures for the foot and ankle in
      people with chronic tophaceous gout were reported. Future studies should include
      prospective observational studies using validated and reliable patient-reported
      outcome measures.

PMID- 27269974
TI  - Range of Motion and Plantar Pressure Evaluation for the Effects of Self-Care Foot
      Exercises on Diabetic Patients with and Without Neuropathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate whether a home exercise for self-care program
      that consists of range of motion (ROM), stretching, and strengthening exercises
      could improve ROM for foot joints and plantar pressure distribution during
      walking in diabetic patients to prevent diabetic foot complications. METHODS:
      Seventy-six diabetic patients were recruited (38 with neuropathy and 38 without
      neuropathy). Neuropathy and nonneuropathy groups were randomly divided into a
      home exercise group (n = 19) and a control group (n = 19). Exercise groups
      performed their own respective training programs for 4 weeks, whereas no training
      was done in the control group. Total contact area and plantar pressure under six
      foot areas before and after the exercise program were measured. Ankle and first
      metatarsophalangeal joint ROM were measured before and after the exercise
      program. RESULTS: In the exercise group, there were significant improvements in
      ROM for the ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joints (P < .001); static
      pedobarographic values showed significant reduction in right forefoot-medial
      pressure (P = .010); and significant decreases were seen in dynamic
      pedobarographic values of peak plantar pressure at the left forefoot medial (P =
      .007), right forefoot lateral (P = .018), left midfoot (P < .001), and right
      hindfoot (P = .021) after exercise. No significant positive or negative
      correlation was found between the neuropathy and nonneuropathy groups (P > .05).
      CONCLUSIONS: A home exercise program could be an effective preventive method for
      improving ROM for foot joints and plantar pressure distribution in diabetic
      patients independent of the presence of neuropathy.

PMID- 27269975
TI  - Foot Pressure Pattern During Walking in Individuals with Anterior Cruciate
      Ligament Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated foot pressure distribution during walking in individuals
      with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. METHODS: Our study included 24 ACL
      deficient patients and 22 healthy young adults as controls. The former group was
      divided into the dominant-side ACL-deficient group (n = 17) and the nondominant
      side ACL-deficient group (n = 7). The following parameters were calculated from
      the path of the center of pressure (COP) on a foot pressure distribution system:
      percentage of COP (%COP; the ratio of anteroposterior COP path length to foot
      length), percentage of COP locus area (%CLA; the ratio of the area encompassed by
      the COP path and a line between the start and end points of the COP path to foot
      area), and the value of maximum amplitude of COP (MACOP; the maximum
      perpendicular length from the COP path to a line between the start and end points
      of the COP). RESULTS: In the nondominant-side ACL-deficient group, %COP (P =
      .026), %CLA (P = .001), and MACOP (P =.012) on the injured side were
      significantly lower than those in the nondominant leg side of the control group.
      No significant differences were found between the dominant-side ACL-deficient
      group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Shortening of the COP trace in the
      nondominant-side ACL-deficient group may be associated with knee flexion during
      walking at heel contact. Because the parameters used herein can be obtained
      easily, repetitively, and quantitatively, they should be used in evaluating the
      gait of patients with ACL-deficient knees.

PMID- 27269976
TI  - Reliability and Validity of the Footprint Assessment Method Using Photoshop CS5
      Software in Young People with Down Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with Down syndrome present skeletal abnormalities in their
      feet that can be analyzed by commonly used gold standard indices (the Hernandez
      Corvo index, the Chippaux-Smirak index, the Staheli arch index, and the Clarke
      angle) based on footprint measurements. The use of Photoshop CS5 software (Adobe
      Systems Software Ireland Ltd, Dublin, Ireland) to measure footprints has been
      validated in the general population. The present study aimed to assess the
      reliability and validity of this footprint assessment technique in the population
      with Down syndrome. METHODS: Using optical podography and photography, 44
      footprints from 22 patients with Down syndrome (11 men [mean +/- SD age, 23.82 +/
      3.12 years] and 11 women [mean +/- SD age, 24.82 +/- 6.81 years]) were recorded
      in a static bipedal standing position. A blinded observer performed the
      measurements using a validated manual method three times during the 4-month
      study, with 2 months between measurements. Test-retest was used to check the
      reliability of the Photoshop CS5 software measurements. Validity and reliability
      were obtained by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The
      reliability test for all of the indices showed very good values for the Photoshop
      CS5 method (ICC, 0.982-0.995). Validity testing also found no differences between
      the techniques (ICC, 0.988-0.999). CONCLUSIONS: The Photoshop CS5 software method
      is reliable and valid for the study of footprints in young people with Down
      syndrome.

PMID- 27269977
TI  - Relationship Between Academic Performance and Student Self-Assessment of Clinical
      Performance in the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Student self-assessment is viewed as an important tool in medical
      education. We sought to identify the relationship between student academic
      performance and third-year clinical performance self-assessment. No such study
      exists in podiatric medical education. METHODS: Third-year podiatric medical
      students from the classes of 2012 through 2014 completed a self-assessment of
      their performance for each of five broad clinical podiatric medical domains
      (Professionalism, Medicine, Radiology, Surgery, and Biomechanics/Orthopedics).
      The assessment was completed after students finished the first 12 weeks of their
      third-year clinical rotations (PRE) and a second time at the conclusion of the
      third year (POST). The mean self-assessment score for PRE and POST surveys for
      all combined domains was determined for each student. This mean was compared with
      the student's 3-year cumulative grade point average (GPA). Students' clinical
      experiences for the year were essentially identical. RESULTS: No statistically
      significant correlation was identified between cumulative GPA and the PRE and
      POST clinical self-assessments or with the change between PRE and POST
      assessments based on the Pearson correlation test for each class separately or on
      the pooled data. CONCLUSIONS: Published studies in allopathic medical education
      have shown that students with lower GPAs tend to rate their clinical performance
      higher in initial clinical performance self-assessment. Our results show that
      student academic performance was not correlated with clinical performance self
      assessment. These findings may be due to the explicit description of successful
      clinical competency completion, the orientation students receive before the start
      of clinical training, and the continuous feedback received from clinical
      preceptors.

PMID- 27269978
TI  - Talar Osteochondroma Fracture Presenting as Posterior Ankle Impingement.
AB  - Osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumors. They are usually
      asymptomatic and found incidentally. When symptomatic, the symptoms are usually
      due to its location and size. Fracture of an osteochondroma presenting as
      posterior ankle impingement is a rare condition. We describe a 22-year-old man
      with solitary exostosis who presented with a posterior ankle mass and posterior
      ankle impingement with 2 years of follow-up. Surgical intervention was the
      treatment of choice in this patient, and histologic examination revealed a benign
      osteochondroma. Osteochondromas found in the posterior aspect of the talus can be
      complicated by fracture due to persistent motion of the ankle. Talar
      osteochondroma should be included in the differential diagnosis of posterior
      ankle impingement causes. Posterior talar osteochondromas, especially when a
      stalk is present, should be treated surgically before it is more complicated by a
      fracture and posterior ankle impingement. 

PMID- 27269979
TI  - Neurectomy for Bilateral Morton's Neuroma A Case Report of a Male Patient.
AB  - Morton's neuroma is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged women, and
      many articles have addressed the surgical treatment of this condition. Previous
      reports have described bilateral neuroma excision in women but not in men. We
      report a rare case of bilateral neuromas in a male patient treated with
      simultaneous neurectomy. 

PMID- 27269980
TI  - Plantar Molluscum Contagiosum in an Adult Patient.
AB  - Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin. It may occur anywhere on
      the skin surface but is most common in skinfolds, on the face, and in the genital
      region. Atypical presentations are usually seen in conditions with altered
      immunity, but they may occur in immunocompetent patients as well. We present a
      case of an unusual presentation of molluscum contagiosum lesions (multiple normal
      and one giant) on the plantar area of the foot in an adult. 

PMID- 27269981
TI  - Solitary Eccrine Syringofibroadenoma and Successful Treatment with Cryotherapy.
AB  - First described in 1963, eccrine syringofibroadenoma (ESFA) is a rare benign
      tumor that proliferates with differentiation toward ductal eccrine structures.
      There are many clinical presentations, including plaques, papules, verrucous
      plaques, keratotic tumors, and solitary tumors. The age of onset varies, with
      presentation between 16 and 80 years; however, solitary lesions are seen most
      commonly in the seventh and eighth decades. Here, we present the case of a 72
      year-old woman referred to our outpatient clinic with a nodule on her leg. The
      histopathology result was ESFA. The lesion regressed after six cryotherapy
      sessions. Physicians should consider the possibility of ESFA and must remember
      its malignant potential in elderly patients. 

PMID- 27269982
TI  - Letter to the Editor.

PMID- 27269983
TI  - Acceptance Address: APMA House of Delegates, Washington, DC, March 20, 2016.

PMID- 27269988
TI  - Ligand-Enabled, Copper-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of
      Trialkylsubstituted Alkenylboronates from Unactivated Internal Alkynes.
AB  - We report the first copper-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective borylalkylation
      of dialkylsubstituted internal alkynes with bis(pinacolato)diboron and alkyl
      halides. A catalytically generated borylcopper species containing a novel pi
      accepting N-heterocyclic carbene ligand chemoselectively reacted with unactivated
      internal alkynes over alkyl halides. The intermediate alkenylcopper species
      subsequently reacted with alkyl halides, affording the desired products. The
      copper catalyst differentiated steric demands between the two aliphatic
      substituents on the C=C triple bond of the alkyne substrates to exhibit high
      regioselectivity from a wide range of alkyne/alkyl halide combinations. This
      method is useful for the straightforward synthesis of trialkylsubstituted
      alkenylboronates, i.e., versatile precursors for tetrasubstituted alkenes
      containing three or four different alkylsubstituents, which are difficult to
      synthesize by other methods.

PMID- 27269990
TI  - Interatrial Block to Guide the Thromboembolic Prevention Strategy: Should It be
      the Next Step?

PMID- 27269989
TI  - Comparison of Standard Catheters Versus Radial Artery-Specific Catheter in
      Patients Who Underwent Coronary Angiography Through Transradial Access.
AB  - In this prospective, randomized controlled study, we aim to compare the
      performance outcomes of standard catheters with the radial artery-specific
      catheter. Over the past decade, transradial cardiac catheterization has gained
      widespread popularity because of its low complication rates compared with
      transfemoral access. Operators have the choice of using either standard catheters
      (used for both transfemoral and transradial approach, with need for separate
      catheter use for either right or left coronary artery engagement) or a dedicated
      radial artery catheter, which is specifically designed to engage both coronary
      arteries through radial artery access. A total of 110 consecutive patients who
      underwent coronary angiography at our institution from March 2015 to April 2015
      were prospectively randomized to either radial artery-specific Tiger catheter
      (5Fr; Terumo Interventional Systems, Somerset, New Jersey) versus standard
      Judkins left and right catheters (5Fr R4, L4; Cordis Corporation, Miami,
      Florida). The end points of the study included fluoroscopy time, dose-area
      product, contrast volume used, and total procedure time for the coronary
      angiography. A total of 57 patients (52%) were randomized to radial artery
      specific catheter and 53 (48%) to the standard catheter. Tiger catheter was
      associated with significantly lower fluoroscopy time (184 +/- 91 vs 238 +/- 131
      seconds, p = 0.015), which was statistically significant. Other outcome measures
      such as dose-area product (2,882.4 +/- 1,471.2 vs 3,524.6 +/- 2,111.7 Gy.cm(2), p
      = 0.07), total contrast volume (48.1 +/- 16.1 vs 53.4 +/- 18.5 ml, p = 0.114),
      and total procedure time (337 +/- 382 vs 434 +/- 137 seconds, p = 0.085) were
      also lower in single-catheter group, but it did not reach statistical
      significance. A total of 8 patients (14%) were crossed over from radial-specific
      catheter arm to standard catheter arm because of substandard image quality and
      difficulty in coronary engagement. Six patients had to be switched to femoral
      access (3 in each group) secondary to radial artery spasm. In conclusion, the
      radial artery-specific catheter was shown to have significantly lower fluoroscopy
      times but higher failure rates compared with the standard catheters. 

PMID- 27269991
TI  - Novel strategies for the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects over 20% of the population of Europe
      and the United States. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is currently the only form of
      treatment that affects symptoms and modifies the progression of disease.
      Established forms of AIT include subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual (SLIT)
      immunotherapy and are widely effective, yet only 2-9% of eligible patients
      undergo therapy, likely due to the long duration of treatment. As a result,
      novel, faster forms of AIT are currently under development. AREAS COVERED: This
      article provides an overview of AR and summarises the efficacy and mechanisms of
      established forms of AIT, highlighting the current drawbacks. We discuss novel
      strategies of AIT that have been developed in an attempt to tackle these
      limitations, including epicutaneous, intradermal and intralymphatic immunotherapy
      (ILIT), focusing on ILIT, the treatment that has been most comprehensively
      assessed. EXPERT OPINION: Current strategies to treat AR suffer from a poor
      safety profile and, importantly, lack of adherence. ILIT is a faster and safer
      form of AIT, with a treatment regime of only 12 weeks. Further validation is
      required, but ILIT, with its short and comparatively inexpensive protocol, has
      the potential to offer disease-modifying therapy to a larger number of patients.

PMID- 27269992
TI  - Trace element concentrations in the moss Hypnum cupressiforme growing in a
      presumably unpolluted area.
AB  - In this study we determined the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb in
      samples of the moss Hypnum cupressiforme collected during 5 different sampling
      surveys (2006-2014) in a presumably unpolluted area in northern Spain (25
      sampling sites). We then applied factor analysis (FA) to the data to explore the
      factors underlying the spatial and temporal variability in the concentrations.
      The percentage of variance explained by the FA ranged between 34 and 98%, and was
      usually higher than 70%. The FA yielded 5 factors that explained the variance in
      the concentrations of Cd, As, Hg and Pb in all sampling surveys and also a single
      factor that explained the variance in Hg and Pb concentrations in 2006. Although
      the lack of obvious sources of pollution in the study region (at least for the
      elements considered) suggests that most elements (except perhaps Ni) probably
      originated from long-range atmospheric transport, this would not explain the
      results of the FA. We suggest that rather than being due to the origin of the
      pollutants (as frequently assumed), the spatio-temporal variability in the
      concentrations of these elements is probably determined by a series of other
      factors: the physicochemical characteristics of the pollutants and of the moss
      binding surfaces, physiological processes (e.g. moss growth), and the
      characteristics of the sampling sites (e.g. vegetation cover, elevation, slope,
      aspect). We therefore conclude that the assumption that variations in element
      concentrations in moss tissues are due to the origin of the pollutants is an
      oversimplification that leads to erroneous interpretation of the results of
      biomonitoring studies with terrestrial mosses. 

PMID- 27269993
TI  - Persulfate activation during exertion of total oxidant demand.
AB  - Total oxidant demand (TOD) is a parameter that is often measured during in situ
      chemical oxidation (ISCO) treatability studies. The importance of TOD is based on
      the concept that the oxidant demand created by soil organic matter and other
      reduced species must be overcome before contaminant oxidation can proceed. TOD
      testing was originally designed for permanganate ISCO, but has also recently been
      applied to activated persulfate ISCO. Recent studies have documented that
      phenoxides activate persulfate; because soil organic matter is rich in phenolic
      moieties, it may activate persulfate rather than simply exerting TOD. Therefore,
      the generation of reactive oxygen species was investigated in three soil horizons
      of varied soil organic carbon content over 5-day TOD testing. Hydroxyl radical
      may have been generated during TOD exertion, but was likely scavenged by soil
      organic matter. A high flux of reductants + nucleophiles (e.g. alkyl radicals +
      superoxide) was generated as TOD was exerted, resulting in the rapid destruction
      of the probe compound hexachloroethane and the common groundwater contaminant
      trichloroethylene (TCE). The results of this research document that, unlike
      permanganate TOD, contaminant destruction does occur as TOD is exerted in
      persulfate ISCO systems and is promoted by the activation of persulfate by soil
      organic matter. Future treatability studies for persulfate ISCO should consider
      contaminant destruction as TOD is exerted, and the potential for persulfate
      activation by soil organic matter. 

PMID- 27269995
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 27269994
TI  - The mixture toxicity of environmental contaminants containing sulfonamides and
      other antibiotics in Escherichia coli: Differences in both the special target
      proteins of individual chemicals and their effective combined concentration.
AB  - Organisms in the environment are exposed to mixtures of multiple contaminants,
      leading to serious environmental harm. These mixtures pose an ecological risk and
      have attracted an increasing amount of attention; however there has been little
      in-depth research the toxicity of mixtures, such as antibiotics. To determine how
      different mixtures of antibiotics affect organisms, the individual and mixture
      toxicity of sulfonamides and several antibiotics were determined using
      Escherichia coli as a target organism in our study. The results show that
      additive effects occur between sulfonamides and quinolones or with a portion of
      beta-lactams, synergistic effects appear between sulfonamides and their
      potentiators or cefotaxime sodium, and antagonistic effects arise between
      sulfonamides and tetracyclines or penicillin V potassium salt. In addition, the
      toxicity mechanism of binary mixtures is further discussed and the results reveal
      that the joint effect differences depend not only the target proteins of
      individual chemicals but also on their effective combined concentration based on
      the approach of Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSARs) and
      molecular docking. This study introduces the concept of the "effective
      concentration" to provide insight into understanding the mechanism of binary
      mixtures, which will be beneficial for evaluating the ecological risk of
      antibiotics. 

PMID- 27269996
TI  - Introducing the individual Teamwork Observation and Feedback Tool (iTOFT):
      Development and description of a new interprofessional teamwork measure.
AB  - The individual Teamwork Observation and Feedback Tool (iTOFT) was devised by a
      consortium of seven universities in recognition of the need for a means of
      observing and giving feedback to individual learners undertaking an
      interprofessional teamwork task. It was developed through a literature review of
      the existing teamwork assessment tools, a discussion of accreditation standards
      for the health professions, Delphi consultation and field-testing with an
      emphasis on its feasibility and acceptability for formative assessment. There are
      two versions: the Basic tool is for use with students who have little clinical
      teamwork experience and lists 11 observable behaviours under two headings:
      'shared decision making' and 'working in a team'. The Advanced version is for
      senior students and junior health professionals and has 10 observable behaviours
      under four headings: 'shared decision making', 'working in a team', 'leadership',
      and 'patient safety'. Both versions include a comprehensive scale and item
      descriptors. Further testing is required to focus on its validity and educational
      impact. 

PMID- 27269997
TI  - When the social discourse on violation behaviours is challenged by the perception
      of everyday life experiences: Effects of non-accident experiences on offending
      attitudes and habits.
AB  - The aim of this article is to introduce the concept of the Non-Accident
      Experience (NAE) with regard to violations of traffic safety regulations. An NAE
      refers to the fact of not having been involved in an accident following the
      adoption of a behaviour socially recognised as promoting its occurrence. We
      hypothesise that this type of experiences has a strong effect on attitudes
      (valence and strength) and habits with regard to traffic offences such as
      speeding and drink-drive. An empirical study was conducted to test the relevance
      of this set of hypotheses. 543 French drivers participated to a survey designed
      to measure all these theoretical constructs. As expected, the results showed that
      the more frequently NAEs were experienced the more individuals had a favourable
      and weak (less certain, less important, more ambivalent) attitude towards
      violations, as well as strong habits. In addition, the more numerous NAEs
      experienced by others were perceived to be, the more ambivalent was the attitude.
      The discussion firstly concerns the methodological limitations of this study
      (e.g. use of cross-sectional design) as well as the integration of this concept
      into current research, especially in relation to the attitude strength concept
      and the theory of planned behaviour. Then, we discuss its practical implications
      (use of the experience based analysis technique, with consideration of both
      accident and non-accident experiences). 

PMID- 27269998
TI  - Social costs of road crashes: An international analysis.
AB  - This paper provides an international overview of the most recent estimates of the
      social costs of road crashes: total costs, value per casualty and breakdown in
      cost components. The analysis is based on publications about the national costs
      of road crashes of 17 countries, of which ten high income countries (HICs) and
      seven low and middle income countries (LMICs). Costs are expressed as a
      proportion of the gross domestic product (GDP). Differences between countries are
      described and explained. These are partly a consequence of differences in the
      road safety level, but there are also methodological explanations. Countries may
      or may not correct for underreporting of road crashes, they may or may not use
      the internationally recommended willingness to pay (WTP)-method for estimating
      human costs, and there are methodological differences regarding the calculation
      of some other cost components. The analysis shows that the social costs of road
      crashes in HICs range from 0.5% to 6.0% of the GDP with an average of 2.7%.
      Excluding countries that do not use a WTP- method for estimating human costs and
      countries that do not correct for underreporting, results in average costs of
      3.3% of GDP. For LMICs that do correct for underreporting the share in GDP ranges
      from 1.1% to 2.9%. However, none of the LMICs included has performed a WTP study
      of the human costs. A major part of the costs is related to injuries: an average
      share of 50% for both HICs and LMICs. The average share of fatalities in the
      costs is 23% and 30% respectively. Prevention of injuries is thus important to
      bring down the socio-economic burden of road crashes. The paper shows that there
      are methodological differences between countries regarding cost components that
      are taken into account and regarding the methods used to estimate specific cost
      components. In order to be able to make sound comparisons of the costs of road
      crashes across countries, (further) harmonization of cost studies is recommended.
      This can be achieved by updating and improving international guidelines and
      applying them in future cost studies. The information regarding some cost
      components, particularly human costs and property damage, is poor and more
      research into these cost components is recommended. 

PMID- 27269999
TI  - Strategies for improving safety performance in construction firms.
AB  - Over the years many prevention management practices have been implemented to
      prevent and mitigate accidents at the construction site. However, there is little
      evidence of the effectiveness of individual or combined practices used by
      companies to manage occupational health and safety issues. The authors selected a
      sample of 1180 construction firms and 221 individual practices applied in these
      companies to analyze their effectiveness reducing injury rates over a period of
      four years in Chile. Different methods were used to study this massive database
      including: visual analyses of graphical information, statistical analyses and
      classification techniques. Results showed that practices related to safety
      incentives and rewards are the most effective from the accident rate viewpoint,
      even though they are seldom used by companies; on the other hand, practices
      related to accidents and incidents investigation had a slight negative impact on
      the accident rate because they are frequently used as a reactive measure. In
      general, the higher the percentage of prevention practices implemented in a
      strategy, the lower the accident rate. However, the analysis of the combined
      effect of prevention practices indicated that the choice of the right combination
      of practices was more important than just the number of practices implemented. 

PMID- 27270004
TI  - Single-Molecule Reaction Chemistry in Patterned Nanowells.
AB  - A new approach to synthetic chemistry is performed in ultraminiaturized,
      nanofabricated reaction chambers. Using lithographically defined nanowells, we
      achieve single-point covalent chemistry on hundreds of individual carbon nanotube
      transistors, providing robust statistics and unprecedented spatial resolution in
      adduct position. Each device acts as a sensor to detect, in real-time and through
      quantized changes in conductance, single-point functionalization of the nanotube
      as well as consecutive chemical reactions, molecular interactions, and molecular
      conformational changes occurring on the resulting single-molecule probe. In
      particular, we use a set of sequential bioconjugation reactions to tether a
      single-strand of DNA to the device and record its repeated, reversible folding
      into a G-quadruplex structure. The stable covalent tether allows us to measure
      the same molecule in different solutions, revealing the characteristic increased
      stability of the G-quadruplex structure in the presence of potassium ions (K(+))
      versus sodium ions (Na(+)). Nanowell-confined reaction chemistry on carbon
      nanotube devices offers a versatile method to isolate and monitor individual
      molecules during successive chemical reactions over an extended period of time.

PMID- 27270028
TI  - Metastatic solid tumors to the jaw and oral soft tissue: A retrospective clinical
      analysis of 44 patients from a single institution.
AB  - PURPOSE: Metastatic solid tumors to the oral cavity are rare, frequently
      indicative of an end-stage disease process, and associated with poor survival
      rates. We performed a 20-year retrospective clinical analysis of our
      institution's cases of solid metastases to the oral cavity, and investigated
      these patients' clinical outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of
      patients with metastatic solid tumors to the oral cavity over a 20-year period
      (October 1996 to September 2015) was conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
      Center. Patients were selected if they had a histopathologically confirmed
      diagnosis. Demographic, pathologic, and clinical information were reviewed to
      identify patient outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients with metastatic non
      melanocytic non-hematopoietic tumor to the oral cavity were identified: 24 males
      and 20 females (39 adults and 5 children) with a mean age of 54.3 years. In all,
      24 cases involved the jaw and 20 cases involved the oral soft tissue. Eight
      patients (18.2%) had oral cavity metastases as the first indication of an occult
      malignancy. In adult patients, the common primary sites were the lungs (n = 9,
      20%), kidney (n = 7, 16%), breast (n = 5, 11%), and colon (n = 4, 9%); and in
      pediatric patients the adrenal gland (3/5) was the most common site. Of the adult
      patients, 33 (84.6%) died of disease. From the time of metastasis diagnosis,
      patients with jaw metastases had a median and mean survival of 12 months and 27.7
      months, respectively. In comparison, patients with oral soft tissue metastases
      had a median survival time of 5 months, and mean of 8 months. One pediatric
      patient (20%) died of disease 8 months after metastasis diagnosis. CONCLUSION:
      Metastatic solid tumors to the oral cavity can be the first sign of a malignancy.
      Pediatric patients with oral cavity metastases have a better prognosis compared
      to adult patients. In this series, adults with oral soft tissue involvement had
      shorter survival times compared to patients with jaw involvement.

PMID- 27270029
TI  - Incorporation of Phosphonate into Benzonaphthyridine Toll-like Receptor 7
      Agonists for Adsorption to Aluminum Hydroxide.
AB  - Small molecule Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonists have been used as vaccine
      adjuvants by enhancing innate immune activation to afford better adaptive
      response. Localized TLR7 agonists without systemic exposure can afford good
      adjuvanticity, suggesting peripheral innate activation (non-antigen-specific) is
      not required for immune priming. To enhance colocalization of antigen and
      adjuvant, benzonaphthyridine (BZN) TLR7 agonists are chemically modified with
      phosphonates to allow adsorption onto aluminum hydroxide (alum), a formulation
      commonly used in vaccines for antigen stabilization and injection site
      deposition. The adsorption process is facilitated by enhancing aqueous solubility
      of BZN analogs to avoid physical mixture of two insoluble particulates. These BZN
      phosphonates are highly adsorbed onto alum, which significantly reduced systemic
      exposure and increased local retention post injection. This report demonstrates a
      novel approach in vaccine adjuvant design using phosphonate modification to
      afford adsorption of small molecule immune potentiator (SMIP) onto alum, thereby
      enhancing co-delivery with antigen.

PMID- 27270030
TI  - Syndecan-2 enhances E-cadherin shedding and fibroblast-like morphological changes
      by inducing MMP-7 expression in colon cancer cells.
AB  - E-cadherin plays a mechanical role in mediating cell-cell interactions and
      maintaining epithelial tissue integrity, and the loss of E-cadherin function has
      been implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. Syndecan-2, a cell-surface
      heparan sulfate proteoglycan, is upregulated during the development of colon
      cancer. Here, we assessed the functional relationship between E-cadherin and
      syndecan-2. We found that stable overexpression of syndecan-2 in a human
      colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT29) enhanced the proteolytic shedding of E
      cadherin to conditioned-media. Either knockdown of matrix metalloproteinase 7
      (MMP-7) or inhibition of MMP-7 activity using GM6001 significantly reduced the
      extracellular shedding of E-cadherin, suggesting that syndecan-2 mediates E
      cadherin shedding via MMP-7. Consistent with this notion, enhancement of MMP-7
      expression by interleukin-1alpha treatment increased the shedding of E-cadherin.
      Conversely, the specific reduction of either syndecan-2 or MMP-7 reduced the
      shedding of E-cadherin. HT29 cells overexpressing syndecan-2 showed significantly
      lower cell-surface expression of E-cadherin, decreased cell-cell contact, a more
      fibroblastic cell morphology, and increased expression levels of ZEB-1. Taken
      together, these data suggest that syndecan-2 induces extracellular shedding of E
      cadherin and supports the acquisition of a fibroblast-like morphology by
      regulating MMP-7 expression in a colon cancer cell line.

PMID- 27270031
TI  - Increased fatty acid synthesis inhibits nitrogen starvation-induced autophagy in
      lipid droplet-deficient yeast.
AB  - Macroautophagy is a degradative pathway whereby cells encapsulate and degrade
      cytoplasmic material within endogenously-built membranes. Previous studies have
      suggested that autophagosome membranes originate from lipid droplets. However, it
      was recently shown that rapamycin could induce autophagy in cells lacking these
      organelles. Here we show that lipid droplet-deprived cells are unable to perform
      autophagy in response to nitrogen-starvation because of an accelerated lipid
      synthesis that is not observed with rapamycin. Using cerulenin, a potent
      inhibitor of fatty acid synthase, and exogenous addition of palmitic acid we
      could restore nitrogen-starvation induced autophagy in the absence of lipid
      droplets.

PMID- 27270032
TI  - Tetrandrine induces lipid accumulation through blockade of autophagy in a hepatic
      stellate cell line.
AB  - Macroautophagy, or autophagy, is a cellular response in which unnecessary
      cytoplasmic components, including lipids and organelles, are self-degraded.
      Recent studies closely related autophagy to activation of hepatic stellate cells
      (HSCs), a process critical in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. During HSC
      activation, cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) are degraded as autophagic cargo,
      and then cells express fibrogenic genes. Thus, inhibition of autophagy in HSCs is
      a potential therapeutic approach for attenuating liver fibrosis. We found that
      tetrandrine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Stephania tetrandra,
      induced lipid accumulation, a phenotype associated with quiescent HSCs, through
      blockade of autophagy in the rat-derived HSC line HSC-T6. Tetrandrine inhibited
      autophagic flux without affecting lysosomal function. A phenotypic comparison
      using siRNA knockdown suggested that tetrandrine may target regulators, involved
      in fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes (e.g., syntaxin 17). Moreover,
      perilipin 1, an LD-coated protein, co-localized specifically with LC3, a marker
      protein for autophagosomes, in tetrandrine-treated HSC-T6 cells. This suggests a
      potential role for perilipin 1 in autophagy-mediated LD degradation in HSCs. Our
      results identified tetrandrine as a potential tool for prevention and treatment
      of HSC activation.

PMID- 27270034
TI  - DePFth Perception in Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis.
AB  - The earliest stages of clathrin-coated structure (CCS) assembly involve the
      recruitment and stabilization of clathrin-binding adaptor proteins and the
      clathrin coat. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Ma et al. (2016) now identify
      transient protein interactions that form the basis of AP-2 adaptor complex
      stabilization, key to initiating CCS formation.

PMID- 27270033
TI  - Multiplexed Western Blotting Using Microchip Electrophoresis.
AB  - Western blotting is a commonly used protein assay that combines the selectivity
      of electrophoretic separation and immunoassay. The technique is limited by long
      time, manual operation with mediocre reproducibility, and large sample
      consumption, typically 10-20 MUg per assay. Western blots are also usually used
      to measure only one protein per assay with an additional housekeeping protein for
      normalization. Measurement of multiple proteins is possible; however, it requires
      stripping membranes of antibody and then reprobing with a second antibody.
      Miniaturized alternatives to Western blot based on microfluidic or capillary
      electrophoresis have been developed that enable higher-throughput, automation,
      and greater mass sensitivity. In one approach, proteins are separated by
      electrophoresis on a microchip that is dragged along a polyvinylidene fluoride
      membrane so that as proteins exit the chip they are captured on the membrane for
      immunoassay. In this work, we improve this method to allow multiplexed protein
      detection. Multiple injections made from the same sample can be deposited in
      separate tracks so that each is probed with a different antibody. To further
      enhance multiplexing capability, the electrophoresis channel dimensions were
      optimized for resolution while keeping separation and blotting times to less than
      8 min. Using a 15 MUm deep * 50 MUm wide * 8.6 cm long channel, it is possible to
      achieve baseline resolution of proteins that differ by 5% in molecular weight,
      e.g., ERK1 (44 kDa) from ERK2 (42 kDa). This resolution allows similar proteins
      detected by cross-reactive antibodies in a single track. We demonstrate detection
      of 11 proteins from 9 injections from a single Jurkat cell lysate sample
      consisting of 400 ng of total protein using this procedure. Thus, multiplexed
      Western blots are possible without cumbersome stripping and reprobing steps.

PMID- 27270035
TI  - The KAT's Out of the Bag: Histone Acetylation Promotes Centromere Assembly.
AB  - Heterochromatin is incompatible with centromeric chromatin assembly and
      propagation. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Ohzeki et al. (2016) reveal
      that a critical role of the Mis18 complex is to transiently recruit the lysine
      acetyltransferase KAT7 to centromeres to facilitate the removal of H3K9me3 and
      the deposition of CENP-A. 

PMID- 27270036
TI  - Custom-Made Quorum Sensing for a Eukaryote.
AB  - Quorum-sensing systems, common in prokaryotes, enable bacteria to coordinately
      regulate behavior with population density. Reporting recently in Cell Host &
      Microbe, Homer et al. (2016) characterize an elegant eukaryotic quorum-sensing
      pathway in the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans.

PMID- 27270037
TI  - Size Regulation: Big Insights from Little Cells.
AB  - Reporting in Cell, Harris and Theriot (2016) use modeling and quantitative
      imaging to analyze bacterial cell growth and division. By manipulating surface
      and volume growth rates, the authors provide insight into bacterial cell size
      regulation and propose that a threshold level of unincorporated cell wall
      material specifies when cells divide. 

PMID- 27270038
TI  - Cilia Train Spotting.
AB  - Cilium formation depends on intraflagellar transport trains that move
      bidirectionally along ciliary microtubules. Reporting in Science, Stepanek and
      Pigino (2016) employ correlative light and electron microscopy in algae to
      determine the ultrastructure of anterograde and retrograde trains and discover
      that these trains avoid collision by running on B- and A-tubules, respectively. 

PMID- 27270039
TI  - Small but Mighty: Nanoparticles Probe Cellular Signaling Pathways.
AB  - Mechanical forces play key roles in regulating cellular pathways but are
      challenging to study using standard biological approaches. In a recent issue of
      Cell, Seo et al. (2016) present a platform for in vivo single-molecule
      manipulation, using magnetoplasmonic nanoparticles capable of imaging,
      localizing, and force-loading receptor proteins at high spatiotemporal
      resolution.

PMID- 27270040
TI  - KAT7/HBO1/MYST2 Regulates CENP-A Chromatin Assembly by Antagonizing Suv39h1
      Mediated Centromere Inactivation.
AB  - Centromere chromatin containing histone H3 variant CENP-A is required for
      accurate chromosome segregation as a foundation for kinetochore assembly. Human
      centromere chromatin assembles on a part of the long alpha-satellite (alphoid)
      DNA array, where it is flanked by pericentric heterochromatin. Heterochromatin
      spreads into adjacent chromatin and represses gene expression, and it can
      antagonize centromere function or CENP-A assembly. Here, we demonstrate an
      interaction between CENP-A assembly factor M18BP1 and acetyltransferase
      KAT7/HBO1/MYST2. Knocking out KAT7 in HeLa cells reduced centromeric CENP-A
      assembly. Mitotic chromosome misalignment and micronuclei formation increased in
      the knockout cells and were enhanced when the histone H3-K9 trimethylase Suv39h1
      was overproduced. Tethering KAT7 to an ectopic alphoid DNA integration site
      removed heterochromatic H3K9me3 modification and was sufficient to stimulate new
      CENP-A or histone H3.3 assembly. Thus, KAT7-containing acetyltransferases
      associating with the Mis18 complex provides competence for histone
      turnover/exchange activity on alphoid DNA and prevents Suv39h1-mediated
      heterochromatin invasion into centromeres.

PMID- 27270042
TI  - Annexin A1 Tethers Membrane Contact Sites that Mediate ER to Endosome Cholesterol
      Transport.
AB  - Membrane contact sites between the ER and multivesicular endosomes/bodies (MVBs)
      play important roles in endosome positioning and fission and in neurite
      outgrowth. ER-MVB contacts additionally function in epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase downregulation by providing sites where the ER
      localized phosphatase, PTP1B, interacts with endocytosed EGFR before the receptor
      is sorted onto intraluminal vesicles (ILVs). Here we show that these contacts are
      tethered by annexin A1 and its Ca(2+)-dependent ligand, S100A11, and form a
      subpopulation of differentially regulated contact sites between the ER and
      endocytic organelles. Annexin A1-regulated contacts function in the transfer of
      ER-derived cholesterol to the MVB when low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in
      endosomes is low. This sterol traffic depends on interaction between ER-localized
      VAP and endosomal oxysterol-binding protein ORP1L, and is required for the
      formation of ILVs within the MVB and thus for the spatial regulation of EGFR
      signaling. 

PMID- 27270043
TI  - Aiming for cure in HBV and HDV infection.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major health burden
      worldwide. Currently available antiviral treatment options for chronic hepatitis
      B include pegylated interferon alpha2a (PegIFN) or nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs).
      The major advantages of NAs are good tolerance and potent antiviral activity
      associated with high rates of sustained on-treatment response to therapy. The
      advantages of PegIFN include a finite course of treatment, the absence of drug
      resistance, and an opportunity to obtain a durable post-treatment response to
      therapy. Furthermore, PegIFN is the only approved agent known to be active
      against hepatitis D virus (HDV). The use of these two antiviral agents with
      different mechanisms of action in combination against hepatitis B is
      theoretically an attractive approach for treatment. Although several studies have
      confirmed certain virological advantages of combination therapies, data
      supporting a long-term clinical benefit for patients are lacking and monotherapy
      with PegIFN or NAs remains the therapy of choice. Moreover, with the current
      treatment approaches, only a limited number of patients achieve hepatitis B
      surface antigen (HBsAg) loss. HBsAg loss is considered a "functional cure", but
      does not mean viral eradication. There is a need for novel therapeutic approaches
      that enable not only suppression of viral replication, but resolution of HBV
      infection. A key challenge is to target covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA)
      in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. The recent development and availability
      of innovative in vitro and in vivo systems and sensitive molecular techniques has
      opened new possibilities to study the complex network of interactions that HBV
      establishes with the host in the course of infection and to define new targets
      for antiviral strategies. Several new antiviral or immunomodulatory compounds
      have reached preclinical or clinical testing with the aim of silencing or
      eradicating cccDNA to achieve functional cure. Many of these strategies may also
      be effective for the treatment of HDV, which is dependent on HBsAg for its life
      cycle. This Clinical Trial Watch summarizes the most recent therapeutic
      strategies designed to directly target the viruses B and D or to improve immune
      responses during chronic HBV infection.

PMID- 27270044
TI  - Predicting Solvation Free Energies Using Parameter-Free Solvent Models.
AB  - We present a new approach for predicting solvation free energies in nonaqueous
      solvents. Utilizing the corresponding states principle, we estimate solvent
      Lennard-Jones parameters directly from their critical points. Combined with
      atomic solutes and the pressure corrected three-dimensional reference interaction
      site model (3D-RISM/PC+), the model gives accurate predictions for a wide range
      of nonpolar solvents, including olive oil. The results, obtained without
      electrostatic interactions and with a very coarse-grained solvent, provide an
      interesting alternative to widely used and heavily parametrized models.

PMID- 27270045
TI  - Modelling the Cost-Effectiveness of Delaying End-Stage Renal Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is on the rise,
      new therapies are being developed for delaying ESRD. This study is aimed at
      constructing a generic model for estimating the cost-effectiveness of delaying
      ESRD in 7 European countries: the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy,
      Spain, Finland and Hungary. The use of this model is illustrated by assessing 2
      fictitious, but realistic therapy options. METHODS: Quality-adjusted life years
      (QALYs) and societal costs were estimated using a state-transition model. Age
      dependent survival after renal replacement therapy was estimated using data from
      the Dutch Renal Registry. Healthcare costs and utilities were obtained from
      published reports. Country-specific differences regarding access to
      transplantation and value of productivity were factored. RESULTS: A 1-year delay
      of ESRD rendered an estimated gain of 0.6 QALYs and 0.3 years in productivity.
      Access to transplantation had a minimal impact, whereas savings on productivity
      had a significant impact. For a 1-year delay free of charge, societal savings
      would range from ?8,000 in the United Kingdom to ?17,000 in Germany. Applying
      thresholds of ?20,000-?40,000 per QALY gained, one-time cell-based therapy would
      be economically acceptable if it delayed ESRD by 0.2-0.5 years. It would be cost
      saving for a delay in excess of 0.5 years. Continuous use of medication is
      unlikely to be cost-effective for prices higher than ?30,000 per year.
      CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence for the economic potential of new
      therapies delaying ESRD. The constructed model provides users with information
      about the market success rates of treatment options at an early stage.

PMID- 27270041
TI  - Proliferation of Double-Strand Break-Resistant Polyploid Cells Requires
      Drosophila FANCD2.
AB  - Conserved DNA-damage responses (DDRs) sense genome damage and prevent mitosis of
      broken chromosomes. How cells lacking DDRs cope with broken chromosomes during
      mitosis is poorly understood. DDRs are frequently inactivated in cells with extra
      genomes (polyploidy), suggesting that study of polyploidy can reveal how cells
      with impaired DDRs/genome damage continue dividing. Here, we show that continued
      division and normal organ development occurs in polyploid, DDR-impaired
      Drosophila papillar cells. As papillar cells become polyploid, they naturally
      accumulate broken acentric chromosomes but do not apoptose/arrest the cell cycle.
      To survive mitosis with acentric chromosomes, papillar cells require Fanconi
      anemia proteins FANCD2 and FANCI, as well as Blm helicase, but not canonical DDR
      signaling. FANCD2 acts independently of previous S phases to promote alignment
      and segregation of acentric DNA produced by double-strand breaks, thus avoiding
      micronuclei and organ malformation. Because polyploidy and impaired DDRs can
      promote cancer, our findings provide insight into disease-relevant DNA-damage
      tolerance mechanisms.

PMID- 27270046
TI  - Cardamine hirsuta: a comparative view.
AB  - Current advances in developmental genetics are increasingly underpinned by
      comparative approaches as more powerful experimental tools become available in
      non-model organisms. Cardamine hirsuta is related to the model plant Arabidopsis
      thaliana and comparisons between these two experimentally tractable species have
      advanced our understanding of development and diversity. The power of forward
      genetics to uncover new biology was evident in the isolation of REDUCED
      COMPLEXITY, a gene which is present in C. hirsuta but lost in A. thaliana, and
      shapes crucifer leaf diversity. Transferring two Knotted1-like homeobox genes
      between C. hirsuta and A. thaliana revealed a constraint imposed by pleiotropy on
      the evolutionary potential of cis regulatory change to modify leaf shape.
      FLOWERING LOCUS C was identified as a heterochronic gene that underlies natural
      leaf shape variation in C. hirsuta.

PMID- 27270048
TI  - Ethical challenges in social media engagement and research: considerations for
      code of engagement practices.
AB  - Social media have great potential for effectively communicating about public
      health risks so people make healthier and safer choices. If used appropriately,
      social media can strengthen trust between the public and the institution. If used
      inappropriately, it may also create distrust. This note addresses some of the
      ethical challenges in using social media for communication and research. It
      reflects on opportunities in social media risk communication based on experience
      from the World Health Organization (WHO) and suggests a code of engagement be
      included in corporate social media policies that contain guidance as to what
      conduct is or is not appropriate with a view to maintaining public trust in the
      institution. The note concludes with considerations about the ethical use of
      social media in research, which is particularly relevant for entities
      communicating about ionizing radiation, including during emergency situations. 

PMID- 27270049
TI  - Decarboxylative Cascade Reactions of Dihydroxyfumaric Acid: A Preparative
      Approach to the Glyoxylate Scenario.
AB  - An operationally simple protocol is reported to generate an alpha-hydroxyacyl
      anion by the decarboxylation of dihydroxyfumaric acid. To date, the "missing"
      utilization of the hydroxyacyl anion in highly chemo- and stereoselective cascade
      reactions enables short and direct construction of carbohydrates.

PMID- 27270047
TI  - Antioxidants as therapeutics in the intensive care unit: Have we ticked the redox
      boxes?
AB  - Critically ill patients are under oxidative stress and antioxidant administration
      reasonably emerged as a promising approach to combat the aberrant redox
      homeostasis in this patient cohort. However, the results of the antioxidant
      treatments in the intensive care unit are conflicting and inconclusive. The main
      objective of the present review is to highlight some inherent, yet widely
      overlooked redox-related issues about the equivocal effectiveness of antioxidants
      in the intensive care unit, beyond methodological considerations. In particular,
      the discrepancy in the literature partially stems from: (1) the largely
      unspecified role of reactive species in disease onset and progression, (2) our
      fragmentary understanding on the interplay between inflammation and oxidative
      stress, (3) the complex spatiotemporal specificity of in vivo redox biology, (4)
      the pleiotropic effects of antioxidants and (5) the divergent effects of
      antioxidants according to the temporal administration pattern. In addition, two
      novel and sophisticated practices with promising pre-clinical results are
      presented: (1) the selective neutralization of reactive species in key organelles
      after they are formed (i.e., in mitochondria) and (2) the targeted complete
      inhibition of dominant reactive species sources (i.e., NADPH oxidases). Finally,
      the reductive potential of NADPH as a key pharmacological target for redox
      therapies is rationalized. In light of the above, the recontextualization of
      knowledge from basic redox biology to translational medicine seems imperative to
      perform more realistic in vivo studies in the fast-growing field of critical care
      pharmacology.

PMID- 27270051
TI  - In This Issue * June 15, 2016.

PMID- 27270050
TI  - Unstable repeat expansion in major psychiatric disorders: two decades on, is
      dynamic DNA back on the menu?
AB  - For a period in the mid-1990s, soon after the discovery of the involvement of
      trinucleotide repeat expansions in fragile-X syndrome (both A and E),
      Huntington's disease, myotonic dystrophy, and a number of hereditary ataxias,
      there was a clear sense that this new disease mechanism might provide answers for
      psychiatric disorders. Given the then failures to replicate initial genetic
      linkage findings for schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD), a greater
      emphasis was placed on the role of complex and non-Mendelian mechanisms, and
      repeat instability appeared to have the potential to provide adequate
      explanations for numerous apparently non-Mendelian features such as anticipation,
      incomplete penetrance, sporadic occurrence, and nonconcordance of monozygotic
      twins. Initial molecular studies using a ligation-based amplification method
      (repeat expansion detection) appeared to support the involvement of CAG*CTG
      repeat expansion in SCZ and BD. However, subsequent studies that dissected the
      large repeats responsible for much of the positive signal showed that there were
      three main loci where CAG*CTG repeat expansion was occurring (on 13q21.33,
      17q21.33-q22, and 18q21.2). None of the expansions at these loci appeared to
      segregate with SCZ or BD, and research into repeat expansions in psychiatric
      illness petered out in the early 2000s. The 13q expansion occurs within a
      noncoding RNA and appears to be associated with spinocerebellar ataxia 8 (SCA8),
      but with a still unexplained dichotomy in penetrance - either very high or very
      low. The 17q expansion occurs within an intron of the carbonic anhydrase-like
      gene, CA10. The 18q expansion is located within an intron of the TCF4 gene.
      Mutations in TCF4 are a known cause of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. Also, pertinently,
      genome-wide association studies have shown a well-replicated association between
      TCF4 and SCZ. Two decades on, in 2016, it appears to be an appropriate juncture
      to reflect on what we have learned, and, with the arrival of newer technologies,
      whether there is any mileage to be made in revisiting the unstable DNA hypothesis
      for psychiatric illness.

PMID- 27270053
TI  - Letters to the Editor.

PMID- 27270054
TI  - What Is Your Diagnosis?

PMID- 27270055
TI  - Diagnostic Imaging in Veterinary Dental Practice.

PMID- 27270056
TI  - Pathology in Practice.

PMID- 27270057
TI  - Pathology in Practice.

PMID- 27270059
TI  - Comparison of tensile strength among simple interrupted, cruciate, intradermal,
      and subdermal suture patterns for incision closure in ex vivo canine skin
      specimens.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To compare suture placement time, tension at skin separation and suture
      line failure, and mode of failure among 4 suture patterns. DESIGN Randomized
      trial. SAMPLE 60 skin specimens from the pelvic limbs of 30 purpose-bred Beagles.
      PROCEDURES Skin specimens were harvested within 2 hours after euthanasia and
      tested within 6 hours after harvest. An 8-cm incision was made in each specimen
      and sutured with 1 of 4 randomly assigned suture patterns (simple interrupted,
      cruciate, intradermal, or subdermal). Suture placement time and percentage of
      skin apposition were evaluated. Specimens were mounted in a calibrated material
      testing machine and distracted until suture line failure. Tensile strength at
      skin-edge separation and suture-line failure and mode of failure were compared
      among the 4 patterns. RESULTS Mean suture placement time for the cruciate pattern
      was significantly less than that for other patterns. Percentage of skin
      apposition did not differ among the 4 patterns. Mean tensile strength at skin
      edge separation and suture-line failure for the simple interrupted and cruciate
      patterns were significantly higher than those for the intradermal and subdermal
      patterns. Mean tensile strength at skin-edge separation and suture-line failure
      did not differ significantly between the intradermal and subdermal patterns or
      the simple interrupted and cruciate patterns. The primary mode of failure for the
      simple interrupted pattern was suture breakage, whereas that for the cruciate,
      intradermal, and subdermal patterns was tissue failure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE Results suggested external skin sutures may be preferred for closure of
      incisions under tension to reduce risk of dehiscence. 

PMID- 27270060
TI  - Risk factors for diskospondylitis in dogs after spinal decompression surgery for
      intervertebral disk herniation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of and risk factors for development of
      postoperative diskospondylitis (POD) in dogs that underwent spinal decompression
      surgery for intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH). DESIGN Retrospective single
      cohort study. ANIMALS 372 dogs that underwent spinal decompression surgery for
      IVDH between January 2007 and January 2011. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs
      were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding signalment, type and anatomic site
      of IVDH, severity of neurologic signs, type of surgery, duration of anesthesia,
      esophageal temperature during surgery, and use of corticosteroid drugs were
      analyzed for associations with POD. RESULTS POD developed in 8 of 372 (2.2%)
      dogs. Univariate analysis revealed that German Shepherd Dogs had 9.8 times the
      odds of POD, compared with the odds for other breeds. In addition, dogs > 8.8
      years of age, weighing > 20 kg (44 lb), or having disk protrusions were at higher
      risk of developing POD than were other dogs. The only factor that retained a
      significant association with POD after controlling for other factors in
      multivariate analysis was body weight > 20 kg. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
      Factors identified in this study may be useful for prediction of POD, an
      apparently uncommon outcome, in dogs undergoing spinal decompression surgery for
      IVDH. Dogs at higher risk than others, particularly those weighing > 20 kg,
      should be monitored carefully in the immediate postoperative period, and signs of
      worsening neurologic condition after initial improvement should be promptly
      investigated. 

PMID- 27270061
TI  - New Veterinary Biologic Products.

PMID- 27270062
TI  - Sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver variability of survey thoracic
      radiography for the detection of heart base masses in dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver
      variability of survey thoracic radiography (STR) for the detection of heart base
      masses (HBMs) in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 30 dogs
      with an HBM and 120 breed-matched control dogs (60 healthy dogs and 60 dogs with
      heart disease and no HBM). PROCEDURES In a blinded manner, 2 observers
      (designated as A and B) evaluated STR views from each dog for a mass-like opacity
      cranial to the heart, tracheal deviation, cardiomegaly, findings suggestive of
      pericardial effusion or right-sided congestive heart failure, and soft tissue
      opacities suggestive of pulmonary metastases. Investigators subsequently provided
      a final interpretation of each dog's HBM status (definitely affected, equivocal,
      or definitely not affected). RESULTS Considering equivocal interpretation as
      negative or positive for an HBM, the sensitivity of STR for diagnosis of an HBM
      was 40.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.5% to 57.5%) and 56.7% (95% CI, 38.9%
      to 74.4%), respectively, for observer A and 63% (95% CI, 46.1% to 80.6%) and
      80.0% (95% CI, 65.7% to 94.3%), respectively, for observer B. The corresponding
      specificity was 96.7% (95% CI, 93.5% to 99.9%) and 92.5% (95% CI, 87.8% to
      97.2%), respectively, for observer A and 99.2% (95% CI, 97.5% to 100%) and 92.5%
      (95% CI, 87.8% to 97.2%), respectively, for observer B. The presence of a mass
      like opacity cranial to the heart or tracheal deviation, or both, was
      significantly associated with a true diagnosis of HBM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE Results indicated that STR is a highly specific but not a highly
      sensitive predictor of HBM in dogs. 

PMID- 27270063
TI  - Clinical diagnosis and surgical management of diaphragmatic retroperitoneal
      perirenal fat and kidney herniation in a pet rabbit.
AB  - CASE DESCRIPTION A 6-year-old 2.08-kg (4.58-lb) neutered male Lionhead-mix pet
      rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was examined because of sneezing and increased
      respiratory effort. CLINICAL FINDINGS On the basis of the rabbit's radiographic
      findings, a diagnosis of diaphragmatic retroperitoneal perirenal fat and kidney
      herniation was made. Nine months later, physical examination revealed increased
      respiratory rate and effort and slightly decreased body weight. Thoracic
      radiography revealed decreased lung aeration and further craniomedial
      displacement of the right kidney, compared with the initial evaluation findings,
      suggesting progressive herniation of the retroperitoneal perirenal fat. TREATMENT
      AND OUTCOME During exploratory celiotomy, a tear in the right dorsal tendinous
      portion of the diaphragm was noted. The right kidney and perirenal fat were found
      to be displaced into the thorax. Diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy was performed after
      replacement of the right kidney and the perirenal fat in the retroperitoneal
      space. The rabbit recovered uneventfully from anesthesia and surgery. Clinical
      signs did not recur during the following 16 months. CLINICAL RELEVANCE For
      rabbits with increased respiratory effort, diaphragmatic retroperitoneal
      perirenal fat and kidney herniation should be included as a differential
      diagnosis. As illustrated by the case described in this report, appropriate
      surgical management can provide a successful outcome for affected pet rabbits. 

PMID- 27270064
TI  - Risk profiling of cattle farms as a potential tool in risk-based surveillance for
      Mycobacterium bovis infection among cattle in tuberculosis-free areas.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To develop a cattle herd risk-profiling system that could potentially
      inform risk-based surveillance strategies for Mycobacterium bovis infection in
      cattle and provide information that could be used to help direct resource
      allocation by a state agency for this purpose. DESIGN Cross-sectional study.
      SAMPLE Records for any size movement (importation) of cattle into Minnesota from
      other US states during 2009 (n = 7,185) and 2011 (8,107). PROCEDURES Data from
      certificates of veterinary inspection were entered into a spreadsheet. Movement
      data were summarized at premises and county levels, and for each level, the
      distribution of cattle moved and number of movements were evaluated. Risk
      profiling (assessment and categorization of risk for disease introduction) for
      each import movement was performed on the basis of known risk factors. Latent
      class analysis was used to assign movements to risk classifications with
      adjustment on the basis of expert opinions from personnel knowledgeable about
      bovine tuberculosis; these data were used to classify premises as very high,
      high, medium, or low risk for disease introduction. RESULTS In each year,
      approximately 1,500 premises imported cattle, typically beef and feeder types,
      with the peak of import movements during the fall season. The risk model
      identified 4 risk classes for cattle movements. Approximately 500 of the
      estimated 27,406 (2%) cattle premises in Minnesota were in the very high or high
      risk groups for either year; greatest density of these premises was in the
      southeast and southwest regions of the state. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
      A risk-profiling approach was developed that can be applied in targeted
      surveillance efforts for bovine tuberculosis, particularly in disease-free areas.

PMID- 27270065
TI  - Association of gender and specialty interest with video-gaming, three-dimensional
      spatial analysis, and entry-level laparoscopic skills in third-year veterinary
      students.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To determine whether gender or interest in pursuing specialty
      certification in internal medicine or surgery was associated with video-gaming, 3
      D spatial analysis, or entry-level laparoscopic skills in third-year veterinary
      students. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE A convenience sample of 68 (42
      female and 26 male) third-year veterinary students. PROCEDURES Participants
      completed a survey asking about their interest in pursuing specialty
      certification in internal medicine or surgery. Subsequently, participants' entry
      level laparoscopic skills were assessed with 3 procedures performed in box
      trainers, their video-gaming skills were tested with 3 video games, and their 3-D
      spatial analysis skills were evaluated with the Purdue University Visualization
      of Rotations Spatial Test. Scores were assigned for laparoscopic, video-gaming,
      and 3-D spatial analysis skills. RESULTS Significantly more female than male
      students were interested in pursuing specialty certification in internal medicine
      (23/42 vs 7/26), and significantly more male than female students were interested
      in pursuing specialty certification in surgery (19/26 vs 19/42). Males had
      significantly higher video-gaming skills scores than did females, but spatial
      analysis and laparoscopic skills scores did not differ between males and females.
      Students interested in pursuing specialty certification in surgery had higher
      video-gaming and spatial analysis skills scores than did students interested in
      pursuing specialty certification in internal medicine, but laparoscopic skills
      scores did not differ between these 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
      For this group of students, neither gender nor interest in specialty
      certification in internal medicine versus surgery was associated with entry-level
      laparoscopy skills. 

PMID- 27270066
TI  - Assessment of pediatric Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE) complications:
      Effects of variations in technique.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE) procedure is performed
      for patients with fecal incontinence and constipation who do not respond to
      medical therapy. The MACE procedure provides antegrade catheter access to the
      right colon and allows administration of enemas to help evacuate the bowel
      regularly. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for surgical
      complications in children who undergo the MACE procedure. METHOD: Records from 97
      pediatric patients who underwent MACE procedure were reviewed retrospectively.
      Data collected included age, sex, weight (obese/not obese), stomal location,
      presence of a permanent button/catheter in the stoma, open vs. laparoscopic
      surgery, and etiology of fecal incontinence/constipation. The complications
      reviewed included stomal stenosis, leakage, and stomal site infection. The
      relationships between the independent variables and complications were assessed
      using chi-square tests and Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was set
      at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Overall, 66 (68%) patients had at least one complication.
      Twenty-three (23.7%) patients developed stomal stenosis, and 27 (27.8%) patients
      had significant stomal leakage. Insertion of a stomal button/catheter device was
      associated with an increased risk of developing stomal leakage and stomal
      infection. The presence of a stomal button/catheter was also associated with a
      decreased risk of stomal stenosis (Figure). The non-intubated, imbricated sub
      population, preteen patients (<12 years old) experienced more stomal leakage than
      teenage patients. In this subgroup, patients with umbilical stomas also
      experienced more leakage than patients with right lower quadrant (RLQ) stomas.
      CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates of stomal complications in our study were
      consistent with previously reported series. In our study, however, stomal leakage
      had a higher prevalence in comparison with stomal stenosis. This seems to be
      related to the heterogeneity of the study group, which contained two variants of
      the MACE procedure; non-imbricated, intubated MACE and imbricated, non-intubated
      MACE. The use of stomal buttons in conjunction with MACE has previously been
      reported without changes in complication rates. We found the use of stomal
      buttons/catheters to be associated with changes in the prevalence of stomal
      complications. Stomal complications are common in the MACE procedure. The use of
      a permanent stomal button/catheter is associated with changes in the rates of
      stomal complications. While many find an umbilical stomal site is more
      cosmetically appealing, there is an increased risk of leakage with imbricated,
      non-intubated stomas. In the non-intubated, imbricated sub-population, the MACE
      procedure results in a higher risk of stomal leakage in preteen patients in
      comparison with teenage patients.

PMID- 27270067
TI  - What is the impact of simple ligation on patent processus vaginalis?

PMID- 27270068
TI  - Does endoscopy of difficult to catheterize channels spare some patients from
      formal open revision?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with continent catheterizable channels (CCC) may develop
      difficulty catheterizing postoperatively. In complex cases, endoscopic evaluation
      with indwelling catheter placement may be indicated, but the risk factors for
      subsequent formal channel revision are not well defined. The purpose of this
      study was to determine the risk factors for formal channel revision after
      attempted endoscopic management of difficulty catheterizing. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We performed an IRB-approved retrospective review of pediatric (<21
      years old) patients undergoing CCC construction at our institution from 1999 to
      2014 to identify patients who underwent endoscopy for difficulty catheterizing.
      Fisher's Exact test was used for categorical data and Mann-Whitney U test for
      continuous variables to examine the association between endoscopic intervention
      and subsequent formal revision. RESULTS: Sixty-three of 434 patients (14.5%)
      underwent at least one endoscopy for reported difficulty catheterizing their CCC,
      with 77.8% of these requiring additional intervention during endoscopy (catheter
      placement, dilation, etc.). Of these, almost half with functioning channels
      (43.5%, 27/62) were managed successfully with endoscopy without formal revision;
      six (22.2%) of whom underwent more than one endoscopy. These 27 patients
      continued to catheterize well at a median follow-up of 3.2 years (interquartile
      range 2.0-6.0). Patients requiring revision had a median of 1.7 years between CCC
      creation and first endoscopy, versus 1.6 years in those who were not revised (p =
      0.60). There was no statistically significant difference between revised and non
      revised channels in terms of patient age at CCC creation, underlying patient
      diagnosis, status of bladder neck, stomal location, or channel type (p >= 0.05)
      (see Table). CONCLUSION: Approximately half of our patients did not require a
      formal channel revision after endoscopic management. We did not identify any
      specific risk factors for subsequent formal revision of a CCC. We recommend
      performing at least one endoscopic evaluation for those with difficulty
      catheterizing prior to proceeding with formal open revision.

PMID- 27270069
TI  - Standardized process to improve patient flow from the Emergency Room to the
      Operating Room for pediatric patients with testicular torsion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Testicular torsion (TT) remains one of the most common urological
      emergencies. The length of time from onset of symptoms to detorsion and degree of
      spermatic cord twisting are usually the most important factors for testicular
      damage. Therefore early presentation, accurate diagnosis, and prompt treatment
      are important factors for optimizing the testicular salvage rate. While delay in
      seeking medical attention is a common cause of testicular loss in pediatric
      patients with testicular torsion, delays in diagnosis and treatment can be
      preventable causes of testicular loss. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to
      develop a standardized process to improve the patient flow from the Emergency
      Room (ER) to Operating Room (OR) for TT patients in an academic children's
      hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty consecutive pediatric patients with acute
      testicular torsion between November 2013 and July 2014 served as the control
      group. A scrotal pain checklist was implemented in July 2014, and 30 consecutive
      patients from July 2014 until April 2015 served as the study group. Perioperative
      parameters including times, ultrasound (US) findings, and surgical results were
      reviewed. RESULTS: The mean ages of the control group and the study group were
      similar (12.3 +/- 4.9 years and 11.5 +/- 5 years, respectively) (p = 0.575). ER
      arrival to OR time, triage completion to OR time, and scrotal US to OR time were
      significantly decreased in the study group (p < 0.001) (Table). Although triage
      time and ER arrival to scrotal US times were decreased in the study group, the
      differences were not significant (p = 0.071, p = 0.112, respectively).
      DISCUSSION: Utilizing scoring tools during the triage of patients with scrotal
      pain can help identify high-risk patients earlier and prevent unnecessary use of
      resources in an ER serving a large pediatric population. Limitations of this
      pilot study include the limited number of patients and the potential for the
      Hawthorne effect (staff awareness of the study). Additionally, we did not examine
      scrotal pain checklist scores for other acute scrotal diseases. This study
      focused on a quality improvement process for TT patients, in order to reduce ER
      to OR times. CONCLUSION: A standardized process with use of a scrotal pain
      checklist and prompt communication between the ER, Urology, and Radiology teams
      led to significantly reduced times from the ER to the OR. Standardized processes
      for pediatric patients with testicular torsion may help to improve testicular
      survival rates.

PMID- 27270070
TI  - Barriers to transition in young adults with neurogenic bladder.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: 'Transition' not only involves finding an adult healthcare
      provider, but also includes the process of developing the patient's ability to
      care for him/herself. Recent literature states that 40% of young adults with
      special healthcare needs are receiving the tools needed for transition. Pediatric
      urologists treating patients with complex anomalies, such as spina bifida, often
      anticipate poor outcomes for patients who are ill equipped for transition to
      adult care. The goal of this study was to identify potential barriers for young
      adults with neurogenic bladder when transitioning to independent care. STUDY
      DESIGN: A prospective IRB-approved study was performed on all patients with
      neurogenic bladder referred to the transitional urology clinic. Reasons for
      missed appointments were tracked, and all patients were asked to complete the
      Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) in private prior to an
      appointment. The TRAQ responses are scaled 1-5, with higher numbers corresponding
      to higher transition readiness of each individual skill. The mean score for each
      question was calculated across all patients, and the mean TRAQ score was
      calculated across all questions for each patient. To assess if certain subgroups
      were more prepared for transition, mean scores were compared between sexes,
      patients aged <19 and >=19 years old, and between ambulatory and full-time
      wheelchair users with unpaired t-tests. RESULTS: A total of 73% (58/79) of
      patients referred to the transitional clinic came to their appointment. The most
      common reason for missed clinic appointments was related to health insurance
      coverage (47%). A total of 42 patients completed the TRAQ at a mean age of 19.5
      years old; 90% (38/42) had spina bifida. Females, ambulatory patients, and those
      >=19 years old had higher overall mean TRAQ scores, but these differences were
      not statistically significant. The highest TRAQ scores were related to taking and
      ordering medications, utilization of medical supplies, communication with
      healthcare providers, and assisting with household duties. The majority of the
      patients indicated 'I am learning to do this'. The lowest scores were in response
      to questions about health insurance coverage, payments for medications or medical
      equipment, financial help, and utilization of community services. Most patients
      responded 'I do not know how but I want to learn'. CONCLUSIONS: Young adults with
      neurogenic bladder needed the most guidance during transition to independent
      care, with management of health insurance and finances. Based on these findings,
      dedicated social work and nurse visits have been included into the transition
      process.

PMID- 27270071
TI  - The effect of gender equality on happiness: Statistical modeling and analysis.
AB  - In this article, the researcher presents linear regression models that describe
      how five gender-equality indexes affect individuals' perceptions of well-being
      and happiness, controlling for their economic income and weighed by the
      population of the countries that contribute to the models. The logical premise of
      this study is that gender equality is not only favorable for women, but it is
      also conducive to fostering the greatest level of happiness for all people. The
      researcher believes that most findings confirmed this assumption and the opinion
      of John Stuart Mill regarding gender equality, while two exceptions are explained
      by social quality theory and the male breadwinner model.

PMID- 27270072
TI  - Hospital Disaster Preparedness in Italy: a preliminary study utilizing the World
      Health Organization Hospital Emergency Response Evaluation Toolkit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Natural and human-initiated disasters are occurring with greater
      devastating consequences and increased frequency. During these events, hospitals
      have the burden to care for acutely ill and injured patients. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the level of disaster preparedness of Italian hospitals.
      METHODS: Site visits were conducted from January, 2014 to December, 2014. The
      hospital emergency response checklist, developed by the WHO, was used as an
      evaluation toolkit. It consists of 92 items classified as 9 key components, such
      as command and control, triage, and critical services. The status of each
      component was determined by consensus of 3 independent evaluators. RESULTS: The
      study selected 15 hospitals from different areas in Italy. Out of the 15
      hospitals, 12 were considered to be at insufficients level of preparedness, only
      3 were considered to have an effective level of preparedness. The average
      preparedness of all components were lower than the optimal level suggested by the
      WHO checklist. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that a large majority of Italian
      hospitals evaluated are not well prepared to manage potential disasters. Also,
      all important elements of hospital preparedness, such as the command system,
      surge capacity, and safety, were insufficiently implemented. Nationwide
      standards, guidelines and procedures are required to improve hospital disaster
      preparedness in Italy.

PMID- 27270073
TI  - Transesophageal echocardiography: what the anesthesiologist has to know.
AB  - Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a very powerful intraoperative
      monitoring tool. It allows precise assessment of cardiac anatomy together with
      dynamic quantification of myocardial performance and flows through the heart
      chambers. With a high safety profile TEE counts few absolute contraindications.
      Performance of TEE requires dedicated training. Certification pathways are
      offered in Europe and North America. Focused, basic and advanced scanning
      protocols have been lately described for intraoperative and emergent use. Many
      specific TEE applications have been described in non-cardiac surgery most of
      which only supported by a limited number of studies. Advanced TEE allows
      quantitative assessment of left and right ventricular function but its
      application has not become standard of care outside the cardiac operative room
      partially due to lack of scientific evidence. TEE can provide quantification of
      left ad right ventricular cardiac output and diastolic function. It may also
      identify fluid responsiveness. TEE is more sensitive than ECG in identifying
      myocardial ischemia but it requires advanced training. Basic TEE can identify
      common causes of hemodynamic instability such as hypovolemia, pulmonary embolism
      and tamponade. Unexplained hemodynamic instability is the only strong indication
      in non-cardiac surgery. Qualitative assessment based on a simplified protocol
      seams to adequately address the clinical needs in this specific scenario. More
      studies are required to support the use of TEE outside of cardiac surgery at its
      full potential.

PMID- 27270074
TI  - Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in acute pancreatitis.

PMID- 27270075
TI  - The Incidence of and Factors Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency in Newly
      Diagnosed Children with Cancer.
AB  - This retrospective chart review study aimed to assess vitamin D status and
      identify risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency and bone parameters in
      children with cancer at admission. The data of 86 (50 males and 36 females)
      patients between April 2013 and June 2015 were analyzed. Calcium, phosphorus,
      alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25(OH)D, age, gender, diagnostic category, body mass
      index, duration of complaints, and season of blood sampling were recorded. Median
      age was 7.17 years (range 0.31-17.40) in 29 hematological malignancy and 57 solid
      tumor patients. According to cut-off level of 20 ng/ml, 63% of children with
      cancer had vitamin D deficiency at diagnosis with a median 25(OH)D of 16.75
      ng/ml. The mean vitamin D value of children >10 years was significantly low in
      comparison to that observed in younger children [11.83, 95% confidence interval
      (CI) = = 8.85-14.81 ng/ml vs. 19.81, 95% CI = = 17.02-22.60 ng/ml]. Vitamin D
      measurement between November and May was a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency
      (P < 0.05). The frequency of hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia was not different
      between two groups of vitamin D. Further longitudinal studies are needed to
      investigate whether monitoring vitamin D status and supplementation in children
      with cancer might prevent future complications related to vitamin D deficiency.

PMID- 27270076
TI  - Multi-informant perspective on psychological distress among Ghanaian orphans and
      vulnerable children within the context of HIV/AIDS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is little knowledge about the psychosocial distress of children
      affected by human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency
      syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Ghana, to aid the planning of services. This study
      investigated mental health problems among children affected by HIV/AIDS, compared
      with control groups of children orphaned by other causes, and non-orphans.
      METHOD: The study employed a cross-sectional survey that interviewed 291 children
      and their caregivers. Both children and caregivers completed the Strengths and
      Difficulties Questionnaire that measured children's psychosocial wellbeing.
      Verbal autopsy was used to identify whether children lost one or both parents
      from AIDS. RESULTS: The results indicated that controlling for relevant
      sociodemographic factors, both children's self-reports and caregivers' reports
      indicate that both children living with HIV/AIDS-infected caregivers and children
      orphaned by AIDS were at heightened risk for mental health problems than both
      children orphaned by other causes and non-orphans. The findings further indicated
      that a significant proportion of orphaned and vulnerable children exhibited
      symptoms for depression and other psychiatric disorders (approximately 63%)
      compared with 7% among the non-orphaned group. Caregivers gave higher ratings for
      children on externalizing problems and lower on internalizing problems, and vice
      versa when the children's self-reports were analysed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      suggest that both children and their informants have diverse yet complementary
      perspectives on psychological outcomes. The study discusses the theoretical and
      practical implications of these findings and urgently calls for necessary
      intervention programmes that target all children affected by HIV/AIDS to
      effectively alleviate psychological distress and enhance the mental health of
      these children.

PMID- 27270077
TI  - Cultural modes of expressing emotions influence how emotions are experienced.
AB  - The brain's mapping of bodily responses during emotion contributes to emotional
      experiences, or feelings. Culture influences emotional expressiveness, that is,
      the magnitude of individuals' bodily responses during emotion. So, are cultural
      influences on behavioral expressiveness associated with differences in how
      individuals experience emotion? Chinese and American young adults reported how
      strongly admiration- and compassion-inducing stories made them feel, first in a
      private interview and then during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
      As expected, Americans were more expressive in the interview. Although
      expressiveness did not predict stronger reported feelings or neural responses
      during fMRI, in both cultural groups more-expressive people showed tighter trial
      by-trial correlations between their experienced strength of emotion and
      activations in visceral-somatosensory cortex, even after controlling for
      individuals' overall strength of reactions (neural and felt). Moreover,
      expressiveness mediated a previously described cultural effect in which
      activations in visceral-somatosensory cortex correlated with feeling strength
      among Americans but not among Chinese. Post hoc supplementary analyses revealed
      that more-expressive individuals reached peak activation of visceral
      somatosensory cortex later in the emotion process and took longer to decide how
      strongly they felt. The results together suggest that differences in
      expressiveness correspond to differences in how somatosensory mechanisms
      contribute to constructing conscious feelings. By influencing expressiveness,
      culture may therefore influence how individuals know how strongly they feel, what
      conscious feelings are based on, or possibly what strong versus weak emotions
      "feel like." (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27270078
TI  - Parthenolide ameliorates Concanavalin A-induced acute hepatitis in mice and
      modulates the macrophages to an anti-inflammatory state.
AB  - Parthenolide, the principal sesquiterpene lactone present in medicinal plants
      such as feverfew, has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer
      activities. In the present study, we investigated the protective role of
      parthenolide against acute hepatitis in mice. Mice acute hepatitis were induced
      by Concanavalin A and treated by parthenolide in vivo. Results shown that
      parthenolide remarkably reduced the congestion and necroinflammation of the mice
      livers with Concanavalin A-induced acute hepatitis. Meanwhile, parthenolide
      treatment recover the liver function which indicated by decreased the serum
      alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities and promoted the
      expression of Ki67 in the livers of these mice. In addition, parthenolide
      administration suppressed the Concanavalin A-induced immune reaction, as
      indicated by the number of F4/80, CD49b and CD4 cells present in the liver.
      Furthermore, parthenolide also significantly reduced the expression of pro
      inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-17A, IL-1beta and IL-6 in
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Moreover,
      parthenolide exposure decreased the phosphorylation of STAT3 and p38, and
      promoted the phosphorylation of p53 in RAW264.7 cells in vitro. In conclusion,
      parthenolide represents a drug candidate to protect the liver against
      Concanavalin A-induced acute hepatitis. The possible molecular mechanism involves
      the anti-inflammatory effects of parthenolide may by suppressing the STAT3/p38
      signals and enhanced the p53 signals. 

PMID- 27270079
TI  - FACETS: allele-specific copy number and clonal heterogeneity analysis tool for
      high-throughput DNA sequencing.
AB  - Allele-specific copy number analysis (ASCN) from next generation sequencing (NGS)
      data can greatly extend the utility of NGS beyond the identification of mutations
      to precisely annotate the genome for the detection of homozygous/heterozygous
      deletions, copy-neutral loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH), allele-specific
      gains/amplifications. In addition, as targeted gene panels are increasingly used
      in clinical sequencing studies for the detection of 'actionable' mutations and
      copy number alterations to guide treatment decisions, accurate, tumor purity-,
      ploidy- and clonal heterogeneity-adjusted integer copy number calls are greatly
      needed to more reliably interpret NGS-based cancer gene copy number data in the
      context of clinical sequencing. We developed FACETS, an ASCN tool and open-source
      software with a broad application to whole genome, whole-exome, as well as
      targeted panel sequencing platforms. It is a fully integrated stand-alone
      pipeline that includes sequencing BAM file post-processing, joint segmentation of
      total- and allele-specific read counts, and integer copy number calls corrected
      for tumor purity, ploidy and clonal heterogeneity, with comprehensive output and
      integrated visualization. We demonstrate the application of FACETS using The
      Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) whole-exome sequencing of lung adenocarcinoma samples.
      We also demonstrate its application to a clinical sequencing platform based on a
      targeted gene panel.

PMID- 27270080
TI  - Differential sensitivity to methylated DNA by ETS-family transcription factors is
      intrinsically encoded in their DNA-binding domains.
AB  - Transactivation by the ETS family of transcription factors, whose members share
      structurally conserved DNA-binding domains, is variably sensitive to methylation
      of their target genes. The mechanism by which DNA methylation controls ETS
      proteins remains poorly understood. Uncertainly also pervades the effects of hemi
      methylated DNA, which occurs following DNA replication and in response to
      hypomethylating agents, on site recognition by ETS proteins. To address these
      questions, we measured the affinities of two sequence-divergent ETS homologs,
      PU.1 and Ets-1, to DNA sites harboring a hemi- and fully methylated CpG
      dinucleotide. While the two proteins bound unmethylated DNA with
      indistinguishable affinity, their affinities to methylated DNA are markedly
      heterogeneous and exhibit major energetic coupling between the two CpG
      methylcytosines. Analysis of simulated DNA and existing co-crystal structures
      revealed that hemi-methylation induced non-local backbone and groove geometries
      that were not conserved in the fully methylated state. Indirect readout of these
      perturbations was differentially achieved by the two ETS homologs, with the
      distinctive interfacial hydration in PU.1/DNA binding moderating the inhibitory
      effects of DNA methylation on binding. This data established a biophysical basis
      for the pioneering properties associated with PU.1, which robustly bound fully
      methylated DNA, but not Ets-1, which was substantially inhibited.

PMID- 27270082
TI  - Type II restriction endonucleases - a historical perspective and more.

PMID- 27270081
TI  - Conformational selection and dynamic adaptation upon linker histone binding to
      the nucleosome.
AB  - Linker histones are essential for DNA compaction in chromatin. They bind to
      nucleosomes in a 1:1 ratio forming chromatosomes. Alternative configurations have
      been proposed in which the globular domain of the linker histone H5 (gH5) is
      positioned either on- or off-dyad between the nucleosomal and linker DNAs.
      However, the dynamic pathways of chromatosome assembly remain elusive. Here, we
      studied the conformational plasticity of gH5 in unbound and off-dyad nucleosome
      bound forms with classical and accelerated molecular dynamics simulations. We
      find that the unbound gH5 converts between open and closed conformations,
      preferring the closed form. However, the open gH5 contributes to a more rigid
      chromatosome and restricts the motion of the nearby linker DNA through
      hydrophobic interactions with thymidines. Moreover, the closed gH5 opens and
      reorients in accelerated simulations of the chromatosome. Brownian dynamics
      simulations of chromatosome assembly, accounting for a range of amplitudes of
      nucleosome opening and different nucleosome DNA sequences, support the existence
      of both on- and off-dyad binding modes of gH5 and reveal alternative, sequence
      and conformation-dependent chromatosome configurations. Taken together, these
      findings suggest that the conformational dynamics of linker histones and
      nucleosomes facilitate alternative chromatosome configurations through an
      interplay between induced fit and conformational selection.

PMID- 27270084
TI  - Finite-size scaling in a 2D disordered electron gas with spectral nodes.
AB  - We study the DC conductivity of a weakly disordered 2D electron gas with two
      bands and spectral nodes, employing the field theoretical version of the Kubo
      Greenwood conductivity formula. Disorder scattering is treated within the
      standard perturbation theory by summing up ladder and maximally crossed diagrams.
      The emergent gapless (diffusion) modes determine the behavior of the conductivity
      on large scales. We find a finite conductivity with an intermediate logarithmic
      finite-size scaling towards smaller conductivities but do not obtain the
      logarithmic divergence of the weak-localization approach. Our results agree with
      the experimentally observed logarithmic scaling of the conductivity in graphene
      with the formation of a plateau near [Formula: see text].

PMID- 27270083
TI  - Multiplexed miRNA northern blots via hybridization chain reaction.
AB  - Northern blots enable detection of a target RNA of interest in a biological
      sample using standard benchtop equipment. miRNAs are the most challenging targets
      as they must be detected with a single short nucleic acid probe. With existing
      approaches, it is cumbersome to perform multiplexed blots in which several RNAs
      are detected simultaneously, impeding the study of interacting regulatory
      elements. Here, we address this shortcoming by demonstrating multiplexed northern
      blotting based on the mechanism of hybridization chain reaction (HCR). With this
      approach, nucleic acid probes complementary to RNA targets trigger chain
      reactions in which fluorophore-labeled DNA hairpins self-assemble into tethered
      fluorescent amplification polymers. The programmability of HCR allows multiple
      amplifiers to operate simultaneously and independently within a blot, enabling
      straightforward multiplexing. We demonstrate simultaneous detection of three
      endogenous miRNAs in total RNA extracted from 293T and HeLa cells. For a given
      target, HCR signal scales linearly with target abundance, enabling relative and
      absolute quantitation. Using non-radioactive HCR, sensitive and selective miRNA
      detection is achieved using 2'OMe-RNA probes. The HCR northern blot protocol
      takes ~1.5 days independent of the number of target RNAs.

PMID- 27270085
TI  - Simultaneous optical and electrical in vivo analysis of the enteric nervous
      system.
AB  - The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a major division of the nervous system and
      vital to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and its communication with the rest of
      the body. Unlike the brain and spinal cord, relatively little is known about the
      ENS in part because of the inability to directly monitor its activity in live
      animals. Here, we integrate a transparent graphene sensor with a customized
      abdominal window for simultaneous optical and electrical recording of the ENS in
      vivo. The implanted device captures ENS responses to neurotransmitters, drugs and
      optogenetic manipulation in real time.

PMID- 27270086
TI  - Jejunal diverticulosis: A rare cause of intestinal obstruction.

PMID- 27270097
TI  - [(18)F]Fluoroethyl Triazole Substituted PSMA Inhibitor Exhibiting Rapid Normal
      Organ Clearance.
AB  - Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in the epithelium of
      prostate cancer and nonprostate solid tumor neovasculature. PSMA is increasingly
      utilized as a target for cancer imaging and therapy. Here, we report the
      synthesis and in vivo biodistribution of a low-molecular-weight PSMA-based
      imaging agent, 2-[3-(1-carboxy-5-{3-[1-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol
      yl]propanamido}pentyl)ureido]pentanedioic acid ([(18)F]YC-88), containing an
      [(18)F]fluoroethyl triazole moiety. [(18)F]YC-88 was synthesized from 2
      [(18)F]fluoroethyl azide and the corresponding alkyne precursor in two steps
      using either a one- or two-pot procedure. Biodistribution and positron emission
      tomography (PET) imaging were performed in immunocompromised mice using isogenic
      PSMA(+) PC3 PIP and PSMA(-) PC3 flu xenografts. YC-88 exhibited high affinity for
      PSMA as evidenced by a Ki value of 12.9 nM. The non-decay corrected radiochemical
      yields of [(18)F]YC-88 averaged 14 +/- 1% (n = 5). Specific radioactivities
      ranged from 320 to 2,460 Ci/mmol (12-91 GBq/MUmol) with an average of 940 Ci/mmol
      (35 GBq/MUmol, n = 5). In an immunocompromised mouse model, [(18)F]YC-88 clearly
      delineated PSMA(+) PC3 PIP prostate tumor xenografts on imaging with PET. At 1 h
      postinjection, 47.58 +/- 5.19% injected dose per gram of tissue (% ID/g) was
      evident within the PSMA(+) PC3 PIP tumor, with a ratio of 170:1 of uptake within
      PSMA(+) PC3 PIP to PSMA(-) PC3 flu tumor placed in the opposite flank. The tumor
      to-kidney ratio at 2 h postinjection was 4:1. At or after 30 min postinjection,
      minimal nontarget tissue uptake of [(18)F]YC-88 was observed. Compared to
      [(18)F]DCFPyL, which is currently in clinical trials, the uptake of [(18)F]YC-88
      within the kidney, liver, and spleen was significantly lower at all time-points
      studied. At 30 min and 1 h postinjection, salivary gland uptake of [(18)F]YC-88
      was significantly less than that of [(18)F]DCFPyL. [(18)F]YC-88 is a new PSMA
      targeted PET agent synthesized utilizing click chemistry that demonstrates high
      PSMA(+) tumor uptake in a xenograft model. Because of its low uptake in the
      kidney, rapid clearance from nontarget organs, and relatively simple one-pot, two
      step radiosynthesis, [(18)F]YC-88 is a viable new PET radiotracer for imaging
      PSMA-expressing lesions.

PMID- 27270098
TI  - Digital Dermoscopy Photographs Outperform Handheld Dermoscopy in Melanoma
      Diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pigmented lesion clinics (PLCs) that use technology such as digital
      dermoscopy and total-body photography are thought to confer a clinical advantage
      for patients at high risk of developing melanoma over general dermatology clinics
      (GDCs) with regular dermoscopy. OBJECTIVE: To examine the difference between
      depths of melanomas diagnosed in a PLC and a GDC. METHODS: Medical records from
      257 patients at the PLC at The Ottawa Hospital and 441 patients from a GDC were
      reviewed. RESULTS: Invasive melanoma was less frequent than in situ melanoma at
      the PLC (7.14% vs 38.27%; P = .02). The average Breslow depth for melanomas at
      the PLC was also smaller compared with the GDC (0.0371 vs 0.3450 mm; P = .02).
      CONCLUSIONS: The use of digital dermoscopy and total-body photography together in
      a PLC appears to be an effective way to monitor patients at high risk of
      melanoma.

PMID- 27270099
TI  - Characterization of Kinetic Binding Properties of Unlabeled Ligands via a
      Preincubation Endpoint Binding Approach.
AB  - The dissociation rates of unlabeled drugs have been well studied by kinetic
      binding analyses. Since kinetic assays are laborious, we developed a simple
      method to determine the kinetic binding parameters of unlabeled competitors by a
      preincubation endpoint assay. The probe binding after preincubation of a
      competitor can be described by a single equation as a function of time.
      Simulations using the equation revealed the degree of IC50 change induced by
      preincubation of a competitor depended on the dissociation rate koff of the
      competitor but not on the association rate kon To validate the model, an in vitro
      binding assay was performed using a smoothened receptor (SMO) and [(3)H]TAK-441,
      a SMO antagonist. The equilibrium dissociation constants (KI) and koff of SMO
      antagonists determined by globally fitting the model to the concentration
      response curves obtained with and without 24 h preincubation correlated well with
      those determined by other methods. This approach could be useful for early-stage
      optimization of drug candidates by enabling determination of binding kinetics in
      a high-throughput manner because it does not require kinetic measurements, an
      intermediate washout step during the reaction, or prior determination of
      competitors' KI values. 

PMID- 27270100
TI  - Analysis of beta2-agonists in cattle hair samples using a rapid UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS
      method.
AB  - A simple and efficient method was developed for simultaneous analysis of five
      illegal residual beta2-agonists in cattle hair. beta2-Agonists were quantified by
      ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation
      tandem mass spectrometry operating in positive multiple-reaction monitoring mode.
      The method was validated as quantitative confirmatory method according to the EU
      Decision 2002/657/EC: instrumental linearity, specificity, precision, recovery,
      decision limit (CCalpha) and detection capability (CCbeta) were evaluated. The
      recovery were greater than 90% and the method appeared suitable for the control
      of these beta2-agonists in cattle hair samples with LOQ values between 4.9 and
      5.5 MUg/kg. This method could represent a simple and cheap approach to confirm
      beta2-agonists contamination of cattle for feeding in a not invasive way and
      before slaughter operations.

PMID- 27270101
TI  - Electrocautery effect on intestinal vascularisation in a murine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of electrocautery devices is associated with complications
      such as perforation or fistulisation when used near intestinal structures. This
      is likely due to its effect on vascularisation of the bowel wall. To test this
      hypothesis we established a murine model to quantify the effect of electrocautery
      injury on the intestinal microvascularisation. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were
      subjected to five electrocautery injuries on the small bowel in coagulation mode
      (30 W intensity) and in cut mode (40 W, 80 W and 200 W intensities) for durations
      of 1, 2 and 5 s. 5 mg/kg of fluorescein was injected intravenously, the injured
      bowel segments harvested and the rat sacrificed. The segments were analysed to
      measure the fluorescence of injured bowel compared to adjacent unharmed tissue.
      RESULTS: A significant decrease in bowel wall microvascularisation occurred with
      increasing intensity (coag 30 W/cut 40 W versus cut 200 W 1 s: p < 0.05) and
      duration of electrocautery injury (cut 40 W 1/2 s versus 5 s: p < 0.05). There
      was a 40% perforation rate when decreased bowel wall microvascularisation was 25%
      or more. Despite similar electrocautery injury, a significantly greater
      microvascularisation decrease was observed in jejunum compared to ileum (p <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: We successfully established a murine model to quantify the
      decrease of bowel wall microvascularisation associated with electrocautery use.
      Unsurprisingly, the decrease in microvascularisation is greater with higher
      intensity and duration of electrocautery and is associated with more perforations
      in the experimental model. The jejunum seems more vulnerable to electrocautery
      injury than the ileum. These observations support caution when using
      electrocautery devices near intestinal structures.

PMID- 27270102
TI  - Rate of skill acquisition in the use of a robotic laparoscope holder
      (FreeHand((r))).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robotic equipment can greatly add to the ergonomics of a surgical
      procedure and pre-operative simulation can provide risk-free training of the
      surgeon leading to precision surgery and less trauma to the patient.
      Freehand((r)) is a second-generation robotic camera-holding device, which has
      recently become available to laparoscopic surgeons. It is controlled by the
      operator selecting a direction using head movement followed by activation with a
      foot pedal. The purpose of this study was to assess the rate of skill acquisition
      in the use of the FreeHand((r)) robotic laparoscope holder by a group of
      laparoscopic surgeons by enrolling them into a programme of training modules at
      The ICENI Centre, Colchester Hospital University, UK. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Twenty surgical registrars performed a series of exercises, escalating in
      difficulty, to test their skill in controlling the FreeHand((r)) robot.
      Subjective and objective assessments were evaluated by an observer and by
      tracking analysis software created for this trial. RESULTS: The observed number
      of head movements showed a Percentage Performance Score (PPS) of 98% by the end
      of the third repetition of all exercises, the mean Total Head Movements Score
      (HMS) reached a plateau of performance at 72%. Fifty per cent of the participants
      selected 'Effective control of movements without difficulty' in the subjective
      evaluation by the end of the third repetition of exercises, while 35% selected
      'competent intuitive movements'. CONCLUSION: The FreeHand((r)) robotic
      laparoscope holder is a useful device, which is easy to operate and requires a
      very short course of training to achieve competence in its use.

PMID- 27270103
TI  - Two-stage screening for early dementia in primary care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare two screening strategies for dementia in
      an urban primary care clinic, serving a low-education, minority community
      composed largely of Latino and African American patients. METHOD: Two hundred and
      fifty-seven patients underwent two-stage patient-based screening (PBS) and
      informant-based screening (IBS) followed by a diagnostic evaluation. In the first
      stage, PBS included brief tests of episodic memory (Memory Impairment Screen),
      semantic memory (Animal Fluency), and executive function (Reciting Months
      Backwards). For IBS, the first stage consisted of the short Informant
      Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, administered to a family
      member or friend. Patients who screened positive in the first stage of either
      strategy underwent testing with the picture version of the Free and Cued
      Selective Reminding Test with Immediate Recall to identify memory impairment.
      Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were
      computed for various cutoffs of each test and combination of tests. Dementia was
      diagnosed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth
      Edition (DSM-IV) criteria without access to the screening test results. RESULTS:
      We identified 66 patients (25.7%) with previously undiagnosed dementia.
      Sensitivity was the same (77%) for both strategies but specificity was higher for
      IBS than for PBS (92% versus 83%). IBS's higher specificity makes it the
      preferred strategy if a knowledgeable informant is available. CONCLUSION:
      Unrecognized dementia is common in primary care. Case-finding can be improved
      using either PBS or IBS two-stage screening strategies.

PMID- 27270104
TI  - Protein undernutrition during development and oxidative impairment in the central
      nervous system (CNS): potential factors in the occurrence of metabolic syndrome
      and CNS disease.
AB  - Mitochondria play a regulatory role in several essential cell processes including
      cell metabolism, calcium balance and cell viability. In recent years, it has been
      postulated that mitochondria participate in the pathogenesis of a number of
      chronic diseases, including central nervous system disorders. Thus, the concept
      of mitochondrial function now extends far beyond the common view of this
      organelle as the 'powerhouse' of the cell to a new appreciation of the
      mitochondrion as a transducer of early metabolic insult into chronic disease in
      later life. In this review, we have attempted to describe some of the
      associations between nutritional status and mitochondrial function (and
      dysfunction) during embryonic development with the occurrence of neural oxidative
      imbalance and neurogenic disease in adulthood.

PMID- 27270105
TI  - Haplotype estimation for biobank-scale data sets.
AB  - The UK Biobank (UKB) has recently released genotypes on 152,328 individuals
      together with extensive phenotypic and lifestyle information. We present a new
      phasing method, SHAPEIT3, that can handle such biobank-scale data sets and
      results in switch error rates as low as ~0.3%. The method exhibits O(NlogN)
      scaling with sample size N, enabling fast and accurate phasing of even larger
      cohorts.

PMID- 27270106
TI  - Selfish drive can trump function when animal mitochondrial genomes compete.
AB  - Mitochondrial genomes compete for transmission from mother to progeny. We
      explored this competition by introducing a second genome into Drosophila
      melanogaster to follow transmission. Competitions between closely related genomes
      favored those functional in electron transport, resulting in a host-beneficial
      purifying selection. In contrast, matchups between distantly related genomes
      often favored those with negligible, negative or lethal consequences, indicating
      selfish selection. Exhibiting powerful selfish selection, a genome carrying a
      detrimental mutation displaced a complementing genome, leading to population
      death after several generations. In a different pairing, opposing selfish and
      purifying selection counterbalanced to give stable transmission of two genomes.
      Sequencing of recombinant mitochondrial genomes showed that the noncoding region,
      containing origins of replication, governs selfish transmission. Uniparental
      inheritance prevents encounters between distantly related genomes. Nonetheless,
      in each maternal lineage, constant competition among sibling genomes selects for
      super-replicators. We suggest that this relentless competition drives positive
      selection, promoting change in the sequences influencing transmission.

PMID- 27270107
TI  - Clonal evolution of glioblastoma under therapy.
AB  - Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. To
      better understand how GBM evolves, we analyzed longitudinal genomic and
      transcriptomic data from 114 patients. The analysis shows a highly branched
      evolutionary pattern in which 63% of patients experience expression-based subtype
      changes. The branching pattern, together with estimates of evolutionary rate,
      suggests that relapse-associated clones typically existed years before diagnosis.
      Fifteen percent of tumors present hypermutation at relapse in highly expressed
      genes, with a clear mutational signature. We find that 11% of recurrence tumors
      harbor mutations in LTBP4, which encodes a protein binding to TGF-beta. Silencing
      LTBP4 in GBM cells leads to suppression of TGF-beta activity and decreased cell
      proliferation. In recurrent GBM with wild-type IDH1, high LTBP4 expression is
      associated with worse prognosis, highlighting the TGF-beta pathway as a potential
      therapeutic target in GBM.

PMID- 27270109
TI  - Fast and accurate long-range phasing in a UK Biobank cohort.
AB  - Recent work has leveraged the extensive genotyping of the Icelandic population to
      perform long-range phasing (LRP), enabling accurate imputation and association
      analysis of rare variants in target samples typed on genotyping arrays. Here we
      develop a fast and accurate LRP method, Eagle, that extends this paradigm to
      populations with much smaller proportions of genotyped samples by harnessing long
      (>4-cM) identical-by-descent (IBD) tracts shared among distantly related
      individuals. We applied Eagle to N ~ 150,000 samples (0.2% of the British
      population) from the UK Biobank, and we determined that it is 1-2 orders of
      magnitude faster than existing methods while achieving similar or better phasing
      accuracy (switch error rate ~ 0.3%, corresponding to perfect phase in a majority
      of 10-Mb segments). We also observed that, when used within an imputation
      pipeline, Eagle prephasing improved downstream imputation accuracy in comparison
      to prephasing in batches using existing methods, as necessary to achieve
      comparable computational cost.

PMID- 27270108
TI  - Identification of TMEM230 mutations in familial Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder without
      effective treatment. It is generally sporadic with unknown etiology. However,
      genetic studies of rare familial forms have led to the identification of
      mutations in several genes, which are linked to typical Parkinson's disease or
      parkinsonian disorders. The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease remains largely
      elusive. Here we report a locus for autosomal dominant, clinically typical and
      Lewy body-confirmed Parkinson's disease on the short arm of chromosome 20 (20pter
      p12) and identify TMEM230 as the disease-causing gene. We show that TMEM230
      encodes a transmembrane protein of secretory/recycling vesicles, including
      synaptic vesicles in neurons. Disease-linked TMEM230 mutants impair synaptic
      vesicle trafficking. Our data provide genetic evidence that a mutant
      transmembrane protein of synaptic vesicles in neurons is etiologically linked to
      Parkinson's disease, with implications for understanding the pathogenic mechanism
      of Parkinson's disease and for developing rational therapies.

PMID- 27270110
TI  - Plasma concentrations of coffee polyphenols and plasma biomarkers of diabetes
      risk in healthy Japanese women.
AB  - Coffee consumption has been reported to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in
      experimental and epidemiological studies. This anti-diabetic effect of coffee may
      be attributed to its high content in polyphenols especially caffeic acid and
      chlorogenic acid. However, the association between plasma coffee polyphenols and
      diabetic risks has never been investigated in the literature. In this study,
      fasting plasma samples were collected from 57 generally healthy females aged 38
      73 (mean 52, s.d. 8) years recruited in Himeji, Japan. The concentrations of
      plasma coffee polyphenols were determined by liquid chromatography coupled with
      mass tandem spectrometer. Diabetes biomarkers in the plasma/serum samples were
      analysed by a commercial diagnostic laboratory. Statistical associations were
      assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. The results showed that
      plasma chlorogenic acid exhibited negative associations with fasting blood
      glucose, glycated hemoglobin and C-reactive protein, whereas plasma total coffee
      polyphenol and plasma caffeic acid were weakly associated with these biomarkers.
      Our preliminary data support previous findings that coffee polyphenols have anti
      diabetic effects but further replications with large samples of both genders are
      recommended. 

PMID- 27270111
TI  - Predictive validity of a brief outpatient neuropsychological battery in
      individuals 1-25 years post traumatic brain injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to examine the predictive validity of
      a brief, outpatient neuropsychological battery relative to concurrent functional
      outcomes 1-25 years post traumatic brain injury. METHOD: A cross-sectional
      analysis from an archival database. Participants were 377 persons aged 16-85, 1
      25 years post mild-complicated to severe traumatic brain injury.
      Neuropsychological testing and outcome assessment were completed as part of a
      routine follow-up associated with enrollment in the Southeastern Michigan
      Traumatic Brain Injury System project, which is a longitudinal research project.
      Neuropsychological measures included trail making test, California verbal
      learning test-II (CVLT-II), word generation, Wisconsin card sort testing - 64
      card version, digit vigilance test, and Wechsler test of adult reading (WTAR).
      Outcome measures included the disability rating scale, Glasgow outcome scale
      extended, supervisor rating scale, and employment. RESULTS: Multiple regression
      analyses revealed that although demographic and injury characteristics were
      predictive of level of disability, level of supervision, and employment,
      neuropsychological test scores including CVLT-II total score for learning trials
      1-5; Trails B, and the WTAR represented independent predictors across all outcome
      measures. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the utility of a brief,
      outpatient battery in prediction of concurrent outcomes up to 25 years post
      injury. Given the difficulty in receiving full reimbursement for
      neuropsychological assessment services, the data provide needed empirical support
      for use of more economical and efficient testing.

PMID- 27270112
TI  - Handling Regional Variation in Health State Preferences within a Country.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health state preferences vary among countries, and country-specific
      value sets are important in health care reimbursement decisions. When decisions
      are made at the regional level, regional variation in health state preferences
      may be important. We propose that shrinkage analysis and Bland-Altman plots can
      be a helpful way to investigate regional variation. METHODS: The presence of
      regional variation can be investigated by introducing interactions between
      regions and the regression coefficients in the scoring algorithm. When variation
      is present, regional scoring algorithms can be derived through shrinkage
      analysis. The impact of using regional algorithms in place of the national
      algorithm can be investigated using simulation and illustrated using Bland-Altman
      plots. We applied this methodological approach to the Canadian EQ-5D-5L valuation
      study, which used time-tradeoff (TTO) tasks to elicit health state preferences
      from 1073 participants from 4 regions (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and
      Quebec). RESULTS: There were statistically significant interactions between the
      fixed effects of the scoring algorithm and region. On computing regional scoring
      algorithms and applying them to the EQ-5D-5L health states reported by our
      population, the mean utility using the Canada-wide scoring algorithm was 0.87
      (standard error, 0.0013), compared to 0.85 (0.0013) on using the algorithm for
      Alberta, 0.80 (0.0013) on using the algorithm for British Columbia, 0.91 (0.0013)
      for Ontario, and 0.89 (0.0014) for Quebec. CONCLUSIONS: When health care falls
      under regional jurisdiction, shrinkage estimators can be used to generate
      regional scoring algorithms for the EQ-5D-5L and Bland-Altman plots used to
      assess the importance of regional variation in health state preferences. Our
      results suggest that mean health state preferences vary among Canada's regions
      and make a sizable impact on estimates of population mean utility.

PMID- 27270113
TI  - Accuracy of the Surgeons' Clinical Prediction of Postoperative Major
      Complications Using a Visual Analog Scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the risk factors that contribute to postoperative
      complications are well recognized, prediction in the context of a particular
      patient is more difficult. We were interested in using a visual analog scale
      (VAS) to capture surgeons' prediction of the risk of a major complication and to
      examine whether this could be improved. METHODS: The study was performed in 3
      stages. In phase I, the surgeon assessed the risk of a major complication on a
      100-mm VAS immediately before and after surgery. A quality control questionnaire
      was designed to check if the VAS was being scored as a linear scale. In phase II,
      a VAS with 6 subscales for different areas of clinical risk was introduced. In
      phase III, predictions were completed following the presentation of detailed
      feedback on the accuracy of prediction of complications. RESULTS: In total, 1295
      predictions were made by 58 surgeons in 859 patients. Eight surgeons did not use
      a linear scale (6 logarithmic, 2 used 4 categories of risk). Surgeons made a
      meaningful prediction of major complications (preoperative median score 40 mm for
      complications v. 22 mm for no complication, P < 0.001; postoperative 46 mm v. 21
      mm, P < 0.001). In phase I, the discrimination of prediction for preoperative
      (0.778), postoperative (0.810), and POSSUM (Physiological and Operative Severity
      Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity) morbidity (0.750)
      prediction was similar. Although there was no improvement in prediction with a
      multidimensional VAS, there was a significant improvement in the discrimination
      of prediction after feedback (preoperative, 0.895; postoperative, 0.918).
      CONCLUSION: Awareness of different ways a VAS is scored is important when
      designing and interpreting studies. Clinical assessment of major complications by
      the surgeon was initially comparable to the prediction of the POSSUM morbidity
      score and improved significantly following the presentation of clinically
      relevant feedback.

PMID- 27270114
TI  - Client engagement in home and community care services: The client and care
      coordinator perspective.
AB  - A recent study of two Community Care Access Centres in Ontario was conducted to
      look at how clients can be involved in their own care while, at the same time,
      enhance their experience overall. This article describes that study and looks at
      ways of developing a new client engagement strategy moving forward. 

PMID- 27270115
TI  - Evolution in models of primary care.

PMID- 27270116
TI  - Myotonic dystrophy type 1.

PMID- 27270117
TI  - Back pain in a 59-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis.

PMID- 27270118
TI  - Indigenous leaders call for control of health care.

PMID- 27270120
TI  - Canada's support lags for research on Zika.

PMID- 27270119
TI  - Electroacupuncture and splinting versus splinting alone to treat carpal tunnel
      syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of acupuncture for managing carpal tunnel syndrome
      is uncertain, particularly in patients already receiving conventional treatments
      (e.g., splinting). We aimed to assess the effects of electroacupuncture combined
      with splinting. METHODS: We conducted a randomized parallel-group assessor
      blinded 2-arm trial on patients with clinically diagnosed primary carpal tunnel
      syndrome. The treatment group was offered 13 sessions of electroacupuncture over
      17 weeks. The treatment and control groups both received continuous nocturnal
      wrist splinting. RESULTS: Of 181 participants randomly assigned to
      electroacupuncture combined with splinting (n = 90) or splinting alone (n = 91),
      174 (96.1%) completed all follow-up. The electroacupuncture group showed greater
      improvements at 17 weeks in symptoms (primary outcome of Symptom Severity Scale
      score mean difference [MD] -0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.36 to -0.03),
      disability (Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire score MD -6.72,
      95% CI -10.9 to -2.57), function (Functional Status Scale score MD -0.22, 95% CI 
      0.38 to -0.05), dexterity (time to complete blinded pick-up test MD -6.13
      seconds, 95% CI -10.6 to -1.63) and maximal tip pinch strength (MD 1.17 lb, 95%
      CI 0.48 to 1.86). Differences between groups were small and clinically
      unimportant for reduction in pain (numerical rating scale -0.70, 95% CI -1.34 to 
      0.06), and not significant for sensation (first finger monofilament test -0.08
      mm, 95% CI -0.22 to 0.06). INTERPRETATION: For patients with primary carpal
      tunnel syndrome, chronic mild to moderate symptoms and no indication for surgery,
      electroacupuncture produces small changes in symptoms, disability, function,
      dexterity and pinch strength when added to nocturnal splinting. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register no. ChiCTR-TRC-11001655
      (www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=7890); subsequently deposited in the
      World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform
      (apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ChiCTR-TRC-11001655).

PMID- 27270121
TI  - Curbing transplant tourism: Canadian physicians and the law.

PMID- 27270122
TI  - Gene Expression-Based Screen for Parkinson's Disease Identifies GW8510 as a
      Neuroprotective Agent.
AB  - We carried out a gene expression-based in silico screen in order to identify
      small molecules with gene-expression profiles that are anticorrelated with a gene
      expression profile for Parkinson's disease (PD). We identified the cyclin
      dependent kinase 2/5 (CDK2/5) inhibitor GW8510 as our most significant hit and
      characterized its effects in rodent MN9D cells and in human neuronal cells
      derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. GW8510 demonstrated neuroprotective
      ability in MN9D cells in the presence of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridium (MPP(+)), a
      widely used neurotoxin model for Parkinson's disease. In order to delineate the
      nature and extent of GW8510's neuroprotective properties, we studied GW8510 in
      human neuronal cells in the context of various mechanisms of cellular stress. We
      found that GW8510 was protective against small-molecule mitochondrial and
      endoplasmic reticulum stressors. Our findings illustrate an approach to using
      small-molecule gene expression libraries to identify compounds with therapeutic
      potential in human diseases.

PMID- 27270123
TI  - Culture as a mediator of gene-environment interaction: Cultural consonance,
      childhood adversity, a 2A serotonin receptor polymorphism, and depression in
      urban Brazil.
AB  - Research on gene-environment interaction was facilitated by breakthroughs in
      molecular biology in the late 20th century, especially in the study of mental
      health. There is a reliable interaction between candidate genes for depression
      and childhood adversity in relation to mental health outcomes. The aim of this
      paper is to explore the role of culture in this process in an urban community in
      Brazil. The specific cultural factor examined is cultural consonance, or the
      degree to which individuals are able to successfully incorporate salient cultural
      models into their own beliefs and behaviors. It was hypothesized that cultural
      consonance in family life would mediate the interaction of genotype and childhood
      adversity. In a study of 402 adult Brazilians from diverse socioeconomic
      backgrounds, conducted from 2011 to 2014, the interaction of reported childhood
      adversity and a polymorphism in the 2A serotonin receptor was associated with
      higher depressive symptoms. Further analysis showed that the gene-environment
      interaction was mediated by cultural consonance in family life, and that these
      effects were more pronounced in lower social class neighborhoods. The findings
      reinforce the role of the serotonergic system in the regulation of stress
      response and learning and memory, and how these processes in turn interact with
      environmental events and circumstances. Furthermore, these results suggest that
      gene-environment interaction models should incorporate a wider range of
      environmental experience and more complex pathways to better understand how genes
      and the environment combine to influence mental health outcomes.

PMID- 27270124
TI  - Core-Shell Structured o-LiMnO2@Li2CO3 Nanosheet Array Cathode for High
      Performance, Wide-Temperature-Tolerance Lithium-Ion Batteries.
AB  - To develop a high-capacity, high-rate, cycle-stable cathode material has long
      been the focus for lithium-ion battery (LIB) research. Recently, layer-structured
      orthorhombic-LiMnO2 (o-LMO) has attracted extensive interest owing to its large
      discharge capacities. However, poor cycle performance greatly hinders its
      practical application, especially at high temperatures. Conventional strategies
      to address this issue often lead to sacrificed rate performance and mostly work
      at low temperatures. Herein, we report a novel core-shell structured, o
      LiMnO2@Li2CO3 (o-LMO@Li2CO3) nanosheet array cathode, where the Li2CO3 shell
      improves cycle performance by preventing o-LMO dissolution in the electrolyte
      (even at an elevated temperature), the o-LMO core provides high capacities and
      the nanosheet array architecture ensures rate performance (to the best of our
      knowledge, this o-LMO nanosheet array architecture is reported for the first
      time). The above features work synergistically to give well-balanced cycle
      performance (79% capacity retention at 60  degrees C, 400 cycles), capacity (207
      mAh g(-1) at 0.5C) and rate performance (128 mAh g(-1) at 5C) of the o-LMO@
      Li2CO3 cathode as well as remarkable full-cell performance (~67% capacity
      retention for 400 cycles at ~2C, 60  degrees C). Our work demonstrates that the
      synergistic effect between the o-LMO core, Li2CO3 coating and the nanoarray
      structure is an effective strategy for developing high-energy/power density, high
      stability LIB cathodes. 

PMID- 27270125
TI  - Transcriptome sequencing of maraena whitefish (Coregonus maraena).
AB  - Maraena whitefish (Coregonus maraena, Bloch, 1779) is a high-quality food fish
      belonging to the family Salmonidae with considerable economic relevance in the
      Baltic area. Aquaculture of this species is fundamental for its successful
      conservation and thus sustainable fisheries. Robust fishes obtained from breeding
      lines build the basis for effective aquaculture. Doubtless, the utilization of
      transcriptome sequencing and identification of genetic markers contribute to this
      aim. 454 FLX Titanium Sequencing provided 1.31 million sequence reads
      representing a first insight into the C. maraena transcriptome. The 454 Newbler
      Assembly arranged 29,094 contigs with an average length of 798bp. We found a
      whole series of transcripts highly probably resulting from ancient genome
      duplication and annotated 2887 different transcripts with an average length of
      812bp. Functional annotation obtained a transcript composition predominantly
      comprising enzyme-coding genes.

PMID- 27270126
TI  - A transcriptome resource for pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) after ink
      ejection by brief pressing.
AB  - Ink ejection is one of the most important defense mechanisms against external
      stimuli for pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis). The molecular changes during
      this process remain unknown. To understand the transcriptome changes after ink
      ejection by brief pressing, two cDNA libraries of pharaoh cuttlefish, from the
      inkjet group and control group were sequenced using Illumina HiSeqTM 2000. A
      total of 9,255,502,440nt bases were obtained and by de novo assembly, 73,298
      unigenes were generated, which first provided numerous expressed sequence tags
      from pharaoh cuttlefish. By comparing the expression levels between the two
      groups, we identified 7064 up-regulated and 2024 down-regulated genes after ink
      ejection. These differentially-expressed genes included genes related to
      immunity, cancer, and blood coagulation, which indicated the various effects
      after ink ejection by brief pressing. These results provide new valuable
      resources for functional genomic and genetic studies on pharaoh cuttlefish. 

PMID- 27270127
TI  - Cyclovirus Vietnam DNA in immunodeficient patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cyclovirus Vietnam (CyCV-VN) is a CyCV detected in 2013 from
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with neurological disorders.
      Information on prevalence, pathogenesis and disease association of CyCV-VN is
      still very patchy. OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN: In this study, we have used a PCR
      assay targeting the Rep gene to investigate the prevalence of CyCV-VN infection
      in blood and CSF samples of 346 Italian subjects. RESULTS: Overall, 7% of blood
      samples were positive for CyCV-VN while the virus was not detected in any of the
      CSF samples. The prevalence of CyCV-VN was relatively high in HIV positive
      patients (21%), modest in patients with HBV or HCV infection (6%), and low in
      transplant recipient patients (2%). Positive patients showed low levels of CyCV
      VN viremia. The virus was not detected in serum samples from healthy individuals.
      Longitudinal analysis of serum samples obtained from selected patients showed a
      stable or transient presence of circulating CyCV-VN. CONCLUSIONS: The present
      study is the first to demonstrate CyCV-VN DNA circulation in Italy and to cast
      light on some biological aspects of this novel virus of men.

PMID- 27270128
TI  - Nonstructural protein (NS1) of human parvovirus B19 stimulates host innate
      immunity and blunts the exogenous type I interferon signaling in vitro.
AB  - B19 virus is a non-enveloped DNA virus and belongs to the family of parvoviridae.
      There are two large open reading frames (ORFs), nonstructural protein (NS1) and
      two capsid proteins (VP1 and VP2). Host innate immune responses form the first
      line of defense against many pathogen invasion. How B19 virus, especially its
      encoded viral proteins interacts with host innate immune system remains unknown.
      In this study we aim to investigate the effect of NS1 on the host innate immune
      response and exogenous type I IFN signaling. Here we found that the type I IFN
      can be stimulated by NS1. Interestingly, NS1 also plays an important role in
      inhibiting the exogenous type I IFN signaling at p-STAT1, ISRE and ISGs levels.
      We concluded that NS1 may play pivotal role in evading the host immune
      surveillance. Our data shed novel light on the pathogenesis of B19 viral
      infection and virus evasion strategies.

PMID- 27270129
TI  - Porcine deltacoronavirus: Overview of infection dynamics, diagnostic methods,
      prevalence and genetic evolution.
AB  - Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) was first reported in Hong Kong, China in 2012
      and reported in United States swine in February 2014. PDCoV has subsequently been
      detected in South Korea, mainland China, and Thailand. PDCoV has been
      experimentally confirmed to cause diarrhea in inoculated pigs and need to be
      differentially diagnosed from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and transmissible
      gastroenteritis virus in the field. Rapid diagnosis is critical for the
      implementation of efficient control strategies against PDCoV. Developing high
      quality diagnostic methods and understanding PDCoV infection dynamics to collect
      appropriate specimens at the appropriate time window are important to obtain
      reliable diagnostic results. Among the virological methods, PDCoV-specific RT-PCR
      remains the method of choice for the detection of PDCoV; immunohistochemistry
      combined with hematoxylin and eosin staining has also been commonly used to
      examine histopathological lesions caused by PDCoV. Serological assays can provide
      information about previous exposure to PDCoV and also determine antibody
      responses to infection or vaccination. Prevalence of PDCoV is lower compared to
      that of PEDV. However, among PDCoV-positive samples, co-infection with other
      enteric pathogen e.g. PEDV is common. It is also important to understand
      molecular epidemiology of PDCoV and genetic relationships of global PDCoVs. This
      review discusses PDCoV infection dynamics and appropriate sample collection for
      diagnostic testing, the commonly used virological and serological methods for
      PDCoV diagnosis, prevalence and genetic evolution of PDCoVs.

PMID- 27270136
TI  - Breznakia blatticola gen. nov. sp. nov. and Breznakia pachnodae sp. nov., two
      fermenting bacteria isolated from insect guts, and emended description of the
      family Erysipelotrichaceae.
AB  - Two novel, obligately anaerobic Firmicutes from the family Erysipelotrichaceae
      were isolated from the intestinal tracts of a cockroach (strain ErySL,
      Shelfordella lateralis) and a scarab beetle larva (strain Pei061, Pachnoda
      ephippiata). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strains belong to a
      monophyletic group of hitherto uncultured bacteria from insect guts that are only
      distantly related to any described species (<90% 16S rRNA gene sequence
      similarity). Ultrastructural analysis revealed a Gram-positive cell envelope and,
      in the case of strain ErySL, a wide electron-lucent space between the cytoplasmic
      membrane and cell wall. In older cultures, cells formed pleomorphic rods with a
      thicker peptidoglycan layer. Both strains were obligately anaerobic and fermented
      glucose to formate, ethanol, and acetate as major products, but strain Pei061
      tolerated up to 1% oxygen in the headspace. The same type of metabolism was
      observed with Erysipelothrix inopinata, except that the latter grew, albeit
      poorly, even under air. However, previous claims of a microaerophilic or
      facultatively anaerobic metabolism in the genus Erysipelothrix could not be
      substantiated. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, we propose to
      classify the isolates as members of a new genus, Breznakia blatticola gen. nov.
      sp. nov. and Breznakia pachnodae sp. nov., with strain ErySL(T) (=DSM
      28867(T)=JCM 30190(T)) and strain Pei061(T) (=DSM 16784(T)=JCM 30191(T)) as type
      strains, and provide an emended description of the family Erysipelotrichaceae. 

PMID- 27270137
TI  - Cost effectiveness of meniscal allograft for torn discoid lateral meniscus in
      young women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A discoid meniscus is more prone to tears than a normal meniscus.
      Patients with a torn discoid lateral meniscus are at increased risk for early
      onset osteoarthritis requiring total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Optimal management
      for this condition is controversial given the up-front cost difference between
      the two treatment options: the more expensive meniscal allograft transplantation
      compared with standard partial meniscectomy. We hypothesize that meniscal
      allograft transplantation following excision of a torn discoid lateral meniscus
      is more cost-effective compared with partial meniscectomy alone because
      allografts will extend the time to TKA. METHODS: A decision analytic Markov model
      was created to compare the cost effectiveness of two treatments for symptomatic,
      torn discoid lateral meniscus: meniscal allograft and partial meniscectomy.
      Probability estimates and event rates were derived from the scientific
      literature, and costs and benefits were discounted by 3%. One-way sensitivity
      analyses were performed to test model robustness. RESULTS: Over 25 years, the
      partial meniscectomy strategy cost $10,430, whereas meniscal allograft cost on
      average $4040 more, at $14,470. Partial meniscectomy postponed TKA an average of
      12.5 years, compared with 17.30 years for meniscal allograft, an increase of 4.8
      years. Allograft cost $842 per-year-gained in time to TKA. CONCLUSION: Meniscal
      allografts have been shown to reduce pain and improve function in patients with
      discoid lateral meniscus tears. Though more costly, meniscal allografts may be
      more effective than partial meniscectomy in delaying TKA in this model.
      Additional future long term clinical studies will provide more insight into
      optimal surgical options.

PMID- 27270138
TI  - Sexually acquired hepatitis C virus infection: a review.
AB  - Sexually acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a public health
      problem, with significant disease burden primarily in HIV-positive men who have
      sex with men (MSM). Over the past decades, the epidemic of sexually transmitted
      HCV infection has continued to expand and the epidemiology of HCV in HIV has
      changed significantly. In the post-combination antiretroviral therapy era, sexual
      network characteristics within the specific core group of MSM with increased
      sexual risk behaviours, including serosorting on the basis of HIV-positive status
      and intense mucosally traumatic sexual practices, confer increased HCV
      acquisition and transmission. This review summarizes the current epidemiology of
      sexually acquired HCV infection and the clinical and immunological contexts of
      acute HCV infection, and describes the biological, social, and behavioural
      factors that have facilitated permucosal transmission of HCV in MSM. While the
      advent of direct-acting antivirals has improved treatment responses
      significantly, sexually transmitted HCV reinfections occur in a substantial
      proportion of HIV-positive MSM following clearance of a primary infection.
      Effective strategies and preventive interventions that are tailored to the MSM
      communities to facilitate the control of sexually acquired HCV infection cannot
      be overemphasized. 

PMID- 27270139
TI  - Impacts of compound properties and sediment characteristics on the sorption
      behaviour of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems.
AB  - Sorption is a key factor in determining the persistence, attenuation and
      bioavailability of sediment-associated contaminants. However, our understanding
      of the sorption behaviour of pharmaceuticals in sediments is poor. In this study,
      we investigated the sorption behaviour of a diverse set of pharmaceuticals in a
      range sediment types. Sorption affinity of pharmaceuticals for all sediments was
      found to increase in the order mefenamic
      acid<cimetidine<atenolol<amitriptyline<diltiazem. Comparison of the experimental
      observations with predictions from an existing model for estimating sorption
      revealed the model worked poorly for the study pharmaceuticals. Multiple linear
      regression analysis was therefore used to develop new models for estimating
      sorption of individual pharmaceuticals based on sediment properties. The analyses
      indicated that sorption is related to properties such as Log Dow of a compound in
      the sediment (lipophilicity corrected for the sediment pH), cation exchange
      capacity, clay%, organic carbon content and exchangeable Ca(2+), although, with
      the exception of atenolol, robust relationships between sediment properties and
      sorption were not obtained. Overall, the results demonstrate how complex the
      processes are that drive the sorption of pharmaceuticals in sediments and
      highlight the need for generation of further experimental data and further model
      development work.

PMID- 27270142
TI  - [Current Status and Future Prospects of Charged Particle Radiation Therapy].

PMID- 27270143
TI  - [Surgical Outcome of Acute and Subacute Subdural Hematoma with Endoscopic
      Surgery].
AB  - Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and subacute subdural hematoma(SASDH)evacuations
      are commonly performed through a large craniotomy or with external decompression
      surgery to avoid secondary brain injury. In the field of head trauma, minimally
      invasive surgeries performed with neuroendoscopy were recently reported. We
      report 12 patients with ASDH( n=9) and SASDH (n=3)w ho underwent endoscopic
      hematoma evacuation via a small craniotomy between November 2013 and May 2015.
      All patients were over 65 years of age(mean age, 78.8 years[range, 65-91 years])
      and had subdural hematomas without extensive contusion. The mean preoperative
      Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score was 8.75 (range, 4-13). In three patients, we
      observed the bleeding point and substantially coagulated it. Decompression in all
      patients was adequate after surgery. Patients with a preoperative GCS score of 4
      6 showed poor outcomes, whereas those with a score >9 showed relatively good
      outcomes. We performed the operations safely in patients who were on
      antithrombotic therapy or had a systemic bleeding tendency pre-injury. Endoscopic
      hematoma evacuation via a small craniotomy is a safe and minimally invasive
      procedure in patients older than 65 years with comorbidities.

PMID- 27270140
TI  - Horizontal gene transfer events reshape the global landscape of arm race between
      viruses and homo sapiens.
AB  - Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) drives the evolution of recipient organism
      particularly if it provides a novel function which enhances the fitness or its
      adaption to the environment. Virus-host co-evolution is attractive for studying
      co-evolutionary processes, since viruses strictly replicate inside of the host
      cells and thus their evolution is inexorably tangled with host biology. HGT, as a
      mechanism of co-evolution between human and viruses, has been widely documented,
      however, the roles HGT play during the interaction between human and viruses are
      still in their infancy. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis on
      the genes horizontally transferred between viruses and their corresponding human
      hosts. Our study suggests that the HGT genes in human are predominantly enriched
      in immune related GO terms while viral HGT genes are tend to be encoded by
      viruses which promote the invasion of immune system of hosts. Based on our
      results, it gives us a hint about the evolution trajectory of HGT events.
      Overall, our study suggests that the HGT between human and viruses are highly
      relevant to immune interaction and probably reshaped the arm race between hosts
      and viruses.

PMID- 27270141
TI  - High-throughput screening of filamentous fungi using nanoliter-range droplet
      based microfluidics.
AB  - Filamentous fungi are an extremely important source of industrial enzymes because
      of their capacity to secrete large quantities of proteins. Currently, functional
      screening of fungi is associated with low throughput and high costs, which
      severely limits the discovery of novel enzymatic activities and better production
      strains. Here, we describe a nanoliter-range droplet-based microfluidic system
      specially adapted for the high-throughput sceening (HTS) of large filamentous
      fungi libraries for secreted enzyme activities. The platform allowed (i)
      compartmentalization of single spores in ~10 nl droplets, (ii) germination and
      mycelium growth and (iii) high-throughput sorting of fungi based on enzymatic
      activity. A 10(4) clone UV-mutated library of Aspergillus niger was screened
      based on alpha-amylase activity in just 90 minutes. Active clones were enriched
      196-fold after a single round of microfluidic HTS. The platform is a powerful
      tool for the development of new production strains with low cost, space and time
      footprint and should bring enormous benefit for improving the viability of
      biotechnological processes.

PMID- 27270144
TI  - [A Case of ECA-MCA Double Anastomoses for Hemorrhagic Type of Twig-Like MCA].
AB  - Herein, we describe the case of a superficial temporal artery(STA)- and occipital
      artery (OA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) double anastomoses that we performed to
      treat a hemorrhagic twig-like MCA. A 55-year-old man presented to our hospital
      for investigation of an incidentally identified left MCA occlusion. Left cerebral
      angiography revealed a twig-like MCA. The (123)I-IMP-single photon emission
      computed tomography( SPECT) demonstrated no reduction in the cerebral blood flow
      (CBF), so the patient was initially observed with no treatment. Three months
      later, he was readmitted with a disturbance of consciousness. The cranial
      computed tomography revealed a subcortical hemorrhage in the left frontotemporal
      region and a subdural hematoma. The hematoma was removed via emergency
      craniotomy. The abnormal vessels were identified and resected, but the parietal
      branch of the STA was damaged during the skin incision. The histological
      examination did not reveal the marked fibrous thickening of the intima or wavy
      internal elastic lamina typically seen with Moyamoya disease. Six months after
      the initial surgery, a STA-MCA bypass surgery was planned to prevent a future
      hemorrhage by reducing the hemodynamic overload of the twig-like MCA and
      improving the cerebral ischemia in the MCA territory that was detected on the
      preoperative SPECT. However, the parietal branch of the left STA had been injured
      during the first operation, so we performed a double anastomoses to the MCA using
      the frontal branch of the STA and the OA. The patient's postoperative course was
      uneventful and he was discharged 2 weeks after surgery. The follow-up study
      performed 1 year postoperatively demonstrated no evidence of cerebral infarction
      and revealed an improvement in the resting CBF and vascular reactivity in the
      left cerebral hemisphere. No subsequent cerebrovascular events have occurred in
      this patient during the 7 years since the double anastomoses surgery. Direct
      bypass for flow conversion from the internal carotid artery to the external
      carotid artery can be an indispensable treatment for patients with a hemorrhagic
      twig-like MCA.

PMID- 27270145
TI  - [A Case of an Adrenocorticotropic Hormone-Producing Pituitary Adenoma Removed via
      Electromagnetic-Guided Neuroendoscopy].
AB  - The use of navigation systems is safe and reliable for neurological surgery. We
      performed endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery to totally resect an
      adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing pituitary adenoma associated with
      oculomotor nerve palsy. A 70-year-old woman developed right ptosis 4 months
      before admission. She developed anisocoria 2 months later and was referred to the
      department of neurology from clinic. Brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)showed
      an intrasellar tumor that partially invaded the right cavernous sinus, and she
      was then referred to our department. She exhibited a round face ("moon face") and
      central obesity. Laboratory test results showed a high urinary cortisol level and
      high serum ACTH level, and neither the serum cortisol nor ACTH level was
      suppressed by a low-dose dexamethasone test. We performed transsphenoidal surgery
      using high-dimensional endoscopy under electromagnetic navigation. The tumor
      invading the cavernous sinus was visualized via endoscopy and confirmed on
      navigation using a flexible needle probe. Postoperative MRI showed total removal
      of the tumor, and the serum ACTH level recovered to the normal range. The
      patient's right oculomotor palsy resolved within 1 week postoperatively. In
      summary, electromagnetic navigation was useful for total resection of a pituitary
      tumor invading the cavernous sinus, contributing to normalization of the ACTH
      level and improvement in neurological symptoms.

PMID- 27270146
TI  - [Pineal Parenchymal Tumor with Marked Cytologic Pleomorphism: Is there a
      Correlation with the Malignancy Grade?].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In benign pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs), namely,
      pineocytoma(PC)and PPT of intermediate differentiation (PPTID), cytologic
      pleomorphism has occasionally been found;however, it is controversial as to
      whether the presence of pleomorphic cells leads to upgrading of tumors. We
      experienced a rare case of pleomorphic PPT in an elderly woman and compared it
      with a retrospective series of 12 PPTs (PC:3, PPTID:6, pineoblastoma[PB]:3)to
      evaluate the correlation between pleomorphism and the malignancy grade. CASE AND
      MATERIALS: A 76-year-old woman presented with gradual cognitive deterioration and
      gait disturbance. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(Gd-MRI)revealed
      a small, enhanced tumor in the pineal gland with marked hydrocephalus. Endoscopic
      tumor biopsy and third ventriculostomy were performed simultaneously. The tumor
      was soft, pinkish, and slightly hemorrhagic. After the biopsy, the patient
      underwent gamma knife radiosurgery. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The PPT presented with
      areas of tumor cells forming pineocytomatous rosettes and areas of giant and
      multinucleated cells with hyperchromatic nuclei. Neither mitosis nor necrosis was
      observed. The tumor cells were positive for synaptophysin(SYN)and
      neurofilament(NF), but negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and
      oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 (Olig2). The MIB-1 labeling
      index(LI)was 8.1%. There was no difference in the MIB-1 LI between pleomorphic
      and non-pleomorphic areas. All the 12 PPTs were immunopositive for the neuronal
      markers SYN and NF. The MIB-1 LI was 0% in PC, 3.5% in PPTID, and 10.5% in PB.
      The proliferative potential was correlated with the WHO grade. From these
      findings, the final diagnosis of this pleomorphic case was PPTID grade II, not
      PC, because the MIB-1 LI was relatively high, even though some tumor cells were
      forming pineocytomatous rosettes. CONCLUSION: Although cytologic pleomorphism in
      PPTs is generally considered not to be correlated with the malignancy grade, the
      final pathological diagnosis should be determined while considering the
      proliferative potential.

PMID- 27270147
TI  - [A Case of Carotid Free-Floating Thrombus Treated by Carotid Ultrasonography
      Guided Endovascular Approach].
AB  - We experienced a case of carotid free-floating thrombus treated by carotid
      ultrasonography-guided endovascular approach. A 63-year-old man was brought to
      our hospital with the chief complaint of sudden onset left hemiplegia. MRI
      revealed acute infarction of the right MCA territory due to the right M1
      occlusion. Carotid ultrasonography showed a pedunculated, polypoid mobile plaque
      floating with the cardiac beat. We attempted ultrasonography-guided endovascular
      treatment. Under proximal balloon protection, the floating plaque was
      successfully aspirated into the Penumbra aspiration catheter. Carotid stent was
      also placed to stabilize the residual pedicle of the plaque. Aspirated plaque was
      identified as fresh thrombus by pathological examination. Carotid ultrasonography
      guided endovascular approach was effective for getting the picture of real-time
      dynamics of the carotid FFT. 

PMID- 27270148
TI  - [A Dumbbell-Type Thoracic Spinal Lipoma: A Case Report].
AB  - Spinal lipomas are rare, accounting for less than 1% of all spinal tumors. Most
      are associated with spinal dysraphism. Spinal lipomas without spinal dysraphism
      are uncommon;they are typically subpial tumors. Some tumors are located both
      inside and outside the dura mater (so-called "dumbbell-type"). Herein, we report
      a patient with a dumbbell-type thoracic spinal lipoma. A man in his 50's
      complained of progressive gait disturbance, dysesthesia in his left leg, and
      hyperesthesia in his right leg. His symptoms were worsened by exercise. CT and
      MRI revealed a thoracic spinal lipoma extending from the spinal cord to the
      intervertebral foramen at the Th 6-8 level. He underwent partial tumor removal
      and untethering. Postoperatively he reported gradual symptom abatement. Dumbbell
      type spinal lipomas are very rare. Besides partial removal of the tumor,
      untethering should be considered when symptoms are associated with tethering of
      the spinal cord.

PMID- 27270149
TI  - [Successful Treatment of Repeated Bilateral Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion by
      Performing Mechanical Thrombectomy in a Patient with Trousseau Syndrome].
AB  - We report a patient with Trousseau syndrome who presented with repeated acute
      middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, which was successfully treated by
      performing mechanical thrombectomy. A 66-year-old man with a lung lesion and
      abdominal lymph node swelling experienced a sudden onset of left hemiparesis.
      Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed a right MCA occlusion. Perfusion
      weighted imaging revealed reduced cerebral blood flow in the right MCA territory.
      Complete recanalization of the occluded vessel was achieved by performing
      mechanical thrombectomy, and his symptoms remarkably disappeared. Twenty days
      after the procedure, he experienced right hemiparesis and total aphasia. MRA
      revealed a left MCA occlusion, which was located on the contralateral side of the
      first occlusion. The second mechanical thrombectomy was successfully performed,
      and complete recanalization was successfully achieved. Right hemiparesis improved
      after the procedure. Histological examination of the retrieved clots revealed
      coagulated fibrin and platelets. Cytodiagnosis of pleural effusion revealed
      adenocarcinoma, and he was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma and cancerous
      pleurisy. Trousseau syndrome was the presumed primary cause of the patient's
      tendency for thrombogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, there were no reports
      regarding the repeated use of mechanical thrombectomy for patients with bilateral
      MCA occlusion caused by Trousseau syndrome. Neuroendovascular therapy can offer
      good neurological outcomes even in patients with malignant lesions.

PMID- 27270150
TI  - [Unilateral Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome after Ventriculo
      Peritoneal Shunt for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Following Subarachnoid
      Hemorrhage: A Case Report].
AB  - The patient, a 79-year-old man, experienced a Hunt & Kosnik grade IV subarachnoid
      hemorrhage, presenting with sudden-onset coma and severe left hemiplegia. We
      performed cranial clipping surgery for a ruptured aneurysm on the right middle
      cerebral artery the same day. Post-operative recovery proceeded smoothly, with
      gradual improvements in disturbed consciousness and left hemiplegia. Three weeks
      post-operation, CT revealed low-density areas in the right frontal and temporal
      lobe, believed to be due to subarachnoid hemorrhage, as well as hydrocephaly. We
      then performed a lumbo-peritoneal (L-P) shunt for the hydrocephaly. Two months
      later, the patient experienced shunt occlusion, and we performed a ventriculo
      peritoneal (V-P) shunt revision (pressure: 6 cm H(2)O). Headaches, severe decline
      in cognitive function, and worsened left hemiplegia were observed seven weeks
      post-shunt revision. Cranial CT revealed widespread low-density areas in right
      posterior cerebral white matter. We suspected unilateral posterior reversible
      encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) after performing cranial MRI and cerebral
      angiography. Increasing the set pressure of the shunt improved the symptoms and
      radiographic findings. PRES is typically bilateral, and unilateral incidents are
      rare. This is the first report of unilateral PRES secondary to shunt operation.
      Its unilaterality appears to have been caused by unilateral brain damage or
      adhesions to the brain surface from the subarachnoid cerebral hemorrhage.
      Overdrainage post-shunt can also induce PRES. Diagnosis of PRES is more difficult
      in unilateral cases;practitioners must keep PRES in mind as a rare complication
      post-shunt operation.

PMID- 27270151
TI  - [A Case of Ruptured Internal Carotid-Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm
      Associated with Acute Subdural Hematoma, Extending from the Interhemispheric
      Space to the Posterior Fossa].
AB  - A 69-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a sudden severe
      headache without a history of head trauma. CT and MRI revealed an acute subdural
      hematoma (ASDH) extending from the right interhemispheric space to the posterior
      fossa bilaterally, with a small amount of subarachnoid hemorrhage that was
      predominantly localized to the left side of the basal cistern. CT angiogram
      demonstrated a long protruding ruptured aneurysm at the junction of the right
      internal carotid and posterior communicating arteries (IC/PC AN) with a
      posteroinferior projection, associated with a small bleb located near the
      tentorial edge close to the ipsilateral posterior clinoid process, for which she
      received clipping surgery. Though rare, IC/PC AN could cause pure or nearly pure
      ASDH in the above-mentioned distribution. Therefore, in patients with such ASDH,
      especially without a history of head injury or precise information regarding the
      situation at the time of onset, urgent imaging evaluation and early intervention
      are essential to prevent devastating re-rupture events.

PMID- 27270152
TI  - Tailoring the Microstructure of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode Support by
      Calcination and Milling of YSZ.
AB  - In this study, the effects of calcination and milling of 8YSZ (8 mol% yttria
      stabilized zirconia) used in the nickel-YSZ anode on the performance of anode
      supported tubular fuel cells were investigated. For this purpose, two different
      types of cells were prepared based on a Ni-YSZ/YSZ/Nd2NiO4+delta-YSZ
      configuration. For the anode preparation, a suspension was prepared by mixing NiO
      and YSZ in a ratio of 65:35 wt% (Ni:YSZ 50:50 vol.%) with 30 vol.% graphite as
      the pore former. As received Tosoh YSZ or its calcined form (heated at 1500 
      degrees C for 3 hours) was used in the anode support as the YSZ source.
      Electrochemical results showed that optimization of the fuel electrode
      microstructure is essential for the optimal distribution of gas within the
      support of the cell, especially under electrolysis operation where the
      performance for an optimized cell (calcined YSZ) was enhanced by a factor of two.
      In comparison with a standard cell (containing as received YSZ), at 1.5 V and 800
      degrees C the measured current density was -1380 mA cm(-2) and -690 mA cm(-2)
      for the cells containing calcined and as received YSZ, respectively. The present
      study suggests that the anode porosity for improved cell performance under SOEC
      is more critical than SOFC mode due to more complex gas diffusion under
      electrolysis mode where large amount of steam needs to be transfered into the
      cell.

PMID- 27270154
TI  - National Psoriasis Foundation: a patient-centric approach to improve access to
      psoriatic disease treatment.
AB  - Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are serious autoimmune diseases requiring
      lifelong management and support. Uncontrolled psoriatic disease wields a
      significant impact on the lives of those affected, resulting in lowered quality
      of life, disability, depression, increased risk of related illnesses (eg, heart
      disease, diabetes), and early mortality. In National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF)
      surveys, roughly two-thirds of patients with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis
      said their disease made them feel angry, frustrated, and/or helpless, and more
      than half said psoriasis interfered with their ability to enjoy life. The
      economic burden of psoriasis is equally daunting, and NPF surveys consistently
      report cost to be a significant barrier to treatment. This challenge is one of
      many reasons the NPF launched an aggressive strategic plan in 2014 intended to:
      1) cut in half the number of patients who report that their condition is a
      problem in everyday life, 2) increase by 50% the number of patients receiving the
      right treatment, and 3) double the number of healthcare providers effectively
      managing patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The NPF has launched
      several large-scale projects-including the development and implementation of
      solutions that reduce high out-of-pocket costs-intended to significantly increase
      the number of people with psoriatic disease who are effectively managing their
      condition. 

PMID- 27270155
TI  - Accessing the cure: helping patients with hepatitis C overcome barriers to care.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an illustrative example of the dilemma faced by
      patients in the American healthcare landscape: HCV is a chronic, progressive
      disease for which a cure exists, but at such high prices that cost-sharing
      innovations create significant barriers to care, treatment, and cure. Previous
      HCV treatments were ineffective and had a wide range of severe side effects, so
      much so, that both patients and their providers chose to wait for newer and more
      effective options. Yet, once these options became available, cost-sharing
      mechanisms, such as plan premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance,
      created barriers to treatment, producing a large pool of patients infected with
      HCV who are willing but unable to access a cure. In response, advocacy
      organizations like the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable and Project Inform
      have developed innovative strategies to improve access to HCV care and treatment.

PMID- 27270156
TI  - An introduction to the Patient Access Network Foundation and AJMC collaborative
      supplement.

PMID- 27270157
TI  - High cost sharing and specialty drug initiation under Medicare Part D: a case
      study in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Specialty drugs often offer medical advances but are frequently
      subject to high cost sharing. This is particularly true with Medicare Part D,
      where after meeting a deductible, patients without low-income subsidies (non-LIS)
      typically face 25% to 33% coinsurance (initial coverage phase with "specialty
      tier" cost sharing), followed by ~50% coinsurance (coverage gap phase), and then
      5% coinsurance (catastrophic phase). Yet, no studies have examined the impact of
      such high cost sharing on specialty drug initiation under Part D. Oral tyrosine
      kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment of chronic myeloid
      leukemia (CML), making it an apt case study. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective claims
      based analysis utilizing 2011 to 2013 100% Medicare claims. METHODS: TKI
      initiation rates and time to initiation were compared between fee-for-service non
      LIS Part D patients newly diagnosed with CML and their LIS counterparts who faced
      nominal cost sharing of <= $5. RESULTS: The first 30-day TKI fill "straddled"
      benefit phases, for a mean out-of-pocket cost of $2600 or more for non-LIS
      patients. Non-LIS patients were less likely than LIS patients to have a TKI claim
      within 6 months of diagnosis (45.3% vs 66.9%; P < .001) and those initiating a
      TKI took twice as long to fill it (mean = 50.9 vs 23.7 days; P < .001). Cox
      regressions controlling for sociodemographic, clinical, and plan characteristics
      confirmed descriptive findings (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.45-0.76). Extensive
      sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of our findings. CONCLUSIONS: High
      cost sharing was associated with reduced and/or delayed initiation of TKIs. We
      discuss policy strategies to reduce current financial barriers that adversely
      impact access to critical therapies under Medicare Part D.

PMID- 27270158
TI  - The redesign of consumer cost sharing for specialty drugs at the California
      Health Insurance Exchange.
AB  - This paper describes the redesign of health benefits at Covered California-the
      nation's largest health insurance exchange, which covers 1.3 million individuals,
      and its benefit designs extending to hundreds of thousands more enrollees through
      insurance products sold outside the exchange-with respect to specialty drugs for
      the 2016 enrollment year. The catalyst for benefit redesign came from advocacy
      organizations representing patients suffering from HIV, multiple sclerosis,
      epilepsy, hepatitis C, and other chronic conditions. The first component of the
      benefit redesign creates a separate deductible for pharmaceutical expenditures,
      with a commensurate reduction in the deductible for other (medical) expenditures.
      The second component requires health plans to assign at least 1 specialty drug
      for each therapeutic class to a nonspecialty tier, offering patients a treatment
      option for which they are not exposed to coinsurance. The third component imposes
      a monthly payment limit of $250 for each specialty drug prescription, thereby
      buffering patients using these drugs against the $6250 individual, or $13,500
      family, annual medical payment limit. The pharmacy deductible and monthly out-of
      pocket payment limit are substantially lower for low-income enrollees in the
      subsidized silver-tier products. The Covered California redesign indicates that
      patients can be shielded from the most onerous cost-sharing burdens while keeping
      premiums affordable for the entire enrolled population; however, sustainable
      access to care requires reductions in the underlying cost of new clinical
      technologies. 

PMID- 27270159
TI  - Practical solutions when facing cost sharing: the American Cancer Society's
      Health Insurance Assistance Service.
AB  - The American Cancer Society (ACS) has been a leading voice for healthcare reform
      and an informed advocate for effective health insurance reforms. Since the
      implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the ACS has observed a shift in
      inquiries to its Health Insurance Assistance Service (HIAS) from individuals
      seeking coverage, to a growing problem of individuals presenting issues from
      being underinsured. Underinsured patients with cancer face serious financial
      challenges due to large co-pays and coinsurance costs. HIAS was created to help
      these patients identify potential options for insurance coverage while tracking
      patient trends. The types of calls received by HIAS have been captured as part of
      an internal database that allows for the analysis of trends and emerging issues.
      By evaluating several case studies that illustrate common issues faced by
      underinsured individuals, we identified solutions ranging from exploring
      financial assistance programs, such as co-pay relief and providing appeal
      information, to searching for more adequate or affordable insurance options.
      Additionally, the ACS has worked to find strong partnerships with other nonprofit
      organizations to aid in cost relief. Although the ACA has made plans available to
      many patients and their families, the maximum for an individual's in-network out
      of-pocket costs are still too high for many individuals. New approaches are
      needed to improve the cost protection of health plans. By documenting access
      problems faced by patients with cancer, the ACS is better positioned to tell
      policy makers about the concerns of real patients and work toward policy
      solutions. 

PMID- 27270160
TI  - The MS Center of Saint Louis: a practice perspective of the impacts of high cost
      sharing.
AB  - As treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) has become increasingly expensive,
      patients have had to shoulder a greater cost-sharing burden. This case study
      follows a fictitious patient as she encounters the common cost-related barriers
      to treatment that have been observed by providers at the MS Center of Saint
      Louis. Medications, tests to monitor patient safety on medications, physical
      therapy, occupational therapy, medical equipment, mental health counseling,
      transportation, and modifications to house or vehicles are all common needs of MS
      patients that increase their cost burden. The MS Center of Saint Louis provides
      care management and education to help patients budget for expected expenses and
      navigate resources for assistance. However, this will ultimately be an
      unsustainable solution without substantial policy change. 

PMID- 27270161
TI  - In-office dispensing of oral oncolytics: a continuity of care and cost mitigation
      model for cancer patients.
AB  - The high cost of cancer therapies continues to lead to questions of affordability
      for the healthcare system and to patients. Ensuring patient access to oral cancer
      drugs presents a unique set of challenges due to the significant cost of these
      novel agents, healthcare/payer policies, and established distribution practices.
      The National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc (NCODA) is a
      grassroots, nonprofit organization established by pharmacists who are directly
      involved at the community practice level in assisting patients with the
      acquisition of their oral cancer drugs. Community oncology practices that embrace
      the NCODA Quality Standards are able to provide exceptional patient care by
      providing direct access to oral cancer drugs through the in-practice dispensary.
      Patient continuity of care is ensured by allowing practice staff to manage all
      aspects of drug therapy-from initial dispense to completion of therapy-and in
      practice dispensing allows for improved patient convenience, safety, and
      compliance. Practice staff in the dispensary area work directly with patients to
      address the insurance coverage limitations and financial toxicity of procuring
      these drugs. Medicare patients are not eligible to take advantage of patient
      assistance and/or co-pay programs that have been established by pharmaceutical
      companies. Foundations such as the Patient Access Network Foundation have been
      established to provide assistance to Medicare patients. This case report focuses
      on a new dispensary in a moderately sized oncology community practice that
      prescribes to the NCODA Quality Standards and outlines the processes developed to
      assist Medicare patients in accessing their oral cancer medications. 

PMID- 27270162
TI  - Programmable DNA Nanosystem for Molecular Interrogation.
AB  - We describe a self-assembling DNA-based nanosystem for interrogating molecular
      interactions. The nanosystem contains a rigid supporting dumbbell-shaped frame, a
      cylindrical central core, and a mobile ring that is coaxial with the core. Motion
      of the ring is influenced by several control elements whose force-generating
      capability is based on the transition of single-stranded DNA to double-stranded
      DNA. These forces can be directed to act in opposition to adhesive forces between
      the ring and the frame thereby providing a mechanism for molecular detection and
      interrogation at the ring-frame interface. As proof of principle we use this
      system to evaluate base stacking adhesion and demonstrate detection of a soluble
      nucleic acid viral genome mimic.

PMID- 27270165
TI  - THE CANON - 1.

PMID- 27270163
TI  - Platelet-Monocyte Aggregates and C-Reactive Protein are Associated with VTE in
      Older Surgical Patients.
AB  - Emerging evidence implicates platelets as key mediators of venous thromboembolism
      (VTE). Nevertheless, the pathways by which platelets and circulating procoagulant
      proteins synergistically orchestrate VTE remain incompletely understood. We
      prospectively determined whether activated platelets and systemic procoagulant
      factors were associated with VTE in 32 older orthopedic surgery patients.
      Circulating platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMAs), p-selectin expression (P-SEL),
      and integrin alphaIIbbeta3 activation (PAC-1 binding) were assessed pre
      operatively and 24 hours post-operatively. The proinflammatory and procoagulant
      molecule C-reactive protein (CRP), which induces PMA formation in vitro, along
      with plasma d-dimer and fibrinogen levels were also measured. The primary outcome
      was VTE occurring within 30 days post-operatively. Overall, 40.6% of patients
      developed VTE. Patients with VTE had a significant increase in circulating PMAs
      and CRP post-operatively, compared to those without VTE. Changes in PMA and CRP
      in VTE patients were significantly correlated (r(2) = 0.536, p = 0.004). In
      contrast, P-SEL expression and PAC-1 binding, fibrinogen levels, and d-dimers
      were not associated with VTE. This is the first study to identify that increased
      circulating PMAs and CRP levels are early markers associated with post-surgical
      VTE. Our findings also provide new clinical evidence supporting the interplay
      between PMAs and CRP in patients with VTE.

PMID- 27270164
TI  - MTHFR gene polymorphisms and methotrexate toxicity in adult patients with
      hematological malignancies: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MTHFR gene polymorphisms has been shown to be associated with
      methotrexate (MTX) toxicity in adult hematological malignancies; however, the
      results remain inconclusive. MATERIALS & METHODS: To examine the role of common
      MTHFR variants in MTX toxicity prediction, we performed a meta-analysis via
      identifying relevant studies for quantitative data pooling. RESULTS: Our results
      showed a significant association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and increased
      risk of MTX-induced all-grade (grade 1-4) and severe (grade 3-4) hepatic and
      gastrointestinal toxicities in Caucasian independent of MTX dosage. MTHFR 677T
      allele increased risk of severe mucositis and all-grade hematological toxicity.
      MTHFR A1298C polymorphism was not significantly associated with hepatic and
      hematological toxicity, whereas perhaps having a protective effect on mucositis
      and gastrointestinal toxicity. CONCLUSION: MTHFR C677T polymorphism may be a good
      predictor for MTX toxicity in adult hematological malignancies.

PMID- 27270166
TI  - The end of stigma? Changes in the social experience of long-term illness, by Gill
      Green.

PMID- 27270167
TI  - Anthropology & Medicine.

PMID- 27270168
TI  - Would Brexit stop the flow of doctors and patients between EU countries?

PMID- 27270169
TI  - Stimulated infrared thermography applied to differentiate scar tissue from peri
      scar tissue: a preliminary study.
AB  - Every human injury leads to a scar formation. The healing process leads to the
      formation of new tissue: the scar, which is different from the original tissue.
      This process is influenced by mechanical strength and the local vasculature is
      modified. The purpose of this study is to show that there are various
      temperatures between the scar and the peri-scar area associated with the healing
      process that can be estimated using the thermal infrared camera. In the study, 12
      scars were stimulated by cold. Several changes of temperature were observed
      between scar and peri-scar area for 10 min. Scars appeared significantly colder
      with a Wilcoxon test (p = 0.01). Results showed that stimulated infrared
      thermography can be used to monitor the temperature difference between the scar
      and peri-scar tissue. 

PMID- 27270170
TI  - Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 promotes angiotensin II sensitivity in
      preeclampsia.
AB  - Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in which patients develop
      profound sensitivity to vasopressors, such as angiotensin II, and is associated
      with substantial morbidity for the mother and fetus. Enhanced vasoconstrictor
      sensitivity and elevations in soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT1), a
      circulating antiangiogenic protein, precede clinical signs and symptoms of
      preeclampsia. Here, we report that overexpression of sFlt1 in pregnant mice
      induced angiotensin II sensitivity and hypertension by impairing endothelial
      nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and promoting oxidative stress in
      the vasculature. Administration of the NOS inhibitor l-NAME to pregnant mice
      recapitulated the angiotensin sensitivity and oxidative stress observed with
      sFlt1 overexpression. Sildenafil, an FDA-approved phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor
      that enhances NO signaling, reversed sFlt1-induced hypertension and angiotensin
      II sensitivity in the preeclampsia mouse model. Sildenafil treatment also
      improved uterine blood flow, decreased uterine vascular resistance, and improved
      fetal weights in comparison with untreated sFlt1-expressing mice. Finally, sFLT1
      protein expression inversely correlated with reductions in eNOS phosphorylation
      in placental tissue of human preeclampsia patients. These data support the
      concept that endothelial dysfunction due to high circulating sFLT1 may be the
      primary event leading to enhanced vasoconstrictor sensitivity that is
      characteristic of preeclampsia and suggest that targeting sFLT1-induced pathways
      may be an avenue for treating preeclampsia and improving fetal outcomes.

PMID- 27270171
TI  - Persistent 7-tesla phase rim predicts poor outcome in new multiple sclerosis
      patient lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In some active multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions, a strong immune
      reaction at the lesion edge may contain growth and thereby isolate the lesion
      from the surrounding parenchyma. Our previous studies suggest that this process
      involves opening of the blood-brain barrier in capillaries at the lesion edge,
      seen on MRI as centripetal contrast enhancement and a colocalized phase rim. We
      hypothesized that using these features to characterize early lesion evolution
      will allow in vivo tracking of tissue degeneration and/or repair, thus improving
      the evaluation of potential therapies for chronic active lesions. METHODS:
      Centripetally and centrifugally enhancing lesions were studied in 17 patients
      with MS using 7-tesla MRI. High-resolution, susceptibility-weighted, T1-weighted
      (before/after gadolinium), and dynamic contrast-enhanced scans were acquired at
      baseline and months 1, 3, 6, and 12. For each lesion, time evolution of the phase
      rim, lesion volume, and T1 hypointensity were assessed. In autopsies of 3
      progressive MS cases, the histopathology of the phase rim was determined.
      RESULTS: In centripetal lesions, a phase rim colocalized with initial contrast
      enhancement. In 12 of 22, this phase rim persisted after enhancement resolved.
      Compared with centripetal lesions with transient rim, those with persistent rim
      had less volume shrinkage and became more T1 hypointense between months 3 and 12.
      No centrifugal lesions developed phase rims at any time point. Pathologically,
      persistent rims corresponded to an iron-laden inflammatory myeloid cell
      population at the edge of chronic demyelinated lesions. CONCLUSION: In early
      lesion evolution, a persistent phase rim in lesions that shrink least and become
      more T1 hypointense over time suggests that the rim might mark failure of early
      lesion repair and/or irreversible tissue damage. In later stages of MS, phase rim
      lesions continue to smolder, exerting detrimental effects on affected brain
      tissue. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00001248. FUNDING: The Intramural Research Program
      of NINDS supported this study.

PMID- 27270172
TI  - GABA interneurons mediate the rapid antidepressant-like effects of scopolamine.
AB  - Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a recurring psychiatric illness that causes
      substantial health and socioeconomic burdens. Clinical reports have revealed that
      scopolamine, a nonselective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist,
      produces rapid antidepressant effects in individuals with MDD. Preclinical models
      suggest that these rapid antidepressant effects can be recapitulated with
      blockade of M1-type muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1-AChR); however, the
      cellular mechanisms underlying activity-dependent synaptic and behavioral
      responses to scopolamine have not been determined. Here, we demonstrate that the
      antidepressant-like effects of scopolamine are mediated by GABA interneurons in
      the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Both GABAergic (GAD67+) interneurons and
      glutamatergic (CaMKII+) interneurons in the mPFC expressed M1-AChR. In mice,
      viral-mediated knockdown of M1-AChR specifically in GABAergic neurons, but not
      glutamatergic neurons, in the mPFC attenuated the antidepressant-like effects of
      scopolamine. Immunohistology and electrophysiology showed that somatostatin (SST)
      interneurons in the mPFC express M1-AChR at higher levels than parvalbumin
      interneurons. Moreover, knockdown of M1-AChR in SST interneurons in the mPFC
      demonstrated that M1-AChR expression in these neurons is required for the rapid
      antidepressant-like effects of scopolamine. These data indicate that SST
      interneurons in the mPFC are a promising pharmacological target for developing
      rapid-acting antidepressant therapies.

PMID- 27270173
TI  - Eulogy for the clinical research center.
AB  - The extramural General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) program has been funded
      for more than 50 years, first by the National Center for Research Resources, NIH,
      and more recently as part of the Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA)
      program through the newly formed National Center for Advancing Translation
      Sciences (NCATS). The GCRCs represent the federally funded laboratories that
      employ a highly trained cadre of research nurses, dietitians, and other support
      staff and in which generations of clinical investigators trained and performed
      groundbreaking human studies that advanced medical science and improved clinical
      care. Without the opportunity for adequate discussion, NCATS has now stopped
      funding these Research Centers. In this "eulogy," we review the origins and
      history of the GCRCs, their contributions to the advancement of medicine, and the
      recent events that have essentially defunded them. We mourn their loss.

PMID- 27270174
TI  - Angiopoietin receptor TEK mutations underlie primary congenital glaucoma with
      variable expressivity.
AB  - Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is a devastating eye disease and an important
      cause of childhood blindness worldwide. In PCG, defects in the anterior chamber
      aqueous humor outflow structures of the eye result in elevated intraocular
      pressure (IOP); however, the genes and molecular mechanisms involved in the
      etiology of these defects have not been fully characterized. Previously, we
      observed PCG-like phenotypes in transgenic mice that lack functional angiopoietin
      TEK signaling. Herein, we identified rare TEK variants in 10 of 189 unrelated PCG
      families and demonstrated that each mutation results in haploinsufficiency due to
      protein loss of function. Multiple cellular mechanisms were responsible for the
      loss of protein function resulting from individual TEK variants, including an
      absence of normal protein production, protein aggregate formation, enhanced
      proteasomal degradation, altered subcellular localization, and reduced
      responsiveness to ligand stimulation. Further, in mice, hemizygosity for Tek led
      to the formation of severely hypomorphic Schlemm's canal and trabecular meshwork,
      as well as elevated IOP, demonstrating that anterior chamber vascular development
      is sensitive to Tek gene dosage and the resulting decrease in angiopoietin-TEK
      signaling. Collectively, these results identify TEK mutations in patients with
      PCG that likely underlie disease and are transmitted in an autosomal dominant
      pattern with variable expressivity.

PMID- 27270175
TI  - Phosphorylation state-dependent modulation of spinal glycine receptors alleviates
      inflammatory pain.
AB  - Diminished inhibitory neurotransmission in the superficial dorsal horn of the
      spinal cord is thought to contribute to chronic pain. In inflammatory pain,
      reductions in synaptic inhibition occur partially through prostaglandin E2- (PGE2
      ) and PKA-dependent phosphorylation of a specific subtype of glycine receptors
      (GlyRs) that contain alpha3 subunits. Here, we demonstrated that 2,6-di-tert
      butylphenol (2,6-DTBP), a nonanesthetic propofol derivative, reverses
      inflammation-mediated disinhibition through a specific interaction with
      heteromeric alphabetaGlyRs containing phosphorylated alpha3 subunits. We
      expressed mutant GlyRs in HEK293T cells, and electrophysiological analyses of
      these receptors showed that 2,6-DTBP interacted with a conserved phenylalanine
      residue in the membrane-associated stretch between transmembrane regions 3 and 4
      of the GlyR alpha3 subunit. In native murine spinal cord tissue, 2,6-DTBP
      modulated synaptic, presumably alphabeta heteromeric, GlyRs only after priming
      with PGE2. This observation is consistent with results obtained from molecular
      modeling of the alpha-beta subunit interface and suggests that in
      alpha3betaGlyRs, the binding site is accessible to 2,6-DTBP only after PKA
      dependent phosphorylation. In murine models of inflammatory pain, 2,6-DTBP
      reduced inflammatory hyperalgesia in an alpha3GlyR-dependent manner. Together,
      our data thus establish that selective potentiation of GlyR function is a
      promising strategy against chronic inflammatory pain and that, to our knowledge,
      2,6-DTBP has a unique pharmacological profile that favors an interaction with
      GlyRs that have been primed by peripheral inflammation.

PMID- 27270177
TI  - Clinical responses with T lymphocytes targeting malignancy-associated kappa light
      chains.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment of B cell malignancies with adoptive transfer of T cells
      with a CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) shows remarkable clinical
      efficacy. However, long-term persistence of T cells targeting CD19, a pan-B cell
      marker, also depletes normal B cells and causes severe hypogammaglobulinemia.
      Here, we developed a strategy to target B cell malignancies more selectively by
      taking advantage of B cell light Ig chain restriction. We generated a CAR that is
      specific for the kappa light chain (kappa.CAR) and therefore recognizes kappa
      restricted cells and spares the normal B cells expressing the nontargeted lambda
      light chain, thus potentially minimizing humoral immunity impairment. METHODS: We
      conducted a phase 1 clinical trial and treated 16 patients with relapsed or
      refractory kappa+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (NHL/CLL) or
      multiple myeloma (MM) with autologous T cells genetically modified to express
      kappa.CAR (kappa.CARTs). Other treatments were discontinued in 11 of the 16
      patients at least 4 weeks prior to T cell infusion. Six patients without
      lymphopenia received 12.5 mg/kg cyclophosphamide 4 days before kappa.CART
      infusion (0.2 * 108 to 2 * 108 kappa.CARTs/m2). No other lymphodepletion was
      used. RESULTS: kappa.CART expansion peaked 1-2 weeks after infusion, and cells
      remained detectable for more than 6 weeks. Of 9 patients with relapsed NHL or
      CLL, 2 entered complete remission after 2 and 3 infusions of kappa.CARTs, and 1
      had a partial response. Of 7 patients with MM, 4 had stable disease lasting 2-17
      months. No toxicities attributable to kappa.CARTs were observed. CONCLUSION:
      kappa.CART infusion is feasible and safe and can lead to complete clinical
      responses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00881920. FUNDING: National
      Cancer Institute (NCI) grants 3P50CA126752 and 5P30CA125123 and Leukemia and
      Lymphoma Society (LLS) Specialized Centers of Research (SCOR) grant 7018.

PMID- 27270178
TI  - Enhanced Visualization of Optimal Cerebral Perfusion Pressure Over Time to
      Support Clinical Decision Making.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cerebrovascular reactivity can provide a continuously updated
      individualized target for management of cerebral perfusion pressure, termed
      optimal cerebral perfusion pressure. The objective of this project was to find a
      way of improving the optimal cerebral perfusion pressure methodology by
      introducing a new visualization method. DATA SOURCES: Four severe traumatic brain
      injury patients with intracranial pressure monitoring. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were
      collected and pre-processed using ICM+ software. DATA SYNTHESIS: Sequential
      optimal cerebral perfusion pressure curves were used to create a color-coded maps
      of autoregulation - cerebral perfusion pressure relationship evolution over time.
      CONCLUSIONS: The visualization method addresses some of the main drawbacks of the
      original methodology and might bring the potential for its clinical application
      closer.

PMID- 27270176
TI  - p66Shc regulates renal vascular tone in hypertension-induced nephropathy.
AB  - Renal preglomerular arterioles regulate vascular tone to ensure a large pressure
      gradient over short distances, a function that is extremely important for
      maintaining renal microcirculation. Regulation of renal microvascular tone is
      impaired in salt-sensitive (SS) hypertension-induced nephropathy, but the
      molecular mechanisms contributing to this impairment remain elusive. Here, we
      assessed the contribution of the SH2 adaptor protein p66Shc (encoded by Shc1) in
      regulating renal vascular tone and the development of renal vascular dysfunction
      associated with hypertension-induced nephropathy. We generated a panel of mutant
      rat strains in which specific modifications of Shc1 were introduced into the Dahl
      SS rats. In SS rats, overexpression of p66Shc was linked to increased renal
      damage. Conversely, deletion of p66Shc from these rats restored the myogenic
      responsiveness of renal preglomerular arterioles ex vivo and promoted cellular
      contraction in primary vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that were isolated
      from renal vessels. In primary SMCs, p66Shc restricted the activation of
      transient receptor potential cation channels to attenuate cytosolic Ca2+ influx,
      implicating a mechanism by which overexpression of p66Shc impairs renal vascular
      reactivity. These results establish the adaptor protein p66Shc as a regulator of
      renal vascular tone and a driver of impaired renal vascular function in
      hypertension-induced nephropathy.

PMID- 27270179
TI  - Combining Prognostic and Predictive Enrichment Strategies to Identify Children
      With Septic Shock Responsive to Corticosteroids.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Prognostic and predictive enrichment strategies are fundamental tools
      of precision medicine. Identifying children with septic shock who may benefit
      from corticosteroids remains a challenge. We combined prognostic and predictive
      strategies to identify a pediatric septic shock subgroup responsive to
      corticosteroids. DESIGN: We conducted a secondary analysis of 288 previously
      published pediatric subjects with septic shock. For prognostic enrichment, each
      study subject was assigned a baseline mortality probability using the pediatric
      sepsis biomarker risk model. For predictive enrichment, each study subject was
      allocated to one of two septic shock endotypes, based on a 100-gene signature
      reflecting adaptive immunity and glucocorticoid receptor signaling. The primary
      study endpoint was complicated course, defined as the persistence of two or more
      organ failures at day 7 of septic shock or 28-day mortality. We used logistic
      regression to test for an association between corticosteroids and complicated
      course within endotype. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among endotype B subjects
      at intermediate to high pediatric sepsis biomarker risk model-based risk of
      mortality, corticosteroids were independently associated with more than a 10-fold
      reduction in the risk of a complicated course (relative risk, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01
      0.54; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of prognostic and predictive
      strategies based on serum protein and messenger RNA biomarkers can identify a
      subgroup of children with septic shock who may be more likely to benefit from
      corticosteroids. Prospective validation of these strategies and the existence of
      this subgroup are warranted.

PMID- 27270180
TI  - 4-Aminopyridine, A Blocker of Voltage-Dependent K+ Channels, Restores Blood
      Pressure and Improves Survival in the Wistar Rat Model of Anaphylactic Shock.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Anaphylactic shock is associated with severe hypotension. Potassium
      channel blockers, such as 4-aminopyridine, induce vasoconstriction. The objective
      of this study was to test the ability of 4-aminopyridine to restore blood
      pressure and increase survival in anaphylactic shock. DESIGN: Experimental study.
      SETTING: Physiology laboratory. SUBJECTS: Adult male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS:
      Rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (1 mg SC), and anaphylactic shock was induced
      by IV injection of ovalbumin (1 mg). Experimental groups included non-allergic
      rats (NA) (n = 6); allergic rats (Controls) (n = 6); allergic rats treated with 4
      aminopyridine (4-aminopyridine) (1 mg/kg) (n = 6); and allergic rats treated with
      epinephrine (EPI) (10 ug/kg) (n = 6). Treatments were administered 1 minute after
      induction of anaphylactic shock. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean arterial
      blood pressure, heart rate, and survival were measured for 60 minutes. Plasma
      levels of histamine, leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2, pH, and
      HCO3 were measured. Mean arterial blood pressure was normal in the NA group;
      severe hypotension and high mortality were observed in controls; normalization of
      mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and increased survival were observed in
      4-aminopyridine and EPI groups. All allergic 4-aminopyridine-treated rats
      survived after the induction of anaphylactic shock. Histamine level was higher in
      controls and the 4-aminopyridine group but reduced in the EPI group.
      Prostaglandin E2 increased in controls and EPI group and decreased in 4
      aminopyridine group; prostaglandin F2 increased in controls but decreased in 4
      aminopyridine and EPI groups. Leukotriene B4 decreased in 4-aminopyridine and EPI
      groups. Metabolic acidosis was prevented in the 4-aminopyridine group.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that voltage-dependent K+ channel inhibition with 4
      aminopyridine treatment restores blood pressure and increases survival in the
      Wistar rat model of anaphylactic shock. 4-aminopyridine or related voltage
      dependent K channel blockers could be a useful additional therapeutic approach to
      treatment of refractory anaphylactic shock.

PMID- 27270181
TI  - Imaging in vascular diseases of the lung.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review focuses on the recent developments in the
      field of pulmonary angiography and perfusion by means of computed tomography and
      magnetic resonance imaging. RECENT FINDINGS: Computed tomography allows for a
      detailed analysis of large and small pulmonary vascular pathologies and
      simultaneously allows for evaluation of the lung parenchyma. Magnetic resonance
      imaging allows for large and small vessel evaluation as well as noninvasive
      pressure assessment. Furthermore, recently non-breath-hold contrast-enhanced and
      noncontrast-enhanced techniques have been developed making magnetic resonance
      imaging an ideal tool for comprehensive thoracic imaging, even in challenging
      patients. SUMMARY: Noninvasive imaging using computed tomography and magnetic
      resonance imaging further increases their value in daily clinical practice when
      it comes to assessment of large and small pulmonary artery disease. As computed
      tomography is more easy to use and widely available, it remains the diagnostic
      modality of choice. However, magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice
      when a comprehensive angiographic and functional assessment is deemed necessary.

PMID- 27270182
TI  - Does exercise pulmonary hypertension exist?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The exercise definition of pulmonary hypertension using a mean
      pulmonary artery pressure threshold of greater than 30 mmHg was abandoned
      following the 4th World Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium in 2008, as this
      definition was not supported by evidence and healthy individuals frequently
      exceed this threshold. Meanwhile, the clinical value of exercise pulmonary
      hemodynamic testing has also been questioned. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent data
      support the notion that an abnormal pulmonary hemodynamic response during
      exercise (or exercise pulmonary hypertension) is associated with symptoms and
      exercise limitation. Pathophysiologic mechanisms accounting for the development
      of exercise pulmonary hypertension include increased vascular resistance,
      excessive elevation in left atrial pressure and/or increased volume of trapped
      air during exercise, resulting in a steep rise in pulmonary artery pressure
      relative to cardiac output. Recent evidence suggests that exercise pulmonary
      hypertension may be defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure surpassing 30
      mmHg together with a simultaneous total pulmonary resistance exceeding 3 WU.
      SUMMARY: Exercise pulmonary hypertension is a clinically relevant entity and an
      improved definition has been suggested based on new evidence. Exercise pulmonary
      hemodynamics may help unmask early or latent disease, particularly in populations
      that are at high risk for the development of pulmonary hypertension.

PMID- 27270183
TI  - Impact of non-clinical community-based promotional campaigns on bowel cancer
      screening engagement: An integrative literature review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper reviewed the relationship between non-clinical, client
      oriented promotional campaigns to raise bowel cancer awareness and screening
      engagement. METHOD: An integrative literature review using predefined search
      terms was conducted to summarise the accumulated knowledge. Data was analysed by
      coding and categorising, then synthesized through development of themes. RESULTS:
      Eighteen of 116 studies met inclusion criteria. Promotional campaigns had varying
      impact on screening uptake for bowel cancer. Mass media was found to moderately
      increase screening, predominately amongst "worried well". Small media used in
      conjunction with other promotional activities, thus its effect on screening
      behaviours was unclear. One-on-one education was less effective and less feasible
      than group education in increasing intention to screen. Financial support was
      ineffective in increasing screening rates when compared to other promotional
      activities. Screening engagement increased because of special events and
      celebrity endorsement. CONCLUSION: Non-clinical promotional campaigns did impact
      uptake of bowel cancer screening engagement. However, little is evident on the
      effect of single types of promotion and most research is based on clinician
      directed campaigns. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Cancer awareness and screening
      promotions should be implemented at community and clinical level to maximize
      effectiveness. Such an approach will ensure promotional activities are targeting
      consumers, thus strengthening screening engagement.

PMID- 27270184
TI  - Design of Hydrogen Storage Alloys/Nanoporous Metals Hybrid Electrodes for Nickel
      Metal Hydride Batteries.
AB  - Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries have demonstrated key technology
      advantages for applications in new-energy vehicles, which play an important role
      in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the world's dependence on fossil fuels.
      However, the poor high-rate dischargeability of the negative electrode materials
      hydrogen storage alloys (HSAs) limits applications of Ni-MH batteries in high
      power fields due to large polarization. Here we design a hybrid electrode by
      integrating HSAs with a current collector of three-dimensional bicontinuous
      nanoporous Ni. The electrode shows enhanced high-rate dischargeability with the
      capacity retention rate reaching 44.6% at a discharge current density of 3000 mA
      g(-1), which is 2.4 times that of bare HSAs (18.8%). Such a unique hybrid
      architecture not only enhances charge transfer between nanoporous Ni and HSAs,
      but also facilitates rapid diffusion of hydrogen atoms in HSAs. The developed
      HSAs/nanoporous metals hybrid structures exhibit great potential to be candidates
      as electrodes in high-performance Ni-MH batteries towards applications in new
      energy vehicles.

PMID- 27270185
TI  - Cannabis use and blood pressure levels: United States National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Preclinical studies have reported acute cardiovascular effects of
      cannabis, including a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure (BP), whereas
      orthostatic hypotension may follow as a result of decreased vascular resistance.
      In case reports, evidence links cannabis with acute cardiovascular events in
      young and middle-aged adults. Here, we offer epidemiologic estimates on cannabis
      use and BP levels association from the US National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Surveys 2005-2012 (n = 12 426). METHODS: Computer-assisted self
      interviews assessed cannabis use. BP was determined by an average of up to four
      measurements taken during a single examination. Regression modeling was used to
      examine cannabis use and BP association. RESULTS: Recently active cannabis use
      was associated with increase in SBP (beta = 1.6; 95% confidence interval: 0.6,
      2.7) in the age-sex-adjusted model. Additional covariate adjustment did not
      affect the positive association. No association between cannabis use and DBP was
      detected. CONCLUSION: A modest association between recent cannabis use and SBP
      was detected among a relatively large nationally representative sample of US
      adults. With the legalization of cannabis, there is a need for preclinical,
      clinical and prospective population-based research on the cardiovascular effects
      of cannabis use.

PMID- 27270186
TI  - Why in 2016 are patients with hypertension not 100% controlled? A call to action.
AB  - The objective is to consider the problem of high blood pressure (BP), a leading
      global risk factor, associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite
      the availability of treatment guidelines and a wide range of therapies, BP
      control is suboptimal in many countries. Recent data indicate that only around
      40% of patients manage to achieve an adequate level of BP control. A group of
      international experts in the field of hypertension met in 2008 to consider this
      problem. The resulting white paper delivered an urgent call to action and
      identified six key issues for improving BP control. In 2015, a working group of
      investigators spontaneously undertook an action with the primary aim of
      considering the current hypertension management situation in Europe, to discuss
      whether the situation had changed since 2008 and to determine what can be learnt
      from the projects in other continents, such as the Canadian Hypertension
      Education Program, which has shown that higher levels of BP control can be
      achieved across a general population. The working group identified the main
      challenges affecting the improvement of BP control today and suggests five key
      actions: identify the BP treatment target of less than 140/90 mmHg for the
      majority of patients, simplify treatment strategies and encourage pill reduction,
      decrease therapeutic inertia, improve patient empowerment, and involve healthcare
      systems and reduce the prevailing focus on drug costs in many healthcare systems.
      Implementing key actions identified by the working group may help to improve
      achievement of better BP control across Europe.

PMID- 27270187
TI  - Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a novel cause of isolated systolic resistant
      hypertension?

PMID- 27270188
TI  - Management of hypertension and diabetes mellitus by cardiovascular and endocrine
      physicians: a China registry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We investigated hypertension and diabetes mellitus in two management
      settings, namely cardiology and endocrinology, and their associations with
      albuminuria while accounting for the management of these two diseases. METHODS:
      Our multicentre registry included patients (>=20 years) seen for hypertension in
      cardiology or for diabetes mellitus in endocrinology. We administered a
      questionnaire and measured blood pressure, glycosylated haemoglobin A1c and
      albuminuria. RESULTS: Presence of both hypertension and diabetes was observed in
      32.9% of hypertensive patients in cardiology (n = 1291) and 58.9% of diabetic
      patients in endocrinology (n = 1168). When both diseases were present, the use of
      combination antihypertensive therapy [odds ratio (OR) 0.31, P < 0.0001] and
      inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system (OR 0.66, P = 0.0009) was less
      frequent in endocrinology than cardiology, and the use of combination
      antidiabetic therapy (OR 0.16, P < 0.0001) was less frequent in cardiology than
      endocrinology. The control of hypertension and diabetes, however, was not
      different between the two management settings (P >= 0.21), regardless of the
      therapeutic target (SBP/DBP < 140/90 or 130/80 mmHg and glycosylated haemoglobin
      A1c <7.0 or 6.5%). The prevalence of albuminuria was higher (P <= 0.02) in the
      presence of both diseases (23.3%) than those with either hypertension (12.6%) or
      diabetes alone (15.9%). CONCLUSION: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were often
      jointly present, especially in the setting of endocrinology. The management was
      insufficient on the use of combination antihypertensive therapy and inhibitors of
      the renin-angiotensin system in endocrinology and for combination antidiabetic
      therapy in cardiology, indicating a need for more intensive management and better
      control of both clinical conditions.

PMID- 27270189
TI  - Strategies to meet the need for long-term data.
AB  - Chronic diseases afflict patients for many years, often to the end of life, and
      there is increasing need for estimating lifelong risk and for evaluating the
      effects of treatment in the long term. Yet recommendations for lifelong treatment
      are most frequently based on findings from randomized clinical trials lasting
      only a few years. There is therefore a clear need for much longer term data, and
      here we present the advantages and disadvantages of many strategies, including
      the use of long-term posttrial follow-up, of long-term prospective cohort
      studies, registry databases, and of administrative databases. We also emphasize
      the need for long-term cost-effectiveness studies. One of the most promising
      strategies comes from linkage of data gathered through the ever-expanding pool of
      administrative databases worldwide with data from other sources, including
      randomized trials and the many forms of observational study.

PMID- 27270190
TI  - Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in small rodents in France.
AB  - Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen affecting a
      wide range of mammals. Rodents are suspected to be natural reservoirs for this
      bacterium, but their role in the epidemiologic cycles affecting domestic animals
      and wild ungulates has not been demonstrated. This study aimed to improve our
      knowledge on A. phagocytophilum prevalence in Apodemus sylvaticus, A. flavicollis
      and Myodes glareolus using data collected in 2010 in one area in eastern France
      and in 2012-2013 in two others areas in western France. Rodents were captured in
      each site and infection was tested using qualitative real-time PCR assays on
      either blood or spleen samples. Prevalence showed high variability among sites.
      The highest prevalence was observed in the most eastern site (with an average
      infection rate of 22.8% across all species), whereas no rodent was found to be
      PCR positive in the south-west site and only 6.6% were positive in the north-west
      of France. Finally, a significant increase in prevalence was observed in autumn
      samples compared to spring samples in the north-west, but no change was found in
      the other two sites.

PMID- 27270191
TI  - [Trauma-focused Cognitive-behavioral Therapy with children and adolescents:
      Practice, evidence base, and future directions].
AB  - Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (Tf-CBT) is an evidence-based trauma
      therapy for children and adolescents aged 3-17 years with posttraumatic stress
      disorder (PTSD). One supportive caregiver is regularly included in the
      therapeutic process. Tf-CBT consists of eight components and can be summarized by
      the acronym P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E: Psychoeducation and Parenting skills, Relaxation
      skills, Affective modulation skills, Cognitive coping skills, Trauma narrative
      and cognitive processing of the traumatic event(s), In vivo mastery of trauma
      reminders, Conjoint child-parent sessions, and Enhancing safety and future
      developmental trajectory. Based on a total of 13 randomized controlled trials,
      several meta-analyses and systematic reviews confirm the efficacy of Tf-CBT,
      which received evidence level Ia in several international guidelines and is
      therefore recommended as first-line treatment for children and adolescents with
      PTSD.

PMID- 27270193
TI  - Combatting loneliness in the community.

PMID- 27270194
TI  - Management of eczema and psoriasis in the community.

PMID- 27270192
TI  - Trust, but verify. The errors and misinterpretations in the Cochrane analysis by
      O. J. Storebo and colleagues on the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate for
      the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD.
AB  - Objective: A recent Cochrane review published by O. J. Storebo and colleagues
      (2015) raised substantial doubts about the benefit from stimulant medication with
      methylphenidate in the treatment of childhood ADHD due to the overall poor
      quality of studies. The systematic review thus contradicts all previous reviews
      and meta-analyses. Method: We here detail various examples of errors,
      inconsistencies, and misinterpretations in the review which led to false results
      and inadequate conclusions. Results: We demonstrate that the study selection is
      flawed and undertaken without sufficient scientific justification resulting in an
      underestimation of effect sizes, which, furthermore, are inadmissibly clinically
      interpreted. The methodology of the assessment of bias and quality is not
      objective and cannot be substantiated by the data. Conclusions: Cochrane reviews
      lay claim to a high scientific quality and substantial relevance for evidence
      based clinical decisions. The systematic review by Storebo and colleagues (2015)
      illustrates that, despite adhering to strict standards and high-quality
      protocols, even Cochrane works should be critically read and verified, sometimes
      with surprising results.

PMID- 27270195
TI  - Making maintaining dignity a top priority: caring for older people with a stoma
      in the community.

PMID- 27270196
TI  - Improving quality of care and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions: a
      literature review.
AB  - As the UK population lives to older ages, with more complex health and social
      care needs, there comes a time when going to live in a care home might be
      essential for a frail, older person. Residents and their families expect high
      quality care in return for the costs of their placements, but often find this is
      not the case ( Help the Aged, 2006 ). In order to improve quality in care homes,
      the Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust are piloting a care home
      support team. The new service aims to provide education and training to an
      unpredictable workforce, with the addition of regular ward rounds in care homes
      to ensure more proactive care for residents, in order to reduce unnecessary
      hospital admissions and improve the quality of care offered. This article looks
      at the literature relating to education and training for staff in care homes to
      support this service. It also aims to use the reviewed articles to identify
      specific training and education needed to improve quality of care for residents
      and reduce avoidable hospital admissions. 

PMID- 27270197
TI  - The role of the intermediate care team in detecting and responding to loneliness
      in older clients.
AB  - The intermediate care team supports patients in their own homes to manage complex
      needs. They are ideally placed in the community to identify older adults at risk
      of loneliness. However, little is known about how intermediate care team
      professionals perceive, detect or respond to loneliness in their clients. This
      study explores intermediate care team professionals' attitudes to loneliness in
      the context of perceived service priorities and their experiences of managing
      loneliness in their clients. Eight professionals (n=2 physiotherapists, n=3
      occupational therapists, n=3 nurses) took part in semi-structured interviews.
      Data were analysed thematically using framework analysis, applying the theory of
      planned behaviour as an interpretive framework. Intermediate care team
      professionals see loneliness as a significant issue for many of their older
      clients but a low priority for intermediate care team services. They believe that
      loneliness often goes undetected because it is difficult to measure objectively.
      Barriers to managing loneliness included high workloads, unsatisfactory referral
      systems and lack of close working with social care and independent sector
      services. Brief but reliable loneliness assessments into routine practice,
      receiving training on detecting and managing loneliness, and improving working
      relationships with social care and independent sector services were highlighted
      as strategies that could improve the detection and management of loneliness in
      intermediate care team clients. 

PMID- 27270198
TI  - In whose best interests? A case study of a family affected by dementia.
AB  - Many people with dementia are cared for by family members. Family carers often
      feel bound to support the person with dementia at the expense of their own needs,
      which can be neglected. They often experience distress when making decisions,
      especially over ethical dilemmas when their own interests and those of the person
      being cared for conflict. This paper presents a case study approach to consider
      best interests decision making for families affected by dementia. In the case
      study, a carer is supporting his father to remain living at home although he
      feels this unsafe and the demands of this cause tension with his family and
      affect his performance at work. 

PMID- 27270199
TI  - Considering the benefits of egg consumption for older people at risk of
      sarcopenia.
AB  - Sarcopenia is an important health issue for older people. It is closely linked
      with frailty and malnutrition and can significantly reduce both health and
      quality of life for those affected. Sarcopenic decline in muscle mass can start
      as early as the fourth and fifth decade of life, so the maintenance of muscle
      mass throughout adulthood, through regular physical activity and a balanced diet,
      should be an important consideration in reducing the risk of sarcopenia in older
      age. Maintaining regular exercise throughout older age remains key to the
      treatment of sarcopenia, as does an adequate intake of nutrients, including high
      quality protein and vitamin D. A significant proportion of older people fail to
      meet the recommended requirements for protein; it has also been suggested that
      the requirements in existing recommendations could be higher. Evidence is
      emerging that an adequate intake of protein at each meal may be required to
      optimise muscle synthesis in older people. Eggs are an inexpensive, widely
      available and easily digestible source of high-quality protein and contain a
      significant proportion of leucine, an amino acid that is important for muscle
      synthesis, as well as many other nutrients of significance for older people,
      including vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. For many older people, eggs are a
      familiar and acceptable protein food at breakfast and other meals. Encouraging
      both those approaching older age and older people to include eggs more
      frequently, as part of a healthy, balanced diet and in addition to physical
      activity, could help them maintain their muscle strength and function, thereby
      preserving their functional capacity and reducing morbidity, mortality and
      healthcare costs associated with sarcopenia. 

PMID- 27270200
TI  - The changing nature of the district nurse patient relationship.
AB  - In this article Richard Griffith considers three recent developments in policy
      and law that have changed the nature of the relationship between district nurses
      and their patients. The traditional, often paternalistic, professional knows best
      approach must now give way to a patient focused partnership. 

PMID- 27270201
TI  - A look at assessing Achilles tendinopathy in the community.

PMID- 27270202
TI  - Achieving quality of life against all the odds.

PMID- 27270203
TI  - Identifying hearing loss in older people.

PMID- 27270204
TI  - Academic careers: what do early career researchers think?

PMID- 27270205
TI  - Quantitative Determination of Four Azo Dyes in Rat Plasma with Solid-Phase
      Extraction and UFLC-MS-MS Analysis: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study.
AB  - A rapid and sensitive ultra-fast liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
      method, followed by simple protein precipitation and solid-phase extraction, has
      been developed and validated for the quantitative determination of four azo dyes
      (Para red, Solvent yellow 2, Solvent red 1 and Sudan red 7B) in rat plasma using
      D5-Sudan I as the internal standard. The optimal separation was accomplished on
      an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column (100 * 2.1 mm, 1.8 MUm) with gradient elution
      using the mobile phase including acetonitrile and water (containing 0.1% formic
      acid). The flow rate was 0.45 mL/min. The detection was conducted by means of
      electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive ion mode with multiple
      reaction monitoring. The calibration curves showed good linearity, with
      correlation coefficients >0.998 for all of the analytes within the concentration
      range. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQs) of Para red, Solvent yellow 2,
      Solvent red 1 and Sudan red 7B in rat plasma were 1.0, 0.1, 0.1 and 0.1 MUg/L,
      respectively. The intra- and interday relative standard deviations were <=9.6 and
      <=12.4%, respectively, and the accuracy was in the range of -5.8 to -9.5%. The
      average recoveries were between 81.49 and 118.65%, and the matrix effects were
      satisfactory in the biological matrices. The fully validated method has been
      successfully applied in measuring levels of the four azo dyes in rat plasma
      following oral administration of 20.0 mg/kg of analytes in rats, which was
      suitable for the pharmacokinetic studies of the azo dyes.

PMID- 27270206
TI  - Dissolved oxygen content prediction in crab culture using a hybrid intelligent
      method.
AB  - A precise predictive model is needed to obtain a clear understanding of the
      changing dissolved oxygen content in outdoor crab ponds, to assess how to reduce
      risk and to optimize water quality management. The uncertainties in the data from
      multiple sensors are a significant factor when building a dissolved oxygen
      content prediction model. To increase prediction accuracy, a new hybrid dissolved
      oxygen content forecasting model based on the radial basis function neural
      networks (RBFNN) data fusion method and a least squares support vector machine
      (LSSVM) with an optimal improved particle swarm optimization(IPSO) is developed.
      In the modelling process, the RBFNN data fusion method is used to improve
      information accuracy and provide more trustworthy training samples for the IPSO
      LSSVM prediction model. The LSSVM is a powerful tool for achieving nonlinear
      dissolved oxygen content forecasting. In addition, an improved particle swarm
      optimization algorithm is developed to determine the optimal parameters for the
      LSSVM with high accuracy and generalizability. In this study, the comparison of
      the prediction results of different traditional models validates the
      effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed hybrid RBFNN-IPSO-LSSVM model for
      dissolved oxygen content prediction in outdoor crab ponds.

PMID- 27270207
TI  - Automated finite element modeling of the lumbar spine: Using a statistical shape
      model to generate a virtual population of models.
AB  - Population-based modeling of the lumbar spine has the potential to be a powerful
      clinical tool. However, developing a fully parameterized model of the lumbar
      spine with accurate geometry has remained a challenge. The current study used
      automated methods for landmark identification to create a statistical shape model
      of the lumbar spine. The shape model was evaluated using compactness,
      generalization ability, and specificity. The primary shape modes were analyzed
      visually, quantitatively, and biomechanically. The biomechanical analysis was
      performed by using the statistical shape model with an automated method for
      finite element model generation to create a fully parameterized finite element
      model of the lumbar spine. Functional finite element models of the mean shape and
      the extreme shapes (+/-3 standard deviations) of all 17 shape modes were created
      demonstrating the robust nature of the methods. This study represents an
      advancement in finite element modeling of the lumbar spine and will allow
      population-based modeling in the future.

PMID- 27270208
TI  - Efavirenz and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir use exhibited elevated markers of
      atherosclerosis across age groups in people living with HIV in Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV patients on highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have
      shown elevated incidence of dyslipidemia, lipodystrophy, and markers of
      cardiovascular disease. Evidence is beginning to emerge that implicates efavirenz
      (EFV) as a potential mediator of early on-set cardiovascular disease. METHODS:
      Pediatric and adult HIV-infected HAART-naive, EFV-treated, nevirapine (NVP)
      treated, and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r)-treated subjects were recruited
      from Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Pulse wave velocity (PWV),
      carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid arterial stiffness, brachial
      artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), body mass index, waist-to-hip circumference
      ratio, and skinfold thickness were measured. CD4+ cell count, fasting glucose,
      lipoprotein profiles and triglycerides were also determined. Results were
      segmented into pediatric (6-17 years of age), young adults (25-39 years old) and
      older adults (40-60 years old). RESULTS: PWV was generally elevated in EFV- and
      LPV/r-treated subjects compared to NVP-treated subjects across age groups. cIMT
      was elevated in EFV- and LPV/r-treated compared to NVP-treated older adults and
      in EFV-treated compared to HAART-naive older adults. FMD was impaired in EFV- and
      LPV/r-treated compared to HAART-naive younger adults, in EFV-treated compared to
      NVP-treated young and older adults, and in LPV/r-treated compared to NVP-treated
      older adults. Differences in lipoprotein profiles and skinfold thickness with
      HAART regimen were observed in pediatric and young adults, but less so in older
      adults. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas LPV/r and other protease inhibitors have long been
      recognized as mediators of HIV/HAART-associated atherosclerosis, this report
      supports the emerging evidence that EFV may also mediate cardiovascular disease
      in people living with HIV on HAART.

PMID- 27270211
TI  - Harnessing mesenchymal stem cell homing as an anticancer therapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are non-hematopoietic progenitor
      cells that have been exploited as vehicles for cell-based cancer therapy. The
      general approach is based on the innate potential of adoptively applied MSC to
      undergo facilitated recruitment to malignant tissue. MSC from different tissue
      sources have been engineered using a variety of therapy genes that have shown
      efficacy in solid tumor models. AREAS COVERED: In this review we will focus on
      the current developments of MSC-based gene therapy, in particular the diverse
      approaches that have been used for MSCs-targeted tumor therapy. We also discuss
      some outstanding issues and general prospects for their clinical application.
      EXPERT OPINION: The use of modified mesenchymal stem cells as therapy vehicles
      for the treatment of solid tumors has progressed to the first generation of
      clinical trials, but the general field is still in its infancy. There are many
      questions that need to be addressed if this very complex therapy approach is
      widely applied in clinical settings. More must be understood about the mechanisms
      underlying tumor tropism and we need to identify the optimal source of the cells
      used. Outstanding issues also include the therapy transgenes used, and which
      tumor types represent viable targets for this therapy.

PMID- 27270209
TI  - Modulation of oxidative stress and subsequent induction of apoptosis and
      endoplasmic reticulum stress allows citral to decrease cancer cell proliferation.
AB  - The monoterpenoid, citral, when delivered through PEG-b-PCL nanoparticles
      inhibits in vivo growth of 4T1 breast tumors. Here, we show that citral inhibits
      proliferation of multiple human cancer cell lines. In p53 expressing ECC-1 and
      OVCAR-3 but not in p53-deficient SKOV-3 cells, citral induces G1/S cell cycle
      arrest and apoptosis as determined by Annexin V staining and increased cleaved
      caspase3 and Bax and decreased Bcl-2. In SKOV-3 cells, citral induces the ER
      stress markers CHOP, GADD45, EDEM, ATF4, Hsp90, ATG5, and phospho-eIF2alpha. The
      molecular chaperone 4-phenylbutyric acid attenuates citral activity in SKOV-3 but
      not in ECC-1 and OVCAR-3 cells. In p53-expressing cells, citral increases
      phosphorylation of serine-15 of p53. Activation of p53 increases Bax, PUMA, and
      NOXA expression. Inhibition of p53 by pifithrin-alpha, attenuates citral-mediated
      apoptosis. Citral increases intracellular oxygen radicals and this leads to
      activation of p53. Inhibition of glutathione synthesis by L-buthionine
      sulfoxamine increases potency of citral. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine
      decreases phosphorylation of p53 in citral-treated ECC-1 and OVCAR-3. These
      results define a p53-dependent, and in the absence of p53, ER stress-dependent
      mode of action of citral. This study indicates that citral in PEG-b-PCL
      nanoparticle formulation should be considered for treatment of breast and other
      tumors.

PMID- 27270210
TI  - Evaluation of the ability of three physical activity monitors to predict weight
      change and estimate energy expenditure.
AB  - Activity monitors such as the Actical accelerometer, the Sensewear armband, and
      the Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA) are commonly
      validated against gold standards (e.g., doubly labeled water, or DLW) to
      determine whether they accurately measure total daily energy expenditure (TEE) or
      activity energy expenditure (AEE). However, little research has assessed whether
      these parameters or others (e.g., posture allocation) predict body weight change
      over time. The aims of this study were to (i) test whether estimated energy
      expenditure or posture allocation from the devices was associated with weight
      change during and following a low-calorie diet (LCD) and (ii) compare free-living
      TEE and AEE predictions from the devices against DLW before weight change. Eighty
      seven participants from 2 clinical trials wore 2 of the 3 devices simultaneously
      for 1 week of a 2-week DLW period. Participants then completed an 8-week LCD and
      were weighed at the start and end of the LCD and 6 and 12 months after the LCD.
      More time spent walking at baseline, measured by the IDEEA, significantly
      predicted greater weight loss during the 8-week LCD. Measures of posture
      allocation demonstrated medium effect sizes in their relationships with weight
      change. Bland-Altman analyses indicated that the Sensewear and the IDEEA
      accurately estimated TEE, and the IDEEA accurately measured AEE. The results
      suggest that the ability of energy expenditure and posture allocation to predict
      weight change is limited, and the accuracy of TEE and AEE measurements varies
      across activity monitoring devices, with multi-sensor monitors demonstrating
      stronger validity. 

PMID- 27270212
TI  - Intracellularly survived Staphylococcus aureus after phagocytosis are more
      virulent in inducing cytotoxicity in fresh murine peritoneal macrophages
      utilizing TLR-2 as a possible target.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus with high virulence potential is contributing to a current
      public health crisis in both hospital and community settings. TLR-2 and
      generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by phagocytic cells is thought to be
      an important component of the host's immunity against S. aureus infection.
      However, response of S. aureus against modulation of host-derived ROS in absence
      of TLR-2 during acute staphylococcal infection is still remains unclear.
      Peritoneal macrophages were pretreated with either inhibitors of superoxide
      dismutase (SOD) or catalase in presence or absence of anti TLR-2 antibody and
      were infected with S. aureus strain AG-789. Bacteria were recovered after time
      dependent phagocytosis; intracellular killing, level and expression of SOD and
      catalase were measured. Phagocytosed bacteria from respective groups were further
      used for infection to fresh peritoneal macrophages as well as for in vivo
      infection. Levels of ROS, cytokine, lysozyme, antioxidant enzymes activity and
      TLR-2 expression were measured. Results revealed that more bacteria were escaped
      killing in SOD and catalase inhibitor pretreated TLR-2 neutralized macrophages,
      found to express more catalase and are antibiotic resistant. Infection of fresh
      macrophages with S. aureus, recovered from SOD and catalase inhibited TLR-2
      neutralized macrophages induced lower ROS, lysozyme and cytokine production and
      caused increased bacterial count. Furthermore, bacterial antioxidants by
      modulating host-derived ROS could regulate the cell surface TLR-2 expression in
      murine peritoneal macrophages. So, in the early phase of infection, TLR-2
      participates in the innate immune response and targeting bacterial antioxidants
      might be useful in the alleviation of Staphylococcus aureus infection. 

PMID- 27270213
TI  - Single-Molecule Patch-Clamp FRET Anisotropy Microscopy Studies of NMDA Receptor
      Ion Channel Activation and Deactivation under Agonist Ligand Binding in Living
      Cells.
AB  - N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor ion channel is activated by the binding of
      two pairs of glycine and glutamate along with the application of action
      potential. Binding and unbinding of ligands changes its conformation that plays a
      critical role in the open-close activities of NMDA receptor. Conformation states
      and their dynamics due to ligand binding are extremely difficult to characterize
      either by conventional ensemble experiments or single-channel electrophysiology
      method. Here we report the development of a new correlated technical approach,
      single-molecule patch-clamp FRET anisotropy imaging and demonstrate by probing
      the dynamics of NMDA receptor ion channel and kinetics of glycine binding with
      its ligand binding domain. Experimentally determined kinetics of ligand binding
      with receptor is further verified by computational modeling. Single-channel patch
      clamp and four-channel fluorescence measurement are recorded simultaneously to
      get correlation among electrical on and off states, optically determined
      conformational open and closed states by FRET, and binding-unbinding states of
      the glycine ligand by anisotropy measurement at the ligand binding domain of
      GluN1 subunit. This method has the ability to detect the intermediate states in
      addition to electrical on and off states. Based on our experimental results, we
      have proposed that NMDA receptor gating goes through at least one electrically
      intermediate off state, a desensitized state, when ligands remain bound at the
      ligand binding domain with the conformation similar to the fully open state.

PMID- 27270214
TI  - Sympathetic innervation of the kidney in health and disease: Emphasis on the role
      of purinergic cotransmission.
AB  - There is introductory information about non-synaptic transmission at sympathetic
      neuroeffector junctions and sympathetic nerve cotransmission utilizing
      noradrenaline and ATP as cotransmitters. Then the organzation and location of
      sympathetic nerves in different sites in the kidney are described, including
      renal arteries, juxtaglomerular arterioles and renal tubules. Sympathetic nervous
      control of glomerular filtration rate and of renin secretion are discussed.
      Evidence, obtained largely from experiments on animals, for sympathetic nerve
      modulation of the transport of water, sodium and other ions in the collecting
      duct of the nephron is described. Finally, there is coverage of the roles of
      sympathetic nerves in renal diseases, including hypertension, diabetes,
      hypothyroidism and ischaemia.

PMID- 27270215
TI  - Distinct Global Brain Dynamics and Spatiotemporal Organization of the Salience
      Network.
AB  - One of the most fundamental features of the human brain is its ability to detect
      and attend to salient goal-relevant events in a flexible manner. The salience
      network (SN), anchored in the anterior insula and the dorsal anterior cingulate
      cortex, plays a crucial role in this process through rapid detection of goal
      relevant events and facilitation of access to appropriate cognitive resources.
      Here, we leverage the subsecond resolution of large multisession fMRI datasets
      from the Human Connectome Project and apply novel graph-theoretical techniques to
      investigate the dynamic spatiotemporal organization of the SN. We show that the
      large-scale brain dynamics of the SN are characterized by several distinctive and
      robust properties. First, the SN demonstrated the highest levels of flexibility
      in time-varying connectivity with other brain networks, including the
      frontoparietal network (FPN), the cingulate-opercular network (CON), and the
      ventral and dorsal attention networks (VAN and DAN). Second, dynamic functional
      interactions of the SN were among the most spatially varied in the brain. Third,
      SN nodes maintained a consistently high level of network centrality over time,
      indicating that this network is a hub for facilitating flexible cross-network
      interactions. Fourth, time-varying connectivity profiles of the SN were distinct
      from all other prefrontal control systems. Fifth, temporal flexibility of the SN
      uniquely predicted individual differences in cognitive flexibility. Importantly,
      each of these results was also observed in a second retest dataset, demonstrating
      the robustness of our findings. Our study provides fundamental new insights into
      the distinct dynamic functional architecture of the SN and demonstrates how this
      network is uniquely positioned to facilitate interactions with multiple
      functional systems and thereby support a wide range of cognitive processes in the
      human brain.

PMID- 27270216
TI  - Cinnamaldehyde and allopurinol reduce fructose-induced cardiac inflammation and
      fibrosis by attenuating CD36-mediated TLR4/6-IRAK4/1 signaling to suppress NLRP3
      inflammasome activation.
AB  - Fructose consumption induces metabolic syndrome to increase cardiovascular
      disease risk. Cinnamaldehyde and allopurinol possess anti-oxidative and anti
      inflammatory activity to relieve heart injury in metabolic syndrome. But the
      mechanisms of fructose-induced cardiac injury, and cardioprotective effects of
      cinnamaldehyde and allopurinol are not completely understood. In this study,
      fructose-fed rats displayed metabolic syndrome with elevated serum ox-LDL,
      cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. Scavenger receptor CD36,
      Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR6, IL-1R-associated kinase 4/1 (IRAK4/1),
      nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome,
      interleukin-1beta, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), drosophila mothers
      against DPP homolog (Smad) 2/3 phosphorylation and Smad4 were increased in animal
      and H9c2 cell models. These pathological processes were further evaluated in ox
      LDL or fructose-exposed H9c2 cells pretreated with ROS scavenger and CD36
      specific inhibitor, or IRAK1/4 inhibitor, and transfected with CD36, NLRP3, or
      IRAK4/1 siRNA, demonstrating that NLPR3 inflammasome activation through CD36
      mediated TLR4/6-IRAK4/1 signaling may promote cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.
      Cinnamaldehyde and allopurinol reduced cardiac oxidative stress to suppress NLPR3
      inflammasome activation and TGF-beta/Smads signaling by inhibiting CD36-mediated
      TLR4/6-IRAK4/1 signaling under fructose induction. These results suggest that the
      blockage of CD36-mediated TLR4/6-IRAK4/1 signaling to suppress NLRP3 inflammasome
      activation by cinnamaldehyde and allopurinol may protect against fructose-induced
      cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.

PMID- 27270217
TI  - Inter-pregnancy Weight Change and Risks of Severe Birth-Asphyxia-Related Outcomes
      in Singleton Infants Born at Term: A Nationwide Swedish Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal overweight and obesity are associated with increased risks
      of birth-asphyxia-related outcomes, but the mechanisms are unclear. If a change
      of exposure (i.e., maternal body mass index [BMI]) over time influences risks,
      this would be consistent with a causal relationship between maternal BMI and
      offspring risks. Our objective was to investigate associations between changes in
      maternal BMI between consecutive pregnancies and risks of birth-asphyxia-related
      outcomes in the second offspring born at term. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This study
      was a prospective population-based cohort study that included 526,435 second-born
      term (>=37 wk) infants of mothers with two consecutive live singleton term births
      in Sweden between January 1992 and December 2012. We estimated associations
      between the difference in maternal BMI between the first and second pregnancy and
      risks of low Apgar score (0-6) at 5 min, neonatal seizures, and meconium
      aspiration in the second-born offspring. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for BMI
      at first pregnancy, maternal height, maternal age at second delivery, smoking,
      education, mother's country of birth, inter-pregnancy interval, and year of
      second delivery. Analyses were also stratified by BMI (<25 versus >=25 kg/m2) in
      the first pregnancy. Risks of low Apgar score, neonatal seizures, and meconium
      aspiration increased with inter-pregnancy weight gain. Compared with offspring of
      mothers with stable weight (BMI change of -1 to <1 kg/m2), the adjusted OR for a
      low Apgar score in the offspring of mothers with a BMI change of 4 kg/m2 or more
      was 1.33 (95% CI 1.12-1.58). The corresponding risks for neonatal seizures and
      meconium aspiration were 1.42 (95% CI 1.00-2.02) and 1.78 (95% CI 1.19-2.68),
      respectively. The increased risk of neonatal seizures related to weight gain
      appeared to be restricted to mothers with BMI < 25 kg/m2 in the first pregnancy.
      A study limitation was the lack of data on the effects of obstetric interventions
      and neonatal resuscitation efforts. CONCLUSIONS: Risks of birth-asphyxia-related
      outcomes increased with maternal weight gain between pregnancies. Preventing
      weight gain before and in between pregnancies may improve neonatal health.

PMID- 27270218
TI  - The impact of new-onset cancer among veterans who are receiving warfarin for
      atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A new cancer diagnosis adds significant complexity and uncertainty to
      the management of pre-existing warfarin therapy. OBJECTIVES: To determine how new
      onset cancer affects anticoagulation control and outcomes among patients who had
      been receiving warfarin for atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to patients who had
      been receiving warfarin for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prior to cancer
      diagnosis. PATIENTS/METHODS: This cohort study started with 122,875 veterans who
      had been receiving warfarin for at least six months from a VA Medical Center
      between 10/1/06 and 9/30/08. We identified patients with incident cancer during
      this interval, and excluded those with a prior cancer history. We analyzed
      percent time in therapeutic range (TTR) at 6 and 12-month intervals after cancer
      diagnosis compared to pre-cancer baseline, as well as crude rates of warfarin
      relevant outcomes (stroke, major bleeding, mortality) between patients with AF
      and VTE. RESULTS: Among patients with new-onset cancer, patients anticoagulated
      for AF outnumbered those anticoagulated for VTE more than 2.5-fold. There were no
      significant differences in TTR by indication for warfarin in months 0-6 or 7-12
      following cancer diagnosis, but TTR decreased significantly compared to the pre
      cancer baseline for both groups in months 0-6. As expected, cancer patients with
      VTE had significantly worse mortality at six months and one year compared to
      cancer patients with AF. CONCLUSION: Patients receiving chronic warfarin therapy
      who are newly diagnosed with cancer experience a significant decrease in TTR in
      the first 6months after diagnosis, regardless of indication for anticoagulation.
      This effect appears to attenuate in months 7-12.

PMID- 27270219
TI  - Age at cancer diagnosis, non-O blood group and asparaginase therapy are
      independently associated with deep venous thrombosis in pediatric oncology
      patients: A risk model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pediatric oncology patients are at increased risk for deep venous
      thrombosis (DVT). Determining the sub-population of children at increased DVT
      risk is critical for optimum clinical management. Therefore, the aim of the
      current study was to identify clinical risk factors for DVT which are easily
      identifiable at cancer diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Canadian multicenter
      case control study in survivors of childhood cancer. Survivors who had DVT
      (Cases) while being treated for pediatric cancer where matched by center with a
      minimum of two survivors who did not experience DVT (Controls). Clinical
      information including age at diagnosis, type of cancer and chemotherapy were
      collected. Genotyping of blood group was done by single nucleotide polymorphisms
      analysis. RESULTS: 218 subjects were recruited at 4 Canadian pediatric centers.
      Multivariable analysis demonstrated 3 significant variables (reported as Odds
      Ratio (OR), (95% CI), p value): age at diagnosis p<0.001, non-O blood group OR
      2.6 (1.3-5.2) p=0.005 and asparaginase treatment OR 2.4 (1.2-4.8) p=0.011. In
      order to optimise clinical utility, we reanalysed the study data with age at
      diagnosis categorised into four subgroups 0-<=2years, >2-<=7years, >7<=10years,
      >10years. A significant association with DVT were seen in children 0-<=2years (OR
      3.1 (1.1-8.3) p=0.026) and >10years (OR 3.8, 1.7-8.5 p=0.001). Significant
      associations with DVT remained for non-O blood group, OR 2.2 (1.2-4.4) p=0.016
      and asparaginase treatment, OR 2.1 (1.1-4.0) p=0.027. The value for the clinical
      risk model receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.67. CONCLUSIONS: We
      have shown 3 independent risk factors for DVT in childhood cancer.

PMID- 27270220
TI  - Effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists on the risk of thrombosis,
      bleeding and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized
      controlled trials.

PMID- 27270221
TI  - (+/-)-Japonones A and B, two pairs of new enantiomers with anti-KSHV activities
      from Hypericum japonicum.
AB  - Two pairs of new enantiomers with unusual 5,5-spiroketal cores, termed (+/-)
      japonones A and B [(+/-)-1 and (+/-)-2], were obtained from Hypericum japonicum
      Thunb. The absolute configurations of (+/-)-1 and (+/-)-2 were characterized by
      extensive analyses of spectroscopic data and calculated electronic circular
      dichroism (ECD) spectra, the application of modified Mosher's methods, and the
      assistance of quantum chemical predictions (QCP) of (13)C NMR chemical shifts.
      Among these metabolites, (+)-1 exhibited some inhibitory activity on Kaposi's
      sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Virtual screening of (+/-)-1 and (+/-)-2
      were conducted using the Surflex-Dock module in the Sybyl software, and (+)-1
      exhibited ability to bind with ERK to form key interactions with residues Lys52,
      Pro56, Ile101, Asp165, Gly167 and Val99.

PMID- 27270222
TI  - An Analysis of Costs and Health Co-Benefits for a U.S. Power Plant Carbon
      Standard.
AB  - Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants can have important "co
      benefits" for public health by reducing emissions of air pollutants. Here, we
      examine the costs and health co-benefits, in monetary terms, for a policy that
      resembles the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan. We then
      examine the spatial distribution of the co-benefits and costs, and the
      implications of a range of cost assumptions in the implementation year of 2020.
      Nationwide, the total health co-benefits were $29 billion 2010 USD (95% CI: $2.3
      to $68 billion), and net co-benefits under our central cost case were $12 billion
      (95% CI: -$15 billion to $51 billion). Net co-benefits for this case in the
      implementation year were positive in 10 of the 14 regions studied. The results
      for our central case suggest that all but one region should experience positive
      net benefits within 5 years after implementation. 

PMID- 27270223
TI  - Differential effects of male nutrient balance on pre- and post-copulatory traits,
      and consequences for female reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - Male fitness depends on the expression of costly traits involved in obtaining
      mates (pre-copulatory) and fertilization (post-copulatory). However, very little
      is known about the nutrient requirements for these traits and whether males
      compromise their diet to maximize one trait at the expense of another. Here we
      used Nutritional Geometry to investigate macronutrient requirements for pre- and
      post-copulatory traits in Drosophila, when males were the first or second to mate
      with females. We found no significant effects of male diet on sperm
      competitiveness. However, although males self-regulate their macronutrient intake
      at a protein-to-carbohydrate ratio ("P:C ratio") of 1:1.5, this ratio does not
      coincide with their optima for several key reproductive traits: both the short
      term (~24 hr) rate of offspring production after a female's first mating, as well
      as the total offspring number sired when males were second to mate were maximized
      at a P:C ratio of 1:9, whereas male attractiveness (latency to mate), were
      maximised at a P:C ratio of 1:1. These results suggest a compromised optimum
      diet, and no single diet that simultaneously maximizes all male reproductive
      traits. The protein intake of first males also negatively affected female
      offspring production following remating, suggesting a long-term intersexual
      effect of male nutrition.

PMID- 27270224
TI  - Apoptosis-associated protein expression in human salivary gland morphogenesis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Salivary gland (SG) development is based on branching morphogenesis,
      in which programmed cell death has been proposed to play a role in cell
      signalling and organ shaping. In the mouse salivary gland apoptosis has been
      suggested to play a key role in lumen formation, removing the central cells of
      the epithelial stalks. Here we analyse the expression of several anti- and pro
      regulators of apoptosis during human SG development in a range of developmental
      stages. DESIGN: Foetal SGs obtained from the University of Sao Paulo were
      analysed by immunohistochemistry to assess the expression of apoptosis-associated
      proteins: caspases (caspase-6, -7, -9 and cleaved caspase-3), Bcl-2 family
      members (Bax, Bak, Bad, Bid, Bcl-2, Bcl-x and Bcl-xL), Survivin (BIRC5),
      Cytochrome C and Apaf-1. RESULTS: Nuclear expression of Bax and Bak was
      identified in presumptive luminal areas at initial stages, while Bcl-xL showed
      the most relevant anti-apoptotic activity. Caspase-6, -7 and -9 were expressed
      during all stages, while interestingly cleaved caspase-3 showed no prominent
      expression, indicating that caspase-7 is the main effector. Apoptosome complex
      components Apaf-1 and Cytochrome C, as well as survivin were all positive in
      developing glands. CONCLUSIONS: The particular expression pattern of several
      apoptotic regulators in human SG development suggests the existence of a
      fundamental role for apoptosis during duct formation. The absence of Bad and Bid
      expressions indicates that the instrinsic pathway is more active then the
      extrinsic during human gland formation. The subcellular localisation of intrinsic
      apoptosis proteins correlated with apoptotic activity, but also suggested
      additional non-apoptotic functions.

PMID- 27270225
TI  - Monocyte chemotactic protein-1, RANTES and macrophage migration inhibitory factor
      levels in gingival crevicular fluid of metabolic syndrome patients with
      gingivitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine gingival crevicular
      fluid (GCF) levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), regulated on
      activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted protein (RANTES) and macrophage
      migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in metabolic syndrome patients with gingivitis.
      DESIGN: Twenty metabolic syndrome patients with gingivitis (MSG), 20 MetS
      patients with clinically healthy periodontium (MSH), 20 systemically healthy
      subjects with gingivitis and 20 subjects who were both systemically and
      periodontally healthy were included. Periodontal and systemical parameters were
      recorded. GCF MCP-1, RANTES and MIF levels were assayed by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: MSG and MSH groups had elevated blood
      pressure, triglyceride, waist circumference and fasting glucose values in
      comparison to gingivitis and healthy groups (P<0.0001). Clinical periodontal
      parameters were higher in MSG and gingivitis groups when compared to those of the
      MSH and healthy groups (P<0.0001). MCP-1 and RANTES levels (ng/mg total protein)
      of MSG group were higher than those of the MSH groups (P=0.005, P=0.0001,
      respectively). Also gingivitis group had higher MCP-1, RANTES and MIF levels
      compared to the healthy group (P=0.011, P=0.0001, P=0.011 respectively). The
      RANTES level of MSG group was significantly higher than those of the gingivitis
      group (P=0.01), but MCP-1 and MIF levels were similar in the MSG and gingivitis
      groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of GCF RANTES in MetS patients with
      gingivitis might associate with the presence of increased gingival inflammation
      by MetS. Low-grade systemic inflammation associated with MetS and adipose tissue
      derived RANTES might lead to altered GCF RANTES levels in the presence of
      gingival inflammation.

PMID- 27270226
TI  - Hematocrit-Independent Quantitation of Stimulants in Dried Blood Spots: Pipet
      versus Microfluidic-Based Volumetric Sampling Coupled with Automated Flow-Through
      Desorption and Online Solid Phase Extraction-LC-MS/MS Bioanalysis.
AB  - A workflow overcoming microsample collection issues and hematocrit (HCT)-related
      bias would facilitate more widespread use of dried blood spots (DBS). This report
      describes comparative results between the use of a pipet and a microfluidic-based
      sampling device for the creation of volumetric DBS. Both approaches were
      successfully coupled to HCT-independent, fully automated sample preparation and
      online liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
      analysis allowing detection of five stimulants in finger prick blood.
      Reproducible, selective, accurate, and precise responses meeting generally
      accepted regulated bioanalysis guidelines were observed over the range of 5-1000
      ng/mL whole blood. The applied heated flow-through solvent desorption of the
      entire spot and online solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure were unaffected by
      the blood's HCT value within the tested range of 28.0-61.5% HCT. Enhanced
      stability for mephedrone on DBS compared to liquid whole blood was observed.
      Finger prick blood samples were collected using both volumetric sampling
      approaches over a time course of 25 h after intake of a single oral dose of
      phentermine. A pharmacokinetic curve for the incurred phentermine was
      successfully produced using the described validated method. These results suggest
      that either volumetric sample collection method may be amenable to field-use
      followed by fully automated, HCT-independent DBS-SPE-LC-MS/MS bioanalysis for the
      quantitation of these representative controlled substances. Analytical data from
      DBS prepared with a pipet and microfluidic-based sampling devices were
      comparable, but the latter is easier to operate, making this approach more
      suitable for sample collection by unskilled persons.

PMID- 27270227
TI  - Gist in time: Scene semantics and structure enhance recall of searched objects.
AB  - Previous work has shown that recall of objects that are incidentally encountered
      as targets in visual search is better than recall of objects that have been
      intentionally memorized (Draschkow, Wolfe, & Vo, 2014). However, this counter
      intuitive result is not seen when these tasks are performed with non-scene
      stimuli. The goal of the current paper is to determine what features of search in
      a scene contribute to higher recall rates when compared to a memorization task.
      In each of four experiments, we compare the free recall rate for target objects
      following a search to the rate following a memorization task. Across the
      experiments, the stimuli include progressively more scene-related information.
      Experiment 1 provides the spatial relations between objects. Experiment 2 adds
      relative size and depth of objects. Experiments 3 and 4 include scene layout and
      semantic information. We find that search leads to better recall than explicit
      memorization in cases where scene layout and semantic information are present, as
      long as the participant has ample time (2500ms) to integrate this information
      with knowledge about the target object (Exp. 4). These results suggest that the
      integration of scene and target information not only leads to more efficient
      search, but can also contribute to stronger memory representations than
      intentional memorization. 

PMID- 27270228
TI  - Practicing more retrieval routes leads to greater memory retention.
AB  - A wealth of research has shown that retrieval practice plays a significant role
      in improving memory retention. The current study focused on one simple yet rarely
      examined question: would repeated retrieval using two different retrieval routes
      or using the same retrieval route twice lead to greater long-term memory
      retention? Participants elaborately learned 22 Japanese-Chinese translation word
      pairs using two different mediators. Half an hour after the initial study phase,
      the participants completed two retrieval sessions using either one mediator
      (Tm1Tm1) or two different mediators (Tm1Tm2). On the final test, which was
      performed 1week after the retrieval practice phase, the participants received
      only the cue with a request to report the mediator (M1 or M2) followed by the
      target (Experiment 1) or only the mediator (M1 or M2) with a request to report
      the target (Experiment 2). The results of Experiment 1 indicated that the
      participants who practiced under the Tm1Tm2 condition exhibited greater target
      retention than those who practiced under the Tm1Tm1 condition. This difference in
      performance was due to the significant disadvantage in mediator retrieval and
      decoding of the unpracticed mediator under the Tm1Tm1 condition. Although
      mediators were provided to participants on the final test in Experiment 2,
      decoding of the unpracticed mediators remained less effective than decoding of
      the practiced mediators. We conclude that practicing multiple retrieval routes
      leads to greater memory retention than focusing on a single retrieval route.
      Thus, increasing retrieval variability during repeated retrieval practice indeed
      significantly improves long-term retention in a delay test. 

PMID- 27270229
TI  - Use of a Tissue Engineered Human Skin Model to Investigate the Effects of
      Wounding and of an Anti-Inflammatory on Melanoma Cell Invasion.
AB  - An increasing number of studies suggest inflammation stimulates tumour invasion.
      In melanoma, despite recent advances in targeted therapy and immunomodulatory
      therapies, this cancer remains difficult to treat. Our previous studies show
      melanoma cells interact with skin cells in their invasion into tissue engineered
      skin and suggest inflammation stimulates invasion. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the use of an anti-inflammatory on melanoma invasion. To do this we
      developed a wounded and inflamed in vitro 3D melanoma model in which to
      investigate the use of an anti-inflammatory on melanoma invasion. The tissue
      engineered skin model was based on human de-epidermised acellular dermis to which
      keratinocytes, fibroblasts and three different melanoma cell lines were added in
      various combinations. A simple incisional wound was made in the model and TNF
      alpha and fibrin were added to simulate conditions of inflammation. Topical
      ibuprofen in a hydrogel was added and the extent of melanoma invasion into the
      dermis was assessed under the various conditions. The results showed that
      penetration of two of the cell lines (HBL and A375SM) into the tissue engineered
      skin was exacerbated by wounding and ibuprofen significantly decreased invasion
      of A375SM cells and slightly reduced invasion of HBL cells. A third cell line,
      C8161, was aggressively invasive under all conditions to an extent that was not
      influenced by wounding, TNF-alpha or the addition of ibuprofen. In summary, the
      results for one these cell lines (and a trend for a second cell line) support the
      hypothesis that a wound environment is conducive to melanoma invasion but the
      local addition of an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen may attenuate
      invasion. 

PMID- 27270230
TI  - Mitochondria-Mediated Anticancer Effects of Non-Thermal Atmospheric Plasma.
AB  - Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma has attracted great interest due to its
      multiple potential biomedical applications with cancer treatment being among the
      most urgent. To realize the clinical potential of non-thermal plasma, the exact
      cellular and molecular mechanisms of plasma effects must be understood. This work
      aimed at studying the prostate cancer specific mechanisms of non-thermal plasma
      effects on energy metabolism as a central regulator of cell homeostasis and
      proliferation. It was found that cancer cells with higher metabolic rate
      initially are more resistant to plasma treated phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)
      since the respiratory and calcium sensitive signaling systems were not responsive
      to plasma exposure. However, dramatic decline of cancer oxidative phosphorylation
      developed over time resulted in significant progression of cell lethality. The
      normal prostate cells with low metabolic activity immediately responded to plasma
      treated PBS by suppression of respiratory functions and sustained elevation of
      cytosolic calcium. However, over time the normal cells start recovering their
      mitochondria functions, proliferate and restore the cell population. We found
      that the non-thermal plasma induced increase in intracellular ROS is of primarily
      non-mitochondrial origin. The discriminate non-thermal plasma effects hold a
      promise for clinical cancer intervention. 

PMID- 27270233
TI  - P300 amplitude alterations during inhibitory control in persons with Mild
      Cognitive Impairment.
AB  - Deficits in executive function are highly noticeable in Alzheimer's disease, and
      recent behavioral studies have shown that such deficits - particularly during
      inhibitory control - can also be found in persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment
      (MCI). Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate behavioral and
      electrophysiological correlates of inhibitory control in persons with MCI. A
      group of persons with MCI and a group healthy older adults performed a Go/NoGo
      task while electroencephalogram was recorded. Our results revealed that persons
      with MCI performed less accurately than healthy controls during the Go and NoGo
      conditions. In addition, we found reduced P300 amplitudes during Go and NoGo
      conditions relative to healthy older adults. Our results suggest that
      neurocognitive mechanisms associated with target detection and evaluation (Go
      P300) and response inhibition (NoGo P300) are compromised in persons with MCI.

PMID- 27270234
TI  - Antidepressant-like activity of liposomal formulation containing nimodipine
      treatment in the tail suspension test, forced swim test and MAOB activity in
      mice.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that intracellular calcium ion dysfunction may be an
      etiological factor in affective illness. Nimodipine (NMD) is a Ca(2+) channel
      blocker that has been extensively investigated for therapy of central nervous
      system (CNS) disorders. In this work, we have evaluated the antidepressant-like
      activity of nimodipine encapsulated into liposomes (NMD-Lipo) in mice through
      tail suspension and forced swim assays, as well as MAOB activity. During the tail
      suspension test, the administration of NMD-Lipo at 0.1, 1 and 10mg/kg was able to
      promote a reduction in the immobility time of animals greater than the positive
      control (imipramine). In the forced swim test, the immobility time of mice
      treated with NMD-Lipo was reduced. This reduction was significantly greater than
      that found in the animals treated with imipramine and paroxetine. This may
      suggest that NMD-Lipo provides more antidepressant-like activity than in positive
      controls. The groups that received a combination of liposomal NMD and
      antidepressant drugs showed lower immobility time than the groups, which were
      treated only with imipramine or paroxetine. The mice treated with the combination
      of NMD-Lipo and reserpine presented an increase in the time of immobility
      compared with animals treated only with NMD-Lipo. There was a significant
      decrease in MAOB activity in animals treated with NMD-Lipo compared with
      untreated animals. The results of the tail suspension test, forced swim test and
      MAOB activity suggested that the antidepressant activity of NMD-Lipo may be
      related to an increase in the cerebral monoamine concentrations.

PMID- 27270235
TI  - Identification and Analysis of Immunodominant Antigens for ELISA-Based Detection
      of Theileria annulata.
AB  - Tropical or Mediterranean theileriosis, caused by the protozoan parasite
      Theileria annulata, remains an economically important bovine disease in North
      Africa, Southern Europe, India, the Middle East and Asia. The disease affects
      mainly exotic cattle and imposes serious constraints upon livestock production
      and breed improvement programmes. While microscopic and molecular methods exist
      which are capable of detecting T. annulata during acute infection, the
      identification of animals in the carrier state is more challenging. Serological
      tests, which detect antibodies that react against parasite-encoded antigens,
      should ideally have the potential to identify carrier animals with very high
      levels of sensitivity and specificity. However, assays developed to date have
      suffered from a lack of sensitivity and/or specificity and it is, therefore,
      necessary to identify novel parasite antigens, which can be developed for this
      purpose. In the present study, genes encoding predicted antigens were
      bioinformatically identified in the T. annulata genome. These proteins, together
      with a panel of previously described antigens, were assessed by western blot
      analysis for immunoreactivity, and this revealed that four novel candidates and
      five previously described antigens were recognised by immune bovine serum. Using
      a combination of immunoprecipitation and mass spectrophotometric analysis, an
      immunodominant protein (encoded by TA15705) was identified as Ta9, a previously
      defined T cell antigen. Western blotting revealed another of the five proteins in
      the Ta9 family, TA15710, also to be an immunodominant protein. However,
      validation by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay indicated that due to either
      allelic polymorphism or differential immune responses of individual hosts, none
      of the novel candidates can be considered ideal for routine detection of T.
      annulata-infected/carrier animals. 

PMID- 27270236
TI  - Novel Antiplatelet Activity of Minocycline Involves Inhibition of MLK3-p38
      Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Axis.
AB  - Platelets play an essential role in hemostasis and wound healing by facilitating
      thrombus formation at sites of injury. Platelets also mediate inflammation and
      contain several pro-inflammatory molecules including cytokines and chemokines
      that mediate leukocyte recruitment and activation. Not surprisingly, platelet
      dysfunction is known to contribute to several inflammatory disorders.
      Antiplatelet therapies, such as aspirin, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) antagonists,
      glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) inhibitors, and anticoagulants such as
      warfarin, dampen platelet activity at the risk of unwarranted bleeding. Thus, the
      development of drugs that reduce platelet-mediated inflammation without
      interfering with thrombus formation is of importance to combat platelet
      associated disorders. We have shown here for the first time that the tetracycline
      antibiotic, minocycline, administered to HIV-infected individuals reduces plasma
      levels of soluble CD40L and platelet factor 4 levels, host molecules
      predominately released by platelets. Minocycline reduced the activation of
      isolated platelets in the presence of the potent platelet activator, thrombin, as
      measured by ELISA and flow cytometry. Platelet degranulation was reduced upon
      exposure to minocycline as shown by mepacrine retention and flow cytometry.
      However, minocycline had no effect on spreading, aggregation, GPIIb/IIIa
      activation, or in vivo thrombus formation. Lastly, immunoblot analysis suggests
      that the antiplatelet activity of minocycline is likely mediated by inhibition of
      mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3)-p38 MAPK signaling axis and loss of p38 activity.
      Our findings provide a better understanding of platelet biology and a novel
      repurposing of an established antibiotic, minocycline, to specifically reduce
      platelet granule release without affecting thrombosis, which may yield insights
      in generating novel, specific antiplatelet therapies. 

PMID- 27270237
TI  - Denosumab or Zoledronic Acid in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis Previously
      Treated With Oral Bisphosphonates.
AB  - CONTEXT: Denosumab and zoledronic acid (ZOL) are parenteral treatments for
      patients with osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare
      the effect of transitioning from oral bisphosphonates to denosumab or ZOL on bone
      mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was an
      international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total
      of 643 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis previously treated with oral
      bisphosphonates participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were
      randomized 1:1 to sc denosumab 60 mg every 6 months plus iv placebo once or ZOL 5
      mg iv once plus sc placebo every 6 months for 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Changes in BMD and bone turnover markers were measured. RESULTS: BMD change from
      baseline at month 12 was significantly greater with denosumab compared with ZOL
      at the lumbar spine (primary end point; 3.2% vs 1.1%; P < .0001), total hip (1.9%
      vs 0.6%; P < .0001), femoral neck (1.2% vs -0.1%; P < .0001), and one-third
      radius (0.6% vs 0.0%; P < .05). The median decrease from baseline was greater
      with denosumab than ZOL for serum C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen at all time
      points after day 10 and for serum procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide at
      month 1 and at all time points after month 3 (all P < .05). Median percentage
      changes from baseline in serum intact PTH were significantly greater at months 3
      and 9 with denosumab compared with ZOL (all P < .05). Adverse events were similar
      between groups. Three events consistent with the definition of atypical femoral
      fracture were observed (two denosumab and one ZOL). CONCLUSIONS: In
      postmenopausal women with osteoporosis previously treated with oral
      bisphosphonates, denosumab was associated with greater BMD increases at all
      measured skeletal sites and greater inhibition of bone remodeling compared with
      ZOL.

PMID- 27270238
TI  - Ezetimibe-Simvastatin Therapy Reduce Recurrent Ischemic Stroke Risks in Type 2
      Diabetic Patients.
AB  - CONTEXT: Statin is the main lipid-lowering therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus
      patients. Recent evidence suggested the cardiovascular protective effects of
      ezetimibe-simvastatin in acute coronary syndrome patients. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate the effect of ezetimibe-simvastatin combination therapy on stroke
      prevention among diabetic stroke patients. Design, Setting, Participants, and
      Outcome Measures: This is a retrospective cohort study. Between March 1, 2009 and
      December 31, 2011, all patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Taiwan's
      National Health Insurance Research Database were screened. Those admitted for
      ischemic stroke (IS) were recruited and divided into 10-mg ezetimibe-20-mg
      simvastatin (EZ-SIM), 40-mg atorvastatin (ATOR), and 20-mg simvastatin (SIM)
      groups for further analyses. The primary outcomes were IS, myocardial infarction,
      and death from any cause. Patients were followed from index hospitalization to
      the date of death, loss of follow-up, or study termination. RESULTS: During the
      34-month follow-up period, the risk of recurrent IS in the SIM group was higher
      than that of the ATOR (hazard ratio [HR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      1.46-2.82) and EZ-SIM (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.14-2.50) groups. The risk of recurrent
      IS was not significantly lower in the EZ-SIM compared with the ATOR group (HR,
      1.20; 95% CI, 0.85-1.69). The incidence of composite endpoint was highest in the
      SIM group (28.2%), followed by the ATOR (16.1%) and EZ-SIM (15.4%) groups. The
      multivariate adjusted survival curve showed lower trends of recurrent IS in the
      EZ-SIM and ATOR groups compared with the SIM group. CONCLUSIONS: High-potency
      lipid-lowering therapy effectively reduces the risk of recurrent IS in diabetic
      patients regardless of ATOR or EZ-SIM combination therapy.

PMID- 27270239
TI  - Transport protein evolution deduced from analysis of sequence, topology and
      structure.
AB  - The vast majority of well studied transmembrane channels, secondary carriers,
      primary active transporters and group translocators are believed to have arisen
      vis intragenic duplication events from simple channel-forming peptides with just
      1-3 transmembrane alpha-helical segments, found ubiquitously in nature. Only a
      few established channel-forming proteins appear to have evolved via other
      pathways. The proposed pathway for the evolutionary appearance of the five types
      of transport proteins involved intragenic duplication of transmembrane pore
      forming peptide-encoding genes, giving rise to channel proteins. These gave rise
      to single protein secondary carriers which upon superimposition of addition
      protein domains and proteins, including energy-coupling proteins and
      extracytoplasmic receptors, gave rise to multidomain, multicomponent carriers,
      primary active transporters and group translocators. Some of the largest and best
      characterized superfamilies of these transmembrane transport proteins are
      discussed from topological and evolutionary standpoints.

PMID- 27270240
TI  - Using natural sequences and modularity to design common and novel protein
      topologies.
AB  - Protein design is still a challenging undertaking, often requiring multiple
      attempts or iterations for success. Typically, the source of failure is unclear,
      and scoring metrics appear similar between successful and failed cases.
      Nevertheless, the use of sequence statistics, modularity and symmetry from
      natural proteins, combined with computational design both at the coarse-grained
      and atomistic levels is propelling a new wave of design efforts to success. Here
      we highlight recent examples of design, showing how the wealth of natural protein
      sequence and topology data may be leveraged to reduce the search space and
      increase the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes.

PMID- 27270241
TI  - An algorithm for estimation and correction of anisotropic magnification
      distortion of cryo-EM images without need of pre-calibration.
AB  - Anisotropic magnification distortion of TEM images (mainly the elliptic
      distortion) has been recently found as a potential resolution-limiting factor in
      single particle 3-D reconstruction. Elliptic distortions of ~1-3% have been
      reported for multiple microscopes under low magnification settings (e.g.,
      18,000*), which significantly limited the achievable resolution of single
      particle 3-D reconstruction, especially for large particles. Here we report a
      generic algorithm that formulates the distortion correction problem as a
      generalized 2-D alignment task and estimates the distortion parameters directly
      from the particle images. Unlike the present pre-calibration methods, our
      computational method is applicable to all datasets collected at a broad range of
      magnifications using any microscope without need of additional experimental
      measurements. Moreover, the per-micrograph and/or per-particle level elliptic
      distortion estimation in our method could resolve potential distortion variations
      within a cryo-EM dataset, and further improve the 3-D reconstructions relative to
      constant-value correction by the pre-calibration methods. With successful
      applications to multiple datasets and cross-validation with the pre-calibration
      method, we have demonstrated the validity and robustness of our algorithm in
      estimating the distortion; correction of the elliptic distortion significantly
      improved the achievable resolutions by ~1-3 folds and enabled 3-D reconstructions
      of multiple viral structures at 2.4-2.6A resolutions. The resolution limits with
      elliptic distortion and the amounts of resolution improvements with distortion
      correction were found to strongly correlate with the product of the particle size
      and the amount of distortion, which can help assess if elliptic distortion is a
      major resolution limiting factor for single particle cryo-EM projects.

PMID- 27270242
TI  - Back to Basics: Is There a Good Reason to Not Systematically Measure Urine
      Creatinine in Acute Kidney Injury Monitoring?
AB  - Regardless of the recent advancements in the understanding of the pathophysiology
      of acute kidney injury (AKI), its diagnosis remains fundamentally dependent on
      the serum creatinine (sCr) level and urine output (UO), both of which are
      considered late markers of AKI, offering only a vague idea of the actual
      creatinine clearance (CrCl). Although not ideal, CrCl is still the most common
      alternative of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in clinical practice. It is
      generally accepted that early diagnosis of AKI must reveal kidney impairment
      before sCr increases. Much effort has been made to find tubular and glomerular
      markers of injury which increase (in blood and/or in urine) before the 'official'
      diagnosis of AKI. Most of these markers are expensive and not widely available,
      especially in developing countries. Urine creatinine (CrU), the major link
      between sCr and UO, has been systematically ignored and clinicians are usually
      unaware of its value. The reasons for this are unclear, but it may be related to
      the lack of a reference range, dependence of its concentration value on the urine
      flow (which in turn is only adequately assessed with an indwelling urinary
      catheter) and the clinical unavailability of its counterbalance part - creatinine
      production. Changes in urine tend to precede changes in blood in the course of
      AKI development and recovery. Hence, it is important to bear in mind that changes
      in sCr signal renal dysfunction with a significant delay. The search for a more
      dynamic, 'real-time' but pragmatic assessment of renal function, especially in
      patients at risk of abrupt decrease in GFR is certainly one of the most relevant
      focus of research in the field of AKI monitoring. Systematic CrU assessment may
      be highly relevant in this case. 

PMID- 27270243
TI  - A review of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) Public Dialogue Pilot (2015) for
      new nuclear build in the UK: lessons for engagement theory and practice.
AB  - We have discussed previously that a community-based, asset-based approach is
      required to achieve any sense of how social sustainability can be defined in a
      community setting within the context of energy developments. Our approach aims to
      initiate a lasting change within 'energy' communities through building social
      capital; focusing on community assets not deficits to define their social
      priorities. Through deliberation, we develop an understanding of social
      sustainability so that a community is well placed to enter discussions with
      government and industry regarding large energy developments that will directly
      affect them. We review the 2015 Generic Design Assessment (GDA) Public Dialogue
      Pilot process for potential new nuclear reactors in the UK. We examine the aims
      of the dialogue, giving particular attention to a comparison between the national
      sampling of citizens for the GDA and the local community-based, deliberative
      approach we have proposed previously. We find an ongoing tension between
      'national' engagement processes (such as the GDA Public Dialogue Pilot process)
      and the specific requirements of those energy communities that live adjacent or
      close to energy infrastructure, manifested here by a conflict between the
      requirements of the convenor and those of participants regarding priority issues
      for discussion. We also reveal a paradox; despite participant preference for a
      remote, internet-based engagement process, they agreed that face to face contact
      is a priority to encourage trust building between participants and the convenor
      of the process-a desired outcome of the process. The GDA Public Dialogue Pilot
      process has demonstrated that stakeholders are willing to engage with and be more
      directly involved in local energy-related decisions that affect them directly,
      provided there is opportunity to discuss locally-relevant and site-specific
      issues in addition to those of a broader nature. There exists a disparity and
      conflict between 'national' engagement processes and the 'local' priorities of
      those energy communities that are adjacent or close to energy infrastructure. In
      this process and others, we have seen an imbalance between the requirements of
      the convenor and those of participants regarding priority issues for discussion.
      This continues to be a persistent challenge for those convening stakeholder
      engagement events where the scope and context is not primarily site-specific.
      However, it is encouraging that convenors and participants alike continue to be
      willing to work towards resolving this. 

PMID- 27270245
TI  - Inflammatory Response Using Different Lipid Parenteral Nutrition Formulas in
      Children After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
AB  - Nutritional support is an integral part of the supportive care of hematopoietic
      stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) emulsions
      in parenteral nutrition (PN) may modify the inflammatory response. The purpose of
      this study is to compare plasma cytokine levels in children after HSCT using an n
      3 FA-containing lipid emulsion (LE) and a soybean oil-based formulation in PN. A
      randomized double-blind controlled trial was conducted on 14 children following
      HSCT. Children were randomized to receive either a fish oil or a soybean oil LE.
      Blood samples were drawn at baseline, on Day 10 and after completion of PN to
      analyze plasma interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta), 2 (IL-2), 6 (IL-6), 8 (IL-8), 10
      (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). After 10 days of PN, there
      were no significant changes in interleukins levels when comparing the two groups
      or time points (baseline vs. Day 10 of PN). In children requiring PN >21 days, IL
      10 and TNF-alpha levels (P <= 0.05) were lower in the fish-oil-containing LE
      group. Fish oil- and soybean oil-supplemented PN administered for at least 10
      days does not cause inflammatory changes. Prolonged PN based on fish oil LE may
      modulate the inflammatory response.

PMID- 27270246
TI  - Association between omentin and echo parameters in patients with chronic heart
      failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived adipokines have been demonstrated to be associated
      with the development of experimental heart disease through chronic inflammation
      and cardiac cell apoptosis. Omentin is to be one of the novel adipokines. The aim
      of this study is to investigate the relationship between circulating omentin and
      cardiac dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: A
      total of 189 CHF patients were studied, determining serum omentin and
      echocardiographic parameters. All participants were divided into two experimental
      groups: the 111 patients who had a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) >=40%
      (EF-H) and the 78 patients exhibiting EF values <40% (EF-L). RESULTS: The EF-L
      group showed significantly higher circulating omentin levels compared to the EF-H
      group (210.8+/-67.2 vs. 155.3+/-45.3, P<0.001; Student's t-test). Overall, the
      data of the linear regression analysis revealed that serum omentin levels
      correlated positively with left atrial diameters (r=0.31, P=0.006), left
      ventricular end-systolic dimensions (r=0.42, P<0.001), and left ventricular end
      diastolic dimensions (r=0.38, P=0.002) and negatively with left ventricular EF
      (r=-0.45, P=0.001; Spearmen's rank correlations coefficients for each). The
      multiple regression model included all variables at p<0.1 by the univariate
      analysis. A multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that high levels
      of patients' serum omentin were associated with cardiac dysfunction in patients
      with CHF (OR=1.22; 95% CI: 0.91-1.58; P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: These findings
      suggested that elevated serum omentin levels were only very mildly related to the
      changes in cardiac volume and function in CHF patients. Further studies are then
      needed to assess the real clinical value of omentin in this setting.

PMID- 27270247
TI  - In search of a perennial philosophy for behavioral health integration in primary
      care.
AB  - The "perennial philosophy," a concept religious scholars have studied for
      centuries, represents a search for the values, themes, and constructs that
      transcend individual religions. Can we who develop and disseminate behavioral
      health integration in primary care step back from individual models to identify
      our perennial philosophy? If so, what are the components? What does the evidence
      tell us? What do we need to learn? Four case examples are presented which
      represent many patients seen by both of us-a family therapist and a family
      physician-over our combined 55 years of collaborative practice within integrated
      primary care settings. Can these patients be cared for in a primary care setting?
      Our experience provides a simple answer-yes. However, providing care for this
      range of patients requires variability in team configurations, frequency of
      visits, lengths of relationships, and interventional strategies. Is there a
      perennial philosophy of how to design and implement the integration of behavioral
      health in primary care? We think there should be. we highlight a recent
      publication from the Eugene S. Farley, Jr. Health Policy Center, entitled "Core
      Competencies For Behavioral Health Providers Working In Primary Care." The
      authors purposefully transcend models in delineating eight core competencies.
      Embedded within these competencies are common or perennial factors. These factors
      may guide our field going forward, helping us avoid "religious" divisions, seek
      to understand diverse designs, and embrace integration of models to meet the
      needs of the populations and teams we serve. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270248
TI  - Simulation-based learning: From theory to practice.
AB  - Comments on the article, ""Stimulating Reflective Practice Using Collaborative
      Reflective Training in Breaking Bad News Simulations," by Kim, Hernandez, Lavery,
      and Denmark (see record 2016-18380-001). Kim et al. are applauded for engaging
      and supporting the development of simulation-based education, and for their
      efforts to create an interprofessional learning environment. However, we hope
      further work on alternate methods of debriefing leverage the already inherent
      activation of learners that builds on previous experience, fosters reflection and
      builds skills. What is needed is the transference of learning theories into our
      educational research efforts that measure the effectiveness, validation, and
      reliability of behavior based performance change. The majority of breaking bad
      news (BBN) curricula limit program evaluations to reports of learner
      satisfaction, confidence and self-efficacy, rather than determining the
      successful translation of effective and humanistic interpersonal skills into long
      term clinical practice (Rosenbaum et al., 2004). Research is needed to
      investigate how educational programs affect provider-patient-family interaction,
      and ultimately patient and family understanding, to better inform our teaching
      BBN skills. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270249
TI  - Electronic health records: Context matters!
AB  - Comments on the article by Kotay, Huang, Jordan, and Korin (see record 2016-22430
      001). They tackle how to document patients' social histories in a way that is
      useful in real-time clinical practice-and explore the implementation of a new
      electronic health record (EHR) template specifically built to support their
      residency practice's commitment to addressing the social dimensions of patients'
      lives. For all of us convinced that the simultaneous integration of the
      biological, social, psychological, and existential dimensions of care is key to
      the practice of primary care, there are many questions to explore in relation to
      using EHRs. How are we going to do this in an environment that preferentially
      supports particularized data over an engaged awareness of context? How are we
      going to convince those with the technological expertise and administrative power
      that the transmission of information alone is not a substitute for insight,
      meaning, and relationships (Ventres & Frankel, 2010)? And ultimately, how are we
      going to make sure the EHR works for us instead of against us? Kotay and her
      colleagues have not answered all these questions in their study-such a task is
      beyond the abilities of one person or group of researchers- but along with others
      they have begun to illuminate a way forward (Cifuentes et al., 2015; Glowa
      Kollisch et al., 2014). May we all now strive to continue the work that these
      authors have started. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270250
TI  - Locating legacy in illness.
AB  - The author, a licensed marriage and family therapist, describes her work with
      Sofia, an eight-year-old Puerto Rican female with chronic and persistent
      abdominal pain and leg paralysis with no known organic cause. Sofia's mother,
      Ana, was also seen by the author. Over the course of several weeks, the family
      shared stories of painful medical procedures and extreme dietary plans prescribed
      to them by doctors to identify the etiology of Sofia's illness. Ana described her
      simultaneous relief and frustration when each test result indicated that there
      was no organic cause for Sofia's debilitating pain. They talked about the push
      and pull Ana's family experienced as they prayed simultaneously for abnormal and
      normal test results. The author told Sofia's pediatrician that she would begin to
      create a community genogram with the family in their next meeting. She explained
      that the purpose of the community genogram was to illustrate the social and
      historical contexts of families' lives. They learned that a seminal narrative in
      Sofia's family legacy connected deep understanding of others with embodiment of
      their immediate experience. Sofia's illness became one part of her and her
      family's legacy and cultural tapestry. Ana described the renewed connections that
      she and Sofia shared with their family members. As Sofia and Ana spoke with their
      family members more often, Sofia's leg paralysis and stomach pains decreased.
      Sofia began attending school regularly and visiting less with her pediatrician.
      (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270251
TI  - Hour 25: Neuro ICU.
AB  - This short story focuses on two patients in a neuro intensive care unit.
      (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270252
TI  - An ode to my uterus.
AB  - The author of this short story writes about undergoing five surgeries over twenty
      years to remove endometriosis. She has two children, but without a uterus she
      wonders if she still is a woman. She is thankful for no more debilitating pain
      and the freedom to love with creativity and abandon. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270253
TI  - Refugee patients.
AB  - This short story focuses on refugee patients. Family members talk about the
      horrific struggles of civil war, refugee camps, and promises of US resettlement.
      Their harsh reception into a brutal world includes unemployment, food scarcity,
      and isolation. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270254
TI  - Our stories of illness.
AB  - In this poem, the author describes three types of stories after healing from his
      illness: restitution, quest, and chaos. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270255
TI  - On the palliative care unit.
AB  - As a physician working in palliative care, the author is often privileged to
      share special moments with patients and their families at the end of life. This
      haiku poem recalls one such moment in that precious space between life and death,
      as an elderly woman, surrounded by her adult daughters, takes her last breath.
      (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270256
TI  - Hearts in rhythm.
AB  - This poem focuses on the author's experience of pregnancy and giving birth,
      including her first contraction and seeing her baby's heartbeat on the monitor.
      (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270257
TI  - Review of Integrated Psychological Services in Primary Care.
AB  - Reviews the book, Integrated Psychological Services in Primary Care edited by
      William Scott Craig (see record 2016-01850-000). This book opens with an article
      by the editor, in which he outlines the behavioral health needs of primary care
      patients and the rationale behind integrating mental health services in primary
      care settings. Subsequent chapters address basic and practical information for a
      variety of practice locations, such as Patient Centered Medical Home clinics, the
      Veteran's Administration medical centers, and primary care settings where the
      concept of integrated health is new. This is an excellent primer for anyone
      planning to implement an integrated care program or for those considering moving
      from an independent practice, agency, or traditional health care/hospital
      environment into an integrated primary care environment. The authors' writing
      styles made difficult concepts easy to understand and their knowledge of the
      utility of integration was evident. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270258
TI  - Review of Two Minute Talks to Improve Psychological and Behavioral Health.
AB  - Reviews the book, Two Minute Talks to Improve Psychological and Behavioral Health
      by John F. Clabby (see record 2013-13851-002). In this book, the author presents
      a clear guide to evidence-based brief interventions to improve psychological and
      behavioral health. Throughout the book the author provides practical tips on
      brief interventions that are useful for students, beginning practitioners, and
      seasoned professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270259
TI  - The fourth aim: How do we care for our healthcare workforce?
AB  - In this column, the president of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association
      (CFHA) addresses the question of what the CFHA is doing to create and maintain an
      engaged, motivated, and satisfied workforce, in the midst of its transformational
      goals and inherent challenges. The president focuses on three strategies that
      have the potential to sustain and nurture the people who deliver healthcare.
      (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27270260
TI  - Leveraging ultraviolet photodissociation and spectroscopy to investigate peptide
      and protein three-dimensional structure with mass spectrometry.
AB  - Recent advances in mass spectrometry and lasers have facilitated the development
      of novel experiments combining the benefits of both technologies. This minireview
      focuses on the coupling of visible/ultraviolet photons with mass spectrometry for
      analysis of peptide and protein three-dimensional structure. Practical aspects of
      instrument design and the relationship between experiment and theory are
      discussed. Experiments utilizing spectroscopy, action spectroscopy, excitation
      energy transfer, photodissociation, and photoactivated radical chemistry are
      described. The strengths and weaknesses of each approach are discussed in
      relation to the type of information typically obtained. A significant body of
      data suggests that under appropriate source conditions, kinetically trapped
      structures are observed in these experiments rather than true gas phase minima,
      suggesting retention of solution phase structural features is possible. Further
      refinement and exploration of these methods promises to accelerate protein
      structure discovery in the near future. 

PMID- 27270261
TI  - Optimized ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem high resolution mass
      spectrometry method for the quantification of paraquat in plasma and urine.
AB  - A simple, sensitive and specific ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled
      to electrospray tandem high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS)
      method has been developed and validated for quantification of paraquat in plasma
      and urine. The sample preparation was carried out by one-step protein
      precipitation with acetonitrile. The paraquat was separated with a HILIC column
      in 10min. Detection was performed using Q Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer by
      Targeted-MS/MS scan mode. Methodological parameters, such as ammonium formate
      concentration, formic acid concentration, spray voltage, capillary temperature,
      heater temperature and normalized collision energy were optimized to achieve the
      highest sensitivity. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration
      range of LOQ-1000ng/mL. LOD was 0.1 and 0.3ng/mL, LOQ was 0.3 and 0.8ng/mL for
      urine and plasma, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precisions were <7.97%
      and 4.78% for plasma and urine. The accuracies were within the range 93.51
      100.90%. The plasma and urine matrices had negligible relative matrix effect in
      this study. This method was successfully applied to determine paraquat
      concentration in plasma samples with hemoperfusion from 5 suspected paraquat
      poisoning patients. 

PMID- 27270262
TI  - A simple LC-ESI-MS/MS method for quantification of bacopaside I in rat plasma and
      its application to a pharmacokinetic study.
AB  - Bacopaside I is one of the main pseudojujubogenin glycosides isolated from Bacopa
      monniera. In the present study, a rapid and robust LC-ESI-MS/MS method was
      developed and validated to quantify bacopaside I in rat plasma. After plasma
      samples were deproteinized by methanol, the post-treatment samples were analyzed
      on a Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 (2.1*50mm, 1.8MUm) column using a mobile phase of
      acetonitrile and water (65:35, v/v). Detection was performed on a triple
      quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode
      via electrospray ionization source. This method covered a linearity range of 10
      2000ng/mL with the lower limit of quantification of 10ng/mL. The intra- and inter
      day precisions of analysis were less than 10.2%, and the accuracies were between 
      11.1% and 8.4% at the concentrations of 25, 150 and 1800ng/mL. The total run time
      was 6.0min. This method was successfully applied to the preclinical
      pharmacokinetic study of bacopaside I following intravenous or oral
      administration to rats. 

PMID- 27270264
TI  - Virtual crystal description of III-V semiconductor alloys in the tight binding
      approach.
AB  - We propose a simple and effective approach to construct the empirical tight
      binding parameters of ternary alloys in the virtual crystal approximation. This
      combines a new, compact formulation of the strain parameters and a linear
      interpolation of the Hamiltonians of binary materials strained to the alloy
      equilibrium lattice parameter. We show that it is possible to obtain a perfect
      description of the bandgap bowing of ternary alloys in the InGaAsSb family of
      materials. Furthermore, this approach is in a good agreement with supercell
      calculations using the same set of parameters. This scheme opens a way for
      atomistic modeling of alloy-based quantum wells and quantum wires without
      extensive supercell calculations.

PMID- 27270263
TI  - A Worthy Finding: Decrease in Total Cholesterol and Low-Density Lipoprotein
      Cholesterol in Treated Mild Subclinical Hypothyroidism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mild subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) affects a large number of
      people and is known to be a risk factor for dyslipidemia. However, whether mild
      SCH patients should be treated with L-thyroxine to improve lipid profiles remains
      controversial. In addition, it is also unclear whether all mild SCH patients can
      benefit from L-thyroxine treatment, regardless of basal thyrotropin or lipid
      levels. This study aimed to assess the effects of L-thyroxine replacement therapy
      on the lipid profiles of mild SCH patients. METHODS: This open-label randomized
      controlled trial was performed in Ningyang County, Shandong Province, China. A
      total of 378 mild SCH patients with diagnoses confirmed by two thyroid function
      tests were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (L-thyroxine
      replacement therapy) or the control group (no treatment). The primary outcome was
      a change in serum total cholesterol (TC) concentration. RESULTS: In all, 369
      participants completed the 15-month follow-up period. Reduced TC concentrations
      were more prominent in the intervention group than they were in the control group
      (-0.41 mmol/L vs. -0.17 mmol/L; p = 0.012), and changes in low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol levels exhibited the same trend. Subgroup analyses were
      performed to assess the effects of L-thyroxine in patients with different
      thyrotropin or TC levels. When the study population was stratified according to
      basal thyrotropin concentration, all patients who had received L-thyroxine showed
      reduced TC levels (p < 0.001). The treatment was similarly beneficial for all
      patients, regardless of basal TC level. Even for subjects with TC levels <5.18
      mmol/L, serum TC concentrations remained unchanged in the intervention group (p =
      0.936) but increased by 0.35 mmol/L in the control group (p = 0.004).
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that mild SCH patients could benefit from L
      thyroxine treatment to improve lipid profiles, regardless of basal thyrotropin or
      TC concentrations.

PMID- 27270265
TI  - [GeSIDA quality care indicators associated with mortality and hospital admission
      for the care of persons infected by HIV/AIDS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In 2010, the AIDS Study Group (Grupo de Estudio del SIDA [GESIDA])
      developed 66 quality care indicators. The aim of this study is to determine which
      of these indicators are associated with mortality and hospital admission, and to
      perform a preliminary assessment of a prediction rule for mortality and hospital
      admission in patients on treatment and follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective cohort
      study was conducted in the Hospital Universitario Son Espases (Palma de Mallorca,
      Spain). Eligible participants were patients with human immunodeficiency
      syndrome>=18 years old who began follow-up in the Infectious Disease Section
      between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2012. A descriptive analysis was performed
      to evaluate anthropometric variables, and a logistic regression analysis to
      assess the association between GESIDA indicators and mortality/admission. The
      mortality probability model was built using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total
      of 1,944 adults were eligible (median age: 37 years old, 78.8% male). In the
      multivariate analysis, the quality of care indicators associated with mortality
      in the follow-up patient group were the items 7, 16 and 20, and in the group of
      patients on treatment were 7, 16, 20, 35, and 38. The quality of care indicators
      associated with hospital admissions in the follow-up patients group were the same
      as those in the mortality analysis, plus number 31. In the treatment group the
      associated quality of care indicators were items 7, 16, 20, 35, 38, and 40.
      CONCLUSIONS: Some GeSIDA quality of care indicators were associated with
      mortality and/or hospital admissions. These indicators are associated with
      delayed diagnosis, regular monitoring, prevention of infections, and control of
      comorbidities.

PMID- 27270267
TI  - Enhanced polysulphide redox reaction using a RuO2 nanoparticle-decorated
      mesoporous carbon as functional separator coating for advanced lithium-sulphur
      batteries.
AB  - A multi-functional RuO2 nanoparticle-embedded mesoporous carbon-coated separator
      is used as an electrocatalytic and adsorbing polysulphide-net to enhance the
      redox reaction of migrating polysulphides, to improve active material utilization
      and boost the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulphur batteries. 

PMID- 27270266
TI  - Comparison of cerebral blood flow and structural penumbras in relation to white
      matter hyperintensities: A multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging study.
AB  - Normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) surrounding WMHs is associated with
      decreased structural integrity and perfusion, increased risk of WMH growth, and
      is referred to as the WMH penumbra. Studies comparing structural and cerebral
      blood flow (CBF) penumbras within the same individuals are lacking, however, and
      would facilitate our understanding of mechanisms resulting in WM damage. This
      study aimed to compare both CBF and structural WMH penumbras in non-demented
      aging. Eighty-two elderly volunteers underwent 3T-MRI including fluid attenuated
      inversion recovery (FLAIR), pulsed arterial spin labeling and diffusion tensor
      imaging (DTI). A NAWM layer mask was generated for periventricular and deep WMHs.
      Mean CBF, DTI-fractional anisotropy (DTI-FA), DTI-mean diffusivity (DTI-MD) and
      FLAIR intensity for WMHs and its corresponding NAWM layer masks were computed and
      compared against its mean within total brain NAWM using mixed effects models. For
      both periventricular and deep WMHs, DTI-FA, DTI-MD and FLAIR intensity changes
      extended 2-9 mm surrounding WMHs (p <= 0.05), while CBF changes extended 13-14 mm
      (p <= 0.05). The CBF penumbra is more extensive than structural penumbras in
      relation to WMHs and includes WM tissue both with and without microstructural
      changes. Findings implicate CBF as a potential target for the prevention of both
      micro and macro structural WM damage.

PMID- 27270268
TI  - Spinal neurons that contain gastrin-releasing peptide seldom express Fos or
      phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinases in response to intradermal
      chloroquine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is thought to play a role in the itch
      evoked by intradermal injection of chloroquine. Although some early studies
      suggested that GRP was expressed in pruriceptive primary afferents, it is now
      thought that GRP in the spinal cord is derived mainly from a population of
      excitatory interneurons in lamina II, and it has been suggested that these are
      involved in the itch pathway. To test this hypothesis, we used the transcription
      factor Fos and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) to
      look for evidence that interneurons expressing GRP were activated following
      intradermal injection of chloroquine into the calf, in mice that express enhanced
      green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in these cells. RESULTS: Injection of
      chloroquine resulted in numerous Fos- or phospho-ERK (pERK) positive cells in the
      somatotopically appropriate part of the superficial dorsal horn. The proportion
      of all neurons in this region that showed Fos or pERK was 18% and 21%,
      respectively. However, among the GRP-EGFP, only 7% were Fos-positive and 3% were
      pERK-positive. As such, GRP-EGFP cells were significantly less likely than other
      neurons to express Fos or to phosphorylate ERK. CONCLUSIONS: Both expression of
      Fos and phosphorylation of ERK can be used to identify dorsal horn neurons
      activated by chloroquine injection. However, these results do not support the
      hypothesis that interneurons expressing GRP are critical components in the itch
      pathway.

PMID- 27270269
TI  - Asthma in Children With Comorbid Obesity: Intervention Development in a High-Risk
      Urban Community.
AB  - This article describes formative work conducted to inform design of an
      intervention targeting asthma control in overweight/obese children. Using a
      PRECEDE-PROCEED framework and a community-based participatory research approach,
      investigators conducted key informant interviews and focus groups in a low-income
      urban community. Key informants (N = 18) represented schools and community
      agencies. Focus groups were conducted with caregivers (4 groups, N = 31) and
      children (3 groups, N = 30). Focus group participants were low-income and African
      American, Puerto Rican, or Mexican. Children were age 5 to 12 years and
      overweight or obese with a diagnosis of asthma; caregivers had a child meeting
      these criteria. A range of issues competed with families' day-to-day
      prioritization and management of asthma, with social limitations reported as the
      most important issue. Many school-level and individual-level barriers were
      described. Caregivers and children drew strong connections between asthma and
      obesity and described their need to comanage these conditions. The connection
      between the diseases was not as obvious for the key informants, many of whom
      control the services families receive. These results led to an understanding of
      key targets and components that are needed for a multilevel community-based
      intervention to be relevant and appropriate in low-income children with both
      asthma and obesity.

PMID- 27270270
TI  - Consumers' role in mental health care: a research perspective.

PMID- 27270272
TI  - MicroRNA-137 Affects Proliferation and Migration of Placenta Trophoblast Cells in
      Preeclampsia by Targeting ERRalpha.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of microRNA-137 (miRNA-137) in
      proliferation and migration of placenta trophoblast cells of preeclampsia and the
      targeting gene of miRNA-137. METHODS: A total of 134 cases of puerperants were
      divided into normal pregnancy (n = 50), mild preeclampsia (n = 38), and severe
      preeclampsia groups (n = 46). MiRNA-137, estrogen-related receptor alpha
      (ERRalpha), and wingless INT (WNT)11 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were measured in
      placental tissue and trophoblast cells after transfection, and ERRalpha protein
      in placental tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The target genes of
      miRNA-137, trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were
      detected. Both ERRalpha and WNT11 proteins in the trophoblast cells were measured
      after transfection. RESULT: Relative expressions of miRNA-137 were higher, and
      positive expression rates and relative expression levels of ERRalpha protein were
      lower in mild and severe preeclampsia and early- and late-onset preeclampsia than
      in normal pregnancy group (all P < .05). MiRNA-137 in the placental tissues was
      negatively correlated with ERRalpha protein ( P < .05). Luciferase reporter gene
      assay analysis showed that ERRalpha was a direct target gene of miRNA-137.
      Absorbance values, relative scratch-covered areas, cell membrane permeable rate,
      ERRalpha, and WNT11 mRNA and protein relative expressions were significantly
      lower, while cells at G1/G0 phase were higher in miRNA-137 mimic group than those
      in the blank, negative control, and miRNA-137 inhibitor group. CONCLUSION: MiRNA
      137 significantly reduced the proliferation and migration of placenta trophoblast
      cells of preeclampsia by targeting ERRalpha, which might be a potential target
      for gene therapy.

PMID- 27270271
TI  - Computerized assessment of goal-directed behavior in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Apathy is a syndrome characterized by a reduction in goal-directed
      behavior. Neurodegenerative diseases frequently exhibit apathy. However, we lack
      an objective measure of apathy. The Philadelphia Apathy Computerized Task (PACT)
      measures impairments in goal-directed behavior that contribute to apathy,
      including initiation, planning, and motivation. We sought to examine these
      mechanisms in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. METHOD: PD patients and healthy
      controls with a caregiver were recruited for the study. Participants were
      administered the PACT, a novel computerized assessment of goal-directed behavior
      based on reaction times, and the Starkstein Apathy Scale (AS). Care partners
      completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Baseline demographic
      characteristics of PD and control participants were compared using t tests and
      Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Linear regressions were used to compare PD patients to
      controls on each of the three PACT subtasks (initiation, planning, and
      motivation) while controlling for motor slowing. We then compared performance on
      each PACT subtask between PD subjects defined as apathetic using the NPI and
      Starkstein Apathy Scale and controls. RESULTS: We included 30 PD and 15 control
      participants in the analysis. When controlling for motor slowing, both all PD and
      PD apathetic subjects were significantly slower than controls on the planning
      task and on the initiation task. There were no significant differences between PD
      patients and controls on the motivation tasks. CONCLUSIONS: PD patients showed
      specific initiation and planning deficits compared to control participants. After
      using traditional scales to define apathy, PD apathetic patients still exhibited
      impaired initiation and planning behaviors. These results suggest that the PACT
      measures aspects of impaired goal-directed behavior that may contribute to apathy
      in PD.

PMID- 27270273
TI  - Truncated type IV pilin PilA(108) activates the intramembrane protease AlgW to
      cleave MucA and PilA(108) itself in vitro.
AB  - For alginate production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the intramembrane protease
      AlgW must be activated to cleave the periplasmic domain of anti-sigma factor MucA
      for release of the sequestered ECF sigma factor AlgU. Previously, we reported
      that three tandem point mutations in the pilA gene, resulting in a truncated type
      IV pilin termed PilA(108) with a C-terminal motif of phenylalanine-threonine
      phenylalanine (FTF), induced mucoidy in strain PAO579. In this study, we purified
      PilA(108) protein and synthesized a peptide 'SGAGDITFTF' corresponding to C
      terminus of PilA(108) and found they both caused the degradation of MucA by AlgW.
      Interestingly, AlgW could also cleave PilA(108) between alanine(62) and
      glycine(63) residues. Overexpression of the recombinant FTF motif-bearing MucE
      protein, originally a small periplasmic polypeptide with the C-terminal motif
      WVF, could induce mucoid conversion in the PAO1 strain. In all, our results
      provided a model of activation of AlgW by another protein ending with proper
      motifs. Our data suggest that in addition to MucA cleavage, AlgW may cleave other
      substrates. 

PMID- 27270274
TI  - Relationship between Fosfomycin Exposure and Amplification of Escherichia coli
      Subpopulations with Reduced Susceptibility in a Hollow-Fiber Infection Model.
AB  - Understanding the relationship between antibiotic exposure and amplification of
      bacterial subpopulations with reduced drug susceptibility over time is important
      for evaluating the adequacy of dosing regimens. We utilized a hollow-fiber
      infection model to identify the fosfomycin intravenous dosing regimens that
      prevented the amplification of Escherichia coli bacterial subpopulations with
      reduced fosfomycin susceptibility. The challenge isolate was E. coli ATCC 25922
      (agar MIC with glucose-6-phosphate, 1 mg/liter; agar MIC without glucose-6
      phosphate, 32 mg/liter). The fosfomycin dosing regimens studied were 1 to 12 g
      every 8 h for 10 days to approximate that planned for clinical use. The studies
      included a no-treatment control regimen. Two bacterial subpopulations were
      identified, one with reduced susceptibility with agar MIC values ranging from 32
      to 128 mg/liter and the other resistant with agar MIC values of 256 to >1,024
      mg/liter on plates containing 5* and 256* the baseline MIC value, respectively.
      An inverted-U-shaped function best described the relationship between the
      amplification of the two bacterial subpopulations and drug exposure. The lowest
      fosfomycin dosing regimen that did not amplify a bacterial subpopulation with
      reduced susceptibility was 4 g administered every 8 h. Nearly immediate
      amplification of bacterial subpopulations with reduced susceptibility was
      observed with fosfomycin dosing regimens consisting of 1 to 2 g every 8 h. These
      data will be useful to support the selection of fosfomycin dosing regimens that
      minimize the potential for on-therapy amplification of bacterial subpopulations
      with reduced susceptibility.

PMID- 27270275
TI  - Differences in the Molecular Epidemiology and Antibiotic Susceptibility of
      Clostridium difficile Isolates in Pediatric and Adult Patients.
AB  - The rising incidence of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) in adults is
      partly related to the global spread of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains, namely,
      BI/NAP1/027. Although CDIs are also increasingly diagnosed in children,
      BI/NAP1/027 is relatively uncommon in children. Little is known about the
      antibiotic susceptibility of pediatric CDI isolates. C. difficile was cultured
      from tcdB-positive stools collected from children diagnosed with CDI between
      December 2012 and December 2013 at an academic children's hospital. CDI isolates
      were grouped by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA). MICs were measured by
      agar dilution method for 7 antibiotics. Susceptibility breakpoints were based on
      guidelines from CLSI and/or the European Committee on Antimicrobial
      Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). MICs and REA groupings of C. difficile isolates
      from 74 adult patients (29 isolates underwent REA) from a temporally and
      geographically similar adult cohort were compared to those of pediatric isolates.
      Among 122 pediatric and 74 adult isolates, respectively, the rates of resistance
      were as follows: metronidazole, 0% and 0%; vancomycin, 0% and 8% (P = 0.003);
      rifaximin, 1.6% and 6.7% (P = 0.11); clindamycin, 18.9% and 25.3% (P = 0.29); and
      moxifloxacin, 2.5% and 36% (P = <0.0001). Only 1 of 122 (0.8%) BI/NAP1/027
      isolates was identified among the children, compared to 9 of 29 (31%) isolates
      identified among the adults (P = <0.0001). The 3 moxifloxacin-resistant pediatric
      isolates were of REA groups BI and CF and a nonspecific group. The 2 rifaximin
      resistant pediatric isolates were of REA groups DH and Y. The 21 clindamycin
      resistant pediatric isolates were distributed among 9 REA groups (groups A, CF,
      DH, G, L, M, and Y and 2 unique nonspecific REA groups). These data suggest that
      a diverse array of relatively antibiotic-susceptible C. difficile strains
      predominate in a cohort of children with CDI compared to adults.

PMID- 27270276
TI  - Revisiting the Concept of Targeting Only Bacillus anthracis Toxins as a Treatment
      for Anthrax.
AB  - Protective antigen (PA)-based vaccines are effective in preventing the
      development of fatal anthrax disease both in humans and in relevant animal
      models. The Bacillus anthracis toxins lethal toxin (lethal factor [LF] plus PA)
      and edema toxin (edema factor [EF] plus PA) are essential for the establishment
      of the infection, as inactivation of these toxins results in attenuation of the
      pathogen. Since the toxins reach high toxemia levels at the bacteremic stages of
      the disease, the CDC's recommendations include combining antibiotic treatment
      with antitoxin (anti-PA) immunotherapy. We demonstrate here that while treatment
      with a highly potent neutralizing monoclonal antibody was highly efficient as
      postexposure prophylaxis treatment, it failed to protect rabbits with any
      detectable bacteremia (>=10 CFU/ml). In addition, we show that while PA
      vaccination was effective against a subcutaneous spore challenge, it failed to
      protect rabbits against systemic challenges (intravenous injection of vegetative
      bacteria) with the wild-type Vollum strain or a toxin-deficient mutant. To test
      the possibility that additional proteins, which are secreted by the bacteria
      under pathogenicity-stimulating conditions in vitro, may contribute to the
      vaccine's potency, we immunized rabbits with a secreted protein fraction from a
      toxin-null mutant. The antiserum raised against the secreted fraction reacts with
      the bacteria in an immunofluorescence assay. Immunization with the secreted
      protein fraction did not protect the rabbits against a systemic challenge with
      the fully pathogenic bacteria. Full protection was obtained only by a combined
      vaccination with PA and the secreted protein fraction. Therefore, these results
      indicate that an effective antiserum treatment in advanced stages of anthrax must
      include toxin-neutralizing antibodies in combination with antibodies against
      bacterial cell targets.

PMID- 27270277
TI  - Antimalarial Benzoxaboroles Target Plasmodium falciparum Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase.
AB  - There is a need for new antimalarials, ideally with novel mechanisms of action.
      Benzoxaboroles have been shown to be active against bacteria, fungi, and
      trypanosomes. Therefore, we investigated the antimalarial activity and mechanism
      of action of 3-aminomethyl benzoxaboroles against Plasmodium falciparum Two 3
      aminomethyl compounds, AN6426 and AN8432, demonstrated good potency against
      cultured multidrug-resistant (W2 strain) P. falciparum (50% inhibitory
      concentration [IC50] of 310 nM and 490 nM, respectively) and efficacy against
      murine Plasmodium berghei infection when administered orally once daily for 4
      days (90% effective dose [ED90], 7.4 and 16.2 mg/kg of body weight,
      respectively). To characterize mechanisms of action, we selected parasites with
      decreased drug sensitivity by culturing with stepwise increases in concentration
      of AN6426. Resistant clones were characterized by whole-genome sequencing. Three
      generations of resistant parasites had polymorphisms in the predicted editing
      domain of the gene encoding a P. falciparum leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS;
      PF3D7_0622800) and in another gene (PF3D7_1218100), which encodes a protein of
      unknown function. Solution of the structure of the P. falciparum LeuRS editing
      domain suggested key roles for mutated residues in LeuRS editing. Short
      incubations with AN6426 and AN8432, unlike artemisinin, caused dose-dependent
      inhibition of [(14)C]leucine incorporation by cultured wild-type, but not
      resistant, parasites. The growth of resistant, but not wild-type, parasites was
      impaired in the presence of the unnatural amino acid norvaline, consistent with a
      loss of LeuRS editing activity in resistant parasites. In summary, the
      benzoxaboroles AN6426 and AN8432 offer effective antimalarial activity and act,
      at least in part, against a novel target, the editing domain of P. falciparum
      LeuRS.

PMID- 27270278
TI  - Detection of Colistin Resistance Gene mcr-1 in Hypervirulent Klebsiella
      pneumoniae and Escherichia coli Isolates from an Infant with Diarrhea in China.

PMID- 27270279
TI  - Influence of Renal Replacement Modalities on Amikacin Population Pharmacokinetics
      in Critically Ill Patients on Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.
AB  - The objective of this study was to describe amikacin pharmacokinetics (PK) in
      critically ill patients receiving equal doses (30 ml/kg of body weight/h) of
      continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) and continuous venovenous
      hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). Patients receiving amikacin and undergoing CVVH or
      CVVHDF were eligible. Population pharmacokinetic analysis and Monte Carlo
      simulation were undertaken using the Pmetrics software package for R. Sixteen
      patients (9 undergoing CVVH, 11 undergoing CVVHDF) and 20 sampling intervals were
      analyzed. A two-compartment linear model best described the data. Patient weight
      was the only covariate that was associated with drug clearance. The mean +/-
      standard deviation parameter estimates were 25.2 +/- 17.3 liters for the central
      volume, 0.89 +/- 1.17 h(-1) for the rate constant for the drug distribution from
      the central to the peripheral compartment, 2.38 +/- 6.60 h(-1) for the rate
      constant for the drug distribution from the peripheral to the central
      compartment, 4.45 +/- 2.35 liters/h for hemodiafiltration clearance, and 4.69 +/-
      2.42 liters/h for hemofiltration clearance. Dosing simulations for amikacin
      supported the use of high dosing regimens (>=25 mg/kg) and extended intervals (36
      to 48 h) for most patients when considering PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) targets of a
      maximum concentration in plasma (Cmax)/MIC ratio of >=8 and a minimal
      concentration of <=2.5 mg/liter at the end of the dosing interval. The mean
      clearance of amikacin was 1.8 +/- 1.3 liters/h by CVVHDF and 1.3 +/- 1 liters/h
      by CVVH. On the basis of simulations, a strategy of an extended-interval high
      loading dose of amikacin (25 mg/kg every 48 h) associated with therapeutic drug
      monitoring (TDM) should be the preferred approach for aminoglycoside treatment in
      critically ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).
      (This study is a substudy of a trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under
      number NCT01403220.).

PMID- 27270280
TI  - In Vitro Activity of Fusidic Acid-Containing Combinations against Carbapenem
      Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Strains.

PMID- 27270281
TI  - Development and Evaluation of a Gentamicin Pharmacokinetic Model That Facilitates
      Opportunistic Gentamicin Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Neonates and Infants.
AB  - Trough gentamicin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is time-consuming, disruptive
      to neonatal clinical care, and a patient safety issue. Bayesian models could
      allow TDM to be performed opportunistically at the time of routine blood tests.
      This study aimed to develop and prospectively evaluate a new gentamicin model and
      a novel Bayesian computer tool (neoGent) for TDM use in neonatal intensive care.
      We also evaluated model performance for predicting peak concentrations and the
      area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 h to time t h (AUC0- t). A
      pharmacokinetic meta-analysis was performed on pooled data from three studies
      (1,325 concentrations from 205 patients). A 3-compartment model was used with the
      following covariates: allometric weight scaling, postmenstrual and postnatal age,
      and serum creatinine concentration. Final parameter estimates (standard errors)
      were as follows: clearance, 6.2 (0.3) liters/h/70 kg of body weight; central
      volume (V), 26.5 (0.6) liters/70 kg; intercompartmental disposition (Q), 2.2
      (0.3) liters/h/70 kg; peripheral volume V2, 21.2 (1.5) liters/70 kg;
      intercompartmental disposition (Q2), 0.3 (0.05) liters/h/70 kg; peripheral volume
      V3, 148 (52.0) liters/70 kg. The model's ability to predict trough concentrations
      from an opportunistic sample was evaluated in a prospective observational cohort
      study that included data from 163 patients and 483 concentrations collected in
      five hospitals. Unbiased trough predictions were obtained; the median (95%
      confidence interval [CI]) prediction error was 0.0004 (-1.07, 0.84) mg/liter.
      Results also showed that peaks and AUC0- t values could be predicted (from one
      randomly selected sample) with little bias but relative imprecision, with median
      (95% CI) prediction errors being 0.16 (-4.76, 5.01) mg/liter and 10.8 (-24.9,
      62.2) mg . h/liter, respectively. neoGent was implemented in R/NONMEM and in the
      freely available TDMx software.

PMID- 27270283
TI  - Validation and Application of a Dried Blood Spot Assay for Biofilm-Active
      Antibiotics Commonly Used for Treatment of Prosthetic Implant Infections.
AB  - Dried blood spot (DBS) antibiotic assays can facilitate pharmacokinetic
      (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) studies in situations where venous blood sampling is
      logistically difficult. We sought to develop, validate, and apply a DBS assay for
      rifampin (RIF), fusidic acid (FUS), and ciprofloxacin (CIP). These antibiotics
      are considered active against organisms in biofilms and are therefore commonly
      used for the treatment of infections associated with prosthetic implants. A
      liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy DBS assay was developed and validated,
      including red cell partitioning and thermal stability for each drug and the
      rifampin metabolite desacetyl rifampin (Des-RIF). Plasma and DBS concentrations
      in 10 healthy adults were compared, and the concentration-time profiles were
      incorporated into population PK models. The limits of quantification for RIF, Des
      RIF, CIP, and FUS in DBS were 15 MUg/liter, 14 MUg/liter, 25 MUg/liter, and 153
      MUg/liter, respectively. Adjusting for hematocrit, red cell partitioning, and
      relative recovery, DBS-predicted plasma concentrations were comparable to
      measured plasma concentrations for each antibiotic (r > 0.95; P < 0.0001), and
      Bland-Altman plots showed no significant bias. The final population PK estimates
      of clearance, volume of distribution, and time above threshold MICs for measured
      and DBS-predicted plasma concentrations were comparable. These drugs were stable
      in DBSs for at least 10 days at room temperature and 1 month at 4 degrees C. The
      present DBS antibiotic assays are robust and can be used as surrogates for plasma
      concentrations to provide valid PK and PK/PD data in a variety of clinical
      situations, including therapeutic drug monitoring or studies of implant
      infections.

PMID- 27270282
TI  - Substrate Inhibition of VanA by d-Alanine Reduces Vancomycin Resistance in a VanX
      Dependent Manner.
AB  - The increasing resistance of clinical pathogens against the glycopeptide
      antibiotic vancomycin, a last-resort drug against infections with Gram-positive
      pathogens, is a major problem in the nosocomial environment. Vancomycin inhibits
      peptidoglycan synthesis by binding to the d-Ala-d-Ala terminal dipeptide moiety
      of the cell wall precursor lipid II. Plasmid-transferable resistance is conferred
      by modification of the terminal dipeptide into the vancomycin-insensitive variant
      d-Ala-d-Lac, which is produced by VanA. Here we show that exogenous d-Ala
      competes with d-Lac as a substrate for VanA, increasing the ratio of wild-type to
      mutant dipeptide, an effect that was augmented by several orders of magnitude in
      the absence of the d-Ala-d-Ala peptidase VanX. Liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed that high concentrations of d-Ala led to the
      production of a significant amount of wild-type cell wall precursors, while vanX
      null mutants produced primarily wild-type precursors. This enhanced the efficacy
      of vancomycin in the vancomycin-resistant model organism Streptomyces coelicolor,
      and the susceptibility of vancomycin-resistant clinical isolates of Enterococcus
      faecium (VRE) increased by up to 100-fold. The enhanced vancomycin sensitivity of
      S. coelicolor cells correlated directly to increased binding of the antibiotic to
      the cell wall. Our work offers new perspectives for the treatment of diseases
      associated with vancomycin-resistant pathogens and for the development of drugs
      that target vancomycin resistance.

PMID- 27270284
TI  - Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model of Rifapentine and 25-Desacetyl
      Rifapentine Disposition in Humans.
AB  - Rifapentine (RPT) is a rifamycin antimycobacterial and, as part of a combination
      therapy, is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) caused by
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis Although the results from a number of studies indicate
      that rifapentine has the potential to shorten treatment duration and enhance
      completion rates compared to other rifamycin agents utilized in antituberculosis
      drug regimens (i.e., regimens 1 to 4), its optimal dose and exposure in humans
      are unknown. To help inform such an optimization, a physiologically based
      pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to predict time course, tissue
      specific concentrations of RPT and its active metabolite, 25-desacetyl
      rifapentine (dRPT), in humans after specified administration schedules for RPT.
      Starting with the development and verification of a PBPK model for rats, the
      model was extrapolated and then tested using human pharmacokinetic data. Testing
      and verification of the models included comparisons of predictions to
      experimental data in several rat tissues and time course RPT and dRPT plasma
      concentrations in humans from several single- and repeated-dosing studies.
      Finally, the model was used to predict RPT concentrations in the lung during the
      intensive and continuation phases of a current recommended TB treatment regimen.
      Based on these results, it is anticipated that the PBPK model developed in this
      study will be useful in evaluating dosing regimens for RPT and for characterizing
      tissue-level doses that could be predictors of problems related to efficacy or
      safety.

PMID- 27270285
TI  - Atovaquone and ELQ-300 Combination Therapy as a Novel Dual-Site Cytochrome bc1
      Inhibition Strategy for Malaria.
AB  - Antimalarial combination therapies play a crucial role in preventing the
      emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium parasites. Although artemisinin-based
      combination therapies (ACTs) comprise the majority of these formulations,
      inhibitors of the mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 complex (cyt bc1) are among the
      few compounds that are effective for both acute antimalarial treatment and
      prophylaxis. There are two known sites for inhibition within cyt bc1: atovaquone
      (ATV) blocks the quinol oxidase (Qo) site of cyt bc1, while some members of the
      endochin-like quinolone (ELQ) family, including preclinical candidate ELQ-300,
      inhibit the quinone reductase (Qi) site and retain full potency against ATV
      resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains with Qo site mutations. Here, we provide
      the first in vivo comparison of ATV, ELQ-300, and combination therapy consisting
      of ATV plus ELQ-300 (ATV:ELQ-300), using P. yoelii murine models of malaria. In
      our monotherapy assessments, we found that ATV functioned as a single-dose
      curative compound in suppressive tests whereas ELQ-300 demonstrated a unique
      cumulative dosing effect that successfully blocked recrudescence even in a high
      parasitemia acute infection model. ATV:ELQ-300 therapy was highly synergistic,
      and the combination was curative with a single combined dose of 1 mg/kg of body
      weight. Compared to the ATV:proguanil (Malarone) formulation, ATV:ELQ-300 was
      more efficacious in multiday, acute infection models and was equally effective at
      blocking the emergence of ATV-resistant parasites. Ultimately, our data suggest
      that dual-site inhibition of cyt bc1 is a valuable strategy for antimalarial
      combination therapy and that Qi site inhibitors such as ELQ-300 represent
      valuable partner drugs for the clinically successful Qo site inhibitor ATV.

PMID- 27270286
TI  - Serum Albumin and Ca2+ Are Natural Competence Inducers in the Human Pathogen
      Acinetobacter baumannii.
AB  - The increasing frequency of bacteria showing antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
      raises the menace of entering into a postantibiotic era. Horizontal gene transfer
      (HGT) is one of the prime reasons for AMR acquisition. Acinetobacter baumannii is
      a nosocomial pathogen with outstanding abilities to survive in the hospital
      environment and to acquire resistance determinants. Its capacity to incorporate
      exogenous DNA is a major source of AMR genes; however, few studies have addressed
      this subject. The transformation machinery as well as the factors that induce
      natural competence in A. baumannii are unknown. In this study, we demonstrate
      that naturally competent strain A118 increases its natural transformation
      frequency upon the addition of Ca(2+)or albumin. We show that comEA and pilQ are
      involved in this process since their expression levels are increased upon the
      addition of these compounds. An unspecific protein, like casein, does not
      reproduce this effect, showing that albumin's effect is specific. Our work
      describes the first specific inducers of natural competence in A. baumannii
      Overall, our results suggest that the main protein in blood enhances HGT in A.
      baumannii, contributing to the increase of AMR in this threatening human
      pathogen.

PMID- 27270287
TI  - Pyrazinamide Is Active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cultures at Neutral pH
      and Low Temperature.
AB  - For the past decades, an acidic pH has been used to render Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis susceptible to pyrazinamide for in vitro testing. Here, we show that
      at the standard breakpoint concentration and reduced culture temperatures,
      pyrazinamide (PZA) is active against tuberculosis (TB) at neutral pH. This
      finding should help unravel the mechanism of action of PZA and allow drug
      susceptibility testing (DST) methods to be optimized.

PMID- 27270288
TI  - Inhibition of LpxC Increases Antibiotic Susceptibility in Acinetobacter
      baumannii.
AB  - LpxC inhibitors have generally shown poor in vitro activity against Acinetobacter
      baumannii We show that the LpxC inhibitor PF-5081090 inhibits lipid A
      biosynthesis, as determined by silver staining and measurements of endotoxin
      levels, and significantly increases cell permeability. The presence of PF-5081090
      at 32 mg/liter increased susceptibility to rifampin, vancomycin, azithromycin,
      imipenem, and amikacin but had no effect on susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and
      tigecycline. Potentiating existing antibiotics with LpxC inhibitors may represent
      an alternative treatment strategy for multidrug-resistant A. baumannii.

PMID- 27270290
TI  - In Vitro Characterization of Human Cytomegalovirus-Targeting Therapeutic
      Monoclonal Antibodies LJP538 and LJP539.
AB  - Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is usually benign in healthy individuals
      but can cause life-threatening disease in those with compromised immune systems.
      Approved drugs available to treat HCMV disease, including ganciclovir, cidofovir,
      and foscarnet, have significant toxicities that limit their use in certain
      patient populations. LJP538 and LJP539 are human monoclonal antibodies that are
      being evaluated as immunoglobulin therapeutics. The antibodies target
      glycoproteins gB and the gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131a pentameric complex,
      respectively. Here we present an in vitro characterization of these antibodies.
      We show that LJP538 and LJP539 are more potent than a marketed immunoglobulin at
      inhibiting HCMV infection of various cell lines relevant to pathogenesis. We find
      that LJP538 and LJP539 are active against a panel of clinical isolates in vitro
      and demonstrate minor-to-moderate synergy in combination. Passage of HCMV in the
      presence of LJP538 or LJP539 alone resulted in resistance-associated mutations
      that mapped to the target genes. However, no loss of susceptibility to the
      combination of antibodies was observed for >400 days in culture. Finally, the
      binding regions of LJP538 and LJP539 are conserved among clinical isolates. Taken
      together, these data support the use of LJP538 and LJP539 in combination for
      clinical trials in HCMV patients.

PMID- 27270289
TI  - Horizontal Transfer of Carbapenemase-Encoding Plasmids and Comparison with
      Hospital Epidemiology Data.
AB  - Carbapenemase-producing organisms have spread worldwide, and infections with
      these bacteria cause significant morbidity. Horizontal transfer of plasmids
      carrying genes that encode carbapenemases plays an important role in the spread
      of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Here we investigate parameters
      regulating conjugation using an Escherichia coli laboratory strain that lacks
      plasmids or restriction enzyme modification systems as a recipient and also using
      patient isolates as donors and recipients. Because conjugation is tightly
      regulated, we performed a systematic analysis of the transfer of Klebsiella
      pneumoniae carbapenemase (blaKPC)-encoding plasmids into multiple strains under
      different environmental conditions to investigate critical variables. We used
      four blaKPC-carrying plasmids isolated from patient strains obtained from two
      hospitals: pKpQIL and pKPC-47e from the National Institutes of Health, and
      pKPC_UVA01 and pKPC_UVA02 from the University of Virginia. Plasmid transfer
      frequency differed substantially between different donor and recipient pairs, and
      the frequency was influenced by plasmid content, temperature, and substrate, in
      addition to donor and recipient strain. pKPC-47e was attenuated in conjugation
      efficiency across all conditions tested. Despite its presence in multiple
      clinical species, pKPC_UVA01 had lower conjugation efficiencies than pKpQIL into
      recipient strains. The conjugation frequency of these plasmids into K. pneumoniae
      and E. coli patient isolates ranged widely without a clear correlation with
      clinical epidemiological data. Our results highlight the importance of each
      variable examined in these controlled experiments. The in vitro models did not
      reliably predict plasmid mobilization observed in a patient population,
      indicating that further studies are needed to understand the most important
      variables affecting horizontal transfer in vivo.

PMID- 27270291
TI  - Outcome of childhood-onset full-house nephropathy.
AB  - Background: Patients with full-house nephropathy (FHN) present renal lesions that
      are indistinguishable from those of lupus nephritis (LN) but lack the systemic
      features necessary to meet diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erithematosus
      (SLE). Some have been reported to develop a delayed SLE with time. The clinical
      outcome of children having FHN without SLE has never been reported. Methods:
      Children with biopsy-proven FHN were selected after excluding SLE cases by the
      absence of America College of Rheumatology criteria. The proportion of patients
      with complete (proteinuria <0.5 g/day) or partial remission (proteinuria <=50%
      from baseline), relapse (estimated glomerular filtration rate <25% and/or
      proteinuria >=50% from baseline) and progression to Stage III chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) was described according to age and gender groups with the Kaplan
      Meier curve and compared with the Log-rank test. Entity of treatment was
      summarized by a score at induction (0-6 months) and maintenance (6-18 months).
      Cox-regression model was performed to test predictors of remission, relapse and
      progression to CKD. Results: Among 42 patients (28 pre-pubertal) who met the
      inclusion criteria, 39 (92.9%) achieved partial and 32 (76.2%) complete remission
      of nephropathy over 2.78 and 7.51 months of follow-up. At 10 years, the
      probability of progressing to CKD was 4.8%. Of those achieving remission, 18% had
      a renal flare mainly within 4 years after remission. Pre-pubertal males achieved
      complete remission more frequently than other patients but often relapsed; pre
      pubertal females were treated more aggressively. Cox-regression analysis did not
      find independent predictors of remission or relapse. Conclusions: The outcome of
      the patients with FHN we investigated was encouraging. Recurrences are limited to
      the first 4 years following diagnosis, allowing progressive withdrawal of
      immunosuppression in patients achieving remission. Evaluation of risk factors for
      adverse outcome is necessary especially in pre-pubertal children.

PMID- 27270292
TI  - Association between changes in quality of life and mortality in hemodialysis
      patients: results from the DOPPS.
AB  - Background: Cross-sectional health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) measures are
      associated with mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The impact of changes in
      HR-QOL on outcomes remains unclear. We describe the association of prior changes
      in HR-QOL with subsequent mortality among HD patients. Methods: A total of 13 784
      patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study had more than one
      measurement of HR-QOL. The impact of changes between two measurements of the
      physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores of the SF-12 on
      mortality was estimated with Cox regression. Results: Mean age was 62 years
      (standard deviation: 14 years); 59% were male and 32% diabetic. Median time
      between HR-QOL measurements was 12 months [interquartile range (IQR): 11, 14].
      Median initial PCS and MCS scores were 37.5 (IQR: 29.4, 46.2) and 46.4 (IQR:
      37.2, 54.9); median changes in PCS and MCS scores were -0.2 (IQR: -5.5, 4.7) and 
      0.1 (IQR: -6.8, 5.9), respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for a 5-point
      decline in HR-QOL score was 1.09 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.12] for
      PCS and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.03-1.08) for MCS. Adjusting for the second QOL score, the
      change was not associated with mortality: HR = 1.01 (95% CI: 0.98-1.05) for delta
      PCS and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.98-1.03) for delta MCS. Categorizing the first and second
      scores as predictors, only the second PCS or MCS score was associated with
      mortality. Conclusions: In our study, only the most recent HR-QOL score was
      associated with mortality. Hence, the predictive power of a measurement of HR-QOL
      is not affected by changes in HR-QOL prior to that measurement; more frequent HR
      QOL measurements are needed to improve the prediction of outcomes in HD. Further
      studies are needed to determine the optimal frequency and appropriate instrument
      to be used for serial measurements.

PMID- 27270294
TI  - Analysis of self-assembly of S-layer protein slp-B53 from Lysinibacillus
      sphaericus.
AB  - The formation of stable and functional surface layers (S-layers) via self
      assembly of surface-layer proteins on the cell surface is a dynamic and complex
      process. S-layers facilitate a number of important biological functions, e.g.,
      providing protection and mediating selective exchange of molecules and thereby
      functioning as molecular sieves. Furthermore, S-layers selectively bind several
      metal ions including uranium, palladium, gold, and europium, some of them with
      high affinity. Most current research on surface layers focuses on investigating
      crystalline arrays of protein subunits in Archaea and bacteria. In this work,
      several complementary analytical techniques and methods have been applied to
      examine structure-function relationships and dynamics for assembly of S-layer
      protein slp-B53 from Lysinibacillus sphaericus: (1) The secondary structure of
      the S-layer protein was analyzed by circular dichroism spectroscopy; (2) Small
      angle X-ray scattering was applied to gain insights into the three-dimensional
      structure in solution; (3) The interaction with bivalent cations was followed by
      differential scanning calorimetry; (4) The dynamics and time-dependent assembly
      of S-layers were followed by applying dynamic light scattering; (5) The two
      dimensional structure of the paracrystalline S-layer lattice was examined by
      atomic force microscopy. The data obtained provide essential structural insights
      into the mechanism of S-layer self-assembly, particularly with respect to binding
      of bivalent cations, i.e., Mg2+ and Ca2+. Furthermore, the results obtained
      highlight potential applications of S-layers in the fields of micromaterials and
      nanobiotechnology by providing engineered or individual symmetric thin protein
      layers, e.g., for protective, antimicrobial, or otherwise functionalized
      surfaces.

PMID- 27270295
TI  - Percutaneous internal ring suturing as a first choice laparoscopic inguinal
      hernia repair method in girls: a single-center study in 148 patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We sought to retrospectively assess the operative findings and
      clinical outcomes of 148 girls who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair
      with the percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) technique. METHODS: Between
      2010 and 2014, girls with inguinal hernia underwent surgery using the
      laparoscopic PIRS technique described by Patkowski. Demographic and perioperative
      findings, complications, and recurrences were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 205
      inguinal hernia repairs were performed in 148 children with a mean age of 5.83
      years (1 month-16 years). In 57 girls (38.5 %), the hernias were bilaterally
      repaired, while in 91 girls (61.5 %) hernias were unilaterally repaired. The mean
      follow-up time was 3.6 years (range 2.5-6.1 years). No serious complications or
      recurrence were noted. Granuloma occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION: The PIRS
      technique is a safe, simple and effective procedure for girls. Excellent cosmetic
      results and reduced recurrence rates are associated with this method. This
      procedure is particularly suitable for girls because they lack a spermatic cord
      and vascular structures that can cause complications with this technique in boys.
      Based on our experience and others in the literature, we suggest that the PIRS
      procedure might be considered a gold standard for inguinal hernia operations in
      girls.

PMID- 27270293
TI  - Relationship of proximal tubular injury to chronic kidney disease as assessed by
      urinary kidney injury molecule-1 in five cohort studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The primary biomarkers used to define CKD are serum creatinine and
      albuminuria. These biomarkers have directed focus on the filtration and barrier
      functions of the kidney glomerulus even though albuminuria results from tubule
      dysfunction as well. Given that proximal tubules make up ~90% of kidney cortical
      mass, we evaluated whether a sensitive and specific marker of proximal tubule
      injury, urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), is elevated in individuals with
      CKD or with risk factors for CKD. METHODS: We measured urinary KIM-1 in
      participants of five cohort studies from the USA and Sweden. Participants had a
      wide range of kidney function and were racially and ethnically diverse.
      Multivariable linear regression models were used to test the association of
      urinary KIM-1 with demographic, clinical and laboratory values. RESULTS: In
      pooled, multivariable-adjusted analyses, log-transformed, creatinine-normalized
      urinary KIM-1 levels were higher in those with lower eGFR {beta = -0.03 per 10
      mL/min/1.73 m(2) [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.05 to -0.02]} and greater
      albuminuria [beta = 0.16 per unit of log albumin:creatinine ratio (95% CI 0.15
      0.17)]. Urinary KIM-1 levels were higher in current smokers, lower in blacks than
      nonblacks and lower in users versus nonusers of angiotensin-converting enzyme
      inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers. CONCLUSION: Proximal tubule injury
      appears to be an integral and measurable element of multiple stages of CKD.

PMID- 27270296
TI  - Synthetic Morphogenesis.
AB  - Throughout biology, function is intimately linked with form. Across scales
      ranging from subcellular to multiorganismal, the identity and organization of a
      biological structure's subunits dictate its properties. The field of molecular
      morphogenesis has traditionally been concerned with describing these links,
      decoding the molecular mechanisms that give rise to the shape and structure of
      cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. Recent advances in synthetic biology
      promise unprecedented control over these molecular mechanisms; this opens the
      path to not just probing morphogenesis but directing it. This review explores
      several frontiers in the nascent field of synthetic morphogenesis, including
      programmable tissues and organs, synthetic biomaterials and programmable matter,
      and engineering complex morphogenic systems de novo. We will discuss each
      frontier's objectives, current approaches, constraints and challenges, and future
      potential. 

PMID- 27270297
TI  - Building Spatial Synthetic Biology with Compartments, Scaffolds, and Communities.
AB  - Traditional views of synthetic biology often treat the cell as an unstructured
      container in which biological reactions proceed uniformly. In reality, the
      organization of biological molecules has profound effects on cellular function:
      not only metabolic, but also physical and mechanical. Here, we discuss a variety
      of perturbations available to biologists in controlling protein, nucleotide, and
      membrane localization. These range from simple tags, fusions, and scaffolds to
      heterologous expression of compartments and other structures that confer unique
      physical properties to cells. Next, we relate these principles to those guiding
      the spatial environments outside of cells such as the extracellular matrix.
      Finally, we discuss new directions in building intercellular organizations to
      create novel symbioses.

PMID- 27270298
TI  - Phylogenetic analysis and pathogenicity of H3 subtype avian influenza viruses
      isolated from live poultry markets in China.
AB  - H3 subtype influenza A virus is one of the main subtypes that threats both public
      and animal health. However, the evolution and pathogenicity of H3 avian influenza
      virus (AIV) circulating in domestic birds in China remain largely unclear. In
      this study, seven H3 AIVs (four H3N2 and three H3N8) were isolated from poultry
      in live poultry market (LPM) in China. Phylogenetic analyses of full genomes
      showed that all viruses were clustered into Eurasian lineage, except N8 genes of
      two H3N8 isolates fell into North American lineage. Intriguingly, the N8 gene of
      one H3N8 and PB2, PB1, NP and NS of two H3N2 isolates have close relationship
      with those of the highly pathogenic H5N8 viruses circulating in Korea and United
      States, suggesting that the H3-like AIV may contribute internal genes to the
      highly pathogenic H5N8 viruses. Phylogenetic tree of HA gene and antigenic cross
      reactivity results indicated that two antigenically different H3 viruses are
      circulating in LPM in China. Most of the H3 viruses replicated in mice lung and
      nasal turbinate without prior adaptation, and the representative H3 viruses
      infected chickens without causing clinical signs. The reassortment of H3 subtype
      influenza viruses warrants continuous surveillance in LPM in China.

PMID- 27270299
TI  - Stereotactic radiosurgery as a feasible treatment for intramedullary spinal
      arteriovenous malformations: a single-center observation.
AB  - Spinal cord intramedullary arteriovenous malformations are rare. For patients
      suffering from either hemorrhage or myelopathy, surgical or endovascular
      interventions are indicated. However, complete eradication of the nidus is often
      difficult because of its intramedullary location and complex angioarchitecture.
      In this report, we evaluate the feasibility and safety of stereotactic
      radiosurgery as a treatment modality for intramedullary spinal arteriovenous
      malformations (AVMs). Between 2010 and 2014, we performed stereotactic
      radiosurgery to treat four patients with intramedullary AVM and one with spinal
      arteriovenous metameric syndrome (one woman and four men; age range, 31-66
      years). Three patients presented with myelopathy, and two suffered hemorrhages.
      Nidi were located in the cervical (three cases) and thoracic (two cases) spinal
      cord regions. Based on the angioarchitecture, surgery and endovascular
      embolization were indicated. When both modalities were deemed hazardous,
      radiosurgery using CyberKnifeTM was offered. Radiation using marginal doses of 18
      Gy was administered in three fractions. The mean follow-up period was 37.2 months
      (range, 16-62 months). After treatment, two of the three patients with myelopathy
      experienced either improvement or stabilization of their symptoms and one
      experienced worsening of dysesthesia. In two patients with hemorrhage, symptoms
      improved in one and remained stable in the other. No further hemorrhagic episodes
      were evident during follow-up. Follow-up angiograms showed marked shrinkage of
      the nidus located in the thoracic spinal cord in one case and angiographic
      stabilization in the others. As a treatment modality for intramedullary AVMs,
      CyberKnifeTM is safe and can be considered when surgery or endovascular therapy
      is not indicated. To determine optimum radiation doses and protocols for treating
      spinal AVMs, further studies with more patients and long-term follow-up are
      required.

PMID- 27270301
TI  - Non-anaplastic peripheral T cell lymphoma in children and adolescents-an
      international review of 143 cases.
AB  - Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCL) are rare in children and adolescents, and data
      about outcome and treatment results are scarce. The present study is a joint,
      international, retrospective analysis of 143 reported cases of non-anaplastic
      PTCL in patients <19 years of age, with a focus on treatment and outcome
      features. One hundred forty-three patients, between 0.3 and 18.7 years old,
      diagnosed between 2000 and 2015 were included in the study. PTCL not otherwise
      specified was the largest subgroup, followed by extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma,
      hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma (HS TCL), and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell
      lymphoma (SP TCL). Probability of overall survival (pOS) at 5 years for the whole
      group was 0.56 +/- 0.05, and probability of event-free survival was (pEFS) 0.45
      +/- 0.05. Patients with SP TCL had a good outcome with 5-year pOS of 0.78 +/- 0.1
      while patients with HS TCL were reported with 5-year pOS of only 0.13 +/- 0.12.
      Twenty-five percent of the patients were reported to have a pre-existing
      condition, and this group had a dismal outcome with 5-year pOS of 0.29 +/- 0.09.
      The distribution of non-anaplastic PTCL subtypes in pediatric and adolescent
      patients differs from what is reported in adult patients. Overall outcome depends
      on the subtype with some doing better than others. Pre-existing conditions are
      frequent and associated with poor outcomes. There is a clear need for subtype
      based treatment recommendations for children and adolescents with PTCL. 

PMID- 27270302
TI  - RK-144171, a new benadrostin derivative produced by Streptomyces sp. RK88-1441.

PMID- 27270300
TI  - SIRT1 activation by pterostilbene attenuates the skeletal muscle oxidative stress
      injury and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ischemia reperfusion injury.
AB  - Ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury is harmful to skeletal muscles and causes
      mitochondrial oxidative stress. Pterostilbene (PTE), an analogue of resveratrol,
      has organic protective effects against oxidative stress. However, no studies have
      investigated whether PTE can protect against IR-related skeletal muscular injury.
      In this study, we sought to evaluate the protective effect of PTE against IR
      related skeletal muscle injury and to determine the mechanisms in this process.
      Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with PTE for a week and then underwent
      limb IR surgery. The IR injury induced segmental necrosis and apoptosis,
      myofilament disintegration, thicker interstitial spaces, and inflammatory cell
      infiltration. Furthermore, mitochondrial respiratory chain activity in the
      muscular tissue was inhibited, methane dicarboxylic aldehyde concentration and
      myeloperoxidase activity were up-regulated, and superoxide dismutase was down
      regulated after IR. However, these effects were significantly inhibited by PTE in
      a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism underlying IR injury is attributed to the
      down-regulation of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)-FOXO1/p53 pathway and
      the increase of the Bax/Bcl2 ratio, Cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1, Cleaved
      Caspase 3, which can be reversed with PTE. Furthermore, EX527, an SIRT1
      inhibitor, counteracted the protective effects of PTE on IR-related muscle
      injury. In conclusion, PTE has protective properties against IR injury of the
      skeletal muscles. The mechanism of this protective effect depends on the
      activation of the SIRT1-FOXO1/p53 signaling pathway and the decrease of the
      apoptotic ratio in skeletal muscle cells.

PMID- 27270303
TI  - Impact of Staphylococcus aureus accessory gene regulator (agr) system on
      linezolid efficacy by profiling pharmacodynamics and RNAIII expression.

PMID- 27270304
TI  - Chemical and biological studies of reveromycin A.
AB  - The research on antibiotics requires the integration of broad areas, such as
      microbiology, organic chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology. It is similar to
      the field of chemical biology that is recently popular as an approach for drug
      discovery. When we isolate a new compound from a microorganism, we can pursue the
      interesting research on chemistry and biology. In this review, I would like to
      introduce our achievements in relation to reveromycin A.

PMID- 27270305
TI  - Structure-property relationships of photoresponsive inhibitors of the kinesin
      motor.
AB  - Recently we demonstrated the photoregulation of the activity of kinesin-1 using
      an azobenzene-tethered peptide (azo-peptide: Azo-Ile-Pro-Lys-Ala-Ile-Gln-Ala-Ser
      His-Gly-Arg-OH). To understand the mechanism behind this photoswitchable
      inhibition, here we studied the structure-property relationships of a range of
      azo-peptides through systematic variations in the structures of the peptide and
      azobenzene units. The vital peptide sequence for kinesin inhibition-mediated
      through electrostatic, hydrophobic and C-Hpi interactions-was the same as that
      for the self-inhibition of kinesin. We also identified substituents on the
      azobenzene capable of enhancing the photoswitchability of inhibition. As a
      result, we developed a new inhibitor featuring a relatively short peptide unit (
      Arg-Ile-Pro-Lys-Ala-Ile-Arg-OH) and an azobenzene unit bearing a para-OMe group.
      In the trans form of its azobenzene unit, this finely tuned inhibitor stopped the
      kinesin-driven gliding motility of microtubules completely at a relatively low
      concentration, yet allowed gliding motility with a relatively high velocity in
      the cis form obtained after UV irradiation. 

PMID- 27270307
TI  - A prognostic model combining CD4/CD8 ratio and N stage predicts the risk of
      distant metastasis for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by
      intensity modulated radiotherapy.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between circulating lymphocyte
      subsets and clinical variables, and design an effective prognostic model for
      distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in NPC. In this study, subsets of
      circulating lymphocytes were determined in 719 non-metastatic NPC patients before
      treatment. Overall survival and DMFS was monitored. Significant prognostic
      factors were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results
      showed that the percentage of CD19+ lymphocytes correlated negatively with TNM
      stage (r = -0.082, P = 0.028). Patients with higher CD4/CD8 ratios (>= 1.77)
      showed better 5-year DMFS than patients with lower ratios (91.9% vs. 85.4%, P <
      0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that CD4/CD8 ratio (HR, 0.450; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 0.266-0.760; P = 0.003) and N classification (HR,
      2.294; 95% CI, 1.370-3.839; P = 0.002) were independently prognostic factors for
      DMFS. The prognostic N-R model was developed and divided patients into three
      groups: (1) low-risk (early N stage and CD4/CD8 ratio >= 1.77); (2) intermediate
      risk (advanced N stage or CD4/CD8 ratio < 1.77) and (3) high-risk (advanced N
      stage and CD4/CD8 ratio < 1.77) of distant metastasis. In conclusion our
      prognostic model, based on clinical N stage and CD4/CD8 ratio, may predict the
      risk of distant metastasis, allowing individualized treatment for NPC.

PMID- 27270306
TI  - Long-lived antigen-induced IgM plasma cells demonstrate somatic mutations and
      contribute to long-term protection.
AB  - Long-lived plasma cells are critical to humoral immunity as a lifelong source of
      protective antibodies. Antigen-activated B cells-with T-cell help-undergo
      affinity maturation within germinal centres and persist as long-lived IgG plasma
      cells in the bone marrow. Here we show that antigen-specific, induced IgM plasma
      cells also persist for a lifetime. Unlike long-lived IgG plasma cells, which
      develop in germinal centres and then home to the bone marrow, IgM plasma cells
      are primarily retained within the spleen and can develop even in the absence of
      germinal centres. Interestingly, their expressed IgV loci exhibit somatic
      mutations introduced by the activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). However,
      these IgM plasma cells are probably not antigen-selected, as replacement
      mutations are spread through the variable segment and not enriched within the
      CDRs. Finally, antibodies from long-lived IgM plasma cells provide protective
      host immunity against a lethal virus challenge.

PMID- 27270308
TI  - IRE1alpha inhibition by natural compound genipin on tumour associated macrophages
      reduces growth of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Accumulating evidences postulated the influential roles of macrophages in
      mediating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation and progression. In this
      study, we demonstrate that a small molecule, genipin reduced HCC growth through
      suppressing IRE1alpha-mediated infiltration and priming of tumour associated
      macrophages (TAMs). Oral administration of genipin (30mg/kg/2days) suppressed
      orthotopic HCC tumour growth without challenging the viability and proliferation
      of HCC cells. Genipin reduced infiltration of inflammatory monocytes into liver
      and tumour thereby suppressed TAMs presence in HCC microenvironment. Suppression
      of HCC growth was diminished in HCC-implanted mice with depletion of TAMs by
      liposome clodronate. Genipin inhibited the TAMs migration, and reduced expression
      of TAMs-derived inflammatory cytokines that favors HCC proliferation. This is
      revealed by the in vivo deletion of IRE1alpha on TAMs in genipin-treated HCC
      implanted mice. Diminishing IRE1alpha neutralised the inhibitory effect of
      genipin on TAMs. Silencing the expression of IRE1alpha greatly reduced TAMs
      migration and expression of inflammatory cytokines that prime HCC proliferation.
      Suppression of IRE1alpha led to reduced XBP-1 splicing and NF-kappaB activation.
      The reduced association of IRE1alpha with TRAF2 and IKK complex may be
      responsible for the genipin-mediated inactivation of NF-kappaB. The findings show
      the important role of TAMs in inhibitory effect of genipin on HCC, and TAMs
      expressing IRE1alpha as a promising target for disrupting the tumour environment
      that favor of HCC development.

PMID- 27270309
TI  - Aberrant methylation-mediated silencing of microRNAs contributes to HPV-induced
      anchorage independence.
AB  - Cervical cancer and a subset of anogenital and head-and-neck carcinomas are
      caused by high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (hrHPV). During hrHPV
      induced malignant transformation keratinocytes become able to grow anchorage
      independently, a tumorigenic trait at least partly associated with inactivation
      of tumor suppressor genes. We used hrHPV-containing keratinocytes to investigate
      the role of DNA methylation-mediated silencing of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the
      acquisition of anchorage independence.Anchorage dependent (n=11) and independent
      passages (n=19) of 4 hrHPV-immortalized keratinocyte cell lines were treated with
      2'-deoxy-5-azacytidine (DAC). Genome-wide miRNA expression profiles before and
      after treatment were compared to identify miRNAs silenced by methylation.
      Bisulfite sequencing and methylation-specific PCR showed increased methylation of
      hsa-mir-129-2/-137/-935/-3663/-3665 and -4281 in anchorage independent HPV
      transformed keratinocytes and cervical cancer cell lines. Mature miRNAs derived
      from hsa-mir-129-2/-137/-3663 and -3665 showed functional relevance as they
      decreased anchorage independence in cervical cancer cell lines. Cervical
      (pre)cancerous lesions demonstrated increased methylation of hsa-mir-129-2/-935/
      3663/-3665 and -4281, underlining the clinical relevance of our findings.In
      conclusion, methylation-mediated silencing of tumor suppressive miRNAs
      contributes to acquisition of an anchorage independent phenotype. This study
      further substantiates the importance of miRNAs during early stages of
      carcinogenesis and underlines their potential as both disease markers and
      therapeutic targets.

PMID- 27270310
TI  - Long noncoding RNA RP11-838N2.4 enhances the cytotoxic effects of temozolomide by
      inhibiting the functions of miR-10a in glioblastoma cell lines.
AB  - Resistance to temolozomide (TMZ), the standard chemotherapy agent for treating
      glioblastomas (GBM), is a major clinical problem for patients with GBM. Recently,
      long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in chemotherapy resistance in
      various cancers. In this study, we found that the level of the lncRNA RP11
      838N2.4 was lower in TMZ-resistant GBM cells (U87TR, U251TR) compared to the
      parental, non-resistant GBM cells (U87, U251). In GBM patients, the decreased
      level of lncRNA RP11-838N2.4 correlated with higher risk of GBM relapse, as well
      as shorter postoperative survival times. We further found that lncRNA RP11
      838N2.4 could enhances the cytotoxic effects of temozolomide to GBM cells both in
      vivo and in vitro. Moreover, lncRNA RP11-838N2.4 acts as an endogenous sponge,
      suppressing the function of miR-10a through conserved sequences and increasing
      the expression of EphA8 that enhanced the rate of cell apoptosis, thereby
      intensified sensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ. Additionally, lncRNA RP11-838N2.4
      inhibited the activity of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) independent
      of miR-10a. Finally, Characterization of lncRNA RP11-838N2.4 could contribute to
      strategies for enhancing the efficacy of TMZ.

PMID- 27270311
TI  - Direct contact with perivascular tumor cells enhances integrin alphavbeta3
      signaling and migration of endothelial cells.
AB  - The secretion of soluble pro-angiogenic factors by tumor cells and stromal cells
      in the perivascular niche promotes the aggressive angiogenesis that is typical of
      glioblastoma (GBM). Here, we show that angiogenesis also can be promoted by a
      direct interaction between brain tumor cells, including tumor cells with cancer
      stem-like properties (CSCs), and endothelial cells (ECs). As shown in vitro, this
      direct interaction is mediated by binding of integrin alphavbeta3 expressed on
      ECs to the RGD-peptide in L1CAM expressed on CSCs. It promotes both EC network
      formation and enhances directed migration toward basic fibroblast growth factor.
      Activation of alphavbeta3 and bone marrow tyrosine kinase on chromosome X (BMX)
      is required for migration stimulated by direct binding but not for migration
      stimulated by soluble factors. RGD-peptide treatment of mice with established
      intracerebral GBM xenografts significantly reduced the percentage of Sox2
      positive tumor cells and CSCs in close proximity to ECs, decreased integrin
      alphavbeta3 and BMX activation and p130CAS phosphorylation in the ECs, and
      reduced the vessel surface area. These results reveal a previously unrecognized
      aspect of the regulation of angiogenesis in GBM that can impact therapeutic anti
      angiogenic targeting.

PMID- 27270312
TI  - Quantitative proteomics reveals that distant recurrence-associated protein R-Ras
      and Transgelin predict post-surgical survival in patients with Stage III
      colorectal cancer.
AB  - Surgical resection supplemented with adjuvant chemotherapy is the current
      preferred treatment for Stage III colorectal cancer (CRC). However, as many as
      48% of patients who undergo curative resection eventually suffer from incurable
      distant recurrence. To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in Stage III
      CRC post-surgical distant recurrence, we identified a total of 146 differentially
      expressed proteins (DEPs) associated with distant recurrence in Stage III CRC
      using TMT-based quantitative mass spectrometry. Among these DEPs, the altered
      expressions of R-Ras and Transgelin were then validated in 192 individual
      specimens using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis
      revealed that the levels of R-Ras and Transgelin were significantly associated
      with 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and
      multivariate Cox-regression analyses revealed that R-Ras and Transgelin were
      independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS, respectively. In conclusion, this
      study identified potential biochemical players involved in distant recurrence and
      indicates that R-Ras and Transgelin are potential post-surgical prognostic
      biomarkers for Stage III CRC. This proteomics data have been submitted to
      Proteome Xchange under accession number PXD002903.

PMID- 27270313
TI  - The impact of intermittent versus continuous exposure to EGFR tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor on selection of EGFR T790M-mutant drug-resistant clones in a lung
      cancer cell line carrying activating EGFR mutation.
AB  - Drug-resistant cell lines are essential tools for investigating the mechanisms of
      resistance to molecular-targeted anti-cancer drugs. However, little is known
      about how to establish clinically relevant drug-resistant cell lines. Our study
      examined the impact of a drug-free period on the establishment of a cell line
      with clinically relevant resistance to molecular-targeted drugs. We used PC9
      cells, a lung cancer cell line carrying EGFR mutation, because this is a
      validated target for EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). PC9 cells were
      intermittently or continuously exposed to increasing concentrations of gefitinib
      (0.01 MUM to 1.0 MUM) and the emergence of the most common acquired resistance
      mutation in EGFR, T790M, was determined. T790M was detected at a 25-fold lower
      drug concentration in cells continuously exposed to gefitinib (PC9/GRc) than in
      cells intermittently exposed to gefitinib (PC9/GRi) (0.04 MUM vs 1.0 MUM,
      respectively). The mutation frequencies at those drug concentrations were 19.8%
      and 8.0% in PC9/GRc and PC9/GRi cells, respectively. After drug-free culture for
      8 weeks, resistance to gefitinib decreased in the PC9/GRi cells but not in the
      PC9/GRc cells. In the PC9/GRc cells, the frequency of the T790M mutation was
      consistently about 20% from 0.04 MUM to 1.0 MUM of gefitinib. In the PC9/GRc
      cells, the T790M mutation was detected in all single-cell clones, at frequencies
      ranging from 7.0% to 37.0%, with a median of 19.5% (95% confidence interval,
      17.3%-20.9%). In conclusion, compared with intermittent drug exposure, continuous
      exposure might select better minor drug-resistant clones when creating cell lines
      resistant to molecular-targeted drugs.

PMID- 27270314
TI  - Whole-exome sequencing to identify somatic mutations in peritoneal metastatic
      gastric adenocarcinoma: A preliminary study.
AB  - Peritoneal metastasis occurs in more than half of patients with unresectable or
      recurrent gastric cancer and is associated with the worst prognosis. The
      associated genomic events and pathogenesis remain ambiguous. The aim of the
      present study was to characterize the mutation spectrum of gastric cancer with
      peritoneal metastasis and provide a basis for the identification of new
      biomarkers and treatment targets. Matched pairs of normal gastric mucosa and
      peritoneal tissue and matched pairs of primary tumor and peritoneal metastasis
      were collected from one patient for whole-exome sequencing (WES); Sanger
      sequencing was employed to confirm the somatic mutations. G>A and C>T mutations
      were the two most frequent transversions among the somatic mutations. We
      confirmed 48somatic mutations in the primary site and 49 in the peritoneal site.
      Additionally, 25 non-synonymous somatic variations (single-nucleotide variants,
      SNVs) and 2 somatic insertions/deletions (INDELs) were confirmed in the primary
      tumor, and 30 SNVs and 5 INDELs were verified in the peritoneal metastasis.
      Approximately 59% of the somatic mutations were shared between the primary and
      metastatic site. Five genes (TP53, BAI1, THSD1, ARID2, and KIAA2022) verified in
      our study were also mutated at a frequency greater than 5%in the COSMIC database.
      We also identified 9genes (ERBB4, ZNF721, NT5E, PDE10A, CA1, NUMB, NBN, ZFYVE16,
      and NCAM1) that were only mutated in metastasis and are expected to become
      treatment targets. In conclusion, we observed that the majority of the somatic
      mutations in the primary site persisted in metastasis, whereas several single
      nucleotide polymorphisms occurred de novo at the second site.

PMID- 27270315
TI  - Characteristics of human papillomaviruses infection in men with genital warts in
      Shanghai.
AB  - Human papillomaviruses (HPV) infected men causes continued transmission of HPV to
      women. The prevalence of 15 high-risk HPV strains (HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45,
      51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68) and 6 low-risk HPV strains (HPV6, 11, 42, 43,
      44 and CP8304) were evaluated in 935 males with genital warts. Of the 447
      (447/935, 47.8%) HPV DNA positive subjects, 230 (24.6%), 356 (38.1%) and 139
      (14.9%) were infected by high-risk, low-risk and both high and low-risk HPV
      respectively. Of the 356 low-risk HPV infected subjects, 333(93.5%) were infected
      by single HPV strain; 203 (57.0%), 147 (41.3%), 24 (6.7%) and 5 (1.4%) were
      infected with HPV genotype 6, 11, CP8304 and 44 respectively; population with age
      <= 20 showed the highest infection rate. High-risk HPV are also highly prevalent
      in our patients, genotype 16, 58, 51, 39, 52 and 53 are the top five prevalent
      genotypes with infection rates of 27.4%, 18.7%, 14.3%, 13.9%, 12.6% and 12.6%
      respectively; only 68.3% subjects were sole infection; subjects with 41 <= age <=
      50 showed the highest infection rate. Both high and low-risk HPV are highly
      prevalent in men with genital warts, its impact on women HPV control and
      prevention need further evaluation.

PMID- 27270316
TI  - 14,15-EET induces the infiltration and tumor-promoting function of neutrophils to
      trigger the growth of minimal dormant metastases.
AB  - Infiltrating neutrophils are known to promote in the development of tumor.
      However, it is unclear whether and how neutrophils are involved in triggering the
      growth of dormant metastases. Here we show that 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid
      (14,15-EET) can trigger the growth of dormant micrometastases by inducing
      neutrophilic infiltration and converting neutrophil function. 14,15-EET triggered
      neutrophil infiltration in metastatic lesions by activating STAT3 and JNK
      pathways to induce the expression of human IL-8 and murine CXCL15 in
      corresponding tumor cells. The continuous expression of hIL-8/mCXCL15 was
      maintained by the sustained and enhanced activation of JNK pathway. 14,15-EET up
      regulated miR-155 expression by activating STAT3 and JNK pathways. miR-155 in
      turn down-regulated the expression of SHIP1 and DET1, thus augmenting the
      activation of JNK and c-Jun. Moreover, the function of neutrophils was converted
      from tumor-suppressing to tumor-promoting by 14,15-EET in vivo. By inducing the
      production of G-CSF/IL-6 in vivo, 14,15-EET induced the enhancement of STAT3
      activation in neutrophils to increase MMP-9 expression and decrease TRAIL
      expression. Neutrophil-derived MMP-9 was required for 14,15-EET to induce
      angiogenesis during the growth of dormant micrometastases. Depleting neutrophils
      or inhibiting hIL-8/mCXCL15 up-regulation resulted in the failure of 14,15-EET to
      promote the development of micrometastases. These findings reveal a mechanism
      through which the infiltration and tumor-promoting function of neutrophils could
      be induced to trigger the growth of dormant metastases, which might be a driving
      force for the tumor recurrence based on dormant metastases.

PMID- 27270317
TI  - NEAT1 upregulates EGCG-induced CTR1 to enhance cisplatin sensitivity in lung
      cancer cells.
AB  - Platinum-based drugs are the firstline of treatment for non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC), but resistance to these drugs is a major obstacle to effective
      chemotherapy. Our previous study revealed that the green tea polyphenol, EGCG,
      induced cisplatin transporter CTR1 (copper transporter 1) and enhanced cisplatin
      sensitivity in ovarian cancer. In this study, we found that EGCG upregulated CTR1
      and increased platinum accumulation in NSCLC (A549, H460 and H1299) cells, cDDP
      resistant A549 cells and a nude mouse xenograft model. Cisplatin-induced
      inhibition of cell growth was enhanced by EGCG treatment in vitro and in vivo.
      MicroRNA hsa-mir-98-5p appears to suppress CTR1 gene expression, while long non
      coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) appears to
      enhance it. Bioinformatics analysis showed that hsa-mir-98-5p has specific
      complementary binding sites for NEAT1. In addition, hsa-mir-98-5p was predicted
      to be a putative CTR1 target. NEAT1 may act as a competing endogenous lncRNA to
      upregulate EGCG-induced CTR1 by sponging hsa-mir-98-5p in NSCLC. Our findings
      reveal a novel mechanism how NEAT1 upregulates EGCG-induced CTR1 and enhances
      cisplatin sensitivity in vitro and in vivo, and suggest EGCG could serve as an
      effective adjuvant chemotherapeutic in lung cancer treatment.

PMID- 27270318
TI  - Anti-tax interacting protein-1 (TIP-1) monoclonal antibody targets human cancers.
AB  - Radiation-inducible neo-antigens are proteins expressed on cancer cell surface
      after exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). These neo-antigens provide
      opportunities to specifically target cancers while sparing normal tissues. Tax
      interacting protein-1 (TIP-1) is induced by irradiation and is translocated to
      the surface of cancer cells. We have developed a monoclonal antibody, 2C6F3,
      against TIP-1.Epitope mapping revealed that 2C6F3 binds to the QPVTAVVQRV epitope
      of the TIP-1 protein. 2C6F3 binds to the surface of lung cancer (A549, LLC) and
      glioma (D54, GL261) cell lines. 2C6F3 binds specifically to TIP-1 and ELISA
      analysis showed that unconjugated 2C6F3 efficiently blocked binding of
      radiolabeled 2C6F3 to purified TIP-1 protein. To study in vivo tumor binding, we
      injected near infrared (NIR) fluorochrome-conjugated 2C6F3 via tail vein in mice
      bearing subcutaneous LLC and GL261 heterotopic tumors. The NIR images indicated
      that 2C6F3 bound specifically to irradiated LLC and GL261 tumors, with little or
      no binding in un-irradiated tumors.We also determined the specificity of 2C6F3 to
      bind tumors in vivo using SPECT/CT imaging. 2C6F3 was conjugated with diethylene
      triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) chelator and radiolabeled with 111Indium
      (111In). SPECT/CT imaging revealed that 111In-2C6F3 bound more to the irradiated
      LLC tumors compared to un-irradiated tumors. Furthermore, injection of DTPA-2C6F3
      labeled with the therapeutic radioisotope, 90Y, (90Y-DTPA-2C6F3) significantly
      delayed LLC tumor growth. 2C6F3 mediated antibody dependent cell-mediated
      cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP) in
      vitro.In conclusion, the monoclonal antibody 2C6F3 binds specifically to TIP-1 on
      cancer and radio-immunoconjugated 2C6F3 improves tumor control.

PMID- 27270319
TI  - E-cadherin re-expression shows in vivo evidence for mesenchymal to epithelial
      transition in clonal metastatic breast tumor cells.
AB  - Substantial experimental evidence has shown that dedifferentiation from an
      epithelial state to a mesenchymal-like state (EMT) drives tumor cell metastasis.
      This transition facilitates tumor cells to acquire motility and invasive
      features. Intriguingly, tumor cells at the metastatic site are primarily
      epithelial, and it is believed that they differentiate back to an epithelial
      state by a process called mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). However,
      there is little in vivo evidence to support the MET process. To investigate EMT
      and MET in vivo, we generated two epithelial (E) and two mesenchymal (M) primary
      clonal cell lines from a spontaneous mouse mammary tumor (Tg MMTV/neu). These
      cells were labeled with reporters (GFP and luciferase), and tracked in vivo
      during primary tumor growth and subsequent secondary metastasis. Once E cells
      were implanted into the mammary fat pad, E-cadherin expression progressively
      decreased and continued to decrease as the primary tumor enlarged over time. A
      greater percentage of E tumor cells expressed E-cadherin at the secondary
      metastatic site as compared to the corresponding primary tumor site.
      Collectively, these data provide direct in vivo evidence that epithelial tumor
      cells have metastatic potential, undergo EMT at the primary tumor site, and MET
      at the metastatic site.

PMID- 27270320
TI  - PIK3C2A mRNA functions as a miR-124 sponge to facilitate CD151 expression and
      enhance malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
AB  - Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) are RNA transcripts that can crosstalk with
      each other by competing for shared microRNAs (miRNAs) through miRNA response
      elements (MREs). Involved in ceRNA networks, the RNA transcripts may be in a
      balance, disruption of which could lead to tumorigenesis. Here we reveal a ceRNA
      interaction between PIK3C2A and CD151 mRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      cells. PIK3C2A is a candidate ceRNA of CD151 because mRNA 3' untranslated regions
      (3'UTRs) of these two genes contain miR-124 binding sites. miR-124 is
      downregulated, while PIK3C2A and CD151 are upregulated in HCC cells compared with
      normal hepatocytes. Direct and negative regulation of PIK3C2A and CD151 by miR
      124 was confirmed in HCC cells. miR-124 and the two potential ceRNAs are all
      recruited to the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). In HCC cell lines QGY-
      7703 and SMMC-7721, and normal hepatic cell line HL-7702, miR-124 plays a tumor
      suppressor role by targeting PIK3C2A and CD151. The MREs within PIK3C2A 3'UTR can
      independently stimulate CD151 expression level by acting as miR-124 decoys.
      PIK3C2A MREs enhance HCC cell malignancy by absorbing endogenous miR-124 and
      activating CD151 in HCC cells. We conclude that PIK3C2A 3'UTR functions as a
      trans activator to stimulate CD151 by competing for miR-124 binding in HCC cells.
      The collaboration of PIK3C2A and CD151 through ceRNA mechanism may be implicated
      in HCC initiation and development.

PMID- 27270321
TI  - Sirt3-mediated mitophagy protects tumor cells against apoptosis under hypoxia.
AB  - Sirt3, a mitochondrial deacetylase, participates in the regulation of multiple
      cellular processes through its effect on protein acetylation. The objective of
      this study was to explore the role of Sirt3 in the mitochondrial autophagy
      (mitophagy), a process of the specific autophagic elimination of damaged
      mitochondria. We found that silencing of Sirt3 expression in human glioma cells
      by RNA interference blunted the hypoxia-induced the localization of LC3 on the
      mitochondria, and the degradation of mitochondria. These results suggest an
      important involvement of this protein deacetylase in the induction of mitophagy
      in cancer cells subjected to hypoxia. Further, we demonstrated that Sirt3
      activated the hypoxia-induced mitophagy by increasing the interaction of VDAC1
      with Parkin. In the cells subjected to hypoxia, inhibition of Sirt3-mediated
      mitophagy further decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased
      the accumulation of ROS that triggers the degradation of anti-apoptotic proteins
      Mcl-1 and survivin through the proteasomal pathway. Silencing of Sirt3 expression
      also promoted apoptosis, and enhanced the sensitivity of cancer cells to hypoxia.
      The regulatory role of Sirt3 in autophagy and apoptosis was also observed in
      human breast cancer cells. The results of the current study reveal Sirt3 as a
      novel regulator coupling mitophagy and apoptosis, two important cellular
      processes that determine cellular survival and death.

PMID- 27270322
TI  - KCNN4 and S100A14 act as predictors of recurrence in optimally debulked patients
      with serous ovarian cancer.
AB  - Approximately 50-75% of patients with serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) experience
      recurrence within 18 months after first-line treatment. Current clinical
      indicators are inadequate for predicting the risk of recurrence. In this study,
      we used 7 publicly available microarray datasets to identify gene signatures
      related to recurrence in optimally debulked SOC patients, and validated their
      expressions in an independent clinic cohort of 127 patients using
      immunohistochemistry (IHC). We identified a two-gene signature including KCNN4
      and S100A14 which was related to recurrence in optimally debulked SOC patients.
      Their mRNA expression levels were positively correlated and regulated by DNA copy
      number alterations (CNA) (KCNN4: p=1.918e-05) and DNA promotermethylation (KCNN4:
      p=0.0179; S100A14: p=2.787e-13). Recurrence prediction models built in the TCGA
      dataset based on KCNN4 and S100A14 individually and in combination showed good
      prediction performance in the other 6 datasets (AUC:0.5442-0.9524). The
      independent cohort supported the expression difference between SOC recurrences.
      Also, a KCNN4 and S100A14-centered protein interaction subnetwork was built from
      the STRING database, and the shortest regulation path between them, called the
      KCNN4-UBA52-KLF4-S100A14 axis, was identified. This discovery might facilitate
      individualized treatment of SOC.

PMID- 27270323
TI  - Ellagitannin-rich cloudberry inhibits hepatocyte growth factor induced cell
      migration and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT activation in colon carcinoma
      cells and tumors in Min mice.
AB  - Berries have been found to inhibit colon carcinogenesis in animal models, and
      thus represent a potential source of compounds for prevention and treatment of
      colorectal cancer. The mechanistic basis for their effects is not well
      understood. We used human colon carcinoma cells and Min mice to investigate the
      effects of ellagitannin-rich cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) extract on cancer
      cell migration and underlying cell signaling. Intrinsic and hepatocyte growth
      factor (HGF) -induced cell motility in human HT29 and HCA7 colon carcinoma cells
      was assessed carrying out cell scattering and scratch wound healing assays using
      time-lapse microscopy. Activation of Met, AKT, and ERK in cell lines and tumors
      of cloudberry-fed Min mice were determined using immunoprecipitation, Western
      blot and immunohistochemical analyses. Cloudberry extract significantly inhibited
      particularly HGF-induced cancer cell migration in both cell lines. Cloudberry
      extract inhibited the Met receptor tyrosine phosphorylation by HGF and strongly
      suppressed HGF-induced AKT and ERK activation in both HT29 and HCA7 cells.
      Consistently, cloudberry feeding (10% w/w freeze-dried berries in diet for 10
      weeks) reduced the level of active AKT and prevented phosphoMet localization at
      the edges in tumors of Min mice. These results indicate that cloudberry reduces
      tumor growth and cancer cell motility by inhibiting Met signaling and consequent
      activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT in vitro and in tumors in vivo.
      As the Met receptor is recognized to be a major target in cancer treatment, our
      results suggest that dietary phytochemicals may have therapeutic value in
      reducing cancer progression and metastasis.

PMID- 27270324
TI  - Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3B accelerates the progression of
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by activating beta-catenin signaling pathway.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most
      aggressive malignant tumors. Eukaryotic translation initiation factors 3B (EIF3B)
      is considered to influence tumor proliferation, invasion, apoptosis and cell
      cycle, which act together to promote the progression of tumors. However, the role
      of EIF3B in ESCC is unknown. This study aims to explore the clinical and
      biological role of EIF3B in ESCC. RESULTS: EIF3B expressions were up-regulated in
      both ESCC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of EIF3B was associated with
      tumor depth, lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. Importantly, patients
      with high EIF3B expression suffered shorter overall and disease-free survival.
      Knockdown of EIF3B could inhibit cell proliferation and invasion, promote cell
      apoptosis, and interfere the cell cycle in vitro. EIF3B-knockdown cells could
      form smaller subcutaneous tumors in vivo. Finally, we demonstrated EIF3B could
      activate beta-catenin signaling pathway. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining
      and Western blot were performed to detect the EIF3B expression in ESCC patient
      tissues and cell lines. The association between EIF3B expression and patients'
      prognosis was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Then, CCK-8, colony
      formation, Transwell and wound-healing assay were performed to compare the bio
      functional change after knockdown of EIF3B. Flow cytometry was applied to analyze
      the change of cell apoptosis and cycle induced by EIF3B knockdown. Tumor
      xenograft assay was done to verify the in-vitro results. CONCLUSIONS: EIF3B might
      serve as a novel marker for predicting prognosis of ESCC patients and as a
      potential therapeutic target, individually or together with other subunits of
      EIF3 complex.

PMID- 27270325
TI  - Cell-free DNA mutations as biomarkers in breast cancer patients receiving
      tamoxifen.
AB  - The aim was to identify mutations in serum cell-free DNA (cfDNA) associated with
      disease progression on tamoxifen treatment in metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
      Sera available at start of therapy, during therapy and at disease progression
      were selected from 10 estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer patients. DNA
      from primary tumor and normal tissue and cfDNA from minute amounts of sera were
      analyzed by targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) of 45 genes (1,242 exons).
      At disease progression, stop-gain single nucleotide variants (SNVs) for CREBBP (1
      patient) and SMAD4 (1 patient) and non-synonymous SNVs for AKAP9 (1 patient),
      PIK3CA (2 patients) and TP53 (2 patients) were found. Mutations in CREBBP and
      SMAD4 have only been occasionally reported in breast cancer. All mutations,
      except for AKAP9, were also present in the primary tumor but not detected in all
      blood specimens preceding progression. More sensitive detection by deeper re
      sequencing and digital PCR confirmed the occurrence of circulating tumor DNA
      (ctDNA) and these biomarkers in blood specimens.

PMID- 27270326
TI  - Loss of miR-1258 contributes to carcinogenesis and progression of liver cancer
      through targeting CDC28 protein kinase regulatory subunit 1B.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer related death
      worldwide. The number of deaths is proportional to the global incidence, which
      highlights the aggressive tumor biology and lack of effective therapies.
      Dysregulation of microRNAs has been implicated in carcinogenesis and progression
      of liver cancer. Here, we identified that miR-1258 was significantly
      downregulated in HCC and associated with poor patients' survival. Overexpression
      of miR-1258 significantly inhibits liver cancer cell growth, proliferation and
      tumorigenicity through increasing cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and promotes
      cell apoptosis. Interestingly, stable overexpression of miR-1258 suppresses cell
      migration, stemness and increases sensitivity of HCC cells to chemotherapy drug
      like doxorubicin. The CDC28 protein kinase regulatory subunit 1B (CKS1B) was
      identified as a functional downstream target of miR-1258. Re-expression of CKS1B
      overcomes miR-1258 induced apoptosis and increases stemness of HCC cells,
      suggesting that loss of miR-1258 contributes to carcinogenesis and progression of
      liver cancer through targeting CKS1B . Therefore, loss of miR-1258 may be a
      potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and blocking miR-1258-CKS1B axis is
      a potential therapeutic strategy in HCC.

PMID- 27270329
TI  - Margaret McCartney: Bring high street pharmacists into the NHS.

PMID- 27270327
TI  - Tetraspanin-8 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by increasing ADAM12m
      expression.
AB  - Recent evidence indicates that tetraspanin-8 (TSPAN8) promotes tumor progression
      and metastasis. In this study, we explored the effects of TSPAN8 and the
      molecular mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis using
      various HCC cell lines, tissues from 149 HCC patients, and animal models of HCC
      progression. We showed that elevated expression of TSPAN8 promoted HCC invasion
      in vitro and metastasis in vivo, but did not influence HCC cell proliferation in
      vitro. Increased TSPAN8 expression in human HCC was predictive of poor survival,
      and multivariate analyses indicated TSPAN8 expression to be an independent
      predictor for both postoperative overall survival and relapse-free survival.
      Importantly, TSPAN8 enhanced HCC invasion and metastasis by increasing ADAM12m
      expression. We therefore conclude that TSPAN8 and ADAM12m may be useful
      therapeutic targets for the prevention of HCC progression and metastasis.

PMID- 27270328
TI  - MC1R is dispensable for the proteinuria reducing and glomerular protective effect
      of melanocortin therapy.
AB  - Melanocortin therapy by using adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or non
      steroidogenic melanocortin peptides attenuates proteinuria and glomerular injury
      in experimental glomerular diseases and induces remission of nephrotic syndrome
      in patients with diverse glomerulopathies, even those resistant to steroids. The
      underlying mechanism remains elusive, but the role of melanocortin 1 receptor
      (MC1R) has been implicated and was examined here. Four patients with congenital
      red hair color and nephrotic syndrome caused by idiopathic membranous nephropathy
      or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis were confirmed by gene sequencing to bear
      dominant-negative MC1R mutations. Despite prior corticosteroid resistance, all
      patients responded to ACTH monotherapy and ultimately achieved clinical
      remission, inferring a steroidogenic-independent and MC1R-dispensable anti
      proteinuric effect of melanocortin signaling. In confirmatory animal studies, the
      protective effect of [Nle(4), D-Phe(7)]-alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (NDP
      MSH), a potent non-steroidogenic pan-melanocortin receptor agonist, on the
      lipopolysaccharide elicited podocytopathy was completely preserved in MC1R-null
      mice, marked by reduced albuminuria and diminished histologic signs of podocyte
      injury. Moreover, in complementary in vitro studies, NDP-MSH attenuated the
      lipopolysaccharide elicited apoptosis, hypermotility and impairment of filtration
      barrier function equally in primary podocytes derived from MC1R-null and wild
      type mice. Collectively, our findings suggest that melanocortin therapy confers a
      proteinuria reducing and podoprotective effect in proteinuric glomerulopathies
      via MC1R-independent mechanisms.

PMID- 27270330
TI  - The C-terminal region of Trypanosoma cruzi MASPs is antigenic and secreted via
      exovesicles.
AB  - Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, a neglected and
      emerging tropical disease, endemic to South America and present in non-endemic
      regions due to human migration. The MASP multigene family is specific to T.
      cruzi, accounting for 6% of the parasite's genome and plays a key role in immune
      evasion. A common feature of MASPs is the presence of two conserved regions: an N
      terminal region codifying for signal peptide and a C-terminal (C-term) region,
      which potentially acts as GPI-addition signal peptide. Our aim was the analysis
      of the presence of an immune response against the MASP C-term region. We found
      that this region is highly conserved, released via exovesicles (EVs) and has an
      associated immune response as revealed by epitope affinity mapping, IFA and
      inhibition of the complement lysis assays. We also demonstrate the presence of a
      fast IgM response in Balb/c mice infected with T. cruzi. Our results reveal the
      presence of non-canonical secreted peptides in EVs, which can subsequently be
      exposed to the immune system with a potential role in evading immune system
      targets in the parasite.

PMID- 27270331
TI  - Spatio-temporal morphology changes in and quenching effects on the 2D spreading
      dynamics of cell colonies in both plain and methylcellulose-containing culture
      media.
AB  - To deal with complex systems, microscopic and global approaches become of
      particular interest. Our previous results from the dynamics of large cell
      colonies indicated that their 2D front roughness dynamics is compatible with the
      standard Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) or the quenched KPZ equations either in plain
      or methylcellulose (MC)-containing gel culture media, respectively. In both
      cases, the influence of a non-uniform distribution of the colony constituents was
      significant. These results encouraged us to investigate the overall dynamics of
      those systems considering the morphology and size, the duplication rate, and the
      motility of single cells. For this purpose, colonies with different cell
      populations (N) exhibiting quasi-circular and quasi-linear growth fronts in plain
      and MC-containing culture media are investigated. For small N, the average radial
      front velocity and its change with time depend on MC concentration. MC in the
      medium interferes with cell mitosis, contributes to the local enlargement of
      cells, and increases the distribution of spatio-temporal cell density
      heterogeneities. Colony spreading in MC-containing media proceeds under two main
      quenching effects, I and II; the former mainly depending on the culture medium
      composition and structure and the latter caused by the distribution of enlarged
      local cell domains. For large N, colony spreading occurs at constant velocity.
      The characteristics of cell motility, assessed by measuring their trajectories
      and the corresponding velocity field, reflect the effect of enlarged, slow-moving
      cells and the structure of the medium. Local average cell size distribution and
      individual cell motility data from plain and MC-containing media are
      qualitatively consistent with the predictions of both the extended cellular Potts
      models and the observed transition of the front roughness dynamics from a
      standard KPZ to a quenched KPZ. In this case, quenching effects I and II
      cooperate and give rise to the quenched-KPZ equation. Seemingly, these results
      show a possible way of linking the cellular Potts models and the 2D colony front
      roughness dynamics.

PMID- 27270332
TI  - Expression and inactivation of osteopontin-degrading PHEX enzyme in squamous cell
      carcinoma.
AB  - Proteolytic enzymes mediate the activation or inactivation of many physiologic
      and pathologic processes. The PHEX gene (Phosphate-regulating gene with
      homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome) encodes a metallopeptidase,
      which is mutated in patients with a prevalent form (1:20,000) of inherited
      rickets-X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). XLH shows growth retardation,
      hypophosphatemia, osteomalacia, and defective renal phosphate reabsorption and
      metabolism of vitamin D. Most PHEX studies have focused on bone, and recently we
      identified osteopontin (OPN) as the first protein substrate for PHEX,
      demonstrating in the murine model of XLH (Hyp mice) an increase in OPN that
      contributes to the osteomalacia. Besides its role in bone mineralization, OPN is
      expressed in many tissues, and therein has different functions. In tumor biology,
      OPN is known to be associated with metastasis. Here, we extend our PHEX-OPN
      studies to investigate PHEX expression in a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell
      line and its possible involvement in modulating OPN function. Real-time PCR
      showed PHEX-OPN co-expression in SCC cells, with sequencing of the 22 exons
      showing no mutation of the PHEX gene. Although recombinant PHEX hydrolyze SCC-OPN
      fragments, unlike in bone cells, SCC-PHEX protein was not predominantly at the
      plasma membrane. Enzymatic activity assays, FACs and immunoblotting analyses
      demonstrated that membrane PHEX is degraded by cysteine proteases and the
      decreased PHEX activity could contribute to inappropriate OPN regulation. These
      results highlight for the first time PHEX in tumor biology.

PMID- 27270333
TI  - Dimer conformation of soluble PECAM-1, an endothelial marker.
AB  - Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) is a cell surface
      receptor widely distributed on endothelium and hematopoietic-derived cells, and
      maintain the integrity of the blood vessels. PECAM-1 is widely recognized as an
      endothelial cell marker. The homophilic interaction through its extracellular
      domain of PECAM-1 (soluble PECAM-1, or sPECAM-1) is important to its functions.
      However, structural details for such dimerization are not fully understood. Here
      we report the production of recombinant sPECAM-1 in large quantity by Drosophila
      expression system and the small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS) study. The
      recombinant sPECAM-1 was found to form one population of dimer, but not oligomer,
      and was able to bind to heparin immobilized on a chip in surface plasmon
      resonance imaging (SPRi) binding experiments. The results of SAXS demonstrated
      that sPECAM-1 formed a symmetric homodimer of Omega-shape in solution, and each
      protomer adopted an extended conformation. The dimer is mediated through the
      intermolecular interactions through the first N-terminal domain (D1) of sPECAM-1.
      This model provides new structural information for its homophilic interaction
      mechanism.

PMID- 27270334
TI  - Detachment of secondary dendrite arm in a directionally solidified Sn-Ni
      peritectic alloy under deceleration growth condition.
AB  - In order to better understand the detachment mechanism of secondary dendrite arm
      during peritectic solidification, the detachment of secondary dendrite arm from
      the primary dendrite arms in directionally solidified Sn-36at.%Ni peritectic
      alloys is investigated at different deceleration rates. Extensive detachment of
      secondary dendrite arms from primary stem is observed below peritectic reaction
      temperature TP. And an analytical model is established to characterize the
      detachment process in terms of the secondary dendrite arm spacing lambda2, the
      root radius of detached arms and the specific surface area (SV) of dendrites. It
      is found that the detachment mechanism is caused by not only curvature difference
      between the tips and roots of secondary branches, but also that between the
      thicker secondary branches and the thinner ones. Besides, this detachment process
      is significantly accelerated by the temperature gradient zone melting (TGZM)
      effect during peritectic solidification. It is demonstrated that the reaction
      constant (f) which is used to characterize the kinetics of peritectic reaction is
      crucial for the determination of the detachment process. The value of f not only
      changes with growth rate but also with solidification time at a given
      deceleration rate. In conclusion, these findings help the better understanding of
      the detachment mechanism.

PMID- 27270335
TI  - Phytochromes: More Than Meets the Eye.
AB  - Phytochromes play a key role in the regulation of plant growth and development.
      Phytochrome-related proteins also occur in some bacteria, fungi, and algae. We
      highlight recent findings on the evolution of phytochromes and discuss novel
      hypotheses on the function of phytochromes in diatoms, a group of mainly pelagic
      algae.

PMID- 27270336
TI  - The Yin-Yang of Cytokinin Homeostasis and Drought Acclimation/Adaptation.
AB  - Increasing evidence has shown that cytokinins (CKs) regulate plant drought
      acclimation/adaptation through a multistep phosphorelay pathway. Recent progress
      has allowed us to suggest a yin-and-yang-type relationship between CK homeostasis
      and acclimation/adaptation responses that modulates plant fitness and yields
      stability under drought through a complex network involving crosstalk with
      abscisic acid (ABA).

PMID- 27270337
TI  - Caffeine administration prevents retinal neuroinflammation and loss of retinal
      ganglion cells in an animal model of glaucoma.
AB  - Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, being characterized
      by progressive optic nerve damage and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs),
      accompanied by increased inflammatory response involving retinal microglial
      cells. The etiology of glaucoma is still unknown, and despite elevated
      intraocular pressure (IOP) being a major risk factor, the exact mechanisms
      responsible for RGC degeneration remain unknown. Caffeine, which is an antagonist
      of adenosine receptors, is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the
      world. Several evidences suggest that caffeine can attenuate the
      neuroinflammatory responses and afford protection upon central nervous system
      (CNS) injury. We took advantage of a well characterized animal model of glaucoma
      to investigate whether caffeine administration controls neuroinflammation and
      elicits neuroprotection. Caffeine or water were administered ad libitum and
      ocular hypertension (OHT) was induced by laser photocoagulation of the limbal
      veins in Sprague Dawley rats. Herein, we show that caffeine is able to partially
      decrease the IOP in ocular hypertensive animals. More importantly, we found that
      drinking caffeine prevented retinal microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory response
      and attenuated the loss of RGCs in animals with ocular hypertension (OHT). This
      study opens the possibility that caffeine or adenosine receptor antagonists might
      be a therapeutic option to manage RGC loss in glaucoma.

PMID- 27270338
TI  - Regeneration of rat corpora cavernosa tissue by transplantation of CD133+ cells
      derived from human bone marrow and placement of biodegradable gel sponge sheet.
AB  - The objective is to develop an easier technique for regenerating corpora
      cavernosa tissue through transplantation of human bone marrow-derived CD133 +
      cells into a rat corpora cavernosa defect model. We excised 2 mm * 2 mm squares
      of the right corpora cavernosa of twenty-three 8-week-old male nude rats.
      Alginate gel sponge sheets supplemented with 1 * 10 4 CD133 + cells were then
      placed over the excised area of nine rats. Functional and histological
      evaluations were carried out 8 weeks later. The mean intracavernous pressure/mean
      arterial pressure ratio for the nine rats (0.34258 +/- 0.0831) was significantly
      higher than that for eight rats with only the excision (0.0580 +/- 0.0831, P =
      0.0238) and similar to that for five rats for which the penis was exposed, and
      there was no excision (0.37228 +/- 0.1051, P = 0.8266). Immunohistochemical
      analysis revealed that the nine fully treated rats had venous sinus-like
      structures and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
      analysis of extracts from their alginate gel sponge sheets revealed that the
      amounts of mRNA encoding the nerve growth factor (NGF), and vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF) were significantly higher than those for rats treated with
      alginate gel sheets without cell supplementation (NGF: P = 0.0309; VEGF: P <
      0.0001). These findings show that transplantation of CD133 + cells accelerates
      functional and histological recovery in the corpora cavernosa defect model.

PMID- 27270339
TI  - Understanding prostate-specific antigen dynamics in monitoring metastatic
      castration-resistant prostate cancer: implications for clinical practice.
AB  - Availability of novel hormonal therapies as well as docetaxel and cabazitaxel
      treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) has changed
      the outlook for this group of patients with improvements in progression-free
      survival and overall survival. Physicians often diagnose the progression of
      prostate cancer using serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). However, serum PSA
      is not always correlated with the clinical status in CRPC. To evaluate the PSA
      dynamics with greater precision, understanding of the control of PSA and of the
      mechanisms of development of CRPC is needed. Moreover, it is necessary to use new
      hormonal therapies with an appropriate timing to optimally improve the prognosis
      and the QOL of the patients. In the present review, we ascertain the PSA dynamics
      and the mechanisms of the development of CRPC to assist in optimal utilization of
      the new treatments for mCRPC.

PMID- 27270340
TI  - Induction of ultra-morphological features of apoptosis in mature and immature
      sperm.
AB  - There is a fundamental body of evidence suggesting that activated apoptosis
      signaling in ejaculated human sperm negatively influences their fertilization
      potential. However, it is still controversial whether this apoptotic signaling is
      a relic of an abortive apoptosis related to spermatogenesis or if it should be
      regarded as a functional preformed pathway in mature sperm leading to
      stereotypical morphological changes reflecting nuclear disassembly. To address
      this question, apoptosis was induced using betulinic acid in mature and immature
      ejaculated human sperm enriched by density gradient centrifugation. Execution of
      apoptosis was monitored by observing ultra-morphological changes via transmission
      electron microscopy. Typical morphological signs of apoptosis in somatic cells
      include plasma membrane blebbing with the formation of apoptotic bodies, impaired
      mitochondrial integrity, defects of the nuclear envelope, and nuclear
      fragmentation; these morphologies have also been observed in human sperm. In
      addition, these apoptotic characteristics were more frequent in immature sperm
      compared to mature sperm. Following betulinic acid treatment, apoptosis-related
      morphological changes were induced in mature sperm from healthy donors. This
      effect was much less pronounced in immature sperm. Moreover, in both fractions,
      the betulinic acid treatment increased the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm.
      The results of our ultra-morphological study prove the functional competence of
      apoptosis in mature ejaculated human sperm. The theory of a sole abortive process
      may be valid only for immature sperm. The induction of the acrosome reaction by
      stimulating apoptosis might shed light on the biological relevance of sperm
      apoptosis.

PMID- 27270341
TI  - Genetic factors contributing to human primary ciliary dyskinesia and male
      infertility.
AB  - Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an autosomal-recessive disorder resulting
      from the loss of normal ciliary function. Symptoms include neonatal respiratory
      distress, chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, situs inversus, and infertility.
      However, only 15 PCD-associated genes have been identified to cause male
      infertility to date. Owing to the genetic heterogeneity of PCD, comprehensive
      molecular genetic testing is not considered the standard of care. Here, we
      provide an update of the progress on the identification of genetic factors
      related to PCD associated with male infertility, summarizing the underlying
      molecular mechanisms, and discuss the clinical implications of these findings.
      Further research in this field will impact the diagnostic strategy for male
      infertility, enabling clinicians to provide patients with informed genetic
      counseling, and help to adopt the best course of treatment for developing
      directly targeted personalized medicine.

PMID- 27270342
TI  - Chloride channels are involved in sperm motility and are downregulated in
      spermatozoa from patients with asthenozoospermia.
AB  - Human spermatozoa encounter an osmotic decrease from 330 to 290 mOsm l-1 when
      passing through the female reproductive tract. We aimed to evaluate the role of
      chloride channels in volume regulation and sperm motility from patients with
      asthenozoospermia. Spermatozoa were purified using Percoll density gradients.
      Sperm volume was measured as the forward scatter signal using flow cytometry.
      Sperm motility was analyzed using computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). When
      transferred from an isotonic solution (330 mOsm l-1 ) to a hypotonic solution
      (290 mOsm l-1 ), cell volume was not changed in spermatozoa from normozoospermic
      men; but increased in those from asthenozoospermic samples. The addition of the
      chloride channel blockers, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'- isulfonic acid
      (DIDS) or 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) to the hypotonic
      solution caused the normal spermatozoa to swell but did not increase the volume
      of those from the asthenozoospermic semen. DIDS and NPPB decreased sperm motility
      in both sets of semen samples. The inhibitory effect of NPPB on normal sperm
      motility was much stronger than on spermatozoa from the asthenozoospermic
      samples. Both sperm types expressed ClC-3 chloride channels, but the expression
      levels in the asthenozoospermic samples were much lower, especially in the neck
      and mid-piece areas. Spermatozoa from men with asthenozoospermia demonstrated
      lower volume regulating capacity, mobility, and ClC-3 expression levels
      (especially in the neck) than did normal spermatozoa. Thus, chloride channels
      play important roles in the regulation of sperm volume and motility and are
      downregulated in cases of asthenozoospermia.

PMID- 27270343
TI  - Prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4), an intrinsically disordered cancer/testis
      antigen, is a novel therapeutic target for prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4) is a remarkably prostate-specific
      Cancer/Testis Antigen that is highly upregulated in the human fetal prostate and
      its diseased states but not in the adult normal gland. PAGE4 is an intrinsically
      disordered protein (IDP) that functions as a stress-response protein to suppress
      reactive oxygen species as well as prevent DNA damage. In addition, PAGE4 is also
      a transcriptional regulator that potentiates transactivation by the oncogene c
      Jun. c-Jun forms the AP-1 complex by heterodimerizing with members of the Fos
      family and plays an important role in the development and pathology of the
      prostate gland, underscoring the importance of the PAGE4/c-Jun interaction.
      HIPK1, also a component of the stress-response pathway, phosphorylates PAGE4 at
      T51 which is critical for its transcriptional activity. Phosphorylation induces
      conformational and dynamic switching in the PAGE4 ensemble leading to a new
      cellular function. Finally, bioinformatics evidence suggests that the PAGE4 mRNA
      could be alternatively spliced resulting in four potential isoforms of the
      polypeptide alluding to the possibility of a range of conformational ensembles
      with latent functions. Considered together, the data suggest that PAGE4 may
      represent the first molecular link between stress and prostate cancer (PCa).
      Thus, pharmacologically targeting PAGE4 may be a novel opportunity for treating
      and managing patients with PCa, especially patients with low-risk disease. 

PMID- 27270344
TI  - Translation of genomics and epigenomics in prostate cancer: progress and
      promising directions.

PMID- 27270346
TI  - The ultrastructure of rabbit sclera after scleral crosslinking with riboflavin
      and blue light of different intensities.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the ultrastructural changes of collagen fibrils
      and cells in the rabbit sclera after scleral crosslinking using riboflavin and
      blue light of different intensities. Scleral crosslinking is known to increase
      scleral stiffness and may inhibit the axial elongation of progressive myopic
      eyes. METHODS: The equatorial parts of the sclera of one eye of six adult albino
      rabbits were treated with topical riboflavin solution (0.5 %) followed by
      irradiation with blue light (200, 400, 650 mW/cm(2)) for 20 min. After 3 weeks,
      the ultrastructure of scleral cells and the abundance of small- (10-100 nm) and
      large-diameter (>100 nm) collagen fibrils in fibril bundles of different scleral
      layers were examined with electron microscopy. RESULTS: In the scleral stroma of
      control eyes, the thickness of collagen fibrils showed a bimodal distribution.
      The abundance of small-diameter collagen fibrils decreased from the inner towards
      the outer sclera, while the amount of large-diameter fibrils and the scleral
      collagen content did not differ between different stroma layers. Treatment with
      riboflavin and blue light at 200 mW/cm(2) did not induce ultrastructural changes
      of cells and collagen fibrils in the scleral stroma. Treatment with blue light of
      higher intensities induced scleral cell activation in a scleral layer-dependent
      manner. In addition, outer scleral layers contained phagocytes that engulfed
      collagen fibrils and erythrocytes. Blue light of the highest intensity induced a
      reduction of the scleral collagen content, a decreased abundance of large
      diameter collagen fibrils, and an increased amount of small-diameter fibrils in
      the whole scleral stroma. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that in rabbits, scleral
      crosslinking with riboflavin and blue light of 200 mW/cm(2) for 20 min is
      relatively safe and does not induce ultrastructural alterations of scleral cells
      and of the collagen composition of the scleral stroma. Irradiation with blue
      light of intensities between 200 and 400 mW/cm(2) induces scleral cell
      activation, which may contribute to scleral scarring and stiffening. Higher
      intensities cause scleritis.

PMID- 27270347
TI  - Intravitreal bevacizumab injections combined with laser photocoagulation for
      adult-onset Coats' disease.

PMID- 27270345
TI  - Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: updates on pathogenesis and associations with
      systemic lupus.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a common manifestation
      among systemic lupus patients. There are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration
      approved therapies for CLE, and these lesions are frequently disfiguring and
      refractory to treatment. The present review will cover the recent inroads made
      into understanding the mechanisms behind CLE lesions and discuss promising
      therapeutic developments. RECENT FINDINGS: The definition of cutaneous lupus is
      being refined to facilitate diagnostic and research protocols. Research into the
      pathogenesis of CLE is accelerating, and discoveries are now identifying genetic
      and epigenetic changes which may predispose to particular disease manifestations.
      Furthermore, unique features of disease subtypes are being defined. Murine work
      supports a connection between cutaneous inflammation and systemic lupus disease
      activity. Importantly, human trials of type I interferon blockade hold promise
      for improving our treatment armamentarium for refractory CLE lesions. SUMMARY:
      Continued research to understand the mechanisms driving CLE will provide new
      methods for prevention and treatment of cutaneous lesions. These improvements may
      also have important effects on systemic disease activity, and thus, efforts to
      understand this link should be supported.

PMID- 27270349
TI  - Myofascial Trigger Point Release Massage Therapy Relieves Tension-Type Headaches.

PMID- 27270350
TI  - Spinal Manipulation Unable to Demonstrate Improved Sensorimotor Function.

PMID- 27270351
TI  - Using Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy to Influence Autonomic Nervous System
      Activity.

PMID- 27270348
TI  - Clinical Outcome From Oxaliplatin Treatment in Stage II/III Colon Cancer
      According to Intrinsic Subtypes: Secondary Analysis of NSABP C-07/NRG Oncology
      Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Oxaliplatin added to fluorouracil plus leucovorin therapy for
      patients with colon cancer has been shown to provide significant but modest
      absolute benefit for disease-free survival. However, acute and chronic neurotoxic
      effects from this regimen underscore the need for markers that predict
      oxaliplatin benefit. OBJECTIVE: To test our hypothesis that molecular subtypes of
      colon cancer would be associated with differential prognosis and benefit from
      oxaliplatin added to fluorouracil plus leucovorin therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Participants in the NSABP C-07 trial were divided into discovery (n
      = 848) and validation (n = 881) cohorts based on the order of tissue block
      submission. A reestimated centroid using 72 genes was used to determine
      Colorectal Cancer Assigner subtypes and their association with oxaliplatin
      benefit in the discovery cohort. The validation cohort was examined with a locked
      down algorithm for subtype classification and statistical analysis plan. Post hoc
      analysis included examination of the entire cohort with Colorectal Cancer
      Assigner, Colorectal Cancer Subtype (CCS), and Consensus Molecular Subtype (CMS)
      methods. INTERVENTIONS: Fluorouracil plus leucovorin with or without oxaliplatin.
      MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Percent recurrence-free survival. RESULTS: Among 1729
      patients, 744 (43%) were female and mean (SD) age was 58 (11) years. Although C
      07 participants with stage III disease with an enterocyte subtype showed a
      statistically significant benefit from oxaliplatin in the discovery cohort
      (hazard ratio, 0.22 [95% CI, 0.09-0.56]; P = .001 [N = 65]), no statistically
      significant benefit was observed in the validation cohort (hazard ratio, 0.53
      [95% CI, 0.22-1.24]; P = .14 [N = 70]). The stemlike subtype was associated with
      poor prognosis and lack of benefit from oxaliplatin treatment (HR, 0.99 [95% CI,
      0.73-1.34]; P = .96 [N = 367]). Examination of the different subtyping methods
      shows that all 3 methods robustly identified patients with poor prognosis
      (stemlike, CCS-3, and CMS-4) in both stage II and III. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Patients with stemlike tumors may be appropriate for clinical trials testing
      experimental therapies because stemlike tumors were robustly identified and
      associated with a poor prognosis regardless of stage or chemotherapy regimen. The
      clinical utility of using subtyping for the identification of patients for
      treatment with oxaliplatin requires validation in independent clinical trial
      cohorts. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00004931.

PMID- 27270352
TI  - Muscle Energy Technique Improves Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis.

PMID- 27270353
TI  - As the Twig Is Bent, so Grows the Tree-Part 5: In a Single Hospital, OMTh
      Shortens Length of Stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

PMID- 27270354
TI  - As the Twig Is Bent, so Grows the Tree-Part 6: In a Multicenter Study, OMTh
      Shortens Length of Stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

PMID- 27270355
TI  - As the Twig Is Bent, so Grows the Tree-Part 7: Severe Temporal Bone Restriction
      in Children Is Risk Factor for Acute Otitis Media.

PMID- 27270356
TI  - Highly transparent, low-haze, hybrid cellulose nanopaper as electrodes for
      flexible electronics.
AB  - Paper is an excellent candidate to replace plastics as a substrate for flexible
      electronics due to its low cost, renewability and flexibility. Cellulose
      nanopaper (CNP), a new type of paper made of nanosized cellulose fibers, is a
      promising substrate material for transparent and flexible electrodes due to its
      potentially high transparency and high mechanical strength. Although CNP
      substrates can achieve high transparency, they are still characterized by high
      diffuse transmittance and small direct transmittance, resulting in high optical
      haze of the substrates. In this study, we proposed a simple methodology for large
      scale production of high-transparency, low-haze CNP comprising both long
      cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and short cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). By varying
      the CNC/CNF ratio in the hybrid CNP, we could tailor its total transmittance,
      direct transmittance and diffuse transmittance. By increasing the CNC content,
      the optical haze of the hybrid CNP could be decreased and its transparency could
      be increased. The direct transmittance and optical haze of the CNP were 75.1% and
      10.0%, respectively, greatly improved from the values of previously reported CNP
      (31.1% and 62.0%, respectively). Transparent, flexible electrodes were fabricated
      by coating the hybrid CNP with silver nanowires (AgNWs). The electrodes showed a
      low sheet resistance (minimum 1.2 Omega sq(-1)) and a high total transmittance
      (maximum of 82.5%). The electrodes were used to make a light emitting diode (LED)
      assembly to demonstrate their potential use in flexible displays. 

PMID- 27270357
TI  - Retraction Note to: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 polymorphisms and
      coronary artery disease: a case control study.

PMID- 27270358
TI  - Retraction Note to: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 polymorphisms and the
      prognosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

PMID- 27270359
TI  - Tissue expression analysis, cloning and characterization of the 5'-regulatory
      region of the bovine FABP3 gene.
AB  - Fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) is a member of the FABP family which bind
      fatty acids and have an important role in fatty acid metabolism. A large number
      of studies have shown that the genetic polymorphisms of FABP3 are positively
      correlated with intramuscular fat (IMF) content in domestic animals, however, the
      function and transcriptional characteristics of FABP3 in cattle remain unclear.
      Real-time PCR analysis revealed that bovine FABP3 was highly expressed in cardiac
      tissue. The 5'-regulatory region of bovine FABP3 was cloned and its transcription
      initiation sites were identified. Sequence analysis showed that many
      transcriptional factor binding sites including TATA-box and CCAAT-box were
      present on the 5'-flanking region of bovine FABP3, and four CpG islands were
      found on nucleotides from -891 to +118. Seven serial deletion constructs of the
      5'-regulatory region evaluated in dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that
      its core promoter was 384 base pairs upstream from the transcription initiation
      site. The transcriptional factor binding sites RXRalpha, KLF15, CREB and Sp1 were
      conserved in the core promoter of cattle, sheep, pigs and dogs. These results
      provide further understanding of the function and regulation mechanism of bovine
      FABP3. 

PMID- 27270360
TI  - Educating the Primary Care Clinician on Preexposure Prophylaxis for Human
      Immunodeficiency Virus: A Teachable Moment.

PMID- 27270361
TI  - Rabies vaccination at a virus-inoculated site as an alternative option to rabies
      immunoglobulin.
AB  - Combined active and passive immunization has been established to be an optimal
      strategy for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Prompt administration of
      vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) can reliably prevent the disease.
      However, RIG is unavailable and unaffordable in the majority of cases. On the
      basis of a model experiment using hamsters, we demonstrated that vaccine
      injection at the wound site in the same manner as administration of RIG provided
      protective efficacy that was not inferior to the current optimal PEP, a
      combination of vaccination and RIG. Further study is needed to determine whether
      it can replace the use of RIG. 

PMID- 27270362
TI  - Significant decrease in peripheral regulatory B cells is an immunopathogenic
      feature of dermatomyositis.
AB  - Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are critical in maintaining self-tolerance. Their role
      in dermatomyositis (DM), an autoimmune disease characterized by inappropriate
      regulation of hyperactivated B and T cells, has not been clearly defined. In the
      current study, we performed flow cytometry analysis of studied CD19(+)
      CD24(high)CD38(high) Breg subpopulations in blood samples from 30 patients with
      DM, 37 diseased controls and 23 healthy controls. A significant decrease was
      observed in the frequency of Bregs in DM patients compared to that in diseased
      controls (p < 0.0001) and in healthy controls (p < 0.0001). And the prevalence of
      Bregs deficiency (defined as Bregs/B cells < 0.50% in this study) in DM patients
      went as high as 73.3%. Furthermore, DM patients with positive myositis specific
      autoantibody often had lower Bregs levels than negative patients (p = 0.036), and
      lower level of Bregs was also found in DM patients with interstitial lung disease
      than in DM patients without (p = 0.041). In a follow-up study, seven DM patients
      were considered to be in remission stage, and their Breg levels were found to
      have significantly increased after treatment (p = 0.022). Our research revealed
      that Breg deficiency is an immunopathogenic feature of DM and provided insights
      into the design of new immunotherapy target for DM clinical interventions.

PMID- 27270363
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27270364
TI  - Conversion to Aflibercept After Prior Anti-VEGF Therapy for Persistent Diabetic
      Macular Edema.

PMID- 27270381
TI  - Advanced and flexible multi-carrier receiver architecture for high-count multi
      core fiber based space division multiplexed applications.
AB  - Space division multiplexing (SDM), incorporating multi-core fibers (MCFs), has
      been demonstrated for effectively maximizing the data capacity in an impending
      capacity crunch. To achieve high spectral-density through multi-carrier encoding
      while simultaneously maintaining transmission reach, benefits from inter-core
      crosstalk (XT) and non-linear compensation must be utilized. In this report, we
      propose a proof-of-concept unified receiver architecture that jointly compensates
      optical Kerr effects, intra- and inter-core XT in MCFs. The architecture is
      analysed in multi-channel 512 Gbit/s dual-carrier DP-16QAM system over 800 km 19
      core MCF to validate the digital compensation of inter-core XT. Through this
      architecture: (a) we efficiently compensates the inter-core XT improving Q-factor
      by 4.82 dB and (b) achieve a momentous gain in transmission reach, increasing the
      maximum achievable distance from 480 km to 1208 km, via analytical analysis.
      Simulation results confirm that inter-core XT distortions are more relentless for
      cores fabricated around the central axis of cladding. Predominantly, XT induced Q
      penalty can be suppressed to be less than 1 dB up-to -11.56 dB of inter-core XT
      over 800 km MCF, offering flexibility to fabricate dense core structures with
      same cladding diameter. Moreover, this report outlines the relationship between
      core pitch and forward-error correction (FEC).

PMID- 27270382
TI  - Induction of protective immunity against experimental Eimeria tenella infection
      using serum exosomes.
AB  - Avian coccidiosis is caused by Eimeria, a unicellular, apicomplexan protist which
      primarily infects intestinal epithelia resulting in nutrient malabsorption and
      reduced growth of commercial poultry. Vaccination of chickens with exosomes
      isolated from antigen presenting cells containing parasite antigens (Ags)
      represents a promising alternative strategy to control avian coccidiosis, but is
      restricted in its commercial application due to limitations on production scale
      up for mass immunization programs. Here, we report the biochemical and
      physiologic characteristics of exosomes derived from serum of Eimeria tenella
      infected chickens and their feasibility for inducing protective immunity to
      experimental coccidiosis. Exosomes isolated from the serum of E. tenella-infected
      chickens contained a subset of protein Ags found in the intact parasite. Serum
      derived exosomes containing these E. tenella Ags localized to the intestine and
      spleen following intramuscular injection into naive chickens. In vitro ELISPOT
      assays revealed increased numbers of IL-2-, IL-4-, IL-6-, and IFN-gamma-secreting
      cells in the intestine and spleen of exosome-administered chickens, compared with
      vehicle controls. Pre-immunization of chickens with serum exosomes from E.
      tenella-infected chickens increased both body weight gain and feed conversion
      efficiency, and reduced both fecal parasite shedding and gut lesion scores
      following parasite infection, compared with vehicle controls. Finally,
      immunization with CD80(+) serum exosomes stimulated greater numbers of cytokine
      producing cells, and higher levels of protective immunity to E. tenella
      infection, compared with CD80(-) exosomes. These results suggest the possibility
      of producing an effective, parasite-free vaccine against avian coccidiosis under
      field conditions using serum-derived CD80(+) exosomes containing parasite Ags. 

PMID- 27270383
TI  - Prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Haiti.
AB  - Canine vector-borne pathogens are common on some Caribbean islands, but survey
      data in Haiti are lacking. To determine the prevalence of selected vector-borne
      pathogens in dogs from Haiti, we tested blood samples collected from 210 owned
      dogs, 28 (13.3%) of which were infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks at
      the time of blood collection. No other tick species were identified on these
      dogs. A commercially available ELISA identified antibodies to Ehrlichia spp. in
      69 (32.9%), antibodies to Anaplasma spp. in 37 (17.6%), and antigen of
      Dirofilaria immitis in 55 (26.2%); antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi were not
      detected in any sample. Molecular assays of whole blood from 207 of the dogs
      confirmed infection with Ehrlichia canis (15; 7.2%), Anaplasma platys (13; 6.3%),
      D. immitis (46; 22.2%), Wolbachia spp. (45; 21.7%), Babesia vogeli (16; 7.7%),
      and Hepatozoon canis (40; 19.3%), but Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia canis,
      Babesia rossi, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, or
      Hepatozoon americanum were not detected. Co-infection with two or more vector
      borne pathogens was detected by serology in 42 (20.0%) dogs and by molecular
      assays in 22 (10.6%) dogs; one dog was co-infected with B. vogeli and E. canis as
      detected by PCR with D. immitis detected by serology (antigen). Overall, evidence
      of past or current infection with at least one vector-borne pathogen was
      identified in 142/210 (67.6%) dogs in this study, underscoring the common nature
      of these pathogens, some of which are zoonotic, in Haiti. 

PMID- 27270384
TI  - Immunization with Fasciola hepatica thioredoxin glutathione reductase failed to
      confer protection against fasciolosis in cattle.
AB  - The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica remains an important agent of food-borne
      trematode disease producing great economic losses due to its negative effect on
      productivity of livestock grazing in temperate areas. The prevailing control
      strategy based on anthelmintic drugs is unsustainable due to widespread
      resistance hence vaccination appears as an attractive option to pursue. In this
      study we evaluate the effect of vaccination in calves with a functional
      recombinant thioredoxin glutathione reductase (rFhTGR) from liver fluke, a
      critical antioxidant enzyme at the crossroads of the thioredoxin and glutathione
      metabolism in flatworms. The recombinant enzyme produced in Escherichia coli was
      tested in two vaccination experiments; in the first trial rFhTGR was administered
      in combination with Freunds Incomplete Adjuvant (FIA) in a three-inoculation
      scheme on weeks 0, 4 and 8; in the second trial rFhTGR was given mixed with
      Adyuvac 50 or Alum as adjuvants on weeks 0 and 4. In both cases calves were
      challenged with metacercariae (400 in the first and 500 in the second trial) 2
      weeks after the last inoculation. Our results demonstrate that two or three doses
      of the vaccine induced a non-significant reduction in worm counts of 8.2% (FIA),
      3.8% (Adyuvac 50) and 23.0% (Alum) compared to adjuvant controls indicating that
      rFhTGR failed to induce a protective immunity in challenged calves. All vaccine
      formulations induced a mixed IgG1/IgG2 response but no booster was observed after
      challenge. No correlations between antibody titres and worm burdens were found. 

PMID- 27270385
TI  - Population genetic analysis of Theileria parva isolated in cattle and buffaloes
      in Tanzania using minisatellite and microsatellite markers.
AB  - A population genetic study of Theileria parva was conducted on 103 cattle and 30
      buffalo isolates from Kibaha, Lushoto, Njombe Districts and selected National
      parks in Tanzania. Bovine blood samples were collected from these study areas and
      categorized into 5 populations; Buffalo, Cattle which graze close to buffalo,
      Kibaha, Lushoto and Njombe. Samples were tested by nested PCR for T. parva DNA
      and positives were compared for genetic diversity to the T. parva Muguga vaccine
      reference strain, using 3micro and 11 minisatellite markers selected from all 4
      chromosomes of the parasite genome. The diversity across populations was
      determined by the mean number of different alleles, mean number of effective
      alleles, mean number of private allele and expected heterozygosity. The mean
      number of allele unique to populations for Cattle close to buffalo, Muguga,
      Njombe, Kibaha, Lushoto and Buffalo populations were 0.18, 0.24, 0.63, 0.71, 1.63
      and 3.37, respectively. The mean number of different alleles ranged from 6.97
      (Buffalo) to 0.07 (Muguga). Mean number of effective alleles ranged from 4.49
      (Buffalo) to 0.29 (Muguga). The mean expected heterozygosity were 0.07 0.29,
      0.45, 0.48, 0.59 and 0.64 for Muguga, cattle close to buffalo, Kibaha, Njombe,
      Lushoto and Buffalo populations, respectively. The Buffalo and Lushoto isolates
      possessed a close degree of diversity in terms of mean number of different
      alleles, effective alleles, private alleles and expected heterozygosity. The
      study revealed more diversity in buffalo isolates and further studies are
      recommended to establish if there is sharing of parasites between cattle and
      buffaloes which may affect the effectiveness of the control methods currently in
      use. 

PMID- 27270386
TI  - Pasture is a risk factor for Toxoplasma gondii infection in fattening pigs.
AB  - As consumer awareness of animal welfare increases throughout Europe, housing of
      pigs in more animal-friendly systems is becoming more common. There is concern
      that these free-range and organic management systems increase the prevalence of
      zoonotic meat-borne pathogens, such as Toxoplasma gondii. In this study we
      compared the seroprevalence of T. gondii between commercial fattening pigs raised
      on conventional and on organic farms in Sweden. Furthermore, potential
      associations between presence of T. gondii antibodies and type of production,
      access to pasture, and geographical region were analysed. A significant
      difference in T. gondii seroprevalence was found between conventional (1%) and
      organic pigs (8%). The higher odds of seropositivity in organic production was
      attributed to pasture access specifically (OR=1.8 for a one-month increase in
      length of pasture exposure). This study shows that the prevalence of T. gondii in
      Swedish conventional pigs is low. However, as pigs with access to pasture are at
      higher risk of infection and because the demand for animal-friendly production
      systems is increasing, there is an obvious need to practically manage the higher
      T. gondii presence in products from pigs raised in organic systems with outdoor
      access. 

PMID- 27270387
TI  - The in vitro effect of prolactin on the growth, motility and expression of
      prolactin receptors in larvae of Toxocara canis.
AB  - The in vitro effect of prolactin (PRL) on the growth and motility of Toxocara
      canis larvae was assessed. Additionally, the expression and location of prolactin
      receptors (PRL-Rs) were determined in the larvae. Larvae of T. canis were
      incubated with different concentrations of PRL for different periods of time. The
      stimulated larvae accelerated their enlargement and increased their motility. The
      mean percentage of PRL-R+ cells in non-stimulated larvae, measured by flow
      cytometry was 7.3+/-0.3%. Compared with non-stimulated larvae, the mean
      fluorescence intensity (p<0.05) increased in larvae incubated with 40ng/mL of PRL
      for 10 days. A 465-bp length fragment was amplified from larvae gDNA by PCR. The
      sequence of this fragment showed 99% similarity with the gene fragment that codes
      for the PRL-R of the domestic dog. A high concentration of PRL-Rs was immune
      located in the posterior region of the larval intestine; therefore, the
      intestinal cells in this region were most likely the targets for this hormone.
      Based on these results, PRL-Rs were identified in T. canis larvae, and the in
      vitro stimulation with PRL increased the number of these receptors, accelerated
      the growth and modified the activity of larvae. All of the above suggest that T.
      canis larvae are evolutionarily adapted to recognize the PRL of their definitive
      host and furthermore might explain the reactivation of tissue-arrested larvae
      during the gestation of bitches, which does not occur in gestating females of
      other species. 

PMID- 27270388
TI  - Acaricidal activity of the organic extracts of thirteen South African plants
      against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (Acari: Ixodidae).
AB  - The African blue tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, is a common tick
      species found in South Africa and affects cattle production as well as vectoring
      pathogens in regions of Africa and Asia. In an attempt to develop a non-toxic,
      lower cost and environmentally friendly tick control method, twenty-six plant
      extracts were prepared from thirteen plant species using 99.5% acetone and 99%
      ethanol. The adapted Shaw Larval Immersion Test (SLIT) was used to test the
      efficacy of the extracts. A 1% solution of each of the plant extracts was
      prepared for efficacy testing and the ethanol extracts were found to have better
      acaricidal activity than the acetone extracts. The ethanol extract from the
      leaves and flowers of Calpurnia aurea had the best activity [corrected mortality
      (CM)=82.9%] which was followed by the stem extract of Cissus quadrangularis
      (CM=80.4%). The plant species were screened against Vero cells and were found to
      have low toxicity. From this study it is apparent that there is potential for the
      development of botanicals as natural acaricides against R. (B.) decoloratus. 

PMID- 27270389
TI  - Vector-borne pathogens in dogs and red foxes from the federal state of
      Brandenburg, Germany.
AB  - Dirofilaria repens is endemic in eastern and southern European regions but was
      recently found in Germany in dogs, mosquitoes and one human patient. Since some
      of the positive dog and mosquito samples were collected in Brandenburg, it was
      aimed to systematically assess the prevalence of D. repens and other canine
      vector-borne pathogens in Brandenburg. Dog owners also received a questionnaire
      and were asked to provide more information about the dogs including travel
      history. In total, 1023 dog blood samples as well as 195 fox spleen and 179 fox
      blood samples were collected. DNA was analysed by PCR for the presence of
      filariae, piroplasms, anaplasmataceae and Rickettsia spp. Filariae were detected
      in six dogs (0.6%), two were positive for DNA from D. repens, two from
      Dirofilaria immitis and two from Acanthocheilonema reconditum. One of the D.
      repens positive dogs originated from an animal shelter in Brandenburg, but the
      origin of the other one remained unknown. Interestingly, both D. repens ITS-1
      sequences showed 100% identity to a D. repens sample obtained from a Japanese
      woman that travelled in Europe and were 97% identical to a newly proposed species
      Dirofilaria sp. 'hongkongensis' described from Hong Kong. However, identity to
      other D. repens sequences from Thailand was considerably lower (81%). Identity of
      12S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I to D. repens samples from southern Europe was
      99%. Due to the low number of Dirofilaria spp. positive dogs and since the origin
      of these was unknown, endemic occurrence of Dirofilaria in Brandenburg could not
      be confirmed. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was found in 15 dogs (1.5%), Candidatus
      Neoehrlichia mikurensis in three dogs (0.3%) and E. canis in one dog (0.1%),
      which was co-infected with D. repens. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 8 dogs
      (0.8%), seven were Rickettsia raoultii and one was Rickettsia felis. To the
      author's knowledge, R. raoultii DNA was detected for the first time in dogs in
      Germany in this study and Candidatus N. mikurensis for the second time. In spleen
      samples of red foxes with 47.5% a high prevalence of piroplasms was found.
      Sequencing of 11 samples identified 10 as Theileria annae. Despite the high
      prevalence of this pathogen in its reservoir host, it was absent in dog samples.
      In one dog (0.1%), Babesia canis was detected but there was no further
      information about the dog's origin. Evaluation of the questionnaire identified a
      high proportion of dogs (74.2%, n=233) which was not protected by
      ectoparasiticides. Moreover, 21.2% (n=236) of the dogs originated from inland or
      abroad shelters, and therefore might potentially come from areas endemic for
      dirofilariosis or babesiosis. 

PMID- 27270390
TI  - Toxoplasma gondii: Pig seroprevalence, associated risk factors and viability in
      fresh pork meat.
AB  - This study was conducted on 161 fattening pig farms located in Aragon (Northeast
      Spain). Serum samples from 1200 pigs were tested for antibodies against T. gondii
      by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Antibodies to T. gondii (>=1:20) were
      detected in 301 pigs (24.52%). The seroprevalence observed in the present study
      indicates a widespread exposure to T. gondii, as seropositive pigs were found in
      96.67% of the farms studied although low pig titers were determined. Risk factors
      associated with T. gondii seroprevalence were presence of cats in or around the
      farms, presence of dogs around the facilities, low number of animals in the
      farms, poor hygiene and bad maintenance of the farms. Finally, it was observed
      that where rodent baits were used, Toxoplasma prevalence was lower. Risk
      management measures including control of cats and rodents on the farms, among
      others, could help to reduce the observed prevalence levels. By mouse bioassay,
      T. gondii was detected in 73.7% and isolated from 42.1% of seropositive pigs and
      a significant relation between the titers of pigs and the presence and viability
      of T. gondii in the tissues was found. The detection of T. gondii is not possible
      by currently practiced meat inspection. Nevertheless, the increased probability
      of detecting viable forms of T. gondii in tissues of pigs with titers >=1: 80
      could be used as the cutoff for discriminating higher risk animals, and could be
      used as an effective control tool for the industry of cured meat products. In
      practical terms, we propose that this value could be used as a critical limit in
      the HACCP system. 

PMID- 27270391
TI  - First report of parasitism by Hexametra boddaertii (Nematoda: Ascaridae) in
      Oxyrhopus guibei (Serpentes: Colubridae).
AB  - The current study summarizes the postmortem examination of a specimen of
      Oxyrhopus guibei (Serpentes, Colubridae) collected in Iguazu National Park
      (Argentina), and found deceased a week following arrival to the serpentarium of
      the National Institute of Tropical Medicine (Argentina). Although the snake
      appeared to be in good health, a necropsy performed following its death
      identified the presence of a large number of roundworms in the coelomic cavity,
      with indications of peritonitis and serosal adherence. Additional observations
      from the necropsy revealed small calcifications in the mesothelium of the
      coelomic cavity; solid and expressive content in the gallbladder; massive
      gastrointestinal obstruction due to nematodes; and lung edema and congestion.
      Histopathological analyses of lung sections also showed proliferative
      heterophilic and histiocytic pneumonia. Parasites isolated from both the
      intestine and coelomic cavity were identified as Hexametra boddaertii by a
      combination of light and scanning electron microscopic examination. Results from
      this necropsy identify O. guibei as a new host for H. boddaertii, and is the
      first report of a natural infection by Hexametra in Argentina. Since Hexametra
      parasites may contribute to several pathological conditions in humans, and with
      the recent availability of O. guibei specimens through the illegal pet trade, it
      is necessary to consider the possibility of zoonotic helminth transmission of
      Hexametra from snake to human. 

PMID- 27270392
TI  - Standardization and application of the tetraprimer ARMS-PCR technique for
      screening of the E198A SNP in the beta-tubulin gene of hookworm populations in
      Brazil.
AB  - The tetraprimer ARMS-PCR technique is efficient for SNP detection and can be used
      to search for polymorphisms associated with drug resistance. However, the
      establishment of this methodology is not always straightforward because of the
      constraints on primer design due to the restrictions of the polymorphic regions.
      Here, we describe the standardization of the tetraprimer ARMS-PCR methodology for
      the detection of a SNP at codon 198 of the Ancylostoma caninum beta-tubulin gene.
      This SNP is associated with resistance to albendazole in various nematodes. The
      methodology was used to screen 327 individuals from 6 different locations. No
      mutation was found in any of the samples. This methodology will be useful for
      screening for the E198A SNP in the beta-tubulin gene of canine hookworms in a
      broader population to determine whether this SNP is associated with benzimidazole
      resistance in this species. The method could also be adapted for the analysis of
      other SNPs in other nematode species. 

PMID- 27270393
TI  - Primary screen for potential sheep scab control agents.
AB  - The efficacy of potential acaricidal agents were assessed against the sheep scab
      mite Psoroptes ovis using a series of in vitro assays in modified test arenas
      designed initially to maintain P. ovis off-host. The mortality effects of 45
      control agents, including essential oils, detergents, desiccants, growth
      regulators, lipid synthesis inhibitors, nerve action/energy metabolism disruptors
      and ecdysteroids were assessed against adults and nymphs. The most effective
      candidates were the desiccants (diatomaceous earth, nanoclay and sorex), the
      growth regulators (buprofezin, hexythiazox and teflubenzuron), the lipid
      synthesis inhibitors (spirodiclofen, spirotetramat and spiromesifen) and the
      nerve action and energy metabolism inhibitors (fenpyroximate, spinosad,
      tolfenpyrad, and chlorantraniliprole). 

PMID- 27270394
TI  - Evaluation of ionophore sensitivity of Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima
      isolated from the Algerian to Jijel province poultry farms.
AB  - The present study represents the first description of ionophore resistance in
      recovered from commercial Algerian (Jijel-Algeria) broiler farms. Microscopy and
      intervening transcribed sequence 1 PCR (ITS1 PCR) revealed only 2 Eimeria species
      present in litter from these farms- namely Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima.
      A pool of these isolates were evaluated in broiler chickens (Cobb 500) for
      sensitivity to 5 anticoccidial compounds-diclazuril (1ppm), lasalocid (125ppm),
      monensin (125ppm), narasin (70ppm) and salinomycin (60ppm). As indicated by
      anticoccidial sensitivity profiles based on lesion scores and anticoccidial index
      (ACI), complete resistance to monensin and narasin, partial resistance to
      salinomycin and lasalocid, and complete sensitivity to diclazuril was observed.
      While lack of sensitivity to monensin is not surprising given its use for years
      as the sole anticoccidial compound, the resistance to monoether (narasin) and
      polyether (lasalocid) ionophores suggests that cross-resistance has developed in
      a segment of the Eimeria population. The fairly uniform Eimeria species
      composition among all poultry farms suggests that E. acervulina and E. maxima
      more rapidly develop resistance to ionophore drugs. 

PMID- 27270395
TI  - Predicting the potential environmental suitability for Theileria orientalis
      transmission in New Zealand cattle using maximum entropy niche modelling.
AB  - The tick-borne haemoparasite Theileria orientalis is the most important
      infectious cause of anaemia in New Zealand cattle. Since 2012 a previously
      unrecorded type, T. orientalis type 2 (Ikeda), has been associated with disease
      outbreaks of anaemia, lethargy, jaundice and deaths on over 1000 New Zealand
      cattle farms, with most of the affected farms found in the upper North Island.
      The aim of this study was to model the relative environmental suitability for T.
      orientalis transmission throughout New Zealand, to predict the proportion of
      cattle farms potentially suitable for active T. orientalis infection by region,
      island and the whole of New Zealand and to estimate the average relative
      environmental suitability per farm by region, island and the whole of New
      Zealand. The relative environmental suitability for T. orientalis transmission
      was estimated using the Maxent (maximum entropy) modelling program. The Maxent
      model predicted that 99% of North Island cattle farms (n=36,257), 64% South
      Island cattle farms (n=15,542) and 89% of New Zealand cattle farms overall
      (n=51,799) could potentially be suitable for T. orientalis transmission. The
      average relative environmental suitability of T. orientalis transmission at the
      farm level was 0.34 in the North Island, 0.02 in the South Island and 0.24
      overall. The study showed that the potential spatial distribution of T.
      orientalis environmental suitability was much greater than presumed in the early
      part of the Theileria associated bovine anaemia (TABA) epidemic. Maximum entropy
      offers a computer efficient method of modelling the probability of habitat
      suitability for an arthropod vectored disease. This model could help estimate the
      boundaries of the endemically stable and endemically unstable areas for T.
      orientalis transmission within New Zealand and be of considerable value in
      informing practitioner and farmer biosecurity decisions in these respective
      areas. 

PMID- 27270396
TI  - Atypical Toxoplasma gondii genotype in feral cats from the Fernando de Noronha
      Island, northeastern Brazil.
AB  - Toxoplasma gondii isolates from Brazil have a different phenotypic and genotypic
      pattern, with predominance of virulent isolates and recombinant genotypes,
      compared to the North Hemisphere. Considering that a new T. gondii genotype, non
      pathogenic to mice, was previously identified from free-range chickens from the
      Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil, this study aimed to identify genotypes of
      this parasite in tissue samples of feral cats (Felis catus) from this Brazilian
      Island. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 18/31 (58%) feral cats.
      Two non-virulent T. gondii isolates were obtained by mouse bioassay. Genotyping
      was performed by PCR-RFLP using 10 genetic markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6,
      c22-8, c29-2, PK1, L358 and Apico) and an atypical strain of T. gondii (ToxoDB
      #146) was identified. This is the first report of this genotype in feral cats. 

PMID- 27270397
TI  - Transcriptional profiling of the ovine abomasal lymph node reveals a role for
      timing of the immune response in gastrointestinal nematode resistance.
AB  - Gastrointestinal nematodes are a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in
      grazing ruminants. The major ovine defence mechanism is acquired immunity, with
      protective immunity developing over time in response to infection. Nematode
      resistance varies both within and between breeds and is moderately heritable. A
      detailed understanding of the genes and mechanisms involved in protective
      immunity, and the factors that regulate this response, is required to aid both
      future breeding strategies and the development of effective and sustainable
      nematode control methods. The aim of this study was to compare the abomasal lymph
      node transcriptome of resistant and susceptible lambs in order to determine
      biological processes differentially expressed between resistant and susceptible
      individuals. Scottish Blackface lambs, with divergent phenotypes for resistance,
      were challenged with 30,000 Teladorsagia circumcincta larvae (L3), and abomasal
      lymph nodes recovered at 7 and 14days post-infection (dpi). High-throughput
      sequencing of cDNA from the abomasal lymph node was used to quantitatively sample
      the transcriptome with an average of 32 million reads per sample. A total of 194
      and 144 genes were differentially expressed between resistant and susceptible
      lambs at 7 and 14 dpi respectively. Differentially expressed networks and
      biological processes were identified using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Genes
      involved in the inflammatory response, attraction of T lymphocytes and binding of
      leukocytes were more highly expressed in resistant animals at 7 dpi and in
      susceptible animals at 14 dpi indicating that resistant animals respond to
      infection earlier than susceptible animals. Twenty-four Single Nucleotide
      Polymorphisms (SNP) within 11 differentially expressed genes, were tested for
      association with gastrointestinal nematode resistance in the Scottish Blackface
      lambs. Four SNP, in 2 genes (SLC30A2 and ALB), were suggestively associated with
      faecal egg count. In conclusion, a large number of genes were differentially
      expressed in the abomasal lymph node of resistant and susceptible lambs
      responding to gastrointestinal nematode challenge. Resistant Scottish Blackface
      lambs appear to generate an earlier immune response to T. circumcincta. In
      susceptible lambs this response appears to be delayed. SNP in 2 differentially
      expressed genes were suggestively associated with faecal egg count indicating
      that differentially expressed genes may be considered candidate loci for
      mediating nematode resistance. 

PMID- 27270398
TI  - Process and kinetics of azo dye decolourization in bioelectrochemical systems:
      effect of several key factors.
AB  - This study explored the influence of several key factors on the process and
      kinetics of azo dye decolourization in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs),
      including cathode potential, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of catholyte and
      biofilm formed on the cathode. The results show that azo dye methyl orange (MO)
      decolourization in the BES could be well described with the pseudo first-order
      kinetics. The MO decolourization efficiency increased from 0 to 94.90 +/- 0.01%
      and correspondingly the reaction rate constant increased from 0 to 0.503 +/-
      0.001 h(-1) with the decrease in cathodic electrode potential from -0.2 to -0.8 V
      vs Ag/AgCl. On the contrary, DO concentration of the catholyte had a negative
      impact on MO decolourization in the BES. When DO concentration increased from
      zero to 5.80 mg L(-1), the MO decolourization efficiency decreased from 87.19 +/-
      4.73% to 27.77 +/- 0.06% and correspondingly the reaction rate constant reduced
      from 0.207 +/- 0.042 to 0.033 +/- 0.007 h(-1). Additionally, the results suggest
      that the biofilm formed on the cathode could led to an adverse rather than a
      positive effect on azo dye decolourization in the BES in terms of efficiency and
      kinetics.

PMID- 27270399
TI  - Risk of Early Rehospitalization for Non-Behavioral Health Conditions Among Adult
      Medicaid Beneficiaries with Severe Mental Illness or Substance Use Disorders.
AB  - The goal was to examine risk factors and expenditures for early rehospitalization
      (within 30 days of discharge) for non-behavioral health conditions among Medicaid
      enrolled Floridians over 8 years. There were 1,689,797 hospitalization episodes
      with 19% (N = 314,742) resulting in early rehospitalization. Total gross charges
      for early rehospitalization were over 13 billion dollars. In Cox proportional
      hazards regression adjusted for demographic and health covariates, drug use
      disorder was associated with 50% increased risk of early rehospitalization.
      Having major depressive disorder increased risk by 17%; psychotic disorder,
      bipolar disorder, and alcohol use disorder increased risk of early
      rehospitalization slightly by 10, 6, and 6% respectively. The effect of dementia
      on risk was minimal at 2%. Risk of early rehospitalization decreased by 3.5% per
      year over the 8 years of the study. Attention to mental health problems,
      especially drug use disorder, may help further reduce rates of early readmission
      for non-behavioral health conditions.

PMID- 27270400
TI  - Control of the innate immune response by the mevalonate pathway.
AB  - Deficiency in mevalonate kinase (MVK) causes systemic inflammation. However, the
      molecular mechanisms linking the mevalonate pathway to inflammation remain
      obscure. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, a non-sterol intermediate of the
      mevalonate pathway, is the substrate for protein geranylgeranylation, a protein
      post-translational modification that is catalyzed by protein geranylgeranyl
      transferase I (GGTase I). Pyrin is an innate immune sensor that forms an active
      inflammasome in response to bacterial toxins. Mutations in MEFV (encoding human
      PYRIN) result in autoinflammatory familial Mediterranean fever syndrome. We found
      that protein geranylgeranylation enabled Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced
      activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) by promoting the
      interaction between the small GTPase Kras and the PI(3)K catalytic subunit
      p110delta. Macrophages that were deficient in GGTase I or p110delta exhibited
      constitutive release of interleukin 1beta that was dependent on MEFV but
      independent of the NLRP3, AIM2 and NLRC4 inflammasomes. In the absence of protein
      geranylgeranylation, compromised PI(3)K activity allows an unchecked TLR-induced
      inflammatory responses and constitutive activation of the Pyrin inflammasome.

PMID- 27270401
TI  - Pyrin inflammasome activation and RhoA signaling in the autoinflammatory diseases
      FMF and HIDS.
AB  - Mutations in the genes encoding pyrin and mevalonate kinase (MVK) cause distinct
      interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-mediated autoinflammatory diseases: familial
      Mediterranean fever (FMF) and hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome (HIDS). Pyrin
      forms an inflammasome when mutant or in response to bacterial modification of the
      GTPase RhoA. We found that RhoA activated the serine-threonine kinases PKN1 and
      PKN2 that bind and phosphorylate pyrin. Phosphorylated pyrin bound to 14-3-3
      proteins, regulatory proteins that in turn blocked the pyrin inflammasome. The
      binding of 14-3-3 and PKN proteins to FMF-associated mutant pyrin was
      substantially decreased, and the constitutive IL-1beta release from peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells of patients with FMF or HIDS was attenuated by activation
      of PKN1 and PKN2. Defects in prenylation, seen in HIDS, led to RhoA inactivation
      and consequent pyrin inflammasome activation. These data suggest a previously
      unsuspected fundamental molecular connection between two seemingly distinct
      autoinflammatory disorders.

PMID- 27270402
TI  - Human memory T cells with a naive phenotype accumulate with aging and respond to
      persistent viruses.
AB  - The number of naive T cells decreases and susceptibility to new microbial
      infections increases with age. Here we describe a previously unknown subset of
      phenotypically naive human CD8(+) T cells that rapidly secreted multiple
      cytokines in response to persistent viral antigens but differed transcriptionally
      from memory and effector T cells. The frequency of these CD8(+) T cells, called
      'memory T cells with a naive phenotype' (TMNP cells), increased with age and
      after severe acute infection and inversely correlated with the residual capacity
      of the immune system to respond to new infections with age. CD8(+) TMNP cells
      represent a potential new target for the immunotherapy of persistent infections
      and should be accounted for and subtracted from the naive pool if truly naive T
      cells are needed to respond to antigens.

PMID- 27270406
TI  - Compensation effects and relation between the activation energy of spin
      transition and the hysteresis loop width for an iron(ii) complex.
AB  - The enthalpy-entropy compensation was observed for the cooperative -> spin
      transition (the phase is a mononuclear complex [FeL2](BF4)2, L is 4-(3,5-dimethyl
      1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine). The physical origin of
      this effect is the fact that the -> spin transition is the first order phase
      transition accompanied by noticeable variations in the Tonset?, DeltaH and DeltaS
      values. Higher DeltaH and DeltaS values are correlated with higher Tonset?
      values. The higher the enthalpy and entropy of the spin transition, the wider the
      hysteresis loop. The kinetic compensation effect, i.e. a linear relationship
      between ln A and Ea, was observed for the -> spin transition. Moreover, an
      isokinetic relationship was detected in this system: the Arrhenius lines (ln k
      vs. 1/T) obtained from magnetochemical data for different samples of the phase
      undergoing the -> transition show a common point of intersection (Tiso = 490 +/-
      2 K, ln kiso = -6.0 +/- 0.2). The validity of this conclusion was confirmed by
      the Exner-Linert statistical method. This means that the isokinetic relationship
      and the kinetic compensation effect (ln A vs. Ea) in this system are true ones.
      The existence of a true kinetic compensation effect is supported independently by
      the fact that the hysteresis loop width for the cooperative spin transition <->
      increases with increasing activation barrier height. Estimating the energy of
      excitations for the phase with Tiso ~ 490 K yields wavenumbers of ca. 340 cm(-1)
      corresponding to the frequencies of the stretching vibrations of the Fe(LS)-N
      bonds, i.e. the bonds directly involved in the mechanism of the spin transition.
      This is the first observation of the kinetic compensation effect (ln A vs. Ea)
      and the isokinetic relationship for a cooperative spin crossover system showing
      thermal hysteresis. Our results provide the first experimental evidence that the
      higher the activation barrier for the spin transition, the wider the hysteresis
      loop for a series of related spin crossover systems. 

PMID- 27270403
TI  - Primary blast causes mild, moderate, severe and lethal TBI with increasing blast
      overpressures: Experimental rat injury model.
AB  - Injury severity in blast induced Traumatic Brain Injury (bTBI) increases with
      blast overpressure (BOP) and impulse in dose-dependent manner. Pure primary blast
      waves were simulated in compressed gas shock-tubes in discrete increments.
      Present work demonstrates 24 hour survival of rats in 0-450 kPa (0-800 Pa?s
      impulse) range at 10 discrete levels (60, 100, 130, 160, 190, 230, 250, 290, 350
      and 420 kPa) and determines the mortality rate as a non-linear function of BOP.
      Using logistic regression model, predicted mortality rate (PMR) function was
      calculated, and used to establish TBI severities. We determined a BOP of 145 kPa
      as upper mild TBI threshold (5% PMR). Also we determined 146-220 kPa and 221-290
      kPa levels as moderate and severe TBI based on 35%, and 70% PMR, respectively,
      while BOP above 290 kPa is lethal. Since there are no standards for animal bTBI
      injury severity, these thresholds need further refinements using histopathology,
      immunohistochemistry and behavior. Further, we specifically investigated mild TBI
      range (0-145 kPa) using physiological (heart rate), pathological (lung injury),
      immuno-histochemical (oxidative/nitrosative and blood-brain barrier markers) as
      well as blood borne biomarkers. With these additional data, we conclude that mild
      bTBI occurs in rats when the BOP is in the range of 85-145 kPa.

PMID- 27270405
TI  - Free Fatty Acids Increase Intracellular Lipid Accumulation and Oxidative Stress
      by Modulating PPARalpha and SREBP-1c in L-02 Cells.
AB  - Excessive fat accumulation and increased oxidative stress contribute to the
      pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanisms
      underlying the development of steatosis are not entirely understood. The present
      study was undertaken to establish an experimental model of hepatocellular
      steatosis with a fat overaccumulation profile in which the effects of oxidative
      stress could be studied in L-02 cells. We investigated the effects of free fatty
      acids (FFA) (palmitate:oleate, 1:2) on lipid accumulation and oxidative stress
      and their possible mechanisms in L-02 cells. High concentrations of fatty acids
      significantly induced excessive lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in L-02
      cells, which could only be reversed with 50 MUMU WY14643 (the PPARalpha agonist).
      Immunoblotting and qPCR analyses revealed that FFA downregulated the expression
      of proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), which contributed to the
      increased activation of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c).
      These results suggest that FFA induce lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in
      L-02 cells by upregulating SREBP-1c expression through the suppression of
      PPARalpha.

PMID- 27270404
TI  - Low Dietary c9t11-Conjugated Linoleic Acid Intake from Dairy Fat or Supplements
      Reduces Inflammation in Collagen-Induced Arthritis.
AB  - Dietary cis-9,trans-11 (c9t11) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) fed at 0.5 % w/w
      was previously shown to attenuate inflammation in the murine collagen-induced
      (CA) arthritis model, and growing evidence implicates c9t11-CLA as a major anti
      inflammatory component of dairy fat. To understand c9t11-CLA's contribution to
      dairy fat's anti-inflammatory action, the minimum amount of dietary c9t11-CLA
      needed to reduce inflammation must be determined. This study had two objectives:
      (1) determine the minimum dietary anti-inflammatory c9t11-CLA intake level in the
      CA model, and (2) compare this to anti-inflammatory effects of dairy fat (non
      enriched, naturally c9t11-CLA-enriched, or c9t11-CLA-supplemented). Mice received
      the following dietary fat treatments (w/w) post arthritis onset: corn oil (6 %
      CO), 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5 % c9t11-CLA, control butter (6 % CB), c9t11
      enriched butter (6 % EB), or c9t11-CLA-supplemented butter (6 % SB, containing
      0.2 % c9t11-CLA). Paw arthritic severity and pad swelling were scored and
      measured, respectively, over an 84-day study period. All c9t11-CLA and butter
      diets decreased the arthritic score (25-51 %, P < 0.01) and paw swelling (8-11 %,
      P < 0.01). Throughout the study, plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) was
      elevated in CO-fed arthritic mice compared to non-arthritic (NA) mice but was
      reduced in 0.5 % c9t11-CLA- and EB-fed mice. Interleukin-1beta and IL-6 were
      increased in arthritic CO-fed mice compared to NA mice but were reduced in 0.5 %
      c9t11-CLA- and EB-fed mice through day 42. In conclusion, 0.125 % c9t11-CLA
      reduced clinical arthritis as effectively as higher doses, and decreased
      arthritis in CB-fed mice suggested that the minimal anti-inflammatory levels of
      c9t11-CLA might be below 0.125 %.

PMID- 27270407
TI  - SGLT2 inhibitors in the management of type 2 diabetes.
AB  - The glucose-lowering pharmacopeia continues to grow for patients with type 2
      diabetes. The latest drug category, the SGLT2 inhibitors reduce glycated
      hemoglobin concentrations by increasing urinary excretion of glucose. They are
      used mainly in combination with metformin and other antihyperglycemic agents,
      including insulin. Their glucose-lowering potency is modest. Advantages include
      lack of hypoglycemia as a side effect, and mild reduction in blood pressure and
      body weight. Side effects include increased urinary frequency, owing to their
      mild diuretic action, symptoms of hypovolemia, genitourinary infections. There
      are also recent reports of rare cases of diabetic ketoacidosis occurring in
      insulin-treated patients. Recently, a large cardiovascular outcome trial reported
      that a specific SGLT2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, led to a reduction in the primary
      endpoint of major cardiovascular events. This effect was mainly the result of a
      surprising 38 % reduction in cardiovascular death, and the drug was also
      associated with nearly as large a reduction in heart failure hospitalization.
      These findings were notable because most drugs used in type 2 diabetes have not
      been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes. Accordingly, there is growing
      interest in empagliflozin and the entire SGLT2 inhibitor class as drugs that
      could potentially change the manner in which we approach the management of
      hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 27270409
TI  - Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Enabled by Intramolecular Benzoin Reaction: Synthetic
      Applications and Mechanistic Insights.
AB  - The highly enantio-, diastereo-, and regioselective dynamic kinetic resolution of
      beta-ketoesters and 1,3-diketones was achieved via a chiral N-heterocyclic
      carbene catalyzed intramolecular cross-benzoin reaction. A variety of tetralone
      derivatives bearing two contiguous stereocenters and multiple functionalities
      were liberated in moderate to excellent yields and with high levels of
      stereoselectivity (>95% ee and >20:1 dr in most cases). In addition, the
      excellent regioselectivity control for aryl/alkyl 1,3-diketones, and the superior
      electronic differentiation of 1,3-diarylketones were highlighted. Moreover, a set
      of new mechanistic rationale that differs with the currently widely accepted
      understanding of intramolecular benzoin reactions was established to demonstrate
      the superior preference of benzoin over aldol transformation: (1) A coexistence
      of competitive aldol and benzoin reactions was detected, but a retro-aldol
      irreversible benzoin process performs a vital role in the generation of
      predominant benzoin products. (2) The most essential role of an N-electron
      withdrawing substituent in triazolium catalysts was revealed to be accelerating
      the rate of the benzoin transformation, rather than suppressing the aldol process
      through reducing the inherent basicity of the catalyst.

PMID- 27270408
TI  - [Molecular and immunohistochemical diagnostics in melanoma].
AB  - To provide appropriate therapy and follow-up to patients with malignant melanoma,
      proper diagnostics are of critical importance. Targeted therapy of advanced
      melanoma is based on the molecular genetic analyses of tumor tissue. In addition,
      sequencing of genes and other genetic approaches can provide insight into the
      origin of melanocytic tumors and can aid in distinguishing benign from malignant
      lesions. In this regard, spizoid neoplasms remain a challenging entity. Aside
      from genetic analyses of tumor tissue, immunohistochemistry remains an essential
      tool in melanoma diagnostics and TNM classification. With new immunotherapies
      being approved for advanced melanoma, immunohistochemistry to determine PD-L1
      expression has gained clinical interest. While PD-L1 expression is associated
      with response to PD-1 blockade, a substantial number of patients without PD-L1
      expression can still experience tumor remission upon treatment. In this review,
      current and future developments in melanoma diagnostics with regard to molecular
      genetics and immunohistochemistry are summarized. The utilization of such
      analyses in clinical decision making is also discussed. 

PMID- 27270411
TI  - Major abdominal surgery in octogenarians: should high age affect surgical
      decision-making?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the last decades longevity has increased significantly, with
      more octogenarians undergoing surgery. Here, we assess surgical outcomes after
      major abdominal surgery in octogenarians. METHODS: Observational cohort of 874
      patients undergoing major abdominal elective surgery between January 2009 and
      March 2014. Seventy-six octogenarians were propensity matched to 76 younger
      patients, corrected for sex, body mass index, American Society of
      Anesthesiologists classification, comorbidity, indication, and type of surgery.
      RESULTS: Minor complications were more prevalent in octogenarians (P = .01) and
      consisted mainly of respiratory complications; progressing to respiratory
      insufficiency requiring intubation in 28.6%. Preoperative weight loss (odds ratio
      3 [1.1 to 8.3]) and upper gastrointestinal surgery (odds ratio 11 [2 to 60]) were
      associated with minor complications. CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians are at increased
      risk of minor complications after major abdominal surgery. Major complication
      rates were similar, indicating the importance of preoperative assessment and
      standardized surgical techniques. Taking into account preoperative morbidities
      and type of surgery and techniques. Implementation of quality control algorithms
      may further improve outcomes in octogenarians.

PMID- 27270413
TI  - iPSC-derived LewisX+CXCR4+beta1-integrin+ neural stem cells improve the
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis phenotype by preserving motor neurons and muscle
      innervation in human and rodent models.
AB  - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal incurable neurodegenerative
      disease characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons (MNs), leading
      to relentless muscle paralysis. In the early stage of the disease, MN loss and
      consequent muscle denervation are compensated by axonal sprouting and
      reinnervation by the remaining MNs, but this mechanism is insufficient in the
      long term. Here, we demonstrate that induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural
      stem cells (NSCs), in particular the subpopulation positive for LewisX-CXCR4
      beta1-integrin, enhance neuronal survival and axonal growth of human ALS-derived
      MNs co-cultured with toxic ALS astrocytes, acting on both autonomous and non
      autonomous ALS disease features. Transplantation of this NSC fraction into
      transgenic SOD1G93A ALS mice protects MNs in vivo, promoting their ability to
      maintain neuromuscular junction integrity, inducing novel axonal sprouting and
      reducing macro- and microgliosis. These effects result in a significant increase
      in survival and an improved neuromuscular phenotype in transplanted SOD1G93A
      mice. Our findings suggest that effective protection of MN functional innervation
      can be achieved by modulation of multiple dysregulated cellular and molecular
      pathways in both MNs and glial cells. These pathways must be considered in
      designing therapeutic strategies for ALS patients.

PMID- 27270412
TI  - The associations between lifestyles and mental health using the General Health
      Questionnaire 12-items are different dependently on age and sex: a population
      based cross-sectional study in Kanazawa, Japan.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine potential differences of the
      associations between mental health and lifestyle factors across a wide range of
      age. METHODS: In August/September 2011, data were collected from 4693 males (age
      51.6 +/- 19.5) and 5678 females (age 52.4 +/- 19.4) living in Kanazawa, Japan. A
      cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted with self-administered
      questionnaire including the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 12-item version,
      sociodemographic, and lifestyle factors. Associations between the GHQ scores and
      other variables were examined using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed
      by multiple comparisons and logistic regression stratified by age and gender.
      RESULTS: Multiple comparisons indicated that people aged 20-39 or 40-64 had
      higher GHQ scores than older aged. The two-way ANOVA revealed significant
      interaction between body mass index and age group, and between exercise and age
      group. Overweight or underweight males aged 40-64 had poorer mental health than
      those at normal weight. In the elderly, being underweight was significantly
      associated with poor mental health. There were no significant effects of exercise
      on mental health for young adults. The logistic regression showed significant
      negative effects of short-time sleep in adults. CONCLUSIONS: The associations
      between mental health and lifestyles differ across age groups. Further study is
      needed to reveal effects of aging on lifestyle and mental health with a
      longitudinal design.

PMID- 27270414
TI  - The unconventional secretion of ARMS2.
AB  - Age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) is a small (11 kDa), primate
      specific protein found in the extracellular matrix of the choroid layer in the
      eye. Variants in the corresponding genetic locus are highly associated with age
      related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the elderly. So
      far, the physiological function of ARMS2 has remained enigmatic. It has been
      demonstrated that ARMS2 is a genuine secreted protein devoid of an N-terminal
      leader sequence, yet the mechanism how it exits the cells and enters the
      choroidal matrix is not understood. Here, we show that ARMS2 efficiently recruits
      lectin chaperones from the cytosol and colocalizes with calnexin-positive and
      protein disulfide isomerase-negative vesicle-like structures. Site-directed
      mutagenesis revealed critical elements for this interaction. Mutant forms proving
      unable to interact with the calnexin/calreticulin system failed secretion. On the
      other hand, blocking the endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi transport with brefeldin
      A had no effect on ARMS2 secretion. As we found ARMS2 colocalizing with GRASP65,
      a marker for unconventional protein secretion, autophagic factors are likely to
      be key in its export. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is the most established
      example of secretory autophagy. Co-expression experiments, however, suggest that
      the transport of ARMS2 is different from that of IL-1beta. In conclusion, in this
      work we show that ARMS2 is externalized via an unconventional pathway bypassing
      Golgi. Its intracellular separation from the classical secretion pathway suggests
      that the maturation of the protein requires a specific biochemical niche and/or
      may be needed to impede the premature formation of unwanted protein-protein
      interactions.

PMID- 27270416
TI  - Determination of Arbutin in Rat Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass
      Spectrometry: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study After Oral Administration of
      the Extract of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.
AB  - A rapid and sensitive bioassay based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) has been developed and validated to measure arbutin in
      rat plasma. Sample preparation of plasma after the addition of indapamide as
      internal standard (IS) involved solid-phase extraction (SPE) on C18 cartridges.
      Reversed-phase chromatography using acetonitrile and 0.5% formic acid solution
      (pH 2.56) was used for separation in a run time of 4.0 min. The analytes were
      detected in the negative ion mode using selective reaction monitoring (SRM) of
      the transitions at m/z 271.2 -> 107.8 for arbutin and 364.3 -> 189.0 for
      indapamide. The method has the following performance characteristics: a reliable
      response range of 7.5-5250.0 ng/mL with correlation coefficients (r) of >0.995.
      The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 7.5 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day
      precision and accuracy of the quality control (QC) samples at low, medium and
      high concentration levels showed <=8.79% relative standard deviation (RSD) and 
      1.15 to 1.49% relative error (RE). The method was successfully applied to a
      pharmacokinetic study to measure arbutin in rats after extracts of Vaccinium
      vitis-idaea was orally administered.

PMID- 27270417
TI  - Development and Validation of a New Stability-Indicating RP-UPLC Method for the
      Quantitative Determination of Bromfenac Sodium and Its Impurities in an
      Ophthalmic Dosage Form.
AB  - A new rapid stability-indicating reversed-phase UPLC method was developed and
      validated for the determination of Bromfenac sodium and its impurities in
      Bromfenac ophthalmic solution. During literature search, only a few publications
      were found about Bromfenac sodium. There is no official monograph in the
      pharmacopoeias about Bromfenac sodium. Chromatographic separation has been
      achieved on a polar-embedded Waters Acquity BEH Shield RP18 (100 mm * 2.1 mm, 1.7
      MUm) column under gradient elution by using a binary mixture of potassium
      dihydrogen phosphate (0.01 M, pH 3.3) and acetonitrile (ACN) at a flow rate of
      0.5 mL/min. Chromatogram was monitored at 265 nm using a photodiode array
      detector (PDA). The drug and its related impurities are eluted within 13 min.
      Resolution of Bromfenac sodium and all eight potential impurities have been
      achieved greater than 4.0 for all pairs of compounds. To prove the stability
      indicating power of the method, the drug was subjected to hydrolytic (acid,
      alkaline and water), oxidative, photolytic and thermal stress, and the major
      degradation products were identified based on LC-MS analysis. The developed
      method was validated as per ICH guidelines with respect to specificity,
      linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy and
      robustness.

PMID- 27270415
TI  - Neuronal deficiency of ARV1 causes an autosomal recessive epileptic
      encephalopathy.
AB  - We report an individual who presented with severe neurodevelopmental delay and an
      intractable infantile-onset seizure disorder. Exome sequencing identified a
      homozygous single nucleotide change that abolishes a splice donor site in the
      ARV1 gene (c.294 + 1G > A homozygous). This variant completely prevented splicing
      in minigene assays, and resulted in exon skipping and an in-frame deletion of 40
      amino acids in primary human fibroblasts (NP_073623.1: p.(Lys59_Asn98del). The
      p.(Lys59_Asn98del) and previously reported p.(Gly189Arg) ARV1 variants were
      evaluated for protein expression and function. The p.(Gly189Arg) variant
      partially rescued the temperature-dependent growth defect in arv1Delta yeast,
      while p.(Lys59-Asn98del) completely failed to rescue at restrictive temperature.
      In contrast to wild type human ARV1, neither variant expressed detectable levels
      of protein in mammalian cells. Mice with a neuronal deletion of Arv1
      recapitulated the human phenotype, exhibiting seizures and a severe survival
      defect in adulthood. Our data support ARV1 deficiency as a cause of autosomal
      recessive epileptic encephalopathy.

PMID- 27270418
TI  - General medium for the autotrophic cultivation of acetogens.
AB  - Syngas fermentation, a microbial process in which synthesis gas serves as a
      substrate for acetogens, has attracted increasing interest in the last few years.
      For the purposeful selection of acetogens for various applications, it would be
      useful to characterize and compare the process performances of as many
      autotrophic strains as possible under identical process conditions.
      Unfortunately, all the media compositions so far recommended for syngas
      fermentation differ considerably with respect to each individual strain.
      Therefore, a general medium for syngas fermentation was designed. The suitability
      of this new general-acetogen medium (GA-medium) was proven based on the
      autotrophic batch cultivation of Acetobacterium fimetarium, Acetobacterium
      wieringae, Blautia hydrogenotrophica, Clostridium magnum, Eubacterium aggregans,
      Sporomusa acidovorans, Sporomusa ovata and Terrisporobacter mayombei in anaerobic
      flasks with an initial gas phase of H2:CO2 (66:34) (P = 200 kPa). A comparison of
      the autotrophic batch processes with this medium revealed T. mayombei as the
      bacterium with the highest maximum growth rate of 5.77 day(-1) which was more
      than 10 times higher than the lowest identified maximum growth rate of A.
      fimetarium. The maximum growth rates of A. wieringae, C. magnum and S.
      acidovorans were all in the same order of magnitude around 1.7 day(-1). The newly
      designed GA-medium offers the possibility to compare autotrophic process
      performances of different acetogens under similar conditions absent the effects
      of various media compositions. 

PMID- 27270419
TI  - "Don't eat so much:" how parent comments relate to female weight satisfaction.
AB  - PURPOSE: How will the words of a parent influence the adult weight of their
      daughter? This retrospective study evaluates how the recalled comments of parents
      made about the weight or eating habits of a daughter related to her adult BMI and
      satisfaction with her weight. METHOD: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was
      conducted with 501 young women ranging in age from 20 to 35 (age 26.8, SD 3.1;
      BMI 25.96, SD 6.2), who were asked to indicate their weight satisfaction, eating
      habits, and BMI along with their recall of the extent to which they recalled
      their parents making weight-related or eating-related comments about them as a
      young girl. Linear regression analyses were run to examine the relationship
      between parental comments and women's weight satisfaction and BMI. RESULTS: A
      woman's dissatisfaction with her adult weight was only related to the extent she
      remembered her parents making any comments about her weight (p < 0.01), but not
      about how much she ate (p < 0.05)-even though both were positively related to her
      BMI (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01). Even among normal-weight young women with similar
      weights, those who recalled their parents commenting about their weight were more
      dissatisfied with their body weight (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: In this retrospective
      study, a parent's comments about her childhood weight were related to her weight
      and body dissatisfaction as an adult. In contrast, comments about her eating
      habits were not significantly related to weight dissatisfaction.

PMID- 27270420
TI  - Prognostic Factors and Multidisciplinary Postoperative Chemoradiotherapy for
      Clinical T4a Tongue Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The prognosis of patients with locally advanced squamous cell
      carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue is poor. Postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT)
      improves locoregional control and survival in high-risk patients. We investigated
      the prognostic factors for clinical T4a tongue SCC, and elucidated whether
      postoperative CRT has a benefit for patients with poor prognosis in terms of
      survival. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 61 patients with
      stage T4a SCC of the tongue who underwent primary resection and neck dissection.
      RESULTS: The median follow-up was 53.8 months. Multivariate analysis revealed a
      4.26* relative risk of death for patients with the involvement of >=5 regional
      lymph nodes (pN >=5) compared with those with pN 0-4 (p = 0.002). In Kaplan-Meier
      analysis, patients with pN >=5 who received CRT had longer overall survival rates
      than those who did not (hazard ratio = 0.31; p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: pN >=5 is
      the most powerful prognostic factor for clinical T4a SCC of the tongue.
      Postoperative CRT is recommended in patients with pN >=5.

PMID- 27270421
TI  - Integrated genomic analysis of colorectal cancer progression reveals activation
      of EGFR through demethylation of the EREG promoter.
AB  - Key molecular drivers that underlie transformation of colonic epithelium into
      colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) are well described. However, the mechanisms
      through which clinically targeted pathways are activated during CRC progression
      have yet to be elucidated. Here, we used an integrative genomics approach to
      examine CRC progression. We used laser capture microdissection to isolate colonic
      crypt cells, differentiated surface epithelium, adenomas, carcinomas and
      metastases, and used gene expression profiling to identify pathways that were
      differentially expressed between the different cell types. We identified a number
      of potentially important transcriptional changes in developmental and oncogenic
      pathways, and noted a marked upregulation of EREG in primary and metastatic
      cancer cells. We confirmed this pattern of gene expression by in situ
      hybridization and observed staining consistent with autocrine expression in the
      tumor cells. Upregulation of EREG during the adenoma-carcinoma transition was
      associated with demethylation of two key sites within its promoter, and this was
      accompanied by an increase in the levels of epidermal growth factor receptor
      (EGFR) phosphorylation, as assessed by reverse-phase protein analysis. In CRC
      cell lines, we demonstrated that EREG demethylation led to its transcriptional
      upregulation, higher levels of EGFR phosphorylation, and sensitization to EGFR
      inhibitors. Low levels of EREG methylation in patients who received cetuximab as
      part of a phase II study were associated with high expression of the ligand and a
      favorable response to therapy. Conversely, high levels of promoter methylation
      and low levels of EREG expression were observed in tumors that progressed after
      treatment. We also noted an inverse correlation between EREG methylation and
      expression levels in several other cancers, including those of the head and neck,
      lung and bladder. Therefore, we propose that upregulation of EREG expression
      through promoter demethylation might be an important means of activating the EGFR
      pathway during the genesis of CRC and potentially other cancers.

PMID- 27270422
TI  - MiR-26a inhibits stem cell-like phenotype and tumor growth of osteosarcoma by
      targeting Jagged1.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important epigenetic regulators of gene expression.
      Although several miRNAs have been implicated in osteosarcoma, their role in
      regulation of osteosarcoma cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains unknown. Here we
      demonstrated that miR-26a is downregulated in osteosarcoma CSCs when derived by
      either sarcosphere generation, chemodrug or aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)
      activity selection. Lentiviral overexpression of miR-26a in ZOS and 143B
      osteosarcoma cells decreases the expression of stem cell markers and suppresses
      sarcosphere formation, as well as ALDH activity. Moreover, miR-26a overexpression
      inhibits the tumor cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. We further demonstrate
      that miR-26a directly target Jagged1, one of the Notch ligand, and that its tumor
      suppressive effects are mediated through inhibition of Jagged1/Notch signaling.
      Importantly, reduced miR-26a expression, as determined by in situ hybridization
      in patient tumors (n=92), is associated with lung metastasis and poor overall
      survival of osteosarcoma patients. Together, these data suggest the essential
      role of miR-26a/Jagged1/Notch pathway in regulating the stem cell-like traits of
      osteosarcoma cells and provide a potential target for osteosarcoma therapy.

PMID- 27270423
TI  - miR-374a-CCND1-pPI3K/AKT-c-JUN feedback loop modulated by PDCD4 suppresses cell
      growth, metastasis, and sensitizes nasopharyngeal carcinoma to cisplatin.
AB  - miR-374a has been reported to function as an oncogene during tumor pathogenesis.
      In this study, miR-374a is observed to reduce nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell
      proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis and cisplatin (DDP) resistance in
      vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic analyses indicate that miR-374a directly targets
      CCND1 to inactivate pPI3K/pAKT/c-JUN forming a negative feedback loop, as well as
      suppressing downstream signals related to cell cycle progression and epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT). Interestingly, we also observed that miR-374a
      direct targeting of CCND1 is modulated by tumor suppressor PDCD4 via suppressing
      pPI3K/pAKT/c-JUN signaling. In clinical specimens, miR-374a was positively and
      negatively correlated with expression of PDCD4 and CCND1, respectively. Our
      studies are the first to demonstrate that the miR-374a-CCND1-pPI3K/AKT-c-JUN
      feedback loop induced by PDCD4 supresses NPC cell growth, metastasis and
      chemotherapy resistance.

PMID- 27270425
TI  - SENP1-modulated sumoylation regulates retinoblastoma protein (RB) and Lamin A/C
      interaction and stabilization.
AB  - The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (RB) plays a critical role in cell
      proliferation and differentiation and its inactivation is a frequent underlying
      factor in tumorigenesis. While the regulation of RB function by phosphorylation
      is well studied, proteasome-mediated RB protein degradation is emerging as an
      important regulatory mechanism. Although our understanding of RB turnover is
      currently limited, there is evidence that the nuclear lamina filament protein
      Lamin A/C protects RB from proteasomal degradation. Here we show that SUMO1
      conjugation of RB and Lamin A/C is modulated by the SUMO protease SENP1 and that
      sumoylation of both proteins is required for their interaction. Importantly, this
      SUMO1-dependent complex protects both RB and Lamin A/C from proteasomal turnover.

PMID- 27270424
TI  - The FEN1 L209P mutation interferes with long-patch base excision repair and
      induces cellular transformation.
AB  - Flap endonuclease-1 (FEN1) is a multifunctional, structure-specific nuclease that
      has a critical role in maintaining human genome stability. FEN1 mutations have
      been detected in human cancer specimens and have been suggested to cause genomic
      instability and cancer predisposition. However, the exact relationship between
      FEN1 deficiency and cancer susceptibility remains unclear. In the current work,
      we report a novel colorectal cancer-associated FEN1 mutation, L209P. This mutant
      protein lacks the FEN, exonuclease (EXO) and gap endonuclease (GEN) activities of
      FEN1 but retains DNA-binding affinity. The L209P FEN1 variant interferes with the
      function of the wild-type FEN1 enzyme in a dominant-negative manner and impairs
      long-patch base excision repair in vitro and in vivo. Expression of L209P FEN1
      sensitizes cells to DNA damage, resulting in endogenous genomic instability and
      cellular transformation, as well as tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model.
      These data indicate that human cancer-associated genetic alterations in the FEN1
      gene can contribute substantially to cancer development.

PMID- 27270426
TI  - The ERK-ZEB1 pathway mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pemetrexed
      resistant lung cancer cells with suppression by vinca alkaloids.
AB  - High thymidylate synthase (TS) level in cancer tissue is considered to result in
      resistance to pemetrexed therapy for advanced stages of nonsquamous non-small
      cell lung cancers. To further investigate the mechanism of pemetrexed resistance
      and potential prognostic outcomes in lung cancer, we established pemetrexed
      resistant lung adenocarcinoma cell sublines from CL1 harboring a mutated TP53
      gene (R248W) and A549 harboring wild-type TP53. We found the TS expression is
      upregulated in both pemetrexed-resistant sublines and the reduced TS level
      achieved through shRNA inhibition resulted in higher pemetrexed sensitivity. We
      also demonstrated that the acquisitions of pemetrexed resistance enhances
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vivo with a mice animal model and in
      vitro with CL1 and A549 sublines, which was associated with upregulation of ZEB1
      which, in turn, downregulates E-cadherin and upregulates fibronectin. When ERK1/2
      phosphorylation was reduced by an inhibitor (U0126) or siRNA inhibition, both
      pemetrexed-resistant sublines reduced their migration and invasion abilities.
      Therefore, the ERK-mediated pathways induce apoptosis with pemetrexed treatment,
      and may in turn mediate EMT when cancer cells are resistant to pemetrexed. We
      further demonstrated that the growth of pemetrexed-resistant tumors could be
      inhibited by vinblastine in vivo and vincristine in vitro. Our data indicate that
      pemetrexed resistance could be relieved by non-cross-resistant chemotherapeutic
      drugs such as vinca alkaloids and might be independent to TP53 status.
      Furthermore, the phosphorylation of ERK was reduced by vincristine. This finding
      provides a new insight for overcoming pemetrexed resistance and metastasis by
      application of vinca alkaloids.

PMID- 27270427
TI  - Tumor suppressor bromodomain-containing protein 7 cooperates with Smads to
      promote transforming growth factor-beta responses.
AB  - Smad proteins are central mediators in the canonical transforming growth factor
      beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway in mammalian cells. We report here that
      bromodomain-containing protein 7 (BRD7) functions as a novel transcription
      coactivator for Smads in TGF-beta signaling. BRD7 forms a TGF-beta inducible
      complex with Smad3/4 through its N-terminal Smad-binding domain. BRD7
      simultaneously binds to acetylated histones to promote Smad-chromatin
      association, and associates with histone acetyltransferase p300 to enhance Smad
      transcriptional activity. Ectopic expression of BRD7, but not its mutants
      defective in Smad binding, enhances TGF-beta transcriptional, tumor-suppressing
      and epithelial-mesenchymal transition responses. Conversely, depletion of BRD7
      inhibits TGF-beta responses. Thus, our study provides compelling evidence for a
      new function of BRD7 in fine-tuning TGF-beta physiological responses.

PMID- 27270428
TI  - WNT5A: a motility-promoting factor in Hodgkin lymphoma.
AB  - Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) has a typical clinical manifestation, with
      dissemination involving functionally neighboring lymph nodes. The factors
      involved in the spread of lymphoma cells are poorly understood. Here we show that
      cHL cell lines migrate with higher rates compared with non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell
      lines. cHL cell migration, invasion and adhesion depend on autocrine WNT
      signaling as revealed by the inhibition of WNT secretion with the porcupine
      inhibitors Wnt-C59/IWP-2, but did not affect cell proliferation. While
      application of recombinant WNT5A or WNT5A overexpression stimulates HL cell
      migration, neither WNT10A, WNT10B nor WNT16 did so. Time-lapse studies revealed
      an amoeboid type of cell migration modulated by WNT5A. Reduced migration
      distances and velocity of cHL cells, as well as altered movement patterns, were
      observed using porcupine inhibitor or WNT5A antagonist. Knockdown of Frizzled5
      and Dishevelled3 disrupted the WNT5A-mediated RHOA activation and cell migration.
      Overexpression of DVL3-K435M or inhibition of ROCK (Rho-associated protein
      kinase) by Y-27632/H1152P disrupted cHL cell migration. In addition to these
      mechanistic insights into the role of WNT5A in vitro, global gene expression data
      revealed an increased WNT5A expression in primary HL cells in comparison with
      normal B-cell subsets and other lymphomas. Furthermore, the activity of both
      porcupine and WNT5A in cHL cells had an impact on lymphoma development in the
      chick chorionallantoic membrane assay. Massive bleeding of these lymphomas was
      significantly reduced after inhibition of WNT secretion by Wnt-C59. Therefore, a
      model is proposed where WNT signaling has an important role in regulating tumor
      promoting processes.

PMID- 27270429
TI  - Targeting 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in the oxidative PPP sensitizes
      leukemia cells to antimalarial agent dihydroartemisinin.
AB  - The oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is crucial for cancer cell
      metabolism and tumor growth. We recently reported that targeting a key oxidative
      PPP enzyme, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), using our novel small
      molecule 6PGD inhibitors Physcion and its derivative S3, shows anticancer
      effects. Notably, humans with genetic deficiency of either 6PGD or another
      oxidative PPP enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, exhibit non-immune
      hemolytic anemia upon exposure to aspirin and various antimalarial drugs.
      Inspired by these clinical observations, we examined the anticancer potential of
      combined treatment with 6PGD inhibitors and antimalarial drugs. We found that
      stable knockdown of 6PGD sensitizes leukemia cells to antimalarial agent
      dihydroartemisinin (DHA). Combined treatment with DHA and Physcion activates AMP
      activated protein kinase, leading to synergistic inhibition of human leukemia
      cell viability. Moreover, our combined therapy synergistically attenuates tumor
      growth in xenograft nude mice injected with human K562 leukemia cells and cell
      viability of primary leukemia cells from human patients, but shows minimal
      toxicity to normal hematopoietic cells in mice as well as red blood cells and
      mononucleocytes from healthy human donors. Our findings reveal the potential for
      combined therapy using optimized doses of Physcion and DHA as a novel
      antileukemia treatment without inducing hemolysis.

PMID- 27270430
TI  - Base changes in tumour DNA have the power to reveal the causes and evolution of
      cancer.
AB  - Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has demonstrated that the cancer
      genomes are peppered with mutations. Although most somatic tumour mutations are
      unlikely to have any role in the cancer process per se, the spectra of DNA
      sequence changes in tumour mutation catalogues have the potential to identify the
      mutagens, and to reveal the mutagenic processes responsible for human cancer.
      Very recently, a novel approach for data mining of the vast compilations of
      tumour NGS data succeeded in separating and precisely defining at least 30
      distinct patterns of sequence change hidden in mutation databases. At least half
      of these mutational signatures can be readily assigned to known human
      carcinogenic exposures or endogenous mechanisms of mutagenesis. A quantum leap in
      our knowledge of mutagenesis in human cancers has resulted, stimulating a flurry
      of research activity. We trace here the major findings leading first to the
      hypothesis that carcinogenic insults leave characteristic imprints on the DNA
      sequence of tumours, and culminating in empirical evidence from NGS data that
      well-defined carcinogen mutational signatures are indeed present in tumour
      genomic DNA from a variety of cancer types. The notion that tumour DNAs can
      divulge environmental sources of mutation is now a well-accepted fact. This
      approach to cancer aetiology has also incriminated various endogenous, enzyme
      driven processes that increase the somatic mutation load in sporadic cancers. The
      tasks now confronting the field of molecular epidemiology are to assign mutagenic
      processes to orphan and newly discovered tumour mutation patterns, and to
      determine whether avoidable cancer risk factors influence signatures produced by
      endogenous enzymatic mechanisms. Innovative research with experimental models and
      exploitation of the geographical heterogeneity in cancer incidence can address
      these challenges.

PMID- 27270431
TI  - Identification of CASZ1 NES reveals potential mechanisms for loss of CASZ1 tumor
      suppressor activity in neuroblastoma.
AB  - As a transcription factor, localization to the nucleus and the recruitment of
      cofactors to regulate gene transcription is essential. Nuclear localization and
      nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylase (NuRD) complex binding are required
      for the zinc-finger transcription factor CASZ1 to function as a neuroblastoma
      (NB) tumor suppressor. However, the critical amino acids (AAs) that are required
      for CASZ1 interaction with NuRD complex and the regulation of CASZ1 subcellular
      localization have not been characterized. Through alanine scanning,
      immunofluorescence cell staining and co-immunoprecipitation, we define a critical
      region at the CASZ1 N terminus (AAs 23-40) that mediates the CASZ1b nuclear
      localization and NuRD interaction. Furthermore, we identified a nuclear export
      signal (NES) at the N terminus (AAs 176-192) that contributes to CASZ1 nuclear
      cytoplasmic shuttling in a chromosomal maintenance 1-dependent manner. An
      analysis of CASZ1 protein expression in a primary NB tissue microarray shows that
      high nuclear CASZ1 staining is detected in tumor samples from NB patients with
      good prognosis. In contrast, cytoplasmic-restricted CASZ1 staining or low nuclear
      CASZ1 staining is found in tumor samples from patients with poor prognosis. These
      findings provide insight into mechanisms by which CASZ1 regulates transcription,
      and suggests that regulation of CASZ1 subcellular localization may impact its
      function in normal development and pathologic conditions such as NB
      tumorigenesis.

PMID- 27270432
TI  - VEGF-ablation therapy reduces drug delivery and therapeutic response in ECM-dense
      tumors.
AB  - The inadequate transport of drugs into the tumor tissue caused by its abnormal
      vasculature is a major obstacle to the treatment of cancer. Anti-vascular
      endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs can cause phenotypic alteration and
      maturation of the tumor's vasculature. However, whether this consistently
      improves delivery and subsequent response to therapy is still controversial.
      Clinical results indicate that not all patients benefit from antiangiogenic
      treatment, necessitating the development of criteria to predict the effect of
      these agents in individual tumors. We demonstrate that, in anti-VEGF-refractory
      murine tumors, vascular changes after VEGF ablation result in reduced delivery
      leading to therapeutic failure. In these tumors, the impaired response after anti
      VEGF treatment is directly linked to strong deposition of fibrillar extracellular
      matrix (ECM) components and high expression of lysyl oxidases. The resulting
      condensed, highly crosslinked ECM impeded drug permeation, protecting tumor cells
      from exposure to small-molecule drugs. The reduced vascular density after anti
      VEGF treatment further decreased delivery in these tumors, an effect not
      compensated by the improved vessel quality. Pharmacological inhibition of lysyl
      oxidases improved drug delivery in various tumor models and reversed the negative
      effect of VEGF ablation on drug delivery and therapeutic response in anti-VEGF
      resistant tumors. In conclusion, the vascular changes after anti-VEGF therapy can
      have a context-dependent negative impact on overall therapeutic efficacy. A
      determining factor is the tumor ECM, which strongly influences the effect of anti
      VEGF therapy. Our results reveal the prospect to revert a possible negative
      effect and to potentiate responsiveness to antiangiogenic therapy by
      concomitantly targeting ECM-modifying enzymes.

PMID- 27270433
TI  - A ZEB1-miR-375-YAP1 pathway regulates epithelial plasticity in prostate cancer.
AB  - MicroRNA-375 (miR-375) is frequently elevated in prostate tumors and cell-free
      fractions of patient blood, but its role in genesis and progression of prostate
      cancer is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that miR-375 is
      inversely correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition signatures (EMT) in
      clinical samples and can drive mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in model
      systems. Indeed, miR-375 potently inhibited invasion and migration of multiple
      prostate cancer lines. The transcription factor YAP1 was found to be a direct
      target of miR-375 in prostate cancer. Knockdown of YAP1 phenocopied miR-375
      overexpression, and overexpression of YAP1 rescued anti-invasive effects mediated
      by miR-375. Furthermore, transcription of the miR-375 gene was shown to be
      directly repressed by the EMT transcription factor, ZEB1. Analysis of multiple
      patient cohorts provided evidence for this ZEB1-miR-375-YAP1 regulatory circuit
      in clinical samples. Despite its anti-invasive and anti-EMT capacities, plasma
      miR-375 was found to be correlated with circulating tumor cells in men with
      metastatic disease. Collectively, this study provides new insight into the
      function of miR-375 in prostate cancer, and more broadly identifies a novel
      pathway controlling epithelial plasticity and tumor cell invasion in this
      disease.

PMID- 27270434
TI  - Metabolic rewiring in melanoma.
AB  - Oncogene-driven metabolic rewiring is an adaptation to low nutrient and oxygen
      conditions in the tumor microenvironment that enables cancer cells of diverse
      origin to hyperproliferate. Aerobic glycolysis and enhanced reliance on glutamine
      utilization are prime examples of such rewiring. However, tissue of origin as
      well as specific genetic and epigenetic changes determines gene expression
      profiles underlying these metabolic alterations in specific cancers. In melanoma,
      activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway driven by
      mutant BRAF or NRAS is a primary cause of malignant transformation. Activity of
      the MAPK pathway, as well as other factors, such as HIF1alpha, Myc and MITF, are
      among those that control the balance between non-oxidative and oxidative branches
      of central carbon metabolism. Here, we discuss the nature of metabolic
      alterations that underlie melanoma development and affect its response to
      therapy.

PMID- 27270435
TI  - Amplification of R-spondin1 signaling induces granulosa cell fate defects and
      cancers in mouse adult ovary.
AB  - R-spondin1 is a secreted regulator of WNT signaling, involved in both embryonic
      development and homeostasis of adult organs. It can have a dual role, acting
      either as a mitogen or as a tumor suppressor. During ovarian development, Rspo1
      is a key factor required for sex determination and differentiation of the
      follicular cell progenitors, but is downregulated after birth. In human,
      increased RSPO1 expression is associated with ovarian carcinomas, but it is not
      clear whether it is a cause or a consequence of the tumorigenic process. To
      address the role of Rspo1 expression in adult ovaries, we generated an Rspo1 gain
      of-function mouse model. Females were hypofertile and exhibited various ovarian
      defects, ranging from cysts to ovarian tumors. Detailed phenotypical
      characterization showed anomalies in the ovulation process. Although follicles
      responded to initial follicle-stimulating hormone stimulation and developed
      normally until the pre-ovulatory stage, they did not progress any further.
      Although non-ovulated oocytes degenerated, the surrounding follicular cells did
      not begin atresia. RSPO1-induced expression not only promotes canonical WNT
      signaling but also alters granulosa cell fate decisions by maintaining epithelial
      like traits in these cells. This prevents follicle cells from undergoing
      apoptosis, leading to the accumulation of granulosa cell tumors that reactivates
      the epithelial program from their progenitors. Taken together, our data
      demonstrate that activation of RSPO1 is sufficient in promoting ovarian tumors
      and thus supports a direct involvement of this gene in the commencement of
      ovarian cancers.

PMID- 27270436
TI  - Targeting Oct1 genomic function inhibits androgen receptor signaling and
      castration-resistant prostate cancer growth.
AB  - Androgen receptor (AR) functions as a ligand-dependent transcription factor to
      regulate its downstream signaling for prostate cancer progression. AR complex
      formation by multiple transcription factors is important for enhancer activity
      and transcriptional regulation. However, the significance of such collaborative
      transcription factors has not been fully understood. In this study, we show that
      Oct1, an AR collaborative factor, coordinates genome-wide AR signaling for
      prostate cancer growth. Using global analysis by chromatin immunoprecipitation
      sequencing (ChIP-seq), we found that Oct1 is recruited to AR-binding
      enhancer/promoter regions and facilitates androgen signaling. Moreover, a major
      target of AR/Oct1 complex, acyl-CoA synthetase 3 (ACSL3), contributes to tumor
      growth in nude mice, and its high expression is associated with poor prognosis in
      prostate cancer patients. Next, we examined the therapeutic effects of pyrrole
      imidazole polyamides that target the Oct1-binding sequence identified in the
      center of the ACSL3 AR-binding site. We observed that treatment with Oct1
      polyamide severely blocked the Oct1 binding at the ACSL3 enhancer responsible for
      its transcriptional activity and ACSL3 induction. In addition, Oct1 polyamides
      suppressed castration-resistant tumor growth and specifically repressed global
      Oct1 chromatin association and androgen signaling in prostate cancer cells, with
      few nonspecific effects on basal promoter activity. Thus, targeting Oct1 binding
      could be a novel therapeutic strategy for AR-activated castration-resistant
      prostate cancer.

PMID- 27270438
TI  - p27Kip1 represses the Pitx2-mediated expression of p21Cip1 and regulates DNA
      replication during cell cycle progression.
AB  - The tumor suppressor p21 regulates cell cycle progression and peaks at mid/late
      G1. However, the mechanisms regulating its expression during cell cycle are
      poorly understood. We found that embryonic fibroblasts from p27 null mice at
      early passages progress slowly through the cell cycle. These cells present an
      elevated basal expression of p21 suggesting that p27 participates to its
      repression. Mechanistically, we found that p27 represses the expression of Pitx2
      (an activator of p21 expression) by associating with the ASE-regulatory region of
      this gene together with an E2F4 repressive complex. Furthermore, we found that
      Pitx2 binds to the p21 promoter and induces its transcription. Finally, silencing
      Pitx2 or p21 in proliferating cells accelerates DNA replication and cell cycle
      progression. Collectively, these results demonstrate an unprecedented connection
      between p27, Pitx2 and p21 relevant for the regulation of cell cycle progression
      and cancer and for understanding human pathologies associated with p27 germline
      mutations.

PMID- 27270437
TI  - Myeloid translocation genes differentially regulate colorectal cancer programs.
AB  - Myeloid translocation genes (MTGs), originally identified as chromosomal
      translocations in acute myelogenous leukemia, are transcriptional corepressors
      that regulate hematopoietic stem cell programs. Analysis of The Cancer Genome
      Atlas (TCGA) database revealed that MTGs were mutated in epithelial malignancy
      and suggested that loss of function might promote tumorigenesis. Genetic deletion
      of MTGR1 and MTG16 in the mouse has revealed unexpected and unique roles within
      the intestinal epithelium. Mtgr1-/- mice have progressive depletion of all
      intestinal secretory cells, and Mtg16-/- mice have a decrease in goblet cells.
      Furthermore, both Mtgr1-/- and Mtg16-/- mice have increased intestinal epithelial
      cell proliferation. We thus hypothesized that loss of MTGR1 or MTG16 would modify
      Apc1638/+-dependent intestinal tumorigenesis. Mtgr1-/- mice, but not Mtg16-/-
      mice, had a 10-fold increase in tumor multiplicity. This was associated with more
      advanced dysplasia, including progression to invasive adenocarcinoma, and
      augmented intratumoral proliferation. Analysis of chromatin immunoprecipitation
      sequencing data sets for MTGR1 and MTG16 targets indicated that MTGR1 can
      regulate Wnt and Notch signaling. In support of this, immunohistochemistry and
      gene expression analysis revealed that both Wnt and Notch signaling pathways were
      hyperactive in Mtgr1-/- tumors. Furthermore, in human colorectal cancer (CRC)
      samples MTGR1 was downregulated at both the transcript and protein level. Overall
      our data indicates that MTGR1 has a context-dependent effect on intestinal
      tumorigenesis.

PMID- 27270439
TI  - Lysine demethylase KDM3A regulates breast cancer cell invasion and apoptosis by
      targeting histone and the non-histone protein p53.
AB  - Invasive growth and apoptosis resistance of breast cancer cells are associated
      with metastasis and disease relapse. Here we identified that the lysine-specific
      demethylase KDM3A played a dual role in breast cancer cell invasion and apoptosis
      by demethylating histone and the non-histone protein p53, respectively. While
      inducing pro-invasive genes by erasing repressive histone H3 lysine 9
      methylation, KDM3A promotes chemoresistance by demethylating p53. KDM3A
      suppressed pro-apoptotic functions of p53 by erasing p53-K372me1, as this
      methylation is crucial for the stability of chromatin-bound p53. Unexpectedly,
      depletion of KDM3A was capable of reactivating mutated p53 to induce the
      expression of pro-apoptotic genes in breast cancer with mutant p53. Moreover,
      KDM3A knockdown also potently inhibited tumorigenic potentials of breast cancer
      stem-like cells and rendered them sensitive to apoptosis induced by
      chemotherapeutic drugs. Taken together, our results suggest that KDM3A might be a
      potential therapeutic target for human breast cancer treatment and prevention.

PMID- 27270440
TI  - A TGFbeta-PRMT5-MEP50 axis regulates cancer cell invasion through histone H3 and
      H4 arginine methylation coupled transcriptional activation and repression.
AB  - Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) complexed with MEP50/WDR77 catalyzes
      arginine methylation on histones and other proteins. PRMT5-MEP50 activity is
      elevated in cancer cells and its expression is highly correlated with poor
      prognosis in many human tumors. We demonstrate that PRMT5-MEP50 is essential for
      transcriptional regulation promoting cancer cell invasive phenotypes in lung
      adenocarcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma and breast carcinoma cancer cells.
      RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis demonstrated that PRMT5 and MEP50 are required to
      maintain expression of metastasis and Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
      markers and to potentiate an epigenetic mechanism of the TGFbeta response. We
      show that PRMT5-MEP50 activity both positively and negatively regulates
      expression of a wide range of genes. Exogenous TGFbeta promotes EMT in a unique
      pathway of PRMT5-MEP50 catalyzed histone mono- and dimethylation of chromatin at
      key metastasis suppressor and EMT genes, defining a new mechanism regulating
      cancer invasivity. PRMT5 methylation of histone H3R2me1 induced transcriptional
      activation by recruitment of WDR5 and concomitant H3K4 methylation at targeted
      genes. In parallel, PRMT5 methylation of histone H4R3me2s suppressed
      transcription at distinct genomic loci. Our decoding of histone methylarginine at
      key genes supports a critical role for complementary PRMT5-MEP50 transcriptional
      activation and repression in cancer invasion pathways and in response to TGFbeta
      stimulation and therefore orients future chemotherapeutic opportunities.

PMID- 27270441
TI  - Molecular analysis of urothelial cancer cell lines for modeling tumor biology and
      drug response.
AB  - The utility of tumor-derived cell lines is dependent on their ability to
      recapitulate underlying genomic aberrations and primary tumor biology. Here, we
      sequenced the exomes of 25 bladder cancer (BCa) cell lines and compared
      mutations, copy number alterations (CNAs), gene expression and drug response to
      BCa patient profiles in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We observed a mutation
      pattern associated with altered CpGs and APOBEC-family cytosine deaminases
      similar to mutation signatures derived from somatic alterations in muscle
      invasive (MI) primary tumors, highlighting a major mechanism(s) contributing to
      cancer-associated alterations in the BCa cell line exomes. Non-silent sequence
      alterations were confirmed in 76 cancer-associated genes, including mutations
      that likely activate oncogenes TERT and PIK3CA, and alter chromatin-associated
      proteins (MLL3, ARID1A, CHD6 and KDM6A) and established BCa genes (TP53, RB1,
      CDKN2A and TSC1). We identified alterations in signaling pathways and proteins
      with related functions, including the PI3K/mTOR pathway, altered in 60% of lines;
      BRCA DNA repair, 44%; and SYNE1-SYNE2, 60%. Homozygous deletions of chromosome
      9p21 are known to target the cell cycle regulators CDKN2A and CDKN2B. This loci
      was commonly lost in BCa cell lines and we show the deletions extended to the
      polyamine enzyme methylthioadenosine (MTA) phosphorylase (MTAP) in 36% of lines,
      transcription factor DMRTA1 (27%) and antiviral interferon epsilon (IFNE, 19%).
      Overall, the BCa cell line genomic aberrations were concordant with those found
      in BCa patient tumors. We used gene expression and copy number data to infer
      pathway activities for cell lines, then used the inferred pathway activities to
      build a predictive model of cisplatin response. When applied to platinum-treated
      patients gathered from TCGA, the model predicted treatment-specific response.
      Together, these data and analysis represent a valuable community resource to
      model basic tumor biology and to study the pharmacogenomics of BCa.

PMID- 27270443
TI  - HEMO Revisited: Why Kt/Vurea Only Tells Part of the Story.

PMID- 27270444
TI  - Intra-cage dynamics of molecular hydrogen confined in cages of two different
      dimensions of clathrate hydrates.
AB  - In porous materials the molecular confinement is often realized by means of weak
      Van der Waals interactions between the molecule and the pore surface. The
      understanding of the mechanism of such interactions is important for a number of
      applications. In order to establish the role of the confinement size we have
      studied the microscopic dynamics of molecular hydrogen stored in the nanocages of
      clathrate hydrates of two different dimensions. We have found that by varying the
      size of the pore the diffusive mobility of confined hydrogen can be modified in
      both directions, i.e. reduced or enhanced compared to that in the bulk solid at
      the same temperatures. In the small cages with a mean crystallographic radius of
      3.95 A the confinement reduces diffusive mobility by orders of magnitude. In
      contrast, in large cages with a mean radius of 4.75 A hydrogen molecules displays
      diffusive jump motion between different equilibrium sites inside the cages,
      visible at temperatures where bulk H2 is solid. The localization of H2 molecules
      observed in small cages can promote improved functional properties valuable for
      hydrogen storage applications.

PMID- 27270442
TI  - MicroRNA-101 regulated transcriptional modulator SUB1 plays a role in prostate
      cancer.
AB  - MicroRNA-101, a tumor suppressor microRNA (miR), is often downregulated in cancer
      and is known to target multiple oncogenes. Some of the genes that are negatively
      regulated by miR-101 expression include histone methyltransferase EZH2 (enhancer
      of zeste homolog 2), COX2 (cyclooxygenase-2), POMP (proteasome maturation
      protein), CERS6, STMN1, MCL-1 and ROCK2, among others. In the present study, we
      show that miR-101 targets transcriptional coactivator SUB1 homolog (Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae)/PC4 (positive cofactor 4) and regulates its expression. SUB1 is known
      to have diverse role in vital cell processes such as DNA replication, repair and
      heterochromatinization. SUB1 is known to modulate transcription and acts as a
      mediator between the upstream activators and general transcription machinery.
      Expression profiling in several cancers revealed SUB1 overexpression, suggesting
      a potential role in tumorigenesis. However, detailed regulation and function of
      SUB1 has not been elucidated. In this study, we show elevated expression of SUB1
      in aggressive prostate cancer. Knockdown of SUB1 in prostate cancer cells
      resulted in reduced cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro, and
      tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Gene expression analyses coupled with
      chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that SUB1 binds to the promoter regions of
      several oncogenes such as PLK1 (Polo-like kinase 1), C-MYC, serine-threonine
      kinase BUB1B and regulates their expression. Additionally, we observed SUB1
      downregulated CDKN1B expression. PLK1 knockdown or use of PLK1 inhibitor can
      mitigate oncogenic function of SUB1 in benign prostate cancer cells. Thus, our
      study suggests that miR-101 loss results in increased SUB1 expression and
      subsequent activation of known oncogenes driving prostate cancer progression and
      metastasis. This study therefore demonstrates functional role of SUB1 in prostate
      cancer, and identifies its regulation and potential downstream therapeutic
      targets of SUB1 in prostate cancer.

PMID- 27270445
TI  - Shifts in Aboveground Biomass Allocation Patterns of Dominant Shrub Species
      across a Strong Environmental Gradient.
AB  - Most plant biomass allocation studies have focused on allocation to shoots versus
      roots, and little is known about drivers of allocation for aboveground plant
      organs. We explored the drivers of within-and between-species variation of
      aboveground biomass allocation across a strong environmental resource gradient,
      i.e., a long-term chronosequence of 30 forested islands in northern Sweden across
      which soil fertility and plant productivity declines while light availability
      increases. For each of the three coexisting dominant understory dwarf shrub
      species on each island, we estimated the fraction of the total aboveground
      biomass produced year of sampling that was allocated to sexual reproduction
      (i.e., fruits), leaves and stems for each of two growing seasons, to determine
      how biomass allocation responded to the chronosequence at both the within-species
      and whole community levels. Against expectations, within-species allocation to
      fruits was least on less fertile islands, and allocation to leaves at the whole
      community level was greatest on intermediate islands. Consistent with
      expectations, different coexisting species showed contrasting allocation
      patterns, with the species that was best adapted for more fertile conditions
      allocating the most to vegetative organs, and with its allocation pattern showing
      the strongest response to the gradient. Our study suggests that co-existing
      dominant plant species can display highly contrasting biomass allocations to
      different aboveground organs within and across species in response to limiting
      environmental resources within the same plant community. Such knowledge is
      important for understanding how community assembly, trait spectra, and ecological
      processes driven by the plant community vary across environmental gradients and
      among contrasting ecosystems. 

PMID- 27270447
TI  - Role of trap-induced scales in non-equilibrium dynamics of strongly interacting
      trapped bosons.
AB  - We use a time-dependent hopping expansion technique to study the non-equilibrium
      dynamics of strongly interacting bosons in an optical lattice in the presence of
      a harmonic trap characterized by a force constant K. We show that after a sudden
      quench of the hopping amplitude J across the superfluid (SF)-Mott insulator (MI)
      transition, the SF order parameter [Formula: see text] and the local density
      fluctuation [Formula: see text] exhibit sudden decoherence beyond a trap-induced
      time scale [Formula: see text]. We also show that after a slow linear ramp down
      of J, [Formula: see text] and the boson defect density [Formula: see text]
      display a novel non-monotonic spatial profile. Both these phenomena can be
      explained as consequences of trap-induced time and length scales affecting the
      dynamics and can be tested by concrete experiments.

PMID- 27270446
TI  - Cl- channels in apoptosis.
AB  - A remarkable feature of apoptosis is the initial massive cell shrinkage, which
      requires opening of ion channels to allow release of K+, Cl-, and organic
      osmolytes to drive osmotic water movement and cell shrinkage. This article
      focuses on the role of the Cl- channels LRRC8, TMEM16/anoctamin, and cystic
      fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in cellular apoptosis. LRRC8A
      E has been identified as a volume-regulated anion channel expressed in many cell
      types. It was shown to be required for regulatory and apoptotic volume decrease
      (RVD, AVD) in cultured cell lines. Its presence also determines sensitivity
      towards cytostatic drugs such as cisplatin. Recent data point to a molecular and
      functional relationship of LRRC8A and anoctamins (ANOs). ANO6, 9, and 10
      (TMEM16F, J, and K) augment apoptotic Cl- currents and AVD, but it remains
      unclear whether these anoctamins operate as Cl- channels or as regulators of
      other apoptotic Cl- channels, such as LRRC8. CFTR has been known for its
      proapoptotic effects for some time, and this effect may be based on glutathione
      release from the cell and increase in cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS).
      Although we find that CFTR is activated by cell swelling, it is possible that
      CFTR serves RVD/AVD through accumulation of ROS and activation of independent
      membrane channels such as ANO6. Thus activation of ANO6 will support cell
      shrinkage and induce additional apoptotic events, such as membrane phospholipid
      scrambling.

PMID- 27270448
TI  - Studies on the cytotoxicity of diamond nanoparticles against human cancer cells
      and lymphocytes.
AB  - Detonation nanodiamonds (DND) are a widely studied group of carbon nanomaterials.
      They have the ability to adsorb a variety of biomolecules and drugs onto their
      surfaces, and additionally their surfaces may be subjected to chemical
      functionalization by covalent bonds. We present a procedure for the purification
      and surface oxidation of diamond nanoparticles, which were then tested by
      spectroscopic analysis such as ATR-FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and
      thermogravimetric analysis. We also examined the zeta potential of the tested
      material. Analysis of the cytotoxic effect of nanodiamonds against normal
      lymphocytes derived from human peripheral blood, the non-small cell lung cancer
      cell line (A549) and the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT29) was
      performed using MTT colorimetric assay. Evaluation of cell viability was
      performed after 1-h and 24-h treatment with the tested nanoparticles applied at
      concentrations ranging from 1 MUg/ml to 100 MUg/ml. We found that the survival of
      the examined cells was strongly associated with the presence of serum proteins in
      the growth medium. The incubation of cells with nanodiamonds in the presence of
      serum did not exert a significant effect on cell survival, while the cell
      treatment in a serum-free medium resulted in a decrease in cell survival compared
      to the negative control. The role of purification and functionalization of
      nanodiamonds on their cytotoxicity was also demonstrated. 

PMID- 27270449
TI  - Transition metal oxide nanoparticles are effective in inhibiting lung cancer cell
      survival in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The transition metal oxide nanoparticles are in focus for their anti
      cancer potential. In this study we have synthesized and characterized CuO, NiO
      and Fe2O3 nanoparticles and, investigated their cytotoxic potential in the
      heterogeneous tumour microenvironment. METHODS: Nanoparticles were synthesized by
      aqueous precipitation method and characterized with UV-Visible spectrophotometer,
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Cell viability of lung cancer cells (A549)
      grown in normoxia (18%O2) and hypoxia (1%O2) was determined for all
      nanoparticles. The mechanism of cell death was assessed by nuclear morphological
      analysis, flow cytometry analysis and western blotting. Generation of
      intracellular ROS in treated cells and its contribution to cell viability was
      determined. RESULTS: The synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles were successfully
      characterized with SEM, spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns. Cell
      viability of lung cancer cells was compromised in both normoxia and hypoxia. ROS
      generation was shown to contribute to cellular toxicity in CuO, but not NiO and
      Fe2O3. CONCLUSION: We have shown the therapeutic potential of CuO, NiO and Fe2O3
      nanoparticles in non small cell lung cancer cells cultured in hypoxia, a relevant
      feature of solid tumors along with normoxia. The newly synthesized nanoparticles
      showed efficacy in both conditions. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Hypoxia drives
      metabolic alterations and epigenetic modifications in the tumor microenvironment.
      By using conditions that mimic tumour microenvironment, this study expands the
      possibility of using metal oxide nanoparticles as a therapeutic agent for lung
      cancer treatment.

PMID- 27270450
TI  - Sodium butyrate reduces insulin-resistance, fat accumulation and dyslipidemia in
      type-2 diabetic rat: A comparative study with metformin.
AB  - Recent evidences highlighted that histone deacetylases (HDACs) can deacetylate
      the histone, various transcription factors and regulatory proteins, which
      directly or indirectly affect glucose metabolism. The present study aimed to
      evaluate the comparative effects of sodium butyrate (NaB) and metformin on the
      glucose homeostasis, insulin-resistance, fat accumulation and dyslipidemia in
      type-2 diabetic rat. Diabetes was developed in Sprague-Dawley rats by the
      combination of high-fat diet (HFD) and low dose streptozotocin (STZ, 35 mg/kg).
      NaB at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg twice daily as well as metformin (as a
      positive control) 150 mg/kg twice daily for 10 consecutive weeks were
      administered by i.p. and oral route, respectively. NaB treatment significantly
      reduced the plasma glucose, HbA1c, insulin-resistance, dyslipidemia and
      gluconeogenesis, which are comparable to metformin treatment. Further, NaB
      treatment ameliorated the micro- and macro-vesicular steatosis in liver and fat
      deposition in brown adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (adipocytes hypertrophy)
      as well as pancreatic beta-cell damage. In the present study, both NaB and
      metformin inhibited the diabetes-associated increased HDACs activity, thereby
      increased the acetylation of histone H3 in liver. The present findings
      demonstrated that NaB and metformin reduced insulin-resistance, dyslipidemia, fat
      accumulation and gluconeogenesis thereby improved the glucose homeostasis in rat.
      Thus, NaB might be a promising molecule for the prevention and treatment of type
      2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. 

PMID- 27270451
TI  - Sesamol induced apoptotic effect in lung adenocarcinoma cells through both
      intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
AB  - Sesamol is a phenolic lignan found in sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) and
      sesame oil. The anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms underlying its
      apoptosis-inducing effect were investigated in human lung adenocarcinoma (SK-LU
      1) cells. Sesamol inhibited SK-LU-1 cell growth with an IC50 value of 2.7 mM and
      exhibited less toxicity toward normal Vero cells after 48 h of treatment
      (Selective index = 3). Apoptotic bodies-the hallmark of apoptosis-were observed
      in sesamol-treated SK-LU-1 cells, stained with DAPI. Sesamol increased the
      activity of caspase 8, 9, and 3/7, indicating that apoptotic cell death occurred
      through both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Sesamol caused the loss of
      mitochondrial transmembrane potential signifying intrinsic apoptosis induction.
      Decreasing Bid expression revealed crosstalk between the intrinsic and extrinsic
      apoptotic pathways; demonstrating clearly that sesamol induces apoptosis through
      both pathways in human lung adenocarcinoma (SK-LU-1) cells. 

PMID- 27270452
TI  - Bromobenzene-induced lethal toxicity in mouse is prevented by pretreatment with
      zinc sulfate.
AB  - In the current study, we evaluated the protective effect of zinc (Zn) against
      bromobenzene (BB) -induced lethal toxicity. We used Zn because this element is
      known to be an inducer of metallothionein (MT), which is in turn known to serve
      as an endogenous scavenger of free radicals. We administered Zn (as ZnSO4) at 50
      mg/kg subcutaneously once-daily for 3 successive days prior to a single
      intraperitoneal administration of 1.2 g/kg BB in male ddY mice. Our results
      showed that pretreatment with Zn completely abolished the BB-induced mortality of
      mice until 48 h. We also found that pretreatment of mice with Zn significantly
      decreased the functional marker levels and reduced the histological damage both
      in liver and kidney as assessed at 18 h post-BB. We also showed that pretreatment
      with Zn enhanced antioxidative activity, resulting in decreased lipid
      peroxidation in both liver and kidney. Moreover, BB-induced calcium levels were
      downregulated by pretreatment with Zn. In addition, Zn-induced MT was decreased
      in Zn + BB-treated animals, implying that MT was consumed by BB-induced radicals.
      These findings suggest that prophylaxis with Zn protects mice from BB-induced
      lethal toxicity by decreasing oxidative stress in liver and kidney, presumably by
      induction of MT, which scavenges radicals induced by BB exposure. 

PMID- 27270453
TI  - Combining in vitro and in silico approaches to evaluate the multifunctional
      profile of rosmarinic acid from Blechnum brasiliense on targets related to
      neurodegeneration.
AB  - Natural products are important sources of chemical diversity leading to unique
      scaffolds that can be exploited in the discovery of new drug candidates or
      chemical probes. In this context, chemical and biological investigation of ferns
      and lycophytes occurring in Brazil is an approach adopted by our research group
      aiming at discovering bioactive molecules acting on neurodegeneration targets. In
      the present study, rosmarinic acid (RA) isolated from Blechnum brasiliense showed
      an in vitro multifunctional profile characterized by antioxidant effects, and
      monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B) and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT)
      inhibition. RA showed antioxidant effects against hydroxyl (HO(*)) and nitric
      oxide (NO) radicals (IC50 of 29.4 and 140 MUM, respectively), and inhibition of
      lipid peroxidation (IC50 of 19.6 MUM). In addition, RA inhibited MAO-A, MAO-B and
      COMT enzymes with IC50 values of 50.1, 184.6 and 26.7 MUM, respectively. The MAO
      A modulation showed a non-time-dependent profile, suggesting a reversible
      mechanism of inhibition. Structural insights on RA interactions with MAO-A and
      COMT were investigated by molecular docking. Finally, RA (up to 5 mM)
      demonstrated no cytotoxicity on polymorphonuclear rat cells. Taken together, our
      results suggest that RA may be exploited as a template for the development of new
      antioxidant molecules possessing additional MAO and COMT inhibition effects to be
      further investigated on in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative
      diseases. 

PMID- 27270454
TI  - MicroRNAs related to androgen metabolism and polycystic ovary syndrome.
AB  - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent endocrine disorder in women. PCOS
      is associated with altered features of androgen metabolism, increased insulin
      resistance and impaired fertility. Furthermore, PCOS, being a syndrome diagnosis,
      is heterogeneous and characterized by polycystic ovaries, chronic anovulation and
      evidence of hyperandrogenism, as well as being associated with chronic low-grade
      inflammation and an increased life time risk of type 2 diabetes. A number of
      androgen species contribute to the symptoms of increased androgen exposure seen
      in many, though not all, cases of PCOS: Testosterone, androstenedione,
      dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), where
      the quantitatively highest amount of androgen is found as DHEAS. The sulfation of
      DHEA to DHEAS depends on a number of enzymes, and altered sulfate metabolism may
      be associated with and contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS. MicroRNAs (miRNAs)
      are small, non-coding RNAs that are able to regulate gene expression at the post
      transcriptional level. Altered miRNA levels have been associated with diabetes,
      insulin resistance, inflammation and various cancers. Studies have shown that
      circulating miRNAs are present in whole blood, serum, plasma and the follicular
      fluid of PCOS patients and that these might serve as potential biomarkers and a
      new approach for the diagnosis of PCOS. In this review, recent work on miRNAs
      with respect to PCOS will be summarized. Our understanding of miRNAs,
      particularly in relation to PCOS, is currently at a very early stage, and
      additional studies will yield important insight into the molecular mechanisms
      behind this complex and heterogenic syndrome.

PMID- 27270455
TI  - Indirect Fitness Benefits Enable the Spread of Host Genes Promoting Costly
      Transfer of Beneficial Plasmids.
AB  - Bacterial genes that confer crucial phenotypes, such as antibiotic resistance,
      can spread horizontally by residing on mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Although
      many mobile genes provide strong benefits to their hosts, the fitness
      consequences of the process of transfer itself are less clear. In previous
      studies, transfer has been interpreted as a parasitic trait of the MGEs because
      of its costs to the host but also as a trait benefiting host populations through
      the sharing of a common gene pool. Here, we show that costly donation is an
      altruistic act when it spreads beneficial MGEs favoured when it increases the
      inclusive fitness of donor ability alleles. We show mathematically that donor
      ability can be selected when relatedness at the locus modulating transfer is
      sufficiently high between donor and recipients, ensuring high frequency of
      transfer between cells sharing donor alleles. We further experimentally
      demonstrate that either population structure or discrimination in transfer can
      increase relatedness to a level selecting for chromosomal transfer alleles. Both
      mechanisms are likely to occur in natural environments. The simple process of
      strong dilution can create sufficient population structure to select for donor
      ability. Another mechanism observed in natural isolates, discrimination in
      transfer, can emerge through coselection of transfer and discrimination alleles.
      Our work shows that horizontal gene transfer in bacteria can be promoted by
      bacterial hosts themselves and not only by MGEs. In the longer term, the success
      of cells bearing beneficial MGEs combined with biased transfer leads to an
      association between high donor ability, discrimination, and mobile beneficial
      genes. However, in conditions that do not select for altruism, host bacteria
      promoting transfer are outcompeted by hosts with lower transfer rate, an aspect
      that could be relevant in the fight against the spread of antibiotic resistance.

PMID- 27270456
TI  - No Evidence for Threat-Induced Spatial Prioritization of Somatosensory
      Stimulation during Pain Control Using a Synchrony Judgment Paradigm.
AB  - Topical research efforts on attention to pain often take a critical look at the
      modulatory role of top-down factors. For instance, it has been shown that the
      fearful expectation of pain at a location of the body directs attention towards
      that body part. In addition, motivated attempts to control this pain were found
      to modulate this prioritization effect. Such studies have often used a temporal
      order judgment task, requiring participants to judge the order in which two
      stimuli are presented by indicating which one they perceived first. As this
      constitutes a forced-choice response format, such studies may be subject to
      response bias. The aim of the current study was to address this concern. We used
      a ternary synchrony judgment paradigm, in which participants judged the order in
      which two somatosensory stimuli occurred. Critically, participants now also had
      the option to give a 'simultaneous' response when they did not perceive a
      difference. This way we eliminated the need for guessing, and thus reduced the
      risk of response bias. One location was threatened with the possibility of pain
      in half of the trials, as predicted by an auditory cue. Additionally, half of the
      participants (pain control group) were encouraged to avoid pain stimuli by
      executing a quick button press. The other half (comparison group) performed a
      similar action, albeit unrelated to the occurrence of pain. Our data did not
      support threat-induced spatial prioritization, nor did we find evidence that pain
      control attempts influenced attention in any way. 

PMID- 27270457
TI  - ABRAXAS (FAM175A) and Breast Cancer Susceptibility: No Evidence of Association in
      the Breast Cancer Family Registry.
AB  - Approximately half of the familial aggregation of breast cancer remains
      unexplained. This proportion is less for early-onset disease where familial
      aggregation is greater, suggesting that other susceptibility genes remain to be
      discovered. The majority of known breast cancer susceptibility genes are involved
      in the DNA double-strand break repair pathway. ABRAXAS is involved in this
      pathway and mutations in this gene impair BRCA1 recruitment to DNA damage foci
      and increase cell sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Moreover, a recurrent
      germline mutation was reported in Finnish high-risk breast cancer families. To
      determine if ABRAXAS could be a breast cancer susceptibility gene in other
      populations, we conducted a population-based case-control mutation screening
      study of the coding exons and exon/intron boundaries of ABRAXAS in the Breast
      Cancer Family Registry. In addition to the common variant p.Asp373Asn, sixteen
      distinct rare variants were identified. Although no significant difference in
      allele frequencies between cases and controls was observed for the identified
      variants, two variants, p.Gly39Val and p.Thr141Ile, were shown to diminish
      phosphorylation of gamma-H2AX in MCF7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells, an
      important biomarker of DNA double-strand breaks. Overall, likely damaging or
      neutral variants were evenly represented among cases and controls suggesting that
      rare variants in ABRAXAS may explain only a small proportion of hereditary breast
      cancer. 

PMID- 27270458
TI  - Flow Cytometric Quantification of Peripheral Blood Cell beta-Adrenergic Receptor
      Density and Urinary Endothelial Cell-Derived Microparticles in Pulmonary Arterial
      Hypertension.
AB  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by
      severe angiogenic remodeling of the pulmonary artery wall and right ventricular
      hypertrophy. Thus, there is an increasing need for novel biomarkers to dissect
      disease heterogeneity, and predict treatment response. Although beta-adrenergic
      receptor (betaAR) dysfunction is well documented in left heart disease while
      endothelial cell-derived microparticles (Ec-MPs) are established biomarkers of
      angiogenic remodeling, methods for easy large clinical cohort analysis of these
      biomarkers are currently absent. Here we describe flow cytometric methods for
      quantification of betaAR density on circulating white blood cells (WBC) and Ec
      MPs in urine samples that can be used as potential biomarkers of right heart
      failure in PAH. Biotinylated beta-blocker alprenolol was synthesized and
      validated as a betaAR specific probe that was combined with immunophenotyping to
      quantify betaAR density in circulating WBC subsets. Ec-MPs obtained from urine
      samples were stained for annexin-V and CD144, and analyzed by a micro flow
      cytometer. Flow cytometric detection of alprenolol showed that betaAR density was
      decreased in most WBC subsets in PAH samples compared to healthy controls. Ec-MPs
      in urine was increased in PAH compared to controls. Furthermore, there was a
      direct correlation between Ec-MPs and Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion
      (TAPSE) in PAH patients. Therefore, flow cytometric quantification of peripheral
      blood cell betaAR density and urinary Ec-MPs may be useful as potential
      biomarkers of right ventricular function in PAH. 

PMID- 27270459
TI  - Trait Hostility and Acute Inflammatory Responses to Stress in the Laboratory.
AB  - Hostility has been associated with higher basal levels of inflammation. The
      present study evaluated the association of hostility with acute stress-induced
      changes in inflammatory activity. One hundred and ninety-nine healthy men and
      women, aged 19-64 years, were exposed to a stress protocol involving four
      interpersonal stressors. Participants completed the Cook-Medley Hostility
      questionnaire and provided two blood samples for the measurement of inflammatory
      biomarkers (CRP, Il-6, MPO, TNF-alpha, MCP-1, Il-8, Il-10, and Il-18), prior to
      and following exposure to a standardized stress protocol. In univariate analyses,
      hostility was associated with significantly higher TNF-alpha, but lower Il-8 and
      Il-18 values post-stress, though only Il-8 remained significant after controlling
      for baseline differences. In multivariate analyses, a significant Age by
      Hostility interaction emerged for Il-6, while sex moderated the relation between
      hostility and Il-10 reactivity. Following stress, hostility was associated with
      greater pro-inflammatory Il-6 activity among younger individuals and to decreased
      anti-inflammatory Il-10 activity in women. Future research is needed to replicate
      these findings and to evaluate their implication for disease. 

PMID- 27270460
TI  - Chronomodulated oxaliplatin plus Capecitabine (XELOX) as a first line
      chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer: A Phase II Brunch regimen study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and toxicity of
      chronomodulated capecitabine administered in the morning and at noon according to
      a specific time schedule (Brunch Regimen: Breakfast and Lunch) as a part of first
      line XELOX chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS: A
      total of 30 treatment-naive colorectal cancer patients with metastatic disease
      were included. Oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 1 plus chronomodulated oral
      capecitabine 2000 mg/m(2) per day were administered (50 % dose at 8:00 a.m. and
      50 % dose at 12:00 noon on days 1-14, every 21 days). All adverse events,
      treatment responses and survival were evaluated. In addition, pharmacokinetic
      profile of capecitabine was examined in a subset of 5 patients. RESULTS: Median
      age was 57.1 years (range 32-77 years). Median follow-up was 19 months (range 3
      36 months). Three patients (10 %) had complete response, 13 patients (43.3 %) had
      partial response and 4 patients (13.3 %) had stabile disease. Ten patients had
      progressive disease at their first evaluation (33.3 %). The median progression
      free survival (PFS) was 10 months (range 2-36 months). There were no grade 4
      toxicities. One patient (3.3 %) had grade 3 neutropenia. Hand-foot syndrome
      developed in three patients (10 %): 6.6 %, grade 1 and 3.3 %, grade 2.
      CONCLUSIONS: Chronomodulated XELOX seems to represent a promising therapeutic
      option in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma due to good
      tumor control and favorable toxicity profile. Phase III randomized trials are
      required to assess the actual clinical efficacy and side effect profile of this
      regimen.

PMID- 27270462
TI  - Advanced uracil DNA glycosylase-supplemented real-time reverse transcription loop
      mediated isothermal amplification (UDG-rRT-LAMP) method for universal and
      specific detection of Tembusu virus.
AB  - Tembusu virus (TMUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus which threatens both poultry
      production and public health. In this study we developed a complete open reading
      frame alignment-based rRT-LAMP method for the universal detection of TUMV. To
      prevent false-positive results, the reaction was supplemented with uracil DNA
      glycosylase (UDG) to eliminate carryover contamination. The detection limit of
      the newly developed UDG-rRT-LAMP for TMUV was as low as 100 copies/reaction of
      viral RNA and 1 * 10(0.89) - 1 * 10(1.55) tissue culture infectious dose/100 MUL
      of viruses. There were no cross-reactions with other viruses, and the
      reproducibility of the assay was confirmed by intra- and inter-assay tests with
      variability ranging from 0.22-3.33%. The new UDG-rRT-LAMP method for TMUV
      produced the same results as viral isolation combined with RT-PCR as the "gold
      standard" in 96.88% of cases for 81 clinical samples from subjects with suspected
      TMUV infection. The addition of UDG can eliminate as much as 1 * 10(-16)
      g/reaction of contaminants, which can significantly reduce the likelihood of
      false-positive results during the rRT-LAMP reaction. Our result indicated that
      our UDG-rRT-LAMP is a rapid, sensitive, specific, and reliable method that can
      effectively prevent carryover contamination in the detection of TMUV.

PMID- 27270463
TI  - Genome mining of lipolytic exoenzymes from Bacillus safensis S9 and Pseudomonas
      alcaliphila ED1 isolated from a dairy wastewater lagoon.
AB  - Dairy production plants produce highly polluted wastewaters rich in organic
      molecules such as lactose, proteins and fats. Fats generally lead to low overall
      performance of the treatment system. In this study, a wastewater dairy lagoon was
      used as microbial source and different screening strategies were conducted to
      select 58 lipolytic microorganisms. Exoenzymes and RAPD analyses revealed genetic
      and phenotypic diversity among isolates. Bacillus safensis, Pseudomonas
      alcaliphila and the potential pathogens, B. cereus, Aeromonas and Acinetobacter
      were identified by 16S-rRNA, gyrA, oprI and/or oprL sequence analyses. Five out
      of 10 selected isolates produced lipolytic enzymes and grew in dairy wastewater.
      Based on these abilities and their safety, B. safensis S9 and P. alcaliphila ED1
      were selected and their genome sequences determined. The genome of strain S9 and
      ED1 consisted of 3,794,315 and 5,239,535 bp and encoded for 3990 and 4844 genes,
      respectively. Putative extracellular enzymes with lipolytic (12 and 16),
      proteolytic (20) or hydrolytic (10 and 15) activity were identified for S9 and
      ED1 strains, respectively. These bacteria also encoded other technological
      relevant proteins such as amylases, proteases, glucanases, xylanases and pectate
      lyases. 

PMID- 27270464
TI  - Loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay targeting the mpb70 gene for rapid
      differential detection of Mycobacterium bovis.
AB  - Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a highly sensitive, rapid, cost
      effective nucleic acid amplification method. Tuberculosis (TB) is widely popular
      in the world and it is difficult to cure. The fundamental treatment is to clear
      the types of TB pathogens such as Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). In order to detect and diagnose TB early, we
      constructed the differential diagnostic method of TB. In this study, we used LAMP
      for detection of M. bovis, based on amplification of the mpb70 gene which is a
      unique gene in M. bovis strain. The LAMP assay was able to detect only seven
      copies of the gene per reaction, whereas for the conventional PCR, it was 70
      copies. The LAMP was evaluated for its specificity using six strains of five
      Mycobacterium species and 18 related non-Mycobacterium microorganism strains as
      controls. The target three Mycobacterium strains were all amplified, and no cross
      reaction was found with 18 non-Mycobacterium microorganism strains. TB was
      detected by two methods, LAMP and conventional PCR (based on mpb70 gene); the
      positive rates of the two methods were 9.55 and 7.01 %, respectively. Our results
      indicate that the LAMP method should be a potential tool with high convenience,
      rapidity, sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of TB caused by M. bovis.
      Most importance is that the use of LAMP as diagnostic method in association with
      diagnostic tests based on mpb70 gene would allow the differentiation between M.
      bovis and other Mycobacterium in humans or animals. The LAMP method is actually
      in order to detect human TB, and it can be used for differential diagnosis in
      this paper. 

PMID- 27270465
TI  - Twisting in the wind: intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis.

PMID- 27270466
TI  - Impact of the first 5 years of a national abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
      programme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme was
      introduced by the National Health Service (NHS) in England to reduce the rate of
      death from ruptured AAA in men. The programme commenced in 2009 and was
      implemented completely across the country in April 2013. The aim was to review
      the first 5 years of the programme, looking specifically at compliance and early
      outcome. METHODS: Men aged 65 years were invited for a single abdominal
      ultrasound scan. Data were entered into a bespoke database (AAA SMaRT). This was
      a planned analysis after the first 5 years of the programme. RESULTS: The
      summation analysis involved the first 700 000 men screened, and the first 1000
      men with a large AAA referred for possible treatment. The prevalence of AAA
      (aortic diameter larger than 2.9 cm) in 65-year-old men was 1.34 per cent. Mean
      uptake was 78.1 per cent, but varied from 61.7 to 85.8 per cent across the
      country. Based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation, uptake was 65.1 per cent in
      the most deprived versus 84.1 per cent in the least deprived areas. Of the first
      1000 men referred for possible treatment of a large AAA (greater than 5.4 cm),
      the false-positive rate was 3.2 per cent. Some 870 men underwent a planned AAA
      intervention (non-intervention rate 9.2 per cent), with seven deaths
      (perioperative mortality rate 0.8 per cent). CONCLUSION: The processes in the NHS
      AAA Screening Programme are effective in detecting and treating men with AAA.

PMID- 27270467
TI  - Early Childhood Developmental Status in Low- and Middle-Income Countries:
      National, Regional, and Global Prevalence Estimates Using Predictive Modeling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of cognitive and socioemotional skills early in life
      influences later health and well-being. Existing estimates of unmet developmental
      potential in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are based on either
      measures of physical growth or proxy measures such as poverty. In this paper we
      aim to directly estimate the number of children in LMICs who would be reported by
      their caregivers to show low cognitive and/or socioemotional development. METHODS
      AND FINDINGS: The present paper uses Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI)
      data collected between 2005 and 2015 from 99,222 3- and 4-y-old children living
      in 35 LMICs as part of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and
      Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) programs. First, we estimate the prevalence
      of low cognitive and/or socioemotional ECDI scores within our MICS/DHS sample.
      Next, we test a series of ordinary least squares regression models predicting low
      ECDI scores across our MICS/DHS sample countries based on country-level data from
      the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Nutrition Impact Model Study. We use
      cross-validation to select the model with the best predictive validity. We then
      apply this model to all LMICs to generate country-level estimates of the
      prevalence of low ECDI scores globally, as well as confidence intervals around
      these estimates. In the pooled MICS and DHS sample, 14.6% of children had low
      ECDI scores in the cognitive domain, 26.2% had low socioemotional scores, and
      36.8% performed poorly in either or both domains. Country-level prevalence of low
      cognitive and/or socioemotional scores on the ECDI was best represented by a
      model using the HDI as a predictor. Applying this model to all LMICs, we estimate
      that 80.8 million children ages 3 and 4 y (95% CI 48.1 million, 113.6 million) in
      LMICs experienced low cognitive and/or socioemotional development in 2010, with
      the largest number of affected children in sub-Saharan Africa (29.4.1 million;
      43.8% of children ages 3 and 4 y), followed by South Asia (27.7 million; 37.7%)
      and the East Asia and Pacific region (15.1 million; 25.9%). Positive associations
      were found between low development scores and stunting, poverty, male sex, rural
      residence, and lack of cognitive stimulation. Additional research using more
      detailed developmental assessments across a larger number of LMICs is needed to
      address the limitations of the present study. CONCLUSIONS: The number of children
      globally failing to reach their developmental potential remains large. Additional
      research is needed to identify the specific causes of poor developmental outcomes
      in diverse settings, as well as potential context-specific interventions that
      might promote children's early cognitive and socioemotional well-being.

PMID- 27270468
TI  - Cytokine and Chemokine Expression in CSF May Differentiate Viral and Autoimmune
      NMDAR Encephalitis in Children.
AB  - Childhood encephalitis is a potentially devastating condition with significant
      morbidity and mortality. Researchers currently lack biomarkers for
      differentiating infectious encephalitis from those with autoimmune causes which
      may delay adequate treatment. The authors studied the possibility of using
      cerebrospinal fluid cytokine and chemokine levels for this purpose. Children
      admitted to hospital care fulfilling criteria for encephalitis were prospectively
      included. Children who underwent lumbar puncture but were not classified as
      central nervous system infections served as controls. Cytokine and chemokine
      levels in the cerebrospinal fluid obtained upon initial presentation were
      analyzed using Luminex technology. In children with infectious encephalitis (n =
      13), the cerebrospinal fluid displayed markedly elevated mean levels of IL6, IL7,
      and IL13 as compared to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis (n =
      4) and controls (n = 13). The expression of IL6 appeared to precede that of IL13.
      Analysis of selected cerebrospinal fluid cytokines may thus allow differential
      diagnosis of infectious and NMDAR encephalitis already at the initial lumbar
      puncture and enable immediate therapy.

PMID- 27270469
TI  - Peripheral Vascular Restenosis: A Retrospective Study on the Use of Drug-Eluting
      Balloons in Native Arteries, Vein Grafts and Dialysis Accesses.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The objective of this study is to analyze outcomes of the
      first experiences with drug-eluting balloons in native arteries, vein grafts, and
      vascular accesses. The study is also a pilot for our future prospective,
      randomized, and controlled studies regarding the use of drug-eluting balloons in
      the treatment of the stenosis in bypass vein graft and dialysis access. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A total of 93 consecutive patients were retrospectively analyzed and
      in the end 81 were included in the study. Inclusion criteria included at least
      one previous percutaneous angioplasty to the same lesion. Patients were divided
      into three groups according to the anatomical site of the lesion: native lower
      limb artery, vein bypass graft, or vascular access. Time from the previous
      percutaneous angioplasty to the drug-eluting balloon was compared to the time
      from the drug-eluting balloon to endpoint in the same patient. Endpoints included
      any new revascularization of the target lesion, major amputation, or new vascular
      access. RESULTS: The median time from the drug-eluting balloon to endpoint was
      significantly longer than the median time from the preceding percutaneous
      angioplasty to drug-eluting balloon in all three groups. This difference was
      clearest in native arteries and vein grafts, whereas the difference was smaller
      from the beginning and disappeared over time in the vascular access group. No
      significant differences were seen between the groups with regard to smoking,
      antiplatelet regime, diabetes, Rutherford classification, or sex. CONCLUSION:
      Although the setup of this study has several limitations, the results suggest
      that there could be benefit from drug-eluting balloons in peripheral lesions.
      Very little data have been published on the use of drug-eluting balloons in vein
      grafts and vascular accesses, and randomized and controlled prospective studies
      are needed to further investigate this field.

PMID- 27270470
TI  - Effects of high-speed power training on muscle strength and power in patients
      with multiple sclerosis.
AB  - This study examined the effects of a high-speed power training program in peak
      muscle power and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of knee extensors
      in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Forty patients, 20
      women (age 42.8 +/- 10.3 yr) and 20 men (age 44.0 +/- 8.7 yr) diagnosed with
      relapsing-remitting MS were randomly assigned, with respect to sex, to either an
      exercise group or a control group. Participants from the exercise group performed
      12 wk of supervised muscle power training of knee extensors. All subjects were
      tested for MVIC and peak muscle power at baseline and after the training
      intervention. A strain gauge was used to measure the MVIC, and peak muscle power
      was assessed with a linear encoder at five relative loads. The training-related
      effects were assessed using a t-test. The results showed no significant changes
      in the control group from baseline to postintervention evaluation. In contrast,
      the exercise group significantly increased MVIC (10.8%; p < 0.05) and muscle
      power at 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80% of the MVIC by 21.8, 14.5, 17.3, 19.4, and
      22.3%, respectively (p < 0.01), after the training. These findings suggest that
      12 wk of high-speed power training improve both MVIC and muscle power at five
      different loads in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

PMID- 27270471
TI  - The Brand's PREACH Model: Predicting Readiness to Engage African American
      Churches in Health.
AB  - Despite many attempts to reduce health disparities, health professionals face
      obstacles in improving poor health outcomes within the African American (AA)
      community. To promote change for improved health measures, it is important to
      implement culturally tailored programming through a trusted institution, such as
      the AA church. While churches have the potential to play an important role in
      positively impacting health among AAs, it is unclear what attributes are
      necessary to predict success or failure for health promotion within these
      institutions. The purpose of this study was to create a model, the Brand's PREACH
      ( Predicting Readiness to Engage African American Churches in Health) Model, to
      predict the readiness of AA churches to engage in health promotion programming.
      Thirty-six semistructured key informant interviews were conducted with 12
      pastors, 12 health leaders, and 12 congregants to gain information on the
      relationship between church infrastructure (physical structure, personnel,
      funding, and social/cultural support), readiness, and health promotion
      programming. The findings revealed that church infrastructure has an association
      with and will predict the readiness of a church to engage in health promotion
      programming. The ability to identify readiness early on will be useful for
      developing, implementing, and evaluating faith-based interventions, in
      partnership with churches, which is a key factor for sustainable and effective
      programs.

PMID- 27270472
TI  - Systemic lupus erythematosus associated with myasthenia gravis, pemphigus
      foliaceus and chronic thyroiditis after thymectomy.
AB  - A 65-year-old woman had undergone a thymectomy for thymoma and 1 year after
      surgery she developed scattered erosive erythema with scaling and crusting.
      Examination findings exhibited the elevation of anti-dsDNA antibody, anti
      desmoglein 1 antibody, anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody and anti
      thyroglobulin antibody. A skin biopsy showed intraepidermal blisters containing
      neutrophils and acantholytic keratinocytes and direct immunofluorescence revealed
      the deposition of immunoglobulin G in the epidermis and on the basement membrane.
      These findings indicated the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),
      myasthenia gravis, pemphigus foliaceus and chronic thyroiditis. Only 1% of SLE
      patients have three other autoimmune diseases according to previous publications.
      Our case is rare because she suffered four autoimmune diseases after the
      thymectomy.

PMID- 27270473
TI  - Thyroid Function and the Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Rotterdam
      Study.
AB  - CONTEXT: Although thyroid function is associated with several risk factors of
      nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), its role in NAFLD development remains
      unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to prospectively investigate the association between
      variations in thyroid function and NAFLD. DESIGN AND SETTING: The Rotterdam
      Study, a large population-based, prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS AND MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants with thyroid function measurements at baseline and
      NAFLD data (ie, at baseline fatty liver index/at follow-up ultrasound) were
      eligible. Transient elastography was performed to assess the presence of fibrosis
      in patients with NAFLD, using the liver stiffness measurements more than or equal
      to 8 kPa as cutoff for clinically relevant fibrosis. The association between
      thyroid parameters and incident NAFLD was explored by using logistic regression
      models. RESULTS: A total of 9419 participants (mean age, 64.75 y) were included.
      The median follow-up time was 10.04 years (interquartile range, 5.70-10.88 y).
      After adjusting for age, sex, cohort, follow-up time, use of hypolipidemic drugs,
      and cardiovascular risk factors, higher free T4 levels were associated with a
      decreased risk of NAFLD (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28
      0.63). In line, higher TSH levels were associated with an increased risk of
      having clinically relevant fibrosis in NAFLD (odds ratio, 1.49; CI, 1.04-2.15).
      Compared with euthyroidism, hypothyroidism was associated with a 1.24-fold higher
      NAFLD risk (CI, 1.01-1.53). Moreover, NAFLD risk decreased gradually from
      hypothyroidism to hyperthyroidism (P for trend = .003). CONCLUSION: Lower thyroid
      function is associated with an increased NAFLD risk. These findings may lead to
      new avenues regarding NAFLD prevention and treatment.

PMID- 27270474
TI  - Lipoprotein (a), the Metabolic Syndrome and Vascular Risk in Angiographied
      Coronary Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] especially in young individuals, is an
      important cardiovascular risk factor. However, data on the vascular risk
      conferred by Lp(a) in patients with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are not
      available. METHODS: Lp(a) was measured in a cohort of 593 consecutive patients
      undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of stable coronary artery
      disease. MetS was diagnosed according to International Diabetes Federation
      criteria. Vascular events were recorded over 10 years. RESULTS: Median Lp(a) was
      significantly lower in patients with the MetS (n = 307) than in subjects who did
      not have the MetS (12 [interquartile range, 0-35] mg/dl vs 17 [0-57] mg/dl; P =
      .004). Prospectively, 34% of our patients suffered vascular events. Lp(a) proved
      to be a strong and independent predictor of vascular events in subjects without
      the MetS (standardized adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.20 [1.05-1.38]; P = .006)
      but not in patients who had the MetS (HR, 0.96 [0.77-1.20]; P = .713). An
      interaction term MetS * Lp(a) was significant (P = .029), indicating that Lp(a)
      was a significantly stronger predictor of vascular events in subjects without the
      MetS than in patients with the MetS. CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) in patients with the MetS
      is low and is not associated with the incidence of vascular events. The power of
      Lp(a) as a predictor of cardiovascular events is significantly modulated by the
      presence of the MetS.

PMID- 27270475
TI  - Postprandial Plasma Concentrations of Individual Bile Acids and FGF-19 in
      Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - CONTEXT: Bile acids regulate lipid and carbohydrate metabolism by interaction
      with membrane or intracellular proteins including the nuclear farnesoid X
      receptor (FXR). Postprandial activation of ileal FXR leads to secretion of
      fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF-19), a gut hormone that may be implicated in
      postprandial glucose metabolism. OBJECTIVE: To describe postprandial plasma
      concentrations of 12 individual bile acids and FGF-19 in patients with type 2
      diabetes (T2D) and healthy controls. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study,
      performed at the Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup,
      Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen patients with T2D and 15 healthy matched controls
      with normal glucose tolerance. INTERVENTIONS: A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test
      and three isocaloric and isovolemic liquid meals with low, medium, and high fat
      content, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bile acid and FGF-19
      concentrations. RESULTS: Postprandial total bile acid concentrations increased
      with increasing meal fat content (P < .05), peaked after 1-2 hours, and were
      higher in T2D patients vs controls (oral glucose tolerance test, low and medium
      fat meals, P < .05; high fat meal, P = .30). Differences reflected mainly
      unconjugated and glycine-conjugated forms of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and to a
      lesser extent cholic acid (CA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), whereas
      chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) concentrations were comparable in the two groups.
      FGF-19 concentrations tended to be lower in T2D patients vs controls, but
      differences were not statistically significant due to considerable variation.
      CONCLUSION: Postprandial plasma patterns of bile acids with FXR agonistic
      properties (CDCA, DCA, and CA) and FXR antagonistic properties (UDCA) in T2D
      patients support the notion of a "T2D-bile acid-FGF-19" phenotype with possible
      pathophysiological implications.

PMID- 27270476
TI  - Genetic Variations in FSH Action Affect Sex Hormone Levels and Breast Tissue Size
      in Infant Girls: A Pilot Study.
AB  - CONTEXT: Single nucleotide polymorphisms altering FSH action (FSHB -211G>T, FSHR 
      29G>A, and FSHR 2039A>G) are associated with peripubertal and adult levels of
      reproductive hormones and age at pubertal onset in girls. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate whether genetic polymorphisms altering FSH action affect serum levels
      of female reproductive hormones and breast development as early as during
      minipuberty. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: Population-based cohort study.
      PARTICIPANTS: A total of 402 healthy girls at 3 months of age. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms by PCR using Kompetitive
      Allele Specific PCR genotyping assays; identification of glandular breast tissue
      by palpation and measurement of the diameter. Serum levels of anti-Mullerian
      hormone, FSH, LH, estradiol, inhibin B, and sex hormone-binding globulin were
      assessed by immunoassays. RESULTS: FSHR -29G>A was associated with both FSH and
      anti-Mullerian hormone levels with an A allele effect size of -0.8 IU/L (P =
      .005) and 1.4 nmol/L (P = .003), respectively. FSHR 2039A>G correlated with
      breast tissue size with a negative additive effect of minor alleles (P = .021),
      whereas the effect on estradiol levels was only present in homozygotes. FSHB 
      211T carriers had smaller breast tissue size than girls who without a minor
      allele; GT+TT 10.5 (confidence interval 9.4-11.5) mm vs GG 12.1 (confidence
      interval 11.4-12.8) mm, P = .014. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that 3 genetic
      polymorphisms altering FSH action, especially FSHR -29G>A and FSHR 2039A>G,
      affect female hormone profile and glandular breast tissue development already
      during minipuberty. Thus, genetic variations of FSH signaling appear to determine
      the individual set point of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis already early
      in life.

PMID- 27270477
TI  - PRKACA Somatic Mutations Are Rare Findings in Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas.
AB  - CONTEXT: Somatic mutations have been found causative for endocrine autonomy in
      aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs). Whereas mutations of PRKACA (catalytic
      subunit of protein kinase A) have been identified in cortisol-producing adenomas,
      the presence of PRKACA variants in APAs is unknown, especially in those that
      display cosecretion of cortisol. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to
      investigate PRKACA somatic variants identified in APA cases. DESIGN:
      Identification of PRKACA somatic variants in APAs by whole-exome sequencing
      followed by in vitro analysis of the enzymatic activity of PRKACA variants and
      functional characterization by double immunofluorescence of CYP11B2 and CYP11B1
      expression in the corresponding tumor tissues. SETTING AND PATIENTS: APA tissues
      were collected from 122 patients who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for
      primary aldosteronism between 2005 and 2015 at a single institution. RESULTS:
      PRKACA somatic mutations were identified in two APA cases (1.6%). One APA carried
      a newly identified p.His88Asp variant, whereas in a second case, a p.Leu206Arg
      mutation was found, previously described only in cortisol-producing adenomas with
      overt Cushing's syndrome. Functional analysis showed that the p.His88Asp variant
      was not associated with gain of function. Although CYP11B2 was strongly expressed
      in the p.His88Asp-mutated APA, the p.Leu206Arg carrying APA predominantly
      expressed CYP11B1. Accordingly, biochemical Cushing's syndrome was present only
      in the patient with the p.Leu206Arg mutation. After adrenalectomy, both patients
      improved with a reduced number of antihypertensive medications and normalized
      serum potassium levels. CONCLUSIONS: We describe for the first time PRKACA
      mutations as rare findings associated with unilateral primary aldosteronism. As
      cortisol cosecretion occurs in a subgroup of APAs, other molecular mechanisms are
      likely to exist.

PMID- 27270478
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Panobinostat in Relapsed or/and Refractory Multiple
      Myeloma: Meta Analyses of Clinical Trials and Systematic Review.
AB  - During the past decades, many novel agents have improved response and survival of
      patients with multiple myeloma. Nevertheless, it remains challenging when they
      suffer relapsing. Thus, novel therapeutic agents are needed. We aimed to assess
      the efficacy and safety of a novel agent panobinostat for patients with relapsed
      or/and refractory MM. A systematic literature review identified studies for
      clinical trials about panobinostat in patients with relapsed or/and refractory
      MM. We searched studies published between January 2000 and December 2015 in
      Pubmed, Ovid, EBSCO and the Cochrane library. Random-effect pooled estimates were
      calculated for overall response rate and rates of common adverse effects. The
      results showed 11 clinical trials including 700 patients with relapsed or/and
      refractory MM treated with panobinostat were identified. The ORR varied between
      0.08 and 0.67. Pooled analyses showed the results that the ORR was 0.45 (95% CI:
      0.31-0.59, I(2) = 90.5%, P = 0.000) for panobinostat combined with any other kind
      of drugs. The most common Grade3/4 adverse effects were thrombocytopenia,
      neutropenia, lymphopenia, anemia, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and so on. In
      conclusion, based on our analyses, the regimen of panobinostat combining with
      other agents seems to be well tolerated and efficacious in patients with relapsed
      or/and refractory MM.

PMID- 27270479
TI  - Management of postoperative bleeding after laparoscopic left colectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding after left colectomy is an uncommon
      complication that can lead to critical situation. Diagnostic and therapeutic
      manoeuvres should be performed in emergency with step-by-step strategy in order
      to avoid reoperation. This study aims to identify bleeding risks factors and
      describe a management strategy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of
      patients who underwent left colectomy with primary anastomosis, from May 2004 to
      December 2013. We studied their demographic characteristics, surgical procedures
      and postoperative courses, more specifically hemorrhagic complications,
      management of bleeding and outcomes. RESULTS: Hemorrhagic anastomotic
      complication occurred in 47 of the 729 (6.4 %) patients after left colectomy.
      Neither anticoagulant nor antiaggregant treatment was associated with
      postoperative bleeding. Among the 47 patients with bleeding, endoscopy was
      performed in 37 (78.7 %). At the time of endoscopy, the bleeding was
      spontaneously stopped in nine (24.3 %). Therapeutic strategy used clips in 10
      (27.0 %) cases, mucosal sclerosis in 11 (29.7 %) and both in 7 (18.9 %) cases.
      Four (8.5 %) patients required blood transfusion for treatment of this
      gastrointestinal bleeding. Five (10.6 %) patients with bleeding were reoperated
      in this group because early endoscopy showed associated anastomotic leakage.
      Based on a multivariate analysis, stapled anastomosis and diverticular disease
      were independent factors associated with anastomotic bleeding. CONCLUSIONS:
      Postoperative anastomotic bleeding is not so uncommon after left colectomy. This
      complication should be particularly dreaded in patients who underwent stapled
      colorectal anastomosis for diverticular disease. With the use of clip or mucosal
      sclerosis, early endoscopy is a safe and efficient treatment.

PMID- 27270480
TI  - Erectile and urinary function in men with rectal cancer treated by neoadjuvant
      chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone: a randomized trial report.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate erectile and urinary function of male patients
      with rectal cancer treated by neoadjuvant (NA) chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or NA
      chemotherapy only. METHODS: In this prospective randomized trial
      (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01211210; "FOWARC"), we included 102 men who received NA
      therapy for stage II-III rectal cancer between January 2011 and June 2013. Before
      surgery, patients received either NA mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy with radiation (RCS
      group, n = 54) or NA mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy alone (CS group, n = 48). Erectile and
      urinary dysfunctions were assessed with the five-item International Index of
      Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scale and the International Prostatic Symptom Score
      (IPSS), respectively. Questionnaires were completed at baseline and at 3, 6, and
      12 months (t0-t3, respectively) after surgery. RESULTS: At t3, mean IIEF-5 score
      was significant higher in the CS group (15.3 +/- 5.5) than in the RCS group (12.6
      +/- 5.7; P < 0.05). And score difference was statistically higher in RCS group
      compared with CS group at t2 and t3, especially t3 (9.3 +/- 5.5 vs. 6.1 +/- 5.1,
      P < 0.01). Univariate analysis of the RCS group's IIEF-5 scores associated age,
      stoma, location, and tumor size to erectile dysfunction. However, mean IPSS
      scores did not differ between the two groups at any point. CONCLUSIONS: Compared
      with the CS group, erectile and urinary functions were significantly affected by
      NA CRT. Age, stoma, tumor location, and tumor size were also correlated with
      erectile dysfunction in the RCS group.

PMID- 27270481
TI  - Monitoring urban growth by using segmentation-classification of multispectral
      Landsat images in Izmit, Turkey.
AB  - Assessing the spatial land use and land cover (LULC) information is essential for
      decision making and management of landscapes. In fact, LULC information has been
      changed dramatically in fast-growing cities. This results in wrong land use
      problems due to unplanned and uncontrolled urbanization. The planning and
      evaluating of limited natural resources under the pressure of a growing
      population can be possible when a precise land use management plan is
      established. Therefore, it is imperative to monitor continuous LULC changes for
      future planning. Remote sensing (RS) technique is used for determining changes in
      LULC in urban areas. In this study, we have focused on Izmit, which is one of a
      growing number of metropolitan cities where the impact of the spatial growing
      period on LULC has been assessed over the past 30 years by using RS data. We have
      utilized the segmentation process and supervised classification of Landsat
      satellite images for four different dates (1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015). The
      outcome of this research can be summarized by significant changes in the shares
      of urban areas and farmland LULC classes. The overall observed increase in urban
      area class is up to 2177 ha between 1985 and 2015 period and this dramatic change
      has resulted in the decline of 1211 ha of farmland. Another conclusion is that
      the new residential areas have been created to the north, south and east of Izmit
      during this period. 

PMID- 27270482
TI  - Effects of dredging at Aratu port in All Saints Bay, Brazil: monitoring the metal
      content in water and sediments.
AB  - This work reports the chemical monitoring of saline water and sediments at Aratu
      port, All Saints Bay, Brazil, when subjected to a deep dragging process (DDP)
      over a 2-year period (2010-2012). The aim of this work was to detect which metals
      had possible deleterious effects on the biota. It analyzed percentage of silt +
      clay and TOC and metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn) before,
      during, and after the DDP. The determination of metal concentration in sediments
      used the following techniques: atomic absorption spectrometer with flame, also
      with hydrate generation, and cold vapor spectrophotometry. The DDP disturbed the
      concentrations of metals in sediments and water, but 15 months after the DDP,
      only Cu and Zn were detectable on the bottom saline water, and 20 months after
      the DDP, only Zn was detectable in water. This fact indicates that these metals
      were longer available for absorption by the marine biota with probable
      deleterious effect. Indeed, studies by others during the DDP in Aratu port,
      indicated the decrease from 50 to 40 of the number of microalgae species
      identified. On the other hand, in the sediments, 20 months after the DDP, the
      concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Hg, returned to the original values, but Ni
      and Zn did not return to their original values. Comparison with studies by others
      indicated that the sediments from dredging were inappropriate for disposal at
      sea. This work indicated that the metals Cu, Ni, and Zn are the most deleterious
      elements to the marine environment. 

PMID- 27270483
TI  - Sources and seasonal variation of coliform bacteria abundance in groundwater
      around the slopes of Mount Meru, Arusha, Tanzania.
AB  - The quality of the groundwater along the slopes of Mount Meru, Tanzania, is
      poorly understood. Water access and sanitation practices may pose health risks to
      communities. This study was undertaken to assess the sources, abundance and
      seasonal variation of coliform bacteria in groundwater and factors contributing
      to such variations along slopes of Mount Meru, Tanzania. Water samples collected
      from 67 randomly selected water sources (springs, shallow wells which ranged from
      4 to 35 m deep and Boreholes above 40 m deep) during dry and wet seasons were
      analysed for total coliform (TC), faecal coliform (FC), Escherichia coli (E.
      coli) and faecal streptococci (FS), using the membrane filtration method. The
      fraction of springs and shallow wells contaminated was generally higher compared
      to the fraction of boreholes. The highest TC, FC, E. coli and FS counts were
      significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the wet than the dry season owing to
      rising of water table and leaching during rainy season. Water sources that were
      located within 10 m of pit latrines had the highest coliform counts relative to
      those located beyond 10 m. Similarly, the highest coliform counts were observed
      in all shallow wells that (i) had low well head above the ground, (ii) were not
      covered, (iii) had casing materials which were not concrete and (iv) utilised
      traditional pumping (bucket/pulley) systems. This was due to contaminated storm
      water access, inoculation of microbes by exposed buckets and inefficiency of the
      casing material. Furthermore, the counts decreased with depths of boreholes and
      shallow wells during the two seasons probably due to retention and die-off. It is
      recommended that groundwater in this area be treated against coliform
      contamination prior to utilisation as portable water. 

PMID- 27270484
TI  - Detecting the environmental impact of off-road vehicles on Rawdat Al Shams in
      central Saudi Arabia by remote sensing.
AB  - Off-road vehicles can have a devastating impact on vegetation and soil. Here, we
      sought to quantify, through a combination of field vegetation, bulk soil, and
      image analyses, the impact of off-road vehicles on the vegetation and soils of
      Rawdat Al Shams, which is located in central Saudi Arabia. Soil compaction
      density was measured in the field, and 27 soil samples were collected for bulk
      density analysis in the lab to quantify the impacts of off-road vehicles. High
      spatial resolution images, such as those obtained by the satellites GeoEye-1 and
      IKONOS-2, were used for surveying the damage to vegetation cover and soil
      compaction caused by these vehicles. Vegetation cover was mapped using the
      Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) technique based on high-resolution
      images taken at different times of the year. Vehicle trails were derived from
      satellite data via visual analysis. All damaged areas were determined from high
      resolution image data. In this study, we conducted quantitative analyses of
      vegetation cover change, the impacts of vehicle trails (hereafter "trail
      impacts"), and a bulk soil analysis. Image data showed that both vegetation cover
      and trail impacts increased from 2008 to 2015, with the average percentage of
      trail impacts nearly equal to that of the percentage of vegetation cover during
      this period. Forty-six species of plants were found to be present in the study
      area, consisting of all types of life forms, yet trees were represented by a
      single species, Acacia gerrardii. Herbs composed the largest share of plant life,
      with 29 species, followed by perennial herbs (12 species), grasses (5 species),
      and shrubs (3 species). Analysis of soil bulk density for Rawdat Al Shams showed
      that off-road driving greatly impacts soil density. Twenty-two plant species were
      observed on the trails, the majority of which were ephemerals. Notoceras bicorne
      was the most common, with a frequency rate of 93.33 %, an abundance value of
      78.47 %, and a density of 0.1 in transect 1, followed by Plantago ovata. 

PMID- 27270485
TI  - Spatial assessment and source identification of trace metal pollution in stream
      sediments of Oued El Maadene basin, northern Tunisia.
AB  - An extensive spatial survey was conducted on trace metal content in stream
      sediments from Oued El Maadene basin, northern Tunisia. Our objectives were to
      evaluate the level of trace metal pollution and associated ecological risk and
      identify the major sources of metal pollution. A total of 116 stream sediment
      samples were collected and analysed for total As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, and
      Zr concentrations. The results showed that concentrations of Cr, Ni, V, and Zr
      were close to natural levels. In contrast, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn had elevated
      concentrations and enrichment factors compared to other contaminated regions in
      northern Tunisia. Ecological risk to aquatic ecosystems was highlighted in most
      areas. Principal component analysis showed that Cr, Ni, V, and Zr mainly derived
      from local soil and bedrock weathering, whilst As, Cd, Pb, and Zn originated from
      mining wastes. Trace metals could be dispersed downstream of tailings, possibly
      due to surface runoff during the short rainy season. Surprisingly, Cu, and to a
      lesser extent As, originated from agricultural activities, related to application
      of Cu-based fungicides in former vineyards and orchards. This study showed that,
      despite the complete cessation of mining activities several decades ago, metal
      pollution still impacts the local environment. This large pollution, however, did
      not mask other additional sources, such as local agricultural applications of
      fungicides. 

PMID- 27270486
TI  - Nitrogen Chemistry and Coke Transformation of FCC Coked Catalyst during the
      Regeneration Process.
AB  - Regeneration of the coked catalyst is an important process of fluid catalytic
      cracking (FCC) in petroleum refining, however, this process will emit
      environmentally harmful gases such as nitrogen and carbon oxides. Transformation
      of N and C containing compounds in industrial FCC coke under thermal
      decomposition was investigated via TPD and TPO to examine the evolved gaseous
      species and TGA, NMR and XPS to analyse the residual coke fraction. Two distinct
      regions of gas evolution are observed during TPD for the first time, and they
      arise from decomposition of aliphatic carbons and aromatic carbons. Three types
      of N species, pyrrolic N, pyridinic N and quaternary N are identified in the FCC
      coke, the former one is unstable and tends to be decomposed into pyridinic and
      quaternary N. Mechanisms of NO, CO and CO2 evolution during TPD are proposed and
      lattice oxygen is suggested to be an important oxygen resource. Regeneration
      process indicates that coke-C tends to preferentially oxidise compared with coke
      N. Hence, new technology for promoting nitrogen-containing compounds conversion
      will benefit the in-situ reduction of NO by CO during FCC regeneration.

PMID- 27270487
TI  - Sex differences in response to miRNA-34a therapy in mouse models of cardiac
      disease: identification of sex-, disease- and treatment-regulated miRNAs.
AB  - KEY POINTS: MicroRNA (miRNA)-based therapies are in development for numerous
      diseases, including heart disease. Currently, very limited basic information is
      available on the regulation of specific miRNAs in male and female hearts in
      settings of disease. The identification of sex-specific miRNA signatures has
      implications for translation into the clinic and suggests the need for customised
      therapy. In the present study, we found that a miRNA-based treatment inhibiting
      miRNA-34a (miR-34a) was more effective in females in a setting of moderate
      dilated cardiomyopathy than in males. Furthermore, the treatment showed little
      benefit for either sex in a setting of more severe dilated cardiomyopathy
      associated with atrial fibrillation. The results highlight the importance of
      understanding the effect of miRNA-based therapies in cardiac disease settings in
      males and females. ABSTRACT: MicroRNA (miRNA)-34a (miR-34a) is elevated in the
      diseased heart in mice and humans. Previous studies have shown that inhibiting
      miR-34a in male mice in settings of pathological cardiac hypertrophy or ischaemia
      protects the heart against progression to heart failure. Whether inhibition of
      miR-34a protects the female heart is unknown. Furthermore, the therapeutic
      potential of silencing miR-34a in settings of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and
      atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been assessed previously. In the present study,
      we examined the effect of silencing miR-34a in males and females in (1) a model
      of moderate DCM and (2) a model of severe DCM with AF. The cardiac disease models
      were administered with a locked nucleic acid-modified oligonucleotide (LNA
      antimiR-34a) at 6-7 weeks of age when the models display cardiac dysfunction and
      conduction abnormalities. Cardiac function and morphology were measured 6 weeks
      after treatment. In the present study, we show that inhibition of miR-34a
      provides more protection in the DCM model in females than males. Disease
      prevention in LNA-antimiR-34a treated DCM female mice was characterized by
      attenuated heart enlargement and lung congestion, lower expression of cardiac
      stress genes (B-type natriuretic peptide, collagen gene expression), less cardiac
      fibrosis and better cardiac function. There was no evidence of significant
      protection in the severe DCM and AF model in either sex. Sex- and treatment
      dependent regulation of miRNAs was also identified in the diseased heart, and may
      explain the differential response of males and females. These studies highlight
      the importance of examining the impact of miRNA-based drugs in both sexes and
      under different disease conditions.

PMID- 27270489
TI  - The limits of public communication coordination in a nuclear emergency: lessons
      from media reporting on the Fukushima case.
AB  - Coordination of public communication has become a key issue in management of
      complex emergencies, and is a matter of debate between nuclear emergency
      management professionals. A particular problem is when inconsistent information
      is sent to the media and public by official sources from different levels, which
      has led to calls for a more coordinated approach. The IAEA created guidelines
      recommending a one-voice communication approach that provides clear, consistent
      and coordinated information by relevant stakeholders. The reviewed theory on the
      emergency communication coordination and the empirical results in this paper
      demonstrate some challenges regarding the feasibility of the above stated goal.
      This paper explores the communication process in the two-month period of the
      Fukushima nuclear emergency by using a quantitative comparative content and
      discourse analysis of 1340 printed media articles on the Fukushima nuclear
      disaster from two major newspapers in Spain ('El Pais' and 'El Mundo'), Italy
      ('Corriere della Sera' and 'La Repubblica'), Norway ('Aftenposten' and
      'Dagsavisen'), Slovenia ('Delo' and 'Vecer'), Belgium ('Le Soir' and 'De
      Standaard') and Russia ('Komsomolskaya Pravda' and 'Izvestiya'). The results show
      that it will be difficult to achieve a truly coordinated approach and one-voice
      communication in severe nuclear and radiological emergency due to the
      communication difficulties created by the dispersion of information sources, a
      broad and dispersed focus of the reported information, partially subjective and
      conflicting media reporting. The paper suggests ways to improve public
      communication coordination in nuclear and radiological disasters. 

PMID- 27270490
TI  - Anatomic variations of brachial and lumbosacral plexus models in different rat
      strains.
AB  - PURPOSE: Selection of an appropriate model for preclinical assessment of new
      methods of peripheral nerve injury management is crucial. This report presents
      anatomic variations within brachial and lumbosacral plexuses in three selected
      rat strains Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD), Lewis (LEW/SsNHsd), and
      Athymic Nude (Hsd:RH-Foxn1rnu ) rats. METHODS: Based on their strain eighteen
      rats were divided into three groups. A total of 90 brachial plexus nerves
      (axillary, musculocutaneous, median, ulnar, and radial nerves) and 72 lumbosacral
      plexus nerves (sciatic, tibial, common peroneal, and sural nerves) were analyzed
      for the length, diameter and correlation with the body weight. A detailed
      anatomic course of each nerve within the brachial and lumbosacral plexuses was
      outlined. RESULTS: The sural nerve was the longest nerve in all studied rat
      strains, whereas the sciatic nerve had the largest diameter. Comparison of all
      the nerves' length demonstrated that the Lewis rat sciatic and sural nerves were
      significantly shorter (P < 0.05). No significant differences in nerve diameters
      were found among the analyzed rat strain groups. Significant correlation was
      revealed between the length of sciatic nerve and the rats' weight, which is
      irrelevant to the rats' genetic background. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed
      that nerves' length within rat's brachial and lumbosacral plexus depends on the
      inter-individual variations within the rat strains rather than on the differences
      in the peripheral nerve development, which is inherent to the specific rat
      strain. Correlation between the nerve length and body weight, suggests that
      bigger rats should be considered for studies requiring access to the long nerves.
      (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:327-333, 2017.

PMID- 27270491
TI  - IRAK regulates macrophage foam cell formation by modulating genes involved in
      cholesterol uptake and efflux.
AB  - Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK1) is linked to the pathogenesis
      of atherosclerosis; however, its role in macrophage foam cell formation is not
      known. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of IRAK1 in lipid
      uptake, biosynthesis, and efflux in THP-1 derived macrophages and human monocyte
      derived macrophages (HMDMs). Ox-LDL (40 MUg/mL, 15 minutes-48 hours) treatment
      induced time-dependent increase in IRAK1, IRAK4, and Stat1 activation in THP-1
      derived macrophages. IRAK1/4 inhibitor (INH) or IRAK1 siRNA significantly
      attenuated cholesterol accumulation, DiI-Ox-LDL binding, and uptake while
      cholesterol efflux to apoAI and HDL was enhanced in THP-1 derived macrophages and
      HMDMs. Ox-LDL treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of CD36, LOX
      1, SR-A, ABCA1, ABCG1, Caveolin-1, CYP27A1 while that of SR-BI was decreased.
      IRAK1/4 inhibition or IRAK1 knockdown, however, attenuated Ox-LDL-induced CD36
      expression; augmented ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression while expression of others was
      unaffected in THP-1 derived macrophages and HMDMs. Moreover, IRAK1/4 inhibition
      had no significant effect on genes involved in lipid biosynthesis. In IRAK1/4 INH
      pre-treated THP-1 derived macrophages Ox-LDL-induced Stat1 phosphorylation and
      its binding to CD36 promoter was significantly attenuated while LXRalpha
      expression and its binding to the ABCA1/ABCG1 locus, NFATc2 activation and its
      binding to ABCA1 locus was enhanced. The present study thus demonstrates that
      IRAK regulates lipid accumulation by modulating CD36-mediated uptake and ABCA1-,
      ABCG1-dependent cholesterol efflux. Therefore, IRAK1 can be a potential target
      for preventing macrophage foam cell formation.

PMID- 27270488
TI  - SCN8A encephalopathy: Research progress and prospects.
AB  - On April 21, 2015, the first SCN8A Encephalopathy Research Group convened in
      Washington, DC, to assess current research into clinical and pathogenic features
      of the disorder and prepare an agenda for future research collaborations. The
      group comprised clinical and basic scientists and representatives of patient
      advocacy groups. SCN8A encephalopathy is a rare disorder caused by de novo
      missense mutations of the sodium channel gene SCN8A, which encodes the neuronal
      sodium channel Nav 1.6. Since the initial description in 2012, approximately 140
      affected individuals have been reported in publications or by SCN8A family
      groups. As a result, an understanding of the severe impact of SCN8A mutations is
      beginning to emerge. Defining a genetic epilepsy syndrome goes beyond
      identification of molecular etiology. Topics discussed at this meeting included
      (1) comparison between mutations of SCN8A and the SCN1A mutations in Dravet
      syndrome, (2) biophysical properties of the Nav 1.6 channel, (3)
      electrophysiologic effects of patient mutations on channel properties, (4) cell
      and animal models of SCN8A encephalopathy, (5) drug screening strategies, (6) the
      phenotypic spectrum of SCN8A encephalopathy, and (7) efforts to develop a
      bioregistry. A panel discussion of gaps in bioregistry, biobanking, and clinical
      outcomes data was followed by a planning session for improved integration of
      clinical and basic science research. Although SCN8A encephalopathy was identified
      only recently, there has been rapid progress in functional analysis and
      phenotypic classification. The focus is now shifting from identification of the
      underlying molecular cause to the development of strategies for drug screening
      and prioritized patient care.

PMID- 27270492
TI  - Erratum to: Mutant SOD1 protein increases Nav1.3 channel excitability.

PMID- 27270493
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27270494
TI  - The effectiveness of family-based treatment for full and partial adolescent
      anorexia nervosa in an independent private practice setting: Clinical outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric illness with little
      evidence supporting treatment in adults. Among adolescents with AN, family-based
      treatment (FBT) is considered first-line outpatient approach, with a growing
      evidence base. However, research on FBT has stemmed from specialist services in
      research/public health settings. This study investigated the effectiveness of FBT
      in a case series of adolescent AN treated in a private practice setting. METHOD:
      Thirty-four adolescents with full or partial AN, diagnosed according to DSM-IV
      criteria, participated, and were assessed at pretreatment and post-treatment.
      Assessments included change in % expected body weight, mood, and eating
      pathology. RESULTS: Significant weight gain was observed from pretreatment to
      post-treatment. 45.9% of the sample demonstrated full weight restoration and a
      further 43.2% achieved partial weight-based remission. Missing data precluded an
      examination of change in mood and ED psychopathology. DISCUSSION: Effective
      dissemination across different service types is important to the wider
      availability of evidence-based treatments. These weight restoration data lend
      preliminary support to the implementation of FBT in real world treatment
      settings. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:1023-1026).

PMID- 27270495
TI  - Isolation and characterization of primary bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells.
AB  - Bone marrow (BM) contains a rare population of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs),
      which have been characterized as nonhematopoietic skeletal progenitor cells with
      central importance for the hematopoietic microenvironment. Classically, MSCs are
      isolated by plastic adherence and subsequent culture. However, as cultured
      stromal cells differ from their in vivo progenitors, it is important to identify
      the phenotype of the primary MSCs to study these cells in more detail. In the
      past years, several surface markers have been reported to be suitable for
      effective enrichment of BM-MSCs, and recent data indicate that the putative MSC
      stem/progenitor cell population in human adult BM is highly enriched in Lin(-)
      CD45(-) CD271(+) CD140a (PDGFRalpha)(low/-) cells. Moreover, surface marker
      combinations have been described for the isolation of MSCs from murine BM. On the
      basis of these findings, the role of primary MSCs can now be studied in normal
      and, importantly, diseased BM. Furthermore, genetically engineered mouse models
      have been developed as powerful tools to investigate well-defined BM stromal cell
      populations in vivo. Our discussion aims to provide a concise overview of the
      current state of the art in BM-MSC isolation in humans and briefly present murine
      MSC isolation approaches and genetic models.

PMID- 27270496
TI  - Role of CSF3R mutations in the pathomechanism of congenital neutropenia and
      secondary acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Acquired mutations in the intracellular part of CSF3R (colony stimulating factor
      3 receptor, granulocyte) have been detected with a frequency of more than 30% in
      severe congenital neutropenia (CN) patients. CN is a preleukemic syndrome with a
      risk of approximately 20% to develop leukemia. More than 80% of CN patients who
      develop acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome reveal CSF3R
      mutations, suggesting that they are involved in leukemogenesis. Using deep
      sequencing technology, we were able to analyze large cohorts of CN patients for
      the entire CSF3R sequence as well as to identify cell clones carrying mutations
      in the intracellular part of CSF3R with very high sensitivity. Acquisition of
      CSF3R mutations is a CN-specific phenomenon and is associated with inherited
      mutations causing CN or cyclic neutropenia, such as ELANE mutations. In the group
      of CN patients negative for known germ-line mutations, biallelic CSF3R mutations
      were identified. In addition, CSF3R mutant clones are highly dynamic and may
      disappear and reappear during continuous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G
      CSF) therapy. The time between the first detection of CSF3R mutations and overt
      leukemia is highly variable.

PMID- 27270498
TI  - Observational data: Understanding the real MS world.
AB  - Randomised clinical trials are the primary source of evidence, guiding the use of
      disease-modifying drugs in multiple sclerosis. However, the spectrum of questions
      that can be answered in the trial setting is relatively narrow. 'Real-world'
      observational data analysis has always been the major source of evidence for
      epidemiology, aetiology, outcomes and prognostics, but is now also increasingly
      used to study treatment effectiveness. While analyses of observational cohorts
      typically offer superior power, generalisability and duration of follow-up
      relative to prospective randomised trials, they are also subject to multiple
      biases. It is the role of researchers to mitigate bias and to ensure the results
      of observational studies are robust and valid. In this review of observational
      data research, we provide an overview of the inherent biases, the available
      mitigation strategies, and the state and direction of contemporary treatment
      outcomes research. The review will help clinicians critically appraise published
      results of observational studies.

PMID- 27270497
TI  - Altered intestinal permeability in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple
      sclerosis: A pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alterations of intestinal permeability (IP) may contribute to the
      pathophysiology of immune-mediated diseases. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the
      possible association between IP changes and multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: We
      studied 22 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and 18 age
      and sex-matched healthy donors (HDs), including five twin pairs (one concordant,
      and four discordant for disease). Measurement of lactulose (L) and mannitol (M;
      two non-metabolized sugars) levels in urine samples, after an oral load, allowed
      to quantify gut dysfunction. RESULTS: The proportion of participants with
      increased IP was significantly higher in patients than in HDs (16/22 (73%) versus
      5/18 (28%); p = 0.001). Accordingly, the L/M urinary ratio showed significantly
      higher values in patients than in controls ( p = 0.0284). Urinary mannitol
      concentration was significantly lower in patients than in controls ( p = 0.022),
      suggesting a deficit of absorption from intestinal lumen. Such changes did not
      appear related to patients' clinical-radiological features. CONCLUSION: The
      relatively high proportion of IP changes in RR-MS patients seems to confirm our
      work hypothesis and warrants more work to confirm the result on a larger sample,
      and to understand the implications for related immunological disturbances and
      intestinal microbiota alterations. Our finding may also have relevance for oral
      treatments, recently introduced in clinical practice.

PMID- 27270500
TI  - Bariatric surgery as an option for diabetes mellitus prevention and treatment in
      obese persons.
AB  - Bariatric surgery has been found to be very useful in treating established type-2
      diabetes in obese persons, as well as in borderline diabetics, besides giving a
      good weight loss. Various modifications of the primary bariatric procedures have
      been introduced, with differ advantages and better efficacy. Good incretin
      responses from the distal gut give the best results and combining medical
      treatment are helping patients to get very good glycemic control over a longer
      term. 

PMID- 27270499
TI  - Effect of Metoclopramide on the Incidence of Early Postoperative Aspiration
      Pneumonia in Dogs with Acquired Idiopathic Laryngeal Paralysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of a perioperative intravenous continuous rate
      infusion (CRI) of metoclopramide on the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in the
      short term postoperative period in dogs undergoing unilateral arytenoid
      lateralization. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, multi-center clinical
      trial. ANIMALS: 61 client-owned dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis and
      normal preoperative thoracic radiographs. METHODS: All dogs underwent unilateral
      arytenoid lateralization with a uniform anesthetic, analgesic, and management
      protocol. Dogs in the treatment group received an intravenous CRI of
      metoclopramide for 24 hours perioperative. All dogs were assessed for clinical
      signs of aspiration pneumonia based on the results of physical examination and
      owner interview up to the point of suture removal (10-14 days postoperative). Any
      dog with suspected aspiration pneumonia had thoracic radiographs performed.
      RESULTS: Six dogs developed aspiration pneumonia in the short term postoperative
      period (2/28 control dogs and 4/33 treated dogs), accounting for an overall
      frequency of 10% with no significant difference between control and treated dogs.
      No variables measured in the study were significantly different between control
      and treated dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative metoclopramide, at the doses used in
      this study, did not affect the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in the short
      term postoperative period in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis undergoing
      unilateral arytenoid lateralization.

PMID- 27270501
TI  - Association of leptin with orthostatic blood pressure changes in Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Leptin is involved in the regulation of blood pressure; however, no
      studies have evaluated the role of leptin in blood pressure changes during
      orthostatic stress in PD patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether
      plasma leptin levels influence orthostatic blood pressure changes in PD patients.
      METHODS: We enrolled 55 patients and 25 age-matched healthy controls in this
      study. Associations between head-up tilt test measurements and leptin levels were
      evaluated. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure changes during the head-up tilt tests
      were strongly correlated with leptin levels at baseline and at a 60-degree head
      up tilt in PD patients, but not in control subjects. Multiple regression analysis
      also demonstrated that leptin levels were associated with orthostatic blood
      pressure changes. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that low leptin levels
      may be associated with orthostatic hypotension during the head-up tilt test in
      patients with PD. (c) 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

PMID- 27270503
TI  - Acinetobacter baumannii: biology and drug resistance - role of carbapenemases.
AB  - Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative, glucose-non-fermenting, oxidase
      negative coccobacillus, most commonly associated with the hospital settings. The
      ability to survive in adverse environmental conditions as well as high level of
      natural and acquired antimicrobial resistance make A. baumannii one of the most
      important nosocomial pathogens. While carbapenems have long been considered as
      antimicrobials of last-resort, the rates of clinical A. baumannii strains
      resistant to these antibiotics are increasing worldwide. Carbapenem resistance
      among A. baumannii is conferred by coexisting mechanisms including: decrease in
      permeability of the outer membrane, efflux pumps, production of beta-lactamases,
      and modification of penicillin-binding proteins. The most prevalent mechanism of
      carbapenem resistance among A. baumannii is associated with carbapenem-hydro
      lysing enzymes that belong to Ambler class D and B beta-lactamases. In addition,
      there have also been reports of resistance mediated by selected Ambler class A
      carbapenemases among A. baumannii strains. Resistance determinants in A.
      baumannii are located on chromosome and plasmids, while acquisition of new
      mechanisms can be mediated by insertion sequences, integrons, transposons, and
      plasmids. Clinical relevance of carbapen-em resistance among strains isolated
      from infected patients, carriers and hospital environment underlines the need for
      carbapenemase screening. Currently available methods vary in principle, accuracy
      and efficiency. The techniques that deserve particular attention belong to both
      easily accessible unsophisticated methods as well as advanced techniques based on
      mass spectrometry or molecular biology. While carbapenemases limit the
      therapeutic options in A. baumannii infections, studies concerning novel beta
      lactamase inhibitors offer a new insight into effective therapy.

PMID- 27270502
TI  - Kif14 overexpression accelerates murine retinoblastoma development.
AB  - The mitotic kinesin KIF14 has an essential role in the recruitment of proteins
      required for the final stages of cytokinesis. Genomic gain and/or overexpression
      of KIF14 has been documented in retinoblastoma and a number of other cancers,
      such as breast, lung and ovarian carcinomas, strongly suggesting its role as an
      oncogene. Despite evidence of oncogenic properties in vitro and in xenografts,
      Kif14's role in tumor progression has not previously been studied in a transgenic
      cancer model. Using a novel Kif14 overexpressing, simian virus 40 large T-antigen
      retinoblastoma (TAg-RB) double transgenic mouse model, we aimed to determine
      Kif14's role in promoting retinal tumor formation. Tumor initiation and
      development in double transgenics and control TAg-RB littermates were documented
      in vivo over a time course by optical coherence tomography, with subsequent ex
      vivo quantification of tumor burden. Kif14 overexpression led to an accelerated
      initiation of tumor formation in the TAg-RB model and a significantly decreased
      tumor doubling time (1.8 vs. 2.9 weeks). Moreover, overall percentage tumor
      burden was also increased by Kif14 overexpression. These data provide the first
      evidence that Kif14 can promote tumor formation in susceptible cells in vivo.

PMID- 27270504
TI  - The influence of anti-TNF therapy on CD31 and VEGF expression in colonic mucosa
      of Crohn's disease patients in relation to mucosal healing.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Immune-mediated angiogenesis may play an important role in the
      pathogenesis of inflammatory lesions in Crohn's disease (CD). The study aimed to
      assess the influence of anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy on the
      angiogenesis in relation to microscopic and endoscopic healing in CD patients.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Colonic tissue samples from 17 CD patients were taken
      during colonoscopy before and after anti-TNF therapy. Endoscopic and microscopic
      severities were estimated using validated scores. Immunohistochemical expression
      of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed in parallel.
      RESULTS: The expression of CD31 and VEGF decreased significantly after the anti
      TNF therapy in parallel to endoscopic improvement; however, the microscopic
      activity did not change significantly. There was a correlation between the change
      in CD31 and VEGF expression (p = 0.01; r = 0.6), as well as endoscopic healing (p
      = 0.04; r = 0.4). CD31 immunoexpression correlated with the number of poly- and
      mononuclear cells in the infiltrates in the mucosal lamina propria before the
      therapy (p = 0.02; r = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that modulation of vascular
      proliferation can be a novel option to increase the efficacy of biological
      therapy in CD.

PMID- 27270505
TI  - In vitro culture of primary human myoblasts by using the dextran microcarriers
      Cytodex3(r).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Primary cells in vitro culture scale-up is a crucial issue in cell
      based tissue and organ regeneration therapy. Reducing costs and space occupied by
      the cells cultured in vitro has been an important target. Cells cultured in vitro
      with the use of bioreactor with dextran microcarriers (Cytodex(r)) have
      potentially a chance to meet many of the cell therapy requirements. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: We used collagen-coated carriers (Cytodex3(r)) and a spinner flask
      bioreactor to develop environment suitable for human myoblast proliferation. In
      parallel, standard adherent in vitro culture conditions for myoblasts propagation
      (T-flask) were conducted. Cell cycle characterization, senescence, myogenic gene
      ex-pression and cell apoptosis were evaluated in order to find differences
      between two culture systems under study. RESULTS: The number of cells obtained in
      bioreactor per 106 of starting cells population was approximately ten times lower
      in comparison with T-flask culture system. The microcarriers cultured adult
      myoblasts in compari-son with the regular T-flask culture showed faster and more
      advanced replicative aging and lower proliferative potential. Moreover, the
      percentage of the cells that entailed an irreversible cell arrest (G0 phase) was
      also significantly (p < 0.0001) increased. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that
      population of primary human myoblasts obtained from adult individuals and
      propagated on dextran microcarriers did not meet the requirements of the
      regenerative medicine regarding quantity and quality of the cells obtained.
      Nonetheless, further optimization of the cell scaling up process including both
      microcarriers and/or bioreactor program is still an important option.

PMID- 27270506
TI  - Anticipatory Manoeuvres in Bird Flight.
AB  - It is essential for birds to be agile and aware of their immediate environment,
      especially when flying through dense foliage. To investigate the type of visual
      signals and strategies used by birds while negotiating cluttered environments, we
      presented budgerigars with vertically oriented apertures of different widths. We
      find that, when flying through narrow apertures, birds execute their maneuvers in
      an anticipatory fashion, with wing closures, if necessary, occurring well in
      advance of the aperture. When passing through an aperture that is narrower than
      the wingspan, the birds close their wings at a specific, constant distance before
      the aperture, which is independent of aperture width. In these cases, the birds
      also fly significantly higher, possibly pre-compensating for the drop in
      altitude. The speed of approach is largely constant, and independent of the width
      of the aperture. The constancy of the approach speed suggests a simple means by
      which optic flow can be used to gauge the distance and width of the aperture, and
      guide wing closure.

PMID- 27270508
TI  - Management of a new pregnancy in a woman with chronic hypertension.

PMID- 27270507
TI  - Genetic variations associated with six-white-point coat pigmentation in Diannan
      small-ear pigs.
AB  - A common phenotypic difference among domestic animals is variation in coat color.
      Six-white-point is a pigmentation pattern observed in varying pig breeds, which
      seems to have evolved through several different mechanistic pathways. Herein, we
      re-sequenced whole genomes of 31 Diannan small-ear pigs from China and found that
      the six-white-point coat color in Diannan small-ear pigs is likely regulated by
      polygenic loci, rather than by the MC1R locus. Strong associations were observed
      at three loci (EDNRB, CNTLN, and PINK1), which explain about 20 percent of the
      total coat color variance in the Diannan small-ear pigs. We found a mutation that
      is highly differentiated between six-white-point and black Diannan small-ear
      pigs, which is located in a conserved noncoding sequence upstream of the EDNRB
      gene and is a putative binding site of the CEBPB protein. This study advances our
      understanding of coat color evolution in Diannan small-ear pigs and expands our
      traditional knowledge of coat color being a monogenic trait.

PMID- 27270509
TI  - Development of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' Rectal Cancer
      Surgery Checklist.

PMID- 27270510
TI  - Clinical Practice Guidelines for Colon Volvulus and Acute Colonic Pseudo
      Obstruction.

PMID- 27270511
TI  - Development of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' Rectal Cancer
      Surgery Checklist.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is excellent evidence that surgical safety checklists
      contribute to decreased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this
      study was to develop a surgical checklist composed of the key phases of care for
      patients with rectal cancer. DESIGN: A consensus-oriented decision-making model
      involving iterative input from subject matter experts under the auspices of The
      American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons was designed. SETTINGS: The study
      was conducted through meetings and discussion to consensus. PATIENTS: Patient
      data were extracted from an initial literature review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The
      checklist was measured by its ability to improve care in complex rectal surgery
      cases by reducing the possibility of omission through the division of treatment
      into 3 distinct phases. RESULTS: The process generated a 25-item checklist
      covering the spectrum of care for patients with rectal cancer who were undergoing
      surgery. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its lack of prospective
      validation. CONCLUSIONS: The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons rectal
      cancer surgery checklist is composed of the essential elements of preoperative,
      intraoperative, and postoperative care that must be addressed during the surgical
      treatment of patients with rectal cancer.

PMID- 27270512
TI  - Robot-Assisted Abdominoperineal Resection: Clinical, Pathologic, and Oncologic
      Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The extralevator approach to abdominoperineal resection is associated
      with a decreased incidence of rectal perforation and circumferential resection
      margin positivity translating to lower recurrence rates. The abdominoperineal
      resection, as such, is an operation associated with poorer outcomes in comparison
      with low anterior resections, and any improvements in short-term outcomes are
      likely to be related to surgical technique. Robot assistance in extralevator
      abdominoperineal resection has shown improvement in these pathologic outcomes.
      Because these are surrogate markers for local recurrence and disease-free
      survival, long-term survival data are needed to assess the efficacy of this robot
      assisted technique, exclusively in a dedicated abdominoperineal resection cohort.
      OBJECTIVE: We assessed the perioperative, pathologic, and oncologic outcomes of
      the robot-assisted extralevator abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer.
      DESIGN: This study was a review of a prospective database of patients over a 5
      year period. SETTING: Procedures were performed in the colorectal division of a
      tertiary hospital from April 2007 to July 2012. PATIENTS: Patients with rectal
      cancer were operated on robotically. Indications for abdominoperineal resection
      were low rectal cancers invading the sphincter complex or location in the anal
      canal precluding anastomosis. INTERVENTIONS: All patients received a robot
      assisted extralevator abdominoperineal resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Operative and perioperative measures, pathologic outcomes, and disease-free
      survival and overall survival were documented and assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-two
      patients (15 men) with a mean age of 65.5 years and mean BMI of 28.6 kg/m
      underwent robotic abdominoperineal resection. Circumferential resection margin
      was positive in 13.6%. There was 1 tumor/rectal perforation. At a mean follow-up
      of 33.9 months, overall survival was 81.8% with a disease-free survival of 72.7%.
      Local recurrence was 4.5%. LIMITATIONS: This was a single-institution study with
      no comparative open or laparoscopic group. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted
      abdominoperineal resection is safe, feasible, and oncologically sound with short
      term and long-term outcomes comparable to open and laparoscopic surgery.

PMID- 27270513
TI  - Intraperitoneal-Free Cancer Cells Represent a Major Prognostic Factor in
      Colorectal Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intraperitoneal-free cancer cells are considered as an important
      prognostic tool in gastric and ovarian cancer. However, their significance in
      colorectal cancer remains more controversial. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to
      determine the role of intraperitoneal-free cancer cells as a prognostic tool in
      the outcome in colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis treated with curative intent
      by complete cytoreductive surgery. DESIGN: This study is an analysis of a
      prospectively maintained database. PATIENTS: Between 1991 and 2012, all patients
      treated in a single institution for colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis by
      complete cytoreductive surgery with peritoneal cytology available were evaluated.
      Peritoneal cytology was stained in the conventional way (May Grumwald Giemsa).
      RESULTS: Among a population of 162 patients treated for colorectal peritoneal
      carcinomatosis by complete cytoreductive surgery, 38 presented positive
      intraperitoneal-free cancer cells (23.5%). Systemic chemotherapy was administered
      to 135 patients (85%) during the preoperative course. Median follow-up was 34.5
      months. Median overall survival was 19 and 44 months for positive and negative
      intraperitoneal-free cancer cells (p = 0.018). In multivariate analysis,
      Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index and positive intraperitoneal-free cancer cells
      were significant prognostic factors of overall survival (HR, 2.3 (1.18-4.52), p =
      0.014; HR, 1.9 (1.08-3.38), p = 0.027). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective analysis and
      the long period were limitations of study. CONCLUSION: Along with the Peritoneal
      Carcinomatosis Index, intraperitoneal-free cancer cells are a strong prognostic
      factor for patients treated with curative intent for colorectal peritoneal
      carcinomatosis by complete cytoreductive surgery. The presence of intraperitoneal
      free cancer cells should lead to the consideration of different treatment
      strategies such as extensive intraperitoneal lavage, targeted intraperitoneal
      therapies, or repeated intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

PMID- 27270514
TI  - National Early Rectal Cancer Treatment Revisited.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment of early stage rectal cancer has excellent oncological
      results. To reduce treatment-related mortality and morbidity and improve
      functional results, a focus on local resections is increasingly important.
      OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes after transanal
      endoscopic microsurgery and total mesorectal excision for early stage rectal
      cancer (T1 + T2) in Norway. DESIGN: This was an observational study based on
      prospective data from the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Registry. SETTINGS: The
      study was conducted as a national, population-based study. PATIENTS: All 543
      patients with T1 and 1593 patients with T2 rectal cancer without distant
      metastases that was treated by transanal endoscopic microsurgery or total
      mesorectal excision without radiochemotherapy during 2000-2009 were included.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were 5-year relative survival and 5
      year local recurrence rate. RESULTS: Among 543 patients with T1 cancer, the 5
      year overall survival rate was 65.3% after transanal endoscopic microsurgery
      versus 81.5% after total mesorectal excision (p = 0.012). Adjusted for age and
      sex there was no excess mortality for transanal endoscopic microsurgery (HR =
      1.28 (95% CI, 0.8-1.9); p = 0.22). The 5-year relative survival rate was 96.8%
      after transanal endoscopic microsurgery versus 98.2% after total mesorectal
      excision (p = 0.603), and the 5-year local recurrence rate was 14.5% versus 1.4%
      (p < 0.001). Among 1593 patients with T2 cancer, 5-year overall survival was
      42.1% versus 76.1% (p < 0.001), 5-year relative survival was 65.4% versus 93.9%
      (p < 0.001), and 5 year local recurrence rate was 11.4% versus 4.4% in the 2
      groups. LIMITATIONS: The study is limited by its observational design and that
      the 2 groups were different according to patient and tumor characteristics.
      Another limitation was the low number of transanal endoscopic microsurgery
      procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery had comparable 5-year
      relative survival to total mesorectal excision in T1 rectal cancer but inferior 5
      year relative survival in T2 rectal cancer. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery was
      associated with higher local recurrence rates for both T1 and T2 tumors.

PMID- 27270515
TI  - Operative Method for Transverse Colon Carcinoma: Transverse Colectomy Versus
      Extended Colectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The type of surgery performed for primary transverse colon cancer
      varies based on tumor characteristics and surgeon perspective. The optimal
      oncological outcome following different surgical options has not been clearly
      established, and transverse colectomy has shown oncological equivalence only in
      small cohort studies. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare long-term oncological
      outcomes after transverse colectomy versus extended resection for transverse
      colon cancer. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective review of prospectively
      collected data. SETTING: This study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital.
      METHOD: All patients treated for transverse colon cancer at the Samsung Medical
      Center between 1995 and 2013 were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Oncological
      outcomes were compared between 2 groups of patients: a transverse colectomy group
      and an extended colectomy group (which included extended right hemicolectomy and
      left hemicolectomy). RESULTS: A total of 1066 patients were included, of whom 750
      (70.4%) underwent extended right hemicolectomy, 127 (11.9%) underwent transverse
      colectomy, and 189 (17.7%) underwent left hemicolectomy. According to univariate
      analysis, surgical approach, histological type, tumor morphology, cancer T and N
      stage, cancer size, and lymphovascular invasion were significant factors
      contributing to disease-free survival (DFS). However, as seen in multivariate
      analysis, only node-positive disease (HR = 2.035 (1.188-3.484)), tumors with
      ulcerative morphology (HR = 3.643 (1.132-11.725)), and the presence of vascular
      invasion (HR = 2.569 (1.455-4.538)) were significant factors for DFS. Further
      analysis with a propensity-matched cohort between the transverse and extended
      colectomy groups demonstrated no significant differences in DFS and overall
      survival. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited because it was performed at a
      single institution and it was retrospective in nature. CONCLUSION: In terms of
      perioperative and oncological outcomes, transverse colectomy and extended
      colectomy did not differ despite a shorter specimen length and fewer lymph nodes
      harvested in the transverse colectomy group. Independent prognostic factors for
      DFS were node-positive disease, the presence of vascular invasion, and ulcerative
      morphology.

PMID- 27270516
TI  - Dual-Energy CT of Rectal Cancer Specimens: A CT-based Method for Mesorectal Lymph
      Node Characterization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An accurate method to assess malignant lymph nodes in the mesorectum
      is needed. Dual-energy CT scans simultaneously with 2 levels of energy and
      thereby provides information about tissue composition based on the known
      effective Z value of different tissues. Each point investigated is represented by
      a certain effective Z value, which allows for information on its composition.
      OBJECTIVE: We wanted to standardize a method for dual-energy scanning of rectal
      specimens to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of benign versus malignant
      lymph node differentiation. Histopathological evaluation of the nodes was our
      reference. DESIGN: This was a descriptive and prospective study. SETTINGS:
      Seventeen rectal specimens were examined in 2 series. The first series was
      conducted with 3 specimens from patients who were not given perioperative
      contrast; 3 had iodine-based contrast and 3 had gadolinium-based contrast. We
      concluded that iodine was the contrast agent of choice and therefore included 8
      more patients in a second series, given iodine-based contrast, for further
      analysis. PATIENTS: Quantitative imaging data were collected from 197 individual
      lymph nodes from 17 specimens, from patients with rectal cancer. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: We measured accuracy of differentiating benign from malignant lymph
      nodes by investigating the following: 1) gadolinium, iodine, and water
      concentrations in lymph nodes; 2) dual-energy ratio; 3) dual-energy index; and 4)
      effective Z value. RESULTS: Optimal discriminations between benign and malignant
      lymph nodes were obtained using the following cutoff values: 1) effective Z at
      7.58 (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 90%; and accuracy, 93%), 2) dual-energy
      ratio at 1.0 * 10 (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 87%; and accuracy, 90%), 3)
      dual-energy index at 0.03 (sensitivity, 97%; specificity, 88%; and accuracy,
      91%), and 4) iodine concentration at 2.58 MUg/mL (sensitivity, 86%; specificity,
      92%; and accuracy, 89%). LIMITATIONS: The investigation is conducted on isolated
      surgical specimens from rectal cancer operations. CONCLUSIONS: Dual-energy CT can
      be performed on rectal specimens. The discrimination between benign and malignant
      nodes seems promising when using iodine as contrast.

PMID- 27270517
TI  - Diverticular Abscess Managed With Long-term Definitive Nonoperative Intent Is
      Safe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Initial nonoperative management of diverticular abscess has become
      the standard of care; however, the need for elective resection after this index
      episode is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the long
      term outcomes of expectant management after initial nonoperative treatment of
      diverticular abscess. DESIGN: This was a retrospective chart review with
      prospective telephone follow-up of patients. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at
      a large tertiary academic colorectal surgery practice in Canada. PATIENTS: Adult
      patients with CT-documented acute sigmoid diverticulitis complicated by abscess
      managed nonoperatively from 2000 to 2013 were included. INTERVENTIONS: Long-term
      definitive nonoperative management of diverticular abscess. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: The primary outcome was emergency sigmoidectomy or death from recurrent
      diverticulitis. Secondary outcomes were recurrent diverticulitis and elective
      sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis. RESULTS: Of 135 patients with acute
      diverticulitis complicated by abscess, a total of 73 patients were managed with
      nonoperative intent and long-term expectant management. The median follow-up was
      62 (Q1 to Q3: 28-98) months. After resolution of the index episode, 22 patients
      [30.1% (95% CI, 19.6%-40.6%)] experienced a recurrent episode of diverticulitis
      at a median of 23 (range, 9-40) months. Two patients [2.7% (95% CI, -1.0% to
      6.4%)] had a recurrent episode with peritonitis that required sigmoidectomy with
      stoma at 6 and 64 months. Both patients underwent reversal after 4 and 8 months.
      Seven [9.6% (95% CI, 2.8%-16.4%)] patients experienced a complicated recurrence
      and underwent an elective sigmoidectomy [median time to colectomy, 33 (range, 16
      56) months]. Thirteen patients [17.8% (95% CI, 9.0%-26.6%)] experienced an
      uncomplicated recurrence, all of whom were managed with continued nonoperative
      intent [median follow-up, 81 (range, 34-115) months]. No mortality occurred. On
      multivariate logistic regression, female gender (p = 0.048) and a previous
      episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis before the index diverticular abscess (p
      = 0.020) were associated with a recurrent episode. LIMITATIONS: This study was
      limited by its retrospective design and modest sample size. CONCLUSIONS: After
      initial successful nonoperative management of diverticulitis with abscess,
      expectant management with nonoperative intent is a safe long-term option with low
      rates of surgery, especially in the emergency setting. See Video, Supplemental
      Digital Content 1, on the nonoperative management of diverticular abscess at
      http://links.lww.com/DCR/A234.

PMID- 27270518
TI  - Do Appendicitis and Diverticulitis Share a Common Pathological Link?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association
      between appendicitis and diverticulitis. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective
      cohort analysis. SETTING: This study was conducted in a subspecialty practice at
      a tertiary care facility. PATIENTS: We examined the rate of appendectomy among 4
      cohorts of patients: 1) patients with incidentally identified diverticulosis on
      screening colonoscopy, 2) inpatients with medically treated diverticulitis, 3)
      patients who underwent left-sided colectomy for diverticulitis, and 4) patients
      who underwent colectomy for left-sided colorectal cancer. INTERVENTIONS: There
      were no interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measured was
      the appendectomy rate. RESULTS: We studied a total of 928 patients in this study.
      There were no differences in the patient characteristics of smoking status,
      nonsteroidal use, or history of irritable bowel syndrome across the 4 study
      groups. Patients with surgically treated diverticulitis had significantly more
      episodes of diverticulitis (2.8 +/- 1.9) than the medically treated group (1.4 +/
      0.8) (p < 0.0001). The rate of appendectomy was 8.2% for the diverticulosis
      control group, 13.5% in the cancer group, 23.5% in the medically treated
      diverticulitis group, and 24.5% in the surgically treated diverticulitis group (p
      < 0.0001). After adjusting for demographics and other clinical risk factors,
      patients with diverticulitis had 2.8 times higher odds of previous appendectomy
      (p < 0.001) than the control groups. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective study design
      is associated with selection, documentation, and recall bias. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      data reveal significantly higher appendectomy rates in patients with a diagnosis
      of diverticulitis, medically or surgically managed, in comparison with patients
      with incidentally identified diverticulosis. Therefore, we propose that
      appendicitis and diverticulitis share similar risk factors and potentially a
      common pathological link.

PMID- 27270519
TI  - Colorectal Surgery Outcomes in Chronic Dialysis Patients: An American College of
      Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than 450,000 US patients with end-stage renal disease currently
      dialyze. The risk of morbidity and mortality for these patients after colorectal
      surgery has been incompletely described. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the 30-day
      morbidity and mortality rates of chronic dialysis patients who underwent
      colorectal surgery. DESIGN: This was a retrospective analysis. SETTINGS:
      Hospitals that participate in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical
      Quality Improvement Program were included. PATIENTS: The study included adult
      patients who underwent emergency or elective colon or rectal resection between
      2009 and 2014. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline characteristics were compared by
      dialysis status. The impact of chronic dialysis on 30-day mortality and serious
      postoperative morbidity was examined using multivariate logistic regression.
      RESULTS: We identified 128,757 patients who underwent colorectal surgery in the
      American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program
      database. Chronic dialysis patients accounted for 1% (n = 1285) and were more
      likely to be older (65.4 vs 63.2 years; p < 0.0001), black (27.2% vs 8.7%; p <
      0.0001), preoperatively septic (22.1% vs 7.1%; p < 0.0001), require emergency
      surgery (52.0% vs 14.7%; p < 0.0001), have ischemic bowel (15.7% vs 1.6%; p <
      0.0001), or have perforation/peritonitis (15.5% vs 4.2%; p < 0.0001). Chronic
      dialysis patients were also less likely to have a laparoscopic procedure (17.3%
      vs 45.0%; p < 0.0001). Chronic dialysis patients had higher unadjusted mortality
      (22.4% vs 3.3%; p < 0.0001), serious postoperative morbidity (47.9% vs 18.8%; p <
      0.0001), and median length of stay (9 vs 6 days; p < 0.0001). In emergent cases
      (n = 19,375), multivariate logistic regression models demonstrated a higher risk
      of mortality for dialysis patients (OR = 1.73 (95% CI, 1.38-2.16)) but not for
      serious morbidity. Models for elective surgery demonstrated a similar effect on
      mortality (OR = 2.47 (95% CI, 1.75-3.50)) but also demonstrated a higher risk of
      serious morbidity (OR = 1.28 (95% CI, 1.04-1.56)). LIMITATIONS: The postoperative
      30-day window may underestimate the true incidence of serious morbidity and
      mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic dialysis patients undergoing elective or emergent
      colorectal procedures have a higher risk-adjusted mortality.

PMID- 27270521
TI  - Patient Comorbidity and Serious Adverse Events after Outpatient Colonoscopy:
      Population-based Study From Three States, 2006 to 2009.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Serious GI adverse events in the outpatient setting
      were examined for patients with a full spectrum of comorbid conditions and
      combinations of multiple comorbidities. DESIGN: This is a retrospective follow-up
      study. SETTING: Ambulatory surgery and hospital discharge data sets from
      California, Florida, and New York, 2006 to 2009, were used. PATIENTS: The
      outpatient colonoscopies of 4,234,084 adults aged 19 to 85 and over and payers
      were examined. MAIN OUTCOME: Thirty-day hospitalizations due to colonic
      perforations and GI bleeding, measured as cumulative outcomes, were investigated.
      RESULTS: About 24% of patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy had a comorbid
      condition. In comparison with patients without comorbidities, the adjusted risks
      of adverse events were greater for patients with several single comorbidities and
      combinations of multiple comorbid conditions. Elderly patients and those treated
      in freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Centers had higher odds of colonic
      perforations and GI bleeding than younger patients and patients treated in
      hospital outpatient departments. LIMITATION: The study was constrained by
      limitations inherent in administrative data. CONCLUSIONS: Given the large number
      of outpatient colonoscopies performed in the United States, these procedures
      should be provided with caution to patients with chronic and multiple
      comorbidities and the elderly, because these populations are associated with
      higher rates of colonic perforations and GI bleeding.

PMID- 27270520
TI  - Should Immunomodulation Therapy Alter the Surgical Management in Patients With
      Rectovaginal Fistula and Crohn's Disease?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease is challenging for both
      healthcare providers and patients. The impact of immunomodulation therapy on
      healing after surgery is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      examine whether immunomodulation therapy impacts healing after surgery for
      rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease. DESIGN: This was a retrospective
      analysis with a follow-up telephone survey. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at
      two major tertiary referral centers. PATIENTS: All of the patients who underwent
      rectovaginal fistula repair from 1997 to 2013 at our centers were included. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: A chi test and logistical regression analysis were used to
      study treatment outcomes according to type of procedure, recent use of
      immunosuppressives, and number of previous attempted repairs. Age, BMI, smoking,
      comorbidities, previous vaginal delivery/obstetric injury, use of probiotics,
      diverting stoma, and use of seton were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 120
      (62%) patients were contacted, and 99 (51%) of them agreed to participate in the
      study. Mean follow-up after surgical repair was 39 months. Procedures included
      advancement flap (n = 59), transvaginal repair (n = 14), muscle interposition (n
      = 14), episioproctotomy (n = 6), sphincteroplasty (n = 3), and other (n = 3);
      overall, 63% of patients experienced healing. Sixty-eight patients underwent
      recent immunomodulation therapy but did not exhibit statistical significance in
      outcome after surgical repair. In the subset of patients with fistula related to
      obstetric injury, a 74% (n = 26) healing rate after surgical repair was observed.
      Age, BMI, diabetes mellitus, use of steroids, probiotics, seton before repair,
      fecal diversion, and number of repairs did not affect healing. LIMITATIONS: This
      was a retrospective analysis; the high volume tertiary referral inflammatory
      bowel disease centers studied may not be reflective of rectovaginal fistula
      presentation, treatment, or results in all patients, and the 3-year follow-up may
      not be sufficiently long. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a relatively low success rate
      (63%) in healing after surgical repair of a rectovaginal fistula, the recent use
      of immunomodulation therapy did not negatively impact healing. However, tissue
      interposition techniques had the highest success rates.

PMID- 27270522
TI  - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Extraperitoneal Versus Transperitoneal
      Colostomy for Preventing Parastomal Hernia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parastomal hernia remains a frequent problem after constructing a
      colostomy. Current research mainly focuses on prophylactic mesh placement as an
      addition to transperitoneal colostomies. However, for constructing a colostomy,
      either an extraperitoneal or transperitoneal route can be chosen. OBJECTIVE: The
      aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate which technique results in lower
      parastomal hernia rates in patients undergoing end colostomy. DATA SOURCES: A
      meta-analysis was conducted according to Preferred Items for Reporting of
      Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
      in Epidemiology guidelines. Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cumulative
      Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane, PubMed, and Google
      Scholar databases were searched. The study protocol was registered in the
      International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database. STUDY
      SELECTION: Studies comparing extraperitoneal and transperitoneal colostomies were
      included. Only studies written in English were included. The quality of studies
      and risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The quality
      of nonrandomized studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
      INTERVENTION: The intervention was colostomy formation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      The main outcome measure was parastomal hernia incidence. Secondary outcome
      measures were stoma prolapse, stoma necrosis, and operating time. RESULTS: Of 401
      articles found, a meta-analysis was conducted of 10 studies (2 randomized
      controlled trials and 8 retrospective studies) composed of 1048 patients (347
      extraperitoneal and 701 transperitoneal). Extraperitoneal colostomy led to
      significantly lower parastomal hernia rates (22 of 347 (6.3%) for extraperitoneal
      versus 125 of 701 (17.8%) for transperitoneal; risk ratio = 0.36 (95% CI, 0.21
      0.62); I = 26%; p < 0.001) and significantly lower stoma prolapse rates (2 of 185
      (1.1%) for extraperitoneal versus 13 of 179 (7.3%) for transperitoneal; risk
      ratio = 0.21 (95% CI, 0.06-0.73); I = 0%; p = 0.01). Differences in stoma
      necrosis were not significant. Operating time data were insufficient to analyze.
      LIMITATIONS: Most of the studies were nonrandomized, and some were not recent
      publications. CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of studies included were
      retrospective, extraperitoneal colostomy was observed to lead to a lower rate of
      parastomal hernia and stoma prolapse.

PMID- 27270523
TI  - Postdefecation Cleansing Methods: Tissue Paper or Water? An Analytical Review.

PMID- 27270524
TI  - Fluorescence Imaging in Anorectal Advancement Flaps.

PMID- 27270525
TI  - Real-Time Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging-Guided Complete Mesocolic
      Excision in Laparoscopic Flexural Colon Cancer Surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer located in the hepatic
      flexure or splenic flexure is not standardized, because lymphatic drainage at
      this site may vary and the precise site of lymphatic dissection is uncertain.
      TECHNIQUE: Indocyanine green was injected into the submucosal layer around the
      tumor at 2 points with a 23-gauge localized injection before lymph node
      dissection and the lymph flow was observed using a near-infrared camera system 30
      minutes after injection. In addition, a complete mesocolic excision with central
      vascular ligation guided the region where the lymph flow was fluorescently
      observed. RESULTS: A total of 20 consecutive patients (hepatic flexure, 10
      patients; splenic flexure, 10 patients) were enrolled in this study. All of the
      procedures were safely performed without any complications. The lymph flow was
      visualized in 19 patients (95%) intraoperatively. Modification of the operative
      methods was required for 5 patients (modification in the separation line of the
      mesocolon and vessel selection for central vascular ligation) because the area of
      lymph flow observed during surgery differed from that of the preoperative
      diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative real-time visualization of the lymph flow
      using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging during laparoscopic colon cancer
      surgery, especially flexural colon cancer surgery, is feasible and a helpful
      technique for identifying appropriate central vessels to be dissected and for
      determining an appropriate separation line of the mesentery.

PMID- 27270526
TI  - Requiem on the Deep Postanal Space and Supralevator Abscesses.

PMID- 27270527
TI  - Asymptomatic Radiologic Recurrence of Rectoanal Intussusception After
      Laparoscopic Ventral Rectopexy: Is it Relevant?

PMID- 27270528
TI  - Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision: Save the Nerves and Urethra.

PMID- 27270531
TI  - Determinants and Equity Evaluation for Health Expenditure Among Patients with
      Rare Diseases in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: China has not established social security system for rare diseases.
      Rare diseases could easily impoverish patients and their families. Little
      research has studied the equity and accessibility of health services for patients
      with rare diseases in China. This study aimed to explore the factors that
      influence health expenditure of rare diseases and evaluate its equity. METHODS:
      Questionnaire survey about living conditions and cost burden of patients with
      rare diseases was conducted. Individual and family information, health
      expenditure and reimbursement in 2014 of 982 patients were collected. The impact
      of medical insurance, individual sociodemographic characteristics, family
      characteristics, and healthcare need on total and out-of-pocket (OOP) health
      expenditures was analyzed through the generalized linear model. Equity of health
      expenditure was evaluated by both concentration index and Lorenz curve. RESULTS:
      Of all the surveyed patients, 11.41% had no medical insurance and 92.10% spent
      money to seek medical treatment in 2014. It was suggested female (P = 0.048),
      over 50 years of age (P = 0.062), high-income group (P = 0.021), hospitalization
      (P = 0.000), and reimbursement ratio (RR) (P = 0.000) were positively correlated
      with total health expenditure. Diseases not needing long-term treatment (P =
      0.000) was negatively correlated with total health expenditure. Over 50 years of
      age (P = 0.065), high-income group (P = 0.018), hospitalization (P = 0.000) and
      having Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) (P = 0.022) were positively
      correlated with OOP health expenditure. Patient or the head of the household
      having received higher education (P = 0.044 and P = 0.081) and reimbursement
      ratio (P = 0.078) were negatively correlated with OOP health expenditure. The
      equity evaluation found concentration indexes of health expenditure before and
      after reimbursement were 0.0550 and 0.0539, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OOP health
      expenditure of patients with UEBMI was significantly more than that of patients
      without medical insurance. However, for any other medical insurance, there was no
      difference between OOP health expenditure of the insured patients and patients
      without insurance. The current reimbursement policies have increased the equity
      of health expenditure, but are biased toward high-income people.

PMID- 27270532
TI  - Overlap between Headache, Depression, and Anxiety in General Neurological
      Clinics: A Cross-sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many studies have reported that depression and anxiety have
      bidirectional relationship with headache. However, few researches investigated
      the roles of depression or anxiety in patients with headache. We surveyed the
      prevalence of depression and anxiety as a complication or cause of headache among
      outpatients with a chief complaint of headache at neurology clinics in general
      hospitals. Additional risk factors for depression and anxiety were also analyzed.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 11 general neurological
      clinics. All consecutive patients with a chief complaint of headache were
      enrolled. Diagnoses of depression and anxiety were made using the Chinese version
      of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and those for headache were
      made according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd
      Edition. The headache impact test and an 11-point verbal rating scale were
      applied to assess headache severity and intensity. Logistic regression was used
      to analyze risk factors of patients with headache for depression or anxiety.
      RESULTS: A total of 749 outpatients with headache were included. Among them, 148
      (19.7%) were diagnosed with depression and 103 (13.7%) with anxiety. Further
      analysis showed that 114 (15.2%) patients complaining headache due to somatic
      symptoms of psychiatric disorders and 82 (10.9%) had a depression or anxiety
      comorbidity with headache. Most patients with depression or anxiety manifested
      mild to moderate headaches. Poor sleep and severe headache-related disabilities
      were predictors for either depression or anxiety. CONCLUSION: Clinicians must
      identify the etiology of headache and recognize the effects of depression or
      anxiety on headache to develop specific treatments.

PMID- 27270533
TI  - Efficacy of Intra-aortic Balloon Pump before versus after Primary Percutaneous
      Coronary Intervention in Patients with Cardiogenic Shock from ST-elevation
      Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that patients with cardiogenic shock (CS)
      from ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) supported by intra-aortic
      balloon pump (IABP) before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
      decreased the risk of in-hospital mortality than patients who received IABP after
      PCI. However, little evidence is available on the optimal order of IABP insertion
      and primary PCI. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the
      sequence of IABP support and PCI and its association with major adverse cardiac
      and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). METHODS: Data were obtained from 218
      consecutive patients with CS due to STEMI in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between 2008
      and 2014, who were treated with IABP and PCI. The patients were divided into two
      groups: Group A in whom IABP received before PCI (n = 106) and Group B in whom
      IABP received after PCI (n = 112). We evaluated the myocardial perfusion using
      myocardial blush grade and resolution of ST-segment elevation. The primary
      endpoint was 12-month risk of MACCE. RESULTS: Most baseline characteristics were
      similar in patients between the two groups. However, patients received IABP
      before PCI were associated with a delay of door-to-balloon time (DBT) and higher
      troponin I level (P < 0.05). However, myocardial perfusion was significantly
      improved in patients treated with IABP before PCI (P < 0.05). Overall, IABP
      support before PCI was not associated with significantly lower risk of MACCE (P >
      0.05). In addition, risk of all-cause mortality, bleeding, and acute kidney
      injury (AKI) was similar between two groups (P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis
      showed that DBT (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-4.8, P =
      0.04), IABP support after PCI (OR 5.7, 95% CI 2.7-8.4, P = 0.01), and AKI (OR
      7.4, 95% CI 4.9-10.8, P = 0.01) were the independent predictors of mortality at
      12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Early IABP insertion before primary PCI is
      associated with improved myocardial perfusion although DBT increases. IABP
      support before PCI does not confer a 12-month clinical benefit when used for
      STEMI with CS.

PMID- 27270534
TI  - MiR-106b-5p Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha-induced Apoptosis by Targeting
      Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Deleted on Chromosome 10 in Vascular Endothelial
      Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Apoptosis of endothelial cells (ECs) plays a key role in the
      development of atherosclerosis and there are also evidence indicated that
      phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a viable target
      in therapeutic approaches to prevent vascular ECs apoptosis. Aberrant miR-106b-5p
      expression has been reported in the plasma of patients with unstable
      atherosclerotic plaques. However, the role and underlying mechanism of miR-106-5p
      in the genesis of atherosclerosis have not been addressed. In this study, we
      explored the anti-apoptotic role of miR-106-5p by regulating PTEN expression in
      vascular ECs. METHODS: Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
      (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression levels of miR-106b-5p in human
      atherosclerotic plaques and normal vascular tissues. Human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells (HUVEC) were transfected with miR-106b-5p mimic or negative
      control mimic, and apoptosis was induced by serum starvation and tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) treat. Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR experiments
      were used to detect PTEN expression levels and TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis was
      evaluated by the activation of caspase-3 and cell DNA fragmentation levels in
      HUVEC. RESULTS: The expression of miR-106b-5p was significantly downregulated in
      plaques than in normal vascular tissues. TNF-alpha significantly downregulated
      miR-106b-5p expression levels and upregulated activation of caspase-3 and cell
      DNA fragmentation levels in HUVEC. Overexpression of miR-106b-5p with miR-106b-5p
      mimic inhibited PTEN expression and TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in HUVEC.
      Luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR-106b-5p binds to PTEN mRNA 3'
      untranslated region site. CONCLUSION: MiR-106b-5p could inhibit the expression of
      PTEN in vascular ECs, which could block TNF-alpha-induced activation of caspase
      3, thus prevent ECs apoptosis in atherosclerosis diseases.

PMID- 27270535
TI  - Association between Carotid Intima-media Thickness and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2
      Glu504Lys Polymorphism in Chinese Han with Essential Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is involved in the
      pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies showed
      that mutant ALDH2 could increase oxidative stress and is a susceptible factor for
      hypertension. In addition, wild-type ALDH2 could improve the endothelial
      functions, therefore reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis. The aim of
      the present study was to explore the frequency of the Glu504Lys polymorphism of
      the ALDH2 gene and its relation to carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in a
      group of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and to investigate the
      association between the Glu504Lys polymorphism and CIMT in Chinese Han patients
      with EH. METHODS: In this study, 410 Chinese Han patients with EH who received
      physical examinations at the People's Hospital of Sichuan Province (China) were
      selected. DNA microarray chip was used for the genotyping of the Glu504Lys
      polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene. The differences in CIMT among patients with
      different Glu504Lys ALDH2 genotypes were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean CIMT of the
      patients carrying AA/AG and GG genotypes was 1.02 +/- 0.31 mm and 0.78 +/- 0.28
      mm, respectively. One-way ANOVA showed that the CIMT of the patients carrying the
      AA/AG genotype was significantly higher than in the ones carrying the GG genotype
      (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the Glu504Lys AA/AG
      genotype of the ALDH2 gene was one of the major factors influencing the CIMT in
      patients with EH (odds ratio = 3.731, 95% confidence interval = 1.589-8.124, P =
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene is associated
      with the CIMT of Chinese Han patients with EH in Sichuan, China.

PMID- 27270536
TI  - Clinical and Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in a Cohort of Chinese
      Patients with Kearns-Sayre Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion
      disorder characterized by a triad of onset before 20 years of age,
      ophthalmoplegia, and pigmentary retinopathy. The heart and central nervous system
      are commonly involved. We summarized clinical and brain magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) features of a cohort of Chinese KSS patients. METHODS: Nineteen
      patients confirmed by muscle biopsy and mtDNA analysis were enrolled. We examined
      clinical profiles, mainly focusing on changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) and
      brain MRI. The correlation between genotype and phenotype was statistically
      analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of onset was 9.6 +/- 4.3 years, with all
      developing the classic triad at the time of diagnosis. Heart conduction block was
      detected in 63.2%, with four initially presenting as bundle branch block and
      developing into complete atrioventricular block over 3-72 months. Brain MRI
      showed symmetric high-T2 signals in 100% of cerebral and cerebellar white matter,
      as well as brainstem, 46.7% of basal ganglia, and 53.3% of thalamus. There were
      two patterns of cerebral white matter involvements, one with selective
      subcortical U-fibers and the other with periventricular white matter. The size of
      mtDNA deletion did not significantly correlate with age of onset or percentage of
      ragged blue fibers on muscle pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical features of KSS
      evolve dynamically, affecting the cardiac conduction system predominantly,
      highlighting the significance of ECG monitoring. Brain MRI showed changes
      involving both the white matter and deep gray nuclei. Clinical presentation or
      severity of muscle pathological changes is not related to the size of mtDNA
      deletions.

PMID- 27270537
TI  - Skeletal Muscle Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Lower Limbs in Late-onset Lipid
      Storage Myopathy with Electron Transfer Flavoprotein Dehydrogenase Gene
      Mutations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lipid storage myopathy (LSM) is a genetically heterogeneous group
      with variable clinical phenotypes. Late-onset multiple acyl-coenzyme A
      dehydrogenation deficiency (MADD) is a rather common form of LSM in China.
      Diagnosis and clinical management of it remain challenging, especially without
      robust muscle biopsy result and genetic detection. As the noninvasion and
      convenience, muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a helpful assistant,
      diagnostic tool for neuromuscular disorders. However, the disease-specific MRI
      patterns of muscle involved and its diagnostic value in late-onset MADD have not
      been systematic analyzed. METHODS: We assessed the MRI pattern and fat
      infiltration degree of the lower limb muscles in 28 late-onset MADD patients,
      combined with detailed clinical features and gene spectrum. Fat infiltration
      degree of the thigh muscle was scored while that of gluteus was described as
      obvious or not. Associated muscular atrophy was defined as obvious muscle bulk
      reduction. RESULTS: The mean scores were significantly different among the
      anterior, medial, and posterior thigh muscle groups. The mean of fat infiltration
      scores on posterior thigh muscle group was significantly higher than either
      anterior or medial thigh muscle group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the mean score on
      medial thigh muscle group was significantly higher than that of anterior thigh
      muscle group (P < 0.01). About half of the patients displayed fat infiltration
      and atrophy in gluteus muscles. Of 28 patients, 12 exhibited atrophy in medial
      and/or posterior thigh muscle groups, especially in posterior thigh muscle group.
      Muscle edema pattern was not found in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Late-onset
      MADD patients show a typical muscular imaging pattern of fat infiltration and
      atrophy on anterior, posterior, and medial thigh muscle groups, with major
      involvement of posterior thigh muscle group and gluteus muscles and a sparing
      involvement of anterior thigh compartment. Our findings also suggest that muscle
      MRI of lower limbs is a helpful tool in guiding clinical evaluation on late-onset
      MADD.

PMID- 27270538
TI  - Evaluation of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System for Magnetic
      Resonance Imaging Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in Patients with Prostate-specific
      Antigen <20 ng/ml.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The European Society of Urogenital Radiology has built the Prostate
      Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) for standardizing the diagnosis of
      prostate cancer (PCa). This study evaluated the PI-RADS diagnosis method in
      patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <20 ng/ml. METHODS: A total of 133
      patients with PSA <20 ng/ml were prospectively recruited. T2-weighted (T2WI) and
      diffusion-weighted (DWI) magnetic resonance images of the prostate were acquired
      before a 12-core transrectal prostate biopsy. Each patient's peripheral zone was
      divided into six regions on the images; each region corresponded to two of the 12
      biopsy cores. T2WI, DWI, and T2WI + DWI scores were computed according to PI
      RADS. The diagnostic accuracy of the PI-RADS score was evaluated using
      histopathology of prostate biopsies as the reference standard. RESULTS: PCa was
      histologically diagnosed in 169 (21.2%) regions. Increased PI-RADS score
      correlated positively with increased cancer detection rate. The cancer detection
      rate for scores 1 to 5 was 2.8%, 15.0%, 34.6%, 52.6%, and 88.9%, respectively,
      using T2WI and 12.0%, 20.2%, 48.0%, 85.7%, and 93.3%, respectively, using DWI.
      For T2WI + DWI, the cancer detection rate was 1.5% (score 2), 13.5% (scores 3-4),
      41.3% (scores 5-6), 75.9% (scores 7-8), and 92.3% (scores 9-10). The area under
      the curve for cancer detection was 0.700 (T2WI), 0.735 (DWI) and 0.749 (T2WI +
      DWI). The sensitivity and specificity were 53.8% and 89.2%, respectively, when
      using scores 5-6 as the cutoff value for T2WI + DWI. CONCLUSIONS: The PI-RADS
      score correlates with the PCa detection rate in patients with PSA <20 ng/ml. The
      summed score of T2WI + DWI has the highest accuracy in detection of PCa. However,
      the sensitivity should be further improved.

PMID- 27270539
TI  - Restoration of Brain Acid Soluble Protein 1 Inhibits Proliferation and Migration
      of Thyroid Cancer Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Brain acid soluble protein 1 (BASP1) is identified as a novel
      potential tumor suppressor in several cancers. However, its role in thyroid
      cancer has not been investigated yet. In the present study, the antitumor
      activities of BASP1 against the growth and migration of thyroid cancer cells were
      evaluated. METHODS: BASP1 expression in thyroid cancer tissues and normal tissues
      were examined by immunohistochemical staining and the association between its
      expression and prognosis was analyzed. pcDNA-BASP1 carrying full length of BASP1
      cDNA was constructed to restore the expression of BASP1 in thyroid cancer cell
      lines (BHT-101 and KMH-2). The cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo was
      evaluated by WST-1 assay and xenograft tumor models, respectively. Cell cycle
      distribution after transfection was analyzed using flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis
      after transfection was examined by annexin V/propidium iodide assay. The
      migration was examined using transwell assay. RESULTS: BASP1 expression was
      abundant in normal tissues while it is significantly decreased in cancer tissues
      (P = 0.000). pcDNA-BASP1 restored the expression of BASP1 and significantly
      inhibited the growth of BHT-101 and KMH-2 cells as well as xenograft tumors in
      nude mice (P = 0.000). pcDNA-BASP1 induced G1 arrest and apoptosis in BHT-101 and
      KMH-2 cells. In addition, pcDNA-BASP1 significantly inhibited the cell migration.
      CONCLUSIONS: Downregulation of BASP1 expression may play a role in the
      tumorigenesis of thyroid cancer. Restoration of BASP1 expression exerted
      extensive antitumor activities against growth and migration of thyroid cancer
      cells, which suggested that BASP1 gene might act as a potential therapeutic agent
      for the treatment of thyroid cancer.

PMID- 27270540
TI  - A Dosimetric Comparison between Conventional Fractionated and Hypofractionated
      Image-guided Radiation Therapies for Localized Prostate Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is the preferred method for
      curative treatment of localized prostate cancer, which could improve disease
      outcome and reduce normal tissue toxicity reaction. IGRT using cone-beam computed
      tomography (CBCT) in combination with volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
      potentially allows smaller treatment margins and dose escalation to the prostate.
      The aim of this study was to compare the difference of dosimetric diffusion in
      conventional IGRT using 7-field, step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiation
      therapy (IMRT) and hypofractionated IGRT using VMAT for patients with localized
      prostate cancer. METHODS: We studied 24 patients who received 78 Gy in 39 daily
      fractions or 70 Gy in 28 daily fractions to their prostate with/without the
      seminal vesicles using IMRT (n = 12) or VMAT (n = 12) for prostate cancer between
      November 2013 and October 2015. Image guidance was performed using kilovoltage
      CBCT scans equipped on the linear accelerator. Offline planning was performed
      using the daily treatment images registered with simulation computed tomography
      (CT) images. A total of 212 IMRT plans in conventional cohort and 292 VMAT plans
      in hypofractionated cohort were enrolled in the study. Dose distributions were
      recalculated on CBCT images registered with the planning CT scanner. RESULTS:
      Compared with 7-field, step-and-shoot IMRT, VMAT plans resulted in improved
      planning target volume (PTV) D95% (7663.17 +/- 69.57 cGy vs. 7789.17 +/- 131.76
      cGy, P < 0.001). VMAT reduced the rectal D25 (P < 0.001), D35 (P < 0.001), and
      D50 (P < 0.001), bladder V50 (P < 0.001), D25 (P = 0.002), D35 (P = 0.028), and
      D50 (P = 0.029). However, VMAT did not statistically significantly reduce the
      rectal V50, compared with 7-field, step-and-shoot IMRT (25.02 +/- 5.54% vs. 27.43
      +/- 8.79%, P = 0.087). CONCLUSIONS: To deliver the hypofractionated radiotherapy
      in prostate cancer, VMAT significantly increased PTV D95% dose and decreased the
      dose of radiation delivered to adjacent normal tissues comparing to 7-field, step
      and-shoot IMRT. Daily online image-guidance and better management of bladder and
      rectum could make a more precise treatment delivery.

PMID- 27270541
TI  - Relationship between Intrauterine Bacterial Infection and Early Embryonic
      Developmental Arrest.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early embryonic developmental arrest is the most commonly
      understudied adverse outcome of pregnancy. The relevance of intrauterine
      infection to spontaneous embryonic death is rarely studied and remains unclear.
      This study aimed to investigate the relationship between intrauterine bacterial
      infection and early embryonic developmental arrest. METHODS: Embryonic chorion
      tissue and uterine swabs for bacterial detection were obtained from 33 patients
      who underwent artificial abortion (control group) and from 45 patients who
      displayed early embryonic developmental arrest (trial group). RESULTS:
      Intrauterine bacterial infection was discovered in both groups. The infection
      rate was 24.44% (11/45) in the early embryonic developmental arrest group and
      9.09% (3/33) in the artificial abortion group. Classification analysis revealed
      that the highest detection rate for Micrococcus luteus in the early embryonic
      developmental arrest group was 13.33% (6/45), and none was detected in the
      artificial abortion group. M. luteus infection was significantly different
      between the groups (P < 0.05 as shown by Fisher's exact test). In addition, no
      correlation was found between intrauterine bacterial infection and history of
      early embryonic developmental arrest. CONCLUSIONS: M. luteus infection is related
      to early embryonic developmental arrest and might be one of its causative
      factors.

PMID- 27270543
TI  - Corrigendum: Effects of the Combination of Mask Preconditioning with Idazolam
      Pretreatment on Anxiety and Mask Acceptance during Pediatric Inhalational
      Induction and Postoperative Mask Fear in Children.

PMID- 27270542
TI  - Role of Liquid-based Cytology and Cell Block in the Diagnosis of Endometrial
      Lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Liquid-based cytology (LBC) offers an alternative method to biopsy in
      screening endometrial cancer. Cell block (CB), prepared by collecting residual
      cytological specimen, represents a novel method to supplement the diagnosis of
      endometrial cytology. This study aimed to compare the specimen adequacy and
      diagnostic accuracy of LBC and CB in the diagnosis of endometrial lesions.
      METHODS: A total of 198 women with high risks of endometrial carcinoma (EC) from
      May 2014 to April 2015 were enrolled in this study. The cytological specimens
      were collected by the endometrial sampler (SAP-1) followed by histopathologic
      evaluation of dilatation and curettage or biopsy guided by hysteroscopy. The
      residual cytological specimens were processed into paraffin-embedded CB after LBC
      preparation. Diagnostic accuracies of LBC and CB for detecting endometrial
      lesions were correlated with histological diagnoses. Chi-square test was used to
      compare the specimen adequacies of LBC and CB. RESULTS: The specimen inadequate
      rate of CB was significantly higher than that of LBC (22.2% versus 7.1%, P <
      0.01). There were 144 cases with adequate specimens for LBC and CB preparation.
      Among them, 29 cases were atypical endometrial hyperplasia (11 cases) or
      carcinoma (18 cases) confirmed by histology evaluation. Taking atypical
      hyperplasia and carcinoma as positive, the diagnostic accuracy of CB was 95.1%
      while it was 93.8% in LBC. When combined LBC with CB, the diagnostic accuracy was
      improved to 95.8%, with a sensitivity of 89.7% and specificity of 97.4%.
      CONCLUSIONS: CB is a feasible and reproducible adjuvant method for screening
      endometrial lesions. A combination of CB and LBC can improve the diagnostic
      accuracy of endometrial lesions.

PMID- 27270544
TI  - Accuracy Assessment of Three-dimensional Surface Reconstructions of In vivo Teeth
      from Cone-beam Computed Tomography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions from cone-beam
      computed tomography (CBCT) has been particularly important in dentistry, which
      will affect the effectiveness of diagnosis, treatment plan, and outcome in
      clinical practice. The aims of this study were to assess the linear, volumetric,
      and geometric accuracy of 3D reconstructions from CBCT and to investigate the
      influence of voxel size and CBCT system on the reconstructions results. METHODS:
      Fifty teeth from 18 orthodontic patients were assigned to three groups as NewTom
      VG 0.15 mm group (NewTom VG; voxel size: 0.15 mm; n = 17), NewTom VG 0.30 mm
      group (NewTom VG; voxel size: 0.30 mm; n = 16), and VATECH DCTPRO 0.30 mm group
      (VATECH DCTPRO; voxel size: 0.30 mm; n = 17). The 3D reconstruction models of the
      teeth were segmented from CBCT data manually using Mimics 18.0 (Materialise
      Dental, Leuven, Belgium), and the extracted teeth were scanned by 3Shape optical
      scanner (3Shape A/S, Denmark). Linear and volumetric deviations were separately
      assessed by comparing the length and volume of the 3D reconstruction model with
      physical measurement by paired t- test. Geometric deviations were assessed by the
      root mean square value of the imposed 3D reconstruction and optical models by one
      sample t-test. To assess the influence of voxel size and CBCT system on 3D
      reconstruction, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used (MU = 0.05). RESULTS: The
      linear, volumetric, and geometric deviations were -0.03 +/- 0.48 mm, -5.4 +/-
      2.8%, and 0.117 +/- 0.018 mm for NewTom VG 0.15 mm group; -0.45 +/- 0.42 mm, -4.5
      +/- 3.4%, and 0.116 +/- 0.014 mm for NewTom VG 0.30 mm group; and -0.93 +/- 0.40
      mm, -4.8 +/- 5.1%, and 0.194 +/- 0.117 mm for VATECH DCTPRO 0.30 mm group,
      respectively. There were statistically significant differences between groups in
      terms of linear measurement (P < 0.001), but no significant difference in terms
      of volumetric measurement (P = 0.774). No statistically significant difference
      were found on geometric measurement between NewTom VG 0.15 mm and NewTom VG 0.30
      mm groups (P = 0.999) while a significant difference was found between VATECH
      DCTPRO 0.30 mm and NewTom VG 0.30 mm groups (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The 3D
      reconstruction from CBCT data can achieve a high linear, volumetric, and
      geometric accuracy. Increasing voxel resolution from 0.30 to 0.15 mm does not
      result in increased accuracy of 3D tooth reconstruction while different systems
      can affect the accuracy.

PMID- 27270545
TI  - Possible Mechanism of Therapeutic Effect of 3-Methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one
      and Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Combination Treatment in Rat Ischemic Stroke Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The functional improvement following bone marrow stromal cells
      (BMSCs) transplantation after stroke is directly related to the number of
      engrafted cells and neurogenesis in the injured brain. Here, we tried to evaluate
      whether 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (MCI-186), a free radical scavenger,
      might influence BMSCs migration to ischemic brain, which could promote
      neurogenesis and thereby enhance treatment effects after stroke. METHODS: Rat
      transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established. Two
      separate MCAO groups were administered with either MCI-186 or phosphate-buffered
      saline (PBS) solution to evaluate the expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1
      (SDF-1) in ischemic brain, and compared to that in sham group (n = 5/ group/time
      point[at 1, 3, and 7 days after operation]). The content of chemokine receptor-4
      (CXCR4, a main receptor of SDF-1) at 7 days after operation was also observed on
      cultured BMSCs. Another four MCAO groups were intravenously administered with
      either PBS, MCI-186, BMSCs (2 * 106), or a combination of MCI-186 and BMSCs (n =
      10/group). 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and Nestin double-immunofluorescence
      staining was performed to identify the engrafted BMSCs and neuronal
      differentiation. Adhesive-removal test and foot-fault evaluation were used to
      test the neurological outcome. RESULTS: MCI-186 upregulated the expression of SDF
      1 in ischemic brain and CXCR4 content in BMSCs was enhanced after hypoxic
      stimulation. When MCAO rats were treated with either MCI-186, BMSCs, or a
      combination of MCI-186 and BMSCs, the neurologic function was obviously recovered
      as compared to PBS control group (P < 0.01 or 0.05, respectively). Combination
      therapy represented a further restoration, increased the number of BMSCs and
      Nestin+ cells in ischemic brain as compared with BMSCs monotherapy (P < 0.01).
      The number of engrafted-BMSCs was correlated with the density of neuronal cells
      in ischemic brain (r = 0.72 , P < 0.01) and the improvement of foot-fault (r =
      0.70, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: MCI-186 might promote BMSCs migration to the
      ischemic brain, amplify the neurogenesis, and improve the effects of cell
      therapy.

PMID- 27270546
TI  - Sepsis Strengthens Antagonistic Actions of Neostigmine on Rocuronium in a Rat
      Model of Cecal Ligation and Puncture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The antagonistic actions of anticholinesterase drugs on non
      depolarizing muscle relaxants are theoretically related to the activity of
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). However, till
      date the changes of AChE activity in the NMJ during sepsis have not been directly
      investigated. We aimed to investigate the effects of sepsis on the antagonistic
      actions of neostigmine on rocuronium (Roc) and the underlying changes of AChE
      activity in the NMJ in a rat model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). METHODS:
      A total of 28 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to undergo a sham
      surgery (the sham group, n = 12) or CLP (the septic group, n = 16). After 24 h,
      the time-response curves of the antagonistic actions of 0.1 or 0.5 MUmol/L of
      neostigmine on Roc (10 MUmol/L)-depressed diaphragm twitch tension were measured.
      Meanwhile, the activity of AChE in the NMJ was detected using a modified
      Karnovsky and Roots method. The mRNA levels of the primary transcript and the
      type T transcript of AChE (AChET) in the diaphragm were determined by real-time
      reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Four of 16 rats in the
      septic group died within 24 h. The time-response curves of both two
      concentrations of neostigmine in the septic group showed significant upward
      shifts from those in the sham group (P < 0.001 for 0.1 MUmol/L; P = 0.009 for 0.5
      MUmol/L). Meanwhile, the average optical density of AChE in the NMJ in the septic
      group was significantly lower than that in the sham group (0.517 +/- 0.045 vs.
      1.047 +/- 0.087, P < 0.001). The AChE and AChETmRNA expression levels in the
      septic group were significantly lower than those in the sham group (P = 0.002 for
      AChE; P = 0.001 for AChET). CONCLUSIONS: Sepsis strengthened the antagonistic
      actions of neostigmine on Roc-depressed twitch tension of the diaphragm by
      inhibiting the activity of AChE in the NMJ. The reduced content of AChE might be
      one of the possible causes of the decreased AChE activity in the NMJ.

PMID- 27270548
TI  - Novel Insights into the Pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's-associated Enterocolitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically summary the updated results about the pathogenesis
      of Hirschsprung's-associated enterocolitis (HAEC). Besides, we discussed the
      research key and direction based on these results. DATA SOURCES: Our data cited
      in this review were obtained mainly from PubMed from 1975 to 2015, with keywords
      "Hirschsprung enterocolitis", "Hirschsprung's enterocolitis", "Hirschsprung's
      associated enterocolitis", "Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis", "HAEC", and
      "EC". STUDY SELECTION: Articles regarding the pathogenesis of HAEC were selected,
      and the articles mainly regarding the diagnosis, surgical approach, treatment,
      and follow-up were excluded. RESULTS: Several factors, mainly including mucus
      barrier, intestinal microbiota, and immune function, as well as some other
      factors such as genetic variations and surgical reasons, have been found to be
      related to the pathogenesis of HAEC. Changed quantity and barrier property of
      mucus, different composition of microbiota, and an abnormal immune state work
      together or separately trigger HAEC. CONCLUSIONS: The maintenance of intestinal
      homeostasis is due to a well cooperation of microbiota, mucus barrier, and immune
      system. If any part presents abnormal, intestinal homeostasis will be broken.
      Meanwhile, for patients with Hirschsprung's disease or HAEC, dysfunction of these
      parts has been found. Thus, the happening of HAEC may be mainly attributed to the
      disorders of intestinal microbiota, mucus barrier, and immune system.

PMID- 27270547
TI  - Topical Tetracycline Improves MC903-induced Atopic Dermatitis in Mice through
      Inhibition of Inflammatory Cytokines and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tetracycline (TET) has been found to have both antibiotic and anti
      inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory effect of topical TET on atopic
      dermatitis (AD) has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to explore
      the potential role of topical TET and its anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse
      model of AD. METHODS: The 2% TET was applied topically to ears of MC903-induced
      AD-like BALB/c mice once a day. AD-like symptoms and severity were evaluated by
      assessing skin scoring of dermatitis, ear thickness, and frequency of scratching.
      Serum IgE and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels were measured by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was used for analyzing the expressions
      of TSLP, protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF
      kappaB) in skin lesions. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to
      assess the mRNA levels of TSLP and inflammatory cytokines including interleukin
      (IL)-4, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-1beta in skin lesions.
      RESULTS: Scoring of dermatitis (9.00 +/- 0.63 vs. 6.67 +/- 1.03, P = 0.001), ear
      thickness (0.44 +/- 0.02 mm vs. 0.40 +/- 0.03 mm, P = 0.018), and serum IgE level
      (421.06 +/- 212.13 pg/ml vs. 244.15 +/- 121.39 pg/ml, P = 0.047) were all
      improved in the 2% TET treatment group compared with AD group. Topical TET
      significantly reduced the serum level of TSLP (119.04 +/- 38.92 pg/ml vs. 65.95
      +/- 54.61 pg/ml, P = 0.011) and both mRNA and protein expressions of TSLP in skin
      lesions compared with AD group (P = 0.003 and 0.011, respectively), and NF-kappaB
      and PAR2 expression in skin lesions were also suppressed (P = 0.016 and 0.040,
      respectively). Furthermore, expressions of inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-13,
      and TNF-alpha in skin lesions were down-regulated in 2% TET group compared with
      AD group (P = 0.035, 0.008, and 0.044, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Topical TET
      exerted anti-inflammatory effects through suppression of TSLP and inflammatory
      cytokines in AD mouse model, suggesting TET as a potential agent for the topical
      treatment of AD in the future.

PMID- 27270549
TI  - Filaggrin Gene Mutation c.3321delA is Associated with Dry Phenotypes of Atopic
      Dermatitis in the Chinese Han Population.

PMID- 27270550
TI  - A Case Report on Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Associated Colonic Carcinoma.

PMID- 27270552
TI  - Pheochromocytoma with Ventricular Tachycardia as the Presenting Symptom.

PMID- 27270551
TI  - Resolution of Pseudoptosis after Anti-inflammatory Treatment of the Contralateral
      Eye in Thyroid-associated Ophthalmopathy.

PMID- 27270553
TI  - AZD9291-induced Acute Interstitial Lung Disease.

PMID- 27270554
TI  - An Electrode-preserved Patient after Bilateral Intracranial Hematoma Induced by
      Deep Brain Stimulation.

PMID- 27270555
TI  - Multiple Intussusceptions in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: Detection through
      Multidetector Computerized Tomography Enterography.

PMID- 27270556
TI  - NK cells promote neutrophil recruitment in the brain during sepsis-induced
      neuroinflammation.
AB  - Sepsis could affect the central nervous system and thus induces
      neuroinflammation, which subsequently leads to brain damage or dysfunction.
      However, the mechanisms of generation of neuroinflammation during sepsis remain
      poorly understood. By administration of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in mice to
      mimic sepsis, we found that shortly after opening the blood-brain barrier,
      conventional CD11b(+)CD27(+) NK subset migrated into the brain followed by
      subsequent neutrophil infiltration. Interestingly, depletion of NK cells prior to
      LPS treatment severely impaired neutrophil recruitment in the inflamed brain. By
      in vivo recruitment assay, we found that brain-infiltrated NK cells displayed
      chemotactic activity to neutrophils, which depended on the higher expression of
      chemokines such as CXCL2. Moreover, microglia were also responsible for
      neutrophil recruitment, and their chemotactic activity was significantly impaired
      by ablation of NK cells. Furthermore, depletion of NK cells could significantly
      ameliorate depression-like behavior in LPS-treated mice. These data indicated a
      NK cell-regulated neutrophil recruitment in the blamed brain, which also could be
      seen on another sepsis model, cecal ligation and puncture. So, our findings
      revealed an important scenario in the generation of sepsis-induced
      neuroinflammation.

PMID- 27270557
TI  - Overfishing and nutrient pollution interact with temperature to disrupt coral
      reefs down to microbial scales.
AB  - Losses of corals worldwide emphasize the need to understand what drives reef
      decline. Stressors such as overfishing and nutrient pollution may reduce
      resilience of coral reefs by increasing coral-algal competition and reducing
      coral recruitment, growth and survivorship. Such effects may themselves develop
      via several mechanisms, including disruption of coral microbiomes. Here we report
      the results of a 3-year field experiment simulating overfishing and nutrient
      pollution. These stressors increase turf and macroalgal cover, destabilizing
      microbiomes, elevating putative pathogen loads, increasing disease more than
      twofold and increasing mortality up to eightfold. Above-average temperatures
      exacerbate these effects, further disrupting microbiomes of unhealthy corals and
      concentrating 80% of mortality in the warmest seasons. Surprisingly, nutrients
      also increase bacterial opportunism and mortality in corals bitten by parrotfish,
      turning normal trophic interactions deadly for corals. Thus, overfishing and
      nutrient pollution impact reefs down to microbial scales, killing corals by
      sensitizing them to predation, above-average temperatures and bacterial
      opportunism.

PMID- 27270558
TI  - The Prion-Like Properties of Amyloid-beta Assemblies: Implications for
      Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Since the discovery that prion diseases can be transmitted to experimental
      animals by inoculation with afflicted brain matter, researchers have speculated
      that the brains of patients suffering from other neurodegenerative diseases might
      also harbor causative agents with transmissible properties. Foremost among these
      disorders is Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia in the
      elderly. A growing body of research supports the concept that the pathogenesis of
      AD is initiated and sustained by the endogenous, seeded misfolding and
      aggregation of the protein fragment amyloid-beta (Abeta). At the molecular level,
      this mechanism of nucleated protein self-assembly is virtually identical to that
      of prions consisting of the prion protein (PrP). The formation, propagation, and
      spread of Abeta seeds within the brain can thus be considered a fundamental
      feature of AD pathogenesis.

PMID- 27270561
TI  - From racemic precursors to fully stereocontrolled products: one-pot synthesis of
      chiral alpha-amino lactones and lactams.
AB  - Substituted racemic lactols or cyclic hemiaminals were directly used as
      nucleophiles in enamine-based asymmetric amination reactions to access
      enantioenriched alpha-amino lactones or lactams via a one-pot sequence. The
      desired products, which are very important building blocks in organic synthesis
      but difficult to be prepared in the optically enriched form, could be afforded
      with two stereogenic centers in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities.
      Moreover, starting from the racemic precursors and catalyzed by the enantiomeric
      pair of the catalyst, all possible stereoisomeric products were discretely
      provided only after simple column chromatography. Additionally, this protocol
      provides facile access to several novel bicyclic carbamates, and such drug-like
      heterocyclic compounds should be potentially useful in medicinal chemistry. 

PMID- 27270560
TI  - Intratumoral heterogeneity of Ki67 expression in early breast cancers exceeds
      variability between individual tumours.
AB  - AIMS: Regional differences in proliferative activity are commonly seen within
      breast cancers, but little is known on the extent of intratumoral heterogeneity
      of Ki67 expression. Our aim was to study the intratumoral heterogeneity of Ki67
      expression in early breast cancers and its association with clinicopathological
      features, such as oestrogen receptor (ER) status, grade and histological subtype.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: The Ki67-labelling index (Ki67-LI) was assessed in hot, cold
      and intermediate spots of 233 invasive breast cancers by counting a total of 1020
      cells, according to a protocol of the International Ki67 in Breast Cancer Working
      Group. Differences between the spots per tumour were analysed further for
      clinicopathological subgroups defined by ER status, grade and histological
      subtype. All clinicopathological subgroups showed significant differences in Ki67
      LI between hot, intermediate and cold spots (P < 0.0001). The coefficient of
      variance (CV) between the spots was higher in ER-positive than in ER-negative
      cancers (72.6 versus 49.2%, P < 0.0001), and was highest in grade 3 (96.12%),
      grade 1 (87.27%) and invasive lobular tumours (83.59%) and lowest in medullary
      (26.48%) cancers. Nested analysis of variance indicated that in both ER-positive
      and ER-negative cancers, variance in Ki67-LI within tumours contributed more to
      the total variance (56% for ER-positive, 60% for ER-negative cancers) than the
      variance between tumours. CONCLUSION: Intratumoral heterogeneity in Ki67-LI is a
      ubiquitous phenomenon across various pathological subgroups of breast cancer that
      may impact assessment of Ki67 levels for clinical decision-making, and sheds new
      light on recommended cut-offs.

PMID- 27270562
TI  - Highly fluorescent extended 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole dyes: synthesis,
      optical properties and first-principle calculations.
AB  - The investigation of the optical properties of extended 2-(2
      hydroxyphenyl)benzazole dyes showed a complete frustration of the excited-state
      intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process leading to a novel family of
      highly fluorescent fluorophores. In the case of a benzothiazole ring, restoration
      of ESIPT can be observed in acidic medium leading to ratiometric sensing. These
      experimental results have been rationalised by first-principle calculations. 

PMID- 27270559
TI  - Rifamycins, Alone and in Combination.
AB  - Rifamycins inhibit RNA polymerase of most bacterial genera. Rifampicin remains
      part of combination therapy for treating tuberculosis (TB), and for treating Gram
      positive prosthetic joint and valve infections, in which biofilms are prominent.
      Rifabutin has use for AIDS patients in treating mycobacterial infections TB and
      Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), having fewer drug-drug interactions that
      interfere with AIDS medications. Rifabutin is occasionally used in combination to
      eradicate Helicobacter pylori (peptic ulcer disease). Rifapentine has yet to
      fulfill its potential in reducing time of treatment for TB. Rifaximin is a
      monotherapeutic agent to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, such as hepatic
      encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, and travelers' diarrhea. Rifaximin is
      confined to the GI tract because it is not systemically absorbed on oral dosing,
      achieving high local concentrations, and showing anti-inflammatory properties in
      addition to its antibacterial activity. Resistance issues are unavoidable with
      all the rifamycins when the bioburden is high, because of mutations that modify
      RNA polymerase.

PMID- 27270563
TI  - Microfluidics 3D gel-island chip for single cell isolation and lineage-dependent
      drug responses study.
AB  - 3D cell culture in the extracellular matrix (ECM), which not only provides
      structural support to cellular constituents, but also initiates regulatory
      biochemical cues for a variety of important cell functions in tissue, has become
      more and more important in understanding cancer pathology and drug testing.
      Although the ECM-gel has been used in cell culture both in bulk and on-chip,
      previous studies focused on collective cell behavior rather than single-cell
      heterogeneity. To track the behavior of each individual cell, we have developed a
      gel-island chip, which can form thousands of islands containing single cells
      encapsulated by the desired ECM. Optimized by Poisson's distribution, the device
      can attain 34% single cell capture efficiency of the exact number of single cells
      per island. A good culture media exchange rate and high cell viability can be
      achieved in the gel-islands. The cells in the islands can be automatically
      counted for high-throughput analysis. As a proof of concept, we monitored the
      proliferation and differentiation of single Notch+ (stem-like) T47D breast cancer
      cells. The 3D collagen gel environment was found to be favorable for the stem
      like phenotype through better self-renewal and de-differentiation (Notch- to
      Notch+ transition). More interestingly, we found that the Notch- de
      differentiated cells were more resistant to doxorubicin and cisplatin than the
      Notch+ cells. Combining the 3D ECM culture and single cell resolution, the
      presented platform can automatically analyze the individual cell behaviors of
      hundreds of cells using a small amount of drug and reagents.

PMID- 27270564
TI  - Gene-environment interaction between the MMP9 C-1562T promoter variant and
      cigarette smoke in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
AB  - The aetiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is complex. While
      cigarette smoking is a well-established cause of COPD, a myriad of assessed
      genetic factors has given conflicting data. Since gene-environment interactions
      are thought to be implicated in aetiopathogenesis of COPD, we aimed to examine
      the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 C-1562T (rs3918242) functional variant and
      cigarette smoke in the pathogenesis of this disease. The distribution of the MMP9
      C-1562T variant was analyzed in COPD patients and controls with normal pulmonary
      function from Serbia. Interaction between the C-1562T genetic variant and
      cigarette smoking was assessed using a case-control model. The response of the C
      1562T promoter variant to cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) exposure was examined
      using a dual luciferase reporter assay. The frequency of T allele carriers was
      higher in the COPD group than in smoker controls (38.4% vs. 20%; OR = 2.7, P =
      0.027). Interaction between the T allele and cigarette smoking was identified in
      COPD occurrence (OR = 4.38, P = 0.005) and severity (P = 0.001). A functional
      analysis of the C-1562T variant demonstrated a dose-dependent and allele-specific
      response (P < 0.01) to CSC. Significantly higher MMP9 promoter activity following
      CSC exposure was found for the promoter harboring the T allele compared to the
      promoter harboring the C allele (P < 0.05). Our study is the first to reveal an
      interaction between the MMP9-1562T allele and cigarette smoke in COPD,
      emphasising gene-environment interactions as a possible cause of lung damage in
      the pathogenesis of COPD. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:447-454, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27270565
TI  - Evaluation of cutaneous surface parameters in psoriatic patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare cutaneous surface parameters in
      lesional and non-lesional skin of psoriatic patients and in corresponding areas
      of control subjects. METHODS: Sixty-six psoriatic patients (of any grade of
      severity, with or without arthritis, without any therapy other than systemic
      biologic drugs) and 28 healthy controls were enrolled in this observational, case
      control study. Exclusion criteria were current or past sebo-psoriasis and
      seborrheic dermatitis, pustular or erithrodermic psoriasis; treatment with immune
      suppressive agents, retinoids, or ultraviolet phototherapy in the last 6 months;
      topical treatment in the last 2 weeks. Corneometry, sebumetry, and pHmetry were
      evaluated on non-lesional skin of forehead, cheek, chin and volar region of
      forearm, and on a psoriatic plaque (on elbow or neighboring areas); in controls,
      the same areas were considered. RESULTS: Corneometry values were significantly
      lower in psoriatic plaques vs. elbows of controls. Sebumetry showed significantly
      higher values in non-lesional forearm skin and plaques of psoriatic patients vs.
      corresponding areas of controls. pH was significantly lower in all areas in
      psoriasis. No differences were found between patients treated or not with
      biologics and with or without arthritis. CONCLUSION: Evaluating surface skin
      parameters in psoriasis is useful to better understand the etiopathogenic
      mechanism and could suggest new therapeutic approaches.

PMID- 27270567
TI  - Injectable shear-thinning nanoengineered hydrogels for stem cell delivery.
AB  - Injectable hydrogels are investigated for cell encapsulation and delivery as they
      can shield cells from high shear forces. One of the approaches to obtain
      injectable hydrogels is to reinforce polymeric networks with high aspect ratio
      nanoparticles such as two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. 2D nanomaterials are an
      emerging class of ultrathin materials with a high degree of anisotropy and they
      strongly interact with polymers resulting in the formation of shear-thinning
      hydrogels. Here, we present 2D nanosilicate reinforced kappa-carrageenan
      (kappaCA) hydrogels for cellular delivery. kappaCA is a natural polysaccharide
      that resembles native glycosaminoglycans and can form brittle hydrogels via ionic
      crosslinking. The chemical modification of kappaCA with photocrosslinkable
      methacrylate groups renders the formation of a covalently crosslinked network
      (MkappaCA). Reinforcing the MkappaCA with 2D nanosilicates results in shear
      thinning characteristics, and enhanced mechanical stiffness, elastomeric
      properties, and physiological stability. The shear-thinning characteristics of
      nanocomposite hydrogels are investigated for human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC)
      delivery. The hMSCs showed high cell viability after injection and encapsulated
      cells showed a circular morphology. The proposed shear-thinning nanoengineered
      hydrogels can be used for cell delivery for cartilage tissue regeneration and 3D
      bioprinting. 

PMID- 27270568
TI  - Hydration and Thermal Expansion in Anatase Nanoparticles.
AB  - A tunable thermal expansion is reported in nanosized anatase by taking advantage
      of surface hydration. The coefficient of thermal expansion of 4 nm TiO2 along a
      axis is negative with a hydrated surface and is positive without a hydrated
      surface. High-energy synchrotron X-ray pair distribution function analysis
      combined with ab initio calculations on the specific hydrated surface are carried
      out to reveal the local structure distortion that is responsible for the unusual
      negative thermal expansion. 

PMID- 27270566
TI  - The diameter response of retinal arterioles in diabetic maculopathy is reduced
      during hypoxia and is unaffected by the inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase and nitric
      oxide synthesis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Diabetic retinopathy is accompanied with changes in the diameter
      regulation and oxygenation of retinal vessels. Previous studies have shown that
      in normal persons and in diabetic patients without retinopathy hypoxia-induced
      vasodilatation is mediated by cyclo-oxygenase (COX) products and nitric oxide
      (NO). The purpose of the present study was to study whether these effects can be
      reproduced in patients with diabetic maculopathy. METHODS: Eighteen patients with
      diabetic maculopathy aged 29-57 years were examined using the Dynamic Vessel
      Analyzer. The resting diameter and the diameter changes of retinal arterioles
      during isometric exercise and flicker stimulation were studied before and during
      breathing a hypoxic gas mixture. The examinations were also performed before and
      during intravenous infusion of the NOS inhibitor L-NMMA, and were repeated on a
      second day after topical administration of the COX-inhibitor diclofenac. RESULTS:
      The diameter of retinal arterioles showed no significant change during hypoxia or
      L-NMMA infusion, or after topical application of diclofenac (p > 0.25 for all
      comparisons). The resting diameter of the venules was significantly increased
      during hypoxia (p = 0.003) and decreased during L-NMMA infusion (p < 0.0001). The
      diameter of retinal venules during isometric exercise increased significantly
      during hypoxia (p = 0.01). Flicker stimulation induced significant dilatation of
      the venules, which was significantly reduced during hypoxia and increased during
      L-NMMA infusion (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: Hypoxia-induced
      dilatation of retinal arterioles is severely reduced in patients with diabetic
      maculopathy. Future intervention studies aimed at normalizing the diameter
      regulation of retinal arterioles in diabetic patients should preferentially be
      conducted in the early stages of the disease where the potential for changing the
      vessel diameter is preserved. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01689090.

PMID- 27270569
TI  - 2D layered transport properties from topological insulator Bi2Se3 single crystals
      and micro flakes.
AB  - Low-field magnetotransport measurements of topological insulators such as Bi2Se3
      are important for revealing the nature of topological surface states by quantum
      corrections to the conductivity, such as weak-antilocalization. Recently, a rich
      variety of high-field magnetotransport properties in the regime of high electron
      densities (~10(19) cm(-3)) were reported, which can be related to additional two
      dimensional layered conductivity, hampering the identification of the topological
      surface states. Here, we report that quantum corrections to the electronic
      conduction are dominated by the surface states for a semiconducting case, which
      can be analyzed by the Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka model for two coupled surfaces in
      the case of strong spin-orbit interaction. However, in the metallic-like case
      this analysis fails and additional two-dimensional contributions need to be
      accounted for. Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations and quantized Hall resistance prove
      as strong indications for the two-dimensional layered metallic behavior.
      Temperature-dependent magnetotransport properties of high-quality Bi2Se3 single
      crystalline exfoliated macro and micro flakes are combined with high resolution
      transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy,
      confirming the structure and stoichiometry. Angle-resolved photoemission
      spectroscopy proves a single-Dirac-cone surface state and a well-defined bulk
      band gap in topological insulating state. Spatially resolved core-level
      photoelectron microscopy demonstrates the surface stability.

PMID- 27270570
TI  - Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Platelia Galactomannan Assay for the Diagnosis of
      Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis: Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Performs Better
      Than Serum in Non-neutropaenic Patients.
AB  - The diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is still in challenge in
      clinical practice, particularly for those patients without an obvious
      neutropaenia. In this study, a well-validated qPCR method and Platelia
      galactomannan (GM) assay were compared for their diagnostic performance using
      paired samples of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and serum from predominantly
      non-neutropaenic patients. In the serum samples, qPCR showed a comparable
      performance with GM assay in terms of sensitivity and specificity. In the BAL
      samples, qPCR and GM assay both demonstrated a good sensitivity (90 vs. 90 %);
      however, the specificity of qPCR was higher than that of GM assay (92.5 vs. 68.8
      %, P < 0.001) in these samples. A better sensitivity was obtained with BAL
      compared with serum samples for both GM assay (90 vs. 50 %) and qPCR (90 vs. 60
      %). In conclusion, in non-neutropaenic patients, BAL appears to provide improved
      sensitivity for both GM and qPCR assays. BAL qPCR offers a better diagnostic
      value for IPA compared with BAL GM assay, significantly increasing the
      specificity without affecting the sensitivity. 

PMID- 27270572
TI  - Characterisation of non-coding genetic variation in histamine receptors using
      AnNCR-SNP.
AB  - Almost 90 % of disease-associated genetic variants found using genome wide
      association studies (GWAS) are located in non-coding regions of the genome. Such
      variants can affect phenotype by altering important regulatory elements such as
      promoters, enhancers or repressors, leading to changes in gene expression and
      consequently disease, such as thyroid cancer and allergic diseases. A number of
      allergy and atopy related diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis are
      related to histamine receptors; however, these diseases are not fully
      characterized at the molecular level. Moreover, candidate gene based studies of
      common variants known as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) located in the
      coding regions of these receptors have given mixed results. It is important to
      complement these approaches by identifying and characterising non-coding variants
      in order to further elucidate the role of these receptors in disease. Here we
      present an analysis of histamine receptor genes using the tool AnNCR-SNP to
      characterise variants in non-coding genomic regions. AnNCR-SNP combines
      bioinformatics and experimental data sets from various sources to predict the
      effects of genetic variation on gene expression regulation. We find many SNPs
      located in areas of open chromatin, overlapping with transcription factor binding
      sites and associated with changes in gene expression in expression quantitative
      trait loci (eQTL) experiments. Here we present the results as a catalogue of non
      coding variation in histamine receptor genes to aid histamine researchers in
      identifying putative functional SNPs found in GWAS for further validation, and to
      help select variants for candidate gene studies.

PMID- 27270571
TI  - In vitro and in vivo evaluation of BMAP-derived peptides for the treatment of
      cystic fibrosis-related pulmonary infections.
AB  - Patients with cystic fibrosis require pharmacological treatment against chronic
      lung infections. The alpha-helical antimicrobial peptides BMAP-27 and BMAP-28
      have shown to be highly active in vitro against planktonic and sessile forms of
      multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and
      Stenotrophomonas maltophilia cystic fibrosis strains. To develop small
      antibacterial peptides for therapeutic use, we tested shortened/modified BMAP
      fragments, and selected the one with the highest in vitro antibacterial activity
      and lowest in vivo acute pulmonary toxicity. All the new peptides have shown to
      roughly maintain their antibacterial activity in vitro. The 1-18 N-terminal
      fragment of BMAP-27, showing MIC90 of 16 ug/ml against P. aeruginosa isolates and
      strain-dependent anti-biofilm effects, showed the lowest pulmonary toxicity in
      mice. However, when tested in a murine model of acute lung infection by P.
      aeruginosa, BMAP-27(1-18) did not show any curative effect. If exposed to murine
      broncho-alveolar lavage fluid BMAP-27(1-18) was degraded within 10 min,
      suggesting it is not stable in pulmonary environment, probably due to murine
      proteases. Our results indicate that shortened BMAP peptides could represent a
      starting point for antibacterial drugs, but they also indicate that they need a
      further optimization for effective in vivo use.

PMID- 27270573
TI  - Role of tissue transglutaminase-2 (TG2)-mediated aminylation in biological
      processes.
AB  - Post-translational modification (PTM) is an important mechanism in modulating a
      protein's structure and can lead to substantial diversity in biological function.
      Compared to other forms of PTMs such as phosphorylation, acetylation and
      glycosylation, the physiological significance of aminylation is limited.
      Aminylation refers to the covalent incorporation of biogenic/polyamines into
      target protein by calcium-dependent transglutaminases (TGs). The development of
      novel and more sensitive techniques has led to more proteins identified as tissue
      transglutaminase (TG2) substrates and potential targets for aminylation. Many of
      these substrate proteins play a role in cell signaling, cytoskeleton
      organization, muscle contraction, and inflammation. TG2 is well studied and
      widely expressed in a variety of tissues and will be the primary focus of this
      review on recent advance in transglutaminase-mediated aminylation.

PMID- 27270574
TI  - Physical Control of Spider Mites Using Ultraviolet-B With Light Reflection Sheets
      in Greenhouse Strawberries.
AB  - Development of spider mite management technology other than chemical control is
      desired because of the serious development of acaricide resistance worldwide.
      Recent studies have evidenced the lethal effects of ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation
      on spider mites. To develop the technology on how to use UVB irradiation for
      spider mite control, we tested whether UVB lamp-light reflection sheet (LRS)
      combinations suppressed the population size of Tetranychus urticae Koch on
      strawberry in a greenhouse from December to May (2012-2013, 2013-2014) in Japan.
      We designed four combinations of UVB lamps and LRSs: 1) neither UVB lamps nor
      LRSs (UV-LRS-); 2) a UVB lamp without an LRS (UV+LRS-; 2012-2013 only); 3) a UVB
      lamp and a mulch-type LRS (UV+LRSm); and 4) a UVB lamp and a wing-type LRS
      (UV+LRSw). The number of adult females peaked at 438.0 and 222.0 per plant in UV
      LRS- of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, respectively, and peaked at 191.6 females in
      UV+LRS- of 2012-2013. In contrast, the peak abundance was 20.9-98.0 females in
      UV+LRSm, and fewer than 15 females were noted in UV+LRSw over either experimental
      period. UVB irradiance on lower leaf surfaces was higher in UV+LRSm and UV+LRSw
      than UV-LRS- and UV+LRS-, and the mite densities were significantly correlated
      with UVB irradiance on lower leaf surfaces. Consequently, we conclude that the
      combinations of UVB lamp-LRS have an excellent capacity to control T. urticae on
      greenhouse strawberry, and that the LRS was an essential component in this
      technological approach.

PMID- 27270575
TI  - Effects of Periodically Repeated Heat Events on Reproduction and Ovary
      Development of Agasicles hygrophila (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).
AB  - Insect development occurs within a specific temperature range. Constant
      temperature studies may produce misleading information on the eco-physiological
      impacts of temperature on the population dynamics of an insect species, as in
      most natural environments, temperature usually undergoes daily variation. In
      China, field surveys showed that the decline in the Agasicles hygrophila (Selman
      & Vogt) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) population from early August to late
      September in summer resulted in difficulties in effectively controlling the
      population of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb (Amaranthaceae).
      Previous studies have largely ignored more natural, fluctuating conditions. In
      our study, we first investigated the impacts of different temperature conditions
      (25 degrees C constant temperature for 20 h with a 4-h period of a high
      temperature of either 30 degrees C, 33 degrees C, 36 degrees C, or 39 degrees C)
      on adult reproduction and longevity, egg development time, egg hatch rate, female
      ovarian development, and oogenesis of A. hygrophila. Our results indicated that
      high temperatures of 30 degrees C and 33 degrees C did not affect the female
      ovarian development and oogenesis of A. hygrophila Contrarily, high temperatures
      of 36 degrees C and 39 degrees C negatively affected the population development
      of A. hygrophila. At 36 degrees C and 39 degrees C, the egg hatch rates were very
      low, and the egg development times significantly lengthened. The frequency of
      abnormal ovaries significantly rose at 39 degrees C. We concluded that the
      decline in the A. hygrophila population during August and September may be
      related to the extreme high temperatures that frequently occur in summer. These
      results help provide a better understanding of A. hygrophila population dynamics
      under natural conditions.

PMID- 27270576
TI  - Contact Toxicity of Deltamethrin Against Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera:
      Tenebrionidae), Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and Rhyzopertha
      dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) Adults.
AB  - This study was conducted at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, to
      evaluate the response to deltamethrin concentrations for adults of three stored
      product insects, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and
      Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). In insect toxicological studies, knockdown is the
      state of intoxication and partial paralysis as a result of exposure to an
      insecticide. Deltamethrin concentrations ranging from 0.48 to 140 mg/m(2) (1 to
      3,000 ppm) were sprayed on glass Petri dishes. After the dishes dried, 20 adult
      insects of each species were placed on the treated dishes to determine the
      contact toxicity of deltamethrin. Assessments for knockdown were made at 15-min
      intervals for up to 8 h after initial exposure and then again after 24 or 48 h.
      Insects were then transferred to clean untreated Petri dishes with diet and
      observed from 0.5 to 72 h. Mortality was assessed 72 h after transfer to
      untreated dishes with food material. Deltamethrin was highly effective against
      all three species tested and achieved 99% knockdown of insects of all species
      within 4 h after exposure at concentrations >=1.2 mg/m(2) Although some insects
      recovered from initial knockdown at concentrations <=48 mg/m(2), nearly all the
      insects were killed at 140 mg/m(2) when exposed for 48 h. LC95 values for all
      species tested, for the 48-h exposure period, were <140 mg/m(2), the
      concentration of deltamethrin that could potentially be present in new ZeroFly
      Storage Bag fabric. ZeroFly bags are used for stored-product insect pest control.

PMID- 27270577
TI  - Diagnosis of Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Using Real-Time PCR.
AB  - A real-time PCR assay is reported for identification of Lobesia botrana (Denis
      and Schiffermuller) collected in California. This assay multiplexes two
      independent TaqMan probe systems in a single reaction tube to reduce handling
      time and sample exposure to environmental contaminants. One probe system targets
      a segment of DNA located in the internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) that
      is present in the L. botrana genome but absent in native North American
      Tortricidae. The second probe system serves as a control for DNA quality by
      targeting a segment of the 18S rDNA gene that is conserved in L. botrana and all
      of the tested nontarget species. The assay successfully diagnosed 70 Lobesia
      botrana specimens and 95 nontarget specimens. No false-positive or false-negative
      results were observed supporting its application for identification of this pest
      in California.

PMID- 27270578
TI  - Effectiveness of vesicoamniotic shunt in fetuses with congenital lower urinary
      tract obstruction: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on perinatal and postnatal survival of
      vesicoamniotic shunt (VAS) as treatment for fetal lower urinary tract obstruction
      (LUTO). METHODS: An electronic search of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane
      Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic
      Reviews and Scopus using relevant search terms was conducted from inception to
      June 2015 to identify studies comparing outcomes of VAS vs conservative
      management for treatment of LUTO. Cohort studies and clinical trials were
      considered eligible. Single-arm studies and studies that did not report survival
      were excluded. Sample size and language were not criteria for exclusion. Two
      reviewers extracted independently data in a standardized form, including study
      characteristics and results. Primary outcomes were perinatal and postnatal
      survival. Secondary outcome was postnatal renal function. Data on fetal survival
      were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. RESULTS: Of the 423 abstracts
      retrieved, nine studies were eligible for inclusion. These studies included 112
      fetuses treated with VAS and 134 that were managed conservatively. There was
      heterogeneity in study design. Although the data demonstrated a difference in
      effect estimates between the study arms in terms of perinatal survival (OR, 2.54
      (95% CI, 1.14-5.67)), there was no difference in 6-12-month survival (OR, 1.77
      (95% CI, 0.25-12.71)) or 2-year survival (OR, 1.81 (95% CI, 0.09-38.03)). In
      addition, there was no difference in effect on postnatal renal function between
      fetuses that underwent intervention and those that did not (OR, 2.09 (95% CI,
      0.74-5.94)). CONCLUSIONS: Available data seem to support an advantage for
      perinatal survival in fetuses treated with VAS compared with conservative
      management. However, 1-2-year survival and outcome of renal function after VAS
      procedure remain uncertain. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the
      effectiveness of fetal intervention for LUTO based on different severity of the
      disease, due to the very low quality of the studies according to GRADE
      guidelines. Copyright (c) 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27270579
TI  - Increased telocytes involved in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells
      in rat carotid artery balloon injury.
AB  - Telocytes (TCs) are a novel type of interstitial cells that are thought to be
      involved in tissue regeneration and repair. However, the possible roles of TCs in
      vascular diseases remain unclear. In this study, we used a rat model of carotid
      artery balloon injury (CABI) to study the changes and potential roles of vascular
      TCs after vascular injury. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and
      CD34/vimentin immunolabeling were used to identify and quantify TCs in normal and
      injured carotid arteries. Quantitative immunofluorescence analysis revealed that,
      compared with the sham group, the number of TCs in the CABI group increased from
      7.2+/-1.0 to an average of 20.4+/-1.8 per 1-mm(2) vascular area. The expression
      level of miR-24 in TCs was three times higher than in vascular smooth muscle
      cells (VSMCs). The percentage of VSMCs in S phase and G2/M phase increased by
      approximately 5% when VSMCs were incubated with the supernatant of TCs. The
      antagomir of miR-24 in TCs reduced the ratio of VSMCs in S phase and G2/M phase.
      This study illuminates the function of TCs in the proliferation of VSMCs. 

PMID- 27270580
TI  - Screening and identification of human ZnT8-specific single-chain variable
      fragment (scFv) from type 1 diabetes phage display library.
AB  - Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) is a major autoantigen and a predictive marker in type
      1 diabetes (T1D). To investigate ZnT8-specific antibodies, a phage display
      library from T1D was constructed and single-chain antibodies against ZnT8 were
      screened and identified. Human T1D single-chain variable fragment (scFv) phage
      display library consists of approximately 1*10(8) clones. After four rounds of
      bio-panning, seven unique clones were positive by phage ELISA. Among them, C27
      and C22, which demonstrated the highest affinity to ZnT8, were expressed in
      Escherichia coli Top10F' and then purified by affinity chromatography. C27 and
      C22 specifically bound ZnT8 N/C fusion protein and ZnT8 C terminal dimer with one
      Arg325Trp mutation. The specificity to human islet cells of these scFvs were
      further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, we have successfully
      constructed a T1D phage display antibody library and identified two ZnT8-specific
      scFv clones, C27 and C22. These ZnT8-specific scFvs are potential agents in
      immunodiagnostic and immunotherapy of T1D. 

PMID- 27270581
TI  - Current status of the implantable LVAD.
AB  - With the ongoing shortage of available organs for heart transplantation,
      mechanical circulatory support devices have been increasingly utilized for
      managing acute and chronic heart failure that is refractory to medical therapy.
      In particular, the introduction of the left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) has
      revolutionized the field. In this review, we will discuss a brief history of the
      LVAD, available devices, current indications, patient selection, complications,
      and outcomes. In addition, we will discuss recent outcomes and advancements in
      the field of noncardiac surgery in the LVAD patient. Finally, we will discuss
      several topics for surgical consideration during LVAD implantation. 

PMID- 27270582
TI  - Perceived learning needs according to patients who have undergone major coronary
      interventions and their nurses.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the differences in
      perceived learning needs between cardiac patients who have undergone major
      coronary interventions and their nurses. BACKGROUND: The decrease in length of
      stay after cardiac interventions has signalled an urgent need to provide
      effective in-hospital health education. Therefore, the content of health
      education should bridge the gap between nurses' and patients' views of what
      information is important for ensuring patients' optimum recovery. DESIGN: A
      descriptive comparative design was employed. METHODS: Patients were invited to
      participate if they had undergone angioplasty or bypass surgery and were ready
      for discharge within 24-48 hours. A convenience sample of 365 cardiac patients
      and 166 cardiac nurses participated in this study. Baseline data on patients' and
      nurses' sociodemographics, clinical history and experience were collected through
      personal interviews. Then, participants completed the Patient Learning Needs
      Scale to identify their perceptions of the learning needs after cardiac
      interventions. RESULTS: The top-priority learning needs according to both
      patients and cardiac nurses was information on wound care and medication. In
      contrast, the lowest-priority learning need was physical activity. Nurses
      perceived information about physical activity as most needed to patients, whereas
      patients perceived information about medications, postintervention complications
      and postintervention concerns as mostly needed. CONCLUSION: The disparity between
      perceptions of patient and nurses on the essential content to be learned
      highlights the importance of considering both of these parties when establishing
      health education programmes. In addition, nurses should focus more on information
      related to the recovery period and immediate needs after discharge. RELEVANCE TO
      CLINICAL PRACTICE: Information about wound care, medication and potential
      complications should be the core of predischarge education programmes. In
      addition, nurses should focus on improve patients' awareness of secondary
      prevention and lifestyle modification, as patients pay less attention to these
      vital topics.

PMID- 27270583
TI  - [Primary cutaneous cribriform apocrine carcinoma : An underdiagnosed entity?].
AB  - Primary cutaneous cribriform apocrine carcinoma is a distinctive but little known
      variant of cutaneous apocrine carcinoma with indolent biological behaviour. It
      should not be mistaken for a cutaneous metastasis of a visceral carcinoma, an
      adenoid cystic basal cell carcinoma or a primary cutaneous adenoid cystic
      carcinoma. 

PMID- 27270585
TI  - A retrospective comparison of helicopter transport versus ground transport in
      patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) extend the reach of a
      tertiary care center significantly. However, its role in septic patients is
      unclear. Our study was performed to clarify the role of HEMS in severe sepsis and
      septic shock. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective cohort study. This
      study was performed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, in years 2007-2009. This study
      included a total of 181 consecutive adult patients admitted to the medical
      intensive care unit meeting criteria for severe sepsis or septic shock within 24
      h of admission and transported from an acute care facility by a helicopter or
      ground ambulance. The primary predictive variable was the mode of transport.
      Multiple demographic, clinical, and treatment variables were collected and
      analyzed with univariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The
      patients transported by HEMS had a significantly faster median transport time
      (1.3 versus 1.7 h, p < 0.01), faster time to meeting criteria for severe sepsis
      or septic shock (1.2 versus 2.9 h, p < 0.01), a higher SOFA score (9 versus 7, p
      < 0.01), higher incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (38 versus 18 %,
      p = 0.013), higher need for invasive mechanical ventilation (60 versus 41 % p =
      0.014), higher ICU mortality (13.3 versus 4.1 %, p = 0.024), and an increased
      hospital mortality (17 versus 30 %, p = 0.04) when compared to those transported
      by ground. Distance traveled was not an independent predictor of hospital
      mortality on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: HEMS transport is associated
      with faster transport time, carries sicker patients, and is associated with
      higher hospital mortality compared with ground ambulance services for patients
      with severe sepsis or septic shock.

PMID- 27270584
TI  - HDAC inhibition promotes both initial consolidation and reconsolidation of
      spatial memory in mice.
AB  - Accumulating evidence suggests a critical role for epigenetic regulations in long
      term memory (LTM) formation. Among them, post-translational modifications of
      proteins, as histone acetylation, are an important regulator of chromatin
      remodelling and gene transcription. While the implication of histone acetylation
      in memory consolidation is widely accepted, less is known about its role in
      memory reconsolidation i.e. during memory restabilization after its reactivation.
      In the present study, we investigated the role of histone acetylation during the
      initial consolidation and the reconsolidation of spatial memory, using a weak
      massed learning procedure in the Morris water maze paradigm in mice. Usually a
      weak learning is sufficient for short term memory (STM) formation, but
      insufficient to upgrade STM to LTM. We found that promoting histone acetylation
      through intra-hippocampal infusion of a class I selective histone deacetylase
      (HDAC) inhibitor immediately after a subthreshold spatial learning improved LTM
      but not STM retention. More importantly, inhibiting HDAC activity after the
      reactivation of a weak memory promoted specifically LTM reconsolidation without
      affecting post-reactivation STM. These findings argue in favour of an important
      role for histone acetylation in memory consolidation, and more particularly
      during the reconsolidation of spatial memory in mice.

PMID- 27270586
TI  - Chemotherapy-Induced Neurotoxicity: Evidence of a Protective Role of CC
      Homozygosis in the Interleukin-1beta Gene-511 C>T Polymorphism.
AB  - We hypothesized that the IL-1beta-511 C>T polymorphism could be associated with
      the development of neurotoxicity and that it could be a possible biomarker to
      rate the risk of occurrence of neurotoxicity in cancer patients. Genomic DNA was
      extracted from 85 cancer patients: 49 received systemic chemotherapeutic
      treatment (CHT) and 36 patients did not receive it (No-CHT). All subjects were
      genotyped for the functionally active polymorphisms of IL-1beta-511 C>T. We
      estimated neurotoxicity with the evaluation of neurological deficits. CHT
      patients showed erythrocytopenia, neurological deficit and a slight lowering of
      cognitive performance. The subgroup of patients carrying the CC genotype of the
      IL-1beta-511 C>T gene showed lesser neurological deficits. In the context of
      cancer treatment, we suggested the potential value of IL-1beta-511 C>T as genetic
      biomarkers to identify patients with higher risk to develop neurological
      deficits.

PMID- 27270590
TI  - Structure of cobalt protoporphyrin chloride and its dimer, observation and DFT
      modeling.
AB  - In this article we present a joint study by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and
      density functional theory of cobalt protoporphyrin dimer complexes. The main
      novelty of the experimental part is to reveal the formation of porphyrin dimers
      that eventually include a chlorine atom. Density functional theory calculations
      have been performed to shed light on the structural and electronic properties of
      monomers and dimers that may be formed experimentally. Various geometries of the
      monomers are analyzed in the two lowest spin states. The electronic structures
      are examined by means of population analysis relying on the iterative Hirshfeld
      scheme and the topological analyses of the electron localization function. It is
      shown that the cobalt ligand bond is purely ionic in the triplet states but shows
      a noticeable covalent character in the singlet state. Ionization potential of Co
      protoporphyrin and binding energies of the chlorine ligand are also reported.
      Concerning the dimers, several association patterns are investigated for the
      chlorinated and non-chlorinated complexes. It is found that the structures of the
      most stable complexes involve four hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic acid
      moieties of the protoporphyrins. However other association modes are likely to be
      possible in the experiments. 

PMID- 27270587
TI  - Genetic identification of thiosulfate sulfurtransferase as an adipocyte-expressed
      antidiabetic target in mice selected for leanness.
AB  - The discovery of genetic mechanisms for resistance to obesity and diabetes may
      illuminate new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this global health
      challenge. We used the polygenic 'lean' mouse model, which has been selected for
      low adiposity over 60 generations, to identify mitochondrial thiosulfate
      sulfurtransferase (Tst; also known as rhodanese) as a candidate obesity
      resistance gene with selectively increased expression in adipocytes. Elevated
      adipose Tst expression correlated with indices of metabolic health across diverse
      mouse strains. Transgenic overexpression of Tst in adipocytes protected mice from
      diet-induced obesity and insulin-resistant diabetes. Tst-deficient mice showed
      markedly exacerbated diabetes, whereas pharmacological activation of TST
      ameliorated diabetes in mice. Mechanistically, TST selectively augmented
      mitochondrial function combined with degradation of reactive oxygen species and
      sulfide. In humans, TST mRNA expression in adipose tissue correlated positively
      with insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue and negatively with fat mass. Thus,
      the genetic identification of Tst as a beneficial regulator of adipocyte
      mitochondrial function may have therapeutic significance for individuals with
      type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27270591
TI  - Changes in biological productivity associated with Ningaloo Nino/Nina events in
      the southern subtropical Indian Oceanin recent decades.
AB  - Using observations and long term simulations of an ocean-biogeochemical coupled
      model, we investigate the biological response in the southern subtropical Indian
      Ocean (SIO) associated with Ningaloo Nino and Nina events. Ningaloo events have
      large impact on sea surface temperature (SST) with positive SST anomalies (SSTA)
      seen off the west coast of Australia in southern SIO during Ningaloo Nino and
      negative anomalies during Nina events. Our results indicate that during the
      developing period of Ningaloo Nino, low chlorophyll anomaly appears near the
      southwest Australian coast concurrently with high SSTA and vice-versa during
      Nina, which alter the seasonal cycle of biological productivity. The difference
      in the spatiotemporal response of chlorophyll is due to the southward advection
      of Leeuwin current during these events. Increased frequency of Ningaloo Nino
      events associated with cold phase of Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) resulted
      in anomalous decrease in productivity during Austral summer in the SIO in the
      recent decades.

PMID- 27270588
TI  - Combination inhibition of PI3K and mTORC1 yields durable remissions in mice
      bearing orthotopic patient-derived xenografts of HER2-positive breast cancer
      brain metastases.
AB  - Brain metastases represent the greatest clinical challenge in treating HER2
      positive breast cancer. We report the development of orthotopic patient-derived
      xenografts (PDXs) of HER2-expressing breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM), and
      their use for the identification of targeted combination therapies. Combined
      inhibition of PI3K and mTOR resulted in durable tumor regressions in three of
      five PDXs, and therapeutic response was correlated with a reduction in the
      phosphorylation of 4EBP1, an mTORC1 effector. The two nonresponding PDXs showed
      hypermutated genomes with enrichment of mutations in DNA-repair genes, which
      suggests an association of genomic instability with therapeutic resistance. These
      findings suggest that a biomarker-driven clinical trial of PI3K inhibitor in
      combination with an mTOR inhibitor should be conducted for patients with HER2
      positive BCBM.

PMID- 27270592
TI  - Nimbolide Inhibits Nuclear Factor-KB Pathway in Intestinal Epithelial Cells and
      Macrophages and Alleviates Experimental Colitis in Mice.
AB  - Nimbolide is a limonoid extracted from neem tree (Azadirachta indica) that has
      antiinflammatory properties. The effect of nimbolide on the nuclear factor-kappa
      B (NF-kappaB) pathway in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), macrophages and in
      murine colitis models was investigated. The IEC COLO 205, the murine macrophage
      cell line RAW 264.7, and peritoneal macrophages from interleukin-10-deficient (IL
      10-/- ) mice were preconditioned with nimbolide and then stimulated with tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or lipopolysaccharide. Dextran sulfate sodium
      induced acute colitis model and chronic colitis model in IL-10-/- mice were used
      for in vivo experiments. Nimbolide significantly suppressed the expression of
      inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and TNF-alpha) and inhibited the
      phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha and the DNA-binding affinity of NF-kappaB in IECs
      and macrophages. Nimbolide ameliorated weight loss, colon shortening, disease
      activity index score, and histologic scores in dextran sulfate sodium colitis. It
      also improved histopathologic scores in the chronic colitis of IL-10-/- mice.
      Staining for phosphorylated IkappaBalpha was significantly decreased in the colon
      tissue after treatment with nimbolide in both models. Nimbolide inhibits NF
      kappaB signaling in IECs and macrophages and ameliorates experimental colitis in
      mice. These results suggest nimbolide could be a potentially new treatment for
      inflammatory bowel disease. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27270593
TI  - Project 6 Summit: SAGES telementoring initiative.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advances in telecommunications technology have facilitated
      telementoring initiatives that virtually link a mentor and mentee in the
      operating room and have shown significant promise in conferring high rates of
      safe procedure adoption. Recognizing that telementoring has the potential to be
      one solution to the global demand for what is sure to be a constant need for
      surgical retraining and safe incorporation of new technologies, the Society of
      American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) convened the Project 6
      Summit. METHODS: Content experts in minimally invasive surgery, surgical
      mentoring and telementoring, surgical education, business development, healthcare
      innovation, and regulation were invited to attend a two-day summit to outline the
      current state of surgical telementoring and chart the challenges and
      opportunities going forward. RESULTS: Five opportunity buckets consisting of:
      Legal and Regulatory, Business Development and Proving Value, Effective
      Communication and Education Requirements, Technology Requirements and Logistics
      were the subject of focused working groups and subsequent review and consensus by
      summit attendees. The current state-of-the-art and guiding principles are
      presented herein. CONCLUSION: Telementoring activities are poised for exponential
      growth but will require a coordinated effort by stakeholders working through and
      around a healthcare system not yet suited for this paradigm shift.

PMID- 27270589
TI  - Loss of the co-repressor GPS2 sensitizes macrophage activation upon metabolic
      stress induced by obesity and type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Humans with obesity differ in their susceptibility to developing insulin
      resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This variation may relate to the extent of
      adipose tissue (AT) inflammation that develops as their obesity progresses. The
      state of macrophage activation has a central role in determining the degree of AT
      inflammation and thus its dysfunction, and these states are driven by epigenomic
      alterations linked to gene expression. The underlying mechanisms that regulate
      these alterations, however, are poorly defined. Here we demonstrate that a co
      repressor complex containing G protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) crucially
      controls the macrophage epigenome during activation by metabolic stress. The
      study of AT from humans with and without obesity revealed correlations between
      reduced GPS2 expression in macrophages, elevated systemic and AT inflammation,
      and diabetic status. The causality of this relationship was confirmed by using
      macrophage-specific Gps2-knockout (KO) mice, in which inappropriate co-repressor
      complex function caused enhancer activation, pro-inflammatory gene expression and
      hypersensitivity toward metabolic-stress signals. By contrast, transplantation of
      GPS2-overexpressing bone marrow into two mouse models of obesity (ob/ob and diet
      induced obesity) reduced inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity. Thus, our
      data reveal a potentially reversible disease mechanism that links co-repressor
      dependent epigenomic alterations in macrophages to AT inflammation and the
      development of T2D.

PMID- 27270594
TI  - Towards Safer Rocket Fuels: Hypergolic Imidazolylidene-Borane Compounds as
      Replacements for Hydrazine Derivatives.
AB  - Currently, toxic and volatile hydrazine derivatives are still the main fuel
      choices for liquid bipropellants, especially in some traditional rocket
      propulsion systems. Therefore, the search for safer hypergolic fuels as
      replacements for hydrazine derivatives has been one of the most challenging
      tasks. In this study, six imidazolylidene-borane compounds with zwitterionic
      structure have been synthesized and characterized, and their hypergolic
      reactivity has been studied. As expected, these compounds exhibited fast
      spontaneous combustion upon contact with white fuming nitric acid (WFNA). Among
      them, compound 5 showed excellent integrated properties including wide liquid
      operating range (-70-160  degrees C), superior loading density (0.99 g cm(-3) ),
      ultrafast ignition delay times with WFNA (15 ms), and high specific impulse
      (303.5 s), suggesting promising application potential as safer hypergolic fuels
      in liquid bipropellant formulations. 

PMID- 27270595
TI  - How do magnitude and frequency of monetary reward guide visual search?
AB  - How does reward guide spatial attention during visual search? In the present
      study, we examine whether and how two types of reward information-magnitude and
      frequency-guide search behavior. Observers were asked to find a target among
      distractors in a search display to earn points. We manipulated multiple levels of
      value across the search display quadrants in two ways: For reward magnitude,
      targets appeared equally often in each quadrant, and the value of each quadrant
      was determined by the average points earned per target; for reward frequency, we
      varied how often the target appeared in each quadrant but held the average points
      earned per target constant across the quadrants. In Experiment 1, we found that
      observers were highly sensitive to the reward frequency information, and
      prioritized their search accordingly, whereas we did not find much prioritization
      based on magnitude information. In Experiment 2, we found that magnitude
      information for a nonspatial feature (color) could bias search performance,
      showing that the relative insensitivity to magnitude information during visual
      search is not generalized across all types of information. In Experiment 3, we
      replicated the negligible use of spatial magnitude information even when we used
      limited-exposure displays to incentivize the expression of learning. In
      Experiment 4, we found participants used the spatial magnitude information during
      a modified choice task-but again not during search. Taken together, these
      findings suggest that the visual search apparatus does not equally exploit all
      potential sources of spatial value information; instead, it favors spatial reward
      frequency information over spatial reward magnitude information.

PMID- 27270596
TI  - Where's Icarus? Stigma based on weight that no one wants to see. A candid answer
      to "A candid discussion of obesity".

PMID- 27270597
TI  - Ranibizumab in Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: A Subgroup Analysis by
      Ethnicity, Age, and Ocular Characteristics in RADIANCE.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the impact of ethnicity, age, and ocular characteristics on
      ranibizumab efficacy in myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: In
      this post hoc subgroup analysis from the phase III RADIANCE study, best-corrected
      visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes and treatment exposure were analyzed in 105
      patients treated with ranibizumab 0.5 mg. Baseline categories included ethnicity,
      age, baseline BCVA, lesion area, CNV lesion area, refraction sphere, axial
      length, subretinal fluid, and location of CNV. RESULTS: At month 12, the mean
      change in BCVA was numerically higher in East-Asians than in Caucasians (17.0 vs.
      14.1 letters). The median number of injections varied with ethnicity (East-Asians
      vs. Caucasians: 2 vs. 3), baseline BCVA (highest vs. lowest: 1 vs. 4), CNV lesion
      area and lesion area (largest vs. smallest: 5 vs. 1 and 5 vs. 2). CONCLUSIONS:
      East-Asians showed numerically higher BCVA gains than Caucasians. The number of
      injections varied across subgroups, emphasizing the need for individualized
      treatment.

PMID- 27270598
TI  - Suppression of the motor deficit in a mucolipidosis type IV mouse model by bone
      marrow transplantation.
AB  - Mucolipidosis IV (MLIV) is a severe lysosomal storage disorder, which results
      from loss of the TRPML1 channel. MLIV causes multiple impairments in young
      children, including severe motor deficits. Currently, there is no effective
      treatment. Using a Drosophila MLIV model, we showed previously that introduction
      of trpml+ in phagocytic glia rescued the locomotor deficit by removing early
      dying neurons, thereby preventing amplification of neuronal death from
      cytotoxicity. Because microglia, which are phagocytic cells in the mammalian
      brain, are bone marrow derived, and cross the blood-brain barrier, we used a
      mouse MLIV model to test the efficacy of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We
      found that BMT suppressed the reduced myelination and the increased caspase-3
      activity due to loss of TRPML1. Using a rotarod test, we demonstrated that early
      BMT greatly delayed the motor impairment in the mutant mice. These data offer the
      possibility that BMT might provide the first therapy for MLIV.

PMID- 27270599
TI  - Impact of sludge retention time on the fine composition of the microbial
      community and extracellular polymeric substances in a membrane bioreactor.
AB  - Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are an advanced technology for wastewater treatment
      whose wide application has been hindered by rapid fouling of the membranes. MBRs
      can be operated with long sludge retention time (SRT), a crucial parameter
      impacting microbial selection in the reactor. This also affects filtration
      performance, since a major fouling agent are the extracellular polymeric
      substances (EPS). In this study, the impact of the SRT on the ecophysiology of
      the MBRs and, consequently, on membrane fouling was evaluated. A MBR was operated
      under a SRT of 60 days followed by a SRT of 20 days. A comprehensive analysis of
      the microbial community structure and EPS proteins and polysaccharide profiles of
      the mixed liquor and cake layer was carried out throughout both operation
      periods. The results of this study showed that the imposition of a shorter SRT
      led to a shift in the dominant bacterial populations. The mixed liquor and cake
      layer communities were very different, with Actinomycetales order standing out in
      the cake layer at SRT of 20 days. Overall, higher EPS concentrations
      (particularly proteins) were found at this SRT. Furthermore, EPS profiles were
      clearly affected by the SRT: it was possible to correlate a group of soluble EPS
      proteins with the SRT of 60 days, and a lower sludge age led to a lower diversity
      of polysaccharide sugar monomers, with an increase of glucose and galactose in
      the cake layer. This study improves our knowledge regarding the molecular reasons
      for fouling, which may contribute to improve MBR design and operation. 

PMID- 27270600
TI  - Analysis of coenzyme A activated compounds in actinomycetes.
AB  - Acyl-CoAs are crucial compounds involved in essential metabolic pathways such as
      the Krebs cycle and lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolisms, and they are
      also key signal molecules involved in the transcriptional regulation of lipid
      biosynthesis in many organisms. In this study, we took advantage of the high
      selectivity of mass spectrometry and developed an ion-pairing reverse-phase high
      pressure liquid chromatography electrospray ionization high-resolution mass
      spectrometry (IP-RP-HPLC/ESI-HRMS) method to carry on a comprehensive analytical
      determination of the wide range of fatty acyl-CoAs present in actinomycetes. The
      advantage of using a QTOF spectrometer resides in the excellent mass accuracy
      over a wide dynamic range and measurements of the true isotope pattern that can
      be used for molecular formula elucidation of unknown analytes. As a proof of
      concept, we used this assay to determine the composition of the fatty acyl-CoA
      pools in Mycobacterium, Streptomyces, and Corynebacterium species, revealing an
      extraordinary difference in fatty acyl-CoA amounts and species distribution
      between the three genera and between the two species of mycobacteria analyzed,
      including the presence of different chain-length carboxy-acyl-CoAs, key
      substrates of mycolic acid biosynthesis. The method was also used to analyze the
      impact of two fatty acid synthase inhibitors on the acyl-CoA profile of
      Mycobacterium smegmatis, which showed some unexpected low levels of C24 acyl-CoAs
      in the isoniazid-treated cells. This robust, sensitive, and reliable method
      should be broadly applicable in the studies of the wide range of bacteria
      metabolisms in which acyl-CoA molecules participate. 

PMID- 27270601
TI  - The Spatiotemporal Pattern of Glis3 Expression Indicates a Regulatory Function in
      Bipotent and Endocrine Progenitors during Early Pancreatic Development and in
      Beta, PP and Ductal Cells.
AB  - The transcription factor Glis-similar 3 (Glis3) has been implicated in the
      development of neonatal, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined
      the spatiotemporal expression of Glis3 protein during embryonic and neonatal
      pancreas development as well as its function in PP cells. To obtain greater
      insights into the functions of Glis3 in pancreas development, we examined the
      spatiotemporal expression of Glis3 protein in a knockin mouse strain expressing a
      Glis3-EGFP fusion protein. Immunohistochemistry showed that Glis3-EGFP was not
      detectable during early pancreatic development (E11.5 and E12.5) and at E13.5 and
      15.5 was not expressed in Ptf1a+ cells in the tip domains indicating that Glis3
      is not expressed in multipotent pancreatic progenitors. Glis3 was first
      detectable at E13.5 in the nucleus of bipotent progenitors in the trunk domains,
      where it co-localized with Sox9, Hnf6, and Pdx1. It remained expressed in
      preductal and Ngn3+ endocrine progenitors and at later stages becomes restricted
      to the nucleus of pancreatic beta and PP cells as well as ductal cells. Glis3
      deficiency greatly reduced, whereas exogenous Glis3, induced Ppy expression, as
      reported for insulin. Collectively, our study demonstrates that Glis3 protein
      exhibits a temporal and cell type-specific pattern of expression during embryonic
      and neonatal pancreas development that is consistent with a regulatory role for
      Glis3 in promoting endocrine progenitor generation, regulating insulin and Ppy
      expression in beta and PP cells, respectively, and duct morphogenesis. 

PMID- 27270602
TI  - The topology of large Open Connectome networks for the human brain.
AB  - The structural human connectome (i.e. the network of fiber connections in the
      brain) can be analyzed at ever finer spatial resolution thanks to advances in
      neuroimaging. Here we analyze several large data sets for the human brain network
      made available by the Open Connectome Project. We apply statistical model
      selection to characterize the degree distributions of graphs containing up to
      nodes and edges. A three-parameter generalized Weibull (also known as a stretched
      exponential) distribution is a good fit to most of the observed degree
      distributions. For almost all networks, simple power laws cannot fit the data,
      but in some cases there is statistical support for power laws with an exponential
      cutoff. We also calculate the topological (graph) dimension D and the small-world
      coefficient sigma of these networks. While sigma suggests a small-world topology,
      we found that D < 4 showing that long-distance connections provide only a small
      correction to the topology of the embedding three-dimensional space.

PMID- 27270603
TI  - Deficient Mechanical Activation of Anabolic Transcripts and Post-Traumatic
      Cartilage Degeneration in Matrilin-1 Knockout Mice.
AB  - Matrilin-1 (Matn1), a cartilage-specific peri-cellular and extracellular matrix
      (ECM) protein, has been hypothesized to regulate ECM interactions and transmit
      mechanical signals in cartilage. Since Matn1 knock-out (Matn1-/-) mice exhibit a
      normal skeleton, its function in vivo is unclear. In this study, we found that
      the anabolic Acan and Col2a transcript levels were significantly higher in
      wildtype (Matn1+/+) mouse cartilage than that of MATN1-/- mice in vivo. However,
      such difference was not observed between Matn1+/+ and MATN1-/- chondrocytes
      cultured under stationary conditions in vitro. Cyclic loading significantly
      stimulated Acan and Col2a transcript levels in Matn1+/+ but not in MATN1-/-
      chondrocytes. This suggests that, while Matn1+/+ chondrocytes increase their
      anabolic gene expression in response to mechanical loading, the MATN1-/-
      chondrocytes fail to do so because of the deficiency in mechanotransduction. We
      also found that altered elastic modulus of cartilage matrix in Matn1-/- mice,
      suggesting the mechanotransduction has changed due to the deficiency of Matn1. To
      understand the impact of such deficiency on joint disease, mechanical loading was
      altered in vivo by destabilization of medial meniscus. While Matn1+/+ mice
      exhibited superficial fissures and clefts consistent with mechanical damage to
      the articular joint, Matn1-/- mice presented more severe cartilage lesions
      characterized by proteoglycan loss and disorganization of cells and ECM. This
      suggests that Matn1 deficiency affects pathogenesis of post-traumatic
      osteoarthritis by failing to up-regulate anabolic gene expression. This is the
      first demonstration of Matn1 function in vivo, which suggests its protective role
      in cartilage degeneration under altered mechanical environment. 

PMID- 27270605
TI  - Correction: How Many Parameters Does It Take to Describe Disease Tolerance?
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002435.].

PMID- 27270604
TI  - Holistic Practice in Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Perspectives of
      Health Practitioners.
AB  - Given that the literature suggests there are various (and often contradictory)
      interpretations of holistic practice in brain injury rehabilitation and multiple
      complexities in its implementation (including complex setting, discipline, and
      client-base factors), this study aimed to examine the experiences of
      practitioners in their conceptualization and delivery of holistic practice in
      their respective settings. Nineteen health practitioners purposively sampled from
      an extensive Brain Injury Network in Queensland, Australia participated in
      individual interviews. A systematic text analysis process using Leximancer
      qualitative analysis program was undertaken, followed by manual thematic analysis
      to develop overarching themes. The findings from this study have identified
      several items for future inter-professional development that will not only
      benefit the practitioners working in brain injury rehabilitation settings, but
      the patients and their families as well. 

PMID- 27270606
TI  - Folic acid advisories: a public health challenge?
AB  - Neural tube defects are neurological conditions affecting one in 1000 fetuses in
      France each year. If a fetus is affected, there is a 90% chance that the
      pregnancy will be terminated. Increasing folic acid intake to 400MUg per day
      2months before and 2months after conception reduces prevalence rates by at least
      40%. In 2005, France introduced a social marketing campaign seeking to increase
      the intake of folic acid by to-be-pregnant and pregnant women through information
      provision. This paper sets up a quasi-experimental setting to measure the impact
      of the French social marketing campaign on availability and preferences for folic
      acid. I combine detailed scanner data on grocery purchases with a dataset on
      macronutrients and micronutrients. The identification strategy exploits the
      variation in the usefulness of folic acid information between households:
      households that are pregnant or want to conceive a child use it, while those that
      are not pregnant do not. Results suggest evidence of a positive impact of the
      information campaign on folic acid household availability and preferences. A
      value per statistical neural tube defects case is found to be of at least 12
      million. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27270609
TI  - Collective and convective effects compete in patterns of dissolving surface
      droplets.
AB  - The effects of neighboring droplets on the dissolution of a sessile droplet, i.e.
      collective effects, are investigated both experimentally and numerically. On the
      experimental side small approximately 20 nL mono-disperse surface droplets
      arranged in an ordered pattern were dissolved and their size evolution is studied
      optically. The droplet dissolution time was studied for various droplet patterns.
      On the numerical side, lattice-Boltzmann simulations were performed. Both
      simulations and experiments show that the dissolution time of a droplet placed in
      the center of a pattern can increase by as much as 60% as compared to a single,
      isolated droplet, due to the shielding effect of the neighboring droplets.
      However, the experiments also show that neighboring droplets enhance the buoyancy
      driven convective flow of the bulk, increasing the mass exchange and
      counteracting collective effects. We show that this enhanced convection can
      reduce the dissolution time of droplets at the edges of the pattern to values
      below that of a single, isolated droplet. 

PMID- 27270610
TI  - Drainage of a complicated high perianal abscess: a bilateral ilioinguinal
      approach.

PMID- 27270607
TI  - Hypoxia-inducible factor-targeting prodrug TOP3 combined with gemcitabine or TS-1
      improves pancreatic cancer survival in an orthotopic model.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal digestive system cancers with a 5
      year survival rate of 4-7%. Despite extensive efforts, recent chemotherapeutic
      regimens have provided only limited benefits to pancreatic cancer patients.
      Gemcitabine and TS-1, the current standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drugs for
      treatment of this severe cancer, have a low response rate. Hypoxia is one of the
      factors contributing to treatment resistance. Specifically, overexpression of
      hypoxia-inducible factor, a master transcriptional regulator of cell adaption to
      hypoxia, is strongly correlated with poor prognosis in many human cancers. TAT
      ODD-procaspase-3 (TOP3) is a protein prodrug that is specifically processed and
      activated in hypoxia-inducible factor-active cells in cancers, leading to cell
      death. Here, we report combination therapies in which TOP3 was combined with
      gemcitabine or TS-1. As monotherapy, gemcitabine and TS-1 showed a limited effect
      on hypoxic and starved pancreatic cancer cells, whereas co-treatment with TOP3
      successfully overcame this limitation in vitro. Furthermore, combination
      therapies of TOP3 with these drugs resulted in a significant improvement in
      survival of orthotopic pancreatic cancer models involving the human pancreatic
      cancer cell line SUIT-2. Overall, our study indicates that the combination of
      TOP3 with current chemotherapeutic drugs can significantly improve treatment
      outcome, offering a promising new therapeutic option for patients with pancreatic
      cancer. 

PMID- 27270612
TI  - Pneumonia in Children Presenting to the Emergency Department With an Asthma
      Exacerbation.

PMID- 27270613
TI  - NIK regulates MT1-MMP activity and promotes glioma cell invasion independently of
      the canonical NF-kappaB pathway.
AB  - A growing body of evidence implicates the noncanonical NF-kappaB pathway as a key
      driver of glioma invasiveness and a major factor underlying poor patient
      prognoses. Here, we show that NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK/MAP3K14), a critical
      upstream regulator of the noncanonical NF-kappaB pathway, is both necessary and
      sufficient for cell-intrinsic invasion, as well as invasion induced by the
      cytokine TWEAK, which is strongly associated with tumor pathogenicity. NIK
      promotes dramatic alterations in glioma cell morphology that are characterized by
      extensive membrane branching and elongated pseudopodial protrusions.
      Correspondingly, NIK increases the phosphorylation, enzymatic activity and
      pseudopodial localization of membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1
      MMP/MMP14), which is associated with enhanced tumor cell invasion of three
      dimensional collagen matrices. Moreover, NIK regulates MT1-MMP activity in cells
      lacking the canonical NF-kappaB p65 and cRel proteins. Finally, increased
      expression of NIK is associated with elevated MT1-MMP phosphorylation in
      orthotopic xenografts and co-expression of NIK and MT1-MMP in human tumors is
      associated with poor glioma patient survival. These data reveal a novel role of
      NIK to enhance pseudopodia formation, MT1-MMP enzymatic activity and tumor cell
      invasion independently of p65. Collectively, our findings underscore the
      therapeutic potential of approaches targeting NIK in highly invasive tumors. 

PMID- 27270616
TI  - Internal electric fields in small water clusters [(H2O)n; n = 2-6].
AB  - The electric field experienced by a water molecule within a water cluster depends
      on its position relative to the rest of the water molecules. The stabilization
      energies and the red-shifts in the donor O-H stretching vibrations in the water
      clusters increase with the cluster size concomitant with the increase in the
      electric field experienced by the donor O-H of a particular water molecule due to
      the hydrogen bonding network. The red-shifts in O-H stretching frequencies show a
      spread of about +/-100 cm(-1) against the corresponding electric fields.
      Deviations from linearity were marked in the region of 100-160 MV cm(-1), which
      can be attributed to the strain in the hydrogen bonding network, especially for
      structures with DDAA and DDA motifs. The linear Stark effect holds up to 200 MV
      cm(-1) of internal electric field for the average red-shifts in the O-H
      stretching frequencies, with a Stark tuning rate of 2.4 cm(-1) (MV cm(-1))(-1),
      suggesting the validity of the classical model in small water clusters. 

PMID- 27270615
TI  - Early Mortality Was Highly and Strongly Associated with Functional Status in
      Incident Japanese Hemodialysis Patients: A Cohort Study of the Large National
      Dialysis Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although dialysis is typically started in an effort to prolong
      survival, mortality is reportedly high in the first few months. However, it
      remains unclear whether this is true in Japanese patients who tend to have a
      better prognosis than other ethnicities, and if health conditions such as
      functional status (FS) at initiation of dialysis influence prognosis. METHODS: We
      investigated the epidemiology of early death and its association with FS using
      Japanese national registry data in 2007, which included 35,415 patients on
      incident dialysis and 7,664 with FS data. The main outcome was early death,
      defined as death within 3 months after initiation of hemodialysis (HD). The main
      predictor was FS at initiation of HD. Levels of functional disability were
      categorized as follows: severe (bedridden), moderate (overt difficulties in
      exerting basic activities of daily living), or mild/none (none or some functional
      disabilities). RESULTS: Early death remained relatively common, especially among
      elderly patients (overall: 7.1%; those aged >=80 years: 15.8%). Severely and even
      only a moderately impaired FS were significantly associated with early death
      after starting dialysis (adjusted risk ratios: 3.93 and 2.38, respectively). The
      incidence of early death in those with impaired FS increased with age (36.5% in
      those with severely impaired FS and aged >=80 years). CONCLUSIONS: Early death
      after starting dialysis was relatively common, especially among the elderly, even
      in Japanese patients. Further, early death was significantly associated with
      impaired FS at initiation of HD.

PMID- 27270614
TI  - PPAR-delta promotes survival of breast cancer cells in harsh metabolic
      conditions.
AB  - Expression of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor
      delta (PPARdelta) in breast cancer cells is negatively associated with patient
      survival, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. High PPARdelta protein
      levels in rat breast adenocarcinomas were found to be associated with increased
      growth in soft agar and mice. Transgenic expression of PPARdelta increased the
      ability of human breast cancer cell lines to migrate in vitro and form lung
      metastases in mice. PPARdelta also conferred the ability to grow in exhausted
      tissue culture media and survive in low-glucose and other endoplasmic reticulum
      stress conditions such as hypoxia. Upregulation of PPARdelta by glucocorticoids
      or synthetic agonists also protected human breast cancer cells from low glucose.
      Survival in low glucose was related to increased antioxidant defenses mediated in
      part by catalase and also to late AKT phosphorylation, which is associated with
      the prolonged glucose-deprivation response. Synthetic antagonists reversed the
      survival benefits conferred by PPARdelta in vitro. These findings suggest that
      PPARdelta conditions breast cancer cells to survive in harsh microenvironmental
      conditions by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing survival signaling
      responses. Drugs that target PPARdelta may have a role in the treatment of breast
      cancer. 

PMID- 27270617
TI  - Evaluation of Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials and Benchmarks for Clinically
      Meaningful Future Trials: A Systematic Review.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Progress in the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been
      minimal; it remains the only major cancer type with a 5-year survival rate of
      less than 10%. OBJECTIVE: To explore why a large proportion of advanced
      pancreatic cancer clinical trials executed over the past 25 years have had
      negative results and to identify benchmarks that could have predicted success.
      EVIDENCE REVIEW: Phase 3 studies of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were
      identified by searching clinicaltrials.gov and the scientific literature.
      FINDINGS: Thirty-two phase 3 studies in 13 675 chemotherapy-naive patients
      resulted in 3 agents or combinations being considered clinically meaningful.
      Nineteen agents or combinations (70%) were tested in phase 2 trials preceding the
      phase 3 trial. In cases with paired phase 2 and 3 results, meeting the primary
      end point of the phase 2 trial predicted the outcome of the phase 3 trial 76% of
      the time but proceeded despite phase 2 negative results in 10 cases. We applied
      criteria for a clinically meaningful result identified by the American Society of
      Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Cancer Research Committee to these historical cases.
      Overall, progression-free and 1-year survival of experimental arms was compared
      with time period-controlled median values of control arms to normalize for the
      observed increase in response to gemcitabine over time. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Applying the benchmark of a 50% improvement in overall survival as the
      primary end point to phase 2 data, or secondary end points of a 90% increase in 1
      year survival or an 80% to 100% increase in progression-free survival, showed the
      greatest ability to predict a clinically meaningful phase 3 trial. Had these
      criteria been applied to these trials over the past 25 years, more than 11 571
      patients enrolled in phase 3 trials that did not meet the primary end point could
      theoretically have been diverted to earlier-stage trials in an attempt to more
      rapidly advance the field.

PMID- 27270628
TI  - Use of Electronic Medication Administration Records to Reduce Perceived Stress
      and Risk of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes.
AB  - Concerns have been raised about the effects of current medication administration
      processes on the safety of many of the aspects of medication administration.
      Keeping electronic medication administration records could decrease many of these
      problems. Unfortunately, there has not been much research on this topic,
      especially in nursing homes. A prospective case-control survey was consequently
      performed at two nursing homes; the electronic record system was introduced in
      one, whereas the other continued to use paper records. The personnel were asked
      to fill in a questionnaire of their perceptions of stress and risk of medication
      errors at baseline (n = 66) and 20 weeks after the intervention group had started
      recording medication administration electronically (n = 59). There were
      statistically significant decreases in the perceived risk of omitting a
      medication, of medication errors occurring because of communication problems, and
      of medication errors occurring because of inaccurate medication administration
      records in the intervention group (all P < .01 vs the control group). The
      perceived overall daily stress levels were also reduced in the intervention group
      (P < .05). These results indicate that the utilization of electronic medication
      administration records will reduce many of the concerns regarding the medication
      administration process. 

PMID- 27270629
TI  - Use of Data Mining to Predict the Risk Factors Associated With Osteoporosis and
      Osteopenia in Women.
AB  - Osteoporosis has recently been acknowledged as a major public health issue in
      developed countries because of the decrease in the quality of life of the
      affected person and the increase in public costs due to complete or partial
      physical disability. The aim of this study was to use the J48 algorithm as a
      classification task for data from women exhibiting changes in bone densitometry.
      The study population included all patients treated at the diagnostic center for
      bone densitometry since 2010. Census sample data collection was conducted as all
      elements of the population were included in the sample. The service in question
      provides care to patients via the Brazilian Unified Health System and private
      plans. The results of the classification task were analyzed using the J48
      algorithm, and among the dichotomized variables associated with a diagnosis of
      osteoporosis, the mean accuracy was 74.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 61.0
      68.0) and the mean area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic
      (ROC) curve was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.64-0.66), with a mean sensitivity of 76.0 (95%
      CI, 76.0-76.0) and a mean specificity of 48.0 (95% CI, 46.0-49.0). The analyzed
      results showed higher values of sensitivity, accuracy, and curve of the ROC area
      in experiments conducted with individuals with osteoporosis. Most of the
      generated rules were consistent with the literature, and the few differences
      might serve as hypotheses for further studies. 

PMID- 27270627
TI  - Genome-Wide Association Study of Anthracnose Resistance in Andean Beans
      (Phaseolus vulgaris).
AB  - Anthracnose is a seed-borne disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) caused
      by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, and the pathogen is cosmopolitan in
      distribution. The objectives of this study were to identify new sources of
      anthracnose resistance in a diverse panel of 230 Andean beans comprised of
      multiple seed types and market classes from the Americas, Africa, and Europe, and
      explore the genetic basis of this resistance using genome-wide association
      mapping analysis (GWAS). Twenty-eight of the 230 lines tested were resistant to
      six out of the eight races screened, but only one cultivar Uyole98 was resistant
      to all eight races (7, 39, 55, 65, 73, 109, 2047, and 3481) included in the
      study. Outputs from the GWAS indicated major quantitative trait loci (QTL) for
      resistance on chromosomes, Pv01, Pv02, and Pv04 and two minor QTL on Pv10 and
      Pv11. Candidate genes associated with the significant SNPs were detected on all
      five chromosomes. An independent QTL study was conducted to confirm the physical
      location of the Co-1 locus identified on Pv01 in an F4:6 recombinant inbred line
      (RIL) population. Resistance was determined to be conditioned by the single
      dominant gene Co-1 that mapped between 50.16 and 50.30 Mb on Pv01, and an InDel
      marker (NDSU_IND_1_50.2219) tightly linked to the gene was developed. The
      information reported will provide breeders with new and diverse sources of
      resistance and genomic regions to target in the development of anthracnose
      resistance in Andean beans. 

PMID- 27270630
TI  - Designing Computerized Provider Order Entry Software in Iran: The Nurses' and
      Physicians' Viewpoints.
AB  - This study aimed to identify the functional requirements of computerized provider
      order entry software and design this software in Iran. This study was conducted
      using review documentation, interview, and focus group discussions in Shiraz
      University of Medical Sciences, as the medical pole in Iran, in 2013-2015. The
      study sample consisted of physicians (n = 12) and nurses (n = 2) in the largest
      hospital in the southern part of Iran and information technology experts (n = 5)
      in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Functional requirements of the
      computerized provider order entry system were examined in three phases. Finally,
      the functional requirements were distributed in four levels, and accordingly, the
      computerized provider order entry software was designed. The software had seven
      main dimensions: (1) data entry, (2) drug interaction management system, (3)
      warning system, (4) treatment services, (5) ability to write in software, (6)
      reporting from all sections of the software, and (7) technical capabilities of
      the software. The nurses and physicians emphasized quick access to the
      computerized provider order entry software, order prescription section, and
      applicability of the software. The software had some items that had not been
      mentioned in other studies. Ultimately, the software was designed by a company
      specializing in hospital information systems in Iran. This study was the first
      specific investigation of computerized provider order entry software design in
      Iran. Based on the results, it is suggested that this software be implemented in
      hospitals. 

PMID- 27270631
TI  - Midwives and the Computerization of Perinatal Data Entry: The Theory of
      Beneficial Engagement.
AB  - Theory building in nursing and midwifery both to explain and inform practice is
      important to advance these professions via provision of a theoretical foundation.
      This research explored the process of perinatal data entry undertaken by midwives
      to explore the impact of the movement from paper to computer collection of data.
      Use of grounded theory methodology enabled theory building, leading to a
      theoretical understanding of the phenomenon and development of the Theory of
      Beneficial Engagement grounded in the data. Methods involved in-depth
      semistructured interviews with 15 users of perinatal data systems. Participants
      were recruited from 12 different healthcare locations and were utilizing three
      different electronic systems for data entry. The research question that guided
      the study focused on examining the influences of using the computer for perinatal
      data entry. Findings indicated that qualities particular to some midwives denoted
      engagement with perinatal data entry, suggesting a strong desire to enter
      complete, timely, and accurate data. The Theory of Beneficial Engagement provides
      a model of user engagement with systems for perinatal data entry consistent with
      other theories of engagement. The theory developed describes this phenomenon in a
      simple, elegant manner that can be applied to other areas where mandatory data
      entry is undertaken.

PMID- 27270632
TI  - A Formative Program Evaluation of Electronic Clinical Tracking System
      Documentation to Meet National Core Competencies.
AB  - Electronic clinical tracking systems are used in many educational institutions of
      higher learning to document advanced practice registered nursing students'
      clinical experiences. Students' clinical experiences are constructed according to
      the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties core competencies.
      These competencies form a basis for evaluation of advanced practice registered
      nursing programs. However, no previous studies have evaluated the use of
      electronic clinical tracking systems to validate students' clinical experiences
      in meeting national core competencies. Medatrax, an electronic clinical tracking
      system, is evaluated using a formative program evaluation approach to determine
      if students' clinical documentations meet Family/Across the Lifespan Nurse
      Practitioner Competencies in a midsouthern family nurse practitioner program.
      This formative program evaluation supports the use of an electronic clinical
      tracking system in facilitating accreditation and program outcome goals. The
      significance of this study is that it provides novel evidence to support the use
      of an electronic clinical tracking system to assist a midsouthern school of
      nursing in meeting national core competencies. 

PMID- 27270633
TI  - NiCo nanoalloy encapsulated in graphene layers for improving hydrogen storage
      properties of LiAlH4.
AB  - NiCo nanoalloy (4-6 nm) encapsulated in grapheme layers (NiCo@G) has been
      prepared by thermolysis of a 3D bimetallic complex CoCo[Ni(EDTA)]2.4H2O and
      successfully employed as a catalyst to improve the dehydrogenation performances
      of LiAlH4 by solid ball-milling. NiCo@G presents a superior catalytic effect on
      the dehydrogenation of LiAlH4. For LiAlH4 doped with 1 wt% NiCo@G (LiAlH4-1 wt%
      NiCo@G), the onset dehydrogenation temperature of LiAlH4 is as low as 43  degrees
      C, which is 109  degrees C lower than that of pristine LiAlH4. 7.3 wt% of
      hydrogen can be released from LiAlH4-1 wt% NiCo@G at 150  degrees C within 60
      min. The activation energies of LiAlH4 dehydrogenation are extremely reduced by 1
      wt% NiCo@G doping.

PMID- 27270634
TI  - Monolithically, widely tunable quantum cascade lasers based on a heterogeneous
      active region design.
AB  - Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have become important laser sources for accessing
      the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral range, achieving watt-level continuous wave
      operation in a compact package at room temperature. However, up to now,
      wavelength tuning, which is desirable for most applications, has relied on
      external cavity feedback or exhibited a limited monolithic tuning range. Here we
      demonstrate a widely tunable QCL source over the 6.2 to 9.1 MUm wavelength range
      with a single emitting aperture by integrating an eight-laser sampled grating
      distributed feedback laser array with an on-chip beam combiner. The laser gain
      medium is based on a five-core heterogeneous QCL wafer. A compact tunable laser
      system was built to drive the individual lasers within the array and produce any
      desired wavelength within the available spectral range. A rapid, broadband
      spectral measurement (520 cm(-1)) of methane using the tunable laser source shows
      excellent agreement to a measurement made using a standard low-speed infrared
      spectrometer. This monolithic, widely tunable laser technology is compact, with
      no moving parts, and will open new opportunities for MIR spectroscopy and
      chemical sensing.

PMID- 27270635
TI  - Gender Dysphoria in a 62-Year-Old Genetic Female With Congenital Adrenal
      Hyperplasia.
AB  - We report a case of gender dysphoria (GD) in a 62-year-old genetic female
      patient, raising the pros and cons of performing corrective surgery later in
      life. This 46,XX DSD patient was registered and reared as a girl; CAH was
      diagnosed late in childhood. Poor adherence to treatment and lack of proper
      psychological management contributed to evident GD. Living for years as a male,
      the patient applied for a legitimate male identification document in his late
      50s; thereafter, he requested a sex-reassignment surgery "to disguise his female
      body upon his death." We informed the patient and family about surgery hazards,
      while analytical therapy allowed the group to evaluate the actual wish for
      surgery. When the wish was brought up, the role of death urged the group to
      rethink the course of treatment. During the process, it became clear that the
      patient's desire for surgery, more than a wish for changing the genitalia,
      expressed an impulse related to issues of endorsement and acceptance of his male
      identity. This report raises interesting questions about sexuality in a social
      context and prompts the idea that sexuality is broader than sex itself, raising
      new questions on the psychological risks faced when considering a body change
      after years of living with a disorder of sex development.

PMID- 27270637
TI  - Macrophage Inhibition Factor-Mediated CD74 Signal Modulate Inflammation and
      Matrix Metabolism in the Degenerated Cartilage Endplate Chondrocytes by
      Activating Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase 1/2.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: The macrophage inhibition factor (MIF)-mediated CD74 dependent
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation were
      associated with inflammatory activity and matrix metabolism in human degenerated
      cartilage endplate (CEP). Anabolic/catabolic factors in pathogenesis of CEP
      degeneration were evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of MIF-mediated CD74
      dependent ERK1/2 activation on the CEP degeneration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:
      MIF-CD74 signal is closely related to the CEP degeneration by inducing the
      secretion of inflammatory cytokines. ERK1/2-mediated inflammatory pathway also
      plays a crucial role in the intervertebral disc degeneration. The role of the
      ERK1/2 pathway in CEP chondrocytes response to MIF-CD74 signal has, however, not
      been fully elucidated. METHODS: Chondrocytes were exposed to MIF, with or without
      ERK1/2 inhibition; CD74 interfered chondrocytes were also exposed to MIF, with or
      without ERK inhibition. mRNAs were isolated for real-time polymerase chain
      reaction measurement of gene expression. Western blotting was carried out to
      analyze the protein expression. RESULTS: ERK1/2 expression was significantly
      increased by MIF. MIF modulates metabolism in CEP chondrocytes and decreased by
      its inhibitor PD98059. ERK1/2 expression was significantly decreased by
      CD74siRNA. Inflammatory cytokines expression was significantly increased by MIF
      induced ERK1/2 activation and significantly suppressed by PD98059. On the
      contrary, matrix expression was significantly decreased by MIF-induced ERK1/2
      activation and reversed by PD98059. CD74siRNA decreased the CD74 expression in
      chondrocytes. Inflammatory cytokines and matrix expression were not induced by
      MIF in CD74 interfered chondrocytes. CONCLUSION: These results show that MIF-CD74
      signal elicits an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic metabolism in CEP
      chondrocytes via ERK signal pathway. ERK inhibition could exert therapeutic
      effect against the harmful effects of MIF-CD74 signal in CEP degeneration. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

PMID- 27270638
TI  - Patient-Induced Reaction Forces and Moments Are Influenced by Variations in
      Spinal Manipulative Technique.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: An in vivo biomechanical study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present
      study was to quantify and compare the reaction loads for two spinal manipulation
      therapy (SMT) procedures commonly used for low back pain using a biomechanical
      computer model. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Contemporary computer-driven rigid
      linked-segment models (LSMs) have made it feasible to analyze low back kinetics
      and kinematics during various activities including SMT procedures. Currently, a
      comprehensive biomechanical model analyzing actual differences in loading effects
      between different SMT procedures is lacking. METHODS: Twenty-four
      healthy/asymptomatic participants received a total of six SMT applications,
      representing all combinations of two similar SMT procedures within three patient
      hip flexion angles. All contact forces, patient torso kinematics, and inertial
      properties were entered into a dynamic three-dimensional LSM to calculate lumbar
      reaction forces and moments. Peak net applied force along with the maximums,
      minimums, and ranges for each component of the three-dimensional reaction force
      and moment vectors during each SMT procedure was analyzed. RESULTS: One specific
      SMT technique (lumbar spinous pull) produced greater maximum anterior-posterior
      reaction force and both lateral bending and axial twisting reaction moments
      compared to the other technique (lumbar push procedure [all P <= 0.034]). SMT
      trials without hip flexion had lower maximum medial-lateral reaction force and
      range compared to those with 45 and 90 degrees of hip flexion (all P <= 0.041).
      There were no interactions between procedure and hip angle for any of the
      dependent measurements. CONCLUSION: The technique used to apply SMT and the
      participant's initial hip orientation induced significantly different actions on
      the low back. These findings and future research can improve patient outcomes and
      safety by informing clinicians on how to best use SMT given specific types of low
      back pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

PMID- 27270639
TI  - Spinal Epidural Hematoma Due To Tyre-Blast Injury: A Case Report.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case report. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this
      article is to report a spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) due to shock wave. SUMMARY
      OF BACKGROUND DATA: SEH is an infrequent condition. Most of SEH's are
      spontaneous. We have reported an SEH traumatic case without bone lesions due to
      exploding truck tire. A different category of blast injuries is the one related
      with exploding tyres. Shock waves are the main mechanism that is responsible for
      blast injuries. We are presenting the first report of acute SEH due to shock
      wave. METHODS: A 33-year-old man was brought to the emergency department with
      complaints of weakness and numbness of the upper extremities. There was an
      epidural high-signal density without osseous lesion in computerized tomography
      from the level of C2 to C5, and there was a T2-weighted hyperintense lesion in
      magnetic resonance imaging from the level of C2 to C5 with compression of the
      spinal cord the anterior and posterior which proved to be an SEH. RESULTS: The
      patient was discharged from the hospital with complete neurologic recovery.
      CONCLUSION: SEH should be considered possible in the blast injury. SEH condition
      carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality without early recognition
      and rapid management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

PMID- 27270640
TI  - Risk Factors of Adjacent Segment Disease After Transforaminal Inter-Body Fusion
      for Degenerative Lumbar Disease.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      determine the incidence and risk factors of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after
      transforaminal inter-body fusion (TLIF) for degenerative lumbar disease. SUMMARY
      OF BACKGROUND DATA: ASD is a major complication after spinal fusion. Many reports
      have been published concerning the risk factors for ASD after TLIF. A number of
      quantitative relationships to spino-pelvic parameters have been established. A
      retrospective cohort study was carried out to investigate spino-pelvic alignment
      in patients with ASD after TLIF. METHODS: This study evaluated 263 subjects (150
      subjects undergoing floating fusion (FF group), and 113 patients undergoing
      lumbosacral fusion (LF group)) who underwent TLIF from 2009 to 2012. The mean
      follow-up period was 37.6 months. Several parameters were measured using pre- and
      postoperative full-length free-standing radiographs, including lumbar lordosis
      (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and PI-LL.
      Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate these
      parameters as potential risk factors of early onset radiographic ASD. RESULTS:
      Radiographic ASD was found in 65 cases (43.3%) in the FF group, and 49 cases
      (43.3%) in the LF group. LL improved by 7.5 degrees  and 3.9 degrees  in each
      group respectively after TLIF. However, PT worsened by 6.4 degrees  in the LF
      group. When comparing with ASD positive cases and ASD negative cases, a
      significant difference in preoperative PT was observed in both FF (P = 0.001) and
      LF groups (P = 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating
      characteristic analysis revealed that preoperative PT of more than 22.5 degrees 
      was a significant risk factor of the incidence of ASD after TLIF (P = 0.02; odds
      ratio: 5.1, 95% CI: 1.62-9.03). CONCLUSION: Patients with preoperative sagittal
      imbalance have a statistically significant increased risk of ASD. The risk of ASD
      incidence was 5.1 times greater in subjects with preoperative PT of more than
      22.5 degrees .

PMID- 27270636
TI  - Up-regulation of Siah1 by ethanol triggers apoptosis in neural crest cells
      through p38 MAPK-mediated activation of p53 signaling pathway.
AB  - Seven in absentia homolog 1 (Siah1) is one of the E3 ubiquitin ligases and plays
      a key role in regulating target protein degradation. This study was designed to
      test the hypothesis that Siah1 mediates ethanol-induced apoptosis in NCCs through
      p38 MAPK-mediated activation of the p53 signaling pathway. We found that exposure
      of NCCs to ethanol resulted in the increases in the total protein levels of p53
      and the phosphorylation of p53 at serine 15. Ethanol exposure also resulted in a
      significant increase in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Knock-down of Siah1
      dramatically reduced the ethanol-induced increase in the phosphorylation of p38
      MAPK. Knock-down of Siah1 by siRNA or down-regulation of p38 MAPK by either siRNA
      or inhibitor significantly diminished ethanol-induced accumulations of p53 and
      the phosphorylation of p53. In addition, ethanol exposure resulted in a
      significant increase in the expression of p53 downstream targets and apoptosis in
      NCCs, which can be significantly diminished by down-regulation of Siah1 with
      siRNA. Knock-down of p38 MAPK by siRNA also dramatically reduced the ethanol
      induced apoptosis. These results demonstrate that Siah1 plays a crucial role in
      ethanol-induced apoptosis in NCCs, and that the up-regulation of Siah1 by ethanol
      can trigger apoptosis through p38 MAPK-mediated activation of the p53 signaling
      pathway.

PMID- 27270641
TI  - Cost-Effectiveness of Primary Care Management With or Without Early Physical
      Therapy for Acute Low Back Pain: Economic Evaluation of a Randomized Clinical
      Trial.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Economic evaluation of a randomized clinical trial. OBJECTIVE:
      Compare costs and cost-effectiveness of usual primary care management for
      patients with acute low back pain (LBP) with or without the addition of early
      physical therapy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Low back pain is among the most
      common and costly conditions encountered in primary care. Early physical therapy
      after a new primary care consultation for acute LBP results in small clinical
      improvement but cost-effectiveness of a strategy of early physical therapy is
      unknown. METHODS: Economic evaluation was conducted alongside a randomized
      clinical trial of patients with acute, nonspecific LBP consulting a primary care
      provider. All patients received usual primary care management and education, and
      were randomly assigned to receive four sessions of physical therapy or usual care
      of delaying referral consideration to permit spontaneous recovery. Data were
      collected in a randomized trial involving 220 participants age 18 to 60 with LBP
      <16 days duration without red flags or signs of nerve root compression. The
      EuroQoL EQ-5D health states were collected at baseline and after 1-year and used
      to compute the quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Direct (health care
      utilization) and indirect (work absence or reduced productivity) costs related to
      LBP were collected monthly and valued using standard costs. The incremental cost
      effectiveness ratio was computed as incremental total costs divided by
      incremental QALYs. RESULTS: Early physical therapy resulted in higher total 1
      year costs (mean difference in adjusted total costs = $580, 95% CI: $175, $984, P
      = 0.005) and better quality of life (mean difference in QALYs = 0.02, 95% CI:
      0.005, 0.35, P = 0.008) after 1-year. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio
      was $32,058 (95% CI: $10,629, $151,161) per QALY. CONCLUSION: Our results support
      early physical therapy as cost-effective relative to usual primary care after 1
      year for patients with acute, nonspecific LBP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

PMID- 27270643
TI  - Early Signs of End-Organ Damage in Retinal Arterioles in Patients with Type 2
      Diabetes Compared to Hypertensive Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eutrophic and hypertrophic remodeling are major vascular hallmarks
      for hypertension and diabetes-associated microvascular end-organ damage in
      peripheral arterioles. The aim of this study is to compare retinal arterioles of
      diabetic, hypertensive, and healthy individuals. METHODS: Retinal parameters were
      assessed in 99 patients with T2DM, 158 hypertensive, and 149 healthy individuals.
      WT and CA of retinal arterioles (80-140 MUm) were measured noninvasively and in
      vivo by scanning laser Doppler flowmetry (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany).
      RESULTS: After adjustment for values differing between the groups (age, BMI,
      gender, HDL cholesterol and serum creatinine, systolic office BP), patients with
      T2DM showed no significant difference in WT (14.2 +/- 3), and CA (4199 +/- 1107)
      in comparison with hypertensive patients (WT = 13.3 +/- 4, p = 0.18, CA = 3862 +/
      1546, p = 0.10) and healthy individuals (WT = 13.1 +/- 3, p = 0.55, CA = 3864 +/
      1216, p = 0.86). However, the subgroup of patients with diabetes duration of
      more than 60 months showed greater WT (14.9 +/- 4, p = 0.04) and CA (4557 +/-
      1137, p = 0.02) than the hypertensive group and greater WT (p = 0.04) and CA (p =
      0.03) than the healthy group, which is consistent with hypertrophic remodeling.
      CONCLUSION: In the early stage of T2DM no hypertrophic remodeling was seen in
      retinal arterioles. However, hypertrophic remodeling was found in diabetic
      patients with more than 60 months duration of disease.

PMID- 27270644
TI  - Cost-utility analysis of magnetoencephalography used to inform intracranial
      electrode placement in patients with drug resistant epilepsy: a model based
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We estimated the cost-effectiveness of adding magnetoencephalography
      to a standard assessment for epilepsy surgery consisting of neuropsychology,
      magnetic resonance imagining, scalp electroencephalography, video
      electroencephalography and intracranial electroencephalography, in the capacity
      of informing intracranial electroencephalography electrode placement. METHODS: We
      used Microsoft Excel (2007) to construct a decision model. Discounted costs and
      quality adjusted life years are aggregated to calculate incremental cost
      effectiveness ratios. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to assess robustness of
      findings. RESULTS: Our base case analysis yielded a result of $14 300 per quality
      adjusted life year gained. A total of 82.7% of probabilistic sensitivity analysis
      iterations resulted in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios below $100 000 in
      2014 Canadian dollars. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the inclusion
      of Magnetoencephalography in the assessment for epilepsy surgery in the capacity
      of informing intracranial electroencephalography electrode placement is likely
      not cost saving but does represent a reasonable allocation of resources from a
      value for money perspective.

PMID- 27270645
TI  - Enhanced vocational rehabilitation for Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury
      and mental illness: Pilot study.
AB  - Work plays a significant role in how people identify themselves, and successful
      return to work is associated with significant psychological and rehabilitative
      benefits. Unfortunately, despite the many benefits of employment, Veterans who
      experience mild traumatic brain injury and have mental health issues often have
      significant difficulty getting their vocational needs met. Considering that a
      consistent relationship between cognitive dysfunction and difficulties with
      employability has been firmly established, cognitive rehabilitation may enhance
      engagement in vocational rehabilitation and return to work outcomes. In this
      pilot study, we evaluated a 12 wk cognitive rehabilitation intervention embedded
      within vocational rehabilitation services. Eighteen Veterans were randomly
      assigned to receive either the embedded cognitive rehabilitation intervention (n
      = 10) or a control condition offering supportive client-centered therapy that did
      not focus on employment or cognitive rehabilitation (n = 8); all Veterans
      (intervention and control groups) received vocational rehabilitation services.
      This pilot feasibility study demonstrated efficient implementation of an embedded
      cognitive rehabilitation intervention within vocational rehabilitation. The
      current pilot data revealed small to moderate effect sizes on employment
      outcomes. Given these preliminary findings, a larger outcome study is warranted.

PMID- 27270646
TI  - Lymphatic endothelial cells attenuate inflammation via suppression of dendritic
      cell maturation.
AB  - Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C)-induced lymphangiogenesis and
      increased tissue drainage have been reported to inhibit acute and chronic
      inflammation, and an activated lymphatic endothelium might mediate peripheral
      tolerance. Using transgenic mice overexpressing VEGF-C in the skin, we found that
      under inflammatory conditions, VEGF-C-mediated expansion of the cutaneous
      lymphatic network establishes an immune-inhibitory microenvironment characterised
      by increased regulatory T (Treg) cells, immature CD11c+CD11b+ dendritic cells
      (DCs) and CD8+ cells exhibiting decreased effector function. Strikingly,
      lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC)-conditioned media (CM) potently suppress DC
      maturation with reduced expression of MHCII, CD40, and IL-6, and increased IL-10
      and CCL2 expression. We identify an imbalance in prostaglandin synthase
      expression after LEC activation, favoring anti-inflammatory prostacyclin
      synthesis. Importantly, blockade of LEC prostaglandin synthesis partially
      restores DC maturity. LECs also produce TGF-beta1, contributing to the immune
      inhibitory microenvironment. This study identifies novel mechanisms by which the
      lymphatic endothelium modulates cellular immune responses to limit inflammation.

PMID- 27270649
TI  - Targeting microenvironment in cancer therapeutics.
AB  - During development of a novel treatment for cancer patients, the tumor
      microenvironment and its interaction with the tumor cells must be considered.
      Aspects such as the extracellular matrix (ECM), the epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT), secreted factors, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the
      host immune response, and tumor-associated microphages (TAM) are critical for
      cancer progression and metastasis. Additionally, signaling pathways such as the
      nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), and
      tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) can promote further cytokine release in
      the tumor environment, and impact tumor progression greatly. Importantly,
      cytokine overexpression has been linked to drug resistance in cancers and is
      therefore an attractive target for combinational therapies. Specific inhibitors
      of cytokines involved in signaling between tumor cells and the microenvironment
      have not been studied in depth and have great potential for use in personalized
      medicines. Together, the interactions between the microenvironment and tumors are
      critical for tumor growth and promotion and should be taken into serious
      consideration for future novel therapeutic approaches.

PMID- 27270650
TI  - TCF21 genetic polymorphisms and breast cancer risk in Chinese women.
AB  - Transcription factor 21 (TCF21) functions as a tumor suppressor and is
      inactivated in several types of cancer. The purpose of this study is to
      investigate whether TCF21 genetic polymorphisms(rs2327429 T>C, rs2327430 T>C,
      rs2327433 A>G, rs12190287 C>G, rs7766238 G>A, rs4896011 T>A) are associated with
      the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women. Logistic regression analyses showed
      that TCF21 rs12190287 polymorphism was significantly associated with the reduced
      risk of breast cancer. Stratified analyses based on pathological type indicated
      that TCF21 rs12190287 polymorphism was only associated with the reduced risk of
      infiltrative ductal carcinoma. Real-time quantitative PCR analyses revealed that
      compared with those carrying rs12190287 CC genotype, subjects with GG genotype
      had higher expression levels of TCF21 mRNA in normal breast tissues. Furthermore,
      luciferase activity assay showed that the rs12190287 G allele weakened the
      binding affinity of hsa-miR-224 to TCF21 3' UTR. These findings suggest that
      TCF21 rs12190287 polymorphism can regulate TCF21 expression and may serve as a
      potential marker for genetic susceptibility to breast cancer.

PMID- 27270648
TI  - Intrinsic resistance to PIM kinase inhibition in AML through p38alpha-mediated
      feedback activation of mTOR signaling.
AB  - Although conventional therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are effective in inducing remission, many patients
      relapse upon treatment. Hence, there is an urgent need for novel therapies. PIM
      kinases are often overexpressed in AML and DLBCL and are therefore an attractive
      therapeutic target. However, in vitro experiments have demonstrated that
      intrinsic resistance to PIM inhibition is common. It is therefore likely that
      only a minority of patients will benefit from single agent PIM inhibitor
      treatment. In this study, we performed an shRNA-based genetic screen to identify
      kinases whose suppression is synergistic with PIM inhibition. Here, we report
      that suppression of p38alpha (MAPK14) is synthetic lethal with the PIM kinase
      inhibitor AZD1208. PIM inhibition elevates reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels,
      which subsequently activates p38alpha and downstream AKT/mTOR signaling. We found
      that p38alpha inhibitors sensitize hematological tumor cell lines to AZD1208
      treatment in vitro and in vivo. These results were validated in ex vivo patient
      derived AML cells. Our findings provide mechanistic and translational evidence
      supporting the rationale to test a combination of p38alpha and PIM inhibitors in
      clinical trials for AML and DLBCL.

PMID- 27270651
TI  - Age-related increase of thromboxane B2 and risk of cardiovascular disease in
      atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Aging is strictly associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular events
      (CVEs) in the general population. Mechanisms underlying the risk of CVEs are
      still unclear. Platelet activation contributes to the onset of cardiovascular
      complications. The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with age, and
      the natural history of AF is often complicated by CVEs. We prospectively
      investigated the relationship between age, urinary thromboxane (Tx) B2, which
      reflects platelet activation, and CVEs in 833 AF patients. Median TxB2 level was
      120 [66-200] ng/mg of urinary creatinine. At multivariable linear regression
      analysis, age (B: 0.097, p=0.005) and previous MI/CHD (B: 0.069, p=0.047) were
      associated with log-TxB2 levels. When we divided our population into age classes
      (i.e. < 60, 60-69, 70-79, >= 80 years), we found a significant difference in TxB2
      levels across classes (p=0.005), with a significant elevation at 74.6 years.
      During a mean follow-up of 40.9 months, 128 CVEs occurred; the rate of CVEs
      significantly increased with age classes (Log-rank test, p < 0.001). TxB2 levels
      were higher in patients with, compared to those without, CVEs in patients aged 70
      79 (p < 0.001) and >= 80 (p = 0.020) years. In conclusion, TxB2 levels enhance by
      increasing age, suggesting that platelet activation contributes to CVEs in
      elderly patients with AF.

PMID- 27270652
TI  - Loss of TGFbeta signaling promotes colon cancer progression and tumor-associated
      inflammation.
AB  - TGFbeta has both tumor suppressive and tumor promoting effects in colon cancer.
      Also, TGFbeta can affect the extent and composition of inflammatory cells present
      in tumors, contextually promoting and inhibiting inflammation. While colon tumors
      display intratumoral inflammation, the contributions of TGFbeta to this process
      are poorly understood. In human patients, we found that epithelial loss of
      TGFbeta signaling was associated with increased inflammatory burden; yet
      overexpression of TGFbeta was also associated with increased inflammation. These
      findings were recapitulated in mutant APC models of murine tumorigenesis, where
      epithelial truncation of TGFBR2 led to lethal inflammatory disease and invasive
      colon cancer, mediated by IL8 and TGFbeta1. Interestingly, mutant APC mice with
      global suppression of TGFbeta signals displayed an intermediate phenotype,
      presenting with an overall increase in IL8-mediated inflammation and accelerated
      tumor formation, yet with a longer latency to the onset of disease observed in
      mice with epithelial TGFBR-deficiency. These results suggest that the loss of
      TGFbeta signaling, particularly in colon epithelial cells, elicits a strong
      inflammatory response and promotes tumor progression. This implies that treating
      colon cancer patients with TGFbeta inhibitors may result in a worse outcome by
      enhancing inflammatory responses.

PMID- 27270653
TI  - Association of FCGR2A rs1801274 polymorphism with susceptibility to autoimmune
      diseases: A meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this meta-analysis was to estimate the association between
      the FCGR2A rs1801274 polymorphism and the susceptibility to autoimmune diseases
      more precisely. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted on the association between
      the FCGR2A gene variants and ADs by allelic contrast, homozygote contrast, the
      recessive model, and the dominant model. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies with 30
      comparisons in different populations and genotype-methods were available for this
      meta-analysis, including 10 Kawasaki disease (KD), 7 Ulcerative colitis (UC), 6
      Crohn's disease (CD), 3 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 2 Systemic lupus erythematosus
      (SLE), 1 Autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) and 1 diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1D). A
      significant association between FCGR2A rs1801274 polymorphism were found in KD
      (OR = 1.409, P < 0.001) and UC (OR = 1.237, P < 0.001). A overall meta-analysis
      increased risk of AD significant association between FCGR2A rs1801274 gene
      polymorphism and ADs under allelic (OR = 1.378, P=0.000), homozygous (OR: 1.866,
      P=0.001), dominant (OR = 1.667, P = 0.000) and recessive (OR = 1.434, P=0.000) in
      Asian population. Meanwhile, a decreased risk of AD was detected in the allelic
      (OR= 0.882, P = 0.011), homozygous (OR = 0.777, P = 0.013), dominant (OR = 0.850,
      P = 0.032) and recessive (OR = 0.840, P = 0.048) in African-American population.
      CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the FCGR2A rs1801274 G-allele
      confers susceptibility to KD and UC. Data also suggests that the FCGR2A rs1801274
      polymorphism may be associated with the susceptibility of multiple ADs in Asian
      and African-American populations.

PMID- 27270647
TI  - Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in aging and cancer.
AB  - Aging and cancer are the most important issues to research. The population in the
      world is growing older, and the incidence of cancer increases with age. There is
      no doubt about the linkage between aging and cancer. However, the molecular
      mechanisms underlying this association are still unknown. Several lines of
      evidence suggest that the oxidative stress as a cause and/or consequence of the
      mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the main drivers of these processes.
      Increasing ROS levels and products of the oxidative stress, which occur in aging
      and age-related disorders, were also found in cancer. This review focuses on the
      similarities between ageing-associated and cancer-associated oxidative stress and
      mitochondrial dysfunction as their common phenotype.

PMID- 27270655
TI  - Meta-analysis of the efficacy of the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
      as a predictor of prognosis in renal carcinoma patients receiving tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors.
AB  - The data on the impact of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in metastatic
      renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)
      are inconsistent. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to assess the prognostic
      value of pretreatment NLR in patients treated with TKIs for mRCC. We searched the
      Embase, Medline, PubMed, Cochrane and ISI Web of Knowledge to identify clinical
      studies that had evaluated the association between the pretreatment NLR and
      prognosis in mRCC patients. Prognostic outcomes included overall survival (OS)
      and progression-free survival (PFS). Nine studies encompassing a total of 1091
      participants were included. We found that a high NLR was an effective prognostic
      marker of both OS (pooled HR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.35-2.77; P = 0.0003) and PFS
      (pooled HR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.42-3.17; P = 0.0002). Subgroup analysis revealed that
      studies reporting a NLR >= 3 showed a more significant effect of NLR on both OS
      (pooled HR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.99-3.14; P = 0.0003) and PFS (pooled HR: 2.17, 95%
      CI: 1.26-3.75). This meta-analysis suggests that high pretreatment NLR is
      associated with a poor prognosis in mRCC patients receiving TKI treatment.

PMID- 27270656
TI  - The prognostic value of lymph nodes count on survival of patients with node
      negative gastric cancer.
AB  - The retrieved lymph node (LN) count has been validated as a prognostic factor in
      various cancers. However, the interaction between LN counts and patients'
      prognosis in gastric cancer with negative-LN metastasis is not fully studied.
      Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER)-registered gastric
      cancer patients were used for analysis in this study. Patients operated on for
      gastric cancer at N0 stage between 2004 and 2012 were identified from the SEER
      database. The association between the LN counts and survival was assessed using
      the Cox proportional hazards model. Patients were stratified into 1-4, 5-13, and
      > 13 subgroups according to LN count cut-off values determined by X-tile program,
      with the 5-year cause specific survival (CSS) rate of 64.8%, 72.5%, and 79.4%,
      respectively. LN count was also validated as an independently prognostic factor
      in multivariate Cox analysis (P < 0.001). In addition, nomograms including LN
      counts on CSS were established according to all significant factors, and the c
      index was 0.703 (95% CI: 0.672-0.734). Further study indicated that patients with
      no LN metastasis had a decreased risk of death for each patient with LN examined
      up to approximately 14 LNs. Collectively, our study firmly demonstrated that the
      number of the retrieved LNs count was an independent prognostic factor for
      gastric cancer with no LN metastasis. The higher the LN count, the better the
      survival would be; the best CSS was observed on the LN count more than 14.

PMID- 27270654
TI  - Crosstalk between osteoprotegerin (OPG), fatty acid synthase (FASN) and,
      cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) in breast cancer: implications in carcinogenesis.
AB  - The crosstalk between malignant and nonmalignant cells in the tumor
      microenvironment, as maneuvered by cytokines/chemokines, drives breast cancer
      progression. In our previous study, we discovered Osteoprotegerin (OPG) as one of
      the cytokines heavily secreted by breast cancer cells. We demonstrated that OPG
      is expressed and secreted at very high levels from the highly invasive breast
      cancer cell lines SUM149PT and SUM1315MO2 as compared to normal human mammary
      epithelial HMEC cells. OPG was involved in modulating aneuploidy, cell
      proliferation, and angiogenesis in breast cancer. Mass spectrometry analysis
      performed in this study revealed OPG interacts with fatty acid synthase (FASN),
      which is a key enzyme of the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway in breast cancer
      cells. Further, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and fluorescence
      quantitation assays highlighted the presence of a large number of lipid bodies
      (lipid droplets) in SUM149PT and SUM1315MO2 cells in comparison to HMEC. We
      recently showed upregulation of the COX-2 inflammatory pathway and its metabolite
      PGE2 secretion in SUM149PT and SUM1315MO2 breast cancer cells. Interestingly,
      human breast cancer tissue samples displayed high expression of OPG, PGE2 and
      fatty acid synthase (FASN). FASN is a multifunctional enzyme involved in lipid
      biosynthesis. Immunofluorescence staining revealed the co-existence of COX-2 and
      FASN in the lipid bodies of breast cancer cells. We reasoned that there might be
      crosstalk between OPG, FASN, and COX-2 that sustains the inflammatory pathways in
      breast cancer. Interestingly, knocking down OPG by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in
      breast cancer cells decreased FASN expression at the protein level. Here, we
      identified cis-acting elements involved in the transcriptional regulation of COX
      2 and FASN by recombinant human OPG (rhOPG). Treatment with FASN inhibitor C75
      and COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib individually decreased the number of lipid
      bodies/cell, downregulated phosphorylation of ERK, GSK3beta, and induced
      apoptosis by caspase-3/7 and caspase-9 activation. But a more efficient and
      effective decrease in lipid bodies/cell and survival kinase signaling was
      observed upon combining the drug treatments for the aggressive cancer cells.
      Collectively, the novel biological crosstalk between OPG, FASN, and COX-2
      advocates for combinatorial drug treatment to block these players of
      carcinogenesis as a promising therapeutic target to treat highly invasive breast
      cancer.

PMID- 27270658
TI  - Tinnitus.

PMID- 27270659
TI  - Should We Treat for Subclinical Hypothyroidism?: Grand Rounds Discussion From
      Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
AB  - In May 2015, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a guideline on
      screening for thyroid disease that included a systematic evidence review and an
      update of its 2004 recommendations. The review assessed the effect of treating
      screen-detected subclinical thyroid dysfunction on health outcomes. It found
      adequate evidence that treating subclinical hypothyroidism does not provide
      clinically meaningful improvements in blood pressure, body mass index, bone
      mineral density, lipid levels, or quality-of-life measures. The review also
      concluded that evidence was inadequate to determine whether screening for thyroid
      dysfunction reduced cardiovascular disease or related morbidity and mortality. In
      separate guidelines, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and
      American Thyroid Association advocated aggressive case-finding and recommended
      screening persons with certain clinical conditions or characteristics rather than
      the general population. These societies argue that subclinical hypothyroidism
      adversely affects cardiovascular outcomes and thus merits case-finding. Here, 2
      experts discuss their perspectives on whether treating subclinical hypothyroidism
      reduces morbidity and mortality, whether there are harms of treatment, and how
      they would balance the benefits and harms of treatment both in general and for a
      specific patient. 

PMID- 27270661
TI  - Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention.
AB  - This issue provides a clinical overview of breast cancer screening and
      prevention, focusing on risk assessment, screening, prevention, and practice
      improvement. The content of In the Clinic is drawn from the clinical information
      and education resources of the American College of Physicians (ACP), including
      MKSAP (Medical Knowledge and Self-Assessment Program). Annals of Internal
      Medicine editors develop In the Clinic in collaboration with the ACP's Medical
      Education and Publishing divisions and with the assistance of additional science
      writers and physician writers. 

PMID- 27270657
TI  - HIF2alpha/EFEMP1 cascade mediates hypoxic effects on breast cancer stem cell
      hierarchy.
AB  - Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have been shown to contribute to tumor growth,
      metastasis, and recurrence. They are also markedly resistant to conventional
      cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. Recent studies have
      suggested that hypoxia is one of the prominent micro-environmental factors that
      increase the self-renewal ability of BCSCs, partially by enhancing CSC
      phenotypes. Thus, the identification and development of new therapeutic
      approaches based on targeting the hypoxia-dependent responses in BCSCs is urgent.
      Through various in vitro studies, we found that hypoxia specifically up-regulates
      BCSC sphere formation and a subset of CD44+/CD24-/low CSCs. Hypoxia inducible
      factors 2alpha (HIF2alpha) depletion suppressed CSC-like phenotypes and CSC
      mediated drug resistance in breast cancer. Furthermore, the stimulatory effects
      of hypoxia-induced HIF2alpha on BCSC sphere formation were successfully
      attenuated by epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular
      matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) knockdown. Taken together, these data suggest that
      HIF2alpha mediates hypoxia-induced cancer growth/metastasis and that EFEMP1 is a
      downstream effector of hypoxia-induced HIF2alpha during breast tumorigenesis.

PMID- 27270662
TI  - Web Exclusives. Annals Graphic Medicine - A Brief Anatomy of My Anxiety: The OCD
      Variety.

PMID- 27270663
TI  - Impact Evaluation of a System-Wide Chronic Disease Management Program on Health
      Service Utilisation: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The New South Wales Health (NSW Health) Chronic Disease Management
      Program (CDMP) delivers interventions to adults at risk of hospitalisation for
      five target chronic conditions that respond well to ambulatory care: diabetes,
      hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure,
      and coronary artery disease. The intervention consists of two main components:
      (1) care coordination across sectors (acute, ambulatory, and community care from
      both public and private sectors) and clinical specialties, facilitated by program
      care coordinators, and (2) health coaching including management of lifestyle risk
      factors and medications and self-management. These components were broadly
      prescribed by the head office of NSW Health, which funded the program, and were
      implemented by regional health services (local health districts) in ways that
      best suited their own history, environment, workforce, and patient need. We used
      a propensity-matched cohort study to evaluate health service utilisation after
      enrolment in the CDMP. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The evaluation cohort included
      41,303 CDMP participants enrolled between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2013 who
      experienced at least one hospital admission or emergency department (ED)
      presentation for a target condition in the 12 mo preceding enrolment. Potential
      controls were selected from patients not enrolled in the CDMP but experiencing at
      least one hospital admission or ED presentation over the same period. Each CDMP
      patient in the evaluation cohort was matched to one control using 1:1 propensity
      score matching. The primary outcome was avoidable hospitalisations. Secondary
      outcomes included avoidable readmissions, avoidable bed days, unplanned
      hospitalisations, unplanned readmissions, unplanned bed days, ED presentations,
      and all-cause death. The primary analysis consisted of 30,057 CDMP participants
      and 30,057 matched controls with a median follow-up of 15 mo. Of those, 25,638
      (85.3%) and 25,597 (85.2%) were alive by the end of follow-up in the CDMP and
      control groups, respectively. Baseline characteristics (including history of
      health service utilisation) were well balanced between the matched groups. In
      both groups, utilisation peaked just before the time of enrolment/matching,
      declined sharply immediately following enrolment, and then continued to decrease
      more gradually; however, after enrolment, avoidable and unplanned health service
      utilisation remained higher for CDMP participants compared to controls. The
      adjusted yearly rate of avoidable hospital admissions was 0.57 (95% CI 0.52 to
      0.62) in the CDMP group versus 0.33 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.37) in the control group
      (adjusted rate ratio 1.70, 95% CI 1.62 to 1.79, p < 0.001). Significant increases
      in service utilisation were also observed for unplanned hospitalisations (1.42,
      95% CI 1.37 to 1.47, p < 0.001) and ED presentations (1.37, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.42,
      p < 0.001) as well as avoidable (2.00, 95% CI 1.80 to 2.22, p < 0.001) and
      unplanned (1.51, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.62, p < 0.001) readmissions and avoidable
      (1.70, 95% CI 1.59 to 1.82, p < 0.001) and unplanned (1.43, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.49,
      p < 0.001) bed days. No evidence of a difference was seen for all-cause death
      (adjusted risk ratio 0.96, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.01, p = 0.10) or non-avoidable
      hospitalisations (all hospitalisations minus avoidable hospitalisations; adjusted
      rate ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.10, p = 0.26). Despite the robustness of these
      results to sensitivity analyses, in the absence of a randomised control group,
      one cannot exclude the possibility of residual or unmeasured confounding that was
      not controlled for by the matching process and multivariable analyses.
      CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the CDMP was associated with an increase in
      avoidable hospital admissions compared to matched controls but no difference in
      the rate of other types of hospitalisation or death. A possible explanation is
      that the program identified conditions that required participants to be
      hospitalised. Service utilisation decreased sharply following its peak for both
      groups. This finding reflects the natural tendency for high-risk patients to show
      reductions in use following intense phases of service utilisation and highlights
      that, despite the additional complexity, a carefully selected control group is
      essential when assessing the effectiveness of interventions on hospital use.

PMID- 27270664
TI  - Self-Assembly of Measles Virus Nucleocapsid-like Particles: Kinetics and RNA
      Sequence Dependence.
AB  - Measles virus RNA genomes are packaged into helical nucleocapsids (NCs),
      comprising thousands of nucleo-proteins (N) that bind the entire genome. N-RNA
      provides the template for replication and transcription by the viral polymerase
      and is a promising target for viral inhibition. Elucidation of mechanisms
      regulating this process has been severely hampered by the inability to
      controllably assemble NCs. Here, we demonstrate self-organization of N into NC
      like particles in vitro upon addition of RNA, providing a simple and versatile
      tool for investigating assembly. Real-time NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy
      reveals biphasic assembly kinetics. Remarkably, assembly depends strongly on the
      RNA-sequence, with the genomic 5' end and poly-Adenine sequences assembling
      efficiently, while sequences such as poly-Uracil are incompetent for NC
      formation. This observation has important consequences for understanding the
      assembly process.

PMID- 27270665
TI  - Impaired HDL cholesterol efflux in metabolic syndrome is unrelated to glucose
      tolerance status: the CODAM study.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) increase
      atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is
      a key metric of the anti-atherosclerotic functionality of high-density
      lipoproteins (HDL). The present study aimed to delineate if T2DM and MetS cross
      sectionally associate with altered CEC in a large high cardiometabolic risk
      population. CEC was determined from THP-1 macrophage foam cells towards
      apolipoprotein B-depleted plasma from 552 subjects of the CODAM cohort (288
      controls, 126 impaired glucose metabolism [IGM], 138 T2DM). MetS was present in
      297 participants. CEC was not different between different glucose tolerance
      categories but was lower in MetS (P < 0.001), at least partly attributable to
      lower HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoA-I levels (P < 0.001 for each). Low grade
      inflammation was increased in IGM, T2DM and MetS as determined by a score
      comprising 8 different biomarkers (P < 0.05-< 0.001; n = 547). CEC inversely
      associated with low-grade inflammation taking account of HDL-C or apoA-I in MetS
      (P < 0.02), but not in subjects without MetS (interaction: P = 0.015). This study
      demonstrates that IGM and T2DM do not impact the HDL CEC function, while efflux
      is lower in MetS, partly dependent on plasma HDL-C levels. Enhanced low-grade
      inflammation in MetS may conceivably impair CEC even independent of HDL-C and
      apoA-I.

PMID- 27270666
TI  - Distinct Oral Neutrophil Subsets Define Health and Periodontal Disease States.
AB  - Neutrophils exit the vasculature and swarm to sites of inflammation and
      infection. However, these cells are abundant in the healthy, inflammation-free
      human oral environment, suggesting a unique immune surveillance role within the
      periodontium. We hypothesize that neutrophils in the healthy oral cavity occur in
      an intermediary parainflammatory state that allows them to interact with and
      contain the oral microflora without eliciting a marked inflammatory response.
      Based on a high-throughput screen of neutrophil CD (cluster of differentiation)
      marker expression and a thorough literature review, we developed multicolor flow
      cytometry panels to determine the surface marker signatures of oral neutrophil
      subsets in periodontal health and disease. We define here 3 distinct neutrophil
      subsets: resting/naive circulatory neutrophils, parainflammatory neutrophils
      found in the healthy oral cavity, and proinflammatory neutrophils found in the
      oral cavity during chronic periodontal disease. Furthermore, parainflammatory
      neutrophils manifest as 2 distinct subpopulations-based on size, granularity, and
      expression of specific CD markers-and exhibit intermediate levels of activation
      as compared with the proinflammatory oral neutrophils. These intermediately
      activated parainflammatory populations occur in equal proportions in the healthy
      oral cavity, with a shift to one highly activated proinflammatory neutrophil
      population in chronic periodontal disease. This work is the first to identify and
      characterize oral parainflammatory neutrophils that interact with commensal
      biofilms without inducing an inflammatory response, thereby demonstrating that
      not all neutrophils trafficking through periodontal tissues are fully activated.
      In addition to establishing possible diagnostic and treatment monitoring
      biomarkers, this oral neutrophil phenotype model builds on existing literature
      suggesting that the healthy periodontium may be in a parainflammatory state.

PMID- 27270667
TI  - The ghost sex-life of the paedogenetic beetle Micromalthus debilis.
AB  - Genetic and sexual systems can be evolutionarily dynamic within and among clades.
      However, identifying the processes responsible for switches between, for
      instance, sexual and asexual reproduction, or cyclic and non-cyclic life
      histories remains challenging. When animals evolve parthenogenetic reproduction,
      information about the sexual mating system becomes lost. Here we report an
      extraordinary case where we have been able to resurrect sexual adults in a
      species of beetle that reproduces by parthenogenetic paedogenesis, without the
      production of adults. Via heat treatment, we were able to artificially induce
      adult beetles of Micromalthus debilis in order to describe its pre-paedogenetic
      mating system. Adults showed a highly female biased sex ratio, out-breeding
      behaviour, and sex-role reversal. Paedogenetic larvae of Micromalthus are
      infected with the endosymbiotic bacteria Rickettsia and Wolbachia. Clear signs of
      vestigialization in adults are concurrent with the loss of adults. Our data
      suggest an ancient female sex ratio bias that predates the loss of adults,
      perhaps associated with endosymbionts. We propose a model for the transition from
      a haplodiploid cyclical parthenogenetic life history to parthenogenetic
      paedogenesis. Paedogenetic development induces a new mechanism of sex ratio bias
      in midges, wasps and beetles.

PMID- 27270668
TI  - How did media present the radiation risks after the Fukushima accident: a content
      analysis of newspapers in Europe.
AB  - Any activity that might result in exposure of a population to contaminants
      requires communication of the associated risks. This communication is complicated
      by several factors including public perceptions, distrust, uncertainties in risk
      assessment and news media. These factors are especially prominent in
      communication of risks from ionizing radiation. A number of guidelines about the
      communication of risks related to radiation exposures have been made by national
      and international authorities and other stakeholders. The present paper
      investigates whether those guidelines were followed and evaluates how the
      radiation risk related information was presented in European newspapers and
      Russia in the aftermath of the Fukushima accident. It examines the use of
      measurement units and risk comparisons, the quality of the statements on
      radiation risk related issues and the use of visual materials in 1340 newspaper
      articles from Belgium, Italy, Norway, Russia, Slovenia and Spain. Our results
      indicated several misinterpretations and misrepresentations of radiological risks
      in the newspaper articles. We also show an inconsistency in the information that
      was reported with advice provided to risk communicators (e.g. authorities and
      experts) in the guidelines. The results suggest that risk communicators should
      improve their communication practices regarding radiological risks, in order to
      improve emergency management response.

PMID- 27270669
TI  - Multifunctional in vivo imaging of pancreatic islets during diabetes development.
AB  - Pancreatic islet dysfunction leading to insufficient glucose-stimulated insulin
      secretion triggers the clinical onset of diabetes. How islet dysfunction develops
      is not well understood at the cellular level, partly owing to the lack of
      approaches to study single islets longitudinally in vivo Here, we present a
      noninvasive, high-resolution system to quantitatively image real-time glucose
      metabolism from single islets in vivo, currently not available with any other
      method. In addition, this multifunctional system simultaneously reports islet
      function, proliferation, vasculature and macrophage infiltration in vivo from the
      same set of images. Applying our method to a longitudinal high-fat diet study
      revealed changes in islet function as well as alternations in islet
      microenvironment. More importantly, this label-free system enabled us to image
      real-time glucose metabolism directly from single human islets in vivo for the
      first time, opening the door to noninvasive longitudinal in vivo studies of
      healthy and diabetic human islets.

PMID- 27270670
TI  - Signaling pathways controlling activity-dependent local translation of BDNF and
      their localization in dendritic arbors.
AB  - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is encoded by multiple mRNA variants
      whose differential subcellular distribution constitutes a 'spatial code' for
      local translation of BDNF and selective morphological remodeling of dendrites.
      Here, we investigated where BDNF translation takes place and what are the
      signaling pathways involved. Cultured hippocampal neurons treated with KCl showed
      increased BDNF in the soma, proximal and distal dendrites, even in quaternary
      branches. This activity-dependent increase of BDNF was abolished by
      cycloheximide, suggesting local translation, and required activation of glutamate
      and Trk receptors. Our data showed that BDNF translation was regulated by
      multiple signaling cascades including RAS-Erk and mTOR pathways, and CaMKII
      CPEB1, Aurora-A-CPEB1 and Src-ZBP1 pathways. Aurora-A, CPEB1, ZBP1 (also known as
      IGF2BP1), eiF4E, S6 (also known as rpS6) were present throughout the dendritic
      arbor. Neuronal activity increased the levels of Aurora-A, CPEB1 and ZBP1 in
      distal dendrites whereas those of eiF4E and S6 were unaffected. BDNF-6, the main
      dendritic BDNF transcript, was translated in the same subcellular domains and in
      response to the same pathways as total BDNF. In conclusion, we identified the
      signaling cascades controlling BDNF translation and we describe how the
      translational machinery localization is modulated in response to electrical
      activity.

PMID- 27270671
TI  - Driving the Way to Tuberculosis Elimination: The Essential Role of Fundamental
      Research.
AB  - Tuberculosis has impacted human health for millennia. The World Health
      Organization estimated that, in 2014, 9.6 million people developed tuberculosis
      and 1.5 million people died from the disease. In May 2014, the World Health
      Assembly endorsed the new "End TB Strategy" that presents a pathway to
      tuberculosis elimination. The strategy outlines 3 areas of emphasis, one of which
      is intensified research and innovation. In this article we highlight the
      essential role for fundamental tuberculosis research in the future of
      tuberculosis diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. To maximize the impact of
      fundamental research, we must foster collaboration among all stakeholders engaged
      in tuberculosis research and control to facilitate open dialogue to assure that
      critical gaps in outcome-oriented science are identified and addressed. We
      present here a framework for future discussions among scientists, physicians,
      research and development specialists, and public health managers for the
      reinforcement of national and international strategies toward tuberculosis
      elimination.

PMID- 27270672
TI  - Longer ovarian stimulation reduces embryo number and clinical pregnancy rate in
      long GnRH agonist cycles.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze whether the length of controlled
      ovarian stimulation affects in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle outcomes. METHODS:
      This retrospective cohort study was performed at a private, university-affiliated
      fertility centre. We reviewed 1522 IVF cycles, comprising 979 long gonadotropin
      releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and 543 GnRH antagonist protocols. All subjects
      underwent controlled ovarian stimulation followed by fresh embryo transfer.
      Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between trigger
      day and the following cycle outcomes: normal fertilization rate (FR), proportion
      of mature oocytes, proportion of cycles with embryos for cryopreservation, and
      clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). RESULTS: In long agonist cycles, having more days
      of stimulation was associated with a lower clinical pregnancy rate (OR=0.87, 95%
      CI=0.80-0.96, P=0.01). Longer stimulation also resulted in fewer cycles with
      supernumerary embryos for cryopreservation (OR=0.84, 95% CI=0.77-0.92, P=0.0005),
      despite a having greater number of mature oocytes retreived (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01
      1.10, P=0.04). For each additional day of stimulation in a long agonist protocol,
      the odds of achieving a clinical pregnancy were reduced by 13% and of achieving
      cryopreservation by 16%. In the antagonist protocol group, the length of ovarian
      stimulation did not have an effect on the clinical pregnancy and cryopreservation
      rates. CONCLUSIONS: Longer duration of ovarian stimulation appears to reduce
      clinical pregnancy and embryo cryopreservation rates in subjects undergoing long
      GnRH agonist cycles. The number of days of stimulation does not appear to affect
      those using the GnRH antagonist protocol.

PMID- 27270673
TI  - [A message from the new Editor of the Revista de Neurologia].

PMID- 27270674
TI  - [Peripheral nerve stimulation effectiveness in the upper limb function recovery
      of patients with a stroke sequel: systematic review and meta-analysis].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In 30-66% of the cases, people who survive a stroke suffer from an
      affected non functional upper limb. Somatosensory stimulation might positively
      influence the muscular activity of patients with motor deficiencies caused by a
      stroke. AIM: To carry out a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the
      effectiveness of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) use in the improvement of the
      plegic/paretic upper limb function in patients with a stroke sequel. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: Randomized and non randomized clinically controlled tests and crossover
      studies published until November 2014 in Medline electronic database, Cochrane
      Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, SciELO and Open Grey were
      included. Studies at high risk of bias were excluded. Two independent researchers
      assessed the studies' eligibility criteria and retrieved and analyzed all data.
      RESULTS: A total of 1,967 studies were found, five of them were included for data
      retrieval and analysis, using a risk of bias fashion of 6/10 at the PEDro scale.
      224 patients were included, 95 of them received PNS in multiple modalities and
      129 received other interventions as a control group. CONCLUSION: The analyzed
      data suggest that the function of the plegic/paretic upper limb improves after
      the application of PNS either with or without functional training. On the other
      hand, the meta-analysis result indicates that there is still insufficient
      evidence to guarantee the effectiveness of PNS use for the recovery of the
      plegic/paretic upper limb function in patients with a stroke sequel.

PMID- 27270675
TI  - [Impact of acquired brain injury towards the community integration: employment
      outcome, disability and dependence two years after injury].
AB  - AIMS: To analyze the impact of acquired brain injury towards the community
      integration (professional career, disability, and dependence) in a sample of
      people affected by vascular, traumatic and tumor etiology acquired brain damage,
      over a two year time period after the original injury, and also to examine what
      sociodemographic variables, premorbid and injury related clinical data can
      predict the level of the person's integration into the community. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: 106 adults sample suffering from acquired brain injury who were attended
      by the Neuropsychology and Neuropsychiatry Department at Hospital of Navarra
      (Spain) affected by memory deficit as their main sequel. Differences among groups
      have been analyzed by using t by Student, chi squared and U by Mann-Whitney
      tests. RESULTS: 19% and 29% of the participants who were actively working before
      the injury got back their previous status within one and two years time
      respectively. 45% of the total sample were recognized disabled and 17% dependant.
      No relationship between sociodemographic and clinical variables and functional
      parameters observed were found. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired brain damage presents a
      high intensity impact on affected person's life trajectory. Nevertheless, in
      Spain, its consequences at sociolaboral adjustment over the the two years
      following the damage through functional parameters analyzed with official
      governmental means over a vascular, traumatic and tumor etiology sample had never
      been studied before.

PMID- 27270676
TI  - [Study of the diagnostic agreement on headaches between neurology and primary
      care].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Headache as a symptom is a very common disease and one of the main
      reasons for consultation in primary care. AIM: To analyze the characteristics of
      patients referred from primary care to general neurology whose chief complaint
      was headache and/or neuralgia and diagnostic agreement. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Cross-sectional study of all patients referred from primary care;
      demographic/clinical variables were collected and diagnostic hypothesis by
      primary care and general neurology were compared by determining their agreement.
      RESULTS: 2,514 were referred from primary care patients (588 of them on a
      preferential basis); in 378 cases the reason for consultation was headache and/or
      neuralgia (average 42.46 years; 77.8% female). In 139 patients it was established
      only a semiological diagnostic and other episodic migraine predominated (49.79%),
      chronic tension headache (18.41%) and trigeminal neuralgia (12.13%). Since
      general neurology, the most common diagnoses were, respectively, 33.86%, 24.05%
      and 18.67%. A compatible kappa coefficient of 0.543 (p < 0.05) with a moderate
      agreement when considering only those patients referred from primary care to a
      specific diagnosis was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Headaches are a very common reason
      for consultation in primary care (15%). The diagnostic agreement is moderate in
      our health sector so it is necessary to design training programs to help outline
      the criteria for referral to specialists and improve care for our patients.

PMID- 27270677
TI  - [Bilateral cerebellopontine arachnoid cyst].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bilateral cerebellopontine arachnoid cysts are very rare, and only
      three cases have been previously reported. CASE REPORT: A 14-year-old previously
      healthy girl presented to our outpatient clinic with a 6-weeks history of frontal
      headache. They typically would start in the occipital region and then radiate
      bifrontally. The neurological examination was unremarkable. Magnetic resonance
      imaging revealed an extra-axial bilateral lesion in bilateral cerebellopontine
      angle, larger on left side. The lesions were homogeneously hypointenese on T1
      weighted imaging and hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging without evidence of
      contrast enhancement and without evidence of restriction on diffusion-weighted
      imaging. No surgical treatment was indicated. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral arachnoid
      cysts of the cerebellopontine angle are very infrequent and the main indication
      for surgery is the existence of clinical symptoms or neurological deficit
      coincident with the locations of the cysts.

PMID- 27270679
TI  - [Halo sign in the facial artery. An aid in the diagnosis of giant-cell
      arteritis].

PMID- 27270678
TI  - Review of the novelties from the 31st ECTRIMS Congress, 2015, presented at the
      8th Post-ECTRIMS meeting.
AB  - Renowned national specialists in multiple sclerosis (MS) met, for the eighth year
      in a row, to give details of the latest novelties presented at the last ECTRIMS
      Congress 2015, which are included in this review. One of the highlights at this
      Congress was the new classification of the phenotypes of MS. Both the diagnostic
      criteria of the neuromyelitis optica spectrum and the problems involved in the
      differential diagnosis derived from the lack of definition of the radiological
      spectrum were reviewed. The microbiota comes to the fore as a possible factor
      determining the disease, together with extrinsic factors such as tobacco, salt
      ingestion or vitamin D deficiency. Advances made in immunomodulation are driving
      the progress being made in the treatment of MS. Ocrelizumab is the first
      treatment with positive results in the primarily progressive forms and
      tocilizumab, a drug product for rheumatoid arthritis, stands out as a potential
      candidate for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica. Certain antibiotics and
      vitamins could also play a role in the treatment of MS. In this edition of the
      Congress special attention was paid to personalised therapy. To date, 11 drugs
      have been approved for use in Europe. There is a need for therapeutic algorithms
      that help us to choose the best treatment for each patient. Likewise, we need to
      be able to identify, in the early stages of the disease, the risk of developing
      disability, so as to be able to design therapeutic strategies. To do so,
      molecular biomarkers and other predictive tools are required. The problems that
      still exist in software technology in magnetic resonance hinder its application
      in daily clinical practice. 

PMID- 27270680
TI  - [Infection by the hepatitis E virus as a precipitating factor of Parsonage-Turner
      syndrome].

PMID- 27270681
TI  - [Spanish neuroscience in times of Don Quixote].

PMID- 27270682
TI  - [Spanish neuroscience in times of Don Quixote].

PMID- 27270683
TI  - Making one-sided exercise decisions: The influence of exercise-related cognitive
      errors.
AB  - Exercise-related cognitive errors reflect biased processing of exercise-relevant
      information. The purpose of this study was to examine whether differences existed
      between individuals reporting low and high exercise-related cognitive errors on
      information processed about a relevant exercise decision-making situation. In
      all, 138 adults completed an online questionnaire. The high exercise-related
      cognitive error group primarily focused on negative content about the situation
      compared to the low exercise-related cognitive error group who focused on both
      positive and negative content. The high exercise-related cognitive error group
      displayed biased processing of exercise information, as suggested by the
      cognitive errors model. Future research should examine whether biasing
      information processing caused by exercise-related cognitive errors can be
      modified and attenuated.

PMID- 27270684
TI  - How do women with secondary breast cancer experience telling their adolescent
      children about their diagnosis?
AB  - This study investigated how women with secondary breast cancer experience telling
      their adolescent children. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women
      who had been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at least 1 year prior to the
      interview. Seven women, who had at least one child between 12 and 19 years old
      living at home at the time of diagnosis, were interviewed. The interviews were
      analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis for an in-depth
      understanding of women's experiences. Women found that it was easier to tell
      their children of their secondary breast cancer diagnosis compared to their
      primary cancer. However, they talked about the impact the diagnosis had on their
      family.

PMID- 27270685
TI  - Distinct characteristics of asymmetric magnetic reconnections: Observational
      results from the exhaust region at the dayside magnetopause.
AB  - Magnetic reconnection plays a key role in the conversion of magnetic energy into
      the thermal and kinetic energy of plasma. On either side of the diffusion region
      in space plasma, the conditions for the occurrence of reconnections are usually
      not symmetric. Previous theoretical studies have predicted that reconnections
      under asymmetric conditions will bear different features compared with those of
      symmetric reconnections, and numerical simulations have verified these distinct
      features. However, to date, the features of asymmetric reconnections have not
      been thoroughly investigated using in situ observations; thus, some results from
      theoretical studies and simulations have not been tested with observations
      sufficiently well. Here, spacecraft observations are used in a statistical
      investigation of asymmetric magnetic reconnection exhaust at the dayside
      magnetopause. The resulting observational features are consistent with the
      theoretical predictions. The results presented here advance our understanding of
      the development of reconnections under asymmetric conditions.

PMID- 27270686
TI  - Biomarkers: stepping stones to firmer end points.

PMID- 27270688
TI  - Rate dependent of strength in metallic glasses at different temperatures.
AB  - The correlation between the strength at the macroscale and the elastic
      deformation as well as shear cracking behavior at the microscale of bulk metallic
      glasses (BMGs) is investigated. The temperatures of 298 K and 77 K as well as the
      strain rate ranging from 10(-6) s(-1) to 10(-2) s(-1) are applied to the BMGs, in
      which the mechanical responses of the BMGs are profiled through the compression
      tests. The yield strength is associated with the activation of the elementary
      deformation unit, which is insensitive to the strain rate. The maximum
      compressive strength is linked to the crack propagation during shear fracture
      process, which is influenced by the strain rate. The cryogenic temperature of 77
      K significantly improves the yield strength and the maximum compressive strength
      of the BMGs.

PMID- 27270687
TI  - Does advancing male age influence the expression levels and localisation patterns
      of phospholipase C zeta (PLCzeta) in human sperm?
AB  - Socio-economic factors have led to an increasing trend for couples to delay
      parenthood. However, advancing age exerts detrimental effects upon gametes which
      can have serious consequences upon embryo viability. While such effects are well
      documented for the oocyte, relatively little is known with regard to the sperm.
      One fundamental role of sperm is to activate the oocyte at fertilisation, a
      process initiated by phospholipase C zeta (PLCzeta), a sperm-specific protein.
      While PLCzeta deficiency can lead to oocyte activation deficiency and
      infertility, it is currently unknown whether the expression or function of
      PLCzeta is compromised by advancing male age. Here, we evaluate sperm motility
      and the proportion of sperm expressing PLCzeta in 71 males (22-54 years; 44
      fertile controls and 27 infertile patients), along with total levels and
      localisation patterns of PLCzeta within the sperm head. Three different
      statistical approaches were deployed with male age considered both as a
      categorical and a continuous factor. While progressive motility was negatively
      correlated with male age, all three statistical models concurred that no PLCzeta
      related parameter was associated with male age, suggesting that advancing male
      age is unlikely to cause problems in terms of the sperm's fundamental ability to
      activate an oocyte.

PMID- 27270689
TI  - Relief of Protracted Catatonic Symptoms with Prolonged Electroconvulsive Therapy.

PMID- 27270690
TI  - Effective Removal of kappa-Free Light Chains with Hemodialysis Using Fresenius
      Ultraflux(r) EMiC(r)2 Dialyser in a Patient with Myeloma Cast Nephropathy, with
      Associated Cost Savings.

PMID- 27270691
TI  - What women want: social characteristics, gender-based violence and social support
      preferences in a cohort of women living with HIV.
AB  - A total of 229 women attend Chalmers Centre (a city-centre integrated sexual
      health centre in Edinburgh, Scotland) for their HIV care and treatment. Local
      third-sector agencies provide peer support, but anecdotally, it is not well
      utilised and some demographic groups are under-represented. The aim of this study
      was to gain better understanding of the background social characteristics of
      these women, to ascertain what issues they are affected by, and to better
      identify what support is required and how it should be provided/facilitated. An
      anonymous self-completion questionnaire was developed, and all women attending
      HIV clinics between July and November 2015 were given the opportunity to
      participate. Additional data were accessed from the National Sexual Health
      database on cohort size and gender-based violence enquiries. Forty-four women
      living with HIV completed the questionnaire. 25% are unemployed. 84.6% had a
      combined household income of less than L30,000 per annum. 16.7% do not know
      anyone else, and 59.5% know only one other person, who is living with HIV. 32.6%
      would like to meet other/more women living with HIV, and 25.5% were unsure if
      they did or not. Of those who would, 42.9% would prefer a one-to-one setting,
      42.9% would prefer a group setting, and 14.3% did not mind. 64.3% would prefer to
      meet off NHS premises. 26.8% were interested in discussion groups on women's
      issues, and 31.7% were unsure. The most popular suggestions for discussion group
      topics were stress/anxiety (nine women), HIV disclosure (eight women), diet and
      nutrition (seven women), and pregnancy and childbirth (six women). 26.8% were
      interested in attending a "women clinic" staffed by female staff, the same number
      were unsure if they would utilise this service or not. 50% of women had, at some
      point, experienced gender-based violence, 13.5% were currently experiencing
      gender-based violence, and four of these women have children living with them.
      From National Sexual Health records, only 15.7% of the cohort had ever been asked
      about gender-based violence. Respondents were demographically representative of
      our whole cohort. 75% are in employment but it appears that the majority of these
      women are likely to be earning lower than the national average income. To improve
      holistic support for these women and facilitate peer support, we need to be
      flexible in our approach. Gender-based violence appears to be disproportionately
      affecting women living with HIV in Lothian and, as a team, we are failing to
      routinely enquire about it. Robust referral/signposting pathways should be
      developed for women after gender-based violence disclosure.

PMID- 27270692
TI  - Acute onset myopericarditis as unusual presentation of primary HIV infection.
AB  - A 30-year-old man was admitted to hospital after complaining of a retrosternal
      burning pain, radiating to the jugular region, and to both upper limbs. An
      electrocardiography examination showed a ST segment elevation involving the lower
      lateral leads. A trans-thoracic ultrasonography showed findings compatible with
      an acute myopericarditis. All performed serological testings excluded other
      recent infections with cardiac tropism. Among screening tests, a peripheral
      lymphocyte subset analysis was performed and an inversion of the CD4/CD8 ratio
      was found. Therefore, HIV testing was performed and proved positive for HIV-1
      antibodies. The discovery of a primary HIV infection with involvement of a vital
      organ led us to start HAART. On day 20, our patient underwent a right heart
      catheterization and endomyocardial biopsy. During the following days, the
      clinical conditions of our patient improved, and a further heart ultrasonography
      documented a mild pericardial thickening as a result of the recent
      myopericarditis. Also the evolving changes of ECG were compatible with a benign
      evolution of myopericarditis. The histopathologic studies revealed a mild
      fibrosis of the myocardial right ventricular tissue, and inflammatory findings
      compatible with a recent myocarditis. At the real-time PCR analysis on bioptic
      sample, only HHV6 DNA and HIV-DNA were reactive. An immunofluorescence staining
      was performed to highlight the HIV p24 protein and a positive signal was detected
      in myocardial tissue. Considering the low avidity level of the anti-HIV IgG
      antibodies and the positivity of HIV-DNA in the endomyocardial tissue, we believe
      that the clinical manifestation presented can be referred to the recent primary
      HIV-infection.

PMID- 27270693
TI  - Joshua Lederberg on Bacterial Recombination.

PMID- 27270694
TI  - Curt Stern on Somatic Crossing Over.

PMID- 27270695
TI  - Massively Parallel Genetics.
AB  - Human genetics has historically depended on the identification of individuals
      whose natural genetic variation underlies an observable trait or disease risk.
      Here we argue that new technologies now augment this historical approach by
      allowing the use of massively parallel assays in model systems to measure the
      functional effects of genetic variation in many human genes. These studies will
      help establish the disease risk of both observed and potential genetic variants
      and to overcome the problem of "variants of uncertain significance."

PMID- 27270696
TI  - A Brief History of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Research: A Perspective Over the
      Past 70 Years.
AB  - Since its humble start as a model organism in two European laboratories in the
      1940s and 1950s, the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has grown to become
      one of the best-studied eukaryotes today. This article outlines the way in which
      interest in S. pombe developed and spread from Europe to Japan, North America,
      and elsewhere from its beginnings up to the first International Meeting devoted
      to this yeast in 1999. We describe the expansion of S. pombe research during this
      period with an emphasis on many of the individual researchers involved and their
      interactions that resulted in the development of today's vibrant community. 

PMID- 27270697
TI  - Learning and Doing: An Interview with Bill Wood.
AB  - THE Genetics Society of America's Elizabeth W. Jones Award for Excellence in
      Education recognizes significant and sustained impact on genetics education. As
      well as having made major contributions to biochemistry and developmental
      genetics, the 2016 awardee William B. Wood has been a pioneer in the reform of
      science teaching. Wood's leadership has been crucial in several national
      initiatives and programs, including the development of the influential National
      Academies Summer institutes on Undergraduate Education in Biology. He has also
      catalyzed change in education through his service as Editor-in-Chief of CBE-Life
      Sciences Education, a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Society for
      Cell Biology, in editorial partnership with the GSA. 

PMID- 27270700
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27270701
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27270698
TI  - Tools for Predicting the Functional Impact of Nonsynonymous Genetic Variation.
AB  - As personal genome sequencing becomes a reality, understanding the effects of
      genetic variants on phenotype-particularly the impact of germline variants on
      disease risk and the impact of somatic variants on cancer development and
      treatment-continues to increase in importance. Because of their clear potential
      for affecting phenotype, nonsynonymous genetic variants (variants that cause a
      change in the amino acid sequence of a protein encoded by a gene) have long been
      the target of efforts to predict the effects of genetic variation. Whole-genome
      sequencing is identifying large numbers of nonsynonymous variants in each genome,
      intensifying the need for computational methods that accurately predict which of
      these are likely to impact disease phenotypes. This review focuses on
      nonsynonymous variant prediction with two aims in mind: (1) to review the
      prioritization methods that have been developed to date and the principles on
      which they are based and (2) to discuss the challenges to further improving these
      methods.

PMID- 27270703
TI  - Erratum: Correspondence: Enhancing a phase measurement by sequentially probing a
      solid-state system.

PMID- 27270704
TI  - The quest for the holy volume therapy.

PMID- 27270705
TI  - Confinement of water droplets on rectangular micro/nano-arrayed surfaces.
AB  - Micro-patterned surfaces with alternate hydrophilic and hydrophobic rectangular
      areas effectively confine water droplets down to attolitre volumes. The contact
      angle, volume, and geometry of the confined droplets as a function of the
      geometry and physico-chemical properties of the confining surfaces have been
      determined by phenomenological simulations, validated by atomic force microscopy
      measurements. The combination between experiments and simulations can be used for
      the purposeful design of arrays with surface-addressable hydrophobicity employed
      in digital microfluidics and high-throughput screening nanoarrays.

PMID- 27270699
TI  - Tetrahymena as a Unicellular Model Eukaryote: Genetic and Genomic Tools.
AB  - Tetrahymena thermophila is a ciliate model organism whose study has led to
      important discoveries and insights into both conserved and divergent biological
      processes. In this review, we describe the tools for the use of Tetrahymena as a
      model eukaryote, including an overview of its life cycle, orientation to its
      evolutionary roots, and methodological approaches to forward and reverse
      genetics. Recent genomic tools have expanded Tetrahymena's utility as a genetic
      model system. With the unique advantages that Tetrahymena provide, we argue that
      it will continue to be a model organism of choice.

PMID- 27270706
TI  - Exercise training comprising of single 20-s cycle sprints does not provide a
      sufficient stimulus for improving maximal aerobic capacity in sedentary
      individuals.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sprint interval training (SIT) provides a potent stimulus for improving
      maximal aerobic capacity ([Formula: see text]), which is among the strongest
      markers for future cardiovascular health and premature mortality. Cycling-based
      SIT protocols involving six or more 'all-out' 30-s Wingate sprints per training
      session improve [Formula: see text], but we have recently demonstrated that
      similar improvements in [Formula: see text] can be achieved with as few as two 20
      s sprints. This suggests that the volume of sprint exercise has limited influence
      on subsequent training adaptations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was
      to examine whether a single 20-s cycle sprint per training session can provide a
      sufficient stimulus for improving [Formula: see text]. METHODS: Thirty sedentary
      or recreationally active participants (10 men/20 women; mean +/- SD age: 24 +/- 6
      years, BMI: 22.6 +/- 4.0 kg m(-2), [Formula: see text]: 33 +/- 7 mL kg(-1) min(
      1)) were randomised to a training group or a no-intervention control group.
      Training involved three exercise sessions per week for 4 weeks, consisting of a
      single 20-s Wingate sprint (no warm-up or cool-down). [Formula: see text] was
      determined prior to training and 3 days following the final training session.
      RESULTS: Mean [Formula: see text] did not significantly change in the training
      group (2.15 +/- 0.62 vs. 2.22 +/- 0.64 L min(-1)) or the control group (2.07 +/-
      0.69 vs. 2.08 +/- 0.68 L min(-1); effect of time: P = 0.17; group * time
      interaction effect: P = 0.26). CONCLUSION: Although we have previously
      demonstrated that regularly performing two repeated 20-s 'all-out' cycle sprints
      provides a sufficient training stimulus for a robust increase in [Formula: see
      text], our present study suggests that this is not the case when training
      sessions are limited to a single sprint.

PMID- 27270707
TI  - Metal free TBHP-promoted intramolecular carbonylation of arenes via radical cross
      dehydrogenative coupling: synthesis of indenoquinolinones, 4-azafluorenones and
      fluorenones.
AB  - A metal-free, TBHP-promoted economical route is developed via the sp(2) C-H bond
      functionalization strategy for the synthesis of indenoquinolinones, 4
      azafluorenones and fluorenones. Reactions provided excellent yield of the
      products under mild conditions. We have successfully synthesized 11H-indeno[1,2
      b]quinolin-11-one, an antibacterial agent, in excellent yields. 

PMID- 27270708
TI  - Cytochrome c peroxidase activity of heme bound amyloid beta peptides.
AB  - Heme bound amyloid beta (Abeta) peptides, which have been associated with
      Alzheimer's disease (AD), can catalytically oxidize ferrocytochrome c (Cyt c(II))
      in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The rate of catalytic oxidation of
      Cyt(II) c has been found to be dependent on several factors, such as
      concentration of heme(III)-Abeta, Cyt(II) c, H2O2, pH, ionic strength of the
      solution, and peptide chain length of Abeta. The above features resemble the
      naturally occurring enzyme cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP) which is known to
      catalytically oxidize Cyt(II) c in the presence of H2O2. In the absence of
      heme(III)-Abeta, the oxidation of Cyt(II) c is not catalytic. Thus, heme-Abeta
      complex behaves as CCP.

PMID- 27270710
TI  - Rapidly Progressing Primary Extrahepatic Bile Duct Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma in
      a Caucasian Woman.

PMID- 27270709
TI  - De novo malignancy after lung transplantation in Japan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Lung transplant recipients have an increased de novo cancer risk due
      to long-term immunosuppression and several oncogenic viral infections. In Japan,
      to date, there have been no national surveys of the incidence of de novo
      malignancy after lung transplantation. METHODS: This national survey was
      conducted by the Japanese Society for Transplantation. The questionnaire was
      distributed to lung transplant institutions, asking about several clinical
      factors related to de novo malignancy patients transplanted from 2001 to 2010.
      RESULTS: 179 cases of lung transplantation were performed by seven institutions
      in Japan between 2001 and 2010. De novo malignancies occurred in 18 patients
      (10.1 %). The most common malignancy was a lymphoproliferative malignancy (12
      cases, including 1 double de novo cancer after tongue cancer), followed by
      cervical cancer (4 cases), breast cancer (2 cases), and tongue cancer (1 case).
      The mean time of occurrence after transplantation was 37.8 (range 4-148) months.
      Reduction and/or withdrawal of immunosuppression for the treatment of malignancy
      was seen in 14 cases. Death due to cancer occurred in 6 cases. The overall 5-year
      survival of 18 patients was 58.9 %. The 5-year survival of post-transplant
      lymphoproliferative disorder was not significantly different from that of other
      malignancies (47.6 and 62.5 %, respectively; p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: This is the
      first national survey of the incidence of de novo malignancy after lung
      transplantation in Japan. The incidence was 10.1 % and post-transplant
      lymphoproliferative disorder was the most common malignancy.

PMID- 27270711
TI  - New Approaches in Locoregional Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represent actually the fifth most common
      cancer worldwide, with liver transplantation and hepatic resection who represent
      the standard of care of curative treatment. Unfortunately, not all patient could
      benefit of curative treatment. For such patients, locoregional or systemic
      therapies represent a valid option in order to achieve the best survival
      possible. METHODS: A review of most interesting paper actually present in
      literature on locoregional treatment for nonresectable nontransplantable HCC was
      performed. RESULTS: A detailed description on each different approach has been
      detailed in each chapter. CONCLUSION: In case of nontransplantable and
      nonresectable HCC, locoregional treatment represent a valid alternative in
      management of this patients.

PMID- 27270712
TI  - A Review on Dietary and Non-Dietary Risk Factors Associated with Gastrointestinal
      Cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a complex disease involving neoplasm of abnormal cells
      leading to development of tumor cells. Gene mutations result in aberrant gene
      expression, which is the major cause observed in all the cancers. The GLOBOCAN
      2012 reported the highest age-standardized rates for cancer of the colorectum
      followed by stomach, liver, and esophagus, which are gastrointestinal cancers,
      and the new cases also followed the same order across the globe. Various risk
      factors are associated with different types of cancer which can be classified as
      dietary and non-dietary risk factors. The dietary risk factors include diet,
      alcohol, and nutrient deficiencies, whereas the non-dietary risk factors of
      cancers are tobacco, lifestyle choices, certain infections, occupational
      exposures, and environmental factors. PURPOSE: The aim of this review is to focus
      on the dietary and non-dietary risk factors linked to gastrointestinal cancers,
      which could be beneficial in clinical decision-making.

PMID- 27270713
TI  - HITSZ_CDR: an end-to-end chemical and disease relation extraction system for
      BioCreative V.
AB  - In this article, an end-to-end system was proposed for the challenge task of
      disease named entity recognition (DNER) and chemical-induced disease (CID)
      relation extraction in BioCreative V, where DNER includes disease mention
      recognition (DMR) and normalization (DN). Evaluation on the challenge corpus
      showed that our system achieved the highest F1-scores 86.93% on DMR, 84.11% on
      DN, 43.04% on CID relation extraction, respectively. The F1-score on DMR is
      higher than our previous one reported by the challenge organizers (86.76%), the
      highest F1-score of the challenge.Database URL:
      http://database.oxfordjournals.org/content/2016/baw077. 

PMID- 27270714
TI  - ANItools web: a web tool for fast genome comparison within multiple bacterial
      strains.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early classification of prokaryotes was based solely on phenotypic
      similarities, but modern prokaryote characterization has been strongly influenced
      by advances in genetic methods. With the fast development of the sequencing
      technology, the ever increasing number of genomic sequences per species offers
      the possibility for developing distance determinations based on whole-genome
      information. The average nucleotide identity (ANI), calculated from pair-wise
      comparisons of all sequences shared between two given strains, has been proposed
      as the new metrics for bacterial species definition and classification. RESULTS:
      In this study, we developed the web version of ANItools
      (http://ani.mypathogen.cn/), which helps users directly get ANI values from
      online sources. A database covering ANI values of any two strains in a genus was
      also included (2773 strains, 1487 species and 668 genera). Importantly, ANItools
      web can automatically run genome comparison between the input genomic sequence
      and data sequences (Genus and Species levels), and generate a graphical report
      for ANI calculation results. CONCLUSION: ANItools web is useful for defining the
      relationship between bacterial strains, further contributing to the
      classification and identification of bacterial species using genome data.Database
      URL: http://ani.mypathogen.cn/.

PMID- 27270715
TI  - Gene regulation knowledge commons: community action takes care of DNA binding
      transcription factors.
AB  - A large gap remains between the amount of knowledge in scientific literature and
      the fraction that gets curated into standardized databases, despite many curation
      initiatives. Yet the availability of comprehensive knowledge in databases is
      crucial for exploiting existing background knowledge, both for designing follow
      up experiments and for interpreting new experimental data. Structured resources
      also underpin the computational integration and modeling of regulatory pathways,
      which further aids our understanding of regulatory dynamics. We argue how
      cooperation between the scientific community and professional curators can
      increase the capacity of capturing precise knowledge from literature. We
      demonstrate this with a project in which we mobilize biological domain experts
      who curate large amounts of DNA binding transcription factors, and show that
      they, although new to the field of curation, can make valuable contributions by
      harvesting reported knowledge from scientific papers. Such community curation can
      enhance the scientific epistemic process.Database URL:
      http://www.tfcheckpoint.org. 

PMID- 27270717
TI  - [The new second opinion process].

PMID- 27270716
TI  - [A rare case of conductive hearing loss : Isolated fracture of the manubrium
      mallei as a consequence of digital manipulation in the external auditory meatus].
AB  - Isolated fracture of the handle of the malleus is a rare cause of conductive
      hearing loss and represents a challenge for the otolaryngologist in terms of past
      medical history, diagnostics, and therapy.

PMID- 27270718
TI  - Erratum to: Transfersomal Nanoparticles for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of
      Clindamycin.

PMID- 27270719
TI  - Erratum to: Superselective intraarterial cerebral infusion of cetuximab after
      osmotic blood/brain barrier disruption for recurrent malignant glioma: phase I
      study.

PMID- 27270721
TI  - Neonatal extracorporeal renal replacement therapy-a routine renal support
      modality?
AB  - Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is generally considered the preferred extracorporeal
      therapy for neonates with acute kidney injury (AKI). However, there are
      situations when PD is not suitable, such as in patients with previous abdominal
      surgery, hyperammonemia and significant ascites or anasarca. Additionally, with a
      need to start PD soon after catheter placement, there is increased risk of PD
      catheter leak and infection. Extracorporeal continuous renal replacement therapy
      (CRRT) is challenging in severely ill neonates as it requires obtaining
      adequately sized central venous access to accommodate adequate blood flow rates
      and also adaptation of a CRRT machine meant for older children and adults. In
      addition, ultrafiltration often cannot be set in sufficiently small increments to
      be suitable for neonates. Although CRRT practices can be modified to fit the
      needs of infants and neonates, there is a need for a device designed specifically
      for this population. Until that becomes available, providing the highest level of
      care for neonates with AKI is dependent on the shared experiences of members of
      the pediatric nephrology community. 

PMID- 27270720
TI  - Perspectives on Dual Targeting Delivery Systems for Brain Tumors.
AB  - Brain tumor remains one of the most serious threats to human beings. Different
      from peripheral tumors, drug delivery to brain tumor is largely restricted by the
      blood brain barrier (BBB). To fully conquer this barrier and specifically deliver
      drugs to brain tumor, dual targeting delivery systems were explored, which are
      functionalized with two active targeting ligands: one to the BBB and the other to
      the brain tumor. The development of dual targeting delivery system is still in
      its early stage, and attentions need to be paid to issues and concerns that
      remain unresolved in future studies.

PMID- 27270722
TI  - Desensitization protocols for prospective pediatric renal transplant recipients.
AB  - Desensitization protocols should be considered for children with positive
      crossmatches awaiting renal transplantation. Children are sensitized usually due
      to previous renal (and/or other solid-organ) transplants but can be from
      administration of blood and/or platelet transfusions, infections, and
      immunizations (as sensitization from pregnancy is a rare occurrence in pediatric
      patients). However, the definition of HLA-incompatible (HLAi) renal
      transplantation in the literature varies and is best considered only when there
      is a positive cross-match (positive baseline flow cytometric cross-match or
      positive complement-dependent cytotoxic cross-match). Renal transplantation where
      the recipient has donor-specific antibodies (DSA) but a negative cross-match
      should not fall into this category, although they are higher risk.

PMID- 27270723
TI  - Knowledge, Perceptions and Attitudes toward Chronic Pain and Its Management: A
      Cross-Sectional Survey of Frontline Pharmacists in Ontario, Canada.
AB  - The treatment of chronic pain consumes a significant share of primary care.
      Community and family health team pharmacists frequently see patients with chronic
      pain, thus have the opportunity to improve their care. To assess the knowledge,
      perceptions, and attitudes of Ontario pharmacists, we invited 5,324 Ontario
      pharmacists, to participate in an online survey we developed using Qualtrics. The
      31-question survey gathered demographic information, assessed pharmacists'
      knowledge of three chronic pain conditions; chronic lower back pain (CLBP, eight
      true/false statements); chronic headache disorder (CHD, eight true/false
      statements) and painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN, seven true/false statements),
      and their attitudes toward and perceptions of patients with these conditions, and
      knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of opioids in pain management. We received
      688 responses (12.9%) and 392 pharmacists completed the survey. The mean age of
      respondents was 48.5 years and 48.5% were male. More than 50% of respondents were
      in practice for more than 20 years and 58.7% worked 25-40 hours per week. The
      mean knowledge scores were 4.5/8, 5.5/8, and 5.3/8 for CBLP, CHD, and PDN
      respectively. While 95% of respondents were aware of the increasing death rates
      due to opioid use, only half were familiar with the Canadian guideline for safe
      opioid prescribing for non-cancer use. Responses were compared based on gender,
      time in practice and location of practice. Pharmacists with more than ten years
      of experience scored significantly higher than those with less experience. Fewer
      differences were found in comparisons of gender and location of practice. Safe
      and effective care of chronic pain patients, particularly with opioids, will
      require additional pharmacist education. 

PMID- 27270724
TI  - Impact of tumor location on lymph node metastasis in T1 colorectal cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Data evaluating the risk of lymph node metastasis depending upon the
      location of the primary tumor are limited in patients with T1 colorectal cancer.
      We aimed to evaluate the impact of tumor location on lymph node metastasis in T1
      colorectal cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent an oncologic resection with
      curative intent for T1 adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum between January
      1997 and October 2014 were assessed. Exclusion criteria were distant organ
      metastases, previous or concurrent cancer, past history of surgical or medical
      cancer treatment, preoperative chemoradiation, and patients with inflammatory
      bowel disease or polyposis syndromes. RESULTS: Out of 232 (56 % male) patients
      fulfilling the study criteria, 24 (10 %) had lymph node metastasis. Age (65 vs 61
      years, p = 0.1), gender (55 vs 63 % male, p = 0.5), tumor size (2 vs 2 cm, p =
      0.49), and lymphovascular invasion (5 vs 8 %, p = 0.46) were not associated with
      lymph node metastasis. While there was no statistical significance (p = 0.2),
      lymph node positivity was higher in rectal cancer (14 %, n = 11/79) compared to
      colon cancer (9 %, n = 13/153). CONCLUSIONS: Although it was not statistically
      significant, lymph node positivity varies based on tumor location of T1
      colorectal adenocarcinoma regardless of fundamental tumor characteristics
      including size, differentiation, and lymphovascular invasion.

PMID- 27270725
TI  - The Influence of Smoking on Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic
      Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both smoking and diabetes can increase the risk and influence the
      manifestations and outcomes of tuberculosis (TB). It is not clear whether the
      influence of smoking on pulmonary TB differs between non-diabetic and diabetic
      patients. Herein, we assessed the manifestations and outcomes of TB in relation
      to smoking in both diabetic and non-diabetic TB patients. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL
      FINDINGS: All diabetic culture-positive pulmonary TB patients notified from 2005
      2010 at three teaching hospitals in Taiwan were enrolled. A culture-positive
      pulmonary TB patient without DM who was notified to the health authority
      immediately prior to each diabetic TB patient was selected for comparison. The
      972 patients in this study cohort included 365 (37.6%) non-diabetic non-smokers,
      149 (15.3%) non-diabetic smokers, 284 (29.2%) diabetic non-smokers, and 174
      (17.9%) diabetic smokers. The adjusted relative risk of a pretreatment positive
      smear for a smoker compared with a non-smoker was 2.19 (95% CI 1.38-3.47) in non
      diabetic patients and 2.23 (95% CI 1.29-3.87) in diabetic culture-positive
      pulmonary TB patients. The adjusted relative risk for a positive smear among
      diabetic smokers was 5.61 (95% CI 3.35-9.41) compared with non-diabetic non
      smokers. Smoking was significantly associated with an increased frequency of
      bilateral lung parenchyma involvement (AdjOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.16-2.93), far
      advanced pulmonary TB (AdjOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04-3.50), cavitary lesions (AdjOR
      2.03, 95% CI 1.29-3.20), and unfavorable outcomes of TB (AdjOR 2.35, 95% CI 1.02
      5.41) in non-diabetic patients. However, smoking was not associated with cavitary
      lung parenchyma lesions regarding the location, number or size of the cavity in
      diabetic TB patients. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Smoking and diabetes have joint
      effects on a pretreatment positive smear. Diabetic smokers had more than a 5-fold
      increased risk of a pretreatment positive smear than did non-diabetic non
      smokers, indicating remarkable joint effects of diabetes and smoking on the risk
      of TB transmission.

PMID- 27270727
TI  - Correction: Transgenerational Epigenetic Contributions to Stress Responses: Fact
      or Fiction?
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002426.].

PMID- 27270728
TI  - Erratum to: Reach and representativeness of ethnic minority women in the Health
      Is Power Study: a longitudinal analysis.

PMID- 27270726
TI  - Ion Flux in Roots of Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) under
      Aluminum Stress.
AB  - Chinese fir is a tall, fast-growing species that is unique to southern China. In
      Chinese fir plantations, successive plantings have led to a decline in soil
      fertility, and aluminum toxicity is thought to be one of the main reasons for
      this decline. In this study, Non-invasive Micro-test Technology was used to study
      the effect of aluminum stress on the absorption of 4 different ions in the roots
      of the Chinese fir clone FS01. The results are as follows: with increased
      aluminum concentration and longer periods of aluminum stress, the H+ ion flow
      gradually changed from influx into efflux; there was a large variation in the K+
      efflux, which gradually decreased with increasing duration of aluminum stress;
      and 1 h of aluminum stress uniformly resulted in Ca2+ influx, but it changed from
      influx to efflux after a longer period of aluminum stress. Changes in the
      different concentrations of aluminum had the largest influence on Mg2+. 

PMID- 27270729
TI  - Long-term safety of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation for
      systemic lupus erythematosus: a 6-year follow-up study.
AB  - The aim of this study is to assess the long-term safety of allogeneic umbilical
      cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC MSCs) transplantation for patients with
      refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Nine SLE patients, who were
      refractory to steroid and immunosuppressive drugs treatment and underwent MSCs
      transplantation in 2009, were enrolled. One million allogeneic UC MSCs per
      kilogram of body weight were infused intravenously at days 0 and 7. The possible
      adverse events, including immediately after MSCs infusions, as well as the long
      term safety profiles were observed. Blood and urine routine test, liver function,
      electrocardiogram, chest radiography and serum levels of tumor markers, including
      alpha fetal protein (AFP), cancer embryo antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 155
      (CA155) and CA199, were assayed before and 1, 2, 4 and 6 years after MSCs
      transplantation. All the patients completed two times of MSCs infusions. One
      patient had mild dizzy and warm sensation 5 min after MSCs infusion, and the
      symptoms disappeared quickly. No other adverse event, including fluster,
      headache, nausea or vomit, was observed. There was no change in peripheral white
      blood cell count, red blood cell count and platelet number in these patients
      after followed up for 6 years. Liver functional analysis showed that serum
      alanine aminotransferase, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, total bilirubin and
      direct bilirubin remained in normal range after MSCs infusions. No newly onset
      abnormality was detected on electrocardiogram and chest radiography. Moreover, we
      found no rise of serum tumor markers, including AFP, CEA, CA125 and CA199, before
      and 6 years after MSCs infusions. Our long-term observational study demonstrated
      a good safety profile of allogeneic UC MSCs in SLE patients.

PMID- 27270730
TI  - Low, but Not High, Doses of Cisplatin Damage Cochlear Hair Cells in C57 Mouse
      Organotypic Cultures.
AB  - AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of
      cisplatin-induced C57 mouse cochlear hair cell damage in vitro. METHODS: Forty
      seven cochleae harvested from 2- to 4-day-old C57 mice were used. Forty specimens
      were treated with different concentrations of cisplatin (10, 25, 50, 100, 400,
      and 1,000 MUmol/l) for 48 h. The remaining seven specimens were used as a control
      group. RESULTS: The rate of hair cell loss increased from 14.5 to 78.4% over
      cisplatin concentrations of 10 to 100 MUmol/l, whereas hair cell loss decreased
      to 48.8 and 8.77% at concentrations of 400 and 1,000 MUmol/l, respectively.
      Apoptosis was detected by DAPI staining in the areas of hair cell damage. Hair
      cell loss rates differed significantly among the cisplatin-treated groups. Linear
      regression analysis of cisplatin dose versus hair cell number showed a
      significant negative correlation for cisplatin doses up to 100 MUmol/l and a
      positive correlation with further increases up to 1,000 MUmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: We
      conclude that cisplatin-induced hair cell damage was concentration dependent only
      up to a certain dose and that injury resistance may occur in cochlear cells
      treated with higher doses of cisplatin.

PMID- 27270731
TI  - Dnmt2/Trdmt1 as Mediator of RNA Polymerase II Transcriptional Activity in Cardiac
      Growth.
AB  - Dnmt2/Trdmt1 is a methyltransferase, which has been shown to methylate tRNAs.
      Deficient mutants were reported to exhibit various, seemingly unrelated, defects
      in development and RNA-mediated epigenetic heredity. Here we report a role in a
      distinct developmental regulation effected by a noncoding RNA. We show that Dnmt2
      deficiency in mice results in cardiac hypertrophy. Echocardiographic measurements
      revealed that cardiac function is preserved notwithstanding the increased
      dimensions of the organ due to cardiomyocyte enlargement. Mechanistically,
      activation of the P-TEFb complex, a critical step for cardiac growth, results
      from increased dissociation of the negatively regulating Rn7sk non-coding RNA
      component in Dnmt2-deficient cells. Our data suggest that Dnmt2 plays an
      unexpected role for regulation of cardiac growth by modulating activity of the P
      TEFb complex. 

PMID- 27270733
TI  - Use of In Vitro Transcription System for Analysis of Corynebacterium glutamicum
      Promoters Recognized by Two Sigma Factors.
AB  - Promoter activities in Corynebacterium glutamicum strains with deletions of genes
      encoding sigma factors of RNA polymerase suggested that transcription from some
      promoters is controlled by two sigma factors. To prove that different sigma
      factors are involved in the recognition of selected Corynebacterium glutamicum
      promoters, in vitro transcription system was applied. It was found that a typical
      housekeeping promoter Pper interacts with the alternative sigma factor sigma(B)
      in addition to the primary sigma factor sigma(A). On the other way round, the
      sigma(B)-dependent promoter of the pqo gene that is expressed mainly in the
      stationary growth phase was active also with sigma(A). Some promoters of genes
      involved in stress responses (P1clgR, P2dnaK, and P2dnaJ2) were found to be
      recognized by two stress-responding sigma factors, sigma(H) and sigma(E). In
      vitro transcription system thus proved to be a useful direct technique for
      demonstrating the overlap of different sigma factors in recognition of individual
      promoters in C. glutamicum. 

PMID- 27270732
TI  - Physical Activity, Blood Glucose and C-Peptide in Healthy School-Children, a
      Longitudinal Study.
AB  - AIM: To further elucidate the relationship between physical activity and several
      risk factors for development of diabetes (glucose, C-peptide and obesity) over
      time. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study where physical activity was
      measured on 199 children from Kalmar and Linkoping at age 8, and the same 107
      children from Linkoping again at age 12. Anthropometric data was collected and
      blood was analyzed for C-peptide and f-glucose. The children in the study were
      representative for the general Swedish child population, and on an average lean.
      RESULTS: High physical activity was related to lower C-peptide at age 8 and 12.
      This correlation was especially pronounced in boys, who also were more physically
      active than girls at both time points. The association seen at 8 years of age was
      similar at age 12 in most children. Children with higher BMI Z-Score had a higher
      fasting C-peptide (age 12) but linear regression showed that children with more
      steps per day were less likely to have a higher fasting C-peptide irrespective of
      BMI. Longitudinal follow-up showed that a decrease in physical activity increased
      insulin resistance and beta-cell load. CONCLUSIONS: Already in young children,
      physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and decreases the need of C
      peptide over time. This seems to become even more pronounced with increasing age
      when children are followed longitudinally. Low physical activity increases the
      load on insulin producing beta-cells, might increase the risk for both type 1-
      and 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27270734
TI  - Prevalence and Associated Factors of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients With
      Moderate to Severe Psoriasis and Healthy Population: A Comparative Study
      Considering Physical and Psychological Factors.
AB  - Recent studies have shown that psoriasis is associated with an increased
      prevalence of erectile dysfunction. To our knowledge, no comparative study has
      considered simultaneously the role of organic factors and psychological factors
      in this process. We performed a prospective case series study matched by age to
      explore the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in psoriasis patients compared to
      a healthy population and to investigate the role of anxiety, depression, and
      cardiovascular risk factors in the relationship between psoriasis and erectile
      dysfunction. The healthy group was matched by frequency to cases by age. Seventy
      nine patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and 79 healthy controls
      participated in the study. Participants completed the Massachusetts General
      Hospital Sexual Functioning Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression
      Scale. Psoriasis patients had an increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction in
      comparison to controls, 34.2 vs. 17.7 % (p < .05). Multivariate analysis showed a
      significant association between erectile dysfunction and age, smoking and
      anxiety/depression, but not with psoriasis per se. In conclusion, the higher
      prevalence of smoking and anxiety/depression among patients with moderate to
      severe psoriasis probably explains the higher prevalence of erectile dysfunction
      in this population.

PMID- 27270735
TI  - Group-level differences in visual search asymmetry.
AB  - East Asians and Westerners differ in various aspects of perception and cognition.
      For example, visual memory for East Asians is believed to be more influenced by
      the contextual aspects of a scene than is the case for Westerners (Masuda &
      Nisbett in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81, 922-934, 2001).
      There are also differences in visual search: For Westerners, search is faster for
      a long line among short ones than for a short line among long ones, whereas this
      difference does not appear to hold for East Asians (Ueda et al., 2016). However,
      it is unclear how these group-level differences originate. To investigate the
      extent to which they depend upon environment, we tested visual search and visual
      memory in East Asian immigrants who had lived in Canada for different amounts of
      time. Recent immigrants were found to exhibit no search asymmetry, unlike
      Westerners who had spent their lives in Canada. However, immigrants who had lived
      in Canada for more than 2 years showed performance comparable to that of
      Westerners. These differences could not be explained by the general
      analytic/holistic processing distinction believed to differentiate Westerners and
      East Asians, since all observers showed a strong holistic tendency for visual
      recognition. The results instead support the suggestion that exposure to a new
      environment can significantly affect the particular processes used to perceive a
      given stimulus.

PMID- 27270736
TI  - Stroking me softly: Body-related effects in effect-based action control.
AB  - Empirical investigations of ideomotor effect anticipations have mainly focused on
      action effects in the environment. By contrast, action effects that apply to the
      agent's body have rarely been put to the test in corresponding experimental
      paradigms. We present a series of experiments using the response-effect
      compatibility paradigm, in which we studied the impacts of to-be-produced tactile
      action effects on action selection, initiation, and execution. The results showed
      a robust and reliable impact if these tactile action effects were rendered task
      relevant (Exp. 1), but not when they were task-irrelevant (Exps. 2a and 2b). We
      further showed that anticipations of tactile action effects follow the same time
      course as anticipations of environment-related effects (Exps. 3 and 4). These
      findings demonstrate that body-related action effects affect action control much
      as environment-related effects do, and therefore support the theoretical
      assumption of the functional equivalence of all types of action effects.

PMID- 27270737
TI  - Opportunities and Challenges of Global Mental Health.

PMID- 27270738
TI  - The 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey: Background and Methods.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey (CFMHS) collected
      detailed information on mental health problems, their impacts, occupational and
      nonoccupational determinants of mental health, and the use of mental health
      services from a random sample of 8200 serving personnel. The objective of this
      article is to provide a firm scientific foundation for understanding and
      interpreting the CFMHS findings. METHODS: This narrative review first provides a
      snapshot of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), focusing on 2 key determinants of
      mental health: the deployment of more than 40,000 personnel in support of the
      mission in Afghanistan and the extensive renewal of the CAF mental health system.
      The findings of recent population-based CAF mental health research are reviewed,
      with a focus on findings from the very similar mental health survey done in 2002.
      Finally, key aspects of the methods of the 2013 CFMHS are presented. RESULTS: The
      findings of 20 peer-reviewed publications using the 2002 mental health survey
      data are reviewed, along with those of 25 publications from other major CAF
      mental health research projects executed over the past decade. CONCLUSIONS: More
      than a decade of population-based mental health research in the CAF has provided
      a detailed picture of its mental health and use of mental health services. This
      knowledge base and the homology of the 2013 survey with the 2002 CAF survey and
      general population surveys in 2002 and 2012 will provide an unusual opportunity
      to use the CFMHS to situate mental health in the CAF in a historical and societal
      perspective.

PMID- 27270740
TI  - Perceived Need for and Perceived Sufficiency of Mental Health Care in the
      Canadian Armed Forces: Changes in the Past Decade and Comparisons to the General
      Population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Failure to perceive need for care (PNC) is the leading barrier to
      accessing mental health care. After accessing care, many individuals perceive
      that their needs were unmet or only partially met, an additional problem related
      to perceived sufficiency of care (PSC). The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) invested
      heavily in workplace mental health in the past decade to improve PNC/PSC; yet,
      the impact of these investments remains unknown. To assess the impact of these
      investments, this study 1) captures changes in PNC/PSC over the past decade in
      the CAF and 2) compares current PNC/PSC between the CAF and civilians. METHODS:
      Data were drawn from the 2013 and 2002 CAF surveys and the 2012 civilian mental
      health survey (total N = ~40 000), conducted by Statistics Canada using similar
      methodology. Exclusions were applied to the civilian sample to make them
      comparable to the military sample. Prevalence rates for No need, Need met, Need
      partially met, and Need unmet categories across service types (Information,
      Medication, Counselling and therapy, Any services) were calculated and compared
      between 1) the 2 CAF surveys and 2) the 2013 CAF and 2012 civilian surveys after
      sample matching. RESULTS: Reports of Any need and Need met were higher in the CAF
      in 2013 than in 2002 by approximately 6% to 8% and 2% to 8%, respectively, and
      higher in the CAF than in civilians by 3% to 10% and 2% to 8%, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that investments in workplace mental health,
      such as those implemented in the CAF, can lead to improvements in recognizing the
      need for care (PNC) and subsequently getting those needs met (PSC).

PMID- 27270739
TI  - Prevalence of Past-Year Mental Disorders in the Canadian Armed Forces, 2002-2013.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: More than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel have deployed
      in support of the mission in Afghanistan since 2002. Over the same period, the
      CAF strengthened its mental health system. This article explores the effect of
      these events on the prevalence of past-year mental disorders over the period 2002
      2013. METHOD: The data sources were 2 highly comparable population-based mental
      health surveys of CAF Regular Force personnel done in 2002 and 2013 (n = 5155 and
      6996, respectively). Data were collected via in-person interviews with Statistics
      Canada personnel using the World Health Organization's Composite International
      Diagnostic Interview to assess past-year disorders. RESULTS: In 2013, 16.5% had 1
      or more of the 6 past-year disorders assessed in the survey, with the most common
      conditions being major depressive episode (MDE), posttraumatic stress disorder
      (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which affected 8.0%, 5.3%, and
      4.7%, respectively. The prevalence of PTSD, GAD, and panic disorder has increased
      significantly since 2002 (adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression models =
      2.1, 3.0, and 1.9, respectively), while no change was seen for MDE. The
      comorbidity of mood and anxiety disorders increased significantly over time,
      being seen in 27.4% and 41.0% of those with mental disorders in 2002 and 2013,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: There has been an increase in the prevalence of PTSD
      and other anxiety disorders and of the extent of comorbidity of mood and anxiety
      disorders in CAF personnel over the period 2002-2013.

PMID- 27270741
TI  - Prevalence Comparison of Past-year Mental Disorders and Suicidal Behaviours in
      the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian General Population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Military personnel in Canada and elsewhere have been found to have
      higher rates of certain mental disorders relative to their corresponding general
      populations. However, published Canadian data have only adjusted for age and sex
      differences between the populations. Additional differences in the
      sociodemographic composition, labour force characteristics, and childhood trauma
      exposure in the populations could be driving these prevalence differences. Our
      objective is to compare the prevalence of past-year mental disorders and suicidal
      behaviours in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force with the rates in a
      representative, matched sample of Canadians in the general population (CGP).
      METHODS: Data sources were the 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey and the
      2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health. CGP sample was restricted to
      match the age range, employment status, and history of chronic conditions of
      Regular Force personnel. An iterative proportional fitting method was used to
      approximate the marginal distribution of sociodemographic and childhood trauma
      variables in both samples. RESULTS: Relative to the matched CGP, Regular Force
      personnel had significantly higher rates of past-year major depressive episode,
      generalized anxiety disorder, and suicide ideation. However, lower rates of
      alcohol use disorder were seen in Regular Force personnel relative to the matched
      CGP sample. CONCLUSIONS: Factors other than differences in sociodemographic
      composition and history of childhood trauma account for the excess burden of
      mental disorders and suicidal behaviours in the Canadian Armed Forces.
      Explanations to explore in future research include occupational trauma, selection
      effects, and differences in the context of administration of the 2 surveys.

PMID- 27270742
TI  - Mental Health in the Canadian Armed Forces: New Data, New Answers, and New
      Questions.

PMID- 27270744
TI  - Contribution of the Mission in Afghanistan to the Burden of Past-Year Mental
      Disorders in Canadian Armed Forces Personnel, 2013.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the contribution of the
      mission in Afghanistan to the burden of mental health problems in the Canadian
      Armed Forces (CAF). METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2013 Canadian Forces
      Mental Health Survey, which assessed mental disorders using the World Health
      Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The sample consisted
      of 6696 Regular Force (RegF) personnel, 3384 of whom had deployed in support of
      the mission. We estimated the association of past-year mental health problems
      with Afghanistan deployment status, adjusting for covariates using logistic
      regression; population attributable fractions (PAFs) were also calculated.
      RESULTS: Indication of a past-year mental disorder was identified in 18.4% (95%
      confidence interval [CI], 17.0% to 19.7%) of Afghanistan deployers compared with
      14.6% (95% CI, 13.3% to 15.8%) in others. Afghanistan-related deployments
      contributed to the burden of a past-year disorder (PAF = 8.7%; 95% CI, 3.0% to
      14.2%), with the highest PAFs being seen for panic disorder (34.7%) and
      posttraumatic stress disorder (32.1%). The PAFs for individual alcohol use
      disorders and suicide ideation were not different from zero. Child abuse,
      however, had a much greater PAF for any past-year disorder (28.7%; 95% CI, 23.4%
      to 33.7%) than did the Afghanistan mission. CONCLUSIONS: The mission in
      Afghanistan contributed significantly to the burden of mental disorders in the
      CAF RegF in 2013. However, the much stronger contribution of child abuse
      highlights the need for strong military mental health systems, even in peacetime,
      and the need to target the full range of determinants of mental health in
      prevention and control efforts.

PMID- 27270743
TI  - Disability and Mental Disorders in the Canadian Armed Forces.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The initial goal was to validate the use of a self-report measure of
      disability in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The main goal was to document the
      extent of disability in personnel with and without mental disorders. METHODS:
      Data were obtained from the 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey; the sample
      included 6700 Regular Forces personnel. Disability was measured with the 12-item
      version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS
      2); established cut points were used to demarcate severe, moderate, minimal, and
      no disability. The following recent (past-year) and remote (lifetime but not past
      year) disorders were assessed with diagnostic interviews: posttraumatic stress
      disorder, major depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder,
      and alcohol use disorder. RESULTS: The WHODAS-2 showed good internal consistency
      (alpha = 0.89) and a 1-factor structure. Most personnel had no disability (59.2%)
      or minimal disability (30.8%). However, an important minority had moderate or
      severe disability (8.4% and 1.6%, respectively). Individuals with recent
      disorders reported greater disability than those without lifetime disorders,
      although many had minimal or no disability (41.2% and 24.7%, respectively).
      Disability increased with the number of recent disorders. Relative to those
      without lifetime disorders, individuals with remote disorders showed slightly
      greater disability, but most had no disabilty (57.1%) or minimal disability
      (35.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The 12-item WHODAS-2 is a valid measure of disability in
      the CAF. Mental disorders may be important drivers of disability in this
      population, although limited residual disability is seen in individuals with
      remote disorders.

PMID- 27270745
TI  - Accountability for the Psychological Costs of Military Service: A Benchmark Set
      by the Canadian Armed Forces.

PMID- 27270746
TI  - Electron transfer pathways of formate-driven H2 production in Desulfovibrio.
AB  - The potential of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) as biocatalysts for H2
      production from formate was recently demonstrated, but the electron transfer
      pathways involved were not described. In the present work, we analyzed the H2
      production capacity of five Desulfovibrio strains: Desulfovibrio vulgaris,
      Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, Desulfovibrio alaskensis, Desulfovibrio
      fructosivorans, and Desulfovibrio gigas. D. vulgaris showed the highest H2
      productivity (865 mL Lmedium (-1)), and D. gigas the lowest one (374 mL Lmedium (
      1) of H2). The electron transfer pathways involved in formate-driven H2
      production by these two organisms were further investigated through the study of
      deletion mutants of hydrogenases (Hases) and formate dehydrogenases (Fdhs). In D.
      vulgaris, the periplasmic FdhAB is the key enzyme for formate oxidation and two
      pathways are apparently involved in the production of H2 from formate: a direct
      one only involving periplasmic enzymes and a second one that involves
      transmembrane electron transfer and may allow energy conservation. In the
      presence of selenium, the Hys [NiFeSe] Hase is the main periplasmic enzyme
      responsible for H2 production, and the cytoplasmic Coo Hase is apparently
      involved in the ability of D. vulgaris to grow by converting formate to H2, in
      sparging conditions. Contrary to D. vulgaris, H2 production in D. gigas occurs
      exclusively by the direct periplasmic route and does not involve the single
      cytoplasmic Hase, Ech. This is the first report of the metabolic pathways
      involved in formate metabolism in the absence of sulfate in SRB, revealing that
      the electron transfer pathways are species-specific. 

PMID- 27270747
TI  - Evaluating Nursery Phototherapy Use and Discharge Practices After the Creation of
      a Weekend Newborn Clinic.

PMID- 27270748
TI  - Comprehensive review of vascularized lymph node transfers for lymphedema:
      Outcomes and complications.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lymphedema remains a challenging clinical problem. A new field of
      lymphatic surgery using micro and super microsurgery techniques is a rapidly
      advancing field aimed to treat recalcitrant cases. The objective of this study
      was to evaluate outcomes and complications of vascularized lymph node transfer
      (VLNT). Several early preliminary studies have reported promising outcomes, but
      they are limited by small numbers, short follow-up, and are inconsistent in
      addressing the origin and recipient site of the transferred lymph nodes as well
      as the donor site morbidity. METHODS: A review of literature was conducted using
      PubMed-MEDLINE, EMBASE for key words vascularized lymph node transfer (also
      autologous, lymph node transplant). Only human studies were included. RESULTS: A
      total 24 studies encompassing 271 vascularized lymph node transfers were
      included. The inguinal nodes were the most commonly used donor site followed by
      the lateral thoracic lymph nodes. The lateral thoracic lymph nodes were the least
      effective and had the highest complication rates (27.5%) compared to other lymph
      node donor sites (inguinal: 10.3% and supraclavicular: 5.6%). Upper extremity
      lymphedema responded better compared to lower extremity (74.2 vs. 53.2%), but
      there was no difference in placing the lymph nodes more proximally versus
      distally on the extremity (proximal: 76.9% vs. distal: 80.4%). CONCLUSION:
      Vascularized lymph node transfer for lymphedema treatment is a promising
      operative technique showing beneficial results in early but also in advanced
      stage lymphedema. This physiologic surgical procedure should be included in a
      modern reconstructive concept for lymphedema treatment. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 38:222-229, 2018.

PMID- 27270749
TI  - Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology-Nutritional
      Epidemiology (STROBE-nut): An Extension of the STROBE Statement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concerns have been raised about the quality of reporting in
      nutritional epidemiology. Research reporting guidelines such as the Strengthening
      the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement can
      improve quality of reporting in observational studies. Herein, we propose
      recommendations for reporting nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment
      research by extending the STROBE statement into Strengthening the Reporting of
      Observational Studies in Epidemiology-Nutritional Epidemiology (STROBE-nut).
      METHODS AND FINDINGS: Recommendations for the reporting of nutritional
      epidemiology and dietary assessment research were developed following a
      systematic and consultative process, coordinated by a multidisciplinary group of
      21 experts. Consensus on reporting guidelines was reached through a three-round
      Delphi consultation process with 53 external experts. In total, 24
      recommendations for nutritional epidemiology were added to the STROBE checklist.
      CONCLUSION: When used appropriately, reporting guidelines for nutritional
      epidemiology can contribute to improve reporting of observational studies with a
      focus on diet and health.

PMID- 27270751
TI  - Energetic aminated-azole assemblies from intramolecular and intermolecular N-HO
      and N-HN hydrogen bonds.
AB  - Compounds with adjacent C-NO2, C-NH2 and N-NH2 groups were designed and
      synthesized via amination. Their structures were characterized by infrared, and
      multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray single crystal
      diffraction. The effect of intramolecular and intermolecular N-HO and N-HN
      hydrogen bonds is discussed. Detonation properties were calculated by EXPLO 5
      software based on calculated HOFs and experimental densities. 

PMID- 27270750
TI  - SNX27, a protein involved in down syndrome, regulates GPR17 trafficking and
      oligodendrocyte differentiation.
AB  - The G protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17) plays crucial roles in myelination. It
      is highly expressed during transition of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to
      immature oligodendrocytes, but, after this stage, it must be down-regulated to
      allow generation of mature myelinating cells. After endocytosis, GPR17 is sorted
      into lysosomes for degradation or recycled to the plasma membrane. Balance
      between degradation and recycling is important for modulation of receptor levels
      at the cell surface and thus for the silencing/activation of GPR17-signaling
      pathways that, in turn, affect oligodendrocyte differentiation. The molecular
      mechanisms at the basis of these processes are still partially unknown and their
      characterization will allow a better understanding of myelination and provide
      cues to interpret the consequences of GPR17 dysfunction in diseases. Here, we
      demonstrate that the endocytic trafficking of GPR17 is mediated by the
      interaction of a type I PDZ-binding motif located at the C-terminus of the
      receptor and SNX27, a recently identified protein of the endosome-associated
      retromer complex and whose functions in oligodendrocytes have never been studied.
      SNX27 knock-down significantly reduces GPR17 plasma membrane recycling in
      differentiating oligodendrocytes while accelerating cells' terminal maturation.
      Interestingly, trisomy-linked down-regulation of SNX27 expression in the brain of
      Ts65Dn mice, a model of Down syndrome, correlates with a decrease in GPR17(+)
      cells and an increase in mature oligodendrocytes, which, however, fail in
      reaching full maturation, eventually leading to hypomyelination. Our data
      demonstrate that SNX27 modulates GPR17 plasma membrane recycling and stability,
      and that disruption of the SNX27/GPR17 interaction might contribute to
      pathological oligodendrocyte differentiation defects. GLIA 2016. GLIA
      2016;64:1437-1460.

PMID- 27270752
TI  - Effects of Curcuminoid Pyrazoles on Cancer Cells and on the Expression of
      Telomerase Related Genes.
AB  - A group of 13 curcuminoid pyrazoles was investigated for their cytotoxicity on
      three tumoral cell lines (HT-29, MCF-7, and HeLa) and one non-tumoral human cell
      line (HEK-293). The values obtained were compared with those of curcumin. A
      subset of selected derivatives was also studied for their ability to downregulate
      expression of the hTERT and c-Myc genes, which are both involved in telomerase
      activity. 

PMID- 27270753
TI  - The use of Ocimum americanum essential oil against the pathogens Aeromonas
      hydrophila and Gyrodactylus sp. in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen).
AB  - The bactericidal activity (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)-test) of Ocimum
      americanum (inflorescences) essential oil (OAEO) against Aeromonas hydrophila was
      determined in this study. Also investigated was the potential of OAEO and the
      main compound found in the oil (linalool) at subinhibitory concentrations to be
      inhibitors of haemolysis caused by Aer. hydrophila in fish erythrocytes. An in
      vivo experiment was conducted to evaluate the survival of fish (Rhamdia quelen)
      experimentally infected with Aer. hydrophila and exposed to OAEO. A second
      experiment was conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo activity of OAEO
      (mix from inflorescences and leaves) against the parasite Gyrodactylus sp. The
      OAEO showed weak in vitro activity against Aer. hydrophila (6400 MUg ml(-1) ).
      Subinhibitory concentrations of OAEO (100 MUg ml(-1) ) inhibited haemolysis (90%)
      caused by Aer. hydrophila in fish erythrocytes, however, linalool did not inhibit
      haemolysis activity. At the low concentrations (10 and 20 mg l(-1) ) added to the
      water, OAEO promoted the survival of fish experimentally infected with Aer.
      hydrophila. Lastly, the OAEO mix (50 mg l(-1) ) was effective against
      Gyrodactylus sp., significantly reducing (60%) the number of parasites in the
      fish. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Phytochemicals, such as essential
      oils (EOs) are a great source of new molecules and have shown potential to be
      used in aquaculture systems. However, additional studies focused on the in vivo
      efficacy, mode of action and identification of the active compounds are needed.
      This study determined the potential of Ocimum americanum EO for use against two
      important fish pathogens, Aeromonas hydrophila and Gyrodactylus sp., as well as
      providing preliminary information about the role of the main EO compound
      (linalool) against Aer. hydrophila virulence.

PMID- 27270754
TI  - Sex differences in neural and behavioral signatures of cooperation revealed by
      fNIRS hyperscanning.
AB  - Researchers from multiple fields have sought to understand how sex moderates
      human social behavior. While over 50 years of research has revealed differences
      in cooperation behavior of males and females, the underlying neural correlates of
      these sex differences have not been explained. A missing and fundamental element
      of this puzzle is an understanding of how the sex composition of an interacting
      dyad influences the brain and behavior during cooperation. Using fNIRS-based
      hyperscanning in 111 same- and mixed-sex dyads, we identified significant
      behavioral and neural sex-related differences in association with a computer
      based cooperation task. Dyads containing at least one male demonstrated
      significantly higher behavioral performance than female/female dyads. Individual
      males and females showed significant activation in the right frontopolar and
      right inferior prefrontal cortices, although this activation was greater in
      females compared to males. Female/female dyad's exhibited significant inter-brain
      coherence within the right temporal cortex, while significant coherence in
      male/male dyads occurred in the right inferior prefrontal cortex. Significant
      coherence was not observed in mixed-sex dyads. Finally, for same-sex dyads only,
      task-related inter-brain coherence was positively correlated with cooperation
      task performance. Our results highlight multiple important and previously
      undetected influences of sex on concurrent neural and behavioral signatures of
      cooperation.

PMID- 27270755
TI  - Resource conflict and cooperation between human host and gut microbiota:
      implications for nutrition and health.
AB  - Diet has been known to play an important role in human health since at least the
      time period of the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. In the last decade,
      research has revealed that microorganisms inhabiting the digestive tract, known
      as the gut microbiota, are critical factors in human health. This paper draws on
      concepts of cooperation and conflict from ecology and evolutionary biology to
      make predictions about host-microbiota interactions involving nutrients. To
      optimally extract energy from some resources (e.g., fiber), hosts require
      cooperation from microbes. Other nutrients can be utilized by both hosts and
      microbes (e.g., simple sugars, iron) in their ingested form, which may lead to
      greater conflict over these resources. This framework predicts that some negative
      health effects of foods are driven by the direct effects of these foods on human
      physiology and by indirect effects resulting from microbiome-host competition and
      conflict (e.g., increased invasiveness and inflammation). Similarly, beneficial
      effects of some foods on host health may be enhanced by resource sharing and
      other cooperative behaviors between host and microbes that may downregulate
      inflammation and virulence. Given that some foods cultivate cooperation between
      hosts and microbes while others agitate conflict, host-microbe interactions may
      be novel targets for interventions aimed at improving nutrition and human health.

PMID- 27270756
TI  - Clinicopathological characteristics predict lymph node metastases in ypT0-2
      rectal cancer after chemoradiotherapy.
AB  - AIMS: Changes in rectal cancer treatment include increasing emphasis on organ
      preservation. Local excision after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer with
      excellent clinical response reduces morbidity and mortality compared to total
      mesorectal excision, although residual lymph node metastases (LNM) may cause
      local recurrence. Our aim is to identify clinicopathological factors predicting
      the presence of residual LNM in rectal cancer patients with ypT0-2 tumours after
      neoadjuvant CRT. These risk factors may help to select patients who can be spared
      radical surgery without compromising oncological outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      Rectal cancer patients with ypT0-2 tumours after CRT and radical resection from
      five centres treated between June 1999 and February 2012 were included.
      Histopathology was reviewed extensively. Clinicopathological characteristics and
      their association with residual LNM were investigated. Of 657 consecutive CRT
      treated rectal cancer patients 210 with ypT0-2 disease were included. Residual
      nodal disease was found in 44 cases (21.0%). Independent predictors of LNM were
      clinical nodal involvement (cN+ ) [odds ratio (OR): 2.79, 95% confidence interval
      (CI): 1.04-7.48, P = 0.042], high-grade histopathology assessed in the post-CRT
      resection specimen (OR: 6.46, 95% CI: 1.23-34.02, P = 0.028) and residual tumour
      diameter (RTD) >=10 mm (OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.06-6.09, P = 0.036). An algorithm
      combining these factors stratified patients adequately according to LNM risk,
      independently of ypT category. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical nodal involvement, high
      grade histopathology and RTD >=10 mm are strong and independent predictors of
      residual nodal disease in rectal cancer patients with ypT0-2 tumours after CRT.
      Risk stratification based on these factors may help to identify patients suitable
      for organ preserving therapy and should be validated in appropriately selected
      populations.

PMID- 27270757
TI  - Reassortment compatibility between PB1, PB2, and HA genes of the two influenza B
      virus lineages in mammalian cells.
AB  - In addition to influenza A subtypes, two distinct lineages of influenza B virus
      also cause seasonal epidemics to humans. Recently, Dudas et al. have done
      evolutionary analyses of reassortment patterns of the virus and suggested genetic
      lineage relationship between PB1, PB2, and HA genes. Using genetic plasmids and
      reassortant viruses, we here demonstrate that a homologous lineage PB1-PB2 pair
      exhibits better compatibility than a heterologous one and that the lineage
      relationship between PB1 and HA is more important for viral replication than that
      between PB2 and HA. However, co-adaptation of PB1-PB2-HA genes appears to be
      affected by complete gene constellation.

PMID- 27270758
TI  - Low occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias after alcohol septal ablation in high
      risk patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous alcohol septal ablation (PTSMA) is an established
      treatment for symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
      (HOCM). However, there is concern of a higher risk for ventricular
      tachyarrhythmias and sudden death due to the myocardial scar created after PTSMA.
      We investigated the possibility of increased ventricular arrhythmias and risk of
      sudden death after PTSMA in a subgroup of patients with an already implanted ICD.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2012, 239 PTSMAs were performed in 212
      patients with HOCM. In 32 of those an ICD had already been implanted before PTSMA
      for primary (31 patients) or secondary (1 patient) prevention of sudden death.
      The maximum left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) was reduced from 114
      +/- 39 mmHg before PTSMA to 23 +/- 19 mmHg (P < 0.0001). Among clinical risk
      factors for sudden death, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), syncope and
      family history for sudden death were most common. After a median follow-up of 5.3
      (IQR 4.3-5.7) years after PTSMA only one patient had ICD shocks (annual ICD
      discharge 0.6 %). In another 3 patients, with already documented nonsustained VTs
      as risk factor before ICD implantation, VT episodes that activated
      antitachycardic pacing were recorded. The annual appropriate ICD intervention
      including all events was 2.5 % and involved only patients with a very high
      estimated 5-year sudden death risk before PTSMA (>14.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: In a
      selected high-risk patient cohort with HOCM ominous arrhythmic events seem to be
      rare and predominantly occur in patients with a very high estimated risk of
      sudden death before PTSMA.

PMID- 27270759
TI  - Clinical characteristics and treatment of renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia
      with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: a long-term follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia (RAFMD) is a non-atherosclerotic
      cause of renal artery stenosis often affecting the young. Percutaneous
      transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) is the treatment of choice but there are
      few studies of the outcome of the procedure. METHODS: This retrospective analysis
      included 64 patients (56.2 % female; mean age at diagnosis, 28.0 years) with
      RAFMD who underwent PTRA between November 2003 and August 2015. Technical and
      clinical success rates and restenosis rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-six
      procedures were performed on 64 RAFMD patients. Technical success was 96.9 %, as
      defined by <30 % residual stenosis, with stent placement required in 11 patients
      (17.2 %). In the short term (1 month), the majority (79.7 %) had an immediate
      clinical benefit, with cure of hypertension in 35.9 %, and improvement in
      hypertension and a lower requirement for antihypertensive medications in 43.8 %.
      In the long term (mean, 47.5 months; range, 5-141 months), the survival rate was
      96.9 %, freedom from restenosis was 84.4 %, and 76.6 % of patients showed a
      sustained clinical benefit (cure rate 40.6 %, improvement rate 35.9 %). Eight
      patients were treated with a second procedure and two had a third procedure, with
      half of these patients showing an improvement in hypertension. CONCLUSION: PTRA
      for symptomatic RAFMD is safe and clinically successful. More than half of
      patients experience an immediate clinical benefit with sustained long-term
      effects. For patients with restenosis, there was a good response to a second
      PTRA.

PMID- 27270760
TI  - Diagnostic value of speckle-tracking echocardiography in confirmed cardiac
      sarcoidosis.

PMID- 27270762
TI  - CT dose reduction: approaches, strategies and results from a province-wide
      program in Quebec.
AB  - Many studies have shown a statistically significant increase of life-time risk of
      radiation-induced cancer from CT examinations. In this context, in Canada, the
      Quebec's provincial clinical center of expertise in radiation safety (CECR) has
      led a province-wide tour of 180 CT installations in order to: (i) evaluate the
      technical and functional performance of CT scanners, (ii) evaluate and improve
      radiation safety practices and (iii) initiate, with local teams, a CT dose
      optimization process. The CT tour consisted of a two day visit of CT
      installations by a CECR multidisciplinary team of medical physicists, engineers
      and medical imaging technologists (MITs) carried out in close collaboration with
      local teams composed of MITs, radiologists, physicists, engineers and managers.
      The CECR has evaluated 112 CT scanners since 2011. Optimization of CT protocols
      was performed in all centers visited. The average dose reduction obtained from
      optimization was [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]
      for adult head, thorax and abdomen-pelvis, respectively. The main recommendations
      often made by the CECR experts were: (1) the implementation of low-dose protocols
      for the follow-up of pulmonary nodules and for renal calculi, (2) the compliance
      to the prescribed scan range as defined by local guidelines, (3) the correct
      positioning of patients and (4) the use of bismuth shielding to reduce the dose
      to radiosensitive organs. The CECR approach to optimize CT doses to patients is
      based on the active participation of local stakeholders and takes into account
      the performance of CT scanners. The clinical requirements as expressed by
      radiologists remain at the core of the optimization process.

PMID- 27270761
TI  - Carotid Artery Stenting With Proximal Embolic Protection via a Transradial or
      Transbrachial Approach: Pushing the Boundaries of the Technique While Maintaining
      Safety and Efficacy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the feasibility and safety of proximal cerebral protection to
      a distal filter during carotid artery stenting (CAS) via a transbrachial (TB) or
      transradial (TR) approach. METHODS: Among 856 patients who underwent CAS between
      January 2007 and July 2015, 214 (25%) patients (mean age 72+/-8 years; 154 men)
      had the procedure via a TR (n=154) or TB (n=60) approach with either Mo.MA
      proximal protection (n=61) or distal filter protection (n=153). The Mo.MA group
      (mean age 73+/-7 years; 54 men) had significantly more men and more severe
      stenosis than the filter group (mean age 71+/-8 years; 100 men). Stent type and
      CAS technique were left to operator discretion. Heparin and a dedicated closure
      device or bivalirudin and manual compression were used in TR and TB accesses,
      respectively. Technical and procedure success, crossover to femoral artery, 30
      day major adverse cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events (MACCE; death, all
      strokes, and myocardial infarction), vascular complications, and radiation
      exposure were compared between groups. RESULTS: Crossover to a femoral approach
      was required in 1/61 (1.6%) Mo.MA patient vs 11/153 (7.1%) filter patients mainly
      due to technical difficulty in engaging the target vessel. Five Mo.MA patients
      developed acute intolerance to proximal occlusion; 4 were successfully shifted to
      filter protection. A TR patient was shifted to filter because the Mo.MA system
      was too short. CAS was technically successful in the remaining 55 (90%) Mo.MA
      patients and 142 (93%) filter patients. The MACCE rate was 0% in the Mo.MA
      patients and 2.8% in the filter group (p=0.18). Radiation exposure was similar
      between groups. Major vascular complications occurred in 1/61 (1.6%) and in 3/153
      (1.96%) patients in the Mo.MA and filter groups (p=0.18), respectively, and were
      confined to the TB approach in the early part of the learning curve. Chronic
      radial artery occlusion was detected by Doppler ultrasound in 2/30 (6.6%) Mo.MA
      patients and in 4/124 (3.2%) filter patients by clinical assessment (p=0.25) at
      8.1+/-7.5-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: CAS with proximal protection via a TR or
      TB approach is a feasible, safe, and effective technique with a low rate of
      vascular complications.

PMID- 27270763
TI  - Current concepts in the diagnosis and pathobiology of intraepithelial neoplasia:
      A review by organ system.
AB  - Answer questions and earn CME/CNE In this report, a team of surgical pathologists
      has provided a review of intraepithelial neoplasia in a host of (but not all)
      anatomic sites of interest to colleagues in various medical specialties, namely,
      uterine cervix, ovary, breast, lung, head and neck, skin, prostate, bladder,
      pancreas, and esophagus. There is more experience with more readily accessible
      sites (such as the uterine cervix and skin) than with other anatomic sites, and
      the lack of uniform terminology, together with divergent biology in various
      sites, makes it difficult to paint a unifying, relevant portrait. The authors'
      aim was to provide a framework from which to move forward as we care for patients
      with such precancerous lesions. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:408-436. (c) 2016
      American Cancer Society.

PMID- 27270764
TI  - Enhanced expression of unique gangliosides with GM2-determinant in human uterine
      cervical carcinoma-derived cell lines.
AB  - Monoclonal antibody YHD-06 generated by immunization with GM2 reacted with
      gangliosides with GM2-determinant, i.e., GM2, GalNAc-GM1b and GalNAc-GD1a, among
      which GalNAc-GD1a was characterized as an antigen of autoimmune peripheral
      neuropathies including Guillain-Barre syndrome. When glycolipids were examined by
      TLC-immunostaining with YHD-06 in seven human cervical carcinoma-derived cell
      lines, GM2 was found in all cell lines, amounting to 15.5 % to 57.5 % of total
      gangliosides. Whereas GalNAc-GD1a was present in three cell lines, amounting to
      5.4-17.5 % of total gangliosides, and GalNAc-GM1b in four cell lines in amounts
      of less than 2 %. The elevated amounts of gangliosides with GM2 determinant were
      closely correlated with the relative intensities of gene expression of GalNAc
      transferase, this being characteristic of cervical carcinoma-derived cells.
      However, in tissues from patients with several histological types of cervical
      carcinomas, GM3 was ubiquitously expressed in amounts of more than 66 % of total
      gangliosides, GM2 was expressed in only five of 15 tissues, and both GalNAc-GM1b
      and GalNAc-GD1a were not even detected in trace amounts. Since GM1 was detected
      in all tissues in amounts of less than 0.06 MUg/mg dried tissue, all cervical
      carcinoma tissues were revealed to exhibit GM2 synthesis, indicating that
      enhanced synthesis of gangliosides with GM2 determinant is a characteristic of
      cultivated cells in vitro. Similarly, although I(3)SO3-GalCer was not present in
      the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues, SCC-derived cells selectively
      expressed II(3)SO3-LacCer. Since enhanced synthesis of GM2 has been reported in
      SV-40 virus-transfected fibroblasts, papilloma virus might be involved in the
      expression of GM2 in cervical carcinoma-derived cells.

PMID- 27270767
TI  - Delegation paves way for US-Cuba research collaborations.

PMID- 27270765
TI  - RAGE and glyoxalase in kidney disease.
AB  - Glycation is an important reaction in the regulation of physiological state. When
      poorly controlled, however, glycation can also result in the accumulation of
      glycated proteins (advanced glycation endproducts; AGEs) in the body. This AGE
      accumulation is termed glycative stress, and is an established pathological
      factor: to date, glycative stress has been closely associated with not only
      kidney diseases, but also kidney aging. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that
      the progression of renal tubular damage and tubular aging are often correlated
      with activation of the receptor for the AGE (RAGE)-AGE pathway or decreased
      activity of glyoxalase 1, which is an anti-glycation enzyme to lower glycative
      stress. Further, glycative stress exacerbates the derangement of protein
      homeostasis: the posttranslationally modified proteins by glycation often lose or
      gain their functions. Such deranged protein homeostasis leads to endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) stress, a state of ER dysfunction in which the quality control of
      proteins is defective, as well as to induction of its stress signal, the unfolded
      protein response (UPR), in the kidney. The lowering of glycative stress via
      modulation of RAGE-AGE axis or glyoxalase 1 activity is beneficial for tubular
      homeostasis and the subsequent prevention and treatment of kidney disease,
      suggesting the possibility of novel therapeutic approaches which target glycative
      stress. In this review, we focused on the impact of glycative stress in the
      kidney, especially the role of RAGE and glyoxalase 1. Further we also discuss the
      crosstalk between glycative stress and ER stress in their effect on protein
      homeostasis.

PMID- 27270768
TI  - New efforts to design better tools to track autism therapy response.

PMID- 27270766
TI  - Diabetic kidney disease: a role for advanced glycation end-product receptor 1
      (AGE-R1)?
AB  - Diabetic patients are postulated to be in a perpetual state of oxidative stress
      and inflammation at sites where chronic complications occur. The accumulation of
      AGEs derived from both endogenous and exogenous sources (such as the diet) have
      been implicated in the development and progression of diabetic complications,
      particularly nephropathy. There has been some interest in investigating the
      potential for reducing the AGE burden in chronic disease, through the action of
      AGE "clearance" receptors, such as the advanced glycation end-product receptor 1
      (AGE-R1). Reducing the burden of AGEs has been linked to attenuation of
      inflammation, slower progression of diabetic complications (in particular
      vascular and renal complications) and has been shown to extend lifespan. To date,
      however, there have been no direct investigations into whether AGE-R1 has any
      role in modulating normal kidney function, or specifically during the development
      and progression of diabetes. This mini-review will focus on the recent advances
      in knowledge around the mechanistic function of AGE-R1 and the implications of
      this for the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease.

PMID- 27270769
TI  - Overtime under the microscope: Universities prep for impact of new labor rule on
      labs.

PMID- 27270771
TI  - Use the Bayh-Dole Act to lower drug prices for government healthcare programs.

PMID- 27270772
TI  - Uveal melanoma cells are resistant to EZH2 inhibition regardless of BAP1 status.

PMID- 27270773
TI  - Reply to "Uveal melanoma cells are resistant to EZH2 inhibition regardless of
      BAP1 status".

PMID- 27270774
TI  - HIV-1 immune evasion-a threat to effective vaccines?

PMID- 27270775
TI  - Regulating inflammation with microbial metabolites.

PMID- 27270776
TI  - From schizophrenia risk locus to schizophrenia genes.

PMID- 27270777
TI  - Fatty acid metabolism-the first trigger for cachexia?

PMID- 27270778
TI  - Corrigendum: Retinal lipid and glucose metabolism dictates angiogenesis through
      the lipid sensor Ffar1.

PMID- 27270779
TI  - Erratum: Modulation of splicing catalysis for therapeutic targeting of leukemia
      with mutations in genes encoding spliceosomal proteins.

PMID- 27270780
TI  - Corrigendum: ROR-gamma drives androgen receptor expression and represents a
      therapeutic target in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

PMID- 27270782
TI  - Interdisciplinary perspectives on dose limits in radioactive waste management. A
      research paper developed within the ENTRIA project.
AB  - Within the ENTRIA project, an interdisciplinary group of scientists developed a
      research paper3 aiming at a synthesis of the technical, sociology of knowledge,
      legal, societal, and political aspects of dose limits within the field of
      radioactive waste management. In this paper, the ENTRIA project is briefly
      introduced and the work on dose limits is put into the perspective of this much
      larger project. Selected aspects of the ENTRIA work on dose limits related to the
      different roles such limits play for different actors as well as to the specific
      case of nuclear waste disposal are presented. The work recognizes that such
      limits are indispensable for technological developments and legal security but,
      at the same time, depend on country and project specific circumstances. This may
      result in serious conflicts and concerns in public debates as well as in the
      political realm. In order to better understand the interaction and
      interdependencies of these various contexts in which debates about dose limits
      play out, future interdisciplinary research is needed. This research should
      contribute to an open discourse on dose limits which reflects underlying values,
      objectives, actors and procedures that have defined present dose limit regimes.
      Additionally, this research should indicate paths for potential alternatives and
      complements to these established regimes.

PMID- 27270781
TI  - Corrigendum: Protection against malaria at 1 year and immune correlates following
      PfSPZ vaccination.

PMID- 27270783
TI  - Madura foot caused by Gordonia terrae misdiagnosed as Nocardia.
AB  - Actinomycetomas are soft tissue bacterial infections that are in the differential
      for unusual masses of the extremities. Typical infectious agents include
      Actinomyces and Nocardia and are treated with long-term antibiotics. We report a
      rare case of Gordonia actinomycetoma that was misdiagnosed as Nocardia and
      subsequently required surgical excision in addition to antibiotic therapy.

PMID- 27270785
TI  - Comparison of minute distribution frequency for anesthesia start and end times
      from an anesthesia information management system and paper records.
AB  - Use of an anesthesia information management system (AIMS) has been reported to
      improve accuracy of recorded information. We tested the hypothesis that analyzing
      the distribution of times charted on paper and computerized records could reveal
      possible rounding errors, and that this effect could be modulated by differences
      in the user interface for documenting certain event times with an AIMS. We
      compared the frequency distribution of start and end times for anesthesia cases
      completed with paper records and an AIMS. Paper anesthesia records had
      significantly more times ending with "0" and "5" compared to those from the AIMS
      (p < 0.001). For case start times, AIMS still exhibited end-digit preference,
      with times whose last digits had significantly higher frequencies of "0" and "5"
      than other integers. This effect, however, was attenuated compared to that for
      paper anesthesia records. For case end times, the distribution of minutes
      recorded with AIMS was almost evenly distributed, unlike those from paper records
      that still showed significant end-digit preference. The accuracy of anesthesia
      case start times and case end times, as inferred by statistical analysis of the
      distribution of the times, is enhanced with the use of an AIMS. Furthermore, the
      differences in AIMS user interface for documenting case start and case end times
      likely affects the degree of end-digit preference, and likely accuracy, of those
      times.

PMID- 27270784
TI  - Pharmacokinetic profiles of significant adverse events with crizotinib in
      Japanese patients with ABCB1 polymorphism.
AB  - Crizotinib is a standard treatment for advanced ALK-positive non-small-cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC). We undertook this study to investigate the pharmacokinetics of
      crizotinib and clinical and pharmacogenomic factors that may increase the risk of
      adverse events (AEs). We defined clinically significant AEs as grade 4
      hematological toxicity, grade >=3 non-hematological toxicity, and any grade of
      interstitial lung disease. Eight subjects with ALK-positive NSCLC scheduled to
      receive crizotinib 250 mg twice daily were studied. Six patients were female and
      two were male, and most of the patients had low body weight with a median body
      weight of 46.8 kg (range, 42.4-61.0 kg). All patients developed AEs, five
      developing six clinically significant AEs. Six patients required dose reduction.
      In pharmacokinetic analysis, blood samples were obtained on days 1 and 15. The
      mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0-12 h (AUC0-12 ) on day
      15 was significantly increased in patients with clinically significant AEs (n =
      5) compared with those without (n = 3) (P = 0.04). Genetic polymorphisms of ABCB1
      were analyzed. One patient with the ABCB1 1236TT-2677TT-3435TT genotype was an
      outlier, with an AUC0-12 and peak concentrations on day 15 of 2.84* and 2.61* the
      mean, respectively, compared with those with other genotypes. Our results suggest
      that some Japanese NSCLC patients treated with crizotinib developed clinically
      significant toxicities that were related to altered pharmacokinetics parameters
      due to genotype and body weight factors. 

PMID- 27270787
TI  - Severe Polyethylene Wear Requiring Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty in Three Dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the occurrence of severe polyethylene wear of the
      acetabular component in 3 dogs that ultimately led to implant failure, and to
      report the outcome of revision of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in these cases.
      STUDY DESIGN: Case report ANIMALS: Dogs (n=3). RESULTS: Three dogs with hip
      dysplasia underwent routine THA before 2 years of age. All dogs became acutely
      lame 4-5 years after THA. Radiographs revealed acetabular cup wear in all cases,
      shell fragmentation in 2 cases, and additional stem failure in 1 case. All dogs
      underwent successful revision surgery, during which severe polyethylene wear and
      metallosis was observed. Revision surgery provided an excellent clinical outcome
      in all dogs from 10 months to 4 years post revision. CONCLUSION: Polyethylene
      wear and implant failure may be a significant long-term complication of THA not
      previously recognized, which may be especially true when placed at an early age
      in a large breed, active dog, or in a dog with significant morbidity associated
      with other limbs. A successful revision was achieved in all 3 dogs. Additional
      investigation is warranted to document the risk factors associated with severe
      polyethylene wear in canine THA.

PMID- 27270786
TI  - TP53 mutations are early events in chronic lymphocytic leukemia disease
      progression and precede evolution to complex karyotypes.
AB  - TP53 abnormalities lead to resistance to purine analogues and are found in over
      40% of patients with refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). At diagnosis,
      no more than 5% of patients carry the 17p deletion, most cases harbour mutations
      within the other TP53 allele. The incidence of a TP53 mutation as the only
      alteration is approximately 5%, but this depends on the sensitivity of the
      technique. Recently, having a complex karyotype has been considered a strong
      adverse prognostic factor. However, there are no longitudinal studies
      simultaneously examining the presence of the 17p deletion, TP53 mutations and
      karyotype abnormalities. We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study of 31
      relapsed/refractory CLL patients. Two to six blood samples per patient were
      analyzed, with a median follow-up of 8 years. In this report, we assessed the
      sequence of events of TP53 clonal evolution and correlated the presence of TP53
      abnormalities to genetic instability during progression and treatment. Next
      generation sequencing allowed the early detection of TP53 mutated clones and was
      able to be performed on a routine basis, demonstrating an excellent correlation
      between the Illumina and Ion Torrent technologies. We concluded that TP53
      mutations are early events and precede clonal evolution to complex karyotypes. We
      strongly recommend the early and iterated detection of TP53 mutations in
      progressive cases.

PMID- 27270789
TI  - Are the basal ganglia actually controlling movement or quite the opposite?

PMID- 27270788
TI  - Cascade degradation of organic matters in brewery wastewater using a continuous
      stirred microbial electrochemical reactor and analysis of microbial communities.
AB  - A continuous stirred microbial electrochemical reactor (CSMER), comprising of a
      complete mixing zone (CMZ) and microbial electrochemical zone (MEZ), was used for
      brewery wastewater treatment. The system realized 75.4 +/- 5.7% of TCOD and 64.9
      +/- 4.9% of TSS when fed with brewery wastewater concomitantly achieving an
      average maximum power density of 304 +/- 31 m W m(-2). Cascade utilization of
      organic matters made the CSMER remove a wider range of substrates compared with a
      continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), in which process 79.1 +/- 5.6% of soluble
      protein and 86.6 +/- 2.2% of soluble carbohydrates were degraded by anaerobic
      digestion in the CMZ and short-chain volatile fatty acids were further decomposed
      and generated current in the MEZ. Co-existence of fermentative bacteria
      (Clostridium and Bacteroides, 19.7% and 5.0%), acetogenic bacteria
      (Syntrophobacter, 20.8%), methanogenic archaea (Methanosaeta and
      Methanobacterium, 40.3% and 38.4%) and exoelectrogens (Geobacter, 12.4%) as well
      as a clear spatial distribution and syntrophic interaction among them contributed
      to the cascade degradation process in CSMER. The CSMER shows great promise for
      practical wastewater treatment application due to high pre-hydrolysis and
      acidification rate, high energy recovery and low capital cost.

PMID- 27270816
TI  - Two-point particle tracking microrheology of nematic complex fluids.
AB  - Many biological and technological complex fluids exhibit tight microstructural
      alignment that confers them nematic mechanical properties. Among these we count
      liquid crystals and biopolymer networks, which are often available in microscopic
      amounts. However, current microrheological methods cannot measure the directional
      viscoelastic coefficients that appear in the constitutive relation of nematic
      complex fluids. This article presents directional two-point particle-tracking
      microrheology (D2PTM) - a novel microrheology technique to determine these
      coefficients. We establish the theoretical foundation for D2PTM by analyzing the
      motion of a probing microscopic particle embedded in a nematic complex fluid, and
      the mutual hydrodynamic interactions between pairs of distant particles. From
      this analysis, we generalize the formulation of two-point particle tracking
      microrheology for nematic complex fluids, and demonstrate that the new
      formulation provides sufficient information to fully characterize the anisotropic
      viscoelastic coefficients of such materials. We test D2PTM by simulating the
      Brownian motion of particles in nematic viscoelastic fluids with prescribed
      directional frequency-dependent shear moduli, showing that D2PTM accurately
      recovers the prescribed shear moduli. Furthermore, we experimentally validate
      D2PTM by applying it to a lyotropic nematic liquid crystal, and demonstrate that
      this new microrheology method provides results in agreement with dynamic light
      scattering measurements. Lastly, we illustrate the experimental application of
      the new technique to characterize nematic F-actin solutions. These experiments
      constitute the first microrheological measurement of the directional viscoelastic
      coefficients of an anisotropic soft material. 

PMID- 27270790
TI  - The morphogen Decapentaplegic employs a two-tier mechanism to activate target
      retinal determining genes during ectopic eye formation in Drosophila.
AB  - Understanding the role of morphogen in activating its target genes, otherwise
      epigenetically repressed, during change in cell fate specification is a very
      fascinating yet relatively unexplored domain. Our in vivo loss-of-function
      genetic analyses reveal that specifically during ectopic eye formation, the
      morphogen Decapentaplegic (Dpp), in conjunction with the canonical signaling
      responsible for transcriptional activation of retinal determining (RD) genes,
      triggers another signaling cascade. Involving dTak1 and JNK, this pathway down
      regulates the expression of polycomb group of genes to do away with their
      repressive role on RD genes. Upon genetic inactivation of members of this newly
      identified pathway, the canonical Dpp signaling fails to trigger RD gene
      expression beyond a threshold, critical for ectopic photoreceptor
      differentiation. Moreover, the drop in ectopic RD gene expression and subsequent
      reduction in ectopic photoreceptor differentiation resulting from inactivation of
      dTak1 can be rescued by down-regulating the expression of polycomb group of
      genes. Our results unravel an otherwise unknown role of morphogen in coordinating
      simultaneous transcriptional activation and de-repression of target genes
      implicating its importance in cellular plasticity.

PMID- 27270827
TI  - Cartilage-hair hypoplasia associated with isolated hypoganglionosis: A case
      report.
AB  - Cartilage-hair hypoplasia is a rare metaphyseal chondrodysplasia characterized by
      diverse clinical manifestations and a high incidence of Hirschsprung disease. We
      present a male patient with cartilage-hair hypoplasia associated with severe
      intestinal obstruction. Genetic analysis of ribonuclease mitochondrial RNA
      processing complex gene identified compound heterozygous mutations consisted with
      previously reported mutations: n.-14_3dupGAAGCTGAGGACGTGGT and n.183G > T. First,
      we considered that intestinal obstruction was due to an extensive type of
      Hirschsprung disease, but it was later confirmed as isolated hypoganglionosis.
      Isolated hypoganglionosis is rare and its therapeutic strategies are not well
      established. In cases of cartilage-hair hypoplasia associated with severe
      intestinal obstruction, the differential diagnosis of not only Hirschsprung
      disease, but also isolated hypoganglionosis, should be considered.

PMID- 27270828
TI  - Interaction of Target Oxygen Saturation, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, and
      Pulmonary Hypertension in Small for Gestational Age Preterm Neonates.

PMID- 27270829
TI  - Development of an advance care planning paradigm for advanced cancer: person
      centered oncologic care and choices (P-COCC).

PMID- 27270830
TI  - Ripples on rolandic spikes: A marker of epilepsy severity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Children with rolandic spikes may or may not have seizures, ranging
      from benign rolandic epilepsy to severe atypical rolandic epilepsy. We
      investigated whether ripples (80-250 Hz), superimposed on rolandic spikes in
      surface electroencephalography (EEG), can differentiate between different
      entities. METHODS: In this cohort study we analyzed the EEG studies of children
      with rolandic spikes without other EEG or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      abnormalities. They were divided into the following three groups: (1) rolandic
      spikes but no epilepsy, (2) typical rolandic epilepsy, and (3) atypical and
      symptomatic rolandic epilepsy. Ripples superimposed on rolandic spikes were
      marked in 10 minutes of EEG, and compared to the number of seizures before the
      EEG. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to determine
      the predictive value of ripples and spikes for having epilepsy (groups 2 and 3)
      and for differentiating benign courses (groups 1 or 2) from atypical and
      symptomatic epilepsy (group 3). Ripples were also marked in the time frequency
      spectrum of averaged rolandic spikes. RESULTS: Ripples were found in 13 of 22
      children. Children without epilepsy showed no ripples, except for a single child
      with only one ripple. The number of ripples showed a significant positive
      correlation with the number of seizures (rho = 0.70, p = 0.001), whereas spikes
      had a borderline significant correlation (rho = 0.43, p = 0.05). Presence of more
      than two ripples was a predictor for having seizures (area under the curve [AUC]
      0.84), whereas spikes could not predict having seizures (AUC 0.53). More than
      five ripples predicted the difference between benign courses and atypical and
      symptomatic epilepsy (AUC 0.91, sensitivity 63%, specificity 100%). Ripples in
      the time frequency spectra appeared in all children and were not related to
      seizures. SIGNIFICANCE: Absence of ripples on top of rolandic spikes predicts a
      relative benign clinical entity, whereas in the presence of several ripples, the
      child is likely to have more seizures than classical rolandic epilepsy, and
      pharmacologic treatment might be needed.

PMID- 27270831
TI  - Evaluation of Clinical Pharmacists' Interventions in the Czech Republic.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of interventions, categorized by
      type of intervention and therapeutic class, made by a team of four clinical
      pharmacists over a 1-year period, and to assess the potential economic impact of
      these interventions. DESIGN: Prospective analysis. SETTING: Large medical center
      in Prague, Czech Republic. PATIENTS: A total of 9153 adults who were admitted to
      the general surgery, infectious diseases, oncology, orthopedics, and thoracic
      surgery and respiratory medicine services between January 1, 2014, and December
      31, 2014. INTERVENTION: Four clinical pharmacists reviewed patients' medication
      profiles, participated in medical and surgical rounds, and made drug therapy
      related recommendations to physicians. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Clinical
      pharmacists' interventions were categorized by therapeutic class and divided into
      eight types: introduction of a drug, discontinuation of a drug, dosage change,
      route of administration change, recommendation to continue therapy,
      recommendation to perform further evaluation (e.g., laboratory assessment),
      reintroduction of a missing medication, and therapeutic drug monitoring (request
      to measure a drug concentration and provide its interpretation). All
      interventions accepted by the attending physicians were recorded by using a
      software application. For the evaluation of the economic impact of the
      interventions, published statistical data were used from the Institute of Health
      Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic. During the 1-year period, the
      clinical pharmacists performed 1916 interventions. The most frequent intervention
      was drug discontinuation (27.9% of all interventions), and the drug category with
      the highest frequency of interventions was central nervous system drugs (25.1%).
      All interventions were accepted by the physicians. For the evaluation of
      potential economic impact, a select group of drugs was used, representing 14.4%
      of the interventions. The benefit:cost ratio was 3:1. CONCLUSION: All
      interventions made by clinical pharmacists were accepted by the physicians. Drug
      discontinuation was the most frequent intervention. The analysis of potential
      economic savings showed the positive impact of these interventions, with a
      benefit:cost ratio of 3:1.

PMID- 27270834
TI  - Association of androgen with gender difference in serum adipocyte fatty acid
      binding protein levels.
AB  - Clinical investigations have indicated women have higher levels of adipocyte
      fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) than men. The present study aimed to identify
      factors related to gender difference in serum A-FABP levels. A total of 507
      participants (194 men, 132 premenopausal women, and 181 postmenopausal women)
      were enrolled in the present study. Serum A-FABP levels increased in the order
      from men to premenopausal women to postmenopausal women in both body mass index
      categories (<25.0 and >=25.0 kg/m(2); all P < 0.05). Multiple stepwise regression
      analyses showed that after adjustment for factors related to serum A-FABP levels,
      the trunk fat mass was an independent and positive factor of serum A-FABP levels.
      For men, total testosterone was associated independently and inversely with serum
      A-FABP levels. For pre- and postmenopausal women, bioavailable testosterone and
      total testosterone were independent and positive factors associated with serum A
      FABP levels, respectively. The present study demonstrated that the androgen was
      correlated with the serum A-FABP levels negatively in men, but positively in
      women. With these effects on the fat content, especially trunk fat, androgen
      might contribute to the gender difference in serum A-FABP levels.

PMID- 27270836
TI  - Biomimetic heterogeneous multiple ion channels: a honeycomb structure composite
      film generated by breath figures.
AB  - We design a novel type of artificial multiple nanochannel system with remarkable
      ion rectification behavior via a facile breath figure (BF) method. Notably, even
      though the charge polarity in the channel wall reverses under different pH
      values, this nanofluidic device displays the same ionic rectification direction.
      Compared with traditional nanochannels, this composite multiple ion channel
      device can be more easily obtained and has directional ionic rectification
      advantages, which can be applied in many fields. 

PMID- 27270835
TI  - CdGAP/ARHGAP31, a Cdc42/Rac1 GTPase regulator, is critical for vascular
      development and VEGF-mediated angiogenesis.
AB  - Mutations in the CdGAP/ARHGAP31 gene, which encodes a GTPase-activating protein
      for Rac1 and Cdc42, have been reported causative in the Adams-Oliver
      developmental syndrome often associated with vascular defects. However, despite
      its abundant expression in endothelial cells, CdGAP function in the vasculature
      remains unknown. Here, we show that vascular development is impaired in CdGAP
      deficient mouse embryos at E15.5. This is associated with superficial vessel
      defects and subcutaneous edema, resulting in 44% embryonic/perinatal lethality.
      VEGF-driven angiogenesis is defective in CdGAP(-/-) mice, showing reduced
      capillary sprouting from aortic ring explants. Similarly, VEGF-dependent
      endothelial cell migration and capillary formation are inhibited upon CdGAP
      knockdown. Mechanistically, CdGAP associates with VEGF receptor-2 and controls
      VEGF-dependent signaling. Consequently, CdGAP depletion results in impaired VEGF
      mediated Rac1 activation and reduced phosphorylation of critical intracellular
      mediators including Gab1, Akt, PLCgamma and SHP2. These findings are the first to
      demonstrate the importance of CdGAP in embryonic vascular development and VEGF
      induced signaling, and highlight CdGAP as a potential therapeutic target to treat
      pathological angiogenesis and vascular dysfunction.

PMID- 27270837
TI  - Unexpected mitochondrial matrix localization of Parkinson's disease-related DJ-1
      mutants but not wild-type DJ-1.
AB  - DJ-1 has been identified as a gene responsible for recessive familial Parkinson's
      disease (familial Parkinsonism), which is caused by a mutation in the PARK7
      locus. Consistent with the inferred correlation between Parkinson's disease and
      mitochondrial impairment, mitochondrial localization of DJ-1 and its implied role
      in mitochondrial quality control have been reported. However, the mechanism by
      which DJ-1 affects mitochondrial function remains poorly defined, and the
      mitochondrial localization of DJ-1 is still controversial. Here, we show the
      mitochondrial matrix localization of various pathogenic and artificial DJ-1
      mutants by multiple independent experimental approaches including cellular
      fractionation, proteinase K protection assays, and specific immunocytochemistry.
      Localization of various DJ-1 mutants to the matrix is dependent on the membrane
      potential and translocase activity in both the outer and the inner membranes.
      Nevertheless, DJ-1 possesses neither an amino-terminal alpha-helix nor a
      predictable matrix-targeting signal, and a post-translocation processing-derived
      molecular weight change is not observed. In fact, wild-type DJ-1 does not show
      any evidence of mitochondrial localization at all. Such a mode of matrix
      localization of DJ-1 is difficult to explain by conventional mechanisms and
      implies a unique matrix import mechanism for DJ-1 mutants. 

PMID- 27270839
TI  - Mechanisms of hyperventilation-induced lung injuries in neonatal rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of early
      inflammatory injury in neonatal ventilator-induced lung injuries (VILI). METHODS:
      Newborn rats were randomly assigned to groups and administrated mechanical
      ventilation with different tidal volumes. Morphological changes in lung tissues
      were observed, and the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), cysteinyl leukotriene mRNA
      (CysLT1 mRNA), and nuclear factor-kappaB mRNA (NF-kappaBp65 mRNA) in lung tissues
      were analyzed. RESULTS: The ventilation groups exhibited different degrees of
      inflammatory cell infiltration, which was aggravated as the tidal volume and
      ventilation time increased. The IL-6 levels of the hyperventilation 5H,
      conventional ventilation 5H, hyperventilation 3H, control, and normal lung-tissue
      group were 785.33 +/- 39.06, 701.6 +/- 33.65, 686.65 +/- 46.85, 637.63 +/- 40.55,
      and 635.02 +/- 65.78 pg/g, respectively. Hyperventilation increased the levels of
      IL-6 and NF-kappaBp65 mRNAas the ventilation time increased, and IL-6 was
      positively correlated with NF-kappaBp65 mRNA levels (r = 0.72, P < 0.01). Longer
      hyperventilation periods upregulate the level of CysLT1 mRNA. CysLT1 mRNA/GAPDH
      of the hyperventilation 5H group was 2.14 +/- 1.45 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      Mechanical ventilation with a large tidal volume can cause VILI, characterized at
      an early stage by inflammatory responses and particularly by the increased
      secretion and invasion of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cells. The
      activation of the NF-kappaB-IL-6 signaling pathway was an important mechanism for
      the initiation of VILI. Additionally, CysLT1 was involved in the inflammatory
      VILI damage, and its upregulation occurred later than that of IL-6.

PMID- 27270838
TI  - Association of the AURKA and AURKC gene polymorphisms with an increased risk of
      gastric cancer.
AB  - Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mitotic checkpoint genes can contribute
      to susceptibility of human cancer, including gastric cancer (GC). We aimed to
      investigate the effects of Aurora kinase A (AURKA), Aurora kinase B (AURKB), and
      Aurora kinase C (AURKC) gene polymorphisms on GC risk in Slovenian population. We
      genotyped four SNPs in AURKA (rs2273535 and rs1047972), AURKB (rs2241909), and
      AURKC (rs758099) in a total of 128 GC patients and 372 healthy controls using
      TaqMan allelic discrimination assays to evaluate their effects on GC risk. Our
      results showed that genotype frequencies between cases and controls were
      significantly different for rs1047972 and rs758099 (P < 0.05). Our study
      demonstrated that AURKA rs1047972 TT and (CC + CT) genotypes were significantly
      associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. Our results additionally
      revealed that AURKC rs758099 TT and (CC + CT) genotypes were also associated with
      increased GC risk. In stratified analysis, genotypes TT and (CC + CT) of AURKA
      rs1047972 SNP were associated with increased risk of both, intestinal and
      diffuse, types of GC. In addition, AURKC rs758099 TT and (CC + CT) genotypes were
      positively associated with increased intestinal type GC risk, but not with an
      increased diffuse type GC risk. Based on these results, we can conclude that
      AURKA rs1047972 and AURKC rs758099 polymorphisms could affect the risk of GC
      development. Further larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. (c)
      2016 IUBMB Life, 68(8):634-644, 2016.

PMID- 27270840
TI  - Formation of a Double Diamond Cubic Phase by Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Self
      Assembly of Bundled Bolaamphiphiles.
AB  - A quaternary amphiphile with swallow-tail side groups displays a new bicontinuous
      thermotropic cubic phase with symmetry Pn3? m and formed by two interpenetrating
      networks where cylindrical segments are linked by H bonds at tetrahedral
      junctions. Each network segment contains two bundles, each containing 12 rod-like
      mesogens, lying along the segment axis. This assembly leads to the first
      thermotropic structure of the "double diamond" type. A quantitative geometric
      model is proposed to explain the occurrence of this rare phase.

PMID- 27270842
TI  - Sustaining Health Care Interventions to Achieve Quality Care: What We Can Learn
      From Rapid Response Teams.
AB  - Rapid response team (RRT) adoption and implementation are associated with
      improved quality of care of patients who experience an unanticipated medical
      emergency. The sustainability of RRTs is vital to achieve long-term benefits of
      these teams for patients, staff, and hospitals. Factors required to achieve RRT
      sustainability remain unclear. This study examined the relationship between
      sustainability elements and RRT sustainability in hospitals that have previously
      implemented RRTs.

PMID- 27270841
TI  - Passive heat therapy improves endothelial function, arterial stiffness and blood
      pressure in sedentary humans.
AB  - KEY POINTS: A recent 30 year prospective study showed that lifelong sauna use
      reduces cardiovascular-related and all-cause mortality; however, the specific
      cardiovascular adaptations that cause this chronic protection are currently
      unknown. We investigated the effects of 8 weeks of repeated hot water immersion
      ('heat therapy') on various biomarkers of cardiovascular health in young,
      sedentary humans. We showed that, relative to a sham group which participated in
      thermoneutral water immersion, heat therapy increased flow-mediated dilatation,
      reduced arterial stiffness, reduced mean arterial and diastolic blood pressure,
      and reduced carotid intima media thickness, with changes all on par or greater
      than what is typically observed in sedentary subjects with exercise training. Our
      results show for the first time that heat therapy has widespread and robust
      effects on vascular function, and as such, could be a viable treatment option for
      improving cardiovascular health in a variety of patient populations, particularly
      those with limited exercise tolerance and/or capabilities. ABSTRACT: The majority
      of cardiovascular diseases are characterized by disorders of the arteries,
      predominantly caused by endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffening.
      Intermittent hot water immersion ('heat therapy') results in elevations in core
      temperature and changes in cardiovascular haemodynamics, such as cardiac output
      and vascular shear stress, that are similar to exercise, and thus may provide an
      alternative means of improving health which could be utilized by patients with
      low exercise tolerance and/or capabilities. We sought to comprehensively assess
      the effects of 8 weeks of heat therapy on biomarkers of vascular function in
      young, sedentary subjects. Twenty young, sedentary subjects were assigned to
      participate in 8 weeks (4-5 times per week) of heat therapy (n = 10; immersion in
      a 40.5 degrees C bath sufficient to maintain rectal temperature >= 38.5 degrees C
      for 60 min per session) or thermoneutral water immersion (n = 10; sham). Eight
      weeks of heat therapy increased flow-mediated dilatation from 5.6 +/- 0.3 to 10.9
      +/- 1.0% (P < 0.01) and superficial femoral dynamic arterial compliance from 0.06
      +/- 0.01 to 0.09 +/-0.01 mm(2)  mmHg(-1) (P = 0.03), and reduced (i.e. improved)
      aortic pulse wave velocity from 7.1 +/- 0.3 to 6.1 +/- 0.3 m s(-1) (P = 0.03),
      carotid intima media thickness from 0.43 +/- 0.01 to 0.37 +/- 0.01 mm (P <
      0.001), and mean arterial blood pressure from 83 +/- 1 to 78 +/- 2 mmHg (P =
      0.02). No changes were observed in the sham group or for carotid arterial
      compliance, superficial femoral intima media thickness or endothelium-independent
      dilatation. Heat therapy improved endothelium-dependent dilatation, arterial
      stiffness, intima media thickness and blood pressure, indicating improved
      cardiovascular health. These data suggest heat therapy may provide a simple and
      effective tool for improving cardiovascular health in various populations.

PMID- 27270843
TI  - Predicting Sepsis Risk Using the "Sniffer" Algorithm in the Electronic Medical
      Record.
AB  - The Sepsis "Sniffer" Algorithm (SSA) has merit as a digital sepsis alert but
      should be considered an adjunct to versus an alternative for the Nurse Screening
      Tool (NST), given lower specificity and positive predictive value. The SSA
      reduced the risk of incorrectly categorizing patients at low risk for sepsis,
      detected sepsis high risk in half the time, and reduced redundant NST screens by
      70% and manual screening hours by 64% to 72%. Preserving nurse hours expended on
      manual sepsis alerts may translate into time directed toward other patient
      priorities.

PMID- 27270845
TI  - CMS Nonpayment Policy, Quality Improvement, and Hospital-Acquired Conditions: An
      Integrative Review.
AB  - This integrative review synthesized evidence on the consequences of the Centers
      for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) nonpayment policy on quality improvement
      initiatives and hospital-acquired conditions. Fourteen articles were included.
      This review presents strong evidence that the CMS policy has spurred quality
      improvement initiatives; however, the relationships between the CMS policy and
      hospital-acquired conditions are inconclusive. In future research, a
      comprehensive model of implementation of the CMS nonpayment policy would help us
      understand the effectiveness of this policy.

PMID- 27270844
TI  - Critical Access Hospital Use of TeamSTEPPS to Implement Shift-Change Handoff
      Communication.
AB  - Implementation of handoff as part of TeamSTEPPS initiatives for improving shift
      change communication is examined via qualitative analysis of on-site interviews
      and process observations in 8 critical access hospitals. Comparing implementation
      attributes and handoff performance across hospitals shows that the purpose of
      implementation did not differentiate between high and low performance, but
      facilitators and barriers did. Staff involvement and being part of the "big
      picture" were important facilitators to change management and buy-in.

PMID- 27270846
TI  - Patients' Perceptions of Bedside Handoff: Further Evidence to Support a Culture
      of Always.
AB  - Patients' perceptions of satisfaction, understanding, participation, and feelings
      of safety were significantly correlated with the frequency of bedside handoff.
      Mean responses to survey items in these areas were significantly higher for
      patients who "always" experienced bedside handoff than for those who experienced
      it sporadically. Quality improvement strategies were effective in increasing the
      frequency of bedside handoff.

PMID- 27270848
TI  - Time-Out and Checklists: A Survey of Rural and Urban Operating Room Personnel.
AB  - Surgical safety checklists were introduced to improve patient safety. Urban and
      rural hospitals are influenced by differing factors, but how these factors affect
      patient care is unknown. This study examined time-out and checklist processes in
      rural and urban operating rooms and found that although checklist use has been
      adopted in many organizations, use is inconsistent across both settings. An
      understanding of these variations is needed to improve utilization.

PMID- 27270847
TI  - Evaluation of the Multimodal Strategy for Improvement of Hand Hygiene as Proposed
      by the World Health Organization.
AB  - Hand hygiene has the biggest impact and is the least expensive way to prevent and
      control health care-associated infections. In this study, we assessed the
      effectiveness of the multimodal strategy of the World Health Organization to
      improve health care-associated infection rates, hand hygiene compliance, and the
      related knowledge of health care professionals in a Brazilian university
      hospital. We observed the necessity for an alternative approach in hospitals with
      high staff turnover and low attendance of educational sessions.

PMID- 27270849
TI  - Staff perceptions of barriers to physical restraint-reduction in long-term care:
      a meta-synthesis.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To critically review the existing qualitative studies to
      identify, from the perspective of staff, the barriers to physical restraint
      reduction in long-term geriatric care facilities. BACKGROUND: Despite the adverse
      physical and psychosocial effects, physical restraints are still used frequently
      in many geriatric long-term care facilities around the world. There is, however,
      no study that synthesises the existing qualitative literature regarding the
      barriers to the restraint reduction from the perspective of facility staff.
      DESIGN/METHODS: The metastudy research process guided this qualitative synthesis.
      Five electronic databases were searched, and ten studies were included in this
      metastudy. RESULTS: Five themes were identified through metasynthesis of the
      findings: concern about and responsibility for safety, unclear and inconsistent
      definitions of restraint and restraint-free care, difficulties in the transition
      from acceptance to removal, noninvolvement in decision-making to remove restraint
      and insufficient resources and education. CONCLUSION: A concept analysis of
      physical restraint is sorely needed, and future studies should explore the
      prevalence of restraint, the effects of education for staff and family on
      restraint reduction, and success stories related to restraint-free care. More
      research is needed regarding the restraint reduction effectiveness and cost
      issues. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Physical restraints, commonly used in
      many geriatric long-term care facilities, result in many negative effects and
      ethical issues. To achieve success in reducing physical restraint use,
      governmental policies and long-term care institutions should underpin staff
      efforts with legal, educational and practical support.

PMID- 27270850
TI  - Health status and treatment-seeking stigma in older adults with trauma and
      posttraumatic stress disorder.
AB  - This study compared health status across four trauma/posttraumatic stress
      disorder (PTSD) groups of older adults with depression, anxiety, and/or at-risk
      drinking who attended primary care appointments (N = 1,199; mean age = 73.5 yr),
      mostly at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals. The trauma and PTSD
      categories were PTSD (n = 81), partial PTSD (n = 127), trauma only (n = 323), and
      no trauma (n = 668). Physical and mental health-related quality of life (HQL),
      indices of social and economic impairment and stigma regarding treatment-seeking
      were compared among groups. Group differences were found for several indicators
      of functional impairment; the PTSD group had fewer close friends and higher
      treatment-seeking stigma beliefs related to having a disorder. Linear mixed
      modeling examined associations between trauma/PTSD group and HQL. After
      accounting for covariates, the trauma/PTSD groups differed across the Medical
      Outcome Study Short Form-36 scales and component scores (indicated by significant
      group by scale interaction). Differences among groups were confined to mental
      health measures; those with PTSD had worse HQL. Post hoc analyses examined the
      number of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses by trauma/PTSD group. Overall, findings
      indicate that mental HQL varies among older adults with trauma and PTSD and that
      although treatment-related stigma does not differ among groups, it does affect
      HQL.

PMID- 27270851
TI  - RE: The AAST AORTA registry and data on REBOA.

PMID- 27270852
TI  - The AAST AORTA registry and data on REBOA.

PMID- 27270853
TI  - Home safe home: Evaluation of a childhood home safety program.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The London Health Sciences Centre Home Safety Program (HSP) provides
      safety devices, education, a safety video, and home safety checklist to all first
      time parents for the reduction of childhood home injuries. The objective of this
      study was to evaluate the HSP for the prevention of home injuries in children up
      to 2 years of age. METHODS: A program evaluation was performed with follow-up
      survey, along with an interrupted time series analysis of emergency department
      (ED) visits for home injuries 5 years before (2007-2013) and 2 years after (2013
      2015) implementation. Spatial analysis of ED visits was undertaken to assess
      differences in home injury rates by dissemination areas controlling differences
      in socioeconomic status (i.e., income, education, and lone-parent status) at the
      neighborhood level. RESULTS: A total of 3,458 first-time parents participated in
      the HSP (a 74% compliance rate). Of these, 20% (n = 696) of parents responded to
      our questionnaire, with 94% reporting the program to be useful (median, 6;
      interquartile range, 2 on a 7-point Likert scale) and 81% learning new strategies
      for preventing home injuries. The median age of the respondent's babies were 12
      months (interquartile range, 1). The home safety check list was used by 87% of
      respondents to identify hazards in their home, with 95% taking action to minimize
      the risk. The time series analysis demonstrated a significant decline in ED
      visits for home injuries in toddlers younger than2 years of age after HSP
      implementation. The declines in ED visits for home injuries remained significant
      over and above each socioeconomic status covariate. CONCLUSION: Removing hazards,
      supervision, and installing safety devices are key facilitators in the reduction
      of home injuries. Parents found the HSP useful to identify hazards, learn new
      strategies, build confidence, and provide safety products. Initial finding
      suggests that the program is effective in reducing home injuries in children up
      to 2 years of age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management study, level V.

PMID- 27270854
TI  - Posterior paramedian subrhomboidal analgesia versus thoracic epidural analgesia
      for pain control in patients with multiple rib fractures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rib fractures are common in trauma admissions and are associated with
      an increased risk of pulmonary complications, intensive care unit admissions, and
      mortality. Providing adequate pain control in patients with multiple rib
      fractures decreases the risk of adverse events. Thoracic epidural analgesia is
      currently the preferred method for pain control. This study compared outcomes in
      patients with multiple acute rib fractures treated with posterior paramedian
      subrhomboidal (PoPS) analgesia versus thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). METHODS:
      This prospective study included 30 patients with three or more acute rib
      fractures admitted to a Level I trauma center. Thoracic epidural analgesia or
      PoPS catheters were placed, and local anesthesia was infused. Data were collected
      including patients' pain level, adjunct morphine equivalent use, adverse events,
      length of stay, lung volumes, and discharge disposition. Nonparametric tests were
      used and two-sided p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS:
      Nineteen (63%) of 30 patients received TEA and 11 (37%) of 30 patients received
      PoPS. Pain rating was lower in the PoPS group (2.5 vs. 5; p = 0.03) after initial
      placement. Overall, there was no other statistically significant difference in
      pain control or use of oral morphine adjuncts between the groups. Hypotension
      occurred in eight patients, 75% with TEA and only 25% with PoPS. No difference
      was found in adverse events, length of stay, lung volumes, or discharge
      disposition. CONCLUSION: In patients with rib fractures, PoPS analgesia may
      provide pain control equivalent to TEA while being less invasive and more readily
      placed by a variety of hospital staff. This pilot study is limited by its small
      sample size, and therefore additional studies are needed to prove equivalence of
      PoPS compared to TEA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV.

PMID- 27270855
TI  - Design of a cost-effective, hemodynamically adjustable model for resuscitative
      endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) simulation.
AB  - Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is an adjunct
      technique for salvaging patients with noncompressible torso hemorrhage. Current
      REBOA training paradigms require large animals, virtual reality simulators, or
      human cadavers for acquisition of skills. These training strategies are expensive
      and resource intensive, which may prevent widespread dissemination of REBOA. We
      have developed a low-cost, near-physiologic, pulsatile REBOA simulator by
      connecting an anatomic vascular circuit constructed out of latex and polyvinyl
      chloride tubing to a commercially available pump. This pulsatile simulator is
      capable of generating cardiac outputs ranging from 1.7 to 6.8 L/min with
      corresponding arterial blood pressures of 54 to 226/14 to 121 mmHg. The simulator
      accommodates a 12 French introducer sheath and a CODA balloon catheter. Upon
      balloon inflation, the arterial waveform distal to the occlusion flattens, distal
      pulsation within the simulator is lost, and systolic blood pressures proximal to
      the balloon catheter increase by up to 62 mmHg. Further development and
      validation of this simulator will allow for refinement, reduction, and
      replacement of large animal models, costly virtual reality simulators, and
      perfused cadavers for training purposes. This will ultimately facilitate the low
      cost, high-fidelity REBOA simulation needed for the widespread dissemination of
      this life-saving technique.

PMID- 27270856
TI  - Defining the cervical spine clearance algorithm: A single-institution prospective
      study of more than 9,000 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Variability exists in the approach to cervical spine (c-spine)
      clearance after significant trauma. Using concurrently gathered data on more than
      9,000 such patients, the current study develops an evidence-based and readily
      adoptable algorithm for c-spine clearance aimed at timely removal of collar,
      optimal use of imaging, and appropriate spine consultations. METHODS: Prospective
      study of adult blunt trauma team alert (TTA) patients presenting at a Level I
      trauma center who underwent screening computed tomography (CT) to diagnose/rule
      out c-spine injury (January 2008 to May 2014). Regression analysis comparing
      patients with and without c-spine injury-fracture and/or ligament-was used to
      identify significant predictors of injury. The predictors with the highest odds
      ratio were used to develop the algorithm. RESULTS: Among 9,227 patients meeting
      inclusion criteria, c-spine injury was identified in 553 patients (5.99%). All
      553 patients had a c-spine fracture, and of these, 57 patients (0.6% of entire
      population and 10.31% of patients with injury) also had a ligamentous injury. No
      patient with a normal CT result was found to have an injury. The five greatest
      predictors of ligament injury that follow were used to develop the algorithm: (1)
      CT evidence of ligament injury; (2) fracture pattern "not" isolated
      transverse/spinous process; (3) neurologic symptoms; (4) midline tenderness; and
      (5) Glasgow Coma Scale score <15. CONCLUSION: TTA patients should undergo
      screening c-spine CT to rule out injury. Most patients will have a negative CT
      and can have their collars removed. A select group of patients will require
      collars and spine consultation and a smaller subset of magnetic resonance imaging
      to rule out ligament injury. LEVEL OF EVEDINCE: Therapeutic study, level III.

PMID- 27270857
TI  - Evaluation of respiratory volume monitoring (RVM) to detect respiratory
      compromise in advance of pulse oximetry and help minimize false desaturation
      alarms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Monitoring respiratory function is important. By continuously
      monitoring respiratory volumes, respiratory depression could be identified before
      hypoxemia and drive earlier intervention. Here, we evaluate the temporal
      relationship of respiratory volume monitoring (providing real-time minute
      ventilation [MV], tidal volume, and respiratory rate in nonintubated patients) to
      hypoxemic episodes and its potential to help classify true vs false desaturations
      (related to patient movement/probe dislodgement). METHODS: Respiratory volume
      monitoring data, oxygen saturation (SpO2), oxygen supplementation, and opioid use
      were analyzed in 259 patients following orthopedic surgery. Detection of "low MV"
      (<40% of predicted MV) in advance of low SpO2 (<90%) was used to classify true
      and false desaturations. Patients were also stratified based on opioid use and
      development of low MV. Patient's length of stay (LOS) and number of SpO2 alarms
      were compared across groups (+/- opioids; +/- low MV). RESULTS: The electronic
      health records reported 113 SpO2 alarms; 105 (93%) not preceded by low MV and
      considered false. Low MV preceded the eight true desaturations by 12.8 +/- 2.8
      minutes. One hundred ninety-eight patients (76%) of 259 experienced one or more
      low MV events. Patients with low MV had significantly longer postanesthesia care
      unit (PACU) LOS than those maintaining "adequate MV": 2.8 +/- 0.1 hours vs. 2.4
      +/- 0.1 hours (p < 0.001). Patients receiving opioids had increased likelihood of
      low MV (69% vs. 80%; p < 0.05) and had significantly longer PACU LOS than those
      without opioids (2.9 +/- 0.1 hours vs. 2.3 +/- 0.1 hours; p < 0.001). In the
      opioid group, PACU LOS was 75% longer in patients developing low MV versus
      maintaining adequate MV (3.0 +/- 0.1 hours vs. 1.7 +/- 0.2 hours; p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Respiratory volume monitoring can provide advanced warning of
      impending oxygen desaturation and potentially reduce the number of false SpO2
      alarms. Opioid administration increased low MV events correlating with increased
      LOS. Respiratory volume monitoring can help clinicians individualize patient
      care, decrease false alarms, adjust opioid dosing, and increase PACU throughput.
      Similar benefits may translate to the general care floor and prehospital and
      posthospital environments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, level II.

PMID- 27270859
TI  - Middle-Upper Pleistocene climate changes shaped the divergence and demography of
      Cycas guizhouensis (Cycadaceae): Evidence from DNA sequences and microsatellite
      markers.
AB  - Climatic oscillations in the Pleistocene have had profound effects on the
      demography and genetic diversity of many extant species. Cycas guizhouensis Lan
      &R.F. Zou is an endemic and endangered species in Southwest China that is
      primarily distributed along the valleys of the Nanpan River. In this study, we
      used four chloroplast DNAs (cpDNA), three nuclear genes (nDNA) and 13
      microsatellite (SSR) loci to investigate the genetic structure, divergence time
      and demographic history of 11 populations of C. guizhouensis. High genetic
      diversity and high levels of genetic differentiation among the populations were
      observed. Two evolutionary units were revealed based on network and Structure
      analysis. The divergence time estimations suggested that haplotypes of C.
      guizhouensis were diverged during the Middle-Upper Pleistocene. Additionally, the
      demographic histories deduced from different DNA sequences were discordant, but
      overall indicated that C. guizhouensis had experienced a recent population
      expansion during the post-glacial period. Microsatellite data revealed that there
      was a contraction in effective population size in the past. These genetic
      features allow conservation measures to be taken to ensure the protection of this
      endangered species from extinction.

PMID- 27270860
TI  - Redox-Active Tetraruthenium Macrocycles Built from 1,4-Divinylphenylene-Bridged
      Diruthenium Complexes.
AB  - Metallamacrocylic tetraruthenium complexes were generated by treatment of 1,4
      divinylphenylene-bridged diruthenium complexes with functionalized 1,3-benzene
      dicarboxylic acids and characterized by HR ESI-MS and multinuclear NMR
      spectroscopy. Every divinylphenylene diruthenium subunit is oxidized in two
      consecutive one-electron steps with half-wave potential splittings in the range
      of 250 to 330 mV. Additional, smaller redox-splittings between the +/2+ and 0/+
      and the 3+/4+ and 2+/3+ redox processes, corresponding to the first and the
      second oxidations of every divinylphenylene diruthenium entity, are due to
      electrostatic effects. The lack of electronic coupling through bond or through
      space is explained by the nodal properties of the relevant molecular orbitals and
      the lateral side-by-side arrangement of the divinylphenylene linkers. The
      polyelectrochromic behavior of the divinylphenylene diruthenium precursors is
      retained and even amplified in these metallamacrocyclic structures. EPR studies
      down to T=4 K indicate that the dications 1-H(2+) and 1-OBu(2+) are paramagnetic.
      The dications and the tetracation of macrocycle 3-H display intense (dications)
      or weak (3-H(4+) ) EPR signals. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that the
      four most stable conformers of the macrocycles are largely devoid of strain. Bond
      parameters, energies as well as charge and spin density distributions of model
      macrocycle 5-H(Me) were calculated for the different charge and spin states. 

PMID- 27270858
TI  - Comparing clinical responses and the biomarkers of BDNF and cytokines between
      subthreshold bipolar disorder and bipolar II disorder.
AB  - Patients with subthreshold hypomania (SBP; subthreshold bipolar disorder) were
      indistinguishable from those with bipolar disorder (BP)-II on clinical bipolar
      validators, but their analyses lacked biological and pharmacological treatment
      data. Because inflammation and neuroprogression underlies BP, we hypothesized
      that cytokines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are biomarkers for
      BP. We enrolled 41 drug-naive patients with SBP and 48 with BP-II undergoing 12
      weeks of pharmacological treatment (valproic acid, fluoxetine, risperidone,
      lorazepam). The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Young Mania Rating
      Scale (YMRS) were used to evaluate clinical responses at baseline and at weeks 0,
      1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. Inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha,
      transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta1, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8 and IL-1beta)
      and BDNF levels were also measured. Mixed models repeated measurement was used to
      examine the therapeutic effect and changes in BDNF and cytokine levels between
      the groups. HDRS and YMRS scores significantly (P < 0.001) declined in both
      groups, the SBP group had significantly lower levels of BDNF (P = 0.005) and TGF
      beta1 (P = 0.02). Patients with SBP and BP-II respond similarly to treatment, but
      SBP patients may have different neuroinflammation marker expression.

PMID- 27270861
TI  - Cryopreservation (-20  degrees C) of feline corneoscleral tissue: histologic,
      microbiologic, and ultrastructural study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate microbiological, histologic, and ultrastructural
      characteristics of short-term cryopreserved (STC) feline corneoscleral tissue (<1
      year) and to compare it with long-term cryopreserved (LTC) tissue (>7 years).
      ANIMALS STUDIED: Twenty healthy feline globes were obtained from 2003 to 2013.
      PROCEDURE: After a decontamination protocol, globes were enucleated and stored at
      -20  degrees C in broad-spectrum antibiotics. Corneoscleral tissue was evaluated
      at different storage periods: <1 year (10 eyes) and >7 years (8 eyes). Two eyes
      were used as controls. Microbiologic study included direct (blood, McConkey, and
      Sabouraud agars) and enrichment (brain-heart infusion broth) cultures.
      Cryopreservation artifacts were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin. Corneoscleral
      collagen organization and number of normal and dead keratocytes were established
      by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Although microbiologic cultures
      were positive only in STC [direct (20.8%); enrichment (37.5%)], significant
      differences between periods were only found in enrichment cultures (P = 0.006).
      Cryopreservation artifacts were most commonly observed in LTC tissues (P <
      0.001). Normal keratocytes were predominant in STC corneas (STC 58.3%, LTC 12.5%)
      and apoptotic ones in LTC (STC 41.7%, LTC 75%), whereas necrotic keratocytes were
      only seen in LTC (LTC 12.5%) (P = 0.046). No structural differences were detected
      in collagen organization between STC and LTC (Pcornea = 0.147; Psclera = 0.362).
      CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreservation of feline corneoscleral tissue seems to reduce
      bacterial contamination over time. Apoptosis is the main cause of death of
      cryopreserved feline keratocytes. Based on the lack of significant structural
      differences between STC and LTC samples, these cryopreserved tissues could
      potentially be used for tectonic support for at least 10 years without structural
      or microbiological impediment.

PMID- 27270862
TI  - Remembering John Herbert Beynon 29th December 1923 to 24th August 2015.

PMID- 27270863
TI  - Super-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry and its application to
      ultrafast online protein digestion analysis.
AB  - Ion source pressure plays a significant role in the process of ionization and the
      subsequent ion transmission inside a mass spectrometer. Pressurizing the ion
      source to a gas pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is a relatively new
      approach that aims to further improve the performance of atmospheric pressure
      ionization sources. For example, under a super-atmospheric pressure environment,
      a stable electrospray can be sustained for liquid with high surface tension such
      as pure water, because of the suppression of electric discharge. Even for nano
      electrospray ionization (nano-ESI), which is known to work with aqueous solution,
      its stability and sensitivity can also be enhanced, particularly in the negative
      mode when the ion source is pressurized. A brief review on the development of
      super-atmospheric pressure ion sources, including high-pressure electrospray,
      field desorption and superheated ESI, and the strategies to interface these ion
      sources to a mass spectrometer will be given. Using a recent ESI prototype with
      an operating temperature at 220  degrees C under 27 atm, we also demonstrate that
      it is possible to achieve an online Asp-specific protein digestion analysis in
      which the whole processes of digestion, ionization and MS acquisition could be
      completed on the order of a few seconds. This method is fast, and the reaction
      can even be monitored on a near-real-time basis. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27270864
TI  - Mapping Dicorynia guianensis Amsh. wood constituents by submicron resolution
      cluster-TOF-SIMS imaging.
AB  - The preparation of tropical wood surface sections for time-of-flight secondary
      ion mass spectrometry imaging is described, and the use of delayed extraction of
      secondary ions and its interest for the analysis of vegetal surface are shown.
      The method has been applied to the study by time-of-flight secondary ion mass
      spectrometry imaging with a resolution of less than one micron of a tropical wood
      species, Dicorynia guianensis, which is one of the most exploited wood in French
      Guiana for its durable heartwood. The heartwood of this species exhibits an
      economical importance, but its production is not controlled in forestry. Results
      show an increase of tryptamine from the transition zone and a concomitant
      decrease of inorganic ions and starch fragment ions. These experiments lead to a
      better understanding of the heartwood formation and the origin of the natural
      durability of D. guianensis. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27270865
TI  - Surface acoustic wave nebulization device with dual interdigitated transducers
      improves SAWN-MS performance.
AB  - We compared mass spectrometric (MS) performance of surface acoustic wave
      nebulization (SAWN) generated by a single interdigitated transducer (IDT)
      designed to produce a progressive wave (PW) to one with a dual IDT that can in
      theory generate standing waves (SW). Given that devices using dual IDTs had been
      shown to produce fewer large size droplets on average, we hypothesized they would
      improve MS performance by improving the efficiency of desolvation. Indeed, the SW
      SAWN chip provided an improved limit of detection of 1 femtomole of peptide
      placed on chip making it 100* more sensitive than the PW design. However, as
      measured by high-speed image recording and phase Doppler particle analyzer
      measurements, there was only a 26% increase in the small diameter (1-10 um)
      droplets produced from the new device, precluding a conclusion that the decrease
      in droplet size was solely responsible for the improvement in MS signal/noise.
      Given that the dual IDT design produced a more instantaneous plume than the PW
      design, the more likely contributor to improved MS signal/noise was concluded to
      be a higher ion flux entering the mass spectrometer for the dual IDT designs.
      Notably, the dual IDT device allowed production of much higher quality protein
      mass spectra up to about 20 kDa, compared with the single IDT device. Copyright
      (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27270866
TI  - The investigation of the bitumen from ancient Greek amphora using FT ICR MS, H/D
      exchange and novel spectrum reduction approach.
AB  - Recently Russian archeologists have discovered on Taman peninsula an ancient (V
      B.C.) Greek amphora full of dense bitumen. This is the oldest amphora in the
      world that contains bitumen. We report the investigation of this bitumen using
      ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform mass spectrometry. Also we used recently
      developed in-ESI source Hydrogen/Deuterium exchange approach for the structural
      characterization of the individual molecules and estimation of the biodegradation
      of the bitumen. The increase of number of the labile hydrogens compared to the
      non-degraded oil can serve as an additional evidence of the degradation of
      bitumen via oxidation. For the facilitation of the spectrum processing we have
      developed the special iterative spectrum reduction approach. It was observed that
      molecules that have only oxygen heteroatoms possess two -OH groups what is
      unusual for the petroleum. Based on this we suggested that the bitumen degraded
      during its being in amphora for 2500 years. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons,
      Ltd. 

PMID- 27270867
TI  - Mass spectrometric approaches for the identification of anthracycline analogs
      produced by actinobacteria.
AB  - Anthracyclines are a well-known chemical class produced by actinobacteria used
      effectively in cancer treatment; however, these compounds are usually produced in
      few amounts because of being toxic against their producers. In this work, we
      successfully explored the mass spectrometry versatility to detect 18
      anthracyclines in microbial crude extract. From collision-induced dissociation
      and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, we proposed structures for five new and
      identified three more anthracyclines already described in the literature,
      nocardicyclins A and B and nothramicin. One new compound 8 (4-[4-(dimethylamino)
      5-hydroxy-4,6-dimethyloxan-2-yl]oxy-2,5,7,12-tetrahydroxy-3,10-dimethoxy-2-methyl
      3,4-dihydrotetracene-1,6,11-trione) was isolated and had its structure confirmed
      by (1) H nuclear magnetic resonance. The anthracyclines identified in this work
      show an interesting aminoglycoside, poorly found in natural products, 3-methyl
      rhodosamine and derivatives. This fact encouraged to develop a focused method to
      identify compounds with aminoglycosides (rhodosamine, m/z 158; 3-methyl
      rhodosamine, m/z 172; 4'-O-acethyl-3-C-methyl-rhodosamine, m/z 214). This method
      allowed the detection of four more anthracyclines. This focused method can also
      be applied in the search of these aminoglycosides in other microbial crude
      extracts. Additionally, it was observed that nocardicyclin A, nothramicin and
      compound 8 were able to interact to DNA through a DNA-binding study by mass
      spectrometry, showing its potential as anticancer drugs. Copyright (c) 2016 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27270868
TI  - Nitrogen incorporation in saturated aliphatic C6-C8 hydrocarbons and ethanol in
      low-pressure nitrogen plasma generated by a hollow cathode discharge ion source.
AB  - Ion/molecule reactions of saturated hydrocarbons (n-hexane, cyclohexane, n
      heptane, n-octane and isooctane) in 28-Torr N2 plasma generated by a hollow
      cathode discharge ion source were investigated using an Orbitrap mass
      spectrometer. It was found that the ions with [M+14](+) were observed as the
      major ions (M: sample molecule). The exact mass analysis revealed that the ions
      are nitrogenated molecules, [M+N](+) formed by the reactions of N3 (+) with M.
      The reaction, N3 (+) + M -> [M+N](+) + N2 , were examined by the density
      functional theory calculations. It was found that N3 (+) abstracts the H atom
      from hydrocarbon molecules leading to the formation of protonated imines in the
      forms of R'R"C?NH2 (+) (i.e. C-H bond nitrogenation). This result is in accord
      with the fact that elimination of NH3 is the major channel for MS/MS of [M+N](+)
      . That is, nitrogen is incorporated in the C-H bonds of saturated hydrocarbons.
      No nitrogenation was observed for benzene and acetone, which was ascribed to the
      formation of stable charge-transfer complexes benzene????N3 (+) and acetone????N3
      (+) revealed by density functional theory calculations. Copyright (c) 2016 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27270869
TI  - Simplification of electrospray mass spectra of Polysorbate 80 via cation transfer
      to carborane anions.
AB  - Mass spectrometric analysis of polymer mixtures via electrospray ionization can
      be complicated due the presence of multiple ion types, multiple charge states and
      multiple oligomeric distributions that complicate the detection and
      identification of mixture components. Polysorbate 80 (commercially known as
      Tween((r)) 80) provides an example of this type, where the presence of
      polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (PSO) byproducts gives rise to overlapping
      polymer distributions. It is desirable to simplify the spectrum in order to
      identify each component of what is inherently a complex mixture of fatty esters
      bound to different head groups. In this work, we show that gas-phase ion/ion
      reactions with carborane anions allow for the charge reduction of Tween((r)) 80
      peaks by selectively removing metal adducts bound to the synthetic polymer. The
      resulting singly charged spectrum reduces overlapping distributions and thus
      simplifies the identification of the components found in a Tween((r)) 80 sample.
      The overall approach described here would likely lead to similar benefits in the
      analysis of other polymers that tend to ionize via metal ion adduction. Copyright
      (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27270870
TI  - Comment on: MALDI ionization mechanisms investigated by comparison of isomers of
      dihydroxybenzoic acid.
AB  - Ionization mechanism of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization was recently
      investigated by Kirmess et al. (J. Mass Spectrom. 2016, 51, 79). The authors
      compared the ion yields of dihydroxybenzoic acid isomers between experimental
      measurements and theoretical models and claimed that the predictions of chemical
      and physical dynamics model are in good agreement with experimental data, but the
      predictions of thermal model are not. Here, we show that wrong S1-S1 energy
      pooling rate constants and absorption cross sections were used in the
      aforementioned article. In addition, we suggest the authors to list the values of
      many parameters used in their calculations and describe how they obtained these
      values because these values are completely unknown. 

PMID- 27270871
TI  - Super-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry and its application to
      ultrafast online protein digestion analysis.
AB  - Pressure is a key parameter for an ionization source. In this Special Feature
      article, Lee Chuin Chen and colleagues review super-atmospheric pressure
      ionization MS with electrospray, corona-discharge-based chemical ionization, and
      field desorption. They routinely run their mass spectrometer with ion source
      pressures ranging from several to several tens of atmospheres. A number of
      strategies have been used to preserve the high vacuum of the instrument while
      working with a high-pressure (HP) ion source. A recent prototype uses a booster
      pump with variable pumping speed added to the first pumping stage of the mass
      spectrometer to regulate a constant vacuum pressure. Further, a new HP-ESI source
      allowing rapid (a few seconds) online protein digestion MS is also reported. Dr.
      Lee Chuin Chen is Associate Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary
      Research at the University of Yamanashi (Yamanashi, Japan). His main research
      interest is the development of novel mass spectrometric methods for in-situ
      medical diagnosis. 

PMID- 27270872
TI  - Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Curcumin: A Randomized
      Placebo-controlled Trial.
AB  - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem. Although
      many aspects of NAFLD pathogenesis have been understood, there is a paucity of
      effective treatments to be used as the second line when lifestyle modification is
      insufficient. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol from turmeric, has been shown to be
      effective against development of hepatic steatosis and its progression to
      steatohepatitis, yet these beneficial effects have not been explored in clinical
      practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of curcumin on
      hepatic fat content as well as biochemical and anthropometric features of
      patients with NAFLD. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial,
      patients with ultrasonographic evidence of NAFLD were randomly assigned to
      receive an amorphous dispersion curcumin formulation (500 mg/day equivalent to 70
      mg curcumin) or matched placebo for a period of 8 weeks. Liver fat content
      (assessed through ultrasonography), glycemic and lipid profile, transaminase
      levels, and anthropometric indices were evaluated at baseline and at the end of
      follow-up period. The clinical trial protocol was registered under the Iranian
      Registry of Clinical Trials ID: IRCT2014110511763N18. Compared with placebo,
      curcumin was associated with a significant reduction in liver fat content (78.9%
      improvement in the curcumin vs 27.5% improvement in the placebo group). There
      were also significant reductions in body mass index and serum levels of total
      cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate
      aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin
      compared with the placebo group. Curcumin was safe and well tolerated during the
      course of trial. Findings of the present proof-of-concept trial suggested
      improvement of different features of NAFLD after a short-term supplementation
      with curcumin. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27270873
TI  - Chemoenzymatic synthesis and utilization of a SAM analog with an isomorphic
      nucleobase.
AB  - SalL, an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of SAM from l-methionine and 5'
      chloro-5'-deoxyoadenosine, is shown to accept 5'-chloro-5'-deoxythienoadenosine
      as a substrate and facilitate the synthesis of a synthetic SAM analog with an
      unnatural nucleobase. This synthetic cofactor is demonstrated to replace SAM in
      the DNA methylation reaction with M.TaqI. 

PMID- 27270874
TI  - Cannabis and alcohol use, affect and impulsivity in psychiatric out-patients'
      daily lives.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cannabis and alcohol are the most commonly used (il)licit
      drugs world-wide. We compared the effects of cannabis and alcohol use on within
      person changes in impulsivity, hostility and positive affect at the momentary and
      daily levels, as they occurred in daily life. DESIGN: Observational study
      involving ecological momentary assessments collected via electronic diaries six
      random times a day for 28 consecutive days. SETTING: Out-patients' everyday life
      contexts in Columbia, MO, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-three adult psychiatric out
      patients (85% female; mean = 30.9 years old) with borderline personality or
      depressive disorders, who reported using only cannabis (n = 3), only alcohol (n =
      58) or both (n = 32) at least once during the study period. MEASUREMENTS: Real
      time, standard self-report measures of impulsivity, hostility and positive
      affect, as impacted by momentary reports of cannabis and alcohol use. FINDINGS:
      Cannabis use was associated with elevated feelings of impulsivity at the day
      level [b = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.17-1.49] and increased
      hostility at the momentary (b = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01-0.12) and person (b = 0.81,
      95% CI = 0.15-1.47) level. Alcohol use was associated with elevated feelings of
      impulsivity at the momentary (b = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.13-0.71) and day levels (b =
      0.82, 95% CI = 0.22-1.41) and increased positive affect at the momentary (b =
      0.12, 95% CI = 0.06-0.18) and day (b = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.16-0.49) levels.
      CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis and alcohol use are associated with increases in
      impulsivity (both), hostility (cannabis) and positive affect (alcohol) in daily
      life, and these effects are part of separate processes that operate on different
      time-scales (i.e. momentary versus daily).

PMID- 27270876
TI  - Single-Fiber Recordings of Nociceptive Fibers in Patients With HSAN Type V With
      Congenital Insensitivity to Pain.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein important for growth and
      survival, but also for modulation of sensitivity of nociceptors and sympathetic
      neurons. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of
      reduced NGF signaling in patients with hereditary sensory and autonomic
      neuropathies type V, congenital insensitivity to pain, caused by a mutation of
      the NGFbeta gene, including a characterization of single nociceptive fibers using
      microneurography (MNG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One homozygote and 2 heterozygote
      patients with this mutation were examined with electromyography/neurography,
      thermal testing, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test, and electrically
      induced axon reflex erythema in addition to MNG. RESULTS: Low quantitative
      sudomotor axon reflex test measurements of 0.02 (left foot) and 0.03 (right foot)
      MUL/cm and elevated thermal thresholds for warmth and cold detection testing
      showed clear impairment of small nerve fibers, both sudomotor efferent and
      somatic afferent fibers, in the patient homozygote for the mutation. MNG from one
      of the heterozygote patients revealed changes in the small nociceptive fibers in
      skin, including abnormally low conduction velocity, spontaneous activity in A
      delta fibers and C-nociceptors and abnormal or lacking response to heat.
      DISCUSSION: The findings of grossly intact pain thresholds compared with
      anamnestic insensitivity of pain in deep somatic tissue such as bone suggest a
      gradient of impairment dependent on different NGF availability in various
      tissues. Even though these patients in some aspects report insensitivity to pain,
      they also report chronic spontaneous pain as their main symptom, strikingly
      highlighting differential mechanisms of insensitivity to evoked pain versus
      spontaneous pain.

PMID- 27270875
TI  - Establishment and characterization of a new human myxoid liposarcoma cell line
      (DL-221) with the FUS-DDIT3 translocation.
AB  - Myxoid liposarcoma has the pathognomonic fusion oncogene FUS-DDIT3 encoding a
      chimeric transcription factor. Metastatic risk is higher with an increased round
      cell component and has been linked to aberrations involving the IGFR/PI3K/AKT
      pathway. These molecular insights have yet to translate to targeted therapies,
      and the lack of experimental models is a major hindrance. We describe the initial
      in-depth characterization of a new cell line (DL-221) and establishment of a
      mouse xenograft model. The cell line DL-221 was derived from a metastatic pleural
      lesion showing myxoid and round cell histology. This newly established cell line
      was characterized for phenotypic properties and molecular cytogenetic profile,
      using PCR, COBRA-FISH, and western blot. Next-generation whole-exome sequencing
      was performed to further characterize the cell line and the parent tumor. NOD
      SCID-IL2R gamma knockout mice were xenograft hosts. DL-221 cells grew an adhering
      monolayer and COBRA-FISH showed an aneuploid karyotype with t(12;16)(q13;p11) and
      several other rearrangements; RT-PCR demonstrated a FUS-DDIT3 fusion transcript
      type 1. Both the cell line and the original tumor harbored a TP53 compound
      heterozygous mutation in exon 4 and 7, and were wild-type for PIK3CA. Moreover,
      among the 1254 variants called by whole-exome sequencing, there was 77%
      concordance between the cell line and parent tumor. The recently described
      hotspot mutation in the TERT promoter region in myxoid liposarcomas was also
      found at C228T in DL-221. Xenografts suitable for additional preclinical studies
      were successfully established in mice after subcutaneous injection. The
      established DL-221 cell line is the only published available myxoid liposarcoma
      cell line that underwent spontaneous immortalization, without requiring SV40
      transformation. The cell line and its xenograft model are unique and helpful
      tools to study the biology and novel potential-targeted treatment approaches for
      myxoid liposarcoma.

PMID- 27270877
TI  - Hierarchical Manipulation of Block Copolymer Patterns on 3D Topographic
      Substrates: Beyond Graphoepitaxy.
AB  - Templates of complex nanopatterns in a form of hierarchically sequenced dots and
      stripes can be generated in block copolymer films on lithography-free 3D
      topographic substrates. The approach exploits thickness- and swelling-responsive
      morphological behavior of block copolymers, and demonstrates novel possibilities
      of topography-guided registration of nanopatterns due to periodic confinement and
      spontaneous orthogonal flow-fields. 

PMID- 27270878
TI  - Early prediction of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of first- and early second-trimester markers in the
      prediction of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in monochorionic twin
      pregnancies. METHODS: Electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.gov
      were searched from inception to April 2014, using the MeSH term 'fetofetal
      transfusion' in combination with phrases 'predictive value', 'sensitivity',
      'specificity', 'false positive', 'false negative', 'screening', 'accuracy' and
      'ROC'. Study quality was assessed using the PRISMA guidelines and QUADAS-2 tool.
      A meta-analysis was planned for the following predictive factors: intertwin
      nuchal translucency (NT) discrepancy; NT > 95th percentile in at least one twin;
      intertwin crown-rump length (CRL) discrepancy as a percentage of the larger CRL;
      abnormal ductus venosus (DV) flow in at least one twin. The outcome assessed was
      TTTS, defined according to the presence of a twin oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios
      sequence. The diagnostic performance of the predictive factors was evaluated for
      each included study. RESULTS: The electronic search identified 152 records, of
      which 23 were assessed in full for eligibility. We identified 13 eligible studies
      that reported the predictive accuracy of ultrasound parameters, measured before
      16 weeks, for the development of TTTS, including a total of 1991 pregnancies, of
      which 323 developed TTTS. An increased risk of TTTS was associated with:
      intertwin NT discrepancy (positive likelihood ratio (LR+), 1.92 (95% CI, 1.25
      2.96); negative likelihood ratio (LR-), 0.65 (95% CI, 0.50-0.84)); NT > 95th
      percentile (LR+, 2.63 (95% CI, 1.51-4.58); LR-, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.75-0.96)); CRL
      discrepancy > 10% (LR+, 1.80 (95% CI, 1.05-3.07); LR-, 0.92 (95% CI, 0.81-1.05));
      abnormal DV flow (LR+, 4.77 (95% CI, 1.33-17.04; LR-, 0.49 (95% CI, 0.17-1.41)).
      The highest sensitivities were observed for intertwin NT discrepancy (52.8% (95%
      CI, 43.8-61.7%)) and abnormal DV flow (50.0% (95% CI, 33.4-66.6%)). CONCLUSION:
      Monochorionic twin pregnancies with intertwin NT discrepancy, NT > 95th
      percentile, intertwin CRL discrepancy > 10% or abnormal DV flow on first
      trimester ultrasound examination are at significantly increased risk of
      developing TTTS. Copyright (c) 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27270879
TI  - Subtilisin-like protease-1 secreted through type IV secretion system contributes
      to high virulence of Streptococcus suis 2.
AB  - Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that triggered two
      outbreaks of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) in China. Our previous
      research demonstrated that a type IV secretion system (T4SS) harbored in the 89K
      pathogenicity island contributes to the pathogenicity of S. suis 2. In the
      present study, a shotgun proteomics approach was employed to identify the
      effectors secreted by T4SS in S. suis 2, and surface-associated subtilisin-like
      protease-1 (SspA-1) was identified as a potential virulence effector. Western
      blot analysis and pull-down assay revealed that SspA-1 secretion depends on T4SS.
      Knockout mutations affecting sspA-1 attenuated S. suis 2 and impaired the
      pathogen's ability to trigger inflammatory response in mice. And purified SspA-1
      induced the secretion of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-12p70 in THP-1 cells directly.
      SspA-1 is the first T4SS virulence effector reported in Gram-positive bacteria.
      Overall, these findings allow us to gain further insights into the pathogenesis
      of T4SS and STSS.

PMID- 27270880
TI  - Gating of the two-pore cation channel AtTPC1 in the plant vacuole is based on a
      single voltage-sensing domain.
AB  - The two-pore cation channel TPC1 operates as a dimeric channel in animal and
      plant endomembranes. Each subunit consists of two homologous Shaker-like halves,
      with 12 transmembrane domains in total (S1-S6, S7-S12). In plants, TPC1 channels
      reside in the vacuolar membrane, and upon voltage stimulation, give rise to the
      well-known slow-activating SV currents. Here, we combined bioinformatics,
      structure modelling, site-directed mutagenesis, and in planta patch clamp studies
      to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of voltage-dependent channel gating in TPC1
      in its native plant background. Structure-function analysis of the Arabidopsis
      TPC1 channel in planta confirmed that helix S10 operates as the major voltage
      sensing site, with Glu450 and Glu478 identified as possible ion-pair partners for
      voltage-sensing Arg537. The contribution of helix S4 to voltage sensing was found
      to be negligible. Several conserved negative residues on the luminal site
      contribute to calcium binding, stabilizing the closed channel. During evolution
      of plant TPC1s from two separate Shaker-like domains, the voltage-sensing
      function in the N-terminal Shaker-unit (S1-S4) vanished. 

PMID- 27270881
TI  - Antithrombin controls tumor migration, invasion and angiogenesis by inhibition of
      enteropeptidase.
AB  - Antithrombin is a key inhibitor of the coagulation cascade, but it may also
      function as an anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-viral and anti-apoptotic
      protein. Here, we report a novel function of antithrombin as a modulator of tumor
      cell migration and invasion. Antithrombin inhibited enteropeptidase on the
      membrane surface of HT-29, A549 and U-87 MG cells. The inhibitory process
      required the activation of antithrombin by heparin, and the reactive center loop
      and the heparin binding domain were essential. Surprisingly, antithrombin non
      covalently inhibited enteropeptidase, revealing a novel mechanism of inhibition
      for this serpin. Moreover, as a consequence of this inhibition, antithrombin was
      cleaved, resulting in a molecule with anti-angiogenic properties that reduced
      vessel-like formation of endothelial cells. The addition of antithrombin and
      heparin to U-87 MG and A549 cells reduced motility in wound healing assays,
      inhibited the invasion in transwell assays and the degradation of a gelatin
      matrix mediated by invadopodia. These processes were controlled by
      enteropeptidase, as demonstrated by RNA interference experiments. Carcinoma cell
      xenografts in nude mice showed in vivo co-localization of enteropeptidase and
      antithrombin. Finally, treatment with heparin reduced experimental metastasis
      induced by HT29 cells in vivo. In conclusion, the inhibition of enteropeptidase
      by antithrombin may have a double anti-tumor effect through inhibiting a protease
      involved in metastasis and generating an anti-angiogenic molecule.

PMID- 27270883
TI  - Validation of a prediction model for post-discharge nausea and vomiting after
      general anaesthesia in a cohort of Swedish ambulatory surgery patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In ambulatory surgery, post-discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV) has
      been identified as a significant problem occurring in more than one-third of
      patients. OBJECTIVE: To validate a simplified PDNV score in a Swedish population.
      DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Two county hospitals in Sweden:
      Sundsvall from June 2012 to May 2013 and Sunderbyn from January to October 2014.
      PATIENTS: Adult patients undergoing ambulatory surgery under general anaesthesia.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative outcomes with a focus on nausea and vomiting
      were collected at 2, 4, and 6 h after surgery and on the first three
      postoperative days. The simplified PDNV score, calculated before discharge,
      included the factors: female sex, age less than 50 years, history of
      postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative nausea and opioids given
      postoperatively. The prediction performance of the simplified PDNV score was
      evaluated in terms of discrimination (area under receiver-operating
      characteristics curve) and calibration plots and was compared with that of the
      original development study. RESULTS: A total of 559 patients were asked to
      participate, of which 431 were included in the final study cohort. The overall
      risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting and PDNV were 18.8 [95% confidence
      interval (CI), 15.4-22.8]% and 28.1 (95% CI, 24.0-32.5)%, respectively. The
      discrimination capacity of the simplified PDNV score in our study was similar to
      that of the original dataset [area under the curve 0.693 (95% CI, 0.638-0.748)
      vs. 0.706 (0.681-0.731), absolute difference 0.013]. The slope of the calibration
      curve was 0.893, with a constant of 0.021 (R-square 0.884). CONCLUSION: In a
      Swedish cohort of patients, the simplified PDNV score performs well in
      discriminating between patients who will experience post-discharge nausea and/or
      vomiting after ambulatory surgery. Our results indicate that the simplified PDNV
      score is as valid in other cohorts as it was in the original development cohort.

PMID- 27270884
TI  - Transforming the learning outcomes of anaesthesiology training into entrustable
      professional activities: A Delphi study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: True competency-based medical education should produce graduates
      meeting fixed standards of competence. Current postgraduate programmes are
      usually based on a pre-determined length of time in training making them poorly
      suited for an individual approach. The concept of entrustable professional
      activities (EPAs) enables a more flexible, personalised and less time-dependent
      approach to training programmes. An EPA is a unit of professional practice, to be
      entrusted to a trainee to execute without supervision once they demonstrate
      sufficient competence. As EPAs relate competencies to clinical practice, they
      structure training and assessment more logically according to the way clinicians
      actually work. A first step in building an EPA-based curriculum is to identify
      the core EPAs of the profession. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to
      identify EPAs for postgraduate training in anaesthesiology and to provide an
      example of how an existing curriculum can be transformed into an EPA-based
      curriculum. DESIGN: A modified Delphi method was used as a consensus approach
      applying three Delphi rounds. SETTING: Postgraduate specialty training in
      anaesthesiology in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: All programme directors in
      anaesthesiology in the Netherlands except for a single programme director who was
      involved as a researcher in this study and could not participate. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Agreement among participants on a list of EPAs. Agreement was specified
      as a consensus rate of more than 80%. RESULTS: In this study, 27 programme
      directors (69% overall response rate) reached consensus on a set of 45 EPAs that
      describe a curriculum in anaesthesiology for the Netherlands. CONCLUSION: This
      study is a first step toward a more contemporary curriculum in competency-based
      postgraduate anaesthesiology training.

PMID- 27270885
TI  - Survival after long-term isoflurane sedation in critically ill surgical patients.

PMID- 27270887
TI  - Worsening Stroke Symptoms in an 80-Year-Old Man.

PMID- 27270889
TI  - Influence of TMAO and urea on the structure of water studied by inelastic X-ray
      scattering.
AB  - We present a study on the influence of the naturally occurring organic osmolytes
      tri-methylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and urea on the bulk structure of water using X
      ray Raman scattering spectroscopy. Addition of TMAO is known to stabilize
      proteins in otherwise destabilizing aqueous urea solutions. The experimental X
      ray Raman scattering spectra change systematically with increasing solute
      concentration revealing different effects on the structure of water due to the
      presence of the two osmolytes. Although these effects are distinct for both
      molecular species, they have mutually compensating influences on the spectra of
      the ternary water-TMAO-urea mixtures. This compensation effect seen in the
      spectra vanishes only at the highest studied ternary concentration of 4 M : 4 M
      (TMAO : urea). Our experiment shows that the hydrogen-bonding structure of water
      remains rather intact in the presence of the aforementioned osmolytes if both of
      them are present. 

PMID- 27270890
TI  - Psychosocial presentation of female bariatric surgery patients after multiple
      revisional surgeries: A qualitative study.
AB  - Bariatric surgery is currently the most viable and cost-effective treatment for
      obesity. This study aimed to understand, from a female patient's perspective,
      what contributed to not achieving or maintaining excess weight loss from a
      primary laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery, leading to subsequent
      multiple revisional bariatric surgeries. The purposive sample of participants ( N
      = 17 females) were over 18 years, had a primary failed laparoscopic adjustable
      gastric band and had more than three revisional procedures. Participants were
      individually interviewed and data were analysed from a grounded theory
      methodology to build a causal model with the core category of unrealistic
      expectations of bariatric surgery and other important conceptual categories.

PMID- 27270888
TI  - The ORF3 Protein of Genotype 1 Hepatitis E Virus Suppresses TLR3-induced NF
      kappaB Signaling via TRADD and RIP1.
AB  - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 1 infection is common and can emerge as
      outbreaks in developing areas, thus posing a threat to public health. However,
      due to the absence of feasible animal models, the mechanism of HE pathogenesis
      remains obscure. The HEV pathogenic mechanism has been suggested to be mediated
      by the immune system and not by direct viral duplication. We firstly discovered
      that the open reading frame 3 (ORF3) protein of genotype 1 HEV downregulates TLR3
      mediated NF-kappaB signaling in Human A549 Lung Epithelial Cells (A549 cells)
      which were exposed to different TLR agonists associated with viral nucleic acids.
      Additionally, we identified the P2 domain of ORF3 as being responsible for this
      inhibition. Intriguingly, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1-associated death
      domain protein (TRADD) expression and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1
      (RIP1) K63-ubiquitination were reduced in the presence of both ORF3 and
      Poly(I:C). Furthermore, we found that Lys377 of RIP1 acts as the functional
      ubiquitination site for ORF3-associated inhibition. Overall, we found that ORF3
      protein downregulates TLR3-mediated NF-kappaB signaling via TRADD and RIP1. Our
      findings provide a new perspective on the cellular response in HEV infection and
      expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HEV pathogenesis in
      innate immunity.

PMID- 27270891
TI  - Erratum: Correspondence: Reply to 'Enhancing a phase measurement by sequentially
      probing a solid-state system'.

PMID- 27270893
TI  - Anti-TNF drives regulatory T cell expansion by paradoxically promoting membrane
      TNF-TNF-RII binding in rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - The interplay between inflammatory and regulatory pathways orchestrates an
      effective immune response that provides protection from pathogens while limiting
      injury to host tissue. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pivotal inflammatory
      cytokine, but there is conflicting evidence as to whether it boosts or inhibits
      regulatory T cells (T reg cells). In this study, we show that the therapeutic
      anti-TNF antibody adalimumab, but not the soluble TNF receptor etanercept,
      paradoxically promoted the interaction between monocytes and T reg cells isolated
      from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Adalimumab bound to monocyte
      membrane TNF from RA patients and unexpectedly enhanced its expression and its
      binding to TNF-RII expressed on T reg cells. As a consequence, adalimumab
      expanded functional Foxp3(+) T reg cells equipped to suppress Th17 cells through
      an IL-2/STAT5-dependent mechanism. Our data not only highlight the beneficial
      effect of membrane TNF on T reg cell numbers during chronic inflammation, but in
      addition reveal how a therapeutic antibody that is thought to act by simply
      blocking its target can enhance the regulatory properties of this proinflammatory
      cytokine.

PMID- 27270892
TI  - Live cell imaging to understand monocyte, macrophage, and dendritic cell function
      in atherosclerosis.
AB  - Intravital imaging is an invaluable tool for understanding the function of cells
      in healthy and diseased tissues. It provides a window into dynamic processes that
      cannot be studied by other techniques. This review will cover the benefits and
      limitations of various techniques for labeling and imaging myeloid cells, with a
      special focus on imaging cells in atherosclerotic arteries. Although intravital
      imaging is a powerful tool for understanding cell function, it alone does not
      provide a complete picture of the cell. Other techniques, such as flow cytometry
      and transcriptomics, must be combined with intravital imaging to fully understand
      a cell's phenotype, lineage, and function.

PMID- 27270895
TI  - Impedimetric detection and lumped element modelling of a hemagglutination assay
      in microdroplets.
AB  - Droplet-based microfluidic systems offer tremendous benefits for high throughput
      biochemical assays. Despite the wide use of electrical detection for microfluidic
      systems, application of impedimetric sensing for droplet systems is very limited.
      This is mainly due to the insulating oil-based continuous phase used for most
      aqueous samples of interest. We present modelling and experimental verification
      of impedimetric detection of hemagglutination in microdroplets. We have detected
      agglutinated red blood cells in microdroplets and screened whole blood samples
      for multiple antibody sera using conventional microelectrodes. We were able to
      form antibody and whole blood microdroplets in PDMS microchannels without any
      tedious chemical surface treatment. Following the injection of a blood sample
      into antibody droplets, we have detected the agglutination-positive and negative
      droplets in an automated manner. In order to understand the characteristics of
      impedimetric detection inside microdroplets, we have developed the lumped
      electrical circuit equivalent of an impedimetric droplet content detection
      system. The empirical lumped element values are in accordance with similar models
      developed for single phase electrical impedance spectroscopy systems. The
      presented approach is of interest for label-free, quantitative analysis of
      droplets. In addition, the standard electronic equipment used for detection
      allows miniaturized detection circuitries that can be integrated with a fluidic
      system for a quantitative microdroplet-based hemagglutination assay that is
      conventionally performed in well plates.

PMID- 27270896
TI  - pH-Dependent membrane lysis by using melittin-inspired designed peptides.
AB  - We developed a membrane-lytic peptide (LP) having 26 amino acid residues composed
      of a helix-promoting hydrophobic segment (Leu-Ala repetitive sequence) and a
      cationic segment from melittin. In the presence of liposomes, LP interacts with
      liposomal surfaces to form a hydrophobic helix in the lipid bilayer in a wide pH
      range. In order to provide LP with a weakly acidic (endosomal) pH-controlled
      membrane-lytic activity, we have designed an LPE peptide series (a typical
      peptide, LPE3-1) with a hydrophobic segment in which Leu (L) residues are
      replaced by acidic Glu (E) residues. To analyze the pH-selective membrane-lytic
      activity of the designed peptides, both calcein leakage and membrane
      accessibility assays were performed. In the case of membrane disruption induced
      by the active pore formation, the incorporated calcein would leak from the
      liposomes and simultaneously the aqueous solution in the membrane surrounding
      would be accessible to the liposome interior at pH 5.0. The assays in the
      presence of LPE3-1 indicated no significant leakage or accessibility at pH 7.4,
      but a typical leakage and some accessibility to liposomes were positively
      observed at pH 5.0. In order to estimate whether the weakly acidic pH-controlled
      lytic activity is due to a secondary structural change of the hydrophobic segment
      of LPE3-1 in the liposome membrane, we have measured circular dichroism spectra.
      In the presence of liposomes, the minimum showing the characteristic helical
      structure was observed at 222 nm only under weakly acidic conditions. This pH
      dependence is in good agreement with the results from the leakage and
      accessibility assays. The pH-dependent membrane disruption properties of LPE3-1
      may open a new avenue to gain insight into the interaction between peptides and
      lipids for the development of efficient drug/gene delivery systems. 

PMID- 27270894
TI  - Radical cure of experimental babesiosis in immunodeficient mice using a
      combination of an endochin-like quinolone and atovaquone.
AB  - Human babesiosis is a tick-borne multisystem disease caused by Babesia species of
      the apicomplexan phylum. Most clinical cases and fatalities of babesiosis are
      caused by Babesia microti Current treatment for human babesiosis consists of two
      drug combinations, atovaquone + azithromycin or quinine + clindamycin. These
      treatments are associated with adverse side effects and a significant rate of
      drug failure. Here, we provide evidence for radical cure of experimental
      babesiosis in immunodeficient mice using a combination of an endochin-like
      quinolone (ELQ) prodrug and atovaquone. In vivo efficacy studies in mice using
      ELQ-271, ELQ-316, and the ELQ-316 prodrug, ELQ-334, demonstrated excellent growth
      inhibitory activity against the parasite, with potency equal to that of orally
      administered atovaquone at 10 mg/kg. Analysis of recrudescent parasites after ELQ
      or atovaquone monotherapy identified genetic substitutions in the Qi or Qo sites,
      respectively, of the cytochrome bc1 complex. Impressively, a combination of ELQ
      334 and atovaquone, at doses as low as 5.0 mg/kg each, resulted in complete
      clearance of the parasite with no recrudescence up to 122 d after discontinuation
      of therapy. These results will set the stage for future clinical evaluation of
      ELQ and atovaquone combination therapy for treatment of human babesiosis.

PMID- 27270897
TI  - Nerve abscess in Hansen's disease as part of immune reconstitution inflammatory
      syndrome: a case report.
AB  - Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome is an inflammatory reaction in HIV
      infected patients after initiation of antiretroviral therapy resulting from
      restored immunity to specific infectious or non-infectious antigens. A 36-year
      old male patient on highly active antiretroviral therapy of six months duration,
      presented with reddish, tender lesions over medial aspect of arm and a single,
      anaesthetic patch. Tender fluctuant swellings were seen on the medial aspect of
      left forearm. A few of them had ruptured spontaneously discharging pus. A skin
      biopsy from the anaesthetic patch showed caseating epitheloid granulomas. A
      diagnosis of Hansen's disease borderline tuberculoid in type 1 reversal reaction,
      with formation of nerve abscess due to Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory
      Syndrome was made. The patient was started on multibacillary multidrug therapy as
      per WHO guidelines and highly active antiretroviral therapy was continued.

PMID- 27270898
TI  - Thyroid disorders and nitric oxide in cardiovascular adaptation to hypovolemia.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate whether nitric oxide participates in the
      cardiovascular function and haemodynamic adaptation to acute haemorrhage in
      animals with thyroid disorders. Sprague-Dawley rats aged 2months old treated with
      T3 (hyper, 20MUg/100g body weight) or 0.02% methimazole (hypo, w/v) during 28days
      were pre-treated with N(G) nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and submitted
      to 20% blood loss. Heart function was evaluated by echocardiography. Measurements
      of arterial blood pressure, heart rate, nitric oxide synthase activity and
      protein levels were performed. We found that hypo decreased fractional shortening
      and ejection fraction and increased left ventricle internal diameter. Hyper
      decreased ventricle diameter and no changes in cardiac contractility. Haemorrhage
      elicited a hypotension of similar magnitude within 10min. Then, this parameter
      was stabilized at about 30-40min and maintained until finalized, 120min. L-NAME
      rats showed that the immediate hypotension would be independent of nitric oxide.
      Nitric oxide synthase inhibition blunted the changes of heart rate induced by
      blood loss. Hyper and hypo had lower atrial enzyme activity associated with a
      decreased enzyme isoform in hypo. In ventricle, hyper and hypo had a higher
      enzyme activity, which was not correlated with changes in protein levels.
      Haemorrhage induced an increased heart nitric oxide production. We concluded that
      thyroid disorders were associated with hypertrophic remodelling which impacted
      differently on cardiac function and its adaptation to a hypovolemia. Hypovolemia
      triggered a nitric oxide synthase activation modulating the heart function to
      maintain haemodynamic homeostasis. This involvement depends on a specific enzyme
      isoform, cardiac chamber and thyroid state.

PMID- 27270899
TI  - Naringin protects cardiomyocytes against hyperglycemia-induced injuries in vitro
      and in vivo.
AB  - We previously reported that naringin (NRG) protects cardiomyocytes against high
      glucose (HG)-induced injuries by inhibiting the MAPK pathway. The aim of this
      study was to test the hypothesis that NRG prevents cardiomyocytes from
      hyperglycemia-induced insult through the inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa B
      (NF-kappaB) pathway and the upregulation of ATP-sensitive K(+) (KATP) channels.
      Our results showed that exposure of cardiomyocytes to HG for 24h markedly induced
      injuries, as evidenced by a decrease in cell viability and oxidative stress, and
      increases in apoptotic cells as well as the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane
      potential (MMP). These injuries were markedly attenuated by the pretreatment of
      cells with either NRG or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) before exposure to
      HG. Furthermore, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and in HG-induced
      cardiomyocytes, the expression levels of caspase-3, bax and phosphorylated (p)-NF
      kappaB p65 were increased. The increased protein levels were ameliorated by
      pretreatment with both NRG and PDTC. However, the expression levels of bcl-2 and
      KATP and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were decreased by hyperglycemia; the
      expression level of Nox4 and the ADP/ATP ratio were increased by hyperglycemia.
      These hyperglycemia-induced indexes were inhibited by the pretreatment of
      cardiomyocytes with NRG or PDTC. In addition, in STZ-induced diabetic rats, we
      also observed that NRG or PDTC contributed to protecting mitochondrial injury and
      myocardium damage. This study demonstrated that NRG protects cardiomyocytes
      against hyperglycemia-induced injury by upregulating KATP channels in vitro and
      inhibiting the NF-kappaB pathway in vivo and in vitro.

PMID- 27270900
TI  - Acute muscle and joint mechanical responses following a high-intensity stretching
      protocol.
AB  - PURPOSE: A previous study observed a joint passive torque increase above baseline
      ~30 min after a high-intensity stretching. This study examined the effect of a
      high-intensity stretching on ankle dorsiflexion passive torque, medial
      gastrocnemius (MG) shear modulus, and plantar flexors maximal voluntary isometric
      force (MVIC). METHOD: Participants (n = 11, age 27.2 +/- 6.5 years, height 172.0
      +/- 10.0 cm, weight 69.5 +/- 10.4 kg) underwent two stretching sessions with
      plantar flexors isometric contractions performed: (1) 5 min before, 1 min after,
      and every 10 min after stretching (MVC session); (2) 5 min before, and 60 min
      after the stretching (no-MVC session). RESULTS: In both sessions, no changes were
      observed for MG shear modulus (p > 0.109). In the no-MVC session, passive torque
      decreased 1 min after stretching (-7.5 +/- 8.4 %, p = 0.015), but increased above
      baseline 30 min after stretching (+6.3 +/- 9.3 %, p = 0.049). In the MVC session,
      passive torque decreased at 1 min (-10.1 +/- 6.3 %, p < 0.001), 10 min (-6.3 +/-
      8.2 %, p = 0.03), 20 min (-8.0 +/- 9.2 %, p = 0.017), and 60 min (-9.2 +/- 12.4
      %, p = 0.034) after the stretching, whereas the MVIC decreased at 1 min (-5.0 +/-
      9.3 %, p = 0.04) and 10 min (-6.7 +/- 8.7 %, p = 0.02) after stretching.
      CONCLUSION: The ankle passive torque increase 30 min following the stretch was
      not due to the MG shear modulus response; consequently, response may be due to
      changes in surrounding connective tissue mechanical properties.

PMID- 27270901
TI  - Comparison of KRAS mutation status between primary tumor and metastasis in
      Chinese colorectal cancer patients.
AB  - Detection of KRAS mutation status is a routine clinical procedure for predicting
      response to anti-EGFR therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Previous
      studies showed high concordance of KRAS mutation status in primary lesion and
      corresponding metastatic sites in CRC. However, the data were mostly from
      Caucasians. The aim of this study is to compare KRAS mutation and other molecules
      mutation status between primary tumor and corresponding metastatic lesion in
      Chinese patients with CRC. In this retrospective study, Chinese CRC patients with
      paired samples of primary tumor and metastatic site were detected for KRAS codon
      12 and 13 with quantitative real-time PCR, or detected for OncoCartaTM panel of
      19 genes with MassARRAY((r)) technique, including KRAS, BRAF, NRAS and PIK3CA et
      al. Forty-eight paired CRC samples were analyzed for KRAS codon 12 and 13 using
      quantitative real-time PCR. Ten paired samples were analyzed by 19 genes
      OncoCartaTM Panel with MassARRAY((r)) technique. KRAS mutation was found in 15
      (25.9 %) primary tumors and 18 (31.0 %) metastases. The discordance of KRAS was
      observed in 11 (19.0 %) patients. Alteration of mutation points in primary site
      with mutant KRAS was not observed. In the 10 patients with multiple gene
      detection, PIK3CA mutation showed concordant mutation status in primary tumor and
      metastatic site, whereas discordance in BRAF, NRAS and AKT1 was detected. A
      concordance rate of 81.0 % was detected in KRAS mutation between primary tumor
      and metastatic lesion in Chinese patients with CRC. Discordance of BRAF, NRAS and
      AKT1 mutation status in primary tumor and metastases was observed. 

PMID- 27270902
TI  - Microbial complexes levels in conventional and self-ligating brackets.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aims were to evaluate the levels of bacterial species in saliva
      and in situ and to assess whether the design of brackets influences the risk of
      developing periodontal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients (13.3 mean
      age) were bonded with self-ligating brackets and a conventional bracket. Saliva
      was collected before bonding and 30 and 60 days after bonding. One sample of each
      bracket was removed 30 and 60 days after bonding. The analysis was determined by
      checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. The data was evaluated by the non-parametric
      test. RESULTS: A significant increase in the levels of bacterial species in the
      saliva occurred in 15 of the 22 analyzed species. The self-ligating brackets
      presented the highest incidence percentages for the orange and red complexes 60
      days after bonding. In situ analyses showed different patterns according to the
      bracket design. The levels of Campylobacter rectus showed significant differences
      (p = 0.011) 60 days after bonding among the three brackets; the highest values
      were observed in the In-Ovation(r)R bracket. CONCLUSIONS: The bracket design
      seems to influence the levels of bacterial species involved in periodontal
      disease. Considering the wide variety of bacterial species, additional studies
      are needed to aid in the establishment of effective protocols to prevent the
      development of periodontal disease during orthodontic treatment. CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: A dynamic alteration in the oral microbiota may lead to inflammatory
      reactions in the supporting soft and hard tissues. The different types of
      brackets interfere with bacterial adherence. Bracket design should be considered
      in orthodontic treatment.

PMID- 27270903
TI  - Comparison of periodontal ligament and gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells for
      regenerative therapies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Tissue-engineering therapies using undifferentiated mesenchymal cells
      (MSCs) from intra-oral origin have been tested in experimental animals. This
      experimental study compared the characteristics of undifferentiated mesenchymal
      stem cells from either periodontal ligament or gingival origin, aiming to
      establish the basis for the future use of these cells on regenerative therapies.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) were
      obtained from de-epithelialized gingival biopsies, enzymatically digested and
      expanded in conditions of exponential growth. Their growth characteristics,
      phenotype, and differentiation ability were compared with those of periodontal
      ligament-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PDLMSCs). RESULTS: Both periodontal
      ligament- and gingiva-derived cells displayed a MSC-like phenotype and were able
      to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondroblasts, and adipocytes. These cells
      were genetically stable following in vitro expansion and did not generate tumors
      when implanted in immunocompromised mice. Furthermore, under suboptimal growth
      conditions, GMSCs proliferated with higher rates than PDLMSCs. CONCLUSIONS: Stem
      cells derived from gingival biopsies represent bona fide MSCs and have
      demonstrated genetic stability and lack of tumorigenicity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
      Gingiva-derived MSCs may represent an accessible source of messenchymal stem
      cells to be used in future periodontal regenerative therapies.

PMID- 27270904
TI  - Gustatory function and taste perception in patients with oral lichen planus and
      tongue involvement.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate if patients with oral lichen
      planus (OLP) and tongue involvement have impaired taste function and if there is
      an association to the perception of pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The test group
      included patients with OLP and involvement of the tongue without treatment (n =
      20). Control subjects had no mucosal or systemic disease affecting taste function
      and were matched for age and gender (n = 20). Patients' intraoral pain and
      subjective perception of taste were recorded on a visual analog scale. Taste
      function was assessed by means of the "taste strips." RESULTS: Measured taste
      function was slightly but significantly decreased in OLP patients compared to
      control subjects (p = 0.01). Self-rated taste perception did not differ in both
      groups (p = 0.8). Post hoc analysis showed that particularly the taste quality
      "sour" was most affected by the OLP status (p = 0.01). There were no correlations
      between pain and subjective/objective taste perception. CONCLUSION: Untreated OLP
      subjects have lower gustatory function, which they are not aware of. CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: Impaired gustatory function in patients with OLP may affect patient's
      quality of life. Further studies on larger samples sizes are requested.

PMID- 27270905
TI  - Paediatric Drug Development and Formulation Design-a European Perspective.
AB  - The availability of licensed paediatric drugs is lagging behind those for adults,
      and there is a lack of safe formulations in suitable doses that children are able
      and willing to take. As a consequence, children are commonly treated with off
      label or unlicensed drugs. As off-label and unlicensed drug use are associated
      with a greater risk for harm than on-label drug use, a range of global
      initiatives have been developed to realize "better" medicines for children. This
      review describes the challenges and achievements of the European Union to realize
      this goal, with a focus on paediatric drug development and formulation design. In
      2007, a European Paediatric Regulation was installed enforcing companies to
      consider children in the early development of drugs with a new drug substance,
      for a new indication or with a new route of administration. The Regulation, e.g.
      requires companies to develop a paediatric investigation plan discussing the
      proposed clinical trials in children of different ages and the formulations for
      future marketing. Since 2013, the pharmaceutical design of any newly marketed
      paediatric drug should comply with the "Guideline on the Pharmaceutical
      Development of Medicines for Paediatric Use." Companies should, e.g. justify the
      route of administration, dosage form, formulation characteristics, safety of
      excipients, dosing frequency, container closure system, administration device,
      patient acceptability and user information. In this review, the guideline's key
      aspects are discussed with a focus on novel formulations such as mini-tablets and
      orodispersible films, excipients with a potential risk for harm such as azo dyes
      and adequate user instructions.

PMID- 27270906
TI  - Routine radiographs at time of pin removal after closed reduction and
      percutaneous pinning for type 2 supracondylar humerus fractures do not change
      management: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Radiographs are usually taken on day of pin removal for children treated
      with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) of type 2 supracondylar
      humerus fractures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether radiographs
      taken at time of pin removal for patients recovering uneventfully alter
      management. METHODS: After IRB approval, billing records identified 1213 patients
      aged 1-10 years who underwent elbow surgery between 2007 and 2013 at our
      institution for a supracondylar humerus fracture. Of these patients, 389 met
      inclusion criteria. Clinical charts were reviewed for demographics, operative
      details, and clinical follow-up, focusing on clinical symptoms present at pin
      removal. Radiographs taken at time of pin removal and subsequent visits were
      assessed for healing and fracture alignment. RESULTS: In no case was pin removal
      delayed based on radiographs. One hundred and nineteen (31 %) patients had
      radiographs taken following pin removal; in no case was loss of reduction found
      among these patients. No cases of neurologic or vascular injury, re-fracture, or
      loss of reduction occurred. Infection occurred in 12 patients (3 %). Pins were
      kept in place for 23.8 +/- 4.4 days. Eighty-six patients (22 %) had additional
      intervention after pin removal (cast application in all cases). Of 389 patients,
      75 (19 %) had no documented reason for extended casting, four (1 %) were extended
      based on physician evaluation of radiographs, and seven (2 %) were extended for
      other reasons. CONCLUSIONS: Elimination of radiographs at time of pin removal
      should be considered. If continuing to obtain radiographs at pin removal, we
      recommend removing pins before taking radiographs to reduce patient fear and
      anxiety from visualizing percutaneous pins.

PMID- 27270907
TI  - [Bone metastases : New aspects of pathogenesis and systemic therapy].
AB  - The occurrence of bone metastases, in particular secondary to breast and prostate
      cancer, represents a complex medical condition that is debilitating for affected
      patients. In order to provide an efficient and personalized therapy, an
      interdisciplinary treatment approach is mandatory; therefore, systemic
      pharmacological therapy represents a core element of the overall treatment
      concept. In terms of pathophysiology, the cancer cells cause a massive
      disturbance of the local bone microenvironment, which as a rule leads to
      activation of bone resorbing osteoclasts. In addition to bisphosphonates, which
      can be considered classical antiresorptive agents, the monoclonal receptor
      activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) antibody denosumab has been in
      use in clinical practice since 2011. The alpha-emitting radioisotope Alpharadin
      was also recently approved for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. This
      article provides a summary of the most recent knowledge on the pathogenesis of
      how cancer cells alter the bone microenvironment as well as a review of
      established and future systemic treatment options. 

PMID- 27270908
TI  - Impact of IDH1 mutation status on outcome in clinical trials for recurrent
      glioblastoma.
AB  - IDH1 mutated glioblastoma (GB) has a better prognosis than IDH1 wildtype GB.
      However, it remains unknown whether patients (pts) with IDH1 mutated GB have a
      higher 6-month progression free survival (PFS6) or radiographic response (RR)
      rate on clinical trials for recurrence. Retrospective review of GB pts at MDACC
      between 2006 and 2012 identified 330 patients in recurrent GB trials. 93 patients
      (28 %) had either PFS6 or a complete/partial RR per RANO criteria. 49/93 (53 %)
      patients with PFS6 or a complete/partial RR had tumor tissue for IDH1 testing. A
      matched cohort of 49 patients on recurrent GB clinical trials that failed to
      achieve PFS6 or RR (also with tissue for IDH1 testing) was identified for
      comparison. IDH1 status was obtained in 92/98 (94 %) patients of which 17 (18 %)
      had an IDH1 mutation. PFS6 was seen in 26/49 (53 %) patients. IDH status was
      unknown in two of these patients. 5/24 (21 %) were IDH1 mutated compared to 5/24
      (21 %) of their matched cohort without PFS6. RR was found in 47/49 (94 %)
      patients. IDH status was unknown in four of these patients. IDH1 mutation was
      present in 7/43 (16 %) patients with RR compared to 10/43 (23 %) in the matched
      cohort without RR (p = 0.48). Median OS for trials at first recurrence was 9.8
      months for IDH1 wildtype GB vs. 19.32 months for IDH1 mutated GB (p = 0.14). IDH1
      mutation status was not predictive of PFS6 or RR in recurrent GB trials for this
      data set. However, further examination in larger randomized prospective studies
      is needed.

PMID- 27270909
TI  - Kidney transplantation from deceased donors with elevated serum creatinine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated donor serum creatinine has been associated with inferior
      graft survival in kidney transplantation (KT). The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the impact of elevated donor serum creatinine on short and long-term
      outcomes and to determine possible ways to optimize the use of these organs.
      METHODS: All kidney transplants from 01-2000 to 12-2012 with donor creatinine >=
      2 mg/dl were considered. Risk factors for delayed graft function (DGF) were
      explored with uni- and multivariate regression analyses. Donor and recipient data
      were analyzed with uni- and multivariate cox proportional hazard analyses. Graft
      and patient survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS:
      Seventy-eight patients were considered. Median recipient age and waiting time on
      dialysis were 53 years and 5.1 years, respectively. After a median follow-up of
      6.2 years, 63 patients are alive. 1, 3, and 5-year graft and patient survival
      rates were 92, 89, and 89 % and 96, 93, and 89 %, respectively. Serum creatinine
      level at procurement and recipient's dialysis time prior to KT were predictors of
      DGF in multivariate analysis (p = 0.0164 and p = 0.0101, respectively). Charlson
      comorbidity score retained statistical significance by multivariate regression
      analysis for graft survival (p = 0.0321). Recipient age (p = 0.0035) was
      predictive of patient survival by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS:
      Satisfactory long-term kidney transplant outcomes in the setting of elevated
      donor serum creatinine >=2 mg/dl can be achieved when donor creatinine is <3.5
      mg/dl, and the recipient has low comorbidities, is under 56 years of age, and
      remains in dialysis prior to KT for <6.8 years.

PMID- 27270910
TI  - A rare cause of pyrexia in a transplant patient: Questions.

PMID- 27270911
TI  - A rare cause of pyrexia in a transplant patient: Answers.

PMID- 27270912
TI  - Impacting Health Disparities in Urban Communities: Preparing Future Healthcare
      Providers for "Neighborhood-Engaged Care" Through a Community Engagement Course
      Intervention.
AB  - It is well known that health disparities exist and that a significant majority of
      patients who suffer disproportionately from them are lower income, non-white
      residents of dense, and diverse urban neighborhoods. It is our belief that
      factors hindering the reduction of health disparities in these neighborhoods are
      a lack of a framework and preparation needed to engage these communities in
      identifying specific health care needs. This paper describes one curricular
      intervention, a graduate level community engagement course, developed within an
      academic medical center located in an urban setting, that demonstrates promise in
      effecting change in the extent to which clinicians are able to engage communities
      and practice "neighborhood-engaged care" with the central goal of mitigating
      disparities.

PMID- 27270913
TI  - Use of self-monitoring tools in a clinic sample of adults with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Self-monitoring is an effective strategy for chronic disease management; many
      readily available mobile applications allow tracking of diabetes-related health
      behaviors but their use has not yet been integrated into routine clinical care.
      How patients engage with these applications in the real world is not well
      understood. The specific aim of this study is to survey adults with type 2
      diabetes (T2D) regarding self-monitoring behaviors, including mobile application
      use. In 2015, we surveyed an adult diabetes clinic population (n = 96) regarding
      self-monitoring behaviors: diet, physical activity, weight, and blood glucose.
      Self-monitoring with any method ranged from 20-90 %. About half of the
      participants owned smartphones; few had mobile applications. The most common app
      tracked behavior was physical activity, then weight and diet. Despite numerous
      available mobile health-tracking applications, few T2D adults from our sample
      used them, though many reported self-monitoring with other methods.

PMID- 27270914
TI  - Correction: Which New Health Technologies Do We Need to Achieve an End to
      HIV/AIDS?
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002372.].

PMID- 27270915
TI  - Perceptions of a Specific Family Communication Application among Grandparents and
      Grandchildren: An Extension of the Technology Acceptance Model.
AB  - Many studies have noted that the use of social networks sites (SNSs) can enhance
      social interaction among the elderly and that the motivation for the elderly to
      use SNSs is to keep in contact with remote friends and family or the younger
      generation. Memotree is designed to promote intergenerational family
      communication. The system incorporates the Family Tree design concept and
      provides family communication mechanisms based on the Family Communication Scale.
      In addition, the system optimizes hardware and interface use to conform to the
      specific needs of older and substantially younger individuals. Regarding the
      impact of variables on SNS with respect to the interaction of usability variables
      in the construction of a cross-generational communication platform, we adopted
      the TAM model and Chung et al.'s suggestions to promote user acceptance of the
      proposed Memotree system. A total of 39 grandchildren and 39 grandparents met the
      criteria and were included in the study. The elderly and young respondents
      revealed substantial willingness to use and/or satisfaction with using the
      Memotree system. Empirical results indicate that technology affordances and
      perceived ease of use have a positive impact on perceived usefulness, while
      perceived ease of use is affected by technology affordances. Internet self
      efficacy and perceived usefulness have a positive impact on the user's behavioral
      intention toward the system. In addition, this study investigated age as a
      moderating variable in the model. The results indicate that grandchildren have a
      larger significant effect on the path between perceived usefulness and behavioral
      intention than grandparents. This study proposes a more complete framework for
      investigating the user's behavioral intention and provides a more appropriate
      explanation of related services for cross-generational interaction with SNS
      services. 

PMID- 27270916
TI  - Cav1.4 L-Type Calcium Channels Contribute to Calpain Activation in Degenerating
      Photoreceptors of rd1 Mice.
AB  - Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited blinding disorder characterized by
      progressive degeneration and loss of photoreceptors. The exact mechanism of
      degeneration and cell death of photoreceptors is not known, but is thought to
      involve disturbed Ca2+-signaling. Ca2+ can enter the photoreceptor cell via outer
      segment cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels or synaptic Cav1.4 L-type voltage
      gated calcium channels (VGCC). Previously, we have shown that genetic ablation of
      the Cngb1 gene encoding the B subunit of the rod CNG channel delays the fast
      progressing degeneration in the rd1 mutant mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa.
      In this study, we crossbred rd1 mice with the Cacna1f-deficient mouse lacking the
      Cav1.4 alpha1 subunit of the L-type VGCC. Longitudinal in vivo examinations of
      photoreceptor layer thickness by optical coherence tomography revealed a
      significant, but not sustained delay of retinal degeneration in Cacna1f x rd1
      double mutant mice compared to rd1 mice. This was accompanied by a reduction of
      TUNEL positive cells in the early phase of rod degeneration. Remarkably, Cacna1f
      x rd1 double mutant mice displayed a strong decrease in the activation of the
      Ca2+-dependent protease calpain during photoreceptor loss. Our results show that
      genetic deletion of the synaptic Cav1.4 L-type VGCCs impairs calpain activation
      and leads to a short-term preservation of photoreceptors in the rd1 mouse. 

PMID- 27270918
TI  - OFFl Models: Novel Schema for Dynamical Modeling of Biological Systems.
AB  - Flow diagrams are a common tool used to help build and interpret models of
      dynamical systems, often in biological contexts such as consumer-resource models
      and similar compartmental models. Typically, their usage is intuitive and
      informal. Here, we present a formalized version of flow diagrams as a kind of
      weighted directed graph which follow a strict grammar, which translate into a
      system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by a single unambiguous rule,
      and which have an equivalent representation as a relational database. (We
      abbreviate this schema of "ODEs and formalized flow diagrams" as OFFL.) Drawing a
      diagram within this strict grammar encourages a mental discipline on the part of
      the modeler in which all dynamical processes of a system are thought of as
      interactions between dynamical species that draw parcels from one or more source
      species and deposit them into target species according to a set of transformation
      rules. From these rules, the net rate of change for each species can be derived.
      The modeling schema can therefore be understood as both an epistemic and
      practical heuristic for modeling, serving both as an organizational framework for
      the model building process and as a mechanism for deriving ODEs. All steps of the
      schema beyond the initial scientific (intuitive, creative) abstraction of natural
      observations into model variables are algorithmic and easily carried out by a
      computer, thus enabling the future development of a dedicated software
      implementation. Such tools would empower the modeler to consider significantly
      more complex models than practical limitations might have otherwise proscribed,
      since the modeling framework itself manages that complexity on the modeler's
      behalf. In this report, we describe the chief motivations for OFFL, carefully
      outline its implementation, and utilize a range of classic examples from ecology
      and epidemiology to showcase its features. 

PMID- 27270917
TI  - Directed Evolution of FLS2 towards Novel Flagellin Peptide Recognition.
AB  - Microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) are molecules, or domains within
      molecules, that are conserved across microbial taxa and can be recognized by a
      plant or animal immune system. Although MAMP receptors have evolved to recognize
      conserved epitopes, the MAMPs in some microbial species or strains have diverged
      sufficiently to render them unrecognizable by some host immune systems. In this
      study, we carried out in vitro evolution of the Arabidopsis thaliana flagellin
      receptor FLAGELLIN-SENSING 2 (FLS2) to isolate derivatives that recognize one or
      more flagellin peptides from bacteria for which the wild-type Arabidopsis FLS2
      confers little or no response. A targeted approach generated amino acid variation
      at FLS2 residues in a region previously implicated in flagellin recognition. The
      primary screen tested for elevated response to the canonical flagellin peptide
      from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, flg22. From this pool, we then identified five
      alleles of FLS2 that confer modest (quantitatively partial) recognition of an
      Erwinia amylovora flagellin peptide. Use of this Erwinia-based flagellin peptide
      to stimulate Arabidopsis plants expressing the resulting FLS2 alleles did not
      lead to a detectable reduction of virulent P. syringae pv. tomato growth.
      However, combination of two identified mutations into a single allele further
      increased FLS2-mediated responses to the E. amylovora flagellin peptide. These
      studies demonstrate the potential to raise the sensitivity of MAMP receptors
      toward particular targets. 

PMID- 27270919
TI  - In-Office Hyaluronate Injection Laryngoplasty as Palliative Treatment for
      Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Voice and swallowing impairments can impact on both quality of life
      and survival. Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) as a result of distant
      metastasis can cause breathy voice and aspiration. The purpose of this study is
      to develop and evaluate a less invasive and effective alternative therapy for
      UVFP. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of prospectively enrolled patients
      at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan. Among a cohort of 177 patients who
      received intracordal hyaluronate injections, 2 had UVFP from distant metastasis
      and met the inclusion criteria. Vocal cord motion was recorded by
      videostroboscopy, and the normalized glottal gap area was measured. Voice
      quality, defined by speech language pathologists, and swallowing status were
      compared, and immediate complications after the injection were investigated.
      RESULTS: Two patients with UVFP with M1 lesions (both lung) accepted the
      procedure. The glottal gap area was significantly improved 1 month after in
      office hyaluronate injection. Voice quality and aspiration were also improved. No
      immediate complications were noted in either patient. CONCLUSIONS: In-office
      intracordal hyaluronate injection is a safe and effective treatment for UVFP,
      providing a palliative method to help maintain the patient's voice and quality of
      life.

PMID- 27270920
TI  - Performance of clear vacuum-formed thermoplastic retainers depending on retention
      protocol: a systematic review.
AB  - We aimed at comparing the performance of vacuum-formed thermoplastic retainers
      (VFR) worn either full-time or part-time, in maintaining orthodontic treatment
      results in terms of tooth alignment, arch form and occlusion. We reviewed
      randomized and prospective controlled clinical trials comparing VFR wearing
      protocols and searched databases, without restrictions, for published and
      unpublished literature. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of
      Bias tool and the overall level of certainty in the evidence following ADA
      methodology. 184 studies were initially identified and reduced to the 3
      randomized controlled trials included in the systematic review by means of
      specific criteria. One study followed patients 1 year into retention, and the
      other two for 6 months. Little's Irregularity Index, intermolar and intercanine
      width, arch length, overjet and PAR score did not differ significantly between
      the patients wearing their retainers part time or full time. We observed a slight
      increase in the overbite in the part-time group in only one trial. With a
      moderate level of certainty, we found that during the observation period, full
      time VFR wear is not superior to part-time, bearing in mind the potential
      implications for health burden, retainer longevity and cost-effectiveness, as
      well as patient satisfaction and compliance.

PMID- 27270921
TI  - Parturition pit: the bony imprint of vaginal birth.
AB  - PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate for pits along the dorsum of the pubic body
      in females and compare the presence/absence of these pits to vaginal birth data.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed females with vaginal birth
      data who underwent pelvic CT. The presence of pits along the dorsum of the pubic
      body, pit grade (0 = not present; 1 = faintly imperceptible; 2 = present; 3 =
      prominent), and the presence of osteitis condensans ilii, preauricular sulcus,
      and sacroiliac joint vacuum phenomenon were assessed on imaging. Musculoskeletal
      radiologists who were blinded to the birth data evaluated the CTs. 48 males were
      also evaluated for the presence of pits. RESULTS: 482 female patients underwent
      CT pelvis and 171 were excluded due to lack of vaginal birth data. Of the 311
      study patients, 262 had prior vaginal birth(s) and 194 had pits on CT. Only 7 of
      the 49 patients without prior vaginal birth had pits. There was a statistically
      significant association between vaginal birth and presence of pits (p < 0.0001).
      Patients with more prominent pits (grades 2/3) had a greater number of vaginal
      births. As vaginal deliveries increased, the odds of having parturition pits
      greatly increased, adjusting for age and race at CT (p < 0.0001). No males had
      pits. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that parturition pits are associated with
      prior vaginal birth and should be considered a characteristic of the female
      pelvis. The lytic appearance of prominent pits on imaging can simulate disease
      and create a diagnostic dilemma for interpreting radiologists.

PMID- 27270922
TI  - Acute vertebral fracture after spinal fusion: a case report illustrating the
      added value of single-source dual-energy computed tomography to magnetic
      resonance imaging in a patient with spinal Instrumentation.
AB  - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is degraded by metal-implant-induced artifacts
      when used for the diagnostic assessment of vertebral compression fractures in
      patients with instrumented spinal fusion. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)
      offers a promising supplementary imaging tool in these patients. This case report
      describes an 85-year-old woman who presented with a suspected acute vertebral
      fracture after long posterior lumbar interbody fusion. This is the first report
      of a vertebral fracture that showed bone marrow edema on DECT; however, edema was
      missed by an MRI STIR sequence owing to metal artifacts. Bone marrow assessment
      using DECT is less susceptible to metal artifacts than MRI, resulting in improved
      visualization of vertebral edema in the vicinity of fused vertebral bodies. 

PMID- 27270923
TI  - Unskilled and unaware in the classroom: College students' desired grades predict
      their biased grade predictions.
AB  - People tend to be overconfident when predicting their performance on a variety of
      physical and mental tasks (i.e., they predict they will perform better than they
      actually do). Such a pattern is commonly found in educational settings, in which
      many students greatly overestimate how well they will perform on exams. In
      particular, the lowest-performing students tend to show the greatest
      overconfidence (i.e., the "unskilled-and-unaware" effect). Such overconfidence
      can have deleterious effects on the efficacy of students' short-term study
      behaviors (i.e., underpreparing for exams) and long-term academic decisions
      (i.e., changing one's academic major to an "easier" topic or dropping out of
      school completely). To help understand why students' grade predictions are often
      overconfident, we examined the hypothesis that students' grade predictions are
      biased by their desired levels of performance, which are often much higher than
      their actual levels of performance. Across three studies in which actual students
      made predictions about their exam performance in their courses, we demonstrated
      that students' grade predictions are highly biased by their desired grades on
      those exams. We obtained this result when students predicted their exam grades
      over a week before the exam (Study 1), immediately after taking the exam (Study
      2), and across the four course exams in a single semester (Study 3). These
      results are informative for understanding why the "unskilled-and-unaware" pattern
      of performance predictions occurs, and why people in general tend to be
      overconfident when making both physical and mental performance predictions.

PMID- 27270924
TI  - More Questions than Answers: Continued Critical Reanalysis of Fredrickson et
      al.'s Studies of Genomics and Well-Being.
AB  - We critically re-examine Fredrickson et al.'s renewed claims concerning the
      differential relationship between hedonic and eudaimonic forms of well-being and
      gene expression, namely that people who experience a preponderance of eudaimonic
      well-being have gene expression profiles that are associated with more favorable
      health outcomes. By means of an extensive reanalysis of their data, we identify
      several discrepancies between what these authors claimed and what their data
      support; we further show that their different analysis models produce mutually
      contradictory results. We then show how Fredrickson et al.'s most recent article
      on this topic not only fails to adequately address our previously published
      concerns about their earlier related work, but also introduces significant
      further problems, including inconsistency in their hypotheses. Additionally, we
      demonstrate that regardless of which statistical model is used to analyze their
      data, Fredrickson et al.'s method can be highly sensitive to the inclusion (or
      exclusion) of data from a single subject. We reiterate our previous conclusions,
      namely that there is no evidence that Fredrickson et al. have established a
      reliable empirical distinction between their two delineated forms of well-being,
      nor that eudaimonic well-being provides any overall health benefits over hedonic
      well-being. 

PMID- 27270925
TI  - Combined Racial and Gender Differences in the Long-Term Predictive Role of
      Education on Depressive Symptoms and Chronic Medical Conditions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite a well-established literature on the protective effect of
      education on health, less is known about group differences in the mechanisms
      underlying this association. Using a life course approach and cumulative
      advantage theory, this study compared Black men, Black women, White men, and
      White women to assess the long-term gradient (education as a continuous measure)
      and threshold (>12 years) effects of baseline education on change in chronic
      medical conditions (CMC) and depressive symptoms (DS) from baseline to 25 years
      later. METHODS: Data came from the Americans' Changing Lives Study, 1986-2011.
      The study followed Black and White respondents for up to 25 years, among whom
      1271 individuals who had survived and were under follow-up were interviewed in
      2011 and reported their number of chronic medical conditions and depressive
      symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression; CES-D 11). Multi-group
      structural equation modeling was used to compare gradient and threshold effects
      of education on change in chronic medical conditions and depressive symptoms from
      baseline (1986) to 25 years later (2011) among Black men, Black women, White men,
      and White women. RESULTS: There were group differences in the long-term
      association between education measured as a gradient and the change in depressive
      symptoms and chronic medical conditions during the follow-up, and in the
      association between education measured at the threshold of 12 years on change in
      depressive symptoms from baseline to follow-up. However, the association between
      education measured at this threshold and change in chronic medical conditions did
      not differ across race-gender groups. With the exception of Black men, who showed
      a gradient protective effect for baseline education against increase in the
      number of chronic medical associations (threshold or gradient) with change in
      chronic medical conditions. Among White men and White women, education had a
      threshold protective effect against increase in depressive symptoms from baseline
      to 25 years later. Black men and women showed a gradient protective effect of
      baseline education against an increase in depressive symptoms over the 25-year
      follow-up period, but unexpectedly, a threshold effect of education was also
      found to be associated with an increase in depressive symptoms over the follow-up
      period among Black men. This finding suggests that although Black men benefit
      from each incremental increase in education, those who graduated from high school
      were at an additional risk of depressive symptoms over a 25-year period.
      CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the intersection of race and gender influences
      how education is associated with long-term changes in physical and mental health
      of individuals from baseline to 25 years later. As the shape of the association
      between education and health depends on the intersection of race and gender,
      these groups may vary for operant mechanisms by which education operates as a
      main social determinant of health.

PMID- 27270927
TI  - Modification of the Catalytic Properties of Erythrocyte Aldehyde Dehydrogenase in
      Rats after Nitric Oxide Inhalation.
AB  - We studied aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in erythrocytes from healthy rats and
      animals with thermal trauma after NO inhalation. NO had an activating effect on
      catalytic properties of aldehyde dehydrogenase in healthy rats and burned
      animals. The effect of NO was more pronounced during burn disease. 

PMID- 27270926
TI  - Anxiolytic, Psychostimulant, and Analgesic Effects of Various Volumes of Ethanol
      Solution in Different Concentrations, but in the Same Dose.
AB  - We studied the effect of ethanol (dose 2 g/kg) in various concentrations (5, 13,
      and 40%) and different volumes (40, 15.5, and 5 ml/kg) on the level of anxiety,
      locomotor activity, and pain sensitivity in rats. Administration of 40 ml/kg
      water to animals was followed by a significant increase in the time spent in the
      open arms of the elevated plus maze. Administration of water in a volume of 5 or
      15.5 ml/kg had little effect on the level of anxiety. The greater was the volume
      of intragastrically administered ethanol, the stronger was the anxiolytic effect.
      The psychostimulant and analgesic effects of ethanol were more pronounced after
      administration of medium volumes and intermediate concentrations of ethanol
      containing solutions. Since administration of these solutions cannot produce
      maximum blood concentration of ethanol, we believe that the observed effects are
      mainly related to the direct effect of ethanol on the stomach tissue. 

PMID- 27270928
TI  - Effects of Deep Cooling and Re-Warming on Ionotropic Glutamatergic Receptors In
      Vitro.
AB  - We studied the effects of cooling to -10 degrees C and re-warming to 37 degrees C
      on slices of rat olfactory cortex. The amplitudes of action potential in the
      lateral olfactory tract and excitatory postsynaptic potential activated by AMPA
      recovered during slow cooling/re-warming (0.1 degrees C/min), while during rapid
      cooling/re-warming (9 degrees C/min), they surpassed the control values. NMDA
      receptor-dependent mechanism was blocked in both cooling/re-warming modes.
      Swelling of the brain slices was observed during re-warming, especially during
      rapid cooling/re-warming. Nerve fibers of the lateral olfactory tract and AMPA
      related processes survived deep cooling/re-warming, while NMDA-related processes
      were irreversibly blocked. 

PMID- 27270929
TI  - Histoenzymological Characteristics of Smooth Muscle Cells in Myocardial Vessels:
      A Comparative Study under Conditions of Increased Left or Right Ventricular
      Afterload.
AB  - Histoenzymological methods were used to study metabolism of smooth muscle cells
      of intramural myocardial arteries during experimental aortic or pulmonary artery
      stenosis. Aortic stenosis was accompanied by changes in smooth muscles of the
      left ventricle manifested by deceleration of tricarboxylic acid cycle, inhibition
      of oxidation of free fatty acids and their metabolites, flux redistribution in
      the glycolytic cascade, and inhibition of shuttle systems and biosynthetic
      processes. Similar metabolic alterations were observed in vessels of the
      ventricular septum, but they were not revealed in vessels of the right ventricle
      (except glycolysis stimulation). Under conditions of pulmonary artery stenosis,
      histoenzymological alterations in vascular smooth muscle of both ventricles and
      ventricular septum were similar, which attested to acceleration of tricarboxylic
      acid cycle, stimulation of oxidation of the free fatty acids with their
      metabolites, acceleration of glycolysis, and activation of the shuttle systems
      and biosynthetic processes. Comparative analysis of histoenzymological
      alterations revealed substantial differences in the character of metabolic
      changes under conditions of increased left and right ventricular afterload, which
      can be caused by peculiarities in myocardial blood flow, severity of circulatory
      disorders, severity of hypoxia, and intensity of processes maintaining ionic
      homeostasis in vascular smooth muscles and transport across the histohematic
      barriers. The data attest to important metabolic role of glycolysis in vascular
      smooth muscles of the myocardium, especially under conditions of enhanced
      afterload of the right ventricle. 

PMID- 27270930
TI  - Cell Composition of Central and Peripheral Lymphoid Organs of Wistar Rats Treated
      with a Biomedical Cell Product.
AB  - We studied the effect of a biomedical cell product (bone marrow multipotent
      mesenchymal stromal cells and products secreted by these cells in conditioned
      medium) on subpopulation composition of lymphoid cells of central and peripheral
      lymphoid organs of Wistar rats under normal conditions. Changes in the
      subpopulation composition of lymphoid organs depended on the route of
      administration of biomedical cell product. 

PMID- 27270931
TI  - Analysis of the Relationship between Antioxidant Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms and
      Their Activity in Post-Traumatic Gonarthrosis.
AB  - Analysis of polymorphisms of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes SOD1 (G7958A),
      SOD2 (T58C), CAT (C-262T), and GSTP1 (Ile105Val) in 93 patients with post
      traumatic gonarthrosis showed that GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism is often
      associated with heterozygous mutation in catalase gene CAT C-262T. In
      gonarthrosis, catalase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients
      with CT genotype of the C-262T locus of CAT gene more than 2-fold surpassed that
      in CC genotype and more than 50% surpassed the normal. Changes in the balance of
      activity of antioxidant enzymes can affect viability of mononuclear cells. 

PMID- 27270932
TI  - Association of the HindIII Lipoprotein Lipase Gene Polymorphism with the
      Development of the Non-Biliary Acute Pancreatitis: a Pilot Study.
AB  - We studied the relationship between lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene HindIII
      polymorphism and the development of acute pancreatitis in the Russian population.
      Whole blood samples were collected from 145 patients with acute non-biliary
      pancreatitis and 191 healthy individuals. Genotyping of LPL gene HindIII (rs320)
      polymorphism was performed by PCR with TaqMan assay. It was found that allele H+
      (OR=0.63, 95%CI 0.41-0.96, p=0.03) and genotype H+/H+ (OR=1.79, 95%CI 1.06-3.04,
      p=0.03) were associated with the risk of acute non-biliary pancreatitis only in
      males. In this study, the relationship between HindIII polymorphism of LPL gene
      with the risk of acute non-biliary pancreatitis was revealed. 

PMID- 27270934
TI  - Application of Laser Correlation Spectroscopy for Measuring Virus Size.
AB  - Dynamic light scattering method or laser correlation spectroscopy was applied to
      evaluation of the size of viruses. We measured correlation functions of the light
      scattered by human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and hepatitis A viruses (HAV)
      and found that size of HIV-1 (subtype A and B) and HAV virions were 104 nm and 28
      nm, respectively. Comparison of these findings with electron microscopy data for
      fixed samples of the same viruses showed good agreement of the results. 

PMID- 27270933
TI  - New Genetic Constructs for Generation of Stable Therapeutic Antibodies to
      Organophosphorus Toxins in Methylotrophic Yeasts Pichia Pastoris.
AB  - We propose a new method of obtaining of stable Fab-fragments of antibodies in
      Pichia pastoris expression system. Recently, we obtained Fab-fragments of
      antibodies neutralizing organophosphorus toxins. However, high yield of the
      target products was not attained because of high level of proteolytic
      degradation. In the present study, we identified sites of proteolytic degradation
      in Fab-fragments and endogenous proteases performing degradation, which allowed
      obtaining optimized genetic constructs for expression of antibody heavy chains
      (IgGgamma1) and kappa and lambda isotypes of light chains. Co-transformation of
      these vectors allowed obtaining Fab-fragments of antibodies to organophosphorus
      toxins without proteolytic degradation of the product. 

PMID- 27270935
TI  - Age-Related Changes in the System Metalloproteinases/Tissue Metalloproteinase
      Inhibitors and Proteoglycan Components in Mouse Organs.
AB  - Activity of MMP and content of TIMP and some proteoglycan components were
      measured in the liver, lungs, and spleen of BALB/c mice aging 2, 6, and 12
      months. The increase in the content of proteoglycan components in mouse organs
      was associated with age-related changes in MMP activity and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2
      levels. The ratio between MMP activity and content of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 differed
      in the studied organs. The levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in mouse blood serum and
      their concentration in studied organs changed asynchronously with age. They are
      important regulators that determine MMP activity in the analyzed age periods in
      mice, which can be determined as periods of growth, development, and ageing. 

PMID- 27270936
TI  - Studying the Effect of a Composition of the Cluster Core in High-Radiopacity
      Cluster Complexes of Rhenium on Their Acute Toxicity In Vivo.
AB  - An in vivo study was performed to evaluate the dependence of acute toxicity of
      high-radiopacity and luminescent octahedral cluster complexes of rhenium after
      intravenous injection on a composition of the cluster core. Changes in mouse body
      weight, water and food consumption, degree of intoxication, and morphological
      changes in the visceral organs were studied after intravenous injection of the
      following cluster complexes with various internal ligands (S, Se, or Te): Na4[{Re
      6 Te 8 }(CN)6], Na4[{Re 6 Se 8 }(CN)6], and Na4[{Re 6 S 8 }(CN)6]. The Na4[{Re 6
      S 8 } (CN)6] cluster complex was shown to be the safest for animals. 

PMID- 27270937
TI  - Quantitative Evaluation of Primordial Follicles in Rat Ovaries during the Early
      and Delayed Terms after Different Cytostatic Exposures.
AB  - Experiments on female Wistar rats showed that cytostatic agents (farmorubicin,
      platidiam, carboplatin, and etoposide) induce an initial significant decrease in
      the number of primordial follicles. Over the next 2-3 estrous cycles after
      administration of farmorubicin, platidiam, and carboplatin, this index
      practically did not differ from the control. The number of primordial follicles
      in the third and fourth estrous cycles after farmorubicin administration, as well
      as in the second and sixth estrous cycles after etoposide administration was much
      higher than the follicular reserve after cytostatic treatment (first estrous
      cycle). The ovarian reserve was exhausted in the delayed period after the start
      of the experiment. This dynamics of the pool of primordial follicles suggests
      that the ovary of rats in the postnatal period of life contains a limited number
      of female germline stem cells. 

PMID- 27270938
TI  - Peptidyl Aldehyde Specifically Interacts with Immunosubunit beta1i Proteasome: In
      Vitro and In Vivo Effects.
AB  - We studied the effect of beta1i-specific peptidyl aldehyde IPSI-001 on proteasome
      from mammalian cells. In concentrations <1 MUM, this agent effectively suppressed
      immunoproteasome, but only slightly reduced chymotrypsin-like activity of
      constitutive proteasome. Intraperitoneal administration of this inhibitor to
      C3H/He mice in a dose of 100 mg/kg induced no significant physiological or
      behavioral changes, which attested to its considerable therapeutic potential in
      the treatment of autoimmune neurodegenerative pathologies. 

PMID- 27270939
TI  - Study of Fibronectin Type III-Like Domains Role in Activation of gp130 Receptor.
AB  - Chimeric gp130 receptors were produced to study the role of three fibronectin
      type III-like domains in activation of gp130 receptor machinery. The ligand
      induced dimerization of gp130 was sufficient to trigger STAT3 signaling pathway.
      These findings can be used as the basis in designing novel therapeutic gp130
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 27270940
TI  - Relationships between Mechanical Nociceptive Threshold and Activity of
      Antioxidant Enzymes in Male Rats with Experimental Type I Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - We analyzed the dynamics of neuropathic pain development and changes in catalase
      and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the brain, liver, and skeletal
      muscles of male Wistar rats with 1-month streptozotocin-induced diabetes
      mellitus. A decrease in mechanical nociceptive threshold was revealed that
      progressed during the disease progress. Insulin treatment restored nociceptive
      threshold in diabetic animals to the control values. Catalase activity in the
      liver and skeletal muscles of diabetic rats increased by 1.5 and 2 times,
      respectively, in comparison with the control, while insulin treatment reduced
      enzyme activity to the control level. In the brain, catalase activity was reduced
      by 1.5 times and insulin therapy did affect this parameter. SOD activity in the
      studied tissues remained unchanged during diabetes and was not affected by
      insulin therapy. A strong negative correlation between nociceptive threshold in
      rats and catalase activity in their liver and skeletal muscles was found. 

PMID- 27270941
TI  - Ketamine-Midazolam Anesthesia Induces Total Inhibition of Cortical Activity in
      the Brain of Newborn Rats.
AB  - The effects of general anesthetics ketamine and midazolam, the drugs that cause
      neuroapoptosis at the early stages of CNS development, on electrical activity of
      the somatosensory cortex in newborn rats were studied using extracellular
      recording of local field potentials and action potentials of cortical neurons.
      Combined administration of ketamine (40 mg/kg) and midazolam (9 mg/kg) induced
      surgical coma and almost completely suppressed early oscillatory patterns and
      neuronal firing. These effects persisted over 3 h after injection of the
      anesthetics. We concluded that general anesthesia induced by combined
      administration of ketamine and midazolam profoundly suppressed cortical activity
      in newborn rats, which can trigger neuroapoptosis in the developing brain. 

PMID- 27270942
TI  - Role of beta-Adrenoceptors and L-Type Ca(2+)-Channels in the Mechanism of
      Reperfusion-Induced Heart Injury.
AB  - We studied the effects of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists propranolol and nadolol
      and L-type Ca(2+)-channel blocker verapamil on cardiac reperfusion injury
      developed after 45-min coronary occlusion. The substances were injected
      intravenously 5 min before reperfusion. The results indicate that activation of
      beta-adrenoceptors and opening of L-type Ca(2+)-channels promote the development
      of cardiac reperfusion injury, while blockage of beta-adrenoceptors and/or L-type
      Ca(2+)-channels prevents reoxygenation-induced myocardial injury. Propranolol,
      nadolol, and verapamil can produce infraction-limiting effects after onset of
      ischemic heart injury. 

PMID- 27270943
TI  - Induction of the Adaptive Response in Mice Exposed to He-Ne Laser and X-Ray
      Radiation.
AB  - We studied the dose-dependent induction of in vivo adaptive response in the bone
      marrow and blood of mice exposed to low-intensity radiation of He-Ne laser (633
      nm) and X-ray radiation by the severity of cytogenetic injury and intensity of
      ROS production, respectively. Induction of the adaptive response in mice
      preexposed to He-Ne laser and X-ray radiation depended on the adaptive dose and
      the interval between the adaptive and main doses and correlated with changes in
      ROS generation. The adaptive response after exposure to low-intensity ionizing
      and non-ionizing radiation was observed in the same dose range, which attests to
      similar mechanisms of its induction. 

PMID- 27270944
TI  - Influence of Reduced Graphene Oxide on Effective Absorption Bandwidth Shift of
      Hybrid Absorbers.
AB  - The magnetic nanoparticle composite NiFe2O4 has traditionally been studied for
      high-frequency microwave absorption with marginal performance towards low
      frequency radar bands (particularly L and S bands). Here, NiFe2O4 nanoparticles
      and nanohybrids using large-diameter graphene oxide (GO) sheets are prepared via
      solvothermal synthesis for low-frequency wide bandwidth shielding (L and S radar
      bands). The synthesized materials were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR and
      microwave magneto dielectric spectroscopy. The dimension of these solvothermally
      synthesized pristine particles and hybrids lies within 30-58 nm. Microwave
      magneto-dielectric spectroscopy was performed in the low-frequency region in the
      1 MHz-3 GHz spectrum. The as-synthesized pristine nanoparticles and hybrids were
      found to be highly absorbing for microwaves throughout the L and S radar bands (<
      -10 dB from 1 MHz to 3 GHz). This excellent microwave absorbing property induced
      by graphene sheet coupling shows application of these materials with absorption
      bandwidth which is tailored such that these could be used for low frequency.
      Previously, these were used for high frequency absorptions (typically > 4 GHz)
      with limited selective bandwidth. 

PMID- 27270945
TI  - Characterization and Complete Genome Sequences of Three N4-Like Roseobacter
      Phages Isolated from the South China Sea.
AB  - Three bacteriophages (RD-1410W1-01, RD-1410Ws-07, and DS-1410Ws-06) were isolated
      from the surface water of Sanya Bay, northern South China Sea, on two marine
      bacteria type strains of the Roseobacter lineage. These phages have an isometric
      head and a short tail, morphologically belonging to the Podoviridae family. Two
      of these phages can infect four of seven marine roseobacter strains tested and
      the other one can infect three of them, showing relatively broader host ranges
      compared to known N4-like roseophages. One-step growth curves showed that these
      phages have similar short latent periods (1-2 h) but highly variable burst sizes
      (27-341 pfu cell(-1)). Their complete genomes show high level of similarities to
      known N4-like roseophages in terms of genome size, G + C content, gene content,
      and arrangement. The morphological and genomic features of these phages indicate
      that they belong to the N4likevirus genus. Moreover, comparative genomic analysis
      based on 43 N4-like phages (10 roseobacter phages and 33 phages infecting other
      lineages of bacteria) revealed a core genome of 18 genes shared by all the 43
      phages and 38 genes shared by all the ten roseophages. The 38 core genes of N4
      like roseophages nearly make up 70 % of each genome in length. Phylogenetic
      analysis based on the concatenated core gene products showed that our phage
      isolates represent two new phyletic branches, suggesting the broad genetic
      diversity of marine N4-like roseophages remains. 

PMID- 27270946
TI  - Internal mammary artery perforator propeller flap for contralateral mastectomy
      defect: A case report.
AB  - The internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap can be used as either loco
      regional or free flap, and provides thin flexible coverage for defects of the
      chest wall and cervical regions. In this report, we present a bilateral
      mastectomy case in which the left mastectomy defect was closed with an IMAP
      propeller flap harvested from the right breast. Our patient with a history of
      left breast conservation therapy was diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma in her
      left breast 14 years later. On physical examination, the patient's left breast
      displayed the stigmata of radiotherapy including dark discoloration and firmness
      to palpation, compared to contralateral pendulous breast. After bilateral
      mastectomy, an IMAP flap with a size of 26 cm * 11 cm was harvested from right
      chest and was transposed 180 degrees clockwise in a propeller fashion to the left
      mastectomy defect without any tension. The flap survived without any complication
      and the patient was free of recurrence or metastases during the follow-up of 18
      months. The patient was satisfied with the outcome. IMAP propeller flap could be
      harvested safely to the anterior axillary fold in the subcutaneous fat plane. It
      may provide a large skin paddle especially in large breasted women. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:507-510, 2016. 

PMID- 27270947
TI  - Papillary carcinoma of the breast: diagnostic agreement and management
      implications.
AB  - AIMS: Papillary carcinoma (PC), which is a rare type of breast cancer, comprises
      a heterogeneous group of tumours. The diagnostic categorization of PC as in-situ
      and invasive disease remains a matter of debate with respect to interpretation of
      its overlapping histological features, and with respect to the uncertainty in
      clinical behaviour that this dilemma raises. The aim of this study was to assess
      the diagnostic agreement regarding PC among reporting breast pathologists.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Six cases of PC included in the UK National Health Service
      Breast Screening Programme breast pathology interpretive external quality
      assurance scheme in the last 10 years were reviewed. In this scheme, one
      representative haematoxylin and eosin-stained slide from each case is circulated
      to an average of 600 participants. Data on diagnostic categories were collected
      and slides were reviewed according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
      diagnostic criteria. The number of final diagnoses of malignancy (in situ or
      invasive) was highest for invasive PC (99% of the participants diagnosed it as
      malignant), followed by solid PC (94% and 95%, respectively), encapsulated PC
      (92% and 92%, respectively), and papillary ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (88%).
      Most cases of papillary DCIS were correctly classified as in-situ disease (77%),
      but 28% of the participants classified invasive PC cases as in-situ disease. Of
      the participants, 24% reported encapsulated PC as invasive disease. Of the two
      solid PC cases, one showed some features consistent with the WHO description of
      invasive solid PC, whereas the other showed features of classic (non-invasive)
      solid PC. Both cases were reported as invasive by 75% and 77% of participants,
      respectively. Breast specialists more frequently classified PC as an in-situ
      carcinoma than did non-specialist participants, and the difference was
      significant (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of PC as a malignant entity (in
      situ or invasive) is high, but concordance of its classification into in-situ and
      invasive disease is low. Histological features that can define invasion in PC
      should be better defined. These rare lesions require additional diagnostic work
      up, and difficult cases should trigger consensus opinion or expert referral.

PMID- 27270949
TI  - "Morphology's intention is to portray rather than explain".

PMID- 27270948
TI  - Caffeine, a common active adulterant of cocaine, enhances the reinforcing effect
      of cocaine and its motivational value.
AB  - RATIONALE: Caffeine is one of the psychoactive substances most widely used as an
      adulterant in illicit drugs, such as cocaine. Animal studies have demonstrated
      that caffeine is able to potentiate several cocaine actions, although the
      enhancement of the cocaine reinforcing property by caffeine is less reported, and
      the results depend on the paradigms and experimental protocols used. OBJECTIVES:
      We examined the ability of caffeine to enhance the motivational and rewarding
      properties of cocaine using an intravenous self-administration paradigm in rats.
      Additionally, the role of caffeine as a primer cue during extinction was
      evaluated. METHODS: In naive rats, we assessed (1) the ability of the cocaine
      (0.250-0.125 mg/kg/infusion) and caffeine (0.125-0.0625 mg/kg/infusion)
      combination to maintain self-administration in fixed ratio (FR) and progressive
      ratio (PR) schedules of reinforcement compared with cocaine or caffeine alone and
      (2) the effect of caffeine (0.0625 mg/kg/infusion) in the maintenance of
      responding in the animals exposed to the combination of the drugs during cocaine
      extinction. RESULTS: Cocaine combined with caffeine and cocaine alone was self
      administered on FR and PR schedules of reinforcement. Interestingly, the breaking
      point determined for the cocaine + caffeine group was significantly higher than
      the cocaine group. Moreover, caffeine, that by itself did not maintain self
      administration behavior in naive rats, maintained drug-seeking behavior of rats
      previously exposed to combinations of cocaine + caffeine. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine
      enhances the reinforcing effects of cocaine and its motivational value. Our
      results highlight the role of active adulterants commonly used in cocaine-based
      illicit street drugs.

PMID- 27270950
TI  - Comparisons of pharmacokinetics and NO-releasing of nitrofibriate and fenofibrate
      after oral administration in rats.
AB  - Nitrofibriate, a new compound of hypolipidemic, is modified based on fenofibrate.
      Both of them are used for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In
      this study, an accurate and sensitive analytical method of reversed-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography was developed to determine fenofibric acid,
      which is an active metabolite of both nitrofibriate and fenofibrate in rat
      plasma. This method was validated and successfully applied to pharmacokinetic
      study of nitrofibriate and fenofibrate after oral administration. The results
      suggested that the pharmacokinetic behavior of nitrofibriate followed a nonlinear
      process, while fenofibrate was linear, demonstrating that the two drugs were
      different in pharmacokinetic behaviors. Moreover, the effect of fenofibrate and
      nitrofibriate on releasing NO in rat serum was explored. This study showed that
      nitrofibriate, as a nitric oxide donor, could slowly release nitric oxide in
      vivo. This study provided a biopharmaceutical basis for further study of
      nitrofibriate.

PMID- 27270952
TI  - Silver(i) complexes with 1'-(diphenylphosphino)-1-cyanoferrocene: the art of
      improvisation in coordination.
AB  - 1'-(Diphenylphosphino)-1-cyanoferrocene () reacts with silver(i) halides at a 1 :
      1 metal-to-ligand ratio to afford the heterocubane complexes [Ag(MU3-X)(
      kappaP)]4, where X = Cl (), Br (), and I (). In addition, the reaction with AgCl
      with 2 equiv. of leads to chloride-bridged dimer [(MU-Cl)2{Ag(-kappaP)2}2] ()
      and, presumably, also to [(MU(P,N)-){AgCl(-kappaP)}]2 (). While similar reactions
      with AgCN furnished only the insoluble coordination polymer [(
      kappaP)2Ag(NC)Ag(CN)]n (), those with AgSCN afforded the heterocubane [Ag(
      kappaP)(MU-SCN-S,S,N)]4 () and the thiocyanato-bridged disilver(i) complex [Ag(
      kappaP)2(MU-SCN-S,N)]2 (), thereby resembling reactions in the AgCl- system.
      Attempted reactions with AgF led to ill-defined products, among which [Ag(
      kappaP)2(MU-HF2)]2 () and [(MU-SiF6){Ag(-kappaP)2}2] () could be identified. The
      latter compound was prepared also from Ag2[SiF6] and . Reactions between and
      AgClO4 or Ag[BF4] afforded disilver complexes [(MU(P,N)-)Ag(ClO4-kappaO)]2 () and
      [(MU(P,N)-)Ag(BF4-kappaF)]2 () featuring pseudolinear Ag(i) centers that are
      weakly coordinated by the counter anions. A similar reaction with Ag[SbF6]
      followed by crystallization from ethyl acetate produced an analogous complex,
      albeit with coordinated solvent, [(MU(P,N)-)Ag(AcOEt-kappaO)]2[SbF6]2 ().
      Ultimately, a compound devoid of any additional ligands at the Ag(i) centers,
      [(MU(P,N)-)Ag]2[B(C6H3(CF3)2-3,5)4]2 (), was obtained from the reaction of with
      silver(i) tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate. The reaction of Ag[BF4]
      with two equivalents of produced unique coordination polymer [Ag(-kappaP)(MU(P,N)
      )]n[BF4]n (), the structure of which contained one of the phosphinoferrocene
      ligands coordinated as a P,N-chelate and the other forming a bridge to an
      adjacent Ag(i) center. All of these compounds were structurally characterized by
      single-crystal X-ray crystallography, revealing that the lengths of the bonds
      between silver and its anionic ligand(s) typically exceed the sum of the
      respective covalent radii, which is in line with the results of theoretical
      calculations at the density-functional theory (DFT) level, suggesting that
      standard covalent dative bonds are formed between silver and phosphorus (soft
      acid/soft base interactions) while the interactions between silver and the
      ligand's nitrile group (if coordinated) or the supporting anion are of
      predominantly electrostatic nature. 

PMID- 27270951
TI  - Molecular distributions and compound-specific stable carbon isotopic compositions
      of lipids in wintertime aerosols from Beijing.
AB  - Molecular distributions and stable carbon isotopic compositions (delta(13)C) of n
      alkanes, fatty acids and n-alcohols were investigated in urban aerosols from
      Beijing, northern China to better understand the sources and long-range
      atmospheric transport of terrestrial organic matter during polluted and clear
      days in winter. n-Alkanes (C19-C36), fatty acids (C8-C32) and n-alcohols (C16
      C32) detected in Beijing aerosols are characterized by the predominance of C23,
      C16 and C28, respectively. Carbon preference index (CPI) values of n-alkanes, the
      ratios of the sum of odd-numbered n-alkanes to the sum of even-numbered n
      alkanes, are close to 1, indicating a heavy influence of fossil fuel combustion.
      Relatively higher ratios of C(18:0+16:0)/C(18:n+16:1) (fatty acids) on clear days
      than polluted days indicate that long-distance transport and/or photochemical
      aging are more significant during clear days. delta(13)C values of n-alkanes and
      low molecular weight fatty acids (C16:0, C18:0) ranged from -34.1 to -24.7% and 
      26.9 to -24.6%, respectively, which are generally heavier on polluted days than
      those on clear days. Such a wide range suggests that atmospheric lipids in
      Beijing aerosols originate from multiple sources and encounter complicated
      atmospheric processes during long-range transport in North China.

PMID- 27270954
TI  - [Improvement of the diagnostic accuracy in patients with suspected rheumatic
      disease by preselection in the early arthritis clinic : An alternative to the
      appointment service point model of the Healthcare Improvement Act].
AB  - The diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases can be delayed by
      a long waiting period for an appointment with a rheumatologist. This study
      investigated whether preselection of patients in an early arthritis clinic is a
      suitable tool to improve this situation. In 2006 an early arthritis clinic was
      founded by the Collaborating Center of Rheumatology in Halle (Saale). General
      practitioners refer patients by using a special registration form that helps to
      identify patients with an early joint swelling or inflammatory back pain.
      Patients are then allocated to a pool of participating rheumatologists and are
      seen by one of them within 2 weeks. For our scientific evaluation the data of 248
      patients from the early arthritis clinic and data of 187 regular patients were
      gathered by means of an additional questionnaire for rheumatologists and
      patients. In the early arthritis clinic 40.3 % of patients received the diagnosis
      of an inflammatory rheumatic disease compared with 19.3 % in the control group.
      In the latter group 51 % were diagnosed as having degenerative joint or spine
      disorders compared with 22 % in patients from the early arthritis clinic;
      however, 61 % of patients who were referred to the early arthritis clinic did not
      fulfill the criteria of the registration form. On the other hand, patients in
      this group fulfilling these criteria had an inflammatory rheumatic disease in
      68.1 % of the cases. The mean duration of symptoms at the time of first
      rheumatological consultation was significantly shorter in the early arthritis
      clinic than in the control group (6 vs. 39 months). Our data demonstrate that the
      preselection of patients can serve as a useful instrument to guide the referral
      of patients to rheumatologists. The high percentage of patients who did not
      fulfil the criteria of the registration form indicates that a further improvement
      of this form is necessary and stresses the need for intensive communication
      between rheumatologists and general practitioners. Early arthritis clinics may be
      an alternative to the current efforts of the legislative authorities to improve
      specialist care by centralized distribution of specialist appointments.

PMID- 27270955
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27270956
TI  - Using low-energy near infrared light and upconverting nanoparticles to trigger
      photoreactions within supramolecular assemblies.
AB  - This overview highlights how the high-energy ultraviolet or visible light
      required to drive photochemical reactions can be overcome by integrating the
      chromophores into supramolecular structures containing upconverting nanoparticles
      with trivalent lanthanide dopants (such as Tm(3+) and Er(3+)). These
      nanoparticles are particularly interesting systems because they absorb multiple
      photons of near infrared light and convert them into higher-energy light which is
      emitted in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
      The upconverting nanoparticles effectively act as nanoscopic 'light bulbs', and
      in this way, less damaging near infrared light can be used to trigger
      photochemical reactions for use in imaging and small molecule release. Several
      examples of how this phenomenon is being used in photochemistry will be presented
      with the focus being on self-assembled supramolecular systems, some of which are
      being used in cells and small animals. 

PMID- 27270953
TI  - STMN1 Promotes Progesterone Production Via StAR Up-regulation in Mouse Granulosa
      Cells.
AB  - Stathmin 1 (STMN1) is a biomarker in several types of neoplasms. It plays an
      important role in cell cycle progression, mitosis, signal transduction and cell
      migration. In ovaries, STMN1 is predominantly expressed in granulosa cells (GCs).
      However, little is known about the role of STMN1 in ovary. In this study, we
      demonstrated that STMN1 is overexpressed in GCs in patients with polycystic ovary
      syndrome (PCOS). In mouse primary GCs, the overexpression of STMN1 stimulated
      progesterone production, whereas knockdown of STMN1 decreased progesterone
      production. We also found that STMN1 positively regulates the expression of Star
      (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) and Cyp11a1 (cytochrome P450 family 11
      subfamily A member 1). Promoter and ChIP assays indicated that STMN1 increased
      the transcriptional activity of Star and Cyp11a1 by binding to their promoter
      regions. The data suggest that STMN1 mediates the progesterone production by
      modulating the promoter activity of Star and Cyp11a1. Together, our findings
      provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of STMN1 in ovary GC
      steroidogenesis. A better understanding of this potential interaction between
      STMN1 and Star in progesterone biosynthesis in GCs will facilitate the discovery
      of new therapeutic targets in PCOS.

PMID- 27270957
TI  - Improving the performance of surgery-based clinical pathways: a simulation
      optimization approach.
AB  - This paper aims to improve the performance of clinical processes using clinical
      pathways (CPs). The specific goal of this research is to develop a decision
      support tool, based on a simulation-optimization approach, which identify the
      proper adjustment and alignment of resources to achieve better performance for
      both the patients and the health-care facility. When multiple perspectives are
      present in a decision problem, critical issues arise and often require the
      balancing of goals. In our approach, meeting patients' clinical needs in a timely
      manner, and to avoid worsening of clinical conditions, we assess the level of
      appropriate resources. The simulation-optimization model seeks and evaluates
      alternative resource configurations aimed at balancing the two main objectives
      meeting patient needs and optimal utilization of beds and operating rooms.Using
      primary data collected at a Department of Surgery of a public hospital located in
      Genoa, Italy. The simulation-optimization modelling approach in this study has
      been applied to evaluate the thyroid surgical treatment together with the other
      surgery-based CPs. The low rate of bed utilization and the long elective waiting
      lists of the specialty under study indicates that the wards were oversized while
      the operating room capacity was the bottleneck of the system. The model enables
      hospital managers determine which objective has to be given priority, as well as
      the corresponding opportunity costs.

PMID- 27270958
TI  - Adapting clinical gamma cameras for body monitoring in the event of a large-scale
      radiological incident.
AB  - After a release of radionuclides, accidental or otherwise, there will be an
      urgent need to identify members of the general public who have received a
      significant intake of radioactive material, sufficient to require medical
      treatment or further investigation. A large number of people could be
      contaminated in such an incident. For gamma-ray emitting radionuclides this
      screening could be carried out using gamma camera medical imaging systems, such
      as those that are present in many large UK hospital sites. By making a number of
      simple reversible changes such as removal of collimators, these cameras could be
      employed as useful additional screening instruments as well as an aid in
      contamination control. A study was carried out to investigate which systems were
      present in sufficient number to offer wide scale coverage of UK population
      centres. Nine gamma cameras (eight dual head and one single head) were assessed
      using point source and bottle mannequin (BOMAB) phantom measurements so that a
      mathematical model could be developed for use with the MCNPX Monte Carlo
      radiation transport code. The gamma camera models were assessed for practical
      seated and supine geometries to give calibration factors for a list of target
      radionuclides that could be released in a radiological incident. The minimum
      detectable activities (MDAs) that were achieved for a five minute measurement
      demonstrated that these systems are sufficiently sensitive to be used for
      screening of the general public and are comparable to other body monitoring
      facilities. While gamma cameras have on-board software that are designed for
      imaging and provide for a gamma-ray energy range suitable for radionuclides for
      diagnostic imaging (such as 99mTc), they are not as versatile as custom-built
      body monitoring systems.

PMID- 27270959
TI  - Edible Cannabis Products: It Is Time for FDA Oversight.

PMID- 27270961
TI  - Prevalence of Artificial Food Colors in Grocery Store Products Marketed to
      Children.
AB  - Artificial food colors (AFCs) in foods and beverages may be harmful to children.
      This study assesses the percentage of grocery store products marketed to children
      that contain AFCs, by category and company. The research team collected product
      and food-color information about 810 products in one grocery store in North
      Carolina in 2014. Overall, 350 products (43.2%) contained AFCs. The most common
      AFCs were Red 40 (29.8% of products), Blue 1 (24.2%), Yellow 5 (20.5%), and
      Yellow 6 (19.5%). Produce was the only category that did not have any AFCs. The
      highest percentage of products with AFCs was found in candies (96.3%), fruit
      flavored snacks (94%), and drink mixes/powders (89.7%). Forty-one of the 66
      companies marketed products containing AFCs. Given concerns about health effects
      of AFCs and high proportions of high-AFC categories, clinicians, parents, food
      companies, and the government can take steps to support children's healthy eating
      and development by reducing AFCs in children's diets. 

PMID- 27270960
TI  - Gingival Toll-like receptor and cytokine messenger RNA levels in equine
      periodontitis and oral health.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Equine periodontitis is a common and painful
      condition. However, the disease often goes unnoticed by owners and is thus a
      major welfare concern. The aetiopathogenesis of the condition remains poorly
      understood and has been investigated in few studies. The innate immune system is
      known to play an important role in human periodontitis, but its role in equine
      periodontitis has not been examined. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the messenger (m)RNA
      levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines in gingival tissue from orally
      healthy horses and those affected by periodontitis. STUDY DESIGN: Observational
      study. METHODS: Gingival tissue samples were taken post-mortem from 13 horses
      with no clinical signs of oral disease and 20 horses with periodontitis. mRNA
      levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 and cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumour
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17 and interferon
      gamma (IFN-gamma) were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. The
      statistical significance of results was assessed using appropriate t tests.
      RESULTS: mRNA levels of all TLRs and cytokines were upregulated in equine
      periodontitis. Significant increases in mRNA levels of TLR2, TLR9, IL-4, IL-10,
      IL-12 (P<=0.05) and IFN-gamma (P<=0.01) were observed for both unweighted and age
      weighted analyses of diseased gingival tissue samples compared with healthy
      gingival samples. In comparisons of samples of periodontitis lesions with healthy
      gingival control samples from the same horse, significant increases in mRNA
      levels of TLR4, TLR9, IL-10, IFN-gamma (P<=0.05), TLR2, IL-1beta and IL-12p35
      (P<=0.01) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study has provided an initial insight
      into the involvement of the immune system in equine periodontitis. Increased mRNA
      levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 indicate substantial microbial challenge in
      diseased gingival tissue. A mixed Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine response is produced in
      equine periodontitis. Further studies are required to more fully characterise the
      role of the innate immune system in this disease.

PMID- 27270962
TI  - Including Youth Violence Screening on Previsit Questionnaires and the Effect on
      Other Health Risk Behavior Discussions.

PMID- 27270963
TI  - Acoustic sensor versus electrocardiographically derived respiratory rate in
      unstable trauma patients.
AB  - Respiratory rate (RR) is important in many patient care settings; however, direct
      observation of RR is cumbersome and often inaccurate, and electrocardiogram
      derived RR (RRECG) is unreliable. We asked how data derived from the first 15 min
      of RR recording after trauma center admission using a novel acoustic sensor (RRa)
      would compare to RRECG and to end-tidal carbon dioxide-based RR ([Formula: see
      text]) from intubated patients, the "gold standard" in predicting life-saving
      interventions in unstable trauma patients. In a convenience sample subset of
      trauma patients admitted to our Level 1 trauma center, enrolled in the ONPOINT
      study, and monitored with RRECG, some of whom also had [Formula: see text] data,
      we collected RRa using an adhesive sensor with an integrated acoustic transducer
      (Masimo RRaTM). Using Bland-Altman analysis of area under the receiver operating
      characteristic (AUROC) curves, we compared the first 15 min of continuous RRa and
      RRECG to [Formula: see text] and assessed the performance of these three
      parameters compared to the Revised Trauma Score (RTS) in predicting blood
      transfusion 3, 6, and 12 h after admission. Of the 1200 patients enrolled in
      ONPOINT from December 2011 to May 2013, 1191 had RRECG data recorded in the first
      15 min, 358 had acoustic monitoring, and 14 of the latter also had [Formula: see
      text]. The three groups did not differ demographically or in mechanism of injury.
      RRa showed less bias (0.8 vs. 6.9) and better agreement than RRECG when compared
      to [Formula: see text]. At [Formula: see text] 10-29 breaths per minute, RRa was
      more likely to be the same as [Formula: see text] and assign the same RTS. In
      predicting transfusion, features derived from RRa and RRECG gave AUROCs 0.59-0.66
      but with true positive rate 0.70-0.89. RRa monitoring is a non-invasive option to
      glean valid RR data to assist clinical decision making and could contribute to
      prediction models in non-intubated unstable trauma patients.

PMID- 27270964
TI  - Tuning the energetics and tailoring the optical properties of silver clusters
      confined in zeolites.
AB  - The integration of metal atoms and clusters in well-defined dielectric cavities
      is a powerful strategy to impart new properties to them that depend on the size
      and geometry of the confined space as well as on metal-host electrostatic
      interactions. Here, we unravel the dependence of the electronic properties of
      metal clusters on space confinement by studying the ionization potential of
      silver clusters embedded in four different zeolite environments over a range of
      silver concentrations. Extensive characterization reveals a strong influence of
      silver loading and host environment on the cluster ionization potential, which is
      also correlated to the cluster's optical and structural properties. Through fine
      tuning of the zeolite host environment, we demonstrate photoluminescence quantum
      yields approaching unity. This work extends our understanding of structure
      property relationships of small metal clusters and applies this understanding to
      develop highly photoluminescent materials with potential applications in
      optoelectronics and bioimaging.

PMID- 27270965
TI  - Safecast: successful citizen-science for radiation measurement and communication
      after Fukushima.
AB  - The Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster, which began on 11 March 2011,
      provided a crucial opportunity to evaluate the state of preparation on the part
      the powerplant operator (TEPCO), relevant Japanese government agencies, and
      international oversight bodies, to gather necessary information on radiation
      risks quickly and to share it with those tasked with emergency response as well
      as with the general public. The inadequacy of this preparation and the chaotic
      nature of inter-agency and inter-governmental communication has been well noted
      in several official reports on the disaster. In response, Safecast, an
      international, volunteer-based organization devoted to monitoring and openly
      sharing information on environmental radiation and other pollutants, was
      initiated on 12 March 2011, one day following the start of the accident. Since
      then the group has implemented participatory, open-source, citizen-science
      centered radiation mapping solutions developed through a process of collaborative
      open innovation. The information Safecast provided has proven useful to experts,
      to policy makers, and to the public. This paper briefly describes the methodology
      and toolsets Safecast has developed and deployed, as well as organizational and
      social aspects, and summarizes key results obtained to date. In addition, it
      discusses appropriate criteria for evaluating the success of citizen-science
      efforts like Safecast, and places it in context with other non-governmental
      radiation monitoring efforts.

PMID- 27270966
TI  - Periostin Deficiency Causes Severe and Lethal Lung Injury in Mice With Bleomycin
      Administration.
AB  - Pulmonary capillary leakage followed by influx of blood fluid into the air space
      of lung alveoli is a crucial step in the progression of acute lung injury (ALI).
      This influx is due to increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary barrier.
      The extracellular matrix (ECM) between the capillary and the epithelium would be
      expected to be involved in prevention of the influx; however, the role of the ECM
      remains to be addressed. Here, we show that the ECM architecture organized by
      periostin, a matricellular protein, plays a pivotal role in the survival of
      bleomycin-exposed mice. Periostin was localized in the alveolar walls. Although
      periostin-null mice displayed no significant difference in lung histology and air
      blood permeability, they exhibited early lethality in a model of bleomycin
      induced lung injury, compared with their wild-type counterparts. This early
      lethality may have been due to increased pulmonary leakage of blood fluid into
      the air space in the bleomycin-exposed periostin-null mice. These results suggest
      that periostin in the ECM architecture prevents pulmonary leakage of blood fluid,
      thus increasing the survival rate in mice with ALI. Thus, this study provides an
      evidence for the protective role of the ECM architecture in the lung alveoli.

PMID- 27270967
TI  - Cell and Tissue Display: An Alternative Multipurpose Tool for Microscopy.
AB  - We developed a method, termed Cell and Tissue Display (CTD), for embedding 16 or
      more different tissue samples in multi-compartment agarose blocks. The CTD
      generated blocks allow uniform multiplexing of cell lines and small tissue
      fragments within a single histologic block. The distribution of individual cells
      within the CTD blocks is improved, likely because the individual agarose
      compartments are small and uniform. The composition of each CTD block can be
      customized based on intended use. Some potential uses of CTD histologic blocks
      include improved sectioning of small tissue fragments, such as needle biopsy
      specimens or punch biopsies; multiplexing of tissue fragments within a single
      block; and the generation of control slides for laboratory proficiency testing. .

PMID- 27270968
TI  - Prucalopride induces high-amplitude propagating contractions in the colon of
      patients with chronic constipation: a randomized study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study compared prucalopride, a selective, prokinetic, 5-HT4
      receptor agonist, with polyethylene glycol 3350 + electrolytes (PEG3350), an
      osmotic laxative, on colonic motility parameters, primarily high-amplitude
      propagating contractions (HAPCs) in patients with chronic constipation. METHODS:
      This randomized, cross-over, reader-blinded study was conducted at a single site
      in the USA. The study was open to men and women aged 18-75 years who met study
      inclusion criteria. Colonic manometry catheters were inserted the day before
      investigation. On the investigation days, patients received oral 2 mg
      prucalopride or 2 * 13.8 g PEG3350 in solution. The primary endpoint was HAPC
      count (threshold: mean amplitude >=100 mmHg, propagation >=20 cm [HAPC1 ]) in the
      12 h after treatment administration. Analyses were also conducted at two co
      primary thresholds: mean amplitude >=75 mmHg, propagation >=20 cm (HAPC2 ); and
      mean amplitude >=75 mmHg, propagation >=10 cm (HAPC3 ). Secondary endpoints
      included HAPC area under the curve (AUC), contraction force, amplitude, duration,
      and propagation velocity. KEY RESULTS: Thirteen women were enrolled, with 12
      completing the study. Significantly more HAPC1 (8.7 +/- 2.06 vs 2.9 +/- 2.06; p =
      0.012) and HAPC2 (9.0 +/- 2.11 vs 3.3 +/- 2.11; p = 0.017) were observed in the
      12-h periods with prucalopride than with PEG3350. Prucalopride significantly
      increased mean propagation distance and velocity (HAPC2 ) and mean AUC, force,
      and amplitude (HAPC3 ) compared with PEG3350. Adverse events were mild or
      moderate. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Prucalopride was superior to PEG3350 in
      inducing HAPCs in patients with chronic constipation. ClinicalTrials.gov number
      NCT01707667.

PMID- 27270969
TI  - Paternal selenium deficiency but not supplementation during preconception alters
      mammary gland development and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary
      carcinogenesis in female rat offspring.
AB  - Breast cancer is a global public health problem and accumulating evidence
      indicates early-life exposures as relevant factors in the disease risk
      determination. Recent studies have shown that paternal nutrition can influence
      offspring health including breast cancer risk. Selenium is a micronutrient with
      essential role in central aspects of embryogenesis, male fertility and cancer and
      that has been extensively studied as a chemopreventive agent in several breast
      cancer experimental models. Thus, we designed an animal study to evaluate whether
      paternal selenium deficiency or supplementation during preconception could affect
      the female offspring mammary gland development and breast cancer susceptibility.
      Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed AIN93-G diet containing 0.15 ppm (control
      diet), 0.05 ppm (deficient diet) or 1 ppm (supplemented diet) of selenium for 9
      weeks and mated with control female rats. Mammary carcinogenesis was induced with
      7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in their female offspring. Paternal
      selenium deficiency increased the number of terminal end buds, epithelial
      elongation and cell proliferation in the mammary gland of the female rat
      offspring and these effects were associated with higher susceptibility to DMBA
      induced mammary tumors (increased incidence and higher grade tumors). On the
      other hand, paternal selenium supplementation did not influence any of these
      parameters. These results highlight the importance of father's nutrition
      including selenium status as a relevant factor affecting daughter's breast cancer
      risk and paternal preconception as a potential developmental stage to start
      disease preventive strategies.

PMID- 27270971
TI  - Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in blastocoele fluid and embryo culture medium:
      evidence and potential clinical use.
AB  - The ability to screen embryos for aneuploidy or inherited disorders in a
      minimally invasive manner may represent a major advancement for the future of
      embryo viability assessment. Recent studies have demonstrated that both
      blastocoele fluid and embryo culture medium contain genetic material, which can
      be isolated and subjected to downstream genetic analysis. The blastocoele fluid
      may represent an alternative source of nuclear DNA for aneuploidy testing,
      although the degree to which the isolated genetic material is solely
      representative of the developing embryo is currently unclear. In addition to
      nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can be detected in the embryo culture
      medium. Currently, the origin of this nuclear and mtDNA has not been fully
      evaluated and there are several potential sources of contamination that may
      contribute to the genetic material detected in the culture medium. There is
      however evidence that the mtDNA content of the culture medium is related to
      embryo fragmentation levels and its presence is predictive of blastulation,
      indicating that embryo development may influence the levels of genetic material
      detected. If the levels of genetic material are strongly related to aspects of
      embryo quality, then this may be a novel biomarker of embryo viability. If the
      genetic material does have an embryo origin, the mechanisms by which DNA may be
      released into the blastocoele fluid and embryo culture medium are unknown,
      although apoptosis may play a role. While the presence of this genetic material
      is an exciting discovery, the DNA in the blastocoele fluid and embryo culture
      medium appears to be of low yield and integrity, which makes it challenging to
      study. Further research aimed at assessing the methodologies used for both
      isolating and analysing this genetic material, as well as tracing its origin, are
      needed in order to evaluate its potential for clinical use. Should such
      methodologies prove to be routinely successful and the DNA recovered demonstrated
      to be embryonic in origin, then they may be used in a minimally invasive and less
      technical methodology for genetic analysis and embryo viability assessment than
      those currently available.

PMID- 27270970
TI  - Regulation of Airway Inflammation by G-protein Regulatory Motif Peptides of AGS3
      protein.
AB  - Respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD), and lung infections have critical consequences on mortality and morbidity
      in humans. The aims of the present study were to examine the mechanisms by which
      CXCL12 affects MUC1 transcription and airway inflammation, which depend on
      activator of G-protein signaling (AGS) 3 and to identify specific molecules that
      suppress CXCL12-induced airway inflammation by acting on G-protein-coupled
      receptors. Herein, AGS3 suppresses CXCL12-mediated upregulation of MUC1 and
      TNFalpha by regulating Galphai. We found that the G-protein regulatory (GPR)
      motif peptide in AGS3 binds to Galphai and downregulates MUC1 expression; in
      contrast, this motif upregulates TNFalpha expression. Mutated GPR Q34A peptide
      increased the expression of MUC1 and TGFbeta but decreased the expression of
      TNFalpha and IL-6. Moreover, CXCR4-induced dendritic extensions in 2D and 3D
      matrix cultures were inhibited by the GPR Q34A peptide compared with a wild-type
      GPR peptide. The GPR Q34A peptide also inhibited CXCL12-induced morphological
      changes and inflammatory cell infiltration in the mouse lung, and production of
      inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and the lungs. Our
      data indicate that the GPR motif of AGS3 is critical for regulating MUC1/Muc1
      expression and cytokine production in the inflammatory microenvironment.

PMID- 27270972
TI  - Pregnancy and birth outcomes following fresh or vitrified embryo transfer
      according to blastocyst morphology and expansion stage, and culturing strategy
      for delayed development.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: How do live birth rates (LBRs), following fresh and
      vitrified/warmed embryo transfer, compare according to morphological grade,
      developmental stage and culturing strategy of human blastocysts in vitro? SUMMARY
      ANSWER: Equivalent LBRs were obtained after fresh embryo transfer and after
      vitrified/warmed embryo transfer of blastocysts of top or non-top quality, while
      vitrification after prolonged embryo culture of blastocysts with delayed
      development had a positive impact on LBR. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Blastocyst
      morphology correlates with clinical outcome; however, few data are available on
      vitrified/warmed embryo transfer using non-top quality blastocysts. The aim of
      this study was to determine clinical outcomes of non-top quality blastocysts and
      blastocysts with delayed development that underwent vitrified/warmed embryo
      transfer. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This retrospective, single-centre study
      (conducted January 2009 to June 2013) compared 1010 fresh embryo transfer and
      1270 vitrified/warmed embryo transfer of blastocysts originating from the same
      stimulation cycle. Furthermore, 636 fresh embryo transfers and 304
      vitrified/warmed embryo transfer after delayed expansion or blastulation in the
      same period were also analysed. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS:
      Clinical outcomes after fresh and vitrified/warmed embryo transfer according to
      blastocyst morphology were compared in both groups. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF
      CHANCE: Similar LBRs after fresh embryo transfer or after vitrified/warmed embryo
      transfer of top or non-top quality blastocysts were observed. A statistically
      significant improvement in clinical outcomes was obtained after vitrified/warmed
      embryo transfer of Day 5 embryos with delayed expansion or blastulation when
      applying prolonged culture. Our study suggests that vitrification of non-top
      quality blastocysts as well as delayed cavitating and blastulating Day 5 embryos
      should be considered in autologous IVF cycles. LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR
      CAUTION: Given that the present retrospective study used aseptic vitrification of
      blastocysts, the results, particularly the survival rates, may not be fully
      applicable to other vitrification protocols. The retrospective nature of the
      study has to be mentioned. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Restriction of
      vitrification to top quality blastocysts may result in discarding potentially
      viable embryos. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS: This study was not
      externally funded. There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

PMID- 27270974
TI  - Molecular and mesoscale mechanism for hierarchical self-assembly of dipeptide and
      porphyrin light-harvesting system.
AB  - A multi-scale theoretical investigation of dipeptide-porphyrin co-assembly
      systems has been carried out to establish such understanding, where two different
      types of the dipeptides, dilysine (KK(3+)) and diphenylalanine (FF(+)) are
      compared on tuning the porphyrin organization. Density functional theory results
      reveal that the electrostatic attraction between different functional groups has
      significantly strengthened the hydrogen bonds between them, which are considered
      as the driving force of the self-assembly at the molecular level. All-atom
      molecular dynamics (MD) simulation further indicates that the formation of the
      core-shell nanorods is driven and stabilized by the hydrophobic interaction
      between dipeptides and negatively charged porphyrin (H2TPPS(2-)), where the
      packed porphyrins stay inside as the core of the nanorods and the hydrophilic
      groups (amino- and carboxyl-groups) as the shell. With stronger hydrophobicity,
      FF(+) is more likely to insert into the porphyrin aggregates and build crosslinks
      than KK(3+). Moreover, dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation suggests
      equilibrium morphologies with different dipeptides, where KK(3+)-H2TPPS(2-)
      assembled in fiber bundles, whereas FF(+)-H2TPPS(2-) assembled as microspheres,
      corresponding to the different packing behavior in MD simulations. The
      consistency of these results at different scales is discussed. The method used in
      this work could be extended for studying similar issues in hierarchical self
      assembly of building blocks such biomaterials. 

PMID- 27270973
TI  - Self-reported onset of puberty and subsequent semen quality and reproductive
      hormones in healthy young men.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Is there an association between pubertal onset and subsequent
      reproductive health in young men? SUMMARY ANSWER: Self-reported later onset of
      puberty was associated with reduced semen quality and altered serum levels of
      reproductive hormones among 1068 healthy, young Danish men. WHAT IS KNOWN
      ALREADY: The long-term effects of variations in the onset of male puberty on
      subsequent reproduction remain largely unstudied. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION:
      In a cross-sectional study, young healthy Danish men were approached when they
      attended a compulsory medical examination to determine their fitness for military
      service from 2008 to 2012. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS: A total of
      1068 healthy, young Danish men (mean age 19 years) participated. They were asked
      to assess whether onset of penile and testicular growth, development of pubic
      hair and voice break occurred earlier, at the same time as or later than their
      peers. Their semen quality (semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count
      and percentages of motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa) and serum
      concentrations of sex hormones (LH, FSH, total testosterone, SHBG, inhibin B) and
      testicular size were determined. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The
      response rate was 29%. Of the 1068 men who then participated, 652 answered the
      questions about penile growth and pubic hair development and were therefore
      included in the analysis. Self-reported later onset of puberty was associated
      with a 25% reduction in sperm concentration (95% CI -41%; -4%), a 40% reduction
      in total sperm count (-55%; -21%), a 1.6% age point reduction in morphological
      normal spermatozoa (-2.9; -0.3) and a 1.6 ml reduction in testicular size (-2.4
      and -0.8 ml), after adjustment for confounders. Self-reported later onset of
      puberty was also associated with a 9% (3%; 15%) reduction in free testosterone
      and a 16% (2%; 31%) increase in FSH, after adjustment for confounders.
      LIMITATIONS, REASON FOR CAUTION: Our study was cross-sectional and reverse
      causality cannot be ruled out. In addition, we cannot rule out the possibility
      that the men with late puberty onset had not yet fully matured although most were
      in Tanner stage 5. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Approximately 15% of young
      Danish men have self-reported later onset of puberty than their peers. We found
      poorer testicular function in young men with a history of later pubertal
      development, suggesting that timing of pubertal onset may be a fundamental marker
      of male reproductive health. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that
      these men had not fully matured at the time of examination and therefore their
      semen quality may yet improve, which makes follow-up important. STUDY
      FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This work was supported by the Danish Council for
      Strategic Research, Program Commission on Health, Food and Welfare (project
      number 2101-08-0058), Rigshospitalet (grants 961506336 and R42-A1326), European
      Union, DEER (grant agreement no 212844), the Danish Ministry of Health and the
      Danish Environmental Protection Agency and Kirsten and Freddy Johansens
      Foundation (grant 95-103-72087). There are no competing interests.

PMID- 27270985
TI  - Reply to letter to the editor "tDCS effect on cognitive performance in
      Parkinson's disease" by Biundo et al.

PMID- 27270986
TI  - Relevance of the test content of the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination to
      nursing job.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed at identifying if there is a relevance of content of
      the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination (KNLE) revised in 2014 to nursing job.
      It will be able to provide the validity of revised content of the KNLE. METHODS:
      From October 13 to November 13, 2015, print version of 8 duties with 49-tasks,
      155-job item questionnaires were distributed to 1,305 hospital nurses and 202
      nursing faculties in Korea. Results were treated by descriptive statistics and
      comparison analysis. There were responses from 946 nurses or professors (72.5%).
      RESULTS: The relevance of test content of KNLE to nursing job was shown to be
      valid with over 3 points out of 4 point Likert scale in all items: from 3.23 at
      lowest to 3.64 at top. CONCLUSION: Above results showed that the revised version
      of KNLE in 2014 was valid to test the nursing students' knowledge for job
      performance.

PMID- 27270987
TI  - The job analysis of Korean nurses as a strategy to improve the Korean Nursing
      Licensing Examination.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed at characterizing Korean nurses' occupational
      responsibilities to apply the results for improvement of the Korean Nursing
      Licensing Examination. METHODS: First, the contents of nursing job were defined
      based on a focus group interview of 15 nurses. Developing a Curriculum (DACOM)
      method was used to examine those results and produce the questionnaire by 13
      experts. After that, the questionnaire survey to 5,065 hospital nurses was done.
      RESULTS: The occupational responsibilities of nurses were characterized as
      involving 8 duties, 49 tasks, and 303 task elements. Those 8 duties are nursing
      management and professional development, safety and infection control, the
      management of potential risk factors, basic nursing and caring, the maintenance
      of physiological integrity, medication and parenteral treatments, socio
      psychological integrity, and the maintenance and improvement of health.
      CONCLUSION: The content of Korean Nursing Licensing Examination should be
      improved based on 8 duties and 49 tasks of the occupational responsibilities of
      Korean nurses.

PMID- 27270988
TI  - Remodelling after an Infarct: Crosstalk between Life and Death.

PMID- 27270989
TI  - Diagnosis and Treatment of Dyssynergic Defecation.
AB  - Dyssynergic defecation is common and affects up to one half of patients with
      chronic constipation. This acquired behavioral problem is due to the inability to
      coordinate the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles to evacuate stools. A detailed
      history, prospective stool diaries, and a careful digital rectal examination will
      not only identify the nature of bowel dysfunction, but also raise the index of
      suspicion for this evacuation disorder. Anorectal physiology tests and balloon
      expulsion test are essential for a diagnosis. Newer techniques such as high
      resolution manometry and magnetic resonance defecography can provide mechanistic
      insights. Recently, randomized controlled trials have shown that biofeedback
      therapy is more effective than laxatives and other modalities, both in the short
      term and long term, without side effects. Also, symptom improvements correlated
      with changes in underlying pathophysiology. Biofeedback therapy has been
      recommended as the first-line of treatment for dyssynergic defecation. Here, we
      provide an overview of the burden of illness and pathophysiology of dyssynergic
      defecation, and how to diagnose and treat this condition with biofeedback
      therapy. 

PMID- 27270991
TI  - Minimally Invasive Surgery.

PMID- 27270992
TI  - Cytotoxicity Effects and Apoptosis Induction by Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids
      from Triclisia subcordata.
AB  - Triclisia subcordata Oliv (Menispermeaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally
      used for the treatment of various diseases in West Africa. The ethanol extract of
      T. subcordata and its fractions were screened for in vitro anti-ovarian cancer
      activities using the Sulforhodamine B assay. The crude alkaloids showed the
      strongest activity in cell growth assays on Ovcar-8 and A2780 cell lines (IC50  <
      2.4 ug/mL). A bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid-cycleanine was isolated using HPLC
      and identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. The
      IC50 values of cycleanine and tetrandrine (an alkaloid previously reported from
      this plant) ranged from 7 to 14 MUM on Ovcar-8, A2780, Ovcar-4, and Igrov-1
      ovarian cancer cell lines. The IC50 of cycleanine on human normal ovarian surface
      epithelial cells was 35 +/- 1 MUM, hinting at modest selectivity toward cancer
      cells. Both cycleanine and tetrandrine caused apoptosis as shown by activation of
      caspases 3/7 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase to form poly(ADP-ribose)
      polymerase-1 by using western blot analysis. Flow cytometry analyses showed that
      the percentages of apoptotic cells and cells in subG1 phase increased after
      exposure of cycleanine and tetrandrine to Ovcar-8 cells for 48 h compared with
      control. Cycleanine, like its isomer tetrandrine isolated from T. subcordata,
      could be a potential new anti-ovarian cancer agent acting through the apoptosis
      pathway. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27270990
TI  - Inhibition of microtubule dynamics impedes repair of kidney ischemia/reperfusion
      injury and increases fibrosis.
AB  - The microtubule cytoskeleton is composed of alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin
      heterodimers, and it serves to regulate the shape, motility, and division of a
      cell. Post-translational modifications including acetylation are closely
      associated with the functional aspects of the microtubule, involving in a number
      of pathological diseases. However, the role of microtubule acetylation in acute
      kidney injury (AKI) and progression of AKI to chronic kidney disease have yet to
      be understood. In this study, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), a major cause of AKI,
      resulted in deacetylation of the microtubules with a decrease in alpha-tubulin
      acetyltransferase 1 (alpha-TAT1). Paclitaxel (taxol), an agent that stabilizes
      microtubules by tubulin acetylation, treatment during the recovery phase
      following I/R injury inhibited tubular cell proliferation, impaired renal
      functional recovery, and worsened fibrosis. Taxol induced alpha-tubulin
      acetylation and post-I/R cell cycle arrest. Taxol aggregated the microtubule in
      the cytoplasm, resulting in suppression of microtubule dynamics. Our studies have
      demonstrated for the first time that I/R induced deacetylation of the
      microtubules, and that inhibition of microtubule dynamics retarded repair of
      injured tubular epithelial cells leading to an acceleration of fibrosis. This
      suggests that microtubule dynamics plays an important role in the processes of
      repair and fibrosis after AKI.

PMID- 27270993
TI  - Neuropathic pain in patients with chronic leg ulcers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leg ulcers are a frequent and often painful disorder. This pain is
      not always correctly evaluated and relieved. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this
      prospective study is to assess the contribution of neuropathic pain in leg
      ulcers. METHODS: A visual analog scale and the DN4 questionnaire were fulfilled
      by 81 patients with leg ulcers. RESULTS: Of the patients with leg ulcers, 58% (n
      = 47) had a positive DN4 score. No predictive factor leading to neuropathic pain
      was found. The aetiology of the ulcers did not influence the DN4 score.
      CONCLUSIONS: This high prevalence of neuropathic pain in leg ulcers might be
      explained by an impairment of peripheral nerves due to ischaemia. This study also
      highlights the difficulty to relieve pain in chronic wounds; 16 patients had an
      analogous visual scale above 7. These results should encourage practitioners to
      regularly screen for neuropathic pain and to initiate appropriate treatment if
      necessary.

PMID- 27270997
TI  - Wettability modified nanoporous ceramic membrane for simultaneous residual heat
      and condensate recovery.
AB  - Recovery of both latent heat and condensate from boiler flue gas is significant
      for improving boiler efficiency and water conservation. The condensation
      experiments are carried out to investigate the simultaneous heat and mass
      transfer across the nanoporous ceramic membranes (NPCMs) which are treated to be
      hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces using the semicontinuous supercritical
      reactions. The effects of typical parameters including coolant flow rate,
      vapor/nitrogen gas mixture temperature, water vapor volume fraction and
      transmembrane pressure on heat and mass transfer performance are studied. The
      experimental results show that the hydrophilic NPCM exhibits higher performances
      of condensation heat transfer and condensate recovery. However, the hydrophobic
      modification results in remarkable degradation of heat and condensate recovery
      from the mixture. Molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to establish a
      hydrophilic/hydrophobic nanopore/water liquid system, and the infiltration
      characteristics of the single hydrophilic/hydrophobic nanopore is revealed.

PMID- 27270998
TI  - A SnOx-brookite TiO2 bilayer electron collector for hysteresis-less high
      efficiency plastic perovskite solar cells fabricated at low process temperature.
AB  - Thin plastic film-based CH3NH3PbI3-xClx perovskite solar cells were fabricated at
      low process temperature using a bilayer comprising an amorphous SnOx and
      mesoporous brookite TiO2 as electron collectors. Void-less high quality
      heterojunction structures achieve hysteresis-less photovoltaic performance with a
      power conversion efficiency as high as 13.4% and mechanical stability against
      cyclic bending. 

PMID- 27270999
TI  - An evolutionary perspective of AMPK-TOR signaling in the three domains of life.
AB  - AMPK and TOR protein kinases are the major control points of energy signaling in
      eukaryotic cells and organisms. They form the core of a complex regulatory
      network to co-ordinate metabolic activities in the cytosol with those in the
      mitochondria and plastids. Despite its relevance, it is still unclear when and
      how this regulatory pathway was formed during evolution, and to what extent its
      representations in the major eukaryotic lineages resemble each other. Here we
      have traced 153 essential proteins forming the human AMPK-TOR pathways across 412
      species representing all three domains of life-prokaryotes (bacteria, archaea)
      and eukaryotes-and reconstructed their evolutionary history. The resulting
      phylogenetic profiles indicate the presence of primordial core pathways including
      seven proto-kinases in the last eukaryotic common ancestor. The evolutionary
      origins of the oldest components of the AMPK pathway, however, extend into the
      pre-eukaryotic era, and descendants of these ancient proteins can still be found
      in contemporary prokaryotes. The TOR complex in turn appears as a eukaryotic
      invention, possibly to aid in retrograde signaling between the mitochondria and
      the remainder of the cell. Within the eukaryotes, AMPK/TOR showed both a highly
      conserved core structure and a considerable plasticity. Most notably, KING1, a
      protein originally assigned as the gamma subunit of AMPK in plants, is more
      closely related to the yeast SDS23 gene family than to the gamma subunits in
      animals or fungi. This suggests its functional difference from a canonical AMPK
      gamma subunit.

PMID- 27271001
TI  - [Telemedicine-assisted treatment of a 76-year-old man with heart failure].
AB  - The case of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and severely impaired left
      ventricular function is reported. With existing complete left bundle branch block
      and the patient being on optimal medical therapy, a cardiac resynchronization
      device with an integrated defibrillator was implanted and the patient was
      included in our telemonitoring program. During monitoring, an increase in
      ventricular premature beats with a decrease in biventricular pacing percentage
      was noticed. Consequently, radiofrequency ablation of the ventricular premature
      beats which originated in the left ventricle was performed. After ablation we
      could demonstrate a significant increase in biventricular pacing percentage. This
      case shows the importance of telemedicine and the complexity in the
      rhythmological treatment of heart failure patients. 

PMID- 27271000
TI  - A 2-Cys peroxiredoxin in response to oxidative stress in the pine wood nematode,
      Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.
AB  - The pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the causal agent of pine
      wilt disease that has devastated pine forests in Asia. Parasitic nematodes are
      known to have evolved antioxidant stress responses that defend against host plant
      defenses. In this study, the infestation of whitebark pine, Pinus bungean, with
      B. xylophilus led to a significant increase in plant hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and
      salicylic acid levels. Correspondingly, the expression of an antioxidative
      enzyme, 2-Cysteine peroxiredoxin (BxPrx), was elevated in B. xylophilus following
      the H2O2 treatments. Recombinant BxPrx, a thermal stabile and pH tolerant enzyme,
      exhibited high level of antioxidant activity against H2O2, suggesting that it is
      capable of protecting cells from free radical attacks. Immunohistochemical
      localization study showed that BxPrx was broadly expressed across different
      tissues and could be secreted outside the nematode. Finally, the number of BxPrx
      homologs in both dauer-like and fungi-feeding B. xylophilus were comparable based
      on bioinformatics analysis of existing EST libraries, indicating a potential role
      of BxPrx in both propagative and dispersal nematodes. These combined results
      suggest that BxPrx is a key genetic factor facilitating the infestation and
      distribution of B. xylophilus within pine hosts, and consequently the spread of
      pine wilt disease.

PMID- 27271002
TI  - Theory of mind and Verstehen (understanding) methodology.
AB  - Theory of mind is a prominent, but highly controversial, field in psychology,
      psychiatry, and philosophy of mind. Simulation theory, theory-theory and other
      views have been presented in recent decades, none of which are monolithic. In
      this article, various views on theory of mind are reviewed, and methodological
      problems within each view are investigated. The relationship between simulation
      theory and Verstehen (understanding) methodology in traditional human sciences is
      an intriguing issue, although the latter is not a direct ancestor of the former.
      From that perspective, lessons for current clinical psychiatry are drawn.

PMID- 27271003
TI  - Development of the Modified Four Square Step Test and its reliability and
      validity in people with stroke.
AB  - Adults with stroke have difficulty avoiding obstacles when walking, especially
      when a time constraint is imposed. The Four Square Step Test (FSST) evaluates
      dynamic balance by requiring individuals to step over canes in multiple
      directions while being timed, but many people with stroke are unable to complete
      it. The purposes of this study were to (1) modify the FSST by replacing the canes
      with tape so that more persons with stroke could successfully complete the test
      and (2) examine the reliability and validity of the modified version. Fifty-five
      subjects completed the Modified FSST (mFSST) by stepping over tape in all four
      directions while being timed. The mFSST resulted in significantly greater numbers
      of subjects completing the test than the FSST (39/55 [71%] and 33/55 [60%],
      respectively) (p < 0.04). The test-retest, intrarater, and interrater reliability
      of the mFSST were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient ranges: 0.81
      0.99). Construct and concurrent validity of the mFSST were also established. The
      minimal detectable change was 6.73 s. The mFSST, an ideal measure of dynamic
      balance, can identify progress in people with stroke in varied settings and can
      be completed by a wide range of people with stroke in approximately 5 min with
      the use of minimal equipment (tape, stop watch).

PMID- 27271004
TI  - Correction: Excitation of vibrational soft modes in disordered systems using
      active oscillation.
AB  - Correction for 'Excitation of vibrational soft modes in disordered systems using
      active oscillation' by Elsen Tjhung et al., Soft Matter, 2016, DOI: . 

PMID- 27271005
TI  - Peptide protected gold clusters: chemical synthesis and biomedical applications.
AB  - Bridging the gap between atoms and nanoparticles, noble metal clusters with
      atomic precision continue to attract considerable attention due to their
      important applications in catalysis, energy transformation, biosensing and
      biomedicine. Greatly different to common chemical synthesis, a one-step
      biomimetic synthesis of peptide-conjugated metal clusters has been developed to
      meet the demand of emerging bioapplications. Under mild conditions,
      multifunctional peptides containing metal capturing, reactive and targeting
      groups are rationally designed and elaborately synthesized to fabricate
      atomically precise peptide protected metal clusters. Among them, peptide
      protected Au Cs (peptide-Au Cs) possess a great deal of exceptional advantages
      such as nanometer dimensions, high photostability, good biocompatibility,
      accurate chemical formula and specific protein targeting capacity. In this review
      article, we focus on the recent advances in potential theranostic fields by
      introducing the rising progress of peptide-Au Cs for biological imaging,
      biological analysis and therapeutic applications. The interactions between Au Cs
      and biological systems as well as potential mechanisms are also our concerned
      theme. We expect that the rapidly growing interest in Au Cs-based theranostic
      applications will attract broader concerns across various disciplines. 

PMID- 27271007
TI  - Efficient treatment allocation in 2 * 2 cluster randomized trials, when costs and
      variances are heterogeneous.
AB  - Typically, clusters and individuals in cluster randomized trials are allocated
      across treatment conditions in a balanced fashion. This is optimal under
      homogeneous costs and outcome variances. However, both the costs and the
      variances may be heterogeneous. Then, an unbalanced allocation is more efficient
      but impractical as the outcome variance is unknown in the design stage of a
      study. A practical alternative to the balanced design could be a design optimal
      for known and possibly heterogeneous costs and homogeneous variances. However,
      when costs and variances are heterogeneous, both designs suffer from loss of
      efficiency, compared with the optimal design. Focusing on cluster randomized
      trials with a 2 * 2 design, the relative efficiency of the balanced design and of
      the design optimal for heterogeneous costs and homogeneous variances is
      evaluated, relative to the optimal design. We consider two heterogeneous
      scenarios (two treatment arms with small, and two with large, costs or variances,
      or one small, two intermediate, and one large costs or variances) at each design
      level (cluster, individual, and both). Within these scenarios, we compute the
      relative efficiency of the two designs as a function of the extents of
      heterogeneity of the costs and variances, and the congruence (the cheapest
      treatment has the smallest variance) and incongruence (the cheapest treatment has
      the largest variance) between costs and variances. We find that the design
      optimal for heterogeneous costs and homogeneous variances is generally more
      efficient than the balanced design and we illustrate this theory on a trial that
      examines methods to reduce radiological referrals from general practices.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27271006
TI  - Thermodynamics, Disequilibrium, Evolution: Far-From-Equilibrium Geological and
      Chemical Considerations for Origin-Of-Life Research.

PMID- 27271008
TI  - It is complicated: gender and sexual orientation identity in LGBTQ youth.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the variations of sexual orientation and gender
      identity as well as the intersections of those identities in a sample of lesbian,
      gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth. BACKGROUND: Identity
      development is a key task of adolescence. Among the multiple identities that
      young people navigate are sexual orientation and gender identity. Challenges with
      solidifying and integrating aspects of one's identity can contribute to poor
      physical and mental health outcomes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive survey.
      METHODS: A convenience sample was recruited via collaborations with community
      organisations and Internet groups who provide information and services for LGBTQ
      youth under the age of 25. RESULTS: Of the 175 respondents, one-third of the
      sample reported a gender identity that was not congruent with their sex assigned
      at birth. Those assigned female sex at birth reported noncongruent gender
      identities as well as fluid and nonbinary identities such as genderqueer and
      agender more frequently that respondents assigned male at birth. Individuals with
      noncongruent gender identities were more likely to identify with a sexual
      orientation other than lesbian, gay or bisexual than individuals with gender
      identities congruent with their sex assigned at birth. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent
      sexual orientation and gender identity are complex and nuanced. Nurse scientists
      and clinical nurses can contribute to understanding of these identities, their
      meaning to the young person and the unique health implications by regularly
      inquiring about sexual orientation and gender identity in their practice.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses in clinical practice need to be aware of
      the sometimes complicated nature of adolescent identity and its related
      terminology so that they can ask relevant questions and provide culturally safe
      care.

PMID- 27271009
TI  - M2-polarized macrophages contribute to neovasculogenesis, leading to relapse of
      oral cancer following radiation.
AB  - Despite the fact that radiation is one of the standard therapies in the treatment
      of patients with oral cancer, tumours can recur even in the early stages of the
      disease, negatively impacting prognosis and quality of life. We previously found
      that CD11b(+) bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) were recruited into human
      glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), leading to re-organization of the vasculature and
      tumour regrowth. However, it is not yet known how these cells contribute to
      tumour vascularization. In the present study, we investigated the role of
      infiltrating CD11b(+) myeloid cells in the vascularization and recurrence of oral
      squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In a xenograft mouse model, local irradiation
      caused vascular damage and hypoxia in the tumour and increased infiltration of
      CD11b(+) myeloid cells. These infiltrating cells showed characteristics of M2
      macrophages (M2Mphis) and are associated with the promotion of vascularization.
      M2Mphis promoted tumour progression in recurrence after irradiation compared to
      non-irradiated tumours. In addition, we found that CD11b(+) myeloid cells, as
      well as CD206(+) M2Mphis, are increased during recurrence after radiotherapy in
      human OSCC specimens. Our findings may lead to the development of potential
      clinical biomarkers or treatment targets in irradiated OSCC patients.

PMID- 27271010
TI  - Impact of South Carolina's Medicaid fluoride varnish reimbursement policy on
      children's receipt of fluoride varnish in medical and dental settings.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We estimated the effect of South Carolina's (SC) Medicaid fluoride
      varnish (FV) reimbursement policy on children's receipt of fluoride varnish in
      medical (MFV) and dental (DFV) settings. METHODS: We obtained data from SC
      Medicaid enrollment and claims files for children <= 47 months of age across
      State Fiscal Years (SFY) 2008-2013 and created a panel dataset of 52,841 children
      representing 126,464 child-years of observation. Pooled multivariate logistic
      regression models were estimated to identify factors associated with a higher
      likelihood of a child receiving one or more MFV or DFV treatments. RESULTS: The
      FV rates per child-year were 1 percent for physicians and 23 percent for
      dentists, respectively. The child-year rate for receipt of FV from both a
      physician and a dentist was less than one-third of one percent. CONCLUSIONS: A
      policy designed to increase access to FV treatments from physicians and dentists
      for children up to forty-seven months of age was not successful for physicians;
      however, the positive findings for dentists were promising.

PMID- 27271012
TI  - Thermoset Shape-Memory Polyurethane with Intrinsic Plasticity Enabled by
      Transcarbamoylation.
AB  - Thermoset polymers are known for their superior thermomechanical properties, but
      the chemical crosslinking typically leads to intractability. This is reflected in
      the great differences between thermoset and thermoplastic shape-memory polymers;
      the former exhibit a robust shape memory but are not capable of redefining the
      permanent shape. Contrary to current knowledge, we reveal here that a classical
      thermoset shape-memory polyurethane is readily capable of permanent reshaping
      (plasticity) after a topological network rearrangement that is induced by
      transcarbamoylation. By employing the Jianzhi technique (also known as kirigami),
      unexpected shape-shifting versatility was observed for this otherwise classical
      material. As the essential carbamate moiety in polyurethanes is one of the most
      common polymer building units, we anticipate that our finding will have
      significant benefits beyond shape shifting.

PMID- 27271011
TI  - Inhibition of inflammatory reactions in 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene induced Nc/Nga
      atopic dermatitis mice by non-thermal plasma.
AB  - Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has recently been introduced and reported as a novel
      tool with a range of medicinal and biological roles. Although many studies using
      NTP have been performed, none has investigated the direct relationship between
      NTP and immune responses yet. Especially, the effects of NTP on atopic dermatitis
      (AD) were not been explored. Here, NTP was tested whether it controls immune
      reactions of AD. NTP treatment was administered to pro-inflammatory cytokine
      stimulated keratinocytes and DNCB (2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene)-induced atopic
      dermatitis mice, then the immune reactions of cells and skin tissues were
      monitored. Cells treated with NTP showed decreased expression levels of CCL11,
      CCL13, and CCL17 along with down-regulation of NF-kappaB activity. Repeated
      administration of NTP to AD-induced mice reduced the numbers of mast cells and
      eosinophils, IgE, CCL17, IFNgamma levels, and inhibited NF-kappaB activity in the
      skin lesion. Furthermore, combined treatment with NTP and 1% hydrocortisone cream
      significantly decreased the immune responses of AD than that with either of these
      two treatments individually. Overall, this study revealed that NTP significantly
      inhibits several immune reactions of AD by regulating NF-kappaB activity.
      Therefore, NTP could be useful to suppress the exaggerated immune reactions in
      severe skin inflammatory diseases such as AD.

PMID- 27271013
TI  - Novel TetR family transcriptional factor regulates expression of multiple
      transport-related genes and affects rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium
      smegmatis.
AB  - Transport-related genes significantly affect bacterial antibiotic resistance.
      However, the effects of these genes and their regulation of bacterial drug
      resistance in several mycobacterial species, including the fast-growing
      Mycobacterium smegmatis, the pathogen M. tuberculosis and M. avium have not been
      clearly characterized. We identified Ms4022 (MSMEG_4022) as a novel TetR family
      regulator that activates the expression of seven transport-related genes and
      affects drug resistance in M. smegmatis. Overexpression of Ms4022 inhibited M.
      smegmatis growth and enhanced mycobacterial resistance to the anti-tuberculosis
      drug rifampicin (RIF). By contrast, the Ms4022-deleted mycobacterial strain has
      shown sensitive to RIF. Ms4022 recognized three 19 bp non-palindromic motifs
      containing a 9 bp conserved region at their 5' end and it directly regulated
      seven transport-related genes, which affects mycobacterial resistance to RIF.
      Overexpression of three of seven transport-related genes (Ms1448, Ms1613, and
      Ms5278) inhibited the growth of M. smegmatis. This study improves our
      understanding of the function of mycobacterial transport-related genes and their
      regulation of bacterial drug resistance.

PMID- 27271016
TI  - US132 Cyclodextrin Glucanotransferase Engineering by Random Mutagenesis for an
      Anti-Staling Purpose.
AB  - The use of the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) of the US132 strain,
      which is an effective anti-staling agent, has been hampered by its high
      cyclization activity. Since that random mutagenesis using error-prone PCR is
      nowadays a method of choice for enzymes engineering, we have optimized this
      method by adjusting manganese concentration in order to obtain a high percentage
      of active CGTase mutants. Therefore, the amplification of the gene encoding the
      US132 CGTase was performed using a MnCl2 concentration ranging between 0 and 0.5
      mM. The finding showed that a manganese concentration of 0.04 mM allowed for 90 %
      of active mutants. A simple method to rapidly screen the obtained mutants was
      also developed. After the examination of a small library (of less than 1000
      clones), the active mutant named MJ13 was selected for a significant decrease in
      the cyclization activity, thereby showing a remarkable change in the enzyme
      specificity towards starch dextrinizing. Sequence analysis showed that MJ13 is a
      triple mutant with two mutations in the catalytic domain (K47E and S382P) and one
      substitution in the starch binding domain (N655S). 

PMID- 27271017
TI  - A Single-Cell-Type Real-Time PCR Method Based on a Modified Patch-Pipette Cell
      Harvesting System.
AB  - Real-time PCR is a powerful tool for quantifying nucleic acid expression. Real
      time PCR is conventionally performed at the tissue level to guarantee an
      abundance of nucleic acid for detection. The precision and reliability of this
      method, however, is limited by usually being composed of a mixture of different
      cell types. Single-cell PCR, in contrast, eliminates the purity problem of the
      cell source. However, use of this method is usually impeded by difficulties in
      cell harvesting and stringent requirements for processing of very small
      quantities of nucleic acids. In this study, we combined the advantages of the
      high purity of selected cells in single-cell PCR with the greater nucleic acid
      quantities and thus greater ease of tissue-level PCR. The key aspect of our
      method is to use a modified patch-clamp pipette to harvest several selected cells
      of the same type. This method is therefore especially useful for cells that can
      be morphologically or histologically identified such as primary sensory neurons,
      striated muscle fibers and cells labeled with fluorescent makers. 

PMID- 27271018
TI  - Biopsychosocial problem-related distress in cancer: examining the role of sex and
      age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current study explores how sex and age relate to biopsychosocial
      distress by applying a large-scale analysis among individuals diagnosed with a
      variety of cancers. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving 6462
      patients treated for cancer at a National Cancer Institute-designated
      comprehensive cancer center between 2009 and 2014. Patients were asked to
      complete the biopsychosocial problem-related distress touchscreen instrument
      prior to starting treatment as part of their routine clinical care. RESULTS:
      There was a significant interaction of age and sex on the total number of
      problems rated as high distress and the total number of problems that prompted a
      request to talk with a member of the team. Male patients between 18 and 39
      reported significantly more problems as high distress than female patients in the
      same age group (mean = 5.34 and mean = 4.92, respectively; p = 0.005). A similar
      trend was found where male patients between 18-39 and 40-64 requested to talk
      with a member of the team significantly more often than female patients in these
      same age groups (mean = 3.25 and mean = 3.22 vs. mean = 2.70 and mean = 3.07,
      respectively; p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study serve to
      refute generalizations regarding age or gender demographics and support
      preferences and thus reinforce the need to offer services in the context of
      cancer in flexible and varied ways. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27271020
TI  - Access to Silylated Pyrazole Derivatives by Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Activation of
      a TMS group.
AB  - A simple and efficient approach to new silylated heterocycles of potential
      interest in medicinal chemistry is presented. A set of bromophenyl trimethylsilyl
      pyrazole intermediates can be transformed by direct organometallic routes into
      two families of regioisomeric iodoaryl substrates; using either arylzinc or
      aryllithium chemistry, the TMS group remains on the pyrazole ring or translocates
      to the aryl moiety. These two families can then be efficiently transformed into
      benzo silino pyrazoles thanks to a single-step cyclization relying on the Pd
      catalyzed activation of a non-activated C(sp(3) )-H bond alpha to a silicon atom.
      The experimental conditions used, which are fully compatible with the pyrazole
      ring, suggest that this reaction evolves through a concerted metalation
      deprotonation (CMD) mechanism. 

PMID- 27271019
TI  - Assisted care as a baseline patient risk characteristic affecting the outcome of
      transcatheter aortic valve insertion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Objective measures of frailty have not been well defined as risk
      factors for a poor outcome after transcatheter aortic valve insertion. We
      hypothesized that assisted care as a baseline patient characteristic was a simple
      objective measure of frailty. We reviewed our experience to assess for an
      association between assisted care and outcome of operation. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed the records of 597 patients operated with transcatheter
      aortic valve insertion from November 2008 through July 2015. The study cohort
      included patients with a dichotomous baseline characteristic of receiving
      assisted care (AC group, n = 60, 10.1%) or not receiving assisted care (NC group,
      n = 537, 89.9%). The endpoints of the study were operative stroke/death and 1
      year survival. RESULTS: The age of the patients was 80.6 +/- 9.0 years, male sex
      was present in 349 (58.5%), and STS predicted risk of mortality was 9.2 +/- 6.2%.
      Alternate access was used in 26 (43.3%) patients in the AC care group and in 220
      (41.0%) in the NC group (P = 0.724). Operative stroke/death occurred in 4 (6.7%)
      patients in the AC group and in 25 (4.7%) in the NC group (P = 0.492). Mortality
      at 1 year in the AC group was 14.8 +/- 5.2% and in the NC group was 12.9 +/-
      1.7%; (P = 0. 250). CONCLUSIONS: Assisted care as a baseline patient
      characteristic does not result in increased operative stroke/death or 1-year
      mortality in patients following transcatheter aortic valve insertion. Assisted
      care should not by itself preclude operation. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27271021
TI  - Job satisfaction and burnout among paediatric nurses.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aims to determine factors of job satisfaction and burnout
      levels of paediatric nurses. METHODS: A total of 165 nurses working in paediatric
      clinics completed the Minnesota job satisfaction scale and the Maslach burnout
      scale. FINDINGS: Average scores of the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation
      score were low, while personal accomplishment scores were high. A high level of
      job satisfaction, being married, increased age and a decreased number of assigned
      patients were significantly associated with a low level of burnout. CONCLUSIONS:
      Paediatric nurses experience burnout at significant levels. The most important
      variable that affected job satisfaction was income. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING
      PRACTICE: The results of the study could guide development of strategies that
      might prevent or alleviate burnout of paediatric nurses.

PMID- 27271022
TI  - Spectrum of genomic alterations in FGFR3: current appraisal of the potential role
      of FGFR3 in advanced urothelial carcinoma.
AB  - Molecular analysis has identified subsets of urothelial carcinoma (UC) expressing
      distinct genetic signatures. Genomic alterations in the oncogenic fibroblast
      growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) pathway are among the most well described in UC
      and have led to extensive and ongoing investigation of FGFR3-targeted therapies
      in this disease, although no new drugs have yet been approved. Given the unmet
      need for effective treatments in advanced and metastatic UC, a better
      understanding of the known molecular alterations of FGFR3 and of the previous and
      ongoing clinical investigations of this promising target in UC deserves
      attention. The objective of the present review is to describe the landscape of
      alterations and biology of FGFR3 in UC, comprehensively summarize the current
      state of UC clinical trials of FGFR3 inhibitors, and discuss future therapeutic
      applications. Using the Pubmed and Clinicaltrials.gov databases, articles
      describing the spectrum and biological activity of FGFR3 genomic alterations and
      trials of FGFR3 inhibitors in UC were identified. Search terms included 'FGFR3
      genomic alterations' and 'urothelial cancer' or 'bladder cancer'. Genomic
      alterations, including translocations and activating mutations, are increasingly
      described in advanced and metastatic UC. The majority of clinical trials have
      been performed in unselected populations; however, recent studies have reported
      encouraging preliminary data. We argue that routine use of molecular genomic
      tumour analysis in UC may inform selection of patients for appropriate trials and
      we further investigate the potential of FGFR3 as a meaningful clinical target for
      this difficult disease.

PMID- 27271025
TI  - Responsive Fluorescent PNA Analogue as a Tool for Detecting G-quadruplex Motifs
      of Oncogenes and Activity of Toxic Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins.
AB  - Fluorescent oligomers that are resistant to enzymatic degradation and report
      their binding to target oligonucleotides (ONs) by changes in fluorescence
      properties are highly useful in developing nucleic-acid-based diagnostic tools
      and therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the synthesis and photophysical
      characterization of fluorescent peptide nucleic acid (PNA) building blocks made
      of microenvironment-sensitive 5-(benzofuran-2-yl)- and 5-(benzothiophen-2-yl)
      uracil cores. The emissive monomers, when incorporated into PNA oligomers and
      hybridized to complementary ONs, are minimally perturbing and are highly
      sensitive to their neighboring base environment. In particular, benzothiophene
      modified PNA reports the hybridization process with significant enhancement in
      fluorescence intensity, even when placed in the vicinity of guanine residues,
      which often quench fluorescence. This feature was used in the turn-on detection
      of G-quadruplex-forming promoter DNA sequences of human proto-oncogenes (c-myc
      and c-kit). Furthermore, the ability of benzothiophene-modified PNA oligomer to
      report the presence of an abasic site in RNA enabled us to develop a simple
      fluorescence hybridization assay to detect and estimate the depurination activity
      of ribosome-inactivating protein toxins. Our results demonstrate that this
      approach with responsive PNA probes will provide new opportunities to develop
      robust tools to study nucleic acids.

PMID- 27271024
TI  - Effectiveness of very early workplace interventions to reduce sickness absence: a
      systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to investigate the effectiveness of
      workplace return-to-work (RTW) interventions delivered at very early stages (<15
      days) of sickness absence (SA). METHODS: A systematic literature search was
      conducted in PubMed, Health Management Information Consortium (HMIC), Cochrane
      library database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature
      (CINAHL), PsychInfo and Embase. Using pre-established criteria, independent pairs
      of researchers carried out the study selection, quality appraisal and data
      extraction. Workplace interventions before day 15 of SA, were included. Primary
      outcome measures included rates of and time until RTW, productivity loss, and
      recurrences of SA. RESULTS: We found limited available evidence on the benefits
      of "very early" workplace interventions in terms of RTW after a SA episode
      compared to usual care. Only three randomized controlled trials classed as high
      or intermediate quality were identified. Early part-time sick leave together with
      appropriate job modifications led to a reduction in the duration and recurrence
      of SA. There is evidence of benefit of intervening during the first two weeks of
      SA for musculoskeletal disorders. CONCLUSION: Our review has identified a lack of
      evidence from the literature at this time point to support "very early"
      intervention compared to usual care. The methodological design of the studies,
      notably the extent and timing of usual care provided and variable
      compliance/crossover between groups could however explain the lack of
      demonstrated benefit. Consensus is required on the definition of "early" and
      "very early" interventions, and further research is recommended to improve
      understanding of the factors influencing when and how best to intervene for
      maximum gain.

PMID- 27271026
TI  - Factors Associated with Pregnancy among Incarcerated African American Adolescent
      Girls.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the social and behavioral factors
      associated with pregnancy history among a sample of African American adolescent
      girls recruited from a short-term juvenile detention center in order to better
      understand the needs of this vulnerable population. Data were collected from a
      sample of 188 detained African American, 13-17-year-old girls in Atlanta,
      Georgia, who participated in a larger HIV prevention study. An audio computer
      assisted self-interviewing survey was completed by participants to obtain
      information on socioecological factors to include individual, parental/familial,
      sexual risk, psychosocial, and substance use factors. Among the 188 participants,
      25.5 % reported a history of pregnancy. A multivariable logistic regression model
      showed that girls with a history of pregnancy were more likely to live in a
      household receiving government aid, use hormonal contraceptives at last sex,
      participate in sex trading, have casual sex partners, have condomless sex in the
      past 90 days, and have a history of physical abuse. Girls with no history of
      pregnancy were more likely to have been incarcerated at least twice and to have
      previously used alcohol. Detention-based interventions and pregnancy prevention
      programs for this vulnerable population may benefit by addressing factors related
      to sexual behavior and development, substance use, individual background, and
      psychosocial health.

PMID- 27271027
TI  - Informal caregiving in head and neck cancer: caregiving activities and
      psychological well-being.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to quantify the general cancer support activities
      that long-term carers of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors engage in; and the
      relationships between these care activities and psychological well-being.
      Respondents answered a survey detailing their caring activities, the amount of
      time that they spent on those activities and how comfortable they felt engaging
      in them. Psychological well-being was assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress
      Scales-21. A total of 197 carers took part in the study. The majority (76%) were
      women, mean age 57.4. Mean time since diagnosis was 6.2 years. In the past month,
      45% of carers did not spend any extra time per week helping their relative/friend
      with general caring activities such as cleaning the house; 31% spent 1-19 hr/week
      and 23% spent 20 or more hours/week doing so. Most carers were comfortable
      assisting their relative/friend, though more carers felt uncomfortable assisting
      with HNC-specific support tasks (31% uncomfortable helping with medication)
      compared with general support tasks (7% uncomfortable helping with appointments).
      Feeling uncomfortable with head and neck-specific care tasks was a significant
      predictor of experiencing depression and anxiety.

PMID- 27271028
TI  - Interaction of Target Oxygen Saturation, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, and
      Pulmonary Hypertension in Small for Gestational Age Preterm Neonates-Reply.

PMID- 27271030
TI  - Synthesis of beta,beta-diaryl propiophenones via palladium-catalyzed domino
      arylboronation, elimination and enone hydroarylation of enaminones.
AB  - The syntheses of beta,beta-diaryl aryl propiophenones have been realized via
      palladium-catalyzed domino reactions of dimethyl amino functionalized enaminones
      and aryl boronic acids. This is the first example of transition metal-catalyzed
      enaminone C-N bond conversion for the generation of a new C-C(aryl) structure. 

PMID- 27271031
TI  - Impact of a new sampling buffer on faecal haemoglobin stability in a colorectal
      cancer screening programme by the faecal immunochemical test.
AB  - Haemoglobin (Hb) stability in faecal samples is an important issue in colorectal
      cancer screening by the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for Hb. This study
      evaluated the performance of the FIT-Hb (OC-Sensor Eiken) used in the Florence
      screening programme by comparing two different formulations of the buffer, both
      in an analytical and in a clinical setting. In the laboratory simulation, six
      faecal pools (three in each buffer type) were stored at different temperatures
      and analysed eight times in 10 replicates over 21 days. In the clinical setting,
      7695 screenees returned two samples, using both the old and the new specimen
      collection device (SCD). In the laboratory simulation, 5 days from sample
      preparation with the buffer of the old SCD, the Hb concentration decreased by 40%
      at room temperature (25 degrees C, range 22-28 degrees C) and up to 60% at
      outside temperature (29 degrees C, range 16-39 degrees C), whereas with the new
      one, Hb concentration decreased by 10%. In the clinical setting, a higher mean Hb
      concentration with the new SCD compared with the old one was found (6.3 vs. 5.0
      ug Hb/g faeces, respectively, P<0.001); no statistically significant difference
      was found in the probability of having a positive result in the two SCDs. Better
      Hb stability was observed with the new buffer under laboratory conditions, but no
      difference was found in the clinical performance. In our study, only marginal
      advantages arise from the new buffer. Improvements in sample stability represent
      a significant target in the screening setting.

PMID- 27271032
TI  - The Evolution of Recommended Naloxone Dosing for Opioid Overdose by Medical
      Specialty.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Opioid abuse and opioid overdose deaths have increased
      significantly over the past decade. Naloxone is a potentially life-saving
      medication that can reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression, though
      precipitated opioid withdrawal can pose acute risks to the patient and medical
      personnel. The optimal naloxone dose is unclear and few studies address this
      question. METHODS: A convenience sample of commonly available references were
      queried for the recommended IV naloxone dose. When dosing recommendations were
      different for opioid-tolerant patients these were also recorded. RESULTS: Twenty
      five references were located. 48% recommended a starting dose <= 0.05 mg while
      36% recommend a dose ten-fold higher. More than half of medical toxicology and
      general medical sources recommended a low-dose strategy with a starting dose
      lower than 0.05 mg IV. CONCLUSION: There are variations in the recommended doses
      for naloxone with ranges spanning an order of magnitude. Further exploration is
      needed to determine the dose that balances reversal of respiratory depression
      with mitigation of withdrawal.

PMID- 27271034
TI  - Correction: Ret and Etv4 Promote Directed Movements of Progenitor Cells during
      Renal Branching Morphogenesis.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002382.].

PMID- 27271033
TI  - Prolonged respiratory disorder predicts adverse prognosis in infants with end
      stage kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Among comorbidities, pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) is known as a
      significant risk factor for mortality in infants with end-stage kidney disease
      (ESKD). However, the final outcomes of infants with both ESKD and PH are still
      not well defined, as the diagnosis modality, and definition of PH severity remain
      ambiguous. METHODS: Children initiating peritoneal dialysis during infancy from
      1990 to 2015 were followed until death, date of last contact, or the end of 2015.
      We examined the long-term outcome of children with congenital pulmonary disorders
      by studying infants with prolonged respiratory disorders of greater than 28 days
      duration after birth and evaluated risk factors for mortality. RESULTS: Forty-six
      children were followed (median follow-up, 9.23 years), and classified as children
      without (n = 38; Group A) or with (n = 8; Group B) a prolonged respiratory
      disorder. Overall actuarial 5 year survival rate in this cohort was 79.5 %. The
      survival curve in Group B showed a significant decline compared with Group A.
      Prolonged respiratory disorder was significantly associated with mortality by
      multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 8.32). CONCLUSIONS: Infants who initiate
      peritoneal dialysis complicated by prolonged respiratory disorders have increased
      adverse risk factors for mortality; therefore, withholding aggressive treatment
      should be considered.

PMID- 27271035
TI  - D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors within the nucleus accumbens contribute to
      stress-induced analgesia in formalin-related pain behaviours in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stressful experiences can produce analgesia, termed stress-induced
      analgesia (SIA). Meanwhile, it has been widely established that the mesolimbic
      dopamine pathway and nucleus accumbens (NAc) have a profound role in pain
      modulation. In this study, we examined the role of accumbal dopamine receptors in
      antinociception caused by forced swim stress (FSS) in order to understand more
      about the function of these receptors within the NAc in FSS-induced analgesia.
      METHOD: Stereotaxic surgery was unilaterally performed on adult male Wistar rats
      weighing 230-250 g (some on the left and some on the right side of the midline).
      Two supergroups were microinjected into the NAc with a D1-like dopamine receptor
      antagonist, SCH-23390, at doses of 0.25, 1 and 4 MUg/0.5 MUl saline per rat or
      Sulpiride as a D2-like dopamine receptor antagonist at the same doses [0.25, 1
      and 4 MUg/0.5 MUl dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) per rat]; while their controls just
      received intra-accumbal saline or DMSO at 0.5 MUl, respectively. The formalin
      test was performed after rats were subjected to FSS (6 min, 25 +/- 1  degrees C)
      to assess pain-related behaviours. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that intra
      accumbal infusions of SCH-23390 and Sulpiride dose-dependently reduced FSS
      induced antinociception in both phases of the formalin test. However, the
      percentage decrease in area under the curve (AUC) values calculated for treatment
      groups compared to formalin-control group was more significant in the late phase
      than the early phase. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that D1- and D2-like
      dopamine receptors in the NAc are involved in stress-induced antinociceptive
      behaviours in the formalin test as an animal model of persistent inflammatory
      pain. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD: Forced swim stress (FSS) induces the
      antinociception in both phases of formalin test. Blockade of accumbal dopamine
      receptors attenuate the antinociception induced by FSS. Stress-induced analgesia
      is dose-dependently reduced by dopamine receptor antagonists in both phases,
      although it is more prominent during the late phase.

PMID- 27271036
TI  - Epigenetic Dysregulation Observed in Monosomy Blastocysts Further Compromises
      Developmental Potential.
AB  - Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation regulate genomic imprinting and
      account for the distinct non-equivalence of the parental genomes in the embryo.
      Chromosomal aneuploidy, a major cause of infertility, distorts this highly
      regulated disparity by the presence or absence of chromosomes. The implantation
      potential of monosomy embryos is negligible compared to their trisomy
      counterparts, yet the cause for this is unknown. This study investigated the
      impact of chromosomal aneuploidy on strict epigenetically regulated domains,
      specifically imprinting control regions present on aneuploid chromosomes. Donated
      cryopreserved human IVF blastocysts of transferable quality, including trisomy
      15, trisomy 11, monosomy 15, monosomy 11, and donor oocyte control blastocysts
      were examined individually for DNA methylation profiles by bisulfite mutagenesis
      and sequencing analysis of two maternally methylated imprinting control regions
      (ICRs), SNRPN (15q11.2) and KCNQ1OT1 (11p15.5), and one paternally methylated
      imprinting control region, H19 (11p15.5). Imprinted genes within the regions were
      also evaluated for transcript abundance by RT-qPCR. Overall, statistically
      significant hypermethylated and hypomethylated ICRs were found in both the
      trisomy and monosomy blastocysts compared to controls, restricted only to the
      chromosome affected by the aneuploidy. Increased expression was observed for
      maternally-expressed imprinted genes in trisomy blastocysts, while a decreased
      expression was observed for both maternally- and paternally-expressed imprinted
      genes in monosomy blastocysts. This epigenetic dysregulation and altered
      monoallelic expression observed at imprinting control regions in aneuploid IVF
      embryos supports euploid embryo transfer during infertility treatments, and may
      specifically highlight an explanation for the compromised implantation potential
      in monosomy embryos. 

PMID- 27271038
TI  - Energy drinks consumption in Italian adolescents: preliminary data of social,
      psychological and behavioral features.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the prevalence of energy drink (ED) consumption and
      the associations with social, psychological and behavioral features among an
      Italian adolescent sample. METHODS: A cross-sectional prevalence study of 450
      Italian adolescents attending middle school was conducted. The Italian versions
      of the European Food Safety Authority's adolescent Energy Drinks Questionnaire
      and of the Depression and Anxiety in Youth Scale (DAYS) were administered to
      evaluate ED use and its psychological correlates. Odds ratios (OR) with 95%
      confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a logistic model to estimate the
      associations between ED consumption and socio-demographic characteristics,
      psychological factors and risky behaviors. RESULTS: The prevalence of ED
      consumers was 57%, of whom 49% used alcohol mixed with ED. A total of 9%
      exhibited high chronic consumption, 31% average chronic consumption and 8% high
      acute consumption. Males were significantly more likely to use ED (OR:2.7, 95%CI:
      1.8-4.0, p=0.00) and to engage in high acute consumption (OR:4.0, 95%CI: 1.1
      13.8, p=0.03). Regular smoking was associated with ED use (OR:3.4, 95%CI: 1.2
      9.1, p=0.02). No relationship was observed between ED use and depression (OR:1.6,
      95%CI: 0.9-3.0, p=0.10) and anxiety (OR:0.8, 95%CI: 0.5-1.4, p=0.44), although
      those who were depressed with a suggestive but not statistically significant
      increased risk of acute ED use (OR: 2.7, 95%CI: 1.0-7.4, p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS:
      The prevalence of ED consumption among middle school Italian students was high
      and it was associated with another risky behavior, smoking, but not with anxiety
      or depression. About half of ED consumers used alcohol mixed with ED.

PMID- 27271037
TI  - The Antsy Social Network: Determinants of Nest Structure and Arrangement in Asian
      Weaver Ants.
AB  - Asian weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) are arboreal ants that are known to
      form mutualistic complexes with their host trees. They are eusocial ants that
      build elaborate nests in the canopy in tropical areas. A colony comprises of
      multiple nests, usually on multiple trees, and the boundaries of the colony may
      be difficult to identify. However, they provide the ideal model for studying
      group living in invertebrates since there are a definite number of nests for a
      given substrate, the tree. Here, we briefly examine the structure of the nests
      and the processes involved in the construction and maintenance of these nests. We
      have described the spatial arrangement of weaver ant nests on trees in two
      distinct tropical clusters, a few hundred kilometres apart in India. Measurements
      were made for 13 trees with a total of 71 nests in the two field sites. We have
      considered a host of biotic and abiotic factors that may be crucial in
      determining the location of the nesting site by Asian weaver ants. Our results
      indicate that tree characteristics and architecture followed by leaf features
      help determine nest location in Asian weaver ants. While environmental factors
      may not be as influential to nest arrangement, they seem to be important
      determinants of nest structure. The parameters that may be considered in
      establishing the nests could be crucial in picking the evolutionary drivers for
      colonial living in social organisms. 

PMID- 27271039
TI  - Clinical factors associated with prehospital exacerbation of anaphylaxis in
      children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The severity of anaphylaxis often varies with time. Because
      prehospital intervention and initial treatment at hospital are affected by
      changing symptoms, the aim of this study was to determine the clinical factors
      associated with prehospital remission and exacerbation in the course of
      anaphylaxis in children. METHODS: Data from medical records on anaphylactic
      children who were treated for 3 years at Kobe Children's Primary Emergency
      Medical Center were retrospectively analyzed. Severity of symptoms was evaluated
      using Sampson's grade (S-G). Patients with increased S-G at the hospital visit
      from disease onset (worsened group) were compared with those with decreased S-G
      at the visit (improved group). Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to
      identify clinical differences between the groups, with P<0.05 considered
      statistically significant. RESULTS: Among 115 anaphylactic children who showed S
      G changes from onset to hospital visit, 43 were assigned to the worsened group
      and 72 to the improved group. Univariate analysis showed no significant
      differences in age, sex, history of asthma, prehospital treatment, type of
      antigen, or period from symptom onset to hospital visit between the groups.
      However, the time from antigen exposure to symptom onset was significantly
      longer, and S-G at onset was significantly lower in the worsened group than in
      the improved group. Multivariate analysis identified time from antigen exposure
      to symptom onset (odds ratio: 3.89, P<0.01) and S-G at onset (odds ratio: 0.06,
      P<0.001) as independent predictors of exacerbation. CONCLUSIONS: Anaphylactic
      children with slower and milder symptoms at onset are more likely to show
      deterioration.

PMID- 27271040
TI  - Usefulness of the most popular neurodevelopmental tests in preschool assessment
      of children born with very low birth weight.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was multifaceted neurodevelopmental examination
      of children born prematurely with very low birth weight (VLBW) in order to
      evaluate the usefulness of popularly used tests. The second aim of the study was
      exploration of risk and protective factors of neurodevelopmental impairment.
      METHODS: Eighty-nine VLBW patients were evaluated at the age of 50 months. All
      children underwent anthropometric measurements and psychomotor tests: functional
      independence measure scale (WeeFIM), Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM), non
      verbal psychometric evaluation (Leiter test), Developmental Test of Visual
      Perception (DTVP-2), temperament questionnaire (EAS-C) and children vocabulary
      test (TSD). RESULTS: Most severe deficits in ex-preterms' neurodevelopment were
      associated with verbal abilities, visual perception and temper abnormalities.
      WeeFIM, DTVP-2, Leiter and vocabulary tests' results correlated with each other.
      The lowest percent of children with deficits in WeeFIM test indicates, that it
      seems to be the most valuable tool for identification of the most seriously
      impaired children. Due to the highest percent of children with visual perception
      deficits, DTVP test seems to be good second choice in assessment of children born
      prematurely. In motor assessment GMFM appears to be more adequate than cerebral
      palsy (CP) diagnosis. Almost one fifth of VLBW did not reach 85% in Gross Motor
      Function Measurement, although only 9% of children had CP. CONCLUSION: Children
      born with VLBW had deficits in every part of psychometric evaluation. We believe
      that the most useful tests in assessment VLBW patients are WeeFIM, GMFM and DTVP.
      Children with severe prematurity complications could require more precise
      evaluation.

PMID- 27271041
TI  - Evaluation of knowledge regarding Shaken Baby Syndrome among parents and medical
      staff.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), currently functioning as Abusive Head
      Trauma (AHT), is a form of violence against children mainly under 2 years of age.
      The number of SBS might be underestimated, as many cases of violence remain
      unreported. The aim of the study was evaluation of the state of knowledge of the
      SBS phenomenon, its scale and diagnostic methods among parents, medical staff and
      medical students. METHODS: 639 people were examined: 39% of parents, 32,5%
      medical staff members and 28,5% of medical students. 82% were women. The average
      age was 34,9 years (SD=9,78). 70% of them had children. The research tool was an
      anonymous survey. The 34 questions concerned numerous aspects of violence against
      children as well as knowledge about SBS. RESULTS: According to 90% of the
      interviewees shaking a baby may be dangerous but 43% have ever heard about shaken
      baby syndrome. 'SBS is a form of violence' said 88% of respondents but 57%
      realize that one-time shaking can lead to death and only 19% indicated men as
      aggressors. 16% of medical staff members did not know how long it takes for the
      consequences of shaking a baby to be revealed. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the
      medical staff members working with children have never heard about SBS. Only half
      of the surveyed understands the connection of shaking with vision loss or child's
      death. Among the long-term consequences of shaking a baby the greatest knowledge
      concerns emotional consequences of shaking.

PMID- 27271042
TI  - The association of SHANK3 gene polymorphism and autism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Autism are both general terms for
      a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are
      characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal
      communication and repetitive behaviors. Many genes have been shown to be involved
      in Autism. SHANK3 (SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domain 3) is a member of the
      highly conserved Shank/ProSAP family of synaptic scaffolding proteins. SHANK3 is
      suggested as a strong candidate gene for the pathogenesis of Autism and its loss
      results in disruption of synaptic function. The rs9616915 SNP, which directly
      affects SHANK3 gene function of splicing regulation and protein structure damage,
      is a non- synonymous SNP (T>C) that found in exon 6, leads to substitution of
      Isoleucine to Threonine. The present study was aimed to evaluate whether
      rs9616915 polymorphism of SHANK3 are related with the susceptibility to Autism.
      METHODS: Samples were obtained from 90 patients diagnosed with Autism and 100
      controls subjects and genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment
      Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The results of this study showed that there is a
      significant association in genotype distribution between cases and controls (P=
      0.0001). RESULTS: Our findings revealed that individuals with TC genotypes were
      associated with increased risk of Autism disorder (OR=4.35, 95% CI=2.15 - 8.80,
      P=0.0001) but no significant differences were found in allele distributions (P=
      0.1). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results indicated that the SHANK3 rs9616915
      polymorphism is associated with increased risk of Autism. Larger studies with
      more patients and controls are needed to confirm the results.

PMID- 27271043
TI  - CXCL10 Is a Circulating Inflammatory Marker in Patients with Advanced Heart
      Failure: a Pilot Study.
AB  - Chemokines are involved in the remodeling of the heart; however, their
      significance as biomarkers in heart failure is unknown. We observed that
      circulating CXCR3 receptor chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 in a rat model of heart
      failure were increased 1 week after myocardial infarction. CXCL10 was also
      increased in both remote and infarcted regions of the heart and remained elevated
      at 16 weeks; CXCL9 was elevated in the remote area at 1 week. In humans,
      hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis revealed that
      circulating CXCL10, MIP-1alpha, and CD40 ligand were the best indicators for
      differentiating healthy and heart failure subjects. Serum CXCL10 levels were
      increased in patients with symptomatic heart failure as indexed by NYHA
      classification II through IV. The presence of CXCL10, MIP-1alpha, and CD40 ligand
      appears to be dominant in patients with advanced heart failure. These findings
      identify a distinct profile of inflammatory mediators in heart failure patients.

PMID- 27271045
TI  - Modulate Organic-Metal Oxide Heterojunction via [1,6] Azafulleroid for Highly
      Efficient Organic Solar Cells.
AB  - By creating an effective pi-orbital hybridization between the fullerene cage and
      the aromatic anchor (addend), the azafulleroid interfacial modifiers exhibit
      enhanced electronic coupling to the underneath metal oxides. High power
      conversion efficiency of 10.3% can be achieved in organic solar cells using open
      cage phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)-modified zinc oxide layer. 

PMID- 27271046
TI  - Highly Efficient Transfer of Chromosomes to a Broad Range of Target Cells Using
      Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Expressing Murine Leukemia Virus-Derived Envelope
      Proteins.
AB  - Microcell-mediated chromosome transfer (MMCT) is an essential step for
      introducing chromosomes from donor cells to recipient cells. MMCT allows not only
      for genetic/epigenetic analysis of specific chromosomes, but also for utilization
      of human and mouse artificial chromosomes (HACs/MACs) as gene delivery vectors.
      Although the scientific demand for genome scale analyses is increasing, the poor
      transfer efficiency of the current method has hampered the application of
      chromosome engineering technology. Here, we developed a highly efficient
      chromosome transfer method, called retro-MMCT, which is based on Chinese hamster
      ovary cells expressing envelope proteins derived from ecotropic or amphotropic
      murine leukemia viruses. Using this method, we transferred MACs to NIH3T3 cells
      with 26.5 times greater efficiency than that obtained using the conventional MMCT
      method. Retro-MMCT was applicable to a variety of recipient cells, including
      embryonic stem cells. Moreover, retro-MMCT enabled efficient transfer of MAC to
      recipient cells derived from humans, monkeys, mice, rats, and rabbits. These
      results demonstrate the utility of retro-MMCT for the efficient transfer of
      chromosomes to various types of target cell. 

PMID- 27271044
TI  - G protein-coupled estrogen receptor inhibits the P2Y receptor-mediated Ca(2+)
      signaling pathway in human airway epithelia.
AB  - P2Y receptor activation causes the release of inflammatory cytokines in the
      bronchial epithelium, whereas G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a novel
      estrogen (E2) receptor, may play an anti-inflammatory role in this process. We
      investigated the cellular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of GPER
      activation on the P2Y receptor-mediated Ca(2+) signaling pathway and cytokine
      production in airway epithelia. Expression of GPER in primary human bronchial
      epithelial (HBE) or 16HBE14o- cells was confirmed on both the mRNA and protein
      levels. Stimulation of HBE or 16HBE14o- cells with E2 or G1, a specific agonist
      of GPER, attenuated the nucleotide-evoked increases in [Ca(2+)]i, whereas this
      effect was reversed by G15, a GPER-specific antagonist. G1 inhibited the
      secretion of two proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, in cells
      stimulated by adenosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate (ATPgammaS). G1 stimulated a
      real-time increase in cAMP levels in 16HBE14o- cells, which could be inhibited by
      adenylyl cyclase inhibitors. The inhibitory effects of E2 or G1 on P2Y receptor
      induced increases in Ca(2+) were reversed by treating the cells with a protein
      kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. These results demonstrated that the inhibitory effects
      of G1 or E2 on P2Y receptor-mediated Ca(2+) mobilization and cytokine secretion
      were due to GPER-mediated activation of a cAMP-dependent PKA pathway. This study
      has reported, for the first time, the expression and function of GPER as an anti
      inflammatory component in human bronchial epithelia, which may mediate through
      its opposing effects on the pro-inflammatory pathway activated by the P2Y
      receptors in inflamed airway epithelia.

PMID- 27271047
TI  - Pediatric forearm fractures with in situ intramedullary implants.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation is to present our institutional
      experience with fractures of the pediatric forearm with in situ intramedullary
      nails. METHODS: Six patients treated at our institution for forearm fracture with
      in situ intramedullary implants between 2004 and 2013 were reviewed. Patient
      demographics, injury and radiographic characteristics, method of treatment, time
      to union, and complications were collected from the medical record. RESULTS: 485
      patients with forearm fractures were treated with intramedullary implants and six
      patients presented with a fracture with in situ implants (1.2 %). Fractures in
      all six patients resulted from a second traumatic event after radiographic
      healing but before implant removal at a mean of 13.0 months from the initial
      procedure. One patient had an adequately aligned fracture and was treated with
      casting without reduction. The remaining five patients (83 %) returned to the
      operating room for treatment. Two patients underwent rod removal and placement of
      new intramedullary implants, and two patients were treated with rod removal and
      plating without attempt at closed reduction. One patient underwent closed
      reduction in the operating room with successful re-bending of the radial implant
      and replacement of the ulna implant. All patients went on to uncomplicated
      radiographic union at a mean 3.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of fracture
      of pediatric forearm with in situ intramedullary implants is low. This rare
      complication can be treated by several different methods, including revision TENS
      placement, revision to plate fixation, or in situ bending of rods, with the
      expectation for successful uncomplicated union.

PMID- 27271049
TI  - Anesthesia and Long-term Major Adverse Cognitive Effects: P-Values and Confidence
      Intervals Based on Nonrandom Samples Cannot Justify Acceptance of Null
      Hypotheses.

PMID- 27271048
TI  - Lactonic Sophorolipids Increase Tumor Burden in Apcmin+/- Mice.
AB  - Sophorolipids (SL) are amphiphilic biosurfactant molecules consisting of a
      disaccharide sophorose with one fatty acid at the C1 position and optional
      acetylation at the C6'and C6" positions. They exist in a closed ring lactonic
      (LSL) or open acidic (ASL) structure Sophorolipids are produced in crude mixtures
      in economically viable amounts by the yeast Starmerella bombicola and used in a
      variety of consumer products. Varying levels of anti- proliferative and anti
      cancer activity of crude sophorolipid mixtures are described in a number of tumor
      cell lines in vitro. However, significant inter-study variation exists in the
      composition of sophorolipid species as well as other biologically active
      compounds in these mixtures, which makes interpretation of in vitro and in vivo
      studies difficult. We produced a 96% pure C18:1 lactonic sophorolipid that dose
      dependently reduces the viability of colorectal cancer, as well as normal human
      colonic and lung cell lines in vitro. Oral administration of vehicle-only; or
      lactonic sophorolipids (50 mg/kg for 70 days), to Apcmin+/- mice resulted in an
      increase in the number (55.5 +/- 3.3 vs 70.50 +/- 7.8: p < 0.05) and size (modal
      size 2mm vs 4mm) of intestinal polyps. Lactonic administration resulted in a
      systematic effect via reduced hematocrit (49.5 +/- 1.0 vs 28.2 +/- 2.0 vs:
      p<0.03) and splenomegaly (0.56 +/- 0.03g vs 0.71 +/- 0.04g; p<0.01) confirming
      exacerbation of disease progression in this model. 

PMID- 27271050
TI  - Midlife Risk Factors for Impaired Physical and Cognitive Functioning at Older
      Ages: A Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies examined midlife risk factors separately for old-age
      impaired physical and cognitive functioning. We determined the overlap of risk
      factors for both domains of functioning within the same setting. METHODS:
      Biological and behavioral risk factors at age 50 years and cognitive and physical
      functioning were assessed 18 (SD = 5) years later in the Whitehall II study (N =
      6,316). Impaired physical functioning was defined as >=1 limitation on the
      activities of daily living scale. Impaired cognitive functioning was defined as
      Mini-Mental State Examination score <27. Two statistical analyses were employed:
      minimally adjusted analysis (for age, sex, and ethnicity) and mutually adjusted
      analysis (including all risk factors). Missing data on risk factors were imputed.
      RESULTS: After confounder adjustment, impaired physical and cognitive functioning
      at older ages were predicted by hypertension (odds ratios [ORs] 1.80 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 1.39-2.33 and 1.57 95% CI 1.07-2.31, respectively), poor
      lung function (1.51 95% CI 1.28-1.78 and 1.31 95% CI 1.08-1.59), and physical
      inactivity, marginally in the case of cognitive function (1.50 95% CI 1.19-1.90
      and 1.27 95% CI 0.99-1.62) at age 50 years. Impaired physical functioning but not
      cognitive functioning was additionally predicted by depression and higher body
      mass index (1.72 95% CI 1.46-2.03 and 1.29 95% CI 1.16-1.44, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: Several midlife risk factors are associated with impaired physical
      and cognitive functioning in old age, supporting a unified prevention policy.
      Analysis of 12 risk factors at age 50 suggests that strategies targeting physical
      inactivity, hypertension, and poor lung function will reduce impairments in both
      cognitive and physical functioning in old age.

PMID- 27271052
TI  - Lions, tigers, and bears, oh sh!t: Semantics versus tabooness in speech
      production.
AB  - While both semantic and highly emotional (i.e., taboo) words can interfere with
      speech production, different theoretical mechanisms have been proposed to explain
      why interference occurs. Two experiments investigated these theoretical
      approaches by comparing the magnitude of these two types of interference and the
      stages at which they occur during picture naming. Participants named target
      pictures superimposed with semantic, taboo, or unrelated distractor words that
      were presented at three different stimulus-onset asynchronies (SOA): -150 ms, 0
      ms, or +150 ms. In addition, the duration of distractor presentation was
      manipulated across experiments, with distractors appearing for the duration of
      the picture (Experiment 1) or for 350 ms (Experiment 2). Taboo distractors
      interfered more than semantic distractors, i.e., slowed target naming times, at
      all SOAs. While distractor duration had no effect on type of interference at -150
      or 0 SOAs, briefly presented distractors eliminated semantic interference but not
      taboo interference at +150 SOA. Discussion focuses on how existing speech
      production theories can explain interference from emotional distractors and the
      unique role that attention may play in taboo interference.

PMID- 27271051
TI  - Characterization of PET/CT images using texture analysis: the past, the
      present... any future?
AB  - After seminal papers over the period 2009 - 2011, the use of texture analysis of
      PET/CT images for quantification of intratumour uptake heterogeneity has received
      increasing attention in the last 4 years. Results are difficult to compare due to
      the heterogeneity of studies and lack of standardization. There are also numerous
      challenges to address. In this review we provide critical insights into the
      recent development of texture analysis for quantifying the heterogeneity in
      PET/CT images, identify issues and challenges, and offer recommendations for the
      use of texture analysis in clinical research. Numerous potentially confounding
      issues have been identified, related to the complex workflow for the calculation
      of textural features, and the dependency of features on various factors such as
      acquisition, image reconstruction, preprocessing, functional volume segmentation,
      and methods of establishing and quantifying correspondences with genomic and
      clinical metrics of interest. A lack of understanding of what the features may
      represent in terms of the underlying pathophysiological processes and the
      variability of technical implementation practices makes comparing results in the
      literature challenging, if not impossible. Since progress as a field requires
      pooling results, there is an urgent need for standardization and
      recommendations/guidelines to enable the field to move forward. We provide a list
      of correct formulae for usual features and recommendations regarding
      implementation. Studies on larger cohorts with robust statistical analysis and
      machine learning approaches are promising directions to evaluate the potential of
      this approach.

PMID- 27271053
TI  - Detailed heart rate variability analysis in athletes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has been used to evaluate
      patients with various cardiovascular diseases. While the vast majority of HRV
      studies have focused on pathological states, our study focuses on the less
      explored area of HRV analysis across different training intensity and sports. We
      aimed to measure HRV in healthy elite and masters athletes and compare to
      healthy, but non-athletic controls. METHODS: Time-domain HRV analysis was applied
      in 138 athletes (male 110, age 28.4 +/- 8.3) and 100 controls (male 56, age 28.3
      +/- 6.9) during Holter monitoring (21.3 +/- 3.0 h). RESULTS: All studied
      parameters were higher in elite athletes compared to controls [SDNN (CI) 225.3
      (216.2-234.5) vs 158.6 (150.2-167.1) ms; SDNN Index (CI) 99.6 (95.6-103.7) vs
      72.4 (68.7-76.2) ms; pNN50 (CI) 24.2 (22.2-26.3) vs 14.4 (12.7-16.3) %; RMSSD
      (CI) 71.8 (67.6-76.2) vs 50.8 (46.9-54.8) ms; p < 0.001]. Masters had higher HRV
      values than controls, but no significant differences were found between elite
      athletes and masters athletes. Some parameters were higher in canoeists-kayakers
      and bicyclists than runners. Lower cut-off values in elite athletes were SDNN:
      147.4 ms, SDNN Index: 66.6 ms, pNN50: 9.7 %, RMSSD: 37.9 ms. INTERPRETATION:
      Autonomic regulation in elite athletes described with HRV is significantly
      different than in healthy controls. Sports modality and level of performance, but
      not age- or sex-influenced HRV. Our study provides athletic normal HRV values.
      Further investigations are needed to determine its role in risk stratification,
      optimization of training, or identifying overtraining.

PMID- 27271054
TI  - Thrombotic risk correlates with mutational status in true essential
      thrombocythemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: True essential thrombocythemia (ET) may carry one of the known driver
      mutations (JAK2, MPL and CALR) or none of them [in triple-negative (3NEG) cases].
      The patients' mutational status seems to delineate the clinical manifestations of
      ET. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report the data of 183 patients diagnosed with ET
      strictly according to the WHO 2008 criteria and with a full molecular diagnosis,
      including the following: 114 patients (62.3%) with JAK2V617F; 25 (13.7%) with
      CALR type 1 and 19 (10.4%) with CALR type 2; 3 (1.6%) with MPL; 22 (12%) who were
      3NEG. Thrombotic risk was assessed by means of the IPSET-thrombosis score (IPSET
      T). RESULTS: CALR and 3NEG patients had lower haemoglobin levels and leucocyte
      count than JAK2 patients. CALR patients, and those with type 2 in particular, had
      higher mean platelet counts and had extreme thrombocytosis more often than any of
      the other groups. Based on their IPSET-T stratification, 3NEG- and CALR-mutated
      patients belonged more frequently to the low-risk group and had a significant
      more favourable thrombosis-free survival rate than those with JAK2 mutation.
      CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the three different molecular markers
      have a significant impact on the clinical course of true ET, giving rise to
      different phenotypes of the same disease.

PMID- 27271055
TI  - Ovarian proteomic study reveals the possible molecular mechanism for
      hyperprolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep.
AB  - Small Tail Han sheep is a widely bred farm animal in China which has attracted
      lots of attention due to their high prolificacy and year-round estrus. However,
      the molecular mechanism of its fecundity remains unrevealed. The FecB gene
      polymorphism has been found to be associated with the ovulation rate and litter
      size of sheep. In the present study, we constructed an iTRAQ-based quantitative
      proteomics analysis to compare the ovarian proteomes of FecB+FecB+ genotype Small
      Tail Han sheep ewes (Han ++), FecB(B)FecB(B) Han ewes (Han BB) and Dorset ewes
      (Dorset). Hundreds of differentially expressed proteins between each two groups
      were identified; GO and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the expressions of
      those proteins involved in ribosome assembly, protein translation and mTOR
      pathway between Dorset and both Han groups were highly different. Between Han ++
      and Han BB groups, higher level of protein expressions were related to
      mitochondrial oxidation functions such as oxidoreductase activity, cytochrome-c
      oxidase activity and electron carrier activity. This was identified in Han BB
      group, which may contribute to the elevated ovulation rate of Han BB ewes. In
      conclusion, our work provided a prospective understanding of the molecular
      mechanism for high prolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep.

PMID- 27271056
TI  - Combination inhaled steroid and long-acting beta2-agonist in addition to
      tiotropium versus tiotropium or combination alone for chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The long-acting bronchodilator tiotropium and single-inhaler
      combination therapy of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists
      (ICS/LABA) are commonly used for maintenance treatment of patients with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Combining these treatments, which have
      different mechanisms of action, may be more effective than administering the
      individual components. OBJECTIVES: To assess relative effects of the following
      treatments on markers of exacerbations, symptoms, quality of life and lung
      function in patients with COPD.* Tiotropium plus LABA/ICS versus tiotropium.*
      Tiotropium plus LABA/ICS versus LABA/ICS. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the
      Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of Trials (April 2015),
      ClinicalTrials.gov (www.ClinicalTrials.gov), the World Health Organization (WHO)
      trials portal and reference lists of relevant articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: We
      included parallel, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) lasting three months or
      longer conducted to compare ICS and LABA combination therapy in addition to
      inhaled tiotropium versus tiotropium alone or combination therapy alone. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We independently assessed trials for inclusion, then
      extracted data on trial quality and outcome results. We contacted study authors
      to ask for additional information. We collected trial information on adverse
      effects. MAIN RESULTS: Tiotropium plus LABA/ICS versus tiotropiumWe included six
      studies (1902 participants) with low risk of bias that compared tiotropium in
      addition to inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-agonist combination
      therapy versus tiotropium alone. Investigators found no statistically significant
      differences in mortality between treatments (odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 0.55 to 5.91; two studies; 961 participants), a reduction in all
      cause hospitalisations with the use of combined therapy (tiotropium + LABA/ICS)
      (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.92; two studies; 961 participants; number needed to
      treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 19.7, 95% CI 10.75 to 123.41).
      The effect on exacerbations was heterogeneous among trials and was not meta
      analysed. Health-related quality of life measured by St. George's Respiratory
      Questionnaire (SGRQ) showed a statistically significant improvement in total
      scores with use of tiotropium + LABA/ICS compared with tiotropium alone (mean
      difference (MD) -3.46, 95% CI -5.05 to -1.87; four studies; 1446 participants).
      Lung function was significantly different in the combined therapy (tiotropium +
      LABA/ICS) group, although average benefit with this therapy was small. None of
      the included studies included exercise tolerance as an outcome.A pooled estimate
      of these studies did not show a statistically significant difference in adverse
      events (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.47; four studies; 1363 participants), serious
      adverse events (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.30; four studies; 1758 participants)
      and pneumonia (Peto OR 1.62, 95% CI 0.54 to 4.82; four studies; 1758
      participants). Tiotropium plus LABA/ICS versus LABA/ICSOne of the six studies (60
      participants) also compared combined therapy (tiotropium + LABA/ICS) versus
      LABA/ICS therapy alone. This study was affected by lack of power; therefore
      results did not allow us to draw conclusions for this comparison. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: In this update, we found new moderate-quality evidence that combined
      tiotropium + LABA/ICS therapy compared with tiotropium plus placebo decreases
      hospital admission. Low-quality evidence suggests an improvement in disease
      specific quality of life with combined therapy. However, evidence is insufficient
      to support the benefit of tiotropium + LABA/ICS for mortality and exacerbations
      (moderate- and low-quality evidence, respectively). Of note, not all participants
      enrolled in the included studies would be candidates for triple therapy according
      to current international guidance.Compared with the use of tiotropium plus
      placebo, tiotropium + LABA/ICS-based therapy does not increase undesirable
      effects such as adverse events or serious non-fatal adverse events.

PMID- 27271057
TI  - Biodegradable Mg-Cu alloys with enhanced osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and long
      lasting antibacterial effects.
AB  - A series of biodegradable Mg-Cu alloys is designed to induce osteogenesis,
      stimulate angiogenesis, and provide long-lasting antibacterial performance at the
      same time. The Mg-Cu alloys with precipitated Mg2Cu intermetallic phases exhibit
      accelerated degradation in the physiological environment due to galvanic
      corrosion and the alkaline environment combined with Cu release endows the Mg-Cu
      alloys with prolonged antibacterial effects. In addition to no cytotoxicity
      towards HUVECs and MC3T3-E1 cells, the Mg-Cu alloys, particularly Mg-0.03Cu,
      enhance the cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, matrix mineralization,
      collagen secretion, osteogenesis-related gene and protein expressions of MC3T3-E1
      cells, cell proliferation, migration, endothelial tubule forming, angiogenesis
      related gene, and protein expressions of HUVECs compared to pure Mg. The
      favorable osteogenesis and angiogenesis are believed to arise from the release of
      bioactive Mg and Cu ions into the biological environment and the biodegradable Mg
      Cu alloys with osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and long-term antibacterial ability
      are very promising in orthopedic applications.

PMID- 27271059
TI  - Racial Disparities in Low Birthweight Risk: an Examination of Stress Predictors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper describes racial disparities in low birthweight (LBW) risk
      between Black women and White women and examines the relationship between race
      and stressors such as socioeconomic factors, access to health care, and social
      and health characteristics. METHODS: We analyzed data from the National Survey of
      Family Growth dataset collected in the USA between 2006 and 2010 (N = 1516).
      Multivariate logistic regression models were performed. RESULTS: Prevalence of
      LBW was 5.6 % for pregnancies among White women and 12.2 % among Black women.
      Black women who had a LBW baby had a lower socioeconomic status (e.g., received
      assistance to pay for delivery of the baby and public assistance in the prior
      year). Black women who had a LBW baby were more likely to have reported having
      good health compared with White women (67.8 vs. 45.1 %, p < .10). Pregnancies of
      Black women were 2.6 times more likely (odds ratio (OR) = 2.33; 95 % confidence
      interval (CI), 1.12-6.04) to result in a LBW baby than pregnancies among White
      women. Pregnancies of women in the income group of 300 % or higher than the
      poverty level were less likely to be associated with a LBW baby than those among
      women in the 150-299 % income group (p < .10). Obese women were less likely to
      have LBW children than those who were underweight or normal weight (p < .10).
      Among pregnancies of White mothers (n = 943), the only significant variable was
      self-reported health status. White women who reported having poorer health were
      3.7 times more likely to have LBW than those who reported having better health (p
      < .10). Among Black mothers, the only predictor that was negatively associated
      with an increased likelihood of having a LBW baby was the SES stressor related to
      receiving public assistance. CONCLUSION: Racial differences between Black and
      White women were observed in LBW risk based on socioeconomic factors. We analyzed
      a large number of stressors, but racial differences remained even after taking
      these stressors into account. Future policies and research should continually
      address these differences to decrease LBW risk within and across racial groups.

PMID- 27271058
TI  - Academic-Community Partnership to Develop a Patient-Centered Breast Cancer Risk
      Reduction Program for Latina Primary Care Patients.
AB  - This collaborative study sought to address Latina breast cancer (BC) disparities
      by increasing health literacy (HL) in a community health center situated on the
      US-Mexico border region of San Diego County. An academic-community partnership
      conducted formative research to develop a culturally tailored promotora-based
      intervention with 109 individuals. The Spanish language program, entitled Nuestra
      Cocina: Mesa Buena, Vida Sana (Our Kitchen: Good Table, Healthy Life), included
      six sessions targeting HL, women's health, BC risk reduction, and patient
      provider communication; sessions include cooking demonstrations of recipes with
      cancer-risk-reducing ingredients. A pilot study with 47 community health center
      Latina patients was conducted to examine the program's acceptability,
      feasibility, and ability to impact knowledge and skills. Pre- and post-analyses
      demonstrated that participants improved their self-reported cancer screening, BC
      knowledge, daily fruit and vegetable intake, and ability to read a nutrition
      label (p < 0.05). Results of the pilot study demonstrate the importance of
      utilizing patient-centered culturally appropriate noninvasive means to educate
      and empower Latina patients.

PMID- 27271060
TI  - Diabetes Health Literacy Among Somali Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in a US
      Primary Care Setting.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe diabetes literacy among Somali
      immigrants with diabetes and its association with diabetes outcomes. Among Somali
      immigrants in North America, the prevalence of diabetes exceeds that of the
      general population, and their measures of diabetes control are suboptimal when
      compared with non-Somali patients. Diabetes literacy is an important mediator of
      diabetes outcomes in general populations that has not been previously described
      among Somali immigrants and refugees. METHODS: Diabetes literacy was measured
      using a translated version of the spoken knowledge in low literacy in diabetes
      (SKILLD) scale among Somali immigrants and refugees with type 2 diabetes.
      Diabetes outcome measures, including hemoglobin A1C, low-density lipoprotein
      (LDL) cholesterol, and blood pressure, were obtained for each patient.
      Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess associations between diabetes
      literacy and diabetes outcomes. RESULTS: Among 50 Somali patients with diabetes
      who completed the survey, the mean SKILLD score was low (42.2 %). The diabetes
      outcome measures showed a mean hemoglobin A1C of 8 %, LDL cholesterol of 99.17
      mg/dL (2.57 mmol/L), systolic blood pressure of 130.9 mmHg, and diastolic blood
      pressure of 70.2 mmHg. There was no association between diabetes literacy scores
      and diabetes outcome measures. DISCUSSION: Somali patients with diabetes mellitus
      had low diabetes literacy and suboptimal measures of diabetes disease control.
      However, we found no association between diabetes literacy and diabetes outcomes.
      Future work aimed at reduction of diabetes-related health disparities among
      Somali immigrants and refugees to high-income countries should go beyond
      traditional means of patient education for low-literacy populations.

PMID- 27271061
TI  - Patient-Provider Social Concordance and Health Outcomes in Patients with Type 2
      Diabetes: a Retrospective Study from a Large Federally Qualified Health Center in
      Connecticut.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to better understand the relationship between
      patient-provider social concordance and cardiovascular risk factor control in
      patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on
      adult patients with type 2 diabetes receiving care at Community Health Center,
      Inc. between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013. We utilized a composite score
      comprised of four social dimensions-age, gender, language, and race/ethnicity-to
      determine patient-provider social concordance (SC) and used binary logistic
      regression to relate SC and other potentially influential covariates with
      cardiovascular outcomes of interest (HgA1c, LDL, BP control). RESULTS: Patients
      were more likely to have uncontrolled BP if they were in low or medium SC dyads
      with their providers (OR = 0.689, 95 % CI = 0.480, 0.989; OR = 0.673, 95 % CI
      0.486, 0.931), and they were more likely to have controlled BP and LDL in the
      setting of care continuity with a regular provider (OR = 1.069, 95 % CI 1.005,
      1.136; OR = 1.113, 95 % CI 1.048, 1.182). CONCLUSIONS: Certain health outcomes
      may be susceptible to patient-provider social concordance or discordance.
      Continuity of care may serve a protective role in offsetting effects of patient
      provider social mismatching.

PMID- 27271062
TI  - SEALS: an Innovative Pipeline Program Targeting Obstacles to Diversity in the
      Physician Workforce.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Medical schools may find implementing pipeline programs for minority
      pre-medical students prohibitive due to a number of factors including the lack of
      well-described programs in the literature, the limited evidence for program
      development, and institutional financial barriers. Our goals were to (1) design a
      pipeline program based on educational theory; (2) deliver the program in a low
      cost, sustainable manner; and (3) evaluate intermediate outcomes of the program.
      METHODS: SEALS is a 6-week program based on an asset bundles model designed to
      promote: (1) socialization and professionalism, (2) education in science learning
      tools, (3) acquisition of finance literacy, (4) the leveraging of mentorship and
      networks, and (5) social expectations and resilience, among minority pre-medical
      students. This is a prospective mixed methods study. Students completed survey
      instruments pre-program, post-program, and 6 months post-program, establishing
      intermediate outcome measures. RESULTS: Thirteen students matriculated to SEALS.
      The SEALS cohort rated themselves as improved or significantly improved when
      asked to rate their familiarity with MCAT components (p < 0.01), ability to ask
      for a letter of recommendation (p = 0.04), and importance of interview skills (p
      = 0.04) compared with before the program. Over 90 % of students referenced the
      health disparities lecture series as an inspiration to advocate for minority
      health. Six-month surveys suggested that SEALS students acquired and applied four
      of the five assets at their college campuses. CONCLUSIONS: This low-cost, high
      quality, program can be undertaken by medical schools interested in promoting a
      diverse workforce that may ultimately begin to address and reduce health care
      disparities.

PMID- 27271063
TI  - Disparity in Breast Cancer Late Stage at Diagnosis in Missouri: Does Rural Versus
      Urban Residence Matter?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite the fact that black women have a lower incidence of breast
      cancer compared to white women, black women experience higher death rates than
      any other group. We examined the stage of breast cancer presentation by race and
      geographic region using population-based breast cancer incidence in all 115
      counties in the state of Missouri. METHODS: We used 2003-2008 breast cancer
      incidence data from Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center. County of
      residence was categorized as urban or rural using the rural-urban continuum code.
      We computed the conditional proportion of stage at diagnosis by race and
      metropolitan status and also used Pearson's chi-squared test with Yates'
      continuity correction to determine statistical significance of association.
      RESULTS: Results of the study indicate that a greater proportion of black women
      (38.8 %) compared to white women (30.2 %) were diagnosed with more advanced
      breast metastasis. Our results further suggest that stage at diagnosis depended
      on county of residence or metropolitan status (p = .04). Women living in non
      metropolitan counties were slightly more likely to have late-stage breast cancer
      than their metropolitan counterparts (32.0 vs 30.7 %). Overall, black women had
      1.5-fold increased odds of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis compared to their
      white counterparts (OR = 1.50; 95 % CI, 1.39, 1.63; p < 0.0001). While the odds
      of late diagnosis among women living in non-metropolitan or rural counties was
      over 11 % higher compared with their metropolitan or urban counterpart.
      CONCLUSION: The current study corroborates previous findings that the risk of
      late-stage breast cancer diagnosis was higher among women residing in non
      metropolitan rural counties.

PMID- 27271064
TI  - The Relationships of Demographic Characteristics with Diabetes Biomarkers and
      Physical Activity Adherence in African American Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the relationships of
      demographic characteristics with diabetes biomarkers and physical activity
      adherence in African American adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Data
      for this secondary analysis were collected in a controlled trial conducted at an
      ambulatory internal medicine clinic located in a mid-sized metropolitan area in
      the southeastern USA. Demographic information was obtained at baseline for all
      participants receiving a motivational interviewing intervention. Diabetes
      biomarkers and physical activity adherence were measured at baseline and 3-month
      follow-up. RESULTS: Being female, older, and having a higher education
      significantly predicted a decrease in serum glucose over time. Being female and
      older significantly predicted a slower decrease in body mass index over time.
      Being younger and more educated significantly predicted probability of improved
      physical activity adherence. CONCLUSION: Although older African American women
      had a significant decrease in serum glucose over time, they experienced a slower
      decrease in their body mass indices and were less likely to adhere to physical
      activity recommendations. Specific attention should be paid to the demographic
      characteristics of African Americans with type 2 diabetes mellitus in order to
      promote optimal clinical outcomes in this vulnerable population. This approach to
      treatment planning opens a window into the micro-level processes by which social
      determinants lead to a better response to treatment.

PMID- 27271065
TI  - Medical Students' Experiences and Perspectives on Interpreting for LEP Patients
      at Two US Medical Schools.
AB  - THEORY: Language concordance between patient and provider has been shown to
      improve health outcomes for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients. However,
      health care teams often use available ad hoc interpreters without knowing whether
      their language skills are adequate. Little is known about the role of medical
      students working as ad hoc interpreters. HYPOTHESIS: Bilingual medical students
      are engaged as interpreters in the care of LEP patients and may serve as a
      potential resource for health care teams caring for LEP patients. METHOD: We
      conducted a multi-institutional online survey of graduating medical students at
      the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago in 2011 and 2012,
      containing both qualitative and quantitative questions regarding their
      experiences as interpreters for LEP patients. RESULTS: Half (216/430) of
      contacted students completed the survey; 40 % (87/216) of responding students
      reported being bilingual. Of these students, the vast majority, 84 % (73/87), had
      been asked to interpret for patients in the clinical setting. Only 12 % (10/87)
      of students reported having felt uncomfortable interpreting for patients "often"
      or "very often." Over half (53 %, 46/87) described incidents during which they
      felt uncomfortable interpreting. Seventeen (17/46, 37 %) students described those
      incidents as high-stakes clinical settings. CONCLUSIONS: Medical schools and
      health care institutions should establish guidelines for students who identify as
      fluent in another language and are interested in interpreting for LEP patients in
      clinical settings, to protect both students and patients when language poses a
      barrier to quality care.

PMID- 27271066
TI  - Racial Identity and Mental Well-Being: The Experience of African American Medical
      Students, A Report from the Medical Student CHANGE Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Diversification of the physician workforce continues to be a national
      priority; however, a paucity of knowledge about the medical school experience for
      African American medical students limits our ability to achieve this goal.
      Previous studies document that African American medical students are at greater
      risk for depression and anxiety. This study moves beyond these findings to
      explore the role of racial identity (the extent to which a person normatively
      defines her/himself with regard to race) and its relationship to well-being for
      African American medical students in their first year of training. METHODS: This
      study used baseline data from the Medical Student Cognitive Habits and Growth
      Evaluation (CHANGE) Study; a large national longitudinal cohort study of 4732
      medical students at 49 medical schools in the US racial identity for African
      American students (n = 301) was assessed using the centrality sub-scale of the
      Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity. Generalized linear regression
      models with a Poisson regression family distribution were used to estimate the
      relative risks of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. RESULTS: First year
      African American medical students who had lower levels of racial identity were
      less likely to experience depressive and anxiety symptoms in their first year of
      medical school. After controlling for other important social predictors of poor
      mental health (gender and SES), this finding remained significant. CONCLUSIONS:
      Results increase knowledge about the role of race as a core part of an
      individual's self-concept. These findings provide new insight into the
      relationship between racial identity and psychological distress, particularly
      with respect to a group of high-achieving young adults.

PMID- 27271067
TI  - Persisting Racial Disparities in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Utilization and
      Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to study whether racial disparities in total shoulder
      arthroplasty (TSA) utilization and outcomes have declined over time. METHODS: We
      used the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2011. We used chi-squared
      test to compare characteristics, Cochran-Armitage test to compare utilization
      rates, and Cochran-Armitage test and logistic regression to compare time-trends
      in outcomes by race. RESULTS: From 1998 to 2011, 176,141 Whites and 7694 Blacks
      underwent TSA. Compared to Whites, Blacks who underwent TSA were younger (69.1
      vs. 64.2 years; p < 0.0001), more likely to be female (54.9 vs. 71.0 %; p <
      0.0001), and have rheumatoid arthritis or avascular necrosis as the underlying
      diagnosis (1.7 vs. 3.0 % and 1.7 vs. 6.1 %; p < 0.0001 for both) and a Deyo
      Charlson index of 2 or higher (8.5 vs. 16.7 %; p < 0.0001). Compared to Whites,
      Blacks had much lower TSA utilization rate/100,000 in 1998 (2.97 vs. 0.83; p <
      0.0001) and in 2011 (12.27 vs. 3.33; p < 0.0001); racial disparities increased
      from 1998 to 2011 (p < 0.0001). A higher proportion of Blacks than Whites had a
      hospital stay greater than median in 1998-2000, 62 vs. 51.4 % (p = 0.02), and in
      2009-2011, 34.4 vs. 27.3 % (p < 0.0001); disparities did not change over time (p
      = 0.31). These disparities in utilization were borderline significant in adjusted
      analyses. There were no racial differences in proportion discharged to inpatient
      medical facility in 1998-2000, 15.2 vs. 15.0 % (p = 0.95), and in 2009-2011, 12.3
      vs. 11.1 % (p = 0.37), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found increasing racial
      disparities in TSA utilization. Some disparities in outcomes exist as well.
      Patients, surgeons, and policy-makes should be aware of these findings and take
      action to reduce racial disparities.

PMID- 27271068
TI  - Considerations of Methodological Approaches in the Recruitment and Retention of
      Immigrant Participants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify effective strategies related to
      recruitment and retention of immigrant survey participants. METHODOLOGY: The
      study used a multi-mode approach in, first, conducting a literature review of
      recent articles on surveys that either targeted immigrants or included large
      numbers of immigrants in their samples. Next, six surveys were reviewed that
      either targeted or included large numbers of immigrants. Finally, expert opinions
      on immigration were gathered regarding recruitment and retention of immigrant
      survey participants. RESULTS: Although immigrants may be difficult to recruit due
      to limited English proficiency, mistrust of strangers, and/or high mobility, many
      of these challenges can be overcome by adopting the same strategies used when
      surveying ethnically diverse populations (e.g., snowballing versus advertisement,
      establishing a personal connection with data collectors). Nonetheless, a few
      practices were identified as most relevant for recruitment and retention of
      immigrant populations, including involving local community organizations relevant
      to immigrants, translation of materials tailored to the vernacular language of
      the various ethnicities, and customizing non-monetary incentives to the specific
      ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the reviews and expert interviews, multiple
      strategies have been shown to be effective in recruiting and retaining immigrant
      participants.

PMID- 27271070
TI  - The Social Environment and Childbearing Expectations: Implications for Strength
      Based Sexual Health Interventions for Latino Youth.
AB  - In the United States, adolescent childbearing is disproportionately higher among
      Latino youth, a growing population facing substantial social exclusion. Exploring
      the relationship between the social environment and sexual health outcomes among
      Latino youth may offer insights into the development of novel interventions. In
      this study, Latino youth in partnerships were recruited from neighborhood venues
      in San Francisco and completed in-depth interviews. Youth reported a desire to
      complete higher education goals prior to starting a family to improve future
      opportunities and further personal development. Youth stated that social network
      members, family and partners, were supportive of their individual childbearing
      expectations. Social environment barriers tied to poverty, immigration status,
      and gang violence hindered educational attainment. Some differences were noted by
      gender and immigrant generation. Building on protective social ties and creating
      avenues in poor, urban neighborhoods for Latino youth to fully access educational
      opportunities may counter early childbearing and improve sexual health.

PMID- 27271069
TI  - Factors Associated with HPV Vaccine Awareness in a Population-Based Sample of
      Hispanic Women in Puerto Rico.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated
      with HPV awareness among women aged 16 to 64 years, among underserved minority
      Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico. METHODS: A population-based, cross
      sectional sample of 566 women, ages 16 to 64 years, living in the San Juan
      metropolitan area were surveyed regarding sexual behavior, HPV knowledge, and HPV
      vaccine uptake. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate
      logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 64.8 % of the women in the sample had
      heard about the HPV vaccine. Among those in the recommended catch-up vaccination
      age range (16-26 years, n = 86), 4.7 % had received at least one dose of the HPV
      vaccine. Of those aware of the availability of the HPV vaccine, most had learned
      about it through the media, whereas, only 39.6 % had learned about it from a
      physician. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HPV awareness
      (OR 8.6; 95 % CI 5.0-14.8) and having had an abnormal Pap smear (OR 2.0; 95 % CI
      1.2-3.4) were associated with HPV vaccine awareness (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HPV
      vaccine awareness among Hispanic women in the San Juan metropolitan area of
      Puerto Rico continues to be low. Strong recommendations from physicians and
      participation in HPV vaccine educational efforts are essential if the rate of HPV
      vaccination is to increase in the targeted population. Compared to the USA, and
      to their US Hispanic counterparts, a health disparity with regard to HPV vaccine
      awareness and coverage is evident in Puerto Rico; targeted action to deal with
      this disparity is urgently needed.

PMID- 27271071
TI  - Disparities in Health, Health Care Access, and Life Experience Between American
      Indian and White Adults in South Dakota.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to investigate the factors associated
      with depressive symptoms and chronic illnesses in American Indians compared with
      White adults born in the post-World War II period, 1946 to 1964, and living in
      South Dakota. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design of American Indian and White
      adults aged 50 and older in South Dakota (Brookings, Vermillion, Sioux Falls, and
      all others areas of South Dakota) between January 2013 and May 2013 was used.
      American Indian and White adults (born between 1946 and 1964; N = 349). Data
      included sociodemographic factors and measures of chronic physical health
      condition, health care access, adverse childhood experiences, body mass index
      (BMI), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Technology Acceptance Model,
      and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Depressive Symptoms.
      RESULTS: American Indian adults reported more chronic diseases and conditions, a
      lower self-perceived physical health, were more likely to be overweight or obese,
      had more adverse childhood experience (ACE), and reported a lower level of
      alcohol intake compared to White adults. BMI was significantly associated with an
      increased number of chronic conditions for both groups, and American Indians'
      better perception of their physical health was significantly associated with
      lower total number of chronic conditions. Self-perceived mental health, a better
      level of access to health care, and a higher degree of social support were
      significantly inversely associated with the number of depressive symptoms for
      American Indian adults, while a greater level of ACE was significantly associated
      with an increased number of depressive symptoms for this group. CONCLUSION: The
      current study not only support previous studies but also contributes to
      understanding the disparities in and risk factors potentially impacting American
      Indians' physical and mental health. Our findings highlight the need to
      investigate the American Indians' perceptions and knowledge about health care
      accessibility including availability as well as perceived barriers including
      social sensitivity and trust. Health professionals might need to pay attention to
      BMI, ACE, and social relationship among American Indian adults to improve
      physical and mental health.

PMID- 27271072
TI  - Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Use of Primary Care Providers and Preventive
      Health Services at a Midwestern University.
AB  - Many universities seek to improve the health and wellbeing of their faculty and
      staff through employer wellness programs but racial/ethnic disparities in health
      care use may still persist. The purpose of this research was to identify
      racial/ethnic disparities in the use of preventive health services at a
      Midwestern university. A record review was conducted of self-reported health data
      from University employees, examining the use of primary care and common screening
      procedures collected in a Personal Health Assessment conducted by the
      University's wellness program. Results show that there were significant
      racial/ethnic differences in the use of primary care and participation in
      screening. Notably, Asian employees in this sample were less likely to have a
      primary care provider and participate in routine cancer screenings. The observed
      racial/ethnic differences in screening behavior were mediated by the use of
      primary care. Together, these data show that despite equal access to care, racial
      and ethnic disparities in screening persist and that having a primary care
      provider is an important predictor of screening behavior. Results suggest that
      health communications designed to increase screening among specific racial/ethnic
      minority groups should target primary care use.

PMID- 27271073
TI  - African-American Parents' Knowledge and Perceptions About BMI Measurements,
      School-Based BMI Screening Programs, and BMI Report Cards: Results from a
      Qualitative Investigation and Implications for School-to-Parent Communication.
AB  - School-based body mass index (BMI) screenings can help parents make informed
      decisions about their child's health, but schools have questioned parents'
      understanding and attitudes about BMI measures and report cards. Although
      researchers have investigated minority parents' perceptions of their child's
      weight, no research has explored minority parents' knowledge and perceptions
      related to BMI measurements, school-based BMI screening programs, and BMI report
      cards. To address this gap, focus groups were conducted (n = 20) with female
      Black or African-American parents/guardians from a large urban school district.
      Participants were asked to share their perceptions before and after receiving
      education about BMI measurements and screening programs. Pre-education: Many
      participants had heard of BMI, thought it was similar to body fat, believed
      screenings were intended to track students' weights and monitor eating habits,
      and were concerned that screenings could cause their child embarrassment. Post
      education: Most participants did not object to screenings, but said they would
      have without education about why and how BMI measurements are taken. They also
      voiced concerns about lack of prior notice, confidentiality, and the need for
      schools to serve healthier food. Some of these findings support those of other
      qualitative studies of parents' concerns about BMI screenings, but no previous
      studies have compared parents' perceptions of screening programs pre-/post
      education. The results reinforce that schools' efforts to explain what BMI
      measurements are as well as why and how they are taken can increase parents'
      confidence in the schools and level of comfort with BMI screening programs and
      report cards.

PMID- 27271074
TI  - Two Worlds of Obesity: Ethnic Differences in Child Overweight/Obesity Prevalence
      and Trajectories.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Research on childhood obesity has examined the prevalence of
      overweight and obesity during childhood and developmental trajectories. This
      study focuses on the extent to which Hispanic and non-Hispanic white elementary
      students differ in prevalence of overweight and obesity by grade level, time,
      gender, and school setting. It also focuses on comparison of the trajectories in
      weight status for the Hispanic and non-Hispanic white students. METHODS: BMI
      values were examined both using standard scores (z-scores) and as categorical
      variables. Cross-sectional data from 4 years were used to examine prevalence, and
      panel data across 2-year periods examined trajectories. Descriptive statistics
      and mixed models, controlling for school setting, were used. RESULTS: Hispanic
      students began first grade with higher prevalence of obesity and overweight, and
      the differences were larger in higher grades and later years. The majority of
      students had stable weight status over the 2-year periods of the trajectory
      analysis, but Hispanic students began the panel with higher BMI-Z values and were
      more likely to increase and less likely to decrease BMI-Z. CONCLUSIONS: The
      findings suggest that the degree of childhood overweight/obesity, especially
      among Hispanics, is substantial and will likely have profound impacts on adult
      obesity and other associated health issues in the future. Findings confirm the
      need for early childhood interventions to influence BMI.

PMID- 27271075
TI  - Health Care Access, Utilization, and Management in Adult Chinese, Koreans, and
      Vietnamese with Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asians are often pooled together when evaluating disparities in
      health care indicators (access, utilization, and management), though substantial
      variation may exist across different Asian ethnicities. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
      this study was to compare health care indicators among Chinese, Korean,
      Vietnamese, and non-Hispanic white (NHW) adults with cardiovascular disease and
      hypertension (CVD/HTN). METHODS: We analyzed health care indicators using
      multivariable logistic regression in a sample of Asians and NHWs with CVD/HTN
      from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). RESULTS: Koreans
      had the lowest utilization of emergency room (ER) or inpatient hospital services;
      Vietnamese had the lowest access to a personal doctor; Chinese had the lowest
      adjusted odds of having seen a doctor in the prior 12 months; and all Asians
      received fewer written heart disease care plans compared to NHWs. Even when
      utilization of ER for heart disease appeared to be similar, lack of access to a
      doctor was a more common reason noted by Asians versus NHWs. However, a lower
      proportion of Asians reported delays in receiving prescription or care.
      Accounting for differences across groups did not diminish these disparities.
      CONCLUSION: Health care indicators varied by race and across Asian ethnicities
      even after controlling for sociodemographic factors, insurance coverage, and
      health status. Future studies should consider oversampling other Asian
      ethnicities and assessing more in depth the potential impact of ethnicity-related
      factors on disparities in health care indicators.

PMID- 27271076
TI  - Association Between Stressful Life Events and Depression; Intersection of Race
      and Gender.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although stressful life events (SLEs) and depression are associated,
      we do not know if the intersection of race and gender modifies the magnitude of
      this link. Using a nationally representative sample of adults in the USA, we
      tested if the association between SLE and major depressive episode (MDE) depends
      on the intersection of race and gender. METHODS: Data came from the National
      Survey of American Life (NSAL), 2003, a cross-sectional survey that enrolled 5899
      adults including 5008 Blacks (African-Americans or Caribbean Blacks), and 891 Non
      Hispanic Whites. Logistic regression was used for data analysis. Stressful life
      events (past 30 days) was the independent variable, 12-month MDE was the
      dependent variable, and age, educational level, marital status, employment, and
      region of country were controls. RESULTS: In the pooled sample, SLE was
      associated with MDE above and beyond all covariates, without the SLE * race
      interaction term being significant. Among men, the SLE * race interaction was
      significant, suggesting a stronger association between SLE and MDE among White
      men compared to Black men. Such interaction between SLE * race could not be found
      among women. CONCLUSIONS: The association between SLE and depression may be
      stronger for White men than Black men; however, this link does not differ between
      White and Black women. More research is needed to better understand the mechanism
      behind race by gender variation in the stress-depression link.

PMID- 27271077
TI  - Infant Mortality and SIDS Perceptions Among Key Healthcare Professional
      Informants in Sedgwick County, KS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sedgwick County, KS, has one of the highest infant mortality rates
      (IMR) in the USA, of which sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a large
      component. The purpose of this study was to assess local key informants'
      awareness of the high IMR overall, their knowledge and beliefs about SIDS risk
      factors specifically, and their recommendations for ways to increase physician
      and community awareness of SIDS within Sedgwick County, KS. METHODS: Structured
      interviews were conducted with key informants from Sedgwick County, KS. RESULTS:
      Four themes emerged from key informant interviews: low level of awareness of
      infant mortality and SIDS, target population most at risk for SIDS/infant
      mortality, and barriers to and importance of SIDS education. Key informants were
      in consensus that there was a lack of general community awareness surrounding the
      high IMR in Sedgwick County. Strategies were identified to address this issue,
      including consistent SIDS education of medical providers and parents, social
      support to moms, use of social media, and involving the faith community in
      educating target populations about risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Health and public
      health key informants provided an overall view of their perception of the SIDS
      problem in Sedgwick County, KS. Based on collected interviews, the consensus was
      there are significant problems within Sedgwick County around the issue of SIDS
      awareness (severity of the problem), SIDS risk, and barriers to increasing SIDS
      education among professional and community members. African-Americans were
      identified as the population with the highest infant mortality and SIDS rates in
      Sedgwick County by health and public health key informant participants. A
      concerted, educational approach was recommended as the best way forward to reduce
      SIDS risk within this community.

PMID- 27271078
TI  - The Impact of Race on Intensity of Care Provided to Older Adults in the Medical
      Intensive Care Unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: African-Americans and Hispanics receive disproportionately less
      aggressive non-critical treatment for chronic diseases than their Caucasian
      counterparts. However, when it comes to end-of-life care, minority races are
      purportedly treated more aggressively in Medical Intensive Care Units (MICU) and
      are more likely to die there. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the impact of
      race on the intensity of care provided to older adults in the Medical Intensive
      Care Unit (MICU) using the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28)
      and other MICU interventions. METHODS: This is a prospective study of a cohort of
      309 patients aged 60 years and older in the MICU. Interventions such as
      mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, new onset dialysis, feeding tubes, and
      pulmonary artery catheterization were recorded. Primary outcomes were TISS-28
      scores and MICU interventions. RESULTS: Non-white patients were younger and had
      more dementia and delirium although there was no difference in ICU mortality. The
      amount of critical care delivered to non-white and white patients were equivalent
      at p <= 0.05 based on their respective TISS-28 scores. Non-white patients
      received more renal replacement therapy than white patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study adds to the growing body of literature demonstrating that the relationship
      between race, patient preference, and the intensity of care provided in MICUs is
      multifaceted. Although prior studies have reported that non-white populations
      often opt for more aggressive care, the similar proportions of non-white and
      white "full code" patients in this study suggests that this idea is overly
      simplistic.

PMID- 27271080
TI  - The role of the environment in the ion induced fragmentation of uracil.
AB  - The fragmentation of uracil molecules and pure and nano-hydrated uracil clusters
      by (12)C(4+) ion impact is investigated. This work focuses on the fragmentation
      behavior of complex systems and the effect of the environment. On the one hand,
      it is found that the environment in the form of surrounding uracil or water
      molecules has a significant influence on the fragmentation dynamics, providing an
      overall 'protective' effect, while on the other hand we observe the opening of
      specific fragmentation channels. In particular, we report on the first
      observation of a series of hydrated fragments. This indicates a strong
      interaction between uracil and water molecules, holding the water clusters bound
      to the observed molecular fragments. 

PMID- 27271079
TI  - The Ethno-linguistic Community and Premature Death: a Register-Based Study of
      Working-Aged Men in Finland.
AB  - One of the most striking features of premature death in Finland is the ethno
      linguistic mortality gradient in working-aged men. Finnish speakers have a
      notably higher mortality risk than Swedish speakers. The underlying reasons are
      not fully clear, but one suggested explanation has been that the level of social
      integration is lower in the Finnish-speaking community than that in the Swedish
      speaking one, as people in the former are geographically less rooted at the local
      level. In this paper, we derive a proxy for the influence of the ethno-linguistic
      community as a contextual factor on the Finnish-Swedish mortality gradient. The
      strategy is based on a unique setup that makes it possible to identify people not
      only by their ethno-linguistic background and ethno-linguistic affiliation, but
      we indirectly know also in which community a person has been raised. Results of
      multivariate regressions provide poor support for this contextual hypothesis,
      however, and rather suggest that some latent individual characteristics might be
      important, hence illuminating the complexity behind the excess mortality of
      Finnish speakers.

PMID- 27271081
TI  - Immigration Rates during Population Density Reduction in a Coral Reef Fish.
AB  - Although the importance of density-dependent dispersal has been recognized in
      theory, few empirical studies have examined how immigration changes over a wide
      range of densities. In a replicated experiment using a novel approach allowing
      within-site comparison, we examined changes in immigration rate following the
      gradual removal of territorial damselfish from a limited area within a much
      larger patch of continuous habitat. In all sites, immigration occurred at
      intermediate densities but did not occur before the start of removals and only
      rarely as density approached zero. In the combined data and in 5 of 7 sites, the
      number of immigrants was a hump-shaped function of density. This is the first
      experimental evidence for hump-shaped, density-dependent immigration. This
      pattern may be more widespread than previously recognized because studies over
      more limited density ranges have identified positive density dependence at low
      densities and negative density dependence at high densities. Positive density
      dependence at low density can arise from limits to the number of potential
      immigrants and from behavioral preferences for settling near conspecifics.
      Negative density dependence at high density can arise from competition for
      resources, especially high quality territories. The potential for non-linear
      effects of local density on immigration needs to be recognized for robust
      predictions of conservation reserve function, harvest impacts, pest control, and
      the dynamics of fragmented populations. 

PMID- 27271082
TI  - Corrigendum: Endothelial Dicer promotes atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation
      by miRNA-103-mediated suppression of KLF4.

PMID- 27271083
TI  - Time to HAART Initiation after Diagnosis and Treatment of Opportunistic
      Infections in Patients with AIDS in Latin America.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since 2009, earlier initiation of highly active antiretroviral
      therapy (HAART) after an opportunistic infection (OI) has been recommended based
      on lower risks of death and AIDS-related progression found in clinical trials.
      Delay in HAART initiation after OIs may be an important barrier for successful
      outcomes in patients with advanced disease. Timing of HAART initiation after an
      OI in "real life" settings in Latin America has not been evaluated. METHODS:
      Patients in the Caribbean, Central and South America network for HIV Epidemiology
      (CCASAnet) >=18 years of age at enrolment, from 2001-2012 who had an OI before
      HAART initiation were included. Patients were divided in an early HAART (EH)
      group (those initiating within 4 weeks of an OI) and a delayed HAART (DH) group
      (those initiating more than 4 weeks after an OI). All patients with an AIDS
      defining OI were included. In patients with more than one OI the first event
      reported was considered. Calendar trends in the proportion of patients in the EH
      group (before and after 2009) were estimated by site and for the whole cohort.
      Factors associated with EH were estimated using multivariable logistic regression
      models. RESULTS: A total of 1457 patients had an OI before HAART initiation and
      were included in the analysis: 213 from Argentina, 686 from Brazil, 283 from
      Chile, 119 from Honduras and 156 from Mexico. Most prevalent OI were Tuberculosis
      (31%), followed by Pneumocystis pneumonia (24%), Invasive Candidiasis (16%) and
      Toxoplasmosis (9%). Median time from OI to HAART initiation decreased
      significantly from 5.7 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.8-12.1) weeks before 2009 to
      4.3 (IQR 2.0-7.1) after 2009 (p<0.01). Factors associated with starting HAART
      within 4 weeks of OI diagnosis were lower CD4 count at enrolment (p-<0.001),
      having a non-tuberculosis OI (p<0.001), study site (p<0.001), and more recent
      years of OI diagnosis (p<0.001). DISCUSSION: The time from diagnosis of an OI to
      HAART initiation has decreased in Latin America coinciding with the publication
      of evidence of its benefit. We found important heterogeneity between sites which
      may reflect differences in clinical practices, local guidelines, and access to
      HAART. The impact of the timing of HAART initiation after OI on patient survival
      in this "real life" context needs further evaluation.

PMID- 27271084
TI  - Oxidative Stress and Polymorphism of Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Enzymes in Two
      Patients with Severe Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency.
AB  - Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) and tobacco smoke play a key role in the
      pathogenesis of early-onset emphysema. Differences in AATD-related chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease stages imply the existence of modifying factors
      associated with disease severity. We present two male patients with emphysema
      caused by severe AATD (PiZZ genotype). Both are former smokers and have epoxide
      hydrolase low-activity phenotype. Extremely high level of oxidative stress (high
      urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine), increased inflammation (high serum
      CRP), and GSTP1 105Val mutation were found in patient with a worse lung function
      and prognosis. These data provide more evidence that oxidative stress-related
      gene variants and inflammation are associated with worse symptoms of AATD-related
      emphysema. Therefore, prevention against severe stage of AATD-related emphysema
      would include early identification of the risk gene variants, cessation or never
      smoking, and treatment with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant drugs.
      Additionally, urinary 8-oxodG could be a candidate for predictive biomarker for
      routine assessment of the oxidative stress level in AATD patients. 

PMID- 27271085
TI  - Variable-Internal-Stores models of microbial growth and metabolism with dynamic
      allocation of cellular resources.
AB  - Variable-Internal-Stores models of microbial metabolism and growth have proven to
      be invaluable in accounting for changes in cellular composition as microbial
      cells adapt to varying conditions of nutrient availability. Here, such a model is
      extended with explicit allocation of molecular building blocks among various
      types of catalytic machinery. Such an extension allows a reconstruction of the
      regulatory rules employed by the cell as it adapts its physiology to changing
      environmental conditions. Moreover, the extension proposed here creates a link
      between classic models of microbial growth and analyses based on detailed
      transcriptomics and proteomics data sets. We ascertain the compatibility between
      the extended Variable-Internal-Stores model and the classic models, demonstrate
      its behaviour by means of simulations, and provide a detailed treatment of the
      uniqueness and the stability of its equilibrium point as a function of the
      availabilities of the various nutrients.

PMID- 27271086
TI  - Cerebral Microbleeds, Cognition, and Therapeutic Implications.

PMID- 27271087
TI  - Efficacy and safety of asenapine in Asian patients with an acute exacerbation of
      schizophrenia: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, 6-week, placebo
      controlled study.
AB  - RATIONALE: Asenapine is a second generation anti-psychotic approved in the USA in
      2009 for the treatment of schizophrenia, but its efficacy has not been proven in
      Asian patients. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the
      efficacy and tolerability of asenapine in Asian patients experiencing an acute
      exacerbation of schizophrenia. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind study,
      patients in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan were randomized (1:1:1) to asenapine 5 mg
      twice daily (bid), 10 mg bid or placebo for 6 weeks after a 3- to 7-day
      washout/screening period. The primary endpoint was the mean change in the
      positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) total score from baseline to day
      42/treatment end. RESULTS: Of the 532 participants randomized, 530 received
      treatment. The primary endpoint was significantly greater with asenapine 5 and 10
      mg bid than with placebo (-12.24 and -14.17 vs. -0.95; p < 0.0001). The results
      of secondary endpoints including PANSS negative subscale scores and PANSS
      responders at the end of treatment supported the results of the primary endpoint.
      There were no significant differences in the incidence of treatment-emergent
      adverse events reported with asenapine 5 and 10 mg bid and placebo (84.6, 80.7,
      and 81.6 %). There was a mean (+/- standard deviation) change in weight of -1.76
      +/- 2.45 kg for placebo, +0.42 +/- 2.65 kg for asenapine 5 mg bid, and +0.81 +/-
      2.89 kg for asenapine 10 mg bid group. CONCLUSIONS: Asenapine was effective and
      generally well tolerated when used for the treatment of acute exacerbations of
      schizophrenia in Asian patients.

PMID- 27271088
TI  - Medulloblastoma in adults: they're not just big kids.

PMID- 27271089
TI  - Performance of 18F-FET-PET versus 18F-FDG-PET for the diagnosis and grading of
      brain tumors: inherent bias in meta-analysis not revealed by quality metrics.

PMID- 27271090
TI  - Response to: Performance of 18F-FET-PET versus 18F-FDG-PET for the diagnosis and
      grading of brain tumors: inherent bias in meta-analysis not revealed by quality
      metrics.

PMID- 27271092
TI  - Superficial fibular nerve variations of fascial piercing: A meta-analysis and
      clinical consideration.
AB  - The superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve (SFN) is one of the successive branches
      of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve and goes on to bifurcate into the medial
      dorsal cutaneous (MDN) and intermediate dorsal cutaneous (IDN) nerves. The SFN is
      a main contributor to sensory innervation of the foot and lower leg. It varies
      widely in its penetrance of the deep (crural) fascia, and differences in its
      subsequent course can result in iatrogenic injuries. Articles on the prevalence
      of this anatomical variation were identified by a comprehensive database search.
      The data collected were extracted and pooled into a meta-analysis. A total of 14
      articles (n = 665 lower limbs) were included on the meta-analysis of SFN
      variations in fascial piercing. The normal Type 1 variation, where the SFN
      pierces the deep fascia as a single entity and later bifurcates into the MDN and
      IDN, had a pooled prevalence of 82.7% (95%CI: 74.0-89.4). The Type 2 variant,
      where the SFN bifurcates early and then pierces the fascial layer separately as
      the MDN and IDN, had a pooled prevalence of 15.6% (95%CI: 8.9-23.6). Type 3, when
      the SFN penetrates the deep fascia and courses similar to the MDN with absent IDN
      was noted in 1.8% (95%CI: 0.0-4.9) of cases. A substantial portion of the
      population has a pattern of SFN piercing that deviates from the normal Type 1
      anatomy. It is recommended that possible SFN variants in patients should be
      addressed thoroughly to help prevent iatrogenic injuries and postoperative
      complications. Clin. Anat. 30:120-125, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27271093
TI  - CBX7 deficiency plays a positive role in dentin and alveolar bone development.
AB  - To clarify the role of CBX7 deficiency in dentin and alveolar bone development,
      the dental and mandibular phenotypes of homozygous CBX7-knockout (CBX7(-/-)) mice
      were compared with their wild-type (WT) counterparts at 3 weeks age. In contrast
      to WT littermates, dental volume and dentin sialoprotein-positive area were
      significantly increased, whereas the area ratio of predentin to dentin was
      decreased markedly in CBX7(-/-) mice. Mineral density, cortical thickness,
      alveolar bone volume, type I collagen and osterix-immunopositive area, osteoblast
      number and activity, protein expression and mRNA level of Runt-related
      transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin
      and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) were all remarkably increased, while
      osteoclast number and activity, and mRNA expression ratio of NF-kappaB ligand
      (RANKL) to osteoprotegerin (opg) were all decreased significantly in the alveolar
      bone of CBX7(-/-) mice compared with their WT counterparts. Moreover,
      proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells were found more in
      Hertwig' s epithelial root sheath of CBX7(-/-) mice, and their protein level of
      cyclin E1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) were correspondingly increased in
      contrast to WT mice. Taken together, these results of this study suggest that
      CBX7 deficiency plays a positive role in dentin and alveolar bone formation. 

PMID- 27271095
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of five-coordinate, 16-electron RuII complexes
      supported by tridentate bis(phosphino)silyl ligation.
AB  - The synthesis of 16-electron complexes of the type (Cy-PSiP)RuX(L) (Cy-PSiP =
      kappa3-(2-Cy2PC6H4)2SiMe) is reported. Treatment of (Cy-PSiP)H with one equiv.
      RuCl2(PPh3)3 in the presence of Et3N afforded a mixture of (Cy-PSiP)RuCl(PPh3)
      (1) and [(Cy-PSiP)RuCl]2 (2), which exists in a temperature-dependent equilibrium
      process involving reversible dissociation of PPh3 from 1 to form 2. While
      treatment of this equilibrium mixture with PMe3 afforded (Cy-PSiP)RuCl(PMe3) (3)
      cleanly, this product was more straightforwardly prepared by the addition of PMe3
      to 2 (97% yield). Attempts to form an alkyl complex of the type (Cy
      PSiP)RuMe(PMe3) via treatment of 3 with MeMgBr led to the dehydrogenation and
      cyclometalation of a cyclohexyl phosphino group to give the isolable 18-electron
      complex [MeSi(C6H4PCy2)(C6H4PCy(eta3-C6H8))]RuPMe3 (4, 78% yield). The hydrido
      complex (Cy-PSiP)RuH(PMe3) (5) was identified as a minor by-product in this
      dehydrogenative process. Whereas simple 16-electron alkyl complexes of the type
      (Cy-PSiP)RuR(PMe3) remained elusive, the isolable allyl complex (Cy-PSiP)Ru(eta3
      C3H5) (9) was successfully prepared from 2 and (C3H5)MgCl (79% yield). Treatment
      of 3 with Me3SiN3 or NaN3 did not generate a five-coordinate azido species.
      However, the putative dinuclear complex [(Cy-PSiP)RuN3]2 (10) was observed to
      react with one equiv. of PMe3 to afford the isolable five-coordinate azido
      complex (Cy-PSiP)Ru(N3)(PMe3) (11; 94% yield). Crystallographic data for 3, 4, 5,
      9 and 11 are presented.

PMID- 27271094
TI  - The interaction between ApoA2 -265T>C polymorphism and dietary fatty acids intake
      on oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Apolipoprotein A2 (APOA2) -265T>C polymorphism has been studied in
      relation to oxidative stress and various dietary fatty acids. Since the
      interaction between APOA2 polymorphism and dietary fatty acids on oxidative
      stress has not yet discussed, we aimed to investigate the interaction on
      oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. METHODS: The
      subjects were 180 T2DM patients with known APOA2 genotype, either TT, TC or CC.
      Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was determined by colorimetric method. Total
      antioxidant capacity (TAC) and serum level of 8-isoprostane F2alpha were measured
      by spectrophotometry and ELISA, respectively. Dietary intake was collected
      through a food frequency questionnaire. Based on the median intake, fatty acids
      intake was dichotomized into high or low groups. The interaction between APOA2
      polymorphism and dietary fatty acids intake was analyzed by ANCOVA multivariate
      interaction model. RESULTS: Higher than median intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated
      fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) was associated with increased serum level of 8-isoprostane
      F2alpha in subjects with TT/TC genotype (p = 0.004), and higher than median
      intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) was associated with
      increased serum SOD activity in CC genotype (p < 0.001). There was a
      statistically significant interaction between APOA2 polymorphism and n-6 PUFA
      intake on 8-isoprostane F2alpha concentration as well as n-3 PUFA intake on serum
      SOD activity (p-interaction = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The
      current study shows the interaction between APOA2 polymorphism and dietary fatty
      acids intake on oxidative stress. More investigations on different populations
      are required to confirm the interaction.

PMID- 27271096
TI  - HER2 gene copy number and breast cancer-specific survival.
AB  - AIMS: HER2 amplification occurs in 10-15% of breast cancers. It is associated
      with poor breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and is an important prognostic
      and predictive marker. While it has been accepted that the HER2:chromosome 17
      centromere (CEP17) ratio determines HER2 status, recent guidelines acknowledge
      the significance of HER2 copy number alone. The aims of this study were to assess
      BCSS according to mean HER2 copy number and HER2 status expressed as a HER2:CEP17
      ratio with and without increased CEP17 copy number. METHODS AND RESULTS: The
      study population comprised breast cancer patients treated with surgery only and
      with long-term follow-up. In situ hybridization for HER2:CEP17 was performed on
      tissue microarrays and was successful in 679 cases. These were included in the
      study. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate BCSS. A total of 47 cases had
      >=4 < 6 HER2 copies; 16 were HER2+ and 31 were HER2- by ratio. Eighty-five cases
      had >=6 copies of HER2 and only two of these were HER2- by ratio. The risk of
      death from breast cancer was increased among those with >=6 HER2 compared to
      cases with 0-3.9 HER2 signals [hazard ratio (HR): 2.05; confidence interval (CI):
      1.49-2.82 (unadjusted)]. After adjusting for stage, there was increased risk of
      death from breast cancer during the first 5 years after diagnosis in cases that
      were HER2- by ratio but with >=4 < 6 HER2 (HR: 2.38; CI: 1.23-4.60). CONCLUSIONS:
      Increased copy number of HER2 may confer an increased risk of death from breast
      cancer despite negative HER2 status by ratio.

PMID- 27271097
TI  - Maternal and fetal outcomes in oocyte donation pregnancies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since the first successful use of donated oocytes in 1984, the number
      of oocyte donation cycles in Europe and the USA has dramatically increased.
      Consequently, there has been increasing interest in the impact of oocyte donation
      on maternal and fetal outcomes. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: The aim of this review
      was to summarize the literature regarding maternal and fetal outcomes from
      pregnancies conceived through oocyte donation. SEARCH METHODS: Identification of
      relevant publications was through research within the Embase Medline and PubMed
      databases, the Google-indexed scientific literature and periodic specialized
      magazines from the on-line Library Service of the University of Milan. OUTCOMES:
      Oocyte donation seems to be independently associated with a higher rate of
      pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. An explanatory hypothesis is
      that an immunological maladaptation causes placenta-mediated disorders in oocyte
      donation pregnancies. The risks are even higher in twin pregnancies. Oocyte
      donation also seems to be associated with lower fetal birthweight. However, after
      adjusting for obstetric complications, most studies report less pronounced
      differences in birthweight or no dissimilarities. The incidence of cesarean
      section is increased without clear clinical indications. WIDER IMPLICATIONS:
      Oocyte donation pregnancies are associated with a higher rate of placental
      disorders of pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. The
      risk of poorer neonatal outcomes is increased in oocyte donation pregnancies
      compared to other in-vitro fertilization pregnancies. Poorer outcomes have been
      demonstrated especially for twin pregnancies and in association with previous
      chronic pathologies or the development of obstetrics complications.

PMID- 27271098
TI  - Screening for obstructive sleep apnoea in cardiac rehabilitation: A position
      statement from the Australian Centre for Heart Health and the Australian
      Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association.
AB  - Obstructive sleep apnoea is highly prevalent in acute coronary syndrome patients
      eligible for enrolment in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. This condition is an
      independent predictor of increased morbidity and comorbid conditions in the
      general population and can lead to an increase in major adverse cardiac events
      such as revascularization, heart failure and hospital readmission in cardiac
      patients. There is convincing evidence that treatments such as continuous
      positive airway pressure or mandibular advancement devices can successfully treat
      obstructive sleep apnoea and these conditions can be improved or negated
      resulting in improved cardiac rehabilitation outcomes and improved health related
      quality of life. Given the potential benefits of obstructive sleep apnoea
      treatment it would make sense to screen for this condition upon entry to out
      patient cardiac rehabilitation programmes. A two-stage approach to screening is
      recommended, where patients are initially evaluated for the probability of having
      obstructive sleep apnoea using a brief questionnaire (The STOP-Bang) and then
      followed up with objective evaluation (portable home monitor or polysomnography)
      where necessary. Potential barriers to further referral and treatment could be
      partly mitigated by the training of cardiac rehabilitation staff in sleep
      disorders and screening.

PMID- 27271100
TI  - Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology: Changes in Leadership.

PMID- 27271099
TI  - Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 as a Marker for Plaque Rupture and a Predictor of
      Adverse Clinical Outcome in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: An Optical
      Coherence Tomography Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to clarify the relationship between matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels and plaque morphology demonstrated by optical
      coherence tomography (OCT), and to examine their prognostic impacts in patients
      with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: MMP-9 levels were measured for
      patients with ACS (n = 249). Among 249 patients, 120 with evaluable OCT images
      were categorized into patients with ruptured plaques (n = 65) and those with
      nonruptured plaques (n = 55) on the basis of culprit lesion plaque morphology
      demonstrated by OCT. RESULTS: MMP-9 levels on admission were significantly higher
      in the rupture group than in the nonrupture group (p = 0.029). Although creatine
      kinase-MB (CK-MB) on admission was comparable between the groups, peak CK-MB was
      higher in the rupture group than in the nonrupture group (p < 0.001). By receiver
      operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of MMP-9 to
      detect ruptured plaques was 65.5 ng/ml (p = 0.029). There was a nonstatistically
      significant trend toward increased cardiac death at 2 years (5.9 vs. 1.0%, p =
      0.059) in patients with high MMP-9 (>=65.5 ng/ml) compared to those with low MMP
      9 (<65.5 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: MMP-9 can differentiate ACS with ruptured plaques
      from nonruptured plaques, and MMP-9 may be a valuable predictor of long-term
      cardiac mortality in patients with ACS reflecting plaque rupture.

PMID- 27271101
TI  - Maternal and Neonatal Markers of the Homocysteine Pathway and Fetal Growth: The
      Generation R Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suboptimal dietary intake during pregnancy may have long-term health
      implications in children. These effects may be mediated by fetal growth. We
      investigated the associations of early pregnancy and umbilical cord total
      homocysteine (tHcy), folate, and total and active vitamin B12 concentrations with
      fetal growth parameters repeatedly measured in pregnancy and at birth. METHODS:
      This study was performed in 5890 pregnant women, participating in a population
      based prospective cohort study. Blood samples were obtained from women in early
      pregnancy and from the umbilical vein at delivery. Fetal size parameters were
      repeatedly measured by ultrasound. Information about birth anthropometrics was
      retrieved from medical records. RESULTS: High early pregnancy maternal tHcy
      (>=8.31 MUmol/L), as compared with low maternal homocysteine (<=5.80 MUmol/L),
      and low early pregnancy maternal folate (<=9.10 nmol/L), as compared with high
      maternal folate (>=25.81 nmol/L) concentrations, were associated with reduced
      weight growth patterns throughout pregnancy, resulting in birthweight differences
      of -102.3 g (95% CI -139.6, -65.0) and -113.0 g (95% CI -159.6, -66.3),
      respectively. Low umbilical cord folate concentrations (<=15.20 nmol/L) as
      compared with high umbilical cord folate concentrations (>=28.41 nmol/L) were
      also associated with a lower birthweight and birth length (P < 0.001).
      Interestingly, compared with higher umbilical cord vitamin B12 , lower vitamin
      B12 concentrations were associated with a higher weight, length, and head
      circumference at birth (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Early pregnancy maternal and
      umbilical cord markers of the homocysteine pathway are significantly associated
      with fetal growth patterns. These differences arise from mid-pregnancy onwards.

PMID- 27271103
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271104
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271102
TI  - Can Bias Evaluation Provide Protection Against False-Negative Results in QT
      Studies Without a Positive Control Using Exposure-Response Analysis?
AB  - The revised ICH E14 document allows the use of exposure-response analysis to
      exclude a small QT effect of a drug. If plasma concentrations exceeding
      clinically relevant levels is achieved, a positive control is not required. In
      cases when this cannot be achieved, there may be a need for metrics to protect
      against false-negative results. The objectives of this study were to create bias
      in electrocardiogram laboratory QT-interval measurements and define a metric that
      can be used to detect bias severe enough to cause false-negative results using
      exposure-response analysis. Data from the IQ-CSRC study, which evaluated the QT
      effect of 5 QT-prolonging drugs, were used. Negative bias using 3 deterministic
      and 2 random methods was introduced into the reported QTc values and compared
      with fully automated data from the underlying electrocardiogram algorithm
      (COMPAS). The slope estimate of the Bland-Altman plot was used as a bias metric.
      With the deterministic bias methods, negative bias, measured between
      electrocardiogram laboratory values and COMPAS, had to be larger than
      approximately -20 milliseconds over a QTcF range of 100 milliseconds to cause
      failures to predict the QT effect of ondansetron, quinine, dolasetron,
      moxifloxacin, and dofetilide. With the random methods, the rate of false
      negatives was <=5% with bias severity < -10 milliseconds for all 5 drugs when
      plasma levels exceeded those of interest. Severe and therefore detectable bias
      has to be introduced into reported QTc values to cause false-negative predictions
      with exposure-response analysis.

PMID- 27271105
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271106
TI  - Chemical chaperones reduce ER stress and adipose tissue inflammation in high fat
      diet-induced mouse model of obesity.
AB  - Obesity, which is characteristic by chronic inflammation, is defined as abnormal
      or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissues. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      stress is increased in adipose tissue of obese state and is known to be strongly
      associated with chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate
      the effect of ER stress on adipokine secretion in obese mice and explore the
      potential mechanisms. In this study, we found high-fat diet induced-obesity
      contributed to strengthened ER stress and triggered chronic inflammation in
      adipose tissue. Chemical chaperones, 4-PBA and TUDCA, modified metabolic
      disorders and decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines in obese mice fed a
      high-fat diet. The alleviation of ER stress is in accordance with the decrease of
      free cholesterol in adipose tissue. Furthermore chemical chaperones suppress NF
      kappaB activity in adipose tissue of obese mice in vivo. In vitro studies showed
      IKK/NF-kappaB may be involved in the signal transduction of adipokine secretion
      dysfunction induced by ER stress. The present study revealed the possibility that
      inhibition of ER stress may be a novel drug target for metabolic abnormalities
      associated with obesity. Further studies are now needed to characterize the
      initial incentive of sustained ER stress in obese.

PMID- 27271107
TI  - Enantioselective Collision-Activated Dissociation of Gas-Phase Tryptophan Induced
      by Chiral Recognition of Protonated L-Alanine Peptides.
AB  - Enantioselective dissociation in the gas phase is important for enantiomeric
      enrichment and chiral transmission processes in molecular clouds regarding the
      origin of homochirality in biomolecules. Enantioselective collision-activated
      dissociation (CAD) of tryptophan (Trp) and the chiral recognition ability of L
      alanine peptides (L-Ala n ; n = 2-4) were examined using a linear ion trap mass
      spectrometer. CAD spectra of gas-phase heterochiral H+(D-Trp)(L-Ala n ) and
      homochiral H+(L-Trp)(L-Ala n ) noncovalent complexes were obtained as a function
      of the peptide size n. The H2O-elimination product was observed in CAD spectra of
      both heterochiral and homochiral complexes for n = 2 and 4, and in homochiral
      H+(L-Trp)(L-Ala3), indicating that the proton is attached to the L-alanine
      peptide, and H2O loss occurs from H+(L-Ala n ) in the noncovalent complexes. H2O
      loss did not occur in heterochiral H+(D-Trp)(L-Ala3), where NH3 loss and (H2O +
      CO) loss were the primary dissociation pathways. In heterochiral H+(D-Trp)(L
      Ala3), the protonation site is the amino group of D-Trp, and NH3 loss and (H2O +
      CO) loss occur from H+(D-Trp). L-Ala peptides recognize D-Trp through protonation
      of the amino group for peptide size n = 3. NH3 loss and (H2O + CO) loss from H+(D
      Trp) proceeds via enantioselective CAD in gas-phase heterochiral H+(D-Trp)(L
      Ala3) at room temperature, whereas L-Trp dissociation was not observed in
      homochiral H+(L-Trp)(L-Ala3). These results suggest that enantioselective
      dissociation induced by chiral recognition of L-Ala peptides through protonation
      could play an important role in enantiomeric enrichment and chiral transmission
      processes of amino acids.

PMID- 27271108
TI  - Aquaporin 1 Is an Independent Marker of Poor Prognosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) overexpression has been shown to be associated
      with uncontrolled cell replication, invasion, migration, and tumor metastasis. We
      aimed to evaluate AQP1 expression in lung adenocarcinomas and to examine its
      association with clinicopathological features and prognostic significance. We
      also investigated the association between AQP1 overexpression and epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. METHODS: We examined AQP1 expression in 505
      cases of surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas acquired at the Seoul National
      University Bundang Hospital from 2003 to 2012. Expression of AQP1 and EMT-related
      markers, including Ecadherin and vimentin, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry
      and tissue microarray. RESULTS: AQP1 overexpression was associated with several
      aggressive pathological parameters, including venous invasion, lymphatic
      invasion, and tumor recurrence. AQP1 overexpression tended to be associated with
      higher histological grade, advanced pathological stage, and anaplastic lymphoma
      kinase (ALK) translocation; however, these differences were not statistically
      significant. In addition, AQP1 overexpression positively correlated with loss of
      E-cadherin expression and acquired expression of vimentin. Lung adenocarcinoma
      patients with AQP1 overexpression showed shorter progression-free survival (PFS,
      46.1 months vs. 56.2 months) compared to patients without AQP1 overexpression.
      Multivariate analysis confirmed that AQP1 overexpression was significantly
      associated with shorter PFS (hazard ratio, 1.429; 95% confidence interval, 1.033
      to 1.977; p=.031). CONCLUSIONS: AQP1 overexpression was thereby concluded to be
      an independent factor of poor prognosis associated with shorter PFS in lung
      adenocarcinoma. These results suggested that AQP1 overexpression might be
      considered as a prognostic biomarker of lung adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 27271109
TI  - Detection of Tumor Multifocality Is Important for Prediction of Tumor Recurrence
      in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A Retrospective Study and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinicopathological characteristics and conclusive treatment
      modality for multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (mPTMC) have not been
      fully established. METHODS: A retrospective study, systematic review, and meta
      analysis were conducted to elucidate the clinicopathological significance of
      mPTMC. We investigated the multiplicity of 383 classical papillary thyroid
      microcarcinomas (PTMCs) and the clinicopathological significance of incidental
      mPTMCs. Correlation between tumor recurrence and multifocality in PTMCs was
      evaluated through a systematic review and meta-analysis. RESULTS: Tumor
      multifocality was identified in 103 of 383 PTMCs (26.9%). On linear regression
      analysis, primary tumor diameter was significantly correlated with tumor number
      (R(2)=0.014, p=.021) and supplemental tumor diameter (R(2)=0.117, p=.023). Of 103
      mPTMCs, 61 (59.2%) were non-incidental, with tumor detected on preoperative
      ultrasonography, and 42 (40.8%) were diagnosed (incidental mPTMCs) on
      pathological examination. Lymph node metastasis and higher tumor stage were
      significantly correlated with tumor multifocality. However, there was no
      difference in nodal metastasis or tumor stage between incidental and non
      incidental mPTMCs. On meta-analysis, tumor multifocality was significantly
      correlated with tumor recurrence in PTMCs (odds ratio, 2.002; 95% confidence
      interval, 1.475 to 2.719, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that tumor
      multifocality in PTMC, regardless of manner of detection, is significantly
      correlated with aggressive tumor behavior.

PMID- 27271110
TI  - Heterotopic Ossification in the Gallbladder.

PMID- 27271113
TI  - Usability evaluation of the digital anger thermometer app.
AB  - The digital anger thermometer is a prototype for a mobile application (app) for
      use with adults in anger management treatment. The digital anger thermometer
      incorporates standards of software development in addition to anger management
      resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The
      digital anger thermometer underwent a usability study conducted by five expert
      reviewers. The results indicate that it is easy to learn, efficient, and
      ergonomically sound. However, it does not offer support features or user-error
      tolerance. The digital anger thermometer prototype requires additional usability
      studies and comparative research in order for it to become an actual mental
      health app.

PMID- 27271111
TI  - Mammary-Type Myofibroblastoma: A Report of Two Cases.
AB  - Mammary-type myofibroblastoma (MFB) is a rare, benign spindle cell neoplasm
      occurring along the milkline, with extension from the mid-axilla to the medial
      groin. It is histologically and immunohistochemically identical to MFB of the
      breast and is part of a spectrum of lesions that includes spindle cell lipoma and
      cellular angiofibroma. Recently, we experienced two cases of mammary-type MFB
      involving male patients aged 30 and 58 years, respectively. The tumors were
      located in the right scrotal sac and in the right axilla. Wide excisions were
      performed. Microscopically, the masses were composed of haphazardly arranged,
      variably sized fascicles of bland spindle cells and were admixed with mature fat
      tissue. The spindle cells in both cases showed immunopositivity for desmin and
      CD34 and negativity for smooth muscle actin. Loss of retinoblastoma (RB)/13q14
      loci is a characteristic genetic alteration of mammary-type MFB, and we
      identified loss of RB protein expression by immunohistochemical staining. We
      emphasize the importance of awareness of this rare neoplasm when a spindle cell
      neoplasm is accompanied by desmin immunopositivity. The second patient was alive
      without recurrence for 20 months, and the first patient had not been followed. 

PMID- 27271114
TI  - Extracting and analyzing ejection fraction values from electronic
      echocardiography reports in a large health maintenance organization.
AB  - The left ventricular ejection fraction value is an important prognostic indicator
      of cardiovascular outcomes including morbidity and mortality and is often used
      clinically to indicate severity of heart disease. However, it is usually reported
      in free-text echocardiography reports. We developed and validated a computerized
      algorithm to extract ejection fraction values from echocardiography reports and
      applied the algorithm to a large volume of unstructured echocardiography reports
      between 1995 and 2011 in a large health maintenance organization. A total of
      621,856 echocardiography reports with a description of ejection fraction values
      or systolic functions were identified, of which 70 percent contained numeric
      ejection fraction values and the rest (30%) were text descriptions explicitly
      indicating the systolic left ventricular function. The 12.1 percent (16.0% for
      male and 8.4% for female) of these extracted ejection fraction values are <45
      percent. Validation conducted based on a random sample of 200 reports yielded
      95.0 percent sensitivity and 96.9 percent positive predictive value.

PMID- 27271115
TI  - Genetic Diversity and Divergence in Populations of the Threatened Grassland
      Perennial Vincetoxicum atratum (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae) in Japan.
AB  - We examined the genetic diversity and structure in populations of the endangered
      grassland herb Vincetoxicum atratum using 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci.
      Although the populations were small and disconnected, our molecular data
      indicated that the species maintains relatively high levels of genetic diversity
      and connectivity among populations. Population clustering analyses detected 2 to
      3 clusters and most of the populations of V. atratum comprised admixture of these
      genetic clusters. These admixtures likely formed during the process of colonizing
      habitats that had been disturbed by human activities. However, STRUCTURE
      clustering detected low-admixtures in populations occurring in rocky maritime
      sites, which may not be suitable for agriculture/rangeland activities. High
      genetic diversity and population connectivity suggested that loss of the
      remaining populations by grassland reduction might be an immediate threat for
      this species. Small grasslands populations managed by local farmers need
      appropriate conservation practices. Although our results showed genetic diversity
      and gene flow among populations of V. atratum were high, it is possible that this
      resulted from the historical continuous distribution of the species. To examine
      this hypothesis, further periodical monitoring of the genetic diversity and the
      genetic differentiation for the species is needed for a conservation action of
      the species.

PMID- 27271116
TI  - Type, intensity and duration of daily physical activities performed by adults
      with spinal cord injury.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data. OBJECTIVES: To describe
      and compare (1) self-reported intensities and durations of specific types of
      daily physical activities and (2) minutes per day spent on daily physical
      activities across key demographic groups. SETTING: Community (Ontario, Canada).
      METHODS: Participants were 695 adults with spinal cord injury (SCI; 76% male,
      Mage=46.81+/-13.41 years, Myears post injury=15.19+/-11.10 years). Daily
      activities were assessed over the telephone using the Physical Activity Recall
      Assessment for People with SCI. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) were
      computed to test for differences in intensities and durations of different daily
      activities (objective 1) and between-group differences in minutes per day of
      daily activities (objective 2). RESULTS: Overall, participants reported 127.92+/
      142.79 min per day of daily physical activities with significantly more time
      spent in mild intensity (78.93+/-104.62 min per day) than moderate- (40.23+/
      68.71 min per day) or heavy-intensity activities (8.75+/-24.53 min per day). Four
      patterns emerged with respect to type, duration and intensity, with some
      activities being typically performed at lighter or heavier intensities than
      others. There were significant differences in minutes per day of activity
      intensity and duration between groups based on education, injury severity and
      mode of mobility (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Given that some groups were more likely to
      engage in moderate-heavy-intensity activities, and some activities were more
      likely to be performed at moderate-heavy intensities, interventions that target
      key groups to increase certain daily activities may be one strategy to enhance
      overall physical activity participation among people with SCI.

PMID- 27271117
TI  - The differential effects of norepinephrine and dopamine on cerebrospinal fluid
      pressure and spinal cord perfusion pressure after acute human spinal cord injury.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Prospective vasopressor cross-over interventional
      studyObjectives:To examine how two vasopressors used in acute traumatic spinal
      cord injury (SCI) affect intrathecal cerebrospinal fluid pressure and the
      corresponding spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP). SETTING: Vancouver, British
      Columbia, Canada. METHODS: Acute SCI patients over the age of 17 with cervical or
      thoracic ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS). A, B or C injuries were enrolled in this
      study. Two vasopressors, norepinephrine and dopamine, were evaluated in a
      'crossover procedure' to directly compare their effect on the intrathecal
      pressure (ITP). The vasopressor cross-over procedures were performed in the
      intensive care unit where ITP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were
      being continuously measured. The SCPP was calculated as the difference between
      MAP and ITP. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were enrolled and included in our
      analysis. There were 6 patients with AIS A, 3 with AIS B and 2 with AIS C
      injuries at baseline. We performed 24 cross-over interventions in these 11
      patients. There was no difference in MAP with the use of norepinephrine versus
      dopamine (84+/-1 mm Hg for both; P=0.33). Conversely, ITP was significantly lower
      with the use of norepinephrine than with dopamine (17+/-1 mm Hg vs 20+/-1 mm Hg,
      respectively, P<0.001). This decrease in ITP with norepinephrine resulted in an
      increased SCPP during the norepinephrine infusion when compared with dopamine
      (67+/-1 mm Hg vs 65+/-1 mm Hg respectively, P=0.0049). CONCLUSION: Norepinephrine
      was able to maintain MAP with a lower ITP and a correspondingly higher SCPP as
      compared with dopamine in this study. These results suggest that norepinephrine
      may be preferable to dopamine if vasopressor support is required post SCI to
      maintain elevated MAPs in accordance with published guidelines.

PMID- 27271119
TI  - Characterization of La1-xSrxMnO3 perovskite catalysts for hydrogen peroxide
      reduction.
AB  - We investigated the crystalline phase and electronic structure of perovskite-type
      La1-xSrxMnO3 (0.0 <= x <= 1.0) (LSMx) catalysts synthesized via the citric sol
      gel route, for H2O2 reduction. The resulting materials were characterized by XRD,
      XANES, TR-XANES, and TPO and, after calcination, consisted of cubic perovskite
      for 0.0 <= x <= 0.8 and hexagonal perovskite for x = 1.0. Mn species in the
      precalcined catalysts were oxidized to Mn(3+) for x = 0.0 to 0.6 and to Mn(2+)
      for x = 0.8 and 1.0. After calcination, Mn species were present in a mixed
      oxidation state of Mn(3+)/Mn(4+), while Sr(2+) and La(3+) were not altered. TR
      XANES and TPO showed that Mn species were oxidized at 210-220  degrees C and
      formed active perovskites LSM0.4 and LSM0.0 at 580  degrees C and 640  degrees C.
      This shows that Sr doping can reduce the oxidation temperature of LSMx with 0.2
      <= x <= 0.4. However, the concentration of Mn(4+) in LSMx is increased which is
      useful for enhancing their catalytic activity and stability. When tested in an
      alkaline electrolyte, LSM0.6 containing the optimum Mn(4+)/Mn(3+) ratio promoted
      the formation of hydroxyl via the oxygen intercalation reaction and exhibited low
      polarization resistance and the highest catalytic activity for H2O2 reduction. 

PMID- 27271118
TI  - Truncated Variants of Gaussia Luciferase with Tyrosine Linker for Site-Specific
      Bioconjugate Applications.
AB  - Gaussia luciferase (Gluc)-with its many favorable traits such as small size,
      bright emission, and exceptional stability-has become a prominent reporter
      protein for a wide range of bioluminescence-based detection applications. The ten
      internal cysteine residues crucial to functional structure formation, however,
      make expression of high quantities of soluble protein in bacterial systems
      difficult. In addition to this challenge, the current lack of structural data
      further complicates the use of Gluc for in vitro applications, such as
      biosensors, or cellular delivery, both of which rely heavily on robust and
      reproducible bioconjugation techniques. While Gluc is already appreciably small
      for a luciferase, a reduction in size that still retains significant
      bioluminescent activity, in conjunction with a more reproducible bioorthogonal
      method of chemical modification and facile expression in bacteria, would be very
      beneficial in biosensor design and cellular transport studies. We have developed
      truncated variants of Gluc, which maintain attractive bioluminescent features,
      and have characterized their spectral and kinetic properties. These variants were
      purified in high quantities from a bacterial system. Additionally, a C-terminal
      linker has been incorporated into these variants that can be used for reliable,
      specific modification through tyrosine-based bioconjugation techniques, which
      leave the sensitive network of cysteine residues undisturbed.

PMID- 27271120
TI  - Convergence Properties of Posttranslationally Modified Protein-Protein Switching
      Networks with Fast Decay Rates.
AB  - A significant conceptual difficulty in the use of switching systems to model
      regulatory networks is the presence of so-called "black walls," co-dimension 1
      regions of phase space with a vector field pointing inward on both sides of the
      hyperplane. Black walls result from the existence of direct negative self
      regulation in the system. One biologically inspired way of removing black walls
      is the introduction of intermediate variables that mediate the negative self
      regulation. In this paper, we study such a perturbation. We replace a switching
      system with a higher-dimensional switching system with rapidly decaying
      intermediate proteins, and compare the dynamics between the two systems. We find
      that the while the individual solutions of the original system can be
      approximated for a finite time by solutions of a sufficiently close perturbed
      system, there are always solutions that are not well approximated for any fixed
      perturbation. We also study a particular example, where global basins of
      attraction of the perturbed system have a strikingly different form than those of
      the original system. We perform this analysis using techniques that are adapted
      to dealing with non-smooth systems.

PMID- 27271121
TI  - Mathematical Modeling of the Role of Survivin on Dedifferentiation and
      Radioresistance in Cancer.
AB  - We use a mathematical model to investigate cancer resistance to radiation, based
      on dedifferentiation of non-stem cancer cells into cancer stem cells.
      Experimental studies by Iwasa 2008, using human non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) cell lines in mice, have implicated the inhibitor of apoptosis protein
      survivin in cancer resistance to radiation. A marked increase in radio
      sensitivity was observed, after inhibiting survivin expression with a specific
      survivin inhibitor YM155 (sepantronium bromide). It was suggested that these
      observations are due to survivin-dependent dedifferentiation of non-stem cancer
      cells into cancer stem cells. Here, we confirm this hypothesis with a
      mathematical model, which we fit to Iwasa's data on NSCLC in mice. We investigate
      the timing of combination therapies of YM155 administration and radiation. We
      find an interesting dichotomy. Sometimes it is best to hit a cancer with a large
      radiation dose right at the beginning of the YM155 treatment, while in other
      cases, it appears advantageous to wait a few days until most cancer cells are
      sensitized and then radiate. The optimal strategy depends on the nature of the
      cancer and the dose of radiation administered.

PMID- 27271123
TI  - New computerized staging method to analyze mink testicular tissue in
      environmental research.
AB  - Histopathology of testicular tissue is considered to be the most sensitive tool
      to detect adverse effects on male reproduction. When assessing tissue damage,
      seminiferous epithelium needs to be classified into different stages to detect
      certain cell damages; but stage identification is a demanding task. The authors
      present a method to identify the 12 stages in mink testicular tissue. The staging
      system uses Gata-4 immunohistochemistry to visualize acrosome development and
      proved to be both intraobserver-reproducible and interobserver-reproducible with
      a substantial agreement of 83.6% (kappa = 0.81) and 70.5% (kappa = 0.67),
      respectively. To further advance and objectify this method, they present a
      computerized staging system that identifies these 12 stages. This program has an
      agreement of 52.8% (kappa 0.47) with the consensus staging by 2 investigators.
      The authors propose a pooling of the stages into 5 groups based on morphology,
      stage transition, and toxicologically important endpoints. The computerized
      program then reached a substantial agreement of 76.7% (kappa = 0.69). The
      computerized staging tool uses local ternary patterns to describe the texture of
      the tubules and a support vector machine classifier to learn which textures
      correspond to which stages. The results have the potential to modernize the
      tedious staging process required in toxicological evaluation of testicular
      tissue, especially if combined with whole-slide imaging and automated tubular
      segmentation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:156-164. (c) 2016 The Authors.
      Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on
      behalf of SETAC.

PMID- 27271122
TI  - Asymptotic Analysis of a Target-Mediated Drug Disposition Model: Algorithmic and
      Traditional Approaches.
AB  - A detailed analysis is reported on a multiscale pharmacokinetic model, simulating
      the interaction of a drug with its target, the binding of the compounds and the
      outcome of their interaction. The analysis is based on the algorithmic
      computational singular perturbation (CSP) methodology. Among others, the analysis
      concludes that the partial equilibrium approximation and the quasi-steady-state
      approximation (PEA and QSSA) are valid in two distinct stages in the evolution of
      the process. Similar conclusions are reached from the algorithmic criteria for
      the validity of the QSSA and PEA. The reactions in the pharmacokinetic model that
      (i) generate the fast time scales, (ii) generate the constraints in which the
      system evolves and (iii) drive the system at various phases are identified, with
      the use of algorithmic CSP tools. These identifications are very important for
      the improvement of the model and for the identification of ways to control the
      evolution of the process. Regarding the qualitative understanding of the process,
      the present analysis systematises the findings in the literature and provides
      some new insights.

PMID- 27271126
TI  - Quality of Life: A Ubiquitous Phenomenon.

PMID- 27271127
TI  - Riptide.
AB  - In this article the author describes her experience of being diagnosed with
      breast cancer as a riptide experience. The ocean and many of its characteristics,
      such as the riptide, are used to describe the powering necessary to prevail
      during a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Five themes or currents within this
      riptide experience are identified: a shattered sense of well-being; feelings of
      anxiety, fear and uncertainty; learning to live one day at a time; the loving
      attention of family and friends; and,swimming with the turbulent sea. Concepts of
      powering uncovered in nursing research studies along with other theoretical
      concepts are presented to develop further these currents. 

PMID- 27271125
TI  - The Interaction of Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Fission/Fusion Mediated by PGC
      1alpha Regulates Rotenone-Induced Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity.
AB  - Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly, and
      mitochondrial defects underlie the pathogenesis of PD. Impairment of
      mitochondrial homeostasis results in reactive oxygen species formation, which in
      turn can potentiate the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, forming a
      vicious cycle in the neuron. Mitochondrial fission/fusion and biogenesis play
      important roles in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. It has been reported
      that PGC-1alpha is a powerful transcription factor that is widely involved in the
      regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress, and other processes.
      Therefore, we explored mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial fission/fusion,
      and especially PGC-1alpha as the key point in the signaling mechanism of their
      interaction in rotenone-induced dopamine neurotoxicity. The results showed that
      mitochondrial number and mass were reduced significantly, accompanied by
      alterations in proteins known to regulate mitochondrial fission/fusion (MFN2,
      OPA1, Drp1, and Fis1) and mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1alpha and mtTFA).
      Further experiments proved that inhibition of mitochondrial fission or promotion
      of mitochondrial fusion has protective effects in rotenone-induced neurotoxicity
      and also promotes mitochondrial biogenesis. By establishing cell models of PGC
      1alpha overexpression and reduced expression, we found that PGC-1alpha can
      regulate MFN2 and Drp1 protein expression and phosphorylation to influence
      mitochondrial fission/fusion. In summary, it can be concluded that PGC-1alpha
      mediated cross talk between mitochondrial biogenesis and fission/fusion
      contributes to rotenone-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27271128
TI  - Power Relations: Their Embodiment in Research.
AB  - The purpose of this column is to consider the notion of power in research. To
      that end, the idea of power is considered from the perspective of philosophy and
      then linked to a nursing concept analysis that compares the differences between
      power over and power to. Then, the nature of power relations is compared and
      contrasted between quantitative and qualitative methodologies. 

PMID- 27271124
TI  - Apolipoprotein D Overexpression Protects Against Kainate-Induced Neurotoxicity in
      Mice.
AB  - Excitotoxicity due to the excessive activation of glutamatergic receptors leads
      to neuronal dysfunction and death. Excitotoxicity has been implicated in the
      pathogenesis of a myriad of neurodegenerative diseases with distinct etiologies
      such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Numerous studies link apolipoprotein D
      (apoD), a secreted glycoprotein highly expressed in the central nervous system
      (CNS), to maintain and protect neurons in various mouse models of acute stress
      and neurodegeneration. Here, we used a mouse model overexpressing human apoD in
      neurons (H-apoD Tg) to test the neuroprotective effects of apoD in the kainic
      acid (KA)-lesioned hippocampus. Our results show that apoD overexpression in H
      apoD Tg mice induces an increased resistance to KA-induced seizures,
      significantly attenuates inflammatory responses and confers protection against KA
      induced cell apoptosis in the hippocampus. The apoD-mediated protection against
      KA-induced toxicity is imputable in part to increased plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase
      type 2 expression (1.7-fold), decreased N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)
      subunit NR2B levels (30 %) and lipid metabolism alterations. Indeed, we
      demonstrate that apoD can attenuate intracellular cholesterol content in primary
      hippocampal neurons and in brain of H-apoD Tg mice. In addition, apoD can be
      internalised by neurons and this internalisation is accentuated in ageing and
      injury conditions. Our results provide additional mechanistic information on the
      apoD-mediated neuroprotection in neurodegenerative conditions.

PMID- 27271129
TI  - Ancient Ethical Practices of Dualism and Ethical Implications for Future
      Paradigms in Nursing.
AB  - Paradigms contain theoretical structures to guide scientific disciplines. Since
      ancient times, Cartesian dualism has been a prominent philosophy incorporated in
      the practice of medicine. The discipline of nursing has continued the body-mind
      emphasis with similar paradigmatic thinking and theories of nursing that separate
      body and mind. Future trends for paradigm and nursing theory development are
      harkening to former ways of thinking. In this article the author discusses the
      origins of Cartesian dualism and implications for its current usage. The author
      shall illuminate what it potentially means to engage in dualism in nursing and
      discuss possible ethical implications for future paradigm and theory development
      in nursing. 

PMID- 27271130
TI  - Power's Presence in Nurse Education.
AB  - The notion of power has long been discussed in literature. There continues to
      exist a vast number of ideas as to what power really is and means. The author
      here discusses some early notions of power from the philosophical literature
      where there is debate as to whether power is innate or earned and bestowed upon
      persons. The potential for power as well as powers need for support from others
      is then examined in light of the nursing educational arena. Parse's humanbecoming
      school of thought also enlightens beliefs on power through the teaching-learning
      model as well as within the third principle of humanbecoming. These humanbecoming
      aspects are discussed regarding their presence or role in nursing academia. The
      column concludes with the notion that possibly the most important power possessed
      by all is the power to choose. 

PMID- 27271131
TI  - Power in Practice: Moments of Reflection.
AB  - Power in practice reveals itself in many ways. There are many definitions of
      power but in nursing care it could be said that the power is within the patient.
      Nurses facilitate patients power by engaging them in dialogical engagements. This
      helps patients to decide how to utilize the power of living their quality. 

PMID- 27271132
TI  - A Model for Peaceful Practice and Leadership.

PMID- 27271133
TI  - Dialogue on Peace and Power.
AB  - An analysis of how Peace and Power have evolved over time is described in this
      dialogue between Pamela Clarke and Peggy Chinn. 

PMID- 27271134
TI  - Integrative Review on the Use of Newman Praxis Relationship in Chronic Illness.
AB  - Over the past 20 years, many Newman scholars across the globe have investigated
      health as expanding consciousness with persons living with chronic illness. This
      integrative review examines the use of the concept, relationship, and its seven
      dimensions-health, caring, consciousness, mutual process, patterning, presence,
      and meaning with persons with chronic illness when engaged in health as expanding
      consciousness praxis. A regular and sustained pattern of publication of studies
      that included the seven dimensions was found. Relationships among the dimensions
      of a Newman praxis relationship, chronic illness, and health as expanding
      consciousness are discussed. 

PMID- 27271135
TI  - Healing and Transcendence: A Roy Adaptation Model-Guided Comparison.
AB  - Healing and transcendence are concepts of considerable interest to nurses who
      engage in holistic nursing practice. The two concepts are often used within the
      context of adaptation to describe the processes experienced by individuals who
      experience suffering and distress from various life events. Despite their
      intuitive significance to the human experience, the similarities and differences
      between the two concepts remains unclear. The purpose of this paper is to present
      the results of a Roy adaptation model-guided comparison of the two concepts that
      addresses their shared and distinct characteristics. 

PMID- 27271136
TI  - Effects of a Meditation Program on Nurses' Power and Quality of Life.
AB  - This study evaluated the effects of meditation programs on nurses' power and
      quality of life. In this study, Barrett's power theory derived from Rogers'
      unitary human being science was used as a theoretical framework. A randomized
      controlled design with 50 recruited and randomly allocated participants was used.
      The results demonstrated that the eight-week meditation program significantly
      improved nurses' power and quality of life. These results suggest that meditation
      has positive effects on power and quality of life. 

PMID- 27271137
TI  - Light in the Darkness.
AB  - The story of an El Salvadorian women made pregnant by a rape while immigrating to
      the United States is discussed from a humanbecoming paradigm perspective. Nursing
      practice from such a paradigm is seen as the opposite of such a violent crime and
      injustice, because it seeks to tenderly respect and provide for the dignity and
      freedom of all people. 

PMID- 27271138
TI  - Penetrating the Fog: The Experience of Being Pregnant in Taiwan.
AB  - The purpose of this column is to explore the experience of being pregnant as
      talked about by women in Taiwan. In nursing and healthcare in general, there is a
      tendency to objectify the experience from a biomedical view, focusing on
      physiological changes and symptoms. A human science approach is here applied to
      help understand the themes that were evident in the comments of 23 pregnant
      Taiwanese women, about what being pregnant was like for them. The perspective
      used for the explanation was Parse's humanbecoming paradigm. Being pregnant is
      seen by the author as a chosen way of becoming visible-invisible becoming in the
      world which involves; being oneself, but not oneself, doubling up, and living
      with the mystery of the other. 

PMID- 27271139
TI  - Epistemic Authority in Nursing Practice vs. Doctors' Orders.
AB  - The practice policy of doctors' orders is still deeply embedded in 21st century
      professional nurse practice, despite its profound incongruence with nursing's
      perspective, standards of practice, and advanced knowledge. The author in this
      article elaborates on the doctors' orders policy in relation to nursing's
      disciplinary perspective and epistemic authority in professional practice. 

PMID- 27271140
TI  - The Two Nursing Disciplinary Scientific Revolutions: Florence Nightingale and
      Martha E. Rogers.
AB  - The purpose of this essay is to share Kan Koffi's ideas about scientific
      revolutions in the discipline of nursing. Koffi has proposed that the works of
      Florence Nightingale and Martha E. Rogers represent two scientific revolutions in
      nursing as a learned discipline. The outcome of these two scientific revolutions
      is a catalyst for critical disciplinary and paradigmatic debate about the
      universal conceptualization of nursing's distinctive professional and scientific
      knowledge. 

PMID- 27271141
TI  - Are You Encouraging Nurses to Obtain a Doctorate?

PMID- 27271144
TI  - ANNUAL SPECIAL ISSUE "Biomechanical Engineering-Year in Review".

PMID- 27271147
TI  - Journal of Biomechanical Engineering: Legacy Paper 2016.

PMID- 27271146
TI  - 2015 Editors' Choice Papers.

PMID- 27271148
TI  - Society Awards 2015.

PMID- 27271149
TI  - 2015 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference Student
      Paper Competition.

PMID- 27271151
TI  - Portuguese Adaptation of a Faux Pas Test and a Theory of Mind Picture Stories
      Task.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Developmental concepts of 'Theory of Mind' (ToM) suggest that this
      cognitive domain is an innate human capacity requiring input from the social
      environment to mature. Research suggests substantial individual differences in
      ToM, depending on childhood experiences, genetics, and the presence or absence of
      a neuropsychiatric disorder. None of the existing ToM tests for adult populations
      have been made available in Portuguese. Accordingly, the main objective of this
      study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Portuguese versions of
      the Faux Pas (FP) Recognition Test and the ToM Picture Stories Task. SAMPLING AND
      METHODS: Both tests were given to a sample of 200 Portuguese adults (125 women
      and 75 men) aged between 18 and 60 years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The
      psychometric analyses of the results indicate that the Portuguese version of the
      FP Recognition Test is appropriate for use in research and clinical settings,
      providing a composite score that reliably measures the ability to infer the
      thoughts and feelings of others in a 'faux pas' situation (Cronbach's alpha =
      0.82). However, the ToM Picture Stories Task did not show acceptable psychometric
      qualities.

PMID- 27271152
TI  - ICT and Intellectual Disability: A Survey of Organizational Support at the
      Municipal Level in Sweden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Young adults today have grown up in a society where information and
      communication technology (ICT) support empowerment and social participation.
      Young adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability are at risk for
      marginalization by the digital divide. The aim was to map and describe how
      municipal organizations in Sweden organize support in terms of policy and
      strategies to enable the use of ICT in social care for adults with a mild-to
      moderate intellectual disability. METHODS: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey
      including all municipalities in Sweden (n = 290) was conducted (response rate:
      51%, n = 147). Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: Findings indicate a
      lack of organizational support for staff as well as for young adults with mild-to
      moderate intellectual disability. CONCLUSION: Municipalities request more
      knowledge about strategies for making ICT available. Despite the lack of
      comprehensive strategies for ICT, some Swedish municipalities have taken the
      initiative in this area.

PMID- 27271153
TI  - Breast Cancer Knowledge and Screening Practice and Barriers Among Women in
      Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - A breast screening program may help to reduce cancer mortality rates among women.
      However, the use of the screening program by women in Madinah city is low, and
      studies examining its practice and barriers of low uptake are sparse. To identify
      breast cancer knowledge, practice and screening barriers among women attending
      primary health centers (PHC) in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. A primary health center
      based cross-sectional study was performed in Madinah city in 2015. A multistage
      stratified cluster sample was obtained and included 465 women (15 years and
      older) from five PHC. Data concerning socio-demographics, knowledge about breast
      cancer, and practice and barriers of mammography use were collected using a
      structured questionnaire. The mean age of the studied 465 women was 34.9 +/- 12.2
      years. Of these women, 27.7 and 38.5 % received mammography and performed breast
      self-examination, respectively. A high level of poor knowledge about breast
      cancer was detected in the overall studied women and those who never received a
      mammography, particularly knowledge related to the risk factors of breast cancer.
      The most important predictors of the barriers to mammography were incorrect
      beliefs about mammography and its procedures. A belief that mammography is
      painful was significantly associated with a 56 % reduction in its use (OR = 0.44;
      95 % CI = 0.22-0.88). The high levels of poor knowledge about cancer breast
      observed in this study reflect the need for greater efforts to increase breast
      awareness education.

PMID- 27271154
TI  - [Spinal catheter-associated cerebrospinal fluid leak].
AB  - Cerebrospinal fluid leak, with its typical postdural puncture headache, occurs in
      8-25 % of patients after insertion of a spinal catheter for treatment with an
      intrathecal pain pump. Symptoms are usually self-limiting; only rarely is an
      epidural blood patch used. In this case of a 49-year-old woman, we assumed a
      postdural puncture headache after replacement of the spinal catheter. Because of
      the persistence of symptoms and serous wound secretion around the paravertebral
      incision, we decided to test the catheter under radiological control with a
      contrast agent. Leakage could be seen within the spinal catheter, which was
      responsible for the symptoms. Because of an ongoing infection accompanied by
      meningitis the whole system had to be removed.

PMID- 27271155
TI  - [Knowledge, attitude and opinion of patients regarding the new German legislation
      on advance care planning : Results of a survey in a department of general
      internal medicine].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In September 2009 a new legislation for advance care planning was
      introduced in Germany with the important characteristics of bindingness and
      unlimited validity for individual directives. Knowledge regarding this act and
      the attitude towards its characteristics among patients is unclear. AIM OF THIS
      STUDY: Analysis of knowledge, attitude and opinion of patients in a general
      internal medical department regarding advance care planning in general and the
      recent German legislation. METHODS: A total of 200 consecutive patients in an
      internal medicine ward were interviewed with the help of a questionnaire
      regarding their attitude to and knowledge on advance care planning in general and
      the current legislation. RESULTS: Approximately 40 % of the patients had issued
      some form of directive (either advance care directive or health care proxy) and
      only 7.5 % were advised by their physicians to make an advance directive.
      Patients with no directive were not willing to deal with dying and death, were
      not well-informed about directives or assumed that relatives or physicians would
      make an appropriate decision. Characteristics of the new legislation were
      controversially assessed; only 21 % of the patients wished to have a literal
      implementation of their directive. Regarding the content of an advance directive,
      more than 80 % of the patients voted for pain control in the palliative setting.
      CONCLUSION: The proportion of patients with a directive regarding advance care
      planning is only slowly increasing. Many patients are not well-informed, do not
      want to deal with dying or would like to delegate decisions to relatives and
      physicians. The present characteristics of the German legislation are
      controversially assessed and often do not represent the wishes of the patients.

PMID- 27271156
TI  - [The Munster Charter : Implementation of high-quality pain therapy].

PMID- 27271157
TI  - A Movement Monitor Based on Magneto-Inertial Sensors for Non-Ambulant Patients
      with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Pilot Study in Controlled Environment.
AB  - Measurement of muscle strength and activity of upper limbs of non-ambulant
      patients with neuromuscular diseases is a major challenge. ActiMyo(r) is an
      innovative device that uses magneto-inertial sensors to record angular velocities
      and linear accelerations that can be used over long periods of time in the home
      environment. The device was designed to insure long-term stability and good
      signal to noise ratio, even for very weak movements. In order to determine
      relevant and pertinent clinical variables with potential for use as outcome
      measures in clinical trials or to guide therapy decisions, we performed a pilot
      study in non-ambulant neuromuscular patients. We report here data from seven
      Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) patients (mean age 18.5 +/- 5.5 years)
      collected in a clinical setting. Patients were assessed while wearing the device
      during performance of validated tasks (MoviPlate, Box and Block test and
      Minnesota test) and tasks mimicking daily living. The ActiMyo(r) sensors were
      placed on the wrists during all the tests. Software designed for use with the
      device computed several variables to qualify and quantify muscular activity in
      the non-ambulant subjects. Four variables representative of upper limb activity
      were studied: the rotation rate, the ratio of the vertical component in the
      overall acceleration, the hand elevation rate, and an estimate of the power of
      the upper limb. The correlations between clinical data and physical activity and
      the ActiMyo(r) movement parameters were analyzed. The mean of the rotation rate
      and mean of the elevation rate appeared promising since these variables had the
      best reliability scores and correlations with task scores. Parameters could be
      computed even in a patient with a Brooke functional score of 6. The variables
      chosen are good candidates as potential outcome measures in non-ambulant patients
      with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and use of the ActiMyo(r) is currently being
      explored in home environment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01611597.

PMID- 27271159
TI  - Prognostic value of C-reactive protein in cirrhosis: external validation from the
      CANONIC cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The variations in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been
      reported to have prognostic significance in decompensated cirrhotic patients. We
      aimed to provide an external validation of a prognostic model combining model for
      end-stage liver disease (MELD) and 'sustained high CRP levels' as main variables
      and to optimize the model to the context of liver transplantation by focusing on
      3-month mortality with no consideration of severe chronic extrahepatic diseases.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from cirrhotic patients enrolled in the CANONIC study
      were collected. Multivariate analyses used the competing risk model. The
      prognostic performance [area under receiver operating characteristic curve
      (AUROC)] of the model incorporating CRP variations within 15 days was compared
      with that of the MELD score alone. RESULTS: 583 decompensated cirrhotic patients
      with Child-Pugh more than B7 and serial CRP measures available were included. Of
      these, 111 patients had baseline CRP at least 29 mg/l and 60 still had CRP at
      least 29 mg/l at day 15+/-6 (group A). Multivariate analysis (competing risk)
      identified three predictors of 3-month mortality: high MELD score [hazard ratio
      (HR)=1.14; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.11-1.17, P<0.001], age (HR=1.04; 95%
      CI: 1.02-1.06, P<0.001), and group A (HR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.01-2.81, P=0.046). The
      performance of the three variables taken together for predicting 3-month
      mortality was 0.796 (AUROC), which was significantly higher than that of the MELD
      score (AUROC=0.769; P=0.019). CONCLUSION: In Child-Pugh higher than B7 cirrhotic
      patients with decompensation, prognostic models incorporating variations in CRP
      within 15 days and age predict 3-month mortality better than the MELD score
      alone. Such models would improve the ranking of candidates for liver
      transplantation by differentiating the severe patients with persistent systemic
      inflammation and intermediate MELD scores.

PMID- 27271158
TI  - An Algorithm to Identify Target-Selective Ligands - A Case Study of 5-HT7/5-HT1A
      Receptor Selectivity.
AB  - A computational procedure to search for selective ligands for structurally
      related protein targets was developed and verified for serotonergic 5-HT7/5-HT1A
      receptor ligands. Starting from a set of compounds with annotated activity at
      both targets (grouped into four classes according to their activity: selective
      toward each target, not-selective and not-selective but active) and with an
      additional set of decoys (prepared using DUD methodology), the SVM (Support
      Vector Machines) models were constructed using a selective subset as positive
      examples and four remaining classes as negative training examples. Based on these
      four component models, the consensus classifier was then constructed using a data
      fusion approach. The combination of two approaches of data representation
      (molecular fingerprints vs. structural interaction fingerprints), different
      training set sizes and selection of the best SVM component models for consensus
      model generation, were evaluated to determine the optimal settings for the
      developed algorithm. The results showed that consensus models with molecular
      fingerprints, a larger training set and the selection of component models based
      on MCC maximization provided the best predictive performance. 

PMID- 27271160
TI  - The prevalence and co-occurrence of hematological complications at the time of
      diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C in Poland: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency, co-occurrence, and risk factors for
      hematological complications at the time of diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C
      (CHC). METHODS: This study included 1237 patients with CHC aged 18-88 years
      diagnosed in the years 1998-2010 in the Pomeranian region of Poland. Clinical
      data, cell blood count, liver biopsy, and biochemistry results were obtained
      retrospectively. RESULTS: Hematological complications were found in 31% of
      patients. The most frequent complication was thrombocytopenia (23.8%). The
      multivariate analysis showed a 5.1-fold increased risk (P<0.05) of at least one
      additional hematological complication in patients with thrombocytopenia. The
      greatest increase in risk (7.3) was related to leukopenia and cryoglobulinemia
      (2.3). The risk of leukopenia was correlated with the severity of
      thrombocytopenia. The risk of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia increased
      significantly from, respectively, stages 3 and 2 of liver fibrosis compared with
      patients without fibrosis. CONCLUSION: In patients with CHC, decreases in cell
      blood count occur quite frequently. The most often is mild and solitary
      thrombocytopenia, but if severe, it may be accompanied by leukopenia, especially
      in women. The presence of thrombocytopenia and leukopenia in patients with CHC
      may indicate advanced liver fibrosis or its final stage: cirrhosis.

PMID- 27271162
TI  - DFT-B3LYP study of interactions between host biphenyl-1-aza-18-crown-6 ether
      derivatives and guest Cd(2+): NBO, NEDA, and QTAIM analyses.
AB  - This report present the results of natural energy decomposition analysis (NEDA),
      natural bond orbital (NBO), and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM)
      calculations of three derivatives of biphenyl-1-aza-18-crown-6 ether and their
      1:1 complexes with Cd(2+). All calculations used the B3LYP density functional
      theory in combination with the 6-311G and WTBS basis sets for ligands and Cd(2+)
      ion, respectively. Ligands 1 and 3 have a single 1-aza-18-crown-6, substituent;
      ligand 2 has two such substituents. The results show that, in the optimized
      geometries of the complexes, the distance between N and Cd(2+) is greater than
      the distance between O and Cd(2+). NBO and QTAIM data confirm these results.
      There was no stabilization energy or bond critical point for N . . . Cd(2+) in
      NBO or QTAIM, respectively. Data show that the O . . . Cd(2+) interaction is a
      kind of closed shell interaction. The trend of the calculated stabilization
      energy was similar to the experimental data. Different contributions of
      interaction energies for complex formation were analyzed by NEDA, and the results
      show that the main component of the interactions is accounted for by
      polarization.

PMID- 27271161
TI  - Iron Overload or Oxidative Stress? Insight into a Mechanism of Early Cardiac
      Manifestations of Asymptomatic Hereditary Hemochromatosis Subjects with C282Y
      Homozygosity.
AB  - Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a genetic disorder which affects the heart due
      to systemic iron overload and concomitant elevated oxidative stress. Increasing
      numbers of patients are diagnosed at an asymptomatic stage due to genetic
      testing. Subclinical abnormal left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF) and
      increased arrhythmias are noted in this population; however, the mechanism
      leading to these observances has not been well understood. In this study, we
      assessed the relationship between arrhythmia activity and biomarkers of oxidative
      stress and iron overload in order to elucidate the role of oxidative stress in
      this population since we observed a significant association with LVDF previously.
      A significant correlation between plasma malondialdehyde, a biomarker of
      oxidative stress, and supraventricular arrhythmia activity without a significant
      association with iron overload was identified (n = 22). Our findings further
      highlight a possible role of oxidative stress in early cardiac manifestations of
      HH. Further investigation is warranted to assess this role.

PMID- 27271163
TI  - Theoretical investigation of the addition reaction of the aluminum
      chlorosilylenoid H(2)SiAlCl(3) with ethylene.
AB  - The addition reaction of the aluminum chlorosilylenoid H2SiAlCl3 with ethylene
      was investigated using the M06-2X and QCISD methods for the first time. The
      calculated results demonstrate that the addition reaction proceeds via two
      pathways: path I involves just one transition state, while path II involves two
      transition states. Path I is more feasible dynamically, as it has a lower barrier
      height than path II. The effect of the solvent CH2Cl2 was taken into
      consideration using the PCM model. The results indicated that the addition
      reaction is less likely to occur in CH2Cl2 solvent than in vacuum. This work has
      therefore highlighted a new pathway for the synthesis of silicon heterocyclic
      compounds. Graphical Abstract Relative energies (in kJ.mol(-1)) of the stationary
      points along the potential energy surfaces of the addition reaction of H2SiAlCl3
      with C2H4 (values in parentheses were calculated in CH2Cl2 solvent).

PMID- 27271164
TI  - Fumaric acid esters for psoriasis: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease associated with increased
      morbidity and mortality. Effective and safe long term treatment options are
      required to manage the illness successfully. A number of systemic agents are
      available, however, each of them has potentially significant side effects.
      Fumaric acid esters (FAE) are used first line in Germany for the management of
      moderate to severe psoriasis, however, their use in Ireland is on an unlicensed
      basis (Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 37:786-801, 2012). OBJECTIVES: The
      purpose of this literature review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FAEs
      in the management of moderate to severe psoriasis in adult patients. The reviewer
      intends to systematically review all available literature on the efficacy and/or
      safety of fumaric acid esters in the management of moderate to severe psoriasis
      in adult patients. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed
      by one reviewer. The PubMed, TRIP, Embase, and Cochrane Collaboration databases
      were systematically interrogated to include randomised controlled trials, cohort
      studies and case studies evaluating the efficacy and/or safety of FAEs in the
      management of moderate to severe psoriasis in adult patients. Inclusion criteria
      were studies which included adults over 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of
      moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, who were treated with FAEs and no
      other systemic anti-psoriatic agents concurrently. Exclusion criteria were
      studies involving children, mild psoriasis, studies which did not include
      patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, the use of FAE for the management of
      illnesses other than psoriasis, and patients treated with more than one systemic
      anti-psoriatic agent concurrently. RESULTS: In total 19 articles were selected
      for review including 2 randomised placebo controlled trials, 1 non-randomised
      comparative study, 7 retrospective cohort studies, 2 prospective cohort studies
      and 7 case studies. The findings suggest that FAEs are a safe and effective
      treatment option for the management of moderate to severe psoriasis in adult
      patients. Gastrointestinal side effects may occur on treatment initiation and may
      be minimised by slow dose titration. Lymphocytopenia and eosinophilia are common,
      however, they are rarely of significance and there is no high level of evidence
      available to suggest a resultant increased risk of infection or malignancy.
      Rarely alterations of renal and hepatic function may occur, however, these are
      largely reversible on treatment withdrawal. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the use of
      FAE in the management of moderate to severe psoriasis is a promising treatment
      option, especially for those patients intolerant of, or unresponsive to other
      agents. If blood parameters are closely monitored during treatment as per the
      European Medicine Agencies guidelines (European Medicines Agency, 'Updated
      recommendations to minimise the risk of the rare brain infection PML with
      Tecfidera',
      http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Press_release/2015/10/WC5001
      6017.pdf , 2015) they may be safely used in practice. The licensing of FAEs in
      Ireland for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis would be desirable,
      increasing available treatment options.

PMID- 27271166
TI  - Correction: Signal Transduction at the Domain Interface of Prokaryotic Pentameric
      Ligand-Gated Ion Channels.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002393.].

PMID- 27271165
TI  - The use of ultrasonography and digital mammography in women under 40 years with
      symptomatic breast cancer: a 7-year Irish experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer in women under 40 years of age is rare and typically
      presents symptomatically. The optimal imaging modality for this patient group is
      controversial. Most women undergo ultrasonography with/without mammography. Young
      women typically have dense breasts, which can obscure the features of malignancy
      on film mammography, however, initial studies have suggested that digital
      mammography may have a more accurate diagnostic performance in younger women.
      Ultrasound generally performs well in this age group, although it is poor at
      detecting carcinoma in situ (DCIS). AIMS: To evaluate the comparative diagnostic
      performance of ultrasonography and digital mammography in the initial diagnostic
      evaluation of women under 40 years of age with symptomatic breast cancer.
      METHODS: Retrospective review of all women under the age of 40 years managed at
      our symptomatic breast cancer unit from January 2009 to December 2015. RESULTS:
      There were 120 patients that met the inclusion criteria for this study. The
      sensitivity of ultrasonography and digital mammography for breast cancer in this
      patient group was 95.8 and 87.5 %, respectively. The patients with a false
      negative mammographic examination were more likely to have dense breasts (p <
      0.01). Five patients had a false negative ultrasonographic examination, withal of
      whom were diagnosed with DCIS detected by mammography. CONCLUSION: This study
      demonstrates the superior sensitivity of ultrasound for breast cancer in women
      under the age of 40 years, however, the results show that digital mammography has
      an important complimentary role in the comprehensive assessment of these
      patients, particularly in the diagnosis of DCIS.

PMID- 27271176
TI  - Impact on Life Expectancy of Withdrawing Thiopurines in Patients with Crohn's
      Disease in Sustained Clinical Remission: A Lifetime Risk-Benefit Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Long-term treatment with thiopurines is associated with a decreased
      risk of Crohn's disease (CD) flare but an increased risk of various cancers
      depending on gender, age, and presence of extensive colitis. We evaluated risks
      and benefits of withdrawing thiopurines in patients with CD in prolonged
      remission. METHODS: We developed a Markov model assessing risks and benefits of
      withdrawing thiopurines compared to continuing thiopurines in a lifetime horizon.
      The model was stratified by age (35 and 65 years old at thiopurine withdrawal),
      gender and presence of extensive colitis. Parameter estimates were taken from
      French cohorts and hospital databases, cancer and death national registries and
      published literature. Life expectancy, rates of relapse, serious adverse events,
      and causes-of-death were evaluated. RESULTS: In patients without extensive
      colitis, continuing thiopurines increased life expectancy up to 0.03 years for 35
      year-old men and women but decreased life expectancy down to 0.07 years for 65
      year-old men and women. Withdrawal strategy became the preferred strategy at 40.6
      years for men, and 45.7 years for women without extensive colitis. In patients
      with extensive colitis, continuation strategy was the preferred strategy
      regardless of age. Risk-benefit analysis was not modified by duration of CD
      activity. CONCLUSIONS: Factors determining life expectancy associated with
      withdrawal or continuation of thiopurines in patients with CD and in sustained
      clinical remission vary substantially according to gender, age and presence of
      extensive colitis. Individual decisions to continue or withdraw thiopurines in
      patients with CD in sustained remission should take into account these
      parameters.

PMID- 27271178
TI  - Regional inequalities in child malnutrition in Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen: a
      Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis.
AB  - There is substantial evidence that on average, urban children have better health
      outcomes than rural children. This paper investigates the underlying factors that
      account for the regional disparities in child malnutrition in three Arab
      countries, namely; Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen. We use data on a nationally
      representative sample from the most recent rounds of the Demographic and Health
      Survey. A Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis is conducted to decompose the
      rural-urban differences in child nutrition outcomes into two components; one that
      is explained by regional differences in the level of the determinants (covariate
      effects), and another component that is explained by differences in the effect of
      the determinants on the child nutritional status (coefficient effects). Results
      show that the under-five stunting rates are 20 % in Egypt, 46.5 % in Yemen, and
      7.7 % in Jordan. The rural- urban gap in child malnutrition was minor in the case
      of Egypt (2.3 %) and Jordan (1.5 %), while the regional gap was significant in
      the case of Yemen (17.7 %). Results of the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition show that
      the covariate effect is dominant in the case of Yemen while the coefficients
      effect dominates in the case of Jordan. Income inequality between urban and rural
      households explains most of the malnutrition gap. Results were robust to the
      different decomposition weighting schemes. By identifying the underlying factors
      behind the rural- urban health disparities, the findings of this paper help in
      designing effective intervention measures aimed at reducing regional inequalities
      and improving population health outcomes. 

PMID- 27271177
TI  - Efficiency of Ontario primary care physicians across payment models: a stochastic
      frontier analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study examines the relationship between the primary care model
      that a physician belongs to and the efficiency of the primary care physician in
      Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Survey data were collected from 183 self-selected
      physicians and linked to administrative databases to capture the provision of
      services to the patients served for the 12 month period ending June 30, 2013, and
      the characteristics of the patients at the beginning of the study period. Two
      stochastic frontier regression models were used to estimate efficiency scores and
      parameters for two separate outputs: the number of distinct patients seen and the
      number of visits. RESULTS: Because of missing data, only 165 physicians were
      included in the analyses. The average efficiency was 0.72 for both outputs with
      scores varying from 4 % to 93 % for the visits and 5 % to 94 % for the number of
      patients seen. We observed that there were both very low and very high efficiency
      scores within each model. These variations were larger than variations in average
      scores across models.

PMID- 27271179
TI  - Knowledge sharing behaviour and intensive care nurse innovation: the moderating
      role of control of care quality.
AB  - AIMS: This study investigates the influence of intensive care unit nurses'
      knowledge sharing behaviour on nurse innovation, given different conditions of
      care quality control. BACKGROUND: Health-care organisations face an increasing
      pressure to innovate while controlling care quality. We have little insight on
      how the control of care quality interacts with the knowledge sharing behaviour of
      intensive care nurses to affect their innovative behaviours. METHODS: We
      developed a multi-source survey study of more than 200 intensive care nurses at
      22 intensive care units of 17 Danish hospitals. Two versions of the questionnaire
      were used - one designed for nurse employees and the other for the managing
      nurse(s). An ordinary least squares regression analysis was used to test the
      hypotheses. RESULTS: Different aspects of knowledge sharing affect innovation
      differently, depending on the strength of the control of care quality within the
      unit. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing pressures to implement the control of care
      quality and innovate may be conflicting, unless handled properly. IMPLICATIONS
      FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Process control at intensive care units should be
      loosened, when personal interaction between intensive care nurses is encouraged
      to stimulate nurse innovations. Alternatively, managers may develop a climate
      where helping others, especially with younger colleagues, offsets the negative
      effects of strong process control.

PMID- 27271181
TI  - Metformin Therapy and Circulating NT-proBNP Levels: The CAMERA Trial.

PMID- 27271180
TI  - Vitamin D Supplementation Reduces Intimal Hyperplasia and Restenosis following
      Coronary Intervention in Atherosclerotic Swine.
AB  - Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid hormone that activates vitamin D receptor to
      regulate multiple downstream signaling pathways and transcription of various
      target genes. There is an association between vitamin D deficiency and increased
      risk for cardiovascular disease. However, most of the studies are observational
      and associative in nature with limited data on clinical application. Thus, there
      is a need for more prospective randomized controlled studies to determine whether
      or not vitamin D supplementation provides cardiovascular protection. In this
      study, we examined the effects of the deficiency and supplementation of vitamin D
      on coronary restenosis following coronary intervention in atherosclerotic Yucatan
      microswine. Twelve Yucatan microswine were fed vitamin D-deficient (n = 4) or 
      sufficient (n = 8) high cholesterol diet for 6-months followed by coronary
      intervention. Post-intervention, swine in the vitamin D-sufficient high
      cholesterol diet group received daily oral supplementation of either 1,000 IU (n
      = 4) or 3,000 IU (n = 4) vitamin D3. Six months later, optical coherence
      tomography (OCT) was performed to monitor the development of intimal hyperplasia
      and restenosis. Animals were euthanized to isolate arteries for histomorphometric
      and immunohistochemical studies. Animals had graded levels of serum 25(OH)D;
      vitamin D-deficient (15.33 +/- 1.45 ng/ml), vitamin D-sufficient + 1,000 IU oral
      vitamin D post-intervention (32.27 +/- 1.20 ng/ml), and vitamin D-sufficient +
      3,000 IU oral vitamin D post-intervention (51.00 +/- 3.47 ng/ml). Findings from
      the OCT and histomorphometric studies showed a decrease in intimal hyperplasia
      and restenosis in vitamin D-supplemented compared to vitamin D-deficient swine.
      Vitamin D supplementation significantly decreased serum levels of TNF-alpha and
      IFN-gamma, upregulated serum levels of IL-10, and had no effect on serum IL-6
      levels. These findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation limits neointimal
      formation following coronary intervention in atherosclerotic swine and provide
      the support for vitamin D supplementation to protect against the development of
      coronary restenosis. 

PMID- 27271182
TI  - Day-and-Night Closed-Loop Control Using the Unified Safety System in Adolescents
      With Type 1 Diabetes at Camp.

PMID- 27271183
TI  - Antisense-Mediated Lowering of Plasma Apolipoprotein C-III by Volanesorsen
      Improves Dyslipidemia and Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of volanesorsen (ISIS 304801), a second
      generation 2'-O-methoxyethyl chimeric antisense inhibitor of apolipoprotein
      (apo)C-III, on triglyceride (TG) levels and insulin resistance in patients with
      type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo
      controlled trial was performed in 15 adult patients with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c
      >7.5% [58 mmol/mol]) and hypertriglyceridemia (TG >200 and <500 mg/dL). Patients
      were randomized 2:1 to receive volanesorsen 300 mg or placebo for a total of 15
      subcutaneous weekly doses. Glucose handling and insulin sensitivity were measured
      before and after treatment using a two-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp
      procedure. RESULTS: Treatment with volanesorsen significantly reduced plasma apoC
      III (-88%, P = 0.02) and TG (-69%, P = 0.02) levels and raised HDL cholesterol
      (HDL-C) (42%, P = 0.03) compared with placebo. These changes were accompanied by
      a 57% improvement in whole-body insulin sensitivity (P < 0.001). Importantly, we
      found a strong relationship between enhanced insulin sensitivity and both plasma
      apoC-III (r = -0.61, P = 0.03) and TG (r = -0.68, P = 0.01) suppression. Improved
      insulin sensitivity was sufficient to significantly lower glycated albumin (
      1.7%, P = 0.034) and fructosamine (-38.7 MUmol/L, P = 0.045) at the end of dosing
      and HbA1c (-0.44% [-4.9 mmol/mol], P = 0.025) 3 months postdosing. CONCLUSIONS:
      Volanesorsen reduced plasma apoC-III and TG while raising HDL-C levels.
      Importantly, glucose disposal, insulin sensitivity, and integrative markers of
      diabetes also improved in these patients after short-term treatment.

PMID- 27271184
TI  - CYP2C8 and SLCO1B1 Variants and Therapeutic Response to Thiazolidinediones in
      Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are putatively transported into the liver by
      OATP1B1 (encoded by SLCO1B1) and metabolized by CYP450 2C8 enzyme (encoded by
      CYP2C8). While CYP2C8*3 has been shown to alter TZD pharmacokinetics, it has not
      been shown to alter efficacy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We genotyped 833
      Scottish patients with type 2 diabetes treated with pioglitazone or rosiglitazone
      and jointly investigated association of variants in these two genes with
      therapeutic outcome. RESULTS: The CYP2C8*3 variant was associated with reduced
      glycemic response to rosiglitazone (P = 0.01) and less weight gain (P = 0.02).
      The SLCO1B1 521T>C variant was associated with enhanced glycemic response to
      rosiglitazone (P = 0.04). The super responders defined by combined genotypes at
      CYP2C8 and SLCO1B1 had a 0.39% (4 mmol/mol) greater HbA1c reduction (P = 0.006)
      than the poor responders. Neither of the variants had a significant impact on
      pioglitazone response. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that variants in CYP2C8
      and SLCO1B1 have a large clinical impact on the therapeutic response to
      rosiglitazone and highlight the importance of studying transporter and
      metabolizing genes together in pharmacogenetics.

PMID- 27271185
TI  - Role and Determinants of Adherence to Off-loading in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing:
      A Prospective Investigation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Studies indicate that off-loading adherence is low in patients with
      diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which may subsequently delay healing. However, there
      is little empirical evidence for this relationship or the factors that influence
      adherence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This prospective, multicenter,
      international study of 79 (46 from the U.K. and 33 the U.S.) persons with type 2
      diabetes and plantar DFUs assessed the association between off-loading adherence
      and DFU healing over a 6-week period. Additionally, potential demographic,
      disease, and psychological determinants of adherence were examined. DFUs were off
      loaded with a removable device (77% a removable cast walker). Off-loading
      adherence was assessed objectively by activity monitors. Patient-reported
      measures included Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Neuropathy and
      Foot Ulcer Quality of Life (NeuroQoL) instrument, and Revised Illness Perception
      Questionnaire (IPQ-R). RESULTS: Off-loading adherence was monitored for 35 +/- 10
      days, and devices were used during 59 +/- 22% of subjects' activity. In
      multivariate analyses, smaller baseline DFU size, U.K. study site, and better off
      loading adherence predicted smaller DFU size at 6 weeks (P < 0.05). Better off
      loading adherence was, in turn, predicted by larger and more severe baseline
      DFUs, more severe neuropathy, and NeuroQoL foot pain (P < 0.05). In contrast,
      greater NeuroQoL postural instability predicted worse off-loading adherence (P <
      0.001). HADS and IPQ-R measures were not significantly associated with off
      loading adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Off-loading adherence is associated with the
      amount of DFU healing that occurs, while postural instability is a powerful
      predictor of nonadherence. Clinicians should take this neuropathic symptom into
      consideration when selecting an off-loading device, as off-loading-induced
      postural instability may further contribute to nonadherence.

PMID- 27271186
TI  - Celiac Disease Negatively Influences Lipid Profiles in Young Children With Type 1
      Diabetes: Effect of the Gluten-Free Diet.

PMID- 27271187
TI  - Does beta-Cell Autoimmunity Play a Role in Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes?
      Analysis Based on the German/Austrian Diabetes Patienten Verlaufsdokumentation
      Registry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Research on beta-cell autoimmunity in cystic fibrosis (CF)-related
      diabetes (CFRD) is still rare. We aimed to analyze the frequency of beta-cell
      autoimmunity and the influence on age at diabetes onset, insulin requirement,
      type of insulin therapy, and hypoglycemic or ketoacidotic events in patients with
      CFRD compared with antibody-negative patients with CFRD in the Diabetes Patienten
      Verlaufsdokumentation (DPV) registry. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed
      data of 837 patients with CFRD in the German/Austrian DPV database by
      multivariable mixed-regression modeling. RESULTS: In our cohort, 8.5% of patients
      with CFRD (n = 72) were found to be beta-cell antibody positive. There was a
      female preponderance in this patient group: 65.3 vs. 57.6%. Diabetes onset
      (median [interquartile range]) was earlier (14.00 [10.15-15.90] vs. 16.10 [13.50
      21.20] years; P < 0.005), and insulin dose/kg body weight was higher (0.95 [0.61
      1.15] vs. 0.67 [0.33-1.04] IU/kg; P < 0.05). There were also differences in the
      type of insulin treatment. Insulin pump therapy was used significantly more often
      in patients with CFRD with beta-cell autoimmunity (18.2 vs. 6.4%; P < 0.05). The
      differences for multiple daily injections (ICT) and conventional therapy (CT)
      were not significant (ICT: 67.7 vs. 79.0%; CT: 15.2 vs. 14.6). Oral antidiabetic
      agents were rarely used in both groups. Rate of severe hypoglycemia with coma and
      rate of ketoacidosis were higher in antibody-positive patients (hypoglycemia with
      coma: 8.0 vs. 1.4, P < 0.05; ketoacidosis: 9.3 vs. 0.9, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Presence of beta-cell autoantibodies in our cohort of patients with CFRD (8.5%)
      appeared to be greater than in the general population and was associated with
      female sex, earlier onset of diabetes, and higher insulin requirement. Insulin
      pump therapy was used significantly more often in patients with beta-cell
      antibodies. Severe hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis were significantly more frequent
      in CFRD with beta-cell autoimmunity compared with beta-cell antibody-negative
      patients with CFRD.

PMID- 27271188
TI  - Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Severe Insulin Resistance.

PMID- 27271189
TI  - Systematic Population Screening, Using Biomarkers and Genetic Testing, Identifies
      2.5% of the U.K. Pediatric Diabetes Population With Monogenic Diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Monogenic diabetes is rare but is an important diagnosis in pediatric
      diabetes clinics. These patients are often not identified as this relies on the
      recognition of key clinical features by an alert clinician. Biomarkers (islet
      autoantibodies and C-peptide) can assist in the exclusion of patients with type 1
      diabetes and allow systematic testing that does not rely on clinical recognition.
      Our study aimed to establish the prevalence of monogenic diabetes in U.K.
      pediatric clinics using a systematic approach of biomarker screening and targeted
      genetic testing. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied 808 patients (79.5% of
      the eligible population) <20 years of age with diabetes who were attending six
      pediatric clinics in South West England and Tayside, Scotland. Endogenous insulin
      production was measured using the urinary C-peptide creatinine ratio (UCPCR). C
      peptide-positive patients (UCPCR >=0.2 nmol/mmol) underwent islet autoantibody
      (GAD and IA2) testing, with patients who were autoantibody negative undergoing
      genetic testing for all 29 identified causes of monogenic diabetes. RESULTS: A
      total of 2.5% of patients (20 of 808 patients) (95% CI 1.6-3.9%) had monogenic
      diabetes (8 GCK, 5 HNF1A, 4 HNF4A, 1 HNF1B, 1 ABCC8, 1 INSR). The majority (17 of
      20 patients) were managed without insulin treatment. A similar proportion of the
      population had type 2 diabetes (3.3%, 27 of 808 patients). CONCLUSIONS: This
      large systematic study confirms a prevalence of 2.5% of patients with monogenic
      diabetes who were <20 years of age in six U.K. clinics. This figure suggests that
      ~50% of the estimated 875 U.K. pediatric patients with monogenic diabetes have
      still not received a genetic diagnosis. This biomarker screening pathway is a
      practical approach that can be used to identify pediatric patients who are most
      appropriate for genetic testing.

PMID- 27271190
TI  - Association of Weight Loss Maintenance and Weight Regain on 4-Year Changes in CVD
      Risk Factors: the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) Clinical Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Short-term weight loss improves cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk
      factors. We sought to determine the longer-term effects of maintaining weight
      loss or, conversely, regaining weight. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used data
      from Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD), a randomized trial of intensive
      lifestyle intervention (ILI) compared to a control condition in overweight/obese
      individuals with type 2 diabetes. ILI participants were grouped according to
      weight change patterns, as follows: 1) no weight loss (+/-3% at years 1 and 4);
      2) moderate weight loss (3-8% at years 1 and 4); 3) large weight loss (8-20% at
      years 1 and 4); 4) moderate loss/full regain (3-8% at year 1/+/-3% at year 4); 5)
      large loss/full regain (8-20% at year 1/+/- 3% year 4); and 6) large loss/partial
      regain (8-20% at year 1/3-8% at year 4) and changes in CVD risk factors were
      compared. RESULTS: Adjusting for baseline differences and medication use, larger
      weight losses produced greater improvements in HbA1c, systolic blood pressure,
      HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides at years 1 and 4 (all P <= 0.02). Despite
      maintenance of weight loss, HbA1c levels worsened between years 1 and 4, and
      remained below baseline only in those with large weight losses. We found no
      negative associations of losing and regaining weight relative to not having lost
      weight. Moreover, those who had large initial weight loss but full regain of
      weight had greater improvements in HbA1c levels at year 4 than those with smaller
      or no initial weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Larger initial weight loss should be
      encouraged in individuals with type 2 diabetes, despite the possibility of
      regain.

PMID- 27271191
TI  - Long-term Cognitive Implications of Intrauterine Hyperglycemia in Adolescent
      Offspring of Women With Type 1 Diabetes (the EPICOM Study).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Exposure to maternal diabetes in utero may have a negative impact on
      the developing brain. The objective was to examine long-term cognitive
      consequences of intrauterine hyperglycemia in adolescent offspring of women with
      type 1 diabetes and to ascertain a possible association with maternal HbA1c.
      RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Offspring of a prospectively followed cohort of
      women with type 1 diabetes (n = 277) participated in a follow-up examination at
      the age of 13-19 years. A control group from the background population was
      identified (n = 301). Cognitive function was evaluated using Reynolds
      Intellectual Assessment Scales and classified into indices of composite
      intelligence, verbal and nonverbal intelligence, and composite memory.
      Frequencies of reading and writing problems and attendance to classes for
      children with learning difficulties were assessed. RESULTS: Offspring of women
      with type 1 diabetes scored lower in all normalized and standardized intelligence
      indices compared with controls: composite intelligence (95.7 vs. 100, P = 0.001),
      verbal intelligence (96.2 vs. 100, P = 0.004), nonverbal intelligence (96.4 vs.
      100, P = 0.008), and composite memory (95.7 vs. 100, P = 0.001). A higher
      frequency of diabetes-exposed offspring had parent-reported learning difficulties
      in primary school. Differences between groups remained after adjustment for
      confounders and potential mediators. We found no direct association between
      maternal HbA1c and offspring cognitive function in the exposed group.
      CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent offspring of women with type 1 diabetes had lower
      cognitive function compared with a control group, also after adjustment for
      confounders and potential mediators. These differences may reflect direct harmful
      effects of maternal diabetes on neurodevelopment in the offspring.

PMID- 27271193
TI  - Further Conceptualizing Ethnic and Racial Identity Research: The Social Identity
      Approach and Its Dynamic Model.
AB  - This article proposes a further conceptualization of ethnic and racial identity
      (ERI) as a fundamental topic in developmental research. Adding to important
      recent efforts to conceptually integrate and synthesize this field, it is argued
      that ERI research will be enhanced by more fully considering the implications of
      the social identity approach. These implications include (a) the
      conceptualization of social identity, (b) the importance of identity motives, (c)
      systematic ways for theorizing and examining the critical role of situational and
      societal contexts, and (d) a dynamic model of the relation between ERI and
      context. These implications have not been fully considered in the developmental
      literature but offer important possibilities for moving the field forward in new
      directions.

PMID- 27271192
TI  - Long-term Microvascular Disease Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes After
      Bariatric Surgery: Evidence for the Legacy Effect of Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify and quantify any legacy effect of bariatric surgery on
      risk of incident microvascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH
      DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study (n =
      4,683; 40% racial/ethnic minority) of patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent
      bariatric surgery from 2001 through 2011. The primary outcome measure was
      incident microvascular disease defined as a composite indicator of the first
      occurrence of retinopathy, neuropathy, and/or nephropathy. The Cox proportional
      hazards framework was used to investigate the associations between type 2
      diabetes remission/relapse status and time to microvascular disease. RESULTS:
      Covariate-adjusted analyses showed that patients who experienced type 2 diabetes
      remission had 29% lower risk of incident microvascular disease compared with
      patients who never remitted (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71 [95% CI 0.60, 0.85]). Among
      patients who experienced a relapse after remission, the length of time spent in
      remission was inversely related to the risk of incident microvascular disease;
      for every additional year of time spent in remission prior to relapse, the risk
      of microvascular disease was reduced by 19% (HR 0.81 [95% CI 0.67, 0.99])
      compared with patients who never remitted. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that
      remission of type 2 diabetes after bariatric surgery confers benefits for risk of
      incident microvascular disease even if patients eventually experience a relapse
      of their type 2 diabetes. This provides support for a legacy effect of bariatric
      surgery, where even a transient period of surgically induced type 2 diabetes
      remission is associated with lower long-term microvascular disease risk.

PMID- 27271194
TI  - Rapid Synthesis of Thin and Long Mo17O47 Nanowire-Arrays in an Oxygen Deficient
      Flame.
AB  - Mo17O47 nanowire-arrays are promising active materials and electrically
      conductive supports for batteries and other devices. While high surface area
      resulting from long, thin, densely packed nanowires generally leads to improved
      performance in a wide variety of applications, the Mo17O47 nanowire-arrays
      synthesized previously by electrically-heated chemical vapor deposition under
      vacuum conditions were relatively thick and short. Here, we demonstrate a method
      to grow significantly thinner and longer, densely packed, high-purity Mo17O47
      nanowire-arrays with diameters of 20-60 nm and lengths of 4-6 MUm on metal foil
      substrates using rapid atmospheric flame vapor deposition without any chamber or
      walls. The atmospheric pressure and 1000  degrees C evaporation temperature
      resulted in smaller diameters, longer lengths and order-of-magnitude faster
      growth rate than previously demonstrated. As explained by kinetic and
      thermodynamic calculations, the selective synthesis of high-purity Mo17O47
      nanowires is achieved due to low oxygen partial pressure in the flame products as
      a result of the high ratio of fuel to oxidizer supplied to the flame, which
      enables the correct ratio of MoO2 and MoO3 vapor concentrations for the growth of
      Mo17O47. This flame synthesis method is therefore a promising route for the
      growth of composition-controlled one-dimensional metal oxide nanomaterials for
      many applications.

PMID- 27271195
TI  - Tofacitinib versus etanercept or placebo in patients with moderate to severe
      chronic plaque psoriasis: patient-reported outcomes from a Phase 3 study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor that is being
      investigated for psoriasis. Psoriasis impacts on physical and psychological well
      being; improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with etanercept in
      psoriasis are well documented. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate HRQoL with tofacitinib, vs.
      placebo or etanercept, in the Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, non
      inferiority, Oral-treatment Psoriasis Trial (OPT) Compare Study (NCT01241591).
      METHODS: Adults with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis were randomized
      3:3:3:1 to tofacitinib 10 or 5 mg twice daily (BID), etanercept 50 mg twice
      weekly or placebo, for 12 weeks. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included
      Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Itch Severity Item and Patient Global
      Assessment of psoriasis. RESULTS: At baseline, 83.4% (911/1092) of patients had a
      DLQI score ranging between 6 and 30, indicating a substantial burden of disease.
      By Week 12, 47.3%, 43.6% and 30.9% of patients in the tofacitinib 10 mg BID,
      etanercept and tofacitinib 5 mg BID groups, respectively, had a DLQI score of 0
      or 1 (no effect of psoriasis on QoL) vs. 7.8% for placebo (all P < 0.0001).
      Tofacitinib significantly reduced itch vs. placebo (P < 0.05 both doses) and
      etanercept (P < 0.0001 both doses) within 1 day of starting treatment.
      Furthermore, reductions in itch were greater with tofacitinib 10 mg BID, vs.
      etanercept, at Weeks 2-12 (all time points P < 0.05). At Week 2, an Itch Severity
      Item score of 'little or no itch' was more frequent with tofacitinib 10 mg
      (68.6%) vs. etanercept (57.4%) and placebo (12.2%), and the PtGA response rate
      was significantly greater with tofacitinib 10 mg vs. placebo (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Oral tofacitinib provided significant improvements across multiple
      PROs by Week 12. Improvements with tofacitinib 10 mg BID were comparable to
      etanercept, and improvements in itch were greater and more rapid with tofacitinib
      10 mg BID.

PMID- 27271196
TI  - An E3-ligase-based method for ablating inhibitory synapses.
AB  - Although neuronal activity can be modulated using a variety of techniques, there
      are currently few methods for controlling neuronal connectivity. We introduce a
      tool (GFE3) that mediates the fast, specific and reversible elimination of
      inhibitory synaptic inputs onto genetically determined neurons. GFE3 is a fusion
      between an E3 ligase, which mediates the ubiquitination and rapid degradation of
      proteins, and a recombinant, antibody-like protein (FingR) that binds to
      gephyrin. Expression of GFE3 leads to a strong and specific reduction of gephyrin
      in culture or in vivo and to a substantial decrease in phasic inhibition onto
      cells that express GFE3. By temporarily expressing GFE3 we showed that inhibitory
      synapses regrow following ablation. Thus, we have created a simple, reversible
      method for modulating inhibitory synaptic input onto genetically determined
      cells.

PMID- 27271197
TI  - Quantitative detection of low-abundance somatic structural variants in normal
      cells by high-throughput sequencing.
AB  - The detection and quantification of low-abundance somatic DNA mutations by high
      throughput sequencing is challenging because of the difficulty of distinguishing
      errors from true mutations. There are several approaches available for analyzing
      somatic point mutations and small insertions or deletions, but an accurate genome
      wide assessment of somatic structural variants (somSVs) in bulk DNA is still not
      possible. Here we present Structural Variant Search (SVS), a method to accurately
      detect rare somSVs by low-coverage sequencing. We demonstrate direct quantitative
      assessment of elevated somSV frequencies induced by known clastogenic compounds
      in human primary cells.

PMID- 27271199
TI  - Usability evaluation of low-cost virtual reality hand and arm rehabilitation
      games.
AB  - The emergence of lower-cost motion tracking devices enables home-based virtual
      reality rehabilitation activities and increased accessibility to patients.
      Currently, little documentation on patients' expectations for virtual reality
      rehabilitation is available. This study surveyed 10 people with stroke for their
      expectations of virtual reality rehabilitation games. This study also evaluated
      the usability of three lower-cost virtual reality rehabilitation games using a
      survey and House of Quality analysis. The games (kitchen, archery, and puzzle)
      were developed in the laboratory to encourage coordinated finger and arm
      movements. Lower-cost motion tracking devices, the P5 Glove and Microsoft Kinect,
      were used to record the movements. People with stroke were found to desire
      motivating and easy-to-use games with clinical insights and encouragement from
      therapists. The House of Quality analysis revealed that the games should be
      improved by obtaining evidence for clinical effectiveness, including clinical
      feedback regarding improving functional abilities, adapting the games to the
      user's changing functional ability, and improving usability of the motion
      tracking devices. This study reports the expectations of people with stroke for
      rehabilitation games and usability analysis that can help guide development of
      future games.

PMID- 27271198
TI  - Dense transcript profiling in single cells by image correlation decoding.
AB  - Sequential barcoded fluorescent in situ hybridization (seqFISH) allows large
      numbers of molecular species to be accurately detected in single cells, but
      multiplexing is limited by the density of barcoded objects. We present
      correlation FISH (corrFISH), a method to resolve dense temporal barcodes in
      sequential hybridization experiments. Using corrFISH, we quantified highly
      expressed ribosomal protein genes in single cultured cells and mouse thymus
      sections, revealing cell-type-specific gene expression.

PMID- 27271200
TI  - International prescribing practices in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess rates of psychotropic medication use in patients with
      obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in seven different countries on five
      continents and to compare these with international treatment guidelines. METHODS:
      Researchers in the field of OCD were invited to contribute summary statistics on
      the characteristics of their patients with OCD and on their incidence of
      psychotropic use. Consistency of summary statistics across countries was
      evaluated. RESULTS: The data came from Brazil (n = 955), Italy (n = 750), South
      Africa (n = 555), Japan (n = 382), Australia (n = 213), India (n = 202) and Spain
      (n = 82). The majority (77.9%; n = 2445) of the total sample of 3139 participants
      received a psychotropic medication. Consistent with international guidelines,
      selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were most commonly used (73.5%, n
      = 1796), but their use ranged from 59% in Australia to 96% in Japan. Clomipramine
      use varied from 5% in Japan and South Africa to 26% in India and Italy. Atypical
      antipsychotic use ranged from 12% in South Africa to 50% in Japan. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pharmacotherapy for OCD varied significantly across sites. Prospective studies
      are required to determine the cultural, pharmacoeconomic and pharmacogenomic
      factors that may play a role in the variation in prescribing practices
      internationally and whether these variations influence treatment outcomes.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27271202
TI  - Non-classical Helices with cis Carbon-Carbon Double Bonds in the Backbone:
      Structural Features of alpha,gamma-Hybrid Peptide Foldamers.
AB  - The impact of geometrically constrained cis alpha,beta-unsaturated gamma-amino
      acids on the folding of alpha,gamma-hybrid peptides was investigated. Structure
      analysis in single crystals and in solution revealed that the cis carbon-carbon
      double bonds can be accommodated into the 12-helix without deviation from the
      overall helical conformation. The helical structures are stabilized by 4->1
      hydrogen bonding in a similar manner to the 12-helices of beta-peptides and the
      310 helices of alpha-peptides. These results show that functional cis carbon
      carbon double bonds can be accommodated into the backbone of helical peptides.

PMID- 27271203
TI  - Anisotropic thermal transport in Weyl semimetal TaAs: a first principles
      calculation.
AB  - A fundamental understanding of the phonon transport property is crucial to
      predict the thermal management performance in micro/nano-electronic devices. By
      combining first principle calculations and Boltzmann phonon transport equation,
      we investigate thermal transport in TaAs-a typical Weyl semimetal. The lattice
      thermal conductivity of TaAs at room temperature was found to be 39.26 W mK(-1)
      and 24.78 W mK(-1) along the a(b) and c crystal axis, respectively, showing
      obvious anisotropy. Detailed analyses of the mode level phonon properties further
      revealed that the three acoustic phonon modes dominate the overall thermal
      transport and the major phonon scattering channels in this typical Weyl semimetal
      were TA1/TA2/LA + O <-> O and A + A <-> O. The representative phonon mean free
      path of TaAs was also calculated in this paper, which provide helpful guidance
      for the thermal management of TaAs-based electronic devices. 

PMID- 27271201
TI  - Prolonged esophageal acid exposures induce synaptic downscaling of cortical
      membrane AMPA receptor subunits in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We recently reported the involvement of AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5
      methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor subunit upregulation and
      phosphorylation in the rostral cingulate cortex (rCC) as the underlying mechanism
      of acute esophageal acid-induced cortical sensitization. Based on these findings,
      we proposed to investigate whether prolonged esophageal acid exposures in rats
      exhibit homeostatic synaptic scaling through downregulation of AMPA receptor
      expression in rCC neurons. We intended to study further whether this compensatory
      mechanism is impaired when rats are pre-exposed to repeated esophageal acid
      exposures neonatally during neuronal development. METHODS: Two different
      esophageal acid exposure protocols in rats were used. Since AMPA receptor
      trafficking and channel conductance depend on CaMKIIalpha-mediated
      phosphorylation of AMPA receptor subunits, we examined the effect of esophageal
      acid on CaMKIIalpha activation and AMPA receptor expression in synaptoneurosomes
      and membrane preparations from rCCs. KEY RESULTS: In cortical membrane
      preparations, GluA1 and pGluA1Ser(831) expression were significantly
      downregulated following prolonged acid exposures in adult rats; this was
      accompanied by the significant downregulation of cortical membrane pCaMKIIalpha
      expression. No change in GluA1 and pGluA1Ser(831) expression was observed in rCC
      membrane preparations in rats pre-exposed to acid neonatally followed by adult
      rechallenge. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: This study along with our previous
      findings suggests that synaptic AMPA receptor subunits expression and
      phosphorylation may be involved bidirectionally in both esophageal acid-induced
      neuronal sensitization and acid-dependent homeostatic plasticity in cortical
      neurons. The impairment of homeostatic compensatory mechanism as observed
      following early-in-life acid exposure could be the underlying mechanism of
      heightening cortical sensitization and esophageal hypersensitivity in patients
      with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

PMID- 27271204
TI  - Hiding effort to gain a competitive advantage: Evidence from China.
AB  - : Previous studies with Western populations have shown that adolescents' tendency
      to downplay their academic effort is affected by two kinds of motives: ability
      related motives (e.g., to appear competent) and social approval motives (e.g., to
      be popular). In this research, we test for the presence of additional competition
      related motives in China, a culture placing strong emphasis on academic
      competition. Study 1 (N = 150) showed that, in response to a scenario in which a
      hard-working high-school junior hid effort from classmates, the most highly
      endorsed explanation was "to influence others to work less hard to maintain a
      competitive advantage." Study 2 (N = 174) revealed that competition-related
      explanations were endorsed relatively more often when the speaker and audience
      had similar academic rankings. This tendency was most evident when both speaker
      and audience were top performers, and when this was the case, participants'
      desire to demonstrate superiority over others was a positive predictor of
      endorsement of competition-related motives. Study 3 (N = 137) verified that
      competition-related motives were more strongly endorsed among Chinese
      participants than U.S. PARTICIPANTS: These results suggest that at least in
      cultures that emphasize academic competition and in contexts where competition is
      salient, hiding effort is often about attempting to gain strategic advantage.

PMID- 27271205
TI  - Second bioluminescence-activating component in the luminous fungus Mycena
      chlorophos.
AB  - Mycena chlorophos is an oxygen-dependent bioluminescent fungus. The mechanisms
      underlying its light emission are unknown. A component that increased the
      bioluminescence intensity of the immature living gills of M. chlorophos was
      isolated from mature M. chlorophos gills and chemically characterized. The
      bioluminescence-activating component was found to be trans-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic
      acid and its bioluminescence activation was highly structure-specific. 13 C- and
      18 O-labelling studies using the immature living gills showed that trans-3,4
      dihydroxycinnamic acid was synthesized from trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid in the
      gills by hydroxylation with molecular oxygen as well as by the general
      metabolism, and trans-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid did not produce hispidin
      (detection-limit concentration: 10 pmol/1 g wet gill). Addition of 0.01 mM
      hispidin to the immature living gills generated no bioluminescence activation.
      These results suggested that the prompt bioluminescence activation resulting from
      addition of trans-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid could not be attributed to the
      generation of hispidin. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27271207
TI  - Networks of plants: how to measure similarity in vegetable species.
AB  - Despite the common misconception of nearly static organisms, plants do interact
      continuously with the environment and with each other. It is fair to assume that
      during their evolution they developed particular features to overcome similar
      problems and to exploit possibilities from environment. In this paper we
      introduce various quantitative measures based on recent advancements in complex
      network theory that allow to measure the effective similarities of various
      species. By using this approach on the similarity in fruit-typology ecological
      traits we obtain a clear plant classification in a way similar to traditional
      taxonomic classification. This result is not trivial, since a similar analysis
      done on the basis of diaspore morphological properties do not provide any clear
      parameter to classify plants species. Complex network theory can then be used in
      order to determine which feature amongst many can be used to distinguish scope
      and possibly evolution of plants. Future uses of this approach range from
      functional classification to quantitative determination of plant communities in
      nature.

PMID- 27271208
TI  - Accessible bioprinting: adaptation of a low-cost 3D-printer for precise cell
      placement and stem cell differentiation.
AB  - The precision and repeatability offered by computer-aided design and computer
      numerically controlled techniques in biofabrication processes is quickly becoming
      an industry standard. However, many hurdles still exist before these techniques
      can be used in research laboratories for cellular and molecular biology
      applications. Extrusion-based bioprinting systems have been characterized by high
      development costs, injector clogging, difficulty achieving small cell number
      deposits, decreased cell viability, and altered cell function post-printing. To
      circumvent the high-price barrier to entry of conventional bioprinters, we
      designed and 3D printed components for the adaptation of an inexpensive 'off-the
      shelf' commercially available 3D printer. We also demonstrate via goal based
      computer simulations that the needle geometries of conventional commercially
      standardized, 'luer-lock' syringe-needle systems cause many of the issues
      plaguing conventional bioprinters. To address these performance limitations we
      optimized flow within several microneedle geometries, which revealed a short
      tapered injector design with minimal cylindrical needle length was ideal to
      minimize cell strain and accretion. We then experimentally quantified these
      geometries using pulled glass microcapillary pipettes and our modified, low-cost
      3D printer. This systems performance validated our models exhibiting: reduced
      clogging, single cell print resolution, and maintenance of cell viability without
      the use of a sacrificial vehicle. Using this system we show the successful
      printing of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into Geltrex and note
      their retention of a pluripotent state 7 d post printing. We also show embryoid
      body differentiation of hiPSC by injection into differentiation conducive
      environments, wherein we observed continuous growth, emergence of various
      evaginations, and post-printing gene expression indicative of the presence of all
      three germ layers. These data demonstrate an accessible open-source 3D bioprinter
      capable of serving the needs of any laboratory interested in 3D cellular
      interactions and tissue engineering. 

PMID- 27271209
TI  - An Insight into a Blockbuster Phytomedicine; Marrubium vulgare L. Herb. More of a
      Myth than a Reality?
AB  - Aerial parts and the root of Marrubium vulgare L. (white horehound) have been
      traditionally used in Europe and in southern and eastern Mediterranean countries.
      During colonization, the plant was introduced in America to great levels of
      popularity because of the simplicity of its growing; it was especially popular in
      Mexico and Brazil, where it has been known as 'maromba', 'marroio' or 'marroio
      branco'. Ethnopharmacological uses of M. vulgare include treating respiratory
      diseases such as acute or chronic bronchitis, colds and asthma. The plant is also
      used in cases where there is a lack of appetite or dyspepsia and for diagnosed
      type II diabetes. It has even been used for antihypertensive therapy. For
      decades, scientists have carried out extensive research trying to explain these
      and other pharmacologic actions. It is time to systematize and critically analyse
      the quality of results found to date. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27271210
TI  - Collagen-like antimicrobial peptides.
AB  - Combinatorial library composed of rigid rod-like peptides with a triple-helical
      scaffold was constructed. The component peptides were designed to have various
      combinations of basic and neutral (or hydrophobic) amino acid residues based on
      collagen-like (Gly-Pro-Yaa)-repeating sequences, inspired from the basic and
      amphiphilic nature of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides. Screening of
      the peptide pools resulted in identification of antimicrobial peptides. A
      structure-activity relationship study revealed that the position of Arg-cluster
      at N-terminus and cystine knots at C-terminus in the triple helix significantly
      contributed to the antimicrobial activity. The most potent peptide RO-A showed
      activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Bacillus
      subtilis. In addition, Escherichia coli exposed to RO-A resulted in abnormal
      elongation of the cells. RO-A was also shown to have remarkable stability in
      human serum and low cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 453-459, 2016. 

PMID- 27271211
TI  - Pain hypersensitivity in congenital blindness is associated with faster central
      processing of C-fibre input.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We have recently shown that visual deprivation from birth exacerbates
      responses to painful thermal stimuli. However, the mechanisms underlying pain
      hypersensitivity in congenital blindness are unclear. METHODS: To study the
      contribution of Adelta- and C-fibres in pain perception, we measured thresholds
      and response times to selective C- and Adelta-fibre activation in congenitally
      blind, late blind and normally sighted participants. Ultrafast constant
      temperature heat pulses were delivered to the hand with a CO2 laser using an
      interleaved adaptive double staircase procedure. Participants were instructed to
      respond as quickly as possible when detecting a laser-induced sensation. We used
      a 650 ms cut-off criterion to distinguish fast Adelta- from slow C-fibre-mediated
      sensations. RESULTS: Congenitally blind participants showed significantly faster
      reaction times to C- but not to Adelta-fibre-mediated sensations. In contrast,
      thresholds for Adelta- and C-fibre stimulation did not differ between groups.
      Late blind individuals did not differ from sighted controls in any aspect. A
      follow-up experiment using only suprathreshold stimuli for Adelta- and C-fibre
      activation confirmed these findings and further showed that congenitally blind
      individuals detected significantly more C-fibre-mediated stimuli than sighted
      controls. A decomposition analysis of the reaction times indicated that the
      faster response times in the congenitally blind are due to more efficient central
      processing of C-fibre-mediated sensations. CONCLUSION: The increased sensitivity
      to painful thermal stimulation in congenital blindness may be due to more
      efficient central processing of C-fibre-mediated input, which may help to avoid
      impending dangerous encounters with stimuli that threaten the bodily integrity.
      WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: Hypersensitivity to heat pain in congenital blindness
      is associated with faster responses to C-fibre activation, likely caused by more
      efficient central processing of C-fibre-mediated input.

PMID- 27271212
TI  - Cell death triggering and effector recognition by Sw-5 SD-CNL proteins from
      resistant and susceptible tomato isolines to Tomato spotted wilt virus.
AB  - Only a limited number of dominant resistance genes acting against plant viruses
      have been cloned, and further functional studies of these have been almost
      entirely limited to the resistance genes Rx against Potato virus X (PVX) and N
      against Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Recently, the cell-to-cell movement protein
      (NSM ) of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) has been identified as the avirulence
      determinant (Avr) of Sw-5b-mediated resistance, a dominant resistance gene which
      belongs to the class of SD-CC-NB-LRR (Solanaceae domain-coiled coil-nucleotide
      binding-leucine-rich repeat, SD-CNL) resistance genes. On transient expression of
      the NSM protein in tomato and transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana harbouring the Sw
      5b gene, a hypersensitive cell death response (HR) is triggered. Here, it is
      shown that high accumulation of the Sw-5b protein in N. benthamiana leaves,
      achieved by co-expression of the Sw-5b protein with RNA silencing suppressors
      (RSSs), leads to auto-activity in the absence of NSM . In a similar approach, Sw
      5a, the highest conserved paralogue of Sw-5b from Solanum peruvianum, also
      triggered HR by auto-activation, whereas the highest conserved orthologue from
      susceptible S. lycopersicum, named Sw-5aS , did not. However, neither of the last
      two homologues was able to trigger an NSM -dependent HR. Truncated and mutated
      versions of these Sw-5 proteins revealed that the NB-ARC [nucleotide-binding
      adaptor shared by Apaf-1 (from humans), R proteins and CED-4 (from nematodes)]
      domain is sufficient for the triggering of HR and seems to be suppressed by the
      SD-CC domain. Furthermore, a single mutation was sufficient to restore auto
      activity within the NB-ARC domain of Sw-5aS . When the latter domain was fused to
      the Sw-5b LRR domain, NSM -dependent HR triggering was regained, but not in the
      presence of its own Sw-5aS LRR domain. Expression analysis in planta revealed a
      nucleocytoplasmic localization pattern of Sw-5b, in which the SD-CC domain seems
      to be required for nuclear translocation. Although the Sw-5 N-terminal CC domain,
      in contrast with Rx, contains an additional SD, most findings from this study
      support a conserved role of domains within NB-LRR (NLR) proteins against plant
      viruses.

PMID- 27271213
TI  - Predictors of psychological distress in advanced cancer patients under palliative
      treatments.
AB  - This work aims to investigate the factors associated with psychological distress
      in advanced cancer patients under palliative treatment. We comprehensively
      assessed the demographic, psychosocial and health factors of 158 advanced cancer
      patients. Patients with high and low distress, according to the Hospital Anxiety
      and Depression Scale, were compared. A regression analysis was built to identify
      the best predictors of distress. Patients with high psychological distress (81%)
      were more likely to have lung cancer, suicidal ideation, hopelessness, low
      quality of life and poor body image than those without. In the multivariate
      model, only poor emotional functioning (OR = .89; 95% CI = .83-.95; p <= .001),
      hopelessness (OR = .86; 95% CI = .78-.94; p <= .001) and body image distortions
      (OR = .77; 95% CI = .68-.85; p = .005) were retained. High levels of
      hopelessness, impaired emotional functioning and body image distortions are the
      main factors associated with psychological distress in patients with advanced
      cancer. Potential interventions to modify these factors in palliative units are
      discussed. 

PMID- 27271214
TI  - Band Engineering by Controlling vdW Epitaxy Growth Mode in 2D Gallium
      Chalcogenides.
AB  - Atomically thin quasi-2D GaSe flakes are synthesized via van der Waals (vdW)
      epitaxy on a polar Si (111) surface. The bandgap is continuously tuned from its
      commonly accepted value at 620 down to the 700 nm range, only attained previously
      by alloying Te into GaSe (GaSex Te1- x ). This is accomplished by manipulating
      various vdW epitaxy kinetic factors, which allows the choice bet ween screw
      dislocation-driven and layer-bylayer growth, and the design of different
      morphologies with different material-substrate interaction (strain) energies. 

PMID- 27271215
TI  - Toward Fluorescence-Based High-Throughput Screening for Enantiomeric Excess in
      Amines and Amino Acid Derivatives.
AB  - A highly accurate and reliable screening method for enantiomeric excess of amine
      derivatives in the presence of water is reported. The fluorescence-based
      screening system has been realized by self-assembly of chiral diol-type dyes
      (BINOL, VANOL and VAPOL), 2-formylphenylboronic acid, and chiral amines forming
      iminoboronate esters. The structure and chirality of the amine analytes determine
      the stability of the diastereomeric iminoboronate esters, which in turn display
      differential fluorescence. The fluorescence signal reflects the enantiomeric
      purity of the chiral amines and was utilized in high-throughput arrays. The
      arrays were able to recognize enantiomeric excess of amines, amino esters, and
      amino alcohols. In addition to qualitative analysis, quantitative experiments
      were successfully performed. Studies of the role of additives such as water or
      citrate were carried out to gain insight into the stability of the iminoboronate
      esters. It is shown that the above additives destabilize less stable esters while
      the stable esters remain unchanged. Thus, the presence of water and citrate leads
      to increased difference between the diastereomeric iminoboronates and contributes
      to the enantiodiscrimination of the chiral amines. 

PMID- 27271217
TI  - The gamut of primary retroperitoneal masses: multimodality evaluation with
      pathologic correlation.
AB  - The retroperitoneum is a large space where primary and metastatic tumors grow
      silently before clinical signs appear. Neoplastic retroperitoneal diseases may be
      solid or cystic, primary or secondary and range from benign to aggressive in
      behavior. Retroperitoneal neoplasms are notable for their widely disparate
      histologies. The solid primary retroperitoneal neoplasms are extremely uncommon
      and can be classified based on their tissue of origin into three main categories:
      mesodermal tumors, neurogenic tumors, and extragonadal germ cell tumors. These
      tumors can grow to a large size before clinical symptoms occur or become
      palpable. When symptoms do occur, they are nonspecific. The majority of these
      masses are malignant and imaging plays a pivotal role in the detection, staging,
      and pre-operative planning. Benign and malignant masses should be distinguished
      whenever possible to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures. Macroscopic fat,
      calcification, necrosis, vascularity, and neural foraminal widening are common
      imaging features helping for tumor differentiation. Meticulous cross-sectional
      imaging can triage the patient to the most appropriate therapy. Tumor morphology
      dictates imaging character, and biologic activity is reflected by positron
      emission tomography (PET). Complete surgical excision with tumor free margins is
      essential for long-term survival. Biopsy should be performed in consultation with
      surgical oncology to avoid complicating curative surgery. This pictorial essay
      illustrates the spectrum of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging
      findings in common and uncommon primary retroperitoneal masses, with an emphasis
      on cross-sectional imaging features for an adequate tumor characterization and
      staging.

PMID- 27271216
TI  - Design of an alpha-helical antimicrobial peptide with improved cell-selective and
      potent anti-biofilm activity.
AB  - AR-23 is a melittin-related peptide with 23 residues. Like melittin, its high
      alpha-helical amphipathic structure results in strong bactericidal activity and
      cytotoxicity. In this study, a series of AR-23 analogues with low amphipathicity
      were designed by substitution of Ala1, Ala8 and Ile17 with positively charged
      residues (Arg or Lys) to study the effect of positively charged residue
      distribution on the biological viability of the antimicrobial peptide.
      Substitution of Ile17 on the nonpolar face with positively charged Lys
      dramatically altered the hydrophobicity, amphipathicity, helicity and the
      membrane-penetrating activity against human cells as well as the haemolytic
      activity of the peptide. However, substitution on the polar face only slightly
      affected the peptide biophysical properties and biological activity. The results
      indicate that the position rather than the number of positively charged residue
      affects the biophysical properties and selectivity of the peptide. Of all the
      analogues, A(A1R, A8R, I17K), a peptide with Ala1-Arg, Ala8-Arg and Ile17-Lys
      substitutions, exhibited similar bactericidal activity and anti-biofilm activity
      to AR-23 but had much lower haemolytic activity and cytotoxicity against
      mammalian cells compared with AR-23. Therefore, the findings reported here
      provide a rationalization for peptide design and optimization, which will be
      useful for the future development of antimicrobial agents.

PMID- 27271218
TI  - Diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in
      differentiating human renal lesions (benignity or malignancy): a meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the potential of diffusion
      weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) for differentiating malignant and
      benign human renal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature was
      performed to identify previous research related to the diagnostic performance of
      DW-MRI for determining whether human renal lesions were benign or malignant. ADC
      values were extracted from normal renal tissue and different lesion types. Data
      were extracted to assess the diagnostic performance of DW-MRI for differentiating
      malignant and benign human renal lesions, as well as running threshold effect and
      heterogeneity. RESULTS: Nine publications with 11 subsets were eligible for data
      extraction and diagnostic performance calculation. A total of 988 apparent
      diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements were included. The differences in ADC
      values between benign lesions (2.47 +/- 0.81 * 10(-3) mm(2)/s) and malignant
      lesions (1.81 +/- 0.41 * 10(-3) mm(2)/s) were statistically significant (P <
      0.001). The diagnostic odds ratio, the overall positive, negative likelihood
      ratios, pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity with 95% CI were 20.05 (95%
      CI 12.56-32.02), 3.32 (95% CI 2.13-5.18), 0.20 (95% CI 0.15-0.27), 88% (95% CI
      0.84-0.91) and 72% (95% CI 0.67-0.76), respectively. The area under the curve of
      the summary receiver operating characteristic was 0.90. CONCLUSIONS: This meta
      analysis indicated that DW-MRI had a relatively good diagnostic accuracy in
      differentiating malignant and benign human renal lesions. We preliminarily
      recommend that DW-MRI is performed with a maximum b value ranging from 800 to
      1000 s/mm(2) at 3.0 T for imaging protocol, and that DW-MRI should be used with
      caution when the study population includes children.

PMID- 27271219
TI  - Does hepatobiliary phase sequence qualitatively outperform unenhanced T1-weighted
      imaging in assessment of the ablation margin 24 hours after thermal ablation of
      hepatocellular carcinomas?
AB  - PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine whether hepatobiliary phase (HBP) sequence
      outperforms unenhanced T1-weighted imaging (uT1wI) in distinguishing the ablation
      margin (AM) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 24 h after thermoablation.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-one patients [mean age, 65.7 years; 68 M/23F] with
      138 HCCs (>6 months follow-up) underwent pre- and postablation gadoxetate
      disodium-enhanced MRI. AM showed a hyperintense middle zone (MZ) surrounding
      central hypo- or hyperintense HCCs on uT1wI, and an intermediate-intense MZ
      encompassing central hypo- or hyperintense HCCs during HBP. The visible AM was
      defined as persistent MZ around HCCs, which were demarcated from MZ, or
      peripherally band encompassing MZ, which were not demarcated from HCC. The
      indefinite AM was defined as no demarcating HCCs from MZ. The ability to
      distinguish AM from HCC was classified as visible or indefinite on axial (ax)
      uT1wI, ax-HBP, coronal (cor)-HBP, and combined all images. To investigate the AM
      visibility during HBP, significance of differences upon comparison of ax-uT1wI
      with combined images was analyzed. Preablation liver-tumor contrast ratio (LTCR)
      on ax-uT1wI and ax-HBP sequence is compared between the visible and indefinite
      AM. RESULTS: The McNemar test demonstrated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in
      visible AM from ax-uT1wI (60), to ax-HBP (70), cor-HBP (79), and combined images
      (83). TLCR with visible AM was significantly higher than that with indefinite AM
      on ax-uT1wI (0.4 vs. 0.2, p = 0.001) and ax-HBP sequence (0.9 vs. 0.6, p =
      0.004). CONCLUSIONS: HBP sequence might have higher feasibility to distinguish AM
      from tumor than ax-uT1wI. The TLCR value in visible AM was higher than that in
      indefinite AM on both ax-uT1wI and ax-HBP sequences.

PMID- 27271222
TI  - Metabolic programming in chronically stimulated T cells: Lessons from cancer and
      viral infections.
AB  - T-cell metabolism is central to the shaping of a successful immune response.
      However, there are pathological situations where T cells are rendered
      dysfunctional and incapable of eliminating infected or transformed cells. Here,
      we review the current knowledge on T-cell metabolism and how persistent antigenic
      stimulation, in the form of cancer and chronic viral infection, modifies both
      metabolic and functional pathways in T cells.

PMID- 27271225
TI  - Proteolytic disassembly of peptide-mediated graphene oxide assemblies for turn-on
      fluorescence sensing of proteases.
AB  - Molecule-induced assembly of nanomaterials can alter their unique chemical and
      physical properties, which can be a promising approach for sensing. Herein, we
      demonstrate an optical 'turn-on' biosensor for the detection of matrix
      metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), fabricated by means of a peptide-induced assembly of
      fluorescent graphene oxide (GO). Functionalization of GO with a peptide substrate
      for MMP-2 bearing a thiol group leads to its self-assembly via disulfide bonding,
      accompanied by self-quenching of GO's strong fluorescence. This peptide-induced
      GO assembly is then disassembled by proteolytic cleavage in the presence of MMP
      2, thereby restoring the level of self-quenched GO fluorescence. With this
      approach, we are able to detect MMP-2 and to investigate the kinetic parameters
      of MMP-2 activity. The GO-peptide assembly is successfully applied to the
      selective and sensitive detection of MMP-2 secreted by living cells, human
      hepatocytes HepG2, at a concentration of 2 ng mL(-1). 

PMID- 27271223
TI  - Summer diapause induced by high temperatures in the oriental tobacco budworm:
      ecological adaptation to hot summers.
AB  - Summer diapause in Helicoverpa assulta (Hubner), which prolongs the pupal stage,
      particularly in males, is induced by high temperatures. In the laboratory, 3(rd)
      , 4(th)-, 6(th)-instar and prepupal larvae were exposed to high temperatures - 33
      and 35  degrees C with a photoperiod of LD16:8 - until pupation to induce summer
      diapause. The results showed that the incidence of summer diapause was influenced
      by temperature, stage exposed, and sex. The higher the temperature, the more
      often summer diapause was attained. Sixth-instar and prepupal larvae were the
      sensitive stages for summer diapause induction. H. assulta summer-diapausing
      pupae needed diapause development to resume development when temperatures became
      favorable. Furthermore, both body mass and energy storage capacity (lipid and
      glycogen) were significantly affected by diapause rather than sex, and were
      significantly higher in summer-diapausing pupae than in non-diapausing pupae. In
      addition, the body mass loss and respiration rate showed that the rate of
      metabolism in the summer-diapausing pupae was consistently lower than in non
      diapausing pupae, which were significantly affected by diapause and pupal age. We
      conclude that summer diapause in H. assulta is a true diapause, and H. assulta
      has evolved mechanisms to accumulate energy storage and to lower its metabolism
      to adapt to hot summers.

PMID- 27271226
TI  - A parent-directed intervention for addressing academic risk in Latino survivors
      of childhood leukemia: results of a pilot study.

PMID- 27271227
TI  - Overexpression of FLT3-ITD driven by spi-1 results in expanded myelopoiesis with
      leukemic phenotype in zebrafish.

PMID- 27271229
TI  - Bladder cancer: working towards better outcomes.

PMID- 27271228
TI  - Smad4 in osteoblasts exerts a differential impact on HSC fate depending on
      osteoblast maturation stage.
AB  - Osteoblasts (OBs) are indispensable for the maintenance of hematopoietic stem
      cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow microenvironment. Here we investigated how Smad4
      modulates HSC fate at distinct stages of OB development. For this, we
      conditionally knocked out Smad4 in cells expressing type I collagen (Col1a1) and
      osteocalcin (OC), respectively. Col1a1-expressing OBs were widely present in both
      the trabecular and cortical compartment, whereas OC-expressing OBs were
      predominantly located in the cortical compartment. HSCs from Col1a1 mutants
      displayed senescence-associated phenotypes. OC mutants did not exhibit HSC
      senescence-related phenotypes, but instead showed preferential HSC death. Of
      note, stromal cell-derived factor 1 expression was lower in Col1a1 mutants than
      control littermates, suggesting potential impairment of CXCR4-CXCL12-mediated HSC
      retention. Disruption of the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis by AMD3100 administration led to
      an increase in the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity and low
      competitive potential. Collectively, our findings indicate that deletion of Smad4
      in OBs differentially modulates HSC fate in a stage-dependent manner.

PMID- 27271230
TI  - Update on novel imaging techniques for the detection of lymph node metastases in
      bladder cancer.
AB  - Staging of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) remains a challenge. It is
      generally acknowledged that the most commonly used imaging techniques have a
      trend to either upstage or downstage the disease. The aim of this review article
      is to evaluate the currently available scientific evidence for the use of imaging
      modalities in preoperative bladder cancer staging with special attention to the
      detection of lymph node metastasis (LNM). A non-systematic literature search
      utilizing PubMed database with terms MIBC and LN and MRI or PET or CT was
      performed with the search limited to articles published between 2010 and 2015.
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown potential for local tumor detection
      and staging in multiple studies, but the accuracy for LNM detection remains
      disappointingly low. The LN staging accuracy is improved with the use of ultra
      small super-paramagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO). This experimental
      method, however, is not commercially available at the moment. Positron emission
      tomography (PET), a functional imaging technique most commonly accompanied with
      computed tomography (PET-CT), may also have a role in the detection of bladder
      cancer LNM in the future. According to the currently available scientific
      evidence, the following could be recommended for MIBC staging: 1. use of pelvic
      MRI for primary tumor evaluation and local LNM detection acknowledging limited
      nodal imaging accuracy; 2. pelvic/abdominal/chest CT for evaluation of distant
      metastasis. The scientific evidence does not support the routine use of PET-CT
      (18F-FDG, 18F/11C-choline, 11C-acetate) in bladder cancer staging or in LNM
      detection. 

PMID- 27271231
TI  - Self-catheterization activity in women with quadriplegia: occupational therapy
      and achievement of independence.

PMID- 27271232
TI  - The Effect of Position on PaCO2 and PETCO2 in Patients Undergoing Cervical Spine
      Surgery in Supine and Prone Position.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As per American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines, continuous
      monitoring of end tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) is recommended as standard II
      basics of anesthetic monitoring especially to ensure adequate ventilation during
      all anesthetics. Continuous monitoring of PETCO2 can also be used as a guide to
      maintain the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2) to
      desired level during the surgery. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of
      position on PaCO2 and PETCO2 during cervical spine surgery in prone position.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following institutional ethical committee approval and
      written informed consent, a prospective study was conducted in 40 patients of 18
      to 60 years and of American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II scheduled for
      cervical spine surgery in prone position. In operating room, the patient is
      connected to standard monitoring and intravenous access was secured. A 20 G
      arterial cannula was placed. General anesthesia administered and oral
      endotracheal intubation done. Baseline values of systolic blood pressure,
      diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, temperature, SpO2,
      Ppeak, Pmean, and Pplateau were measured in supine position. For each patient the
      capnometer was calibrated before use. The P(a-ET)CO2 was calculated in supine
      position (S1). The PaCO2 and ETCO2 were measured after prone positioning P1, at
      each subsequent hour (P2, P3, P4), and on completion of the procedure in supine
      position (S2). The mean values were used for further analysis. RESULTS: The
      PETCO2 and PaCO2 decreased significantly in cervical spine surgery patients with
      change of position from supine to prone with no significant change in arterial to
      end tidal CO2 gradient (P(a-ET)CO2). CONCLUSIONS: PETCO2 can be used as a
      reliable guide to estimate PaCO2 during cervical spine procedures in prone
      position.

PMID- 27271233
TI  - Obscure Retropharyngeal Mucocutaneous Masses Associated With Acoustic
      Neurofibromatosis: A Source of Difficult Airway Management.

PMID- 27271234
TI  - The Power of Raw Data.

PMID- 27271235
TI  - Cerebral Oxygenation Under General Anesthesia Can Be Safely Preserved in Patients
      in Prone Position: A Prospective Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effects of prone position (PP) on cerebral tissue metabolism are
      not well known. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate regional cerebral
      oxygen desaturation in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery in PP during
      routine anesthesia management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2013 and
      October 2013, 50 consecutive patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery under
      general anesthesia in PP were enrolled. The anesthetic technique was
      standardized. Using near-infrared spectroscopy, bilateral regional
      cerebrovascular oxygen saturation was recorded during the surgery. RESULTS: After
      30 and 60 minutes of prone repositioning, significant decreases in bilateral
      regional cerebral oxygen saturation were observed compared with the values in the
      supine position (from 76.24% to 73.18% at 30 min and 72.76% at 60 min on the
      right side and from 77.06% to 73.76% at 30 min and 72.92% at 60 min on the left
      side; P<0.05). These changes were not clinically important and returned to supine
      values after 90 minutes of prone positioning. Decreases in cerebral oxygen
      saturation were accompanied by reductions in heart rate and mean arterial
      pressure (P<0.05). Older age and higher perioperative risk had a significant
      effect on the reduction of cerebral oxygen values (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The
      results of our study show that margin of safety against impaired cerebral
      oxygenation can be maintained in PP. Preventing bradycardia and arterial
      hypotension is crucial. Older patients and those at higher perioperative risk
      need more meticulous attention.

PMID- 27271236
TI  - Anesthetic Challenges in the Management of Distal Posterior Cerebral Artery
      Aneurysm for Surgical Clipping: A Report of 2 Cases.

PMID- 27271237
TI  - The Trigemino-cardiac Reflex: Is Treatment With Atropine Still Justified?

PMID- 27271238
TI  - Nanoparticles and capillary electrophoresis: A marriage with environmental
      impact.
AB  - The impact of nanomaterials in the environment and human health is a cause of big
      concern and even though intensive studies are currently being carried out, there
      is still a lot to elucidate. The development of validated methods for the
      characterization and quantification of nanomaterials and their impact on the
      environment should be encouraged to achieve a proper, safe, and sustainable use
      of nanoparticles (NPs). Recently, CE emerged as a well-adapted technique for the
      analysis of environmental samples. This review presents the application of NPs
      together with CE systems for environmental pollutants analysis, as well as the
      application of CE techniques for the analysis of various types of NPs.

PMID- 27271239
TI  - Cryosurgery would be An Effective Option for Clinically Localized Prostate
      Cancer: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.
AB  - Cryosurgery (CS) has been used on patients with clinically localized PCa for more
      than 10 years. However, clinical studies evaluating its effectiveness and safety
      have reported conflicting results. This systematic assessment was performed to
      obtain comprehensive evidence regarding the potential benefits and safety of CS
      compared with those of radiotherapy (RT) and radical prostatectomy (RP),
      respectively. All controlled trials comparing CS with RT or RP and single-arm
      studies reporting results of CS therapy were identified through comprehensive
      searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase. Ten publications from seven
      trials, with totally 1252 patients, were included in the meta-analysis, which
      revealed no significant differences in comparisons of CS vs RT and CS vs RP for
      overall survival and disease specific survival. However, a significantly lower
      disease-free survival could be observed for CS than RP. Moreover, a systematic
      review of literature focusing on comparative data of databases and materials of
      single-arm trials revealed satisfactory survival results in both primary and
      salvage CS. Our results showed that cryosurgery would be a relatively effective
      method for clinically localized prostate cancer with survival results comparable
      to radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy. However, the large percentage of
      complications caused by cryosurgery should be carefully monitored.

PMID- 27271240
TI  - Long-term Cognitive and Health Outcomes of School-Aged Children Who Were Born
      Late-Term vs Full-Term.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Late-term gestation (defined as the 41st week of pregnancy) is
      associated with increased risk of perinatal health complications. It is not known
      to what extent late-term gestation is associated with long-term cognitive and
      physical outcomes. Information about long-term outcomes may influence physician
      and patient decisions regarding optimal pregnancy length. OBJECTIVE: To compare
      the cognitive and physical outcomes of school-aged children who were born full
      term or late term. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed Florida birth
      certificates from 1994 to 2002 linked to Florida public school records from 1998
      to 2013 and found 1 442 590 singleton births with 37 to 41 weeks' gestation in
      the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Of these, 1 153 716 children (80.0%) were
      subsequently located in Florida public schools. Linear and logistic regression
      models were used to assess the association of gestational age with cognitive and
      physical outcomes at school age. Data analysis took place between April 2013 and
      January 2016. EXPOSURES: Late-term (born at 41 weeks) vs full-term (born at 39 or
      40 weeks) gestation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: There were a number of measures
      used, including the average Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test mathematics and
      reading scores at ages 8 through 15 years; whether a child was classified as
      gifted, defined as a student with superior intellectual development and capable
      of high performance; poor cognitive outcome, defined as a child scoring in the
      fifth percentile of test takers or having a disability that exempted him or her
      from taking the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test; and Exceptional Student
      Education placement owing to orthopedic, speech, or sensory impairment or being
      hospitalbound or homebound. RESULTS: Of 1 536 482 children born in Florida from
      singleton births from 1994 to 2002 with complete demographic information, 787 105
      (51.2%) were male; 338 894 (22.1%) of mothers were black and 999 684 (65.1%) were
      married at time of birth, and the mean (SD) age for mothers at time of birth was
      27.2 (6.2) years. Late-term infants had 0.7% of an SD (95% CI, 0.001-0.013; P =
      .02) higher average test scores in elementary and middle school, 2.8% (95% CI,
      0.4-5.2; P = .02) higher probability of being gifted, and 3.1% (95% CI, 0.0-6.1;
      P = .05) reduced probability of poor cognitive outcomes compared with full-term
      infants. These cognitive benefits appeared strongest for children with
      disadvantaged family background characteristics. Late-term infants were also 2.1%
      (95% CI, -0.3 to 4.5; P = .08) more likely to be physically impaired. CONCLUSIONS
      AND RELEVANCE: There appears to be a tradeoff between cognitive and physical
      outcomes associated with late-term gestation. Children born late-term performed
      better on 3 measures of school-based cognitive functioning but worse on 1 measure
      of physical functioning relative to children born full term. Our findings provide
      longer-run information for expectant parents and physicians who are considering
      delivery at full term vs late term. These findings are most relevant to
      uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancies.

PMID- 27271241
TI  - To RCT or not to RCT: evidence on effectiveness of return-to-work interventions.

PMID- 27271242
TI  - Intimate partner violence and pregnant and parenting adolescents in out-of-home
      care: reflections on a data set and implications for intervention.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To present the findings from a data set reflecting intimate
      partner violence among adolescents who are pregnant and parenting and living in
      out-of-home care and to analyse these findings in order to generate potential
      interventions to address this significant issue. BACKGROUND: Because of their
      developmental stage, coupled with the stress of pregnancy and new parenthood,
      adolescent women who are pregnant or postpartum are often at a high risk of
      abuse. Violence may include physical, emotional/psychological, verbal and sexual
      abuse, along with birth control sabotage and pregnancy coercion. Adolescent
      mothers in out-of-home care such as foster care, juvenile detention facilities,
      kinship care or living in complex family circumstances may be at an even higher
      risk of intimate partner violence related to the increase in stress, conflict and
      tenuous situations. DESIGN: This descriptive study was designed, using baseline
      self-report and demographic data, to examine the relationship of pregnancy or
      parenting among adolescents with a fear of or reported involvement in intimate
      partner violence. METHODS: A total of 151 sexually active, urban, system-involved
      youths in out-of-home care were assessed between 2012-2015 with a survey
      questionnaire assessment of sexual reproductive health behaviours, areas of risk
      and protective factors. RESULTS: The findings indicated a significant association
      between ever having been pregnant and fear of intimate partner violence.
      CONCLUSIONS: In this population, fear of intimate partner violence was prevalent
      among adolescent mothers, adding to the complexity of an already difficult family
      situation. Due to the small sample size and the potential correlation between
      intimate partner violence and adolescent motherhood, future longitudinal studies
      with larger samples of adolescents residing in out-of-home care are needed to
      better understand how this relationship impacts adolescent mothers, their
      children and families.

PMID- 27271244
TI  - Multi-centre retrospective study of long-term outcomes following traumatic elbow
      luxation in 37 dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Limited guidelines exist regarding the optimal treatment of traumatic
      canine elbow luxation, and there is a lack of information on long-term functional
      outcome. Here we report reduction and stabilisation techniques for a series of
      traumatic elbow luxations and describe clinical outcome plus long-term
      questionnaire-based follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective review of canine traumatic
      elbow luxations (2006 to 2013) treated at five referral centres. Data recorded
      included signalment, luxation aetiology, time to reduction, reduction technique,
      surgical procedure, post-reduction care and complications. Questionnaire follow
      up was attempted for all cases with owners completing the Canine Brief Pain
      Inventory. RESULTS: Thirty-seven dogs were included. The most frequent cause of
      luxation was road traffic accident (n=22). Twenty cases were treated surgically.
      Seven dogs suffered major postoperative complications: reluxation (n=6),
      infection requiring implant removal (n=1). Four of the six reluxations occurred
      in dogs that had other orthopaedic injuries. Twenty-two owners completed the
      Canine Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire: there were 13 excellent, 6 very good,
      1 good and 2 fair outcomes. Outcome was not associated with the reduction
      technique. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Initial closed reduction, followed by surgical
      stabilisation if unsuccessful, results in good-to-excellent outcomes in the
      majority of traumatic canine elbow luxations. Reluxation was the most common
      major complication and there was a higher incidence of reluxation in patients
      with multiple orthopaedic injuries.

PMID- 27271245
TI  - Hot carrier multiplication on graphene/TiO2 Schottky nanodiodes.
AB  - Carrier multiplication (i.e. generation of multiple electron-hole pairs from a
      single high-energy electron, CM) in graphene has been extensively studied both
      theoretically and experimentally, but direct application of hot carrier
      multiplication in graphene has not been reported. Here, taking advantage of
      efficient CM in graphene, we fabricated graphene/TiO2 Schottky nanodiodes and
      found CM-driven enhancement of quantum efficiency. The unusual photocurrent
      behavior was observed and directly compared with Fowler's law for photoemission
      on metals. The Fowler's law exponent for the graphene-based nanodiode is almost
      twice that of a thin gold film based diode; the graphene-based nanodiode also has
      a weak dependence on light intensity-both are significant evidence for CM in
      graphene. Furthermore, doping in graphene significantly modifies the quantum
      efficiency by changing the Schottky barrier. The CM phenomenon observed on the
      graphene/TiO2 nanodiodes can lead to intriguing applications of viable graphene
      based light harvesting.

PMID- 27271246
TI  - PCE dechlorination by non-Dehalococcoides in a microbial electrochemical system.
AB  - The bioremediation of tetrachloroethene (perchloroethene; PCE) contaminated sites
      generally requires a supply of some fermentable organic substrates as an electron
      donor. On the other hand, organic substrates can induce the massive growth of
      microorganisms around the injection wells, which can foul the contaminated
      subsurface environment. In this study, PCE dechlorination to ethene was performed
      in a microbial electrochemical system (MES) using the electrode (a cathode
      polarized at -500 mV vs. standard hydrogen electrode) as the electron donor.
      Denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis and pyrosequencing revealed a variety of
      non-Dehalococcoides bacteria dominant in MES, such as Acinetobacter sp. (25.7 %
      for AS1 in suspension of M3), Rhodopseudomonas sp. (10.5 % for AE1 and 10.1 % for
      AE2 in anodic biofilm of M3), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.4 % for BS1 in
      suspension of M4), and Enterobacter sp. (21.7 % for BE1 in anodic biofilm of M4)
      which are capable of electron transfer, hydrogen production and dechlorination.
      The Dehalococcoides group, however, was not detected in this system. Therefore,
      these results suggest that a range of bacterial species outside the
      Dehalococcoides can play an important role in the microbial electrochemical
      dechlorination process, which may lead to innovative bioremediation technology.

PMID- 27271247
TI  - High Spatial Resolution Imaging of Endogenous Hydrogen Peroxide in Living Cells
      by Solid-State Fluorescence.
AB  - Herein, we describe selective imaging of hydrogen peroxide using a precipitating
      dye conjugated to a boronic acid-based immolative linker. We achieved
      visualization of endogenous hydrogen peroxide in phagosomes by solid-state two
      photon fluorescence imaging in living cells with exceptionally high spatial
      resolution.

PMID- 27271248
TI  - Left ventricular function during porcine-resuscitated septic shock with pre
      existing atherosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reversible, depressed cardiac function is frequently encountered
      during septic shock and commonly called septic cardiomyopathy. Previous studies
      demonstrated reduced ejection fraction and left ventricular dilatation in both
      humans and animal models. However, the majority of the studies in humans excluded
      pre-existing cardiac disease and animal studies were performed on healthy
      specimen and/or without vasopressor support during sepsis. In order to more
      closely mimic the actual patients' conditions on intensive care units and to
      assess the influence of both cardiac comorbidity and vasopressor support on
      septic cardiomyopathy, we evaluated the left ventricular function in a porcine
      model of resuscitated septic shock with pre-existing atherosclerosis. METHODS:
      Hypercholesterolaemic, atherosclerotic pigs due to homozygous low-density
      lipoprotein receptor mutation and high-fat diet were anaesthetised and surgically
      instrumented. Faecal peritonitis was induced by inoculation of autologous faeces
      into the peritoneal cavity in n = 8 animals; n = 5 pigs underwent sham procedure.
      Sepsis resuscitation included administration of fluids and noradrenaline. Left
      ventricular function was analysed via pressure-conductance catheters before, 12
      and 24 h after the induction of sepsis. RESULTS: The main findings were impaired
      ventricular dilatation (no significant change in the left ventricular end
      diastolic volume) and unchanged ejection fraction in septic pigs with pre
      existing atherosclerosis. The relaxation time constant tau decreased while
      dp/dtmax increased. Cardiac nitrotyrosine formation increased while expression of
      the endogenous hydrogen sulphide (H2S)-producing enzyme cystathionine gamma-lyase
      (CSE) decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The data of the present study are in conflict with
      previously published data from healthy animal models, most likely as a result of
      ongoing resuscitation including noradrenaline treatment or intrinsic
      pathophysiologic processes of the pre-existing atherosclerosis. Moreover,
      increased nitrotyrosine formation and decreased expression of CSE suggest the
      implication of augmented oxidative/nitrosative stress and/or reduced
      bioavailability of nitric oxide as well as diminished endogenous H2S release in
      the pathophysiology of septic cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 27271249
TI  - Tensile Forces Originating from Cancer Spheroids Facilitate Tumor Invasion.
AB  - The mechanical properties of tumors and the tumor environment provide important
      information for the progression and characterization of cancer. Tumors are
      surrounded by an extracellular matrix (ECM) dominated by collagen I. The
      geometrical and mechanical properties of the ECM play an important role for the
      initial step in the formation of metastasis, presented by the migration of
      malignant cells towards new settlements as well as the vascular and lymphatic
      system. The extent of this cell invasion into the ECM is a key medical marker for
      cancer prognosis. In vivo studies reveal an increased stiffness and different
      architecture of tumor tissue when compared to its healthy counterparts. The
      observed parallel collagen organization on the tumor border and radial
      arrangement at the invasion zone has raised the question about the mechanisms
      organizing these structures. Here we study the effect of contractile forces
      originated from model tumor spheroids embedded in a biomimetic collagen I matrix.
      We show that contractile forces act immediately after seeding and deform the ECM,
      thus leading to tensile radial forces within the matrix. Relaxation of this
      tension via cutting the collagen does reduce invasion, showing a mechanical
      relation between the tensile state of the ECM and invasion. In turn, these
      results suggest that tensile forces in the ECM facilitate invasion. Furthermore,
      simultaneous contraction of the ECM and tumor growth leads to the condensation
      and reorientation of the collagen at the spheroid's surface. We propose a tension
      based model to explain the collagen organization and the onset of invasion by
      forces originating from the tumor. 

PMID- 27271250
TI  - Nivolumab versus Cabozantinib: Comparing Overall Survival in Metastatic Renal
      Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - Renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) affects over 330,000 new patients every year, of whom
      1/3 present with metastatic RCC (mRCC) at diagnosis. Most mRCC patients treated
      with a first-line agent relapse within 1 year and need second-line therapy. The
      present study aims to compare overall survival (OS) between nivolumab and
      cabozantinib from two recent pivotal studies comparing, respectively, each one of
      the two emerging treatments against everolimus in patients who relapse following
      first-line treatment. Comparison is traditionally carried out using the Bucher
      method, which assumes proportional hazard. Since OS curves intersected in one of
      the pivotal studies, models not assuming proportional hazards were also
      considered to refine the comparison. Four Bayesian parametric survival network
      meta-analysis models were implemented on overall survival (OS) data digitized
      from the Kaplan-Meier curves reported in the studies. Three models allowing
      hazard ratios (HR) to vary over time were assessed against a fixed-HR model. The
      Bucher method favored cabozantinib, with a fixed HR for OS vs. nivolumab of 1.09
      (95% confidence interval: [0.77, 1.54]). However, all models with time-varying HR
      showed better fits than the fixed-HR model. The log-logistic model fitted the
      data best, exhibiting a HR for OS initially favoring cabozantinib, the trend
      inverting to favor nivolumab after month 5 (95% credible interval <1 from 10
      months). The initial probability of cabozantinib conferring superior OS was 54%,
      falling to 41.5% by month 24. Numerical differences in study-adjusted OS
      estimates between the two treatments remained small. This study evidences that HR
      for OS of nivolumab vs. cabozantinib varies over time, favoring cabozantinib in
      the first months of treatment but nivolumab afterwards, a possible indication
      that patients with poor prognosis benefit more from cabozantinib in terms of
      survival, nivolumab benefiting patients with better prognosis. More evidence,
      including real-world observational data, is needed to compare effectiveness
      between cabozantinib and nivolumab. 

PMID- 27271251
TI  - Oxidized tea polyphenols prevent lipid accumulation in liver and visceral white
      adipose tissue in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tea polyphenols are the prominent component in tea. After the
      fermentation process, tea polyphenols are oxidized by polyphenol oxidase to form
      oxidized tea polyphenols (OTPs). OTPs contain a significant amount of hydrophobic
      phenyl groups that can bind with non-aqueous materials. Here, we determined
      whether OTPs can bind with lipids and reduce fat uptake and assessed the effect
      of OTPs on decreasing obesity and alleviating hyperlipidaemia and other metabolic
      syndromes. METHODS: Rats were divided into three groups: control, high-fat diet
      (HFD) and OTP groups. The control and HFD groups were fed a chow diet and a high
      fat diet, respectively, for 12 weeks; the OTP group was fed a high-fat diet for 6
      weeks and then a high-fat diet containing 2 % OTP for 6 weeks. The serum and
      excrement triglyceride (TAG) and total cholesterol (CHOL) concentrations were
      determined, and liver tissue and white adipose tissue were collected to detect
      the expression levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism. RESULTS: Our results
      revealed that OTPs failed to decrease the serum concentrations of TAG and CHOL.
      OTPs alleviated the accumulation of lipids in the liver tissue and changed the
      expression levels of the regulators of lipid metabolism, i.e., peroxisome
      proliferation-activated receptors (ppars), compared with the rats fed a high-fat
      diet alone. We also observed a significantly decreased reduction of weight in the
      visceral white adipose, enhanced regulation of fatty acid beta-oxidation by
      PPARalpha and enhanced biosynthesis of mitochondria in the visceral white adipose
      of the OTP rats compared with the HFD rats. Additionally, OTPs promoted the
      excretion of lipids. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that OTPs alleviate the
      accumulation of lipids in liver and visceral white adipose tissue and promote
      lipid excretion in rats in vivo.

PMID- 27271252
TI  - Anti-senescence and Anti-inflammatory Effects of the C-terminal Moiety of PTHrP
      Peptides in OA Osteoblasts.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degenerative changes in the whole joint
      leading to physical disability in the elderly population. This condition is
      associated with altered bone metabolism in subchondral areas suggesting that
      therapeutic strategies aimed at modifying bone cell metabolism may be of
      interest. We have investigated the effects of several parathyroid hormone-related
      protein (PTHrP)-derived peptides (1-37): (N-terminal), (107-111) and (107-139) (C
      terminal) on senescence features induced by inflammatory stress in human OA
      osteoblasts. Incubation of these primary cells with interleukin(IL)-1beta led to
      an increased expression of senescence markers senescence-associated-beta
      galactosidase activity, gammaH2AX foci, p16, p21, p53, and caveolin-1. PTHrP (107
      111) and PTHrP (107-139) significantly reduced all these parameters. Both
      peptides decreased the production of IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 which was the
      consequence of cyclo-oxygenase-2 downregulation. PTHrP (107-139) also reduced
      tumor necrosis factor-alpha release. These anti-inflammatory effects would be
      related to the reduction of nuclear factor-kappaB activation by both peptides and
      activator protein-1 by PTHrP (107-139). The three PTHrP peptides favored
      osteoblastic function although the C-terminal domain of PTHrP was more efficient
      than its N-terminal domain. Our data support an anti-senescence and anti
      inflammatory role for the C-terminal moiety of PTHrP with potential applications
      in chronic inflammatory conditions such as OA.

PMID- 27271254
TI  - Erratum to: Western Pine Beetle Populations in Arizona and California Differ in
      the Composition of Their Aggregation Pheromones.

PMID- 27271253
TI  - Metabolic Rate and Perceived Exertion of Walking in Older Adults With Idiopathic
      Chronic Fatigue.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common complaint in older adults, often not associated
      with underlying medical conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate
      metabolic rate (MR) of walking, walking performance, and perception-based
      exertion during walking in older adults with and without idiopathic chronic
      fatigue (ICF). METHODS: 20 older adults (aged 70.8+/-4.9 years), reporting 2 SD
      above normative values of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy
      Fatigue scale and without overt health conditions that explained their symptoms,
      were compared with 25 age-matched older adults (73.2+/-5.1 years) without fatigue
      symptoms. Participants walked 400 m at a rapid pace on a 20-m course. On a
      separate visit, oxygen consumption was measured during treadmill test at standard
      (40.2 m/min), preferred paces (40-83 m/min) and peak capacity. Ratings of
      perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at each treadmill stage and after each lap
      of the 400-m walk test. RESULTS: During the 400-m walk test, individuals with ICF
      showed lower overall walking speed and reported a steady increase in RPE with no
      change observed in non-fatigued group (1.63+/-1.72 vs 0.27+/-0.68, p < .01).
      Similar findings on RPE were noted on treadmill test. Gross MR, mass-specific MR,
      mass-specific net MR, and MR as a percent of peak oxygen consumption of walking
      were similar between groups during standard, preferred paces and peak capacity on
      treadmill. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ICF in older adults is not
      related to elevated metabolic cost of walking. Higher RPE without concomitant
      decreases in performance indicate a potential disconnect between metabolic output
      and sensations during movement.

PMID- 27271255
TI  - Retraction Note to: Involvement of a Specific Chemosensory Protein from
      Bactrocera dorsalis in Perceiving Host Plant Volatiles.

PMID- 27271259
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271256
TI  - A retinoic acid receptor beta2 agonist reduces hepatic stellate cell activation
      in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
AB  - : Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are an important cellular target for the
      development of novel pharmacological therapies to prevent and treat nonalcoholic
      fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Using a high fat diet (HFD) model of NAFLD, we
      sought to determine if synthetic selective agonists for retinoic acid receptor
      beta2 (RARbeta2) and RARgamma can mitigate HSC activation and HSC relevant
      signaling pathways during early stages of NAFLD, before the onset of liver
      injury. We demonstrate that the highly selective RARbeta2 agonist, AC261066, can
      reduce the activation of HSCs, marked by decreased HSC expression of alpha-smooth
      muscle actin (alpha-SMA), in mice with HFD-induced NAFLD. Livers of HFD-fed mice
      treated with AC261066 exhibited reduced steatosis, oxidative stress, and
      expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNFalpha), interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP
      1). Kupffer cell (macrophage) expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF
      beta1), which plays a critical role in early HSC activation, was markedly reduced
      in AC261066-treated, HFD-fed mice. In contrast, HFD-fed mice treated with an
      RARgamma agonist (CD1530) showed no decreases in steatosis, HSC activation, or
      Kupffer cell TGF-beta1 levels. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that RARbeta2
      is an attractive target for development of NAFLD therapies. KEY MESSAGES: *
      Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are an important pharmacological target for the
      prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). * Retinoids and retinoic
      acid receptors (RARs) possess favorable metabolic modulating properties. * We
      show that an agonist for retinoic acid receptor-beta2 (RARbeta2), but not
      RARgamma, mitigates HSC activation and NAFLD.

PMID- 27271257
TI  - [Sarcoma of the spleen with MDM2 expression].
AB  - Primary sarcomas and sarcoma metastases are a rarity in the spleen. We report on
      the case of a 69-year-old male patient presenting with unclear abdominal symptoms
      and computed tomography (CT) revealed a tumor mass in the spleen. Histologically
      the tumor mass predominantly showed features of a spindle cell sarcoma with
      lymphoid infiltrates. The expression and amplification of MDM2 could be
      demonstrated by means of immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ
      hybridization (FISH). Furthermore, staging examinations did not reveal
      indications of any other primary tumors. These preliminary findings were
      suggestive of a dedifferentiated liposarcoma; however, in the further diagnostic
      work-up the tumor showed strong expression of CD21 and CD23 and was ultimately
      diagnosed as a follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS). The case emphasizes that
      MDM2 expression represents a possible pitfall in the diagnosis of spindle cell
      tumors. The differential diagnostic distinction between FDCS and a
      dedifferentiated liposarcoma is discussed. 

PMID- 27271260
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271258
TI  - [The WHO/ISUP grading system for renal carcinoma].
AB  - Histological tumor grading is an accepted prognostic parameter of renal cell
      carcinoma (RCC). In 2012, the International Society of Urologic Pathologists
      (ISUP) proposed a novel grading system for RCC, mainly based on the evaluation of
      nucleoli: grade 1 tumors have nucleoli that are inconspicuous and basophilic at
      *400 magnification; grade 2 tumors have nucleoli that are clearly visible at *400
      magnification and eosinophilic; grade 3 tumors have clearly visible nucleoli at
      *100 magnification; and grade 4 tumors have extreme pleomorphism or rhabdoid
      and/or sarcomatoid morphology. This grading system was validated for clear cell
      renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma. At the same time, the
      ISUP proposed not grading chromophobe renal cell carcinomas according to this
      system. At a consensus conference in Zurich the World Health Organization (WHO)
      recommended the ISUP grading system; thus, the WHO/ISUP grading system is now
      going to be implemented internationally. The ISUP/WHO grading system has not been
      validated as a prognostic parameter for other tumor subtypes, but can be used for
      descriptive purposes. 

PMID- 27271261
TI  - Direct determination of phosphate sugars in biological material by (1)H high
      resolution magic-angle-spinning NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - The study aim was to unambiguously assign nucleotide sugars, mainly UDP-X that
      are known to be important in glycosylation processes as sugar donors, and glucose
      phosphates that are important intermediate metabolites for storage and transfer
      of energy directly in spectra of intact cells, as well as in skeletal muscle
      biopsies by (1)H high-resolution magic-angle-spinning (HR-MAS) NMR. The results
      demonstrate that sugar phosphates can be determined quickly and non-destructively
      in cells and biopsies by HR-MAS, which may prove valuable considering the
      importance of phosphate sugars in cell metabolism for nucleic acid synthesis. As
      proof of principle, an example of phosphate-sugar reaction and degradation
      kinetics after unfreezing the sample is shown for a cardiac muscle, suggesting
      the possibility to follow by HR-MAS NMR some metabolic pathways. Graphical
      abstract Glucose-phosphate sugars (Glc-1P and Glc-6P) detected in muscle by 1H HR
      MAS NMR. 

PMID- 27271262
TI  - Genetic Polymorphisms of Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and Glutathione S
      Transferase P1 (GSTP1) and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among Chronic
      Hepatitis C Patients in Egypt.
AB  - Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) genes are
      involved in the metabolism of many carcinogens. Polymorphisms in these genes with
      altered enzyme activity have been reported. The present study evaluated the
      synergistic effect between CYP1A1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms and smoking on
      development of HCV-related liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The
      patients group comprised 40 patients with HCC and 40 patients with liver
      cirrhosis. The control group comprised 40 healthy subjects having no history of
      malignancy. The genetic polymorphisms were studied using polymerase chain
      reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR RFLP) technique on blood
      samples. The number of current or former smoker among HCC and cirrhotic patients
      as well as the median Pack/year of cigarette smoked were significantly higher in
      HCC and liver cirrhotic patients than in control group. Subjects with CYP1A1 gene
      variants (m1 and m3) had no significant risk to develop cirrhosis or HCC compared
      to control group. Individuals carrying the Ile/Val genotype of GSTP1 had a
      significant increased risk of HCC (OR of 2.2, 95 % CI 1.143-4.261) and had larger
      tumor size. No significant risk was observed on combining both genes variants or
      on combining smoking with variants of both genes. In conclusion, the GSTP1
      Ile/Val genotype and Val allele are associated with an increased risk of HCC.
      CYP1A1 and GSTP1 genes variants interaction did not increase the risk of HCC. 

PMID- 27271263
TI  - Therapeutic Coronary Reperfusion and Reperfusion Injury: An Introduction.

PMID- 27271264
TI  - Muscle electrical stimulation improves neurovascular control and exercise
      tolerance in hospitalised advanced heart failure patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of muscle functional electrical
      stimulation on muscle sympathetic nerve activity and muscle blood flow, and, in
      addition, exercise tolerance in hospitalised patients for stabilisation of heart
      failure. METHODS: Thirty patients hospitalised for treatment of decompensated
      heart failure, class IV New York Heart Association and ejection fraction <= 30%
      were consecutively randomly assigned into two groups: functional electrical
      stimulation (n = 15; 54 +/- 2 years) and control (n = 15; 49 +/- 2 years). Muscle
      sympathetic nerve activity was directly recorded via microneurography and blood
      flow by venous occlusion plethysmography. Heart rate and blood pressure were
      evaluated on a beat-to-beat basis (Finometer), exercise tolerance by 6-minute
      walk test, quadriceps muscle strength by a dynamometer and quality of life by
      Minnesota questionnaire. Functional electrical stimulation consisted of
      stimulating the lower limbs at 10 Hz frequency, 150 ms pulse width and 70 mA
      intensity for 60 minutes/day for 8-10 consecutive days. The control group
      underwent electrical stimulation at an intensity of < 20 mA. RESULTS: Baseline
      characteristics were similar between groups, except age that was higher and C
      reactive protein and forearm blood flow that were smaller in the functional
      electrical stimulation group. Functional electrical stimulation significantly
      decreased muscle sympathetic nerve activity and increased muscle blood flow and
      muscle strength. No changes were found in the control group. Walking distance and
      quality of life increased in both groups. However, these changes were greater in
      the functional electrical stimulation group. CONCLUSION: Functional electrical
      stimulation improves muscle sympathetic nerve activity and vasoconstriction and
      increases exercise tolerance, muscle strength and quality of life in hospitalised
      heart failure patients. These findings suggest that functional electrical
      stimulation may be useful to hospitalised patients with decompensated chronic
      heart failure.

PMID- 27271265
TI  - Children with Dry Skin and Atopic Predisposition: Outcome Measurement with
      Validated Scores for Atopic Dermatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dry skin is a common skin condition in childhood. Few studies exist
      investigating the influence of daily skin care on dry skin in infants at risk of
      developing atopic dermatitis (AD). We aimed to assess the effect of skin care on
      dry skin in this special cohort using validated scores for AD and analysis of
      skin microtopography. METHODS: 43 children were randomized to group 1 (G1) and
      group 2 (G2) and 22 infants to group 3 (G3). During 16 weeks, G1 and G3 applied
      daily a plant-based emollient and G2 a petrolatum-based emollient. The core
      outcome was assessed by Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and
      Patient-Oriented SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD). The influence on the
      parents' life was evaluated by a questionnaire and microtopography by
      Visioscan(r) VC 98. RESULTS: The SCORAD index declined significantly until week
      (W) 16 in all groups (p <= 0.041). The sleeplessness score analyzed by PO-SCORAD
      was highly reduced after W12 in G1 and after W16 in G2 (p <= 0.030). The
      influence on the parents' anxiety was reduced in G3 at W12 and W16 (p = 0.016).
      The Visioscan parameter scaliness strongly diminished at W4 (p <= 0.049) and W16
      (p <= 0.013) in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: This trial demonstrates improved skin
      conditions and sleep following daily emollient application in infants and
      children having dry skin and being at risk of AD. Especially parents of infants
      showed a reduced fear that their children might develop AD. Further studies are
      required to investigate the preventive effect of daily emollient therapy in this
      special cohort evaluating the outcome measures used in this trial.

PMID- 27271266
TI  - Intraoperative Frozen Section in "Suspicious for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma"
      after Adoption of the Bethesda System.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy and utility of intraoperative frozen section
      examination (iFSE) in patients with a preoperative fine-needle aspiration (FNA)
      cytology of "suspicious for malignancy" (SFM)-Bethesda V, after the adoption of
      the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology. STUDY DESIGN: Case
      series with chart review. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
      All patients with SFM-Bethesda V who underwent thyroid surgery with iFSE between
      2010 and 2015 were included. In cases where the iFSE was reported to be
      malignant, a total thyroidectomy was performed; otherwise, thyroid lobectomy
      (hemithyroidectomy) was performed. RESULTS: The current series included 47
      patients diagnosed preoperatively with FNA cytology of SFM-Bethesda V. The
      malignancy rate was 74.5% (35 of 47). Twenty-four patients with nonmalignant iFSE
      results underwent lobectomy during their initial surgery: 12 were subsequently
      found with benign final histology and did not undergo completion thyroidectomy;
      the other 12 patients had malignant results on final histology, but only 4 of
      them underwent completion thyroidectomy. iFSE resulted in a sensitivity and
      specificity of 65.7% and 100%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of
      100% (23 of 23) and a negative predictive value of 50% (12 of 24). Accuracy of
      the iFSE methodology was 74.5% (35 of 47). CONCLUSIONS: With no significant
      preoperative clinical or sonographic predictors for thyroid malignancy and given
      the high specificity of iFSE, our results support the use of iFSE for patients
      with preoperative FNA cytology of SFM-Bethesda V who are undergoing thyroid
      surgery, to determine the extent of required surgery.

PMID- 27271268
TI  - Making Cancer Health Text on the Internet Easier to Read for Deaf People Who Use
      American Sign Language.
AB  - People with relatively limited English language proficiency find the Internet's
      cancer and health information difficult to access and understand. The presence of
      unfamiliar words and complex grammar make this particularly difficult for Deaf
      people. Unfortunately, current technology does not support low-cost, accurate
      translations of online materials into American Sign Language. However, current
      technology is relatively more advanced in allowing text simplification, while
      retaining content. This research team developed a two-step approach for
      simplifying cancer and other health text. They then tested the approach, using a
      crossover design with a sample of 36 deaf and 38 hearing college students.
      Results indicated that hearing college students did well on both the original and
      simplified text versions. Deaf college students' comprehension, in contrast,
      significantly benefitted from the simplified text. This two-step translation
      process offers a strategy that may improve the accessibility of Internet
      information for Deaf, as well as other low-literacy individuals.

PMID- 27271267
TI  - Forced rather than voluntary exercise entrains peripheral clocks via a
      corticosterone/noradrenaline increase in PER2::LUC mice.
AB  - Exercise during the inactive period can entrain locomotor activity and peripheral
      circadian clock rhythm in mice; however, mechanisms underlying this entrainment
      are yet to be elucidated. Here, we showed that the bioluminescence rhythm of
      peripheral clocks in PER2::LUC mice was strongly entrained by forced treadmill
      and forced wheel-running exercise rather than by voluntary wheel-running exercise
      at middle time during the inactivity period. Exercise-induced entrainment was
      accompanied by increased levels of serum corticosterone and norepinephrine in
      peripheral tissues, similar to the physical stress-induced response.
      Adrenalectomy with norepinephrine receptor blockers completely blocked the
      treadmill exercise-induced entrainment. The entrainment of the peripheral clock
      by exercise is independent of the suprachiasmatic nucleus clock, the main
      oscillator in mammals. The present results suggest that the response of forced
      exercise, but not voluntary exercise, may be similar to that of stress, and
      possesses the entrainment ability of peripheral clocks through the activation of
      the adrenal gland and the sympathetic nervous system.

PMID- 27271269
TI  - In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the mechanisms of citalopram-induced
      hepatotoxicity.
AB  - Even though citalopram is commonly used in psychiatry, there are several reports
      on its toxic effects. So, the current study was designed to elucidate the
      mechanisms of cytotoxic effects of in vitro and in vivo citalopram treatment on
      liver and the following cytolethal events. For in vitro experiments, freshly
      isolated rat hepatocytes were exposed to citalopram along with/without various
      agents. To do in vivo studies liver function enzyme assays and histological
      examination were performed. In the in vitro experiments, citalopram (500 uM)
      exposure demonstrated cell death, a marked elevation in ROS formation,
      mitochondrial potential collapse, lysosomal membrane leakiness, glutathione (GSH)
      depletion and lipid peroxidation. In vivo biochemistry panel assays for liver
      enzymes function (AST, ALT and GGTP) and histological examination confirmed
      citalopram (20 mg/kg)-induced damage. citalopram-induced oxidative stress
      cytotoxicity markers were significantly prevented by antioxidants, ROS
      scavengers, MPT pore sealing agents, endocytosis inhibitors, ATP generators and
      CYP inhibitors. Either enzyme induction or GSH depletion were concomitant with
      augmented citalopram-induced damage both in vivo and in vitro which were
      considerably ameliorated with antioxidants and CYP inhibitors. In conclusion, it
      is suggested that citalopram hepatotoxicity might be a result of oxidative hazard
      leading to mitochondrial/lysosomal toxic connection and disorders in biochemical
      markers which were supported by histomorphological studies.

PMID- 27271271
TI  - Correction: Reinventing Biostatistics Education for Basic Scientists.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002430.].

PMID- 27271270
TI  - Clinicopathological differences between variants of the NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene in
      solitary fibrous tumors of the meninges and extra-central nervous system.
AB  - Investigations on the NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene in solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs)
      and hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) have increased since its discovery in 2013.
      Although several SFTs reported without NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene analysis, we
      reviewed 546 SFTs/HPCs with NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene analysis in this study and
      investigated differences between the gene variants. In total, 452 cases tested
      positive for the NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene, with more than 40 variants being
      detected. The most frequent of these were NAB2 exon 6-STAT6 exon 16/17/18 and
      NAB2 exon 4-STAT6 exon 2/3, with the former occurring most frequently in SFTs in
      meninges, soft tissues, and head and neck; the latter predominated in SFTs in the
      pleura and lung. There was no difference between the histology of SFTs and fusion
      gene variants. A follow-up analysis of SFTs showed that 51 of 202 cases had a
      recurrence, with 18 of 53 meningeal SFTs having a local recurrence and/or
      metastasis within 0-19 years. In meninges and soft tissue, SFTs with the NAB2
      exon 6-STAT6 exon 16/17/18 tended to recur more frequently than SFTs with the
      NAB2 exon 4-STAT6 exon 2/3. Clinicopathological data, including yearly follow
      ups, are required for meningeal SFTs/HPCs to define the correlation of variants
      of NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene. 

PMID- 27271272
TI  - Kinetics of Clobetasol-17-Propionate in Psoriatic Lesional and Non-Lesional Skin
      Assessed by Dermal Open Flow Microperfusion with Time and Space Resolution.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the kinetics of topically applied clobetasol-17-propionate
      (CP-17) in lesional and non-lesional psoriatic skin when released from a
      commercially available low-strength cream using in vivo dermal open-flow
      microperfusion (dOFM). METHODS: Twelve patients received Dermovate(r) cream (CP
      17, 0.05%) on small lesional and non-lesional skin test sites for 14 days, once
      daily. On day 1 and 14, dOFM samples were continuously taken in the dermis for 24
      h post-dose and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Probe depths were assessed by 50 MHz
      ultrasound scanning. RESULTS: Mixed-effects modelling identified skin condition,
      treatment duration and probe-depth as kinetics determining variables. The time-
      and depth-resolved intradermal data revealed (i) slower penetration of CP-17 into
      lesional than into non-lesional skin, (ii) normalized (faster) skin penetration
      after repeated dosing, and (iii) no CP-17 accumulation within the dermis
      independently of the skin condition. CONCLUSIONS: Intradermal investigation of a
      highly lipophilic drug released from low-strength cream was successfully
      performed by using dOFM and timely and spatially, i.e., probe-depth dependent,
      resolved kinetic data were delivered. These data support the assumption that the
      thickened psoriatic stratum corneum might act as trap compartment which lowers
      the skin penetration rate for lipophilic topical drugs.

PMID- 27271273
TI  - Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract ameliorates murine autoimmune arthritis
      through regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-kappaB signaling pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) has been reported to
      have a beneficial effect on regulating inf lammation. However, the anti
      inflammatory mechanism of GSPE remains unclear. The aim of this study was to
      verify the influence of GSPE on the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated
      signaling pathway in the regulation of murine autoimmune arthritis. METHODS:
      Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was induced in dilute brown non-agouti (DBA)/1J
      mice. The mice were treated with GSPE (0 or 100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The
      severity of arthritis was assessed clinically, biochemically, and histologically.
      Immunostaining for TLR4 was performed. The expressions of TLR4 and downstream
      signaling molecules were analyzed by Western blot. The effect of GSPE on
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TLR4 activation was also evaluated using
      RAW264.7 cells and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from patients with
      rheumatoid arthritis and from those with osteoarthritis. RESULTS: GSPE attenuated
      the clinical severity of arthritis and decreased histological damage. GSPE
      treatment reduced the number of TLR4-stained cells in the synovium of mice with
      CIA. GSPE also downregulated the expression of TLR4, myeloid differentiation
      factor 88 (MyD88) and phosphorylated IkappaBalpha synovial protein in CIA mice.
      Concurrently, GSPE inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB
      (NF-kappaB) subunits (p65 and p50). LPS-induced TLR4 activation was suppressed by
      GSPE in human FLS as well as in murine macrophages in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results demonstrated that GSPE ameliorated CIA by regulating the TLR4-MyD88-NF
      kappaB signaling pathway.

PMID- 27271275
TI  - For staining of ALK protein, the novel D5F3 antibody demonstrates superior
      overall performance in terms of intensity and extent of staining in comparison to
      the currently used ALK1 antibody.
AB  - Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare neoplasm. Approximately 50 %
      of IMTs show an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene fusion resulting in ALK
      overexpression on immunohistochemistry (IHC). A novel anti-ALK monoclonal
      antibody (D5F3) has been suggested to be of superior sensitivity to the ALK1
      antibody which is currently used. We compared the performance of D5F3 in
      detecting ALK protein expression in IMTs from various anatomic sites compared to
      the currently utilized ALK1. We selected 25 IMTs from our surgical pathology
      files (2005-2015). The novel rabbit monoclonal anti-human CD246 (clone D5F3) and
      the currently used mouse monoclonal anti-human CD246 (clone ALK1) were used for
      immunohistochemical staining (IHC) in an automated slide stainer. The percentage
      of immunoreactive tumor cells (0, <5 %, 5-50 %, >50 %) and cytoplasmic staining
      intensity (graded 0-3) were assessed and compared between the two antibodies.
      Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies for ALK gene rearrangement were
      performed on 11 tumors. D5F3 antibody stained 76 % and ALK1 antibody stained 72 %
      of IMTs (p = 0.747). Compared to staining with ALK1, D5F3 stained a higher
      proportion of cases extensively (>50 % cells) (76 vs. 28 %, p < 0.001) and with
      high intensity (grade 3 76 % vs 0; p < 0.001). FISH and IHC findings (for both
      antibodies) were concordant in 9/10 (90 %) IMTs, in which results were
      informative. The novel anti-ALK rabbit monoclonal antibody (D5F3 clone)
      demonstrates superior overall performance in term of intensity and extent of
      staining of ALK protein in IMT. We found IHC staining with both antibody clones
      to correlate equally well with FISH results for detection of ALK rearrangement. 

PMID- 27271276
TI  - Informal Human Milk Sharing: A Qualitative Exploration of the Attitudes and
      Experiences of Mothers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about women's participation or likely participation
      in informal human milk (HM) sharing. The US Food and Drug Administration
      recommends against feeding infants shared HM acquired directly from individuals
      or through the Internet. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the experiences of and
      attitudes toward HM sharing among mothers with experience of HM feeding and
      breast pump use, regardless of whether or not they had participated in HM
      sharing. METHODS: We conducted qualitative, semistructured, in-depth interviews
      with 41 mothers from 4 counties in upstate New York, asking about their attitudes
      toward HM sharing. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed inductively. RESULTS:
      Most women were aware of informal HM sharing and some had personal experience
      with sharing. Many mothers reported a willingness to provide their own HM if they
      had extra and their own child had enough. Mothers were less trusting about
      receiving HM, voicing concerns about the dietary intake or disease status of
      potential providers. Mothers felt that whether or not they participated in HM
      sharing would depend on the situation; they were most amenable to sharing with a
      family member or close friend. A novel finding was the involvement of lactation
      consultants and midwives, who coordinated HM exchanges for mothers in this
      sample. CONCLUSION: Awareness of HM sharing was high in this sample. Depending on
      the situation, mothers may consider participating in informal HM sharing and they
      may be facilitated by health professionals. Future research is required to
      establish the benefits and risks associated with informal HM sharing.

PMID- 27271274
TI  - Neuron-specific enolase as a novel biomarker reflecting tuberculosis activity and
      treatment response.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is not clear which tests are indicative of the activity and
      severity of tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to investigate the predictive
      value of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and to determine the origin of NSE in TB
      patients. METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted on newly
      diagnosed TB patients between January and December 2010. Patients were
      categorized into one of two disease groups (focal segmental or extensive) based
      on chest X-ray. Pre- and post-treatment NSE concentrations were evaluated. To
      determine the origin of serum NSE concentration, NSE staining was compared with
      macrophage-specific CD68 staining in lung tissues and with a tissue microarray
      using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: A total of 60 newly
      diagnosed TB patients were analyzed. In TB patients, NSE serum concentration was
      significantly increased and NSE level decreased after treatment (p < 0.001). In
      proportion to serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration, the mean
      serum concentration of NSE in the extensive group (25.12 ng/mL) was significantly
      higher than that in the focal segmental group (20.23 ng/mL, p = 0.04).
      Immunohistochemical staining revealed a large number of macrophages that stained
      positively for both NSE and CD68 in TB tissues. In addition, NSE signals mostly
      co-localized with CD68 signals in the tissue microarray of TB patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that NSE may be a practical parameter that can
      be used to monitor TB activity and treatment response. Elevated serum NSE level
      originates, at least in part, from macrophages in granulomatous lesions.

PMID- 27271277
TI  - Video capsule endoscopy: is bowel preparation necessary?
AB  - There is no standardized protocol for bowel preparation prior to video capsule
      endoscopy, although one is strongly recommended. The purpose of our study was to
      see if there was a statistical significance between small bowel mucosal
      visualization rates for those who received bowel preparation and those who did
      not. We retrospectively analyzed all patients who had a video capsule endoscopy
      from August 2014 to January 2016 at a tertiary care center. All patients fasted
      prior to the procedure. Bowel preparation when used consisted of polyethylene
      glycol. A long fast consisted of 12 or more hours. The grading system used to
      assess the small bowel was adapted from a previously validated system from Esaki
      et al Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test or Welch's 2
      sample t-test and statistical significance was present if the p value was <=0.05.
      76 patients were carried forward for analysis. Small bowel mucosal visualization
      rates were similar between those who received bowel preparation and those who did
      not (92.5% vs 88.9%, p=0.44). Small bowel mucosal visualization rates were
      significantly better in those patients who had a long fast compared with those
      who had a short fast (97.7% vs 81.3%, p=0.019). Our study demonstrates that the
      addition of bowel preparation prior to video capsule endoscopy does not
      significantly improve small bowel mucosal visualization rates and, in addition,
      there is a statistically significant relationship between increased fasting time
      and improved small bowel mucosal visualization. A prolonged fast without bowel
      preparation might be satisfactory for an adequate small bowel visualization but
      further randomized, prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

PMID- 27271278
TI  - Evidence for a Notch1-mediated transition during olfactory ensheathing cell
      development.
AB  - Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a unique glial population found in both
      the peripheral and central nervous system: they ensheath bundles of unmyelinated
      olfactory axons from their peripheral origin in the olfactory epithelium to their
      central synaptic targets in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb. Like all
      other peripheral glia (Schwann cells, satellite glia, enteric glia), OECs are
      derived from the embryonic neural crest. However, in contrast to Schwann cells,
      whose development has been extensively characterised, relatively little is known
      about their normal development in vivo. In the Schwann cell lineage, the
      transition from multipotent Schwann cell precursor to immature Schwann cell is
      promoted by canonical Notch signalling. Here, in situ hybridisation and
      immunohistochemistry data from chicken, mouse and human embryos are presented
      that suggest a canonical Notch-mediated transition also occurs during OEC
      development.

PMID- 27271279
TI  - Relationship between diverse patient body size- and image acquisition-related
      factors, and quantitative and qualitative image quality in coronary computed
      tomography angiography: a multicenter observational study.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of patient- and image acquisition-related
      factors on the image quality in coronary CT angiography (CCTA). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We enrolled 1197 patients (728 men; 65 +/- 12 years). All underwent CCTA
      under the routine scan protocol in 23 participating hospitals. The subjective
      image quality (3-point Likert scale: excellent, good, and poor) and the
      attenuation of the left and right coronary artery (LCA, RCA) were recorded; the
      effects of patient and image acquisition-related factors on vascular attenuation
      were then compared. RESULTS: The mean LCA attenuation was 515.2 +/- 65.8
      (excellent), 401.4 +/- 63.4 (good), and 319.5 +/- 47.6 HU (poor). The
      corresponding RCA attenuation was 496.6 +/- 67.6, 390.5 +/- 58.5, and 308.5 +/-
      50.7 HU, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed significant associations
      between sufficient coronary attenuation (> 400 HU) and the age, gender, body
      surface area (BSA), number of detectors, contrast synchronization, scan mode, and
      the fractional contrast dose. Multivariate analysis revealed that the bolus
      tracking method, prospective electrocardiogram gating, and fractional contrast
      dose were significantly associated with sufficient coronary enhancement.
      CONCLUSION: BSA and fractional contrast dose are the most important patient- and
      image acquisition-related factors for sufficient coronary attenuation in CCTA.

PMID- 27271280
TI  - Bisphenol A Represses Dopaminergic Neuron Differentiation from Human Embryonic
      Stem Cells through Downregulating the Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1.
AB  - Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous compound emerging as a possible toxicant during
      embryonic development. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) promises a valuable model
      for evaluating the effects of environmental chemicals on human prenatal
      development. In our study, 1 MUM BPA were applied to hESC-derived embryoid bodies
      (hEBs) and effects of BPA on neural cell differentiation were investigated. The
      expression level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and marker genes for
      ectoderm, neuron progenitor cells, and dopaminergic (DA) neurons were all
      repressed upon BPA exposure. The population of hESC-derived neural precursor
      cells (NPCs) and DA neurons were decreased. Furthermore, yield of DA neuron
      secreted tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine were also reduced. When
      recombinant IGF-1 supplied, BPA-caused repressions were partially or completely
      relieved. Our further methylation microarray analysis indicated that there was a
      higher methylation level on the promoter of SRY-related HMG-box 5 (SOX5), a
      possible enhancer of IGF-1. Consistently, next quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction (qPCR) results confirmed that SOX5 expression was downregulated. Our
      investigation suggests that BPA represses DA neuron differentiation mainly
      through downregulating IGF-1 expression, which may attribute to the altered
      methylation level on the promoter of IGF-1 upstream genes. Our findings first
      elaborate the mechanism of IGF-1-mediated BPA effects on neuronal
      differentiation, which is helpful to illuminate the unique mechanism of BPA
      toxicity on prenatal neurodevelopment.

PMID- 27271283
TI  - Corrigendum: Integrative genomic mining for enzyme function to enable engineering
      of a non-natural biosynthetic pathway.

PMID- 27271284
TI  - Fiber-based photon-pair source capable of hybrid entanglement in frequency and
      transverse mode, controllably scalable to higher dimensions.
AB  - We have designed and implemented a photon-pair source, based on the spontaneous
      four wave mixing (SFWM) process in a few-mode fiber, in a geometry which permits
      multiple, simultaneous SFWM processes, each associated with a distinct
      combination of transverse modes for the four participating waves. In our source:
      i) each process is group-velocity-matched so that it is, by design, nearly
      factorable, and ii) the spectral separation between neighboring processes is
      greater than the marginal spectral width of each process. Consequently, there is
      a direct correspondence between the joint amplitude of each process and each of
      the Schmidt mode pairs of the overall two-photon state. Our approach permits
      hybrid entanglement in discrete frequency and in transverse mode, whereby control
      of the number of supported fiber transverse modes allows scalability to higher
      dimensions while spectral filtering may be used for straightforward Schmidt mode
      discrimination.

PMID- 27271281
TI  - Bioinformatics resources for pollen.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Bioinformatics for Pollen. Pollen plays a key role in crop
      production, and its development is the most delicate phase in reproduction.
      Different metabolic pathways are involved in pollen development, and changes in
      the level of some metabolites, as well as responses to stress, are correlated
      with the reduction in pollen viability, leading consequently to a decrease in the
      fruit production. However, studies on pollen may be hard because gamete
      development and fertilization are complex processes that occur during a short
      window of time. The rise of the so-called -omics sciences provided key strategies
      to promote molecular research in pollen tissues, starting from model organisms
      and moving to increasing number of species. An integrated multi-level approach
      based on investigations from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and
      metabolomics appears now feasible to clarify key molecular processes in pollen
      development and viability. To this aim, bioinformatics has a fundamental role for
      data production and analysis, contributing varied and ad hoc methodologies,
      endowed with different sensitivity and specificity, necessary for extracting
      added-value information from the large amount of molecular data achievable.
      Bioinformatics is also essential for data management, organization, distribution
      and integration in suitable resources. This is necessary to catch the biological
      features of the pollen tissues and to design effective approaches to identifying
      structural or functional properties, enabling the modeling of the major involved
      processes in normal or in stress conditions. In this review, we provide an
      overview of the available bioinformatics resources for pollen, ranging from raw
      data collections to complete databases or platforms, when available, which
      include data and/or results from -omics efforts on the male gametophyte.
      Perspectives in the fields will also be described.

PMID- 27271282
TI  - Pollen proteomics: from stress physiology to developmental priming.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Pollen development and stress. In angiosperms, pollen or pollen
      grain (male gametophyte) is a highly reduced two- or three-cell structure which
      plays a decisive role in plant reproduction. Male gametophyte development takes
      place in anther locules where diploid sporophytic cells undergo meiotic division
      followed by two consecutive mitotic processes. A desiccated and metabolically
      quiescent form of mature pollen is released from the anther which lands on the
      stigma. Pollen tube growth takes place followed by double fertilization. Apart
      from its importance in sexual reproduction, pollen is also an interesting model
      system which integrates fundamental cellular processes like cell division,
      differentiation, fate determination, polar establishment, cell to cell
      recognition and communication. Recently, pollen functionality has been studied by
      multidisciplinary approaches which also include OMICS analyses like
      transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Here, we review recent advances in
      proteomics of pollen development and propose the process of developmental priming
      playing a key role to guard highly sensitive developmental processes.

PMID- 27271285
TI  - Value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the diagnosis of lymph node metastases
      in patients with cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of
      lymph node metastases in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: In 24
      patients with cholangiocarcinoma, MR imaging of the upper abdomen was performed
      prior to surgery at 1.5 T using a respiratory-triggered single-shot echo-planar
      imaging (SSEPI) sequence (b values: 50, 300, and 600 s/mm(2)). ADC (apparent
      diffusion coefficient) values and diameters of regional lymph nodes (LN) were
      determined. Subsequently, in all patients, surgical exploration and/or resection
      of the primary tumor and regional LN dissection were performed. Imaging results
      were correlated with results of histopathologic analysis. ADC values and
      diameters of benign and malignant LN were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.
      In addition, a ROC (receiver operating characteristic curve) analysis was
      performed. RESULTS: The mean ADC value (*10(-3) mm(2)/s) of metastatic LN (1.21
      +/- 0.15) was significantly lower than that of benign LN (1.62 +/- 0.33, p <
      0.001) while there was no significant difference in the mean diameter of
      malignant (16.8 +/- 5.4 mm) and benign LN (14.1 +/- 4.0 mm; p = 0.09). Using an
      ADC value of 1.25 * 10(-3) mm(2)/s as threshold, 91.4% of LN were correctly
      classified as benign or malignant with a sensitivity/specificity of 83.3%/92.8%
      and a positive/negative predictive value of 66.7%/96.7%. The area under the ROC
      curve was 0.93. CONCLUSION: DWI using a respiratory-triggered SSEPI sequence,
      according to our preliminary experience, is a promising imaging modality in the
      differentiation of benign and malignant LN in patients with cholangiocarcinoma.

PMID- 27271286
TI  - MRI evaluation of complex renal cysts using the Bosniak classification: a
      comparison to CT.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) to discriminate between
      benign and malignant cystic renal lesions utilizing the Bosniak classification.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively searched our Radiological Information
      System using renal/kidney cysts as entries. The search retrieved 2929 patients
      and 525 complex renal cysts. After exclusions, 42 complex cysts, from 37
      patients, with CT and MRI, up to six months apart, were included. Surgery and
      pathology report and follow-up of at least 24 months were used as a standard of
      reference. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 51.4 years, ranging from 11 to
      82 years old. Twenty-nine lesions were classified as Bosniak I, II or II-F by CT
      and/or MRI and 13 as Bosniak III or IV, by one of the methods. The interobserver
      agreement for Bosniak classification for CT was 0.87 and 0.93 for MRI. Fifteen
      lesions had higher Bosniak categories on MRI, included six with change in
      management. Only two lesions had a higher category on CT, one with change in
      management. The frequency of malignancy for Bosniak III was 50 % (2/4) for CT and
      20% for MRI (1/5), as Bosniak upgrades by MRI resulted in surgery for benign
      lesions. Both methods had 100 % frequency of malignancy for category 4.
      CONCLUSION: MRI led to category migration and management change of complex renal
      cysts in a significant proportion of cases, likely due to its superior soft
      tissue and contrast resolution. The impact of MRI on detection and outcomes of
      malignant complex renal cysts still requires further investigation.

PMID- 27271287
TI  - Type II SOCS as a feedback repressor for GH-induced Igf1 expression in carp
      hepatocytes.
AB  - Type II suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) serve as feedback repressors for
      cytokines and are known to inhibit growth hormone (GH) actions. However, direct
      evidence for SOCS modulation of GH-induced insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1)
      expression is lacking, and the post-receptor signaling for SOCS expression at the
      hepatic level is still unclear. To shed light on the comparative aspects of SOCS
      in GH functions, grass carp was used as a model to study the role of type II SOCS
      in GH-induced Igf1 expression. Structural identity of type II SOCS, Socs1-3 and
      cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (Cish), was established in grass carp
      by 5'/3'-RACE, and their expression at both transcript and protein levels were
      confirmed in the liver by RT-PCR and LC/MS/MS respectively. In carp hepatocytes,
      GH treatment induced rapid phosphorylation of JAK2, STATs, MAPK, PI3K, and
      protein kinase B (Akt) with parallel rises in socs1-3 and cish mRNA levels, and
      these stimulatory effects on type II SOCS were shown to occur before the gradual
      loss of igf1 gene expression caused by prolonged exposure of GH. Furthermore, GH
      induced type II SOCS gene expression could be negated by inhibiting JAK2, STATs,
      MEK1/2, P38 (MAPK), PI3K, and/or Akt respectively. In CHO cells transfected with
      carp GH receptor, over-expression of these newly cloned type II SOCS not only
      suppressed JAK2/STAT5 signaling with GH treatment but also inhibited GH-induced
      grass carp Igf1 promoter activity. These results, taken together, suggest that
      type II SOCS could be induced by GH in the carp liver via JAK2/STATs, MAPK, and
      PI3K/Akt cascades and serve as feedback repressors for GH signaling and induction
      of igf1 gene expression.

PMID- 27271288
TI  - Bilateral vestibular hypofunction and Lyme disease: a causal link?

PMID- 27271289
TI  - Malignant transformation of low-grade gliomas in patients undergoing adjuvant
      therapy.
AB  - Low-grade gliomas (LGG) comprise nearly 15-20 % of all central nervous system
      glial tumors. Several factors have been recognized as playing role in LGG
      malignant transformation (MT). A breakthrough analysis of a multidisciplinary
      group pointed that temozolomide may play a role in MT of LGGs. We analyzed the
      prevalence of MT in LGG patients submitted to adjuvant therapy (AT). We analyzed
      the medical charts of 43 patients with LGG submitted to surgery or biopsy and
      attending at Hospital do Servidor Publico Estadual de Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo,
      Brazil), consecutively diagnosed from 1995 to 2013. 43 patients (24 women and 19
      men) were evaluated, with mean age of 45.3 years. According to histology, 30 were
      astrocytomas (70 %), 12 (27 %) were oligodendrogliomas, and 1 (3 %) were mixed
      glioma. Mean follow-up time was 4.2 years with the standard deviation of 2.1.
      Twenty-eight patients did not receive adjuvant therapy and 15 received adjuvant
      therapy. From 43 patients with complete follow-up, 21 (48 %) experienced
      malignant transformation. Among such patients, nine were users of AT. Forty-eight
      percent of patients presented MT, being 60 % in the AT group and 42.8 % without
      AT. Our analysis revealed a high prevalence of MT in patients undergoing AT,
      higher than in patients without AT.

PMID- 27271291
TI  - Co-culture of outgrowth endothelial cells with human mesenchymal stem cells in
      silk fibroin hydrogels promotes angiogenesis.
AB  - Sufficient vascularization of the implant construct is required for tissue
      regeneration to ensure the supply of oxygen and nutrients. In our previous work,
      we established sonication-induced silk fibroin hydrogel to load neural stem cells
      for brain tissue engineering applications. In this study, we explored the
      application of silk fibroin as an injectable hydrogel for vascularization of soft
      tissues. We investigated the ability of outgrowth endothelial cells (OECs) in
      mono-culture or in co-culture with human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem
      cells (BM-MSCs) to form capillary networks in silk fibroin hydrogels.
      Furthermore, the silk fibroin hydrogel was modified with IKVAV peptide revealing
      a sequence derived from the extracellular matrix component laminin-1 to test its
      effects on angiogenesis, using unmodified and VVIAK modified silk fibroin
      hydrogel as controls. In monocultures of OECs, no angiogenic structures were
      observed in silk fibroin hydrogels. In contrast, vascular structures were
      abundant and increased in co-culture, as confirmed by immunocytochemistry and
      scanning electron microscopy (SEM) over 10 d of culture in silk fibroin-based
      hydrogels. Although no significant differences in angiogenic activity seem to be
      caused by the IKVAV peptide in our experimental settings, these results indicate
      that sonication-induced silk fibroin-based hydrogels support the formation of
      functional endothelial tubes and vascularization networks in the presence of
      mesenchymal cells supporting the vascular sprouting of endothelial cells.

PMID- 27271290
TI  - Limited Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus in the General Population of the
      Offin River Valley in Ghana.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections account for approximately 780,000 deaths per
      year, most of which occur in the developing world. Co-infection with HBV and
      hepatitis delta virus (HDV) may lead to the most severe form of viral hepatitis.
      In Ghana, knowledge on the prevalence of HBV and HDV in the general population is
      scanty and the few genetic analyses of the prevailing HBV genotypes are dating
      back more than a decade. In the present study, 1,323 serum samples from
      individuals living in a rural area (Offin river valley) of Ghana were analyzed
      for the presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Positive sera were
      subsequently tested for the presence of anti-HDV antibodies. A total of 107 (8%)
      sera were HBsAg positive with an 8.4% prevalence of anti-HDV antibodies among the
      HBsAg positives. Phylogenetic analysis based on HBV pre-S/S sequences, attributed
      all 52 typable samples to genotype E. All belonged to serotype ayw4. While 19
      sequences clustered with those from a number of African countries, the other 33
      formed a separate cluster distinguished by an intergroup mean distance of 1.5%
      from the pan-African HBV/E cluster. Successful implementation of HBV vaccination
      in the region was reflected by the low HBsAg carrier rate of 1.8% among children
      <=11 years. 

PMID- 27271292
TI  - Pulseq: A rapid and hardware-independent pulse sequence prototyping framework.
AB  - PURPOSE: Implementing new magnetic resonance experiments, or sequences, often
      involves extensive programming on vendor-specific platforms, which can be time
      consuming and costly. This situation is exacerbated when research sequences need
      to be implemented on several platforms simultaneously, for example, at different
      field strengths. This work presents an alternative programming environment that
      is hardware-independent, open-source, and promotes rapid sequence prototyping.
      METHODS: A novel file format is described to efficiently store the hardware
      events and timing information required for an MR pulse sequence. Platform
      dependent interpreter modules convert the file to appropriate instructions to run
      the sequence on MR hardware. Sequences can be designed in high-level languages,
      such as MATLAB, or with a graphical interface. Spin physics simulation tools are
      incorporated into the framework, allowing for comparison between real and virtual
      experiments. RESULTS: Minimal effort is required to implement relatively advanced
      sequences using the tools provided. Sequences are executed on three different MR
      platforms, demonstrating the flexibility of the approach. CONCLUSION: A high
      level, flexible and hardware-independent approach to sequence programming is
      ideal for the rapid development of new sequences. The framework is currently not
      suitable for large patient studies or routine scanning although this would be
      possible with deeper integration into existing workflows. Magn Reson Med 77:1544
      1552, 2017. (c) 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

PMID- 27271293
TI  - A Retrospective Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Longevity Protocol for
      Assessing the Risk of Implant Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A new, computerized diagnostic tool, called the Longevity Protocol,
      was recently developed to predict implant failure. The present retrospective
      analysis was undertaken to assess the prognostic validity of this protocol.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A selected group of patients who had been treated with
      implants over the past 10 years at six dental clinics and experienced implant
      failure were included in the analysis. Another group of patients with similar
      characteristics, not experiencing implant failure, was used as control. In April
      of 2015, data about each of the patients was entered into the Longevity Protocol
      database. For each patient, the risk assessment produced by the protocol was
      compared to whether the implants eventually failed. The implant failure
      predictions and actual implant failures were compared. RESULTS: The Longevity
      Protocol analyzed the possible failure of 595 implants placed in 221 patients
      (323 implants placed in 138 patients classified as low risk, 180 implants placed
      in 55 patients classified as moderate risk, and 92 implants placed in 28 patients
      classified as high risk). The actual percentage of implant failure in the three
      groups was 10%, 15%, and 22%, respectively. The differences between the groups
      were statistically significant. The sensitivity and specificity of the Longevity
      Protocol was 84.9% and 11.90% in the high/moderate risk group and 47.17% and
      32.74% in the low risk group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically
      significant results were obtained. The Longevity Protocol reliably identified
      patients who risked implant failure. The protocol appears to be an important tool
      for prognosis assessment.

PMID- 27271294
TI  - Staged-informed Consent in the Cohort Multiple Randomized Controlled Trial
      Design: Erratum.

PMID- 27271296
TI  - Transcript Profile of Flowering Regulatory Genes in VcFT-Overexpressing Blueberry
      Plants.
AB  - In order to identify genetic components in flowering pathways of highbush
      blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), a transcriptome reference composed of
      254,396 transcripts and 179,853 gene contigs was developed by assembly of 72.7
      million reads using Trinity. Using this transcriptome reference and a query of
      flowering pathway genes of herbaceous plants, we identified potential flowering
      pathway genes/transcripts of blueberry. Transcriptome analysis of flowering
      pathway genes was then conducted on leaf tissue samples of transgenic blueberry
      cv. Aurora ('VcFT-Aurora'), which overexpresses a blueberry FLOWERING LOCUS T
      like gene (VcFT). Sixty-one blueberry transcripts of 40 genes showed high
      similarities to 33 known flowering-related genes of herbaceous plants, of which
      17 down-regulated and 16 up-regulated genes were identified in 'VcFT-Aurora'. All
      down-regulated genes encoded transcription factors/enzymes upstream in the
      signaling pathway containing VcFT. A blueberry CONSTANS-LIKE 5-like (VcCOL5) gene
      was down-regulated and associated with five other differentially expressed (DE)
      genes in the photoperiod-mediated flowering pathway. Three down-regulated genes,
      i.e., a MADS-AFFECTING FLOWERING 2-like gene (VcMAF2), a MADS-AFFECTING FLOWERING
      5-like gene (VcMAF5), and a VERNALIZATION1-like gene (VcVRN1), may function as
      integrators in place of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in the vernalization pathway.
      Because no CONSTAN1-like or FLOWERING LOCUS C-like genes were found in blueberry,
      VcCOL5 and VcMAF2/VcMAF5 or VRN1 might be the major integrator(s) in the
      photoperiod- and vernalization-mediated flowering pathway, respectively. The
      major down-stream genes of VcFT, i.e., SUPPRESSOR of Overexpression of Constans 1
      like (VcSOC1), LEAFY-like (VcLFY), APETALA1-like (VcAP1), CAULIFLOWER 1-like
      (VcCAL1), and FRUITFULL-like (VcFUL) genes were present and showed high
      similarity to their orthologues in herbaceous plants. Moreover, overexpression of
      VcFT promoted expression of all of these VcFT downstream genes. These results
      suggest that VcFT's down-stream genes appear conserved in blueberry. 

PMID- 27271295
TI  - Extensive sequencing of seven human genomes to characterize benchmark reference
      materials.
AB  - The Genome in a Bottle Consortium, hosted by the National Institute of Standards
      and Technology (NIST) is creating reference materials and data for human genome
      sequencing, as well as methods for genome comparison and benchmarking. Here, we
      describe a large, diverse set of sequencing data for seven human genomes; five
      are current or candidate NIST Reference Materials. The pilot genome, NA12878, has
      been released as NIST RM 8398. We also describe data from two Personal Genome
      Project trios, one of Ashkenazim Jewish ancestry and one of Chinese ancestry. The
      data come from 12 technologies: BioNano Genomics, Complete Genomics paired-end
      and LFR, Ion Proton exome, Oxford Nanopore, Pacific Biosciences, SOLiD, 10X
      Genomics GemCode WGS, and Illumina exome and WGS paired-end, mate-pair, and
      synthetic long reads. Cell lines, DNA, and data from these individuals are
      publicly available. Therefore, we expect these data to be useful for revealing
      novel information about the human genome and improving sequencing technologies,
      SNP, indel, and structural variant calling, and de novo assembly. 

PMID- 27271297
TI  - Interlaboratory evaluation of the assessment of arsenic bioaccumulation from
      field collected sediments using Hexagenia spp.
AB  - Standardized bioaccumulation testing of aquatic organisms is essential to
      understanding the impact of historical contamination on the quality of water and
      sediment. A standardized 28-d laboratory bioaccumulation method with a freshwater
      burrowing mayfly, Hexagenia spp., has been developed and internally validated by
      the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC). An
      interlaboratory comparison was conducted to assess the precision of this method.
      Field-collected sediment contaminated with arsenic was chosen for the present
      study. Control and test sediments were subsampled and sent to 6 laboratories to
      perform the bioaccumulation test. One laboratory failed to meet the control
      survival criterion of >=80%. When results of this laboratory are removed from the
      arsenic accumulation assessment, the mean interlaboratory variability (expressed
      as coefficient of variation) of the arsenic whole-body concentration is reduced
      from 44% to 24% in the test sediment-exposed Hexagenia spp. There was no
      significant interlaboratory difference between the Hexagenia spp. arsenic
      accumulations. While improved culturing and organism holding guidance may
      increase laboratory success, the MOECC Hexagenia spp. bioaccumulation test method
      has tight biological method precision when the control survival criterion is met.
      Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2448-2455. (c) 2016 SETAC.

PMID- 27271298
TI  - USP6 gene rearrangement in nodular fasciitis and histological mimics.
AB  - AIMS: Nodular fasciitis is known to be a benign mimic of sarcoma, both clinically
      and histologically. Accurate diagnosis, particularly on small biopsies, remains a
      challenge, as the morphology can be varied and the immunophenotype is essentially
      non-specific. Recently, rearrangement of the ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6)
      gene has been reported as a recurrent and specific finding in nodular fasciitis.
      The aim of this this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of USP6
      fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis in a subset of spindle-cell
      proliferations in which nodular fasciitis enters into the differential diagnosis.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: A database search was performed at the Middlemore Hospital
      Histopathology Department. All in-house cases diagnosed between 2002 and March
      2014 in which nodular fasciitis was considered as a differential diagnosis were
      retrospectively identified. Twenty cases were retrieved, reviewed and categorized
      as 'definite', 'possible' or 'definitely not' nodular fasciitis by consensus
      morphological opinion of three experienced pathologists. FISH analysis for USP6
      rearrangement was performed in each case, with a commercially available break
      apart probe. Of seven cases that were morphologically categorized as 'definite'
      nodular fasciitis, six were FISH-positive and one was FISH-negative. Of four
      cases categorized as 'possible' nodular fasciitis, one was FISH-positive and
      three were FISH-negative. Nine cases categorized as 'definitely not' nodular
      fasciitis were all FISH-negative. In the morphologically definitive cases, FISH
      analysis for USP6 had a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 100% for a
      diagnosis of nodular fasciitis. The positive predictive value was 100%, and the
      negative predictive value 90%. CONCLUSIONS: USP6 FISH is a useful ancillary test
      in cases where nodular fasciitis is a potential diagnostic consideration.

PMID- 27271299
TI  - Neurologic Immune-Related Adverse Events in Oncology Care.

PMID- 27271300
TI  - Correction: Escherichia coli DnaE Polymerase Couples Pyrophosphatase Activity to
      DNA Replication.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152915.].

PMID- 27271301
TI  - Dry Olive Leaf Extract in Combination with Methotrexate Reduces Cell Damage in
      Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients-A Pilot Study.
AB  - The effects of co-administration of dry olive leaf extract (DOLE) with standard
      methotrexate (MTX) therapy on the parameters of cell damage and inflammation in
      patients with early and long-term rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were evaluated at
      baseline, 3 and 6 weeks. Patients were assigned to groups: the early phase RA
      group on MTX monotherapy (E MTX), and the two RA groups that received co
      treatment with DOLE and MTX: early (E MTX + DOLE) and long-term phase patients (L
      t MTX+ DOLE). Baseline values indicated increased parameters of cell damage and
      disruption of redox balance in all groups. After three weeks the E MTX + DOLE
      group maintained high catalase activity, exhibited decrease of lipid peroxidation
      and protein damage indicators-thiols and nitrites, while levels of DNA damage and
      pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 were significantly reduced. In E MTX group
      catalase activity remained unaltered while significant lipid peroxidation and DNA
      damage reductions were seen only after six weeks. L-t MTX + DOLE group showed
      only modest alterations of cell damage parameters during six weeks. Combined
      administration of DOLE with MTX contributes to faster reduction of cell damage,
      restores oxidative balance and improves interleukin-6 suppression during high
      disease activity in early phase RA, but not in long term patients. Copyright (c)
      2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27271303
TI  - Primate genotyping via high resolution melt analysis: rapid and reliable
      identification of color vision status in wild lemurs.
AB  - Analyses of genetic polymorphisms can aid our understanding of intra- and
      interspecific variation in primate sociality, ecology, and behavior. Studies of
      primate opsin genes are prime examples of this, as single nucleotide variants
      (SNVs) in the X-linked opsin gene underlie variation in color vision. For primate
      species with polymorphic trichromacy, genotyping opsin SNVs can generally
      indicate whether individual primates are red-green color-blind (denoted
      homozygous M or homozygous L) or have full trichromatic color vision
      (heterozygous ML). Given the potential influence of color vision on behavior and
      fitness, characterizing the color vision status of study subjects is becoming
      commonplace for many primate field projects. Such studies traditionally involve a
      multi-step sequencing-based method that can be costly and time-consuming. Here we
      present a new reliable, rapid, and relatively inexpensive method for
      characterizing color vision in primate populations using high resolution melt
      analysis (HRMA). Using lemurs as a case study, we characterized variation at
      exons 3 and/or 5 of the X-linked opsin gene for 87 individuals representing nine
      species. We scored opsin genotypes and color vision status using both traditional
      sequencing-based methods as well as our novel melting-curve based HRMA protocol.
      For each species, the melting curves of varying genotypes (homozygous M,
      homozygous L, heterozygous ML) differed in melting temperature and/or shape.
      Melting curves for each sample were consistent across replicates, and genotype
      specific melting curves were consistent across DNA sources (blood vs. feces). We
      show that opsin genotypes can be quickly and reliably scored using HRMA once lab
      specific reference curves have been developed based on known genotypes. Although
      the protocol presented here focuses on genotyping lemur opsin loci, we also
      consider the larger potential for applying this approach to various types of
      genetic studies of primate populations. 

PMID- 27271304
TI  - Physics of pure and non-pure positron emitters for PET: a review and a
      discussion.
AB  - With the increased interest in new PET tracers, gene-targeted therapy, immunoPET,
      and theranostics, other radioisotopes will be increasingly used in clinical PET
      scanners, in addition to (18)F. Some of the most interesting radioisotopes with
      prospective use in the new fields are not pure short-range beta(+) emitters but
      can be associated with gamma emissions in coincidence with the annihilation
      radiation (prompt gamma), gamma-gamma cascades, intense Bremsstrahlung radiation,
      high-energy positrons that may escape out of the patient skin, and high-energy
      gamma rays that result in some e (+)/e (-) pair production. The high level of
      sophistication in data correction and excellent quantitative accuracy that has
      been reached for (18)F in recent years can be questioned by these effects. In
      this work, we review the physics and the scientific literature and evaluate the
      effect of these additional phenomena on the PET data for each of a series of
      radioisotopes: (11)C, (13)N, (15)O, (18)F, (64)Cu, (68)Ga, (76)Br, (82)Rb, (86)Y,
      (89)Zr, (90)Y, and (124)I. In particular, we discuss the present complications
      arising from the prompt gammas, and we review the scientific literature on prompt
      gamma correction. For some of the radioisotopes considered in this work, prompt
      gamma correction is definitely needed to assure acceptable image quality, and
      several approaches have been proposed in recent years. Bremsstrahlung photons and
      (176)Lu background were also evaluated. 

PMID- 27271305
TI  - Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Healthy Women.
AB  - PURPOSE: There is accumulating evidence that oxidative stress is an important
      contributor to carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that genetic variation in genes
      involved in maintaining antioxidant/oxidant balance would be associated with
      overall oxidative stress. METHODS: We examined associations between single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MnSOD, GSTP1, GSTM1, GPX1, GPX3, and CAT genes
      and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), a blood biomarker of
      oxidative damage, in healthy white women randomly selected from Western New York
      (n = 1402). We used general linear models to calculate age-adjusted geometric
      means of TBARS across the variants. We also examined the associations within
      strata of menopausal status. RESULTS: For MnSOD, being heterozygous was
      associated with lower geometric means of TBARS (less oxidative stress), 1.28
      mg/dL, compared to homozygous T-allele or homozygous C-allele,1.35 mg/dL, and
      1.31 mg/dL correspondingly (p for trend = 0.01). This difference remained among
      postmenopausal women, 1.40 mg/dL for TT, 1.32 mg/dL for TC, and 1.34mg/dL for CC
      (p for trend 0.015); it was attenuated among premenopausal women. SNPs in the
      other genes examined (GSTP1, GSTM1, GPX1, GPX3, and CAT) were not associated with
      TBARS. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that genetic variation in MnSOD gene may
      be associated with oxidative status, particularly among postmenopausal women.

PMID- 27271307
TI  - Mind the Vein.

PMID- 27271306
TI  - Alcohol consumption is associated with DXA measurement of adiposity: the Pro
      Saude Study, Brazil.
AB  - PURPOSE: Evaluate the association between alcohol consumption and body adiposity.
      METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from a longitudinal investigation (Pro
      Saude Study), comprising a sample of 514 civil servants of both sexes (35-64
      years). Daily alcohol consumption (wine, beer, and other alcoholic drinks) over
      the previous 6 months was assessed via food frequency questionnaire and
      categorized as no doses, up to 1 dose, and >=1 dose. The total body mass, total
      fat mass (TFM), android fat mass (AFM), and gynoid fat mass (GFM) were measured
      via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. AFM (AFM%) and GFM (GFM%) were expressed as
      percentages relative to TFM. The ratio of AFM% and GFM% was calculated. Multiple
      linear regression analyses were performed after adjusting for age, calories not
      originating from alcohol, leisure-time physical activity and education. RESULTS:
      Among nondrinkers, 59 % were women, and the age range between 45 and 54 years was
      predominant (44.3 %); 63.7 % of the nondrinkers were overweight/obese. Among
      drinkers of 1 dose or more/day, 67 % were males aged between 45 and 54 years
      (43.7 %); 69.1 % were overweight/obese. Among men, the daily consumption of >=1
      alcohol dose (13 g) was associated with an approximately 2 % (beta = 2.2, IC =
      0.077; 4.303) adjusted for age, calories not originated from alcohol, leisure
      time physical activity and education, increase in TFM, compared to those who
      reported no alcohol consumption during the previous 6 months. This association
      was not observed among women. In both sexes, no associations were observed
      between alcohol consumption and the other evaluated parameters of adiposity.
      CONCLUSION: Among men only, daily consumption of >=1 alcohol dose was associated
      with increased adiposity, despite the relatively low average alcohol consumption
      in this study population.

PMID- 27271308
TI  - Adverse Impact of Sleep Restriction and Circadian Misalignment on Autonomic
      Function in Healthy Young Adults.
AB  - Insufficient sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances have been each associated
      with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in epidemiological studies, but experimental
      evidence for a causal link is scarce. The present study compares the impact of
      circadian misalignment (CM) to circadian alignment (CA) on human autonomic
      function using a nonrandomized parallel group design to achieve the same total
      sleep time in both conditions. After baseline assessments (3 days with 10-hour
      bedtimes), 26 healthy young adults were assigned to sleep restriction (SR; eight
      5-hour bedtimes) with either fixed nocturnal bedtimes (CA; n=13) or bedtimes
      delayed by 8.5 hours on 4 of the 8 days (CM; n=13). Daytime ambulatory blood
      pressure and heart rate (HR; CA, n=11; CM, n=10) and 24-hour urinary
      norepinephrine levels (CA, n=13; CM, n=13) were assessed at baseline and the end
      of SR. Nocturnal HR and HR variability were analyzed during sleep at baseline and
      during the fourth and seventh nights of SR (CA, n=8; CM, n=12). SR resulted in a
      significant increase in daytime HR in both groups, without changes in blood
      pressure. SR increased 24-hour urinary norepinephrine in the CM group (30+/-4
      versus 21+/-2 MUg), but not in the circadian alignment group (group*condition,
      P=0.005). In contrast to the lack of detectable impact of CM on daytime autonomic
      function, SR with CM elicited greater increases in nocturnal HR, as well as
      greater reductions in vagal indices of HR variability, than SR without CM
      (group*condition, P<0.05). In conclusion, SR and CM both result in impaired
      autonomic function that could lead, under chronic conditions, to enhanced
      cardiovascular risk.

PMID- 27271311
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 27271309
TI  - Genome-Wide Gene-Sodium Interaction Analyses on Blood Pressure: The Genetic
      Epidemiology Network of Salt-Sensitivity Study.
AB  - We performed genome-wide analyses to identify genomic loci that interact with
      sodium to influence blood pressure (BP) using single-marker-based (1 and 2 df
      joint tests) and gene-based tests among 1876 Chinese participants of the Genetic
      Epidemiology Network of Salt-Sensitivity (GenSalt) study. Among GenSalt
      participants, the average of 3 urine samples was used to estimate sodium
      excretion. Nine BP measurements were taken using a random zero sphygmomanometer.
      A total of 2.05 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms were imputed using
      Affymetrix 6.0 genotype data and the Chinese Han of Beijing and Japanese of Tokyo
      HapMap reference panel. Promising findings (P<1.00*10(-4)) from GenSalt were
      evaluated for replication among 775 Chinese participants of the Multi-Ethnic
      Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Single-nucleotide polymorphism and gene-based
      results were meta-analyzed across the GenSalt and MESA studies to determine
      genome-wide significance. The 1 df tests identified interactions for UST
      rs13211840 on diastolic BP (P=3.13*10(-9)). The 2 df tests additionally
      identified associations for CLGN rs2567241 (P=3.90*10(-12)) and LOC105369882
      rs11104632 (P=4.51*10(-8)) with systolic BP. The CLGN variant rs2567241 was also
      associated with diastolic BP (P=3.11*10(-22)) and mean arterial pressure
      (P=2.86*10(-15)). Genome-wide gene-based analysis identified MKNK1 (P=6.70*10(
      7)), C2orf80 (P<1.00*10(-12)), EPHA6 (P=2.88*10(-7)), SCOC-AS1 (P=4.35*10(-14)),
      SCOC (P=6.46*10(-11)), CLGN (P=3.68*10(-13)), MGAT4D (P=4.73*10(-11)), ARHGAP42
      (P<=1.00*10(-12)), CASP4 (P=1.31*10(-8)), and LINC01478 (P=6.75*10(-10)) that
      were associated with at least 1 BP phenotype. In summary, we identified 8 novel
      and 1 previously reported BP loci through the examination of single-nucleotide
      polymorphism and gene-based interactions with sodium.

PMID- 27271313
TI  - Imaging fluorescence correlation spectroscopy studies of dye diffusion in self
      assembled organic nanotubes.
AB  - The rate and mechanism of diffusion by anionic sulforhodamine B (SRB) dye
      molecules within organic nanotubes self-assembled from bolaamphiphile surfactants
      were investigated by imaging fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (imaging-FCS).
      The inner and outer surfaces of the nanotubes are terminated with amine and
      glucose groups, respectively; the former allow for pH-dependent manipulation of
      nanotube surface charge while the latter enhance their biocompatibility. Wide
      field fluorescence video microscopy was used to locate and image dye-doped
      nanotubes dispersed on a glass surface. Imaging-FCS was then used to spatially
      resolve the SRB transport dynamics. Mobilization of the dye molecules was
      achieved by immersion of the nanotubes in buffer solution. Experiments were
      performed in pH 6.4, 7.4 and 8.4 buffers, at ionic strengths ranging from 1.73 mM
      to 520 mM. The results show that coulombic interactions between cationic ammonium
      ions on the inner nanotube surface and the anionic SRB molecules play a critical
      role in governing mass transport of the dye. The apparent dye diffusion
      coefficient, D, was found to generally increase with increasing ionic strength
      and with increasing pH. The D values obtained were found to be invariant along
      the nanotube length. Mass transport of the SRB molecules within the nanotubes is
      concluded to occur by a desorption-mediated Fickian diffusion mechanism in which
      dye motion is slowed by its coulombic interactions with the inner surfaces of the
      nanotubes. The results of these studies afford information essential to the use
      of organic nanotubes in controlled drug release applications. 

PMID- 27271310
TI  - Efficacy of Servo-Controlled Splanchnic Venous Compression in the Treatment of
      Orthostatic Hypotension: A Randomized Comparison With Midodrine.
AB  - Splanchnic venous pooling is a major hemodynamic determinant of orthostatic
      hypotension, but is not specifically targeted by pressor agents, the mainstay of
      treatment. We developed an automated inflatable abdominal binder that provides
      sustained servo-controlled venous compression (40 mm Hg) and can be activated
      only on standing. We tested the efficacy of this device against placebo and
      compared it to midodrine in 19 autonomic failure patients randomized to receive
      either placebo, midodrine (2.5-10 mg), or placebo combined with binder on
      separate days in a single-blind, crossover study. Systolic blood pressure (SBP)
      was measured seated and standing before and 1-hour post medication; the binder
      was inflated immediately before standing. Only midodrine increased seated SBP
      (31+/-5 versus 9+/-4 placebo and 7+/-5 binder, P=0.003), whereas orthostatic
      tolerance (defined as area under the curve of upright SBP [AUCSBP]) improved
      similarly with binder and midodrine (AUCSBP, 195+/-35 and 197+/-41 versus 19+/-38
      mm Hg*minute for placebo; P=0.003). Orthostatic symptom burden decreased with the
      binder (from 21.9+/-3.6 to 16.3+/-3.1, P=0.032) and midodrine (from 25.6+/-3.4 to
      14.2+/-3.3, P<0.001), but not with placebo (from 19.6+/-3.5 to 20.1+/-3.3,
      P=0.756). We also compared the combination of midodrine and binder with midodrine
      alone. The combination produced a greater increase in orthostatic tolerance
      (AUCSBP, 326+/-65 versus 140+/-53 mm Hg*minute for midodrine alone; P=0.028,
      n=21) and decreased orthostatic symptoms (from 21.8+/-3.2 to 12.9+/-2.9,
      P<0.001). In conclusion, servo-controlled abdominal venous compression with an
      automated inflatable binder is as effective as midodrine, the standard of care,
      in the management of orthostatic hypotension. Combining both therapies produces
      greater improvement in orthostatic tolerance. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL:
      https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00223691.

PMID- 27271312
TI  - Mega clinical trials which have shaped the RAS intervention clinical practice.
AB  - Following extensive clinical research, drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin
      system have been used for the treatment of patients with congestive heart
      failure, myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, chronic renal
      failure and for reducing the risk of developing major cardiovascular (CV) events.
      This review examines all mega trials (those involving >1000 patients) and smaller
      pivotal trials involving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is; 25
      mega trials) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; 27 mega trials) to provide
      perspective on the huge database of evidence that has accumulated on the use of
      these drugs. Our review demonstrates that ACE-Is and ARBs are generally as
      effective as conventional therapies in the treatment of hypertension, but offer
      additional cardioprotective benefits in patients with heart failure, and in those
      who have experienced myocardial infarction. Also, both ACE-Is and ARBs are
      capable of renal protection in addition to their blood-pressure-lowering effects.
      Although ACE-Is and ARBs provide major benefits to CV patients, doubts remain
      over the concept of blood-pressure-independent CV protection offered by both
      classes of drugs. ACE-Is and ARBs appear to be equally effective with respect to
      morbidity and mortality endpoints, but ARBs are better tolerated. Considering the
      available evidence, the combined use of an ACE-I and ARB should be avoided and
      full doses of either ACE-I or ARB should be aimed for as evidence suggests they
      provide a greater prognostic benefit. 

PMID- 27271315
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271314
TI  - Biologic interventions for fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common and potentially distressing symptom for patients
      with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with no accepted evidence-based management
      guidelines. Evidence suggests that biologic interventions improve symptoms and
      signs in RA as well as reducing joint damage. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect
      of biologic interventions on fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis. SEARCH METHODS: We
      searched the following electronic databases up to 1 April 2014: Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of
      Systematic Reviews, Current Controlled Trials Register, the National Research
      Register Archive, The UKCRN Portfolio Database, AMED, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Social
      Science Citation Index, Web of Science, and Dissertation Abstracts International.
      In addition, we checked the reference lists of articles identified for inclusion
      for additional studies and contacted key authors. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included
      randomised controlled trials if they evaluated a biologic intervention in people
      with rheumatoid arthritis and had self reported fatigue as an outcome measure.
      DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers selected relevant trials, assessed
      methodological quality and extracted data. Where appropriate, we pooled data in
      meta-analyses using a random-effects model. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 32
      studies for inclusion in this current review. Twenty studies evaluated five anti
      tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) biologic agents (adalimumab, certolizumab,
      etanercept, golimumab and infliximab), and 12 studies focused on five non-anti
      TNF biologic agents (abatacept, canakinumab, rituximab, tocilizumab and an anti
      interferon gamma monoclonal antibody). All but two of the studies were double
      blind randomised placebo-controlled trials. In some trials, patients could
      receive concomitant disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These
      studies added either biologics or placebo to DMARDs. Investigators did not change
      the dose of the latter from baseline. In total, these studies included 9946
      participants in the intervention groups and 4682 participants in the control
      groups. Overall, quality of randomised controlled trials was moderate with a low
      to unclear risk of bias in the reporting of the outcome of fatigue. We downgraded
      the quality of the studies from high to moderate because of potential reporting
      bias (studies included post hoc analyses favouring reporting of positive result
      and did not always include all randomised individuals). Some studies recruited
      only participants with early disease. The studies used five different instruments
      to assess fatigue in these studies: the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness
      Therapy Fatigue Domain (FACIT-F), Short Form-36 Vitality Domain (SF-36 VT),
      Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (0 to 100 or 0 to 10) and the Numerical Rating Scale
      (NRS). We calculated standard mean differences for pooled data in meta-analyses.
      Overall treatment by biologic agents led to statistically significant reduction
      in fatigue with a standardised mean difference of -0.43 (95% confidence interval
      (CI) -0.38 to -0.49). This equates to a difference of 6.45 units (95% CI 5.7 to
      7.35) of FACIT-F score (range 0 to 52). Both types of biologic agents achieved a
      similar level of improvement: for anti-TNF agents, this stood at -0.42 (95% CI 
      0.35 to -0.49), equivalent to 6.3 units (95% CI 5.3 to 7.4) on the FACIT-F score;
      and for non-anti-TNF agents, it was -0.46 (95% CI -0.39 to -0.53), equivalent to
      6.9 units (95% CI 5.85 to 7.95) on the FACIT-F score. In most studies, the double
      blind period was 24 weeks or less. No study assessed long-term changes in
      fatigue. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with biologic interventions in patients
      with active RA can lead to a small to moderate improvement in fatigue. The
      magnitude of improvement is similar for anti-TNF and non-anti-TNF biologics.
      However, it is unclear whether the improvement results from a direct action of
      the biologics on fatigue or indirectly through reduction in inflammation, disease
      activity or some other mechanism.

PMID- 27271316
TI  - Composition and dynamics of the uterine NK cell KIR repertoire in menstrual
      blood.
AB  - Uterine natural killer (NK) cells are abundantly present in endometrium and
      decidua. Their function is governed by interactions between killer cell
      immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and cognate human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
      class I ligands. These interactions have implications for reproductive success.
      Whereas most uterine NK cells are known to express KIRs, little information is
      available about KIR repertoire formation and stability over time. This is
      primarily due to inherent difficulties in gaining access to human uterine tissue.
      As endometrial immune cells are shed during menstruation, menstrual blood may
      serve as a source for studies of KIRs on uterine NK cells. Here, we performed a
      combined assessment of six inhibitory and activating KIRs on uterine NK cells
      from paired menstrual and peripheral blood. Menstrual blood contained a high
      frequency of uterine NK cells expressing KIRs. The uterine NK cell KIR
      repertoires were markedly different from those in peripheral blood NK cells,
      biased toward KIR2D-receptor expression, and formed independently of selection
      conferred by cognate HLA class I molecules. Moreover, uterine NKG2C+self-KIR+ NK
      cell expansions were detected. Finally, the distinct KIR repertoires of uterine
      NK cells were stable over multiple menstrual cycles. Our results provide novel
      insight into KIR repertoire formation on human uterine NK cells.

PMID- 27271317
TI  - Vasoactive intestinal peptide dampens formyl-peptide-induced ROS production and
      inflammation by targeting a MAPK-p47phox phosphorylation pathway in monocytes.
AB  - Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the phagocyte NADPH oxidase (NOX2) are
      required for microbial clearance; however, when produced in excess they
      exacerbate inflammatory response and injure surrounding tissues. NOX2 is a
      multicomponent enzyme composed of membrane-associated cytochrome b588 and
      cytosolic components p47phox, p67phox, p40phox, and rac1/2. We investigated
      whether vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), an endogenous immune-modulatory
      peptide, could affect ROS production by NOX2 in primary human phagocytes. VIP did
      not modulate basal ROS production by phagocytes, but it inhibited monocyte and
      not neutrophil ROS production in response to the bacterial peptide N-formyl
      methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF). The action of VIP was essentially mediated
      by high-affinity G-protein coupled receptors VPAC1 as its specific agonist,
      [ALA11,22,28]VIP, mimicked VIP-inhibitory effect, whereas the specific VPAC1
      antagonist, PG97-269, blunted VIP action. Further, we showed that VIP inhibited
      fMLF-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase
      1/2), p38MAPK (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways, and
      phosphorylation of p47phox on Ser345 residue. Also, VIP exerted an anti
      inflammatory effect in a model of carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats. We
      thus found that VIP exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the "MAPK
      p47phox phosphorylation-NOX2 activation" axis. These data suggest that VIP acts
      as a natural anti-inflammatory agent of the mucosal system and its analogs could
      be novel anti-inflammatory molecules.

PMID- 27271318
TI  - Gold nanoparticle-conjugated pepsin for efficient solution-like heterogeneous
      biocatalysis in analytical sample preparation protocols.
AB  - Immobilization of enzymes on mesoporous microparticulate carriers has
      traditionally been accompanied by reduction in enzyme activity. Herein, we
      document that immobilization of pepsin via amide coupling on gold nanoparticles
      (GNPs) with a carboxy-terminated hydrophilic PEG7 shell resulted in a
      heterogeneous nanobiocatalyst with essentially equivalent turnover rates, k cat
      (90 %), and enhanced catalytic efficiencies, k cat/K M (107 %), compared to
      homogeneous catalysis with pepsin in free solution for cytochrome C as model
      substrate. This heterogeneous catalyst showed further at least equivalent
      bioactivity in a digestion reaction of a protein mixture consisting of cytochrome
      C, bovine serum albumin, and myoglobin. UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis of the
      digests with subsequent Mascot database search allowed unequivocal identification
      of all proteins with high score and good sequence coverage. The functionalized
      nanoparticles were further characterized by Vis spectroscopy in terms of the
      surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band, by dynamic light scattering (DLS) with
      regard to hydrodynamic diameters, and in view of their zeta potentials at each
      step of synthesis and surface modification. These measurements also revealed that
      the pepsin-functionalized GNPs were sufficiently stable over at least 1 month;
      thus providing a satisfactory shelf life to the heterogeneous catalyst.
      Advantageously, the pepsin-GNP bioconjugate can be conveniently removed after
      reaction by simple centrifugation steps which makes them a useful tool for
      analysis of therapeutic peptides and proteins, including monoclonal antibodies.
      The practical utility of the nanobiocatalyst was documented by digestion of a
      monoclonal antibody which yielded the F(ab')2 fragment with a mass of 97,619.4
      Da. Graphical Abstract Pepsin conjugated to pegylated gold nanoparticles exhibit
      properties of homogeneous catalysis such as enzyme activity like pepsin in
      solution and ability to pipette the stable colloidal suspension whereas one can
      take benefit from easy removal by centrifugation and re-use which are
      characteristics of heterogeneous catalysis. 

PMID- 27271319
TI  - Development of an on-site rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction system and
      the characterization of suitable DNA polymerases for TaqMan probe technology.
AB  - On-site quantitative analyses of microorganisms (including viruses) by the
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system are significantly influencing medical and
      biological research. We have developed a remarkably rapid and portable real-time
      PCR system that is based on microfluidic approaches. Real-time PCR using TaqMan
      probes consists of a complex reaction. Therefore, in a rapid real-time PCR, the
      optimum DNA polymerase must be estimated by using actual real-time PCR
      conditions. In this study, we compared the performance of three DNA polymerases
      in actual PCR conditions using our rapid real-time PCR system. Although KAPA2G
      Fast HS DNA Polymerase has the highest enzymatic activity among them, SpeedSTAR
      HS DNA Polymerase exhibited better performance to rapidly increase the
      fluorescence signal in an actual real-time PCR using TaqMan probes. Furthermore,
      we achieved rapid detection of Escherichia coli in 7 min by using SpeedSTAR HS
      DNA Polymerase with the same sensitivity as that of a conventional thermal
      cycler. 

PMID- 27271320
TI  - Effect of temperature (5-25 degrees C) on epiphytic lactic acid bacteria
      populations and fermentation of whole-plant corn silage.
AB  - AIMS: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of temperature (5
      25 degrees C) on epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) populations during 60 days
      of fermentation of whole-plant corn silage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Vacuum bag mini
      silos of chopped whole-plant corn were incubated at five different temperatures
      (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 degrees C), according to a completely randomized design
      with four repetitions. The silos were opened and sampled on day 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 28
      and 60. At 20 and 25 degrees C, Lactobacillus plantarum- and Pediococcus 
      pentosaceus-related operational taxonomic units (OTU) dominated the fermentation
      within 1 day. After 7 days, the OTU related to the heterofermentative species
      Lactobacillus buchneri began to appear and it eventually dominated silages
      incubated at these temperatures. Population dynamic of LAB at 5 and 10 degrees C
      was different. At these temperatures, Leuconostoc citreum OTU was identified at
      the beginning of the fermentation. Thereafter, Lactobacillus sakei- and
      Lactobacillus curvatus-related OTU appeared and quickly prevailed. Corn silage at
      15 degrees C acted as a transition between 20-25 degrees C and 5-10 degrees C, in
      terms of LAB diversity and succession. CONCLUSION: The conditions of silage
      incubation temperature affect species diversity of LAB population with notable
      difference along the temperature gradient. Colder temperature conditions (5 and
      10 degrees C) have led to the identification of LAB species never observed in
      corn silage. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrated the
      impact of temperature gradient on the diversity and some important population
      shift of lactic acid bacteria communities during fermentation of corn silage.

PMID- 27271322
TI  - Dispensable chromosomes in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.
AB  - The genomes of many filamentous fungi consist of a 'core' part containing
      conserved genes essential for normal development as well as conditionally
      dispensable (CD) or lineage-specific (LS) chromosomes. In the plant-pathogenic
      fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, one LS chromosome harbours effector
      genes that contribute to pathogenicity. We employed flow cytometry to select for
      events of spontaneous (partial) loss of either the two smallest LS chromosomes or
      two different core chromosomes. We determined the rate of spontaneous loss of the
      'effector' LS chromosome in vitro at around 1 in 35 000 spores. In addition, a
      viable strain was obtained lacking chromosome 12, which is considered to be a
      part of the core genome. We also isolated strains carrying approximately 1-Mb
      deletions in the LS chromosomes and in the dispensable core chromosome. The large
      core chromosome 1 was never observed to sustain deletions over 200 kb. Whole
      genome sequencing revealed that some of the sites at which the deletions occurred
      were the same in several independent strains obtained for the two chromosomes
      tested, indicating the existence of deletion hotspots. For the core chromosome,
      this deletion hotspot was the site of insertion of the marker used to select for
      loss events. Loss of the core chromosome did not affect pathogenicity, whereas
      loss of the effector chromosome led to a complete loss of pathogenicity.

PMID- 27271321
TI  - Integrated Computational Solution for Predicting Skin Sensitization Potential of
      Molecules.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Skin sensitization forms a major toxicological endpoint for
      dermatology and cosmetic products. Recent ban on animal testing for cosmetics
      demands for alternative methods. We developed an integrated computational
      solution (SkinSense) that offers a robust solution and addresses the limitations
      of existing computational tools i.e. high false positive rate and/or limited
      coverage. RESULTS: The key components of our solution include: QSAR models
      selected from a combinatorial set, similarity information and literature-derived
      sub-structure patterns of known skin protein reactive groups. Its prediction
      performance on a challenge set of molecules showed accuracy = 75.32%, CCR =
      74.36%, sensitivity = 70.00% and specificity = 78.72%, which is better than
      several existing tools including VEGA (accuracy = 45.00% and CCR = 54.17% with
      'High' reliability scoring), DEREK (accuracy = 72.73% and CCR = 71.44%) and
      TOPKAT (accuracy = 60.00% and CCR = 61.67%). Although, TIMES-SS showed higher
      predictive power (accuracy = 90.00% and CCR = 92.86%), the coverage was very low
      (only 10 out of 77 molecules were predicted reliably). CONCLUSIONS: Owing to
      improved prediction performance and coverage, our solution can serve as a useful
      expert system towards Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment for skin
      sensitization. It would be invaluable to cosmetic/ dermatology industry for pre
      screening their molecules, and reducing time, cost and animal testing.

PMID- 27271324
TI  - Chiral HPLC Separation, Absolute Structural Elucidation, and Determination of
      Stereochemical Stability of trans-Bis[2-(2-pyridinyl)aminophenolato]
      Cyclotriphosphazene.
AB  - Chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of trans-bis[2-(2
      pyridyl)aminophenolato] dichlorocyclotriphosphazene was achieved and the absolute
      configuration of was assigned to be S,S by single-crystal X-ray structural
      analysis. The optically pure 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediolate derivatives (+)- and
      (-)- were synthesized by the reactions of and with (R,R)-hydrobenzoin,
      respectively, in refluxing toluene in the presence of an excess amount of
      triethylamine and a catalytic amount of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine. The
      racemization of the enantiomers of and the epimerization of diastereomers of 2
      were not observed in refluxing toluene neither under acidic nor basic conditions.
      The stereochemistry of was confirmed by the crystal structure of (+)- and bis[(4
      methyl-2-pyridyl)oxy]cyclotriphosphazene derived from . Chirality 28:556-561,
      2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 27271323
TI  - Melatonin Inhibits CXCL10 and MMP-1 Production in IL-1beta-Stimulated Human
      Periodontal Ligament Cells.
AB  - Melatonin is a hormone that is mainly secreted by the pineal gland and exhibits a
      wide spectrum of activities, including antioxidant functions. Melatonin has been
      detected in gingival crevicular fluid. However, the role of melatonin in
      periodontal tissue is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine the
      effects of melatonin on inflammatory mediator expression in human periodontal
      ligament cells (HPDLC). Interleukin (IL)-1beta induced CXC chemokine ligand
      (CXCL)10, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and tissue inhibitors of
      metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 production in HPDLC. Melatonin decreased CXCL10 and
      MMP-1 production and increased TIMP-1 production in IL-1beta-stimulated HPDLC.
      Western blot analysis showed that melatonin inhibited p38 mitogen-activated
      protein kinase (MAPK) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, and IkB
      alpha degradation and phosphorylation in IL-1beta-stimulated HPDLC. These results
      suggest that melatonin might inhibit Th1 cell migration by reducing CXCL10
      production. Moreover, melatonin might inhibit soft tissue destruction by
      decreasing MMP-1 production in periodontal lesions. 

PMID- 27271325
TI  - [Percutaneous sclerotherapy with polidocanol : Successful relapse therapy of
      infantile aneurysmal bone cyst].
AB  - The aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is well-known for its local expansile growth form
      and for the high risk of recurrence after treatment. We present the case of a 6
      year-old patient with a large ABC in the metaphysis of the proximal tibia, which
      showed recurrence only five months after treatment with curettage and autologous
      bone graft. By using six percutaneous intralesional injections of polidocanol the
      patient was successfully treated with no recurrence. After 18 months, a mild genu
      valgum was clinically noted. 

PMID- 27271326
TI  - [Outcome in traumatic brain injury : Considered from a neurological viewpoint].
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are many studies on the prognosis and mortality for the acute
      care of traumatic brain injury (TBI) during the first year. Prediction of the
      long-term outcome after TBI is more difficult, and can be ascribed to indistinct
      methods and the necessity of taking into account multiple influencing factors.
      OBJECTIVE: The main factors that determine the long-term outcome of TBI are
      described. MATERIALS AND METHODES: A summary of the relevant literature and
      experience of the reintegration of TBI patients are presented. RESULTS: The major
      factors predicting the long-term outcome of TBI are well-known. They can be
      measured by International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
      (ICF) of the World Health Organization and self-reported quality of life, which
      are important for the prognosis. Returning to work has a particularly positive
      effect on the quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental factors are most
      predictive of long-term TBI outcome. The awareness of the interaction of all
      these factors requires a individualized long-term rehabilitation.

PMID- 27271328
TI  - PCI-24781 can improve in vitro and in vivo developmental capacity of pig somatic
      cell nuclear transfer embryos.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of PCI-24781 (abexinostat) on the blastocyst
      formation rate in pig somatic cell nuclear transferred (SCNT) embryos and
      acetylation levels of the histone H3 lysine 9 and histone H4 lysine 12. RESULTS:
      Treatment with 0.5 nM PCI-24781 for 6 h significantly improved the development of
      cloned embryos, in comparison to the control group (25.3 vs. 10.5 %, P < 0.05).
      Furthermore, PCI-24781 treatment led to elevated acetylation of H3K9 and H4K12.
      TUNEL assay and Hoechst 33342 staining revealed that the percentage of apoptotic
      cells in blastocysts was significantly lower in PCI-24781-treated SCNT embryos
      than in untreated embryos. Also, PCI-24781-treated embryos were transferred into
      three surrogate sows, one of whom became pregnant and two fetuses developed.
      CONCLUSION: PCI-24781 improves nuclear reprogramming and the developmental
      potential of pig SCNT embryos.

PMID- 27271327
TI  - Vitamin C alleviates aging defects in a stem cell model for Werner syndrome.
AB  - Werner syndrome (WS) is a premature aging disorder that mainly affects tissues
      derived from mesoderm. We have recently developed a novel human WS model using
      WRN-deficient human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This model recapitulates many
      phenotypic features of WS. Based on a screen of a number of chemicals, here we
      found that Vitamin C exerts most efficient rescue for many features in premature
      aging as shown in WRN-deficient MSCs, including cell growth arrest, increased
      reactive oxygen species levels, telomere attrition, excessive secretion of
      inflammatory factors, as well as disorganization of nuclear lamina and
      heterochromatin. Moreover, Vitamin C restores in vivo viability of MSCs in a
      mouse model. RNA sequencing analysis indicates that Vitamin C alters the
      expression of a series of genes involved in chromatin condensation, cell cycle
      regulation, DNA replication, and DNA damage repair pathways in WRN-deficient
      MSCs. Our results identify Vitamin C as a rejuvenating factor for WS MSCs, which
      holds the potential of being applied as a novel type of treatment of WS.

PMID- 27271329
TI  - Risk Factors for Local Recurrence of Large, Flat Colorectal Polyps after
      Endoscopic Mucosal Resection.
AB  - AIMS: Removal of large, flat colorectal polyps by endoscopic mucosal resection
      (EMR) is effective, but local recurrences occur regularly. This study
      investigated risk factors for local recurrence. METHOD: Cases of EMR of flat
      colorectal polyps >=20 mm at an academic center from 2004 to 2011 were
      retrospectively analyzed for polyp features, resection technique, complications
      and local recurrences. Behavioral risk factors were retrospectively determined by
      self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Data were collected for 129 patients
      (57.3% male, mean age at time of EMR: 65.0 years). Mean polyp size was 37.2 mm.
      Polyps were mostly adenoma with low-grade dysplasia (58.1%) and predominantly
      located in the right colon (62%). En bloc resection was performed in 31.8%. The
      median follow-up time was 40 months. Local recurrence occurred in 26.3% of
      patients, with 87% being recurrence-free after 1 year (95% CI 81-93%). A history
      of smoking was reported by 51.6% of patients and 88.4% reported regular alcohol
      consumption. Univariate analysis showed that polyp size and piecemeal resection
      were associated with risk of local recurrence. In multivariate analysis, only
      polyp size was predictive for local recurrence. No association was found for
      behavioral risk factors. CONCLUSION: Polyp size is the main predictor of local
      recurrence after EMR of large, flat colorectal polyps.

PMID- 27271330
TI  - Numerical research on the anisotropic transport of thermal neutron in
      heterogeneous porous media with micron X-ray computed tomography.
AB  - The anisotropic transport of thermal neutron in heterogeneous porous media is of
      great research interests in many fields. In this paper, it is the first time that
      a new model based on micron X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been proposed to
      simultaneously consider both the separation of matrix and pore and the
      distribution of mineral components. We apply the Monte Carlo method to simulate
      thermal neutrons transporting through the model along different directions, and
      meanwhile detect those unreacted thermal neutrons by an array detector on the
      other side of the model. Therefore, the anisotropy of pore structure can be
      imaged by the amount of received thermal neutrons, due to the difference of rock
      matrix and pore-filling fluids in the macroscopic reaction cross section (MRCS).
      The new model has been verified by the consistent between the simulated data and
      the pore distribution from X-ray CT. The results show that the evaluation of
      porosity can be affected by the anisotropy of media. Based on the research, a new
      formula is developed to describe the correlation between the resolution of array
      detectors and the quality of imaging. The formula can be further used to analyze
      the critical resolution and the suitable number of thermal neutrons emitted in
      each simulation. Unconventionally, we find that a higher resolution cannot always
      lead to a better image.

PMID- 27271332
TI  - Letter to the Editor: A discussion on the benefits of radiological food
      guidelines under normal conditions.

PMID- 27271331
TI  - DNA studies are necessary for accurate patient diagnosis in compound
      heterozygosity for Hb Adana (HBA2:c.179>A) with deletional or nondeletional alpha
      thalassaemia.
AB  - Haemoglobin (Hb) Adana (HBA2:c.179>A) interacts with deletional and nondeletional
      alpha-thalassaemia mutations to produce HbH disorders with varying clinical
      manifestations from asymptomatic to severe anaemia with significant
      hepatosplenomegaly. Hb Adana carriers are generally asymptomatic and haemoglobin
      subtyping is unable to detect this highly unstable alpha-haemoglobin variant.
      This study identified 13 patients with compound heterozygosity for Hb Adana with
      either the 3.7 kb gene deletion (-alpha(3.7)), Hb Constant Spring (HbCS)
      (HBA2:c.427T>C) or Hb Pakse (HBA2:429A>T). Multiplex Amplification Refractory
      Mutation System was used for the detection of five deletional and six
      nondeletional alpha-thalassaemia mutations. Duplex-PCR was used to confirm Hb
      Pakse and HbCS. Results showed 84.6% of the Hb Adana patients were Malays. Using
      DNA studies, compound heterozygosity for Hb Adana and HbCS (alpha(codon
      59)alpha/alpha(CS)alpha) was confirmed in 11 patients. A novel point in this
      investigation was that DNA studies confirmed Hb Pakse for the first time in a
      Malaysian patient (alpha(codon 59)alpha/alpha(Pakse)alpha) after nine years of
      being misdiagnosis with Hb Adana and HbCS (alpha(codon 59)alpha/alpha(CS)alpha).
      Thus, the reliance on haematology studies and Hb subtyping to detect Hb variants
      is inadequate in countries where thalassaemia is prevalent and caused by a wide
      spectrum of mutations.

PMID- 27271333
TI  - Betulin induces reactive oxygen species-dependent apoptosis in human gastric
      cancer SGC7901 cells.
AB  - Betulin, an abundant natural compound, significantly inhibited the cell viability
      of advanced human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells. Mechanism study demonstrated that
      betulin induced apoptosis through mitochondrial Bax and Bak accumulation-mediated
      intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Downregulation of the anti-apoptosis proteins Bcl-2
      and XIAP was involved during betulin-induced cell apoptosis. Reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) was generated in cells after betulin treatment in a time- and dose
      dependent manner. Addition of antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) significantly
      attenuated betulin-induced ROS generation as well as Bcl-2 and XIAP
      downregulation. The mitochondrial accumulation of Bax and Bak, as well as caspase
      activity, was also remarkably inhibited by NAC treatment, indicating that ROS are
      important signaling intermediates that lead to betulin-induced apoptosis by
      modulating multiple apoptosis-regulating proteins in SGC7901 cells. 

PMID- 27271334
TI  - Timosaponin AIII induces apoptosis and autophagy in human melanoma A375-S2 cells.
AB  - Timosaponin AIII (AIII), a steroidal saponin isolated from Anemarrhena
      asphodeloides Bge. Our study showed that AIII induced both apoptosis and
      autophagy, and autophagy inhibited apoptosis in A375S2 cells. Furtherly, this
      study was carried out to investigate what kind of cytokines plays an important
      role in this process. The results revealed that AIII induced apoptosis through
      activating c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) or extracellular signal related
      kinase (ERK) signaling pathway and generating NO. However, JNK or ERK inhibited
      autophagy, while NO had no effect on autophagy. Therefore, JNK, ERK or NO
      regulates two programmed death processes in different ways. AIII did not show
      obvious cytotoxic effect on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which
      indicated that AIII has less side effects on normal cells, and could be
      considered as a leading compound for developing novel anticancer drug.

PMID- 27271336
TI  - Correction: Time Slices: What Is the Duration of a Percept?
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002433.].

PMID- 27271335
TI  - The Mystery of Antibodies Against Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) - What do we Know?
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent findings demonstrated anti-PEG antibody formation in some healthy
      individuals and patients who have not received PEGylated biotherapeutics. Some of
      these findings evoked criticism because of shortcomings in the antibody assays
      used. To better understand this topic, we established robust antibody analytics
      and screened two cohorts of healthy individuals and one cohort of hemophilia
      patients for the expression of anti-PEG antibodies. METHODS: A flow cytometry
      approach and a fully validated ELISA platform were established to detect specific
      anti-PEG antibodies. Immunohistochemistry was used to test for potential binding
      of anti-PEG antibodies to human tissues. RESULTS: IgM and/or IgG anti-PEG
      antibodies are expressed by some healthy individuals and by some patients with
      hemophilia who have not received PEGylated biotherapeutics. These antibodies can
      be either transient or persistent and recognize PEGs of different sizes with or
      without terminal methoxy groups. Age and location of healthy individuals
      influence the prevalence of IgG but not of IgM antibodies. Anti-PEG antibodies do
      not cross-react with human tissues supporting the safety of the antibodies.
      CONCLUSION: We confirm that some healthy individuals and some patients with
      hemophilia express specific antibodies against PEG which are not associated with
      any pathology and do not bind to human tissues.

PMID- 27271337
TI  - Diels-Alder attachment of a planar organic molecule to a dangling bond dimer on a
      hydrogenated semiconductor surface.
AB  - Construction of single-molecule electronic devices requires the controlled
      manipulation of organic molecules and their properties. This could be achieved by
      tuning the interaction between the molecule and individual atoms by local "on
      surface" chemistry, i.e., the controlled formation of chemical bonds between the
      species. We demonstrate here the reversible attachment of a planar conjugated
      polyaromatic molecule to a pair of unpassivated dangling bonds on a hydrogenated
      Ge(001):H surface via a Diels-Alder [4+2] addition using the tip of a scanning
      tunneling microscope (STM). Due to the small stability difference between the
      covalently bonded and a nearly undistorted structure attached to the dangling
      bond dimer by long-range dispersive forces, we show that at cryogenic
      temperatures the molecule can be switched between both configurations. The
      reversibility of this covalent bond forming reaction may be applied in the
      construction of complex circuits containing organic molecules with tunable
      properties. 

PMID- 27271338
TI  - LCD Monitors as an Alternative for Precision Demanding Visual Psychophysical
      Experiments.
AB  - Precise timing and presentation of stimuli is critical in vision research, still,
      the limiting factor in successful recognition is often the monitor itself that is
      used to present the stimuli. The most widespread method is the use of monitors
      controlled by personal computers. Traditionally, most experiments used cathode
      ray tubes but they are more and more difficult to access, and instead, liquid
      crystal displays are getting more and more popular. The two types have
      fundamentally different working principles and limitations in displaying the
      stimulus.In our experiments, the temporal precision of the stimulus presentation
      was in focus. We investigated whether liquid-crystal displays, which are not
      considered to be fit to display fast successive stimuli, can represent an
      alternative choice for cathode-ray tubes. We used the double flash and the
      flicker illusion to compare the technical capabilities of the two monitor types.
      These illusions not only do require a precise timing but also a very short
      exposure to the stimuli. At the same time, the interstimulus interval is also of
      extreme importance. In addition, these illusions require peripheral stimulation
      of the retina, which is more sensitive to the temporal aspects of the visual
      stimulus. On the basis of previous studies and our own psychophysical results, we
      suggest that liquid-crystal displays might be a good alternative for precise,
      frame-to-frame stimulus presentation even if parts of the stimuli are projected
      on the peripheral retina. 

PMID- 27271339
TI  - A novel KCNA1 mutation in a family with episodic ataxia and malignant
      hyperthermia.
AB  - Episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1) is an autosomal dominant channelopathy caused by
      mutations in KCNA1, which encodes the voltage-gated potassium channel, Kv1.1.
      Eleven members of an EA family were evaluated with molecular and functional
      studies. A novel c.746T>G (p.Phe249Cys) missense mutation of KCNA1 segregated in
      the family members with episodic ataxia, myokymia, and malignant hyperthermia
      susceptibility. No mutations were found in the known malignant hyperthermia genes
      RYR1 or CACNA1S. The Phe249Cys-Kv1.1 channels did not show any currents upon
      functional expression, confirming a pathogenic role of the mutation. Malignant
      hyperthermia may be a presentation of KCNA1 mutations, which has significant
      implications for the clinical care of these patients and illustrates the
      phenotypic heterogeneity of KCNA1 mutations.

PMID- 27271340
TI  - Advanced Glycation End Product (AGE) Accumulation in the Skin is Associated with
      Depression: The Maastricht Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is a highly prevalent disease with a high morbidity and
      mortality risk. Its pathophysiology is not entirely clear. However, type 2
      diabetes is an important risk factor for depression. One mechanism that may
      explain this association may include the formation of advanced glycation end
      products (AGEs). We therefore investigated the association of AGEs with
      depressive symptoms and depressive disorder. In addition, we examined whether the
      potential association was present for somatic and/or cognitive symptoms of
      depression. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were used from the Maastricht Study (N
      = 862, mean age 59.8 +/- 8.5 years, 55% men). AGE accumulation was measured with
      skin autofluorescence (SAF) by use of the AGE Reader. Plasma levels of protein
      bound pentosidine were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography and
      fluorescence detection. Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and Nepsilon
      (carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL) were measured with ultraperformance liquid
      chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Depressive symptoms and depressive
      disorder were assessed by the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire and the Mini
      International Neuropsychiatric Interview. RESULTS: Higher SAF was associated with
      depressive symptoms (beta = 0.42, 95% CI 0.12-0.73, P = .007) and depressive
      disorder (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.04-1.95, P = .028) after adjustment for age, sex,
      type 2 diabetes, smoking, BMI, and kidney function. Plasma pentosidine, CML, and
      CEL were not independently associated with depressive symptoms and depressive
      disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that AGE accumulation in the skin is
      independently associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and depressive
      disorder. This association is present for both somatic and cognitive symptoms of
      depression. This might suggest that AGEs are involved in the development of
      depression.

PMID- 27271341
TI  - Cerebral function monitoring on a general paediatric ward: feasibility and
      potential.
AB  - Cerebral function monitoring is widely used in neonatal intensive care, but its
      potential role in assessment of older infants is scarcely reported. We reviewed
      the use of cerebral function monitoring on a general paediatric ward in a series
      of young infants admitted with abnormal movements. Review of the amplitude
      integrated EEG obtained by cerebral function monitoring revealed electrographic
      seizures in four of seven infants monitored. We also surveyed general paediatric
      wards in hospitals in our region of the UK to ask about current use of cerebral
      function monitoring and local availability of formal electroencephalography
      services. Cerebral function monitoring was not being used in the 16 other
      paediatric departments surveyed, and there was very limited provision for
      obtaining a full-array electroencephalogram out-of-hours. CONCLUSION: With
      adequate training and education, it is feasible to undertake cerebral function
      monitoring on a general paediatric ward. Continuous cerebral function monitoring
      is a tool that has potential use for detecting clinical seizures and augmenting
      clinical neuro-observations of young children admitted to a general paediatric
      ward. WHAT IS KNOWN: * In intensive care settings, cerebral function monitoring
      (CFM) has long been used for the continuous bedside monitoring of brain function
      in critically ill neonates, children and adults. * Very few studies have looked
      at the use of CFM outside of the intensive care setting, and it is presently
      unclear if CFM is used in the general paediatric ward. What is new: * CFM is
      presently not widely used in the general paediatric setting. * With appropriate
      training and support, CFM can be successfully introduced to the general
      paediatric ward with the potential to enhance the clinical monitoring of young
      infants admitted with abnormal movements.

PMID- 27271342
TI  - Social Support and Exclusive Breast feeding among Canadian Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommendation for exclusive breast
      feeding for 6 months has been endorsed by Health Canada, the Canadian Pediatric
      Society, Dietitians of Canada, and the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada as of
      2012. This study examines whether social support is associated with exclusive
      breast feeding up to 6 months among Canadian mothers. METHODS: We utilised data
      from the Canadian Community Health Survey and limited our sample to mothers who
      gave birth in the 5 years prior to the 2009-2010 survey (n = 2133). Multivariable
      logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between exclusive breast
      feeding and four dimensions of social support: (i) tangible, (ii) affectionate,
      (iii) positive social interaction, and (iv) emotional and informational, based on
      the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale. Absolute and relative
      differences in the probability of breast feeding exclusively and their 95%
      confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: In adjusted models, differences in
      the probability of exclusive breast feeding for 6 months were not different among
      women with high vs. low social support. The association between social support
      and breastfeeding exclusively was modified by education level, with significantly
      higher probability of breast feeding exclusively among women with lower education
      and high vs. low levels of tangible and affectionate support. CONCLUSIONS: Among
      women with education below a high school level, high tangible and affectionate
      support significantly increased probability of exclusive breast feeding for 6
      months in this study. Efforts to encourage exclusive breast feeding need to
      address social support for mothers, especially those with lower education.

PMID- 27271343
TI  - AGIA Tag System Based on a High Affinity Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody against Human
      Dopamine Receptor D1 for Protein Analysis.
AB  - Polypeptide tag technology is widely used for protein detection and affinity
      purification. It consists of two fundamental elements: a peptide sequence and a
      binder which specifically binds to the peptide tag. In many tag systems,
      antibodies have been used as binder due to their high affinity and specificity.
      Recently, we obtained clone Ra48, a high-affinity rabbit monoclonal antibody
      (mAb) against dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1). Here, we report a novel tag system
      composed of Ra48 antibody and its epitope sequence. Using a deletion assay, we
      identified EEAAGIARP in the C-terminal region of DRD1 as the minimal epitope of
      Ra48 mAb, and we named this sequence the "AGIA" tag, based on its central
      sequence. The tag sequence does not include the four amino acids, Ser, Thr, Tyr,
      or Lys, which are susceptible to post-translational modification. We demonstrated
      performance of this new tag system in biochemical and cell biology applications.
      SPR analysis demonstrated that the affinity of the Ra48 mAb to the AGIA tag was
      4.90 * 10-9 M. AGIA tag showed remarkably high sensitivity and specificity in
      immunoblotting. A number of AGIA-fused proteins overexpressed in animal and plant
      cells were detected by anti-AGIA antibody in immunoblotting and immunostaining
      with low background, and were immunoprecipitated efficiently. Furthermore, a
      single amino acid substitution of the second Glu to Asp (AGIA/E2D) enabled
      competitive dissociation of AGIA/E2D-tagged protein by adding wild-type AGIA
      peptide. It enabled one-step purification of AGIA/E2D-tagged recombinant proteins
      by peptide competition under physiological conditions. The sensitivity and
      specificity of the AGIA system makes it suitable for use in multiple methods for
      protein analysis. 

PMID- 27271345
TI  - Specific affinity-labeling of the nociceptin ORL1 receptor using a thiol
      activated Cys(Npys)-containing peptide ligand.
AB  - We previously showed that an antagonist-based peptide ligand, H-Cys(Npys)-Arg-Tyr
      Tyr-Arg- Ile-Lys-NH2 , captures the free thiol groups in the ligand-binding site
      of the nociceptin receptor ORL1. However, the exact receptor sites of this thiol
      disulfide exchange reaction have not been uncovered, although such identification
      would help to clarify the ligand recognition site. Since the Cys->Ala
      substitution prevents the reaction, we performed the so-called Ala scanning for
      all the Cys residues in the transmembrane (TM) domains of the ORL1 receptor.
      Seven different mutant receptors were soundly expressed in the COS-7 cells and
      examined for their specific affinity labeling by a competitive binding assay
      using nociceptin and [(3) H]nociceptin. The results of in vitro Ala scanning
      analyses revealed that the labeled residues were Cys59 in TM1, Cys215 and Cys231
      in TM5, and Cys310 in TM7. The present study has provided a novel method of
      Cys(Npys)-affinity labeling for identification of the ligand-binding sites in the
      ORL1 receptor. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 460
      469, 2016. 

PMID- 27271344
TI  - Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin System Promotes Colitis Development.
AB  - The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays pathogenic roles in renal and
      cardiovascular disorders, but whether it is involved in colitis is unclear. Here
      we show that RenTgMK mice that overexpress active renin from the liver developed
      more severe colitis than wild-type controls. More than 50% RenTgMK mice died
      whereas all wild-type mice recovered. RenTgMK mice exhibited more robust mucosal
      TH17 and TH1/TH17 responses and more profound colonic epithelial cell apoptosis
      compared to wild-type controls. Treatment with aliskiren (a renin inhibitor), but
      not hydralazine (a smooth muscle relaxant), ameliorated colitis in RenTgMK mice,
      although both drugs normalized blood pressure. Chronic infusion of angiotensin II
      into wild-type mice mimicked the severe colitic phenotype of RenTgMK mice, and
      treatment with losartan [an angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker (ARB)]
      ameliorated colitis in wild-type mice, confirming a colitogenic role for the
      endogenous RAS. In human biopsies, pro-inflammatory cytokines were suppressed in
      patients with inflammatory bowel disease who were on ARB therapy compared to
      patients not receiving ARB therapy. These observations demonstrate that
      activation of the RAS promotes colitis in a blood pressure independent manner.
      Angiotensin II appears to drive colonic mucosal inflammation by promoting
      intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and mucosal TH17 responses in colitis
      development.

PMID- 27271347
TI  - Enhancing magnetoresistance in tetrathiafulvalene carboxylate modified iron oxide
      nanoparticle assemblies.
AB  - We report a facile approach to stabilize Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) by using
      tetrathiafulvalene carboxylate (TTF-COO(-)) and to control electron transport
      with an enhanced magnetoresistance (MR) effect in TTF-COO-Fe3O4 NP assemblies.
      This TTF-COO-coating is advantageous over other conventional organic coatings,
      making it possible to develop stable Fe3O4 NP arrays for sensitive spintronics
      applications. 

PMID- 27271349
TI  - The use of the terrestrial snails of the genera Megalobulimus and Thaumastus as
      representatives of the atmospheric carbon reservoir.
AB  - In Brazilian archaeological shellmounds, many species of land snails are found
      abundantly distributed throughout the occupational layers, forming a
      contextualized set of samples within the sites and offering a potential
      alternative to the use of charcoal for radiocarbon dating analyses. In order to
      confirm the effectiveness of this alternative, one needs to prove that the
      mollusk shells reflect the atmospheric carbon isotopic concentration in the same
      way charcoal does. In this study, 18 terrestrial mollusk shells with known
      collection dates from 1948 to 2004 AD, around the nuclear bombs period, were
      radiocarbon dated. The obtained dates fit the SH1-2 bomb curve within less than
      15 years range, showing that certain species from the Thaumastus and
      Megalobulimus genera are reliable representatives of the atmospheric carbon
      isotopic ratio and can, therefore, be used to date archaeological sites in South
      America.

PMID- 27271350
TI  - Supramolecular protection from the enzymatic tyrosine phosphorylation in a
      polypeptide.
AB  - Here we report two new artificial pseudopeptidic cages that bind the EYE peptide
      epitope in pure water at physiological pH (as studied by fluorescence and NMR
      spectroscopies). The supramolecular complexation of the Tyr residues efficiently
      precludes their subsequent PTK-catalysed phosphorylation. Our results show a
      supramolecular modulation of the PTK activity by competitive substrate caging. 

PMID- 27271348
TI  - Of the multiple mechanisms leading to type 1 diabetes, T cell receptor revision
      may play a prominent role (is type 1 diabetes more than a single disease?).
AB  - A single determinant factor for autoimmunity does not exist; disease development
      probably involves contributions from genetics, the environment and immune
      dysfunction. Type 1 diabetes is no exception. Genomewide-associated studies
      (GWAS) analysis in T1D has proved disappointing in revealing contributors to
      disease prediction; the only reliable marker has been human leucocyte antigen
      (HLA). Specific HLAs include DR3/DR4/DQ2/DQ8, for example. Because HLA molecules
      present antigen to T cells, it is reasonable that certain HLA molecules have a
      higher affinity to present self-antigen. Recent studies have shown that
      additional polymorphisms in HLA that are restricted to autoimmune conditions are
      further contributory. A caveat is that not all individuals with the appropriate
      'pro-autoimmune' HLA develop an autoimmune disease. Another crucial component is
      autoaggressive T cells. Finding a biomarker to discriminate autoaggressive T
      cells has been elusive. However, a subset of CD4 helper cells that express the
      CD40 receptor have been described as becoming pathogenic. An interesting function
      of CD40 on T cells is to induce the recombination-activating gene (RAG)1/RAG2 T
      cell receptor recombination machinery. This observation is contrary to immunology
      paradigms that changes in TCR molecules cannot take place outside the thymic
      microenvironment. Alteration in TCR, called TCR revision, not only occurs, but
      may help to account for the development of autoaggressive T cells. Another
      interesting facet is that type 1 diabetes (T1D) may be more than a single
      disease; that is, multiple cellular components contribute uniquely, but result
      ultimately in the same clinical outcome, T1D. This review considers the process
      of T cell maturation and how that could favor auto-aggressive T cell development
      in T1D. The potential contribution of TCR revision to autoimmunity is also
      considered.

PMID- 27271351
TI  - Poor glycemic control is associated with the risk of subclinical hypothyroidism
      in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Overt hypothyroidism is frequently found in patients with type 2
      diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but it remains unknown the relationship between
      subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and T2DM. We attempt to evaluate the difference
      in prevalence of SCH between patients with T2DM and general population, and the
      association between SCH and glycemic control status ofdiabetic patients. METHODS:
      This was cross-sectional study. Total 8,528 subjects who visited for health check
      up were recruited. SCH was defined as an elevated level of serum thyroid
      stimulating hormone (> 4.0 mIU/L) with a normal level of free thyroxine. T2DM
      group was categorized into three groups by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c): < 7%
      (reference), >= 7% and < 9%, >= 9%. RESULTS: Finally, 7,966 subjects were
      included. The prevalence of SCH was not different between healthy controls and
      subjects with T2DM (8.1% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.533; in men, 5.7% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.573;
      in women, 10.9% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.712), but it was increased with highest HbA1c
      group more than well controlled group, especially in women. The risk of SCH was
      increased by group with poorer glycemic control; the odds ratio for HbA1c >= 9%
      compared to < 7% was 2.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 5.86; p =
      0.031), and 4.58 (95% CI, 1.41 to 14.87; p = 0.011) in women, but not significant
      in men. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SCH was similar between T2DM and healthy
      group. Poor glycemic control in T2DM was obviously associated with the risk of
      SCH, especially in elderly women. These results suggest SCH as comorbidity may be
      considered in elderly women with poor glycemic control.

PMID- 27271352
TI  - Collective electronic excitations in the ultra violet regime in 2-D and 1-D
      carbon nanostructures achieved by the addition of foreign atoms.
AB  - Plasmons in the visible/UV energy regime have attracted great attention,
      especially in nano-materials, with regards to applications in opto-electronics
      and light harvesting; tailored enhancement of such plasmons is of particular
      interest for prospects in nano-plasmonics. This work demonstrates that it is
      possible, by adequate doping, to create excitations in the visible/UV regime in
      nano-carbon materials, i.e., carbon nanotubes and graphene, with choice of
      suitable ad-atoms and dopants, which are introduced directly into the lattice by
      low energy ion implantation or added via deposition by evaporation.
      Investigations as to whether these excitations are of collective nature, i.e.,
      have plasmonic character, are carried out via DFT calculations and experiment
      based extraction of the dielectric function. They give evidence of collective
      excitation behaviour for a number of the introduced impurity species, including
      K, Ag, B, N, and Pd. It is furthermore demonstrated that such excitations can be
      concentrated at nano-features, e.g., along nano-holes in graphene through metal
      atoms adhering to the edges of these holes.

PMID- 27271354
TI  - Palliative care needs at different phases in the illness trajectory: a survey
      study in patients with cancer.
AB  - Despite the growing consensus on the benefits of initiating palliative care early
      in the disease trajectory, it remains unclear at what point palliative care needs
      emerge. This study investigates quality of life and unmet palliative care needs
      at three phases in the cancer trajectory, curative, life-prolonging and most
      advanced (prognosis <6 months/no further disease-modifying treatment). We
      collected self-reported data from 620 patients with cancer in the University
      Hospital of Ghent, Belgium. They completed a questionnaire on quality of life
      (using the EORTC QLQ-C30) and unmet care needs within the domains of palliative
      care. We used European reference values of the EORTC QLQ-C30 to compare the mean
      scores with a norm group. The groups further on in the cancer trajectory reported
      statistically and clinically poorer functioning compared with earlier phases,
      also when controlled for the effects of sex, age or type of cancer. Higher
      symptom burdens for fatigue, pain, dyspnoea and appetite loss were found in
      groups further into the trajectory, p < .001. Patients in the curative phase
      experienced physical symptoms and had clinically worse functioning than a
      European reference group. This paper demonstrates the ongoing need for
      oncologists to address the broader palliative care needs of patients from
      diagnosis onwards. 

PMID- 27271353
TI  - Resequencing and Association Analysis of Six PSD-95-Related Genes as Possible
      Susceptibility Genes for Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
AB  - PSD-95 associated PSD proteins play a critical role in regulating the density and
      activity of glutamate receptors. Numerous previous studies have shown an
      association between the genes that encode these proteins and schizophrenia (SZ)
      and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which share a substantial portion of genetic
      risks. We sequenced the protein-encoding regions of DLG1, DLG2, DLG4, DLGAP1,
      DLGAP2, and SynGAP in 562 cases (370 SZ and 192 ASD patients) on the Ion PGM
      platform. We detected 26 rare (minor allele frequency <1%), non-synonymous
      mutations, and conducted silico functional analysis and pedigree analysis when
      possible. Three variants, G344R in DLG1, G241S in DLG4, and R604C in DLGAP2, were
      selected for association analysis in an independent sample set of 1315 SZ
      patients, 382 ASD patients, and 1793 healthy controls. Neither DLG4-G241S nor
      DLGAP2-R604C was detected in any samples in case or control sets, whereas one
      additional SZ patient was found that carried DLG1-G344R. Our results suggest that
      rare missense mutations in the candidate PSD genes may increase susceptibility to
      SZ and/or ASD. These findings may strengthen the theory that rare, non-synonymous
      variants confer substantial genetic risks for these disorders.

PMID- 27271355
TI  - Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination-associated
      osteomyelitis, arthritis, and tenosynovitis on the thumb of a 2-year-old boy.

PMID- 27271358
TI  - May-Thurner syndrome: MDCT findings and clinical correlates.
AB  - May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a venous compression syndrome in which the left
      common iliac vein is compressed between the lower lumbar spine and the right
      common iliac artery. While asymptomatic compression is very common, the process
      can lead to morbidity in selected individuals, most commonly deep venous
      thrombosis (DVT) and the sequelae thereof. Radiologists must recognize the
      diagnosis because of the unique management, which differs from DVT without iliac
      vein compression. The current pictorial essay will review the pathophysiology,
      imaging, and treatment of MTS.

PMID- 27271357
TI  - Cost-effectiveness analysis of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for treatment of
      chronic hepatitis B in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is newly available for treatment
      of chronic hepatitis B patients in China. To date, no study has been conducted to
      examine the cost-effectiveness of this treatment. The aim of this study was to
      estimate the cost-effectiveness of TDF versus four oral nucleos(t)ide analogs
      [lamivudine (LAM), adefovir (ADV), telbivudine (LdT), and entecavir (ETV)] and
      from a pharmacoeconomic perspective to assess current drug pricing for TDF.
      METHODS: Based on Chinese healthcare perspectives, a Markov model was applied to
      simulate the lifetime (40-year time span) costs and quality-adjusted life-years
      (QALYs) for five different monotherapy strategies. Two kinds of rescue
      combination strategies (base-case: LAM + ADV then ETV + ADV; alternative:
      directly using ETV + ADV) were separately considered for treatment of patients
      refractory to monotherapy. Model parameters (including disease transition, cost,
      and utility) were obtained from previous Chinese population studies. Both branded
      and generic drugs were separately analyzed. Study model uncertainties were
      assessed by one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Two-way sensitivity
      analysis was used to explore uncertainties between efficacy and price of TDF.
      RESULTS: In the base-case analysis, the lowest lifetime cost and the best cost
      effectiveness ratio were obtained by ETV, which was considered the reference
      treatment. LAM, ADV, and LdT treatments had significantly greater costs and lower
      efficacies. Compared to ETV, TDF was more effective but also more expensive. The
      incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of TDF versus ETV were much higher than the
      willing-to-pay threshold of $20,466 US dollars (USD) per QALY gained (3 * gross
      domestic product per capita of China, 2014). TDF would be the most cost-effective
      strategy if the annual cost did not exceed $2260 USD and $1600 USD for branded
      and generic drugs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For Chinese chronic hepatitis B
      patients, ETV is still the most cost-effective strategy over TDF and other
      nucleos(t)ide analogs, with a threshold of $20,466 USD/QALY gained.

PMID- 27271359
TI  - Synthesis and reactivity of Li and TaMe3 complexes supported by N,N'-bis(2,6
      diisopropylphenyl)-o-phenylenediamido ligands.
AB  - The dilithium complex of N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-phenylenediamide,
      [Li2L(thf)3], reacts with TaMe3Cl2 in THF/Et2O to yield [Li(Et2O)(thf)LTaMe3Cl]
      in which the phenylene backbone of (2-) is bound eta(4) to the Ta centre. This
      dinuclear species reacts with MeLi to yield the tetramethyltantalum complex
      [Li(Et2O)(thf)LTaMe4]. Double deprotonation of N,N'-bis(2,6
      diisopropylphenyl)(4,5-dimethyl)-o-phenylenediamine (H2L') in Et2O yielded the
      dilithium complex [Li2L'(OEt2)2]. The two additional methyl groups on L'(2-)
      change the observed reactivity towards TaMe3Cl2: rather than bridging between Ta
      and Li, ligand oxidation occurs to afford mononuclear [LiL'(OEt2)]. This
      monolithium radical species, which was characterized by EPR spectroscopy, can
      also be synthesized using the more conventional oxidant AgBF4. Double
      deprotonation of H2L with KCH2Ph in toluene followed by reaction with TaMe3Cl2
      furnished [TaLMe3]. Preliminary reactivity studies show [TaLMe3] reacts with
      unsaturated substrates N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and mesityl azide to undergo
      migratory insertion into one of the Ta-C bonds: the corresponding amidinate and
      triazenido ligands are generated. When subjected to UV irradiation, [TaLMe3]
      undergoes reduction accompanied by loss of a methyl group to yield the dimeric
      species [TaLMe2]2. 

PMID- 27271356
TI  - Epigenetic mechanisms regulating the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and
      their promise for therapeutics.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers around the globe
      and third most fatal malignancy. Chronic liver disorders such as chronic
      hepatitis and liver cirrhosis often lead to the development of HCC. Accumulation
      of genetic and epigenetic alterations are involved in the development of HCC.
      Genetic research sparked by recent developments in next generation sequencing has
      identified the frequency of genetic alterations that occur in HCC and has led to
      the identification of genetic hotspots. Emerging evidence suggests that
      epigenetic aberrations are strongly associated with the initiation and
      development of HCC. Various important genes encoding tumor suppressors including
      P16, RASSF1A, DLC-1, RUNX3 and SOCS-1 are targets of epigenetic dysregulation
      during the development of HCC. The present review discusses the importance of
      epigenetic regulations including DNA methylation, histone modification and
      microRNA mediated regulation of gene expression during tumorigenesis and their
      use as disease biomarkers. Furthermore, these epigenetic alterations have been
      discussed in relationship with promising therapeutic perspectives for HCC and
      related cancers.

PMID- 27271360
TI  - Perception of barriers to postoperative pain management in elderly patients in
      Polish hospitals - a multicentre study.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of the paper was to compare the prevalence of barriers to
      optimum postoperative pain management in elderly patients, observed by nurses in
      a clinical, provincial and municipal hospital in Poland. BACKGROUND: It is
      currently estimated that the lack of adequate pain management affects 80% of the
      global population and the phenomenon poses a serious problem in more than 150
      countries. METHODS: A questionnaire-based study of 1602 nurses working at
      clinical, provincial and municipal hospitals. RESULTS: In the clinical hospitals
      barriers more often related to a poorly organised systems of care and obstacles
      in discussing pain management within the team. In provincial and municipal
      hospitals lack of uninform pain measurement was more evident. CONCLUSIONS:
      Despite the availability of effective pain treatments in hospitals difficulties
      continue with communication, poorly organised care and limited access to clinical
      guidelines. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Although there are possibilities
      of pain relief after surgery, they are still used insufficiently. Postoperative
      pain management in Poland needs considerable improvement. This study can
      contribute to the improvement of pain management quality by supporting and
      developing practical guidelines or management algorithms for nurses, facilitating
      the effective implementation of new pain management practices.

PMID- 27271361
TI  - Polymorphism in promoter region of growth hormone receptor is associated with
      potential production capacity of insulin-like growth factor-1 in pre-pubertal
      Holstein heifers.
AB  - Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is one of the important factors for growth,
      milk production and reproductive functions and mainly released from the liver in
      response to growth hormone (GH) via GH receptor (GHR) in cattle. Recently, some
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the bovine GHR gene.
      Some GHR-SNPs were shown to be related to plasma IGF-1 concentration in cattle.
      Hence, the capacity to IGF-1 production in the liver might be affected by GHR-SNP
      and associated with performance in the future. This study examined whether GHR
      SNP is associated with IGF-1 production in the liver of pre-pubertal heifers. In
      71 Holstein calves, blood samples for genomic DNA extraction were obtained
      immediately after birth. To genotype the GHR-SNPs in the promoter region,
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested with restriction enzyme
      NsiI (cutting sites: AA, AG and GG). All heifers at 4 months of age were
      intramuscularly injected with 0.4 mg oestradiol benzoate. Blood samples were
      obtained from the jugular vein just before (0 h) and 24 h after injection. The
      number of AA, AG and GG at the NsiI site was 0, 17 and 54 respectively. In AG and
      GG, plasma GH concentrations were higher pre-injection than 24 h post-injection
      (p < 0.01). Moreover, plasma GH concentrations in AG post-injection were higher
      than in GG (p < 0.05). In contrast, the GG genotype exhibited higher plasma IGF-1
      concentrations in pre-injection than post-injection (p < 0.01), although
      oestradiol did not change IGF-1 concentration in the AG genotype. We conclude
      that the GG polymorphism in the promoter region of GHR is associated with a
      higher potential capacity of IGF-1 production in the liver of cattle.

PMID- 27271363
TI  - Differential activation of afferent neuronal and inflammatory pathways during
      small bowel obstruction (SBO).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a potentially life-threatening
      condition which may be caused by a variety of pathologies such as postoperative
      adhesions or malignant diseases. Little is known on alterations in gut physiology
      during SBO, although its comprehension is essential to improve treatment which
      may help to prevent subsequent organ failure prior to surgical resolution. We
      aimed to investigate afferent nerve sensitivity and intestinal inflammatory
      response during SBO to identify possible targets of treatment. METHODS: C57Bl6
      mice were anesthetized, and a midline laparotomy was performed. A small bowel
      loop was ligated 5 cm proximal to ileo-cecal valve to induce SBO. Control animals
      received a sham midline laparotomy. SBO animals and controls were sacrificed
      after 3, 9, or 24 h (each n = 6). A dilated segment of small intestine located
      1.5 cm oral to the ligature was prepared for multi-unit mesenteric afferent nerve
      recordings in vitro. Histological assessment of leukocyte infiltration was
      performed by myeloperoxidase (MPO). Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was
      quantified by RT-PCR. Data are mean +/- SEM. KEY RESULTS: Afferent firing to
      serosal 5-HT (500 MUM) peaked at 3.9 +/- 0.2 impulse/s 24 h after induction of
      SBO compared to 2.4 +/- 0.1 impulse/s in sham controls (p < 0.05). Serosal
      bradykinin (0.5 MUM) led to an increase in peak afferent firing of 5.3 +/- 0.5
      impulse/s in 24 h SBO animals compared to 3.5 +/- 0.2 impulse/s in sham controls
      (p < 0.05). No differences in 5-HT and BK sensitivity were observed in 3 and 9 h
      SBO animals compared to controls. Continuous mechanical ramp distension of the
      intestinal loop was followed by a pressure-dependent rise in afferent nerve
      discharge that was reduced in 3 h SBO animals compared to sham controls (p <
      0.05). MPO stains showed a rise in leukocyte infiltration of the intestine in SBO
      animals at 9 and 24 h (p < 0.05). Il-6 but not TNF-a gene expression was
      increased at 9 and 24 h in SBO animals compared to sham controls (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Afferent nerve sensitivity is increased 24 h after
      induction of SBO. SBO led to a delayed onset intestinal inflammatory response.
      Inflammatory mediators released during this inflammatory response may be
      responsible for a later increase in afferent sensitivity. Agents with anti
      inflammatory action may, therefore, have a beneficial effect during SBO and may
      subsequently help to prevent possible organ dysfunction.

PMID- 27271362
TI  - The evolution of mating type switching.
AB  - Predictions about the evolution of sex determination mechanisms have mainly
      focused on animals and plants, whereas unicellular eukaryotes such as fungi and
      ciliates have received little attention. Many taxa within the latter groups can
      stochastically switch their mating type identity during vegetative growth. Here,
      we investigate the hypothesis that mating type switching overcomes distortions in
      the distribution of mating types due to drift during asexual growth. Using a
      computational model, we show that smaller population size, longer vegetative
      periods and more mating types lead to greater distortions in the distribution of
      mating types. However, the impact of these parameters on optimal switching rates
      is not straightforward. We find that longer vegetative periods cause reductions
      and considerable fluctuations in the switching rate over time. Smaller population
      size increases the strength of selection for switching but has little impact on
      the switching rate itself. The number of mating types decreases switching rates
      when gametes can freely sample each other, but increases switching rates when
      there is selection for speedy mating. We discuss our results in light of
      empirical work and propose new experiments that could further our understanding
      of sexuality in isogamous eukaryotes.

PMID- 27271364
TI  - Climacostol reduces tumour progression in a mouse model of melanoma via the p53
      dependent intrinsic apoptotic programme.
AB  - Climacostol, a compound produced by the ciliated protozoan Climacostomum virens,
      displayed cytotoxic properties in vitro. This study demonstrates that it has anti
      tumour potential. Climacostol caused a reduction of viability/proliferation of
      B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells, a rapidly occurring DNA damage, and induced the
      intrinsic apoptotic pathway characterised by the dissipation of the mitochondrial
      membrane potential, the translocation of Bax to the mitochondria, the release of
      Cytochrome c from the mitochondria, and the activation of Caspase 9-dependent
      cleavage of Caspase 3. The apoptotic mechanism of climacostol was found to rely
      on the up-regulation of p53 and its targets Noxa and Puma. In vivo analysis of
      B16-F10 allografts revealed a persistent inhibition of tumour growth rate when
      melanomas were treated with intra-tumoural injections of climacostol. In
      addition, it significantly improved the survival of transplanted mice, decreased
      tumour weight, induced a remarkable reduction of viable cells inside the tumour,
      activated apoptosis and up-regulated the p53 signalling network. Importantly,
      climacostol toxicity was more selective against tumour than non-tumour cells. The
      anti-tumour properties of climacostol and the molecular events associated with
      its action indicate that it is a powerful agent that may be considered for the
      design of pro-apoptotic drugs for melanoma therapy.

PMID- 27271365
TI  - Cognitive Representation of Treatment-Related Symptoms in Older Adults With
      Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adults, 65 years or older, are the most common age group diagnosed
      with cancer. However, little is known about their beliefs (representations)
      regarding treatment-related symptoms or how they make decisions to manage those
      symptoms at home. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore symptom
      representation of treatment-related symptoms in older adults with cancer.
      METHODS: A total of 100 older adults in treatment for cancer completed a
      standardized measure of symptom representation. Demographic and other patient
      variables were also collected. Analysis of variance, t tests, and Pearson
      correlations were used for analysis. RESULTS: Fatigue was both the most common
      and most noted symptom; however, several most noted symptoms were not common.
      Overall, older adults believed symptoms were caused by either their cancer or
      treatment and were unsure if symptoms would last a long time. They were able to
      recognize symptom consequences but were unsure about their ability to control
      symptoms. Adults who reported more comorbid illnesses and a higher number of
      symptoms believed that treatment-related symptoms had higher consequences.
      CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that older adults experience symptom-related
      consequences but question the impact that their actions will have on symptom
      severity. This may contribute to older adult's lack of active symptom self
      management. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Patient education strategies need to
      address these representations and new interventions may need to be developed to
      reinforce symptom consequences and empower older adults to self-manage symptoms.

PMID- 27271366
TI  - A Prevalence Study of Psychosocial Distress in Adolescents and Young Adults With
      Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychosocial distress is common among cancer patients. Significant
      associations between coping and social support with distress and quality of life
      in adult cancer patients have been identified before, but little is known about
      the interrelationships between distress, medical coping, and social support in
      adolescents and young adults (AYAs). OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to
      investigate the prevalence of psychological distress in Chinese AYAs with cancer
      and examine the associations among distress, anxiety and depression, medical
      coping, and social support in the same population. METHODS: A total of 610 AYA
      patients were recruited for this study; 551 patients completed the Chinese
      version of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer (DT),
      the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Medical Coping Modes
      Questionnaire, and the Social Support Rating Scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of
      psychological distress was 89.1% in Chinese AYAs with cancer. The DT scores were
      the highest in the 21- to 25-year-old patients; the DT scores were positively
      correlated with anxiety and depression (P < .01) but negatively correlated with
      medical coping and social support (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of
      psychological distress in AYA cancer patients was higher than that in the general
      cancer population. Medical coping and social support can lower the prevalence of
      psychological distress in AYA cancer patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:
      Findings suggest the need for evidence-based intervention strategies to enhance
      medical coping and social support in AYA cancer patients. Nurses are crucial to
      implementing psychological interventions in AYA cancer patients.

PMID- 27271367
TI  - "I Had a Little Bit of a Bloke Meltdown...But the Next Day, I Was Up":
      Understanding Cancer Experiences Among Aboriginal Men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although cancer in indigenous populations is receiving increased
      research attention, there is a gap in understanding the particular experiences of
      Aboriginal men. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to integrate a range of
      primary and secondary accounts of the experiences of Aboriginal men in engaging
      with a cancer diagnosis and treatment in Australia. METHODS: Secondary analysis
      of qualitative interviews (n = 54) conducted between 2008 and 2011 revealed
      recurrent themes regarding the cancer experiences of Aboriginal men in a subset
      of participant interviews (n = 23). The analysis reports themes that spanned the
      accounts of Aboriginal men with cancer (n = 6) and those of their carers (n = 12)
      and clinicians (n = 5). RESULTS: Recurrent beliefs about the cancer experiences
      of Aboriginal men included that they "avoid seeking help" for health matters,
      including cancer symptoms, and to "get on with it," "not talk about it," and
      "manage without fuss" after a cancer diagnosis. Although some men described
      having to "accept vulnerability," emphasis was placed on appreciating men's
      desire to "protect cultural roles" and "connect with family and culture"
      throughout care and treatment, including through humor. CONCLUSIONS: Men's
      accounts of the experiences of cancer diagnosis and care reveal more than simply
      individual challenge, extending to encompass the very real social and economic
      implications of illness and vulnerability for Aboriginal men today. IMPLICATIONS
      FOR PRACTICE: Aboriginal men could be better engaged with cancer diagnosis and
      treatment if greater attention was paid to recognizing preferred approaches,
      including pragmatism and humor, and supporting connections to family and culture
      throughout the cancer journey.

PMID- 27271368
TI  - Application of Osmotic Pumps for Sustained Release of 1-Aminobenzotriazole and
      Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Mice: Model Comparison with the Hepatic
      P450 Reductase Null Mouse.
AB  - The effectiveness of controlled release 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) administration
      to inhibit cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes has been evaluated in mice. To maximize
      the duration of P450 inhibition in vivo, ABT was administered via an osmotic
      pump. The degree of P450 inhibition was compared with that achieved with a single
      bolus dose of ABT. Two-hour prior subcutaneous treatment of mice with ABT (50
      mg/kg) inhibited antipyrine clearance by 88%. A less pronounced inhibitory effect
      (29% reduction in clearance) was observed when ABT was administered 24-hours
      before antipyrine administration, indicating partial restoration of P450 activity
      during this longer pretreatment time. The duration of ABT in mice was very short
      (mean residence time = 1.7 hours) after subcutaneous bolus administration. When
      the inhibitor was delivered by an osmotic pump, maximum blood concentrations of
      the inhibitor were observed 24 hours after device implantation and were
      maintained at steady state for 6 days. Inhibition of P450 activity, as measured
      by antipyrine clearance, was confirmed at 24 hours and 120 hours after pump
      implantation, highlighting the utility of this method as a longer-term model for
      P450 inhibition in mice. The magnitude of P450 inhibition in ABT-treated mice was
      compared with that in hepatic P450 reductase null mice and both models were
      comparable. In vivo ABT administration by an osmotic pump offers an effective
      approach for longer-term P450 inhibition in mice and avoids the necessity for
      multiple dosing of the inhibitor.

PMID- 27271370
TI  - Impact of Experimental Conditions on the Evaluation of Interactions between
      Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion Proteins and Candidate Drugs.
AB  - Multidrug and toxin extrusion transporters (MATEs) have a determining influence
      on the pharmacokinetic profiles of many drugs and are involved in several
      clinical drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Cellular uptake assays with recombinant
      cells expressing human MATE1 or MATE2-K are widely used to investigate MATE
      mediated transport for DDI assessment; however, the experimental conditions and
      used test substrates vary among laboratories. We therefore initially examined the
      impact of three assay conditions that have been applied for MATE substrate and
      inhibitor profiling in the literature. One of the tested conditions resulted in
      significantly higher uptake rates of the three test substrates, [(14)C]metformin,
      [(3)H]thiamine, and [(3)H]1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)), but IC50 values
      of four tested MATE inhibitors varied only slightly among the three conditions
      (<2.5-fold difference). Subsequently, we investigated the uptake characteristics
      of the five MATE substrates: [(14)C]metformin, [(3)H]thiamine, [(3)H]MPP(+),
      [(3)H]estrone-3-sulfate (E3S), and rhodamine 123, as well as the impact of the
      used test substrate on the inhibition profiles of 10 MATE inhibitors at one
      selected assay condition. [(3)H]E3S showed atypical uptake characteristics
      compared with those observed with the other four substrates. IC50 values of the
      tested inhibitors were in a similar range (<4-fold difference) when
      [(14)C]metformin, [(3)H]thiamine, [(3)H]MPP(+), or [(3)H]E3S were used as
      substrates but were considerably higher with rhodamine 123 (9.8-fold and 4.1-fold
      differences compared with [(14)C]metformin with MATE1 and MATE2-K, respectively).
      This study demonstrated for the first time that the impact of assay conditions on
      IC50 determination is negligible, that kinetic characteristics differ among used
      test substrates, and that substrate-dependent inhibition exists for MATE1 and
      MATE2-K, giving valuable insight into the assessment of clinically relevant MATE
      mediated DDIs in vitro.

PMID- 27271369
TI  - Use of Human Plasma Samples to Identify Circulating Drug Metabolites that Inhibit
      Cytochrome P450 Enzymes.
AB  - Drug interactions elicited through inhibition of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes
      are important in pharmacotherapy. Recently, greater attention has been focused on
      not only parent drugs inhibiting P450 enzymes but also on possible inhibition of
      these enzymes by circulating metabolites. In this report, an ex vivo method
      whereby the potential for circulating metabolites to be inhibitors of P450
      enzymes is described. To test this method, seven drugs and their known plasma
      metabolites were added to control human plasma at concentrations previously
      reported to occur in humans after administration of the parent drug. A volume of
      plasma for each drug based on the known inhibitory potency and time-averaged
      concentration of the parent drug was extracted and fractionated by high-pressure
      liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the fractions were tested for
      inhibition of six human P450 enzyme activities (CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19,
      CYP2D6, and CYP3A4). Observation of inhibition in fractions that correspond to
      the retention times of metabolites indicates that the metabolite has the
      potential to contribute to P450 inhibition in vivo. Using this approach,
      norfluoxetine, hydroxyitraconazole, desmethyldiltiazem, desacetyldiltiazem,
      desethylamiodarone, hydroxybupropion, erythro-dihydrobupropion, and threo
      dihydrobupropion were identified as circulating metabolites that inhibit P450
      activities at a similar or greater extent as the parent drug. A decision tree is
      presented outlining how this method can be used to determine when a deeper
      investigation of the P450 inhibition properties of a drug metabolite is
      warranted.

PMID- 27271371
TI  - Correlation of Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase Expression with the Expression of
      10 Isoforms of Cytochrome P450 in Human Liver.
AB  - Human cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) provides electrons for all microsomal
      cytochromes P450 (P450s) and plays an indispensable role in drug metabolism
      catalyzed by this family of enzymes. We evaluated 100 human liver samples and
      found that POR protein content varied 12.8-fold, from 12.59 to 160.97 pmol/mg,
      with a median value of 67.99 pmol/mg; POR mRNA expression varied by 26.4-fold.
      POR activity was less variable with a median value of 56.05 nmol/min per
      milligram. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption clearly influenced POR
      activity. Liver samples with a 2286822 TT genotype had significantly higher POR
      mRNA expression than samples with CT genotype. Homozygous carriers of
      POR2286822C>T, 2286823G>A, and 3823884A>C had significantly lower POR protein
      levels compared with the corresponding heterozygous carriers. Liver samples from
      individuals homozygous at 286823G>A, 1135612A>G, and 10954732G>A generally had
      lower POR activity levels than those from heterozygous or wild-type samples,
      whereas the common variant POR*28 significantly increased POR activity. There was
      a strong association between POR and the expression of P450 isoforms at the mRNA
      and protein level, whereas the relationship at the activity level, as well as the
      effect of POR protein content on P450 activity, was less pronounced. POR
      transcription was strongly correlated with both hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha
      and pregnane X receptor mRNA levels. In conclusion, we have elucidated some
      potentially important correlations between POR single-nucleotide polymorphisms
      and POR expression in the Chinese population and have developed a database that
      correlates POR expression with the expression and activity of 10 P450s important
      in drug metabolism.

PMID- 27271372
TI  - Effects of Chronic Renal Failure on Brain Cytochrome P450 in Rats.
AB  - Chronic renal failure (CRF) impedes renal excretion of drugs and their metabolism
      by reducing the expression of liver cytochrome P450 (P450). Uremic serum contains
      factors, such as parathyroid hormone (PTH), that decrease liver P450s. The P450s
      are also involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics in the brain. This study
      investigates: 1) the effects of CRF on rat brain P450, 2) the role of PTH in the
      downregulation of brain P450s in CRF rats, and 3) the effects of PTH on P450s in
      astrocytes. Protein and mRNA expression of P450s were assessed in the brain of
      CRF and control (CTL) rats, as well as from CTL or CRF rats that underwent
      parathyroidectomy (PTX) 1 week before nephrectomy. CYP3A activity was measured
      using 3-[(3, 4-difluorobenzyl) oxy]-5, 5-dimethyl-4-[4-methylsulfonyl) phenyl]
      furan-2(5H)-1 metabolism in brain microsomal preparation. CYP3A protein
      expression was assessed in primary cultured astrocytes incubated with serum
      obtained from CRF or CTL rats or with PTH. Significant downregulations (>=40%) of
      CYP1A, CYP2C11, and CYP3A proteins were observed in microsomes from CRF rat
      brains. CYP3A activity reduction was also observed. CYP3A expression and activity
      were unaffected in PTX-pretreated CRF rats. Serum of PTX-treated CRF rats had no
      impact on CYP3A levels in astrocytes compared with that of untreated CRF rats.
      Finally, PTH addition to normal calf serum induced a reduction in CYP3A protein
      similar to CRF serum, suggesting that CRF-induced hyperparathyroidism is
      associated with a significant decrease in P450 drug-metabolizing enzymes in the
      brain, which may have implications in drug response.

PMID- 27271373
TI  - Respiratory muscle strength training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation in
      subacute dysphagic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of inspiratory/expiratory muscle
      training (IEMT) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to improve
      dysphagia in stroke. DESIGN: Prospective, single-blind, randomized-controlled
      trial. SETTING: Tertiary public hospital. SUBJECTS: Sixty-two patients with
      dysphagia were randomly assigned to standard swallow therapy (SST) (Group I,
      controls, n=21), SST+ IEMT (Group II, n=21) or SST+ sham IEMT+ NMES (Group III,
      n=20). INTERVENTIONS: All patients followed a 3-week standard multidisciplinary
      rehabilitation program of SST and speech therapy. The SST+IEMT group's muscle
      training consisted of 5 sets/10 repetitions, twice-daily, 5 days/week. Group
      III's sham IEMT required no effort; NMES consisted of 40-minute sessions, 5
      days/week, at 80Hz. MAIN OUTCOMES: Dysphagia severity, assessed by Penetration
      Aspiration Scale, and respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and
      expiratory pressures) at the end of intervention and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS:
      Maximal respiratory pressures were most improved in Group II: treatment effect
      was 12.9 (95% confidence interval 4.5-21.2) and 19.3 (95% confidence interval 8.5
      30.3) for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, respectively. Swallowing
      security signs were improved in Groups II and III at the end of intervention. No
      differences in Penetration-Aspiration Scale or respiratory complications were
      detected between the 3 groups at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Adding IEMT to
      SST was an effective, feasible, and safe approach that improved respiratory
      muscle strength. Both IEMT and NMES were associated with improvement in
      pharyngeal swallowing security signs at the end of the intervention, but the
      effect did not persist at 3-month follow-up and no differences in respiratory
      complications were detected between treatment groups and controls.

PMID- 27271374
TI  - Randomized controlled trial of web-based multimodal therapy for children with
      acquired brain injury to improve gross motor capacity and performance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy of a web-based multimodal training programme,
      'Move it to improve it' (MitiiTM), to usual care on gross motor capacity and
      performance for children with an acquired brain injury. DESIGN: Randomized
      waitlist controlled trial. SETTING: Home environment. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 60
      independently ambulant children (30 in each group), minimum 12 months post
      acquired brain injury were recruited and randomly allocated to receive either 20
      weeks of MitiiTM training (30 minutes/day, six days/week, total 60 hours)
      immediately, or waitlisted (usual care control group) for 20 weeks. A total of 58
      children completed baseline assessments (32 males; age 11 years 11 months +/- 2
      years 6 months; Gross Motor Function Classification System equivalent I = 29, II
      = 29). INTERVENTION: The MitiiTM program comprised of gross motor, upper limb and
      visual perception/cognitive activities. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome was 30
      second, repetition maximum functional strength tests for the lower limb (sit-to
      stand, step-ups, half-kneel to stand). Secondary outcomes were the 6-minute walk
      test, High-level Mobility Assessment Tool, Timed Up and Go Test and habitual
      physical activity as captured by four-day accelerometry. RESULTS: Groups were
      equivalent at baseline on demographic and clinical measures. The MitiiTM group
      demonstrated significantly greater improvements on combined score of functional
      strength tests (mean difference 10.19 repetitions; 95% confidence interval, 3.26
      17.11; p = 0.006) compared with the control group. There were no other between
      group differences on secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: Although the MitiiTM
      programme demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the functional
      strength tests of the lower limb, results did not exceed the minimum detectable
      change and cannot be considered clinically relevant for children with an acquired
      brain injury. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials
      Registration Number, ANZCTR12613000403730.

PMID- 27271375
TI  - Determination of the inhibitor dissociation constant of an individual unmodified
      enzyme molecule in free solution.
AB  - Single enzyme molecule assays on E. coli beta-galactosidase were performed using
      a capillary electrophoresis-based method. Three types of assays were performed.
      The catalytic rate of 20 individual molecules was assayed in duplicate in the
      presence of 50 MUM substrate. The ratio of rates for the second incubation
      relative to the first was 0.96 +/- 0.03, showing the reproducibility of the
      method. In the second assay, the rates were determined in the absence and
      presence of 210 MUM L-ribose, a competitive inhibitor. The ratio of the rate in
      the presence of inhibitor to that in its absence for 19 individual molecules was
      0.44 +/- 0.23. This large relative standard deviation suggests that each
      individual enzyme molecule was affected to a different extent by the presence of
      the inhibitor, which is consistent with KI being heterogeneous. To estimate KI
      for individual molecules, a third assay was performed. Each molecule was
      incubated in the presence of 30 and 50 MUM substrate and then in the presence of
      50 MUM substrate plus 210 MUM inhibitor. Comparison of the rates in the two
      substrate concentrations allowed for the determination of the individual Km of
      each molecule. From this value and the difference in rates in the presence and
      absence of inhibitor, the individual molecule KI values were determined. This
      value was found to differ between individual molecules and was found to increase
      with an increase in Km . Modeling showed that a heterogeneity in KI results in an
      alteration in the Michaelis-Menten curve for a population of enzymes in the
      presence of a competitive inhibitor.

PMID- 27271378
TI  - [Cognitive deficits in young snorers].

PMID- 27271380
TI  - [What is causing the pain and hematomas?].

PMID- 27271376
TI  - Pd@Ag Nanosheets in Combination with Amphotericin B Exert a Potent Anti
      Cryptococcal Fungicidal Effect.
AB  - Silver nanoparticles have received considerable interest as new "nanoantibiotics"
      with the potential to kill drug-resistant microorganisms. Recently, a class of
      new core-shell nanostructures, Pd@Ag nanosheets (Pd@Ag NSs), were created using
      deposition techniques and demonstrated excellent inhibitory effects on various
      bacteria in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activity of Pd@Ag
      NSs against common invasive fungal pathogens. Among these organisms, Cryptococcus
      neoformans complex species was most susceptible to Pd@Ag NSs, which exhibited
      potent antifungal activity against various molecular types or sources of
      cryptococcal strains including fluconazole-resistant isolates. The
      anticryptococcal activity of Pd@Ag NSs was significantly greater than fluconazole
      and similar to that of amphotericin B (AmB). At relatively high concentrations,
      Pd@Ag NSs exhibited fungicidal activity against Cryptococcus spp., which can
      likely be attributed to the disruption of cell integrity, intracellular protein
      synthesis, and energy metabolism. Intriguingly, Pd@Ag NSs also exhibited strong
      synergistic anti-cryptococcal fungicidal effects at low concentrations in
      combination with AmB but exhibited much better safety in erythrocytes than AmB,
      even at the minimal fungicidal concentration. Therefore, Pd@Ag NSs may be a
      promising adjunctive agent for treating cryptococcosis, and further investigation
      for clinical applications is required. 

PMID- 27271381
TI  - [Psoriasis nails need motivation and patience].

PMID- 27271385
TI  - [Medicine in soccer boots].

PMID- 27271386
TI  - [Targeted strengthening of hamstring weak areas].

PMID- 27271387
TI  - [What do the guidelines say?].

PMID- 27271388
TI  - [Dual bronchodilators becomes the first choice combination].

PMID- 27271389
TI  - [Lung disease patient on the aircraft: what to consider?].

PMID- 27271390
TI  - [Vitamin D deficiency also frequent among the young].

PMID- 27271391
TI  - [Brittle bones caused by antidepressants?].

PMID- 27271392
TI  - [Regarding elderly men and new procedures].

PMID- 27271393
TI  - [First check adherence].

PMID- 27271394
TI  - [Should one rather smoke or become fat?].

PMID- 27271395
TI  - [New remedies guideline decreases risk of regress starting 1 January 2017].

PMID- 27271397
TI  - [Appointment with a somewhat different urologist].

PMID- 27271398
TI  - [At least the eggs are intact].

PMID- 27271399
TI  - [Letting them wander through their individual reality].

PMID- 27271400
TI  - [Usually no sick leave pay during preventative cures].

PMID- 27271401
TI  - [Can general practitioners bill local anesthesia?].

PMID- 27271402
TI  - [In Number 15 private insurance is responsible].

PMID- 27271403
TI  - [Is your practice open to everyone?].

PMID- 27271404
TI  - [We promote career chances - also with baby!].

PMID- 27271405
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271407
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271406
TI  - [An amalgam tattoo under the tongue].

PMID- 27271408
TI  - [A silvery sign in the toilet].

PMID- 27271409
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271410
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271411
TI  - [The rewarding alcohol effects are not diminished even in high intake].

PMID- 27271412
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271413
TI  - [Knowing avoidable mistakes--well-prepared for postmortem examinations].

PMID- 27271414
TI  - [External postmortem examination--choosing between natural and unnatural causes
      of death].

PMID- 27271415
TI  - [Bad mistakes in external examination: avoiding legal consequences].

PMID- 27271416
TI  - [Medication review--seven steps to improve pharmacotherapy in elderly adults].

PMID- 27271417
TI  - [Good Prognosis! Breast Cancer Update 2016].

PMID- 27271418
TI  - [Emergency checklist: Acute lymphangitis].

PMID- 27271419
TI  - [Hypoglycemia--simply annoying or dangerous?].

PMID- 27271421
TI  - [The first antidote is available].

PMID- 27271422
TI  - [Ways to healthy sleep].

PMID- 27271423
TI  - [Importance of inhaled corticosteroids under discussion].

PMID- 27271425
TI  - [Alginate improves symptom control].

PMID- 27271426
TI  - [Early combination therapy pays off].

PMID- 27271427
TI  - [New therapies turn oral steroids into reserve agents].

PMID- 27271428
TI  - [Early building up of vaccination protection].

PMID- 27271429
TI  - [Continuing therapy also in summer].

PMID- 27271430
TI  - [Empagliflozin also protects high risk patients].

PMID- 27271431
TI  - Homozygous deletion of exons 2 and 3 of NPC2 associated with Niemann-Pick disease
      type C.

PMID- 27271432
TI  - Diagnostic Accuracy of Lateral Flow Urine LAM Assay for TB Screening of Adults
      with Advanced Immunosuppression Attending Routine HIV Care in South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of Determine TB-LAM (LF-LAM) to
      screen for tuberculosis among ambulatory adults established in HIV care in South
      Africa. METHODS: A systematic sample of adults attending for HIV care, regardless
      of symptomatology, were enrolled in the XPHACTOR study, which tested a novel
      algorithm for prioritising investigation with Xpert MTB/RIF. In this substudy,
      restricted to participants with enrolment CD4<200x106/l, urine was stored at
      enrolment for later testing with LF-LAM. Sputum was sent for immediate Xpert
      MTB/RIF if any of: current cough, fever >=3 weeks, body mass index
      (BMI)<18.5kg/m2, CD4<100x106/l (or <200x106/l if pre-ART), weight loss >=10% or
      strong clinical suspicion were present; otherwise, sputum was stored for Xpert
      testing at study completion. Participants were reviewed monthly, with
      reinvestigation if indicated, to 3 months, when sputum and blood were taken for
      mycobacterial culture. We defined tuberculosis as "confirmed" if Xpert, line
      probe assay or culture for M. tuberculosis within six months of enrolment were
      positive, and "clinical" if tuberculosis treatment started without
      microbiological confirmation. RESULTS: Amongst 424 participants, 61% were female
      and 57% were taking ART (median duration 22 months); median age, CD4 and BMI were
      39 years, 111x106/l, and 23 kg/m2. 56/424 (13%) participants had tuberculosis (40
      confirmed, 16 clinical). 24/424 (5.7%) vs. 8/424 (1.9%) were LAM-positive using
      grade 1 vs. grade 2 cut-off. Using grade 1 cut-off, sensitivity for confirmed TB
      (all clinical TB excluded) was 12.5% (95% CI 4.2%, 26.8%) and in CD4<100x106/l
      vs. CD4 >=100x106/l was 16.7% (95% CI 4.7%, 37.4%) vs. 6.3% (95% CI 0.2%, 30.2%).
      Specificity was >95% irrespective of diagnostic reference standard, CD4 stratum,
      or whether grade 1 or grade 2 cut-off was used. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity of LF-LAM
      is too low to recommend as part of intensified case finding in ambulatory
      patients established in HIV care.

PMID- 27271433
TI  - Correction: Locked Nucleic Acid Probe-Based Real-Time PCR Assay for the Rapid
      Detection of Rifampin-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143444.].

PMID- 27271434
TI  - Increase of forage dryness induces differentiated anatomical response in the
      sheep rumen compartments.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate how the Surface Enlargement Factor (SEF)
      and the epithelial keratinization degree of sheep rumen change in response to
      phytomass production, and to forage fiber and water content during the pasture
      vegetative cycle. The study used eighteen sheep nourished with dry hay and
      cereals during the winter season and with fresh hay during the pasture vegetative
      cycle. We collected samples from rumen indicative regions for two consecutive
      years characterized by different rainfall and pasture productivity values. We
      evaluated the densities (D) of rumen papillae to estimate the rumen SEF, and the
      keratinization percentage of the epithelial lining; these parameters showed
      differentiated modifications in the four ruminal analyzed compartments in
      response to pasture seasonal conditions. In addition, we performed Canonical
      Redundancy Analysis (RDA) on the "keratinization and SEF" matrix constrained by
      phytomass, water, and crude fiber contents of pasture at different time in the
      two considered years to highlight how rumen features answer to pasture
      conditions. Atrium (A) and ventral sac (VS) keratinization showed a strict
      positive correlation to crude fiber, while SEF of VS was positively related to
      phytomass and forage water content. The degree of keratinization of the rumen VS
      epithelium proved to be a useful parameter for evaluating anatomical variations
      in the short term period related to pasture features; in addition, its monitoring
      could be carried out through biopsy, thus avoiding the killing of animals. The
      study also leads to the application of the 3Rs (Replacement; Reduction; and
      Refinement). Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:738-743, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc. 

PMID- 27271435
TI  - Origin of Shear Stability and Compressive Ductility Enhancement of Metallic
      Glasses by Metal Coating.
AB  - Metallic glasses (MGs) are notorious for the poor macroscopic ductility and to
      overcome the weakness various intrinsic and extrinsic strategies have been
      proposed in past decades. Among them, the metal coating is regarded as a flexible
      and facile approach, yet the physical origin is poorly understood due to the
      complex nature of shear banding process. Here, we studied the origin of ductile
      enhancement in the Cu-coating both experimentally and theoretically. By examining
      serrated shear events and their stability of MGs, we revealed that the thin
      coating layer plays a key role in stopping the final catastrophic failure of MGs
      by slowing down shear band dynamics and thus retarding its attainment to a
      critical instable state. The mechanical analysis on interplay between the coating
      layer and shear banding process showed the enhanced shear stability mainly comes
      from the lateral tension of coating layer induced by the surface shear step and
      the bonding between the coating layer and MGs rather than the layer thickness is
      found to play a key role in contributing to the shear stability.

PMID- 27271437
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271438
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271439
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271440
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271441
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271442
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271444
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271443
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271445
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271446
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271447
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271448
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271449
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271450
TI  - [Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections].
AB  - With a share of 22.4%, nosocomial urinary tract infections (nUTIs) are among the
      most frequent infections acquired in hospitals, along with surgical site
      infections (24.7%), pneumonia (21.5%), clostridium difficile infections (6.6%)
      and primary sepsis (6%) 1. 80% of all nUTIs are associated with indwelling
      urinary catheters, with 12-16% of all hospitalised patients and up to 81.8% of
      all intensive care patients receiving an indwelling urinary catheter during their
      hospital stay 2 3. Therefore, profound knowledge about the basics of catheter
      associated nUTIs and the correct management of urinary catheters are of utmost
      individual and socio-economic importance 4 5. It is estimated that up to 70% of
      all nUTIs occurring in Germany may be avoided by using appropriate preventative
      measures 6 7.In 2012, the authors Conway and Larson compared 8 recommendations in
      English language for the prevention of UTIs and noticed that they have been
      largely consistent over a period of 30 years 8. Special issues have rarely been
      addressed in valid studies, and study results are rather heterogeneous. For
      example, the 2008 SHEA (Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America) guideline
      contains only 3 recommendations and 4 prohibitions which are based on more than
      one randomised controlled clinical study 9 10 11.The confirmed recommendations on
      the prevention of UTIs are consistent in the following aspects 12 13 14 15 16 17:
      . Every insertion of a urinary catheter must be based on a well-founded medical
      indication.. . Well-founded medical indications include acute urinary retention,
      interventions lasting several hours with a high fluid turnover, surgery involving
      the urinary tract, the necessity to record fluid turnover especially in
      critically ill patients, comfort for the dying, facilitating wound healing in the
      external genitals in the presence of urinary incontinence. Examples of
      unnecessary use of urinary catheters include prescriptions based on urinary
      incontinence alone and prolongation of use, e. g. after surgical procedures or
      after intensive care monitoring/recording has been completed.. . The insertion
      technique as well as catheter care and the detection of catheter-associated
      complications must be trained continuously.. . Catheterisation must be performed
      under sterile precautions.. . Only sterile and closed urinary drainage systems
      may be used.. . Catheters must be removed as early as possible..

PMID- 27271451
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271452
TI  - Markers of calcium and phosphate metabolism and osteopenic syndrome in patients
      with coronary artery disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to assess the level of specific
      markers of calcium and phosphate metabolism in the development of coronary
      atherosclerosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease, depending on the
      severity of osteopenic syndrome. METHODS? In the study 112 male patients aged
      from 49 to 73 years with verified coronary artery disease were included in the
      study. Calcium Score was measured using the Agatston Score. Besides, all of them
      were tested on the serum level of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, osteocalcin,
      bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, cathepsin K,
      estradiol and testosterone. RESULTS? The distribution of patients according to
      the severity of coronary atherosclerosis using the Syntax Score suggested that
      the levels of the studied markers did not differ significantly among the
      patients, despite significant differences in the severity of coronary artery
      disease. The levels of osteoprotegerin in patients with mild, moderate and severe
      calcification were significantly lower compared to patients with a zero calcium
      score. There were no clinical manifestations of osteopenic syndrome in all
      patients. However, they underwent osteodensitometry with measurement of bone
      mineral density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck to determine pre-clinical
      symptoms of bone destruction. Significant increase (P=0.03) in serum levels of
      osteocalcin was found in patients with radiological evidence of osteoporosis
      while the other markers did no differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS? We suppose that
      there is a reciprocal interaction of regulatory vectors with increased calcium
      deposition in the arterial wall and resorption of bone tissue.

PMID- 27271453
TI  - Direct analysis in real time-Mass spectrometry (DART-MS) in forensic and security
      applications.
AB  - Over the last decade, direct analysis in real time (DART) has emerged as a viable
      method for fast, easy, and reliable "ambient ionization" for forensic analysis.
      The ability of DART to generate ions from chemicals that might be present at the
      scene of a criminal activity, whether they are in the gas, liquid, or solid
      phase, with limited sample preparation has made the technology a useful
      analytical tool in numerous forensic applications. This review paper summarizes
      many of those applications, ranging from the analysis of trace evidence to
      security applications, with a focus on providing the forensic scientist with a
      resource for developing their own applications. The most common uses for DART in
      forensics are in studying seized drugs, drugs of abuse and their metabolites,
      bulk and detonated explosives, toxic chemicals, chemical warfare agents, inks and
      dyes, and commercial plant and animal products that have been adulterated for
      economic gain. This review is meant to complement recent reviews that have
      described the fundamentals of the ionization mechanism and the general use of
      DART. We describe a wide range of forensic applications beyond the field of
      analyzing drugs of abuse, which dominates the literature, including common
      experimental and data analysis methods. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass
      Spec Rev 37:171-187, 2018.

PMID- 27271454
TI  - Serum C-reactive protein and S100A12 concentrations in dogs with hepatic disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe serum C-reactive protein and S100A12 concentrations in
      dogs with hepatic disease and to determine whether there is a relationship
      between the concentration of either and the severity of hepatic
      necroinflammation. METHODS: Serum C-reactive protein and S100A12 concentrations
      were measured in 46 dogs undergoing hepatic biopsy. Dogs were divided into three
      groups: congenital portosystemic shunts, chronic hepatitis and hepatic neoplasia.
      The histological severity of hepatic necroinflammation was scored. RESULTS: C
      reactive protein and S100A12 concentrations were greater than the upper limit of
      the reference intervals in 39 and 26% of dogs, respectively. There was no
      association of disease group with C-reactive protein (P=0.1733) or S100A12
      (P=0.1513) concentrations. There was a positive correlation between serum C
      reactive protein concentration and hepatic necroinflammatory activity (rs =0.428,
      P=0.006). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Increased serum C-reactive protein and S100A12
      concentrations were observed in a subpopulation of dogs with various types of
      hepatic diseases, suggesting acute-phase inflammation and activation of
      phagocytic cells, respectively. Dogs with higher hepatic necroinflammatory
      activity scores tended to have higher serum C-reactive protein concentrations.
      Further studies are needed to confirm this finding in a larger group of dogs.

PMID- 27271456
TI  - The Structure of LiuC, a 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaconyl CoA Dehydratase Involved in
      Isovaleryl-CoA Biosynthesis in Myxococcus xanthus, Reveals Insights into
      Specificity and Catalysis.
AB  - Myxobacteria are able to produce the important metabolite isovaleryl coenzyme A
      by a route other than leucine degradation. The first step into this pathway is
      mediated by LiuC, a member of the 3-methylglutaconyl CoA hydratases (MGCH). Here
      we present crystal structures refined to 2.05 and 1.1 A of LiuC in the apo form
      and bound to coenzyme A, respectively. By using simulated annealing we modeled
      the enzyme substrate complex and identified residues potentially involved in
      substrate binding, specificity, and catalysis. The dehydration of 3-hydroxy-3
      methylglutaconyl CoA to 3-methylglutaconyl CoA catalyzed by LiuC involves Glu112
      and Glu132 and likely employs the typical crotonase acid-base mechanism. In this,
      Tyr231 and Arg69 are key players in positioning the substrate to enable
      catalysis. Surprisingly, LiuC shows higher sequence and structural similarity to
      human MGCH than to bacterial forms, although they convert the same substrate.
      This study provides structural insights into the alternative isovaleryl coenzyme
      A biosynthesis pathway and might open a path for biofuel research, as isovaleryl
      CoA is a source for isobutene, a precursor for renewable fuels and chemicals.

PMID- 27271457
TI  - Erratum: Observation of an evolving magnetic flux rope before and during a solar
      eruption.

PMID- 27271455
TI  - Effect of the INSIGHT Responsive Parenting Intervention on Rapid Infant Weight
      Gain and Overweight Status at Age 1 Year: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Rapid infant weight gain is associated with later obesity, but
      interventions to prevent rapid infant growth and reduce risk for overweight
      status in infancy are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a responsive
      parenting (RP) intervention on infant weight gain between birth and 28 weeks and
      overweight status at age 1 year. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The
      Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories (INSIGHT) study
      is an ongoing randomized clinical trial comparing an RP intervention designed to
      prevent childhood obesity with a safety control. The study includes primiparous
      mother-newborn dyads (n = 291) and was conducted at the Penn State Milton S.
      Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, in addition to home visits.
      Enrollment was initiated in January 2012, and evaluable population analyses for
      this study were conducted between April 2015 and November 2015. INTERVENTIONS: At
      2 weeks post partum, initial intervention materials appropriate to the assigned
      treatment group were mailed to the participant's home. Research nurses conducted
      home visits at 3 weeks, 16 weeks, 28 weeks, and 40 weeks, and a research center
      visit occurred at 1 year. The Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on
      Healthy Trajectories curriculum included messages about infant feeding, sleep
      hygiene, active social play, emotion regulation, and growth record education. The
      control group received a developmentally appropriate home safety intervention
      also delivered by nurse home visitors. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Conditional
      weight gain from birth to 28 weeks was calculated. General linear models examined
      intervention effect on conditional weight gain. The intervention's effect on
      infant weight-for-length percentiles was tested using analysis of variance.
      Logistic regression compared the odds of overweight status (weight for length
      >=95th percentile) at 1 year as a function of conditional weight gain. RESULTS:
      Of the mothers included in the study, 246 were white (88%), 260 were non-Hispanic
      (93%), 210 were married (75%), and 201 were working full time (72%) at time of
      enrollment. The mean conditional weight gain score was lower among infants in the
      RP group compared with the control group (-0.18; 95% CI, -0.36 to -0.001),
      reflecting that the RP infants gained weight more slowly than control group
      infants (0.18; 95% CI, 0.02-0.34); this effect did not differ by feeding mode
      (predominantly fed breast milk or not). Infants in the RP group also had lower
      mean weight-for-length percentiles at 1 year than infants in the control group
      (57.5%; 95% CI, 52.56%-62.37% vs 64.4%; 95% CI, 59.94%-69.26%; P = .04) and were
      less likely to be overweight at age 1 year (5.5% vs 12.7%; P = .05). CONCLUSIONS
      AND RELEVANCE: An RP intervention is associated with reduced rapid weight gain
      during the first 6 months after birth and overweight status at age 1 year. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01167270.

PMID- 27271460
TI  - Ring-Shaped Phosphinoamido-Magnesium-Hydride Complexes: Syntheses, Structures,
      Reactivity, and Catalysis.
AB  - A series of magnesium(II) complexes bearing the sterically demanding
      phosphinoamide ligand, L(-) =Ph2 PNDip(-) , Dip=2,6-diisopropylphenyl, including
      heteroleptic magnesium alkyl and hydride complexes are described. The ligand
      geometry enforces various novel ring and cluster geometries for the heteroleptic
      compounds. We have studied the stoichiometric reactivity of [(LMgH)4 ] towards
      unsaturated substrates, and investigated catalytic hydroborations and
      hydrosilylations of ketones and pyridines. We found that hydroborations of two
      ketones with pinacolborane using various Mg precatalysts is very rapid at room
      temperature with very low catalyst loadings, and ketone hydrosilylation using
      phenylsilane is rapid at 70  degrees C. Our studies point to an insertion/sigma
      bond metathesis catalytic cycle of an in situ formed "MgH2 " active species. 

PMID- 27271458
TI  - Dependency Network Analysis (DEPNA) Reveals Context Related Influence of Brain
      Network Nodes.
AB  - Communication between and within brain regions is essential for information
      processing within functional networks. The current methods to determine the
      influence of one region on another are either based on temporal resolution, or
      require a predefined model for the connectivity direction. However these
      requirements are not always achieved, especially in fMRI studies, which have poor
      temporal resolution. We thus propose a new graph theory approach that focuses on
      the correlation influence between selected brain regions, entitled Dependency
      Network Analysis (DEPNA). Partial correlations are used to quantify the level of
      influence of each node during task performance. As a proof of concept, we
      conducted the DEPNA on simulated datasets and on two empirical motor and working
      memory fMRI tasks. The simulations revealed that the DEPNA correctly captures the
      network's hierarchy of influence. Applying DEPNA to the functional tasks reveals
      the dynamics between specific nodes as would be expected from prior knowledge. To
      conclude, we demonstrate that DEPNA can capture the most influencing nodes in the
      network, as they emerge during specific cognitive processes. This ability opens a
      new horizon for example in delineating critical nodes for specific clinical
      interventions.

PMID- 27271462
TI  - Organizational stress management interventions: Is it the singer not the song?

PMID- 27271461
TI  - Freehand three-dimensional ultrasound to assess semitendinosus muscle morphology.
AB  - In several neurological disorders and muscle injuries, morphological changes of
      the m. semitendinosus (ST) are presumed to contribute to movement limitations
      around the knee. Freehand three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US), using position
      tracking of two-dimensional US images to reconstruct a 3D voxel array, can be
      used to assess muscle morphology in vivo. The aims of this study were: (i) to
      introduce a newly developed 3D US protocol for ST; and (ii) provide a first
      comparison of morphological characteristics determined by 3D US with those
      measured on dissected cadaveric muscles. Morphological characteristics of ST
      (e.g. muscle belly length, tendon length, fascicle length and whole muscle
      volume, and volumes of both compartments) were assessed in six cadavers using a
      3D US protocol. Subsequently, ST muscles were removed from the body to measure
      the same morphological characteristics. Mean differences between morphological
      characteristics measured by 3D US and after dissection were smaller than 10%.
      Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were higher than 0.75 for all
      variables except for the lengths of proximal fascicles (ICC = 0.58). Measurement
      of the volume of proximal compartment by 3D US was not feasible, due to low US
      image quality proximally. We conclude that the presented 3D US protocol allows
      for reasonably accurate measurements of key morphological characteristics of ST
      muscle.

PMID- 27271463
TI  - Enhanced Singlet Oxygen Generation in Oxidized Graphitic Carbon Nitride for
      Organic Synthesis.
AB  - Experimental data reveal that the incorporation of carbonyl groups into polymer
      matrix can significantly enhance singlet oxygen ((1) O2 ) generation and suppress
      production of other reactive oxygen species. Excitonic processes investigated by
      phosphorescence spectroscopy reveal enhanced triplet-exciton generation in the
      modified g-C3 N4 , which facilitate (1) O2 generation through an energy transfer
      process. Benefiting from this, the modified g-C3 N4 shows excellent conversion
      and selectivity in organic synthesis. 

PMID- 27271464
TI  - Erratum to: Predation of a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) by an Amazon tree
      boa (Corallus hortulanus): even small boids may be a potential threat to small
      bodied platyrrhines.

PMID- 27271465
TI  - Enhancement of toughness and wear resistance in boron nitride nanoplatelet (BNNP)
      reinforced Si3N4 nanocomposites.
AB  - Ceramics have superior hardness, strength and corrosion resistance, but are also
      associated with poor toughness. Here, we propose the boron nitride nanoplatelet
      (BNNP) as a novel toughening reinforcement component to ceramics with outstanding
      mechanical properties and high-temperature stability. We used a planetary ball
      milling process to exfoliate BNNPs in a scalable manner and functionalizes them
      with polystyrene sulfonate. Non-covalently functionalized BNNPs were
      homogeneously dispersed with Si3N4 powders using a surfactant and then
      consolidated by hot pressing. The fracture toughness of the BNNP/Si3N4
      nanocomposite increased by as much as 24.7% with 2 vol.% of BNNPs. Furthermore,
      BNNPs enhanced strength (9.4%) and the tribological properties (26.7%) of the
      ceramic matrix. Microstructural analyzes have shown that the toughening
      mechanisms are combinations of the pull-out, crack bridging, branching and
      blunting mechanisms.

PMID- 27271466
TI  - Synthesis of alpha-MoC1-x Nanoparticles with a Surface-Modified SBA-15 Hard
      Template: Determination of Structure-Function Relationships in Acetic Acid
      Deoxygenation.
AB  - Surface modification of mesoporous SBA-15 silica generated a hydrophobic
      environment for a molybdenum diamine (Mo-diamine) precursor solution, enabling
      direct growth of isolated 1.9+/-0.4 nm alpha-MoC1-x nanoparticles (NPs) inside
      the pores of the support. The resulting NP catalysts are bifunctional, and
      compared to bulk alpha-MoC1-x and beta-Mo2 C, the NPs exhibit a greater acid
      site:H-site ratio and a fraction of stronger acid sites. The greater acid-site:H
      site ratio results in higher decarbonylation (DCO) selectivity during acetic acid
      hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reactions, and the stronger acid sites lead to higher
      activity and ketonization (KET) selectivity at high temperatures. The hard
      templating synthetic method could be a versatile route toward carbide NPs of
      varying size, composition, and phase, on a range of mesoporous oxide supports.

PMID- 27271468
TI  - Contribution of iron and protein contents from rat brain subcellular fractions to
      MR phase imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Investigation of magnetic susceptibility and chemical exchange as
      sources of MRI phase contrast between gray and white matter resulting from
      protein and iron content from subcellular fractions. METHODS: This study analyzes
      the iron and macromolecule content of different subcellular fractions from rat
      brain and their relation to the water-resonance frequency by NMR spectroscopy.
      Additionally, the contributions of susceptibility and exchange were determined
      with different NMR reference substances. RESULTS: Only weak correlations between
      iron (r = 0.4318, P = 0.76) or protein content (r = 0.4704, P = 0.70) and
      frequency shift were observed. After membrane depletion, the correlation for iron
      increased to r = -0.9006 (P = 0.0009), whereas the shift relative to protein
      content increased much less (r = -0.4982, P = 0.64). Exchange-driven frequency
      shifts were 1.283 ppb/(mg/ml) for myelin and 0.775 ppb/(mg/ml) for synaptosomes;
      susceptibility-driven shifts were -1.209 ppb/(mg/ml) for myelin and -0.368
      ppb/(mg/ml) for synaptosomes. The ratios between susceptibility and exchange
      differ significantly from simple protein solutions. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of
      counteracting susceptibility and exchange and increased relative shifts in
      membrane-depleted fractions, we conclude that tissue microstructure accounts more
      for the in vivo phase contrast than in the situation of homogenized tissue. Thus,
      membranes may generate much of the in vivo MR phase contrast resulting from
      anisotropy. Magn Reson Med 77:2028-2039, 2017. (c) 2016 International Society for
      Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

PMID- 27271469
TI  - Laparoscopic repair of irreducible femoral hernia containing the fallopian tube
      alone: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We offer the first report of laparoscopic repair of an irreducible
      femoral hernia containing the fallopian tube alone. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year
      old woman presented with a 2-week history of a right groin mass with no abdominal
      symptoms. The mass was located below the inguinal ligament but showed no redness
      or tenderness. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a 4 * 3-cm cystic mass
      and enhanced cord-like structure in the right groin area. Hernia contents were
      considered potentially associated with the appendix, and right femoral hernia
      incarceration was diagnosed. We performed emergency surgery using a laparoscopic
      approach, revealing an irreducible femoral hernia containing the right fallopian
      tube, which was reduced laparoscopically. The reduced fallopian tube showed no
      ischemic changes, obviating the need for resection. No other abdominal organs
      such as the ovary, fimbriae of the fallopian tube, or appendix were incarcerated.
      We repaired the femoral hernia laparoscopically using a transabdominal
      preperitoneal approach with a mesh. CONCLUSIONS: A laparoscopic approach offers
      ready and accurate confirmation of incarcerated or irreducible organs, rapid
      recovery, and favorable cosmesis and should therefore be considered for the
      treatment of incarcerated or irreducible femoral hernia.

PMID- 27271467
TI  - Influence of Age on Ocular Biomechanical Properties in a Canine Glaucoma Model
      with ADAMTS10 Mutation.
AB  - Soft tissue often displays marked age-associated stiffening. This study aims to
      investigate how age affects scleral biomechanical properties in a canine glaucoma
      model with ADAMTS10 mutation, whose extracellular matrix is concomitantly
      influenced by the mutation and an increased mechanical load from an early age.
      Biomechanical data was acquired from ADAMTS10-mutant dogs (n = 10, 21 to 131
      months) and normal dogs (n = 5, 69 to 113 months). Infusion testing was first
      performed in the whole globes to measure ocular rigidity. After infusion
      experiments, the corneas were immediately trephined to prepare scleral shells
      that were mounted on a pressurization chamber to measure strains in the posterior
      sclera using an inflation testing protocol. Dynamic viscoelastic mechanical
      testing was then performed on dissected posterior scleral strips and the data
      were combined with those reported earlier by our group from the same animal model
      (Palko et al, IOVS 2013). The association between age and scleral biomechanical
      properties was evaluated using multivariate linear regression. The relationships
      between scleral properties and the mean and last measured intraocular pressure
      (IOP) were also evaluated. Our results showed that age was positively associated
      with complex modulus (p<0.001) and negatively associated with loss tangent
      (p<0.001) in both the affected and the normal groups, suggesting an increased
      stiffness and decreased mechanical damping with age. The regression slopes were
      not different between the groups, although the complex modulus was significantly
      lower in the affected group (p = 0.041). The posterior circumferential tangential
      strain was negatively correlated with complex modulus (R = -0.744, p = 0.006)
      showing consistent mechanical evaluation between the testing methods. Normalized
      ocular rigidity was negatively correlated with the last IOP in the affected group
      (p = 0.003). Despite a mutation that affects the extracellular matrix and a
      chronic IOP elevation in the affected dogs, age-associated scleral stiffening and
      loss of mechanical damping were still prominent and had a similar rate of change
      as in the normal dogs. 

PMID- 27271470
TI  - Early gastric cancer metastasizing to the rectum, possibly via a hematogenous
      route: a case report and review of literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The most common pattern of recurrence of gastric cancer (GC) is
      peritoneal dissemination. However, rectal metastasis via hematogenous or
      lymphatic spread is exceedingly rare. We present a case of a 65-year-old man with
      an intramucosal GC who developed a rectal recurrence, possibly via a hematogenous
      route. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old man underwent curative endoscopic
      submucosal dissections for the intramucosal GCs at the anterior wall of the
      fornix twice. The third GC at the similar location was treated by radical
      laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy; microscopic examination revealed well
      differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma confined to the lamina propria mucosae
      (T1aN0M0, stage IA). Follow-up colonoscopy revealed a 30-mm submucosal mass in
      the rectal wall 2 years later, and a metastasis of gastric origin was suspected
      histopathologically. After a staging laparoscopy confirmed the absence of
      findings suggestive of serosal involvement or peritoneal dissemination, including
      negative peritoneal washing cytology, a laparoscopic low anterior resection with
      lymph node dissection was performed. Microscopically, the tumor was found to
      mainly be located in the submucosal layer and showed features of moderately
      differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. The serosal surface was free of
      disseminated tumor. Lymph node metastases were identified. Immunohistochemically,
      there were foci of carcinoma cells that were positive for cytokeratin 20;
      however, they were negative for cytokeratin 7. Negative staining for caudal-type
      homeobox 2, a transcription factor indicating goblet cell differentiation,
      combined with absence of intramucosal carcinoma in the rectal mucosa, suggested a
      diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma of gastric origin. The absence of evidence
      of peritoneal dissemination suggested hematogenous or lymphatic spread.
      CONCLUSION: Although rectal metastasis from GC, particularly when attributable to
      hematologic or lymphatic metastasis, is very rare, metastatic gastric
      adenocarcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis for patients who
      present with a rectal tumor and a past history of GC, even if it is an early GC.

PMID- 27271471
TI  - An injectable extracellular matrix for the reconstruction of epidural fat and the
      prevention of epidural fibrosis.
AB  - Extensive epidural fibrosis is a common complication following spinal surgery and
      can cause pain and limited mobility. In the present study, a novel biomimetic
      approach was developed to prevent postsurgical adhesion of the dura. We aimed to
      reconstruct epidural fat, which prevents scar-tissue adhesion, through the
      development of an injectable decellularized adipose matrix (DAM)-containing
      hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel loaded with adipose stromal cells (ASCs).
      Injectable DAM was prepared from porcine adipose tissue by four freeze-thaw
      cycles with subsequent pepsin digestion. Residual analyses confirmed the efficacy
      of detergent-free decellularization, while most sulfated glycosaminoglycans and
      collagen were preserved. The Transwell migration assay demonstrated the anti
      infiltrative property of the DAM-containing HA hydrogel. After 14 d of 3D
      culture, the DAM-containing HA hydrogel showed inductive potential in the
      adipogenic differentiation of ASCs. For an in vivo study, the ASC-loaded DAM
      containing HA hydrogel (DAM/ASC-incorporated HA hydrogel) was injected into adult
      laminectomized male rats, and the results were assessed by microscopic
      histological examination. The in vivo data indicated that HA hydrogel, DAM, and
      ASCs were all required for the ability of the engineered fat tissue to block the
      invasion of the fibrous tissue. Our results suggested that this injectable
      DAM/ASC-incorporated HA hydrogel has potential applications in minimally invasive
      surgery for soft-tissue reconstruction and epidural fibrosis prevention.

PMID- 27271472
TI  - Validation of the RisingSun RS-651 Blood Pressure Monitor Based on Auscultation
      in Adults According to the ANSI/AAMI/ISO 81060-2:2013 Standard.
AB  - This study validated the RisingSun RS-651 blood pressure (BP) monitor based on
      auscultation in adults according to the American National Standards
      Institute/Association for the Advancement of Medical
      Instrumentation/International Organization for Standardization (ANSI/AAMI/ISO)
      81060-2:2013 standard. The RS-651 device was evaluated in a study of 97
      participants. The same arm simultaneous method, as defined in the ANSI/AAMI/ISO
      standard, was used. The mean differences+/-standard deviation for criterion 1
      were 0.8+/-2.3 mm Hg for systolic BP (SBP) and -0.1+/-2.9 mm Hg for diastolic BP
      (DBP). Analysis for criterion 2 resulted in values of 0.8+/-1.5 mm Hg for SBP and
      -0.1+/-2.1 mm Hg for DBP. All of the data fulfilled the ANSI/AAMI/ISO 81060
      2:2013 standard requirements to pass the validation. The RisingSun RS-651 device
      can be recommended for both clinical and self/home use in adults according to the
      ANSI/AAMI/ISO 81060-2:2013 standard.

PMID- 27271473
TI  - Chemerin is not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis markers in
      prediabetes and diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Chemerin is a novel adipokine that is correlated with adipocyte
      differentiation, glucose metabolism, and inflammation. We aimed to investigate
      the relation between serum chemerin level and subclinical atherosclerosis markers
      as exemplified by brachial artery pulse wave velocity (baPWV), carotid intima
      media thickness (CIMT), epicardial fat thickness (EFT), and carotid plaque
      presence in diabetes and prediabetes. METHODS: Age-, body mass index (BMI)-, and
      gender-matched patients with type 2 DM (n=30), prediabetes (n=25), and normal
      glucose tolerance (n=25) were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum
      chemerin level, lipid parameters, glucose metabolism marker, baPWV, CIMT, EFT,
      and anthropometric were recorded. The independent risk factors for
      atherosclerosis markers were determined by linear and/or multiple logistic
      regression analysis. RESULTS: baPWV and carotid plaque presence were higher in
      the diabetes group than in prediabetes and control groups (p=0.039 and p=0.035
      respectively), whereas serum chemerin levels were similar among groups (p=0.338).
      Chemerin levels were not correlated with PWV, CIMT, and epicardial fat thickness
      overall or in the subgroups. Overall and in the diabetes group, chemerin levels
      were positively correlated with the key components of metabolic syndrome as BMI,
      total body fat percentage, waist circumference, triglyceride, and systolic and
      diastolic blood pressure (BP). After adjusting for age, gender, and BMI, only the
      association between chemerin and systolic BP remained significant. Chemerin was
      not found as an independent risk factor for predicting atherosclerosis in
      diabetes and prediabetes. CONCLUSION: Chemerin is not a predictive marker for
      atherosclerosis in diabetes and prediabetes, but correlates well with key aspects
      of the metabolic syndrome particularly in diabetes.

PMID- 27271474
TI  - Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular functions in healthy subjects
      who migrated from the sea level to a moderate altitude.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate right ventricle (RV) functions
      using echocardiography in healthy subjects who migrated from the sea level to
      moderate altitude (1890 m). METHODS: The prospective observational in this study
      population consisted of 33 healthy subjects (23 men; mean age 20.4+/-3.2 years)
      who migrated from the sea level to a moderate altitude (Erzurum city centre, 1890
      m above sea level) for long-term stay. Subjects underwent echocardiographic
      evaluation within the first 48 h of exposure to the moderate altitude and at the
      sixth month of arrival. Conventional echocardiographic parameters such as RV
      sizes and areas, systolic, and diastolic functional indices [fractional area
      change (FAC), tricuspid flow velocities, myocardial performance index (MPI), and
      tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)] were obtained. Systolic (S)
      and diastolic (E', A') velocities were acquired from the apical fourchamber view
      using tissue Doppler imaging. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, student's t-test, Wilcoxon
      test, and chi-square test were used in this study. RESULTS: There were no
      significant changes in RV size, FAC, MPI, TAPSE, inferior inspiratory vena cava
      collapse, tricuspid E velocity, and tricuspid annulus E' velocity. Compared with
      the baseline, there was a significant increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure
      (p=0.001); RV end systolic area (p=0.014); right atrial end diastolic area
      (p=0.021); tricuspid A velocity (p=0.013); tricuspid annulus S and A' velocity
      (p=0.031 and p=0.006, respectively); and RV free wall S, E', and A' velocity
      (p=0.007, p<0.001, and p=0.007 respectively) at the sixth month. Also, there was
      a significant decrease in tricuspid E/A ratio (1.61+/-0.3 vs. 1.45+/-0.2,
      p=0.038) and tricuspid annulus E'/A' ratio (1.52+/-0.5 vs. 1.23+/-0.4, p=0.002)
      at the sixth month. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that right ventricular
      diastolic function was altered while the systolic function was preserved in
      healthy subjects who migrated from the sea level to a moderate altitude.

PMID- 27271475
TI  - Age and gender differences in Framingham risk score and metabolic syndrome in
      psoriasis patients: A cross-sectional study in the Turkish population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis is associated with an increased frequency of cardiovascular
      risk factors. Metabolic syndrome (MS) and the Framingham risk score (FRS) are two
      different algorithms for evaluating cardiovascular risk. They include different
      features: waist circumference measurement is included in the MS criteria, whereas
      smoking, age, and gender are questioned in FRS. This study aimed to evaluate the
      frequency of MS and FRS in psoriasis patients compared with a control group and
      investigate the differences between MS and FRS. METHODS: This was a cross
      sectional study involving 300 psoriasis patients and 177 controls. MS, FRS, and
      disease severity were evaluated. RESULTS: The frequency of MS was higher in
      females with psoriasis than in those in the control group (p=0.019). Females in
      the psoriasis group were more obese than those in the control group (p=0.036).
      FRS significantly differed between the patients and controls of age >60 years
      (p=0.006). The risk of hypertension in current and past smokers was higher in the
      psoriasis patients (OR=2.07 and 2.32-2.48, respectively) than in the control
      group. There was no statistically significant relationship among MS, FRS, and
      psoriasis severity (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the
      evaluation of cardiovascular risk assessment in female psoriasis patients with MS
      and in male and elderly psoriasis patients with FRS.

PMID- 27271476
TI  - The first six-month clinical outcomes and risk factors associated with high on
      treatment platelet reactivity of clopidogrel in patients undergoing coronary
      interventions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to fill the gaps in evidence related to response
      to clopidogrel treatment in the Turkish population. The study aimed to determine
      the prevalence, associated risk factors, and clinical outcomes of high on
      treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) of clopidogrel in patients undergoing
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a tertiary cardiovascular hospital in
      Turkey. METHODS: In this prospective studied a total of 1.238 patients undergoing
      PCI were included in the present study. Blood samples were analyzed using a
      Multiplate analyzer. All patients were examined in the outpatient clinics at the
      end of the first and sixth months for recording drug therapy compliance and study
      endpoints. RESULTS: Among the study population, 324 (30.2%) patients were found
      to have HTPR (mean age 58.03+/-11.88 years, 71.7% men). The incidence of HTPR was
      higher amongst females than amongst males (38.3% vs. 27%, p=0.010). Hypertension
      and diabetes mellitus were more frequently observed in the HTPR group (57.7% vs.
      48.7%, p=0.004; 35% vs. 29.1%, p=0.040, respectively). When the recorded data
      were analyzed using multinomial regression analysis, hypertension, hemoglobin
      level, platelet, lymphocyte, and eosinophil count were independently associated
      with HTPR. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the results obtained from our study, we
      conclude that 30.2% of the Turkish population has HTPR. Our results also led us
      to believe that hypertension is an associated risk factor and decreased
      hemoglobin level as well as increased platelet counts are laboratory parameters
      that are strongly associated with the presence of HTPR. However, no differences
      were observed with regard to cardiovascular mortality and stent thrombosis.

PMID- 27271478
TI  - Determinants of prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of high LDL-C in
      Turkey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: High blood cholesterol is one of the main modifiable risk factors for
      cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aim of the study is to determine the factors
      associated with the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of high "low
      density lipoprotein-cholesterol" (LDL-C) among adults aged >=20 years in Turkey.
      METHODS: We used data from Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Survey conducted in
      2011-2012. The presence of high LDL-C, lipid-lowering treatment eligibility, and
      achievement of target LDL-C were defined according to the third Adult Treatment
      Panel guidelines on treatment of high cholesterol. Multivariate logistic
      regression analyses were performed to determine the associations between
      participant characteristics and high LDL-C prevalence, awareness, treatment, and
      control. RESULTS: Framingham risk score categorization was performed for 13121
      individuals aged >=20 years. Approximately, 28% of the participants presented
      with high LDL-C. Among those with high LDL-C, 55.8% were aware of their
      situation; among those aware of high LDL-C, 46.9% were receiving lipidlowering
      medication, and 50.6% of individuals who were receiving treatment achieved target
      LDL-C levels on the basis of their coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Control of
      high LDL-C was negatively associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus (odds
      ratio: 0.36, 95% CI:0.27-0.49, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite the high awareness
      rates, there was a high proportion of adults who did not receive treatment or
      achieve recommended levels of LDL-C during treatment. The low treatment and
      control levels among individuals based on their CHD risk levels call for a better
      application of recommendations regarding personal preventive measures and
      treatments in Turkey.

PMID- 27271477
TI  - Assessment of 25-OH vitamin D levels and abnormal blood pressure response in
      female patients with cardiac syndrome X.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with coronary artery disease,
      hypertension, heart failure, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome. The
      pathophysiology of cardiac syndrome X (CSX) involves many pathways that are
      influenced by vitamin D levels. This study aimed to investigate the relationship
      between vitamin D deficiency and abnormal blood pressure response to exercise in
      patients with CSX. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional and observational study.
      Fifty females with normal epicardial coronary arteries who presented with typical
      symptoms of rest or effort angina and 41 healthy age-matched female controls,
      were included. Patients with cardiomyopathy, severe valvular disease, congenital
      heart disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy were excluded. All patients
      underwent stress electrocardiography examination and 25-hydroxy (OH) vitamin D
      level measurements. RESULTS: Levels of 25-OH vitamin D were significantly lower
      in CSX patients (9.8+/-7.3 ng/mL vs. 18.1+/-7.9 ng/mL; p<0.001). Systolic blood
      pressure (SBP) (188+/-15 mm Hg vs. 179+/-17 mm Hg; p=0.013) and diastolic blood
      pressure (DBP) (98+/-9 mm Hg vs. 88+/-9 mm Hg; p<0.001) during peak exercise were
      higher in CSX patients. Levels of 25-OH vitamin D were negatively correlated with
      peak SBP (r=-0.310, p=0.004) and peak DBP (r=-0.535, p<0.001) during exercise. To
      discard the multicollinearity problem, two different models were used for
      multivariate analyses. In the first model, metabolic equivalents (METs) (p=0.003)
      and 25-OH vitamin D levels (p=0.001) were independent predictors. METs (p=0.007),
      25-OH vitamin D levels (p=0.008), and peak DBP were determined as independent
      predictors in the second multivariate model. CONCLUSION: In patients with CSX, 25
      OH vitamin D levels were lower than those in controls; moreover, 25-OH vitamin D
      deficiency was also associated with higher levels of peak DBP during exercise.

PMID- 27271480
TI  - Hypertonic salt solution for peri-operative fluid management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fluid excess may place people undergoing surgery at risk for various
      complications. Hypertonic salt solution (HS) maintains intravascular volume with
      less intravenous fluid than isotonic salt (IS) solutions, but may increase serum
      sodium. This review was published in 2010 and updated in 2016. OBJECTIVES: To
      determine the benefits and harms of HS versus IS solutions administered for fluid
      resuscitation to people undergoing surgery. SEARCH METHODS: In this updated
      review we have searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
      (CENTRAL; Issue 4, 2016); MEDLINE (January 1966 to April 2016); EMBASE (January
      1980 to April 2016); LILACS (January 1982 to April 2016) and CINAHL (January 1982
      to April 2016) without language restrictions. We conducted the original search on
      April 30th, 2007, and reran it on April 8th, 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA: We have
      included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing HS to IS in people
      undergoing surgery, irrespective of blinding, language, and publication status.
      DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two independent review authors read studies that
      met our selection criteria. We collected study information and data using a data
      collection sheet with predefined parameters. We have assessed the impact of HS
      administration on mortality, organ failure, fluid balance, serum sodium, serum
      osmolarity, diuresis and physiologic measures of cardiovascular function. We have
      pooled the data using the mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes. We
      evaluated heterogeneity between studies by I2 percentage. We consider studies
      with an I2 of 0% to 30% to have no or little heterogeneity, 30% to 60% as having
      moderate heterogeneity, and more than 60% as having high heterogeneity. In
      studies with low heterogeneity we have used a fixed-effect model, and a random
      effects model for studies with moderate to high heterogeneity. MAIN RESULTS: We
      have included 18 studies with 1087 participants of whom 545 received HS compared
      to 542 who received IS. All participants were over 18 years of age and all trials
      excluded high-risk patients (ASA IV). All trials assessed haematological
      parameters peri-operatively and up to three days post-operatively.There were
      three (< 1%) deaths reported in the IS group and four (< 1%) in the HS group, as
      assessed at 90 days in one study. There were no reports of serious adverse
      events. Most participants were in a positive fluid balance postoperatively (4.4 L
      IS and 2.5 L HS), with the excess significantly less in HS participants (MD -1.92
      L, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.61 to -1.22 L; P < 0.00001). IS participants
      received a mean volume of 2.4 L and HS participants received 1.49 L,
      significantly less fluid than IS-treated participants (MD -0.91 L, 95% CI -1.24
      to -0.59 L; P < 0.00001). The maximum average serum sodium ranged between 138.5
      and 159 in HS groups compared to between 136 and 143 meq/L in the IS groups. The
      maximum serum sodium was significantly higher in HS participants (MD 7.73, 95% CI
      5.84 to 9.62; P < 0.00001), although the level remained within normal limits (136
      to 146 meq/L).A high degree of heterogeneity appeared to be related to
      considerable differences in the dose of HS between studies. The quality of the
      evidence for the outcomes reported ranged from high to very low. The risk of bias
      for many of the studies could not be determined for performance and detection
      bias, criteria that we assess as likely to impact the study outcomes. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: HS reduces the volume of intravenous fluid required to maintain
      people undergoing surgery but transiently increases serum sodium. It is not known
      if HS affects survival and morbidity, but this should be examined in randomized
      controlled trials that are designed and powered to test these outcomes.

PMID- 27271479
TI  - Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein L is required for the survival and
      functional integrity of murine hematopoietic stem cells.
AB  - The proliferation and survival of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has to be
      strictly coordinated to ensure the timely production of all blood cells. Here we
      report that the splice factor and RNA binding protein hnRNP L (heterogeneous
      nuclear ribonucleoprotein L) is required for hematopoiesis, since its genetic
      ablation in mice reduces almost all blood cell lineages and causes premature
      death of the animals. In agreement with this, we observed that hnRNP L deficient
      HSCs lack both the ability to self-renew and foster hematopoietic differentiation
      in transplanted hosts. They also display mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated
      levels of gammaH2AX, are Annexin V positive and incorporate propidium iodide
      indicating that they undergo cell death. Lin(-)c-Kit(+) fetal liver cells from
      hnRNP L deficient mice show high p53 protein levels and up-regulation of p53
      target genes. In addition, cells lacking hnRNP L up-regulated the expression of
      the death receptors TrailR2 and CD95/Fas and show Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Parp
      cleavage. Treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk, but not the
      deletion of p53, restored cell survival in hnRNP L deficient cells. Our data
      suggest that hnRNP L is critical for the survival and functional integrity of
      HSCs by restricting the activation of caspase-dependent death receptor pathways.

PMID- 27271481
TI  - Spatializing 6,000 years of global urbanization from 3700 BC to AD 2000.
AB  - How were cities distributed globally in the past? How many people lived in these
      cities? How did cities influence their local and regional environments? In order
      to understand the current era of urbanization, we must understand long-term
      historical urbanization trends and patterns. However, to date there is no
      comprehensive record of spatially explicit, historic, city-level population data
      at the global scale. Here, we developed the first spatially explicit dataset of
      urban settlements from 3700 BC to AD 2000, by digitizing, transcribing, and
      geocoding historical, archaeological, and census-based urban population data
      previously published in tabular form by Chandler and Modelski. The dataset
      creation process also required data cleaning and harmonization procedures to make
      the data internally consistent. Additionally, we created a reliability ranking
      for each geocoded location to assess the geographic uncertainty of each data
      point. The dataset provides the first spatially explicit archive of the location
      and size of urban populations over the last 6,000 years and can contribute to an
      improved understanding of contemporary and historical urbanization trends.

PMID- 27271482
TI  - Efficacy and safety of erythrocytapheresis and low-dose erythropoietin for
      treatment of hemochromatosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine retrospectively the efficacy
      of combined therapy using erythropoietin (EPO) and erythrocytapheresis (EA) in
      patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) who did not tolerate phlebotomy.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients (age range, 43-74 years) with genetically
      confirmed HH had received low-dose EPO (4,000 IU) in accordance to the patient's
      hemoglobin levels between each EA session. Laboratory parameters including
      hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin, and iron were measured at regular intervals.
      RESULTS: Anemia did not occur in a single patient and no serious side effects
      were observed. Combined treatment with EPO and EA was well tolerated, and all 18
      patients who suffered from fatigue prior to therapy recovered. Median ferritin
      values were 678.5 ng/L before treatment and 145 ng/L after treatment. CONCLUSION:
      EA in combination with EPO is safe and effective in treating patients with HH.
      Prospective studies comparing this therapeutic option to phlebotomy are
      warranted. J. Clin. Apheresis 32:170-174, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27271483
TI  - Seroma-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma arising on the background of
      subcutaneous calcinosis: beyond breast implants.

PMID- 27271484
TI  - Assessing the transport rate of hyperpolarized pyruvate and lactate from the
      intra- to the extracellular space.
AB  - The use of [1-(13) C]pyruvate hyperpolarized by means of dynamic nuclear
      polarization provides a direct way to track the metabolic transformations of this
      metabolite in vivo and in cell cultures. The identification of the intra- and
      extracellular contributions to the (13) C NMR resonances is not straightforward.
      In order to obtain information about the rate of pyruvate and lactate transport
      through the cellular membrane, we set up a method that relies on the sudden
      'quenching' of the extracellular metabolites' signal. The paramagnetic Gd
      tetraazacyclododecane triacetic acid (Gd-DO3A) complex was used to dramatically
      decrease the longitudinal relaxation time constants of the (13) C-carboxylate
      resonances of both pyruvate and lactate. When Gd-DO3A was added to an MCF-7
      cellular culture, which had previously received a dose of hyperpolarized [1-(13)
      C]pyruvate, the contributions of the extracellular pyruvate and lactate signals
      were deleted. From the analysis of the decay curves of the (13) C-carboxylate
      resonances of pyruvate and lactate it was possible to extract information about
      the exchange rate of the two metabolites across the cellular membrane. In
      particular, it was found that, in the reported experimental conditions, the
      lactate transport from the intra- to the extracellular space is not much lower
      than the rate of lactate formation. The method reported herein is non-destructive
      and it could be translated to in vivo studies. It opens a route for the use of
      hyperpolarized pyruvate to assess altered activity of carboxylate transporter
      proteins that may occur in pathological conditions. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley
      & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27271485
TI  - High-pressure phase transitions in rubidium and caesium hydroxides.
AB  - A computational investigation of the high-pressure phase sequence of the heaviest
      alkali hydroxides, RbOH and CsOH, shows that the phase diagram of both compounds
      is richer than hitherto thought. First-principles calculations suggest, based on
      energetics and comparisons to experimental diffraction and spectroscopy
      signatures, that the high-pressure phase RbOH-VI, stable above 6 GPa in
      experiment, should be assigned the KOH-VI structure type, and features localised
      hydrogen-bonded (OH)4 units. Meanwhile, a new high-pressure phase CsOH-VII is
      predicted to be stable above 10 GPa in an isosymmetric phase transition that,
      like RbOH-VI, marks the transition from layered to three-dimensional network
      structures under increased compression. Both new phases highlight an unexpected
      flexibility of hydrogen bond network formation in a series of compounds that
      seemingly only vary in the cation size, and potential consequences for similar
      systems, such as water-carrying minerals, are discussed briefly. 

PMID- 27271486
TI  - Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in a 25-Year-Old Athlete-Distribution of
      Lesions.

PMID- 27271487
TI  - Understanding Work Experiences of People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk
      for unemployment and work absenteeism over the course of their adult lives.
      However, little is known about the firsthand experiences of people living with
      the disease regarding perceived barriers, facilitators, and strategies for
      navigating work roles. METHODS: In this qualitative study, participants were
      purposefully recruited from 2 existing IBD cohort study samples. Recruitment
      strategies aimed for diversity in age, sex, and disease type, duration, and
      symptom activity. In-depth interviews sought perspectives of living with IBD.
      Data were analyzed using inductive qualitative methods. RESULTS: Forty-five
      people currently or previously in the workforce participated; 51% were female.
      The mean age was 45.4 years (SD = 16.1; range = 21-73 years). Mean IBD duration
      was 10.9 years (SD = 6.3). Participants had a broad range of experiences in
      adapting to work roles. IBD symptoms and treatments interacted with other
      personal and environmental factors to shape the experiences of work. Experiences
      were shaped by: (1) personal health and well-being, (2) personal values, beliefs,
      and knowledge, (3) job characteristics, (4) workplace physical environment, (5)
      workplace culture, and (6) financial factors. Participants identified personal
      strategies and environmental supports that assisted them to navigate their work
      roles. CONCLUSIONS: The perspectives of people with IBD provided in-depth
      understanding of contextual factors that influence work roles. They identified
      personal strategies to manage health and choices about work, environmental
      supports that promote timely workplace accommodations, and appropriate social
      insurance benefits as facilitators of work retention for people with IBD.

PMID- 27271488
TI  - Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Low-dose Azathioprine and Allopurinol Cotherapy
      in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Large Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low-dose azathioprine with allopurinol (LDAA) has been proposed as a
      potent therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with the benefit of overcoming
      side effects regularly associated with thiopurine monotherapy and poor responses.
      Concerns regarding safety remain, while a layer of complexity has been added by
      the trend toward treatment directed by red cell thioguanine nucleotide (TGN)
      profiling. We report on the clinical efficacy and safety of LDAA use in IBD
      undirected by metabolite profiling. METHODS: Observational study of clinical
      practice from a single IBD center. Patient outcomes were defined clinically based
      on established activity scores and corticosteroid withdrawal. Red cell TGN was
      monitored only for suspected nonadherence. RESULTS: Overall, 113/164 (69%)
      patients with Crohn's disease and 83/136 (61%) patients with
      ulcerative/unclassified colitis had a clinical response by the end of follow-up
      (median 19 months), while 85 (52%) patients with Crohn's disease and 74 (54%)
      patients with ulcerative/unclassified colitis were in clinical remission.
      Clinical response was seen in 45/57 (79%) patients with Crohn's disease and 34/53
      (64%) patients with ulcerative/unclassified colitis who were thiopurine naive,
      had active IBD, and received LDAA as the first line immunomodulator, while in 35
      (61%) and 28 (53%), respectively, remission was achieved. LDAA was stopped in
      20/300 (7%) patients because of side effects, all of which resolved on drug
      cessation. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest cohort supporting the favorable
      safety profile and high efficacy of LDAA in IBD. It presents 2 advances in
      therapy: prescribing LDAA for thiopurine-naive patients, and bypassing TGN
      monitoring in favor of clinical monitoring (blood counts, etc.), which will make
      it more accessible for clinics without access to TGN assays.

PMID- 27271489
TI  - Effect of Early Versus Late Azathioprine Therapy in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed at describing the efficacy of azathioprine (AZA) in
      pediatric ulcerative colitis, comparing the outcomes of early (0-6 months) versus
      late (6-24 months) initiation of therapy. METHODS: Children with ulcerative
      colitis treated with AZA within 24 months of diagnosis were included.
      Corticosteroid (CS)-free remission and mucosal healing (MH), assessed by
      endoscopy or fecal calprotectin, at 12 months were the primary outcomes. Patients
      were also compared for CS-free remission and MH, need for treatment escalation or
      surgery, number of hospitalizations, and adverse events during a 24-month follow
      up. RESULTS: A total of 121 children entered the study (median age 10.5 +/- 4.0
      years, 59% girls). Seventy-six (63%) started AZA between 0 and 6 months (early
      group) and 45 (37%) started between 6 and 24 months (late group). Seventy-five
      percent and 53% of patients in the early and late group, respectively, received
      CS at the diagnosis (P = 0.01). CS-free remission at 1 year was achieved by 30
      (50%) of the early and 23 (57%) of the late patients (P = 0.54). MH occurred in
      37 (37%) patients at 1 year, with no difference between the 2 groups (33% early,
      42% late; P = 0.56). No difference was found for the other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:
      Introduction of AZA within 6 months of diagnosis seems not more effective than
      later treatment to achieve CS-free remission in pediatric ulcerative colitis. MH
      does not depend on the timing of AZA initiation; however, because of the
      incomplete comparability of the 2 groups at the diagnosis and the use of fecal
      calprotectin as a surrogate marker of MH, our results should be further confirmed
      by prospective studies.

PMID- 27271490
TI  - Histamine Receptor 2 is Required to Suppress Innate Immune Responses to Bacterial
      Ligands in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Histamine is a key immunoregulatory mediator in immediate-type
      hypersensitivity reactions and chronic inflammatory responses, in particular
      histamine suppresses proinflammatory responses to bacterial ligands, through
      histamine receptor 2 (H2R). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects
      of histamine and H2R on bacteria-induced inflammatory responses in patients with
      IBD. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from
      patients with Crohn's disease, patients with ulcerative colitis, and healthy
      controls. PBMC histamine receptor expression was evaluated by flow cytometry.
      Cytokine secretion following Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR-4, TLR-5, or TLR-9
      stimulation in the presence or absence of histamine or famotidine (H2R
      antagonist) was quantified. Biopsy histamine receptor gene expression was
      evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The in vivo role
      of H2R was evaluated in the T-cell transfer murine colitis model. RESULTS: The
      percentage of circulating H2R monocytes was significantly reduced in patients
      with IBD. Histamine effectively suppressed TLR-induced cytokine secretion from
      healthy volunteer PBMCs but not for PBMCs from patients with IBD. Famotidine
      reversed this suppressive effect. H1R, H2R, and H4R gene expression was increased
      in inflamed gastrointestinal mucosa compared with noninflamed mucosa from the
      same patient and expression levels correlated with proinflammatory cytokine gene
      expression. Mice receiving lymphocytes from H2R donors, or treated with
      famotidine, displayed more severe weight loss, higher disease scores and
      increased numbers of mucosal IFN-gamma and IL-17 T cells. CONCLUSION: Patients
      with IBD display dysregulated expression of histamine receptors, with diminished
      anti-inflammatory effects associated with H2R signaling. Deliberate manipulation
      of H2R signaling may suppress excessive TLR responses to bacteria within the gut.

PMID- 27271491
TI  - Mucosa-Associated Ileal Microbiota in New-Onset Pediatric Crohn's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The composition of the intestinal microbiome seems relevant to the
      pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD), with differences in both diversity and
      composition of the gut microbiota in patients with CD compared with healthy
      individuals. However, there are still conflicting reports on the importance of
      various bacterial taxa in the pathogenesis of CD. The aim of this study was to
      characterize the composition of mucosa-associated intestinal microbiota in newly
      diagnosed pediatric patients with CD. METHODS: Mucosa-associated bacteria were
      identified from ileal biopsy specimens obtained at colonoscopy of 10 patients
      with either ileal or ileocolonic new-onset CD and 15 controls without mucosal
      inflammation. Microbial composition was performed by profiling the 16S rDNA V6
      region using Illumina sequencing. Samples were analyzed for differences in
      alpha/beta diversity and also for differentially abundant taxa. RESULTS: Alpha
      diversity did not differ between the controls and CD cases or between CD subjects
      with localized ileal disease compared with those with more extensive disease.
      Controls also did not clearly separate from patients with CD by principal
      coordinate analyses; however, 117 operational taxonomic units were found to be
      differentially abundant between the two groups. In particular, numerous
      operational taxonomic units associated with Faecalibacterium prausnitzii species
      were increased in children with CD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to
      emerging evidence regarding dysbiosis in pediatric CD, and provide additional
      evidence challenging the protective role of F. prausnitzii in CD.

PMID- 27271492
TI  - Crohn's Disease with Orofacial Granulomatosis Is a Distinct Disease Subtype, or
      Is It?

PMID- 27271493
TI  - Rectal Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis: Science and Sensitivity.

PMID- 27271494
TI  - What Proportion of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Want to Stop
      Infliximab Therapy?

PMID- 27271495
TI  - Preventing Overheating: Tight Control of Gut Innate Immunity in Health and
      Disease.
AB  - Innate immune responses are key to maintain adequate host-microbial interactions.
      However, those signals are needed to efficiently trigger rapid and targeted
      antimicrobial responses in case of pathogen encounter. Several molecules have
      evolved to regulate intensity and coordinate signaling to avoid detrimental
      consequences to the host. Regulation can occur at the cell surface, within the
      cytoplasm, and at the transcriptional level. Innate immune regulation seems to be
      equally important than stimulation, as disruption of immunoregulatory molecules
      modulates the risk for several diseases. This is the case for colitis and
      inflammatory bowel disease but also colorectal cancer and intestinal infections.
      In this review, we recapitulate the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of
      innate immune signals and mention their implications in several disease states
      including inflammatory bowel disease.

PMID- 27271496
TI  - Different Cutoff Levels of Fecal Calprotectin to Predict Clinical Relapse in
      Ulcerative Colitis.

PMID- 27271497
TI  - Luminal Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Exhibit
      Proinflammatory Effects on Epithelial Cells and Macrophages.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed particles released
      by cells as a means of intercellular communication. They are potential novel
      biomarkers, as they are readily isolated from body fluids, and their composition
      reflects disease pathways. Whether these particles are released from sites of
      intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not previously
      been determined. METHODS: EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation of colonic
      luminal fluid aspirates and characterized according to surface proteins, and
      constituent mRNA and proteins. The effects of EVs on colonic epithelial cells and
      macrophages in culture were assessed at the transcriptional, translational, and
      functional levels. RESULTS: Intestinal luminal aspirates contained abundant EVs,
      at a mean concentration of 4.3 * 10 particles/mL and with a mean diameter of 146
      nm. EVs from patients with IBD with a high endoscopic score (>=1) contained
      significantly higher mRNA and protein levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL
      10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha than EVs from healthy controls. EVs were
      absorbed by cultured colonic epithelial cells, leading to an increased
      translation of IL-8 protein by recipient cells when treated with EVs from
      patients with IBD. EVs and EV-treated epithelial cells induced migration of a
      significantly greater number of macrophages than epithelial cells alone.
      CONCLUSIONS: EVs shed from sites of intestinal inflammation in patients with IBD
      have a distinct mRNA and protein profile from those of healthy individuals. These
      EVs have proinflammatory effects on the colonic epithelium, in vitro. Their
      stability in luminal samples and their mRNA and protein content identify them as
      a potential fecal biomarker that reflects mucosal inflammatory pathways.

PMID- 27271498
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27271500
TI  - Randomized clinical trial: the use of SpeechEasy(r) in stuttering treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefit of devices delivering
      altered auditory feedback (AAF) as a therapeutic alternative for those who
      stutter. AIMS: The effectiveness of a device delivering AAF (SpeechEasy(r)) was
      compared with behavioural techniques in the treatment of stuttering in a
      randomized clinical trial. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Two groups of adults who stutter
      participated: group 1 consisted of 10 men and one woman aged 21-42 years (mean =
      30.0). Group 2 consisted of six men and one woman aged 20-50 years (mean = 35.6).
      Participants in group 1 were fit with a SpeechEasy(r) device and were not given
      any additional training (i.e., supplementary fluency enhancing techniques).
      Participants used the device daily for 6 months. Participants in group 2 received
      treatment in the form of a 12-week fluency promotion protocol with techniques
      based on both fluency shaping and stuttering modification. OUTCOMES & RESULTS:
      There were no statistically significant differences (p > .05) between groups in
      participants' stuttered syllables following treatment. That is, both therapeutic
      protocols achieved approximately 40% reduction in number of stuttered syllables
      from baseline measures, with no significant relapse after 3 or 6 months post
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The results suggest that the SpeechEasy(r)
      device can be a viable option for the treatment of stuttering.

PMID- 27271499
TI  - Postmortem evidence of cerebral inflammation in schizophrenia: a systematic
      review.
AB  - Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder which has a lifetime prevalence of ~1%.
      Multiple candidate mechanisms have been proposed in the pathogenesis of
      schizophrenia. One such mechanism is the involvement of neuroinflammation.
      Clinical studies, including neuroimaging, peripheral biomarkers and randomized
      control trials, have suggested the presence of neuroinflammation in
      schizophrenia. Many studies have also measured markers of neuroinflammation in
      postmortem brain samples from schizophrenia patients. The objective of this study
      was to conduct a systematic search of the literature on neuroinflammation in
      postmortem brains of schizophrenia patients indexed in MEDLINE, Embase and
      PsycINFO. Databases were searched up until 20th March 2016 for articles published
      on postmortem brains in schizophrenia evaluating microglia, astrocytes, glia,
      cytokines, the arachidonic cascade, substance P and other markers of
      neuroinflammation. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. Out of 5385
      articles yielded by the search, 119 articles were identified that measured
      neuroinflammatory markers in schizophrenic postmortem brains. Glial fibrillary
      acidic protein expression was elevated, lower or unchanged in 6, 6 and 21
      studies, respectively, and similar results were obtained for glial cell
      densities. On the other hand, microglial markers were increased, lower or
      unchanged in schizophrenia in 11, 3 and 8 studies, respectively. Results were
      variable across all other markers, but SERPINA3 and IFITM were consistently
      increased in 4 and 5 studies, respectively. Despite the variability, some studies
      evaluating neuroinflammation in postmortem brains in schizophrenia suggest an
      increase in microglial activity and other markers such as SERPINA3 and IFITM.
      Variability across studies is partially explained by multiple factors including
      brain region evaluated, source of the brain, diagnosis, age at time of death, age
      of onset and the presence of suicide victims in the cohort.

PMID- 27271503
TI  - A Whole-Brain Investigation of White Matter Microstructure in Adolescents with
      Conduct Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The biological basis of severe antisocial behaviour in adolescents is
      poorly understood. We recently reported that adolescents with conduct disorder
      (CD) have significantly increased fractional anisotropy (FA) of the uncinate
      fasciculus (a white matter (WM) tract that connects the amygdala to the frontal
      lobe) compared to their non-CD peers. However, the extent of WM abnormality in
      other brain regions is currently unclear. METHODS: We used tract-based spatial
      statistics to investigate whole brain WM microstructural organisation in 27
      adolescent males with CD, and 21 non-CD controls. We also examined relationships
      between FA and behavioural measures. Groups did not differ significantly in age,
      ethnicity, or substance use history. RESULTS: The CD group, compared to controls,
      had clusters of significantly greater FA in 7 brain regions corresponding to: 1)
      the bilateral inferior and superior cerebellar peduncles, corticopontocerebellar
      tract, posterior limb of internal capsule, and corticospinal tract; 2) right
      superior longitudinal fasciculus; and 3) left cerebellar WM. Severity of
      antisocial behavior and callous-unemotional symptoms were significantly
      correlated with FA in several of these regions across the total sample, but not
      in the CD or control groups alone. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with CD have
      significantly greater FA than controls in WM regions corresponding predominantly
      to the fronto-cerebellar circuit. There is preliminary evidence that variation in
      WM microstructure may be dimensionally related to behaviour problems in
      youngsters. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that antisocial
      behaviour in some young people is associated with abnormalities in WM
      'connectivity'.

PMID- 27271504
TI  - Age- and Parkinson's disease-related evaluation of gait by General Tau Theory.
AB  - The degeneration of postural control in the elderly and patients with Parkinson's
      disease (PD) can be debilitating and may lead to increased fall risk. This study
      evaluated the changes in postural control during gait affected by PD and aging
      using a new method based on the General Tau Theory. Fifteen patients with PD, 11
      healthy old adults (HOs), and 15 healthy young adults (HYs) were recruited. Foot
      trajectories of each participant were monitored during walking by a three-camera
      Optotrak Certus((r)) motion capture system. The anteroposterior direction of foot
      movement during stepping was analyzed by tau-G and tau-J guidance strategies. Two
      linear regression analyses suggested that the tau of the step-gap was strongly
      coupled onto the tau-J guidance during walking. The regression slope K could
      estimate the coupling ratio in the tau-coupling equation which reflects the
      performance of postural control during gait. The mean K value for the PD group,
      which was highest among the three groups, was approximately 0.5. Therefore,
      participants in the PD group walked with the poorest postural control and
      exhibited a relatively hard contact with the endpoint during stepping when
      compared with those in the HO and HY groups. The HY and HO groups obtained mean K
      values significantly lower than 0.5, which indicated that the gait was well
      controlled and ended at low speed with low deceleration. However, the HO group
      showed a decreased tendency for postural control, in which the mean K value was
      significantly higher than that of the HY group. The K value was moderately
      positively correlated with the double support time and negatively correlated with
      the stride length and walking speed. The tau-J coupling ratio can provide
      additional insight into gait disturbances and may serve as a reliable, objective,
      and quantitative tool to evaluate dynamic postural control during walking.

PMID- 27271502
TI  - Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies and their value for predicting responses to
      biologic agents: a review.
AB  - Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPAs) play an important pathogenic role
      both at the onset and during the disease course. These antibodies precede the
      clinical appearance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are associated with a less
      favorable prognosis, both clinically and radiologically. The objective of this
      work was to conduct a comprehensive review of studies published through September
      2015 of ACPAs' role as a predictor of the therapeutic response to the biological
      agents in RA patients. The review also includes summary of the biology and
      detection of ACPAs as well as ACPAs in relation to joint disease and CV disease
      and the possible role of seroconversion. The reviews of studies examining TNF
      inhibitors and tocilizumab yielded negative results. In the case of rituximab,
      the data indicated a greater probability of clinical benefit in ACPA(+) patients
      versus ACPA(-) patients, as has been previously described for rheumatoid factor.
      Nonetheless, the effect is discreet and heterogeneous. Another drug that may have
      greater effectiveness in ACPA(+) patients is abatacept. Some studies have
      suggested that the drug is more efficient in ACPA(+) patients and that those
      patients show greater drug retention. In a subanalysis of the AMPLE trial,
      patients with very high ACPA titers who were treated with abatacept had a
      statistically significant response compared to patients with lower titers. In
      summary, the available studies suggest that the presence of or high titers of
      ACPA may predict a better response to rituximab and/or abatacept. Evidence
      regarding TNFi and tocilizumab is lacking. However, there is a lack of studies
      with appropriate designs to demonstrate that some drugs are superior to others
      for ACPA(+) patients. 

PMID- 27271506
TI  - Screening for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Using Signals From Web Search Logs:
      Feasibility Study and Results.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: People's online activities can yield clues about their emerging
      health conditions. We performed an intensive study to explore the feasibility of
      using anonymized Web query logs to screen for the emergence of pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma. The methods used statistical analyses of large-scale anonymized
      search logs considering the symptom queries from millions of people, with the
      potential application of warning individual searchers about the value of seeking
      attention from health care professionals. METHODS: We identified searchers in
      logs of online search activity who issued special queries that are suggestive of
      a recent diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We then went back many months
      before these landmark queries were made, to examine patterns of symptoms, which
      were expressed as searches about concerning symptoms. We built statistical
      classifiers that predicted the future appearance of the landmark queries based on
      patterns of signals seen in search logs. RESULTS: We found that signals about
      patterns of queries in search logs can predict the future appearance of queries
      that are highly suggestive of a diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We showed
      specifically that we can identify 5% to 15% of cases, while preserving extremely
      low false-positive rates (0.00001 to 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Signals in search logs
      show the possibilities of predicting a forthcoming diagnosis of pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma from combinations of subtle temporal signals revealed in the
      queries of searchers.

PMID- 27271505
TI  - Financial incentives enhance adaptation to a sensorimotor transformation.
AB  - Adaptation to sensorimotor transformations has received much attention in recent
      years. However, the role of motivation and its relation to the implicit and
      explicit processes underlying adaptation has been neglected thus far. Here, we
      examine the influence of extrinsic motivation on adaptation to a visuomotor
      rotation by way of providing financial incentives for accurate movements.
      Participants in the experimental group "bonus" received a defined amount of money
      for high end-point accuracy in a visuomotor rotation task; participants in the
      control group "no bonus" did not receive a financial incentive. Results showed
      better overall adaptation to the visuomotor transformation in participants who
      were extrinsically motivated. However, there was no beneficial effect of
      financial incentives on the implicit component, as assessed by the after-effects,
      and on separately assessed explicit knowledge. These findings suggest that the
      positive influence of financial incentives on adaptation is due to a component
      which cannot be measured by after-effects or by our test of explicit knowledge. A
      likely candidate is model-free learning based on reward-prediction errors, which
      could be enhanced by the financial bonuses.

PMID- 27271507
TI  - Variations in Oncologist Recommendations for Chemotherapy for Stage IV Lung
      Cancer: What Is the Role of Performance Status?
AB  - PURPOSE: Chemotherapy prolongs survival in patients with advanced non-small-cell
      lung cancer. However, few studies have included patients with poor performance
      status. This study examined rates of oncologists' recommendations for
      chemotherapy by patient performance status and symptoms and how physician
      characteristics influence chemotherapy recommendations. METHODS: We surveyed
      medical oncologists involved in the care of a population-based cohort of patients
      with lung cancer from the CanCORS (Cancer Care Outcomes Research and
      Surveillance) study. Physicians were queried about their likelihood to recommend
      chemotherapy to patients with stage IV lung cancer with varying performance
      status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 [good] v 3
      [poor]) and presence or absence of tumor-related pain. Repeated measures logistic
      regression was used to estimate the independent associations of patients'
      performance status and symptoms and physicians' demographic and practice
      characteristics with chemotherapy recommendations. RESULTS: Nearly all physicians
      (adjusted rate, 97% to 99%) recommended chemotherapy for patients with good
      performance status, and approximately half (adjusted rate, 38% to 53%)
      recommended chemotherapy for patients with poor performance status (P < .001).
      Compared with patient factors, physician and practice characteristics were less
      strongly associated with chemotherapy recommendations in adjusted analyses.
      CONCLUSION: Strong consensus among oncologists exists for chemotherapy in
      patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and good performance status.
      However, the relatively high rate of chemotherapy recommendations for patients
      with poor performance status despite the unfavorable risk-benefit profile
      highlights the need for ongoing work to define high-value care in oncology and to
      implement and evaluate strategies to align incentives for such care.

PMID- 27271509
TI  - Cross-sectional imaging of complicated urinary infections affecting the lower
      tract and male genital organs.
AB  - Complicated urinary tract infections (C-UTIs) are those associated with
      structural or functional genitourinary abnormalities or with conditions that
      impair the host defence mechanisms, leading to an increased risk of acquiring
      infection or failing therapy. C-UTIs occur in patients with risk factors such as
      neurogenic dysfunction, bladder outlet obstruction, obstructive uropathy, bladder
      catheterisation, urologic instrumentation or indwelling stent, urinary tract post
      surgical modifications, chemotherapy- or radiation-induced damage, renal
      impairment, diabetes and immunodeficiency.Multidetector CT and MRI allow
      comprehensive investigation of C-UTIs and systemic infection from an unknown
      source. Based upon personal experience at a tertiary care hospital focused on the
      treatment of infectious illnesses, this pictorial essay reviews with examples the
      clinical features and cross-sectional imaging findings of C-UTIs affecting the
      lower urinary tract and male genital organs. The disorders presented include
      acute infectious cystitis, bladder mural abscesses, infections of the prostate
      and seminal vesicles, acute urethritis and related perineal abscesses,
      funiculitis, epididymo-orchitis and scrotal abscesses. Emphasis is placed on the
      possible differential diagnoses of lower C-UTIs.The aim is to provide
      radiologists greater familiarity with these potentially severe disorders which
      frequently require intensive in-hospital antibiotic therapy, percutaneous
      drainage or surgery. Teaching Points * Complicated urinary tract infections occur
      in patients with structural or functional risk factors.* CT and MRI
      comprehensively investigate complicated urinary infections and sepsis from
      unknown sources.* Infections of the urinary bladder, prostate, seminal vesicles,
      urethra and scrotum are presented.* Emphasis is placed on differential diagnoses
      of complicated lower urogenital infections.* Unsuspected urinary infections may
      be detected on CT performed for other clinical reasons. 

PMID- 27271508
TI  - Thyroid computed tomography imaging: pictorial review of variable pathologies.
AB  - Focal and diffuse thyroid abnormalities are commonly encountered during the
      interpretation of computed tomography (CT) exams performed for various clinical
      purposes. These findings can often lead to a diagnostic dilemma, as the CT
      reflects the nonspecific appearances. Ultrasound (US) examination has a superior
      spatial resolution and is considered the modality of choice for thyroid
      evaluation. Nevertheless, CT detects incidental thyroid nodules (ITNs) and plays
      an important role in the evaluation of thyroid cancer. In this pictorial review,
      we cover a wide spectrum of common and uncommon, incidental and non-incidental
      thyroid findings from CT scans. We also discuss the most common incidental
      thyroid findings, best practices for their evaluation, and recommendations for
      their management. In addition, we explore the role of imaging in the assessment
      of thyroid carcinoma (before and after treatment) and preoperative thyroid
      goiter, as well as localization of ectopic and congenital thyroid tissue.
      TEACHING POINTS: * Thyroid disorders tend to have non-specific CT appearances. *
      ITNs are common on neck CT. * ITN management depends on nodule size, age, health
      status, lymphadenopathy, and invasion. * CT is used in assessment of cancer
      extension, mass effect, invasion, and recurrence. * CT plays a role in
      preoperative planning in patients with symptomatic goiter.

PMID- 27271510
TI  - The clothes maketh the sign.
AB  - Pattern recognition is a key tool that enables radiologists to evoke certain
      diagnoses based on a radiologic appearance. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Polonius
      tells his son Laertes to dress well because "apparel oft proclaims the man"; this
      phrase is now expressed in modern parlance as "the clothes maketh the man".
      Similarly in radiology, appearances are everything, and in the case of radiologic
      signs, occasionally "the clothes maketh the sign". The radiologic signs described
      in this pictorial review resemble items of clothing, fabric types, headwear, or
      accessories and are found in the musculoskeletal, pulmonary, gastrointestinal,
      and genitourinary systems. These "clothing signs" serve as a useful visual
      trigger to help radiologists to identify particular disease entities. TEACHING
      POINTS: * Pattern recognition enables radiologists to evoke a diagnosis based on
      radiologic appearance. * The radiologic signs described in this review resemble
      clothing, fabric, or accessories. * These "clothing signs" serve as visual
      triggers that evoke particular disease entities.

PMID- 27271511
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide-Activated Leukocytes Enhance Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
      Production in a Mouse Air-Pouch-Type Inflammation Model.
AB  - Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a key cytokine that exacerbates allergic
      and fibrotic reactions. Several microbes and virus components have been shown to
      induce TSLP production, mainly in epithelial cells. TLR4 activators, such as
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS), induce TSLP production in vivo, although the underlying
      mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the contribution of LPS
      activated leukocytes to the production of TSLP in a mouse air-pouch-type
      inflammation model. LPS induced the production of TSLP in this model but not in
      the mouse keratinocyte cell line PAM212. Transfer of the infiltrated leukocytes
      collected from an LPS-injected air pouch to the air pouch of another mouse
      enhanced TSLP production. Further, the LPS-activated leukocytes produced tumor
      necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta); a deficiency
      in these cytokines attenuated the LPS-induced production of TSLP. TSLP production
      was induced by TNF-alpha and enhanced by IL-1beta and LPS in the PAM212 cells.
      These results demonstrated that TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, which are partly produced
      by LPS-activated leukocytes, contribute to TSLP production via TLR4 activation in
      vivo. 

PMID- 27271512
TI  - Anti-inflammatory Evaluation and Toxicological Analysis of Campomanesia
      xanthocarpa Berg.
AB  - Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Myrtaceae) is used in Brazilian traditional medicine
      against fever, diabetes, hypercholesteremic, obesity, and urinary diseases. In
      the present study, the compounds 2',6'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-4'-metoxychalcone and
      2',4'-dihydroxy-3',5'-dimethyl-6'-methoxychalcone were identified for the first
      time in leaves of the C. xanthocarpa. These compounds and the hydroethanolic
      extract (HECX) significantly inhibited paw edema and reduced both leukocyte
      migration and the leakage of protein into the pleural cavity. No toxicity was
      detected by HECX in an acute toxicity test. 

PMID- 27271513
TI  - Enhanced p62 Is Responsible for Mitochondrial Pathway-Dependent Apoptosis and
      Interleukin-1beta Production at the Early Phase by Monosodium Urate Crystals in
      Murine Macrophage.
AB  - The aim of this study was to clarify the role of p62-dependent mitochondrial
      apoptosis in the initiation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced
      inflammation in macrophages. The induction of mitochondrial apoptosis in RAW
      264.7 murine macrophages by MSU crystals was measured using western blotting and
      quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9,
      or PARP1, and by flow cytometric analysis. Immunoprecipitation and western
      blotting was applied to detect ubiquitination of p62, TRAF6, and caspase-9.
      Mitochondrial apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and cell
      proliferation were assessed in cells transfected with p62 small interfering RNA
      (siRNA). Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with MSU crystals induced activation of
      Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP1 at the early phase, in addition to enhancing
      IL-1beta expression, but these findings were attenuated at the late phase. MSU
      crystals induced ubiquitination of p62, followed by ubiquitination of TRAF6 and
      caspase-9, which were significantly reversed by ascorbic acid. RAW 264.7 cells
      transfected with p62 siRNA showed attenuated expression of Bax, caspase-3,
      caspase-9, and PARP1, decreased ROS and IL-1beta production, and increased cell
      proliferation, compared to controls. The antioxidant ascorbic acid inhibited p62,
      caspase-9, and IL-1beta expression increased by MSU crystals. p62 may be a
      crucial mediator for the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in MSU crystal-induced
      inflammation, which is linked to the acute inflammatory response during the early
      phase of gout. 

PMID- 27271514
TI  - [Neurological podcasting : A project by students for students].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Podcasts are a very popular learning material among medical students.
      Currently only a few neurological podcasts exist, which do not include relevant
      neurological diseases or neuroanatomical contents. OBJECTIVE: The primary
      objective of this project was to help medical students understand neurological
      topics and to integrate them into the educational program. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      The project started in 2014. The podcasts were written and produced by medical
      students. So far ten podcasts about neuroanatomy and clinical neurology have been
      created. The podcasts were published in summer 2015 at the University of Witten
      Herdecke followed by an internal evaluation. In addition to questions about the
      listening experience and intelligibility, the students were asked to give an
      individual evaluation of the different topics and to express their opinion in a
      free text field. RESULTS: A total of 100 medical students participated. They
      listened to the podcasts in particular to prepare themselves for medical
      examinations (47.4 %) and because of a special interest in neurology (26.3 %).
      The different podcasts were mainly evaluated as "good" or "very good". Of the
      students 76.8 % wanted to listen to the podcasts again and 93 % planned to
      recommend the podcasts to friends. Only the length of some of the podcasts as
      well as technical faults were criticized and should be improved. CONCLUSION: The
      neurological podcasts of the University of Witten-Herdecke are a very successful
      and well-received project. The results of the survey will help to improve the
      next podcasts and integrate new topics. More than 15 new podcasts are being
      edited at the moment. The release date for the new podcasts will be in spring
      2016.

PMID- 27271515
TI  - [Perampanel as a therapy option in patients with epilepsy].
AB  - BACKGROUND: This article describes a monocentric retrospective analysis of
      clinical experience with the latest antiepileptic drug perampanel with non
      competitive modulation of postsynaptic AMPA receptors. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Evaluation of electronic medical charts of patients newly treated with perampanel
      between 2012 and 2014 at the epilepsy center of the University Hospital Freiburg
      regarding effectiveness and tolerability. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients (45
      male, mean age 37.4 years, range 14-80 years) with therapy resistance to an
      average of 6 antiepileptic medications were newly treated with add-on perampanel.
      Of the patients 35 % experienced a relevant reduction in seizures. The most
      commonly reported side effects were tiredness (32.5 %), dizziness (24.5 %) and
      irritability (10.5 %). The dosages resulting in a significant reduction in
      seizures which varied between patients from 4 to 12 mg/day. Even multidrug
      resistant patients who had not benefited from vagus nerve and deep brain
      stimulation, profited from add-on treatment with perampanel. CONCLUSION: In this
      cohort, even epilepsy patients who did not respond to multiple previous
      antiepileptic treatment profited from add-on therapy with the new mode of action
      of perampanel.

PMID- 27271516
TI  - [Guideline-adherent inpatient psychiatric psychotherapeutic treatment of
      borderline personality disorder : Normative definition of personnel
      requirements].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorders (BPD) are severe mental diseases
      which place high pressure on the psychiatric healthcare system. Nowadays, well
      tested, disorder-specific treatment concepts are available also for inpatient
      treatment in Germany. These show very good and long-term improvements in the
      psychopathology as well as posttreatment social participation; however,
      prerequisites for the implementation of these evidence-based inpatient
      psychotherapy programs are well-trained treatment teams and appropriate financing
      of resource expenditure. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to formulate a definition of
      normative needs for treatment duration and intensity for a guideline-conform,
      empirically proven and effective inpatient treatment of borderline personality
      disorder as well as the derived personnel requirements in comparison to the
      currently available resources within the framework of the Psychiatry Personnel
      Act (Psych-PV). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The resource requirements were established
      based on evaluated hospital ward models, the recommendations of the S2 guidelines
      and the criteria of specialist societies and compared with the personnel
      stipulations according to the Psych-PV. RESULTS: The results for a normatively
      established treatment program showed a pronounced deficit in the financing of the
      evaluated resource requirements, even when the stipulations laid down in the
      Psych-PV were implemented to 100 %. DISCUSSION: Disorder-specific inpatient
      treatment programs for borderline personality disorder have been scientifically
      proven to be highly effective; however, resource analyses show that the personnel
      requirements necessary for effective implementation of these programs are much
      higher than those allocated by the funding according to the Pysch-PV. The current
      underfunding leads to inadequate treatment outcomes with high readmission rates
      and as a result high direct and indirect costs of illness.

PMID- 27271518
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27271517
TI  - [Implementation of the recommendations for psychotherapy after psychiatric
      inpatient treatment : Results of the PAKT study Part II].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Waiting periods for inpatient or outpatient psychotherapeutic
      treatment are generally considerable. For patients treated in a psychiatric day
      clinic or hospital, implementation of a recommended subsequent psychotherapeutic
      treatment might be difficult. OBJECTIVES: In part II of the psychotherapy after
      hospital or day clinic (PAKT) study, we examined how the recommendation for
      psychotherapy can be implemented after psychiatric treatment. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Three months after discharge from one of four psychiatric hospitals in
      southern Germany, we interviewed 306 patients who received a recommendation for
      psychotherapeutic treatment after their hospital stays if the recommendation was
      implemented successfully. RESULTS: Only about 12 % of the patients in the follow
      up group were unable to implement the general recommendation for psychotherapy
      after psychiatric stay despite motivation for psychotherapeutic treatment. In the
      case of recommendation for outpatient psychotherapy, 20 % were unsuccessful.
      Predictors for successful implementation were education and employment, whereas
      variables like age, gender, diagnosis, or severity of disorder did not play a
      significant role. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively small percentage of unimplemented
      psychotherapeutic treatment is surprising at a first glance. However, the
      proportion recommended for psychotherapy after psychiatric stay was less than 10
      %, as shown in the first part of the study (see PAKT Study Part I, doi:s00115-016
      0107-z).

PMID- 27271519
TI  - Site-specific integration of CAR gene into Jurkat T cells with a linear close
      ended AAV-based DNA vector for CAR-T engineering.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop a site-specific integration strategy for CAR-T engineering
      by using a non-viral vector dependent on adeno-associated viral (AAV) genome,
      which tends to be integrated into AAVS1 site with the help of its Rep proteins.
      RESULTS: AAV-dependent vectors were produced in Sf9 cells. Structural analyses
      revealed the vector as covalently close-ended, linear duplex molecules, which was
      termed "CELiD" DNA. A plasmid CMV-Rep was constructed to express the integrases
      Rep78 and Rep68. Jurkat cells were co-electroporated with "CELiD" DNA and plasmid
      CMV-Rep in order to specifically integrate CAR gene into AAVS1 site. We examined
      71 stably transfected Jurkat clones by nested PCR, sequencing and southern
      blotting, of which 30 clones bore CAR gene within AAVS1 site. The site-specific
      integration efficiency was nearly 42.2 %. CONCLUSIONS: The AAV-dependent vector
      preferentially integrated CAR into AAVS1 site, which could be further used in
      human T cell modification and enhance the security of CAR-T therapy.

PMID- 27271520
TI  - Extending the linker region increases the activity of the Bacillus subtilis
      cellulase CelI15.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of the linker region (LR) on the enzymatic
      activity, stability, and flexibility of Bacillus subtilis cellulase CelI15, six
      mutants were constructed that contained increasing numbers of the LR. RESULTS:
      The CelI15 mutant with three copies of the LR (approx. 57 amino acids) showed the
      highest activity, which was almost 20 % greater than that of wild type CelI15.
      The stability of the mutant enzymes increased as the copy number of the LR
      decreased. However, the substrate affinity of the mutant enzymes increased as the
      LR copy number increased, and the mutant with four copies of the LR exhibited the
      highest substrate affinity. Additionally, the flexibility of the CelI15 mutants
      increased as the LR copy number increased from zero to four copies, although it
      decreased sharply for the mutant with five copies of the LR. CONCLUSION: The
      activity of CelI15 was increased by increasing the LR copy number, which could be
      a potential way to improve its enzymatic properties.

PMID- 27271521
TI  - Versatility of chitosan/BmNPV bacmid DNA nanocomplex as transfection reagent of
      recombinant protein expression in silkworm larvae.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of chitosan as an alternative transfection
      reagent candidate for protein expression in Bm5 cells and silkworm larvae using
      recombinant BmNPV bacmid DNA. RESULT: Chitosan 100 and recombinant Bombyx mori
      nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) bacmid DNA, in amino group/phosphate group (N/P)
      ratios of 0.1-10, were used for formation of chitosan/DNA nanocomplexes. The
      chitosan/BmNPV bacmid DNA nanocomplexes showed higher specific activity of GFPuv
      beta1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 2 (beta3GnT2) fusion protein (GGT2)
      expressed in silkworm larvae than DMRIE-C, a conventional silkworm transfection
      reagent. In particular, the composition of chitosan and BmNPV bacmid DNA
      nanocomplexes formed by an N/P ratio of 8 or 10, respectively, showed the highest
      specific activity of beta3GnT2 in the silkworm larvae hemolymph. In addition,
      three different proteins were expressed in silkworm larvae to the same extent
      using chitosan as that using DMRIE-C. CONCLUSION: This is the first finding that
      chitosan/BmNPV bacmid DNA nanocomplexes can rival the performance of commercially
      available transfection reagents for the expression of recombinant proteins in Bm5
      cells and silkworm larvae.

PMID- 27271522
TI  - Biodegradation of ketoprofen using a microalgal-bacterial consortium.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test the toxicity of ketoprofen (a commonly-used NSAIDs) using two
      microalgal strains and Artemia sp. following the isolation of bacterial and
      microalgal strains and testing their ability to biodegrade and tolerate
      ketoprofen. RESULTS: Chlorella sp. was the most resistant to ketoprofen. A
      defined bacterial consortium (K2) degraded 5 mM ketoprofen as a sole carbon
      source both in the dark or continuous illumination. Ketoprofen did not undergo
      photodegradation. In the dark, biodegradation was faster with a lag phase of 10
      h, 41% COD removal and 82 % reduction in toxicity. The consortium degraded up to
      16 mM ketoprofen. The consortium was composed of four bacterial isolates that
      were identified. MS/MS analysis suggested a ketoprofen biodegradation pathway
      that has not been previously reported. Combining Chlorella sp. and the K2
      consortium, ketoprofen was degraded within 7 days under a diurnal cycle of 12 h
      light/12 h dark. CONCLUSION: The feasibility of using a microalgal-bacterial
      system to treat pharmaceutical wastewater is promising for the reduction of the
      process cost and providing a safer technology for pharmaceutical wastewater
      treatment.

PMID- 27271523
TI  - Neonatal Benzo[a]pyrene Exposure Induces Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage Causing
      Neurobehavioural Changes during the Early Adolescence Period in Rats.
AB  - Humans are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by ingestion of
      contaminated food and water. Prenatal exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) like
      PAHs through the placental barrier and neonatal exposure by breast milk and the
      environment may affect early brain development. In the present study, single
      intracisternal administration of B[a]P (0.2 and 2.0 ug/kg body weight) to male
      Wistar rat pups at postnatal day 5 (PND5) was carried out to study its specific
      effect on neonatal brain development and its consequences at PND30. B[a]P
      administration showed a significant increase in exploratory and anxiolytic-like
      behaviour with elevated hippocampal lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation at
      PND30. Further, DNA damage was estimated in vitro (Neuro2a and C6 cell lines) by
      the comet assay, and oxidative DNA damage of hippocampal sections was measured in
      vivo following exposure to B[a]P. DNA strand breaks (single and double)
      significantly increased due to B[a]P at PND30 in hippocampal neurons and
      increased the nuclear tail moment in Neuro2a cells. Hippocampal 8-oxo-2'
      deoxyguanosine production was significantly elevated showing expression of more
      TUNEL-positive cells in both doses of B[a]P. Histological studies also revealed a
      significant reduction in mean area and perimeter of hippocampal neurons in rats
      treated with B[a]P 2.0 MUg/kg, when compared to naive and control rats. B[a]P
      significantly increased anxiolytic-like behaviour and oxidative DNA damage in the
      hippocampus causing apoptosis that may lead to neurodegeneration in adolescence.
      The findings of the present study address the potential role of B[a]P in inducing
      oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration in the hippocampus through oxidative
      DNA damage in the early adolescence period of rats.

PMID- 27271525
TI  - Human Milk in Feeding Premature Infants: From Tradition to Bioengineering:
      Erratum.

PMID- 27271524
TI  - Coupling of attention and saccades when viewing scenes with central and
      peripheral degradation.
AB  - Degrading real-world scenes in the central or the peripheral visual field yields
      a characteristic pattern: Mean saccade amplitudes increase with central and
      decrease with peripheral degradation. Does this pattern reflect corresponding
      modulations of selective attention? If so, the observed saccade amplitude pattern
      should reflect more focused attention in the central region with peripheral
      degradation and an attentional bias toward the periphery with central
      degradation. To investigate this hypothesis, we measured the detectability of
      peripheral (Experiment 1) or central targets (Experiment 2) during scene viewing
      when low or high spatial frequencies were gaze-contingently filtered in the
      central or the peripheral visual field. Relative to an unfiltered control
      condition, peripheral filtering induced a decrease of the detection probability
      for peripheral but not for central targets (tunnel vision). Central filtering
      decreased the detectability of central but not of peripheral targets. Additional
      post hoc analyses are compatible with the interpretation that saccade amplitudes
      and direction are computed in partial independence. Our experimental results
      indicate that task-induced modulations of saccade amplitudes reflect attentional
      modulations.

PMID- 27271526
TI  - Three-dimensional core-shell ferromagnetic nanowires grown by focused electron
      beam induced deposition.
AB  - Functional nanostructured materials often rely on the combination of more than
      one material to confer the desired functionality or an enhanced performance of
      the device. Here we report the procedure to create nanoscale heterostructured
      materials in the form of core-shell nanowires by focused electron beam induced
      deposition (FEBID) technologies. In our case, three-dimensional (3D) nanowires
      (<100 nm in diameter) with metallic ferromagnetic cores of Co- and Fe-FEBID have
      been grown and coated with a protective Pt-FEBID shell (ranging 10-20 nm in
      thickness) aimed to minimize the degradation of magnetic properties caused by the
      surface oxidation of the core to a non-ferromagnetic material. The structure,
      chemistry and magnetism of nanowire cores of Co and Fe have been characterized in
      Pt-coated and uncoated nanostructures to demonstrate that the morphology of the
      shell is conserved during Pt coating, the surface oxidation is suppressed or
      confined to the Pt layer, and the average magnetization of the core is
      strengthened up to 30%. The proposed approach paves the way to the fabrication of
      3D FEBID nanostructures based on the smart alternate deposition of two or more
      materials combining different physical properties or added functionalities.

PMID- 27271527
TI  - Skin disease symptoms and related risk factors among young workers in high-risk
      jobs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Occupational skin diseases are the one of the most frequent diseases
      in many industrialized countries. The studies about skin disease (SD) on young
      workers were limited. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aim to evaluate the
      prevalence of SD symptoms and related risk factors among young workers in high
      risk occupations. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was undertaken between 2011
      and 2012 in two vocational training centres. We included 455 young workers who
      were working as hairdressers, jewellers, or car mechanics. Data were collected
      with the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire, which was adapted to Turkish for
      young workers. RESULTS: The average age of the young workers was 17.9 +/- 1.7
      years. Of the 455 young workers, 52.7% were female and 47.3% were male. During
      the previous 12 months, the prevalences of the total SD symptoms, hand/forearm
      eczema symptoms and urticaria symptoms were 49.7%, 44.4%, and 13.4%,
      respectively. Those who worked as car mechanics were 5.8 times more likely [odds
      ratio (OR) 5.81, 95%CI: 2.58-13.10) to have a dry skin type, 2.9 times more
      likely (OR 2.86, 95%CI: 1.72-4.75) to work for >12 h daily, 2.6 times more likely
      (OR 2.59, 95%CI: 1.25-5.35) to have worked for >5 years, and 3.0 times more
      likely (OR 3.05, 95%CI: 1.14-8.14) to have SD symptoms. CONCLUSION: The results
      indicate that young workers in high-risk jobs have a high frequency of skin
      symptoms. These results could provide a basis for occupational health
      professionals to plan prevention programmes for young workers.

PMID- 27271528
TI  - An Introduction to Programming for Bioscientists: A Python-Based Primer.
AB  - Computing has revolutionized the biological sciences over the past several
      decades, such that virtually all contemporary research in molecular biology,
      biochemistry, and other biosciences utilizes computer programs. The computational
      advances have come on many fronts, spurred by fundamental developments in
      hardware, software, and algorithms. These advances have influenced, and even
      engendered, a phenomenal array of bioscience fields, including molecular
      evolution and bioinformatics; genome-, proteome-, transcriptome- and metabolome
      wide experimental studies; structural genomics; and atomistic simulations of
      cellular-scale molecular assemblies as large as ribosomes and intact viruses. In
      short, much of post-genomic biology is increasingly becoming a form of
      computational biology. The ability to design and write computer programs is among
      the most indispensable skills that a modern researcher can cultivate. Python has
      become a popular programming language in the biosciences, largely because (i) its
      straightforward semantics and clean syntax make it a readily accessible first
      language; (ii) it is expressive and well-suited to object-oriented programming,
      as well as other modern paradigms; and (iii) the many available libraries and
      third-party toolkits extend the functionality of the core language into virtually
      every biological domain (sequence and structure analyses, phylogenomics, workflow
      management systems, etc.). This primer offers a basic introduction to coding, via
      Python, and it includes concrete examples and exercises to illustrate the
      language's usage and capabilities; the main text culminates with a final project
      in structural bioinformatics. A suite of Supplemental Chapters is also provided.
      Starting with basic concepts, such as that of a "variable," the Chapters
      methodically advance the reader to the point of writing a graphical user
      interface to compute the Hamming distance between two DNA sequences.

PMID- 27271530
TI  - OLA1 gene sequencing in patients with BRCA1/2 mutation-negative suspected
      hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Of individuals with suspected hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
      (HBOC), approximately 30-70 % do not harbor mutations in either BRCA1 or BRCA2
      gene, which suggests that these individuals have other genetic or epigenetic
      alterations that could lead to the onset of this hereditary disease. We have
      recently identified OLA1 as a novel BRCA1/BARD1-interacting protein. In the
      present study, we aimed to elucidate whether any genetic mutations in OLA1 are
      detected among patients with suspected HBOC without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
      METHODS: Among 53 patients with suspected HBOC enrolled at Hoshi General
      Hospital, 23 patients without any BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations were analyzed for OLA1
      mutations. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood samples. PCR and
      Sanger sequencing were performed to elucidate whether there were any mutations in
      any of the ten exons and flanking introns of the OLA1 gene. RESULTS: No germline
      sequence variation was detected in the OLA1 gene among the 23 patients enrolled
      in this study. CONCLUSIONS: No germline mutations were found in the OLA1 gene
      among the cohort of patients with suspected HBOC without BRCA1 or BRCA2
      mutations. Further studies are needed to clarify whether other
      mutations/epigenetic alterations are involved in the pathogenesis of BRCA1 or
      BRCA2 mutation-negative inherited disease with breast or ovarian cancer.

PMID- 27271529
TI  - Racial/Ethnic Differences in Contemporaneous Use of Mental Health and Substance
      Use Treatment Among Individuals Experiencing Both Mental Illness and Substance
      Use Disorders.
AB  - This study examined whether the well-established racial/ethnic differences in
      mental health service utilization among individuals with mental illness are
      reflected in the treatment utilization patterns of individuals experiencing both
      mental illness and substance use disorders, particularly in regards to the use of
      contemporaneous mental health and substance abuse treatment. Using pooled data
      from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2009-2013), the patterns of
      mental health and substance use treatment utilization of 8748 White, Black, or
      Latino individuals experiencing both mental illness and substance use disorders
      were analyzed. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to test the
      relationships among racial/ethnic groups and the receipt of contemporaneous
      treatment, mental health treatment alone, and substance use treatment alone as
      compared with no treatment utilization. Results indicated that Black and Latino
      respondents were less likely to receive contemporaneous treatment than Whites
      respondents. Also, significantly associated with outcomes were several
      interactions between race/ethnicity and predisposing, need and enabling factors
      known to be associated with service utilization. The findings suggest that an
      underlying mechanism of racial/ethnic differences among individuals with co
      occurring mental illness and substance use disorders in the treatment utilization
      may differ by the specific types of treatment and between Blacks and Latinos.
      Therefore, efforts to reduce these disparities should consider specialty in each
      treatment settings and heterogeneity within diverse racial/ethnic groups.

PMID- 27271531
TI  - Cumulative trauma and partner conflict predict post-traumatic stress disorder in
      postpartum African-American women.
AB  - AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To describe relationships between cumulative trauma, partner
      conflict and post-traumatic stress in African-American postpartum women.
      BACKGROUND: Cumulative trauma exposure estimates for women in the USA range from
      51-69%. During pregnancy, most trauma research has focused on physical injury to
      the mother. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with trauma and
      more prevalent in African-American women than women of other groups. Knowledge
      about both the rate and impact of cumulative trauma on pregnancy may contribute
      to our understanding of women seeking prenatal care, and disparities in infant
      morbidity and mortality. DESIGN: This retrospective, correlational, cross
      sectional study took place on postpartum units of two Detroit hospitals.
      Participants were 150 African-American women aged between 18-45 who had given
      birth. METHODS: Mothers completed the Cumulative Trauma Scale, Conflict Tactics
      Scale, Clinician Administered Post-traumatic Stress Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal
      Depression Scale and a Demographic Data form. Descriptive statistics,
      correlations and multiple regressions were used for data analysis. RESULTS: All
      participants reported at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Cumulative
      trauma and partner conflict predicted PTSD, with the trauma of a life-threatening
      event for a loved one reported by 60% of the sample. Nearly, one-fourth of the
      women screened were at risk for PTSD. Increased cumulative trauma, increased
      partner conflict and lower level of education were related to higher rates of
      PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Both cumulative trauma and partner conflict in the
      past year predict PTSD. Reasoning was used most often for partner conflict
      resolution. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this study offer
      additional knowledge regarding relationships between cumulative trauma, partner
      conflict and PTSD in African-American women. Healthcare providers need to be
      sensitive to patient life-threatening events, personal failures, abuse and other
      types of trauma. Current evidence supports the need to assess for post-traumatic
      stress symptoms during pregnancy.

PMID- 27271532
TI  - Differences in cardiovascular manifestations between ankylosing spondylitis
      patients with and without kyphosis.
AB  - The objective of this study is to evaluate the differences in cardiovascular
      manifestations between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with and without
      kyphosis. A retrospective review of consecutive AS patients treated at our
      hospital between June 2013 and June 2015 was performed. There were 122 patients
      who met all of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among these patients, there
      were 57 (ASK group) patients with global kyphosis (GK) > 40 degrees  and 65 (AS
      group) patients with GK < 40 degrees . General information, C-reactive protein
      (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), electrocardiography, and
      echocardiography were record. ESR and CRP levels in the ASK group were
      significantly higher than the AS group (P < 0.05). Fifteen patients in ASK group
      but 3 patients in AS group suffered from a left ventricular high voltage (P <
      0.05). Heart rate in ASK group was 83.91 +/- 13.68 beats/min, and it was 73.88 +/
      13.04 beats/min in AS group (P < 0.05). The E/A ratio was 1.13 +/- 0.38 in ASK
      group and 1.32 +/- 0.49 in AS group (P < 0.05). The mitral E-wave deceleration
      time and isovolumetric relaxation time were, respectively, 236.25 +/- 34.26 ms
      and 101.86 +/- 17.57 ms in ASK group, which were shorter in AS group (P < 0.05).
      This study showed that AS patients with kyphosis had a statistically increased
      incidence of cardiovascular complications including a more rapid heart rate, left
      ventricular high voltage, and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. 

PMID- 27271533
TI  - Proposition of a Classification of Adult Patients with Hemiparesis in Chronic
      Phase.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients who have developed hemiparesis as a result of a central
      nervous system lesion, often experience reduced walking capacity and worse gait
      quality. Although clinically, similar gait patterns have been observed,
      presently, no clinically driven classification has been validated to group these
      patients' gait abnormalities at the level of the hip, knee and ankle joints. This
      study has thus intended to put forward a new gait classification for adult
      patients with hemiparesis in chronic phase, and to validate its discriminatory
      capacity. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Twenty-six patients with hemiparesis were
      included in this observational study. Following a clinical examination, a
      clinical gait analysis, complemented by a video analysis, was performed whereby
      participants were requested to walk spontaneously on a 10m walkway. A patient's
      classification was established from clinical examination data and video analysis.
      This classification was made up of three groups, including two sub-groups,
      defined with key abnormalities observed whilst walking. Statistical analysis was
      achieved on the basis of 25 parameters resulting from the clinical gait analysis
      in order to assess the discriminatory characteristic of the classification as
      displayed by the walking speed and kinematic parameters. Results revealed that
      the parameters related to the discriminant criteria of the proposed
      classification were all significantly different between groups and subgroups.
      More generally, nearly two thirds of the 25 parameters showed significant
      differences (p<0.05) between the groups and sub-groups. However, prior to being
      fully validated, this classification must still be tested on a larger number of
      patients, and the repeatability of inter-operator measures must be assessed.
      CONCLUSIONS: This classification enables patients to be grouped on the basis of
      key abnormalities observed whilst walking and has the advantage of being able to
      be used in clinical routines without necessitating complex apparatus. In the
      midterm, this classification may allow a decision-tree of therapies to be
      developed on the basis of the group in which the patient has been categorised.

PMID- 27271535
TI  - Informal processing of electronic waste at Agbogbloshie, Ghana: workers'
      knowledge about associated health hazards and alternative livelihoods.
AB  - AIMS: This study was conducted to investigate the electronic waste workers'
      knowledge about the potential health hazards associated with their work as well
      as the livelihood alternatives that they would prefer if they were given the
      opportunity. METHODS: A qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted to gather
      empirical information on e-waste workers' knowledge about the potential hazards
      associated with their work and the livelihood alternatives to e-waste recycling
      with a sample consisting of twenty all-male electronic waste workers at the
      Agbogbloshie scrap metal yard in Accra, Ghana. RESULTS: Electronic waste workers
      at Agbogbloshie were found to be exposed to a variety of injuries and illnesses.
      The workers' knowledge of the association between their health status and their
      work was generally poor. Apart from the physical injuries, they did not believe
      their work played any negative role in their health conditions. They preferred
      occupations such as farming or professional driving located in the northern
      region of Ghana to be closer to their families. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes
      that the low knowledge level of the workers on the hazards that are associated
      with their work has implications for them accepting technologies to protect them
      and the natural environment from contamination. It is therefore imperative for
      any intervention to consider the current low level of knowledge and actively
      educate the workers to raise their awareness level, taking into account the
      provision of opportunities for workers to acquire applicable skills for future
      employment in other fields.

PMID- 27271534
TI  - Metagenomic discovery of novel enzymes and biosurfactants in a slaughterhouse
      biofilm microbial community.
AB  - DNA derived from environmental samples is a rich source of novel bioactive
      molecules. The choice of the habitat to be sampled predefines the properties of
      the biomolecules to be discovered due to the physiological adaptation of the
      microbial community to the prevailing environmental conditions. We have
      constructed a metagenomic library in Escherichia coli DH10b with environmental
      DNA (eDNA) isolated from the microbial community of a slaughterhouse drain
      biofilm consisting mainly of species from the family Flavobacteriaceae. By
      functional screening of this library we have identified several lipases,
      proteases and two clones (SA343 and SA354) with biosurfactant and hemolytic
      activities. Sequence analysis of the respective eDNA fragments and subsequent
      structure homology modelling identified genes encoding putative N-acyl amino acid
      synthases with a unique two-domain organisation. The produced biosurfactants were
      identified by NMR spectroscopy as N-acyltyrosines with N-myristoyltyrosine as the
      predominant species. Critical micelle concentration and reduction of surface
      tension were similar to those of chemically synthesised N-myristoyltyrosine.
      Furthermore, we showed that the newly isolated N-acyltyrosines exhibit antibiotic
      activity against various bacteria. This is the first report describing the
      successful application of functional high-throughput screening assays for the
      identification of biosurfactant producing clones within a metagenomic library.

PMID- 27271536
TI  - Risk for Patient Harm in Canadian Genetic Counseling Practice: It's Time to
      Consider Regulation.
AB  - With the increasing awareness of genetic contributions to disease in Canada, the
      availability of and demand for genetic testing has soared. Genetic counseling is
      becoming a recognized and rapidly growing (yet unregulated) health profession in
      Canada. We hypothesized that the potential risk for harm to the public posed by
      genetic counseling practice in the province of Ontario is sufficient to consider
      regulation. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHTLC) sets
      criteria (both primary and secondary) to identify health professional bodies that
      meet the threshold for regulation in the province. We developed a survey based on
      the MOHTLC criteria to determine if genetic counselors meet the primary criteria
      to be considered for health professions regulation in Ontario. We surveyed 120
      Ontario genetic counselors about their clinical practice and perceptions of risk
      for harm to the public. Results indicate that Ontario genetic counselors are
      highly independent in their clinical practice and are involved in patient care
      activities, clinical judgement and decision-making that have the potential to
      harm patients. In particular, cancer genetic counselors were identified as a
      cohort that practices with relatively high autonomy and low supervision. In
      summary, our study indicates that genetic counseling practice in Ontario meets
      the primary criteria to be considered for regulation.

PMID- 27271537
TI  - Midterm outcomes of catheter-directed interventions for the treatment of acute
      pulmonary embolism.
AB  - Objective The hemodynamic benefits of catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute
      pulmonary embolism have not been clearly defined beyond the periprocedural
      period. The objective of this study is to report midterm outcomes of catheter
      directed thrombolysis for treatment of acute pulmonary embolism. Methods Records
      of all patients undergoing catheter-directed thrombolysis for high- or
      intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism were retrospectively reviewed. Endpoints
      were clinical success, procedure-related complications, mortality, and
      longitudinal echocardiographic parameter improvement. Results A total of 69
      patients underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis (mean age 59 +/- 15 y, 56%
      male). Eleven had high-risk and 58 intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism. Baseline
      characteristics did not differ by pulmonary embolism subtype. Fifty-two percent
      of patients underwent ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis, 39% standard catheter
      directed thrombolysis, and 9% other interventional therapy; 89.9% had bilateral
      treatment. Average treatment time was 17.7 +/- 11.3 h with average t-Pa dose of
      28.5 +/- 19.6 mg. The rate of clinical success was 88%. There were two major (3%)
      and six minor (9%) periprocedural bleeding complications with no strokes. All
      echocardiographic parameters demonstrated significant improvement at one-year
      follow-up. Pulmonary embolism-related in-hospital mortality was 3.3%, and
      estimated survival was 81.2% at one year. Conclusions Catheter-directed
      thrombolysis is safe and effective for treatment of acute pulmonary embolism,
      with sustained hemodynamic improvement at one year. Further prospective large
      scale studies are needed to determine comparative effectiveness of interventions
      for acute pulmonary embolism.

PMID- 27271539
TI  - The high price of public fear of low-dose radiation.

PMID- 27271538
TI  - Purification of Nanoparticles by Size and Shape.
AB  - Producing monodisperse nanoparticles is essential to ensure consistency in
      biological experiments and to enable a smooth translation into the clinic.
      Purification of samples into discrete sizes and shapes may not only improve
      sample quality, but also provide us with the tools to understand which physical
      properties of nanoparticles are beneficial for a drug delivery vector. In this
      study, using polymersomes as a model system, we explore four techniques for
      purifying pre-formed nanoparticles into discrete fractions based on their size,
      shape or density. We show that these techniques can successfully separate
      polymersomes into monodisperse fractions.

PMID- 27271540
TI  - How I Do It: Hybrid Laparoscopic and Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - Minimally invasive pancreatic resections remain technically challenging. Distal
      pancreatectomy has been embraced at multiple centers as an acceptable minimally
      invasive technique in selected patients. In contrast, minimally invasive
      pancreaticoduodenectomy has not achieved broad acceptance, partly due to
      technical challenges. We detail a minimally invasive technique that utilizes both
      laparoscopic and robotic approaches which capitalizes on the advantages of each.
      Our early results have encouraged the continued development of this minimally
      invasive pancreatic surgery program. This hybrid technique may be an approach
      that is useful for surgeons striving to adopt the advantages of minimally
      invasive surgery for their patients.

PMID- 27271541
TI  - Esophageal Apoplexy.
AB  - Oesophageal apoplexy or intramural haematoma of the oesophagus (IHE) is a rare
      condition with a pattern of presentation that can mimic sinister pathologies.
      Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion, and the exclusion of an oesophageal
      perforation or oesophageal malignancy is important. Investigations include
      computer topography (CT) and contrast swallow studies as well as a gastroscopy.
      Management is mainly supportive with resolution of symptoms typically occurring
      rapidly. We present two cases of this rare condition, with accompanying images.

PMID- 27271542
TI  - Narrating positive versus negative memories of illness: does narrating influence
      the emotional tone of memories?
AB  - Psychoncological studies have recognised a reduced autobiographical memory in
      cancer patients, furthermore cognitive studies have found that narrative is an
      effective instrument to re-elaborate memories. However, it is still unclear
      whether narrating positive versus negative events can have a different impact on
      autobiographical memory. The present study aims to explore the emotional
      experience of autobiographical memory before and after having narrated negative
      or positive events related to the illness. Of 63 oncological patients, 35 were
      selected for the present study. Participants completed a Memory Fluency Task
      twice, before and after having selected and narrated a positive (PN group) or a
      negative (NN group) memory of illness. They also had to attribute one or more
      emotions to each memory and to the narrative. The number of emotions and the
      percentage of emotional tones in both narrated and non-narrated memories were
      assessed. Narrated memories were more emotionally re-elaborated than non-narrated
      ones. Negative group participants, more than positive group ones, decreased
      negative emotions and increased complex ones. Authors discuss these results
      claiming that narrating works as a rehearsal of autobiographical memories in
      oncological patients and narrating negative memories eases the emotional re
      elaboration of illness.

PMID- 27271543
TI  - Neuropeptide derivatives to regulate the reproductive axis: Kisspeptin receptor
      (KISS1R) ligands and neurokinin-3 receptor (NK3R) ligands.
AB  - Recent research has indicated pivotal roles for neuropeptides and their cognate
      receptors in reproductive physiology. Kisspeptins are RF-amide neuropeptides that
      stimulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the hypothalamus.
      Neurokinin B (NKB) is a member of the tachykinin family of neuropeptides and
      positively regulates pulsatile GnRH secretion. These peptides are coexpressed in
      kisspeptin/NKB/Dyn (KNDy) neurons of the arcuate nucleus, where they contribute
      to the regulation of puberty onset and other reproductive functions. In this
      review, the design of peptide ligands for the kisspeptin (KISS1R) and neurokinin
      3 (NK3R) receptors are described. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers
      (Pept Sci) 106: 588-597, 2016. 

PMID- 27271544
TI  - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder after Vaginal Delivery at Primiparous Women.
AB  - Although severe gynaecological pathology during delivery and negative outcome
      have been shown to be related with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) little is
      known about traumatic experiences following regular delivery, at the expected
      time and with a healthy child. The objective of our study was to determine the
      prevalence of PTSD during postpartum period after vaginal delivery and its risk
      factors. The sample included 126 primiparous women. Monthly, for the next three
      months, the women were assessed for PTSD using the gold standard interview for
      PTSD, Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Risk factors were assessed
      including sociodemographic variables, personal medical history and clinical
      variables. After the first month, 2.4% women had acute full PTSD and another 9.5%
      had clinically significant level of PTSD symptoms. Following the second and the
      third month, partial PTSD was found in 5.9% and 1.3% of the women, respectively,
      and none of participants had full PTSD. Obstetrical interventions were the only
      significant risk factor for the development of PTSD. Symptoms of postpartum PTSD
      are not rare after a traumatic delivery, and associated with specific obstetrical
      risk factors. Awareness of these risk factors may stimulate interventions to
      prevent this important and neglected postpartum disorder.

PMID- 27271546
TI  - Hereditary angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor and factor XII mutation: a series
      of 57 patients from the French National Center of Reference for Angioedema.
AB  - Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease associated with either a
      quantitative or qualitative deficiency in C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) or normal C1-INH.
      HAE with normal C1-INH is associated in 20% of cases with mutations in the gene
      for factor XII (FXII) or FXII-HAE. A recent review described 41 families,
      including 14 German and 15 Spanish families. We have constructed a register of
      French patients and their characteristics. A national survey was launched through
      the French National Center of Reference for Angioedema (CREAK) to study the
      clinical, biological and therapeutic characteristics of patients with HAE linked
      to a mutation of FXII gene. Fifty-seven patients were identified from 24
      different families. In most cases they were young women (mean age at diagnosis:
      31 years, mean age at first symptom: 21 years, female/male ratio: 76%). Twenty
      one per cent of the patients experienced angioedema attacks only during pregnancy
      or when on oestrogen contraception. Sixty-three per cent had attacks at all
      times, but they were more severe during these same periods. Male carriers of the
      mutation were more frequently asymptomatic than females (P = 0.003). C1-INH
      concentrate and icatibant were both effective for treating attacks. The
      prophylactic use of tranexamic acid led to a 64% decrease in the number of
      attacks. This is one of the largest series reported of HAE patients with FXII
      mutation. The therapeutic management appeared to be identical to that of HAE with
      C1-INH deficiency.

PMID- 27271548
TI  - Low Blood Arterial Oxygenation During Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane
      Oxygenation: Proposal for a Rational Algorithm-Based Management.
AB  - PURPOSE: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is a
      therapeutic option in the management of the most severe forms of acute
      respiratory distress syndrome. Oxygenation during VV-ECMO depends on many
      parameters, and its management is complex. The management of ECMO is still not
      completely codified. The aim of this study was to rationalize the management of
      hypoxemia during VV-ECMO. METHODS: To build a comprehensive flow diagram for
      management of hypoxemia during VV-ECMO, we considered (1) relationship between O2
      arterial saturation and its determinants; (2) analysis of physiopathology of
      oxygenation under VV-ECMO; and (3) main guidelines and recommendations
      recapitulated in troubleshooting charts. RESULTS: We propose a stepwise approach
      that could guide specific intervention to improve oxygenation during VV-ECMO. The
      first step is to obtain adequate pump flow, the main determinant of oxygenation,
      by eliminating a mechanical problem or inadequate venous drainage. Second, if
      hypoxemia persists, algorithm considers multiple reasons for inadequate
      oxygenation, namely: (1) excessive recirculation, (2) excessive cardiac output
      (decrease of ratio pump flow/cardiac output), (3) decrease in SvO2 (oxygen
      saturation in mixed venous blood), (4) malfunction of oxygenator, and (5)
      deterioration of residual lung function. Finally, for each modification of
      oxygenation parameters, specific measures are proposed to restore an adequate
      oxygenation by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. CONCLUSION: If hypoxemia
      occurs during VV-ECMO, collecting oxygenation parameters and a clear step-by-step
      algorithm could guide specific intervention to improve oxygenation. This flow
      diagram is in accordance with current recommendations recapitulated in guidelines
      or troubleshooting chart but more accurate and complete. Although rational and
      appealing, it remains to be tested together with a number of still unsolved
      issues.

PMID- 27271547
TI  - Carotenoid intake and adipose tissue carotenoid levels in relation to prostate
      cancer aggressiveness among African-American and European-American men in the
      North Carolina-Louisiana prostate cancer project (PCaP).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Associations between carotenoid intake and prostate cancer (CaP)
      incidence have varied across studies. This may result from combining indolent
      with aggressive disease in most studies. This study examined whether carotenoid
      intake and adipose tissue carotenoid levels were inversely associated with CaP
      aggressiveness. METHODS: Data on African-American (AA, n = 1,023) and European
      American (EA, n = 1,079) men with incident CaP from North Carolina and Louisiana
      were analyzed. Dietary carotenoid intake was assessed using a detailed-food
      frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and abdominal adipose tissue samples were analyzed
      for carotenoid concentrations using high-performance liquid chromatography.
      Multivariable logistic regression was used in race-stratified analyses to
      calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) comparing high
      aggressive CaP with low/intermediate aggressive CaP. RESULTS: Carotenoid intake
      differed significantly between AAs and EAs, which included higher intake of
      lycopene among EAs and higher beta-cryptoxanthin intake among AAs. Comparing the
      highest and lowest tertiles, dietary lycopene was associated inversely with high
      aggressive CaP among EAs (OR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.34-0.89, Ptrend  = 0.02), while an
      inverse association was observed between dietary beta-cryptoxanthin intake and
      high aggressive CaP among AAs (OR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.36-0.87, Ptrend  = 0.01).
      Adipose tissue alpha-carotene and lycopene (cis + trans) concentrations were
      higher among EAs than AAs, and marginally significant inverse linear trends were
      observed for adipose alpha-carotene (Ptrend  = 0.07) and lycopene (Ptrend  =
      0.11), and CaP aggressiveness among EAs only. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest
      that diets high in lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin may protect against aggressive
      CaP among EAs and AAs, respectively. Differences in dietary behaviors may explain
      the observed racial differences in associations. Prostate 76:1053-1066, 2016. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27271550
TI  - Immunotherapy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using umbilical cord
      blood-derived products.
AB  - Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is being increasingly used as a source of
      hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for transplantation. UCB transplantation (UCBT)
      has some advantages such as less stringent HLA-matching requirements, fast
      availability of the graft and reduced incidence and severity of graft-versus-host
      disease. However, UCBT is also associated with a higher incidence of infection,
      graft failure, slow engraftment and slow immune reconstitution. UCB is mainly
      used as a source of HSC; however, it is also rich in immune cells that could be
      used to treat some of the main complications post-UCBT as well as other diseases,
      thus implicating the use of UCB for immunotherapy. Here, we aim to describe some
      of the therapies currently developed that use UCB as a cell source, focusing in
      particular on regulatory T cells and natural killer cells.

PMID- 27271549
TI  - Uncoupling protein 2 regulates metabolic reprogramming and fate of antigen
      stimulated CD8+ T cells.
AB  - Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) employing ex vivo-generated tumor antigen-specific
      CD8+ T cells shows tumor efficacy when the transferred cells possess both
      effector and memory functions. New strategies based on understanding of
      mechanisms that balance CD8+ T cell differentiation toward effector and memory
      responses are highly desirable. Emerging information confirms a central role for
      antigen-induced metabolic reprogramming in CD8+ T cell differentiation and clonal
      expansion. The mitochondrial protein uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is induced by
      antigen stimulation of CD8+ T cells; however, its role in metabolic reprogramming
      underlying differentiation and clonal expansion has not been reported. Employing
      genetic (siRNA) and pharmacologic (Genipin) approaches, we note that antigen
      induced UCP2 expression reduces glycolysis, fatty acid synthesis and production
      of reactive oxygen species to balance differentiation with survival of effector
      CD8+ T cells. Inhibition of UCP2 promotes CD8+ T cell terminal differentiation
      into short-lived effector cells (CD62L(lo)KLRG1(Hi)IFNgamma(Hi)) that undergo
      clonal contraction. These findings are the first to reveal a role for antigen
      induced UCP2 expression in balancing CD8+ T cell differentiation and survival.
      Targeting UCP2 to regulate metabolic reprogramming of CD8+ T cells is an
      attractive new approach to augment efficacy of tumor therapy by ACT.

PMID- 27271551
TI  - Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-positive plasma cell infiltration is associated with the
      clinicopathologic traits and prognosis of pancreatic cancer after curative
      resection.
AB  - Interactions between pancreatic cancer cells and inflammatory cells play crucial
      roles in the biological behavior of pancreatic cancer. Abundant infiltration of
      immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-positive plasma cells in the pancreas is the most
      significant feature of autoimmune pancreatitis; however, the clinical
      significance of IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration in pancreatic cancer has
      not previously been reported. Herein, we analyzed intratumoral and peritumoral
      infiltrations of IgG4-positive plasma cells in 95 pancreatic cancer cases after
      curative resection. The correlations between IgG4-positive plasma cell
      infiltration and the clinicopathologic traits and overall survival of pancreatic
      cancer were investigated. IgG4-positive plasma cells were found in 86 % of tumor
      tissue samples compared with 69 % of peritumoral tissue samples (P = 0.0063). The
      high-level infiltration of intratumoral IgG4-positive plasma cells was positively
      correlated with poor histological grade (P = 0.017). The high-level infiltration
      of intratumoral IgG4-positive plasma cells was significantly correlated with
      worse prognosis (P = 0.01) in multivariate analysis. We further found that
      intratumoral M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were positively,
      linearly correlated with IgG4-positive plasma cells. In conclusion, IgG4-positive
      plasma cell infiltration is correlated with the clinicopathologic traits and
      overall survival of pancreatic cancer. High-level intratumoral infiltration of
      IgG4-positive plasma cells is an independent predictor for poor overall survival
      in pancreatic cancer patients after curative resection. Intratumoral M2-polarized
      TAMs probably induce IgG4-positive plasma cells.

PMID- 27271553
TI  - Esophageal squamous papillomatosis.

PMID- 27271552
TI  - Update on the role of molecular factors and fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of
      Dupuytren's disease.
AB  - The mechanism by which the fibroblast is able to trigger palmar fibromatosis is
      still not yet fully understood. It would appear certain that the "abnormal"
      fibroblasts continuously synthesise profibrotic cytokines which are able to
      determine the activation to myofibroblasts, to stimulate them to the further
      proliferation and synthesis of other cytokines, to modify the cells'
      differentiation and ultrastructural characteristics, as well as the production of
      matrix and other proteins. Several fibroblast growth factors have been suggested
      to be responsible of an abnormal cell activation with an aberrantly elevated
      collagen synthesis and extracellular deposition in Dupuytren's disease, as TGF
      Beta, TNF-Alfa, PDGF, GM-CSF, free radicals, metalloproteinases, sex hormones,
      gene modified expression, mechanical stimulation. The Authors review the current
      state of knowledge in the field, by analyzing the role of these cytokines in the
      palmar fibromatosis.

PMID- 27271554
TI  - Radiofrequency catheter ablation versus balloon cryoablation of atrial
      fibrillation: markers of myocardial damage, inflammation, and thrombogenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence from animal and human studies suggests that cryoablation
      might be associated with a lesser inflammatory response and activation of
      coagulation compared with radiofrequency ablation. The study was aimed at
      comparing the effect of cryoballoon and radiofrequency catheter ablation of
      paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on markers of myocardial damage, inflammation, and
      activation of coagulation. METHODS: Forty-one patients received either
      cryoballoon (n = 23) or radiofrequency (n = 18) ablation of atrial fibrillation.
      We measured troponin I, high-sensitivity CRP, and interleukin 6 at baseline from
      the cubital vein, and from the right and left atrium before and after ablation,
      and from the cubital vein the following day. Prothrombin fragments 1 + 2, soluble
      P-selectin, and D-dimer were measured before and after ablation from both atria.
      RESULTS: We observed higher troponin I release in the cryoballoon than in the
      radiofrequency group (7.01 mcg/l (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.30-9.09) vs 2.32
      mcg/l (IQR: 1.45-2.98), p < 0.001). The levels of inflammatory markers (high
      sensitivity CRP and interleukin 6) in the two groups were comparable, as were the
      levels of markers of coagulation activation. Procedure duration, fluoroscopy
      times, and mid-term success (23 months, IQR 7-32) of the two groups were also
      comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation causes more
      significant myocardial damage, that is, more extensive ablation lesions, compared
      with radiofrequency catheter ablation. However, no major differences between
      these two ablation techniques with regard to the inflammatory response and
      activation of the coagulation system were observed.

PMID- 27271555
TI  - Exploring substrate scope and stereoselectivity of P450 peroxygenase OleTJE in
      olefin-forming oxidative decarboxylation.
AB  - As recently reported, the olefin-forming oxidative decarboxylation of straight
      chain C4-C22 carboxylic acids catalyzed by P450 peroxygenase OleTJE constitutes a
      mild alkene synthesis. The present study shows that structurally different
      carboxylic acids are also accepted, including those that generate di-substituted
      olefins. Exploratory mutational experiments lead to increased trans-selectivity. 

PMID- 27271557
TI  - Rapid identification of fruit length loci in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) using
      next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based QTL analysis.
AB  - The cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) exhibits extensive variations in fruit size and
      shape. Fruit length is an important agronomic and domesticated trait controlled
      by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Nonetheless, the underlying molecular and
      genetic mechanisms that determine cucumber fruit length remain unclear. QTL-seq
      is an efficient strategy for QTL identification that takes advantage of bulked
      segregant analysis (BSA) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). In the present
      study, we conducted QTL mapping and QTL-seq of cucumber fruit length. QTL mapping
      identified 8 QTLs for immature and mature fruit length. A major-effect QTL fl3.2,
      which explained a maximum of 38.87% of the phenotypic variation, was detected. A
      genome-wide comparison of SNP profiles between two DNA bulks identified 6 QTLs
      for ovary length. QTLs ovl3.1 and ovl3.2 both had major effects on ovary length
      with a ? (SNP-index) of 0.80 (P < 0.01) and 0.74 (P < 0.01), respectively.
      Quantitative RT-PCR of fruit size-related homologous genes localized in the
      consensus QTL FL3.2 was conducted. Four candidate genes exhibited increased
      expression levels in long fruit genotypes. Our results demonstrated the power of
      the QTL-seq method in rapid QTL detection and provided reliable QTL regions for
      fine mapping of fruit length-related loci and for identifying candidate genes.

PMID- 27271558
TI  - 2016 New talent Americas across academia and the U.S. National Laboratories.

PMID- 27271556
TI  - Lysosomal protease cathepsin D; a new driver of apoptosis during acute kidney
      injury.
AB  - Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an abrupt reduction in kidney function caused by
      different pathological processes. It is associated with a significant morbidity
      and mortality in the acute phase and an increased risk of developing End Stage
      Renal Disease. Despite the progress in the management of the disease, mortality
      rates in the last five decades remain unchanged at around 50%. Therefore there is
      an urgent need to find new therapeutic strategies to treat AKI. Lysosomal
      proteases, particularly Cathepsin D (CtsD), play multiple roles in apoptosis
      however, their role in AKI is still unknown. Here we describe a novel role for
      CtsD in AKI. CtsD expression was upregulated in damaged tubular cells in
      nephrotoxic and ischemia reperfusion (IRI) induced AKI. CtsD inhibition using
      Pepstatin A led to an improvement in kidney function, a reduction in apoptosis
      and a decrease in tubular cell damage in kidneys with nephrotoxic or IRI induced
      AKI. Pepstatin A treatment slowed interstitial fibrosis progression following IRI
      induced AKI. Renal transplant biopsies with acute tubular necrosis demonstrated
      high levels of CtsD in damaged tubular cells. These results support a role for
      CtsD in apoptosis during AKI opening new avenues for the treatment of AKI by
      targeting lysosomal proteases.

PMID- 27271560
TI  - Asn47 and Phe114 modulate the inner sphere reorganization energies of type zero
      copper proteins.
AB  - The geometric structures and electron transfer properties of type 1 Cu proteins
      are reasonably understood at the molecular level (E. I. Solomon and R. G. Hadt,
      Coord. Chem. Rev., 2011, 255, 774-789, J. J. Warren, K. M. Lancaster, J. H.
      Richards and H. B. Gray, J. Inorg. Biochem., 2012, 115, 119-126). Much
      understanding of type 1 copper electron transfer reactivity has come from site
      directed mutagenesis studies. For example, artificial "type zero" Cu-centres
      constructed in cupredoxin-azurin have showcased the capacity of outer-sphere
      hydrogen bonding networks to enhance Cu II/I electron transfer reactivity. In
      this paper, we have elaborated on earlier kinetics and electronic structural
      studies of type zero Cu by calculating the inner sphere reorganization energies
      of type 1, type 2, and type zero Cu proteins using density functional theory
      (DFT). Although the choice of density functionals for copper systems is not
      straightforward, we have benchmarked the density functionals against the recently
      reported ESI-PES data for two synthetic copper models (S. Niu, D.-L. Huang, P. D.
      Dau, H.-T. Liu, L.-S. Wang and T. J. Ichiye, Chem. Theory Comput., 2014, 10,
      1283). For the Cu proteins, our calculations predict that changes in the
      coordination number upon metal reduction lead to large inner sphere
      reorganization energies for type 2 Cu sites, whereas retention in the
      coordination number is observed for type zero Cu sites. These variations in the
      coordination number are modulated by the outer-sphere coordinating residues Asn47
      and Phe114, which are involved in hydrogen bonding with the Asp112 side chain. 

PMID- 27271559
TI  - Cholera Toxin Promotes Th17 Cell Differentiation by Modulating Expression of
      Polarizing Cytokines and the Antigen-Presenting Potential of Dendritic Cells.
AB  - Cholera toxin (CT), an exotoxin produced by Vibrio cholera, acts as a mucosal
      adjuvant. In a previous study, we showed that CT skews differentiation of CD4 T
      cells to IL-17-producing Th17 cells. Here, we found that intranasal
      administration of CT induced migration of migratory dendritic cell (DC)
      populations, CD103+ DCs and CD11bhi DCs, to the lung draining mediastinal lymph
      nodes (medLN). Among those DC subsets, CD11bhi DCs that were relatively immature
      had a major role in Th17 cell differentiation after administration of CT. CT
      treated BMDCs showed reduced expression of MHC class II and CD86, similar to
      CD11bhi DCs in medLN, and these BMDCs promoted Th17 cell differentiation more
      potently than other BMDCs expressing higher levels of MHC class II and CD86. By
      analyzing the expression of activation markers such as CD25 and CD69,
      proliferation and IL-2 production, we determined that CT-treated BMDCs showed
      diminished antigen-presenting potential to CD4+ T cells compared with normal
      BMDCs. We also found that CT-stimulated BMDCs promote activin A expression as
      well as IL-6 and IL-1beta, and activin A had a synergic role with TGF-beta1 in CT
      mediated Th17 cell differentiation. Taken together, our results suggest that CT
      stimulated DCs promote Th17 cell differentiation by not only modulating antigen
      presenting potential but also inducing Th polarizing cytokines. 

PMID- 27271561
TI  - Correction: Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Long-Term Dialysis
      Patients Display Downregulation of PCAF Expression and Poor Angiogenesis
      Activation.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102311.].

PMID- 27271562
TI  - Emergency care.

PMID- 27271564
TI  - Neprilysin Inhibition as a PARADIGM Shift in Heart Failure Therapy.
AB  - Heart failure is a growing global public health problem. With the aging
      population, increased risk factors for heart failure development, and better
      survival after myocardial infarction, the prevalence is only expected to increase
      in the coming years. Although existing therapies have improved the clinical
      course of heart failure patients, new approaches are urgently needed to enhance
      quality of life and reduce morbidity and mortality. However, there has been
      little progress in the treatment of chronic heart failure in the past decade with
      only two new drugs approved by the US FDA over this time. Better understanding of
      the neurohormonal axis of heart failure has lead to the development of LCZ696, a
      first-in-class novel agent that acts as an angiotensin receptor blocker and
      neprilysin inhibitor. In the PARADIGM-HF study, LCZ696 was superior to an
      angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in reducing mortality and HF
      hospitalizations and improving quality of life across a broad spectrum of
      symptomatic patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. While
      evaluation of long-term effects is still needed, the completed trials on LCZ696
      demonstrate that the drug is generally well-tolerated with a safe side effect
      profile. LCZ696 should be strongly considered as a favorable alternative to
      angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in
      appropriate heart failure patients.

PMID- 27271563
TI  - Dietary Nitrate and Skeletal Muscle Contractile Function in Heart Failure.
AB  - Heart failure (HF) patients suffer from exercise intolerance that diminishes
      their ability to perform normal activities of daily living and hence compromises
      their quality of life. This is due largely to detrimental changes in skeletal
      muscle mass, structure, metabolism, and function. This includes an impairment of
      muscle contractile performance, i.e., a decline in the maximal force, speed, and
      power of muscle shortening. Although numerous mechanisms underlie this reduction
      in contractility, one contributing factor may be a decrease in nitric oxide (NO)
      bioavailability. Consistent with this, recent data demonstrate that acute
      ingestion of NO3 (-)-rich beetroot juice, a source of NO via the NO synthase
      independent enterosalivary pathway, markedly increases maximal muscle speed and
      power in HF patients. This review discusses the role of muscle contractile
      dysfunction in the exercise intolerance characteristic of HF, and the evidence
      that dietary NO3 (-) supplementation may represent a novel and simple therapy for
      this currently underappreciated problem.

PMID- 27271566
TI  - Plasticity of Th17 Cells in Autoimmune Kidney Diseases.
AB  - The ability of CD4(+) T cells to differentiate into pathogenic Th1 and Th17 or
      protective T regulatory cells plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of
      autoimmune diseases. Recent data suggest that CD4(+) T cell subsets display a
      considerable plasticity. This plasticity seems to be a critical factor for their
      pathogenicity, but also for the potential transition of pathogenic effector T
      cells toward a more tolerogenic phenotype. The aim of the current study was to
      analyze the plasticity of Th17 cells in a mouse model of acute crescentic
      glomerulonephritis and in a mouse chronic model of lupus nephritis. By
      transferring in vitro generated, highly purified Th17 cells and by using IL-17A
      fate reporter mice, we demonstrate that Th17 cells fail to acquire substantial
      expression of the Th1 and Th2 signature cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-13,
      respectively, or the T regulatory transcription factor Foxp3 throughout the
      course of renal inflammation. In an attempt to therapeutically break the
      stability of the Th17 phenotype in acute glomerulonephritis, we subjected
      nephritic mice to CD3-specific Ab treatment. Indeed, this treatment induced an
      immunoregulatory phenotype in Th17 cells, which was marked by high expression of
      IL-10 and attenuated renal tissue damage in acute glomerulonephritis. In summary,
      we show that Th17 cells display a minimum of plasticity in acute and chronic
      experimental glomerulonephritis and introduce anti-CD3 treatment as a tool to
      induce a regulatory phenotype in Th17 cells in the kidney that may be
      therapeutically exploited.

PMID- 27271565
TI  - Inverse Correlation between IL-10 and HIF-1alpha in Macrophages Infected with
      Histoplasma capsulatum.
AB  - Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha is a transcription factor that regulates
      metabolic and immune response genes in the setting of low oxygen tension and
      inflammation. We investigated the function of HIF-1alpha in the host response to
      Histoplasma capsulatum because granulomas induced by this pathogenic fungus
      develop hypoxic microenvironments during the early adaptive immune response. In
      this study, we demonstrated that myeloid HIF-1alpha-deficient mice exhibited
      elevated fungal burden during the innate immune response (prior to 7 d
      postinfection) as well as decreased survival in response to a sublethal inoculum
      of H. capsulatum The absence of myeloid HIF-1alpha did not alter immune cell
      recruitment to the lungs of infected animals but was associated with an elevation
      of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Treatment with mAb to IL-10 restored
      protective immunity to the mutant mice. Macrophages (Mphis) constituted most IL
      10-producing cells. Deletion of HIF-1alpha in neutrophils or dendritic cells did
      not alter fungal burden, thus implicating Mphis as the pivotal cell in host
      resistance. HIF-1alpha was stabilized in Mphis following infection. Increased
      activity of the transcription factor CREB in HIF-1alpha-deficient Mphis drove IL
      10 production in response to H. capsulatum IL-10 inhibited Mphi control of fungal
      growth in response to the activating cytokine IFN-gamma. Thus, we identified a
      critical function for Mphi HIF-1alpha in tempering IL-10 production following
      infection. We established that transcriptional regulation of IL-10 by HIF-1alpha
      and CREB is critical for activation of Mphis by IFN-gamma and effective handling
      of H. capsulatum.

PMID- 27271568
TI  - Surfactant Protein A Prevents IFN-gamma/IFN-gamma Receptor Interaction and
      Attenuates Classical Activation of Human Alveolar Macrophages.
AB  - Lung surfactant protein A (SP-A) plays an important function in modulating
      inflammation in the lung. However, the exact role of SP-A and the mechanism by
      which SP-A affects IFN-gamma-induced activation of alveolar macrophages (aMphis)
      remains unknown. To address these questions, we studied the effect of human SP-A
      on rat and human aMphis stimulated with IFN-gamma, LPS, and combinations thereof
      and measured the induction of proinflammatory mediators as well as SP-A's ability
      to bind to IFN-gamma or IFN-gammaR1. We found that SP-A inhibited (IFN-gamma +
      LPS)-induced TNF-alpha, iNOS, and CXCL10 production by rat aMphis. When rat
      macrophages were stimulated with LPS and IFN-gamma separately, SP-A inhibited
      both LPS-induced signaling and IFN-gamma-elicited STAT1 phosphorylation. SP-A
      also decreased TNF-alpha and CXCL10 secretion by ex vivo-cultured human aMphis
      and M-CSF-derived macrophages stimulated by either LPS or IFN-gamma or both.
      Hence, SP-A inhibited upregulation of IFN-gamma-inducible genes (CXCL10, RARRES3,
      and ETV7) as well as STAT1 phosphorylation in human M-CSF-derived macrophages. In
      addition, we found that SP-A bound to human IFN-gamma (KD = 11 +/- 0.5 nM) in a
      Ca(2+)-dependent manner and prevented IFN-gamma interaction with IFN-gammaR1 on
      human aMphis. We conclude that SP-A inhibition of (IFN-gamma + LPS) stimulation
      is due to SP-A attenuation of both inflammatory agents and that the binding of SP
      A to IFN-gamma abrogates IFN-gamma effects on human macrophages, suppressing
      their classical activation and subsequent inflammatory response.

PMID- 27271567
TI  - HMBPP Analog Prodrugs Bypass Energy-Dependent Uptake To Promote Efficient BTN3A1
      Mediated Malignant Cell Lysis by Vgamma9Vdelta2 T Lymphocyte Effectors.
AB  - Vgamma9Vdelta2 effector T cells lyse cells in response to phosphorus-containing
      small molecules, providing primates a unique route to remove infected or
      malignant cells. Yet, the triggering mechanisms remain ill defined. We examined
      lysis mediated by human Vgamma9Vdelta2 effector T cells in response to the
      naturally occurring (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl diphosphate (HMBPP) or a
      synthetic cell-permeable prodrug, bis (pivaloyloxymethyl) (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl
      but-2-enyl phosphonate. CD27(+)/CD45RA(-) Th1-like effector cells killed K562
      target cells through a mechanism that could be enhanced by either compound or TCR
      Ab and blocked by Src inhibition or butyrophilin 3 isoform A1 (BTN3A1)
      disruption. Pretreatment at 4  degrees : C decreased HMBPP-induced lysis but did
      not reduce lysis induced by bis (pivaloyloxymethyl) (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2
      enyl phosphonate. Together, our results show that internalization of HMBPP into
      target cells is required for BTN3A1-dependent lysis by Vgamma9Vdelta2 effector T
      cells. The enhanced activity of the prodrug analog is due to its ability to
      bypass the pathways required for entry of HMBPP. These findings support an inside
      out model of T cell triggering driven by small-molecule induction of BTN3A1.

PMID- 27271571
TI  - Medical students' use of Facebook for educational purposes.
AB  - Medical students use Facebook to interact with one another both socially and
      educationally. This study investigates how medical students in a UK medical
      school use Facebook to support their learning. In particular, it identifies the
      nature of their educational activities, and details their experiences of using an
      educational Facebook group. Twenty-four medical students who self-identified as
      being Facebook users were invited to focus groups to attain a general overview of
      Facebook use within an educational context. A textual analysis was then conducted
      on a small group of intercalating medical students who used a self-created
      Facebook group to supplement their learning. Five of these students participated
      in semi-structured interviews. Six common themes were generated. These included
      'collaborative learning', 'strategic uses for the preparation for assessment',
      'sharing experiences and providing support', 'creating and maintaining
      connections', 'personal planning and practical organization' and 'sharing and
      evaluating educational resources'. Evidence from this study shows that medical
      students are using Facebook informally to enhance their learning and
      undergraduate lives. Facebook has enabled students to create a supportive
      learning community amongst their peers. Medical educators wishing to capitalize
      on Facebook, as a platform for formal educational initiatives, should remain
      cautious of intruding on this peer online learning community. 

PMID- 27271569
TI  - Constitutive Lck Activity Drives Sensitivity Differences between CD8+ Memory T
      Cell Subsets.
AB  - CD8(+) T cells develop increased sensitivity following Ag experience, and
      differences in sensitivity exist between T cell memory subsets. How differential
      TCR signaling between memory subsets contributes to sensitivity differences is
      unclear. We show in mouse effector memory T cells (TEM) that >50% of lymphocyte
      specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck) exists in a constitutively active
      conformation, compared with <20% in central memory T cells (TCM). Immediately
      proximal to Lck signaling, we observed enhanced Zap-70 phosphorylation in TEM
      following TCR ligation compared with TCM Furthermore, we observed superior
      cytotoxic effector function in TEM compared with TCM, and we provide evidence
      that this results from a lower probability of TCM reaching threshold signaling
      owing to the decreased magnitude of TCR-proximal signaling. We provide evidence
      that the differences in Lck constitutive activity between CD8(+) TCM and TEM are
      due to differential regulation by SH2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (Shp-1) and
      C-terminal Src kinase, and we use modeling of early TCR signaling to reveal the
      significance of these differences. We show that inhibition of Shp-1 results in
      increased constitutive Lck activity in TCM to levels similar to TEM, as well as
      increased cytotoxic effector function in TCM Collectively, this work demonstrates
      a role for constitutive Lck activity in controlling Ag sensitivity, and it
      suggests that differential activities of TCR-proximal signaling components may
      contribute to establishing the divergent effector properties of TCM and TEM. This
      work also identifies Shp-1 as a potential target to improve the cytotoxic
      effector functions of TCM for adoptive cell therapy applications.

PMID- 27271570
TI  - Transcriptional Profiling of Th2 Cells Identifies Pathogenic Features Associated
      with Asthma.
AB  - Allergic asthma and rhinitis are two common chronic allergic diseases that affect
      the lungs and nose, respectively. Both diseases share clinical and pathological
      features characteristic of excessive allergen-induced type 2 inflammation,
      orchestrated by memory CD4(+) T cells that produce type 2 cytokines (Th2 cells).
      However, a large majority of subjects with allergic rhinitis do not develop
      asthma, suggesting divergence in disease mechanisms. Because Th2 cells play a
      pathogenic role in both these diseases and are also present in healthy
      nonallergic subjects, we performed global transcriptional profiling to determine
      whether there are qualitative differences in Th2 cells from subjects with
      allergic asthma, rhinitis, and healthy controls. Th2 cells from asthmatic
      subjects expressed higher levels of several genes that promote their survival as
      well as alter their metabolic pathways to favor persistence at sites of allergic
      inflammation. In addition, genes that enhanced Th2 polarization and Th2 cytokine
      production were also upregulated in asthma. Several genes that oppose T cell
      activation were downregulated in asthma, suggesting enhanced activation potential
      of Th2 cells from asthmatic subjects. Many novel genes with poorly defined
      functions were also differentially expressed in asthma. Thus, our transcriptomic
      analysis of circulating Th2 cells has identified several molecules that are
      likely to confer pathogenic features to Th2 cells that are either unique or
      common to both asthma and rhinitis.

PMID- 27271573
TI  - Biomarkers Guided Treatment Strategies in Adult Patients with Asthma: Ready for
      the Clinical Field?
AB  - Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airways disorder mainly characterized by
      heterogeneity. In the more severe forms, a discordance often exists between
      symptoms and inflammation. Difficulty in managing asthma derives partly from the
      multiple phenotypes existing and our inability to recognize them. The use of non
      invasive, with main representative the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, or semi
      invasive techniques such as induced sputum are effective tools that can help us
      to guide asthma treatment. In the latest years, several serum biomarkers related
      to asthmatic inflammation have been used for the better recognition of asthma sub
      phenotypes to achieve optimization of therapy and disease outcome. In patients
      with mild-moderate asthma, as well as patients with more severe asthma, the use
      of blood eosinophils revealed an acceptable accuracy for the prediction of airway
      eosinophilia indicating that in future studies may facilitate both individualized
      treatment and management of asthma. None of the above techniques have been
      incorporated in clinical practice although sputum eosinophils can be used in
      patients with severe asthma particularly in specialized centers with great
      experience. Of great interest are blood eosinophils since current data support
      their role either as tool for treatment selections or/and as a biomarker of
      airway eosinophilia.

PMID- 27271572
TI  - MiR-205 and MiR-373 Are Associated with Aggressive Human Mucinous Colorectal
      Cancer.
AB  - Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) represents a distinct histopathological entity of
      colorectal cancer (CRC), which is associated with disease progression and poor
      prognosis. Here, we found that expression levels of miR-205 and miR-373 were
      specifically upregulated only in patients with mucinous colon cancers, but not in
      CRC that lack mucinous components. To investigate the effects of miR-205 and miR
      373 on intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) biology by gain- and loss-of-function
      experiments in a proof-of-concept approach, we chose previously established in
      vitro human Caco-2-based models of differentiated, non-invasive (expressing TLR4
      wild-type; termed Caco-2[WT]) versus undifferentiated, invasive (expressing TLR4
      mutant D299G; termed Caco-2[D299G]) IEC. Enterocyte-like Caco-2[WT] showed low
      levels of miR-205 and miR-373 expression, while both miRNAs were significantly
      upregulated in colorectal carcinoma-like Caco-2[D299G], thus resembling the miRNA
      expression pattern of paired normal versus tumor samples from MAC patients. Using
      stable transfection, we generated miR-205- or miR-373-expressing and miR-205- or
      miR-373-inhibiting subclones of these IEC lines. We found that introduction of
      miR-205 into Caco-2[WT] led to expansion of mucus-secreting goblet cell-like
      cells, which was associated with induction of KLF4, MUC2 and TGFbeta1 expression.
      Activation of miR-205 in Caco-2[WT] induced chemoresistance, while inhibition of
      miR-205 in Caco-2[D299G] promoted chemosensitivity. Caco-2[WT] overexpressing miR
      373 showed mitotic abnormalities and underwent morphologic changes (loss of
      epithelial polarity, cytoskeletal reorganization, and junctional disruption)
      associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and progression to inflammation
      associated colonic carcinoma, which correlated with induction of phosphorylated
      STAT3 and N-CADHERIN expression. Functionally, introduction of miR-373 into Caco
      2[WT] mediated loss of cell-cell adhesion and increased proliferation and
      invasion. Reversely, inhibition of miR-373 allowed mesenchymal IEC to regain
      epithelial properties, which correlated with absence of neoplastic progression.
      Using xenografts in mice demonstrated miR-373-mediated acceleration of malignant
      intestinal tumor growth. In conclusion, our results provide first evidence that
      miR-205 and miR-373 may differentially contribute to the aggressive phenotype of
      MAC in CRC. 

PMID- 27271574
TI  - Improved PCR Amplification of Broad Spectrum GC DNA Templates.
AB  - Many applications in molecular biology can benefit from improved PCR
      amplification of DNA segments containing a wide range of GC content. Conventional
      PCR amplification of DNA sequences with regions of GC less than 30%, or higher
      than 70%, is complex due to secondary structures that block the DNA polymerase as
      well as mispriming and mis-annealing of the DNA. This complexity will often
      generate incomplete or nonspecific products that hamper downstream applications.
      In this study, we address multiplexed PCR amplification of DNA segments
      containing a wide range of GC content. In order to mitigate amplification
      complications due to high or low GC regions, we tested a combination of different
      PCR cycling conditions and chemical additives. To assess the fate of specific
      oligonucleotide (oligo) species with varying GC content in a multiplexed PCR, we
      developed a novel method of sequence analysis. Here we show that subcycling
      during the amplification process significantly improved amplification of short
      template pools (~200 bp), particularly when the template contained a low percent
      of GC. Furthermore, the combination of subcycling and 7-deaza-dGTP achieved
      efficient amplification of short templates ranging from 10-90% GC composition.
      Moreover, we found that 7-deaza-dGTP improved the amplification of longer
      products (~1000 bp). These methods provide an updated approach for PCR
      amplification of DNA segments containing a broad range of GC content. 

PMID- 27271575
TI  - A rapidly progressive dementia case with pathological diagnosis of FTLD-UPS.

PMID- 27271577
TI  - Eriobotrya japonica Water Extract Characterization: An Inducer of Interferon
      Gamma Production Mainly by the JAK-STAT Pathway.
AB  - Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. (Loquat) (EJ) has been used as a medicinal
      plant to treat chronic bronchitis, coughs, phlegm, high fever and gastro-enteric
      disorders. Since the traditional use of EJ is related to modulating inflammation
      processes, our earlier studies on EJ leaves were performed on the water extract
      to investigate specific cytokines' modulation. These earlier studies, however,
      have shown that EJ leaf water extract (WE) and the water phase (WP) induce
      cytokines' production in in vitro and in vivo models. Therefore, the aim of this
      study was to specify the group(s) of compounds in EJ leaves that have this
      immunomodulatory activity and their mechanism of action. WE was obtained from
      boiling the leaves followed by butanol extraction, yielding a butanol-water phase
      (WP). WP was then subjected to methanol:acetone fractionation, yielding upper
      (MAU) and lower (MAL) phases. For further fractionation, MAU was subjected to
      column chromatography followed by elution with ethanol:water (EW),
      methanol:ethanol (ME) and, lastly, acetone:water (AW), respectively, to reveal
      three sub-fractions; MAU-EW, MAU-ME and MAU-AW. MAU-AW significantly increased
      IFN-gamma production from unstimulated and stimulated mouse spleen cells, as well
      as CD3+ T cells and natural killer cells. Furthermore, the fold increase of IFN
      gamma production by MAU-AW was concentration dependent, higher than the parent
      extract or any of the other sub-fractions, and such an IFN-gamma increase was
      reversed by two JAK-STAT inhibitors. In addition, MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of the
      extracts and sub-fractions showed compounds with molecular weights of >500
      Daltons. The MAU-AW sub-fraction contained more polar compounds, such as flavonol
      and caffeic glycosides. In conclusion, these polar compounds in the EJ extract
      are responsible for inducing IFN-gamma production. Further chemical elucidation
      is warranted to lead to a specific IFN-gamma inducer and an immunomodulator in
      polarizing immune cells and balancing immune responses in certain diseases. 

PMID- 27271578
TI  - Poly (l-gamma-glutamylglutamine) Polymer Enhances Doxorubicin Accumulation in
      Multidrug Resistant Breast Cancer Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug resistance is one of the bottlenecks of cancer chemotherapy in
      the clinic. Polymeric nanomedicine is one of the most promising strategies for
      overcoming poor chemotherapy responses due to the multidrug resistance (MDR).
      METHODS: In this study, a new polymer-based drug delivery system, poly (l-gamma
      glutamylglutamine)-doxorubicin (PGG-Dox) conjugate, was studied in both drug
      induced resistant human breast cancer MDA-MB-231/MDR cells and their parent human
      breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. The effect of PGG on facilitating the growth
      inhibition of Dox against multidrug resistant cells were investigated by
      evaluating the cytotoxicity of PGG-Dox conjugate, PGG/Dox unconjugated complex
      and free Dox on both cells. The underlying mechanisms in resistant cells were
      further studied via the intracellular traffic studies. RESULTS: Both conjugated
      and unconjugated PGG significantly increased Dox uptake, prolonged Dox retention
      and reduced Dox efflux in the MDA-MB-231/MDR cells. The PGG-Dox conjugate is
      taken up by tumor cells mainly by pinocytosis pathway, in which PGG-Dox conjugate
      containing vesicles are formed and enter the cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      indicated that both polymer-drug conjugate and unconjugated complex are promising
      strategies of overcoming resistance of anti-tumor drugs.

PMID- 27271576
TI  - Inside out: the role of nucleocytoplasmic transport in ALS and FTLD.
AB  - Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the presence of protein
      inclusions with a different protein content depending on the type of disease.
      Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)
      are no exceptions to this common theme. In most ALS and FTLD cases, the
      predominant pathological species are RNA-binding proteins. Interestingly, these
      proteins are both depleted from their normal nuclear localization and aggregated
      in the cytoplasm. This key pathological feature has suggested a potential dual
      mechanism with both nuclear loss of function and cytoplasmic gain of function
      being at play. Yet, why and how this pathological cascade is initiated in most
      patients, and especially sporadic cases, is currently unresolved. Recent
      breakthroughs in C9orf72 ALS/FTLD disease models point at a pivotal role for the
      nuclear transport system in toxicity. To address whether defects in nuclear
      transport are indeed implicated in the disease, we reviewed two decades of
      ALS/FTLD literature and combined this with bioinformatic analyses. We find that
      both RNA-binding proteins and nuclear transport factors are key players in
      ALS/FTLD pathology. Moreover, our analyses suggest that disturbances in
      nucleocytoplasmic transport play a crucial initiating role in the disease, by
      bridging both nuclear loss and cytoplasmic gain of functions. These findings
      highlight this process as a novel and promising therapeutic target for ALS and
      FTLD.

PMID- 27271579
TI  - Aza-Henry Reactions on C-Alkyl Substituted Aldimines.
AB  - The reactivity of C-CH3 substituted N-protected aldimines in aza-Henry addition
      reactions was compared with that of the analogous trifluoromethylated compounds.
      C-Alkyl aldimines easily reacted with nitro alkanes under solvent-free conditions
      and in the absence of catalyst, despite being worse electrophiles than C-CF3
      aldimines, they gave the aza-Henry addition only when ZrCl4 was added. The
      presence of a bulky group on the imine carbon deeply influenced the reactivity. 

PMID- 27271580
TI  - Polyphenols from Erythrina crista-galli: Structures, Molecular Docking and
      Phytoestrogenic Activity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed at exploring the secondary metabolites
      content of Erythrina crista-galli aqueous methanol extract and assessing its
      phytoestrogenic and cytoprotective activities. METHODS: Isolation of the
      compounds was carried out using conventional chromatographic techniques. The
      structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on the UV, NMR
      spectral data along with their mass-spectrometric analyses. The phytoestrogenic
      activity was evaluated in-silico and in vitro using the Arabidopsis thaliana
      pER8: GUS reporter assay and the proliferation-enhancing activity of MCF-7 cells.
      KEY FINDINGS: Phytochemical investigation of E. crista-galli aqueous methanol
      extract resulted in the isolation and identification of five flavonoids. The
      plant extract and its fractions showed significant estrogenic activities compared
      to controls. CONCLUSION: Five flavonoids were identified from E. crista-galli
      aqueous methanol extract. To the best of our knowledge, among these flavonoids,
      apigenin-7-O-rhamnosyl-6-C-glucoside was isolated for the first time from nature.
      Moreover, luteolin-6-C-glucoside was isolated for the first time from this plant.
      The plant revealed promising phytoestrogenic activities. This gives rationale to
      some of its pharmacological properties and suggests additional phytoestrogenic
      effects, which have not been reported yet.

PMID- 27271581
TI  - Effect of Steam Blanching and Drying on Phenolic Compounds of Litchi Pericarp.
AB  - The effects of different treatment methods on the stability and antioxidant
      capacity of the bioactive phenolic compounds of litchi pericarps were
      investigated. Fresh litchi pericarps were open air-dried, steam-blanched for 3
      min in combination with hot air oven drying at 60 and 80  degrees C, and
      unblanched pericarps were dried in a hot air oven at 40, 60, 70 and 80  degrees C
      until equilibrium weight was reached. The total phenolic compounds, flavonoids,
      anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and individual procyanidins, and antioxidant
      activity were analyzed. The combination of blanching and drying at 60  degrees C
      significantly (p < 0.05) improved the release of phenolic compounds, individual
      procyanidins, and the extracts' antioxidant capacity compared with the unblanched
      hot air oven-dried and open air-dried pericarps. Drying of fresh unblanched
      litchi pericarps in either open air or a hot air oven caused significant losses
      (p < 0.05) in phenolic compounds and individual procyanidins, leading to a
      reduction in the antioxidant activity. A similar increase, retention or reduction
      was reflected in flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins because they are
      sub-groups of phenolic compounds. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and
      1,1-diphenyl-2-picryldydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capacity of the treated
      pericarps were significantly correlated (r >= 0.927, p < 0.01) with the total
      phenolic compounds. Thus, the combination of steam blanching and drying
      treatments of fresh litchi pericarps could produce a stable and dry litchi
      pericarp that maintains phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity as a raw
      material for further recovery of the phytochemicals. 

PMID- 27271582
TI  - Synthesis of Novel UV Absorbers Bisindolylmethanes and Investigation of Their
      Applications on Cotton-Based Textile Materials.
AB  - Nowadays modified textiles, especially UV-protective, antibacterial and
      antimicrobial ones, have become the focus of great interest. In this study,
      several new UV absorbers, bis(indolyl)methane derivatives, were synthesized and
      grafted onto polyvinyl alcohol polymer (PVA). Their application properties on
      cotton-based textile materials were determined; the UV protection factor values
      of the modified fabrics were measured (UPF); and the antibacterial features of
      the fabrics were tested. 

PMID- 27271583
TI  - Aqueous Extract of Paris polyphylla (AEPP) Inhibits Ovarian Cancer via
      Suppression of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma Coactivator (PGC)
      1alpha.
AB  - Chemotherapy, a major approach was used in carcinoma treatment, always involves
      the development of drug resistance as well as side-effects that affect the
      quality of patients' lives. An association between epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT) and chemotherapy resistance was established recently. We
      demonstrate in this paper that the aqueous extract of Paris polyphylla (AEPP)-a
      traditional Chinese medicine-can be used in various cancer types for suppression
      of carcinogenesis. We evaluated the suppressions of EMT and mitochondrial
      activity by AEPP treatment in a high-glucose (HG) induced-human ovarian carcinoma
      cell line (OVCAR-3 cells). The mitochondrial morphology was investigated using
      MitoTracker Deep Red FM staining. Our results indicated that AEPP reduced the
      viability of OVCAR-3 cells considerably through induction of apoptosis. However,
      this inhibitory potential of AEPP was attenuated by HG induction in OVCAR-3
      cells. The levels of estrogen-related receptor (ERR)-alpha activator and
      peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha were
      elevated by HG induction, but were suppressed by AEPP treatment. Down-regulations
      of cell survival and EMT were oberved in OVCAR-3 cells through suppression of PGC
      1alpha by AEPP treatment. These results were confirmed through PGC-1alpha
      knockdown and overexpression in OVCAR-3 cells. Thus, AEPP can be beneficial for
      treating ovarian cancer and has potential for development of an integrative
      cancer therapy against ovarian cancer proliferation, metastasis, and migration. 

PMID- 27271584
TI  - Four New Monoterpenoid Glycosides from the Flower Buds of Magnolia biondii.
AB  - Four new monoterpenoid glycosides 1-4, named magnoliaterpenoid A-D, were isolated
      from a 50% aqueous acetone extract of flower buds of Magnolia biondii, along with
      one known compound, (1'R,3'S,5'R,8'S,2Z,4E)-dihydrophaseic acid 3-O-beta-d
      glucopyranoside (5). Their structures and relative configuration were identified
      by extensive spectroscopic analysis (IR, UV, MS, 1D and 2D NMR). The aglycones of
      these four new compounds possess seven-membered rings systems, which are very
      rare. A plausible biosynthetic route for the four new compounds was proposed via
      the biogenetic isoprene rule. Compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 showed no antimicrobial
      activity at the concentration range of 1.95-250 ug/mL. 

PMID- 27271585
TI  - Synthesis, Spectroscopic, X-ray Diffraction and DFT Studies of Novel
      Benzimidazole Fused-1,4-Oxazepines.
AB  - A series of benzimidazole-tethered oxazepine heterocyclic hybrids has been
      synthesized in good to excellent yields from an N-alkylated benzimidazole 2
      carboxaldehyde, which in turn was accomplished from o-phenylenediamine in three
      good yielding steps. The calculated molecular structure of compounds 2-methyl-4
      (2-((phenylimino)methyl)-1H-benzo-[d]imidazol-1-yl)-butan-2-ol 9 and 10 3,3
      dimethyl-N-phenyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydrobenzo-[4,5]imidazo[2,1-c][1,4]oxazepin-5
      amine using the B3LYP/6-31 G(d, p) method were found to agree well with their X
      ray structures. The charge distributions at the different atomic sites were
      computed using the natural bond orbital (NBO) method. The regions of
      electrophilic and nucleophilic reactivity were shown using a molecular
      electrostatic potential (MEP) map. In addition, the frontier molecular orbitals
      of these compounds were discussed at the same level of theory. Nonlinear optical
      (NLO) properties have also been investigated by computational hyperpolarizability
      studies, and it was found that Compound 9 is the best candidate for NLO
      applications. 

PMID- 27271586
TI  - Biologically Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles Ameliorate Cold and Heat Stress
      Induced Oxidative Stress in Escherichia coli.
AB  - Due to their unique physical, chemical, and optical properties, gold
      nanoparticles (AuNPs) have recently attracted much interest in the field of
      nanomedicine, especially in the areas of cancer diagnosis and photothermal
      therapy. Because of the enormous potential of these nanoparticles, various
      physical, chemical, and biological methods have been adopted for their synthesis.
      Synthetic antioxidants are dangerous to human health. Thus, the search for
      effective, nontoxic natural compounds with effective antioxidative properties is
      essential. Although AuNPs have been studied for use in various biological
      applications, exploration of AuNPs as antioxidants capable of inhibiting
      oxidative stress induced by heat and cold stress is still warranted. Therefore,
      one goal of our study was to produce biocompatible AuNPs using biological methods
      that are simple, nontoxic, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly. Next, we
      aimed to assess the antioxidative effect of AuNPs against oxidative stress
      induced by cold and heat in Escherichia coli, which is a suitable model for
      stress responses involving AuNPs. The response of aerobically grown E. coli cells
      to cold and heat stress was found to be similar to the oxidative stress response.
      Upon exposure to cold and heat stress, the viability and metabolic activity of E.
      coli was significantly reduced compared to the control. In addition, levels of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and leakage of proteins
      and sugars were significantly elevated, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase
      activity (LDH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) significantly lowered compared to
      in the control. Concomitantly, AuNPs ameliorated cold and heat-induced oxidative
      stress responses by increasing the expression of antioxidants, including
      glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), super oxide dismutase (SOD),
      and catalase (CAT). These consistent physiology and biochemical data suggest that
      AuNPs can ameliorate cold and heat stress-induced oxidative damage in E. coli.
      Our results indicate that AuNPs may be effective antioxidants. However, further
      studies are needed to confirm the role of AuNPs as antioxidative agents, as well
      as their mechanism of action. 

PMID- 27271587
TI  - Dioscin Induces Apoptosis in Human Cervical Carcinoma HeLa and SiHa Cells through
      ROS-Mediated DNA Damage and the Mitochondrial Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Dioscin, a natural product, has activity against glioblastoma multiforme, lung
      cancer and colon cancer. In this study, the effects of dioscin against human
      cervical carcinoma HeLa and SiHa cells were further confirmed, and the possible
      mechanism(s) were investigated. A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) assay
      and DAPI staining were used to detect the cellular morphology. Flow cytometry was
      used to assay cell apoptosis, ROS and Ca(2+) levels. Single cell gel
      electrophoresis and immunofluorescence assays were used to test DNA damage and
      cytochrome C release. The results showed that dioscin significantly inhibited
      cell proliferation and caused DNA damage in HeLa and SiHa cells. The mechanistic
      investigation showed that dioscin caused the release of cytochrome C from
      mitochondria into the cytosol. In addition, dioscin significantly up-regulated
      the protein levels of Bak, Bax, Bid, p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and down
      regulated the protein levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. Our work thus demonstrated that
      dioscin notably induces apoptosis in HeLa and SiHa cells through adjusting ROS
      mediated DNA damage and the mitochondrial signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27271588
TI  - Capsaicin Inhibited Aggressive Phenotypes through Downregulation of Tumor
      Associated NADH Oxidase (tNOX) by POU Domain Transcription Factor POU3F2.
AB  - Capsaicin has been reported to preferentially inhibit the activity of tumor
      associated NADH oxidase (tNOX), which belongs to a family of growth-related
      plasma membrane hydroquinone oxidases in cancer/transformed cells. The inhibitory
      effect of capsaicin on tNOX is associated with cell growth attenuation and
      apoptosis. However, no previous study has examined the transcriptional regulation
      of tNOX protein expression. Bioinformatic analysis has indicated that the tNOX
      promoter sequence harbors a binding motif for POU3F2, which is thought to play
      important roles in neuronal differentiation, melanocytes growth/differentiation
      and tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that capsaicin-mediated tNOX
      downregulation and cell migration inhibition were through POU3F2. The protein
      expression levels of POU3F2 and tNOX are positively correlated, and that
      overexpression of POU3F2 (and the corresponding upregulation of tNOX) enhanced
      the proliferation, migration and invasion in AGS (human gastric carcinoma) cells.
      In contrast, knockdown of POU3F2 downregulates tNOX, and the cancer phenotypes
      are affected. These findings not only shed light on the molecular mechanism of
      the anticancer properties of capsaicin, but also the transcription regulation of
      tNOX expression that may potentially explain how POU3F2 is associated with
      tumorigenesis. 

PMID- 27271589
TI  - Solid Phase Formylation of N-Terminus Peptides.
AB  - Formylation of amino groups is a critical reaction involved in several biological
      processes including post-translational modification of histones. The addition of
      a formyl group (CHO) to the N-terminal end of a peptide chain generates
      biologically active molecules. N-formyl-peptides can be produced by different
      methods. We performed the N-formylation of two chemotactic hexapetides, Met1-Leu2
      Lys3-Leu4-Ile5-Val6 and Met1-Met2-Tyr3-Ala4-Leu5-Phe6, carrying out the reaction
      directly on peptidyl-resin following pre-activation of formic acid with N,N
      dicyclohexylcarbodiimmide (DCC) in liquid phase. The overnight incubation at 4 
      degrees C resulted in a significant increase in production yields of formylated
      peptides compared to the reaction performed at room temperature. The method is
      consistently effective, rapid, and inexpensive. Moreover, the synthetic strategy
      can be applied for the formylation of all primary amines at N-terminus of peptide
      chains or amino groups of lysine side-chains in solid phase. 

PMID- 27271590
TI  - New 30-Noroleanane Triterpenoid Saponins from Holboellia coriacea Diels.
AB  - Three new 30-noroleanane triterpenoid saponins, akebonoic acid 28-O-beta-d
      glucopyranosyl-(1''->6')-beta-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1), akebonoic acid 28-O
      (6''-O-caffeoyl)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1''->6')-beta-d-glucopyranosyl ester
      (Holboelliside A, 2) and 3beta,20alpha,24-trihydroxy-29-norolean-12-en-28-oic
      acid 3-O-(6'-O-caffeoyl)-beta-d-glucopyranoside (Holboelliside B, 3) were
      isolated from the stems of Holboellia coriacea Diels, together with five known
      compounds, eupteleasaponin VIII (4), 3alpha-akebonoic acid (5), quinatic acid
      (6), 3beta-hydroxy-30-norhederagenin (7) and quinatoside A (8). The structures of
      these compounds were determined on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence.
      Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against three human
      tumors HepG2, HCT116 and SGC-7901 cell lines in vitro. 

PMID- 27271591
TI  - Melanoma Cells Can Adopt the Phenotype of Stromal Fibroblasts and Macrophages by
      Spontaneous Cell Fusion in Vitro.
AB  - After the removal of primary cutaneous melanoma some patients develop local
      recurrences, even after having histologically tumor-free re-excision. A potential
      explanation behind this phenomenon is that tumor cells switch their phenotype,
      making their recognition via standard histopathological assessments extremely
      difficult. Tumor-stromal cell fusion has been proposed as a potential mechanism
      for tumor cells to acquire mesenchymal traits; therefore, we hypothesized that
      melanoma cells could acquire fibroblast- and macrophage-like phenotypes via cell
      fusion. We show that melanoma cells spontaneously fuse with human dermal
      fibroblasts and human peripheral blood monocytes in vitro. The hybrid cells'
      nuclei contain chromosomes from both parental cells and are indistinguishable
      from the parental fibroblasts or macrophages based on their morphology and
      immunophenotype, as they could lose the melanoma specific MART1 marker, but
      express the fibroblast marker smooth muscle actin or the macrophage marker CD68.
      Our results suggest that, by spontaneous cell fusion in vitro, tumor cells can
      adopt the morphology and immunophenotype of stromal cells while still carrying
      oncogenic, tumor-derived genetic information. Therefore, melanoma-stromal cell
      fusion might play a role in missing tumor cells by routine histopathological
      assessments. 

PMID- 27271592
TI  - Host Plants Identification for Adult Agrotis ipsilon, a Long-Distance Migratory
      Insect.
AB  - In this study, we determined the host relationship of Agrotis ipsilon moths by
      identifying pollen species adhering them during their long-distance migration.
      Pollen carried by A. ipsilon moths was collected from 2012 to 2014 on a small
      island in the center of the Bohai Strait, which is a seasonal migration pathway
      of this pest species. Genomic DNA of single pollen grains was amplified by using
      whole genome amplification technology, and a portion of the chloroplast rbcL
      sequence was then amplified from this material. Pollen species were identified by
      a combination of DNA barcoding and pollen morphology. We found 28 species of
      pollen from 18 families on the tested moths, mainly from Angiosperm,
      Dicotyledoneae. From this, we were able to determine that these moths visit woody
      plants more than herbaceous plants that they carry more pollen in the early and
      late stages of the migration season, and that the amounts of pollen
      transportation were related to moth sex, moth body part, and plant species. In
      general, 31% of female and 26% of male moths were found to be carrying pollen.
      Amounts of pollen on the proboscis was higher for female than male moths, while
      the reverse was true for pollen loads on the antennae. This work provides a new
      approach to study the interactions between noctuid moth and their host plants.
      Identification of plant hosts for adult moths furthers understanding of the
      coevolution processes between moths and their host plants. 

PMID- 27271594
TI  - Toxicity of Pekinenin C from Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix on Rat Small Intestinal
      Crypt Epithelial Cell and Its Apoptotic Mechanism.
AB  - Pekinenin C is a casbane diterpenoid separated from the root of the traditional
      Chinese medicine, Euphorbia pekinensis Rupr., which is used as drug for the
      treatment of edema, ascites, and hydrothorax. Whereas pekinenin C exhibits severe
      cytotoxicity, the exact toxicity mechanism is unclear. In this study, the effects
      of pekinenin C on cell inhibition, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis were examined
      to explain its toxic mechanism. The proliferation of IEC-6 cells was accessed via
      MTT colorimetric assay after incubated with different concentrations of pekinenin
      C. Pekinenin C-treated IEC-6 cells labeled with RNase/PI and Annexin V/PI were
      analyzed by flow cytometric analyses for evaluation of cell cycle distribution
      and cell apoptosis, respectively. The apoptosis mechanism of pekinenin C on IEC-6
      was investigated through assaying the activities of caspase-3, 8, 9 by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, apoptosis
      inducing factor (AIF), Apaf-1, Fas-associated death domain (FADD) and type 1
      associated death domain (TRADD) by Western-blot, mRNA expression of Fas receptor
      (FasR), Fas ligand (FasL), tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR1) and NF-kappaB
      by RT-PCR. The results showed that pekinenin C has exhibited obvious IEC-6 cells
      toxicity and the IC50 value was 2.1 MUg.mL(-1). Typical apoptosis characteristics
      were observed under a transmission electron microscopy, and it was found that
      pekinenin C could cause G0/G1 phase arrest in IEC-6 cells in a dose-dependent
      manner and induce apoptosis of IEC-6 cells. Additionally, pekinenin C could
      increase the expressions of Bax, AIF, Apaf-1, FasR, FasL, TNFR1 and NF-kappaB,
      suppress the expression of Bcl-2, FADD and TRADD, then activate caspase-3, 8, 9
      cascades, and at last result in apoptosis. These results demonstrated that
      pekinenin C effectively promoted cell apoptosis, and induced IEC-6 cells
      apoptosis through both the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways. 

PMID- 27271595
TI  - PAMP Activity of Cerato-Platanin during Plant Interaction: An -Omic Approach.
AB  - Cerato-platanin (CP) is the founder of a fungal protein family consisting in non
      catalytic secreted proteins, which work as virulence factors and/or as elicitors
      of defense responses and systemic resistance, thus acting as PAMPs (pathogen
      associated molecular patterns). Moreover, CP has been defined an expansin-like
      protein showing the ability to weaken cellulose aggregates, like the canonical
      plant expansins do. Here, we deepen the knowledge on CP PAMP activity by the use
      of a multi-disciplinary approach: proteomic analysis, VOC (volatile organic
      compound) measurements, and gas exchange determination. The treatment of
      Arabidopsis with CP induces a differential profile either in protein expression
      or in VOC emission, as well changes in photosynthetic activity. In agreement with
      its role of defense activator, CP treatment induces down-expression of enzymes
      related to primary metabolism, such as RuBisCO, triosephosphate isomerase, and
      ATP-synthase, and reduces the photosynthesis rate. Conversely, CP increases
      expression of defense-related proteins and emission of some VOCs. Interestingly,
      CP exposure triggered the increase in enzymes involved in GSH metabolism and
      redox homeostasis (glutathione S-transferase, thioredoxin, Cys-peroxiredoxin,
      catalase) and in enzymes related to the "glucosinolate-myrosinase" system, which
      are the premise for synthesis of defence compounds, such as camalexin and some
      VOCs, respectively. The presented results are in agreement with the accepted role
      of CP as a PAMP and greatly increase the knowledge of plant primary defences
      induced by a purified fungal elicitor. 

PMID- 27271593
TI  - Prevalence and Predictors of Clozapine-Associated Constipation: A Systematic
      Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Constipation is a frequently overlooked side effect of clozapine treatment that
      can prove fatal. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate
      the prevalence and risk factors for clozapine-associated constipation. Two
      authors performed a systematic search of major electronic databases from January
      1990 to March 2016 for articles reporting the prevalence of constipation in
      adults treated with clozapine. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted. A
      total of 32 studies were meta-analyzed, establishing a pooled prevalence of
      clozapine-associated constipation of 31.2% (95% CI: 25.6-37.4) (n = 2013). People
      taking clozapine were significantly more likely to be constipated versus other
      antipsychotics (OR 3.02 (CI: 1.91-4.77), p < 0.001, n = 11 studies). Meta
      regression identified two significant study-level factors associated with
      constipation prevalence: significantly higher (p = 0.02) rates of constipation
      were observed for those treated in inpatient versus outpatient or mixed settings
      and for those studies in which constipation was a primary or secondary outcome
      measure (36.9%) compared to studies in which constipation was not a specified
      outcome measure (24.8%, p = 0.048). Clozapine-associated constipation is common
      and approximately three times more likely than with other antipsychotics.
      Screening and preventative strategies should be established and appropriate
      symptomatic treatment applied when required. 

PMID- 27271596
TI  - A 'High Risk' Lifestyle Pattern Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome among
      Qatari Women of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional National Study.
AB  - This study investigated the effect of lifestyle patterns, as a combination of
      diet, physical activity and smoking, on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) among Qatari
      women of childbearing age (n = 418), a population group particularly vulnerable
      to the health sequela of this syndrome. Using data from the National WHO STEPwise
      survey conducted in Qatar in 2012, Principal Component Factor Analysis was
      performed to derive lifestyle patterns with survey variables related to the
      frequency of consumption of 13 foods/food groups, physical activity levels, and
      smoking status. MetS was diagnosed using ATPIII criteria. Three lifestyle
      patterns were identified: 'High Risk' pattern, characterized by intakes of fast
      foods, sweets and sugar sweetened beverages, in addition to lower levels of
      physical activity and higher smoking prevalence; 'Prudent' pattern, driven mainly
      by higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains; and
      'Traditional' pattern which included beans, meat, dairy products, and a low
      prevalence of smoking. Among these three lifestyle patterns, only the 'High Risk'
      was associated with MetS, whereby subjects belonging to the third tertile of this
      pattern's score had 2.5 times the odds of MetS compared to those belonging to the
      first tertile. The findings of this study demonstrated the synergy among high
      risk behaviors among Qatari women in increasing the odds of MetS; the latter
      being a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. 

PMID- 27271597
TI  - Metabolomic Studies of Oral Biofilm, Oral Cancer, and Beyond.
AB  - Oral diseases are known to be closely associated with oral biofilm metabolism,
      while cancer tissue is reported to possess specific metabolism such as the
      'Warburg effect'. Metabolomics might be a useful method for clarifying the whole
      metabolic systems that operate in oral biofilm and oral cancer, however,
      technical limitations have hampered such research. Fortunately, metabolomics
      techniques have developed rapidly in the past decade, which has helped to solve
      these difficulties. In vivo metabolomic analyses of the oral biofilm have
      produced various findings. Some of these findings agreed with the in vitro
      results obtained in conventional metabolic studies using representative oral
      bacteria, while others differed markedly from them. Metabolomic analyses of oral
      cancer tissue not only revealed differences between metabolomic profiles of
      cancer and normal tissue, but have also suggested a specific metabolic system
      operates in oral cancer tissue. Saliva contains a variety of metabolites, some of
      which might be associated with oral or systemic disease; therefore, metabolomics
      analysis of saliva could be useful for identifying disease-specific biomarkers.
      Metabolomic analyses of the oral biofilm, oral cancer, and saliva could
      contribute to the development of accurate diagnostic, techniques, safe and
      effective treatments, and preventive strategies for oral and systemic diseases. 

PMID- 27271598
TI  - Biochemical Engineering Approaches for Increasing Viability and Functionality of
      Probiotic Bacteria.
AB  - The literature presents a growing body of evidence demonstrating the positive
      effect of probiotics on health. Probiotic consumption levels are rising quickly
      in the world despite the fluctuation of their viability and functionality.
      Technological methods aiming at improving probiotic characteristics are thus
      highly wanted. However, microbial metabolic engineering toolbox is not available
      for this kind of application. On the other hand, basic microbiology teaches us
      that bacteria are able to exhibit adaptation to external stresses. It is known
      that adequately applied sub-lethal stress, i.e., controlled in amplitude and
      frequency at a given stage of the culture, is able to enhance microbial
      robustness. This property could be potentially used to improve the viability of
      probiotic bacteria, but some technical challenges still need to be overcome
      before any industrial implementation. This review paper investigates the
      different technical tools that can be used in order to define the proper
      condition for improving viability of probiotic bacteria and their implementation
      at the industrial scale. Based on the example of Bifidobacterium bifidum,
      potentialities for simultaneously improving viability, but also functionality of
      probiotics will be described. 

PMID- 27271599
TI  - High DRC Levels Are Associated with Let-7b Overexpression in Women with Breast
      Cancer.
AB  - Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) is a critical pathway involved in breast cancer
      (BC). We have previously published that a low DNA repair capacity (DRC) is
      associated with a higher risk of BC in Puerto Rican women. Let-7b belongs to a
      miRNA family with tumor suppressor activity that targets oncogenes. We isolated
      miRNAs from plasma of 153 Puerto Rican women with and without BC. DRC was
      measured in lymphocytes by means of a host cell reactivation assay. These women
      were divided into four groups according to their DRC level: High (>3.8%) and low
      (<3.8%). The four groups consisted of BC patients with high (n = 35) and low (n =
      43) DRC and controls with high (n = 39) and low (n = 36) DRC. Epidemiologic data
      were collected at initial BC diagnosis and almost five years after diagnosis. A
      significant difference in Let-7b expression was found in BC patients with high
      DRC versus the remaining groups (p < 0.001). Thus, our data reveal a possible
      role of Let-7b on DRC during breast carcinogenesis. Our study is innovative
      because it provides the first evidence that Let-7b may play role in DRC
      regulation (through the NER repair pathway) in BC. 

PMID- 27271600
TI  - Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Photoaging and Photocarcinogenesis.
AB  - Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-containing endopeptidases with an
      extensive range of substrate specificities. Collectively, these enzymes are able
      to degrade various components of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Based on
      their structure and substrate specificity, they can be categorized into five main
      subgroups, namely (1) collagenases (MMP-1, MMP-8 and MMP-13); (2) gelatinases
      (MMP-2 and MMP-9); (3) stromelysins (MMP-3, MMP-10 and MMP-11); (4) matrilysins
      (MMP-7 and MMP-26); and (5) membrane-type (MT) MMPs (MMP-14, MMP-15, and MMP-16).
      The alterations made to the ECM by MMPs might contribute in skin wrinkling, a
      characteristic of premature skin aging. In photocarcinogenesis, degradation of
      ECM is the initial step towards tumor cell invasion, to invade both the basement
      membrane and the surrounding stroma that mainly comprises fibrillar collagens.
      Additionally, MMPs are involved in angiogenesis, which promotes cancer cell
      growth and migration. In this review, we focus on the present knowledge about
      premature skin aging and skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC),
      squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma, with our main focus on members of
      the MMP family and their functions. 

PMID- 27271602
TI  - v-Src Causes Chromosome Bridges in a Caffeine-Sensitive Manner by Generating DNA
      Damage.
AB  - An increase in Src activity is commonly observed in epithelial cancers. Aberrant
      activation of the kinase activity is associated with malignant progression.
      However, the mechanisms that underlie the Src-induced malignant progression of
      cancer are not completely understood. We show here that v-Src, an oncogene that
      was first identified from a Rous sarcoma virus and a mutant variant of c-Src,
      leads to an increase in the number of anaphase and telophase cells having
      chromosome bridges. v-Src increases the number of gammaH2AX foci, and this
      increase is inhibited by treatment with PP2, a Src kinase inhibitor. v-Src
      induces the phosphorylation of KAP1 at Ser824, Chk2 at Thr68, and Chk1 at Ser345,
      suggesting the activation of the ATM/ATR pathway. Caffeine decreases the number
      of cells having chromosome bridges at a concentration incapable of inhibiting
      Chk1 phosphorylation at Ser345. These results suggest that v-Src induces
      chromosome bridges via generation of DNA damage and the subsequent DNA damage
      response, possibly by homologous recombination. A chromosome bridge gives rise to
      the accumulation of DNA damage directly through chromosome breakage and
      indirectly through cytokinesis failure-induced multinucleation. We propose that v
      Src-induced chromosome bridge formation is one of the causes of the v-Src-induced
      malignant progression of cancer cells. 

PMID- 27271603
TI  - Dehydroeburicoic Acid from Antrodia camphorata Prevents the Diabetic and
      Dyslipidemic State via Modulation of Glucose Transporter 4, Peroxisome
      Proliferator-Activated Receptor alpha Expression and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase
      Phosphorylation in High-Fat-Fed Mice.
AB  - This study investigated the potential effects of dehydroeburicoic acid (TT), a
      triterpenoid compound from Antrodia camphorata, in vitro and examined the effects
      and mechanisms of TT on glucose and lipid homeostasis in high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed
      mice. The in vitro study examined the effects of a MeOH crude extract (CruE) of
      A. camphorata and Antcin K (AnK; the main constituent of fruiting body of this
      mushroom) on membrane glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and phospho-Akt in C2C12
      myoblasts cells. The in vitro study demonstrated that treatment with CruE, AnK
      and TT increased the membrane levels of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and phospho
      Akt at different concentrations. The animal experiments were performed for 12
      weeks. Diabetic mice were randomly divided into six groups after 8 weeks of HFD
      induction and treated with daily oral gavage doses of TT (at three dose levels),
      fenofibrate (Feno) (at 0.25 g/kg body weight), metformin (Metf) (at 0.3 g/kg body
      weight) or vehicle for another 4 weeks while on an HFD diet. HFD-fed mice
      exhibited increased blood glucose levels. TT treatment dramatically lowered blood
      glucose levels by 34.2%~43.4%, which was comparable to the antidiabetic agent
      Metf (36.5%). TT-treated mice reduced the HFD-induced hyperglycemia,
      hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and
      hypercholesterolemia. Membrane levels of GLUT4 were significantly higher in CruE
      treated groups in vitro. Skeletal muscle membrane levels of GLUT4 were
      significantly higher in TT-treated mice. These groups of mice also displayed
      lower mRNA levels of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6 Pase), an inhibitor of hepatic
      glucose production. The combination of these agents produced a net hypoglycemic
      effect in TT-treated mice. TT treatment enhanced the expressions of hepatic and
      skeletal muscle AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in mice. TT
      treated mice exhibited enhanced expression of hepatic fatty acid oxidation
      enzymes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha)
      and increased mRNA levels of carnitine palmitoyl transferase Ia (CPT-1a). These
      mice also exhibited decreased expression levels of lipogenic fatty acid synthase
      (FAS) in liver and adipose tissue and reduced mRNA levels of hepatic adipocyte
      fatty acid binding protein 2 (aP2) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase
      (GPAT). These alterations resulted in a reduction in fat stores within the liver
      and lower triglyceride levels in blood. Our results demonstrate that TT is an
      excellent therapeutic approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and
      hypertriglyceridemia. 

PMID- 27271601
TI  - Mechanism of Action and Applications of Interleukin 24 in Immunotherapy.
AB  - Interleukin 24 (IL-24) is an important pleiotropic immunoregulatory cytokine,
      whose gene is located in human chromosome 1q32-33. IL-24's signaling pathways
      have diverse biological functions related to cell differentiation, proliferation,
      development, apoptosis, and inflammation, placing it at the center of an active
      area of research. IL-24 is well known for its apoptotic effect in cancer cells
      while having no such effect on normal cells. IL-24 can also be secreted by both
      immune and non-immune cells. Downstream effects of IL-24, after binding to the IL
      20 receptor, can occur dependently or independently of the JAK/STAT signal
      transduction pathway, which is classically involved in cytokine-mediated
      activities. After exogenous addition of IL-24, apoptosis is induced in tumor
      cells independently of the JAK/STAT pathway. We have shown that IL-24 binds to
      Sigma 1 Receptor and this event induces endoplasmic reticulum stress, calcium
      mobilization, reactive oxygen species generation, p38MAPK activity, and ceramide
      production. Here we review IL-24's role in autoimmunity, infectious disease
      response, wound repair, and vascular disease. Detailed understanding of the
      pleiotropic roles of IL-24 signaling can assist in the selection of more accurate
      therapeutic approaches, as well as targeting of appropriate cell types in
      treatment strategy development, and ultimately achieve desired therapeutic
      effects. 

PMID- 27271604
TI  - Synthesis of New Hydrated Geranylphenols and in Vitro Antifungal Activity against
      Botrytis cinerea.
AB  - Geranylated hydroquinones and other geranylated compounds isolated from Aplydium
      species have shown interesting biological activities. This fact has prompted a
      number of studies where geranylated phenol derivatives have been synthesized in
      order to assay their bioactivities. In this work, we report the synthesis of a
      series of new hydrated geranylphenols using two different synthetic approaches
      and their inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea. Five new
      hydrated geranylphenols were obtained by direct coupling reaction between
      geraniol and phenol in dioxane/water and using BF3.Et2O as the catalyst or by the
      reaction of a geranylated phenol with BF3.Et2O. Two new geranylated quinones were
      also obtained. The synthesis and structural elucidation of all new compounds is
      presented. All hydrated geranylphenols efficiently inhibit the mycelial growth of
      B. cinerea. Their activity is higher than that observed for non-hydrated
      compounds. These results indicate that structural modification on the geranyl
      chain brings about an enhancement of the inhibition effect of geranylated phenol
      derivatives. 

PMID- 27271605
TI  - Ras-Related Nuclear Protein Ran3B Gene Is Involved in Hormone Responses in the
      Embryogenic Callus of Dimocarpus longan Lour.
AB  - Ras-related guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding nuclear protein (Ran) GTPases
      function as molecular switches and regulate diverse cellular events in
      eukaryotes. Our previous work suggested that DlRan3B is active during longan
      (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) somatic embryogenesis (SE) processes. Herein,
      subcellular localization of DlRan3B was found to be localized in the nucleus and
      expression profiling of DlRan3B was performed during longan SE and after exposure
      to plant hormones (indoleacetic acid (IAA), gibberellin A3 (GA3), salicylic acid
      (SA), methyl jasmonte (MeJA), and abscisic acid (ABA)). We cloned and sequenced
      1569 bp of 5'-flanking sequence of DlRan3B (GenBank: JQ279697). Bioinformatic
      analysis indicated that the promoter contained plant hormone-related regulatory
      elements. Deletion analysis and responses to hormones identified stimulative and
      repressive regulatory elements in the DlRan3B promoter. The key elements included
      those responding to auxin, gibberellin, SA, MeJA, and ABA. DlRan3B was located in
      the nucleus and accumulated in the late stage of longan SE. The expression of
      DlRan3B was significantly induced by IAA, GA3, and ABA, but suppressed by SA and
      MeJA. Promoter transcription was induced by IAA and GA3, but suppressed by SA.
      Thus, DlRan3B might participate in auxin, gibberellin, and ABA responses during
      longan late SE, and DlRan3B is involved in phytohormone responsiveness. 

PMID- 27271606
TI  - The MicroRNA-21 in Autoimmune Diseases.
AB  - MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is an oncomiR and significantly upregulated in a wide range
      of cancers. It is strongly involved in apoptosis and oncogenesis, since most of
      its reported targets are tumor suppressors. Recently, miR-21 was found to be
      correlated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and may play an essential
      role in regulating autoimmune responses. In particular, miR-21 promotes Th17 cell
      differentiation, which mediates the development of multiple autoimmune diseases.
      In this article, we review the current research on the mechanisms that regulate
      miR-21 expression, the potential of miR-21 as a diagnostic biomarker for
      autoimmune disease and the mechanisms by which miR-21 promotes the development of
      autoimmune disease. We also discussed the therapeutic potential of targeting miR
      21 in treating patients with autoimmune disease. 

PMID- 27271607
TI  - Involvement and Clinical Aspects of MicroRNA in Osteosarcoma.
AB  - Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone cancer in children and
      adolescents, but its pathogenesis has been difficult to establish because of its
      well-known heterogeneous nature. OS has been associated with genetic and
      cytogenetic abnormalities, which include function-impairing mutations in tumor
      suppressors and the activation of oncogenes. OS tumorigenesis has been linked to
      alterations of several genes characterized by a high level of genetic instability
      and recurrent DNA amplifications and deletions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), 18-25
      nucleotide noncoding RNAs, are critical for various biological processes like
      differentiation, cell growth and cell death. Dysregulation of miRNA expression
      leads to phenotypic and genotypic changes in cells, which leads to cancer.
      Studies on miRNAs have initiated a significant effect in both diagnosis and
      treatment of cancer. This review focuses on the current knowledge of clinical
      applications of miRNAs for the better diagnosis and management of OS. 

PMID- 27271608
TI  - An Efficient, Versatile, and Safe Access to Supported Metallic Nanoparticles on
      Porous Silicon with Ionic Liquids.
AB  - The metallization of porous silicon (PSi) is generally realized through physical
      vapor deposition (PVD) or electrochemical processes using aqueous solutions. The
      former uses a strong vacuum and does not allow for a conformal deposition into
      the pores. In the latter, the water used as solvent causes oxidation of the
      silicon during the reduction of the salt precursors. Moreover, as PSi is
      hydrophobic, the metal penetration into the pores is restricted to the near
      surface region. Using a solution of organometallic (OM) precursors in ionic
      liquid (IL), we have developed an easy and efficient way to fully metallize the
      pores throughout the several-um-thick porous Si. This process affords supported
      metallic nanoparticles characterized by a narrow size distribution. This process
      is demonstrated for different metals (Pt, Pd, Cu, and Ru) and can probably be
      extended to other metals. Moreover, as no reducing agent is necessary (the
      decomposition in an argon atmosphere at 50  degrees C is fostered by surface
      silicon hydride groups borne by PSi), the safety and the cost of the process are
      improved. 

PMID- 27271609
TI  - MicroRNA-31 Emerges as a Predictive Biomarker of Pathological Response and
      Outcome in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.
AB  - Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by total mesorectal excision has
      emerged as the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC)
      patients. However, many cases do not respond to neoadjuvant CRT, suffering
      unnecessary toxicities and surgery delays. Thus, identification of predictive
      biomarkers for neoadjuvant CRT is a current clinical need. In the present study,
      microRNA-31 expression was measured in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE)
      biopsies from 78 patients diagnosed with LARC who were treated with neoadjuvant
      CRT. Then, the obtained results were correlated with clinical and pathological
      characteristics and outcome. High microRNA-31 (miR-31) levels were found
      overexpressed in 34.2% of cases. Its overexpression significantly predicted poor
      pathological response (p = 0.018) and worse overall survival (OS) (p = 0.008).
      The odds ratio for no pathological response among patients with miR-31
      overexpression was 0.18 (Confidence Interval = 0.06 to 0.57; p = 0.003).
      Multivariate analysis corroborated the clinical impact of miR-31 in determining
      pathological response to neoadjuvant CRT as well as OS. Altogether, miR-31
      quantification emerges as a novel valuable clinical tool to predict both
      pathological response and outcome in LARC patients. 

PMID- 27271610
TI  - Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1) Recruits Macrophage to Activate Pancreatic
      Stellate Cells in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor composed of two
      subunits, namely, HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta, in which HIF-1beta is constitutively
      expressed. HIF-1 upregulates several hypoxia-responsive proteins, including
      angiogenesis factors, glycolysis solution enzymes, and cell survival proteins.
      HIF-1 is also associated with the degree of inflammation in the tumor region, but
      the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to identify the molecular
      mechanism of recruiting monocytes/macrophages by HIF-1alpha in pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and the effects of macrophages on pancreatic stellate cells
      (PSCs). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for cluster of differentiation
      68 (CD68), HIF-1alpha, and chemical chemokines 2 (CCL2). Western blot, real-time
      quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), chromatin
      immunoprecipitation assay, and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to verify
      the correlation between HIF-1alpha and CCL2 at protein and nucleic acid levels.
      Monocytes/macrophages were co-cultured with PSCs to observe their interaction.
      Samples showed significant correlation between CD68 and HIF-1alpha (t-test, p <
      0.05). HIF-1alpha recruited monocytes/macrophages by promoting CCL2 secretion.
      Moreover, macrophages could accelerate the activation of PSCs. HIF-1alpha might
      promote inflammation and fibrosis of PDAC through CCL2 secretion, which may
      provide a novel target to treat PDAC patients. 

PMID- 27271611
TI  - Inhaled Cadmium Oxide Nanoparticles: Their in Vivo Fate and Effect on Target
      Organs.
AB  - The increasing amount of heavy metals used in manufacturing equivalently
      increases hazards of environmental pollution by industrial products such as
      cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoparticles. Here, we aimed to unravel the CdO nanoparticle
      destiny upon their entry into lungs by inhalations, with the main focus on the
      ultrastructural changes that the nanoparticles may cause to tissues of the
      primary and secondary target organs. We indeed found the CdO nanoparticles to be
      transported from the lungs into secondary target organs by blood. In lungs,
      inhaled CdO nanoparticles caused significant alterations in parenchyma tissue
      including hyperemia, enlarged pulmonary septa, congested capillaries, alveolar
      emphysema and small areas of atelectasis. Nanoparticles were observed in the
      cytoplasm of cells lining bronchioles, in the alveolar spaces as well as inside
      the membranous pneumocytes and in phagosomes of lung macrophages. Nanoparticles
      even penetrated through the membrane into some organelles including mitochondria
      and they also accumulated in the cytoplasmic vesicles. In livers, inhalation
      caused periportal inflammation and local hepatic necrosis. Only minor changes
      such as diffusely thickened filtration membrane with intramembranous electron
      dense deposits were observed in kidney. Taken together, inhaled CdO nanoparticles
      not only accumulated in lungs but they were also transported to other organs
      causing serious damage at tissue as well as cellular level. 

PMID- 27271613
TI  - Transcriptional Profiling and miRNA-Target Network Analysis Identify Potential
      Biomarkers for Efficacy Evaluation of Fuzheng-Huayu Formula-Treated Hepatitis B
      Caused Liver Cirrhosis.
AB  - Fuzheng-Huayu (FZHY) formula has been found to have a satisfactory effect on
      hepatitis B-caused cirrhosis (HBC) treatment. However, the efficacy evaluation of
      FZHY is often challenging. In this study, a randomized, double-blind and placebo
      controlled trial was used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of FZHY in HBC
      treatment. In the trial, 35 medical indexes were detected, and 14 indexes had a
      statistically-significant difference before compared to after the trial.
      Importantly, the Child-Pugh score also demonstrated FZHY having therapeutic
      efficacy. Furthermore, the microRNA (miRNA) profiles of 12 serum samples were
      detected in FZHY groups, and 112 differential-expressed (DE) miRNAs were
      determined. Using predicted miRNA targets, 13 kernel miRNAs were identified from
      the established miRNA-target network. Subsequently, quantitative Real-time
      Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the expression level of
      13 identified miRNAs in the trials. The results showed that nine miRNAs have a
      statistically-significant difference before compared to after FZHY treatment. By
      means of a logistic regression model, a miRNA panel with hsa-miR-18a-5p, -326, 
      1182 and -193b-5p was established, and it can clearly improve the accuracy of the
      efficacy evaluation of FZHY. This study suggested that the particular miRNAs can
      act as potential biomarkers and obviously increase the diagnostic accuracy for
      drug evaluation in HBC treatment progression. 

PMID- 27271612
TI  - Preventive Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. on Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis
      in Rats.
AB  - Rhodiola rosea L. (RRL) possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties,
      including lung-protective activity, and has been utilized in folk medicine for
      several 100 years. However, the lung-protective mechanism remains unclear. This
      study investigated the possible lung-protective activity mechanism of RRL in a
      pulmonary fibrosis (PF) rat model. Lung fibrotic injury was induced in Sprague
      Dawley rats by single intratracheal instillation of saline containing bleomycin
      (BLM; 5 mg/kg). The rats were administered 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg of a 95%
      ethanol extract of RRL for 28 days. The animals were killed to detect changes in
      body weight, serum levels of glutathione (GSH) and total superoxide dismutase (T
      SOD), as well as lung tissue hydroxyproline (HYP) content. Tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and interleukin
      6 (IL-6) levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and
      immunohistochemical staining were performed to observe the histopathological
      changes in lung tissues. Additionally, target-related proteins were measured by
      Western blotting. RRL alleviated the loss of body weight induced by instilling
      BLM in PF rats, particularly at the 500 mg/kg per day dose. RRL reduced HYP (p <
      0.01) and increased GSH and T-SOD contents. BALF levels of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1,
      and IL-6 decreased significantly in the RRL-treated groups. Expression levels of
      matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and alpha-smooth muscle actin decreased
      significantly in a dose-dependent manner in response to RRL. Moreover, the levels
      of TGF-beta1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in lung tissues also
      decreased in the RRL-treated groups. RRL alleviated BLM-induced PF in rats. Our
      results reveal that the protective effects of RRL against fibrotic lung injury in
      rats are correlated with its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-fibrotic
      properties. MMP-9 may play important roles in BLM-induced PF. 

PMID- 27271614
TI  - Molecular Characterization of the Complete Genome of Three Basal-BR Isolates of
      Turnip mosaic virus Infecting Raphanus sativus in China.
AB  - Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) infects crops of plant species in the family
      Brassicaceae worldwide. TuMV isolates were clustered to five lineages
      corresponding to basal-B, basal-BR, Asian-BR, world-B and OMs. Here, we
      determined the complete genome sequences of three TuMV basal-BR isolates
      infecting radish from Shandong and Jilin Provinces in China. Their genomes were
      all composed of 9833 nucleotides, excluding the 3'-terminal poly(A) tail. They
      contained two open reading frames (ORFs), with the large one encoding a
      polyprotein of 3164 amino acids and the small overlapping ORF encoding a PIPO
      protein of 61 amino acids, which contained the typically conserved motifs found
      in members of the genus Potyvirus. In pairwise comparison with 30 other TuMV
      genome sequences, these three isolates shared their highest identities with
      isolates from Eurasian countries (Germany, Italy, Turkey and China).
      Recombination analysis showed that the three isolates in this study had no
      "clear" recombination. The analyses of conserved amino acids changed between
      groups showed that the codons in the TuMV out group (OGp) and OMs group were the
      same at three codon sites (852, 1006, 1548), and the other TuMV groups (basal-B,
      basal-BR, Asian-BR, world-B) were different. This pattern suggests that the codon
      in the OMs progenitor did not change but that in the other TuMV groups the
      progenitor sequence did change at divergence. Genetic diversity analyses indicate
      that the PIPO gene was under the highest selection pressure and the selection
      pressure on P3N-PIPO and P3 was almost the same. It suggests that most of the
      selection pressure on P3 was probably imposed through P3N-PIPO. 

PMID- 27271615
TI  - Development of EST Intron-Targeting SNP Markers for Panax ginseng and Their
      Application to Cultivar Authentication.
AB  - Panax ginseng is one of the most valuable medicinal plants in the Orient. The low
      level of genetic variation has limited the application of molecular markers for
      cultivar authentication and marker-assisted selection in cultivated ginseng. To
      exploit DNA polymorphism within ginseng cultivars, ginseng expressed sequence
      tags (ESTs) were searched against the potential intron polymorphism (PIP)
      database to predict the positions of introns. Intron-flanking primers were then
      designed in conserved exon regions and used to amplify across the more variable
      introns. Sequencing results showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs),
      as well as indels, were detected in four EST-derived introns, and SNP markers
      specific to "Gopoong" and "K-1" were first reported in this study. Based on
      cultivar-specific SNP sites, allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was
      conducted and proved to be effective for the authentication of ginseng cultivars.
      Additionally, the combination of a simple NaOH-Tris DNA isolation method and real
      time allele-specific PCR assay enabled the high throughput selection of cultivars
      from ginseng fields. The established real-time allele-specific PCR assay should
      be applied to molecular authentication and marker assisted selection of P.
      ginseng cultivars, and the EST intron-targeting strategy will provide a potential
      approach for marker development in species without whole genomic DNA sequence
      information. 

PMID- 27271617
TI  - A Nonlinear Model for Gene-Based Gene-Environment Interaction.
AB  - A vast amount of literature has confirmed the role of gene-environment (G*E)
      interaction in the etiology of complex human diseases. Traditional methods are
      predominantly focused on the analysis of interaction between a single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) and an environmental variable. Given that genes are the
      functional units, it is crucial to understand how gene effects (rather than
      single SNP effects) are influenced by an environmental variable to affect disease
      risk. Motivated by the increasing awareness of the power of gene-based
      association analysis over single variant based approach, in this work, we
      proposed a sparse principle component regression (sPCR) model to understand the
      gene-based G*E interaction effect on complex disease. We first extracted the
      sparse principal components for SNPs in a gene, then the effect of each principal
      component was modeled by a varying-coefficient (VC) model. The model can jointly
      model variants in a gene in which their effects are nonlinearly influenced by an
      environmental variable. In addition, the varying-coefficient sPCR (VC-sPCR) model
      has nice interpretation property since the sparsity on the principal component
      loadings can tell the relative importance of the corresponding SNPs in each
      component. We applied our method to a human birth weight dataset in Thai
      population. We analyzed 12,005 genes across 22 chromosomes and found one
      significant interaction effect using the Bonferroni correction method and one
      suggestive interaction. The model performance was further evaluated through
      simulation studies. Our model provides a system approach to evaluate gene-based
      G*E interaction. 

PMID- 27271616
TI  - Tetrapyrroles as Endogenous TSPO Ligands in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes:
      Comparisons with Synthetic Ligands.
AB  - The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is highly 0conserved in eukaryotes and
      prokaryotes. Since its discovery in 1977, numerous studies established the TSPO's
      importance for life essential functions. For these studies, synthetic TSPO
      ligands typically are applied. Tetrapyrroles present endogenous ligands for the
      TSPO. Tetrapyrroles are also evolutionarily conserved and regulate multiple
      functions. TSPO and tetrapyrroles regulate each other. In animals TSPO
      tetrapyrrole interactions range from effects on embryonic development to
      metabolism, programmed cell death, response to stress, injury and disease, and
      even to life span extension. In animals TSPOs are primarily located in
      mitochondria. In plants TSPOs are also present in plastids, the nuclear fraction,
      the endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi stacks. This may contribute to translocation
      of tetrapyrrole intermediates across organelles' membranes. As in animals, plant
      TSPO binds heme and protoporphyrin IX. TSPO-tetrapyrrole interactions in plants
      appear to relate to development as well as stress conditions, including salt
      tolerance, abscisic acid-induced stress, reactive oxygen species homeostasis, and
      finally cell death regulation. In bacteria, TSPO is important for switching from
      aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, including the regulation of photosynthesis. As
      in mitochondria, in bacteria TSPO is located in the outer membrane. TSPO
      tetrapyrrole interactions may be part of the establishment of the bacterial
      eukaryote relationships, i.e., mitochondrial-eukaryote and plastid-plant
      endosymbiotic relationships. 

PMID- 27271618
TI  - Regulation of Small RNAs and Corresponding Targets in Nod Factor-Induced
      Phaseolus vulgaris Root Hair Cells.
AB  - A genome-wide analysis identified the set of small RNAs (sRNAs) from the
      agronomical important legume Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean), including novel P.
      vulgaris-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) potentially important for the regulation of
      the rhizobia-symbiotic process. Generally, novel miRNAs are difficult to identify
      and study because they are very lowly expressed in a tissue- or cell-specific
      manner. In this work, we aimed to analyze sRNAs from common bean root hairs (RH),
      a single-cell model, induced with pure Rhizobium etli nodulation factors (NF), a
      unique type of signal molecule. The sequence analysis of samples from NF-induced
      and control libraries led to the identity of 132 mature miRNAs, including 63
      novel miRNAs and 1984 phasiRNAs. From these, six miRNAs were significantly
      differentially expressed during NF induction, including one novel miRNA: miR
      RH82. A parallel degradome analysis of the same samples revealed 29 targets
      potentially cleaved by novel miRNAs specifically in NF-induced RH samples;
      however, these novel miRNAs were not differentially accumulated in this tissue.
      This study reveals Phaseolus vulgaris-specific novel miRNA candidates and their
      corresponding targets that meet all criteria to be involved in the regulation of
      the early nodulation events, thus setting the basis for exploring miRNA-mediated
      improvement of the common bean-rhizobia symbiosis. 

PMID- 27271619
TI  - A Wireless Pressure Sensor Integrated with a Biodegradable Polymer Stent for
      Biomedical Applications.
AB  - This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of a wireless pressure
      sensor for smart stent applications. The micromachined pressure sensor has an
      area of 3.13 * 3.16 mm2 and is fabricated with a photosensitive SU-8 polymer. The
      wireless pressure sensor comprises a resonant circuit and can be used without the
      use of an internal power source. The capacitance variations caused by changes in
      the intravascular pressure shift the resonance frequency of the sensor. This
      change can be detected using an external antenna, thus enabling the measurement
      of the pressure changes inside a tube with a simple external circuit. The
      wireless pressure sensor is capable of measuring pressure from 0 mmHg to 230
      mmHg, with a sensitivity of 0.043 MHz/mmHg. The biocompatibility of the pressure
      sensor was evaluated using cardiac cells isolated from neonatal rat ventricular
      myocytes. After inserting a metal stent integrated with the pressure sensor into
      a cardiovascular vessel of an animal, medical systems such as X-ray were employed
      to consistently monitor the condition of the blood vessel. No abnormality was
      found in the animal blood vessel for approximately one month. Furthermore, a
      biodegradable polymer (polycaprolactone) stent was fabricated with a 3D printer.
      The polymer stent exhibits better sensitivity degradation of the pressure sensor
      compared to the metal stent. 

PMID- 27271620
TI  - A Novel Location-Centric IoT-Cloud Based On-Street Car Parking Violation
      Management System in Smart Cities.
AB  - Nowadays, in big cities, parking management is a critical issue from both the
      driver's side and the city government's side. From the driver's side, how to find
      an available parking lot in a city is a considerable concern. As a result, smart
      parking systems recently have received great interest, both in academia and
      industry. From the city government's side, how to manage and distribute such a
      limited public parking resource efficiently to give every visitor a fair chance
      of finding an on-street parking lot is also a considerable concern. However,
      existing studies of smart parking management focus only on assisting the driver's
      side to find available parking spaces. This study aims to raise a new perspective
      on such smart parking management and to propose a novel location-centric IoT
      cloud-based parking violation management system. The system is designed to assist
      authoritative officers in finding parking violations easily and recommends the
      least cost path for officers so that officers can achieve their highest
      productivity in finding parking violations and issuing parking tickets.
      Experimental results show that the system not only improves the productivity of
      officers in finding parking violations and issuing tickets, but also helps reduce
      the traveling cost of officers and to reduce the average violation period of
      violating cars considerably. 

PMID- 27271621
TI  - A Synergy-Based Optimally Designed Sensing Glove for Functional Grasp
      Recognition.
AB  - Achieving accurate and reliable kinematic hand pose reconstructions represents a
      challenging task. The main reason for this is the complexity of hand
      biomechanics, where several degrees of freedom are distributed along a continuous
      deformable structure. Wearable sensing can represent a viable solution to tackle
      this issue, since it enables a more natural kinematic monitoring. However, the
      intrinsic accuracy (as well as the number of sensing elements) of wearable hand
      pose reconstruction (HPR) systems can be severely limited by ergonomics and cost
      considerations. In this paper, we combined the theoretical foundations of the
      optimal design of HPR devices based on hand synergy information, i.e., the inter
      joint covariation patterns, with textile goniometers based on knitted
      piezoresistive fabrics (KPF) technology, to develop, for the first time, an
      optimally-designed under-sensed glove for measuring hand kinematics. We used only
      five sensors optimally placed on the hand and completed hand pose reconstruction
      (described according to a kinematic model with 19 degrees of freedom) leveraging
      upon synergistic information. The reconstructions we obtained from five different
      subjects were used to implement an unsupervised method for the recognition of
      eight functional grasps, showing a high degree of accuracy and robustness. 

PMID- 27271622
TI  - Integrated Toolset for WSN Application Planning, Development, Commissioning and
      Maintenance: The WSN-DPCM ARTEMIS-JU Project.
AB  - In this article we present the main results obtained in the ARTEMIS-JU WSN-DPCM
      project between October 2011 and September 2015. The first objective of the
      project was the development of an integrated toolset for Wireless sensor networks
      (WSN) application planning, development, commissioning and maintenance, which
      aims to support application domain experts, with limited WSN expertise, to
      efficiently develop WSN applications from planning to lifetime maintenance. The
      toolset is made of three main tools: one for planning, one for application
      development and simulation (which can include hardware nodes), and one for
      network commissioning and lifetime maintenance. The tools are integrated in a
      single platform which promotes software reuse by automatically selecting suitable
      library components for application synthesis and the abstraction of the
      underlying architecture through the use of a middleware layer. The second
      objective of the project was to test the effectiveness of the toolset for the
      development of two case studies in different domains, one for detecting the
      occupancy state of parking lots and one for monitoring air concentration of
      harmful gasses near an industrial site. 

PMID- 27271623
TI  - Investigating the Impact of Possession-Way of a Smartphone on Action Recognition.
AB  - For the past few decades, action recognition has been attracting many researchers
      due to its wide use in a variety of applications. Especially with the increasing
      number of smartphone users, many studies have been conducted using sensors within
      a smartphone. However, a lot of these studies assume that the users carry the
      device in specific ways such as by hand, in a pocket, in a bag, etc. This paper
      investigates the impact of providing an action recognition system with the
      information of the possession-way of a smartphone, and vice versa. The
      experimental dataset consists of five possession-ways (hand, backpack, upper
      pocket, lower-pocket, and shoulder-bag) and two actions (walking and running)
      gathered by seven users separately. Various machine learning models including
      recurrent neural network architectures are employed to explore the relationship
      between the action recognition and the possession-way recognition. The
      experimental results show that the assumption of possession-ways of smartphones
      do affect the performance of action recognition, and vice versa. The results also
      reveal that a good performance is achieved when both actions and possession-ways
      are recognized simultaneously. 

PMID- 27271624
TI  - An Optical Fiber Lateral Displacement Measurement Method and Experiments Based on
      Reflective Grating Panel.
AB  - An optical fiber sensing method based on a reflective grating panel is
      demonstrated for lateral displacement measurement. The reflective panel is a
      homemade grating with a periodic variation of its refractive index, which is used
      to modulate the reflected light intensity. The system structure and operation
      principle are illustrated in detail. The intensity calculation and simulation of
      the optical path are carried out to theoretically analyze the measurement
      performance. A distinctive fiber optic grating ruler with a special fiber optic
      measuring probe and reflective grating panel is set up. Experiments with
      different grating pitches are conducted, and long-distance measurements are
      executed to accomplish the functions of counting optical signals, subdivision,
      and discerning direction. Experimental results show that the proposed measurement
      method can be used to detect lateral displacement, especially for applications in
      working environments with high temperatures. 

PMID- 27271625
TI  - Two Capacitive Micro-Machined Ultrasonic Transducers for Wind Speed Measurement.
AB  - This paper presents a new wind speed measurement method using a single capacitive
      micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). The CMUT was arranged perpendicular
      to the direction of the wind flow, and a reflector was set up a short distance
      away, facing the CMUT. To reduce the size, weight, cost, and power consumption of
      conventional ultrasonic anemometers this study proposes two CMUT designs for the
      measurement of wind speed using either the amplitude of the signal or the time of
      flight (TOF). Each CMUT with a double array element design can transmit and
      receive signals in five different operation modes. Experiments showed that the
      two CMUT designs utilizing the TOF were better than those utilizing the amplitude
      of the signal for wind speed measurements ranging from 1 m/s to 10 m/s, providing
      a measurement error of less than 0.2 m/s. These results indicate that the
      sensitivity of the TOF is independent of the five operation modes. 

PMID- 27271626
TI  - Segmentized Clear Channel Assessment for IEEE 802.15.4 Networks.
AB  - This paper proposed segmentized clear channel assessment (CCA) which increases
      the performance of IEEE 802.15.4 networks by improving carrier sense multiple
      access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). Improving CSMA/CA is important because
      the low-power consumption feature and throughput performance of IEEE 802.15.4 are
      greatly affected by CSMA/CA behavior. To improve the performance of CSMA/CA, this
      paper focused on increasing the chance to transmit a packet by assessing precise
      channel status. The previous method used in CCA, which is employed by CSMA/CA,
      assesses the channel by measuring the energy level of the channel. However, this
      method shows limited channel assessing behavior, which comes from simple
      threshold dependent channel busy evaluation. The proposed method solves this
      limited channel decision problem by dividing CCA into two groups. Two groups of
      CCA compare their energy levels to get precise channel status. To evaluate the
      performance of the segmentized CCA method, a Markov chain model has been
      developed. The validation of analytic results is confirmed by comparing them with
      simulation results. Additionally, simulation results show the proposed method is
      improving a maximum 8.76% of throughput and decreasing a maximum 3.9% of the
      average number of CCAs per packet transmission than the IEEE 802.15.4 CCA method.

PMID- 27271627
TI  - Street Viewer: An Autonomous Vision Based Traffic Tracking System.
AB  - The development of intelligent transportation systems requires the availability
      of both accurate traffic information in real time and a cost-effective solution.
      In this paper, we describe Street Viewer, a system capable of analyzing the
      traffic behavior in different scenarios from images taken with an off-the-shelf
      optical camera. Street Viewer operates in real time on embedded hardware
      architectures with limited computational resources. The system features a
      pipelined architecture that, on one side, allows one to exploit multi-threading
      intensively and, on the other side, allows one to improve the overall accuracy
      and robustness of the system, since each layer is aimed at refining for the
      following layers the information it receives as input. Another relevant feature
      of our approach is that it is self-adaptive. During an initial setup, the
      application runs in learning mode to build a model of the flow patterns in the
      observed area. Once the model is stable, the system switches to the on-line mode
      where the flow model is used to count vehicles traveling on each lane and to
      produce a traffic information summary. If changes in the flow model are detected,
      the system switches back autonomously to the learning mode. The accuracy and the
      robustness of the system are analyzed in the paper through experimental results
      obtained on several different scenarios and running the system for long periods
      of time. 

PMID- 27271628
TI  - Power Performance Verification of a Wind Farm Using the Friedman's Test.
AB  - In this paper, a method of verification of the power performance of a wind farm
      is presented. This method is based on the Friedman's test, which is a
      nonparametric statistical inference technique, and it uses the information that
      is collected by the SCADA system from the sensors embedded in the wind turbines
      in order to carry out the power performance verification of a wind farm. Here,
      the guaranteed power curve of the wind turbines is used as one more wind turbine
      of the wind farm under assessment, and a multiple comparison method is used to
      investigate differences between pairs of wind turbines with respect to their
      power performance. The proposed method says whether the power performance of the
      specific wind farm under assessment differs significantly from what would be
      expected, and it also allows wind farm owners to know whether their wind farm has
      either a perfect power performance or an acceptable power performance. Finally,
      the power performance verification of an actual wind farm is carried out. The
      results of the application of the proposed method showed that the power
      performance of the specific wind farm under assessment was acceptable. 

PMID- 27271629
TI  - A Novel Monopulse Angle Estimation Method for Wideband LFM Radars.
AB  - Traditional monopulse angle estimations are mainly based on phase comparison and
      amplitude comparison methods, which are commonly adopted in narrowband radars. In
      modern radar systems, wideband radars are becoming more and more important, while
      the angle estimation for wideband signals is little studied in previous works. As
      noise in wideband radars has larger bandwidth than narrowband radars, the
      challenge lies in the accumulation of energy from the high resolution range
      profile (HRRP) of monopulse. In wideband radars, linear frequency modulated (LFM)
      signals are frequently utilized. In this paper, we investigate the monopulse
      angle estimation problem for wideband LFM signals. To accumulate the energy of
      the received echo signals from different scatterers of a target, we propose
      utilizing a cross-correlation operation, which can achieve a good performance in
      low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. In the proposed algorithm, the
      problem of angle estimation is converted to estimating the frequency of the cross
      correlation function (CCF). Experimental results demonstrate the similar
      performance of the proposed algorithm compared with the traditional amplitude
      comparison method. It means that the proposed method for angle estimation can be
      adopted. When adopting the proposed method, future radars may only need wideband
      signals for both tracking and imaging, which can greatly increase the data rate
      and strengthen the capability of anti-jamming. More importantly, the estimated
      angle will not become ambiguous under an arbitrary angle, which can significantly
      extend the estimated angle range in wideband radars. 

PMID- 27271630
TI  - Experimental Identification of Smartphones Using Fingerprints of Built-In Micro
      Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS).
AB  - The correct identification of smartphones has various applications in the field
      of security or the fight against counterfeiting. As the level of sophistication
      in counterfeit electronics increases, detection procedures must become more
      accurate but also not destructive for the smartphone under testing. Some
      components of the smartphone are more likely to reveal their authenticity even
      without a physical inspection, since they are characterized by hardware
      fingerprints detectable by simply examining the data they provide. This is the
      case of MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) components like accelerometers
      and gyroscopes, where tiny differences and imprecisions in the manufacturing
      process determine unique patterns in the data output. In this paper, we present
      the experimental evaluation of the identification of smartphones through their
      built-in MEMS components. In our study, three different phones of the same model
      are subject to repeatable movements (composing a repeatable scenario) using an
      high precision robotic arm. The measurements from MEMS for each repeatable
      scenario are collected and analyzed. The identification algorithm is based on the
      extraction of the statistical features of the collected data for each scenario.
      The features are used in a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to identify
      the smartphone. The results of the evaluation are presented for different
      combinations of features and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) outputs, which show
      that detection accuracy of higher than 90% is achievable. 

PMID- 27271631
TI  - Flexible Piezoelectric Tactile Sensor Array for Dynamic Three-Axis Force
      Measurement.
AB  - A new flexible piezoelectric tactile sensor array based on polyvinylidene
      fluoride (PVDF) film is proposed for measuring three-axis dynamic contact force
      distribution. The array consists of six tactile units arranged as a 3 * 2 matrix
      with spacing 8 mm between neighbor units. In each unit, a PVDF film is sandwiched
      between four square-shaped upper electrodes and one square-shaped lower
      electrode, forming four piezoelectric capacitors. A truncated pyramid bump is
      located above the four piezoelectric capacitors to improve force transmission. A
      three-axis contact force transmitted from the top of the bump will lead to the
      four piezoelectric capacitors underneath undergoing different charge changes,
      from which the normal and shear components of the force can be calculated. A
      series of dynamic tests have been carried out by exerting sinusoidal forces with
      amplitudes ranging from 0 to 0.5 N in the x-axis, 0 to 0.5 N in the y-axis, and 0
      to 1.5 N in the z-axis, separately. The tactile units show good sensitivities
      with 14.93, 14.92, and 6.62 pC/N in the x-, y-, and z-axes, respectively. They
      can work with good linearity, relatively low coupling effect, high repeatability,
      and acceptable frequency response in the range of 5-400 Hz to both normal and
      shear load. In addition, dynamic three-axis force measurement has been conducted
      for all of the tactile units. The average errors between the applied and
      calculated forces are 10.68% +/- 6.84%. Furthermore, the sensor array can be
      easily integrated onto a curved surface, such as robotic and prosthetic hands,
      due to its excellent flexibility. 

PMID- 27271632
TI  - Abnormal Activity Detection Using Pyroelectric Infrared Sensors.
AB  - Healthy aging is one of the most important social issues. In this paper, we
      propose a method for abnormal activity detection without any manual labeling of
      the training samples. By leveraging the Field of View (FOV) modulation, the
      spatio-temporal characteristic of human activity is encoded into low-dimension
      data stream generated by the ceiling-mounted Pyroelectric Infrared (PIR) sensors.
      The similarity between normal training samples are measured based on Kullback
      Leibler (KL) divergence of each pair of them. The natural clustering of normal
      activities is discovered through a self-tuning spectral clustering algorithm with
      unsupervised model selection on the eigenvectors of a modified similarity matrix.
      Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) are employed to model each cluster of normal
      activities and form feature vectors. One-Class Support Vector Machines (OSVMs)
      are used to profile the normal activities and detect abnormal activities. To
      validate the efficacy of our method, we conducted experiments in real indoor
      environments. The encouraging results show that our method is able to detect
      abnormal activities given only the normal training samples, which aims to avoid
      the laborious and inconsistent data labeling process. 

PMID- 27271633
TI  - Point Cloud Based Relative Pose Estimation of a Satellite in Close Range.
AB  - Determination of the relative pose of satellites is essential in space rendezvous
      operations and on-orbit servicing missions. The key problems are the adoption of
      suitable sensor on board of a chaser and efficient techniques for pose
      estimation. This paper aims to estimate the pose of a target satellite in close
      range on the basis of its known model by using point cloud data generated by a
      flash LIDAR sensor. A novel model based pose estimation method is proposed; it
      includes a fast and reliable pose initial acquisition method based on global
      optimal searching by processing the dense point cloud data directly, and a pose
      tracking method based on Iterative Closest Point algorithm. Also, a simulation
      system is presented in this paper in order to evaluate the performance of the
      sensor and generate simulated sensor point cloud data. It also provides truth
      pose of the test target so that the pose estimation error can be quantified. To
      investigate the effectiveness of the proposed approach and achievable pose
      accuracy, numerical simulation experiments are performed; results demonstrate
      algorithm capability of operating with point cloud directly and large pose
      variations. Also, a field testing experiment is conducted and results show that
      the proposed method is effective. 

PMID- 27271634
TI  - Stride Counting in Human Walking and Walking Distance Estimation Using Insole
      Sensors.
AB  - This paper proposes a novel method of estimating walking distance based on a
      precise counting of walking strides using insole sensors. We use an inertial
      triaxial accelerometer and eight pressure sensors installed in the insole of a
      shoe to record walkers' movement data. The data is then transmitted to a
      smartphone to filter out noise and determine stance and swing phases. Based on
      phase information, we count the number of strides traveled and estimate the
      movement distance. To evaluate the accuracy of the proposed method, we created
      two walking databases on seven healthy participants and tested the proposed
      method. The first database, which is called the short distance database, consists
      of collected data from all seven healthy subjects walking on a 16 m distance. The
      second one, named the long distance database, is constructed from walking data of
      three healthy subjects who have participated in the short database for an 89 m
      distance. The experimental results show that the proposed method performs walking
      distance estimation accurately with the mean error rates of 4.8% and 3.1% for the
      short and long distance databases, respectively. Moreover, the maximum difference
      of the swing phase determination with respect to time is 0.08 s and 0.06 s for
      starting and stopping points of swing phases, respectively. Therefore, the stride
      counting method provides a highly precise result when subjects walk. 

PMID- 27271635
TI  - Pedestrian Detection at Day/Night Time with Visible and FIR Cameras: A
      Comparison.
AB  - Despite all the significant advances in pedestrian detection brought by computer
      vision for driving assistance, it is still a challenging problem. One reason is
      the extremely varying lighting conditions under which such a detector should
      operate, namely day and nighttime. Recent research has shown that the combination
      of visible and non-visible imaging modalities may increase detection accuracy,
      where the infrared spectrum plays a critical role. The goal of this paper is to
      assess the accuracy gain of different pedestrian models (holistic, part-based,
      patch-based) when training with images in the far infrared spectrum.
      Specifically, we want to compare detection accuracy on test images recorded at
      day and nighttime if trained (and tested) using (a) plain color images; (b) just
      infrared images; and (c) both of them. In order to obtain results for the last
      item, we propose an early fusion approach to combine features from both
      modalities. We base the evaluation on a new dataset that we have built for this
      purpose as well as on the publicly available KAIST multispectral dataset. 

PMID- 27271636
TI  - Local Strategy Combined with a Wavelength Selection Method for Multivariate
      Calibration.
AB  - One of the essential factors influencing the prediction accuracy of multivariate
      calibration models is the quality of the calibration data. A local regression
      strategy, together with a wavelength selection approach, is proposed to build the
      multivariate calibration models based on partial least squares regression. The
      local algorithm is applied to create a calibration set of spectra similar to the
      spectrum of an unknown sample; the synthetic degree of grey relation coefficient
      is used to evaluate the similarity. A wavelength selection method based on simple
      to-use interactive self-modeling mixture analysis minimizes the influence of
      noisy variables, and the most informative variables of the most similar samples
      are selected to build the multivariate calibration model based on partial least
      squares regression. To validate the performance of the proposed method,
      ultraviolet-visible absorbance spectra of mixed solutions of food coloring
      analytes in a concentration range of 20-200 ug/mL is measured. Experimental
      results show that the proposed method can not only enhance the prediction
      accuracy of the calibration model, but also greatly reduce its complexity. 

PMID- 27271637
TI  - Determination of Specific Losses in the Limbs of an Epstein Frame Using a Three
      Epstein Frame Methodology Applied to Grain Oriented Electrical Steels.
AB  - An experimental method to characterize the magnetic properties of Grain Oriented
      Electrical Steel in the rolling direction is proposed in this paper. It relies on
      the use of three 25 cm Epstein frames combined to generate three test-frames of
      different lengths. This enables the identification of the effective specific
      losses of the electrical steel when magnetization is applied along the rolling
      direction. As a consequence, it evidences the deviation of the loss figures
      obtained using the standardised Epstein test. The difference in losses is
      explained by the fact that the described method gives "only" the losses attached
      to the straight parts. The concept of the magnetic path length as defined by the
      standard is discussed. 

PMID- 27271638
TI  - Accurate Vehicle Location System Using RFID, an Internet of Things Approach.
AB  - Modern infrastructure, such as dense urban areas and underground tunnels, can
      effectively block all GPS signals, which implies that effective position
      triangulation will not be achieved. The main problem that is addressed in this
      project is the design and implementation of an accurate vehicle location system
      using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology in combination with GPS
      and the Global system for Mobile communication (GSM) technology, in order to
      provide a solution to the limitation discussed above. In essence, autonomous
      vehicle tracking will be facilitated with the use of RFID technology where GPS
      signals are non-existent. The design of the system and the results are reflected
      in this paper. An extensive literature study was done on the field known as the
      Internet of Things, as well as various topics that covered the integration of
      independent technology in order to address a specific challenge. The proposed
      system is then designed and implemented. An RFID transponder was successfully
      designed and a read range of approximately 31 cm was obtained in the low
      frequency communication range (125 kHz to 134 kHz). The proposed system was
      designed, implemented, and field tested and it was found that a vehicle could be
      accurately located and tracked. It is also found that the antenna size of both
      the RFID reader unit and RFID transponder plays a critical role in the maximum
      communication range that can be achieved. 

PMID- 27271639
TI  - Identification of Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides Derived
      from Enzymatic Hydrolysates of Razor Clam Sinonovacula constricta.
AB  - Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of razor clam
      hydrolysates produced using five proteases, namely, pepsin, trypsin, alcalase,
      flavourzyme and proteases from Actinomucor elegans T3 was investigated.
      Flavourzyme hydrolysate showed the highest level of degree of hydrolysis (DH)
      (45.87%) followed by A. elegans T3 proteases hydrolysate (37.84%) and alcalase
      (30.55%). The A. elegans T3 proteases was observed to be more effective in
      generating small peptides with ACE-inhibitory activity. The 3 kDa membrane
      permeate of A. elegans T3 proteases hydrolysate showed the highest ACE-inhibitory
      activity with an IC50 of 0.79 mg/mL. After chromatographic separation by Sephadex
      G-15 gel filtration and reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography, the
      potent fraction was subjected to MALDI/TOF-TOF MS/MS for identification. A novel
      ACE-inhibitory peptide (VQY) was identified exhibiting an IC50 of 9.8 MUM. The
      inhibitory kinetics investigation by Lineweaver-Burk plots demonstrated that the
      peptide acts as a competitive ACE inhibitor. The razor clam hydrolysate obtained
      by A. elegans T3 proteases could serve as a source of functional peptides with
      ACE-inhibitory activity for physiological benefits. 

PMID- 27271640
TI  - Cembranoids from a Chinese Collection of the Soft Coral Lobophytum crassum.
AB  - Ten new cembrane-based diterpenes, locrassumins A-G (1-7), (-)-laevigatol B (8),
      (-)-isosarcophine (9), and (-)-7R,8S-dihydroxydeepoxysarcophytoxide (10), were
      isolated from a South China Sea collection of the soft coral Lobophytum crassum,
      together with eight known analogues (11-18). The structures of the new compounds
      were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with
      previously reported data. Locrassumin C (3) possesses an unprecedented
      tetradecahydrobenzo[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2][8]annulene ring system. Compounds 1, 7,
      12, 13, and 17 exhibited moderate inhibition against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      induced nitric oxide (NO) production with IC50 values of 8-24 MUM. 

PMID- 27271641
TI  - Coral Carbonic Anhydrases: Regulation by Ocean Acidification.
AB  - Global change is a major threat to the oceans, as it implies temperature increase
      and acidification. Ocean acidification (OA) involving decreasing pH and changes
      in seawater carbonate chemistry challenges the capacity of corals to form their
      skeletons. Despite the large number of studies that have investigated how rates
      of calcification respond to ocean acidification scenarios, comparatively few
      studies tackle how ocean acidification impacts the physiological mechanisms that
      drive calcification itself. The aim of our paper was to determine how the
      carbonic anhydrases, which play a major role in calcification, are potentially
      regulated by ocean acidification. For this we measured the effect of pH on enzyme
      activity of two carbonic anhydrase isoforms that have been previously
      characterized in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata. In addition we
      looked at gene expression of these enzymes in vivo. For both isoforms, our
      results show (1) a change in gene expression under OA (2) an effect of OA and
      temperature on carbonic anhydrase activity. We suggest that temperature increase
      could counterbalance the effect of OA on enzyme activity. Finally we point out
      that caution must, thus, be taken when interpreting transcriptomic data on
      carbonic anhydrases in ocean acidification and temperature stress experiments, as
      the effect of these stressors on the physiological function of CA will depend
      both on gene expression and enzyme activity. 

PMID- 27271642
TI  - Empirical Model for Evaluating PM10 Concentration Caused by River Dust Episodes.
AB  - Around the estuary of the Zhuo-Shui River in Taiwan, the waters recede during the
      winter, causing an increase in bare land area and exposing a large amount of fine
      earth and sand particles that were deposited on the riverbed. Observations at the
      site revealed that when northeastern monsoons blow over bare land without
      vegetation or water cover, the fine particles are readily lifted by the wind,
      forming river dust, which greatly endangers the health of nearby residents.
      Therefore, determining which factors affect river dust and constructing a model
      to predict river dust concentration are extremely important in the research and
      development of a prototype warning system for areas at risk of river dust
      emissions. In this study, the region around the estuary of the Zhuo-Shui River
      (from the Zi-Qiang Bridge to the Xi-Bin Bridge) was selected as the research
      area. Data from a nearby air quality monitoring station were used to screen for
      days with river dust episodes. The relationships between PM10 concentration and
      meteorological factors or bare land area were analyzed at different temporal
      scales to explore the factors that affect river dust emissions. Study results
      showed that no single factor alone had adequate power to explain daily average or
      daily maximum PM10 concentration. Stepwise regression analysis of multiple
      factors showed that the model could not effectively predict daily average PM10
      concentration, but daily maximum PM10 concentration could be predicted by a
      combination of wind velocity, temperature, and bare land area; the coefficient of
      determination for this model was 0.67. It was inferred that river dust episodes
      are caused by the combined effect of multiple factors. In addition, research data
      also showed a time lag effect between meteorological factors and hourly PM10
      concentration. This characteristic was applied to the construction of a
      prediction model, and can be used in an early warning system for local residents.

PMID- 27271643
TI  - Development and Validation of an Instrument Measuring Theory-Based Determinants
      of Monitoring Obesogenic Behaviors of Pre-Schoolers among Hispanic Mothers.
AB  - Public health interventions are greatly needed for obesity prevention, and
      planning for such strategies should include community participation. The study's
      purpose was to develop and validate a theory-based instrument with low-income,
      Hispanic mothers of preschoolers, to assess theory-based determinants of maternal
      monitoring of child's consumption of fruits and vegetables and sugar-sweetened
      beverages (SSB). Nine focus groups with mothers were conducted to determine
      nutrition-related behaviors that mothers found as most obesogenic for their
      children. Next, behaviors were operationally defined and rated for importance and
      changeability. Two behaviors were selected for investigation (fruits and
      vegetable and SSB). Twenty semi-structured interviews with mothers were conducted
      next to develop culturally appropriate items for the instrument. Afterwards, face
      and content validity were established using a panel of six experts. Finally, the
      instrument was tested with a sample of 238 mothers. Psychometric properties
      evaluated included construct validity (using the maximum likelihood extraction
      method of factor analysis), and internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's
      alpha). Results suggested that all scales on the instrument were valid and
      reliable, except for the autonomy scales. Researchers and community planners
      working with Hispanic families can use this instrument to measure theory-based
      determinants of parenting behaviors related to preschoolers' consumption of
      fruits and vegetables, and SSB.

PMID- 27271644
TI  - A Diffusive Gradient-in-Thin-Film Technique for Evaluation of the Bioavailability
      of Cd in Soil Contaminated with Cd and Pb.
AB  - Management of heavy metal contamination requires accurate information about the
      distribution of bioavailable fractions, and about exchange between the solid and
      solution phases. In this study, we employed diffusive gradients in thin-films
      (DGT) and traditional chemical extraction methods (soil solution, HOAc, EDTA,
      CaCl2, and NaOAc) to determine the Cd bioavailability in Cd-contaminated soil
      with the addition of Pb. Two typical terrestrial species (wheat, Bainong AK58;
      maize, Zhengdan 958) were selected as the accumulation plants. The results showed
      that the added Pb may enhance the efficiency of Cd phytoextraction which is
      indicated by the increasing concentration of Cd accumulating in the plant
      tissues. The DGT-measured Cd concentrations and all the selected traditional
      extractants measured Cd concentrations all increased with increasing
      concentration of the addition Pb which were similar to the change trends of the
      accumulated Cd concentrations in plant tissues. Moreover, the Pearson regression
      coefficients between the different indicators obtained Cd concentrations and
      plants uptake Cd concentrations were further indicated significant correlations
      (p < 0.01). However, the values of Pearson regression coefficients showed the
      merits of DGT, CaCl2, and Csol over the other three methods. Consequently, the in
      situ measurement of DGT and the ex situ traditional methods could all reflect the
      inhibition effects between Cd and Pb. Due to the feature of dynamic measurements
      of DGT, it could be a robust tool to predict Cd bioavaiability in complex
      contaminated soil.

PMID- 27271645
TI  - Identifying Hot-Spots of Metal Contamination in Campus Dust of Xi'an, China.
AB  - The concentrations of heavy metals (As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) in
      campus dust from kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, and
      universities in the city of Xi'an, China, were determined by X-ray fluorescence
      spectrometry. The pollution levels and hotspots of metals were analyzed using a
      geoaccumulation index and Local Moran's I, an indicator of spatial association,
      respectively. The dust samples from the campuses had metal concentrations higher
      than background levels, especially for Pb, Zn, Co, Cu, Cr, and Ba. The pollution
      assessment indicated that the campus dusts were not contaminated with As, Mn, Ni,
      or V, were moderately or not contaminated with Ba and Cr and were moderately to
      strongly contaminated with Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Local Moran's I analysis detected
      the locations of spatial clusters and outliers and indicated that the pollution
      with these 10 metals occurred in significant high-high spatial clusters, low
      high, or even high-low spatial outliers. As, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn had
      important high-high patterns in the center of Xi'an. The western and southwestern
      regions of the study area, i.e., areas of old and high-tech industries, have
      strongly contributed to the Co content in the campus dust.

PMID- 27271646
TI  - Individual Monitoring and Occupational Dose Record Management in China: History,
      Current Status and Perspectives.
AB  - This review paper presents an overview of individual monitoring, as well as the
      national dose register and dose record management of radiation workers in China.
      Progress has recently been made on the individual monitoring of radiation
      workers. A critical analysis of current status and problems in individual
      monitoring is also presented and necessary future research on individual
      monitoring, such as the monitoring technology in the form of the ring dosimeters
      and eye lens dosimeters, is suggested.

PMID- 27271647
TI  - Increased Risk of Respiratory Mortality Associated with the High-Tech
      Manufacturing Industry: A 26-Year Study.
AB  - Global high-tech manufacturers are mainly located in newly industrialized
      countries, raising concerns about adverse health consequences from industrial
      pollution for people living nearby. We investigated the ecological association
      between respiratory mortality and the development of Taiwan's high-tech
      manufacturing, taking into account industrialization and socioeconomic
      development, for 19 cities and counties-6 in the science park group and 13 in the
      control group-from 1982 to 2007. We applied a linear mixed-effects model to
      analyze how science park development over time is associated with age-adjusted
      and sex-specific mortality rates for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD). Asthma and female COPD mortality rates decreased in both groups,
      but they decreased 9%-16% slower in the science park group. Male COPD mortality
      rates increased in both groups, but the rate increased 10% faster in the science
      park group. Science park development over time was a significant predictor of
      death from asthma (p <= 0.0001) and COPD (p = 0.0212). The long-term development
      of clustered high-tech manufacturing may negatively affect nearby populations,
      constraining health advantages that were anticipated, given overall progress in
      living standards, knowledge, and health services. National governments should
      incorporate the long-term health effects on local populations into environmental
      impact assessments.

PMID- 27271648
TI  - Incidence and Mortality Risks of Cancer in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A
      Retrospective Study in Shanghai, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence from epidemiologic investigation indicates that people with
      type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at a significantly higher risk of many types of cancer
      and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and
      mortality risks of cancer in patients with T2DM compared with the general
      population in Shanghai, China. METHODS: Based on the Shanghai Diabetes Registry
      (SDR) database linking to the Shanghai Cancer Registry and Surveillance System
      (SCRSS), a total of 12,276 T2DM patients without cancer were defined and followed
      up from 1 December 2001 to 31 July 2011. Standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and
      standardized mortality ratio (SMR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were
      calculated using the whole gender and age-matched general population of Shanghai
      as a reference during the same period. RESULTS: The overall cancer risk was found
      higher in both males and females T2DM patients, with the SIR of 3.14 (95% CI 2.73
      3.56) and 4.29 (95% CI 3.64-4.94), respectively. The overall mortality risk of
      cancer also significantly increased with the SMR of 2.27 (95% CI 1.86-2.68) and
      1.86 (95% CI 1.46-2.26), respectively. Pancreatic cancer was with the highest SIR
      and SMR in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the general population,
      patients with T2DM were associated with higher incidence and mortality risks of
      cancer, especially pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 27271649
TI  - An Evaluation of Voluntary Varicella Vaccination Coverage in Zhejiang Province,
      East China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2014 a 2-doses varicella vaccine (VarV) schedule was recommended
      by the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We aimed to
      assess the coverage of the 1st dose of VarV (VarV1) and the 2nd dose of VarV
      (VarV2) among children aged 2-6 years through the Zhejiang Provincial
      Immunization Information System (ZJIIS) and to explore the determinants
      associated with the VarV coverage. METHODS: Children aged 2-6 years (born from 1
      January 2009 to 31 December 2013) registered in ZJIIS were enrolled. Anonymized
      individual records of target children were extracted from the ZJIIS database on 1
      January 2016, including their VarV and (measles-containing vaccine) MCV
      vaccination information. The VarV1 and VarV2 coverage rates were evaluated for
      each birth cohorts. The coverage of VarV also was estimated among strata defined
      by cities, gender and immigration status. We also evaluated the difference in
      coverage between VarV and MCV. RESULTS: A total of 3,028,222 children aged 2-6
      years were enrolled. The coverage of VarV1 ranged from 84.8% to 87.9% in the 2009
      2013 birth cohorts, while the coverage of VarV2 increased from 31.8% for the 2009
      birth cohort to 48.7% for the 2011 birth cohort. Higher coverage rates for both
      VarV1 and VarV2 were observed among resident children in relevant birth cohorts.
      The coverage rates of VarV1 and VarV2 were lower than those for the 1st and 2nd
      dose of MCV, which were above 95%. The proportion of children who were vaccinated
      with VarV1 at the recommended age increased from 34.6% for the 2009 birth cohort
      to 75.2% for the 2013 birth cohort, while the proportion of children who were
      vaccinated with VarV2 at the recommended age increased from 19.7% for the 2009
      birth cohort to 48.7% for the 2011 birth cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a
      rapid increasing VarV2 coverage of children, indicating a growing acceptance of
      the 2-doses VarV schedule among children's caregivers and physicians after the
      new recommendation released. We highlighted the necessity for a 2-doses VarV
      vaccination school-entry requirement to achieve the high coverage of >90% and to
      eliminate disparities in coverage among sub-populations. We also recommended
      continuous monitoring of the VarV coverage via ZJIIS over time.

PMID- 27271650
TI  - Genetic Variation in POU4F3 and GRHL2 Associated with Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
      in Chinese Population: A Case-Control Study.
AB  - Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an important occupational disease worldwide
      resulting from interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The
      purpose of this study was to examine whether genetic variations in POU4F3 and
      GRHL2 may influence susceptibility to NIHL in the Chinese population. A matched
      case-control study was carried out among 293 hearing loss individuals and 293
      normal hearing workers drawn from a population of 3790 noise-exposed workers. Ten
      single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in POU4F3 and GRHL2 were selected and
      genotyped. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the main effects of SNPs
      and the interactions between noise exposure and SNPs. Moreover, the interactions
      between predictor haplotypes and noise exposure were also analyzed. Analysis
      revealed that the CC genotype of rs1981361 in the GRHL2 gene was associated with
      a higher risk of NIHL (adjusted OR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.08-2.32, p = 0.018).
      Additionally, the GG genotype of rs3735715 in the GRHL2 gene was also a risk
      genotype (adjusted OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.01-2.19, p = 0.046). Significant
      interactions were found between rs3735715, rs1981361 (GRHL2), rs1368402 as well
      as rs891969 (POU4F3) and noise exposure in the high-level exposure groups.
      Furthermore, the protective haplotype CA in the POU4F3 gene and the risk
      haplotype GCCG in the GRHL2 gene were identified combined with noise exposure.
      These results indicated that GRHL2 might be an NIHL susceptibility gene, but the
      effect of POU4F3 on NIHL could only be detected when taking noise exposure into
      account, and their effects were enhanced by higher levels of noise exposure.
      However, the differences were not significant after the Bonferroni correction was
      applied. These results should be seen as suggestive.

PMID- 27271652
TI  - Health-Care Waste Treatment Technology Selection Using the Interval 2-Tuple
      Induced TOPSIS Method.
AB  - Health-care waste (HCW) management is a major challenge for municipalities,
      particularly in the cities of developing nations. Selecting the best treatment
      technology for HCW can be regarded as a complex multi-criteria decision making
      (MCDM) issue involving a number of alternatives and multiple evaluation criteria.
      In addition, decision makers tend to express their personal assessments via multi
      granularity linguistic term sets because of different backgrounds and knowledge,
      some of which may be imprecise, uncertain and incomplete. Therefore, the main
      objective of this study is to propose a new hybrid decision making approach
      combining interval 2-tuple induced distance operators with the technique for
      order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) for tackling HCW
      treatment technology selection problems with linguistic information. The proposed
      interval 2-tuple induced TOPSIS (ITI-TOPSIS) can not only model the uncertainty
      and diversity of the assessment information given by decision makers, but also
      reflect the complex attitudinal characters of decision makers and provide much
      more complete information for the selection of the optimum disposal alternative.
      Finally, an empirical example in Shanghai, China is provided to illustrate the
      proposed decision making method, and results show that the ITI-TOPSIS proposed in
      this paper can solve the problem of HCW treatment technology selection
      effectively.

PMID- 27271651
TI  - Hand- and Object-Mouthing of Rural Bangladeshi Children 3-18 Months Old.
AB  - Children are exposed to environmental contaminants by placing contaminated hands
      or objects in their mouths. We quantified hand- and object-mouthing frequencies
      of Bangladeshi children and determined if they differ from those of U.S. children
      to evaluate the appropriateness of applying U.S. exposure models in other socio
      cultural contexts. We conducted a five-hour structured observation of the
      mouthing behaviors of 148 rural Bangladeshi children aged 3-18 months. We modeled
      mouthing frequencies using 2-parameter Weibull distributions to compare the
      modeled medians with those of U.S. children. In Bangladesh the median frequency
      of hand-mouthing was 37.3 contacts/h for children 3-6 months old, 34.4 contacts/h
      for children 6-12 months old, and 29.7 contacts/h for children 12-18 months old.
      The median frequency of object-mouthing was 23.1 contacts/h for children 3-6
      months old, 29.6 contacts/h for children 6-12 months old, and 15.2 contacts/h for
      children 12-18 months old. At all ages both hand- and object-mouthing frequencies
      were higher than those of U.S. children. Mouthing frequencies were not associated
      with child location (indoor/outdoor). Using hand- and object-mouthing exposure
      models from U.S. and other high-income countries might not accurately estimate
      children's exposure to environmental contaminants via mouthing in low- and middle
      income countries.

PMID- 27271653
TI  - A Tale of Two RNAs during Viral Infection: How Viruses Antagonize mRNAs and Small
      Non-Coding RNAs in The Host Cell.
AB  - Viral infection initiates an array of changes in host gene expression. Many
      viruses dampen host protein expression and attempt to evade the host anti-viral
      defense machinery. Host gene expression is suppressed at several stages of host
      messenger RNA (mRNA) formation including selective degradation of translationally
      competent messenger RNAs. Besides mRNAs, host cells also express a variety of
      noncoding RNAs, including small RNAs, that may also be subject to inhibition upon
      viral infection. In this review we focused on different ways viruses antagonize
      coding and noncoding RNAs in the host cell to its advantage.

PMID- 27271655
TI  - Accurate Measurement of the Effects of All Amino-Acid Mutations on Influenza
      Hemagglutinin.
AB  - Influenza genes evolve mostly via point mutations, and so knowing the effect of
      every amino-acid mutation provides information about evolutionary paths available
      to the virus. We and others have combined high-throughput mutagenesis with deep
      sequencing to estimate the effects of large numbers of mutations to influenza
      genes. However, these measurements have suffered from substantial experimental
      noise due to a variety of technical problems, the most prominent of which is
      bottlenecking during the generation of mutant viruses from plasmids. Here we
      describe advances that ameliorate these problems, enabling us to measure with
      greatly improved accuracy and reproducibility the effects of all amino-acid
      mutations to an H1 influenza hemagglutinin on viral replication in cell culture.
      The largest improvements come from using a helper virus to reduce bottlenecks
      when generating viruses from plasmids. Our measurements confirm at much higher
      resolution the results of previous studies suggesting that antigenic sites on the
      globular head of hemagglutinin are highly tolerant of mutations. We also show
      that other regions of hemagglutinin-including the stalk epitopes targeted by
      broadly neutralizing antibodies-have a much lower inherent capacity to tolerate
      point mutations. The ability to accurately measure the effects of all influenza
      mutations should enhance efforts to understand and predict viral evolution.

PMID- 27271656
TI  - Malignant Mesothelioma and Delivery of Polyphenols.
AB  - Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin cell
      wall lining of the body's internal organs and structures.[...]. 

PMID- 27271657
TI  - Effect of Immune-Enhancing Enteral Nutrition Enriched with or without Beta-Glucan
      on Immunomodulation in Critically Ill Patients.
AB  - We investigated whether high-protein enteral nutrition with immune-modulating
      nutrients (IMHP) enriched with beta-glucan stimulates immune function in
      critically ill patients. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study,
      30 patients consumed one of three types of enteral nutrition: a control or IMHP
      with and without beta-glucan. The IMHP with beta-glucan group showed increases in
      natural killer (NK) cell activities relative to the baseline, and greater
      increases were observed in NK cell activities relative to the control group after
      adjusting for age and gender. The IMHP groups with and without beta-glucan had
      greater increases in serum prealbumin and decreases in high-sensitivity C
      reactive protein (hs-CRP) than the control group. The control group had a greater
      decrease in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) interleukin (IL)-12
      production than the IMHP with and without beta-glucan groups. In all patients,
      the change (Delta) in hs-CRP was correlated with Delta prealbumin and Delta PBMC
      IL-12, which were correlated with DeltaNK cell activity and Delta prealbumin.
      This study showed beneficial effects of a combination treatment of beta-glucan
      and IMHP on NK cell activity. Additionally, strong correlations among changes in
      NK cell activity, PBMC IL-12, and hs-CRP suggested that beta-glucan could be an
      attractive candidate for stimulating protective immunity without enhanced
      inflammation (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02569203). 

PMID- 27271654
TI  - The Role of microRNAs in the Pathogenesis of Herpesvirus Infection.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs important in gene regulation. They
      are able to regulate mRNA translation through base-pair complementarity. Cellular
      miRNAs have been involved in the regulation of nearly all cellular pathways, and
      their deregulation has been associated with several diseases such as cancer.
      Given the importance of microRNAs to cell homeostasis, it is no surprise that
      viruses have evolved to take advantage of this cellular pathway. Viruses have
      been reported to be able to encode and express functional viral microRNAs that
      target both viral and cellular transcripts. Moreover, viral inhibition of key
      proteins from the microRNA pathway and important changes in cellular microRNA
      pool have been reported upon viral infection. In addition, viruses have developed
      multiple mechanisms to avoid being targeted by cellular microRNAs. This complex
      interaction between host and viruses to control the microRNA pathway usually
      favors viral infection and persistence by either reducing immune detection,
      avoiding apoptosis, promoting cell growth, or promoting lytic or latent
      infection. One of the best examples of this virus-host-microRNA interplay
      emanates from members of the Herperviridae family, namely the herpes simplex
      virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human
      herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In this review, we will
      focus on the general functions of microRNAs and the interactions between
      herpesviruses, human hosts, and microRNAs and will delve into the related
      mechanisms that contribute to infection and pathogenesis.

PMID- 27271658
TI  - Comparison of Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition with Glucose or Amino Acid
      Mixtures in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.
AB  - Many long-term maintenance hemodialysis patients have symptoms of protein-energy
      wasting caused by malnutrition. Each session of hemodialysis removes about 10 to
      12 g of amino acids and 200 to 480 kcal of energy. Patients receiving
      hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease may be undernourished for energy, protein
      consumption, or both. Non-diabetic hemodialysis patients were randomized to three
      treatment groups: oral supplementation, oral supplementation plus high
      concentration glucose solution (250 mL containing 50% glucose) and these two
      interventions plus 8.5% amino acids solution. The post-treatment energy status of
      the glucose group was significantly higher than its baseline level, whereas the
      control group's status was significantly lower. The glucose group had
      significantly higher concentrations of asparagine, glutamine, glycine, alanine,
      and lysine after treatment. All treatment groups had significantly increased
      hemoglobin levels but significantly decreased transferrin levels after treatment
      compared to baseline. After treatment, the amino acid group had significantly
      higher albumin level compared to the glucose group (p = 0.001) and significantly
      higher prealbumin level compared to the control group (p = 0.017). In conclusion,
      long-term intervention with high-concentration glucose solution at each
      hemodialysis session is a simple and cheap method that replenished energy stores
      lost during hemodialysis of non-diabetic patients. 

PMID- 27271659
TI  - The Distribution of Obesity Phenotypes in HIV-Infected African Population.
AB  - The distribution of body size phenotypes in people with human immunodeficiency
      virus (HIV) infection has yet to be characterized. We assessed the distribution
      of body size phenotypes overall, and according to antiretroviral therapy (ART),
      diagnosed duration of the infection and CD4 count in a sample of HIV infected
      people recruited across primary care facilities in the Western Cape Province,
      South Africa. Adults aged >= 18 years were consecutively recruited using random
      sampling procedures, and their cardio-metabolic profile were assessed during
      March 2014 and February 2015. They were classified across body mass index (BMI)
      categories as normal-weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 <= BMI < 30 kg/m2),
      and obese (BMI >= 30 kg/m2), and further classified according to their metabolic
      status as "metabolically healthy" vs. "metabolically abnormal" if they had less
      than two vs. two or more of the following abnormalities: high blood glucose,
      raised blood pressure, raised triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol. Their cross
      classification gave the following six phenotypes: normal-weight metabolically
      healthy (NWMH), normal-weight metabolically abnormal (NWMA), overweight
      metabolically healthy (OvMH), overweight metabolically abnormal (OvMA), obese
      metabolically healthy (OMH), and obese metabolically abnormal (OMA). Among the
      748 participants included (median age 38 years (25th-75th percentiles: 32-44)),
      79% were women. The median diagnosed duration of HIV was five years; the median
      CD4 count was 392 cells/mm3 and most participants were on ART. The overall
      distribution of body size phenotypes was the following: 31.7% (NWMH), 11.7%
      (NWMA), 13.4% (OvMH), 9.5% (OvMA), 18.6% (OMH), and 15.1% (OMA). The distribution
      of metabolic phenotypes across BMI levels did not differ significantly in men vs.
      women (p = 0.062), in participants below vs. those at or above median diagnosed
      duration of HIV infection (p = 0.897), in participants below vs. those at or
      above median CD4 count (p = 0.447), and by ART regimens (p = 0.205). In this
      relatively young sample of HIV-infected individuals, metabolically abnormal
      phenotypes are frequent across BMI categories. This highlights the importance of
      general measures targeting an overall improvement in cardiometabolic risk profile
      across the spectrum of BMI distribution in all adults with HIV. 

PMID- 27271662
TI  - On the Importance of Processing Conditions for the Nutritional Characteristics of
      Homogenized Composite Meals Intended for Infants.
AB  - The nutritional quality of infant food is an important consideration in the
      effort to prevent a further increase in the rate of childhood obesity. We
      hypothesized that the canning of composite infant meals would lead to elevated
      contents of carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) and favor high glycemic and insulinemic
      responses compared with milder heat treatment conditions. We have compared
      composite infant pasta Bolognese meals that were either conventionally canned
      (CANPBol), or prepared by microwave cooking (MWPBol). A meal where the pasta and
      Bolognese sauce were separate during microwave cooking (MWP_CANBol) was also
      included. The infant meals were tested at breakfast in healthy adults using white
      wheat bread (WWB) as reference. A standardized lunch meal was served at 240 min
      and blood was collected from fasting to 360 min after breakfast. The 2-h glucose
      response (iAUC) was lower following the test meals than with WWB. The insulin
      response was lower after the MWP_CANBol (-47%, p = 0.0000) but markedly higher
      after CANPBol (+40%, p = 0.0019), compared with WWB. A combined measure of the
      glucose and insulin responses (ISIcomposite) revealed that MWP_CANBol resulted in
      94% better insulin sensitivity than CANPBol. Additionally, the separate
      processing of the meal components in MWP_CANBol resulted in 39% lower CML levels
      than the CANPBol. It was therefore concluded that intake of commercially canned
      composite infant meals leads to reduced postprandial insulin sensitivity and
      increased exposure to oxidative stress promoting agents. 

PMID- 27271660
TI  - Biomarkers of Aging: From Function to Molecular Biology.
AB  - Aging is a major risk factor for most chronic diseases and functional
      impairments. Within a homogeneous age sample there is a considerable variation in
      the extent of disease and functional impairment risk, revealing a need for valid
      biomarkers to aid in characterizing the complex aging processes. The
      identification of biomarkers is further complicated by the diversity of
      biological living situations, lifestyle activities and medical treatments. Thus,
      there has been no identification of a single biomarker or gold standard tool that
      can monitor successful or healthy aging. Within this short review the current
      knowledge of putative biomarkers is presented, focusing on their application to
      the major physiological mechanisms affected by the aging process including
      physical capability, nutritional status, body composition, endocrine and immune
      function. This review emphasizes molecular and DNA-based biomarkers, as well as
      recent advances in other biomarkers such as microRNAs, bilirubin or advanced
      glycation end products. 

PMID- 27271661
TI  - Effects of Whey, Caseinate, or Milk Protein Ingestion on Muscle Protein Synthesis
      after Exercise.
AB  - Whey protein (WP) is characterized as a "fast" protein and caseinate (CA) as a
      "slow" protein according to their digestion and absorption rates. We hypothesized
      that co-ingestion of milk proteins (WP and CA) may be effective for prolonging
      the muscle protein synthesis response compared to either protein alone. We
      therefore compared the effect of ingesting milk protein (MP) to either WP or CA
      alone on muscle protein synthesis after exercise in rats. We also compared the
      effects of these milk-derived proteins to a control, soy protein (SP). Male
      Sprague-Dawley rats swam for two hours. Immediately after exercise, one of the
      following four solutions was administered: WP, CA, MP, or SP. Individual rats
      were euthanized at designated postprandial time points and triceps muscle samples
      collected for measurement of the protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR). FSR
      tended to increase in all groups post-ingestion, although the initial peaks of
      FSR occurred at different times (WP, peak time = 60 min, FSR = 7.76%/day; MP,
      peak time = 90 min, FSR = 8.34%/day; CA, peak time = 120 min, FSR = 7.85%/day).
      Milk-derived proteins caused significantly greater increases (p < 0.05) in FSR
      compared with SP at different times (WP, 60 min; MP, 90 and 120 min; CA, 120
      min). Although statistical analysis could not be performed, the calculated the
      area under the curve (AUC) values for FSR following this trend were: MP, 534.61;
      CA, 498.22; WP, 473.46; and SP, 406.18. We conclude that ingestion of MP, CA or
      WP causes the initial peak time in muscle protein synthesis to occur at different
      times (WP, fast; MP, intermediate; CA, slow) and the dairy proteins have a
      superior effect on muscle protein synthesis after exercise compared with SP. 

PMID- 27271663
TI  - Marginal Ascorbate Status (Hypovitaminosis C) Results in an Attenuated Response
      to Vitamin C Supplementation.
AB  - Inadequate dietary intake of vitamin C results in hypovitaminosis C, defined as a
      plasma ascorbate concentration <=23 MUmol/L. Our objective was to carry out a
      retrospective analysis of two vitamin C supplementation studies to determine
      whether supplementation with 50 mg/day vitamin C is sufficient to restore
      adequate ascorbate status (>=50 MUmol/L) in individuals with hypovitaminosis C.
      Plasma ascorbate data from 70 young adult males, supplemented with 50 or 200
      mg/day vitamin C for up to six weeks, was analyzed. Hypovitaminosis C status was
      identified based on plasma ascorbate being <=23 MUmol/L and the response of these
      individuals to vitamin C supplementation was examined. Of the participants
      consuming 50 mg/day vitamin C for up to six weeks, those with hypovitaminosis C
      at baseline achieved plasma concentrations of only ~30 MUmol/L, whereas the
      remainder reached ~50 MUmol/L. Participants who consumed 200 mg/day vitamin C
      typically reached saturating concentrations (>65 MUmol/L) within one week, while
      those with hypovitaminosis C required two weeks to reach saturation. Regression
      modelling indicated that the participants' initial ascorbate status and body
      weight explained ~30% of the variability in the final ascorbate concentration.
      Overall, our analysis revealed that supplementation with 50 mg/day vitamin C,
      which resulted in a total dietary vitamin C intake of 75 mg/day, was insufficient
      to achieve adequate plasma ascorbate concentrations in individuals with
      hypovitaminosis C. Furthermore, increased body weight had a negative impact on
      ascorbate status. 

PMID- 27271664
TI  - The Effects of an Olive Fruit Polyphenol-Enriched Yogurt on Body Composition,
      Blood Redox Status, Physiological and Metabolic Parameters and Yogurt Microflora.
AB  - In the present study we investigated the effects of an olive polyphenol-enriched
      yogurt on yogurt microflora, as well as hematological, physiological and
      metabolic parameters, blood redox status and body composition. In a randomized
      double-blind, crossover design, 16 (6 men, 10 women) nonsmoking volunteers with
      non-declared pathology consumed either 400 g of olive fruit polyphenol-enriched
      yogurt with 50 mg of encapsulated olive polyphenols (experimental condition-EC)
      or 400 g of plain yogurt (control condition-CC) every day for two weeks.
      Physiological measurements and blood collection were performed before and after
      two weeks of each condition. The results showed that body weight, body mass
      index, hip circumference and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p <
      0.05) following the two-week consumption of yogurt regardless of condition. A
      tendency towards significance for decreased levels of low density lipoprotein
      (LDL) cholesterol (p = 0.06) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (p <
      0.05) following two weeks of polyphenol-enriched yogurt consumption was observed.
      The population of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and production of lactate in yogurt
      were significantly enhanced after addition of olive polyphenols, contrary to the
      population of yeasts and molds. The results indicate that consumption of the
      polyphenol-enriched yogurt may help individuals with non-declared pathology
      reduce body weight, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol levels and lipid
      peroxidation, and promote growth of beneficial LAB. 

PMID- 27271665
TI  - Vitamin D in Fibromyalgia: A Causative or Confounding Biological Interplay?
AB  - Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome with an increasing prevalence,
      characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain in combination with a variety of
      cognitive symptoms and fatigue. A plethora of scientific evidence that has
      accumulated during the last decades, resulted in a significant improvement of the
      understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. However, current therapeutic
      approaches in patients with FM remains a multidimensional approach including
      patient education, behavioral therapy, exercise, pain management, and relief of
      chronic symptoms, rather than the use drug therapies, based on the mechanisms of
      disease development. Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin derived mainly from skin
      synthesis through ultraviolet radiation, has been recognized to manifest a
      plethora of extraskeletal actions, apart from its fundamental role in skeletal
      and calcium homeostasis, including modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular
      actions, and potential anti-inflammatory properties. Recent findings indicate
      that hypovitaminosis D to be highly prevalent in patients with FM.
      Supplementation studies are limited so far, indicating potential beneficial
      effects on pain and severity of the disease, however specific recommendations are
      lacking. This review aims to summarize and critically appraise data regarding the
      pathophysiological interplay between vitamin D and FM, available results from
      observational and supplementation studies so far, with a clinical discourse on
      current knowledge gaps and future research agenda. 

PMID- 27271666
TI  - Nutrition in Pregnancy: Optimising Maternal Diet and Fetal Adaptations to Altered
      Nutrient Supply.

PMID- 27271667
TI  - A Systematic Investigation into the Environmental Fate of Microcystins and The
      Potential Risk: Study in Lake Taihu.
AB  - A systematic investigation was conducted in Lake Taihu in autumn of 2013 and
      2014, in order to understand the environmental fate of microcystins (MCs) and
      evaluate the health risk from MCs. Samples of water, algal cells, macrophytes,
      shrimps and fish were taken to detect MCs by HPLC-MS/MS after solid phase
      extraction. Widespread MC contamination in water, algal cells, macrophytes,
      shrimps and fish was found in Lake Taihu. The ubiquitous presence of MCs in
      water, algal cells and biota was found in 100% of samples. MC accumulation was in
      the order of primary producer > tertiary consumer > secondary consumer > primary
      consumer. The highest levels of MCs in macrophytes, shrimps and fish tissue were
      found in Potamogeton maackianus, Exopalaemon modestus, and Hyporhamphus
      intermedius, respectively. The MCs level in shrimps and the tissues of three fish
      species, Neosalanx tangkahkeii taihuensis, Coilia ectenes and silver carp, was
      closely linked to their dietary exposure. Ceratophyllum demersum L. was an ideal
      plant for introduction into lakes to protect against Microcystis blooms and MCs,
      due to its ability to absorb nutrients, accumulate large amounts of MCs and
      tolerate these toxins compared to other macrophytes. The average daily intakes
      (ADIs) of MCs for Exopalaemon modestus and three fish species, Coilia ectenes,
      Hyporhamphus intermedius and Carassius carassius, were all above the tolerable
      daily intakes (TDI) set by the World Health Organization (WHO), implying there
      existed potential threats to human health.

PMID- 27271668
TI  - Effects of Zinc Chelators on Aflatoxin Production in Aspergillus parasiticus.
AB  - Zinc concentrations strongly influence aflatoxin accumulation in laboratory media
      and in food and feed crops. The presence of zinc stimulates aflatoxin production,
      and the absence of zinc impedes toxin production. Initial studies that suggested
      a link between zinc and aflatoxin biosynthesis were presented in the 1970s. In
      the present study, we utilized two zinc chelators, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis (2
      pyridylmethyl) ethane-1,2-diamine (TPEN) and 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic
      acid (DMPS) to explore the effect of zinc limitation on aflatoxin synthesis in
      Aspergillus parasiticus. TPEN but not DMPS decreased aflatoxin biosynthesis up to
      six-fold depending on whether A. parasiticus was grown on rich or minimal medium.
      Although we observed significant inhibition of aflatoxin production by TPEN, no
      detectable changes were observed in expression levels of the aflatoxin pathway
      gene ver-1 and the zinc binuclear cluster transcription factor, AflR. Treatment
      of growing A. parasiticus solid culture with a fluorescent zinc probe
      demonstrated an increase in intracellular zinc levels assessed by increases in
      fluorescent intensity of cultures treated with TPEN compared to controls. These
      data suggest that TPEN binds to cytoplasmic zinc therefore limiting fungal access
      to zinc. To investigate the efficacy of TPEN on food and feed crops, we found
      that TPEN effectively decreases aflatoxin accumulation on peanut medium but not
      in a sunflower seeds-derived medium. From an application perspective, these data
      provide the basis for biological differences that exist in the efficacy of
      different zinc chelators in various food and feed crops frequently contaminated
      by aflatoxin.

PMID- 27271670
TI  - AAU-Specific RNA Cleavage Mediated by MazF Toxin Endoribonuclease Conserved in
      Nitrosomonas europaea.
AB  - Nitrosomonas europaea carries numerous toxin-antitoxin systems. However, despite
      the abundant representation in its chromosome, studies have not surveyed the
      underlying molecular functions in detail, and their biological roles remain
      enigmatic. In the present study, we found that a chromosomally-encoded MazF
      family member, predicted at the locus NE1181, is a functional toxin
      endoribonuclease, and constitutes a toxin-antitoxin system, together with its
      cognate antitoxin, MazE. Massive parallel sequencing provided strong evidence
      that this toxin endoribonuclease exhibits RNA cleavage activity, primarily
      against the AAU triplet. This sequence-specificity was supported by the results
      of fluorometric assays. Our results indicate that N. europaea alters the
      translation profile and regulates its growth using the MazF family of
      endoribonuclease under certain stressful conditions.

PMID- 27271671
TI  - A Multi-Step miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network Construction Approach Identifies Gene
      Signatures Associated with Endometrioid Endometrial Carcinoma.
AB  - We aimed to identify endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC)-related gene
      signatures using a multi-step miRNA-mRNA regulatory network construction
      approach. Pathway analysis showed that 61 genes were enriched on many carcinoma
      related pathways. Among the 14 highest scoring gene signatures, six genes had
      been previously shown to be endometrial carcinoma. By qRT-PCR and next generation
      sequencing, we found that a gene signature (CPEB1) was significantly down
      regulated in EEC tissues, which may be caused by hsa-miR-183-5p up-regulation. In
      addition, our literature surveys suggested that CPEB1 may play an important role
      in EEC pathogenesis by regulating the EMT/p53 pathway. The miRNA-mRNA network is
      worthy of further investigation with respect to the regulatory mechanisms of
      miRNAs in EEC. CPEB1 appeared to be a tumor suppressor in EEC. Our results
      provided valuable guidance for the functional study at the cellular level, as
      well as the EEC mouse models. 

PMID- 27271673
TI  - Contrasting Foraging Patterns: Testing Resource-Concentration and Dilution
      Effects with Pollinators and Seed Predators.
AB  - Resource concentration effects occur when high resource density patches attract
      and support more foragers than low density patches. In contrast, resource
      dilution effects can occur if high density patches support fewer consumers. In
      this study, we examined the foraging rates of pollinators and seed predators on
      two perennial plant species (Rudbeckia triloba and Verbena stricta) as functions
      of resource density. Specifically, we examined whether resource-dense patches
      (densities of flower and seeds on individual plants) resulted in greater
      visitation and seed removal rates, respectively. We also examined whether
      foraging rates were context-dependent by conducting the study in two sites that
      varied in resource densities. For pollinators, we found negative relationships
      between the density of flowers per plant and visitation rates, suggesting
      dilution effects. For seed predators, we found positive relationships consistent
      with concentration effects. Saturation effects and differences in foraging
      behaviors might explain the opposite relationships; most of the seed predators
      were ants (recruitment-based foragers), and pollinators were mostly solitary
      foragers. We also found that foraging rates were site-dependent, possibly due to
      site-level differences in resource abundance and consumer densities. These
      results suggest that these two plant species may benefit from producing as many
      flowers as possible, given high levels of pollination and low seed predation. 

PMID- 27271672
TI  - Field Method for Testing Repellency of an Icaridin-Containing Skin Lotion against
      Vespid Wasps.
AB  - Vespid wasps are ecologically beneficial predators of insects but their stings
      also pose a human health risk. Current control methods based on killing vespids
      are suboptimal. Here, the repellent effect against Vespula vulgaris of a 20%
      icaridin skin lotion was evaluated under field conditions. An experimental setup
      was designed in which six artificial skin pieces (10 * 10 cm) were video-recorded
      for 1 h, to count each min the numbers of flying and feeding vespids. Prior to
      monitoring, five pieces were successively smeared with 2 mg of cream per cm2, in
      30 min intervals, from t = -120 min to 0. The sixth sheet remained untreated to
      serve as a control. One milliliter of an attractant, fruit jam, was deposited on
      each of the six surfaces at t = 0. The control surface was free of any flying or
      feeding vespid during an average period of 25 min, whereas the other five
      surfaces (treated at t = -120, -90, -60, -30, and 0 min) remained vespid-free for
      39, 40, 45, 49, and 51 min, respectively. The skin lotion remained significantly
      active for at least 2 h. The experimental methodology is adjustable and allows
      the study of repellents against vespids in semi-natural conditions. 

PMID- 27271674
TI  - Physiological Effects of Ergot Alkaloid and Indole-Diterpene Consumption on Sheep
      under Hot and Thermoneutral Ambient Temperature Conditions.
AB  - A controlled feeding study was undertaken to determine the physiological and
      production effects of consuming perennial ryegrass alkaloids (fed via seed) under
      extreme heat in sheep. Twenty-four Merino ewe weaners (6 months; initial BW 30.8
      +/- 1.0 kg) were selected and the treatment period lasted 21 days following a 14
      day acclimatisation period. Two levels of two factors were used. The first factor
      was alkaloid, fed at a nil (NilAlk) or moderate level (Alk; 80 MUg/kg LW
      ergovaline and 20.5 MUg/kg.LW lolitrem B). The second factor was ambient
      temperature applied at two levels; thermoneutral (TN; constant 21-22  degrees C)
      or heat (Heat; 9:00 AM-5:00 PM at 38  degrees C; 5:00 PM-9:00 AM at 21-22 
      degrees C), resulting in four treatments, NilAlk TN, NilAlk Heat, Alk TN and Alk
      Heat. Alkaloid consumption reduced dry matter intake ( p = 0.008), and tended to
      reduce liveweight ( p = 0.07). Rectal temperature and respiration rate were
      increased by both alkaloid and heat ( p < 0.05 for all). Respiration rate
      increased to severe levels when alkaloid and heat were combined, indicating the
      short term effects which may be occurring in perennial ryegrass toxicosis (PRGT)
      areas during severe weather conditions, a novel finding. When alkaloid ingestion
      and heat were administered separately, similar physiological responses occurred,
      indicating alkaloid ingestion causes a similar heat stress response to 38 
      degrees C heat. 

PMID- 27271669
TI  - An Overview of Helicobacter pylori VacA Toxin Biology.
AB  - The VacA toxin secreted by Helicobacter pylori enhances the ability of the
      bacteria to colonize the stomach and contributes to the pathogenesis of gastric
      adenocarcinoma and peptic ulcer disease. The amino acid sequence and structure of
      VacA are unrelated to corresponding features of other known bacterial toxins.
      VacA is classified as a pore-forming toxin, and many of its effects on host cells
      are attributed to formation of channels in intracellular sites. The most
      extensively studied VacA activity is its capacity to stimulate vacuole formation,
      but the toxin has many additional effects on host cells. Multiple cell types are
      susceptible to VacA, including gastric epithelial cells, parietal cells, T cells,
      and other types of immune cells. This review focuses on the wide range of VacA
      actions that are detectable in vitro, as well as actions of VacA in vivo that are
      relevant for H. pylori colonization of the stomach and development of gastric
      disease.

PMID- 27271675
TI  - Characterization of Tensile Mechanical Behavior of MSCs/PLCL Hybrid Layered
      Sheet.
AB  - A layered construct was developed by combining a porous polymer sheet and a cell
      sheet as a tissue engineered vascular patch. The primary objective of this study
      is to investigate the influence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) sheet on the
      tensile mechanical properties of porous poly-(l-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone)
      (PLCL) sheet. The porous PLCL sheet was fabricated by the solid-liquid phase
      separation method and the following freeze-drying method. The MSCs sheet,
      prepared by the temperature-responsive dish, was then layered on the top of the
      PLCL sheet and cultured for 2 weeks. During the in vitro study, cellular
      properties such as cell infiltration, spreading and proliferation were evaluated.
      Tensile test of the layered construct was performed periodically to characterize
      the tensile mechanical behavior. The tensile properties were then correlated with
      the cellular properties to understand the effect of MSCs sheet on the variation
      of the mechanical behavior during the in vitro study. It was found that MSCs from
      the cell sheet were able to migrate into the PLCL sheet and actively proliferated
      into the porous structure then formed a new layer of MSCs on the opposite surface
      of the PLCL sheet. Mechanical evaluation revealed that the PLCL sheet with MSCs
      showed enhancement of tensile strength and strain energy density at the first
      week of culture which is characterized as the effect of MSCs proliferation and
      its infiltration into the porous structure of the PLCL sheet. New technique was
      presented to develop tissue engineered patch by combining MSCs sheet and porous
      PLCL sheet, and it is expected that the layered patch may prolong biomechanical
      stability when implanted in vivo. 

PMID- 27271677
TI  - Abiotic Deposition of Fe Complexes onto Leptothrix Sheaths.
AB  - Bacteria classified in species of the genus Leptothrix produce extracellular,
      microtubular, Fe-encrusted sheaths. The encrustation has been previously linked
      to bacterial Fe oxidases, which oxidize Fe(II) to Fe(III) and/or active groups of
      bacterial exopolymers within sheaths to attract and bind aqueous-phase
      inorganics. When L. cholodnii SP-6 cells were cultured in media amended with high
      Fe(II) concentrations, Fe(III) precipitates visibly formed immediately after
      addition of Fe(II) to the medium, suggesting prompt abiotic oxidation of Fe(II)
      to Fe(III). Intriguingly, these precipitates were deposited onto the sheath
      surface of bacterial cells as the population was actively growing. When Fe(III)
      was added to the medium, similar precipitates formed in the medium first and were
      abiotically deposited onto the sheath surfaces. The precipitates in the Fe(II)
      medium were composed of assemblies of globular, amorphous particles (ca. 50 nm
      diameter), while those in the Fe(III) medium were composed of large, aggregated
      particles (>=3 um diameter) with a similar amorphous structure. These
      precipitates also adhered to cell-free sheaths. We thus concluded that direct
      abiotic deposition of Fe complexes onto the sheath surface occurs independently
      of cellular activity in liquid media containing Fe salts, although it remains
      unclear how this deposition is associated with the previously proposed mechanisms
      (oxidation enzyme- and/or active group of organic components-involved) of Fe
      encrustation of the Leptothrix sheaths. 

PMID- 27271678
TI  - Aspergillus Biofilms in Human Disease.
AB  - The biofilm phenotype of Aspergillus species is an important and accepted
      clinical entity. While industrially these biofilms have been used extensively in
      important biofermentations, their role in clinical infection is less well
      defined. A recent flurry of activity has demonstrated that these interesting
      filamentous moulds have the capacity to form biofilms both in vitro and in vivo,
      and through various investigations have shown that these are exquisitely
      resistant to antifungal therapies through a range of adaptive resistance
      mechanisms independent of defined genetic changes. This review will explore the
      clinical importance of these biofilms and provide contemporary information with
      respect to their clinical management. 

PMID- 27271676
TI  - Chloramphenicol Derivatives as Antibacterial and Anticancer Agents: Historic
      Problems and Current Solutions.
AB  - Chloramphenicol (CAM) is the D-threo isomer of a small molecule, consisting of a
      p-nitrobenzene ring connected to a dichloroacetyl tail through a 2-amino-1,3
      propanediol moiety. CAM displays a broad-spectrum bacteriostatic activity by
      specifically inhibiting the bacterial protein synthesis. In certain but important
      cases, it also exhibits bactericidal activity, namely against the three most
      common causes of meningitis, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and
      Neisseria meningitidis. Resistance to CAM has been frequently reported and
      ascribed to a variety of mechanisms. However, the most important concerns that
      limit its clinical utility relate to side effects such as neurotoxicity and
      hematologic disorders. In this review, we present previous and current efforts to
      synthesize CAM derivatives with improved pharmacological properties. In addition,
      we highlight potentially broader roles of these derivatives in investigating the
      plasticity of the ribosomal catalytic center, the main target of CAM. 

PMID- 27271679
TI  - Disinfectants to Fight Oral Candida Biofilms.
AB  - Oral biofilms, especially those caused by oral mycobiota, which include Candida
      species, are very difficult to eradicate, due to their complex structure and
      recalcitrance. Moreover, the mouth is prone to be colonized since it presents
      different types of surfaces, especially biomaterials and dental implants, often
      associated with a high rate of infections. Therefore, although disinfection of
      the oral cavity is of major importance, the number of commercially available
      disinfectants is not high. However, new solutions, as silver nanoparticles are
      being developed to help oral biofilms' eradication. 

PMID- 27271680
TI  - The Extracellular Matrix of Fungal Biofilms.
AB  - A key feature of biofilms is their production of an extracellular matrix. This
      material covers the biofilm cells, providing a protective barrier to the
      surrounding environment. During an infection setting, this can include such
      offenses as host cells and products of the immune system as well as drugs used
      for treatment. Studies over the past two decades have revealed the matrix from
      different biofilm species to be as diverse as the microbes themselves. This
      chapter will review the composition and roles of matrix from fungal biofilms,
      with primary focus on Candida species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus
      fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Additional coverage will be provided on
      the antifungal resistance proffered by the Candida albicans matrix, which has
      been studied in the most depth. A brief section on the matrix produced by
      bacterial biofilms will be provided for comparison. Current tools for studying
      the matrix will also be discussed, as well as suggestions for areas of future
      study in this field. 

PMID- 27271681
TI  - Candida albicans in Multispecies Oral Communities; A Keystone Commensal?
AB  - The complexity of the oral cavity, in which many hundreds of microbial species
      interact represents a challenge for modern microbiologists. What are all these
      species doing there? And why do we accept so many opportunistic pathogens to be
      part of our health (commensal) microflora? While the role of bacteria are often
      being studied, the role of fungi in the interactions within the oral cavity are
      understudied. This is partly because fungi in the oral cavity are generally
      considered as pathogens and related to diseases. In this chapter we will explore
      mechanisms of interaction between bacteria and fungi in the oral cavity that are
      involved in maintenance of oral health. We will argue that fungi in general and
      C. albicans specifically, should be regarded a keystone commensal in the oral
      cavity. 

PMID- 27271682
TI  - Quantifying over-estimation in early stopped clinical trials and the "freezing
      effect" on subsequent research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the wide use of the design with statistical stopping
      guidelines to stop a randomized clinical trial early for efficacy, there are
      unsettled debates of potential harmful consequences of such designs. These
      concerns include the possible over-estimation of treatment effects in early
      stopped trials and a newer argument of a "freezing effect" that will halt future
      randomized clinical trials on the same comparison since an early stopped trial
      represents an effective declaration that randomization to the unfavored arm is
      unethical. The purpose of this study is to determine the degree of bias in
      designs that allow for early stopping and to assess the impact on estimation if
      indeed future experimentation is "frozen" by an early stopped trial. METHODS: We
      perform simulations to study the effect of early stopping. We simulate a
      collection of trials and contrast the treatment-effect estimates (risk
      differences and ratios) with the simulation truth. Simulations consider various
      scenarios of between-study variation, including an empirically derived
      distribution of effects from the clinical literature. RESULTS: Across the trials
      whose true effects are sampled from a uniform distribution, estimates from trials
      that stop early for efficacy deviate minimally from the simulation truth (median
      bias of the estimate of risk difference is 0.005). Over-estimation becomes
      appreciable only when the true effect is close to the null value 0 (median bias
      of the risk difference estimate is 0.04) or when stopping happens with 40%
      information or less; however, stopping under these situations is rare. We also
      find slight reverse bias of the estimated treatment effect (median bias of the
      risk difference estimate is -0.002) among trials that do not cross the early
      stopping boundaries but continue to the final analysis. Similar results occur
      with relative risk estimates. In contrast, Bayesian estimation of the treatment
      effect shrinks the estimate from trials stopping early and pulls back under
      estimation from completed trials, largely rectifying any over-estimation among
      trials that terminate early. Regarding the so-called freezing effect, the pooled
      effects from meta-analyses that include truncated randomized clinical trials show
      an unimportant deviation from the true value, even when no subsequent trials are
      conducted after a truncated randomized clinical trial. CONCLUSION: Group
      sequential designs with stopping rules seek to minimize exposure of patients to a
      disfavored therapy and speed dissemination of results, and such designs do not
      lead to materially biased estimates. The likelihood and magnitude of a "freezing
      effect" is minimal. Superiority demonstrated in a randomized clinical trial
      stopping early and designed with appropriate statistical stopping rules is likely
      a valid inference, even if the estimate may be slightly inflated.

PMID- 27271683
TI  - Fidelity to a behavioral intervention to improve goals of care decisions for
      nursing home residents with advanced dementia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ensuring fidelity to a behavioral intervention implemented in
      nursing homes requires awareness of the unique considerations of this setting for
      research. The purpose of this article is to describe the goals of care cluster
      randomized trial and the methods used to monitor and promote fidelity to a goals
      of care decision aid intervention delivered in nursing homes. METHODS: The
      cluster randomized trial tested whether a decision aid for goals of care in
      advanced dementia could improve (1) the quality of communication and decision
      making, (2) the quality of palliative care, and (3) the quality of dying for
      nursing home residents with advanced dementia. In 11 intervention nursing homes,
      family decision-makers for residents with advanced dementia received a two
      component intervention: viewing a video decision aid about goals of care choices
      and then participating in a structured decision-making discussion with the
      nursing home care plan team, ideally within 3 months after the decision aid was
      viewed. Following guidelines from the National Institutes of Health Behavior
      Change Consortium, fidelity was assessed in study design, in nursing home staff
      training for intervention implementation, and in monitoring and receipt of the
      intervention. We also monitored the content and timing of goals of care
      discussions. RESULTS: Investigators enrolled 151 family decision-maker/resident
      dyads in intervention sites; of those, 136 (90%) received both components of the
      intervention, and 92%-99% of discussions addressed each of four recommended
      content areas-health status, goals of care, choice of a goal, and treatment
      planning. A total of 94 (69%) of the discussions between family decision-makers
      and the nursing home care team were completed within 3 months. CONCLUSION: The
      methods we used for intervention fidelity allowed nursing home staff to implement
      a goals of care decision aid intervention for advanced dementia. Key supports for
      implementation included design features that aligned with nursing home practice,
      efficient staff training, and a structured guide for goals of care discussions
      between family decision-makers and staff. These approaches may be used to promote
      fidelity to behavioral interventions in future clinical trials.

PMID- 27271684
TI  - Ovariectomy increases the age-induced hyperphosphorylation of Tau at hippocampal
      CA1.
AB  - One of the main hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease includes the neurofibrillary
      tangles formation produced by hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein, whose
      expression is putatively regulated by the ovarian hormones estradiol and
      progesterone. Hippocampus is a brain region that participates in many functions
      related to learning and memory; in addition, it is abundant in both estradiol and
      progesterone receptors. In this study, we explore the expression of Tau
      hyperphosphorylation at hippocampus and the performance of rats in an autoshaping
      learning task at 5, 10 and 15 months after the ovaries removal. In these animals,
      ovariectomy was performed at 3 months of age. These data were compared with those
      derived from intact rats at 8, 13 and 18 months old. A clear decrease in the
      number of conditioned responses of both intact and ovariectomized rats in the
      autoshaping learning task was observed. The interaction of both factors confirms
      that, in this test, learning varies depending on aging and the presence or
      absence of ovaries. A progressive increase in hippocampal Tau phosphorylation at
      Ser-396 was observed in either intact or ovariectomized rats. Interestingly, an
      interaction between the analyzed factors shows that such hyperphosphorylation was
      potentiated by the absence of ovaries. These results emphasize the importance of
      aging and the lack of ovarian hormones for an associative learning test and for
      the expression of one of the most important hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

PMID- 27271685
TI  - Folding Landscape of Mutant Huntingtin Exon1: Diffusible Multimers, Oligomers and
      Fibrils, and No Detectable Monomer.
AB  - Expansion of the polyglutamine (polyQ) track of the Huntingtin (HTT) protein
      above 36 is associated with a sharply enhanced risk of Huntington's disease (HD).
      Although there is general agreement that HTT toxicity resides primarily in N
      terminal fragments such as the HTT exon1 protein, there is no consensus on the
      nature of the physical states of HTT exon1 that are induced by polyQ expansion,
      nor on which of these states might be responsible for toxicity. One hypothesis is
      that polyQ expansion induces an alternative, toxic conformation in the HTT exon1
      monomer. Alternative hypotheses posit that the toxic species is one of several
      possible aggregated states. Defining the nature of the toxic species is
      particularly challenging because of facile interconversion between physical
      states as well as challenges to identifying these states, especially in vivo.
      Here we describe the use of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to
      characterize the detailed time and repeat length dependent self-association of
      HTT exon1-like fragments both with chemically synthesized peptides in vitro and
      with cell-produced proteins in extracts and in living cells. We find that, in
      vitro, mutant HTT exon1 peptides engage in polyQ repeat length dependent dimer
      and tetramer formation, followed by time dependent formation of diffusible
      spherical and fibrillar oligomers and finally by larger, sedimentable amyloid
      fibrils. For expanded polyQ HTT exon1 expressed in PC12 cells, monomers are
      absent, with tetramers being the smallest molecular form detected, followed in
      the incubation time course by small, diffusible aggregates at 6-9 hours and
      larger, sedimentable aggregates that begin to build up at 12 hrs. In these cell
      cultures, significant nuclear DNA damage appears by 6 hours, followed at later
      times by caspase 3 induction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death. Our data
      thus defines limits on the sizes and concentrations of different physical states
      of HTT exon1 along the reaction profile in the context of emerging cellular
      distress. The data provide some new candidates for the toxic species and some new
      reservations about more well-established candidates. Compared to other known
      markers of HTT toxicity, nuclear DNA damage appears to be a relatively early
      pathological event. 

PMID- 27271686
TI  - Next-generation precision genome engineering and plant biotechnology.

PMID- 27271687
TI  - Dose-dependent effects of higher methionine levels on the transcriptome and
      metabolome of transgenic Arabidopsis seeds.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Higher methionine levels in transgenic Arabidopsis seeds trigger the
      accumulation of stress-related transcripts and primary metabolites. These
      responses depend on the levels of methionine within seeds. Methionine, a sulfur
      containing amino acid, is a key metabolite in plant cells. To reveal the
      regulatory role of the Arabidopsis thaliana CYSTATHIONINE gamma-SYNTHASE (AtCGS),
      methionine main regulatory enzyme, in the synthesis of methionine in seeds, we
      generated transgenic RNAi seeds with targeted repression of AtCGS during late
      developmental stages of seeds. Unexpectedly, these seeds accumulated 2.5-fold
      more methionine than wild-type seeds. To study the nature of these seeds,
      transcriptomic and primary metabolite profiling were employed using Affymetrix
      ATH1 microarray and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, respectively.
      The results were compared to transgenic Arabidopsis seeds expressing a feedback
      insensitive form of AtCGS (named SSE-AtD-CGS) that were previously showed to
      accumulate up to sixfold more soluble methionine than wild-type seeds.
      Statistical assessments showed that the nature of transcriptomic and metabolic
      changes that occurred in RNAi::AtCGS seeds were relatively similar, but to lesser
      extents, to those previously reported for SSE-AtD-CGS seeds, and linked to the
      induction of global transcriptomic and metabolic responses associated with
      stronger desiccation stress. As transgenic seeds obtained by both manipulations
      exhibited higher, but different methionine levels, the data strongly suggest that
      these changes depend on the absolute amounts of methionine within seeds and much
      less to the expression level of AtCGS.

PMID- 27271688
TI  - Postmeiotic development of pollen surface layers requires two Arabidopsis ABCG
      type transporters.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Two Arabidopsis ABC transporters, ABCG1 and ABCG16, are expressed in
      the tapetal layer, specifically after postmeiotic microspore release, and play
      important roles in pollen surface development. The male gametophytic cells of
      terrestrial plants, the pollen grains, travel far before fertilization, and thus
      require strong protective layers, which take the form of a pollen coat and a
      pollen wall. The protective surface structures are generated by the tapetum, the
      tissue surrounding the developing gametophytes. Many ABC transporters, including
      Arabidopsis thaliana ABCG1 and ABCG16, have been shown to play essential roles in
      the development of such protective layers. However, the details of the mechanism
      of their function remain to be clarified. In this study, we show that ABCG1 and
      ABCG16 are localized at the plasma membrane of tapetal cells, specifically after
      postmeiotic microspore release, and play critical roles in the postmeiotic stages
      of male gametophyte development. Consistent with this stage-specific expression,
      the abcg1 abcg16 double knockout mutant exhibited defects in pollen development
      after postmeiotic microspore release; their microspores lacked intact nexine and
      intine layers, exhibited defects in pollen mitosis I, displayed ectopic deposits
      of arabinogalactan proteins, failed to complete cytokinesis, and lacked sperm
      cells. Interestingly, the double mutant exhibited abnormalities in the internal
      structures of tapetal cells, too; the storage organelles of tapetal cells,
      tapetosomes and elaioplasts, were morphologically altered. Thus, this work
      reveals that the lack of ABCG1 and ABCG16 at the tapetal cell membrane causes a
      broad range of defects in pollen, as well as in tapetal cells themselves.
      Furthermore, these results suggest that normal pollen surface development is
      necessary for normal development of the pollen cytoplasm.

PMID- 27271689
TI  - Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibition provides protection against lung injury in
      a rat paraquat toxicity model.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Paraquat (PQ) is a widely used herbicide. Exposure to PQ at toxic
      doses can result in fatal acute lung injury. Inhibition of the poly-(ADP-ribose)
      polymerase (PARP) enzyme alleviates inflammation and necrosis in various
      pathologies. Here we aimed to evaluate the effects of PARP inhibition on PQ
      induced lung damage in a rat experimental model. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley
      rats (n = 24) were allocated into three groups: sham, PQ and PQ + 3
      aminobenzamide (3-AB) that is a PARP inhibitor, groups. Experimental lung injury
      was induced by administration of 15 mg/kg PQ intraperitoneally in PQ and PQ + 3
      AB groups. 3-AB (10 mg/kg twice per day) was administered to the PQ + 3-AB group
      for four consecutive days. The animals were killed on the fifth day following PQ
      administration. Lung tissue and blood samples were collected and stored until
      analysis. RESULTS: Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and neopterin levels, tissue
      oxidative stress parameters, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta) levels
      and histological injury scores in the PQ + 3-AB group were significantly lower
      than in the PQ group (P < 0.05, PQ vs. PQ + 3-AB). Total antioxidant capacity in
      the PQ + 3-AB group was significantly higher than in the PQ group (P < 0.05, PQ +
      3-AB vs. PQ). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the use of PARP inhibitors
      following PQ toxicity might be useful for minimizing lung injury due to paraquat
      toxicity.

PMID- 27271690
TI  - Exogenous orienting of attention in hearing: a virtual reality paradigm to assess
      auditory attention in neglect patients.
AB  - While mechanisms of orienting attention in unilateral spatial neglect (USN) have
      frequently been studied in the visual domain, these mechanisms remain relatively
      unexplored in the auditory domain. Our first goal was to replicate Spence and
      Driver's (J Exp Psychol Hum 22:1005-1030, 1994) results with a virtual reality
      paradigm. This paradigm simulated a 3-dimensional auditory space with headphones.
      Our second aim was to study auditory profiles of orienting attention in USN. In a
      first experiment, 18 healthy participants performed an auditory cueing spatial
      paradigm (either a target-detection task or a target-lateralization task). In a
      second experiment, 14 right-stroke patients (10 with USN and 4 without USN)
      performed these two same tasks. As in Spence and Driver's (J Exp Psychol Hum
      22:1005-1030, 1994), our first experiment showed that spatial representations are
      not utilized for the detection of auditory stimuli. However, during the
      lateralization task, participants were quicker to detect targets preceded by a
      spatially congruent cue, which suggests that our paradigm could be suitable for
      studying orienting attention in hearing. Our second experiment found that
      patients with USN also needed an explicit spatial task to be sensitive to
      auditory spatial cueing. In the target-lateralization task, they showed effects
      lateralized only to one side of space, whereas patients without USN did not.
      Although our paradigm needs replications to better understand orienting attention
      impairments in hearing in USN, this study could have implications for the
      development of clinical tasks that could assess auditory spatial attention in USN
      syndrome.

PMID- 27271691
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271692
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271693
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27271695
TI  - Metabolite amyloids: a new paradigm for inborn error of metabolism disorders.
AB  - The formation of ordered amyloid assemblies is associated with major human
      degenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and
      type 2 diabetes. Amyloid fibrils are elongated nanoscale structures that bind to
      specific dyes (including thioflavin T and Congo red). Amyloid fibrillar
      assemblies or their early intermediates are known to induce apoptotic cytotoxic
      effect. Until recently, amyloid fiber formation was observed only with proteins
      and peptides. We reported in 2012 that a single amino acid, phenylalanine, could
      also form typical amyloid fibrils with the same morphology, dye-binding
      specificity, and electron diffraction pattern as protein amyloids. X-ray
      crystallography demonstrated the formation of supramolecular beta-sheet-like
      organization by phenylalanine at its zwitterionic form. Metabolite amyloids had
      pronounced cytotoxicity that could be depleted by treatment with antibodies
      raised against the phenylalanine structures. We suggested that the observed
      amyloid formation could explain some of the symptoms observed in phenylketonuria
      (PKU) upon the accumulation of phenylalanine. Follow-up studies by other groups
      revealed the ability of phenylalanine amyloids to bind to membranes, as observed
      with protein amyloids. Furthermore, the doxycycline amyloid formation inhibitor
      was shown to also affect the formation of phenylalanine amyloids. In 2015, it was
      reported that other metabolites involved in metabolic disorders, including
      adenine, uracil, tyrosine, and orotic acid, could form amyloid-like assemblies.
      It was further demonstrated that the assemblies induce apoptotic cell death.
      Taken together, we suggest a new hypothesis to understand the etiology of
      degenerative processes observed in inborn error of metabolism disorders and
      indicate new avenues for treatment.

PMID- 27271694
TI  - Riboflavin transport and metabolism in humans.
AB  - Recent studies elucidated how riboflavin transporters and FAD forming enzymes
      work in humans and create a coordinated flavin network ensuring the maintenance
      of cellular flavoproteome. Alteration of this network may be causative of severe
      metabolic disorders such as multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) or
      Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome. A crucial step in the maintenance of FAD
      homeostasis is riboflavin uptake by plasma and mitochondrial membranes.
      Therefore, studies on recently identified human plasma membrane riboflavin
      transporters are presented, together with those in which still unidentified
      mitochondrial riboflavin transporter(s) have been described. A main goal of
      future research is to fill the gaps still existing as for some transcriptional,
      functional and structural details of human FAD synthases (FADS) encoded by FLAD1
      gene, a novel "redox sensing" enzyme. In the frame of the hypothesis that FADS,
      acting as a "FAD chaperone", could play a crucial role in the biogenesis of
      mitochondrial flavo-proteome, several basic functional aspects of flavin cofactor
      delivery to cognate apo-flavoenzyme are also briefly dealt with. The
      establishment of model organisms performing altered FAD homeostasis will improve
      the molecular description of human pathologies. The molecular and functional
      studies of transporters and enzymes herereported, provide guidelines for
      improving therapies which may have beneficial effects on the altered metabolism.

PMID- 27271696
TI  - Tyrosinemia type I and not treatment with NTBC causes slower learning and altered
      behavior in mice.
AB  - Tyrosinemia type I is a recessive inborn error of metabolism caused by mutations
      in the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) gene, coding for the final enzyme in
      the metabolism of tyrosine. This renders FAH nonfunctional and without treatment,
      toxic metabolites accumulate causing liver and kidney damage. Introduction of the
      drug NTBC in 2002 offered a treatment which inhibits an upstream enzyme,
      preventing the production of the toxic metabolites. There is now a long-term
      survival rate of greater than 90 % in children, but there are reports of lower
      cognitive function and IQ as well as schooling and behavioral problems in these
      children. We studied a mouse model of tyrosinemia type I to gain insight into the
      effects of tyrosinemia type I and treatment with NTBC on mouse learning, memory,
      and behavior. In the Barnes maze, visual and spatial cues can be used by mice to
      remember the location of a dark escape box. The primary time, distance, and
      strategy taken by the mice to locate the escape box is a measure of learning and
      memory. Our findings show that mice with tyrosinemia type I were slower to learn
      than wild-type mice treated with NTBC and made more mistakes, but were capable of
      learning and storing long-term memory. After learning the location of the target
      hole, mice with tyrosinemia type I respond differently to a change in location
      and were less flexible in learning the new target hole location. Our findings
      suggest that this slower learning and cognitive difference is caused by
      tyrosinemia type I and not by the treatment with NTBC.

PMID- 27271697
TI  - Optimal Timing for Venous Systemic Oxygen Persufflation Supplemented with Nitric
      Oxide Gas in Cold-Stored, Warm Ischemia-Damaged Experimental Liver Grafts.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Worldwide shortage of donor organs has increased the use of
      donation after cardiac death (DCD). The aim of this study was to analyze the best
      time point for venous systemic oxygen persufflation (VSOP) supplemented with
      nitric oxide (NO) gas during the 1st and 24th hour of cold storage (CS) in warm
      ischemia (WI)-damaged experimental liver grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liver
      grafts (n = 5) were retrieved after 30 min of WI induced by cardiac arrest and CS
      in histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution at 4 degrees C. The 1st hour group
      was immediately persufflated with a VSOP plus NO (VSOP+NO) mixture for 1 h
      followed by 23 h of static CS (DCD+NO 1st hour). The 24th hour group entailed CS
      for 23 h followed by 1 h of VSOP+NO persufflation (DCD+NO 24th hour). CS livers
      without WI but with VSOP served as controls. CS livers with WI represented the
      fourth group (DCD). Viability of the liver grafts was assessed by normothermic
      isolated reperfusion for 45 min with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer. RESULTS:
      Data are presented as mean +/- SEM (control vs. DCD vs. DCD+NO 1st hour vs.
      DCD+NO 24th hour). After 45 min of reperfusion, the DCD+NO 1st hour group showed
      significantly lower aspartate aminotransferase (13.4 +/- 5.3, 63.2 +/- 17.3, 25.6
      +/- 3.9, and 82.8 +/- 27.3 U/l) and lactate dehydrogenase levels (289.4 +/- 41.2,
      2,139.4 +/- 542.7, 577.2 +/- 117.2, and 2,429 +/- 221.6 U/l). Malondialdehyde
      levels were significantly abrogated (1.0 +/- 0.3, 2.7 +/- 1, 1.0 +/- 0, and 3.9
      +/- 1.2 nmol/ml). Significantly higher levels of portal venous pressure were
      recorded in the DCD+NO 24th hour group (12.0 +/- 1, 21.2 +/- 3.1, 16.1 +/- 1, and
      23.2 +/- 3.5 mm Hg). NO levels were recorded after 5 min of reperfusion (1.42 +/-
      0.17, 1.8 +/- 0.2, 2.7 +/- 0.2, and 2.6 +/- 0.1 MUmol/l). Bile production levels
      showed no statistical significance (23.2 +/- 3.8, 27.3 +/- 1.8, 43.5 +/- 18, and
      31 +/- 2.5 MUl/45 min). CONCLUSION: Our results present the beneficial effects of
      NO combined with VSOP during the 1st hour of CS of WI-damaged experimental liver
      grafts.

PMID- 27271698
TI  - Towards Identifying and Reducing the Bias of Disease Information Extracted from
      Search Engine Data.
AB  - The estimation of disease prevalence in online search engine data (e.g., Google
      Flu Trends (GFT)) has received a considerable amount of scholarly and public
      attention in recent years. While the utility of search engine data for disease
      surveillance has been demonstrated, the scientific community still seeks ways to
      identify and reduce biases that are embedded in search engine data. The primary
      goal of this study is to explore new ways of improving the accuracy of disease
      prevalence estimations by combining traditional disease data with search engine
      data. A novel method, Biased Sentinel Hospital-based Area Disease Estimation (B
      SHADE), is introduced to reduce search engine data bias from a geographical
      perspective. To monitor search trends on Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in
      Guangdong Province, China, we tested our approach by selecting 11 keywords from
      the Baidu index platform, a Chinese big data analyst similar to GFT. The
      correlation between the number of real cases and the composite index was 0.8.
      After decomposing the composite index at the city level, we found that only 10
      cities presented a correlation of close to 0.8 or higher. These cities were found
      to be more stable with respect to search volume, and they were selected as sample
      cities in order to estimate the search volume of the entire province. After the
      estimation, the correlation improved from 0.8 to 0.864. After fitting the revised
      search volume with historical cases, the mean absolute error was 11.19% lower
      than it was when the original search volume and historical cases were combined.
      To our knowledge, this is the first study to reduce search engine data bias
      levels through the use of rigorous spatial sampling strategies.

PMID- 27271699
TI  - Patient-reported outcomes and surgical triage: A gap in patient-centered care?
AB  - PURPOSE: To help address wait times for elective surgery, British Columbia has
      implemented a triaging system that assigns priority levels to patients based on
      their diagnoses. The extent to which these priority levels concords with
      patients' assessment of their health status is not known. The purpose of this
      study was to measure the association between the priority levels assigned to
      patients and their patient-reported outcomes data collected at the time of being
      enrolled on the surgical wait list. METHODS: Patients waiting for elective
      surgery in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority were sampled. Participants
      completed a set of generic and condition-specific patient-reported outcome
      instruments, including: the EQ-5D(3L) (general health), PEG (pain), and the PHQ-9
      (depression). A multivariate ordered logistic model was used to regress patient
      reported outcome values on the priority level assigned at the time of wait list
      registration. RESULTS: A total of 2725 participants completed the survey package
      (response rate 49 %). Using the EQ-5D(3L), 63 % reported having problems with
      pain or discomfort, 41 % problems performing usual activities, 36 % problems with
      depression or anxiety, 28 % problems with mobility, and 8 % a problem with self
      care. The results from the ordered logistic model indicated very little
      association between the patient-reported outcomes and wait list priority levels,
      when adjusted for patient factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed no
      relationship between patients' self-reported health status and their assigned
      priority level for elective surgery. A more patient-centered approach to triaging
      patients for surgical treatment would incorporate patients' perspective in
      surgical wait list prioritization systems.

PMID- 27271700
TI  - Thrombin generation assay in untreated whole human blood.
AB  - Present coagulation assays fail to detect mild coagulation disorders, while
      thrombin-generation (TG) assays solve this problem. However, most of them only
      work with threated blood samples, which makes them labor intensive, time
      consuming, unreliable, and expensive. We have developed a TG electrophoretic
      assay that uses a thrombin specific charge-changing fluorescent peptide
      substrate, electrophoretic separation, and requires a drop of blood. The limit of
      detection of the assay was 1.97 nM in phosphate buffer saline and 6.82 nM in
      citrated whole blood. The assay was used to determine the TG in whole blood from
      healthy volunteers (n = 6, one aspirin user), over 30 min, after the blood was
      drawn; the TG increased from a baseline level of 2 * 10(6) RFU to 1.2 * 10(13)
      RFU. The lag time between the blood draw and initial burst of TG was 6 min for
      the volunteers (n = 5) and 15 min for the aspirin user. Specificity of the assay
      was evaluated by reacting our substrate with the heparinized blood samples and
      other proteases. The TG electrophoretic assay was designed and tested in the
      whole human blood, requiring no sample preparation, 5 MUL of blood, 45 min, and
      it detected differences in coagulation patterns between a volunteer taking
      aspirin and non-aspirin users.

PMID- 27271701
TI  - Association between primary Sjogren's syndrome and pregnancy complications: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Systemic autoimmune disorders may interfere with normal reproductive function
      resulting in negative outcome of pregnancy. Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is a
      common rheumatic disease that mostly affects females. There are many reports that
      this condition may increase risk of pregnancy complications and fetal loss.
      However, data regarding these adverse outcomes are scarce and inconclusive. We
      performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of available articles that assess
      the association between pSS and adverse pregnancy outcome. We comprehensively
      searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from their dates of inception to
      March 2016 and reviewed papers with validity criteria. A random-effects model was
      used to evaluate pregnancy complications in patients with pSS and healthy
      controls. From 20 full-text articles, 7 studies involving 544 patients and 1586
      pregnancies were included in the meta-analysis. Fetal complications included
      spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, neonatal deaths, and intrauterine growth
      retardation. Compared with healthy pregnancy, patients with pSS had significantly
      higher chance of neonatal deaths (pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, 95 % confidence
      interval (CI) 1.28 to 1.46, p = 0.01). However, there were no significant
      associations between pSS and premature birth (OR = 2.10, 95 % CI 0.59-7.46, p =
      0.25), spontaneous abortion (OR = 1.46, 95 % CI 0.72-2.93, p = 0.29), artificial
      abortion (OR = 1.12, 95 % CI 0.52-2.61, p = 0.71), or stillbirth (OR = 1.05, 95 %
      CI 0.38-2.97, p = 0.92). There is an increased risk of fetal loss in pregnant
      patients with pSS. The presented evidence further supports multidisciplinary care
      for these patients to prevent complications during pregnancy. 

PMID- 27271702
TI  - A combination of liver fluke infection and traditional northeastern Thai foods
      associated with cholangiocarcinoma development.
AB  - Opisthorchis viverrini infection is one of the risk factors for
      cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in northeast Thailand, a region with one of the highest
      reported incidence rates of CCA. The traditional practice of eating raw fish,
      repeated exposure to liver flukes, and consumption of nitrosamine-contaminated
      food are major risk factors for CCA. So far, there have been no reports about
      which northeastern traditional dishes may be involved in CCA development. The
      present study, thus, investigated the effects of traditional foods. It focused
      specifically on the consumption of fermented foods in combination with O.
      viverrini infection in hamsters. Syrian hamsters were divided into six groups:
      (i) normal hamsters, (ii) O. viverrini infection only and (iii)-(vi) O. viverrini
      infection plus fermented foods (pla som-fish fermented for 1 day), som wua
      fermented beef, som phag-fermented vegetables, and pla ra-fish fermented for 6
      months. Syrian hamster livers were used for analysis of histopathological changes
      through hematoxylin and eosin; Sirius Red; and immunohistostaining for
      cytokeratin-19, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and CA19-9. Hamster sera were
      used for liver and kidney function tests. Results of all O. viverrini-infected
      groups and fermented food groups showed that histopathological changes consisted
      primarily of aggregations of inflammatory cells surrounding the hepatic bile
      duct, especially at the hilar region. However, there was a difference in
      virulence. Interestingly, aggregations of inflammatory cells, new bile duct
      formation, and fibrosis were observed in subcapsular hepatic tissue, which
      correlated to positive immunohistochemical staining and increased liver function
      test. The present study suggests that fermented food consumption can exacerbate
      cholangitis and cholangiofibrosis, which are risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma
      associated opisthorchiasis. 

PMID- 27271704
TI  - Multiplex Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium and Macrolide
      Resistance Using PlexZyme and PlexPrime Technology.
AB  - Mycoplasma genitalium is a cause of non-gonoccocal urethritis (NGU) in men and
      cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Recent international data
      also indicated that the first line treatment, 1 gram stat azithromycin therapy,
      for M. genitalium is becoming less effective, with the corresponding emergence of
      macrolide resistant strains. Increasing failure rates of azithromycin for M.
      genitalium has significant implications for the presumptive treatment of NGU and
      international clinical treatment guidelines. Assays able to predict macrolide
      resistance along with detection of M. genitalium will be useful to enable
      appropriate selection of antimicrobials to which the organism is susceptible and
      facilitate high levels of rapid cure. One such assay recently developed is the MG
      23S assay, which employs novel PlexZymeTM and PlexPrimeTM technology. It is a
      multiplex assay for detection of M. genitalium and 5 mutations associated with
      macrolide resistance. The assay was evaluated in 400 samples from 254 (186 males
      and 68 females) consecutively infected participants, undergoing tests of cure.
      Using the MG 23S assay, 83% (331/440) of samples were positive, with 56% of
      positives carrying a macrolide resistance mutation. Comparison of the MG 23S
      assay to a reference qPCR method for M. genitalium detection and high resolution
      melt analysis (HRMA) and sequencing for detection of macrolide resistance
      mutations, resulted in a sensitivity and specificity for M. genitalium detection
      and for macrolide resistance of 99.1/98.5% and 97.4/100%, respectively. The MG
      23S assay provides a considerable advantage in clinical settings through combined
      diagnosis and detection of macrolide resistance. 

PMID- 27271707
TI  - Core Concept: Quantum dots.

PMID- 27271705
TI  - Family Communication in Inherited Cardiovascular Conditions in Ireland.
AB  - Over 100,000 individuals living in Ireland carry a mutated gene for an inherited
      cardiac condition (ICC), most of which demonstrate an autosomal dominant pattern
      of inheritance. First-degree relatives of individuals with these mutations are at
      a 50 % risk of being a carrier: disclosing genetic information to family members
      can be complex. This study explored how families living in Ireland communicate
      genetic information about ICCs and looked at the challenges of communicating
      information, factors that may affect communication and what influence this had on
      family relationships. Face to face interviews were conducted with nine
      participants using an approved topic guide and results analysed using thematic
      analysis. The participants disclosed that responsibility to future generations,
      gender, proximity and lack of contact all played a role in family communication.
      The media was cited as a source of information about genetic information and
      knowledge of genetic information tended to have a positive effect on families.
      Results from this study indicate that individuals are willing to inform family
      members, particularly when there are children and grandchildren at risk, and
      different strategies are utilised. Furthermore, understanding of genetics is
      partially regulated not only by their families, but by the way society handles
      information. Therefore, genetic health professionals should take into account the
      familial influence on individuals and their decision to attend genetic services,
      and also that of the media.

PMID- 27271709
TI  - Diarrhea in Critically Ill Patients: The Role of Enteral Feeding.
AB  - This tutorial presents a systematic approach to the management of diarrhea in the
      critical care setting. Diarrhea is a common and prevalent problem in critically
      ill patients. Despite the high prevalence, its management is far from simple.
      Professionals are confronted with a myriad of definitions based on frequency,
      consistency, and volume. The causes are complex and multifactorial, yet enteral
      tube feeding formula is believed to be the perpetrator. Potential causes for
      diarrhea are discussed, and 3 case reports provide context to examine the
      treatment from a nutrition perspective. Each scenario is comprehensively
      addressed discussing potential causes and providing specific clinical strategies
      contributing to improved bowel function in this patient group. The approach used
      for diarrhea management is based on a complete understanding of enteral tube
      formula, their composition, and their impact in the presence of gut dysfunction.
      Choosing the right feeding formula may positively influence bowel function and
      contribute to improved nutrition.

PMID- 27271712
TI  - Ovalbumin expression in the oviduct magnum of hens is related to the rate of egg
      laying and shows distinct stress-type-specific responses.
AB  - Three trials were performed to evaluate the association of ovalbumin (OVA)
      abundance in the oviduct magnum with egg production and the underlying regulatory
      mechanism by glucocorticoids. In trial 1, twenty Hy-Line Brown layers (56-60
      weeks of age) with different combinations (n = 5/combination) of laying rate
      (high or low) and egg weight (high or low) were selected from an initial group of
      300. An upregulated expression of magnum OVA was observed (p < 0.05) in hens with
      higher laying rate, regardless of egg weight. In trial 2, eighty Hy-Line Brown
      layers (80-90 weeks of age) were subjected to the forced moulting (n = 8). The
      abundance of OVA transcript and protein in the magnum was significantly decreased
      during moulting (p < 0.01), and the same was true for laying rate (p < 0.01) and
      serum oestrogen (p < 0.05). In trial 3, forty-five 56-week-old Hy-Line Brown
      layers were kept individually (n = 15) in the following conditions for 10 days:
      constant optimal ambient temperature at 23  degrees C and ad libitum feeding,
      high ambient temperature at 32  degrees C for 6 h/day (10:00-16:00) and ad
      libitum feeding (32AL), and constant optimal ambient temperature at 23  degrees C
      and pair-fed to the 32AL hens. In spite of elevated corticosterone in
      circulation, OVA synthesis, blood oestrogen and laying rate were not affected by
      heat exposure (p > 0.05). These results allow concluding that OVA expression in
      the oviduct magnum of hens is related to the rate of egg laying and shows
      distinct stress-type-specific responses. 

PMID- 27271710
TI  - Exploration and Identification of Cortico-Cerebellar-Brainstem Closed Loop During
      a Motivational-Motor Task: an fMRI Study.
AB  - The cerebellum is involved not only in motor coordination, training, and memory,
      but also in cognition and emotion. Lobule VI in particular belongs to
      sensorimotor, salience, and executive cerebellar networks. This study aims to
      determine whether lobule VI would constitute an integrative interface between
      motor and cognitive/emotional circuits during a motor task with verbal
      encouragement, likely in conjunction with the basal ganglia (reward and
      motivational system). We used fMRI to identify specific recruitment of cerebellar
      and striatal systems during physical performance using two motor tasks with and
      without encouragement. We found that: (i) Force results were higher during verbal
      encouragement than during basal condition in all participants. (ii) The anterior
      part of the right lobule VI was activated by motor execution in both tasks, while
      its posterior part was specifically activated by verbal encouragement. (iii) The
      closed-connectivity loop maintained motivation induced by verbal encouragement
      between cerebral and cerebellar through the red nucleus and striatal network.
      Therefore, right lobule VI is a hub-controlling sensorimotor and motivates
      aspects of motor performance in relation with the red nucleus and the ventral
      striatum. These results could have important implications for extrapyramidal and
      multisystem degenerative diseases.

PMID- 27271713
TI  - [Aortic valve replacement with stentless bioprosthesis].
AB  - AIM: To evaluate prospectively the hemodynamic performance of "BioLAB Mono"
      stentless bioprosthesis implanted into aortic position. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Twenty seven patients (mean age 71 (67; 73); 17 women) with severe aortic
      stenosis underwent aortic valve replacement with "BioLAB Mono" stentless
      bioprosthesis from 2012 to 2014. The valves were implanted into supra-annular
      position using continuous polypropylene suture. RESULTS: In the early
      postoperative period 1 patient (3.7%) died for acute heart failure. The mean
      aortic cross-clamping time was 81 (75; 90) min. Echocardiographic peak pressure
      gradient were 18 (16; 23) mmHg (postoperative). There were no cases of valve
      dysfunction in early postoperative period. Level of thrombocytes recovered after
      10 days postoperatively. CONCLUSION: "BioLAB Mono" aortic bioprosthesis
      implantation is easy and reproducible. The valve has excellent hemodynamic
      performance in early postoperative period.

PMID- 27271711
TI  - Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia: Clinical and Genetic Hallmarks.
AB  - Hereditary spastic paraplegia comprises a wide and heterogeneous group of
      inherited neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders resulting from
      primary retrograde dysfunction of the long descending fibers of the corticospinal
      tract. Although spastic paraparesis and urinary dysfunction represent the most
      common clinical presentation, a complex group of different neurological and
      systemic compromise has been recognized recently and a growing number of new
      genetic subtypes were described in the last decade. Clinical characterization of
      individual and familial history represents the main step during diagnostic
      workup; however, frequently, few and unspecific data allows a low rate of
      definite diagnosis based solely in clinical and neuroimaging basis. Likewise, a
      wide group of neurological acquired and inherited disorders should be included in
      the differential diagnosis and properly excluded after a complete laboratorial,
      neuroimaging, and genetic evaluation. The aim of this review article is to
      provide an extensive overview regarding the main clinical and genetic features of
      the classical and recently described subtypes of hereditary spastic paraplegia
      (HSP).

PMID- 27271714
TI  - [Reconstructive surgery of aortic arch interruption in adults].
AB  - AIM: To evaluate surgical results in adults with aortic arch interruption.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven patients with aortic arch interruption were operated.
      Two of them (28.6%) underwent aortic arch repair using allograft, 4 (57.21%) -
      distal arch and proximal descending aortic replacement, 1 (14.3%) - supra
      coronary ascending aortic, aortic arch and proximal descending aortic
      replacement. All operations were performed under moderate hypothermia (25 
      degrees S), circulatory arrest with unilateral cerabral perfusion 8-10 ml/kg/min
      via innominate artery and pressure 69.6+/-14.7 mm Hg in arterial. RESULTS:
      Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 242+/-36.1 min, aortic cross-clamping -
      110.7+/-40.4 min, circulatory arrest - 58.6+/-17.9 min. There were no cases of
      renal insufficiency, vascular lesion of brain and spinal cord, cardiac events.
      Resternotomy for bleeding was performed in 1 (14.3%) case. Sufficient descending
      aortic lumen was achieved in 100% according to CT postoperatively. Peak
      descending aortic pressure gradient after repair with allograft was 29+/-1.4 mm
      Hg, after aortic replaement - 10+/-4.2 mm Hg. Postoperative and in-hospital 30
      day mortality was absent. CONCLUSION: Reconstructive surgery for aortic arch
      interruption in adults is effective approach with good clinical and hemodynamic
      results.

PMID- 27271715
TI  - [Evolution of diagnostic methods for cicatrical tracheal stenosis and
      tracheomalacia].
AB  - AIM: To analyze the role of ray functional computerized diagnostic technologies
      in assessment of the state of tracheal wall in cicatricial stenosis. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: We examined 45 patients with cicatricial tracheal stenosis during August
      2013 -- March 2015. Fibrobronchoscopy, multislice computerized tomography,
      magnetic resonance imaging and lungs function examination were performed. For the
      first time dynamic (functional) CT and MRI were included in research algorithm.
      These techniques have not been used for cicatricial stenosis and tracheomalacia
      in our country until this moment. Circular resection with anastomosis was made in
      38 patients and stage reconstructions were preferred in 7 cases. Last ones had
      advanced tracheomalacia on the background of cicatrical stenosis that forced to
      abandon from tracheal resection. So time to treatment and incidence of
      complications and recurrences were reduced and the results were improved.
      CONCLUSION: Endoscopy remains the main method of diagnosis of tracheal stenosis
      despite its invasiveness. Data of cicatrical transformation of tracheal wall per
      se can be obtained non-invasively using dynamic CT and MRI. These techniques help
      to identify or exclude tracheomalacia. They potentially complement
      fibrobronchoscopy and may be preferable to assess perioperative intramural
      pathological changes of the trachea.

PMID- 27271716
TI  - [Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy combined with cytoreductive procedure
      in patients with peritoneal pseudomyxoma].
AB  - AIM: To study the results of intraperitoneal chemoperfusion combined with
      cytoreductive procedure in patients with peritoneal pseudomyxoma. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: For the period 2006--2015 seven patients with peritoneal pseudomyxoma
      underwent aggressive treatment using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion
      combined with cytoreductive procedure at the Department of General Oncology of
      N.N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology. RESULTS: Two patients had
      postoperative complications. One of them died after 12 days postoperatively.
      Features of postoperative complications were predominantly determined by volume
      of cytoreduction. Advanced tumoral process caused death in 2 patients
      additionally. Other patients are still alive during 4--28 months after surgery.
      CONCLUSION: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion combined with
      cytoreductive procedure is advisable for peritoneal pseudomyxoma to improve
      survival. Optimal cytoreduction should be developed in researches with large
      number of patients to decrease incidence of complications.

PMID- 27271717
TI  - [Efficiency of local cement reinforcing antibacterial implants in surgical
      treatment of long bones chronic osteomyelitis].
AB  - AIM: To present the results of treatment of long bones chronic osteomyelitis
      using local cement reinforcing antibacterial implant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The
      implant is made intraoperatively using polymethylmethacrylate. It was used in
      main group (n=30), while conventional treatment was applied in comparison group
      (n=30). RESULTS: Better early and remote outcomes were shown in main group
      including more effective and earlier suppression of infectious process, more than
      2-fold decrease of recurrent infection incidence, minimization of risk of
      pathological fracture due to internal reinforcement, early recovery of
      extremity's function, creation of favorable conditions for bone structures
      restoration, substitution of post-resection bone defect and following organotypic
      reorganization of bone tissue.

PMID- 27271718
TI  - [Total mesorectal excision in rectal cancer management: laparoscopic or
      transanal?].
AB  - AIM: To evaluate and compare intraoperative features, early surgical outcomes,
      quality of excised specimen after laparoscopic and transanal total mesorectal
      excision (LA-TME and TA-TME). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective randomized study
      included 45 patients with confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma (cT2-4N0-2M0) since
      October 2013. LA-TME and TA-TME groups consisted of 23 and 22 patients
      respectively. Inclusion criteria were patients with primary-operable rectal
      cancer and satisfactory response after neoadjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy. Both
      groups were comparable in stages of cancer, age and body mass index (BMI). Median
      length from anal edge was 6.5 cm and 7 cm in TA-TME and LA-TME groups
      respectively. There was significantly greater number of patients after chemo- and
      radiotherapy in TA-TME group (86% vs. 48%, p=0.006). RESULTS: Surgery time was
      305 and 320 minutes in LA-TME and TA-TME groups recpectively, median blood loss -
      less than 100 ml. Mean hospital-stay was 8.0 days in both groups. Each group had
      1 conversion including laparoscopic procedure in TA-TME group. Transanal
      extraction of specimen was performed in 86% vs. 48% in TA-TME and LA-TME groups
      respectively (p=0.021). Complications (Clavien-Dindo sclale) were observed in 27%
      and 26% in TA-TME and LA-TME groups respectively without statistically
      significance. Complications IIIb, IVb and V degrees were not diagnosed in TA-TME
      group. Also in this group "good", "satisfactory" and "unsatisfactory" quality of
      TME was obtained in 68%, 14% and 18% of cases. At the same time in LA-TME group
      these values were 74%, 9% and 17% respectively (p=0.859). One of operated
      patients had "positive" lateral edge (TA-TME). Median distal edge of resection
      was 21 mm and 23 mm in TA-TME and LA-TME groups respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Preliminary data show comparable early outcomes after transanal and laparoscopic
      techniques. Laparotomy and associated compications are avoided in case of
      transanal extraction of specimen. Further researches are necessary to study
      functional and long-term results.

PMID- 27271719
TI  - [Types of infectious complications exciters in recipients of related kidneys].
AB  - AIM: To investigate the nature of microflora causing an infectious-inflammatory
      complications in recipients of related kidney in the early postoperative period
      and to substantiate the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis and antibiotic
      therapy depending on pathogen type with the determination of its sensitivity to
      antimicrobial agents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 255 patients
      who underwent kidney transplantation from a living related donor from 2007 to
      2014 were analyzed. Foci of infection were sanitized preoperatively to prevent
      infectious complications in post-transplantation period. Immunosuppression
      induction was achieved using 2-fold administration of Kempas or Simulect.
      Corticosteroids, ciclosporin, prograf, advagraf, myfortic, neoral, sertican were
      used for routine immunosuppression. Complications after kidney transplantation
      were detected in 65 (25.5%) patients including 38 (14.9%) infectious and 27
      (10.6%) non-infectious complications. The material for microbiological
      examination included blood, urine, sputum, wound discharge, bronchial lavage.
      Extraction and identification of microorganisms were carried out according to
      conventional techniques as well as using automatic Vitec-2 Compact analizer
      ("BioMeriex", France). Sensitivity to antibiotics was determined using Vitek-2
      Compact analyzer. The functional aspects of transplanted kidney were studied in
      255 patients. Normal and decreased function of kidney was observed in 221 (86.6%)
      and 30 (11.8%) cases respectively. Transplantant did not function in 4 (1.57%)
      patients. RESULTS: The probability of infection is highest in the early
      postoperative period. Risk factors were inadequate and prolonged antibiotic
      therapy, unrecognized infection postoperatively. The main problem in renal
      transplant recipients is urinary tract infection (90% of patients).

PMID- 27271720
TI  - [Integrated approach to correction enteral insufficiency in early postoperative
      period].
AB  - AIM: The purpose of the research was to study the effectiveness of enteral
      insufficiency correction at an acute peritonitis by applying minimally invasive
      techniques, electrical stimulation and rehabilitation of the bowel and abdominal
      intestine using Remaxol drug. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis of the results
      of clinical and laboratory examination and treatment of 110 patients with acute
      diffuse peritonitis. In the comparison group (62 patients) in the early
      postoperative period applied standardized treatment, including software
      reorganization of the abdominal cavity, in the study group (48 patients) -- a
      comprehensive treatment that includes software laparoscopic sanation abdominal
      electrical stimulation of the duodenum, and intra-abdominal (single dose, 200
      ml), and intracolonic (200 ml, 2 times daily) administration Remaxol. It was
      noted a significant improvement in treatment outcomes, including reduced
      mortality by 2.3 times, the shortening of hospital stay by 1.3 times. RESULTS:
      The major component of the positive effect of the developed scheme of therapy is
      its ability to promptly arrest the effects of enteral insufficiency, maintain the
      functional status of the liver. The relatively rapid recovery of motor and
      intestinal barrier function leads to a lowering of enteral insufficiency
      syndrome, which along with increased liver detoxification ability underlies the
      significant reduction of endogenous intoxication in three days. An important
      contribution to the effectiveness of the treatment makes intra and intracolonic
      administration Remaxol. The drug, possessing antioxidant, antihypoxic,
      hepatoprotective effects, contributes to the relatively rapid improvement of the
      barrier function of the peritoneum and intestines, detoxification ability of the
      liver recovery that significantly contributes to the relief of endogenous
      intoxication.

PMID- 27271721
TI  - [Substantiation of the system of thrombus formation prevention in treatment of
      patients with hip joint pathology against the background of arterial
      insufficiency of the lower extremities].
AB  - AIM: To evaluate effectiveness of electroneurostimulation of the shin muscles as
      a constituent part of the prevention of TEC in the hip joint pathology at the
      hospital stage of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: With this purpose, there was
      conducted the extended comparative analysis of the parameters of the blood
      coagulation system in 27 patients with pathology of the hip joints and the stated
      concomitant vascular insufficiency. The comparison group comprised 50 patients
      with uncomplicated pathology of the hip joint who underwent hip joint replacement
      surgery. In the patients of both groups the product dabigatran etexilate in the
      standard dosage (220 mg/day) was used for specific prevention. RESULTS: The
      authors managed to confirm qualitatively and quantitatively the effectiveness of
      the new variant of non-specific prevention in patients with a high risk of TEC
      development. Similar changes of the parameters of blood coagulation system were
      obtained at the use of electroneurostimulation of the shin muscles against the
      background of the use of the direct anticoagulant dabigatran etexilate. The
      numbers of thromboses in the group of patients with degenerative and dystrophic
      diseases of the hip joint with and without arterial insufficiency of the lower
      extremities are quite comparable (3.7 and 6%). Recanalization of the veins of the
      lower extremities in every individual case was achieved at the use of therapeutic
      doses of dabigatran etexilate (300 mg/day). The use of dabigatran etexilate
      permitted to minimize the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) at hip
      interventions and contributed to recanalization of veins in recent thromboses in
      the postoperative period.

PMID- 27271722
TI  - Penicimenolides A-F, Resorcylic Acid Lactones from Penicillium sp., isolated from
      the Rhizosphere Soil of Panax notoginseng.
AB  - Five new 12-membered resorcylic acid lactone derivatives, penicimenolides A-E (1
      5), one new ring-opened resorcylic acid lactone derivative penicimenolide F (6),
      and six known biogenetically related derivatives (7-12) were isolated from the
      culture broth of a strain of Penicillium sp. (NO. SYP-F-7919), a fungus obtained
      from the rhizosphere soil of Panax notoginseng collected from the Yunnan province
      of China. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR analyses, a modified
      Mosher's method, chemical derivatization and single crystal X-ray diffraction
      analysis. Compounds 2-4 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against the U937 and MCF-7
      tumour cell lines and showed moderate cytotoxic activity against the SH-SY5Y and
      SW480 tumour cell lines. The substitution of an acetyloxy or 2
      hydroxypropionyloxy group at C-7 significantly increased the cytotoxic activity
      of the resorcylic acid lactone derivatives. Subsequently, the possible mechanism
      of compound 2 against MCF-7 cells was preliminarily investigated by in silico
      analysis and experimental validation, indicating compound 2 may act as a
      potential MEK/ERK inhibitor. Moreover, proteomics analysis was performed to
      explore compound 2-regulated concrete mechanism underlying MEK/ERK pathway, which
      is still need further study in the future. In addition, compounds 2-4 and 7
      exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on NO production induced by LPS.

PMID- 27271723
TI  - Radiographic templating of total hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of pre-operative
      digital templating to minimize complications including limb length discrepancy
      (LLD), intraoperative fractures and early dislocations in patients with
      intracapsular femoral neck fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 23
      patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) for intracapsular femoral
      fractures with pre-operative digital templating and 48 patients without
      templating. RESULTS: The mean post-operative LLD was significantly lower in
      patients who had pre-operative templating than in the control group (6.7 vs. 11.5
      mm, p = 0.023). Only three patients (13 %) with templating had LLD greater than
      1.5 cm, compared to the 15 patients (31 %) without templating (p = 0.17). In
      eight cases the final femoral stem size matched the templated size, while 19
      patients were within two size increments. Complications included one dislocation
      and one intra-operative fracture in the control group. CONCLUSION: The present
      study demonstrated that careful pre-operative planning may reduce LLD in patients
      undergoing THA due to intracapsular hip fractures.

PMID- 27271724
TI  - Outcomes of radical debridement versus no debridement for the treatment of
      thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Whether radical debridement is necessary for the treatment of thoracic
      and lumbar tuberculosis is still questionable. The objective of this prospective
      randomized study was to compare the outcomes of radical debridement versus no
      debridement for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. METHODS:
      Seventy-four thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis patients with a neurological
      function of grade D and E underwent surgery and received the same chemotherapy
      regiment from January 2009 to October 2014. All patients were divided into group
      A and B by taking the drawing of lots. In group A, radical debridement, bone
      graft, and instrumentation were performed. Isolated posterior instrumentation
      without debridement were performed in group B. The operative time, blood loss,
      visual analogue score (VAS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), kyphotic
      angle, Frankel grading, fusion rate, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS:
      Group B had a better clinical outcome with regard to the operative time, blood
      loss, VAS score first week post-operatively, and the ESR value in the third and
      sixth month post-operatively than group A, and the differences between the two
      groups about those values all presented a significant difference (P < 0.05).
      However, no difference was observed between the two groups for the kyphotic angle
      (P = 0.088) and fusion rate (P = 0.164) at the final follow-up. Neurological
      function of all cases exhibited normal neurological function in the two groups at
      the final follow-up. Two cases of pulmonary infection and four cases of wound
      infection in group A. No serious complications were observed in group B.
      CONCLUSIONS: Isolated posterior instrumentation without debridement is a suitable
      treatment for selected patients because of minor surgical trauma, fewer
      complications, and spontaneous fusion.

PMID- 27271725
TI  - The effect of pentosanase on the solubilisation and degradation of arabinoxylan
      extracted from whole and refined wheat flour.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quality improvement capability of pentosanase (Pn) for whole
      wheat Chinese steamed bread (CSB) is not as efficient as that for refined CSB.
      However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this work, water
      extractable arabinoxylan (WEAX) and water-unextractable solids (WUS) were
      extracted from whole and refined wheat flour, and then treated with Pn under the
      conditions similar to CSB-making. Solubilisation and degradation of arabinoxylan
      (AX) caused by Pn treatment were determined. RESULTS: WEAX from whole flour
      exhibited higher molecular weight than that from refined flour before and after
      the treatment with equivalent Pn. Compared with WUS from refined flour, WUS from
      whole flour had a much lower dissolution degree but the degradation of AX
      released from the WUS was more efficiently. Moreover, AX released from WUS for
      refined flour showed a higher Ara/Xyl ratio and the percentage of residual
      ferulic acid in WUS decreased more significantly. CONCLUSION: The difference in
      quality improvement degree for Pn in whole-wheat and refined CSB might be mainly
      explained by its effect on WUS. That is, Pn contributed much more to the
      solubilisation of WUS from refined flour but provoked degradation predominantly
      on AX solubilised from WUS isolated from whole flour. (c) 2016 Society of
      Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27271726
TI  - Cytotoxic effects of extract of Acmella oleraceae (Jambu) in Rhipicephalus
      microplus females ticks.
AB  - The present study analyzed the effects of different concentrations of the hexane
      extract of A. oleraceae (HEAO) (Jambu) on the germ cells of semi-engorged
      Rhipicephalus microplus female ticks, through a morpho-histological study,
      evaluating the effectiveness of the extract in the genesis of the individuals. To
      perform this analysis, 100 semi-engorged females were divided into five groups
      with 20 individuals each: groups I and II, respectively constituted by distilled
      water control and 50% ethanol + 1% DMSO, and groups III, IV, and V constituted by
      treatment with HEAO in the concentrations of 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/mL,
      respectively. All the ticks were immersed in the different concentrations of the
      extract or in distilled water for 5 minutes, dried and conditioned in BOD
      incubator for 7 days. The individuals of the treatment groups revealed the action
      of this extract showing alterations in the germ cells of the females from the
      different groups when compared with those from the groups I and II (control
      groups). These alterations were mainly related to the size and shape of the
      oocytes; number of yolk granules; presence, number, size and location of vacuoles
      in the cytoplasm of all the germ cells; and the presence of nuclear alterations
      in these cells as well. Thus, it was demonstrated that the concentrations of HEAO
      affected the germ cells of R. microplus ticks. The effects of the extract are
      similar to those caused by renowned and efficient chemical products used to
      control these ticks. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:744-753, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 27271727
TI  - Silicone Breast Implant Rupture in a 70-year-old Woman Presenting with Multiple
      Superficial Nodules.

PMID- 27271728
TI  - Integrated Care for Older Adults Improves Perceived Quality of Care: Results of a
      Randomized Controlled Trial of Embrace.
AB  - BACKGROUND: All community-living older adults might benefit from integrated care,
      but evidence is lacking on the effectiveness of such services for perceived
      quality of care. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of Embrace, a community-based
      integrated primary care service, on perceived quality of care. DESIGN: Stratified
      randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Integrated care and support according
      to the "Embrace" model was provided by 15 general practitioners in the
      Netherlands. Based on self-reported levels of case complexity and frailty, a
      total of 1456 community-living older adults were stratified into non-disease
      specific risk profiles ("Robust," "Frail," and "Complex care needs"), and
      randomized to Embrace or control groups. INTERVENTION: Embrace provides
      integrated, person-centered primary care and support to all older adults living
      in the community, with intensity of care dependent on risk profile. MEASUREMENTS:
      Primary outcome was quality of care as reported by older adults on the Patient
      Assessment of Integrated Elderly Care (PAIEC). Effects were assessed using mixed
      model techniques for the total sample and per risk profile. Professionals'
      perceived level of implementation of integrated care was evaluated within the
      Embrace condition using the Assessment of Integrated Elderly Care. KEY RESULTS:
      Older adults in the Embrace group reported a higher level of perceived quality of
      care than those in the control group (B = 0.33, 95 % CI = 0.15-0.51, ES d =
      0.19). The advantages of Embrace were most evident in the "Frail" and "Complex
      care needs" risk profiles. We found no significant advantages for the "Robust"
      risk profile. Participating professionals reported a significant increase in the
      perceived level of implementation of integrated care (ES r = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS:
      This study shows that providing a population-based integrated care service to
      community-living older adults improved the quality of care as perceived by older
      adults and participating professionals.

PMID- 27271729
TI  - Describing Failure in a Clinical Clerkship: Implications for Identification,
      Assessment and Remediation for Struggling Learners.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In addition to training future members of the profession, medical
      schools perform the critical role of identifying students who are failing to meet
      minimum standards in core competencies. OBJECTIVE: To better understand reasons
      for failure in an internal medicine clerkship. DESIGN: A qualitative content
      analysis of letters describing reasons for students' failure. PARTICIPANTS: Forty
      three students (31 men) who failed the internal medicine clerkship at the
      University of Minnesota Medical School, 2002-2013. APPROACH: We conducted a
      qualitative content analysis of the 43 letters describing reasons for students'
      failure. We coded critical deficiencies and mapped them to the Physician
      Competency Reference Set (PCRS) competency domains and classified them into two
      categories: conduct (unprofessional behaviors) and knowledge and skills specific
      to the practice of medicine. We then calculated the frequency of each critical
      deficiency. We statistically tested for relationships between gender and critical
      deficiencies in each of the competency domains. KEY RESULTS: We coded 50 critical
      deficiencies with all codes mapping to a PCRS competency domain. The most
      frequently cited deficiencies were "insufficient knowledge" (79 % of students)
      and "inadequate patient presentation skills" (74 %). Students exhibited critical
      deficiencies in all eight competency domains, with the highest concentrations in
      Knowledge for Practice (98 %) and Interpersonal and Communication Skills (91 %).
      All students demonstrated deficiencies in multiple competencies, with 98 % having
      deficiencies in three or more. All 43 students demonstrated deficits in the
      knowledge and skills category, and 81 % had concurrent conduct issues. There were
      no statistically significant relationships between gender and critical
      deficiencies in any competency domain. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights both
      the diversity and commonality of reasons that students fail a clinical clerkship.
      Knowing the range of areas where students struggle, as well as the most likely
      areas of difficulty, may aid faculty in identifying students who are failing and
      in developing remediation strategies.

PMID- 27271730
TI  - The Development and Evaluation of an Online Healthcare Toolkit for Autistic
      Adults and their Primary Care Providers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The healthcare system is ill-equipped to meet the needs of adults on
      the autism spectrum. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to use a community-based
      participatory research (CBPR) approach to develop and evaluate tools to
      facilitate the primary healthcare of autistic adults. DESIGN: Toolkit development
      included cognitive interviewing and test-retest reliability studies. Evaluation
      consisted of a mixed-methods, single-arm pre/post-intervention comparison.
      PARTICIPANTS: A total of 259 autistic adults and 51 primary care providers (PCPs)
      residing in the United States. INTERVENTIONS: The AASPIRE Healthcare toolkit
      includes the Autism Healthcare Accommodations Tool (AHAT)-a tool that allows
      patients to create a personalized accommodations report for their PCP-and general
      healthcare- and autism-related information, worksheets, checklists, and resources
      for patients and healthcare providers. MAIN MEASURES: Satisfaction with patient
      provider communication, healthcare self-efficacy, barriers to healthcare, and
      satisfaction with the toolkit's usability and utility; responses to open-ended
      questions. KEY RESULTS: Preliminary testing of the AHAT demonstrated strong
      content validity and adequate test-retest stability. Almost all patient
      participants (>94 %) felt that the AHAT and the toolkit were easy to use,
      important, and useful. In pre/post-intervention comparisons, the mean number of
      barriers decreased (from 4.07 to 2.82, p < 0.0001), healthcare self-efficacy
      increased (from 37.9 to 39.4, p = 0.02), and satisfaction with PCP communication
      improved (from 30.9 to 32.6, p = 0.03). Patients stated that the toolkit helped
      clarify their needs, enabled them to self-advocate and prepare for visits more
      effectively, and positively influenced provider behavior. Most of the PCPs
      surveyed read the AHAT (97 %), rated it as moderately or very useful (82 %), and
      would recommend it to other patients (87 %). CONCLUSIONS: The CBPR process
      resulted in a reliable healthcare accommodation tool and a highly accessible
      healthcare toolkit. Patients and providers indicated that the tools positively
      impacted healthcare interactions. The toolkit has the potential to reduce
      barriers to healthcare and improve healthcare self-efficacy and patient-provider
      communication.

PMID- 27271731
TI  - Correction: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Biometrics and Condition.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141478.].

PMID- 27271733
TI  - Veranstaltungen.

PMID- 27271732
TI  - Male-female genotype interactions maintain variation in traits important for
      sexual interactions and reproductive isolation.
AB  - Prezygotic reproductive isolation can evolve quickly when sexual selection drives
      divergence in traits important for sexual interactions between populations. It
      has been hypothesized that standing variation for male/female traits and
      preferences facilitates this rapid evolution and that variation in these traits
      is maintained by male-female genotype interactions in which specific female
      genotypes prefer specific male traits. This hypothesis can also explain patterns
      of speciation when ecological divergence is lacking, but this remains untested
      because it requires information about sexual interactions in ancestral lineages.
      Using a set of ancestral genotypes that previously had been identified as
      evolving reproductive isolation, we specifically asked whether there is
      segregating variation in female preference and whether segregating variation in
      sexual interactions is a product of male-female genotype interactions. Our
      results provide evidence for segregating variation in female preference and
      further that male-female genotype interactions are important for maintaining
      variation that selection can act on and that can lead to reproductive isolation.

PMID- 27271734
TI  - Horizontal ECG in acute anterolateral myocardial infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The present study aims to compare the amount of ST segment changes
      recorded by horizontal electrocardiography (hECG) with standard ECG (sECG) in
      patients with acute anterior and/or lateral ST segment elevation myocardial
      infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Consecutive eligible patients (n = 58) who were
      diagnosed with acute anterior and/or lateral STEMI were included in the study.
      After recording simultaneous sECG and hECG by placing precordial leads (V3-6)
      horizontally on the left 4th intercostal space, ST segment changes were compared.
      RESULTS: The mean ST segment changes (mV) on hECG were significantly higher than
      sECG in V4 (0.27 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.21 +/- 0.21, p = 0.001), V5 (0.21 +/- 0.17 vs.
      0.12 +/- 0.16, p < 0.001) and V6 (0.09 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.04 +/- 0.12, p < 0.001),
      respectively. When hECG and sECG were compared in patients with BMI < 30 kg/m(2),
      mean ST segment changes (mV) on hECG were significantly higher than sECG in V4
      (0.29 +/- 0.21 vs. 0.21 +/- 0.24, p = 0.004), V5 (0.22 +/- 0.19 vs. 0.13 +/-
      0.17, p < 0.001) and V6 (0.11 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.04 +/- 0.11, p < 0.001),
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mean ST segment changes in patients with anterior
      and/or lateral STEMI were significantly higher and easily detectable on hECG
      compared with sECG. We suggest that hECG be used in conjunction with sECG to
      diagnose anterior and lateral wall STEMI in cases of diagnostic doubt.

PMID- 27271735
TI  - Reducing Anemia Prevalence in Afghanistan: Socioeconomic Correlates and the
      Particular Role of Agricultural Assets.
AB  - This research aims to examine the socio-economic correlates of anemia in women,
      and potential sources of iron in household diets in Afghanistan. It also examines
      whether ownership of agricultural (particularly livestock) assets and their use
      in food production has a role in alleviating anaemia, especially where local
      markets may be inadequate. We analyse data from the 2010/11 Afghanistan Multiple
      Indicator Cluster Survey, estimating a logistic regression to examine how anemia
      status of women is associated with socio-economic covariates. A key result found
      is that sheep ownership has a protective effect in reducing anemia (prevalence
      odds ratio of sheep ownership on anemia of 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI):
      0.73-0.94) after controlling for wealth and other covariates. This association is
      found to be robust to alternative model specifications. Given the central role of
      red meat in heme iron provision and absorption of non-heme iron, we hypothesise
      that sheep ownership promotes mutton consumption from own-production in a setting
      where market-sourced provision of nutritious food is a challenge. We then use the
      2011/12 National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment household data to understand
      the Afghan diet from the perspective of dietary iron provision, and to understand
      interactions between own-production, market sourcing and mutton consumption.
      Sheep ownership is found to increase the likelihood that a household consumed
      mutton (odds ratio of 1.27, 95% CI: 1.15-1.42), the number of days in the week
      that mutton was consumed (prevalence rate ratio of 1.24. 95% CI: 1.12-1.37) and
      the quantity of mutton consumed (7 grams/person/week). In the subsample of mutton
      consumers, households sourcing mutton mostly from own production consumed mutton
      1.5 days more frequently on average than households relying on market purchase,
      resulting in 100 grams per person per week higher mutton intake. Thus this
      analysis lends support to the notion that the linkage between sheep ownership and
      anemia risk is at least partly due to consumption arising from own-production in
      the presence of market incompleteness. 

PMID- 27271736
TI  - Medication Therapy Management Service for Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A
      Before-and-After Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized
      by motor manifestations, autonomic and neurological disorders and sensorial
      symptoms. Medication therapy management (MTM) consists of a service undertaken by
      pharmacists to optimize pharmacological therapy results. This way, the pharmacist
      monitors the treatment prescribed by the doctor and formulates a healthcare plan
      to guarantee the treatment's effectiveness, safety and convenience, thereby
      improving the patient's quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect
      of MTM upon medicine-related problems, motor symptoms, autonomic disorders and
      QoL of patients with Parkinson's disease, and describe the pharmaceutical
      interventions. METHODS: Quasi-experimental uncontrolled before-and-after study
      carried out between September 2012 and March 2013 in a community pharmacy.
      Pharmacotherapy data were collected from medical prescriptions, patient diaries,
      medical charts and all the medicines (over-the-counter and prescription) brought
      by the patients to the appointment with the pharmacist. The medicine-related
      problems were classified as indication, effectiveness, safety and adherence.
      Adherence was measured through clinical interviews and the Morisky questionnaire.
      PD symptoms were assessed according to the patients' and/or caregivers'
      perceptions about the On/Off state of the motor symptoms and relief of the
      nonmotor symptoms. QoL was assessed using the PDQ-39 scores. The interventions
      were targeted to patients/caregivers and/or doctors, with pharmacological and non
      pharmacological measures. RESULTS: Seventy patients were followed up, showing a
      decrease in medicine-related problems (1.67 +/- 1.34 to 0.8 +/- 0.9 (p < 0.001),
      positive impact on adherence (from 37 to 10 non-adherent patients, p < 0.001),
      QoL improvement related to emotional wellbeing (p = 0.012) and autonomic
      disorder. Most interventions were performed directly with the patients (73.8%),
      including non-pharmacological guidance (28.5%), pharmacological guidance (24.3%)
      and rescheduling (13.6%). CONCLUSIONS: To carry out MTM with PD patients, the
      pharmacist's expertise needs to transcend the technical knowledge about the PD
      pharmacological treatment. The study showed a positive effect with a decrease in
      the medicine-related problems after the interventions, especially improving
      adherence and patients' QoL.

PMID- 27271737
TI  - Peptide aromatic interactions modulated by fluorinated residues: Synthesis,
      structure and biological activity of Somatostatin analogs containing 3
      (3',5'difluorophenyl)-alanine.
AB  - Somatostatin is a 14-residue peptide hormone that regulates the endocrine system
      by binding to five G-protein-coupled receptors (SSTR1-5). We have designed six
      new Somatostatin analogs with L-3-(3',5'-difluorophenyl)-alanine (Dfp) as a
      substitute of Phe and studied the effect of an electron-poor aromatic ring in the
      network of aromatic interactions present in Somatostatin. Replacement of each of
      the Phe residues (positions 6, 7 and 11) by Dfp and use of a D-Trp8 yielded
      peptides whose main conformations could be characterized in aqueous solution by
      NMR. Receptor binding studies revealed that the analog with Dfp at position 7
      displayed a remarkable affinity to SSTR2 and SSTR3. Analogs with Dfp at positions
      6 or 11 displayed a pi-pi interaction with the Phe present at 11 or 6,
      respectively. Interestingly, these analogs, particularly [D-Trp8,L-Dfp11]-SRIF,
      showed high selectivity towards SSTR2, with a higher value than that of
      Octreotide and a similar one to that of native Somatostatin.

PMID- 27271738
TI  - Supporting Regularized Logistic Regression Privately and Efficiently.
AB  - As one of the most popular statistical and machine learning models, logistic
      regression with regularization has found wide adoption in biomedicine, social
      sciences, information technology, and so on. These domains often involve data of
      human subjects that are contingent upon strict privacy regulations. Concerns over
      data privacy make it increasingly difficult to coordinate and conduct large-scale
      collaborative studies, which typically rely on cross-institution data sharing and
      joint analysis. Our work here focuses on safeguarding regularized logistic
      regression, a widely-used statistical model while at the same time has not been
      investigated from a data security and privacy perspective. We consider a common
      use scenario of multi-institution collaborative studies, such as in the form of
      research consortia or networks as widely seen in genetics, epidemiology, social
      sciences, etc. To make our privacy-enhancing solution practical, we demonstrate a
      non-conventional and computationally efficient method leveraging distributing
      computing and strong cryptography to provide comprehensive protection over
      individual-level and summary data. Extensive empirical evaluations on several
      studies validate the privacy guarantee, efficiency and scalability of our
      proposal. We also discuss the practical implications of our solution for large
      scale studies and applications from various disciplines, including genetic and
      biomedical studies, smart grid, network analysis, etc. 

PMID- 27271739
TI  - Burkholderia mallei CLH001 Attenuated Vaccine Strain Is Immunogenic and Protects
      against Acute Respiratory Glanders.
AB  - Burkholderia mallei is the causative agent of glanders, an incapacitating disease
      with high mortality rates in respiratory cases. Its endemicity and ineffective
      treatment options emphasize its public health threat and highlight the need for a
      vaccine. Live attenuated vaccines are considered the most viable vaccine strategy
      for Burkholderia, but single-gene-deletion mutants have not provided complete
      protection. In this study, we constructed the select-agent-excluded B. mallei
      DeltatonB Deltahcp1 (CLH001) vaccine strain and investigated its ability to
      protect against acute respiratory glanders. Here we show that CLH001 is
      attenuated, safe, and effective at protecting against lethal B. mallei challenge.
      Intranasal administration of CLH001 to BALB/c and NOD SCID gamma (NSG) mice
      resulted in complete survival without detectable colonization or abnormal organ
      histopathology. Additionally, BALB/c mice intranasally immunized with CLH001 in a
      prime/boost regimen were fully protected against lethal challenge with the B.
      mallei lux (CSM001) wild-type strain.

PMID- 27271740
TI  - Role of Iron Uptake Systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence and Airway
      Infection.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia and
      chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Iron is essential for
      bacterial growth, and P. aeruginosa expresses multiple iron uptake systems, whose
      role in lung infection deserves further investigation. P. aeruginosa Fe(3+)
      uptake systems include the pyoverdine and pyochelin siderophores and two systems
      for heme uptake, all of which are dependent on the TonB energy transducer. P.
      aeruginosa also has the FeoB transporter for Fe(2+) acquisition. To assess the
      roles of individual iron uptake systems in P. aeruginosa lung infection, single
      and double deletion mutants were generated in P. aeruginosa PAO1 and
      characterized in vitro, using iron-poor media and human serum, and in vivo, using
      a mouse model of lung infection. The iron uptake-null mutant (tonB1 feoB) and the
      Fe(3+) transport mutant (tonB1) did not grow aerobically under low-iron
      conditions and were avirulent in the mouse model. Conversely, the wild type and
      the feoB, hasR phuR (heme uptake), and pchD (pyochelin) mutants grew in vitro and
      caused 60 to 90% mortality in mice. The pyoverdine mutant (pvdA) and the
      siderophore-null mutant (pvdA pchD) grew aerobically in iron-poor media but not
      in human serum, and they caused low mortality in mice (10 to 20%). To
      differentiate the roles of pyoverdine in iron uptake and virulence regulation, a
      pvdA fpvR double mutant defective in pyoverdine production but expressing wild
      type levels of pyoverdine-regulated virulence factors was generated. Deletion of
      fpvR in the pvdA background partially restored the lethal phenotype, indicating
      that pyoverdine contributes to the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa lung infection
      by combining iron transport and virulence-inducing capabilities.

PMID- 27271741
TI  - Investigating the Relatedness of Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli to Other E. coli
      and Shigella Isolates by Using Comparative Genomics.
AB  - Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) is a unique pathovar that has a pathogenic
      mechanism nearly indistinguishable from that of Shigella species. In contrast to
      isolates of the four Shigella species, which are widespread and can be frequent
      causes of human illness, EIEC causes far fewer reported illnesses each year. In
      this study, we analyzed the genome sequences of 20 EIEC isolates, including 14
      first described in this study. Phylogenomic analysis of the EIEC genomes
      demonstrated that 17 of the isolates are present in three distinct lineages that
      contained only EIEC genomes, compared to reference genomes from each of the E.
      coli pathovars and Shigella species. Comparative genomic analysis identified
      genes that were unique to each of the three identified EIEC lineages. While many
      of the EIEC lineage-specific genes have unknown functions, those with predicted
      functions included a colicin and putative proteins involved in transcriptional
      regulation or carbohydrate metabolism. In silico detection of the Shigella
      virulence plasmid (pINV), which is essential for the invasion of host cells,
      demonstrated that a form of pINV was present in nearly all EIEC genomes, but the
      Mxi-Spa-Ipa region of the plasmid that encodes the invasion-associated proteins
      was absent from several of the EIEC isolates. The comparative genomic findings in
      this study support the hypothesis that multiple EIEC lineages have evolved
      independently from multiple distinct lineages of E. coli via the acquisition of
      the Shigella virulence plasmid and, in some cases, the Shigella pathogenicity
      islands.

PMID- 27271742
TI  - Chelation of Membrane-Bound Cations by Extracellular DNA Activates the Type VI
      Secretion System in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa employs its type VI secretion system (T6SS) as a highly
      effective and tightly regulated weapon to deliver toxic molecules to target
      cells. T6SS-secreted proteins of P. aeruginosa can be detected in the sputum of
      cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, who typically present a chronic and polymicrobial
      lung infection. However, the mechanism of T6SS activation in the CF lung is not
      fully understood. Here we demonstrate that extracellular DNA (eDNA), abundant
      within the CF airways, stimulates the dynamics of the H1-T6SS cluster apparatus
      in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Addition of Mg(2+) or DNase with eDNA abolished
      such activation, while treatment with EDTA mimicked the eDNA effect, suggesting
      that the eDNA-mediated effect is due to chelation of outer membrane-bound
      cations. DNA-activated H1-T6SS enables P. aeruginosa to nonselectively attack
      neighboring species regardless of whether or not it was provoked. Because of the
      importance of the T6SS in interspecies interactions and the prevalence of eDNA in
      the environments that P. aeruginosa inhabits, our report reveals an important
      adaptation strategy that likely contributes to the competitive fitness of P.
      aeruginosa in polymicrobial communities.

PMID- 27271743
TI  - EseE of Edwardsiella tarda Augments Secretion of Translocon Protein EseC and
      Expression of the escC-eseE Operon.
AB  - Edwardsiella tarda is an important Gram-negative pathogen that employs a type III
      secretion system (T3SS) to deliver effectors into host cells to facilitate
      bacterial survival and replication. These effectors are translocated into host
      cells through a translocon complex composed of three secreted proteins, namely,
      EseB, EseC, and EseD. The secretion of EseB and EseD requires a chaperone protein
      called EscC, whereas the secretion of EseC requires the chaperone EscA. In this
      study, we identified a novel protein (EseE) that also regulates the secretion of
      EseC. An eseE deletion mutant secreted much less EseC into supernatants,
      accompanied by increased EseC levels within bacterial cells. We also demonstrated
      that EseE interacted directly with EseC in a pulldown assay. Interestingly, EseC,
      EseE, and EscA were able to form a ternary complex, as revealed by pulldown and
      gel filtration assays. Of particular importance, the deletion of eseE resulted in
      decreased levels of EseB and EseD proteins in both the bacterial pellet and
      supernatant fraction. Furthermore, real-time PCR assays showed that EseE
      positively regulated the transcription of the translocon operon escC-eseE,
      comprising escC, eseB, escA, eseC, eseD, and eseE These effects of EseE on the
      translocon components/operon appeared to have a functional consequence, since the
      DeltaeseE strain was outcompeted by wild-type E. tarda in a mixed infection in
      blue gourami fish. Collectively, our results demonstrate that EseE not only
      functions as a chaperone for EseC but also acts as a positive regulator
      controlling the expression of the translocon operon escC-eseE, thus contributing
      to the pathogenesis of E. tarda in fish.

PMID- 27271744
TI  - Intravenous Inoculation with Chlamydia muridarum Leads to a Long-Lasting
      Infection Restricted to the Gastrointestinal Tract.
AB  - Chlamydia has been detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of both animals and
      humans. However, it remains unclear whether the chlamydial organisms can be
      introduced into the gastrointestinal tract via pathways independent of the oral
      and anal routes. We have recently shown that Chlamydia muridarum spreads from the
      genital tract to the gastrointestinal tract potentially via the circulatory
      system. To test whether hematogenous C. muridarum can spread to and establish a
      long-lasting colonization in the mouse gastrointestinal tract, we inoculated mice
      intravenously with a luciferase-expressing C. muridarum strain and monitored its
      distribution. After tail vein inoculation, most luciferase-generated
      bioluminescence signals were detected in the mouse abdominal area throughout the
      experiment. The ex vivo imaging revealed that the abdominal signals came from the
      gastrointestinal tract tissues. Simultaneous monitoring of chlamydial organisms
      in individual organs or tissues revealed an initial stage of systemic spreading
      followed by a long-lasting infection in the gastrointestinal tract. A retro
      orbital vein inoculation of the C. muridarum organisms at a lower dose in a
      different mouse strain also led to colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. We
      have demonstrated that intravenous C. muridarum inoculation can result in
      colonization of the gastrointestinal tract, suggesting that the chlamydial
      organisms may use the sexual behavior-independent circulation pathway to infect
      the gastrointestinal tract.

PMID- 27271745
TI  - HtrA, a Temperature- and Stationary Phase-Activated Protease Involved in
      Maturation of a Key Microbial Virulence Determinant, Facilitates Borrelia
      burgdorferi Infection in Mammalian Hosts.
AB  - High-temperature requirement protease A (HtrA) represents a family of serine
      proteases that play important roles in microbial biology. Unlike the genomes of
      most organisms, that of Borrelia burgdorferi notably encodes a single HtrA gene
      product, termed BbHtrA. Previous studies identified a few substrates of BbHtrA;
      however, their physiological relevance could not be ascertained, as targeted
      deletion of the gene has not been successful. Here we show that BbhtrA
      transcripts are induced during spirochete growth either in the stationary phase
      or at elevated temperature. Successful generation of a BbhtrA deletion mutant and
      restoration by genetic complementation suggest a nonessential role for this
      protease in microbial viability; however, its remarkable growth, morphological,
      and structural defects during cultivation at 37 degrees C confirm a high
      temperature requirement for protease activation and function. The BbhtrA
      deficient spirochetes were unable to establish infection of mice, as evidenced by
      assessment of culture, PCR, and serology. We show that transcript abundance as
      well as proteolytic processing of a borrelial protein required for cell fission
      and infectivity, BB0323, is impaired in BbhtrA mutants grown at 37 degrees C,
      which likely contributed to their inability to survive in a mammalian host.
      Together, these results demonstrate the physiological relevance of a unique
      temperature-regulated borrelial protease, BbHtrA, which further enlightens our
      knowledge of intriguing aspects of spirochete biology and infectivity.

PMID- 27271746
TI  - Interleukin-17 Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Intervention in Cystic Fibrosis
      Lung Infection and Inflammation.
AB  - Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by an excessive neutrophilic inflammatory
      response within the airway as a result of defective cystic fibrosis transmembrane
      receptor (CFTR) expression and function. Interleukin-17A induces airway
      neutrophilia and mucin production associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      colonization, which is associated with the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis.
      The objectives of this study were to use the preclinical murine model of cystic
      fibrosis lung infection and inflammation to investigate the role of IL-17 in CF
      lung pathophysiology and explore therapeutic intervention with a focus on IL-17.
      Cftr-deficient mice (CF mice) and wild-type mice (WT mice) infected with P.
      aeruginosa had robust IL-17 production early in the infection associated with a
      persistent elevated inflammatory response. Intratracheal administration of IL-17
      provoked a neutrophilic response in the airways of WT and CF animals which was
      similar to that observed with P. aeruginosa infection. The neutralization of IL
      17 prior to infection significantly improved the outcomes in the CF mice,
      suggesting that IL-17 may be a therapeutic target. We demonstrate in this report
      that the pathophysiological contribution of IL-17 may be due to the induction of
      chemokines from the epithelium which is augmented by a deficiency of Cftr and
      ongoing inflammation. These studies demonstrate the in vivo contribution of IL-17
      in cystic fibrosis lung disease and the therapeutic validity of attenuating IL-17
      activity in cystic fibrosis.

PMID- 27271747
TI  - Glucosylation Drives the Innate Inflammatory Response to Clostridium difficile
      Toxin A.
AB  - Clostridium difficile is a major, life-threatening hospital-acquired pathogen
      that causes mild to severe colitis in infected individuals. The tissue
      destruction and inflammation which characterize C. difficile infection (CDI) are
      primarily due to the Rho-glucosylating toxins A and B. These toxins cause
      epithelial cell death and induce robust inflammatory signaling by activating the
      transcription factor NF-kappaB, leading to chemokine and cytokine secretion. The
      toxins also activate the inflammasome complex, which leads to secretion of the
      pyrogenic cytokine IL-1beta. In this study, we utilized glucosylation-deficient
      toxin A to show that activation of the inflammasome by this toxin is dependent on
      Rho glucosylation, confirming similar findings reported for toxin B. We also
      demonstrated that tissue destruction and in vivo inflammatory cytokine production
      are critically dependent on the enzymatic activity of toxin A, suggesting that
      inhibiting toxin glucosyltransferase activity may be effective in combating this
      refractory disease.

PMID- 27271748
TI  - Paediatric Multiple Sclerosis: Update on Diagnostic Criteria, Imaging,
      Histopathology and Treatment Choices.
AB  - Paediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) represents less than 5 % of the MS population,
      but patients with paediatric-onset disease reach permanent disability at a
      younger age than adult-onset patients. Accurate diagnosis at presentation and
      optimal long-term treatment are vital to mitigate ongoing neuroinflammation and
      irreversible neurodegeneration. However, it may be difficult to early
      differentiate paediatric MS from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and
      neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), as they often have atypical
      presentation that differs from that of adult-onset MS. The purpose of this review
      is to summarize the updated views on diagnostic criteria, imaging, histopathology
      and treatment choices.

PMID- 27271749
TI  - Radiation dose intensification in pre-operative chemo-radiotherapy for locally
      advanced rectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess the role of radiation dose intensification with
      simultaneous integrated boost guided by 18-FDG-PET/CT in pre-operative chemo
      radiotherapy (ChT-RT) for locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: A prospective
      study was approved by the Internal Review Board. Inclusion criteria were: age >18
      years old, World Health Organization performance status of 0-1, locally advanced
      histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum within 10 cm of the anal
      verge, signed specific informed consent. High-dose volumes were defined including
      the hyper-metabolic areas of 18-FDG-PET/CT of primary tumor and the corresponding
      mesorectum and/or pelvic nodes with at least a standardized uptake values (SUV)
      of 5. A dose of 60 Gy/30 fractions was delivered. A total dose of 54 Gy/30
      fractions was delivered to prophylactic areas. Capecitabine was administered
      concomitantly with RT for a dose of 825 mg/mq twice daily for 5 days/every week.
      RESULTS: Between September 2011 and July 2015 fortypatients were recruited. At
      the time of the analysis, median follow up was 20 months (range 5-51). The median
      interval from the end of ChT-RT to surgery was 9 weeks (range 8-12). Thirty-seven
      patients (92.5 %) were submitted to sphincter preservation. Tumor Regression
      Grade (Mandard scale) was recorded as follows: grade 1 in 7 (17.5 %), grade 2 in
      17 (42.5 %), grade 3 in 15 (37.5 %) and grade 4 in 1 (2.5 %). Post-surgical
      circumferential resection margin was negative in all patients. A tumor
      downstaging was reported in 62.5 % (95 % CI: 0.78-0.47). A nodes downstaging was
      registered in 85 % (95 % CI: 0.55-0.25). 18-FDG-PET/CT was not able to predict
      pCR. No correlation was found between pre-treatment SUV-max values and pCR. A
      metabolic tumor volume >127 cc was related to ypT >=2 (p 0.01). Patients with TRG
      >2 had higher tumor lesion glycolysis values (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preliminary
      results did not confirm some advantages in terms of primary tumor
      downstaging/downsizing compared to conventional schedules reported in historical
      series. The role of 18-FDG-PET/CT in neoadjuvant rectal cancer management needs
      to be confirmed in further investigations. Long terms results are necessary.

PMID- 27271750
TI  - A Novel ICU Hand-Over Tool: The Glass Door of the Patient Room.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poor communication among health-care providers is cited as the most
      common cause of sentinel events involving patients. Patient care in the critical
      care setting is incredibly complex. A consistent care plan is necessary between
      day/night shift teams and among bedside intensive care unit (ICU) nurses,
      consultants, and physicians. Our goal was to create a novel, easily accessible
      communication device to improve ICU patient care. METHODS: This communication
      improvement project was done at an academic tertiary surgical/trauma/mixed 36-bed
      ICU with an average of 214 admissions per month. We created a glass door template
      embossed on the glass that included 3 columns for daily goals to be written: "day
      team," "night team," and "surgery/consultant team." Assigned areas for tracking
      "lines," "antibiotics," "ventilator weaning," and "Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
      screening" were included. These doors are filled out/updated throughout the day
      by all of the ICU providers. All services can review current plans/active issues
      while evaluating the patient at the bedside. Patient-identifying data are not
      included. We retrospectively reviewed all ICU safety reported events over a 4
      year period (2 years prior/2 years after glass door implementation) for specific
      handover communication-related errors and compared the 2 cohorts. RESULTS:
      Information on the glass doors is entered daily on rounds by all services. Prior
      to implementation, 7.96% of reported errors were related to patient handover
      communication errors. The post glass-door era had 4.26% of reported errors
      related to patient handover communication errors with a relative risk reduction
      of 46.5%. Due to its usefulness, this method of communication was quickly adopted
      by the other critical care services (cardiothoracic, medical,
      neurology/neurosurgery, cardiology) at our institution and is now used for over
      150 ICU beds. CONCLUSIONS: Our glass door patient handover tool is an easily
      adaptable intervention that has improved communication leading to an overall
      decrease in the number of handover communication errors.

PMID- 27271752
TI  - Novel nuclear hENT2 isoforms regulate cell cycle progression via controlling
      nucleoside transport and nuclear reservoir.
AB  - Nucleosides participate in many cellular processes and are the fundamental
      building blocks of nucleic acids. Nucleoside transporters translocate nucleosides
      across plasma membranes although the mechanism by which nucleos(t)ides are
      translocated into the nucleus during DNA replication is unknown. Here, we
      identify two novel functional splice variants of equilibrative nucleoside
      transporter 2 (ENT2), which are present at the nuclear envelope. Under
      proliferative conditions, these splice variants are up-regulated and recruit wild
      type ENT2 to the nuclear envelope to translocate nucleosides into the nucleus for
      incorporation into DNA during replication. Reduced presence of hENT2 splice
      variants resulted in a dramatic decrease in cell proliferation and dysregulation
      of cell cycle due to a lower incorporation of nucleotides into DNA. Our findings
      support a novel model of nucleoside compartmentalisation at the nuclear envelope
      and translocation into the nucleus through hENT2 and its variants, which are
      essential for effective DNA synthesis and cell proliferation.

PMID- 27271754
TI  - Posterior cruciate-substituting total knee replacement recovers the flexion arc
      faster in the early postoperative period in knees with high varus deformity: a
      prospective randomized study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Posterior cruciate retention (CR) and substitution (PS) has been
      controversial in knee replacement surgery. Satisfactory medium and long-term
      results have been reported in knees with and without deformity but there are
      limited studies about early functional comparison in terms of recovery of flexion
      arc, stair activity, walking ability and straight leg raising, especially, in
      early postoperative period in knees with deformity. Therefore, we aimed to
      compare the flexion arc in CR and PS knees in postoperative first year including
      early postoperative days prospectively. METHODS: Consecutive patients with a
      deformity of >10 degrees  were included and allocated to CR and PS groups
      randomly. KSS and Feller-patella scores were recorded both preoperatively and
      postoperatively (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 12th months). Flexion and extension were
      measured both preoperatively and postoperatively (1st, 2nd, 3rd day and discharge
      day as well as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 12th months). Visual analog scale (VAS) was
      recorded postoperatively at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and discharge day and at 1st, 2nd,
      3rd and 12th months. The walking ability, stair activity and straight leg raising
      were recorded. Patients were also examined at the last visit with minimum 7-year
      follow-up with KSS, Feller-patella and VAS scores. Their mean flexion arcs were
      measured and recorded. RESULTS: There were 61 TKR evaluated. KSS knee and
      function scores at the 3rd month and KSS Knee Score at 1st year were superior in
      PS knees (p = 0.029, p = 0.046, p = 0.026). Flexion arc was found larger on day
      1, 2, 3 and discharge day, and at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 12th month in PS group (p =
      0.048, p = 0.002, p = 0.027, p = 0.043, p = 0.014, p = 0.003, p = 0.002, p =
      0.018). Walking and stair activity showed no difference but straight leg raising
      was better in CR knees (p = 0.02). Mean flexion arc was larger in PS knees at the
      last visit after 7 years (119.0 degrees  +/- 7.5 degrees  in PS and 113.8 degrees
      +/- 8.7 degrees  in CR, p = 0.02). There was no revision required in that time
      interval. The other parameters were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: PS knees
      gained active flexion arc faster and larger. But straight leg raising activity
      recovered early in CR knees. Both types of prosthesis produced satisfactory
      outcome. PS and CR TKRs can be performed with the same performance in
      osteoarthritic knees even with high varus deformity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial, Level II.

PMID- 27271755
TI  - A treatment strategy to avoid iatrogenic Pipkin type III femoral head fracture
      dislocations.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Reduction is urgently required in cases of traumatic hip
      dislocation to decrease the risk of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
      However, successful reduction may not always be feasible for hip dislocations
      associated with femoral head fractures. This irreducibility may provoke further
      incidental fractures of the femoral neck with resultant Pipkin type III injuries.
      The purpose of this study was to describe an appropriate treatment strategy for
      irreducible femoral head fracture-dislocations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated
      nine patients with irreducible hip dislocations with femoral head fractures
      (eight Pipkin type II and one type IV) for which reduction failed in the
      emergency room or operating theater. All of these cases required operative
      management. RESULTS: Five of the nine patients experienced femoral neck fractures
      after closed reduction were attempted. These five cases underwent joint
      replacement at the time of injury or after developing avascular necrosis of the
      femoral head. Analysis of radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans revealed
      that the fractured femoral head was perched on the sharp angle of the posterior
      wall of the acetabulum in the irreducible hips. After recognizing the
      irreducibility, the other four cases underwent immediate open reduction without
      further attempts at closed reduction, which saved the natural hip joint without
      neck fracture or avascular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated or forceful closed
      reduction of irreducible femoral head fracture-dislocation injuries may result in
      iatrogenic femoral neck fractures with Pipkin type III injuries. Before
      attempting reduction, careful examination of plain radiographs and CT images may
      be helpful for determining the safest treatment strategy.

PMID- 27271753
TI  - Cytokine responses and epithelial function in the intestinal mucosa.
AB  - Inflammatory diseases of mucosal organs are significantly influenced by the
      microenvironment in which they reside. Cytokines found within this
      microenvironment contribute significantly to endpoint functions of the mucosa.
      Studies dating back to the 1990s have revealed that epithelial cells are both a
      source as well as a target for numerous cytokines and that such signaling can
      substantially influence the outcome of mucosal disease, such as inflammatory
      bowel disease. Here, we will review literature regarding intestinal epithelial
      cells as sources and responders to cytokines found in the intestinal milieu.
      These studies highlight the dynamic nature of these pathways and lend insight
      into the complexity of treating mucosal inflammation.

PMID- 27271756
TI  - Preliminary results of a new surgical technique in total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
      using the native ligament tension for femoral implant positioning in varus
      osteoarthritis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Individual implant alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has seen
      growing interest over the past years. This study therefore aimed to develop a
      surgical technique for implant alignment based on native ligament tension, and to
      present the results obtained using this technique. METHODS: 25 patients were
      included in this prospective study. Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) was
      used for the resection of the extension gap. Ligament tension was measured after
      the removal of all accessible osteophytes. In the event of asymmetry, the distal
      femur resection was adjusted up to 2.5 degrees  using an adjustable cutting
      block. The aim was to achieve a symmetrical extension gap without release, not a
      neutral leg axis. Femoral rotation was aligned on the basis of ligament tension.
      Patients were followed up to 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The postoperative
      whole-leg axis was 2.8 degrees  +/- 1.6 degrees  varus. Patients achieved a
      flexion of 118 degrees  +/- 9 degrees , a Knee Score of 91.5 +/- 3.2 and a
      Function Score of 86.8 +/- 8.3 points. CONCLUSION: For the first time, the new
      surgical technique described here permits a ligament tension based femoral
      implant alignment together with PSI. It was shown to be safe, with encouraging
      clinical and radiological results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study level IV.

PMID- 27271758
TI  - Size-dependent crystalline fluctuation and growth mechanism of bismuth
      nanoparticles under electron beam irradiation.
AB  - Advanced nanofabrication requires accurate tailoring of various nanostructures
      with the assistance of electron or ion beam irradiation. However, evolution of
      the nanostructures under the beam irradiation significantly affects the
      fabrication process. It is thus of paramount importance to study the evolution
      behaviors and growth mechanism of the nanostructures. In this study, bismuth
      nanoparticles were selected to investigate crystalline fluctuation under electron
      beam irradiation via transmission electron microscopy. The results disclose size
      dependent crystalline fluctuation of the nanoparticles. The particles exhibit
      crystalline and non-crystalline features for sizes of above 15 and below 4 nm,
      respectively, while a mixture of the two states is observed with sizes in
      between. The crystalline fluctuation facilitates the growth process of the
      particles when a crystalline particle is in contact with another non-crystalline
      one. This is promising for applications in nanofabrication where high quality
      interfaces are desired between two joining parts. 

PMID- 27271757
TI  - A Novel Truncated Form of Serum Amyloid A in Kawasaki Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis in children that can
      cause coronary artery abnormalities. Its diagnosis is challenging, and many
      cytokines, chemokines, acute phase reactants, and growth factors have failed
      evaluation as specific biomarkers to distinguish KD from other febrile illnesses.
      We performed protein profiling, comparing plasma from children with KD with
      febrile control (FC) subjects to determine if there were specific proteins or
      peptides that could distinguish the two clinical states. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Plasma from three independent cohorts from the blood of 68 KD and 61 FC subjects
      was fractionated by anion exchange chromatography, followed by surface-enhanced
      laser desorption ionization (SELDI) mass spectrometry of the fractions. The mass
      spectra of KD and FC plasma samples were analyzed for peaks that were
      statistically significantly different. RESULTS: A mass spectrometry peak with a
      mass of 7,860 Da had high intensity in acute KD subjects compared to subacute KD
      (p = 0.0003) and FC (p = 7.9 x 10-10) subjects. We identified this peak as a
      novel truncated form of serum amyloid A with N-terminal at Lys-34 of the
      circulating form and validated its identity using a hybrid mass spectrum
      immunoassay technique. The truncated form of serum amyloid A was present in
      plasma of KD subjects when blood was collected in tubes containing protease
      inhibitors. This peak disappeared when the patients were examined after their
      symptoms resolved. Intensities of this peptide did not correlate with KD
      associated laboratory values or with other mass spectrum peaks from the plasma of
      these KD subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Using SELDI mass spectrometry, we have discovered
      a novel truncated form of serum amyloid A that is elevated in the plasma of KD
      when compared with FC subjects. Future studies will evaluate its relevance as a
      diagnostic biomarker and its potential role in the pathophysiology of KD.

PMID- 27271751
TI  - Striated muscle function, regeneration, and repair.
AB  - As the only striated muscle tissues in the body, skeletal and cardiac muscle
      share numerous structural and functional characteristics, while exhibiting vastly
      different size and regenerative potential. Healthy skeletal muscle harbors a
      robust regenerative response that becomes inadequate after large muscle loss or
      in degenerative pathologies and aging. In contrast, the mammalian heart loses its
      regenerative capacity shortly after birth, leaving it susceptible to permanent
      damage by acute injury or chronic disease. In this review, we compare and
      contrast the physiology and regenerative potential of native skeletal and cardiac
      muscles, mechanisms underlying striated muscle dysfunction, and bioengineering
      strategies to treat muscle disorders. We focus on different sources for cellular
      therapy, biomaterials to augment the endogenous regenerative response, and
      progress in engineering and application of mature striated muscle tissues in
      vitro and in vivo. Finally, we discuss the challenges and perspectives in
      translating muscle bioengineering strategies to clinical practice.

PMID- 27271759
TI  - Airway Evaluation with Multidetector Computed Tomography Post-Processing Methods
      in Asthmatic Patients.
AB  - Asthma is a chronic inflammatory obstructive airways disease. The disease occurs
      regardless of age and manifests with cough, attacks of breathlessness, and
      tightness in the chest. The pathophysiology of asthma is complex and still not
      fully understood. It is essential to find answers concerning the role of each
      part of the bronchial tree in asthma, especially the role of small bronchioles.
      With the development of newer generations of multidetector computed tomography
      (MDCT) and advanced post-processing methods it is possible to obtain more
      detailed images and gain insight into further aspects of asthma. MDCT post
      processing methods can be divided into two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional
      (3D). In 2D projections, visualized hypodense regions correspond to the airway
      flow limitations. With the more advanced methods, such as multi planar
      reconstructions (MPR), images in different planes (axial, coronal, or sagittal)
      can be created. In the MPR technique only the voxels which are adjacent to each
      other in the predetermined plane can be extracted from the data set. Using the
      minimal/maximal intensity projections and shaded surface display, the volume of
      interest (VOI) can be extracted. High resolution CT scans can be used to create a
      more advanced imaging tool - the virtual bronchoscopy (VB). Using the VB makes it
      possible to visualize regions of obturation in the bronchi of up to the 5-8th
      generation. The MDCT with advanced post-processing methods is likely to assume an
      important role in the differential diagnosis of asthma, particularly when the
      diagnosis is dubious or hard to settle due to accompanying other lung diseases. 

PMID- 27271760
TI  - Phosphate starvation promoted the accumulation of phenolic acids by inducing the
      key enzyme genes in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Phosphate starvation increased the production of phenolic acids by
      inducing the key enzyme genes in a positive feedback pathway in Saliva
      miltiorrhiza hairy roots. SPX may be involved in this process. Salvia
      miltiorrhiza is a wildly popular traditional Chinese medicine used for the
      treatment of coronary heart diseases and inflammation. Phosphate is an essential
      plant macronutrient that is often deficient, thereby limiting crop yield. In this
      study, we investigated the effects of phosphate concentration on the biomass and
      accumulation of phenolic acid in S. miltiorrhiza. Results show that 0.124 mM
      phosphate was favorable for plant growth. Moreover, 0.0124 mM phosphate was
      beneficial for the accumulation of phenolic acids, wherein the contents of
      danshensu, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and salvianolic acid B were,
      respectively, 2.33-, 1.02-, 1.68-, and 2.17-fold higher than that of the control.
      By contrast, 12.4 mM phosphate inhibited the accumulation of phenolic acids. The
      key enzyme genes in the phenolic acid biosynthesis pathway were investigated to
      elucidate the mechanism of phosphate starvation-induced increase of phenolic
      acids. The results suggest that phosphate starvation induced the gene expression
      from the downstream pathway to the upstream pathway, i.e., a feedback phenomenon.
      In addition, phosphate starvation response gene SPX (SYG1, Pho81, and XPR1) was
      promoted by phosphate deficiency (0.0124 mM). We inferred that SPX responded to
      phosphate starvation, which then affected the expression of later responsive key
      enzyme genes in phenolic acid biosynthesis, resulting in the accumulation of
      phenolic acids. Our findings provide a resource-saving and environmental
      protection strategy to increase the yield of active substance in herbal
      preparations. The relationship between SPX and key enzyme genes and the role they
      play in phenolic acid biosynthesis during phosphate deficiency need further
      studies.

PMID- 27271761
TI  - Rescue effects of intravenous immunoglobulin on optic nerve degeneration in a rat
      model of neuromyelitis optica.
AB  - PURPOSE: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that
      predominantly attacks the optic nerve and spinal cord. This study evaluated the
      effect of administration of human IgG (hIgG) into the caudal vein on optic nerve
      degeneration in a rodent model of NMO. METHODS: The optic nerves were exposed to
      AQP4-Ab-positive sera, and the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin
      (IVIG) was performed immediately, at 7 days (cohort A) or at 7 days and 10 days
      (cohort B) after exposure to the sera. A reference group, similarly exposed to
      the serum, was treated with saline. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) labeled by the
      injection of Fluoro-Gold into the superior colliculus were counted in whole
      mounted retina. RGCs labeled by the injection of Fluoro-Gold into the superior
      colliculus were counted in the whole-mounted retina. RESULTS: The number of RGCs
      14 days after optic nerve exposure to sera from patients with NMO was 1455 +/-
      192/mm(2) (n = 7) in cohort A, 1657 +/- 192/mm(2) (n = 4) in cohort B, and 981 +/
      182/mm(2) (n = 10) in the saline-treated reference group (p < 0.001). Western
      blotting revealed that the content of neurofilament in the optic nerve of the
      hIgG-treated group in cohort A was significantly greater than that in the
      reference group (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: IVIG administration reduced optic nerve
      degeneration in a rat model of NMO-optic neuritis. IVIG could be used as a
      treatment in the acute phase of NMO.

PMID- 27271762
TI  - Changes in visual field defects during 10-year follow-up for indocyanine green
      assisted macular hole surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether the visual field defects detected within 3 months
      of indocyanine green (ICG)-assisted inner-limiting membrane (ILM) peeling
      continue to worsen over longer periods. METHODS: This was a retrospective
      observational case series. Four eyes with visual field defects that developed
      within 3 years of ICG-assisted ILM peeling for a macular hole (MH) were examined
      yearly for 10 years. The main outcome measures were the degree of mean deviation
      (MD) determined by Humphrey perimetry with the 30-2 SITA-Fast program and the
      best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: Four patients were examined yearly
      for more than 10 years, with a mean duration of follow-up of 139.5 months (11.6
      years) and a range of follow-up of 137-156 months (11.4-13 years). The mean (+/
      standard deviation) preoperative MD value was -4.99 +/- 3.26 dB, and the mean
      postoperative MD values were -12.9 +/- 1.29 dB after 1 year, -14.1 +/- 0.75 dB
      after 3 years, and -12.73 +/- 2.65 dB after 10 years. The mean preoperative BCVA
      was 0.65 +/- 0.26 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) units,
      and the postoperative BCVA was 0.21 +/- 0.07 logMAR units at 1 year, 0.28 +/-
      0.21 logMAR units at 3 years, and 0.14 +/- 0.06 dB logMAR units at 10 years.
      CONCLUSIONS: The visual field defects detected soon after ICG-assisted ILM
      peeling continued to worsen for 3 years, but not thereafter.

PMID- 27271763
TI  - Comparison of keratometric measurements obtained by the Verion Image Guided
      System with optical biometry and auto-keratorefractometer.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the keratometric measurements of Verion
      Image Guided System with an optical biometer (Zeiss IOLMaster 500, Carl Zeiss
      Meditec, Jena, Germany) and an automated keratorefractometer (AKR) (Topcon KR
      8900, Topcon, Japan). In this prospective clinical trial, the right eyes of 52
      patients with cataract were examined (mean age 62.25 +/- 12.16 years). The
      measurements were taken by the three systems in a random order. Keratometric
      data, magnitude of astigmatism, and astigmatic axis measurements from all three
      instruments were compared. The results were evaluated using, intraclass
      correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland-Altman plots, and paired samples t tests.
      The mean flat/steep K of Verion, IOLMaster, and AKR were 43.22 +/- 1.38D/44.23 +/
      1.46D, 43.07 +/- 1.26D/44.05 +/- 1.34D, and 43.07 +/- 1.31D/43.89 +/- 1.42D,
      respectively. Flat K readings of Verion were higher than IOLMaster and AKR (p <
      0.05 for both). Steep K readings were different for all three (p < 0.05). The
      magnitude of astigmatism by Verion and IOLMaster were 0.98 +/- 0.65D and 0.98 +/-
      0.59D (p = 0.88). The mean astigmatism measured by the AKR was 0.82 +/- 0.62D,
      less than the other two instruments (p < 0.001). Astigmatic axis measurements of
      Verion and AKR differed <10 degrees  in 38, between 10 degrees  and 20 degrees 
      in 5, and >20 degrees  in 9 eyes; the same difference was 30, 11, and 11 eyes,
      respectively, between Verion and IOLMaster. Although, keratometric and astigmatic
      results obtained from Verion were not completely interchangeable with IOLMaster
      and AKR, especially the agreement between Verion and IOLMaster was excellent with
      ICCs close to one. However, there were pronounced astigmatic axis measurement
      differences between three instruments.

PMID- 27271765
TI  - Time trends in incidence rates and survival of newly diagnosed stage IV breast
      cancer by tumor histology: a population-based analysis.
AB  - Few contemporary data are available that compare incidence and survival of
      metastatic breast cancer between ductal and lobular carcinomas. Using the
      Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-9 registries, we identified 10,639
      patients with de novo metastatic breast cancer diagnosed from 1990 to 2011.
      Annual age-adjusted incidence rates and annual percent changes (APCs) were
      analyzed. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to investigate the impact
      of year of diagnosis and histology on overall survival. 9250 (86.9 %) patients
      had ductal and 1389 (13.1 %) had lobular carcinomas. Metastatic breast cancer
      incidence increased slightly over time for ductal (APC = +1.7, 95 % confidence
      interval (CI) = +1.0 to +2.4) and lobular carcinomas (APC = +3.0, 95 % CI = +1.8
      to +4.3). Median overall survival was 22 months among the whole cohort. More
      recent year of diagnosis was associated with better overall survival only for
      patients with ductal carcinomas (interaction p value = 0.006), with an adjusted
      hazard ratio of death for every five-year increment in the date of diagnosis of
      0.93 (95 % CI =  0.91-0.95) among ductal carcinomas, compared with 1.05 (95 % CI
      = 0.95-1.10) among lobular carcinomas. Overall survival was longer for lobular
      versus ductal carcinomas (28 versus 21 months, respectively; adjusted hazard
      ratio of death = 0.93, 95 % CI = 0.87-0.99), but the magnitude of this effect was
      attenuated among the cohort restricted to hormone receptor-positive tumors. In
      this population-based analysis, incidence rates of metastatic breast cancer at
      presentation increased slightly over time for both histologies, and particularly
      for lobular tumors. A modest improvement in metastatic breast cancer median
      overall survival was observed, but was apparently limited to ductal carcinomas.

PMID- 27271766
TI  - Associations between metabolic syndrome, breast cancer recurrence, and the 21
      gene recurrence score assay.
AB  - The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay is prognostic in estrogen receptor
      positive (HR+), HER2-negative, node-negative breast cancer (BC). The interaction
      between RS and host factors including metabolic syndrome (MS) is unclear. MS
      conditions such as obesity have been associated with worse BC prognosis. The aim
      of this study was to identify associations between presence of MS conditions and
      RS group or breast cancer recurrence. Demographic, pathologic, and treatment
      data, MS criteria, and menopausal status were abstracted from medical records of
      women with stage I-II, HR+, HER2-negative BC evaluated with the RS assay at a
      single institution since 2005. MS was defined as presence of >=3 of the following
      within 2 years of diagnosis: body mass index >=27.7 kg/m(2); hypertension;
      impaired fasting glucose; HDL <50 mg/dL; hypertriglyceridemia. Of 533 eligible
      women, 22 % had MS. MS was more common in post- vs premenopausal women (30 vs 9
      %; P < 0.0001). There was no significant association between RS group and overall
      MS status or any individual criterion, controlling for stage, and no association
      after stratification by menopausal status. Postmenopausal status was associated
      with higher RS group (P = 0.039), independent of stage. With 4.2-year median
      follow-up, no association between disease recurrence and MS was identified.
      Although MS has been associated with worse BC outcomes, we were unable to
      identify associations between RS group and MS criteria. Identification of
      prognostic factors other than RS that underlie this higher risk will be important
      for optimizing breast cancer treatment decision-making in patients with MS.

PMID- 27271768
TI  - Interplay between Graph Topology and Correlations of Third Order in Spiking
      Neuronal Networks.
AB  - The study of processes evolving on networks has recently become a very popular
      research field, not only because of the rich mathematical theory that underpins
      it, but also because of its many possible applications, a number of them in the
      field of biology. Indeed, molecular signaling pathways, gene regulation, predator
      prey interactions and the communication between neurons in the brain can be seen
      as examples of networks with complex dynamics. The properties of such dynamics
      depend largely on the topology of the underlying network graph. In this work, we
      want to answer the following question: Knowing network connectivity, what can be
      said about the level of third-order correlations that will characterize the
      network dynamics? We consider a linear point process as a model for pulse-coded,
      or spiking activity in a neuronal network. Using recent results from theory of
      such processes, we study third-order correlations between spike trains in such a
      system and explain which features of the network graph (i.e. which topological
      motifs) are responsible for their emergence. Comparing two different models of
      network topology-random networks of Erdos-Renyi type and networks with highly
      interconnected hubs-we find that, in random networks, the average measure of
      third-order correlations does not depend on the local connectivity properties,
      but rather on global parameters, such as the connection probability. This,
      however, ceases to be the case in networks with a geometric out-degree
      distribution, where topological specificities have a strong impact on average
      correlations.

PMID- 27271769
TI  - Epinephrine auto-injector needle length: what is the ideal length?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this manuscript is to review the literature on
      the clinical effects of the needle length of epinephrine (adrenaline) auto
      injectors. RECENT FINDINGS: Epinephrine has maximal pharmacodynamic effect within
      10 min of intramuscular administration into the thigh. Prefilled epinephrine auto
      injectors are designed for simplicity of use and safety. Auto-injectors are
      primarily used by patients in an unsupervised setting in cases of anaphylaxis.
      There are weight-appropriate doses of epinephrine available with auto-injectors
      that are prefilled, to prevent dosing errors, with 0.15, 0.30, and 0.50 mg
      amounts. In addition, needle lengths vary from 1.17 to 2.50 cm. The recommended
      needle lengths differ between adults and pediatric patients. In addition, the
      needle lengths differ between devices as well. There are concerns that the needle
      length may be too short in select obese patients. Yet, there are also concerns
      that the needle length may be too long in some patients. Factors that affect the
      depth of the injection, and therefore the pharmacokinetics of the drug, include
      not only the needle length but also the BMI, obesity, compression of soft tissue,
      and propulsion. SUMMARY: Epinephrine auto-injectors have different needle
      lengths. Using the right device with appropriate needle length based on BMI,
      obesity, and employing the proper technique can improve the outcome in an
      anaphylactic event.

PMID- 27271767
TI  - Long-term cardiovascular outcomes and overall survival of early-stage breast
      cancer patients with early discontinuation of trastuzumab: a population-based
      study.
AB  - We critically examined long-term cardiovascular (CV) outcomes and overall
      survival (OS) of breast cancer (BC) patients who had cardiotoxicity during
      adjuvant trastuzumab treatment requiring discontinuation in a population-based
      sample. This was a retrospective cohort of early-stage BC patients diagnosed
      before 2010 and treated with trastuzumab in Ontario. Patients were stratified
      based on trastuzumab doses received: 1-8, 9-15, >=16 (therapy completion). Time
      dependent multivariable Cox models were used to analyze primary endpoint OS, and
      the following composite endpoints: hospitalization/emergency room visit for heart
      failure (HF) or death; non-HF CV (myocardial infarction, stroke) or death; and
      clinically significant relapse (palliative systemic therapy initiation >90 days
      after last trastuzumab dose) or death. Of the 3134 women, 6, 10, and 85 %
      received 1-8, 9-15, and >=16 doses, respectively. Over 5-year median follow-up,
      early trastuzumab discontinuation was associated with more HF/death [1-8 doses
      hazard ratio (HR) 4.0, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.7-6.0; 9-15 doses HR 2.97,
      95 % CI 2.1-4.3], non-HF/death (1-8 doses HR 4.3, 95 % CI 3.0-6.1; 9-15 doses HR
      3.1, 95 % CI 2.2-4.4), clinically significant relapse/death (1-8 doses HR 3.1, 95
      % CI 2.2-4.4; 9-15 doses HR 2.4, 95 % CI 1.8-3.3), and importantly lower OS (77,
      80, 93 %; P < 0.001). Early discontinuation (1-8 doses HR 2.41, 95 % CI 1.5-3.8;
      9-15 doses HR 2.9, 95 % CI 2.0-4.1) and clinically significant relapse (HR 34.0,
      95 % CI 24.9-46.6) were both independent predictors of mortality. Of note, early
      discontinuation remained a critical independent predictor of OS even after
      adjusting for incident HF. Early trastuzumab discontinuation is a powerful
      independent predictor of cardiac events and clinically significant relapse, and
      both may contribute to poor survival. Both adequate cancer control and optimal CV
      management are required to improve long-term outcomes.

PMID- 27271770
TI  - Interleukin-1beta induced Stress Granules Sequester COX-2 mRNA and Regulates its
      Stability and Translation in Human OA Chondrocytes.
AB  - Enhanced and immediate expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA is observed in
      IL-1beta-stimulated OA chondrocytes but the synthesis of protein found
      significantly delayed. Here we investigated the role of stress granules (SGs),
      ribonucleoprotein complexes that regulate mRNA translation, in the delayed
      translation of COX-2 mRNAs in IL-1beta-stimulated OA chondrocytes. Stimulation of
      human chondrocytes with IL-1beta activated the stress response genes and the
      phosphorylation of eIF2alpha that triggered the assembly of SGs. Using combined
      immunofluorescence staining of SGs markers and COX-2 protein, RNA fluorescence in
      situ hybridization and RNA immunoprecipitation, the COX-2 mRNAs were found
      sequestered in SGs in IL-1beta-stimulated OA chondrocytes. No increase in COX-2
      protein expression was observed during the persistence of SGs but enhanced
      expression of COX-2 protein was noted upon clearance of the SGs. Inhibition of
      SGs clearance blocked COX-2 mRNA translation whereas blocking the assembly of SGs
      by TIA-1 depletion resulted in rapid and increased production of COX-2 and PGE2.
      Our findings show for the first time assembly of SGs and sequestration of COX-2
      mRNAs in human OA chondrocytes under pathological conditions. Post
      transcriptional regulation of COX-2 mRNAs translation by SGs indicates a role in
      IL-1beta-mediated catabolic response that could be therapeutically targeted in
      OA.

PMID- 27271771
TI  - A Raloxifene Withdrawal Response: Translational Research, Definitions, and
      Clinical Applications.

PMID- 27271772
TI  - High resolution, week-long, locomotion time series from Japanese quail in a home
      box environment.
AB  - Temporal and spatial patterns of locomotion reflect both resting periods and the
      movement from one place to another to satisfy physiological and behavioural
      needs. Locomotion is studied in diverse areas of biology such as chronobiology
      and physiology, as well as in biomathematics. Herein, the locomotion of 24
      visually-isolated Japanese quails in their home-box environment was recorded
      continuously over a 6.5 days at a 0.5 s sampling rate. Three time series are
      presented for each bird: (1) locomotor activity, (2) distance ambulated, and (3)
      zone of the box where the bird is located. These high resolution, week-long, time
      series consisting of 1.07*10(6) data points represent, to our knowledge, a unique
      data set in animal behavior, and are publically available on FigShare. The data
      obtained can be used for analyzing dynamic changes of daily or several day
      locomotion patterns, or for comparison with existing or future data sets or
      mathematical models across different taxa.

PMID- 27271773
TI  - Mild and Low-Pressure fac-Ir(ppy)3 -Mediated Radical Aminocarbonylation of
      Unactivated Alkyl Iodides through Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis.
AB  - A novel, mild and facile preparation of alkyl amides from unactivated alkyl
      iodides employing a fac-Ir(ppy)3 -catalyzed radical aminocarbonylation protocol
      has been developed. Using a two-chambered system, alkyl iodides, fac-Ir(ppy)3 ,
      amines, reductants, and CO gas (released ex situ from Mo(CO)6 ), were combined
      and subjected to an initial radical reductive dehalogenation generating alkyl
      radicals, and a subsequent aminocarbonylation with amines affording a wide range
      of alkyl amides in moderate to excellent yields. 

PMID- 27271774
TI  - Age-based discrimination of rival males in western bluebirds.
AB  - Adaptive social behavior frequently involves discriminating between classes of
      individuals such as relatives versus non-relatives, older versus younger
      individuals, or individuals of different status. In the absence of spatial cues,
      this discrimination may be based on signals that correlate with fitness-related
      traits (e.g., older or high-status males may sing higher performance songs) or
      with identity, for example, when receivers distinguish and classify signalers
      based on their unique signal structure. Here, we examine vocal age-based
      discrimination in western bluebirds (Sialia mexicana), a North American songbird
      in which older males have a significant advantage in obtaining extra-pair
      fertilizations, and therefore pose a significantly higher threat to paternity
      than younger males. We asked whether western bluebird males showed a higher
      response to playback of songs of older males compared to younger males relative
      to their own age. We prepared song stimuli by removing three potential signals of
      age that have been identified as important in other species: (1) note consistency
      (which was achieved by playing a single instance of each note repeatedly), (2)
      note repertoire size, and (3) singing rate (the latter two were equalized across
      conditions). Even in the absence of these potential signals of age, young males
      responded more strongly to playback of older males' songs than to young males'
      songs, suggesting that they are able to discriminate between age classes relative
      to the threat they pose. Further research is required to determine whether this
      discrimination is based on individual recognition or signal features that are
      correlated with age.

PMID- 27271775
TI  - Effect of target animacy on hand preference in Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys
      (Rhinopithecus roxellana).
AB  - Twenty-eight captive Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) were
      involved in the current study. Many individuals showed handedness, with a modest
      tendency toward left-hand use especially for animate targets, although no group
      level handedness was found. There was no significant gender difference in the
      direction and strength of hand preference for both targets. Females showed a
      significantly higher overall rate of actions toward animate targets than
      inanimate targets for both hands, whereas males displayed almost the reversed
      pattern. There were no significant interactions between lateral hand use and
      target animacy for either males or females. Most individuals showed rightward or
      leftward laterality shift trends between inanimate and animate targets. These
      findings to some extent support the existence of a potential trend concerning a
      categorical neural distinction between targets demanding functional manipulation
      (inanimate objects) and those demanding social manipulation (animate objects),
      even though specialized hand preference based on target animacy has not been
      fully established in this arboreal Old World monkey species.

PMID- 27271776
TI  - Aberrant Expression of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase in Ovarian Carcinoma
      Independent of Gene Rearrangement.
AB  - Ovarian carcinoma is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies.
      The oncogenic role of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is well characterized in
      many hematopoietic and solid tumors. ALK expression in ovarian carcinoma has been
      reported but the exact status of ALK protein and its association with
      clinicopathologic features requires further investigation. ALK expression was
      determined by immunohistochemistry in 110 primary ovarian carcinomas, including
      85 cases of serous carcinoma and 25 cases of mucinous carcinoma. Fluorescence in
      situ hybridization (FISH) and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-PCR) were used for evaluating ALK translocation in ALK-positive
      ovarian carcinomas. Among 110 ovarian carcinomas, 23 (20.9%) cases were ALK
      positive by immunohistochemistry. All ALK-positive cases were ovarian high-grade
      serous carcinoma. ALK expression was detected in 23/85 (27.1%) ovarian serous
      carcinoma and 0/25 (0%) in ovarian mucinous carcinoma. None of the 23 ALK IHC
      positive cases harbored ALK gene translocations by FISH or RT-PCR. ALK protein
      expression was associated with patient age, tumor stage, and histologic type.
      Specifically, the probability of ALK protein expression was significantly higher
      in high-grade serous carcinomas in older patients (above 50 y) with advanced
      disease (FIGO stage III and IV) compared with the low-grade serous and mucinous
      carcinomas in younger patients with relatively early disease. In conclusion,
      aberrant ALK expression is observed in ovarian serous carcinoma but not in
      mucinous carcinoma, is independent of gene translocation, and might be associated
      with progression and prognosis. 

PMID- 27271777
TI  - When the Perpetrator Is a Partner: Arrest and Charging Decisions in Intimate
      Partner Sexual Assault Cases-A Focal Concerns Analysis.
AB  - Law enforcement officials and prosecutors have been called "gatekeepers" of the
      criminal justice system, as their discretionary decisions determine case
      outcomes. Using the focal concerns perspective as our theoretical foundation, we
      explore the factors that influence arrest and charging decisions in intimate
      partner sexual assaults (IPSA) reported to Los Angeles law enforcement in 2008.
      Quantitative findings are supplemented with qualitative examples from Los Angeles
      Police Department (LAPD) detectives interviewed in 2010 and charge evaluation
      sheets from complaints referred to Los Angeles prosecution in 2008. Attempting to
      expand its theoretical relevance, we develop an alternative conceptualization and
      operationalization of the focal concerns perspective that is more appropriate to
      IPSA cases. Findings suggest that arrest decisions are motivated by suspect
      blameworthiness, community protection, and practical constraints and
      organizational consequences. In addition, charging decisions are influenced by
      community protection and practical constraints. Extralegal factors did not
      influence decision making. Directions for future research are discussed.

PMID- 27271778
TI  - The Researcher-Practitioner Partnership Study (RPPS): Experiences From Criminal
      Justice System Collaborations Studying Violence Against Women.
AB  - The benefits of researcher-practitioner (R-P) collaborations focused on violence
      against women (VAW) are many. Such projects support researchers and practitioners
      working together to create uniquely comprehensive projects that have the
      potential to change practices, policies, and services. Extant literature is
      limited in that it has (a) focused on the experiences of a very limited number of
      collaborations, (b) ignored collaborations conducted in the context of the
      criminal justice system, and (c) excluded as a focus the products that result
      from the collaborations and their dissemination. Therefore, the goal of this
      qualitative study is to identify the essential elements to consider for
      successful R-P collaborations on VAW research in the criminal justice system.

PMID- 27271779
TI  - "I Wasn't a Priority, I Wasn't a Victim": Challenges in Help Seeking for
      Transgender Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence.
AB  - Among the crucial advancements in the study of intimate partner violence (IPV) is
      an understanding of the distinct help-seeking barriers that gay and lesbian
      victims face. Despite these additions to the literature, transgender IPV
      victimization remains under-researched. The current study utilized semi
      structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires of 18 trans-identified
      survivors of IPV. Working through a modified grounded analytic approach, two
      major themes emerged in the help-seeking process: "walking the gender tightrope"
      in which participants first struggled with gendered notions of victimization that
      made it difficult to identify abuse, and second, the challenges of "navigating
      genderist resources."

PMID- 27271780
TI  - Cognitive and hedonic responses to meal ingestion correlate with changes in
      circulating metabolites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that meal ingestion induces cognitive
      perception (sensations) with a hedonic dimension (well-being) that depends on the
      characteristics of the meal and the appropriateness of the digestive response.
      The aim of the present study is to identify metabolomic biomarkers of the
      cognitive response to meal ingestion. METHODS: In 18 healthy subjects, the
      response to a test meal (Edanec, 1 kcal/mL) ingested until maximum satiation (50
      mL/min) was assessed. Perception measurements and blood samples were taken
      before, at the end of the meal, and 20 min after ingestion. The cognitive
      response and the hedonic dimension were measured on 10 cm scales. Metabolomic
      analysis was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and
      values of triglycerides, insulin, peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide-1
      (GLP-1) were determined using conventional laboratory techniques. KEY RESULTS:
      Ingestion up to maximum satiation induced sensation of fullness and decreased
      digestive well-being. The total amount ingested by each subject correlated with
      the basal sensation of hunger, but not with other sensations or blood metabolite
      levels. Immediately after ingestion, satiation correlated with an increase in
      glucose (R = 0.49; p = 0.038) and valine levels (R = 0.48; p = 0.043). Twenty
      minutes after finalizing ingestion, triglyceride levels had significantly
      increased which correlated with the recovery in well-being (R = 0.48; p = 0.046)
      and the decrease in desire to eat a food of choice (R = -0.56; p = 0.016). The
      increase in lipids inversely correlated with abdominal discomfort (R = -0.51; p =
      0.032). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Cognitive and hedonic responses to meal
      ingestion correlate with changes in circulating metabolites, which may serve as
      objective biomarkers of perception.

PMID- 27271781
TI  - Genome-Assisted Prediction of Quantitative Traits Using the R Package sommer.
AB  - Most traits of agronomic importance are quantitative in nature, and genetic
      markers have been used for decades to dissect such traits. Recently, genomic
      selection has earned attention as next generation sequencing technologies became
      feasible for major and minor crops. Mixed models have become a key tool for
      fitting genomic selection models, but most current genomic selection software can
      only include a single variance component other than the error, making hybrid
      prediction using additive, dominance and epistatic effects unfeasible for species
      displaying heterotic effects. Moreover, Likelihood-based software for fitting
      mixed models with multiple random effects that allows the user to specify the
      variance-covariance structure of random effects has not been fully exploited. A
      new open-source R package called sommer is presented to facilitate the use of
      mixed models for genomic selection and hybrid prediction purposes using more than
      one variance component and allowing specification of covariance structures. The
      use of sommer for genomic prediction is demonstrated through several examples
      using maize and wheat genotypic and phenotypic data. At its core, the program
      contains three algorithms for estimating variance components: Average information
      (AI), Expectation-Maximization (EM) and Efficient Mixed Model Association (EMMA).
      Kernels for calculating the additive, dominance and epistatic relationship
      matrices are included, along with other useful functions for genomic analysis.
      Results from sommer were comparable to other software, but the analysis was
      faster than Bayesian counterparts in the magnitude of hours to days. In addition,
      ability to deal with missing data, combined with greater flexibility and speed
      than other REML-based software was achieved by putting together some of the most
      efficient algorithms to fit models in a gentle environment such as R. 

PMID- 27271783
TI  - Differences in Child Passenger Safety Counseling Frequency and Attitudes by
      Health Care Provider Specialty.
AB  - Many children are not being properly restrained in motor vehicles, resulting in
      unnecessary injury and fatalities. Health care provider (HCP) education is
      effective at increasing proper child restraint within vehicles. However,
      differences exist by HCP specialty in regards to frequency of child passenger
      safety (CPS) counseling. This study of a sample of 255 HCPs examined differences
      in CPS counseling by HCP specialty (pediatric vs. non-pediatric). HCPs from
      several upper Midwest states were surveyed about how frequently they provide CPS
      counseling in their practice by patient age and their attitudes toward CPS
      related issues. Pediatric HCPs were twice as likely as non-pediatric HCPs to
      always provide CPS counseling to parents/guardians of children aged 5 or older.
      Non-pediatric HCPs were more likely than pediatric HCPs to feel that counseling
      is ineffective at increasing child seat/booster (p = 0.001) or seat belt use (p =
      0.006). Non-pediatric HCPs were more likely than pediatric HCPs to feel there is
      inadequate time to provide CPS counseling in their practice setting (p = 0.001),
      and were less likely to know where to refer patients if they have questions
      regarding CPS issues (0.0291). The differences in HCP attitudes toward CPS
      counseling provision and the resulting differences in counseling frequency by
      patient age may contribute to disparities for patients who have limited or no
      access to pediatric HCPs. Additional research is needed to investigate the
      rationale for counseling differences seen by HCP specialty and patient age, and
      the potential effect on child motor vehicle injuries and fatalities.

PMID- 27271784
TI  - Attitudes towards poverty, organizations, ethics and morals: Israeli social
      workers' shared decision making.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Partnerships between service users and social workers are complex in
      nature and can be driven by both personal and contextual circumstances. This
      study sought to explore the relationship between social workers' involvement in
      shared decision making with service users, their attitudes towards service users
      in poverty, moral standards and health and social care organizations' policies
      towards shared decision making. METHODS: Based on the responses of 225 licensed
      social workers from health and social care agencies in the public, private and
      third sectors in Israel, path analysis was used to test a hypothesized model.
      RESULTS: Structural attributions for poverty contributed to attitudes towards
      people who live in poverty, which led to shared decision making. Also,
      organizational support in shared decision making, and professional moral
      identity, contributed to ethical behaviour which led to shared decision making.
      CONCLUSION: The results of this analysis revealed that shared decision making may
      be a scion of branched roots planted in the relationship between ethics,
      organizations and Stigma.

PMID- 27271786
TI  - Using degrees of rate control to improve selective n-butane oxidation over model
      MOF-encapsulated catalysts: sterically-constrained Ag3Pd(111).
AB  - Metal nanoparticles encapsulated within metal organic frameworks (MOFs) offer
      steric restrictions near the catalytic metal that can improve selectivity, much
      like in enzymes. A microkinetic model is developed for the regio-selective
      oxidation of n-butane to 1-butanol with O2 over a model for MOF-encapsulated
      bimetallic nanoparticles. The model consists of a Ag3Pd(111) surface decorated
      with a 2-atom-thick ring of (immobile) helium atoms which creates an artificial
      pore of similar size to that in common MOFs, which sterically constrains the
      adsorbed reaction intermediates. The kinetic parameters are based on energies
      calculated using density functional theory (DFT). The microkinetic model was
      analysed at 423 K to determine the dominant pathways and which species (adsorbed
      intermediates and transition states in the reaction mechanism) have energies that
      most sensitively affect the reaction rates to the different products, using
      degree-of-rate-control (DRC) analysis. This analysis revealed that activation of
      the C-H bond is assisted by adsorbed oxygen atoms, O*. Unfortunately, O* also
      abstracts H from adsorbed 1-butanol and butoxy as well, leading to butanal as the
      only significant product. This suggested to (1) add water to produce more OH*,
      thus inhibiting these undesired steps which produce OH*, and (2) eliminate most
      of the O2 pressure to reduce the O* coverage, thus also inhibiting these steps.
      Combined with increasing butane pressure, this dramatically improved the 1
      butanol selectivity (from 0 to 95%) and the rate (to 2 molecules per site per s).
      Moreover, 40% less O2 was consumed per oxygen atom in the products. Under these
      conditions, a terminal H in butane is directly eliminated to the Pd site, and the
      resulting adsorbed butyl combines with OH* to give the desired 1-butanol. These
      results demonstrate that DRC analysis provides a powerful approach for optimizing
      catalytic process conditions, and that highly selectivity oxidation can sometimes
      be achieved by using a mixture of O2 and H2O as the oxidant. This was further
      demonstrated by DRC analysis of a second microkinetic model based on a related
      but hypothetical catalyst, where the activation energies for two of the steps
      were modified.

PMID- 27271785
TI  - Association of Cerebral Microbleeds With Cognitive Decline and Dementia.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Cerebral microbleeds are hypothesized downstream markers of brain
      damage caused by vascular and amyloid pathologic mechanisms. To date, whether
      their presence is associated with cognitive deterioration in the general
      population remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether microbleeds, and more
      specifically microbleed count and location, are associated with an increased risk
      for cognitive impairment and dementia in the general population. DESIGN, SETTING,
      AND PARTICIPANTS: The Rotterdam Study, a prospective population-based study set
      in the general community, assessed the presence, number, and location of
      microbleeds at baseline (August 2005 to December 2011) on magnetic resonance
      imaging studies of the brain in 4841 participants 45 years or older. Participants
      underwent neuropsychological testing at 2 points a mean (SD) of 5.9 (0.6) years
      apart and were followed up for incident dementia throughout the study period
      until January 1, 2013. The association of microbleeds with cognitive decline and
      dementia was studied using multiple linear regression, linear mixed-effects
      modeling, and Cox proportional hazards. EXPOSURES: Cerebral microbleed presence,
      location, and number. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Cognitive decline measured by a
      decrease in neuropsychological test battery scores (Mini-Mental State
      Examination, Letter Digit Substitution Task, Word Fluency Test, Stroop test, 15
      word Verbal Learning Test, and Purdue Pegboard Test) and compound scores (eg, G
      factor, executive function, information processing speed, memory, motor speed)
      and dementia. RESULTS: In total, 3257 participants (1758 women [54.7%]; mean [SD]
      age, 59.6 [7.8] years) underwent baseline and follow-up cognitive testing.
      Microbleed prevalence was 15.3% (median [interquartile range] count, 1 [1-88]).
      The presence of more than 4 microbleeds was associated with cognitive decline.
      Lobar (with or without cerebellar) microbleeds were associated with a decline in
      executive functions (mean difference in z score, -0.31; 95% CI, -0.51 to -0.11; P
      = .003), information processing (mean difference in z score, -0.44; 95% CI, -0.65
      to -0.22; P < .001), and memory function (mean difference in z score, -0.34; 95%
      CI, -0.64 to -0.03; P = .03), whereas microbleeds in other brain regions were
      associated with a decline in information processing and motor speed (mean
      difference in z score, -0.61; 95% CI, -1.05 to -0.17; P = .007). After a mean
      (SD) follow-up of 4.8 (1.4) years, 72 participants developed dementia, of whom 53
      had Alzheimer dementia. The presence of microbleeds was associated with an
      increased risk for dementia after adjustment for age, sex, and educational level
      (hazard ratio, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.25-3.24), including Alzheimer dementia (hazard
      ratio, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.21-3.64). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In the general
      population, a high microbleed count was associated with an increased risk for
      cognitive deterioration and dementia. Microbleeds thus mark the presence of
      diffuse vascular and neurodegenerative brain damage.

PMID- 27271787
TI  - Is one diagnosis the whole story? patients with double diagnoses.
AB  - One of the goals of evaluating a patient in the genetics clinic is to find the
      diagnosis that would explain his or her clinical presentation. Sometimes the
      patient's diagnosis remains undefined or does not explain all of the clinical
      findings. As clinicians are often guided by a "single disorder" paradigm,
      diagnosing multiple genetic conditions in the same patient requires a heightened
      sense of awareness. Over the last few years, we evaluated several patients (n =
      14) who were found to have more than one genetic diagnosis. In this paper, we
      will describe their natural history and diagnoses, and draw on the lessons
      learned from this phenomenon, which we expect to grow in this era of next
      generation diagnostic technologies. To our knowledge, this is by far the largest
      series of patients with double diagnoses. Based on our findings, we strongly
      recommend that physicians question every diagnosis to determine whether it indeed
      explains all of the patients' symptoms, and consider whether they should continue
      the diagnostic evaluation to look for a more accurate and complete set of
      diagnoses. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27271788
TI  - The care needs and experiences with the use of services of people with young
      onset dementia and their caregivers: a systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this review, the care needs and experiences with the use of
      available services of individuals with young-onset dementia (YOD) and their
      caregivers were investigated. This knowledge is an important prerequisite for the
      development of appropriate interventions and personalized care to address their
      specific needs and problems. DESIGN: A systematic literature search was performed
      in PubMed, Psycinfo and Cinahl. A quality checklist for observational and
      qualitative studies was used to appraise the methodological quality of the
      studies. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included, and a synthesis of the
      literature revealed six themes. The first theme concerned problems in the
      diagnostic period. Early recognition and referral was reported as an essential
      area that required improvement in order to obtain appropriate help in time. The
      second theme discussed the need for information about YOD and the availability of
      care throughout the caregiving trajectory. The third theme described barriers in
      access to care that hindered caregivers in finding the right services. The fourth
      theme showed the availability of appropriate services and specific unmet needs.
      The fifth theme illustrated that behavioural and personality changes pose a
      significant challenge for caregivers and other family members. The last theme
      showed the profound impact of YOD on caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: The literature
      indicates that people with YOD and their caregivers face a wide range of
      difficulties during the disease process. The reviewed studies provide an
      important foundation for knowledge and awareness about the specific care needs
      and experiences of people with YOD and their caregivers. Copyright (c) 2016 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27271789
TI  - Paracetamol for low back pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Analgesic medication is the most frequently prescribed treatment for
      low back pain (LBP), of which paracetamol (acetaminophen) is recommended as the
      first choice medication. However, there is uncertainty about the efficacy of
      paracetamol for LBP. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy and safety of
      paracetamol for non-specific LBP. SEARCH METHODS: We conducted searches on the
      Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, which includes the Back
      and Neck Review Group trials register), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, Web of
      Science, LILACS, and IPA from their inception to 7 August 2015. We also searched
      the reference lists of eligible papers and trial registry websites (WHO ICTRP and
      ClinicalTrials.gov). SELECTION CRITERIA: We only considered randomised trials
      comparing the efficacy of paracetamol with placebo for non-specific LBP. The
      primary outcomes were pain and disability. We also investigated quality of life,
      function, adverse effects, global impression of recovery, sleep quality, patient
      adherence, and use of rescue medication as secondary outcomes. DATA COLLECTION
      AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently performed the data extraction and
      assessed risk of bias in the included studies. We also evaluated the quality of
      evidence using the GRADE approach. We converted scales for pain intensity to a
      common 0 to 100 scale. We quantified treatment effects using mean difference for
      continuous outcomes and risk ratios for dichotomous outcomes. We used effect
      sizes and 95% confidence intervals as a measure of treatment effect for the
      primary outcomes. When the treatment effects were smaller than 9 points on a 0 to
      100 scale, we considered the effect as small and not clinically important. MAIN
      RESULTS: Our searches retrieved 4449 records, of which three trials were included
      in the review (n = 1825 participants), and two trials were included in the meta
      analysis. For acute LBP, there is high-quality evidence for no difference between
      paracetamol (4 g per day) and placebo at 1 week (immediate term), 2 weeks, 4
      weeks, and 12 weeks (short term) for the primary outcomes. There is high-quality
      evidence that paracetamol has no effect on quality of life, function, global
      impression of recovery, and sleep quality for all included time periods. There
      were also no significant differences between paracetamol and placebo for adverse
      events, patient adherence, or use of rescue medication. For chronic LBP, there is
      very low-quality evidence (based on a trial that has been retracted) for no
      effect of paracetamol (1 g single intravenous dose) on immediate pain reduction.
      Finally, no trials were identified evaluating patients with subacute LBP.
      AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found that paracetamol does not produce better outcomes
      than placebo for people with acute LBP, and it is uncertain if it has any effect
      on chronic LBP.

PMID- 27271790
TI  - Diagnosis and treatment of microscopic colitis.
AB  - Microscopic colitis (MC) designates two types of chronic diarrhea diseases, which
      are lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis. The prevalence of microscopic
      colitis is increasing in both Western and Eastern countries, possibly due to the
      high incidence of colonoscopic survey in chronic diarrhea patients. Although the
      overall prognosis of MC patients is mostly good, it should be noted that
      appropriate diagnosis and choice of treatment is required to assure a good
      clinical outcome for MC patients. Also, a certain population of MC patients may
      take a severe and refractory clinical course, and thus require advanced clinical
      care using medications supported by less evidence. In this review, we would like
      to feature the essential points regarding the diagnosis of MC, and also describe
      the current standard of treatments for MC patients. In addition, we would like to
      add some findings from the national survey and research carried out in Japan, to
      compare those data with the western countries. 

PMID- 27271791
TI  - Response surface methodology applied to the generation of casein hydrolysates
      with antioxidant and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitory properties.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hydrolysis parameters affecting the release of dipeptidyl peptidase
      IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory and antioxidant peptides from milk proteins have not been
      extensively studied. Therefore, a multifactorial (i.e. pH, temperature and
      hydrolysis time) composite design was used to optimise the release of bioactive
      peptides (BAPs) with DPP-IV inhibitory and antioxidant [oxygen radical absorbance
      capacity (ORAC)] properties from sodium caseinate. RESULTS: Fifteen sodium
      caseinate hydrolysates (H1-H15) were generated with ProtamexTM , a bacillus
      proteinase activity. Hydrolysis time (1 to 5 h) had the highest influence on both
      DPP-IV inhibitory properties and ORAC activity (P < 0.05). Alteration of
      incubation temperature (40 to 60  degrees C) and pH (6.5 to 8.0) had an effect on
      the DPP-IV inhibitory properties but not the ORAC activity of the Protamex sodium
      caseinate hydrolysates. A multi-functional hydrolysate, H12, was identified
      having DPP-IV inhibitory (actual: 0.82 +/- 0.24 vs. predicted optimum: 0.68 mg mL
      1 ) and ORAC (actual: 639 +/- 66 vs. predicted optimum: 639 umol TE g-1 )
      activity of the same order (P > 0.05) as the response surface methodology (RSM)
      predicted optimum bioactivities. CONCLUSION: Generation of milk protein
      hydrolysates through multifactorial design approaches may aid in the optimal
      enzymatic release of BAPs with serum glucose lowering and antioxidant properties.
      (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27271792
TI  - Real-time device-scale imaging of conducting filament dynamics in resistive
      switching materials.
AB  - ReRAM is a compelling candidate for next-generation non-volatile memory owing to
      its various advantages. However, fluctuation of operation parameters are critical
      weakness occurring failures in 'reading' and 'writing' operations. To enhance the
      stability, it is important to understand the mechanism of the devices. Although
      numerous studies have been conducted using AFM or TEM, the understanding of the
      device operation is still limited due to the destructive nature and/or limited
      imaging range of the previous methods. Here, we propose a new hybrid device
      composed of ReRAM and LED enabling us to monitor the conducting filament (CF)
      configuration on the device scale during resistive switching. We directly observe
      the change in CF configuration across the whole device area through light
      emission from our hybrid device. In contrast to former studies, we found that
      minor CFs were formed earlier than major CF contributing to the resistive
      switching. Moreover, we investigated the substitution of a stressed major CF with
      a fresh minor CF when large fluctuation of operation voltage appeared after more
      than 50 times of resistive switching in atmospheric condition. Our results
      present an advancement in the understanding of ReRAM operation mechanism, and a
      step toward stabilizing the fluctuations in ReRAM switching parameters.

PMID- 27271793
TI  - Ghrelin accelerates wound healing through GHS-R1a-mediated MAPK-NF-kappaB/GR
      signaling pathways in combined radiation and burn injury in rats.
AB  - The therapeutic effect of ghrelin on wound healing was assessed using a rat model
      of combined radiation and burn injury (CRBI). Rat ghrelin, anti-rat tumor
      necrosis factor (TNF) alpha polyclonal antibody (PcAb), or selective antagonists
      of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),
      and growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) 1a (SB203580, SP600125, and [D
      Lys3]-GHRP-6, respectively), were administered for seven consecutive days. Levels
      of various signaling molecules were assessed in isolated rat peritoneal
      macrophages. The results showed that serum ghrelin levels and levels of
      macrophage glucocorticoid receptor (GR) decreased, while phosphorylation of
      p38MAPK, JNK, and p65 nuclear factor (NF) kappaB increased. Ghrelin inhibited the
      serum induction of proinflammatory mediators, especially TNF-alpha, and promoted
      wound healing in a dose-dependent manner. Ghrelin treatment decreased
      phosphorylation of p38MAPK, JNK, and p65NF-kappaB, and increased GR levels in the
      presence of GHS-R1a. SB203580 or co-administration of SB203580 and SP600125
      decreased TNF-alpha level, which may have contributed to the inactivation of
      p65NF-kappaB and increase in GR expression, as confirmed by western blotting. In
      conclusion, ghrelin enhances wound recovery in CRBI rats, possibly by decreasing
      the induction of TNF-alpha or other proinflammatory mediators that are involved
      in the regulation of GHS-R1a-mediated MAPK-NF-kappaB/GR signaling pathways.

PMID- 27271795
TI  - Characterization of fibroblast-free CWR-R1ca castration-recurrent prostate cancer
      cell line.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The previously established CWR-R1 cell line has been used as an in
      vitro model representing castration-recurrent prostate cancer. Microscopic
      observation of subconfluent cells demonstrated two distinct cellular
      morphologies: polygonal closely aggregated epithelial cells surrounded by bipolar
      fibroblastic cells with long processes. This study sought to establish and
      characterize a fibroblast-free derivative of the CWR-R1 cell line. METHODS: The
      CWR-R1ca cell line was established from CWR-R1 cells by removing fibroblasts
      using multiple cycles of short-term trypsinization, cloning, and pooling single
      cell colonies. Authentication of fibroblast-free CWR-R1ca cells was demonstrated
      by analyzing the expression of cytodifferentiation and prostate-associated
      markers, DNA and cytogenetic profiling, and growth pattern in the absence or
      presence of androgen. RESULTS: CWR-R1ca is an androgen-sensitive cell line that
      expresses the androgen receptor (AR) and its splice variant 7 and the luminal
      epithelia markers, CK-8, CK-18, and c-Met. CWR-R1fb fibroblasts isolated from CWR
      R1 cells express AR, hepatocyte growth factor-alpha, and mouse beta-actin but not
      AR-V7 or epithelial markers. Cytogenetic analysis of CWR-R1ca cells revealed a
      hyperdiploid male with numerical gains in chromosomes 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12,
      deletion of one chromosome 2 allele, structural abnormalities that include
      der(1)t(1:4), der(4)t(2:4), der(10)t(4:10), and an unbalanced reciprocal
      translocation between chromosome 6 and 14. DNA-profiling revealed that CWR-R1ca
      cells had significant short-tandem repeat marker homology with CWR22Pc and
      CWR22Rv1 cell lines, which indicated lineage derivation from CWR22 prostate
      cancer xenografts. CWR-R1ca cells were responsive to the growth stimulatory
      effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the femtomolar range. CONCLUSION: This
      study establishes CWR-R1ca cells as a fibroblast-free derivative of the
      castration-recurrent CWR-R1 cell line. Prostate 76:1067-1077, 2016. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27271796
TI  - Appropriate selection of dose coefficients in radiological assessments: C-14 and
      Cl-36: response to the letter of G Smith and M Thorne (2015 J. Radiol. Prot. 35
      737-40).

PMID- 27271794
TI  - Mitochondrial uncouplers inhibit clathrin-mediated endocytosis largely through
      cytoplasmic acidification.
AB  - ATP production requires the establishment of an electrochemical proton gradient
      across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondrial uncouplers dissipate this
      proton gradient and disrupt numerous cellular processes, including vesicular
      trafficking, mainly through energy depletion. Here we show that Endosidin9 (ES9),
      a novel mitochondrial uncoupler, is a potent inhibitor of clathrin-mediated
      endocytosis (CME) in different systems and that ES9 induces inhibition of CME not
      because of its effect on cellular ATP, but rather due to its protonophore
      activity that leads to cytoplasm acidification. We show that the known tyrosine
      kinase inhibitor tyrphostinA23, which is routinely used to block CME, displays
      similar properties, thus questioning its use as a specific inhibitor of cargo
      recognition by the AP-2 adaptor complex via tyrosine motif-based endocytosis
      signals. Furthermore, we show that cytoplasm acidification dramatically affects
      the dynamics and recruitment of clathrin and associated adaptors, and leads to
      reduction of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate from the plasma membrane.

PMID- 27271798
TI  - Cell polarity reversal in ovarian low-grade serous carcinomas and micropapillary
      serous borderline tumours: immunohistochemical observations.

PMID- 27271797
TI  - Stereospecific Effects of Oxygen-to-Sulfur Substitution in DNA Phosphate on Ion
      Pair Dynamics and Protein-DNA Affinity.
AB  - Oxygen-to-sulfur substitutions in DNA phosphate often enhance affinity for DNA
      binding proteins. Our previous studies have suggested that this effect of sulfur
      substitution of both OP1 and OP2 atoms is due to an entropic gain associated with
      enhanced ion pair dynamics. In this work, we studied stereospecific effects of
      single sulfur substitution of either the OP1 or OP2 atom in DNA phosphate at the
      Lys57 interaction site of the Antennapedia homeodomain-DNA complex. Using
      crystallography, we obtained structural information on the RP and SP
      diastereomers of the phosphoromonothioate and their interaction with Lys57. Using
      fluorescence-based assays, we found significant affinity enhancement upon sulfur
      substitution of the OP2 atom. Using NMR spectroscopy, we found significant
      mobilization of the Lys57 side-chain NH3 (+) group upon sulfur substitution of
      the OP2 atom. These data provide further mechanistic insights into the affinity
      enhancement by oxygen-to-sulfur substitution in DNA phosphate.

PMID- 27271799
TI  - Generative rules of Drosophila locomotor behavior as a candidate homology across
      phyla.
AB  - The discovery of shared behavioral processes across phyla is a significant step
      in the establishment of a comparative study of behavior. We use immobility as an
      origin and reference for the measurement of fly locomotor behavior; speed,
      walking direction and trunk orientation as the degrees of freedom shaping this
      behavior; and cocaine as the parameter inducing progressive transitions in and
      out of immobility. We characterize and quantify the generative rules that shape
      Drosophila locomotor behavior, bringing about a gradual buildup of kinematic
      degrees of freedom during the transition from immobility to normal behavior, and
      the opposite narrowing down into immobility. Transitions into immobility unfold
      via sequential enhancement and then elimination of translation, curvature and
      finally rotation. Transitions out of immobility unfold by progressive addition of
      these degrees of freedom in the opposite order. The same generative rules have
      been found in vertebrate locomotor behavior in several contexts (pharmacological
      manipulations, ontogeny, social interactions) involving transitions in-and-out of
      immobility. Recent claims for deep homology between arthropod central complex and
      vertebrate basal ganglia provide an opportunity to examine whether the rules we
      report also share common descent. Our approach prompts the discovery of
      behavioral homologies, contributing to the elusive problem of behavioral
      evolution.

PMID- 27271800
TI  - A proton therapy system in Nagoya Proton Therapy Center.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is to describe an outline of a proton therapy system in
      Nagoya Proton Therapy Center (NPTC). The NPTC has a synchrotron with a linac
      injector and three treatment rooms: two rooms are equipped with a gantry and the
      other one is equipped with a fixed horizontal beamline. One gantry treatment room
      has a pencil beam scanning treatment delivery nozzle. The other two treatment
      rooms have a passive scattering treatment delivery nozzle. In the scanning
      treatment delivery nozzle, an energy absorber and an aperture system to treat
      head and neck cancer have been equipped. In the passive treatment delivery
      nozzle, a multi-leaf collimator is equipped. We employ respiratory gating to
      treat lung and liver cancers for passive irradiation. The proton therapy system
      passed all acceptance tests. The first patient was treated on February 25, 2013,
      using passive scattering fixed beams. Respiratory gating is commonly used to
      treat lung and liver cancers in the passive scattering system. The MLCs are our
      first choice to limit the irradiation field. The use of the aperture for scanning
      irradiation reduced the lateral fall off by half or less. The energy absorber and
      aperture system in scanning delivery is beneficial to treat head and neck cancer.

PMID- 27271801
TI  - Structural and biochemical characterization of the cell fate determining
      nucleotidyltransferase fold protein MAB21L1.
AB  - The exceptionally conserved metazoan MAB21 proteins are implicated in cell fate
      decisions and share considerable sequence homology with the cyclic GMP-AMP
      synthase. cGAS is the major innate immune sensor for cytosolic DNA and produces
      the second messenger 2'-5', 3'-5' cyclic GMP-AMP. Little is known about the
      structure and biochemical function of other proteins of the cGAS-MAB21 subfamily,
      such as MAB21L1, MAB21L2 and MAB21L3. We have determined the crystal structure of
      human full-length MAB21L1. Our analysis reveals high structural conservation
      between MAB21L1 and cGAS but also uncovers important differences. Although
      monomeric in solution, MAB21L1 forms a highly symmetric double-pentameric
      oligomer in the crystal, raising the possibility that oligomerization could be a
      feature of MAB21L1. In the crystal, MAB21L1 is in an inactive conformation
      requiring a conformational change - similar to cGAS - to develop any
      nucleotidyltransferase activity. Co-crystallization with NTP identified a
      putative ligand binding site of MAB21 proteins that corresponds to the DNA
      binding site of cGAS. Finally, we offer a structure-based explanation for the
      effects of MAB21L2 mutations in patients with eye malformations. The underlying
      residues participate in fold-stabilizing interaction networks and mutations
      destabilize the protein. In summary, we provide a first structural framework for
      MAB21 proteins.

PMID- 27271802
TI  - Intrusion Detection System Using Deep Neural Network for In-Vehicle Network
      Security.
AB  - A novel intrusion detection system (IDS) using a deep neural network (DNN) is
      proposed to enhance the security of in-vehicular network. The parameters building
      the DNN structure are trained with probability-based feature vectors that are
      extracted from the in-vehicular network packets. For a given packet, the DNN
      provides the probability of each class discriminating normal and attack packets,
      and, thus the sensor can identify any malicious attack to the vehicle. As
      compared to the traditional artificial neural network applied to the IDS, the
      proposed technique adopts recent advances in deep learning studies such as
      initializing the parameters through the unsupervised pre-training of deep belief
      networks (DBN), therefore improving the detection accuracy. It is demonstrated
      with experimental results that the proposed technique can provide a real-time
      response to the attack with a significantly improved detection ratio in
      controller area network (CAN) bus. 

PMID- 27271804
TI  - Using data redundancy gained by patch overlaps to reduce truncation artifacts in
      magnetic particle imaging.
AB  - The imaging technology magnetic particle imaging allows the detection of magnetic
      material, in particular superparamagnetic nanoparticles, by remagnetization of
      the material via magnetic fields. The application is aimed at medical imaging
      where the particles are applied as tracer directly into the blood stream. Medical
      safety considerations such as peripheral nerve stimulation limit the maximal
      amplitude of the magnetic fields and in turn the field of view size. To handle
      this constraint the concept of patches was introduced, which allows a shift of a
      field of view to different positions in order to enlarge the imaging area. If
      this is done statically an overlap of patches can be used to reduce truncation
      artifacts occurring at the adjacent edges. In this contribution, a
      differentiation of two different kinds of patch overlaps, i.e. a trajectory and a
      system matrix overlap, is made. Further, different concepts to combine the
      resulting redundant information are investigated with respect to the reduction of
      truncation artifacts. The methods are analyzed in detail in a simulation study
      and validated on experimental data.

PMID- 27271803
TI  - Comparative Effect of Quercetin and Quercetin-3-O-beta-d-Glucoside on Fibrin
      Polymers, Blood Clots, and in Rodent Models.
AB  - The present study evaluates the in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo antithrombotic and
      anticoagulant effect of two flavonoids: quercetin and quercetin-3-O-beta-d
      glucoside (isoquercetin). The present results have shown that quercetin and
      isoquercetin inhibit the enzymatic activity of thrombin and FXa and suppress
      fibrin clot formation and blood clotting. The prolongation effect of quercetin
      and isoquercetin against epinephrine and collagen-induced platelet activation may
      have been caused by intervention in intracellular signaling pathways including
      coagulation cascade and aggregation response on platelets and blood. The in vivo
      and ex vivo anticoagulant efficacy of quercetin and isoquercetin was evaluated in
      thrombin-induced acute thromboembolism model and in ICR mice. Our findings showed
      that in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of quercetin were slightly higher
      than that of quercetin glucoside, whereas in vitro and ex vivo anticoagulant
      effects of quercetin were weaker than that of quercetin glucoside because of
      their structural characteristics.

PMID- 27271806
TI  - System gamma as a function of image- and monitor-dynamic range.
AB  - System gamma is the end-to-end exponent that describes the relationship between
      the relative luminance values at capture and the reproduced image. The system
      gamma preferred by subjects is known to vary with the background luminance
      condition and the image in question. We confirm the previous two findings using
      an image database with both high and low dynamic range images (from 102 to 107),
      but also find that the preferred system gamma varies with the dynamic range of
      the monitor (CRT, LCD, or OLED). We find that the preferred system gamma can be
      predicted in all conditions and for all images by a simple model that searches
      for the value that best flattens the lightness distribution, where lightness is
      modeled as a power law of onscreen luminance. To account for the data, the
      exponent must vary with the viewing conditions. The method presented allows the
      inference of lightness perception in natural scenes without direct measurement
      and makes testable predictions for how lightness perception varies with the
      viewing condition and the distribution of luminance values in a scene. The data
      from this paper has been made available online. 

PMID- 27271805
TI  - [Stress fractures].
AB  - Bone stress injuries are due to repetitive mechanical overuse of the skeleton and
      occur as a result of microscopic lesions sustained when bone is subjected to
      repeated submaximal stress. Over time accumulation of such injuries can lead to
      bone failure and fractures. Stress-related bone injuries are relatively common
      among otherwise healthy persons who have recently started new or intensified
      forms of physical training activities. Stress injuries lead to typical findings
      on radiography, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) and need to be discriminated from other conditions, in
      particular infections and neoplasms. Stress fractures must be differentiated from
      insufficiency fractures that occur in bones with reduced mechanical resistance or
      disturbed structure. 

PMID- 27271807
TI  - Perceived depth from shading boundaries.
AB  - Shading is well known to provide information the visual system uses to recover
      the three-dimensional shape of objects. We examined conditions under which
      patterns in shading promote the experience of a change in depth at contour
      boundaries, rather than a change in reflectance. In Experiment 1, we used image
      manipulation to illuminate different regions of a smooth surface from different
      directions. This manipulation imposed local differences in shading direction
      across edge contours (delta shading). We found that increasing the angle of delta
      shading, from 0 degrees  to 180 degrees , monotonically increased perceived depth
      across the edge. Experiment 2 found that the perceptual splitting of shading into
      separate foreground and background surfaces depended on an assumed light source
      from above prior. Image regions perceived as foreground structures in upright
      images appeared farther in depth when the same images were inverted. We also
      found that the experienced break in surface continuity could promote the
      experience of amodal completion of colored contours that were ambiguous as to
      their depth order (Experiment 3). These findings suggest that the visual system
      can identify occlusion relationships based on monocular variations in local
      shading direction, but interprets this information according to a light source
      from above prior of midlevel visual processing. 

PMID- 27271808
TI  - Highlight shapes and perception of gloss for real and photographed objects.
AB  - Gloss perception strongly depends on the three-dimensional shape and the
      illumination of the object under consideration. In this study we investigated the
      influence of the spatial structure of the illumination on gloss perception. A
      diffuse light box in combination with differently shaped masks was used to
      produce a set of six simple and complex highlight shapes. The geometry of the
      simple highlight shapes was inspired by conventional artistic practice (e.g.,
      ring flash for photography, window shape for painting and disk or square for
      cartoons). In the box we placed spherical stimuli that were painted in six
      degrees of glossiness. This resulted in a stimulus set of six highlight shapes
      and six gloss levels, a total of 36 stimuli. We performed three experiments of
      which two took place using digital photographs on a computer monitor and one with
      the real spheres in the light box. The observers had to perform a comparison task
      in which they chose which of two stimuli was glossiest and a rating task in which
      they rated the glossiness. The results show that, perhaps surprisingly, more
      complex highlight shapes were perceived to produce a less glossy appearance than
      simple highlight shapes such as a disk or square. These findings were confirmed
      for both viewing conditions, on a computer display and in a real setting. The
      results show that variations in the spatial structure of "rather simple"
      illumination of the "extended source" type highlight influences perceived
      glossiness. 

PMID- 27271809
TI  - Exploring the individual patterns of spiritual well-being in people newly
      diagnosed with advanced cancer: a cluster analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Research shows that spiritual well-being correlates positively with
      quality of life (QOL) for people with cancer, whereas contradictory findings are
      frequently reported with respect to the differentiated associations between
      dimensions of spiritual well-being, namely peace, meaning and faith, and QOL.
      This study aimed to examine individual patterns of spiritual well-being among
      patients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer. METHODS: Cluster analysis was
      based on the twelve items of the 12-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness
      Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale at Time 1. A combination of hierarchical and k
      means (non-hierarchical) clustering methods was employed to jointly determine the
      number of clusters. Self-rated health, depressive symptoms, peace, meaning and
      faith, and overall QOL were compared at Time 1 and Time 2. RESULTS: Hierarchical
      and k-means clustering methods both suggested four clusters. Comparison of the
      four clusters supported statistically significant and clinically meaningful
      differences in QOL outcomes among clusters while revealing contrasting relations
      of faith with QOL. Cluster 1, Cluster 3, and Cluster 4 represented high, medium,
      and low levels of overall QOL, respectively, with correspondingly high, medium,
      and low levels of peace, meaning, and faith. Cluster 2 was distinguished from
      other clusters by its medium levels of overall QOL, peace, and meaning and low
      level of faith. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical support for individual
      difference in response to a newly diagnosed cancer and brings into focus
      conceptual and methodological challenges associated with the measure of spiritual
      well-being, which may partly contribute to the attenuated relation between faith
      and QOL.

PMID- 27271810
TI  - Aggressive Metastatic Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor After Allogeneic Stem
      Cell Transplant With Fatal Pulmonary Toxicity From Crizotinib.
AB  - Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare tumors with an intermediate
      spectrum of biological behavior. IMTs are uncommon secondary malignancies after
      hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The presence of anaplastic lymphoma kinase
      rearrangements in 50% of IMTs has led to therapeutic trials with crizotinib,
      although limited experience remains with crizotinib use in children. We describe
      the first reported case of a highly aggressive and metastatic IMT (secondary
      malignancy) in an 8-year-old girl following umbilical cord blood transplant.
      Although tumor response was demonstrated with anaplastic lymphoma kinase
      inhibition, she later developed fatal pulmonary toxicity from diffuse alveolar
      damage, a feature felt most likely to be due to crizotinib.

PMID- 27271811
TI  - Liver Transplantation in LCH: Risk Reactivation or Wait Till Decompensation?

PMID- 27271812
TI  - Predominant Neurologic Manifestations Seen in a Patient With a Biallelic
      Perforin1 Mutation (PRF1; p.R225W).
AB  - Neurological manifestations in familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL)
      are common, seen in up to 73% of patients in their course of disease. However, in
      majority of the cases central nervous system manifestations are associated with
      other clinical and laboratory parameters of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
      We report here a case with FHL2 in whom hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was a
      presenting manifestation which responded to specific therapy, however, there was
      isolated central nervous system relapse while patient was in remission and off
      therapy. FHL2 was confirmed on the basis of reduced perforin expression and
      homozygous mutation in PRF1at codon 637 in exon 3 (c.673C>T p.Arg225Trp).

PMID- 27271813
TI  - Oral Pyogenic Granuloma After Bone Marrow Transplant in the Pediatric/Adolescent
      Population: Report of 5 Cases.
AB  - Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a benign, neoplastic, soft tissue growth of
      granulation and fibrous tissue that may rarely occur in the mouth of patients
      after hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). This case series describes 5
      pediatric/adolescent patients who developed oral PG after HCT for acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia, Fanconi anemia, nodular sclerosis Hodgkin's lymphoma, or
      junctional epidermolysis bullosa. The underlying mechanism for the appearance of
      oral PG after HCT is unknown, but it is suggested that calcineurin inhibitors
      used for graft versus host disease (GVHD) may play a role, as all patients were
      on cyclosporine A or tacrolimus at the time of development of oral PG. Three of
      the patients were being treated for chronic GVHD, and 1 other treated for acute
      GVHD. Overall, this report illustrates that PG should be considered in the
      differential diagnoses when encountering oral lesions in pediatric/adolescent
      patients after undergoing HCT, especially in the context of chronic GVHD and
      calcineurin inhibitors use.

PMID- 27271814
TI  - Subcortical DNET in a Patient With an Enzymatic Deficiency: A Rare Case and
      Review of the Literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: This case report describes a toddler with a medical history of
      biotinidase deficiency who presented with atypical seizures due to a brain tumor.
      METHODS: This is a case report. RESULTS: Electroencephalogram revealed a frontal
      lobe mass, with magnetic resonance imaging confirmation of a mass extending from
      the frontal lobe into the genu and anterior corpus callosum. She underwent a near
      total resection, and pathology identified a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial
      tumor. The patient is now seizure free and clinically doing well. CONCLUSIONS:
      Children with biotinidase deficiency and atypical seizures should receive a full
      electroencephalogram evaluation, as brain tumors continue to be on the
      differential for seizures in this patient population.

PMID- 27271815
TI  - Ontogenetic shifts in fishes between vegetated and unvegetated tidepools:
      assessing the effect of physical structure on fish habitat selection.
AB  - The aim of this study of tidepool fishes was analyse variation in their use of
      intertidal habitats (rocky shore, mangrove and salt marsh). Specimens were
      collected during wet and dry periods from 18 tidepools in the three habitats. A
      total of 7690 specimens, belonging to 19 families and 30 species, was captured.
      The fish assemblage in rocky shore pools was clearly distinct from that of
      vegetated habitats (mangrove and salt marshes). The rocky shore fauna was
      dominated by permanent resident species, whereas pools in mangrove and salt marsh
      habitats were inhabited primarily by opportunistic and transient species. Habitat
      segregation by ontogenetic stage (e.g. smaller individuals in mangroves,
      intermediate size classes in salt marsh and sub-adults/adults on rocky shores)
      indicates age-related migration in response to the physical structure of these
      habitats and to the natural history of each fish species. These findings are
      important for the development of effective conservation and management plans for
      intertidal fishes. 

PMID- 27271816
TI  - Effect of amino acid substitution in the hydrophobic face of amphiphilic peptides
      on membrane curvature and perturbation: N-terminal helix derived from adenovirus
      internal protein VI as a model.
AB  - The N-terminal amphipathic helical segment of adenovirus internal protein VI
      (AdVpVI) plays a critical role in viral infection. Here, we report that the
      peptide segment corresponding to AdVpVI (positions 33-55) can induce positive
      membrane curvature together with membrane perturbation. The enhanced perturbation
      ability of the peptide was observed for membranes containing negatively charged
      phospholipids. Based on the liposome leakage assay, substitution of leucine at
      position 40 to other aliphatic (isoleucine) and aromatic (phenylalanine and
      tryptophan) residues yielded a similar degree of membrane perturbation by the
      peptides, which was considerably diminished by the substitution to glutamine.
      Further studies using the wild-type AdVpVI (33-55) (WT) and phenylalanine
      substituted peptides (L40F) demonstrated that both peptides have positive
      membrane-curvature-inducing ability. These peptides showed higher binding
      affinity to 50-nm large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) than to 200-nm LUVs. However,
      no enhanced perturbation by these peptides was observed for 50-nm LUVs compared
      to 200-nm LUVs, suggesting that both the original membrane curvature and the
      additional strain due to peptide insertion affect the membrane perturbation
      ability of these peptides. In the case of L40F, this peptide rather had a lower
      membrane perturbation ability for 50-nm LUVs than for 200-nm LUVs, which can be
      attributed to possible shallower binding of L40F on membranes. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 430-439, 2016. 

PMID- 27271817
TI  - A Miniaturized Therapeutic Chromophore for Multiple Metal Pollutant Sensing,
      Pathological Metal Diagnosis and Logical Computing.
AB  - The efficacy of a miniaturized unimolecular analytic system is illustrated. The
      easily accessible therapeutic chromophore "temoporfin", which responds
      differentially to bound metals at multiple wavelengths of Q-band absorption using
      chemometric analysis, expeditiously detects and discriminates a wide range of
      metals regarded as priority pollutants in water and hence may also be used for
      diagnosis of medically relevant metals in human urine. The molecule was further
      investigated as an electronic logic device, e.g. keypad lock device, to authorize
      multiple highly secure chemical passwords for information protection.

PMID- 27271819
TI  - Pencil it in: pencil drawn electrochemical sensing platforms.
AB  - Inspired by recent reports concerning the utilisation of hand drawn pencil
      macroelectrodes (PDEs), we report the fabrication, characterisation
      (physicochemical and electrochemical) and implementation (electrochemical
      sensing) of various PDEs drawn upon a flexible polyester substrate.
      Electrochemical characterisation reveals that there are no quantifiable
      electrochemical responses upon utilising these PDEs with an electroactive analyte
      that requires an electrochemical oxidation step first, therefore the PDEs have
      been examined towards the electroactive redox probes hexaammineruthenium(iii)
      chloride, potassium ferricyanide and ammonium iron(ii) sulfate. For the first
      time, characterisation of the number of drawn pencil layers and the grade of
      pencil are examined; these parameters are commonly overlooked when utilising
      PDEs. It is demonstrated that a PDE drawn ten times with a 6B pencil presented
      the most advantageous electrochemical platform, in terms of electrochemical
      reversibility and peak height/analytical signal. In consideration of the
      aforementioned limitation, analytes requiring an electrochemical reduction as the
      first process were solely analysed. We demonstrate the beneficial
      electroanalytical capabilities of these PDEs towards p-benzoquinone and the
      simultaneous detection of heavy metals, namely lead(ii) and cadmium(ii), all of
      which are explored for the first time utilising PDEs. Initially, the detection
      limits of this system were higher than desired for electroanalytical platforms,
      however upon implementation of the PDEs in a back-to-back configuration (in which
      two PDEs are placed back-to-back sharing a single connection to the
      potentiostat), the detection limits for lead(ii) and cadmium(ii) correspond to 10
      MUg L(-1) and 98 MUg L(-1) respectively within model aqueous (0.1 M HCl)
      solutions. 

PMID- 27271818
TI  - The immunology of the vermiform appendix: a review of the literature.
AB  - This literature review assesses the current knowledge about the immunological
      aspects of the vermiform appendix in health and disease. An essential part of its
      immunological function is the interaction with the intestinal bacteria, a trait
      shown to be preserved during its evolution. The existence of the appendiceal
      biofilm in particular has proved to have a beneficial effect for the entire gut.
      In assessing the influence of acute appendicitis and the importance of a normally
      functioning gut flora, however, multiple immunological aspects point towards the
      appendix as a priming site for ulcerative colitis. Describing the immunological
      and microbiotical changes in the appendix during acute and chronic inflammation
      of the appendix, this review suggests that this association becomes increasingly
      plausible. Sustained by the distinct composition of cells, molecules and
      microbiota, as well as by the ever more likely negative correlation between the
      appendix and ulcerative colitis, the idea of the appendix being a vestigial organ
      should therefore be discarded.

PMID- 27271820
TI  - Recovery from hybrid breakdown in a marine invertebrate is faster, stronger and
      more repeatable under environmental stress.
AB  - Understanding how environmental stress alters the consequences of hybridization
      is important, because the rate of hybridization and the likelihood of hybrid
      speciation both appear elevated in harsh, disturbed or marginal habitats. We
      assessed fitness, morphometrics and molecular genetic composition over 14
      generations of hybridization between two highly divergent populations of the
      marine copepod Tigriopus californicus. Replicated, experimental hybrid
      populations in both control and high-salinity conditions showed a decline in
      fitness, followed by a recovery. Recovery was faster in the salinity stress
      treatment, returning to parental levels up to two generations earlier than in the
      control. This recovery was stable in the high-salinity treatment, whereas in the
      control treatment, fitness dropped back below parental levels at the final time
      point. Recovery in the high-salinity treatment was also stronger in terms of
      competitive fitness and heat-shock tolerance. Finally, consequences of
      hybridization were more repeatable under salinity stress, where among-replicate
      variance for survivorship and molecular genetic composition was lower than in the
      control treatment. In a system with low effective population sizes (estimates
      ranged from 17 to 63), where genetic drift might be expected to be the
      predominate force, strong selection under harsh environmental conditions
      apparently promoted faster, stronger and more repeatable recovery from depressed
      hybrid fitness.

PMID- 27271821
TI  - Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-based intercropping systems for biological pest
      control.
AB  - Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most cultivated crops in temperate
      climates. As its pests are mainly controlled with insecticides that are harmful
      to the environment and human health, alternative practices such as intercropping
      have been studied for their potential to promote biological control. Based on the
      published literature, this study aimed to review the effect of wheat-based
      intercropping systems on insect pests and their natural enemies. Fifty original
      research papers were obtained from a systematic search of the peer-reviewed
      literature. Results from a vote-counting analysis indicated that, in the majority
      of studies, pest abundance was significantly reduced in intercropping systems
      compared with pure stands. However, the occurrence of their natural enemies as
      well as predation and parasitism rates were not significantly increased. The
      country where the studies took place, the type of intercropping and the crop that
      was studied in the association had significant effects on these results. These
      findings show that intercropping is a viable practice to reduce insecticide use
      in wheat production systems. Nevertheless, other practices could be combined with
      intercropping to favour natural enemies and enhance pest control. (c) 2016
      Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27271822
TI  - iNuc-STNC: a sequence-based predictor for identification of nucleosome
      positioning in genomes by extending the concept of SAAC and Chou's PseAAC.
AB  - The nucleosome is the fundamental unit of eukaryotic chromatin, which
      participates in regulating different cellular processes. Owing to the huge
      exploration of new DNA primary sequences, it is indispensable to develop an
      automated model. However, identification of novel protein sequences using
      conventional methods is difficult or sometimes impossible because of vague motifs
      and the intricate structure of DNA. In this regard, an effective and high
      throughput automated model "iNuc-STNC" has been proposed in order to identify
      accurately and reliably nucleosome positioning in genomes. In this proposed
      model, DNA sequences are expressed into three distinct feature extraction
      strategies containing dinucleotide composition, trinucleotide composition and
      split trinucleotide composition (STNC). Various statistical models were utilized
      as learner hypotheses. Jackknife test was employed to evaluate the success rates
      of the proposed model. The experiential results expressed that SVM, in
      combination with STNC, has obtained an outstanding performance on all benchmark
      datasets. The predicted outcomes of the proposed model "iNuc-STNC" is higher than
      current state of the art methods in the literature so far. It is ascertained that
      the "iNuc-STNC" model will provide a rudimentary framework for the pharmaceutical
      industry in the development of drug design.

PMID- 27271823
TI  - Critical Influence of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Aging and Decomposition on the
      Utility of Biomass Conversion in Organic Synthesis.
AB  - Spectral studies revealed the presence of a specific arrangement of 5
      hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) molecules in solution as a result of a hydrogen
      bonding network, and this arrangement readily facilitates the aging of 5-HMF.
      Deterioration of the quality of this platform chemical limits its practical
      applications, especially in synthesis/pharma areas. The model drug Ranitidine
      (Zantac(r)) was synthesized with only 15 % yield starting from 5-HMF which was
      isolated and stored as an oil after a biomass conversion process. In contrast, a
      much higher yield of 65 % was obtained by using 5-HMF isolated in crystalline
      state from an optimized biomass conversion process. The molecular mechanisms
      responsible for 5-HMF decomposition in solution were established by NMR and ESI
      MS studies. A highly selective synthesis of a 5-HMF derivative from glucose was
      achieved using a protecting group at O(6) position.

PMID- 27271826
TI  - [The psychodiagnostic aspects of the compliance with treatment in the course of
      medical rehabilitation].
AB  - The objective of the present study was to elucidate the possibility of using
      psycho-diagnostic tools for the preventive diagnostics of the patients' adherence
      to the treatment in the course of medical rehabilitation. The article presents
      the overview of the available literature concerning the problem of interest. It
      is shown that the important factors of preventive diagnostics of the compliance
      include the peculiar steady-state and dynamic features of the individual patients
      presenting with chronic pathology, their current emotional state, intellectual
      and motivational preparedness for the active and meaningful participation in the
      rehabilitation process. The psychometric characteristics of the main
      methodological techniques that can be used for diagnostics of these parameters
      are described. Also reported are the data illustrating the necessity of the
      neuropsychological studies of the higher mental functions as well as formal
      standard testing and clinical interviewing of the patients by health providers
      for the purpose of determining the patient's preparedness for the efficient
      engagement in the process of rehabilitation. 

PMID- 27271825
TI  - Hybrid kappa?lambda antibody is a new serological marker to diagnose autoimmune
      pancreatitis and differentiate it from pancreatic cancer.
AB  - The only generally accepted serological marker currently used for the diagnosis
      of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is IgG4. Our aim was mainly to determine whether
      hybrid kappa?lambda antibody can help to diagnose AIP and to differentiate it
      from pancreatic cancer. We established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      (ELISA) system to measure the levels of hybrid kappa?lambda antibodies in human
      sera. Sera were obtained from 338 patients, including 61 with AIP, 74 with
      pancreatic cancer, 50 with acute pancreatitis, 40 with ordinary chronic
      pancreatitis, 15 with miscellaneous pancreatic diseases, and 98 with normal
      pancreas. Our study showed levels of hybrid kappa?lambda antibodies in the AIP
      group were significantly higher than in the non-AIP group (P < 0.001). The
      sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive
      value (NPV) for the diagnosis of AIP were 80.3%, 91%, 66.2% and 95.5%
      respectively. Furthermore, the combined measurement of serum hybrid kappa?lambda
      antibody and IgG4 tended to increase the sensitivity although the difference was
      not statistically significant (90.2% vs. 78.7%, P = 0.08), compared to
      measurement of IgG4 alone. Our findings suggest that hybrid kappa?lambda antibody
      could be a new serological marker to diagnose AIP and differentiate it from
      pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 27271827
TI  - [The results of rehabilitation of the patients presenting with arterial
      hypertension: the types of adaptation, the vegetative status, and intracardial
      hemodynamics].
AB  - AIM: The objective the present work was to study the changes of the types of
      adaptation in the patients presenting with arterial hypertension under the
      influence of the spa and health resort-based rehabilitative treatment. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients with essential hypertension at the
      age from 54.0 to 62.0 (mean 58.0) years given a course of the spa and health
      resort-based rehabilitative treatment. All the patients underwent
      electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examination for the assessment of the
      systolic and diastolic left ventricular functions. Cardiointervalography with the
      use of the ORTO Expert diagnostic system was performed in the patients at rest
      and during the active orthostatic test (AOT); the types of the adaptation were
      evaluated. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the results of
      repeated AOT obtained after rehabilitation. Group 1 was comprised of the patients
      showing the improvement of adaptation (n=24), group 2 consisted of the patients
      in whom the level of adaptation remained unaltered (n=26). RESULTS: The
      structural characteristics of echocardiography estimated in both groups were not
      significantly different. The number of patients in group 1 showing the
      satisfactory level of adaptation intensity in the absence of its failures
      increased significantly. In group 2, a significant decrease of the following AOT
      parameters was documented: the tension index of the regulatory system (p=0.02),
      the standard deviation of NN-intervals (SDNN) (p=0.03), and root mean square of
      successive differences (RMSSD) (p=0.02). The multiple logistic regression
      analysis showed that the factors associated with the positive effect of
      rehabilitation were the normal and low degree of regulatory system tension
      (p=0.01) and the initially adequate or reduced response in the orthostatic test
      (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The improvement of rehabilitation of the adaptive capacity
      was documented in as many as 48% of the patients who had undergone the spa and
      health resort-based rehabilitative treatment. The absence of positive dynamics or
      deterioration of adaptation were associated with the increase of the sympathetic
      activity at rest and in response to the AOT. The beneficial effect of
      rehabilitation was observed in the patients with the initially normal or low
      tension of regulatory systems and with the adequate or reduced baseline response
      in AOT.

PMID- 27271828
TI  - [The investigation into dynamics of depression level and the quality of life in
      the patients after myocardial infarction under the influence of the program of
      physical rehabilitation].
AB  - The evaluation of the psychological condition of the patients who survived
      myocardial infarction and its correction taking into consideration the peculiar
      features of the individual reaction to the disease are the indispensable
      components of physical rehabilitation. The present article was designed to report
      the results of the study on the influence of the authors' physical rehabilitation
      program on the prevalence of depression and the life quality characteristics of
      the patients treated after myocardial infarction during the follow-up period.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients of the main group (n=30) were enrolled in the
      original physical rehabilitation program. Those comprising the group of
      comparison (n=30) were given a course of rehabilitation in accordance with the
      scheme that had been recommended by the leading scientists and generally accepted
      in the Ukraine for the patients recovering after myocardial infarction under
      conditions of the out-patient clinics, spa and health resort facilities or
      convalescent centers. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The study has demonstrated that the
      patients of both groups exhibited positive dynamics of their clinical condition
      (e.g. the decrease in the number of depressed subjects); however, this tendency
      was more pronounced in the main group where the number of the patients
      experiencing depression decreased by 61% at the end of the observation period
      (r<0,05). The analysis of the causes of anxiety associated with this pathology in
      the individual patients has demonstrated that the main factors responsible for
      the deterioration of the quality of life were the necessity of treatment, the
      limitations on the everyday physical activity, and the feeling of emotional
      tension. Moreover, the positive dynamics of the characteristics being evaluated
      was documented in the patients of the main group which gives reason to conclude
      that the program of physical rehabilitation proposed by the authors for the
      treatment of the patients after myocardial infarction is highly efficient during
      the follow-up period. Suffice it to say that 23 (76,7%) patients of the main
      group did not consider their lives as of poor quality by the end of the study
      period (r<0,01). There were only 18 such patients in the control group (r<0,05).
      CONCLUSION: The results of the present study provide a basis for recommending the
      proposed authors' program of physical rehabilitation for the patients treated
      after myocardial infarction with the emphasis on the necessity to do special
      dynamic exercises for the cervical and thoraco-cervical spine segments to be
      supplemented by the relevant educational program.

PMID- 27271830
TI  - [The possibilities for the correction of the co-morbid anxiety and depressive
      disorders in the patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by
      the methods of climatic therapy].
AB  - The present study included 142 patients presenting with grade I-III chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated based at a spa and health resort
      (SHR) facility located on the southern coast of the Crimea. The psycho-diagnostic
      testing was performed with the use of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
      (HDRS) and the Ch.D. Spielberger - Yu.L. Khanin scale for reactive (situational)
      and personal anxiety. The anxiety-depressive disorders were diagnosed in 59,2% of
      the patients; their intensity correlated with the severity of COPD. The
      questionnaire study based at the Spilberger-Khanin made it possible to document
      the presence of moderate and severe anxiety in 68,3% of the patients. It was
      shown that a course of the spa and health resort-based treatment produced
      beneficial effect on the psycho-functional status of the patients with COPD that
      was especially well apparent in those with the mild form of COPD. 

PMID- 27271829
TI  - [The state of receptor-dependent signal pathways in the agranulocytes from the
      peripheral blood of the reconvalescent patients following community-acquired
      pneumonia under the influence of microwave radiation].
AB  - The present article reports the study of the influence of low-intensity microwave
      radiation on the state of the JAK/STAT-signaling pathways in the mononuclear
      cells and the intercellular levels of the molecules maintaining the functioning
      of this pathway. The experiments on the model of intercellular interactions in
      the whole blood cell culture obtained during the convalescence phase of community
      acquired bacterial pneumonia were designed to elucidate the effects of the cell
      cell interactions in the culture exposed to electromagnetic radiation with a
      frequency of 1000 MHz and power flux density 0.1 mcW/cm2 on the intracellular
      levels of total and phosphorylated species of JAK-kinases, STAT-factors and SOCS
      proteins. It is concluded that sensitivity of intracellular signaling systems to
      the effects of low-intensity microwave radiation manifests itself in the form of
      increased intracellular concentrations of Janus kinases and SOCS proteins with a
      simultaneous decrease in the level of STAT factors. 

PMID- 27271831
TI  - [Correction of the functional state of the autonomous nervous system in the women
      presenting with the postmastectomy syndrome at the stationary stage of the
      rehabilitative treatment].
AB  - A frequent consequence of the treatment of breast cancer is the postmastectomy
      syndrome that combines psycho-emotional and functional disorders in various body
      systems. AIM: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of
      the program of differential physical rehabilitation on the functional state of
      the autonomic nervous system in the women with the postmastectomy syndrome at the
      stationary stage of the rehabilitative treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study
      included 50 presenting with the postmastectomy syndrome following radical
      mastectomy as described by J.L. Madden. The patients were randomly divided into
      two groups comprised of 25 patients each. The main group consisted of the women
      at the mean age of 55,44+/-1,06 years, the group of comparison (2) was composed
      of the women at the mean age of 55,60+/-1,14 years. The program of the
      rehabilitative treatment of the patients in group 1 envisaged the use of the
      physical therapeutic modalities chosen on an individual basis in agreement with
      the basic principles of medical gymnastics including the differential selection
      of static and dynamic respiratory maneuvers with due regard for the type of
      vegetative regulation in a given patient, post-isometric relaxation, Vodder's
      manual lymphatic drainage and autotraining as described by J.H. Suhultz. The
      patients comprising the group of comparison performed therapeutic physical
      exercises as described by T.I. Grushina. The analysis of the literature and
      empirical data was combined with that of the heart rate variability was measured
      twice: within days 2-3 after the surgical intervention and on days 19-20 of the
      hospital stay. The methods of mathematical statistics were employed to treat the
      data obtained. RESULTS: The study has demonstrated reduced reserves of vegetative
      support, the overall decrease of the heart rate variability, and enhanced tension
      of the adaptive mechanisms in this group of women. Moreover, it showed the
      positive outcome of the physical rehabilitation program designed to correct most
      of the time-related and spectral parameters of the heart rate variability and
      gave evidence of the significant improvement of the total activity of the
      regulatory systems due to the enhancement of the high-frequency, low-frequency
      and very low-frequency components of the spectrum. The values of the stress index
      and the mode amplitude were reduced whereas the adaptive capabilities of the
      autonomic nervous system in women of the main group were extended. CONCLUSION:
      The proposed program of differential physical rehabilitation can be employed in
      the practical work of the specialized healthcare facilities for the correction of
      the functional state of the autonomic nervous system in the women with the
      postmastectomy syndrome.

PMID- 27271832
TI  - [The isokinetic evaluation of the knee joint function following the autoplastic
      correction of its anterior cross-shaped ligament].
AB  - The flexors/extensors imbalance can be a cause knee instability and therefore
      lead to progression of osteoarthritis. The isokinetic evaluation of the strength
      of flexors after the autoplastic reconstruction the anterior cross-shaped
      (cruciate) ligament (ACL) is of primary importance bearing in mind that certain
      authors have reported a persistent deficiency in flexor strength after surgery.
      AIM: The purpose of the present study was to objectively evaluate the isokinetic
      function of the knee during each treatment stage and estimate the influence of
      harvesting semitendinosus/gracilis tendon (SGT) on the knee flexion. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: During the period from 2012 to 2014, a total of 44 patients (20 women
      and 24 men) presenting with ACL rupture were available for the examination. All
      the patients underwent the isokinetic evaluation of the knee function before
      operation, 6-8 weeks and 3-4 months after the arthroscopic ACL reconstruction
      with the use of the SGT graft. The patients were divided into two groups. The
      first group was comprised of 22 subjects who were treated in accordance with the
      standard protocol of therapeutic physical exercises starting from week 6 after
      the initiation of the physiotherapeutic rehabilitative measures. The second group
      consisted of 22 patients who had to perform the isokinetic training within 6-8
      weeks after surgery. RESULTS: The results of the study indicate that all the
      patients suffering injuries to the anterior cross-shaped ligaments had well
      apparent flexor/extensor imbalance. In those of the first group, the flexor
      imbalance amounted to 25-35% while the extensor imbalance was 10-15% within 3-4
      months after the surgery. The second group showed a 10-15% flexor imbalance and 2
      5% extensor imbalance after 3-4 months. CONCLUSION: The isokinetic testing
      provides a tool for the objective evaluation of the knee function. It helps to
      reveal the high effectiveness of isokinetic rehabilitation protocol leading to
      the recovery of the patients within 3-4 months after the surgery. It can be
      assumed based on the results of the present study that harvesting of the
      semitendinosus/gracilis tendon does not exert any negative influence on the knee
      flexion strength given the rehabilitation program includes the isotonic training
      protocol.

PMID- 27271833
TI  - [The clinical effectiveness of the application of interferential currents for the
      combined treatment of onychopathies associated with psoriasis and eczema].
AB  - The frequency of the development of clinically significant changes in the nail
      plates was estimated in the present study that included 454 patients presenting
      with psoriasis and 140 patients with eczema characterized by the localization of
      the pathological process on the skin of the wrists and/or feet. The changes in
      the nail plates were shown to occur in 56,2% of the patients with psoriasis and
      in 90,7% of those suffering from eczema. The capillaroscopy of the microvessels
      feeding the affected nails was carried out to determine the type of the
      capillaroscopic picture. The patients with onychopathies were largely
      characterized by the spastic-atonic type of the changes in the microcirculatory
      bed. The changes of this type were documented in 86,5% of the patients with
      psoriatic onychopathy and in 83,9% of those presenting with onychodystrophy
      associated with eczema. The effectiveness of the combined treatment including the
      application of interferential currents was estimated in comparison with that of
      standard therapy. It was shown that the use of interferential currents for the
      treatment of the patients with psoriasis results in a decrease of the severity
      index of nail damage by 47,8% in comparison with 18,1% in the case of standard
      medicamentous therapy. Similarly, a 77,2 and 51,3% decrease of the index of
      severity was documented in the patients with eczema after their treatment with
      the use of interferential currents and standard medicamentous therapy,
      respectively. 

PMID- 27271834
TI  - [The influence of low-frequency pulsed electric and magnetic signals or their
      combination on the normal and modified fibroblasts (an experimental study)].
AB  - The results of clinical studies give evidence of the beneficial preventive and
      therapeutic effects of the "Tiline-EM" physiotherapeutic device designed for the
      combined specific treatment of the skin regions onto which both discomfort and
      pain sensations are directly projected, reflectively active sites and zones, as
      well as trigger zones with the use of low-frequency pulsed electric current and
      magnetic field. The efficient application of the device requires the
      understanding of the general mechanisms underlying such action on the living
      systems including those operating at the cellular and subcellular levels. The
      objective of the present study was the investigation of the specific and complex
      effects produced by the low-frequency pulses of electric current and magnetic
      field generated in the physiotherapeutic device "Tiline-EM" on the viability,
      proliferative activity, and morphofunctional characteristics of normal skin
      fibroblasts and the transformed fibroblast line K-22. It has been demonstrated
      that the biological effects of the electric and magnetic signals vary depending
      on the type of the cell culture and the mode of impact. The transformed
      fibroblasts proved to be more sensitive to the specific and complex effects of
      electric and magnetic pulses than the normal skin fibroblasts. The combined
      action of the electric and magnetic signals was shown to have the greatest
      influence on both varieties of fibroblasts. It manifests itself in the form of
      enhanced viability, elevated proliferative and synthetic activity in the cultures
      of transformed fibroblasts and as the acceleration of cell differentiation in the
      cultures of normal fibroblasts. The effect of stimulation of dermal fibroblast
      differentiation in response to the combined treatment by the electric and
      magnetic signals is of interest from the standpoint of the physiotherapeutic use
      of the "Tiline-EM" device for the purpose of obtaining fibroblasts cultures to be
      employed in regenerative therapy and the treatment of skin injuries in
      cosmetology, aesthetic and regenerative medicine. 

PMID- 27271835
TI  - [Modern approaches to the use of neurotropic physical therapy in arterial
      hypertension].
AB  - The development and introduction into clinical practice of non-pharmacological
      methods for the prevention and treatment of arterial hypertension is a primary
      objective of modern physical therapy, especially as regards the neurotropic
      influences. This article was designed to report the results of the investigation
      into the hypotensive effect of transcerebral magnetic therapy obtained during the
      treatment of 60 patients presenting with arterial hypertension. The study
      included the comparative examination of two randomly formed groups containing 30
      patients each. The patients of the main group received transcerebral magnetic
      therapy (to the frontal region) while those in the group of comparison were given
      magnetotherapy at the collar region. The study has demonstrated that
      transcerebral magnetic therapy given to the patients of the main group was a more
      efficient treatment than magnetotherapy at the collar region since it produced a
      more pronounced hypotensive effect irrespective of the initial hemodynamic type. 

PMID- 27271836
TI  - [The application of climatic therapy in the health resorts of the Black Sea coast
      of the Caucasus: the current state-of-the-art and the prospects for the further
      development].
AB  - The present review summarizes the data published in the domestic and foreign
      literature concerning the history of climatic therapy, the current concepts of
      the mechanisms of action of the climatic and weather factors on the human body,
      the modern therapeutic modalities and technologies for health promotion. We
      consider not only the achievements but also the problems arising from
      insufficient knowledge of the impacts of current climate and extreme weather
      conditions on the state of human health and some disputable issues of the new
      methods and technologies of climatic therapy. IN CONCLUSION: the promising areas
      of further research and developments pertaining to climatic therapy as practiced
      under conditions of the Black Sea coast resorts.

PMID- 27271837
TI  - [The spa-health resort and touristic-recreational facilities of the region: the
      methodological aspects of their development].
AB  - The correction and optimization of the motor activity of the patients are
      currently the main priorities of all rehabilitative and recreational activities
      based at the spa and health resort facilities. The forms of such activities
      include walking tours and excursion trips. In other words, the excursion
      potential is one of the very important attributes of the recreational recourses.
      Under the current conditions characterized by the rapid socio-economic changes,
      the studies concerning the structural and functional transformation of spa and
      health resorts, recreational and tourist facilities acquire special importance,
      both from the humanitarian and economic points of view. The results of these
      studies may greatly contribute to the organization and the further development of
      rehabilitative and recreational activities based at the spa and health resort
      facilities, recreational and tourist centers taking into consideration their
      evolution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The objective of the present article is to
      analyze the structure and functions of the recreation and tourist centres as well
      as the modes of their cooperation with the spa and health resort facilities. In
      other words, these structures and their functions are both the object and the
      subject of the present study. The methodology of the study is based on the
      logical analysis of the development of the recreational and tourist systems in
      the framework of the evolutionary approach. RESULTS: (1) the notions of "tourist
      destination" and "recreation" have been substantiated; (2) the results of the
      studies carried out at the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism and
      the Petrozavodsk State University have been used to elaborate the affiliate
      international Master Degree program "Project management in the tourism industry".
      The main emphasis in this program is placed on the necessity and methods of the
      improvement of recreational activities and more efficacious utilization of the
      climatic factors and the health resort infrastructure as well as personnel
      training for the sake of improvement of services to the visitors. CONCLUSION: The
      analysis of various aspects of recreation and tourism development has
      demonstrated that the services provided by the recreational and tourist systems
      in cooperation with the health resort infrastructure open up new employment
      opportunities and thus reduce the risk of social tension. The prospects for the
      continuation of investigations along these lines are associated with the
      extension of the recreational and touristic activities over the rural and
      countryside localities with special reference to the trans-border interactions as
      well as specific features of the tourist and recreational resources of the given
      regions and territories.

PMID- 27271838
TI  - Effects of dietary supplementation of bacteriophages against enterotoxigenic
      Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 on clinical symptoms of post-weaning pigs challenged
      with the ETEC pathogen.
AB  - The present study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary
      supplementation of bacteriophages (phages) against enterotoxigenic Escherichia
      coli (ETEC) K88 as a therapy against the ETEC infection in post-weaning pigs. Two
      groups of post-weaning pigs aged 35 days, eight animals per group, were
      challenged with 3.0 * 1010 colony forming units of ETEC K88, a third group given
      the vehicle. The unchallenged group and one challenged group were fed a basal
      nursery diet for 14 days while the remaining challenged group was fed the basal
      diet supplemented with 1.0 * 107 plaque forming units of the phage per kg.
      Average daily gain (ADG), goblet cell density and villous height:crypt depth
      (VH:CD) ratio in the intestine were less in the challenged group than in the
      unchallenged group within the animals fed the basal diet (p < 0.05); the reverse
      was true for rectal temperature, faecal consistency score (FCS), E. coli adhesion
      score (EAS) in the intestine, serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations and digesta pH in the stomach, caecum and
      colon. The ETEC infection symptom within the challenged animals was alleviated by
      the dietary phage supplementation (p < 0.05) in ADG, FCS, EAS in the jejunum,
      serum TNF-alpha concentration, digesta pH in the colon, goblet cell density in
      the ileum and colon and VH:CD ratio in the ileum. Moreover, the infection symptom
      tended to be alleviated (p < 0.10) by the phage supplementation in rectal
      temperature, EAS in the ileum and caecum, and VH:CD ratio in the duodenum and
      jejunum. However, EAS in the colon, digesta pH in the stomach and caecum, and
      goblet cell density in the jejunum did not change due to the dietary phage.
      Overall, results indicate that the phage therapy is effective for alleviation of
      acute ETEC K88 infection in post-weaning pigs.

PMID- 27271840
TI  - Virtual Planning, Control, and Machining for a Modular-Based Automated Factory
      Operation in an Augmented Reality Environment.
AB  - This study presents a modular-based implementation of augmented reality to
      provide an immersive experience in learning or teaching the planning phase,
      control system, and machining parameters of a fully automated work cell. The
      architecture of the system consists of three code modules that can operate
      independently or combined to create a complete system that is able to guide
      engineers from the layout planning phase to the prototyping of the final product.
      The layout planning module determines the best possible arrangement in a layout
      for the placement of various machines, in this case a conveyor belt for
      transportation, a robot arm for pick-and-place operations, and a computer
      numerical control milling machine to generate the final prototype. The robotic
      arm module simulates the pick-and-place operation offline from the conveyor belt
      to a computer numerical control (CNC) machine utilising collision detection and
      inverse kinematics. Finally, the CNC module performs virtual machining based on
      the Uniform Space Decomposition method and axis aligned bounding box collision
      detection. The conducted case study revealed that given the situation, a semi
      circle shaped arrangement is desirable, whereas the pick-and-place system and the
      final generated G-code produced the highest deviation of 3.83 mm and 5.8 mm
      respectively.

PMID- 27271839
TI  - The Prevalence of Tuberous/Constricted Breast Deformity in Population and in
      Breast Augmentation and Reduction Mammaplasty Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The exact prevalence of tuberous breast deformity (TBD) has not been
      properly investigated and still remains undetermined. We report our data about
      TBD prevalence with the aim of demonstrating its high prevalence. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on preoperative photographs of
      1600 Caucasian female patients admitted to our department from January 2009 to
      July 2014 for augmentation or reduction mammaplasty and other breast clinical
      conditions. The main features of TBD included a contracted skin envelope, a
      reduction in breast parenchyma of the lower medial and lateral quadrants, a
      constricted breast base, abnormal elevation of the inframammary fold, herniation
      of the breast into the areola with a constricted breast base, and nipple areola
      complex herniation with a normal breast base. Patients were classified into three
      groups: breast augmentation group (AUG group), breast reduction group (RED
      group), and general population group (POP group). RESULTS: Four hundred patients
      were analyzed for each group (AUG and RED group); 194 patients (48.5 %) and 189
      cases (47.3 %), respectively, demonstrated at least one tuberous breast
      deformity; in 800 patients of the POP group, we found 221 patients (27.6 %) with
      at least one tuberous breast deformity. CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective analysis
      reveals a high prevalence of TBD in the general population and in particular in
      women seeking breast augmentation or breast reduction (about 50 %). TBD is
      characterized by a wide range of clinical features with a spectrum of degrees.
      Preoperative evaluation is crucial to achieve an optimum outcome and patient
      satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: 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- 27271842
TI  - Management of a Damaged Implant for Retention of an Overdenture Prosthesis and
      Fixed Single Crown: Clinical Reports.
AB  - This article demonstrates a method to salvage an implant that has been damaged or
      is no longer usable because of a fractured screw that cannot be removed. In the
      first situation the patient had a Locator abutment that fractured during
      torqueing of the abutment. Despite the attempt to remove the fractured screw, it
      was not retrievable, and the internal threads of the implant were damaged in the
      attempt to remove the screw. Rather than removing the implant or covering it and
      sleeping the implant, a custom cast post was used to restore the implant to
      function. A second example describes a patient with a fixed implant crown. The
      implant was damaged during attempts to remove the fractured screw. A custom post
      was fabricated and cemented, and a new crown was fabricated.

PMID- 27271841
TI  - Predicting optimal transmission investment in malaria parasites.
AB  - In vertebrate hosts, malaria parasites face a tradeoff between replicating and
      the production of transmission stages that can be passed onto mosquitoes. This
      tradeoff is analogous to growth-reproduction tradeoffs in multicellular
      organisms. We use a mathematical model tailored to the life cycle and dynamics of
      malaria parasites to identify allocation strategies that maximize cumulative
      transmission potential to mosquitoes. We show that plastic strategies can
      substantially outperform fixed allocation because parasites can achieve greater
      fitness by investing in proliferation early and delaying the production of
      transmission stages. Parasites should further benefit from restraining
      transmission investment later in infection, because such a strategy can help
      maintain parasite numbers in the face of resource depletion. Early allocation
      decisions are predicted to have the greatest impact on parasite fitness. If the
      immune response saturates as parasite numbers increase, parasites should benefit
      from even longer delays prior to transmission investment. The presence of a
      competing strain selects for consistently lower levels of transmission investment
      and dramatically increased exploitation of the red blood cell resource. While we
      provide a detailed analysis of tradeoffs pertaining to malaria life history, our
      approach for identifying optimal plastic allocation strategies may be broadly
      applicable.

PMID- 27271843
TI  - Recent Advances in Aggressive Large B-cell Lymphomas: A Comprehensive Review.
AB  - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive disease with considerable
      heterogeneity reflected in the 2008 World Health Organization classification. In
      recent years, genome-wide assessment of genetic and epigenetic alterations has
      shed light upon distinct molecular subsets linked to dysregulation of specific
      genes or pathways. Besides fostering our knowledge regarding the molecular
      complexity of DLBCL types, these studies have unraveled previously unappreciated
      genetic lesions, which may be exploited for prognostic and therapeutic purposes.
      Following the last World Health Organization classification, we have witnessed
      the emergence of new variants of specific DLBCL entities, such as CD30 DLBCL,
      human immunodeficiency virus-related and age-related variants of plasmablastic
      lymphoma, and EBV DLBCL arising in young patients. In this review, we will
      present an update on the clinical, pathologic, and molecular features of DLBCL
      incorporating recently gained information with respect to their pathobiology and
      prognosis. We will emphasize the distinctive features of newly described or
      emerging variants and highlight advances in our understanding of entities
      presenting a diagnostic challenge, such as T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell
      lmphoma and unclassifiable large B-cell lymphomas. Furthermore, we will discuss
      recent advances in the genomic characterization of DLBCL, as they may relate to
      prognostication and tailored therapeutic intervention. The information presented
      in this review derives from English language publications appearing in PubMed
      throughout December 2015. For a complete outline of this paper, please visit:
      http://links.lww.com/PAP/A12. 

PMID- 27271844
TI  - New Generation Blood Glucose Monitoring System Exceeds International Accuracy
      Standards.

PMID- 27271845
TI  - Boluses in Insulin Therapy.
AB  - Giving a bolus is one major part in multiple dose insulin therapy (MDI) along
      with basal insulin substitution. To adjust the bolus optimally, different factors
      like carbohydrate content and composition of the meal, correction factors, and
      timing have to be considered. Advances in technologies like bolus advisors can
      assist the patients but still there a several open questions and technical
      challenges regarding boluses. This commentary provides an opportunity to address
      several of the above-mentioned factors influencing the result of bolusing. It
      shall draw attention to those factors and address the current opportunities, for
      example, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), as well as the need for
      further studies which can help to improve diabetes insulin therapy by means of
      the correct use of boluses.

PMID- 27271846
TI  - Systematic characterization of basophil anergy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cohort studies indicated that in certain individuals the basophils do
      not respond toward allergens due to a desensitization of their Fc epsilon
      receptor pathway. Cause and functional role as well as the implications on
      allergic reactions, however, are not clear yet. METHODS: A cross-sectional study
      was carried out in the tropical urban environment of Singapore, where the
      allergic response is dominated by a single allergen (house dust mite; HDM). Blood
      samples were collected from 476 individuals and analyzed comprehensively to
      correlate the functional state of their basophils with the clinical state as well
      as the composition of the cellular and soluble plasma components. RESULTS:
      Inactivation of basophils ('basophil anergy') was observed in about 10% of the
      cohort. It was associated with a downregulation of basophil Syk and an apparent
      reduction in the incidence of allergic rhinitis. Correlations on the cohort level
      suggest that it represents a transitional state to be passed through during the
      interconversion of responder and nonresponder state. CONCLUSIONS: Basophil anergy
      thus seems to function as activation barrier to prevent unwanted reactions
      against minor allergens. It may therefore be relevant for diagnostic purposes or
      therapeutic interventions of allergic diseases.

PMID- 27271847
TI  - Functional diversity of family 3 beta-glucosidases from thermophilic cellulolytic
      fungus Humicola insolens Y1.
AB  - The fungus Humicola insolens is one of the most powerful decomposers of
      crystalline cellulose. However, studies on the beta-glucosidases from this fungus
      remain insufficient, especially on glycosyl hydrolase family 3 enzymes. In the
      present study, we analyzed the functional diversity of three distant family 3
      beta-glucosidases from Humicola insolens strain Y1, which belonged to different
      evolutionary clades, by heterogeneous expression in Pichia pastoris strain GS115.
      The recombinant enzymes shared similar enzymatic properties including
      thermophilic and neutral optima (50-60  degrees C and pH 5.5-6.0) and high
      glucose tolerance, but differed in substrate specificities and kinetics. HiBgl3B
      was solely active towards aryl beta-glucosides while HiBgl3A and HiBgl3C showed
      broad substrate specificities including both disaccharides and aryl beta
      glucosides. Of the three enzymes, HiBgl3C exhibited the highest specific activity
      (158.8 U/mg on pNPG and 56.4 U/mg on cellobiose) and catalytic efficiency and had
      the capacity to promote cellulose degradation. Substitutions of three key
      residues Ile48, Ile278 and Thr484 of HiBgl3B to the corresponding residues of
      HiBgl3A conferred the enzyme activity towards sophorose, and vice versa. This
      study reveals the functional diversity of GH3 beta-glucosidases as well as the
      key residues in recognizing +1 subsite of different substrates.

PMID- 27271848
TI  - Understanding burden in caregivers of colorectal cancer survivors: what role do
      patient and caregiver factors play?
AB  - This study investigated how both caregiver and patient factors predict different
      aspects of burden in colorectal cancer caregivers. One hundred and fifty-three
      caregiver-survivor dyads separately provided information on patient disease and
      treatment-related factors, and perceived global health status (EORTC QLQ30),
      along with caregiver socio-demographic factors, health and care-related
      activities. Four multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the
      influence of caregiver characteristics, patient characteristics and care-related
      activities on four dimensions of burden from the Caregiver Reaction Assessment
      scale. Caregiver characteristics significantly predicted health and financial
      burden (11%-13% of explained variance) with comorbidity and younger age
      increasing this risk. Patient health, in particular global health status and the
      presence of a stoma, predicted all burden scores, explaining 14%-22% of variance.
      Care-related activities was also a significant predictor of all burden scores,
      explaining an additional 5%-11% of variance, with time involved in caring the
      most consistent predictor. Results highlight that a combination of factors
      influence caregiver burden. These results may be used to identify those most at
      risk, allowing practitioners to deliver tailored effective support. In
      particular, efforts to alleviate the burden of caring on caregiver schedule may
      be merited, given that this was the domain in which the burden was greatest.

PMID- 27271849
TI  - Synthesis, electrochemical properties, and crystal packing of perfluororubrene.
AB  - A synthesis of perfluorinated rubrene is reported. Electrochemical analysis
      revealed the significantly increased electron affinity of perfluororubrene
      compared with non-modified rubrene. Crystallographic investigation revealed two
      polymorphs and a solvate, each displaying twisted backbone conformations of
      perfluororubrene. Taken together, these results suggest perfluororubrene will
      find applications as a new n-type semiconductor. 

PMID- 27271850
TI  - Head and Tibial Acceleration as a Function of Stride Frequency and Visual
      Feedback during Running.
AB  - Individuals regulate the transmission of shock to the head during running at
      different stride frequencies although the consequences of this on head-gaze
      stability remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine if providing
      individuals with visual feedback of their head-gaze orientation impacts tibial
      and head accelerations, shock attenuation and head-gaze motion during preferred
      speed running at different stride frequencies. Fifteen strides from twelve
      recreational runners running on a treadmill at their preferred speed were
      collected during five stride frequencies (preferred, +/-10% and +/-20% of
      preferred) in two visual task conditions (with and without real-time visual
      feedback of head-gaze orientation). The main outcome measures were tibial and
      head peak accelerations assessed in the time and frequency domains, shock
      attenuation from tibia to head, and the magnitude and velocity of head-gaze
      motion. Decreasing stride frequency resulted in greater vertical accelerations of
      the tibia (p<0.01) during early stance and at the head (p<0.01) during early and
      late stance; however, for the impact portion the increase in head acceleration
      was only observed for the slowest stride frequency condition. Visual feedback
      resulted in reduced head acceleration magnitude (p<0.01) and integrated power
      spectral density in the frequency domain (p<0.01) in late stance, as well as
      overall of head-gaze motion (p<0.01). When running at preferred speed individuals
      were able to stabilize head acceleration within a wide range of stride
      frequencies; only at a stride frequency 20% below preferred did head acceleration
      increase. Furthermore, impact accelerations of the head and tibia appear to be
      solely a function of stride frequency as no differences were observed between
      feedback conditions. Increased visual task demands through head gaze feedback
      resulted in reductions in head accelerations in the active portion of stance and
      increased head-gaze stability. 

PMID- 27271852
TI  - Anomalous electronic structure and magnetoresistance in TaAs2.
AB  - The change in resistance of a material in a magnetic field reflects its
      electronic state. In metals with weakly- or non-interacting electrons, the
      resistance typically increases upon the application of a magnetic field. In
      contrast, negative magnetoresistance may appear under some circumstances, e.g.,
      in metals with anisotropic Fermi surfaces or with spin-disorder scattering and
      semimetals with Dirac or Weyl electronic structures. Here we show that the non
      magnetic semimetal TaAs2 possesses a very large negative magnetoresistance, with
      an unknown scattering mechanism. Density functional calculations find that TaAs2
      is a new topological semimetal [Z2 invariant (0;111)] without Dirac dispersion,
      demonstrating that a negative magnetoresistance in non-magnetic semimetals cannot
      be attributed uniquely to the Adler-Bell-Jackiw chiral anomaly of bulk Dirac/Weyl
      fermions.

PMID- 27271853
TI  - Human CIK Cells Loaded with Au Nanorods as a Theranostic Platform for Targeted
      Photoacoustic Imaging and Enhanced Immunotherapy and Photothermal Therapy.
AB  - How to realize targeted photoacoustic imaging, enhanced immunotherapy, and
      photothermal therapy of gastric cancer has become a great challenge. Herein, we
      reported for the first time that human cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) loaded
      with gold nanorods were used for targeted photoacoustic imaging, enhanced
      immunotherapy, and photothermal therapy of gastric cancer. Silica-modified gold
      nanorods were prepared; then incubated with human cytokine-induced killer cells
      (CIK), resultant human CIK cells loaded with Au nanorods were evaluated for their
      cytotoxicity, targeted ability of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo,
      immunotherapy, and photothermal therapy efficacy. In vitro cell experiment shows
      that human CIK cells labeled with gold nanorods actively target gastric cancer
      MGC803 cells, inhibit growth of MGC803 cells by inducing cell apoptosis, and kill
      MGC803 cells under low power density near-infrared (NIR) laser treatment (808-nm
      continuous wave laser, 1.5 W/cm(2), 3 min). In vivo experiment results showed
      that human CIK cells labeled with gold nanorods could target actively and image
      subcutaneous gastric cancer vessels via photoacoustic imaging at 4 h post
      injection, could enhance immunotherapy efficacy by up-regulating cytokines such
      as IL-1, IL-12, IL-2, IL-4, IL-17, and IFN-gamma, and kill gastric cancer tissues
      by photothermal therapy via direct injection into tumor site under near-infrared
      (NIR) laser irradiation. High-performance human CIK cells labeled with Au
      nanorods are a good novel theranostic platform to exhibit great potential in
      applications such as tumor-targeted photoacoustic imaging, enhanced
      immunotherapy, and photothermal therapy in the near future. 

PMID- 27271854
TI  - The kinetic model for slow photoinduced electron transport in the reaction
      centers of purple bacteria.
AB  - The present work is related to the investigation of slow kinetics of electron
      transport in the reaction centers (RCs) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Experimental
      data on the absorption kinetics of aqueous solutions of reaction centers at
      different modes of photoexcitation are given. It is shown that the kinetics of
      oxidation and reduction of RCs are well described by the sum of three exponential
      functions. This allows to suggest a two-level kinetic model for electron
      transport in the RC as a system of four electron-conformational states which
      correspond to three balance differential equations combined with state equation.
      The solution of inverse problem made it possible to obtain the rate constant
      values in kinetic equations for different times and intensities of exciting
      light. Analysis of rate constant values in different modes of RC excitation
      allowed to suggest that two mechanisms of structural changes are involved in RC
      photo-oxidation. One mechanism leads to the increment of the rate of electron
      return, another one-to its drop. Structural changes were found out to occur in
      the RCs under incident light. After light was turned off, the reduction of RCs
      was determined by the second mechanism. 

PMID- 27271855
TI  - Higher reward value of starvation imagery in anorexia nervosa and association
      with the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism.
AB  - Recent studies support the idea that abnormalities of the reward system
      contribute to onset and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN). Next to cues coding
      for overweight, other research suggest cues triggering the proposed starvation
      dependence to be pivotally involved in the AN pathogenesis. We assessed the
      characteristics of the cognitive, emotional and physiologic response toward
      disease-specific pictures of female body shapes, in adult AN patients compared
      with healthy control (HC) women. Frequency and amplitude of skin conductance
      response (SCR) in 71 patients with AN and 20 HC were registered during processing
      of stimuli of three weight categories (over-, under- and normal weight). We then
      assessed the role of the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism as a potential intermediate
      factor. AN patients reported more positive feelings during processing of
      underweight stimuli and more negative feelings for normal- and overweight
      stimuli. The SCR showed a group effect (P=0.007), AN patients showing overall
      higher frequency of the response. SCR within patients was more frequent during
      processing of underweight stimuli compared with normal- and overweight stimuli.
      The Met allele of the BDNF gene was not more frequent in patients compared with
      controls, but was associated to an increased frequency of SCR (P=0.008) in
      response to cues for starvation. A higher positive value of starvation, rather
      than more negative one of overweight, might more accurately define females with
      AN. The Met allele of the BDNF gene could partly mediate the higher reward value
      of starvation observed in AN.

PMID- 27271856
TI  - Severe psychosocial deprivation in early childhood is associated with increased
      DNA methylation across a region spanning the transcription start site of CYP2E1.
AB  - Exposure to adverse rearing environments including institutional deprivation and
      severe childhood abuse is associated with an increased risk for mental and
      physical health problems across the lifespan. Although the mechanisms mediating
      these effects are not known, recent work in rodent models suggests that
      epigenetic processes may be involved. We studied the impact of severe early-life
      adversity on epigenetic variation in a sample of adolescents adopted from the
      severely depriving orphanages of the Romanian communist era in the 1980s. We
      quantified buccal cell DNA methylation at ~400 000 sites across the genome in
      Romanian adoptees exposed to either extended (6-43 months; n=16) or limited
      duration (<6 months; n=17) of severe early-life deprivation, in addition to a
      matched sample of UK adoptees (n=16) not exposed to severe deprivation. Although
      no probe-wise differences remained significant after controlling for the number
      of probes tested, we identified an exposure-associated differentially methylated
      region (DMR) spanning nine sequential CpG sites in the promoter-regulatory region
      of the cytochrome P450 2E1 gene (CYP2E1) on chromosome 10 (corrected P=2.98 * 10(
      5)). Elevated DNA methylation across this region was also associated with
      deprivation-related clinical markers of impaired social cognition. Our data
      suggest that environmental insults of sufficient biological impact during early
      development are associated with long-lasting epigenetic changes, potentially
      reflecting a biological mechanism linking the effects of early-life adversity to
      cognitive and neurobiological phenotypes.

PMID- 27271858
TI  - Electroconvulsive therapy and structural neuroplasticity in neocortical, limbic
      and paralimbic cortex.
AB  - Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective and rapidly acting
      treatment for severe depression. To understand the biological bases of
      therapeutic response, we examined variations in cortical thickness from magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) data in 29 patients scanned at three time points during
      an ECT treatment index series and in 29 controls at two time points. Changes in
      thickness across time and with symptom improvement were evaluated at high spatial
      resolution across the cortex and within discrete cortical regions of interest.
      Patients showed increased thickness over the course of ECT in the bilateral
      anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), inferior and superior temporal, parahippocampal,
      entorhinal and fusiform cortex and in distributed prefrontal areas. No changes
      across time occurred in controls. In temporal and fusiform regions showing
      significant ECT effects, thickness differed between patients and controls at
      baseline and change in thickness related to therapeutic response in patients. In
      the ACC, these relationships occurred in treatment responders only, and thickness
      measured soon after treatment initiation predicted the overall ECT response. ECT
      leads to widespread neuroplasticity in neocortical, limbic and paralimbic regions
      and changes relate to the extent of antidepressant response. Variations in ACC
      thickness, which discriminate treatment responders and predict response early in
      the course of ECT, may represent a biomarker of overall clinical outcome. Because
      post-mortem studies show focal reductions in glial density and neuronal size in
      patients with severe depression, ECT-related increases in thickness may be
      attributable to neuroplastic processes affecting the size and/or density of
      neurons and glia and their connections.

PMID- 27271857
TI  - CACNA1C hypermethylation is associated with bipolar disorder.
AB  - The CACNA1C gene, encoding a subunit of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel
      is one of the best-supported susceptibility genes for bipolar disorder (BD).
      Genome-wide association studies have identified a cluster of non-coding single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in intron 3 to be highly associated with BD and
      schizophrenia. The mechanism by which these SNPs confer risk of BD appears to be
      through an altered regulation of CACNA1C expression. The role of CACNA1C DNA
      methylation in BD has not yet been addressed. The aim of this study was to
      investigate if CACNA1C DNA methylation is altered in BD. First, the methylation
      status of five CpG islands (CGIs) across CACNA1C in blood from BD subjects (n=40)
      and healthy controls (n=38) was determined. Four islands were almost completely
      methylated or completely unmethylated, while one island (CGI 3) in intron 3
      displayed intermediate methylation levels. In the main analysis, the methylation
      status of CGI 3 was analyzed in a larger sample of BD subjects (n=582) and
      control individuals (n=319). Out of six CpG sites that were investigated, five
      sites showed significant hypermethylation in cases (lowest P=1.16 * 10(-7) for
      CpG35). Nearby SNPs were found to influence the methylation level, and we
      identified rs2238056 in intron 3 as the strongest methylation quantitative trait
      locus (P=2.6 * 10(-7)) for CpG35. In addition, we found an increased methylation
      in females, and no difference between bipolar I and II. In conclusion, we find
      that CACNA1C methylation is associated with BD and suggest that the regulatory
      effect of the non-coding risk variants involves a shift in DNA methylation.

PMID- 27271859
TI  - Anxiety-potentiated amygdala-medial frontal coupling and attentional control.
AB  - Anxiety disorders can be treated both pharmacologically and psychologically, but
      many individuals either fail to respond to treatment or relapse. Improving
      outcomes is difficult, in part because we have incomplete understanding of the
      neurobiological mechanisms underlying current treatments. In a sequence of
      studies, we have identified 'affective bias-related' amygdala-medial cortical
      coupling as a candidate substrate underlying adaptive anxiety (that is, anxiety
      elicited by threat of shock in healthy individuals) and shown that it is also
      chronically engaged in maladaptive anxiety disorders. We have provided evidence
      that this circuit can be modulated pharmacologically, but whether this mechanism
      can be shifted by simple psychological instruction is unknown. In this functional
      magnetic resonance imaging study, we extend a previously used translational
      anxiety induction (threat of shock) in healthy subjects (N=43) and cognitive task
      to include an element of instructed attentional control. Replicating our previous
      findings, we show that induced anxiety engages 'affective bias-related' amygdala
      dorsal medial frontal coupling during the processing of emotional faces. By
      contrast, instructing subjects to attend to neutral shapes (and ignore faces)
      disengages this circuitry and increases putative 'attentional control-related'
      coupling between the amygdala and a more rostral prefrontal region. These neural
      coupling changes are accompanied by corresponding modulation of behavioural
      performance. Taken together, these findings serve to further highlight the
      potential role of amygdala-medial frontal coupling in the pathogenesis of anxiety
      and highlight a mechanism by which it can be modulated via psychological
      instructions. This, in turn, generates hypotheses for future work exploring the
      mechanisms underlying psychological therapeutic interventions for anxiety.

PMID- 27271860
TI  - A mega-analysis of fixed-dose trials reveals dose-dependency and a rapid onset of
      action for the antidepressant effect of three selective serotonin reuptake
      inhibitors.
AB  - The possible dose-dependency for the antidepressant effect of selective serotonin
      reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) remains controversial. We believe we have conducted
      the first comprehensive patient-level mega-analysis exploring this issue, one
      incentive being to address the possibility that inclusion of low-dose arms in
      previous meta-analyses may have caused an underestimation of the efficacy of
      these drugs. All company-sponsored, acute-phase, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose
      trials using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and conducted to
      evaluate the effect of citalopram, paroxetine or sertraline in adult major
      depression were included (11 trials, n=2859 patients). The single-item depressed
      mood, which has proven a more sensitive measure to detect an antidepressant
      signal than the sum score of all HDRS items, was designated the primary effect
      parameter. Doses below or at the lower end of the usually recommended dose range
      (citalopram: 10-20 mg, paroxetine: 10 mg; sertraline: 50 mg) were superior to
      placebo but inferior to higher doses, hence confirming a dose-dependency to be at
      hand. In contrast, among doses above these, there was no indication of a dose
      response relationship. The effect size (ES) after exclusion of suboptimal doses
      was of a more respectable magnitude (0.5) than that usually attributed to the
      antidepressant effect of the SSRIs. In conclusion, the observation that low doses
      are less effective than higher ones challenges the oft-cited view that the effect
      of the SSRIs is not dose-dependent and hence not caused by a specific,
      pharmacological antidepressant action. Moreover, we suggest that inclusion of
      suboptimal doses in previous meta-analyses has led to an underestimation of the
      efficacy of these drugs.

PMID- 27271862
TI  - Persistence of Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy Associated with Maternally Reported
      Route of Delivery: Review of 387 Cases (Podcast).

PMID- 27271861
TI  - Reduced frontal-subcortical white matter connectivity in association with
      suicidal ideation in major depressive disorder.
AB  - Major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal behavior have been associated with
      structural and functional changes in the brain. However, little is known
      regarding alterations of brain networks in MDD patients with suicidal ideation.
      We investigated whether or not MDD patients with suicidal ideation have different
      topological organizations of white matter networks compared with MDD patients
      without suicidal ideation. Participants consisted of 24 patients with MDD and
      suicidal ideation, 25 age- and gender-matched MDD patients without suicidal
      ideation and 31 healthy subjects. A network-based statistics (NBS) and a graph
      theoretical analysis were performed to assess differences in the inter-regional
      connectivity. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed to assess topological
      changes according to suicidal ideation in MDD patients. The Scale for Suicide
      Ideation (SSI) and the Korean version of the Barrett Impulsiveness Scale (BIS)
      were used to assess the severity of suicidal ideation and impulsivity,
      respectively. Reduced structural connectivity in a characterized subnetwork was
      found in patients with MDD and suicidal ideation by utilizing NBS analysis. The
      subnetwork included the regions of the frontosubcortical circuits and the regions
      involved in executive function in the left hemisphere (rostral middle frontal,
      pallidum, superior parietal, frontal pole, caudate, putamen and thalamus). The
      graph theoretical analysis demonstrated that network measures of the left rostral
      middle frontal had a significant positive correlation with severity of SSI
      (r=0.59, P=0.02) and BIS (r=0.59, P=0.01). The total edge strength that was
      significantly associated with suicidal ideation did not differ between MDD
      patients without suicidal ideation and healthy subjects. Our findings suggest
      that the reduced frontosubcortical circuit of structural connectivity, which
      includes regions associated with executive function and impulsivity, appears to
      have a role in the emergence of suicidal ideation in MDD patients.

PMID- 27271863
TI  - The improved biological response of shark tooth bioapatites in a comparative in
      vitro study with synthetic and bovine bone grafts.
AB  - Autologous bone is considered to be the gold standard for bone tissue
      regeneration, providing more highly efficient functional responses compared to
      synthetic materials, and avoiding the rejection risks of allogenic grafts.
      However, it presents limitations for certain types of surgery due to its high
      resorption levels and donor site morbidity. Different biphasic synthetic
      composites, based onnon-apatitic calcium phosphates enriched with apatitic phases
      such as hydroxyapatite, and bioderived bone grafts of bovine and porcine origin
      are proposed as lower resorption materials due to their higher crystalline
      structure. The present work proposes two new sources of bioapatites for bone
      filler applications obtained from the dentine and enameloid of shark teeth,
      respectively. These bioapatites each present a characteristic apatite-based
      composition and additional enrichments of specific trace elements, such as
      magnesium and fluorine, with proven roles in bone metabolism. Their processing
      and physicochemical characterization (SEM, FT-Raman and XRD) is presented,
      together with an in vitro evaluation of osteogenic activity compared to a
      commercial bovine mineralized matrix and synthetic HA/beta TCP grafts. The
      results proved the globular morphology (0.5-1.5 MUm) and porosity (~50 MUm and
      ~0.5-1 MUm) of shark dentine bioapatites with biphasic composition: apatitic
      (hydroxyapatite and apatite-(CaF)), non-apatitic (whitlockite), and an apatitic
      phase (fluorapatite), organized in oriented crystals in enameloid bioapatites. An
      evaluation of the pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 morphology revealed the colonization of
      pores in dentine bioapatites and an aligned cell growth in the oriented enameloid
      crystals. A higher proliferation (p  <  0.01) was detected at up to 21 d in both
      the shark bioapatites and synthetic biphasic graft with respect to the bovine
      mineralized matrix. Finally, the great potential of porous biphasic dentine
      bioapatites enriched with Mg and the aligned fluorapatite crystals of enameloid
      bioapatites in promoting greater osteogenic activity was confirmed with a
      significantly increased ALP synthesis (p  <  0.01) compared to the commercial
      grafts.

PMID- 27271864
TI  - Synthesis of eucalyptus/tea tree oil absorbed biphasic calcium phosphate-PVDF
      polymer nanocomposite films: a surface active antimicrobial system for biomedical
      application.
AB  - A biocompatible poly(vinylidene) difluoride (PVDF) based film has been prepared
      by in situ precipitation of calcium phosphate precursors. Such films were surface
      absorbed with two essential oils namely eucalyptus and tea tree oil. Physico
      chemical characterization of the composite film revealed excellent stability of
      the film with 10% loading of oils in the PVDF matrix. XRD, FTIR and FESEM
      measurements confirmed the presence of hydroxyapatite and octacalcium phosphate
      in the PVDF matrix which showed predominantly beta phase. Strong bactericidal
      activity was observed with very low minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)
      values on both E. coli and S. aureus. The composite films also resisted biofilm
      formation as observed by FESEM. The release of essential oils from the film
      showed an initial burst followed by a very slow release over a period of 24
      hours. Antibacterial action of the film was found to be primarily due to the
      action of essential oils which resulted in leakage of vital fluids from the
      microorganisms. Both necrotic and apoptotic morphologies were observed in
      bacterial cells. Biocompatibility studies with the composite films showed
      negligible cytotoxicity to mouse mesenchymal and myoblast cells at MBC
      concentration. 

PMID- 27271865
TI  - Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on production of mannatide by
      alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus.
AB  - The effect of the extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on biomass and
      mannatide production by alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus in liquid-state
      fermentation culture medium was studied during shake flask culture. Magnetic
      field (MF) inductions, exposure times, and exposure periods varied in a range of
      0-1.5 mT, 0-16 h, and six periods of incubation time, respectively. Results
      showed both biomass and mannatide production increased significantly at MF
      induction 0.4, 0.6, and 0.9 mT and decreased at both 1.2 and 1.5 mT. Biomass
      increased by exposure for initial and middle stages of fermentation. Mannatide
      production increased significantly at 4-8, 8-12, and 17-21 h. Peak yield of
      biomass and mannatide production increased by 10.7% and 14.0% at 25 and 27 h of
      incubation at 0.6 mT MF induction and exposure to 8-12 h of incubation time,
      compared with the control experiment, respectively. ELF-MF could also enhance the
      growth rate and mannatide production rate of alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus.
      However, ELF-MF did not alter alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus cell growth and
      mannatide metabolizing regulation or fermentation pattern. Mannatide production
      was not associated with cellular growth but rather only partially associated.
      Bioelectromagnetics. 37:331-337, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 27271866
TI  - Understanding the full breadth of cancer-related patient costs in Ontario: a
      qualitative exploration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This research informs existing work by examining the full scope of out
      of-pocket costs and lost income, patients' private insurance behaviors, and their
      overall management of finances during their cancer treatment. The intent was to
      gain a deeper understanding of patient circumstances and the related costs.
      METHODS: Participant qualitative interviews were conducted in person during
      outpatient clinic visits or by telephone and were recorded between June 2011 and
      July 2012. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to a descriptive
      qualitative analysis. The research team collaborated early in the process (after
      three subjects were enrolled) to develop a preliminary coding framework. The
      coding framework was modified to incorporate additional emerging content until
      saturation of data was evident. Transcripts were coded using the qualitative
      software NVivo version 9.0. RESULTS: Fifteen patients agreed to participate in
      the study and 14 completed the interview (seven breast, three colorectal, two
      lung, and two prostate). Consistent with existing published work, participants
      expressed concerns regarding expenses related to medications,
      complementary/alternative medicines, devices, parking and travel. These concerns
      were exacerbated if patients did not have insurance or lost insurance coverage
      due to loss of work. Although many acknowledged in hindsight that additional
      insurance would have helped, they also recognized that at the time of their
      diagnoses, it was not a viable option. Previously unidentified categorical costs
      identified in this study included modifications to housing arrangements or
      renovations, special clothing, fitness costs and the impact of an altered diet.
      CONCLUSION: We confirmed the results of earlier Canadian quantitative work.
      Additionally, cost categories not previously explored were identified, which will
      facilitate the development of an improved and more comprehensive quantitative
      questionnaire for future research. Many patients indicated that supplemental
      health insurance would have made their cancer journey less stressful,
      highlighting existing gaps in the government funded health care system.

PMID- 27271867
TI  - Phase II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous palonosetron
      (PAL) in primary malignant glioma (MG) patients receiving standard radiotherapy
      (RT) and concomitant temozolomide (TMZ).
AB  - BACKGROUND: In malignant glioma (MG) patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT)
      with concomitant temozolomide, chemoradiation-induced nausea and vomiting (cRINV)
      degrades quality of life (QoL) and reduces treatment adherence, which thereby
      potentially compromises cancer control. METHODS: We conducted a 6-week phase II
      single-arm trial of PAL, a second-generation 5-HT3RA antiemetic, for cRINV
      prevention in MG patients receiving radiation therapy (RT; 54-60 Gy) and
      concomitant daily temozolomide (TMZ; 75 mg/m(2)/dX42d). Each week before
      radiation, patients received single-dose palonosetron (PAL) 0.25 mg IV (total = 6
      doses). With safety/tolerability as the primary endpoint, the study was designed
      to differentiate between toxicity rates of 25 % (unacceptable) and 10 %
      (acceptable) toxicity rates. Secondary endpoints included the percentage of
      patients achieving cRINV complete response (CR: no emesis or rescue antiemetic)
      and QoL. Patients reported adverse effects in Common Toxicity Criteria for
      Adverse Events diaries; recorded vomiting, nausea, and rescue medication use in
      diaries (which were used to assess cRINV-CR); and reported QoL 4 days/week using
      the Modified Functional Living Index-Emesis (M-FLIE) and Osoba nausea and
      vomiting/retching modules. RESULTS: We enrolled 38 patients (mean age 59 years,
      55 % female, 95 % white, 68 % used oral corticosteroids, 76 % reported low
      alcohol use). Four patients (10.5 %) experienced unacceptable treatment-related
      toxicity, defined as any grade 3, 4, or 5 non-hematologic toxicity. M-FLIE and
      Osoba scores showed no evidence of treatment impact on QoL. Overall, cRINV-CR
      rates for 6 weeks ranged from 67-79 %. CONCLUSION: Single-dose weekly PAL is a
      safe and tolerable antiemetic for cRINV prevention in MG patients receiving
      standard RT and concomitant TMZ.

PMID- 27271868
TI  - Prevalence and risk factors associated with pain 21 months following surgery for
      breast cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study investigated (1) the prevalence of pain following breast
      cancer treatment including moderate-to-severe persistent pain and (2) the
      association of risk factors, present 1 month following surgery, with pain at 21
      months following surgery. This information may aid the development of clinical
      guidelines for early pain assessment and intervention in this population.
      METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of core and breast modules of
      the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)
      questionnaire from 121 participants with early breast cancer. The relationships
      between potential risk factors (subscales derived from the EORTC), measured
      within 1 month following surgery, and pain at 21 months following surgery were
      analysed using univariable and multi-variable logistic regression. RESULTS: At 21
      months following surgery, 46.3 % of participants reported pain, with 24 %
      categorised as having moderate or severe pain. Prevalence of pain was similar
      between those who underwent axillary lymph node dissection versus biopsy.
      Univariate logistic regression identified baseline pain (odds ratio (95 % CI):
      2.7 (1.1 to 6.4)); baseline arm symptoms (11.2 (1.4 to 89.8)); emotional function
      (0.4 (0.1 to 0.8)) and insomnia (2.3 (1.1 to 4.7) as significantly associated
      with pain at 21 months. In multi-variable analysis, two factors were
      independently associated with pain at 21 months-baseline arm symptoms and
      emotional subscale scores. CONCLUSION: Pain is a significant problem following
      breast cancer treatment in both the early post-operative period and months
      following surgery. Risk factors for pain at long-term follow-up included arm
      symptoms and higher emotional subscale scores at baseline.

PMID- 27271869
TI  - Spectroscopic Raman characterization of rutherfordine: a combined DFT and
      experimental study.
AB  - A rutherfordine mineral was studied by means of Raman spectroscopy combined with
      first principle calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) method.
      The pseudopotential of a uranium atom was generated and its performance was
      evaluated for a series of uranium-containing minerals. The structure of
      rutherfordine was determined for two symmetries (Pmmn and Imm2) and the resulting
      lattice parameters, bond lengths, bond angles, and X-ray powder diffractogram
      were found to be in very good agreement with experimental values. The Raman
      spectrum was experimentally determined in the range 0-1700 cm(-1) and calculated
      using density functional perturbation theory. The non-scaled theoretical
      wavenumbers also agreed with the experimental values, and therefore a detailed
      interpretation of the theoretical spectra allowed us to assign the Raman bands
      found in the experimental spectrum. 

PMID- 27271870
TI  - Retention of the spacing effect with mental practice in hemiparetic stroke.
AB  - Mental practice (MP) is a promising adjuvant to physical practice that involves
      many of the same mechanisms and takes on many of the same properties as physical
      practice. This study compared efficacy of a "massed" MP regimen versus a
      "distributed" MP regimen on upper extremity (UE) motor impairment and functional
      limitation. Twenty-seven chronic stroke survivors were administered the UE
      section of the Fugl-Meyer (FM) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), followed by
      standardized physical practice and MP regimens. One group was administered
      "massed" MP (60 min of MP during a single daily session) and a second group
      administered distributed MP (20 min of MP occurring three times/day). After
      intervention, changes in FM and ARAT scores of subjects in the distributed
      condition were significantly higher than those of subjects in the massed
      condition (FM 3.65, 95 % CI 0.82-6.49, p value = 0.01; ARAT 3.95, 95 % CI 1.24
      6.67, p value = 0.006). Likewise, at POST 3, subjects in the distributed group
      showed significantly higher change in ARAT scores (ARAT 4.90, 95 % CI 0.57-9.22,
      p value = 0.03); the change in FM scores at POST 3 was 3.18 points higher among
      subjects in the distributed condition, but only approached significance (95 % CI 
      1.27 to 7.63, p value = 0.15). Results suggest that a distributed MP schedule is
      more efficacious in bringing about paretic UE changes than a massed practice
      schedule, especially in terms of reducing UE functional limitation.

PMID- 27271871
TI  - The buzz-lag effect.
AB  - In the flash-lag illusion, a brief visual flash and a moving object presented at
      the same location appear to be offset with the flash trailing the moving object.
      A considerable amount of studies investigated the visual flash-lag effect, and
      flash-lag-like effects have also been observed in audition, and cross-modally
      between vision and audition. In the present study, we investigate whether a
      similar effect can also be observed when using only haptic stimuli. A fast
      vibration (or buzz, lasting less than 20 ms) was applied to the moving finger of
      the observers and employed as a "haptic flash." Participants performed a two
      alternative forced-choice (2AFC) task where they had to judge whether the moving
      finger was located to the right or to the left of the stationary finger at the
      time of the buzz. We used two different movement velocities (Slow and Fast
      conditions). We found that the moving finger was systematically misperceived to
      be ahead of the stationary finger when the two were physically aligned. This
      result can be interpreted as a purely haptic analogue of the flash-lag effect,
      which we refer to as "buzz-lag effect." The buzz-lag effect can be well accounted
      for by the temporal-sampling explanation of flash-lag-like effects.

PMID- 27271872
TI  - Effects of Treatment of Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia on Graft Survival and
      Mortality in Kidney Transplant Recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND Hyperuricemia is very common after renal transplantation. It is
      associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and graft loss. To
      date, however, treatment is only recommended in symptomatic disease. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS We included 503 adult patients who underwent kidney transplantation at
      the Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin in this retrospective study. Patients were
      followed up for up to 120 months. All-cause mortality, graft survival, changes in
      level of serum uric acid (SUA), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
      were analyzed. RESULTS At 12 months post-transplantation, 225 patients had a
      serum uric acid (SUA) level >7 mg/dl: 52 patients were treated with allopurinol,
      37 with benzbromarone, and 136 patients received no medication for hyperuricemia
      (control). At 12 months, eGFR did not differ between groups (p=0.15) but treated
      patients had higher SUA levels (p<0.001) compared to the control group. SUA
      lowering treatment was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality
      (p=0.013) and graft loss (p=0.014) compared to controls. At 120 months, patients
      in the treatment group had lower SUA levels (p=0.001) and higher eGFR (p<0.001)
      compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of asymptomatic
      hyperuricemia was associated with a substantial benefit in patient and graft
      survival. 

PMID- 27271873
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 27271874
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27271875
TI  - An NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) enzyme responsive nanocarrier based on
      mesoporous silica nanoparticles for tumor targeted drug delivery in vitro and in
      vivo.
AB  - The synthesis and characterization of an NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1)
      enzyme responsive nanocarrier based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs)
      for on-command delivery applications has been described in this paper.
      Gatekeeping of MSNPs is achieved by the integration of mechanically interlocked
      rotaxane nanovalves on the surface of MSNPs. The rotaxane nanovalve system is
      composed of a linear stalk anchoring on the surface of MSNPs, an alpha
      cyclodextrin ring that encircles it and locks the payload "cargo" molecules in
      the mesopores, and a benzoquinone stopper incorporated at the end of the stalk.
      The gate opening and controlled release of the cargo are triggered by cleavage of
      the benzoquinone stopper using an endogenous NQO1 enzyme. In addition to having
      efficient drug loading and controlled release mechanisms, this smart
      biocompatible carrier system showed obvious uptake and consequent release of the
      drug in tumor cells, could selectively induce the tumor cell death and enhance
      the capability of inhibition of tumor growth in vivo. The controlled drug
      delivery system demonstrated its use as a potential theranostic material.

PMID- 27271876
TI  - A Functionally Superior Second-Generation Vector Expressing an Aurora Kinase-A
      Specific T-Cell Receptor for Anti-Leukaemia Adoptive Immunotherapy.
AB  - Aurora Kinase A is a cancer-associated protein normally involved in the
      regulation of mitosis. Being over-expressed in a range of cancers, it is a
      suitable target for cell-based immunotherapy. Gene transfer of T-cell receptor
      sequences cognisant of HLA-A*0201-restricted Aurora Kinase A antigen has
      previously been shown to transfer specific immunoreactivity against the target
      peptide in a Human Lymphocyte Antigen-restricted manner. While T cell receptor
      gene-transfer has great potential in overcoming the difficulties of isolating and
      expanding tumour-reactive lymphocytes from a patient's own cells, one hurdle is
      potential mispairing and competition between exogenous and endogenous T cell
      receptor chains. We have used a retroviral vector design bearing a short
      interfering RNA that downregulates endogenous T cell receptor chains, without
      affecting expression of the transgenic T cell receptor sequences. The T cell
      receptor expression cassette also includes a 2A self-cleaving peptide, resulting
      in equimolar expression of the T cell receptor alpha and beta chains, further
      enhancing formation of the desired T cell receptor. Via a simple, modular cloning
      method, we have cloned the alpha and beta chains of the anti-Aurora Kinase A
      reactive T cell receptor into this 'siTCR' vector. We then compared the activity
      of this vector against the original, 'conventional' vector across a panel of
      assays. T cell receptors expressed from the siTCR-vector retained the cytotoxic
      functionality of the original vector, with evidence of reduced off-target
      reactivity. The rate of expression of correctly-formed T cell receptors was
      superior using the siTCR design, and this was achieved at lower vector copy
      numbers. Maintaining T cell receptor efficacy with a reduced vector copy number
      reduces the risk of genotoxicity. The siTCR design also reduces the risk of
      mispairing and cross-reactivity, while increasing the functional titre. Such
      improvements in the safety of T cell receptor gene-transfer will be crucial for
      clinical applications of this technology. 

PMID- 27271877
TI  - Organizing empyema induced in mice by Streptococcus pneumoniae: effects of
      plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 deficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pleural infection affects about 65,000 patients annually in the US
      and UK. In this and other forms of pleural injury, mesothelial cells (PMCs)
      undergo a process called mesothelial (Meso) mesenchymal transition (MT), by which
      PMCs acquire a profibrogenic phenotype with increased expression of alpha-smooth
      muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and matrix proteins. MesoMT thereby contributes to
      pleural organization with fibrosis and lung restriction. Current murine empyema
      models are characterized by early mortality, limiting analysis of the
      pathogenesis of pleural organization and mechanisms that promote MesoMT after
      infection. METHODS: A new murine empyema model was generated in C57BL/6 J mice by
      intrapleural delivery of Streptococcus pneumoniae (D39, 3 * 10(7)-5 * 10(9) cfu)
      to enable use of genetically manipulated animals. CT-scanning and pulmonary
      function tests were used to characterize the physiologic consequences of
      organizing empyema. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were
      used to assess pleural injury. ELISA, cytokine array and western analyses were
      used to assess pleural fluid mediators and markers of MesoMT in primary PMCs.
      RESULTS: Induction of empyema was done through intranasal or intrapleural
      delivery of S. pneumoniae. Intranasal delivery impaired lung compliance (p <
      0.05) and reduced lung volume (p < 0.05) by 7 days, but failed to reliably induce
      empyema and was characterized by unacceptable mortality. Intrapleural delivery of
      S. pneumoniae induced empyema by 24 h with lung restriction and development of
      pleural fibrosis which persisted for up to 14 days. Markers of MesoMT were
      increased in the visceral pleura of S. pneumoniae infected mice. KC, IL-17A, MIP
      1beta, MCP-1, PGE2 and plasmin activity were increased in pleural lavage of
      infected mice at 7 days. PAI-1(-/-) mice died within 4 days, had increased
      pleural inflammation and higher PGE2 levels than WT mice. PGE2 was induced in
      primary PMCs by uPA and plasmin and induced markers of MesoMT. CONCLUSION: To our
      knowledge, this is the first murine model of subacute, organizing empyema. The
      model can be used to identify factors that, like PAI-1 deficiency, alter outcomes
      and dissect their contribution to pleural organization, rind formation and lung
      restriction.

PMID- 27271879
TI  - Building the basis for proteomics in personalized medicine for targeted
      treatment.

PMID- 27271878
TI  - Diagnostic yield of array CGH in patients with autism spectrum disorder in Hong
      Kong.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chromosomal microarray offers superior sensitivity for identification
      of submicroscopic copy number variants (CNV) and it is advocated to be the first
      tier genetic testing for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this
      regard, diagnostic yield of array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) for ASD
      patients is determined in a cohort of Chinese patients in Hong Kong. METHODS: A
      combined adult and paediatric cohort of 68 Chinese ASD patients (41 patients in
      adult group and 27 patients in paediatric group). The genomic DNA extracted from
      blood samples were analysed by array CGH using NimbleGen CGX-135K oligonucleotide
      array. RESULTS: We identified 15 CNV and eight of them were clinically
      significant. The overall diagnostic yield was 11.8 %. Five clinically significant
      CNV were detected in the adult group and three were in the paediatric group,
      providing diagnostic yields of 12.2 and 11.1 % respectively. The most frequently
      detected CNV was 16p13.11 duplications which were present in 4 patients (5.9 % of
      the cohort). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a satisfactory diagnostic yield of array
      CGH was demonstrated in a Chinese ASD patient cohort which supported the clinical
      usefulness of array CGH as the first line testing of ASD in Hong Kong.

PMID- 27271881
TI  - It's Harder to Break a Relationship When you Commit Long.
AB  - Past research has produced evidence that parsing commitments strengthen over the
      processing of additional linguistic elements that are consistent with the
      commitments and undoing strong commitments takes more time than undoing weak
      commitments. It remains unclear, however, whether this so-called digging-in
      effect is exclusively due to the length of an ambiguous region or at least partly
      to the extra cost of processing these additional phrases. The current study
      addressed this issue by testing Japanese relative clause structure, where lexical
      content and sentence meaning were controlled for. The results showed evidence for
      a digging-in effect reflecting the strengthened commitment to an incorrect
      analysis caused by the processing of additional adjuncts. Our study provides
      strong support for the dynamical, self-organizing models of sentence processing
      but poses a problem for other models including serial two-stage models as well as
      frequency-based probabilistic models such as the surprisal theory. 

PMID- 27271882
TI  - "The Talk:" Discussing Hospice Care.
AB  - Referral of advanced cancer patients for hospice care is of growing importance
      for oncologists. Hospice care is high quality and high value care that can
      benefit the patient and family's experience of living and dying with terminal
      cancer. We are challenged to become a part of the shift from hospice meaning
      "giving up" to hospice meaning "giving more, but differently." The purpose of
      this report is to frame a communication approach that any oncologist can
      incorporate into his or her practice that will facilitate the timely referral of
      appropriate patients for hospice care. Combining the strengths of oncology,
      palliative, and hospice providers in a complementary fashion allows us to serve
      patients and their families in the most meaningful way.

PMID- 27271883
TI  - Pancreatitis in Children.
AB  - Pancreatic disease in children has a wide clinical spectrum and may present as
      Acute pancreatitis (AP), Acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP), Chronic pancreatitis
      (CP) and Pancreatic disease without pancreatitis. This article highlights the
      etiopathogenesis and management of pancreatitis in children along with clinical
      data from five tertiary care hospitals in south India [Chennai (3), Cochin and
      Pune].

PMID- 27271884
TI  - Scrub Typhus Causing Unilateral Optic Neuritis.

PMID- 27271885
TI  - Tattoos, Beer, and Bow Ties: The Limits of Professionalism in Medicine.

PMID- 27271886
TI  - Rotatable Small Permanent Magnet Array for Ultra-Low Field Nuclear Magnetic
      Resonance Instrumentation: A Concept Study.
AB  - OBJECT: We studied the feasibility of generating the variable magnetic fields
      required for ultra-low field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry with
      dynamically adjustable permanent magnets. Our motivation was to substitute
      traditional electromagnets by distributed permanent magnets, increasing system
      portability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The finite element method (COMSOL(r)) was
      employed for the numerical study of a small permanent magnet array to calculate
      achievable magnetic field strength, homogeneity, switching time and magnetic
      forces. A manually operated prototype was simulated and constructed to validate
      the numerical approach and to verify the generated magnetic field. RESULTS: A
      concentric small permanent magnet array can be used to generate strong sample pre
      polarisation and variable measurement fields for ultra-low field relaxometry via
      simple prescribed magnet rotations. Using the array, it is possible to achieve a
      pre-polarisation field strength above 100 mT and variable measurement fields
      ranging from 20-50 MUT with 200 ppm absolute field homogeneity within a field-of
      view of 5 x 5 x 5 cubic centimetres. CONCLUSIONS: A dynamic small permanent
      magnet array can generate multiple highly homogeneous magnetic fields required in
      ultra-low field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) instruments. This design can significantly reduce the volume and energy
      requirements of traditional systems based on electromagnets, improving
      portability considerably.

PMID- 27271887
TI  - Inserting and holding the Bakri balloon in the uterus in a patient with cervical
      cerclage already placed: some techniques.

PMID- 27271888
TI  - Organocatalytic asymmetric addition of alcohols to cyclic trifluoromethyl
      ketimines: highly enantioselective synthesis of chiral N,O-ketals.
AB  - A highly enantioselective addition of alcohols to cyclic trifluoromethyl
      ketimines is developed catalyzed by quinine-thiourea, giving biologically
      interesting N,O-ketals in up to 99% yield and 96% ee. 

PMID- 27271889
TI  - Study of a simple model for the transition between the ballistic and the
      diffusive regimes in diffusive media.
AB  - A Monte Carlo simulation was utilized to investigate a simple model for the
      transition between the ballistic and the diffusive regimes in diffusive media.
      The simulation focuses on the propagation of visible and near-infrared light in
      biological tissues. This research has mainly two findings: (1) the transition can
      be described, as was found experimentally, with good accuracy by only two terms
      (ballistic and diffusive). (2) The model can be utilized for cases where the
      absorption coefficient is not negligible compared to the scattering coefficient
      by adding a power-law prefactor to the diffusive term.

PMID- 27271890
TI  - In Situ Assays of Chemotropism During Yeast Mating.
AB  - Virtually all eukaryotic cells can grow in a polarized fashion in response to
      external signals. Cells can respond to gradients of chemoattractants or
      chemorepellents by directional growth, a process referred to as chemotropism. The
      budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergoes chemotropic growth during
      mating, in which two haploid cells of opposite mating type grow towards one
      another. Mating pheromone gradients are essential for efficient mating in yeast
      and different yeast mutants are defective in chemotropism. Two methods of
      assessing the ability of yeast strains to respond to pheromone gradients are
      presented here.

PMID- 27271891
TI  - Imaging Polarization in Budding Yeast.
AB  - We describe methods for live-cell imaging of yeast cells that we have exploited
      to image yeast polarity establishment. As a rare event occurring on a fast time
      scale, imaging polarization involves a trade-off between spatiotemporal
      resolution and long-term imaging without excessive phototoxicity. By
      synchronizing cells in a way that increases resistance to photodamage, we
      discovered unexpected aspects of polarization including transient intermediates
      with more than one polarity cluster, oscillatory clustering of polarity factors,
      and mobile "wandering" polarity sites.

PMID- 27271892
TI  - Migration of Dictyostelium discoideum to the Chemoattractant Folic Acid.
AB  - Dictyostelium discoideum can be grown axenically in a cultured media or in the
      presence of a natural food source, such as the bacterium Klebsiella aerogenes
      (KA). Here we describe the advantages and methods for growing D. discoideum on a
      bacterial lawn for several processes studied using this model system. When grown
      on a bacterial lawn, D. discoideum show positive chemotaxis towards folic acid
      (FA). While these vegetative cells are highly unpolarized, it has been shown that
      the signaling and cytoskeletal molecules regulating the directed migration of
      these cells are homologous to those seen in the motility of polarized cells in
      response to the chemoattractant cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Growing D.
      discoideum on KA stimulates chemotactic responsiveness to FA. A major advantage
      of performing FA-mediated chemotaxis is that it does not require expression of
      the cAMP developmental program and therefore has the potential to identify
      mutants that are purely unresponsive to chemoattractant gradients. The cAMP
      mediated chemotaxis can appear to fail when cells are developmentally delayed or
      do not up-regulate genes needed for cAMP-mediated migration. In addition to
      providing robust chemotaxis to FA, cells grown on bacterial lawns are highly
      resistant to light damage during fluorescence microscopy. This resistance to
      light damage could be exploited to better understand other biological processes
      such as phagocytosis or cytokinesis. The cell cycle is also shortened when cells
      are grown in the presence of KA, so the chances of seeing a mitotic event
      increases.

PMID- 27271893
TI  - Mitochondrial Stress Tests Using Seahorse Respirometry on Intact Dictyostelium
      discoideum Cells.
AB  - Mitochondria not only play a critical and central role in providing metabolic
      energy to the cell but are also integral to the other cellular processes such as
      modulation of various signaling pathways. These pathways affect many aspects of
      cell physiology, including cell movement, growth, division, differentiation, and
      death. Mitochondrial dysfunction which affects mitochondrial bioenergetics and
      causes oxidative phosphorylation defects can thus lead to altered cellular
      physiology and manifest in disease. The assessment of the mitochondrial
      bioenergetics can thus provide valuable insights into the physiological state,
      and the alterations to the state of the cells. Here, we describe a method to
      successfully use the Seahorse XF(e)24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer to assess the
      mitochondrial respirometry of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum.

PMID- 27271894
TI  - Studying Chemoattractant Signal Transduction Dynamics in Dictyostelium by BRET.
AB  - Understanding the dynamics of chemoattractant signaling is key to our
      understanding of the mechanisms underlying the directed migration of cells,
      including that of neutrophils to sites of infections and of cancer cells during
      metastasis. A model frequently used for deciphering chemoattractant signal
      transduction is the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. However, the methods
      available to quantitatively measure chemotactic signaling are limited. Here, we
      describe a protocol to quantitatively study chemoattractant signal transduction
      in Dictyostelium by monitoring protein-protein interactions and conformational
      changes using Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET).

PMID- 27271895
TI  - Wave Patterns in Cell Membrane and Actin Cortex Uncoupled from Chemotactic
      Signals.
AB  - When cells of Dictyostelium discoideum orientate in a gradient of
      chemoattractant, they are polarized into a protruding front pointing toward the
      source of attractant, and into a retracting tail. Under the control of
      chemotactic signal inputs, Ras is activated and PIP3 is synthesized at the front,
      while the PIP3-degrading phosphatase PTEN decorates the tail region. As a result
      of signal transduction, actin filaments assemble at the front into dendritic
      structures associated with the Arp2/3 complex, in contrast to the tail region
      where a loose actin meshwork is associated with myosin-II and cortexillin, an
      antiparallel actin-bundling protein. In axenically growing strains of D.
      discoideum, wave patterns built by the same components evolve in the absence of
      any external signal input. Since these autonomously generated patterns are
      constrained to the plane of the substrate-attached cell surface, they are
      optimally suited to the optical analysis of state transitions between front-like
      and tail-like states of the membrane and the actin cortex. Here, we describe
      imaging techniques using fluorescent proteins to probe for the state of the
      membrane, the reorganization of the actin network, and the dynamics of wave
      patterns.

PMID- 27271896
TI  - Chemotactic Blebbing in Dictyostelium Cells.
AB  - Many researchers use the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum as a model
      organism to study various aspects of the eukaryotic cell chemotaxis.
      Traditionally, Dictyostelium chemotaxis is considered to be driven mainly by
      branched F-actin polymerization. However, recently it has become evident that
      Dictyostelium, as well as many other eukaryotic cells, can also employ
      intracellular hydrostatic pressure to generate force for migration. This process
      results in the projection of hemispherical plasma membrane protrusions, called
      blebs, that can be controlled by chemotactic signaling.Here we describe two
      methods to study chemotactic blebbing in Dictyostelium cells and to analyze the
      intensity of the blebbing response in various strains and under different
      conditions. The first of these methods-the cyclic-AMP shock assay-allows one to
      quantify the global blebbing response of cells to a uniform chemoattractant
      stimulation. The second one-the under-agarose migration assay-induces directional
      blebbing in cells moving in a gradient of chemoattractant. In this assay, the
      cells can be switched from a predominantly F-actin-driven mode of motility to a
      bleb-driven chemotaxis, allowing one to compare the efficiency of both modes and
      explore the molecular machinery controlling chemotactic blebbing.

PMID- 27271897
TI  - Dissecting Spatial and Temporal Sensing in Dictyostelium Chemotaxis Using a Wave
      Gradient Generator.
AB  - External cues that dictate the direction of cell migration are likely dynamic
      during many biological processes such as embryonic development and wound healing.
      Until recently, how cells integrate spatial and temporal information to determine
      the direction of migration has remained elusive. In Dictyostelium discoideum, the
      chemoattractant cAMP that directs cell aggregation propagates as periodic waves.
      In light of the fact that any temporally evolving complex signals, in principle,
      can be expressed as a sum of sinusoidal functions with various frequencies, the
      Dictyostelium system serves as a minimal example, where the dynamic signal is in
      the simplest form of near sinusoidal wave with one dominant frequency. Here, we
      describe a method to emulate the traveling waves in a fluidics device. The text
      provides step-by-step instructions on the device setup and describes ways to
      analyze the acquired data. These include quantification of membrane translocation
      of fluorescently labeled proteins in individual Dictyostelium cells and
      estimation of exogenous cAMP profiles. The described approach has already helped
      decipher spatial and temporal aspects of chemotactic sensing in Dictyostelium.
      More specifically, it allowed one to discriminate the temporal and the spatial
      sensing aspects of directional sensing. With some modifications, one should be
      able to implement similar analysis in other cell types.

PMID- 27271899
TI  - Identification of Associated Proteins by Immunoprecipitation and Mass
      Spectrometry Analysis.
AB  - Protein-protein interactions play central roles in intercellular and
      intracellular signal transduction. Impairment of protein-protein interactions
      causes many diseases such as cancer, cardiomyopathies, diabetes, microbial
      infections, and genetic and neurodegenerative disorders. Immunoprecipitation is a
      technique in which a target protein of interest bound by an antibody is used to
      pull down the protein complex out of cell lysates, which can be identified by
      mass spectrometry. Here, we describe the protocol to immunoprecipitate and
      identify the components of the protein complexes of ElmoE in Dictyostelium
      discoideum cells.

PMID- 27271898
TI  - Employing Dictyostelium as an Advantageous 3Rs Model for Pharmacogenetic
      Research.
AB  - Increasing concern regarding the use of animals in research has triggered a
      growing need for non-animal research models in a range of fields. The development
      of 3Rs (replacement, refinement, and reduction) approaches in research, to reduce
      the reliance on the use of animal tissue and whole-animal experiments, has
      recently included the use of Dictyostelium. In addition to not feeling pain and
      thus being relatively free of ethical constraints, Dictyostelium provides a range
      of distinct methodological advantages for researchers that has led to a number of
      breakthroughs. These methodologies include using cell behavior (cell movement and
      shape) as a rapid indicator of sensitivity to poorly characterized medicines,
      natural products, and other chemicals to help understand the molecular mechanism
      of action of compounds. Here, we outline a general approach to employing
      Dictyostelium as a 3Rs research model, using cell behavior as a readout to better
      understand how compounds, such as the active ingredient in chilli peppers,
      capsaicin, function at a cellular level. This chapter helps scientists unfamiliar
      with Dictyostelium to rapidly employ it as an advantageous model system for
      research, to reduce the use of animals in research, and to make paradigm shift
      advances in our understanding of biological chemistry.

PMID- 27271900
TI  - Biochemical Responses to Chemically Distinct Chemoattractants During the Growth
      and Development of Dictyostelium.
AB  - Dictyostelium discoideum has proven an excellent model for the study of
      eukaryotic chemotaxis. During growth in its native environment, Dictyostelium
      phagocytose bacteria and fungi for primary nutrient capture. Growing
      Dictyostelium can detect these nutrient sources through chemotaxis toward the
      metabolic by-product folate. Although Dictyostelium grow as individual cells,
      nutrient depletion induces a multicellular development program and a separate
      chemotactic response pathway. During development, Dictyostelium synthesize and
      secrete cAMP, which serves as a chemoattractant to mobilize and coordinate cells
      for multicellular formation and development. Separate classes of GPCRs and Galpha
      proteins mediate chemotactic signaling to the chemically distinct ligands. We
      discuss common and separate component responses of Dictyostelium to folate and
      cAMP during growth and development, and the advantages and disadvantages for
      each. As examples, we present biochemical assays to characterize the
      chemoattractant-induced kinase activations of mTORC2 and the ERKs.

PMID- 27271901
TI  - Live Imaging of Border Cell Migration in Drosophila.
AB  - Border cells are a cluster of cells that migrate from the anterior tip of the
      Drosophila egg chamber to the border of the oocyte in stage 9. They serve as a
      useful model to study collective cell migration in a native tissue environment.
      Here we describe a protocol for preparing ex vivo egg chamber cultures from
      transgenic flies expressing fluorescent proteins in the border cells, and using
      confocal microscopy to take a multi-positional time-lapse movie. We include an
      image analysis method for tracking border cell cluster dynamics as well as
      tracking individual cell movements.

PMID- 27271902
TI  - shRNA-Induced Gene Knockdown In Vivo to Investigate Neutrophil Function.
AB  - To silence genes in neutrophils efficiently, we exploited the RNA interference
      and developed an shRNA-based gene knockdown technique. This method involves
      transfection of mouse bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells with
      retroviral vector carrying shRNA directed at a specific gene. Transfected stem
      cells are then transplanted into irradiated wild-type mice. After engraftment of
      stem cells, the transplanted mice have two sets of circulating neutrophils. One
      set has a gene of interest knocked down while the other set has full complement
      of expressed genes. This efficient technique provides a unique way to directly
      compare the response of neutrophils with a knocked-down gene to that of
      neutrophils with the full complement of expressed genes in the same environment.

PMID- 27271903
TI  - Studying Neutrophil Migration In Vivo Using Adoptive Cell Transfer.
AB  - Adoptive cell transfer experiments can be used to study the roles of cell
      trafficking molecules on the migratory behavior of specific immune cell
      populations in vivo. Chemoattractants and their G protein-coupled seven
      transmembrane-spanning receptors regulate migration of cells in vivo, and
      dysregulated expression of chemoattractants and their receptors is implicated in
      autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Inflammatory arthritides, such as
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are characterized by the recruitment of inflammatory
      cells into joints. The K/BxN serum transfer mouse model of inflammatory arthritis
      shares many similar features with RA. In this autoantibody-induced model of
      arthritis, neutrophils are the critical immune cells necessary for the
      development of joint inflammation and damage. We have used adoptive neutrophil
      transfer to define the contributions of chemoattractant receptors, cytokines, and
      activation receptors expressed on neutrophils that critically regulate their
      entry into the inflamed joint. In this review, we describe the procedure of
      neutrophil adoptive transfer to study the influence of neutrophil-specific
      receptors or mediators upon the their recruitment into the joint using the K/BxN
      model of inflammatory arthritis as a model of how adoptive cell transfer studies
      can be used to study immune cell migration in vivo.

PMID- 27271904
TI  - Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Lymphocytes Crossing High Endothelial Venules
      and Cortical Lymphatics in the Inguinal Lymph Node.
AB  - Lymphocyte recirculation through lymph nodes (LNs) requires their crossing of
      endothelial barriers present in blood vessels and lymphatics by means of
      chemoattractant-triggered cell migration. The chemoattractant-chemoattractant
      receptor axes that predominately govern the trafficking of lymphocytes into, and
      out of, LNs are CCL19/CCR7 and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P)/S1P receptor 1
      (S1PR1), respectively. Blood-borne lymphocytes downregulate S1PR1 and use CCR7
      signaling to adhere to high endothelial venules (HEVs) for transmigration. During
      their LN residency, recirculating lymphocytes reacquire S1PR1 and attenuate their
      sensitivity to chemokines. Eventually lymphocytes exit the LN by entering the
      cortical or medullary lymphatics, a process that depends upon S1PR1 signaling.
      Upon entering into the lymph, lymphocytes lose their polarity, downregulate their
      sensitivity to S1P due to the high concentration of S1P, and upregulate their
      sensitivity to chemokines. However, many of the details of lymphocyte
      transmigration across endothelial barriers remain poorly understood. Intravital
      two-photon imaging with advanced microscope technologies not only allows the real
      time observation of immune cells in intact LN of a live mouse, but also provides
      a means to monitor the interactions between circulating lymphocytes and stromal
      barriers. Here, we describe procedures to visualize lymphocytes engaging and
      crossing HEVs, and approaching and crossing the cortical lymphatic endothelium to
      enter the efferent lymph in live mice.

PMID- 27271905
TI  - Flow Cytometry-Based Quantification of HIV-Induced T Cell Chemotactic Response.
AB  - The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects blood CD4 T cells through binding
      to CD4 and the chemokine co-receptor, CXCR4 or CCR5. This viral binding to CXCR4
      or CCR5 also triggers the activation of a variety of signaling molecules such as
      LIMK/cofilin and WAVE2/Arp2/3 to promote actin dynamics, which are necessary for
      viral nuclear migration and the latent infection of blood resting CD4 T cells. In
      this chapter, we describe the methods for quantification of HIV-induced actin
      polymerization and cofilin phosphorylation in human T cells using flow cytometry.

PMID- 27271906
TI  - Visualizing Cancer Cell Chemotaxis and Invasion in 2D and 3D.
AB  - We describe three chemotaxis assays-Insall chambers, circular invasion assays,
      and 3D organotypic assays-that are particularly appropriate for measuring
      migration of cancer cells in response to gradients of soluble attractants. Each
      assay has defined advantages, and together they provide the best possible
      quantitative assessment of cancer chemotaxis.

PMID- 27271907
TI  - 4D Tumorigenesis Model for Quantitating Coalescence, Directed Cell Motility and
      Chemotaxis, Identifying Unique Cell Behaviors, and Testing Anticancer Drugs.
AB  - A 4D high-resolution computer-assisted reconstruction and motion analysis system
      has been developed and applied to the long-term (14-30 days) analysis of cancer
      cells migrating and aggregating within a 3D matrix. 4D tumorigenesis models more
      closely approximate the tumor microenvironment than 2D substrates and, therefore,
      are improved tools for elucidating the interactions within the tumor
      microenvironment that promote growth and metastasis. The model we describe here
      can be used to analyze the growth of tumor cells, aggregate coalescence, directed
      cell motility and chemotaxis, matrix degradation, the effects of anticancer
      drugs, and the behavior of immune and endothelial cells mixed with cancer cells.
      The information given in this chapter is also intended to acquaint the reader
      with computer-assisted methods and algorithms that can be used for high
      resolution 3D reconstruction and quantitative motion analysis.

PMID- 27271909
TI  - Axon Guidance Studies Using a Microfluidics-Based Chemotropic Gradient Generator.
AB  - Microfluidics can be used to generate flow-driven gradients of chemotropic
      guidance cues with precisely controlled steepnesses for indefinite lengths of
      time. Neuronal cells grown in the presence of these gradients can be studied for
      their response to the effects exerted by the cues. Here we describe a
      polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidics chamber capable of producing linear
      gradients of soluble factors, stable for at least 18 h, suitable for axon
      guidance studies. Using this device we demonstrate turning of superior cervical
      ganglion axons by gradients of nerve growth factor (NGF). The chamber produces
      robust gradients, is inexpensive to mass produce, can be mounted on a tissue
      culture dish or glass coverslip for long term time-lapse microscopy imaging, and
      is suitable for immunostaining.

PMID- 27271908
TI  - An Experimental Model for Simultaneous Study of Migration of Cell Fragments,
      Single Cells, and Cell Sheets.
AB  - Recent studies have demonstrated distinctive motility and responses to
      extracellular cues of cells in isolation, cells collectively in groups, and cell
      fragments. Here we provide a protocol for generating cell sheets, isolated cells,
      and cell fragments of keratocytes from zebrafish scales. The protocol starts with
      a comprehensive fish preparation, followed by critical steps for scale processing
      and subsequent cell sheet generation, single cell isolation, and cell fragment
      induction, which can be accomplished in just 3 days including a 36-48 h
      incubation time. Compared to other approaches that usually produce single cells
      only or together with either fragments or cell groups, this facile and reliable
      methodology allows generation of all three motile forms simultaneously. With the
      powerful genetics in zebrafish our model system offers a useful tool for
      comparison of the mechanisms by which cell sheets, single cells, and cell
      fragments respond to extracellular stimuli.

PMID- 27271910
TI  - Visualization of Actin Assembly and Filament Turnover by In Vitro Multicolor TIRF
      Microscopy.
AB  - In response to chemotactic signals, motile cells develop a single protruding
      front to persistently migrate in direction of the chemotactic gradient. The
      highly dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is an essential part
      during this process and requires the precise interplay of various actin filament
      assembly factors and actin-binding proteins (ABPs). Although many ABPs have been
      implicated in cell migration, as yet only a few of them have been well
      characterized concerning their specific functions during actin network assembly
      and disassembly. In this chapter, we describe a versatile method that allows the
      direct visualization of the assembly of single actin filaments and higher
      structures in real time by in vitro total internal reflection fluorescence
      microscopy (TIRF-M) using purified and fluorescently labeled actin and ABPs.

PMID- 27271912
TI  - Fluorescence Readout of a Patch Clamped Membrane by Laser Scanning Microscopy.
AB  - In this chapter, we describe how to shield a patch of a cell membrane against
      extracellularly applied chemoattractant stimuli. Classical patch clamp
      methodology is applied to allow for controlled shielding of a membrane patch by
      measuring the seal resistivity. In Dictyostelium cells, a seal resistivity of 50
      MOmega proved to be tight enough to exclude molecules from diffusing into the
      shielded membrane region. This allowed for separating a shielded and a non
      shielded region of a cell membrane to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of
      intracellular chemotactic signaling events at the interface between shielded and
      non-shielded areas. The spatiotemporal dynamics of signaling events in the
      membrane was read out by means of appropriate fluorescent markers using laser
      scanning confocal microscopy.

PMID- 27271911
TI  - Quantitative Monitoring Spatiotemporal Activation of Ras and PKD1 Using Confocal
      Fluorescent Microscopy.
AB  - Receptor activation upon ligand binding induces activation of multiple signaling
      pathways. To fully understand how these signaling pathways coordinate, it is
      essential to determine the dynamic nature of the spatiotemporal activation
      profile of signaling components at the level of single living cells. Here, we
      outline a detailed methodology for visualizing and quantitatively measuring the
      spatiotemporal activation of Ras and PKD1 by applying advanced fluorescence
      imaging techniques, including multichannel, simultaneous imaging and Forster
      resonance energy transfer (FRET).

PMID- 27271913
TI  - Use of Resonance Energy Transfer Techniques for In Vivo Detection of Chemokine
      Receptor Oligomerization.
AB  - Since the first reports on chemokine function, much information has been
      generated on the implications of these molecules in numerous physiological and
      pathological processes, as well as on the signaling events activated through
      their binding to receptors. As is the case for other G protein-coupled receptors,
      chemokine receptors are not isolated entities that are activated following ligand
      binding; rather, they are found as dimers and/or higher order oligomers at the
      cell surface, even in the absence of ligands. These complexes form platforms that
      can be modified by receptor expression and ligand levels, indicating that they
      are dynamic structures. The analysis of the conformations adopted by these
      receptors at the membrane and their dynamics is thus crucial for a complete
      understanding of the function of the chemokines. We focus here on the methodology
      insights of new techniques, such as those based on resonance energy transfer for
      the analysis of chemokine receptor conformations in living cells.

PMID- 27271914
TI  - Multi-State Transition Kinetics of Intracellular Signaling Molecules by Single
      Molecule Imaging Analysis.
AB  - The chemotactic signaling of eukaryotic cells is based on a chain of interactions
      between signaling molecules diffusing on the cell membrane and those shuttling
      between the membrane and cytoplasm. In this chapter, we describe methods to
      quantify lateral diffusion and reaction kinetics on the cell membrane. By the
      direct visualization and statistic analyses of molecular Brownian movement
      achieved by single-molecule imaging techniques, multiple states of membrane-bound
      molecules are successfully revealed with state transition kinetics. Using PTEN, a
      phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3) 3'-phosphatase, in
      Dictyostelium discoideum undergoing chemotaxis as a model, each process of the
      analysis is described in detail. The identified multiple state kinetics provides
      an essential clue to elucidating the molecular mechanism of chemoattractant
      induced dynamic redistribution of the signaling molecule asymmetrically on the
      cell membrane. Quantitative parameters for molecular reactions and diffusion
      complement a conventional view of the chemotactic signaling system, where
      changing a static network of molecules connected by causal relationships into a
      spatiotemporally dynamic one permits a mathematical description of stochastic
      migration of the cell along a shallow chemoattractant gradient.

PMID- 27271915
TI  - Mathematics of Experimentally Generated Chemoattractant Gradients.
AB  - Many eukaryotic cells move in the direction of a chemical gradient. Several
      assays have been developed to measure this chemotactic response, but no complete
      mathematical models of the spatial and temporal gradients are available to
      describe the fundamental principles of chemotaxis. Here we provide analytical
      solutions for the gradients formed by release of chemoattractant from a point
      source by passive diffusion or forced flow (micropipettes) and gradients formed
      by laminar diffusion in a Zigmond chamber. The results show that gradients
      delivered with a micropipette are formed nearly instantaneously, are very steep
      close to the pipette, and have a steepness that is strongly dependent on the
      distance from the pipette. In contrast, gradients in a Zigmond chamber are formed
      more slowly, are nearly independent of the distance from the source, and resemble
      the temporal and spatial properties of the natural cAMP wave that Dictyostelium
      cells experience during cell aggregation.

PMID- 27271916
TI  - Modeling Excitable Dynamics of Chemotactic Networks.
AB  - The study of chemotaxis has benefited greatly from computational models that
      describe the response of cells to chemoattractant stimuli. These models must keep
      track of spatially and temporally varying distributions of numerous intracellular
      species. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that these are not deterministic
      interactions, but also include the effect of stochastic variations that trigger
      an excitable network. In this chapter we illustrate how to create simulations of
      excitable networks using the Virtual Cell modeling environment.

PMID- 27271917
TI  - Sky-Blue Organic Light Emitting Diode with 37% External Quantum Efficiency Using
      Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence from Spiroacridine-Triazine Hybrid.
AB  - Extremely efficient sky-blue organic electroluminescence with external quantum
      efficiency of ~37% is achieved in a conventional planar device structure, using a
      highly efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitter based on the
      spiroacridine-triazine hybrid and simultaneously possessing nearly unitary (100%)
      photoluminescence quantum yield, excellent thermal stability, and strongly
      horizontally oriented emitting dipoles (with a horizontal dipole ratio of 83%). 

PMID- 27271918
TI  - Constipation is casting a shadow over everyday life - a systematic review on
      older people's experience of living with constipation.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore and summarise best evidence of how constipation
      affects the daily living of older people from their own perspective. Furthermore,
      to assess how interventions aimed at treating constipation in older people affect
      patient-reported outcome such as quality of life. BACKGROUND: Constipation is a
      common and overlooked problem with an impact on everyday life, especially among
      older people. Older people seem to have individual preconceptions on constipation
      which can influence the strategies used to prevent and treat constipation.
      DESIGN: A systematic review, integrating findings from both qualitative and
      quantitative studies. METHOD: Systematic searches were carried out in PubMed,
      CINAHL, PsycINFO and EMBASE on the 31st of July 2014. A search strategy was
      constructed with key concepts identified using PICO to identify quantitative
      studies and PIC(o) to identify qualitative studies. Search terms included
      constipation, elderly, aged, elderly people, aged people, quality of life,
      patient experience, patient perspective, meaning, emotion, psychological.
      Reference lists were searched manually. RESULTS: A total of nine studies were
      included in the review, five quantitative and four qualitative. Three main themes
      crystallised from the results of the included studies: bodily experiences,
      everyday life shadowed by constipation and adverse psychological effects.
      CONCLUSION: Constipation among older people was connected to subjective and
      comprehensive experiences. It had a negative impact on physical and mental well
      being as well as the social life of older people. The review also showed that
      older people had individual and personal strategies, based on their own beliefs.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the
      experiences of living with constipation as well as the range of strategies used
      by patients to prevent and treat constipation. The patient perspective on
      constipation needs to be integrated in the strategies and actions carried out by
      healthcare professionals.

PMID- 27271919
TI  - Systematic unenhanced CT for acute abdominal symptoms in the elderly patients
      improves both emergency department diagnosis and prompt clinical management.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the added-value of systematic unenhanced abdominal computed
      tomography (CT) on emergency department (ED) diagnosis and management accuracy
      compared to current practice, in elderly patients with non-traumatic acute
      abdominal symptoms. METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed
      consent were obtained. This prospective study included 401 consecutive patients
      75 years of age or older, admitted to the ED with acute abdominal symptoms, and
      investigated by early systematic unenhanced abdominal CT scan. ED diagnosis and
      intended management before CT, after unenhanced CT, and after contrast CT if
      requested, were recorded. Diagnosis and management accuracies were evaluated and
      compared before CT (clinical strategy) and for two conditional strategies
      (current practice and systematic unenhanced CT). An expert clinical panel
      assigned a final diagnosis and management after a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS:
      Systematic unenhanced CT significantly improved the accurate diagnosis (76.8% to
      85%, p=1.1x10-6) and management (88.5% to 95.8%, p=2.6x10-6) rates compared to
      current practice. It allowed diagnosing 30.3% of acute unsuspected pathologies,
      3.4% of which were unexpected surgical procedure requirement. CONCLUSIONS:
      Systematic unenhanced abdominal CT improves ED diagnosis accuracy and appropriate
      management in elderly patients presenting with acute abdominal symptoms compared
      to current practice. KEY POINTS: * Systematic unenhanced CT improves
      significantly diagnosis accuracy compared to current practice. * Systematic
      unenhanced CT optimizes appropriate hospitalization by increasing the number of
      discharged patients. * Systematic unenhanced CT allows detection of about one
      third of acute unsuspected abdominal conditions. * It should allow boosting
      emergency department management decision-making confidence in old patients.

PMID- 27271920
TI  - Usefulness of colour Doppler flow imaging in the management of lacrimal gland
      lesions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of colour Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in the
      diagnosis and management of lacrimal fossa lesions. METHODS: Institutional
      ethical committee approval was obtained. Fifty-one patients with 62 lacrimal
      fossa lesions were retrospectively included from 2003-2015. All patients
      underwent conventional ultrasonography and CDFI, with a qualitative and
      quantitative analysis of the vascularization. All patients had lacrimal gland
      surgery. Definitive diagnosis was based on pathological examination. RESULTS: The
      study included 47 non-epithelial lesions (NEL) and 15 epithelial lesions (EL),
      with 24 (39 %) malignant lesions and 38 (61 %) benign lesions. NEL were
      significantly more likely to present with septa (p < 0.001), hypoechogenicity (p
      < 0.001), high vascular intensity (p < 0.001), both central and peripheral
      vascularization (p < 0.001), tree-shape vascularization (p < 0.05) and a low
      resistance index (RI) (p < 0.0001). EL were significantly more likely to present
      with the presence of cysts (p < 0.001), and a higher RI. Receiver operating
      characteristic curves identified a RI value of 0.72 as the best cut-off to
      differentiate NEL from EL, with a sensitivity and specificity of 100 %.
      CONCLUSION: CDFI is a valuable tool in the differential diagnosis of lacrimal
      fossa lesions. Resistance index measurement enables substantial distinction
      between EL and NEL, thus providing crucial data for surgical management. KEY
      POINTS: * CDFI is a valuable tool in lacrimal fossa lesions. * Resistance Index
      measurement enables substantial distinction between epithelial and non-epithelial
      lesions. * Management of patients becomes more appropriate.

PMID- 27271921
TI  - Diagnostic value of MRS-quantified brain tissue lactate level in identifying
      children with mitochondrial disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of children with or without
      neurometabolic disease is used for the first time for quantitative assessment of
      brain tissue lactate signals, to elaborate on previous suggestions of MRS
      detected lactate as a marker of mitochondrial disease. METHODS: Multivoxel MRS of
      a transverse plane of brain tissue cranial to the ventricles was performed in 88
      children suspected of having neurometabolic disease, divided into 'definite' (n =
      17, >=1 major criteria), 'probable' (n = 10, >=2 minor criteria), 'possible' (n =
      17, 1 minor criterion) and 'unlikely' mitochondrial disease (n = 44, none of the
      criteria). Lactate levels, expressed in standardized arbitrary units or relative
      to creatine, were derived from summed signals from all voxels. Ten 'unlikely'
      children with a normal neurological exam served as the MRS reference subgroup.
      For 61 of 88 children, CSF lactate values were obtained. RESULTS: MRS lactate
      level (>12 arbitrary units) and the lactate-to-creatine ratio (L/Cr >0.22)
      differed significantly between the definite and the unlikely group (p = 0.015 and
      p = 0.001, respectively). MRS L/Cr also differentiated between the probable and
      the MRS reference subgroup (p = 0.03). No significant group differences were
      found for CSF lactate. CONCLUSION: MRS-quantified brain tissue lactate levels can
      serve as diagnostic marker for identifying mitochondrial disease in children. KEY
      POINTS: * MRS-detected brain tissue lactate levels can be quantified. * MRS
      lactate and lactate/Cr are increased in children with mitochondrial disease. *
      CSF lactate is less suitable as marker of mitochondrial disease.

PMID- 27271922
TI  - Comparative assessment of image quality for coronary CT angiography with
      iobitridol and two contrast agents with higher iodine concentrations: iopromide
      and iomeprol. A multicentre randomized double-blind trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate non-inferiority of iobitridol 350 for coronary CT
      angiography (CTA) compared to higher iodine content contrast media regarding rate
      of patients evaluable for the presence of coronary artery stenoses. METHODS: In
      this multicentre trial, 452 patients were randomized to receive iobitridol 350,
      iopromide 370 or iomeprol 400 and underwent coronary CTA using CT systems with 64
      detector rows or more. Two core lab readers assessed 18 coronary segments per
      patient regarding image quality (score 0 = non diagnostic to 4 = excellent
      quality), vascular attenuation, signal and contrast to noise ratio (SNR, CNR).
      Patients were considered evaluable if no segment had a score of 0. RESULTS: Per
      patient, the rate of fully evaluable CT scans was 92.1, 95.4 and 94.6 % for
      iobitridol, iopromide and iomeprol, respectively. Non-inferiority of iobitridol
      over the best comparator was demonstrated with a 95 % CI of the difference of [
      8.8 to 2.1], with a pre-specified non-inferiority margin of -10 %. Although
      average attenuation increased with higher iodine concentrations, average SNR and
      CNR did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: With current CT technology,
      iobitridol 350 mg iodine/ml is not inferior to contrast media with higher iodine
      concentrations in terms of image quality for coronary stenosis assessment. KEY
      POINTS: * Iodine concentration is an important parameter for image quality in
      coronary CTA. * Contrast enhancement must be balanced against the amount of
      iodine injected. * Iobitridol 350 is non-inferior compared to CM with higher
      iodine concentrations. * Higher attenuation with higher iodine concentrations,
      but no SNR or CNR differences.

PMID- 27271924
TI  - Decreased stage migration rate of early gastric cancer with a new reconstruction
      algorithm using dual-energy CT images: a preliminary study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential value of advanced monoenergetic images
      (AMEIs) on early gastric cancer (EGC) using dual-energy CT (DECT). METHODS: 31
      EGC patients (19 men, 12 women; age range, 38-81 years; mean age, 57.19 years)
      were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Conventionally reconstructed
      polyenergetic images (PEIs) at 120 kV and virtual monoenergetic images (MEIs) and
      AMEIs at six different kiloelectron volt (keV) levels (from 40 to 90 keV) were
      evaluated from the 100 and Sn 140 kV dual energy image data, respectively. The
      visibility and stage migration of EGC for all three image data sets were
      evaluated and statistically analyzed. The objective and subjective image
      qualities were also evaluated. RESULTS: AMEIs at 40 keV showed the best
      visibility (80.7 %) and the lowest stage migration (35.5 %) for EGC. The stage
      migration for AMEIs at 40 keV was significantly lower than that for PEIs (p =
      0.026). AMEIs at 40 keV had statistically higher CNR in the arterial and portal
      phases, gastric-specific diagnostic performance and visual sharpness compared
      with other AMEIs, MEIs and PEIs (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AMEIs at 40 keV with
      MPR increase the CNR of EGC and thus potentially lower the stage migration of
      EGC. KEY POINTS: * AMEIs benefits from the recombination of low-keV images and
      medium energies. * AMEIs could receive better CNR results than MEIs. * AMEIs at
      40 keV potentially lower the stage migration of EGC.

PMID- 27271923
TI  - Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging predicts survival in patients with
      liver-predominant metastatic colorectal cancer shortly after selective internal
      radiation therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether quantifications of apparent diffusion
      coefficient (ADC) on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can predict overall
      survival (OS) in patients with liver-predominant metastatic colorectal cancer
      (CRC) following selective internal radiation therapy with 90Yttrium-microspheres
      (SIRT). METHODS: Forty-four patients underwent DWI 19 +/- 16 days before and 36
      +/- 10 days after SIRT. Tumour-size and intratumoral minimal ADC (minADC) values
      were measured for 132 liver metastases on baseline and follow-up DWI. Optimal
      functional imaging response to treatment was determined by receiver operating
      characteristics and defined as >=22 % increase in post-therapeutic minADC.
      Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox-regression
      comparing various variables with potential impact on OS. RESULTS: Median OS was 8
      months. The following parameters were significantly associated with median OS:
      optimal functional imaging response (18 vs. 5 months; p < 0.001), hepatic tumour
      burden <50 % (8 vs. 5 months; p = 0.018), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
      performance scale <1 (10 vs. 4 months; p = 0.012) and progressive disease
      according to Response and Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (8 vs. 3 months; p
      = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, optimal functional imaging response and
      hepatic tumour burden remained independent predictors of OS. CONCLUSION:
      Functional imaging response assessment using minADC changes on DWI may predict
      survival in CRC shortly after SIRT. KEY POINTS: * Relative minADC changes may
      predict survival in liver-predominant metastatic colorectal cancer following SIRT
      * Intratumoral minADC changes by >=22 % were best to predict an improved overall
      survival * Functional imaging response assessment is feasible before anatomic
      tumour-size changes occur * minADC changes might guide future therapy management
      in sequential lobar radioembolization approaches.

PMID- 27271926
TI  - Imaging the heart failure patient-need for accurate measurements of left
      ventricular volumes and ejection fraction: the role of three-dimensional and
      contrast echocardiography.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a powerful
      prognostic marker in heart failure and plays a pivotal role in the allocation of
      many treatments that reduce morbidity and mortality. Although unenhanced two
      dimensional echocardiography (2DE) is the most ubiquitous tool for the assessment
      of left ventricular (LV) size and systolic function, it does not provide
      reliable, reproducible and accurate measures. The purpose of this review is to
      critically appraise contrast echocardiography and three-dimensional
      echocardiography (3DE) for the assessment of LVEF and LV volumes. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Contrast echocardiography results in more accurate assessment of LVEF
      and LV volumes than unenhanced 2DE, significantly improving correlation with
      cardiac magnetic resonance, with comparable reproducibility. Contrast
      echocardiography reduces downstream testing, frequently alters patient
      management, and results in substantial cost savings. 3DE shows higher levels of
      agreement with cardiac magnetic resonance over unenhanced 2DE for LVEF and LV
      volumes, but requires adequate image quality, and consistently underestimates LV
      volumes due to limited spatial resolution. SUMMARY: The advent of contrast 2DE
      and 3DE has marked the dawn of significant improvements in the precision and
      reproducibility of echocardiography. Contrast 3DE improves LV assessment in
      patients with suboptimal images, but further work is needed to demonstrate
      incremental benefit over contrast echocardiography.

PMID- 27271925
TI  - Feasibility of self-gated isotropic radial late-phase MR imaging of the liver.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate feasibility of a 3D-isotropic self-gated radial volumetric
      interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) for late-phase MRI of the liver.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: 70 patients were included and underwent liver MRI at 1.5 T.
      Depending on the diagnosis, either Gd-EOB-DTPA (35 patients) or gadobutrol (35
      patients) were administered. During late (gadobutrol) or hepatocyte-specific
      phase (Gd-EOB-DTPA), a radial prototype sequence was acquired and reconstructed
      using (1) self-gating with 40 % acceptance (rVIBE40); (2) with 100 % acceptance
      of the data (rVIBE100) and compared to Cartesian VIBE (cVIBE). Images were
      assessed qualitatively (image quality, lesion conspicuity, artefacts; 5-point
      Likert-scale: 5 = excellent; two independent readers) and quantitatively
      (coefficient-of-variation (CV); contrast-ratio) in axial and coronal
      reformations. RESULTS: In eight cases only rVIBE provided diagnostic image
      quality. Image quality of rVIBE40 was rated significantly superior (p < 0.05) in
      Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced and coronal reformatted examinations as compared to cVIBE.
      Lesion conspicuity was significantly improved (p < 0.05) in coronal reformatted
      Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced rVIBE40 in comparison to cVIBE. CV was higher in rVIBE40 as
      compared to rVIBE100/cVIBE (p < 0.01). Gadobutrol-enhanced rVIBE40 and cVIBE
      showed higher contrast-ratios than rVIBE100 (p < 0.001), whereas no differences
      were found in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced examinations. CONCLUSION: Self-gated 3D
      isotropic rVIBE provides significantly superior image quality compared to cVIBE,
      especially in multiplanar reformatted and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced examinations. KEY
      POINTS: * Radial VIBE acquisition reduces motion artefacts. * Gd-EOB-DTPA
      enhanced scans provide improved image quality. * Non-diagnostic liver MRI
      examinations may be reduced by radial k-spaces sampling.

PMID- 27271927
TI  - Aberrant Methylation of FOXE1 Contributes to a Poor Prognosis for Patients with
      Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypermethylation of DNA silences gene expression and is an important
      event in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to identify aberrantly
      methylated genes that contribute to a poor prognosis for patients with CRC.
      METHODS: The study comprehensively explored DNA methylation microarray profiles
      from 396 CRC samples and 45 normal control samples in a database and selected
      aberrantly methylated transcription factors associated with prognosis and
      metastasis. Using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction,
      the identified genes in 140 patients with CRC were validated to assess the
      relationship between expression of methylated genes and prognosis. RESULTS: In
      the study, FOXE1 was newly identified as a gene associated with prognosis and
      metastasis in CRC. Expression of FOXE1 in CRC tissues was significantly lower
      than in normal colorectal tissues (p = 0.01). The survival rate for the patients
      with low expression of FOXE1 was significantly lower than that for patients with
      high expression of FOXE1 in uni- and multivariate analyses. Inhibition of DNA
      methylation recovered FOXE1 expression in CRC cells. CONCLUSIONS: Methylation
      mediated silencing of FOXE1 expression was shown to be a potential prognostic
      factor in CRC.

PMID- 27271928
TI  - Laparoscopic Right Hepatectomy for Cirrhotic Patients: Takasaki's Hilar Control
      and Caudal Approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cirrhotic patients bearing hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) derive
      benefits from laparoscopic hepatectomy1 - 6 such as reduced bleeding, less
      overall and liver-specific complications, and fewer adhesions in the case of
      future reoperation or transplantation.7 - 10 Bleeding is concerning in the
      setting of cirrhosis,11 - 15 and adequate inflow control reduces blood loss. The
      caudal approach is the laparoscopic counterpart of the anterior approach to open
      surgery. It implies in parenchymal transection initiated from the visceral
      surface of the liver after limited hepatic mobilization, reducing the risk of
      increased circulating tumoral cells.16 - 18 Venous outflow transection and
      completion of ligament mobilization are left as last steps. METHODS: A 46 years
      old-male with hepatitis C virus and alcoholic cirrhosis was diagnosed with a 4-cm
      HCC (right hepatic lobe). Expected future liver remnant was 45 % of his total
      liver volume. A totally laparoscopic right hepatectomy was performed using six
      ports, and the specimen was removed through a Pfannenstiel auxiliary incision. A
      10-mm 30 degrees  scope was used. The pneumoperitoneum pressure was set to 12
      mmHg. The right hepatic pedicle, the caudate lobe, and the major hepatic veins
      were managed with laparoscopic vascular staplers. RESULTS: Surgery was performed
      with limited liver mobilization and en bloc extrafascial right pedicle control
      (Takasaki's technique),19 followed by caudal parenchymal transection along the
      paracaval plane. The operative time was 450 min, and the estimated blood loss was
      800 ml (no transfusion was required). CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic Takasaki
      technique and caudal approach are feasible procedures in the setting of
      cirrhosis, resulting in an oncologic adequate intervention with less morbidity.

PMID- 27271929
TI  - It's Freezing to Death.

PMID- 27271930
TI  - Can We Predict the Lateral Compartment Lymph Node Involvement in RET-Negative
      Patients with Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lateral lymph node dissection (LND) in the absence of macroscopic
      nodal metastasis remains controversial in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma
      (MTC). OBJECTIVES: The aims of our study were to determine the risk of lateral
      lymph node (LN) metastases with a focus on lateral contralateral N1, and to
      define a risk-adapted surgical treatment for these patients. METHODS: All
      patients who underwent surgery from 1980 to 2012 for previously untreated RET
      negative MTC were reviewed. We focused on the lateral compartments of LN
      metastases and identified three groups: no lateral LN metastases, ipsilateral
      lateral (ILL)-LN metastases with no contralateral LN involvement, and
      contralateral lateral (CLL)-LN metastases. RESULTS: Overall, 131 patients
      underwent surgery for RET-negative MTC. A total thyroidectomy with LND was
      performed in 112 patients (85 %), including 97 patients who had an ILL-LND and 92
      patients who had a CLL-LND. Lateral LN metastases (N1) occurred in 40 patients
      (37 %): 31 patients (32 %) had ILL-LN metastases with no contralateral LN
      involvement, and 9 patients (10 %) had CLL-LN metastases. The preoperative cut
      offs for LN metastases in the ILL compartment were very low, with a smallest
      tumor size of 5 mm, and lowest serum calcitonin level of 38 pg/ml. Disease-free
      survival rates decreased from 92 % for patients with no lateral LN metastases to
      41 % for patients with ILL-LN metastases and 0 % for patients with CLL-LN
      metastases. CONCLUSIONS: ILL-LND should be performed in every patient and only a
      minority of MTC patients with small micro-MTC, and low serum calcitonin levels
      should not have a CLL-LND.

PMID- 27271931
TI  - Natural killer cells regulate eosinophilic inflammation in chronic
      rhinosinusitis.
AB  - Eosinophils play a major pathologic role in the pathogenesis of diverse
      inflammatory diseases including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Dysregulated
      production of prostaglandin (PG), particularly PGD2, is considered to be an
      important contributing factor to eosinophilic inflammation in CRS primarily
      through proinflammatory and chemotactic effects on eosinophils. Here, we provide
      evidence that PGD2 can promote eosinophilic inflammation through a suppression of
      Natural killer (NK) cell effector function and NK cell-mediated eosinophil
      regulation. Eosinophil apoptosis mediated by NK cells was significantly decreased
      in CRS patients compared with healthy controls. This decrease was associated with
      NK cell dysfunction and eosinophilic inflammation. Tissue eosinophils were
      positively correlated with blood eosinophils in CRS patients. In a murine model
      of CRS, NK cell depletion caused an exacerbation of blood eosinophilia and
      eosinophilic inflammation in the sinonasal tissue. PGD2 and its metabolite, but
      not PGE2 and a panel of cytokines including TGF-beta, were increased in CRS
      patients compared with controls. Effector functions of NK cells were potently
      suppressed by PGD2-dependent, rather than PGE2-dependent, pathway in controls and
      CRS patients. Thus, our results suggest decreased NK cell-mediated eosinophil
      regulation, possibly through an increased level of PGD2, as a previously
      unrecognized link between PG dysregulation and eosinophilic inflammation in CRS.

PMID- 27271933
TI  - Video Modeling and Observational Learning to Teach Gaming Access to Students with
      ASD.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate both video modeling and observational
      learning to teach age-appropriate recreation and leisure skills (i.e., accessing
      video games) to students with autism spectrum disorder. Effects of video modeling
      were evaluated via a multiple probe design across participants and criteria for
      mastery were based on these results. Secondary measures were collected on
      observational learning across participants and behaviors. Participants included 4
      children with autism, ages 8-11, who were served in self-contained special
      education classrooms. Results indicated a functional relation between video
      modeling and increased independence in gaming; observational learning occurred
      for at least some steps across students. Results, implications for practitioners,
      limitations, and ideas for future research are discussed.

PMID- 27271932
TI  - Validation of the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition in Adolescents
      with ASD: Fixation Duration and Pupil Dilation as Predictors of Performance.
AB  - Impaired social cognition is one of the core characteristics of autism spectrum
      disorders (ASD). Appropriate measures of social cognition for high-functioning
      adolescents with ASD are, however, lacking. The Movie for the Assessment of
      Social Cognition (MASC) uses dynamic social stimuli, ensuring ecological
      validity, and has proven to be a sensitive measure in adulthood. In the current
      study, 33 adolescents with ASD and 23 controls were administered the MASC, while
      concurrent eye tracking was used to relate gaze behavior to performance levels.
      The ASD group exhibited reduced MASC scores, with social cognition performance
      being explained by shorter fixation duration on eyes and decreased pupil
      dilation. These potential diagnostic markers are discussed as indicators of
      different processing of social information in ASD.

PMID- 27271934
TI  - Interventional left atrial appendage occlusion: added value of 3D transesophageal
      echocardiography for device sizing.
AB  - Aim of this study was the assessment of left atrial appendage (LAA) dimensions
      comparing 2D- to 3D-TEE measurements in patients with nonvalvular atrial
      fibrillation undergoing percutaneous LAA occlusion. Patients underwent
      transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before, during and 45 days after
      intervention. The maximal LAA orifice diameters in 2D-TEE (LODmax 2D) were
      obtained from multiple views. Test-retest reliability (screening vs.
      implantation), inter- and intra-observer variability for echocardiographic
      parameters were assessed by two independent examiners. Overall, 74 patients
      underwent percutaneous LAA occlusion. 2D-TEE significantly underestimated the
      maximal LAA orifice diameter compared with 3D-TEE (screening LODmax 2D 21.11 +/-
      2.75 mm vs. 22.52 +/- 3.45 mm for LODmax 3D, p < 0.001; during implantation
      LODmax 2D 21.56 +/- 3.48 mm vs. 22.99 +/- 3.24 mm for LODmax 3D, p < 0.001). The
      intraobserver and interobserver variability calculated as coefficient of
      variation (CV) were both lower for the 3D-TEE quantification of the maximal
      orifice diameter (intraobserver CV for 3D-TEE 6.07 % vs. 9.31 % for 2D-TEE;
      interobserver CV for 3D-TEE 6.73 % vs. 9.69 % for 2D-TEE). Compared to 3D-TEE the
      test-retest reliability of 2D-TEE showed a lower intraclass correlation
      coefficient calculated as average of raters (0.92 for 3D-TEE vs. for 2D-TEE
      0.78). Firstly, 2D-TEE significantly underestimates the maximal LAA orifice
      diameter compared to 3D-TEE. Secondly, 3D-TEE measurements are associated with a
      lower observer variability and higher reliability than 2D-TEE.

PMID- 27271935
TI  - Pericardial inflammation with reversible constriction: prediction of recovery
      with cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

PMID- 27271937
TI  - Electricity, water, and natural gas consumption of a residential house in Canada
      from 2012 to 2014.
AB  - With the cost of consuming resources increasing (both economically and
      ecologically), homeowners need to find ways to curb consumption. The Almanac of
      Minutely Power dataset Version 2 (AMPds2) has been released to help computational
      sustainability researchers, power and energy engineers, building scientists and
      technologists, utility companies, and eco-feedback researchers test their models,
      systems, algorithms, or prototypes on real house data. In the vast majority of
      cases, real-world datasets lead to more accurate models and algorithms. AMPds2 is
      the first dataset to capture all three main types of consumption (electricity,
      water, and natural gas) over a long period of time (2 years) and provide 11
      measurement characteristics for electricity. No other such datasets from Canada
      exist. Each meter has 730 days of captured data. We also include environmental
      and utility billing data for cost analysis. AMPds2 data has been pre-cleaned to
      provide for consistent and comparable accuracy results amongst different
      researchers and machine learning algorithms. 

PMID- 27271936
TI  - Aluminium Diphosphamethanides: Hidden Frustrated Lewis Pairs.
AB  - The synthesis and characterisation of two aluminium diphosphamethanide complexes,
      [Al(tBu)2 {kappa(2) P,P'-Mes*PCHPMes*}] (3) and [Al(C6 F5 )2 {kappa(2) P,P'
      Mes*PCHPMes*}] (4), and the silylated analogue, Mes*PCHP(SiMe3 )Mes* (5), are
      reported. The aluminium complexes feature four-membered PCPAl core structures
      consisting of diphosphaallyl ligands. The silylated phosphine 5 was found to be a
      valuable precursor for the synthesis of 4 as it cleanly reacts with the diaryl
      aluminium chloride [(C6 F5 )2 AlCl]2 . The aluminium complex 3 reacts with
      molecular dihydrogen at room temperature under formation of the acyclic sigma(2)
      lambda(3) ,sigma(3) lambda(3) -diphosphine Mes*PCHP(H)Mes* and the corresponding
      dialkyl aluminium hydride [tBu2 AlH]3 . Thus, 3 belongs to the family of so
      called hidden frustrated Lewis pairs. 

PMID- 27271938
TI  - Effective ingredients of verbal de-escalation: validating an English modified
      version of the 'De-Escalating Aggressive Behaviour Scale'.
AB  - WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Verbal de-escalation is an intervention aimed at
      calmly managing an agitated client to prevent violence. Effective de-escalation
      can help reduce the use of seclusion and restraint in psychiatric settings.
      Despite its importance in practice, there is little agreement on the necessary
      techniques of de-escalation and most of the research on the topic is based on
      expert opinion. To our knowledge, only one attempt at quantifying de-escalation
      skill has been pursued through the German-language De-Escalating Aggressive
      Behaviour Scale (DABS). While the DABS identified seven qualities necessary for
      de-escalation, it has not been validated in English and may lack important
      descriptors. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The present study
      enhanced the original DABS with best, acceptable and least desirable staff de
      escalation practice descriptions for each of the seven items. This enhancement of
      the DABS lead to the creation of the English modified DABS (EMDABS). The EMDABS
      was psychometrically validated for use in research and practice: raters could use
      the EMDABS with a high level of agreement and consistency. Also, the scale
      appeared to measure a single cohesive construct - de-escalation. WHAT ARE THE
      IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: With further validation, the EMDABS has potential to
      be the first English quantitative measure of de-escalation. The EMDABS offers
      seven items, with associated best practice descriptions, that may be used to
      inform de-escalation practice. The EMDABS can be used to evaluate training and
      education programmes and inform how these programmes and independent de
      escalation practice may be improved. ABSTRACT: Introduction Verbal de-escalation
      is crucial to a non-coercive psychiatric environment. Despite its importance, the
      literature on de-escalation is sparse and mostly qualitative. To address this,
      Nau et al. (2009) quantified de-escalation by creating the German-language De
      Escalating Aggressive Behaviour Scale (DABS). The DABS provides seven skills
      necessary for de-escalation, however it has not been validated in English and
      lacks the necessary anchor descriptions to make it useful. Aim To modify the DABS
      to include descriptions of best, acceptable and least desirable staff practice
      and to validate the English modified DABS (EMDABS). Method To develop item
      descriptions for the EMDABS, 50 conflictual staff-patient interactions were
      reviewed, summarized and cross-referenced with the literature (n = 19). Three
      raters then used the EMDABS to evaluate 272 simulations depicting these
      interactions. Results The EMDABS demonstrated very good inter-rater reliability
      [ICC (3, 1) = 0.752] and strong internal consistency (alpha = 0.901). A factor
      analysis revealed that the seven items were best represented by a single factor.
      Discussion The EMDABS was validated for future use in research and practice.
      Additional validation and future research directions are discussed. Implications
      for practice The EMDABS holds promise as a quantitative measure of de-escalation.
      Its seven items and best practice guidelines have clinical implications for
      improving practice and training.

PMID- 27271939
TI  - Accurate Automatic Detection of Densely Distributed Cell Nuclei in 3D Space.
AB  - To measure the activity of neurons using whole-brain activity imaging, precise
      detection of each neuron or its nucleus is required. In the head region of the
      nematode C. elegans, the neuronal cell bodies are distributed densely in three
      dimensional (3D) space. However, no existing computational methods of image
      analysis can separate them with sufficient accuracy. Here we propose a highly
      accurate segmentation method based on the curvatures of the iso-intensity
      surfaces. To obtain accurate positions of nuclei, we also developed a new
      procedure for least squares fitting with a Gaussian mixture model. Combining
      these methods enables accurate detection of densely distributed cell nuclei in a
      3D space. The proposed method was implemented as a graphical user interface
      program that allows visualization and correction of the results of automatic
      detection. Additionally, the proposed method was applied to time-lapse 3D calcium
      imaging data, and most of the nuclei in the images were successfully tracked and
      measured.

PMID- 27271941
TI  - Application of ultrasound-guided percutaneous intrahepatic portal vein
      catheterization with antibiotic injection for treating unliquefied bacterial
      liver abscess.
AB  - AIM: To investigate whether ultrasound-guided percutaneous portal vein
      catheterization can be successfully carried out in the intrahepatic region of
      patients with unliquefied bacterial liver abscess (UBLA), who are subsequently
      treated with an injection of antibiotics. METHODS: Thirty-two UBLA patients were
      enrolled in this study. Among them, 13 patients were included in the experimental
      group; an ultrasound-guided percutaneous portal vein catheterization was
      undertaken in the intrahepatic region of these patients, and they also received
      an injection of antibiotics. The remaining 19 patients were retrospectively
      included in the control group; these patients only received systemic antibiotic
      therapy. The efficacy of intervention was compared with that of systemic
      treatment. RESULTS: The catheterization procedures were successful in all the
      patients of the experimental group. However, two cases (15.4%) developed
      complications postoperatively. Compared to the control group, the following
      parameters of the experimental group were significantly shorter/lower: (i)
      duration for regaining normal body temperature; (ii) time period for achieving
      normal white blood cell count; (iii) length of hospitalization; (iv) cases of
      liquefied liver abscess during follow-up; and (v) cost of hospitalization (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous portal vein catheterization is
      a simple, minimally invasive, and effective treatment for UBLA. It must be
      carried out in the intrahepatic region and a subsequent injection of antibiotics
      must be given.

PMID- 27271940
TI  - Event-related potentials and cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis patients
      with fatigue.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate event-related potentials (ERP) and
      cognition in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with regard to fatigue and disease
      related variables. The study comprised 86 MS patients and 40 controls. Fatigue
      was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS/FSS-5) and the Modified
      Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS/MFISmod). N200 and P300 components of auditory ERP
      were analyzed. Cognition was evaluated by means of Brief Repeatable Battery of
      Neuropsychological Tests (BRBNT). The results of ERP and BRBNT were compared
      between non-fatigued, moderately and severely fatigued MS patients and controls.
      P300 latency was significantly longer in the whole MS group and in the fatigued
      patients than in the controls. A positive correlation was found between P300
      latency and MFIS/MFISmod results, independent from age and MS-related variables.
      The fatigued patients scored less than non-fatigued ones in tests evaluating
      memory, visuomotor abilities and attention. Results of these tests correlated
      significantly with fatigue measures, independently from MS-related variables.
      Fatigue in MS patients showed significant relationships with impairment within
      the memory and attention domains. Parameters of auditory ERP, as
      electrophysiological biomarkers of cognitive performance, were not independently
      linked to fatigue. 

PMID- 27271943
TI  - Nitrogen-Mediated Interaction: A Walnut-Aphid-Parasitoid System.
AB  - The effects of plant quality on natural enemies are often overlooked in planning
      and executing biological control programs for insect pests in agriculture. Plant
      quality, however, could help to explain some of the observed variation in
      effectiveness of biological control, as it can indirectly influence natural enemy
      populations. In this study, we used the walnut aphid Chromaphis juglandicola
      (Kaltenbach) to address the effect of increased nitrogen availability to the host
      plant on parasitism by the specialist parasitoid Trioxys pallidus (Haliday). In
      laboratory experiments with walnut seedlings, a higher chlorophyll content index
      of the foliage in response to added nitrogen was correlated with a decrease in
      the number of mummies produced by female parasitoids over a 24-h period but an
      increase in the proportion and the size of female offspring. In field sampling of
      walnut orchards, there was no relationship between the percent parasitism of
      walnut aphids by T. pallidus and the chlorophyll content index of the trees.
      Nitrogen fertilizer and plant quality can clearly affect biological control and
      should be given greater consideration in integrated pest management.

PMID- 27271942
TI  - Proteomic analysis of stress-related proteins and metabolic pathways in Picea
      asperata somatic embryos during partial desiccation.
AB  - Partial desiccation treatment (PDT) stimulates germination and enhances the
      conversion of conifer somatic embryos. To better understand the mechanisms
      underlying the responses of somatic embryos to PDT, we used proteomic and
      physiological analyses to investigate these responses during PDT in Picea
      asperata. Comparative proteomic analysis revealed that, during PDT, stress
      related proteins were mainly involved in osmosis, endogenous hormones,
      antioxidative proteins, molecular chaperones and defence-related proteins.
      Compared with those in cotyledonary embryos before PDT, these stress-related
      proteins remained at high levels on days 7 (D7) and 14 (D14) of PDT. The proteins
      that differentially accumulated in the somatic embryos on D7 were mapped to
      stress and/or stimuli. They may also be involved in the glyoxylate cycle and the
      chitin metabolic process. The most significant difference in the differentially
      accumulated proteins occurred in the metabolic pathways of photosynthesis on D14.
      Furthermore, in accordance with the changes in stress-related proteins, analyses
      of changes in water content, abscisic acid, indoleacetic acid and H2 O2 levels in
      the embryos indicated that PDT is involved in water-deficit tolerance and affects
      endogenous hormones. Our results provide insight into the mechanisms responsible
      for the transition from morphologically mature to physiologically mature somatic
      embryos during the PDT process in P. asperata.

PMID- 27271944
TI  - Gut Content Analysis of a Phloem-Feeding Insect, Bactericera cockerelli
      (Hemiptera: Triozidae).
AB  - Potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a key
      pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L., Solanales: Solanaceae) and a vector of
      "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum," the pathogen associated with zebra chip
      disease. In addition to its presence on cultivated crops, the psyllid regularly
      occurs on numerous uncultivated annual and perennial species within the
      Solanaceae. A better understanding of landscape-level ecology of B. cockerelli
      would substantially improve our ability to predict which potato fields are most
      likely to be colonized by infected psyllids. We developed three PCR-based methods
      of gut content analysis to identify what plant species B. cockerelli had
      previously fed upon. These methods included-1) sequencing PCR amplicons of
      regions of plant-derived internal transcribed spacer (ITS) or the chloroplast
      trnL gene from psyllids, 2) high-resolution melting analysis of ITS or trnL real
      time PCR products, and 3) restriction enzyme digestion of trnL PCR product. Each
      method was used to test whether we could identify psyllids that had been reared
      continuously on potato versus psyllids reared continuously on the perennial
      nightshade, Solanum dulcamara. All three methods of gut content analysis
      correctly identified psyllids from potato and psyllids from S. dulcamara Our
      study is the first to demonstrate that plant DNA can be detected in a phloem
      feeding insect. Gut content analysis, in combination with other landscape ecology
      approaches, could help elucidate patterns in landscape-level movements and host
      plant associations of B. cockerelli.

PMID- 27271945
TI  - Prey and Pollen Food Choice Depends on Previous Diet in an Omnivorous Predatory
      Mite.
AB  - The time allocated by omnivorous predators to consuming prey versus plant
      provided foods (e.g., pollen) directly influences their efficacy as biocontrol
      agents of agricultural pests. Nonetheless, diet shifting between these two very
      different food sources remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that previous
      diet composition influences subsequent choice of prey and plant food types. We
      tested this hypothesis by observing the foraging choices of Amblyseius swirskii
      (Athias-Henriot) mites (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), which were first maintained
      on either prey (broad mites) or corn pollen, and then offered familiar and
      unfamiliar foods. A. swirskii exhibited strong fidelity to familiar food, whether
      prey or pollen, suggesting there are physiological or behavioral costs involved
      in shifting between such different foods. Results illustrate the importance of
      previous diet for subsequent pest consumption by omnivorous natural enemies.

PMID- 27271946
TI  - Seasonal Population Dynamics of Three Potato Pests in Washington State.
AB  - Pest phenology models allow producers to anticipate pest outbreaks and deploy
      integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Phenology models are particularly
      useful for cropping systems with multiple economically damaging pests throughout
      a season. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crops of Washington State, USA, are
      attacked by many insect pests including the potato tuberworm (Phthorimaea
      operculella Zeller), the beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus Baker), and the
      green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer). Each of these pests directly damages
      potato foliage or tubers; C. tenellus and M. persicae also transmit pathogens
      that can drastically reduce potato yields. We monitored the seasonal population
      dynamics of these pests by conducting weekly sampling on a network of commercial
      farms from 2007 to 2014. Using these data, we developed phenology models to
      characterize the seasonal population dynamics of each pest based on accumulated
      degree-days (DD). All three pests exhibited consistent population dynamics across
      seasons that were mediated by temperature. Of the three pests, C. tenellus was
      generally the first detected in potato crops, with 90% of adults captured by 936
      DD. In contrast, populations of P. operculella and M. persicae built up more
      slowly over the course of the season, with 90% cumulative catch by 1,590 and
      2,634 DD, respectively. Understanding these seasonal patterns could help potato
      producers plan their IPM strategies while allowing them to move away from
      calendar-based applications of insecticides. More broadly, our results show how
      long-term monitoring studies that explore dynamics of multiple pest species can
      aid in developing IPM strategies in crop systems.

PMID- 27271947
TI  - Habitat Preference of German Mantis religiosa Populations (Mantodea: Mantidae)
      and Implications for Conservation.
AB  - In Germany, the thermophilic European mantid (Mantis religiosa L.) is endangered.
      Here, we study habitat requirements during its life, and discuss the
      applicability of the two conservation measures grazing and mowing to this insect
      species. At two study sites in south-western Germany, which were each subject to
      one of these measures, we recorded structural and climatic conditions within
      different microhabitats. We also conducted capture-mark-recapture studies for
      adult M. religiosa, and mapped adult roosting, oothecae deposition, egg hatching,
      and imaginal molting in microhabitats over two vegetation periods. In order to
      assess microhabitat preference of M. religiosa during its life, and identify
      climatic conditions driving preferences, we applied the Lille habitat preference
      index and conducted logistic regression analysis for life phases. Our results
      suggest that temperature is important for egg and nymph development. For egg
      deposition, females preferred solid substrates with high heat-storing capacities,
      as those attenuate the negative influence of cold weather periods on egg
      development. Being ambush predators, males and females preferred roosting sites
      with sufficient shelter and high prey abundance. Contrary to our expectation, the
      conservation measures reduced adult population sizes, and presumably reproduction
      rates. We thus suggest that mowing during the adult phase should reduce
      vegetation height to a moderate level to keep prey abundance high. Mowing with a
      clearing saw or grazing over a short period in small fenced areas should be
      preferred over prolonged grazing, as grazers collaterally stamp down the
      vegetation. Grazers indirectly reduce prey availability by deteriorating
      prevailing microclimatic conditions.

PMID- 27271948
TI  - The Effects of Crop Intensification on the Diversity of Native Pollinator
      Communities.
AB  - Increases in agricultural conversion are leading to declines in native grasslands
      and natural resources critical for beneficial insects. However, little is known
      regarding how these changes affect pollinator diversity. Land use types were
      categorized within 300 m and 3 km radii of pollinator sampling locations in
      Brookings County, SD. Pollinator abundance and species richness were regressed on
      the proportion of the landscape dedicated to row crops, grass and pasture, forage
      crops, small grains, and aquatic habitats using variance components modeling. Row
      crops had a negative effect on bee abundance at 300 m, after fixed effects
      modeling accounted for outliers skewing this relationship. At 3 km, corn
      positively affected bee abundance and richness, while soybean acreage decreased
      species richness. The landscape matrix of outlying sites consisted of large
      monocultured areas with few alternative habitat types available, leading to
      inflated populations of Melissodes and Halictidae. Syrphids had a positive
      parabolic relationship between diversity and row crops, indicating potential for
      competitive exclusion from intermediate landscapes. Unlike other studies,
      landscape diversity within 300 m was not found to significantly benefit
      pollinator diversity. Within especially agriculturally developed areas of the
      region, high abundances of pollinators suggest selection for a few dominant
      species. There was no effect of forage crops or aquatic habitats on pollinator
      diversity, indicating that less highly managed areas still represent degraded
      habitat within the landscape. Incorporating pollinator-friendly crops at the farm
      level throughout the region is likely to enhance pollinator diversity by
      lessening the negative effects of large monocultures.

PMID- 27271949
TI  - The Influence of Exotic Lady Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Establishment on
      the Species Composition of the Native Lady Beetle Community in Missouri.
AB  - The diversity and abundance of native lady beetles (Coccinellidae) in North
      America has declined in recent decades. This decline is often correlated with the
      introduction and establishment of exotic lady beetle species, including
      Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas, suggesting that exotic
      species precipitated the decline of native lady beetles. We examined species
      records of native coccinellids in Missouri over 118 yr and asked whether the
      species composition of the community experienced a shift following the
      establishment of the exotic species. We found that the contemporary native
      coccinellid community is different from the community that was present nearly a
      century ago. However, there was no evidence for a recent abrupt shift in
      composition triggered by the establishment of exotic species. Instead, our data
      suggest that the native lady beetle community has been undergoing consistent and
      gradual change over time, with some species decreasing in abundance and others
      increasing. While not excluding exotic species as a factor contributing to the
      decline of native lady beetle species, our findings suggest that other continuous
      factors, like land use change, may have played a more influential role in
      determining the composition of the native coccinellid communities within our
      region.

PMID- 27271950
TI  - Generalist Behavior Describes Pollen Foraging for Perceived Oligolectic and
      Polylectic Bees.
AB  - Native bees provide essential pollination services to cultivated and wild plants
      worldwide. Despite the need to conserve pollinators, the foraging patterns of
      native bees are poorly understood. Classic concepts of resource use have
      typically categorized bee species as specialists or generalists based on floral
      visitation patterns. While intraspecific variation in bee foraging likely depends
      on local land use, sex, and phenological period, among other factors, these
      potential drivers of floral visitation are rarely explicitly investigated. In
      this study, we explore the potential for inter- and intra-specific variation in
      floral visitation by investigating the pollen loads of two solitary, similarly
      sized, ground-nesting native bee species within the Apinae, Melissodes tepaneca
      (Cresson) and Diadasia rinconis (Cockerell), categorized as generalist and
      specialist based on past floral visitation studies, respectively. Our analyses
      reveal generalist foraging and indicate that natural habitat availability
      significantly drives pollen load composition for both species. The putative
      specialist, D. rinconis, exhibited significant differences in pollen load
      composition between males and females, between pan and net collection methods,
      and between the different phenological periods. The putative generalist, M.
      tepaneca, exhibited significant differences in pollen load composition between
      the sexes, but only in the late season. Both species exhibited significant
      preference levels for multiple native plant species across the study region.
      Given that pollen collection is essential for native bee population persistence
      across natural and human-dominated habitats, our findings suggest consideration
      of both pollen collection and floral visitation patterns to holistically describe
      floral usage and develop pollinator conservation strategies.

PMID- 27271951
TI  - Association of Autoimmune Encephalitis With Combined Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor
      Treatment for Metastatic Cancer.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Paraneoplastic encephalitides usually precede a diagnosis of cancer
      and are often refractory to immunosuppressive therapy. Conversely, autoimmune
      encephalitides are reversible conditions that can occur in the presence or
      absence of cancer. OBJECTIVE: To report the induction of autoimmune encephalitis
      in 2 patients after treatment of metastatic cancer with a combination of the
      immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective case study was conducted of the clinical and
      management course of 2 patients with progressive, treatment-refractory metastatic
      cancer who were treated with a single dose each (concomitantly) of the immune
      checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab, 1 mg/kg, and ipilimumab, 3 mg/kg. EXPOSURES:
      Nivolumab and ipilimumab. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The clinical response to
      immunosuppressive therapy in suspected autoimmune encephalitis in the setting of
      immune checkpoint inhibitor use. RESULTS: Autoantibody testing confirmed
      identification of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies in the
      cerebrospinal fluid of 1 patient. Withdrawal of immune checkpoint inhibitors and
      initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, consisting of intravenous
      methylprednisolone sodium succinate equivalent to 1000 mg of methylprednisolone
      for 5 days, 0.4 mg/kg/d of intravenous immunoglobulin for 5 days, and 2 doses of
      rituximab, 1000 mg, in 1 patient and oral prednisone, 60 mg/d, in the other
      patient, resulted in improved neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Immune checkpoint inhibition may favor the development of immune responses
      against neuronal antigens, leading to autoimmune encephalitis. Early recognition
      and treatment of autoimmune encephalitis in patients receiving immune checkpoint
      blockade therapy will likely be essential for maximizing clinical recovery and
      minimizing the effect of drug-related toxic effects. The mechanisms by which
      immune checkpoint inhibition may contribute to autoimmune encephalitis require
      further study.

PMID- 27271952
TI  - Investigation of Thermal Effects of Photocoagulation on Retinal Tissue Using Fine
      Motion-Sensitive Dynamic Optical Coherence Tomography.
AB  - To enable an objective evaluation of photocoagulation, we characterize thermal
      tissue changes induced by laser irradiation with different laser parameters using
      optical coherence tomography (OCT). Spectral-domain OCT with a newly developed
      image processing method was used to monitor the thermal changes of ex vivo
      porcine retina. A sequence of OCT B-scans was obtained at the same retinal
      position simultaneously with the photocoagulation. Cross-sectional tissue
      displacement maps with respect to an OCT image taken before laser irradiation
      were computed for images taken before, during, and after laser irradiation, by
      using a correlation-based custom algorithm. Cross-sectional correlation maps (OCT
      correlation maps) were also computed from an OCT image taken before laser
      irradiation as a base-line to visualize alterations of tissue microstructure
      induced by laser irradiation. By systematically controlling laser power and
      exposure times, tissue displacements and structural changes of 200 retinal
      regions of 10 porcine eyes were characterized. Thermal tissue changes were
      characterized by B-scan images, OCT correlation maps, and tissue displacement
      maps. Larger tissue deformation was induced with higher laser power and shorter
      exposure time, while the same total laser energy (10 mJ) was applied. The
      measured tissue displacements revealed the complicated dynamics of tissue
      displacements. Three types of dynamics were observed; lateral expansion, lateral
      constriction, and a type showing more complicated dynamics. The results
      demonstrated the ability of this OCT-based method to evaluate retinal changes
      induced by laser irradiation. This evaluation could lead to further understanding
      of thermal effects, and increasing reproducibility of photocoagulation therapy. 

PMID- 27271953
TI  - The contribution of undiagnosed adrenal insufficiency to euvolaemic
      hyponatraemia: results of a large prospective single-centre study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) is the commonest
      cause of hyponatraemia. Data on SIAD are mainly derived from retrospective
      studies, often with poor ascertainment of the minimum criteria for the correct
      diagnosis. Reliable data on the incidence of adrenal failure in SIAD are
      therefore unavailable. The aim of the study was to describe the aetiology of SIAD
      and in particular to define the prevalence of undiagnosed adrenal insufficiency.
      DESIGN: Prospective, single centre, noninterventional, observational study of
      patients admitted to Beaumont Hospital with euvolaemic hyponatraemia (plasma
      sodium <= 130 mmol/l) between January 1st and October 1st 2015. PATIENTS: A total
      of 1323 admissions with hyponatraemia were prospectively evaluated; 576 had
      euvolaemic hyponatraemia, with 573 (43.4%) initially classified as SIAD. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: (i) Aetiology of SIAD, defined by diagnostic criteria; (ii)
      Incidence of adrenal insufficiency. RESULTS: Central nervous system diseases were
      the commonest cause of SIAD (n = 148, 26%) followed by pulmonary diseases (n =
      111, 19%), malignancy (n = 105, 18%) and drugs (n = 47, 8%). A total of 22
      patients (3.8%), initially diagnosed as SIAD, were reclassified as secondary
      adrenal insufficiency on the basis of cortisol measurements and clinical
      presentation; 9/22 cases had undiagnosed hypopituitarism; 13/22 patients had
      secondary adrenal insufficiency due to exogenous steroid administration.
      CONCLUSIONS: In a large, prospective and well-defined cohort of euvolaemic
      hyponatraemia, undiagnosed secondary adrenal insufficiency co-occurred in 3.8% of
      cases initially diagnosed as SIAD. Undiagnosed pituitary disease was responsible
      for 1.5% of cases presenting as euvolaemic hyponatraemia.

PMID- 27271954
TI  - Ethnic Disparities in Blood Pressure: A Population-based Study.
AB  - Taiwan's indigenous population exhibits a higher mortality of cardiovascular
      disease, but current research has not reported any associations among ethnicities
      on the blood pressure (BP). We randomly selected representative samples in this
      population-based study. We measured height, weight, hip and waist circumferences,
      and blood pressure in a screening survey. Systolic BP and diastolic BP were
      significantly higher in the indigenous population. Among women, prevalence rates
      of DBP > 90 mmHg among indigenes (32.9 %) were significantly high than those in
      Han Chinese (17.4 %). Based on multivariate analysis adjusted for covariates, the
      results showed gender and ethnicity to be significantly correlated with systolic
      and diastolic BP. Gender was a modifier between ethnicity and BP. Furthermore, we
      found an additive effect between ethnicity and age on systolic and diastolic BP
      by gender. Our study showed independent additive effects on systolic BP and
      diastolic BP between ethnicity and age by gender.

PMID- 27271955
TI  - Indigenous Adolescents' Suicidal Behaviors and Risk Factors: Evidence from the
      National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
AB  - The study sought to examine indigenous adolescents' suicidal behaviors and risk
      factors in a nationally representative sample and explore potential causes of
      disparities. The study analyzed the 1991-2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey National
      Combined Datasets. Suicidal behavior outcomes included suicide consideration,
      planning, and attempts during the past 12 months. Logit regressions were used to
      estimate the effects of potential suicide risk factors on these suicidal
      behaviors. The results showed that a high percentage of indigenous adolescents
      exhibited suicidal behaviors (consideration: 24.6 %; planning: 20.7 %; attempts:
      16.2 %). After adjusting for risk factors, indigenous adolescents were no more
      likely than other adolescents to consider or plan for suicide (consideration: OR
      1.18, CI 0.96-1.45, p = 0.125; planning: OR 1.16, CI 0.95-1.42, p = 0.156);
      however, they remained significantly more likely to have made suicide attempts
      (OR 1.73, CI 1.32-2.26, p < 0.001). Disparities in adolescent suicidal behaviors
      could be explained by the heterogeneous prevalence of suicidal risk factors
      across different races/ethnicities.

PMID- 27271956
TI  - Distribution of IL28B Polymorphism in a Cohort of Italians and Immigrants with
      HCV Infection: Association with Viraemia, Stage of Fibrosis and Response to
      Treatment.
AB  - Aims of the study are to investigate, in a cohort of patients affected by HCV
      chronic hepatitis with genotypes 1 and 4, the prevalence of interleukin 28B
      (IL28B) genotypes, the possible association between IL28B polymorphism and
      severity of liver damage, the role of IL28B CC as a predictor of outcome. 365
      patients with HCV infection were observed between 2013 and 2014. Demographic,
      virological, biochemical, and genetic characteristics of each patient were
      investigated. Liver fibrosis was assessed by transient elastometry. Mean age of
      the patients (72.9 % males, 27.1 % females) is 50 years. 91.5 % % of patients are
      Caucasian, 8.5 % African. In the patients with HCV1 and HCV4 a higher frequency
      of IL28B CT is observed with a prevalence of 52.1 and 61.8 % respectively. As
      regards ethnic group, African people have a prevalence of 35.5 % for CC, while
      Caucasians have a prevalence of 23.8 % for CC. In our cohort, IL28B polymorphism
      does not show significant differences among ethnic groups and in HCV1 and HCV4
      genotypes. As described in literature, IL28B CC genotype is confirmed as
      predictor of sustained virological response in both Caucasians and Africans. A
      significant correlation between liver fibrosis and IL28B polymorphism emerges.

PMID- 27271957
TI  - Wavelength-selective orbital angular momentum generation based on a plasmonic
      metasurface.
AB  - Nanoapertures with space-variant geometries are designed in a gold thin film to
      construct an ultrathin plasmonic metasurface, which has been demonstrated both
      numerically and experimentally to selectively generate and focus orbital angular
      momentum (OAM) beams with different topological charges at the wavelengths of 930
      nm and 766 nm, respectively. Moreover, the interference patterns between the
      different circularly polarized transmission light were used to confirm the
      topological charges unambiguously. The agreement between the simulated and
      measured results suggests that the metasurface of wavelength-selective OAM modes
      may have potential applications in future optical communication systems. 

PMID- 27271959
TI  - The 6-Item Cognitive Impairment Test as a bedside screening for dementia in
      general hospital patients: results of the General Hospital Study (GHoSt).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric quality of
      the 6-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) as a bedside screening for the
      detection of dementia in general hospital patients. METHOD: Participants (N =
      1,440) were inpatients aged >=65 of 33 randomly selected general hospitals in
      Southern Germany. The 6CIT was conducted at bedside, and dementia was diagnosed
      according to DSM-IV. Nursing staff was asked to rate the patients' cognitive
      status, and previous diagnoses of dementia were extracted from medical records.
      Completion rates and validity statistics were calculated. RESULTS: Two-hundred
      seventy patients had dementia. Cases with delirium but no dementia were excluded.
      Feasibility was 97.9% and 83.3% for patients without and with dementia,
      respectively, and decreased from moderate (93.8%) to severe dementia (53%). The
      area under the curve of the 6CIT was 0.98. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy,
      positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for the
      cutoffs 7/8 (0.96, 0.82, 0.85, 0.52, 0.99) and 10/11 (0.88, 0.95, 0.94, 0.76,
      0.98). The nurse ratings and medical records information had lower validity
      statistics. Logistic regression analyses revealed that the 6CIT statistically
      significantly provided information above nurse ratings and medical records.
      Twenty-five and 37 additional patients were correctly classified by the 7/8 and
      10/11 cutoffs, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 6CIT is a feasible and valid
      screening tool for the detection of dementia in older general hospital patients.
      The 6CIT outperformed the nurse ratings of cognitive status and dementia
      diagnoses from medical records, suggesting that standardized screening may have
      benefits with regard to case finding. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27271958
TI  - Quantification methods for human and large animal leukocytes using DNA dyes by
      flow cytometry.
AB  - Ovine and bovine blood is used heavily within the development of blood-handling
      medical devices, such as heart pumps (left ventricular assist devices, LVADs),
      for which blood cell damage needs to be monitored during in vitro testing.
      Hematology analyzers provide cell counts but no information about cell viability.
      The anthraquinone DNA dyes CyTRAK OrangeTM and DRAQ7TM have practical and
      spectral properties rendering them suitable for multicolor assays. Compared to
      other DNA dyes such as Vybrant Dyecycle, CyTRAK Orange enables a faster staining
      protocol and does not require incubation at +37 degrees C. Compared to
      traditional viability dyes such as propidium iodide and 7AAD, DRAQ7's unique
      spectral profile of excitation in both blue and red lasers and far-red emission
      enables identification of dual positive dead cell events and frees up detectors
      for use with other reagents. CyTRAK Orange and DRAQ7 could be used in combination
      with absolute counting bead standards to provide cell counts and viability but
      the combination of these dyes has previously only been used for microscopy on
      rodent cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of these dyes in
      combination in large animal blood samples for flow cytometry. A viability and
      cell counting protocol for bovine, ovine, and human leukocytes using CyTRAK
      Orange and DRAQ7 was prepared. Four different counting bead standards were
      evaluated using the Navios and FACSAria cytometers and compared to counts
      obtained from hematology analyzers. CyTRAK Orange successfully detected CD45(+)
      leukocytes in all species. The DRAQ7 single-stained dead cell counts correlated
      well with the CyTRAK Orange/DRAQ7 double-stained dead cell counts in human and
      bovine blood, but not in ovine blood, which could be related to the blood source.
      In conclusion, for human and bovine blood, this method works well for viability
      counts using different flow cytometers and bead standards. (c) 2016 International
      Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

PMID- 27271960
TI  - Booster dose vaccination for preventing hepatitis B.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) wane over time
      following hepatitis B immunisation; hence, it is unclear whether people
      vaccinated in three-dose or four-dose schedules of the hepatitis B vaccine are
      still immune when the hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) level in their body
      is undetectable, or lower than the level usually considered protective. This
      question may potentially be answered indirectly by measuring the anamnestic
      immune response to a booster dose of vaccine. The term 'booster' (or
      revaccination) refers to an additional dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) given
      some time post-primary vaccination to induce immune memory and improve protection
      against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and
      harms of booster dose hepatitis B vaccination, more than five years after the
      primary vaccination, for preventing HBV infection in healthy individuals
      previously vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine, and with hepatitis B surface
      antibody (anti-HBs) levels below 10 mIU/mL. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the
      Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index
      Expanded, conference databases, and reference lists of articles to January 2016.
      We also contacted authors of articles. In addition, we searched
      ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical
      Trials Registry Platform for ongoing trials (May 2016). SELECTION CRITERIA:
      Randomised clinical trials addressing anamnestic immune response to a booster
      dose of hepatitis B vaccine, more than five years after the primary vaccination,
      in apparently healthy participants, vaccinated in a three-dose or four-dose
      schedule of the hepatitis B vaccine during the primary vaccination, without
      receiving an additional dose or immunoglobulin. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
      Both review authors decided if the identified studies met the inclusion criteria
      or not. Primary outcomes included the proportion of participants with anamnestic
      immune response in non-protected participants and signs of HBV infection.
      Secondary outcomes were the proportion of participants that developed local and
      systemic adverse events following a booster dose injection. We planned to report
      the weighted proportion with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). MAIN RESULTS: There
      were no eligible randomised clinical trials fulfilling the inclusion criteria of
      this review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to include any randomised
      clinical trials on the topic; only randomised clinical trials will be able to
      provide an answer as to whether a booster dose vaccination is able to protect
      against hepatitis B infection.

PMID- 27271961
TI  - Atrophy of the tongue following complete versus partial hypoglossal nerve
      transection in a canine model.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The hypoglossal nerve (XII) has been used as a donor nerve
      in facial and laryngeal reinnervation. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate the neuromuscular changes that occur within the tongue following
      partial or complete transection of XII using a canine model. STUDY DESIGN:
      Histopathological comparison of tongue denervation following two types of XII
      resection in a canine model. METHODS: Ten adult canines underwent complete
      unilateral resection of XII or resection of only the medial terminal branch of
      the hypoglossal nerve (mXII). After 6 months of recovery, tongue specimens were
      analyzed histopathologically using whole cross-sections. Routine histologic
      sections were assessed by two neuropathologists blinded to the type of
      denervation. The cross-sectional area was calculated of both sides of the tongue,
      and the amount of myosin was quantified morphometrically using
      immunohistochemistry for myosin (antimyosin heavy chain, fast isotype).
      Statistical comparison between partial and complete denervation was performed
      using the Student t test. RESULTS: Six months following XII transection,
      quantitative measures of the cross-sectional area of the tongue and content of
      myosin demonstrated severe muscle atrophy on the operated side of the tongue for
      both groups, compared to the nonoperated side. For partial transection involving
      only mXII, the degree of atrophy was less severe (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This
      study provides new histological information demonstrating that partial resection
      of the hypoglossal nerve, sacrificing only the proximal medial branch of the
      hypoglossal nerve (mXII), results in less severe atrophy of the tongue than
      complete transection of the entire hypoglossal nerve. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA
      Laryngoscope, 126:2689-2693, 2016.

PMID- 27271962
TI  - Complexity and Specificity of the Neutrophil Transcriptomes in Juvenile
      Idiopathic Arthritis.
AB  - NIH projects such as ENCODE and Roadmap Epigenomics have revealed surprising
      complexity in the transcriptomes of mammalian cells. In this study, we explored
      transcriptional complexity in human neutrophils, cells generally regarded as
      nonspecific in their functions and responses. We studied distinct human disease
      phenotypes and found that, at the gene, gene isoform, and miRNA level,
      neutrophils exhibit considerable specificity in their transcriptomes. Thus, even
      cells whose responses are considered non-specific show tailoring of their
      transcriptional repertoire toward specific physiologic or pathologic contexts. We
      also found that miRNAs had a global impact on neutrophil transcriptome and are
      associated with innate immunity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). These
      findings have important implications for our understanding of the link between
      genes, non-coding transcripts and disease phenotypes.

PMID- 27271963
TI  - Coherent commensurate electronic states at the interface between misoriented
      graphene layers.
AB  - Graphene and layered materials in general exhibit rich physics and application
      potential owing to their exceptional electronic properties, which arise from the
      intricate pi-orbital coupling and the symmetry breaking in twisted bilayer
      systems. Here, we report room-temperature experiments to study electrical
      transport across a bilayer graphene interface with a well-defined rotation angle
      between the layers that is controllable in situ. This twisted interface is
      artificially created in mesoscopic pillars made of highly oriented pyrolytic
      graphite by mechanical actuation. The overall measured angular dependence of the
      conductivity is consistent with a phonon-assisted transport mechanism that
      preserves the electron momentum of conduction electrons passing the interface.
      The most intriguing observations are sharp conductivity peaks at interlayer
      rotation angles of 21.8 degrees  and 38.2 degrees . These angles correspond to a
      commensurate crystalline superstructure leading to a coherent two-dimensional
      (2D) electronic interface state. Such states, predicted by theory, form the basis
      for a new class of 2D weakly coupled bilayer systems with hitherto unexplored
      properties and applications.

PMID- 27271964
TI  - High-speed atomic force microscopy shows that annexin V stabilizes membranes on
      the second timescale.
AB  - Annexins are abundant cytoplasmic proteins that can bind to negatively charged
      phospholipids in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, and are known to play a role in the
      storage of Ca(2+) and membrane healing. Little is known, however, about the
      dynamic processes of protein-Ca(2+)-membrane assembly and disassembly. Here we
      show that high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) can be used to repeatedly
      induce and disrupt annexin assemblies and study their structure, dynamics and
      interactions. Our HS-AFM set-up is adapted for such biological applications
      through the integration of a pumping system for buffer exchange and a pulsed
      laser system for uncaging caged compounds. We find that biochemically identical
      annexins (annexin V) display different effective Ca(2+) and membrane affinities
      depending on the assembly location, providing a wide Ca(2+) buffering regime
      while maintaining membrane stabilization. We also show that annexin is membrane
      recruited and forms stable supramolecular assemblies within ~5 s in conditions
      that are comparable to a membrane lesion in a cell. Molecular dynamics
      simulations provide atomic detail of the role played by Ca(2+) in the reversible
      binding of annexin to the membrane surface.

PMID- 27271965
TI  - Spatial metrology of dopants in silicon with exact lattice site precision.
AB  - Scaling of Si-based nanoelectronics has reached the regime where device function
      is affected not only by the presence of individual dopants, but also by their
      positions in the crystal. Determination of the precise dopant location is an
      unsolved problem in applications from channel doping in ultrascaled transistors
      to quantum information processing. Here, we establish a metrology combining low
      temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) imaging and a comprehensive
      quantum treatment of the dopant-STM system to pinpoint the exact coordinates of
      the dopant in the Si crystal. The technique is underpinned by the observation
      that STM images contain atomic-sized features in ordered patterns that are highly
      sensitive to the STM tip orbital and the absolute dopant lattice site. The
      demonstrated ability to determine the locations of P and As dopants to 5 nm
      depths will provide critical information for the design and optimization of
      nanoscale devices for classical and quantum computing applications.

PMID- 27271966
TI  - Transmission of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease and Its Potential Driving Factors in
      Hong Kong.
AB  - Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood disease with substantial
      disease burden in Asia. Mixed results were reported on the associations between
      HFMD incidence and meteorological factors or school holidays, while limited
      studies focused on their association on transmissibility. We aimed to measure the
      transmissibility of HFMD and to examine its potential driving factors in Hong
      Kong. A likelihood-based procedure was used to estimate time-dependent effective
      reproduction number (Rt) based on weekly number of HFMD-associated
      hospitalizations from 2010 to 2014. The associations of between-year effects,
      depletion of susceptibles, absolute humidity and school holidays with Rt were
      examined using linear regression. Rt usually started increasing between early
      spring and summer and peaked in April to May at around 1.1-1.2, followed by a
      slight rebound in autumn. Depletion of susceptibles and between-years effects
      explained most of the variances (19 and 13% respectively) in Rt. We found a
      negative association between depletion of susceptibles and Rt (coefficients
      ranged from -0.14 to -0.03 for different years), but the estimated effects of
      absolute humidity and school holidays were insignificant. Overall, HFMD
      transmission was moderate in Hong Kong and was mainly associated with depletion
      of susceptibles. Limited impact was suggested from meteorological factors and
      school holidays.

PMID- 27271967
TI  - Long-Term Prophylactic Antibiotic Treatment: Effects on Survival,
      Immunocompetence and Reproduction Success of Parasemia plantaginis (Lepidoptera:
      Erebidae).
AB  - Hundreds of insect species are nowadays reared under laboratory conditions.
      Rearing of insects always implicates the risk of diseases, among which microbial
      infections are the most frequent and difficult problems. Although there are
      effective prophylactic treatments, the side effects of applied antibiotics are
      not well understood. We examined the effect of prophylactic antibiotic treatment
      on the overwintering success of wood tiger moth (Parasemia plantaginis) larvae,
      and the postdiapause effect on their life-history traits. Four weeks before
      hibernation larvae were treated with a widely used antibiotic (fumagillin). We
      monitored moths' survival and life-history traits during the following 10 mo, and
      compared them to those of untreated control larvae. Prophylactic antibiotic
      treatment had no effect on survival but we show effects on some life-history
      traits by decreasing the developmental time of treated larvae. However, we also
      revealed relevant negative effects, as antibiotic treated individuals show a
      decreased number of laid eggs and also furthermore a suppressed immunocompetence.
      These results implicate, that a prophylactic medication can also lead to negative
      effects on life-history traits and reproductive success, which should be
      seriously taken in consideration when applying a prophylactic treatment to
      laboratory reared insect populations. 

PMID- 27271968
TI  - Non-Nutritive Polyol Sweeteners Differ in Insecticidal Activity When Ingested by
      Adult Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae).
AB  - Previous work showed the non-nutritive polyol sweetener Erythritol was toxic when
      ingested by Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen, 1930). This study assessed whether
      insect toxicity is a general property of polyols. Among tested compounds,
      toxicity was highest for erythritol. Adult fruit flies (D. melanogaster) fed
      erythritol had reduced longevity relative to controls. Other polyols did not
      reduce longevity; the only exception was a weaker but significant reduction of
      female (but not male) longevity when flies were fed D-mannitol. We conclude at
      least some non-nutritive polyols are not toxic to adult D. melanogaster when
      ingested for 17 days. The longer time course (relative to erythritol) and female
      specificity of D-mannitol mortality suggests different mechanisms for D-mannitol
      and erythritol toxicity to D. melanogaster. 

PMID- 27271969
TI  - Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Bark and Ambrosia Beetles in a Brazilian Tropical
      Dry Forest.
AB  - Bark and the ambrosia beetles dig into host plants and live most of their lives
      in concealed tunnels. We assessed beetle community dynamics in tropical dry
      forest sites in early, intermediate, and late successional stages, evaluating the
      influence of resource availability and seasonal variations in guild structure. We
      collected a total of 763 beetles from 23 species, including 14 bark beetle
      species, and 9 ambrosia beetle species. Local richness of bark and ambrosia
      beetles was estimated at 31 species. Bark and ambrosia composition was similar
      over the successional stages gradient, and beta diversity among sites was
      primarily determined by species turnover, mainly in the bark beetle community.
      Bark beetle richness and abundance were higher at intermediate stages;
      availability of wood was the main spatial mechanism. Climate factors were
      effectively non-seasonal. Ambrosia beetles were not influenced by successional
      stages, however the increase in wood resulted in increased abundance. We found
      higher richness at the end of the dry and wet seasons, and abundance increased
      with air moisture and decreased with higher temperatures and greater rainfall. In
      summary, bark beetle species accumulation was higher at sites with better wood
      production, while the needs of fungi (host and air moisture), resulted in a
      favorable conditions for species accumulation of ambrosia. The overall biological
      pattern among guilds differed from tropical rain forests, showing patterns
      similar to dry forest areas. 

PMID- 27271970
TI  - Molecular Characterization of Two Fatty Acyl-CoA Reductase Genes From Phenacoccus
      solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).
AB  - Fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FARs) are key enzymes involved in fatty alcohol
      synthesis. Here, we cloned and characterized full-length cDNAs of two FAR genes
      from the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis. The results showed PsFAR I and
      PsFAR II cDNAs were 1,584 bp and 1,515 bp in length respectively. Both PsFAR I
      and PsFAR II were predicted to be located in the endoplasmic reticulum by Euk
      mPLoc 2.0 approach. Both of them had a Rossmann folding region and a FAR_C
      region. Two conservative motifs were discovered in Rossmann folding region by
      sequence alignment including a NADPH combining motif, TGXXGG, and an active site
      motif, YXXXK. A phylogenetic tree made using MEGA 6.06 indicated that PsFAR I and
      PsFAR II were placed in two different branches. Gene expression analysis
      performed at different developmental stages showed that the expression of PsFar I
      is significantly higher than that of PsFar II in first and second instar nymphs
      and in male adults. Spirotetramat treatment at 125 mg/liter significantly
      increased the expression of PsFar I in third instar nymphs, but there was no
      effect in the expression of PsFar II Our results indicated these two FAR genes
      showed different expression patterns during insect development and after
      pesticide treatment, suggesting they play different roles in insect development
      and detoxification against pesticides. 

PMID- 27271971
TI  - Selection of Valid Reference Genes for Reverse Transcription Quantitative PCR
      Analysis in Heliconius numata (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).
AB  - Identifying the genetic basis of adaptive variation is challenging in non-model
      organisms and quantitative real time PCR. is a useful tool for validating
      predictions regarding the expression of candidate genes. However, comparing
      expression levels in different conditions requires rigorous experimental design
      and statistical analyses. Here, we focused on the neotropical passion-vine
      butterflies Heliconius, non-model species studied in evolutionary biology for
      their adaptive variation in wing color patterns involved in mimicry and in the
      signaling of their toxicity to predators. We aimed at selecting stable reference
      genes to be used for normalization of gene expression data in RT-qPCR analyses
      from developing wing discs according to the minimal guidelines described in
      Minimum Information for publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments
      (MIQE). To design internal RT-qPCR controls, we studied the stability of
      expression of nine candidate reference genes (actin, annexin, eF1alpha, FK506BP,
      PolyABP, PolyUBQ, RpL3, RPS3A, and tubulin) at two developmental stages (prepupal
      and pupal) using three widely used programs (GeNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper).
      Results showed that, despite differences in statistical methods, genes RpL3,
      eF1alpha, polyABP, and annexin were stably expressed in wing discs in late larval
      and pupal stages of Heliconius numata This combination of genes may be used as a
      reference for a reliable study of differential expression in wings for instance
      for genes involved in important phenotypic variation, such as wing color pattern
      variation. Through this example, we provide general useful technical
      recommendations as well as relevant statistical strategies for evolutionary
      biologists aiming to identify candidate-genes involved adaptive variation in non
      model organisms. 

PMID- 27271972
TI  - Western Pacific hydroclimate linked to global climate variability over the past
      two millennia.
AB  - Interdecadal modes of tropical Pacific ocean-atmosphere circulation have a strong
      influence on global temperature, yet the extent to which these phenomena
      influence global climate on multicentury timescales is still poorly known. Here
      we present a 2,000-year, multiproxy reconstruction of western Pacific
      hydroclimate from two speleothem records for southeastern Indonesia. The
      composite record shows pronounced shifts in monsoon rainfall that are antiphased
      with precipitation records for East Asia and the central-eastern equatorial
      Pacific. These meridional and zonal patterns are best explained by a poleward
      expansion of the Australasian Intertropical Convergence Zone and weakening of the
      Pacific Walker circulation (PWC) between ~1000 and 1500 CE Conversely, an
      equatorward contraction of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and strengthened
      PWC occurred between ~1500 and 1900 CE. Our findings, together with climate model
      simulations, highlight the likelihood that century-scale variations in tropical
      Pacific climate modes can significantly modulate radiatively forced shifts in
      global temperature.

PMID- 27271973
TI  - Combining lymphovascular invasion with reactive stromal grade predicts prostate
      cancer mortality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that lymphovascular invasion (LVI) has a
      weak and variable effect on prognosis. It is uncertain whether LVI, determined by
      diagnostic prostate biopsy, predicts prostate cancer death. Data from
      experimental studies have indicated that carcinoma-associated fibroblasts in the
      reactive stroma could promote LVI and progression to metastasis. Thus, combining
      LVI with reactive stromal grade may identify prostate cancer patients at high
      risk of an unfavorable outcome. The purpose of the present study was to examine
      if LVI, determined by diagnostic biopsy, alone and in combination with reactive
      stromal grade could predict prostate cancer death. METHODS: This population-based
      study included 283 patients with prostate cancer diagnosed by needle biopsy in
      Aust-Agder County (Norway) from 1991 to 1999. Clinical data were obtained by
      medical charts review. Two uropathologists evaluated LVI and reactive stromal
      grade. The endpoint was prostate cancer death. RESULTS: Patients with LVI had
      marginally higher risk of prostate cancer death compared to patients without LVI
      (hazard ratio: 1.8, P-value = 0.04). LVI had a stronger effect on prostate cancer
      death risk when a high reactive stromal grade was present (hazard ratio: 16.0, P
      value <0.001). Therefore, patients with concomitant LVI and high reactive stromal
      grade were at particularly high risk for prostate cancer death. CONCLUSIONS:
      Evaluating LVI together with reactive stromal grade on diagnostic biopsies could
      be used to identify patients at high risk of death from prostate cancer. Prostate
      76:1088-1094, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27271975
TI  - Author's reply to 'Rickettsia retinitis cases in India: a few comments'.
AB  - Diagnosis of rickettsial retinitis remains presumptive when gold standard tests
      are not available or not done due to financial constrains. History of tick bite
      followed by fever with skin rash particularly in winter and spring season may
      point towards Rickettsiosis. The absence of scarring post resolution of
      rickettsial retinitis suggests inner retinal involvement in contrast to
      toxoplasmosis. Bilaterality of the disease, 2-4 weeks of latent period, and
      multifocal nature of retinitis lesions (cotton wool spot-like lesions) especially
      around the disc and posterior pole may suggest an immune response to recent
      systemic infection. The use of only antibiotics or only steroids or both together
      for treatment of rickettsial retinitis is controversial and warrants randomized
      controlled trials. 

PMID- 27271974
TI  - Fluorescent Mechanism-Based Probe for Aerobic Flavin-Dependent Enzyme Activity.
AB  - Diversity in non-ribosomal peptide and polyketide secondary metabolism is
      facilitated by interactions between biosynthetic domains with discrete monomer
      loading and their cognate tailoring enzymes, such as oxidation or halogenation
      enzymes. The cooperation between peptidyl carrier proteins and flavin-dependent
      enzymes offers a specialized strategy for monomer selectivity for oxidization of
      small molecules from within a complex cellular milieu. In an effort to study this
      process, we have developed fluorescent probes to selectively label aerobic flavin
      dependent enzymes. Here we report the preparation and implementation of these
      tools to label oxidase, monooxygenase, and halogenase flavin-dependent enzymes.

PMID- 27271976
TI  - How could analyzing the activity of two matrix metalloproteinases unveil the
      cause of sudden cardiac death.
AB  - Sudden cardiac death is natural, unexpected death, related to cardiovascular
      disease. Its postmortem elucidation is significant, as the family of the deceased
      aspires to prevent other sudden deaths. Irrespective of the proper etiological
      entity, the myocardial collagen matrix remodels, associated with the progression
      of cardiovascular diseases. It has become evident that many mediators such as
      humoral factors, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 among them, are involved
      in the remodeling process. Cardiac remodeling is the balance of regenerative and
      eliminatory processes that include enzymes involved in the degradation of
      extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Enzymes capable of degrading native
      fibrillar collagen are interstitial collagenases, specifically matrix
      metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and MMP-8. Here, we suggest a technique of visualizing
      turnover of collagen in cardiac tissue.

PMID- 27271978
TI  - First International Conference on Risk Perception, Communication and Ethics of
      Exposures to Ionizing Radiation (RICOMET)-special section editorial.

PMID- 27271977
TI  - Neuroprotective effect of grape seed extract against cadmium toxicity in male
      albino rats.
AB  - Cadmium toxicity can disturb brain chemistry leading to depression, anxiety, and
      weakened immunity. Cadmium disturbs the neurotransmitter dopamine, resulting in
      low energy, lack of motivation, and depression, which are predisposing factors
      for violence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect
      of grape seed extract (GSE) on the brain of 40 male albino rats after exposure to
      cadmium chloride (Cd) toxicity. The rats were separated into either the control
      group, the Cd group, the GSE group, or the GSE and Cd mixture (treated) group.
      The cerebrum showed evidence of degeneration of some nerve fibers and cells.
      Fibrosis, vacuolations, and congestion in the blood vessels were demonstrated.
      Satelletosis was located in the capsular cells. Immunohistochemical expression of
      Bax was strongly positive in the Cd group and decreased in the treated group.
      These histopathological changes were decreased in the brain tissue of the treated
      group, but a few blood vessels still had evidence of congestion. Cadmium
      administration increased the level of MDA and decreased MAO-A,
      acetylcholinesterase, and glutathione reductase (GR), while the treatment with
      GSE affected the alterations in these parameters. In addition, cadmium
      downregulated the mRNA expression levels of GST and GPx, while GSE treatment
      normalized the transcript levels. The expression of both dopamine and 5
      hydroxytryptamine transporter was downregulated in the rats administered cadmium
      and the addition of GSE normalized the expression of these aggression associated
      genes. 

PMID- 27271979
TI  - Pattern of invasion and lymphovascular invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the
      floor of the mouth: an interobserver variability study.
AB  - AIMS: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and the histological pattern of invasion
      (POI) at the invasive tumour front have been reported as adverse prognosticators
      in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, assessment of these parameters is
      hampered by variation in the criteria used for their evaluation. Our objective
      was to evaluate interobserver variability in the assessment of the POI and LVI in
      SCC of the floor of the mouth (FOM), and to study the impact of the POI on
      clinical outcomes by using varying quantitative cut-offs. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      Fifty-eight cases of FOM SCC were independently evaluated for the POI and LVI by
      three pathologists. Interobserver variability was analysed by the use of Fleiss
      kappa statistics. Interobserver agreement was substantial for the assessment of
      LVI [kappa = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-0.68]. Interobserver
      agreement was moderate for evaluation of the POI with a 50% cut-off (kappa =
      0.58, 95% CI 0.54-0.62), a 20% cut-off (kappa = 0.58, 95% CI 0.54-0.62) cut-off,
      and worst POI (kappa =0 .43, 95% CI 0.39-0.46). A consensus diagnosis of the POI
      was a significant predictor of locoregional recurrence (LRR), disease-specific
      survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) on univariate analysis when a 50% cut
      off was used (LRR, P = 0.01; DSS, P = 0.01; OS, P = 0.01) and when a 20% cut-off
      was used (LRR, P = 0.02; DSS, P = 0.02; OS, P = 0.03), but was not significant
      when worst POI was used (LRR, P = 0.18; DSS, P = 0.16; OS, P = 0.17).
      CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement in the diagnosis of LVI was substantial. The
      POI at the 50% and 20% cut-offs is moderately reproducible, and has prognostic
      value in FOM SCC. Further studies are necessary to establish the optimum
      quantitative cut-off for the POI.

PMID- 27271980
TI  - Transient autonomic responses during sustained attention in high and low fit
      young adults.
AB  - Maintaining vigilance over long periods of time is especially critical in
      performing fundamental everyday activities and highly responsible professional
      tasks (e.g., driving, performing surgery or piloting). Here, we investigated the
      role of aerobic fitness as a crucial factor related to the vigilance capacity. To
      this end, two groups of young adult participants (high-fit and low-fit) were
      compared in terms of reaction time (RT) performance and event-related heart rate
      responses in a 60' version of the psychomotor vigilance task. The results showed
      shorter RTs in high-fit participants, but only during the first 24' of the task.
      Crucially, this period of improved performance was accompanied by a decelerative
      cardiac response pattern present only in the high-fit group that also disappeared
      after the first 24'. In conclusion, high aerobic fitness was related to a pattern
      of transient autonomic responses suggestive of an attentive preparatory state
      that coincided with improved behavioural performance, and that was sustained for
      24'. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the role of the
      autonomic nervous system reactivity in the relationship between fitness and
      cognition in general, and sustained attention in particular.

PMID- 27271981
TI  - Rape Myths and the Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance
      Scale in China.
AB  - The study examines the similarities and differences between China and the United
      States with regard to rape myths. We assessed the individual level of rape myth
      acceptance among Chinese university students by adapting and translating a widely
      used measure of rape myth endorsement in the United States, the Illinois Rape
      Myth Acceptance (IRMA) scale. We assessed whether the IRMA scale would be an
      appropriate assessment of attitudes toward rape among young adults in China. The
      sample consisted of 975 Chinese university students enrolled in seven Chinese
      universities. We used explorative factor analysis to examine the factor structure
      of the Chinese translation of the IRMA scale. Results suggest that the IRMA scale
      requires some modification to be employed with young adults in China. Our
      analyses indicate that 20 items should be deleted, and a five-factor model is
      generated. We discuss relevant similarities and differences in the factor
      structure and item loadings between the Chinese Rape Myth Acceptance (CRMA) and
      the IRMA scales. A revised version of the IRMA, the CRMA, can be used as a
      resource in rape prevention services and rape victim support services. Future
      research in China that employs CRMA will allow researchers to examine whether
      individual's response to rape myth acceptance can predict rape potential and
      judgments of victim blaming and community members' acceptance of marital rape.

PMID- 27271982
TI  - Sexual Victimization and Benefit Expectations of Risky Behavior Among Female
      College Students.
AB  - Sexual victimization has been shown to positively relate to both engagement in
      risky behavior and subsequent sexual victimization. Research has focused on the
      degree to which women consider the risks or costs of engaging in risky behaviors.
      The purpose of the current study was to examine the degree to which women weigh
      the costs and benefits of engaging in risky behaviors. Using self-report data
      from 113 female undergraduates, two separate hierarchical regression analyses
      were performed to examine the contributions of number of sexual victimization
      experiences, emotion dysregulation, cost expectations of risky behavior, and
      benefit expectations of risky behavior to latency to exit a risk perception
      vignette involving a stranger and frequency of engagement in risky behavior.
      Regression analyses revealed that the full set of predictors accounted for 13% of
      the variance in latency to exit the risk perception vignette involving a
      stranger, with emotion dysregulation and benefit expectations making significant
      and independent contributions. Regression analyses revealed that the same set of
      predictors accounted for 34% of the variance in frequency of engagement in risky
      behavior, with number of sexual victimization experiences and benefit
      expectations making significant and independent contributions. The current
      findings suggest that sexual victimization risk may be influenced by perceived
      benefits of risky behavior. Implications of the current findings will be
      discussed in the context of sexual victimization risk reduction.

PMID- 27271983
TI  - Personal and Environmental Predictors of Depression Among Victims of Intimate
      Partner Violence: Comparison of Immigrant and Israeli-Born Women.
AB  - In the present study, ecological theory was used as a basis for predicting
      depression among women who survive intimate partner violence (IPV). The
      predictors examined in the study derived from three ecological systems: the
      microsystem (background variables and frequency of the violence), the ontogenic
      system (personal resources), and the mesosystem (support resources). One hundred
      twenty-five women who immigrated from the Former Soviet Union and 149 Israeli
      born Jewish women filled in questionnaires when they entered shelters for victims
      of IPV. The research findings indicate that background variables, including
      immigration, did not contribute significantly to the women's depression.
      Frequency of violence contributed slightly to depression, whereas the women's
      sense of mastery and social support contributed most significantly. The results
      highlight the need to strengthen these resources when women are in shelters, and
      to conduct further research to determine whether these results also hold true for
      women who receive services for prevention of violence in the community.

PMID- 27271984
TI  - Giant reversible anisotropy changes at room temperature in a
      (La,Sr)MnO3/Pb(Mg,Nb,Ti)O3 magneto-electric heterostructure.
AB  - In a model artificial multiferroic system consisting of a (011)-oriented
      ferroelectric Pb(Mg,Nb,Ti)O3 substrate intimately coupled to an epitaxial
      ferromagnetic (La,Sr)MnO3 film, electric field pulse sequences of less than 6
      kV/cm induce large, reversible, and bistable remanent strains. The magnetic
      anisotropy symmetry reversibly switches from a highly anisotropic two-fold state
      to a more isotropic one, with concomitant changes in resistivity. Anisotropy
      changes at the scale of a single ferromagnetic domain were measured using X-ray
      microscopy, with electric-field dependent magnetic domain reversal showing that
      the energy barrier for magnetization reversal is drastically lowered. Free energy
      calculations confirm this barrier lowering by up to 70% due to the anisotropic
      strain changes generated by the substrate. Thus, we demonstrate that an electric
      field pulse can be used to 'set' and 'reset' the magnetic anisotropy orientation
      and resistive state in the film, as well as to lower the magnetization reversal
      barrier, showing a promising route towards electric-field manipulation of
      multifunctional nanostructures at room temperature.

PMID- 27271985
TI  - Aneurysm of the cranial mesenteric artery as a site of carriage of Salmonella
      enterica subsp. enterica serovar Abortusequi in the horse.
AB  - Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Abortusequi is a pathogen restricted
      to horses. Our investigation targeted 4 draft horses (9-10 months old) kept on a
      Japanese farm that had suffered an outbreak of S. Abortusequi abortion. The 4
      horses were suspected to be carriers of the bacterium owing to their high
      agglutination titers (>=1:2,560) in tube agglutination testing. The owners' on
      farm observations confirmed that the horses had no apparent abnormalities, and S.
      Abortusequi was not isolated from their blood, rectal swabs, or sternal bone
      marrow fluid at antemortem investigation. However, at autopsy, all horses
      displayed the following: suppurative aneurysm of the cranial mesenteric artery
      with heavy infection with Strongylus vulgaris larvae; heavy intestinal parasitic
      infection with Gasterophilus intestinalis, Parascaris equorum, Anoplocephala
      perfoliata, and S. vulgaris; and enlargement of the systemic lymph nodes. In each
      case, large numbers of S. Abortusequi were isolated from the anterior mesenteric
      artery thrombus. The thrombus isolates harbored a single virulence plasmid, and
      the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles of the isolates were identical not
      only to each other but also to those of Japanese enzootic strains of S.
      Abortusequi. These results reveal that parasitic aneurysms of the cranial
      mesenteric artery should be considered an important possible site of carriage of
      S. Abortusequi in horses. The results also suggest high clonality of the isolated
      serovar in the horse population in Japan. 

PMID- 27271986
TI  - Cutaneous pythiosis in a donkey (Equus asinus) in Brazil.
AB  - Our study describes the clinical, epidemiologic, pathologic, immunohistochemical,
      and molecular aspects PCR of a case of cutaneous pythiosis in a donkey (Equus
      asinus) from Brazil. During a dry period, the animal grazed for 4 months around a
      pond where the vegetation remained green. Skin lesions were nodular, multifocal,
      and disseminated, mainly involving the legs, ventral chest, and mammary gland. On
      cut surface, there were multifocal to coalescent discrete yellow foci, and
      occasional small cavitations with a few kunkers. Ulcerative nodular
      pyogranulomatous and eosinophilic dermatitis with folliculitis and furunculosis
      were observed histologically. Hyphae were observed in sections stained with
      Gomori methenamine silver. Immunohistochemistry with Pythium insidiosum
      antibodies yielded strong immunostaining of hyphae. P. insidiosum DNA was
      extracted from tissues in paraffin blocks by amplification of a fragment of 105
      bp, which targets the 5.8S ribosomal gene. After the diagnosis of pythiosis, the
      larger skin lesions were excised and treated as second intention healing wounds,
      which were completely healed 30 days after resection. Small skin lesions
      regressed spontaneously in ~60 days. The granulomatous inflammation and outcome
      of the disease in this donkey were similar to cases of pythiosis in cattle. 

PMID- 27271987
TI  - Neuro-Modulation of Immuno-Endocrine Response Induced by Kaliotoxin of
      Androctonus Scorpion Venom.
AB  - Kaliotoxin (KTX), a specific blocker of potassium channels, exerts various toxic
      effects due to its action on the central nervous system. Its use in experimental
      model could help the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms
      involved in the neuropathological processes related to potassium channel
      dysfunctions. In this study, the ability of KTX to stimulate neuro-immuno
      endocrine axis was investigated. As results, the intracerebroventricular
      injection of KTX leads to severe structural-functional alterations of both
      hypothalamus and thyroid. These alterations were characterized by a massive
      release of hormones' markers of thyroid function associated with damaged tissue
      which was infiltrated by inflammatory cell and an imbalanced redox status. Taken
      together, these data highlight that KTX is able to modulate the neuro-endocrine
      response after binding to its targets leading to the hypothalamus and the thyroid
      stimulation, probably by inflammatory response activation and the installation of
      oxidative stress in these organs.

PMID- 27271988
TI  - Cytosolic DNA Sensor Upregulation Accompanies DNA Electrotransfer in B16.F10
      Melanoma Cells.
AB  - In several preclinical tumor models, antitumor effects occur after intratumoral
      electroporation, also known as electrotransfer, of plasmid DNA devoid of a
      therapeutic gene. In mouse melanomas, these effects are preceded by significant
      elevation of several proinflammatory cytokines. These observations implicate the
      binding and activation of intracellular DNA-specific pattern recognition
      receptors or DNA sensors in response to DNA electrotransfer. In tumors, IFNbeta
      mRNA and protein levels significantly increased. The mRNAs of several DNA sensors
      were detected, and DAI, DDX60, and p204 tended to be upregulated. These effects
      were accompanied with reduced tumor growth and increased tumor necrosis. In
      B16.F10 cells in culture, IFNbeta mRNA and protein levels were significantly
      upregulated. The mRNAs for several DNA sensors were present in these cells; DNA
      dependent activator of interferon regulatory factor (DAI), DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp)
      box polypeptide 60 (DDX60), and p204 were significantly upregulated while DDX60
      protein levels were coordinately upregulated. Upregulation of DNA sensors in
      tumors could be masked by the lower transfection efficiency compared to in vitro
      or to dilution by other tumor cell types. Mirroring the observation of tumor
      necrosis, cells underwent a significant DNA concentration-dependent decrease in
      proliferation and survival. Taken together, these results indicate that DNA
      electrotransfer may cause the upregulation of several intracellular DNA sensors
      in B16.F10 cells, inducing effects in vitro and potentially in vivo. 

PMID- 27271989
TI  - Serum microRNA panels as potential biomarkers for early detection of
      hepatocellular carcinoma on top of HCV infection.
AB  - The identification of new high-sensitivity and high-specificity markers for
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is essential. We aimed at identifying serum
      microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers for early detection of HCC on top
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We investigated serum expression of 13 miRNAs
      in 384 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease (192 with HCC, 96 with
      liver cirrhosis (LC), and 96 with chronic hepatitis C (CHC)) in addition to 96
      healthy participants enrolled as a control group. The miRNA expression was
      performed using real-time quantitative PCR-based SYBR Green custom miRNA arrays.
      The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to
      evaluate the diagnostic performance of miRNA panels for early detection of HCC.
      Using miRNA panel of miR-122, miR-885-5p, and miR-29b with alpha fetoprotein
      (AFP) provided high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 1) for early detection of HCC in
      normal population while using miRNA panel of miR-122, miR-885-5p, miR-221, and
      miR-22 with AFP provided high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.982) for early
      detection of HCC in LC patients. However, using miRNA panel of miR-22 and miR
      199a-3p with AFP provided high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.988) for early
      detection of HCC in CHC patients. We identified serum miRNA panels that could
      have a considerable clinical use in early detection of HCC in both normal
      population and high-risk patients.

PMID- 27271990
TI  - High alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is associated with ERG expression and
      with adverse clinical outcome in patients with localized prostate cancer.
AB  - Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is a well-characterized marker extensively
      utilized in prostate cancer (PCA) diagnosis. However, the prognostic value of
      AMACR expression and its relation to TMPRSS2-ERG gene rearrangement as one of the
      most common molecular alterations in PCA is not fully explored. AMACR expression
      was investigated in a cohort of 218 men with localized PCA treated by radical
      prostatectomy and correlated with ERG and various clinical and pathological
      parameters. In vitro studies assessed AMACR changes to ERG knockdown and other
      related genes. In addition, bioinformatics validated the significance of
      AMACR/ERG expression and assessed relevant genetic signatures in relation to
      AMACR/ERG expression. AMACR expression was significantly associated with disease
      progression and with ERG (p ~0). Seventeen percent of cancer foci showed
      negative/weak AMACR expression while being ERG positive. High AMACR expression
      was significantly associated with positive surgical margins (p = 0.01),
      specifically in tumors with lower Gleason score <7, with ~95 % exhibiting
      positive surgical margin (p = 0.008). High AMACR showed marginal association with
      PSA biochemical recurrence (BCR) (p = 0.06) which was slightly more pronounced in
      ERG-positive tumors (p = 0.04). This was validated in other public cohorts.
      However, in this cohort, the association with BCR was not statistically
      significant in multivariate analysis (p = 0.09). Using in vitro cellular models,
      AMACR messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, but not protein levels, showed an
      association with ERG expression. We report for the first time a significant
      association between AMACR and ERG with prognostic implication. Patients with high
      AMACR/ERG-positive PCA may be at higher risk for disease progression, and
      additional studies in larger cohorts are needed to confirm the above findings.
      Functional studies investigating the molecular pathways connecting AMACR and ERG
      may provide an additional insight into PCA progression pathways.

PMID- 27271991
TI  - Simulations on the influence of myelin water in diffusion-weighted imaging.
AB  - While myelinated axons present an important barrier to water diffusion, many
      models used to interpret DWI signal neglect other potential influences of myelin.
      In this work, Monte Carlo simulations were used to test the sensitivity of DWI
      results to the diffusive properties of water within myelin. Within these
      simulations, the apparent diffusion coefficient (D app) varied slowly over
      several orders of magnitude of the coefficient of myelin water diffusion (D m),
      but exhibited important differences compared to D app values simulated that
      neglect D m (=0). Compared to D app, the apparent diffusion kurtosis (K app) was
      generally more sensitive to D m. Simulations also tested the sensitivity of D app
      and K app to the amount of myelin present. Unique variations in D app and K app
      caused by differences in the myelin volume fraction were diminished when myelin
      water diffusion was included. Also, expected trends in D app and K app with
      experimental echo time were reduced or inverted when accounting for myelin water
      diffusion, and these reduced/inverted trends were seen experimentally in ex vivo
      rat brain DWI experiments. In general, myelin water has the potential to subtly
      influence DWI results and bias models of DWI that neglect these components of
      white matter.

PMID- 27271992
TI  - Melanopsin-mediated post-illumination pupil response in the peripheral retina.
AB  - Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) regulate pupil size
      by integrating extrinsic rod and cone signals with intrinsic melanopsin-mediated
      phototransduction. Light adapted pupil diameter is determined by the corneal flux
      density (CFD), and for central visual field stimulation the melanopsin-mediated
      post-illumination pupil response (PIPR) follows this same CFD relationship. Rods,
      cones, and ipRGCs vary in size, density, and distribution across the retina, but
      how these differences affect the amplitude and timing of the extrinsic and
      intrinsic pupil light reflex in the central and peripheral retina is unknown. We
      determined the relationship between stimulus area and photon flux with stimuli
      constant for CFD, irradiance, or area at central (0 degrees ) and peripheral (20
      degrees ) eccentricities with high and low melanopsin excitation. We show that
      the pupil constriction amplitude was similar at both eccentricities and the time
      to minimum diameter increased as melanopsin excitation increased. In contrast,
      the peripheral PIPR follows a CFD relationship but with lower amplitude compared
      with that at the fovea. This indicates differences in the spatial and temporal
      characteristics of extrinsic and intrinsic ipRGC inputs to the pupil control
      pathway for the central and peripheral retina. The eccentricity-dependent change
      in PIPR amplitude may be analogous to the hill of vision observed in visual
      perimetry; such knowledge is an important precursor to the development of pupil
      perimetry paradigms to measure the PIPR in select regions of the visual field.

PMID- 27271993
TI  - Are face representations depth cue invariant?
AB  - The visual system can process three-dimensional depth cues defining surfaces of
      objects, but it is unclear whether such information contributes to complex object
      recognition, including face recognition. The processing of different depth cues
      involves both dorsal and ventral visual pathways. We investigated whether facial
      surfaces defined by individual depth cues resulted in meaningful face
      representations-representations that maintain the relationship between the
      population of faces as defined in a multidimensional face space. We measured face
      identity aftereffects for facial surfaces defined by individual depth cues
      (Experiments 1 and 2) and tested whether the aftereffect transfers across depth
      cues (Experiments 3 and 4). Facial surfaces and their morphs to the average face
      were defined purely by one of shading, texture, motion, or binocular disparity.
      We obtained identification thresholds for matched (matched identity between
      adapting and test stimuli), non-matched (non-matched identity between adapting
      and test stimuli), and no-adaptation (showing only the test stimuli) conditions
      for each cue and across different depth cues. We found robust face identity
      aftereffect in both experiments. Our results suggest that depth cues do
      contribute to forming meaningful face representations that are depth cue
      invariant. Depth cue invariance would require integration of information across
      different areas and different pathways for object recognition, and this in turn
      has important implications for cortical models of visual object recognition.

PMID- 27271994
TI  - Multivariate Analyses and Classification of Inertial Sensor Data to Identify
      Aging Effects on the Timed-Up-and-Go Test.
AB  - Many tests can crudely quantify age-related mobility decrease but instrumented
      versions of mobility tests could increase their specificity and sensitivity. The
      Timed-up-and-Go (TUG) test includes several elements that people use in daily
      life. The test has different transition phases: rise from a chair, walk, 180
      degrees  turn, walk back, turn, and sit-down on a chair. For this reason the TUG
      is an often used test to evaluate in a standardized way possible decline in
      balance and walking ability due to age and or pathology. Using inertial sensors,
      qualitative information about the performance of the sub-phases can provide more
      specific information about a decline in balance and walking ability. The first
      aim of our study was to identify variables extracted from the instrumented timed
      up-and-go (iTUG) that most effectively distinguished performance differences
      across age (age 18-75). Second, we determined the discriminative ability of those
      identified variables to classify a younger (age 18-45) and older age group (age
      46-75). From healthy adults (n = 59), trunk accelerations and angular velocities
      were recorded during iTUG performance. iTUG phases were detected with wavelet
      analysis. Using a Partial Least Square (PLS) model, from the 72-iTUG variables
      calculated across phases, those that explained most of the covariance between
      variables and age were extracted. Subsequently, a PLS-discriminant analysis (DA)
      assessed classification power of the identified iTUG variables to discriminate
      the age groups. 27 variables, related to turning, walking and the stand-to-sit
      movement explained 71% of the variation in age. The PLS-DA with these 27
      variables showed a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 85%. Based on this
      model, the iTUG can accurately distinguish young and older adults. Such data can
      serve as a reference for pathological aging with respect to a widely used
      mobility test. Mobility tests like the TUG supplemented with smart technology
      could be used in clinical practice. 

PMID- 27271995
TI  - Gonad morphology of Susan's dwarfgoby Eviota susanae.
AB  - The gonad morphology of a dwarfgoby Eviota susanae was described and compared
      with other species within the genus. Eviota susanae was found to have a
      persistent integrated ovotestis form of gonad in which both spermatogenic and
      oogenic tissue were found interspersed throughout the gonad. This is consistent
      with previously described species of Eviota, suggesting that gonad morphology is
      conserved across the genus. 

PMID- 27271996
TI  - The second will be first: competition on directed networks.
AB  - Multiple sinks competition is investigated for a walker diffusing on directed
      complex networks. The asymmetry of the imposed spatial support makes the system
      non transitive. As a consequence, it is always possible to identify a suitable
      location for the second absorbing sink that screens at most the flux of agents
      directed against the first trap, whose position has been preliminarily assigned.
      The degree of mutual competition between pairs of nodes is analytically
      quantified through apt indicators that build on the topological characteristics
      of the hosting graph. Moreover, the positioning of the second trap can be chosen
      so as to minimize, at the same time, the probability of being in turn shaded by a
      thirdly added trap. Supervised placing of absorbing traps on a asymmetric
      disordered and complex graph is hence possible, as follows a robust optimization
      protocol. This latter is here discussed and successfully tested against synthetic
      data.

PMID- 27271998
TI  - New Analytical Monographs on TCM Herbal Drugs for Quality Proof.
AB  - Regardless of specific national drug regulations there is an international
      consensus that all TCM drugs must meet stipulated high quality standards focusing
      on authentication, identification and chemical composition. In addition, safety
      of all TCM drugs prescribed by physicians has to be guaranteed. During the 25
      years history of the TCM hospital Bad Kotzting, 171 TCM drugs underwent an
      analytical quality proof including thin layer as well as high pressure liquid
      chromatography. As from now mass spectroscopy will also be available as
      analytical tool. The findings are compiled and already published in three volumes
      of analytical monographs. One more volume will be published shortly, and a fifth
      volume is in preparation. The main issues of the analytical procedure in TCM
      drugs like authenticity, botanical nomenclature, variability of plant species and
      parts as well as processing are pointed out and possible ways to overcome them
      are sketched. 

PMID- 27271997
TI  - t-boc synthesis of huwentoxin-i through native chemical ligation incorporating a
      trifluoromethanesulfonic acid cleavage strategy.
AB  - Tert-butyloxycarbonyl (t-Boc)-based native chemical ligation (NCL) techniques
      commonly employ hydrogen fluoride (HF) to create the thioester fragment required
      for the ligation process. Our research aimed to assess the replacement of HF with
      Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMSA). Here we examined a 33 amino acid test
      peptide, Huwentoxin-I (HwTx-I) as a novel candidate for our TFMSA cleavage
      protocol. Structurally HwTx-I has an X-Cys(16) -Cys(17) -X sequence mid-region,
      which makes it an ideal candidate for NCL. Experiments determined that the best
      yields (16.8%) obtained for 50 mg of a thioester support resin were achieved with
      a TFMSA volume of 100 MUL with a 0.5-h incubation on ice, followed by 2.0 h at
      room temperature. RP-HPLC/UV and mass spectra indicated the appropriate parent
      mass and retention of the cleaved HwTx-I N-terminal thioester fragment (Ala(1) 
      Cys(16) ), which was used in preparation for NCL. The resulting chemically
      ligated HwTx-I was oxidized/folded, purified, and then assessed for
      pharmacological target selectivity. Native-like HwTx-I produced by this method
      yielded an EC50 value of 340.5 +/- 26.8 nM for Nav 1.2 and an EC50 value of 504.1
      +/- 81.3 nM for Nav 1.3, this being similar to previous literature results using
      native material. This article represents the first NCL based synthesis of this
      potent sodium channel blocker. Our illustrated approach removes potential
      restrictions in the advancement of NCL as a common peptide laboratory technique
      with minimal investment, and removes the hazards associated with HF usage. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 737-745, 2016. 

PMID- 27271999
TI  - The role of environment and core-margin effects on range-wide phenotypic
      variation in a montane grasshopper.
AB  - The integration of genetic information with ecological and phenotypic data
      constitutes an effective approach to gain insight into the mechanisms determining
      interpopulation variability and the evolutionary processes underlying local
      adaptation and incipient speciation. Here, we use the Pyrenean Morales
      grasshopper (Chorthippus saulcyi moralesi) as study system to (i) analyse the
      relative role of genetic drift and selection in range-wide patterns of phenotypic
      differentiation and (ii) identify the potential selective agents (environment,
      elevation) responsible for variation. We also test the hypothesis that (iii) the
      development of dispersal-related traits is associated with different parameters
      related to population persistence/turnover, including habitat suitability
      stability over the last 120 000 years, distance to the species distribution core
      and population genetic variability. Our results indicate that selection shaped
      phenotypic differentiation across all the studied morphological traits (body
      size, forewing length and shape). Subsequent analyses revealed that among
      population differentiation in forewing length was significantly explained by a
      temperature gradient, suggesting an adaptive response to thermoregulation or
      flight performance under contrasting temperature regimes. We found support for
      our hypothesis predicting a positive association between the distance to the
      species distribution core and the development of dispersal-related morphology,
      which suggests an increased dispersal capability in populations located at range
      edges that, in turn, exhibit lower levels of genetic variability. Overall, our
      results indicate that range-wide patterns of phenotypic variation are partially
      explained by adaptation in response to local environmental conditions and
      differences in habitat persistence between core and peripheral populations.

PMID- 27272000
TI  - The first Team Haemophilia Education meeting, 2015, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
AB  - Haemophilia remains a complex disorder to diagnose and manage, requiring close
      cooperation between multidisciplinary healthcare professionals. There are still
      many unmet challenges in haemophilia care. The first Team Haemophilia Education
      (THE) meeting, held on 7-8 May 2015 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, aimed to
      promote the optimal care of haemophilia patients through education of the
      multidisciplinary treatment team. This was achieved by reviewing the latest
      developments in haemophilia management, considering how these can be implemented
      in the clinic to improve patient care and providing a platform for networking and
      debate for all haemophilia treatment team members. Haemophilia treatment centres
      from several countries were asked to complete a premeeting online questionnaire
      to establish the biggest challenges that they face when managing patients. The
      concerns expressed were used to develop the agenda, which comprised a combination
      of formal presentations, case studies and informal workshops covering such topics
      as pharmacokinetics, laboratory assays and tailoring of treatment to individual
      patients. This report is a summary of the key developments in haemophilia care
      presented by various investigators and healthcare professionals at THE meeting
      2015. 

PMID- 27272001
TI  - [Study for the treatment of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer : A phase III
      efficacy trial for intravesical instillation of mistletoe extract in superficial
      bladder cancer (TIM) - AB 40/11 of the AUO].

PMID- 27272002
TI  - [German Society of Urology harnesses social media : Hands-on, interaction, and
      discussions at the annual meeting].

PMID- 27272003
TI  - [Effect of the body mass index on outcomes of ureterorenoscopy for renal stones].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Purpose of this work is to compare the outcome of ureterorenoscopy
      (URS) with regard to stone-free rates (SFR) and complication rates (CR) in
      patients with different body mass index (BMI) scores for the treatment of kidney
      stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients with
      known BMI, who underwent URS for kidney stones between 2006 and 2012 at our
      institution, was performed (n = 556 patients). The SFR and CR of obese patients
      were compared to overweight and normal weight patients. RESULTS: Mean age was
      52.51 years and the average BMI 27.74 kg/m2. Of the patients, 34.2 % had normal
      weight (22.59 +/- 1.91 kg/m2), 39.6 % were overweight (27.30 +/- 1.42 kg/m2), and
      26.3 % were obese (35.09 +/- 5.93 kg/m2). The mean ASA score differed
      significantly between normal weight (1.99 +/- 0.57), overweight (2.03 +/- 0.62),
      and obese (2.22 +/- 0.63) patients (p <= 0.036). The mean stone size was 8.51 +/-
      6.84 mm and the mean number of stones per patient 1.9 +/- 2.41, whereby the
      differences between groups was not significant. There were no differences between
      the groups regarding the use of preoperative (94.8 %) and postoperative ureteral
      stents (60.3 %), the Ho:YAG laser (33.6 %), the use of flexible (16.2 %) or
      semirigid/flexible URS (59.4 %), and the mean operative time (52.04 +/- 34.55
      min). There were no differences in the SFR for the upper (90 %), mid (94.7 %),
      and lower pole (90.2 %), multiple location (68.6 %) or the total SFR (86.3 %).
      Total SFR of 95.7, 88.4, and 73.7 % for urinary calculi < 5 mm, 5-9 mm, and >= 10
      mm, respectively, were found and the differences between the patient groups was
      not significant. The CR was 10.4 % (differences between the patient groups not
      significant). CONCLUSION: URS is an appropriate treatment for renal stones with
      high SFR and low CR regardless of patient's BMI.

PMID- 27272004
TI  - [Uncommon manifestation of prostate cancer : Sister Mary Joseph's nodule].
AB  - We report on the case of an 81-year-old man suffering from prostate cancer for
      several years. In recent months, PSA levels increased, and 68Ga-PSMA-PET-CT
      (PSMA: prostate-specific membrane antigen) imaging demonstrated suspicious
      lesions in the paravesical area and an umbilical tumor mass. Local excision was
      performed. Histologically, the tumor mass was diagnosed as metastasis of the
      prostate cancer, which is also designated as Sister Mary Joseph's nodule.
      Umbilical metastases of primary prostate cancer are extremely rare; however, they
      are of clinical importance since they are commonly associated with tumor progress
      and with a particularly poor prognosis.

PMID- 27272005
TI  - Half-sized liver allografts and half the story.

PMID- 27272007
TI  - MSLVP: prediction of multiple subcellular localization of viral proteins using a
      support vector machine.
AB  - Knowledge of the subcellular location (SCL) of viral proteins in the host cell is
      important for understanding their function in depth. Therefore, we have developed
      "MSLVP", a two-tier prediction algorithm for predicting multiple SCLs of viral
      proteins. For this study, data sets of comprehensive viral proteins with
      experimentally validated SCL annotation were collected from UniProt. Non
      redundant (90%) data sets of 3480 viral proteins that belonged to single (2715),
      double (391) and multiple (374) sites were employed. Additionally, 1687 (30%
      sequence identity) viral proteins were categorised into single (1366), double
      (167) and multiple (154) sites. Single, double and multiple locations further
      comprised of eight, four and six categories, respectively. Viral protein
      locations include the nucleus, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, extracellular,
      single-pass membrane, multi-pass membrane, capsid, remaining others and
      combinations thereof. Support vector machine based models were developed using
      sequence features like amino acid composition, dipeptide composition,
      physicochemical properties and their hybrids. We have employed "one-versus-one"
      as well as "one-versus-other" strategies for multiclass classification. The
      performance of "one-versus-one" is better than the "one-versus-other" approach
      during 10-fold cross-validation. For the 90% data set, we achieved an accuracy, a
      Matthew's correlation coefficient (MCC) and a receiver operating characteristic
      (ROC) of 99.99%, 1.00, 1.00; 100.00%, 1.00, 1.00 and 99.90%; 1.00, 1.00 for
      single, double and multiple locations, respectively. Similar results were
      achieved for a 30% sequence identity data set. Predictive models for each SCL
      performed equally well on the independent dataset. The MSLVP web server () can
      predict subcellular locations i.e. single (8; including single and multi-pass
      membrane), double (4) and multiple (6). This would be helpful for elucidating the
      functional annotation of viral proteins and potential drug targets.

PMID- 27272006
TI  - The growth and reproduction performance of TALEN-mediated beta-lactoglobulin
      knockout bucks.
AB  - With the technological development of several engineered endonucleases (EENs),
      such as zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases
      (TALENs) and CRISPR/Cas9, gene targeting by homologous recombination has been
      efficiently improved to generate site-specifically genetically modified
      livestock. However, few studies have been done to investigate the health and
      fertility of these animals. The purpose of the present study is to investigate if
      gene targeting events and a recloning procedure would affect the production
      traits of EEN-mediated gene targeted bucks. TALEN-mediated beta-lactoglobulin
      (BLG) gene mono-allelic knockout (BLG (+/-)) goats and bi-allelic knockout (BLG (
      /-)) buck produced by using sequential gene targeting combined with recloning in
      fibroblasts from BLG (+/-) buck were used to evaluate their health and fertility.
      Birth weight and postnatal growth of BLG (+/-) bucks were similar to the wild
      type goats. None of the parameters for both fresh and frozen-thawed semen quality
      were significantly different in BLG (+/-) or BLG (-/-) bucks compared to their
      corresponding comparators. In vitro fertilization (IVF) test revealed that the
      proportion of IVF oocytes developing to the blastocyst stage was identical among
      BLG (+/-), BLG (-/-) and wild-type bucks. Conception rates of artificial
      insemination were respectively 42.3, 38.0 and 42.6 % for frozen-thawed semen from
      the BLG (+/-), BLG (-/-) and wild-type bucks. In addition, germline transmission
      of the targeted BLG modification was in accordance with Mendelian rules. These
      results demonstrated that the analyzed growth and reproductive traits were not
      impacted by targeting BLG gene and recloning, implicating the potential for dairy
      goat breeding of BLG (+/-) and BLG (-/-) bucks.

PMID- 27272008
TI  - (19) F NMR Spectroscopy as a Highly Sensitive Method for the Direct Monitoring of
      Confined Crystallization within Nanoporous Materials.
AB  - The introduction of fluorine into the structure of pharmaceuticals has been an
      effective strategy for tuning their pharmacodynamic properties, with more than 40
      new drugs entering the market in the last 15 years. In this context, (19) F NMR
      spectroscopy can be viewed as a useful method for investigating the host-guest
      chemistry of pharmaceuticals in nanosized drug-delivery systems. Although the
      interest in confined crystallization, nanosized devices, and porous catalysts is
      gradually increasing, understanding of the complex phase behavior of organic
      molecules confined within nanochambers or nanoreactors is still lacking. Using
      (19) F magic-angle-spinning NMR spectroscopy, we obtained detailed mechanistic
      insight into the crystallization of flufenamic acid (FFA) in a confined
      environment of mesoporous silica materials with different pore diameters (3.2-29
      nm), providing direct experimental evidence for the formation of a molecular
      liquid-like layer besides crystalline confined FFA form I.

PMID- 27272010
TI  - Analysis of miRNAs and their target genes associated with lipid metabolism in
      duck liver.
AB  - Fat character is an important index in duck culture that linked to local flavor,
      feed cost and fat intake for costumers. Since the regulation networks in duck
      lipid metabolism had not been reported very clearly, we aimed to explore the
      potential miRNA-mRNA pairs and their regulatory roles in duck lipid metabolism.
      Here, Cherry-Valley ducks were selected and treated with/without 5% oil added in
      feed for 2 weeks, and then fat content determination was performed on. The data
      showed that the fat contents and the fatty acid ratios of C17:1 and C18:2 were up
      regulated in livers of oil-added ducks, while the C12:0 ratio was down-regulated.
      Then 21 differential miRNAs, including 10 novel miRNAs, were obtain from the
      livers by sequencing, and 73 target genes involved in lipid metabolic processes
      of these miRNAs were found, which constituted 316 miRNA-mRNA pairs. Two miRNA
      mRNA pairs including one novel miRNA and one known miRNA, N-miR-16020-FASN and
      gga-miR-144-ELOVL6, were selected to validate the miRNA-mRNA negative relation.
      And the results showed that N-mir-16020 and gga-miR-144 could respectively bind
      the 3'-UTRs of FASN and ELOVL6 to control their expressions. This study provides
      new sights and useful information for future research on regulation network in
      duck lipid metabolism.

PMID- 27272013
TI  - Lack of glucuronidation products of trans-resveratrol in plasma and urine of
      cats.
AB  - Resveratrol has generated interest in cats due to reported health benefits. Cats
      have low activity of beta-glucuronidase, and we hypothesized they could not form
      two common resveratrol metabolites, resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide and resveratrol
      4'-O-glucuronide. Resveratrol, 3 mg/cat/day, was given orally to intact male (n =
      5) and female cats (n = 5) for 4 weeks. A control group (8 intact males) was used
      for comparison. Plasma and urine were collected weekly and analysed using high
      pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Resveratrol
      and resveratrol-3-O-sulphate, but no glucuronide metabolites, were detected in
      plasma and urine. Median (range 10-90th percentile) plasma resveratrol for
      control and treatment groups was 0.46 ng/ml (0.02-1.74 ng/ml) and 0.96 ng/ml
      (0.65-3.21 ng/ml). Median (range) plasma resveratrol-3-O-sulphate for control and
      treatment groups was 6.32 ng/ml (2.55-10.29 ng/ml) and 11.45 ng/ml (1.47-53.29
      ng/ml). Plasma resveratrol differed from control in week 4, while plasma
      resveratrol-3-O-sulphate was different in all weeks (p < 0.05). Median (range)
      urine resveratrol for control and treatment groups was 0.28 ng/ml (0.05-1.59
      ng/ml) and 19.98 ng/ml (8.44-87.54 ng/ml). Median (range) urine resveratrol-3-O
      sulphate for control and treatment groups was 26.71 ng/ml (10.50-75.58 ng/ml) and
      108.69 ng/ml (11.83-231.05 ng/ml). All time points for urine resveratrol and
      resveratrol-3-O-sulphate were significantly different from control (p < 0.05),
      except for weeks 1, 3 and 4 for resveratrol. The results support our hypothesis
      that cats are unlikely able to glucuronidate resveratrol, most likely due to a
      reduction in the activity of beta-glucuronidase.

PMID- 27272011
TI  - Global Cytokine Profiles and Association With Clinical Characteristics in
      Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Evidence suggests that patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
      have an altered cytokine profile, although it is unclear whether cytokines are
      linked with symptom severity. We aimed to determine whether global serum and
      mucosal cytokine profiles differ between IBS patients and healthy subjects and
      whether cytokines are associated with IBS symptoms. METHODS: Serum from 144 IBS
      patients and 42 healthy subjects was analyzed for cytokine levels of interleukin
      (IL)-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and
      tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by MSD MULTI-ARRAY. In total, 109 IBS and 36 healthy
      sigmoid colon biopsies were analyzed for mRNA expression of IL-8, IL-10, TNF, and
      FOXP3 by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Multivariate discrimination
      analysis evaluated global cytokine profiles. Rectal sensitivity, oroanal transit
      time, and psychological and gastrointestinal symptom severity were also assessed.
      RESULTS: Global cytokine profiles of IBS patients and healthy subjects
      overlapped, but cytokine levels varied more in IBS patients. Serum levels of IL-6
      and IL-8 tended to be increased and levels of IFN-gamma tended to be decreased in
      IBS patients. Mucosal mRNA expression of IL-10 and FOXP3 tended to be decreased
      in IBS patients. Within both the full study cohort and IBS patients alone, serum
      level of TNF was associated with looser stool pattern, while subjects with more
      widespread somatic symptoms had increased serum levels of IL-6. Although neither
      IBS bowel habit subgroups nor patients with possible post-infectious IBS were
      associated with distinct cytokine profiles, a small cluster of IBS patients with
      comparatively elevated immune markers was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Global
      cytokine profiles did not discriminate IBS patients from healthy subjects, but
      cytokine profiles were more varied among IBS patients than among healthy
      subjects, and a small subgroup of patients with enhanced immune activity was
      identified. Also, association of inflammatory cytokines with some clinical
      symptoms suggests that immune activation may be of importance in a subset of IBS
      patients.

PMID- 27272012
TI  - Electromagnetic-Guided Bedside Placement of Nasoenteral Feeding Tubes by Nurses
      Is Non-Inferior to Endoscopic Placement by Gastroenterologists: A Multicenter
      Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Electromagnetic (EM)-guided bedside placement of nasoenteral feeding
      tubes by nurses may improve efficiency and reduce patient discomfort and costs
      compared with endoscopic placement by gastroenterologists. However, evidence
      supporting this task shift from gastroenterologists to nurses is limited. We
      aimed to compare the effectiveness of EM-guided and endoscopic nasoenteral
      feeding tube placement. METHODS: We performed a multicenter randomized controlled
      non-inferiority trial in 154 adult patients who required nasoenteral feeding and
      were admitted to gastrointestinal surgical wards in five Dutch hospitals.
      Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to undergo EM-guided or endoscopic
      nasoenteral feeding tube placement. The primary end point was the need for
      reinsertion of the feeding tube (e.g., after failed initial placement or owing to
      tube-related complications) with a prespecified non-inferiority margin of 10%.
      RESULTS: Reinsertion was required in 29 (36%) of the 80 patients in the EM-guided
      group and 31 (42%) of the 74 patients in the endoscopy group (absolute risk
      difference -6%, upper limit of one-sided 95% confidence interval 7%; P for non
      inferiority=0.022). No differences were noted in success and complication rates.
      In the EM-guided group, there was a reduced time to start of feeding (424 vs. 535
      min, P=0.001). Although the level of discomfort was higher in the EM-guided group
      (Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 3.9 vs. 2.0, P=0.009), EM-guided placement received
      higher recommendation scores (VAS 8.2 vs. 5.5, P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: EM-guided
      bedside placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes by nurses was non-inferior to
      endoscopic placement by gastroenterologists in surgical patients and may be
      considered the preferred technique for nasoenteral feeding tube placement.

PMID- 27272014
TI  - Repeated evolution of amphibious behavior in fish and its implications for the
      colonization of novel environments.
AB  - We know little about on how frequently transitions into new habitats occur,
      especially the colonization of novel environments that are the most likely to
      instigate adaptive evolution. One of the most extreme ecological transitions has
      been the shift in habitat associated with the move from water to land by
      amphibious fish. We provide the first phylogenetic investigation of these
      transitions for living fish. Thirty-three families have species reported to be
      amphibious and these are likely independent evolutionary origins of fish emerging
      onto land. Phylogenetic reconstructions of closely related taxa within one of
      these families, the Blenniidae, inferred as many as seven convergences on a
      highly amphibious lifestyle. Taken together, there appear to be few constraints
      on fish emerging onto land given amphibious behavior has evolved repeatedly many
      times across ecologically diverse families. The colonization of novel habitats by
      other taxa resulting in less dramatic changes in environment should be equally,
      if not, more frequent in nature, providing an important prerequisite for
      subsequent adaptive differentiation.

PMID- 27272016
TI  - Managing Carbon on Federal Public Lands: Opportunities and Challenges in
      Southwestern Colorado.
AB  - Federal lands in the United States have been identified as important areas where
      forests could be managed to enhance carbon storage and help mitigate climate
      change. However, there has been little work examining the context for decision
      making for carbon in a multiple-use public land environment, and how science can
      support decision making. This case study of the San Juan National Forest and the
      Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office in southwestern Colorado
      examines whether land managers in these offices have adequate tools, information,
      and management flexibility to practice effective carbon stewardship. To
      understand how carbon was distributed on the management landscape we added a
      newly developed carbon map for the SJNF-TRFO area based on Landsat TM texture
      information (Kelsey and Neff in Remote Sens 6:6407-6422. doi: 10.3390/rs6076407 ,
      2014). We estimate that only about 22 % of the aboveground carbon in the SJNF
      TRFO is in areas designated for active management, whereas about 38 % is in areas
      with limited management opportunities, and 29 % is in areas where natural
      processes should dominate. To project the effects of forest management actions on
      carbon storage, staff of the SJNF are expected to use the Forest Vegetation
      Simulator (FVS) and extensions. While identifying FVS as the best tool generally
      available for this purpose, the users and developers we interviewed highlighted
      the limitations of applying an empirically based model over long time horizons.
      Future research to improve information on carbon storage should focus on
      locations and types of vegetation where carbon management is feasible and aligns
      with other management priorities.

PMID- 27272017
TI  - Setting Priorities for Monitoring and Managing Non-native Plants: Toward a
      Practical Approach.
AB  - Land managers face the challenge to set priorities in monitoring and managing non
      native plant species, as resources are limited and not all non-natives become
      invasive. Existing frameworks that have been proposed to rank non-native species
      require extensive information on their distribution, abundance, and impact. This
      information is difficult to obtain and often not available for many species and
      regions. National watch or priority lists are helpful, but it is questionable
      whether they provide sufficient information for environmental management on a
      regional scale. We therefore propose a decision tree that ranks species based on
      more simple albeit robust information, but still provides reliable management
      recommendations. To test the decision tree, we collected and evaluated
      distribution data from non-native plants in highland grasslands of Southern
      Brazil. We compared the results with a national list from the Brazilian Invasive
      Species Database for the state to discuss advantages and disadvantages of the
      different approaches on a regional scale. Out of 38 non-native species found,
      only four were also present on the national list. If management would solely rely
      on this list, many species that were identified as spreading based on the
      decision tree would go unnoticed. With the suggested scheme, it is possible to
      assign species to active management, to monitoring, or further evaluation. While
      national lists are certainly important, management on a regional scale should
      employ additional tools that adequately consider the actual risk of non-natives
      to become invasive.

PMID- 27272018
TI  - Radiographic Blind Test of Curvature of the Posterior Border of the Mandibular
      Ramus as a Morphological Indicator of Gender.
AB  - PURPOSE: Curvature of the posterior border of the mandibular ramus at the
      occlusal plane has been described as a morphological trait for males. Controversy
      over the accuracy of this method remains among researchers; studies employing
      similar methods report accuracy rates for successful gender identification
      ranging from 59% to 99%. This blind study assessed evaluators' ability to
      determine gender based on the presence or absence of curvature of the posterior
      margin of the mandibular ramus through panoramic radiographs. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Randomly selected panoramic radiographs were obtained from The Ohio
      State University College of Dentistry for 413 adult male (M) and female (F)
      subjects. Two evaluators separately assigned ratings using a similar method to
      the Loth and Henenberg methodology to each subject on the right and left sides of
      mandibular rami. The ratings were based upon three criteria: (1) presence of
      curvature at the occlusal plane (M), (2) presence of curvature but not at the
      occlusal plane (F), and (3) lack of curvature (F). Pearson exact chi-squared test
      was used to evaluate the statistical strength of the ratings. RESULTS: The
      evaluators were only in agreement for both the right and left rami in roughly two
      thirds (66.8%) of cases when there was no excessive tooth loss (ETL); however,
      the inter-observer agreement improved to 82.1% for those rami associated with
      ETL. Inter-observer agreement occurred in 72.9% of female rami and in only 64.4%
      of male rami. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that assessment of
      posterior border curvature of  mandibular rami through panoramic radiographs was
      not a reliable indicator of gender and was further plagued by unacceptably high
      levels of inter-observer disagreement.

PMID- 27272015
TI  - Structure and calcium-binding studies of calmodulin-like domain of human non
      muscle alpha-actinin-1.
AB  - The activity of several cytosolic proteins critically depends on the
      concentration of calcium ions. One important intracellular calcium-sensing
      protein is alpha-actinin-1, the major actin crosslinking protein in focal
      adhesions and stress fibers. The actin crosslinking activity of alpha-actinin-1
      has been proposed to be negatively regulated by calcium, but the underlying
      molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. To address this, we determined the
      first high-resolution NMR structure of its functional calmodulin-like domain
      (CaMD) in calcium-bound and calcium-free form. These structures reveal that in
      the absence of calcium, CaMD displays a conformationally flexible ensemble that
      undergoes a structural change upon calcium binding, leading to limited rotation
      of the N- and C-terminal lobes around the connecting linker and consequent
      stabilization of the calcium-loaded structure. Mutagenesis experiments, coupled
      with mass-spectrometry and isothermal calorimetry data designed to validate the
      calcium binding stoichiometry and binding site, showed that human non-muscle
      alpha-actinin-1 binds a single calcium ion within the N-terminal lobe. Finally,
      based on our structural data and analogy with other alpha-actinins, we provide a
      structural model of regulation of the actin crosslinking activity of alpha
      actinin-1 where calcium induced structural stabilisation causes fastening of the
      juxtaposed actin binding domain, leading to impaired capacity to crosslink actin.

PMID- 27272019
TI  - Diacylglycerol kinases activate tobacco NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidative burst
      in response to cryptogein.
AB  - Cryptogein is a 10 kDa protein secreted by the oomycete Phytophthora cryptogea
      that activates defence mechanisms in tobacco plants. Among early signalling
      events triggered by this microbial-associated molecular pattern is a transient
      apoplastic oxidative burst which is dependent on the nicotinamide adenine
      dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity of the RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE
      HOMOLOG isoform D (RBOHD). Using radioactive [33 P]-orthophosphate labelling of
      tobacco Bright Yellow-2 suspension cells, we here provide in vivo evidence for a
      rapid accumulation of phosphatidic acid (PA) in response to cryptogein because of
      the coordinated onset of phosphoinositide-dependent phospholipase C and
      diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) activities. Both enzyme specific inhibitors and
      silencing of the phylogenetic cluster III of the tobacco DGK family were found to
      reduce PA production upon elicitation and to strongly decrease the RBOHD-mediated
      oxidative burst. Therefore, it appears that PA originating from DGK controls
      NADPH-oxidase activity. Amongst cluster III DGKs, the expression of DGK5-like was
      up-regulated in response to cryptogein. Besides DGK5-like is likely to be the
      main cluster III DGK isoform silenced in one of our mutant lines, making it a
      strong candidate for the observed response to cryptogein. The relevance of these
      results is discussed with regard to early signalling lipid-mediated events in
      plant immunity.

PMID- 27272020
TI  - Computational support for a scaffolding mechanism of centriole assembly.
AB  - Centrioles are essential for forming cilia, flagella and centrosomes. Successful
      centriole assembly requires proteins of the SAS-6 family, which can form
      oligomeric ring structures with ninefold symmetry in vitro. While important
      progress has been made in understanding SAS-6 protein biophysics, the mechanisms
      enabling ring formation in vivo remain elusive. Likewise, the mechanisms by which
      a nascent centriole forms near-orthogonal to an existing one are not known. Here,
      we investigate possible mechanisms of centriole assembly using coarse-grained
      Brownian dynamics computer simulations in combination with a rate equation
      approach. Our results suggest that without any external factors, strong
      stabilization associated with ring closure would be needed to enable efficient
      ring formation. Strikingly, our simulations reveal that a scaffold-assisted
      assembly mechanism can trigger robust ring formation owing to local
      cooperativity, and that this mechanism can also impart orthogonalilty to
      centriole assembly. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into the
      organizing principles governing the assembly of this important organelle.

PMID- 27272024
TI  - 2-Methylresorcinarene: a very high packing coefficient in a mono-anion based
      dimeric capsule and the X-ray crystal structure of the tetra-anion.
AB  - Mono- and tetra-deprotonated 2-methylresorcinarene anions ( and ) as their trans
      1,4-diammoniumcyclohexane inclusion complexes are reported. The mono-anion forms
      a fully closed dimeric capsule [.H2O.MeOH]2(2-) with a cavity volume of 165 A(3)
      and as the guest with an extremely high packing coefficient, PC = 84.2%, while
      the tetra-anion forms a close-packed structure with two structurally isomeric
      tetra-anions and with a 50 : 50 ratio in the crystal lattice. 

PMID- 27272021
TI  - The interplay between effector binding and allostery in an engineered protein
      switch.
AB  - The protein design rules for engineering allosteric regulation are not well
      understood. A fundamental understanding of the determinants of ligand binding in
      an allosteric context could facilitate the design and construction of versatile
      protein switches and biosensors. Here, we conducted extensive in vitro and in
      vivo characterization of the effects of 285 unique point mutations at 15 residues
      in the maltose-binding pocket of the maltose-activated beta-lactamase MBP317-347.
      MBP317-347 is an allosteric enzyme formed by the insertion of TEM-1 beta
      lactamase into the E. coli maltose binding protein (MBP). We find that the
      maltose-dependent resistance to ampicillin conferred to the cells by the MBP317
      347 switch gene (the switch phenotype) is very robust to mutations, with most
      mutations slightly improving the switch phenotype. We identified 15 mutations
      that improved switch performance from twofold to 22-fold, primarily by decreasing
      the catalytic activity in the absence of maltose, perhaps by disrupting
      interactions that cause a small fraction of MBP in solution to exist in a
      partially closed state in the absence of maltose. Other notable mutations include
      K15D and K15H that increased maltose affinity 30-fold and Y155K and Y155R that
      compromised switching by diminishing the ability of maltose to increase catalytic
      activity. The data also provided insights into normal MBP physiology, as select
      mutations at D14, W62, and F156 retained high maltose affinity but abolished the
      switch's ability to substitute for MBP in the transport of maltose into the cell.
      The results reveal the complex relationship between ligand binding and allostery
      in this engineered switch.

PMID- 27272026
TI  - Correction: Rapid Quantification of 3D Collagen Fiber Alignment and Fiber
      Intersection Correlations with High Sensitivity.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131814.].

PMID- 27272025
TI  - Population structure of eleven Spanish ovine breeds and detection of selective
      sweeps with BayeScan and hapFLK.
AB  - The goals of the current work were to analyse the population structure of 11
      Spanish ovine breeds and to detect genomic regions that may have been targeted by
      selection. A total of 141 individuals were genotyped with the Infinium 50 K Ovine
      SNP BeadChip (Illumina). We combined this dataset with Spanish ovine data
      previously reported by the International Sheep Genomics Consortium (N = 229).
      Multidimensional scaling and Admixture analyses revealed that Canaria de Pelo
      and, to a lesser extent, Roja Mallorquina, Latxa and Churra are clearly
      differentiated populations, while the remaining seven breeds (Ojalada,
      Castellana, Gallega, Xisqueta, Ripollesa, Rasa Aragonesa and Segurena) share a
      similar genetic background. Performance of a genome scan with BayeScan and hapFLK
      allowed us identifying three genomic regions that are consistently detected with
      both methods i.e. Oar3 (150-154 Mb), Oar6 (4-49 Mb) and Oar13 (68-74 Mb).
      Neighbor-joining trees based on polymorphisms mapping to these three selective
      sweeps did not show a clustering of breeds according to their predominant
      productive specialization (except the local tree based on Oar13 SNPs). Such
      cryptic signatures of selection have been also found in the bovine genome, posing
      a considerable challenge to understand the biological consequences of artificial
      selection.

PMID- 27272027
TI  - OPTIMISATION IN X-RAY AND MOLECULAR IMAGING 2015 - THE 4th MALMo CONFERENCE ON
      MEDICAL IMAGING: List of participants.

PMID- 27272028
TI  - Afterthoughts and Foresight: Digging Through Boxes of Bygone Beliefs and Brooding
      About the Burgeoning of Bioethics.

PMID- 27272029
TI  - The Effect of Vibration Treatments Combined with Teriparatide or Strontium
      Ranelate on Bone Healing and Muscle in Ovariectomized Rats.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to study the effect of combined therapy of
      teriparatide (PTH) or strontium ranelate (SR) with whole-body vibration (WBV) on
      bone healing and muscle properties in an osteopenic rat model. Seventy-two rats
      (3 months old) were bilaterally ovariectomized (Ovx), and 12 rats were left
      intact (Non-Ovx). After 8 weeks, bilateral transverse osteotomy was performed at
      the tibia metaphysis in all rats. Thereafter, Ovx rats were divided into six
      groups (n = 12): (1) Ovx-no treatment, (2) Ovx + vibration (Vib), (3) SR, (4) SR
      + Vib, (5) PTH, and (6) PTH + Vib. PTH (40 MUg/kg BW sc. 5*/week) and SR (613
      mg/kg BW in food daily) were applied on the day of ovariectomy, vibration
      treatments 5 days later (vertical, 70 Hz, 0.5 mm, 2*/day for 15 min) for up to 6
      weeks. In the WBV + SR group, the callus density, trabecular number, and Alp and
      Oc gene expression were decreased compared to SR alone. In the WBV + PTH group,
      the cortical and callus widths, biomechanical properties, Opg gene expression,
      and Opg/Rankl ratio were increased; the cortical and callus densities were
      decreased compared to PTH alone. A case of non-bridging was found in both
      vibrated groups. Vibration alone did not change the bone parameters; PTH
      possessed a stronger effect than SR therapy. In muscles, combined therapies
      improved the fiber size of Ovx rats. WBV could be applied alone or in combination
      with anti-osteoporosis drug therapy to improve muscle tissue. However, in
      patients with fractures, anti-osteoporosis treatments and the application of
      vibration could have an adverse effect on bone healing.

PMID- 27272030
TI  - Low Relative Lean Mass is Associated with Increased Likelihood of Abdominal
      Aortic Calcification in Community-Dwelling Older Australians.
AB  - Age-related loss of skeletal muscle is associated with increased risk of
      functional limitation and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. In the elderly abdominal
      aortic calcification (AAC) can increase CV risk by altering aortic properties
      which may raise blood pressure and increase cardiac workload. This study
      investigated the association between low muscle mass and AAC in community
      dwelling older Australians. Data for this cross-sectional analysis were drawn
      from a 2010 sub-study of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study in the setting
      of community-dwelling older adults. Three hundred and twenty-seven participants
      [mean age = 71 +/- 6 years; mean BMI = 28 +/- 5 kg/m(2); females n = 199 (62 %)]
      had body composition determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and AAC
      determined by radiography. Participants were stratified into tertiles of sex
      specific BMI-normalised appendicular lean mass (ALM). Those in the lowest tertile
      were considered to have low relative muscle mass. Aortic calcification score
      (ACS) was determined visually as the extent of calcification on the aortic walls
      between L1 and L4 vertebrae (range: 0-24). Severe AAC was defined as ACS >= 6.
      Prevalence of any AAC was highest in participants with low relative muscle mass
      (74 %) compared to the middle (65 %) and upper (53 %) tertiles (p trend = 0.006).
      The lower ALM/BMI tertile had increased odds (Odds ratio = 2.3; 95 % confidence
      interval: 1.1-4.6; p = 0.021) of having any AAC; and having more severe AAC (2.2;
      1.2-4.0; p = 0.009) independent of CV risk factors, serum calcium and physical
      activity. AAC is more prevalent and severe in community-dwelling older adults
      with low relative muscle mass. Maintaining muscle mass could form part of a
      broader primary prevention strategy in reducing AAC.

PMID- 27272031
TI  - Validity of the Japanese version of functional assessment of cancer therapy
      gastric (FACT-Ga) and its sensitivity to ascites volume change: a retrospective
      analysis of Japanese clinical trial participants.
AB  - PURPOSE: The functional assessment of cancer therapy-gastric (FACT-Ga)
      questionnaire was designed to evaluate quality of life (QOL) in patients with
      gastric cancer. We aimed to explore the reliability and validity of FACT-Ga in
      Japanese patients, and assess the sensitivity of the gastric cancer subscale for
      detecting changes in cancer-related variables over time. METHODS: The Japanese
      version of FACT-Ga was used, and data were obtained from Japanese patients who
      participated in either of two clinical trials: treatment for advanced or
      recurrent gastric cancer with ascites (advanced-GC group), or adjuvant
      chemotherapy after curative resection of gastric cancer (adjuvant group).
      Psychometric data including data used to determine reliability, internal
      consistency, and clinical validity were analyzed. Clinical validity was evaluated
      by comparing subscale scores for patients in the two groups, and by comparing
      subscale scores for patients with different performance status scores.
      Correlation between gastric cancer subscale scores and gastric cancer-related
      variables was also examined. In addition, sensitivity of the gastric cancer
      subscale to changes in ascites volume, abdominal girth, and Eastern Cooperative
      Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) was examined by evaluating their
      correlation in the advanced-GC group. RESULTS: We collected data on 156 patients
      (62 advanced-GC group patients and 94 adjuvant group patients). Response rates
      for the subscales were over 80 % at most time points for both the groups.
      Cronbach's coefficient alpha revealed good internal consistency for each
      subscale. At baseline, the adjuvant group had higher QOL scores than the advanced
      GC group (P < 0.05), and QOL scores for patients with different performance
      status scores differed significantly. Changes in gastric cancer subscale scores
      showed statistically significant correlation with changes in ascites volume
      (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, 0.5; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FACT-Ga is
      reliable and clinically valid for Japanese patients with gastric cancer.
      Detection of QOL changes that correlate with ascites volume changes suggests that
      it could be used more broadly; FACT-Ga scores could be used as an endpoint for
      patients with gastric cancer-related ascites.

PMID- 27272033
TI  - Experimental treatments for poststroke disability: Hasten slowly.

PMID- 27272032
TI  - Use of Statins and the Risk of Incident Diabetes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Even though several landmark statin trials have demonstrated the
      beneficial effects of statin therapy in both primary and secondary prevention of
      cardiovascular disease, several studies have suggested that statins are
      associated with a moderate increase in risk of new-onset diabetes. These
      observations prompted the US FDA to revise statin labels to include a warning of
      an increased risk of incident diabetes mellitus as a result of increases in
      glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose. However, few studies
      have used US-based data to investigate this statin-associated increased risk of
      diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of our study was to examine whether
      the use of statins increases the risk of incident diabetes mellitus using data
      from the Thomson Reuters MarketScan ((r)) Commercial Claims and Encounters
      Database. METHOD: This study was a retrospective cohort analysis utilizing data
      for the period 2003-2004. The study population included new statin users aged 20
      63 years at index who did not have a history of diabetes. RESULTS: The proportion
      (3.4 %) of statin users (N = 53,212) who had incident diabetes was higher than
      the proportion (1.2 %) of non-statin users (N = 53,212) who had incident
      diabetes. Compared with no statin use and controlling for demographic and
      clinical covariates, statin use was significantly associated with increased risk
      of incident diabetes (hazard ratio 2.01; 99 % confidence interval 1.74-2.33; p <
      0.0001). In addition, risk of diabetes was highest among users of lovastatin,
      atorvastatin, simvastatin, and fluvastatin. Diabetes risk was lowest among
      pravastatin and rosuvastatin users. DISCUSSION: Because the potential for
      diabetogenicity differs among different statin types, healthcare professionals
      should individualize statin therapy by identifying patients who would benefit
      more from less diabetogenic statin types.

PMID- 27272034
TI  - Practice advisory: Etanercept for poststroke disability: Report of the Guideline
      Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American
      Academy of Neurology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review evidence regarding the effectiveness, safety, and
      tolerability of etanercept used to treat patients with poststroke disability.
      METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
      Trials for studies of adult patients with poststroke disability treated with
      etanercept in order to improve their functional status. We rated each study for
      risk of bias (Class I-IV) using the American Academy of Neurology therapeutic
      classification of evidence scheme. Practice recommendations were formulated on
      the basis of the strength of the evidence and assessments of potential benefits,
      potential harms, and patient preferences. RESULTS: Two case series were
      identified, and both reported clinical improvements 3 weeks following treatment
      across a wide range of functional domains. However, both studies were rated Class
      IV because of poor methodologic quality (i.e., high risk of bias). CONCLUSIONS:
      For patients with poststroke disability, the evidence is insufficient to support
      or refute a benefit of etanercept for the treatment of poststroke disability.
      RECOMMENDATIONS: Clinicians should counsel patients considering etanercept for
      treatment of poststroke disability that the evidence is insufficient to determine
      the treatment's effectiveness and that it may be associated with adverse outcomes
      and high cost (Level U).

PMID- 27272035
TI  - X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with positional downbeat nystagmus.

PMID- 27272036
TI  - Overdiagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

PMID- 27272037
TI  - CLIPPERS with diffuse white matter and longitudinally extensive spinal cord
      involvement.

PMID- 27272038
TI  - Clinical Reasoning: Myriad manifestations of a global infectious disease.

PMID- 27272039
TI  - Pearls & Oy-sters: Episodic ataxia type 2: Case report and review of the
      literature.

PMID- 27272040
TI  - Teaching NeuroImages: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome resulting in
      hydrocephalus.

PMID- 27272041
TI  - Teaching NeuroImages: Spectrum of paradural dissections of the vertebral artery.

PMID- 27272043
TI  - Gendist: An R Package for Generated Probability Distribution Models.
AB  - In this paper, we introduce the R package gendist that computes the probability
      density function, the cumulative distribution function, the quantile function and
      generates random values for several generated probability distribution models
      including the mixture model, the composite model, the folded model, the skewed
      symmetric model and the arc tan model. These models are extensively used in the
      literature and the R functions provided here are flexible enough to accommodate
      various univariate distributions found in other R packages. We also show its
      applications in graphing, estimation, simulation and risk measurements. 

PMID- 27272042
TI  - Characterisation of the Novel Mixed Mu-NOP Peptide Ligand Dermorphin-N/OFQ
      (DeNo).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Opioid receptors are currently classified as Mu (MU), Delta
      (delta), Kappa (kappa) plus the opioid related nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ)
      peptide receptor (NOP). Despite compelling evidence for interactions and benefits
      of targeting more than one receptor type in producing analgesia, clinical ligands
      are Mu agonists. In this study we have designed a Mu-NOP agonist named DeNo. The
      Mu agonist component is provided by dermorphin, a peptide isolated from the skin
      of Phyllomedusa frogs and the NOP component by the endogenous agonist N/OFQ.
      METHODS: We have assessed receptor binding profile of DeNo and compared with
      dermorphin and N/OFQ. In a series of functional screens we have assessed the
      ability to (i) increase Ca2+ in cells coexpressing recombinant receptors and a
      the chimeric protein Galphaqi5, (ii) stimulate the binding of GTPgamma[35S],
      (iii) inhibit cAMP formation, (iv) activate MAPKinase, (v) stimulate receptor-G
      protein and arrestin interaction using BRET, (vi) electrically stimulated guinea
      pig ileum (gpI) assay and (vii) ability to produce analgesia via the intrathecal
      route in rats. RESULTS: DeNo bound to Mu (pKi; 9.55) and NOP (pKi; 10.22) and
      with reasonable selectivity. This translated to increased Ca2+ in Galphaqi5
      expressing cells (pEC50 Mu 7.17; NOP 9.69), increased binding of GTPgamma[35S]
      (pEC50 Mu 7.70; NOP 9.50) and receptor-G protein interaction in BRET (pEC50 Mu
      8.01; NOP 9.02). cAMP formation was inhibited and arrestin was activated (pEC50
      Mu 6.36; NOP 8.19). For MAPK DeNo activated p38 and ERK1/2 at Mu but only ERK1/2
      at NOP. In the gpI DeNO inhibited electrically-evoked contractions (pEC50 8.63)
      that was sensitive to both Mu and NOP antagonists. DeNo was antinociceptive in
      rats. CONCLUSION: Collectively these data validate the strategy used to create a
      novel bivalent Mu-NOP peptide agonist by combining dermorphin (Mu) and N/OFQ
      (NOP). This molecule behaves essentially as the parent compounds in vitro. In the
      antonocicoeptive assays employed in this study DeNo displays only weak
      antinociceptive properties.

PMID- 27272045
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenetic-guided dosing of warfarin in the United
      Kingdom and Sweden.
AB  - We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenetic-guided dosing of
      warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the United Kingdom and
      Sweden. Data from EU-PACT, a randomized controlled trial in newly diagnosed AF
      patients, were used to model the incremental costs per quality-adjusted life-year
      (QALY) gained by pharmacogenetic-guided warfarin dosing versus standard treatment
      over a lifetime horizon. Incremental lifetime costs were L26 and 382 Swedish
      kronor (SEK) and incremental QALYs were 0.0039 and 0.0015 in the United Kingdom
      and Sweden, respectively. The corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratios
      (ICERs) were L6 702 and 253 848 SEK per QALY gained. The ICER was below the
      willingness-to-pay threshold of L20 000 per QALY gained in 93% of the simulations
      in the United Kingdom and below 500 000 SEK in 67% of the simulations in Sweden.
      Our data suggest that pharmacogenetic-guided dosing of warfarin is a cost
      effective strategy to improve outcomes of patients with AF treated with warfarin
      in the United Kingdom and in Sweden. 

PMID- 27272044
TI  - High frequency of CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizers in Spain: controversy about
      their misclassification in worldwide population studies.
AB  - A high frequency (7-10%) of CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizers estimated from the
      genotype (gUMs) has been claimed to exist among Spaniards and Southern Europeans.
      However, methodological aspects such as the inclusion of individuals carrying non
      active multiplied alleles as gUMs may have led to an overestimation. Thus, this
      study aimed to analyze the gUM frequency (considering only those carrying more
      than two active genes) in 805 Spanish healthy volunteers studied for CYP2D6*2,
      *3, *4, *5, *6, *10, *17, *35, *41, and multiplications. Second, all worldwide
      studies reporting gUM frequencies were reviewed in order to evaluate potential
      misclassifications. The gUM frequency in this Spanish population was 5.34%, but
      increased to 8.3% if all individuals with CYP2D6 multiplications were classified
      as gUMs without considering the activity of the multiplied alleles. Moreover,
      among all reviewed worldwide studies only 55.6% precisely determined whether the
      multiplied alleles were active. Present results suggest that the evaluation of
      CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolism should be standarized, and that the frequency of
      gUMs should be reconsidered in Spaniards and globally.

PMID- 27272047
TI  - Penile Length and Testicular Volume in Newborns.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To measure Penile length (PL) and Testicular volume (TV) in newborn
      boys for assessing genital abnormalities. METHODS: In a tertiary care setting,
      measurements of PL and TV were recorded from 480 babies born on alternate days
      except the weekend, at 24 to 72 h of life by one investigator with the same set
      of instruments. The penis was stretched to the point of increased resistance and
      the distance from the tip of the glans penis to the pubic ramus was measured as
      the stretched PL. Testicular volume was measured by a Prader orchidometer.
      Improvised beads made of plasticine were used for recording volumes <1 ml.
      RESULTS: In the study cohort, 365 (76.04 %) were term babies. The mean PL was 34
      +/- 4.7 mm for the whole cohort while the corresponding value for mean TV was 0.6
      +/- 0.2 ml. The gestation age-wise percentile charts of PL and TV have been
      generated. There was modest positive correlation between PL and TV. Positive
      correlation was also observed between PL and TV and birth weight, body length,
      and head, chest and arm circumference. Both PL and TV showed statistically
      significant increase with gestational age. By the index data, the cut-off for
      suspecting abnormal penile length should be <24.5 or >45.5 mm for term babies.
      CONCLUSIONS: The normative values generated can serve as reference standard in
      the diagnosis of penile length abnormalities in Indian babies and in clarifying
      issues of ambiguous genitalia and maldevelopment of male external genitalia.

PMID- 27272048
TI  - Diagnostic Value of Intestinal Fatty-Acid-Binding Protein in Necrotizing
      Enterocolitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - The present study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of intestinal fatty
      acid-binding protein (i-FABP) in the diagnosis of newborn necrotizing
      enterocolitis (NEC) and prediction of surgical NEC. A comprehensive literature
      search was performed in PubMed and EMBASE to identify potential relevant studies.
      QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The
      sensitivity, specificity and other measurements of accuracy of i-FABP were
      pooled. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC) and area under
      the curve (AUC) were used to summarize overall diagnostic performance. After
      screening 150 titles and abstracts, followed by 32 full-text publications, 14
      studies were included. The sample size, sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds
      ratio (DOR) and AUC were: plasma i-FABP 217, 0.64(95% CI 0.53 to 0.74), 0.91(95%
      CI 0.84 to 0.95), 14.22 (95%CI 6.42 to 31.52) and 0.84; urinary i-FABP 211,
      0.64(95% CI 0.53 to 0.74), 0.73(95% CI 0.64 to 0.80), 6.35 (95%CI 3.17 to 12.72)
      and 0.81; urinary i-FABP/Cr 165, 0.78(95% CI 0.65 to 0.88), 0.75(95% CI 0.65 to
      0.82), 6.35 (95%CI 3.17 to 12.72) and 0.81; plasma i-FABP for surgical NEC 45,
      0.71(95% CI 0.51 to 0.87), 0.76(95% CI 0.50 to 0.93), 7.58 (95%CI 0.87 to 65.82)
      and 0.80. Plasma i-FABP is a promising biomarker in the diagnosis of NEC with
      high specificity and DOR; but its usefulness is limited because of medium
      sensitivity. The urinary i-FABP and urinary i-FABP/Cr add little value in the
      diagnosis. The findings were somewhat limited by the quality and small size of
      some of the studies included.

PMID- 27272046
TI  - Pharmacogenetic study of antipsychotic induced acute extrapyramidal symptoms in a
      first episode psychosis cohort: role of dopamine, serotonin and glutamate
      candidate genes.
AB  - This study investigated whether the risk of presenting antipsychotic (AP)-induced
      extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) could be related to single-nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) in a naturalistic cohort of first episode psychosis (FEP) patients. Two
      hundred and two SNPs in 31 candidate genes (involved in dopamine, serotonin and
      glutamate pathways) were analyzed in the present study. One hundred and thirteen
      FEP patients (43 presenting EPS and 70 non-presenting EPS) treated with high
      potency AP (amisulpride, paliperidone, risperidone and ziprasidone) were included
      in the analysis. The statistical analysis was adjusted by age, gender, AP dosage,
      AP combinations and concomitant treatments as covariates. Four SNPs in different
      genes (DRD2, SLC18A2, HTR2A and GRIK3) contributed significantly to the risk of
      EPS after correction for multiple testing (P<1 * 10(-4)). These findings support
      the involvement of dopamine, serotonin and glutamate pathways in AP-induced EPS. 

PMID- 27272049
TI  - Healthcare Costs to Poor Families: An Agonising Burden.

PMID- 27272050
TI  - Pre- and Postnatal Diagnosis of 5q35.1 and 8p23.1 Deletion in Congenital Heart
      Disease.

PMID- 27272051
TI  - Reply to the comment on: "Efficiency of bimaxillary advancement surgery in
      increasing the volume of the upper airways: a systematic review of observational
      studies and meta-analysis".

PMID- 27272053
TI  - LAMP5 Fine-Tunes GABAergic Synaptic Transmission in Defined Circuits of the Mouse
      Brain.
AB  - LAMP5 is member of the LAMP family of membrane proteins. In contrast to the
      canonical members of this protein family, LAMP1 and LAMP2, which show widespread
      expression in many tissues, LAMP 5 is brain specific in mice. In C. elegans, the
      LAMP5 ortholog UNC-46 has been suggested to act a trafficking chaperone,
      essential for the correct targeting of the nematode vesicular GABA-transporter
      UNC-47. We show here that in the mouse brain LAMP5 is expressed in subpopulations
      of GABAergic forebrain neurons in the striato-nigral system and the olfactory
      bulb. The protein was present at synaptic terminals, overlapping with the
      mammalian vesicular GABA-transporter VGAT. In LAMP5-deficient mice localization
      of the transporter was unaffected arguing against a conserved role in VGAT
      trafficking. Electrophysiological analyses in mutants showed alterations in short
      term synaptic plasticity suggesting that LAMP5 is involved in controlling the
      dynamics of evoked GABAergic transmission. At the behavioral level, LAMP5 mutant
      mice showed decreased anxiety and deficits in olfactory discrimination.
      Altogether, this work implicates LAMP5 function in GABAergic neurotransmission in
      defined neuronal subpopulations. 

PMID- 27272052
TI  - Whole-brain changes in white matter microstructure after radiotherapy for
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a diffusion tensor imaging study.
AB  - Radiation-induced local white matter (WM) damage has been observed by diffusion
      tensor imaging (DTI) within a priori-defined regions of interest following
      radiotherapy (RT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we aimed to
      detect WM changes throughout the brain of NPC patients by DTI. Tract-based
      spatial statistics (TBSS) was used to analyze DTI data from 81 NPC patients.
      Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were quantified across the
      whole brain in separate groups: pre-RT, and <6, 6-12, and >12 months post-RT. We
      found that fractional anisotropy values were significantly lower in the right
      frontal, parietal, and occipital WM <6 months post-RT compared with pre-RT and
      remained significantly lower in the right frontal and parietal WM at >12 months.
      MD values were significantly higher in the right occipital, bilateral temporal,
      right occipital-temporal junction, left parietal, left centrum semiovale, and
      left frontal-parietal junction WM <6 months post-RT and remained higher in the
      right occipital WM at >12 months. This study suggests that changes in white
      matter microstructure following RT for NPC were widespread, complex, and dynamic.
      Diffusion tensor imaging with TBSS analysis allows for early non-invasive
      detection of RT-induced WM damage.

PMID- 27272054
TI  - Effects of rapid maxillary expansion on facial soft tissues : Deviation analysis
      on three-dimensional images.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Changes in soft tissue in various morphological regions of the face
      immediately after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) were examined using three
      dimensional (3D) deviation analyses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients
      were included in the study; 25 patients (11 female and 14 male) presented with a
      unilateral or bilateral posterior crossbite malocclusion requiring RME. In
      addition, 25 patients (13 female and 12 male) were included as a control group.
      The mean ages of the study group and control group were 9.8 years (range 8.1-12.6
      years) and 9.6 years (range 8.3-12.2 years), respectively. The 3D
      stereophotogrammetric images acquired immediately before the appliance was
      cemented and after expansion had been completed in the treatment group were
      compared using Rapidform software. The 3D deviation analyses were made for the
      complete face and in the upper and lower face, upper and lower lips and nose
      regions. The amount of negative and positive deviations and the mean deviations
      were examined on the facial meshes for the 95th percentiles. RESULTS: Immediately
      after RME, the mean absolute deviation over the complete face was 0.54 +/- 0.16
      mm. The mean change for the upper face was 0.42 +/- 0.17 mm (mean positive
      deviation: 0.37 +/- 0.17 mm; mean negative deviation: -0.48 +/- 0.18 mm). The
      mean absolute deviation was 0.62 +/- 0.28 mm in the upper lip and 0.60 +/- 0.34
      mm in the lower lip. In the nose area, the absolute deviation was 0.41 +/- 0.21
      mm (mean positive deviation: 0.39 +/- 0.16 mm; mean negative deviation: -0.43 +/-
      0.26 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in facial soft tissues in the upper face, lower
      face, nasal soft tissues, and lower and upper lip regions were observed after
      RME.

PMID- 27272055
TI  - Orthodontic mini-implant stability at different insertion depths : Sensitivity of
      three stability measurement methods.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the influence of insertion
      depth on the stability of orthodontic mini-implants. Sensitivity of three
      different methods to measure implant stability based on differences in insertion
      depth were determined. METHODS: A total of 82 mini-implants (2 * 9 mm) were
      inserted into pelvic bone of Swabian Hall pigs. Each implant was inserted
      stepwise to depths of 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mm. At each of these depths, three
      different methods were used to measure implant stability, including maximum
      insertion torque (MIT), resonance frequency analysis (RFA), and Periotest((r)).
      Differences between the recorded values were statistically analyzed and the
      methods tested for correlations. RESULTS: Almost linear changes from each
      insertion depth were measured with the values of RFA [implant stability quotient
      (ISQ) values range from 1-100], which increased from 6.95 +/- 2.85 ISQ at 4 mm to
      34.63 +/- 5.51 ISQ at 8 mm, and with those of Periotest((r)) [periotest values
      (PTV) range from -8 to 50], which decreased from 13.24 +/- 4.03 PTV to -2.89 +/-
      1.87 PTV. Both methods were found to record highly significant (p < 0.0001)
      changes for each additional millimeter of insertion depth. The MIT increased
      significantly (p < 0.0001) from 153.67 +/- 69.32 Nmm to 261 +/- 103.73 Nmm
      between 4 and 5 mm of insertion depth but no further significant changes were
      observed as the implants were driven deeper. The RFA and Periotest((r)) values
      were highly correlated (r = -0.907). CONCLUSIONS: Mini-implant stability varies
      significantly with insertion depth. The RFA and the Periotest((r)) yielded a
      linear relationship between stability and insertion depth. MIT does not appear to
      be an adequate method to determine implant stability based on insertion depth.

PMID- 27272057
TI  - [Application for Inpatient Psychosomatic Rehabilitation: Frequency, Quality, and
      Approval Rates].
AB  - BACKGROUND: There has been a steady increase in psychiatric primary diagnoses in
      medical rehabilitation services carried out by the statutory pension insurance
      (DRV). To date, no data are available regarding frequency, quality, and approval
      rates of applications for psychosomatic rehabilitation. Pension insurance
      physicians reviewing the application require sufficient information on
      rehabilitation-related needs, motivation, abilities, and prognosis of an insured
      person. Medical reports accompanying application for rehabilitation are often
      provided by a family physician. Psychiatric disorders are often misdiagnosed by
      general practitioners. METHOD: In a 2-week period, all decisions made by pension
      insurance physicians evaluating applications for rehabilitation were recorded.
      For each incoming application, the following data were documented: psychiatric
      and somatic primary diagnosis; availability of medical reports; information on
      prior treatment/therapy; request for further information; decision made by the
      physician. RESULTS: 1,366 applications (with 81% first-time applications) were
      included in the analysis. 16.2% of all applications were from insurants with
      psychiatric primary diagnoses. 44.0% of these applications included a medical
      report from the family physician only. The proportion of rejected applications
      (34.7%) and undecided applications (27.2%) was higher in the group of applicants
      with psychiatric primary diagnosis vs. somatic primary diagnosis (19.6% rejected;
      12.7% undecided; chi2=79.8(4), p=0.001). Applications from patients with
      psychiatric primary diagnosis that lacked a medical report from a
      psychiatrist/psychotherapist were more likely to be rejected (45.3 vs. 32.3%) or
      to remain undecided (28.0 vs. 18.3%; chi2=10.2(2), p=0.006). In contrast, among
      applicants with a history of psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment, there was a
      higher proportion of undecided applications accompanied by a medical report from
      the family physician (35.7 vs. 18.2%). CONCLUSION: It might be useful to have
      medical reports generally provided by medical specialists. This may help both to
      increase the informative value of applications for psychosomatic rehabilitation
      and enable quicker decisions and better diagnosis.

PMID- 27272058
TI  - [There is no Need to Reinvent the Wheel - Requirements for a Successful Project
      Transfer].
AB  - Although the transfer of an existing project can be a resource-efficient form of
      implementation of successful interventions, project transfers are rarely carried
      out in practice. The aim of this article is to pool the experience of 3 projects
      about the transfer of their prevention approaches to other municipalities and
      regions, as well as to make recommendations for future trans-regional transfer
      processes in the field of disease prevention and health promotion. To achieve
      this, documentation sheets were used and interviews were conducted with team
      members of the transfer projects. The results show that the ability to adapt
      intervention to context is an essential condition of successful implementation.
      In addition, there has to be a need for the intervention in the transfer region
      and a benefit to the participant organizations as well as to the team members.
      Furthermore, constructive and personal communication and cooperation between the
      participants of the original and the transferred project are required for
      successful transfer.

PMID- 27272059
TI  - [Art Therapists in Health Care].
AB  - The members of the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Kunstlerische Therapien (BAG KT -
      "Working Committee of Art Therapies of the Federal Republic of Germany") decided
      to carry out an analysis of the occupational group of art therapists, in the form
      of an online inquiry. For this purpose, a questionnaire covering all fields of
      art therapies was developed, recording socio-demographic and qualification data,
      data of different fields of activity, patient characteristics, institutional
      conditions and setting as well as data on reimbursement. 2303 evaluable data sets
      are available. Here, the main focus is on art therapists in the health care
      sector according to SGB (N=2134). 83% of them are female, 56% work in the field
      of emergency medicine and curative treatment, followed by rehabilitation and
      youth welfare. In all sectors, specialization in music and art therapy
      predominates. 57% of the therapists have a special graduate degree in art therapy
      methods, 83% have a graduate degree. 42% have a license to work as an alternative
      non-medical practitioner. Nearly all of them use methods of quality management.
      The results highlight the implementation of art therapies in health care.

PMID- 27272056
TI  - Differential treatment effects of two anchorage systems for rapid maxillary
      expansion: a retrospective cephalometric study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare cephalometric changes
      resulting from treatment with two appliances for rapid maxillary expansion: (1) a
      strictly tooth-borne appliance and (2) a combined tooth- and bone-borne
      appliance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pre- and posttreatment lateral cephalograms of
      100 patients were analyzed by cephalometry. Of these patients, 50 were treated
      with strictly tooth-borne and another 50 with combined tooth- and bone-borne
      appliances. Mean pretreatment age was 13.04 +/- 4.82 years, and mean treatment
      duration was 7.12 +/- 2.37 months. To identify any implications for clinical
      therapy, additional subgroups were formed based on the pretreatment cephalometric
      findings for skeletal Class I (0 degrees  < ANB <= 4 degrees ) or Class III (ANB
      <=0 degrees ). Paired t-tests were used for intragroup and analysis of variance
      (ANOVA) for intergroup comparisons. Results were considered statistically
      significant at p <= 0.05. RESULTS: Both appliance types resulted in significant
      cephalometric changes in the maxilla and mandible. Compared to the strictly tooth
      borne appliances, the combined tooth- and bone-borne appliances were found to
      cause more pronounced advancement of the maxilla (SNA angle) notably among the
      Class III patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid (combined tooth- and bone-borne)
      appliances for rapid maxillary expansion might be preferable in the treatment of
      skeletal Class III patients, since they possibly exert a more pronounced skeletal
      effect on the sagittal position of the maxilla.

PMID- 27272060
TI  - [Public Health as an Applied, Multidisciplinary Subject: Is Research-Based
      Learning the Answer to Challenges in Learning and Teaching?]
AB  - Public health education aims at enabling students to deal with complex health
      related challenges using appropriate methods based on sound theoretical
      understanding. Virtually all health-related problems in science and practice
      require the involvement of different disciplines. However, the necessary
      interdisciplinarity is only partly reflected in the curricula of public health
      courses. Also theories, methods, health topics, and their application are often
      taught side-by-side and not together. For students, it can become an
      insurmountable challenge to integrate the different disciplines ("horizontal
      integration") and theories, methods, health topics, and their application
      ("vertical integration"). This situation is specific for education in public
      health but is representative for other interdisciplinary fields as well. Several
      approaches are available to achieve the horizontal integration of different
      disciplines and vertical integration of theories, methods, health topics, and
      their application. A curriculum that is structured by topics, rather than
      disciplines might be more successful in integrating different disciplines.
      Vertical integration can be achieved by research-based learning. Research-based
      learning places a student-led research project at the centre of teaching.
      Students choose a topic and a research question, raise their own questions for
      theories and methods and will hopefully cross the seeming chasm between science
      and practice. Challenges of research-based learning are enhanced demands on
      students, teachers and curriculum design.

PMID- 27272061
TI  - Monodispersed lysozyme-functionalized bioactive glass nanoparticles with
      antibacterial and anticancer activities.
AB  - In this study, highly monodispersed spherical bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGS)
      with a particle size of 408  +/-  36 nm were synthesized using a modified Stober
      method. The BGS was then functionalized with lysozyme (LY) via a simple
      electrostatic interaction routine under selected conditions. The LY
      functionalized BGS (LY-BGS) exhibited monodispersity, spherical morphology and
      homogeneity in size. The incorporated content of LY could be tailored
      conveniently by adjusting the initial concentration of the LY precursor for
      functionalization. Hydroxyapatite (HA) formed on the LY-BGS after soaking in
      simulated body fluid (SBF) for 7 d, but the formation was retarded compared to
      the non-functionalized BGS. The LY-BGS showed antibacterial activity towards Gram
      positive B. subtilis and  >90% of the bacteria was killed within 24 h after
      culture with the LY-BGS at a concentration of 1 mg ml(-1). The LY-BGS also showed
      cytotoxicity towards the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line. In
      addition, the relative cytotoxicity increased with an increase in the
      concentration of the LY-BGS in contact with the cells. As a comparison, the LY
      BGS exhibited reduced or no cytotoxicity towards human umbilical vein endothelial
      cells (HUVECs) at the same concentration with respect to the HepG2 groups.
      Notably, the relative cell viability of HepG2 was 45.9% after exposure to the LY
      BGS at a concentration of 10 MUg ml(-1) for 24 h, while no decrease in relative
      viability for the HUVECs was observed under the same conditions. This
      cytotoxicity window between cancerous cells and healthy cells could be expected
      for cancer treatment. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties and the
      bioactivity of LY-BGS make it a promising material for biomedical applications,
      particularly in the treatment of bone defects caused by tumors.

PMID- 27272062
TI  - Cerebral radiofrequency exposures during adolescence: Impact on astrocytes and
      brain functions in healthy and pathologic rat models.
AB  - The widespread use of mobile phones by adolescents raises concerns about possible
      health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF 900 MHz) on the
      immature brain. Neuro-development is a period of particular sensitivity to
      repeated environmental challenges such as pro-inflammatory insults. Here, we used
      rats to assess whether astrocyte reactivity, perception, and emotionality were
      affected by RF EMF exposures during adolescence. We also investigated if
      adolescent brains were more sensitive to RF EMF exposures after
      neurodevelopmental inflammation. To do so, we either performed 80 MUg/kg intra
      peritoneal injections of lipopolysaccharides during gestation or 1.25 MUg/h intra
      cerebro-ventricular infusions during adolescence. From postnatal day (P)32 to 62,
      rats were subjected to 45 min RF EMF exposures to the brain (specific absorption
      rates: 0, 1.5, or 6 W/kg, 5 days/week). From P56, they were tested for perception
      of novelty, anxiety-like behaviors, and emotional memory. To assess astrocytic
      reactivity, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein was measured at P64. Our results did
      not show any neurobiological impairment in healthy and vulnerable RF EMF-exposed
      rats compared to their sham-exposed controls. These data did not support the
      hypothesis of a specific cerebral sensitivity to RF EMF of adolescents, even
      after a neurodevelopmental inflammation. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:338-350, 2016.
      (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 27272064
TI  - Prevalence, incidence, and remission rates of urinary incontinence in women
      attended in gynecological practice.
AB  - AIMS: To assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a cohort of women
      attended in primary care gynecological and estimate the incidence and remission
      rates of UI symptoms at 1 year. METHODS: We performed a multicenter prospective
      cohort study of women attending eight primary care gynecological practices.
      Consecutive women attended for gynecological issues different from UI were
      invited to participate in the study by answering the International Consultation
      on Incontinence questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF). Patients receiving
      treatment for UI, during pregnant, and postpartum were excluded. All women with
      UI symptoms (ICIQ-UI-SF > 0) wishing treatment were studied and treated following
      routine clinical practice. All women were invited to answer the same
      questionnaire by phone 1 year after inclusion. RESULTS: A total of 2,840 women
      answered the questionnaire; 1,188 (41.8%) had UI symptoms (ICIQ-UI-SF > 0).
      Accordingly, nearly half (44.9%) had mild UI symptoms. Treatment was requested by
      only 551/1,188 incontinent women (46.38%), being related to the severity of UI.
      At 1 year, 2,443 patients/2,840 (86.0%) were found and again responded to the
      ICIQ-UI-SF. At 1 year the incidence of UI was 5.3% (77 new cases of UI out of
      1,652 with the initial ICIQ-UI-SF = 0) while the remission rate of UI among
      untreated women was 27.9% (144 with ICIQ-UI-SF = 0). CONCLUSIONS: Almost one half
      of women attended in primary care general gynecology practices have UI symptoms,
      with less than 50% requesting treatment. In these women, UI is a dynamic process
      with an incidence of 5.3% and a remission rate of 27.9% at 1 year. Neurourol.
      Urodynam. 36:1081-1085, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27272065
TI  - A Rare Case of Pott's Disease (Spinal Tuberculosis) Mimicking Metastatic Disease
      in the Southern Region of Denmark.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pott's disease (PD) or spinal tuberculosis is a rare condition which
      accounts for less than 1% of total tuberculosis (TB) cases. The incidence of PD
      has recently increased in Europe and the United States, mainly due to
      immigration; however, it is still a rare diagnosis in Scandinavian countries, and
      if overlooked it might lead to significant neurologic complications. CASE REPORT:
      A 78-year-old woman, originally from Eastern Europe, presented to the emergency
      department with a complaint of nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and severe back
      pain. On admission she was febrile and had leukocytosis and increased C-reactive
      protein. Initial spinal x-ray was performed and revealed osteolytic changes in
      the vertebral body of T11 and T12. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine
      illustrated spondylitis of T10, T11, and T12, with multiple paravertebral and
      epidural abscesses, which was suggestive of PD. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      of the patient's gastric fluid was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT).
      Based on MRI and PCR findings, standard treatment for TB was initiated. Results
      of the spine biopsy and culture showed colonies of MT and confirmed the diagnosis
      afterwards. Due to the instability of the spine and severe and continuous pain,
      spine-stabilizing surgery was performed. Her TB was cured after nine months of
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PD is an important differential diagnosis of malignancy
      that should be diagnosed instantly. History of exposure to TB and classic
      radiologic finding can help make the diagnosis.

PMID- 27272066
TI  - Publically Misfitting: Extreme Weight and the Everyday Production and
      Reinforcement of Felt Stigma.
AB  - Living with extreme weight in the United States is associated with discrimination
      and self-stigma, creating structural exclusions, embodied stress, and undermining
      health and wellbeing. Here we combine ethnographic interviews and surveys from
      those with experiences of living with extreme weight to better explain how this
      vulnerability is created and reinforced by public cues, both physical (e.g.,
      seatbelts) and social (the reactions of strangers). "Misfitting" is a major theme
      in interviews, as is the need to plan and scan constantly while navigating too
      small public spaces. The most distressing events combine physical misfitting with
      unsympathetic reactions from strangers. Sensitivity to stigmatizing public cues
      reduces with weight loss, but does not disappear. This study explains one basic
      mechanism that underlies the creation of felt stigma related to weight even after
      weight loss: the lack of accommodation for size and the lack of empathy from
      others that characterize modern urban spaces.

PMID- 27272067
TI  - NPS: Medical Consequences Associated with Their Intake.
AB  - Over the last decade, the 'traditional' drug scene has been supplemented - but
      not replaced - by the emergence of a range of novel psychoactive substances
      (NPS), which are either newly created or existing drugs, including medications,
      now being used in novel ways. By the end of 2014, in excess of 500 NPS had been
      reported by a large number of countries in the world. Most recent data show,
      however, that synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, and
      psychedelics/phenethylamines account for the largest number of NPS.The present
      chapter aims at providing an overview of the clinical and pharmacological issues
      relating to these most popular NPS categories. Given the vast range of medical
      and psychopathological issues associated with the molecules here described, it is
      crucial for health professionals to be aware of the effects and toxicity of NPS.
      A general overview of the acute management of NPS adverse events is provided as
      well, although further studies are required to identify a range of evidence
      based, index molecule-focused, treatment strategies. The rapid pace of change in
      the NPS online market constitutes a major challenge to the provision of current
      and reliable scientific knowledge on these substances.

PMID- 27272068
TI  - Interactions of Cathinone NPS with Human Transporters and Receptors in
      Transfected Cells.
AB  - Pharmacological assays carried out in transfected cells have been very useful for
      describing the mechanism of action of cathinone new psychoactive substances
      (NPS). These in vitro characterizations provide fast and reliable information on
      psychoactive substances soon after they emerge for recreational use. Well
      investigated comparator compounds, such as methamphetamine, 3,4
      methylenedioxymethamphetamine, cocaine, and lysergic acid diethylamide, should
      always be included in the characterization to enhance the translation of the in
      vitro data into clinically useful information. We classified cathinone NPS
      according to their pharmacology at monoamine transporters and receptors.
      Cathinone NPS are monoamine uptake inhibitors and most induce transporter
      mediated monoamine efflux with weak to no activity at pre- or postsynaptic
      receptors. Cathinones with a nitrogen-containing pyrrolidine ring emerged as NPS
      that are extremely potent transporter inhibitors but not monoamine releasers.
      Cathinones exhibit clinically relevant differences in relative potencies at
      serotonin vs. dopamine transporters. Additionally, cathinone NPS have more
      dopaminergic vs. serotonergic properties compared with their non-beta-keto
      amphetamine analogs, suggesting more stimulant and reinforcing properties. In
      conclusion, in vitro pharmacological assays in heterologous expression systems
      help to predict the psychoactive and toxicological effects of NPS.

PMID- 27272069
TI  - Brain Structures Implicated in Inflammation-Associated Depression.
AB  - Systemic inflammation rapidly impairs mood, motivation, and cognition inducing a
      stereotyped cluster of symptoms collectively known as "sickness behaviors." When
      inflammation is severe or chronic, these behavioral changes can appear
      indistinguishable from major depressive disorder (MDD). Human and rodent
      neuroimaging combined with experimental inflammatory challenges has clarified the
      neural circuitry associated with many of the key features of inflammation-induced
      sickness behavior, and in so doing revealed often-remarkable commonalities with
      circuit abnormalities observed in MDD. This review aims to provide the first
      synthesis of this work illustrating areas of convergence and divergence with the
      MDD literature as well as highlighting areas for future study.

PMID- 27272071
TI  - Overstating Conclusions from Population-Based Data: Be Careful What You Wish For!

PMID- 27272072
TI  - Hormonal Contraceptives and Acne: A Retrospective Analysis of 2147 Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although hormonal contraceptives may help acne or worsen it, there
      is limited evidence on the effects of many commonly prescribed agents. The
      present study evaluates patient-reported effect on acne from 2147 patients who
      were utilizing a hormonal contraceptive at the time of their initial consultation
      for acne.<BR /> METHODS: At the time of initial consultation for acne, each of
      2147 consecutive patients using hormonal contraception provided her assessment of
      how her contraceptive had affected her acne. The Kruskal-Wallis test and logistic
      regression analysis were used to compare patient-reported outcomes by
      contraceptive type.<BR /> RESULTS: Depot injections, subdermal implants, and
      hormonal intrauterine devices worsened acne on average, and were inferior to the
      vaginal ring and combined oral contraceptives (COCs; <em>P</em> &le; .001 for all
      pairwise comparisons), which improved acne on average. Within COC categories, a
      hierarchy emerged based on the progestin component, where drospirenone (most
      helpful) > norgestimate and desogestrel > levonorgestrel and norethindrone
      (<em>P</em> &le; .035 for all pairwise comparisons). The presence of triphasic
      progestin dosage in COCs had a positive effect (<em>P</em> = .005), while
      variation in estrogen dose did not have a significant effect (<em>P</em> =
      .880).<BR /> CONCLUSIONS: Different hormonal contraceptives have significantly
      varied effects on acne, including among types of COC.<BR /><BR /> <em>J Drugs
      Dermatol</em>. 2016;15(6):670-674.

PMID- 27272073
TI  - Topical Treatment With an Agent Disruptive to <em>P. acnes</em> Biofilm Provides
      Positive Therapeutic Response: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - The traditional disease model of acne has been one of follicular plugging due to
      'sticky epithelial cells' associated with increased sebum production with deep
      follicular anaerobic conditions favoring <em>P. acnes</em>- generated
      inflammation. <em>P. acnes</em> biofilms have been found more frequently in
      patients with acne than controls. Biofilms are genetically coded to create
      adhesion to the pilosebaceous unit followed by production of a mucopolysaccharide
      coating capable of binding to lipid surfaces. Traditional therapies for acne have
      involved mixtures of oral and topical antibiotics admixed with topical
      keratolytics and retinoids, which are aimed at traditional bacterial reduction as
      well as downregulating the inflammatory cascade. These approaches are limited by
      side effect and compliance/tolerability issues. As the <em>P. acnes</em> biofilm
      may, in fact, be the instigator of this process, we studied the use of a topical
      agent designed to reduce the <em>P. acnes</em> biofilm to see if reducing the
      biofilm would be therapeutically efficacious. We present data of a proprietary
      topical non-prescription agent with a novel pharmaco mechanism designed to attack
      the biofilm produced by <em>P. acnes</em>. Our data shows a decrease of
      inflammatory lesions by 44% and non-inflammatory lesions by 32% after 12 weeks
      and also provided for a meaningful improvement in the quality of life of the
      patients in the study. These improvements were achieved with a product that was
      not associated with burning, chafing, irritation, or erythema, which can be seen
      with topical treatments. It is apparent from this study that by addressing the
      biofilm which protects the <em>P. acnes</em> bacteria through the use of the Acne
      Gel, the incidence of acne symptoms can be greatly reduced, while having no
      negative impacts on the patients' skin (ClinicalTrials.gov registry number
      NCT02404285). <br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol. </em>2016;15(6):677-683. 

PMID- 27272074
TI  - Colloidal Oatmeal <em>(Avena Sativa)</em> Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi
      Therapy Activity.
AB  - Oats (Avena sativa) are a centuries-old topical treatment for a variety of skin
      barrier conditions, including dry skin, skin rashes, and eczema; however, few
      studies have investigated the actual mechanism of action for the skin barrier
      strengthening activity of colloidal oatmeal. Four extracts of colloidal oatmeal
      were prepared with various solvents and tested in vitro for skin barrier related
      gene expression and activity. Extracts of colloidal oatmeal were found to induce
      the expression of genes related to epidermal differentiation, tight junctions and
      lipid regulation in skin, and provide pH-buffering capacity. Colloidal oatmeal
      boosted the expression of multiple target genes related to skin barrier, and
      resulted in recovery of barrier damage in an in vitro model of atopic dermatitis.
      In addition, an investigator-blinded study was performed with 50 healthy female
      subjects who exhibited bilateral moderate to severe dry skin on their lower legs.
      Subjects were treated with a colloidal oatmeal skin protectant lotion.
      Clinically, the colloidal oatmeal lotion showed significant clinical improvements
      in skin dryness, moisturization, and barrier. Taken together, these results
      demonstrate that colloidal oatmeal can provide clinically effective benefits for
      dry and compromised skin by strengthening skin barrier.<br /><br /> <em>J Drugs
      Dermatol</em>. 2016;15(6):684-690. 

PMID- 27272070
TI  - Human Drug Discrimination: Elucidating the Neuropharmacology of Commonly Abused
      Illicit Drugs.
AB  - Drug-discrimination procedures empirically evaluate the control that internal
      drug states have over behavior. They provide a highly selective method to
      investigate the neuropharmacological underpinnings of the interoceptive effects
      of drugs in vivo. As a result, drug discrimination has been one of the most
      widely used assays in the field of behavioral pharmacology. Drug-discrimination
      procedures have been adapted for use with humans and are conceptually similar to
      preclinical drug-discrimination techniques in that a behavior is differentially
      reinforced contingent on the presence or absence of a specific interoceptive drug
      stimulus. This chapter provides a basic overview of human drug-discrimination
      procedures and reviews the extant literature concerning the use of these
      procedures to elucidate the underlying neuropharmacological mechanisms of
      commonly abused illicit drugs (i.e., stimulants, opioids, and cannabis) in
      humans. This chapter is not intended to review every available study that used
      drug-discrimination procedures in humans. Instead, when possible, exemplary
      studies that used a stimulant, opioid, or Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (the
      primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis) to assess the discriminative
      stimulus effects of drugs in humans are reviewed for illustrative purposes. We
      conclude by commenting on the current state and future of human drug
      discrimination research.

PMID- 27272075
TI  - New Atrophic Acne Scar Classification: Reliability of Assessments Based on Size,
      Shape, and Number.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-acne atrophic scarring is a major concern for which standardized
      outcome measures are needed. Traditionally, this type of scar has been classified
      based on shape; but survey of practicing dermatologists has shown that atrophic
      scar morphology has not been well enough defined to allow good agreement in
      clinical classification. Reliance on clinical assessment is still needed at the
      current time, since objective tools are not yet available in routine
      practice.<br/> OBJECTIVES: Evaluate classification for atrophic acne scars by
      shape, size, and facial location and establish reliability in assessments.<br/>
      METHODS: We conducted a non-interventional study with dermatologists performing
      live clinical assessments of atrophic acne scars. To objectively compare
      identification of lesions, individual lesions were marked on a high-resolution
      photo of the patient that was displayed on a computer during the clinical
      evaluation. The Jacob clinical classification system was used to define three
      primary shapes of scars 1) icepick, 2) boxcar, and 3) rolling. To determine
      agreement for classification by size, independent technicians assessed the
      investigators' markings on digital images. Identical localization of scars was
      denoted if the maximal distance between their centers was &le; 60 pixels
      (approximately 3 mm). Raters assessed scars on the same patients twice
      (morning/afternoon). Aggregate models of rater assessments were created and
      analyzed for agreement.<br/> RESULTS: Raters counted a mean scar count per
      subject ranging from 15.75 to 40.25 scars. Approximately 50% of scars were
      identified by all raters and ~75% of scars were identified by at least 2 of 3
      raters (weak agreement, Kappa pairwise agreement 0.30). Agreement between
      consecutive counts was moderate, with Kappa index ranging from 0.26 to 0.47
      (after exclusion of one outlier investigator who had significantly higher counts
      than all others). Shape classifications of icepick, boxcar, and rolling differed
      significantly between raters and even for same raters at consecutive sessions
      (P<.001 and P=0.4, respectively). Analysis showed only 65% of scars were
      identical in both sessions. We also found that there is a threshold of detection
      in terms of size, with poor agreement among investigators for very small scars
      (<2 mm). The repeatability of identification of scars &ge; 2.0 mm was acceptable,
      and we found that increasing scar size was positively correlated with agreement.
      Reliability was improved when only scars >2 mm were included. For smaller scars
      (<2 mm), inter-rater reliability was poor.<br/> CONCLUSIONS: While intuitively it
      makes sense that describing scar morphology could guide treatment, we have shown
      that shape-based evaluations are subjective and do not readily yield strong
      agreement. Until there is a more objective way to evaluate morphology that is
      readily available to practicing clinicians, we propose that size should be
      considered a primary characteristic for scar classification systems. We further
      suggest classification of <2 mm, 2-4 mm, and >4 mm based on how the size would
      likely affect diagnostic and therapeutic choices. Finally, we recommend that
      scars <2 mm not be included in a clinical classification but should be evaluated
      by an objective method that may be refined in the future. <br /><br /> <em>J
      Drugs Dermatol. </em>2016;15(6):693-702.

PMID- 27272076
TI  - Bimatoprost 0.03% Solution for the Treatment of Nonfacial Vitiligo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Topical prostaglandin E<sub>2</sub> has shown efficacy in patients
      with localized, stable vitiligo. Bimatoprost is a synthetic prostamide
      (prostaglandin-ethanolamides) F<sub>2</sub>a analog. Bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic
      solution showed efficacy in the treatment of vitiligo in one small study.<br />
      OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of bimatoprost 0.03% alone and in
      combination with a topical steroid (mometasone) compared with mometasone alone in
      patients with nonsegmental vitiligo on nonfacial areas in a proof-of-concept
      study.<br /> METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, controlled study was
      conducted over a 20-week treatment period. Patients were randomized to 1 of 3
      treatment groups: bimatoprost monotherapy (n=11), bimatoprost plus mometasone
      (n=10), and mometasone plus placebo (n=11). The primary outcome was global
      response at week 20, based on an investigator's assessment of improvement score
      of at least 5 (at least 50%-75% improvement from baseline) on an 8-point scale
      (0=worse; 7=cleared). Other outcomes included global response at other visits,
      response by anatomic site, change from baseline lesion severity (overall and by
      site), and safety.<br /> RESULTS: Because of a lack of response observed for the
      primary end point, a post hoc analysis with a less stringent definition of
      response (score of &ge;4 [25%-50% improvement]) was conducted. In this analysis,
      46% of the bimatoprost plus mometasone group responded overall compared with 18%
      in the bimatoprost monotherapy group, and no patients in the mometasone plus
      placebo group. Greater response rates were observed in both bimatoprost groups
      compared with the mometasone plus placebo group starting at week 12. There were
      no differences among groups in signs and symptoms of irritation.<br />
      CONCLUSIONS: Bimatoprost alone or with mometasone provided greater repigmentation
      than treatment with mometasone alone. Larger studies that also assess facial
      lesions are warranted.<br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol</em>. 2016;15(6):703-710.

PMID- 27272077
TI  - Utilization of Optical Coherence Tomography in the Evaluation of Cherry
      Hemangiomas.
AB  - Cherry hemangiomas are common vascular proliferative lesions that can be
      concerning from a cosmetic perspective. Laser therapy is often used to eradicate
      cherry hemangiomas, but some lesions require multiple treatments or do not
      resolve at all. The suboptimal response to laser treatment may be due to
      limitations in penetration depth by vascular lasers such as the pulsed dye laser.
      Optical coherence tomography is a low-energy, light-based imaging device that can
      evaluate the depth and extent of vascular lesions such as cherry hemangiomas by
      allowing visualization of tissue structure and blood vessel architecture, which
      cannot be appreciated by clinical or dermatoscopic examination alone. We present
      optical coherence tomography images of a cherry hemangioma to demonstrate the
      precision and resolution of this imaging modality. Optical coherence tomography
      provides valuable information that has the potential to predict response to laser
      therapy without unnecessary attempts. Future prospective studies will determine
      its value for this purpose. <br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol.
      </em>2016;15(6):713-714. 

PMID- 27272078
TI  - Mycophenolate Mofetil in Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Review.
AB  - Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is a
      significant cause of morbidity, quality-of-life impairment and health-care costs.
      Although many patients can be treated satisfactorily with topical medications and
      phototherapy, a smaller subset requires more aggressive systemic therapies.
      Multiple studies have shown promise for the use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to
      treat refractory AD. This report summarizes the evidence for use of MMF in the
      treatment of recalcitrant AD for both children and adults. Familiarity with these
      studies on the benefits and risks of MMF will enable the clinician and patient to
      select the most appropriate therapy.<br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol</em>.
      2016;15(6):715-718. 

PMID- 27272079
TI  - Two Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Face Studies to Compare the Irritation
      Potential of Two Topical Acne Fixed Combinations Over a 21-Day Treatment Period.
AB  - Topical therapy of acne vulgaris (acne) is very common, however cutaneous
      tolerability can influence patient adherence, and concerns about skin irritation
      have lead to a number of comparative split-face studies. Advances in formulation
      technology have provided new fixed combinations with lower concentrations of
      potentially irritating ingredients without compromising efficacy. These
      developments now afford the opportunity to formulate fixed combinations with
      higher concentrations of active ingredients that may provide the greater efficacy
      needed in more severe disease with good tolerability.<br /> Here, we compare the
      tolerability of two such developments, clindamycin-BP 3.75% gel and adapalene
      0.3%-BP 2.5% gel, in healthy volunteers with no apparent facial redness or
      dryness over 21-days, using a split-face methodology.<br /> Clindamycin-BP 3.75%
      gel was more tolerable than adapalene 0.3%-BP 2.5% gel over the duration of the
      two studies, with statistically significant differences in cumulative change from
      baseline starting as early as day 4 (stinging), day 5 (erythema, dryness, and
      scaling), day 6 (burning), and day 8 (itching); and in composite irritation index
      (stinging, erythema, dryness, scaling, burning, and itching) from day 4.
      Transepidermal water loss was less with clindamycin-BP 3.75% gel (statistically
      significant from day 8). Adverse events were twice as common with adapalene 0.3%
      BP 2.5% gel.<br /> These data suggest that clindamycin-BP 3.75% gel is likely to
      be better tolerated than adapalene 0.3%-BP 2.5% gel in moderate-to-severe acne.
      <br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol. </em>2016;15(6):721-726. 

PMID- 27272080
TI  - Photodynamic Therapy With Topical 5% 5-Aminolevulinic Acid for the Treatment of
      Truncal Acne in Asian Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical application of
      aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is an effective treatment for acne vulgaris. However,
      there is no clear consensus on the treatment regime in Asians.<BR /> AIM: To
      determine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of 5% ALA PDT in the treatment of
      truncal acne in Asians.<BR /> METHODS: Patients with truncal acne were treated
      with 5%-ALA under occlusion for 3 hours. All were subsequently treated with a red
      light source at wavelength 630 nm and an irradiance of 38mW/cm<sup>2</sup> giving
      a total dose of 37 J/cm<sup>2</sup>. The numbers of acne lesions were recorded at
      baseline and regular intervals after treatment together with any adverse
      effects.<BR /> RESULTS: Fifteen patients were recruited. Overall, there was a
      64.2% reduction in the inflammatory lesions count and a 24.3% reduction in the
      non-inflammatory lesions count at the end of the 12 weeks follow-up. Both mean
      lesions counts were significantly lower than baseline at all follow-up time
      points with paired t tests (all P values <0.05). Pain was well tolerated among
      our patients.<BR /> CONCLUSION: A single treatment session of 5%-ALA PDT was
      effective for the treatment of truncal acne with little side effects and
      acceptable in our Asian patients.<BR /><BR /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol</em>.
      2016;15(6):727-732.

PMID- 27272081
TI  - Antimycotic Studies of Miconazole Nanovesicles Formulation vs Candida Strain.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Present research work was aimed at formulation and evaluation of
      antifungal activity of miconazole nitrate (MN) vesicles vs C. albicans spp.<br />
      METHODS: Miconazole loaded vesicles were prepared by coacervation phase
      separation technique using nonionic surfactants and stabilizers. The
      antimycological activity of vesicles was performed using agar disc diffusion
      technique.<br /> RESULTS: The miconazole nitrate lipid vesicles F5A and F5B
      showed maximum activity with higher zones of inhibition ie, 13.95+1.54 mm and
      13.64+0.65 mm, respectively, after 3 days (For all comparisons, <em>P</em><.05
      was considered significant).<br /> CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest
      antifungal potential of a novel preparation of miconazole nitrate vesicles vs
      Candida albicans in the treatment of mycoses in dermatological practice. <br
      /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol. </em>2016;15(6):734-737.

PMID- 27272082
TI  - The Effect of a Combination of Recombinant EGF Cosmetic Serum and a Crosslinked
      Hyaluronic Acid Serum as Compared to a Fibroblast-Conditioned Media Serum on the
      Appearance of Aging Skin.
AB  - Anti-aging cosmeceutical efficacy is hampered by lack of active ingredient purity
      and lack of dosing standardization. These are two important key factors necessary
      to insure consistent, reproducible, and documentable skin effects. Without this
      type of standardization, it is not possible for cosmeceutical science to advance.
      Growth factors are interesting cosmeceutical ingredients with established
      cosmetic skin effects that can now be standardized due to the recent ability to
      manufacture recombinant epidermal growth factor. The concomitant use of a
      recombinant epidermal growth factor with a filler grade hyaluronic acid (EGF/RHA)
      was studied over 12 weeks in 60 females with mild to moderate photoaging as
      compared to a currently marketed spent fibroblast growth media and moisturizer
      (TNS). Investigator, noninvasive, and subject assessments were collected at
      baseline and weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. The blinded investigator noted a
      statistically significant preference for the EGF/RHA at week 2 in terms of
      smoothness (<em>P</em> =0.003) and firmness (<em>P</em> =0.003). This improvement
      continued into weeks 4 and 8 with continued superior EGF/RHA results in fine
      lines (<em>P</em> =0.002), radiance (<em>P</em> =0.014), and overall appearance
      (<em>P</em> =0.027) by week 12. Transepidermal water loss was reduced for the
      EGF/RHA over the TNS at week 12 (<em>P</em> =0.005). The subjects gave high
      ratings to both study products. This research demonstrates the utility of
      recombinant growth factors, when combined with hyaluronic acid hydration, in
      improving skin cosmetic attributes. The ability to manufacture consistent pure
      recombinant growth factors lays the foundation for improved scientific study of
      this category of cosmeceutical actives.<br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol</em>.
      2016;15(6):738-741. 

PMID- 27272083
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Naftifine HCl Cream 2% in the Treatment of Pediatric
      Subjects With Tinea Corporis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tinea corporis is fungal infection of body surfaces other than the
      feet, groin, scalp, or beard. Naftifine hydrochloride is a topical antifungal of
      the allylamine class used to treat tinea corporis, displaying fungicidal activity
      and clinically significant anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.<br/>
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two-weeks once daily
      application of naftifine cream 2% in the treatment of tinea corporis among
      pediatric subjects.<br/> METHODS: At baseline, 231 subjects were randomly
      assigned 1:1 to naftifine cream 2% (n=116) and vehicle (n=115). Treatment effect
      consisting of mycologic determination (KOH and dermatophyte cultures) and scoring
      of clinical symptom severity was evaluated at baseline, week 2 (end of treatment)
      and week 3. Efficacy was analyzed in 181 subjects (n=88, naftifine; n=93,
      vehicle) with a positive baseline dermatophyte culture and KOH for whom week 3
      assessments were available. Safety was evaluated by adverse events (AE) and
      laboratory values in 231 subjects (n=116, naftifine; n=115, vehicle).<br/>
      RESULTS: Children with tinea corporis treated with naftifine cream 2%
      demonstrated significantly greater improvements from baseline over vehicle for
      mycological cure (<em>P</em><0.0001) and treatment effectiveness
      (<em>P</em>=0.003) as early as 2 weeks (end of treatment). Response rates
      continued to increase post-treatment and were the highest 1-week after completion
      of the therapy (<em>P</em>=0.003 for complete cure; and <em>P</em><0.001 for
      mycological cure and treatment effectiveness). Treatment related adverse events
      were minimal.<br/> CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with naftifine cream 2% applied once
      daily for two weeks was well-tolerated and was effective in treating tinea
      corporis in children. Further improvement was observed 1-week after treatment
      completion for all key outcome measures (complete cure, mycological cure,
      treatment effectiveness, clinical cure, and clinical success) and clinical signs
      and symptoms (erythema, induration, and pruritus). <br /><br /> <em>J Drugs
      Dermatol. </em>2016;15(6):743-748.

PMID- 27272084
TI  - A Double-Blind, 12-Week Study to Evaluate the Antiaging Efficacy of a Cream
      Containing the NFkappaB Inhibitor 4-Hexyl-1, 3-Phenylenediol and Ascorbic Acid-2
      Glucoside in Adult Females.
AB  - The 5 main physical manifestations of aged skin are wrinkles, uneven tone, brown
      spots, loss of elasticity, and dryness. One mechanism resulting in these physical
      manifestations is increased activity of the nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB)
      protein. This 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized split-face
      study compared the antiaging effect and safety of a face cream containing 4-Hexyl
      1, 3-phenylenediol, an NFkappaB inhibitor, and ascorbic acid-2 glucoside versus
      placebo in adult females aged 45-70 years old. Subjects (n=42) applied active
      treatment or placebo to the same half face twice daily at home for 12 weeks.
      Clinical evaluation was carried out by a dermatologist. Subjects carried out
      similar self-grading assessments. Colorimetric measurements analyzed skin color,
      and biomechanical skin properties were evaluated. Clinical grading showed that
      most wrinkle parameters were significantly improved after 8 weeks of active
      treatment compared with baseline and placebo (<em>P</em>&le;.05), with
      improvements maintained after 12 weeks. Only Marionette wrinkles did not show a
      significant improvement. Brown spots (color intensity/number), overall
      photodamage, and most complexion parameters improved significantly after 8 and 12
      weeks compared with baseline and placebo (<em>P</em>&le;.05). Self-grading
      yielded similar results compared with baseline. Self-grading did not demonstrate
      improvements with active treatment versus placebo, except for skin firmness at 8
      and 12 weeks (<em>P</em>&le;.05). A significant difference was seen with active
      treatment compared with placebo in all colorimetric parameters (L*, b*, and ITA
      degrees ) after 8 weeks, and in spot coloration (b*) after 12 weeks
      (<em>P</em><.05). Improvements in skin elasticity were not significantly
      different between treatments. Overall tolerability of active treatment was judged
      as good. In conclusion, a cream containing 4-Hexyl-1, 3-phenylenediol and
      ascorbic acid-2 glucoside improves the clinical appearance of aged skin,
      validating the potential use of NFkappaB inhibition as a novel, effective method
      of topical antiaging.<br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol</em>. 2016;15(6):750-758. 

PMID- 27272085
TI  - Injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid: Understanding Its Use in the Current Era.
AB  - A survey of Sculptra<sup>(r)</sup> Aesthetic injectors was conducted to
      understand how the product is being currently reconstituted and injected.
      Questions were asked of injectors to understand their reasons for choice and
      volume of diluent(s), additions, and time for the reconstitution process. These
      results are discussed in the context of the past history of the product over the
      last decade, with a focus on adverse events such as papules and nodules. <br
      /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol. </em>2016;15(6):759-762. 

PMID- 27272086
TI  - Paradoxical Erythema Reaction of Long-term Topical Brimonidine Gel for the
      Treatment of Facial Erythema of Rosacea.
AB  - In 2013 brimonidine tartrate gel 0.33% (Mirvaso Gel, Galderma Laboratories, LP,
      Fort Worth, TX) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the
      treatment of facial erythema of rosacea. It is the first and only drug on the
      market to address the hallmark redness of this chronic, inflammatory disease.
      Commonly reported adverse events include erythema/flushing worse than at
      baseline, most often occurring with the first application. We report a unique
      case of facial erythema of rosacea that responded to brimonidine gel with
      effective blanching for two years until the patient developed a paradoxical
      erythema reaction. This is an adverse reaction physicians should be aware of with
      continued prescription of brimonidine gel for their rosacea patients.<br /><br />
      <em>J Drugs Dermatol</em>. 2016;15(6):763-765. 

PMID- 27272087
TI  - Vitiligo of the Face in a Patient Treated With Vemurafenib for Metastatic
      Melanoma.
AB  - Vemurafenib is a potent and selective BRAF inhibitor, which is effective on
      patients with BRAF V600E mutated late-stage melanoma. Common and less common
      adverse skin reactions include photosensitivity, maculo-papular exanthema, hand
      foot skin reactions, hyperkeratotic follicular rash, pruritus, benign verrucous
      papillomas, plantar hyperkeratosis, keratoacanthomas, squamous cell carcinomas,
      infections, and melanoma. To our knowledge, vitiligo has been reported in 2 cases
      only. This paper reports the case of a 63-year-old man with metastatic melanoma,
      who developed sudden facial depigmentation after 4 weeks of treatment with
      vemurafenib 960 mg twice daily. Features consistent with vitiligo were evident at
      clinical and ultraviolet light examination, as well as at in vivo reflectance
      confocal microscopy. The latter examination showed lack of normal brightly
      refractile papillary rings at the dermo-epidermal junction in lesional skin, as
      well as decreased brightness and half-rings with "scalloped border-like" features
      in adjacent non-lesional skin. Vitiligo is an adverse reaction to be expected in
      patients treated with vemurafenib and whether its occurrence may be associated
      with a positive outcome, as suggested by previous investigations, is still a
      matter of debate. <br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol. </em>2016;15(6):766-768. 

PMID- 27272088
TI  - A Sequential Approach to the Treatment of Severe Papulopustular Rosacea Not
      Responding to Traditional Treatment.
AB  - We report the case of a German female patient presenting with papulopustular
      rosacea (PPR) with a high count of facial inflammatory lesions and severe
      erythema who had not responded well to treatment with traditional therapies for a
      decade. In this patient, a sequential therapy consisting of oral modified-release
      doxycycline 40 mg (initially as monotherapy, then in combination with topical
      metronidazole), followed by topical ivermectin 10 mg/g was both rapidly active
      and effective. Following reduction of the inflammation with modified-release
      doxycycline 40 mg upfront and the disease becoming moderate in severity, the dose
      of this agent could be reduced and combination therapy with metronidazole 7.5
      mg/g lotion started to continue decreasing inflammatory lesions count and
      erythema severity, before treatment with the recently approved agent ivermectin
      10 mg/g was implemented to provide almost complete clearance. This sequential
      treatment was effective in reducing both the number of papules and pustules and
      the severity of erythema, with a good safety profile. In addition, a large
      improvement was documented in the patient's DLQI score, contributing to her
      overall wellbeing.<br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol</em>. 2016;15(6):769-771. 

PMID- 27272089
TI  - Failure of Anakinra in a Case of Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, painful, inflammatory
      disorder of hair follicles and manifests with several cutaneous findings,
      including double comedones, papules, cysts, nodules, draining abscesses, and
      sinus tracts. It is associated with tremendous morbidity and decreased quality of
      life. Treatment of HS is challenging. Recently, there have been mixed reports
      regarding the efficacy of anakinra, an interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, in the
      management of HS.<br/> CASE: A 55-year-old African American male with a several
      year history of severe HS, recalcitrant to multiple prior treatments, was treated
      with a 12 week course of anakinra 100 mg subcutaneously daily. After 3 months of
      therapy, minimal change was observed, and the patient strongly preferred to cease
      therapy due to lack of improvement and pain associated with daily
      injections.<br/> CONCLUSION: Our case of severe HS proved refractory to anakinra.
      Tolerance of this therapy may be a limiting factor for some patients due to
      necessity for daily injections. <br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol.
      </em>2016;15(6):772-774.

PMID- 27272090
TI  - Pragmatic and Profound Benefits of Acyclovir Buccal Adhesive Tablets.
AB  - The clinician has many options, both systemic and topical, for the management of
      oro-labial herpes simplex infections due to HSV-1. A recent addition to this
      armamentarium is Acyclovir 50 mg Buccal Adhesive Tablets (ABT 50mg). While this
      agent demonstrates the typical modest reduction in time to healing of any given
      episode of recurrent oro-labial HSV 1, it also was found in pivotal studies to
      alter the course of this troublesome viral disease. Several case reports are
      presented which dramatically illustrate that ABT 50mg can reduce the overall
      number of overt outbreaks and increase the time interval between outbreaks in
      patients with historical evidence of frequent episodes. This therapeutic
      intervention is thus: simple, safe, efficacious and cost-effective, even in
      patients who experience numerous (and therefore disconcerting) oro-labial
      outbreaks.<br /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol</em>. 2016;15(6):775-777. 

PMID- 27272091
TI  - Effect of GT-Peptide 10 and Triethyl Citrate on <em>P. acnes</em> Biofilm
      Formation, Viability, and Dispersion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: P. acnes biofilms are emerging topics in acne vulgaris pathogenesis
      and may be responsible for antibiotic tolerance.<br/> OBJECTIVE: To investigate
      the efficacy of GT peptide 10 either alone or in combination with triethyl
      citrate (TEC) in in vitro model of P. acnes biofilm.<br/> METHODS: Six-day-old P.
      acnes biofilms were treated with various concentrations of these substances and
      biofilm dispersion and cell viability were monitored.<br/> RESULTS: A 24-hour
      exposure of preformed biofilms to a combination of GT peptide 10/TEC led to
      killing of up to 92% of bacterial cells inside the biofilm. Neither the single
      substance nor the combination of both substances affected the biofilm integrity
      or resulted in biofilm dispersal.<br/> CONCLUSIONS: A combination of GT peptide
      10/TEC shows antibacterial effects in in vitro model of P. acnes biofilm. <br
      /><br /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol. </em>2016;15(6):778-781.

PMID- 27272092
TI  - Resident Rounds: Part III - Case Report: Betel Quid Induced Irritant Contact
      Dermatitis of the Hand.
AB  - Betel quid is a drug used in Far East Asia, India, and the South Pacific. The
      habit of betel quid chewing is widely reported to cause oral cancer and tooth and
      gum disease. However, skin disease due to betel quid use is underreported. We
      report a case of irritant contact dermatitis to betel quid components in a 35
      year-old male betel quid user who presented for evaluation of a persistent rash
      on his fingertips. 

PMID- 27272093
TI  - The Revised Nutrition Facts Label: A Step Forward and More Room for Improvement.

PMID- 27272094
TI  - Values as determinant of meaning among patients with psychiatric disorders in the
      perspective of recovery.
AB  - Recovery is a personal process of growth that involves hope, self-identity,
      meaning in life and responsibility. Determinants of meaning have not been
      explored among populations of patients with persistent psychiatric conditions.
      However, an evidence-based approach aiming at assessing such determinants should
      provide some insight into the psychotherapeutic aspects of recovery. We tested a
      model hypothesizing that some symptoms and social parameters of patients are
      related to values, and secondarily to meaning in life, and in turn that meaning
      is associated with various parameters, such as depressiveness and self-esteem. We
      assessed 176 patients with schizophrenia, anorexia, borderline personality
      disorder and bipolar disorder. Overall, our hypotheses proved correct: firstly,
      characteristics such as depression, hopelessness, self-esteem and the number of
      relationships influenced values; secondly, the presence and an enactment of
      values were associated with meaning, and thirdly, meaning was associated with
      some symptoms and social characteristics. This model was confirmed in the four
      psychiatric populations under study. These results support the relevance of
      addressing values and meaning in the recovery-oriented care of patients with
      persistent psychiatric disorders, in addition to other psychosocial interventions
      which are more systematically considered in this area.

PMID- 27272097
TI  - Real time and online dynamic speckle assessment of growing bacteria using the
      method of motion history image.
AB  - This paper reports the application of the motion history image (MHI) method for
      biospeckle processing of a bacterial growth. The method avoids the complexity as
      well as the large computation in sequence-matching-based methods and detects
      whether the speckle structure has changed or not. Encouraging experimental
      results on the real-time evolution of the growing bacteria during 12 h
      demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The MHI presented an online
      result without loss of resolution and definition. In turn, the MHI also presented
      the ability to provide a close answer to the traditional offline method of
      generalized differences.

PMID- 27272095
TI  - Repeatability and reproducibility of optic nerve head perfusion measurements
      using optical coherence tomography angiography.
AB  - Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has increasingly become a
      clinically useful technique in ophthalmic imaging. We evaluate the repeatability
      and reproducibility of blood perfusion in the optic nerve head (ONH) measured
      using optical microangiography (OMAG)-based OCTA. Ten eyes from 10 healthy
      volunteers are recruited and scanned three times with a 68-kHz Cirrus HD-OCT 5000
      based OMAG prototype system (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, California)
      centered at the ONH involving two separate visits within six weeks. Vascular
      images are generated with OMAG processing by detecting the differences in OCT
      signals between consecutive B-scans acquired at the same retina location. ONH
      perfusion is quantified as flux, vessel area density, and normalized flux within
      the ONH for the prelaminar, lamina cribrosa, and the full ONH. Coefficient of
      variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) are used to evaluate
      intravisit and intervisit repeatability, and interobserver reproducibility. ONH
      perfusion measurements show high repeatability [CV<=3.7% (intravisit) and <=5.2%
      (intervisit)] and interobserver reproducibility (ICC<=0.966) in all three layers
      by three metrics. OCTA provides a noninvasive method to visualize and quantify
      ONH perfusion in human eyes with excellent repeatability and reproducibility,
      which may add additional insight into ONH perfusion in clinical practice.

PMID- 27272096
TI  - Grueneisen relaxation photoacoustic microscopy in vivo.
AB  - Grueneisen relaxation photoacoustic microscopy (GR-PAM) can achieve optically
      defined axial resolution, but it has been limited to ex vivo demonstrations so
      far. Here, we present the first in vivo image of a mouse brain acquired with GR
      PAM. To induce the GR effect, an intensity-modulated continuous-wave laser was
      employed to heat absorbing objects. In phantom experiments, an axial resolution
      of 12.5  MUm was achieved, which is sixfold better than the value achieved by
      conventional optical-resolution PAM. This axial-resolution improvement was
      further demonstrated by imaging a mouse brain in vivo, where significantly
      narrower axial profiles of blood vessels were observed. The in vivo demonstration
      of GR-PAM shows the potential of this modality for label-free and high-resolution
      anatomical and functional imaging of biological tissues.

PMID- 27272098
TI  - The relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and LATCH scores and
      affecting factors.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the relationship between
      breastfeeding self-efficacy and LATCH scores and affecting factors in Turkish
      mothers. BACKGROUND: The benefits of breastfeeding for newborns and mothers are
      well documented. Type of birth, maternal and neonatal complications; lack of
      support from healthcare professionals during breastfeeding, hospital routines,
      time and duration of mother-newborn attachment; and insufficiency of husband and
      family support are the most significant factors affecting breastfeeding
      initiation and mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy in early postpartum period.
      Therefore, it is important to determine how all these factors affect
      breastfeeding. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. METHODS:
      The sample of the study consisted of 303 postpartum women who were recruited at
      the obstetrics clinic of maternity hospital in one of the three largest city of
      Turkey. The data were obtained using Personal Identification Form, Breastfeeding
      Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form and LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool to
      determine breastfeeding success. The mean, standard deviation, frequency,
      percentages, correlation analysis and Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis were used
      in data collection. RESULTS: The main finding of the study was a weak positive
      correlation between average LATCH scores and average Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy
      Scale-Short Form scores of women in the postpartum period. The women becoming
      pregnant four times or more got significantly higher average Breastfeeding Self
      Efficacy Scale-Short Form and average LATCH scores, and the women married for 11
      years or longer and the mothers starting to breastfeed their babies within 30
      minutes of their birth got significantly higher average LATCH scores.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present research affirm the beneficial role of
      high self-efficacy in successful breastfeeding. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:
      It is of great importance that midwives and obstetric nurses routinely evaluate
      breastfeeding self-efficacy and the capability of breastfeeding for early
      detection of problems related to breastfeeding.

PMID- 27272099
TI  - Mechanical Isolation of Highly Stable Antimonene under Ambient Conditions.
AB  - Antimonene fabricated by mechanical exfoliation is highly stable under
      atmospheric conditions over periods of months and even when immersed in water.
      Density functional theory confirms the experiments and predicts an electronic gap
      of ~1 eV. These results highlight the use of antimonene for optoelectronics
      applications. 

PMID- 27272100
TI  - Peri- and postoperative cognitive and consecutive functional problems of elderly
      patients.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: From an elderly patient's perspective, acute and chronic
      cognitive disturbances are among the most harmful complications that can occur
      following surgery. For elderly patients, these complications often mean the end
      of an independent life. This article focuses on this serious aspect, which is
      increasingly prevalent in our aging society. Cognitive disturbances are
      associated with severe outcome impairments and increased mortality. This article
      aims to provide a current overview regarding the diagnosis, pathophysiology,
      prevention, and treatment of this severe social problem. RECENT FINDINGS: The
      current knowledge of risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of
      postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction should help to
      raise awareness and improve the outcome of delirious patients, particularly in
      the elderly population. SUMMARY: Especially in elderly patients, postoperative
      delirium constitutes a common, severe complication. Early diagnosis and
      supportive treatment are essential to improve outcome. To date, no
      pharmacological treatment strategy was effective, so that further research about
      the underlying pathophysiology and the development of treatment strategies are
      urgently required.

PMID- 27272101
TI  - Anabolic and anticatabolic agents in critical care.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A complex network of hormones and other effectors characterize
      the hypermetabolic response in critical illness; these mediators work together to
      induce numerous pathophysiologic alterations. Increased incidence of infection,
      multiorgan failure, long-term debilitation, delays in rehabilitation, and death
      result from an inability to meet the prohibitively elevated protein and energy
      requirements, which occur during illness and can persist for several years.
      Pharmacologic interventions have been successfully utilized to attenuate
      particular aspects of the hypermetabolic response; these modalities are a
      component of managing critically ill patients - including those patients with
      severe burns. Here, we review recent advances in pharmacologically attenuating
      the hypermetabolic and catabolic responses. RECENT FINDINGS: Propranolol, a
      nonspecific beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, is one of the most widely used
      anticatabolic therapies. Oxandrolone, testosterone, and intensive insulin therapy
      represent anabolic pharmacological strategies. Promising therapies, such as
      metformin, glucagon-like peptide 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
      agonists, are currently being investigated. SUMMARY: Profound metabolic
      derangements occur in critically ill patients; this hypermetabolic response is a
      major contributor to adverse outcomes. Despite the pharmacological therapies
      currently available to counteract this devastating cascade, future studies are
      warranted to explore new multimodality agents that will counteract these effects
      while maintaining glycemic control and preventing unfavorable complications.

PMID- 27272102
TI  - Minimalistic Ditopic Ligands: An alpha-S,N-Donor-Substituted Alkyne as Effective
      Intermetallic Conjugation Linker.
AB  - The capability of donor-substituted alkynes to link different metal ions in a
      side-on carbon donor-chelate coordination mode is extended from the donor centers
      S and P to the second period element N. The complex [Tp'W(CO)2 {eta(2) -C2
      (S)(NHBn)}] (Tp'=hydrido-tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, Bn=benzyl) bearing a
      terminal sulfur atom and a secondary amine substituent is accessible by a metal
      template synthesis. Subsequent deprotonation allowed the formation of remarkably
      stable heterobimetallic complexes with the [(eta(5) -C5 H5 )Ru(PPh3 )] and the
      [Ir(ppy)2 ] moiety. Electrochemical and spectroscopic investigations (cyclic
      voltammetry, IR, UV/Vis, luminescence, EPR), as well as DFT calculations, and X
      ray structure determinations of the W-Ru complex in two oxidation states reveal a
      strong metal-metal coupling but also a limited delocalization of excited states. 

PMID- 27272103
TI  - The Birmingham Urban Climate Laboratory-A high density, urban meteorological
      dataset, from 2012-2014.
AB  - There is a paucity of urban meteorological observations worldwide, hindering
      progress in understanding and mitigating urban meteorological hazards and
      extremes. High quality urban datasets are required to monitor the impacts of
      climatological events, whilst providing data for evaluation of numerical models.
      The Birmingham Urban Climate Laboratory was established as an exemplar network to
      meet this demand for urban canopy layer observations. It comprises of an array of
      84 wireless air temperature sensors nested within a coarser array of 24 automatic
      weather stations, with observations available between June 2012 and December
      2014. data routinely underwent quality control, follows the ISO 8601 naming
      format and benefits from extensive site metadata. The data have been used to
      investigate the structure of the urban heat island in Birmingham and its
      associated societal and infrastructural impacts. The network is now being
      repurposed into a testbed for the assessment of crowd-sourced and satellite data,
      but the original dataset is now available for further analysis, and an open
      invitation is extended for its academic use. 

PMID- 27272105
TI  - Development of an effective therapy and objective assessment for children with
      birth injuries.
AB  - Sitting in a Huple, a patented hemisphere-like tool, permanently stimulates the
      vestibular system, thus improving the balancing ability of children with movement
      disorders. The Gezenguz Foundation for Children with Birth Injuries has been
      successfully applying this tool in therapy. By attaching x-Inertial Measurement
      Unit, a wireless three-dimensional orientation sensor, to the Huple, it can serve
      as an input peripheral for simple PC games. Children are thus motivated; they
      willingly perform balance training as well as participate in the game-like test.
      This improves the accuracy and reproducibility of the assessment. Knowing the
      actual state of the participants is an important element of feedback for the
      therapy. This paper describes in detail the development of the therapeutic and
      assessment method on the basis of the Huple: the definition of the movement
      pattern, the parameters characterizing the movement, and the algorithms used to
      rank children. Measurement series of 10 children with movement disorders validate
      the effectiveness of the game-like assessment.

PMID- 27272104
TI  - Genetics of aging bone.
AB  - With aging, the skeleton experiences a number of changes, which include
      reductions in mass and changes in matrix composition, leading to fragility and
      ultimately an increase of fracture risk. A number of aspects of bone physiology
      are controlled by genetic factors, including peak bone mass, bone shape, and
      composition; however, forward genetic studies in humans have largely concentrated
      on clinically available measures such as bone mineral density (BMD). Forward
      genetic studies in rodents have also heavily focused on BMD; however,
      investigations of direct measures of bone strength, size, and shape have also
      been conducted. Overwhelmingly, these studies of the genetics of bone strength
      have identified loci that modulate strength via influencing bone size, and may
      not impact the matrix material properties of bone. Many of the rodent forward
      genetic studies lacked sufficient mapping resolution for candidate gene
      identification; however, newer studies using genetic mapping populations such as
      Advanced Intercrosses and the Collaborative Cross appear to have overcome this
      issue and show promise for future studies. The majority of the genetic mapping
      studies conducted to date have focused on younger animals and thus an
      understanding of the genetic control of age-related bone loss represents a key
      gap in knowledge.

PMID- 27272106
TI  - Oncological Outcomes of Major Liver Resection Following Portal Vein Embolization:
      A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preoperative portal vein occlusion with either percutaneous portal
      vein embolization (PVE) or portal vein ligation is routinely used to induce liver
      hypertrophy prior to major liver resection in patients with hepatic malignancy.
      While this increases the future liver remnant, and hence the number of patients
      suitable for resection, recent evidence suggests that induction of liver
      hypertrophy preoperatively may promote tumor growth and increase recurrence
      rates. The aims of this current study were to evaluate the impact of PVE on
      hepatic recurrence rate and survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases
      (CRLM). METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched
      to identify studies assessing the oncological outcomes of patients undergoing
      major liver resection for CRLM following PVE. Studies comparing patients
      undergoing one-stage liver resection with or without preoperative PVE were
      included. The primary outcome was postoperative hepatic recurrence (PHR), while
      secondary outcomes were 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of the 2131
      studies identified, six non-randomized studies (n = 668) met the eligibility
      criteria, comparing outcomes of patients undergoing major liver resection with or
      without PVE (n = 182 and n = 486, respectively). No significant difference was
      observed in PHR (odds ratio [OR] 0.78; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.42-1.44),
      3-year OS (OR 0.80; 95 % CI 0.56-1.14) or 5-year OS (OR 1.12; 95 % CI 0.40-3.11).
      CONCLUSIONS: PVE does not have any adverse effect on PHR or OS in patients
      undergoing major liver resection for CRLM. Further studies based on individual
      patient data are needed to provide definitive answers.

PMID- 27272107
TI  - Prognostic Impact of Palliative Primary Tumor Resection for Unresectable Stage 4
      Colorectal Cancer: Using a Propensity Score Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The benefits that palliative resection of the primary tumor offers
      patients with unresectable stage 4 colorectal cancer, specifically with regard to
      overall survival, are controversial, and the issue is complicated by marked
      differences in patient backgrounds and characteristics. METHODS: The study
      enrolled 770 consecutive patients with unresectable stage 4 colorectal cancer
      referred to the divisions of surgery or gastrointestinal oncology at the National
      Cancer Center Hospital from 1997 to 2013. Of these patients, 429 (56 %) underwent
      palliative resection of the primary tumor, whereas 341 (44 %) did not. To lessen
      the effects of confounding factors between the groups, including age, year,
      severe symptoms, number of organs involved by metastases, primary tumor site, and
      carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) value, propensity score analyses were used for
      regression adjustment, stratification, and matching, with overall survival as the
      primary end point. RESULTS: The regression adjustment including the propensity
      score as a linear predictor in the model showed that palliative resection was
      associated with a significantly improved overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]
      0.60; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.50-0.71; p < 0.01)]. Stratification
      analysis showed that in all five strata, palliative resection was associated with
      better overall survival (HR 0.43-0.73). Similarly, the propensity score-matched
      cohort (267 matched pairs) yielded an HR of 0.58 (95 % CI 0.48-0.70; p < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that palliative resection of the primary tumor
      may be associated with improved overall survival. Further investigations such as
      prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm this result.

PMID- 27272108
TI  - Lord Walton of Detchant - obituary.

PMID- 27272109
TI  - Comment on 'Validating new diagnostic imaging criteria for primary progressive
      aphasia via anatomical likelihood estimation meta-analyses'.

PMID- 27272110
TI  - Progressive ataxia in a natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patient: the dark
      side of JC virus infection.

PMID- 27272111
TI  - Flaws in the development of the CHESS score.

PMID- 27272112
TI  - Authors' reply.

PMID- 27272114
TI  - SOD3 Ameliorates Abeta25-35-Induced Oxidative Damage in SH-SY5Y Cells by
      Inhibiting the Mitochondrial Pathway.
AB  - This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of extracellular
      superoxide dismutase (SOD3) against amyloid beta (Abeta25-35)-induced damage in
      human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for
      this beneficial effect. SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing SOD3 were generated by
      adenoviral vector-mediated infection and Abeta25-35 was then added to the cell
      culture system to establish an in vitro model of oxidative stress. Cell
      viability, the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), the
      expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes, the levels of lipid peroxidation
      malondialdehyde (MDA), the expression of mitochondrial apoptosis-related genes
      and calcium images were examined. Following Abeta25-35 exposure, SOD3
      overexpression promoted the survival of SH-SY5Y cells, decreased the production
      of ROS, decreased MDA and calcium levels, and decreased cytochrome c, caspase-3,
      caspase-9 and Bax gene expression. Furthermore, SOD3 overexpression increased the
      expression and activity of antioxidant enzyme genes and Bcl-2 expression.
      Together, our data demonstrate that SOD3 ameliorates Abeta25-35-induced oxidative
      damage in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells by inhibiting the mitochondrial pathway.
      These data provide new insights into the functional actions of SOD3 on oxidative
      stress-induced cell damage.

PMID- 27272115
TI  - Brief Report: A Pilot Study of the Use of a Virtual Reality Headset in Autism
      Populations.
AB  - The application of virtual reality technologies (VRTs) for users with autism
      spectrum disorder (ASD) has been studied for decades. However, a gap remains in
      our understanding surrounding VRT head-mounted displays (HMDs). As newly designed
      HMDs have become commercially available (in this study the Oculus RiftTM) the
      need to investigate newer devices is immediate. This study explored willingness,
      acceptance, sense of presence and immersion of ASD participants. Results revealed
      that all 29 participants (mean age = 32; 33 % with IQ < 70) were willing to wear
      the HMD. The majority of the participants reported an enjoyable experience, high
      levels of 'presence', and were likely to use HMDs again. IQ was found to be
      independent of the willingness to use HMDs and related VRT immersion experience.

PMID- 27272116
TI  - Effect of yttrium-90 radioembolization on outcomes in Asian patients with early
      to advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of yttrium-90
      radioembolization on the outcome of Asian patients with early to advanced stage
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Sixty-two patients were screened and 50
      patients (80.6%) were eligible. Response was evaluated using the Response
      Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and overall survival was estimated
      using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)
      stage was A in 40% of patients, B in 24%, and C in 36%; 66% of patients had
      hepatitis B virus infections. According to RECIST criteria, partial responses
      occurred in 40% of patients, and stable disease was achieved in 46%. Tumor
      response was significantly associated with BCLC stage (P = 0.003). The median
      overall time to progression was 5.8 months (range, 0.9-46.1 months). Follow-up
      treatments after radioembolization were carried out in 31 patients due to remnant
      HCC (n = 18) or HCC progression (n = 13). The median overall survival was 40.9
      months (95% confidence interval, 10.2-71.6 months). Treatment was tolerable
      except for one lung toxicity and two hepatic toxicities. CONCLUSION: Yttrium-90
      radioembolization appears to be well tolerated and effective in Asian patients
      with BCLC stage A-C HCC. Follow-up treatments after radioembolization can be
      safely provided.

PMID- 27272118
TI  - Anticipating the Challenges of Zika Virus and the Incidence of Guillain-Barre
      Syndrome.

PMID- 27272119
TI  - FamPipe: An Automatic Analysis Pipeline for Analyzing Sequencing Data in Families
      for Disease Studies.
AB  - In disease studies, family-based designs have become an attractive approach to
      analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data for the identification of rare
      mutations enriched in families. Substantial research effort has been devoted to
      developing pipelines for automating sequence alignment, variant calling, and
      annotation. However, fewer pipelines have been designed specifically for disease
      studies. Most of the current analysis pipelines for family-based disease studies
      using NGS data focus on a specific function, such as identifying variants with
      Mendelian inheritance or identifying shared chromosomal regions among affected
      family members. Consequently, some other useful family-based analysis tools, such
      as imputation, linkage, and association tools, have yet to be integrated and
      automated. We developed FamPipe, a comprehensive analysis pipeline, which
      includes several family-specific analysis modules, including the identification
      of shared chromosomal regions among affected family members, prioritizing
      variants assuming a disease model, imputation of untyped variants, and linkage
      and association tests. We used simulation studies to compare properties of some
      modules implemented in FamPipe, and based on the results, we provided suggestions
      for the selection of modules to achieve an optimal analysis strategy. The
      pipeline is under the GNU GPL License and can be downloaded for free at
      http://fampipe.sourceforge.net.

PMID- 27272117
TI  - Does bariatric surgery improve adipose tissue function?
AB  - Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective treatment for obesity. Not only
      do these types of surgeries produce significant weight loss but also they improve
      insulin sensitivity and whole body metabolic function. The aim of this review is
      to explore how altered physiology of adipose tissue may contribute to the potent
      metabolic effects of some of these procedures. This includes specific effects on
      various fat depots, the function of individual adipocytes and the interaction
      between adipose tissue and other key metabolic tissues. Besides a dramatic loss
      of fat mass, bariatric surgery shifts the distribution of fat from visceral to
      the subcutaneous compartment favoring metabolic improvement. The sensitivity
      towards lipolysis controlled by insulin and catecholamines is improved, adipokine
      secretion is altered and local adipose inflammation as well as systemic
      inflammatory markers decreases. Some of these changes have been shown to be
      weight loss independent, and novel hypothesis for these effects includes include
      changes in bile acid metabolism, gut microbiota and central regulation of
      metabolism. In conclusion bariatric surgery is capable of improving aspects of
      adipose tissue function and do so in some cases in ways that are not entirely
      explained by the potent effect of surgery. (c) 2016 World Obesity.

PMID- 27272120
TI  - Clinical predictors and microbiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the
      intensive care unit: a retrospective analysis in six Italian hospitals.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to assess the main clinical predictors and
      microbiological features of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the
      Intensive Care Unit (ICU) environment. This work is a retrospective analysis over
      one year from September 2010 to September 2011. Patients' risk factors, causes of
      admission, comorbidities and respiratory specimens collected in six Italian ICUs
      were reviewed. Incidence and case fatality rate of VAP were evaluated. After
      stratification for VAP development, univariate and multivariate analyses were
      performed to assess the impact of patients' conditions on the onset of this
      infection. A total of 1,647 ICU patients (pts) were considered. Overall, 115
      patients (6.9 %) experienced at least one episode of VAP. The incidence rate for
      VAP was 5.82/1,000 pts-days, with a case fatality rate of 44.3 %. Multivariate
      analysis showed that admission for neurological disorders (aIRR 4.12, CI 1.24
      13.68, p = 0.02) and emergency referral to ICU from other hospitals (aIRR 2.11,
      CI 1.03-4.31, p = 0.04) were associated with higher risk of VAP, whereas a
      tendency to a higher risk of infection was detected for admission due to
      respiratory disease, cardiac disease, trauma and for having obesity or renal
      failure. A total of 372 microbiological isolates from respiratory specimens were
      collected in VAP patients. The most common species were Klebsiella pneumoniae,
      Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showing high resistance rates
      to carbapenems. Neurological disorders and emergency referral at the admission
      into the ICU are significantly associated with the onset of VAP. A high incidence
      of multi-drug resistant Gram- species was detected in the respiratory specimens. 

PMID- 27272121
TI  - Incidence and predictors of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and
      diabetes in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who achieved sustained virological
      response.
AB  - Data on the effects of sustained virologic response (SVR) to hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) therapy on the outcome of extrahepatic complications are scarce. We
      conducted this study to assess the impact of SVR on the occurrence of chronic
      kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in
      a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. We analyzed
      coinfected HIV/HCV patients in the Management of Standardized Evaluation of
      Retroviral HIV Infection (MASTER) cohort. Only event-free patients with a serum
      HCV-RNA determination at baseline were included. Patients were divided into four
      groups: INF-exposed with SVR; INF-exposed without SVR; spontaneous HCV clearance;
      untreated viremic patients. We estimated the incidence of extrahepatic
      complications and employed Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression to assess the
      association of SVR/INF strata adjusted for a series of confounders. Data from
      1676 patients were analyzed (20.29 % started an INF-based regimen). Overall, the
      incidence of CKD, DM, CVD, and death was 5.32 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 3.99
      6.98], 10.13 (95 % CI 8.20-12.37), 6.79 (95 % CI 5.26-8.65), and 13.49 (95 % CI
      11.29-16.0) per 1000 person-years of follow-up, respectively. In the Cox model
      for treated patients, SVR was not associated with a lower risk of CKD, DM, CVD,
      and death compared to non-SVR. Cirrhosis was significantly associated with a
      higher risk of CKD [hazard ratio (HR) 2.13; 95 % CI 1.06-4.31], DM (HR 3.48; 95 %
      CI 2.18-5.57), and death (HR 6.18; 95 % CI 4.1-9.31), but not of CVD (HR 1.14; 95
      % CI 0.57-2.3). There are still many unknowns regarding the impact of SVR on the
      occurrence of extrahepatic complications in coinfected HIV/HCV patients. Further
      investigations are needed in order to elucidate the role of SVR as an independent
      prognostic factor for extrahepatic events. 

PMID- 27272122
TI  - Larva migrans syndrome caused by Toxocara and Ascaris roundworm infections in
      Japanese patients.
AB  - Larva migrans syndrome (LMS) caused by Toxocara and Ascaris roundworms is
      generally believed to be more common in children, while a report from Japan
      suggests that it is more common in adults. We conducted a large-scale
      retrospective study to confirm these findings and to clarify what caused the
      difference between Japan and other countries, to reveal overlooked aspects of
      this disease. The clinical information of 911 cases which we diagnosed as
      Toxocara or Ascaris LMS during 2001 and 2015 was analysed. Information used
      included age, sex, address (city or county), chief complaint, present history,
      dietary history, overseas travelling history, medical imaging findings and
      laboratory data (white blood cell count, peripheral blood eosinophil number and
      total IgE). The sex ratio of the disease was 2.37 (male/female = 641/270). The
      number of patients not younger than 20 years old were 97.8 and 95.1 % among males
      and females, respectively. Major disease types were visceral, ocular, neural and
      asymptomatic. The visceral type was more prevalent in older patients, while
      younger patients were more vulnerable to ocular symptoms. More than two-thirds of
      the patients whose dietary habits were recorded had a history of ingesting raw or
      undercooked animal meat. LMS caused by Toxocara or Ascaris is primarily a disease
      of adult males in Japan, who probably acquired infections by eating raw or
      undercooked animal meat/liver. Healthcare specialists should draw public
      attention to the risk of raw or undercooked animal meat in Europe as well. 

PMID- 27272123
TI  - Time to Detection with BacT/Alert FA Plus Compared to BacT/Alert FA Blood Culture
      Media.
AB  - Rapid identification of the causative pathogen in patients with bacteremia allows
      adjustment of antibiotic therapy and improves patient outcomes. We compared in
      vitro and real-life time to detection (TTD) of two blood culture media,
      BacT/Alert FA (FA) and BacT/Alert FA Plus (FA Plus), for the nine most common
      species of bacterial pathogens recovered from blood samples. Experimental data
      from simulated cultures was compared with microbiology records of TTD for both
      culture media with growth of the species of interest in clinical blood cultures.
      In the experimental conditions, median TTD was 3.8 hours (23.9 %) shorter using
      FA Plus media. The magnitude of reduction differed between species. Similarly, in
      real life data, FA Plus had shorter TTD than FA media; however, the difference
      between culture media was smaller, and median TTD was only 1 hour (8.5 %) less.
      We found shorter TTD with BacT/Alert FA Plus culture media, both experimentally
      and in real-life conditions and unrelated to antibiotic neutralization,
      highlighting the importance of appropriate blood culture media selection. 

PMID- 27272124
TI  - Blood biochemical and oxidant/antioxidant alterations following stanozolol
      treatment along with resistance training in rats.
AB  - This study was designed to determine the effects of anabolic steroid stanozolol
      (ST) in conjunction with 8 weeks of resistance training on some blood biochemical
      and oxidant/antioxidant profile in rats. Twenty-four male rats were divided into
      four groups of six each: group 1: sedentary + placebo (physiological saline),
      group 2: training + placebo, group 3: training + ST (2 mg kg-1 b.w.) and group 4:
      training + ST (5 mg kg-1 b.w.). Erythrocytic activity of glutathione peroxidase
      was increased significantly in group 4 as compared to control group. Plasma
      activities of alanine aminotransferase in groups 3 and 4 and also aspartate
      aminotransferase in group 4 showed significant increase relative to groups 1 and
      2. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities increased
      significantly in groups 3 and 4 in comparison with control group. Elevated values
      of uric acid were significant in group 4, but not in groups 2 and 3, as compared
      to control group. Values of other measured parameters did not have significant
      alterations among experimental groups. Present findings indicate that stanozolol
      treatment in combination with resistance training induces some side effects
      especially on liver and muscle as evidenced by alterations in plasma markers of
      tissue damage.

PMID- 27272126
TI  - Composition-dependent trap distributions in CdSe and InP quantum dots probed
      using photoluminescence blinking dynamics.
AB  - Although Group II-VI quantum dots (QDs) have attracted much attention due to
      their wide range of applications in QD-based devices, the presence of toxic ions
      in II-VI QDs raises environmental concerns. To fulfill the demands of nontoxic
      QDs, synthetic routes for III-V QDs have been developed. However, only a few
      comparative analyses on optical properties of III-V QDs have been performed. In
      this study, the composition-related energetic trap distributions have been
      explored by using three different types of core/multishell QDs: CdSe-CdS
      (CdSe/CdS/ZnS), InP-ZnSe (InP/ZnSe/ZnS), and InP-GaP (InP/GaP/ZnS). It was shown
      that CdSe-CdS QDs have much larger trap densities than InP-shell QDs at higher
      energy states (at least 1Eg (band gap energy) above the lowest conduction band
      edge) based on probability density plots and Auger ionization efficiencies which
      are determined by analyses of photoluminescence blinking dynamics. This result
      suggests that the composition of encapsulated QDs is closely associated with the
      charge trapping processes, and also provides an insight into the development of
      more environmentally friendly QD-based devices. 

PMID- 27272125
TI  - Genome editing and the next generation of antiviral therapy.
AB  - Engineered endonucleases such as homing endonucleases (HEs), zinc finger
      nucleases (ZFNs), Tal-effector nucleases (TALENS) and the RNA-guided engineered
      nucleases (RGENs or CRISPR/Cas9) can target specific DNA sequences for cleavage,
      and are proving to be valuable tools for gene editing. Recently engineered
      endonucleases have shown great promise as therapeutics for the treatment of
      genetic disease and infectious pathogens. In this review, we discuss recent
      efforts to use the HE, ZFN, TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platforms as
      antiviral therapeutics. We also discuss the obstacles facing gene-editing
      antiviral therapeutics as they are tested in animal models of disease and
      transition towards human application.

PMID- 27272128
TI  - What is optimal treatment for vertiginous migraine?

PMID- 27272127
TI  - Contribution of high-content imaging technologies to the development of anti
      infective drugs.
AB  - Originally developed to study fundamental aspects of cellular biology, high
      content imaging (HCI) was rapidly adapted to study host-pathogen interactions at
      the cellular level and adopted as a technology of choice to unravel disease
      biology. HCI platforms allow for the visualization and quantification of discrete
      phenotypes that cannot be captured using classical screening approaches. A key
      advantage of high-content screening technologies lies in the possibility to
      develop and interrogate physiologically significant, predictive ex vivo disease
      models that reproduce complex conditions relevant for infection. Here we review
      and discuss recent advances in HCI technologies and chemical biology approaches
      that are contributing to an increased understanding of the intricate host
      pathogen interrelationship on the cellular level, and which will foster the
      development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of human bacterial
      and protozoan infections. (c) 2016 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of ISAC.

PMID- 27272129
TI  - Reliability and validity of a self-administration version of DEMQOL-Proxy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of a self
      administered version of DEMQOL-Proxy, a disease-specific instrument that measures
      health-related quality of life in people with dementia. METHODS: The sample
      consisted of 173 informal carers of people with dementia, aged 29 to 89 years
      old. Carers were mostly female, White/White British and closely related to the
      patient. They completed DEMQOL-Proxy (self-administered), EQ-5D-3L (proxy
      reported about the person with dementia), EQ-5D-3L (self-reported about their own
      health) and the Zarit Burden Interview. Using well-established methods from
      classical test theory, we evaluated scale level acceptability, reliability and
      convergent, discriminant and known-groups validity of DEMQOL-Proxy. RESULTS:
      DEMQOL-Proxy (self-administered) showed high acceptability (3.5% missing data and
      0% scores at floor or ceiling), high internal consistency reliability (alpha =
      0.93) and good convergent and discriminant validity. Amongst others, we found a
      moderately high correlation with EQ-5D-3L proxy reported (r = 0.52) and low to
      essentially zero correlations with EQ-5D-3L self-reported (r = 0.20) and carer
      and patient background variables (r <= 0.20). As predicted, DEMQOL-Proxy (self
      administered) showed a modest correlation with DEMQOL (r = 0.32). Known-groups
      differences on health-related quality of life (comparing people with versus
      people without cognitive impairment) were of moderate effect size (d = 0.38) and
      in the expected direction. CONCLUSIONS: DEMQOL-Proxy (self-administered) has
      comparable acceptability, reliability and validity with DEMQOL-Proxy (interviewer
      administered). DEMQOL-Proxy (self-administered) can be used in a wider variety of
      contexts than its interviewer-administered version, including routine use in busy
      clinics. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27272131
TI  - Tai Chi for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tai Chi, a systematic callisthenic exercise first developed in
      ancient China, involves a series of slow and rhythmic circular motions. It
      emphasises use of 'mind' or concentration to control breathing and circular body
      motions to facilitate flow of internal energy (i.e. 'qi') within the body. Normal
      flow of 'qi' is believed to be essential to sustain body homeostasis, ultimately
      leading to longevity. The effect of Tai Chi on balance and muscle strength in the
      elderly population has been reported; however, the effect of Tai Chi on dyspnoea,
      exercise capacity, pulmonary function and psychosocial status among people with
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: * To
      explore the effectiveness of Tai Chi in reducing dyspnoea and improving exercise
      capacity in people with COPD.* To determine the influence of Tai Chi on
      physiological and psychosocial functions among people with COPD. SEARCH METHODS:
      We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of trials (which
      included the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE,
      EMBASE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL),
      the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) and PsycINFO); handsearched
      respiratory journals and meeting abstracts; and searched Chinese medical
      databases including Wanfang Data, Chinese Medical Current Contents (CMCC),
      Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), China Journal Net (CJN) and China Medical
      Academic Conference (CMAC), from inception to September 2015. We checked the
      reference lists of all primary studies and review articles for relevant
      additional references. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled
      trials (RCTs) comparing Tai Chi (Tai Chi alone or Tai Chi in addition to another
      intervention) versus control (usual care or another intervention identical to
      that used in the Tai Chi group) in people with COPD. Two independent review
      authors screened and selected studies. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two
      independent review authors extracted data from included studies and assessed risk
      of bias on the basis of suggested criteria listed in the Cochrane Handbook for
      Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We extracted post-programme data and entered
      them into RevMan software (version 5.3) for data synthesis and analysis. MAIN
      RESULTS: We included a total of 984 participants from 12 studies (23 references)
      in this analysis. We included only those involved in Tai Chi and the control
      group (i.e. 811 participants) in the final analysis. Study sample size ranged
      from 10 to 206, and mean age ranged from 61 to 74 years. Programmes lasted for
      six weeks to one year. All included studies were RCTs; three studies used
      allocation concealment, six reported blinded outcome assessors and three studies
      adopted an intention-to-treat approach to statistical analysis. No adverse events
      were reported. Quality of evidence of the outcomes ranged from very low to
      moderate.Analysis was split into three comparisons: (1) Tai Chi versus usual
      care; (2) Tai Chi and breathing exercise versus breathing exercise alone; and (3)
      Tai Chi and exercise versus exercise alone.Comparison of Tai Chi versus usual
      care revealed that Tai Chi demonstrated a longer six-minute walk distance (mean
      difference (MD) 29.64 metres, 95% confidence interval (CI) 10.52 to 48.77 metres;
      participants = 318; I(2) = 59%) and better pulmonary function (i.e. forced
      expiratory volume in one second, MD 0.11 L, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.20 L; participants =
      258; I(2) = 0%) in post-programme data. However, the effects of Tai Chi in
      reducing dyspnoea level and improving quality of life remain inconclusive. Data
      are currently insufficient for evaluating the impact of Tai Chi on maximal
      exercise capacity, balance and muscle strength in people with COPD. Comparison of
      Tai Chi and other interventions (i.e. breathing exercise or exercise) versus
      other interventions shows no superiority and no additional effects on symptom
      improvement nor on physical and psychosocial outcomes with Tai Chi. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: No adverse events were reported, implying that Tai Chi is safe to
      practise in people with COPD. Evidence of very low to moderate quality suggests
      better functional capacity and pulmonary function in post-programme data for Tai
      Chi versus usual care. When Tai Chi in addition to other interventions was
      compared with other interventions alone, Tai Chi did not show superiority and
      showed no additional effects on symptoms nor on physical and psychosocial
      function improvement in people with COPD. With the diverse style and number of
      forms being adopted in different studies, the most beneficial protocol of Tai Chi
      style and number of forms could not be commented upon. Hence, future studies are
      warranted to address these topics.

PMID- 27272130
TI  - Ten-Year Changes in the Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Physical
      Activity among Polish Adults Aged 20 to 74 Years. Results of the National
      Multicenter Health Surveys WOBASZ (2003-2005) and WOBASZ II (2013-2014).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to estimate ten-year changes in physical
      activity (PA) patterns and sociodemographic determinants among adult residents of
      Poland. METHODS: The study comprised two independent samples of randomly selected
      adults aged 20-74 years participating in the National Multicentre Health Survey
      WOBASZ (2003-2005; n = 14572) and WOBASZ II (2013-2014; n = 5694). In both
      surveys the measurements were performed by six academic centers in all 16
      voivodships of Poland (108 measurement points in each survey). Sociodemographic
      data were collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire in both surveys.
      Physical activity was assessed in three domains: leisure-time, occupational and
      commuting physical activity. RESULTS: Leisure-time PA changed substantially
      between the surveys (p<0.001). The prevalence of subjects being active on most
      days of week fell in both genders in the years 2003-2014 (37.4% vs 27.3% in men);
      32.7% vs 28.3% in women. None or occasional activity increased from 49.6% to
      56.8% in men, while remained stable in women (55.2% vs 54.9%). In both WOBASZ
      surveys the likelihood of physical inactivity was higher in less educated
      individuals, smokers and those living in large agglomerations (p<0.01). No
      significant changes were observed in occupational activity in men between the
      surveys, while in women percentage of sedentary work increased from 43.4% to %
      49.4% (p<0.01). Commuting PA decreased significantly in both genders (p<0.001).
      About 79.3% of men and 71.3% of women reported no active commuting in the WOBASZ
      II survey. CONCLUSIONS: The observed unfavourable changes in PA emphasize the
      need for novel intervention concepts in order to reverse this direction. Further
      detailed monitoring of PA patterns in Poland is of particular importance.

PMID- 27272134
TI  - Too Much or Too Little? How Much Control Should Patients Have Over EHR Data?
AB  - Electronic health records (EHRs) have been promoted as a mechanism to overcome
      the fragmented healthcare system in the United States. The challenge that is
      being discussed is the rights of the patient to control the access to their EHRs'
      data and the needs of healthcare professionals to know health data to make the
      best treatment decisions for their patients. The Federal Trade Commission has
      asked those who store consumer information to comply with the Fair Information
      Practice Principles. In the EHR context, these principles give the rights to the
      patient to control who can see their health data and what components of the data
      are restricted from view. Control is not limited to patients, as it also includes
      parents of adolescent children. We suggest that the ongoing policy discussion
      include consideration of the precise questions patients will be asked when a need
      for data sharing arises. Further, patients should understand the relative risks
      that they face, and the degree to which their decisions will (or will not)
      significantly reduce the risk of a data breach. As various approaches are
      considered, it is important to address the relative resource requirements and the
      associated costs of each option. 

PMID- 27272132
TI  - Tumour Suppressor Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) localisation is regulated by
      both Kinesin-1 and Kinesin-2.
AB  - Microtubules and their associated proteins (MAPs) underpin the polarity of
      specialised cells. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is one such MAP with a
      multifunctional agenda that requires precise intracellular localisations.
      Although APC has been found to associate with kinesin-2 subfamily members, the
      exact mechanism for the peripheral localization of APC remains unclear. Here we
      show that the heavy chain of kinesin-1 directly interacts with the APC C
      terminus, contributing to the peripheral localisation of APC in fibroblasts. In
      rat hippocampal neurons the kinesin-1 binding domain of APC is required for its
      axon tip enrichment. Moreover, we demonstrate that APC requires interactions with
      both kinesin-2 and kinesin-1 for this localisation. Underlining the importance of
      the kinesin-1 association, neurons expressing APC lacking kinesin-1-binding
      domain have shorter axons. The identification of this novel kinesin-1-APC
      interaction highlights the complexity and significance of APC localisation in
      neurons.

PMID- 27272136
TI  - Inspirational molecules.

PMID- 27272135
TI  - Forecasting the Emergency Department Patients Flow.
AB  - Emergency department (ED) have become the patient's main point of entrance in
      modern hospitals causing it frequent overcrowding, thus hospital managers are
      increasingly paying attention to the ED in order to provide better quality
      service for patients. One of the key elements for a good management strategy is
      demand forecasting. In this case, forecasting patients flow, which will help
      decision makers to optimize human (doctors, nurses...) and material(beds,
      boxs...) resources allocation. The main interest of this research is forecasting
      daily attendance at an emergency department. The study was conducted on the
      Emergency Department of Troyes city hospital center, France, in which we propose
      a new practical ED patients classification that consolidate the CCMU and GEMSA
      categories into one category and innovative time-series based models to forecast
      long and short term daily attendance. The models we developed for this case study
      shows very good performances (up to 91,24 % for the annual Total flow forecast)
      and robustness to epidemic periods. 

PMID- 27272137
TI  - Are we ready for spray-on carbon nanotubes?

PMID- 27272140
TI  - Corrigendum: Feedback-driven self-assembly of symmetry-breaking optical
      metamaterials in solution.

PMID- 27272139
TI  - Metallic, magnetic and molecular nanocontacts.
AB  - Scanning tunnelling microscopy and break-junction experiments realize metallic
      and molecular nanocontacts that act as ideal one-dimensional channels between
      macroscopic electrodes. Emergent nanoscale phenomena typical of these systems
      encompass structural, mechanical, electronic, transport, and magnetic properties.
      This Review focuses on the theoretical explanation of some of these properties
      obtained with the help of first-principles methods. By tracing parallel
      theoretical and experimental developments from the discovery of nanowire
      formation and conductance quantization in gold nanowires to recent observations
      of emergent magnetism and Kondo correlations, we exemplify the main concepts and
      ingredients needed to bring together ab initio calculations and physical
      observations. It can be anticipated that diode, sensor, spin-valve and spin
      filter functionalities relevant for spintronics and molecular electronics
      applications will benefit from the physical understanding thus obtained.

PMID- 27272141
TI  - The joy of working together.

PMID- 27272142
TI  - Responses of corn physiology and yield to six agricultural practices over three
      years in middle Tennessee.
AB  - Different agricultural practices may have substantial impacts on crop physiology
      and yield. However, it is still not entirely clear how multiple agricultural
      practices such as tillage, biochar and different nutrient applications could
      influence corn physiology and yield. We conducted a three-year field experiment
      to study the responses of corn physiology, yield, and soil respiration to six
      different agricultural practices. The six treatments included conventional
      tillage (CT) or no tillage (NT), in combination with nitrogen type (URAN or
      chicken litter) and application method, biochar, or denitrification inhibitor. A
      randomized complete block design was applied with six replications. Leaf
      photosynthetic rate, transpiration, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), biomass,
      and yield were measured. Results showed that different agricultural practices had
      significant effects on plant leaf photosynthesis, transpiration, soil
      respiration, height, and yield, but not on LAI and biomass. The average corn
      yield in the NT-URAN was 10.03 ton/ha, 28.9% more than in the CT-URAN. Compared
      to the NT-URAN, the NT-biochar had lower soil respiration and similar yield. All
      variables measured showed remarkable variations among the three years. Our
      results indicated that no tillage treatment substantially increased corn yield,
      probably due to the preservation of soil moisture during drought periods.

PMID- 27272144
TI  - The 22nd annual prostate cancer foundation scientific retreat report.
AB  - The 22nd Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was convened
      in Washington, D.C. from October 8 to 10, 2015. This event is the foremost
      scientific conference in the world focusing on basic, translational, and clinical
      prostate cancer research with the highest potential for accelerating the
      understanding of prostate cancer biology and improving the lives and outcomes of
      prostate cancer patients. Topics highlighted during the 2015 Retreat included:
      (i) new strategies and treatments for localized high-risk, hormone-naive,
      oligometastatic, castrate-resistant, and treatment-refractory prostate cancer
      settings; (ii) the biology and genomics of tumor heterogeneity and tumor
      evolution; (iii) new understandings on the mechanisms and targeting of oncogenic
      drivers of prostate cancer; (iv) bioengineering of novel therapies and drug
      delivery methods; (v) innovative approaches to tumor immunotherapy; (vi) emerging
      molecular imaging technologies with improved sensitivity and specificity; and
      (vii) advancements in prognostic and predictive biomarkers and precision medicine
      strategies. Prostate 76:1037-1052, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27272145
TI  - Tracking Protein S-Fatty Acylation with Proteomics.
AB  - Recently, Hang and co-workers developed "acyl-PEG exchange" (APE), which allows
      the investigation of protein S-fatty acylation with mass-tag labelling and gel
      electrophoresis, methods that are accessible to any biochemistry laboratory.

PMID- 27272143
TI  - A replicator-specific binding protein essential for site-specific initiation of
      DNA replication in mammalian cells.
AB  - Mammalian chromosome replication starts from distinct sites; however, the
      principles governing initiation site selection are unclear because proteins
      essential for DNA replication do not exhibit sequence-specific DNA binding. Here
      we identify a replication-initiation determinant (RepID) protein that binds a
      subset of replication-initiation sites. A large fraction of RepID-binding sites
      share a common G-rich motif and exhibit elevated replication initiation. RepID is
      required for initiation of DNA replication from RepID-bound replication origins,
      including the origin at the human beta-globin (HBB) locus. At HBB, RepID is
      involved in an interaction between the replication origin (Rep-P) and the locus
      control region. RepID-depleted murine embryonic fibroblasts exhibit abnormal
      replication fork progression and fewer replication-initiation events. These
      observations are consistent with a model, suggesting that RepID facilitates
      replication initiation at a distinct group of human replication origins.

PMID- 27272146
TI  - Improved communication, understanding of risk perception and ethics related to
      ionising radiation.
AB  - In Europe today, institutions, media and the general public exchange information
      about ionizing radiation and associated risks. However, communication about
      ionising radiation with the general public has to be further improved, as has
      been previously highlighted by international responses to the 2011 accident in
      Japan. This article reports the main activities and findings in this field from
      the following three FP7 projects: EAGLE, PREPARE and OPERRA and discussed by a
      broad spectrum of stakeholders at the conference RICOMET 2015. These projects,
      among other aims, also investigate how communication about ionising radiation in
      different fields could be improved and harmonised, how radiological risks are
      perceived, how to encourage ethical considerations in all fields of nuclear
      applications and what kind of transdisciplinary research is needed. The projects
      relate to several domains; the first relates to education, training and
      communication, the second to nuclear emergency preparedness and response, and the
      third to research and development in the radiation protection field.
      Incorporation of stakeholder engagement activities such as the RICOMET conference
      broadens social and ethical aspects and takes them into account during
      coordination activities as well as during core scientific and nuclear research
      and development performed in the projects. These activities offered opportunities
      for moving closer to a citizen-centred ideal of risk communication in particular
      and nuclear research and development in general.

PMID- 27272149
TI  - 18F-FDG PET findings of pericardial lymphangiohemangioma.

PMID- 27272147
TI  - DNA damage-associated biomarkers in studying individual sensitivity to low-dose
      radiation from cardiovascular imaging.

PMID- 27272150
TI  - Frequent MUGA testing in a myeloma patient: A case-based ethics discussion.

PMID- 27272152
TI  - East Meets West: Synergy through Diversity.
AB  - The TCM hospital Bad Kotzting is historically the first inpatient facility in
      Germany with an emphasis on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The clinic's
      specialty is the multimodal treatment of somatic complaints in conjunction with
      acute psychological or psychiatric comorbidity. Most patients present with
      clinical problems of a high degree of chronicity and complexity. Over the past 25
      years the treatment concept of the hospital has developed from a strictly TCM
      approach to a multimodal combination of TCM, psychosomatic medicine, and
      lifestyle medicine. This article outlines the admission and intake procedures and
      describes the process of determining the TCM diagnoses and treatment protocols. A
      typical case study illustrates this process in more details. Then, we present the
      various components of the psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational programs,
      including innovative approaches to lifestyle medicine. In conclusion, the
      treatment program at the TCM hospital Bad Kotzting has developed into a
      multimodal approach that synergistically intertwines diverse therapies drawn from
      Eastern and Western traditions, effectively combining the best approaches of both
      contexts. 

PMID- 27272151
TI  - Genome-Wide Association Study in Immunocompetent Patients with Delayed
      Hypersensitivity to Sulfonamide Antimicrobials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity (HS) reactions to sulfonamide antibiotics occur
      uncommonly, but with potentially severe clinical manifestations. A familial
      predisposition to sulfonamide HS is suspected, but robust predictive genetic risk
      factors have yet to be identified. Strongly linked genetic polymorphisms have
      been used clinically as screening tests for other HS reactions prior to
      administration of high-risk drugs. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate for genetic risk of sulfonamide HS in the immunocompetent population
      using genome-wide association. METHODS: Ninety-one patients with symptoms after
      trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) attributable to "probable" drug HS based
      on medical record review and the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale,
      and 184 age- and sex-matched patients who tolerated a therapeutic course of TMP
      SMX, were included in a genome-wide association study using both common and rare
      variant techniques. Additionally, two subgroups of HS patients with a more
      refined clinical phenotype (fever and rash; or fever, rash and eosinophilia) were
      evaluated separately. RESULTS: For the full dataset, no single nucleotide
      polymorphisms were suggestive of or reached genome-wide significance in the
      common variant analysis, nor was any genetic locus significant in the rare
      variant analysis. A single, possible gene locus association (COL12A1) was
      identified in the rare variant analysis for patients with both fever and rash,
      but the sample size was very small in this subgroup (n = 16), and this may be a
      false positive finding. No other significant associations were found for the
      subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: No convincing genetic risk factors for sulfonamide HS
      were identified in this population. These negative findings may be due to
      challenges in accurately confirming the phenotype in exanthematous drug
      eruptions, or to unidentified gene-environment interactions influencing
      sulfonamide HS.

PMID- 27272154
TI  - [Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after circumcision].
AB  - After circumcision, a young man developed a wound healing disorder. After
      presenting to our hospital for further wound care, laboratory results showed
      acute renal failure with hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, which led to the
      diagnosis of postoperative thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). After
      therapy with plasma exchange and immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone and
      rituximab, the patient recovered with normalization of laboratory results. The
      TTP is associated with low activity of ADAMTS13 with microvascular platelet
      aggregation and hemolytic anemia.

PMID- 27272153
TI  - Nurse safety outcomes: old problem, new solution - the differentiating roles of
      nurses' psychological capital and managerial support.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of nurses' psychological
      capital and managerial support, plus specific safety interventions (managerial
      safety priorities, safety training satisfaction), on nurses' in-role safety
      performance. BACKGROUND: Most hospitals in industrialized countries have adopted
      selective (often the least costly) aspects of safety, usually related to safety
      policies. However, patient safety remains a challenge in many countries. Research
      shows that training can be used to upskill employees in psychological capital,
      with statistically significant organizational and employee benefits, but this
      area is under-researched in nursing. DESIGN: Data were collected using a survey
      based, self-report strategy. The emerging patterns of data were then compared
      with the findings of previous research. METHODS: Quantitative survey data were
      collected during 2014 from 242 nurses working in six Australian hospitals. Two
      models were tested and analysed using covariance-based Structural Equation
      Modelling. RESULTS: Psychological capital and safety training satisfaction were
      important predictors of nurses' in-role safety performance and as predictors of
      nurses' perceptions of whether management implements what it espouses about
      safety ('managerial safety priorities'). Managerial support accounted for just
      under a third of psychological capital and together, psychological capital and
      managerial support, plus satisfaction with safety training, were important to
      nurses' perceptions of in-role safety performance. CONCLUSION: Organizations are
      likely to benefit from upskilling nurses and their managers to increase nurses'
      psychological capital and managerial support, which then will enhance nurses'
      satisfaction with training and in-role safety performance perceptions.

PMID- 27272155
TI  - High-Throughput 3D Tumor Spheroid Screening Method for Cancer Drug Discovery
      Using Celigo Image Cytometry.
AB  - Oncologists have investigated the effect of protein or chemical-based compounds
      on cancer cells to identify potential drug candidates. Traditionally, the growth
      inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of the drugs are first measured in 2D in vitro
      models, and then further tested in 3D xenograft in vivo models. Although the drug
      candidates can demonstrate promising inhibitory or cytotoxicity results in a 2D
      environment, similar effects may not be observed under a 3D environment. In this
      work, we developed an image-based high-throughput screening method for 3D tumor
      spheroids using the Celigo image cytometer. First, optimal seeding density for
      tumor spheroid formation was determined by investigating the cell seeding density
      of U87MG, a human glioblastoma cell line. Next, the dose-response effects of 17
      AAG with respect to spheroid size and viability were measured to determine the
      IC50 value. Finally, the developed high-throughput method was used to measure the
      dose response of four drugs (17-AAG, paclitaxel, TMZ, and doxorubicin) with
      respect to the spheroid size and viability. Each experiment was performed
      simultaneously in the 2D model for comparison. This detection method allowed for
      a more efficient process to identify highly qualified drug candidates, which may
      reduce the overall time required to bring a drug to clinical trial.

PMID- 27272156
TI  - A Low-Cost and Fast Real-Time PCR System Based on Capillary Convection.
AB  - A low-cost and fast real-time PCR system in a pseudo-isothermal manner with
      disposable capillary tubes based on thermal convection for point-of-care
      diagnostics is developed and tested. Once stable temperature gradient along the
      capillary tube has been established, a continuous circulatory flow or thermal
      convection inside the capillary tube will repeatedly transport PCR reagents
      through temperature zones associated with the DNA denaturing, annealing, and
      extension stages of the reaction. To establish stable temperature gradient along
      the capillary tube, a dual-temperature heating strategy with top and bottom
      heaters is adopted here. A thermal waveguide is adopted for precise maintenance
      of the temperature of the top heater. An optimized optical network is developed
      for monitoring up to eight amplification units for real-time fluorescence
      detection. The system performance was demonstrated with repeatable detection of
      influenza A (H1N1) virus nucleic acid targets with a limit of detection of 1.0
      TCID50/mL within 30 min.

PMID- 27272158
TI  - Strategies to Build Authorship Competence Among PhD Students.
AB  - Publication in refereed journals is an important responsibility of PhD-prepared
      nurses. Specialized writing skills are crucial for effective professional
      publication. The capacity to develop and publish articles is best learned during
      doctoral education. This Western Journal of Nursing Research Editorial Board
      Special Article addresses multi-dimensional strategies to develop authorship
      competence among doctoral students. The article outlines structured PhD program
      experiences to provide the context for students to develop authorship capacity.
      The authors identify multi-faceted faculty endeavors and student activities that
      are essential to foster authorship competence. Students who embrace opportunities
      to acquire authorship qualifications will be well prepared for their post
      graduation role as stewards of the nursing discipline.

PMID- 27272157
TI  - Enhanced antitumor activity and attenuated cardiotoxicity of Epirubicin combined
      with Paeonol against breast cancer.
AB  - Epirubicin is widely used for the therapy of various breast cancers. However, it
      has serious adverse side effects, particularly cardiotoxicity, which can cause
      irreversible damage in patients. Paeonol, an active component from Moutan Cortex,
      enhances antitumor activity of antineoplastics and reduces toxicities induced by
      chemotherapeutics. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of
      Paeonol in combination with Epirubicin against breast cancer and the alleviated
      effect of Paeonol on cardiotoxicity induced by Epirubicin. The apoptosis results
      and the coefficient of drug interaction values suggested significantly
      synergistic in combination of Paeonol and Epirubicin to 4T1 and MCF-7 cells. We
      further examined antitumor activities of Paeonol or/and Epirubicin in vivo in
      BALB/c mice and found that co-treatment of Paeonol and Epirubicin had a
      synergistic inhibitory effect on tumor growth and enhanced apoptosis in tumors in
      vivo compared with Epirubicin alone. Increased apoptosis was associated with the
      activation of apoptosis-related proteins including PARP, Bax, caspase 3, and
      inhibition of p38/JNK/ERK MAPKs. Moreover, Paeonol exhibited a mitigative effect
      on Epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through suppressing NF-kB pathway. In
      conclusion, Paeonol (a) enhanced the antitumor activity of Epirubicin in a
      synergistic manner against breast cancer cells via inhibiting p38/JNK/ERK MAPKs
      and (b) alleviated Epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by suppressing NF-kB
      pathway. These findings suggest that combination of Paeonol and Epirubicin is
      potentially applicable for breast cancer treatment.

PMID- 27272159
TI  - Factors Associated With Medication Adherence Among Medical-Aid Beneficiaries With
      Hypertension.
AB  - The purpose was to examine factors associated with medication adherence among
      medical-aid beneficiaries with hypertension using the Expanded Behavioral Model
      of Health Services Utilization. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a
      convenient sample of 289 patients. The instruments included scales to measure
      medication adherence, health literacy, general self-efficacy, and pros and cons
      of chronic disease management. Data collection was performed between February and
      March 2011. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed. The study found
      that 25.6% to 34.6% had low motivation and low knowledge regarding medication
      adherence. Those with higher health literacy and higher self-efficacy scores were
      more likely to have higher medication adherence, whereas widowed and those who
      perceived more cons of chronic disease management were more likely to have lower
      medication adherence than their counterparts (p < .05). Interventions
      incorporating significant factors associated with medication adherence are
      required to enhance medication adherence and to prevent complications associated
      with medication non-adherence.

PMID- 27272160
TI  - Lateralized exanthem mimicking figurate inflammatory dermatosis of infancy after
      methimazole therapy.
AB  - We reported a case of an 11-year-old girl admitted to our hospital for goiter,
      tachycardia, sweating, and visible and palpable thyroid. Thyroid function tests
      revealed a low thyrotropin level (<0.004 mIU/L) and elevated free thyroxine level
      (3.4 ng/ dL) diagnosed with Graves' disease and treated with methimazole. This
      anti-thyroid drug is recommended as first-line treatment in children with Graves'
      disease because it produces minor adverse effects with respect to
      propylthiouracil. She developed a lateralized exanthem mimicking figurate
      inflammatory dermatosis of infancy after methimazole therapy. The symptoms
      resolved after discontinuation of methimazole and treatment with an antihistamine
      and a corticosteroid. Furthermore, the treatment was changed to propylthiouracil
      without any adverse effects. According to current literature this is the first
      case of cutaneous figurate erythema related to methimazole, different from other
      well-known reactions such as skin eruption or urticaria.

PMID- 27272161
TI  - Fluticasone/formoterol association favors long-lasting decrease in bronchial
      reactivity to methacholine and weekly PEF variability.
AB  - Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) association offers
      a better asthma control than a higher steroid dose with short-acting beta
      agonists as needed. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the association on
      bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) variability, as
      such parameters are positively correlated with increased asthma morbidity and
      exacerbations. Thirty-six adult patients with mild persistent asthma were
      enrolled. After a 7-day run-in, they were randomly assigned to three therapy
      regimens for 6 weeks: Group 1, fluticasone 125 MUg + formoterol 5 MUg in the same
      device; Group 2, fluticasone 125 MUg + formoterol 12 MUg as needed; Group 3,
      fluticasone 250 MUg + formoterol 12 MUg as needed. We evaluated changes induced
      in weekly PEF variability (measured during the entire study and 4 weeks of follow
      up) and pre- and post-study PD20 methacholine (MCH). Weekly PEF variability
      decreased in all groups during treatment with the greatest reduction in Group 1,
      followed by Group 3, and finally Group 2. During the follow-up, no significant
      changes were detected in Group 1, whereas a trend towards an increased
      variability was found in Groups 2 and 3. Post-treatment PD20 MCH was
      significantly higher versus the pre-treatment. The increase observed in Group 1
      was significantly higher compared to Groups 2 and 3 and that observed in Group 3
      in respect to Group 2. The study proves that both BHR and PEF variability are
      influenced by ICS. This effect was greater with fluticasone/formoterol
      association compared to fluticasone alone with formoterol as needed even at
      higher steroid dose.

PMID- 27272162
TI  - Renal tubular function and urinary N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase and kidney
      injury molecule-1 levels in asthmatic children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways which
      results in chronic hypoxia. Chronic hypoxia and inflammation can affect renal
      tubular function. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate renal
      tubular function and early kidney injury molecules such as urinary N-acetyl
      betaglucosaminidase (NAG) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) excretion in
      children with asthma. METHODS: Enrolled in the study were 73 children diagnosed
      with asthma and 65 healthy age- and gender-matched control subjects. Urine pH,
      sodium, phosphorus, potassium, microalbumin, creatinine, NAG, KIM-1, and serum
      creatinine, sodium, phosphorus were evaluated. The diagnosis of asthma and
      classification of mild or moderate were done according to the Global Initiative
      for Asthma guidelines. RESULTS: Serum sodium, phosphorus, creatinine, and urinary
      microalbumin were within normal levels in the both groups. Urinary pH, sodium,
      potassium, phosphorus, microalbumin, and KIM-1 excretions were similar between
      the control and study groups. Tubular phosphorus reabsorption was within normal
      limits in two groups. Urine NAG was elevated in the study group (P = 0.001).
      Urinary KIM-1 and NAG levels were positively correlated (r = 0.837; P = 0.001).
      When children with mild and moderate asthma were compared, all of the parameters
      were similar (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that chronic asthma can
      lead to subtle renal impacts. We suggest that in children with asthma, urinary
      NAG level is a more valuable parameter to show degree of renal tubular injury
      than markers such as microalbumin and KIM-1. Chronic hypoxy and inflammation
      probably contributes to these subclinical renal effects.

PMID- 27272164
TI  - Correction: Captive Reptile Mortality Rates in the Home and Implications for the
      Wildlife Trade.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141460.].

PMID- 27272163
TI  - Disruption of Slc52a3 gene causes neonatal lethality with riboflavin deficiency
      in mice.
AB  - Homeostasis of riboflavin should be maintained by transporters. Previous in vitro
      studies have elucidated basic information about riboflavin transporter RFVT3
      encoded by SLC52A3 gene. However, the contribution of RFVT3 to the maintenance of
      riboflavin homeostasis and the significance in vivo remain unclear. Here, we
      investigated the physiological role of RFVT3 using Slc52a3 knockout (Slc52a3-/-)
      mice. Most Slc52a3-/- mice died with hyperlipidemia and hypoglycemia within 48 hr
      after birth. The plasma and tissue riboflavin concentrations in Slc52a3-/- mice
      at postnatal day 0 were dramatically lower than those in wild-type (WT)
      littermates. Slc52a3-/- fetuses showed a lower capacity of placental riboflavin
      transport compared with WT fetuses. Riboflavin supplement during pregnancy and
      after birth reduced neonatal death and metabolic disorders. To our knowledge,
      this is the first report to indicate that Rfvt3 contributes to placental
      riboflavin transport, and that disruption of Slc52a3 gene caused neonatal
      mortality with hyperlipidemia and hypoglycemia owing to riboflavin deficiency.

PMID- 27272165
TI  - Management Options During the 2011-2012 Drought on the Apalachicola River: A
      Systems Dynamic Model Evaluation.
AB  - The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin (ACF) is a large watershed in
      the southeastern United States. In 2012, the basin experienced the second year of
      a severe drought and the third multi-year drought in the last 15 years. During
      severe droughts, low reservoir and river levels can cause economic and ecological
      impacts to the reservoir, river, and estuarine ecosystems. During drought,
      augmenting Apalachicola River discharge through upstream reservoir releases and
      demand management are intuitive and often-suggested solutions to minimizing
      downstream effects. We assessed whether the existing reservoir system could be
      operated to minimize drought impacts on downstream water users and ecosystems
      through flow augmentation. Our analysis finds that in extreme drought such as
      observed during 2012, increases in water releases from reservoir storage are
      insufficient to even increase Apalachicola River discharge to levels observed in
      the 2007 drought. This suggests that there is simply not enough water available
      in managed storage to offset extreme drought events. Because drought frequency
      and intensity is predicted to increase under a variety of climate forecasts, our
      results demonstrate the need for a critical assessment of how water managers will
      meet increasing water demands in the ACF. Key uncertainties that should be
      addressed include (1) identifying the factors that led to extremely low Flint
      River discharge in 2012, and (2) determining how water "saved" via demand
      management is allocated to storage or passed to downstream ecosystem needs as
      part of the ongoing revisions to the ACF Water Control Manual by the US Army
      Corps of Engineers.

PMID- 27272166
TI  - Evaluating the Characteristics of Social Vulnerability to Wildfire: Demographics,
      Perceptions, and Parcel Characteristics.
AB  - A large body of research focuses on identifying patterns of human populations
      most at risk from hazards and the factors that help explain performance of
      mitigations that can help reduce that risk. One common concept in such studies is
      social vulnerability-human populations' potential exposure to, sensitivity from
      and ability to reduce negative impacts from a hazard. While there is growing
      interest in social vulnerability for wildfire, few studies have critically
      evaluated the characteristics that scholars often indicate influence social
      vulnerability to that hazard. This research utilizes surveys, wildfire
      simulations, and GIS data to test the relationships between select demographic,
      perceptual and parcel characteristics of property owners against empirically
      simulated metrics for wildfire exposure or wildfire-related damages and their
      performance of mitigation actions. Our results from Flathead County, MT, USA,
      suggest that parcel characteristics such as property value, building value, and
      the year structures were built explaining a significant amount of the variance in
      elements of social vulnerability. Demographic characteristics commonly used in
      social vulnerability analysis did not have significant relationships with
      measures of wildfire exposure or vulnerability. Part-time or full-time residency,
      age, perceived property risk, and year of development were among the few
      significant determinants of residents' performance of fuel reduction mitigations,
      although the significance of these factors varied across the levels of fuel
      reduction performed by homeowners. We use these and other results to argue for a
      renewed focus on the finer-scale characteristics that expose some populations to
      wildfire risk more than others.

PMID- 27272167
TI  - Clinical trials with direct oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial
      fibrillation: how representative are they for real life patients?
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify the proportion of real-life patients with atrial
      fibrillation (AF) eligible for direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy, based on
      the inclusion and exclusion criteria used in the clinical studies and based on
      the officially approved indications as mentioned in the Summary of Product
      Characteristics (SmPC). METHODS: Data for this retrospective cross-sectional
      study was extracted from the UZ Brussel Stroke Registry, containing anonymized
      data of 2205 patients with a suspected stroke. Characteristics of patients with
      documented AF were compared with the patient characteristics in clinical trials
      and the approved indications in the SmPC. RESULTS: Data of 468 patients with AF
      was analyzed. Based on the selection criteria of the clinical trials,
      significantly less patients were eligible for treatment with rivaroxaban compared
      to dabigatran etexilate (39.3 versus 47.6 %; p = 0.010), but not compared to
      apixaban (45.5 %; p = 0.055). Based on the indications and contraindications in
      the SmPC, significantly fewer patients were eligible for apixaban compared to
      dabigatran etexilate and rivaroxaban (62.0 % for apixaban, 72.9 % for dabigatran
      etexilate, and 75.6 % for rivaroxaban; p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively).
      Significantly, more patients were eligible for DOAC therapy based on the
      indications and contraindications in the SmPC compared to the inclusion and
      exclusion criteria of the clinical trials (72.9 versus 47.6 %; p < 0.001 for
      dabigatran; 75.6 versus 39.3 %; p < 0.001 for rivaroxaban and 62.0 versus 45.5 %;
      p < 0.001 for apixaban). CONCLUSION: When taking into account the selection
      criteria from the pivotal clinical trials with DOACs for stroke prevention in AF,
      less than half of real-life patients are eligible for therapy with one of the
      DOACs. However, the indications mentioned in the SmPCs of these drugs are less
      strict.

PMID- 27272168
TI  - QEEG and LORETA in Teenagers With Conduct Disorder and Psychopathic Traits.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the impact of the psychopathic traits
      on the EEG of teenagers with conduct disorder (CD). To date, there is no other
      research studying low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA)
      technique using quantitative EEG (QEEG) analysis in adolescents with CD and
      psychopathic traits. OBJECTIVE: To find electrophysiological differences
      specifically related to the psychopathic traits. The current investigation
      compares the QEEG and the current source density measures between adolescents
      with CD and psychopathic traits and adolescents with CD without psychopathic
      traits. METHODS: The resting EEG activity and LORETA for the EEG fast spectral
      bands were evaluated in 42 teenagers with CD, 25 with and 17 without psychopathic
      traits according to the Antisocial Process Screening Device. All adolescents were
      assessed using the DSM-IV-TR criteria. The EEG visual inspection characteristics
      and the use of frequency domain quantitative analysis techniques (narrow band
      spectral parameters) are described. RESULTS: QEEG analysis showed a pattern of
      beta activity excess on the bilateral frontal-temporal regions and decreases of
      alpha band power on the left central-temporal and right frontal-central-temporal
      regions in the psychopathic traits group. Current source density calculated at
      17.18 Hz showed an increase within fronto-temporo-striatal regions in the
      psychopathic relative to the nonpsychopathic traits group. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings indicate that QEEG analysis and techniques of source localization may
      reveal differences in brain electrical activity among teenagers with CD and
      psychopathic traits, which was not obvious to visual inspection. Taken together,
      these results suggest that abnormalities in a fronto-temporo-striatal network
      play a relevant role in the neurobiological basis of psychopathic behavior.

PMID- 27272169
TI  - Intralipid in acute caffeine intoxication: a case report.
AB  - Caffeine is arguably the most widely used stimulant drug in the world. Here we
      describe a suicide attempt involving caffeine overdose whereby the patient's
      severe intoxication was successfully treated with the prompt infusion of
      Intralipid. A 19-year-old man was found in an agitated state at home by the
      volunteer emergency team about 1 h after the intentional ingestion of 40 g of
      caffeine (tablets). His consciousness decreased rapidly, followed quickly by
      seizures, and electrocardiographic monitoring showed ventricular fibrillation.
      Advanced life support maneuvers were started immediately, with the patient
      defibrillated 10 times and administered 5 mg epinephrine in total and 300 + 150
      mg of amiodarone (as well as lidocaine and magnesium sulfate). The cardiac rhythm
      eventually evolved to asystole, necessitating the intravenous injection of
      epinephrine to achieve the return of spontaneous circulation. However, critical
      hemodynamic instability persisted, with the patient's cardiac rhythm alternating
      between refractory irregular narrow complex tachycardia and wide complex
      tachycardia associated with hypotension. In an attempt to restore stability we
      administered three successive doses of Intralipid (120 + 250 + 100 mg), which
      successfully prevented a severe cardiovascular collapse due to a supra-lethal
      plasma caffeine level (>120 mg/L after lipid emulsion). The patient survived
      without any neurologic complications and was transferred to a psychiatric ward a
      few days later. The case emphasizes the efficacy of intravenous lipid emulsion in
      the resuscitation of patients from non-local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
      Intralipid appears to act initially as a vehicle that carries the stimulant drug
      away from heart and brain to less well-perfused organs (scavenging mechanism) and
      then, with a sufficient drop in the caffeine concentration, possibly as a tonic
      to the depressed heart.

PMID- 27272171
TI  - Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of ABT-494, a Novel Selective JAK 1
      Inhibitor, in Healthy Volunteers and Subjects with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: ABT-494 is a potent and selective Janus kinase (JAK) 1 inhibitor
      being developed for the treatment of several autoimmune disorders, with potential
      for an improved safety profile compared with non-selective JAK inhibitors. This
      work characterized the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of ABT-494
      following single and multiple dosing of the immediate-release formulation.
      METHODS: ABT-494 single (1-48 mg or placebo; n = 56) and multiple (3-24 mg or
      placebo twice daily for 14 days; n = 44) doses in healthy subjects, as well as
      multiple doses (3-24 mg or placebo twice daily for 27 days; n = 14) in subjects
      with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on a background of methotrexate were evaluated.
      Pharmacokinetic samples were collected and safety and tolerability were assessed.
      RESULTS: ABT-494 followed bi-exponential disposition, with a terminal elimination
      half-life of 6-16 h and a functional half-life, calculated from maximum observed
      plasma concentration (C max) to trough plasma concentration (C trough) ratio at
      steady state, of 3-4 h. ABT-494 exposure was approximately dose proportional over
      the 3-36 mg dose range, with no significant accumulation with repeated dosing. In
      subjects with RA, no pharmacokinetic interaction between ABT-494 and methotrexate
      was observed. The fraction of ABT-494 dose eliminated in urine as unchanged ABT
      494 was 14-25 %. All treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild or
      moderate in severity, with headache being the most frequently observed TEAE (15.6
      % for ABT-494 vs. 16.7 % for placebo) after multiple twice-daily administration
      to healthy subjects. No clinically significant changes in laboratory parameters,
      vital signs, or electrocardiogram findings in healthy or RA subjects were
      observed. CONCLUSIONS: The favorable pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability
      results from these studies supported further evaluations of ABT-494 in phase IIb
      dose-ranging trials in RA and Crohn's disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ) identifier: NCT01741493.

PMID- 27272172
TI  - Clinical significance of a second-line chemotherapy regimen with paclitaxel,
      ifosfamide and nedaplatin for metastatic urothelial carcinoma after failure of
      cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has been commonly used as the first-line
      chemotherapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma. However, after failure of the
      first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy, there is no established standard second
      line chemotherapy. Starting in 2006, paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin
      chemotherapy has been performed as the second-line chemotherapy in our
      institution. Here, we report the treatment results of paclitaxel, ifosfamide and
      nedaplatin chemotherapy. METHODS: From 2006 to 2015, 33 patients with metastatic
      urothelial carcinoma were treated with paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin
      chemotherapy after failure of first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy in our
      institution. We retrospectively examined the treatment outcome and predictive
      factors for therapeutic effects of paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin. The
      median age, treatment cycle and follow-up period were 62.5 years, 3 cycles and
      10.4 months, respectively. RESULTS: The median overall survival and progression
      free survival were 10.4 and 3.5 months, respectively. Complete and partial
      responses were found in 3 and 7 patients, respectively, with an overall response
      rate of 30%. All patients developed grade 3-4 neutropenia, but there was no
      treatment-related death. In multivariate analysis, the only prognostic factor for
      progression-free survival was 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance. CONCLUSIONS:
      A paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin regimen as second-line chemotherapy for
      metastatic urothelial carcinoma was effective and tolerable. Moreover,
      paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin chemotherapy may be more effective in
      patients with satisfactory renal function.

PMID- 27272173
TI  - Clinical practice patterns for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a nationwide
      survey in Japan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A comprehensive survey has not yet been conducted to investigate care
      patterns by urologists for the management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma.
      METHODS: We conducted a nationwide survey for urologists treating upper tract
      urothelial carcinoma patients. The questionnaire was approved by the Japanese
      Urological Association and sent by mail in February 2014 to 1119 institutes in
      Japan. We identified 627 responders for this study. RESULTS: Our survey
      demonstrated that (i) the mean number of radical nephroureterectomy cases per
      institution in 2013 was 7.6, (ii) the main detecting tool for upper tract
      urothelial carcinoma is contrast-enhanced computed tomography, (iii) the need for
      ureteroscopic evaluations is highly dependent on voiding urine cytology results,
      (iv) 67% of urologists always or often perform radical nephroureterectomy by
      laparoscopic surgery, (v) more than half of the urologists do not aggressively
      perform lymph node dissection, (vi) 75% of the urologists perform bladder cuff
      incision through an extravesical approach, (vii) urologists perform kidney
      sparing surgery following various indications, (viii) 59% of the urologists
      always perform adjuvant systemic chemotherapy for high-risk upper tract
      urothelial carcinoma patients, (ix) the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin
      is the most frequent chemo-regimen for metastatic upper tract urothelial
      carcinoma, and gemcitabine and cisplatin with dose reductions is also the first
      choice even in patients with impaired renal function and (x) 10.5% of urologists
      always or sometimes perform single intravesical chemotherapy immediately after
      radical nephroureterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The management strategy for upper tract
      urothelial carcinoma has changed with the introduction of new devices and
      development of instruments. The lack of clear evidence for relatively uncommon
      upper tract urothelial carcinoma affects the consistency of its treatment
      strategies.

PMID- 27272174
TI  - Staging discrepancies between Hospital-Based Cancer Registry and Diagnosis
      Procedure Combination data.

PMID- 27272175
TI  - The effect of lymphadenectomy on survival and recurrence in patients with ovarian
      cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to perform a meta-analysis examining the
      effectiveness of lymphadenectomy in patients with ovarian cancer. METHODS: PubMed
      and CENTRAL databases were searched on 15 November 2015 using the terms
      'lymphadenectomy', 'ovarian cancer', 'dissection', 'para-aortic', 'pelvic' and
      survival. Prospective and retrospective studies comparing the outcomes of surgery
      with or without lymphadenectomy were included. Outcomes were 5-year overall
      survival, progression-free survival and recurrence rate. RESULTS: Of the 556
      studies identified, 3 randomized controlled trials and 11 retrospective studies
      were included. Lymphadenectomy was associated with greater 5-year overall
      survival than no lymphadenectomy (pooled odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence
      interval: 1.41-1.77, p < 0.001). There was no difference in progression-free
      survival between the groups (pooled overall survival = 1.62, 95% confidence
      interval: 0.82-3.21, p = 0.168). Lymphadenectomy was associated with greater
      progression-free survival in randomized clinical trials (pooled overall survival
      = 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.11-2.21, p = 0.010), but not in retrospective
      studies. Lymphadenectomy was associated with a significantly lower recurrence
      rate (pooled overall survival = 0.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.30-0.85, p =
      0.011). Lymphadenectomy was associated with greater 5-year overall survival in
      patients with both early and advanced stage cancer, but was associated with
      greater progression-free survival and lower recurrence rate only in patients with
      advanced stage cancer. CONCLUSION: Lymphadenectomy is associated with greater 5
      year overall survival in patients with early and advanced stage ovarian cancer,
      but an effect on progression-free survival and recurrence rate was only found in
      patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer.

PMID- 27272176
TI  - Multiplexing Genetic and Nucleosome Positioning Codes: A Computational Approach.
AB  - Eukaryotic DNA is strongly bent inside fundamental packaging units: the
      nucleosomes. It is known that their positions are strongly influenced by the
      mechanical properties of the underlying DNA sequence. Here we discuss the
      possibility that these mechanical properties and the concomitant nucleosome
      positions are not just a side product of the given DNA sequence, e.g. that of the
      genes, but that a mechanical evolution of DNA molecules might have taken place.
      We first demonstrate the possibility of multiplexing classical and mechanical
      genetic information using a computational nucleosome model. In a second step we
      give evidence for genome-wide multiplexing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and
      Schizosacharomyces pombe. This suggests that the exact positions of nucleosomes
      play crucial roles in chromatin function. 

PMID- 27272177
TI  - D-Serine Is a Substrate for Neutral Amino Acid Transporters ASCT1/SLC1A4 and
      ASCT2/SLC1A5, and Is Transported by Both Subtypes in Rat Hippocampal Astrocyte
      Cultures.
AB  - N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play critical roles in synaptic
      transmission and plasticity. Activation of NMDA receptors by synaptically
      released L-glutamate also requires occupancy of co-agonist binding sites in the
      tetrameric receptor by either glycine or D-serine. Although D-serine appears to
      be the predominant co-agonist at synaptic NMDA receptors, the transport
      mechanisms involved in D-serine homeostasis in brain are poorly understood. In
      this work we show that the SLC1 amino acid transporter family members SLC1A4
      (ASCT1) and SLC1A5 (ASCT2) mediate homo- and hetero-exchange of D-serine with
      physiologically relevant kinetic parameters. In addition, the selectivity profile
      of D-serine uptake in cultured rat hippocampal astrocytes is consistent with
      uptake mediated by both ASCT1 and ASCT2. Together these data suggest that SLC1A4
      (ASCT1) may represent an important route of Na-dependent D-serine flux in the
      brain that has the ability to regulate extracellular D-serine and thereby NMDA
      receptor activity. 

PMID- 27272178
TI  - Direct Measurement of Single-Molecule DNA Hybridization Dynamics with Single-Base
      Resolution.
AB  - Herein, we report label-free detection of single-molecule DNA hybridization
      dynamics with single-base resolution. By using an electronic circuit based on
      point-decorated silicon nanowires as electrical probes, we directly record the
      folding/unfolding process of individual hairpin DNAs with sufficiently high
      signal-to-noise ratio and bandwidth. These measurements reveal two-level current
      oscillations with strong temperature dependence, enabling us to determine the
      thermodynamic and kinetic properties of hairpin DNA hybridization. More
      importantly, successive, stepwise increases and decreases in device conductance
      at low temperature on a microsecond timescale are successfully observed,
      indicating a base-by-base unfolding/folding process. The process demonstrates a
      kinetic zipper model for DNA hybridization/dehybridization at the single base
      pair level. This measurement capability promises a label-free single-molecule
      approach to probe biomolecular interactions with fast dynamics.

PMID- 27272179
TI  - Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis: our experience with 18 cases.
AB  - Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) is a rapidly progressive life
      threatening infection that is seen most commonly among immunocompromised
      patients. We present a case series of 18 patients clinically and
      histopathologically diagnosed with AIFRS with a mean follow-up of 9.11 +/- 2.51
      months (range 6-17). Demographic data, apparent symptoms and signs, underlying
      disorders, and outcomes are discussed. The mean age was 39.56 +/- 20.66 years
      (range 2-75). The most common underlying diseases were diabetes mellitus (50 %)
      and leukemia (44.44 %). Mucosal biopsy confirmed fungal invasion of the nasal
      mucosa in all cases. The main fungi were Rhizopus oryzae (55.56 %), Absidia mucor
      (16.67 %), and Aspergillus fumigatus (27.78 %). Headache and facial pain (77.8
      %), facial paresthesia (55.6 %), and ophthalmoplegia (33.3 %) were the most
      common symptoms and signs. Computed tomography and endoscopic findings showed
      various stages of sinonasal (100 %), pterygopalatine fossa (55.56 %), orbital
      (44.45 %), and cerebral (5.56 %) involvement. All patients underwent serial
      surgical debridement (3.78 +/- 1.80 times; range 2-8) simultaneously with
      systemic antifungal therapy and proper management of the underlying disease. The
      most extreme case with brain involvement survived and recovered with no evidence
      of recurrent disease following treatment. All patients were considered cured
      after two endoscopic negative histopathologic evaluations. Three patients (16.67
      %) died, one from uncontrolled leukemia and two due to renal failure. AIFRS is a
      potentially fatal condition, however, early diagnosis and management of the
      underlying disease accompanied with systemic antifungal and aggressive serial
      surgical intervention appears to be effective in reducing mortality in most
      patients.

PMID- 27272180
TI  - Ameloblastoma: 25 Year Experience at a Single Institution.
AB  - Ameloblastoma is a rare, locally aggressive odontogenic neoplasm, accounting for
      fewer than 1 % of head and neck tumors. Recent literature suggests that the
      initial surgical approach and histologic growth patterns are the most important
      prognostic determinants in ameloblastoma. The aim of this study was to compare
      the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with
      ameloblastoma with data reported in the literature; the study spanned 2 decades
      at a single institution. The institution's database was searched for all patients
      with pathologically confirmed ameloblastoma, diagnosed between 1990 and 2015. The
      data collected included sex, age, clinical and imaging findings, management,
      histologic pattern, clearance of surgical margins, length of follow-up, time to
      recurrence, and disease-related mortality. The potential risk factors of
      recurrence were evaluated using log-rank test, proportional hazard model, and
      Fisher exact test. Review of the database yielded 54 patients with pathologically
      confirmed ameloblastoma and follow-up. Recurrence was noted in 13 (24 %)
      patients. Surgical approach was associated with the risk of recurrence (6.1 %
      following radical resection vs. 52 % following limited surgery, p = 0.002). There
      were trends toward higher recurrence rate in the group with pathologically
      documented positive margins (p = 0.054) and in follicular ameloblastoma (p =
      0.35). Transformation into ameloblastic carcinoma was identified in two patients.
      There was no disease-related mortality. Our study confirms the recent data
      regarding the importance of radical surgical resection in management of
      ameloblastoma. Surgical approach appears to be the strongest predictor of tumor
      clearance.

PMID- 27272181
TI  - Social relationships and cognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis
      of longitudinal cohort studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although poor social relationships are assumed to contribute to
      cognitive decline, meta-analytic approaches have not been applied. Individual
      study results are mixed and difficult to interpret due to heterogeneity in
      measures of social relationships. We conducted a systematic review and meta
      analysis to investigate the relation between poor social relationships and
      cognitive decline. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO were searched for
      longitudinal cohort studies examining various aspects of social relationships and
      cognitive decline in the general population. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random effects meta-analysis.
      Sources of heterogeneity were explored and likelihood of publication bias was
      assessed. We stratified analyses according to three aspects of social
      relationships: structural, functional and a combination of these. RESULTS: We
      identified 43 articles. Poor social relationships predicted cognitive decline;
      for structural (19 studies): pooled OR: 1.08 (95% CI: 1.05-1.11); functional (8
      studies): pooled OR: 1.15 (95% CI: 1.00-1.32); and combined measures (7 studies):
      pooled OR: 1.12 (95% CI: 1.01-1.24). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses showed
      that the heterogeneity could be explained by the type of social relationship
      measurement and methodological quality of included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Despite
      heterogeneity in study design and measures, our meta-analyses show that multiple
      aspects of social relationships are associated with cognitive decline. As
      evidence for publication bias was found, the association might be overestimated
      and should therefore be interpreted with caution. Future studies are needed to
      better define the mechanisms underlying these associations. Potential causality
      of this prognostic association should be examined in future randomized controlled
      studies.

PMID- 27272183
TI  - Cohort Profile: The Tasmanian Longitudinal Health STUDY (TAHS).

PMID- 27272182
TI  - Trajectories of function and biomarkers with age: the CHS All Stars Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is a major driver of physical and cognitive
      impairment, but rates of decline are also related to ageing. We sought to
      determine trajectories of decline in a large cohort by disease status, and
      examined their correspondence with biomarkers of ageing processes including
      growth hormone, sex steroid, inflammation, visceral adiposity and kidney function
      pathways. METHODS: We have followed the 5888 participants in the Cardiovascular
      Health Study (CHS) for healthy ageing and longevity since 1989-90. Gait speed,
      grip strength, modified mini-mental status examination (3MSE) and the digit
      symbol substitution test (DSST) were assessed annually to 1998-99 and again in
      2005-06. Insulin-like growth hormone (IGF-1), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
      (DHEAS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin and cystatin-C were assessed 3-5 times
      from stored samples. Health status was updated annually and dichotomized as
      healthy vs not healthy. Trajectories for each function measure and biomarker were
      estimated using generalized estimating equations as a function of age and health
      status using standardized values. RESULTS: Trajectories of functional decline
      showed strong age acceleration late in life in healthy older men and women as
      well as in chronically ill older adults. Adiponectin, IL-6 and cystatin-C tracked
      with functional decline in all domains; cystatin-C was consistently associated
      with functional declines independent of other biomarkers. DHEAS was independently
      associated with grip strength and IL-6 with grip strength and gait speed
      trajectories. CONCLUSIONS: Functional decline in late life appears to mark a
      fundamental ageing process in that it occurred and was accelerated in late life
      regardless of health status. Cystatin C was most consistently associated with
      these functional declines.

PMID- 27272185
TI  - Cohort Profile: The HIV Atlanta Veterans Affairs Cohort Study (HAVACS).

PMID- 27272184
TI  - Measles outbreak response vaccination in the Federated States of Micronesia.

PMID- 27272187
TI  - A Chromosome 7 Pericentric Inversion Defined at Single-Nucleotide Resolution
      Using Diagnostic Whole Genome Sequencing in a Patient with Hand-Foot-Genital
      Syndrome.
AB  - Next generation sequencing methodologies are facilitating the rapid
      characterisation of novel structural variants at nucleotide resolution. These
      approaches are particularly applicable to variants initially identified using
      alternative molecular methods. We report a child born with bilateral postaxial
      syndactyly of the feet and bilateral fifth finger clinodactyly. This was presumed
      to be an autosomal recessive syndrome, due to the family history of
      consanguinity. Karyotype analysis revealed a homozygous pericentric inversion of
      chromosome 7 (46,XX,inv(7)(p15q21)x2) which was confirmed to be heterozygous in
      both unaffected parents. Since the resolution of the karyotype was insufficient
      to identify any putatively causative gene, we undertook medium-coverage whole
      genome sequencing using paired-end reads, in order to elucidate the molecular
      breakpoints. In a two-step analysis, we first narrowed down the region by
      identifying discordant read-pairs, and then determined the precise molecular
      breakpoint by analysing the mapping locations of "soft-clipped" breakpoint
      spanning reads. PCR and Sanger sequencing confirmed the identified breakpoints,
      both of which were located in intergenic regions. Significantly, the 7p15
      breakpoint was located 523 kb upstream of HOXA13, the locus for hand-foot-genital
      syndrome. By inference from studies of HOXA locus control in the mouse, we
      suggest that the inversion has delocalised a HOXA13 enhancer to produce the
      phenotype observed in our patient. This study demonstrates how modern genetic
      diagnostic approach can characterise structural variants at nucleotide resolution
      and provide potential insights into functional regulation. 

PMID- 27272186
TI  - Maelstrom Research guidelines for rigorous retrospective data harmonization.
AB  - Background: It is widely accepted and acknowledged that data harmonization is
      crucial: in its absence, the co-analysis of major tranches of high quality extant
      data is liable to inefficiency or error. However, despite its widespread
      practice, no formalized/systematic guidelines exist to ensure high quality
      retrospective data harmonization. Methods: To better understand real-world
      harmonization practices and facilitate development of formal guidelines, three
      interrelated initiatives were undertaken between 2006 and 2015. They included a
      phone survey with 34 major international research initiatives, a series of
      workshops with experts, and case studies applying the proposed guidelines.
      Results: A wide range of projects use retrospective harmonization to support
      their research activities but even when appropriate approaches are used, the
      terminologies, procedures, technologies and methods adopted vary markedly. The
      generic guidelines outlined in this article delineate the essentials required and
      describe an interdependent step-by-step approach to harmonization: 0) define the
      research question, objectives and protocol; 1) assemble pre-existing knowledge
      and select studies; 2) define targeted variables and evaluate harmonization
      potential; 3) process data; 4) estimate quality of the harmonized dataset(s)
      generated; and 5) disseminate and preserve final harmonization products.
      Conclusions: This manuscript provides guidelines aiming to encourage rigorous and
      effective approaches to harmonization which are comprehensively and transparently
      documented and straightforward to interpret and implement. This can be seen as a
      key step towards implementing guiding principles analogous to those that are well
      recognised as being essential in securing the foundational underpinning of
      systematic reviews and the meta-analysis of clinical trials.

PMID- 27272188
TI  - Global transcriptome analysis for identification of interactions between coding
      and noncoding RNAs during human erythroid differentiation.
AB  - Studies on coding genes, miRNAs, and lncRNAs during erythroid development have
      been performed in recent years. However, analysis focusing on the integration of
      the three RNA types has yet to be done. In the present study, we compared the
      dynamics of coding genes, miRNA, and lncRNA expression profiles. To explore
      dynamic changes in erythropoiesis and potential mechanisms that control these
      changes in the transcriptome level, we took advantage of high throughput
      sequencing technologies to obtain transcriptome data from cord blood
      hematopoietic stem cells and the following four erythroid differentiation stages,
      as well as from mature red blood cells. Results indicated that lncRNAs were
      promising cell marker candidates for erythroid differentiation. Clustering
      analysis classified the differentially expressed genes into four subtypes that
      corresponded to dynamic changes during stemness maintenance, mid-differentiation,
      and maturation. Integrated analysis revealed that noncoding RNAs potentially
      participated in controlling blood cell maturation, and especially associated with
      heme metabolism and responses to oxygen species and DNA damage. These regulatory
      interactions were displayed in a comprehensive network, thereby inferring
      correlations between RNAs and their associated functions. These data provided a
      substantial resource for the study of normal erythropoiesis, which will permit
      further investigation and understanding of erythroid development and acquired
      erythroid disorders. 

PMID- 27272189
TI  - Complete hepatitis B virus prophylaxis withdrawal in hepatitis B surface antigen
      positive liver transplant recipients after longterm minimal immunosuppression.
AB  - Tailored approaches have been attempted to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV)
      reinfection in antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive
      liver transplantation (LT) recipients in order to minimize the use of hepatitis B
      immune globulin (HBIG) and nucleoside analogues (NAs). We report the results of
      complete HBV prophylaxis withdrawal after a follow-up of at least 6 years in LT
      recipients with undetectable serum HBV DNA and intrahepatic total HBV DNA and
      covalently closed circular DNA at LT. We included 30 HBsAg positive, hepatitis B
      e antigen-negative recipients, 6 with hepatitis C virus and 7 with hepatitis D
      virus coinfection, who had received HBIG plus NA for at least 5 years after LT.
      Stepwise HBIG and NA withdrawal was performed in two 6-month periods under strict
      monitoring of HBV virology. All patients underwent a clinical, biochemical, and
      virological follow-up at 3-6 month intervals. HBV recurrence (HBsAg seroreversion
      +/- detectable HBV DNA) occurred in 6 patients: in 1 patient after HBIG
      interruption and in 5 after both HBIG and NA cessation. Only 3 patients required
      reinstitution of HBV prophylaxis because of persistent HBV replication, and all
      achieved optimal control of HBV infection and did not experience clinical events.
      The other who recurred showed only short-lasting HBsAg positivity, with
      undetectable HBV DNA, followed by spontaneous anti-HBs seroconversion. An
      additional 15 patients mounted an anti-HBs titer, without previous serum HBsAg
      detectability. At the end of follow-up, 90% of patients were still prophylaxis
      free, 93.3% were HBsAg negative, and 100% were HBV DNA negative; 60% had anti-HBs
      titers >10 IU/L (median, 143; range, 13-1000). This small series shows that
      complete prophylaxis withdrawal is safe in patients transplanted for HBV-related
      disease at low risk of recurrence and is often followed by spontaneous anti-HBs
      seroconversion. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding. Liver
      Transplantation 22 1205-1213 2016 AASLD.

PMID- 27272190
TI  - Endovascular Treatment of Renal Artery Stenosis in the Post CORAL Era.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS) is highly
      associated with hypertension and renal insufficiency. Determining causation and
      who may benefit from RAS treatment remains difficult. The role of endovascular
      management of atherosclerotic RAS was challenged by several recent randomized
      controlled trials (RCT) which failed to demonstrate benefit of stenting. In the
      largest RCT to date, the Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions
      (CORAL) study did not find benefit of revascularization compared to medical
      therapy alone. While such RCTs represent the highest level of evidence to date,
      the conclusions drawn from them should be interpreted with caution due to
      substantial flaws in study design, inclusion, and exclusion criteria. The current
      AHA/ACC recommendations for RAS management are supported by many level-II
      evidence cohort studies which consistently found benefit of revascularization in
      groups with the highest likelihood of clinically significant RAS. Further study
      of these patient groups are needed to define a clear role for endovascular
      therapy of renal artery stenosis.

PMID- 27272191
TI  - Erratum to: LC-MS/MS Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Metabolites in the Pterin
      Biosynthetic Pathway.

PMID- 27272192
TI  - Biological Nitrogen Removal through Nitritation Coupled with Thiosulfate-Driven
      Denitritation.
AB  - A novel biological nitrogen removal system based on nitritation coupled with
      thiosulfate-driven denitritation (Nitritation-TDD) was developed to achieve a
      high nitrogen removal rate and low sludge production. A nitritation sequential
      batch reactor (nitritation SBR) and an anoxic up-flow sludge bed (AnUSB) reactor
      were applied for effective nitritation and denitritation, respectively. Above 75%
      nitrite was accumulated in the nitritation SBR with an influent ammonia loading
      rate of 0.43 kg N/d/m(3). During Nitritation-TDD operation, particle sizes (d50)
      of the sludge decreased from 406 to 225 um in nitritation SBR and from 327-183 um
      in AnUSB reactor. Pyrosequencing tests revealed that ammonium-oxidizing bacteria
      (AOB) population was stabilized at approximately 7.0% (calculated as population
      of AOB-related genus divided by the total microbial population) in the
      nitritation SBR. In contrast, nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) population
      decreased from 6.5-0.6% over the same time, indicating the effective nitrite
      accumulation in the nitritation SBR. Thiobacillus, accounting for 34.2% in the
      AnUSB reactor, was mainly responsible for nitrogen removal via autotrophic
      denitritation, using an external source of thiosulfate as electron donor. Also,
      it was found that free nitrous acid could directly affect the denitritation
      activity.

PMID- 27272193
TI  - Cleidocranial dysplasia and RUNX2-clinical phenotype-genotype correlation.
AB  - Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2/Cbfa1) is the main regulatory gene
      controlling skeletal development and morphogenesis in vertebrates. It is located
      on chromosome 6p21 and has two functional isoforms (type I and type II) under
      control of two alternate promoters (P1 and P2). Mutations within RUNX2 are linked
      to Cleidocranial dysplasia syndrome (CCD) in humans. CCD is an autosomal skeletal
      disorder characterized by several features such as delayed closure of fontanels,
      dental abnormalities and hypoplastic clavicles. Here, we summarize recent
      knowledge about RUNX2 function, mutations and their phenotypic consequences in
      patients.

PMID- 27272194
TI  - Antinociceptive effects of dehydrocorydaline in mouse models of inflammatory pain
      involve the opioid receptor and inflammatory cytokines.
AB  - Dehydrocorydaline (DHC) is an alkaloidal component isolated from Rhizoma
      corydalis. Previous studies have shown that DHC has anti-inflammatory and anti
      tumor effects and that it can protect the cardiovascular system. However, there
      are few studies of the antinociceptive effects of DHC in vivo. This study
      explored the antinociceptive effects and possible mechanisms of DHC in mice using
      two inflammatory pain models: the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the
      formalin paw test. The intraperitoneal administration of DHC (3.6, 6 or 10 mg/kg)
      showed a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced
      writhing test and significantly attenuated the formalin-induced pain responses in
      mice. The antinociceptive effects of DHC were not associated with changes in the
      locomotor activity or motor responses of animals, and no obvious acute or chronic
      toxic effects were observed in the mice. Furthermore, the use of naloxone
      confirmed the involvement of the opioid receptor in the central antinociceptive
      effects of DHC. DHC reduced formalin-induced paw edema, which indicated that DHC
      may produce an anti-inflammatory effect in the periphery. In the formalin test,
      DHC decreased the expression of caspase 6 (CASP6), TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6
      proteins in the spinal cord. These findings confirm that DHC has antinociceptive
      effects in mice.

PMID- 27272195
TI  - [Diamond-Forrester and cardiac CT : Is there a need to redefine the pretest
      probability of coronary artery disease?].
AB  - Apart from the Diamond-Forrester classification, which is widely used
      particularly in the USA for the pretest probability of coronary artery disease,
      other scores also exist, such as an updated version of the classification table
      by Genders et al., the Morise score and the Duke clinical risk score. These
      scores estimate the probability of coronary artery disease, defined as the
      presence of at least one high-grade stenosis, based on symptom characteristics,
      age, gender and other parameters. All of the scores were derived from patient
      cohorts in which invasive coronary angiography had been performed for clinical
      reasons. It has subsequently been shown that these scores, especially those
      developed several decades ago, substantially overestimate the pretest probability
      of coronary artery disease. When these risk scores are applied to patients for
      whom a non-invasive work-up of suspected coronary artery disease is planned, for
      example by coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography, the expected prevalence
      of significant coronary stenosis will be overestimated. This, in turn, influences
      the test characteristics and the significance of the non-invasive examination
      (positive and negative predictive values) and needs to be taken into account when
      interpreting test results. 

PMID- 27272196
TI  - Sentence Repetition Accuracy in Adults With Developmental Language Impairment:
      Interactions of Participant Capacities and Sentence Structures.
AB  - PURPOSE: We asked whether sentence repetition accuracy could be explained by
      interactions of participant processing limitations with the structures of the
      sentences. We also tested a prediction of the procedural deficit hypothesis
      (Ullman & Pierpont, 2005) that adjuncts are more difficult than arguments for
      individuals with developmental language impairment (DLI). METHOD: Forty-four
      young adults participated, 21 with DLI. The sentence repetition task varied
      sentence length and the use of arguments and adjuncts. We also administered
      measures of working memory and processing speed. Our regression models focused on
      these interactions: group and argument status; processing speed, length, and
      argument status; and working memory capacity, length, and argument status.
      RESULTS: Language ability group was a significant predictor of sentence
      repetition accuracy but did not interact with argument status. Processing speed
      interacted with sentence length and argument status. Working memory capacity and
      its separate interactions with argument status and sentence length predicted
      sentence repetition accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Many adults with DLI may have
      difficulty with adjuncts as a result of their working memory limitations rather
      than their language ability. Cognitive limitations common to individuals with DLI
      are revealed more by particular sentence structures, suggesting ways to construct
      more diagnostically accurate sentence repetition tasks.

PMID- 27272197
TI  - A method for the measurement of dispersion curves of circumferential guided waves
      radiating from curved shells: experimental validation and application to a
      femoral neck mimicking phantom.
AB  - Our long-term goal is to develop an ultrasonic method to characterize the
      thickness, stiffness and porosity of the cortical shell of the femoral neck,
      which could enhance hip fracture risk prediction. To this purpose, we proposed to
      adapt a technique based on the measurement of guided waves. We previously
      evidenced the feasibility of measuring circumferential guided waves in a bone
      mimicking phantom of a circular cross-section of even thickness. The goal of this
      study is to investigate the impact of the complex geometry of the femoral neck on
      the measurement of guided waves. Two phantoms of an elliptical cross-section and
      one phantom of a realistic cross-section were investigated. A 128-element array
      was used to record the inter-element response matrix of these waveguides. This
      experiment was simulated using a custom-made hybrid code. The response matrices
      were analyzed using a technique based on the physics of wave propagation. This
      method yields portions of dispersion curves of the waveguides which were compared
      to reference dispersion curves. For the elliptical phantoms, three portions of
      dispersion curves were determined with a good agreement between experiment,
      simulation and theory. The method was thus validated. The characteristic
      dimensions of the shell were found to influence the identification of the
      circumferential wave signals. The method was then applied to the signals
      backscattered by the superior half of constant thickness of the realistic
      phantom. A cut-off frequency and some portions of modes were measured, with a
      good agreement with the theoretical curves of a plate waveguide. We also observed
      that the method cannot be applied directly to the signals backscattered by the
      lower half of varying thicknesses of the phantom. The proposed approach could
      then be considered to evaluate the properties of the superior part of the femoral
      neck, which is known to be a clinically relevant site.

PMID- 27272199
TI  - Survival after pathogen exposure in group-living insects: don't forget the stress
      of social isolation!
AB  - A major cost of group-living is its inherent risk of pathogen infection. To limit
      this risk, many group-living animals have developed the capability to
      prophylactically boost their immune system in the presence of group members
      and/or to mount collective defences against pathogens. These two phenomena,
      called density-dependent prophylaxis and social immunity, respectively, are often
      used to explain why, in group-living species, individuals survive better in
      groups than in isolation. However, this survival difference may also reflect an
      alternative and often overlooked process: a cost of social isolation on
      individuals' capability to fight against infections. Here, we disentangled the
      effects of density-dependent prophylaxis, social immunity and stress of social
      isolation on the survival after pathogen exposure in group-living adults of the
      European earwig Forficula auricularia. By manipulating the presence of group
      members both before and after pathogen exposure, we demonstrated that the cost of
      being isolated after infection, but not the benefits of social immunity or
      density-dependent prophylaxis, explained the survival of females. Specifically,
      females kept constantly in groups or constantly isolated had higher survival
      rates than females that were first in groups and then isolated after infection.
      Our results also showed that this cost of social isolation was absent in males
      and that social isolation did not reduce the survival of noninfected individuals.
      Overall, this study gives a new perspective on the role of pathogens in social
      evolution, as it suggests that an apparently nonadaptive, personal immune process
      may promote the maintenance of group-living under pathogenic environments.

PMID- 27272200
TI  - Impact of intraprosthetic drilling on the strength of the femoral stem in
      periprosthetic fractures: A finite element investigation.
AB  - Treatment of periprosthetic femur fractures after total hip arthroplasty remains
      a major challenge in orthopedic surgery. Recently, a novel surgical technique
      using intraprosthetic screw fixation has been suggested. The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate the influence of drilling the femoral hip stem on integrity
      and strength of the implant. The hypothesis was that intraprosthetic drilling and
      screw fixation would not cause the load limit of the prosthesis to be exceeded
      and that deformation would remain within the elastic limit. A sawbone model with
      a conventional straight hip stem was used and a Vancouver C periprosthetic
      fracture was created. The fracture was fixed with a nine-hole less invasive
      stabilization system plate with two screws drilled and inserted through the
      femoral hip stem. Three different finite element models were created using ANSYS
      software. The models increased in complexity including joint forces and stress
      risers from three different dimensions. A variation of drilling positions was
      analyzed. Due to the complexity of the physiological conditions in the human
      femur, the most complex finite element model provided the most realistic results.
      Overall, significant changes in the stresses to the prosthesis caused by the
      drilling procedure were observed. While the stresses at the site of the bore hole
      decreased, the load increased in the surrounding stem material. This effect is
      more pronounced and further the holes were apart, and it was found that
      increasing the number of holes could counteract this. The maximum load was still
      found to be in the area of the prosthesis neck. No stresses above the load limit
      of titanium alloy were detected. All deformations of the prosthesis stem remained
      in the elastic range. These results may indicate a potential role for
      intraprosthetic screw fixation in the future treatment of periprosthetic femur
      fractures. 

PMID- 27272201
TI  - Symmetry comparison between sacrum and center of mass during walking.
AB  - Sacrum motion is used extensively in clinical research to represent movement of
      the entire body by replacing the center of mass. The primary objective of this
      article was to investigate the effect of this replacement on symmetry
      determination. The secondary objective was to assess the correlation between the
      symmetries of trajectories of center of mass and sacrum, and that of
      spatiotemporal parameters. Three-dimensional trajectories obtained from 37
      markers placed on anatomical landmarks of 15 healthy subjects were recorded while
      walking at three speeds on the treadmill. Trajectory of center of mass was
      determined using segmental analysis method. The results indicated that two
      symmetries, one determined using sacrum marker and the other using segmental
      analysis method, were different and this difference was more pronounced in
      anterior-posterior direction. In other words, harmonic analysis of sacrum and
      center of mass trajectories revealed different results. Furthermore, low-to
      moderate correlations were observed between spatiotemporal parameters symmetry
      and symmetries obtained from both center of mass and sacrum. In conclusion, the
      results indicated that it may not be analytically acceptable to substitute sacrum
      for center of mass in symmetry determination. 

PMID- 27272198
TI  - Task-irrelevant fear enhances amygdala-FFG inhibition and decreases subsequent
      face processing.
AB  - Facial threat is associated with changes in limbic activity as well as
      modifications in the cortical face-related N170. It remains unclear if task
      irrelevant threat modulates the response to a subsequent facial stimulus, and
      whether the amygdala's role in early threat perception is independent and direct,
      or modulatory. In 19 participants, crowds of emotional faces were followed by
      target faces and a rating task while simultaneous EEG-fMRI were recorded. In
      addition to conventional analyses, fMRI-informed EEG analyses and fMRI dynamic
      causal modeling (DCM) were performed. Fearful crowds reduced EEG N170 target face
      amplitudes and increased responses in a fMRI network comprising insula, amygdala
      and inferior frontal cortex. Multimodal analyses showed that amygdala response
      was present ~60 ms before the right fusiform gyrus-derived N170. DCM indicated
      inhibitory connections from amygdala to fusiform gyrus, strengthened when fearful
      crowds preceded a target face. Results demonstrated the suppressing influence of
      task-irrelevant fearful crowds on subsequent face processing. The amygdala may be
      sensitive to task-irrelevant fearful crowds and subsequently strengthen its
      inhibitory influence on face-responsive fusiform N170 generators. This provides
      spatiotemporal evidence for a feedback mechanism of the amygdala by narrowing
      attention in order to focus on potential threats.

PMID- 27272202
TI  - Inflammation-induced transgene expression in genetically engineered equine
      mesenchymal stem cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis, a chronic and progressive degenerative joint
      disorder, ranks amongst the top five causes of disability. Given the high
      incidence, associated socioeconomic costs and the absence of effective disease
      modifying therapies of osteoarthritis, cell-based treatments offer a promising
      new approach. Owing to their paracrine, differentiation and self-renewal
      abilities, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great potential for regenerative
      medicine, which might be further enhanced by targeted gene therapy. Hence, the
      development of systems allowing transgene expression, particularly when regulated
      by natural disease-dependent occuring substances, is of high interest. METHODS:
      Bone marrow-isolated equine MSCs were stably transduced with an HIV-1 based
      lentiviral vector expressing the luciferase gene under control of an inducible
      nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB)-responsive promoter. Marker gene expression was
      analysed by determining luciferase activity in transduced cells stimulated with
      different concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1beta or tumour necrosis factor
      (TNF)alpha. RESULTS: A dose-dependent increase in luciferase expression was
      observed in transduced MSCs upon cytokine stimulation. The induction effect was
      more potent in cells treated with TNFalpha compared to those treated with IL
      1beta. Maximum transgene expression was obtained after 48 h of stimulation and
      the same time was necessary to return to baseline luciferase expression levels
      after withdrawal of the stimulus. Repeated cycles of induction allowed on-off
      modulation of transgene expression without becoming refractory to induction. The
      NFkappaB-responsive promoter retained its inducibility also in chondrogenically
      differentiated MSC/Luc cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study
      demonstrate that on demand transgene expression from the NFkappaB-responsive
      promoter using naturally occurring inflammatory cytokines can be induced in
      undifferentiated and chondrogenically differentiated equine MSCs. Copyright (c)
      2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27272203
TI  - Impact of body mass index on the oncological outcomes of patients treated with
      radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Body mass index (BMI) has been associated with worse outcomes in several
      solid malignancies. We aimed to evaluate the association between BMI and
      oncological outcomes in patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle
      invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed 701 consecutive patients treated with RC and pelvic lymphadenectomy for
      UCB at our institution between 1995 and 2011. Univariable and multivariable Cox
      regression models investigated the association of BMI with disease recurrence and
      cancer-specific mortality. BMI was analyzed as both continuous and categorical
      variable (<25 vs. 25-29 vs. >=30 kg/m2). RESULTS: From the 701 patients, 275
      (39.2 %) had a BMI < 25 kg/m2, 280 (39.9 %) had a BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2,
      and 146 (20.9 %) had a BMI ? 30 kg/m2. Within a median follow-up of 45 months
      (IQR 23-75), 163 patients (23.3 %) experienced a disease recurrence and 127 (18.1
      %) died from the disease. In univariable analyses, BMI ? 30 kg/m2 was associated
      with a higher risk of disease recurrence and cancer-specific mortality (both p
      values <0.01). In multivariable analyses that adjusted for the effects of
      standard clinicopathological features, BMI ? 30 kg/m2 was associated with both
      higher risks of disease recurrence (HR 1.58; 95 % CI 1.06-2.34, p = 0.02) and
      cancer-specific mortality (HR 1.58; 95 % CI 1.01-2.48; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS:
      Obesity was independently associated with higher risks of disease recurrence and
      cancer-specific mortality in patients treated with RC for muscle-invasive UCB.
      BMI is a modifiable feature that may have significant individual and public
      health implications in patients with muscle-invasive UCB.

PMID- 27272204
TI  - Unforeseen Severe Cardiotoxicity Associated With Daunorubicin Chemotherapy Even
      at a Dose Previously Thought to Be Safe: A Case Report.

PMID- 27272205
TI  - The evolution of genome mining in microbes - a review.
AB  - Covering: 2006 to 2016The computational mining of genomes has become an important
      part in the discovery of novel natural products as drug leads. Thousands of
      bacterial genome sequences are publically available these days containing an even
      larger number and diversity of secondary metabolite gene clusters that await
      linkage to their encoded natural products. With the development of high
      throughput sequencing methods and the wealth of DNA data available, a variety of
      genome mining methods and tools have been developed to guide discovery and
      characterisation of these compounds. This article reviews the development of
      these computational approaches during the last decade and shows how the
      revolution of next generation sequencing methods has led to an evolution of
      various genome mining approaches, techniques and tools. After a short
      introduction and brief overview of important milestones, this article will focus
      on the different approaches of mining genomes for secondary metabolites, from
      detecting biosynthetic genes to resistance based methods and "evo-mining"
      strategies including a short evaluation of the impact of the development of
      genome mining methods and tools on the field of natural products and microbial
      ecology. 

PMID- 27272206
TI  - Highly sensitive colorimetric detection of glucose and uric acid in biological
      fluids using chitosan-modified paper microfluidic devices.
AB  - This paper describes the modification of microfluidic paper-based analytical
      devices (MUPADs) with chitosan to improve the analytical performance of
      colorimetric measurements associated with enzymatic bioassays. Chitosan is a
      natural biopolymer extensively used to modify biosensing surfaces due to its
      capability of providing a suitable microenvironment for the direct electron
      transfer between an enzyme and a reactive surface. This hypothesis was
      investigated using glucose and uric acid (UA) colorimetric assays as model
      systems. The best colorimetric sensitivity for glucose and UA was achieved using
      a chromogenic solution composed of 4-aminoantipyrine and sodium 3,5-dichloro-2
      hydroxy-benzenesulfonate (4-AAP/DHBS), which provided a linear response for a
      concentration range between 0.1 and 1.0 mM. Glucose and UA were successfully
      determined in artificial serum samples with accuracies between 87 and 114%. The
      limits of detection (LODs) found for glucose and UA assays were 23 and 37 MUM,
      respectively. The enhanced analytical performance of chitosan-modified MUPADs
      allowed the colorimetric detection of glucose in tear samples from four
      nondiabetic patients. The achieved concentration levels ranged from 130 to 380
      MUM. The modified MUPADs offered analytical reliability and accuracy as well as
      no statistical difference from the values achieved through a reference method.
      Based on the presented results, the proposed MUPAD can be a powerful alternative
      tool for non-invasive glucose analysis. 

PMID- 27272208
TI  - Efficacy of XP-endo finisher files in the removal of calcium hydroxide paste from
      artificial standardized grooves in the apical third of oval root canals.
AB  - AIM: To compare the efficacy of the XP-endo finisher file (XP) (FKG Dentaire, La
      Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland) to that of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and
      conventional syringe and needle irrigation (SNI) in the removal of calcium
      hydroxide paste from an artificial standardized groove in the apical third of
      root canals. METHODOLOGY: The root canals of 68 mandibular incisors with single
      oval canals were prepared using Mtwo instruments (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany) up
      to size 40, .04 taper. Each tooth was split longitudinally, and in one half of
      the root, a standardized groove was prepared in the apical part of the specimen.
      The grooves were filled with Ca(OH)2 , and the root halves were reassembled. The
      roots were randomly divided into two control groups (n = 4) and three
      experimental groups (n = 20) according to the Ca(OH)2 methods used: XP, PUI and
      SNI. The amount of remaining medicament was evaluated under X25 magnification
      using a 4-grade scoring system. Kappa values were calculated for intra- and
      interobserver agreement evaluation. The differences in the Ca(OH)2 scores amongst
      the different groups were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: None
      of the tested methods could completely clean the Ca(OH)2 from the artificial
      standardized groove in the apical third of the root canals. XP and PUI removed
      significantly more Ca(OH)2 than SNI (P < 0.001), with no significant differences
      between them (P = 0.238). CONCLUSIONS: XP and PUI were more effective in removing
      Ca(OH)2 from artificial standardized grooves in the apical third of root canals
      than SNI.

PMID- 27272207
TI  - Analysis of the Microprocessor in Dictyostelium: The Role of RbdB, a dsRNA
      Binding Protein.
AB  - We identified the dsRNA binding protein RbdB as an essential component in miRNA
      processing in Dictyostelium discoideum. RbdB is a nuclear protein that
      accumulates, together with Dicer B, in nucleolar foci reminiscent of plant dicing
      bodies. Disruption of rbdB results in loss of miRNAs and accumulation of primary
      miRNAs. The phenotype can be rescued by ectopic expression of RbdB thus allowing
      for a detailed analysis of domain function. The lack of cytoplasmic dsRBD
      proteins involved in miRNA processing, suggests that both processing steps take
      place in the nucleus thus resembling the plant pathway. However, we also find
      features e.g. in the domain structure of Dicer which suggest similarities to
      animals. Reduction of miRNAs in the rbdB- strain and their increase in the
      Argonaute A knock out allowed the definition of new miRNAs one of which appears
      to belong to a new non-canonical class.

PMID- 27272209
TI  - Pollen limitation may be a common Allee effect in marine hydrophilous plants:
      implications for decline and recovery in seagrasses.
AB  - Pollen limitation may be an important factor in accelerated decline of sparse or
      fragmented populations. Little is known whether hydrophilous plants (pollen
      transport by water) suffer from an Allee effect due to pollen limitation or not.
      Hydrophilous pollination is a typical trait of marine angiosperms or seagrasses.
      Although seagrass flowers usually have high pollen production, floral densities
      are highly variable. We evaluated pollen limitation for intertidal populations of
      the seagrass Zostera noltei in The Netherlands and found a significant positive
      relation between flowering spathe density and fruit-set, which was suboptimal at
      <1200 flowering spathes m(-2) (corresponding to <600 reproductive shoots m(-2)).
      A fragmented population had ~35 % lower fruit-set at similar reproductive density
      than a continuous population. 75 % of all European populations studied over a
      large latitudinal gradient had flowering spathe densities below that required for
      optimal fruit-set, particularly in Southern countries. Literature review of the
      reproductive output of hydrophilous pollinated plants revealed that seed- or
      fruit-set of marine hydrophilous plants is generally low, as compared to
      hydrophilous freshwater and wind-pollinated plants. We conclude that pollen
      limitation as found in Z. noltei may be a common Allee effect for seagrasses,
      potentially accelerating decline and impairing recovery even after environmental
      conditions have improved substantially.

PMID- 27272210
TI  - 3D Printed Vascular Networks Enhance Viability in High-Volume Perfusion
      Bioreactor.
AB  - There is a significant clinical need for engineered bone graft substitutes that
      can quickly, effectively, and safely repair large segmental bone defects. One
      emerging field of interest involves the growth of engineered bone tissue in vitro
      within bioreactors, the most promising of which are perfusion bioreactors. Using
      bioreactor systems, tissue engineered bone constructs can be fabricated in vitro.
      However, these engineered constructs lack inherent vasculature and once
      implanted, quickly develop a necrotic core, where no nutrient exchange occurs.
      Here, we utilized COMSOL modeling to predict oxygen diffusion gradients
      throughout aggregated alginate constructs, which allowed for the computer-aided
      design of printable vascular networks, compatible with any large tissue
      engineered construct cultured in a perfusion bioreactor. We investigated the
      effect of 3D printed macroscale vascular networks with various porosities on the
      viability of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro, using both gas-permeable, and
      non-gas permeable bioreactor growth chamber walls. Through the use of 3D printed
      vascular structures in conjunction with a tubular perfusion system bioreactor,
      cell viability was found to increase by as much as 50% in the core of these
      constructs, with in silico modeling predicting construct viability at steady
      state.

PMID- 27272211
TI  - The Importance of Hemorheology and Patient Anatomy on the Hemodynamics in the
      Inferior Vena Cava.
AB  - Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have been used for nearly half a century to
      prevent pulmonary embolism in at-risk patients. However, complications with IVC
      filters remain common. In this study, we investigate the importance of
      considering the hemorheological and morphological effects on IVC hemodynamics by
      simulating Newtonian and non-Newtonian blood flow in three IVC models with
      varying levels of geometric idealization. Partial occlusion by an IVC filter and
      a thrombus is also considered. More than 99% of the infrarenal IVC volume is
      found to contain flow in the nonlinear region of the shear rate-viscosity curve
      for blood (less than 100 s-1) in the unoccluded IVCs. Newtonian simulations
      performed using the asymptotic viscosity for blood over-predict the non-Newtonian
      Reynolds numbers by more than a factor of two and under-predict the mean wall
      shear stress (WSS) by 28-54%. Agreement with the non-Newtonian simulations is
      better using a characteristic viscosity, but local WSS errors are still large (up
      to 50%) in the partially occluded cases. Secondary flow patterns in the IVC also
      depend on the viscosity model and IVC morphological complexity. Non-Newtonian
      simulations required only a marginal increase in computational expense compared
      with the Newtonian simulations. We recommend that future studies of IVC
      hemodynamics consider the effects of hemorheology and IVC morphology when
      accurate predictions of WSS and secondary flow features are desired.

PMID- 27272212
TI  - Recent advances in preimplantation genetic diagnosis and screening.
AB  - Preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening (PGD/PGS) aims to help couples lower
      the risks of transmitting genetic defects to their offspring, implantation
      failure, and/or miscarriage during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. However,
      it is still being debated with regard to the practicality and diagnostic accuracy
      of PGD/PGS due to the concern of invasive biopsy and the potential mosaicism of
      embryos. Recently, several non-invasive and high-throughput assays have been
      developed to help overcome the challenges encountered in the conventional
      invasive biopsy and low-throughput analysis in PGD/PGS. In this mini-review, we
      will summarize the recent progresses of these new methods for PGD/PGS and discuss
      their potential applications in IVF clinics. 

PMID- 27272213
TI  - Hepatitis B and Schistosoma co-infection in a non-endemic area.
AB  - Schistosomiasis is related to the development of liver fibrosis and portal
      hypertension. Chronic co-infection with HBV and Schistosoma has been associated
      in endemic areas with a higher risk for a more severe liver disease. However, no
      studies have assessed the real importance of this co-infection in non-endemic
      regions. This is a retrospective observational study of Sub-Saharan immigrants
      attending between October 2004 and February 2014. Patients with chronic HBV
      infection with and without evidence of schistosomal infection were compared.
      Epidemiological, analytical, and microbiological data were analysed. Likelihood
      of liver fibrosis based on APRI and FIB-4 indexes was established. A total of 507
      patients were included in the study, 170 (33.5 %) of them harbouring evidence of
      schistosome infection. No differences were found in transaminase, GGT, and ALP
      levels. In fibrosis tests, a higher proportion of patients with HVB and S.
      mansoni detection reached possible fibrosis scores (F > 2) when compared to
      patients without schistosomiasis: 17.4 vs 14.2 % and 4.3 % vs 4.2 % (using high
      sensitivity and high specificity cut-offs respectively), although differences
      were not statistically significant (p = 0.69, p = 0.96). For possible cirrhosis
      (F4) score, similar results were observed: 4.3 % of co-infected patients vs 2.1 %
      of mono-infected ones, p = 0.46. According to these datas, in non-endemic regions
      the degree of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B is not
      substantially modified by schistosome co-infection. 

PMID- 27272214
TI  - Long noncoding RNA PVT1 promotes cervical cancer progression through
      epigenetically silencing miR-200b.
AB  - Long noncoding RNA PVT1 has been reported to be dysregulated and play vital roles
      in a variety of cancers. However, the functions and molecular mechanisms of PVT1
      in cervical cancer remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate
      the expression, clinical significance, biological roles, and underlying
      functional mechanisms of PVT1 in cervical cancer. Our results revealed that PVT1
      is upregulated in cervical cancer tissues. Enhanced expression of PVT1 is
      associated with larger tumor size, advanced International Federation of
      Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, and poor prognosis of cervical cancer patients.
      Using gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches, we demonstrated that
      overexpression of PVT1 promotes cervical cancer cells proliferation, cell cycle
      progression and migration, and depletion of PVT1 inhibits cervical cancer cell
      proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration. Mechanistically, we
      verified that PVT1 binds to EZH2, recruits EZH2 to the miR-200b promoter,
      increases histone H3K27 trimethylation level on the miR-200b promoter, and
      inhibits miR-200b expression. Furthermore, the effects of PVT1 on cervical cell
      proliferation and migration depend upon silencing of miR-200b. Taken together,
      our findings confirmed that PVT1 functions as an oncogene in cervical cancer and
      indicated that PVT1 is not only an important prognostic marker, but also a
      potential therapy target for cervical cancer. 

PMID- 27272215
TI  - On Making Statistical Inferences Regarding the Relationship between Spawners and
      Recruits and the Irresolute Case of Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus
      thynnus).
AB  - Forecasts of the future abundance of western Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus
      thynnus) have, for nearly two decades, been based on two competing views of
      future recruitment potential: (1) a "low" recruitment scenario based on hockey
      stick (two-line) curve where the expected level of recruitment is set equal to
      the geometric mean of the recruitment estimates for the years after a supposed
      regime-shift in 1975, and (2) a "high" recruitment scenario based on a Beverton
      Holt curve fit to the time series of spawner-recruit pairs beginning in 1970.
      Several investigators inferred the relative plausibility of these two scenarios
      based on measures of their ability to fit estimates of spawning biomass and
      recruitment derived from stock assessment outputs. Typically, these comparisons
      have assumed the assessment estimates of spawning biomass are known without
      error. It is shown here that ignoring error in the spawning biomass estimates can
      predispose model-choice approaches to favor the regime-shift hypothesis over the
      Beverton-Holt curve with higher recruitment potential. When the variance of the
      observation error approaches that which is typically estimated for assessment
      outputs, the same model-choice approaches tend to favor the single Beverton-Holt
      curve. For this and other reasons, it is argued that standard model-choice
      approaches are insufficient to make the case for a regime shift in the
      recruitment dynamics of western Atlantic bluefin tuna. A more fruitful course of
      action may be to move away from the current high/low recruitment dichotomy and
      focus instead on adopting biological reference points and management procedures
      that are robust to these and other sources of uncertainty. 

PMID- 27272217
TI  - Is a Fixed Hybrid Prosthesis with Distal Cantilever Appropriate for Maxillofacial
      Defects? A Report of Two Patients.
AB  - The most important objectives in restoring the maxillofacial patient are the
      restoration of function and psychological improvement through esthetics. Acquired
      maxillary and mandibular defects due to significant trauma or surgery represent a
      major challenge for the clinician and patient. Dental implant-retained prostheses
      represent a well-documented and reliable treatment option and can also help
      patients with maxillofacial defects by eliminating denture instability and
      improving function. Full-arch fixed dental hybrid prostheses provide functional
      and psychological advantages and also reduce the load on vulnerable soft and hard
      tissues in the reconstruction area. Two clinical reports are presented describing
      the prosthetic rehabilitation using dental implant-supported fixed hybrid
      prostheses with clinical and radiographic follow-up of 3 years.

PMID- 27272216
TI  - Association of CpG island methylator phenotype and EREG/AREG methylation and
      expression in colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High EREG and AREG expression, and left-sided primary tumours are
      associated with superior efficacy of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), but a unifying explanation of
      these findings is lacking. METHODS: RNA-seq, gene expression arrays, and DNA
      methylation profiling were completed on 179 CRC tumours. Results were validated
      using independent The Cancer Genome Atlas data sets. An independent cohort of 198
      KRAS wild-type metastatic CRC tumours was tested for CpG island methylator
      phenotype (CIMP) status, and progression-free survival (PFS) with the first anti
      EGFR regimen was retrospectively determined. RESULTS: EREG and AREG expression
      was highly inversely correlated with methylation and was inversely associated
      with right-sided primary tumour, BRAF mutation, and CIMP-high status. Treatment
      of CRC cell lines with hypomethylating agents decreased methylation and increased
      expression of EREG. Inferior PFS with anti-EGFR therapy was associated with CIMP
      high status, BRAF mutation, NRAS mutation, and right-sided primary tumour on
      univariate analysis. Among known BRAF/NRAS wild-type tumours, inferior PFS
      remained associated with CIMP-high status (median PFS 5.6 vs 9.0 mo, P=0.023).
      CONCLUSIONS: EREG and AREG are strongly regulated by methylation, and their
      expression is associated with CIMP status and primary tumour site, which may
      explain the association of primary tumour site and EREG/AREG expression with anti
      EGFR therapy efficacy.

PMID- 27272218
TI  - The Trend of Age-Group Effect on Prognosis in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.
AB  - Age has been included in various prognostic scoring systems for differentiated
      thyroid cancer (DTC). The aim of this study is to re-examine the relationship
      between age and prognosis by using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results
      (SEER) population-based database. We identified 51,061 DTC patients between 2004
      and 2012. Patients were separated into 10-year age groups. Cancer cause-specific
      survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) data were obtained. Kaplan-Meier and
      multivariable Cox models were built to analyze the outcomes and risk factors.
      Increasing age gradient with a 10-year interval was associated with the trend of
      higher proportions for male gender, grade III/IV and summary stage of distant
      metastases. Both CSS and OS continued to worsen with increasing age, being
      poorest in in the oldest age group (>=71); multivariate analysis confirmed that
      CSS continued to fall with each age decade, significantly starting at 60 years
      (HR = 7.5, 95% 1.0-54.1, p = 0.047) compared to the young group (<=20).
      Similarly, multivariate analysis suggested that OS continued worsening with
      increasing age, but starting at 40 years (HR = 3.7, 95% 1.4-10.1, p = 0.009)
      compared to the young group. The current study suggests that an age exceeding 60
      years itself represents an unfavorable prognostic factor and high risk for cancer
      specific death in DTC.

PMID- 27272219
TI  - How long may a breath sample be stored for at  -80  degrees C? A study of the
      stability of volatile organic compounds trapped onto a mixed Tenax:Carbograph
      trap adsorbent bed from exhaled breath.
AB  - Thermal desorption is used extensively in exhaled breath volatile organic
      compound (VOC) analysis, and it is often necessary to store the adsorbent tube
      samples before analysis. The possible introduction of storage artefacts is an
      important potential confounding factor in the development of standard
      methodologies for breath sampling and analysis. The stability of VOCs trapped
      from breath samples onto a dual bed Tenax((r)) TA:Carbograph adsorbent tube and
      stored  -80 degrees C was studied over 12.5 month. 25 samples were collected from
      a single male participant over 3 h and then stored at  -80  degrees C. Randomly
      selected adsorbent tubes were subsequent analysed by thermal desorption-gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry at 5 times points throughout the 12.5 month of
      the study. Toluene-d8, decane-d22 and hexadecane-d34 internal standards were used
      to manage the instrument variability throughout the duration of the study. A
      breath-matrix consisting of 161 endogenous and 423 exogenous VOC was created.
      Iterative orthogonal partial least squared discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and
      principal components analysis (PCA) indicated that it was not possible to detect
      storage artefacts at 1.5 month storage. By 6 month storage artefacts were
      discernible with significant changes observed for 27% of the recovered VOC.
      Endogenous VOC were observed to be more susceptible to storage. A paired two
      tailed t-test on the endogenous compounds indicated that the maximum storage
      duration under these conditions was 1.5 month with 94% of the VOCs stable. This
      study indicates that a prudent approach is best adopted for the storage of
      adsorbent samples; storage times should be minimised, and storage time examined
      as a possible discriminatory factor in multivariate analysis. 

PMID- 27272220
TI  - Inhibition of Porcine Pancreatic Amylase Activity by Sulfamethoxazole: Structural
      and Functional Aspect.
AB  - Combating Type-2 diabetes mellitus is a pivotal challenge in front of the present
      world. Several lines of therapy are in practice for resisting this deadly disease
      which often culminates with cardiovascular complexities, neuropathy and
      retinopathy. Among various therapies, administration of alpha glucosidase
      inhibitors is common and widely practiced. Sulfonylurea category of anti diabetic
      drug often suffers from cross reactivity with sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a common
      drug in use to treat a handful of microbial infections. However the specific
      cellular target generating postprandial hypoglycemia on SMX administration is
      till date unraveled. The present work has been initiated to elucidate the effects
      of a group of sulfonamide drugs inclusive of SMX for their amylase inhibitory
      role. SMX inhibits porcine pancreatic amylase (PPA) in a noncompetitive mode with
      an average IC50 value 0.94 mM respectively. Interaction of SMX with PPA is
      manifested with gradual quenching of tryptophan fluorescence with concomitant
      shift in lambda max value (lambdamax). Binding is governed by entropy driven
      factor (24.8 cal mol(-1) K(-1)) with unfavorable contribution from enthalpy
      change. SMX interferes with the activity of acarbose in a synergistic mode to
      reduce the effective dose of acarbose as evident from the in vitro PPA inhibition
      study. In summary, loss of PPA activity in presence of SMX is indicative of
      structural changes of PPA which is further augmented in the presence of acarbose
      as explained in the schematic model and docking study.

PMID- 27272221
TI  - Antioxidant Properties and Gastroprotective Effects of 2
      (Ethylthio)Benzohydrazones on Ethanol-Induced Acute Gastric Mucosal Lesions in
      Rats.
AB  - A series of new 2-(ethylthio)benzohydrazone derivatives (1-6) were prepared and
      characterised by IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The
      newly prepared compounds were screened for their in vitro antioxidant activities
      using free radical scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric
      reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Among them, most powerful antioxidant,
      compound 1 has been selected in order to illustrate anti-ulcer effect on ethanol
      induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats. Four groups of Sprague Dawley rats were
      respectively treated with 10% Tween 20 as ulcer control group, 20 mg/kg
      omeprazole as reference group, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg compound 1 as experimental
      animals. Macroscopically, ulcer control group showed extensive hemorrhagic
      lesions of gastric mucosa compared with omeprazole or compound 1. Rats pre
      treated with compound 1 showed increased in gastric pH and gastric mucus.
      Histologically, ulcer control group showed severe damage to gastric mucosa with
      edema and leucocytes infiltration of submucosal layer. In immunohistochemical
      analysis, rats which were pre-treated with compound 1 showed up-regulation of
      HSP70 and down-regulation of Bax proteins. In conclusion, the gastroprotective
      effect of compound 1 may be due to its antioxidant activity, and/or due to up
      regulation of HSP70 and down-regulation of Bax protein in stained tissue section.

PMID- 27272223
TI  - Quantification of vaginal atrophy: several decades of advances.

PMID- 27272222
TI  - Structural, electronic and kinetic properties of the phase-change material
      Ge2Sb2Te5 in the liquid state.
AB  - Phase-change materials exhibit fast and reversible transitions between an
      amorphous and a crystalline state at high temperature. The two states display
      resistivity contrast, which is exploited in phase-change memory devices. The
      technologically most important family of phase-change materials consists of Ge-Sb
      Te alloys. In this work, we investigate the structural, electronic and kinetic
      properties of liquid Ge2Sb2Te5 as a function of temperature by a combined
      experimental and computational approach. Understanding the properties of this
      phase is important to clarify the amorphization and crystallization processes. We
      show that the structural properties of the models obtained from ab initio and
      reverse Monte Carlo simulations are in good agreement with neutron and X-ray
      diffraction experiments. We extract the kinetic coefficients from the molecular
      dynamics trajectories and determine the activation energy for viscosity. The
      obtained value is shown to be fully compatible with our viscosity measurements.

PMID- 27272224
TI  - The prevalence of endometrial cancer in pre- and postmenopausal Chinese women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The incidence of endometrial cancer depends in part on the ethnicity
      and geographical area in which the woman resides. Menopause status is a well
      known risk factor for endometrial cancer and most cases occur after menopause. It
      is, however, less clear how the menopause status is associated with endometrial
      cancer including its subtypes in Chinese women. METHODS: Data on 1,746 women with
      endometrial cancer including age at diagnosis, age at menopause, and tumor
      histology from two large obstetrical and gynecological hospitals in China were
      analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of women at diagnosis was 50 years. Fifty-eight
      percent of women were diagnosed after menopause. Fifty-six percent of women with
      type 1 and 69% with type 2 were diagnosed after menopause. In addition, in both
      pre- and postmenopausal women, there was no difference in the age at diagnosis
      between type 1 (46 vs 46 y) and type 2 endometrial cancer (53 vs 52 y).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that although both type 1 and type 2
      endometrial cancers are more likely to occur in Chinese women after menopause
      than before, the total prevalence of endometrial cancer is lower in our study
      population than in previous reports from white women (80%). The age at diagnosis
      did not differ between type 1 and type 2 endometrial cancers regardless of the
      menopause status in our study population. Our results caution clinicians to be
      more aware of the importance of abnormal uterine bleeding in premenopausal
      Chinese women.

PMID- 27272225
TI  - How does adjuvant chemotherapy affect menopausal symptoms, sexual function, and
      quality of life after breast cancer?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the association between adjuvant
      chemotherapy for breast cancer and menopausal symptoms, sexual function, and
      quality of life. METHODS: Participants attended a menopause clinic with a
      dedicated service for cancer survivors at a large tertiary women's hospital.
      Information about breast cancer treatments including adjuvant chemotherapy was
      collected from medical records. Menopausal symptoms were recorded with the Greene
      Climacteric Scale and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy, Breast Cancer, and
      Endocrine Symptom Subscales. Sexual symptoms were recorded using Fallowfield's
      Sexual Activity Questionnaire. Quality of life was measured with Functional
      Assessment of Cancer Therapy scales. RESULTS: The severity of vasomotor,
      psychological, or sexual symptoms (apart from pain) did not differ between those
      who had received adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 339) and other breast cancer
      survivors (n = 465). After adjustment for current age, time since menopause, and
      current use of antiestrogen endocrine therapy, the risk of "severe pain" with
      sexual intercourse was twice as common after chemotherapy (31.6% vs 20.0%, odds
      ratio [OR] 2.18, 95% CI 1.25-3.79). Those treated with chemotherapy were more
      likely to report "severe problems" with physical well-being (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.12
      3.28) and lower breast cancer-specific quality of life (OR 1.89 95% CI 1.13
      3.18), but did not differ in other quality of life measures. CONCLUSIONS: In this
      large study of breast cancer patients presenting to a specialty menopause clinic,
      previous chemotherapy was not associated with current vasomotor or psychological
      symptoms. Severe pain with intercourse was significantly more common in those
      treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

PMID- 27272226
TI  - Cognition and the menopause transition.
AB  - Complaints about forgetfulness, "brain fog," and difficulty concentrating are
      common in women transitioning through menopause. Women with these cognitive
      complaints often express concern about whether these problems are normal, related
      to menopause, or represent a symptom of Alzheimer disease or another serious
      cognitive disorder. In this Practice Pearl, we provide a brief summary of the
      scientific literature on the frequency of cognitive complaints in midlife women,
      the validity of complaints in relation to performance on standardized cognitive
      tests, and the influence of menopause on cognitive performance. We then offer
      recommendations for healthcare providers and women to address cognitive concerns.

PMID- 27272228
TI  - Media and education of the consumer.
AB  - The landscape has changed in how consumers get their health information. A shift
      to the Internet and social media are now the way many consumers obtain their
      health and medical information. In addition, the highly complex information in
      medicine and science separates health journalism from other forms of journalism.
      In this article, the question of the role of media in educating consumers is
      examined. It is clear that knowledge translation is complex and begs the
      cooperation of scientists and journalists alike.

PMID- 27272227
TI  - Symptoms and effects of physical factors in Japanese middle-aged women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to clarify the prevalence and severity rates
      of symptoms and investigate whether symptoms varied in relation to body mass
      index (BMI). METHODS: The study group composed of 1,969 women, aged 40 to 60
      years, who presented at our department from 1993 through 2014. The participation
      rate was 98%. The presence or absence of symptoms was evaluated by having the
      participants complete the Keio Questionnaire, a self-administered questionnaire.
      To allow the results to be compared according to ovarian function, serum levels
      of follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol were measured. Participants were
      classified into three groups according to BMI: underweight, normal weight, and
      overweight. Symptoms were also compared among these subgroups. RESULTS: The most
      common symptom was general fatigue. Vasomotor symptoms differed significantly
      between pre- and postmenopause status. When symptoms were analyzed according to
      BMI, the severity rates of the following symptoms were significantly higher in
      the overweight group than in the normal weight and underweight groups: hot
      flushes, sweats, joint pain, numbness, and incontinence. On the contrary, the
      underweight group had significantly higher severities of cold constitution,
      nervousness, and wrinkled skin than did the other groups. In addition, an
      increase in BMI was associated with an increased severity of vasomotor symptoms.
      CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and severities of shoulder stiffness, considered a
      characteristic symptom in Japanese women, were high. Increased BMI was shown to
      be associated with a higher severity of vasomotor symptoms, joint pain,
      nervousness, and urinary symptoms.

PMID- 27272230
TI  - What is this image? 2016: Image 2.

PMID- 27272229
TI  - Association Between P2RX7 Gene and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Susceptibility: A
      Case-Control Study in a Chinese Han Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of
      liver cancer. It is hypothesized that P2RX7 genetic polymorphisms have strong
      association with HCC susceptibility. Therefore, a case-control study was designed
      and performed to verify the association between P2RX7 gene polymorphisms and HCC
      susceptibility. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 646 subjects were recruited in
      our study, including 323 HCC patients and 323 healthy controls. Five gene
      polymorphisms, -762C>T (rs2393799), 946G>A (rs28360457), 1513A>C (rs3751143),
      1068G>A (rs1718119), and 1096C>G (rs2230911), were selected. Odds ratio (ORs) and
      95% confidence interval (CI) were used to quantify the association between P2RX7
      gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to HCC. All tests were performed using
      SPSS 20 and a 2-sided P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be
      statistically significant. RESULTS Our results suggest that allelic frequencies
      of these 5 SNPs all conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). There was no
      significant difference in genotype and allele distributions of -762C>T and
      1096C>G between the case group and the control group. However, an increased risk
      of HCC was associated with 946G>A (A vs. G: OR=1.48, 95%CI=1.09-2.01, P=0.013;
      GA+AA vs. GG: OR=1.46, 95%CI=1.03-2.07, P=0.033). A similar increased risk was
      associated with 1513A>C polymorphism (C vs. A: OR=1.37, 95%CI=1.05-1.79, P=0.021;
      AC+CC vs. AA: OR=1.40, 95%CI=1.01-1.93, P=0.041). On the other hand, a decreased
      risk of HCC was associated with gene polymorphism of 1068G>A (A vs. G: OR=0.68,
      95%CI=0.51-0.91, P=0.010; GA+AA vs. GG: OR=0.68, 95%CI=0.49-0.96, P=0.027; AA vs.
      GG: OR=0.42, 95%CI=0.18-0.99, P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that 3 of
      the 5 polymorphisms of P2RX7 described above (1513A>C, 946G>A, and 1068G>A) are
      significantly associated with HCC susceptibility in a Chinese Han population.
      Studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm whether our results
      will be applicable to different ethnic populations in China. 

PMID- 27272231
TI  - So We May Not Forget!

PMID- 27272232
TI  - Nuclear Cardiology in the Literature: A selection of recent, original research
      papers.

PMID- 27272233
TI  - Nuclear cardiology and CVD in the developing world: Are we applying our scarce
      resources appropriately? Why is our mortality rate so high?
AB  - While mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases have progressively decreased
      in developed nations, this has not been observed to the same extent in the
      developing world. Nuclear Cardiology utilization remains low or non-existent for
      most of those living in the low-to-middle-income countries. How much of the
      decline in mortality observed in the developed world has to do with advanced
      cardiac imaging? Are we applying our scarce resources appropriately for
      myocardial perfusion imaging? Are myocardial revascularizations being guided by
      appropriate use criteria? Is more imaging necessary to reduce the mortality rates
      further in the developing world?

PMID- 27272234
TI  - ISCHEMIA, to revascularize or not to revascularize.

PMID- 27272235
TI  - Abnormal heart rate response with vasodilator stress myocardial perfusion
      imaging: Relevance to clinical practice.

PMID- 27272236
TI  - Network representation of protein interactions: Theory of graph description and
      analysis.
AB  - A methodological framework is presented for the graph theoretical interpretation
      of NMR data of protein interactions. The proposed analysis generalizes the idea
      of network representations of protein structures by expanding it to protein
      interactions. This approach is based on regularization of residue-resolved NMR
      relaxation times and chemical shift data and subsequent construction of an
      adjacency matrix that represents the underlying protein interaction as a graph or
      network. The network nodes represent protein residues. Two nodes are connected if
      two residues are functionally correlated during the protein interaction event.
      The analysis of the resulting network enables the quantification of the
      importance of each amino acid of a protein for its interactions. Furthermore, the
      determination of the pattern of correlations between residues yields insights
      into the functional architecture of an interaction. This is of special interest
      for intrinsically disordered proteins, since the structural (three-dimensional)
      architecture of these proteins and their complexes is difficult to determine. The
      power of the proposed methodology is demonstrated at the example of the
      interaction between the intrinsically disordered protein osteopontin and its
      natural ligand heparin.

PMID- 27272238
TI  - Early prognostic factors at the time of diagnosis of bone metastasis in patients
      with bone metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Bone is the second most common site of distant metastases from
      differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Patients with bone metastases were
      associated with poor clinical outcomes; however, their clinical courses are
      heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to evaluate early prognostic factors of
      patients with bone metastases from DTC at the time of diagnosis of bone
      metastasis. METHODS: This retrospective study included 93 patients with bone
      metastases from DTC. We defined 'Pre-RAIT group' as patients whose bone
      metastases were detected before initial RAIT. The 'post-RAIT group' was defined
      as patients whose bone metastases were detected after initial RAIT or during the
      follow-up period. RESULTS: Median age was 55.4years, and 55 patients (59%) had
      papillary thyroid cancer. Patients in the pre-RAIT group (n=32) demonstrated
      significantly poorer overall survival (OS) (HR=1.86, P=0.04) than those in the
      post-RAIT group. There was no significant difference in the OS according to the
      initial RAI avidity among all patients (P=0.18). RAI-avid bone metastases had
      better OS only in the pre-RAIT group (HR=0.23, P=0.01) but not in the post-RAIT
      group. In the post-RAIT group, older age (>45years), elevated serum thyroglobulin
      (Tg) level (>250ng/mL), and the presence of skeletal-related events (SREs) were
      significantly associated with poor OS. RAI avidity was not a significant
      prognostic factor in the post-RAIT group (P=0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Patients whose
      bone metastases were diagnosed before initial RAIT demonstrate a poorer
      prognosis. RAI avidity is an early prognostic indicator in the pre-RAIT group.
      Old age, higher serum Tg levels, and SRE are associated with poor survival
      outcomes in the post-RAIT group.

PMID- 27272237
TI  - Treatment of diet-induced lipodystrophic C57BL/6J mice with long-acting PASylated
      leptin normalises insulin sensitivity and hepatic steatosis by promoting lipid
      utilisation.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Recombinant leptin offers a viable treatment for lipodystrophy
      (LD) syndromes. However, due to its short plasma half-life, leptin replacement
      therapy requires at least daily subcutaneous (s.c.) injections. Here, we
      optimised this treatment strategy in LD mice by using a novel leptin version with
      extended plasma half-life using PASylation technology. METHODS: A long-acting
      leptin version was prepared by genetic fusion with a 600 residue polypeptide made
      of Pro, Ala and Ser (PASylation), which enlarges the hydrodynamic volume and,
      thus, retards renal filtration, allowing less frequent injection. LD was induced
      in C57BL/6J mice by feeding a diet supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid
      (CLA). Chronic and acute effects of leptin treatment were assessed by evaluating
      plasma insulin levels, insulin tolerance, histological liver sections, energy
      expenditure, energy intake and body composition. RESULTS: In a cohort of female
      mice, 4 nmol PAS-leptin (applied via four s.c. injections every 3 days)
      successfully alleviated the CLA-induced LD phenotype, which was characterised by
      hyperinsulinaemia, insulin intolerance and hepatosteatosis. The same injection
      regimen had no measurable effect when unmodified recombinant leptin was
      administered at an equivalent dose. In a cohort of LD males, a single s.c.
      injection of PAS-leptin did not affect energy expenditure but inhibited food
      intake and promoted a shift in fuel selection towards preferential fat oxidation,
      which mechanistically substantiates the metabolic improvements.
      CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The excellent pharmacological properties render
      PASylated leptin an agent of choice for refining both animal studies and
      therapeutic strategies in the context of LD syndromes and beyond.

PMID- 27272239
TI  - Patient-specific Deformation Modelling via Elastography: Application to Image
      guided Prostate Interventions.
AB  - Image-guided prostate interventions often require the registration of
      preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) images to real-time transrectal ultrasound
      (TRUS) images to provide high-quality guidance. One of the main challenges for
      registering MR images to TRUS images is how to estimate the TRUS-probe-induced
      prostate deformation that occurs during TRUS imaging. The combined statistical
      and biomechanical modeling approach shows promise for the adequate estimation of
      prostate deformation. However, the right setting of the biomechanical parameters
      is very crucial for realistic deformation modeling. We propose a patient-specific
      deformation model equipped with personalized biomechanical parameters obtained
      from shear wave elastography to reliably predict the prostate deformation during
      image-guided interventions. Using data acquired from a prostate phantom and
      twelve patients with suspected prostate cancer, we compared the prostate
      deformation model with and without patient-specific biomechanical parameters in
      terms of deformation estimation accuracy. The results show that the patient
      specific deformation model possesses favorable model ability, and outperforms the
      model without patient-specific biomechanical parameters. The employment of the
      patient-specific biomechanical parameters obtained from elastography for
      deformation modeling shows promise for providing more precise deformation
      estimation in applications that use computer-assisted image-guided intervention
      systems.

PMID- 27272240
TI  - [Prevalence and Co-prevalence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Carpal
      Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in Hand Rehabilitation].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the current literature, there are reports of associations between
      complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS) and carpal tunnel syndromes (CTS). The aim
      of this study was to determine the prevalence of both disease patterns in hand
      rehabilitation patients and to investigate whether there is a correlation between
      CTS and CRPS. Furthermore, differences in the healing process of patients with
      and without additional CTS, and the effectiveness of the rehabilitative therapy
      for both diseases, were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The computerised
      medical records of 791 patients in the years 2009-2015 who had been in hand
      rehabilitation were retrospectively analysed. At the beginning and end of
      rehabilitation, measurements were made of pain by visual analogue scales (VAS, 0
      10), grip strength and finger mobility (mean distance from finger pulp to palmar
      D2-D5). The clinical course was statistically analysed. CRPS diagnosis was
      confirmed clinically by a pain therapist, CTS diagnosis was confirmed by
      neurological and neurophysiological examination. Surgical therapy was performed
      despite CRPS diagnosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of CRPS was 161/1000 and of CTS
      62/1000; the co-prevalence of the 2 diagnoses was 24/1000 (p<0.0001). In the CRPS
      group, after a mean of 8 (1-21) weeks of rehabilitative therapy, mean pain was
      reduced from 5 (1-10) to 3 (0-9), grip strength improved from 10 (0-39)kg to 18.5
      (2.5-45.5)kg and finger mobility increased from 2.9 (0-7.6)cm to 1.8 (0-7.8)cm.
      In the CRPS+CTS group, after a mean of 6.8 (3-23) weeks of rehabilitative
      therapy, mean pain was reduced from 5 (0-8) to 2.6 (0-5), grip strength improved
      from 9.7 (2.4-25.5)kg to 17.4 (0.9-47.4)kg and finger mobility increased from 2.7
      (0-5.3)cm to 1.7 (0-5.3)cm. Improvement over the period of rehabilitation was
      significant in both groups, though the period of therapy was significantly
      shorter in the CRPS+CTS group. CONCLUSION: CRPS and CTS are often associated.
      Rehabilitative therapy was effective for CRPS- and CRPS+CTS patients.

PMID- 27272241
TI  - An Integrative Theoretical Framework for HPV Vaccine Promotion Among Male Sexual
      Minorities.
AB  - The objective of the current study was to quantify the behavioral intentions of
      young adult male sexual minorities (MSM) to initiate human papillomavirus (HPV)
      vaccination and test an integrative model of HPV vaccine decision making.
      Participants were 575 MSM who were residing in the United States and were between
      ages 18 and 26 years. Standard direct and indirect measures of attitudes,
      perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control were employed to explain
      variation in behavioral intention. Additional background factors-such as
      concealment of one's sexual identity, suspicion of health care provider
      competence in LGBT health issues, perceived threat, and information orientation
      were also included in the model. The final model fit the data well and identified
      a set of salient attitudinal and control beliefs as the strongest determinants of
      intention ( R2 = .38). Perceived threat and information orientation were
      positively correlated with HPV-related beliefs. Perceived threat was higher among
      men infected with HIV and lower among men in monogamous relationships. Self
      efficacy, as an indirect measure of perceived behavioral control, was inversely
      related to the general tendency to conceal aspects of one's sexual orientation
      and a suspicion of health care providers. Bisexual identified men were more
      likely to conceal their sexual orientation and be more suspicious of health care
      providers. In this study, a number of modifiable determinants of HPV vaccine
      intentions-both psychosocial and environmental-were identified and have
      implications for targeted and tailored behavioral interventions to promote HPV
      vaccination among MSM.

PMID- 27272244
TI  - Scrutinizing Nonthermal Processes.

PMID- 27272243
TI  - 25th Anniversary of the TCM Hospital Bad Kotzting - Happy Birthday to You!

PMID- 27272242
TI  - Adding biotic complexity alters the metabolic benefits of mutualism.
AB  - Mutualism is ubiquitous in nature and plays an integral role in most communities.
      To predict the eco-evolutionary dynamics of mutualism it is critical to extend
      classic pair-wise analysis to include additional species. We investigated the
      effect of adding a third species to a pair-wise mutualism in a spatially
      structured environment. We tested the hypotheses that selection for costly
      excretions in a focal population (i) decreases when an exploiter is added (ii)
      increases when a third mutualist is added relative to the pair-wise scenario. We
      assayed the selection acting on Salmonella enterica when it exchanges methionine
      for carbon in an obligate mutualism with an auxotrophic Escherichia coli. A third
      bacterium, Methylobacterium extorquens, was then added and acted either as an
      exploiter of the carbon or third obligate mutualist depending on the nitrogen
      source. In the tripartite mutualism M. extorquens provided nitrogen to the other
      species. Contrary to our expectations, adding an exploiter increased selection
      for methionine excretion in S. enterica. Conversely, selection for cooperation
      was lower in the tripartite mutualism relative to the pair-wise system. Genome
      scale metabolic models helped identify the mechanisms underlying these changes in
      selection. Our results highlight the utility of connecting metabolic mechanisms
      and eco-evolutionary dynamics.

PMID- 27272246
TI  - Microwave Pasteurization of Cooked Pasta: Effect of Process Parameters on Texture
      and Quality for Heat-and-Eat and Ready-to-Eat Meals.
AB  - Pasta presents a challenge to microwave processing due to its unique cooking
      requirements. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of
      microwave processing on pasta physicochemical and mechanical properties.
      Fettuccine pasta was parboiled for selected times, then pasteurized using a
      Microwave Assisted Pasteurization System and stored under refrigeration for 1 wk.
      Samples were analyzed using microscopy, mechanical testing, and chemical analyses
      after storage. While no significant differences were observed for free amylose
      among fresh samples, samples parboiled for <=6 min had significantly higher free
      amylose, suggesting reduced starch retrogradation. Increased heat treatment
      increased degree of protein polymerization, observed in microstructures as
      increased gluten strand thickness and network density. Firmness and extensibility
      increased with increased parboil time; however, extension data indicated an
      overall weakening of microwave-treated pasta regardless of total cooking time.
      Overall, microwave pasteurization was shown to be a viable cooking method for
      pasta. 

PMID- 27272247
TI  - Phytic Acid: From Antinutritional to Multiple Protection Factor of Organic
      Systems.
AB  - Several studies have shown the benefits of natural antioxidants on health and
      food preservation. Phytic acid (IP6) is a natural antioxidant that is found
      mainly in cereals and vegetables and, for a long period of time, was considered
      an antinutritional factor. However, in vitro and in vivo studies have
      demonstrated its beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of several
      pathological conditions and cancer. Despite the numerous benefits of IP6, the
      signs and intracellular interactions mediated by this antioxidant remain poorly
      understood. This review describes the main chemical and biological aspects of
      IP6, as well as its actions in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. 

PMID- 27272248
TI  - Temporal Check-All-That-Apply Characterization of Syrah Wine.
AB  - Temporal Check-All-That-Apply (TCATA) is a new dynamic sensory method for which
      analysis techniques are still being developed and optimized. In this study, TCATA
      methodology was applied for the evaluation of wine finish by trained panelists (n
      = 13) on Syrah wines with different ethanol concentrations (10.5% v/v and 15.5%
      v/v). Raw data were time standardized to create a percentage of finish duration,
      subsequently segmented into thirds (beginning, middle, and end) to capture panel
      perception. Results indicated the finish of the high ethanol treatments lasted
      longer (approximately 12 s longer) than the low ethanol treatment (P <= 0.05).
      Within each finish segment, Cochran's Q was conducted on each attribute and
      differences were detected amongst treatments (P <= 0.05). Pairwise tests showed
      the high ethanol treatments were more described by astringency, heat/ethanol
      burn, bitterness, dark fruit, and spices, whereas the low ethanol treatment was
      more characterized by sourness, red fruit, and green flavors (P <= 0.05). This
      study demonstrated techniques for dealing with the data generated by TCATA.
      Furthermore, this study further characterized the influence of ethanol on wine
      finish, and by extension wine quality, with implications to winemakers
      responsible for wine processing decisions involving alcohol management. 

PMID- 27272249
TI  - Nonclassical MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T Cells Recognize Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      Derived Protein Antigens and Contribute to Protection Against Infection.
AB  - MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells have been implicated in host defense against
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. However, the relative contribution of
      various MHC Ib-restricted T cell populations to anti-mycobacterial immunity
      remains elusive. In this study, we used mice that lack MHC Ia (Kb-/-Db-/-), MHC
      Ia/H2-M3 (Kb-/-Db-/-M3-/-), or beta2m (beta2m-/-) to study the role of M3
      restricted and other MHC Ib-restricted T cells in immunity against Mtb. Unlike
      their dominant role in Listeria infection, we found that M3-restricted CD8+ T
      cells only represented a small proportion of the CD8+ T cells responding to Mtb
      infection. Non-M3, MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells expanded preferentially in the
      lungs of Mtb-infected Kb-/-Db-/-M3-/- mice, exhibited polyfunctional capacities
      and conferred protection against Mtb. These MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells
      recognized several Mtb-derived protein antigens at a higher frequency than MHC Ia
      restricted CD8+ T cells. The presentation of Mtb antigens to MHC Ib-restricted
      CD8+ T cells was mostly beta2m-dependent but TAP-independent. Interestingly, a
      large proportion of Mtb-specific MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells in Kb-/-Db-/-M3-/
      mice were Qa-2-restricted while no considerable numbers of MR1 or CD1-restricted
      Mtb-specific CD8+ T cells were detected. Our findings indicate that nonclassical
      CD8+ T cells other than the known M3, CD1, and MR1-restricted CD8+ T cells
      contribute to host immune responses against Mtb infection. Targeting these MHC Ib
      restricted CD8+ T cells would facilitate the design of better Mtb vaccines with
      broader coverage across MHC haplotypes due to the limited polymorphism of MHC
      class Ib molecules.

PMID- 27272250
TI  - Buffalo (Bubalus bubali) Late Embryo and Foetus Development: A Morphological
      Analysis.
AB  - Many researches describe the embryonic developmental features in domestic
      animals; however, in farm animals, they are scarce. Most farm animal studies are
      related to assisted reproduction and embryos transfer techniques. But,
      morphological features and size measure to estimate the age gestation are rarely
      reported in literature. Thus, in this study, we described the developmental
      changes in the bubaline (Bubalus bubali) concepts from 21 to 60 days of
      gestation. Our results revealed that buffalo embryos similar morphological
      characteristics similar to other mammalian species. Also, similarities between
      bovine and bubaline persist; except on foetal stages when buffalos have a faster
      development than bovine. Therefore, buffalo's gestation period exhibits some
      varieties and accurate embryo age is more difficult. Yet, when we use a
      combination of the crown-rump, macroscopic analysis and alizarin red, it is
      possible to describe better the whole embryogenesis stages of the buffalo and
      which can contribute for future reproduction researches and applications in
      veterinary practice. 

PMID- 27272251
TI  - X-ray computed tomography datasets for forensic analysis of vertebrate fossils.
AB  - We describe X-ray computed tomography (CT) datasets from three specimens
      recovered from Early Cretaceous lakebeds of China that illustrate the forensic
      interpretation of CT imagery for paleontology. Fossil vertebrates from thinly
      bedded sediments often shatter upon discovery and are commonly repaired as
      amalgamated mosaics grouted to a solid backing slab of rock or plaster. Such
      methods are prone to inadvertent error and willful forgery, and once required
      potentially destructive methods to identify mistakes in reconstruction. CT is an
      efficient, nondestructive alternative that can disclose many clues about how a
      specimen was handled and repaired. These annotated datasets illustrate the power
      of CT in documenting specimen integrity and are intended as a reference in
      applying CT more broadly to evaluating the authenticity of comparable fossils. 

PMID- 27272252
TI  - 13th International Symposium on Urolithiasis.

PMID- 27272253
TI  - Evaluation of HUGE equation (hematocrit, urea, gender) performance for screening
      chronic kidney disease in clinically stable cirrhotic patients.

PMID- 27272254
TI  - Impact of renal involvement on survival in ANCA-associated vasculitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Renal involvement is a serious complication of anti-neutrophil
      cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). We describe the pattern of
      renal involvement and its correlation with outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Medical records of 92 patients seen in rheumatology clinic and diagnosed as AAV
      between January 2007 and June 2014 were analysed. Patients were classified as
      granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA),
      eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and undifferentiated AAV.
      Overall and renal outcomes were analysed. Patients were classified as advanced
      renal failure (creatinine >5.7 mg/dl or requiring dialysis), deranged RFT not
      qualifying the above parameters, and normal renal function. RESULTS: Sixty-seven
      (72.8 %) patients had GPA, 14 (15.2 %) had MPA, 8 (8.7 %) had EGPA, and 3 (3.3 %)
      had undifferentiated AAV. Renal involvement was seen in 51 (55.4 %) patients
      (46.3 % of GPA patients, 78.6 % of MPA, 37.5 % of EGPA and 33.3 % of
      unclassifiable AAV patients). Renal involvement was more common in males (p =
      0.008). Patients with renal involvement had higher mean BVAS scores as compared
      to patients without renal involvement (p < 0.01). Thirteen patients (25.5 %)
      presented with advanced renal failure (creatinine >5.7 mg/dl or requiring
      dialysis), 21 (41.2 %) had deranged renal functions but did not require dialysis,
      and the rest had proteinuria and active sediments with normal serum creatinine.
      Twenty-four patients (47.1 %) had good renal outcome with normal creatinine, 12
      (23.5 %) had persistent renal insufficiency, 12 (23.5 %) died, and one (2 %)
      remained dialysis dependent. Mean survival and mortality did not differ in
      patients with and without renal involvement (p = 0.454, p = 0.388). CONCLUSIONS:
      Renal involvement was more common in males. BVAS was higher in patients with
      renal involvement. The mean survival and mortality were similar in patients with
      or without renal involvement.

PMID- 27272255
TI  - Association between PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy: a meta
      analysis in the Chinese population.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Although a number of studies have been conducted on the
      association between plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G polymorphism
      and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Chinese population, this association remains
      elusive and controversial. To further assess the effects of PAI-1 4G/5G
      polymorphism on the risk of DN, a meta-analysis was performed in the Chinese
      population. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Springer
      Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National
      Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biology Medicine through November, 2015.
      Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess
      the strength of the associations. RESULTS: This meta-analysis identified nine
      studies, including 777 DN cases, 413 healthy controls, and 523 DM controls. In
      the total analyses, a significantly elevated risk of DN was associated with
      variants of PAI-1 4G/5G when compared with the healthy group (4G vs. 5G, OR 2.46,
      95 % CI 1.45-4.16; 4G/4G vs. 5G/5G, OR 4.32, 95 % CI 1.79-10.39; 4G/4G vs. 4G/5G
      +5G/5G, OR 2.96, 95 % CI 1.59-5.53; 4G/4G +4G/5G vs. 5G/5G, OR 2.78, 95 % CI 1.34
      5.75) and DM group (4G vs. 5G, OR 1.93, 95 % CI 1.28-2.92; 4G/4G vs. 5G/5G, OR
      2.99, 95 % CI 1.44-6.21; 4G/4G vs. 4G/5G +5G/5G, OR 2.84, 95 % CI 1.77-4.54). In
      the subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity and geographic areas, it revealed
      the significant results in Chinese Han, in North and South China. CONCLUSIONS:
      This meta-analysis showed that the PAI-1 4G/4G variant, 4G allele might be risk
      alleles for DN susceptibility in the Chinese population, and further studies in
      other ethic groups are required for definite conclusions.

PMID- 27272257
TI  - Effects of different levels of sanguinarine on antioxidant indices, immunological
      responses, ileal microbial counts and jejunal morphology of laying hens fed diets
      with different levels of crude protein.
AB  - This study was carried out to assess the effects of different levels of
      sanguinarine on antioxidant indices, immunological responses, serum biochemical
      parameters, ileal microbial counts and jejunal morphology of laying hens fed on
      diets with different levels of crude protein (CP). A total of 180 laying hens
      were subjected into nine dietary treatments with four cages of five birds each.
      Experimental treatments consisted of three levels of CP (85.0, 92.5 and 100% of
      Hy-Line W36 manual recommendation) and three levels of sanguinarine (0.00, 3.75
      and 7.50 mg/kg) as a 3 * 3 factorial arrangement of laying hens which fed during
      a 70-day feeding trial. The in vitro study showed that sanguinarine exhibited
      sevenfold and threefold decreased antioxidant activities to inhibit 2-2-diphenyl
      1-picric hydrazyl free radical as well as ferric ion reducing rather than
      butylated hydroxyl toluene. Although using the decremental levels of CP caused
      the increase in heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.01), dietary administration
      of sanguinarine could suppress the serum cholesterol and malondialdehyde
      concentrations as well as heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.05).
      Additionally, decreasing CP content resulted in the decreased percentage of
      albumin (p < 0.05); however, it had no negative effects on humoral immunity.
      Nonetheless, feeding of at least 3.75 mg/kg sanguinarine led to the remarkable
      increases in serum gamma globulin concentration (p < 0.01) and secondary (p <
      0.05) antibody titres against sheep red blood cells. Moreover, a decline in
      dietary CP content led to higher villi height and crypt depth (p < 0.05; p <
      0.001) and consequently decreased villi height-to-crypt depth ratio (p < 0.001)
      than the optimum level (100% CP). In spite of the effects of sanguinarine on the
      suppression of Escherichia coli and Salmonella counts (p < 0.05), it markedly
      enhanced villi height-to-crypt depth ratio as well as lamina propria lymphatic
      follicles extent, simultaneously (p < 0.001). Therefore, in spite of the
      detrimental effects of feeding low-CP diets on lymphocytes and serum albumin
      percentages, and villi height-to-crypt depth ratio, the administration of
      incremental levels of sanguinarine could improve cellular and humoral immunity,
      decrease ileal microbial counts and in turn improve the intestinal health indices
      in laying hens.

PMID- 27272256
TI  - Clinicopathological characteristics of non-diabetic renal disease in patients
      with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a northeastern Chinese medical center: a
      retrospective analysis of 273 cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and histopathological features of non
      diabetic renal disease (NDRD) superimposed on diabetic nephropathy (DN) in
      northeastern Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and compare
      the changes with those of pure DN and isolated NDRD. METHODS: Single-center
      retrospective analysis based on medical records of 273 patients (172 men, mean
      age: 51.1 +/- 12.4 years) with T2D who underwent renal biopsy between February
      2000 and October 2015. All patients were diagnosed as cases of pure DN, isolated
      NDRD or NDRD superimposed on DN. RESULTS: Out of the 273 T2D patients, 68 (24.9
      %) had DN, 175 (64.1 %) had NDRD, and 30 (11.0 %) had NDRD superimposed on DN.
      Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN, 29.7 %) was the most common NDRD followed
      by IgA nephropathy (IgAN, 22.9 %), and hypertensive renal arteriolar sclerosis
      was the most common lesion in patients diagnosed as NDRD superimposed on DN.
      Patients with NDRD had a shorter duration of diabetes and lower frequencies of
      diabetic retinopathy (DR, 6.9 %) and renal failure (28.0 %), which is consistent
      with higher estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) and lower systolic blood
      pressure (SBP). No significant between-group differences were observed with
      respect to proteinuria and hematuria. CONCLUSION: Renal biopsy is strongly
      recommended for T2D patients to distinguish DN, NDRD and NDRD superimposed on DN,
      especially in patients with no signs of DR. This approach may help in early
      diagnosis and treatment of NDRD and improve renal outcomes in northeastern
      Chinese T2D patients.

PMID- 27272258
TI  - Introduction of d-Glutamate at a Critical Residue of Abeta42 Stabilizes a
      Prefibrillary Aggregate with Enhanced Toxicity.
AB  - The amyloid beta peptide 42 (Abeta42) is an aggregation-prone peptide that plays
      a pivotal role in Alzheimer's disease. We report that a subtle perturbation to
      the peptide through a single chirality change at glutamate 22 leads to a
      pronounced delay in the beta-sheet adoption of the peptide. This was accompanied
      by an attenuated propensity of the peptide to form fibrils, which was correlated
      with changes at the level of the fibrillary architecture. Strikingly, the
      incorporation of d-glutamate was found to stabilize a soluble, ordered
      macromolecular assembly with enhanced cytotoxicity to PC12 cells, highlighting
      the importance of advanced prefibrillary Abeta aggregates in neurotoxicity. 

PMID- 27272259
TI  - Phase separation and mechanical properties of an elastomeric biomaterial from
      spider wrapping silk and elastin block copolymers.
AB  - Elastin and silk spidroins are fibrous, structural proteins with elastomeric
      properties of extension and recoil. While elastin is highly extensible and has
      excellent recovery of elastic energy, silks are particularly strong and tough.
      This study describes the biophysical characterization of recombinant polypeptides
      designed by combining spider wrapping silk and elastin-like sequences as a
      strategy to rationally increase the strength of elastin-based materials while
      maintaining extensibility. We demonstrate a thermo-responsive phase separation
      and spontaneous colloid-like droplet formation from silk-elastin block
      copolymers, and from a 34 residue disordered region of Argiope trifasciata
      wrapping silk alone, and measure a comprehensive suite of tensile mechanical
      properties from cross-linked materials. Silk-elastin materials exhibited
      significantly increased strength, toughness, and stiffness compared to an elastin
      only material, while retaining high failure strains and low energy loss upon
      recoil. These data demonstrate the mechanical tunability of protein polymer
      biomaterials through modular, chimeric recombination, and provide structural
      insights into mechanical design. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers
      105: 693-703, 2016. 

PMID- 27272267
TI  - Case Series With Histopathologic and Radiographic Analyses Following Failure of
      Fresh Osteochondral Allografts of the Talus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fresh osteochondral allografting of the talus is one treatment option
      for large chondral defects. Following positive early term results, failure rates
      of up to 35% have been reported. A retrieval study was performed to characterize
      failed talar allografts. METHODS: Failed fresh osteochondral allografts of the
      talus were retrieved on revision. Cases of deep infection were excluded. After
      tissue fixation, samples were decalcified, embedded, and stained with Safranin
      O/Fast Green, osteocalcin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), CD4, CD8, and
      CD68. Slides were graded according to the modified Mankin scoring system or
      severity scale. Medical record review was performed. RESULTS: Eight allografts (7
      patients) were retrieved from patients, following an average term of implantation
      of 31 months (range, 12-58). There were 3 types of allografts in this series
      (hemidome, n=5; segmental, n=2; bipolar, n=1). Reasons for transplantation were
      post-traumatic arthritis or osteonecrosis; reasons for revision were graft
      failure/collapse, nonunion, progressive arthritis, and/or pain. Prior to
      revision, all grafts exhibited collapse and subchondral lucencies. At the graft
      host interface, Safranin-O staining demonstrated substantial loss of sulfated
      glycosaminoglycans, Osteocalcin immunostaning was nearly absent, CD68 (indicating
      osteoclast activity) was predominantly exhibited, and CD4+ helper T cells as well
      as CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and NK cells-cell types commonly implicated in
      allogeneic organ transplant rejection-were found in high concentrations. TNF
      alpha was present throughout the graft. CONCLUSION: A histopathologic analysis of
      8 retrieved, failed talar allografts was performed. Graft failure appeared to be
      primarily biologic, with an extensive loss of viable cartilaginous and osseous
      tissue at the graft-host interface. This study provides the first evidence of a
      potential CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte-mediated failure mechanism in fresh
      osteochondral allografts that were revised following collapse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Level IV, case series.

PMID- 27272268
TI  - Optimising Breast Conservation Treatment for Multifocal and Multicentric Breast
      Cancer: A Worthwhile Endeavour?: Reply.

PMID- 27272266
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and Dosing of Ceftobiprole Medocaril for the Treatment of
      Hospital- and Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Different Patient Populations.
AB  - Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are
      among the most common infections treated in the hospital setting, and together
      they place a significant burden on healthcare systems. Successful management of
      HAP and CAP depends on rapid initiation of empirical antibiotic therapy with
      broad-spectrum antibiotics. Ceftobiprole is a new-generation, broad-spectrum
      cephalosporin antibiotic for the treatment of HAP (excluding ventilator
      associated pneumonia) and CAP. It displays potent in vitro activity against a
      broad range of pathogens important in pneumonia. This review summarizes the
      pharmacokinetic profile of ceftobiprole, and considers the pharmacokinetic
      parameters and pharmacodynamics underlying the choice of dosing regimen.
      Ceftobiprole shows linear pharmacokinetics after single and multiple doses and is
      eliminated predominantly through the kidneys. Ceftobiprole is administered as a
      500 mg intravenous infusion over 2 h every 8 h, and steady-state concentrations
      are reached on the first day of dosing. Dose adjustment is recommended for
      patients with moderate or severe renal impairment and for those with end-stage
      renal disease. Extending the infusion time of ceftobiprole to 4 h is recommended
      to optimize drug exposure in critically ill patients with augmented renal
      clearance. However, there is no need for dose adjustments based on age, sex or
      ethnicity, or for patients with severe obesity. Population pharmacokinetic
      modelling and Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine the optimal dosing
      regimen for ceftobiprole in special patient populations, including paediatric
      patients. Future studies of ceftobiprole in patients with HAP and CAP would be of
      interest.

PMID- 27272269
TI  - Should Gastric Decompression be a Routine Procedure in Patients Who Undergo
      Pylorus-Preserving Pancreatoduodenectomy?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nasogastric tube placement after abdominal surgery has been a
      standard procedure for many decades. In pancreatoduodenectomy, delayed gastric
      emptying (DGE) is still a leading postoperative complication, often resulting in
      patient anxiety or depression and prolonged hospital stays. Such complications
      have led many surgeons to prefer postoperative nasogastric decompression because
      of the greater risk of DGE. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the
      DGE and perioperative outcomes after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy
      (PPPD) with or without routine gastrostomy. METHODS: From May 2009 to December
      2014, 228 patients underwent PPPD at the Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance
      Hospital, Yonsei University. The first cohort of 116 patients underwent surgery
      before June 2012 and uniformly underwent gastric decompression as a part of
      postoperative management. The second cohort of 112 patients underwent operation
      after July 2012, and gastric decompression was selectively used to facilitate
      exposure during operation and was removed in the operating room at the end of
      surgery. We evaluated DGE incidence, time to dietary tolerance, length of
      hospital stay, and postoperative gastric tube reinsertion rates. RESULTS: Gastric
      re-decompression was necessary in 38 patients (16.7 %), and there was a
      significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.006). Eleven (9.8 %)
      patients in the no-tube gastrostomy group required nasogastric tube reinsertion,
      and 27 (23.3 %) in the routine gastrostomy group required that the gastrostomy
      tube be re-drainage. There were no statistically significant differences in the
      frequency or severity of complications such as delayed gastric emptying or
      pancreatic leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that routine
      postoperative gastric decompression can be safely avoided in patients who undergo
      PPPD.

PMID- 27272272
TI  - Autonomic Nervous System and the Liver.
AB  - The liver is innervated by both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nerve
      systems. These nerves are derived from the splanchnic and vagal nerves that
      surround the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct. The afferent fiber
      delivers information regarding osmolality, glucose level, and lipid level in the
      portal vein to the central nervous system (CNS). In contrast, the efferent fiber
      is crucial in the regulation of metabolism, blood flow, and bile secretion.
      Furthermore, liver innervation has been associated with hepatic fibrosis,
      regeneration, and circadian rhythm. Knowledge of these mechanisms can be applied
      for potential liver disease treatment.

PMID- 27272271
TI  - Risk Evaluation of Postoperative Delirium Using Comprehensive Geriatric
      Assessment in Elderly Patients with Esophageal Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The number of geriatric patients with esophageal cancer is increasing
      in step with the aging of the population. Geriatric patients have a higher risk
      of postoperative complications, including delirium that can cause a fall or
      impact survival. Therefore, it is very important that we evaluate risks of
      postoperative complications before surgery. The aim of this study was to predict
      postoperative delirium in elderly patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
      the medical records of 91 patients aged 75 years and over who underwent
      esophagectomy between January 2006 and December 2014. We investigated the
      association between postoperative delirium and clinicopathological factors,
      including comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). RESULTS: Postoperative
      delirium developed in 24 (26 %) patients. Postoperative delirium was
      significantly associated with low mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and high
      Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS15), which are components of CGA, and
      psychiatric disorder (P < 0.0001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.017, respectively). With
      multiple logistic regression analysis, MMSE (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95 %
      confidence interval [CI], 1.2-1.6; P < 0.0001] and GDS15 (OR, 1.3; 95 % CI, 1.1
      1.6; P = 0.004) were independently associated with postoperative delirium.
      CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative CGA, especially MMSE and GDS15, was useful for
      predicting postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing esophagectomy
      for esophageal cancer. Intervention by a multidisciplinary team using CGA might
      help prevent postoperative delirium.

PMID- 27272270
TI  - Central Hepatectomy versus Extended Hepatectomy for Malignant Tumors: A
      Propensity Score Analysis of Postoperative Complications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The specific definition of central hepatectomy (CH) (i.e., resection
      of segments 4-5-8 +/- 1) is not uniformly used, resulting in conflicting
      comparisons with the more commonly performed extended hepatectomy (EH). The study
      aimed to compare, using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis, the incidence
      of postoperative complications between CH and EH for centrally located liver
      tumors (CLLT). METHODS: All consecutive CH and EH procedures for CLLT performed
      from 1980 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Independent predictors of
      postoperative complications were identified. CH was compared to EH after PSM.
      RESULTS: The study population consisted of 373 patients, 44 (11.8 %) of whom
      underwent CH and 329 (88.2 %) of whom underwent EH. Before PSM, the overall 90
      day mortality was 7.2 % (27 patients) without a group difference (2 (4.5 %) for
      CH vs. 25 (7.6 %) for EH, p = 0.756). The CH and EH groups had similar
      postoperative morbidity rates (43.2 vs. 55.3 %; p = 0.108). Blood transfusion was
      the only independent predictor of postoperative complications (Hazard Ratio:
      1.73; 95 % confidence interval: 1.11-2.68; p = 0.014). After PSM, 43 CH patients
      were matched with 43 EH patients. No group difference was observed for the
      postoperative mortality, morbidity, or duration of hospital stay. A higher number
      of EH patients (30.2 vs. 9.3 %, p = 0.028) presented with more than one
      postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: CH and EH yield similar mortality and
      morbidity. For CLLT, CH may be an attractive procedure with the advantage of
      sparing the liver parenchyma compared with EH.

PMID- 27272273
TI  - Control of an Outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in a Tertiary Hospital
      in Korea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2015, a large outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
      occurred in the Republic of Korea. Half of the cases were associated with a
      tertiary care university hospital. OBJECTIVE: To document the outbreak and
      successful control measures. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: A 1950-bed
      tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: 92 patients with laboratory
      confirmed MERS and 9793 exposed persons. MEASUREMENTS: Description of the
      outbreak, including a timeline, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the
      control measures. RESULTS: During the outbreak, 92 laboratory-confirmed MERS
      cases were associated with a large tertiary care hospital, 82 of which originated
      from unprotected exposure to 1 secondary patient. Contact tracing and monitoring
      exposed patients and assigned health care workers were at the core of the control
      measures in the outbreak. Nontargeted screening measures, including body
      temperature screening among employees and visitors at hospital gates, monitoring
      patients for MERS-related symptoms, chest radiographic screening, and employee
      symptom monitoring, did not detect additional patients with MERS without existing
      transmission links. All in-hospital transmissions originated from 3 patients with
      MERS who also had pneumonia and productive cough. LIMITATIONS: This was a
      retrospective single-center study. Statistical analysis could not be done.
      Because this MERS outbreak originated from a superspreader, effective control
      measures could differ in endemic areas or in other settings. CONCLUSION: Control
      strategies for MERS outbreaks should focus on tracing contacts of persons with
      epidemiologic links. Adjusting levels of quarantine and personal protective
      equipment according to the assumed infectivity of each patient with MERS may be
      appropriate. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Samsung Biomedical Research Institute.

PMID- 27272274
TI  - Sucrose Sensitivity of Honey Bees Is Differently Affected by Dietary Protein and
      a Neonicotinoid Pesticide.
AB  - Over a decade, declines in honey bee colonies have raised worldwide concerns.
      Several potentially contributing factors have been investigated, e.g. parasites,
      diseases, and pesticides. Neonicotinoid pesticides have received much attention
      due to their intensive use in crop protection, and their adverse effects on many
      levels of honey bee physiology led the European Union to ban these compounds. Due
      to their neuronal target, a receptor expressed throughout the insect nervous
      system, studies have focused mainly on neuroscience and behaviour. Through the
      Geometric Framework of nutrition, we investigated effects of the neonicotinoid
      thiamethoxam on survival, food consumption and sucrose sensitivity of honey bees
      (Apis mellifera). Thiamethoxam did not affect protein and carbohydrate intake,
      but decreased responses to high concentrations of sucrose. Interestingly, when
      bees ate fixed unbalanced diets, dietary protein facilitated better sucrose
      detection. Both thiamethoxam and dietary protein influenced survival. These
      findings suggest that, in the presence of a pesticide and unbalanced food, honey
      bee health may be severely challenged. Consequences for foraging efficiency and
      colony activity, cornerstones of honey bee health, are also discussed. 

PMID- 27272275
TI  - Does type 2 diabetes mellitus promote intervertebral disc degeneration?
AB  - PURPOSE: LDD is an important cause of low back pain. Many people believe there is
      an adverse influence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) on lumbar intervertebral disc
      degeneration (LDD). We examined a population sample for epidemiological evidence
      of association. METHODS: Twin volunteers from the TwinsUK cohort having spine
      magnetic resonance (MR) scans coded for LDD and information about T2D were
      investigated in two ways. First, as a population sample and second as a cotwin
      case control study in twin pairs discordant for T2D. Other risk factors for LDD
      considered were age, body-mass index (BMI), smoking, and alcohol. RESULTS: In 956
      twin volunteers T2D had a prevalence of 6.6 %. LDD score was higher in T2D twins
      (14.9 vs 13.1 p = 0.04) but was not an independent risk factor if the influence
      of age and BMI were included in the model. Discordant twin analysis (n = 33
      pairs) showed no significant difference in LDD between twins having T2D and their
      unaffected cotwins. CONCLUSIONS: Twins having T2D did manifest higher LDD scores
      but the effect was abrogated once BMI was included in multivariable analysis,
      showing it is not an independent risk factor for LDD. The population study had 80
      % power at 0.1 significance level to detect a difference of 1.8 in LDD score
      (range of 0-60), so if there is an effect of T2D on LDD, it is likely to be
      small.

PMID- 27272276
TI  - Dynamic global sagittal alignment evaluated by three-dimensional gait analysis in
      patients with degenerative lumbar kyphoscoliosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sagittal vertical axis (SVA) is the most commonly used parameter for
      evaluating global sagittal alignment (GSA) in a static condition. However, its
      dynamic statuses remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate dynamic
      GSA of degenerative lumbar kyphoscoliosis (DLKS) using three-dimensional motion
      analysis system (3D-MAS). METHODS: Twenty-six patients with DLKS underwent gait
      analysis using 3D-MAS. Static (S-) and dynamic (D-) trunk angle (TA) (the angle
      between the vertical axis and the line connecting C7 and S1 spinous processes)
      and S-sagittal trunk shift (STS) and D-STS (the distance between the two vertical
      lines running through C7 and S1 spinous process) were recorded during treadmill
      walking. Pelvic angle (PA) (the angle between the horizontal axis and the line
      connecting the posterior and anterior superior iliac spine) were also recorded. S
      PA and D-PA represent retroversion or anteversion of the pelvis, which can be
      substituted for pelvic tilt. As to dynamic parameters, those at the initial five
      steps (Di) and the final five steps (Df) of treadmill walking were also recorded.
      RESULTS: The median S-TA, S-STS, and S-PA were 16.0 degrees , 11.9 cm, and -5.5
      degrees  (retroversion). The median D parameters were Di-TA/Df-TA 21.8 degrees
      /26.9 degrees ; Di-STS/Df-STS 14.1/21.1 cm; and Di-PA/Df-PA 15.7 degrees /22.8
      degrees  (anteversion). All D parameters were significantly greater than S
      parameters (P < 0.01) and all Df parameters were also significantly worse than Di
      parameters (P < 0.001). Thus, compensated GSA by pelvic retroversion in static
      condition was lost due to anteversion change of the pelvis immediately after
      start of walking and worsened over time. CONCLUSION: Dynamic GSA assessment using
      3D-MAS can avoid underestimation of GSA loss that is detected by static standing
      full-length radiography.

PMID- 27272278
TI  - Improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution driven by
      chloro(terpyridine)platinum(ii) derivatives tethered to a single pendant viologen
      acceptor.
AB  - Three chloro(4'-(N-methylpyridinium)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine)platinum(ii)
      (abbreviated as ) derivatives tethered to a single alkyl viologen unit (-(CH2)n
      CH2-N(+)C5H4-C5H4N(+)-CH3; abbreviated as -, where n = 1, 3, and 4), i.e., , have
      been synthesized and investigated in detail. It is shown that the turnover number
      (TON) for the photocatalytic H2 evolution from water in the presence of a
      sacrificial electron donor EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt)
      is dramatically improved by the attachment of a single alkyl unit (TON = 21.5
      25.2, 12 h). Spectrophotometric studies reveal that the photoirradiation of in
      the presence of EDTA initially leads to the formation of a 1-electron-reduced
      species, and then to a 2-electron-reduced species, where reductive quenching of a
      photoexcited species is a major path to the reduced photoproduct in each step.
      Electrochemical studies show that two consecutive 1-electron reductions at the
      unit are nearly overlapped with the corresponding reductions at the unit. The 1
      electron-reduced species can be thus expressed as either or , while the 2
      electron-reduced one as . Moreover, the latter products behave as stacked species
      involving three types of pi-dimer sites, ()2, ()2, and ()(), and do not drive
      thermal H2 evolution according to the reaction: + 2H(+) -> + H2. The H2 evolution
      from water photocatalyzed by has been found to occur via formation of 3-electron
      reduced species; + EDTA + hnu -> (or ) + EDTA(ox), and (or ) + 2H(+) -> (or ) +
      H2. 

PMID- 27272277
TI  - Validity and responsiveness of the French version of the Orebro Musculoskeletal
      Pain Screening Questionnaire in chronic low back pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: The assessment of a broad range of biopsychosocial aspects is important
      in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) for the
      prediction of outcome as well as for evaluation. The objective of this study was
      to test the responsiveness, construct validity and predictive value of the Orebro
      Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (OMPSQ) compared to other
      instruments widely used to assess biopsychosocial aspects in patients with CLBP.
      METHODS: 111 patients with CLBP admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation completed
      a set of questionnaires on biopsychosocial aspects at baseline and at discharge.
      Ninety-eight patients responded at three months for an assessment of the return
      to work status. Responsiveness of the OMPSQ, the ability to detect change in the
      construct of interest, was investigated by a set of hypotheses on correlations
      with widely used questionnaires. We tested the hypothesis that the changes in the
      OMPSQ would vary along with the responses in the Patient's Global Impression of
      Change. Prediction of disability at discharge, work status at three months and
      time to return to work was evaluated with linear, logistic and cox regression
      models. RESULTS: The OMPSQ showed good predictive values for disability and
      return to work and construct validity of the instrument was corroborated. Seventy
      nine percent of our hypotheses for responsiveness could be confirmed, with the
      OMPSQ showing the second highest change during the rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS:
      The OMPSQ can also be applied in patients with CLBP, but for the assessment of
      change in psychosocial variables one should add specific questionnaires.

PMID- 27272279
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of single dose radium-223 dichloride (BAY 88-8223) in Japanese
      patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This open-label, non-randomized, phase I study examined the
      pharmacokinetics (PK) and radiation dosimetry of a single dose of radium-223 in
      Japanese patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and bone
      metastases. METHODS: Six male Japanese patients (mean age 72.5 years, range 65-79
      years) with histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV adenocarcinoma of
      the prostate were recruited. A single IV dose of radium-223 was delivered
      intravenously (IV) via slow bolus over a 2-5 min period: Cohort 1 received 50
      kBq/kg and Cohort 2 received 100 kBq/kg. RESULTS: Following IV injection, radium
      223 was rapidly eliminated from the blood in a multi-phasic manner. The fraction
      of the injected activity of radium-223 retained in the whole body 24 h following
      injection was 85 %. Biodistribution results showed initial bone uptake was 52 %
      (range 41-57 %). The maximum activity of radium-223 in the bone was observed
      within 2 h of dosing. Activity of radium-223 passed through the small intestine
      within 24 h. No activity was detected in other organs. The major radiation dose
      from radium-223 was found in osteogenic cells; calculated absorbed doses in
      osteogenic cells and in the red marrow were 0.76 Gy/MBq and 0.09 Gy/MBq,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In Japanese patients with CRPC and bone metastases,
      radium-223 (IV) achieved maximum activity in the bone rapidly and passed through
      the intestine within 24 h, without signs of activity in other organs. The PK
      profile and absorbed radiation dose in organs and tissues in Japanese patients
      were similar to data from non-Japanese patients. Trial registration
      identification: NCT01565746.

PMID- 27272282
TI  - Forthcoming in Zoo Biology.

PMID- 27272280
TI  - Reply to the Letter to the Editor: Does Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease
      Influence Femoroacetabular Flexion in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty?

PMID- 27272283
TI  - Instructions for Contributors.

PMID- 27272285
TI  - Addressing reimbursement disparities for direct-acting antiviral therapies for
      hepatitis C virus infection is essential to ensure access for all.

PMID- 27272286
TI  - [Rapid Report Hemophilia. Evidence in treatment of hemophilia from the IQWiG's
      perspective].
AB  - : The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG)
      conducted a rapid report to assess the therapy of hemophilia patients. Based on a
      systematic literature search the IQWiG identified 16 studies which show that
      there is now sufficient information regarding questions that previously lacked
      data. A benefit assessment of prophylactic and on-demand-treatment concerning
      different treatment outcomes shows the superiority of the prophylactic therapy
      regarding major bleedings for all age groups. For the group of youths and adults
      the analysis shows additional benefits concerning health status and pain within
      the preceding four weeks. The alignment of guidelines with the identified
      evidence shows minor correspondence between the guidelines' references and
      included studies. However, the guidelines' statements primarily correspond with
      the results of the conducted benefit assessment. CONCLUSION: The IQWiG's rapid
      report shows prophylactic therapy to be superior to on-demand therapy. These
      findings represent a clear indication for attending physicians and payers for
      prophylaxis in patients with severe hemophilia A.

PMID- 27272287
TI  - Clinical nurses' knowledge and practice of venous thromboembolism risk assessment
      and prevention in South Korea: a cross-sectional survey.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine Korean registered nurses' level of perceived
      knowledge and practice of venous thromboembolism risk assessment as well as
      prevention, self-efficacy in venous thromboembolism care and actual knowledge of
      venous thromboembolism. BACKGROUND: For hospitalised patients, venous
      thromboembolism is a preventable clinical disorder. Caring for venous
      thromboembolism patients requires coordination across multiple providers and
      settings. Clinical nurses can play a major role in improving venous
      thromboembolism prevention care, assessing venous thromboembolism risks and
      providing appropriate prophylactic measures to those who are at risk for venous
      thromboembolism. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study. METHODS: Anonymous
      paper-based surveys were conducted for a convenience sample of registered nurses'
      (n = 452) from two university-affiliated hospitals in South Korea. RESULTS: The
      majority of participants indicated that their overall self-rated venous
      thromboembolism knowledge was 'fair', while only 2.4% rated it as 'very good' or
      'excellent'. The overall mean score of the venous thromboembolism knowledge
      questions was 50.9 (+/-13.0) of a possible score of 100. The mean score of self
      efficacy in practising venous thromboembolism prevention/prophylaxis was 3.0
      (based on a one to five Likert scale). The self-reported venous thromboembolism
      assessment performance on patients varied among clinical units. Only 9.3% of
      participants reported having received in-service venous thromboembolism education
      from their hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that overall venous
      thromboembolism knowledge and self-efficacy in venous thromboembolism prevention
      practices of Korean registered nurses' were not highly rated. Korean nurses
      demonstrated a lack of knowledge about venous thromboembolism, particularly in
      the areas of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis measures and venous
      thromboembolism diagnosis methods. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Focused
      education on venous thromboembolism prevention and risk assessment should be
      considered a component of continuing education for Korean nurses.

PMID- 27272288
TI  - BJOG Editor's Choice: Intimate partner violence destroys love like tears blur
      clear vision.

PMID- 27272290
TI  - Vasa praevia: more than 100 years in preventing unnecessary fetal deaths.

PMID- 27272291
TI  - RhD immune globulin: over 50 years of remarkable progress!

PMID- 27272292
TI  - The increased perinatal mortality rate over weekends is proof that we require a 7
      day maternity service: FOR: No baby should die simply because they are born at a
      weekend.

PMID- 27272293
TI  - The increased perinatal mortality rate over weekends is proof that we require a 7
      day maternity service: AGAINST: Shifting resources towards delivery units and
      away from antenatal care could increase perinatal mortality.

PMID- 27272294
TI  - Patients are entitled to choose their surgeon.

PMID- 27272295
TI  - Courage.

PMID- 27272297
TI  - Re: External validation of the Paediatric Risk of Malignancy Index.

PMID- 27272298
TI  - Re: Cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening: cytology versus human
      papillomavirus DNA testing.

PMID- 27272299
TI  - Authors' reply re: Cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening: cytology
      versus human papillomavirus DNA testing.

PMID- 27272300
TI  - Re: Caesarean section should be available on request.

PMID- 27272301
TI  - Authors' reply re: Caesarean section should be available on request.

PMID- 27272302
TI  - Re: Twelve-month outcomes following midurethral sling procedures for stress
      incontinence: impact of obesity.

PMID- 27272303
TI  - Re: Caesarean hysterectomy for placenta praevia/accreta using an approach via the
      pouch of Douglas.

PMID- 27272304
TI  - Authors' reply re: Twelve-month outcomes following midurethral sling procedures
      for stress incontinence: impact of obesity.

PMID- 27272305
TI  - Author's reply re: Caesarean hysterectomy for placenta praevia/accreta using an
      approach via the pouch of Douglas.

PMID- 27272306
TI  - A report from #BlueJC: Who develops abnormally invasive placenta during
      pregnancy?

PMID- 27272308
TI  - Rigorous intensity and phase-shift manipulation in optical frequency conversion.
AB  - A simple method is employed to investigate the nonlinear frequency conversion in
      optical superlattices (OSL) with pump depletion. Four rigorous phase-matching
      conditions for different purposes are obtained directly from the nonlinear
      coupled equations, and the resulting OSL domain structures are generally
      aperiodic rather than periodic. With this method, not only the intensity but also
      the phase-shift of the harmonic waves can be manipulated at will. The second
      harmonic generation of Gaussian beam is further investigated. This work may
      provide a guidance for the practical applications of designing nonlinear optical
      devices with high conversion efficiency.

PMID- 27272307
TI  - Mutations Designed by Ensemble Defect to Misfold Conserved RNA Structures of
      Influenza A Segments 7 and 8 Affect Splicing and Attenuate Viral Replication in
      Cell Culture.
AB  - Influenza A virus is a significant public health threat, but little is understood
      about the viral RNA structure and function. Current vaccines and therapeutic
      options to control influenza A virus infections are mostly protein-centric and of
      limited effectiveness. Here, we report using an ensemble defect approach to
      design mutations to misfold regions of conserved mRNA structures in influenza A
      virus segments 7 and 8. Influenza A mutant viruses inhibit pre-mRNA splicing and
      attenuate viral replication in cell culture, thus providing evidence for
      functions of the targeted regions. Targeting these influenza A viral RNA regions
      provides new possibilities for designing vaccines and therapeutics against this
      important human respiratory pathogen. The results also demonstrate that the
      ensemble defect approach is an efficient way to test for function of RNA
      sequences. 

PMID- 27272309
TI  - Congenital cholesteatoma together with ossicular chain anomaly.
AB  - Cholesteatomas that occur under an intact tympanic membrane in the absence of
      prior surgical procedures or perforation are defined as congenital
      cholesteatomas. These entities are rarely seen, because they do not cause any
      major symptoms unless they touch the ossicular chain. Likewise, isolated
      congenital ossicular anomalies that occur independently of external ear anomalies
      and craniofacial dysplasia are also rarely seen. Here, we report a patient who
      presented with congenital cholesteatoma associated with anomalies of the
      ossicular chain and discuss its pathogenesis.

PMID- 27272310
TI  - Cellular metabolism of myeloid cells in sepsis.
AB  - In recent years, it has become appreciated that immune cells have different
      metabolic profiles depending on their activation status. During sepsis,
      circulating leukocytes go through a hyperinflammatory state, which can be
      accompanied or followed by defective antimicrobial defenses (also described as
      immune tolerance or paralysis). In this review, the modulation of different
      cellular metabolic pathways during sepsis in monocytes and macrophages will be
      discussed. Glycolysis is studied extensively in sepsis and is up-regulated in
      hyperinflammatory cells, whereas in immune tolerance, it is often down-regulated.
      Few data are available on other metabolic pathways in immune cells from patients
      with sepsis. The pentose phosphate pathway is up-regulated during acute
      hyperinflammatory responses, whereas fatty acid beta-oxidation is increased later
      during sepsis and is associated with an anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype of
      macrophages. Within the amino acid metabolism we will discuss the most studied
      metabolites. Collectively, these data argue that exploration of the
      immunometabolic pathways in sepsis is an important area of research, and the
      targeting of metabolic pathways may represent a promising novel strategy as a
      therapy of sepsis.

PMID- 27272311
TI  - Multiple myeloma cells promote migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by
      altering their translation initiation.
AB  - The role of the bone marrow microenvironment in multiple myeloma pathogenesis and
      progression is well recognized. Indeed, we have shown that coculture of bone
      marrow mesenchymal stem cells from normal donors and multiple myeloma cells
      comodulated translation initiation. Here, we characterized the timeline of
      mesenchymal stem cells conditioning by multiple myeloma cells, the persistence of
      this effect, and the consequences on cell phenotype. Normal donor mesenchymal
      stem cells were cocultured with multiple myeloma cell lines (U266, ARP1)
      (multiple myeloma-conditioned mesenchymal stem cells) (1.5 h,12 h, 24 h, 48 h,
      and 3 d) and were assayed for translation initiation status (eukaryotic
      translation initiation factor 4E; eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G;
      regulators: mechanistic target of rapamycin, MNK, 4EBP; targets: SMAD family 5,
      nuclear factor kappaB, cyclin D1, hypoxia inducible factor 1, c-Myc)
      (immunoblotting) and migration (scratch assay, inhibitors). Involvement of
      mitogen-activated protein kinases in mesenchymal stem cell conditioning and
      altered migration was also tested (immunoblotting, inhibitors). Multiple myeloma
      conditioned mesenchymal stem cells were recultured alone (1-7 d) and were assayed
      for translation initiation (immunoblotting). Quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction of extracted ribonucleic acid was tested for microRNAs levels. Mitogen
      activated protein kinases were activated within 1.5 h of coculture and were
      responsible for multiple myeloma-conditioned mesenchymal stem cell translation
      initiation status (an increase of >200%, P < 0.05) and elevated migration (16 h,
      an increase of >400%, P < 0.05). The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
      conditioned by multiple myeloma cells were reversible after only 1 d of multiple
      myeloma-conditioned mesenchymal stem cell culture alone. Decreased expression of
      microRNA-199b and microRNA-125a (an increase of <140%, P < 0.05) in multiple
      myeloma-conditioned mesenchymal stem cells supported elevated migration. The time
      and proximity-dependent conditioning of normal donor mesenchymal stem cells in
      our model points to a dynamic interaction between multiple myeloma cells and the
      bone marrow niche, which causes profound changes in the nonmalignant bone marrow
      constituents. Future studies are warranted to identify clinically relevant means
      of blocking this crosstalk and improving multiple myeloma therapy.

PMID- 27272312
TI  - Long-term follow-up of intravesical botulinum toxin-A injections in women with
      idiopathic overactive bladder symptoms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Intravesical botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) is a safe and effective
      treatment for overactive bladder syndrome. There are many reports on the clinical
      experience with BoNT-A, especially in patients with neurogenic detrusor
      overactivity. The US Food and Drug Administration has recently approved its use
      for idiopathic overactive bladder (iOAB). Various studies have reported positive
      results for iOAB in the short-term. Yet little is known about the results after
      repeated BoNT-A injections. In this study, we evaluated the long-term results of
      botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) in women with iOAB. METHODS: Patients treated with BoNT
      A from 2004 until 2009 were evaluated in a non-academic teaching hospital
      (Zuyderland MC, Heerlen, the Netherlands). All female patients with a follow-up
      of >5 years with idiopathic bladder dysfunction were included. All patients
      received 200 U of onabotulinum toxin-A in 20 intradetrusor injections. In some
      patients, we applied a dose adjustment for repeated injections. Patients were
      instructed how to use clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) before the
      treatment. We advised patients to commence CISC if post-void residual exceeded
      150 ml. RESULTS: A total of 128 women were included. All patients had at least 5
      year follow-up after their first injection. The mean follow-up was 97 (60-125)
      months. The mean age was 67 (46-88) years. Of all patients, 30 % were still on
      BoNT-A treatment at the last follow-up visit. Of the 70 % that discontinued
      treatment, 27 % had insufficient effect and 43 % had tolerability issues. Most
      patients discontinued treatment after the first (79 %) and second (19 %)
      injections. Only 2 % of patients discontinued treatment after more than two
      injections during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Intravesical BoNT-A is an effective
      treatment for women with idiopathic OAB. However, in time, almost two-thirds of
      patients in our study discontinued therapy. Most patients discontinue treatment
      after one or two injections and mainly due to tolerability issues.

PMID- 27272313
TI  - Assessing the effects of modality of surgery on postoperative weight loss in
      patients undergoing partial nephrectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the early BMI changes postoperatively between patients
      undergoing open partial nephrectomy (OPN) and robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN).
      METHODS: Patients undergoing open NSS for a single renal tumor between 2010 and
      2013 were retrospectively selected for the study. These patients were matched
      with RPN patients based on preoperative BMI and tumor R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score
      (1:1 matching). RESULTS: A total of 568 patients (284 pairs) met our inclusion
      criteria. The median time to lowest BMI was comparable between the OPN and RPN
      groups (24 vs. 29 days; p = 0.7). The mean BMI preservation was lower for the OPN
      group (96.8 +/- 4.4 vs. 98.1 +/- 4.7 %). On multivariable analysis after
      controlling for age, CCI, gender, tumor size, nephrometry score, estimated blood
      loss, occurrence of major complications and preoperative renal function, the
      modality of surgery favoring the RPN approach and the occurrence of major
      complications remained significant predictors for BMI preservation after surgery.
      CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence of major complications is associated with weight loss
      after NSS. Minimally invasive NSS delivered by RPN had lower impact on BMI loss
      in patients undergoing the procedure compared to OPN. This finding further
      suggests that RPN delivers minimally invasive surgery beyond the boundaries of
      just smaller incision sites.

PMID- 27272315
TI  - Zinc-Responsive Necrolytic Acral Erythema in a Patient With Psoriasis: A Rare
      Case.
AB  - Necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) is a recently recognized dermatosis almost
      exclusively associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and closely
      related to zinc deficiency. We present the case of a 60-year-old man with a
      history of psoriasis and chronic HCV infection, who developed new lesions of NAE
      extending from previous elephantine psoriatic plaques on bilateral lower legs.
      According to previous reports, resolution of NAE has been successfully achieved
      by treatment of the underlying HCV infection, or the use of oral zinc therapy.
      Our patient exhibited good response to zinc therapy. By reporting this case, we
      would like to raise the awareness of physicians to this unique acrally
      distributed dermatosis, which is distinct from psoriasis by its pathological
      feature of aggregated necrotic keratinocytes and its good response to zinc
      therapy rather than topical corticosteroids. 

PMID- 27272314
TI  - Perceived live interaction modulates the developing social brain.
AB  - Although children's social development is embedded in social interaction, most
      developmental neuroscience studies have examined responses to non-interactive
      social stimuli (e.g. photographs of faces). The neural mechanisms of real-world
      social behavior are of special interest during middle childhood (roughly ages 7
      13), a time of increased social complexity and competence coinciding with
      structural and functional social brain development. Evidence from adult
      neuroscience studies suggests that social interaction may alter neural
      processing, but no neuroimaging studies in children have directly examined the
      effects of live social-interactive context on social cognition. In the current
      study of middle childhood, we compare the processing of two types of speech:
      speech that children believed was presented over a real-time audio-feed by a
      social partner and speech that they believed was recorded. Although in reality
      all speech was prerecorded, perceived live speech resulted in significantly
      greater neural activation in regions associated with social cognitive processing.
      These findings underscore the importance of using ecologically-valid and
      interactive methods to understand the developing social brain.

PMID- 27272316
TI  - Multisystemic Sarcoidosis Presenting as Pretibial Leg Ulcers.
AB  - Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease of unknown etiology. Up to 30% of patients
      develop cutaneous manifestations, either specific or nonspecific. Ulcerating
      sarcoidosis leading to leg ulcers is a rare observation that may lead to
      confusions with other, more common types of chronic leg ulcers. We report the
      case of a 45-year-old female patient with chronic multisystemic sarcoidosis
      presenting with pretibial leg ulcers. Other etiology could be excluded. Histology
      revealed nonspecific findings. Therefore, the diagnosis of nonspecific leg ulcers
      in sarcoidosis was confirmed. Treatment consisted of oral prednisolone and good
      ulcer care. Complete healing was achieved within 6 months. Sarcoidosis is a rare
      cause of leg ulcers and usually sarcoid granulomas can be found. Our patient
      illustrates that even in the absence of sarcoid granulomas, leg ulcers can be due
      to sarcoidosis. 

PMID- 27272317
TI  - Process and impact of an advance care planning intervention evaluated by bereaved
      surrogate decision-makers of dialysis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the process and impact of an advance care
      planning intervention experienced by surrogate decision-makers of dialysis
      patients. AIM: To explore the perspectives of the bereaved surrogates of dialysis
      patients on the process and impact of an advance care planning intervention and
      to compare the perceived impacts of the intervention between African Americans
      and Whites. DESIGN: Qualitative interviews and thematic analysis.
      SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: 24 bereaved surrogates of patients from outpatient dialysis
      centers were interviewed. Both patients and surrogates had been participants in a
      larger efficacy study and had received an advance care planning intervention,
      SPIRIT (Sharing Patient's Illness Representations to Increase Trust). RESULTS:
      Two themes related to the process of SPIRIT were as follows: (1) SPIRIT provided
      a welcome opportunity to think about and discuss topics that had been avoided and
      (2) SPIRIT helped patients and surrogates to share their feelings. Four themes of
      the SPIRIT's impact were as follows: (1) SPIRIT was an eye-opening experience,
      acquiring knowledge and understanding of the patient's illness and end-of-life
      care, (2) SPIRIT helped strengthen relationships between patients and surrogates,
      (3) SPIRIT helped surrogates feel prepared during the time leading up to end-of
      life decision-making, and (4) SPIRIT helped surrogates have peace of mind during
      and after actual end-of-life decision-making. Themes related to SPIRIT's impact
      on feeling prepared for end-of-life decision-making and the actual decision
      making experience more frequently occurred in African Americans than in Whites.
      CONCLUSION: Our data may help explain the beneficial effects of SPIRIT on
      surrogates, but future trials should include data on control surrogates'
      perspectives.

PMID- 27272318
TI  - Impressions That Last: Particularly Negative and Positive Experiences Reported by
      Parents Five Years after the End of a Child's Successful Cancer Treatment or
      Death.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of parenting a child diagnosed with cancer
      by examining particularly negative and positive experiences reported by parents
      of childhood cancer survivors and parents of children lost to cancer. METHODS:
      168 parents (88 mothers, 80 fathers) participated. Data were collected five years
      after the end of successful treatment or the child's death. The parents'
      experiences were identified by open-ended semi-structured questions about
      particularly negative and positive experiences of the child's cancer. An
      inductive approach was used in which the manifest verbal content of the answers
      was analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed eight
      categories of negative experience (child late effects; distressing events;
      healthcare; impaired relationships; long-term psychological consequences; own
      reactions; surrounding institutions; the fact that the child got cancer) and
      seven categories of positive experience (healthcare; improved relationships; long
      term consequences for the child; personal development; support systems; treatment
      outcome; unexpected joy). The categories were related to past events or to the
      present situation. The findings indicate variations in experiences between
      parents of survivors and bereaved parents, and between fathers and mothers, as
      some experiences were only reported by parents of survivors and some experiences
      were only reported by mothers. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the importance
      of past and present events to parents, and accordingly the long-lasting impact of
      paediatric cancer on parents. The results also point to the wide range of
      negative as well as positive experiences involved in parenting a child diagnosed
      with cancer, and provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall experience
      for parents of children with cancer. Specifically, the findings give guidance to
      healthcare providers by illustrating the need to provide healthcare personnel
      with continuous training in communication skills, offering parents opportunities
      to meet other parents in the same situation and increasing the access to
      psychosocial supportive services and psychological care.

PMID- 27272320
TI  - Biography: Paul O'Brien, MD.

PMID- 27272319
TI  - Genetic Analysis Reveals a Hierarchy of Interactions between Polycystin-Encoding
      Genes and Genes Controlling Cilia Function during Left-Right Determination.
AB  - During mammalian development, left-right (L-R) asymmetry is established by a
      cilia-driven leftward fluid flow within a midline embryonic cavity called the
      node. This 'nodal flow' is detected by peripherally-located crown cells that each
      assemble a primary cilium which contain the putative Ca2+ channel PKD2. The
      interaction of flow and crown cell cilia promotes left side-specific expression
      of Nodal in the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM). Whilst the PKD2-interacting protein
      PKD1L1 has also been implicated in L-R patterning, the underlying mechanism by
      which flow is detected and the genetic relationship between Polycystin function
      and asymmetric gene expression remains unknown. Here, we characterize a Pkd1l1
      mutant line in which Nodal is activated bilaterally, suggesting that PKD1L1 is
      not required for LPM Nodal pathway activation per se, but rather to restrict
      Nodal to the left side downstream of nodal flow. Epistasis analysis shows that
      Pkd1l1 acts as an upstream genetic repressor of Pkd2. This study therefore
      provides a genetic pathway for the early stages of L-R determination. Moreover,
      using a system in which cultured cells are supplied artificial flow, we
      demonstrate that PKD1L1 is sufficient to mediate a Ca2+ signaling response after
      flow stimulation. Finally, we show that an extracellular PKD domain within PKD1L1
      is crucial for PKD1L1 function; as such, destabilizing the domain causes L-R
      defects in the mouse. Our demonstration that PKD1L1 protein can mediate a
      response to flow coheres with a mechanosensation model of flow sensation in which
      the force of fluid flow drives asymmetric gene expression in the embryo.

PMID- 27272321
TI  - Fast-Track in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: Feasibility and Cost Analysis
      Through a Matched-Cohort Study in a Single Centre.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to the rise in severe obesity in Western countries and the
      increase in bariatric surgery, enhanced recovery (ER) pathways should be
      developed and promoted. METHODS: A monocentric prospective series of 103
      bariatric surgery patients managed with the ER pathway (group ER) was compared
      with a retrospective and immediately previous series of 103 patients managed with
      standard care (group CS). The aim of the present study was to assess and compare
      the differences in terms of mean postoperative length of stay (LOS), costs for
      surgery and recovery, and the differences in terms of complications, readmission,
      and reoperation rate in the short term between the ER and CS groups. RESULTS: The
      mean LOS was 4.18 days in group CS and 1.79 days in group ER (p < 0.0001). The
      mean operative time (OT) per patient was 190.20 min in the group CS and 133.54
      min in the group ER, resulting in an average cost of 7272.57? per patient in
      group CS and 5424.09? per patient in group ER. The average recovery cost was
      1809.94? for the group CS series and 775.07 for the group ER one. Overall
      complications (Clavien-Dindo up to II) occurred in 6 patients (5.8 %) in group CS
      and in 2 patients (1.9 %) in group ER (p = 0.149) and specific complications
      (Clavien-Dindo IIIb) occurred for 9 patients (8.7 %) in Group CS and for 14
      patients (13.5 %) in group ER (p = 0.268) after hospital discharge within 1-month
      of follow-up. Twelve patients (11.5 %) in group CS and 13 (12.5 %) in group ER
      were readmitted after discharge (p = 0.831) within 1-month of follow-up; 8
      patients (7.7 %) in group CS versus 9 patients (8.8 %) in group ER needed to be
      reoperated (p = 0.800) within 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced recovery
      pathway reduces significantly LOS in bariatric surgical patients and shortens the
      mean OT of the procedure, with no significant differences in terms of surgical
      outcomes. Furthermore, recovery charges were lower and operative time was shorter
      allowing for procedural cost reduction.

PMID- 27272322
TI  - Erratum to: Vegfr3-CreER T2 mouse, a new genetic tool for targeting the lymphatic
      system.

PMID- 27272323
TI  - Kinetic barriers in the isomerization of substituted ureas: implications for
      computer-aided drug design.
AB  - Urea derivatives are ubiquitously found in many chemical disciplines. N,N'
      substituted ureas may show different conformational preferences depending on
      their substitution pattern. The high energetic barrier for isomerization of the
      cis and trans state poses additional challenges on computational simulation
      techniques aiming at a reproduction of the biological properties of urea
      derivatives. Herein, we investigate energetics of urea conformations and their
      interconversion using a broad spectrum of methodologies ranging from data mining,
      via quantum chemistry to molecular dynamics simulation and free energy
      calculations. We find that the inversion of urea conformations is inherently slow
      and beyond the time scale of typical simulation protocols. Therefore, extra care
      needs to be taken by computational chemists to work with appropriate model
      systems. We find that both knowledge-driven approaches as well as physics-based
      methods may guide molecular modelers towards accurate starting structures for
      expensive calculations to ensure that conformations of urea derivatives are
      modeled as adequately as possible.

PMID- 27272324
TI  - The Relationship Between Background Characteristics and Death Anxiety in Times of
      War: A Comparison Between Three Generations Arab and Jewish Families in Israel.
AB  - (a) To compare the levels of death anxiety between the Jewish and Arab population
      in Israel after the Second Lebanon War and the Casting Lead Operation. (b) To
      compare the levels of death anxiety between three families' generations: elderly
      parents, their adult children and their adult grandchildren and (c) to learn
      about the relationship between background characteristics and death anxiety in
      times of war. The sample included 172 trios of elderly parents (ages 65 and up),
      their middle aged children (ages 41-64) and, their young adult children (ages 20
      40) living at the northern and southern of Israel. Three quarters of the
      participants were Jews and the others were Arabs (including Muslims, Christians
      and Druze). Participants answered a self-report questioner. Death anxiety levels
      were measured by the Carmel and Mutran's instrument (1999). In general, the
      highest levels of death anxiety were found among the elderly parents (p < 0.01).
      Regarding the nationality and the gender variables, the highest levels of death
      anxiety were found among the adult Jewish daughters' group (p < 0.001).
      Nationality was found to be the most contributive variable for predicting death
      anxiety levels among the three generations; the sense of mastery was the second
      contributor, to predict death anxiety levels among the three generations'
      participants. Elderly population, Arab population and women, are at high risk to
      suffer from high levels of death anxiety in times of war in Israel. Special
      attention should be given to this population groups.

PMID- 27272325
TI  - British Dietetic Association systematic review and evidence-based practice
      guidelines for the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome in adults (2016
      update).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The first British Dietetic Association (BDA) guidelines for the
      dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults were published in
      2012. Subsequently, there has been a wealth of new research. The aim of this work
      was to systematically review the evidence for the role of diet in the management
      of IBS and to update the guidelines. METHODS: Twelve questions relating to diet
      and IBS were defined based on review of the previous guideline questions, current
      evidence and clinical practice. Chosen topics were on healthy eating and
      lifestyle (alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, elimination diets, fat and fluid
      intakes and dietary habits), milk and dairy, dietary fibre, fermentable
      carbohydrates, gluten, probiotics and elimination diets/food hypersensitivity.
      Data sources were CINAHL, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Embase,
      Medline, Scopus and Web of Science up to October 2015. Studies were assessed
      independently in duplicate using risk of bias tools specific to each included
      study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria for each question. National
      Health and Medical Research Council grading evidence levels were used to develop
      evidence statements and recommendations, in accordance with Practice-based
      Evidence in Nutrition Global protocol used by the BDA. RESULTS: Eighty-six
      studies were critically appraised to generate 46 evidence statements, 15 clinical
      recommendations and four research recommendations. The IBS dietary algorithm was
      simplified to first-line (healthy eating, provided by any healthcare
      professional) and second-line [low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides,
      disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) to be provided by dietitian] dietary
      advice. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines provide updated comprehensive evidence
      based details to achieve the successful dietary management of IBS in adults.

PMID- 27272326
TI  - Stepping-stones and dispersal flow: establishment of a meta-population of Milu
      (Elaphurus davidianus) through natural re-wilding.
AB  - The Milu (Pere David's deer, Elaphurus davidianus) became extinct in China in the
      early 20(th) century but was reintroduced to the country. The reintroduced Milu
      escaped from a nature reserve and dispersed to the south of the Yangtze River. We
      monitored these accidentally escaped Milu from 1995 to 2012. The escaped Milu
      searched for vacant habitat patches as "stepping stones" and established refuge
      populations. We recorded 122 dispersal events of the escaped Milu. Most dispersal
      events occurred in 1998, 2003, 2006 and 2010. Milu normally disperse in March,
      July and November. Average dispersal distance was 14.08 +/- 9.03 km, with 91.41%
      shorter than 25 km. After 5 generations, by the end of 2012, 300 wild Milu were
      scattered in refuge populations in the eastern and southern edges of the Dongting
      Lake. We suggest that population density is the ultimate cause for Milu
      dispersal, whereas floods and human disturbance are proximate causes. The case of
      the Milu shows that accidentally escaped animals can establish viable
      populations; however, the dispersed animals were subject to chance in finding
      "stepping stones". The re-wilded Milu persist as a meta-population with sub
      populations linked by dispersals through marginal habitats in an anthropogenic
      landscape.

PMID- 27272327
TI  - Bacteraemic urinary tract infections may mimic respiratory infections: a nested
      case-control study.
AB  - Daily practice suggests that respiratory signs may be observed in bacteraemic
      urinary infections (BUI). Our objective was to search for an association between
      the presence of respiratory symptoms and the bacteraemic nature of urinary tract
      infections (UTI). A nested case-control study was carried out based on our
      computerised dashboard from January 2011 to June 2015. Cases were defined as
      patients with a BUI due to Enterobacteriaceae species, identified in blood and
      urine cultures. Controls had fever and a positive urinary sample but sterile
      blood cultures (NBUI) and a final diagnosis of urinary infection. Patients from
      the BUI group were 1:1 matched to the NBUI group according to four parameters:
      age, gender, cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbid conditions. Subjects with
      cognitive impairment limiting clinical accuracy and those with healthcare
      associated infections were excluded. We compared systematically recorded
      respiratory and urinary symptoms between groups: signs on auscultation, dyspnoea,
      chest pain, cough and sputum, dysuria with burning, pollakiuria, flank or
      costovertebral angle tenderness and ischuria. One hundred BUI were compared to
      100 NBUI, both groups exhibiting a similar rate for all considered comorbid
      conditions. In the BUI group, 58 % showed at least one respiratory sign vs. 20 %
      in the NBUI group, p < 0.001, while urinary signs were less frequent: 54 % vs. 71
      %, p = 0.013. In the multivariate analysis, BUI was associated with the presence
      of abnormal pulmonary auscultation [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 5.91; p < 0.001]
      and a trend towards less urinary symptoms (AOR, 1.58; p = 0.058). Patients with
      BUI presented with significantly more respiratory signs, which overshadowed
      urinary symptoms, compared to those with non-bacteraemic UTI. Such observations
      impact clinical decision-making. 

PMID- 27272328
TI  - Breeding Guild Determines Frog Distributions in Response to Edge Effects and
      Habitat Conversion in the Brazil's Atlantic Forest.
AB  - Understanding the response of species with differing life-history traits to
      habitat edges and habitat conversion helps predict their likelihood of
      persistence across changing landscape. In Brazil's Atlantic Forest, we evaluated
      frog richness and abundance by breeding guild at four distances from the edge of
      a reserve: i) 200 m inside the forest, ii) 50 m inside the forest, iii) at the
      forest edge, and iv) 50 m inside three different converted habitats (coffee
      plantation, non-native Eucalyptus plantation, and abandoned pastures, hereafter
      matrix types). By sampling a dry and a wet season, we recorded 622 individual
      frogs representing 29 species, of which three were undescribed. Breeding guild
      (i.e. bromeliad, leaf-litter, and water-body breeders) was the most important
      variable explaining frog distributions in relation to edge effects and matrix
      types. Leaf-litter and bromeliad breeders decreased in richness and abundance
      from the forest interior toward the matrix habitats. Water-body breeders
      increased in richness toward the matrix and remained relatively stable in
      abundance across distances. Number of large trees (i.e. DBH > 15 cm) and
      bromeliads best explained frog richness and abundance across distances. Twenty
      species found in the interior of the forest were not found in any matrix habitat.
      Richness and abundance across breeding guilds were higher in the rainy season but
      frog distributions were similar across the four distances in the two seasons.
      Across matrix types, leaf-litter species primarily used Eucalyptus plantations,
      whereas water-body species primarily used coffee plantations. Bromeliad breeders
      were not found inside any matrix habitat. Our study highlights the importance of
      primary forest for bromeliad and leaf-litter breeders. We propose that water-body
      breeders use edge and matrix habitats to reach breeding habitats along the
      valleys. Including life-history characteristics, such as breeding guild, can
      improve predictions of frog distributions in response to edge effect and matrix
      types, and can guide more effective management and conservation actions. 

PMID- 27272329
TI  - [Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome].
AB  - Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome refers to a neurological disorder
      characterized by headache, disorders of consciousness, visual disturbances,
      epileptic seizures, and subcortical vasogenic edema. About two thirds of patients
      develop neurological symptoms, which are associated with blood pressure
      fluctuations. One hypothesis is that hypertensive episodes cause autoregulatory
      failure, and values above the upper limit of cerebral autoregulation result in a
      breakthrough followed by hyperperfusion and blood-brain barrier dysfunction. In
      another hypothesis, endothelial dysfunction triggered by numerous factors
      including preeclampsia, immunosuppressive agents, chemotherapeutics, sepsis, or
      autoimmune disorders is thought to be the key pathomechanism. Endo- or exogenic
      toxic agents including pharmacological substances, cytokines, or bacterial toxins
      are supposed to trigger endothelial activation and dysfunction resulting in the
      release of vasoconstrictors, pro-inflammatory mediators, and vascular leakage.
      Diagnosis is usually based on clinical and neuroimaging findings that frequently
      show a bilateral, symmetric, and parietooccipital pattern. However, the diagnosis
      can often only be confirmed during the course of disease after excluding
      important differential diagnoses. Currently, there is no specific treatment
      available. Lowering of arterial blood pressure and eliminating the underlying
      cause usually leads to an improvement of clinical and neuroradiological findings.
      Admission to a critical care unit is required in about 40 % of patients due to
      complicating conditions including status epilepticus, cerebral vasoconstriction,
      ischemia, or intracerebral hemorrhage. Prognosis is favorable; in the majority of
      patients neurological deficits and imaging findings resolve completely. 

PMID- 27272330
TI  - Physical Health Screenings Among African-American Church and Community Members.
AB  - This study sought to identify characteristics, including religiosity, related to
      having received health screenings among persons who attend African-American
      churches or receive church-based community outreach services. A sample of 602 was
      recruited during two phases as part of a larger project. Blood pressure,
      cholesterol, and blood glucose screenings were the most frequently reported
      screenings ever and in the last 12 months. Although religiosity was significantly
      related to several of the health screenings in bivariate analysis, it is not a
      predictor of health screenings in multivariate analyses. Innovative strategies
      are needed to promote screenings such as church-based health fairs. 

PMID- 27272331
TI  - Similarities and Differences Between Yoruba Traditional Healers (YTH) and Native
      American and Canadian Healers (NACH).
AB  - Indigenous people of the world have used the services of medicine men and
      traditional healers from time immemorial. According to the World Health
      Organization, 80 % of the world's populations consult traditional healers. With
      an emerging globalization of health services in the world, there is a need for
      western mental health practitioners to learn and understand the practices of
      indigenous healers across the globe. This paper will not only highlight the
      similarities and differences between Yoruba traditional healers of Western
      Nigeria and Native American and First Nation Canadian traditional healers, but it
      will also allow practitioners to gain clearer perspectives of indigenous clients
      from Yoruba land and those from the United States of America and Canada. This
      ultimately will inform culturally sensitive clinical practice with these
      populations. 

PMID- 27272332
TI  - Increased Risk of Dementia in Patients with Tension-Type Headache: A Nationwide
      Retrospective Population-Based Cohort Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The association between primary headaches, including tension-type
      headache (TTH) as one of the most common primary headache disorders, and dementia
      remains controversial. In this nationwide, population-based, retrospective,
      cohort study, we explored the potential association between TTH and dementia and
      examined sex, age, and comorbidities as risk factors for dementia. METHODS: Using
      the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) claims data, the
      sample included 13908 subjects aged >=20 years with newly-diagnosed TTH in 2000
      2006. The non-TTH group included 55632 randomly selected sex- and age-matched TTH
      free individuals. All subjects were followed until dementia diagnosis, death, or
      the end of 2011. Patients with dementia, including vascular and non-vascular
      (including Alzheimer's) subtypes, were identified using International
      Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes.
      Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the
      risk of dementia and dementia-associated risk factors, such as migraine and other
      medical comorbidities. RESULTS: During the average follow-up of 8.14 years, the
      incidence density rates of dementia were 5.30 and 3.68/1,000 person-years in the
      TTH and non-TTH groups, respectively. Compared with the non-TTH group, the risks
      of dementia were 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.42) and 1.13 (95% CI,
      1.01-1.27) times higher in the women and >65-year-old TTH group, respectively.
      TTH patients with comorbidities had a higher risk of dementia. TTH patients had a
      greater risk of non-vascular dementia (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.09-1.34)
      than the non-TTH group. CONCLUSION: TTH patients have a future risk of dementia,
      indicating a potentially linked disease pathophysiology that warrants further
      study. The association between TTH and dementia is greater in women, older
      adults, and with comorbidities. Clinicians should be aware of potential dementia
      comorbidity in TTH patients.

PMID- 27272333
TI  - A Cytochrome P450-Mediated Intramolecular Carbon-Carbon Ring Closure in the
      Biosynthesis of Multidrug-Resistance-Reversing Lathyrane Diterpenoids.
AB  - The Euphorbiaceae produce a wide variety of bioactive diterpenoids. These include
      the lathyranes, which have received much interest due to their ability to inhibit
      the ABC transporters responsible for the loss of efficacy of many chemotherapy
      drugs. The lathyranes are also intermediates in the biosynthesis of range of
      other bioactive diterpenoids with potential applications in the treatment of
      pain, HIV and cancer. We report here a gene cluster from Jatropha curcas that
      contains the genes required to convert geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate into a number
      of diterpenoids, including the lathyranes jolkinol C and epi-jolkinol C. The
      conversion of casbene to the lathyranes involves an intramolecular carbon-carbon
      ring closure. This requires the activity of two cytochrome P450s that we propose
      form a 6-hydroxy-5,9-diketocasbene intermediate, which then undergoes an aldol
      reaction. The discovery of the P450 genes required to convert casbene to
      lathyranes will allow the scalable heterologous production of these potential
      anticancer drugs, which can often only be sourced in limited quantities from
      their native plant.

PMID- 27272334
TI  - Safe use of high intakes of folic acid: research challenges and paths forward.
AB  - Adequate folic acid intake is an effective dietary-based prevention tool for
      reducing the risk of neural tube defects. Achieving adequate intake for the
      prevention of neural tube defects frequently requires the consumption of foods
      fortified with folic acid and/or the use of folic acid-containing dietary
      supplements. To date, research on the potential for adverse effects of high
      intakes of folic acid has been limited. Without such research, it is difficult to
      define a value for high intake. In May 2015, an expert panel was tasked with
      examining the available scientific literature and making research recommendations
      within 4 general categories of potential folate-related adverse health effects:
      cancer, cognition in conjunction with vitamin B12 deficiency, hypersensitivity
      related outcomes, and thyroid and diabetes-related disorders. This article
      summarizes the expert panel's conclusions, outlines the challenges faced when
      reviewing the literature, and examines some of the panel's recommendations for
      research.

PMID- 27272337
TI  - Correction: Protecting medicine's wild pharmacy.

PMID- 27272335
TI  - Quinolone-1-(2H)-ones as hedgehog signalling pathway inhibitors.
AB  - A series of quinolone-2-(1H)-ones derived from the Ugi-Knoevenagel three- and
      four-component reaction were prepared exhibiting low micromolar cytotoxicity
      against a panel of eight human cancer cell lines known to possess the Hedgehog
      Signalling Pathway (HSP) components, as well as the seminoma TCAM-2 cell line. A
      focused SAR study was conducted and revealed core characteristics of the
      quinolone-2-(1H)-ones required for cytotoxicity. These requirements included a C3
      tethered indole moiety, an indole C5-methyl moiety, an aliphatic tail or an
      ester, as well as an additional aromatic moiety. Further investigation in the SAG
      activated Shh-LIGHT2 cell line with the most active analogues: 2-(3-cyano-2-oxo-4
      phenylquinolin-1(2H)-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-N-(pentan-2-yl)acetamide (5),
      2-(3-cyano-2-oxo-4-phenylquinolin-1(2H)-yl)-2-(5-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-N-(pentan
      2-yl)acetamide (23) and ethyl (2-(3-cyano-2-oxo-4-phenylquinolin-1(2H)-yl)-2-(5
      methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)acetyl)glycinate (24) demonstrated a down regulation of the
      HSP via a reduction in Gli expression, and in the mRNA levels of Ptch1 and Gli2.
      Analogues 5, 23 and 24 returned in cell inhibition values of 11.6, 2.9 and 3.1
      MUM, respectively, making this new HSP-inhibitor pharmacophore amongst the most
      potent non-Smo targeted inhibitors thus far reported. 

PMID- 27272338
TI  - Refractory Hypotension and "Ventricular Fibrillation" With Large U Waves After
      Overdose.

PMID- 27272339
TI  - Overcoming the framing problem-a critical-ethical perspective on the need to
      integrate social sciences and humanities and stakeholder contributions in EURATOM
      radiation protection research.
AB  - This paper introduces the 'framing problem' as the problem of the limited
      potential of critical reflection on the societal justification and use of nuclear
      energy technology as a contribution to European radiation protection research,
      given that the research is itself driven by EURATOM's pro-nuclear political
      position. The idea is that the problem of policy framing could in principle be
      'overcome' by the integration of social sciences and humanities and stakeholder
      contributions in that research, taking into account that this approach could help
      to raise critical awareness with the involved researchers and policy makers of
      the issues of fairness of risk justification in society and of the consequences
      thereof for nuclear energy policy and policy-supportive research itself.

PMID- 27272340
TI  - The association of ideal cardiovascular health with incident type 2 diabetes
      mellitus: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Levels of ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) and incident type 2
      diabetes mellitus have not been examined in a multiethnic population. We assessed
      the total and race/ethnicity-specific incidence of diabetes based on American
      Heart Association (AHA) ICH components. METHODS: Incident diabetes was assessed
      among 5341 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis without
      prevalent diabetes between 2002 and 2012. ICH components (total cholesterol, BP,
      dietary intake, tobacco use, physical activity and BMI) were assessed at baseline
      and participants were categorised as having ideal, intermediate or poor
      cardiovascular health, as defined by the AHA 2020 impact goals. We developed a
      scoring system based on the number of ICH components (0-1 'poor', 2-3
      'intermediate', and >=4 'ideal'). HRs were calculated using Cox models. RESULTS:
      During a median follow-up of 11.1 years, we identified 587 cases of incident
      diabetes. After multivariable adjustment, participants with 2-3 and >=4 ICH
      components vs 0-1 components had a 34% lower (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.54, 0.80) and a
      75% lower (HR 0.25; 95% CI 0.18, 0.35) diabetes incidence, respectively. There
      were significant differences by race/ethnicity: African-American and Hispanic
      American participants with >=4 ICH components had diabetes incidence rates per
      1000 person-years of 5.6 (95% CI 3.1, 10.1) and 10.5 (95% CI 6.7, 16.4),
      respectively, compared with 2.2 (95% CI 1.3, 3.7) among non-Hispanic white
      Americans. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Meeting an increasing number of AHA 2020
      impact goals for dietary intake, physical activity, smoking, BP, cholesterol and
      BMI was associated with a dose-dependent lower risk of diabetes with significant
      variation by race/ethnicity.

PMID- 27272341
TI  - Abnormal regional homogeneity as potential imaging biomarker for psychosis risk
      syndrome: a resting-state fMRI study and support vector machine analysis.
AB  - Subjects with psychosis risk syndrome (PRS) have structural and functional
      abnormalities in several brain regions. However, regional functional
      synchronization of PRS has not been clarified. We recruited 34 PRS subjects and
      37 healthy controls. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) of resting-state functional
      magnetic resonance scans was employed to analyze regional functional
      synchronization in these participants. Receiver operating characteristic curves
      and support vector machines were used to detect whether abnormal regional
      functional synchronization could be utilized to separate PRS subjects from
      healthy controls. We observed that PRS subjects showed significant ReHo decreases
      in the left inferior temporal gyrus and increases in the right inferior frontal
      gyrus and right putamen compared with the controls. No correlations between
      abnormal regional functional synchronization in these brain regions and clinical
      characteristics existed. A combination of the ReHo values in the three brain
      regions showed sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 88.24%, 91.89%, and
      90.14%, respectively, for discriminating PRS subjects from healthy controls. We
      inferred that abnormal regional functional synchronization exists in the cerebrum
      of PRS subjects, and a combination of ReHo values in these abnormal regions could
      be applied as potential image biomarker to identify PRS subjects from healthy
      controls.

PMID- 27272342
TI  - Oxytocin, trust and very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis.

PMID- 27272347
TI  - Challenges to polycentric governance of an international development project
      tackling land degradation in Swaziland.
AB  - To effectively address the drivers and impacts of land degradation requires
      polycentric governance systems that facilitate international development projects
      (IDPs). This paper analyses an IDP aiming to reduce land degradation in
      Swaziland. A longitudinal-style qualitative approach draws on repeat household
      surveys, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. We aim to identify the
      changes that have taken place since the departure of the IDP funders, and the
      subsequent dynamics between stakeholders. We: (1) chart the evolution of the
      institutional structures and processes of the IDP; and (2) assess community
      perceptions of IDP outcomes. Lack of meaningful participation at various stages
      of the PMC caused the project to lose momentum following the departure of the
      funders. We discuss these findings in relation to a polycentric approach, and
      identify how multi-stakeholder IDP can be facilitated as part of wider
      polycentric governance approaches to inform policies to combat land degradation
      within Swaziland and more widely.

PMID- 27272348
TI  - The sustainability of changes in agricultural technology: The carbon, economic
      and labour implications of mechanisation and synthetic fertiliser use.
AB  - New agricultural technologies bring multiple impacts which are hard to predict.
      Two changes taking place in Indian agriculture are a transition from bullocks to
      tractors and an associated replacement of manure with synthetic fertilisers. This
      paper uses primary data to model social, environmental and economic impacts of
      these transitions in South India. It compares ploughing by bullocks or tractors
      and the provision of nitrogen from manure or synthetic urea for irrigated rice
      from the greenhouse gas (GHG), economic and labour perspective. Tractors plough
      nine times faster than bullocks, use substantially less labour, with no
      significant difference in GHG emissions. Tractors are twice as costly as bullocks
      yet remain more popular to hire. The GHG emissions from manure-N paddy are 30 %
      higher than for urea-N, largely due to the organic matter in manure driving
      methane emissions. Labour use is significantly higher for manure, and the gender
      balance is more equal. Manure is substantially more expensive as a source of
      nutrients compared to synthetic nutrients, yet remains popular when available.
      This paper demonstrates the need to take a broad approach to analysing the
      sustainability impacts of new technologies, as trade-offs between different
      metrics are common.

PMID- 27272349
TI  - Novel Gene Expression Signature Predictive of Clinical Recurrence After Radical
      Prostatectomy in Early Stage Prostate Cancer Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current clinical tools have limited accuracy in differentiating
      patients with localized prostate cancer who are at risk of recurrence from
      patients with indolent disease. We aimed to identify a gene expression signature
      that jointly with clinical variables could improve upon the prediction of
      clinical recurrence after RP for patients with stage T2 PCa. METHODS: The study
      population includes consented patients who underwent a radical retropubic
      prostatectomy (RP) and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection at the University
      of Southern California in the PSA-era (1988-2008). We used a nested case-control
      study of 187 organ-confined patients (pT2N0M0): 154 with no recurrence
      ("controls") and 33 with clinical recurrence ("cases"). RNA was obtained from
      laser capture microdissected malignant glands representative of the overall
      Gleason score of each patient. Whole genome gene expression profiles (29,000
      transcripts) were obtained using the Whole Genome DASL HT platform (Illumina,
      Inc). A gene expression signature of PCa clinical recurrence was identified using
      stability selection with elastic net regularized logistic regression. Three
      existing datasets generated with the Affymetrix Human Exon 1.0ST array were used
      for validation: Mayo Clinic (MC, n = 545), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
      (SKCC, n = 150), and Erasmus Medical Center (EMC, n = 48). The areas under the
      ROC curve (AUCs) were obtained using repeated fivefold cross-validation. RESULTS:
      A 28-gene expression signature was identified that jointly with key clinical
      variables (age, Gleason score, pre-operative PSA level, and operation year) was
      predictive of clinical recurrence (AUC of clinical variables only was 0.67, AUC
      of clinical variables, and 28-gene signature was 0.99). The AUC of this gene
      signature fitted in each of the external datasets jointly with clinical variables
      was 0.75 (0.72-0.77) (MC), 0.90 (0.86-0.94) (MSKCC), and 0.82 (0.74-0.91) (EMC),
      whereas the AUC for clinical variables only in each dataset was 0.72 (0.70-0.74),
      0.86 (0.82-0.91), and 0.76 (0.67-0.85), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We report a
      novel gene-expression based classifier identified using agnostic approaches from
      whole genome expression profiles that can improve upon the accuracy of clinical
      indicators to stratify early stage localized patients at risk of clinical
      recurrence after RP. Prostate 76:1239-1256, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27272350
TI  - Dynamical control on helicity of electromagnetic waves by tunable metasurfaces.
AB  - Manipulating the polarization states of electromagnetic (EM) waves, a fundamental
      issue in optics, attracted intensive attention recently. However, most of the
      devices realized so far are either too bulky in size, and/or are passive with
      only specific functionalities. Here we combine theory and experiment to
      demonstrate that, a tunable metasurface incorporating diodes as active elements
      can dynamically control the reflection phase of EM waves, and thus exhibits
      unprecedented capabilities to manipulate the helicity of incident circular
      polarized (CP) EM wave. By controlling the bias voltages imparted on the embedded
      diodes, we demonstrate that the device can work in two distinct states. Whereas
      in the "On" state, the metasurface functions as a helicity convertor and a
      helicity hybridizer within two separate frequency bands, it behaves as a helicity
      keeper within an ultra-wide frequency band in the "Off" state. Our findings pave
      the way to realize functionality-switchable devices related to phase control,
      such as frequency-tunable subwavelength cavities, anomalous reflectors and even
      holograms.

PMID- 27272351
TI  - Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion versus multiple daily injections of
      insulin for pregnant women with diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes results in a rise in blood glucose above normal
      physiological levels; if untreated this may cause damage to many systems
      including the cardiovascular and renal systems. Pregnancy increases resistance to
      insulin action; for those women who have pre-gestational diabetes, this results
      in an increasing insulin requirement. There are several methods of administering
      insulin. Conventionally, insulin has been administered subcutaneously, formally
      referred to as intensive conventional treatment, but now more usually referred to
      as multiple daily injections (MDI). An alternative method of insulin
      administration is the continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump (CSII).
      OBJECTIVES: To compare CSII with MDI of insulin for pregnant women with pre
      existing and gestational diabetes. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane
      Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 March 2016) and reference
      lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing CSII
      with MDI for pregnant women with diabetes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three
      review authors independently assessed studies and two review authors extracted
      data. Disagreements were resolved through discussion with the third author. We
      assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: We
      included five single-centre trials (undertaken in Italy) with 153 women and 154
      pregnancies in this review.There were no clear differences in the primary
      outcomes reported between CSII and MDI in the included trials: caesarean section
      (risk ratio (RR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66 to 1.77; three trials,
      71 women, evidence graded very low), large-for-gestational age (RR 4.15, 95% CI
      0.49 to 34.95; three trials, 73 infants; evidence graded very low), and perinatal
      mortality (RR 2.33, 95% CI 0.38 to 14.32; four trials, 83 infants, evidence
      graded very low). Other primary outcomes were not reported in these trials
      (hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, development of type 2 diabetes, composite
      outcome of serious neonatal outcomes, and neurosensory disability).There was no
      clear evidence of differences in the maternal secondary outcomes: maternal weight
      gain during pregnancy, 24 hour mean blood glucose in each trimester, mean
      maternal HbA1c in each trimester, maternal hypoglycaemia, and maternal
      hyperglycaemia. The included studies did not report several GRADE outcomes:
      perineal trauma, return to pre-pregnancy weight, postnatal depression, induction
      of labour. Many maternal secondary outcomes were also not reported.In two trials,
      including a total of 61 infants, CSII was associated with an increase in mean
      birthweight compared with MDI (mean difference (MD) 220.56 g, 95% CI -2.09 g to
      443.20 g; P = 0.05). However, the large CI including anything from a small
      reduction to an increase in mean birthweight and the lack of a difference in
      macrosomia rate (RR 3.20, CI 0.14 to 72.62; two trials, 61 infants) suggests
      uncertainty. Large-for-gestational age (see above), andsmall-for-gestational age
      also suggests uncertainty of effect. No significant differences were found in:
      gestation at delivery, preterm birth < 37 weeks' gestation, preterm birth < 32
      weeks' gestation, neonatal hypoglycaemia (evidence graded very low), respiratory
      distress syndrome, neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, and fetal anomaly. There were no
      data reported on many important infant outcomes, including the GRADE outcomes
      adiposity and diabetes. There was no follow-up of infants in childhood or
      adulthood, so longer-term outcomes were not reported.The only outcome reported
      for use of health service resources wasmaternal days hospitalised, which did not
      show a difference between groups in the small number of women included (MD 9.40,
      CI -6.04 to 24.84; one trial, 10 women).The methods used by the trials were
      poorly reported, for example although blinding of participants and clinicians
      regarding intervention allocation is impossible, it is possible to blind
      assessors and this along with other aspects of trial methods was not reported,
      which means that the trials are at an unclear or high risk of bias. We do not
      know if the women who participated were representative, and therefore if the
      results can be generalised. Most GRADE outcomes were not reported. For the GRADE
      outcomes that were reported, our assessment was that the evidence is very low
      quality (caesarean section, large-for-gestational age, perinatal mortality,
      andneonatal hypoglycaemia). This was due to design limitations in the included
      trials, small sample sizes in the trials contributing data, wide CIs crossing
      both the line of no effect and the line of appreciable benefit and/or harm, and
      often few events. We are therefore uncertain whether CSII or MDI improves
      outcomes for pregnant women with diabetes and their infants, and the results of
      further studies may differ substantially from those presented in this review.
      AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence to support the use of one particular
      form of insulin administration over another for pregnant women with diabetes.
      There are only a small number of trials appropriate for meta-analysis, a small
      number of women included and questionable generalisability of the trial
      population.Pump technology has progressed since these trials were undertaken.
      Well-designed randomised trials are required to evaluate comparisons such as
      patch pumps against MDI and more conventional CSII against MDI. These trials
      should be adequately powered to assess the effect of interventions, and report
      the core set of outcomes used in Cochrane reviews of diabetes in pregnancy.
      Trials to assess the effects of pumps on birthweight and macrosomia rates are
      needed. It would be beneficial for future trials to undertake longer-term follow
      up of participants and their infants, assess women's preferences, and conduct an
      economic evaluation.

PMID- 27272352
TI  - Giant Panda Maternal Care: A Test of the Experience Constraint Hypothesis.
AB  - The body condition constraint and the experience condition constraint hypotheses
      have both been proposed to account for differences in reproductive success
      between multiparous (experienced) and primiparous (first-time) mothers. However,
      because primiparous mothers are typically characterized by both inferior body
      condition and lack of experience when compared to multiparous mothers,
      interpreting experience related differences in maternal care as support for
      either the body condition constraint hypothesis or the experience constraint
      hypothesis is extremely difficult. Here, we examined maternal behaviour in
      captive giant pandas, allowing us to simultaneously control for body condition
      and provide a rigorous test of the experience constraint hypothesis in this
      endangered animal. We found that multiparous mothers spent more time engaged in
      key maternal behaviours (nursing, grooming, and holding cubs) and had
      significantly less vocal cubs than primiparous mothers. This study provides the
      first evidence supporting the experience constraint hypothesis in the order
      Carnivora, and may have utility for captive breeding programs in which it is
      important to monitor the welfare of this species' highly altricial cubs, whose
      survival is almost entirely dependent on receiving adequate maternal care during
      the first few weeks of life.

PMID- 27272353
TI  - Quality Control and Complication Screening Programme of Chinese Medicinal Drugs
      at the First German Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine - A Retrospective
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of drugs derived from plants is a cornerstone of Traditional
      Chinese Medicine (TCM). Yet, too little is known about risk and safety of Chinese
      medicinal drugs (CMD). Therefore, the TCM hospital Bad Kotzting has developed a
      quality control and complication screening programme in order to ensure a safe
      administration of TCM drugs to their patients. METHODS: All Chinese medicinal
      drugs delivered to the hospital between September 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013
      entered the quality control program and were screened for microbial
      contamination, aflatoxin, pesticides and heavy metals. A routinely applied
      complication screening programme monitored liver enzymes in all patients. Case
      causality assessment by CIOMS scale and identification of admitted herbs were
      conducted. Additionally, side effects of patients were identified by a routinely
      performed web-based documentation system. RESULTS: In 5 of 23 investigated
      samples (21.7%) the initial testing showed microbial contamination (2), pesticide
      (2) and heavy metals (1). The drugs were tested for authenticity and
      adulterations, respectively. All 994 patients (mean age 52.6 years; 72.6% female)
      admitted were available for analysis. 448 (45.1%) of all patients reported having
      perceived at least one side effect of treatment. They experienced mainly
      gastrointestinal symptoms (13.6%), neurovegetative symptoms (10.8 %), temporary
      deteriorations of pain (8.8%), diarrhoea (5.9%), nausea (1.6%) and vomiting
      (0.5%). Further, 6 patients with a more than 2-fold elevation (compared to
      maximum normal value or elevated admission values) of ALT were found in the
      systematic laboratory control with a non-conclusive causality assessment for TCM
      drugs. CONCLUSION: Approximate incidence rates and analysed drugs associated with
      liver damage revealed a low rate of liver injury. Patients should be informed of
      the gastrointestinal symptoms caused by and potential hepatotoxicity of TCM
      herbs.

PMID- 27272354
TI  - Even wars have rules.

PMID- 27272355
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272356
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272357
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272358
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272359
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272360
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272361
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272362
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272363
TI  - [Reductions in cardiac death is not due to statins].

PMID- 27272364
TI  - [Protein intolerance - a neglected health problem].

PMID- 27272365
TI  - [Specialist training for physicians - clear responsibility, better quality].

PMID- 27272366
TI  - [Subsidizing of progestin contraceptives - on a collision course with biology?].

PMID- 27272367
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272368
TI  - Paperless migrants and Norwegian general practitioners.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Norway, the rights of paperless migrants are restricted. We wished
      to investigate the extent to which Norwegian general practitioners give treatment
      to this group and their grounds for doing so, as well as to identify the health
      problems that were presented. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In 2010, an online
      questionnaire was distributed to 3 994 general practitioners who were members of
      the Norwegian Medical Association. RESULTS: Altogether 1 027 GPs responded. Of
      these, 237 (23 %) reported to have treated paperless migrants. Mental problems,
      pregnancy-related issues and respiratory ailments were the most frequently
      reported reasons for contact. Of the 237 GPs who reported to have treated
      paperless migrants, altogether 166 (70 %) stated that they would continue to
      receive these patients. INTERPRETATION: The fact that most of the GPs who had
      treated paperless migrants would continue to receive this patient group and thus
      provide health services beyond this group's entitlements, we regard as a wish to
      comply with the Code of Ethics for Norwegian doctors.

PMID- 27272369
TI  - ["Sulfonamide allergy" - which drugs must patients avoid?].
AB  - Allergic reactions to sulfonamide antibiotics are common. A number of other drugs
      (for example diuretics, anti-diabetic drugs, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and
      triptans) are also chemically speaking sulphonamides, and many of these are
      considered to be contraindicated in patients who have experienced an allergic
      reaction to sulfonamide antibiotics. What is the risk of allergic cross
      reactivity between different sulfonamides and to what extent must this be taken
      into account in clinical practice? 

PMID- 27272370
TI  - [Medication adherence and monitoring of antihypertensive treatment].
AB  - Lack of adherence to medication may be the explanation for unsatisfactory drug
      efficacy and is often misinterpreted as resistance to treatment. When
      encountering patients with persistent high blood pressure despite
      antihypertensive treatment, it is therefore important to discover whether they
      are actually taking their medication. This article aims to provide an updated
      overview of methods of revealing and monitoring medication adherence. The article
      is based on non-systematic literature searches in PubMed and on the senior
      authors' own clinical experience. 

PMID- 27272371
TI  - A methadone user with anaemia, skeletal pain and altered appearance.

PMID- 27272372
TI  - [Strategies for BCG vaccination 1947 - 94].
AB  - The tuberculosis reform of 1947 stipulated a clear responsibility of the state to
      combat tuberculosis. This entailed sanctions directed at individuals, as well as
      compulsory vaccination. Universal vaccination was to be achieved through
      extensive information work that emphasised the responsibility of the individual.
      The decline in the disease, the dawning of human rights thinking and the decline
      of professional boards in public administration help to explain the downgrading
      of compulsory vaccination over time. 

PMID- 27272373
TI  - [A medical education for the patient - lessons from a sick youth].

PMID- 27272374
TI  - [Prospective and retrospective].

PMID- 27272375
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272377
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272378
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272379
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272380
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272381
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272383
TI  - Regulating the expression of therapeutic transgenes by controlled intake of
      dietary essential amino acids.
AB  - Widespread application of gene therapy will depend on the development of simple
      methods to regulate the expression of therapeutic genes. Here we harness an
      endogenous signaling pathway to regulate therapeutic gene expression through
      diet. The GCN2-eIF2alpha signaling pathway is specifically activated by
      deficiencies in any essential amino acid (EAA); EAA deficiency leads to rapid
      expression of genes regulated by ATF4-binding cis elements. We found that
      therapeutic genes under the control of optimized amino acid response elements
      (AAREs) had low basal expression and high induced expression. We applied our
      system to regulate the expression of TNFSF10 (TRAIL) in the context of glioma
      therapy and found that intermittent activation of this gene by EEA-deficient
      meals retained its therapeutic efficacy while abrogating its toxic effects on
      normal tissue. The GCN2-eIF2alpha pathway is expressed in many tissues, including
      the brain, and is highly specific to EAA deficiency. Our system may be
      particularly well suited for intermittent regulation of therapeutic transgenes
      over short or long time periods.

PMID- 27272384
TI  - Genome-wide analysis reveals specificities of Cpf1 endonucleases in human cells.
AB  - Programmable clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)
      Cpf1 endonucleases are single-RNA-guided (crRNA) enzymes that recognize thymidine
      rich protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) sequences and produce cohesive double
      stranded breaks (DSBs). Genome editing with CRISPR-Cpf1 endonucleases could
      provide an alternative to CRISPR-Cas9 endonucleases, but the determinants of
      targeting specificity are not well understood. Using mismatched crRNAs we found
      that Cpf1 could tolerate single or double mismatches in the 3' PAM-distal region,
      but not in the 5' PAM-proximal region. Genome-wide analysis of cleavage sites in
      vitro for eight Cpf1 nucleases using Digenome-seq revealed that there were 6
      (LbCpf1) and 12 (AsCpf1) cleavage sites per crRNA in the human genome, fewer than
      are present for Cas9 nucleases (>90). Most Cpf1 off-target cleavage sites did not
      produce mutations in cells. We found mismatches in either the 3' PAM-distal
      region or in the PAM sequence of 12 off-target sites that were validated in vivo.
      Off-target effects were completely abrogated by using preassembled, recombinant
      Cpf1 ribonucleoproteins.

PMID- 27272385
TI  - Targeted mutagenesis in mice by electroporation of Cpf1 ribonucleoproteins.

PMID- 27272387
TI  - Generation of knockout mice by Cpf1-mediated gene targeting.

PMID- 27272388
TI  - Coping, adapting or self-managing - what is the difference? A concept review
      based on the neurological literature.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to report: (1) an analysis of the concepts of
      coping, adaptation and self-management in the context of managing a neurological
      condition; and (2) the overlap between the concepts. BACKGROUND: The three
      concepts are often confused or used interchangeably. Understanding similarities
      and differences between concepts will avoid misunderstandings in care. The varied
      and often unpredictable symptoms and degenerative nature of neurological
      conditions make this an ideal population in which to examine the concepts.
      DESIGN: Concept analysis. DATA SOURCES: Articles were extracted from a large
      literature review about living with a neurological condition. The original
      searches were conducted using SCOPUS, EMBASE, CINAHL and Psych INFO. Seventy
      seven articles met the inclusion criteria of: (1) original article concerning
      coping, adaptation or self-management of a neurological condition; (2) written in
      English; and (3) published between 1999-2011. METHODS: The concepts were examined
      according to Morse's concept analysis method; structural elements were then
      compared. RESULTS: Coping and adaptation to a neurological condition showed
      statistically significant overlap with a common focus on internal management. In
      contrast, self-management appears to focus on disease-controlling and health
      related management strategies. Coping appears to be the most mature concept,
      whereas self-management is least coherent in definition and application.
      CONCLUSION: All three concepts are relevant for people with neurological
      conditions. Healthcare teams need to be cautious when using these terms to avoid
      miscommunication and to ensure clients have access to all needed interventions.
      Viewing the three concepts as a complex whole may be more aligned with client
      experience.

PMID- 27272389
TI  - Application of image cytometry to characterize heterologous lipid flippases in
      yeast.
AB  - Lipid flippases are integral membrane proteins that play a central role in moving
      lipids across cellular membranes. Some of these transporters are ATPases that
      couple lipid translocation to ATP hydrolysis, whereas others function without any
      discernible metabolic energy input. A growing number of lipid flippases has been
      identified but key features of their activity remain to be elucidated. A well
      established method to characterize ATP-driven flippases is based on their
      heterologous expression in yeast, followed by incubation of the cells with
      fluorescent lipids. Internalization of these probes is typically monitored by
      flow cytometry, a costly and maintenance-intensive method. Here, we have
      optimized a protocol to use an automated image-based cell counter to accurately
      measure lipid uptake by heterologous lipid flippases expressed in yeast. The
      method was validated by comparison with the classical flow cytometric evaluation
      of lipid-labeled cells. In addition, we demonstrated that expression of
      fluorescently tagged flippase complexes can be directly co-related with
      fluorescent lipid uptake using the image-based cell counter system. The method
      extends the number of techniques available for characterization of lipid flippase
      activity, and should be readily adaptable to analyze a variety of other transport
      systems in yeast, parasites, and mammalian cells. (c) 2016 International Society
      for Advancement of Cytometry.

PMID- 27272386
TI  - Non-genotoxic conditioning for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a
      hematopoietic-cell-specific internalizing immunotoxin.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers curative therapy for
      patients with hemoglobinopathies, congenital immunodeficiencies, and other
      conditions, possibly including AIDS. Autologous HSCT using genetically corrected
      cells would avoid the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), but the
      genotoxicity of conditioning remains a substantial barrier to the development of
      this approach. Here we report an internalizing immunotoxin targeting the
      hematopoietic-cell-restricted CD45 receptor that effectively conditions
      immunocompetent mice. A single dose of the immunotoxin, CD45-saporin (SAP),
      enabled efficient (>90%) engraftment of donor cells and full correction of a
      sickle-cell anemia model. In contrast to irradiation, CD45-SAP completely avoided
      neutropenia and anemia, spared bone marrow and thymic niches, enabling rapid
      recovery of T and B cells, preserved anti-fungal immunity, and had minimal
      overall toxicity. This non-genotoxic conditioning method may provide an
      attractive alternative to current conditioning regimens for HSCT in the treatment
      of non-malignant blood diseases.

PMID- 27272390
TI  - Enantioselective Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative beta,beta-Fluoroarylation of
      alpha,beta-Unsaturated Carbonyl Derivatives.
AB  - The site-selective palladium-catalyzed three-component coupling of deactivated
      alkenes, arylboronic acids, and N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide is disclosed herein.
      The developed methodology establishes a general, modular, and step-economical
      approach to the stereoselective beta-fluorination of alpha,beta-unsaturated
      systems.

PMID- 27272391
TI  - Evaluation of the effect of transcytolemmal water exchange analysis for
      therapeutic response assessment using DCE-MRI: a comparison study.
AB  - This study compares the shutter-speed (SS) and the Tofts models as used in
      assessing therapeutic response in a longitudinal DCE-MRI experiment. Sixteen
      nu/nu mice with implanted colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (LS-174T) were
      randomly assigned into treatment/control groups (n  =  8/group) and received
      bevacizumab/saline twice weekly (Day1/Day4/Day8). All mice were scanned at one
      pre- (Day0) and two post-treatment (Day2/Day9) time points using a high
      spatiotemporal resolution DCE-MRI pulse sequence. The CA extravasation rate
      constant [Formula: see text] from the Tofts/SS model and the mean intracellular
      water residence time [Formula: see text] from the SS model were analyzed. A
      biological subvolume (BV) within the tumor was identified based on the [Formula:
      see text] intensity distribution, and the SS model parameters within the BV
      ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) were analyzed. It is found that
      [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] have a similar spatial distribution
      in the tumor volume. The Bayesian information criterion results show that the SS
      model was a better fit for all scans. At Day9, the treatment group had
      significantly higher tumor mean [Formula: see text] (p  =  0.021), [Formula: see
      text] (p  =  0.021) and [Formula: see text] (p  = 0.045). When BV from
      transcytolemmal water exchange analysis was adopted, the treatment group had
      higher mean [Formula: see text] at both Day2 (p  =  0.038) and Day9 (p  = 
      0.007). Additionally, at Day9, the treatment group had higher mean [Formula: see
      text] (p  =  0.045) and higher [Formula: see text] spatial heterogeneity indices
      (Renyi dimensions) d 1 (p  = 0.010) and d 2 (p  = 0.021). When mean [Formula: see
      text] and its coefficient of variation (CV) were used to separate
      treatment/control group samples using supporting vector machine, the accuracy of
      treatment/control classification was 68.8% at Day2 and 87.5% at Day9; in
      contrast, the Day2/Day9 accuracy were 62.5%/87.5% using tumor mean [Formula: see
      text] and its CV and were 50.0%/87.5% using tumor mean [Formula: see text] and
      its CV, respectively. These results suggest that the SS model parameters
      outperformed the Tofts model parameters in terms of capturing bevacizumab
      therapeutic effect in this longitudinal experiment.

PMID- 27272393
TI  - Attachment and proliferation of dental pulp stem cells on dentine treated with
      different regenerative endodontic protocols.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the attachment and proliferation of dental pulp stem cells
      (DPSC) on dentine treated with various endodontic regeneration protocols.
      METHODOLOGY: Standardized dentine samples were irrigated with sodium hypochlorite
      (1.5% NaOCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (17% EDTA) and randomized into
      four treatment groups and two control groups. The treatment groups were treated
      with a clinically used concentration of triple antibiotic paste (TAP), double
      antibiotic paste (DAP), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2 ) or diluted TAP in a
      methylcellulose system (DTAP) for 1 week. Each sample in the treatment groups was
      then irrigated with EDTA. The two control groups were treated with EDTA or
      received no treatment. Dental pulp stem cells were seeded on each dentine
      specimen (10 000 cells). Lactate dehydrogenase activity assays were then
      performed to evaluate the attached DPSC after 1 day of incubation. Water-soluble
      tetrazolium assays were used to determine DPSC proliferation after three
      additional days of incubation. Friedman's test followed by least significant
      difference were used for statistical analyses (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Triple
      antibiotic paste and DTAP regeneration protocols, as well as EDTA-treated
      dentine, caused significant increases in DPSC attachment to dentine. Triple
      antibiotic paste, DAP and Ca(OH)2 regeneration protocols caused significant
      reductions in DPSC proliferation on dentine. However, the DTAP regeneration
      protocol did not have any significant negative effects on DPSC proliferation.
      CONCLUSIONS: The clinically used endodontic regeneration protocols that include
      the use of TAP, DAP or Ca(OH)2 medicament negatively affected DPSC proliferation
      on dentine. However, the use of DTAP medicament during regenerative endodontic
      treatment may not adversely affect the proliferation of DPSC.

PMID- 27272392
TI  - Polymorphisms of CHAT but not TFAM or VR22 are Associated with Alzheimer Disease
      Risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND Alzheimer disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that is
      one of the most prevalent health problems among seniors. The cause of AD has not
      yet been elucidated, but many risk factors have been identified that might
      contribute to the pathogenesis and prognosis of AD. We conducted a meta-analysis
      of studies involving CHAT, TFAM, and VR22 polymorphisms and AD susceptibility to
      further understand the pathogenesis of AD. MATERIAL AND METHODS PubMed/Medline,
      Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched
      for relevant articles. Rs1880676, rs2177369, rs3810950, and rs868750 of CHAT;
      rs1937 and rs2306604 of TFAM; and rs10997691 and rs7070570 of VR22 are studied in
      this meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 51 case-control studies with 16 446 cases
      and 16 057 controls were enrolled. For CHAT, rs2177369 (G>A) in whites and
      rs3810950 (G>A) in Asians were found to be associated with AD susceptibility. No
      association was detected between rs1880676 and rs868750 and AD risk. For TFAM and
      VR22, no significant association was detected in studied single-nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs). CONCLUSIONS Rs2177369 and rs3810950 of CHAT are associated
      with AD susceptibility, but rs1880676 and rs868750 are not. Rs1937 and rs2306604
      of TFAM, and rs10997691 and rs7070570 of VR22 are not significantly associated
      with AD risk. 

PMID- 27272394
TI  - Optical modulation of nano-gap tunnelling junctions comprising self-assembled
      monolayers of hemicyanine dyes.
AB  - Light-driven conductance switching in molecular tunnelling junctions that relies
      on photoisomerization is constrained by the limitations of kinetic traps and
      either by the sterics of rearranging atoms in a densely packed monolayer or the
      small absorbance of individual molecules. Here we demonstrate light-driven
      conductance gating; devices comprising monolayers of hemicyanine dyes trapped
      between two metallic nanowires exhibit higher conductance under irradiation than
      in the dark. The modulation of the tunnelling current occurs faster than the
      timescale of the measurement (~1 min). We propose a mechanism in which a fraction
      of molecules enters an excited state that brings the conjugated portion of the
      monolayer into resonance with the electrodes. This mechanism is supported by
      calculations showing the delocalization of molecular orbitals near the Fermi
      energy in the excited and cationic states, but not the ground state and a
      reasonable change in conductance with respect to the effective barrier width.

PMID- 27272396
TI  - Editorial for Planta Medica Special Issue Marine Natural Products.

PMID- 27272395
TI  - Network representation of protein interactions-Experimental results.
AB  - A graph theoretical analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data of six
      different protein interactions has been presented. The representation of the
      protein interaction data as a graph or network reveals that all of the studied
      interactions are based on a common functional concept. They all involve a single
      densely packed hub of functionally correlated residues that mediate the ligand
      binding events. This is found independent of the kind of protein (folded or
      unfolded) or ligand (protein, polymer or small molecule). Furthermore, the power
      of the graph analysis is demonstrated at the examples of the Calmodulin
      (CaM)/Calcium and the Cold Shock Protein A (CspA)/RNA interaction. The presented
      approach enables the precise determination of multiple binding sites for the
      respective ligand molecules.

PMID- 27272397
TI  - A Hexa-Herbal TCM Decoction Used to Treat Skin Inflammation: An LC-MS-Based
      Phytochemical Analysis.
AB  - In order to understand the chemical relationship between a traditional hexa
      herbal Chinese medicine formula and botanical drugs it is derived from, an
      analytical platform comprising liquid chromatography coupled with triple
      quadrupole mass spectrometry and data mining was developed to separate and
      identify key chemical components. The hexa-herbal formula comprises the rootstock
      of Scutellaria baicalensis, Rheum tanguticum, Sophora flavescens, the root bark
      of Dictamnus dasycarpus, the bark of Phellodendron chinense, and the fruit of
      Kochia scoparia. Seventy-three compounds including alkaloids, anthraquinone
      derivatives, coumarins, coumarins derivatives, flavonoids, flavone glycosides,
      naphthalene derivatives, phenylbutanone glucopyranoside, phenolic acids,
      pterocarpans, stilbenes, stilbenes derivatives, and tannins were putatively
      identified based on mass measurement and characteristic fragment ions. Among the
      botanical drugs of the hexa-herbal Chinese medicine formula, the rootstock of R.
      tanguticum and S. flavescens, bark of P. chinense, and rootstock of S.
      baicalensis contributed to the majority of the extracted metabolites of the
      formula decoction. The developed method appeared to be a versatile tool for
      monitoring chemical constituents in extracts of a traditional Chinese medicine
      formula in a relatively comprehensive and systematic manner, and helped to
      understand the importance of the individual botanical drugs within a formulation.

PMID- 27272398
TI  - Herpecaudin from Herpetospermum caudigerum, a Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor with a
      Novel Isoprenoid Scaffold.
AB  - Herpecaudin (3), a xanthine oxidase inhibitor with an unprecedented scaffold, was
      discovered from Herpetospermum caudigerum seeds. The structure was determined by
      spectroscopic and X-ray single crystallographic methods. A possible biogenetic
      pathway leading to herpecaudin is proposed, starting from congeners 23,24
      dihydrocucurbitacin E (1) and endecaphyllacin B (2), and involving retro-aldol
      cleavage as a key step. All three compounds proved to be active and represent new
      scaffolds of non-purine analogue xanthine oxidase inhibitors. 

PMID- 27272399
TI  - Polyoxypregnane Glycosides from the Roots of Marsdenia tenacissima and Their Anti
      HIV Activities.
AB  - A continuous phytochemical study on the roots of Marsdenia tenacissima led to the
      isolation and identification of 13 new polyoxypregnane glycosides named
      marstenacissides B10-B17 (1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 14) and marstenacissides A8
      A12 (3, 9, 10, 13, and 15) in addition to two known polyoxypregnane glycosides
      marsdenosides M and L (5 and 6). Their structures were established by
      spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with the reported data in the
      literature. Moreover, the anti-HIV activities of these isolates and the previous
      isolated marstenacissides A1-A7 and B1-B9 were assessed, some of which exhibited
      slight or negligible effects against HIV-1.

PMID- 27272400
TI  - MicroRNAs as New Bioactive Components in Medicinal Plants.
AB  - Herbal medicine has been used to treat diseases for centuries; however, the
      biological active components and the mechanistic understanding of actions of
      plant-derived drugs are permanently discussed. MicroRNAs are a class of small,
      non-coding RNAs that play crucial roles as regulators of gene expression. In
      recent years, an increasing number of reports showed that microRNAs not only
      execute biological functions within their original system, they can also be
      transmited from one species to another, inducing a posttranscriptional repression
      of protein synthesis in the recipient. This cross-kingdom regulation of microRNAs
      provides thrilling clues that small RNAs from medicinal plants might act as new
      bioactive components, interacting with the mammalian system.In this article, we
      provide an overview of the cross-kingdom communication of plant-derived
      microRNAs. We summarize the microRNAs identified in medicinal plants, their
      potential targets in mammals, and discuss several recent studies concerning the
      therapeutic applications of plant-based microRNAs. Health regulations of herbal
      microRNAs in mammals are a new concept. Continuing efforts in this area will
      broaden our understanding of biological actions of herbal remedies, and will open
      the way for the development of new approaches to prevent or treat human diseases.

PMID- 27272401
TI  - Graph states of prime-power dimension from generalized CNOT quantum circuit.
AB  - We construct multipartite graph states whose dimension is the power of a prime
      number. This is realized by the finite field, as well as the generalized
      controlled-NOT quantum circuit acting on two qudits. We propose the standard form
      of graph states up to local unitary transformations and particle permutations.
      The form greatly simplifies the classification of graph states as we illustrate
      up to five qudits. We also show that some graph states are multipartite maximally
      entangled states in the sense that any bipartition of the system produces a
      bipartite maximally entangled state. We further prove that 4-partite maximally
      entangled states exist when the dimension is an odd number at least three or a
      multiple of four.

PMID- 27272402
TI  - Drosophila wing modularity revisited through a quantitative genetic approach.
AB  - To predict the response of complex morphological structures to selection it is
      necessary to know how the covariation among its different parts is organized. Two
      key features of covariation are modularity and integration. The Drosophila wing
      is currently considered a fully integrated structure. Here, we study the patterns
      of integration of the Drosophila wing and test the hypothesis of the wing being
      divided into two modules along the proximo-distal axis, as suggested by
      developmental, biomechanical, and evolutionary evidence. To achieve these goals
      we perform a multilevel analysis of covariation combining the techniques of
      geometric morphometrics and quantitative genetics. Our results indicate that the
      Drosophila wing is indeed organized into two main modules, the wing base and the
      wing blade. The patterns of integration and modularity were highly concordant at
      the phenotypic, genetic, environmental, and developmental levels. Besides, we
      found that modularity at the developmental level was considerably higher than
      modularity at other levels, suggesting that in the Drosophila wing direct
      developmental interactions are major contributors to total phenotypic shape
      variation. We propose that the precise time at which covariance-generating
      developmental processes occur and/or the magnitude of variation that they produce
      favor proximo-distal, rather than anterior-posterior, modularity in the
      Drosophila wing.

PMID- 27272403
TI  - Matrix-assisted diffusion-ordered spectroscopy: choosing a matrix.
AB  - Diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) is an important technique for separating
      the NMR signals of the components in a mixture, and relies on differences in
      diffusion coefficient. Standard DOSY experiments therefore struggle when the
      components of a mixture are of similar size, and hence diffuse at similar rates.
      Fortunately, the diffusion coefficients of solutes can be manipulated by changing
      the matrix in which they diffuse, using matrix components that interact
      differentially with them, a technique known as matrix-assisted DOSY. In the
      present investigation, we evaluate the performance of a number of new, previously
      used, and mixed matrices with an informative test mixture: the three positional
      isomers of dihydroxybenzene. The aim of this work is to present the matrix
      assisted DOSY user with information about the potential utility of a set of
      matrices (and combinations of matrices), including ionic and non-ionic
      surfactants, complexing agents, polymers, and mixed solvents. A variety of
      matrices improved the diffusion resolution of the signals of the test system,
      with the best separation achieved by mixed micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate and
      cetyl trimethylammonium bromide. The use of mixed matrices offers great potential
      for the analyst to tailor the matrix to a particular sample under study. (c) 2016
      The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27272404
TI  - Evaluating patient safety indicators in orthopedic surgery between Italy and the
      USA.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare patient safety in major orthopedic procedures between an
      orthopedic hospital in Italy, and 26 US hospitals of similar size. DESIGN:
      Retrospective analysis of administrative data from hospital discharge records in
      Italy and Florida, USA, 2011-13. Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) developed by
      the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research were used to identify inpatient
      adverse events (AEs). We examined the factors associated with the development of
      each different PSI, taking into account known confounders, using logistic
      regression. SETTING: One Italian orthopedic hospital and 26 hospitals in Florida
      with >= 1000 major orthopedic procedures per year. PARTICIPANTS: Patients >= 18
      years who underwent 1 of the 17 major orthopedic procedures, and with a length of
      stay (LOS) > 1 day. INTERVENTION: Patient Safety management between Italy and the
      USA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patient Safety Indicators. RESULTS: A total of 14 393
      patients in Italy (mean age = 59.8 years) and 131 371 in the USA (mean age = 65.4
      years) were included. US patients had lower adjusted odds of developing a PSI
      compared to Italy for pressure ulcers (odds ratio [OR]: 0.21; 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: 0.10-0.45), hemorrhage or hematoma (OR: 0.42; CI 0.23-0.78),
      physiologic and metabolic derangement (OR: 0.08; CI 0.02-0.37). Italian patients
      had lower odds of pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis (OR: 3.17; CI 2.16
      4.67) compared to US patients. CONCLUSIONS: Important differences in patient
      safety events were identified across countries using US developed PSIs. Though
      caution about potential coding differences is wise when comparing PSIs
      internationally, other differences may explain AEs, and offer opportunities for
      cross-country learning about safe practices.

PMID- 27272405
TI  - Strategies facilitating practice change in pediatric cancer: a systematic review.
AB  - PURPOSE: By conducting a systematic review, we describe strategies to actively
      disseminate knowledge or facilitate practice change among healthcare providers
      caring for children with cancer and we evaluate the effectiveness of these
      strategies. DATA SOURCES: We searched Ovid Medline, EMBASE and PsychINFO. STUDY
      SELECTION: Fully published primary studies were included if they evaluated one or
      more professional intervention strategies to actively disseminate knowledge or
      facilitate practice change in pediatric cancer or hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extracted included study characteristics
      and strategies evaluated. In studies with a quantitative analysis of patient
      outcomes, the relationship between study-level characteristics and statistically
      significant primary analyses was evaluated. RESULTS OF DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 20 644
      titles and abstracts screened, 146 studies were retrieved in full and 60 were
      included. In 20 studies, quantitative evaluation of patient outcomes was examined
      and a primary outcome was stated. Eighteen studies were 'before and after'
      design; there were no randomized studies. All studies were at risk for bias.
      Interrupted time series was never the primary analytic approach. No specific
      strategy type was successful at improving patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:
      Literature describing strategies to facilitate practice change in pediatric
      cancer is emerging. However, major methodological limitations exist. Studies with
      robust designs are required to identify effective strategies to effect practice
      change.

PMID- 27272406
TI  - Impact of continuity of care on preventable hospitalization of patients with type
      2 diabetes: a nationwide Korean cohort study, 2002-10.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with greater continuity of care (COC)
      have fewer preventable hospitalizations. DESIGN: We conducted a cohort study
      using a stratified random sample of Korean National Health Insurance enrollees
      from 2002 to 2010. The COC index was calculated for each year post-diagnosis
      based on ambulatory care visits. We performed a recurrent event survival analysis
      via Cox proportional hazard regression analysis of preventable hospitalizations.
      STUDY PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5163 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus in 2003-6 and receiving oral hypoglycemic medication. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE: Preventable hospitalization. RESULTS: Of 5163 eligible participants,
      6.4% (n = 328) experienced a preventable hospitalization during the study period.
      The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 8.69 (95% CI, 2.62-28.83) for subjects with a
      COC score of 0.00-0.19, 7.03 (95% CI, 4.50-10.96) for those with a score of 0.20
      0.39, 3.01 (95% CI, 2.06-4.40) for those with a score of 0.40-059, 4.42 (95% CI,
      3.04-6.42) for those with a score of 0.60-0.79 and 5.82 (95% CI, 3.87-8.75) for
      those with a score of 0.80-0.99. The difference in cumulative incidence of
      preventable hospitalizations in patients with COC scores of 0.00-0.19 relative to
      those with COC scores of 1.00 was the greatest, at 0.97% points. CONCLUSIONS:
      Greater COC was associated with fewer preventable hospitalizations in subjects
      with type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27272408
TI  - Whole exome sequencing identifies multiple diagnoses in congenital glaucoma with
      systemic anomalies.
AB  - The genetic basis of congenital glaucoma with systemic anomalies is largely
      unknown. Whole exome sequencing (WES) in 10 probands with congenital glaucoma and
      variable systemic anomalies identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants
      in three probands; in two of these, a combination of two Mendelian disorders was
      found to completely explain the patients' features whereas in the third case only
      the ocular findings could be explained by the genetic diagnosis. The molecular
      diagnosis for glaucoma included two cases with compound heterozygous or
      homozygous pathogenic alleles in CYP1B1 and one family with a dominant pathogenic
      variant in FOXC1; the second genetic diagnosis for the additional systemic
      features included compound heterozygous mutations in NPHS1 in one family and a
      heterozygous 18q23 deletion in another pedigree. These findings show the power of
      WES in the analysis of complex conditions and emphasize the importance of CYP1B1
      screening in patients with congenital glaucoma regardless of the presence/absence
      of other systemic anomalies.

PMID- 27272407
TI  - Patterns of taxonomic, phylogenetic diversity during a long-term succession of
      forest on the Loess Plateau, China: insights into assembly process.
AB  - Quantifying the drivers underlying the distribution of biodiversity during
      succession is a critical issue in ecology and conservation, and also can provide
      insights into the mechanisms of community assembly. Ninety plots were established
      in the Loess Plateau region of northern Shaanxi in China. The taxonomic and
      phylogenetic (alpha and beta) diversity were quantified within six succession
      stages. Null models were used to test whether phylogenetic distance observed
      differed from random expectations. Taxonomic beta diversity did not show a
      regular pattern, while phylogenetic beta diversity decreased throughout
      succession. The shrub stage occurred as a transition from phylogenetic
      overdispersion to clustering either for NRI (Net Relatedness Index) or betaNRI.
      The betaNTI (Nearest Taxon Index) values for early stages were on average
      phylogenetically random, but for the betaNRI analyses, these stages were
      phylogenetically overdispersed. Assembly of woody plants differed from that of
      herbaceous plants during late community succession. We suggest that deterministic
      and stochastic processes respectively play a role in different aspects of
      community phylogenetic structure for early succession stage, and that community
      composition of late succession stage is governed by a deterministic process. In
      conclusion, the long-lasting evolutionary imprints on the present-day composition
      of communities arrayed along the succession gradient.

PMID- 27272410
TI  - Seven low-mass ions in pretreatment serum as potential predictive markers of the
      chemoradiotherapy response of rectal cancer.
AB  - Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is generally performed for locally advanced
      rectal cancer (LARC, cStage 2 or 3) to improve local disease control and patient
      survival. The pathological tumor response to CRT is a surrogate marker that is
      associated with oncological outcome. Thus, markers that predict the response to
      CRT would be valuable for individualizing treatment for LARC patients. The
      current study used metabolomics-based approaches to identify molecular markers
      that predict the response to CRT. Seventy-six patients with LARC who received
      pelvic radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy using tegafur-uracil and
      leucovorin were enrolled. Radical surgery was performed 6-8 weeks after the
      completion of CRT. The postsurgical pathological CRT response was evaluated using
      the ypStage or tumor regression grade. Profiling patterns of low-mass ions (LMIs)
      in the pretreatment sera were obtained from all patients using matrix-assisted
      laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Our previously
      developed two-step algorithms, which showed a powerful diagnostic capability
      during colorectal cancer screening, were then used to screen for meaningful LMIs
      with discriminatory power. One combination consisting of seven LMIs was
      identified, whose discriminatory score separated a good CRT response (ypStage 0
      1) from a poor CRT response (ypStage 3-4) successfully. However, each individual
      LMI alone showed insignificant discriminatory power. This finding suggests that
      analysis of the LMIs in pretreatment serum could serve as a predictive marker of
      the CRT response in patients with LARC.

PMID- 27272411
TI  - Heterogeneous expression of A33 in colorectal cancer: possible explanation for
      A33 antibody treatment failure.
AB  - The A33 protein, expressed in colorectal tumors, is a target for improving
      treatment of patients with colorectal cancer. Over the last decade, studies have
      tested anti-A33 antibody as a therapeutic agent for these patients. Preclinical
      results were promising, but clinical trials did not confirm positive results.
      Here, immunohistochemistry in colorectal cancer tissue showed that samples from
      well-differentiated tumors presented a strong A33 membrane staining, whereas
      poorly differentiated tumors and mucinous adenocarcinomas showed weak cytoplasmic
      and nuclear staining. Moderately differentiated tumors presented variable
      staining. We suggest that in future clinical trials, patients should be selected
      on the basis of membrane expression of A33.

PMID- 27272409
TI  - Glucose induced activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway in hepatocellular
      carcinoma is regulated by DKK4.
AB  - Elevated glycemic index, an important feature of diabetes is implicated in an
      increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying
      molecular mechanisms of this association are relatively less explored. Present
      study investigates the effect of hyperglycemia over HCC proliferation. We
      observed that high glucose culture condition (HG) specifically activates
      canonical Wnt signaling in HCC cells, which is mediated by suppression of DKK4 (a
      Wnt antagonist) expression and enhanced beta-catenin level. Functional assays
      demonstrated that a normoglycemic culture condition (NG) maintains constitutive
      expression of DKK4, which controls HCC proliferation rate by suppressing
      canonical Wnt signaling pathway. HG diminishes DKK4 expression leading to loss of
      check at G0/G1/S phases of the cell cycle thereby enhancing HCC proliferation, in
      a beta-catenin dependent manner. Interestingly, in NOD/SCID mice supplemented
      with high glucose, HepG2 xenografted tumors grew rapidly in which elevated levels
      of beta-catenin, c-Myc and decreased levels of DKK4 were detected. Knockdown of
      DKK4 by shRNA promotes proliferation of HCC cells in NG, which is suppressed by
      treating cells exogenously with recombinant DKK4 protein. Our in vitro and in
      vivo results indicate an important functional role of DKK4 in glucose facilitated
      HCC proliferation.

PMID- 27272412
TI  - Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition in metastatic anal cancer.
AB  - Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) anal cancer is relatively rare. With
      limited data, cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil has traditionally been utilized in
      the first-line setting. Treatment beyond front-line cisplatin progression is not
      well defined. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly overexpressed in
      SCCA anal cancer and EGFR inhibition may represent a potential treatment target
      for this population in need. Our case series evaluated metastatic SCCA anal
      cancer patients who received an EGFR monoclonal antibody as second-line or third
      line therapy. Data collected consisted of demographics, previous treatment,
      metastatic disease sites, localized therapy received, regimen received, first
      radiographic result, progression-free survival, and overall survival. A total of
      17 patients were included, with most (76%) patients receiving an EGFR monoclonal
      antibody in the second-line setting. Common regimens identified combined
      cetuximab or panitumumab with a fluoropyrimidine plus platinum (35%), carboplatin
      plus paclitaxel (29%), or cisplatin plus vinorelbine (18%). Thirty-five percent
      of patients achieved a response and 24% had stable disease. The overall median
      progression-free survival and overall survival were 7.3 and 24.7 months,
      respectively. Compared with our large retrospective study in the front-line
      metastatic anal cancer setting, our study suggests that anti-EGFR therapy in
      combination with certain chemotherapy derived additional benefit in the
      refractory setting. In the metastatic setting, there is a need to discover
      effective therapies. We present a diverse metastatic SCCA anal cancer patient
      population who received cetuximab or panitumumab with chemotherapy in the second
      line or third-line setting. Our case series strengthens the concept of EGFR
      inhibition in metastatic SCCA anal cancer.

PMID- 27272413
TI  - Retrospective analysis of cardiovascular diseases related to chemotherapies for
      advanced solid tumor patients.
AB  - Appropriate management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) related to chemotherapy
      for solid tumors is important for safe oncologic treatment. However, prediction
      of the onset and progression of CVDs has not generally been established in Japan.
      We carried out a retrospective analysis of advanced or recurrent solid tumor
      patients who received chemotherapies in a single institution. Patient
      characteristics, chemotherapy regimens, adverse events, CVDs before chemotherapy,
      and diagnosis of CVDs in association with chemotherapy were assessed. During the
      period from April 2006 to March 2012, 394 patients were examined. Cardiac
      diseases (CDs), hypertension (HT), or arterial thrombosis or venous
      thromboembolism were prevalent in 37 (9.4%), 22 (5.6%), five (1.3%), and 14
      (3.5%) cases, respectively. HT (14.5%) and venous thrombosis (5.8%) were frequent
      in patients who received bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy. Four cases with
      left ventricular dysfunction experienced a decrease of ejection fraction and
      early filling/atrial filling (E/A) and E/A tended to decrease before ejection
      fraction. Ninety (62.1%) of 145 cases showed an increase in the D-dimer (DD)
      level before chemotherapy, and a further increase in DD level was found when
      venous thrombosis occurred. Relative risks of the disease progression of HT, CD,
      and thromboembolism because of chemotherapy were 1.3, 1.9, and 3.6, respectively.
      A decrease in E/A and an increase in DD were suggested to be valuable for early
      diagnosis of the respective onsets of left ventricular dysfunction and venous
      thrombosis related to chemotherapy. We conclude that patients with previous CD
      tend to have disease progression of CD during chemotherapy.

PMID- 27272415
TI  - Copper(II)-Catalyzed Nitroaldol (Henry) Reactions: Recent Developments.
AB  - Self-assembled copper(II) complexes are described as effective catalysts for
      nitroaldol (Henry) reactions on water. The protocol involves a heterogeneous
      process and the catalysts can be recovered and recycled without loss of activity.
      Further, C2-symmetric N,N'-substituted chiral copper(II) salan complexes are
      found to be more effective catalysts than chiral copper(II) salen complexes for
      reactions in homogeneous catalysis, with high enantioselectivities. The reactions
      involve bifunctional catalysis, bearing the properties of a Bronsted base, as
      well as a Lewis acid, to effect the reaction in the absence of external
      additives. 

PMID- 27272416
TI  - Historical and Contemporary Patterns of Mercury in a Hydroelectric Reservoir and
      Downstream Fishery: Concentration Decline in Water and Fishes.
AB  - Mercury (Hg) contamination can pose risks to human and animal health as well as
      commercial fisheries. Reservoir construction in riverine systems produces flooded
      conditions amenable to Hg(II)-methylating bacteria, which can transform this
      relatively benign environmental contaminant into the bioaccumulative,
      environmentally relevant, and neurotoxic methyl-Hg (MeHg). Hg concentrations
      ([Hg]) in fishes from reservoirs can take decades to decrease to pre-dam levels,
      but less is known about Hg exported downstream and its dynamics within downstream
      fish populations. We examined and compared the multidecadal rates of biotic [Hg]
      decrease and contemporary factors affecting [Hg] in fish collected from a
      hydroelectric reservoir (Tobin Lake) and a related downstream fishery (Cumberland
      Lake) along the Saskatchewan River, Canada. Rates of [Hg] decrease were
      considered in four species-northern pike (Esox lucius), sauger (Sander
      canadensis), goldeye (Hiodon alosoides), and walleye (S. vitreus)-all of which
      showed a significant decrease over time (p < 0.001) and are now lower than Health
      Canada consumption guidelines (0.5 MUg/g). Rates of decrease ranged from 0.5 to
      3.9 %/year and were similar between sites in the cases of northern pike and
      sauger. Contemporary factors affecting [Hg] in walleye collected downstream
      include fish length (p < 0.001), fish age (p < 0.001), and trophic magnification
      through the food web (p < 0.001), and relationships between [Hg] and trophic
      level in predatory and prey fish are now similar to those found in non-Hg
      inundated systems at a similar latitude. Together, these results suggest
      connected contamination between the two sites and delineate the timeline during
      which [Hg] in a variety of fish species decreased to nontoxic levels in both
      locations. 

PMID- 27272414
TI  - Genome-Wide Association Study of Acute Renal Graft Rejection.
AB  - Acute renal rejection is a major risk factor for chronic allograft dysfunction
      and long-term graft loss. We performed a genome-wide association study to detect
      loci associated with biopsy-proven acute T cell-mediated rejection occurring in
      the first year after renal transplantation. In a discovery cohort of 4127
      European renal allograft recipients transplanted in eight European centers, we
      used a DNA pooling approach to compare 275 cases and 503 controls. In an
      independent replication cohort of 2765 patients transplanted in two European
      countries, we identified 313 cases and 531 controls, in whom we genotyped
      individually the most significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the
      discovery cohort. In the discovery cohort, we found five candidate loci tagged by
      a number of contiguous SNPs (more than five) that was never reached in iterative
      in silico permutations of our experimental data. In the replication cohort, two
      loci remained significantly associated with acute rejection in both univariate
      and multivariate analysis. One locus encompasses PTPRO, coding for a receptor
      type tyrosine kinase essential for B cell receptor signaling. The other locus
      involves ciliary gene CCDC67, in line with the emerging concept of a shared
      building design between the immune synapse and the primary cilium.

PMID- 27272417
TI  - Looking for Trouble.

PMID- 27272418
TI  - Big Data Research Requires a Big Role for Primary Care.

PMID- 27272419
TI  - Poor Performance Among Trainees in a Dutch Postgraduate GP Training Program.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Poor performance among trainees is an important issue,
      for patient safety and economic reasons. While early identification might enhance
      remediation measures, we explored the frequency, nature, and risk factors of poor
      performance in a Dutch postgraduate general practitioner (GP) training program.
      METHODS: All trainees who started the GP training between 2005 and 2007 were
      included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to examine
      associations between individual characteristics; early assessments of
      competencies and knowledge, training process characteristics (eg, illness,
      maternal leave), and the outcome poor performance; sub-analyses were performed
      for each year. RESULTS: A total of 215 trainees started the 3-year GP program,
      and 49 (22.8%) exhibited poor performance (in one or more years). In the first
      and second years, problem areas among poor performers were equally distributed
      across the roles of "medical expert," "communicator," and "professional." In the
      third year, shortcomings in "professionalism" were the most common problem.
      Increasing age was a risk factor for poor performance as were insufficient scores
      in communication and knowledge. Poor performance in the previous year was a risk
      factor for poor performance in the second and third years; OR=4.20 (CI=1.31-
      13.47) and OR=5.40 (CI=1.58--18.47), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Poor performance
      is prevalent but primarily occurring within a single training year. This finding
      suggests that trainees are capable of solving trainee problems. Increasing age,
      insufficient assessment scores early in the training, and poor performance in a
      previous year constitute risk factors for poor performance.

PMID- 27272420
TI  - CERA: Clerkships Need National Curricula on Care Delivery, Awareness of Their NCC
      Gaps.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine's (STFM)
      National Clerkship Curriculum (NCC) was created to standardize and improve
      teaching of a minimum core curriculum in family medicine clerkships, promoting
      the Triple Aim of better care and population health at lower cost. It includes
      competencies all clerkships should teach and tools to support clerkship directors
      (CDs). This 2014 CERA survey of clerkship directors is one of several needs
      assessments that guide STFM's NCC Editorial Board in targeting improvements and
      peer-review processes. METHODS: CERA's 2014 survey of CDs was sent to all 137 CDs
      at US and Canadian allopathic medical schools. Primary aims included: (1)
      Identify curricular topics of greatest need, (2) Inventory the percent of family
      medicine clerkships teaching each NCC topic, and (3) Determine if longitudinal or
      blended clerkship have unique needs. This survey also assessed use of NCC to
      advocate for teaching resources and collaborate with colleagues at other
      institutions. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of CDs completed the survey. Sixty-four
      percent reported their clerkship covers all of the NCC minimum core, but on
      detailed analysis, only 1% teach all topics. CDs need curricula on care delivery
      topics (cost-effective approach to acute care, role of family medicine in the
      health care system, quality/safety, and comorbid substance abuse). CONCLUSIONS:
      Single-question assessments overestimate the percentage of clerkships teaching
      all of the NCC minimum core. Clerkships need national curricula on care delivery
      topics and tools to help them find their curricular gaps.

PMID- 27272421
TI  - The State of Communication Education in Family Medicine Residencies.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Communication skills are essential to medical training
      and have lasting effects on patient satisfaction and adherence rates. However,
      relatively little is reported in the literature identifying how communication is
      taught in the context of residency education. Our goal was to determine current
      practices in communication curricula across family medicine residency programs.
      METHODS: Behavioral scientists and program directors in US family medicine
      residencies were surveyed via email and professional organization listservs.
      Questions included whether programs use a standardized communication model,
      methods used for teaching communication, hours devoted to teaching communication,
      as well as strengths and areas for improvement in their program. Analysis
      identified response frequencies and ranges complemented by analysis of narrative
      comments. RESULTS: A total of 204 programs out of 458 family medicine residency
      training sites responded (45%), with 48 out of 50 US states represented. The
      majority of respondents were behavioral scientists. Seventy-five percent of
      programs identified using a standard communication model; Mauksch's patient
      centered observation model (34%) was most often used. Training programs generally
      dedicated more time to experiential teaching methods (video review, work with
      simulated patients, role plays, small groups, and direct observation of patient
      encounters) than to lectures (62% of time and 24% of time, respectively). The
      amount of time dedicated to communication education varied across programs
      (average of 25 hours per year). Respondent comments suggest that time dedicated
      to communication education and having a formal curriculum in place are most
      valued by educators. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a picture of how
      communication skills teaching is conducted in US family medicine residency
      programs. These findings can provide a comparative reference and rationale for
      residency programs seeking to evaluate their current approaches to communication
      skills teaching and develop new or enhanced curricula.

PMID- 27272422
TI  - The Impact of Administrative Academic Units (AAU) Grants on the Family Medicine
      Research Enterprise in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Health Resources and Services Administration
      (HRSA) awards funding to primary care departments-or "Academic Administrative
      Units" (AAUs) at US medical schools-to strengthen or grow these departments and
      ultimately increase the output of primary care physicians into the US workforce.
      One aspect of these AAU grants that is often overlooked is the fact that they
      support research infrastructure for these departments. METHODS: This study used
      multiple methods, including content analysis of current AAU grant abstracts
      (n=23), publications resulting from AAU funding (n=79), and survey responses from
      AAU project directors (n=19) to explore and describe the impact of current AAU
      grants on family medicine research in the United States. RESULTS: Federal support
      for family medicine departments remains very low compared to other disciplines.
      Several AAU grants have provided direct support for research activities as
      stipulated in the grant abstracts (6/23). However, most grants appear to have
      facilitated scholarly activity of some sort, including evaluation and quality
      improvement activities. Two practice-based research networks are supported with
      AAU funds, and at least 79 publications over the past 10 years, representing a
      wide variety of methodological approaches and topics, have been produced and
      indexed in PubMed with explicit acknowledgment of AAU funding. CONCLUSIONS: In
      the absence of substantial NIH support for family medicine departments, the AAU
      funding mechanism remains a crucial, but often overlooked, factor in facilitating
      scholarly activity in departments of family medicine.

PMID- 27272423
TI  - Family Physician Clinical Compensation in an Academic Environment: Moving Away
      From the Relative Value Unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary care physician compensation structures have
      remained largely volume-based, lagging behind changes in reimbursement that
      increasingly include population approaches such as capitation, bundled payments,
      and care management fees. We describe a population health-based physician
      compensation plan developed for two departmental family medicine faculty groups
      (residency teaching clinic faculty and community clinic faculty) along with
      outcomes before and after the plan's implementation. METHODS: An observational
      study was conducted. A pre-post email survey assessed satisfaction with the plan,
      salary, and salary equity. Physician retention, panel size, and relative value
      unit (RVU) productivity metrics also were assessed before and after the plan's
      implementation. RESULTS: Before implementation of the new plan, 18% of residency
      faculty and 33% of community faculty were satisfied or very satisfied with
      compensation structure. After implementation, those numbers rose to 47% for
      residency physicians and 74% for community physicians. Satisfaction with the
      amount of compensation also rose from 33% to 68% for residency faculty and from
      26% to 87% for community faculty. For both groups, panel size per clinical full
      time equivalent increased, and RVUs moved closer to national benchmarks. RVUs
      decreased for residency faculty and increased for community faculty. CONCLUSIONS:
      Aligning a compensation plan with population health delivery by moving rewards
      away from RVU productivity and toward panel management resulted in improved
      physician satisfaction and retention, as well as larger panel sizes. RVU changes
      were less predictable. Physician compensation is an important component of care
      model redesign that emphasizes population health.

PMID- 27272424
TI  - Does a Vacation Break Impact the Outcomes of Required Clinical Clerkships?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to assess the impact of disruption
      by a new 2-week vacation break on outcomes of required third-year clerkships.
      METHODS: Mean scores on National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) clerkship
      specific clinical science subject ("subject") examinations and overall student
      evaluations were compared for clerkships with the break and those over the
      previous 3 years without the break. Students were surveyed about the impact of
      the break on learning and the time spent studying during the break. RESULTS: No
      significant differences were found in examination scores between clerkships with
      the break and those without. Overall student clerkship evaluations were
      significantly different only for the surgery clerkship. The break was regarded
      more favorably by students on the 8-week than the 6-week clerkships, but student
      perspectives varied significantly by specialty. The time reported studying varied
      significantly by specialty and campus. Student comments were predominantly
      supportive of the break and focused on the advantages of opportunity to relax,
      spend time with family, and to study. Concerns included forgetting content
      knowledge, losing skills, and having difficulty regaining momentum on return to
      the clerkship. CONCLUSIONS: Interruption of clerkships by a 2-week break was not
      associated with any significant change in subject examination scores or overall
      student evaluation of the clerkship, despite predominantly positive comments.
      Significant differences were reported by specialty in student perception of
      benefit and reported time studying during the break.

PMID- 27272425
TI  - Rotation in a Smoking Cessation Clinic Improves Nicotine Dependence Treatment
      Provided by First-Year Internal Medicine Trainees.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Over 70% of smokers visit a physician annually, and
      physicians are well-positioned to assist patients in smoking cessation. Residency
      offers the ideal setting to train physicians in best practices for treatment of
      nicotine dependence. We hypothesized that experiential learning during a smoking
      cessation medical clinic (SCMC) rotation would be associated with an improvement
      in smoking cessation practice of internal medicine (IM) interns in outpatient
      primary care and inpatient settings. METHODS: This was a prospective study
      performed at a large university-affiliated hospital. Forty IM interns rotated
      through SCMC. After a lecture on nicotine addiction and treatment, interns
      treated SCMC patients under direct supervision of an attending pulmonologist.
      Interns' smoking cessation practices before and after SCMC rotation were
      evaluated through chart review over 1 year. Upon study completion, a survey to
      assess confidence was administered. Paired t tests measured changes in rates of
      identifying smokers, offering pharmacological treatment and counseling. RESULTS:
      A total of 5,622 outpatient and 683 inpatient charts of interns' encounters with
      patients were reviewed. Following SCMC rotation, there was an increase in
      identifying active smokers (7.1% versus 18.7%), prescribing therapy for smoking
      cessation (6.5% versus 18.0%), and providing counseling (30.9% versus 42.3%) to
      outpatients. For inpatients, there was an increase in nicotine replacement during
      admission (12.9% versus 37.4%) and prescription of therapy upon discharge (5.7%
      versus 16.1%). Interns reported confidence in providing appropriate counseling
      and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: SCMC experience positively impacted smoking cessation
      treatment by IM interns, causing a measurable change in their practice.

PMID- 27272426
TI  - Preparing Future Leaders: An Integrated Quality Improvement Residency Curriculum.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
      Education (ACGME) has recognized the importance of quality improvement (QI)
      training and requires that accredited residencies in all specialties demonstrate
      that residents are "integrated and actively participate in interdisciplinary
      clinical quality improvement and patient safety activities." However, competing
      demands in residency training may make this difficult to accomplish. The study's
      objective is to develop and evaluate a longitudinal curriculum that meets the
      ACGME requirement for QI and patient safety training and links to patient
      centered medical home (PCMH) practices. METHODS: Residents in the Worcester
      Family Medicine Residency (WFMR) participated in a faculty-developed quality
      improvement curriculum that included web-based tutorials, quality improvement
      projects, and small-group sessions across all 3 years of residency. They
      completed self-evaluations of knowledge and use of curricular activities annually
      and at graduation, and comparisons were made between two graduating classes, as
      well as comparison of end of PGY2 to end of PGY3 for one class. RESULTS:
      Graduating residents who completed the full 3 years of the curriculum rated
      themselves as significantly more skilled in nine of 15 areas assessed at end of
      residency compared to after PGY2 and reported confidence in providing future
      leadership in a focus group. Five areas were also rated significantly higher than
      prior-year residents. CONCLUSIONS: Involving family medicine residents in a
      longitudinal curriculum with hands-on practice in implementing QI, patient
      safety, and chronic illness management activities that are inclusive of PCMH
      goals increased their self-perceived skills and leadership ability to implement
      these new and emerging evidence-based practices in primary care.

PMID- 27272427
TI  - Unsung Heroes Throughout the 2011 Fukushima Catastrophe.

PMID- 27272429
TI  - Spring Chicken: Staying Young Forever (Or Die Trying).

PMID- 27272428
TI  - Ordinary Medicine: Extraordinary Treatments, Longer Lives, and Where to Draw the
      Line.

PMID- 27272430
TI  - Passage.

PMID- 27272431
TI  - Parenting During Residency.

PMID- 27272432
TI  - Response to "Parenting During Residency".

PMID- 27272433
TI  - How a Virus Made Me a Better Leader.

PMID- 27272434
TI  - A biphasic calcium phosphate coating for potential drug delivery affects early
      osseointegration of titanium implants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Calcium phosphate (CaP) surface coatings may accelerate
      osseointegration and serve as a drug delivery system for mineral-binding
      biomolecules. In a pilot study, the impact of a commercially available, thin CaP
      coating on early osseous bone remodeling was compared with a modern, subtractive
      treated rough surface (SLA-like) in an animal trial. METHODS: In 16 rabbits, 32
      endosseous implants (CaP; n = 16, SLA-like; n = 16) were bilaterally inserted in
      the proximal tibia after randomization. After 2 and 4 weeks, bone-implant contact
      (BIC;%) in the cortical (cBIC) and the trabecular bone (sBIC) as well as volume
      of bone within the screw thread with the highest amount of new-formed bone
      (area;%) were analyzed. RESULTS: After 2 weeks, cBIC was significantly higher for
      CaP when compared with SLA-like (58 +/- 7% versus 40.4 +/- 18%; P = 0.021). sBIC
      for CaP was 14.7 +/- 8% and for SLA-like 7.2 +/- 7.8% (P = 0.081). For area, the
      mean volumes were 82.8 +/- 10.8% for CaP and 73.6 +/- 22% for SLA-like (P =
      0.311). After 4 weeks, cBIC was 42.9 +/- 13% for the CaP and 46.5 +/- 29.1% for
      the SLA-like group (P = 0.775). An sBIC of 6.9 +/- 9.3% was calculated for CaP
      and of 12.3 +/- 4.8% for SLA-like (P = 0.202). The values for area were 62.3 +/-
      24.1% for CaP and 50.1 +/- 25.9% for SLA-like (P = 0.379). CONCLUSIONS: The CaP
      coating has putative additional advantages in the early osseoconduction phases.
      It seems suitable for a feasible and clinical applicable bioactivation.

PMID- 27272435
TI  - Design, Synthesis, EPR-Studies and Conformational Bias of Novel Spin-Labeled DCC
      Analogues for the Highly Regioselective Labeling of Aliphatic and Aromatic
      Carboxylic Acids.
AB  - Novel types of spin-labeled N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimides (DCC) are reported
      that bear a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) residue on one side and
      different aromatic and aliphatic cyclohexyl analogues on the other side of the
      diimide core. These readily available novel reagents add efficiently to aliphatic
      and aromatic carboxylic acids, forming two possible spin-labeled amide
      derivatives with different radical distances of the resulting amide. The addition
      of aromatic DCC analogues proceeds with excellent selectivity, giving amides
      where the carboxylic acid is exclusively connected to the aromatic residue, while
      little or no selectivity was observed for the aliphatic congeners. The usefulness
      of these adducts in structural studies was demonstrated by EPR (electron
      paramagnetic resonance) measurements of biradical adducts of biphenyl-4,4'
      dicarboxylic acids. These analyses also reveal high degrees of conformational
      bias for aromatic DCC derivatives, which further underlines the powerfulness of
      these novel reagents. This observation was further corroborated by quantum
      chemical calculations, giving a detailed understanding of the structural
      dynamics, while detailed information on the solid state structure of all novel
      reagents was obtained by X-ray structure analyses. 

PMID- 27272436
TI  - Effect of Saw Palmetto Supplements on Androgen-Sensitive LNCaP Human Prostate
      Cancer Cell Number and Syrian Hamster Flank Organ Growth.
AB  - Saw palmetto supplements (SPS) are commonly consumed by men with prostate cancer.
      We investigated whether SPS fatty acids and phytosterols concentrations determine
      their growth-inhibitory action in androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells and hamster
      flank organs. High long-chain fatty acids-low phytosterols (HLLP) SPS >= 750 nM
      with testosterone significantly increased and >=500 nM with dihydrotestosterone
      significantly decreased LNCaP cell number. High long-chain fatty acids-high
      phytosterols (HLHP) SPS >= 500 nM with dihydrotestosterone and high medium-chain
      fatty acids-low phytosterols (HMLP) SPS >= 750 nM or with androgens significantly
      decreased LNCaP cell number (n = 3; p < 0.05). Five- to six-week-old, castrated
      male Syrian hamsters were randomized to control (n = 4), HLLP, HLHP, and HMLP SPS
      (n = 6) groups. Testosterone or dihydrotestosterone was applied topically daily
      for 21 days to the right flank organ; the left flank organ was treated with
      ethanol and served as the control. Thirty minutes later, SPS or ethanol was
      applied to each flank organ in treatment and control groups, respectively. SPS
      treatments caused a notable but nonsignificant reduction in the difference
      between left and right flank organ growth in testosterone-treated SPS groups
      compared to the control. The same level of inhibition was not seen in
      dihydrotestosterone-treated SPS groups (p < 0.05). Results may suggest that SPS
      inhibit 5alpha-reductase thereby preventing hamster flank organ growth. 

PMID- 27272437
TI  - UV-Triggered Surface-Initiated Polymerization from Colorless Green Tea Polyphenol
      Coated Surfaces.
AB  - A facile and versatile approach to constructing colorless surface coatings based
      on green tea polyphenols is reported, which can further act as a photoinitiating
      layer to initiate radical polymerization. These colorless green tea polyphenol
      coatings are capable of successfully photografting polymer brushes, and the
      resulting polymer brush patterns show spatial shape adjustability by masked UV
      irradiation. Both surface modifications and photografted polymer brushes do not
      alter the original color of the substrates. This method could be promising for
      the development of surface modifications. 

PMID- 27272438
TI  - Performance in a GO/NOGO perceptual task reflects a balance between impulsive and
      instrumental components of behaviour.
AB  - In recent years, simple GO/NOGO behavioural tasks have become popular due to the
      relative ease with which they can be combined with technologies such as in vivo
      multiphoton imaging. To date, it has been assumed that behavioural performance
      can be captured by the average performance across a session, however this
      neglects the effect of motivation on behaviour within individual sessions. We
      investigated the effect of motivation on mice performing a GO/NOGO visual
      discrimination task. Performance within a session tended to follow a
      stereotypical trajectory on a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) chart,
      beginning with an over-motivated state with many false positives, and
      transitioning through a more or less optimal regime to end with a low hit rate
      after satiation. Our observations are reproduced by a new model, the Motivated
      Actor-Critic, introduced here. Our results suggest that standard measures of
      discriminability, obtained by averaging across a session, may significantly
      underestimate behavioural performance.

PMID- 27272439
TI  - Heterogeneous nucleation of Al melt in symmetrical or asymmetrical confined
      nanoslits.
AB  - MD simulations are performed to study the solidification of Al melt in confined
      nanoslits (NSs) constructed by identical or different substrates, as well as on
      Fe substrates. Compared to the single substrate, the confined NS could promote
      the crystallization of Al melt, and its size has a significant impact on the
      solidified structure. In symmetrical NSs, liquid Al atoms would stack based on
      the atomic arrangement mode of the substrate, however in asymmetrical confined
      NSs, the atomic arrangement mode of liquid Al is governed by the constitution of
      asymmetrical substrates. Specifically, for the NS formed by Fe(110) and Fe(111)
      substrates, the induced region from the Fe(110) substrate is much bigger than
      that from Fe(111). Moreover, the freezing of liquid Al in asymmetrical NSs
      constructed from copper and iron has also been studied. These results throw light
      on heterogeneous nucleation in confined space. 

PMID- 27272440
TI  - Cancerous glucose metabolism in lung cancer-evidence from exhaled breath
      analysis.
AB  - Cancer cells prefer hyperglycolysis versus oxidative phosphorylation, even in the
      presence of oxygen. This phenomenon is used through the FDG-PET scans, and may
      affect the exhaled volatile signature. This study investigates the volatile
      signature in lung cancer (LC) before and after an oral glucose tolerance test
      (OGTT) to determine if tumor cells' hyperglycolysis would affect the volatile
      signature. Blood glucose levels and exhaled breath samples were analyzed before
      the OGTT, and 90 min after, in both LC patients and controls. The volatile
      signature was measured by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS).
      Twenty-two LC patients (age 66.6  +/-  12.7) with adenocarcinoma (n  =  14),
      squamous (n  =  6), small cell carcinoma (n  =  2), and twenty-one controls (age
      54.4  +/-  13.7; 10 non-smokers and 11 smokers) were included. All LC patients
      showed a hyperglycolytic state in their FDG-PET scans. Both baseline and post
      OGTT volatile signatures discriminate between the groups. The OGTT has a minimal
      effect in LC (a decrease in m/z 54 by 39%, p v  =  0.0499); whereas in the
      control group, five masses (m/z 64, 87,88, 142 and 161) changed by  -13%, -49%, 
      40% and  -29% and 46% respectively. To conclude, OGTT has a minimal effect on the
      VOC signature in LC patients, where a hyperglycolytic state already exists. In
      contrast, in the control group the OGTT has a profound effect in which induced
      hyperglycolysis significantly changed the VOC pattern. We hypothesized that a
      ceiling effect in cancerous patients is responsible for this discrepancy. 

PMID- 27272441
TI  - The 'switch on-switch off model': Strategies used by nurses to mentally prepare
      and disengage from work.
AB  - There is considerable research on the experience of nurses during both their work
      and non-work time. However, we know relatively little about the strategies nurses
      use immediately before and immediately after their shift. This crossover period,
      from one shift to another, has critical impact for patient outcomes. The aim of
      this qualitative study was to explore strategies nurses employ to mentally
      prepare for their shift (switch on), and mentally disengage after the end of it
      (switch off). Eleven Greek hospital nurses were recruited for the study.
      Interviews were audio-taped and analysed using a content analysis approach. Five
      themes were identified as strategies nurses use to mentally prepare and disengage
      from their shift: (i) personal care/grooming; (ii) religious rituals; (iii)
      nicotine/caffeine; (iv) social interaction; and (v) listening to music. Nurses
      reported using the same strategies before and after their shift, but for
      different purposes. The authors propose a 'switch on-switch off' model to
      describe the process of mental preparation and mental disengagement from work.
      The switch-on/off approach represents an opportunity to increase nurses'
      resilience and identify individual and organizational factors that contribute to
      patient outcomes. 

PMID- 27272442
TI  - Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antiproliferative Activities of Free and Bound
      Phenolics from Peel and Flesh of Fuji Apple.
AB  - This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, antibacterial, and
      antiproliferative activities of flesh free (FF), flesh bound (FB), peel free
      (PF), and peel bound (PB) phenolics from Fuji apple. The PB, which had highest
      total phenolic contents (126.15 +/- 2.41 mg/100 g wet weight) and lowest total
      carbohydrate contents (34.68 +/- 2.78 mg/100 g wet weight), showed the strongest
      2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging
      activity (EC50 = 0.36 +/- 0.02 mg/mL), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH)
      radical scavenging activity (EC50 = 0.26 +/- 0.01 mg/mL), and ferric reducing
      antioxidant power (Ferric reducing antioxidant power; EC50 = 0.19 +/- 0.02 mg/mL)
      compared with those of FF, FB, and PF. The PB also showed the strongest
      antibacterial activities on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria
      monocytogenes and it also showed the highest antiproliferative effects on Caco-2
      human colonic cancer cell (EC50 = 1.44 +/- 0.01 mg/mL) and Hela human cervical
      cell (EC50 = 2.81 +/- 0.01 mg/mL). Both free and bound phenolics from Fuji apple
      showed good antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative activities in our
      study, and bound phenolics had significantly higher activities compared with
      those of free phenolics. 

PMID- 27272443
TI  - Focused extracorporeal shock wave for osteonecrosis of the femoral head with
      leukemia after allo-HSCT: a case series.

PMID- 27272444
TI  - Impact of KIR/HLA genetic combinations on double umbilical cord blood
      transplantation outcomes. Results of a French multicentric retrospective study on
      behalf of the Societe Francophone de Greffe de Moelle et de Therapie Cellulaire
      (SFGM-TC) and the Societe Francophone d'Histocompatibilite et d'Immunogenetique
      (SFHI).

PMID- 27272445
TI  - Management of refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia via allogeneic stem cell
      transplantation.

PMID- 27272446
TI  - Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with high-risk
      hematologic malignancies: outcomes with two different strategies for GvHD
      prevention. Ex vivo T-cell depletion and post-transplant cyclophosphamide: 10
      years of experience at a single center.
AB  - Forty patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies, median age 9 years,
      underwent haploidentical-HSCT from April 2005 to April 2015. Seventeen patients
      were transplanted with CD3-depleted PBSCs by negative selection (TCD group)
      following a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen (RIC), and 23 patients
      received T-cell-replete PBSCs followed by post-transplantation cyclophosphamide
      (PT-Cy group) after myeloablative conditioning (n=16) or RIC (n=7). Outcomes are
      reported for the TCD and PT-Cy recipients, respectively. Engraftment was achieved
      in 88% versus 100%. Median time to neutrophils>500/MUL was 10 days versus 15
      days. Platelets>20 000/MUL occurred at a median of 16 days versus 20 days,
      respectively. Transplant-related mortality (TRM) was 24% versus 26% at 1 year.
      The cumulative incidence (CI) of grade III-IV acute GvHD was 7% versus 5%, and
      chronic GvHD 9% versus 53% (P=0.029). Relapse at 2 years was 31% versus 24%.
      Actuarial overall survival rates at 2 years were 47% versus 48%. Causes of death
      were infections (n=3), sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (n=4), acute GvHD (n=2)
      and relapse (n=9). These results indicate that haploidentical-HSCT is feasible in
      Uruguay. The TRM rate is of concern and should be the focus of continuing
      attention. Chronic GvHD risk was higher in the PT-Cy approach, so modifications
      are justified.

PMID- 27272447
TI  - High prevalence of small- and large-fiber neuropathy in a prospective cohort of
      patients with moderate to severe chronic GvHD.

PMID- 27272449
TI  - High incidence of severe chronic GvHD after HSCT with sibling donors. A single
      center analysis.

PMID- 27272450
TI  - Transplants for MDS and quality-of-life. But whose quality-of-life?

PMID- 27272448
TI  - Ovarian function after hematopoietic cell transplantation: a descriptive study
      following the use of GnRH agonists for myeloablative conditioning and observation
      only for reduced-intensity conditioning.
AB  - Gonadal failure is a health and quality-of-life concern in hematopoietic cell
      transplant (HCT) survivors. While ovarian dysfunction is nearly universal
      following myeloablative (MA) conditioning, the risk is unclear after reduced
      intensity conditioning (RIC). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists decrease
      ovarian failure rates following conventional chemotherapy, but little is known
      about its effectiveness with HCT. We investigated the impact of leuprolide on
      ovarian function after MA conditioning and monitored ovarian function after RIC
      in this descriptive pilot study. Post-menarchal females <50 years undergoing HCT
      with adequate baseline ovarian function (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level
      <40 mIU/mL and normal menstruation) were eligible. Prior to MA conditioning,
      leuprolide was administered. Those undergoing RIC were observed. FSH was measured
      at various time points. Seventeen women aged 12-45 years were evaluated (7 in the
      intervention group and 10 in the observation group). Compared to the historical
      high rate of ovarian failure after MA conditioning, 3 of 7 evaluable Lupron
      recipients had ovarian failure at a median of 703 days post transplant. Ovarian
      failure occurred in 1 of 10 recipients of RIC at a median follow-up of 901 days.
      In conclusion, leuprolide may protect ovarian function after MA conditioning.
      Additionally, RIC with cyclophosphamide, fludarabine and low-dose TBI has a low
      risk of ovarian failure.

PMID- 27272451
TI  - Unrelated donor search prognostic score to support early HLA consultation and
      clinical decisions.
AB  - A simple scoring system that can provide a quick search prognosis at the onset of
      an adult unrelated donor (URD) search could be a useful tool for transplant
      physicians. We aimed to determine whether patient human leukocyte Ag genotype
      frequency (GF) could be used as a surrogate measure of whether or not a potential
      10/10 and/or 9/10 URD in the Be The Match Registry (BTMR) can be identified for
      the patient. GF was assigned on a training data set of 2410 patients that
      searched the BTMR using the reported ethnic group. A proportional odds model was
      used to correlate GF with defined search productivity categories as follows:
      'Good' (>2 10/10), 'Fair' (1-2 10/10 or No 10/10 and >2 9/10) or 'Poor' (No 10/10
      and <3 9/10). A second cohort (n=2411) was used to calculate the concordance by
      the ethnic group in all three categories. In addition, we validated against an
      independent cohort (n=1344) resolved as having a 10/10 or 9/10 matched URD.
      Across the ethnic groups, >90% of cases with 'Good' GF prognosis, 20-26% 'Fair'
      and <10% 'Poor' had a 10/10 URD. Although not a replacement for an actual URD
      search, GF offers a quick way for transplant physicians to get an indication of
      the likely search outcome.

PMID- 27272452
TI  - Risk of serious bloodstream infections is low in pediatric hematopoietic stem
      cell transplant (HSCT) recipients with fevers due to antithymocyte globulins and
      alemtuzumab.

PMID- 27272453
TI  - The impact of hepatitis B core antibody levels on HBV reactivation after
      allogeneic hematopoietic SCT: an 11-year experience at a single center.

PMID- 27272455
TI  - Influence of the calf presence during milking on dairy performance, milk fatty
      acid composition, lipolysis and cheese composition in Salers cows during winter
      and grazing seasons.
AB  - The milking of Salers cows requires the presence of the calf. The removal of the
      calf would simplify the milking routine, but it could also modify the milk yield
      and the milk and cheese composition. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to
      evaluate the effect of calf presence during milking during sampling period
      (winter or grazing periods), on dairy performance, milk fatty acid (FA)
      composition, lipolysis and cheese yield and composition. Nine and 8 Salers
      lactating cows were milked in the presence (CP) or absence (CA) of their calves
      respectively. During winter, the cows were fed a hay-based diet and then they
      only grazed a grassland pasture. Calf presence during milking increased milk
      yield and milk 16:0 concentration and decreased milk fat content and milk total
      odd- and branched-chain FA (OBCFA) concentrations. Calf presence only increased
      initial lipolysis in milk collected during the winter season. Milk from CP cows
      compared to CA cows resulted in a lower cheese yield and ripened cheeses with
      lower fat content. Milk from the grazing season had lower saturated medium-chain
      FA and OBCFA concentrations and higher 18:0, cis-9-18:1, trans-11-18:1 and cis-9,
      trans-11-CLA concentrations than that from the winter season. Initial milk
      lipolysis was higher in the winter than in the grazing season. These variations
      could be due to seasonal changes in the basal diet. Furthermore, the effect of
      calf presence during milking on milk fat composition was lower than that on dairy
      performance, cheese yield and composition. Removing the calf during the milking
      of Salers cows seems feasible without a decrease in milked milk, and with a
      positive effect on cheese yield and fat content, under the condition that we are
      able to select cows having the capacity to be milked easily without the calf.

PMID- 27272456
TI  - Desmoplastic melanoma presenting as primary alopecia neoplastica: a report of two
      cases.
AB  - Desmoplastic melanoma is an uncommon form of melanoma characterized by atypical
      spindled melanocytes and abundant collagen deposition. It typically presents in
      sun-damaged skin of the elderly as an amelanotic, indurated lesion. It has a
      higher tendency for local recurrence but lower risk of lymph node metastasis vs.
      conventional malignant melanoma. We report two cases in women aged 59 and 66 who
      presented with small scalp lesions clinically suggestive of alopecia. The
      differential diagnosis included alopecia areata, lupus erythematosus and lichen
      planopilaris. Biopsies performed according to alopecia protocol were reviewed at
      our institutions. Biopsies revealed atypical spindled and nested epithelioid
      melanocytes set in a sclerotic dermis with scattered lymphoid aggregates and
      immunohistochemical expression of S100 protein, features diagnostic of combined
      desmoplastic melanoma. Wide local excision with skin graft was performed on the
      older patient. Excision showed combined desmoplastic melanoma with a Breslow
      thickness of 8.5 mm with melanoma in situ identified in the adjacent epidermis.
      The other patient sought treatment elsewhere and was lost to follow up. These
      cases illustrate desmoplastic melanoma as an unusual etiology and dangerous
      clinical pitfall in patients with scar-like alopecia. To the authors' knowledge,
      these represent the second and third reported cases of desmoplastic melanoma
      presenting as primary alopecia neoplastica. 

PMID- 27272454
TI  - Up-to-date tools for risk assessment before allogeneic hematopoietic cell
      transplantation.
AB  - Cure of malignant and non-malignant hematological diseases is potentially
      possible after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Accurate
      evaluation of the risk-benefit ratio for an individual patient could improve the
      decision-making process about transplant, which ultimately would increase the
      likelihood of success. Several transplant-related models were designed in an
      effort to optimize decision-making about suitable candidates for allogeneic HCT.
      In 1998, The European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
      developed a five-component pretransplantation risk scoring system for patients
      with CML. The EBMT score was later tested in patients with various hematological
      disorders, and it was shown to stratify risks of mortality after allogeneic HCT.
      More recent research efforts focused on models that assess health status before
      HCT. A HCT-specific comorbidity index was designed to assign weights to 17
      relevant comorbidities that were shown to independently predict non-relapse
      mortality. Performance status scales and comprehensive geriatric assessment tools
      might uncover additional overall health limitations that affect long-term
      survival among older recipients of allogeneic HCT. Other models include the
      pretransplantation assessment of mortality score that summarizes the impacts of
      eight different pretransplantation patient- and disease-specific variables into a
      50-point model that predicts survival. The disease-risk index captures the impact
      of primary diagnoses and disease status on relapse and survival following
      allogeneic HCT. The values and limitations of each model are discussed herein. We
      also provide insight on how to use these models in the clinic to decide about
      offering allogeneic HCT with the most suitable conditioning regimen intensity.

PMID- 27272457
TI  - An ultrasensitive "on-off-on" photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on signal
      amplification of a fullerene/CdTe quantum dots sensitized structure and efficient
      quenching by manganese porphyrin.
AB  - In this work, an ultrasensitive "on-off-on" photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor
      was proposed based on the signal amplification of a fullerene/CdTe quantum dot
      (nano-C60/CdTe QDs) sensitized structure and efficient signal quenching of nano
      C60/CdTe QDs by a manganese porphyrin (MnPP). 

PMID- 27272458
TI  - [40]pi Fused and Nonfused Core-Modified Nonaphyrins: Syntheses and Structural
      Diversity.
AB  - The synthesis of fused and nonfused core-modified 40pi nonaphyrins are reported.
      Spectroscopic and X-ray structural studies reveal a twisted figure-eight
      conformation in the freebase form that is nonaromatic. Structural changes occur,
      from figure-eight to open extended conformation, upon protonation, thereby
      adopting 4npi Huckel antiaromatic character, which is reflected in spectroscopic
      and theoretical studies. Such a structural change also induces ring inversions of
      specific heterocyclic rings by 180 degrees . 

PMID- 27272460
TI  - Structural studies and SH3 domain binding properties of a human antiviral
      salivary proline-rich peptide.
AB  - Human saliva contains hundreds of small proline-rich peptides originated by the
      proteolytic cleavage of the salivary basic Proline-Rich Proteins. Nevertheless
      only for few of them a specific biological activity has been assigned to date.
      Among them, the 1932 Da peptide (p1932) has been patented as an anti-HIV agent.
      In order to shed light on the possible mechanism of action of this peptide, we
      assessed in this study, by means of molecular dynamics calculations, circular
      dichroism and FTIR spectroscopic techniques, that p1932 has an intrinsic
      propensity to adopt a polyproline-II helix arrangement. This structural feature
      combined with the presence of PxxP motifs in its primary structure, represents an
      essential property for the exploitation of several biological activities. Next to
      these findings, we recently demonstrated the ability of this peptide to be
      internalized within cells of the oral mucosa, thus we focused onto a possible
      intracellular target, represented by the SH3 domains family. Its ability to
      interact with selected SH3 domains was finally assayed by Surface Plasmon
      Resonance spectroscopy. As a result, only Fyn, Hck, and c-Src SH3 domains gave
      positive results in terms of interaction, showing dissociation constants ranging
      from nanomolar to micromolar values having the best performer a KD of 148 nM. It
      is noteworthy that all the interacting domains belong to the Src kinases family,
      suggesting a role for p1932 as a modulator of the signal transduction pathways
      mediated by these kinases. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept
      Sci) 106: 714-725, 2016. 

PMID- 27272459
TI  - Nanomaterial datasets to advance tomography in scanning transmission electron
      microscopy.
AB  - Electron tomography in materials science has flourished with the demand to
      characterize nanoscale materials in three dimensions (3D). Access to experimental
      data is vital for developing and validating reconstruction methods that improve
      resolution and reduce radiation dose requirements. This work presents five high
      quality scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) tomography datasets in
      order to address the critical need for open access data in this field. The
      datasets represent the current limits of experimental technique, are of high
      quality, and contain materials with structural complexity. Included are
      tomographic series of a hyperbranched Co2P nanocrystal, platinum nanoparticles on
      a carbon nanofibre imaged over the complete 180 degrees  tilt range, a platinum
      nanoparticle and a tungsten needle both imaged at atomic resolution by equal
      slope tomography, and a through-focal tilt series of PtCu nanoparticles. A
      volumetric reconstruction from every dataset is provided for comparison and
      development of post-processing and visualization techniques. Researchers
      interested in creating novel data processing and reconstruction algorithms will
      now have access to state of the art experimental test data.

PMID- 27272472
TI  - Development of on-chip fully automated immunoassay system "MUTASWako i30" to
      measure the changes in glycosylation profiles of alpha-fetoprotein in patients
      with hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Glycosylation profiles significantly change during oncogenesis. Aberrant
      glycosylation can be used as a cancer biomarker in clinical settings. Different
      glycoforms can be separately detected using lectin affinity electrophoresis and
      lectin array-based methods. However, most methodologies and procedures need
      experienced technique to perform the assays and expertise to interpret the
      results. To apply glycomarkers for clinical practice, a robust assay system with
      an easy-to-use workflow is required. Wako's MUTASWako i30, a fully automated
      immunoanalyzer, was developed for in vitro diagnostics based on microfluidic
      technology. It utilizes the principles of liquid-phase binding assay, where
      immunoreactions are performed in a liquid phase, and electrokinetic analyte
      transport assay. Capillary electrophoresis on microfluidic chip has enabled the
      detection of different glycoform types of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a serum
      biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma. AFP with altered glycosylation can be
      separated based on the reactivity to Lens culinaris agglutinin on
      electrophoresis. The glycoform AFP-L3 was reportedly more specific in
      hepatocellular carcinoma. This assay system can provide a high sensitivity and
      rapid results in 9 min. The test results for ratio of AFP-L3 to total AFP using
      MUTASWako i30 are correlated with those of conventional methodology. The
      MUTASWako assay system and the technology can be utilized for glycosylation
      analysis in the postgenomic era.

PMID- 27272473
TI  - Improving Memory and Cognition in Individuals with Down Syndrome.
AB  - Down syndrome (DS), often due to trisomy 21, is the most common genetic cause of
      intellectual disability (ID). In addition, virtually all individuals with DS
      develop the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by the age of 40 years and
      almost 60 % will manifest symptoms of AD dementia by the age of 65 years.
      Currently, there are no pharmacological treatments available for ID in
      individuals with DS and only limited symptomatic treatments for AD dementia.
      Advances in our understanding in both the molecular basis of ID and the
      pathogenesis of AD have created opportunities to study potential therapeutic
      targets. Recent studies in animal models of DS continue to provide a rational
      basis for translating specific compounds into human clinical trials. However,
      target and compound selection are only initial steps in the drug development
      pathway. Other necessary considerations include appropriate study designs to
      assess efficacy in the DS population, as well as operational aspects specifically
      tailored to assess cognition in this population. We discuss recent progress in
      the development of compounds for both ID and AD in individuals with DS, as well
      as concepts for the design and conduct of clinical trials with such compounds.

PMID- 27272474
TI  - Long non-coding RNA LINC00628 functions as a gastric cancer suppressor via long
      range modulating the expression of cell cycle related genes.
AB  - To discover new biomarkers for gastric cancer (GC) diagnose and treatment, we
      screened the lncRNAs in GC tissues from 5 patients. We found 6 lncRNAs had
      altered expression, and in the same time, the levels of their neighboring genes
      (located near 300 kb upstream or downstream of lncRNA locus) were significantly
      changed. After confirming the results of microarray by qRT-PCR in 82 GC patients,
      the biological function of LINC00628 was examined through cell proliferation and
      apoptosis, cell migration and invasion, colony formation assay and cell cycle
      detection. We confirmed that LINC00628 functions as a GC suppressor through
      suppressing proliferation, migration and colony formation of cancer cells.
      Furthermore, LINC00628 can also suppress the tumor size in mouse xenograft
      models. Although LINC00628 can modulate LRRN2 expression, the GC suppressor
      function of LINC00628 is not LRRN2 dependent. The result of mRNA microarray
      indicated that LINC00628 perform GC inhibitor function through long-range
      modulating cell cycle related genes. Importantly, we confirmed that LINC00628
      mainly located in the nucleus and interacted with EZH2, and modulated genes
      expression by regulating H3K27me3 level. This research shed light on the role of
      dysregulated LINC00628 during GC process and may serve as a potential target for
      therapeutic intervention.

PMID- 27272475
TI  - "Drug-resistant granuloma faciale": treatment with carbon dioxide-GaAs laser.
AB  - Granuloma faciale (GF), also known as "eosinophilic granuloma," is a rare benign
      leukocytoclastic vasculitis which most commonly occurs on the face of middle-aged
      Caucasian males. Clinically, GF appears as single or multiple, slowly growing,
      reddish-brown papules, nodules or plaques which may be cosmetically unpleasant.
      Its pathogenesis is unknown and GF is notoriously resistant to treatments. Both
      medical (dapsone, colchicine, gold injections, isoniazid, clofazimine,
      corticosteroids, psoralen ultraviolet radiation, and topical tacrolimus) and
      surgical therapies (excision, graft, dermabrasion, argon laser, carbon dioxide
      laser, pulsed dye laser, cryotherapy, and electrosurgery) have been used for GF
      but no effective treatment has yet been found. Furthermore, the typical facial
      location of GF requires an acceptable cosmetic result. We report two cases of
      drug-resistant GF which were successfully treated with laser vaporization
      combining two different wavelengths: carbon dioxide (CO2 ) 10,600 nm and GaAs
      1540 nm.

PMID- 27272476
TI  - Suicide Rates and Methods in Active Duty Military Personnel, 2005 to 2011: A
      Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suicide prevention programs have become ubiquitous among military
      units; identifying temporal trends and nonclinical factors associated with the
      chosen suicide methods may help improve suicide prevention strategies. OBJECTIVE:
      To calculate suicide rates of active duty military personnel and identify those
      who are at risk for firearm-specific suicide. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.
      SETTING: Military units in the United States. PATIENTS: All active duty enlisted
      U.S. military personnel from 2005 to 2011. MEASUREMENTS: Suicide rates per 100
      000 were calculated for each branch. Adjusted odds ratios for firearm-specific
      suicide were calculated with 95% CIs. RESULTS: 1455 military personnel committed
      suicide from 2005 to 2011. From 2006 to 2011, the rates were highest among army
      personnel (19.13 to 29.44 cases per 100 000). Among suicides with a known cause
      of death, 62% were attributed to firearms. The results of this study also suggest
      that among army personnel or marines who committed suicide, those with infantry
      or special operations job classifications were more likely than those in
      noninfantry positions to use a firearm. LIMITATIONS: Results are generalizable
      only to enlisted personnel and reflect only stateside suicides. Data regarding
      previous psychiatric illness, deployment history, and firearms ownership were
      lacking. CONCLUSION: These results may help inform policymakers and advisors
      about differences in risks of suicide and violent suicide among the armed
      services and may help guide efforts to prevent self-harm within the military.
      PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None.

PMID- 27272477
TI  - Structural properties of geminal dicationic ionic liquid/water mixtures: a
      theoretical and experimental insight.
AB  - The structural behavior of geminal dicationic ionic liquid 1,n-bis[3
      methylimidazolium-1-yl] alkane bromide ([Cn(mim)2]Br2)/water mixtures has been
      studied using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy in
      combination with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The properties of the
      mixtures are investigated as a function of both water concentration and alkyl
      bridge chain length. The very good agreement between the EXAFS experimental data
      and the theoretical curves calculated from the MD structural results has proven
      the validity of the theoretical framework used for all of the investigated
      systems. In all the solutions the water molecules are preferentially coordinated
      with the Br(-) ion, even if a complex network of interactions among dications,
      anions and water molecules takes place. The local molecular arrangement around
      the bromide ion is found to change with increasing water content, as more and
      more water molecules are accomodated in the Br(-) first coordination shell.
      Moreover, with the decrease of the alkyl-bridge chain length, the interactions
      between dications and anions increase, with Br(-) forming a bridge between the
      two imidazolium rings of the same dication. On the other hand, in
      [Cn(mim)2]Br2/water mixtures with long alkyl-bridge chains peculiar internal
      arrangements of the dications are found, leading to different structural features
      of geminal dicationic ionic liquids as compared to their monocationic
      counterparts. 

PMID- 27272478
TI  - Structure characterization of the non-crystalline complexes of copper salts with
      native cyclodextrins.
AB  - The characterization of non-crystalline complexes is particularly difficult when
      techniques like X-ray diffraction or NMR cannot be used. We propose a simple
      procedure to characterize the physicochemical properties of amorphous new
      coordination compounds between cyclodextrins (CD) and Cu(2+) salts, by means of
      the integration of the information provided by several techniques including
      elemental analysis, flame atomic absorption, TGA, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance,
      colorimetry, FT-IR and EPR. On the basis of these procedures, we suggest
      geometrical and structural approximations resulting in an octahedral or distorted
      octahedral geometry with diverse positions for the metallic centre. According to
      the EPR spectrum, only one of the complexes may have rhombic symmetry. We also
      analyzed enthalpy-entropy compensation and the isokinetic effect. In addition,
      general trends in thermal stability, spectroscopic properties and inclusion in
      the cavity were analysed. This complete characterization methodology becomes
      essential for their future application as catalysts. 

PMID- 27272479
TI  - Editor's Note.

PMID- 27272480
TI  - Neural Monitoring in Thyroid Surgery: Is It Evidence Based? Is It Cost
      Effective?: Reply.

PMID- 27272481
TI  - Prognostic Impact of Further Treatments on Distant Metastasis in Patients With
      Minimally Invasive Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma: Verification Using Inverse
      Probability of Treatment Weighting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of
      further treatments in minimally invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma (MIFTC)
      patients. METHODS: The risk factors for distant metastases were analyzed, and the
      impact of surgical extent on distant metastasis was verified by using weighted
      logistic regression models with inverse-probability of treatment weighting
      (IPTW). RESULTS: 166 patients including 31 males (18.7 %) and 135 females (81.3
      %), with the mean age of 41.5 +/- 13.5 years, were enrolled for this study. The
      median follow-up period was 103.5 months (range, 13-244 months). Seven patients
      (4.2 %) had distant metastases during follow-up period. The presence of vascular
      invasion (Hazard ratio [HR] = 29.06; 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] = 3.06-209.08;
      p = 0.015) and extensive vascular invasion >=4 foci (HR = 40.57; 95 % CI = 2.09
      789.13; p = 0.014) were the independent risk factors for distant metastasis by
      multivariate analysis. Surgical extent did not influence distant metastasis.
      Logistic regression with IPTW also demonstrated that there were no statistically
      significant differences in the development of distant metastasis based on
      surgical extent (HR = 1.28; 95 % CI = 0.15-10.87; p = 0.823). CONCLUSIONS: The
      presence of extensive vascular invasion is the most powerful predictor of distant
      metastasis. However, it is noteworthy that further treatments do not demonstrate
      an advantageous effect on preventing distant metastasis during the follow-up
      period.

PMID- 27272483
TI  - Health Extension Workers' Knowledge and Knowledge-Sharing Effectiveness of
      Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding Are Associated With Mothers' Knowledge and
      Child Stunting in Rural Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about how the knowledge and the knowledge-sharing
      effectiveness (KSE) of health extension workers (HEWs) affect maternal knowledge
      of optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and their child's nutritional
      status. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate mothers' and HEWs'
      knowledge of key IYCF practices and to investigate whether mothers' knowledge and
      HEWs' KSE are associated with stunting in young children (aged 12-23 months).
      METHODS: This cross-sectional study used face-to-face interviews to assess the
      IYCF knowledge of HEWs (n = 96) and mothers of 12- to 23-month-old children (n =
      122) in Mecha district, West Gojam, Ethiopia. The association between HEWs' KSE
      and children's length-for-age z scores (LAZ) was investigated. RESULTS: Stunting
      (50%), underweight (34%), and wasting (10%) were highly prevalent. Less than half
      (45%) of the mothers had access to nutrition education through the health
      extension program, but those who had, had better knowledge of IYCF practices and
      thus lower rates of stunting ( P < .001). However, key IYCF practices were not
      well understood by the HEWs and this affected their KSE. The gap in KSE was
      negatively associated with LAZ ( r = -.475, P < .001) and remained significant
      even after adjusting for maternal height, socioeconomic status, and maternal
      education ( r = -.423, P = .002). CONCLUSION: Health extension workers' KSE is
      associated with child stunting. Future training of HEWs would benefit from
      emphasis on not only the content of the IYCF messages but also the process of
      delivery while increasing their counseling skills.

PMID- 27272482
TI  - Sarcopenia/Muscle Mass is not a Prognostic Factor for Short- and Long-Term
      Outcome After Esophagectomy for Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that sarcopenia is a prognostic risk
      indicator of postoperative complications and predicts survival in cancer
      patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether sarcopenia is
      associated with postoperative short-term outcome (morbidity and mortality) and
      long-term survival in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer after
      neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: All patients who underwent neoadjuvant
      chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy for cancer, and of whom an adequate
      CT scan was available, were included in the current study. The presence of
      sarcopenia was defined by CT imaging using cut-off values of the total cross
      sectional muscle tissue measured transversely at the third lumbar level. RESULTS:
      A total number of 120 patients were eligible for analysis. Almost half of the
      patients (N = 54, 45 %) were classified as having sarcopenia; 24 sarcopenic
      patients (44 %) had overweight and 5 sarcopenic patients (9 %) were obese.
      Overall morbidity and mortality rate did not differ significantly between
      sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients, nor did long-term overall or disease-free
      survival. Also sarcopenic obesity was not associated with worse outcome.
      CONCLUSION: The presence of sarcopenia was not associated with a negative short-
      and long-term outcome in this selected group of esophageal cancer patients after
      neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy.

PMID- 27272484
TI  - Managing Risk After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation
      and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.

PMID- 27272485
TI  - Hemorrhagic Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: Features and
      Mechanisms.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To compare hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic reversible
      cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes (RCVS) with a view to understand mechanisms.
      METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 162 patients with RCVS.
      Clinical, brain imaging, and angiography data were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean
      age was 44+/-13 years, 78% women. Hemorrhages occurred in 43% including 21
      patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and 62 with convexal subarachnoid
      hemorrhage (cSAH). The frequency of triggers (eg, vasoconstrictive drugs) and
      risk factors (eg, migraine) were not significantly different between hemorrhagic
      and nonhemorrhagic RCVS or between subgroups (ICH versus non-ICH, isolated cSAH
      versus normal scan). Hemorrhagic lesions occurred within the first week, whereas
      infarcts and vasogenic edema accumulated during 2 to 3 weeks (P<0.001). Although
      all ICHs occurred before cSAH, their time course was not significantly different
      (P=0.11). ICH and cSAH occurred earlier than infarcts (P<=0.001), and ICH earlier
      than vasogenic edema (P=0.009). Angiogram analysis showed more severe
      vasoconstriction in distal versus proximal segments in all lesion types (ICH,
      cSAH, infarction, vasogenic edema, and normal scan). The isolated infarction
      group had more severe proximal vasoconstriction, and those with normal imaging
      had significantly less vasoconstriction. Multivariable analysis failed to uncover
      independent predictors of hemorrhagic RCVS; however, female sex predicted ICH
      (P=0.048), and angiographic severity predicted infarction (P=0.043). CONCLUSIONS:
      ICH and cSAH are common complications of RCVS. Triggers and risk factors do not
      predict lesion subtype but may alter central vasomotor control mechanisms
      resulting in centripetal angiographic evolution. Early distal vasoconstriction is
      associated with lobar ICH and cSAH, and delayed proximal vasoconstriction with
      infarction.

PMID- 27272486
TI  - Added Value of Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Differentiation of
      Moyamoya Vasculopathies in a Non-Asian Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although studies have evaluated the differential imaging
      of moyamoya disease and atherosclerosis, none have investigated the added value
      of vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study evaluates the added
      diagnostic value of vessel wall MRI in differentiating moyamoya disease,
      atherosclerotic-moyamoya syndrome (A-MMS), and vasculitic-MMS (V-MMS) with a
      multicontrast protocol. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the carotid artery
      territories of patients with clinically defined vasculopathies (moyamoya disease,
      atherosclerosis, and vasculitis) and steno-occlusive intracranial carotid
      disease. Two neuroradiologists, blinded to clinical data reviewed the luminal
      imaging of each carotid, evaluating collateral extent and making a presumed
      diagnosis with diagnostic confidence. After 3 weeks, the 2 readers reviewed the
      luminal imaging+vessel wall MRI for the presence, pattern and intensity of
      postcontrast enhancement, T2 signal characteristics, pattern of involvement, and
      presumed diagnosis and confidence. RESULTS: Ten A-MMS, 3 V-MMS, and 8 moyamoya
      disease cases with 38 affected carotid segments were included. There was
      significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy with luminal imaging+vessel wall
      MRI when compared with luminal imaging (87% versus 32%, P<0.001). The most common
      vessel wall MRI findings for moyamoya disease were nonenhancing, nonremodeling
      lesions without T2 heterogeneity; for A-MMS eccentric, remodeling, and T2
      heterogeneous lesions with mild/moderate and homogeneous/heterogeneous
      enhancement; and for V-MMS concentric lesions with homogeneous, moderate
      enhancement. Inter-reader agreement was moderate to substantial for all vessel
      wall MRI characteristics (kappa=0.46-0.86) and fair for collateral grading
      (kappa=0.35). There was 11% inter-reader agreement for diagnosis on luminal
      imaging when compared with 82% for luminal imaging+vessel wall MRI (P<0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Vessel wall MRI can significantly improve the differentiation of
      moyamoya vasculopathies when combined with traditional imaging techniques.

PMID- 27272487
TI  - Prehospital Acute Stroke Severity Scale to Predict Large Artery Occlusion: Design
      and Comparison With Other Scales.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We designed and validated a simple prehospital stroke
      scale to identify emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) in patients with acute
      ischemic stroke and compared the scale to other published scales for prediction
      of ELVO. METHODS: A national historical test cohort of 3127 patients with
      information on intracranial vessel status (angiography) before reperfusion
      therapy was identified. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) items
      with the highest predictive value of occlusion of a large intracranial artery
      were identified, and the most optimal combination meeting predefined criteria to
      ensure usefulness in the prehospital phase was determined. The predictive
      performance of Prehospital Acute Stroke Severity (PASS) scale was compared with
      other published scales for ELVO. RESULTS: The PASS scale was composed of 3 NIHSS
      scores: level of consciousness (month/age), gaze palsy/deviation, and arm
      weakness. In derivation of PASS 2/3 of the test cohort was used and showed
      accuracy (area under the curve) of 0.76 for detecting large arterial occlusion.
      Optimal cut point >=2 abnormal scores showed: sensitivity=0.66 (95% CI, 0.62
      0.69), specificity=0.83 (0.81-0.85), and area under the curve=0.74 (0.72-0.76).
      Validation on 1/3 of the test cohort showed similar performance. Patients with a
      large artery occlusion on angiography with PASS >=2 had a median NIHSS score of
      17 (interquartile range=6) as opposed to PASS <2 with a median NIHSS score of 6
      (interquartile range=5). The PASS scale showed equal performance although more
      simple when compared with other scales predicting ELVO. CONCLUSIONS: The PASS
      scale is simple and has promising accuracy for prediction of ELVO in the field.

PMID- 27272488
TI  - Chicks produced in the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) after cloacal
      insemination of frozen-thawed semen.
AB  - The in vitro and in vivo functionality of cryopreserved spermatozoa was examined
      over two breeding seasons in a zoological colony of Magellanic penguins
      (Spheniscus magellanicus). Frozen-thawed semen was inseminated into five
      anesthetized females, over a total of eight egg production cycles, with a
      different male used for each artificial insemination (AI) within each season.
      Females were maintained within the colony in cordoned nest sites to prevent
      copulation with their paired male, and were inseminated every 3-10 days until the
      first oviposition. Semen frozen from seven males using a straw method retained
      39.8%, 25.7%, 74.0%, and 52.1% of its initial total motility, progressive
      motility, average path velocity, and plasma membrane integrity, respectively.
      Normal morphology of motile cells was reduced (P < 0.05) during freeze-thawing
      from 76.7% immediately prior to freezing to 65.3% post-thawing. Conceptive
      females received 1.6 +/- 0.2 inseminations before the first oviposition, with
      19.2 +/- 1.6 * 10(6) motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa per insemination.
      Overall fertility was 53.3% (8/15 eggs), hatchability was 50.0% (4/8), and
      genetic analyses confirmed that all embryos and hatchlings were sired by the AI
      male. Fertile eggs were laid at 4.0-12.1 days after AI, indicating that frozen
      thawed spermatozoa resided in the female reproductive tract for up to ~7.2 days
      prior to fertilization. Results demonstrate that frozen-thawed Magellanic penguin
      spermatozoa are fully functional in vivo and support the use of genome banking
      and AI as tools for managing the sustainability of zoological penguin
      populations. Zoo Biol. 35:326-338, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 27272491
TI  - Robotic-guided sacro-pelvic fixation using S2 alar-iliac screws: feasibility and
      accuracy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To review our experience with robotic guided S2-alar iliac (S2AI) screw
      placement. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent S2AI
      fixation with robotic guidance. Screw placement and deviation from the
      preoperative plan were assessed by fusing preoperative CT (with the planned S2AI
      screws) to postoperative CT. The software's measurement tool was used to compare
      the planned vs. actual screw placements in axial and lateral views, at entry
      point to the S2 pedicle and at a 30 mm depth at the screws' mid-shaft, in a
      resolution of 0.1 mm. Medical charts were reviewed for technical issues and intra
      operative complications. RESULTS: 35 S2AI screws were reviewed in 18 patients.
      The patients' mean age was 60 years. No intra-operative complications that
      related to the placement of S2AI screws were reported and robotic guidance was
      successful in all 35 screws. Post-operative CT scans showed that all trajectories
      were accurate. No violations of the iliac cortex or breaches of the anterior
      sacrum were noted. At the entry point, the screw deviated from the pre-operative
      plan by 3.0 +/- 2.2 mm in the axial plane and 1.8 +/- 1.6 mm in the lateral
      plane. At 30 mm depth, the screw deviated from the pre-operative plan by 2.1 +/-
      1.3 mm in the axial plane and 1.2 +/- 1.1 mm in the lateral plane. CONCLUSIONS:
      Robotic guided S2AI screw placement is feasible and accurate. No screw
      malpositions or complications that related to the placement of S2AI screws
      occurred in this series. Larger studies are needed to assess the long-term
      clinical outcomes of robotic guided sacral-pelvic fixation.

PMID- 27272489
TI  - Removing Batch Effects from Longitudinal Gene Expression - Quantile Normalization
      Plus ComBat as Best Approach for Microarray Transcriptome Data.
AB  - Technical variation plays an important role in microarray-based gene expression
      studies, and batch effects explain a large proportion of this noise. It is
      therefore mandatory to eliminate technical variation while maintaining biological
      variability. Several strategies have been proposed for the removal of batch
      effects, although they have not been evaluated in large-scale longitudinal gene
      expression data. In this study, we aimed at identifying a suitable method for
      batch effect removal in a large study of microarray-based longitudinal gene
      expression. Monocytic gene expression was measured in 1092 participants of the
      Gutenberg Health Study at baseline and 5-year follow up. Replicates of selected
      samples were measured at both time points to identify technical variability.
      Deming regression, Passing-Bablok regression, linear mixed models, non-linear
      models as well as ReplicateRUV and ComBat were applied to eliminate batch effects
      between replicates. In a second step, quantile normalization prior to batch
      effect correction was performed for each method. Technical variation between
      batches was evaluated by principal component analysis. Associations between body
      mass index and transcriptomes were calculated before and after batch removal.
      Results from association analyses were compared to evaluate maintenance of
      biological variability. Quantile normalization, separately performed in each
      batch, combined with ComBat successfully reduced batch effects and maintained
      biological variability. ReplicateRUV performed perfectly in the replicate data
      subset of the study, but failed when applied to all samples. All other methods
      did not substantially reduce batch effects in the replicate data subset. Quantile
      normalization plus ComBat appears to be a valuable approach for batch correction
      in longitudinal gene expression data. 

PMID- 27272492
TI  - The impact of pelvic balance, physical activity, and fear-avoidance on the
      outcome after decompression and instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar
      stenosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of pelvic balance, physical activity, and fear
      avoidance in a cohort of patients undergoing decompression and instrumented
      fusion for degenerative lumbar stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study
      includes consecutive patients undergoing decompression and instrumented fusion
      for degenerative lumbar stenosis by one main surgeon from January 2014 to January
      2015. Patients were interviewed by a psychologist and underwent standing whole
      spine X-ray. Lumbar and pelvic parameters (PI, SS, PT, iPT, LL) were measured by
      an independent spinal surgeon. Physical activity was measured with the
      International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The "fear-avoidance" was
      measured with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Back pain was assessed by
      the Graphic Rating Scale (GRS). The disability was assessed by the Roland-Morris
      Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire. Statistical interpretation of the
      data was performed using SPSS v19 software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Illinois).
      RESULTS: The sample included 51 patients underwent standard posterior laminectomy
      and instrumented fusion. Surgery has a positive global impact on the perceived
      low back pain. No significant (Spearman) correlations emerged among pelvic
      parameters and the pre- and post-surgical GSR. Patients were divided into three
      groups according to the IPAQ scores after the operation: "inactive" (I),
      "minimally inactive" (m-I), and "HEPA". Significant differences emerged between
      IPAQ and Roland-Morris scores (F(2, 48) = 5.48, p = 0.007): the "inactive" (M(R
      M) = 11.3) or "minimally active" (M(R-M) = 9.8) groups scored significantly
      higher than the "HEPA" group (M(R-M) = 4.7). Tampa scores correlated with gender
      (rho = -0.408, p = 0.003) and with BMI (rho = -0.369, p = 0.008). Females and
      obese patients reported higher levels of Tampa scores. Significant relationship
      was found between Tampa scores and pre-GSR (rho(pre) = 0.250, p = 0.08) and
      significant with post-surgical GSR (rho(post) = 0.275, p = 0.05) and with post
      Roland-Morris score (rho(post) = 0.599, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The fear-avoidance
      and the physical inactivity are related to the highest levels of low back pain,
      more than pelvic imbalance. "Inactive" and "fear-avoidant" patients have also the
      worst outcome after surgery and the worst level of disability.

PMID- 27272493
TI  - Does right lateral decubitus position change retroperitoneal oblique corridor? A
      radiographic evaluation from L1 to L5.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine if the retroperitoneal oblique corridor will be affected by
      right lateral decubitus position. METHODS: Forty volunteers were randomly
      enrolled and MRI scan was performed from L1 to L5 in supine and right lateral
      decubitus positions, respectively. In images across the center of each disc, O
      was defined as the center of a disc and A (supine) or A' (right lateral
      decubitus) was located in left lateral border of the aorta or the iliac artery; B
      (supine) or B' (right lateral decubitus) was on the anterior medial border of the
      psoas. The distance of AB and A'B' (Recorded as A-Ps and A-Pr, respectively) at
      each level was recorded and compared to each other. The relationships between A
      Pr, sex, BMI and relative psoas cross-sectional area (PCSA) at each level were
      also evaluated. RESULTS: A-Pr was significantly smaller than A-Ps at L1/2, L2/3
      and L3/4 (All p < 0.05); there was no significantly difference of A-Pr between
      all levels (p = 0.105), but L1/2 seemed to be larger than L3/4, followed by L2/3
      and L4/5; A-Pr at each level was not affected by sex (All p > 0.05); linear
      relationships were found between A-Pr, BMI and PCSA at L1/2 and L3/4.
      CONCLUSIONS: ROC at L1/2, L2/3 and L3/4 will significantly decrease from supine
      to right lateral decubitus position and the reason may be due to the relaxed
      psoas deformation. Using MRI images in supine position for pre-operatively ROC
      evaluation is not accurate. Spine surgeon should also be more cautious when OLIF
      is performed at L4/5 where ROC is the smallest. Patients from Asia and those with
      strong psoas major at L1/2 and L3/4 are also associated with relatively narrow
      ROC.

PMID- 27272495
TI  - The utility of PET/CT with (68)Ga-DOTATOC in sarcoidosis: comparison with (67)Ga
      scintigraphy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the clinical efficacy of (68)Ga
      DOTA-Tyr-octreotide (DOTATOC)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed
      tomography (CT) with that of conventional (67)Ga-scintigraphy (GS), and to
      correlate quantitative parameters on DOTATOC-PET/CT with clinical data, in
      patients with sarcoidosis. METHODS: Twenty patients who were histologically
      and/or clinically diagnosed with sarcoidosis and underwent both DOTATOC-PET/CT
      and GS were analyzed in this study. The numbers of patients with positive
      findings for each organ were determined. The total numbers of involved nodal
      areas in the chest, as determined by DOTATOC-PET and gallium single-photon
      emission tomography (Ga-SPECT), were compared. The correlations between
      quantitative parameters on PET and clinical laboratory data were evaluated.
      RESULTS: DOTATOC-PET/CT was positive in 19 patients, being negative in only one
      patient with chronic inactive sarcoidosis, whereas GS was positive in 17
      patients. DOTATOC-PET/CT visualized more lesions in lymph nodes, uvea, and
      muscles than did Ga-scintigraphy and identified more involved areas than did GS
      SPECT (p < 0.0001). Whole-body active lesion volume showed a significant, but
      moderate correlation with angiotensin-converting enzyme level (rho = 0.64, p =
      0.0044). CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT with DOTATOC may be superior to conventional GS in
      detecting sarcoidosis lesions, especially in lymph nodes, uvea, and muscles.
      Volumetric parameters in DOTATOC-PET/CT may be helpful in estimating the activity
      of sarcoidosis.

PMID- 27272494
TI  - The outcome of decompression alone for lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative
      spondylolisthesis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Lumbar spinal stenosis in the presence of degenerative spondylolisthesis
      is generally treated by means of surgery. The role of lumbar decompression
      without fusion is not clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess
      whether patients who undergo decompression alone have a favourable outcome
      without the need for a subsequent fusion. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort
      study with single blinding of 83 consecutive patients with lumbar stenosis and
      degenerative spondylolisthesis treated by decompression, without fusion, using a
      spinous process osteotomy. Blinded observers collected pre- and post-operative
      Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol Five Dimensions (EQ-5D), and visual
      analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain scores prospectively. Failures for
      this study were those patients who required a subsequent lumbar fusion procedure
      at the decompressed levels. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t
      test and Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: There were 36 males and 47 females with a
      mean age of 66 years (range 35-82). The mean follow-up was 36 months (range 19-48
      months). The mean pre-operative ODI, EQ-5D, and VAS scores were 52 [standard
      deviation (SD) 18], 0.25 (SD 0.30), and 61 (SD 22), respectively. All mean scores
      improved post-operatively to 38 (SD 23), 0.54 (SD 0.34) and 36 (SD 27),
      respectively. There was a statistically significant improvement in all scores (p
      <= 0.0001). Nine patients (11 %) required a subsequent fusion procedure and five
      patients (6 %) required revision decompression surgery alone. CONCLUSION: Our
      study's results show that a lumbar decompression procedure without arthrodesis in
      a consecutive cohort of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative
      spondylolisthesis had a significant post-operative improvement in ODI, EQ-5D, and
      VAS. The rate of post-operative instability and subsequent fusion is not high.
      Only one in 10 patients in this group ended up needing a subsequent fusion at a
      mean follow-up of 36 months, indicating that fusion is not always necessary in
      these patients.

PMID- 27272496
TI  - A New Temperature Control Shifting Strategy for Enhanced Triterpene Production by
      Ganoderma lucidum G0119 Based on Submerged Liquid Fermentation.
AB  - Temperature control is a very important factor on triterpene productivity in
      submerged liquid fermentation. Temperature effects from 23 to 32  degrees C on
      triterpene production by Ganoderma lucidum G0119 were investigated in 6-L stirred
      fermentor. Logistic and Luedeking-Piret equations were used to estimate the
      mycelial growth and triterpene production kinetics by regression analysis. On
      that basis, a temperature-shifting fermentation control strategy was established.
      From 0 to 61 h, culturing was performed at 32  degrees C to get high specific
      mycelial growth rate. Between 62 and 127 h, the temperature was decreased
      stepwise from 31 to 30  degrees C to maintain high triterpene productivity. After
      128 h, temperature was maintained at 29  degrees C to minimize triterpene
      production inhibition and sustain high productivity. Elevated triterpene level
      (0.269 g L-1), yield (0.0101 g g-1), and productivity (0.00207 g (L h)-1) were
      achieved representing 27.32, 13.94, and 37.11 % higher than submerged liquid
      fermentation at constant temperature of 29  degrees C, respectively, feasible for
      the industrial scale.

PMID- 27272498
TI  - Abomasal ulcers in slaughtered cattle in Austria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this preliminary study, the prevalence of abomasal ulcers in cattle
      in Austria was evaluated for the first time. Furthermore, possible management
      factors contributing to the formation of abomasal ulcers and the diagnostic
      ability of faecal occult blood tests were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Abomasa of 91 calves, 33 cows and 91 bulls were examined for abomasal ulcers
      after slaughter. The ulcers were recorded, abomasal content pH was measured and
      faeces were examined for occult blood. The carcass classification was recorded
      and the owners were presented with a voluntary questionnaire targeted at health-,
      management- and feeding-practices that could influence gastric health. RESULTS:
      The median abomasal pH was 3.0 in calves, 3.6 in bulls and 3.9 in cows. More than
      50% of all animals had abomasal ulcers, all of which belonged to the slightest
      kind of lesion. Faecal occult blood tests proved not to be suitable for detecting
      these ulcers. From the questionnaire no clear tendencies as far as causative
      factors for abomasal ulcers could be determined. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: It can be assumed that cattle management systems in Austria contribute
      to the formation of low-grade abomasal ulcers. Due to the lack of a suitable in
      vivo model to research the formation of abomasal ulcers in cattle all further
      speculations must remain elusive. Further influencing factors, such as bacterial
      ulcer colonization, and the true economic and animal welfare impact of these
      findings need further investigation. The results of this study should be
      corroborated in a larger, prospective trial.

PMID- 27272497
TI  - Hepatitis C virus dynamics and cellular gene expression in uPA-SCID chimeric mice
      with humanized livers during intravenous silibinin monotherapy.
AB  - Legalon SIL (SIL) is a chemically hydrophilized version of silibinin, an extract
      of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds that has exhibited hepatoprotective and
      antiviral effectiveness against hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients leading to
      viral clearance in combination with ribavirin. To elucidate the incompletely
      understood mode of action of SIL against HCV, mathematical modelling of HCV
      kinetics and human hepatocyte gene expression studies were performed in uPA-SCID
      chimeric mice with humanized livers. Chronically HCV-infected mice (n = 15) were
      treated for 14 days with daily intravenous SIL at 469, 265 or 61.5 mg/kg. Serum
      HCV and human albumin (hAlb) were measured frequently, and liver HCV RNA was
      analysed at days 3 and 14. Microarray analysis of human hepatocyte gene
      expression was performed at days 0, 3 and 14 of treatment. While hAlb remained
      constant, a biphasic viral decline in serum was observed consisting of a rapid
      1st phase followed by a second slower phase (or plateau with the two lower SIL
      dosings). SIL effectiveness in blocking viral production was similar among dosing
      groups (median epsilon = 77%). However, the rate of HCV-infected hepatocyte
      decline, delta, was dose-dependent. Intracellular HCV RNA levels correlated (r =
      0.66, P = 0.01) with serum HCV RNA. Pathway analysis revealed increased anti
      inflammatory and antiproliferative gene expression in human hepatocytes in SIL
      treated mice. The results suggest that SIL could lead to a continuous second
      phase viral decline, that is potentially viral clearance, in the absence of
      adaptive immune response along with increased anti-inflammatory and
      antiproliferative gene expression in human hepatocytes.

PMID- 27272499
TI  - The nurse response to abnormal vital sign recording in the emergency department.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine what occurs after a recorded observation of at
      least one abnormal vital sign in the emergency department. The aims were to
      determine how often abnormal vital signs were recorded, what interventions were
      documented, and what factors were associated with documented follow-up for
      abnormal vital signs. BACKGROUND: Monitoring quality of care, and preventing or
      intervening before harm occurs to patients are central to nurses' roles. Abnormal
      vital signs have been associated with poor patient outcomes and require follow-up
      after the observation of abnormal readings to prevent patient harm related to a
      deteriorating status. This documentation is important to quality and safety of
      care. DESIGN: Observational, retrospective chart review. METHODS: Modified Early
      Warning Score was calculated for all recorded vital signs for 195 charts.
      Comparisons were made between groups: (1) no abnormal vital signs, (2) abnormal
      vital sign present, but normal Modified Early Warning Score and (3) critically
      abnormal Modified Early Warning Score. RESULTS: About 62.1% of charts had an
      abnormal vital sign documented. Critically abnormal values were present in 14.9%.
      No documentation was present in 44.6% of abnormal cases. When interventions were
      documented, it was usually to notify the physician. The timing within the
      emergency department visit when the abnormalities were observed and the degree of
      abnormality had significant relationships to the presence of documentation.
      CONCLUSIONS: It is doubtful that nurses do not recognise abnormalities because
      more severely abnormal vital signs were more likely to have documented follow-up.
      Perhaps the interruptive nature of the emergency department or the prioritised
      actions of the nurse impacted documentation within this study. Further research
      is required to determine why follow-up is not being documented. RELEVANCE TO
      CLINICAL PRACTICE: To ensure safety and quality of patient care, accurate
      documentation of responses to abnormal vital signs is required.

PMID- 27272500
TI  - Using the cognitive assessment interview to screen cognitive impairment in
      psychosis.
AB  - Cognitive impairment in psychosis is closely related to functional outcome, so
      research into psychotic disorders is focusing most effort on treatments for
      improving cognition. New treatments must show not only an improvement on
      neuropsychological tests but also in co-primary measures of cognition. The
      cognitive assessment interview (CAI) is an interview-based measure of cognition
      which assesses the impact of cognitive deficits in patients' daily lives.
      Information obtained from patients and their relatives is integrated into a rater
      composite score. This study examines the validity of the CAI (adapted to Spanish,
      CAI-Sp) as a screening instrument for cognitive impairment, compared to an
      objective test of cognitive functioning. The psychometric properties of the CAI
      Sp and its association with clinical dimensions are also explored. Eighty-one
      patients with a psychotic disorder and 38 healthy controls were assessed using
      the CAI-Sp and the screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP-S).
      Patients also underwent a clinical assessment. Poorer cognitive functioning as
      assessed with the CAI-Sp was associated to illness severity, specifically
      positive, negative and disorganised syndromes. Binary logistic regression showed
      that the CAI-Sp was able to detect cognitive impairment in patients, when
      considering CAI-Sp patient and informant information and CAI-Sp rater scores. The
      CAI-Sp was found to be a valid and reliable scale to assess cognitive functioning
      in the context of its impact on daily living. Given its ease and speed of
      application, the CAI-Sp could prove useful in clinical practice, though not a
      substitute of objective cognitive testing. 

PMID- 27272501
TI  - Do pelvic floor muscle exercises reduce postpartum anal incontinence? A
      randomised controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) for
      postpartum anal incontinence (AI). DESIGN: A parallel two-armed randomised
      controlled trial stratified on obstetrical anal sphincter injury with primary
      sphincter repair and hospital affinity. SETTING: Ano-rectal specialist out
      patient clinics at two hospitals in Norway. POPULATION: One hundred and nine
      postpartum women with AI at baseline. METHODS: The intervention group received 6
      months of individual physiotherapy-led PFME and the control group written
      information on PFME. Changes in St. Mark's scores and predictors of post
      intervention AI were assessed by independent samples t-tests and multiple linear
      regression analyses, respectively. The study was not blind. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was change in AI symptoms on the St. Mark's
      score from baseline to post-intervention. Secondary outcome measures were
      manometry measures of anal sphincter length and strength, endoanal ultrasound
      (EAUS) defect score and voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction. RESULTS: There
      was a significant difference in the reduction of St. Mark's scores from baseline
      to post-intervention in favour of the PFME group (-2.1 versus -0.8 points, P =
      0.040). No differences in secondary outcome measures were found between groups.
      Baseline St. Mark's, PFME group affinity and EAUS defect score predicted post
      intervention St. Mark's score in the imputed intention-to-treat analyses. The
      analysis on un-imputed data showed that women performing weekly PFME improved
      their AI scores more than women in the control group did. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results indicate that individually adapted PFME reduces postpartum AI symptoms.
      TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Performing regular pelvic floor muscle exercises may be an
      effective treatment for postpartum anal incontinence.

PMID- 27272503
TI  - The Putative SLC Transporters Mfsd5 and Mfsd11 Are Abundantly Expressed in the
      Mouse Brain and Have a Potential Role in Energy Homeostasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Solute carriers (SLCs) are membrane bound transporters responsible
      for the movement of soluble molecules such as amino acids, ions, nucleotides,
      neurotransmitters and oligopeptides over cellular membranes. At present, there
      are 395 SLCs identified in humans, where about 40% are still uncharacterized with
      unknown expression and/or function(s). Here we have studied two uncharacterized
      atypical SLCs that belong to the Major Facilitator Superfamily Pfam clan, Major
      facilitator superfamily domain 5 (MFSD5) and Major facilitator superfamily domain
      11 (MFSD11). We provide fundamental information about the histology in mice as
      well as data supporting their disposition to regulate expression levels to keep
      the energy homeostasis. RESULTS: In mice subjected to starvation or high-fat
      diet, the mRNA expression of Mfsd5 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.001) in
      food regulatory brain areas whereas Mfsd11 was significantly up-regulated in mice
      subjected to either starvation (P<0.01) or high-fat diet (P<0.001). qRT-PCR
      analysis on wild type tissues demonstrated that both Mfsd5 and Mfsd11 have a wide
      central and peripheral mRNA distribution, and immunohistochemistry was utilized
      to display the abundant protein expression in the mouse embryo and the adult
      mouse brain. Both proteins are expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons,
      but not in astrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Mfsd5 and Mfsd11 are both affected by altered
      energy homeostasis, suggesting plausible involvement in the energy regulation.
      Moreover, the first histological mapping of MFSD5 and MFSD11 shows ubiquitous
      expression in the periphery and the central nervous system of mice, where the
      proteins are expressed in excitatory and inhibitory mouse brain neurons.

PMID- 27272502
TI  - HER2 overexpression is associated with worse outcomes in patients with upper
      tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression pattern of HER2
      overexpression in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and to
      evaluate its association with clinical outcomes. METHODS: This multicenter
      retrospective study included 732 patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy
      for UTUC. HER2 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry and scored
      according to the HercepTest: Scores of 0 or 1 were considered negative and 2 or 3
      as positive. To qualify for 2 scoring, complete membrane staining of more than 10
      % of tumor cells at a moderate intensity had to be observed. RESULTS: HER2 was
      overexpressed in 262 (35.8 %) patients. It was associated with pathologic
      characteristics such as more advanced T stage (p < 0.001), presence of lymph node
      metastasis (p = 0.006), high-grade tumor (p < 0.001), tumor necrosis (p = 0.01)
      and lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.02). Patients with HER2 overexpression had a
      1.66-fold increased risk of experiencing disease recurrence (95 % CI 1.24-2.24, p
      = 0.001), 1.55-fold increased risk of death (95 % CI 1.21-1.99, p = 0.001) and
      1.81-fold increased risk of cancer-specific death (95 % CI 1.33-2.48, p < 0.001).
      On multivariable analysis that adjusted for the effects of standard
      clinicopathologic variables, HER2 overexpression remained associated with disease
      recurrence (p = 0.04), overall (p = 0.02) and cancer-specific mortality (p =
      0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately, one-third of UTUC patients overexpressed HER2.
      HER2 overexpression was associated with features of clinically and biologically
      aggressive disease as well as prognosis. HER2 may represent a good marker for
      therapeutic risk stratification and potentially a target for therapy in some UTUC
      tumors.

PMID- 27272504
TI  - Stromal fibroblasts derived from mammary gland of bovine with mastitis display
      inflammation-specific changes.
AB  - Fibroblasts are predominant components of mammary stromal cells and play crucial
      roles in the development and involution of bovine mammary gland; however, whether
      these cells contribute to mastitis has not been demonstrated. Thus, we have
      undertaken biological and molecular characterization of inflammation-associated
      fibroblasts (INFs) extracted from bovine mammary glands with clinical mastitis
      and normal fibroblasts (NFs) from slaughtered dairy cows because of fractured
      legs during lactation. The functional contributions of INFs to normal epithelial
      cells were also investigated by using an in vitro co-culture model. We present
      evidence that the INFs were activated fibroblasts and showed inflammation-related
      features. Moreover, INFs significantly inhibited the proliferation and beta
      casein secretion of epithelial cells, as well as upregulated the expression of
      tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-8 in epithelial cells. These findings
      indicate that functional alterations can occur in stromal fibroblasts within the
      bovine mammary gland during mastitis, demonstrating the importance of stromal
      fibroblasts in bovine mastitis and its treatment.

PMID- 27272505
TI  - Plant-Derived Polyphenols Interact with Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A and Inhibit
      Toxin Activity.
AB  - This study was performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of 16 different
      plant-derived polyphenols on the toxicity of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA).
      Plant-derived polyphenols were incubated with the cultured Staphylococcus aureus
      C-29 to investigate the effects of these samples on SEA produced from C-29 using
      Western blot analysis. Twelve polyphenols (0.1-0.5 mg/mL) inhibited the
      interaction between the anti-SEA antibody and SEA. We examined whether the
      polyphenols could directly interact with SEA after incubation of these test
      samples with SEA. As a result, 8 polyphenols (0.25 mg/mL) significantly decreased
      SEA protein levels. In addition, the polyphenols that interacted with SEA
      inactivated the toxin activity of splenocyte proliferation induced by SEA.
      Polyphenols that exerted inhibitory effects on SEA toxic activity had a tendency
      to interact with SEA. In particular, polyphenol compounds with 1 or 2
      hexahydroxydiphenoyl groups and/or a galloyl group, such as eugeniin, castalagin,
      punicalagin, pedunculagin, corilagin and geraniin, strongly interacted with SEA
      and inhibited toxin activity at a low concentration. These polyphenols may be
      used to prevent S. aureus infection and staphylococcal food poisoning. 

PMID- 27272507
TI  - Reply for the Letter to the Editor for the Manuscript "Sleeve Gastrectomy and
      Roux-y-Gastric Bypass Lead to Comparable Changes in Body Composition After
      Adjustment for Initial Body Mass Index".

PMID- 27272506
TI  - TSH Normalization in Bariatric Surgery Patients After the Switch from L-Thyroxine
      in Tablet to an Oral Liquid Formulation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Drug malabsorption is one of the potential troubles after bariatric
      surgery. Evidence for diminished levothyroxine (L-T4) absorption has been
      reported in patients after bariatric surgery. METHODS: This study reports 17
      cases of hypothyroid patients [who were well replaced with thyroxine tablets (for
      >1 year) to euthyroid thyrotropin (TSH) levels before surgery (13 Roux-en-Y
      gastric bypasses (RYGB); 4 biliary pancreatic diversions (BPD))]. From 3 to 8
      months after surgery, these patients had elevated TSH levels. Patients were then
      switched from oral tablets to a liquid L-T4 formulation (with the same dosage, 30
      min before breakfast). RESULTS: Two-three months after the switch, TSH was
      significantly reduced both in patients treated with RYGB, as in those treated
      with BPD, while FT4 and FT3 levels were not significantly changed (RYGB group,
      TSH MUIU/mL: 7.58 +/- 3.07 vs 3.808 +/- 1.83, P < 0.001; BPD group, TSH MUIU/mL:
      8.82 +/- 2.76 vs 3.12 +/- 1.33, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results first show
      that liquid L-T4 could prevent the problem of malabsorption in patients with BPD
      and confirm those of previous studies in patients submitted to RYGB, suggesting
      that the L-T4 oral liquid formulation could circumvent malabsorption after
      bariatric surgery.

PMID- 27272509
TI  - A single center's conversion from roller pump to centrifugal pump technology in
      extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
AB  - OVERVIEW: Recent advances in blood pump technology have led to an increased use
      of centrifugal pumps for prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
      Data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization confirms that many
      institutions have converted to centrifugal pumps after prior experience with
      roller pump technology. Centrifugal pump technology is more compact and may
      generate less heat and hemolysis than a conventional roller pump. Based on the
      potential advantages of centrifugal pumps, a decision was made institution-wide
      to convert to centrifugal pump technology in pediatric implementation of ECMO.
      Based on limited prior experience with centrifugal pumps, a multidisciplinary
      approach was used to implement this new technology. The new centrifugal pump
      (Sorin Revolution, Arvada, CO) was intended for ECMO support in the cardiac
      intensive care unit (CICU), the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and the
      neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). DESCRIPTION: The perfusion team used their
      knowledge and expertise with centrifugal pumps to create the necessary teaching
      tools and interactive training sessions for the technical specialists who
      consisted primarily of registered nurses and respiratory therapists. The first
      phase consisted of educating all personnel involved in the care of the ECMO
      patient, followed by patient implementation in the CICU, followed by the PICU and
      NICU. CONCLUSION: The institution-wide conversion took several months to complete
      and was well received among all disciplines in the CICU and PICU. The NICU
      personnel did use the centrifugal pump circuit, but decided to revert back to
      using the roller pump technology. A systematic transition from roller pump to
      centrifugal pump technology with a multidisciplinary team can ensure a safe and
      successful implementation.

PMID- 27272508
TI  - Nutrient Control of Yeast Gametogenesis Is Mediated by TORC1, PKA and Energy
      Availability.
AB  - Cell fate choices are tightly controlled by the interplay between intrinsic and
      extrinsic signals, and gene regulatory networks. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the
      decision to enter into gametogenesis or sporulation is dictated by mating type
      and nutrient availability. These signals regulate the expression of the master
      regulator of gametogenesis, IME1. Here we describe how nutrients control IME1
      expression. We find that protein kinase A (PKA) and target of rapamycin complex I
      (TORC1) signalling mediate nutrient regulation of IME1 expression. Inhibiting
      both pathways is sufficient to induce IME1 expression and complete sporulation in
      nutrient-rich conditions. Our ability to induce sporulation under nutrient rich
      conditions allowed us to show that respiration and fermentation are
      interchangeable energy sources for IME1 transcription. Furthermore, we find that
      TORC1 can both promote and inhibit gametogenesis. Down-regulation of TORC1 is
      required to activate IME1. However, complete inactivation of TORC1 inhibits IME1
      induction, indicating that an intermediate level of TORC1 signalling is required
      for entry into sporulation. Finally, we show that the transcriptional repressor
      Tup1 binds and represses the IME1 promoter when nutrients are ample, but is
      released from the IME1 promoter when both PKA and TORC1 are inhibited.
      Collectively our data demonstrate that nutrient control of entry into sporulation
      is mediated by a combination of energy availability, TORC1 and PKA activities
      that converge on the IME1 promoter.

PMID- 27272510
TI  - Parallel linear dynamic models can mimic the McGurk effect in clinical
      populations.
AB  - One of the most common examples of audiovisual speech integration is the McGurk
      effect. As an example, an auditory syllable /ba/ recorded over incongruent lip
      movements that produce "ga" typically causes listeners to hear "da". This report
      hypothesizes reasons why certain clinical and listeners who are hard of hearing
      might be more susceptible to visual influence. Conversely, we also examine why
      other listeners appear less susceptible to the McGurk effect (i.e., they report
      hearing just the auditory stimulus without being influenced by the visual). Such
      explanations are accompanied by a mechanistic explanation of integration
      phenomena including visual inhibition of auditory information, or slower rate of
      accumulation of inputs. First, simulations of a linear dynamic parallel
      interactive model were instantiated using inhibition and facilitation to examine
      potential mechanisms underlying integration. In a second set of simulations, we
      systematically manipulated the inhibition parameter values to model data obtained
      from listeners with autism spectrum disorder. In summary, we argue that cross
      modal inhibition parameter values explain individual variability in McGurk
      perceptibility. Nonetheless, different mechanisms should continue to be explored
      in an effort to better understand current data patterns in the audiovisual
      integration literature.

PMID- 27272511
TI  - Glutathione protects Candida albicans against horseradish volatile oil.
AB  - Horseradish essential oil (HREO; a natural mixture of different isothiocyanates)
      had strong fungicide effect against Candida albicans both in volatile and liquid
      phase. In liquid phase this antifungal effect was more significant than those of
      its main components allyl, and 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate. HREO, at sublethal
      concentration, induced oxidative stress which was characterized with elevated
      superoxide content and up-regulated specific glutathione reductase, glutathione
      peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Induction of specific
      glutathione S-transferase activities as marker of glutathione (GSH) dependent
      detoxification was also observed. At higher concentration, HREO depleted the GSH
      pool, increased heavily the superoxide production and killed the cells rapidly.
      HREO and the GSH pool depleting agent, 1-chlore-2,4-dinitrobenzene showed strong
      synergism when they were applied together to kill C. albicans cells. Based on all
      these, we assume that GSH metabolism protects fungi against isothiocyanates.

PMID- 27272512
TI  - Sequential dependencies in categorical judgments of radiographic images.
AB  - Sequential context effects, the psychological interactions occurring between the
      events of successive trials when a sequence of similar stimuli are judged, have
      interested psychologists for decades. It has been well established that
      individuals exhibit sequential context effects in psychophysical experiments
      involving unidimensional stimuli. Recent evidence shows that these effects
      generalize to quantitative judgments of more complex multidimensional stimuli
      such as images of faces, chairs, and shoes. In this article, we test for the
      presence of sequential context effects by re-examining previously published data
      on categorical judgments of 234 complex radiographic images made by 20
      experienced physicians and 20 medical students engaged in an online training
      task. We found that medical students, but not experienced physicians, displayed
      evidence of sequential context effects. We also found evidence suggesting that as
      the students learned over blocks of trials, they tended to shift from relative
      comparisons between consecutive images toward more independent comparisons of
      each image against (strengthening) internalized standards.

PMID- 27272513
TI  - Applying positioning theory to examine interactions between simulated patients
      and medical students: a narrative analysis.
AB  - In their journey to becoming doctors, students engage with a range of teachers
      and trainers. Among these are simulated patients (SPs), who, through role
      playing, assist students to develop their communication and physical examination
      skills, in contexts of formative and summative assessments. This paper explores
      the teaching and learning relationship between medical students and SPs, and
      considers how this might affect feedback and assessment. 14 SPs were interviewed
      on the subject of medical students' professional identity development in 2014.
      Data were examined using narrative analysis in conjunction with positioning
      theory to identify the positions that SPs assigned to themselves and to students.
      Narrative analysis yielded three interpretative positioning themes: Occupational,
      familial and cultural and discursive and embodied positioning. The interview
      process revealed that SPs adopt different positions intra-and interpersonally.
      SPs appear to hold dissonant perceptions of students in terms relating to their
      emerging professional identities, which may confound assessment and feedback.
      Training should include reflections on the SP/student relationship to uncover
      potential biases and positions, giving SPs the opportunity to reflect on and
      manage their individual and occupational selves.

PMID- 27272514
TI  - [Malignant hyperthermia syndrome in the intensive care unit : Differential
      diagnosis and acute measures].
AB  - Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening disease caused by derangement of the
      autonomic nerve system and hypermetabolism of the peripheral musculature.
      Commonly body core temperatures of more than 40  degrees C will be found in this
      disease which is caused mostly by psychopharmacological drugs like
      antidepressants, neuroleptics but also antibiotics, pain killers, anti-Parkinson
      drugs, and volatile anesthetics. The inducers of malignant hyperthermia interact
      with postsynaptic receptors (serotonin, anticholinergics) or muscular
      intracellular structures responsible for calcium utilization (volatile
      anesthetics, succinylcholine). Rarely malignant hyperthermia is a consequence of
      mental stress or vigorous exercise and or heat. Malignant hyperthermic syndromes
      lead to a severe dysbalance of the autonomic nerve system accompanied by
      rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and finally multi-organ
      failure. Accordingly, medical management is primarily directed to stabilize vital
      functions, withdrawal of the causing drug, and if possible antagonizing toxic
      substances. The leading symptom hyperthermia needs to be treated physically with
      available cooling systems. 

PMID- 27272515
TI  - Quality of Life, Stigma and Burden Perception Among Family Caregivers and
      Patients with Psychiatric Illnesses in Jordan.
AB  - The literature reported several factors which could impact the quality of life of
      caregivers and patients with psychiatric illnesses. This study aimed to determine
      the level of quality of life among a sample of 532 of caregivers and patients
      with psychiatric illness at two out-patient mental health clinics in Northern
      Jordan, and to examine the relationships of sociodemographic characteristics,
      stigma and caregiver perceptions of burden with quality of life. A correlational
      descriptive design was utilized. Three self-administered questionnaires were
      used. Results indicated that patients had low to moderate QOL, and they suffered
      moderate to high stigma. Also, family caregivers perceived low to moderate QOL.
      Patients' and family caregivers' stigma perception correlated negatively and
      significantly with WHOQOL-BREF. Family caregivers' burden correlated negatively
      and significantly with all domains of WHOQOL-BREF, total QOL-100, and self
      reported general health. Health care providers should assure the importance of
      focusing more toward minimizing stigma and promoting physical and general health
      to maintain a good quality of life of caregivers and patients with mental
      illnesses.

PMID- 27272516
TI  - For Better or Worse: Friendship Choices and Peer Victimization Among Ethnically
      Diverse Youth in the First Year of Middle School.
AB  - As children approach early adolescence, the risk of peer victimization often
      increases. Many children experience some form of peer victimization during this
      time, but children who experience chronic victimization may be particularly
      vulnerable to adjustment difficulties. Thus, identifying risk and protective
      factors associated with chronic victimization continues to be an important area
      of research. This study examined the effect of change in the victimization of
      friends on change in children's own victimization, taking into account the ethnic
      group representation of children in their classes. Over 3000 6th grade students
      (52 % female; M = 11.33 years) were drawn from 19 middle schools varying in
      ethnic composition. Friendships were distinguished by type-reciprocal, desired,
      and undesired-and a novel methodology for measuring ethnic group representation
      at the individual level was employed. Multilevel modeling indicated that change
      in friends' victimization from fall to spring of 6th grade had a differential
      impact on children's own victimization by friendship type and that the benefits
      and consequences of change in friends' victimization were especially pronounced
      for children in the numerical ethnic majority. The findings underscore the role
      of friendship choices in peer victimization, even if those choices are not
      reciprocated, and highlight the unique social risks associated with being in the
      numerical ethnic majority.

PMID- 27272517
TI  - Low-level laser therapy for treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in
      childhood: a randomized double-blind controlled study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to verify if low-level laser therapy could be useful to
      reduce chemotherapy-related oral mucositis grading and pain in childhood
      undergoing chemotherapy. A randomized double-blind clinical trial was carried
      out. Patients from 3 to 18 years of age undergoing cancer therapy and presenting
      OM grade 2 or more were eligible for this study. Patients were randomly divided
      in two groups: group A received laser therapy from the day of OM diagnosis and
      other 3 consecutive days (830 nm wavelength, power 150 mW, spot size 1 cm(2), 30
      s per cm(2), energy density 4.5 J/cm(2)); group B received sham therapy (placebo)
      with the same timing. Two blind clinicians performed OM scoring and pain
      evaluation at day 1 (immediately before the beginning of laser treatment-T0), day
      4 (after finishing laser therapy cycle-T1) and at day 7 (T2) as follow-up. A
      total of 123 patients were included in the study. Group A was composed of 62
      children while group B is 61; in both groups, there was a progressive reduction
      in grade of OM, and at day 7, not every mucosal lesion disappeared. The
      difference in the decline of OM grading between the two groups resulted not
      statistically significant (p = 0.07). A statistically significant difference in
      pain reduction between two groups both at T1 and at T2 (p < 0.005) was observed.
      This study demonstrated the efficacy of LLLT in reducing pain due to chemotherapy
      induced oral mucositis in children, while no significant benefit was noted in
      reducing OM grade. 

PMID- 27272519
TI  - Temporal Variation of Wood Density and Carbon in Two Elevational Sites of Pinus
      cooperi in Relation to Climate Response in Northern Mexico.
AB  - Forest ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon cycle. Therefore,
      understanding the dynamics of carbon uptake in forest ecosystems is much needed.
      Pinus cooperi is a widely distributed species in the Sierra Madre Occidental in
      northern Mexico and future climatic variations could impact these ecosystems.
      Here, we analyze the variations of trunk carbon in two populations of P. cooperi
      situated at different elevational gradients, combining dendrochronological
      techniques and allometry. Carbon sequestration (50% biomass) was estimated from a
      specific allometric equation for this species based on: (i) variation of intra
      annual wood density and (ii) diameter reconstruction. The results show that the
      population at a higher elevation had greater wood density, basal area, and hence,
      carbon accumulation. This finding can be explained by an ecological response of
      trees to adverse weather conditions, which would cause a change in the cellular
      structure affecting the within-ring wood density profile. The influence of
      variations in climate on the maximum density of chronologies showed a positive
      correlation with precipitation and the Multivariate El Nino Southern Oscillation
      Index during the winter season, and a negative correlation with maximum
      temperature during the spring season. Monitoring previous conditions to growth is
      crucial due to the increased vulnerability to extreme climatic variations on
      higher elevational sites. We concluded that temporal variability of wood density
      contributes to a better understanding of environmental historical changes and
      forest carbon dynamics in Northern Mexico, representing a significant improvement
      over previous studies on carbon sequestration. Assuming a uniform density
      according to tree age is incorrect, so this method can be used for environmental
      mitigation strategies, such as for managing P. cooperi, a dominant species of
      great ecological amplitude and widely used in forest industries. 

PMID- 27272518
TI  - Effect of pre-exercise phototherapy applied with different cluster probe sizes on
      elbow flexor muscle fatigue.
AB  - Phototherapy has been used for reducing muscle fatigue. In view of the various
      types of phototherapy cluster probes available in the market, the purpose of this
      study was to compare the effects of a similar phototherapy dosage with two
      different cluster probes on elbow flexor muscle fatigue: small cluster probe (SC
      = 9 diodes; 7.5 cm(2)) vs. large cluster probe (LC = 33 diodes; 30.2 cm(2)). Ten
      physically active male aged 18-35 years participate in a randomized, crossover,
      double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which each participant was submitted to
      the same testing protocol in four sessions (separated by at least 48 h) with
      different treatments: LC-phototherapy, SC-phototherapy, LC-placebo, and SC
      placebo. The elbow flexion maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) was
      performed before and after a fatigue protocol (60 % of MIVC until exhaustion).
      Electromyography (EMG) of the biceps brachii muscle was collected during all
      testing procedure. Phototherapy with dose of 60 J per muscle [LC: 33 diodes = 5
      lasers (850 nm), 12 LEDs (670 nm), 8 LEDs (880 nm), and 8 LEDs (950 nm); SC: 9
      diodes = 5 lasers (850 nm) and 4 LEDs (670 nm)] or placebo applications occurred
      before fatigue protocol. Two-way ANOVA (treatment and time factors) and one-way
      ANOVA were used, followed by LSD post hoc. Time to exhaustion was significantly
      higher in active LC (15 %; p = 0.031) and SC (14 %; p = 0.038) in comparison with
      their respective placebo treatments, without differences between LC and SC (p >
      0.05) or between placebo conditions (p > 0.05). This larger exercise tolerance in
      phototherapy conditions was not accompanied by a higher decrement in the
      volunteers' maximal strength capacity (11-15 %; p > 0.05 for all). EMG signals
      presented no difference between the four condition tested here. In both large and
      small cluster probes (according parameters tested in this study) led to reduced
      fatigue in elbow flexor muscles, without difference between them. 

PMID- 27272521
TI  - CRISPR/Cas9: a breakthrough in generating mouse models for endocrinologists.
AB  - CRISPR/Cas9 is a recent development in genome editing which is becoming an
      indispensable element of the genetic toolbox in mice. It provides outstanding
      possibilities for targeted modification of the genome, and is often extremely
      efficient. There are currently two main limitations to in ovo genome editing in
      mice: the first is mosaicism, which is frequent in founder mice. The second is
      the difficulty to evaluate the advent of off-target mutations, which often
      imposes to wait for germline transmission to ensure genetic segregation between
      wanted and unwanted genetic mutations. However rapid progresses are made,
      suggesting that these difficulties can be overcome in the near future.

PMID- 27272520
TI  - Reversal of fortune: estrogen receptor-beta in endometriosis.
AB  - Enhanced inflammation and reduced apoptosis sustain the growth of endometriotic
      lesions. Alterations in the expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) and
      estrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) accompany the conversion of resident endometrial
      cells within the normal uterine environment to ectopic lesions located in
      extrauterine sites. Recent studies highlighted in this focused review linked
      ERbeta to dysregulation of apoptotic and inflammatory networks involving novel
      interacting partners in endometriosis. The elucidation of these nongenomic
      actions of ERbeta using human cells and mouse models is an important step in
      understanding key regulatory pathways that are disrupted leading to disease
      establishment and progression.

PMID- 27272522
TI  - Reproductive Effects of Two Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on the Rotifer
      Brachionus plicatilis.
AB  - The effects of two polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on the reproduction of
      the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis were investigated. Results showed that sexual
      maturation was promoted by tetra-brominated diphenyl ether-47 (BDE-47) and deca
      brominated diphenyl ether-209 (BDE-209), whereas fecundity was inhibited by BDE
      47, but promoted by BDE-209. Additionally, both PBDEs affected the expression of
      two genes, vasa and nanos mRNA, related to rotifer reproduction. This suggests a
      possible regulatory molecular mechanism at the transcriptional level. Our
      research extends the current knowledge of the ecotoxicological mechanism induced
      by PBDEs and provides further essential information for assessing the risks of
      PBDE contamination in marine ecosystems. 

PMID- 27272524
TI  - Misdemeanor Arrestees With Mental Health Needs: Diversion and Outpatient Services
      as a Recidivism Reduction Strategy.
AB  - Individuals with mental illnesses who are arrested for criminal activity cycle
      between criminal justice and mental health systems at disproportionately high
      rates. Studying recidivism of this population has been difficult due to separate
      system data bases. This study compared recidivism outcomes of 102 adults with
      mental illness who were arrested for a misdemeanor offense. One group had a
      diagnosed mental illness ( n = 58) and the other group was diagnosed with co
      occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders ( n = 44). As a condition
      of their personal recognizance bond, both groups voluntarily agreed to stabilize
      on medication and report to community-based outpatient mental health clinic.
      Participants in both groups had fewer rearrests and fewer days in jail in the 12
      months following discharge from diversion relative to the 12 months prior to
      diversion participation. Outpatient mental health service utilization following
      24 hr in jail seems to be a viable means of reducing recidivism among accused
      misdemeanant defendants.

PMID- 27272525
TI  - Come and Knock on Our Door: Offenders' Perspectives on Home Visits Through
      Ecological Theory.
AB  - The use of home visits has a long and storied history in the United States from
      different disciplines, such as nursing, prenatal mothers, young families, health
      promotion, and community corrections. Ecological theory explains how formal
      actors play a role in the promotion in the health field through home visits, but
      does not address community corrections home visits. Through the use of 30 semi
      structured interviews, this research seeks to expand the understanding of
      ecological theory by capturing the perceptions of offenders sentenced to home
      visits conducted by a sheriff's office. The findings suggest the participants
      supported the home visits by formal agents and, in general, the home visits
      created an atmosphere of respect between the participants and sheriff's office
      personnel. This study creates the context for future research to understand the
      role of formal agents in recidivism and evaluate the efficacy of home visits by
      community corrections agencies.

PMID- 27272523
TI  - Intron Derived Size Polymorphism in the Mitochondrial Genomes of Closely Related
      Chrysoporthe Species.
AB  - In this study, the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of Chrysoporthe
      austroafricana (190,834 bp), C. cubensis (89,084 bp) and C. deuterocubensis
      (124,412 bp) were determined. Additionally, the mitochondrial genome of another
      member of the Cryphonectriaceae, namely Cryphonectria parasitica (158,902 bp),
      was retrieved and annotated for comparative purposes. These genomes showed high
      levels of synteny, especially in regions including genes involved in oxidative
      phosphorylation and electron transfer, unique open reading frames (uORFs),
      ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and transfer RNAs (tRNAs), as well as intron positions.
      Comparative analyses revealed signatures of duplication events, intron number and
      length variation, and varying intronic ORFs which highlighted the genetic
      diversity of mt genomes among the Cryphonectriaceae. These mt genomes showed
      remarkable size polymorphism. The size polymorphism in the mt genomes of these
      closely related Chrysoporthe species was attributed to the varying number and
      length of introns, coding sequences and to a lesser extent, intergenic sequences.
      Compared to publicly available fungal mt genomes, the C. austroafricana mt genome
      is the second largest in the Ascomycetes thus far. 

PMID- 27272526
TI  - Evaluating Restorative Justice Circles of Support and Accountability: Can Social
      Support Overcome Structural Barriers?
AB  - In a climate in which stigmatic shaming is increasing for sex offenders as they
      leave prison, restorative justice practices have emerged as a promising approach
      to sex offender reentry success and have been shown to reduce recidivism.
      Criminologists and restorative justice advocates believe that providing ex
      offenders with social support that they may not otherwise have is crucial to
      reducing recidivism. This case study describes the expressive and instrumental
      social support required and received, and its relationship to key outcomes, by
      sex offenders who participated in Circles of Support and Accountability (COSAs),
      a restorative justice, reentry program in Minnesota. In-depth interviews with re
      entering sex offenders and program volunteers revealed that 75% of offenders
      reported weak to moderate levels of social support leaving prison, 70% reported
      receiving instrumental support in COSAs, and 100% reported receiving expressive
      support. Findings inform work on social support, structural barriers, and
      restorative justice programming during sex offender reentry.

PMID- 27272527
TI  - Improving Type 2 Diabetes Patient Health Outcomes with Individualized Continuing
      Medical Education for Primary Care.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study provided physicians with continuing medical education
      (CME) related to type 2 diabetes and evaluated the effect on patient health
      outcomes. METHODS: Physicians participated in multi-platform CME (live and online
      programs) and completed a 25 item questionnaire for patient baseline (3-months
      pre-CME activity) and follow-up visits (>=6-months post-CME activity). Changes in
      physician knowledge and patient health outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: 34
      physicians completed both phases of the CME curricula and submitted data for 264
      patients. Significant improvements were observed in physician knowledge after the
      live (p < 0.05) and online programs (p < 0.0005). Mean patient glycated
      hemoglobin (HbA1c) absolute reduction of 1.15% (p < 0.0001) was reported.
      CONCLUSIONS: CME is an effective tool to close established practice gaps and
      potentially help improve patient health outcomes.

PMID- 27272528
TI  - Psychometric Testing of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS): A New
      Pain Scale for Military Population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS 2.0) is a pain
      assessment tool that utilizes a numerical rating scale enhanced by functional
      word descriptors, color coding, and pictorial facial expressions matched to pain
      levels. Four supplemental questions measure how much pain interferes with usual
      activity and sleep, and affects mood and contributes to stress. METHODS:
      Psychometric testing was performed on a revised DVPRS 2.0 using data from 307
      active duty service members and Veterans experiencing acute or chronic pain. A
      new set of facial representations designating pain levels was tested. RESULTS:
      Results demonstrated acceptable internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's
      alpha = 0.871) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.637 to r = 0.774) for the five
      items. Excellent interrater agreement was established for correctly ordering
      faces depicting pain levels and aligning them on the pain intensity scale
      (Kendall's coefficient of concordance, W = 0.95 and 0.959, respectively).
      Construct validity was supported by an exploratory principal component factor
      analysis and known groups validity testing. Most participants, 70.9%, felt that
      the DVPRS was superior to other pain rating scales. CONSCLUSION: The DVPRS 2.0 is
      a reliable and valid instrument that provides standard language and metrics to
      communicate pain and related outcomes.

PMID- 27272530
TI  - HIV infection and bone disease.
AB  - The success of antiretroviral therapy in treating HIV infection has greatly
      prolonged life expectancy in affected individuals, transforming the disease into
      a chronic condition. A number of HIV-associated non-AIDS comorbidities have
      emerged in the ageing HIV-infected population, including osteoporosis and
      increased risk of fracture. The pathogenesis of fracture is multifactorial with
      contributions from both traditional and HIV-specific risk factors. Significant
      bone loss occurs on initiation of antiretroviral therapy but stabilizes on long
      term therapy. Fracture risk assessment should be performed in HIV-infected
      individuals and bone mineral density measured when indicated. Lifestyle measures
      to optimize bone health should be advised and, in individuals at high risk of
      fracture, treatment with bisphosphonates considered.

PMID- 27272531
TI  - The Holy Grail of prevention of sexually transmitted infections in travellers.

PMID- 27272532
TI  - Sexual behaviour of backpackers who visit Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, Thailand: a
      cross-sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To measure the proportion of backpackers engaging in unprotected sex
      while travelling in Thailand and to identify predictors of unsafe sexual
      behaviour. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire was
      performed. English-speaking backpackers, excluding US and Thai citizens, were
      recruited while travelling through the piers of Koh Tao and Koh Phangan between
      25 January and 13 March 2013. RESULTS: 61.5% (1238/2013) respondents were
      travelling without a long-term sexual partner, of whom 39.1% (29.4% females;
      51.9% males) reported intercourse with a new partner. 36.8% of these reported
      inconsistent/no condom use. Inconsistent condom use was independently associated
      with age <25 years, UK (vs Canadian) nationality and not bringing condoms from
      home. Backpackers who brought condoms from home were more likely to have sex with
      a new partner. Male gender and longer trip length increased the likelihood of new
      partner acquisition and overall risk of unsafe sex but were not associated with
      inconsistent condom use. New partners were most commonly backpackers from other
      countries. Men were more likely than women to have sex with a local person.
      CONCLUSIONS: Backpackers visiting Thailand frequently report unsafe sex. Partner
      demographics demonstrate a mechanism of international sexually transmitted
      infection (STI) transfer. In an era of growing antibiotic resistance and
      continuing HIV transmission, targeting unsafe sex in backpackers has the
      potential to reduce STI incidence internationally. These data highlight the need
      for innovative public health intervention. To focus such measures, future
      research may elucidate why certain groups are at higher risk.

PMID- 27272533
TI  - Forming new sex partnerships while overseas: findings from the third British
      National Survey of Sexual Attitudes & Lifestyles (Natsal-3).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Travelling away from home presents opportunities for new sexual
      partnerships, which may be associated with sexually transmitted infection (STI)
      risk. We examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with, reporting new
      sexual partner(s) while overseas, and whether this differed by partners' region
      of residence. METHODS: We analysed data from 12 530 men and women aged 16-74
      years reporting >=1 sexual partner(s) in the past 5 years in Britain's third
      National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3), a probability
      survey undertaken 2010-2012. RESULTS: 9.2% (95% CI 8.3% to 10.1%) of men and 5.3%
      (4.8% to 5.8%) of women reported new sexual partner(s) while overseas in the past
      5 years. This was strongly associated with higher partner numbers and other
      sexual and health risk behaviours. Among those with new partners while overseas,
      72% of men and 58% of women reported partner(s) who were not UK residents.
      Compared with those having only UK partners while abroad, these people were more
      likely to identify as 'White Other' or 'Non-White' (vs White British ethnicity),
      report higher partner numbers, new partners from outside the UK while in the UK
      and paying for sex (men only) all in the past 5 years. There was no difference in
      reporting STI diagnosis/es during this time period. CONCLUSIONS: Reporting new
      partners while overseas was associated with a range of sexual risk behaviours.
      Advice on sexual health should be included as part of holistic health advice for
      all travellers, regardless of age, destination or reason for travel.

PMID- 27272534
TI  - Trace Elements in Sea Ducks of the Alaskan Arctic Coast: Patterns of Variation
      Among Species, Sexes, and Ages.
AB  - Climate change and increasing industrialization in the Arctic call for the
      collection of reference data for assessing changes in contaminant levels. For
      migratory birds, measuring and interpreting changes in trace element burdens on
      Arctic breeding areas require insights into factors such as sex, body size, or
      wintering area that may modify patterns independently of local exposure. In the
      Alaskan Arctic, we determined levels of trace elements in liver and kidney of
      common eiders (Somateria mollissima) and long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis)
      from the Prudhoe Bay oil field and of king eiders (S. spectabilis) and threatened
      spectacled eiders (S. fischeri) and Steller's eiders (Polystica stelleri) from
      near the town of Barrow. Small-bodied Steller's eiders and long-tailed ducks from
      different locations had similarly low levels of selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), and
      copper (Cu), perhaps reflecting high mass-specific rates of metabolic depuration
      during long spring migrations through areas of low exposure. In larger species,
      Se, Cd, and Cu concentrations were higher in adults than juveniles suggesting
      that these elements were acquired in nonbreeding marine habitats. Adult male
      spectacled eiders had exceptionally high Se, Cd, and Cu compared with adult
      females, possibly because of depuration into eggs and longer female occupancy of
      nonmarine habitats. Adult female common eiders and juvenile long-tailed ducks at
      Prudhoe Bay had high and variable levels of Pb, potentially due to local
      exposure. Explanations for substantial variations in Hg levels were not apparent.
      Further research into reasons for differing element levels among species and
      sexes will help clarify the sources, pathways, and risks of exposure. 

PMID- 27272535
TI  - Temporal Variations of O3 and NO x in the Urban Background Atmosphere of Nanjing,
      East China.
AB  - Rapid economic growth has given rise to a significant increase in ozone (O3)
      precursor emissions in many regions of China. An 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. To this end, this study was performed in
      Nanjing using a set of observational data from June 1, 2013, to May 31, 2014. The
      results showed that O3 concentrations were positively correlated with wind speed
      and temperature and were significantly negatively correlated with relative
      humidity. The highest monthly daytime, nighttime, and daily average O3
      concentrations were observed in summer with values of approximately 46, 18 and 30
      ppb, respectively. The lowest O3 concentrations were observed in November through
      January with values as low as 17, 4, and 9 ppb for the daytime, nighttime, and
      daily concentrations, respectively. The highest daytime average NO and NO2
      concentrations were observed in December, whereas the lowest concentrations were
      observed in July. A unimodal O3 peak was observed with the highest O3 levels in
      summer followed by spring and then autumn; the lowest levels observed in the
      winter. The O3 concentration reached maximum levels at 14:00 to 15:00 h (local
      standard time). It was found that the crossover occurred with approximately
      several hours difference with the earliest occurring in summer (06:00 h) followed
      by spring (08:00 h), autumn (09:00 h), and winter (10:30 h). Furthermore, the
      highest constant rate of O3 accumulation was observed in summer (5.6 ppb/h)
      followed by autumn (4.8 ppb/h), spring (4.5 ppb/h), and winter (2.7 ppb/h). The
      oxidant intercept ranged from 28.4 ppb in January to 58.6 ppb in June, although
      the slope also shows substantial variation from 0.18 in June to 0.67 in August.
      The weekend effect is stronger in spring and summer than in autumn and winter and
      is more intense on Sundays than on Saturdays. Thus, the decrease of O3 levels
      during weekends suggests that it may be NO x -sensitive. 

PMID- 27272536
TI  - Effect of sociodemographic factors on survival of people living with HIV.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose is to describe and understand the sociodemographic
      determinants of survival in people living with HIV within high-income countries
      in the context of the current recommendation of universal antiretroviral therapy
      for all HIV-infected persons, irrespective of their CD4 cell count. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Survival rates in people living with HIV have experienced remarkable
      increases in the last decade because of more efficacious and well tolerated
      treatments. Still, these improvements are unevenly distributed between regions
      across the world as well as within regions. HIV outcomes are heavily influenced
      by what are known as the 'social determinants' of health which have traditionally
      encompassed the gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic axes. The evidence that
      these social determinants are now more important than before (more and earlier
      interventions are now available), has become stronger in the last 2 years.
      SUMMARY: Because antiretroviral therapy is now recommended for all HIV-infected
      persons, sociodemographic factors limiting access to testing, treatment, and
      retention in care will undoubtedly jeopardize the UNAIDS aspirational objective
      to end AIDS by 2030. Innovative interventions targeting individuals with social
      vulnerability are urgently needed to ensure that social inequalities do not
      continue to be linked with higher mortality.

PMID- 27272537
TI  - Interventions to improve treatment, retention and survival outcomes for
      adolescents with perinatal HIV-1 transitioning to adult care: moving on up.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is an increasing number of deaths among adult survivors
      of perinatal HIV. Multiple and complex factors drive this mortality, including
      problems with retention in care and adherence during adolescence, coupled with
      the critical period of transition from paediatric to adult care, increasing their
      risk of treatment failure and severe immunosuppression. We reviewed studies that
      evaluated the impact of service delivery interventions to improve the health of
      perinatally infected adolescents living with HIV (P-ALHIV) to gain insight into
      what might help them survive the vulnerable period of adolescence. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Youth-focused health services and individual-level interventions may
      improve P-ALHIV adherence and retention in care. However, there have been few
      studies, many with small sample sizes and with short durations of follow-up that
      end before the transition period. Studies from other childhood-onset chronic
      diseases are similarly limited. SUMMARY: Further studies are urgently needed to
      identify optimal intervention strategies to reduce mortality and poor outcomes as
      the adolescent population expands and ages into adult care. Until we have a more
      robust evidence base, programmes can develop transition plans based on best
      practice recommendations to optimize the health and longevity of ALHIV in
      adulthood.

PMID- 27272538
TI  - Cognitive stimulation therapy in the Italian context: its efficacy in cognitive
      and non-cognitive measures in older adults with dementia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) has been shown to have significant
      benefits in enhancing cognitive functioning and improving the quality of life of
      people with mild to moderate dementia. The present study examines the efficacy of
      the Italian version of the therapy (CST-IT). METHODS: Older adults with mild to
      moderate dementia (n = 39) were randomly assigned to two programs: one group
      participated in the CST-IT, consisting of 14 sessions (twice a week for 7 weeks)
      and the active control group took part in alternative general activities. The
      outcome measures were cognitive functioning (measured by the Mini-Mental State
      Examination-MMSE-, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment scale-cognitive subscale,
      the backward digit span test, and a narrative language test); quality of life
      (Quality of life--Alzheimer's Disease scale); mood (Cornell scale for depression
      in dementia and the social and emotional loneliness scale); functional activities
      in daily living (Disability Assessment for Dementia); and behavior
      (neuropsychiatric inventory). RESULTS: After the intervention, only the CST-IT
      group maintained its MMSE score, while the control group displayed deterioration.
      The CST-IT group also performed better in some of the cognitive measures
      (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale and narrative language),
      mood measures (Cornell scale, social and emotional loneliness scale with a
      decrease in reported loneliness), and the Quality of life--Alzheimer's Disease
      scale. No other treatment effect was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirm
      the efficacy, at least in the short term, of the CST in sustaining cognitive
      functions and perceived quality of life in older adults with dementia in the
      Italian care setting as well.

PMID- 27272539
TI  - Quality Profiling at the TCM Hospital Bad Kotzting - Examples from an Ongoing
      Systematic Patient Documentation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quality profiling is practiced at the TCM hospital Bad Kotzting since
      its establishment 25 years ago. The profiling comprises assessment of treatment
      effectiveness andsafety, structural features, staff qualification as well as
      diagnostic and therapeutic processes. Findings regarding patients, intervention
      and outcome profiles are presented by appropriate examples. METHODS: Data of each
      in-patient were systematically collected by physicians and via self-reports at
      admission, discharge and follow-up. Over the years the system was adjusted
      several times resulting in a data pool of about 19,000 in-patients by end of
      2014. RESULTS: Patients are 52 years old on average, 70% are female, and
      suffering from the main complaint since 7 years (median). The diagnostic spectrum
      changed over the years according to the development towards a psychosomatic
      focus. For TCM acupuncture therapy 222 different acupoints were used in 7.7
      different localisations on average per individual treatment. The mean intensity
      of the main complaint decreased clinically relevant (Cohen's d = 1.11 at
      discharge and 0.93 at follow-up). After the hospital stay the number of days of
      sick leave declined from 51.3 days by 40% per patient and year. Depressive
      disorders as most common mental illness decreased significantly decreased
      significantly at discharge (ICD symptom rating; Cohen's d = -1.01). 29.8% of
      patients met the criteria for a metabolic syndrome diagnosis according to the
      International Diabetes Federation (IDF). In this group of cases, triglycerides,
      cholesterol and blood glucose improved markedly at discharge. DISCUSSION: The
      presented quality control measures clearly contribute to an enhanced transparency
      in terms of a comprehensive quality profile. The findings from various outcome
      parameters indicate that patients benefit from the treatment.

PMID- 27272540
TI  - A review of digital microfluidics as portable platforms for lab-on a-chip
      applications.
AB  - Following the development of microfluidic systems, there has been a high tendency
      towards developing lab-on-a-chip devices for biochemical applications. A great
      deal of effort has been devoted to improve and advance these devices with the
      goal of performing complete sets of biochemical assays on the device and possibly
      developing portable platforms for point of care applications. Among the different
      microfluidic systems used for such a purpose, digital microfluidics (DMF) shows
      high flexibility and capability of performing multiplex and parallel biochemical
      operations, and hence, has been considered as a suitable candidate for lab-on-a
      chip applications. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in the DMF
      platforms, and evaluate the feasibility of developing multifunctional packages
      for performing complete sets of processes of biochemical assays, particularly for
      point-of-care applications. The progress in the development of DMF systems is
      reviewed from eight different aspects, including device fabrication, basic
      fluidic operations, automation, manipulation of biological samples, advanced
      operations, detection, biological applications, and finally, packaging and
      portability of the DMF devices. Success in developing the lab-on-a-chip DMF
      devices will be concluded based on the advances achieved in each of these
      aspects.

PMID- 27272541
TI  - Iodine Concentration and Optimization in Computed Tomography Angiography: Current
      Issues.
AB  - Computed tomography (CT) technology has seen a dramatic evolution in the recent
      past that has deeply changed the face of this diagnostic modality. Since the
      early days of helical single-slice and then multislice CT, CT angiography (CTA)
      has been one of the most technically demanding applications, both in terms of
      scanning technique and contrast medium (CM) injection protocol, due to the need
      to acquire a large amount of high-resolution data over a limited period
      corresponding to the peak contrast enhancement of the arterial system. Iodine
      concentration is one of the main determinants of arterial enhancement in CTA, and
      current low-osmolar and iso-osmolar nonionic CM for intravascular administration
      still come in a handful of molecules, but a relatively wide range of different
      iodine concentrations. This gives the opportunity to optimize CTA protocols as a
      function of several factors such as patient characteristics, CT technology, and
      CM features in an attempt to maximize the diagnostic yield of CTA examinations
      while considering patient safety and avoiding unnecessary extra costs. Our aim is
      to provide an up-to-date overview of the existing evidence on how changing iodine
      concentration can have an impact on CTA performance, especially with the use of
      state-of-the-art CT and power injector technology, in the perspective of
      improving patient care while minimizing overall exposure to iodinated CM and
      ionizing radiation.

PMID- 27272542
TI  - Systematic Evaluation of Amide Proton Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer at 3
      T: Effects of Protein Concentration, pH, and Acquisition Parameters.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The goal of this work was to systematically evaluate the
      reproducibility of amide proton transfer chemical exchange saturation transfer
      (APT-CEST) at 3 T and its signal dependence on pH, protein concentration, and
      acquisition parameters. An in vitro system based on bovine serum albumin (BSA)
      was used, and its limitations were tested by comparing it to in vivo
      measurements. The contribution of small endogenous metabolites on the APT-CEST
      signal at 3 T was also investigated. In addition, the reliability of different z
      spectrum interpolations as well as the use of only a few frequency offset data
      points instead of a whole z-spectrum were tested. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      created both a BSA phantom at different concentrations and pH values and a
      metabolite phantom with different small molecules. Chemical exchange saturation
      transfer data were acquired using a 2-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-echo
      sequence with pulsed CEST preparation at different saturation durations and power
      levels. Healthy volunteer measurements were taken for comparison. Z-spectra were
      interpolated using a 24th-order polynomial (Poly), an eighth-order Fourier series
      (Fourier), and a smoothing Spline (sSpline) algorithm. To evaluate reduced data
      sets, only 6 to 14 frequency offsets of the z-spectrum were used and interpolated
      via a cubic Spline. Region of interest (ROI) evaluations were used to investigate
      the reproducibility of amide magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry [MTRasym(3.5
      ppm)] and to analyze the MTRasym and z-spectra. RESULTS: Interscan standard
      deviations of MTRasym(3.5 ppm) were always below 0.3%. MTRasym(3.5 ppm) increased
      when the BSA concentrations increased and decreased when the pH increased. The
      amine MTRasym signal of small molecules was very small compared with BSA and was
      only detectable using short saturation times and higher power levels. The
      MTRasym(3.5 ppm) between BSA concentration steps and between nearly all pH steps
      was significantly different for all 3 fitting methods. The Fourier and sSpline
      methods showed no statistically significant differences; however, the results for
      the Poly method were significantly higher at some concentrations and pH values.
      Using only few frequency offsets resulted in less significant differences
      compared with fitting the complete z-spectrum. In general, MTRasym(3.5 ppm) of
      gray matter, white matter, and ventricle ROIs from volunteer scans increased with
      an increase in saturation power and partially decreased with an increase in
      saturation duration. Intra-ROI covariances of MTRasym(3.5 ppm) revealed the
      highest variations for Poly, whereas using reduced spectral data resulted in an
      increased signal variation. CONCLUSIONS: Amide proton transfer-CEST imaging is a
      highly reproducible method in which absolute signal differences of approximately
      0.5% are detectable in principle. For in vivo applications, Fourier or sSpline
      interpolations of z-spectra are preferable. Using reduced data sets delivers
      similar results but with increased variation and therefore decreased
      (pH/concentration) differentiation capability. Differentiation capability
      increases with increases in the saturation duration and power level. The results
      from the in vitro BSA system cannot be directly transferred to the in vivo
      situation due to different chemical environments resulting in, for example,
      higher asymmetric macromolecular cMT effects in vivo. Amine signals from small
      molecules are unlikely to contribute to APT-CEST at 3 T (except for creatine);
      however, signals can be enhanced by using short saturation times and higher power
      levels.

PMID- 27272543
TI  - Effect of Renal Function on Gadolinium-Related Signal Increases on Unenhanced T1
      Weighted Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if renal function affects
      signal changes in the deep brain nuclei on unenhanced T1-weighted images after
      administration of linear gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). METHODS: An
      electronic medical records search of 2 large medical centers identified 25
      patients who received linear GBCA while on hemodialysis and had unenhanced T1
      weighted images of the brain before and after. The dentate-to-cerebellar peduncle
      (DCP) ratio, globus pallidus-to-mid thalamus (GPT) ratio, and choroid plexus-to
      nearby white matter ratio were measured and compared with 25 age/sex/GBCA
      exposure-matched control patients with normal or near-normal renal function
      (estimated glomerular filtration rate >60 mL/min per 1.73 m). Two additional
      control groups included 13 patients on hemodialysis without GBCA exposure and 13
      age/sex-matched patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate greater than
      60 mL/min per 1.73 m. RESULTS: Hemodialysis patients (n = 25) with an average of
      1.8 linear GBCA administrations had a 4.9% mean increase (1.00 +/- 0.04 vs 1.05
      +/- 0.05; P < 0.001) in DCP, which was greater than the 1.6% change (0.99 +/-
      0.04 vs 1.00 +/- 0.05; P = 0.08) observed in matched controls (P = 0.01). There
      was no significant signal change in the DCP ratio in the 13 hemodialysis patients
      (0.99 +/- 0.04 vs 0.99 +/- 0.04; P = 0.78) and 13 age/sex-matched patients (0.99
      +/- 0.02 vs 0.99 +/- 0.03; P = 0.78) who did not receive GBCA. The hemodialysis
      patients had a baseline GPT that was higher than nondialysis patients (P <
      0.001). However, the GPT change after GBCA administration was not significantly
      different from controls. Increased signal in the choroid plexus on unenhanced T1
      weighted images after GBCA administration was noted in hemodialysis patients
      (0.72 +/- 0.20 vs 0.86 +/- 0.23; P = 0.006); however, a multivariate analysis
      showed this to be primarily related to hemodialysis (P = 0.003) with only a trend
      toward relating to GBCA exposure (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis patients
      receiving linear GBCA have greater dentate nucleus signal increases on unenhanced
      T1-weighted images, suggesting that renal function may affect the rate of
      gadolinium accumulation in the brain after linear GBCA-enhanced magnetic
      resonance imaging.

PMID- 27272545
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - By the food intake man is daily exposed to numerous chemical agents with impact
      on ageing and longevity. Over the last two centuries longevity in the affluent
      societies has increased by 2 years per decade. Improved food habits are important
      contributing factors.  Dietary patterns of populations with long life-spans, like
      the traditional Mediterranean diet and the Okinawa Island diet, provide the basis
      to recommend plant foods like vegetables, legumes, fruits, non-tropical vegetable
      oils as basic fat, light meat (e.g. poultry) of moderate amounts, plenty of fish
      and moderate beverage intakes of wine, coffee and tea. Oxidative damage is
      suggested as one major reason for exaggerated ageing. Foods that promote
      longevity are rich in antioxidants. Still there is no evidence that extra anti
      oxidant supplementation has any beneficial effects. Energy balance to avoid
      obesity at young and middle ages, e.g. by calorie restricted diets and increased
      physical activity, promotes longevity, whereas at older age overweight is usually
      associated with a longer life-span. 

PMID- 27272544
TI  - Bioactive Secondary Metabolites from Schizogyne sericea (Asteraceae) Endemic to
      Canary Islands.
AB  - Schizogyne sericea (Asteraceae) is a halophytic shrub endemic to the Canary
      Islands and traditionally employed as analgesic, astringent, anti-inflammatory,
      and vulnerary. A comprehensive phytochemical investigation was conducted on the
      flowering aerial parts by analyzing both essential oil constituents and polar
      compounds. The essential oil was dominated by p-cymene, with the noteworthy
      occurrence of beta-pinene and thymol esters. From the EtOH extract, eight
      compounds were isolated and structurally elucidated. Essential oil, polar
      fractions, and isolates (2), (4), and (5) were separately in vitro assayed for
      antiproliferative activity on human tumor cell lines (A375, MDA-MB 231, and
      HCT116) by MTT assay, for antioxidant potential by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays,
      and for antimicrobial activity by the agar disk diffusion method. Results
      revealed that essential oil and compounds 1 and 2 exert a strong inhibition on
      tumor cells, and in some cases, higher than that of cisplatin. Fractions
      containing thymol derivatives (1 and 2) and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives 4 and
      5 displayed antioxidant activity comparable to that of Trolox, making S. sericea
      extract an interesting natural product with potential applications as
      preservative or in the treatment of diseases in which oxidative stress plays an
      important role. 

PMID- 27272546
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272547
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272548
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272549
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272550
TI  - Response to 'Darier disease in Israel: combined evaluation of genetic and
      neuropsychiatric aspects': reply from the authors.

PMID- 27272553
TI  - Corrigendum: Synthetic Developments of Nontoxic Quantum Dots.

PMID- 27272554
TI  - Erratum: The Significance of Rectus Femoris for the Favorable Functional Outcome
      After Total Femur Replacement: Erratum.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000610.]. 

PMID- 27272551
TI  - Discrimination of human faces by archerfish (Toxotes chatareus).
AB  - Two rival theories of how humans recognize faces exist: (i) recognition is
      innate, relying on specialized neocortical circuitry, and (ii) recognition is a
      learned expertise, relying on general object recognition pathways. Here, we
      explore whether animals without a neocortex, can learn to recognize human faces.
      Human facial recognition has previously been demonstrated for birds, however they
      are now known to possess neocortex-like structures. Also, with much of the work
      done in domesticated pigeons, one cannot rule out the possibility that they have
      developed adaptations for human face recognition. Fish do not appear to possess
      neocortex-like cells, and given their lack of direct exposure to humans, are
      unlikely to have evolved any specialized capabilities for human facial
      recognition. Using a two-alternative forced-choice procedure, we show that
      archerfish (Toxotes chatareus) can learn to discriminate a large number of human
      face images (Experiment 1, 44 faces), even after controlling for colour, head
      shape and brightness (Experiment 2, 18 faces). This study not only demonstrates
      that archerfish have impressive pattern discrimination abilities, but also
      provides evidence that a vertebrate lacking a neocortex and without an
      evolutionary prerogative to discriminate human faces, can nonetheless do so to a
      high degree of accuracy.

PMID- 27272557
TI  - Chromatographic analysis of Polygalae Radix by online hyphenating pressurized
      liquid extraction.
AB  - Practicing "green analytical chemistry" is of great importance when profiling the
      chemical composition of complex matrices. Herein, a novel hybrid analytical
      platform was developed for direct chemical analysis of complex matrices by online
      hyphenating pressurized warm water extraction followed by turbulent flow
      chromatography coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (PWWE-TFC-LC-MS/MS). Two parallel hollow guard columns acted as
      extraction vessels connected to a long narrow polyether ether ketone tube, while
      warm water served as extraction solvent and was delivered at a flow rate of 2.5
      mL/min to generate considerable back pressure at either vessel. A column oven
      heated both the solvent and crude materials. A TFC column, which is advantageous
      for the comprehensive trapping of small molecular substances from fluids under
      turbulent flow conditions, was employed to transfer analytes from the PWWE module
      to LC-MS/MS. Two electronic valves alternated each vessel between extraction and
      elution phases. As a proof-of-concept, a famous herbal medicine for the treatment
      of neurodegenerative disorders, namely Polygalae Radix, was selected for the
      qualitative and quantitative analyses. The results suggest that the hybrid
      platform is advantageous in terms of decreasing time, material, and solvent
      consumption and in its automation, versatility, and environmental friendliness.

PMID- 27272555
TI  - Fimasartan: A New Angiotensin Receptor Blocker.
AB  - Fimasartan is the ninth, and most recent, angiotensin II receptor antagonist
      approved as an antihypertensive agent. Fimasartan, a pyrimidin-4(3H)-one
      derivative of losartan with the imidazole ring replaced, which enables higher
      potency and longer duration than losartan. Fecal elimination and biliary
      excretion are the predominant elimination pathways of fimasartan and the urinary
      excretion was found to be less than 3 % 24 h after administration. Fimasartan is
      primarily catabolized by cytochrome P450 isoform 3A and no significant drug
      interaction was observed when used in combination with hydrochlorothiazide,
      amlodipine, warfarin, or digoxin. Fimasartan at a dosage range of 60-120 mg once
      daily showed an antihypertensive effect over 24 h. In a large, population-based
      observational study, fimasartan showed an excellent safety profile. Anti
      inflammatory and organ-protecting effects of fimasartan have been shown in
      various preclinical studies, including aortic balloon injury, myocardial infarct
      ischemia/reperfusion, doxorubicin cardiotoxicity, and ischemic stroke models. 

PMID- 27272558
TI  - Wideband nonlinear spectral broadening in ultra-short ultra - silicon rich
      nitride waveguides.
AB  - CMOS-compatible nonlinear optics platforms with high Kerr nonlinearity facilitate
      the generation of broadband spectra based on self-phase modulation. Our ultra -
      silicon rich nitride (USRN) platform is designed to have a large nonlinear
      refractive index and low nonlinear losses at 1.55 MUm for the facilitation of
      wideband spectral broadening. We investigate the ultrafast spectral
      characteristics of USRN waveguides with 1-mm-length, which have high nonlinear
      parameters (gamma ~ 550 W(-1)/m) and anomalous dispersion at 1.55 MUm wavelength
      of input light. USRN add-drop ring resonators broaden output spectra by a factor
      of 2 compared with the bandwidth of input fs laser with the highest quality
      factors of 11000 and 15000. Two - fold self phase modulation induced spectral
      broadening is observed using waveguides only 430 MUm in length, whereas a
      quadrupling of the output bandwidth is observed with USRN waveguides with a 1-mm
      length. A broadening factor of around 3 per 1 mm length is achieved in the USRN
      waveguides, a value which is comparatively larger than many other CMOS-compatible
      platforms.

PMID- 27272559
TI  - Lay public mental models of ionizing radiation: representations and risk
      perception in four European countries.
AB  - How do members of the lay public understand ionizing radiation and its effects?
      How do they define ionizing radiation, and to which other concepts do they
      connect it? Do they perceive danger and risks? Do they know how to protect
      themselves? What do they think of various applications of ionizing radiation?
      Where and how does the public lodge confidence or doubt? What is the demand for
      information and transparency? We applied the mental models approach to
      investigate these questions in four European countries (France, Poland, Romania,
      and Slovenia; 63 respondents), providing a rich picture of how the lay public
      perceives ionizing radiation. Mental models are messy and overlapping but
      meaningful and useful schemas, resulting from a person's multidimensional
      experience and relation to the surrounding natural and social world.
      Collectively, members of the lay public (independently of their education or
      background) possess a non-negligible amount of knowledge on the topic of ionizing
      radiation risk, and hold strong views on related concepts. Mutual understanding
      between specialists and potentially affected citizens may be a critical pathway
      to build a shared and effective risk culture supported by accurate, two-way risk
      communication and inter-actor relationships.

PMID- 27272560
TI  - Potential Role of Reversion-Inducing Cysteine-Rich Protein with Kazal Motifs
      (RECK) in Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) Expression in
      Periodontal Diseases.
AB  - Periodontal diseases are characterized by pathological destruction of
      extracellular matrix (ECM) of periodontal tissues. Matrix metalloproteinases
      (MMPs) are a significant part of the degradation of ECM. However, the regulation
      of MMPs expression level in periodontal diseases is as yet undetermined. RECK
      (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs), a novel membrane
      anchored inhibitor of MMPs, could regulate the expressions of MMP-2, 9 and MT1
      MMP as a cell surface-signaling molecule. Thus, we propose that RECK may play an
      important role in regulating MMPs in the ECM degradation of periodontal diseases.
      The RECK/MMPs signaling pathway could provide a new approach for prevention and
      treatment of RECK in periodontal diseases by blocking MMPs. 

PMID- 27272562
TI  - Flexible Superhydrophobic and Superoleophilic MoS2 Sponge for Highly Efficient
      Oil-Water Separation.
AB  - Removal of oils and organic solvents from water is an important global challenge
      for energy conservation and environmental protection. Advanced sorbent materials
      with excellent sorption capacity need to be developed. Here we report on a
      superhydrophobic and superoleophilic MoS2 nanosheet sponge (SMS) for highly
      efficient separation and absorption of oils or organic solvents from water. This
      novel sponge exhibits excellent absorption performance through a combination of
      superhydrophobicity, high porosity, robust stability in harsh conditions
      (including flame retardance and inertness to corrosive and different temperature
      environments) and excellent mechanical properties. The dip-coating strategy
      proposed for the fabrication of the SMS, which does not require a complicated
      process or sophisticated equipment, is very straightforward and easy to scale up.
      This finding shows promise for water remediation and oil recovery.

PMID- 27272561
TI  - Mutation Profiling Indicates High Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia as
      Distant Precursors of Adjacent Invasive Prostatic Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: High Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (HGPIN) is the
      putative precursor lesion to prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa), but the precise
      relationship between HGPIN and PCa remains unclear. METHODS: We performed a
      molecular case study in which we studied mutation profiles of six tumor
      associated HGPIN lesions in a single case of TMPRSS2:ERG fusion positive Gleason
      score 7 PCa that we had previously mapped for somatic mutations in adjacent
      Gleason patterns 3 and 4 foci, using microdissection and targeted deep
      sequencing. RESULTS: A total of 32 tumor-specific mutated sites were successfully
      amplified and sequenced, including 25 truncal mutations and 7 mutations that were
      specific to either the Gleason pattern 3 or pattern 4 foci. All six HGPIN foci
      shared the same tumor-specific TMPRSS2:ERG fusion breakpoint, establishing that
      they were all clonally related to the adjacent invasive tumor. Among the 32 gene
      targets mutated in the invasive tumor, only mutation of the OR2AP1 gene, a
      truncal mutation, was found in a single focus of HGPIN. The remaining gene
      targets that were successfully sequenced were wild-type in all other HGPIN foci.
      DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of targeted mutation
      profiling of HGPIN lesions, which will be important to understand PCa
      tumorigenesis. The results in this case, showing a remarkable absence of truncal
      mutations in HGPIN lesions bearing the tumor-specific ERG fusion, indicate HGPIN
      lesions may be relatively stable genetically and argue against a stepwise clonal
      evolution model of HGPIN to PCa. Prostate 76:1227-1236, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27272563
TI  - Increased versus stable doses of inhaled corticosteroids for exacerbations of
      chronic asthma in adults and children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with asthma may experience exacerbations or "attacks" during
      which their symptoms worsen and additional treatment is required. Written action
      plans may advocate doubling the dose of inhaled steroids in the early stages of
      an asthma exacerbation to reduce the severity of the attack and to prevent the
      need for oral steroids or hospital admission. OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical
      effectiveness and safety of increased versus stable doses of inhaled
      corticosteroids (ICS) as part of a patient-initiated action plan for home
      management of exacerbations in children and adults with persistent asthma. SEARCH
      METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register, which is
      derived from searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
      (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
      Literature (CINAHL) to March 2016. We handsearched respiratory journals and
      meeting abstracts. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials
      (RCTs) that compared increased versus stable doses of ICS for home management of
      asthma exacerbations. We included studies of children or adults with persistent
      asthma who were receiving daily maintenance ICS. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
      Two review authors independently selected trials, assessed quality and extracted
      data. We contacted authors of RCTs for additional information. MAIN RESULTS: This
      review update added three new studies including 419 participants to the review.
      In total, we identified eight RCTs, most of which were at low risk of bias,
      involving 1669 participants with mild to moderate asthma. We included three
      paediatric (n = 422) and five adult (n = 1247) studies; six were parallel-group
      trials and two had a cross-over design. All but one study followed participants
      for six months to one year. Allowed maintenance doses of ICS varied in adult and
      paediatric studies, as did use of concomitant medications and doses of ICS
      initiated during exacerbations. Investigators gave participants a study inhaler
      containing additional ICS or placebo to be started as part of an action plan for
      treatment of exacerbations.The odds of treatment failure, defined as the need for
      oral corticosteroids, were not significantly reduced among those randomised to
      increased ICS compared with those taking their usual stable maintenance dose
      (odds ratio (OR) 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 1.18; participants =
      1520; studies = 7). When we analysed only people who actually took their study
      inhaler for an exacerbation, we found much variation between study results but
      the evidence did not show a significant benefit of increasing ICS dose (OR 0.84,
      95% CI 0.54 to 1.30; participants = 766; studies = 7). The odds of having an
      unscheduled physician visit (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.41; participants = 931;
      studies = 3) or acute visit (Peto OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.24 to 3.98; participants =
      450; studies = 3) were not significantly reduced by an increased versus stable
      dose of ICS, and evidence was insufficient to permit assessment of impact on the
      duration of exacerbation; our ability to draw conclusions from these outcomes was
      limited by the number of studies reporting these events and by the number of
      events included in the analyses. The odds of serious events (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.77
      to 3.71; participants = 394; studies = 2) and non-serious events, such as oral
      irritation, headaches and changes in appetite (OR 2.15, 95% CI 0.68 to 6.73;
      participants = 142; studies = 2), were neither increased nor decreased
      significantly by increased versus stable doses of ICS during an exacerbation. Too
      few studies are available to allow firm conclusions on the basis of subgroup
      analyses conducted to investigate the impact of age, time to treatment
      initiation, doses used, smoking history and the fold increase of ICS on the
      magnitude of effect; yet, effect size appears similar in children and adults.
      AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence does not support increasing the dose of
      ICS as part of a self initiated action plan to treat exacerbations in adults and
      children with mild to moderate asthma. Increased ICS dose is not associated with
      a statistically significant reduction in the odds of requiring rescue oral
      corticosteroids for the exacerbation, or of having adverse events, compared with
      a stable ICS dose. Wide confidence intervals for several outcomes mean we cannot
      rule out possible benefits of this approach.

PMID- 27272568
TI  - Woman at the Window: Caspar David Friedrich.

PMID- 27272569
TI  - The Stars of Hospital Care: Useful or a Distraction?

PMID- 27272564
TI  - Real-time intravital imaging of pH variation associated with osteoclast activity.
AB  - Intravital imaging by two-photon excitation microscopy (TPEM) has been widely
      used to visualize cell functions. However, small molecular probes (SMPs),
      commonly used for cell imaging, cannot be simply applied to intravital imaging
      because of the challenge of delivering them into target tissues, as well as their
      undesirable physicochemical properties for TPEM imaging. Here, we designed and
      developed a functional SMP with an active-targeting moiety, higher
      photostability, and a fluorescence switch and then imaged target cell activity by
      injecting the SMP into living mice. The combination of the rationally designed
      SMP with a fluorescent protein as a reporter of cell localization enabled
      quantitation of osteoclast activity and time-lapse imaging of its in vivo
      function associated with changes in cell deformation and membrane fluctuations.
      Real-time imaging revealed heterogenic behaviors of osteoclasts in vivo and
      provided insights into the mechanism of bone resorption.

PMID- 27272576
TI  - The Potential for Postrandomization Confounding in Randomized Clinical Trials.

PMID- 27272565
TI  - Copper regulates cyclic-AMP-dependent lipolysis.
AB  - Cell signaling relies extensively on dynamic pools of redox-inactive metal ions
      such as sodium, potassium, calcium and zinc, but their redox-active transition
      metal counterparts such as copper and iron have been studied primarily as static
      enzyme cofactors. Here we report that copper is an endogenous regulator of
      lipolysis, the breakdown of fat, which is an essential process in maintaining
      body weight and energy stores. Using a mouse model of genetic copper
      misregulation, in combination with pharmacological alterations in copper status
      and imaging studies in a 3T3-L1 white adipocyte model, we found that copper
      regulates lipolysis at the level of the second messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP), by
      altering the activity of the cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterase PDE3B. Biochemical
      studies of the copper-PDE3B interaction establish copper-dependent inhibition of
      enzyme activity and identify a key conserved cysteine residue in a PDE3-specific
      loop that is essential for the observed copper-dependent lipolytic phenotype.

PMID- 27272577
TI  - A PIECE OF MY MIND. You've Got Mail.

PMID- 27272578
TI  - The Unrelenting Challenge of Obesity.

PMID- 27272579
TI  - Syphilis on the Rise: What Went Wrong?

PMID- 27272580
TI  - Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Between 1980 and 2000, the prevalence of obesity increased
      significantly among adult men and women in the United States; further significant
      increases were observed through 2003-2004 for men but not women. Subsequent
      comparisons of data from 2003-2004 with data through 2011-2012 showed no
      significant increases for men or women. OBJECTIVE: To examine obesity prevalence
      for 2013-2014 and trends over the decade from 2005 through 2014 adjusting for
      sex, age, race/Hispanic origin, smoking status, and education. DESIGN, SETTING,
      AND PARTICIPANTS: Analysis of data obtained from the National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional, nationally
      representative health examination survey of the US civilian noninstitutionalized
      population that includes measured weight and height. EXPOSURES: Survey period.
      MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Prevalence of obesity (body mass index >=30) and
      class 3 obesity (body mass index >=40). RESULTS: This report is based on data
      from 2638 adult men (mean age, 46.8 years) and 2817 women (mean age, 48.4 years)
      from the most recent 2 years (2013-2014) of NHANES and data from 21,013
      participants in previous NHANES surveys from 2005 through 2012. For the years
      2013-2014, the overall age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was 37.7% (95% CI,
      35.8%-39.7%); among men, it was 35.0% (95% CI, 32.8%-37.3%); and among women, it
      was 40.4% (95% CI, 37.6%-43.3%). The corresponding prevalence of class 3 obesity
      overall was 7.7% (95% CI, 6.2%-9.3%); among men, it was 5.5% (95% CI, 4.0%-7.2%);
      and among women, it was 9.9% (95% CI, 7.5%-12.3%). Analyses of changes over the
      decade from 2005 through 2014, adjusted for age, race/Hispanic origin, smoking
      status, and education, showed significant increasing linear trends among women
      for overall obesity (P = .004) and for class 3 obesity (P = .01) but not among
      men (P = .30 for overall obesity; P = .14 for class 3 obesity). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: In this nationally representative survey of adults in the United
      States, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in 2013-2014 was 35.0% among men
      and 40.4% among women. The corresponding values for class 3 obesity were 5.5% for
      men and 9.9% for women. For women, the prevalence of overall obesity and of class
      3 obesity showed significant linear trends for increase between 2005 and 2014;
      there were no significant trends for men. Other studies are needed to determine
      the reasons for these trends.

PMID- 27272581
TI  - Trends in Obesity Prevalence Among Children and Adolescents in the United States,
      1988-1994 Through 2013-2014.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Previous analyses of obesity trends among children and adolescents
      showed an increase between 1988-1994 and 1999-2000, but no change between 2003
      2004 and 2011-2012, except for a significant decline among children aged 2 to 5
      years. OBJECTIVES: To provide estimates of obesity and extreme obesity prevalence
      for children and adolescents for 2011-2014 and investigate trends by age between
      1988-1994 and 2013-2014. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Children and
      adolescents aged 2 to 19 years with measured weight and height in the 1988-1994
      through 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. EXPOSURES:
      Survey period. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Obesity was defined as a body mass
      index (BMI) at or above the sex-specific 95th percentile on the US Centers for
      Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI-for-age growth charts. Extreme obesity
      was defined as a BMI at or above 120% of the sex-specific 95th percentile on the
      CDC BMI-for-age growth charts. Detailed estimates are presented for 2011-2014.
      The analyses of linear and quadratic trends in prevalence were conducted using 9
      survey periods. Trend analyses between 2005-2006 and 2013-2014 also were
      conducted. RESULTS: Measurements from 40,780 children and adolescents (mean age,
      11.0 years; 48.8% female) between 1988-1994 and 2013-2014 were analyzed. Among
      children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years, the prevalence of obesity in 2011
      2014 was 17.0% (95% CI, 15.5%-18.6%) and extreme obesity was 5.8% (95% CI, 4.9%
      6.8%). Among children aged 2 to 5 years, obesity increased from 7.2% (95% CI,
      5.8%-8.8%) in 1988-1994 to 13.9% (95% CI, 10.7%-17.7%) (P < .001) in 2003-2004
      and then decreased to 9.4% (95% CI, 6.8%-12.6%) (P = .03) in 2013-2014. Among
      children aged 6 to 11 years, obesity increased from 11.3% (95% CI, 9.4%-13.4%) in
      1988-1994 to 19.6% (95% CI, 17.1%-22.4%) (P < .001) in 2007-2008, and then did
      not change (2013-2014: 17.4% [95% CI, 13.8%-21.4%]; P = .44). Obesity increased
      among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years between 1988-1994 (10.5% [95% CI, 8.8%
      12.5%]) and 2013-2014 (20.6% [95% CI, 16.2%-25.6%]; P < .001) as did extreme
      obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years (3.6% [95% CI, 2.5%-5.0%] in 1988-1994
      to 4.3% [95% CI, 3.0%-6.1%] in 2013-2014; P = .02) and adolescents aged 12 to 19
      years (2.6% [95% CI, 1.7%-3.9%] in 1988-1994 to 9.1% [95% CI, 7.0%-11.5%] in 2013
      2014; P < .001). No significant trends were observed between 2005-2006 and 2013
      2014 (P value range, .09-.87). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this nationally
      representative study of US children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years, the
      prevalence of obesity in 2011-2014 was 17.0% and extreme obesity was 5.8%.
      Between 1988-1994 and 2013-2014, the prevalence of obesity increased until 2003
      2004 and then decreased in children aged 2 to 5 years, increased until 2007-2008
      and then leveled off in children aged 6 to 11 years, and increased among
      adolescents aged 12 to 19 years.

PMID- 27272583
TI  - Screening for Syphilis Infection in Nonpregnant Adults and Adolescents: US
      Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: In 2014, 19,999 cases of syphilis were reported in the United States.
      Left untreated, syphilis can progress to late-stage disease in about 15% of
      persons who are infected. Late-stage syphilis can lead to development of
      inflammatory lesions throughout the body, which can lead to cardiovascular or
      organ dysfunction. Syphilis infection also increases the risk for acquiring or
      transmitting HIV infection. OBJECTIVE: To update the 2004 US Preventive Services
      Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for syphilis infection in
      nonpregnant adults. Screening for syphilis in pregnant women was updated in a
      separate recommendation statement in 2009 (A recommendation). EVIDENCE REVIEW:
      The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on screening for syphilis infection in
      asymptomatic, nonpregnant adults and adolescents, including patients coinfected
      with other sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV). FINDINGS: The USPSTF
      found convincing evidence that screening for syphilis infection in asymptomatic,
      nonpregnant persons at increased risk for infection provides substantial benefit.
      Accurate screening tests are available to identify syphilis infection in
      populations at increased risk. Effective treatment with antibiotics can prevent
      progression to late-stage disease, with small associated harms, providing an
      overall substantial health benefit. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF
      recommends screening for syphilis infection in persons who are at increased risk
      for infection. (A recommendation).

PMID- 27272584
TI  - Screening for Syphilis: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US
      Preventive Services Task Force.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Screening for syphilis infection is currently recommended for high
      risk individuals, including those with previous syphilis infection, an infected
      sexual partner, HIV infection, or more than 4 sex partners in the preceding year.
      OBJECTIVE: To update a 2004 systematic review of studies of syphilis screening
      effectiveness, test accuracy, and screening harms in nonpregnant adults and
      adolescents. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and
      Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews through October 2015 and Ovid MEDLINE
      (January 2004 to October 2015), with updated search through March 2016. STUDY
      SELECTION: English-language trials and observational studies of screening
      effectiveness, test accuracy, and screening harms in nonpregnant adults and
      adolescents. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: One investigator abstracted data, a
      second checked data for accuracy, and 2 investigators independently assessed
      study quality using predefined criteria. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Transmission
      of disease, including HIV; complications of syphilis; diagnostic accuracy; and
      harms of screening. RESULTS: No evidence was identified regarding the
      effectiveness of screening on clinical outcomes or the effectiveness of risk
      assessment instruments; the harms of screening; or the effectiveness of screening
      in average-risk, nonpregnant adolescents or adults or high-risk individuals other
      than men who have sex with men (MSM) or men who are HIV positive. Four non-US
      studies indicated higher rates of syphilis detection with screening every 3
      months vs 6 or 12 months for early syphilis in HIV-positive men or MSM. For
      example, there was an increased proportion of asymptomatic, higher-risk MSM in
      Australia (n = 6789 consultations) receiving a diagnosis of early syphilis when
      tested every 3 months vs annually (53% vs 16%, P = .001), but no difference among
      low-risk MSM. Treponemal and nontreponemal tests were accurate in asymptomatic
      individuals (sensitivity >85%, specificity >91%) in 3 studies but required
      confirmatory testing. Reverse sequence testing with an initial automated
      treponemal test yielded more false reactive test results than with rapid plasma
      reagin in 2 studies, one with a low-prevalence US population (0.6% vs 0.0%, P =
      .03) and another in a higher-prevalence Canadian population (0.26% vs 0.13%).
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Screening HIV-positive men or MSM for syphilis every 3
      months is associated with improved syphilis detection. Treponemal or
      nontreponemal tests are accurate screening tests but require confirmation.
      Research is needed on the effect of screening on clinical outcomes; effective
      screening strategies, including reverse sequence screening, in various patient
      populations; and harms of screening.

PMID- 27272582
TI  - Association Between a Single General Anesthesia Exposure Before Age 36 Months and
      Neurocognitive Outcomes in Later Childhood.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Exposure of young animals to commonly used anesthetics causes
      neurotoxicity including impaired neurocognitive function and abnormal behavior.
      The potential neurocognitive and behavioral effects of anesthesia exposure in
      young children are thus important to understand. OBJECTIVE: To examine if a
      single anesthesia exposure in otherwise healthy young children was associated
      with impaired neurocognitive development and abnormal behavior in later
      childhood. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Sibling-matched cohort study
      conducted between May 2009 and April 2015 at 4 university-based US pediatric
      tertiary care hospitals. The study cohort included sibling pairs within 36 months
      in age and currently 8 to 15 years old. The exposed siblings were healthy at
      surgery/anesthesia. Neurocognitive and behavior outcomes were prospectively
      assessed with retrospectively documented anesthesia exposure data. EXPOSURES: A
      single exposure to general anesthesia during inguinal hernia surgery in the
      exposed sibling and no anesthesia exposure in the unexposed sibling, before age
      36 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was global cognitive
      function (IQ). Secondary outcomes included domain-specific neurocognitive
      functions and behavior. A detailed neuropsychological battery assessed IQ and
      domain-specific neurocognitive functions. Parents completed validated,
      standardized reports of behavior. RESULTS: Among the 105 sibling pairs, the
      exposed siblings (mean age, 17.3 months at surgery/anesthesia; 9.5% female) and
      the unexposed siblings (44% female) had IQ testing at mean ages of 10.6 and 10.9
      years, respectively. All exposed children received inhaled anesthetic agents, and
      anesthesia duration ranged from 20 to 240 minutes, with a median duration of 80
      minutes. Mean IQ scores between exposed siblings (scores: full scale = 111;
      performance = 108; verbal = 111) and unexposed siblings (scores: full scale =
      111; performance = 107; verbal = 111) were not statistically significantly
      different. Differences in mean IQ scores between sibling pairs were: full scale =
      -0.2 (95% CI, -2.6 to 2.9); performance = 0.5 (95% CI, -2.7 to 3.7); and verbal =
      -0.5 (95% CI, -3.2 to 2.2). No statistically significant differences in mean
      scores were found between sibling pairs in memory/learning, motor/processing
      speed, visuospatial function, attention, executive function, language, or
      behavior. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among healthy children with a single
      anesthesia exposure before age 36 months, compared with healthy siblings with no
      anesthesia exposure, there were no statistically significant differences in IQ
      scores in later childhood. Further study of repeated exposure, prolonged
      exposure, and vulnerable subgroups is needed.

PMID- 27272585
TI  - Minimal Physical Health Risk Associated With Long-term Cannabis Use--But Buyer
      Beware.

PMID- 27272586
TI  - Treatment of Fatigue in Parkinson Disease.
AB  - CLINICAL QUESTION: Which pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions are
      associated with improvement in general, physical, or mental fatigue and minimal
      adverse effects in patients with Parkinson disease (PD)? BOTTOM LINE: Rasagiline,
      modafinil, and doxepin are associated with improvement in fatigue and are not
      associated with increased risk of adverse effects in patients with PD. However,
      the quality of evidence is limited and does not provide a clear basis for
      treatment decisions.

PMID- 27272587
TI  - Trends in Gout and Rheumatoid Arthritis Hospitalizations in the United States,
      1993-2011.

PMID- 27272588
TI  - Resident Physicians With Depression or Depressive Symptoms.

PMID- 27272589
TI  - Resident Physicians With Depression or Depressive Symptoms--In Reply.

PMID- 27272590
TI  - Treatment for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma.

PMID- 27272591
TI  - Treatment for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma--Reply.

PMID- 27272592
TI  - China's One-Child Policy.

PMID- 27272593
TI  - Consequences of Influencing Physician Behavior.

PMID- 27272594
TI  - China's One-Child Policy--In Reply.

PMID- 27272595
TI  - Responding to a Request for Physician-Assisted Death.

PMID- 27272596
TI  - Consequences of Influencing Physician Behavior--Reply.

PMID- 27272597
TI  - Responding to a Request for Physician-Assisted Death--Reply.

PMID- 27272599
TI  - The Significance of Mortality Statistics.

PMID- 27272600
TI  - JAMA PATIENT PAGE. Screening for Syphilis.

PMID- 27272601
TI  - Multifunctional metasurface lens for imaging and Fourier transform.
AB  - A metasurface can manipulate light in a desirable manner by imparting local and
      space-variant abrupt phase change. Benefiting from such an unprecedented
      capability, the conventional concept of what constitutes an optical lens
      continues to evolve. Ultrathin optical metasurface lenses have been demonstrated
      based on various nanoantennas such as V-shape structures, nanorods and nanoslits.
      A single device that can integrate two different types of lenses and polarities
      is desirable for system integration and device miniaturization. We experimentally
      demonstrate such an ultrathin metasurface lens that can function either as a
      spherical lens or a cylindrical lens, depending on the helicity of the incident
      light. Helicity-controllable focal line and focal point in the real focal plane,
      as well as imaging and 1D/2D Fourier transforms, are observed on the same lens.
      Our work provides a unique tool for polarization imaging, image processing and
      particle trapping.

PMID- 27272602
TI  - Optimized automated data analysis for the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay
      using imaging flow cytometry for high throughput radiation biodosimetry.
AB  - The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay is a well-established technique
      that can be employed in triage radiation biodosimetry to estimate whole body
      doses of radiation to potentially exposed individuals through quantitation of the
      frequency of micronuclei (MN) in binucleated lymphocyte cells (BNCs). The assay
      has been partially automated using traditional microscope-based methods and most
      recently has been modified for application on the ImageStream(X) (IS(X) ) imaging
      flow cytometer. This modification has allowed for a similar number of BNCs to be
      automatically scored as compared to traditional microscopy in a much shorter time
      period. However, the MN frequency measured was much lower than both manual and
      automated slide-based methods of performing the assay. This work describes the
      optimized analysis template which implements newly developed functions in the
      IDEAS((r)) data analysis software for the IS(X) that enhances specificity for
      BNCs and increases the frequency of scored MN. A new dose response calibration
      curve is presented in which the average rate of MN per BNC is of similar
      magnitude to those presented in the literature using automated CBMN slide scoring
      methods. In addition, dose estimates were generated for nine irradiated, blinded
      samples and were found to be within +/-0.5 Gy of the delivered dose. Results
      demonstrate that the improved identification accuracy for MN and BNCs in the
      IS(X) -based version of the CBMN assay will translate to increased accuracy when
      estimating unknown radiation doses received by exposed individuals following
      large-scale radiological or nuclear emergencies. (c) 2016 The Authors. Cytometry
      Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of ISAC.

PMID- 27272603
TI  - Parental presence at anaesthesia induction: A systematic review.
AB  - This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of parental presence for
      children undergoing surgical or diagnostic procedures under general anaesthesia
      (such as bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy and laparoscopy). Randomized and quasi
      randomized trials with healthy children scheduled for elective diagnostic and
      surgical procedures under general anaesthesia (age range 0-16 years) where the
      intervention was parental presence at anaesthesia induction were included. A
      comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases and the
      reference lists of included studies. The Cochrane collaboration's tool for
      assessing risk of bias was used for assessment of risk of bias. The Review
      Manager software was used to analyse and synthesize data. A random-effect meta
      analysis was used when there was evidence of clinical and/or statistical
      heterogeneity. Of the 102 citations identified, nine trials involving 1021
      children were eligible for inclusion. Only four were sufficient to be included in
      the meta-analysis. There was no statistically significant difference on average
      in the level of anxiety in children and their parents either at separation or at
      induction between children allocated to parental presence and those allocated to
      no presence, premedication or parental presence plus premedication groups.
      Significant debate still surrounds this issue, and future trials should focus on
      the use of reliable and validated tools in assessing outcome measures. 

PMID- 27272604
TI  - Mesophilic Acidogenesis of Food Waste-Recycling Wastewater: Effects of Hydraulic
      Retention Time, pH, and Temperature.
AB  - The effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT), pH, and operating temperature (T
      OP) on the degradation of food waste-recycling wastewater (FRW) were investigated
      in laboratory-scale hydrolysis/acidogenesis reactors. Response surface analysis
      was used to approximate the production of volatile organic acids and degradation
      of volatile suspended solids (VSS), carbohydrate, protein, and lipid with regard
      to the independent variables (1 <= HRT <= 3 days, 4 <= pH <= 6, 25 <= T OP <= 45 
      degrees C). Partial cubic models adequately approximated the corresponding
      response surfaces at alpha < 5 %. The physiological conditions for maximum
      acidification (0.4 g TVFA + EtOH/g VSadded) and the maximal degradation of VSS
      (47.5 %), carbohydrate (92.0 %), protein (17.7 %), and lipid (73.7 %) were
      different. Analysis of variance suggested that pH had a great effect on the
      responses in most cases, while T OP and HRT, and their interaction, were
      significant in some cases. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis
      revealed that Sporanaerobacter acetigenes, Lactobacillus sp., and Eubacterium
      pyruvivorans-like microorganisms might be main contributors to the hydrolysis and
      acidogenesis of FRW. Biochemical methane potential test confirmed higher methane
      yield (538.2 mL CH4/g VSadded) from an acidogenic effluent than from raw FRW.

PMID- 27272607
TI  - Associations between parents' perception of neighbourhood environments and safety
      with physical activity of primary school children in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate parental perception of neighbourhood
      environments and safety in association with children's physical activity among
      primary school children in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia. METHODS: A total of 250
      children (9-12 years of age) and their parents participated in this cross
      sectional study. Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and
      Neighbourhood Environmental Walkability Scale as well as questions on constrained
      behaviours (avoidance and defensive behaviours) were used to assess the
      children's physical activity and parental perception of neighbourhood environment
      and safety, respectively. RESULTS: More than one-third (36.0%) of the children
      were physically inactive compared with only a small percentage (4.8%) who were
      physically active, with boys achieving higher physical activity levels than girls
      (t = 2.564, P = 0.011). For the environmental scale, parents' perception of land
      use mix (access) (r = 0.173, P = 0.006), traffic hazards (r = -0.152, P = 0.016)
      and defensive behaviour (r = -0.024, P = 0.143) correlated significantly with
      children's physical activity. In multiple linear regression analysis, child's
      gender (beta = -0.226; P = 0.003), parent's education (beta = 0.140; P = 0.001),
      household income (beta = 0.151; P = 0.024), land-use mix (access) (beta = 0.134;
      P = 0.011) and defensive behaviour (beta = -0.017; P = 0.038) were significantly
      associated with physical activity in children (R = 0.349, F = 6.760; P < 0.001),
      contributing 12.2% of the variances in physical activity of the children.
      CONCLUSION: Results highlight the links between parental perception of
      neighbourhood environments, safety and constrained behaviours with their
      children's participation in active play. Interventions aimed to increase actual
      and perceived safety and reduce perceptions of risk by parents in safe
      neighbourhoods can be targeted to increase children's physical activity in their
      local neighbourhoods.

PMID- 27272609
TI  - Current Literature.

PMID- 27272608
TI  - Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a brief school-based group programme for
      parents of children at risk of ADHD: a cluster randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines
      recommend a stepped care approach for the identification and management of
      children with, or at risk of, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We
      investigated the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of a group
      parenting intervention programme (+/- a teacher session) for children at risk of
      ADHD. METHODS: In a three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial, 12 primary
      schools were randomly assigned to control, parent-only and combined (parent +
      teacher) intervention arms. Eligible children had high levels of parent-rated
      hyperactivity/inattention (n = 199). At 6 month follow-up, the primary outcome
      measure was the parent-completed Conners' Rating Scale - Revised (ADHD index).
      Secondary outcomes included the Conners' sub-scales (hyperactivity, cognitive
      problems/inattention and oppositional behaviour), the teacher-completed Conners'
      Rating Scale - Revised, child health-related quality of life, parental burden and
      parental mental health. The cost-effectiveness analyses reflected a health and
      personal social services perspective. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN87634685.
      RESULTS: Follow-up data were obtained from 76 parents and 169 teachers. There was
      no effect of the parent-only (mean difference = -1.1, 95% CI -5.1,2.9; p = 0.57)
      or combined interventions (mean difference = -2.1, 95% CI -6.4,2.1; p = 0.31) on
      the ADHD index. The combined intervention was associated with reduced parent
      reported hyperactivity symptoms (mean difference = -5.3; 95% CI -10.5,-0.01; p =
      0.05) and the parent-only intervention with improved parental mental health (mean
      difference = -1.9; 95% CI -3.2,-0.5; p = 0.009). The incremental costs of the
      parent-only and the combined interventions were L73 and L123, respectively. Above
      a willingness-to-pay of L31 per one-point improvement in the ADHD index, the
      parent-only programme had the highest probability of cost-effectiveness.
      Participants found the interventions acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: For children at
      risk of ADHD, this school-based parenting programme was not associated with
      improvement in core ADHD symptoms. Secondary analyses suggested a possible
      reduction in parent-reported hyperactivity and parental mental health problems.
      Future research should compare targeted interventions against watchful waiting
      and specialist referral.

PMID- 27272610
TI  - Low palaeoelevation of the northern Lhasa terrane during late Eocene: Fossil
      foraminifera and stable isotope evidence from the Gerze Basin.
AB  - The Lhasa terrane is a key region for understanding the paleoelevation of the
      southern Tibetan Plateau after India-Asia collision. The Gerze Basin, located in
      the northern part of the Lhasa terrane, is a shortening-related basin. We
      discovered Lagena laevis (Bandy) fossils in upper Eocene strata of the Gerze
      Basin. This type of foraminifera is associated with lagoon and estuarine
      environments, indicating that the northern part of the Lhasa terrane was near sea
      level during the late Eocene. We speculate that these foraminifera were
      transported inland by storm surges to low elevation freshwater lakes during times
      of marine transgressions. This inference is consistent with the relatively
      positive delta(18)O values in carbonate from the same deposits that indicate low
      palaeoelevations close to sea level. Considering the palaeoelevation results from
      the nearby Oligocene basins at a similar latitude and the volcanic history of the
      Lhasa terrane, we infer that large-magnitude surface uplift of the northern Lhasa
      terrane occurred between late Eocene and late Oligocene time.

PMID- 27272612
TI  - Mother and Child: Medication Use in Pregnancy and Lactation.
AB  - Pregnancy and breastfeeding pose a unique challenge to drug development and
      clinical application. In addition to drug toxicity to the fetus in utero and
      infants through breastfeeding, alterations of pharmacokinetics in those women
      also need careful attention. How do we turn around the overall lack of drug
      efficacy and toxicity information for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

PMID- 27272615
TI  - Successful treatment of refractory Darier disease with alitretinoin with a follow
      up of over a year: a case report.

PMID- 27272616
TI  - How feedback, motor imagery, and reward influence brain self-regulation using
      real-time fMRI.
AB  - The learning process involved in achieving brain self-regulation is presumed to
      be related to several factors, such as type of feedback, reward, mental imagery,
      duration of training, among others. Explicitly instructing participants to use
      mental imagery and monetary reward are common practices in real-time fMRI
      (rtfMRI) neurofeedback (NF), under the assumption that they will enhance and
      accelerate the learning process. However, it is still not clear what the optimal
      strategy is for improving volitional control. We investigated the differential
      effect of feedback, explicit instructions and monetary reward while training
      healthy individuals to up-regulate the blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signal
      in the supplementary motor area (SMA). Four groups were trained in a two-day
      rtfMRI-NF protocol: GF with NF only, GF,I with NF + explicit instructions (motor
      imagery), GF,R with NF + monetary reward, and GF,I,R with NF + explicit
      instructions (motor imagery) + monetary reward. Our results showed that GF
      increased significantly their BOLD self-regulation from day-1 to day-2 and GF,R
      showed the highest BOLD signal amplitude in SMA during the training. The two
      groups who were instructed to use motor imagery did not show a significant
      learning effect over the 2 days. The additional factors, namely motor imagery and
      reward, tended to increase the intersubject variability in the SMA during the
      course of training. Whole brain univariate and functional connectivity analyses
      showed common as well as distinct patterns in the four groups, representing the
      varied influences of feedback, reward, and instructions on the brain. Hum Brain
      Mapp 37:3153-3171, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27272619
TI  - Simplification of Insulin Regimens in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

PMID- 27272618
TI  - Synthetic Nucleosomes Reveal that GlcNAcylation Modulates Direct Interaction with
      the FACT Complex.
AB  - Transcriptional regulation can be established by various post-translational
      modifications (PTMs) on histone proteins in the nucleosome and by nucleobase
      modifications on chromosomal DNA. Functional consequences of histone O
      GlcNAcylation (O-GlcNAc=O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine) are largely
      unexplored. Herein, we generate homogeneously GlcNAcylated histones and
      nucleosomes by chemical post-translational modification. Mass-spectrometry-based
      quantitative interaction proteomics reveals a direct interaction between
      GlcNAcylated nucleosomes and the "facilitates chromatin transcription" (FACT)
      complex. Preferential binding of FACT to GlcNAcylated nucleosomes may point
      towards O-GlcNAcylation as one of the triggers for FACT-driven transcriptional
      control.

PMID- 27272620
TI  - Morphology and clinical importance of epidural membrane and periradicular fibrous
      tissue in lumbar spinal stenosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Compared to the ligamentum flavum (LF), morphology of the epidural
      membrane (EM) and the periradicular fibrous tissue (PRFT) has been largely
      ignored in studies of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The aim of this prospective
      study was to elucidate the morphologies and clinical importance of the EM and
      PRFT in LSS. METHODS: Before starting this study, neural compressive EM (c-EM)
      and PRFT (c-PRFT) were defined as follows based on our microsurgical experience
      and a literature review. The c-EM is a constriction band or membrane obstructing
      dural tube expansion, and the c-PRFT is a fibrous tissue that compresses the
      nerve root and/or restricts its mobility. This study enrolled 134 patients who
      underwent microscopic decompression at L4/5. The morphologies of each patient's
      EM and PRFT were observed and recorded. Specimens were obtained from randomly
      selected patients for histological evaluation. RESULTS: The EM and PRFT exhibited
      a wide morphological spectrum, from a fine strand to a substantial membrane. The
      c-EM alone was observed in four cases, the c-PRFT alone in 37 cases, and both in
      three cases. The c-PRFT was more frequently observed in patients with
      degenerative spondylolisthesis than in those without olisthesis (P < 0.05).
      Several cases exhibited interesting histological findings including many small
      arteries, chondrometaplasia, ganglion-like cyst formation, and hyalinized
      collagen fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Some EM and PRFT transform into degenerative and
      substantial fibrous tissues during the process of symptomatic LSS development.
      Such morphological and histological changes can cause dural tear, symptomatic
      epidural hematoma, and/or inadequate decompression.

PMID- 27272621
TI  - Unilateral tubular approach for bilateral laminotomy: effect on ipsilateral and
      contralateral buttock and leg pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: Tubular laminotomy is an effective procedure for treatment of lumbar
      spinal stenosis (LSS) and lateral recesses stenosis. Most surgeons familiar with
      the procedure agree that the tubular approach appears to afford a more complete
      decompression of the contralateral thecal sac and nerve root, as compared to the
      ipsilateral approach. With this study we sought to answer the question whether
      this is reflected in clinically significant differences between the ipsilateral
      and contralateral side pain improvements. METHODS: In a retrospective case study,
      patients with LSS and lateral recesses stenosis who started out with VAS scores
      that were similar on the right and left side were included. All patients
      underwent a tubular (MIS) "over the top" laminotomy from a unilateral approach
      and through one incision. Surgeries were performed by a single surgeon in a
      single center. At the last follow-up, the extent of VAS score improvement on the
      approach (ipsilateral) side was compared to that of the contralateral side.
      RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in. At the latest follow-up of 25.8
      +/- 3.4 months, there were statistically significant improvements in ODI and back
      VAS scores (p = 0.002 and p < 0.0001, respectively). In addition, buttock VAS
      scores were significantly improved both on the ipsilateral and the contralateral
      side (p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). Similarly, leg VAS scores were
      improved significantly on both sides (p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively).
      There were no statistically significant differences between the extent of pain
      improvement on the ipsilateral and the contralateral side. CONCLUSIONS: MIS
      tubular laminotomy through a unilateral approach results in clinically effective
      bilateral decompression of LSS and lateral recesses, regardless of the approach
      side.

PMID- 27272622
TI  - Factors Associated with Early Mortality in HIV-Positive Men and Women
      Investigated for Tuberculosis at Ethiopian Health Centers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite increasing access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) in low
      income countries, HIV-related mortality is high, especially in the first months
      following ART initiation. We aimed to evaluate the impact of TB coinfection on
      early mortality and to assess gender-specific predictors of mortality in a cohort
      of Ethiopian adults subjected to intensified casefinding for active TB before
      starting ART. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospectively recruited ART-eligible adults
      (n = 812, 58.6% female) at five Ethiopian health centers were followed for 6
      months. At inclusion sputum culture, Xpert MTB/RIF, and smear microscopy were
      performed (158/812 [19.5%] had TB). Primary outcome was all-cause mortality. We
      used multivariate Cox models to identify predictors of mortality. RESULTS: In
      total, 37/812 (4.6%) participants died, 12 (32.4%) of whom had TB. Karnofsky
      performance score (KPS) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were associated
      with mortality in the whole population. However, the associations were different
      in men and women. In men, only MUAC remained associated with mortality (adjusted
      hazard ratio [aHR] 0.71 [95% CI 0.57-0.88]). In women, KPS <80% was associated
      with mortality (aHR 10.95 [95% CI 2.33-51.49]), as well as presence of cough (aHR
      3.98 [95% CI 1.10-14.36]). Cough was also associated with mortality for TB cases
      (aHR 8.30 [95% CI 1.06-65.14]), but not for non-TB cases. CONCLUSIONS: In HIV
      positive Ethiopian adults managed at health centers, mortality was associated
      with reduced performance score and malnutrition, with different distribution with
      regard to gender and TB coinfection. These robust variables could be used at
      clinic registration to identify persons at increased risk of early mortality.

PMID- 27272625
TI  - How Zika virus made the transition from being a virtually unknown virus to a high
      profile public health threat.

PMID- 27272626
TI  - Nurture in the neonatal intensive care unit.

PMID- 27272623
TI  - Stenosis triggers spread of helical Pseudomonas biofilms in cylindrical flow
      systems.
AB  - Biofilms are multicellular bacterial structures that adhere to surfaces and often
      endow the bacterial population with tolerance to antibiotics and other
      environmental insults. Biofilms frequently colonize the tubing of medical devices
      through mechanisms that are poorly understood. Here we studied the helicoidal
      spread of Pseudomonas putida biofilms through cylindrical conduits of varied
      diameters in slow laminar flow regimes. Numerical simulations of such flows
      reveal vortical motion at stenoses and junctions, which enhances bacterial
      adhesion and fosters formation of filamentous structures. Formation of long,
      downstream-flowing bacterial threads that stem from narrowings and connections
      was detected experimentally, as predicted by our model. Accumulation of bacterial
      biomass makes the resulting filaments undergo a helical instability. These
      incipient helices then coarsened until constrained by the tubing walls, and
      spread along the whole tube length without obstructing the flow. A three
      dimensional discrete filament model supports this coarsening mechanism and yields
      simulations of helix dynamics in accordance with our experimental observations.
      These findings describe an unanticipated mechanism for bacterial spreading in
      tubing networks which might be involved in some hospital-acquired infections and
      bacterial contamination of catheters.

PMID- 27272627
TI  - It is important with developmental supportive interventions beyond the NICU
      period.

PMID- 27272628
TI  - Impact of a systematic neonatal pain and sedation protocol.

PMID- 27272629
TI  - Revisiting a dilemma: repetitive pain vs. opioid exposures?

PMID- 27272630
TI  - Value-based recruitment in midwifery: do the values align with what women say is
      important to them?
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to discuss theoretical conceptualization and
      definition of values and value-based recruitment in the context of women's views
      about what they would like from their midwife. BACKGROUND: Value-based
      recruitment received headline status in the UK government's response to pervasive
      deficiencies in compassionate care identified in the health service. Core values
      which aim to inform service user's experience are defined in the National Health
      Service Constitution but clarity about whether these encompass all that women say
      is important to them is needed. DESIGN: Discussion paper. DATA SOURCES: A
      literature search included published papers written in English relating to
      values, VBR and women's views of a 'good' midwife with no date limiters.
      DISCUSSION: Definitions of values and value-based recruitment are examined.
      Congruence is explored between what women say is important to them and key
      government and professional regulatory documentation. The importance of a
      'sustainable emotional' dimension in the midwife-mother relationship is
      suggested. CONCLUSION: Inconsistencies are identified between women's views,
      government, professional documentation and what women say they want. An omission
      of any reference to emotions or emotionality in value-based recruitment policy,
      professional recruitment and selection guidance documentation is identified.
      IMPLICATIONS: A review of key professional documentation, in relation to
      selection for 'values', is proposed. We argue for clarity and revision so that
      values embedded in value-based recruitment are consistent with health service
      users' views. An enhancement of the 'values' in the value-based recruitment
      framework is recommended to include the emotionality that women state is a
      fundamental part of their relationship with their midwife.

PMID- 27272631
TI  - Longitudinal Reciprocal Relationships Between Quality of Life and Coping
      Strategies Among Women with Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research on quality of life (QoL) among women with breast cancer has
      often examined the impact of coping strategies on QoL. However, the transactional
      model of stress and coping would argue that QoL can impact coping. This
      reciprocal relationship between QoL and coping has been inadequately studied.
      PURPOSE: This study examined reciprocal relationships over 18 months between QoL
      and coping (positive and negative coping) among women with breast cancer.
      METHODS: Three-wave cross-lagged structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was
      used over three timepoints post-diagnosis (T1-T3; N = 637, 577, 553,
      respectively). RESULTS: SEM results revealed a significant reciprocal
      relationship between negative coping and QoL, indicating that negative coping
      predicted subsequent QoL, which in turn predicted later negative coping. Although
      QoL at cancer diagnosis predicted subsequent positive coping, we did not find a
      reciprocal relation between QoL and positive coping. CONCLUSION: Findings expand
      our knowledge of the relation between QoL and coping by suggesting the reciprocal
      relationship between negative coping and QoL among women with breast cancer.

PMID- 27272632
TI  - [Hygiene in ophthalmological practices : Results from ophthalmological practices
      in Frankfurt am Main in 2012-2015].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hygiene regulations must be taken into consideration for all
      diagnostic and therapeutic measures in order to avoid transfer of pathogens and
      infections. The Infection Protection Act assigns the responsibility for
      prevention of infections to managers of medical institutions, i.e. the owners of
      a practice and public health authorities are obligated to counsel and monitor
      medical institutions with respect to hygiene and prevention of infections. This
      article presents the results of the surveillance of all ophthalmological
      practices in Frankfurt am Main in 2012-2015, which are assessed and discussed
      against the background of the valid recommendations of the Committee for Hospital
      Hygiene (KRINKO). METHODS: Based on a checklist, all 35 ophthalmological
      practices in Frankfurt am Main received counseling and were monitored by an
      official from the Public Health Office. RESULTS: The basic principles of hygiene
      organization as well as the prerequisites for appropriate hand hygiene and
      surface disinfection were present in the majority of practices. In 11 practices
      (31.4 %) disposable medical products were exclusively utilized but medical
      products were prepared in-house in 24 practices (68.6 %). Contact pads for
      tonometry were prepared in-house in 13 (37.1 %) practices of which 6 were
      deficient so that improvements had to be implemented. In 6 out of the 7 practices
      where even critical medical products were prepared, this preparation was
      prohibited due to significant errors and the practices had to switch to
      disposable materials. DISCUSSION: In total, the practices could be certified as
      having a good general level of hygiene; however, in some cases major errors were
      found in the preparation of medical products, which had to be immediately
      corrected.

PMID- 27272634
TI  - [Conjunctival dehiscence following vitreoretinal surgery].

PMID- 27272633
TI  - [Compliance of age related macular degeneration patients undergoing anti-VEGF
      therapy : Analysis and suggestions for improvement].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Activity-based treatment regimens with anti-vascular endothelial
      growth factor (anti-VEGF) are currently the gold standard for treatment of
      exudative age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Whereas injection frequencies
      of approximately seven injections in the first year and six in the second year
      are expected with a pro re nata (PRN) regimen, retrospective real life
      observations have recorded significantly reduced numbers of injections. This
      study was carried out to investigate the reasons for the reduction in follow-up
      control appointments and to find out whether a telemedicine network could
      influence the motivation and compliance for regular control examinations and
      treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient collective included 210 eyes from
      191 patients with nAMD treated by anti-VEGF therapy in 2010 and 2011. The
      activity-based anti-VEGF treatment, control examinations and treatment intervals
      were performed according to the guidelines over a mean follow-up of 2 years. In
      another collective of 100 eyes from 100 patients with treatment of nAMD 2 groups
      were observed: 1 group with patients for whom control examinations were carried
      out close to home including an online transmission of the results to the treating
      retinal center and another group in which the patients had to be examined in the
      treatment center. RESULTS: After 140 weeks 50 % of the patients in the first
      collective regularly attended control examinations and after 1 year the number
      was 79 %. After 2 years the probability of continuous supervision is given for
      only 62 % of the patients, whereas in 38 % the treatment was terminated. Of these
      patients treatment was terminated in 8 % due to valid criteria, whereas in 30 %
      of the patients the termination was unintentional. The main reason (38 %) for an
      unintentional termination of examination and treatment was the frequent and long
      journey. Patients in the second collective had a significantly higher compliance
      with respect to the control examinations (p < 0.001) and number of injections (p
      = 0.02) over the period of nearly 2 years due to the introduction of electronic
      transmission of images. CONCLUSION: A long-term therapy of nAMD in the clinical
      routine can be achieved by a close relationship with the ophthalmologist,
      continuous follow-up controls and therapy cycles. A close telemedical networking
      between the ophthalmologist and the treatment center can lead to better patient
      compliance. Furthermore, the construction of such platforms represents a
      challenge not only for the treatment of nAMD but also for other diseases.

PMID- 27272635
TI  - [Iritis : What has glaucoma to do with it?]

PMID- 27272640
TI  - Behavioral responses of three armadillo species (Mammalia: Xenarthra) to an
      environmental enrichment program in Villavicencio, Colombia.
AB  - Enrichment is a powerful tool to improve the welfare of animals under human care.
      Stress-related health and behavioral problems, as well as reproductive failure,
      are frequent in armadillos (Xenarthra, Cingulata, Dasypodidae) under human care,
      which hinders the development of successful ex situ conservation programs.
      Nevertheless, scientific studies on the effect of enrichment programs on
      armadillos are virtually non-existent. The objective of this study was to assess
      the impact of an enrichment program on the behavior of armadillos under human
      care. The behavior of 12 individuals of three species (Dasypus novemcinctus, D.
      sabanicola, and Cabassous unicinctus) maintained at Finca El Turpial,
      Villavicencio, Colombia, was recorded using scan sampling during three daily time
      blocks of 2 hr each before (4 weeks) and after (4 weeks) implementing an
      enrichment program. Enrichment did not stimulate the armadillos to change or
      extend their activity period. In general, activity levels were low during the
      entire study, and virtually no activity was recorded in the morning in any
      species, neither without nor with enrichment. The latter did, however, improve
      welfare by reducing abnormal and increasing natural foraging behaviors. All
      species were attracted by artificial termite mounds. Dasypus spp. showed special
      interest in cardboard boxes with food, while Cabassous was mainly attracted to
      hollow plastic balls filled with food. Our results suggest that separate
      enrichment programs need to be developed for different armadillo species, and
      that they should be applied during the time of day at which they are most active.
      Zoo Biol. 35:304-312, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 27272641
TI  - Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) Variants with Primary Angle
      Closure and Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma.
AB  - Shorter axial length observed in patients with primary angle closure glaucoma
      (PACG) might be due to altered matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) activity
      resulting in ECM remodeling during eye growth and development. This study aimed
      to evaluate common variants in MMP9 for association with PACG. Six tag SNPs of
      MMP9 were genotyped in a Chinese sample of 1,030 cases, including 572 PACG and
      458 primary angle closure (PAC), and 499 controls. None of 6 SNPs were
      significantly associated with overall PAC/PACG (P > 0.07) or with PAC/PACG
      subgroups (Pc > 0.18). Meta-analysis of two non-Chinese studies revealed
      significant association between rs17576 and PACG (ORs = 0.56, P < 0.0001);
      however, meta-analysis of our dataset with 4 Chinese datasets did not replicate
      this association (ORs = 1.23, P = 0.29). Prior significant association for
      rs3918249 in one Caucasian study (OR = 0.63, P = 0.006) was not replicated in
      meta-analysis of 3 Chinese studies including this study (ORs = 0.91, P = 0.13).
      Significant heterogeneity between non-Chinese and Chinese datasets precluded
      overall meta-analysis for rs17576 and rs3918249 (Q = 0.001 and 0.04
      respectively). rs17577 was nominally associated with PACG in one Caucasian study
      (OR = 1.71, P = 0.02), but not in 3 Chinese studies including our study (ORs =
      1.20, P = 0.07). Overall meta-analysis revealed nominal association for rs17577
      and PAC/PACG (ORs = 1.26, Pc = 0.05). Meta-analysis did not show significant
      association between the other SNPs and PAC/PACG (P > 0.47). The largest
      association study to date did not find significant association between MMP9 and
      PAC/PACG in Chinese; meta-analysis with other Chinese datasets did not produce
      significant association. In most instances combination with non-Chinese datasets
      was not possible except for one variant showing nominally significant
      association. More work is needed to define the role of MMP9 variants in PACG. 

PMID- 27272642
TI  - Msa1 and Msa2 Modulate G1-Specific Transcription to Promote G1 Arrest and the
      Transition to Quiescence in Budding Yeast.
AB  - Yeast that naturally exhaust their glucose source can enter a quiescent state
      that is characterized by reduced cell size, and high cell density, stress
      tolerance and longevity. The transition to quiescence involves highly asymmetric
      cell divisions, dramatic reprogramming of transcription and global changes in
      chromatin structure and chromosome topology. Cells enter quiescence from G1 and
      we find that there is a positive correlation between the length of G1 and the
      yield of quiescent cells. The Swi4 and Swi6 transcription factors, which form the
      SBF transcription complex and promote the G1 to S transition in cycling cells,
      are also critical for the transition to quiescence. Swi6 forms a second complex
      with Mbp1 (MBF), which is not required for quiescence. These are the functional
      analogues of the E2F complexes of higher eukaryotes. Loss of the RB analogue,
      Whi5, and the related protein Srl3/Whi7, delays G1 arrest, but it also delays
      recovery from quiescence. Two MBF- and SBF-Associated proteins have been
      identified that have little effect on SBF or MBF activity in cycling cells. We
      show that these two related proteins, Msa1 and Msa2, are specifically required
      for the transition to quiescence. Like the E2F complexes that are quiescence
      specific, Msa1 and Msa2 are required to repress the transcription of many SBF
      target genes, including SWI4, the CLN2 cyclin and histones, specifically after
      glucose is exhausted from the media. They also activate transcription of many MBF
      target genes. msa1msa2 cells fail to G1 arrest and rapidly lose viability upon
      glucose exhaustion. msa1msa2 mutants that survive this transition are very large,
      but they attain the same thermo-tolerance and longevity of wild type quiescent
      cells. This indicates that Msa1 and Msa2 are required for successful transition
      to quiescence, but not for the maintenance of that state.

PMID- 27272643
TI  - Nonsuicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations:
      an integrative review.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To conduct an integrative review of nonsuicidal self-injury
      among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations to better understand the
      prevalence; to identify the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender subgroups at
      increased risk for nonsuicidal self-injury; and to examine the risk factors
      associated with nonsuicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual and
      transgender populations. BACKGROUND: Nonsuicidal self-injury, defined as
      intentional injury to the body's surface without intent to die, is a significant
      mental health concern among adolescents and adults. Mental health disparities in
      lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations, including anxiety, depression
      and suicidality, have been documented in the scientific literature with little
      focus on findings about nonsuicidal self-injury. DESIGN: Integrative literature
      review of published quantitative and qualitative empirical research. METHODS: A
      literature search of 11 on-line databases was conducted of articles published
      through April 2015. Keywords were used to identify articles about lesbian, gay,
      bisexual and transgender populations and nonsuicidal self-injury. RESULTS: After
      screening by title, abstract and full text, 26 articles were included in this
      review. The literature synthesised demonstrates a consistent pattern of increased
      prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury among sexual and gender minority
      populations compared with heterosexual peers. This body of literature indicates
      which subgroups of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations appear
      to be at increased risk for nonsuicidal self-injury and which specific factors
      contributing to vulnerability to nonsuicidal self-injury among these populations.
      CONCLUSIONS: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations are at higher
      risk for nonsuicidal self-injury compared with the general population. Lesbian,
      gay, bisexual and transgender-specific and general risk factors appear to
      contribute to this heightened vulnerability. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:
      Clinical nurses should screen for nonsuicidal self-injury and for sexual and
      gender minority identity in all of their patients. Comprehensive assessment of
      lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients presenting with nonsuicidal self
      injury may lead to identification of risk factors that can be addressed through
      nursing interventions. Nurse researchers and clinicians should take an active
      role in developing and implementing evidenced-based tailored interventions to
      reduce the higher vulnerability to nonsuicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay,
      bisexual and transgender populations.

PMID- 27272645
TI  - Fungal and bacterial growth in floor dust at elevated relative humidity levels.
AB  - Under sustained, elevated building moisture conditions, bacterial and fungal
      growth occurs. The goal of this study was to characterize microbial growth in
      floor dust at variable equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) levels. Floor dust
      from one home was embedded in coupons cut from a worn medium-pile nylon carpet
      and incubated at 50%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, and 100% ERH levels. Quantitative PCR
      and DNA sequencing of ribosomal DNA for bacteria and fungi were used to quantify
      growth and community shifts. Over a 1-wk period, fungal growth occurred above 80%
      ERH. Growth rates at 85% and 100% ERH were 1.1 * 104 and 1.5 * 105 spore
      equivalents d-1 mg dust-1 , respectively. Bacterial growth occurred only at 100%
      ERH after 1 wk (9.0 * 104 genomes d-1 mg dust-1 ). Growth resulted in significant
      changes in fungal (P<.00001) and bacterial community structure (P<.00001) at
      varying ERH levels. Comparisons between fungal taxa incubated at different ERH
      levels revealed more than 100 fungal and bacterial species that were attributable
      to elevated ERH. Resuspension modeling indicated that more than 50% of airborne
      microbes could originate from the resuspension of fungi grown at ERH levels of
      85% and above.

PMID- 27272644
TI  - Per capita increase in hospital presentations and admissions among children since
      the 1990s.
AB  - AIM: Data regarding temporal trends in per capita paediatric hospital
      presentations and admissions are required to inform health system and workforce
      planning. METHODS: Emergency Department (ED) presentations and admissions to the
      University Hospital Geelong among patients aged 0 to 16 years over a 12-month
      period (2012-2013) were determined by review of hospital records and then
      compared with similar data collected during 1996/1997.1 During each period, the
      Geelong region was serviced by a single ED, enabling us to estimate per capita
      presentation and admission rates. RESULTS: Since 1996/1997, per capita paediatric
      presentations to the ED increased from 643 to 1837 per 10 000 (186%; 95%
      confidence interval 181% to 191%). Moreover, the proportion of paediatric ED
      presentations resulting in hospital admission increased from 12.3% to 18.3% (49%;
      95% confidence interval 39% to 59%). CONCLUSIONS: There has been a substantial
      absolute and per capita increase in paediatric ED presentations and hospital
      admissions since the 1990s. These trends place an increasing burden on the public
      hospital system, and strategies are required to promote paediatric acute care in
      the ambulatory setting.

PMID- 27272646
TI  - Cobalt-Catalyzed C(sp(2) )-H Methylation by using Dicumyl Peroxide as both the
      Methylating Reagent and Hydrogen Acceptor.
AB  - The first cobalt-catalyzed direct methylation of a C(sp(2) )-H bond using dicumyl
      peroxide (DCP) as both the methylating reagent and hydrogen acceptor has been
      established. The reaction proceeded without the use of any additives, and was
      proven to be applicable to various amides bearing a 2-pyridinylisopropyl (PIP)
      directing group, providing an efficient access to o-methyl aryl amides with high
      functional-group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest a radical
      process would be involved in the catalytic process. 

PMID- 27272647
TI  - Biospectroscopy, biospectrometry and imaging of Ilex paraguariensis. Basis for
      non-destructive quality evaluation using artificial vision.
AB  - Yerba mate (YM) is massively produced and consumed as an infusion in South
      America and is gaining popularity all over the world. This product is obtained
      from the dried leaves of Ilex paraguariensis Saint Hilaire, mixed with fragments
      of its dried branches. For its commercialization YM must have a minimum
      percentage of leaves according to a standard classification. Until now,
      composition quantification has been mechanically performed, thus development of
      new methods is still pending. In this work a quantification method using solid
      phase molecular fluorescence, alternately diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and an
      imaging technique using a scanner have been proposed. Strong differences between
      the spectroscopic properties of leaves and sticks were observed and in all the
      cases linear correlations between the processed signals and composition were
      observed. Interesting differences in chemical composition of YM leaves and sticks
      were additionally obtained in this work by means of total phenol content
      quantification, ultraviolet matrix assisted laser-desorption ionization mass
      spectrometry and ultraviolet laser-desorption ionization mass spectrometry.

PMID- 27272648
TI  - Uses and misuses of the fudge factor in quantitative discovery proteomics.
AB  - Selecting proteins with significant differential abundance is the cornerstone of
      many relative quantitative proteomics experiments. To do so, a trade-off between
      p-value thresholding and fold-change thresholding can be performed because of a
      specific parameter, named fudge factor, and classically noted s0 . We have
      observed that this fudge factor is routinely turned away from its original (and
      statistically valid) use, leading to important distortion in the distribution of
      p-values, jeopardizing the protein differential analysis, as well as the
      subsequent biological conclusion. In this article, we provide a comprehensive
      viewpoint on this issue, as well as some guidelines to circumvent it.

PMID- 27272649
TI  - Alphabet-Inspired Design of (Hetero)Aromatic Push-Pull Chromophores.
AB  - Push-pull molecules represent a unique and fascinating class of organic pi
      conjugated materials. Herein, we provide a summary of their recent extraordinary
      design inspired by letters of the alphabet, especially focusing on H-, L-, T-, V
      , X-, and Y-shaped molecules. Representative structures from each class were
      presented and their fundamental properties and prospective applications were
      discussed. In particular, emphasis is given to molecules recently prepared in our
      laboratory with T-, X-, and Y-shaped arrangements based on indan-1,3-dione,
      benzene, pyridine, pyrazine, imidazole, and triphenylamine. These push-pull
      molecules turned out to be very efficient charge-transfer chromophores with
      tunable properties suitable for second-order nonlinear optics, two-photon
      absorption, reversible pH-induced and photochromic switching, photocatalysis, and
      intercalation.

PMID- 27272650
TI  - Left ventricular performance during triggered left ventricular pacing in patients
      with cardiac resynchronization therapy and left bundle branch block.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the acute effect of triggered left ventricular pacing (tLVp)
      on left ventricular performance and contraction pattern in patients with heart
      failure, left bundle branch block (LBBB), and cardiac resynchronization therapy
      (CRT). METHODS: Twenty-three patients with pre-implant QRS complex >150 ms, QRS
      complex narrowing under CRT, and sinus rhythm were included >=3 months after CRT
      implantation. Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction
      (LVEF), global peak systolic longitudinal strain (GLS), and contraction pattern
      by 2D strain was performed during intrinsic conduction, tLVp, and BiV pacing and
      compared as paired data. Echocardiographic analysis was done blinded with respect
      to pacing mode. RESULTS: LVEF was significantly higher during BiV pacing (47 +/-
      11 %) compared with intrinsic conduction (43 +/- 13 %, P = 0.001) and tLVp (44 +/
      13 %, P = 0.001), while there was no difference between intrinsic conduction and
      tLVp (P = 0.28). GLS was higher during BiV (14 +/- 3) than during intrinsic
      conduction (13 +/- 3, P = 0.01) and tLVp (13 +/- 3, P = 0.03). Difference in time
      to-peak contraction between the basal septal and lateral walls was shorter during
      BiV pacing (-3 +/- 44 ms) than during intrinsic conduction (129 +/- 66, P <
      0.001) and tLVp (118 +/- 118 ms, P < 0.001), with no difference between tLVp and
      intrinsic conduction (P = 0.56). The electrocardiogram showed change in frontal
      axis from intrinsic conduction in only 2 (9 %) patients during tLVp and in 20 (87
      %) patients during BiV pacing. CONCLUSIONS: The acute effect of tLVp on LV
      systolic function and contraction pattern is significantly lower than the effect
      of BiV pacing and not different from intrinsic conduction in patients with LBBB
      and CRT.

PMID- 27272651
TI  - Apnea-hypopnea index as a predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence following
      initial pulmonary vein isolation: usefulness of type-3 portable monitor for sleep
      disordered breathing.
AB  - PURPOSE: The relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after
      pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) evaluated
      using type-3 portable monitoring (PM) is still unknown. We investigated high-risk
      patients with AF recurrence after initial PVI using the apnea-hypopnea index
      (AHI) measured by type-3 PM. METHODS: One hundred twenty-four (85 males; age 62
      +/- 10 years) AF patients undergoing initial PVI were enrolled: 83, paroxysmal
      AF; 41, persistent AF. At baseline, all patients were subjected to in-hospital
      unattended overnight polygraphy using type-3 PM for SDB. RESULTS: During 13 +/- 7
      months following initial PVI, 47 patients (38 %) experienced AF recurrence. AHI
      and left atrial volume index (LAVI) were significantly greater in patients with
      than in those without AF recurrence (AHI P = 0.011; LAVI P < 0.001). LAVI was an
      independent predictor of AF recurrence following initial PVI in patients with
      both paroxysmal AF and persistent AF (paroxysmal AF P = 0.008; persistent AF P =
      0.002). However, AHI was an independent predictor of AF recurrence following
      initial PVI in patients with paroxysmal AF (P = 0.034) but not in those with
      persistent AF. The optimal cutoff value was defined as AHI = 14.1. AF recurrence
      following PVI is three times higher in patients with AHI >=14.1 than in patients
      with AHI < 14.1. CONCLUSIONS: AHI measured using type-3 PM is a useful predictor
      of outcome following initial PVI in patients with paroxysmal AF.

PMID- 27272652
TI  - Pulmonary Vascular Capacitance is Associated with Vasoreactivity and Long-Term
      Response to Calcium Channel Blockers in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial
      Hypertension.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the relationship between pulmonary vascular
      capacitance (PVC) and vasoreactivity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary
      arterial hypertension (IPAH), and the value of PVC in predicting long-term
      response to CCB treatment. METHODS: Pulmonary vasodilator testing with inhaling
      iloprost was performed in 308 newly diagnosed IPAH patients. Acute vasodilator
      responsive patients accepted CCBs treatment. Patients who benefit from long-term
      CCB were defined as those being in World Health Organization (WHO) functional
      class II or I after at least 1 year on CCB monotherapy. RESULTS: PVC had
      significant correlations with WHO function class, 6-min walk distance, mean
      pulmonary arterial pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance (r = -0.363, p <
      0.001; r = 0.333, p < 0.001; r = -0.514, p < 0.001; r = -0.739, p < 0.001).
      Thirty-five acute vasodilator-responsive IPAH patients (11.4 %) displayed less
      severe disease and a higher baseline PVC (1.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.7 ml/mmHg, p
      = 0.003). During acute vasodilator testing, PVC increased significantly by mean
      of 79 +/- 48 % and reached to a higher absolute value of 2.6 +/- 1.5 ml/mmHg
      compared with non-responsive patients (1.4 +/- 1.5 ml/mmHg, p < 0.001).
      Furthermore, PVC increased more during acute vasodilator testing in the 24
      patients who benefit from long-term CCB treatment (1.4 +/- 1.3 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.4
      ml/mmHg, p = 0.004). The OR of increased PVC during vasodilator testing for
      predicting patients with long-term response to CCB was 1.24 (95 % CI 1.02-1.50, p
      = 0.031) as assessed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS:
      PVC was higher in acute vasodilator-responsive IPAH patients and may be a
      predictor of long-term response to CCBs therapy.

PMID- 27272653
TI  - Impact of Donor Arterial Partial Pressure of Oxygen on Outcomes After Lung
      Transplantation in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Recipients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Donor PaO2 levels are used for assessing organs for lung
      transplantation (LTx), but survival implications of PaO2 levels in adult cystic
      fibrosis (CF) patients receiving LTx are unclear. METHODS: UNOS registry data
      spanning 2005-2013 were used to test for associations of donor PaO2 with patient
      survival and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in adult (age >= 18 years)
      first-time LTx recipients diagnosed with CF. RESULTS: The analysis included 1587
      patients, of whom 1420 had complete data for multivariable Cox models. No
      statistically significant differences among donor PaO2 categories of <=200, 201
      300, 301-400, or >400 mmHg were found in univariate survival analysis (log-rank
      test p = 0.290). BOS onset did not significantly differ across donor PaO2
      categories (Chi-square p = 0.480). Multivariable Cox models of patient survival
      supported the lack of difference across donor PaO2 categories. Interaction
      analysis found a modest difference in survival between the two top categories of
      donor PaO2 when examining patients with body mass index (BMI) in the lowest
      decile (<=16.5 kg/m(2)). CONCLUSIONS: Donor PaO2 was not associated with survival
      or BOS onset in adult CF patients undergoing LTx. Notwithstanding statistically
      significant interactions between donor PaO2 and BMI, there was no evidence of
      post-LTx survival risk associated with donor PaO2 below conventional thresholds
      in any subgroup of adults with CF.

PMID- 27272655
TI  - Exercise-induced haemoptysis as a rare presentation of a rare lung disease.
AB  - Amyloid primarily affecting the lungs is a seldom seen clinical entity. This case
      discusses the work-up of a patient presenting with exercise-induced haemoptysis
      and diffuse cystic lung disease on radiographic imaging. The common clinical and
      radiographic findings of diffuse cystic lung diseases as well as a brief overview
      of pulmonary amyloid are presented.

PMID- 27272656
TI  - The Mechanism of Phosphonium Ylide Alcoholysis and Hydrolysis: Concerted Addition
      of the O-H Bond Across the P=C Bond.
AB  - The previous work on the hydrolysis and alcoholysis reactions of phosphonium
      ylides is summarized and reviewed in the context of their currently accepted
      mechanisms. Several experimental facts relating to ylide hydrolysis and to salt
      and ylide alcoholysis are shown to conflict with those mechanisms. In particular,
      we demonstrate that the pKa values of water and alcohols are too high in organic
      media to bring about protonation of ylide. Therefore, we propose concerted
      addition of the water or alcohol O-H bond across the ylide P=C bond. In support
      of this, we provide NMR spectroscopic evidence for equilibrium between ylide and
      aclohol that does not require the involvement of phosphonium hydroxide. We report
      the first P-alkoxyphosphorane to be characterised by NMR spectroscopy that does
      not undergo exchange on an NMR timescale. Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic
      techniques have been applied to the characterisation to P-alkoxyphosphoranes for
      the first time. 

PMID- 27272654
TI  - Stromal senescence establishes an immunosuppressive microenvironment that drives
      tumorigenesis.
AB  - Age is a significant risk factor for the development of cancer. However, the
      mechanisms that drive age-related increases in cancer remain poorly understood.
      To determine if senescent stromal cells influence tumorigenesis, we develop a
      mouse model that mimics the aged skin microenvironment. Using this model, here we
      find that senescent stromal cells are sufficient to drive localized increases in
      suppressive myeloid cells that contributed to tumour promotion. Further, we find
      that the stromal-derived senescence-associated secretory phenotype factor
      interleukin-6 orchestrates both increases in suppressive myeloid cells and their
      ability to inhibit anti-tumour T-cell responses. Significantly, in aged, cancer
      free individuals, we find similar increases in immune cells that also localize
      near senescent stromal cells. This work provides evidence that the accumulation
      of senescent stromal cells is sufficient to establish a tumour-permissive,
      chronic inflammatory microenvironment that can shelter incipient tumour cells,
      thus allowing them to proliferate and progress unabated by the immune system.

PMID- 27272657
TI  - Multiplex Relationships and HIV: Implications for Network-Based Interventions.
AB  - The number of network members and the roles they play can influence risk
      behaviors and consequently intervention strategies to reduce HIV transmission. We
      recruited 652 people who use drugs (PWUD) from socially disadvantaged
      neighborhoods in New York City (07/2006-06/2009). Interviewer-administered
      surveys ascertained demographic, behavioral, and network data. We used logistic
      regression, stratified by exchange sex, to assess the relationship between HIV
      status and the number of network members with different roles, treated as
      independent and multiplex (i.e., drug + sex). Those with more multiplex risk ties
      were significantly more likely to be HIV positive, but only among those not
      reporting exchange sex (AOR = 3.2). Among those reporting exchange sex, men
      reporting recent male sex partners were more likely to report HIV positive status
      (AOR = 12.6). These data suggest that sex and drug relationships among PWUD are
      interrelated. Interventions that target multiplex rather than single-role
      relationships may be more effective in influencing behavior change.

PMID- 27272658
TI  - [Capecitabine Plus Oxaliplatin Compared With Fluorouracil/Folinic Acid As
      Adjuvant Therapy for Stage III Colon Cancer: Final Results of the NO16968
      Randomized Controlled Phase III Trial].

PMID- 27272659
TI  - [Clinical Evaluation of Proton Therapy - How much benefit can be considered a
      benefit?].

PMID- 27272660
TI  - Risk of biochemical recurrence and timing of radiotherapy in pT3a N0 prostate
      cancer with positive surgical margin : A single center experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite improved biochemical recurrence-free survival rates by the
      use of immediate adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in patients with locally advanced
      prostate cancer, disagreement about the need and timing of RT remains. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: From 2005-2009, 94 patients presenting with a stage pT3a N0 and
      microscopic positive resection margin were retrospectively analyzed after radical
      prostatectomy. Special attention was given to patients' outcome, the frequency of
      additive RT, and its efficacy. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 80 months. A total
      of 71 patients had a negative postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level
      (<0.07 ng/ml). Thirty-six of them did not experience any PSA relapse (subgroup
      1). Fourteen of them received additive RT and during follow-up all 36 patients
      remained PSA negative. Of 71 initially PSA-negative patients, 35 had a
      biochemical relapse (subgroup 2); 28 patients underwent salvage RT. The median
      PSA value before salvage RT was 0.24 ng/ml and was subsequently negative (<0.07
      ng/ml) in 23 patients after RT. Of the entire cohort, 23 patients had persisting
      PSA after surgery (subgroup 3). Of these, 18 patients received salvage RT at a
      median PSA level of 0.4 ng/ml. One patient in subgroup 1, 5 patients in subgroup
      2, and 9 patients in subgroup 3 had ongoing androgen deprivation therapy.
      CONCLUSION: The present study of 94 pT3a N0 R1 prostate cancer patients provides
      insight into medical care of this patient cohort and underlines the need for
      additive RT for the majority of patients to achieve long-term biochemical
      control. Although immediate adjuvant RT was applied with restraint (20 %), during
      the observation period 60 of 94 patients (63.8 %) received RT - highlighting the
      need of postoperative treatment.

PMID- 27272661
TI  - Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of rectal carcinoma : Baseline hematologic
      parameters influencing outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The link between the blood count and a systemic inflammatory response
      (SIR) is indisputable and well described. Pretreatment hematological parameters
      may predict the overall clinical outcomes in many types of cancer. Thus, this
      study aims to systematically evaluate the relationship between baseline blood
      count levels and treatment response in rectal cancer patients treated with
      neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2009-2015, 173 patients
      with locally advanced rectal cancer were retrospectively enrolled in the study
      and analyzed. The baseline blood count was recorded in all patients 1 week before
      chemoradiation. Tumor response was evaluated through pathologic findings. Blood
      count levels which included RBC (red blood cells), Hb (hemoglobin), PLT (platelet
      count), neutrophil count, WBC (white blood cells), NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte
      ratio), and PLR (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio) were analyzed in relation to tumor
      downstaging, pCR (pathologic complete response), OS (overall survival), and DFS
      (disease-free survival). RESULTS: Hb levels were associated with a response in
      logistic regression analysis: pCR (p = 0.05; OR 1.04, 95 % CI 1.00-1.07); T
      downstaging (p = 0.006; OR 1.03, 95 % CI 1.01-1.05); N downstaging (p = 0.09; OR
      1.02, 95 % CI 1.00-1.04); T or N downstaging (p = 0.007; OR 1.04, 95 % CI 1.01
      1.07); T and N downstaging (p = 0.02; OR 1.02, 95 % CI 1.00-1.04); Hb and RBC
      were the most significant parameters influencing OS; PLT was a negative
      prognostic factor for OS and DFS (p = 0.008 for OS); an NLR value of 2.8 was
      associated with the greatest significance for OS (p = 0.03) and primary tumor
      downstaging (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of pretreatment hematological
      parameters appears to be an important prognostic factor in patients with rectal
      carcinoma.

PMID- 27272662
TI  - Effects of metal and predator stressors in larval southern toads (Anaxyrus
      terrestris).
AB  - Natural and anthropogenic stressors typically do not occur in isolation;
      therefore, understanding ecological risk of contaminant exposure should account
      for potential interactions of multiple stressors. Realistically, common
      contaminants can also occur chronically in the environment. Because parental
      exposure to stressors may cause transgenerational effects on offspring, affecting
      their ability to cope with the same or novel environmental stressors, the
      exposure histories of generations preceding that being tested should be
      considered. To examine multiple stressor and parental exposure effects we
      employed a 2 * 2 * 2 factorial design in outdoor 1000-L mesocosms (n = 24).
      Larval southern toads (Anaxyrus terrestris), bred from parents collected from
      reference and metal-contaminated sites, were exposed to two levels of both an
      anthropogenic (copper-0, 30 ug/L Cu) and natural (predator cue - present/absent)
      stressor and reared to metamorphosis. Toads from the metal-contaminated parental
      source population were smaller at metamorphosis and had delayed development;
      i.e., a prolonged larval period. Similarly, larval Cu exposure also reduced size
      at metamorphosis and prolonged the larval period. We, additionally, observed a
      significant interaction between larval Cu and predator-cue exposure on larval
      period, wherein delayed emergence was only present in the 30-ug/L Cu treatments
      in the absence of predator cues. The presence of parental effects as well as an
      interaction between aquatic stressors on commonly measured endpoints highlight
      the importance of conducting multistressor studies across generations to obtain
      data that are more relevant to field conditions in order to determine population
      level effects of contaminant exposure. 

PMID- 27272663
TI  - Nondestructive measurement of esophageal biaxial mechanical properties utilizing
      sonometry.
AB  - Malignant esophageal pathology typically requires resection of the esophagus and
      reconstruction to restore foregut continuity. Reconstruction options are limited
      and morbid. The esophagus represents a useful target for tissue engineering
      strategies based on relative simplicity in comparison to other organs. The ideal
      tissue engineered conduit would have sufficient and ideally matched mechanical
      tolerances to native esophageal tissue. Current methods for mechanical testing of
      esophageal tissues both in vivo and ex vivo are typically destructive, alter
      tissue conformation, ignore anisotropy, or are not able to be performed in fluid
      media. The aim of this study was to investigate biomechanical properties of swine
      esophageal tissues through nondestructive testing utilizing sonometry ex vivo.
      This method allows for biomechanical determination of tissue properties,
      particularly longitudinal and circumferential moduli and strain energy functions.
      The relative contribution of mucosal-submucosal layers and muscular layers are
      compared to composite esophagi. Swine thoracic esophageal tissues (n  =  15) were
      tested by pressure loading using a continuous pressure pump system to generate
      stress. Preconditioning of tissue was performed by pressure loading with the pump
      system and pre-straining the tissue to in vivo length before data was recorded.
      Sonometry using piezocrystals was utilized to determine longitudinal and
      circumferential strain on five composite esophagi. Similarly, five mucosa
      submucosal and five muscular layers from thoracic esophagi were tested
      independently. This work on esophageal tissues is consistent with reported
      uniaxial and biaxial mechanical testing and reported results using strain energy
      theory and also provides high resolution displacements, preserves native
      architectural structure and allows assessment of biomechanical properties in
      fluid media. This method may be of use to characterize mechanical properties of
      tissue engineered esophageal constructs.

PMID- 27272664
TI  - Parent-Adolescent Conflict in African American Families.
AB  - Parent-adolescent conflict is frequent in families and has implications for youth
      adjustment and family relationships. Drawing on a family systems perspective, we
      examined mothers', fathers', and two adolescent-aged siblings' (50.5 % females)
      reports of parent-adolescent conflict in 187 African American families. Using
      latent profile analysis in the context of an ethnic homogeneous design, we
      identified three family types based on levels of and differences between parent
      and youth conflict reports: low conflict, father high conflict, and younger
      sibling high conflict. Compared to low conflict families, youth in younger
      sibling high conflict families reported more depressive symptoms and risky
      behaviors. The results for parents' acceptance revealed that, in comparison to
      low conflict families, older siblings in father high conflict families reported
      lower acceptance from mothers, and mothers in these families reported lower
      acceptance of their children; further, older siblings in younger sibling high
      conflict families reported less acceptance from fathers, and fathers in these
      families reported less acceptance of their children. Results underscore the
      significance of levels of and both differences between and direction of
      differences in parents' and youth's reports of their "shared" experiences, as
      well as the importance of examining the larger family contexts of dyadic parent
      relationships.

PMID- 27272665
TI  - MRSA Causing Infections in Hospitals in Greater Metropolitan New York: Major
      Shift in the Dominant Clonal Type between 1996 and 2014.
AB  - A surveillance study in 1996 identified the USA100 clone (ST5/SCCmecII)-also
      known as the "New York/Japan" clone-as the most prevalent MRSA causing infections
      in 12 New York City hospitals. Here we update the epidemiology of MRSA in seven
      of the same hospitals eighteen years later in 2013/14. Most of the current MRSA
      isolates (78 of 121) belonged to the MRSA clone USA300 (CC8/SCCmecIV) but the
      USA100 clone-dominant in the 1996 survey-still remained the second most frequent
      MRSA (25 of the 121 isolates) causing 32% of blood stream infections. The USA300
      clone was most common in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and was
      associated with 84.5% of SSTIs compared to 5% caused by the USA100 clone. Our
      data indicate that by 2013/14, the USA300 clone replaced the New York/Japan clone
      as the most frequent cause of MRSA infections in hospitals in Metropolitan New
      York. In parallel with this shift in the clonal type of MRSA, there was also a
      striking change in the types of MRSA infections from 1996 to 2014. 

PMID- 27272666
TI  - Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement:
      A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The comparative benefits and harms of transcatheter aortic valve
      implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for patients
      with aortic stenosis are unclear. PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes,
      including early (<=30-day) and midterm (<=1-year) mortality, in adults with
      severe aortic stenosis undergoing either TAVI or SAVR. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE,
      Cochrane, and Scopus databases (without language restrictions) from April 2002 to
      5 April 2016; multiple registries and Web sites; scientific meeting
      presentations. STUDY SELECTION: Five randomized trials and 31 observational
      matched studies comparing mortality outcomes after TAVI or SAVR. DATA EXTRACTION:
      Two investigators independently extracted study data and rated risk of bias. DATA
      SYNTHESIS: 16 638 patients were analyzed. Overall, there was no statistically
      significant difference between TAVI and SAVR in early (odds ratio [OR], 1.01 [95%
      CI, 0.81 to 1.26]) or midterm (OR, 0.96 [CI, 0.81 to 1.14]) all-cause mortality.
      Analyses restricted to trials (early: OR, 0.80 [CI, 0.51 to 1.25]; midterm: OR,
      0.90 [CI, 0.64 to 1.26]) were inconclusive, with wide CIs, whereas analyses of
      matched studies were similar to the overall results. Transfemoral TAVI provided
      mortality benefits over SAVR in trials. Analyses restricted to studies of
      patients at low to intermediate risk showed statistically nonsignificant
      reductions in early (OR, 0.67 [CI, 0.42 to 1.07]) and midterm (OR, 0.91 [CI, 0.67
      to 1.23]) mortality with TAVI. Incidence of periprocedural myocardial infarction,
      major bleeding, acute kidney injury, and new-onset atrial fibrillation was lower
      with TAVI, but risk for pacemaker implantation, vascular complications, and
      paravalvular leak increased. Overall, there was a statistically nonsignificant
      increased risk in long-term (2- to 5-year) all-cause mortality with TAVI (OR,
      1.28 [CI, 0.97 to 1.69]), whereas long-term mortality outcomes in patients at low
      to intermediate risk were inconclusive, with wide CIs (OR, 1.06 [CI, 0.59 to
      1.91]). LIMITATION: The number of trials was limited, and study designs and
      patient characteristics were heterogeneous. CONCLUSION: Compared with SAVR, TAVI
      may have similar or better early and midterm outcomes for adults with aortic
      stenosis, including those at low to intermediate risk. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE:
      None.

PMID- 27272667
TI  - Influence of Liver Disease on Perioperative Outcome After Bariatric Surgery in a
      Northern German Cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of non-alcoholic
      fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in morbidly obese patients and evaluate the influence
      on perioperative complications. BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing bariatric surgery
      have a high incidence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Upcoming data
      indicates that liver disease has a significant effect on perioperative
      complications. However, the influence of NAFLD/NASH on perioperative outcome in
      bariatric patients is still controversial. METHODS: We identified a total of 302
      patients with concomitant liver biopsies, while performing either laparoscopic
      Roux-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Liver biopsy was performed in case
      of abnormal liver appearance at time of bariatric surgery. Histological results
      were compared to perioperative complication rate. RESULTS: NAFLD is common in our
      patient cohort. Abnormal findings in liver histology were found in 82.3 % of our
      patients. Liver cirrhosis was newly diagnosed in 12 patients (4 %). There were no
      complications due to liver biopsy. The mortality rate was 0.3 %, leakage rate was
      1 %, and postoperative bleeding occurred in 3.3 %. Pulmonary complications were
      observed in 1.7 % and cardiovascular complications in 1.3 %. One patient
      developed portal vein thrombosis and one patient acute pancreatitis; both were
      treated conservatively. No patient had postoperative liver failure. We found no
      association between histological findings and perioperative outcomes.
      CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NAFLD among morbidly obese surgical patients was
      high, although this condition was not associated with increased risk for
      postoperative complications. Because of unexpected findings in intraoperative
      liver biopsies, the routine indication of liver biopsies in patients at high risk
      for liver disease should be discussed.

PMID- 27272668
TI  - Re-operations after Secondary Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review.
AB  - This paper reviews reoperations rates for short- and long-term complications
      following secondary bariatric procedures and need for further bariatric surgery.
      The search revealed 28 papers (1317 secondary cases) following at least 75 % of
      patients for 12 months or more. For adjustable gastric banding (AGB), rebanding
      had higher re-revisional rates than conversions into other procedures. Conversion
      of AGB to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass had the highest number of short- (10.7 %) and
      long-term (22.0 %) complications. We estimated 194 additional reoperations per
      1000 patients having a secondary procedure, 8.8 % needing tertiary surgery.
      Despite being poorly reported, risks of reoperations for long-term complications
      and tertiary bariatric surgery are higher than usually reported risks of short
      term complications and should be taken into account when choosing a secondary
      bariatric procedure and for economic evaluations.

PMID- 27272669
TI  - Phenotypic plasticity of mate recognition systems prevents sexual interference
      between two sympatric leaf beetle species.
AB  - Maladaptive sexual interactions among heterospecific individuals (sexual
      interference) can prevent the coexistence of animal species. Thus, the avoidance
      of sexual interference by divergence of mate recognition systems is crucial for a
      stable coexistence in sympatry. Mate recognition systems are thought to be under
      tight genetic control. However, we demonstrate that mate recognition systems of
      two closely related sympatric leaf beetle species show a high level of host
      induced phenotypic plasticity. Mate choice in the mustard leaf beetles, Phaedon
      cochleariae and P. armoraciae, is mediated by cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs).
      Divergent host plant use causes a divergence of CHC phenotypes, whereas similar
      host use leads to their convergence. Consequently, both species exhibit
      significant behavioral isolation when they feed on alternative host species, but
      mate randomly when using a common host. Thus, sexual interference between these
      syntopic leaf beetles is prevented by host-induced phenotypic plasticity rather
      than by genotypic divergence of mate recognition systems.

PMID- 27272671
TI  - Electronically Mediated Time-out Initiative to Reduce the Incidence of Wrong
      Surgery: An Interventional Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: "Wrong surgery" is defined as wrong site, wrong operation, or wrong
      patient, with estimated incidence up to 1 per 5,000 cases. Responding to national
      attention on wrong surgery, our objective was to create a care redesign
      intervention to minimize the rate of wrong surgery. METHODS: The authors created
      an electronic system using existing intraoperative electronic documentation to
      present a time-out checklist on large in-room displays. Time-out was dynamically
      interposed as a forced-function documentation step between "patient-in-operating
      room" and "incision." Time to complete documentation was obtained from audit
      logs. The authors measured the postimplementation wrong surgery rate and used
      Bayesian methods to compare the pre- and postimplementation rates at our
      institution. Previous probabilities were selected using wrong surgery rate
      estimates from the observed performance reported in the literature to generate
      previous probabilities (4.24 wrong surgeries per 100,000 cases). RESULTS: No
      documentation times exceeded 5 min; 97% of documentation tasks were completed
      within 2 min. The authors performed 243,939 operations over 5 yr using the
      system, with zero wrong surgeries, compared with 253,838 operations over 6 yr
      with two wrong surgeries before implementation. Bayesian analysis suggests an 84%
      probability that the postimplementation wrong rate is lower than baseline.
      However, given the rarity of wrong surgery in our sample, there is substantial
      uncertainty. The total system-development cost was $34,000, roughly half the
      published cost of one weighted median settlement for wrong surgery. CONCLUSION:
      Implementation of a forced-completion electronically mediated time-out process
      before incision is feasible, but it is unclear whether true performance
      improvements occur.

PMID- 27272672
TI  - Intrathecal Catheterization and Drug Delivery in Guinea Pigs: A Small-animal
      Model for Morphine-evoked Granuloma Formation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intrathecal infusion of opioids in dogs, sheep, and humans produces
      local space-occupying masses. To develop a small-animal model, the authors
      examined effects of intrathecal catheterization and morphine infusion in guinea
      pigs. METHODS: Under isoflurane, polyethylene or polyurethane catheters were
      advanced from the cisterna magna to the lumbar enlargement. Drugs were delivered
      as a bolus through the externalized catheter or continuously by subcutaneous
      minipumps. Hind paw withdrawal to a thermal stimulus was assessed. Spinal
      histopathology was systematically assessed in a blinded fashion. To assist in
      determining catheter placement, ex vivo images were obtained using magnetic
      resonance imaging in several animals. Canine spinal tissue from previous
      intrathecal morphine studies was analyzed in parallel. RESULTS: (1) Polyethylene
      (n = 30) and polyurethane (n = 25) catheters were implanted in the lumbar
      intrathecal space. (2) Bolus intrathecal morphine produced a dose-dependent (20
      to 40 MUg/10 MUl) increase in thermal escape latencies. (3) Absent infusion, a
      catheter-associated distortion of the spinal cord and a fibrotic investment were
      noted along the catheter tract (polyethylene > polyurethane). (4) Intrathecal
      morphine infusion (25 mg/ml/0.5 MUl/h for 14 days) resulted in intrathecal masses
      (fibroblasts, interspersed collagen, lymphocytes, and macrophages) arising from
      meninges proximal to the catheter tip in both polyethylene- and polyurethane
      catheterized animals. This closely resembles mass histopathology from intrathecal
      morphine canine studies. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous intrathecal infusion of morphine
      leads to pericatheter masses that morphologically resemble those observed in dogs
      and humans. This small-animal model may be useful for studying spinal drug
      toxicology in general and the biology of intrathecal granuloma formation in
      particular.

PMID- 27272673
TI  - Rapid Infusion of Hydroxyethyl Starch 70/0.5 but not Acetate Ringer's Solution
      Decreases the Plasma Concentration of Propofol during Target-controlled Infusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapid fluid infusion resulting in increased hepatic blood flow may
      decrease the propofol plasma concentration (Cp) because propofol is a high
      hepatic extraction drug. The authors investigated the effects of rapid colloid
      and crystalloid infusions on the propofol Cp during target-controlled infusion.
      METHODS: Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 interventions (12
      patients per group). At least 30 min after the start of propofol infusion,
      patients received either a 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solution at 24 ml.kg.h or
      acetated Ringer's solution at 24 or 2 ml.kg.h during the first 20 min. In all
      groups, acetated Ringer's solution was infused at 2 ml.kg.h during the next 20
      min. The propofol Cp was measured every 2.5 min as the primary outcome. Cardiac
      output, blood volume, and indocyanine green disappearance rate were determined
      using a pulse dye densitogram analyzer before and after the start of fluid
      administration. Effective hepatic blood flow was calculated as the blood volume
      multiplied by the indocyanine green disappearance rate. RESULTS: The rapid HES
      infusion significantly decreased the propofol Cp by 22 to 37%, compared to the Cp
      at 0 min, whereas the rapid or maintenance infusion of acetate Ringer's solution
      did not decrease the propofol Cp. Rapid HES infusion, but not acetate Ringer's
      solution infusion, increased the effective hepatic blood flow. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid
      HES infusion increased the effective hepatic blood flow, resulting in a decreased
      propofol Cp during target-controlled infusion. Rapid HES infusion should be used
      cautiously as it may decrease the depth of anesthesia.

PMID- 27272674
TI  - Changes in Brain Resting-state Functional Connectivity Associated with Peripheral
      Nerve Block: A Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited information exists on the effects of temporary functional
      deafferentation (TFD) on brain activity after peripheral nerve block (PNB) in
      healthy humans. Increasingly, resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) is
      being used to study brain activity and organization. The purpose of this study
      was to test the hypothesis that TFD through PNB will influence changes in RSFC
      plasticity in central sensorimotor functional brain networks in healthy human
      participants. METHODS: The authors achieved TFD using a supraclavicular PNB model
      with 10 healthy human participants undergoing functional connectivity magnetic
      resonance imaging before PNB, during active PNB, and during PNB recovery. RSFC
      differences among study conditions were determined by multiple-comparison
      corrected (false discovery rate-corrected P value less than 0.05) random-effects,
      between-condition, and seed-to-voxel analyses using the left and right manual
      motor regions. RESULTS: The results of this pilot study demonstrated disruption
      of interhemispheric left-to-right manual motor region RSFC (e.g., mean Fisher
      transformed z [effect size] at pre-PNB 1.05 vs. 0.55 during PNB) but preservation
      of intrahemispheric RSFC of these regions during PNB. Additionally, there was
      increased RSFC between the left motor region of interest (PNB-affected area) and
      bilateral higher order visual cortex regions after clinical PNB resolution (e.g.,
      Fisher z between left motor region of interest and right and left lingual gyrus
      regions during PNB, -0.1 and -0.6 vs. 0.22 and 0.18 after PNB resolution,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study provides evidence that PNB has
      features consistent with other models of deafferentation, making it a potentially
      useful approach to investigate brain plasticity. The findings provide insight
      into RSFC of sensorimotor functional brain networks during PNB and PNB recovery
      and support modulation of the sensory-motor integration feedback loop as a
      mechanism for explaining the behavioral correlates of peripherally induced TFD
      through PNB.

PMID- 27272675
TI  - Relationship between Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Cardiovascular
      Mortality in a Japanese Cohort with Long-Term Follow-Up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with renal impairment are at risk of not only end-stage
      kidney disease but also cardiovascular disease (CVD). The current definition of
      CKD stage G3a is eGFR 45-59 ml/min/1.73 m2 and of G3b is 30-44 ml/min/1.73 m2,
      and subjects in the CKD 3a category are considered to be at lower risk of
      mortality than are those in CKD 3b. METHODS: We evaluated the outcome of 97,043
      people (33,131 men and 63,912 women) living in Ibaraki Prefecture who underwent
      annual community-based health checkups beginning in 1993 at age 40-80 years and
      who were followed for a mean of 17.1 years. RESULTS: The number of all-causes
      deaths was 20,534 (10,375 men and 10,159 women), of which 5,995 (2,695 men and
      3,300 women) were deaths due to CVD. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for CVD
      death in the eGFR 45-49 ml/min/1.73 m2 category was significantly increased
      (1.82; 95% confidential interval, 1.23-2.69) in non-elderly men, whereas all
      cause mortality and CVD mortality in elderly men with eGFR 45-49 ml/min/1.73m2
      were non significant. In contrast, both in non-elderly women and in elderly women
      with eGFR 45-49 ml/min/1.73 m2 showed small, but significant, increases in the
      risks of all-cause mortality and CVD. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated proportionate
      increases in mortality with decreasing eGFR in a Japanese CKD population. Like
      patients in the CKD G3b subgroup, non-elderly men and women with an eGFR of 45-49
      ml/min/1.73 m2 (i.e. a part of CKD G3a) are at considerable risk of CVD
      mortality. Age dependent and eGFR dependent finer risk recognition were required
      for CVD prevention in clinical practice with regard to CKD patients.

PMID- 27272677
TI  - The German ECMO inflation: when things other than health and care begin to rule
      medicine.

PMID- 27272676
TI  - Effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on bovine sperm function.
AB  - Fertilization rates and subsequent embryo development rely on sperm factors
      related to semen quality and viability. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is
      based on emission of electromagnetic waves of a laser optical system that
      interact with cells and tissues resulting in biological effects. This interaction
      is mediated by photoacceptors that absorb the electromagnetic energy. Effects are
      dependent of irradiation parameters, target cell type, and species. In sperm,
      PBMT improves several features like motility and viability, affecting sperm
      aerobic metabolism and energy production. The aim of this study was to
      investigate, under same conditions, how different output powers (5, 7.5, and 10
      mW) and time of irradiation (5 and 10 min) of laser (He-Ne laser, 633 nm) may
      affect frozen/thawed bovine sperm functions. Results showed significant effects
      depending on power while using 10 min of irradiation on motility parameters and
      mitochondrial potential. However, no effect was observed using 5 min of
      irradiation, regardless of power applied. In conclusion, PBMT is effective to
      modulate bovine sperm function. The effectiveness is dependent on the interaction
      between power applied and duration of irradiation, showing that these two
      parameters simultaneously influence sperm function. In this context, when using
      the same fluency and energy with different combinations of power and time of
      exposure, we observed distinct effects, revealing that biological effects should
      be also based on simple parameters rather than only composite parameters such as
      fluency, irradiance and energy. Laser irradiation of frozen/thawed bovine semen
      led to an increase on mitochondrial function and motility parameters that could
      potentially improve fertility rates. 

PMID- 27272678
TI  - Fast 180 degrees  magnetization switching in a strain-mediated multiferroic
      heterostructure driven by a voltage.
AB  - Voltage-driven 180 degrees  magnetization switching provides a low-power
      alternative to current-driven magnetization switching widely used in spintronic
      devices. Here we computationally demonstrate a promising route to achieve voltage
      driven in-plane 180 degrees  magnetization switching in a strain-mediated
      multiferroic heterostructure (e.g., a heterostructure consisting of an amorphous,
      slightly elliptical Co40Fe40B20 nanomagnet on top of a Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 film as an
      example). This 180 degrees  switching follows a unique precessional path all in
      the film plane, and is enabled by manipulating magnetization dynamics with fast,
      local piezostrains (rise/release time <0.1 ns) on the Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 film surface.
      Our analyses predict ultralow area energy consumption per switching (~0.03
      J/m(2)), approximately three orders of magnitude smaller than that dissipated by
      current-driven magnetization switching. A fast overall switching time of about
      2.3 ns is also demonstrated. Further reduction of energy consumption and
      switching time can be achieved by optimizing the structure and material
      selection. The present design provides an additional viable route to realizing
      low-power and high-speed spintronics.

PMID- 27272679
TI  - Significance of duon mutations in cancer genomes.
AB  - Functional mutations in coding regions not only affect the structure and function
      of the protein products, but may also modulate their expression in some cases.
      This class of mutations, recently dubbed "duon mutations" due to their dual
      roles, can potentially have major impacts on downstream pathways. However their
      significance in diseases such as cancer remain unclear. In a survey covering 4606
      samples from 19 cancer types, and integrating allelic expression, overall mRNA
      expression, regulatory motif perturbation, and chromatin signatures in one
      composite index called REDACT score, we identified potential duon mutations.
      Several such mutations are detected in known cancer genes in multiple cancer
      types. For instance a potential duon mutation in TP53 is associated with
      increased expression of the mutant allelic gene copy, thereby possibly amplifying
      the functional effects on the downstream pathways. Another potential duon
      mutation in SF3B1 is associated with abnormal splicing and changes in
      angiogenesis and matrix degradation related pathways. Our findings emphasize the
      need to interrogate the mutations in coding regions beyond their obvious effects
      on protein structures.

PMID- 27272680
TI  - Chronic Pelvic Inflammation Diminished Ovarian Reserve as Indicated by Serum Anti
      Mulerrian Hormone.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential damaging effect of chronic pelvic
      inflammation on ovarian reserve. DESIGN: Case-control study. PATIENTS: A total of
      122 women with bilateral tubal occlusion, diagnosed by hysterosalipingography
      (HSG) and 217 women with normal fallopians were recruited. MEASUREMENTS: Serum
      anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), basic follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteining
      hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) were measured; and antral
      follicle counts (AFCs) were recorded. RESULTS: Significantly lower level of AMH
      was observed in women with bilateral tubal occlusion compared to control group
      [2.62 (2.95) ng/ml vs. 3.37 (3.11) ng/ml, P = 0.03], and the difference remained
      after adjustment of BMI (Padjust = 0.04). However, no statistical difference was
      found in the levels of FSH [7.00 (2.16) IU/L vs. 6.74 (2.30) IU/L], LH [4.18
      (1.52) IU/L vs. 4.63 (2.52) IU/L], E2 [35.95 (20.40) pg/ml vs. 34.90 (17.85)
      pg/ml], T [25.07+/-11.46 ng/dl vs. 24.84+/-12.75 ng/dl], and AFC [6.00 (4.00) vs.
      7.00 (4.00)] between two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Women with bilateral tubal
      occlusion showed decreased AMH level, suggesting that chronic pelvic inflammation
      may diminish ovarian reserve. More caution should be paid when evaluating the
      detriment of PID on female fertility.

PMID- 27272681
TI  - Socio-Behavioral Factors Associated with Overweight and Central Obesity in
      Tehranian Adults: a Structural Equation Model.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to test a conceptual model of associations between
      socio-demographic and behavioral factors and obesity in the Tehran Lipid and
      Glucose Study (TLGS). METHODS: Data from 2747 TLGS adult participants (58.3 %
      female) were analyzed. Socio-demographic and behavioral factors in the conceptual
      model were tested for their direct and indirect associations with overweight and
      central obesity, using structural equation modeling (SEM), conducted by IBM SPSS
      AMOS software. RESULTS: Overweight and central obesity were found in 61.6 and
      48.1 % of respondents, respectively. Fit indices were acceptable for the
      conceptual model. Daily energy intake had a direct association with overweight
      and central obesity in both genders; however, poor dietary pattern had direct
      associations with overweight and central obesity only in men. In women, age,
      marital status, and level of education had direct associations with overweight
      and central obesity. In men, only age and marital status had direct associations
      with overweight and central obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Age and marital status in both
      genders and level of education only in women were among the socio-demographic
      factors which were directly associated with both overweight and central obesity.
      Among behavioral factors, daily energy intake was the most important factor that
      was directly associated with both overweight and central obesity in both genders.
      Adherence to poor diet directly was associated with overweight and central
      obesity only in men. The current findings provide beneficial information for
      designing culturally relevant and effective interventions/strategies for
      prevention of overweight among Tehranian adults.

PMID- 27272682
TI  - Pancreatic surgery in Italy. Criteria to identify the hospital units and the
      tertiary referral centers entitled to perform it.
AB  - Indicators of effectiveness and quality of care are urgently needed to improve
      the surgical outcomes. This is particularly felt in the field of complex surgical
      fields, such as the HPB one. International and national studies have documented
      an association between the large number of pancreatic surgical procedures and the
      outcome quality. The aim of this paper is to suggest reliable structural
      requirements and surgical volume to support pancreatic surgical accreditation,
      preserving patient's safety. Moreover, an accreditation program is outlined. 

PMID- 27272683
TI  - Well-Differentiated Liposarcoma With Hibernoma-Like Morphology.
AB  - Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDL) can show a morphologic spectrum, including
      lipoma-like, sclerosing and inflammatory subtypes. It does not metastasize but
      can dedifferentiate, acquiring metastatic potential. Hibernomas are benign
      neoplasms that show variable differentiation toward brown fat, and can sometimes
      occur in the abdomen or retroperitoneum. We illustrate a case of retroperitoneal
      WDL that showed extensive hibernoma-like morphology, with sheets of
      multivacuolated adipocytes of varying sizes, with abundant cytoplasm and numerous
      lipid vacuoles or granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. However, very focally there
      were fibrous septa containing spindle cells with enlarged, hyperchromatic, mildly
      pleomorphic nuclei. Further sampling showed areas of typical WDL, with lobules of
      mature fat intersected by fibrous septa containing atypical, enlarged spindle
      cells, as well as small foci of dedifferentiation. Immunohistochemistry for CDK4
      and p16 showed strong and diffuse nuclear expression in the hibernoma-like areas,
      and fluorescence in situ hybridization showed MDM2 gene amplification, all in
      keeping with WDL. We highlight hibernoma-like morphology as part of the
      histologic spectrum of WDL, and recognition of this variant is important for
      correct treatment and prognostication. 

PMID- 27272684
TI  - Molecular epidemiology and clinical severity of Human Bocavirus (HBoV) 1-4 in
      children with acute gastroenteritis from Pune, Western India.
AB  - Although acute gastroenteritis is a major public health problem worldwide, ~40%
      of the cases remain undiagnosed for any etiological agent. Human Bocavirus (HBoV)
      has been detected frequently in feces of diarrhoeic children suggesting its
      possible etiological involvement in the disease. HBoV has not been reported in
      association with acute gastroenteritis from India. Fecal samples (n = 418)
      collected from children (age <=5 years) hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis,
      between January 2009 and December 2011, from three local hospitals were examined
      for presence of HBoV using PCR targeting the partial VP1/VP2 capsid region (~575
      bp) followed by phylogenetic analysis. HBoV was detected in 24/418 (5.7%) cases.
      Co-infection was observed in 5/24 (21%) cases. HBoV infections occurred in
      children <=12 months of age. Peak HBoV activity was observed in monsoon and post
      monsoon season. All four HBoV genotypes were detected in the study region. Major
      clinical symptoms of HBoV mono infections included diarrhoea (100%), fever (90%),
      dehydration (74%), and vomiting (58%). Dehydration was observed in all of the
      HBoV2-4 cases and in 50% of the HBoV1 cases. Clinical severity varied with
      genotype (HBoV2 > HBoV1 > HBoV3 > HBoV4). HBoV2 cases recorded severe and very
      severe infections. The study illustrates prevalence and vast genetic diversity of
      HBoVs in acute gastroenteritis. It highlights the clinical features of HBoV1-4
      infections and sheds light on clinical impact of HBoV genotypes in
      gastroenteritis. J. Med. Virol. 89:17-23, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27272686
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272685
TI  - Clinical Use of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for Tumor and Pain
      Reduction in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Evaluation of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
      used for the first time in Germany in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer
      for reduction of tumor volume and relief of tumor-associated pain. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: 15 patients with locally advanced inoperable pancreatic cancer and tumor
      related pain symptoms were treated by HIFU (n = 6 UICC stage III, n = 9 UICC
      stage IV). 13 patients underwent simultaneous standard chemotherapy. Ablation was
      performed using the JC HIFU system (Chongqing, China HAIFU Company) with an
      ultrasonic device for real-time imaging. Imaging follow-up (US, CT, MRI) and
      clinical assessment using validated questionnaires (NRS, BPI) was performed
      before and up to 15 months after HIFU. RESULTS: Despite biliary or duodenal
      stents (4/15) and encasement of visceral vessels (15/15), HIFU treatment was
      performed successfully in all patients. Treatment time and sonication time were
      111 min and 1103 s, respectively. The applied total energy was 386 768 J. After
      HIFU ablation, contrast-enhanced imaging showed devascularization of treated
      tumor regions with a significant average volume reduction of 63.8 % after 3
      months. Considerable pain relief was achieved in 12 patients after HIFU (complete
      or partial pain reduction in 6 patients). CONCLUSION: US-guided HIFU with a
      suitable acoustic pathway can be used for local tumor control and relief of tumor
      associated pain in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. KEY POINTS:
      * US-guided HIFU allows an additive treatment of unresectable pancreatic cancer.*
      HIFU can be used for tumor volume reduction.* Using HIFU, a significant reduction
      of cancer-related pain was achieved.* HIFU provides clinical benefit in patients
      with pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: * Strunk HM, Henseler J, Rauch M et al.
      Clinical Use of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for Tumor and Pain
      Reduction in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. Fortschr Rontgenstr 2016; 188: 662 -
      670.

PMID- 27272687
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27272688
TI  - Amniotic Fluid-Soluble Form of Triggering Receptors Expressed on Myeloid Cells: A
      Physiologic Constituent at Term.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) are innate
      immune receptors that mediate inflammatory response. In recent times, the role of
      these receptors has become the focus of several studies in the gestational
      context. Evaluation of soluble TREM-1 concentration in normal pregnancy is
      scarce, and no data are available on the levels of this receptor in the last
      weeks of normal pregnancy. METHOD: Amniotic fluid (AF) samples were obtained from
      77 patients in the last weeks of normal pregnancy during cesarean section, and
      the soluble form of TREM-1 (sTREM-1) levels determined using specific sandwich
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: sTREM-1 was detectable in all AF
      samples, and its levels did not vary in the last weeks of third trimester
      pregnancy. There was no correlation between sTREM-1 levels in AF and advancing
      gestational age. CONCLUSION: sTREM-1 is a physiologic constituent of AF and its
      levels are not temporally regulated in pregnancies at term.

PMID- 27272690
TI  - Age-related oscillatory theta modulation of multisensory integration in
      frontocentral regions.
AB  - This study used electroencephalogram measurements to investigate the effects of
      aging on oscillatory theta modulation during an audiovisual discrimination task.
      By a wavelet-based time-frequency analysis, age-related theta oscillation
      response differences were observed within a relatively restricted time range (0
      500 ms) over frontal-central regions. Older adults showed stronger theta spectral
      power during visual and audiovisual stimuli in the left frontal regions; however,
      young adults showed stronger theta spectral power during auditory and audiovisual
      stimuli in the central regions. These findings suggest that multisensory
      oscillatory theta responses differ according to age, which further proves that
      the left frontal regions play an important role in audiovisual integration.

PMID- 27272689
TI  - Postnatal high-fat diet leads to spatial deficit, obesity, and central and
      peripheral inflammation in prenatal dexamethasone adult offspring rats.
AB  - Synthetic glucocorticoids are frequently used in clinical practice for treating
      pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery, but their long-term effects on the
      infant brain are largely unknown. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were administered
      vehicle or dexamethasone between gestational days 14 and 21. Male offspring were
      then weaned onto either a standard chow or a high-fat diet. The postnatal levels
      of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha),
      and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in the plasma, liver, and brain were
      examined, as well as the possible effects of prenatal dexamethasone on cognition.
      We found that a postnatal high-fat diet led to spatial deficits detected by the
      Morris water maze in adult offspring administered dexamethasone prenatally. The
      spatial deficit was accompanied by decreased IGF-1 mRNA and increased ADMA levels
      in the dorsal hippocampus. In peripheral systems, a postnatal high-fat diet
      resulted in decreased plasma IGF-1, increased plasma corticosterone, increased
      concentrations of transaminases, TNF-alpha mRNA, and ADMA in the liver, and
      associated obesity in adult offspring administered prenatal dexamethasone. In
      conclusion, a postnatal high-fat diet led to spatial deficits, obesity, and
      altered levels of IGF-1, TNF-alpha, and ADMA in the plasma, liver, or brain.

PMID- 27272691
TI  - The Concept of the Arch Window in the Spiral Switch of the Great Arteries.
AB  - When the arterial switch operation includes the Lecompte maneuver, the arterial
      trunks are reconnected in parallel, rather than the spiral fashion observed in
      the normal heart. Thus, although the ventriculo-arterial connections are
      hemodynamically corrected, the anatomic arrangement cannot be considered normal.
      We hypothesized that, if feasible, it would be advantageous to restore a spiral
      configuration for the arterial trunks. In 58 patients, we reconstructed the
      arterial trunks such that, postoperatively, the pulmonary channel spirals round
      the aorta, passing to either the right or the left, and branches posteriorly. We
      compared the outcomes with those in 95 patients undergoing a standard non
      spiraling operation over the same period. Average follow-up was 8.2 +/- 4.5
      years. The estimated 10-year survival was similar in the cohorts, at 94.7 % for
      those with spiraling trunks, as compared to 90.4 % for those with parallel
      outflow tracts. Reoperation-free survival at 10 years was not significantly
      different (87.6 vs. 90.5 %). Supravalvar pulmonary stenosis, aortic neo
      coarctation, or left bronchial stenosis, however, was encountered in one-eighth
      of those undergoing a standard operation. None of these complications occurred in
      those patients who, postoperatively, had spiraling outflow tracts (P = 0.002).
      Reconstruction of spiraling trunks after the arterial switch has, thus far,
      avoided the complications of supravalvar pulmonary stenosis, neo-aortic kinking,
      or bronchial stenosis. The spiraling arrangement prevents compression of the
      pulmonary vessels and bronchial tree by the aorta, since it provides a wide
      window in the new aortic arch. 

PMID- 27272692
TI  - Predictors of Early Extubation After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center
      Prospective Observational Study.
AB  - This prospective, observational, single-center study aimed to determine the
      perioperative predictors of early extubation (<24 h after cardiac surgery) in a
      cohort of children undergoing cardiac surgery. Children aged between 1 month and
      18 years who were consecutively admitted to pediatric intensive care unit after
      cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease between January 2012 and June 2014.
      Ninety-nine patients were qualified for inclusion during the study period. The
      median duration of mechanical ventilation was 20 h (range 1-480), and 64 patients
      were extubated within 24 h. Four of them failed the initial attempt at
      extubation, and the success rate of early extubation was 60.6 %. Older patient
      age (p = .009), greater body weight (p = .009), absence of preoperative pulmonary
      hypertension (p = .044), lower RACHS-1 category (OR, 3.8; 95 % CI 1.35-10.7; p <
      .05), shorter cardiopulmonary bypass (p = .008) and cross-clamp (p = .022) times,
      lower PRISM III-24 (p < .05) and PELOD (p < .05) scores, lower inotropic score (p
      < .05) and vasoactive-inotropic score (p < .05), and lower number of organ
      failures (OR, 2.26; 95 % CI 1.30-3.92; p < .05) were associated with early
      extubation. Our study establishes that early extubation can be accomplished
      within the first 24 h after surgery in low- to medium-risk pediatric cardiac
      surgery patients, especially in older ones undergoing low-complexity procedures.
      A large prospective multiple institution trial is necessary to identify the
      predictors and benefits of early extubation and to facilitate defined guidelines
      for early extubation. 

PMID- 27272693
TI  - Dexmedetomidine is Associated with an Increased Incidence of Bradycardia in
      Patients with Trisomy 21 After Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate adverse cardiac events using dexmedetomidine in
      infants with trisomy 21 and those without (controls) and examined potential risk
      factors in infants after cardiovascular surgery. We conducted a single-center
      retrospective cohort study. The medical records of 124 consecutive infants who
      had undergone cardiovascular surgery between April 1, 2013, and October 31, 2015,
      were enrolled. Clinical characteristics, usage of dexmedetomidine, and
      perioperative medications were analyzed. Adverse cardiac events were assessed
      with the Naranjo score and World Health Organization-The Uppsala Monitoring
      Centre (WHO-UMC) criteria. In total, 124 consecutive infants (30 patients and 94
      controls) met the inclusion criteria. Eight of 30 (26.7 %) patients with trisomy
      21 and 12 of 94 (12.8 %) controls experienced adverse cardiac events (i.e.,
      hypotension, transient hypertension, and bradycardia) during dexmedetomidine with
      median Naranjo score of 6, and causality categories of WHO-UMC criteria were
      "certain" or "probable." Of those, the incidence of bradycardia occurred at a
      higher rate in patients with trisomy 21 than in controls (P = 0.011). Multiple
      logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of trisomy 21 was an
      independent risk factor for adverse cardiac events of dexmedetomidine after
      cardiovascular surgery (odds ratio 4.10, 95 % CI 1.17-11.19, P = 0.006).
      Dexmedetomidine is associated with an increased incidence of bradycardia in
      patients with trisomy 21 after surgery for congenital heart disease. Physicians
      using dexmedetomidine should know a great deal about the characteristics of
      patients with trisomy 21, and hemodynamic monitoring should be closely observed. 

PMID- 27272695
TI  - Complexometric titrations: new reagents and concepts to overcome old limitations.
AB  - Chelators and end point indicators are the most important parts of complexometric
      titrations. The most widely used universal chelator ethylenediamine tetraacetic
      acid (EDTA) and its derivatives can strongly coordinate with different metal
      ions. Their limited selectivity often requires the use of masking agents, and the
      multiple pKa values of the chelators necessitate a careful adjustment of pH
      during the procedure. Real world requirements for pH independent, selective and
      sensitive chelators and indicators call for a new design of these reagents. New
      concepts and structures of chelators and indicators have indeed recently emerged.
      We present here recent developments on chelators and indicators for
      complexometric titrations. Many of these advances were made possible only
      recently by moving the titration from a homogeneous to a heterogeneous phase
      using a new class of chelators and indicators based on highly selective
      ionophores embedded in ion-selective nanosphere emulsions. In view of achieving
      titrations in situ by complete instrumental control, thin layer electrochemistry
      has recently been shown to be an attractive concept that replaces the traditional
      cumbersome titration protocol with a direct reagent free sensing tool. 

PMID- 27272694
TI  - Is Endomyocardial Biopsy a Safe and Useful Procedure in Children with Suspected
      Cardiomyopathy?
AB  - Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is a common procedure used to aid in the diagnosis,
      prognosis and treatment of suspected pediatric cardiomyopathy. In suspected
      cardiomyopathy, no multicenter experience has previously reported on the safety
      and utility of EMBs. Retrospectively, adverse event (AE) and patient and
      procedural characteristics were obtained at seven institutions participating in
      the Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Outcomes Project for both a cardiomyopathy
      (n = 158) and a post-transplant surveillance (n = 2665) cohort. Descriptive
      information regarding biopsy indication, pathology and clinical management based
      on EMB findings were retrospectively obtained. High-severity AEs were more common
      in the cardiomyopathy cohort when compared to the post-transplant surveillance
      cohort. The cardiomyopathy cohort was younger, more hemodynamically vulnerable
      and required more cardiorespiratory support during the procedure. The eight high
      severity AEs in the cardiomyopathy group included one myocardial perforation, two
      ECMO cannulations and three deaths following the EMB. Factors associated with
      high-severity AEs included performing another catheter-based intervention during
      the EMB and longer fluoroscopy time. Notably, an increased number of biopsy
      attempts did not increase the risk of an AE. Suspected myocarditis was the most
      common indication. Diagnostic EMB pathology and thus alteration to clinical
      management based on pathology occurred more frequently in patients with suspected
      myocarditis. In conclusion, there is an increased incidence of high-severity AEs
      in patients undergoing EMB for suspected cardiomyopathy. EMB may be more
      clinically useful in the management of suspected myocarditis. The increased risk
      of high-severity AEs when additional interventions are performed highlights the
      hemodynamic vulnerability in patients with suspected cardiomyopathy. 

PMID- 27272696
TI  - Effects of dietary supplementing tannic acid in the ration of beef cattle on
      rumen fermentation, methane emission, microbial flora and nutrient digestibility.
AB  - Four adult Simmental male cattle (376 +/- 9.0 kg initial BW), fitted with
      permanent rumen cannulas, were used in a 4 * 4 Latin square design to investigate
      the effects of dietary supplementing tannic acid (TA) on rumen fermentation,
      methane (CH4 ) production, rumen microbes, nutrient digestibility and plasma
      biochemical parameters. Four levels of TA, that is 0, 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg dry
      matter (DM), were added to the basal ration (composed of corn silage and
      concentrate mixture) as experimental treatments respectively. Each experimental
      period consisted of a 12-day adaptation phase followed by a 3-day sampling phase.
      The results showed that supplementing TA at 26.0 g/kg DM decreased the relative
      abundance of protozoa, methanogens and Ruminococcus albus to the total ruminal
      bacterial 16S rDNA in beef cattle (p < 0.05). The results also showed that
      supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased (p < 0.01) the CH4
      production (l/kg DM intake) by 11.1%, 14.7% and 33.6% respectively. Supplementing
      TA at 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased the ratio of acetate to propionate and
      ammonia nitrogen (NH3 -N) (p < 0.05) and tended to decrease the total volatile
      fatty acid (VFA) concentration of rumen fluid (p = 0.07). Supplementing TA at
      26.0 g/kg DM decreased DM and organic matter (OM) digestibility (p < 0.05),
      supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased (p < 0.01) crude protein
      (CP) digestibility by 5.0%, 8.6% and 15.7%, respectively, and supplementing TA at
      6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM increased (p < 0.05) the plasma total antioxidant
      capability. It was concluded that supplementing TA in the ration of beef cattle
      decreased the CH4 production and digestibility of CP of beef cattle.
      Supplementing TA could be an effective option to mitigate CH4 emission form
      cattle, further research is necessary to study the effects of TA on the
      performance of cattle.

PMID- 27272697
TI  - Breath analysis for noninvasively differentiating Acinetobacter baumannii
      ventilator-associated pneumonia from its respiratory tract colonization of
      ventilated patients.
AB  - A number of multiresistant pathogens including Acinetobacter baumannii (A.
      baumannii) place a heavy burden on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) patients
      in intensive care units (ICU). It is critically important to differentiate
      between bacterial infection and colonization to avoid prescribing unnecessary
      antibiotics. Quantitative culture of lower respiratory tract (LRT) specimens,
      however, requires invasive procedures. Nowadays, volatile organic compounds
      (VOCs) have been studied in vitro and in vivo to identify pathogen-derived
      biomarkers. Therefore, an exploratory pilot study was conceived for a proof of
      concept that the appearance and level of A. baumannii-derived metabolites might
      be correlated with the presence of the pathogen and its ecological niche (i.e.
      the infection and colonization states) in ICU ventilated patients. Twenty
      patients with A. baumannii VAP (infection group), 20 ventilated patients with LRT
      A. baumannii colonization (colonization group) and 20 ventilated patients with
      neurological disorders, but without pneumonia or A. baumannii colonization
      (control group) were enrolled in the in vivo pilot study. A clinical isolate of
      A. baumannii strains was used for the in vitro culture experiment. The adsorptive
      preconcentration (solid-phase microextraction fiber and Tenax((r)) TA) and
      analysis technique of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were applied in the
      studies. Breath profiles could be visually differentiated between A. baumannii
      cultivation in vitro and culture medium, and among in vivo groups. In the in
      vitro experiment, nine compounds of interest (2,5-dimethyl-pyrazine, 1-undecene,
      isopentyl 3-methylbutanoate, decanal, 1,3-naphthalenediol, longifolene,
      tetradecane, iminodibenzyl and 3-methyl-indene) in the headspace were found to be
      possible A. baumannii derivations. While there were eight target VOCs (1
      undecene, nonanal, decanal, 2,6,10-trimethyl-dodecane, 5-methyl-5-propyl-nonane,
      longifolene, tetradecane and 2-butyl-1-octanol) exhibiting characteristics of A.
      baumannii VAP derivations. The selected VOC profile in vivo could be adopted to
      efficiently differentiate the presence of LRT A. baumannii from its absence, and
      LRT A. baumannii infection from its colonization (AUC  =  0.89 and 0.88,
      respectively). It is not feasible to simply transfer the metabolic biomarkers
      from the in vitro condition to in vivo. The direct detection of exhaled A.
      baumannii-derived VOCs may be adopted for an early alert of the LRT bacterial
      presence in ventilated ICU patients, and even in different parasitic states of A.
      baumannii (i.e. infection and colonization). However, further refinement and
      validation are required before its clinical use. 

PMID- 27272698
TI  - Response to: Depolarization vs. repolarization: what is the mechanism of
      ventricular arrhythmogenesis underlying sodium channel haploinsufficiency in
      mouse hearts?

PMID- 27272699
TI  - Quantitative analysis of aliphatic amines in urban aerosols based on online
      derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - A method combining online derivatization with high performance liquid
      chromatography/fluorescence detection was developed for the determination of
      seven aliphatic amines (ethanolamine, methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine,
      butylamine, pentylamine and hexylamine) in urban aerosols. The collected amines
      were online derivatized with o-phthalaldehyde to form highly fluorescent
      sulfonatoisoindole derivatives. The derivatives were completely separated in 13
      min through gradient elution and detected by fluorescence detection at an
      excitation wavelength of 334 nm and an emission wavelength of 443 nm. Under the
      optimized conditions, the relative standard derivations (RSDs) of all detected
      amines were 0.02-2.03% and 1.04-1.52% for the retention time and peak area,
      respectively. Excellent linearity was achieved for each analyte, ranging from 5
      MUg L(-1) to 1000 MUg L(-1) (R(2) > 0.99). The detection limits for all analytes
      were below 1.1 MUg L(-1). The proposed method was used to analyze aliphatic
      amines in 35 samples of urban PM2.5 collected in Shanghai and was found to be
      suitable for the determination of particulate aliphatic amines at ng m(-3) levels
      in ambient air. Based on our measurements, ethanolamine and methylamine were the
      most abundant species on average in Shanghai during dry and wet seasons. The
      highest concentration was 15.3 ng m(-3) for ethanolamine and 13.2 ng m(-3) for
      methylamine. 

PMID- 27272700
TI  - [Detection of Weissella spp. in milk samples of two dairy cows with clinical
      mastitis. A case report].
AB  - This case report describes the isolation and differentiation of Weissella (W.)
      spp. from the milk of two cows (A and B) with clinical mastitis (milk changes,
      asymmetry of the udder and increased somatic cell counts). Quarter milk samples
      obtained from two dairy cows of different farms had been submitted to the
      diagnostic laboratory of the Clinic for Ruminants in Vienna for bacteriological
      examination. Alpha-hemolytic catalase-negative gram-positive cocci in pure
      culture on Columbia blood agar were isolated and could not be assigned to a
      Lancefield group. The isolates were biochemically characterized as Leuconostoc
      spp. (API(r) 20 Strep, bioMerieux). A control examination of cow B within 7 weeks
      confirmed these findings. 16S rDNA sequencing indicated W. paramesenteroides (cow
      A) and W. cibaria (cow B). The analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis
      (PFGE) showed identical SmaI/ApaI profiles for both W. cibaria isolates (cow B),
      which differed from the W. paramesenteroides fingerprint of cow A (67%
      similarity). This study indicates a possible relationship between the detection
      of Weissella spp. and the occurrence of bovine intramammary infections.

PMID- 27272701
TI  - Integrated spatial health assessment of yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
      populations from the St. Lawrence River (QC, Canada), part B: cellular and
      transcriptomic effects.
AB  - Multi-biological level assessments have become great tools to evaluate the health
      of aquatic ecosystems. Using this approach, a complementary study was designed to
      evaluate the health of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) populations in the St.
      Lawrence River (Quebec, Canada). In the present study, stress responses were
      compared at the transcriptomic, cellular, and tissue levels in yellow perch
      collected at six sites along the river: Lake St. Francois, Lake St. Louis (north
      and south), Beauregard Island and Lake St. Pierre (north and south). These
      results complement the physiological and chemical parameters as well as pathogen
      infection investigated in a companion paper published in the present issue.
      Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) analyses indicated the presence of
      oxidative stress in fish collected in the southern part of Lake St. Louis and at
      the downstream sites of Lake St. Pierre. High lipid peroxidation levels were
      found in the muscle of yellow perch caught at Beauregard Island, located
      downstream of the Montreal's wastewater treatment plant, suggesting an impact of
      the municipal effluent on redox homeostasis. Transcriptomic results indicated the
      down-regulation of genes related to lipid, glucose, and retinoid in southern Lake
      St. Pierre as well as a decrease in retinoid storage. Overall, biochemical and
      molecular markers indicated that the health status of yellow perch followed a
      decreasing gradient from upstream to downstream of the St. Lawrence River. This
      gradient is representative of the cumulative negative impacts of human activities
      on water and habitat quality along the river. 

PMID- 27272702
TI  - Biomass and lipid production from Nannochloropsis oculata growth in raceway ponds
      operated in sequential batch mode under greenhouse conditions.
AB  - The effect of sequential batch cultures of the marine microalgae Nannochloropsis
      oculata on lipid and biomass production was studied in 200-L raceway ponds for
      167 days (nine harvesting cycles) during winter and spring seasons under
      greenhouse conditions. The highest biomass concentration and productivity were
      1.2 g/L and 49.8 mg/L/day on days 73 (5th cycle) and 167 (9th cycle),
      respectively. The overall interval of lipid production was between 131 and 530
      mg/L. Despite the daily and seasonal variations of light irradiance (0-1099 MUmol
      photon/m2 s), greenhouse temperature (2.1-50.7  degrees C), and culture
      temperature (12.5-31.4  degrees C), ANOVA analysis showed no statistical
      difference (p value > 0.01) on the fatty acid methyl ester (FAMES) composition
      over the nine harvesting cycles evaluated. The most abundant FAMES were palmitic
      (C16:0), stearic (C18:0) and palmitoleic (C16:1?9) acids with 37.1, 28.6, and 8.4
      %, respectively. The sequential batch cultures of N. oculata in raceway ponds
      showed an increasing biomass production in each new cycle while keeping the
      quality of the fatty acid mixture under daily and seasonal variations of light
      irradiance and temperature.

PMID- 27272703
TI  - Long-term effects of antibiotics, norfloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole, in a partial
      life-cycle study with zebrafish (Danio rerio): effects on growth, development,
      and reproduction.
AB  - A partial life-cycle study with zebrafish (Danio rerio) was conducted to evaluate
      the long-term effects of antibiotics, norfloxacin (NOR) and sulfamethoxazole
      (SMX). A series of bio-endpoints correlated to the growth, development, and
      reproduction was assessed. The results showed that the body weight and the
      condition factor were depressed by SMX at 200 MUg/L during the growth period.
      Meanwhile, the activities of metabolic enzyme (ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase,
      EROD) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD and catalase, CAT) were
      stimulated in all cases. The consequences of parental exposure to antibiotics for
      the next generation were also examined. The egg production of parents were
      depressed by the 200 MUg/L NOR and SMX alone or in combination. Similarly,
      decreased hatching, survival, and enhanced development abnormality of the next
      generation also occurred after parental exposure to SMX at the highest
      concentration. The heartbeat however was not altered in all cases. Furthermore,
      there was no significant difference in the bio-endpoints between the combined and
      individual treatment in most cases, with the exception of lower EROD activity and
      egg production in the co-treatment. The results suggest that long-term exposure
      to NOR and SMX at environmentally relevant concentrations, individually and in a
      mixture, may not significantly pose a threat to the growth, development, and
      reproduction of zebrafish, and an adverse effect may be expected at high
      concentration. 

PMID- 27272704
TI  - Diagnosing acute HIV infection at point of care: a retrospective analysis of the
      sensitivity and specificity of a fourth-generation point-of-care test for
      detection of HIV core protein p24.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Detection of acute HIV infection is vital in preventing onward
      transmission. HIV point-of-care testing (POCT) has improved uptake of HIV testing
      but has been limited to third-generation assays, which only detect chronic HIV
      infection. Previous evaluation of the fourth-generation Alere Determine HIV-1/2
      Ag/Ab Combo POCT showed only 50% sensitivity for HIV core protein p24 (p24
      antigen) detection, which is suboptimal for diagnosis of acute HIV infection with
      limited advantage over third-generation POCT. We aimed to assess the sensitivity
      of the new Alere HIV Combo POCT to detect acute HIV infection. METHODS: Stored
      samples in samples already identified as p24-positive using standard-of-care
      fourth-generation assays were randomly selected alongside groups of antibody
      positive samples and HIV-negative samples. Each sample was tested using the new
      Alere POCT according to manufacturer's instructions. Sensitivity and specificity
      were then calculated. RESULTS: The Alere HIV Combo POCT test demonstrated 88%
      sensitivity 95% CI (78% to 98%) and 100% specificity 95% CI (99.7% to 100%) for
      detection of p24 antigen. CONCLUSIONS: This new POCT shows improved sensitivity
      for detection of p24 antigen and may be of value for clinical use in detecting
      acute HIV infection. Further evaluation of its use in a clinical setting is still
      required.

PMID- 27272705
TI  - How to diagnose and treat aerobic and desquamative inflammatory vaginitis.

PMID- 27272706
TI  - Estimates of the Public Health Impact of a Pediatric Vaccination Program Using an
      Intranasal Tetravalent Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccine in Belgium.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to estimate the public health outcomes of
      vaccinating Belgian children using an intranasal tetravalent live-attenuated
      influenza vaccine (QLAIV) combined with current coverage of high-risk/elderly
      individuals using the trivalent inactivated vaccine. METHODS: We used a
      deterministic, age-structured, dynamic model to simulate seasonal influenza
      transmission in the Belgian population under the current coverage or after
      extending vaccination with QLAIV to healthy children aged 2-17 years.
      Differential equations describe demographic changes, exposure to infectious
      individuals, infection recovery, and immunity dynamics. The basic reproduction
      number (R 0) was calibrated to the observed number of influenza doctor
      visits/year. Vaccine efficacy was 80 % (live-attenuated) and 59-68 %
      (inactivated). The 10-year incidence of symptomatic influenza was calculated with
      different coverage scenarios (add-on to current coverage). RESULTS: Model
      calibration yielded R 0 = 1.1. QLAIV coverage of 75 % of those aged 2-17 years
      averted 374,000 symptomatic cases/year (57 % of the current number), 244,000 of
      which were among adults (indirect effect). Vaccinating 75 % of those aged 2-11
      years and 50 % of those aged 12-17 years averted 333,200 cases/year (213,000
      adult cases/year). Vaccinating only healthy children aged 2-5 years generated
      direct protection but limited indirect protection, even with 90 % coverage
      (40,800 averted adult cases/year; -8.4 %). Targeting all children averted twice
      as many high-risk cases as targeting high-risk children only (8485 vs. 4965/year
      with 75 % coverage). Sensitivity analyses showed the robustness of results.
      CONCLUSIONS: The model highlights the direct and indirect protection benefits
      when vaccinating healthy children with QLAIV in Belgium. Policies targeting only
      high-risk individuals or the youngest provide limited herd protection, as school
      age children are important influenza vectors in the community.

PMID- 27272707
TI  - Can phenological models predict tree phenology accurately in the future? The
      unrevealed hurdle of endodormancy break.
AB  - The onset of the growing season of trees has been earlier by 2.3 days per decade
      during the last 40 years in temperate Europe because of global warming. The
      effect of temperature on plant phenology is, however, not linear because
      temperature has a dual effect on bud development. On one hand, low temperatures
      are necessary to break bud endodormancy, and, on the other hand, higher
      temperatures are necessary to promote bud cell growth afterward. Different
      process-based models have been developed in the last decades to predict the date
      of budbreak of woody species. They predict that global warming should delay or
      compromise endodormancy break at the species equatorward range limits leading to
      a delay or even impossibility to flower or set new leaves. These models are
      classically parameterized with flowering or budbreak dates only, with no
      information on the endodormancy break date because this information is very
      scarce. Here, we evaluated the efficiency of a set of phenological models to
      accurately predict the endodormancy break dates of three fruit trees. Our results
      show that models calibrated solely with budbreak dates usually do not accurately
      predict the endodormancy break date. Providing endodormancy break date for the
      model parameterization results in much more accurate prediction of this latter,
      with, however, a higher error than that on budbreak dates. Most importantly, we
      show that models not calibrated with endodormancy break dates can generate large
      discrepancies in forecasted budbreak dates when using climate scenarios as
      compared to models calibrated with endodormancy break dates. This discrepancy
      increases with mean annual temperature and is therefore the strongest after 2050
      in the southernmost regions. Our results claim for the urgent need of massive
      measurements of endodormancy break dates in forest and fruit trees to yield more
      robust projections of phenological changes in a near future.

PMID- 27272708
TI  - Acne in adult women and the markers of peripheral 3 alpha-diol G activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acne in adult women is a frequent hard-to-manage disease with many
      relapse cases. It mostly interferes with the quality of life of patients,
      bringing them major metabolic and social losses. As androgenic hormones play a
      very important role in the acne pathogenesis, the early diagnosis of
      hyperandrogenic states is very useful for the proper evaluation of each patient
      and for a better choice of therapeutic management. Defining a pattern for
      laboratory profile analysis is important for the control of relapses of acne
      breakouts in adult women, which lately has been the aim of many published
      studies. AIM: To establish the relation between 3 alpha-diol G levels and acne in
      female patients with normal androgenic status without menstrual dysfunctions.
      PATIENTS/METHODS: The evaluation of serum 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide
      levels through an enzymatic immunoassay method (Androstanediol Glucuronide ELISA
      Kit) for a direct quantitative measurement in 26 patients with grade II and III
      acne, ages ranging from 13 to 50. RESULTS: Among the analyzed patients, 83% had
      grade II acne, and among this total, 60% were aged 14 or over. According to age,
      12 studied patients showed serum 3 alpha-diol G levels within normal range and 11
      patients had increased levels. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 60% of adult women with
      acne present increased levels of androgens and among those with normal levels and
      without menstrual dysfunctions, 50% show an increase in 3 alpha-diol G.
      Therefore, a pharmacological approach with anti-androgenic drugs for acne therapy
      in most of these patients is advisable.

PMID- 27272709
TI  - Patient derived mutation W257G of PPP2R1A enhances cancer cell migration through
      SRC-JNK-c-Jun pathway.
AB  - Mutation of PPP2R1A has been observed at high frequency in endometrial serous
      carcinomas but at low frequency in ovarian clear cell carcinoma. However, the
      biological role of mutation of PPP2R1A in ovarian and endometrial cancer
      progression remains unclear. In this study, we found that PPP2R1A expression is
      elevated in high-grade primary tumor patients with papillary serous tumors of the
      ovary. To determine whether increased levels or mutation of PPP2R1A might
      contribute to cancer progression, the effects of overexpression or mutation of
      PPP2R1A on cell proliferation, migration, and PP2A phosphatase activity were
      investigated using ovarian and endometrial cancer cell lines. Among the
      mutations, PPP2R1A-W257G enhanced cell migration in vitro through activating SRC
      JNK-c-Jun pathway. Overexpression of wild type (WT) PPP2R1A increased its binding
      ability with B56 regulatory subunits, whereas PPP2R1A-mutations lost the ability
      to bind to most B56 subunits except B56delta. Total PP2A activity and PPP2R1A
      associated PP2Ac activity were significantly increased in cells overexpressing
      PPP2R1A-WT. In addition, overexpression of PPP2R1A-WT increased cell
      proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo.

PMID- 27272710
TI  - Transvenous Salvage of Migrated Large Volume Detachable Coil.

PMID- 27272711
TI  - Percutaneous Image-Guided Cryoablation of Challenging Mediastinal Lesions Using
      Large-Volume Hydrodissection: Technical Considerations and Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to describe the technique of percutaneous
      image-guided cryoablation with large-volume hydrodissection for the treatment of
      challenging mediastinal lesions. METHODS: Between March 2014 and June 2015, three
      patients (mean age 62.7 years) with four neoplastic anterior mediastinal lesions
      underwent five cryoablation procedures using large-volume hydrodissection.
      Procedures were performed under general anaesthesia using CT guidance. Lesion
      characteristics, hydrodissection and cryoablation data, technical success,
      complications, and clinical outcomes were assessed using retrospective chart
      review. RESULTS: Lesions (mean size 2.7 cm; range 2-4.3 cm) were in contact with
      great vessels (n = 13), trachea (n = 3), and mediastinal nerves (n = 6).
      Hydrodissection was performed intercostally (n = 4), suprasternally (n = 2),
      transsternally (n = 1), or via the sternoclavicular joint (n = 1) using 1-3
      spinal needles over 13.4 (range 7-26) minutes; 450 ml of dilute contrast was
      injected (range 300-600 ml) and increased mean lesion-collateral structure
      distance from 1.9 to 7.7 mm. Vulnerable mediastinal nerves were identified in
      four of five procedures. Technical success was 100 %, with one immediate
      complication (recurrent laryngeal nerve injury). Mean follow-up period was 15
      months. One lesion demonstrated residual disease on restaging PET-CT and was
      retreated to achieve complete ablation. At last follow-up, two patients remained
      disease-free, and one patient developed distant disease after 1 year without
      local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoablation using large-volume hydrodissection is
      a feasible technique, enabling safe and effective treatment of challenging
      mediastinal lesions.

PMID- 27272712
TI  - Endovascular Repair of a Type 1a Endoleak After Ch-EVAR with a b-EVAR.

PMID- 27272713
TI  - Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty for Complete Membranous Obstruction of
      Suprahepatic Inferior Vena Cava: Long-Term Results.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the long-term results of percutaneous transluminal
      angioplasty (PTA) for a complete membranous obstruction of the suprahepatic
      inferior vena cava. METHODS: Patients (n = 65) who were referred to the
      interventional unit for PTA for a complete membranous obstruction of the
      suprahepatic inferior vena cava between January 2006 and October 2014 were
      included in the study. Thirty-two patients (18 males, 14 females, mean age 35 +/-
      10.7, range 20-42 years) were treated. The patients presented with symptoms of
      ascites (88 %), pleural effusion (53 %), varicose veins (94 %), hepatomegaly (97
      %), abdominal pain (84 %), and splenomegaly (40 %). Transjugular liver access set
      and re-entry catheter were used to puncture and traverse the obstruction from the
      jugular side. PTA balloon dilations were performed. The mean follow-up period was
      65.6 +/- 24.5 months. The objective was to evaluate technical success,
      complications, primary patency, and clinical improvement in the symptoms of the
      patients. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 94 %. In two patients,
      obstruction could not be traversed. These patients underwent cavoatrial graft
      bypass surgery. There were no procedure-related complications. Clinical
      improvements were achieved in all patients within 3 months. The primary patency
      rate at 4 years was 90 %. There was no primary assisted patency. There was no
      need for metallic stent deployment in the cohort. The secondary patency rate at 4
      years was 100 %. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for a
      complete membranous obstruction of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava is safe
      and effective, and the long-term results are excellent.

PMID- 27272714
TI  - Primary vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in pseudophakic eyes: 20
      gauge versus 25-gauge vitrectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report anatomical and functional outcome of 20-gauge versus 25-gauge
      primary pars plana vitrectomy for management of complex rhegmatogenous retinal
      detachment in pseudophakic eyes. METHODS: Prospective single-centre randomized
      comparative pilot trial. Fifty patients with retinal detachment (RD) not
      complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy grade B or C, who cannot be
      treated with a single meridional sponge, were randomized (1:1) from November 2006
      to January 2010 to either 20-gauge or 25-gauge vitrectomy as first surgical
      intervention and followed up over a 12-month period, evaluating change in best
      corrected visual acuity, anatomical success and intraocular pressure
      dysregulation. RESULTS: Mean visual acuity improved by 0.88 (SD 0.67) from 1.22
      logMAR (SD 0.63) to 0.34 logMAR (SD 0.31) in the 20-gauge group and by 0.53 (SD
      0.91) from 0.86 logMAR (SD 0.73) to 0.34 logMAR (SD 0.46) in the 25-gauge group.
      Final anatomical success rate was 100% and primary success rate was 69% at 6
      months of follow-up. In the 20-gauge group, the retina was attached after one
      single procedure in 18 eyes (72%) and in 21 eyes (84%) of the 25-gauge group. Two
      patients in the 25-gauge group had hypotony at the first postoperative day which
      normalized within 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: In our series, transconjunctival
      sutureless 25-gauge and 20-gauge vitrectomy showed comparable results in
      pseudophakic RD not suitable for single sponge surgery with respect to visual
      outcome and retinal reattachment. Postoperative hypotony does not seem to be a
      significant problem of transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.

PMID- 27272715
TI  - Association of Serum Selenium, Zinc and Magnesium Levels with Glycaemic Indices
      and Insulin Resistance in Pre-diabetes: a Cross-Sectional Study from South India.
AB  - A growing understanding of antioxidant mechanisms and insulin-like actions of
      trace elements selenium and zinc has rekindled researchers' interest towards
      their role in diabetes mellitus, nutritional management of which concentrates
      predominantly on macronutrient intake. However, selenium studies limiting largely
      to diabetes have yielded inconsistent results with sparse knowledge in the pre
      diabetes population. This hospital-based cross-sectional study screened 300
      people who came to the institutional hospital laboratory with fasting plasma
      glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin requisition over a period of 6 months.
      Thirty-five pre-diabetes subjects aged 25-45 years and 35 age-matched healthy
      controls were selected as per inclusion criteria and clinical history. Serum
      selenium was estimated by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, zinc and
      magnesium by colorimetric end-point methods and insulin by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay, and insulin resistance was calculated using a homeostasis
      model assessment (HOMA) 2 calculator. Data analysis was done using SPSS ver. 16
      employing an independent sample t test for intergroup comparison of means and
      Pearson's correlation for correlation analysis. Serum mineral levels in the pre
      diabetes group (selenium 63.01 +/- 17.6 MUg/L, zinc 55.78 +/- 13.49 MUg/dL,
      magnesium 1.37 +/- 0.38 mg/dL) were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in
      comparison to the healthy controls (selenium 90.98 +/- 15.81 MUg/L, zinc 94.53 +/
      15.41 MUg/dL, magnesium 2.12 +/- 0.22 mg/dL). A significant negative correlation
      was seen with glycaemic indices and insulin resistance. This study conducted in
      pre-diabetes subjects highlights a considerable deficiency of serum selenium,
      zinc and magnesium observed at a much earlier pre-clinical phase. This coupled
      with the evidence of a strong inverse association with glycaemic indices and
      insulin resistance postulates the role of mineral alterations in the
      pathophysiology of hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance.

PMID- 27272716
TI  - The Association Between Urinary Cadmium Levels and Dietary Habits with Risk of
      Gastrointestinal Cancer in Tabriz, Northwest of Iran.
AB  - Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread toxic heavy metal and has long biological half-life.
      It has potential carcinogenic effects on multiple organ systems of human.
      However, no studies have evaluated the adverse effects of cadmium on incidence of
      cancer in gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      association between urine cadmium (U-Cd) levels and risk of gastrointestinal
      cancer. This descriptive study was accomplished on 111 GI cancer patients as
      cases and 111 healthy people as control subjects from January to October in
      Tabriz, northwest Iran, during 2013. Cadmium in urine samples was measured by
      graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GFAAS). GI cancer patients
      had higher urine cadmium levels in comparison to healthy individuals (p < 0.05).
      The multivariate regression model manifested a significant association between
      the U-Cd concentrations and the risk of GI cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 1.70, 95 %
      CI = 1.35-2.20). Cases were 70 % more than controls at risk of cancer incidence.
      Our data indicates an association between U-Cd levels and GI cancer risk.

PMID- 27272717
TI  - Coexistence of Copper in the Iron-Rich Particles of Aceruloplasminemia Brain.
AB  - The interaction between iron and copper has been discussed in association with
      human health and diseases for many years. Ceruloplasmin, a multi-copper oxidase,
      is mainly involved in iron metabolism and its genetic defect, aceruloplasminemia
      (ACP), shows neurological disorders and diabetes associated with excessive iron
      accumulation, but little is known about the state of copper in the brain. Here,
      we investigated localization of these metals in the brains of three patients with
      ACP using electron microscopes equipped with an energy-dispersive x-ray analyzer.
      Histochemically, iron deposition was observed mainly in the basal ganglia and
      dentate nucleus, and to lesser degree in the cerebral cortex of the patients,
      whereas copper grains were not detected. X-ray microanalysis identified two types
      of iron-rich particles in their brains: dense bodies, namely hemosiderins, and
      their aggregated inclusions. A small number of hemosiderins and most inclusions
      contained a significant amount of copper which was enough for distinct Cu x-ray
      images. These copper-containing particles were observed more frequently in the
      putamen and dentate nucleus than the cerebral cortex. Coexistence of iron and
      copper was supported by good correlations in the molecular ratios between these
      two metals in iron-rich particles with Cu x-ray image. Iron-dependent copper
      accumulation in iron-rich particles may suggest that copper recycling is enhanced
      to meet the increased requirement of cuproproteins in iron overload brain. In
      conclusion, the iron-rich particles with Cu x-ray image were found in the ACP
      brain.

PMID- 27272718
TI  - Selenium Levels in the Whole Blood of Children and Teenagers from Two Riparian
      Communities at the Madeira River Basin in the Western Brazilian Amazon.
AB  - Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient that exerts multiple functions in the
      organism, and both its deficiency and excess can cause health impairments. Thus,
      it is important to monitor its levels in the population, especially in vulnerable
      groups, such as children from the Brazilian Amazon region, where there is a lack
      of information in this regard. The aim of this research was to study Se levels in
      the whole blood of children and teenagers (5-16 years old) from two riparian
      communities at the Madeira River (Cunia RESEX and Belmont). Se level variations
      related to the communities' location, seasonality, diet, and body mass index
      (BMI) were assessed. Blood samples were collected in both communities for Se
      determinations, using ICP-MS and hemogram analyses, during May and September of
      2011. Food frequency questionnaires were applied to assess consumption rates of
      specific food items. Non-parametric tests and linear multiple regressions were
      applied in the data analyses. Median Se levels were significantly higher during
      May (Cunia RESEX 149 MUg L-1; Belmont 85 MUg L-1) compared to September (Cunia
      RESEX 79 MUg L-1; Belmont 53 MUg L-1). No significant differences were found
      between the communities regarding BMI measurements and anemia prevalence.
      However, Se blood levels were significantly higher at the Cunia RESEX compared to
      Belmont. In addition, the former showed higher fish and Brazil nut intakes, which
      may be the main Se sources for this community. These results contribute to a
      better understanding of Se reference levels for children and teenagers of Western
      Amazon riparian communities.

PMID- 27272719
TI  - Stimulation of superoxide production increases fungicidal action of miconazole
      against Candida albicans biofilms.
AB  - We performed a whole-transcriptome analysis of miconazole-treated Candida
      albicans biofilms, using RNA-sequencing. Our aim was to identify molecular
      pathways employed by biofilm cells of this pathogen to resist action of the
      commonly used antifungal miconazole. As expected, genes involved in sterol
      biosynthesis and genes encoding drug efflux pumps were highly induced in biofilm
      cells upon miconazole treatment. Other processes were affected as well, including
      the electron transport chain (ETC), of which eight components were
      transcriptionally downregulated. Within a diverse set of 17 inhibitors/inducers
      of the transcriptionally affected pathways, the ETC inhibitors acted most
      synergistically with miconazole against C. albicans biofilm cells. Synergy was
      not observed for planktonically growing C. albicans cultures or when biofilms
      were treated in oxygen-deprived conditions, pointing to a biofilm-specific oxygen
      dependent tolerance mechanism. In line, a correlation between miconazole's
      fungicidal action against C. albicans biofilm cells and the levels of superoxide
      radicals was observed, and confirmed both genetically and pharmacologically using
      a triple superoxide dismutase mutant and a superoxide dismutase inhibitor N-N'
      diethyldithiocarbamate, respectively. Consequently, ETC inhibitors that result in
      mitochondrial dysfunction and affect production of reactive oxygen species can
      increase miconazole's fungicidal activity against C. albicans biofilm cells.

PMID- 27272720
TI  - Adhesion Molecules Associated with Female Genital Tract Infection.
AB  - Efforts to develop vaccines that can elicit mucosal immune responses in the
      female genital tract against sexually transmitted infections have been hampered
      by an inability to measure immune responses in these tissues. The differential
      expression of adhesion molecules is known to confer site-dependent homing of
      circulating effector T cells to mucosal tissues. Specific homing molecules have
      been defined that can be measured in blood as surrogate markers of local immunity
      (e.g. alpha4beta7 for gut). Here we analyzed the expression pattern of adhesion
      molecules by circulating effector T cells following mucosal infection of the
      female genital tract in mice and during a symptomatic episode of vaginosis in
      women. While CCR2, CCR5, CXCR6 and CD11c were preferentially expressed in a mouse
      model of Chlamydia infection, only CCR5 and CD11c were clearly expressed by
      effector T cells during bacterial vaginosis in women. Other homing molecules
      previously suggested as required for homing to the genital mucosa such as
      alpha4beta1 and alpha4beta7 were also differentially expressed in these patients.
      However, CD11c expression, an integrin chain rarely analyzed in the context of T
      cell immunity, was the most consistently elevated in all activated effector CD8+
      T cell subsets analyzed. This molecule was also induced after systemic infection
      in mice, suggesting that CD11c is not exclusive of genital tract infection.
      Still, its increase in response to genital tract disorders may represent a novel
      surrogate marker of mucosal immunity in women, and warrants further exploration
      for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. 

PMID- 27272722
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and total removal of fosfomycin in two patients undergoing
      intermittent haemodialysis and extended dialysis: prescription needs to avoid
      under-dosing.

PMID- 27272721
TI  - Efficacy of OZ439 (artefenomel) against early Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage
      malaria infection in healthy volunteers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: OZ439, or artefenomel, is an investigational synthetic ozonide
      antimalarial with similar potency, but a significantly improved pharmacokinetic
      profile, compared with artemisinins. We wished to measure key pharmacokinetic and
      pharmacodynamic parameters and the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship
      of artefenomel in humans to guide the drug's further development as combination
      therapy in patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We tested artefenomel in the human
      induced blood-stage malaria (IBSM) model. Plasmodium infection was monitored by
      quantitative PCR (qPCR) and upon reaching 1000 parasites/mL single doses of 100,
      200 and 500 mg of artefenomel were administered orally with evaluation of drug
      exposure and parasitaemia until rescue treatment after 16 days or earlier, if
      required. RESULTS: A single 100 mg dose had only a transient effect, while the
      200 mg dose resulted in a significant reduction in parasitaemia before early
      recrudescence. At the highest (500 mg) dose, initial clearance of parasites below
      the limit of detection of qPCR was observed, with a 48 h parasite reduction ratio
      (PRR48) >10 000 and a parasite clearance half-life of 3.6 h (95% CI 3.4-3.8 h).
      However, at this dose, recrudescence was seen in four of eight subjects 6-10 days
      after treatment. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling predicted an MIC of
      4.1 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the antimalarial potential of
      artefenomel for use in a single-exposure combination therapy. The observations
      from this study support and will assist further clinical development of
      artefenomel.

PMID- 27272724
TI  - Combination of Candida biomarkers in patients receiving empirical antifungal
      therapy in a Spanish tertiary hospital: a potential role in reducing the duration
      of treatment.

PMID- 27272723
TI  - Pharmacodynamics of carbapenems for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      ventilator-associated pneumonia: associations with clinical outcome and
      recurrence.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacodynamics of
      doripenem, imipenem and meropenem as a predictor of clinical success, mortality,
      28 day recurrence and development of resistance in patients treated for
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Previously published demographic and outcome data derived from patients
      treated for P. aeruginosa VAP with doripenem, imipenem or meropenem were
      utilized. Patient-specific data were used in conjunction with published
      population pharmacokinetic models to construct concentration-time profiles for
      each patient. Etest MICs were used to determine pharmacodynamic profiles.
      Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was utilized to partition
      pharmacodynamics based on outcomes with P values of 0.05. RESULTS: Eighty-six
      patients were included in the analysis. Initial carbapenem MICs ranged from 0.03
      to 32 mg/L. VAP recurred in 28 patients; of these, 17 patients were initially
      infected with susceptible organisms, and 14 of them developed resistance. CART
      fT>MIC partitions identified for clinical success and survival were 19.2% (P =
      0.016) and 47.9% (P < 0.001), respectively. No statistically significant
      partitions for fT>MIC were identified for recurrence or resistance development.
      CONCLUSIONS: We identified fT>MIC cut-offs for positive clinical outcomes in
      patients with P. aeruginosa VAP that were similar to those observed in animal
      models of infection for stasis (~20%) and 1 log decreases in cfu (~40%). Although
      in vitro studies have suggested a link between drug exposure and development of
      resistance, we were unable to identify such a relationship clinically.

PMID- 27272725
TI  - Adaptive responses to cefotaxime treatment in ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and
      the possible use of significantly regulated pathways as novel secondary targets.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine how ESBL-producing Escherichia
      coli change the expression of metabolic and biosynthesis genes when adapting to
      inhibitory concentrations of cefotaxime. Secondly, it was investigated whether
      significantly regulated pathways constitute putative secondary targets that can
      be used to combat the resistant bacteria. METHODS: Strains of E. coli MG1655
      encoding blaCTX-M-1 from an IncI1 plasmid and from the chromosome were challenged
      with cefotaxime corresponding to inhibitory concentrations, and transcriptional
      patterns were compared with growth without or with very low concentrations of
      cefotaxime by RNA sequencing. Significantly regulated pathways were inhibited
      with suitable inhibitors, or genes encoding the enzymes of the regulated pathways
      were knocked out. The ability of the bacteria to grow in the presence of
      cefotaxime was determined. Chequerboard assays were utilized to confirm synergies
      between treatments. RESULTS: Genes belonging to 16 different functional gene
      classes were significantly regulated. Protein and peptidoglycan syntheses were up
      regulated and low concentrations of chloramphenicol or d-cycloserine, targeting
      these systems, strongly reduced the MIC of cefotaxime (>32-fold). Inhibition
      and/or mutations in other genes that were significantly regulated, belonging to
      energy synthesis, purine synthesis, proline uptake or potassium uptake, also
      rendered the resistant bacteria more susceptible to cefotaxime. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results show that ESBL-producing E. coli adapt to treatment with cefotaxime by
      changing their gene expression patterns and furthermore that targeting regulated
      adaptive pathways may be a suitable way to identify targets for drugs that will
      specifically inhibit the resistant bacteria.

PMID- 27272726
TI  - A novel small-molecule compound disrupts influenza A virus PB2 cap-binding and
      inhibits viral replication.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The conserved residues 318-483 in the PB2 subunit of influenza A
      polymerase is an independently folded cap-binding domain (PB2cap) that exhibits a
      distinct binding mode from other host cap-binding proteins, which suggests that
      PB2cap might be an ideal drug target. This study aimed to identify a new class of
      anti-influenza inhibitors that specifically disrupts the interaction between
      PB2cap and host cap structures. METHODS: An innovative fluorescence polarization
      assay was established for primary screening, followed by cap-binding inhibitory
      activity, antiviral efficacy and cytotoxicity evaluations of the selected
      compounds. The best compound was characterized by multi-cycle virus growth assay,
      cross-protection test, synergism evaluation, mini-replicon assay, binding
      affinity analysis, docking simulation and mouse study. RESULTS: Several PB2 cap
      binding inhibitors were discovered. The compound 7-(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3
      yl)-6H,7H,8H-chromeno[3',4':5,6]pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-6,8-dione, designated PB2
      39, was identified as a potent inhibitor of replication of multiple subtypes of
      influenza A virus, including H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7, H7N9 and H9N2 in vitro and
      H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9 in vivo. Combinational treatment with the influenza virus
      release inhibitor zanamivir and PB2-39 exerted a synergistic anti-influenza
      effect. Mechanistic experiments supported that PB2-39 suppressed viral polymerase
      activity. Docking and binding affinity analyses demonstrated that PB2-39
      interacted with the PB2 cap-binding pocket, suggesting its role as a cap-binding
      competitor. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides new insights for the strategic
      development of novel cap-binding inhibitors of influenza A viruses.

PMID- 27272730
TI  - Is there really a shortage of primary care PAs?

PMID- 27272728
TI  - Antimicrobial Activity of Serbian Propolis Evaluated by Means of MIC, HPTLC,
      Bioautography and Chemometrics.
AB  - New information has come to light about the biological activity of propolis and
      the quality of natural products which requires a rapid and reliable assessment
      method such as High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting.
      This study investigates chromatographic and chemometric approaches for
      determining the antimicrobial activity of propolis of Serbian origin against
      various bacterial species. A linear multivariate calibration technique, using
      Partial Least Squares, was used to extract the relevant information from the
      chromatographic fingerprints, i.e. to indicate peaks which represent phenolic
      compounds that are potentially responsible for the antimicrobial capacity of the
      samples. In addition, direct bioautography was performed to localize the
      antibacterial activity on chromatograms. The biological activity of the propolis
      samples against various bacterial species was determined by a minimum inhibitory
      concentration assay, confirming their affiliation with the European poplar type
      of propolis and revealing the existence of two types (blue and orange) according
      to botanical origin. The strongest antibacterial activity was exhibited by sample
      26 against Staphylococcus aureus, with a MIC value of 0.5 mg/mL, and Listeria
      monocytogenes, with a MIC as low as 0.1 mg/mL, which was also the lowest
      effective concentration observed in our study. Generally, the orange type of
      propolis shows higher antimicrobial activity compared to the blue type. PLS
      modelling was performed on the HPTLC data set and the resulting models might
      qualitatively indicate compounds that play an important role in the activity
      exhibited by the propolis samples. The most relevant peaks influencing the
      antimicrobial activity of propolis against all bacterial strains were phenolic
      compounds at RF values of 0.37, 0.40, 0.45, 0.51, 0.60 and 0.70. The knowledge
      gained through this study could be important for attributing the antimicrobial
      activity of propolis to specific chemical compounds, as well as the verification
      of HPTLC fingerprinting as a reliable method for the identification of compounds
      that are potentially responsible for antimicrobial activity. This is the first
      report on the activity of Serbian propolis as determined by several combined
      methods, including the modelling of antimicrobial activity by HPTLC
      fingerprinting. 

PMID- 27272729
TI  - Glycogen dynamics of crucian carp (Carassius carassius) in prolonged anoxia.
AB  - Mobilization of glycogen stores was examined in the anoxic crucian carp
      (Carassius carassius Linnaeus). Winter-acclimatized fish were exposed to anoxia
      for 1, 3, or 6 weeks at 2  degrees C, and changes in the size of glycogen
      deposits were followed. After 1 week of anoxia, a major part of the glycogen
      stores was mobilized in liver (79.5 %) and heart (75.6 %), and large decreases
      occurred in gill (46.7 %) and muscle (45.1 %). Brain was an exception in that its
      glycogen content remained unchanged. The amount of glycogen degraded during the
      first anoxic week was sufficient for the anaerobic ethanol production for more
      than 6 weeks of anoxia. After 3 and 6 weeks of anoxia, there was little further
      degradation of glycogen in other tissues except the brain where the stores were
      reduced by 30.1 and 49.9 % after 3 and 6 weeks of anoxia, respectively. One week
      of normoxic recovery following the 6-week anoxia was associated with a complete
      replenishment of the brain glycogen and partial recovery of liver, heart, and
      gill glycogen stores. Notably, the resynthesis of glycogen occurred at the
      expense of the existing energy reserves of the body in fasting fish. These
      findings indicate that in crucian carp, glycogen stores are quickly mobilized
      after the onset of anoxia, with the exception of the brain whose glycogen stores
      may be saved for putative emergency situations.

PMID- 27272731
TI  - Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder: Guidelines for diagnosis,
      treatment, and management.
AB  - Chronic kidney disease affects 23 million Americans and is associated with many
      complications, one of the most complex of which is mineral and bone disorder.
      Pathophysiologic mechanisms begin to occur early in CKD but when the glomerular
      filtration rate declines to <50% of normal, biochemical and bone matrix
      abnormalities, which vary and are multifactorial, begin to be clinically
      apparent. Mainstays of treatment remain management of hyperphosphatemia and
      prevention or treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. 

PMID- 27272732
TI  - Correcting four decades of the wrong dietary advice.

PMID- 27272727
TI  - Triglyceride/HDL ratio and its impact on the risk of diabetes mellitus
      development during ART.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Our primary aim was to study diabetes mellitus (DM) arising during
      combination ART (cART) and to attempt to identify associations between these
      cases and triglycerides (TRG) and the TRG to HDL-cholesterol (TRG/HDL) ratio. Our
      secondary aim was to analyse the association between DM development and hepatic
      fibrosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients from the Icona
      Foundation study initiating first-line cART between 1997 and 2013 were selected
      and observed until new-onset DM or most recent clinical follow-up. The predictive
      value of TRG and TRG/HDL ratio levels on DM was evaluated using multivariable
      Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Three-thousand, five-hundred and forty-six
      patients (males, 73.7%; median age, 38 years; median BMI, 23.1 kg/m(2); and
      hepatitis C virus antibody positive, 22.1%) were included. Of these, 80 developed
      DM over 13 911 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), corresponding to 5.7 cases per
      1000 PYFU (95% CI = 4.6-7.1). At multivariable analysis, latest TRG/HDL ratio,
      when high, was associated with significant increases in DM risk [relative risk
      (RR) = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.32-2.01 per 10 points higher], while current TRG, in
      contrast, was associated with new-onset DM only at crude analysis. Advanced liver
      fibrosis (defined as fibrosis-4 index >3.25) was also shown to be an independent
      risk factor for DM (RR = 2.91; 95% CI = 1.10-7.72). CONCLUSIONS: High TRG/HDL
      ratio predicted risk of new-onset DM, independently of other traditional risk
      factors. Furthermore, our findings suggest that advanced hepatic fibrosis,
      estimated using the fibrosis-4 score, could provide an additional predictor for
      DM.

PMID- 27272734
TI  - Dos and don'ts for hospital cleaning.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: More evidence is emerging on the role of cleaning and
      decontamination for reducing hospital-acquired infection. Timely and adequate
      removal of environmental pathogens leads to measurable clinical benefits for
      patients. This article considers studies published from 2013 examining hospital
      decontamination technologies and evidence for cost-effectiveness. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Novel biocides and cleaning products, antimicrobial coatings,
      monitoring practices and automated equipment are widely accessible. They do not
      necessarily remove all environmental pathogens, however, and most have yet to be
      comprehensively assessed against patient outcome. Some studies are confounded by
      concurrent infection control and/or antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. Few
      contain data on costs. SUMMARY: As automated dirt removal is assumed to be
      superior to human effort, there is a danger that traditional cleaning methods are
      devalued or ignored. Fear of infection encourages use of powerful disinfectants
      for eliminating real or imagined pathogens in hospitals without appreciating
      toxicity or cost benefit. Furthermore, efficacy of these agents is compromised
      without prior removal of organic soil. Microbiocidal activity should be compared
      and contrasted against physical removal of soil in standardized and controlled
      studies to understand how best to manage contaminated healthcare environments.

PMID- 27272733
TI  - RAB-10 Promotes EHBP-1 Bridging of Filamentous Actin and Tubular Recycling
      Endosomes.
AB  - EHBP-1 (Ehbp1) is a conserved regulator of endocytic recycling, acting as an
      effector of small GTPases including RAB-10 (Rab10). Here we present evidence that
      EHBP-1 associates with tubular endosomal phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate
      [PI(4,5)P2] enriched membranes through an N-terminal C2-like (NT-C2) domain, and
      define residues within the NT-C2 domain that mediate membrane interaction.
      Furthermore, our results indicate that the EHBP-1 central calponin homology (CH)
      domain binds to actin microfilaments in a reaction that is stimulated by RAB
      10(GTP). Loss of any aspect of this RAB-10/EHBP-1 system in the C. elegans
      intestinal epithelium leads to retention of basolateral recycling cargo in
      endosomes that have lost their normal tubular endosomal network (TEN)
      organization. We propose a mechanism whereby RAB-10 promotes the ability of
      endosome-bound EHBP-1 to also bind to the actin cytoskeleton, thereby promoting
      endosomal tubulation.

PMID- 27272735
TI  - Both muscle mass and muscle strength are inversely associated with depressive
      symptoms in an elderly Chinese population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Few population studies have examined the association between skeletal
      muscle and depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine whether low
      muscle mass and muscle strength were associated with the depressive symptoms in
      elderly Chinese. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1046 elderly
      in Tianjin, China. Depressive symptoms were examined using the 30-item Geriatric
      Depression Scale. A Geriatric Depression Scale score of >=11 was used to indicate
      depressive symptoms. Skeletal muscle mass was indicated using a skeletal muscle
      mass index (SMI) that was measured by bioimpedance analysis and muscle strength
      was measured by dynamometer. RESULTS: In a multiple logistic regression analysis,
      subjects in the lowest quartile of SMI or muscle strength had a significantly
      higher risk for depressive symptoms compared with those in the fourth quartile.
      The odds ratios and 95% confidence interval for depressive symptoms risk in the
      lowest quartile of SMI compared with the highest after adjusting for potential
      confounding factors were 10.1 (2.25, 58.3) in men and 3.17 (1.07, 9.95) in women.
      The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for depressive symptoms risk in the
      lowest quartile of muscle strength compared with the highest after adjusting for
      potential confounding factors were 2.55 (1.02, 6.67) in men and 4.18 (1.83, 10.2)
      in women. CONCLUSIONS: Both muscle mass and muscle strength are inversely
      associated with depressive symptoms in elderly Chinese. These findings may
      provide novel insights linking skeletal muscle and depressive symptoms. Copyright
      (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27272736
TI  - Variation of outdoor illumination as a function of solar elevation and light
      pollution.
AB  - The illumination of the environment undergoes both intensity and spectral changes
      during the 24 h cycle of a day. Daylight spectral power distributions are well
      described by low-dimensional models such as the CIE (Commission Internationale de
      l'Eclairage) daylight model, but the performance of this model in non-daylight
      regimes is not characterised. We measured downwelling spectral irradiance across
      multiple days in two locations in North America: One rural location (Cherry
      Springs State Park, PA) with minimal anthropogenic light sources, and one city
      location (Philadelphia, PA). We characterise the spectral, intensity and colour
      changes and extend the existing CIE model for daylight to capture twilight
      components and the spectrum of the night sky.

PMID- 27272737
TI  - Imaging the Bonds of Dehalogenated Benzene Radicals on Cu(111) and Au(111).
AB  - Dissociative adsorption of doubly substituted benzene molecules leads to
      formation of benzyne radicals. In this study, co-adsorbed hydrogen molecules are
      used in scanning tunneling hydrogen microscopy to enhance the contrast of the
      meta- and the para-isomers of these radicals on Cu(111) and Au(111). Up to three
      hydrogen molecules are attached to one radical. One hydrogen molecule reveals the
      orientation of the carbon ring and its adsorption site, allowing discrimination
      between the two radicals. Two hydrogen molecules reflect the bond picture of the
      carbon skeleton and reveals that adsorption on Cu(111) distorts the meta- isomer
      differently from its gas-phase distortion. Three hydrogen molecules allow us to
      determine the bond picture of a minor species. 

PMID- 27272738
TI  - Long-term mindfulness training is associated with reliable differences in resting
      respiration rate.
AB  - Respiration rate is known to correlate with aspects of psychological well-being,
      and attention to respiration is a central component of mindfulness meditation
      training. Both traditional contemplative systems and recent empirical evidence
      support an association between formal mindfulness practice and decreased
      respiration rate. However, the question of whether long-term mindfulness training
      is associated with stable, generalized changes in respiration has yet to be
      directly investigated. We analyzed respiration patterns across multiple time
      points, separated by two months or more, in a group of long-term mindfulness
      meditation practitioners (LTMs, n = 31) and a matched group of non-meditators
      (Controls, n = 38). On average, LTMs showed slower baseline respiration rate (RR)
      than Controls. Among LTMs, greater practice experience was associated with slower
      RR, independently of age and gender. Furthermore, this association was specific
      to intensive retreat practice, and was not seen for routine daily practice. Full
      days of meditation practice did not produce detectable changes in baseline RR,
      suggesting distal rather than immediate effects. All effects were independent of
      physiological characteristics including height, weight, body-mass index and waist
      hip ratio. We discuss implications for continued study of the long-term effects
      of mindfulness training on health and well-being.

PMID- 27272739
TI  - Association of common and rare variants of SCN10A gene with sudden unexplained
      nocturnal death syndrome in Chinese Han population.
AB  - Sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS) remains an autopsy negative
      entity with unknown etiology to both forensic pathologists and physicians. The
      electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics and clinical phenotype of SUNDS survivors
      strongly suggest that SUNDS shares some similarities with Brugada syndrome (BrS).
      Recently, the variants of sodium channel Nav 1.8 coding gene SCN10A were
      identified to be associated with BrS. Here, we investigated the association of
      SCN10A gene variants with 105 sporadic SUNDS victims and 22 BrS cases in the
      Chinese Han population. A total of 6 rare mutations and 16 polymorphisms were
      detected in SUNDS victims. Of the six rare mutations, two were putative
      pathogenic mutations (F386C and R1263*), one was a likely pathogenic mutation
      (R14H), and the other three were predicted as benign (R817Q, T1181M, and P1683S).
      As for the 16 polymorphisms, 1 was a novel polymorphism (c.4144-84G>A) located in
      intron 24, and the rest were reported previously including one polymorphism
      (c.2884A>G [I962V]) which showed a statistically significant difference in allele
      frequency (p = 0.044) between SUNDS and the control group. There were also 5 rare
      mutations and 15 polymorphisms detected in BrS cases. This is the first report of
      common and rare variants of SCN10A gene in SUNDS and BrS in the Chinese Han
      population, which provides the genetic epidemiological evidence that SCN10A may
      be a novel susceptibility gene for SUNDS and account for approximately 3 % of
      SUNDS in China.

PMID- 27272741
TI  - The impact of a community mental health initiative on outcomes for offenders with
      a serious mental disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) is mandated to assist
      offenders with serious mental disorders in their transition from institutions to
      the community, but this incorporates different styles of service. An important
      unanswered question is whether these are equivalent. AIMS/HYPOTHESES: Our aim was
      to compare outcomes for different intervention styles within the CMHI, a
      programme for serious offenders in prison who also have at least one major mental
      disorder. Our specific research questions were as follows: do outcomes differ
      according to whether offenders with mental health difficulties receive (1)
      clinical discharge planning only; (2) community mental health services only; (3)
      the combined services or (4) none, although meeting criteria for any CMHI
      service? METHODS: Survival analyses, controlling for variables with a significant
      effect on recidivism or return to prison, were used to test for differences in
      recidivism or return to prison rates between the intervention and no-intervention
      groups during a fixed follow-up period. RESULTS: Men receiving only community
      mental health services had a significantly lower risk of returning to custody and
      of recidivism than men receiving discharge planning alone or no community mental
      health service at all, even after controlling for potential confounders including
      age, number of previous imprisonments and number of previous community failures.
      The advantages were apparent within 3-6 months and sustained for up to 4 years.
      CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Provision of specialised community mental
      health services for higher-risk male offenders with a mental disorder may reduce
      recidivism in the short and longer term - within 3 months and up to 4 years
      respectively. Statistical modelling also pointed to the need to include treatment
      for substance abuse and assistance in identifying stable accommodation and
      brokerage of community services among the interventions and services. Copyright
      (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27272740
TI  - Brain edema: a valid endpoint for measuring hepatic encephalopathy?
AB  - Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major complication of liver failure/disease
      which frequently develops during the progression of end-stage liver disease. This
      metabolic neuropsychiatric syndrome involves a spectrum of symptoms, including
      cognition impairment, attention deficits and motor dysfunction which eventually
      can progress to coma and death. Pathologically, HE is characterized by swelling
      of the astrocytes which consequently leads to brain edema, a common feature found
      in patients with acute liver failure (ALF) as well as in cirrhotic patients
      suffering from HE. The pathogenic factors involved in the onset of astrocyte
      swelling and brain edema in HE are unresolved. However, the role of astrocyte
      swelling/brain edema in the development of HE remains ambiguous and therefore
      measuring brain edema as an endpoint to evaluate HE is questioned. The following
      review will determine the effect of astrocyte swelling and brain edema on
      neurological function, discuss the various possible techniques to measure brain
      edema and lastly to propose a number of neurobehavioral tests to evaluate HE.

PMID- 27272743
TI  - The value of sentinel lymph node biopsy in Merkel cell carcinoma.

PMID- 27272742
TI  - How Does Stigma Affect People Living with HIV? The Mediating Roles of
      Internalized and Anticipated HIV Stigma in the Effects of Perceived Community
      Stigma on Health and Psychosocial Outcomes.
AB  - Few researchers have attempted to examine the mechanisms through which HIV
      related stigma in the community is processed and experienced at an individual
      level by people living with HIV. We examined how the effects of perceived HIV
      stigma in the community on health outcomes for people living with HIV are
      mediated by internalized stigma and anticipated stigma. Participants (N = 203)
      from an HIV clinic completed self-report measures and their clinical data were
      obtained from medical records. Results suggested that the association between
      perceived community stigma and affective, cognitive, and mental health outcomes
      (self-esteem, depressive symptoms, avoidance coping, self-blame) are mediated by
      internalized stigma. Furthermore, a serial mediation model suggested that
      perceived community stigma leads to internalized stigma, which leads to
      anticipated community stigma, which in turn leads to lower medication adherence.
      The associations between perceived community stigma and interpersonal outcomes
      (social support, trust in physicians) were mediated by internalized stigma and
      anticipated stigma, again in a serial fashion (perceived community stigma leads
      to internalized stigma, which leads to anticipated stigma, which in turn leads to
      interpersonal outcomes). These results suggest that perceived HIV-related stigma
      in the community may cause people living with HIV to internalize stigma and
      anticipate stigmatizing experiences, resulting in adverse health and psychosocial
      outcomes-information that can be used to shape interventions.

PMID- 27272744
TI  - Local cascades induced global contagion: How heterogeneous thresholds, exogenous
      effects, and unconcerned behaviour govern online adoption spreading.
AB  - Adoption of innovations, products or online services is commonly interpreted as a
      spreading process driven to large extent by social influence and conditioned by
      the needs and capacities of individuals. To model this process one usually
      introduces behavioural threshold mechanisms, which can give rise to the evolution
      of global cascades if the system satisfies a set of conditions. However, these
      models do not address temporal aspects of the emerging cascades, which in real
      systems may evolve through various pathways ranging from slow to rapid patterns.
      Here we fill this gap through the analysis and modelling of product adoption in
      the world's largest voice over internet service, the social network of Skype. We
      provide empirical evidence about the heterogeneous distribution of fractional
      behavioural thresholds, which appears to be independent of the degree of adopting
      egos. We show that the structure of real-world adoption clusters is radically
      different from previous theoretical expectations, since vulnerable adoptions
      induced by a single adopting neighbour-appear to be important only locally, while
      spontaneous adopters arriving at a constant rate and the involvement of
      unconcerned individuals govern the global emergence of social spreading.

PMID- 27272746
TI  - Low-level phototherapy to improve exercise capacity and muscle performance: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-exercise low-level
      phototherapy (Light-Emitting Diode therapy [LEDtherapy] or Light Amplification by
      Stimulate Emission of Radiation therapy [LASERtherapy]) in increasing exercise
      capacity and muscle performance of people undergoing exercise when compared to
      placebo treatment. Randomized controlled trials and crossover studies were sought
      on CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SciELO, PEDro and LILACS from its inception up to
      February 2015. References lists of included studies were sought for additional
      relevant research. Two authors independently extracted data on study design,
      treatment parameters, exercise capacity (number of repetitions, time to
      exhaustion, blood lactate concentration and lactate dehydrogenase activity) and
      muscle performance (torque, power and strength) using an structured table.
      Agreement should be reached by consensus or by a third reviewer. Sixteen studies
      involving 297 participants were included. Improvement of number of repetitions
      (mean difference [MD] [95 % confidence interval] = 3.51 repetitions [0.65-6.37];
      P = 0.02), delay in time to exhaustion (MD = 4.01 s [2.10-5.91]; P < 0.0001),
      reduction in lactate levels (MD = 0.34 mmol/L [0.19-0.48]; P < 0.00001) and
      increased peak torque (MD = 21.51 Nm [10.01-33.01]; P < 0.00001) were observed
      when LASERtherapy was applied. LEDtherapy meta-analyses were performed with two
      studies and retrieved no between-group statistically significant difference in
      power, lactate levels or time to exhaustion. Although our results suggest that
      LASERtherapy is effective in improving skeletal muscle exercise capacity, the
      quality of the current evidence is limited.

PMID- 27272747
TI  - Skin healing and collagen changes of rats after fractional erbium:yttrium
      aluminum garnet laser: observation by reflectance confocal microscopy with
      confirmed histological evidence.
AB  - The fractional erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser is widely applied.
      Microstructural changes after laser treatment have been observed with
      histopathology. Epidermal and dermal microstructures have also been analyzed
      using reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). However, no studies have compared
      these two types of microstructural changes in the same subject at multiple time
      points after irradiation, and it is unclear if these two types of changes are
      consistent. We use RCM to observe the effect of different laser energies on skin
      healing and collagen changes in the skin of Sprague-Dawley rats that had been
      irradiated by fractional Er:YAG lasering at different energies. RCM was used to
      observe skin healing and detect collagen changes at different time points.
      Collagen changes were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and
      quantitatively analyzed by western blot. RCM showed that, irrespective of laser
      energy, microscopic treatment zones (MTZs) were larger at 1 day after
      irradiation. The MTZs then reduced in size from 3 to 7 days after irradiation.
      The higher the energy, the larger the MTZ area. The amount of collagen also
      increased with time from 1 day to 8 weeks. However, the increase in the collagen
      amount on both RCM and H&E staining was not influenced by the laser energy.
      Western blotting confirmed that the amount of type I and type III collagens
      increased over time, but there were no significant differences between the
      different energy groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, RCM is a reliable technique
      for observing and evaluating skin healing and collagen expression after laser
      irradiation. 

PMID- 27272749
TI  - Physicochemical Profiling of alpha-Lipoic Acid and Related Compounds.
AB  - Lipoic acid, the biomolecule of vital importance following glycolysis, shows
      diversity in its thiol/disulfide equilibria and also in its eight different
      protonation forms of the reduced molecule. In this paper, lipoic acid, lipoamide,
      and their dihydro derivatives were studied to quantify their solubility, acid
      base, and lipophilicity properties at a submolecular level. The acid-base
      properties are characterized in terms of six macroscopic, 12 microscopic
      protonation constants, and three interactivity parameters. The species-specific
      basicities, the pH-dependent distribution of the microspecies, and lipophilicity
      parameters are interpreted by various intramolecular effects, and contribute to
      understanding the antioxidant, chelate-forming, and enzyme cofactor behavior of
      the molecules observed. 

PMID- 27272750
TI  - Effect of clinical parameters on the control of myoelectric robotic prosthetic
      hands.
AB  - Improving the functionality of prosthetic hands with noninvasive techniques is
      still a challenge. Surface electromyography (sEMG) currently gives limited
      control capabilities; however, the application of machine learning to the
      analysis of sEMG signals is promising and has recently been applied in practice,
      but many questions still remain. In this study, we recorded the sEMG activity of
      the forearm of 11 male subjects with transradial amputation who were mentally
      performing 40 hand and wrist movements. The classification performance and the
      number of independent movements (defined as the subset of movements that could be
      distinguished with >90% accuracy) were studied in relationship to clinical
      parameters related to the amputation. The analysis showed that classification
      accuracy and the number of independent movements increased significantly with
      phantom limb sensation intensity, remaining forearm percentage, and temporal
      distance to the amputation. The classification results suggest the possibility of
      naturally controlling up to 11 movements of a robotic prosthetic hand with almost
      no training. Knowledge of the relationship between classification accuracy and
      clinical parameters adds new information regarding the nature of phantom limb
      pain as well as other clinical parameters, and it can lay the foundations for
      future "functional amputation" procedures in surgery.

PMID- 27272748
TI  - Cohort study of electronic cigarette use: effectiveness and safety at 24 months.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes, by comparing
      users of only e-cigarettes, smokers of only tobacco cigarettes and dual users.
      DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. We update previous 12-month findings and report
      the results of the 24-month follow-up. DATA SOURCES: Direct contact and
      questionnaires by phone or via internet. METHODS: Adults (30-75 years) were
      classified as: (1) tobacco smokers, if they smoked >=1 tobacco cigarette/day, (2)
      e-cigarette users, if they inhaled >=50 puffs/week of any type of e-cigarette and
      (3) dual users, if they smoked tobacco cigarettes and also used e-cigarettes.
      Carbon monoxide levels were tested in 50% of those declaring tobacco smoking
      abstinence. Hospital discharge data were used to validate possibly related
      serious adverse events in 46.0% of the sample. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sustained
      abstinence from tobacco cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes after 24 months, the
      difference in the number of tobacco cigarettes smoked daily between baseline and
      24 months, possibly related serious adverse events. RESULTS: Data at 24 months
      were available for 229 e-cigarette users, 480 tobacco smokers and 223 dual users
      (overall response rate 68.8%). Of the e-cigarette users, 61.1% remained abstinent
      from tobacco (while 23.1% and 26.0% of tobacco-only smokers and dual users
      achieved tobacco abstinence). The rate (18.8%) of stopping use of either product
      (tobacco and/or e-cigarettes) was not higher for e-cigarette users compared with
      tobacco smokers or dual users. Self-rated health and adverse events were similar
      between all groups. Among those continuing to smoke, there were no differences in
      the proportion of participants reducing tobacco cigarette consumption by 50% or
      more, the average daily number of cigarettes and the average self-rated health by
      baseline group. Most dual users at baseline abandoned e-cigarettes and continued
      to smoke tobacco. Those who continued dual using or converted from tobacco
      smoking to dual use during follow-up experienced significant improvements in the
      3 outcomes compared with those who continued or switched to only smoking tobacco
      (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette use alone might support tobacco quitters
      remaining abstinent from smoking. However, dual use did not improve the
      likelihood of quitting tobacco or e-cigarette use, but may be helpful to reduce
      tobacco consumption. Adverse event data were scarce and must be considered
      preliminary. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01785537.

PMID- 27272752
TI  - Transposon-mediated random gene disruption with moderate halophilic bacteria and
      its application for halophilic bacterial siderophore analysis.
AB  - Analytical conditions using chromo azurol S was validated for quantification of
      siderophore in aqueous samples, followed by the characterization of siderophore
      derived from newly isolated moderately halophilic bacteria. Conditions with good
      linearity between the absorbance and the siderophore concentration were obtained
      at a siderophore concentration less than 20 uM, in the wavelength range between
      630 and 660 nm with developing time for at least 2 h. Of the halophilic bacteria
      isolated from Tunisian soil, Halomonas sp., namely strain 21a was selected as
      siderophore producing halophiles. The strain produced siderophore significantly
      in the absence of iron in minimal medium. Siderophore-deficient mutant, namely
      IIa10, of the strain 21a was obtained from gene disruptant library constructed
      using transposon complex by electroporation. Genomic sequence analysis of the
      mutant IIa10 revealed that the transposon-inserted gene was TonB-dependent
      receptor.

PMID- 27272751
TI  - In situ effects of metal contamination from former uranium mining sites on the
      health of the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus, L.).
AB  - Human activities have led to increased levels of various pollutants including
      metals in aquatic ecosystems. Increase of metallic concentrations in aquatic
      environments represents a potential risk to exposed organisms, including fish.
      The aim of this study was to characterize the environmental risk to fish health
      linked to a polymetallic contamination from former uranium mines in France. This
      contamination is characterized by metals naturally present in the areas
      (manganese and iron), uranium, and metals (aluminum and barium) added to
      precipitate uranium and its decay products. Effects from mine releases in two
      contaminated ponds (Pontabrier for Haute-Vienne Department and Saint-Pierre for
      Cantal Department) were compared to those assessed at four other ponds outside
      the influence of mine tailings (two reference ponds/department). In this way, 360
      adult three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were caged for 28 days
      in these six ponds before biomarker analyses (immune system, antioxidant system,
      biometry, histology, DNA integrity, etc.). Ponds receiving uranium mine tailings
      presented higher concentrations of uranium, manganese and aluminum, especially
      for the Haute-Vienne Department. This uranium contamination could explain the
      higher bioaccumulation of this metal in fish caged in Pontabrier and Saint-Pierre
      Ponds. In the same way, many fish biomarkers (antioxidant and immune systems,
      acetylcholinesterase activity and biometric parameters) were impacted by this
      environmental exposure to mine tailings. This study shows the interest of caging
      and the use of a multi-biomarker approach in the study of a complex metallic
      contamination. 

PMID- 27272753
TI  - Personalized nutrition diagnostics at the point-of-need.
AB  - Micronutrient deficiency is widespread and negatively impacts morbidity,
      mortality, and quality of life globally. On-going advancements in nutritional
      biomarker discovery are enabling objective and accurate assessment of an
      individual's micronutrient and broader nutritional status. The vast majority of
      such assessment however still needs to be conducted in traditional centralized
      laboratory facilities which are not readily accessible in terms of cost and time
      in both the developed and developing countries. Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technologies
      are enabling an increasing number of biochemical reactions at the point-of-need
      (PON) settings, and can significantly improve the current predicament in
      nutrition diagnostics by allowing rapid evaluation of one's nutritional status
      and providing an easy feedback mechanism for tracking changes in diet or
      supplementation. We believe that nutrition diagnostics represents a particularly
      appealing opportunity over other PON applications for two reasons: (1) healthy
      ranges for many micronutrients are well defined which allows for an unbiased
      diagnosis, and (2) many deficiencies can be reversed through changes in diet or
      supplementation before they become severe. In this paper, we provide background
      on nutritional biomarkers used in nutrition diagnostics and review the emerging
      technologies that exploit them at the point-of-need.

PMID- 27272754
TI  - IGF-1 and Chondroitinase ABC Augment Nerve Regeneration after Vascularized
      Composite Limb Allotransplantation.
AB  - Impaired nerve regeneration and inadequate recovery of motor and sensory function
      following peripheral nerve repair remain the most significant hurdles to optimal
      functional and quality of life outcomes in vascularized tissue
      allotransplantation (VCA). Neurotherapeutics such as Insulin-like Growth Factor-1
      (IGF-1) and chondroitinase ABC (CH) have shown promise in augmenting or
      accelerating nerve regeneration in experimental models and may have potential in
      VCA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low dose IGF-1, CH or
      their combination (IGF-1+CH) on nerve regeneration following VCA. We used an
      allogeneic rat hind limb VCA model maintained on low-dose FK506 (tacrolimus)
      therapy to prevent rejection. Experimental animals received neurotherapeutics
      administered intra-operatively as multiple intraneural injections. The IGF-1 and
      IGF-1+CH groups received daily IGF-1 (intramuscular and intraneural injections).
      Histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate outcomes at five
      weeks. Overall, compared to controls, all experimental groups showed improvements
      in nerve and muscle (gastrocnemius) histomorphometry. The IGF-1 group
      demonstrated superior distal regeneration as confirmed by Schwann cell (SC)
      immunohistochemistry as well as some degree of extrafascicular regeneration. IGF
      1 and CH effectively promote nerve regeneration after VCA as confirmed by
      histomorphometric and immunohistochemical outcomes. 

PMID- 27272755
TI  - (68)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT-based radiotherapy in locally recurrent and recurrent
      oligometastatic prostate cancer : Early efficacy after primary therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goal of this work was to evaluate the early efficacy of (68)Ga-PSMA
      ligand PET/CT imaging for radiotherapy of locally recurrent and/or
      oligometastatic prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients
      with biochemical recurrence received a (68)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT for restaging of
      disease, followed by 3D conformal radiotherapy of metastases or intensity
      modulated radiation therapy of the prostate bed. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
      levels and imaging procedures served as the reference standard to assess the
      treatment efficacy. RESULTS: PET/CT was positive in 96.6% of patients and
      revealed that 13.8% of patients had locally recurrent disease, 58.6% had isolated
      lymph node metastases, 20.7% had isolated bone metastases, and 3.4% showed lymph
      node metastases and a vertebral metastasis. The median follow-up was 8.3 months
      (range 3.0-17.3 months). The median PSA prior to radiotherapy was 1.47 ng/ml
      (range 0.52-32.01 ng/ml) and showed a statistically significant decrease to 0.58
      ng/ml (range < 0.07 to 6.33 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Two patients (6.8%) developed
      progressive disease outside the radiation field after 12.0 and 12.7 months,
      yielding a local control rate of 100% at the median follow-up. No grade III acute
      toxicity or late toxicity grade II was observed. Only 2 patients (6.8%) reported
      persisting grade I diarrhoea according to the LENT-SOMA criteria 3 months after
      radiotherapy. Deterioration of the urinary or faecal continence was not observed.
      CONCLUSION: Preliminary results in the presented cohort suggest that radiotherapy
      based on (68)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT yields effective local control and significant
      treatment response in terms of PSA levels in the absence of clinically important
      side effects. Furthermore, this approach delayed the necessity of androgen
      deprivation therapy or systemic therapy.

PMID- 27272757
TI  - Surgery in Italy. Criteria to identify the hospital units and the tertiary
      referral centers entitled to perform it : A proposal for esophageal, hepatic,
      pancreatic and colo-rectal surgery.

PMID- 27272756
TI  - Long-term survival following additive radiotherapy in patients with atypical
      teratoid rhabdoid tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a highly aggressive
      disease of embryonic origin accounting for <5% of all pediatric central nervous
      system (CNS) tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe a series of five cases of
      CNS ATRT. The first three patients underwent subtotal tumor resection. Gross
      total resection of the tumor was achieved in the fourth and fifth patients. Only
      4 patients received chemotherapy, whereas all 5 patients received additive
      radiotherapy (RT). The latter included three dimensional (3D) conformal RT or
      intensity modulated RT (IMRT) with a median dose of 54 Gy (range 50.4-59.0 Gy)
      applied in daily fractions of 1.8 Gy. The median interval between surgery and RT
      was 5 months (range 2-11 months). RESULTS: Two months after completion of RT, 4
      patients had achieved complete radiologic remission. The median event-free
      survival period was 46 months (range 10-90 months). However, the first patient
      died 17 months after developing an out-of-field recurrence. The third patient
      developed a recurrence 11 months after salvage RT. The other 3 patients (cases 2,
      4, and 5) remain alive with no evidence of disease 59, 46 and 90 months after
      therapy, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, the 5 patients survived for a median
      of 48 months (range 25-90 months) from the time of initial diagnosis and they
      tolerated the RT well, without severe acute or late onset toxicities. The results
      imply a potential survival gain after irradiation at acceptable toxicity level.

PMID- 27272758
TI  - Erectile function post robotic radical prostatectomy: technical tips to improve
      outcomes?
AB  - Robotic surgery is becoming more and more commonplace. At the same time, so are
      complications, especially related to erectile function. The population being
      diagnosed with cancer is younger, with more aggressive cancers and higher
      expectations for good erectile function postoperatively. We conduct a
      retrospective analysis of literature over 20 years for Embase and Medline. Search
      terms used include (Robotic) AND (prostatectomy) AND (erectile function). There
      are a variety of multifactorial causes, resulting in worsening ED post-robotic
      radical prostatectomy; however, there are a number of treatments that can support
      this. There is much we can do to help prevent patients getting postoperative
      erectile dysfunction post-radical surgery. However, part of this is management of
      realistic patient expectations. 

PMID- 27272759
TI  - Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy using the Da Vinci Si system:
      how to improve surgeon autonomy. Our step-by-step technique.
AB  - Herein, we describe several steps to improve surgeon autonomy during a Left
      Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy (RALRN), using the Da Vinci Si
      system. Our kidney cancer program is based on 2 community hospitals. We use the
      Da Vinci Si system. Access is obtained with the following trocars: Two 8 mm
      robotic, one 8 mm robotic, bariatric length (arm 3), 15 mm for the assistant and
      12 mm for the camera. We use curved monopolar scissors in robotic arm 1, Bipolar
      Maryland in arm 2, Prograsp Forceps in arm 3, and we alternate throughout the
      surgery with EndoWrist clip appliers and the vessel sealer. Here, we described
      three steps and the use of 3 robotic instruments to improve surgeon autonomy.
      Step 1: the lower pole of the kidney was dissected and this was retracted upwards
      and laterally. This maneuver was performed using the 3rd robotic arm with the
      Prograsp Forceps. Step 2: the monopolar scissors was replaced (robotic arm 1)
      with the robotic EndoWrist clip applier, 10 mm Hem-o-Lok. The renal artery and
      vein were controlled and transected by the main surgeon. Step 3: the superior,
      posterolateral dissection and all bleeders were carefully coagulated by the
      surgeon with the EndoWrist one vessel sealer. We have now performed 15 RALRN
      following these steps. Our results were: blood loss 300 cc, console time 140 min,
      operating room time 200 min, anesthesia time 180 min, hospital stay 2.5 days, 1
      incisional hernia, pathology: (13) RCC clear cell, (1) chromophobe and (1)
      papillary type 1. Tumor Stage: (5) T1b, (8) T2a, (2) T2b. We provide a concise,
      step-by-step technique for radical nephrectomy (RN) using the Da Vinci Si robotic
      system that may provide more autonomy to the surgeon, while maintaining surgical
      outcome equivalent to standard laparoscopic RN. 

PMID- 27272760
TI  - Universal HbA1c Measurement in Early Pregnancy to Detect Type 2 Diabetes Reduces
      Ethnic Disparities in Antenatal Diabetes Screening: A Population-Based
      Observational Study.
AB  - In response to the type 2 diabetes epidemic, measuring HbA1c with the first
      antenatal blood screen was recently recommended in NZ. This would enable prompt
      treatment of women with unrecognised type 2 diabetes, who may otherwise go
      undetected until the gestational diabetes (GDM) screen. We compare inter-ethnic
      antenatal screening practices to examine whether the HbA1c test would be accessed
      by ethnicities most at risk of diabetes, and we determined the prevalence of
      unrecognised type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in our pregnant population. This is
      an observational study of pregnancies in Christchurch NZ during 2008-2010.
      Utilising electronic databases, we matched maternal characteristics to first
      antenatal bloods, HbA1c, and GDM screens (glucose challenge tests and oral
      glucose tolerance tests). Overall uptake of the first-antenatal bloods versus GDM
      screening was 83.1% and 53.8% respectively in 11,580 pregnancies. GDM screening
      was lowest in Maori 39.3%, incidence proportion ratio (IPR) 0.77 (0.71, 0.84)
      compared with Europeans. By including HbA1c with the first-antenatal bloods, the
      number screened for diabetes increases by 28.5% in Europeans, 40.0% in Maori,
      28.1% in Pacific People, and 26.7% in 'Others' (majority of Asian descent). The
      combined prevalence of unrecognised type 2 diabetes and prediabetes by NZ
      criteria, HbA1c >=5.9% (41mmol/mol), was 2.1% in Europeans, Maori 4.7% IPR 2.59
      (1.71, 3.93), Pacific People 9.5% IPR 4.76 (3.10, 7.30), and 'Others' 6.2% IPR
      2.99 (2.19, 4.07). Applying these prevalence data to 2013 NZ national births
      data, routine antenatal HbA1c testing could have identified type 2 diabetes in
      0.44% and prediabetes in 3.96% of women. Routine HbA1c measurement in early
      pregnancy is an ideal screening opportunity, particularly benefitting vulnerable
      groups, reducing ethnic disparities in antenatal diabetes screening. This
      approach is likely to have world-wide relevance and applicability. Further
      research is underway to establish whether, as for type 2 diabetes, prompt
      treatment of prediabetes improves pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. 

PMID- 27272762
TI  - Blackish haematuria and gas gangrene.

PMID- 27272761
TI  - Focus on veno-venous ECMO in adults with severe ARDS.

PMID- 27272763
TI  - Association Between BRCA Status and P53 Status in Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND Research on BRCA mutation has meaningful clinical implications, such
      as identifying risk of second primary cancers and risk of hereditary cancers.
      This study seeks to summarize available data to investigate the association
      between BRCA status and P53 status by meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We
      searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases for relevant studies.
      Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA software. We summarized odds ratios by
      fixed-effects or random-effects models. RESULTS This study included a total of
      4288 cases from 16 articles, which including 681 BRCA1 mutation carriers
      (BRCA1Mut), 366 carriers of BRCA2 mutation (BRCA2Mut), and 3241 carriers of
      normal versions of these genes. BRCA1Mut was significantly associated with P53
      over-expression compared with BRCA2Mut (OR 1.851, 95% CI=1.393-2.458) or non
      carriers (OR=2.503, 95% CI=1.493-4.198). No difference was found between p53
      protein expression in BRCA2 Mut carriers and non-carriers (OR=0.881, 95% CI=0.670
      1.158). CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis suggests that BRCA1Mut breast cancer
      patients are more likely to have P53 overexpression compared with BRCA2Mut and
      non-carriers. This information provides valuable information for clinicians who
      perform related studies in the future. 

PMID- 27272764
TI  - Investigation on Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships of a Series of
      Inducible Nitric Oxide.
AB  - A series of 2-dihydro-4-quinazolin with potent highly selective inhibitors of
      inducible nitric oxide synthase activities was subjected to quantitative
      structure activity relationships (QSAR) analysis. Statistically significant
      equations with high correlation coefficient (r 2 = 0.8219) were developed. The k
      nearest neighbor model has showed good cross-validated correlation coefficient
      and external validation values of 0.7866 and 0.7133, respectively. The selected
      electrostatic field descriptors the presence of blue ball around R1 and R4 in the
      quinazolinamine moiety showed electronegative groups favorable for nitric oxide
      synthase activity. The QSAR models may lead to the structural requirements of
      inducible nitric oxide compounds and help in the design of new compounds.

PMID- 27272765
TI  - The Germ Cell Gene TDRD1 as an ERG Target Gene and a Novel Prostate Cancer
      Biomarker.
AB  - BACKGROUND: TMPRSS2-ERG fusion occurs in about half of prostate cancers and
      results in over-expression of the oncogenic ERG protein in the prostate. The
      mechanism by which ERG contributes to prostate cancer initiation and progression
      remains largely unknown. Because ERG is a transcriptional activator, we reasoned
      that the target genes regulated by ERG could contribute to prostate cancer
      development. METHODS: In a search for ERG target genes, we took advantage of
      published datasets from the MSKCC Prostate Oncogene Project, in which a
      comprehensive analysis was applied to define transcriptomes in 150 prostate
      tumors. We retrieved the mRNA expression dataset, split them based on ERG
      expression, and identified genes whose expression levels are associated with ERG
      mRNA levels. RESULTS: mRNA expression levels of 21 genes were found to be
      significantly increased, while for one gene it was decreased in ERG-positive
      prostate tumors. Among them, the expression of TDRD1 was the most significantly
      increased in ERG-positive tumors. Among 131 primary prostate tumors which were
      primarily from European American patients, TDRD1 is over-expressed in 68% of
      samples, while ERG is overexpressed in 48% of samples, suggesting an additional
      ERG-independent mechanism of TDRD1 overexpression. In African American prostate
      tumors, TDRD1 mRNA is expressed in 44%, while ERG is expressed in 24% of samples.
      In normal tissues, TDRD1 mRNA is exclusively expressed in germ cells and its
      protein is also known as cancer/testis antigen 41.1 (CT41.1). We generated a
      mouse monoclonal antibody that recognizes human TDRD1 protein with high
      specificity and sensitivity. By Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry
      (IHC) staining, we demonstrate that TDRD1 protein is expressed in the majority of
      human prostate tumors, but not in normal prostate tissue. Finally, TDRD1 is not
      induced in the prostate of ERG overexpression transgenic mice, suggesting that
      such model does not fully recapitulate the TMPRSS2/ERG fusion-dependent human
      prostate cancer development. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest TDRD1 as a novel
      prostate cancer biomarker. As an ERG target gene, TDRD1 might play an important
      role in human prostate cancer development, and as a cancer/testis antigen, TDRD1
      might have long-term potential to be a therapeutic target for prostate cancer
      immunotherapy. Prostate 76:1271-1284, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27272766
TI  - Estrogen's Effects on Excitatory Synaptic Transmission Entail Integrin and TrkB
      Transactivation and Depend Upon beta1-integrin function.
AB  - Estradiol (E2) perfusion rapidly increases the strength of fast excitatory
      transmission and facilitates long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, two
      effects likely related to its memory-enhancing properties. Past studies showed
      that E2's facilitation of transmission involves activation of RhoA signaling
      leading to actin polymerization in dendritic spines. Here we report that brief
      exposure of adult male hippocampal slices to 1 nM E2 increases the percentage of
      postsynaptic densities associated with high levels of immunoreactivity for
      activated forms of the BDNF receptor TrkB and beta1-integrins, two synaptic
      receptors that engage actin regulatory RhoA signaling. The effects of E2 on
      baseline synaptic responses were unaffected by pretreatment with the TrkB-Fc
      scavenger for extracellular BDNF or TrkB antagonism, but were eliminated by
      neutralizing antisera for beta1-integrins. E2 effects on synaptic responses were
      also absent in conditional beta1-integrin knockouts, and with inhibition of
      matrix metalloproteinases, extracellular enzymes that generate integrin ligands.
      We propose that E2, acting through estrogen receptor-beta, transactivates
      synaptic TrkB and beta1-integrin, and via mechanisms dependent on integrin
      activation and signaling, reversibly reorganizes the spine cytoskeleton and
      thereby enhances synaptic responses in adult hippocampus.

PMID- 27272767
TI  - Working Memory Impairing Actions of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF)
      Neurotransmission in the Prefrontal Cortex.
AB  - The prefrontal cortex (PFC) regulates cognitive processes critical for goal
      directed behavior. PFC cognitive dysfunction is implicated in multiple
      psychopathologies, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
      Although it has long been known that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF
      receptors are prominent in the PFC, the cognitive effects of CRF action within
      the PFC are poorly understood. The current studies examined whether CRF receptor
      activation in the PFC modulates cognitive function in rats as measured in a
      delayed response task of spatial working memory. CRF dose-dependently impaired
      working memory performance when administered either intracerebroventricularly
      (ICV) or directly into the PFC. The working memory actions of CRF in the PFC were
      topographically organized, with impairment observed only following CRF infusions
      into the caudal dorsomedial PFC (dmPFC). Additional studies examined whether
      endogenous CRF modulates working memory. Both ICV and intra-dmPFC administration
      of the nonselective CRF antagonist, D-Phe-CRF, dose-dependently improved working
      memory performance. To better assess the translational potential of CRF
      antagonists, we examined the cognitive effects of systemic administration of the
      CRF1 receptor selective antagonist, NBI 35965. Similar procognitive actions were
      observed in these studies. These results are the first to demonstrate that CRF
      acts in the PFC to regulate PFC-dependent cognition. Importantly, the ability of
      CRF antagonists to improve working memory is identical to that seen with all
      approved treatments for ADHD. These observations suggest that CRF antagonists may
      represent a novel approach for the treatment of ADHD and other disorders
      associated with dysregulated prefrontal cognitive function.

PMID- 27272769
TI  - Relationship Between Hippocampal Volume, Serum BDNF, and Depression Severity
      Following Electroconvulsive Therapy in Late-Life Depression.
AB  - Recent structural imaging studies have described hippocampal volume changes
      following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). It has been proposed that serum brain
      derived neurotrophic factor (sBDNF)-mediated neuroplasticity contributes
      critically to brain changes following antidepressant treatment. To date no
      studies have investigated the relationship between changes in hippocampal volume,
      mood, and sBDNF following ECT. Here, we combine these measurements in a
      longitudinal study of severe late-life unipolar depression (LLD). We treated 88
      elderly patients with severe LLD twice weekly until remission (Montgomery-Asberg
      Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) <10). sBDNF and MADRS were obtained before ECT
      (T0), after the sixth ECT (T1), 1 week after the last ECT (T2), 4 weeks after the
      last ECT (T3), and 6 months after the last ECT (T4). Hippocampal volumes were
      quantified by manual segmentation of 3T structural magnetic resonance images in
      66 patients at T0 and T2 and in 23 patients at T0, T2, and T4. Linear mixed
      models (LMM) were used to examine the evolution of MADRS, sBDNF, and hippocampal
      volume over time. Following ECT, there was a significant decrease in MADRS scores
      and a significant increase in hippocampal volume. Hippocampal volume decreased
      back to baseline values at T4. Compared with T0, sBDNF levels remained unchanged
      at T1, T2, and T3. There was no coevolution between changes in MADRS scores,
      hippocampal volume, and sBDNF. Hippocampal volume increase following ECT is an
      independent neurobiological effect unrelated to sBDNF and depressive
      symptomatology, suggesting a complex mechanism of action of ECT in LLD.

PMID- 27272771
TI  - Management of Metastatic Bone Disease Algorithms for Diagnostics and Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bone is a frequent site of metastases in advanced cancer and is
      associated with significant skeletal morbidity. Current treatment options are
      aimed at preserving and improving functional independence and quality of life.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of current literature focusing on diagnostic
      tools and treatment approaches of bone metastasis in advanced cancer was
      performed and conclusions were incorporated into diagnostic and treatment
      algorithms. RESULTS: Radiologic imaging has added valuable tools for screening
      and diagnostics of bone metastasis. Clinical management of skeletal metastasis
      includes improved pain management, introduction of bone modifying agents and
      advancements in surgical and radiation therapy. We propose three algorithms
      enhancing the sensitivity of diagnostics and improving multidisciplinary
      management of vertebral and non-vertebral bone metastasis. CONCLUSION: Bone
      metastases are an expression of a systemic disease. Treatment options include
      highly specialized modalities yet need to be tailored to individual needs.
      Algorithms help standardize treatment procedures and can improve treatment
      outcome in a multidisciplinary setting.

PMID- 27272768
TI  - Glutamatergic Metabolites, Volume and Cortical Thickness in Antipsychotic-Naive
      Patients with First-Episode Psychosis: Implications for Excitotoxicity.
AB  - Neuroimaging studies investigating patients with schizophrenia often report
      appreciable volumetric reductions and cortical thinning, yet the cause of these
      deficits is unknown. The association between subcortical and cortical structural
      alterations, and glutamatergic neurometabolites is of particular interest due to
      glutamate's capacity for neurotoxicity; elevated levels may be related to
      neuroanatomical compromise through an excitotoxic process. To this end, we
      explored the relationships between glutamatergic neurometabolites and structural
      measures in antipsychotic-naive patients experiencing their first non-affective
      episode of psychosis (FEP). Sixty antipsychotic-naive patients with FEP and 60
      age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent a magnetic resonance imaging
      session, which included a T1-weighted volumetric image and proton magnetic
      resonance spectroscopy in the precommissural dorsal caudate. Group differences in
      precommissural caudate volume (PCV) and cortical thickness (CT), and the
      relationships between glutamatergic neurometabolites (ie, glutamate+glutamine
      (Glx) and glutamate) and these structural measures, were examined. PCV was
      decreased in the FEP group (p<0.001), yet did not differ when controlling for
      total brain volume. Cortical thinning existed in the FEP group within frontal,
      parietal, temporal, occipital, and limbic regions at a 5% false discovery rate.
      Glx levels were negatively associated with PCV only in the FEP group (p=0.018).
      The observed relationship between Glx and PCV in the FEP group is supportive of a
      focal excitotoxic mechanism whereby increased levels of glutamatergic markers are
      related to local structural losses. This process may be related to the prominent
      structural deficits that exist in patients with schizophrenia.

PMID- 27272770
TI  - Genotype-dependent effect of exogenous 24-epibrassinolide on chromium-induced
      changes in ultrastructure and physicochemical traits in tobacco seedlings.
AB  - Greenhouse hydroponic experiments were carried out using three different heavy
      metal accumulation tobacco genotypes to evaluate how different genotypes
      responded to chromium (Cr) toxicity in the presence of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR; a
      biologically active brassinosteroid). The results showed that Cr stress caused a
      marked reduction in plant biomass, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence,
      and photosynthesis parameters but induced malondialdehyde accumulation and
      ultrastructure damage, with 2010-38 (L) less affected. Foliar application of 24
      epibrassinolide (0.1 MUM) on Cr-stressed plants greatly alleviated Cr-induced
      inhibition of growth and photosynthesis, oxidative stress and ultrastructure
      damage, decreased Cr accumulation in different parts of leaves and roots, with
      the exception of the upper and lower of leaves of genotype L, and maintained ion
      homeostasis. Regarding genotypes, L was more tolerant than M and H, as it
      absorbed less Cr and also performed better in all of the studied parameters.
      These findings suggest a potential role for 24-epibrassinolide in Cr stress
      alleviation and the utilization of elite genetic resources in future breeding
      programs to develop low Cr accumulation genotypes. These results advocate a
      positive role for 24-epibrassinolide in reducing pollutant residues from health
      point of view. 

PMID- 27272772
TI  - Imaging of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: From Diagnosis to Evaluation of
      Therapeutic Response.
AB  - Once considered an obscure tumor entity with poor prognosis, gastrointestinal
      stromal tumors (GISTs) are nowadays recognized as the most common mesenchymal
      tumors of the alimentary tract. GISTs differ from other mesenchymal neoplasms at
      pathology since 90% of them exhibit strong immunohistochemical staining for KIT,
      a tyrosinase kinase growth factor receptor. In the early 2000s, the ability of
      imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, to inhibit KIT established a new
      paradigm for cancer treatment. A reduction in lesion size may not be observed or
      may appear many months after therapy; thus, tumor response criteria alternative
      to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors were developed. This review
      highlights the role of imaging in the detection, characterization, preoperative
      staging, postoperative assessment, therapy-response evaluation and treatment
      related toxicities. All this information is crucial in optimizing patient
      management. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is the most commonly used
      modality for staging the disease and assessing treatment response, whereas
      positron-emission tomography adds valuable functional information. Magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) may also be useful, especially in ano-rectal GISTs.
      Diffusion-weighted MRI may provide promising indicators of tumor response to
      targeted molecular therapy. Radiologists and oncologists should be aware of all
      these issues related to GISTs, since multidisciplinary teams gathering different
      expertise are usually needed to properly treat patients with GISTs. 

PMID- 27272773
TI  - Birinapant (TL32711) Improves Responses to GEM/AZD7762 Combination Therapy in
      Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast
      cancer currently lacking targeted therapies. Our previous work demonstrated a
      therapeutic synergism with gemcitabine (GEM) and the CHK1 inhibitor (AZD7762)
      combination treatment in a TNBC cell line. We hypothesized that the response to
      this combination therapy would differ among heterogeneous TNBC patients and that
      addition of a SMAC mimetic (TL32711) could improve efficacy. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Therapeutic responses to GEM, GEM/AZD7762, and GEM/AZD7762/TL32711
      combinations were investigated by XTT assays and western blotting of cell cycle
      and apoptosis-related proteins in ten TNBC cell lines. RESULTS: TNBC cell lines
      harboring low levels of endogenous CHK1, cIAP1 and cIAP2 were responsive to GEM
      alone, whereas cell lines demonstrating a minimal increase in phospho-S345 CHK1
      after treatment were responsive to GEM/AZD7762 or GEM/AZD7762/TL32711
      combination. CONCLUSION: The response of TNBC cells to particular therapies
      varies and will require development of predictive biomarkers.

PMID- 27272774
TI  - Decreased Expression of Retinoid X Receptors During Human and Azoxymethane
      induced Colorectal Carcinogenesis in the Rat.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The family of retinoid X receptors (RXRs) including RXRalpha,
      beta and gamma, is involved in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation,
      apoptosis and development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to characterize the
      role of RXRs during colorectal carcinogenesis, the expression of RXRs in human
      and azoxymethane (AOM)-induced rat colorectal tumors was profiled by
      immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Both human and rat normal colorectal epithelia and
      hyperplasia exhibited strong nuclear, but weak cytoplasmic staining for all three
      proteins. Expression of RXRalpha, beta and gamma was significantly reduced in rat
      carcinomas compared to high-grade dysplasia whether in aberrant crypt foci or in
      adenomas. All three proteins displayed dramatically reduced nuclear expression in
      both human adenomas and carcinomas. Reduced expression of RXRalpha and RXRgamma
      seems more significant than RXRbeta in both human and rat carcinomas. CONCLUSION:
      Reduced expression of RXRs is associated with colorectal carcinogenesis in both
      humans and AOM-treated rats.

PMID- 27272775
TI  - Induction of Apoptosis by Functionalized Fullerene-based Sonodynamic Therapy in
      HL-60 cells.
AB  - Ultrasound has been widely utilized for medical diagnosis and therapy due to its
      ability to penetrate deep-seated tissue with less attenuation of energy and
      minimal undesirable side-effects. Functionalized fullerenes, such as polyhydroxy
      fullerene (PHF), have attracted particular attention due to their water
      solubility and potential application in tumor imaging and therapy as carbon
      nanomaterials. The present study investigated sonodynamically-induced apoptosis
      using PHF. Cell suspensions were treated with 2-MHz continuous ultrasound in the
      presence of PHF for 3 min and apoptosis was assessed by cell morphology using
      confocal microscopy, fragmentation of DNA (ladder pattern after agarose-gel
      electrophoresis) and caspase-3 activation. Cells were ultrasound-irradiated from
      the bottom of the culture dishes under the following condition: frequency, 2 MHz;
      output power, 3 W/cm(2) Electron spin resonance was used to measure reactive
      oxygen species. The number of apoptotic cells after sonodynamic exposure
      (ultrasound and PHF) was significantly higher than produced from other
      treatments, such as ultrasound alone and PHF alone. Furthermore, DNA
      fragmentation, caspase-3 activation and enhanced 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4
      piperidinyloxy (4oxoTEMPO) formation were observed in the sonodynamically-treated
      cells. Histidine, a well-known reactive oxygen scavenger, significantly inhibited
      sonodynamically-induced apoptosis, caspase-3 activation and 4oxoTEMPO formation.
      Sonodynamic therapy with PHF induced apoptosis that was characterized by a series
      of typical morphological features, such as shrinkage of the cell and
      fragmentation into membrane-bound apoptotic bodies, in HL-60 cells. The
      significant inhibition of sonodynamically-induced apoptosis, caspase-3
      activation, and 4oxoTEMPO formation due to histidine and tryptophan suggests that
      reactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen, are involved in the sonodynamic
      induction of apoptosis. These findings indicate that PHF-mediated sonodynamic
      therapy can trigger caspase-dependent apoptosis and oxidative injury, thus
      possibly playing a vital role in apoptotic signaling cascades. 

PMID- 27272776
TI  - siRNA Targeting of MDR1 Reverses Multidrug Resistance in a Nude Mouse Model of
      Doxorubicin-resistant Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the effects of vector-based small interfering RNA (siRNA)
      targeting MDR1 on the reversal of multidrug resistance in a mouse model of
      doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Three siRNAs plasmid vectors (MDR1 siRNA1, MDR1 siRNA2 and MDR1 siRNA3)
      targeting MDR1 were constructed and transfected into DOX-resistant human
      hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402/ADM cells. The expression of MDR1 mRNA and P
      glycoprotein (P-gp) was detected with RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively.
      A nude mouse model of DOX-resistance was established with untransfected Bel
      7402/ADM or Bel-7402/ADM transfected with MDR1 siRNA (Bel-7402/ADMsi). The nude
      mice with tumors from untransfected Bel-7402/ADM cells were treated with either
      saline (Group 1); intravenous DOX (Group 2); or the combination of intra-tumoral
      MDR1 siRNA and intravenous DOX (Group 3). The nude mice with tumors from Bel
      7402/ADMsi cells were treated with intravenous DOX (Group 4). DOX and MDR1 siRNA
      were administered twice a week at 20 mg/kg/dose and 9.8 mg/kg/dose, respectively.
      Tumor growth was measured to assess reversal of multidrug resistance by MDR1
      siRNA. RESULTS: MDRl mRNA and P-gp expression of Bel-7402/ADM cells was reduced
      by transfection of three siRNAs with different silencing efficiency (p<0.05). DOX
      treatment (Group 4) resulted in significant reduction in tumor size in the Bel
      7402/ADMsi tumor model (p<0.05), indicating reversal of multidrug resistance in
      tumor by MDR1 siRNA. However, the combination treatment of intratumoral MDR1
      siRNA and DOX (Group 3) showed no significant anti-tumor efficacy in the
      untransfected Bel-7402/ADM (p>0.05) tumor model, suggesting poor in vivo
      transfection efficiency of MDR1 siRNA. Analysis of the tumor samples showed the
      reduced expression level of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp was due to efficacy of MDR1 siRNA.
      CONCLUSION: In vitro transfection of siRNAs' vectors targeting the MDR1 gene can
      effectively silence MDR1 mRNA and P-gp expression in DOX-resistant human
      hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402/ADM cells that resulted in reversal of
      multidrug resistance to DOX in the xenograft tumor model.

PMID- 27272777
TI  - Heterogeneity of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors 1, 2, 3 in Primary
      Human Colorectal Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway plays an
      important role in growth and progression of human cancer, including colorectal
      carcinomas (CRC). The key mediators of VEGF signaling are VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and
      VEGFR3, part of a family of related receptor tyrosine kinases. The relative
      expression, activity, or interplay among these receptors may determine the
      response of CRC patients to anti-angiogenic therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      developed technically sound immunohistochemical (IHC) assays to quantify VEGFR1,
      2 and 3, and using a well-annotated CRC tissue microarray (TMA), we carried out
      comprehensive comparative evaluation of the three VEGFRs in archival primary CRC
      tissues (n=84). For each TMA core, tumor cell VEGFR1 expression was reported as H
      score (range=0-300); vascular VEGFR2/VEGFR3 expression was manually scored as the
      number of receptor-positive tumor stromal vessels. Each case was defined as
      VEGFR1/ VEGFR2/VEGFR3-negative, low, medium or high. RESULTS: Based on the
      differential expression of the three VEGFRs, eight VEGFR staining profiles were
      observed: Triple VEGFR positive (n=12, 14%), VEGFR1 predominant (n=17, 20%),
      VEGFR2 predominant (n=7, 8%), VEGFR3 predominant (n=1, 1%), VEGFR1/2 predominant
      (n=39, 46%), VEGFR1/3 predominant (n=2, 2%), VEGFR2/3 predominant (n=3, 4%), and
      triple-VEGFR-negative (n=3, 4%). CONCLUSION: Herein we demonstrated heterogeneity
      of expression of VEGFRs in human CRC stromal vessels and tumor cells. The
      observed VEGFR expression-based subsets of human CRCs may reflect differences in
      biology of pathologic angiogenesis in primary CRC tissues. Furthermore, the
      heterogeneity of expression of VEGFRs unraveled in this analysis merits
      independent validation in larger cohorts of primary and metastatic human CRC
      tissues and in pertinent experimental models treated with various anti-angiogenic
      therapies.

PMID- 27272778
TI  - Identification of ESE1 as a beta-Catenin Binding Protein.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: beta-Catenin regulates cell-cell adhesion and gene transcription
      and acts as a master switch that controls proliferation in several types of
      cancer. ESE1 is an epithelium-restricted transcription factor and its multiple
      domain structure predicts its interaction with other proteins with diverse
      cellular functions. Here, for the first time, we report that endogenous beta
      catenin binds to and co-localizes with endogenous ESE1 in the cytoplasm.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The binding sites were mapped to E26 transformation
      specific (ETS) domain at carboxyl terminus of ESE1 and N-terminus of beta
      catenin. RESULTS: We found that C-terminus of ESE1 also binds to alpha-catenin
      and that ESE1/beta-catenin interaction was abrogated by knockdown of either beta
      catenin or alpha-catenin. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that interactions between
      ESE1 and beta-/alpha-catenins might be a mechanism by which the ESE1 protein
      determines the beta-catenin function and tumorigenesis.

PMID- 27272779
TI  - Activation of the PERK-eIF2alpha Pathway Is Associated with Tumor-infiltrating
      Lymphocytes in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein
      response (UPR) activation, as possible mechanisms for influx of tumor
      infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and the correlation between UPR activation and
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway activation. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      TILs and the immunohistochemical expression of protein kinase RNA-like
      endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), phospho-eukaryotic translation initiation
      factor 2alpha (p-eIF2alpha) and phosphorylated S6 (pS6) were evaluated in 447
      human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer tissues.
      RESULTS: High expression of PERK, p-eIF2alpha and pS6 was observed in 270
      (60.4%), 259 (57.9%), and 187 (41.8%) cases, respectively, and was significantly
      associated with a high histological grade, high numbers of TILs, peritumoral
      lymphocytic infiltration, and tertiary lymphoid structures in HER2-positive
      breast cancer tissues. CONCLUSION: The results suggest endoplasmic reticulum
      stress and UPR activation as possible mechanisms for the influx of TILs in HER2
      positive breast cancer. Evaluation of PERK and p-eIF2alpha expression might be
      important in identifying targets for cancer therapies in modulating endoplasmic
      reticulum stress.

PMID- 27272780
TI  - Expression Pattern of Matrix Metalloproteinase 20 (MMP20) in Human Tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Matrix metalloproteinase 20 (MMP20) is a member of the family of
      matrix metalloproteinases. Under normal conditions the expression of MMP20 is
      restricted to ameloblasts and odontoblasts. In order to identify a possible
      expression of MMP20 under pathological conditions, we investigated three major
      human tumor entities, i.e. colon, breast and lung tumors, on the mRNA and protein
      level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real-time RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analyses of
      established human tumor cell lines were employed for our study;
      immunohistochemical analysis was performed on both primary tumors and normal
      control tissues. RESULTS: MMP20 was identified on both the mRNA and the protein
      level in breast MCF-7, colon HT-29, and lung A549 cell lines. MMP20 was also
      detected in primary tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: MMP20 is a
      new potential candidate for tumor diagnosis or therapy.

PMID- 27272781
TI  - Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07, Inulin
      and Melatonin in NMU-induced Rat Model of Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Chemopreventive activity of a new probiotic strain Lactobacillus
      plantarum LS/07 (PRO) and prebiotic oligofructose-enriched inulin (PRE) in rat
      mammary carcinogenesis induced by procarcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene
      has been reported before. This study evaluated the anticancer and
      immunomodulatory efficacy of PRO, PRE, PRO+PRE (PRO/PRE) and combination with
      melatonin (PRO+PRE+MEL) in a rat model, when breast cancer was induced by a
      direct-acting carcinogen N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Daily administration of PRO (at a dose of 8.4*10(8) colony-forming units
      (c.f.u.)/rat), PRE (in the diet, 20 g/kg) and MEL (in tap water, 20 mg/l) started
      14 days before the first NMU dose and lasted for 16 weeks. RESULTS: Although
      tumor growth was not altered, a marked decrease in the ratio of high-/low-grade
      carcinomas and in tumoral Ki-67 expression was found after PRO+PRE treatment;
      melatonin augmented these effects. PRO+PRE+MEL combination enhanced CD4(+) and
      CD8(+) T-cell tumor infiltration induced by PRO/PRE and increased CD25(+)FoxP3(+)
      regulatory T-cells in tumors. CONCLUSION: In mammary carcinogenesis,
      Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and inulin exert prodifferentiating,
      antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities, which are significantly
      amplified by melatonin co-administration.

PMID- 27272782
TI  - The Difference in Bronchial Patency Between the Sweet and Modified Overfolt
      Methods at a Deep Site: Current Strategies Are Based on Previous Knowledge.
AB  - The use of bronchial stapling with automatic stapling devices has become
      widespread in chest surgery with the growth of video-assisted thoracoscopic
      surgery. Thus, hand suturing for the bronchus occurs less commonly. Therefore,
      modern surgeons have fewer opportunities to perform hand suturing, and, as a
      consequence, there exists lack understanding of this technique compared to
      earlier generations. We, therefore, examined the difference in bronchial patency
      between the Sweet and modified Overfolt methods of suturing performed on
      sacrificed pigs, as shown by bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy showed stenosis in the
      residual bronchus using the Sweet method. However, bronchoscopy revealed a
      favorable patency in the residual bronchus using the modified Overfolt method. We
      also found similar results in deeper sites. Our findings suggest that the results
      of the modified Overfolt technique lead to a favorable patency while based on
      previous knowledge. 

PMID- 27272783
TI  - Novel Tumor-specific Mutations in Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Subdomain IX
      Significantly Reduce Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The identification of additional therapeutic targets by clinical
      molecular profiling is necessary to expand the range of molecular-targeted cancer
      therapeutics. This study aimed to identify novel functional tumor-specific single
      nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the kinase domain of receptor tyrosine kinases
      (RTKs), from whole-exome sequencing (WES) data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SNVs were
      selected from WES data of multiple cancer types using both cancer-related
      databases and the index reflecting molecular evolution. Immunoblotting and
      luciferase assay were performed to assess the function of selected SNVs. RESULTS:
      Among the seven selected SNVs, two, namely neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase
      1 (NTRK1) V710A and fms related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) K868N, detected in
      kinase subdomain IX, were investigated. These SNVs inhibited the
      autophosphorylation of the respective RTKs, thereby reducing the activity of
      extracellular signal-regulated kinases. CONCLUSION: RTK subdomain IX is a
      promising target for the molecular design of kinase inhibitors.

PMID- 27272784
TI  - Detection and Characterization of Flat Aberrant Crypt Foci (Flat ACF) in the
      Novel A/J Min/+ Mouse.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Flat aberrant crypt foci (flat ACF) and mucin-depleted foci (MDF)
      have previously been described as preneoplastic colonic lesions. We used the
      novel A/J Min/+ mouse model, that demonstrates extensive spontaneous colon
      carcinogenesis to refine the method of detection of flat ACF and further
      characterize and define them as early lesions by histological examination and
      comparison with MDF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Colons were stained with methylene
      blue (MB) for flat ACF detection and restained with high-iron diamine-alcian blue
      (HID-AB) for MDF detection. RESULTS: Optimal flat ACF recognition required at
      least 24 h of storage post-MB staining and adherence to a set of characteristics.
      The fraction of flat ACF corresponding with MDF was 93%. Flat ACF/MDF displayed
      the same picture of severe dysplasia, lack of mucus and goblet cells and
      accumulation of cytoplasmic beta-catenin. CONCLUSION: The easily detectable flat
      ACF are reliable surface biomarkers of Apc-driven colon carcinogenesis.

PMID- 27272785
TI  - Antiproliferative Effects of Various Furanoacridones Isolated from Ruta
      graveolens on Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Thanks to its biologically active constituents, Ruta graveolens
      L. (Rutaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant. In our study, six furanoacridone
      alkaloids isolated from Ruta graveolens were investigated for their
      antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on human breast cancer cell lines
      (MCF-7, MDA-MB-361, MDA-MB-231 and T47D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cell lines
      were pretreated with alkaloid components (rutacridone, isogravacridone chlorine
      (IGC), gravacridonediol monomethyl ether, gravacridonediol, gravacridonetriol, a
      1:1 mixture of gravacridonetriol and - diol monoglucosides) and their
      antiproliferative effects were determined by the MTT assay. RESULTS: IGC had the
      most marked effect on cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 (half maximal inhibitory
      concentration (IC50)=2.27 MUM). Cell-cycle analysis was applied to quantify the
      effect of IGC on subpopulations of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. It caused a cell
      cycle disturbance by decreasing the G2/M and G0/G1 and increasing the S phase and
      the appearance of the subdiploid (sub-G1) population. Hoechst 33258-propidium
      iodide staining was used to evaluate the morphological changes in IGC-pretreated
      MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, revealing the appearance of apoptotic features. IGC
      was found to cause a modest activation of caspase-3 and -9, but not caspase-8,
      indicating the activation of an intrinsic apoptotic pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells.
      CONCLUSIONS: These in vitro findings indicate that furanoacridones are suitable
      candidates for anticancer drug development.

PMID- 27272786
TI  - Subtypes of Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines React Differently to
      Eribulin Mesylate.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated
      with adverse prognosis, particularly in cases of chemotherapy resistance. The
      goal of this analysis was to compare TNBC vs. non-TNBC cell lines and those of
      distinct TNBC subtypes with regard to sensitivity to eribulin in vitro. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Breast cancer cell lines were subjected to cell-viability assays,
      apoptosis analyses, migration and invasion experiments, and quantitative real
      time polymerase chain reaction after exposure to eribulin. RESULTS: Eribulin
      reduced cell viability in TNBC and non-TNBC cell lines in the sub-nanomolar
      range. Furthermore, exposure to eribulin induced apoptosis and decreased the rate
      of migration and invasion. Genes known to induce malignant transformation were
      differentially expressed after eribulin treatment. CONCLUSION: Eribulin had a
      strong antiproliferative effect on breast cancer cell lines, although we did not
      observe a significant difference between TNBC and non-TNBC cell lines with regard
      to sensitivity to eribulin.

PMID- 27272787
TI  - HOXB7 Expression is a Novel Biomarker for Long-term Prognosis After Resection of
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Homeobox B7 (HOXB7) gene is involved in various cellular
      functions. We investigated the clinical significance of HOXB7 expression in
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: HOXB7 mRNA expression in
      103 HCC samples and 58 matched non-cancerous liver tissues were examined by
      quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). HOXB7 protein
      expression was also examined by immunohistochemistry. Gene set enrichment
      analysis (GSEA) was performed using a public dataset. RESULTS: HOXB7 expression
      was significantly higher in HCC tissues than in liver parenchyma. Ten-year
      overall survival (OS) and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) of cases with
      higher HOXB7 expression were significantly poorer than those with lower HOXB7
      expression. HOXB7 expression was significantly associated with larger tumor size
      and higher rate of biliary invasion and constituted an independent prognostic
      factor for OS by multivariate analysis. These results were supported by GSEA.
      CONCLUSION: HOXB7 expression in HCC could be a novel biomarker for long-term
      prognosis after tumor resection.

PMID- 27272788
TI  - Novel Midkine Inhibitor iMDK Inhibits Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis in Oral
      Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - Midkine is a heparin-binding growth factor highly expressed in various human
      malignant tumors. However, its role in the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma
      is not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the antitumor effect of a
      novel midkine inhibitor (iMDK) against oral squamous cell carcinoma.
      Administration of iMDK induced a robust antitumor response and suppressed cluster
      of differentiation 31 (CD31) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC-2
      cells and SAS cells xenograft models. iMDK inhibited the proliferation of these
      cells dose-dependently, as well as the expression of midkine and phospho
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase in HSC-2 and SAS cells. Moreover, iMDK
      significantly inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor and induced tube
      growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a dose-dependent fashion.
      These findings suggest that midkine is critically involved in oral squamous cell
      carcinoma and iMDK can be effectively used for the treatment of oral squamous
      cell carcinoma. 

PMID- 27272789
TI  - Effect of MPS1 Inhibition on Genotoxic Stress Responses in Murine Tumour Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1) is a serine/threonine kinase that
      plays an important role in spindle assembly checkpoint signaling. To determine
      the possible relationship between MPS1 inhibition and genotoxic stress responses,
      herein we examined whether MPS1 inhibition influences cellular susceptibility
      towards two genotoxic treatments, etoposide and ionizing radiation (IR).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two murine tumour cell lines, SCCVII and EMT6, were used.
      The effect of genotoxic treatments with or without two novel MPS1 inhibitors, NMS
      P715 and AZ3146, on cellular survival, cell-cycle distribution, centrosome status
      and mitotic catastrophe (MC) was evaluated. RESULTS: MPS1 inhibition sensitized
      murine tumour cells to etoposide but not to IR. In addition, MPS1 inhibition
      altered cell-cycle progression and exacerbated centrosome abnormalities,
      resulting in enhanced MC induced by etoposide but not by IR. CONCLUSION: MPS1
      inhibition promotes the etoposide-induced aberrant mitosis and, consequently, the
      induction of tumour cell death.

PMID- 27272790
TI  - Estrogen Enhances Malignant Phenotypes in Human Salivary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
      Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (SGC) is a common type of salivary gland
      cancer (SGC). Surgery is the first treatment choice because chemoradiotherapy is
      usually not effective. Therefore, new treatment modalities are urgently needed.
      In this study, it was investigated whether the estrogen axis could be a treatment
      target or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) ACCM cells,
      were used. The specific cell line lacks estrogen receptor (ER). ER was introduced
      in ACCM cells, and the effect of 17beta-estradiol (E2) was investigated on cell
      proliferation, cell-cycle distribution, and cell motility. RESULTS: E2 induced
      cell proliferation, and the S-phase fraction increased in a dose-dependent
      manner. Cell motility was also up-regulated compared to control cells.
      CONCLUSION: The estrogen/ER system up-regulated malignant phenotypes in ER
      positive ACC, and hormone therapy may have a potential as effective treatment for
      this malignancy.

PMID- 27272791
TI  - Targeted Therapies in HPV-positive and -negative HNSCC - Alteration of EGFR and
      VEGFR-2 Expression In Vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in the formation and progression of
      tumor growth in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The tyrosine
      kinase receptors epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial
      growth factor receptor (VEGFR) are essential for mediation of pro-angiogenic
      signals. Nilotinib, dasatinib, erlotinib and gefitinib are tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors and approved as targeted therapies for several tumor entities other
      than HNSCC. In this study, we sought to evaluate the alteration of EGFR and VEGFR
      2 expression by these tyrosine kinase inhibitors with respect to the human
      papillomavirus (HPV)-status in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tumor cells.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression patterns of EGFR and VEGFR-2 were determined by
      enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in HNSCC 11A, HNSCC 14C and p-16
      positive CERV196 tumor cell lines. These cells were incubated with nilotinib,
      dasatinib, erlotinib and gefitinib (5-20MUmol/l) and compared to a chemonaive
      control. The incubation time was 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. RESULTS: All tested
      substances led to a statistically significant reduction (p<0.05) of EGFR protein
      expression levels in HPV-negative cells compared to the negative control.
      Surprisingly, a statistically significant increase in VEGFR-2 expression was
      observed after exposure to all tested substances especially after exposure to
      erlotinib treatment. CONCLUSION: Nilotinib, dasatinib, erlotinib and gefitinib
      cause significant changes in protein expression of EGFR and VEGFR-2 in vitro.
      Besides the anti-angiogenic impact of the substances, as shown for the decrease
      of EGFR expression, we also observed an increase of VEGFR-2 expression. These
      contradictive effects could be interpreted as a compensatory up-regulation by the
      tumor cell.

PMID- 27272792
TI  - Synthesis of tris(quinoline)monochloroplatinum(II) Chloride and its Activity
      Alone and in Combination with Capsaicin and Curcumin in Human Ovarian Cancer Cell
      Lines.
AB  - Currently used platinum drugs fail to provide long-term cure for ovarian cancer
      mainly because of acquired drug resistance. With the idea that the difference may
      translate into an altered spectrum of activity, monofunctional
      planaramineplatinum(II) complex tris(quinoline)monochloro-platinum chloride
      (coded as LH5) was synthesized and investigated for its activity against human
      ovarian A2780, cisplatin-resistant A2780 (A2780(cisR)) and ZD0473-resistnat A2780
      (A2780(ZD0473R)) cancer cell lines alone and in combination with the
      phytochemicals capsaicin (Caps) and curcumin (Cur) as a function of concentration
      and sequence of administration. Cell viability was quantified using the MTT
      reduction assay, while combination was used as a quantitative measure of the
      combined drug action. LH5 is found to be more active than cisplatin (CS) against
      both resistant cell lines. Combination of LH5 with capsaicin showed synergism in
      all three cell lines, with the bolus being most synergistic. Lack of association
      between the levels of platinum accumulation and platinum-DNA with cytotoxicity
      can be seen to indicate that binding with DNA may not be the main determinant of
      activity of LH5. Greater activity of LH5 compared to cisplatin, especially
      against the resistant cell lines, indicates that the compound may have the
      potential for development as a novel anticancer drug and that its combination
      with phytochemicals can serve to further enhance drug efficacy. 

PMID- 27272793
TI  - Histone Deacetylase-1-mediated Suppression of FAS in Chemoresistant Ovarian
      Cancer Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Loss of FAS expression in ovarian cancer cells has recently been
      associated with resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the mechanism for
      suppression of FAS expression is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cell surface
      and transcript expressions of death receptors in parental chemosensitive (A2780)
      and their derivative chemoresistant (A2780-AD) ovarian cancer cells were
      determined by flow cytometry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain
      reaction, respectively. The epigenetic regulation of FAS promoters in both A2780
      and A2780-AD ovarian epithelial cells were determined by chromatin
      immunoprecipitation assays. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that expression
      of FAS is suppressed in A2780-AD cells compared to parental A2780 ovarian cells.
      No difference in DNA methylation was observed at FAS promoters between A2780-AD
      cells compared to parental cells. However, the level of acetylated histone H3
      associated with FAS promoter in A2780-AD cells was significantly lower compared
      to parental cells, and there was a corresponding increase in histone deacetylase
      1 (HDAC1) enzyme associated with the FAS promoter in resistant cells. Knockdown
      of HDAC1 expression, and pharmacological inhibition of HDAC enzymatic activity
      significantly increased FAS expression in resistant A2780-AD cells. These results
      suggest that epigenetic changes in histone modifications may contribute to the
      loss of FAS expression in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells and that
      enhancement of FAS expression could increase tumor cell sensitivity to immune
      cells.

PMID- 27272794
TI  - Bendamustin-Rituximab Combination Is a Safe and Effective, Ambulatory Treatment
      for Elderly Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Retrospective Real-world
      Analysis by Age from a German Registry and Review of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment recommendations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are
      based upon selected, otherwise healthy study populations mostly under 72 years of
      age. The Project group Internistic Oncology (PIO) embarked on an analysis of the
      'real-world' safety and efficacy of bendamustine with and without rituximab in
      unselected outpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, open-label,
      prospectively stratified, retrospective study was conducted to determine routine
      feasibility, toxicity, and response rates obtained by bendamustine with and
      without rituximab in a random population of mostly elderly patients with CLL.
      Records were obtained from 775 patients with CLL from 60 private medical oncology
      practices. Informed consent was obtained prior to study participation. The median
      observation time was 28 months. Patients were stratified according to age, and
      treatment. Response criteria and statistics followed international guidelines
      adopted by the "German Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Study Group". RESULTS:
      Overall, 57.5% of patients were over 70 (range=36-95) years old. Eastern
      Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and age influenced the total dose
      given, decreasing by 20% between ECOG 0 and 3, and by 15% above 80 years old.
      Response rates did not differ between the ages of 60 to 80 years, with an overall
      remission rate for bendamustine of 83%, and for the combination therapy of 89%,
      decreasing above the age of 80 years. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 25% of 775
      patients, and grade 3 or 4 non-hematological adverse events in 9.55% (n=74), not
      interfering with the treatment. CONCLUSION: Bendamustine with and without
      rituximab was associated with high activity and tolerability, irrespective of age
      and risk factors. The median overall survival was 64 months with a 3-year
      survival rate of 72%; progression-free survival was 30.6 months, and the 3 year
      PFS was 43%. The good tolerability and feasibility of bendamustine with and
      without rituximab, in particular for the elderly population with CLL argues for
      it being a safe outpatient treatment.

PMID- 27272795
TI  - Expression of Estrogen Receptors in Relation to Hormone Levels and the Nottingham
      Prognostic Index.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Estrogen hormones have a large impact on both normal development and
      tumorigenesis of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breast tissue samples from 49
      women undergoing surgery were included. The estrogen receptors (ERalpha and
      ERbeta), ERalpha36 and G-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER) were determined in
      benign and malignant breast tissue. RESULTS: The ERalpha36 and ERalpha mRNA
      levels were highest in malignant tumors. Stromal ERbeta immunostaining in benign
      tumors was higher than in the paired normal tissue. GPER expression was lowest in
      benign tumors. In the malignant tumors, the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI)
      correlated positively with stromal GPER and the serum testosterone level. The
      serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level correlated negatively with GPER
      mRNA and glandular ERalpha. CONCLUSION: The expression of ERalpha36 is stronger
      in malignant breast tissue. The strong positive correlation between NPI and GPER
      in malignant breast stroma indicates an important role for GPER in breast cancer
      prognosis.

PMID- 27272796
TI  - Self-reported Symptoms to Monitor Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer-Analysis of
      1,678 Cases.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this article was to study the clinical significance of subjective
      symptoms of recurrence in patients treated for primary head and neck cancer.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 1,678 patients with squamous cell
      carcinoma of the head and neck admitted at the Department of Oto-rhino
      laryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oslo University Hospital during a period of 15
      years (1983-1997) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 525 (31%) patients had
      recurrence during follow-up, 74% of these within the first two years after
      primary treatment. Subjective symptoms indicating recurrent disease were reported
      by 67%. The remaining recurrences were detected in asymptomatic patients at
      scheduled consultations. Prognosis was better among patients with subjective
      symptoms of recurrent disease after treatment for primary tumors of the oral
      cavity and larynx. Those with recurrence from other tumor sites had no difference
      in prognosis between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: The high
      proportion of patients with subjective symptoms indicates that there is a
      potential to make follow-up routines more effective. Individualized and flexible
      procedures, taking into account patient's self-reported symptoms, may help speed
      up the process and thus improve prognosis. This could also lead to a more
      efficient use of resources by reducing the number of redundant examinations of
      low-risk patients.

PMID- 27272797
TI  - Pancreatic-type Acinar Cell Carcinoma of the Stomach Included in Multiple Primary
      Carcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Pancreatic-type acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) in the stomach is
      extraordinarily rare. We pathologically examined two cases with multiple primary
      carcinomas, including gastric tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Gastric cancer
      specimens were examined by immunostaining and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Both
      cases had cancer cells with acinar patterns, resembling pancreatic ACC. The
      cancer cells in the first case were positive for exocrine markers, including
      chymotrypsin, lipase and alpha-1 antichymotrypsin (ACT), as well as
      neuroendocrine markers, including chromogranin A and synaptophysin. The cancer
      cells in the second case were positive for chymotrypsin and alpha-1 ACT, while
      being slightly positive for chromogranin A and synaptophysin. Ultrastructurally,
      cancer cells contained zymogen granules in both cases. The final diagnosis was
      pancreatic mixed acinar-neuroendocrine carcinoma and pure pancreatic ACC,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: We confirmed two cases with gastric pancreatic-type ACC
      included in multiple primary carcinomas. This type of double cancer has not been
      reported previously.

PMID- 27272798
TI  - Oncologic Impact of Renal Tissue Adjacent to Renal Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical impact of the surgical
      margin width after nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) on the oncological course of
      renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised of 126 RCC
      patients with NSS between 2002 and 2009. Inclusion criteria were negative
      resection margins and a tumor diameter of <=100 mm with the possibility of a
      complete circumferential histopathological reevaluation. The minimal benign
      margin width was correlated to the patients' clinical course. RESULTS: Median
      safety margin width was revealed to be 1 mm. Nine of 126 patients (7.1%)
      developed recurrent disease (five local, four distant). All patients with local
      recurrence had safety margins <=1 mm, whereas out of 49 patients with a margin >1
      mm no one developed local recurrence (p=0.0245). Safety margin <=1 mm showed
      associations with increased risk for overall recurrence in univariate and
      multivariate analysis (p=0.0531 and 0.0539, respectively). CONCLUSION: Tumor
      adjacent renal parenchyma may have oncological relevance, corroborating the need
      for further molecular investigation of tumor-adjacent tissue in RCC.

PMID- 27272799
TI  - Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of ProEx C and GLUT1 in Melanocytic Lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer. The
      purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of two biomarkers, ProEx C and
      glucose transporter isoform 1 (GLUT1), in the diagnosis and prognostication of
      melanoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 129 melanomas and 59 benign nevi in
      a tissue microarray using immunohistochemical method with antibodies to
      topoisomerase IIalpha (TOP2A) and minichromosome maintenance complex component 2
      (MCM2) using ProEx C and to GLUT1. RESULTS: The average proliferative index by
      ProEx C immunostain was significantly higher in melanomas (37.5%) compared to
      benign nevi (1.9%) as was the expression of GLUT1 (p<0.0001 respectively). Dermal
      mitosis was found to correlate positively with both ProEx C and GLUT1 (p=0.003
      and p<0.001, respectively). Ulceration and tumor thickness positively correlated
      with GLUT1 expression (p=0.013 and p=0.033, respectively), but not with ProEx C
      staining. There was a significant association between increasing ProEx C index
      and stronger expression of GLUT1 (p<0.001). Kaplan-Meier disease-specific
      survival analyses indicated that patients whose melanoma exhibited expression of
      GLUT1 had a significantly lower rate of disease-specific survival than patients
      whose melanoma did not (p=0.039). However, staining by ProEx C did not show a
      prognostic significance in disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION: ProEx C and
      GLUT1 are potentially useful markers in differentiation of melanoma from nevi.
      Absence of GLUT1 expression in patients with primary melanoma predicts better
      survival.

PMID- 27272800
TI  - Phase II Trial of Erlotinib in Elderly Patients with Previously Treated Non-small
      Cell Lung Cancer: Results of the Lung Oncology Group in Kyushu (LOGiK-0802).
AB  - BACKGROUND: As the incidence of lung cancer in the elderly is increasing
      worldwide, there exists a need to develop a clinically effective, less toxic
      therapy for this patient population. Although erlotinib has shown proven
      effectiveness against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), few studies have
      prospectively investigated its application to elderly patients. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Patients aged >=75 years with advanced or recurrent NSCLC including wild
      type EGFR who had previously received one or two chemotherapy regimens were
      enrolled in this trial. Erlotinib was initially administered at a dose of 150
      mg/day orally until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities occurred. The
      primary endpoint was the objective response rate. RESULTS: Forty patients were
      enrolled between May 2009 and January 2014. An objective response was observed in
      8 patients (20%, 95%CI=9.1-35.7%), and the disease control rate reached 62.5%
      (95%CI=45.8-77.3%). After a median follow-up period of 12.2 months (range=1.4
      47.2 months), the median progression-free survival period was 5.0 months
      (95%CI=2.3-7.6 months), and the median survival period was 12.2 months (95%CI=6.1
      24.7 months). Major toxicities were skin disorders, fatigue, and anorexia. Most
      adverse events were grade 2 or less, but 13 patients (32.5%) required a dose
      reduction. Two patients developed interstitial lung disease, that was
      nevertheless reversible, and there were no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION:
      Although the percentage of patients requiring dose reduction seemed relatively
      higher than that in previous studies, erlotinib is a potentially useful
      therapeutic option for unselected elderly patients with previously treated
      advanced or recurrent NSCLC, as has been also shown for younger patients.

PMID- 27272801
TI  - Acute Renal Failure Associated with Lenalidomide Treatment in Multiple Myeloma: A
      Rare Occurrence?
AB  - Renal failure is a frequent complication of multiple myeloma (MM). Recently, the
      combination of lenalidomide-dexamethasone has become one of the cornerstone
      regimens for the treatment of MM. Impairment of renal function exacerbation is a
      rare, but potential, complication of lenalidomide therapy in plasma cell
      dyscrasias. We present two patients who developed exacerbation of renal function
      during their first cycle of therapy with lenalidomide. In the first case, we
      present a 76-year-old-male with MM and impaired renal function, who declined two
      weeks after initiation of second-line therapy with lenalidomide. His renal
      functions improved after discontinuation of lenalidomide and with supportive
      care. In the second case, we describe a 61-year-old woman who was started on
      lenalidomide for relapsed MM and admitted to intensive care unit three weeks
      later due to severe renal failure. Despite intensive supportive care, her renal
      function deteriorated even more and she died. We conclude that renal failure is
      an uncommon, but serious, potential complication of lenalidomide therapy in
      plasma cell dyscrasias, particularly MM. Close monitoring of renal function is
      clearly recommended during this treatment. 

PMID- 27272802
TI  - Balancing Prolonged Survival with QoL Using Low-dose Pazopanib Maintenance: A
      Comparison with the PALETTE Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A consensus has not been reached regarding the optimal pazopanib
      dosing schedule, which we determined in patients who received pazopanib at our
      Institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients who were prescribed
      pazopanib between 2012 and 2015 were included in this retrospective analysis.
      RESULTS: The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 7.7 months. This
      time (various doses) was similar to that achieved by high-dose pazopanib in the
      PALETTE study. The log-rank test revealed no significant differences in the PFS
      times between the low- and high-dose pazopanib groups, with the majority of
      patients receiving a dose of 400 mg, indicating that controlling the side-effects
      might be more critical than administering higher doses. CONCLUSION: Pazopanib
      should be started from a low dose with careful increase to avoid pazopanib
      related side-effects, which is necessary to provide a balance between the life
      prolonging effects of pazopanib and quality of life (QoL) of patients.

PMID- 27272803
TI  - Total Thyroidectomy Versus Lobectomy for the Treatment of Follicular Thyroid
      Microcarcinoma.
AB  - AIM: To compare the effectiveness of total thyroidectomy versus thyroid lobectomy
      for the treatment of follicular thyroid microcarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18
      Database. The study cohort included patients diagnosed with follicular thyroid
      microcarcinoma between 1988 and 2009, treated with either total thyroidectomy or
      thyroid lobectomy. Propensity-score analysis using inverse probability weighting
      was used to control for allocation bias. RESULTS: A total of 203 patients were
      identified. The 5-year overall survival was 98% for patients treated with
      lobectomy and 99% for those treated with total thyroidectomy; this difference was
      not statistically significant (p=0.13). Unadjusted analysis and propensity-score
      analysis revealed no difference in overall survival between the two treatment
      groups (p=0.15 and p=0.49, respectively). CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy does
      not appear to offer any survival advantage over thyroid lobectomy for patients
      with follicular thyroid microcarcinoma.

PMID- 27272804
TI  - Survival Outcomes in Early Stage Laryngeal Cancer.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate survival outcomes of radiotherapy versus surgical resection in
      the treatment of early stage laryngeal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data was
      extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 Database. The
      cohort included 5,301 patients diagnosed with stages I and II laryngeal squamous
      cell carcinoma between 1992 and 2009, treated with either surgical therapy or
      radiotherapy. RESULTS: Patients who received surgical therapy had better overall
      survival (OS) than patients who received radiation therapy (p<0.001). The
      difference in OS between treatment groups remained after stratification by stage
      (p<0.001 for Stage I; p=0.03 for Stage II) and subsite (p<0.001). On
      multivariable analysis, the radiotherapy group had worse OS (hazard ratio
      (HR)=1.29). CONCLUSION: Patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer treated with
      surgical therapy have better survival outcomes than patients treated with non
      surgical therapy.

PMID- 27272805
TI  - Systemic Inflammatory Response After Open, Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery in
      Endometrial Cancer Patients.
AB  - AIM: To study inflammatory response and nutritional biomarkers in operated
      endometrial cancer (EC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 109 consecutive
      EC patients undergoing open laparotomy (LT), laparoscopic (LS) or robot-assisted
      surgery (RS) were studied. Twenty four patients served as controls. Pre- and
      postoperative levels of inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers were analyzed
      prospectively. RESULTS: The estimated blood loss was significantly lower in RS
      compared to all other groups. C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)
      correlated with each other and exhibited positive correlation with age, body-mass
      index (BMI), leukocyte count, platelet count, kynurenine, kynurenine/tryptophan
      ratio and urinary neopterin and a negative correlation with vitamin D and
      retinol. Hemoglobin, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin D and citrulline
      concentrations decreased and inflammatory biomarkers increased after surgery to a
      different extent in LT, LS, RS and control groups. CONCLUSION: The present data
      demonstrate a differential response to surgical trauma in patients with
      endometrial carcinoma.

PMID- 27272806
TI  - Incidentally Detected Focal Liver Lesions - A Common Clinical Management Dilemma
      Revisited.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Detection of asymptomatic focal liver lesions (FLL) is increasing
      because of a widespread use of modern radiologic imaging. Most of these lesions
      are benign, though malignancy often has to be ruled out, which is posing a
      diagnostic challenge. AIM: To critically evaluate our treatment strategy in the
      context of recently published American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
      guidelines. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent
      surgery for asymptomatic, incidentally detected FLL from 2005-2012 were reviewed.
      Primary end-points were the congruence of suspected diagnosis and final
      pathology, as well as the identification of predictors of malignancy. A
      systematic review was undertaken to help define a standardized management.
      RESULTS: Eighty patients, 37 male and 43 female with a mean age of 57 years
      (range=16-83) were included, harboring 39 (49%) malignant and 41 (51%) benign,
      asymptomatic hepatic lesions. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n=24) represented
      most of malignant FLL, followed by cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) (n=10),
      whereas focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) (n=19) and liver hemangioma (n=7) were
      the predominant benign entities. Fifty-one patients (64%) had a correct
      preoperative diagnosis, while patients with FNH were most commonly misdiagnosed
      (53%). We identified age (p<0.001) and male sex (p=0.013) as risk factors for
      malignancy in an asymptomatic FLL. CONCLUSION: Despite recent technical advances
      of the modern radiology setting a correct preoperative diagnosis in an
      asymptomatic FLL remains challenging. Male gender and old age seem to correlate
      with malignancy. In the absence of biomarkers and evidence-based guidelines, a
      multidisciplinary approach in an experienced tertiary referral center is
      recommended for an optimized individual management.

PMID- 27272807
TI  - High Pre-treatment Plasma D-Dimer Level as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker for
      Cervical Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of high pre
      treatment plasma D-dimer levels in patients with cervical carcinoma (CC) after
      adjusting for venous thromboembolism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Relationships between
      the clinicopathological characteristics and the overall (OS) and progression-free
      (PFS) survival rates of patients with CC (N=129) were examined. Survival was
      calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and prognostic indicators assessed using
      a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A high pre-treatment plasma level of D
      dimers, detected in 42.6% of cases (N=55), was associated with advanced tumour
      stage. In the multivariate analysis, high pre-treatment plasma D-dimer levels,
      tumour stage, histological type, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were
      identified as independent prognostic factors for OS, while tumour stage and CEA
      levels were identified as independent prognostic factors for PFS. CONCLUSION: A
      high pre-treatment plasma level of D-dimers represents an independent prognostic
      biomarker for CC that could assist in identifying high-risk populations for
      treatment decisions.

PMID- 27272808
TI  - Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Plasma and Pleural Effusion Is a Biomarker
      for Outcome After Bevacizumab plus Carboplatin-Paclitaxel Treatment for Non-small
      Cell Lung Cancer with Malignant Pleural Effusion.
AB  - AIM: Malignant effusion is associated with high serum and plasma levels of
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). There are no biomarkers of outcome for
      bevacizumab treatment in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). We
      previously reported that carboplatin-paclitaxel plus bevacizumab was effective
      for patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and
      MPE, although we did not evaluate the relationship between treatment outcomes and
      plasma or pleural effusion levels of VEGF. Therefore, this study evaluated
      whether plasma or pleural effusion VEGF might predict bevacizumab treatment
      outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 23 patients with NSCLC and MPE between
      September 2010 and June 2012. Plasma VEGF levels were measured in 19 patients and
      pleural VEGF levels were measured in 22 patients. RESULTS: Compared to patients
      with a low plasma VEGF level, patients with a high level exhibited significantly
      shorter overall survival (OS: 13.8 vs. 6.5 months, p=0.04), progression-free
      survival (PFS: 8.7 vs. 4.8 months, p<0.01), and period to re-accumulation of MPE
      (pPFS: 9.7 vs. 6.2 months, p=0.02). Compared to patients with a low VEGF level in
      pleural effusion, patients with a high VEGF level exhibited significantly shorter
      OS (19.6 vs. 6.9 months, p<0.01) and pPFS (9.6 vs. 6.7 months, p=0.04), although
      there was no significant difference in their PFS (6.6 vs. 5.9 months, p=0.18).
      CONCLUSION: VEGF levels in the plasma and pleural effusion may predict the
      outcome of bevacizumab treatment in patients with NSCLC and MPE.

PMID- 27272809
TI  - SOX2 and ALDH1 as Predictors of Operable Breast Cancer.
AB  - AIM: Sex-determining region Y-box binding protein-2 (SOX2) and aldehyde
      dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH1) are known cancer stem-cell markers, and represent
      candidate predictors for breast cancer prognosis. In this study we investigated
      the relationships between SOX2/ALDH1 expression and prognosis. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: One hunred and two breast cancer surgical specimens were
      immunohistochemically analyzed for SOX2 and ALDH1 expression. RESULTS: Disease
      free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly poorer for SOX2
      positive patients than SOX2-negative (p=0.0024 and p=0.0021, respectively), and
      for ALDH1-positive patients than ALDH1-negative (p=0.0049 and p=0.0083). DFS and
      OS were worse for SOX2- or ALDH1-positive patients than double-negative (p=0.0053
      and p=0.0166). While an obvious tendency toward worse DFS was seen for estrogen
      receptor (ER)-negative patients, and attenuated for ER-positive, only SOX2/ALDH1
      any-positive patients showed significantly poorer DFS (p=0.0258). CONCLUSION:
      SOX2 and ALDH1 can be considered markers of poor prognosis, particularly in ER
      negative patients. SOX2/ALDH1 any-positivity might also offer a reliable
      predictor of poor prognosis.

PMID- 27272810
TI  - Initial Results of Hypofractionated Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for
      Cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - AIM: To report initial results of hypofractionated carbon ion radiotherapy (C-ion
      RT) for cholangiocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data regarding seven patients
      with cholangiocarcinoma treated by C-ion RT were analyzed. Prescribed doses were
      52.8 Gy [relative biological effectiveness (RBE)] or 60.0 Gy (RBE) in four
      fractions for intrahepatic cases and 12 fractions for hilar hepatic/close to
      gastro-intestinal tract cases. Local control and overall survival were evaluated
      and toxicity was graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events,
      version 4.0. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 16 months. There were two
      patients with stage I cancer, one with stage II, one with stage III, and three
      with stage IVA. Local control was achieved in five out of seven patients (71%)
      and survival was maintained in six out of seven patients (86%). There were no
      occurrences of acute or late toxicity of grade 3 or higher. CONCLUSION: Initial
      results show that hypofractionated C-ion RT appears to be tolerated and effective
      for cholangiocarcinoma.

PMID- 27272811
TI  - Semiautomatic Whole-lesion Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Assessment for Early
      Prediction of Liver Tumor Response to Radioembolization.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate volume-based apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCVOL) values for
      early prediction of therapy response after radioembolization (RE) of primary and
      secondary liver malignancies using a semiautomatic, image analysis software
      prototype. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, 74 target lesions
      were assessed in terms of therapy response 1 month after RE using magnetic
      resonance imaging. Changes of the diameter of the target lesions, the mean ADC
      value in a representative single-slice region of interest (ADCROI) and mean
      ADCVOL were correlated. RESULTS: The median progression-free interval (PFI) of
      patients overall was 3.5+/-5.9 months. PFI in patients with an ADCVOL increase
      was statistically significantly longer than in patients with an ADCVOL decrease
      (mean PFI=6.5 vs. 2.5 months; p=0.0374). No correlation between PFI and early
      changes in lesion diameter or ADCROI was found. CONCLUSION: Semiautomatic,
      software-based ADC volume measurements seem to offer a clinically valuable
      parameter for early prediction of therapy response in patients after RE.

PMID- 27272813
TI  - Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells in Prostate Cancer Patients at PSA Recurrence
      and Review of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor cells have been described in prostate cancer
      patients at diagnosis and in the metastatic phase but little is known on their
      role at biochemical PSA recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients radically
      cured with either prostatectomy or radiotherapy were sequentially included at PSA
      recurrence. The presence of CTCs was evaluated by the CellSearch system. RESULTS:
      Twenty-nine patients were accrued at PSA recurrence. Median PSA at recurrence was
      7.2 ng/ml (range=3.86-51.0 ng/ml). The median time to PSA progression was 4.66
      years (range=0.1-16 years). CTCs were detected in one patient (3%) with low
      numbers (1 CTC/7.5 ml). CONCLUSION: In patients radically cured for prostate
      cancer at biochemical recurrence, CTCs are detected at very low levels in a
      minority of patients. Further studies are required to investigate alternative
      methods of CTC detection and the possible role of the bone marrow pre-metastatic
      niche at biochemical recurrence.

PMID- 27272812
TI  - Late Rectal Toxicity from Image-guided Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy for
      Prostate Cancer.
AB  - AIM: Late rectal toxicity (LRT) was retrospectively evaluated in men with
      prostate cancer treated with image-guided intensity modulated radiotherapy (IG
      IMRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2008 and December 2009, 47 men with
      prostate adenocarcinoma were treated with IG-IMRT using in-room computed
      tomography (CT). RESULTS: The median time to grade 2 LRT was 12 months (range=1
      24 months). Two of 3 men who developed grade 2 LRT had received treatment for
      diabetes, and the other was receiving anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy (AC
      therapy). Their rectal wall V70 (the volume of rectal wall receiving 70 Gy)
      values were 12.6%, 13.0%, and 13.3%. Univariate analysis revealed that V70 of the
      rectal wall was the only significant risk factor for LRT (p=0.0073). CONCLUSION:
      No man with V70 <=12.0% experienced grade 2 LRT. Strict rectal wall V70 <=12%
      dose constraints should be considered when treating prostate cancer patients who
      are also receiving diabetic or AC therapy.

PMID- 27272815
TI  - A Total Radiation Dose of 70 Gy Is Required After Macroscopically Incomplete
      Resection of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.
AB  - AIM: To contribute to the definition of the optimal total radiation dose and to
      determine the role of concurrent chemotherapy after macroscopically incomplete
      resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Twenty-six patients treated with postoperative radio(chemo)therapy
      following macroscopically incomplete resection were evaluated. Total radiation
      dose (70 Gy vs. 59.4-66 Gy), concurrent chemotherapy (yes vs. no) plus six
      factors were investigated for locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival
      (OS). RESULTS: On analyses of LRC, 70 Gy was significantly superior to 59.4-66.0
      Gy. Two-year LCR rates were 94% and 25%, respectively (p<0.001). Concurrent
      chemotherapy significantly improved 2-year LRC (90% vs. 0%, p<0.001). Both 70 Gy
      (92% vs. 11%, p<0.001) and concurrent chemotherapy (80% vs.0%, p<0.001) also
      resulted in better OS. CONCLUSION: A total radiation dose of 70 Gy was
      significantly superior to lower doses regarding both LCR and OS. Concurrent
      chemotherapy is also very important to achieve optimal outcomes.

PMID- 27272814
TI  - ABCG2 Overexpression Confers Poor Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Elderly
      Patients.
AB  - Backgroung/Aim: Breast cancer resistance protein [BCRP/ATP-binding cassette
      subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2)] is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter
      family, used as a maker of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and thought to be responsible
      for drug resistance by pumping them out of cells. However, its precise role in
      various cancer types has been controversial, and the aim of this study was to
      investigate the expression of ABCG2 in hepacellular carcinoma (HCC) and relate
      the results to established prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted
      analysis of 181 HCC and paired-match adjacent normal liver tissue by
      immunohistochemistry from tissue array of slides. RESULTS: The mean score for
      ABCG2 expression was higher in tumor than in adjacent normal liver tissue of HCC
      patients (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant correlation between
      ABCG2 expression and age, differentiation status and hepatitis B surface antigen
      (p=0.031, p=0.015 and p=0.033, respectively). Additionally, increased expression
      of ABCG2 in HCC and its statistically significant correlation with hepatitis B
      surface antigen was found in elderly (p=0.039), not in younger patients
      (p=0.518). Importantly, by using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis,
      overall survival in patients with high expression of ABCG2 was found reduced in
      elderly patients (p=0.029 and p=0.081, respectively). CONCLUSION: ABCG2 can be
      used as a target for the development of novel therapies in HCC.

PMID- 27272816
TI  - The Value of Lymph Node Dissection in the Surgery of Colorectal Cancer Liver
      Metastases.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Liver resection is the best treatment for metastatic colorectal
      cancer (CRC). Hepatic lymph node metastases are considered as extrahepatic
      disease and represent an unfavorable prognostic factor. However, extrahepatic
      disease, when resectable, provides no contraindication for surgical therapy. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hepatic lymph node
      involvement in our patients' cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients
      submitted to resection for colorectal liver metastases were studied
      prospectively. Three areas for lymph node dissection were defined and analyzed
      separately. Lymph nodes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and
      immunohistochemistry for Pan-Keratin. RESULTS: In average, 5 lymph nodes were
      harvested per patient. Macroscopic enlargement was not a definite sign for
      metastatic involvement. No morbidity or mortality was associated with
      lymphadenectomy. In our patients' collective, no cases of lymph node metastases
      occurred. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence of a survival benefit after lymph node
      dissection in patients with CRC liver metastases in the literature. Systematic
      lymphadenectomy can, however, provide a prognostic tool to better plan further
      treatment.

PMID- 27272817
TI  - Efficacy of Ethinylestradiol Re-challenge for Metastatic Castration-resistant
      Prostate Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There has recently been renewed interest in the use of estrogens as a
      treatment strategy for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The purpose
      of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of ethinylestradiol re
      challenge (re-EE) in the management of CRPC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with
      metastatic CRPC who received re-EE after disease progression on prior EE and
      other therapy were retrospectively reviewed for prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
      response, PSA progression-free survival (P-PFS) and adverse events. RESULTS:
      Thirty-six re-EE treatments were performed for 20 patients. PSA response to the
      initial EE treatment was observed in 14 (70%) patients. PSA response to re-EE was
      33.3% in 36 re-EE treatments. The median P-PFS for patients treated with initial
      and re-EE was 7 months and 4 months, respectively. Interestingly, PSA response to
      re-EE was observed even in non-responders to initial EE, and those treated with
      multiple re-EE. No patients developed cardiovascular or thromboembolic events.
      CONCLUSION: Re-EE may be safely repeated several times and can lead to a
      prolonged disease control in selected patients. Re-challenge with EE appears to
      be a reasonable option worth considering for patients with metastatic CRPC.

PMID- 27272818
TI  - Does the Rectus Sheath Block Analgesia Reduce the Inflammatory Response
      Biomarkers' IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-1beta Concentrations Following
      Surgery? A Randomized Clinical Trial of Patients with Cancer and Benign Disease.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate whether the post-surgery placement of the rectus sheath block
      analgesia (RSB) reduces the inflammatory response following surgery. The main
      hypothesis of our study was to find any correlation between patients' pain
      experience, numeric rating scale (NRS) postoperatively and concentrations of
      inflammatory response biomarkers, such as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL
      1ra), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1beta, in patients with benign disease and cancer.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Initially, 46 patients with midline laparotomy were
      randomized to the placebo group (n=11) and to one of the three active groups;
      single-dose (n=12), repeated-dose (n=12) and continuous infusion (n=11) RSB
      analgesia groups. Plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
      (hs-CRP) and five interleukins (IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1beta) were
      measured at three time points; just before, immediately after and 24 h after
      operation. The primary end-point was to compare plasma concentrations of the hs
      CRP and five interleukins in the placebo group and in the three different RSB
      analgesia groups in patients with benign disease and cancer. RESULTS: The placebo
      group and three active groups were similar in terms of demographic variables and
      perioperative data. Of the anti-inflammatory cytokines, patients in the
      continuous infusion group had significantly higher IL-10 median values
      postoperatively than the three other study groups (p=0.029). In addition,
      patients in the three active groups combined had significantly higher IL-10
      median values immediately after operation than the placebo group (p=0.028; in all
      patients with benign disease and cancer). There is a significant correlation
      between the individual values of NRS and IL-10 values postoperatively in the
      placebo group and the three active groups separately (r=0.40, p=0.03) and also a
      significant correlation between the individual values of the NRS scale and IL
      1beta values postoperatively in the placebo group and the three active groups
      separately (r=0.38, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Placement of RSB analgesia does not
      significantly reduce the inflammatory response biomarkers' concentrations in
      patients with benign disease or cancer patients. A new finding in the present
      work is a significant correlation in the NRS scale versus plasma concentrations
      of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta
      postoperatively suggesting that inflammation and pain are related.

PMID- 27272819
TI  - The Role of Image-guided Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Anorectal Cancer Using
      Prone Belly-board Positioning.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate Radiation Therapy Oncology Group planning target volume margins
      of 7-10 mm for radiation therapy in anorectal cancer using prone belly-board
      positioning without image guidance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 375 kV cone beam
      computed tomography image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) images from 20 patients
      treated for anorectal cancer were retrospectively analyzed for setup shifts. We
      calculated the total translational shift for each patient and the frequency with
      which setup shifts exceeded 7 mm and 10 mm. RESULTS: A total of 42.7% of
      treatments required shifts >7 mm and 20.8% >10 mm. The mean translational shift
      was 7.1 mm. 70% of patients experienced shifts >=7 mm in 20% or more of their
      treatments and 25% of >=10 mm in 20% or more of their treatments; 15% experienced
      shifts >=10 mm in over half of their treatments. van Herk calculations suggest
      margins of 12.8 mm are necessary for accuracy without IGRT. CONCLUSION: IGRT
      using a prone belly board and 7-10 mm margins requires daily image-guidance to
      prevent planning target volume misses and ensure optimal dose delivery.

PMID- 27272820
TI  - Clinicopathological Features of Cases with Primary Breast Cancer not Identified
      by 18F-FDG-PET.
AB  - Several studies have reported that high F18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake is
      predictive of poor prognosis and aggressive features in patients with breast
      cancer. While these studies evaluated the prognostic value for cases with high
      FDG uptake, they did not elucidate the meaning of FDG negativity in primary
      breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated the clinicopathological features of
      breast cancer cases without FDG uptake. We retrospectively investigated the cases
      of 219 consecutive patients with primary breast cancer who underwent FDG-positron
      emission tomography (PET) preoperatively. Among the 219 patients, 25 (11.4%) did
      not have FDG uptake in the tumor. The 219 cases with breast cancer were divided
      into two groups based on the presence of FDG uptake in the primary tumor. The
      present univariate analysis revealed that histology, small invasive tumor size,
      high estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PgR) expression, low
      nuclear grade and absence of lymph node metastasis were significantly associated
      with negative FDG uptake in the primary tumor. On the other hand, the size of
      ductal spread was not significantly different between the two groups.
      Multivariate analysis revealed that small-size tumor invasion and lower nuclear
      grade were statistically significant. Among the 25 cases without FDG uptake,
      there was no recurrent disease in spite of there being no case that underwent
      chemotherapy, while 4 cases among the 194 cases with FDG uptake had disease
      recurrence. Our findings imply that preoperative FDG negativity in primary breast
      cancer is effective in predicting better prognosis, but is less effective in
      predicting ductal spread. Cases without FDG uptake in the primary tumor may have
      a lower risk of recurrent disease and may be able to safely avoid adjuvant
      chemotherapy. 

PMID- 27272821
TI  - Hepatic Resection for Liver Metastases from Cervical Cancer Is Safe and May Have
      Survival Benefit.
AB  - The goal of this study was to evaluate the single-centre experience with
      hepatectomy for liver metastases from cervical cancer (CCLM). Fifteen patients
      who underwent such surgery at the Fundeni Clinical Hospital between January 2002
      and April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Liver lesions diagnosed at more
      than 6 months from cervical cancer diagnosis were classified as metachronous
      lesions, while lesions occurring within the first 6 months were considered
      synchronous lesions. Two patients were diagnosed with synchronous CCLM, while the
      other 13 patients had metachronous. Early postoperative death occurred in a
      single patient with metachronous liver metastases and pelvic recurrence, but this
      was not related to liver surgery. The median overall survival for the entire
      cohort was 18 months from the time of liver resection; patients with metachronous
      lesions had an improved outcome when compared to those with synchronous lesions.
      In patients with metachronous liver metastases, prognostic factors associated
      with an improved outcome were the general biological status of the patient, grade
      of tumoural differentiation and absence of other abdomino-pelvic recurrences. In
      multivariate analysis, only the grade of differentiation was statistically
      significant. In conclusion, hepatic resection for liver metastases from cervical
      cancer can be performed safely, may prove effective, and should be part of the
      multimodal treatment. 

PMID- 27272822
TI  - Effect of Sarcopenic Obesity on Outcomes of Living-Donor Liver Transplantation
      for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: We aimed to evaluate the effect of body composition on the
      outcome of living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed LDLT in 153
      patients with HCC and divided the patients into two groups based on skeletal
      muscle mass-to-visceral fat area ratio (SVR), as assessed by computed tomography
      (CT) measurement, namely a low-SVR group (n=38) and a not-low SVR group (n=112).
      We compared surgical outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: A low SVR was
      significantly correlated with a higher body mass index and male sex. No
      differences were found between the two groups in terms of other factors. The
      patients in the low-SVR group had a significantly poorer prognosis than those in
      the not-low SVR group in terms of recurrence-free (p=0.01) and overall (p=0.03)
      survival. The results of the multivariate analysis showed low SVR to be an
      independent and prognostic indicator for patients with HCC who had undergone
      LDLT. CONCLUSION: Pre-transplant body composition measured by CT is a major
      determinant of prognosis in LDLT for HCC in Japan.

PMID- 27272823
TI  - Once Daily Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation: Preliminary Results with
      Helical Tomotherapy(r).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is becoming an option
      for patients with low-risk breast cancer. The current practice is 38.5 Gy in 10
      fractions b.i.d. over 5 days. This fractionation has a higher bioequivalent dose
      compared to the standard schedule. We report on preliminary results of once-daily
      APBI in patients treated with TomoTherapy(r). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with
      unifocal-breast disease who underwent breast-conserving surgery were enrolled in
      the study. Treatment was administered with TomoTherapy, by contouring in
      accordance with the NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413 APBI protocol. Treatment schedule was
      38.5 Gy in 10 once-daily fractions. EORTC Cosmetic Rating System was adopted for
      cosmetic outcome. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2013, 111 patients were treated. With a
      median follow-up of 34 months, no ipsilateral breast recurrence was observed.
      Very few patients (1-4%) assessed their cosmetic outcome as fair or poor during
      follow-up. CONCLUSION: Once-daily APBI with TomoTherapy yielded good cosmetic
      results without compromising local control efficacy.

PMID- 27272824
TI  - Clinical Impact of Laparoscopy and Endoscopy Cooperative Surgery (LECS) on
      Gastric Submucosal Tumor After its Standardization.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery (LECS) is an
      excellent surgical procedure that utilizes the advantages of both methods. This
      study was designed in our hospital to evaluate the clinical usefulness of LECS
      for the removal of gastric submucosal tumors after its standardization. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Between 2007 and 2015, 62 consecutive patients underwent surgical
      resection for gastric submucosal tumors. LECS has been standardized since 2010.
      RESULTS: (i) There were no significant differences in background factors between
      patients (such as sex, age, body mass index (BMI), tumor size and postoperative
      complications), before or after the standardization of LECS. However, after the
      standardization of LECS, patients had a lower incidence of gastrectomy and wedge
      resection (WR) (p<0.001), a smaller amount of blood loss (p=0.001) and a shorter
      hospital stay after surgery (p<0.001) than those before standardization. (ii)
      LECS was associated with a significantly shorter maximum surgical margin of
      resected tumors (p=0.020, LECS vs. WR=10.0 vs. 15.0 mm) compared to WR. Patients
      with upper-third tumors were more frequently treated by LECS than by WR (p=0.014;
      LECS vs. WR=76 % vs. 27 %). CONCLUSION: Standardization of LECS contributes to
      reduction of unnecessary gastrectomy for gastric submucosal tumors. In
      particular, LECS may have merit in the removal of upper-third tumors by avoiding
      wedge resection, which carries the risk of excessive resection and deformity of
      the stomach.

PMID- 27272825
TI  - Ten-year Survivors After Contemporary Management of Advanced 'Horseshoe' Anterior
      Commissure Laryngeal Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combinations of treatment modalities for locally extensive carcinomas
      of the larynx constitute the standard of care. Advanced 'horseshoe' anterior
      commissure laryngeal cancer (HACLC) is a disease entity that has not received
      much attention in the literature. The aims of this study were to evaluate
      prolonged survival in patients after standard combined therapy for HACLC and to
      identify clinicopathological factors influential towards an extended outcome.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients (10-year survivors) with stage III or IV
      laryngeal cancer involving the anterior commissure and both true vocal cords were
      treated with total laryngectomy (and postoperative radiotherapy in 11
      individuals). RESULTS: During follow-up, ranging from 123 to 256 months,
      locoregional recurrent disease and distant metastasis were not observed.
      Complications after therapy were manageable and few. The long-term survivors were
      particularly difficult to characterize. CONCLUSION: The optimal treatment for
      advanced HACLC has not been clarified; however, in this study, total laryngectomy
      and the indicated use of postoperative radiotherapy, were successful in achieving
      long-term disease-free survival. Predictive factors for longevity were not
      detected in this limited experience.

PMID- 27272826
TI  - The Contribution of Dental Implants to Functional Artificial Restoration After
      Treatment of Oral Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate dental implants with regard
      to artificial restoration of oral function and quality of life in patients with
      oral cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 134 implants in 41 patients who
      had undergone jawbone resection as treatment for oral cancer. The patients were
      aged 44-89 (mean=61.5) years, and the male to female ratio was 27:14. RESULTS:
      The 5-year implant success rate was 91.0%. Of the 12 unsuccessful implants, four
      were embedded on bone grafts with skin flaps, four were embedded on skin flaps
      using muscle, and four were embedded after peripheral resection. Of the 41
      patients, 11 received radiation, but exposure to radiation was not associated
      with implant loss. The level of satisfaction on the visual analog scale before
      development of oral cancer was set at 100 mm. Satisfaction fell to 47.0 mm after
      primary treatment, but recovered to 82.6 mm after implant therapy. CONCLUSION:
      Patient satisfaction after implant therapy was high, and the implants resulted in
      improved quality of life. A high proportion of cases involving use of skin flaps
      resulted in implant loss. Constructing an immobile mucous membrane by replacement
      of a skin flap with a skin graft may facilitate self-maintenance of implants.

PMID- 27272827
TI  - Prognostic Impact of EGFR Driver Mutations on Postoperative Disease Recurrence in
      Lung Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sensitizing mutations in patients with
      lung adenocarcinoma who underwent complete surgical resection. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 164 patients with
      lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery from 2003 to 2010. Seventy-four
      patients harbored EGFR mutations; two with exon 18 mutations, 27 with exon 19
      mutations, and 45 with exon 21 mutations. RESULTS: There were more female
      patients and more never-/light smokers among patients with EGFR mutations than
      among patients without EGFR mutations. Patients with EGFR mutations had a trend
      for better disease-free survival and overall survival compared to patients
      without EGFR mutations (p=0.068 and p=0.049, respectively). Patients with exon 21
      mutations had significantly better disease-free survival than patients with exon
      19 mutations (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: Adenocarcinomas harboring EGFR exon 21
      mutation were less malignant than adenocarcinomas harboring exon 19 mutation.

PMID- 27272828
TI  - Distance from Primary Tumor Is the Strongest Predictor for Early Onset of Brain
      Metastases in Melanoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The frequency of brain metastasis (BM) is up to 45-50% in
      patients with advanced melanoma. Our aim was to identify the risk factors for the
      early occurrence of BM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 333 patients with BM
      were identified from our database of 2,972 patients with melanoma between 2003
      2015. RESULTS: The median elapsed time to BM (TTBM) was significantly associated
      with Breslow thickness, ulceration, location, and patient age. Head and neck
      location was the strongest predictor for early BM development [hazard ratio
      (HR)=1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.05-3.12; p=0.031) followed by Breslow
      thickness >2 mm (HR=1.53, 95% CI=1.04-2.23; p=0.027). Body part-specific median
      TTBM was 51.5, 43, 38.5, 32, 35, 36.5, 35.5 and 19 months in leg-foot, thigh,
      abdomen-pelvic, chest-back, lower arm-hand, upper arm-shoulder, face-neck and
      scalp regions, respectively. CONCLUSION: We suggest brain magnetic resonance
      imaging follow-up in the high-risk patient group of patients with melanoma in the
      head and neck region, especially for those with primary melanoma over Breslow 2
      mm located in the scalp.

PMID- 27272829
TI  - Potential Impact of the Overall Treatment Time on Outcomes after Whole-brain
      Irradiation with 10*3 Gy for Brain Metastases.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the impact of the overall treatment time (OTT) of whole-brain
      irradiation (WBI) with 10*3 Gy on outcomes in patients with brain metastases.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients who started WBI on Monday (OTT=12
      days, including one weekend without irradiation) were compared to 257 patients
      who began WBI on Tuesday to Friday (OTT=14 days, including two weekends) for
      intracerebral control and survival. Seven additional factors were analyzed,
      including age, gender, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), tumor type, number (N)
      of brain lesions, extracerebral metastases and interval between cancer diagnosis
      and WBI. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, age (p=0.039), KPS (p<0.001) and N
      brain metastases (p=0.006) were associated with intracerebral control; OTT had no
      significant impact (p=0.20). Age (p<0.001), KPS (p<0.001), N brain metastases
      (p=0.037) and extracerebral metastases (p<0.001) were associated with survival;
      OTT had no significant impact (p=0.37). CONCLUSION: OTT (12 vs. 14 days) had no
      significant impact on outcomes after WBI with 10*3 Gy.

PMID- 27272830
TI  - Depth of Hepatic Infiltration and Lymph Node Swelling as Factors for Considering
      Surgery for T2-4 Gallbladder Carcinoma Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of the present study was to clarify if the degree of
      hepatic infiltration and lymph node swelling of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC)
      should be held as deciding factors for T2-4 GBC patients to undergo surgery.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with T2-4 GBC who underwent
      surgery were reviewed retrospectively. We investigated the preoperative
      information and imaging factors as predictors of survival. RESULTS: The estimated
      overall survival in all patients was lower in patients with hepatic infiltration
      >=5 mm (n=12) than in those with <5 mm (n=38) (p=0.003). Multivariate analyses
      demonstrated that liver infiltration >=5 mm (OR=2.251; 95%CI=0.906-5.596,
      p=0.081) and lymph node swelling (OR=2.462; 95%CI=1.034-5.859, p=0.042) were risk
      factors of poor survival. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that >=5 mm liver
      infiltration and lymph node swelling may serve as deciding factors for surgery
      consideration in GBC patients.

PMID- 27272831
TI  - Radiation Therapy Alone Provides Excellent Outcomes for Spinal Cord Compression
      from Vertebral Lymphoma.
AB  - AIM: Malignant spinal cord compression (SCC) is treated with radiotherapy (RT).
      Additional neurosurgery has become more widely used since a trial showed a
      benefit for selected patients. Although lymphomas were excluded from that trial,
      neurosurgery is also increasingly being performed in these patients. This study
      investigated whether neurosurgery is actually required for this group. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients receiving RT alone for SCC from vertebral
      lymphoma were analyzed for motor function, walking ability, in-field recurrence
      and survival. RESULTS: Overall response was 100% (72% improvement, 28% stable).
      At 1, 6 and 12 months after RT, 83%, 100% and 100% of patients were able to walk;
      64%, 100%, and 100% of non-ambulatory patients regained their walking ability.
      Freedom from in-field recurrence was 100% at 6 and 12 months. Survival rates at 6
      and 12 months were 79% and 75%. CONCLUSION: RT alone resulted in excellent
      outcomes for SCC from lymphoma. These patients may not require surgery.

PMID- 27272832
TI  - Magnetic Tissue Engineering for Voice Rehabilitation - First Steps in a Promising
      Field.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The voice is one of the most important instruments of
      communication between humans. It is the product of intact and well-working vocal
      folds. A defect of these structures causes dysphonia, associated with a clear
      reduction of quality of life. Tissue engineering of the vocal folds utilizing
      magnetic cell levitation after nanoparticle loading might be a technique to
      overcome this challenging problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vocal fold fibroblasts
      (VFFs) were isolated from rabbit larynges and cultured. For magnetization, cells
      were incubated with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) and the
      loading efficiency was determined by Prussian blue staining. Biocompatibility was
      analyzed in flow cytometry by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate
      propidium iodide, 1,1',3,3,3',3'-hexamethylindodicarbo-cyanine iodide [DiIC1(5)]
      and propidium idodide-Triton X-100 to monitor phosphatidylserine exposure, plasma
      membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA degradation.
      RESULTS: Isolated VFFs can be successfully loaded with SPION, and optimal iron
      loading associated with minimized cytotoxicity represents a balancing act in
      magnetic tissue engineering. CONCLUSION: Our data are a firm basis for the next
      steps of investigations. Magnetic tissue engineering using magnetic nanoparticle
      loaded cells which form three-dimensional structures in a magnetic field will be
      a promising approach in the future.

PMID- 27272834
TI  - Expression of the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor in Odontogenic Myxoma.
AB  - Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is a rare mesenchymal tumour arising in the jaws. The
      origin and pathogenesis of OM is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to
      characterize OM by immunolocalization of certain antigens in the tumour that are
      relevant for cellular differentiation, migration and maintenance. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Five OMs were immunohistochemically investigated for expression of
      nestin, CD133, podoplanin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R).
      RESULTS: OM failed to react with antibodies applied in this study, with the
      exception of IGF-1R in tumour cells. DISCUSSION: OM is a poorly characterized
      benign, invasive tumour of the jaws. The absence of stem cell marker in OM does
      not exclude possible temporary expression of these antigens during certain phases
      of tumour development. The identification of IGF-1R in OM is shared with numerous
      tumours and indicates the ability of these tumour cells to respond to growth
      factors.

PMID- 27272833
TI  - Toxicity of Mitoxantrone-loaded Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in a
      HT-29 Tumour Spheroid Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Cancer research is commonly carried out in two-dimensional (2D)
      cell cultures, which poorly reflect in vivo settings where the growing tumours
      are exposed to mechanical forces and biochemical gradients. In this study we
      established a HF-29 colon carcinoma tumor spheroid model to investigate the
      effect of free mitoxantrone (MTO) and its nanoparticle-bound form (SPION(MTO))
      under 3D cell culture conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumour spheroids were
      generated by seeding HT-29 colon carcinoma cells on agarose-coated cell culture
      wells. Growth of the spheroids was monitored daily by transmission microscopy
      upon treatment with free MTO, SPION(MTO) or unloaded SPION. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSION: Unloaded SPION did not affect the spheroid size compared to untreated
      controls, while both free MTO and SPION(MTO) inhibited growth of the spheroids in
      a dose- and time-dependent manner. In comparison to free MTO, the effect of
      SPION(MTO) on spheroid growth was slightly delayed. Further analyses are
      necessary to investigate if MTO infiltrates spheroids in its nanoparticle-bound
      form or whether it is released from SPION before infiltration.

PMID- 27272835
TI  - Cherubism: A Case Report with Surgical Intervention.
AB  - Cherubism is a rare benign, autosomal-dominant hereditary fibro-osseous condition
      predominantly affecting the jaws. Symmetrical cyst-like expansions of the jaws
      cause the characteristic facial swellings. The disease is often associated with
      severe malposition of teeth. The gene for cherubism is src homology 3 binding
      protein 2 (SH3BP2) located on chromosome 4p16.3. The repeated experience of this
      self-limiting disorder in affected individuals published in the medical
      literature has resulted in a wait-and-see strategy regarding therapeutic options.
      Indeed, cessation and regression of even large bone expansions can be expected in
      early adulthood. Nevertheless, severe facial disfiguring and functional
      impairment can make surgical intervention necessary. This report details the
      surgical procedures carried out in a patient with progressive and disfiguring jaw
      expansions at the end of adolescence, the mutation of SH3BP2 gene, and the
      limited effect of surgically assisted orthodontic tooth movement in a patient
      with disease-associated impaired tooth development and tooth eruption. 

PMID- 27272836
TI  - Expression of DOG1 (Using SP31) in Poorly Differentiated Carcinoma of the Head
      and Neck.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The calcium-activated chloride channel protein discovered on
      gastrointestinal stromal tumour 1 (DOG1) is expressed in a variety of normal and
      neoplastic tissues. DOG1 is a specific marker for gastrointestinal stromal
      tumour. In the head and neck region, DOG1 is a sensitive discriminator for acinar
      cell carcinoma. Only a few publications have presented data concerning the
      expression of DOG1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The
      expression of DOG1 in HNSCC appears to be associated with a poor prognosis. The
      aim of this study was to analyze the expression pattern of DOG1 in poorly
      differentiated carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      A total of 84 specimens from 31 patients with carcinomas of the upper
      aerodigestive tract were immunohistochemically investigated for DOG1 expression.
      Inclusion criterion was poorly to undifferentiated carcinoma of the head and
      neck, but samples of the same resection site that exhibited moderate or well
      differentiated squamous cell carcinoma were also enrolled. Immunoreactivity in
      carcinomas was estimated using a visual score (0: negative; 1: basally positive,
      2: parabasally positive, 3: completely positive, 4: basally and parabasally
      positive). RESULTS: Fifteen out of 84 specimens were immunoreactive to antibody
      to DOG1 (17.8%). DOG1 immunoreactivity was restricted to eight patients (25.8%).
      However, DOG1 expression was considerably heterogeneous in tumours, with three
      (9.6%) cases showing a positive reaction in all samples. Basal and parabasal
      staining patterns (five specimens each) dominated. DISCUSSION: This study
      demonstrated expression of DOG1 to be restricted to some poorly differentiated
      carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. Although the proportion of DOG1
      positive carcinomas was moderate compared to results of previous studies on head
      and neck cancer tissues, DOG1 expression possibly indicates a subset of HNSCC.
      Further studies are necessary to investigate the heterogeneity and clinical
      relevance of DOG1 expression in HNSCC.

PMID- 27272837
TI  - Determination of Interleukin-4, -5, -6, -8 and -13 in Serum of Patients with
      Breast Cancer Before Treatment and its Correlation to Circulating Tumor Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in women with breast cancer are an
      indication of prognosis before starting systemic treatment. The aim of this study
      was the evaluation of cytokine profiles as marker for CTC involvement. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: The analysis of CTCs, the time of blood sampling and the methodology
      were prospectively designed. There were two groups of patients: 100 women with a
      positive result for presence of CTCs and 100 women negative for CTCs. These
      groups were matched into pairs by tumor factors and survival/death. A multi-array
      ELISA was used to screen T-helper cell (Th) 2 cytokines. The results were
      analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: In
      patients who were CTC-negative, expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-13 was
      increased (p=0.017 and p=0.045, respectively) if they were negative for
      progesterone receptor. In patients who died from their tumor, correlation between
      hormone receptor negativity and an increase in IL-4 was found. IL-5 was increased
      in patients with lymph node-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
      (HER2)-positive disease (p=0.042). Moreover IL-4 was increased in patients with
      progesterone receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative status (p=0.024).
      Furthermore, the level of IL-6 was increased in patients with tumor grade G3
      without progesterone receptor expression. CONCLUSION: Th2 cytokines are
      significantly modified in patients who are CTC-negative and progesterone receptor
      positive. We suppose that an increase of IL-4 depends on hormone receptor status.
      In literature, a correlation between IL-4 and resistance to apoptosis is
      described. We suspect that IL-4 is responsible for the poor outcome of these
      cases.

PMID- 27272838
TI  - Immunohistochemical Evaluation of the Role of p53 Mutation in Cervical Cancer:
      Ser-20 p53-Mutant Correlates with Better Prognosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is driven by human papillomavirus virus-specific
      oncoprotein E6. E6 interacts with E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, resulting in the
      proteolysis of p53 protein. The aim of this study was to analyze one TP53
      mutation in patients with cervical cancer and to correlate it to prognosis.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 248 paraffin-embedded tumor samples were
      stained for mutated p53 protein. The distribution and intensity of staining both
      in the nucleus and cytoplasm were evaluated with a semi-quantitative
      immunohistochemical score. RESULTS: A total of 66% of studied cervical carcinomas
      expressed the mutated p53 protein. The overall survival was better for patients
      expressing the mutated p53 protein in the nucleus. CONCLUSION: Interestingly, we
      found a very high mutation rate of TP53 in a cancer type where p53 is initially
      inactivated via E6 during the development of cervical cancer. An unexpected
      finding is the correlation of this mutation with better survival, possibly due to
      better response to therapy.

PMID- 27272839
TI  - FOXP3+ Cells Recruited by CCL22 into Breast Cancer Correlates with Less Tumor
      Nodal Infiltration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are a T-cell subpopulation with
      suppressive capacities, which are specifically attracted by C-C motif chemokine
      22 (CCL22). Treg infiltration of tumors is associated with a poor prognosis in
      many patients. We aimed to investigate whether CCL22 is expressed in human breast
      cancer and whether its presence is associated with Treg infiltration. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Eighty paraffin-embedded human breast cancer samples were stained
      for CCL22 and for the Treg-specific transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3).
      Expression was evaluated in a semi-quantitative manner. RESULTS: FOXP3(+) cells
      infiltrated 50% of the breast tumors. Moreover, Treg infiltrated 93% of the
      tertiary lymphoid structures. CCL22 expression positively correlated with
      FOXP3(+) cell infiltration into the tertiary lymphoid structures. CONCLUSION: Our
      results demonstrate that CCL22 expression correlates with infiltration by
      FOXP3(+) cells. Interestingly, Treg presence negatively correlated with positive
      nodal status. In addition to their unfavorable role as mediators of evasion from
      antitumor immune response, Tregs might also have a beneficial role by reducing
      inflammation thereby limiting early tumor growth and spreading.

PMID- 27272840
TI  - Effect of BSA-coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Granulosa
      Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) possess
      unique features, they provide a huge platform for medical applications,
      especially for cancer diagnosis and therapy (e.g. imaging, and drug targeting).
      However, heterogeneous effects on mammalian cells with regard to reproductive
      tissue are described. An experimental study was carried out to study the effects
      of SPIONs on both the expression of steroid hormone receptor and viability of
      granulosa cells, which play a key role in ovarian health and fertility. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Human granulosa cells were cultured in vitro and incubated with
      different concentrations of SPIONs. After 48 h, steroid receptor expression and
      cell viability were evaluated. RESULTS: Treatment of granulosa cells with SPIONs
      did not affect estrogen receptor beta1 or progesterone receptor-A expression and
      had no significant effect on cell viability. CONCLUSION: Nanoparticles precoated
      with bovine serum albumin (BSA) do not alter granulosa cell phenotype, whereas
      literature suggests that other nanoparticles induce apoptosis and reduce steroid
      receptor expression. Our data indicate an overall better outcome using SPIONs
      coated with BSA.

PMID- 27272841
TI  - Recurrent Maxillary Odontogenic Myxoma Following Partial Maxillary Resection and
      Consecutive Osseous Reconstruction Including Tooth Transplantation.
AB  - Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is a rare tumour arising in the jaws. The tumour is
      purported to be odontogenic in origin due to the frequent localisation of the
      tumour inside the jaws in close relation to teeth. The aim of this report was to
      detail the course of a patient who developed OM of the maxilla, underwent
      adequate ablative surgery and reconstruction, including tooth transplantation to
      the original tumour site, and subsequently developed a local recurrence in close
      proximity to the teeth transplanted to the reconstructed maxilla 6 years after
      the first diagnosis. Once again, a partial maxillary resection was performed,
      with no reconstruction. The patient has been free from tumour recurrence for over
      20 years. We discuss the current hypothesis on OM pathogenesis and the possible
      impact of actively dividing cells on tumour re-growth. 

PMID- 27272842
TI  - Expansive Extracranial Growth of Intracranial Meningioma in Neurofibromatosis
      Type 2.
AB  - The purpose of this report is to detail three rare cases of neurofibromatosis
      type 2 (NF2) with symptomatic extracranial extension of intracranial meningioma.
      We present ocular findings, imaging techniques applied, pathological findings of
      the space-occupying lesions, and therapy. One of these patients, the daughter of
      one of the other individuals, presented with a large neck mass, but no surgically
      treatable findings associated with the external growth of the meningioma. The
      patients complained of symptoms associated with the extracranial portion of the
      intracranial meningioma, rather than of the intracranial primaries. However,
      facial and neck surgical care is very limited in patients with such advanced
      stage tumours. The prolongation of life was unquestionably predominantly
      determined by the behaviour of the intracranial tumour. Head and neck surgeons
      should be aware of the rare possibility that solid tumours of this region could
      be extracranial-extending meningioma in an inherited disease. 

PMID- 27272843
TI  - Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma - Unknown Primary Affecting the Neck.
AB  - The present report describes therapy and follow-up of a patient who experienced a
      localized swelling of the neck that proved to be a mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
      Extensive staging revealed no primary site. Therapy was modified neck dissection
      followed by external application of chemotherapy combined with fractionated
      radiotherapy. Over a period of 43 months, the patient has remained free of local
      tumour growth and distant metastasis. Whereas prognosis of mucoepidermoid
      carcinoma in general is good, prognosis of patients affected by mucoepidermoid
      carcinoma with carcinoma of unknown primary is ambiguous. 

PMID- 27272844
TI  - Clinical Value of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen (SCCAg) in Anal Cancer - A
      Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.
AB  - AIM: To assess the clinical value of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg) in
      anal cancer for chemoradiotherapy (CRT) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 24
      patients with SCC of the anus, SCCAg was determined before CRT and at every
      follow-up visit. RESULTS: 16/24 (66.7%) had normal SCCAg and 11/16 (68.8%)
      achieved complete remission (CR), while 7/8 (87.5%) with elevated SCCAg achieved
      CR. In two patients, elevated SCCAg was observed after radiotherapy. One was
      false-positive and one was true-positive leading to diagnosis of metachronous
      recurrent and metastatic disease after interim CR. CONCLUSION: SCCAg was
      inappropriate to predict the clinical outcome but can provide additional
      information on the regular follow-up examinations to detect a relapse.

PMID- 27272845
TI  - Expression of the Tumor-associated Mucin 1 Epitope Analyzed with the Humanized
      PankoMab-GEXTM Antibody in Malignant and Normal Tissues of the Head and Neck.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During neoplasia, glycosylation changes. In this setting, mucins,
      especially mucin 1 (MUC1), become carriers for oncofetal carbohydrates and
      relieve invasive growth. The recently described tumor-associated MUC1 epitope TA
      MUC1 is primarily restricted to malignancies and is overexpressed in these
      tissues. The humanized monoclonal antibody PankoMab-GEX specifically recognizes
      TA-MUC1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laryngeal cancer specimens (n=125) and normal
      tissue of head and neck (n=7) were used in this study. Paraffin-embedded sections
      were incubated with PankoMab-GEX. Staining reaction was carried out using
      peroxidase (POD) labeling and diaminobenzidine (DAB). Breast cancer tissue was
      used as positive control and negative control used non-specific mouse IgM. Semi
      quantitative evaluation by two independent double-blinded investigators,
      including a pathologist, used the immunoreactive score (IRS) of Remmele and
      Stegner. RESULTS: A total of 31 out of 125 laryngeal cancer specimens were
      classified as G1. Of these, 22 (71%) were completely negative for TA-MUC1, the
      remaining 9 showed very weak staining, with an IRS of 2. A total of 94 cases of
      cancer specimens were classified as G2 and G3; 34 of them were also negative, but
      60 had an IRS of up to 9. All investigated normal tissue of the upper
      aerodigestive tract was completely negative for TA-MUC1. CONCLUSION: G1 tumors
      are completely negative or do not reach an IRS relevant range. The finding that
      G1 tumors are completely negative for TA-MUC1 or have IRS<=2 can be helpful for
      histopathological examination, especially concerning tumor grading. Therefore,
      this antibody holds great potential for use as a therapeutic antibody in
      laryngeal cancer.

PMID- 27272846
TI  - Thyroid Hormones and Vitamin D in Patients with Breast Cancer with Mutations in
      BRCA1 or BRCA2 Genes.
AB  - AIM: The thyroid hormones free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4),
      thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and vitamin D seem to be involved in the
      process of differentiation and proliferation of breast tissue. Little is known
      about these factors in breast cancer 1 and 2 (BRCA1/BRCA2)-mutation carriers with
      breast cancer (BC). The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the
      association of thyroid gland function and vitamin D with BC in patients with BRCA
      mutations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: At the Department of Hereditary Breast and
      Ovarian Cancer of the Ludwig Maximilian University Hospital of Munich, 40
      patients with BC (10 patients with mutations in the BRCA1 gene, 10 with mutations
      in the BRCA2 gene, and 20 without mutations, as control group) were selected for
      analysis of the following parameters: fT3, fT4, TSH and vitamin D. The primary
      diagnosis was made between 21 and 62 years of age. The patients were matched by
      age. Anamnestic data were evaluated concerning disorders of the thyroid gland and
      primary BC diagnosis. RESULTS: In patients with BC, BRCA mutations are not
      associated with thyroidal dysfunctions. A significantly increased level of
      vitamin D in BRCA2-mutation carriers compared to those without mutation (p=0.02)
      was detected. The grade of the tumors in the BRCA2 group was better than in those
      with mutation. BRCA1-mutation carriers had an increased incidence of primary BC
      diagnosis during pregnancy (30% vs. 0%) in comparison to those without mutation.
      CONCLUSION: No association between the thyroid hormones and BC in BRCA1/2
      mutation carriers was found. Vitamin D was significantly elevated in BRCA2
      mutation carriers and the observation of a better tumor grade in this group could
      be consistent with the ability of vitamin D to inhibit growth and induce
      differentiation.

PMID- 27272847
TI  - Sport in the Rehabilitation of Patients After Total Laryngectomy.
AB  - AIM: Laryngectomy due to cancer leads to decreased physical activity of patients.
      Rehabilitation programs focus on the improvement of voice and swallowing but the
      role of rehabilitation sports for such patients is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      We interviewed all 38 patients (five women, 33 men; median age 56 years) of our
      patient's advocacy group. All had undergone laryngectomy because of cancer. We
      asked them to report their sporting activities and summarized their descriptions.
      RESULTS: Overall, 12 patients were members of our swimming group and had
      performed aqua gymnastics and swimming training in order to stabilize or improve
      the muscle structures of the neck and backbone. A further four patients only took
      part in swimming training. The training frequency was twice per month; when
      patients were introduced to the program, they increased this frequency to 4
      5/month. Three patients started cycling with mountain bikes covering distances of
      between 30 and 50 km. A further two patients were able to follow our cycling
      program using e-bikes. Twenty patients reported walking weekly between 10 and 16
      km. All patients summarized the positive impact of sports on their personal well
      being. CONCLUSION: Swimming, aqua-fitness, cycling and (Nordic) walking are
      favourable sport disciplines for patients after laryngectomy for laryngeal
      cancer. Special training programs should be developed and included in
      rehabilitation procedures for patients after multimodal therapy of laryngeal
      cancer.

PMID- 27272848
TI  - Immunohistochemical Evaluation of E6/E7 HPV Oncoproteins Staining in Cervical
      Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes (i.e. 16 and 18)
      lead to uterine cervical cancer as well as HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer
      (OSCC), a form of head and neck cancer. The induction of HPV-induced cancer is
      driven by virus-specific oncoproteins E6 and E7. E6 protein of HPV types 16 and
      18 interacts with the E3 ubiquitin protein ligase, resulting in ubiquitination
      and proteolysis of tumor protein p53. E7 inactivates retinoblastoma protein (Rb)
      by phosphorylation followed by an increase of free eukaryotic transcription
      factor E2F (E2F) in the cell. This leads to an increase of cyclin-dependent
      kinase inhibitor p16, that is used as an immunohistochemical marker of HPV
      associated OSCC. Unfortunately, p16 is not exclusively increased by E7
      oncoprotein in carcinogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an
      immunohistochemical approach for the direct detection of E6/E7 oncoproteins in
      uterine cervical cancer as well as in OSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Paraffin
      sections of uterine cervical cancer and 130 were analyzed. Immunohistochemical
      staining protocols were evaluated with tissue slides from patients with cervical
      dysplasia (CIN III) and squamous epithelial carcinoma tissue with HPV infection.
      Liver and placental tissues were used as negative controls. E6-Specific antibody
      (Biorbyt) was used as primary antibody. The polymer staining method and
      diaminobenzidine were applied for further development. Panels of E7-specific
      antibodies were tested. Again, the polymer staining method and diaminobenzidine
      were applied for further development. RESULTS: E6-Specific antibody revealed
      specific and intense staining after pre-incubation of tissue slides with citrate
      buffer solution. Only the E7 antibody obtained from Chemicon showed intense and
      specific staining in patients with CIN III and squamous epithelial carcinoma
      tissue. Pre-incubation with proteinase K diminished non-specific reaction.
      CONCLUSION: Our results revealed a useful staining protocol for the
      immunohistochemical evaluation of E6/E7 oncoprotein expression in uterine
      cervical cancer, as well as in HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. Advantages of
      this method compared to mRNA in situ hybridization of E6/E7 are the much lower
      costs, as well as the broader applicability in pathological practice.

PMID- 27272849
TI  - Methylation of the ER-alpha Promoter Is Influenced by its Ligand Estrogen in
      Osteosarcoma Cells SAOS-2 In Vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The aggressive fast-growing osteosarcoma is the most common
      primary malignant bone tumor. The relevance of estrogen as a key player in bone
      metabolism and bone tumor is well-known. At the molecular level, estrogen
      activates the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) as a natural ligand of this
      receptor. ERalpha acts as a transcription factor by binding to the "estrogen
      response element" (ERE) and regulates the expression of a various number of
      genes. Epigenetic processes, e.g. the methylation of the "cytosine-phosphatidyl
      guanine (CpG) islands" can change the transcription of target genes and
      subsequently the protein expression. As DNA methylation is generally associated
      with gene transcription repression, up until now little is known about the
      ERalpha methylation in osteosarcoma cells. The aim of the present pilot study was
      to evaluate the methylation status of ERalpha in osteosarcoma cells SAOS-2 and MG
      63 after stimulation with estrogen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SAOS-2 and MG 63 cells
      were cultured in DMEM. After treatment with 10 nmol estrogen (E2) for 24 h, the
      expression of ERalpha was detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC). As controls we
      used untreated cells. Staining was evaluated semi-quantitatively by the
      immunoreactive score of Remmele and Stegner (IRS). To determine mRNA gene
      expression, extracted RNA was transcribed into c-DNA and a quantitative real-time
      PCR (qRT-PCR) was carried out. The semi quantitative evaluation of the ERalpha
      mRNA was based on the 2(-DeltaDeltact) method using untreated cells as reference
      control. One microgram of each extracted genomic DNA sample was converted with
      bisulfite and a real-time methylation-specific PCR (rt-MSP) was performed.
      RESULTS: The estrogen-stimulated SAOS-2 cells showed a significant increase of
      ERalpha expression. A 7-fold up-regulation of ERalpha mRNA confirmed the results
      of immunocytochemistry. Methylation of the ERalpha promoter was not detected in
      treated cells. In contrast, we identified methylation of the ERalpha promoters in
      untreated cells. The staining of MG 63 cells showed a weak gain of ERalpha
      expression in the stimulated cells, as well as a weak increase of the ER-alpha
      mRNA (2-fold). Methylation of the ERalpha promoters was not detectable in either
      treated or untreated cells. CONCLUSION: The methylation status of ERalpha in
      osteosarcoma cells is affected by estrogen. These findings indicate that
      epigenetic changes of genomic DNA regulate ERalpha synthesis. Taken together, our
      results suggest that SAOS-2 cells can be an interesting model for further
      investigating ERalpha synthesis. In addition, the evaluation of ERalpha
      methylation in osteosarcoma specimens is in progress.

PMID- 27272850
TI  - Endometrial Adenocarcinoma: Analysis of Circulating Tumour Cells by RT-qPCR.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endometrial adenocarcinoma is a frequently occurring cancer in women,
      accounting for 42,000 deaths every year. Despite treatment with standard therapy,
      occurrence of remote metastases and local recurrences is high. Through help of RT
      qPCR minimal residual disease could be detected and characterized, facilitating
      therapeutic decision making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of marker genes were
      first tested in model systems and genes that performed best, were consequently
      used for the examination of 13 blood samples from endometrial carcinoma patients.
      RESULTS: Cytokeratin 19 and MIG7 were chosen for the analysis in patient samples.
      Both genes were found up-regulated in small tumours and in one large tumour, but
      no statistical correlations could be revealed between expression levels of these
      two genes and tumour characteristics. CONCLUSION: There seems to be a coherence
      between gene expression and the stage of tumorigenesis, but the number of samples
      is still too small, to be able to obtain statistical significant differences.

PMID- 27272851
TI  - New Marker Genes for Real-Time PCR-based Detection of Circulating Tumour Cells
      from Blood of Breast Cancer Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from peripheral
      blood of cancer patients can be carried out by real-time PCR approaches using
      different gene expression levels of tumour cells and surrounding blood cells.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Potential marker genes were first analyzed in a model
      system and then applied to 20 blood samples of adjuvant breast cancer patients
      and gene expression levels were correlated to tumour characteristics. RESULTS:
      The mean of gene expression levels was found elevated for the four genes analyzed
      in the adjuvant breast cancer patient group in comparison to the samples of the
      group of healthy donors, but no correlation between gene expression and tumour
      characteristics could be detected as being statistically significant. CONCLUSION:
      The results demonstrated, that the employed methodology is functional, but has to
      be refined by certain approaches like simultaneously running a state-of-the-art
      system of CTC-detection comparing the results, and by an enlargement of patient
      collective and number of marker genes.

PMID- 27272852
TI  - Immunocytochemical Characterization of Disseminated Tumour Cells from Bone Marrow
      of Breast Cancer Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The occurrence of disseminated tumour cells in bone marrow of
      patients with breast cancer is linked to a worse prognosis. We present a method
      for DTC detection from bone marrow samples based on immunocytochemistry, using
      breast cancer-associated glycosylation molecules as markers for detection and
      characterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double immunofluorescence staining of
      a pan-cytokeratin (CK) marker and either Tn or O-Acetyl-GD3 was carried out in
      artificial and patient bone marrow samples. RESULTS: The sample in which most
      cells stained positive for CK/Tn and CK/O-AC-GD3, was obtained from a patient who
      certainly had remote metastases. All other bone marrow samples showed
      heterogenous staining, so no correlation to tumour characteristics could be
      revealed. CONCLUSION: A certain characterization of tumour cells can be achieved
      by a double staining of bone marrow samples with CK and a glycosylation marker.
      For future studies, analysis should be extended to a larger patient collective
      and further examination of more glycosylation markers should be carried out.

PMID- 27272854
TI  - Genome Editing. The Next Step in Gene Therapy.

PMID- 27272855
TI  - RNA-Protein Complexes and Interactions. Methods and Protocols.

PMID- 27272856
TI  - Natural Killer Cells.

PMID- 27272857
TI  - Epigenetics - A Different Way of Looking at Genetics.

PMID- 27272858
TI  - Immunology of the Skin. Basic and Clinical Sciences in Skin Immune Responses.

PMID- 27272860
TI  - Statistical Genomics. Methods and Protocols.

PMID- 27272859
TI  - Novel Biomarkers in the Continuum of Breast Cancer.

PMID- 27272862
TI  - Targeting Oral Cancer.

PMID- 27272861
TI  - Introduction to Molecular Vaccinology.

PMID- 27272863
TI  - Utility of Bromelain and N-Acetylcysteine in Treatment of Peritoneal
      Dissemination of Gastrointestinal Mucin-Producing Malignancies.

PMID- 27272864
TI  - Vascular Tumors and Developmental Malformations. Pathogenic Mechanisms and
      Molecular Diagnosis.

PMID- 27272865
TI  - Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer.

PMID- 27272866
TI  - Intestinal Polyposis Syndromes.

PMID- 27272867
TI  - Prostatitis and Its Management.

PMID- 27272868
TI  - Immunopharmacogenomics.

PMID- 27272870
TI  - Immunohistochemistry. Essential Elements and Beyond.

PMID- 27272869
TI  - Angiogenesis in Health, Diseases and Malignancy.

PMID- 27272871
TI  - Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Cancer.

PMID- 27272872
TI  - Analysis of Single-Cell Data. ODE Constrained Mixture Modeling and Approximate
      Bayesian Computation.

PMID- 27272874
TI  - Biphasic Effect of Diabetes on Neuronal Nitric Oxide Release in Rat Mesenteric
      Arteries.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We analysed possible time-dependent changes in nitrergic
      perivascular innervation function from diabetic rats and mechanisms implicated.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In endothelium-denuded mesenteric arteries from control
      and four- (4W) and eight-week (8W) streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats the
      vasoconstriction to EFS (electrical field stimulation) was analysed before and
      after preincubation with L-NAME. Neuronal NO release was analysed in the absence
      and presence of L-arginine, tetrahydrobiopterine (BH4) and L-arginine plus BH4.
      Superoxide anion (O2-), peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)
      activity were measured. Expressions of Cu-Zn SOD, nNOS, p-nNOS Ser1417, p-nNOS
      Ser847, and Arginase (Arg) I and II were analysed. RESULTS: EFS response was
      enhanced at 4W, and to a lesser extent at 8W. L-NAME increased EFS response in
      control rats and at 8W, but not at 4W. NO release was decreased at 4W and
      restored at 8W. L-arginine or BH4 increased NO release at 4W, but not 8W. SOD
      activity and O2- generation were increased at both 4W and 8W. ONOO- decreased at
      4W while increased at 8W. Cu-Zn SOD, nNOS and p-NOS Ser1417 expressions remained
      unmodified at 4W and 8W, whereas p-nNOS Ser847 was increased at 4W. ArgI was
      overexpressed at 4W, remaining unmodified at 8W. ArgII expression was similar in
      all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a time-dependent effect of diabetes on
      neuronal NO release. At 4W, diabetes induced increased O2- generation, nNOS
      uncoupling and overexpression of ArgI and p-nNOS Ser847, resulting in decreased
      NO release. At 8W, NO release was restored, involving normalisation of ArgI and p
      nNOS Ser847 expressions.

PMID- 27272884
TI  - Acousto-microfluidics for screening of ssDNA aptamer.
AB  - We demonstrate a new screening method for obtaining a prostate-specific antigen
      (PSA) binding aptamer based on an acoustofluidic separation (acoustophoreis)
      technique. Since acoustophoresis provides simultaneous washing and separation in
      a continuous flow mode, we efficiently obtained a PSA binding aptamer that shows
      high affinity without any additional washing step, which is necessary in other
      screening methods. In addition, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was applied to
      accelerate the identification of the screened ssDNA pool, improving the selecting
      process of the aptamer candidate based on the frequency ranking of the sequences.
      After the 8(th) round of the acoustophoretic systematic evolution of ligands by
      exponential enrichment (SELEX) and following sequence analysis with NGS, 7 PSA
      binding ssDNA aptamer-candidates were obtained and characterized with surface
      plasmon resonance (SPR) for affinity and specificity. As a result of the new
      SELEX method with PSA as the model target protein, the best PSA binding aptamer
      showed specific binding to PSA with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.7 nM.

PMID- 27272885
TI  - Workshop Proceedings: Streamlined Development of Safety Assessment Programs
      Supporting Orphan/Rare Diseases-Are We There Yet?
AB  - A workshop entitled "Streamlined Development of Safety Assessment Programs
      Supporting Orphan/Rare Diseases-Are We There Yet?" was held at the 36th Annual
      Meeting of the American College of Toxicology in Summerlin, Nevada. The workshop
      was sponsored by Shire and Ultragenyx and was designed to present the nonclinical
      considerations for the development of various products for rare diseases. A panel
      of experts from industry and government highlighted the nonclinical
      considerations in developing toxicology programs supporting rare disease
      therapeutics, challenges in preclinical safety assessment, reviewed the current
      guidance, and presented the progress that has been made to date. The main
      learning from the workshop was that nonclinical testing of therapeutics targeting
      rare disease warrants special considerations, and early collaboration between
      sponsors and health authorities may help optimize the scope and timing of the
      supportive studies. Specific examples for nonclinical development programs for
      enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) were presented. Although the symposium focused
      on ERTs, the concepts are broadly applicable.

PMID- 27272886
TI  - Satisfaction with information about ionising radiation: a comparative study in
      Belgium and France.
AB  - In recent decades efforts have been made to meet societal expectations concerning
      public access to information and to enable citizens' informed decision-making
      related to ionising radiation risks. But are people satisfied with the
      information provided and which factors influence this? This paper investigates
      lay persons' satisfaction with the information about ionising radiation provided
      by different communicators in Belgium and France. In particular, it studies the
      potential influence of risk perception, confidence in authorities, knowledge and
      education. The study is based on data originating from large scale public opinion
      surveys (N  =  1002 in Belgium; N  =  966 in France). Results show that the two
      countries differ as regards satisfaction with the information provided by
      specific communicators. Confidence in authorities was revealed in both countries
      as more important for satisfaction with information than risk perception.
      Contrary to expectations, general knowledge about ionising radiation had limited
      or no explanatory power. An additional study for the Belgian sample showed that
      both perceived trustworthiness and technical competence influence satisfaction
      with information, but their relative importance depends on the communicator.

PMID- 27272887
TI  - The Clinical and Cost Effectiveness of Apremilast for Treating Active Psoriatic
      Arthritis: A Critique of the Evidence.
AB  - As part of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
      single technology appraisal (STA) process, the manufacturer of apremilast was
      invited to submit evidence for its clinical and cost effectiveness for the
      treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) for whom disease-modifying anti
      rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been inadequately effective, not tolerated or
      contraindicated. The Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and Centre for Health
      Economics at the University of York were commissioned to act as the independent
      Evidence Review Group (ERG). This paper provides a description of the ERG review
      of the company's submission, the ERG report and submission and summarises the
      NICE Appraisal Committee's subsequent guidance (December 2015). In the company's
      initial submission, the base-case analysis resulted in an incremental cost
      effectiveness ratio (ICER) of L14,683 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY)
      gained for the sequence including apremilast (positioned before tumour necrosis
      factor [TNF]-alpha inhibitors) versus a comparator sequence without apremilast.
      However, the ERG considered that the base-case sequence proposed by the company
      represented a limited set of potentially relevant treatment sequences and
      positions for apremilast. The company's base-case results were therefore not a
      sufficient basis to inform the most efficient use and position of apremilast. The
      exploratory ERG analyses indicated that apremilast is more effective (i.e.
      produces higher health gains) when positioned after TNF-alpha inhibitor
      therapies. Furthermore, assumptions made regarding a potential beneficial effect
      of apremilast on long-term Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) progression,
      which cannot be substantiated, have a very significant impact on results. The
      NICE Appraisal Committee (AC), when taking into account their preferred
      assumptions for HAQ progression for patients on treatment with apremilast,
      placebo response and monitoring costs for apremilast, concluded that the addition
      of apremilast resulted in cost savings but also a QALY loss. These cost savings
      were not high enough to compensate for the clinical effectiveness that would be
      lost. The AC thus decided that apremilast alone or in combination with DMARD
      therapy is not recommended for treating adults with active PsA that has not
      responded to prior DMARD therapy, or where such therapy is not tolerated.

PMID- 27272888
TI  - Minilaparotomy-Assisted Transmesenteric-Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic
      Shunt: Comparison with Conventional Transjugular Approach.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was performed to compare the intrahepatic shunt function
      outcome and procedural complications of minilaparotomy-assisted transmesenteric
      (MAT)-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement with the
      conventional transjugular method. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all
      patients who had a MAT or conventional TIPS procedure over a 6-year period at our
      institute. The primary patency rate, fluoroscopy time, technical success, major
      procedure-related complications, and mortality data were compared between two
      treatment groups. RESULTS: We included 49 patients with MAT-TIPS, and 63 with
      conventional TIPS, with an average follow-up of 21.43 months. The primary patency
      rates at 6 and 12 months were 82.9 and 66.7 % in the conventional TIPS group, and
      81.0 and 76.5 % in the MAT-TIPS group (p = 1.000, and 0.529), respectively. There
      was no significant difference in technical success rate, post-procedure
      portosystemic pressure gradient, fluoroscopy time, and peri-procedural mortality
      rate between treatment groups. Major procedural-related complications were seen
      more frequently among MAT-TIPS patients (p = 0.012). In the MAT-TIPS group, 5
      (10.2 %) patients developed post-procedure minilaparotomy, wound-related
      complications, and 5 (10.2 %) developed bacterial peritonitis; whereas, none of
      patients with conventional TIPS had either of these complications (p = 0.014).
      CONCLUSION: While both MAT-TIPS and conventional TIPS had similar shunt primary
      patency rate and technical success rate, the MAT approach was associated with a
      significantly higher rate of minilaparotomy-related wound complications or
      infectious complications. These complications maybe prevented by a change in post
      procedure monitoring and therapy.

PMID- 27272890
TI  - Retention in Care among HIV-Infected Adults in Ethiopia, 2005- 2011: A Mixed
      Methods Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poor retention in HIV care challenges the success of antiretroviral
      therapy (ART). This study assessed how well patients stay in care and explored
      factors associated with retention in the context of an initial ART rollout in Sub
      Saharan Africa. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods study at a teaching
      hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cohort of 385 patients was followed for a
      median of 4.6 years from ART initiation to lost-to-follow-up (LTFU-missing
      appointments for more than three months after last scheduled visit or
      administrative censoring). We used Kaplan-Meier plots to describe LTFU over time
      and Cox-regression models to identify factors associated with being LTFU. We held
      six focus group discussions, each with 6-11 patients enrolled in care; we
      analyzed data inductively informed by grounded theory. RESULTS: Patients in the
      cohort were predominantly female (64%) and the median age was 34 years. Thirty
      percent were LTFU by study's end; the median time to LTFU was 1,675 days. Higher
      risk of LTFU was associated with baseline CD4 counts <100 and >200 cells/MUL (HR
      = 1.62; 95% CI:1.03-2.55; and HR = 2.06; 95% CI:1.15-3.70, respectively),
      compared with patients with baseline CD4 counts of 100-200 cells/MUL. Bedridden
      participants at ART initiation (HR = 2.05; 95% CIs [1.11-3.80]) and those with no
      or only primary education (HR = 1.50; 95% CIs [1.00-2.24]) were more likely to be
      LTFU. Our qualitative data revealed that fear of stigma, care dissatisfaction,
      use of holy water, and economic constraints discouraged retention in care. Social
      support and restored health and functional ability motivated retention.
      CONCLUSION: Complex socio-cultural, economic, and health-system factors inhibit
      optimum patient retention. Better tracking, enhanced social support, and regular
      adherence counseling addressing stigma and alternative healing options are
      needed. Intervention strategies aimed at changing clinic routines and improving
      patient-provider communication could address many of the identified barriers.

PMID- 27272892
TI  - Chronic subdural hematomas in Finnish patients with Huntington's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many features of Huntington's disease (HD) make these patients
      susceptible to subdural hematomas (SDH), but there are no previous reports on the
      epidemiology of SDH in this population. We investigated the incidence and risk
      factors of chronic SDH. METHODS: A national cohort of 192 Finnish patients with
      HD was investigated. Information was gathered from medical records and
      administrative registries. RESULTS: The incidence rate of SDH was 68.3/100,000
      person-years among the 192 patients. Seven patients were identified with a
      chronic SDH at or after the diagnosis of HD. Their age was 58.5 +/- 15.0 years
      (mean +/- SD) at the time of diagnosis of HD and 60.9 +/- 14.1 years at the time
      of diagnosis of SDH. The incidence rate of chronic SDH after the diagnosis of HD
      was 4.7/1000 person-years and by 8.3 years of follow-up the cumulative risk was
      5.4 %. Review of the patient charts revealed only a few of the common risk
      factors for chronic SDH, but the rate of reoperations was high. CONCLUSIONS: The
      incidence of chronic SDH was higher in patients with HD than that in the general
      population. Incidence of chronic SDH began to increase at the time of expected
      motor onset of HD. Common risk factors of SDH were scarce aside from fall-related
      head injuries.

PMID- 27272891
TI  - One-Pot C-H Functionalization of Arenes by Diaryliodonium Salts.
AB  - A transition-metal-free, mild, and highly regioselective synthesis of nitroarenes
      from arenes has been developed. The products are obtained in a sequential one-pot
      reaction by nitration of iodine(III) reagents with two carbon ligands, which are
      formed in situ from iodine(I). This novel concept has been extended to formation
      of aryl azides, and constitutes an important step towards catalytic reactions
      with these hypervalent iodine reagents. An efficient nitration of isolated
      diaryliodonium salts has also been developed, and the mechanism is proposed to
      proceed by a [2,2] ligand coupling pathway.

PMID- 27272893
TI  - Vision after trans-sylvian or temporobasal selective amygdalohippocampectomy: a
      prospective randomised trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) is an accepted surgical
      procedure for treatment of pharmacoresistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, but
      it may lead to postoperative visual field deficits (VFDs). Here we present a
      prospective randomised trial comparing the postoperative VFDs after either a
      trans-sylvian or temporobasal approach for SAH. METHOD: Forty-eight patients were
      randomly assigned to trans-sylvian (n = 24) or temporobasal (n = 24) SAH.
      Postoperative VFD were quantitatively evaluated using automated static and
      kinetic perimetry. In 24 cases, diffusion tensor imaging-based deterministic
      fibre-tracking of the optic radiation was performed. The primary endpoint was
      absence of postoperative VFD. The secondary endpoint was seizure outcome and
      driving ability. RESULTS: Three patients (13 %) from the trans-sylvian group
      showed no VFD, compared to 11 patients (46 %) from the temporobasal group without
      VFD (p = 0.01, RR = 3.7; CI = 1.2-11.5). Fifteen patients from each group (63 %)
      became completely seizure-free (ILAE1). Among those seizure-free cases, five
      trans-sylvian (33 %) and ten temporobasal (66 %) patients could apply for a
      driving licence (NNT = 3) when VFDs were considered. Although the trans-sylvian
      group experienced more frequent VFDs, the mean functional visual impairment
      showed a tendency to be less pronounced compared with the temporobasal group. DTI
      based tracking of the optic radiation revealed that a lower distance of optic
      radiation to the temporal base correlated with increased rate of VFD in the
      temporobasal group. CONCLUSIONS: Temporobasal SAH shows significantly fewer VFDs
      and equal seizure-free rate compared with the trans-sylvian SAH. However, in
      patients in whom the optic radiation is close to the temporal base, the trans
      sylvian approach may be a preferred alternative.

PMID- 27272894
TI  - Association between resource utilization and patient satisfaction at a tertiary
      care medical center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has emphasized patient
      satisfaction as a means by which hospitals should be compared and as a component
      of financial reimbursement. We sought to identify whether resource utilization is
      associated with patient satisfaction ratings. DESIGN: This was a retrospective,
      cohort study over a 27-month period from January 2012 to April 2014 of adult
      respondents (n = 10,007) to the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare
      Providers and Systems survey at a tertiary care medical center. For each returned
      survey, we developed a resource intensity score related to the corresponding
      hospitalization. We calculated a raw satisfaction rating (RSR) for each returned
      survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association
      between resource intensity and top decile RSRs, using those with the lowest
      resource intensity as the reference group. RESULTS: Adjusting for age, gender,
      insurance payer, severity of illness, and clinical service, patients in higher
      resource intensity groups were more likely to assign top decile RSRs than the
      lowest resource intensity group ("moderate" [adjusted odds ratio {aOR}: 1.42, 95%
      confidence interval {CI}: 1.11-1.83], "major" [aOR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.22-2.01], and
      "extreme" [aOR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.8-2.92]). CONCLUSIONS: Resource utilization may
      be positively associated with patient satisfaction. These data suggest that
      hospitals with higher per-patient expenditures may receive higher ratings, which
      could result in hospitals with higher per-patient resource utilization appearing
      more attractive to healthcare consumers. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:785
      791. (c) 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 27272895
TI  - Factors associated with postoperative requirement of renal replacement therapy
      following off-pump coronary bypass surgery.
AB  - Cardiopulmonary bypass usage provokes a systemic inflammatory response resulting
      in deterioration of renal function. However, risk factors for requiring renal
      replacement therapy (RRT) following off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery
      (CABG) have not yet been fully elucidated. We reviewed 718 consecutive patients
      undergoing elective off-pump CABG at our institution, excluding patients on
      chronic hemodialysis preoperatively. Sub-analysis of patients with preserved
      renal function, defined as a creatinine level below a cut-off value of 1.12 mg/dL
      (obtained by receiver operating characteristic curve), was also performed. Of the
      718 patients, 41 (5.7 %) required RRT. There were 556 patients (77.4 %) with
      preserved renal function preoperatively, and 13 (2.4 %) of these required
      postoperative RRT. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (years) and
      preoperative serum creatinine (mg/dL) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels
      (pg/dL) were associated with RRT [odds ratios (OR) 1.052, 95 % confidence
      interval (CI) 9.064 and 1.001, respectively, all p < 0.05] in the total
      population, whereas low albumin concentration was the only independent predictor
      for RRT in patients with preserved renal function (OR 0.062, p < 0.0001). When
      creatinine levels were below 1.5 mg/dL, the predictive power of hypoalbuminemia
      for RRT requirement overwhelmed that of creatinine or BNP levels. Older age,
      preoperative elevated creatinine and BNP levels were associated with a
      requirement for RRT following off-pump CABG. In patients with preserved renal
      function, hypoalbuminemia was most significantly related to the RRT requirement.

PMID- 27272896
TI  - Assessing utility of exercise test in determining exercise prescription in
      adolescent and adult patients with repaired tetralogy of fallot.
AB  - Parameters from cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) are useful prognostic
      factors for patients with repaired tetralogy of fallot (TOF). Its application in
      exercise prescription remains unclear. This study sought to define its role. We
      made current exercise recommendations in repaired TOF patients according to
      European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guideline, which were based on ventricular
      function, pressure/volume load, pulmonary artery pressure, hypoxemia and
      arrhythmic burden both at rest and during exercise. CPET parameters (peak oxygen
      consumption, oxygen uptake efficiency plateau, and E/CO2 slope), along with
      cardiothoracic ratio, ventricular arrhythmia, QRS duration and NYHA functional
      status, were used to calculate "score to exercise". 112 repaired TOF adolescent
      and adult aged 32.6 +/- 10.8 (14.05- to 56.99-year-old, median 30.1) years
      received exercise recommendations by ESC guideline, which suggested high,
      moderate and low intensity sports for 45 (40.2 %), 45 (40.2 %), and 22 (19.6 %)
      patients, respectively. The optimal cut-off values were 67 and 77 % for peak VO2,
      86 and 100 % for OUEP, 22 and 28 for E/CO2 slope to correlate to the exercise
      intensity recommendation. But, individual CPET parameter had low consistency (41
      46 %) in making decisions of exercise intensity compared to ESC recommendations.
      Using the "score to exercise", the consistency rate could be increased to 74.1 %.
      With "score to exercise" recommended exercise intensity, follow-up result
      revealed no adverse event related to sports. Individual CPET parameter did not
      correlate well to the exercise recommendation from ESC. We proposed a scoring
      system, "score to exercise", which incorporates three CPET parameters with
      cardiothoracic ratio, ventricular arrhythmia, QRS duration and NYHA functional
      status. Score to exercise is easy to be assessed and provides useful information
      for exercise recommendation in patients with repaired TOF.

PMID- 27272897
TI  - Early chest computed tomography in adult acute severe community-acquired
      pneumonia patients treated in the intensive care unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The value of early chest computed tomography (CT) was evaluated among
      severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) patients. METHODS: The study
      population consisted of 65 of 457 SCAP patients with concomitant chest CT and
      radiograph performed within 48 h of ICU admission. Each image pair was re
      evaluated by two radiologists. The type of pneumonia, the presence of pleural
      fluid and atelectasis were assessed. Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures
      induced by CT results were analysed together with clinical, microbiological and
      outcome data. RESULTS: Alveolar pneumonia was observed in 72.3% of patients by
      radiograph and in 75.4% of patients by CT. Pleural fluid was detected via chest
      radiograph and CT in 17 (26.2%) and 41 cases (63.1%), (P < 0.001) and atelectasis
      in 10 (15.4%) and 22 cases (33.8%), (P = 0.002), respectively. In 34 patients
      (52.3%), the CT revealed 38 new findings (58.5%) not shown in plain chest
      radiograph. Out of these 34 patients, therapeutic interventions or procedures
      were performed in 26 (76.5%). The number of infected lobes correlated negatively
      with the lowest PaO2 /FiO2 ratio (rho = -0.326, P = 0.008) for chest CT scans.
      CONCLUSION: Compared with chest radiograph, chest CT generated new findings in
      nearly 60% of SCAP patients, leading to new procedures or changes in medical
      treatment in nearly 75% of those patients. Chest CT better describes the
      pulmonary involvement and severity of oxygenation disorder compared to a plain
      chest radiograph.

PMID- 27272898
TI  - Experiences and perspectives of children attending a weight loss camp in China: a
      qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modernisation, urbanisation and the globalisation of food markets
      have exposed Chinese children to an obesogenic environment. With the dramatic
      increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese children,
      there are now over 2000 weight loss camps for children. The aim of this study was
      to investigate how one typical weight loss camp operates and to explore the
      experiences and perceptions of children attending the camp. METHODS: This study
      utilised ethnographic techniques and semi-structured interviews with children
      attending a 28-day summer weight loss camp in Hangzhou, China. All children
      attending at the time of the study were included. Field notes were taken, and
      interviews with children were recorded, transcribed and analysed into themes.
      RESULTS: Nine boys and 10 girls aged 7-18 years with a body mass index ranging
      from 21 to 37 kg/m(2) were interviewed. The weight loss programme combined
      dietary restriction (<350 calories/meal) and a daily schedule of 8 h of exercise
      in outdoor temperatures of around 40  degrees C. Field observation and interviews
      showed that the regime was distressing for all the children who suffered hunger
      and exhaustion leading to crying, squabbling, fighting and desperate phone calls
      to parents. All felt their weight loss could not be sustained. CONCLUSIONS: The
      extreme conditions and total absence of health and nutrition education at the
      camp were of great concern. Parents should be aware of the potential dangers and
      long-term ineffectiveness of such interventions. At the very least, these camps
      must be subject to regulation.

PMID- 27272899
TI  - Imaging of lower extremity trauma from Boston Marathon bombing.
AB  - The goal of this study is to describe the imaging features of lower extremity
      blast injuries in patients encountered in the radiology departments from the
      Boston Marathon bombings. A total of 115 patients presented to four acute care
      hospitals on April 15, 2013, 43 of whom presented with lower extremity injuries
      and were included in this study. The imaging findings of primary, secondary,
      tertiary, and quaternary blast injuries were evaluated. Forty-one of 43 patients
      sustained secondary blast injuries to the lower extremities with 31 patients (70
      %) having retained shrapnel, seven patients (16 %) having soft tissue lacerations
      without retained shrapnel, and ten patients (23 %) having lower extremity
      amputation (7 % double amputees). Eight of these patients (20 %) had lower
      extremity fractures, and five patients (12 %) had vascular injuries. Two of the
      43 patients (5 %) had only tertiary injuries, and five of 43 patients (12 %) were
      noted to have lower extremity burns, consistent with quaternary blast injury. No
      primary blast injury occurred in the lower extremities. A vast majority of lower
      extremity injuries were from secondary blast injury, most commonly from retained
      shrapnel in 70 % of patients and 23 % of patients sustaining lower extremity
      amputation. Retained shrapnel in the lower extremity was most commonly ball
      bearings and pressure cooker fragments, and most injuries affected the leg,
      followed by the thigh and foot. 

PMID- 27272900
TI  - Functional Assessment of Genetic Variants with Outcomes Adapted to Clinical
      Decision-Making.
AB  - Understanding the medical effect of an ever-growing number of human variants
      detected is a long term challenge in genetic counseling. Functional assays, based
      on in vitro or in vivo evaluations of the variant effects, provide essential
      information, but they require robust statistical validation, as well as adapted
      outputs, to be implemented in the clinical decision-making process. Here, we
      assessed 25 pathogenic and 15 neutral missense variants of the BRCA1
      breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility gene in four BRCA1 functional assays. Next,
      we developed a novel approach that refines the variant ranking in these
      functional assays. Lastly, we developed a computational system that provides a
      probabilistic classification of variants, adapted to clinical interpretation.
      Using this system, the best functional assay exhibits a variant classification
      accuracy estimated at 93%. Additional theoretical simulations highlight the
      benefit of this ready-to-use system in the classification of variants after
      functional assessment, which should facilitate the consideration of functional
      evidences in the decision-making process after genetic testing. Finally, we
      demonstrate the versatility of the system with the classification of siRNAs
      tested for human cell growth inhibition in high throughput screening.

PMID- 27272901
TI  - Three-dimensional polymer coated 45S5-type bioactive glass scaffolds seeded with
      human mesenchymal stem cells show bone formation in vivo.
AB  - 45S5-type bioactive glasses are a promising alternative to established
      substitutes for the treatment of bone defects. Because the three-dimensional (3D)
      structure of bone substitutes is crucial for bone ingrowth and formation, we
      evaluated the osteoinductive properties of different polymer coated 3D-45S5
      bioactive glass (BG) scaffolds seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) in
      vivo. BG scaffolds coated with gelatin, cross-linked gelatin, and poly(3
      hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) were seeded with hMSC prior to implantation
      into severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Newly formed bone was evaluated with
      histomorphometry and micro-computed tomography. Bone formation was detectable in
      all groups, whereas the gelatin-coated BG scaffolds showed the best results and
      should be considered in further studies. 

PMID- 27272902
TI  - The cytoprotective capacity of processed human cardiac extracellular matrix.
AB  - Freshly isolated human cardiac extracellular matrix sheets (cECM) have been shown
      to support stem cell proliferation and tissue-specific lineage commitment. We now
      developed a protocol for standardized production of durable, bio-functional hcECM
      microparticles and corresponding hydrogel, and tested its cytoprotective effects
      on contractile cells subjected to ischemia-like conditions. Human ventricular
      myocardium was decellularized by a 3-step protocol, including Tris/EDTA, SDS and
      serum incubation (cECM). Following snap-freezing and lyophilization,
      microparticles were created and characterized by laser diffraction, dynamic image
      analysis (DIA), and mass spectrometry. Moreover, cECM hydrogel was produced by
      pepsin digestion. Baseline cell-support characteristics were determined using
      murine HL-1 cardiomyocytes, and the cytoprotective effects of ECM products were
      tested under hypoxia and glucose/serum deprivation. In cECM, glycoproteins
      (thrombospondin 1, fibronectin, collagens and nidogen-1) and proteoglycans
      (dermatopontin, lumican and mimecan) were preserved, but residual intracellular
      and blood-borne proteins were also detected. The median particle feret diameter
      was 66 MUm (15-157 MUm) by laser diffraction, and 57 MUm (20-182 MUm) by DIA with
      crystal violet staining. HL-1 cells displayed enhanced metabolic activity (39 +/-
      12 %, P < 0.05) and proliferation (16 +/- 3 %, P < 0.05) when grown on cECM
      microparticles in normoxia. During simulated ischemia, cECM microparticles
      exerted distinct cytoprotective effects (MTS conversion, 240 +/- 32 %; BrdU
      uptake, 45 +/- 14 %; LDH release, -72 +/- 7 %; P < 0.01, each). When cECM
      microparticles were solubilized to form a hydrogel, the cytoprotective effect was
      initially abolished. However, modifying the preparation process (pepsin digestion
      at pH 2 and 25  degrees C, 1 mg/ml final cECM concentration) restored the
      cytoprotective cECM activity. Extracellular matrix from human myocardium can be
      processed to yield standardized durable microparticles that exert specific
      cytoprotective effects on cardiomyocyte-like cells. The use of processed cECM may
      help to optimize future clinical-grade myocardial tissue engineering approaches. 

PMID- 27272903
TI  - Microsphere-based scaffolds encapsulating tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite
      for bone regeneration.
AB  - Bioceramic mixtures of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) are
      widely used for bone regeneration because of their excellent cytocompatibility,
      osteoconduction, and osteoinduction. Therefore, we hypothesized that
      incorporation of a mixture of TCP and HAp in microsphere-based scaffolds would
      enhance osteogenesis of rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSCs) compared to a
      positive control of scaffolds with encapsulated bone-morphogenic protein-2 (BMP
      2). Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microsphere-based scaffolds
      encapsulating TCP and HAp mixtures in two different ratios (7:3 and 1:1) were
      fabricated with the same net ceramic content (30 wt%) to evaluate how
      incorporation of these ceramic mixtures would affect the osteogenesis in rBMSCs.
      Encapsulation of TCP/HAp mixtures impacted microsphere morphologies and the
      compressive moduli of the scaffolds. Additionally, TCP/HAp mixtures enhanced the
      end-point secretion of extracellular matrix components relevant to bone tissue
      compared to the "blank" (PLGA-only) microsphere-based scaffolds as evidenced by
      the biochemical, gene expression, histology, and immunohistochemical
      characterization. Moreover, the TCP/HAp mixture groups even surpassed the BMP-2
      positive control group in some instances in terms of matrix synthesis and gene
      expression. Lastly, gene expression data suggested that the rBMSCs responded
      differently to different TCP/HAp ratios presented to them. Altogether, it can be
      concluded that TCP/HAp mixtures stimulated the differentiation of rBMSCs toward
      an osteoblastic phenotype, and therefore may be beneficial in gradient
      microsphere-based scaffolds for osteochondral regeneration. 

PMID- 27272904
TI  - The War on Drugs That Wasn't: Wasted Whiteness, "Dirty Doctors," and Race in
      Media Coverage of Prescription Opioid Misuse.
AB  - The past decade in the U.S. has been marked by a media fascination with the white
      prescription opioid cum heroin user. In this paper, we contrast media coverage of
      white non-medical opioid users with that of black and brown heroin users to show
      how divergent representations lead to different public and policy responses. A
      content analysis of 100 popular press articles from 2001 and 2011 in which half
      describe heroin users and half describe prescription opioid users revealed a
      consistent contrast between criminalized urban black and Latino heroin injectors
      with sympathetic portrayals of suburban white prescription opioid users. Media
      coverage of the suburban and rural opioid "epidemic" of the 2000s helped draw a
      symbolic, and then legal, distinction between (urban) heroin addiction and
      (suburban and rural) prescription opioid addiction that is reminiscent of the
      legal distinction between crack cocaine and powder cocaine of the 1980s and
      1990s. This distinction reinforces the racialized deployment of the War on Drugs
      and is sustained by the lack of explicit discussion of race in the service of
      "color blind ideology." We suggest potential correctives to these racially
      divergent patterns, in the form of socially responsible media practices and of
      clinical engagement with public policy.

PMID- 27272905
TI  - Effect of biochar addition on short-term N2O and CO2 emissions during repeated
      drying and wetting of an anthropogenic alluvial soil.
AB  - Agricultural soils are an important source of greenhouse gases (GHG). Biochar
      application to such soils has the potential of mitigating global anthropogenic
      GHG emissions. Under irrigation, the topsoils in arid regions experience repeated
      drying and wetting during the crop growing season. Biochar incorporation into
      these soils would change the soil microbial environment and hence affect GHG
      emissions. Little information, however, is available regarding the effect of
      biochar addition on carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from
      agricultural soils undergoing repeated drying and wetting. Here, we report the
      results of a 49-day aerobic incubation experiment, incorporating biochar into an
      anthropogenic alluvial soil in an arid region of Xinjiang Province, China, and
      measuring CO2 and N2O emissions. Under both drying-wetting and constantly moist
      conditions, biochar amendment significantly increased cumulative CO2 emission. At
      the same time, there was a significant reduction (up to ~20 %) in cumulative N2O
      emission, indicating that the addition of biochar to irrigated agricultural soils
      may effectively slow down global warming in arid regions of China.

PMID- 27272906
TI  - Histone acetyltransferase HAT4 modulates navigation across G2/M and re-entry into
      G1 in Leishmania donovani.
AB  - Histone acetyltransferases impact multiple processes. This study investigates the
      role of histone acetyltransferase HAT4 in Leishmania donovani. Though HAT4 was
      dispensable for survival, its elimination decreased cell viability and caused
      cell cycle defects, with HAT4-nulls experiencing an unusually long G2/M. Survival
      of HAT4-nulls in macrophages was also substantially compromised. DNA microarray
      analysis revealed that HAT4 modestly regulated the expression of only a select
      number of genes, thus not being a major modulator of global gene expression.
      Significantly, cdc20 was among the downregulated genes. To ascertain if decreased
      expression of cdc20 was responsible for HAT4-null growth and cell cycle defects
      we expressed LdCdc20 ectopically in HAT4-nulls. We found this to alleviate the
      aberrant growth and cell cycle progression patterns displayed by HAT4-nulls, with
      cells navigating G2/M phase and re-entering G1 phase smoothly. HAT4-nulls
      expressing LdCdc20 ectopically showed survival rates comparable to wild type
      within macrophages, suggesting that G2/M defects were responsible for poor
      survival of HAT4-nulls within host cells also. These are the first data analyzing
      the in vivo functional role of HAT4 in any trypanosomatid. Our results directly
      demonstrate for the first time a role for Cdc20 in regulating trypanosomatid G2/M
      events, opening avenues for further research in this area.

PMID- 27272907
TI  - Clinical prediction of large vessel occlusion in anterior circulation stroke:
      mission impossible?
AB  - Simple clinical scores to predict large vessel occlusion (LVO) in acute ischemic
      stroke would be helpful to triage patients in the prehospital phase. We assessed
      the ability of various combinations of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale
      (NIHSS) subitems and published stroke scales (i.e., RACE scale, 3I-SS, sNIHSS-8,
      sNIHSS-5, sNIHSS-1, mNIHSS, a-NIHSS items profiles A-E, CPSS1, CPSS2, and CPSSS)
      to predict LVO on CT or MR arteriography in 1085 consecutive patients (39.4 %
      women, mean age 67.7 years) with anterior circulation strokes within 6 h of
      symptom onset. 657 patients (61 %) had an occlusion of the internal carotid
      artery or the M1/M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery. Best cut-off value of
      the total NIHSS score to predict LVO was 7 (PPV 84.2 %, sensitivity 81.0 %,
      specificity 76.6 %, NPV 72.4 %, ACC 79.3 %). Receiver operating characteristic
      curves of various combinations of NIHSS subitems and published scores were
      equally or less predictive to show LVO than the total NIHSS score. At
      intersection of sensitivity and specificity curves in all scores, at least 1/5 of
      patients with LVO were missed. Best odds ratios for LVO among NIHSS subitems were
      best gaze (9.6, 95 %-CI 6.765-13.632), visual fields (7.0, 95 %-CI 3.981-12.370),
      motor arms (7.6, 95 %-CI 5.589-10.204), and aphasia/neglect (7.1, 95 %-CI 5.352
      9.492). There is a significant correlation between clinical scores based on the
      NIHSS score and LVO on arteriography. However, if clinically relevant thresholds
      are applied to the scores, a sizable number of LVOs are missed. Therefore,
      clinical scores cannot replace vessel imaging. 

PMID- 27272908
TI  - Abyssicoccus albus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family
      Staphylococcaceae isolated from marine sediment of the Indian Ocean.
AB  - A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, asporogenous, coccoid shaped
      bacterium, designated YIM M12140(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample
      collected from the Indian Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YIM
      M12140(T) forms a separate clade within the family Staphylococcaceae. Strain YIM
      M12140(T) shares high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Macrococcus
      brunensis DSM 19358(T) (92.9 %). The isolate was found to grow at 0-10 % (w/v)
      NaCl (optimum, 2-3 %), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and temperature 5-40 
      degrees C (optimum, 28  degrees C). The polar lipids were identified as
      diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophospholipid
      and two unidentified polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids of the strain
      were identified as anteiso-C15:0, -C17:0, iso-C16:0, anteiso-C19:0 and C20:0. The
      respiratory menaquinones were found to be MK-6 (94 %) and MK-7 (6 %). The cell
      wall amino acids were found to contain Lys, Ala, Glu, Gly, Asp, Ser and Thr.
      Whole cell sugars were identified as mannose, ribose, rhamnose, glucose,
      galactose and xylose. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain YIM M12140(T)
      was determined to be 42.4 mol %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic data and
      phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain YIM M12140(T) represents a
      novel species of a new genus in the family Staphylococcaceae, for which the name
      Abyssicoccus albus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM
      M12140(T) (= DSM 29158(T) = CCTCC AB 2014213(T)). 

PMID- 27272910
TI  - Tissue culture on a chip: Developmental biology applications of self-organized
      capillary networks in microfluidic devices.
AB  - Organ culture systems are used to elucidate the mechanisms of pattern formation
      in developmental biology. Various organ culture techniques have been used, but
      the lack of microcirculation in such cultures impedes the long-term maintenance
      of larger tissues. Recent advances in microfluidic devices now enable us to
      utilize self-organized perfusable capillary networks in organ cultures. In this
      review, we will overview past approaches to organ culture and current technical
      advances in microfluidic devices, and discuss possible applications of
      microfluidics towards the study of developmental biology. 

PMID- 27272911
TI  - Children with cancer share their views: tell the truth but leave room for hope.
AB  - AIM: One in five children diagnosed with cancer will die from the disease. The
      aim of the study was to explore how children with cancer want to receive bad news
      about their disease, such as when no more treatment options are available.
      METHODS: We conducted individual interviews with ten children with cancer, aged
      seven to 17 years, at a single paediatric oncology unit in central Sweden.
      Interviews were audio-taped and analysed with systematic text condensation. Bad
      news was defined as information about a potentially fatal outcome, such as a
      disease relapse, or information that the treatment administered was no longer
      working and that there was no more treatment possible. RESULTS: All children
      expressed that they wanted truthful information and they did not want to be
      excluded from bad news regarding their illness. They wanted to be informed as
      positively as possible, allowing them to maintain hope, and in words that they
      could understand. They also wanted to receive any bad news at the same time as
      their parents. CONCLUSION: Children with cancer want to be fully informed about
      their disease, but they also wanted it to be relayed as positively as possible so
      that they could stay hopeful.

PMID- 27272913
TI  - Immunocryosurgery - an effective combinational modality for Bowen's disease.
AB  - Bowen's disease (BD) is widely treated with topical imiquimod or cryosurgery. The
      present single-center retrospective study reports on the application of
      standardized immunocryosurgery (cryosurgery during ongoing topical imiquimod) for
      the treatment of BD. Daily imiquimod 5% cream was applied on BD lesion and a 5 mm
      rim around it in 5-week treatment cycles; cryosurgery (liquid N2 , open spray; 2
      cycles, 15 second each) was performed at the end of the second week of each
      treatment cycle. Between 1/1/2009 and 31/12/2014 21 patients (mean age +/- SD:
      74.4 +/- 8.0 years; 12 males) with 24 lesions (mean maximum diameter +/- SD: 45.8
      +/- 50.9 mm; range: 9-200 mm) completed the protocol. The anatomic distribution
      of the lesions included face/scalp (Nu = 14), neck/trunk (Nu = 6), and
      extremities (Nu = 4). Twenty-one out of twenty-four lesions with diameter <80 mm
      cleared after one immunocryosurgery cycle, while the rest three tumors (with the
      largest diameters: 100, 180, 200 mm) required two treatment cycles for complete
      response (clearance rate: 100%). After a median follow-up of 24 months (range: 6
      60 months) the overall effectiveness was 91.7%: 22/24 lesions remained in
      sustained complete remission. With the exception of a variable degree of
      hypopigmentation, the cosmetic outcome was satisfactory even for extensive
      lesions. Immunocryosurgery, is feasible and highly efficacious minimally-invasive
      treatment alternative for BD.

PMID- 27272912
TI  - What Online User Innovation Communities Can Teach Us about Capturing the
      Experiences of Patients Living with Chronic Health Conditions. A Scoping Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to adapt to societal changes, healthcare systems need to
      switch from a disease orientation to a patient-centered approach. Virtual patient
      networks are a promising tool to favor this switch and much can be learned from
      the open and user innovation literature where the involvement of online user
      communities in the innovation process is well-documented. OBJECTIVES: The
      objectives of this study were 1) to describe the use of online communities as a
      tool to capture and harness innovative ideas of end users or consumers; and 2) to
      point to the potential value and challenges of these virtual platforms to
      function as a tool to inform and promote patient-centered care in the context of
      chronic health conditions. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted. A total of
      seven databases were searched for scientific articles published in English
      between 1995 and 2014. The search strategy was refined through an iterative
      process. RESULTS: A total of 144 studies were included in the review. Studies
      were coded inductively according to their research focus to identify groupings of
      papers. The first set of studies focused on the interplay of factors related to
      user roles, motivations, and behaviors that shape the innovation process within
      online communities. Studies of the second set examined the role of firms in
      online user innovation initiatives, identifying different organizational
      strategies and challenges. The third set of studies focused on the idea selection
      process and measures of success with respect to online user innovation
      initiatives. Finally, the findings from the review are presented in the light of
      the particularities and challenges discussed in current healthcare research.
      CONCLUSION: The present paper highlights the potential of virtual patient
      communities to inform and promote patient-centered care, describes the key
      challenges involved in this process, and makes recommendations on how to address
      them.

PMID- 27272914
TI  - Sequential protein extraction as an efficient method for improved proteome
      coverage in larvae of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).
AB  - Understanding diet- and environmentally induced physiological changes in fish
      larvae is a major goal for the aquaculture industry. Proteomic analysis of whole
      fish larvae comprising multiple tissues offers considerable potential but is
      challenging due to the very large dynamic range of protein abundance. To extend
      the coverage of the larval phase of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) proteome,
      we applied a two-step sequential extraction (SE) method, based on differential
      protein solubility, using a nondenaturing buffer containing 150 mM NaCl followed
      by a denaturing buffer containing 7 M urea and 2 M thiourea. Extracts prepared
      using SE and one-step direct extraction were characterized via label-free shotgun
      proteomics using nanoLC-MS/MS (LTQ-Orbitrap). SE partitioned the proteins into
      two fractions of approximately equal amounts, but with very distinct protein
      composition, leading to identification of ~40% more proteins than direct
      extraction. This fractionation strategy enabled the most detailed
      characterization of the salmon larval proteome to date and provides a platform
      for greater understanding of physiological changes in whole fish larvae. The MS
      data are available via the ProteomeXchange Consortium PRIDE partner repository,
      dataset PXD003366.

PMID- 27272915
TI  - Blowing smoke: the history of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in Canadian tobacco.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate how changes in tobacco flue-curing practices in the
      20th century increased levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in tobacco
      smoke. METHODS: Previously undisclosed documents and testimony made public as a
      result of a class action trial against tobacco companies in Montreal, Canada,
      were reviewed for information on TSNAs and tobacco curing practices. These were
      combined with other pertinent documents to form the basis for a comprehensive
      historical review of TSNAs and tobacco curing practices. RESULTS: In the 1960s
      and 1970s, a change was made from indirect heating to direct heating for flue
      curing tobacco that resulted in an increase in the TSNA-to-tar ratio in flue
      cured tobacco. This occurred in both Canada and the USA. When this change was
      made, tobacco companies did not monitor for increased levels of TSNAs and did not
      study possible adverse effects on human health. As a result, smokers were
      unknowingly exposed to unnecessarily high levels of TSNAs for 30-40 years. In
      recent years, tobacco companies have changed curing practices back to indirect
      heating, thus returning the TSNA-to-tar ratios in tobacco smoke to their
      previously low levels. CONCLUSIONS: In view of this information brought to light
      in this paper, any claims by tobacco companies that they were acting prudently by
      lowering TSNA levels are unwarranted. They fail to acknowledge that it was their
      actions that raised TSNA levels in the first place about half a century ago.

PMID- 27272916
TI  - Kinetic therapy in multiple trauma patients with severe thoracic trauma: a
      treatment option to reduce ventilator time and improve outcome.
AB  - PURPOSE: Continuous lateral rotational therapy (CLRT) has been described as a
      promising approach for prophylaxis and treatment of respiratory complications in
      critically ill patients over two decades ago. However, meta-analyses failed to
      demonstrate any significant benefit on outcome by CLRT, possibly due to the
      heterogeneity and low overall quality of available studies. METHODS:
      Observational trial over a 3-year period on outcome in trauma patients (Injury
      Severity Score, ISS >=16) with severe thoracic injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale,
      AISThorax >=3) initially treated with CLRT as standard of care. Epidemiological
      data, injury severity, and pattern and physiological parameters were recorded.
      Outcome indicators were time on mechanical ventilation, length of stay, rates of
      pneumonia, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, hospital mortality,
      and rates of re-intubation. Additionally, data are compared with the results from
      the TraumaRegister(r) of the German Trauma Society. RESULTS: Over the 3-year
      period 76 patients with ISS >=16/AISThorax >=3 received CLRT, equaling 24 % of
      all patients with ISS >=16 between 18 and 80 years. Mean ISS was 35.3 (standard
      deviations, SD 12.2) [71.1 % male, 97.4 % blunt trauma, mean age 43.9 years (SD
      18.7)]. Mean time on CLRT was 3.3 days (SD 2.2), time on mechanical ventilation
      7.8 days (SD 7.1), and 9.2 % had to be re-intubated due to respiratory
      complications. CLRT-related complications occurred in 8.9 %. Overall 25 % of the
      patients developed pneumonia (VAP = 13.2 %). Despite a significantly higher ISS
      we observed shorter times on mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit in
      our collective in comparison to data published from the nationwide
      TraumaRegister(r). CONCLUSIONS: CLRT remains a therapeutic option to reduce
      pulmonary complications after severe chest trauma in our center. However, a RCT
      is needed to study the effects of other treatment options such as early
      extubation and non-invasive ventilation or prone/supine positioning.

PMID- 27272917
TI  - Evaluation of efficacy and indications of surgical fixation for multiple rib
      fractures: a propensity-score matched analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of recent surgical
      rib fixation and establish its indications not only for flail chest but also for
      multiple rib fractures. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2015, 187 patients were
      diagnosed as having multiple rib fractures in our institution. After the
      propensity score matching was performed, ten patients who had performed surgical
      rib fixation and ten patients who had treated with non-operative management were
      included. Categorical variables were analyzed with Fischer's exact test and non
      parametric numerical data were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Wilcoxon
      signed-rank test was performed for comparison of pre- and postoperative
      variables. All statistical data are presented as median (25-75 % interquartile
      range [IQR]) or number. RESULTS: The surgically treated patients extubated
      significantly earlier than non-operative management patients (5.5 [1-8] vs 9 [7
      12] days: p = 0.019). The duration of continuous intravenous narcotic agents
      infusion days (4.5 [3-6] vs 12 [9-14] days: p = 0.002) and the duration of
      intensive care unit stay (6.5 [3-9] vs 12 [8-14] days: p = 0.008) were also
      significantly shorter in surgically treated patients. Under the same ventilating
      conditions, the postoperative values of tidal volume and respiratory rate
      improved significantly compared to those values measured just before the surgery.
      The incidence of pneumonia as a complication was significantly higher in non
      operative management group (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From the viewpoints of early
      respiratory stabilization and intensive care unit disposition without any
      complications, surgical rib fixation is a sufficiently acceptable procedure not
      only for flail chest but also for repair of severe multiple rib fractures.

PMID- 27272918
TI  - Heavy metal bioaccumulation by wild edible saprophytic and ectomycorrhizal
      mushrooms.
AB  - Heavy metals cause serious problems in the environment, and they can be
      accumulated in organisms, especially in the higher fungi. The concentration of
      Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Hg in 10 species of edible mushrooms in Medvednica Nature
      Park, Croatia was therefore determined. In addition, the similarity between the
      studied species was determined by cluster analysis based on concentrations of the
      aforementioned metals in the fruiting bodies. The contents of nickel, chromium,
      lead, cadmium, and mercury in the fruiting bodies of mushrooms were obtained by X
      ray fluorescence spectrometry. The highest concentrations of Ni (3.62 mg kg(-1)),
      Cr (3.01 mg kg(-1)), and Cd (2.67 mg kg(-1)) were determined in Agaricus
      campestris. The highest concentration of Pb (1.67 mg kg(-1)) was determined in
      Macrolepiota procera, and the highest concentration of Hg (2.39 mg kg(-1)) was
      determined in Boletus edulis. The concentration of all heavy metals significantly
      differed (p < 0.001) between examined saprophytic and ectomycorrhizal mushrooms.
      Considering anatomical part of the fruiting body (cap-stipe), a considerably
      higher concentration of the analyzed elements was found in the cap for all
      mushroom species. According to calculated bioconcentration factors, all the
      examined species were found to be bioexclusors of Ni, Cr, and Pb and
      bioaccumulators of Cd and Hg. Cluster analysis performed on the basis of the
      accumulation of the studied metals revealed great phenotypic similarity of
      mushroom species belonging to the same genus and partial similarity of species of
      the same ecological affiliation. 

PMID- 27272919
TI  - Forest floor decomposition, metal exchangeability, and metal bioaccumulation by
      exotic earthworms: Amynthas agrestis and Lumbricus rubellus.
AB  - Earthworms have the potential to reduce the retention of pollutant and plant
      essential metals in the forest floor (organic horizons) by decomposing organic
      matter and increasing exchangeability of metals. We conducted a laboratory
      experiment to investigate the effects of two exotic earthworms, Amynthas agrestis
      and Lumbricus rubellus, on forest floor decomposition, metal exchangeability, and
      metal bioaccumulation. Eighty-one pots containing homogenized forest floor
      material were incubated for 20, 40, or 80 days under three treatments: no
      earthworms, A. agrestis added, or L. rubellus added. For earthworm treatments, A.
      agrestis and L. rubellus were stocked at densities observed in previous field
      studies. Pots containing either A. agrestis or L. rubellus had lost more forest
      floor mass than the control plots after 40 and 80 days of incubation. Forest
      floor pots containing A. agrestis had significantly lower % C (16 +/- 1.5 %) than
      control pots (21 +/- 1.2 %) after 80 days. However, L. rubellus consumed more
      forest floor and C mass than A. agrestis, when evaluated on a per earthworm
      biomass basis. Exchangeable (0.1 M KCl + 0.01 M AcOH extractable) and stable (15
      M HNO3+ 10 M HCl extractable) concentrations of Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Mg, Mn, Pb, and
      Zn in forest floor material were measured. Stable concentrations and %
      exchangeable metals in forest floor material were similar among treatments.
      Although exchangeable metal concentrations varied significantly for most metals
      among treatments (except Mg and Zn), we conclude that earthworms did not increase
      or decrease the exchangeability of metals. However, earthworms bioaccumulated Cu,
      Cd, Zn, and Mg and had potentially hazardous tissue concentrations of Al and Pb.
      This was best illustrated by calculating bioaccumulation factors using
      exchangeable concentrations rather than total concentrations. Future research is
      needed to understand the effect of earthworms on metals in other soil types. 

PMID- 27272920
TI  - Toxic pollution threatens migratory shorebirds in India.

PMID- 27272923
TI  - Non-lead ammunition may reduce lead levels in wild game.

PMID- 27272921
TI  - Application of a multidisciplinary and integrative weight-of-evidence approach to
      a 1-year monitoring survey of the Seine River.
AB  - Quality assessment of environments under high anthropogenic pressures such as the
      Seine Basin, subjected to complex and chronic inputs, can only be based on
      combined chemical and biological analyses. The present study integrates and
      summarizes a multidisciplinary dataset acquired throughout a 1-year monitoring
      survey conducted at three workshop sites along the Seine River (PIREN-Seine
      program), upstream and downstream of the Paris conurbation, during four seasonal
      campaigns using a weight-of-evidence approach. Sediment and water column chemical
      analyses, bioaccumulation levels and biomarker responses in caged gammarids, and
      laboratory (eco)toxicity bioassays were integrated into four lines of evidence
      (LOEs). Results from each LOE clearly reflected an anthropogenic gradient, with
      contamination levels and biological effects increasing from upstream to
      downstream of Paris, in good agreement with the variations in the structure and
      composition of bacterial communities from the water column. Based on annual
      average data, the global hazard was summarized as "moderate" at the upstream
      station and as "major" at the two downstream ones. Seasonal variability was also
      highlighted; the winter campaign was least impacted. The model was notably
      improved using previously established reference and threshold values from
      national-scale studies. It undoubtedly represents a powerful practical tool to
      facilitate the decision-making processes of environment managers within the
      framework of an environmental risk assessment strategy.

PMID- 27272924
TI  - BTX in urban areas of eastern Spain: a focus on time variations and sources.
AB  - Seasonal and daily cycles of BTX were studied in a non-industrialized city
      (Alicante) and an urban area near an oil refinery plant (Castellon) in order to
      evaluate the influence of different sources on time variations. Lower levels were
      observed in summer than in winter at both locations due to higher dispersion
      conditions and photochemical removal of BTX during the summer season. Daily
      patterns showed seasonal differences and were controlled by traffic emissions and
      the evolution of the mixing layer height, with no influence of the petroleum
      refinery plant in the city of Castellon. The results of the conditional bivariate
      probability function suggest that the influence of this source on BTX
      concentrations was limited to point impacts. At both sites, benzene exhibited a
      different behavior from toluene and xylenes, most likely due to its significantly
      lower chemical reactivity. 

PMID- 27272922
TI  - Perspectives of using fungi as bioresource for bioremediation of pesticides in
      the environment: a critical review.
AB  - Pesticides are used for controlling the development of various pests in
      agricultural crops worldwide. Despite their agricultural benefits, pesticides are
      often considered a serious threat to the environment because of their persistent
      nature and the anomalies they create. Hence removal of such pesticides from the
      environment is a topic of interest for the researchers nowadays. During the
      recent years, use of biological resources to degrade or remove pesticides has
      emerged as a powerful tool for their in situ degradation and remediation. Fungi
      are among such bioresources that have been widely characterized and applied for
      biodegradation and bioremediation of pesticides. This review article presents the
      perspectives of using fungi for biodegradation and bioremediation of pesticides
      in liquid and soil media. This review clearly indicates that fungal isolates are
      an effective bioresource to degrade different pesticides including lindane,
      methamidophos, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, atrazine, cypermethrin, dieldrin, methyl
      parathion, heptachlor, etc. However, rate of fungal degradation of pesticides
      depends on soil moisture content, nutrient availability, pH, temperature, oxygen
      level, etc. Fungal strains were found to harbor different processes including
      hydroxylation, demethylation, dechlorination, dioxygenation, esterification,
      dehydrochlorination, oxidation, etc during the biodegradation of different
      pesticides having varying functional groups. Moreover, the biodegradation of
      different pesticides was found to be mediated by involvement of different enzymes
      including laccase, hydrolase, peroxidase, esterase, dehydrogenase, manganese
      peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, etc. The recent advances in understanding the
      fungal biodegradation of pesticides focusing on the processes, pathways,
      genes/enzymes and factors affecting the biodegradation have also been presented
      in this review article. 

PMID- 27272926
TI  - BaCdSnS4 and Ba3CdSn2S8: syntheses, structures, and non-linear optical and
      photoluminescence properties.
AB  - Two non-centrosymmetric metal chalcogenides, BaCdSnS4 and Ba3CdSn2S8, were
      synthesized using a high temperature solid-state reaction in an evacuated silica
      tube. Although the two compounds have the same building units in their
      structures, namely CdS4, SnS4 and BaS8 units, both of them have different
      structures. BaCdSnS4 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fdd2 and its
      structure can be characterized by the two-dimensional infinity[Cd-Sn-S] layers
      composed of corner- and edge-sharing CdS4 and SnS4 tetrahedra with Ba atoms
      located between the two adjacent infinity[Cd-Sn-S] layers. Ba3CdSn2S8
      crystallizes in the space group I4[combining macron]3d of the orthorhombic system
      and the CdS4 and SnS4 groups are connected with each other via corner-sharing to
      form a three-dimensional framework, which is different from the 2D infinity[Cd-Sn
      S] layer structure in BaCdSnS4. The UV-vis-NIR diffuse-reflectance spectra show
      that the experimental band gaps are about 2.30 eV for BaCdSnS4 and 2.75 eV for
      Ba3CdSn2S8, respectively. IR and Raman measurement results indicate that their
      transparent ranges are up to 25 MUm. Second-order NLO measurements show that
      BaCdSnS4 exhibits strong powder second-harmonic generation (SHG) intensities at
      2.09 MUm laser pumping that are ~5 and 0.7 times that of AgGaS2 in the particle
      size 38-55 and 150-200 MUm, respectively, whereas Ba3CdSn2S8 only exhibits SHG
      intensities of about 0.8 and 0.1 times that of AgGaS2 at the same particle sizes.
      The origin of the NLO response in BaCdSnS4 may originate from the macroscopic
      arrangement of the SnS4 and CdS4 tetrahedra. Furthermore, the photoluminescence
      properties of the two compounds have also been investigated and show obvious blue
      and green light emission. 

PMID- 27272925
TI  - Vinegar residue compost as a growth substrate enhances cucumber resistance
      against the Fusarium wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum by regulating physiological
      and biochemical responses.
AB  - Fusarium wilt caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (FOC) is
      the most severe soil-borne disease attacking cucumber. To assess the positive
      effects of vinegar residue substrate (VRS) on the growth and incidence of
      Fusarium wilt on cucumber, we determined the cucumber growth parameters, disease
      severity, defense-related enzyme and pathogenesis-related (PR) protein
      activities, and stress-related gene expression levels. In in vitro and pot
      experiments, we demonstrated the following results: (i) the VRS extract exhibited
      a higher biocontrol activity than that of peat against FOC, and significantly
      improved the growth inhibition of FOC, with values of 48.3 %; (ii) in response to
      a FOC challenge, antioxidant enzymes and the key enzymes of phenylpropanoid
      metabolic activities, as well as the PR protein activities in the roots of
      cucumber, were significantly increased. Moreover, the activities of these
      proteins were higher in VRS than in peat; (iii) the expression levels of stress
      related genes (including glu, pal, and ethylene receptor) elicited responses to
      the pathogens inoculated in cucumber leaves; and (iv) the FOC treatment
      significantly inhibited the growth of cucumber seedlings. Moreover, all of the
      growth indices of plants grown in VRS were significantly higher than those grown
      in peat. These results offer a new strategy to control cucumber Fusarium wilt, by
      upregulating the activity levels of defense-related enzymes and PR proteins and
      adjusting gene expression levels. They also provide a theoretical basis for VRS
      applications. 

PMID- 27272928
TI  - Variables decreasing tip movement of peripherally inserted central catheters in
      pediatric patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The position of the tip of a peripherally inserted central catheter
      (PICC) is crucial; malposition can lead to malfunction of the line or life
      threatening events (e.g., arrhythmias, perforation). OBJECTIVE: To determine what
      factors other than arm position and accessed vein might influence the tip
      position of a PICC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria were upper limb
      PICC placement, body weight <20 kg, intraoperative imaging with the arm in 0
      degrees , 45 degrees  and 90 degrees  abduction and an arm view marking the skin
      entry site relative to the shoulder. Evaluated variables included patient
      demographics, and PICC and insertion site characteristics. We measured central
      tip movement in rib units. RESULTS: We included 112 children who received a PICC
      (42 girls/70 boys, mean age 31+/-13 months, mean weight 6.5+/-4.9 kg). The
      overall range of central tip movement was -1 to +4 rib units (mean +0.8+/-0.7 rib
      units). Silicone PICCs moved significantly less than polyurethane PICCs (P<0.05).
      PICCs placed in the cephalic vein moved significantly less than those placed in
      other veins (P<0.05). Patient demographics and PICC characteristics (size, number
      of lumens, left or right arm accessed, length of the line) did not influence the
      range of central tip movement of a PICC (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Silicone PICCs and
      PICCs inserted into the cephalic vein move less than PICCs made of polyurethane
      and PICCs inserted into the brachial and basilic veins. These findings might
      assist operators in deciding which PICC to place in children in a given clinical
      context.

PMID- 27272930
TI  - Pd-Catalyzed C-H Alkylation of Arenes Using PyrDipSi, a Transformable and
      Removable Silicon-Tethered Directing Group.
AB  - An efficient Pd-catalyzed ortho-C-H alkylation reaction of arenes using a
      transformable and removable Si-tethered pyridyldiisopropylsilyl (PyrDipSi)
      directing group has been developed. In addition, the PyrDipSi directing group
      allows for an efficient sequential double-fold C-H alkylation/oxygenation of
      arenes to produce meta-alkylated phenols. This directing group can easily be
      removed or converted into valuable functionalities, such as aryl, iodo, boronic
      ester, or phenol. 

PMID- 27272929
TI  - Linking Bacillus cereus Genotypes and Carbohydrate Utilization Capacity.
AB  - We characterised carbohydrate utilisation of 20 newly sequenced Bacillus cereus
      strains isolated from food products and food processing environments and two
      laboratory strains, B. cereus ATCC 10987 and B. cereus ATCC 14579. Subsequently,
      genome sequences of these strains were analysed together with 11 additional B.
      cereus reference genomes to provide an overview of the different types of
      carbohydrate transporters and utilization systems found in B. cereus strains. The
      combined application of API tests, defined growth media experiments and
      comparative genomics enabled us to link the carbohydrate utilisation capacity of
      22 B. cereus strains with their genome content and in some cases to the panC
      phylogenetic grouping. A core set of carbohydrates including glucose, fructose,
      maltose, trehalose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, and ribose could be used by all
      strains, whereas utilisation of other carbohydrates like xylose, galactose, and
      lactose, and typical host-derived carbohydrates such as fucose, mannose, N-acetyl
      galactosamine and inositol is limited to a subset of strains. Finally, the roles
      of selected carbohydrate transporters and utilisation systems in specific niches
      such as soil, foods and the human host are discussed. 

PMID- 27272931
TI  - Live-cell quantification and comparison of mammalian oocyte cytosolic lipid
      content between species, during development, and in relation to body composition
      using nonlinear vibrational microscopy.
AB  - Cytosolic lipids participate in the growth, development, and overall health of
      mammalian oocytes including many roles in cellular homeostasis. Significant
      emphasis has been placed on the study of lipids as a dynamic organelle, which in
      turn requires the development of tools and techniques to quantitate and compare
      how lipid content relates to cellular structure, function, and normalcy.
      Objectives of this study were to determine if nonlinear vibrational microscopy
      (e.g., coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering or CARS microscopy) could be used
      for live-cell imaging to quantify and compare lipid content in mammalian oocytes
      during development and in relation to body composition; and compare its efficacy
      to methods involving cellular fixation and staining protocols. Results of this
      study demonstrate that CARS is able to identify lipids in live mammalian oocytes,
      and there exists quantifiable and consistent differences in percent lipid
      composition across ooctyes of different species, developmental stages, and in
      relation to body composition. Such a method of live-cell lipid quantification has
      (i) experimental power in basic cell biology, (ii) practical utility for
      identifying developmental predictive biomarkers while advancing biology-based
      oocyte/embryo selection, and (iii) ability to yield rationally supporting
      technology for decision-making in rodents, domestic species, and human assisted
      reproduction and/or fertility preservation. 

PMID- 27272932
TI  - Reproductive coercion, sexual risk behaviours and mental health symptoms among
      young low-income behaviourally bisexual women: implications for nursing practice.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe prevalence of reproductive coercion, sexual risk
      behaviours and mental health symptoms among women reporting lifetime sexual
      experiences with men and women compared to peers reporting sex exclusively with
      men. BACKGROUND: Reproductive coercion, a global public health problem, is
      understudied among sexual minority women. Violence against women remains high
      among women who have sex with women and men. Rates of sexual and physical
      violence among this population are higher than women reporting exclusive sexual
      partnerships with either men or women. Nurses and other healthcare providers
      often do not conduct comprehensive sexual histories; assumptions related to a sex
      partner's gender may provide indications of broader health implications. DESIGN:
      Cross-sectional survey of low-income Black women ages 18-25 recruited from six
      community-based sites for a parent study focused on intimate partner violence and
      health. METHODS: We analysed survey data from participants who reported lifetime
      sexual experiences with men and women (N = 42) and compared their outcomes to
      those of women reporting sexual experiences with men only (N = 107). RESULTS: A
      greater proportion of women who have sex with women and men reported experiencing
      reproductive coercion. Women who have sex with women and men also reported a
      greater number of lifetime intimate partner physical and sexual violence
      experiences, traded sex for resources, and had post-traumatic stress disorder
      symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide vital information that can inform nursing
      clinical practice, specifically related to history-taking, screening protocols
      and counselling strategies for intimate partner violence and mental health among
      women who have sex with women and men. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Strategies
      for addressing reproductive coercion and intimate partner violence as well as the
      health consequences among women who have sex with women and men in clinical and
      community-based settings should include a longitudinal understanding of sexual
      behaviour and gender of sex partners.

PMID- 27272933
TI  - A comparison of vertebral venous networks in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
      patients and healthy controls.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cadaveric studies have previously documented a typical pattern of venous
      drainage within vertebral bodies (VBs), comprised primarily of the basivertebral
      vein. These studies, however, are limited by the number of samples available. MRI
      is able to provide 3D images of soft tissue structures in the spine, including
      the basivertebral vein without the use of contrast in both healthy controls and
      subjects with abnormal anatomy such as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
      This study aimed to quantify the venous networks within VBs of 15 healthy
      adolescent controls and 15 AIS patients. METHODS: Five transverse slices through
      the VBs were examined simultaneously and the observable vascular network traced.
      The length of the network on the left and right sides of the VB was calculated,
      and the spatial patterning assessed level-by-level within each subject. RESULTS:
      Significant differences were seen in the left/right distribution of vessels in
      both the control and AIS subjects, with both groups having greater length on the
      right side of all of their VBs. No difference was seen between AIS and control
      subjects in any region. Large individual variations in patterns were seen in both
      groups; however, the control group showed more consistent spatial patterning of
      the vascular networks across levels in comparison to the AIS group. CONCLUSION:
      The length of the basivertebral vein was seen to have a significant bias to the
      right hand side of the VB in both healthy and AIS adolescents. The spatial
      pattern of this vein showed large variations in branching both within and across
      individuals. No significant differences were seen between AIS and control
      subjects, suggesting both that this network is preserved in deformed AIS
      vertebrae, and that the vertebral venous system does not play a role in the
      etiology of AIS.

PMID- 27272934
TI  - ABPM Induced Alarm Reaction: A Possible Cause of Overestimation of Daytime Blood
      Pressure Values Reduced By Treatment with Beta-Blockers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Alarm reaction to clinical blood pressure (BP) measurement, defined
      white-coat effect (WCE), can cause overestimation of true BP values. AIM: To
      assess whether ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can similarly affect
      BP values during the initial hours of recording. METHODS: In 420 ABPMs selected
      for a first systolic BP (SBP) reading at least 10 mmHg higher than the mean
      daytime SBP, we calculated mean diurnal and 24 h SBP with and without the
      exclusion of the two first hours of recording defined as the WCE window (WCEw).
      We also calculated the magnitude and duration of WCE. These analyses were also
      performed separately in patients off anti-hypertensive treatment (n = 156), and
      on treatment with and without the inclusion of beta-blockers (respectively n =
      113 and 151). RESULTS: Exclusion of WCEw period reduced mean diurnal and 24 h SBP
      respectively from 135 +/- 0.5 to 133 +/- 0.5 (p < 0.01) and from 131 +/- 0.5 to
      130 +/- 0.5 (p < 0.02). As a result the percentage of patients diagnosed as
      having diurnal or 24 h hypertension was reduced respectively from 48 to 40 % and
      from 52 to 47 %. The magnitude of WCEw was similar in both genders but the
      duration was longer in females (66 +/- 2 vs. 56 +/- 2 min, p < 0.01). Treatment
      with beta-blockers was associated with a shorter duration of WCE in both genders
      but this effect was statistically significant only in males. CONCLUSIONS: In some
      patients ABPM is not free from WCE. WCE may affect the overall estimation of BP
      profile and is longer but less blunted by beta-blockers in females than in males.

PMID- 27272935
TI  - Computer-aided detection of prostate cancer in T2-weighted MRI within the
      peripheral zone.
AB  - In this paper we propose a prostate cancer computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system
      and suggest a set of discriminant texture descriptors extracted from T2-weighted
      MRI data which can be used as a good basis for a multimodality system. For this
      purpose, 215 texture descriptors were extracted and eleven different classifiers
      were employed to achieve the best possible results. The proposed method was
      tested based on 418 T2-weighted MR images taken from 45 patients and evaluated
      using 9-fold cross validation with five patients in each fold. The results
      demonstrated comparable results to existing CAD systems using multimodality MRI.
      We achieved an area under the receiver operating curve (A z ) values equal to
      [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see
      text] for Bayesian networks, ADTree, random forest and multilayer perceptron
      classifiers, respectively, while a meta-voting classifier using average
      probability as a combination rule achieved [Formula: see text].

PMID- 27272937
TI  - Home-based walking during pregnancy affects mood and birth outcomes among
      sedentary women: A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - We examined the effects of home-based walking on sedentary Japanese women's
      pregnancy outcomes and mood. A randomized controlled trial was conducted,
      involving 118 women aged 22-36 years. Participants were randomly assigned to
      walking intervention (n = 60) or control (n = 58) groups. The walking group was
      instructed to walk briskly for 30 min, three times weekly from 30 weeks'
      gestation until delivery. Both groups counted their daily steps using pedometers.
      Pregnancy and delivery outcomes were assessed, participants completed the Profile
      of Mood States, and we used the intention-to-treat principle. Groups showed no
      differences regarding pregnancy or delivery outcomes. The walking group exhibited
      decreased scores on the depression-dejection and confusion subscales of the
      Profile of Mood States. Five of the 54 women in the intervention group who
      remained in the study (9.2%) completed 100% of the prescribed walking program; 32
      (59.3%) women completed 80% or more. Unsupervised walking improves sedentary
      pregnant women's mood, indicating that regular walking during pregnancy should be
      promoted in this group.

PMID- 27272939
TI  - Opportunities and challenges of 2D magnetic van der Waals materials: magnetic
      graphene?

PMID- 27272938
TI  - Low-level Chronic Lead Exposure Impairs Neural Control of Blood Pressure and
      Heart Rate in Rats.
AB  - Lead (Pb) induces adverse effects when it chronically accumulates in the body,
      including effects on the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Wistar rats were
      exposed to lead acetate for 30 days (first dose 4 ug/100 g followed by 0.05
      ug/100 g/day, i.m.) to investigate the cardiovascular system impact on the
      autonomic control. The femoral artery and vein were catheterised to perform
      hemodynamic evaluations in awake rats: heart rate variability (HRV), baroreflex
      sensitivity, cardiopulmonary reflex and hemodynamic responses to vagal and
      sympathetic pharmacological blockade. Rats exposed to Pb exhibited a higher blood
      pressure and reduced HRV in the time domain when compared to the saline-injected
      group. Spectral analysis of the HRV in the frequency-domain showed an augmented
      low-frequency component of the spectrum. Methylatropine and atenolol
      administration suggest increased sympathetic tone and reduced vagal tone on the
      control of heart rate. Chronic Pb exposure decreased the sensitivity of the
      baroreflex without significantly changing the cardiopulmonary reflex. This study
      demonstrated for the first time in an animal model of a controlled, low-dose
      chronic lead exposure that cardiovascular changes, such as arterial hypertension,
      are accompanied by impaired autonomic control of the cardiovascular system, as
      characterised by reduced baroreflex sensitivity and a sympathovagal imbalance.

PMID- 27272936
TI  - Category-Selectivity in Human Visual Cortex Follows Cortical Topology: A Grouped
      icEEG Study.
AB  - Neuroimaging studies suggest that category-selective regions in higher-order
      visual cortex are topologically organized around specific anatomical landmarks:
      the mid-fusiform sulcus (MFS) in the ventral temporal cortex (VTC) and lateral
      occipital sulcus (LOS) in the lateral occipital cortex (LOC). To derive precise
      structure-function maps from direct neural signals, we collected intracranial EEG
      (icEEG) recordings in a large human cohort (n = 26) undergoing implantation of
      subdural electrodes. A surface-based approach to grouped icEEG analysis was used
      to overcome challenges from sparse electrode coverage within subjects and
      variable cortical anatomy across subjects. The topology of category-selectivity
      in bilateral VTC and LOC was assessed for five classes of visual stimuli-faces,
      animate non-face (animals/body-parts), places, tools, and words-using
      correlational and linear mixed effects analyses. In the LOC, selectivity for
      living (faces and animate non-face) and non-living (places and tools) classes was
      arranged in a ventral-to-dorsal axis along the LOS. In the VTC, selectivity for
      living and non-living stimuli was arranged in a latero-medial axis along the MFS.
      Written word-selectivity was reliably localized to the intersection of the left
      MFS and the occipito-temporal sulcus. These findings provide direct
      electrophysiological evidence for topological information structuring of
      functional representations within higher-order visual cortex. 

PMID- 27272940
TI  - Protective effects of a Modified Vaccinia Ankara-based vaccine candidate against
      Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever virus require both cellular and humoral
      responses.
AB  - Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne disease, endemic
      in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia. There is
      no approved vaccine currently available against CCHF. The most promising
      candidate, which has previously been shown to confer protection in the small
      animal model, is a modified Vaccinia Ankara virus vector expressing the CCHF
      viral glycoprotein (MVA-GP). It has been shown that MVA-GP induces both humoral
      and cellular immunogenicity. In the present study, sera and T-lymphocytes were
      passively and adoptively transferred into recipient mice prior to challenge with
      CCHF virus. Results demonstrated that mediators from both arms of the immune
      system were required to demonstrate protective effects against lethal challenge. 

PMID- 27272941
TI  - Elevated levels of miR-210 correlate with anemia in beta-thalassemia/HbE
      patients.
AB  - Ineffective erythropoiesis in beta-thalassemia patients is caused by the
      premature death of red blood cell precursors due to excess alpha-globin chains.
      As a consequence, patients develop chronic anemia and hypoxia. Upregulation of
      miR-210, a hypoxia-induced miRNA, has been shown to regulate globin gene
      expression and erythroid differentiation in beta-thalassemia/HbE erythroid
      progenitor cell culture. The present study examined whether the expression of miR
      210 in circulation reflects the anemic condition in these patients. The level of
      miR-210 expression was directly examined from red blood cells and plasma of beta
      thalassemia/HbE patients. Transferrin receptor, a marker of erythropoiesis
      activity, was also analyzed. Increased expression of both red blood cells and
      plasma miR-210 as well as elevated levels of serum transferrin receptor in beta
      thalassemia/HbE patients were observed when compared to those of normal
      individuals (p < 0.05). In addition, red blood cell miR-210 level was inversely
      correlated with hemoglobin levels (r = -0.7054, p < 0.01) and hematocrit (r = 
      0.6017, p < 0.05). The higher expression of miR-210 in these patients may be the
      consequence of hypoxia occurring from the lower hemoglobin level. Thus, analysis
      of red blood cell miR-210 may be useful as a method for assessing hypoxia in beta
      thalassemia patients. 

PMID- 27272944
TI  - Genome-wide set of SNPs reveals evidence for two glacial refugia and admixture
      from postglacial recolonization in an alpine ungulate.
AB  - Past glaciation events have played a major role in shaping the genetic diversity
      and distribution of wild sheep in North America. The advancement of glaciers can
      isolate populations in ice-free refugia, where they can survive until the
      recession of ice sheets. The major Beringian refugium is thought to have held
      thinhorn sheep (Ovis dalli) populations during times of glacial advance. While
      isolation in the major refugium can account for much of the genetic and
      morphological diversity seen in extant thinhorn sheep populations, mounting
      evidence suggests the persistence of populations in smaller minor refugia. We
      investigated the refugial origins of thinhorn sheep using ~10 000 SNPs obtained
      via a cross-species application of the domestic sheep ovine HD BeadChip to
      genotype 52 thinhorn sheep and five bighorn sheep (O. canadensis) samples.
      Phylogenetic inference revealed a distinct lineage of thinhorn sheep inhabiting
      British Columbia, which is consistent with the survival of a group of thinhorn
      sheep in a minor refugium separate from the Beringian refugium. Isolation in
      separate glacial refugia probably mediated the evolution of the two thinhorn
      sheep subspecies, the white Dall's sheep (O. d. dalli), which persisted in
      Beringia, and the dark Stone's sheep (O. d. stonei), which utilized the minor
      refugium. We also found the first genetic evidence for admixture between sheep
      from different glacial refugia in south-central Yukon as a consequence of post
      glacial expansion and recolonization. These results show that glaciation events
      can have a major role in the evolution of species inhabiting previously glaciated
      habitats and the need to look beyond established refugia when examining the
      evolutionary history of such species.

PMID- 27272943
TI  - Fractional anisotropy in patients with disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid
      space hydrocephalus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH)
      findings on MRI were described as a prognostic factor for responsiveness to the
      treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Our premise is that
      DESH could be associated with compression of the cerebral white matter.
      Microstructural changes can be identified using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI),
      specifically fractional anisotropy (FA). The aim of this study is to compare FA
      in iNPH patients with and without DESH and healthy controls. METHODS: We analysed
      1.5-T MRI scans of patients fulfilling the criteria of probable or possible iNPH
      and positive supplementary tests before and after surgery (ventriculo-peritoneal
      shunt). FA was measured in the anterior and posterior limb of the internal
      capsule (PLIC) and in the corpus callosum. Patients were divided into the DESH
      and non-DESH group. These data were also compared to FA values in the control
      group. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients and 24 healthy controls were enrolled. DESH
      was present in 15 patients and lacking in 12. Twenty-three iNPH patients were
      shunt responders (85.2 %), and 4 were non-responders (14.8 %). All patients in
      the DESH group were shunt responders. In the non-DESH group, eight patients were
      responders (66.7 %). A significant difference between the DESH and non-DESH group
      was found in the FA of the PLIC. The mean value of FA in the PLIC was 0.72 in the
      DESH group and 0.66 in the non-DESH group. After the surgery FA decreased in both
      groups. In the DESH iNPH group FA PLIC decreased to 0.65 and in the non-DESH iNPH
      group to 0.60. In the healthy controls, the mean FA in the PLIC was 0.58.
      CONCLUSION: DESH on MRI scans is related to a higher FA in the PLIC with a
      decrease after the surgery. It reflects a more severe compression of the white
      matter than in non-DESH patients or healthy volunteers. DESH patients had better
      outcome than non-DESH patients. This study confirmed the importance of DESH as a
      supportive sign for iNPH.

PMID- 27272942
TI  - High IL-7 levels in the bone marrow microenvironment mediate imatinib resistance
      and predict disease progression in chronic myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a three-stage myeloproliferative disease caused
      by translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. Although tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors (TKI) are highly effective in the treatment of CML, numerous clinical
      trials have shown that many patients become refractory or drug resistance,
      especially those in the blastic crisis of CML. The molecular mechanisms
      underlying CML, however, remain poorly understood. In the present study, we used
      a coculture model to address possible mechanisms underlying the involvement of
      bone marrow microenvironment in the drug resistance of CML. Our data show that
      interleukin-7(IL-7) levels in the bone marrow of CML patients in blastic crisis
      are significantly higher than those of both healthy persons and CML patients in
      chronic and accelerated phases. The increased IL-7 was secreted by mesenchymal
      stem cells (MSC) in the bone marrow, which may protect leukemic cells from
      apoptosis induced by imatinib through JAK1/STAT5 signaling pathway. Our findings
      suggest that therapeutic strategies IL-7 signaling pathway may represent a
      promising approach for improving CML therapy, especially for patients in blastic
      crisis. 

PMID- 27272947
TI  - The deepithelialized skin flap for closure of large myelomeningoceles: a common
      plastic surgery technique for a novel neurosurgery application.
AB  - PURPOSE: The study aims to demonstrate proof of principle of a common plastic
      surgery technique of deepithelialization for repair of large myelomeningoceles
      (MMCs). Whereas repair typically consists of a watertight dural closure followed
      by a muscle or fasciocutaeneous layer, excess skin, however, need not be
      discarded and can be deepithelialized to augment or, in selective cases, replace
      the muscle repair. METHODS: The study was performed through a retrospective chart
      review of two patients. RESULTS: Step-by-step figures illustrate the technique.
      Two patients each born with large MMCs measuring 10 * 11 cm and 6 * 9 cm,
      respectively, were reviewed. Excess skin was deepithelialized to create an
      additional layer of vascularized tissue over the muscle repair. There were no
      post-operative complications at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In large MMCs
      with excess skin, the use of a deepithelialized skin flap can potentially be an
      alternative or adjunct to a muscle flap to buttress the dural repair.

PMID- 27272949
TI  - Kinship, maternal effects, and management: Juvenile mortality and survival in
      captive African painted dogs, Lycaon pictus.
AB  - In 77 African painted dog (Lycaon pictus) litters born in North American zoos
      since 1998, pup mortality at 30 days was 53% (n = 478). More alarmingly, 52% of
      those 77 litters had zero pups surviving at 30 days. Many variables may have the
      potential to affect pup mortality in captivity, including kinship, maternal age,
      prior maternal breeding experience, and numerous social and husbandry factors.
      Data on these variables were obtained from the North American Regional Studbook,
      with supplemental information compiled from a survey sent to painted dog breeding
      facilities in North America. Survival curve analysis revealed significant effects
      for maternal age and kinship, with kinship being most significant (chi2 , df =
      19.71, 1; P < 0.0001). Pups born to unrelated parents had a median age at death
      two orders of magnitude higher than pups born to parents who were related to each
      other. Pup mortality was also lower for experienced mothers and for females under
      2.5 years or between 4.5 and 6.5 years old. Follow-up analyses of these findings
      indicated that among first-time mothers, the youngest females achieved the lowest
      juvenile mortality, while juvenile mortality for experienced mothers was
      relatively low in all age classes until 6.5 years old. Regression analysis
      indicated that chances of survival are improved for pups born to younger mothers,
      unrelated parents, and in packs of >2 individuals. Enclosure size and area per
      animal may also be important factors. Our findings indicate that specific
      characteristics can be used to predict and potentially reduce pup mortality in
      captive African painted dogs. Zoo Biol. 35:367-377, 2016. (c) Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 27272948
TI  - Extensive miRNA expression analysis in craniopharyngiomas.
AB  - PURPOSE: Craniopharyngiomas are benign tumors of the sellar or parasellar
      regions. They arise from the remnants of Rathke's pouch and are considered a
      "developmental disease." microRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that play a key
      regulatory role in the control of expression of entire gene networks. We
      performed an extensive analysis of miRNAs in craniopharyngiomas aiming to
      identify a miRNA expression signature that might aid in the prognosis of disease
      progression and outcome. METHODS: Thirty-seven craniopharyngioma samples from
      twenty-three patients, ten age-matched controls from autopsy, and ten infant
      controls from the developing pituitary from autopsy were evaluated for the
      expression of 754 miRNAs using TaqMan(r) Low Density Arrays (TLDAs) v2.0 (Applied
      Biosystems, Foster City, CA). RESULTS: Among the most differentially expressed
      miRNAs, downregulation of miR-132 appears to be a marker of aggressiveness and
      also plays a role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CONCLUSIONS: This is the
      first time that an extensive study of miRNA expression has been performed in
      craniopharyngiomas. Further research needs to be performed to investigate the
      potential role of miR-132 in the development and progression of
      craniopharyngiomas, and its value as a prognostic marker of aggressiveness.

PMID- 27272951
TI  - Disengaging from statistical significance.

PMID- 27272952
TI  - Biosynthesis of isoxazolin-5-one and 3-nitropropanoic acid containing glucosides
      in juvenile Chrysomelina.
AB  - Stable-isotope-labeled precursors were used to establish the biosynthetic pathway
      leading from beta-alanine towards isoxazolin-5-one glucoside 1 and its 3
      nitropropanoate (3-NPA) ester 2 in Chrysomelina larvae. Both structural elements
      originate from sequestered plant-derived beta-alanine or from propanoyl-CoA that
      is derived from the degradation of some essential amino acids, e.g. valine. beta
      Alanine is converted into 3-NPA and isoxazolinone 5 by consecutive oxidations of
      the amino group of beta-Ala. Substituting the diphospho group of alpha-UDP
      glucose with 5 generates the isoxazolin-5-one glucoside 1, which serves in the
      circulating hemolymph of the larva as a platform for esterification with 3
      nitropropanoyl-CoA. The pathway was validated with larvae of Phaedon cochleariae,
      Chrysomela populi as well as Gastrophysa viridula. 

PMID- 27272950
TI  - Deep-sequencing transcriptome analysis of field-grown Medicago sativa L. crown
      buds acclimated to freezing stress.
AB  - Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) 'Zhaodong' is an important forage legume that can
      safely survive in northern China where winter temperatures reach as low as -30 
      degrees C. Survival of alfalfa following freezing stress depends on the amount
      and revival ability of crown buds. In order to investigate the molecular
      mechanisms of frost tolerance in alfalfa, we used transcriptome sequencing
      technology and bioinformatics strategies to analyze crown buds of field-grown
      alfalfa during winter. We statistically identified a total of 5605 differentially
      expressed genes (DEGs) involved in freezing stress including 1900 upregulated and
      3705 downregulated DEGs. We validated 36 candidate DEGs using qPCR to confirm the
      accuracy of the RNA-seq data. Unlike other recent studies, this study employed
      alfalfa plants grown in the natural environment. Our results indicate that not
      only the CBF orthologs but also membrane proteins, hormone signal transduction
      pathways, and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis pathways indicate the presence of a
      special freezing adaptation mechanism in alfalfa. The antioxidant defense system
      may rapidly confer freezing tolerance to alfalfa. Importantly, biosynthesis of
      secondary metabolites and phenylalanine metabolism, which is of potential
      importance in coordinating freezing tolerance with growth and development, were
      downregulated in subzero temperatures. The adaptive mechanism for frost tolerance
      is a complex multigenic process that is not well understood. This systematic
      analysis provided an in-depth view of stress tolerance mechanisms in alfalfa. 

PMID- 27272953
TI  - Plant invasion is associated with higher plant-soil nutrient concentrations in
      nutrient-poor environments.
AB  - Plant invasion is an emerging driver of global change worldwide. We aimed to
      disentangle its impacts on plant-soil nutrient concentrations. We conducted a
      meta-analysis of 215 peer-reviewed articles and 1233 observations. Invasive plant
      species had globally higher N and P concentrations in photosynthetic tissues but
      not in foliar litter, in comparison with their native competitors. Invasive
      plants were also associated with higher soil C and N stocks and N, P, and K
      availabilities. The differences in N and P concentrations in photosynthetic
      tissues and in soil total C and N, soil N, P, and K availabilities between
      invasive and native species decreased when the environment was richer in nutrient
      resources. The results thus suggested higher nutrient resorption efficiencies in
      invasive than in native species in nutrient-poor environments. There were
      differences in soil total N concentrations but not in total P concentrations,
      indicating that the differences associated to invasive plants were related with
      biological processes, not with geochemical processes. The results suggest that
      invasiveness is not only a driver of changes in ecosystem species composition but
      that it is also associated with significant changes in plant-soil elemental
      composition and stoichiometry.

PMID- 27272954
TI  - Synthesis of isoindolin-1-one derivatives via multicomponent reactions of methyl
      2-formylbenzoate and intramolecular amidation.
AB  - Four series of heterocyclic compounds were obtained using Ugi-type multicomponent
      reactions (MCRs) with methyl 2-formylbenzoate as one of the starting materials. A
      facile and efficient one-pot procedure was suitable for all the MCRs under acidic
      conditions. This process provided access to four series of complex and
      potentially biologically active scaffolds.

PMID- 27272955
TI  - Whipple's disease without gastrointestinal symptoms: a challenging diagnosis.

PMID- 27272957
TI  - Introducing Technical Skills Assessment Into Certification: Closing the
      Implementation Gap.

PMID- 27272956
TI  - Patient-reported adverse effects of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone
      treatment: a prospective web-based multi-center study in multiple sclerosis
      patients with a relapse.
AB  - In a prospective multi-center observational study, we evaluated the frequency,
      severity, and impact on activities of daily living (ADL) of adverse effects (AEs)
      of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in relapsing remitting
      multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a relapse. Online self-report
      questionnaires stating IVMP's most common AEs were completed at baseline, the 2nd
      day of treatment, and 1 day and 1 week after treatment. Eighty-five patients were
      included, 66 completed the baseline questionnaire, and 59 completed at least one
      post-baseline questionnaire. Patients reported on average 4 (median) AEs; two
      (3.4 %) reported no AE. Most frequent was change in taste (61 %), facial flushing
      (61 %), sick/stomach pain (53 %), sleep disturbance (44 %), appetite change (37
      %), agitation (36 %), and behavioral changes (36 %). Of all AEs, 34.3 % were
      severe and 37.9 % impacted on ADL. A 3-day course resulted in 4 (median) AEs and
      a 5-day course in 7. All patients with high disease impact had two or more AEs,
      compared with 79 % of those with low impact (p < 0.01). Of patients with high
      disability, 45 % had severe AEs, compared with 16 % of those with low disability.
      Severe central nervous system (CNS)-related AEs occurred two times more
      frequently in patients with high disease impact, and two-and-a-half times more
      frequently in patients with high disability. Therefore, in virtually all
      patients, high-dose IVMP leads to AEs, with about one of three AEs being severe
      with impact on ADL. Patients with high disease impact or high disability may
      experience more (severe) AEs, due to a higher occurrence of severe CNS-related
      AEs. 

PMID- 27272958
TI  - Reduced 30-Day Mortality After Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A
      Population Based Study From the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit (DSCA).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of a laparoscopic resection on postoperative
      mortality after colorectal cancer surgery. BACKGROUND: The question whether
      laparoscopic resection (LR) compared with open surgery [open resection (OR)] for
      colorectal cancer influences the risk of postoperative mortality remains
      unresolved. Several meta-analyses showed a trend but failed to reach statistical
      significance. The exclusion of high-risk patients and insufficient power might be
      responsible for that. We analyzed the influence of LR on postoperative mortality
      in a risk-stratified comparison and secondly, we studied the effect of LR on
      postoperative morbidity. METHODS: Data from the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit
      (2010-2013) were used. Homogenous subgroups of patients were defined on the basis
      of factors influencing the choice of surgical approach and risk factors for
      postoperative mortality. Crude mortality rates were compared between LR and OR.
      The influence of LR on postoperative complications was evaluated using both
      univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: In patients undergoing elective
      surgery for nonlocally advanced, nonmetastasized colon cancer, LR was associated
      with a significant lower risk of postoperative mortality than OR in 20/22
      subgroups. LR was independently associated with a lower risk of cardiac (odds
      ratio: 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.66-0.82) and respiratory (odds ratio:
      0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.84) complications. CONCLUSIONS: LR reduces
      the risk of postoperative mortality compared with OR in elective setting in
      patients with nonlocally advanced, nonmetastasized colorectal cancer. Especially
      elderly frail patients seem to benefit because of reduced cardiopulmonary
      complications. These findings support widespread implementation of LR for
      colorectal cancer also in patients at high operative risk.

PMID- 27272959
TI  - Deintensification of Routine Medical Services: The Next Frontier for Improving
      Care Quality.

PMID- 27272960
TI  - Commercial Milk Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Kit Reactivities to
      Purified Milk Proteins and Milk-Derived Ingredients.
AB  - Numerous commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits exist to
      quantitatively detect bovine milk residues in foods. Milk contains many proteins
      that can serve as ELISA targets including caseins (alpha-, beta-, or kappa
      casein) and whey proteins (alpha-lactalbumin or beta-lactoglobulin). Nine
      commercially-available milk ELISA kits were selected to compare the specificity
      and sensitivity with 5 purified milk proteins and 3 milk-derived ingredients. All
      of the milk kits were capable of quantifying nonfat dry milk (NFDM), but did not
      necessarily detect all individual protein fractions. While milk-derived
      ingredients were detected by the kits, their quantitation may be inaccurate due
      to the use of different calibrators, reference materials, and antibodies in kit
      development. The establishment of a standard reference material for the
      calibration of milk ELISA kits is increasingly important. The appropriate
      selection and understanding of milk ELISA kits for food analysis is critical to
      accurate quantification of milk residues and informed risk management decisions. 

PMID- 27272961
TI  - Venous Thromboembolism in Children: Is It Preventable?
AB  - The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children is increasing.
      Hospitalized infants and adolescents are at highest risk, and most individuals
      who have VTE have multiple thrombotic risk factors. The presence of a central
      venous catheter (CVC) is the most frequent risk factor for childhood thrombosis.
      Childhood VTE has significant consequences in relation to the thrombotic event
      and the anticoagulant therapy used for its treatment. Identification of the most
      prevalent risk factors for VTE, particularly among adolescents, has moved the
      focus toward prevention of thrombosis. Risk assessment models have been developed
      to identify individuals who are at higher risk with a view to employing
      preventative strategies such as mechanical and chemical thromboprophylaxis (TP).
      There is currently little evidence to support the efficacy of such strategies for
      preventing either CVC-associated thrombosis or thrombosis at other sites. In
      addition, there are concerns about adverse consequences of mechanical and
      chemical TP in a population where the overall incidence of VTE remains low. 

PMID- 27272962
TI  - Factor VIII Activity and Inhibitor Assays in the Diagnosis and Treatment of
      Hemophilia A.
AB  - The treatment of a patient with a factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency can be
      complicated. The mainstay of therapy is factor replacement. Replacement therapy
      can be given prophylactically, with the goal of decreasing hemarthroses and
      spontaneous hemorrhage, or on-demand for the bleeding patient. Intra- and
      interindividual variability in a patient's response to treatment has been well
      documented by the differences in observed half-lives of infused product. Although
      weight-based dosing nomograms are most often used, personalized therapies are
      coming into use to ease the burden of therapy and cost. The most significant
      complication of treatment is the formation of inhibitors to FVIII. The role of
      the laboratory is to provide results for FVIII activity that accurately reflects
      a patient's baseline level and response to treatment. However, factor activity
      assays have many components that can contribute to result variability. These
      include the methodology and reagent components used to measure the FVIII
      activity, the reference standard employed, algorithm used to interpret the
      dilutions, and the replacement factor being measured. An understanding of assay
      variables and their impact will assist in providing accurate factor activity
      results and appropriate patient care.

PMID- 27272963
TI  - Assessing Safety of Thrombolytic Therapy.
AB  - Thrombolytic therapy involves thrombolytic agents administered to patients
      suffering from venous or arterial thrombosis. The therapy induces systemic
      effects interrelated with the thrombolytic agent used. Bleeding is a prominent
      complication of thrombolytic therapy. Exhaustion of coagulation factors,
      generation of excessive amounts of fibrin degradation products (FDPs), therapy
      induced activation of coagulation, therapy-induced anticoagulation, and formation
      of new fibrin all illustrate the complexity of effects of the treatment and
      challenges the hemostatic balance in the patients. The therapy-induced effects
      can be modulated by parallel administration of anticoagulants. Risk assessment is
      mandatory prior to thrombolytic therapy. Anticoagulated and unconscious patients
      represent particular safety concerns, and should be fully evaluated. Several
      guidelines describe the choice of tests and their safety limits in relation to
      pretreatment evaluation of anticoagulated patients. Fibrinogen depletion and FDPs
      during treatment may be promising markers for the evaluation of bleeding risk
      posttreatment. Future risk assessment measures should focus on the dynamics of
      the hemostatic balance. Here, thromboelastography may be considered a tool
      addressing clot formation, fibrin structure, and fibrinolytic resistance in
      parallel. Suitable laboratory analysis performed shortly after treatment may help
      to recognize severe treatment-induced systemic effects that can be counteracted
      by rational treatment, thereby reducing bleeding risk.

PMID- 27272964
TI  - Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Monitoring of Unfractionated Heparin
      Therapy: Issues and Recommendations.
AB  - When administering unfractionated heparin (UFH), therapeutic levels of
      anticoagulation must be achieved rapidly and maintained consistently in the
      therapeutic range. The basic assays for monitoring UFH therapy are the activated
      partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and/or the chromogenic antifactor Xa or
      antithrombin assays. For many laboratories, the APTT is the preferred standard of
      practice; however, the APTT is a surrogate marker that only estimates the heparin
      concentration. Many factors, including patient variation, reagents of the APTT,
      UFH composition, and concentration can influence the APTT result. This article
      reviews various methods to determine the heparin therapeutic range and presents
      recommendations for the laboratory to establish an APTT heparin therapeutic range
      for all sizes of hospitals.

PMID- 27272965
TI  - Thrombosis in Autoimmune Diseases: A Role for Immunosuppressive Treatments?
AB  - Autoimmune diseases are not infrequently associated with arterial or venous
      thrombotic events. Chronic inflammation and immune system impairment are
      considered the main pathogenetic mechanisms. Some of the drugs used in the
      treatment of such diseases have been associated with an increased risk of
      thrombosis. On the contrary, their anti-inflammatory and immune modulator
      activity could correct some mechanisms leading to thrombosis. In this review,
      recent evidence available on this topic is examined. There is a lack of adequate
      studies, but available evidence suggests that glucocorticoids and high-dose
      immunoglobulins are associated with an increased incidence of venous
      thromboembolism. Although available data do not allow drawing definite
      conclusions and more data are needed from future studies and registries,
      physicians should be aware of these associations. 

PMID- 27272966
TI  - Risk Factors for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.
AB  - Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare thrombotic disorder involving the
      cerebral veins and dural sinuses. In contrast to more common sites of venous
      thromboembolism (VTE), such as the legs and lungs, CVT mainly affects young
      adults and children, and women are affected three times more often than men.
      Although presenting symptoms are variable, headache is usually the first symptom,
      often in combination with focal neurologic deficits and epileptic seizures. The
      primary therapy for CVT consists of heparin followed by oral anticoagulation for
      at least 3 to 6 months. The mortality in the acute phase is 5 to 10% and a
      substantial proportion of survivors suffer from long-term disabilities. A large
      number of risk factors have been linked to CVT, although the scientific evidence
      for an association varies considerably between risk factors. Some risk factors,
      such as hereditary thrombophilia, correspond with risk factors for more common
      sites of VTE, whereas others, such as head trauma, are specific to CVT. In most
      patients, at least one risk factor can be identified. In this review, we provide
      an overview of the risk factors for CVT. 

PMID- 27272967
TI  - Clinical Outcomes of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with and without Cancer:
      The SWIss Venous ThromboEmbolism Registry (SWIVTER).
AB  - Background The association between cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in
      producing adverse clinical outcomes requires further investigation. Methods In
      the Swiss Venous ThromboEmbolism Registry (SWIVTER), we compared adverse clinical
      outcomes between 493 patients with cancer-associated VTE and 1,569 VTE patients
      without cancer, and identified independent predictors of 90-day mortality.
      Results Among cancer patients, 351 (71%) had active disease at the time of VTE
      diagnosis and 232 (47%) had metastatic disease. Cancer patients more frequently
      had asymptomatic VTE (13 vs. 4%; p < 0.001), iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (42
      vs. 32%; p = 0.017), and upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (16 vs. 7%; p <
      0.001). Cancer was associated with an increased risk of cumulative 90-day
      mortality (13.0 vs. 2.2%; hazard ratio [HR], 6.27; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      4.13-9.50; p < 0.001), recurrent VTE (4.7 vs. 2.3%; HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.21-3.45;
      p = 0.007), and bleeding requiring medical attention (5.7 vs. 3.3%; HR, 1.80; 95%
      CI, 1.13-2.86; p = 0.013). Among cancer patients, the strongest factor associated
      with mortality was metastatic disease (HR, 4.86; 95% CI, 2.68-8.81; p < 0.001),
      whereas it was pulmonary embolism among noncancer patients (HR, 4.96; 95% CI,
      1.50-16.45; p = 0.009). Symptomatic as compared with asymptomatic VTE predicted
      neither mortality (12.6 vs. 15.9%; HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.39-1.49; p = 0.42) nor
      recurrent VTE (4.7 vs. 4.8%; HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.29-3.31; p = 0.98) in cancer
      patients. Conclusion In SWIVTER, early mortality of cancer-associated VTE was
      mainly driven by the extent of cancer disease and not by VTE symptoms or
      severity. 

PMID- 27272968
TI  - Monitoring of Hemostasis and Management of Anticoagulant Thromboprophylaxis in
      Pregnant Women with Increased Risk of Fetal Loss.
AB  - Physiological prothrombotic changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period,
      along with other preexisting maternal risk factors, increase the risk of both
      venous thromboembolism (VTE) and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Pregnancy
      complications that develop due to placental insufficiency as a result of
      inappropriate activation of coagulation are present in more than 5% of
      pregnancies and can contribute to significant maternal morbidity and mortality.
      Therefore, anticoagulant prophylaxis in women with congenital and acquired
      thrombophilic conditions should be actively considered. According to the
      Guidelines of American College of Chest Physicians, the use of low-molecular
      weight heparin is suggested for prophylaxis of VTE and pregnancy complications in
      high-risk pregnant women. However, personalized refinements of such
      thromboprophylaxis remains unspecified, despite the necessity of better targeted
      recommendations for life-threatening conditions. We, therefore, review the
      possibilities of longitudinal monitoring and comprehensive assessment of changes
      in hemostasis in the group of high-risk pregnant women, which can then be used
      for early prediction and individualization of the optimal anticoagulant
      thromboprophylaxis of pregnancy complications. Simultaneously, we present our
      single-center experience with such monitoring and our first series of results. 

PMID- 27272969
TI  - Influence of dietary slow-release urea on growth performance, organ development
      and serum biochemical parameters of mutton sheep.
AB  - Eighty Dorper * thin-tailed Han cross-bred non-castrated male lambs [mean body
      weight (BW), 25.87 +/- 1.06 kg] were randomly allocated to one of five different
      concentrations of slow-release urea (urea phosphate, UP). The feed consisted of
      an equal amount of concentrate diet and roughage; the concentrate feed was
      formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenic and contained 0%, 1%, 2%, 4% and
      8% UP (UP0.0, UP1.0, UP2.0, UP4.0 and UP8.0, respectively) as a replacement for
      soya bean meal. Feed intake, BW, average daily gain (ADG), feed utilisation
      efficiency (FUE), absolute and relative organ weights and biochemical and
      histopathological parameters were measured. Feed intake, BW, ADG and FUE
      significantly decreased in the group receiving UP8.0 (p < 0.05), but no
      difference was found among the other groups (p > 0.05). Quadratic equations were
      developed between the UP dosage in the concentrate feed and ADG or FUE (r2  =
      0.973 for ADG and r2  = 0.761 for FUE) to determine the appropriate dosage of UP
      given the desire to maximise either ADG or FUE, the appropriate dosage (feed
      concentration) was calculated as 2.01% UP to achieve the greatest ADG or 2.13% UP
      to achieve the best FUE. The relative weight of the liver (% BW) in the UP2.0
      groups was significantly greater than that of UP0.0 (p < 0.05), and the relative
      weight of the intestine in the UP8.0 was significantly greater than that of UP0.0
      (p < 0.05); the relative weight of the carcass, heart, spleen, lung, kidney,
      rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05).
      The UP8.0 treatment significantly increased serum phosphorus levels (p < 0.05)
      and decreased the levels of alkaline phosphatase, glucose and calcium (Ca)
      compared with the lower UP dosage (p < 0.05). No histopathological differences
      were found in either hepatic tissues or renal tissues among treatments. Dietary
      UP as a replacement for soya bean in concentrate feeds for mutton sheep should
      not exceed 4%, as higher dosing may cause malnutrition and mineral disorders.

PMID- 27272970
TI  - Anticipatory Electrodermal Response as a Differentiating Somatic Marker Between
      Children with ADHD and Controls.
AB  - Six children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and five
      control children between the ages of 9 and 11 years were administered an adapted
      version of the Iowa Gambling Task while measuring anticipatory electrodermal
      response (EDR). Anticipatory EDR measures were compared between groups. Results
      indicate that the ADHD group exhibited significantly lower autonomic reactivity
      to anticipated consequences, evidencing a neuropsychological profile similar to
      patients with lesions in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.

PMID- 27272972
TI  - HHV-6 and seizure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a common infection in childhood. This systematic
      review aims to assess the relationship between HHV-6 infection and seizure
      disorders based on available literature. MEDLINE database was searched using a
      search strategy. We included studies that were published after 1993 in English,
      and described patients with HHV-6 infection and accompanying seizure or status
      epilepticus. We identified 503 articles, and included 147 studies. Meta-analysis
      results showed a 0.21 detection rate of HHV-6 in febrile seizure patients. In the
      febrile seizure group (110 cases), 76 patients had simple and 34 had complex
      febrile seizures. Patients with "HHV-6 infection and status epilepticus" had a
      mean age of 16.24 months. In children with febrile illnesses, a higher index of
      clinical suspicion for HHV-6 infection may be required. Further studies including
      CSF and brain tissue may be needed to validate relationships between HHV6
      infection and epilepsy. J. Med. Virol. 89:161-169, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27272973
TI  - Perioperative risk factors for impaired neurodevelopment after cardiac surgery in
      early infancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Historical cohort studies have reported adverse neurodevelopment
      following cardiac surgery during early infancy. Advances in surgical techniques
      and perioperative care have coincided with updating of neurodevelopmental
      assessment tools. We aimed to determine perioperative risk factors for impaired
      neurodevelopment at 2 years following surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD)
      in early infancy. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We undertook a prospective longitudinal
      study of 153 full-term infants undergoing surgery for CHD before 2 months of age.
      Infants were excluded if they had a genetic syndrome associated with
      neurodevelopmental impairment. OUTCOME MEASURES: Predefined perioperative
      parameters were recorded and infants were classified according to cardiac
      anatomy. At 2 years, survivors were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant
      Development-III. RESULTS: At 2 years, 130 children (98% of survivors) were
      assessed. Mean cognitive, language and motor scores were 93.4+/-13.6, 93.6+/-16.1
      and 96.8+/-12.5 respectively (100+/-15 norm). Twenty (13%) died and 12 (9%)
      survivors had severe impairment (score <70), mostly language (8%). The lowest
      scores were in infants born with single ventricle physiology with obstruction to
      the pulmonary circulation who required a neonatal systemic-to-pulmonary artery
      shunt. Additional risk factors for impairment included reduced gestational age,
      postoperative elevation of lactate or S100B and repeat cardiac surgery.
      CONCLUSIONS: In the modern era of infant cardiac surgery and perioperative care,
      children continue to demonstrate neurodevelopmental delays. The use of updated
      assessment tools has revealed early language dysfunction and relative sparing of
      motor function. Ongoing follow-up is critical in this high-risk population.

PMID- 27272971
TI  - Interplay between hepatic mitochondria-associated membranes, lipid metabolism and
      caveolin-1 in mice.
AB  - The mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM) is a specialized subdomain of the
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER) which acts as an intracellular signaling hub. MAM
      dysfunction has been related to liver disease. We report a high-throughput mass
      spectrometry-based proteomics characterization of MAMs from mouse liver, which
      portrays them as an extremely complex compartment involved in different metabolic
      processes, including steroid metabolism. Interestingly, we identified caveolin-1
      (CAV1) as an integral component of hepatic MAMs, which determine the relative
      cholesterol content of these ER subdomains. Finally, a detailed comparative
      proteomics analysis between MAMs from wild type and CAV1-deficient mice suggests
      that functional CAV1 contributes to the recruitment and regulation of
      intracellular steroid and lipoprotein metabolism-related processes accrued at
      MAMs. The potential impact of these novel aspects of CAV1 biology on global cell
      homeostasis and disease is discussed.

PMID- 27272974
TI  - Vitamin A toxicity presenting as bone pain.
AB  - A 4-year-old boy presented with severe bone pains, refusal to walk, diffuse bony
      swelling of forelimbs, skin changes and abdominal pain, with symptoms evolving
      over 6 weeks. Blood screening tests were normal except for raised aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST). Radiographs revealed thickened periosteum, widening of
      the diaphyses of long bones and lifted periosteum in mid-shaft of ulnae and right
      femur. Skeletal scintigraphy showed a high uptake of radionuclide at clinically
      affected and unaffected sites, suggestive of multifocal osteoblastic skeletal
      lesions. After repeated enquiries, his parents admitted to giving him massive
      doses of preformed vitamin A for over 3 months as 'health tablets'. Surprisingly,
      he did not have overt liver disease typically found with much smaller doses,
      although the dermal changes and musculoskeletal pathology were florid. He made a
      full clinical recovery within 2 months of cessation of vitamin A.

PMID- 27272975
TI  - Design, Synthesis, and Functionalization of Imidazoheterocycles.
AB  - Over the years, various strategies have been reported for the synthesis of
      imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines due to their importance in different fields. In this
      account, we represent the methods developed by our group for the synthesis and
      functionalization of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. Different synthetic strategies have
      been developed using easily accessible reactants for this purpose. We envisage
      that these newly developed protocols will be very useful for the synthesis of
      functionalized molecules bearing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine scaffolds. These
      strategies will also be attractive for the construction of other pharmaceutically
      important heterocycles.

PMID- 27272976
TI  - Continuous dopaminergic stimulation therapy for Parkinson's disease - recent
      advances.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We aim to review the most interesting recent advances on the
      clinical aspects of continuous dopaminergic stimulation in Parkinson's disease.
      RECENT FINDINGS: Several large, open-label studies have presented data that are
      in line with the randomized controlled trial on L-dopa-carbidopa intestinal gel
      infusion, which shows that a continuous drug delivery can improve motor
      fluctuations and dyskinesia in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.
      Furthermore, new extended-release formulations of L-dopa aim to stabilize plasma
      concentrations and thus reduce the degree of motor complications - despite a
      reduced number of daily doses. Transdermal rotigotine has been shown to be
      effective for specific subgroups of patients, although the general effect on
      nonmotor symptoms is still unclear. New products for L-dopa infusion are also at
      different stages of development, but the routes of administration are widely
      different: intrajejunal, subcutaneous, and oral. SUMMARY: The understanding of
      the mechanisms behind the complications of long-term L-dopa treatment is still
      not complete, but therapies aiming for continuous dopaminergic stimulation are
      already widely used in clinical practice and the evidence strength is improving.
      However, there is still an urgent need for both less invasive and less costly
      options in order to increase access to these therapies.

PMID- 27272977
TI  - Atypical parkinsonism - new advances.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This update discusses novel aspects on genetics,
      pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches for atypical parkinsonism (progressive
      supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration and multiple system atrophy)
      published in the last 2 years. RECENT FINDINGS: In terms of genetics, in
      progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration new risk loci have
      been identified but also their possible association to disease pathogenesis. In
      multiple system atrophy, there is still a debate as to whether COQ2 variants are
      associated with disease, at least in non-Asian population, whereas at the same
      time evidence of coenzyme Q10 deficiency in serum and brains of MSA patients has
      been reported. In terms of pathogenesis, the 'prion' hypothesis has prevailed in
      the last years in the literature, and the first clinical studies based on such
      disease mechanisms are already in phase I. Despite all these discoveries,
      clinical diagnosis still remains poor, and phenotypic variability is reported
      much higher than previously thought. A plethora of studies testing possible
      neuroprotective agents are currently ongoing. SUMMARY: The knowledge on all
      aspects of atypical parkinsonism has increased tremendously in the last 2 years,
      leading the field closer to the understanding of the pathophysiology of these
      diseases, and to the discovery of a neuroprotective treatment.

PMID- 27272979
TI  - An evaluation of invasive fungal sinusitis outcomes with subsite analysis and use
      of frozen section analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) is an aggressive mycosis of the nasal
      cavity with frequent extension to adjacent structures. Occurring more commonly in
      immunocompromised individuals, prognosis is typically poor despite aggressive
      treatment. This study aims to examine postoperative outcomes and survival of a
      cohort of fungal sinusitis patients at an academic center, as well as identify
      causes of death in IFS patients. METHODS: This study was a retrospective chart
      review of patient charts and departmental records, yielding patient demographics,
      medical and surgical treatments, pathology records, and outcomes data. RESULTS:
      Twenty-seven patients were identified from departmental records between 1998 and
      2014. Twenty-one patients presented with Mucor infections, whereas the remaining
      6 patients had Aspergillus. All patients were immunocompromised: diabetes (n =
      14) and hematologic malignancy (n = 13). Three patients had multiple causes of
      immunosuppression. Most commonly involved subsites were the maxillary, ethmoid,
      and sphenoid sinuses. Nasal septum involvement was independently associated with
      mortality (p < 0.01). Overall mortality was 57.7% within 1 year, although 66.7%
      of fatalities occurred within 1 month of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Overall survival
      for IFS remains poor. Widespread disease and nasal septum involvement were
      associated with a negative clinical course. Early identification and aggressive
      surgical and antifungal therapy is warranted. Even despite intense therapy,
      comorbid conditions and drug toxicity increase mortality and complicate the
      clinical course.

PMID- 27272978
TI  - Highly efficient residue-selective labeling with isotope-labeled Ile, Leu, and
      Val using a new auxotrophic E. coli strain.
AB  - We recently developed a practical protocol for preparing proteins bearing stereo
      selectively (13)C-methyl labeled leucines and valines, instead of the commonly
      used (13)C-methyl labeled precursors for these amino acids, by E. coli cellular
      expression. Using this protocol, proteins with any combinations of isotope
      labeled or unlabeled Leu and Val residues were prepared, including some that
      could not be prepared by the precursor methods. However, there is still room for
      improvement in the labeling efficiencies for Val residues, using the methods with
      labeled precursors or Val itself. This is due to the fact that the biosynthesis
      of Val could not be sufficiently suppressed, even by the addition of large
      amounts of Val or its precursors. In this study, we completely solved this
      problem by using a mutant strain derived from E. coli BL21(DE3), in which the
      metabolic pathways depending on two enzymes, dihydroxy acid dehydratase and beta
      isopropylmalate dehydrogenase, are completely aborted by deleting the ilvD and
      leuB genes, which respectively encode these enzymes. The DeltailvD E. coli mutant
      terminates the conversion from alpha,beta-dihydroxyisovalerate to alpha
      ketoisovalerate, and the conversion from alpha,beta-dihydroxy-alpha
      methylvalerate to alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate, which produce the preceding
      precursors for Val and Ile, respectively. By the further deletion of the leuB
      gene, the conversion from Val to Leu was also fully terminated. Taking advantage
      of the double-deletion mutant, DeltailvDDeltaleuB E. coli BL21(DE3), an efficient
      and residue-selective labeling method with various isotope-labeled Ile, Leu, and
      Val residues was established.

PMID- 27272980
TI  - Efficacy of electrochemotherapy for eruptive legs keratoacanthomas.
AB  - Generalized eruptive keratoacanthoma, is considered a serious condition because
      the eruptions are diffuse, persistent, and recurrent. Constant pruritus, visceral
      neoplasms, and unsatisfactory response to treatment are ominous prognostic
      factors. Even if skin cancers are usually well controlled with surgical and/or
      radiotherapic approaches, there are some cases in which these two techniques are
      not effective. With respect to surgery, radiotherapy and other standard
      treatments, ECT acts rapidly on multiple lesions with limited side effects and no
      functional impairment; moreover, repeated sessions can be performed to achieve or
      maintain the clinical response. We report a case of generalized eruptive
      keratoacanthomas in which electrochemotherapy was effective in inducing local
      regression of skin lesions. A 72-year-old woman with eruptive and painful
      keratoacanthomas for 3 months on both the lower limbs in which the conventional
      treatments could not be cosmetically acceptable. One session of
      electrochemotherapy with bleomycin sulfate was then performed on all isolated
      skin lesions. The treatment was well tolerated and led to a rapid clinical
      regression of the treated lesions. Use of ECT should be considered as an
      excellent alternative to current therapies in treatment of painful eruptive
      keratoacanthomas with a significant improvement of quality of life.

PMID- 27272981
TI  - Primary stenting for TASC C and D femoropopliteal lesions: one-year results from
      a multicentric trial on 203 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent advances in endovascular techniques have made it a seductive
      choice in the management of TASC C and D lesions. Currently, this tendency
      remains controversial, despite high success rates. The aim of the study was to
      regroup and harmonize the results of three surgical teams in 5 centers in order
      to obtain the largest series ever published on TASC C and D femoro-popliteal
      lesions primary stenting. METHODS: Two hundred and three patients and 209 lower
      limbs were included from March 2008 to October 2013. Each patient underwent
      primary stenting for TASC C or D femoro-popliteal lesions. RESULTS: Mean age was
      70+/-10; 71.4% were male with a 39.8% rate of coronary heart disease, 20.1% of
      renal insufficiency and 35.9% of diabetes; 57,4% suffered from claudication and
      42.6% from critical limb ischemia (CLI); 61.8% of the 144 limbs analyzed for run
      off presented with 3 patent infra-popliteal arteries. Four hundred and three
      stents were implanted in the 209 limbs included. Median stented length was 252
      mm. Associated procedures were performed in 35 patients (17.0%) including 4.3%
      minor amputations. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.4% (3 patients). Major
      complications occurred in 19 patients (9.3%) including 7 patients (3.4%)
      presented with early in-stent thrombosis. Median follow-up duration was 12 months
      (range 9.5-17.2 months). The 12-month mortality rate was 11.8% (24 patients). The
      3, 6 and 12 months primary patency rates according to Kaplan Meier estimates were
      98.1+/-0.9, 85.2+/-2.5 and 67.0+/-3.3% respectively. Secondary patency rates were
      96.1+/-1.9, 89.3+/-3.0 and 75.7+/-4.2% respectively. A subgroup analysis reported
      significantly higher patency rates for TASC C lesions compared to TASC D lesions
      (82.1% vs. 44% respectively, P=0.009). The 12-month in-stent thrombosis and
      restenosis rates were 19.6% and 13.9% respectively. A subgroup analysis showed
      higher rates of in-stent restenosis for TASC D lesions compared to TASC C lesions
      (35% vs. 10% respectively, P=0.005). The stent fracture rate was equal to 10.2%
      (30 stents). Occurrence of in-stent thrombosis and restenosis were associated
      with 3 and 5 cases of stent fracture (type II to IV) respectively. Freedom from
      TLR was 70.5%. Rutherford class decreased from 3.7 to 0.9 (3.52+/-1.06 to 0.75+/
      1.24) (P<0.0001). At 12 months 61.3% were asymptomatic, 33.3% suffered from
      claudication (21.3% Rutherford 1) and 5.4% suffered from CLI. Healing rates were
      63.9% with a limb salvage rate of 95.5% and a major amputation rate of 3.8%.
      CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest series of TASC C and D femoro-popliteal lesions
      primary stenting to our knowledge. The results are encouraging with acceptable
      primary patency and clinical improvement at 12 months. Results from mid- to long
      term follow-up are awaited.

PMID- 27272983
TI  - Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of alpha-alkylidene succinimides to
      nitrostyrenes.
AB  - A bifunctional squaramide-catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition reaction of alpha
      alkylidene succinimides with nitrostyrenes and a nitrodiene has been developed.
      This organocatalytic asymmetric reaction provides easy access to functionalized
      succinimides with two contiguous stereocenters with a broad substrate scope. The
      desired succinimide derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to
      98%) with high to excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >99 : 1 dr) and
      excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). This protocol provides a
      straightforward entry to functionalized chiral succinimide derivatives from
      simple starting materials. 

PMID- 27272982
TI  - Impact testing of the residual limb: System response to changes in prosthetic
      stiffness.
AB  - Currently, it is unknown whether changing prosthetic limb stiffness affects the
      total limb stiffness and influences the shock absorption of an individual with
      transtibial amputation. The hypotheses tested within this study are that a
      decrease in longitudinal prosthetic stiffness will produce (1) a reduced total
      limb stiffness, and (2) reduced magnitude of peak impact forces and increased
      time delay to peak force. Fourteen subjects with a transtibial amputation
      participated in this study. Prosthetic stiffness was modified by means of a shock
      absorbing pylon that provides reduced longitudinal stiffness through compression
      of a helical spring within the pylon. A sudden loading evaluation device was
      built to examine changes in limb loading mechanics during a sudden impact event.
      No significant change was found in the peak force magnitude or timing of the peak
      force between prosthetic limb stiffness conditions. Total limb stiffness
      estimates ranged from 14.9 to 17.9 kN/m but were not significantly different
      between conditions. Thus, the prosthetic-side total limb stiffness was unaffected
      by changes in prosthetic limb stiffness. The insensitivity of the total limb
      stiffness to prosthetic stiffness may be explained by the mechanical
      characteristics (i.e., stiffness and damping) of the anatomical tissue within the
      residual limb.

PMID- 27272984
TI  - Polymer Morphological Change Induced by Terahertz Irradiation.
AB  - As terahertz (THz) frequencies correspond to those of the intermolecular
      vibrational modes in a polymer, intense THz wave irradiation affects the
      macromolecular polymorph, which determines the polymer properties and functions.
      THz photon energy is quite low compared to the covalent bond energy; therefore,
      conformational changes can be induced "softly," without damaging the chemical
      structures. Here, we irradiate a poly(3-hydroxybutylate) (PHB) / chloroform
      solution during solvent casting crystallization using a THz wave generated by a
      free electron laser (FEL). Morphological observation shows the formation of
      micrometer-sized crystals in response to the THz wave irradiation. Further, a 10
      20% increase in crystallinity is observed through analysis of the infrared (IR)
      absorption spectra. The peak power density of the irradiating THz wave is 40
      MW/cm(2), which is significantly lower than the typical laser intensities used
      for material manipulation. We demonstrate for the first time that the THz wave
      effectively induces the intermolecular rearrangement of polymer macromolecules.

PMID- 27272986
TI  - Application of infiltrated LSCM-GDC oxide anode in direct carbon/coal fuel cells.
AB  - Hybrid direct carbon/coal fuel cells (HDCFCs) utilise an anode based upon a
      molten carbonate salt with an oxide conducting solid electrolyte for direct
      carbon/coal conversion. They can be fuelled by a wide range of carbon sources,
      and offer higher potential chemical to electrical energy conversion efficiency
      and have the potential to decrease CO2 emissions compared to coal-fired power
      plants. In this study, the application of (La, Sr)(Cr, Mn)O3 (LSCM) and (Gd,
      Ce)O2 (GDC) oxide anodes was explored in a HDCFC system running with two
      different carbon fuels, an organic xerogel and a raw bituminous coal. The
      electrochemical performance of the HDCFC based on a 1-2 mm thick 8 mol% yttria
      stabilised zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte and the GDC-LSCM anode fabricated by wet
      impregnation procedures was characterized and discussed. The infiltrated oxide
      anode showed a significantly higher performance than the conventional Ni-YSZ
      anode, without suffering from impurity formation under HDCFC operation
      conditions. Total polarisation resistance (Rp) reached 0.8-0.9 Omega cm(2) from
      DCFC with an oxide anode on xerogel and bituminous coal at 750  degrees C, with
      open circuit voltage (OCV) values in the range 1.1-1.2 V on both carbon forms.
      These indicated the potential application of LSCM-GDC oxide anode in HDCFCs. The
      chemical compatibility of LSCM/GDC with carbon/carbonate investigation revealed
      the emergence of an A2BO4 type oxide in place of an ABO3 perovskite structure in
      the LSCM in a reducing environment, due to Li attack as a result of intimate
      contact between the LSCM and Li2CO3, with GDC being stable under identical
      conditions. Such reaction between LSCM and Li2CO3 was not observed on a LSCM-YSZ
      pellet treated with Li-K carbonate in 5% H2/Ar at 700  degrees C, nor on a GDC
      LSCM anode after HDCFC operation. The HDCFC durability tests of GDC-LSCM oxide on
      a xerogel and on raw bituminous coal were performed under potentiostatic
      operation at 0.7 V at 750  degrees C. The degradation mechanisms were addressed,
      especially on raw coal. 

PMID- 27272985
TI  - Association-heterogeneity mapping identifies an Asian-specific association of the
      GTF2I locus with rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Considerable sharing of disease alleles among populations is well-characterized
      in autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), but there are some
      exceptional loci showing heterogenic association among populations. Here we
      investigated genetic variants with distinct effects on the development of
      rheumatoid arthritis in Asian and European populations. Ancestry-related
      association heterogeneity was examined using Cochran's homogeneity tests for the
      disease association data from large Asian (n = 14,465; 9,299 discovery subjects
      and 5,166 validation subjects; 4 collections) and European (n = 45,790; 11
      collections) rheumatoid arthritis case-control cohorts with Immunochip and genome
      wide SNP array data. We identified significant heterogeneity between the two
      ancestries for the common variants in the GTF2I locus (PHeterogeneity = 9.6 * 10(
      9) at rs73366469) and showed that this heterogeneity was due to an Asian-specific
      association effect (ORMeta = 1.37 and PMeta = 4.2 * 10(-13) in Asians; ORMeta =
      1.00 and PMeta = 1.00 in Europeans). Trans-ancestral comparison and bioinfomatics
      analysis revealed a plausibly causal or disease-variant-tagging SNP (rs117026326;
      in linkage disequilibrium with rs73366469), whose minor allele is common in
      Asians but rare in Europeans. In conclusion, we identified largest-ever effect on
      Asian rheumatoid arthritis across human non-HLA regions at GTF2I by heterogeneity
      mapping followed by replication studies, and pinpointed a possible causal
      variant.

PMID- 27272987
TI  - Action Effects and Task Knowledge: The Influence of Anticipatory Priming on the
      Identification of Task-Related Stimuli in Experts.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to examine the extent to which anticipation
      of an action's perceptual effect primes identification of task-related stimuli.
      Specifically, skilled (n = 16) and novice (n = 24) tennis players performed a
      choice-reaction time (CRT) test in which they identified whether the presented
      stimulus was a picture of a baseball bat or tennis racket. Following their
      response, auditory feedback associated with either baseball or tennis was
      presented. The CRT test was performed in blocks in which participants predictably
      received the baseball sound or tennis sound irrespective of which stimulus
      picture was displayed. Results indicated that skilled tennis players responded
      quicker to tennis stimuli when the response was predictably followed by the
      tennis auditory effect compared to the baseball auditory effect. These findings
      imply that, within an individual's area of expertise, domain-relevant knowledge
      is primed by anticipation of an action's perceptual effect, thus allowing the
      cognitive system to more quickly identify environmental information. This finding
      provides a more complete picture of the influence that anticipation can have on
      the cognitive-motor system. No differences existed for novices. 

PMID- 27272988
TI  - Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) and Recovery Management.

PMID- 27272990
TI  - Clinical Management of the Breast-Feeding Mother-Infant Dyad in Recovery From
      Opioid Dependence.
AB  - Human milk is one of the most health-promoting and cost-effective nutritional
      substances known to humankind. Breastmilk provides substantial and remarkable
      physiological and psychological health benefits. Within the last decade, there
      has been a resurgence of breast-feeding in the United States and worldwide and an
      increased awareness of the immense health benefits for mothers, infants, and
      societies that support it. Each mother-baby dyad is a unique pair, with distinct
      relationships, biases, barriers, and obstacles. This article aims to address
      clinical management for the opioid-recovering breast-feeding dyad and to
      translate current evidenced-based practice findings, recommendations, and
      resources to best support this unique population. The recovering breast-feeding
      mother and newborn with opioid dependence deserve special consideration and
      expert care to foster their recovery and breast-feeding efforts. It is our moral
      and ethical responsibility as healthcare professionals to enable, foster, and
      promote breast-feeding among all families, especially those who stand to benefit
      the greatest. Substance recovery cannot be treated in isolation, nor can breast
      feeding efforts; an interdisciplinary professional team effort promises the
      greatest chances for recovery success. With appropriate evidence-based practice
      support, training, and intervention by knowledgeable professionals, many women
      can overcome the biases and obstacles associated with opioid recovery to
      successfully breast-feed their babies. 

PMID- 27272989
TI  - Recovery and Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care: Integrating Treatment for
      Substance Use, Primary Care, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Disorders.

PMID- 27272991
TI  - Part 1: The Theoretical Basis for Recovery-Oriented Management of Substance Use
      Disorders in Primary Care.
AB  - There is strong evidence in the literature that screening and brief counseling
      interventions are effective in detecting alcohol problems and decreasing alcohol
      consumption among patients in primary care settings but somewhat weaker evidence
      regarding screening and brief intervention for drug problems. In 2014, two
      published studies made news and caused concern among proponents of substance
      Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) programs, when
      their authors concluded that brief interventions were not effective for
      decreasing drug use among primary care patients identified through screening, and
      advised that widespread adoption of screening and brief intervention for drug use
      was not warranted.An evaluation of the theoretical foundations for evidence-based
      SBIRT services was conducted to produce possible explanations for why traditional
      SBIRT works well for individuals with unhealthy alcohol use but not as well for
      those with more serious substance use disorders, including drug use and
      alcohol/drug dependence. Smith and Liehr's evaluation framework for middle-range
      theory was utilized to analyze the Chronic Care Model, which was featured
      prominently in early SBIRT literature, and the newer Recovery Management model,
      which provides a philosophical framework for organizing modern addictions
      services and quality-of-life enhancements (Part 1 of this two-part
      series).Programs are more likely to succeed if guided by theory, and examination
      of relevant components of theory-based interventions can be useful in developing
      practical strategies for meeting program objectives. A new, theory-based,
      recovery-oriented framework for primary care SBIRT is introduced in Part 2
      ("SBIRT+RM(C): A Proposed Model for Recovery-Oriented Primary Care"). 

PMID- 27272992
TI  - Part 2: Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Plus Recovery
      Management: A Proposed Model for Recovery-Oriented Primary Care.
AB  - Part 1 of this two-part series (The Theoretical Basis for Recovery-Oriented
      Management of Substance Use Disorders in the Primary Care) explored the
      theoretical foundations for evidence-based substance Screening, Brief
      Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) services. The aim was to produce
      possible explanations for why traditional SBIRT works well for individuals with
      unhealthy alcohol use but not as well for individuals who have more serious
      substance use disorders, including drug use and alcohol/drug dependence. Building
      on that analysis, through meaningful application of recovery management (RM)
      concepts within an integrated primary care/behavioral health context, a new,
      theory-based, recovery-oriented framework for primary care SBIRT is now
      introduced in Part 2. The proposed SBIRT Plus Recovery Management (SBIRT + RM)
      model moves traditional SBIRT from its original, limited, and narrow focus only
      on substance detection, brief intervention, and referral to its rightful,
      structured placement within a comprehensive, multidimensional, recovery-oriented
      system of care clinical practice environment. SBIRT+RM describes relevant
      strategies for improving recovery outcomes for individuals identified through
      primary care substance screening and defines primary care provider roles and
      responsibilities for sustained recovery support and long-term recovery
      maintenance. 

PMID- 27272993
TI  - Consumer-Centered, Collaborative, and Comprehensive Care: The Core Essentials of
      Recovery-Oriented System of Care.
AB  - Recovery from substance abuse and mental health disorders represents a journey
      through which individuals move beyond treatment of provider-identified problems
      toward a path of achieving wellness and productive lives. Overcoming obstacles
      and barriers encountered along the recovery process, individuals reveal their own
      strengths and resilience necessary to cope, survive, and thrive in the face of
      adversity. Recovery-oriented system of care (ROSC) is a framework designed to
      address the multidimensional nature of recovery by creating a system for
      coordinating multiple systems, services, and supports that are person centered
      and build on the strengths and resiliencies of individuals, families, and
      communities. As is common knowledge among substance abuse and mental health
      providers, consumers often present with high rates of comorbidity, which
      complicates care. In addition, behavioral health consumers engage in risky health
      behaviors (e.g., smoking) at a disproportionate rate, which places them at
      increased risk for developing noncommunicable diseases. ROSCs are ideal for
      addressing the complicated and varied needs of consumers as they progress toward
      wellness. The challenges of creating an ROSC framework that is effective,
      efficient, and acceptable to consumers is formidable. It requires change on the
      part of agencies, organizations, providers, and consumers. The importance of
      comprehensive, integrated screening is highlighted as a critical component of
      ROSC. Key suggestions for initiating ROSC are offered. 

PMID- 27272994
TI  - Implementation of Recovery Programming on an Inpatient Acute Psychiatric Unit and
      Its Impact on Readmission.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recovery-oriented models of care are evidence based and have been
      shown to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes as well as decrease the
      percentage of readmissions to inpatient psychiatric units. METHODS: This quality
      improvement project was implemented on a 16-bed inpatient adult mental health
      unit in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Percentages of readmissions were
      compared throughout the course of implementation of the recovery model.
      Readmissions during the months of July-September were tabulated over 3 subsequent
      years and compared readmission percentages before recovery implementation, during
      the early stage of recovery implementation, and finally, during ongoing recovery
      implementation. RESULTS: A decrease in readmission percentages was seen with
      implementation of recovery-oriented care when comparing the same 3-month period
      over 3 years. CONCLUSION: After implementation of recovery-oriented care
      measures, there was a decrease in percentage of readmissions to the unit. In
      addition, this decrease was sustained and was shown to improve over time as
      recovery-oriented programming was further developed on the unit. These data
      suggest that Veterans Affairs Medical Centers should consider adding tools and
      procedures to successfully implement recovery programming on inpatient units and
      efforts should include direct involvement of patients in their own recovery
      journey, revision of policies and procedures to reflect the importance of
      recovery, thorough training of frontline staff regarding recovery principles, and
      transfer of recovery information directly from inpatient units to outpatient
      providers.

PMID- 27272995
TI  - The Alternative Peer Group: A Developmentally Appropriate Recovery Support Model
      for Adolescents.
AB  - Recovery as the goal for substance use disorder treatment has been a key
      component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's
      mission for the past decade. Consistent with their mission, there is a call for
      research and development of recovery-oriented systems of care to support affected
      individuals through all stages of the recovery process. Evidence is emerging to
      support recovery practice and research for adults, but recovery-oriented models
      for adolescents are scant. The Alternative Peer Group (APG) is a comprehensive
      adolescent recovery support model that integrates recovering peers and prosocial
      activities into evidence-based clinical practice. Employing APG participants' own
      words, this article will describe the essential elements and three theoretical
      frameworks underlying the APG model to illustrate how the APG serves as a
      developmentally appropriate recovery support service for adolescents with
      substance use disorder. 

PMID- 27272996
TI  - Houston Recovery Initiative: A Rich Case Study of Building Recovery Communities
      One Voice at a Time.
AB  - Recovery from alcohol and drug problems is a process of change through which an
      individual achieves control and improved quality of life. Recovery is a primary
      goal for individuals with substance use disorder as it provides hope that
      treatment and overall health are possible for every individual. More than 23
      million Americans are in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other
      drugs.Recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC) are networks of community services
      and peer support that help individuals and families achieve recovery from
      substances and improve overall health. ROSC is a strengths-based and person
      centered model that leverages existing community resources to address the needs
      of individuals and families as they progress through the journey of recovery. The
      ROSC model serves as the foundation of the Houston Recovery Initiative (HRI).The
      purpose of this article is to describe the history, development, and
      infrastructure of the HRI, which is a volunteer collaboration whose main goal is
      to educate the community on recovery and broaden the recovery safety net for
      people with substance use disorder in Houston, Texas. Since 2010, the HRI has
      grown to include more than 200 agencies across the spectrum of treatment and
      recovery support services in Houston so as to provide a resource for the
      community. Herein, we detail efforts to grow the HRI, lessons learned, future
      plans, and resources needed to move the HRI forward. 

PMID- 27272998
TI  - Recovery in the 21st Century: From Shame to Strength.
AB  - Through the "war on drugs," the just-say-no campaign, and into the early years of
      this century, the overarching approach to substance use disorders (SUDs) called
      for a single outcome (abstinence) and a single methodology (spiritual connection
      with a higher power) as the remedy for SUDs. Those who did not become permanently
      abstinent or rejected the spiritual approach were seen as "not ready" or "in
      denial."A seismic shift in thinking about "addiction" and "recovery" began in
      earnest in the 1990s. In 2005, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
      Administration brought together leaders of the treatment and recovery field for
      the historic National Summit on Recovery to develop broad-based consensus on
      guiding principles for recovery and elements of recovery-oriented systems of
      care.Major changes associated with the recovery-oriented approach include viewing
      SUDs as chronic, rather than acute, problems that require long-term support and
      focusing on recovery management rather than disease management. Complete
      abstinence is not an absolute requirement for wellness for all persons with SUDs.
      There are "many pathways to recovery," not only the 12-Step approach (White &
      Kurtz, 2006). Sustained recovery is self-directed and requires personal choices,
      the support of peers and allies, and community reinforcement as well as a
      strength-based approach and the use of research-based interventions. This
      Perspectives column addresses the historical context for the transformation
      toward a recovery-oriented system of care, highlights federal efforts to promote
      recovery-oriented approaches, and describes recovery-oriented terminology to
      reduce misconceptions, labeling, and stigmatization and promote recovery for
      individuals, families, and communities. 

PMID- 27272997
TI  - Health Promotion in an Opioid Treatment Program: An Evidence-Based Nursing
      Quality Improvement Project.
AB  - Community assessment and review of the literature indicate that individuals
      supported in opioid treatment programs are at a significant disadvantage for
      access to preventative and primary healthcare. In addition, this population faces
      increased comorbidities and chronic disease. Finally, access to housing,
      nutritious food, and other social determinants of health is also a challenge for
      these individuals. This project, aimed at addressing healthcare disparities and
      improving health outcomes for the opioid treatment program client, was undertaken
      at a large, private, not-for-profit, community mental health center in an urban
      area. An education-practice partnership was created between the center and the
      local university's College of Nursing, which includes undergraduate and graduate
      programs. Working with administration, nurses, medical staff, and clinicians, the
      advanced practice nurse guided nursing practice change within the context of an
      interdisciplinary team to increase attention to clients' health needs. Outcomes
      included a more comprehensive nursing health assessment and increased attention
      to nursing care coordination. The partnership between the university and the
      facility continues with the goal of addressing clients' unmet healthcare needs
      and improving wellness via on-site intervention, referral, and education. 

PMID- 27272999
TI  - An Interview With Anna Treloar, RN, MA, MPHC, PhD, Lecturer, School of Nursing
      and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.

PMID- 27273000
TI  - Recovery Management and Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care.

PMID- 27273001
TI  - Cannabis: Is There Any Good or Only Bad and Ugly?

PMID- 27273002
TI  - Part 2: Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Plus Recovery
      Management: A Proposed Model for Recovery-Oriented Primary Care.

PMID- 27273003
TI  - The role of surface basic amino acids of dengue virus NS3 helicase in viral RNA
      replication and enzyme activities.
AB  - Structure-based mutagenesis analysis on selected conserved surface basic residues
      of DENV NS3 helicase was performed using a selectable replicon and recombinant
      protein. We found a requirement for basic side chains of NS3 residues #225, #268,
      and #538 to activate viral RNA replication and ensure RNA-stimulated ATPase
      activity, and a critical role for R560 and R599 residues in maintaining NS3
      helicase structure, linked to its biological function and catalytic activity.
      Three screened NS3 second-site mutations for R225A and R268A/E mutations elevated
      the functional RNA binding of NS3 helicase and compensated the replication defect
      of the original NS3 mutant replicons.

PMID- 27273005
TI  - Laser printing of resonant plasmonic nanovoids.
AB  - Hollow reduced-symmetry resonant plasmonic nanostructures possess pronounced
      tunable optical resonances in the UV-vis-IR range, being a promising platform for
      advanced nanophotonic devices. However, the present fabrication approaches
      require several consecutive technological steps to produce such nanostructures,
      making their large-scale fabrication rather time-consuming and expensive. Here,
      we report on direct single-step fabrication of large-scale arrays of hollow
      parabolic- and cone-shaped nanovoids in silver and gold thin films, using single
      pulse femtosecond nanoablation at high repetition rates. The lateral and vertical
      size of such nanovoids was found to be laser energy-tunable. Resonant light
      scattering from individual nanovoids was observed in the visible spectral range,
      using dark-field confocal microspectroscopy, with the size-dependent resonant
      peak positions. These colored geometric resonances in far-field scattering were
      related to excitation and interference of transverse surface plasmon modes in
      nanovoid shells. Plasmon-mediated electromagnetic field enhancement near the
      nanovoids was evaluated via finite-difference time-domain calculations for their
      model shapes simulated by three-dimensional molecular dynamics, and
      experimentally verified by means of photoluminescence microscopy and Raman
      spectroscopy. 

PMID- 27273004
TI  - Pharmacokinetic Interactions Between Isavuconazole and the Drug Transporter
      Substrates Atorvastatin, Digoxin, Metformin, and Methotrexate in Healthy
      Subjects.
AB  - This article summarizes 4 phase 1 trials that explored interactions between the
      novel, triazole antifungal isavuconazole and substrates of the drug transporters
      breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), multidrug and toxin extrusion protein-1
      (MATE1), organic anion transporters 1/3 (OAT1/OAT3), organic anion-transporting
      polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), organic cation transporters 1/2 (OCT1/OCT2), and P
      glycoprotein (P-gp). Healthy subjects received single doses of atorvastatin (20
      mg; OATP1B1 and P-gp substrate), digoxin (0.5 mg; P-gp substrate), metformin (850
      mg; OCT1, OCT2, and MATE1 substrate), or methotrexate (7.5 mg; BCRP, OAT1, and
      OAT3 substrate) in the presence and absence of clinical doses of isavuconazole
      (200 mg 3 times a day for 2 days; 200 mg once daily thereafter). Coadministration
      with isavuconazole increased mean area under the plasma concentration-time curves
      (90% confidence interval) of atorvastatin, digoxin, and metformin to 137% (129,
      145), 125% (117, 134),  and 152% (138, 168) and increased mean maximum plasma
      concentrations to 103% (88, 121), 133% (119, 149), and 123% (109, 140),
      respectively. Methotrexate parameters were unaffected by isavuconazole. There
      were no serious adverse events. These findings indicate that isavuconazole is a
      weak inhibitor of P-gp, as well as OCT1, OCT2, MATE1, or a combination thereof
      but not of BCRP, OATP1B1, OAT1, or OAT3.

PMID- 27273008
TI  - Temporal hollowing and other adverse effects after lateral orbital wall
      decompression.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome and late postoperative complications after
      lateral orbital wall decompression in a series of patients with thyroid eye
      disease (TED). METHODS: One hundred and three patients operated in the period
      1999-2013 were invited to participate in the study, and 84 were included after a
      median (range) follow-up time of 124 (13-188) months. The patients were
      interviewed, and preoperative and postoperative data were collected from hospital
      records. Photographs ('selfies') were obtained from 64 patients. Wilcoxon signed
      rank test was used to evaluate the change in pre- and postoperative data.
      RESULTS: On average, visual acuity was unchanged with a median value (range) of
      1.0 (0.4-1.25) before to 1.0 (0-1.25) after surgery (p = 0.5). Intraocular
      pressure (IOP) was reduced from a median value (range) of 17 (9-26) to 15 (8-23)
      mmHg (p < 0.001). Median (range) Hertel values were 23 (15-30) mm preoperatively
      and 20 (12-26) mm postoperatively (p < 0.001) respectively. Mean (SD) reduction
      in proptosis was 3.6 (+/-2.1) mm. Oscillopsia was reported in 24 patients (29%),
      42 (50%) experienced a change in temporal sensation, and four (5%) had new-onset
      diplopia. In 47 patients (56%), some degree of temporal hollowing was reported.
      Among 64 photographed patients, 38 (59%) had noticeable hollowing on examination
      of postoperative pictures. There was agreement of the patient's perception of
      temporal hollowing and the appearance in photographs in 26 of 37 patients (70%).
      CONCLUSION: Lateral orbital wall decompression has been considered a safe and
      effective procedure for treatment of TED. Serious side-effects are infrequent,
      but in rare circumstances, even blindness may occur. Less serious side-effects
      are relatively common. Among others, a significant number of the patients
      developed temporal hollowing after the procedure. The patients must be informed
      about the possible complications before surgery.

PMID- 27273007
TI  - Secondary Structure Prediction of Protein Constructs Using Random Incremental
      Truncation and Vacuum-Ultraviolet CD Spectroscopy.
AB  - A novel uracil-DNA degrading protein factor (termed UDE) was identified in
      Drosophila melanogaster with no significant structural and functional homology to
      other uracil-DNA binding or processing factors. Determination of the 3D structure
      of UDE is excepted to provide key information on the description of the molecular
      mechanism of action of UDE catalysis, as well as in general uracil-recognition
      and nuclease action. Towards this long-term aim, the random library ESPRIT
      technology was applied to the novel protein UDE to overcome problems in
      identifying soluble expressing constructs given the absence of precise
      information on domain content and arrangement. Nine constructs of UDE were chosen
      to decipher structural and functional relationships. Vacuum ultraviolet circular
      dichroism (VUVCD) spectroscopy was performed to define the secondary structure
      content and location within UDE and its truncated variants. The quantitative
      analysis demonstrated exclusive alpha-helical content for the full-length
      protein, which is preserved in the truncated constructs. Arrangement of alpha
      helical bundles within the truncated protein segments suggested new domain
      boundaries which differ from the conserved motifs determined by sequence-based
      alignment of UDE homologues. Here we demonstrate that the combination of ESPRIT
      and VUVCD spectroscopy provides a new structural description of UDE and confirms
      that the truncated constructs are useful for further detailed functional studies.

PMID- 27273006
TI  - Th2 and eosinophil responses suppress inflammatory arthritis.
AB  - Th2-eosinophil immune responses are well known for mediating host defence against
      helminths. Herein we describe a function of Th2-eosinophil responses in
      counteracting the development of arthritis. In two independent models of
      arthritis, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection leads to Th2 and eosinophil
      accumulation in the joints associated with robust inhibition of arthritis and
      protection from bone loss. Mechanistically, this protective effect is dependent
      on IL-4/IL-13-induced STAT6 pathway. Furthermore, we show that eosinophils play a
      central role in the modulation of arthritis probably through the increase of anti
      inflammatory macrophages into arthritic joints. The presence of these pathways in
      human disease is confirmed by detection of GATA3-positive cells and eosinophils
      in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Taken together, these results
      demonstrate that eosinophils and helminth-induced activation of the Th2 pathway
      axis effectively mitigate the course of inflammatory arthritis.

PMID- 27273009
TI  - Validity and reliability of a pictorial instrument for assessing perceived motor
      competence in Portuguese children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is important to assess young children's perceived Fundamental
      Movement Skill (FMS) competence in order to examine the role of perceived FMS
      competence in motivation toward physical activity. Children's perceptions of
      motor competence may vary according to the culture/country of origin; therefore,
      it is also important to measure perceptions in different cultural contexts. The
      purpose was to assess the face validity, internal consistency, test-retest
      reliability and construct validity of the 12 FMS items in the Pictorial Scale for
      Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children (PMSC) in a Portuguese
      sample. METHODS: Two hundred one Portuguese children (girls, n = 112), 5 to 10
      years of age (7.6 +/- 1.4), participated. All children completed the PMSC once.
      Ordinal alpha assessed internal consistency. A random subsamples (n = 47) were
      reassessed one week later to determine test-retest reliability with Bland-Altman
      method. Children were asked questions after the second administration to
      determine face validity. Construct validity was assessed on the whole sample with
      a Bayesian Structural Equation Modelling (BSEM) approach. The hypothesized
      theoretical model used the 12 items and two hypothesized factors: object control
      and locomotor skills. RESULTS: The majority of children correctly identified the
      skills and could understand most of the pictures. Test-retest reliability
      analysis was good, with an agreement ration between 0.99 and 1.02. Ordinal alpha
      values ranged from acceptable (object control 0.73, locomotor 0.68) to good (all
      FMS 0.81). The hypothesized BSEM model had an adequate fit. CONCLUSIONS: The PMSC
      can be used to investigate perceptions of children's FMS competence. This
      instrument can also be satisfactorily used among Portuguese children.

PMID- 27273010
TI  - DFT-Based Simulation and Experimental Validation of the Topotactic Transformation
      of MgAl Layered Double Hydroxides.
AB  - The thermal topotactic transformation mechanism of MgAl layered double hydroxides
      (LDHs) is investigated by a combined theoretical and experimental study.
      Thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) results reveal that the
      LDH phase undergoes four key endothermic events at 230, 330, 450, and 800 
      degrees C. DFT calculations show that the LDH decomposes into CO2 and residual O
      atoms via a monodentate intermediate at 330  degrees C. At 450  degrees C, the
      metal cations almost maintain their original distribution within the LDH(001)
      facet during the thermal dehydration process, but migrate substantially along the
      c-axis direction perpendicular to the (001) facet; this indicates that the metal
      arrangement/dispersion in the LDH matrix is maintained two-dimensionally. A
      complete collapse of the layered structure occurs at 800  degrees C, which
      results in a totally disordered cation distribution and many holes in the final
      product. The structures of the simulated intermediates are highly consistent with
      the observed in situ powder XRD data for the MgAl LDH sample calcined at the
      corresponding temperatures. Understanding the structural topotactic
      transformation process of LDHs would provide helpful information for the design
      and preparation of metal/metal oxides functional materials derived from LDH
      precursors. 

PMID- 27273011
TI  - Gustilo type IIIC open tibia fractures with vascular repair: minimum 2-year
      follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: Salvage or amputation for grade 3C open fracture of tibia is not well
      responded question universally because of surgical innovations, cultural
      believes, difficulties in estimate the outcome, coasts, and different results in
      the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of
      Gustilo grade 3C open tibia fractures with at least two years follow-up in non
      military adults. METHODS: Twenty-two non-military patients with a mean age of
      31.1 were operated with grade 3c open fractures at tibia level in last 10 years
      in our clinic. We evaluated them retrospectively and asked about their daily
      life, pain, and if present, about the wish for secondary amputation. We also
      asked if they would prefer a first day amputation rather than their present
      status. RESULTS: Mean operation time after the injury was 13 h. Seven patients
      had nerve injury. Mean operation number was 3.5. Eight patients (%36) (all due to
      circulatory problem) had to have amputation. All patients treated with temporary
      unilateral external fixation than converted to circular external fixators when
      soft tissue healing was completed. Two patients were reoperated because of
      deformity. Four patients needed revision surgery because of non-union. At long
      term follow, we had osteomyelitis in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Scoring systems
      and the ischemic time are not the only predictors of amputation. The decision of
      the treatment mode should be made by the patient and the care team after
      discussing the options and outcomes rather than relying on a scoring system.

PMID- 27273012
TI  - Molecular Phylogeny, Diversity, and Bioprospecting of Endophytic Fungi Associated
      with wild Ethnomedicinal North American Plant Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae).
AB  - The endophytic fungal community associated with the ethnomedicinal plant
      Echinacea purpurea was investigated as well as its potential for providing
      antifungal compounds against plant pathogenic fungi. A total of 233 endophytic
      fungal isolates were obtained and classified into 42 different taxa of 16 genera,
      of which Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum dematium, and Stagonosporopsis sp.
      2 are the most frequent colonizers. The extracts of 29 endophytic fungi displayed
      activities against important phytopathogenic fungi. Eight antifungal extracts
      were selected for chemical analysis. Forty fatty acids were identified by gas
      chromatography-flame-ionization detection (GC-FID) analysis. The compounds (-)-5
      methylmellein and (-)-(3R)-8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-3,4
      dihydroisocoumarin were isolated from Biscogniauxia mediterraneaEPU38CA crude
      extract. (-)-5-Methylmellein showed weak activity against Phomopsis obscurans, P.
      viticola, and Fusarium oxysporum, and caused growth stimulation of C. fragariae,
      C. acutatum, C. gloeosporioides, and Botrytis cinerea. (-)-(3R)-8-Hydroxy-6
      methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarin appeared slightly more active in the
      microtiter environment than 5-methylmellein. Our results indicate that E.
      purpurea lives symbiotically with different endophytic fungi, which are able to
      produce bioactive fatty acids and aromatic compounds active against important
      phytopathogenic fungi. The detection of the different fatty acids and aromatic
      compounds produced by the endophytic community associated with wild E. purpurea
      suggests that it may have intrinsic mutualistic resistance against phytopathogen
      attacks in its natural environment. 

PMID- 27273013
TI  - Using Bayesian Adaptive Trial Designs for Comparative Effectiveness Research: A
      Virtual Trial Execution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bayesian and adaptive clinical trial designs offer the potential for
      more efficient processes that result in lower sample sizes and shorter trial
      durations than traditional designs. OBJECTIVE: To explore the use and potential
      benefits of Bayesian adaptive clinical trial designs in comparative effectiveness
      research. DESIGN: Virtual execution of ALLHAT (Antihypertensive and Lipid
      Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial) as if it had been done
      according to a Bayesian adaptive trial design. SETTING: Comparative effectiveness
      trial of antihypertensive medications. PATIENTS: Patient data sampled from the
      more than 42 000 patients enrolled in ALLHAT with publicly available data.
      MEASUREMENTS: Number of patients randomly assigned between groups, trial
      duration, observed numbers of events, and overall trial results and conclusions.
      RESULTS: The Bayesian adaptive approach and original design yielded similar
      overall trial conclusions. The Bayesian adaptive trial randomly assigned more
      patients to the better-performing group and would probably have ended slightly
      earlier. LIMITATIONS: This virtual trial execution required limited resampling of
      ALLHAT patients for inclusion in RE-ADAPT (REsearch in ADAptive methods for
      Pragmatic Trials). Involvement of a data monitoring committee and other trial
      logistics were not considered. CONCLUSION: In a comparative effectiveness
      research trial, Bayesian adaptive trial designs are a feasible approach and
      potentially generate earlier results and allocate more patients to better
      performing groups. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Heart, Lung, and Blood
      Institute.

PMID- 27273014
TI  - P/Q-type and T-type voltage-gated calcium channels are involved in the
      contraction of mammary and brain blood vessels from hypertensive patients.
AB  - AIM: Calcium channel blockers are widely used in cardiovascular diseases. Besides
      L-type channels, T- and P/Q-type calcium channels are involved in the contraction
      of human renal blood vessels. It was hypothesized that T- and P/Q-type channels
      are involved in the contraction of human brain and mammary blood vessels.
      METHODS: Internal mammary arteries from bypass surgery patients and cerebral
      arterioles from patients with brain tumours with and without hypertension were
      tested in a myograph and perfusion set-up. PCR and immunohistochemistry were
      performed on isolated blood vessels. RESULTS: The P/Q-type antagonist omega
      agatoxin IVA (10-8  mol L-1 ) and the T-type calcium blocker mibefradil (10-7 
      mol L-1 ) inhibited KCl depolarization-induced contraction in mammary arteries
      from hypertensive patients with no effect on blood vessels from normotensive
      patients. omega-Agatoxin IVA decreased contraction in cerebral arterioles from
      hypertensive patients. L-type blocker nifedipine abolished the contraction in
      mammary arteries. PCR analysis showed expression of P/Q-type (Cav 2.1), T-type
      (Cav 3.1 and Cav 3.2) and L-type (Cav 1.2) calcium channels in mammary and
      cerebral arteries. Immunohistochemical labelling of mammary and cerebral arteries
      revealed the presence of Cav 2.1 in endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Cav 3.1
      was also detected in mammary arteries. CONCLUSION: P/Q- and T-type Cav are
      present in human internal mammary arteries and in cerebral penetrating
      arterioles. P/Q- and T-type calcium channels are involved in the contraction of
      mammary arteries from hypertensive patients but not from normotensive patients.
      Furthermore, in cerebral arterioles P/Q-type channels importance was restricted
      to hypertensive patients might lead to that T- and P/Q-type channels could be a
      new target in hypertensive patients.

PMID- 27273015
TI  - Evaluating quantitative proton-density-mapping methods.
AB  - Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) aims to quantify tissue parameters
      by eliminating instrumental bias. We describe qMRI theory, simulations, and
      software designed to estimate proton density (PD), the apparent local
      concentration of water protons in the living human brain. First, we show that, in
      the absence of noise, multichannel coil data contain enough information to
      separate PD and coil sensitivity, a limiting instrumental bias. Second, we show
      that, in the presence of noise, regularization by a constraint on the
      relationship between T1 and PD produces accurate coil sensitivity and PD maps.
      The ability to measure PD quantitatively has applications in the analysis of in
      vivo human brain tissue and enables multisite comparisons between individuals and
      across instruments. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3623-3635, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273017
TI  - Transcriptional reprogramming and phenotypic switching associated with the
      adaptation of Lactobacillus plantarum C2 to plant niches.
AB  - Lactobacillus plantarum has been isolated from a large variety of ecological
      niches, thus highlighting its remarkable environmental adaptability as a
      generalist. Plant fermentation conditions markedly affect the functional features
      of L. plantarum strains. We investigated the plant niche-specific traits of L.
      plantarum through whole-transcriptome and phenotypic microarray profiles. Carrot
      (CJ) and pineapple (PJ) juices were chosen as model systems, and MRS broth was
      used as a control. A set of 3,122 genes was expressed, and 21 to 31% of genes
      were differentially expressed depending on the plant niche and cell physiological
      state. L. plantarum C2 seemed to specifically respond to plant media conditions.
      When L. plantarum was cultured in CJ, useful pathways were activated, which were
      aimed to sense the environment, save energy and adopt alternative routes for
      NAD(+) regeneration. In PJ the acidic environment caused a transcriptional
      switching, which was network-linked to an acid tolerance response involving
      carbohydrate flow, amino acid and protein metabolism, pH homeostasis and membrane
      fluidity. The most prominent phenotypic dissimilarities observed in cells grown
      in CJ and PJ were related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism, respectively.
      Summarising, a snapshot of a carrot and pineapple sensing and adaptive regulation
      model for L. plantarum C2 was proposed.

PMID- 27273019
TI  - Mechanistic Insight into Nanomolar Binding of Multivalent Neoglycopeptides to
      Wheat Germ Agglutinin.
AB  - Multivalent carbohydrate-protein interactions are frequently involved in
      essential biological recognition processes. Accordingly, multivalency is often
      also exploited for the design of high-affinity lectin ligands aimed at the
      inhibition of such processes. In a previous study (D. Schwefel et al., J. Am.
      Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 8704-8719) we identified a tetravalent cyclopeptide-based
      ligand with nanomolar affinity to the model lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA).
      To unravel the structural features of this ligand required for high-affinity
      binding to WGA, we synthesized a series of cyclic and linear neoglycopeptides
      that differ in their conformational freedom as well as the number of GlcNAc
      residues. Combined evidence from isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), enzyme
      linked lectin assays (ELLA), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed
      different binding modes of tetra- and divalent ligands and that conformational
      preorganization of the ligands by cyclization is not a prerequisite for achieving
      high binding affinities. The high affinities of the tetravalent ligands rather
      stem from their ability to form crosslinks between several WGA molecules. The
      results illustrate that binding affinities and mechanisms are strongly dependent
      on the used multivalent system which offers opportunities to tune and control
      binding processes. 

PMID- 27273020
TI  - The potential of incorporation of binary salts and ionic liquid in P(VP-co-VAc)
      gel polymer electrolyte in electrochemical and photovoltaic performances.
AB  - In this study, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been assembled with poly(1
      vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (P(VP-co-VAc)) gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs)
      which have been incorporated with binary salt and an ionic liquid. The potential
      of this combination was studied and reported. The binary salt system GPEs was
      having ionic conductivity and power conversion efficiency (PCE) that could reach
      up to 1.90 * 10(-3) S cm(-1) and 5.53%, respectively. Interestingly, upon the
      addition of the ionic liquid, MPII into the binary salt system the ionic
      conductivity and PCE had risen steadily up to 4.09 * 10(-3) S cm(-1) and 5.94%,
      respectively. In order to know more about this phenomenon, the electrochemical
      impedance studies (EIS) of the GPE samples have been done and reported. Fourier
      transform infrared studies (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) have also
      been studied to understand more on the structural and thermal properties of the
      GPEs. The Nyquist plot and Bodes plot studies have been done in order to
      understand the electrochemical properties of the GPE based DSSCs and Tafel
      polarization studies were done to determine the electrocatalytic activity of the
      GPE samples.

PMID- 27273018
TI  - Emerging hepatic syndromes: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment.
AB  - Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, mainly due
      to complications of portal hypertension. In this article, we review the current
      understanding on the pathophysiology, the diagnostic criteria and the available
      therapeutic options for patients with emerging hepatic syndromes in cirrhosis,
      namely the hepatorenal, hepato-adrenal and hepatopulmonary syndrome. The
      hepatorenal syndrome is a well-recognized complication of advanced cirrhosis and
      is usually associated with an accelerated course to death unless liver
      transplantation is performed. The hepatopulmonary syndrome is often missed in the
      evaluation of patients with cirrhosis; however, early recognition is essential
      for the efficient management of individual patients. The hepato-adrenal syndrome,
      although not fully characterized, offers an exciting field for research and
      potential therapeutic interventions. 

PMID- 27273022
TI  - ACL rupture and joint laxity progression: a quantitative in vivo analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Benefits of an early reconstruction and the optimal time lapse between
      injury and surgery to reduce the effects of altered kinematics in ACL-deficient
      knees are still controversial. AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify, through
      a quantitative in vivo evaluation, the effects of the time lapse between ACL
      injury and surgery in terms of changes in the pre-operative knee laxity. METHODS:
      An in vivo study was performed on 99 patients who underwent ACL surgery. Just
      before the graft fixation, six laxity tests were performed for all the subjects
      at manual-maximum load: anterior-posterior displacement and internal-external
      rotation at 30 degrees  and 90 degrees  of knee flexion (AP30, AP90, IE30, IE90)
      as well as varus-valgus rotation (VV0, VV30) at 0 degrees  and 30 degrees  of
      flexion. Kinematics data were acquired by a navigation system. The Spearman rank
      correlation was used to assess correlation between rank and continuous data.
      Significance was set at P = 0.05. RESULTS: The analysis highlighted a significant
      influence of the injury-to-surgery time lapse on VV0 and AP90 compared with pre
      operative laxity levels. Meniscus status also significantly affected the pre
      operative laxity in the VV0 (Spearman's rho = 0.203, P = 0.038; GLM with meniscal
      correction partial eta = 0.27, P = 0.007) and AP90 (Spearman's rho = 0.329, P =
      0.001; GLM with meniscal correction partial eta = 0.318, P = 0.017) tests.
      CONCLUSION: The main finding of this study is that patients with ACL rupture and
      a higher injury-to-surgery time present higher values of knee laxity involving
      AP90 displacement and VV30 rotation. Clinical relevance of the study is that ACL
      deficient joint laxity, involving anterior-posterior displacement at 90 degrees 
      of knee flexion and varus-valgus rotation at 0 degrees  of flexion, is
      significantly affected by the lapse of injury-to-surgery time. This highlights
      the importance of considering the effects of delaying surgery when managing
      patients with such deficiency.

PMID- 27273023
TI  - Effect of chronic somatic diseases on the course of late-life depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of specific chronic somatic diseases and
      overall somatic diseases burden on the course of depression in older persons.
      METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study with a 2-year follow-up.
      Participants were depressed persons (n = 285) from the Netherlands Study of
      Depression in Older Persons. The presence of chronic somatic diseases was based
      on self-report. Diagnosis of depression was assessed with the Composite
      International Diagnostic Interview, and severity of depression was measured with
      the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-report. RESULTS: Cardiovascular
      diseases (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-2.72, p =
      0.041), musculoskeletal diseases (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.04-2.80, p = 0.034), and
      the number of chronic somatic diseases (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.16-1.63, p < 0.001)
      were associated with having a depressive disorder at 2-year follow-up.
      Furthermore, chronic non-specific lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases,
      musculoskeletal diseases, cancer, or cumulative somatic disease burden were
      associated with a chronic course of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Somatic disease
      burden is associated with a poor course of late-life depression. The course of
      late-life depression is particularly unfavorable in the presence of chronic non
      specific lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and
      cancer. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27273025
TI  - Calling in at work: Acute care nursing cell phone policies.

PMID- 27273024
TI  - Neural substrates and behavioral profiles of romantic jealousy and its temporal
      dynamics.
AB  - Jealousy is not only a way of experiencing love but also a stabilizer of romantic
      relationships, although morbid romantic jealousy is maladaptive. Being engaged in
      a formal romantic relationship can tune one's romantic jealousy towards a
      specific target. Little is known about how the human brain processes romantic
      jealousy by now. Here, by combining scenario-based imagination and functional
      MRI, we investigated the behavioral and neural correlates of romantic jealousy
      and their development across stages (before vs. after being in a formal
      relationship). Romantic jealousy scenarios elicited activations primarily in the
      basal ganglia (BG) across stages, and were significantly higher after the
      relationship was established in both the behavioral rating and BG activation. The
      intensity of romantic jealousy was related to the intensity of romantic
      happiness, which mainly correlated with ventral medial prefrontal cortex
      activation. The increase in jealousy across stages was associated with the
      tendency for interpersonal aggression. These results bridge the gap between the
      theoretical conceptualization of romantic jealousy and its neural correlates and
      shed light on the dynamic changes in jealousy.

PMID- 27273026
TI  - A multi-wavelength, laser-based optical spectroscopy device for breast density
      and breast cancer risk pre-screening.
AB  - Optical Breast Spectroscopy (OBS) has been shown to predict mammographic breast
      density, a strong breast cancer risk factor. OBS is a low-cost technique
      applicable at any age. OBS information may be useful for personalizing breast
      cancer screening programs based on risk to improve consensus on and adherence to
      screening guidelines. To facilitate the use of OBS in population-wide studies, a
      research prototype OBS device was modified to make it portable and cheaper and to
      require less operator interaction. Two major changes were made: (1) the broadband
      light source was replaced with a laser module with 13 individual wavelengths
      turned on sequentially, enabling the use of photodiode detectors instead of a
      spectrometer, and (2) the light sources and detectors were placed in fixed
      positions within 4 sizes of cup, eliminating the need for placement by the
      operator. Wavelengths were selected using data from two previous studies. The
      reduction in spectral content did not significantly reduce the ability to
      distinguish between different risk groups. Positions for the light sources and
      detectors were chosen based on Monte Carlo simulations to match the optically
      interrogated volumes of the original device. Two light sources and six detectors
      per cup were used in the final design.

PMID- 27273027
TI  - [Influenza outbreak in weaners with involvement of Mycoplasma hyorhinis and
      Haemophilus parasuis. A case report].
AB  - In a closed farrow-to-finish piglet producing farm 80% of 7-week-old piglets
      displayed respiratory disease with a 5% mortality rate. In addition to purulent
      bronchopneumonia in combination with interstitial pneumonia predominantly in the
      apical and middle lobes, fibrinous serositis was present in the thoracic and
      abdominal cavities. Further investigations succeeded in confirming the non
      pandemic strain of porcine influenza A virus (FLUAVsw) subtype H1avN1. The
      molecular genetic studies on Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniae and porcine
      reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus were negative, whereas M. hyorhinis
      and Haemophilus parasuis were isolated from serous membranes. The possible
      importance of the underrated M. hyorhinis as a cofactor for viral infections
      should be emphasized and we demonstrated that the cause of apical lobe pneumonia
      is not restricted to M. hyopneumoniae. Mother pigs had been vaccinated with an
      influenza vaccine covering the subtype H1avN1. Only 33% of the examined piglets
      had maternal antibodies in the 7th week of life. The difficulty of prophylaxis of
      infections by FLUAVsw in weaners due to lack of vaccine authorization for piglets
      before their 56th day is reflected by this observation. 

PMID- 27273029
TI  - Looking for citizen-centered communication: dialogues between radiological
      protection or nuclear safety specialists and media professionals.
AB  - What happens when radiological protection or nuclear safety officials get
      together with media professionals to talk about public communication on ionizing
      radiation risks? Do they have common views of the challenges and ways to meet
      these? This practical article reports on dialogue workshops organized by the
      EAGLE project in four European countries (France, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia).
      Common findings are classed and presented by themes, including inter alia: crisis
      versus everyday communication; mediated versus direct communication; sources,
      actors, roles and responsibilities; language and format; trust and confidence,
      balance in reporting and development of risk culture; nuclear industry promotion
      versus citizen-centered risk communication. The article also presents reflections
      from an expanded international workshop (RICOMET, June 2015). It echoes the
      participants in calling for a platform for ongoing dialogue between information
      sources and transmitters, in the interest of building solid relationships, risk
      culture and public understanding on ionizing radiation.

PMID- 27273028
TI  - Pupal diapause termination in Bactrocera minax: an insight on 20-hydroxyecdysone
      induced phenotypic and genotypic expressions.
AB  - The Chinese citrus fruit fly, Bactrocera minax, is an economically important pest
      of citrus. It exhibits pupal diapause from November to May to combat harsh
      environmental conditions. Such a long pupal diapause is a barrier for laboratory
      rearing and development of control strategies against this pest. In the present
      study, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) was used to break pupal diapause of B. minax by
      topical application. After diapause termination by 20E treated, the pupal
      ontogenetic processes were observed along the temporal trajectory. The pupal
      response time to 20E was estimated by detecting the relative expression of 20E
      responsive genes at different times after 20E-treatment. Results revealed that
      20E could effectively terminate the pupal diapause in a dose-dependent manner and
      significantly shorten the time for 50% adult emergence (Et50). 20E response
      genes, including ecr, broad and foxo, were up-regulated within 72h, indicating
      these genes are involved in pupal metamorphosis and diapause termination
      processes. Morphological changes showed the pupal metamorphosis began ~7 days
      after 20E-treatment at 22  degrees C. This study does not only pave the way for
      artificial rearing in the laboratory through manipulating of pupal diapause
      termination, but also deepens our understanding of the underlying pupal diapause
      termination mechanism of B. minax.

PMID- 27273031
TI  - Intestinal ultrasound in inflammatory bowel disease.

PMID- 27273030
TI  - Structural Ensembles of Membrane-bound alpha-Synuclein Reveal the Molecular
      Determinants of Synaptic Vesicle Affinity.
AB  - A detailed characterisation of the molecular determinants of membrane binding by
      alpha-synuclein (alphaS), a 140-residue protein whose aggregation is associated
      with Parkinson's disease, is of fundamental significance to clarify the manner in
      which the balance between functional and dysfunctional processes are regulated
      for this protein. Despite its biological relevance, the structural nature of the
      membrane-bound state alphaS remains elusive, in part because of the intrinsically
      dynamic nature of the protein and also because of the difficulties in studying
      this state in a physiologically relevant environment. In the present study we
      have used solid-state NMR and restrained MD simulations to refine structure and
      topology of the N-terminal region of alphaS bound to the surface of synaptic-like
      membranes. This region has fundamental importance in the binding mechanism of
      alphaS as it acts as to anchor the protein to lipid bilayers. The results enabled
      the identification of the key elements for the biological properties of alphaS in
      its membrane-bound state.

PMID- 27273032
TI  - Introduction.

PMID- 27273033
TI  - Biosimilar and innovator anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) or lymphocyte
      trafficking blockade: Which one to select?

PMID- 27273034
TI  - Organising infusions: Application administration and complications.

PMID- 27273035
TI  - Iron and vitamin D deficiency in inflammatory bowel disease.

PMID- 27273036
TI  - Research topic: Health economics of biological agents in Australia.

PMID- 27273037
TI  - Dysplasia surveillance - a practical guide.

PMID- 27273038
TI  - Imaging in IBD: Capsule, NBI, and chromoendoscopy.

PMID- 27273039
TI  - How to fund IBD nurses.

PMID- 27273040
TI  - Research topic: Managing compassionate therapy-the role of the virtual clinic.

PMID- 27273041
TI  - In the IBD Unit: Summary.

PMID- 27273042
TI  - Rearrangement of mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase subunit dihydrolipoamide
      dehydrogenase protein-protein interactions by the MDM2 ligand nutlin-3.
AB  - Drugs targeting MDM2's hydrophobic pocket activate p53. However, these agents act
      allosterically and have agonist effects on MDM2's protein interaction landscape.
      Dominant p53-independent MDM2-drug responsive-binding proteins have not been
      stratified. We used as a variable the differential expression of MDM2 protein as
      a function of cell density to identify Nutlin-3 responsive MDM2-binding proteins
      that are perturbed independent of cell density using SWATH-MS. Dihydrolipoamide
      dehydrogenase, the E3 subunit of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase
      complex, was one of two Nutlin-3 perturbed proteins identified fours hour
      posttreatment at two cell densities. Immunoblotting confirmed that
      dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase was induced by Nutlin-3. Depletion of MDM2 using
      siRNA also elevated dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase in Nutlin-3 treated cells.
      Mitotracker confirmed that Nutlin-3 inhibits mitochondrial activity. Enrichment
      of mitochondria using TOM22+ immunobeads and TMT labeling defined key changes in
      the mitochondrial proteome after Nutlin-3 treatment. Proximity ligation
      identified rearrangements of cellular protein-protein complexes in situ. In
      response to Nutlin-3, a reduction of dihydrolipoamide
      dehydrogenase/dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase protein complexes highlighted a
      disruption of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. This coincides with an increase
      in MDM2/dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase complexes in the nucleus that was further
      enhanced by the nuclear export inhibitor Leptomycin B. The data suggest one
      therapeutic impact of MDM2 drugs might be on the early perturbation of specific
      protein-protein interactions within the mitochondria. This methodology forms a
      blueprint for biomarker discovery that can identify rearrangements of MDM2
      protein-protein complexes in drug-treated cells.

PMID- 27273043
TI  - Immunotherapy: Study deciphers enigmatic mechanism of PD-L1 overexpression.

PMID- 27273045
TI  - The role of Internet resources in clinical oncology: promises and challenges.
AB  - The Internet is a valuable tool that continues to revolutionize many aspects of
      our lives; however, the ability to disseminate diverse data across populations
      and nations presents both opportunities and challenges. Online resources are
      increasingly used in health care, providing wider access to information for
      patients, researchers, and clinicians. At the turn of the millennium, the
      National Cancer Institute (NCI) predicted that Internet-based technologies would
      create a revolution in communication for oncology professionals and patients with
      cancer. Herein, findings from the NCI's Health Information National Trends Survey
      are reviewed to give insight into how Internet trends related to oncology
      patients are evolving. Future trends are discussed, including examples of
      'connected health' in oncology; the spread of mobile and ubiquitous access points
      to Internet-hosted information; the diffusion of devices, sensors, and apps; the
      spread of personal data sharing; and an evolution in how networks can support
      person-centred and family-centred care.

PMID- 27273046
TI  - A Supramolecularly Activated Radical Cation for Accelerated Catalytic Oxidation.
AB  - Tuning the activity of radicals is crucial for radical reactions and radical
      based materials. Herein, we report a supramolecular strategy to accelerate the
      Fenton reaction through the construction of supramolecularly activated radical
      cations. As a proof of the concept, cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) was introduced,
      through host-guest interactions, onto each side of a derivative of 1,4
      diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole (DPP), a model dye for Fenton oxidation. The DPP
      radical cation, the key intermediate in the oxidation process, was activated by
      the electrostatically negative carbonyl groups of CB[7]. The activation induced a
      drastic decrease in the apparent activation energy and greatly increased the
      reaction rate. This facile supramolecular strategy is a promising method for
      promoting radical reactions. It may also open up a new route for the catalytic
      oxidation of organic pollutants for water purification and widen the realm of
      supramolecular catalysis.

PMID- 27273044
TI  - Towards a new classification of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.
AB  - Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) constitute a
      heterogeneous group of tumours associated with variable clinical presentations,
      growth rates, and prognoses. To improve the management of GEP-NENs, the WHO
      developed a classification system that enables tumours to be graded based on
      markers of cell proliferation in biopsy specimens. Indeed, histopathology has
      been a mainstay in the diagnosis of GEP-NENs, and the WHO grading system
      facilitates therapeutic decision-making; however, considerable intratumoural
      heterogeneity, predominantly comprising regional variations in proliferation
      rates, complicates the evaluation of tumour biology. The use of molecular imaging
      modalities to delineate the most-aggressive cell populations is becoming more
      widespread. In addition, molecular profiling is increasingly undertaken in the
      clinical setting, and genomic studies have revealed a number of chromosomal
      alterations in GEP-NENs, although the 'drivers' of neoplastic development have
      not been identified. Thus, our molecular understanding of GEP-NENs remains
      insufficient to inform on patient prognosis or selection for treatments, and the
      WHO classification continues to form the basis for management of this disease.
      Nevertheless, our increasing understanding of the molecular genetics and biology
      of GEP-NENs has begun to expose flaws in the WHO classification. We describe the
      current understanding of the molecular characteristics of GEP-NENs, and discuss
      how advances in molecular profiling measurements, including assays of circulating
      mRNAs, are likely to influence the management of these tumours.

PMID- 27273060
TI  - Emergency airway management: What are the roles for surgical cricothyroidotomy
      and the Ventrain((r)) device?

PMID- 27273047
TI  - Sulfation of the FLAG epitope is affected by co-expression of G protein-coupled
      receptors in a mammalian cell model.
AB  - G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important therapeutic targets and
      therefore extensively studied. Like most transmembrane proteins, there has been
      considerable difficulty in developing reliable specific antibodies for them. To
      overcome this, epitope tags are often used to facilitate antibody recognition in
      studies on fundamental receptor signalling and trafficking. In our study of
      cannabinoid CB1/dopamine D2 interactions we sought to generate HEK293 cells
      expressing FLAG-tagged D2 for use in antibody-based assays of GPCR localisation
      and trafficking activity, however observed that stable FLAG-hD2 expression was
      particularly challenging to maintain. In contrast, when expressed in cell lines
      expressing hCB1 robust and stable FLAG-hD2 expression was observed. We
      hypothesised that co-expression of CB1 might stabilise surface FLAG-hD2
      expression, and therefore investigated this further. Here, we describe the
      observation that co-expression of either cannabinoid CB1 or CB2 receptors in
      HEK293 decreases the sulfation of a FLAG epitope appended at the N-terminus of
      the dopamine D2 receptor. Sulfation alters epitope recognition by some anti-FLAG
      antibodies, leading to the detection of fewer receptors, even though expression
      is maintained. This demonstrates that cannabinoid receptor expression modifies
      posttranslational processing of the FLAG-hD2 receptor, and importantly, has wider
      implications for the utilisation and interpretation of receptor studies involving
      epitope tags.

PMID- 27273061
TI  - Postoperative environmental anesthetic vapour concentrations following removal of
      the airway device in the operating room versus the postanesthesia care unit.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare waste anesthetic gas (WAG)
      concentrations within patients' breathing zones after removal of the patient's
      airway device in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) vs in the operating room
      (OR). METHODS: Following Research Ethics Board approval and patient consent, we
      recruited patients undergoing surgery who received volatile anesthesia via an
      endotracheal tube or supraglottic airway. Patients had their airway device
      removed in the OR or in the PACU depending on the attending anesthesiologist's
      preference. Upon the patient's arrival in the PACU, concentrations of exhaled
      sevoflurane and desflurane were measured at their breathing zone (i.e., 15 cm
      from the patient's mouth and nose) using a single-beam infrared
      spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Seventy patients were recruited during the five-month
      study period. The median [interquartile range] WAG levels in the patients'
      breathing zones were higher when their airway devices were removed in the PACU vs
      in the OR. The WAG levels for sevoflurane were 0.7 [0.4-1.1] parts per million
      (ppm) vs 0.5 [0.4-0.7] ppm, respectively; median difference, 0.3; 95% confidence
      interval (CI), 0.1 to 0.6; P = 0.04. The WAG levels for desflurane were 2.4 [1.2
      3.4] ppm vs 4.1 [2.5-5.2] ppm, respectively; median difference, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.3
      to 2.7; P = 0.04. CONCLUSIONS: After a volatile-based anesthetic, our results
      suggest that removal of the airway device in the PACU vs in the OR increases the
      amount of waste anesthetic gas in a patient's breathing zone and thus potentially
      in the PACU nurse's working zone.

PMID- 27273063
TI  - X-Ray absorption spectra of microsolvated metal cations.
AB  - Core excited states in clusters or bulk medium are known to undergo a process of
      internal ionisation, whereby the excited electron delocalises throughout the
      medium. This delocalisation is visible in the shifting and broadening of lines in
      X-ray absorption spectra, and it impacts the electronic decay initiated by
      photoabsorption. In this paper we study the delocalisation of electrons excited
      from the 1s core orbital of Na(+) and Mg(2+) ions in microsolvated Na(+)(H2O)m
      and Mg(2+)(H2O)m clusters (m = 1-6) by computing the X-ray absorption spectra and
      electron distributions in different core excited states. We show that addition of
      water ligands to the ion leads to more and more pronounced delocalisation of the
      core-to-valence 1s -> 3p and core-to-Rydberg 1s -> 4p excitations. Even for the
      compact 1s -> 3p excitation the excited electron is mostly located on the water
      molecules when the solvation shell is complete. We also found that the degree of
      delocalisation strongly depends on the cluster geometry and the ionic charge.
      These results indicate that even in small microsolvated clusters delocalisation
      of core excited electrons is substantial and will affect the following electronic
      decay. The accuracy and transferability of our results are corroborated by the
      good agreement between our XAS spectra of microsolvated Na(+) and experimental X
      ray absorption spectra of dilute NaCl solutions. 

PMID- 27273062
TI  - A Novel System for Estimating Residual Disease and Pathologic Response to
      Neoadjuvant Treatment of Prostate Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathologic variables that characterize response of prostate carcinoma
      to current neoadjuvant therapy have not been characterized in detail. This study
      reports (i) the histological features of prostate cancer treated with abiraterone
      and enzalutamide and inter-pathologist variance in identifying these features,
      and (ii) the effect of the novel androgen deprivation agents on residual cancer
      volume. METHODS: We reviewed sections of prostatectomies from 37 patients treated
      with neoadjuvant agents and 22 untreated patients, tabulated the frequency of
      nine features of cancer (intact cancer glands, isolated cancer cells, poorly
      formed glands, cribriform architecture, clear spaces, intraductal carcinoma,
      solid sheets of cancer cells, prominent nucleoli, and previously described ABC
      grouping) and two features of benign glands (prominent basal cells and coalescent
      corpora amylacea). We used several methods, including a novel metric (visual grid
      system), to estimate residual tumor volume. RESULTS: The most highly reproducible
      features were ABC grouping (kappa = 0.56-0.7), presence of intraductal carcinoma
      (kappa = 0.34-0.72), cribriform architecture (kappa = 0.42-0.68), solid sheets of
      tumor cells (kappa = 0.44-0.56), and coalescent corpora amylacea (kappa = 0.4
      0.54). Among poorly reproducible features were prominent nucleoli (kappa = 0.03
      0.11), clear spaces (kappa = 0.05-0.07), and poorly formed cancer glands (kappa =
      0.02-0.1). Determination of tumor mass was excellent regardless of the method
      used-maximum tumor size (kappa = 0.9-0.94), tumor area (kappa = 0.94-0.96), and
      grid-based tumor cellularity (kappa = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: We propose using a set
      of parameters including maximum tumor size, tumor area/volume, cellularity,
      volume, and ABC grouping for evaluating radical prostatectomies post-neoadjuvant
      therapy. Prostate 76:1285-1292, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273064
TI  - Requirements for nucleocapsid-mediated regulation of reverse transcription during
      the late steps of HIV-1 assembly.
AB  - HIV-1 is a retrovirus replicating within cells by reverse transcribing its
      genomic RNA (gRNA) into DNA. Within cells, virus assembly requires the structural
      Gag proteins with few accessory proteins, notably the viral infectivity factor
      (Vif) and two copies of gRNA as well as cellular factors to converge to the
      plasma membrane. In this process, the nucleocapsid (NC) domain of Gag binds to
      the packaging signal of gRNA which consists of a series of stem-loops (SL1-SL3)
      ensuring gRNA selection and packaging into virions. Interestingly, mutating NC
      activates a late-occurring reverse transcription (RT) step in producer cells,
      leading to the release of DNA-containing HIV-1 particles. In order to decipher
      the molecular mechanism regulating this late RT, we explored the role of several
      key partners of NC, such as Vif, gRNA and the cellular cytidine deaminase
      APOBEC3G that restricts HIV-1 infection by targeting the RT. By studying
      combinations of deletions of these putative players, we revealed that NC, SL1-SL3
      and in lesser extent Vif, but not APOBEC3G, interplay regulates the late RT.

PMID- 27273065
TI  - Plant growth promoting potential and phylogenetic characteristics of a lichenized
      nitrogen fixing bacterium, Enterobacter cloacae.
AB  - Lichens are complex symbiotic association of mycobionts, photobionts, and
      bacteriobionts, including chemolithotropic bacteria. In the present study, 46
      lichenized bacteria were isolated by conventional and enrichment culture methods
      on nitrogen-free bromothymol blue (NFb) medium. Only 11 of the 46 isolates fixed
      nitrogen on NFb and had reduced acetylene. All these 11 isolates had also
      produced siderophore and 10 of them the IAA. Further, ammonia production was
      recorded from nine of these nitrogen fixers (NF). On molecular characterization,
      16 S rRNA sequencing recorded that, nine NF belonged to Proteobacteria, within
      Gammaproteobacteria, and were closely related to Enterobacter sp. with a maximum
      similarity to Enterobacter cloacae. Each one of our NF isolates was aligned
      closely to Enterobacter pulveris strain E443, Cronobacter sakazakii strain PNP8
      and Providencia rettgeri strain ALK058. Notably, a few strains we examined found
      to possess plant growth promoting properties. This is the first report of
      Enterobacter sp. from lichens which may be inhabit lichen thalli extrinsically or
      intrinsically.

PMID- 27273066
TI  - The effect of simulation-based mastery learning on thoracentesis referral
      patterns.
AB  - Internal medicine (IM) residents and hospitalist physicians commonly perform
      thoracenteses. National data show that thoracenteses are also frequently referred
      to other services such as interventional radiology (IR), increasing healthcare
      costs. Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) is an effective method to boost
      physicians' procedural skills and self-confidence. This study aimed to (1) assess
      the effect of SBML on IM residents' simulated thoracentesis skills and (2)
      compare thoracentesis referral patterns, self-confidence, and reasons for
      referral between traditionally trained residents (non-SBML-trained), SBML-trained
      residents, and hospitalist physicians. A random sample of 112 IM residents at an
      academic medical center completed thoracentesis SBML from December 2012 to May
      2015. We surveyed physicians caring for hospitalized patients with thoracenteses
      during the same time period and compared referral patterns, self-confidence, and
      reasons for referral. SBML-trained resident thoracentesis skills improved from a
      median of 57.6% (interquartile range [IQR] 43.3-76.9) at pretest to 96.2% (IQR
      96.2-100.0) at post-test (P < 0.001). Surveys demonstrated that traditionally
      trained residents were more likely to refer to IR and cited lower confidence as
      reasons. SBML-trained residents were more likely to perform bedside
      thoracenteses. Hospitalist physicians were most likely to refer to pulmonary
      medicine and cited lack of time to perform the procedure as the main reason. SBML
      trained residents were most confident about their thoracentesis skills, despite
      hospitalist physicians having more experience. This study identifies confidence
      and time as reasons physicians refer thoracenteses rather than perform them at
      the bedside. Thoracentesis SBML boosts skills and promotes bedside procedures
      that are safe and less expensive than referrals. Journal of Hospital Medicine
      2016;11:792-795. (c) 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 27273067
TI  - A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of the
      effect of barley beta-glucan on LDL-C, non-HDL-C and apoB for cardiovascular
      disease risk reductioni-iv.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There has been recent interest in barley as a therapeutic
      food owing to its high content of beta-glucan (beta-glucan), a viscous soluble
      fiber recognized for its cholesterol-lowering properties. The objective of this
      study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized
      controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the cholesterol-lowering potential of
      barley beta-glucan on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) for
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and
      the Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. We included RCTs of ?3-week duration
      assessing the effect of diets enriched with barley beta-glucan compared with
      controlled diets on LDL-C, non-HDL-C or apoB. Two independent reviewers extracted
      relevant data and assessed study quality and risk of bias. Data were pooled using
      the generic inverse-variance method with random effects models and expressed as
      mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was
      assessed by the Cochran Q-statistic and quantified by the I2 statistic. RESULTS:
      Fourteen trials (N=615) were included in the final analysis. A median dose of 6.5
      and 6.9 g/day of barley beta-glucan for a median duration of 4 weeks
      significantly reduced LDL-C (MD=-0.25 mmol/l (95% CI: -0.30, -0.20)) and non-HDL
      C (MD=-0.31 mmol/l (95% CI: -0.39, -0.23)), respectively, with no significant
      changes to apoB levels, compared with control diets. There was evidence of
      considerable unexplained heterogeneity in the analysis of non-HDL-C (I2=98%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Pooled analyses show that barley beta-glucan has a lowering effect
      on LDL-C and non-HDL-C. Inclusion of barley-containing foods may be a strategy
      for achieving targets in CVD risk reduction.

PMID- 27273068
TI  - Key determinants of energy expenditure in cancer and implications for clinical
      practice.
AB  - Great discrepancies exist in the reported prevalence of altered energy metabolism
      (hypo- or hypermetabolism) in cancer patients, which is likely due to the vast
      array of phenomena that can affect energy expenditure in these patients. The
      purpose of this review was to critically evaluate key determinants of energy
      expenditure in cancer and the relevance for clinical practice. Resting energy
      expenditure (REE) is the largest and most commonly measured component of total
      energy expenditure. In addition to the energetic demand of the tumor itself, REE
      may be increased due to changes in inflammation, body composition and brown
      adipose tissue activation. Energy expenditure from physical activity is often
      lower in cancer compared with healthy populations, and there is evidence to
      suggest that the thermic effect of food might also be blunted and affected by
      cancer therapy. Although accurate assessment of energy metabolism is a
      cornerstone of adequate nutritional therapy, prediction methods often do not
      capture the true energy expenditure of most cancer patients. In fact, limits of
      agreement of prediction equations may range from 40% below to 30% above measured
      REE. Such variability highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding
      of energy expenditure in cancer and the value of accurately assessing the energy
      needs of these patients.

PMID- 27273069
TI  - Misreport of energy intake assessed with food records and 24-h recalls compared
      with total energy expenditure estimated with DLW.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The accuracy of dietary assessment methods has rarely been
      validated using precise techniques. The objective of this work was to evaluate
      the validity of energy intake (EI) estimated with food records (FRs) and 24-h
      recalls (24hRs) against total energy expenditure (EE) estimated by the doubly
      labeled water (DLW) method. In addition, the magnitude of EI under-reporting was
      assessed along with its associated characteristics. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The studied
      group included 83 adults between 20 and 60 years of age who were recruited from a
      population-based sample. Within-person variation-adjusted means of EI estimated
      from two FRs and three 24hRs were compared with EE estimated using the DLW method
      multiple-point protocol. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess the
      differences between EI and EE, whereas Bland-Altman and survival-agreement plots
      assessed the agreement between the estimates. RESULTS: The mean EE (2540 kcal)
      was greater than the mean reported EI for both dietary assessment methods (FR:
      1774 kcal; 24hR: 1658 kcal, P<0.01). The frequency of under-reporting was lower
      (20%) for EI estimated with the 24hR than that estimated with the FR (32%). Men
      presented lower magnitude of under-reported EI than women did. For women,
      differences between EI and EE were lower with FR than with 24hR. Overall, FR and
      24hR showed similar performance. The mean under-reported EI was ~30% for both
      methods. CONCLUSIONS: Irregular meal habits, smoking and low education were
      associated with the under-report of EI. Both FR and 24hR are subjected to bias
      suggesting the need of refining the procedures applied in dietary assessment
      methods.

PMID- 27273070
TI  - Deep data science to prevent and treat growth faltering in Maya children.

PMID- 27273072
TI  - Involvement of the neuronal phosphotyrosine signal adaptor N-Shc in kainic acid
      induced epileptiform activity.
AB  - BDNF-TrkB signaling is implicated in experimental seizures and epilepsy. However,
      the downstream signaling involved in the epileptiform activity caused by TrkB
      receptor activation is still unknown. The aim of the present study was to
      determine whether TrkB-mediated N-Shc signal transduction was involved in kainic
      acid (KA)-induced epileptiform activity. We investigated KA-induced behavioral
      seizures, epileptiform activities and neuronal cell loss in hippocampus between N
      Shc deficient and control mice. There was a significant reduction in seizure
      severity and the frequency of epileptiform discharges in N-Shc deficient mice, as
      compared with wild-type and C57BL/6 mice. KA-induced neuronal cell loss in the
      CA3 of hippocampus was also inhibited in N-Shc deficient mice. This study
      demonstrates that the activation of N-Shc signaling pathway contributes to an
      acute KA-induced epileptiform activity and neuronal cell loss in the hippocampus.
      We propose that the N-Shc-mediated signaling pathway could provide a potential
      target for the novel therapeutic approaches of epilepsy.

PMID- 27273073
TI  - Fgf8 signaling for development of the midbrain and hindbrain.
AB  - In this paper, we review how midbrain and hindbrain are specified. Otx2 and Gbx2
      are expressed from the early phase of development, and their expression abuts at
      the midbrain hindbrain boundary (MHB), where Fgf8 expression is induced, and
      functions as an organizing molecule for the midbrain and hindbrain. Fgf8 induces
      En1 and Pax2 expression at the region where Otx2 is expressed to specify
      midbrain. Fgf8 activates Ras-ERK pathway to specify hindbrain. Downstream of ERK,
      Pea3 specifies isthmus (rhombomere 0, r0), and Irx2 may specify r1, where the
      cerebellum is formed. 

PMID- 27273071
TI  - Reduced sCD36 following weight loss corresponds to improved insulin sensitivity,
      dyslipidemia and liver fat in obese children.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Childhood obesity is a major health problem with serious
      long-term metabolic consequences. CD36 is important for the development of
      obesity-related complications among adults. We aimed to investigate circulating
      sCD36 during weight loss in childhood obesity and its associations with insulin
      resistance, dyslipidemia, hepatic fat accumulation and low-grade inflammation.
      SUBJECTS/METHODS: The impact of a 10-week weight loss camp for obese children
      (N=113) on plasma sCD36 and further after a 12-month follow-up (N=68) was
      investigated. Clinical and biochemical data were collected, and sCD36 was
      measured by an in-house assay. Liver fat was estimated by ultrasonography and
      insulin resistance by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Along
      with marked weight loss, sCD36 was reduced by 21% (P=0.0013) following lifestyle
      intervention, and individual sCD36 reductions were significantly associated with
      the corresponding decreases in HOMA-IR, triglycerides and total cholesterol. The
      largest sCD36 decrease occurred among children who reduced HOMA-IR and liver fat.
      After 12 months of follow-up, sCD36 was increased (P=0.014) and the metabolic
      improvements were largely lost. CONCLUSIONS: Weight-loss-induced sCD36 reduction,
      coincident with improved insulin resistance, circulating lipids and hepatic fat
      accumulation, proposes that sCD36 may be an early marker of long-term health risk
      associated with obesity-related complications.

PMID- 27273074
TI  - The complement system, neuronal injury, and cognitive function in horizontally
      acquired HIV-infected youth.
AB  - The complement system (C1q/C3) is a key mediator of synaptic pruning during
      normal development. HIV inappropriately induces C1q and C3 production in the
      brain, and reduces neuronal complement inhibition. HIV may thus alter neural
      connectivity in the developing brain by excessively targeting synapses for
      elimination. The resultant pattern of neuronal injury may fundamentally alter
      neurodevelopmental and cognitive processes differentially across ages. This study
      aimed to (1) measure the association between the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
      complement factors (C1q/C3) and a marker of neuronal injury (NFL) in HIV+
      subjects; (2) quantify the differences in CSF C1q/C3 between HIV+ youth and older
      adults; and (3) define the relationship between CSF C1q/C3 and cognitive
      impairment in each age group. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study
      of 20 HIV+ 18-24-year-old youth and 20 HIV+ 40-46-year-old adults with varying
      levels of cognitive impairment enrolled in the CNS Antiretroviral Therapy Effects
      Research study. We quantified C3, C1q, and NFL by ELISA in paired CSF/plasma
      specimens. We found that CSF C1q correlates with NFL in all subjects not
      receiving antiretroviral therapy (n = 16, rho = 0.53, p = 0.035) when extreme NFL
      outliers were eliminated (n = 1). There was no difference in plasma/CSF C1q or C3
      between older adults and youth. In 18-24-year-old youth, a nearly significant (p
      = 0.052) elevation of CSF C1q expression was observed in cognitively impaired
      subjects compared to cognitively normal subjects. Further investigation into the
      role of the CNS complement system in the neuropathogenesis of HIV is warranted
      and should be considered in a developmentally specific context.

PMID- 27273075
TI  - The flavivirus dengue induces hypertrophy of white matter astrocytes.
AB  - Flaviviruses, including Zika and dengue (DENV), pose a serious global threat to
      human health. Of the 50+ million humans infected with DENV annually,
      approximately 1-3 % progress to severe disease manifestations, dengue hemorrhagic
      fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Several factors are suspected to
      mediate the course of infection and pathogenesis of DENV infection. DHF and DSS
      are associated with vascular leakage and neurological sequelae. Our hypothesis
      was that altered astrocyte activation and morphology would alter the dynamics of
      the extracellular space and hence, neuronal and vascular function. We
      investigated the mechanisms of neuropathogenesis DENV infection in rhesus
      macaques. There were decreased numbers of GFAP immunopositive astrocytes per unit
      area, although those that remained had increased arbor length and complexity.
      This was combined with structural hypertrophy of white matter astrocytes in the
      absence of increased vascular leakage. Combined, these studies show how even low
      grade infection with DENV induces measurable changes within the parenchyma of
      infected individuals.

PMID- 27273076
TI  - Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient without apparent
      immunosuppression.
AB  - Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a viral demyelinating disease
      due to the reactivation of the JC virus (JCV), which usually occurs in the
      context of immunosuppression in HIV infection, malignancy, or in patients on
      disease modifying therapy for autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis
      (MS) and Crohn's disease. Notably, there is growing recognition that PML can
      occur in patients with transient immune dysfunction. Here, we present a case of a
      55-year-old man without history of immunosuppression or evidence of ICL who was
      diagnosed with PML on brain biopsy. We will discuss the potential etiologies of
      mild and transient immunosuppression that can lead to PML with non-apparent
      immunosuppression.

PMID- 27273077
TI  - Association between gait characteristics and endothelial oxidative stress and
      inflammation in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease.
AB  - The aim of the study was to determine whether gait characteristics were
      associated with endothelial cell inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis
      and with circulating biomarkers of inflammation and antioxidant capacity in older
      patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). Gait measurements of
      231 symptomatic men and women with PAD were assessed during a 4-m walk test.
      Patients were further characterized on endothelial effects of circulating factors
      present in the sera using a cell culture-based bioassay on primary human arterial
      endothelial cells and on circulating inflammatory and vascular biomarkers. In a
      multivariate regression model for gait speed, the significant independent
      variables were age (p < 0.001), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)
      (p < 0.001), diabetes (p = 0.003), sex (p = 0.003), and history of
      cerebrovascular accidents (p = 0.021). In multivariate analyses for gait cadence,
      the significant independent predictors included high-sensitivity C-reactive
      protein (HsCRP) (p < 0.001), diabetes (p = 0.001), and hypertension (p = 0.001).
      In a multivariate regression model for gait stride length, the significant
      independent variables were HsCRP (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), ICAM-1 (p <
      0.001), hypertension (p = 0.002), cellular reactive oxygen species production (p
      = 0.007), and sex (p = 0.008). Higher levels of circulating biomarkers of
      inflammation and endothelial cell oxidative stress were associated with slower
      gait speed, slower cadence, and shorter stride length in older symptomatic
      patients with PAD. Additionally, this profile of impaired gait was more evident
      in older patients, in women, and in those with diabetes, hypertension, and
      history of cerebrovascular accidents. 

PMID- 27273078
TI  - Altered Crossover Distribution and Frequency in Spermatocytes of Infertile Men
      with Azoospermia.
AB  - During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair to facilitate the exchange of DNA at
      crossover sites along the chromosomes. The frequency and distribution of
      crossover formation are tightly regulated to ensure the proper progression of
      meiosis. Using immunofluorescence techniques, our group and others have studied
      the meiotic proteins in spermatocytes of infertile men, showing that this
      population displays a reduced frequency of crossovers compared to fertile men. An
      insufficient number of crossovers is thought to promote chromosome
      missegregation, in which case the faulty cell may face meiotic arrest or
      contribute to the production of aneuploid sperm. Increasing evidence in model
      organisms has suggested that the distribution of crossovers may also be important
      for proper chromosome segregation. In normal males, crossovers are shown to be
      rare near centromeres and telomeres, while frequent in subtelomeric regions. Our
      study aims to characterize the crossover distribution in infertile men with non
      obstructive (NOA) and obstructive azoospermia (OA) along chromosomes 13, 18 and
      21. Eight of the 16 NOA men and five of the 21 OA men in our study displayed
      reduced crossover frequency compared to control fertile men. Seven NOA men and
      nine OA men showed altered crossover distributions on at least one of the
      chromosome arms studied compared to controls. We found that although both NOA and
      OA men displayed altered crossover distributions, NOA men may be at a higher risk
      of suffering both altered crossover frequencies and distributions compared to OA
      men. Our data also suggests that infertile men display an increase in crossover
      formation in regions where they are normally inhibited, specifically near
      centromeres and telomeres. Finally, we demonstrated a decrease in crossovers near
      subtelomeres, as well as increased average crossover distance to telomeres in
      infertile men. As telomere-guided mechanisms are speculated to play a role in
      crossover formation in subtelomeres, future studies linking crossover
      distribution with telomere integrity and sperm aneuploidy may provide new insight
      into the mechanisms underlying male infertility. 

PMID- 27273079
TI  - Noncovalent Substrate-Directed Enantioselective Heck Reactions: Synthesis of S-
      and P-Stereogenic Heterocycles.
AB  - S- and P-Stereogenic heterocycles were synthesized by a remarkably simple
      enantioselective Heck desymmetrization reaction based on the unprecedented
      noncovalent directing effect of S=O and P=O functionalities. Selected prochiral
      symmetric substrates were efficiently arylated using the recently disclosed
      chiral PyraBOx ligand under mild and open-flask reaction conditions. Several five
      membered aryl- sulfones, sulfoxides, and phosphine oxides were synthesized in
      good to excellent yields, in good to high diastereoselectivity, and enantiomeric
      ratios up to 98:2. Theoretical calculations also support the noncovalent
      directing effect of the S=O and P=O functionalities during the arylation process.

PMID- 27273082
TI  - Comparable responses of osteoblast lineage cells to microstructured hydrophilic
      titanium-zirconium and microstructured hydrophilic titanium.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although titanium (Ti) is commonly used for dental implants, Ti alloy
      materials are being developed to improve their physical material properties.
      Studies indicate that osteoblast differentiation and maturation of human
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and normal human osteoblasts (NHOsts) respond to
      microstructured Ti and titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti6Al4V) surfaces in a similar
      manner. The goal of this study was to determine whether this is the case for
      osteoblast lineage cells grown on microstructured TiZr surfaces and whether their
      response is affected by surface nanotexture and hydrophilicity. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Grade 4 Ti and TiZr (13-17% Zr) disks were modified by large grit sand
      blasting and acid-etching with storage in saline solution, resulting in a complex
      microstructured and hydrophilic surface corresponding to the commercially
      available implants SLActive(r) and Roxolid(r) SLActive(r) (Institut Straumann AG,
      Basel, Switzerland). The subsequent Ti modSLA and TiZr modSLA surfaces were
      characterized and osteogenic markers were measured. RESULTS: Evaluation of
      physical parameters revealed that the fabrication method was capable of inducing
      a microstructured and hydrophilic surface on both the Ti and TiZr disks. Overall,
      the surfaces were similar, but differences in nanostructure morphology/density
      and surface chemistry were detected. On Ti modSLA and TiZr modSLA, osteoblastic
      differentiation and maturation markers were enhanced in both MSCs and NHOsts,
      while inflammatory markers decreased compared with TCPS. CONCLUSIONS: These
      results indicate a similar positive cell response of MSCs and NHOsts when
      cultured on Ti modSLA and TiZr modSLA. Both surfaces were hydrophilic, indicating
      the importance of this property to osteoblast lineage cells.

PMID- 27273085
TI  - Direct effects dominate responses to climate perturbations in grassland plant
      communities.
AB  - Theory predicts that strong indirect effects of environmental change will impact
      communities when niche differences between competitors are small and variation in
      the direct effects experienced by competitors is large, but empirical tests are
      lacking. Here we estimate negative frequency dependence, a proxy for niche
      differences, and quantify the direct and indirect effects of climate change on
      each species. Consistent with theory, in four of five communities indirect
      effects are strongest for species showing weak negative frequency dependence.
      Indirect effects are also stronger in communities where there is greater
      variation in direct effects. Overall responses to climate perturbations are
      driven primarily by direct effects, suggesting that single species models may be
      adequate for forecasting the impacts of climate change in these communities.

PMID- 27273086
TI  - Thymic Germinal Centers and Corticosteroids in Myasthenia Gravis: an
      Immunopathological Study in 1035 Cases and a Critical Review.
AB  - The most common form of Myasthenia gravis (MG) is due to anti-acetylcholine
      receptor (AChR) antibodies and is frequently associated with thymic pathology. In
      this review, we discuss the immunopathological characteristics and molecular
      mechanisms of thymic follicular hyperplasia, the effects of corticosteroids on
      this thymic pathology, and the role of thymic epithelial cells (TEC), a key
      player in the inflammatory thymic mechanisms. This review is based not only on
      the literature data but also on thymic transcriptome results and analyses of
      pathological and immunological correlations in a vast cohort of 1035 MG patients
      without thymoma. We show that among patients presenting a thymic hyperplasia with
      germinal centers (GC), 80 % are females, indicating that thymic follicular
      hyperplasia is mainly a disease of women. The presence of anti-AChR antibodies is
      correlated with the degree of follicular hyperplasia, suggesting that the thymus
      is a source of anti-AChR antibodies. The degree of hyperplasia is not dependent
      upon the time from the onset, implying that either the antigen is chronically
      expressed and/or that the mechanisms of the resolution of the GC are not
      efficiently controlled. Glucocorticoids, a conventional therapy in MG, induce a
      significant reduction in the GC number, together with changes in the expression
      of chemokines and angiogenesis. These changes are likely related to the
      acetylation molecular process, overrepresented in corticosteroid-treated
      patients, and essential for gene regulation. Altogether, based on the
      pathological and molecular thymic abnormalities found in MG patients, this review
      provides some explanations for the benefit of thymectomy in early-onset MG
      patients.

PMID- 27273087
TI  - Complement, Kinins, and Hereditary Angioedema: Mechanisms of Plasma Instability
      when C1 Inhibitor is Absent.
AB  - Plasma of patients with types I and II hereditary angioedema is unstable if
      incubated in a plastic (i.e., inert) vessel at 37  degrees C manifested by
      progressively increasing formation of bradykinin. There is also a persistent low
      level of C4 in 95 % of patients even when they are symptomatic. These phenomena
      are due to the properties of the C1r subcomponent of C1, factor XII, and the
      bimolecular complex of prekallikrein with high molecular weight kininogen (HK).
      Purified C1r auto-activates in physiologic buffers, activates C1s, which in turn
      depletes C4. This occurs when C1 inhibitor is deficient. The complex of
      prekallikrein-HK acquires an inducible active site not present in prekallikrein
      which in Tris-type buffers cleaves HK stoichiometrically to release bradykinin,
      or in phosphate buffer auto-activates to generate kallikrein and bradykinin. Thus
      immunologic depletion of C1 inhibitor from factor XII-deficient plasma (phosphate
      is the natural buffer) auto-activates on incubation to release bradykinin. Normal
      C1 inhibitor prevents this from occurring. During attacks of angioedema, if
      factor XII auto-activates on surfaces, the initial factor XIIa formed converts
      prekallikrein to kallikrein, and kallikrein cleaves HK to release bradykinin.
      Kallikrein also rapidly activates most remaining factor XII to factor XIIa.
      Additional cleavages convert factor XIIa to factor XIIf and factor XIIf activates
      C1r enzymatically so that C4 levels approach zero, and C2 is depleted. There is
      also a possibility that kallikrein is generated first as a result of activation
      of the prekallikrein-HK complex by heat shock protein 90 released from
      endothelial cells, followed by kallikrein activation of factor XII. 

PMID- 27273089
TI  - Bayesian Modeling of the Effects of Extreme Flooding and the Grazer Community on
      Algal Biomass Dynamics in a Monsoonal Taiwan Stream.
AB  - The effects of grazing and climate change on primary production have been studied
      widely, but seldom with mechanistic models. We used a Bayesian model to examine
      the effects of extreme weather and the invertebrate grazer community on epilithic
      algal biomass dynamics over 10 years (from January 2004 to August 2013). Algal
      biomass and the invertebrate grazer community were monitored in the upstream
      drainage of the Dajia River in Taiwan, where extreme floods have been becoming
      more frequent. The biomass of epilithic algae changed, both seasonally and
      annually, and extreme flooding changed the growth and resistance to flow
      detachment of the algae. Invertebrate grazing pressure changes with the structure
      of the invertebrate grazer community, which, in turn, is affected by the flow
      regime. Invertebrate grazer community structure and extreme flooding both
      affected the dynamics of epilithic algae, but in different ways. Awareness of the
      interactions between algal communities and grazers/abiotic factors can help with
      the design of future studies and could facilitate the development of management
      programs for stream ecosystems.

PMID- 27273088
TI  - Induction of heat shock proteins in differentiated human neuronal cells following
      co-application of celastrol and arimoclomol.
AB  - Few effective therapies exist for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
      that have been characterized as protein misfolding disorders. Upregulation of
      heat shock proteins (Hsps) mitigates against the accumulation of misfolded,
      aggregation-prone proteins and synaptic dysfunction, which is recognized as an
      early event in neurodegenerative diseases. Enhanced induction of a set of Hsps in
      differentiated human SH-SY5Y neuronal cells was observed following co-application
      of celastrol and arimoclomol, compared to their individual application. The
      dosages employed did not affect cell viability or neuronal process morphology.
      The induced Hsps included the little studied HSPA6 (Hsp70B'), a potentially
      neuroprotective protein that is present in the human genome but not in rat and
      mouse and hence is missing in current animal models of neurodegenerative disease.
      Enhanced induction of HSPA1A (Hsp70-1), DNAJB1 (Hsp40), HO-1 (Hsp32), and HSPB1
      (Hsp27) was also observed. Celastrol activates heat shock transcription factor 1
      (HSF1), the master regulator of Hsp gene transcription, and also exhibits potent
      anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Arimoclomol is a co-activator that
      prolongs the binding of activated HSF1 to heat shock elements (HSEs) in the
      promoter regions of inducible Hsp genes. Elevated Hsp levels peaked at 10 to 12 h
      for HSPA6, HSPA1A, DNAJB1, and HO-1 and at 24 h for HSPB1. Co-application of
      celastrol and arimoclomol induced higher Hsp levels compared to heat shock paired
      with arimoclomol. The co-application strategy of celastrol and arimoclomol
      targets multiple neurodegenerative disease-associated pathologies including
      protein misfolding and protein aggregation, inflammatory and oxidative stress,
      and synaptic dysfunction.

PMID- 27273090
TI  - Resilience of Fungal Communities to Elevated CO2.
AB  - Soil filamentous fungi play a prominent role in regulating ecosystem functioning
      in terrestrial ecosystems. This necessitates understanding their responses to
      climate change drivers in order to predict how nutrient cycling and ecosystem
      services will be influenced in the future. Here, we provide a quantitative
      synthesis of ten studies on soil fungal community responses to elevated CO2. Many
      of these studies reported contradictory diversity responses. We identify the
      duration of the study as an influential parameter that determines the outcome of
      experimentation. Our analysis reconciles the existing globally distributed
      experiments on fungal community responses to elevated CO2 and provides a
      framework for comparing results of future CO2 enrichment studies.

PMID- 27273091
TI  - Retrieval of Brain Tumors by Adaptive Spatial Pooling and Fisher Vector
      Representation.
AB  - Content-based image retrieval (CBIR) techniques have currently gained increasing
      popularity in the medical field because they can use numerous and valuable
      archived images to support clinical decisions. In this paper, we concentrate on
      developing a CBIR system for retrieving brain tumors in T1-weighted contrast
      enhanced MRI images. Specifically, when the user roughly outlines the tumor
      region of a query image, brain tumor images in the database of the same
      pathological type are expected to be returned. We propose a novel feature
      extraction framework to improve the retrieval performance. The proposed framework
      consists of three steps. First, we augment the tumor region and use the augmented
      tumor region as the region of interest to incorporate informative contextual
      information. Second, the augmented tumor region is split into subregions by an
      adaptive spatial division method based on intensity orders; within each
      subregion, we extract raw image patches as local features. Third, we apply the
      Fisher kernel framework to aggregate the local features of each subregion into a
      respective single vector representation and concatenate these per-subregion
      vector representations to obtain an image-level signature. After feature
      extraction, a closed-form metric learning algorithm is applied to measure the
      similarity between the query image and database images. Extensive experiments are
      conducted on a large dataset of 3604 images with three types of brain tumors,
      namely, meningiomas, gliomas, and pituitary tumors. The mean average precision
      can reach 94.68%. Experimental results demonstrate the power of the proposed
      algorithm against some related state-of-the-art methods on the same dataset. 

PMID- 27273094
TI  - BMP signaling turns up in fragile X syndrome: FMRP represses BMPR2.
AB  - Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability
      and results from a loss of function of the translational repressor FMRP. In this
      issue of Science Signaling, Kashima et al find that FMRP binds to and represses a
      specific isoform of BMPR2, a type II bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor.
      Reducing signaling through this BMP pathway reverses neuroanatomical defects
      observed in fragile X models. 

PMID- 27273092
TI  - Cognitive deficits in first-degree relatives of bipolar patients: the use of
      homogeneous subgroups in the search of cognitive endophenotypes.
AB  - Previous studies have demonstrated impairments in attention, memory and executive
      functions in euthymic bipolar patients (BP) as well as their unaffected first
      degree relatives, albeit in an attenuated form. Subsequently, cognitive deficits
      are discussed as a possible endophenotype of bipolar disorder. However, recent
      studies showed that only a subgroup of BP shows cognitive impairments. The aim of
      the present study was to investigate cognitive functioning in relatives compared
      to BP, to find out if the differentiation in a cognitive deficit vs. non-deficit
      subgroup is valid for relatives of BP, too. Therefore, the performance of 27
      unaffected relatives of BP, 27 euthymic BP and 27 HC were compared using a
      neuropsychological test battery. The results showed that BP exhibited a reduced
      psychomotor speed and deficits in working memory compared to relatives and HC.
      Relatives performed significantly slower (psychomotor speed) as compared to HC (p
      = 0.024); performance in the other test measures lie between BP and HC.
      Furthermore, a detailed evaluation of the data indicated that only subgroups of
      BP and relatives exhibited cognitive impairments in the implemented tests.
      However, the deficit and non-deficit groups did not differ in sociodemographic
      and clinical variables from each other, possibly due to the small sample size. In
      conclusion, our results suggest that reduced psychomotor speed could serve as a
      potential endophenotype for bipolar disorder which should be investigated along
      the developmental trajectory of this disorder, also to examine whether
      abnormalities therein precede onset of the first mood episode. Furthermore, the
      division of relatives into subgroups aids in the identification of stable trait
      markers and high-risk bipolar groups and could enable early prevention
      strategies. As to that more research using distinct and homogeneous subgroups is
      necessary.

PMID- 27273093
TI  - Training programmes for family caregivers of people with dementia living at home:
      integrative review.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To establish primary features of training programmes
      designed to assist family caregivers of people with dementia living at home and
      to propose a model programme based on literature findings. BACKGROUND: Due to
      dementia's distinctive progression, there is a widely felt need to train family
      members who undertake the responsibility of caring for relatives diagnosed with
      this condition to provide positive care, particularly during the early and middle
      stages of the disease. DESIGN: Integrative review. METHODS: Literature reviews
      were carried out in the Pubmed, CINAHL, Mediclatina and Medline databases, using
      the following describers: training programme, family caregivers, dementia and
      aged. Such searches encompassed publications between 2004-2014, together with
      eight articles for review due to their positive identification with the inclusion
      criteria. Relevant results were extracted, the subsequent analysis performed and
      the presentation carried out in a descriptive manner. RESULTS: The prevailing
      length of a training programme for a family caregiver of people with dementia is
      of six sessions over a six-week period, with one weekly session load, and an
      average duration of 100 minutes each. Methodologies most commonly used include
      discussion, problem-solving models as well as skills and strategies training. The
      themes discussed comprehend caring for the individual with dementia, information
      about the illness and the use of health and community resources. Regarding the
      assessment of the family caregiver, the most widely used instruments are
      demographic assessment questionnaires, self-efficiency and caregiver's burnout
      scales, as well as depression and quality of life measures. Three assessment
      instances of family caregivers' needs during the training programme are commonly
      encountered: initial, final and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This review has
      identified a set of features transversal to training programmes for family
      members who undertake the care for individuals with dementia living at home,
      which will bolster the construction and validation of other programmes in the
      area. More studies about such programmes need to be implemented, particularly
      engaged in their conceptual and experimental validation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL
      PRACTICE: The results of this review assist nurses by increasing their awareness
      of the basic assumptions supporting training programmes for family members
      responsible for individuals with dementia living at home and subsequently enforce
      them during their interventions with such population.

PMID- 27273095
TI  - Science Signaling Podcast for 7 June 2016: Modeling signal integration.
AB  - This Podcast features an interview with Kevin Janes, senior author of a Research
      Article that appears in the 7 June 2016 issue of Science Signaling, about a
      statistical modeling method that can extract useful information from complex data
      sets. Cells exist in very complex environments. They are constantly exposed to
      growth factors, hormones, nutrients, and many other factors that influence
      cellular behavior. When cells integrate information from multiple stimuli, the
      resulting output does not necessarily reflect a simple additive effect of the
      responses to each individual stimulus. Chitforoushzadeh et al employed a
      statistical modeling approach that maintained the multidimensional nature of the
      data to analyze the responses of colonic epithelial cells to various combinations
      of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF, the growth factor EGF, and insulin. As the
      model predicted, experiments confirmed that insulin suppressed TNF-induced
      proinflammatory signaling through a mechanism that involved the transcription
      factor GATA6.Listen to Podcast. 

PMID- 27273096
TI  - Augmented noncanonical BMP type II receptor signaling mediates the synaptic
      abnormality of fragile X syndrome.
AB  - Epigenetic silencing of fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) causes fragile X
      syndrome (FXS), a common inherited form of intellectual disability and autism.
      FXS correlates with abnormal synapse and dendritic spine development, but the
      molecular link between the absence of the FMR1 product FMRP, an RNA binding
      protein, and the neuropathology is unclear. We found that the messenger RNA
      encoding bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor (BMPR2) is a target of FMRP.
      Depletion of FMRP increased BMPR2 abundance, especially that of the full-length
      isoform that bound and activated LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1), a component of the
      noncanonical BMP signal transduction pathway that stimulates actin reorganization
      to promote neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. Heterozygosity for BMPR2
      rescued the morphological abnormalities in neurons both in Drosophila and in
      mouse models of FXS, as did the postnatal pharmacological inhibition of LIMK1
      activity. Compared with postmortem prefrontal cortex tissue from healthy
      subjects, the amount of full-length BMPR2 and of a marker of LIMK1 activity was
      increased in this brain region from FXS patients. These findings suggest that
      increased BMPR2 signal transduction is linked to FXS and that the BMPR2-LIMK1
      pathway is a putative therapeutic target in patients with FXS and possibly other
      forms of autism.

PMID- 27273099
TI  - An updated review of Parkinson's disease genetics and clinicopathological
      correlations.
AB  - Knowledge regarding the pathophysiological basis of Parkinson's disease (PD) has
      been greatly expanded over the past two decades, with extraordinary contributions
      from the field of genetics. However, genetic classifications became complex,
      difficult to follow, and at times misleading, by placing well-established
      monogenic forms of the disease along with others associated with risk loci, often
      ill characterized. The present paper summarizes the genetic, clinical, and
      neuropathological findings of the currently described monogenic forms of PD and
      also approaches the progress made in determining genetic risk factors for PD.
      Furthermore, the text incorporates the data into a recently proposed
      classification system that will hopefully bring a "user-friendly" approach to
      this issue. This paper also highlights a number of inconsistencies regarding
      classification of PD as a single, unique clinicopathological entity-in fact, in
      order to achieve the development of truly innovative therapies, PD should
      probably be regarded clinically as a "Parkinson's disease cluster", instead of a
      single disease. In the future, we hope that an in-depth and groundbreaking
      understanding of PD will allow the development of truly disease-modifying
      therapies that will target the molecular processes responsible for the cascade of
      pathological events underlying each form of PD.

PMID- 27273098
TI  - Sestrin regulation of TORC1: Is Sestrin a leucine sensor?
AB  - Sestrins are highly conserved, stress-inducible proteins that inhibit target of
      rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) signaling. After their transcriptional induction,
      both vertebrate and invertebrate Sestrins turn on the adenosine monophosphate
      (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which activates the tuberous sclerosis
      complex (TSC), a key inhibitor of TORC1 activation. However, Sestrin
      overexpression, on occasion, can result in TORC1 inhibition even in AMPK
      deficient cells. This effect has been attributed to Sestrin's ability to bind the
      TORC1-regulating GATOR2 protein complex, which was postulated to control
      trafficking of TORC1 to lysosomes. How the binding of Sestrins to GATOR2 is
      regulated and how it contributes to TORC1 inhibition are unknown. New findings
      suggest that the amino acid leucine specifically disrupts the association of
      Sestrin2 with GATOR2, thus explaining how leucine and related amino acids
      stimulate TORC1 activity. We discuss whether and how these findings fit what has
      already been learned about Sestrin-mediated TORC1 inhibition from genetic studies
      conducted in fruit flies and mammals.

PMID- 27273100
TI  - 60 YEARS OF POMC: POMC: the consummate peptide hormone precursor.

PMID- 27273097
TI  - TNF-insulin crosstalk at the transcription factor GATA6 is revealed by a model
      that links signaling and transcriptomic data tensors.
AB  - Signal transduction networks coordinate transcriptional programs activated by
      diverse extracellular stimuli, such as growth factors and cytokines. Cells
      receive multiple stimuli simultaneously, and mapping how activation of the
      integrated signaling network affects gene expression is a challenge. We
      stimulated colon adenocarcinoma cells with various combinations of the cytokine
      tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the growth factors insulin and epidermal growth
      factor (EGF) to investigate signal integration and transcriptional crosstalk. We
      quantitatively linked the proteomic and transcriptomic data sets by implementing
      a structured computational approach called tensor partial least squares
      regression. This statistical model accurately predicted transcriptional
      signatures from signaling arising from single and combined stimuli and also
      predicted time-dependent contributions of signaling events. Specifically, the
      model predicted that an early-phase, AKT-associated signal downstream of insulin
      repressed a set of transcripts induced by TNF. Through bioinformatics and cell
      based experiments, we identified the AKT-repressed signal as glycogen synthase
      kinase 3 (GSK3)-catalyzed phosphorylation of Ser(37) on the long form of the
      transcription factor GATA6. Phosphorylation of GATA6 on Ser(37) promoted its
      degradation, thereby preventing GATA6 from repressing transcripts that are
      induced by TNF and attenuated by insulin. Our analysis showed that predictive
      tensor modeling of proteomic and transcriptomic data sets can uncover pathway
      crosstalk that produces specific patterns of gene expression in cells receiving
      multiple stimuli.

PMID- 27273101
TI  - Gordon Gregory OAM: An appreciation.

PMID- 27273102
TI  - Food security in Australia.

PMID- 27273103
TI  - Granulocyte infusion: benefit beyond neutrophils?

PMID- 27273105
TI  - Need Continuing Education Contact Hours? Register for the AANP 2016 National
      Conference.

PMID- 27273104
TI  - The Human Antimicrobial Protein Bactericidal/Permeability-Increasing Protein
      (BPI) Inhibits the Infectivity of Influenza A Virus.
AB  - In addition to their well-known antibacterial activity some antimicrobial
      peptides and proteins (AMPs) display also antiviral effects. A 27 aa peptide from
      the N-terminal part of human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI)
      previously shown to harbour antibacterial activity inhibits the infectivity of
      multiple Influenza A virus strains (H1N1, H3N2 and H5N1) the causing agent of the
      Influenza pneumonia. In contrast, the homologous murine BPI-peptide did not show
      activity against Influenza A virus. In addition human BPI-peptide inhibits the
      activation of immune cells mediated by Influenza A virus. By changing the human
      BPI-peptide to the sequence of the mouse homologous peptide the antiviral
      activity was completely abolished. Furthermore, the human BPI-peptide also
      inhibited the pathogenicity of the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus but failed to
      interfere with HIV and measles virus. Electron microscopy indicate that the human
      BPI-peptide interferes with the virus envelope and at high concentrations was
      able to destroy the particles completely. 

PMID- 27273106
TI  - Post Publication Peer Review: Is it Coming to Your Nursing Journal?

PMID- 27273107
TI  - Assessing current genetic status of the Hainan gibbon using historical and
      demographic baselines: implications for conservation management of species of
      extreme rarity.
AB  - Evidence-based conservation planning is crucial for informing management
      decisions for species of extreme rarity, but collection of robust data on genetic
      status or other parameters can be extremely challenging for such species. The
      Hainan gibbon, possibly the world's rarest mammal, consists of a single
      population of ~25 individuals restricted to one protected area on Hainan Island,
      China, and has persisted for over 30 years at exceptionally low population size.
      Analysis of genotypes at 11 microsatellite loci from faecal samples for 36% of
      the current global population and tissue samples from 62% of existing historical
      museum specimens demonstrates limited current genetic diversity (Na = 2.27, Ar =
      2.24, He  = 0.43); diversity has declined since the 19th century and even further
      within the last 30 years, representing declines of ~30% from historical levels
      (Na = 3.36, Ar = 3.29, He  = 0.63). Significant differentiation is seen between
      current and historical samples (FST  = 0.156, P = 0.0315), and the current
      population exhibits extremely small Ne (current Ne  = 2.16). There is evidence
      for both a recent population bottleneck and an earlier bottleneck, with
      population size already reasonably low by the late 19th century (historical Ne  =
      1162.96). Individuals in the current population are related at the level of half-
      to full-siblings between social groups, and full-siblings or parent-offspring
      within a social group, suggesting that inbreeding is likely to increase in the
      future. The species' current reduced genetic diversity must be considered during
      conservation planning, particularly for expectations of likely population
      recovery, indicating that intensive, carefully planned management is essential.

PMID- 27273108
TI  - Shakespeare's understanding of human afflictions.

PMID- 27273109
TI  - [Risk management in anesthesia and critical care medicine].
AB  - Throughout its history, anesthesia and critical care medicine has experienced
      vast improvements to increase patient safety. Consequently, anesthesia has never
      been performed on such a high level as it is being performed today. As a result,
      we do not always fully perceive the risks involved in our daily activity. A
      survey performed in Swiss hospitals identified a total of 169 hot spots which
      endanger patient safety. It turned out that there is a complex variety of
      possible errors that can only be tackled through consistent implementation of a
      safety culture. The key elements to reduce complications are continuing staff
      education, algorithms and standard operating procedures (SOP), working according
      to the principles of crisis resource management (CRM) and last but not least the
      continuous work-up of mistakes identified by critical incident reporting systems.

PMID- 27273110
TI  - [Inhalation and intravenous anesthesia in pediatric patients].
AB  - Inhalation as well as total intravenous anesthesia have both advantages and
      disadvantages. The pros of an inhalation technique are mask induction without the
      initial need for intravenous access and precise dosing; the pros of an
      intravenous technique are postoperative quiet recovery and a low incidence of
      vomiting. With both techniques the aim is to reach a certain, most often constant
      effect site concentration, which after a short latent period equals the blood
      concentration. Initially, with both techniques a higher dosing is required to
      wash in the compound. An inhalational technique allows the end-tidal
      concentration to be measured and dosing to be adjusted. Dosing of intravenous
      anesthetics is based on assumptions. For neonates and young infants an inhalation
      technique is often preferred because of metabolic immaturity and the resulting
      difficulties of dosing, whereas older children can often profit from a quiet
      awakening and a reduced incidence of vomiting. The increased availability of
      syringe pumps with incorporated algorithms as well as of electroencephalograph
      (EEG)-based monitoring systems will further promote the popularity of total
      intravenous anesthesia. 

PMID- 27273111
TI  - Lower bone turnover and relative bone deficits in men with metabolic syndrome: a
      matter of insulin sensitivity? The European Male Ageing Study.
AB  - : We examined cross-sectional associations of metabolic syndrome and its
      components with male bone turnover, density and structure. Greater bone mass in
      men with metabolic syndrome was related to their greater body mass, whereas
      hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia or impaired insulin sensitivity were
      associated with lower bone turnover and relative bone mass deficits.
      INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with lower bone
      turnover and relative bone mass or strength deficits (i.e. not proportionate to
      body mass index, BMI), but the relative contributions of MetS components related
      to insulin sensitivity or obesity to male bone health remain unclear. METHODS: We
      determined cross-sectional associations of MetS, its components and insulin
      sensitivity (by homeostatic model assessment-insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S)) using
      linear regression models adjusted for age, centre, smoking, alcohol, and BMI.
      Bone turnover markers and heel broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) were
      measured in 3129 men aged 40-79. Two centres measured total hip, femoral neck,
      and lumbar spine areal bone mineral density (aBMD, n = 527) and performed radius
      peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT, n = 595). RESULTS: MetS was
      present in 975 men (31.2 %). Men with MetS had lower beta C-terminal cross-linked
      telopeptide (beta-CTX), N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) and
      osteocalcin (P < 0.0001) and higher total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine
      aBMD (P <= 0.03). Among MetS components, only hypertriglyceridaemia and
      hyperglycaemia were independently associated with PINP and beta-CTX.
      Hyperglycaemia was negatively associated with BUA, hypertriglyceridaemia with hip
      aBMD and radius cross-sectional area (CSA) and stress-strain index. HOMA-S was
      similarly associated with PINP and beta-CTX, BUA, and radius CSA in BMI-adjusted
      models. CONCLUSIONS: Men with MetS have higher aBMD in association with their
      greater body mass, while their lower bone turnover and relative deficits in heel
      BUA and radius CSA are mainly related to correlates of insulin sensitivity. Our
      findings support the hypothesis that underlying metabolic complications may be
      involved in the bone's failure to adapt to increasing bodily loads in men with
      MetS.

PMID- 27273114
TI  - Nurses and midwives need health promotion as much as their patients.

PMID- 27273112
TI  - Comparative efficacy of bisphosphonates in short-term fracture prevention for
      primary osteoporosis: a systematic review with network meta-analyses.
AB  - : Our network meta-analyses compared the efficacy of different bisphosphonates
      preventing fractures for primary osteoporosis. By including 36 studies, we found
      that zoledronic acid seemed the most effective in preventing vertebral fracture,
      nonvertebral fracture, and any fracture, and alendronate or zoledronic acid
      seemed the most effective in preventing hip fracture. INTRODUCTION: This study
      was conducted in order to analyze the available evidence on the efficacy of
      bisphosphonates for preventing fractures. METHODS: We considered randomized
      trials comparing any bisphosphonate with other bisphosphonate or placebo. We
      searched Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed and manually searched reference
      list of relevant articles. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed. The
      primary outcome is vertebral fracture. Secondary outcomes include nonvertebral
      fracture, hip fracture, wrist fracture, and any fracture. RESULTS: Thirty-six
      studies were included. Significant difference was found between bisphosphonates
      for vertebral fracture and nonvertebral fracture (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.04,
      respectively). Compared with placebo, alendronate, clodronate, ibandronate,
      minodronate, pamidronate, risedronate, and zoledronic acid significantly
      prevented vertebral fracture. Zoledronic acid significantly reduced the risk of
      vertebral fracture, compared with alendronate, clodronate, etidronate,
      ibandronate, risedronate, and tiludronate (0.65 (0.46, 0.91), 0.53 (0.33, 0.86),
      0.45 (0.27, 0.74), 0.52 (0.36, 0.75), 0.59 (0.42, 0.83), and 0.31 (0.21, 0.48),
      respectively). Compared with etidronate, clodronate and zoledronic acid
      significantly prevented nonvertebral fracture. Compared with alendronate,
      zoledronic acid significantly prevented any fracture. The possibility rankings
      showed that zoledronic ranked first in preventing vertebral fracture, hip
      fracture, and any fracture, and pamidronate ranked first in preventing
      nonvertebral fracture and wrist fracture. In the sensitivity analyses, zoledronic
      acid ranked first in preventing nonvertebral fracture, and alendronate ranked
      first in preventing hip fracture and wrist fracture. CONCLUSION: Zoledronic acid
      seemed the most effective in preventing vertebral fracture, nonvertebral
      fracture, and any fracture, and alendronate or zoledronic acid seemed the most
      effective in preventing hip fracture. Uncertainty still remains and future
      studies are needed to accurately evaluate the comparative efficacy of
      bisphosphonates.

PMID- 27273113
TI  - Glucocorticoid exposure and fracture risk in patients with new-onset rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - : Retrospective claims analysis indicated that high levels of daily and
      cumulative doses of systemic glucocorticoids were associated with elevated
      fracture risk in a large cohort of new RA patients under age 65. Heightened risk
      began to decline within months of discontinuation. Findings were similar among
      patients age <50 years. INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the impact of systemic
      glucocorticoid exposure on fracture risk among relatively young patients with new
      onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Using administrative data, we
      identified 42,127 RA patients diagnosed January 1, 2005-December 31, 2012, age 18
      64 years, with benefits coverage for >=12 months before RA diagnosis. Follow-up
      extended to clinical fracture, cancer diagnosis, or December 31, 2012.
      Glucocorticoid users were new to therapy. Fracture incidence rates (IR) were
      stratified by glucocorticoid exposure expressed as prednisone equivalent doses.
      Cox's proportional hazards models estimated fracture risk adjusted for
      demographics and baseline clinical characteristics to assess dose-response
      relationships with current (daily) and prior (cumulative) dose, and by time since
      discontinuation. RESULTS: Most patients (85 %) had glucocorticoid exposure.
      Exposed and unexposed patients were demographically similar (74 % female; mean
      age 49.7 and 48.8 years); 1 % had prior fracture. Fracture IRs (95 % confidence
      intervals) were 5 to 9 per 1000 person-years at doses <15 mg/day, 16.0 (11.0,
      22.6) at doses >=15 mg/day, and 13.4 (10.7, 16.7) at cumulative doses >=5400 mg.
      Adjusted fracture risk was approximately 2-fold higher at highest dose levels
      compared with 0 mg/day current daily dose and <675 mg cumulative dose,
      respectively. Fracture risk was 29 % lower at 60-182 days post-discontinuation
      compared with ongoing use and was similar to unexposed patients by 12 months.
      Findings were similar among patients age <50 years. CONCLUSIONS: Among younger,
      new-onset RA patients, fracture risk was significantly elevated at high levels of
      daily and cumulative dose, and was similar to unexposed patients by 12 months
      post-discontinuation.

PMID- 27273116
TI  - Shaping and enforcing coordination spheres: probing the ability of tripodal
      ligands to favour trigonal prismatic geometry.
AB  - We report two tripodal frameworks, mono(2,2'-bipyrid-6-yl)bis(2-pyridyl)methanol
      () and bis(2,2'-bipyrid-6-yl)mono(2-pyridyl)methanol () which have one and two
      bipyridyl arms, respectively. Both ligands form complexes with the first row
      transition metals. Both ligands appear to overcome the steric strain involved in
      twisting the ligand to produce an octahedral complex and the solid state
      structures in general show more octahedral character than complexes of the
      related ligand, tris(2,2'-bipyrid-6-yl)methanol (). Continuous Shape Mapping
      (CShM) calculations based on crystallographic data reveal that is incapable of
      enforcing a trigonal prismatic (TP) co-ordination geometry in the solid state,
      surprisingly even upon co-ordination to metals with no stereochemical preference
      such as cadmium (S(TP) = 7.15 and S(Oh) = 3.95). However, ligand clearly
      maintains an ability to enforce a trigonal prismatic conformation which is
      demonstrated in the crystal structures of the Mn(II) and Cd(II) complexes (S(TP)
      = 0.75 and 1.09, respectively). While maintains near-TP configurations in the
      presence of metal ions with strong octahedral preferences, distorts towards
      predominantly octahedral co-ordination geometries, increasing in the order Co(II)
      < Ni(II) < Fe(II) and no trigonal prismatic structures. 

PMID- 27273117
TI  - Dr. Charles Leslie MacAdams.

PMID- 27273115
TI  - Biomechanical deformable image registration of longitudinal lung CT images using
      vessel information.
AB  - Spatial correlation of lung tissue across longitudinal images, as the patient
      responds to treatment, is a critical step in adaptive radiotherapy. The goal of
      this work is to expand a biomechanical model-based deformable registration
      algorithm (Morfeus) to achieve accurate registration in the presence of
      significant anatomical changes. Six lung cancer patients previously treated with
      conventionally fractionated radiotherapy were retrospectively evaluated. Exhale
      CT scans were obtained at treatment planning and following three weeks of
      treatment. For each patient, the planning CT was registered to the follow-up CT
      using Morfeus, a biomechanical model-based deformable registration algorithm. To
      model the complex response of the lung, an extension to Morfeus has been
      developed: an initial deformation was estimated with Morfeus consisting of
      boundary conditions on the chest wall and incorporating a sliding interface with
      the lungs. It was hypothesized that the addition of boundary conditions based on
      vessel tree matching would provide a robust reduction of the residual
      registration error. To achieve this, the vessel trees were segmented on the two
      images by thresholding a vesselness image based on the Hessian matrix's
      eigenvalues. For each point on the reference vessel tree centerline, the
      displacement vector was estimated by applying a variant of the Demons
      registration algorithm between the planning CT and the deformed follow-up CT. An
      expert independently identified corresponding landmarks well distributed in the
      lung to compute target registration errors (TRE). The TRE was: [Formula: see
      text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mm after rigid registration,
      Morfeus and Morfeus with boundary conditions on the vessel tree, respectively. In
      conclusion, the addition of boundary conditions on the vessels significantly
      improved the accuracy in modeling the response of the lung and tumor over the
      course of radiotherapy. Minimizing and modeling these geometrical uncertainties
      will enable future plan adaptation strategies.

PMID- 27273118
TI  - Acute exacerbation of hepatitis C in hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving
      chemotherapy.
AB  - Acute hepatitis C exacerbations can occur in cancer patients carrying hepatitis C
      virus (HCV) when receiving systemic chemotherapy. However, clinical studies
      evaluating these complications remain rare due to the lack of clinically proven
      effective and tolerable anti-HCV treatments at late cancer stages. Furthermore,
      no data were available regarding hepatitis C exacerbation in advanced
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving chemotherapy. To address this
      issue, 48 patients with HCV-related advanced HCC, who underwent systemic
      chemotherapy using 5- fluorouracil, cisplatin, and mitoxantrone from 2008 to 2014
      were analyzed. Nine patients developed acute hepatitis exacerbations defined by
      HCV-RNA elevation >=10-fold and alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation >=5-fold of
      the upper normal limit. Six were genotype 1b and 3 were genotype 2. Three
      patterns of clinical courses were observed including single episode of
      exacerbation (n = 5), fluctuated flares (n = 3), and delayed exacerbation (n =
      1). Hepatic failure developed in five patients. Patients with acute exacerbations
      were less likely to have pretreatment ascites (11.1% vs. 53.8%; P = 0.028) and
      displayed a lower baseline ALT (44.1 +/- 28.5 U/L vs. 72.6 +/- 19.2 U/L; P =
      0.007). Paradoxically, despite a high risk of hepatic failure, occurrence of
      hepatitis C exacerbation was associated with a favorable overall survival (P =
      0.027; 22.8 vs. 5.4 months). In conclusion, hepatitis C exacerbation can occur in
      HCC patients receiving chemotherapy, leading to liver failure. However, the flare
      was associated with a better overall survival, possibly due to its association
      with a better baseline liver function. J. Med. Virol. 89:153-160, 2017. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273119
TI  - Indomethacin induces differential effects on in vitro endochondral ossification
      depending on the chondrocyte's differentiation stage.
AB  - Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the abnormal formation of bone in soft tissues
      and is a frequent complication of hip replacement surgery. Heterotopic
      ossifications are described to develop via endochondral ossification and standard
      treatment is administration of indomethacin. It is currently unknown how
      indomethacin influences heterotopic ossification on a molecular level; therefore,
      we aimed to determine whether indomethacin might influence heterotopic
      ossification via impairing the chondrogenic phase of endochondral ossification.
      Progenitor cell models differentiating in the chondrogenic lineage (ATDC5,
      primary human bone marrow stem cells and ex vivo periosteal agarose cultures)
      were treated with increasing concentrations of indomethacin and a decrease in
      gene- and protein expression of chondrogenic and hypertrophic markers (measured
      by RT-qPCR and immunoblotting) as well as decreased glycosamino-glycan content
      (by alcian blue histochemistry) was observed. Even when hypertrophic
      differentiation was provoked, the addition of indomethacin resulted in decreased
      hypertrophic marker expression. Interestingly, when mature chondrocytes were
      treated with indomethacin, a clear increase in collagen type 2 expression was
      observed. Similarly, when ATDC5 cells and bone marrow stem cells were pre
      differentiated to obtain a chondrocyte phenotype and indomethacin was added from
      this time point onward, low concentrations of indomethacin also resulted in
      increased chondrogenic differentiation. Indomethacin induces differential effects
      on in vitro endochondral ossification, depending on the chondrocyte's
      differentiation stage, with complete inhibition of chondrogenic differentiation
      as the most pronounced action. This observation may provide a rational behind the
      elusive mode of action of indomethacin in the treatment of heterotopic
      ossifications. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:847-857, 2017.

PMID- 27273120
TI  - Increased variance in temperature and lag effects alter phenological responses to
      rapid warming in a subarctic plant community.
AB  - Summer temperature on the Cape Churchill Peninsula (Manitoba, Canada) has
      increased rapidly over the past 75 years, and flowering phenology of the plant
      community is advanced in years with warmer temperatures (higher cumulative
      growing degree days). Despite this, there has been no overall shift in flowering
      phenology over this period. However, climate change has also resulted in
      increased interannual variation in temperature; if relationships between
      phenology and temperature are not linear, an increase in temperature variance may
      interact with an increase in the mean to alter how community phenology changes
      over time. In our system, the relationship between phenology and temperature was
      log-linear, resulting in a steeper slope at the cold end of the temperature
      spectrum than at the warm end. Because below-average temperatures had a greater
      impact on phenology than above-average temperatures, the long-term advance in
      phenology was reduced. In addition, flowering phenology in a given year was
      delayed if summer temperatures were high the previous year or 2 years earlier
      (lag effects), further reducing the expected advance over time. Phenology of
      early-flowering plants was negatively affected only by temperatures in the
      previous year, and that of late-flowering plants primarily by temperatures 2
      years earlier. Subarctic plants develop leaf primordia one or more years prior to
      flowering (preformation); these results suggest that temperature affects the
      development of flower primordia during this preformation period. Together,
      increased variance in temperature and lag effects interacted with a changing mean
      to reduce the expected phenological advance by 94%, a magnitude large enough to
      account for our inability to detect a significant advance over time. We conclude
      that changes in temperature variability and lag effects can alter trends in plant
      responses to a warming climate and that predictions for changes in plant
      phenology under future warming scenarios should incorporate such effects.

PMID- 27273121
TI  - Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of pomegranate rind extract to
      ameliorate cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.
AB  - Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent, but the therapeutic utility is limited due
      to its dose dependent nephrotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to
      evaluate the nephroprotective effect of pomegranate in cisplatin-induced acute
      kidney injury. Wistar rats were allocated into six groups as follows: the normal
      control, cisplatin-induced, pomegranate rind extract treatment (50, 100 and 200
      mg kg(-1)) and pomegranate rind extract per se group. All the experimental test
      drugs/vehicle were administered orally for a period of ten days. Intraperitoneal
      injection of cisplatin (8 mg kg(-1)) was administered on day 7 to all the groups
      except the normal control and pomegranate per se group. On day 10, cisplatin
      resulted in significant nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats with a drastic elevation of
      serum creatinine and BUN, a decline in the concentrations of GSH, MDA and
      superoxide dismutase (SOD), and an elevation in the TNF-alpha level in renal
      tissues. Pathological changes in renal tissues were examined by histopathology
      and dysfunction in mitochondria and proximal tubule cells was detected by
      transmission electron microscopy. The rate of apoptosis and the expression of
      caspase-3, Il-1beta and IL-6 in rat renal tissues were detected by
      immunohistochemistry. The administration of pomegranate at a dose of 200 mg per
      kg body weight significantly (p < 0.001) ameliorates increased serum creatinine
      and BUN. In parallel to this, pomegranate also exhibits anti-apoptotic activity
      through the reduction of active caspase-3 expression in kidneys. Additionally, in
      silico studies also confirmed a renoprotective effect of pomegranate. The above
      findings suggest that pomegranate can be used as a dietary supplement in the
      treatment of cisplatin-induced kidney injury by reducing apoptosis, oxidative
      stress and inflammation. 

PMID- 27273122
TI  - Applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in murine cancer modeling.
AB  - Advanced biological technologies allowing for genetic manipulation of the genome
      are increasingly being used to unravel the molecular pathogenesis of human
      diseases. The clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR
      associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) technology started a revolution of this field
      owing to its flexibility and relative ease of use. Recently, application of the
      CRISPR/Cas9 system has been extended to in vivo approaches, leveraging its
      potential for human disease modeling. Particularly in oncological research, where
      genetic defects in somatic cells are tightly linked to etiology and pathological
      phenotypes, the CRISPR/Cas technology is being used to recapitulate various types
      of genetic aberrations. Here we review murine cancer models that have been
      developed via combining the CRISPR/Cas9 technology with in vivo somatic gene
      transfer approaches. Exploiting these methodological advances will further
      accelerate detailed investigations of tumor etiology and treatment.

PMID- 27273123
TI  - Ship in a breakable bottle: fluoride-induced release of an organic molecule from
      a Pr(iii)-linked molecular cage.
AB  - A 3-dimensional networked molecular cage, , has been synthesized. This macrocycle
      based framework was prepared from a solvothermal reaction involving a flexible
      organic building block, calix[4]pyrrole dibenzoic acid (H2), and Pr(NO3)3.6H2O. A
      unique feature of is that it retains free calix[4]pyrrole molecules in the
      framework pores. Treatment with a fluoride anion source serves to destroy the
      network and allows release of the organic guest. The net result is a 'molecular
      ship' in a 'breakable bottle'. 

PMID- 27273124
TI  - Antioxidant Bioactive Compounds Changes in Fruit of Quince Genotypes Over Cold
      Storage.
AB  - Quince fruit has many benefits to human health and is excellent source of
      bioactive compounds. The fruit of 15 quince genotypes stored at 2  degrees C for
      5 mo to study fruit quality changes during cold storage. Fruit were sampled
      monthly and stored at 20  degrees C for 24 h. Fruit ascorbic acid (AA), total
      phenol (TP), and total flavonoid (TF) concentrations, total antioxidant activity
      (TAA), flesh browning (FB) incidence, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POX),
      and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured during storage. A high
      variation in bioactive compounds was observed across genotypes. The range of 26.8
      to 44.4 mg/100 g FW for AA, 86.7% to 98.2% for TAA, 157.7 to 380.7 mg GAE 100(-1)
      g FW for TP, and 5.3 to 10.7 mg/100 g FW for TF were observed across genotypes at
      harvest time. The overall AA, TAA, TP, TF, and SOD decreased while PPO and POX
      increased during storage. FB was first observed after 4 mo and increased
      thereafter while the FB index was different across genotypes. Higher bioactive
      content may prevent or reduce FB index so that a negative correlation was found
      between FB and AA, TAA, TP, TF, and SOD. 

PMID- 27273127
TI  - Correlated versus uncorrelated frailty Cox models: A comparison of different
      estimation procedures.
AB  - In many studies in medicine, including clinical trials and epidemiological
      investigations, data are clustered into groups such as health centers or herds in
      veterinary medicine. Such data are usually analyzed by hierarchical regression
      models to account for possible variation between groups. When such variation is
      large, it is of potential interest to explore whether additionally the effect of
      a within-group predictor varies between groups. In survival analysis, this may be
      investigated by including two frailty terms at group level in a Cox proportional
      hazards model. Several estimation methods have been proposed to estimate this
      type of frailty Cox models. We review four of these methods, apply them to real
      data from veterinary medicine, and compare them using a simulation study. 

PMID- 27273129
TI  - A case of penile basal cell carcinoma reconstructed by scrotal myofasciocutaneous
      flap.
AB  - Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cutaneous malignant tumor and usually
      arises from the facial skin and is diagnosed as the solid tumor. However, rarely
      it arises from genital skin and/or proceeds with ulcerative manner. We report a
      case of male basal cell carcinoma arising from penile base, which showed urinary
      disturbance. Tumor resection including total penectomy and skin resection was
      performed then scrotal myofasciocutaneous flap was used to cover the defect.
      Scrotal myofasciocutaneous flap was useful for covering the defect in the genital
      lesion. Moreover, this simple closure was helpful for early postoperative
      ambulation especially for aged male patients.

PMID- 27273128
TI  - Reversing diet-induced metabolic dysregulation by diet switching leads to altered
      hepatic de novo lipogenesis and glycerolipid synthesis.
AB  - In humans, low-energy diets rapidly reduce hepatic fat and improve/normalise
      glycemic control. Due to difficulties in obtaining human liver, little is known
      about changes to the lipid species and pathway fluxes that occur under these
      conditions. Using a combination of stable isotope, and targeted metabolomic
      approaches we investigated the acute (7-9 days) hepatic effects of switching high
      fat high-sucrose diet (HFD) fed obese mice back to a chow diet. Upon the switch,
      energy intake was reduced, resulting in reductions of fat mass and hepatic
      triacyl- and diacylglycerol. However, these parameters were still elevated
      compared to chow fed mice, thus representing an intermediate phenotype.
      Nonetheless, glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia were completely normalized.
      The diet reversal resulted in marked reductions in hepatic de novo lipogenesis
      when compared to the chow and HFD groups. Compared with HFD, glycerolipid
      synthesis was reduced in the reversal animals, however it remained elevated above
      that of chow controls, indicating that despite experiencing a net loss in lipid
      stores, the liver was still actively esterifying available fatty acids at rates
      higher than that in chow control mice. This effect likely promotes the re
      esterification of excess free fatty acids released from the breakdown of adipose
      depots during the weight loss period.

PMID- 27273130
TI  - Prognostic significance of S100A4 expression in stage II and III colorectal
      cancer: results from a population-based series and a randomized phase III study
      on adjuvant chemotherapy.
AB  - Current clinical algorithms are unable to precisely predict which colorectal
      cancer patients would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, and there is a need for
      novel biomarkers to improve the selection of patients. The metastasis-promoting
      protein S100A4 predicts poor outcome in colorectal cancer, but whether it could
      be used to guide clinical decision making remains to be resolved. S100A4
      expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in primary colorectal carcinomas
      from a consecutively collected, population-representative cohort and a randomized
      phase III study on adjuvant 5-fluorouracil/levamisole. Sensitivity to treatment
      with 5-fluorouracil in S100A4 knockdown cells was investigated using 2D and 3D
      cell culture assays. Strong nuclear expression of S100A4 was detected in 19% and
      23% of the tumors in the two study cohorts, respectively. In both cohorts,
      nuclear immunoreactivity was associated with reduced relapse-free (P < 0.001 and
      P = 0.010) and overall survival (P = 0.046 and P = 0.006) in univariate analysis.
      In multivariate analysis, nuclear S100A4 was a predictor of poor relapse-free
      survival in the consecutive series (P = 0.002; HR 1.9), but not in the randomized
      study. Sensitivity to treatment with 5-fluorouracil was not affected by S100A4
      expression in in vitro cell culture assays, and there was no indication from
      subgroup analyses in the randomized study that S100A4 expression was associated
      with increased benefit of adjuvant treatment with 5-fluorouracil/levamisole. The
      present study confirms that nuclear S100A4 expression is a negative prognostic
      biomarker in colorectal cancer, but the clinical utility in selection of patients
      for adjuvant fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is limited.

PMID- 27273131
TI  - Sensitivity of BRCA1/2 testing in high-risk breast/ovarian/male breast cancer
      families: little contribution of comprehensive RNA/NGS panel testing.
AB  - The sensitivity of testing BRCA1 and BRCA2 remains unresolved as the frequency of
      deep intronic splicing variants has not been defined in high-risk familial
      breast/ovarian cancer families. This variant category is reported at significant
      frequency in other tumour predisposition genes, including NF1 and MSH2. We
      carried out comprehensive whole gene RNA analysis on 45 high-risk breast/ovary
      and male breast cancer families with no identified pathogenic variant on exonic
      sequencing and copy number analysis of BRCA1/2. In addition, we undertook variant
      screening of a 10-gene high/moderate risk breast/ovarian cancer panel by next
      generation sequencing. DNA testing identified the causative variant in 50/56
      (89%) breast/ovarian/male breast cancer families with Manchester scores of >=50
      with two variants being confirmed to affect splicing on RNA analysis. RNA
      sequencing of BRCA1/BRCA2 on 45 individuals from high-risk families identified no
      deep intronic variants and did not suggest loss of RNA expression as a cause of
      lost sensitivity. Panel testing in 42 samples identified a known RAD51D variant,
      a high-risk ATM variant in another breast ovary family and a truncating CHEK2
      mutation. Current exonic sequencing and copy number analysis variant detection
      methods of BRCA1/2 have high sensitivity in high-risk breast/ovarian cancer
      families. Sequence analysis of RNA does not identify any variants undetected by
      current analysis of BRCA1/2. However, RNA analysis clarified the pathogenicity of
      variants of unknown significance detected by current methods. The low diagnostic
      uplift achieved through sequence analysis of the other known breast/ovarian
      cancer susceptibility genes indicates that further high-risk genes remain to be
      identified.

PMID- 27273132
TI  - Digital PCR for discriminating mosaic deletions and for determining proportion of
      tumor cells in specimen.
AB  - Mosaicism, presence of a genetic feature in only a subpopulation of cells, is
      frequent in de novo genetic diseases. Among large deletions covering the NF1
      tumor suppressor gene, the frequency of mosaicism can be as high as 40% in de
      novo patients. In this study, we demonstrate the high potential of digital PCR in
      detecting large NF1 deletions and in discriminating mosaic cases. By
      simultaneously assessing the NF1 gene and a reference gene RPP30, deletions could
      be unambiguously distinguished from non-deletion samples. Performing the same
      assay for mixed samples from a DNA with a deletion and a non-deletion DNA, a
      highly significant linear relation was obtained between the set-up ratio of the
      two samples and the measured ratio of NF1/RPP30 (P<0.0001), suggesting the high
      potential of digital PCR in discriminating mosaic deletions. Furthermore, digital
      PCR detects NF1 allele loss in a tumor specimen that was not detected by loss of
      heterozygosity analysis using polymorphic markers due to high content of non
      tumor cells. Based on the measured ratio of NF1/RPP30, the proportion of the
      tumor cells in this specimen could be calculated as 25%. Our results demonstrate
      that dual-probe digital PCR is a simple and effective method for detecting
      deletions and for discriminating mosaic deletions. Furthermore, this method is
      sensitive for assigning somatic allele loss in tumor specimen and enables
      determining proportion of tumor cells.

PMID- 27273133
TI  - Joint Effect of Early Microvascular Damage in the Eye &Kidney on Risk of
      Cardiovascular Events.
AB  - Microalbuminuria is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease
      (CVD), but not all individuals require treatment. Retinal microvascular
      abnormalities and microalbuminuria reflect early systemic microvascular changes.
      We examined the joint effect of retinal abnormalities and microalbuminuria on CVD
      risk in an Asian cohort. We conducted a prospective, population-based study.
      Retinal abnormalities were defined as presence of retinopathy and/or retinal
      venular widening. Microalbuminuria was defined as urinary albumin: creatinine
      ratio between 30-300 mg/g. Incident CVD was defined as newly diagnosed clinical
      stroke, acute myocardial infarction or CVD death. Cox regression models were
      performed to determine the associations between retinal abnormalities and
      microalbuminuria with risk of CVD, while controlling for established risk
      factors. 3,496 participants (aged >= 40) were free of prevalent CVD. During the
      follow-up (5.8 years), 126 (3.60%) participants developed CVD. Persons presenting
      with both retinal abnormalities and microalbuminuria were 6.71 times (95% CI,
      2.68, 16.79) as likely to have incident CVD compared with those without either
      abnormalities. There was a significant interaction effect between retinal
      abnormalities and microalbuminuria on incident CVD. Assessment of retinal
      abnormalities in patients with microalbuminuria may provide additional value in
      identifying persons at risk of developing CVD.

PMID- 27273134
TI  - Predictors of active cancer thromboembolic outcomes: validation of the Khorana
      score among patients with lung cancer.
AB  - Essentials Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention strategies require effective
      risk assessment models. We sought to validate the Khorana Risk Score (KRS) in
      patients with lung cancer. A high KRS was not predictive of VTE but was
      independently associated with all-cause mortality. Our findings stress the need
      for a lung cancer-specific VTE risk assessment model. SUMMARY: Objectives Lung
      cancer is strongly associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE), but primary
      prevention against VTE is not a validated management strategy. Risk assessment
      models will be necessary for efficient implementation of preventative strategies.
      Materials and methods Utilizing a prospectively collected lung cancer database,
      we aimed to validate the Khorana Risk Score (KRS) in the prediction of VTE among
      patients with lung cancer. VTE events were retrospectively identified by
      reviewers unaware of the clinical prediction score calculation. The association
      between KRS and the risk of VTE was examined using cumulative incidence function
      with competing risk models. Mortality prediction was evaluated as a secondary
      outcome. Results We included 719 patients in our review. The patients were
      predominantly older men with non-small cell lung cancer and 40% had metastatic
      disease at inception. The median follow-up was 15.2 months. There were 83 VTEs
      (11.5%) and 568 (78.8%) patients died. A high KRS (cumulative incidence, 12.4%;
      95% confidence interval [CI], 6.4-20.5%) was not associated with VTE compared
      with an intermediate score (cumulative incidence, 12.1%; 95% confidence interval,
      9.5-15.0%) in both univariate and multivariable analyses. However, a high KRS was
      a predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4-2.2). Conclusions Among
      patients with lung cancer, the KRS did not stratify the patients at the highest
      risk of VTE. Improved risk stratification methods are needed for this group of
      patients prior to implementing a primary prevention strategy.

PMID- 27273135
TI  - The evaluation of meibomian gland function, morphology and related medical
      history in Asian adult blepharokeratoconjunctivitis patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the meibomian gland function, morphology and the related
      medical history of patients with blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC) in comparison
      with healthy population and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-induced evaporative
      dry eye (EDE) patients. METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 Asian adult patients with
      BKC were enrolled as the BKC group. Healthy volunteers and MGD-induced EDE
      patients were recruited in a 1:1 ratio and were matched in age, and the gender
      compositions of the three groups were also comparable. Examinations included
      meibum quality, meibomian gland expressibility, meibomian gland dropout and
      relevant ocular surface tests. Related medical history was recorded. RESULTS: The
      BKC group had higher incidences of chalazion (OR 4.59, 95% CI 1.29-16.33) and
      eyelid surgery (OR 4.91, 95% CI 1.33-18.21) than the control group (chalazion, p
      = 0.007; eyelid surgery, p < 0.001) and EDE group (chalazion, p = 0.031; eyelid
      surgery, p = 0.005) had. All clinical indexes were worse in the BKC group than in
      the control group (all p < 0.05). The EDE group had better meibum quality (p =
      0.049) and less meibomian gland dropouts (all p < 0.05) than the BKC group. The
      dropouts of the BKC group were the highest among the three groups, and the
      distribution over the tarsal plate was even in the BKC group (all p > 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BKC had worse meibomian gland function, poorer
      morphology and a higher rate of medical histories related to the meibomian gland
      than the healthy population. The BKC clinical features of meibum quality and
      meibomian gland dropout were different from other MGD diseases.

PMID- 27273136
TI  - Hearing Health Care: Review of a Report From the National Academies of Sciences,
      Engineering, and Medicine.

PMID- 27273137
TI  - Analysis of extraembryonic mesodermal structure formation in the absence of
      morphological primitive streak.
AB  - During mouse gastrulation, the primitive streak is formed on the posterior side
      of the embryo. Cells migrate out of the primitive streak to form the future
      mesoderm and endoderm. Fate mapping studies revealed a group of cell migrate
      through the proximal end of the primitive streak and give rise to the
      extraembryonic mesoderm tissues such as the yolk sac blood islands and allantois.
      However, it is not clear whether the formation of a morphological primitive
      streak is required for the development of these extraembryonic mesodermal
      tissues. Loss of the Cripto gene in mice dramatically reduces, but does not
      completely abolish, Nodal activity leading to the absence of a morphological
      primitive streak. However, embryonic erythrocytes are still formed and assembled
      into the blood islands. In addition, Cripto mutant embryos form allantoic buds.
      However, Drap1 mutant embryos have excessive Nodal activity in the epiblast cells
      before gastrulation and form an expanded primitive streak, but no yolk sac blood
      islands or allantoic bud formation. Lefty2 embryos also have elevated levels of
      Nodal activity in the primitive streak during gastrulation, and undergo normal
      blood island and allantois formation. We therefore speculate that low level of
      Nodal activity disrupts the formation of morphological primitive streak on the
      posterior side, but still allows the formation of primitive streak cells on the
      proximal side, which give rise to the extraembryonic mesodermal tissues
      formation. Excessive Nodal activity in the epiblast at pre-gastrulation stage,
      but not in the primitive streak cells during gastrulation, disrupts
      extraembryonic mesoderm development. 

PMID- 27273138
TI  - Dynamic single gold nanoparticle visualization by clinical intracoronary optical
      coherence tomography.
AB  - The potential use of Gold Nanoparticles (GNPs) as contrast agents for clinical
      intracoronary frequency domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is here
      explored. The OCT contrast enhancement caused by GNPs of different sizes and
      morphologies has been systematically investigated and correlated with their
      optical properties. Among the different GNPs commercially available with plasmon
      resonances close to the operating wavelength of intracoronary OCT (1.3 um), Gold
      Nanoshells (GNSs) have provided the best OCT contrast due to their largest
      scattering cross section at this wavelength. Clinical intracoronary OCT catheters
      are here demonstrated to be capable of three dimensional visualization and real
      time tracking of individual GNSs. Results here included open an avenue to novel
      application of intravascular clinical OCT in combination with GNPs, such as real
      time evaluation of intravascular obstructions or pressure gradients.

PMID- 27273139
TI  - The long-term development of public attitudes towards people with epilepsy in the
      Czech Republic: 1981, 1984, 1998 and 2009 studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The long-term development of public attitudes towards people with
      epilepsy (PWE) was studied. METHODS: Four questions (Q) used in Czech
      questionnaires for studies in 1981, 1984, 1998 and 2009 concerned: Q1,
      familiarity with the concept of epilepsy; Q2, tolerance towards children with
      epilepsy; Q3, whether epilepsy is considered to be a mental disease; and Q4,
      attitudes towards employment of PWE. RESULTS: The quality of information about
      epilepsy increased significantly between 1981 and 1998, 1981 and 2009, and 1998
      and 2009. The 1981 and 1984 studies reflected a level of information inferior to
      the levels seen in Germany and the USA, and the difference had almost disappeared
      in 1998 and 2009. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term follow-up studies in Czech Republic
      displayed a permanent increase in knowledge about epilepsy. This may reflect the
      progress in the spread of information, the efforts of patient associations and
      specialists and perhaps also a change in general attitudes towards people with
      disabilities. The dramatic change of information levels in Czech surveys could
      also reflect the change of the political system in 1989. A question that remains
      to be answered is the extent to which the positive trend reflects positive
      attitudes in real life. The answers to questions concerning whether people would
      be willing to help a person having a seizure remain unsatisfactory. Greater
      efforts should be made to improve the situation of PWE and to minimize their
      stigmatization.

PMID- 27273140
TI  - Cancer Screening Navigation: From Promising Practice to Standard of Care.

PMID- 27273141
TI  - Thromboelastography during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery of severe
      hemophilia A patient - the effect of heparin and protamine on factor VIII
      activity.
AB  - : Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) in hemophilia patients is
      challenging. Thromboelastography (TEG) is useful to assess hemostasis
      perioperatively. A patient with severe hemophilia A underwent CABG with TEG
      studies. After factor VIII (FVIII) bolus dose, TEG was normalized. Following 'on
      pump' heparinization, protamine administration revealed prolonged TEG-R and TEG-R
      with heparinase confirming it, whereas the activated clotting time was normal,
      suggesting low FVIII activity rather than excess of heparin. Another FVIII bolus
      yielded complete normalization of all TEG parameters. Data are compatible with in
      vitro assays performed in our laboratory, showing that both heparin and protamine
      may impair measurable FVIII activity. The rational use of TEG measurements
      enabled more accurate hemostatic therapy application with regard to FVIII,
      heparin and protamine administration. Adopting this approach may lead to a better
      therapy tailoring for hemophilia patients undergoing CABG surgery.

PMID- 27273142
TI  - Simvastatin ameliorates deep vein thrombosis in rabbits by regulating the
      fibrinolytic system.
AB  - The study aimed to observe the therapeutic effect of simvastatin in a deep vein
      thrombosis (DVT) animal model and conduct a preliminary study into its mechanism.
      A total of 72 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control group
      (n = 18), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) group (n = 18), simvastatin group
      (n = 18), and simvastatin + LMWH group (n = 18). A posterior vena cava thrombus
      model was established and interventions were administered according to the group
      procedures. Blood plasma was sampled before and 3, 7, and 14 days after the
      intervention when the vena cava (including thrombus) specimen was collected.
      Specimens were weighed, histopathologically examined, and monitored for changes
      in venous wall inflammation. Concentrations of P-selectin, plasminogen activator
      inhibitor (PAI-1), and the urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) activity were
      measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. P-selectin expression in the
      venous wall was measured with immunohistochemistry, and quantitative PCR detected
      the changes of local PAI-1/u-PA expression. Simvastatin and LMWH reduced the
      weight of the thrombus and promoted thrombus dissolution. Simvastatin
      significantly inhibited the systemic and local expression of P-selectin, whereas
      LMWH was inhibitory only at the late stage of the acute phase. Plasma active
      concentration and local gene expression of PAI-1 was inhibited by simvastatin,
      whereas for u-PA; it was promoted at the early stage of the acute phase, but
      inhibited in the late stage. Simvastatin inhibited the expression of inflammatory
      mediators, reduced the DVT inflammatory response, alleviated inflammatory injury
      and reduced thrombus formation. Simvastatin may provide a beneficial adjuvant
      therapy for DVT. 

PMID- 27273144
TI  - Combined deficiency of factor V and factor VIII: management during cardiothoracic
      surgery.
AB  - : Combined factor V and factor VIII deficiency is an extremely rare bleeding
      disorder for which research is lacking. We present the case of a 33-year-old man
      requiring repeat mitral valve replacement. A multidisciplinary team approach was
      utilized to minimize his risk of bleeding which included the use of plasma
      exchange, intravenous factor replacement, and platelet transfusion. This approach
      created an operative experience that did not require blood transfusion or the use
      of other hemostatic medications.

PMID- 27273143
TI  - Surgical procedures in patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia: case series and
      literature review.
AB  - Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is a rare platelet function disorder with an autosomal
      recessive pattern of inheritance. Achieving haemostasis in such patients who
      undergo surgical procedures always poses a significant challenge. Herein we
      report six cases of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, who underwent nine surgeries
      under the cover of platelet-rich concentrates with or without recombinant
      activated factor VII . Of these, five were major surgeries such as thyroidectomy,
      laparotomy, Hartmann's procedure, reversal of Hartmann's procedure and a complete
      dental extraction. All five procedures were successfully done without any major
      bleeding. The major cost incurred in these procedures is due to the large number
      of blood products used and recombinant activated factor VII if used.

PMID- 27273145
TI  - Implementation of a brief anxiety assessment and evaluation in a Department of
      Veterans Affairs geriatric primary care clinic.
AB  - Anxiety disorders are common and debilitating in older individuals, yet anxiety
      is often not formally assessed in primary care. We conducted a quality
      improvement project to examine the feasibility of implementing a brief anxiety
      assessment, the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), in a Department of Veterans
      Affairs geriatric primary care clinic. We compared the GAI with a depression
      assessment, the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Fifty older Veterans
      (mean = 78.5 +/- 7.4 yr) completed the GAI and GDS-15. Mean completion time and
      feedback to patients was brief (6.20 min; n = 10). Good internal consistency
      (alpha = 0.82) was found for GAI scores. Patients with psychiatric diagnoses
      obtained significantly higher GAI scores (mean = 4.73 +/- 1.15) compared with
      patients without psychiatric diagnoses (mean = 1.15 +/- 1.86, t(11.46) = -3.10, p
      = 0.01). Findings suggest that the GAI is acceptable to patients but may not be
      suitable for differentiating anxiety symptoms or disorders from depression.
      Interdisciplinary team members continued to implement the GAI after project
      completion to screen for and track anxiety symptoms in our geriatric primary care
      patients. Detecting anxiety with the GAI had the benefit of allowing providers to
      initiate conversations about available treatments and track symptoms as part of
      noting treatment progress.

PMID- 27273146
TI  - A systematic review of the use of quality-of-life instruments in randomized
      controlled trials for psoriasis.
AB  - Planners of interventional studies in psoriasis face the dilemma of selecting
      suitable quality-of-life (QoL) measures. Systematic reviews have the potential of
      identifying psychometrically sound measures in a given therapeutic area, while
      guiding the development of practice guidelines. The aim of this systematic review
      was to generate evidence of the use of QoL instruments in randomized controlled
      trials (RCTs) for interventions in psoriasis. The methodology followed the PRISMA
      guidelines. Six databases were searched with 388 search terms. Abstracts of
      articles were reviewed independently by two assessors, and a third adjudicator
      resolved any opinion differences. Risk of bias was assessed using the Jadad
      scale. Of 3646 screened publications, 99 articles (100 trials) met the
      eligibility criteria for inclusion, describing research on 33 215 patients.
      Thirty-three trials tested topical therapy, 18 systemic, 39 biologics, nine
      phototherapy and 10 other interventions. The Dermatology Life Quality Index
      (DLQI) was the most commonly used QoL instrument (83 studies, 83%), followed by
      the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) (31, 31%), EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) (15, 15%),
      Psoriasis Disability Index (14, 14%) and Skindex (five, 5%). There was widespread
      inconsistency in the way that QoL data were reported. Of the 100 trials
      identified, 37 reported minimal clinically important difference (MCID): 32 for
      DLQI, 10 for SF-36 and six for EQ-5D. QoL measurement is increasingly being
      reported in RCTs of psoriasis. Formal guidelines are needed for assessment and
      publishing of QoL data. Researchers should consider whether MCID information is
      available, and development of MCID data should be encouraged.

PMID- 27273147
TI  - Geographically Related Variation in Epicuticular Wax Traits of Pinus nigra
      Populations from Southern Carpathians and Central Balkans - Taxonomic
      Considerations.
AB  - The chemical composition of epicuticular waxes of nine populations from three
      Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold subspecies (namely subsp. nigra, subsp. banatica
      (Borbas) Novak, and subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe) from Southern Carpathians
      and central Balkan Peninsula were analyzed using GC/MS and GC/FID chromatography,
      and multivariate statistical techniques with respect to biogeography and
      taxonomy. In the needle waxes, four primary alcohols and 14 n-alkanes ranging
      from C21 to C33 were identified, and the most abundant compounds were the four
      odd-numbered n-alkanes C27 , C25 , C23 , and C29. Multivariate statistical
      analyses (CDA and CA) have shown existence of three P. nigra groups and suggested
      clinal differentiation as a mechanism of genetic variation across a geographic
      area: the first group consisted of the southernmost populations of subsp.
      pallasiana from Macedonia, the second consisted of the northernmost subsp.
      banatica populations from Romania, while all populations in Serbia described as
      three different subspecies (nigra, banatica, and pallasiana) formed the third
      group together with subsp. nigra population from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
      According to simple linear regression, geographic latitude and four bioclimatic
      parameters were moderately correlated with the contents of epicuticular wax
      compounds that are important in population discrimination, while stepwise
      multiple regression showed that latitude participated in most of the regression
      models for predicting the composition of the epicuticular waxes. These results
      agree with CDA and CA analysis, and confirmed the possibility of recognition of
      fine geographic differentiation of the analyzed P. nigra populations. 

PMID- 27273148
TI  - Preclinical study of transcervical upper mediastinal dissection for esophageal
      malignancy by robot-assisted surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robotic surgical systems are potentially applicable to transcervical
      mediastinal lymph dissection for esophageal malignancy. METHODS: Robot-assisted
      surgery was performed on a male fresh-frozen human cadaver. Devices for single
      port laparoscopic surgery were deployed via one small incision in the left
      clavicular area. The task for the robot-assisted surgery was the upper
      mediastinal dissection to the level of the left main bronchus and en bloc harvest
      of the lymph nodes adherent to the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. RESULTS: An up
      angled 30 degrees  scope in the 6 o'clock port and two robotic arms from the 3
      and 9 o'clock ports worked effectively together. No collisions of the devices
      inside the cadaveric body or unexpected traumatic events occurred. CONCLUSION:
      The robotic surgical system can be used safely for the upper mediastinal
      dissection. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27273150
TI  - Barriers and facilitators for implementing a new screening tool in an emergency
      department: A qualitative study applying the Theoretical Domains Framework.
AB  - AIM: The aim was to identify the factors that were perceived as most important as
      facilitators or barriers to the introduction and intended use of a new tool in
      the emergency department among nurses and a geriatric team. BACKGROUND: A high
      incidence of functional decline after hospitalisation for acute medical illness
      has been shown in the oldest patients and those who are physically frail. In
      Denmark, more than 35% of older medical patients acutely admitted to the
      emergency department are readmitted within 90 days after discharge. A new
      screening tool for use in the emergency department aiming to identify patients at
      particularly high risk of functional decline and readmission was developed.
      DESIGN: Qualitative study based on semistructured interviews with nurses and a
      geriatric team in the emergency department and semistructured single interviews
      with their managers. METHODS: The Theoretical Domains Framework guided data
      collection and analysis. Content analysis was performed whereby new themes and
      themes already existing within each domain were described. RESULTS: Six
      predominant domains were identified: (1) professional role and identity; (2)
      beliefs about consequences; (3) goals; (4) knowledge; (5) optimism and (6)
      environmental context and resources. The content analysis identified three
      themes, each containing two subthemes. The themes were professional role and
      identity, beliefs about consequences and preconditions for a successful
      implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Two different cultures were identified in the
      emergency department. These cultures applied to different professional roles and
      identity, different actions and sense making and identified how barriers and
      facilitators linked to the new screening tool were perceived. RELEVANCE FOR
      CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results show that different cultures exist in the same
      local context and influence the perception of barriers and facilitators
      differently. These cultures must be identified and addressed when implementation
      is planned.

PMID- 27273149
TI  - Pharmacokinetic Effects of Isavuconazole Coadministration With the Cytochrome
      P450 Enzyme Substrates Bupropion, Repaglinide, Caffeine, Dextromethorphan, and
      Methadone in Healthy Subjects.
AB  - This report describes phase 1 clinical trials performed to assess interactions of
      oral isavuconazole at the clinically targeted dose (200 mg, administered as
      isavuconazonium sulfate 372 mg, 3 times a day for 2 days; 200 mg once daily [QD]
      thereafter) with single oral doses of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) substrates:
      bupropion hydrochloride (CYP2B6; 100 mg; n = 24), repaglinide (CYP2C8/CYP3A4; 0.5
      mg; n = 24), caffeine (CYP1A2; 200 mg; n = 24), dextromethorphan hydrobromide
      (CYP2D6/CYP3A4; 30 mg; n = 24), and methadone (CYP2B6/CYP2C19/CYP3A4; 10 mg; n =
      23). Compared with each drug alone, coadministration with isavuconazole changed
      the area under the concentration-time curves (AUCinfinity ) and maximum
      concentrations (Cmax ) as follows: bupropion, AUCinfinity reduced 42%, Cmax
      reduced 31%; repaglinide, AUCinfinity reduced 8%, Cmax reduced 14%; caffeine,
      AUCinfinity increased 4%, Cmax reduced 1%; dextromethorphan, AUCinfinity
      increased 18%, Cmax increased 17%; R-methadone, AUCinfinity reduced 10%, Cmax
      increased 3%; S-methadone, AUCinfinity reduced 35%, Cmax increased 1%. In all
      studies, there were no deaths, 1 serious adverse event (dextromethorphan study;
      perioral numbness, numbness of right arm and leg), and adverse events leading to
      study discontinuation were rare. Thus, isavuconazole is a mild inducer of CYP2B6
      but does not appear to affect CYP1A2-, CYP2C8-, or CYP2D6-mediated metabolism.

PMID- 27273151
TI  - Sesterterpene ophiobolin biosynthesis involving multiple gene clusters in
      Aspergillus ustus.
AB  - Terpenoids are the most diverse and abundant natural products among which
      sesterterpenes account for less than 2%, with very few reports on their
      biosynthesis. Ophiobolins are tricyclic 5-8-5 ring sesterterpenes with potential
      pharmaceutical application. Aspergillus ustus 094102 from mangrove rizhosphere
      produces ophiobolin and other terpenes. We obtained five gene cluster knockout
      mutants, with altered ophiobolin yield using genome sequencing and in silico
      analysis, combined with in vivo genetic manipulation. Involvement of the five
      gene clusters in ophiobolin synthesis was confirmed by investigation of the five
      key terpene synthesis relevant enzymes in each gene cluster, either by gene
      deletion and complementation or in vitro verification of protein function. The
      results demonstrate that ophiobolin skeleton biosynthesis involves five gene
      clusters, which are responsible for C15, C20, C25, and C30 terpenoid
      biosynthesis.

PMID- 27273153
TI  - First Atroposelective Total Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Ancistrocladidine
      and Ancistrotectorine.
AB  - The first regio- and stereoselective total synthesis of the axially chiral 7,3'
      coupled naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids ancistrocladidine (1) and
      ancistrotectorine (2) has been described. Both possess a 7,3'-coupled axis, which
      before now, was difficult to attain synthetically. Moreover, target 2 has a
      sensitive relative cis-array of the two methyl groups at C1 and C3 in the
      tetrahydroisoquinoline part. The key step in the chosen strategy was the
      construction of the biaryl axis in accordance with the "lactone method": the two
      molecular halves, which were activated in an "inverse-halogenated" form, were
      prefixed by an ester bridge, followed by intramolecular coupling, and
      atroposelective cleavage of the lactone auxiliary bridge delivered the desired
      biaryl scaffold. 

PMID- 27273152
TI  - Genome sequence of Perigonia lusca single nucleopolyhedrovirus: insights into the
      evolution of a nucleotide metabolism enzyme in the family Baculoviridae.
AB  - The genome of a novel group II alphabaculovirus, Perigonia lusca single
      nucleopolyhedrovirus (PeluSNPV), was sequenced and shown to contain 132,831 bp
      with 145 putative ORFs (open reading frames) of at least 50 amino acids. An
      interesting feature of this novel genome was the presence of a putative
      nucleotide metabolism enzyme-encoding gene (pelu112). The pelu112 gene was
      predicted to encode a fusion of thymidylate kinase (tmk) and dUTP diphosphatase
      (dut). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that baculoviruses have independently
      acquired tmk and dut several times during their evolution. Two homologs of the
      tmk-dut fusion gene were separately introduced into the Autographa californica
      multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) genome, which lacks tmk and dut. The
      recombinant baculoviruses produced viral DNA, virus progeny, and some viral
      proteins earlier during in vitro infection and the yields of viral occlusion
      bodies were increased 2.5-fold when compared to the parental virus.
      Interestingly, both enzymes appear to retain their active sites, based on
      separate modeling using previously solved crystal structures. We suggest that the
      retention of these tmk-dut fusion genes by certain baculoviruses could be related
      to accelerating virus replication and to protecting the virus genome from
      deleterious mutation.

PMID- 27273156
TI  - Phosphoproteome analysis of the MAPK pathway reveals previously undetected
      feedback mechanisms.
AB  - The RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK (MAPK) pathway is prevalently perturbed in cancer. Recent
      large-scale sequencing initiatives profiled thousands of tumors providing insight
      into alterations at the DNA and RNA levels. These efforts confirmed that key
      nodes of the MAPK pathway, in particular KRAS and BRAF, are among the most
      frequently altered proteins in cancer. The establishment of targeted therapies,
      however, has proven difficult. To decipher the underlying challenges, it is
      essential to decrypt the phosphorylation network spanned by the MAPK core axis.
      Using mass spectrometry we identified 2241 phosphorylation sites on 1020
      proteins, and measured their responses to inhibition of MEK or ERK. Multiple
      phosphorylation patterns revealed previously undetected feedback, as upstream
      signaling nodes, including receptor kinases, showed changes at the
      phosphorylation level. We provide a dataset rich in potential therapeutic targets
      downstream of the MAPK cascade. By integrating TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas)
      data, we highlight some downstream phosphoproteins that are frequently altered in
      cancer. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier
      PXD003908 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD003908).

PMID- 27273157
TI  - Switching of chiral magnetic skyrmions by picosecond magnetic field pulses via
      transient topological states.
AB  - Magnetic chiral skyrmions are vortex like spin structures that appear as stable
      or meta-stable states in magnetic materials due to the interplay between the
      symmetric and antisymmetric exchange interactions, applied magnetic field and/or
      uniaxial anisotropy. Their small size and internal stability make them
      prospective objects for data storage but for this, the controlled switching
      between skyrmion states of opposite polarity and topological charge is essential.
      Here we present a study of magnetic skyrmion switching by an applied magnetic
      field pulse based on a discrete model of classical spins and atomistic spin
      dynamics. We found a finite range of coupling parameters corresponding to the
      coexistence of two degenerate isolated skyrmions characterized by mutually
      inverted spin structures with opposite polarity and topological charge. We
      demonstrate how for a wide range of material parameters a short inclined magnetic
      field pulse can initiate the reliable switching between these states at GHz
      rates. Detailed analysis of the switching mechanism revealed the complex path of
      the system accompanied with the excitation of a chiral-achiral meron pair and the
      formation of an achiral skyrmion.

PMID- 27273159
TI  - An all-in-one tympanostomy tube insertion device: results of usability testing in
      fourteen cadaveric and twelve plastic model ears.

PMID- 27273158
TI  - Viral Decay Dynamics and Mathematical Modeling of Treatment Response: Evidence of
      Lower in vivo Fitness of HIV-1 Subtype C.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1C) worldwide,
      information on HIV-1C viral dynamics and response to antiretroviral therapy (ART)
      is limited. We sought to measure viral load decay dynamics during treatment and
      estimate the within-host basic reproductive ratio, R0, and the critical efficacy,
      epsilonc, for successful treatment of HIV-1C infection. METHODS: Individuals
      initiated on first-line ART in India and monitored for 6 months of treatment were
      considered. Viral load, CD4 count, and adherence data were collected at baseline,
      4, 12, 16 and 24 weeks after ART initiation. Drug resistance genotyping was
      performed at baseline. R0 and epsilonc were estimated using a mathematical model.
      RESULTS: Among 257 patients with complete data, mean baseline viral load was 5.7
      log10 copies per milliliter and median CD4 count was 165 cells per cubic
      millimeter. Primary drug resistance was present in 3.1% at baseline. At 6 months,
      87.5% had undetectable viral load, indicating excellent response to ART despite
      high baseline viremia. After excluding those with transmitted resistance,
      suboptimal adherence and viral rebound, data from 112 patients were analyzed
      using a mathematical model. We estimated the median R0 to be 5.3. The
      corresponding epsilonc was ~0.8. CONCLUSIONS: These estimates of R0 and epsilonc
      are smaller than current estimates for HIV-1B, suggesting that HIV-1C exhibits
      lower in vivo fitness compared with HIV-1B, which allows successful treatment
      despite high baseline viral loads. The lower fitness, and potentially lower
      virulence, together with high viral loads may underlie the heightened
      transmission potential of HIV-1C and its growing global spread.

PMID- 27273160
TI  - Transcriptional enhancement of Smn levels in motoneurons is crucial for proper
      axon morphology in zebrafish.
AB  - An unresolved mystery in the field of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is why a
      reduction of the ubiquitously expressed Smn protein causes defects mostly in
      motoneurons. We addressed the possibility that this restricted vulnerability
      stems from elevated Smn expression in motoneurons. To explore this, we
      established an ex vivo zebrafish culture system of GFP-marked motoneurons to
      quantitatively measure Smn protein and smn mRNA levels as well as promoter
      activity in motoneurons versus other cell types. Importantly, we uncovered that
      Smn levels are elevated in motoneurons by means of transcriptional activation. In
      addition, we identified the ETS family transcription factor Etv5b to be
      responsible for increased smn transcription in motoneurons. Moreover, we
      established that the additional supply of Smn protein in motoneurons is necessary
      for proper axonogenesis in a cell-autonomous manner. These findings demonstrate
      the reliance of motoneurons on more Smn, thereby adding a novel piece of evidence
      for their increased vulnerability under SMA conditions.

PMID- 27273161
TI  - Reliability of the German version of the Children's Assessment of Participation
      and Enjoyment (CAPE) and Preferences for Activities of Children (PAC).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The introduction of the International Classification of Functioning,
      Disabilities and Health of the World Health Organization in 2001 made social
      participation a major rehabilitation outcome and the ultimate goal of
      rehabilitation services. There is no available instrument to measure the youth
      participation in leisure activities apart from asking the youth themselves. The
      goal of this study was to present a German version of the Children's Assessment
      of Participation and Enjoyment and Preferences for Activities of Children
      (CAPE/PAC). METHODS: The CAPE/PAC questionnaire was translated into German, a
      cultural adaptation process was designed and a reliability study was conducted.
      One hundred and fifty-two youths with and without disabilities, with a mean age
      of 15.2 years (standard deviation 1.7), participated in the study. The
      participants completed CAPE and PAC twice within 4 weeks. Reliability was
      examined by intraclass correlation coefficients, standard error of measurement,
      smallest detectable change and Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The absolute values of
      participation differ between the typically developed youth group and those with
      impairments; the reliability of the CAPE/PAC is comparable in both groups.
      Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.43 to 0.74 for the CAPE and
      from 0.71 to 0.83 for the PAC in all participants. The alpha values for internal
      consistency ranged from 0.42 to 0.82 for the CAPE and from 0.65 to 0.92 for the
      PAC. CONCLUSIONS: The German version of the PAC showed satisfactory reliability;
      however, reliability was not satisfactory for all scores of the CAPE, but
      comparable with versions in other languages. The need for newly developed
      participation measurements requires further discussion.

PMID- 27273162
TI  - Gene frequency and haplotype distribution of hemoglobin E among seven minority
      groups of Yunnan, China.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and origin of
      hemoglobin E (HbE) in seven minority groups from various geographical regions of
      the malaria-endemic Yunnan province, southwestern China, which have similar
      ethnic origins and geographic relationships with HbE-prevalent populations of
      Southeast Asian countries. METHODS: By using Polymerase Chain Reaction
      Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods, the prevalence of
      HbE was examined in 1488 individuals from seven native minority groups of Yunnan,
      and beta-globin gene cluster haplotypes were determined on 1420 chromosomes.
      RESULTS: The prevalence of HbE in the study populations ranged from 1.5 to 39.1%.
      Higher HbE prevalence was correlated with the minority groups of Tibeto-Burman
      origin and groups from the Dehong district. The betaE -globin genes in Yunnan
      were mostly associated with three haplotypes [-+++++-], [+----+-], and [-+-+++-]
      on chromosomes with gene framework 2. Interestingly, the predominant betaE
      associated haplotype in Yunnan minorities was remarkably different from that in
      other previously reported populations. This study, for the first time, reports
      population-based data on the heterogeneity of HbE gene frequencies and haplotype
      distribution in native minorities from southwestern China. CONCLUSIONS: Natural
      selection based on the presence of malaria, ethnic origin, and epistatic
      interactions may be factors of varying importance for the remarkable variation in
      HbE frequency among these minority groups. In addition, there appears to be a
      common origin of the betaE -globin gene in populations from Yunnan and Southeast
      Asia. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:927-931, 2016. (c) 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273163
TI  - Realization of Plasmonic Microcavity with Full Transverse and Longitudinal Mode
      Selection.
AB  - Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) manipulation is of vital importance to
      construct ultracompact integrated micro/nano-optical devices and systems. Here we
      report the design, fabrication, and characterization of a SPP microcavity with
      full transverse and longitudinal mode selection and control on the surface of
      gold film. The designed microcavity supports the fundamental and first-order
      transverse modes of Gaussian mode beam with controllable longitudinal modes,
      respectively. The transverse mode is determined by two holographic mirrors made
      from deliberately designed groove patterns via the surface electromagnetic wave
      holography methodology, while the longitudinal mode is determined by the length
      of cavity. Both numerical simulations and leaky-wave SPP mode observations
      confirm the realization of full mode selection in the fabricated cavity. Our work
      opens up a powerful way to fully explore longitudinal and transverse mode control
      in SPP microcavities, which will be beneficial for light-matter interaction
      enhancement, construction of novel SPP nanolaser and microlaser, optical sensing,
      and optical information processing.

PMID- 27273164
TI  - PAS or plasma for storage of platelets? A concise review.
AB  - Platelet additive solutions (PASs) are becoming increasingly popular for storage
      of platelets, and PAS is steadily replacing plasma as the storage medium of
      platelets. PASs are electrolyte solutions intended for storage of platelets, and
      they are used to modulate the quality of the platelets by adding specific
      ingredients. All currently available PASs contain acetate. Acetate reduces the
      amount of glucose that is oxidised into lactic acid and thereby prevents the
      lowering of pH, which decreases platelet quality. Furthermore, the oxidation of
      acetate leads to the production of bicarbonate, which serves as buffer. The
      presence of potassium and magnesium in PAS prevents the lowering of pH and
      reduces the degree of spontaneous activation of the platelets during storage. In
      the hospital, platelets stored in PAS result in about half of the number of
      allergic transfusion reactions as compared with platelets in plasma. Recovery and
      survival after transfusion, as well as corrected count increments, are at least
      as good for platelets in PAS as for plasma, and recent data suggest they may even
      be better. Therefore, with the current generation of PASs, PAS should be
      preferred over the use of plasma for the storage of platelet concentrates.

PMID- 27273165
TI  - Rare single-molecule magnets with six-coordinate Ln(III) ions exhibiting a
      trigonal antiprism configuration.
AB  - Four Ni-Ln-Ni heterometallic complexes, [Ni2LnL2]NO3.3H2O (H3L = tri(((3
      methoxysalicylidene)amino)ethyl)amine, Ln = Gd for , Tb for and Dy for ,
      respectively) and [Ni2DyL2]ClO4.MTBE.0.65H2O (, MTBE = methyl tert-butyl ether)
      have been synthesized by diffusion of methyl tert-butyl ether vapor into the
      reaction solution. The X-ray analyses demonstrated that the Gd(III) ion in
      exhibits rare seven-coordination, the Tb(III) and Dy(III) ions in display unusual
      six-coordination, and two Ni(II) ions and one Ln(III) ion are bridged by six
      phenolato atoms to form linear Ni-Ln-Ni heterotrinuclear complexes for . All
      complexes exhibit weak ferromagnetic interactions between Ni(II) and Ln(III)
      ions. Alternating current susceptibility measurements demonstrated that compounds
      and behave as single-molecule magnets with the effective energy barriers of 14.17
      and 11.13 K under zero direct current field. They are rare single-molecule
      magnets containing six-coordinate Dy(III) ions. 

PMID- 27273166
TI  - Label-free offline versus online activity methods for nucleoside diphosphate
      kinase b using high performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - Nucleoside diphosphate kinase from Leishmania spp. (LmNDKb) has recently been
      described as a potential drug target to treat leishmaniasis disease. Therefore,
      screening of LmNDKb ligands requires methodologies that mimic the conditions
      under which LmNDKb acts in biological systems. Here, we compare two label-free
      methodologies that could help screen LmNDKb ligands and measure NDKb activity: an
      offline LC-UV assay for soluble LmNDKb and an online two-dimensional LC-UV system
      based on LmNDKb immobilised on a silica capillary. The target enzyme was
      immobilised on the silica capillary via Schiff base formation (to give LmNDKb
      ICER-Schiff) or affinity attachment (to give LmNDKb-ICER-His). Several aspects of
      the ICERs resulting from these procedures were compared, namely kinetic
      parameters, stability, and procedure steps. Both the LmNDKb immobilisation routes
      minimised the conformational changes and preserved the substrate binding sites.
      However, considering the number of steps involved in the immobilisation
      procedure, the cost of reagents, and the stability of the immobilised enzyme,
      immobilisation via Schiff base formation proved to be the optimal procedure. 

PMID- 27273169
TI  - A Review of the Research in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples.
AB  - Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT) is a brief evidence-based couple
      therapy based in attachment theory. Since the development of EFT, efficacy and
      effectiveness research has accumulated to address a range of couple concerns. EFT
      meets or exceeds the guidelines for classification as an evidence-based couple
      therapy outlined for couple and family research. Furthermore, EFT researchers
      have examined the process of change and predictors of outcome in EFT. Future
      research in EFT will continue to examine the process of change in EFT and test
      the efficacy and effectiveness of EFT in new applications and for couples of
      diverse backgrounds and concerns.

PMID- 27273167
TI  - Critical comparison of elastography methods to assess chronic liver disease.
AB  - Staging of liver fibrosis and diagnosis, or exclusion, of early compensated liver
      cirrhosis are important in the treatment decisions and surveillance of patients
      with chronic liver disease. Good diagnostic accuracy, increased availability and
      the possibility to perform follow-up examinations led to the implementation of
      noninvasive methods into clinical practice. Noninvasive tests are increasingly
      included in national and international guidelines, leaving liver biopsy reserved
      for patients with unexplained discordance or suspected additional aetiologies of
      liver disease. In addition to staging of liver fibrosis, data on the prognostic
      value of these methods have increased in the past few years and are of great
      importance for patient care. This Review focuses on elastography methods for
      noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis, disease severity and prognosis.
      Although liver elastography started with transient elastography, at present all
      large ultrasonography companies offer an elastography technique integrated in
      their machines. The goal of this Review is to summarize the methodological
      problems of noninvasive tests in general, in addition to providing an overview on
      currently available techniques and latest developments in liver elastography. 

PMID- 27273170
TI  - Resonantly Enhanced Betatron Hard X-rays from Ionization Injected Electrons in a
      Laser Plasma Accelerator.
AB  - Ultrafast betatron x-ray emission from electron oscillations in laser wakefield
      acceleration (LWFA) has been widely investigated as a promising source. Betatron
      x-rays are usually produced via self-injected electron beams, which are not
      controllable and are not optimized for x-ray yields. Here, we present a new
      method for bright hard x-ray emission via ionization injection from the K-shell
      electrons of nitrogen into the accelerating bucket. A total photon yield of 8 *
      10(8)/shot and 10(8 )photons with energy greater than 110 keV is obtained. The
      yield is 10 times higher than that achieved with self-injection mode in helium
      under similar laser parameters. The simulation suggests that ionization-injected
      electrons are quickly accelerated to the driving laser region and are
      subsequently driven into betatron resonance. The present scheme enables the
      single-stage betatron radiation from LWFA to be extended to bright gamma-ray
      radiation, which is beyond the capability of 3(rd) generation synchrotrons.

PMID- 27273172
TI  - Seek first to understand.

PMID- 27273168
TI  - The role of the gut microbiota in NAFLD.
AB  - NAFLD is now the most common cause of liver disease in Western countries. This
      Review explores the links between NAFLD, the metabolic syndrome, dysbiosis, poor
      diet and gut health. Animal studies in which the gut microbiota are manipulated,
      and observational studies in patients with NAFLD, have provided considerable
      evidence that dysbiosis contributes to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Dysbiosis
      increases gut permeability to bacterial products and increases hepatic exposure
      to injurious substances that increase hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.
      Dysbiosis, combined with poor diet, also changes luminal metabolism of food
      substrates, such as increased production of certain short-chain fatty acids and
      alcohol, and depletion of choline. Changes to the microbiome can also cause
      dysmotility, gut inflammation and other immunological changes in the gut that
      might contribute to liver injury. Evidence also suggests that certain food
      components and lifestyle factors, which are known to influence the severity of
      NAFLD, do so at least in part by changing the gut microbiota. Improved methods of
      analysis of the gut microbiome, and greater understanding of interactions between
      dysbiosis, diet, environmental factors and their effects on the gut-liver axis
      should improve the treatment of this common liver disease and its associated
      disorders.

PMID- 27273171
TI  - Mutational Analysis of Prostate-Specific Antigen Defines the Intrinsic
      Proteolytic Activity of the proPSA Zymogen.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an important prostate cancer
      biomarker. It is also a protease expressed at high concentrations by the normal
      and malignant prostate. PSA is secreted as a zymogen (proPSA) with an inhibitory
      prodomain that must be removed for full activity. ProPSA variants, assumed to be
      inactive, are found in the blood of prostate cancer patients, and are indicative
      of poor clinical outcome. Despite the abundance of clinical reports, our
      understanding of PSA's enzymology is limited, in part due to a lack of
      appropriate experimental systems. We sought to develop a series of PSA-derived
      mutants that would help to enhance our understanding of the gene. METHODS:
      Sixteen rPSA variants were generated and characterized by a variety of
      biochemical methods. RESULTS: The wildtype cDNA (WT) provided the template for
      generating a panel of recombinants. These included variants that abolished
      removal of the prodomain (R24A), disabled its enzymatic activity (S213A), and/or
      facilitated a cell-based conversion to the active conformation (FR). The purified
      variants' proteolytic activity was examined using a fluorogenic substrate, known
      PSA-cleavable proteins, and physiologically relevant inhibitors. Upon
      demonstrating our successful generation and purification of the PSA variants, we
      characterized proPSA activity, describing cleavage of synthetic and biologic
      substrates, but not serum protease inhibitors. This finding was exploited in the
      development of a self-activating mutant (PSA_QY) that exhibited the greatest
      enzymatic activity of all the variants. CONCLUSIONS: The system described herein
      will prove useful for varied applications. ProPSA is partially functional with
      relatively high activity compared to the mature enzyme. In demonstrating the
      zymogen's intrinsic activity, we suggest that the proPSA in prostate cancer
      patient serum is not inert. This may have implications for our understanding of
      the disease. Prostate 76:1203-1217, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273173
TI  - New drugs 2016, part 2.

PMID- 27273174
TI  - Empathic responsiveness and helping behaviours in young children with Williams
      syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anecdotal and caregiver reports often highlight the sociability and
      empathy of children with Williams syndrome (WS), a genetically based
      neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a distinctive, cognitive and social
      phenotype. Despite these characteristics, people with WS have many difficulties
      navigating the social world. In this study, we investigated whether the
      heightened social motivation and empathy demonstrated by children with WS lead to
      prosocial behaviours such as instrumental helping. METHODS: We compared 2;8 to
      5;8 year olds with WS to an age-matched and developmental quotient-matched group
      of children with Down syndrome (DS) and an age-matched group of typically
      developing children, in their responses to semi-structured naturalistic
      situations designed to elicit empathic and helping behaviours. RESULTS: Children
      with WS showed more empathic concern than both comparison groups towards a person
      in distress but did not differ from controls in their level of helping behaviour.
      Children in both the WS and DS groups consistently received higher ratings on
      empathy than on helpfulness, in contrast to the balanced profile shown by the
      typically developing children. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that the heightened
      emotional responsivity displayed by children with WS or DS does not readily
      translate into other forms of socially competent behaviour. The complex relations
      between empathy and prosocial behaviours in typical and atypical development are
      discussed.

PMID- 27273175
TI  - Formation of the syn isomer of [Fe(IV)(Oanti)(TMC)(NCMe)](2+) in the reaction of
      Lewis acids with the side-on bound peroxo ligand in [Fe(III)(eta(2)-O2)(TMC)](.).
AB  - We demonstrate that the reactions of [Fe(III)(eta(2)-O2)(TMC)](+) (TMC =
      tetramethylcyclam) with Lewis acids (H(+) and NO(+)) afford the recently
      described syn isomer of [Fe(IV)(O)(TMC)(NCMe)](2+) (and not the anti isomer as
      had been tacitly assumed). This outcome is a logical consequence of the fact that
      the side-on peroxo ligand is bound to the syn face of the Fe(TMC) unit in the
      precursor. 

PMID- 27273176
TI  - High-Resolution Sonography as an Additional Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool to
      Monitor Disease Activity in Leprosy: A Two-Year Prospective Study.
AB  - PURPOSE:  Early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy and leprosy reactions are
      essential to prevent stigmatizing deformities and disability. Although the
      incidence of leprosy has decreased enormously, grade 2 disability due to nerve
      injury has remained the same. New tools are needed to better diagnose and monitor
      leprosy reactions and associated neuritis and this study assessed whether high
      resolution sonography (HRUS) can be used as such a tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 
      During a prospective follow-up period of 2 years at regular intervals, we
      performed clinical examination to assess sensory and motor function and HRUS of
      the four main peripheral nerves in 57 patients, of whom 36 were with reactions
      and 21 were without reactions. Normative data of the cross-sectional area (CSA)
      of these nerves were obtained from 55 healthy subjects (HS). Color Doppler (CD)
      was used to study blood flow in the nerves. RESULTS:  At the baseline visit and
      during follow-up, all four nerves were significantly thicker in patients with
      leprosy reactions in comparison to HS (p < 0.0001) and to a lesser extent also in
      comparison to patients without reactions ranging from a p-value of < 0.05 to <
      0.0001 in the different nerves tested. During follow-up, the nerve size did not
      change significantly in patients without reactions, while it decreased
      significantly in patients with reactions. At baseline, endoneural blood flow was
      present only in patients with reactions. This occurred in 20 of the 36 (55 %)
      patients (49 nerves) and decreased to only 1 patient (2.7 %) at the end of the
      follow-up period. CONCLUSION:  This prospective study demonstrates the ability of
      HRUS to monitor disease activity and the effect of treatment in patients with
      leprosy reactions by determining changes in nerve size and vascularity, which are
      indicators of peripheral nerve involvement and damage.

PMID- 27273177
TI  - Reliability Criteria for Liver Stiffness Measurements with Real-Time 2D Shear
      Wave Elastography in Different Clinical Scenarios of Chronic Liver Disease.
AB  - PURPOSE:  Liver stiffness measurement by real-time 2-dimensional shear wave
      elastography (2D-SWE) lacks universal reliability criteria. We sought to assess
      whether previously published 2D-SWE reliability criteria for portal hypertension
      were applicable for the evaluation of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and to look
      for criteria that minimize the risk of misclassification in this setting.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS:  In a biopsy-controlled diagnostic study, we obtained five
      2D-SWE measurements of optimal image quality. Correctly classified cases of
      fibrosis and cirrhosis were compared to misclassified cases. We compared
      reliability predictors (standard deviation (SD), SD/mean, size of region of
      interest (ROI) and difference between a single measurement and the patient's
      median) with those obtained in a prior study on clinically significant portal
      hypertension. RESULTS:  We obtained 678 2D-SWE measurements from 142 patients.
      Overall, the variability in liver stiffness within single 2D-SWE measurements was
      low (SD = 1.1 +/- 1.5kPa; SD/mean = 12 +/- 9 %). Intra-observer analysis showed
      almost perfect concordance (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.95; 95 % CI
      0.94 - 0.96; average difference from median = 0.4 +/- 0.9kPa). For the diagnosis
      of cirrhosis, a smaller SD (optimally <= 1.75 kPa) and larger ROI size (optimally
      >= 18 mm) were associated with higher accuracy. Similarly, within the published
      cohort of patients assessed for portal hypertension, a low variability of
      measurements was associated with high reliability. CONCLUSION:  A high quality 2D
      SWE elastogram ensures low variability and high reliability, regardless of
      indication. We recommend aiming for a combination of low standard deviation and
      large ROI.

PMID- 27273179
TI  - Fatal warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a child due to IgM-type autoantibodies.
AB  - Herein is described a case of immunoglobulin M (IgM) warm autoimmune hemolytic
      anemia (AIHA) in a child who consequently died within 3 days of clinical onset. A
      previously healthy 11-year-old boy presented with fever, anemia, jaundice, and
      deteriorating consciousness. On direct agglutination test against group O red
      blood cells, agglutination was seen even at 37 degrees C in saline, which was
      abolished on dithiothreitol treatment of the serum, indicating that the
      responsible autoantibody was IgM and had a warm-reactive capacity. A diagnosis of
      IgM warm AIHA was therefore made. Hemagglutination in the visceral capillaries
      was considered as the direct cause of organ dysfunction. The patient died due to
      respiratory failure. IgM warm AIHA is a very severe condition that is difficult
      to reverse in an advanced state. Both prompt, definite diagnosis and intervention
      are therefore vital to prevent severe multi-organ dysfunction in cases of IgM
      warm AIHA. 

PMID- 27273178
TI  - Structural Ultrasound of the Medial Temporal Lobe in Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Purpose One of the anatomical hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the
      atrophy of the medial temporal lobe (MTL), yet cost-effective and broadly
      available methodological alternatives to the current imaging tools for screening
      of this brain area are not currently available. Materials and Methods Using
      structural transcranial ultrasound (TCS), we attempted to visualize and measure
      the MTL, and compared the results of 32 AD patients and 84 healthy controls (HC).
      The MTL and the surrounding space were defined in the coronal plane on TCS. A
      ratio of the height of the MTL/height of the choroidal fissure (M/F) was
      calculated in order to obtain a regional proportion. Results An insufficient
      temporal bone window was identified in 22 % of the AD patients and 12 % of the
      HCs. The results showed that the ratio of M/F was significantly smaller in the AD
      group on both sides (p = 0.004 right, p = 0.007 left side). Furthermore, the M/F
      ratio made it possible to discriminate AD patients from HCs with a sensitivity of
      83 % (right)/73 % (left) and a specificity of 76 % (right)/72 % (left) which is
      basically comparable to results published for magnetic resonance imaging. The
      measurements showed substantial intra/interrater reliability (ICC:0.79/0.69).
      Conclusion These results suggest that utilization of structural TCS may possibly
      constitute a cheap and easy-to-use supplement to other techniques for the
      diagnosis of AD. It may be especially useful as a screening tool in the large
      population of individuals with cognitive decline. Further studies are needed to
      validate this novel method.

PMID- 27273193
TI  - Understanding M-ligand bonding and mer-/fac-isomerism in tris(8
      hydroxyquinolinate) metallic complexes.
AB  - Tris(8-hydroxyquinolinate) metallic complexes, Mq3, are one of the most important
      classes of organic semiconductor materials. Herein, the nature of the chemical
      bond in Mq3 complexes and its implications on their molecular properties were
      investigated by a combined experimental and computational approach. Various Mq3
      complexes, resulting from the alteration of the metal and substitution of the 8
      hydroxyquinoline ligand in different positions, were prepared. The mer-/fac
      isomerism in Mq3 was explored by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, evidencing that,
      irrespective of the substituent, mer- and fac-are the most stable molecular
      configurations of Al(iii) and In(iii) complexes, respectively. The relative M
      ligand bond dissociation energies were evaluated experimentally by electrospray
      ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS-MS), showing a non-monotonous
      variation along the group (Al > In > Ga). The results reveal a strong covalent
      character in M-ligand bonding, which allows for through-ligand electron
      delocalization, and explain the preferred molecular structures of Mq3 complexes
      as resulting from the interplay between bonding and steric factors. The mer
      isomer reduces intraligand repulsions, being preferred for smaller metals, while
      the fac-isomer is favoured for larger metals where stronger covalent M-ligand
      bonds can be formed due to more extensive through-ligand conjugation mediated by
      metal "d" orbitals. 

PMID- 27273192
TI  - Comparing mothers' postpartum concerns in two clinical trials 18 years apart.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To determine if U.S. women's postpartum concerns have
      changed over time. METHODS: Mothers' postpartum concerns were compared in two
      clinical trials: 1997 (high-risk pregnancy) and 2015 (first-time mothers).
      Advanced practice nurses (APNs) provided care through 8 weeks postpartum and
      recorded interactions in clinical logs. Content analysis of logs was used for
      identifying concerns. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of 58 1997 mothers were
      African American; 64% of 62 2015 mothers were Hispanic. The number of infant
      concerns (129 vs. 144) was similar to four of the top five infant concerns;
      infant feeding was the top concern for both groups. The 1997 mothers were
      concerned with body changes, birth control, breastfeeding, maternal health
      problems, and had more concerns about their health (142 vs. 43); the 2015 mothers
      were concerned with not having help, fatigue, finding things hard. Both groups
      had postpartum pain concerns and problems accessing mother/infant governmental
      programs. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers' concerns regarding infant care were essentially
      the same over the two time periods with infant feeding as the top concern.
      Maternal concerns in common were postpartum pain and needing help accessing
      government programs. Women who had high-risk pregnancies had more health
      concerns. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Results provide guidance for helping
      minority mothers in the postpartum period.

PMID- 27273195
TI  - CRF receptor 1 antagonism and brain distribution of active components contribute
      to the ameliorative effect of rikkunshito on stress-induced anorexia.
AB  - Rikkunshito (RKT), a Kampo medicine, has been reported to show an ameliorative
      effect on sustained hypophagia after novelty stress exposure in aged mice through
      serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) antagonism. We aimed to determine (1) whether the
      activation of anorexigenic neurons, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and pro
      opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, is involved in the initiation of hypophagia
      induced by novelty stress in aged mice; (2) whether the ameliorative effect of
      RKT is associated with CRF and POMC neurons and downstream signal transduction;
      and (3) the plasma and brain distribution of the active components of RKT. The
      administration of RKT or 5-HT2CR, CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1), and melanocortin-4
      receptor antagonists significantly restored the decreased food intake observed in
      aged male C57BL/6 mice in the early stage after novelty stress exposure. Seven
      components of RKT exhibited antagonistic activity against CRFR1. Hesperetin and
      isoliquiritigenin, which showed antagonistic effects against both CRFR1 and 5
      HT2CR, were distributed in the plasma and brain of male Sprague-Dawley rats after
      a single oral administration of RKT. In conclusion, the ameliorative effect of
      RKT in this model is assumed to be at least partly due to brain-distributed
      active components possessing 5-HT2CR and CRFR1 antagonistic activities.

PMID- 27273194
TI  - Selective pressure modulation of synaptic voltage-dependent calcium channels
      involvement in HPNS mechanism.
AB  - Exposure to hyperbaric pressure (HP) exceeding 100 msw (1.1 MPa) is known to
      cause a constellation of motor and cognitive impairments named high-pressure
      neurological syndrome (HPNS), considered to be the result of synaptic
      transmission alteration. Long periods of repetitive HP exposure could be an
      occupational risk for professional deep-sea divers. Previous studies have
      indicated the modulation of presynaptic Ca(2+) currents based on synaptic
      activity modified by HP. We have recently demonstrated that currents in
      genetically identified cellular voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs), CaV
      1.2 and CaV 3.2 are selectively affected by HP. This work further elucidates the
      HPNS mechanism by examining HP effect on Ca(2+) currents in neuronal VDCCs, CaV
      2.2 and CaV 2.1, which are prevalent in presynaptic terminals, expressed in
      Xenopus oocytes. HP augmented the CaV 2.2 current amplitude, much less so in a
      channel variation containing an additional modulatory subunit, and had almost no
      effect on the CaV 2.1 currents. HP differentially affected the channels'
      kinetics. It is, therefore, suggested that HPNS signs and symptoms arise, at
      least in part, from pressure modulation of various VDCCs.

PMID- 27273196
TI  - Monte Carlo modelling of photodynamic therapy treatments comparing clustered
      three dimensional tumour structures with homogeneous tissue structures.
AB  - We explore the effects of three dimensional (3D) tumour structures on depth
      dependent fluence rates, photodynamic doses (PDD) and fluorescence images through
      Monte Carlo radiation transfer modelling of photodynamic therapy. The aim with
      this work was to compare the commonly used uniform tumour densities with non
      uniform densities to determine the importance of including 3D models in
      theoretical investigations. It was found that fractal 3D models resulted in
      deeper penetration on average of therapeutic radiation and higher PDD. An
      increase in effective treatment depth of 1 mm was observed for one of the
      investigated fractal structures, when comparing to the equivalent smooth model.
      Wide field fluorescence images were simulated, revealing information about the
      relationship between tumour structure and the appearance of the fluorescence
      intensity. Our models indicate that the 3D tumour structure strongly affects the
      spatial distribution of therapeutic light, the PDD and the wide field appearance
      of surface fluorescence images.

PMID- 27273197
TI  - Universal amorphous-amorphous transition in GexSe100-x glasses under pressure.
AB  - Pressure induced structural modifications in vitreous GexSe100-x (where 10 <= x
      <= 25) are investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) along with
      supplementary X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments and ab initio molecular
      dynamics (AIMD) simulations. Universal changes in distances and angle
      distributions are observed when scaled to reduced densities. All compositions are
      observed to remain amorphous under pressure values up to 42 GPa. The Ge-Se
      interatomic distances extracted from XAS data show a two-step response to the
      applied pressure; a gradual decrease followed by an increase at around 15-20 GPa,
      depending on the composition. This increase is attributed to the metallization
      event that can be traced with the red shift in Ge K edge energy which is also
      identified by the principal peak position of the structure factor. The
      densification mechanisms are studied in details by means of AIMD simulations and
      compared to the experimental results. The evolution of bond angle distributions,
      interatomic distances and coordination numbers are examined and lead to similar
      pressure-induced structural changes for any composition.

PMID- 27273198
TI  - Effect of pre- and post-partum supplementation with lipid-encapsulated conjugated
      linoleic acid on milk yield and metabolic status in multiparous high-producing
      dairy cows.
AB  - We evaluated the lactation performance, liver lipid content and plasma
      metabolites indicating the energy balance of dairy cows supplemented with
      conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) pre- and post-partum (PP) vs. only PP. A total of
      60 cows were divided into three groups (n = 20). Daily diet of cows was
      supplemented with 14 g of CLA (7 g cis-9, trans-11 and 7 g trans-10, cis-12
      isomers) from week 3 before the expected date of calving (group CLA1), or from
      the day of calving (group CLA2) until 77-91 days PP. Control cows were fed an
      isocaloric, isonitrogenous and isolipidic diet without CLA. Between week 3 and
      week 6 PP, the milk yield of cows in both CLA-treated groups was approximately
      4.5 kg higher (p < 0.05) than in control. Milk fat concentrations decreased from
      week 3 and were lower in both CLA groups than in control (p < 0.01). Body
      condition score loss was lower (p < 0.05) in the CLA1 than in the control group
      on week 5 PP. By week 11 PP, the body condition of both CLA1 and CLA2 groups
      exceeded that of control. Plasma non-esterified fatty acid was lower in CLA1
      compared to CLA2 and control during the early PP period (p < 0.05), while this
      difference faded away by the late PP period. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA)
      increased rapidly in all groups following calving. In CLA1 group, it began to
      decrease sooner than in CLA2 and control. The prevalence of subclinical ketosis
      (BHBA > 1.2 mm) was lower in CLA1 group than in CLA2 and control (p < 0.05).
      Liver biopsy analyses showed that CLA1 treatment decreased (p < 0.05) the total
      lipid content of liver compared to control at week 5 after calving. Our results
      show that CLA supplementation is more efficient in alleviating body mass
      mobilization and decreasing the incidence of subclinical ketosis when applied as
      early as 3 weeks before calving than started feeding after calving.

PMID- 27273199
TI  - Role of geographical provenance in the response of silver fir seedlings to
      experimental warming and drought.
AB  - Changes in climate can alter the distribution and population dynamics of tree
      species by altering their recruitment patterns, especially at range edges.
      However, geographical patterns of genetic diversity could buffer the negative
      consequences of changing climate at rear range edges where populations might also
      harbour individuals with drought-adapted genotypes. Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.)
      reaches its south-western distribution limit in the Spanish Pyrenees, where
      recent climatic dieback events have disproportionately affected westernmost
      populations. We hypothesized that silver fir populations from the eastern
      Pyrenees are less vulnerable to the expected changing climate due to the
      inclusion of drought-resistant genotypes. We performed an experiment under
      strictly controlled conditions simulating projected warming and drought compared
      with current conditions and analysed physiology, growth and survival of silver
      fir seedlings collected from eastern and western Pyrenean populations. Genetic
      analyses separated eastern and western provenances in two different lineages.
      Climate treatments affected seedling morphology and survival of both lineages in
      an overall similar way: elevated drought diminished survival and induced a higher
      biomass allocation to roots. Increased temperature and drought provoked more
      negative stem water potentials and increased delta13C ratios in leaves. Warming
      reduced nitrogen concentration and increased soluble sugar content in leaves,
      whereas drought increased nitrogen concentration. Lineage affected these
      physiological parameters, with western seedlings being more sensitive to warming
      and drought increase in terms of delta13C, nitrogen and content of soluble
      sugars. Our results demonstrate that, in A. alba, differences in the
      physiological response of this species to drought are also associated with
      differences in biogeographical history.

PMID- 27273200
TI  - How to Perform Permanent His Bundle Pacing: Tips and Tricks.
AB  - Right ventricular pacing can cause ventricular dyssynchrony and result in reduced
      left ventricular systolic function and heart failure. Permanent His bundle pacing
      is a more physiologic form of pacing, but can be technically challenging. In this
      article, we describe our technique for permanent His bundle pacing including
      special considerations and limitations associated with His bundle pacing.

PMID- 27273201
TI  - [Comment on: Importance of driving pressure for survival of controlled
      mechanically ventilated ARDS patients].

PMID- 27273202
TI  - A Pd-Catalyzed Synthesis of Functionalized Piperidines.
AB  - A readily available cyclic carbamate 1 functions as a general precursor to a
      range of functionalized piperidine products via a new Pd-catalyzed annulation
      strategy. An asymmetric catalytic variant provides a rapid and efficient means to
      access these heterocycles with high to excellent levels of enantiocontrol.
      Finally, these richly functionalized compounds are amenable to further
      chemoselective elaboration. 

PMID- 27273203
TI  - Influence of hydroxyapatite granule size, porosity, and crystallinity on tissue
      reaction in vivo. Part B: a comparative study with biphasic synthetic
      biomaterials.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the influence of the physical
      chemical properties of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) and biphasic commercial
      materials on the biological behavior of study materials through material
      characterization and SEM analysis before and after application in rabbit tibias.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two defects were performed in each tibiae for a total of
      180 defects: Group I HA granules (2000-4000 MUm), Group II HA granules (1000-2000
      MUm), Group III HA granules (600-1000 MUm), Group IV Ossceram(r) nano (Bredent
      medical GmbH & Co. KG, Senden, Germany), Group V 4Bone(r) granules (MIS Implants
      Technologies Ltd, Shlomi, Israel), and Group VI: empty defect acted as control.
      Comparison was performed by mean of material characterization, SEM, and EDX.
      RESULTS: 4Bone: Pores between 300 MUm and 100 MUm with intra- and interparticle
      spaces. Ossceram show also interparticle and intraparticle pores, between 100 MUm
      and 26 MUm, but the proportion of interparticles in the 4Bone is clearly minor
      than in the Ossceram. Related with pure HA, Group III has the greatest porosity
      (69.3%). For Group I, the intraparticle pores (0.71 MUm) are about 8 times larger
      than those of the other two samples. The analysis of the images of in vivo SEM
      shown as biphasic groups has presented a more gradual resorption of the material.
      CONCLUSION: HA-based biomaterials, both pure and biphasic, are an effective means
      for bone regeneration processes; of these, materials with higher initial and
      secondary porosimetry allow greater cell colonization and therefore more
      effective substitution by new bone. The two-phase materials have a higher ion
      release to the environment in the early stages and thus allow greater
      colonization by collagen fibers that can be matured into new bone.

PMID- 27273204
TI  - Longitudinal changes in the structure and inflammatory response of the
      intervertebral disc due to stab injury in a murine organ culture model.
AB  - Despite the significant public health impact of intervertebral disc (IVD)
      degeneration and low back pain, it remains challenging to investigate the
      multifactorial molecular mechanisms that drive the degenerative cascade. Organ
      culture model systems offer the advantage of allowing cells to live and interact
      with their native extracellular matrix, while simultaneously reducing the amount
      of biological variation and complexity present at the organismal level. Murine
      organ cultures in particular also allow the use of widely available genetically
      modified animals with molecular level reporters that would reveal insights on the
      degenerative cascade. Here, we utilize an organ culture system of murine lumbar
      functional spinal units where we are able to maintain the cellular, metabolic,
      and structural, and mechanical stability of the whole organ over a 21-day period.
      Furthermore, we describe a novel approach in organ culture by using tissues from
      animals with an NF-kappaB-luc reporter in combination with a mechanical injury
      model, and are able to show that proinflammatory factors and cytokines such as NF
      kappaB and IL-6 produced by IVD cells can be monitored longitudinally during
      culture in a stab injury model. Taken together, we utilize a murine organ culture
      system that maintains the cellular and tissue level behavior of the
      intervertebral disc and apply it to transgenic animals that allow the monitoring
      of the inflammatory profile of IVDs. This approach could provide important
      insights on the molecular and metabolic mediators that regulate the homeostasis
      of the IVD. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1431-1438, 2016.

PMID- 27273205
TI  - Reduction of anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in rats after one month
      of drinking Aronia melanocarpa berry juice.
AB  - The treatment of mood and anxiety disorders by nutraceuticals is gaining growing
      awareness. Berries of Aronia melanocarpa (Black chokeberry) and their extracts,
      exceptionally abundant in diverse phenolic compounds, have become famous for the
      highest in vitro antioxidant activity among fruits and notable health benefits
      (e.g. anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective). This study was
      designed to investigate the behavioral effects of month-long unlimited
      consumption of Aronia master juice (AJ) and/or juice reconstruct without
      polyphenols (RJ), in young male rats. AJ was initially evaluated for its content
      of phenolic compounds by spectrophotometric assays and HPLC-DAD. Rats that were
      supplied with three various water concentrations of AJ and RJ, respectively: 20%
      + 0% (ARO group), 5% + 15% (RAJ) and 0 + 20% (PLC), were compared with those
      which consumed only water (CTL). Daily drinking of AJ solution was significantly
      elevated from the second or third week onward, which was most expressed in the
      ARO group. Only this group displayed behavioral variations, manifested by certain
      hyperactivity in open field tests and prominent reductions of anxiety-like
      behaviors in the elevated plus maze. The ARO rats also expressed an alleviation
      of depression-like behavior in forced swimming tests. These findings demonstrate
      the beneficial behavioral effects of the one-month-long free drinking of phenolic
      rich AJ in rats (>20 ml per kg b. mass daily) that may be recognized as
      stimulating, anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like. The in vitro assays
      suggested that MAO-A/MAO-B inhibitions by the phenolic compounds of AJ might be
      the possible in vivo mechanisms for such behavioral actions. 

PMID- 27273206
TI  - Conventional intensive logging promotes loss of organic carbon from the mineral
      soil.
AB  - There are few data, but diametrically opposed opinions, about the impacts of
      forest logging on soil organic carbon (SOC). Reviews and research articles
      conclude either that there is no effect, or show contradictory effects. Given
      that SOC is a substantial store of potential greenhouse gasses and forest logging
      and harvesting is routine, resolution is important. We review forest logging SOC
      studies and provide an overarching conceptual explanation for their findings. The
      literature can be separated into short-term empirical studies, longer-term
      empirical studies and long-term modelling. All modelling that includes major
      aboveground and belowground biomass pools shows a long-term (i.e. >=300 years)
      decrease in SOC when a primary forest is logged and then subjected to harvesting
      cycles. The empirical longer-term studies indicate likewise. With successive
      harvests the net emission accumulates but is only statistically perceptible after
      centuries. Short-term SOC flux varies around zero. The long-term drop in SOC in
      the mineral soil is driven by the biomass drop from the primary forest level but
      takes time to adjust to the new temporal average biomass. We show agreement
      between secondary forest SOC stocks derived purely from biomass information and
      stocks derived from complex forest harvest modelling. Thus, conclusions that
      conventional harvests do not deplete SOC in the mineral soil have been a function
      of their short time frames. Forest managers, climate change modellers and
      environmental policymakers need to assume a long-term net transfer of SOC from
      the mineral soil to the atmosphere when primary forests are logged and then
      undergo harvest cycles. However, from a greenhouse accounting perspective, forest
      SOC is not the entire story. Forest wood products that ultimately reach landfill,
      and some portion of which produces some soil-like material there rather than in
      the forest, could possibly help attenuate the forest SOC emission by adding to a
      carbon pool in landfill.

PMID- 27273207
TI  - Weyl fermions and spin dynamics of metallic ferromagnet SrRuO3.
AB  - Weyl fermions that emerge at band crossings in momentum space caused by the spin
      orbit interaction act as magnetic monopoles of the Berry curvature and contribute
      to a variety of novel transport phenomena such as anomalous Hall effect and
      magnetoresistance. However, their roles in other physical properties remain
      mostly unexplored. Here, we provide evidence by neutron Brillouin scattering that
      the spin dynamics of the metallic ferromagnet SrRuO3 in the very low energy range
      of milli-electron volts is closely relevant to Weyl fermions near Fermi energy.
      Although the observed spin wave dispersion is well described by the quadratic
      momentum dependence, the temperature dependence of the spin wave gap shows a
      nonmonotonous behaviour, which can be related to that of the anomalous Hall
      conductivity. This shows that the spin dynamics directly reflects the crucial
      role of Weyl fermions in the metallic ferromagnet.

PMID- 27273214
TI  - An Atomic Force Microscope with Dual Actuation Capability for Biomolecular
      Experiments.
AB  - We report a modular atomic force microscope (AFM) design for biomolecular
      experiments. The AFM head uses readily available components and incorporates
      deflection-based optics and a piezotube-based cantilever actuator. Jetted
      polymers have been used in the mechanical assembly, which allows rapid
      manufacturing. In addition, a FeCo-tipped electromagnet provides high-force
      cantilever actuation with vertical magnetic fields up to 0.55 T. Magnetic field
      calibration has been performed with a micro-hall sensor, which corresponds well
      with results from finite element magnetostatics simulations. An integrated force
      resolution of 1.82 and 2.98 pN, in air and in DI water, respectively was achieved
      in 1 kHz bandwidth with commercially available cantilevers made of Silicon
      Nitride. The controller and user interface are implemented on modular hardware to
      ensure scalability. The AFM can be operated in different modes, such as molecular
      pulling or force-clamp, by actuating the cantilever with the available actuators.
      The electromagnetic and piezoelectric actuation capabilities have been
      demonstrated in unbinding experiments of the biotin-streptavidin complex.

PMID- 27273215
TI  - Nanoscale electrodeposition of low-dimensional metal phases and clusters.
AB  - The present status of the problem of electrochemical formation of low-dimensional
      metal phases is reviewed. The progress in this field achieved in the last two
      decades is discussed on the basis of experimental results obtained in selected
      electrochemical systems with well defined single crystal substrates. The
      influence of crystallographic orientation and surface inhomogeneities of foreign
      substrates on the mechanism of formation and the atomic structure of two
      dimensional (2D) metal phases in the underpotential deposition range is
      considered. The localized electrodeposition of metal nanoclusters on solid state
      surfaces applying the STM-tip as a nanoelectrode is demonstrated. 

PMID- 27273216
TI  - Spin-orbit-driven magnetic structure and excitation in the 5d pyrochlore
      Cd2Os2O7.
AB  - Much consideration has been given to the role of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in 5d
      oxides, particularly on the formation of novel electronic states and manifested
      metal-insulator transitions (MITs). SOC plays a dominant role in 5d(5) iridates
      (Ir(4+)), undergoing MITs both concurrent (pyrochlores) and separated
      (perovskites) from the onset of magnetic order. However, the role of SOC for
      other 5d configurations is less clear. For example, 5d(3) (Os(5+)) systems are
      expected to have an orbital singlet with reduced effective SOC. The pyrochlore
      Cd2Os2O7 nonetheless exhibits a MIT entwined with magnetic order
      phenomenologically similar to pyrochlore iridates. Here, we resolve the magnetic
      structure in Cd2Os2O7 with neutron diffraction and then via resonant inelastic X
      ray scattering determine the salient electronic and magnetic energy scales
      controlling the MIT. In particular, SOC plays a subtle role in creating the
      electronic ground state but drives the magnetic order and emergence of a multiple
      spin-flip magnetic excitation.

PMID- 27273217
TI  - Topical high potency steroid proclaimed optimal therapy for bullous pemphigoid in
      the elderly.

PMID- 27273219
TI  - Multiple cerebral arteriovenous malformations associated to rostral hypoplasia of
      the superior sagittal sinus: case report.
AB  - Multiple cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a rare occurrence
      usually associated with defined genetic disorders or a family history of
      cerebrovascular disease. The remaining cases cannot be associated to a genetic
      pathogenesis and are considered idiopathic. We report an extremely unusual case
      nor genetic neither idiopathic, but linked to an anatomical intracranial venous
      variation. The patient presented two independent frontal AVMs associated with
      rostral hypoplasia of the superior sagittal sinus. This anatomical variation may
      have induced frontal venous hypertension (VHT) triggering the development of the
      two AVMs. Throughout this intriguing case, we discuss the role of VHT in AVM
      development.

PMID- 27273218
TI  - hSSB1 (NABP2/OBFC2B) is regulated by oxidative stress.
AB  - The maintenance of genome stability is an essential cellular process to prevent
      the development of diseases including cancer. hSSB1 (NABP2/ OBFC2A) is a critical
      component of the DNA damage response where it participates in the repair of
      double-strand DNA breaks and in base excision repair of oxidized guanine residues
      (8-oxoguanine) by aiding the localization of the human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase
      (hOGG1) to damaged DNA. Here we demonstrate that following oxidative stress,
      hSSB1 is stabilized as an oligomer which is required for hSSB1 to function in the
      removal of 8-oxoguanine. Monomeric hSSB1 shows a decreased affinity for oxidized
      DNA resulting in a cellular 8-oxoguanine-repair defect and in the absence of ATM
      signaling initiation. While hSSB1 oligomerization is important for the removal of
      8-oxoguanine from the genome, it is not required for the repair of double-strand
      DNA-breaks by homologous recombination. These findings demonstrate a novel hSSB1
      regulatory mechanism for the repair of damaged DNA.

PMID- 27273220
TI  - Treatment of tumors and metastases of the spine by minimally invasive CAVITY
      coblation method (plasma field therapy).
AB  - BACKGROUND: A radical surgery of spine metastases is not possible in many cases,
      especially by elder multi morbid patients. The modern CAVITY/coblation method
      offers a very good therapeutic alternative for such patients. The goal of this
      paper was to evaluate and present the method as well as the results of the
      treatment of 302 patients with vertebral tumors/metastases. METHODS: Patients
      with vertebral destructions of the spine caused by spinal tumors and metastases
      were treated. Diagnosis preoperatively: X-ray, MRT, CT, PET, histology. Tumor
      tissue resection was carried out by plasma field over the percutaneous
      transpedicular access and was followed by kyphoplasty. Follow-up with clinical
      and radiological examinations are in 2, 14 days, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 months
      postoperatively. RESULTS: Within 6 years (04/2008-05/2014) 302 patients (188
      female, 114 male, age range of 31-92, average age of 65.4 years) were treated. It
      was shown by all patients: less blood loss, no seriously complications, pain
      reduction, increase in life quality. Postoperatively was possible: rapid
      mobilization, immediate radiation and chemotherapy for reduction of the local
      tumor recurrence rate. CONCLUSIONS: CAVITY has shown itself to be a safe, minimal
      invasive procedure with good short and long term results, a low complication
      rate, blood loss and short surgery times. The total local recurrence rate was
      only 13.5%. Important are: comprehensive diagnostic including tumor staging,
      correct indication, prognostic assessment, precise surgical technique.

PMID- 27273221
TI  - The endoscopic endonasal approach for the management of craniopharyngiomas.
AB  - Craniopharyngiomas are disembryogenetic, benign, tumors that origin from squamous
      epithelial remnants of Rathke's pouch, developing from any segment of its course,
      virtually from rhino-pharynx to the hypothalamus. Historically, different
      microscopic transcranial routes, have been advocated as possible surgical options
      for the treatment of craniopharyngiomas. The endonasal technique offers a direct
      approach that permits access to the suprasellar, retrosellar and retroclival
      space, obviating brain retraction; it provides the advantage of appraoching
      cranioopharyngiomas without optic nerve manipulation and/or retraction. We herein
      present the surgical nuances of the endoscopic endonasal approach for the
      treatment of craniopharyngiomas, highlighting hints, advantages and drawbacks,
      also in regards of the anatomy dealt with. The endoscopic endonasal technique has
      been emerging as a viable approach/alternative for the treatment of this disease
      as the endoscope itself increased its safety and effectiveness. It allows the
      removal of both infra and supradiaphragmatic lesions - eventually involving the
      third ventricle chamber but not extending laterally off the ICA out of the
      visibility and maneuverability of the instruments - avoiding brain and optic
      nerve manipulation and retraction, with good visualization of the pituitary gland
      and stalk and the main neurovascular structures. 

PMID- 27273222
TI  - Characterization of the interactions between Escherichia coli receptors, LPS and
      OmpC, and bacteriophage T4 long tail fibers.
AB  - Bacteriophages have strict host specificity and the step of adsorption is one of
      key factors for determining host specificity. Here, we systematically examined
      the interaction between the Escherichia coli receptors lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      and outer membrane protein C (OmpC), and the long tail fibers of bacteriophage
      T4. Using a variety of LPS mutants, we demonstrated that T4 has no specificity
      for the sugar sequence of the outer core (one of three LPS regions) in the
      presence of OmpC but, in the absence of OmpC, can adsorb to a specific LPS which
      has only one or two glucose residues without a branch. These results strengthen
      the idea that T4 adsorbs to E. coli via two distinct modes, OmpC-dependent and
      OmpC-independent, suggested by previous reports (Prehm et al. 1976; Yu and
      Mizushima 1982). Isolation and characterization of the T4 mutants Nik (No
      infection to K-12 strain), Nib (No infection to B strain), and Arl (altered
      recognition of LPS) identified amino acids of the long tail fiber that play
      important roles in the interaction with OmpC or LPS, suggesting that the top
      surface of the distal tip head domain of T4 long tail fibers interacts with LPS
      and its lateral surface interacts with OmpC.

PMID- 27273223
TI  - First isolation of West Nile virus from a dromedary camel.
AB  - Although antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV) have been detected in the sera
      of dromedaries in the Middle East, North Africa and Spain, no WNV has been
      isolated or amplified from dromedary or Bactrian camels. In this study, WNV was
      isolated from Vero cells inoculated with both nasal swab and pooled trachea/lung
      samples from a dromedary calf in Dubai. Complete-genome sequencing and
      phylogenetic analysis using the near-whole-genome polyprotein revealed that the
      virus belonged to lineage 1a. There was no clustering of the present WNV with
      other WNVs isolated in other parts of the Middle East. Within lineage 1a, the
      dromedary WNV occupied a unique position, although it was most closely related to
      other WNVs of cluster 2. Comparative analysis revealed that the putative E
      protein encoded by the genome possessed the original WNV E protein glycosylation
      motif NYS at E154-156, which contained the N-linked glycosylation site at N-154
      associated with increased WNV pathogenicity and neuroinvasiveness. In the
      putative NS1 protein, the A70S substitution observed in other cluster 2 WNVs and
      P250, which has been implicated in neuroinvasiveness, were present. In addition,
      the foo motif in the putative NS2A protein, which has been implicated in
      neuroinvasiveness, was detected. Notably, the amino-acid residues at 14 positions
      in the present dromedary WNV genome differed from those in most of the closely
      related WNV strains in cluster 2 of lineage 1a, with the majority of these
      differences observed in the putative E and NS5 proteins. The present study is the
      first to demonstrate the isolation of WNV from dromedaries. This finding expands
      the possible reservoirs of WNV and sources of WNV infection. 

PMID- 27273225
TI  - Serological and molecular detection of bovine leukemia virus in cattle in Iraq.
AB  - Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is highly endemic in many countries, including Iraq,
      and it impacts the beef and dairy industries. The current study sought to
      determine the percentage of BLV infection and persistent lymphocytosis (PL) in
      cattle in central Iraq. Hematological, serological, and molecular observations in
      cross breeds and local breeds of Iraqi cattle naturally infected with BLV were
      conducted in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 400 cattle (340 cross
      breed and 60 local breed) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR). On the basis of the absolute number of lymphocytes, five of
      the 31 positive PCR cases had PL. Among these leukemic cattle, one case exhibited
      overt neutrophilia. Serum samples were used to detect BLV antibodies, which were
      observed in 28 (7%) samples. PCR detected BLV provirus in 31 samples (7.75%). All
      28 of the seropositive samples and the 3 seronegative samples were positive using
      PCR. Associations were observed between bovine leukosis and cattle breed, age and
      sex. Age-specific analysis showed that the BLV percentage increased with age in
      both breeds. Female cattle (29 animals; 7.34%) exhibited significantly higher
      infectivity than male cattle (two animals; 4.34%). In conclusion, comprehensive
      screening for all affected animals is needed in Iraq; programs that segregate
      cattle can be an effective and important method to control and/or eliminate the
      BLV. 

PMID- 27273224
TI  - Presence of a widely disseminated Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b clone in
      India.

PMID- 27273226
TI  - Acardiac twin pregnancies part II: Fetal risk of chorangioma and sacrococcygeal
      teratoma predicted by pump/acardiac umbilical vein diameters.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We recently published pump/acardiac umbilical venous diameter (UVD)
      ratios, representing the pump twin's excess cardiac output fraction, of 27
      acardiac twin pregnancies. There was a clear separation between the 17 pump twins
      that had life-threatening complications and the 10 that did not. The hypothesis
      of this study is that placental chorangioma and sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT),
      tumors whose perfusion also causes high-output complications, have the same fetal
      outcome as pump twins when perfusion of the tumor requires the same excess
      cardiac output fraction. METHODS: We compared the three fetoplacental
      circulations. Fetuses with a placental chorangioma and acardiac twin pregnancies
      both have their feeding artery and draining vein located at the placental cord
      insertion. In contrast, SCT lacks a prescribed feeding artery and draining vein.
      We, therefore, had to modify our model to assume that the diameter of the
      hypothetical draining vein is related to the flow difference between inferior
      vena cava and superior vena cava. The latter flow has been estimated
      sonographically and is the same as the inferior vena cava flow in the absence of
      an SCT. Furthermore, a simple modification accounts for the different location of
      the tumor with respect to the placental cord insertion. RESULTS: We propose to
      apply the clinical pump/acardiac UVD ratios to pregnancies complicated by
      placental chorangiomas and the modified pump/acardiac UVD ratios for SCT.
      CONCLUSION: Risk prediction of these rare fetal tumors may be possible based on
      application of data on excess cardiac output fractions from pump/acardiac UVD
      ratios and will require future clinical validation. Birth Defects Research (Part
      A) 106:733-738, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273227
TI  - Shape of magnifiers affects controllability in children with visual impairment.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the controllability of cylinder-shaped and
      dome-shaped magnifiers in young children with visual impairment. METHODS: This
      study investigates goal-directed arm movements in low-vision aid use (stand and
      dome magnifier-like object) in a group of young children with visual impairment
      (n = 56) compared to a group of children with normal sight (n = 66). Children
      with visual impairment and children with normal sight aged 4-8 years executed two
      types of movements (cyclic and discrete) in two orientations (vertical or
      horizontal) over two distances (10 cm and 20 cm) with two objects resembling the
      size and shape of regularly prescribed stand and dome magnifiers. RESULTS: The
      visually impaired children performed slower movements than the normally sighted
      children. In both groups, the accuracy and speed of the reciprocal aiming
      movements improved significantly with age. Surprisingly, in both groups, the
      performance with the dome-shaped object was significantly faster (in the 10 cm
      condition and 20 cm condition with discrete movements) and more accurate (in the
      20 cm condition) than with the stand-shaped object. CONCLUSION: From a
      controllability perspective, this study suggests that it is better to prescribe
      dome-shaped than cylinder-shaped magnifiers to young children with visual
      impairment.

PMID- 27273228
TI  - Exploring the Loading Capacity of Generation Six to Eight Dendronized Polymers in
      Aqueous Solution.
AB  - Aspects of size, structural (im)perfection, inner density, and guest molecule
      loading capacity of dendronized polymers (DPs) of high generation (6<=g<=8) in
      aqueous solution are studied using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy
      on amphiphilic, spin-labeled guest molecules. The results show that the interior
      of the charged DPs is strongly polar, especially in comparison to their lower
      generation (1-4) analogues. This is a direct sign that large amounts of water
      penetrate the DP surface, reflecting the structural (im)perfections of these high
      generation DPs and much lower segmental densities than theoretically achievable.
      Images obtained with atomic force microscopy reveal that the high-generation DPs
      do not aggregate and give further insights into the structural imperfections.
      Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic data further show that despite
      their structural imperfections, these DPs can bind and release large numbers of
      amphiphilic molecules. It is concluded that attention should be paid to their
      synthesis, for which a protocol needs to be developed that avoids the relatively
      large amount of defects generated in the direct conversion of a generation g=4 DP
      to a generation g=6 DP, which had to be used here. 

PMID- 27273230
TI  - Lignin Valorization through Catalytic Lignocellulose Fractionation: A Fundamental
      Platform for the Future Biorefinery.
AB  - Current processes for the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass focus on the
      production of high-quality cellulosic fibers for paper, board, and viscose
      production. The other fractions that constitute a major part of lignocellulose
      are treated as waste or used for energy production. The transformation of
      lignocellulose beyond paper pulp to a commodity (e.g., fine chemicals, polymer
      precursors, and fuels) is the only feasible alternative to current refining of
      fossil fuels as a carbon feedstock. Inspired by this challenge, scientists and
      engineers have developed a plethora of methods for the valorization of biomass.
      However, most studies have focused on using one single purified component from
      lignocellulose that is not currently generated by the existing biomass
      fractionation processes. A lot of effort has been made to develop efficient
      methods for lignin depolymerization. The step to take this fundamental research
      to industrial applications is still a major challenge. This review covers an
      alternative approach, in which the lignin valorization is performed in concert
      with the pulping process. This enables the fractionation of all components of the
      lignocellulosic biomass into valorizable streams. Lignocellulose fractions
      obtained this way (e.g., lignin oil and glucose) can be utilized in a number of
      existing procedures. The review covers historic, current, and future
      perspectives, with respect to catalytic lignocellulose fractionation processes.

PMID- 27273231
TI  - Experimental study in pulmonary artery sealing with a vessel-sealing device.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of vessel-sealing devices will facilitate safety in
      video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Our objective was to evaluate the
      feasibility and safety of sealing pulmonary arteries with the Enseal tissue
      sealing device. METHODS: Pulmonary arteries from beagle dogs (mean body weight
      13.1 kg, range 10.5-15.4 kg) were divided into 3 groups according to the in-vivo
      sealing method used (Enseal, ligation, and proximal ligation plus distal Enseal)
      and extracted to evaluate the pressure tolerance up to 75 mm Hg at the sealed
      end. A left lower lobectomy was performed to evaluate chronic-phase durability of
      the sealed stumps in a survival model. Two or three branches of the pulmonary
      arteries in each dog were allocated to each of the 3 groups. After the scheduled
      survival period, the pulmonary arteries were sampled. RESULTS: Pressure tolerance
      at the sealed end was evaluated in 91 pulmonary artery sections. All sealed ends
      showed pressure tolerance >75 mm Hg. A left lower lobectomy was performed in 13
      dogs in which 35 pulmonary artery sections had been allocated into the 3 groups.
      No sealing failure was found, and pathological findings showed healing and
      persistent hemostasis at all sealed ends of the pulmonary arteries after 2 and 4
      weeks of the survival period. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary arteries sealed in vivo with
      the Enseal device showed pressure tolerance >75 mm Hg in the acute phase, and
      persistent hemostasis after 2 or 4 weeks. Pulmonary artery sealing with the
      Enseal device is feasible and safe in thoracic surgery settings.

PMID- 27273232
TI  - Neglected foreign body aspiration mimicking bronchial carcinoma.
AB  - Foreign body aspiration can occur in any age group, but it is more commonly seen
      in children. In adults, there is usually a predisposing condition that poses a
      risk of aspiration. If aspiration occurs, prompt diagnosis and extraction of the
      foreign body is needed to prevent early and late complications. We report a rare
      case of neglected foreign body aspiration in a 45-year-old schizophrenic opium
      addicted patient, which resulted in an occlusive lesion in the bronchus,
      mimicking bronchial carcinoma. 

PMID- 27273229
TI  - Tumor testing to identify lynch syndrome in two Australian colorectal cancer
      cohorts.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Tumor testing of colorectal cancers (CRC) for mismatch repair
      (MMR) deficiency is an effective approach to identify carriers of germline MMR
      gene mutation (Lynch syndrome). The aim of this study was to identify MMR gene
      mutation carriers in two cohorts of population-based CRC utilizing a combination
      of tumor and germline testing approaches. METHODS: Colorectal cancers from 813
      patients diagnosed with CRC < 60 years of age from the Australasian Colorectal
      Cancer Family Registry (ACCFR) and from 826 patients from the Melbourne
      Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS) were tested for MMR protein expression using
      immunohistochemistry, microsatellite instability (MSI), BRAFV600E somatic
      mutation, and for MLH1 methylation. MMR gene mutation testing (Sanger sequencing
      and Multiplex Ligation Dependent Probe Amplification) was performed on germline
      DNA of patients with MMR-deficient tumors and a subset of MMR-proficient CRCs.
      RESULTS: Of the 813 ACCFR probands, 90 probands demonstrated tumor MMR deficiency
      (11.1%), and 42 had a MMR gene germline mutation (5.2%). For the MCCS, MMR
      deficiency was identified in the tumors of 103 probands (12.5%) and seven had a
      germline mutation (0.8%). All the mutation carriers were diagnosed prior to 70
      years of age. Probands with a MMR-deficient CRC without MLH1 methylation and a
      gene mutation were considered Lynch-like and comprised 41.1% and 25.2% of the MMR
      deficient CRCs for the ACCFR and MCCS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Identification
      of MMR gene mutation carriers in Australian CRC-affected patients is optimized by
      immunohistochemistry screening of CRC diagnosed before 70 years of age. A
      significant proportion of MMR-deficient CRCs will have unknown etiology (Lynch
      like) proving problematic for clinical management.

PMID- 27273233
TI  - Post-cardiotomy open chest management. A single-unit experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Post-cardiotomy open chest management is used either for salvage or as
      a planned therapeutic option in patients with low cardiac output, hemorrhage, or
      intractable arrhythmias. We reviewed our experience with these patients. METHODS:
      Over a 3-year period, 2534 adult cardiac patients were operated on and 35 (1.4%)
      had delayed sternal closure. The median age was 72 years (range 46-86 years) and
      mean logistic EuroSCORE I was 11.29 (range 1.33-84.99). The patients were divided
      into two groups: group A (22/35, 62.9%) left the operating room without sternal
      closure due to hemodynamic instability after coming off cardiopulmonary bypass;
      group B (13/35, 37.1%) had a resternotomy and sternal closure was delayed due to
      acute deterioration in the cardiac intensive care unit. RESULTS: The median
      intensive care unit stay was 17 days (range 2-70 days). Mortality was 25.7% (9
      patients). All survivors were followed-up for at least 2 years, with a 2-year
      survival rate of 57.1%. Overall mortality was broadly similar in both groups.
      There was a high rate of postoperative complications in both groups, including
      chest sepsis (77%), liver failure (14.3), renal failure requiring renal
      replacement therapy (42.9%), sternal wound infection (28.6%), gut ischemia
      (2.9%), cerebrovascular accident (11.4), and multiorgan failure (31.4%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Some may argue that open chest management is an acceptable salvage
      procedure, however, follow-up demonstrated significant adverse cardiac or
      cerebrovascular events in a short period following discharge, thus delayed
      sternal closure is really a salvage procedure but useful in centers without
      access to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

PMID- 27273234
TI  - Mind the gap: fetal physiology from bench to bedside.

PMID- 27273235
TI  - Brain mesenchymal stem cells: physiology and pathological implications.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are defined as progenitor cells that give rise to a
      number of unique, differentiated mesenchymal cell types. This concept has
      progressively evolved towards an all-encompassing concept including multipotent
      perivascular cells of almost any tissue. In central nervous system, pericytes are
      involved in blood-brain barrier, and angiogenesis and vascular tone regulation.
      They form the neurovascular unit (NVU) together with endothelial cells,
      astrocytes and neurons. This functional structure provides an optimal
      microenvironment for neural proliferation in the adult brain. Neurovascular niche
      include both diffusible signals and direct contact with endothelial and
      pericytes, which are a source of diffusible neurotrophic signals that affect
      neural precursors. Therefore, MSCs/pericyte properties such as differentiation
      capability, as well as immunoregulatory and paracrine effects make them a
      potential resource in regenerative medicine. 

PMID- 27273237
TI  - Characteristics of Decedents in Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare.

PMID- 27273236
TI  - Parametric fMRI of paced motor responses uncovers novel whole-brain imaging
      biomarkers in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.
AB  - Machado-Joseph Disease, inherited type 3 spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA3), is the
      most common form worldwide. Neuroimaging and neuropathology have consistently
      demonstrated cerebellar alterations. Here we aimed to discover whole-brain
      functional biomarkers, based on parametric performance-level-dependent signals.
      We assessed 13 patients with early SCA3 and 14 healthy participants. We used a
      combined parametric behavioral/functional neuroimaging design to investigate
      disease fingerprints, as a function of performance levels, coupled with
      structural MRI and voxel-based morphometry. Functional magnetic resonance imaging
      (fMRI) was designed to parametrically analyze behavior and neural responses to
      audio-paced bilateral thumb movements at temporal frequencies of 1, 3, and 5 Hz.
      Our performance-level-based design probing neuronal correlates of motor
      coordination enabled the discovery that neural activation and behavior show
      critical loss of parametric modulation specifically in SCA3, associated with
      frequency-dependent cortico/subcortical activation/deactivation patterns.
      Cerebellar/cortical rate-dependent dissociation patterns could clearly
      differentiate between groups irrespective of grey matter loss. Our findings
      suggest functional reorganization of the motor network and indicate a possible
      role of fMRI as a tool to monitor disease progression in SCA3. Accordingly, fMRI
      patterns proved to be potential biomarkers in early SCA3, as tested by receiver
      operating characteristic analysis of both behavior and neural activation at
      different frequencies. Discrimination analysis based on BOLD signal in response
      to the applied parametric finger-tapping task significantly often reached >80%
      sensitivity and specificity in single regions-of-interest.Functional fingerprints
      based on cerebellar and cortical BOLD performance dependent signal modulation can
      thus be combined as diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets in hereditary ataxia.
      Hum Brain Mapp 37:3656-3668, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273238
TI  - Oviposition of Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) Differs on Water Conditioned
      by Potential Fish and Insect Predators.
AB  - The response of egg-laying Culex tarsalis Coquillett (Diptera: Culicidae) to
      water conditioned by three fish species used for mosquito control and three
      predatory aquatic insect species was examined in laboratory binary choice
      experiments. Oviposition by Cx. tarsalis was 72% less on water conditioned with
      the arroyo chub, Gila orcutti (Eigenmann & Eigenmann) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)
      relative to control cups containing aged tap water, but no significant difference
      was found in the numbers of egg rafts laid on water conditioned with the fathead
      minnow (Pimephales promelas (Rafinesque), Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) and the
      control treatment (water aged 24 h). Mosquito oviposition on water conditioned
      with the predominantly herbivorous/algivorous California Mozambique tilapia
      hybrid (Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) * Oreochromis urolepis hornorum L.
      (Perciformes: Cichlidae)) or predatory insects (nymphs: Sympetrum corruptum
      (Hagen) (Odonata: Libellulidae); adults: Thermonectus basillaris (Harris) or
      Cybister fimbriolatus (Say) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)) did not differ
      significantly relative to that onto water aged for 24 h. As compared with water
      aged 24 h and water conditioned with diving beetles, oviposition by Cx. tarsalis
      was significantly lower (>=53%) when live predatory diving beetles were present
      in oviposition cups. Gravid Cx. tarsalis females do not respond equally to
      putative semiochemicals in water conditioned with the piscine or aquatic insect
      predators of immature mosquitoes tested here.

PMID- 27273240
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27273239
TI  - TrapTech R-Octenol Lure Does Not Improve the Capture Rates of Aedes albopictus
      (Diptera: Culicidae) and Other Container-Inhabiting Species in Biogents Sentinel
      Traps.
AB  - Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and other container-inhabiting species have become
      important public health concerns due to the transmission of dengue, chikungunya,
      and Zika viruses. Effective surveillance is dependent on the ability to collect a
      sufficient number of mosquitoes for population monitoring and pathogen isolation.
      The Biogents Sentinel (BGS) trap supplied with a proprietary human skin lure has
      become the standard tool for container-inhabiting Aedes species collections
      worldwide. Recently, R-octenol, a single isomer of the well characterized
      mosquito attractant octenol, was shown to greatly improve the capture rate of
      some Aedes species when utilized with the Center for Disease Control and
      Prevention (CDC) light traps and Mosquito Magnet traps. This study evaluated the
      effectiveness of the TrapTech lure (TT lure), containing R-octenol, alone or in
      combination with the human skin lure in a BGS trap to capture Ae. albopictus and
      other species. BGS traps with human skin lures or a combination of the two lures
      collected approximately twice as many Ae. albopictus females compared to those
      with TT lures. Unlike previous studies, baiting BGS traps with TT lures did not
      result in increased diversity of mosquito species, or in higher numbers of other
      container-inhabiting Aedes species. Although human skin lures were clearly
      superior to TT R-octenol lures in BGS traps, R-octenol lures are more widely
      available and might still be used as an alternative lure, especially when Ae.
      albopictus populations are high.

PMID- 27273241
TI  - Development of a comprehensive Blast-Related Auditory Injury Database (BRAID).
AB  - The Department of Defense Hearing Conservation Program provides specific guidance
      for service components to prevent occupational hearing loss; however, it does not
      specifically contend with the unique noise exposures observed in the theater of
      war, such as blasts and explosions. In order to examine the effects of blast
      injury on hearing sensitivity, we developed a large database composed of
      demographic, audiometric, point of injury, and medical outcome data, with the
      primary aim of developing a long-standing and integrated capability for the
      surveillance, assessment, and investigation of blast-related hearing outcomes.
      Methods used to develop the dataset are described. Encompassing more than 16,500
      Navy and Marine Corps personnel, the Blast-Related Auditory Injury Database
      (BRAID) includes individuals with a blast-related injury and nonblast control
      subjects. Using baseline and postdeployment hearing threshold data, a
      retrospective analysis of the cohort revealed that the rate of hearing loss for
      the injured servicemembers was 39%. The BRAID will be useful for studies that
      assess hearing patterns following deployment-related injury, such as blast
      exposures, that facilitate exploration of health outcomes and whether they are
      predictive of audiometric disposition and that help establish hearing loss
      prevention strategies and program policies for affected military commands and
      servicemembers.

PMID- 27273242
TI  - Risk of skin cancer in patients on chronic haemodialysis: a nationwide,
      population-based study in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients on chronic haemodialysis (HD) have a higher incidence of
      cancer. However, the risk of skin cancer in this population has rarely been
      investigated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer
      (NMSC) and cutaneous melanoma in patients on chronic HD and to explore the
      associated risk factors. METHODS: We performed retrospective cohort and nested
      case-control studies using records in the Taiwanese National Health Insurance
      Research Database between 1999 and 2013. The HD cohort included 79 668 incident
      patients on HD, for whom the standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for incident
      NMSC and cutaneous melanoma were determined. In the nested case-control study,
      patients on HD with NMSC were matched to those without skin cancers. The impact
      of various factors on the development of NMSC was determined by conditional
      logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the 79 668 patients on HD, 248 cases
      of NMSC and 22 cases of cutaneous melanoma occurred after a mean 4.95 years of
      follow-up. The SIRs for NMSC and cutaneous melanoma in patients on HD were 1.58
      (95% confidence interval 1.39-1.79) and 1.44 (95% confidence interval 0.91-2.19),
      respectively. Of the patients on HD, a higher risk of NMSC was found in men (1.5
      fold), South Taiwan residents (twofold) and patients with uraemic pruritus after
      long-term antihistamine treatment (1.53-fold). However, the incidence of NMSC was
      not increased in patients with uraemic pruritus receiving ultraviolet B
      phototherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on chronic HD are at higher risk of NMSC.
      Uraemic pruritus further increases the risk of NMSC, which might be prevented by
      ultraviolet B phototherapy.

PMID- 27273243
TI  - iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis reveals potential factors associated
      with the enhancement of phenazine-1-carboxamide production in Pseudomonas
      chlororaphis P3.
AB  - Phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN), a phenazine derivative, is strongly antagonistic
      to fungal phytopathogens. Pseudomonas chlororaphis HT66 is a PCN-producing, non
      pathogenic biocontrol strain, and we obtained the mutant P. chlororaphis P3,
      which produces 4.7 times more PCN than the wild-type HT66 strain. To reveal the
      cause of PCN production enhancement in P3 and find potential factors related to
      PCN biosynthesis, an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis was used to
      study the expression changes between the two strains. Of the 452 differentially
      expressed proteins, most were functionally mapped into PCN biosynthesis pathway
      or other related metabolisms. The upregulation of proteins, including PhzA/B,
      PhzD, PhzF, PhzG, and PhzH, involved in PCN biosynthesis was in agreement with
      the efficient production of PCN in P3. A number of proteins that function
      primarily in energy production, amino acid metabolism, and secondary metabolism
      played important roles in PCN biosynthesis. Notably, proteins involved in the
      uptake and conversion of phosphate, inorganic nitrogen sources, and iron improved
      the PCN production. Furthermore, the type VI secretion system may participate in
      the secretion or/and indirect biosynthetic regulation of PCN in P. chlororaphis.
      This study provides valuable clues to better understand the biosynthesis,
      excretion and regulation of PCN in Pseudomonas and also provides potential gene
      targets for further engineering high-yield strains.

PMID- 27273244
TI  - Potential accuracy of navigated K-wire guided supra-acetabular osteotomies in
      orthopedic surgery: a CT fluoroscopy cadaver study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of supra
      acetabular pelvic tumor resections in human, full-body cadavers and under
      realistic operation room conditions with the help of a navigation system and K
      wires as guidance for the oscillating saw. METHODS: Seven hemipelvises from
      fresh, human, male, full-body cadavers were used. A preoperative and a
      postoperative CT was performed. Under control of the navigation system K-wires
      were inserted and served as guidance for the oscillating saw to reduce the error
      by vibration and jerking movements. The accuracy of the computer aided resections
      was compared with the accuracy of freehand resections in customized 3D printed
      pelvises with geometries identical to the cadavers used. RESULTS: The mean
      deviation of the navigated osteotomies was 1.9 mm (standard deviation 1.0 mm)
      significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the mean deviation of freehand osteotomies
      at 9.2 mm (standard deviation 3.7 mm). CONCLUSION: Navigated K-wires for supra
      acetabular osteotomies allow significantly higher accuracy than freehand
      procedures under simulated operation room conditions. Copyright (c) 2016 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27273245
TI  - A systematic diagnostic and therapeutic approach for the treatment of patients
      after cardio-pulmonary resuscitation: a prospective evaluation of 212 patients
      over 5 years.
AB  - A literature on systematic treatment protocols for patients after resuscitation
      for cardiac arrest is lacking. We evaluated a systematic protocol, including ECG,
      echocardiogram, urgent cardiac catheterisation ("STEMI-like" workflow), CT scans,
      laboratory findings, IABP, hypothermia, and cMRI, prospectively over 5 years. The
      primary endpoint was the Cerebral Performance Category Scale (CPCS). During the
      period from January 2008 to December 2012, 212 patients were included. The mean
      age was 66.7 years, n = 151 (71.2 %) were male, mean time from the first medical
      contact to start of catheterisation was 76.6 min, and ventricular fibrillation
      (VF) was present in n = 99 (46.7 %). A significant coronary artery stenosis was
      seen in n = 130 (61.3 %), PCI was performed in n = 101 (47.6 %), an ACS was found
      in n = 100 (47.2 %), n = 91 patients (42.9 %) had another cardiac cause, an extra
      cardiac cause was found in n = 12 (5.7 %, mostly a cerebral process), and in 9
      patients (4.3 %), no cause was identifiable. A significant difference in
      mortality was found for patients with TIMI flow 2/3 vs. 0/1 (65.4 vs. 95.7 %, p <
      0.01). The difference of intra-aortic balloon pumping vs. no pumping was not
      significant, performing hypothermia reduced mortality significantly (52.7 vs.
      68.2 %, p = 0.04). The survival rate was n = 76 (35.9 %), a CPCS of 1/2 was
      reached in n = 68 pts (32.1 %), patients with ongoing resuscitation had a 100 %
      mortality (n = 41), and VF had a lower mortality (54.6 vs. 72.6 %, p < 0.01). A
      systematic algorithm may improve the outcome of patients after reanimation
      compared with classically reported outcomes. The data are hypothesis generating
      for further studies.

PMID- 27273246
TI  - The personal experience of living with chronic heart failure: a qualitative meta
      synthesis of the literature.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine, from a systematic literature review, the
      experience of living with heart failure and to propose some practice guidelines
      and research questions. BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure has been one of the
      fastest growing illnesses in recent decades, with almost 23 million people
      affected worldwide. This complex syndrome has multiple causes and appears when
      underlying heart disease is advanced. Currently, heart failure has no cure and
      leads to a significant deterioration in patients' quality of life. DESIGN:
      Qualitative meta-synthesis. METHODS: A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted
      to extract and analyse qualitative research from the Cochrane, PubMed, CINAHL,
      PsycINFO, Web of Science and Cuiden databases. Snowball sampling and a manual
      search were performed to identify other relevant studies. RESULTS: Twenty-five
      qualitative studies were selected. The findings indicate that there are three
      main themes that describe the phenomenon. The first theme refers to the
      experiences related to the beginning of the process. The second theme is
      connected with the effects on the person: physical, emotional, social and
      spiritual changes. The third theme is linked with how to live with heart failure
      despite the illness, including the adjustment and coping process and how external
      resources can help them to manage. CONCLUSIONS: Heart failure has a major impact
      on the entire person, but some areas have not been addressed. By creating new
      tools to understand and evaluate the impact of this illness and interventions
      that prevent or improve some situations, we can promote the well-being and the
      quality of life of this population. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses must
      have a personal knowledge of the experiences and needs of the patients. To do
      this, nurses should create care environments that promote an exchange of
      experiences and knowledge between the nurse and the patient and family.

PMID- 27273247
TI  - Unveiling the Pathways of Dioxygen Through the C2 Component of the
      Environmentally Relevant Monooxygenase p-Hydroxyphenylacetate Hydroxylase from
      Acinetobacter baumannii: A Molecular Dynamics Investigation.
AB  - In this work, models of the homotetrameric C2 component of the monooxygenase p
      hydroxyphenylacetate hydroxylase from Acinetobacter baumannii, in complex with
      dioxygen (O2 ) and, or not, the substrate p-hydroxyphenylacetate (HPA) were
      built. Both models proved to be amenable to random-acceleration molecular
      dynamics (RAMD) simulations, whereby a tiny randomly oriented external force,
      acting on O2 at the active site in front of flavin mononucleotide (FMNH(-) ),
      accelerated displacement of O2 toward the bulk solvent. This allowed us to carry
      out a sufficiently large number of RAMD simulations to be of statistical
      significance. The two systems behaved very similarly under RAMD, except for O2
      leaving the active site more easily in the absence of HPA, but then finding
      similar obstacles in getting to the gate as when the active site was sheltered by
      HPA. This challenges previous conclusions that HPA can only reach the active
      center after that the C4aOOH derivative of FMNH(-) is formed, requiring uptake of
      O2 at the active site before HPA. According to these RAMD simulations, O2 could
      well get to FMNH(-) also in the presence of the substrate at the active site. 

PMID- 27273248
TI  - Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Isavuconazole and a Fixed-Dose Combination of
      Lopinavir 400 mg/Ritonavir 100 mg in Healthy Subjects.
AB  - This phase 1, open-label study evaluated the pharmacokinetic effects of
      coadministration of the antifungal agent, isavuconazole (administered as its
      water-soluble prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate), with the antiretroviral agent
      lopinavir/ritonavir in healthy adults. In part 1, 13 subjects were randomized to
      2 arms to receive multiple doses of oral isavuconazole 100 mg either alone or
      with lopinavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg. In part 2, a different group of 55 subjects
      were randomized to 3 arms to receive multiple doses of oral isavuconazole 200 mg,
      either alone or with lopinavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg, or to receive oral
      lopinavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg alone. Mean area under the concentration-time
      curve (AUC) following the last dose (AUCtau ) and Cmax of isavuconazole increased
      by 113% and 96% in part 1 and by 96% and 74% in part 2 in the presence vs absence
      of lopinavir/ritonavir, respectively. Mean AUCtau and Cmax of lopinavir were 27%
      and 23% lower, and mean AUCtau and Cmax of ritonavir were 31% and 33% lower in
      the presence vs absence of isavuconazole, respectively. Mild to moderate
      gastrointestinal disorders were the most common adverse events experienced. These
      findings indicate that coadministration of lopinavir/ritonavir with isavuconazole
      can decrease the exposure of lopinavir/ritonavir and increase the exposure of
      isavuconazole. Patients should be monitored for reduced antiviral efficacy if
      these agents are coadministered.

PMID- 27273249
TI  - Practical and Broadly Applicable Catalytic Enantioselective Additions of Allyl
      B(pin) Compounds to Ketones and alpha-Ketoesters.
AB  - A set of broadly applicable methods for efficient catalytic additions of easy-to
      handle allyl-B(pin) (pin=pinacolato) compounds to ketones and acyclic alpha
      ketoesters was developed. Accordingly, a large array of tertiary alcohols can be
      obtained in 60 to >98 % yield and up to 99:1 enantiomeric ratio. At the heart of
      this development is rational alteration of the structures of the small-molecule
      aminophenol-based catalysts. Notably, with ketones, increasing the size of a
      catalyst moiety (tBu to SiPh3 ) results in much higher enantioselectivity. With
      alpha-ketoesters, on the other hand, not only does the opposite hold true, since
      Me substitution leads to substantially higher enantioselectivity, but the sense
      of the selectivity is reversed as well.

PMID- 27273252
TI  - The rise of organic electrode materials for energy storage.
AB  - Organic electrode materials are very attractive for electrochemical energy
      storage devices because they can be flexible, lightweight, low cost, benign to
      the environment, and used in a variety of device architectures. They are not mere
      alternatives to more traditional energy storage materials, rather, they have the
      potential to lead to disruptive technologies. Although organic electrode
      materials for energy storage have progressed in recent years, there are still
      significant challenges to overcome before reaching large-scale commercialization.
      This review provides an overview of energy storage systems as a whole, the
      metrics that are used to quantify the performance of electrodes, recent
      strategies that have been investigated to overcome the challenges associated with
      organic electrode materials, and the use of computational chemistry to design and
      study new materials and their properties. Design strategies are examined to
      overcome issues with capacity/capacitance, device voltage, rate capability, and
      cycling stability in order to guide future work in the area. The use of low cost
      materials is highlighted as a direction towards commercial realization.

PMID- 27273251
TI  - Low molecular weight glutenin subunit gene Glu-B3h confers superior dough
      strength and breadmaking quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - Low molecular weight glutenin subunit is one of the important quality elements in
      wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Although considerable allelic variation has been
      identified, the functional properties of individual alleles at Glu-3 loci are
      less studied. In this work, we performed the first comprehensive study on the
      molecular characteristics and functional properties of the Glu-B3h gene using the
      wheat cultivar CB037B and its Glu-B3 deletion line CB037C. The results showed
      that the Glu-B3h deletion had no significant effects on plant morphological or
      yield traits, but resulted in a clear reduction in protein body number and size
      and main quality parameters, including inferior mixing property, dough strength,
      loaf volume, and score. Molecular characterization showed that the Glu-B3h gene
      consists of 1179 bp, and its encoded B-subunit has a longer repetitive domain and
      an increased number of alpha-helices, as well as higher expression, which could
      contribute to superior flour quality. The SNP-based allele-specific PCR markers
      designed for the Glu-B3h gene were developed and validated with bread wheat
      holding various alleles at Glu-B3 locus, which could effectively distinguish the
      Glu-B3h gene from others at the Glu-B3 locus, and have potential applications for
      wheat quality improvement through marker-assisted selection.

PMID- 27273253
TI  - A New Versatile Water-Soluble Iniferter Platform for the Preparation of
      Molecularly Imprinted Nanoparticles by Photopolymerisation in Aqueous Media.
AB  - The multi-step synthesis of a new water-soluble dithiocarbamate iniferter
      platform for the preparation of nanoparticles and -gels in aqueous solvents by
      photoinduced living-radical polymerisation is described herein. The water
      solubility of the dithiocarbamate iniferter was achieved by incorporating two
      unprotected glucose units into the iniferter structure by copper(I)-catalysed
      azide-alkyne cycloaddition ("click chemistry"). Molecularly imprinted
      nanoparticles (MIPs) specific for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and the
      corresponding non-imprinted particles (NIPs) were prepared in pure water by using
      the prepared iniferter as photoinitiator. Radioligand binding tests confirmed a
      high imprinting factor, and the living character of the iniferter was
      demonstrated by re-initiating a second photochemical polymerisation on the NIP
      nanoparticles in water by using ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate. Our newly
      synthesised structure is a promising tool for iniferter-mediated
      photopolymerisations in aqueous media for the preparation of biocompatible
      nanomaterials with high potential for biomedical applications in a bottom-up
      fashion. 

PMID- 27273255
TI  - Ultrafast-Contactless Flash Sintering using Plasma Electrodes.
AB  - This paper presents a novel derivative of flash sintering, in which contactless
      flash sintering (CFS) is achieved using plasma electrodes. In this setup,
      electrical contact with the sample to be sintered is made by two arc plasma
      electrodes, one on either side, allowing current to pass through the sample. This
      opens up the possibility of continuous throughput flash sintering. Preheating, a
      usual precondition for flash sintering, is provided by the arc electrodes which
      heat the sample to 1400  degrees C. The best results were produced with pre
      compacted samples (bars 1.8 mm thick) of pure B4C (discharge time 2s, current 4A)
      and SiC:B4C 50 wt% (3s at 6A), which were fully consolidated under a heating rate
      approaching 20000  degrees C/min. For the composite a cylindrical volume of 14
      mm(3) was sintered to full density with limited grain growth.

PMID- 27273254
TI  - Tuning the Selectivity of Biodegradable Antimicrobial Cationic Polycarbonates by
      Exchanging the Counter-Anion.
AB  - There is a growing interest in modern healthcare to develop systems able to fight
      antibiotic resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial cationic biodegradable polymers able
      to mimic antimicrobial peptides have shown to be effective against both Gram
      positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In these systems, the hydrophilic
      hydrophobic ratio and the cationic charge density play a pivotal role in defining
      the killing efficiency. Nevertheless, many of these antimicrobial polymers show
      relatively low selectivity as defined by the relative toxicity to mammalian cells
      or hemolysis relative to pathogens. In this study, a series of polycarbonates
      containing pendant quaternary ammoniums are used to understand the role of
      different counter-anions including chloride, citrate, malonate, benzoate,
      acetate, lactate and trifluoroacetate, and the antibiotic penicillin on
      antimicrobial efficacy and selectivity. Interestingly, it is found that in spite
      of the strong antimicrobial activity of trifluoroacetate and benzoate anions,
      they prove to be much less hemolytic than chloride anion. It is believed that the
      proper selection of the anion could enhance the potential of antimicrobial
      polymers to fight against clinically relevant pathogenic infections, while
      concurrently mitigating harmful side effects.

PMID- 27273256
TI  - Does the weekend effect influence the length of stay in patients admitted with
      tonsillitis, quinsy and epistaxis? A review of 363 emergency admissions over a 12
      month period.

PMID- 27273258
TI  - Comparisons in childhood obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors among urban
      Saudi Arab adolescents in 2008 and 2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the prevalence of childhood obesity and other
      cardiometabolic risk factors from two independent cohorts (2008 and 2013) in
      Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A total of 4549 adolescents aged 12-18 years [2454
      boys, 2095 girls], taken from two independent cohorts, 5 years apart (2008 and
      2013), were included. Anthropometrics were measured, and fasting blood samples
      were taken to ascertain glucose and lipid profile. RESULTS: The overall
      prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in 2013 [15.3 (95% confidence
      interval 13.7-16.9)] than 2008 [12.6 (11.3-13.9)] (P = 0.012). Stratified by sex,
      the prevalence of obesity among boys was significantly higher in 2013 than 2008
      [2008 = 12.0 (10.3-13.7) versus 2013 = 17.4 (15.1-19.7); P < 0.001]. The age
      groups 13 and 15 years had a significantly higher mean triglycerides in 2013 than
      2008 (P-values 0.003 and <0.001, respectively) and lower mean HDL-cholesterol
      also in the 13 years old age group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of
      childhood obesity in Saudi Arabia has increased in particular age groups (13-15
      years) during a 5-year span. Special attention is warranted in these vulnerable
      age groups, particularly in boys, as cardiometabolic risk factors appear to
      worsen.

PMID- 27273257
TI  - Thyrostimulin-TSHR signaling promotes the proliferation of NIH:OVCAR-3 ovarian
      cancer cells via trans-regulation of the EGFR pathway.
AB  - Gonadotropin signaling plays an indispensable role in ovarian cancer progression.
      We previously have demonstrated that thyrostimulin and thyroid-stimulating
      hormone receptor (TSHR), the most ancient glycoprotein hormone and receptor pair
      that evolved much earlier than the gonadotropin systems, co-exist in the ovary.
      However, whether thyrostimulin-driven TSHR activation contributes to ovarian
      cancer progression in a similar way to gonadotropin receptors has never been
      explored. In this study, we first found that TSHR is expressed in both rat normal
      ovarian surface epithelium and human epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs). Using
      human NIH:OVCAR-3 as a cell model, we demonstrated that thyrostimulin promotes
      EOC cell proliferation as strongly as gonadotropins. Thyrostimulin treatment not
      only activated adenylyl cyclase and the subsequent PKA, MEK-ERK1/2 and PI3K-AKT
      signal cascades, but also trans-activated EGFR signaling. Signaling dissection
      using diverse inhibitors indicated that EOC cell proliferation driven by
      thyrostimulin-TSHR signaling is PKA independent, but does require the involvement
      of the MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT signal cascades, which are activated mainly via the
      trans-activation of EGFR. Thus, not only have we proved that this ancient
      glycoprotein hormone system is involved in NIH:OVCAR-3 cell proliferation for the
      first time, but also that it may possibly become a novel oncotarget when studying
      ovarian cancer.

PMID- 27273259
TI  - Nonuniform allocation of hippocampal neurons to place fields across all
      hippocampal subfields.
AB  - The mechanisms governing how the hippocampus selects neurons to exhibit place
      fields are not well understood. A default assumption in some previous studies was
      the uniform random draw with replacement (URDWR) model, which, theoretically,
      maximizes spatial "pattern separation", and predicts a Poisson distribution of
      the numbers of place fields expressed by a given cell per unit area. The actual
      distribution of mean firing rates exhibited by a population of hippocampal
      neurons, however, is approximately exponential or log-normal in a given
      environment and these rates are somewhat correlated across multiple places, at
      least under some conditions. The advantage of neural activity-dependent immediate
      early gene (IEG) analysis, as a proxy for electrophysiological recording, is the
      ability to obtain much larger samples of cells, even those whose activity is so
      sparse that they are overlooked in recording studies. Thus, a more accurate
      representation of the activation statistics can potentially be achieved. Some
      previous IEG studies that examined behavior-driven IEG expression in CA1 appear
      to support URDWR. There was, however, in some of the same studies, an under
      recruitment of dentate gyrus granule cells, indicating a highly skewed
      excitability distribution, which is inconsistent with URDWR. Although it was
      suggested that this skewness might be related to increased excitability of
      recently generated granule cells, we show here that CA1, CA3, and subiculum also
      exhibit cumulative under-recruitment of neurons. Thus, a highly skewed
      excitability distribution is a general principle common to all major hippocampal
      subfields. Finally, a more detailed analysis of the frequency distributions of
      IEG intranuclear transcription foci suggests that a large fraction of hippocampal
      neurons is virtually silent, even during sleep. Whether the skewing of the
      excitability distribution is cell-intrinsic or a network phenomenon, and the
      degree to which this excitability is fixed or possibly time-varying are open
      questions for future studies. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273260
TI  - Design, biological evaluation and 3D QSAR studies of novel dioxin-containing
      pyrazoline derivatives with thiourea skeleton as selective HER-2 inhibitors.
AB  - A series of novel dioxin-containing pyrazoline derivatives with thiourea skeleton
      have been designed, synthesized and evaluated for their EGFR/HER-2 inhibitory and
      anti-proliferation activities. A majority of them displayed selective HER-2
      inhibitory activity against EGFR inhibitory activity. Compound C20 displayed the
      most potent activity against HER-2 and MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cell line
      (IC50 = 0.03 MUM and GI50 = 0.15 MUM), being slightly more potent than the
      positive control Erlotinib (IC50 = 0.16 MUM and GI50 = 1.56 MUM) and comparable
      with Lapatinib (IC50 = 0.01 MUM and GI50 = 0.03 MUM). It is a more exciting
      result that C20 was over 900 times more potent against HER-2 than against EGFR
      while this value was 0.19 for Erlotinib and 1.00 for Lapatinib, indicating high
      selectivity. The results of docking simulation indicate that the dioxin moiety
      occupied the exit of the active pocket and pushed the carbothioamide deep into
      the active site. QSAR models have been built with activity data and binding
      conformations to begin our work in this paper as well as to provide a reliable
      tool for reasonable design of EGFR/HER-2 inhibitors in future.

PMID- 27273250
TI  - A semi-mechanism approach based on MRI and proteomics for prediction of
      conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a precursor phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
      As current treatments may be effective only at the early stages of AD, it is
      important to track MCI patients who will convert to AD. The aim of this study is
      to develop a high performance semi-mechanism based approach to predict the
      conversion from MCI to AD and improve our understanding of MCI-to-AD conversion
      mechanism. First, analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and lasso regression are
      employed to identify the markers related to the conversion. Then the Bayesian
      network based on selected markers is established to predict MCI-to-AD conversion.
      The structure of Bayesian network suggests that the conversion may start with
      fibrin clot formation, verbal memory impairment, eating pattern changing and
      hyperinsulinemia. The Bayesian network achieves a high 10-fold cross-validated
      prediction performance with 96% accuracy, 95% sensitivity, 65% specificity, area
      under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82 on data from the
      Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. The semi-mechanism
      based approach provides not only high prediction performance but also clues of
      mechanism for MCI-to-AD conversion.

PMID- 27273262
TI  - Canine models of allergic skin disease.

PMID- 27273261
TI  - Mutation design of a thermophilic Rubisco based on three-dimensional structure
      enhances its activity at ambient temperature.
AB  - Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) plays a central role in
      carbon dioxide fixation on our planet. Rubisco from a hyperthermophilic archaeon
      Thermococcus kodakarensis (Tk-Rubisco) shows approximately twenty times the
      activity of spinach Rubisco at high temperature, but only one-eighth the activity
      at ambient temperature. We have tried to improve the activity of Tk-Rubisco at
      ambient temperature, and have successfully constructed several mutants which
      showed higher activities than the wild-type enzyme both in vitro and in vivo.
      Here, we designed new Tk-Rubisco mutants based on its three-dimensional structure
      and a sequence comparison of thermophilic and mesophilic plant Rubiscos. Four
      mutations were introduced to generate new mutants based on this strategy, and one
      of the four mutants, T289D, showed significantly improved activity compared to
      that of the wild-type enzyme. The crystal structure of the Tk-Rubisco T289D
      mutant suggested that the increase in activity was due to mechanisms distinct
      from those involved in the improvement in activity of Tk-Rubisco SP8, a mutant
      protein previously reported to show the highest activity at ambient temperature.
      Combining the mutations of T289D and SP8 successfully generated a mutant protein
      (SP8-T289D) with the highest activity to date both in vitro and in vivo. The
      improvement was particularly pronounced for the in vivo activity of SP8-T289D
      when introduced into the mesophilic, photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas
      palustris, which resulted in a strain with nearly two-fold higher specific growth
      rates compared to that of a strain harboring the wild-type enzyme at ambient
      temperature. Proteins 2016; 84:1339-1346. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273263
TI  - A series of lanthanide germanate cluster organic frameworks.
AB  - Six new lanthanide (Ln) germanate cluster organic frameworks (LnGeCOFs) derived
      from {Ln8Ge12} cage cluster units {[Nd(pza)2(H2O)] [Nd8Ge12(MU3
      O)24E12(pza)(H2O)12]}.3H2O (1), {[Dy(CH3COO)(CO3)(H2O)]2[Dy8Ge12(MU3
      O)24E12(H2O)12]}.11H2O (2), {[TbGeE(HO)2O(pza) (H2O)]2[Tb8Ge12(MU3
      O)24E12(H2O)6]}.18H2O (3), {[DyGeE(HO)2O(C3H5NO2)(H2O)]2[Dy8Ge12(MU3
      O)24E12(H2O)8]}.8H2O (4), {[Tb(pca)2 (H2O)]3[Tb8Ge12(MU3
      O)24E12(H2O)4]}.(OH)3.10H2O (5) and
      {[Dy(pza)2(H2O)][Dy(pza)2(H2O)2][Dy(pza)3(H2O)][Dy8Ge12(MU3-O)24E12(pza)(HCOO)
      (H2O)6]}.5H2O (6) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally
      characterized. Increasing the amount of the second ligands can induce not only
      the assembly from 1 to 5, 6 based on Ln oxides as the starting sources, but also
      the assembly from 2 to 3, 4 based on Ln salts as the starting sources. The
      successful preparation of these LnGeCOFs suggests the importance of the second
      ligands in the structural construction of 1-6. To our knowledge, 1 is the first
      example that includes right- and left-handed helical chains among LnGeCOFs based
      on bis(carboxyethylgermanium)sesquioxide. 2, 4 and 6 are the first dysprosium
      incorporated organogermanates based on bis(carboxyethylgermanium)sesquioxide. 4
      and 5 display very open framework structures with a solvent-accessible volume of
      34.6% for 4 and 35.0% for 5. Moreover, the solid-state photoluminescence
      properties of 1, 3 and 5 have been investigated at room temperature and they
      exhibit the characteristic emission bands derived from Ln cations. 

PMID- 27273264
TI  - Translation: Live stream: translation at single-mRNA resolution.

PMID- 27273265
TI  - Hepatoma-derived growth factor promotes growth and metastasis of hepatocellular
      carcinoma cells.
AB  - We aimed to elucidate the effects of hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) on
      growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Tissue microarrays
      with 236 HCC specimens and 18 extrahepatic metastases were utilized to detect the
      HDGF expression by immunohistochemistry. Meanwhile, HDGF expressions in HCC cell
      lines with different metastatic potentials were examined using immunofluorescence
      staining, real-time PCR and western blotting. After HDGF silencing, the growth
      and metastatic potentials of HCC cells were evaluated by soft agar assay,
      invasion assay, together with tumorigenicity assay in nude mice. The gelatin
      zymography was performed by detecting MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels. Additionally,
      western blotting was conducted to determine the levels of total and
      phosphorylated ERK1/2, JNK, p38 and Akt. The results showed that HDGF was
      overexpressed in HCC metastasis tumour, and the expression increased with the
      differentiation degree of tumours (Grade I 44.0%, Grade II 48.4% and Grade III
      65.6%). Consistently, HDGF levels were positively associated with the metastatic
      capability of HCC cells (MHCC97L < MHCC97H < HCCLM3). The growth and metastasis
      were suppressed by HDGF-siRNA. Gelatinolytic activities were enhanced in the
      three metastatic HCC cell lines, but had no significant difference among them.
      The tumourigenicity and metastatic capability of HCCLM3 cells in nude mice were
      inhibited after silencing HDGF. Meanwhile, HDGF-siRNA specifically suppressed the
      total and phosphorylated protein levels of ERK1/2, while not JNK, p38 and Akt. In
      conclusion, HDGF was overexpressed in HCC patients and cells, and HDGF might be
      closely correlated with HCC metastasis via regulating ERK signalling pathway.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27273267
TI  - Groundwater Down Under.

PMID- 27273266
TI  - Increased airway glucose increases airway bacterial load in hyperglycaemia.
AB  - Diabetes is associated with increased frequency of hospitalization due to
      bacterial lung infection. We hypothesize that increased airway glucose caused by
      hyperglycaemia leads to increased bacterial loads. In critical care patients, we
      observed that respiratory tract bacterial colonisation is significantly more
      likely when blood glucose is high. We engineered mutants in genes affecting
      glucose uptake and metabolism (oprB, gltK, gtrS and glk) in Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa, strain PAO1. These mutants displayed attenuated growth in minimal
      medium supplemented with glucose as the sole carbon source. The effect of glucose
      on growth in vivo was tested using streptozocin-induced, hyperglycaemic mice,
      which have significantly greater airway glucose. Bacterial burden in
      hyperglycaemic animals was greater than control animals when infected with wild
      type but not mutant PAO1. Metformin pre-treatment of hyperglycaemic animals
      reduced both airway glucose and bacterial load. These data support airway glucose
      as a critical determinant of increased bacterial load during diabetes.

PMID- 27273268
TI  - A highly specific and sensitive hepatitis C virus antigen enzyme immunoassay for
      One-step diagnosis of viremic hepatitis C virus infection.
AB  - The current standard in diagnosing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requires two
      sequential steps: anti-HCV test to screen, followed by HCV RNA reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction to confirm viremic HCV (V-HCV) infection.
      HCV core antigen tests provided potential for possible one-step diagnosis.
      However, low sensitivity and specificity limit their clinical utility. The
      present study developed a novel HCV antigens enzyme immunoassay (HCV-Ags EIA) and
      assessed its sensitivity, specificity, and utility for one-step diagnosis of V
      HCV infection using 365 serum specimens, including 176 without and 189 with V-HCV
      infection. First, we confirmed the presence of HCV nonstructural proteins 3, 4b,
      and 5a besides HCV core antigen during HCV infection and developed a novel HCV
      Ags EIA through simultaneous detection of all four HCV proteins. For the first
      time, the present study demonstrated that serum sample denaturation decreases the
      test specificity due to release of HCV-Ags sequestered in HCV immune complexes
      and should not be used in any HCV-Ags, including all the current HCV core antigen
      assays. On the other hand, using sample nondenaturation, the HCV-Ags EIA results
      showed 98.9% specificity and 100% sensitivity compared to serum anti-HCV and HCV
      RNA reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction results. Using serum sample
      dilution, and nondenaturation, the lowest limits of detection of the HCV-Ags EIA
      were equivalent to serum HCV RNA levels of approximate 150-250 IU/mL.
      CONCLUSIONS: The highly specific and sensitive HCV-Ags EIA developed in the
      present study has the lowest limit of detection equivalent to serum HCV RNA
      levels of 150-250 IU/mL; using nondenaturation of serum samples, our HCV-Ags EIA
      reliably differentiated V-HCV infection from resolved HCV infection,
      accomplishing screening and diagnosis of V-HCV infection in one step. (Hepatology
      2016;64:415-424).

PMID- 27273269
TI  - Longitudinal trajectories of intellectual and adaptive functioning in adolescents
      and adults with Williams syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Williams syndrome (WS) is associated with a distinct cognitive
      behavioural phenotype including mild to moderate intellectual disability, visual
      spatial deficits, hypersociability, inattention and anxiety. Researchers
      typically characterise samples of individuals with WS by their intellectual
      functioning and adaptive behaviour. Because of the low prevalence of the
      syndrome, researchers often include participants with WS across a broad age range
      throughout childhood and adulthood and assume participants demonstrate consistent
      cognitive development across ages. Indeed, IQ scores are generally stable for
      children and adolescents with WS, although there are significant individual
      differences. It is less clear whether this pattern of stable intellectual ability
      persists into adulthood. Furthermore, while adaptive behaviour is an important
      indicator of an individual's ability to apply their conceptual skills to everyday
      functioning, conflicting findings on the trajectories of adaptive behaviour in
      adolescents and adults with WS have been reported. The current study examined
      longitudinal profiles of cognitive and adaptive functioning in adolescents and
      adults with WS. METHOD: To examine cognitive functioning, participants included
      52 individuals with WS (51.9% men) who were assessed with the Kaufman Brief
      Intelligence Test, 2nd edition (KBIT-2) between two and seven times. At their
      first assessment, participants had a mean age of 25.4 years (SD = 8.4), ranging
      in age from 14.2 to 48.9 years. To assess adaptive behaviour, participants
      included a subset of 28 individuals with WS whose parents completed the Vineland
      Adaptive Behavior Scale, 2nd edition (VABS-II) between two and five times. At
      their initial administration, participants ranged from 17.1-40.2 years of age,
      with a mean age of 26.5 years (SD = 7.3). A series of multilevel models were used
      to examine changes in KBIT-2 Composite IQ, Verbal IQ and Nonverbal IQ standard
      scores over time, as well as the Adaptive Behavior Composite, and the
      Communication, Daily Living Skills and Socialization subdomains of the VABS-II.
      RESULTS: Consistent with the WS cognitive profile, IQ scores were significantly
      lower than the general population IQ score of 100, and there was significant
      variability in individual IQ scores and slopes. KBIT-2 IQ scores were generally
      stable across adolescents and adults with WS. Adaptive behaviour scores were
      significantly lower than the population mean score of 100, and there was
      significant variability in individuals' adaptive behaviour scores but not
      trajectories. However, in contrast to the findings with the KBIT-2, VABS-II
      scores were observed to significantly decrease over time. CONCLUSION: Findings
      suggest that while intellectual functioning remains stable, adaptive functioning
      does not remain stable across adolescence and adulthood in individuals with WS.
      Implications for the relation between cognitive and adaptive functioning across
      development are discussed, with a focus on how this relates to specific aspects
      of the WS phenotype.

PMID- 27273270
TI  - Effects of Orthokeratology on Choroidal Thickness and Axial Length.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of orthokeratology (ortho-k) treatment on
      choroidal thickness and its relationship with axial length change. METHODS:
      Seventy-seven myopic subjects aged between 7 and 17 years were treated with ortho
      k lenses (n = 39) or single-vision spectacle lenses (SVL, n = 38). Choroidal
      thickness and axial length measurements were taken at baseline and repeated 1
      week and 3 weeks after lens wear for the ortho-k group and at 3 weeks for the SVL
      group. Parafoveal choroidal thickness was assessed using optical coherence
      tomography and segmented into nine regions according to the Early Treatment
      Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) within a 6 * 6 mm circular zone centered on
      the fovea. Axial length was measured using partial coherence interferometry. The
      changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness were compared to the changes in axial
      length in both study groups. RESULTS: The change in axial length was
      significantly correlated with the change in choroidal thickness in both groups at
      3 weeks (ortho-k, r = -0.351, p = 0.028 vs. SVL, r = -0.408, p = 0.011).
      Parafoveal choroidal thickness increased after 3 weeks of lens wear in the ortho
      k group (mean, 21.8 +/- 25.2 MUm) but did not change in the SVL group (mean, 0.1
      +/- 19.7 MUm). Choroidal thickness significantly varied across the posterior
      retinal regions (F = 82.14, p < 0.001), with the temporal regions being thickest
      and nasal regions being thinnest. After 3 weeks of ortho-k treatment, the
      magnitude of change (range, 14.1-27.6 MUm) in choroidal thickness of the nine
      ETDRS regions was proportional to the baseline choroidal thickness in those
      regions (r = 0.88, p = 0.002). Axial length did not significantly change over
      time (F = 0.001, p = 0.975) and did not differ between the two treatment
      modalities (F = 0.305, p = 0.582). CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness increases
      after short-term ortho-k treatment. Regional choroidal thickening after ortho-k
      treatment may be attributable to the altered retinal defocus profile associated
      with ortho-k lens wear.

PMID- 27273271
TI  - Retrograde Degeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells Secondary to Head Trauma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To discuss the clinical case of a patient with transsynaptic retrograde
      degeneration (TRD) demonstrated by progressive retinal nerve fiber layer loss
      documented by serial spectral domain optical coherence tomography secondary to
      traumatic brain injury after 2 months post-trauma. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old
      Caucasian male patient presented to a polytrauma rehabilitation center (PRC) for
      evaluation and treatment secondary to a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from
      a motorcycle accident 2 months before. Spectral-domain optical coherence
      tomography (SD-OCT) was completed at intervals that ranged between 8 and 42 days
      for a duration of 119 days. A comparison to the pre-trauma SD-OCT 10 months
      before revealed progressive thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in
      both eyes over multiple follow-ups post-trauma. Humphrey visual field (HVF)
      testing revealed an incomplete congruous right homonymous hemianopsia that
      gradually improved over the follow-ups. Analysis of the macular ganglion cell
      inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness displayed loss that corresponded to the
      pattern of visual field defect. CONCLUSIONS: TRD can occur as soon as 2 months
      after severe TBI with damage posterior to the lateral geniculate nucleus.
      Progressive RNFL loss can be tracked with SD-OCT, and the rate of thinning may
      slowly stabilize over time. Visual field defects can improve months after the
      trauma but may not correspond to the progressive RNFL loss detected by SD-OCT.

PMID- 27273272
TI  - Eyelid Margin and Meibomian Gland Characteristics and Symptoms in Lens Wearers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the lid margin characteristics of contact lens wearers and
      relate them to comfort during lens wear. METHODS: Three study sites enrolled
      habitual contact lens wearers. Subjects completed the Comfort domain of the
      Contact Lens User Experience (CLUE) questionnaire, and each eye was graded for
      the presence of mucocutaneous junction (MCJ) displacement, lid margin
      irregularity, and lid margin vascularity. Examiners counted the number of
      meibomian gland (MG) orifices in the central centimeter of the lower eyelid and
      the number of those that showed pouting/plugging and vascular invasion. MG
      expressibility was graded according to the Shimazaki schema. Subjects were
      grouped based on presence/absence of each characteristic, total number of
      orifices (>=5 vs. <5), and expressibility (grade 0 vs. >0). Descriptive
      statistics are reported. A linear model was used to assess the fixed effect of
      each characteristic on combined CLUE score and each CLUE statement, if the effect
      on combined CLUE score showed p < 0.10. RESULTS: The study included 203 subjects
      (67.5% female) with mean age (+/-SD) of 30.3 +/- 9.6 years. The most commonly
      observed characteristics were orifice pouting/plugging, compromised MG
      expressibility, and lid margin vascularity (35.0, 30.3, and 20.4%, respectively).
      MCJ displacement and MG expressibility had an effect on the combined CLUE score
      such that individual CLUE statements were analyzed (p = 0.01 and p = 0.06,
      respectively). MCJ displacement had an effect on comfort upon insertion (p =
      0.01), comfort after 5 minutes (p = 0.03), end-of-day comfort (p = 0.01), and
      ability to maintain ocular moisture (p = 0.030). MG expressibility had a
      significant effect on general comfort (p = 0.01), comfort throughout the day (p =
      0.02), and the ability to maintain ocular moisture (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: MCJ
      displacement and MG expressibility have an effect on contact lens comfort.

PMID- 27273273
TI  - [Correction: Important Aspects of Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Treatment of
      Metastases in the Spine Through the Plasma Field Therapy (Cavity Coblation
      Method)].

PMID- 27273274
TI  - [Pathological Fractures of the Humerus: Experience with 76 Cases in a
      Musculoskeletal Oncology Centre].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathological fractures can be caused by numerous local and systemic
      processes. The humerus is one of the commonest sites of pathological, tumour
      associated fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, 76 cases of
      pathological fractures of the humerus were analysed; 57 (75 %) were caused by a
      malignant disease, 19 fractures were associated with benign musculoskeletal
      disorders (25 %). The grade of the tumour, treatment strategy, intra- and
      postoperative complications, and survival rates in malignant tumours were
      documented. RESULTS: Two thirds of fractures were localised in the proximal third
      of the humerus. In 59 % of patients, malignant lesions were metastases (mainly
      renal cell, breast, lung and prostate cancer), followed by haemato-oncological
      diseases and primary sarcomas. Most benign tumours were simple bone cysts and
      enchondromas. A total of 70 patients were treated surgically and only 6
      conservatively. Most malignant tumours were treated with compound osteosynthesis
      and tumour prostheses. Complications in both groups were rare. CONCLUSION: The
      demographic transition - with an increasing number of malignancies on the one
      hand and improved life expectancy under modern, adjuvant therapies on the other -
      will become a challenge in the treatment of pathological fractures of the humerus
      for a variety of disciplines.

PMID- 27273286
TI  - High-dose phenobarbital with intermittent short-acting barbiturates for acute
      encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures.
AB  - Acute encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures (AERRPS) is
      characterized by repetitive seizures during the acute and chronic phases and has
      a poor neurological outcome. Burst-suppression coma via continuous i.v. infusion
      of a short-acting barbiturate is used to terminate refractory seizures, but the
      severe side-effects of short-acting barbiturates are problematic. We report on a
      9-year-old boy with AERRPS who was effectively treated with very-high-dose
      phenobarbital (VHDPB) combined with intermittent short-acting barbiturates. VHDPB
      side-effects were mild, especially compared with those associated with continuous
      i.v. infusion of short-acting barbiturates (dosage, 40-75 mg/kg/day; maximum
      blood level, 290 MUg/mL). Using VHDPB as the main treatment, short-acting
      barbiturates were used intermittently and in small amounts. This is the first
      report to show that VHDPB, combined with intermittent short-acting barbiturates,
      can effectively treat AERRPS. After treatment, convulsions were suppressed and
      daily life continued, but intellectual impairment and high-level dysfunction
      remained. 

PMID- 27273287
TI  - Computational methods for identifying miRNA sponge interactions.
AB  - Recent findings show that coding genes are not the only targets that miRNAs
      interact with. In fact, there is a pool of different RNAs competing with each
      other to attract miRNAs for interactions, thus acting as competing endogenous
      RNAs (ceRNAs). The ceRNAs indirectly regulate each other via the titration
      mechanism, i.e. the increasing concentration of a ceRNA will decrease the number
      of miRNAs that are available for interacting with other targets. The cross-talks
      between ceRNAs, i.e. their interactions mediated by miRNAs, have been identified
      as the drivers in many disease conditions, including cancers. In recent years,
      some computational methods have emerged for identifying ceRNA-ceRNA interactions.
      However, there remain great challenges and opportunities for developing
      computational methods to provide new insights into ceRNA regulatory mechanisms.In
      this paper, we review the publically available databases of ceRNA-ceRNA
      interactions and the computational methods for identifying ceRNA-ceRNA
      interactions (also known as miRNA sponge interactions). We also conduct a
      comparison study of the methods with a breast cancer dataset. Our aim is to
      provide a current snapshot of the advances of the computational methods in
      identifying miRNA sponge interactions and to discuss the remaining challenges.

PMID- 27273289
TI  - A review of ensemble methods for de novo motif discovery in ChIP-Seq data.

PMID- 27273290
TI  - Structural database resources for biological macromolecules.
AB  - This Briefing reviews the widely used, currently active, up-to-date databases
      derived from the worldwide Protein Data Bank (PDB) to facilitate browsing,
      finding and exploring its entries. These databases contain visualization and
      analysis tools tailored to specific kinds of molecules and interactions, often
      including also complex metrics precomputed by experts or external programs, and
      connections to sequence and functional annotation databases. Importantly, updates
      of most of these databases involves steps of curation and error checks based on
      specific expertise about the subject molecules or interactions, and removal of
      sequence redundancy, both leading to better data sets for mining studies compared
      with the full list of raw PDB entries. The article presents the databases in
      groups such as those aimed to facilitate browsing through PDB entries, their
      molecules and their general information, those built to link protein structure
      with sequence and dynamics, those specific for transmembrane proteins, nucleic
      acids, interactions of biomacromolecules with each other and with small molecules
      or metal ions, and those concerning specific structural features or specific
      protein families. A few webservers directly connected to active databases, and a
      few databases that have been discontinued but would be important to have back,
      are also briefly commented on. Along the Briefing, sample cases where these
      databases have been used to aid structural studies or advance our knowledge about
      biological macromolecules are referenced. A few specific examples are also given
      where using these databases is easier and more informative than using raw PDB
      data.

PMID- 27273288
TI  - The role of drug profiles as similarity metrics: applications to repurposing,
      adverse effects detection and drug-drug interactions.
AB  - Explosion of the availability of big data sources along with the development in
      computational methods provides a useful framework to study drugs' actions, such
      as interactions with pharmacological targets and off-targets. Databases related
      to protein interactions, adverse effects and genomic profiles are available to be
      used for the construction of computational models. In this article, we focus on
      the description of biological profiles for drugs that can be used as a system to
      compare similarity and create methods to predict and analyze drugs' actions. We
      highlight profiles constructed with different biological data, such as target
      protein interactions, gene expression measurements, adverse effects and disease
      profiles. We focus on the discovery of new targets or pathways for drugs already
      in the pharmaceutical market, also called drug repurposing, in the interaction
      with off-targets responsible for adverse reactions and in drug-drug interaction
      analysis. The current and future applications, strengths and challenges facing
      all these methods are also discussed. Biological profiles or signatures are an
      important source of data generation to deeply analyze biological actions with
      important implications in drug-related studies.

PMID- 27273291
TI  - Conservative interdisciplinary treatment of a case with multiple facial and
      condyle fractures.
AB  - The purpose of this case report is to describe an interdisciplinary approach for
      a 51-year-old male who underwent multiple facial fractures including bilateral
      condyle fractures. The patient underwent emergency surgery, which included open
      reduction of the maxilla and mandibular symphysis and closed reduction of the
      bilateral condyle fractures. Although the patient recovered a comfortable range
      of mouth opening and alleviation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms
      after surgery, he suffered from a large anterior-posterior discrepancy due to
      less stability on the condyle-fossa relationships and from open bite with
      contacts only on both second molars and right second premolars. In this case,
      first, to increase the occlusal contact, comprehensive orthodontic treatment was
      completed. Second, occlusal equilibration was selectively performed to relieve
      the interferences and establish a stable range of mandibular movement without any
      changes in the vertical dimension. Third, both the upper central incisors and
      left lateral incisor were minimally restored with splinted and single zirconia
      crowns, which had modified lingual contours to provide adequate anterior guidance
      permitting the anterior-posterior discrepancy of the posterior teeth during
      protrusion. This conservative interdisciplinary treatment, including open and
      closed reduction, orthodontic treatment, occlusal adjustment, and minimal
      prosthetic restorations, resulted in a stable mandibular position and recovery of
      mastication function.

PMID- 27273293
TI  - ATLAAS: an automatic decision tree-based learning algorithm for advanced image
      segmentation in positron emission tomography.
AB  - Accurate and reliable tumour delineation on positron emission tomography (PET) is
      crucial for radiotherapy treatment planning. PET automatic segmentation (PET-AS)
      eliminates intra- and interobserver variability, but there is currently no
      consensus on the optimal method to use, as different algorithms appear to perform
      better for different types of tumours. This work aimed to develop a predictive
      segmentation model, trained to automatically select and apply the best PET-AS
      method, according to the tumour characteristics. ATLAAS, the automatic decision
      tree-based learning algorithm for advanced segmentation is based on supervised
      machine learning using decision trees. The model includes nine PET-AS methods and
      was trained on a 100 PET scans with known true contour. A decision tree was built
      for each PET-AS algorithm to predict its accuracy, quantified using the Dice
      similarity coefficient (DSC), according to the tumour volume, tumour peak to
      background SUV ratio and a regional texture metric. The performance of ATLAAS was
      evaluated for 85 PET scans obtained from fillable and printed subresolution
      sandwich phantoms. ATLAAS showed excellent accuracy across a wide range of
      phantom data and predicted the best or near-best segmentation algorithm in 93% of
      cases. ATLAAS outperformed all single PET-AS methods on fillable phantom data
      with a DSC of 0.881, while the DSC for H&N phantom data was 0.819. DSCs higher
      than 0.650 were achieved in all cases. ATLAAS is an advanced automatic image
      segmentation algorithm based on decision tree predictive modelling, which can be
      trained on images with known true contour, to predict the best PET-AS method when
      the true contour is unknown. ATLAAS provides robust and accurate image
      segmentation with potential applications to radiation oncology.

PMID- 27273292
TI  - Role of Cystathionine Gamma-Lyase in Immediate Renal Impairment and Inflammatory
      Response in Acute Ischemic Kidney Injury.
AB  - Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is known to act protectively during renal
      ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). However, the role of the endogenous H2S in
      acute kidney injury (AKI) is largely unclear. Here, we analyzed the role of
      cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH) in acute renal IRI using CTH-deficient (Cth(-/-))
      mice whose renal H2S levels were approximately 50% of control (wild-type) mice.
      Although levels of serum creatinine and renal expression of AKI marker proteins
      were equivalent between Cth(-/-) and control mice, histological analysis revealed
      that IRI caused less renal tubular damage in Cth(-/-) mice. Flow cytometric
      analysis revealed that renal population of infiltrated granulocytes/macrophages
      was equivalent in these mice. However, renal expression levels of certain
      inflammatory cytokines/adhesion molecules believed to play a role in IRI were
      found to be lower after IRI only in Cth(-/-) mice. Our results indicate that the
      systemic CTH loss does not deteriorate but rather ameliorates the immediate AKI
      outcome probably due to reduced inflammatory responses in the kidney. The renal
      expression of CTH and other H2S-producing enzymes was markedly suppressed after
      IRI, which could be an integrated adaptive response for renal cell protection.

PMID- 27273294
TI  - Discrimination of Breast Cancer with Microcalcifications on Mammography by Deep
      Learning.
AB  - Microcalcification is an effective indicator of early breast cancer. To improve
      the diagnostic accuracy of microcalcifications, this study evaluates the
      performance of deep learning-based models on large datasets for its
      discrimination. A semi-automated segmentation method was used to characterize all
      microcalcifications. A discrimination classifier model was constructed to assess
      the accuracies of microcalcifications and breast masses, either in isolation or
      combination, for classifying breast lesions. Performances were compared to
      benchmark models. Our deep learning model achieved a discriminative accuracy of
      87.3% if microcalcifications were characterized alone, compared to 85.8% with a
      support vector machine. The accuracies were 61.3% for both methods with masses
      alone and improved to 89.7% and 85.8% after the combined analysis with
      microcalcifications. Image segmentation with our deep learning model yielded 15,
      26 and 41 features for the three scenarios, respectively. Overall, deep learning
      based on large datasets was superior to standard methods for the discrimination
      of microcalcifications. Accuracy was increased by adopting a combinatorial
      approach to detect microcalcifications and masses simultaneously. This may have
      clinical value for early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

PMID- 27273295
TI  - Obese mice on a high-fat alternate-day fasting regimen lose weight and improve
      glucose tolerance.
AB  - Alternate-day fasting (ADF) causes body weight (BW) loss in humans and rodents.
      However, it is not clear that ADF while maintaining a high-fat (HF) diet results
      in weight loss and the accompanying improvement in control of circulating
      glucose. We tested the hypotheses that a high-fat ADF protocol in obese mice
      would result in (i) BW loss, (ii) improved glucose control, (iii) fluctuating
      phenotypes on 'fasted' days when compared to 'fed' days and (iv) induction of
      torpor on 'fasted days'. We evaluated the physiological effects of ADF in diet
      induced obese mice for BW, heart rate (HR), body temperature (Tb ), glucose
      tolerance, insulin responsiveness, blood parameters (leptin, insulin, free fatty
      acids) and hepatic gene expression. Diet-induced obese male C57BL/6J mice lost
      one-third of their pre-diet BW while on an ADF diet for 10 weeks consisting of HF
      food. The ADF protocol improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity,
      although mice on a fast day were less glucose tolerant than the same mice on a
      fed day. ADF mice on a fast day had low circulating insulin, but had an enhanced
      response to an insulin-assisted glucose tolerance test, suggesting the impaired
      glucose tolerance may be a result of insufficient insulin production. On fed
      days, ADF mice were the warmest, had a high HR and displayed hepatic gene
      expression and circulating leptin that closely mimicked that of mice fed an ad
      lib HF diet. ADF mice never entered torpor as assessed by HR and Tb . However, on
      fast days, they were the coolest, had the slowest HR, and displayed hepatic gene
      expression and circulating leptin that closely mimicked that of Chow-Fed mice.
      Collectively, the ADF regimen with a HF diet in obese mice results in weight
      loss, improved blood glucose control, and daily fluctuations in selected
      physiological and biochemical parameters in the mouse.

PMID- 27273297
TI  - Isolation and Ambident Reactivity of a Chlorogermylenoid.
AB  - Treatment of 2,5-di(3,5-tert-butylphenyl)-1-lithioferrocene with GeCl2 ?dioxane
      afforded the corresponding chlorogermylenoid that exhibited an ambident
      reactivity in different solvents; it displayed a behavior characteristic for a
      dichlorogermylene anion in THF, while it exhibited the typical reactivity of a
      chlorogermylene in toluene. X-Ray diffraction analysis of a single crystal of
      this chlorogermylenoid, obtained from recrystallization in THF, revealed a
      separated-ion-pair structure in the solid state.

PMID- 27273296
TI  - Management of asymptomatic gene carriers of transthyretin familial amyloid
      polyneuropathy.
AB  - Transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) is a rare, severe, and
      irreversible, adult-onset, hereditary disorder caused by autosomal-dominant
      mutations in the TTR gene that increase the intrinsic propensity of transthyretin
      protein to misfold and deposit systemically as insoluble amyloid fibrils in nerve
      tissues, the heart, and other organs. TTR-FAP is characterized by relentless,
      progressively debilitating polyneuropathy, and leads to death, on average, within
      10 years of symptom onset without treatment. With increased availability of
      disease-modifying treatment options for a wider spectrum of patients with TTR
      FAP, timely detection of the disease may offer substantial clinical benefits.
      This review discusses mutation-specific predictive genetic testing in first
      degree relatives of index patients diagnosed with TTR-FAP and the structured
      clinical follow-up of asymptomatic gene carriers for prompt diagnosis and early
      therapeutic intervention before accumulation of substantial damage. Muscle Nerve
      54: 353-360, 2016.

PMID- 27273298
TI  - The effect of placing a bone replacement graft in the gap at immediately placed
      implants: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the added value of using a bone replacement graft in
      combination with immediate implants in reducing the bone dimensional changes
      occurring in the residual ridge. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomized parallel
      controlled clinical trial to study the efficacy of grafting with demineralized
      bovine bone mineral with 10% collagen (DBBM-C) in the gap between the implant
      surface and the inner bone walls when the implants were immediately placed in the
      anterior maxilla. The changes between implant placement and 16 weeks later in the
      horizontal and vertical crestal bone changes in relation to the implant were
      evaluated through direct bone measurements using a periodontal probe. Mean
      changes were compared between the experimental and control sites using parametric
      statistics. RESULTS: A total of 86 implant sites in 86 subjects were included in
      the analysis (43 in the test group and 43 in the control group). The horizontal
      crest dimension underwent marked changes during healing mainly at the buccal
      aspect of the alveolar crest where this reduction amounted to 1.1 (29%) in the
      test group and 1.6 mm (38%) in the control group, being these statistically
      significant (P = 0.02). This outcome was even more pronounced at sites in the
      anterior maxilla and with thinner buccal bone plates. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion,
      the results from this clinical trial demonstrated that placing a DBBM-C bone
      replacement graft significantly reduced the horizontal bone resorptive changes
      occurring in the buccal bone after the immediate implantation in fresh extraction
      sockets.

PMID- 27273299
TI  - CD146 defines commitment of cultured annulus fibrosus cells to express a
      contractile phenotype.
AB  - Characterization of cells is important for facilitating cell-based therapies for
      degenerative diseases of intervertebral discs. For this purpose, we analyzed
      mouse annulus fibrosus cells by flowcytometory to detect phenotypic change in
      their primary cultures. After examination of sixteen cell surface proteins, we
      focused on CD146 that solely increased during culture expansion. CD146 is known
      to be a marker for mesenchymal stem cells and for their vascular smooth muscle
      commitment with expression of contractile phenotype enhanced by SM22alpha. We
      sorted CD146+ cells to elucidate their characteristics and the key factors that
      play a role in this change. Whole cell cultures showed the ability for tripotent
      differentiation toward mesenchymal lineages, whereas sorted CD146+ cells did not.
      Expression of CD146 was elevated by addition of transforming growth factor beta1,
      and sorted CD146+ cells expressed higher levels of mRNA for SM22alpha and Elastin
      than did CD146- cells. Morphologically, CD146+ cells more broadly deposited
      extracellular type I collagen than CD146- cells and showed filamentous actin
      bundles traversing their cytoplasm and cell-cell junctions. Moreover, CD146+
      cells demonstrated significantly higher gel contraction properties than CD146-
      cells when they were embedded in collagen gels. Human annulus fibrosus CD146+
      cells also showed higher contractility. Immunohistochemistry determined CD146+
      cells localized to the outermost annulus layers of mouse intervertebral disc
      tissue with co-expression of SM22alpha. These results suggest that increment of
      CD146 expression indicates gradual change of cultured annulus fibrosus cells to
      express a contractile phenotype and that transforming growth factor beta1
      enhances this cellular commitment. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society.
      Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1361-1372, 2016.

PMID- 27273300
TI  - Amphibian breeding phenology trends under climate change: predicting the past to
      forecast the future.
AB  - Global climate warming is predicted to hasten the onset of spring breeding by
      anuran amphibians in seasonal environments. Previous data had indicated that the
      breeding phenology of a population of Fowler's Toads (Anaxyrus fowleri) at their
      northern range limit had been progressively later in spring, contrary to
      generally observed trends in other species. Although these animals are known to
      respond to environmental temperature and the lunar cycle to commence breeding,
      the timing of breeding should also be influenced by the onset of overwintering
      animals' prior upward movement through the soil column from beneath the frost
      line as winter becomes spring. I used recorded weather data to identify four
      factors of temperature, rainfall and snowfall in late winter and early spring
      that correlated with the toads' eventual date of emergence aboveground. Estimated
      dates of spring emergence of the toads calculated using a predictive model based
      on these factors, as well as the illumination of the moon, were highly correlated
      with observed dates of emergence over 24 consecutive years. Using the model to
      estimate of past dates of spring breeding (i.e. retrodiction) indicated that even
      three decades of data were insufficient to discern any appreciable phenological
      trend in these toads. However, by employing weather data dating back to 1876, I
      detected a significant trend over 140 years towards earlier spring emergence by
      the toads by less than half a day/decade, while, over the same period of time,
      average annual air temperature and annual precipitation had both increased.
      Changes in the springtime breeding phenology for late-breeding species, such as
      Fowler's Toads, therefore may conform to expectations of earlier breeding under
      global warming. Improved understanding of the environmental cues that bring
      organisms out of winter dormancy will enable better interpretation of long-term
      phenological trends.

PMID- 27273301
TI  - Potential allergenicity response to structural modification of irradiated bovine
      alpha-lactalbumin.
AB  - Bovine alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-La) is a major food allergen found in milk and is
      characterized by high conformational stability because of its four disulfide
      bridges and being calcium bound. This study aimed to describe the influence of
      gamma irradiation on the structure and potential allergenicity of alpha-La. The
      prepared alpha-La was irradiated at doses of 1-10 kGy. The changes in structure
      were characterized through SDS-PAGE, circular dichroism spectroscopy, ultraviolet
      absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The potential
      allergenicity of the irradiated alpha-La was evaluated in vitro through IgG/IgE
      inhibition ELISA and the human basophil KU812 degranulation assay. The results
      showed that the secondary and tertiary structures of alpha-La significantly
      changed and caused extensive protein denaturation and aggregation. IgG and IgE
      binding properties remarkably decreased, and the degranulation capacity of
      basophils weakened. The results suggested that structural damage of alpha-La
      induced by irradiation significantly reduces the potential allergenicity of alpha
      La. 

PMID- 27273302
TI  - [Four years of specialized outpatient palliative care in a rural area :
      Cooperation and acceptability from general practitioners' view].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2011, a specialized palliative home care was introduced in the
      counties of Landshut and Dingolfing. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current survey
      was to evaluate the cooperation, acceptance and need of palliative measures for
      patients particulary from the general practitioner's perspective. METHODS: From
      January to March 2015, 198 general practitioners from the counties of Landshut
      and Dingolfing were contacted with questionnaires. The questionnaires consisted
      of 16 questions covering five different issues, and drew upon the practical
      experiences of the authors and earlier surveys from the literature. The
      questionnaires were sent by post containing a self-addressed and postpaid
      envelope. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires from 40 out of 198 contacted general
      practitioners (33 % female and 53 % male). Of these 85 % had cooperated with a
      SAPV team, 23 % had taken part in training for palliative medicine, 10 % intended
      to acquire a qualification and 10 % could imagine working in a SAPV team. In
      addition, 75 % stated that hospitalizations were avoided through the use of SAPV
      while 73 % felt that time and costs were saved for their own practices. The
      majority of general practitioners were satisfied with the work provided by the
      SAPV and the cooperation. Regarding additional palliative care for geriatric
      patients, 60 % believed that this was sensible. One main critique was that the
      information about including a patient in the SAPV program was transferred to the
      general practitioner too late. CONCLUSION: The current data show that general
      practitioners recognize the need for palliative medicine skills and predominately
      welcome the work of a specialized palliative care team in treating their
      patients. However, close cooperation and communication is necessary for a
      successful network between generalists and specialists in palliative care.

PMID- 27273303
TI  - [Celiac disease : Pathogenesis, clinics, epidemiology, diagnostics, therapy].
AB  - Celiac disease is induced by the consumption of gluten containing cereals (wheat,
      spelt, barley, rye). With a prevalence of ~ 1 %, it is the most common non
      infectious chronic inflammatory intestinal disease worldwide. It manifests in all
      age groups, either classically with abdominal pain, diarrhoea and growth failure
      or weight loss, more commonly with indirect consequences of malabsorption, such
      as anaemia and osteoporosis, or with associated autoimmune diseases like type 1
      diabetes, autoimmune thyroiditis or dermatitis herpetiformis. The pathogenesis of
      celiac disease is well explored. Gluten, the cereal storage protein, is not
      completely digested and reaches the intestinal mucosa where it activates
      inflammatory T cells, which cause atrophy of the resorptive villi. This T-cell
      activation requires a genetic predisposition (the molecules HLA-DQ2 or -DQ8 on
      antigen-presenting immune cells). Moreover, the enzyme tissue transglutaminase
      (TG2) which is released in the mucosa increases the immunogenicity of the gluten
      peptides by a deamidation reaction. The test for serum antibodies to the
      autoantigen TG2 is one of the best diagnostic markers in medicine, which in
      combination with endoscopically obtained biopsies, secures the diagnosis of
      celiac disease. Despite these tools celiac disease is severely underdiagnosed,
      with 80-90 % of those affected being undetected. The untreated condition can lead
      to grave complications. These include the consequences of malabsorption, cancers
      (especially intestinal T-cell lymphoma), and likely also the promotion of
      autoimmune diseases. The therapy of celiac disease, a strict gluten-free diet, is
      difficult to maintain and not always effective. Alternative, supporting
      pharmacological therapies are urgently needed and are currently in development. 

PMID- 27273304
TI  - GPRC5A suppresses protein synthesis at the endoplasmic reticulum to prevent
      radiation-induced lung tumorigenesis.
AB  - GPRC5A functions as a lung tumour suppressor to prevent spontaneous and
      environmentally induced lung carcinogenesis; however, the underlying mechanism
      remains unclear. Here we reveal that GPRC5A at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      membrane suppresses synthesis of the secreted or membrane-bound proteins
      including a number of oncogenes, the most important one being Egfr. The ER
      located GPRC5A disturbs the assembly of the eIF4F-mediated translation initiation
      complex on the mRNA cap through directly binding to the eIF4F complex with its
      two middle extracellular loops. Particularly, suppression of EGFR by GPRC5A
      contributes significantly to preventing ionizing radiation (IR)-induced lung
      tumorigenesis. Thus, GPRC5A deletion enhances IR-promoted EGFR expression through
      an increased translation rate, thereby significantly increasing lung tumour
      incidence in Gprc5a(-/-) mice. Our findings indicate that under-expressed GPRC5A
      during lung tumorigenesis enhances any transcriptional stimulation through an
      active translational status, which can be used to control oncogene expression and
      potentially the resulting related disease.

PMID- 27273306
TI  - Impact of Telemedicine in the Screening for Congenital Heart Disease in a Center
      from Northeast Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe the incidence of congenital heart disease before and
      after the establishment of a telemedicine screening program, in a reference
      center from Northeast Brazil. METHODS: This is a descriptive, retrospective and
      comparative study based on the institutional data from a reference center in
      perinatology for a period of 16 years. Institutional data were collected from a
      16-year period (2001-15). Data were divided into two periods: prior to (2001-11)
      and after (2012-15) the establishment of a telemedicine screening program.
      RESULTS: After the implementation of the screening process, almost all kinds of
      heart disease showed a significant increase in their incidence (p  <  0.05). With
      this, the incidence of major heart diseases approached those specified in
      developed regions. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a screening process model
      for congenital heart diseases can change the context of patients with congenital
      heart diseases in poor regions.

PMID- 27273305
TI  - Deep brain stimulation mechanisms: the control of network activity via
      neurochemistry modulation.
AB  - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has revolutionized the clinical care of late-stage
      Parkinson's disease and shows promise for improving the treatment of intractable
      neuropsychiatric disorders. However, after over 25 years of clinical experience,
      numerous questions still remain on the neurophysiological basis for the
      therapeutic mechanisms of action. At their fundamental core, the general purpose
      of electrical stimulation therapies in the nervous system are to use the applied
      electric field to manipulate the opening and closing of voltage-gated sodium
      channels on neurons, generate stimulation induced action potentials, and
      subsequently, control the release of neurotransmitters in targeted pathways.
      Historically, DBS mechanisms research has focused on characterizing the effects
      of stimulation on neurons and the resulting impact on neuronal network activity.
      However, when electrodes are placed within the central nervous system, glia are
      also being directly (and indirectly) influenced by the stimulation. Mounting
      evidence shows that non-neuronal tissue can play an important role in modulating
      the neurochemistry changes induced by DBS. The goal of this review is to evaluate
      how DBS effects on both neuronal and non-neuronal tissue can potentially work
      together to suppress oscillatory activity (and/or information transfer) between
      brain regions. These resulting effects of ~ 100 Hz electrical stimulation help
      explain how DBS can disrupt pathological network activity in the brain and
      generate therapeutic effects in patients. Deep brain stimulation is an effective
      clinical technology, but detailed therapeutic mechanisms remain undefined. This
      review provides an overview of the leading hypotheses, which focus on stimulation
      induced disruption of network oscillations and integrates possible roles for non
      neuronal tissue in explaining the clinical response to therapeutic stimulation.
      This article is part of a special issue on Parkinson disease.

PMID- 27273307
TI  - Pathophysiology, treatment and prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an
      iatrogenic condition that affects 1% of women that undergo treatment with
      assisted reproductive technology. The review aims to summarize recent evidence on
      pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of OHSS. RECENT FINDINGS: The
      pathophysiology is still not completely understood; however, vascular endothelial
      growth factor is likely to be an important mediator. Human chorionic gonadotropin
      was previously thought to be necessary for OHSS to occur; however, recent case
      reports have proven otherwise. The contribution of an attenuated anti-Mullerian
      hormone signalling pathway and CD11c + HLA-DR + dendritic cells and associated
      interleukins has been explored recently as contributors to pathogenesis.Treatment
      is largely supportive and is based mainly on consensus statements rather than
      evidence. Therefore, it is important to prevent this condition by identifying
      women at risk, allowing the clinician to implement preventive strategies,
      including the use of GnRH antagonist cycles with agonist triggers. SUMMARY: More
      research is required to elucidate the pathophysiology behind the condition.
      Clinicians should employ strategies to prevent OHSS.

PMID- 27273308
TI  - Considerations for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery in obese patients.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose is to review the key anatomical and physiological
      changes in obese patients and their effects on preoperative, intraoperative, and
      postoperative care and to highlight the best practices to safely extend minimally
      invasive approaches to obese patients and provide optimal surgical outcomes in
      this high-risk population. RECENT FINDINGS: Minimally invasive surgery is safe,
      feasible, and cost-effective for obese patients. Obesity is associated with
      anatomical and physiological changes in almost all organ systems, which
      necessitates a multimodal approach and an experienced, multidisciplinary team.
      Preoperative counseling, evaluation, and optimization of medical comorbidities
      are critical. The optimal minimally invasive approach is primarily determined by
      the patient's anatomy and pathology. Specific intraoperative techniques and
      modifications exist to maximize surgical exposure and panniculus management.
      Postoperatively, comprehensive medical management can help prevent common
      complications in obese patients, including hypoxemia, venous thromboembolism,
      acute kidney injury, hyperglycemia, and prolonged hospitalization. SUMMARY: Given
      significantly improved patient outcomes, minimally invasive approaches to
      gynecological surgery should be considered for all obese patients with particular
      attention given to specific perioperative considerations and appropriate referral
      to an experienced minimally invasive surgeon.

PMID- 27273309
TI  - When and how to excise vaginal mesh.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since 2011, there has been increasing attention paid to the
      use of synthetic grafts (mesh) in pelvic reconstructive surgery. Although
      synthetic grafts are considered permanent implants to improve outcomes, the use
      of this material has created inadvertent complications such as erosion, chronic
      pain, and dyspareunia. Patient evaluation is complex and surgical techniques
      carry risks not yet completely understood. This review summarizes current
      opinions in synthetic graft excision for the treatment of mesh-related
      complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies reveal excisions are being
      increasingly performed and graft placement is decreasing. Patients of lower
      volume surgeons have a higher risk of complication and need for excisional
      procedures. Pain is becoming the most common indication for vaginal mesh excision
      and that pain is mostly elicited with palpation of the mesh arms. Explantation is
      technically challenging and carries significant risks. SUMMARY: Vaginal synthetic
      graft complications are increasingly being managed by surgical excision. Careful
      evaluation of patient symptoms and objective findings should help guide
      management. Surgeons considering operative management should counsel patients
      regarding the risks of excision including but not limited to hemorrhage, nerve
      damage, muscular injury, and recurrent symptoms.

PMID- 27273310
TI  - Techniques in minimally invasive surgery for advanced endometriosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Surgery can be an important treatment option for women with
      symptomatic endometriosis. This review summarizes the recommended preoperative
      work up and techniques in minimally invasive surgery for treatment of deeply
      infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) involving the obliterated posterior cul-de-sac,
      bowel, urinary tract, and extrapelvic locations. RECENT FINDINGS: Surgical
      management of DIE can pose a challenge to the gynecologic surgeon given that an
      extensive dissection is usually necessary. Given the high risk of recurrence, it
      is vital that an adequate excision is performed. With improved imaging
      modalities, preoperative counseling and surgical planning can be optimized. It is
      essential to execute meticulous surgical technique and include a
      multidisciplinary surgical team when indicated for optimal results. SUMMARY:
      Advanced laparoscopic skills are often necessary to completely excise DIE. A
      thorough preoperative work up is essential to provide correct patient counseling
      and incorporation of the preferred surgical team to decrease complications and
      optimize surgical outcomes. Surgical management of endometriosis is aimed at
      ameliorating symptoms and preventing recurrence.

PMID- 27273313
TI  - Delayed-onset thrombocytopenia in a pediatric burn patient.

PMID- 27273314
TI  - Facile synthesis of sewage sludge-derived in-situ multi-doped nanoporous carbon
      material for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction.
AB  - Developing efficient, low-cost, and stable carbon-based catalysts for oxygen
      reduction reaction (ORR) to replace the expensive platinum-based electrocatalysts
      remains a major challenge that hamper the practical application of fuel cells.
      Here, we report that N, Fe, and S co-doped nanoporous carbon material, derived
      via a facile one-step pyrolysis of sewage sludge, the major byproduct of
      wastewater treatment, can serve as an effective electrocatalyst for ORR. Except
      for the comparable catalytic activity with commercial 20% Pt/C via a nearly four
      electron transfer pathway in both alkaline and acid medium, the as-synthesized co
      doped electrocatalyst also exhibits excellent methanol crossover resistance and
      outstanding long-term operation stability. The organic compounds in sewage sludge
      act as the carbon source and the in-situ N and S dopant in the fabrication, while
      the inorganic compounds serve as the in-built template and the in-situ Fe dopant.
      Our protocol demonstrates a new approach in the economic and eco-friendly benign
      reuse of sewage sludge, and also provides a straightforward route for
      synthesizing excellent carbon-based electrocatalysts as promising candidates for
      ORR directly from a type of waste/pollution.

PMID- 27273315
TI  - Shape-controlled anisotropy of superparamagnetic micro-/nanohelices.
AB  - Micro-/nanopropellers can be actuated remotely by a rotating magnetic field and
      steered at high precision through various fluidic environments. Recent progress
      comprises microfabrication of superparamagnetic microhelices not possessing
      remanent magnetization, but rather magnetized by an applied magnetic field. In
      this article we present a numerical approach for computing, from first
      principles, the effective susceptibility of polarizable helical micro
      /nanopropellers. We show that nanopropeller geometry, in particular, filament
      cross-section elongation and orientation, play a central role in determining its
      magnetic anisotropy and polarizability. The numerical predictions are in
      qualitative agreement with the previously reported experiments, showing that
      tight polarizable helices are propulsive. The numerical results are also
      supported by the approximate slender-body theory. Finally, we propose a semi
      quantitative energy criterion to rank polarizable helices with different
      geometries of the filament by their propulsive capacity and also estimate their
      maximal propulsion speed. 

PMID- 27273317
TI  - Educating medical students in oral health care: current curriculum and future
      needs of institutions in Malaysia and Australia.
AB  - Poor oral health has been associated with compromised general health and quality
      of life. To promote comprehensive patient management, the role of medical
      professionals in oral health maintenance is compelling, thus indicating the need
      for educational preparation in this area of practice. This study aimed to
      determine the extent of training in oral health in Malaysian and Australian
      medical schools. An audio-recorded semi-structured phone interview involving
      Academic Programme Directors in Malaysian (n = 9, response rate=81.8%) and
      Australian (n = 7, response rate = 35.0%) medical schools was conducted during
      the 2014/2015 and 2014 academic years, respectively. Qualitative data was
      analysed via thematic analysis, involving coding and grouping into emerging
      themes. Quantitative data were measured for frequencies. It was found that
      medical schools in Malaysia and Australia offered limited teaching of various
      oral health-related components that were mostly integrated throughout the
      curriculum, in the absence of structured learning objectives, teaching
      methodologies and assessment approaches. Barriers to providing oral health
      education included having insufficient expertise and overloaded curriculum. As
      medical educators demonstrated support for oral health education, collaboration
      amongst various stakeholders is integral to developing a well-structured
      curriculum and practice guidelines on oral health management involving medical
      professionals.

PMID- 27273316
TI  - The Arabidopsis acetylated histone-binding protein BRAT1 forms a complex with
      BRP1 and prevents transcriptional silencing.
AB  - Transposable elements and other repetitive DNA sequences are usually subject to
      DNA methylation and transcriptional silencing. However, anti-silencing mechanisms
      that promote transcription in these regions are not well understood. Here, we
      describe an anti-silencing factor, Bromodomain and ATPase domain-containing
      protein 1 (BRAT1), which we identified by a genetic screen in Arabidopsis
      thaliana. BRAT1 interacts with an ATPase domain-containing protein, BRP1 (BRAT1
      Partner 1), and both prevent transcriptional silencing at methylated genomic
      regions. Although BRAT1 mediates DNA demethylation at a small set of loci
      targeted by the 5-methylcytosine DNA glycosylase ROS1, the involvement of BRAT1
      in anti-silencing is largely independent of DNA demethylation. We also
      demonstrate that the bromodomain of BRAT1 binds to acetylated histone, which may
      facilitate the prevention of transcriptional silencing. Thus, BRAT1 represents a
      potential link between histone acetylation and transcriptional anti-silencing at
      methylated genomic regions, which may be conserved in eukaryotes.

PMID- 27273318
TI  - History of endonasal skull base surgery.
AB  - While the endonasal approach to the skull base continues to advance, this paper
      invokes its long history. The centuries of medieval neuroanatomy and early
      neurosurgery enabled the conception of the first transfacial approaches in the
      late 1800s; Henry Schloffer performed the first transsphenoidal surgery in 1907.
      Although the procedure was initially met with much interest, Harvey Cushing
      eventually led the field of neurosurgery to abandon the transsphenoidal approach
      in the 1920s. The following three generations of neurosurgeons contained several
      key figures including Norman Dott, Gerard Guiot, and Jules Hardy who were
      steadfast in preserving the technique as well as in addressing its shortcomings.
      The endoscopic approach developed simultaneously, and advances in magnifying and
      fiberoptics further resolved limitations previously inherent to the
      transsphenoidal approach. At last, in the 1960s, the transsphenoidal approach
      entered its renaissance. Today, the momentum of its development persists in the
      endoscopic endonasal approach, which has recently expanded the indications for
      transsphenoidal surgery across the skull base, far beyond its original
      jurisdiction of the sella. Continued progress must not take for granted the rich
      history of the transsphenoidal approach, which was developed over centuries by
      surgeons around the world. The authors present the evolution of modern endonasal
      surgery as a dynamic interplay between technology, medicine, and surgery over the
      past 100 years. Progress can be attributed to courageous surgeons who affirmed
      their contemporary practices despite gaps in technology or medicine, and to
      visionary individuals who produced and incorporated new elements into
      transsphenoidal surgery. And so while the new endoscopic technique brings forth
      new challenges, its development reaffirms the principles laid down by the
      pioneers of transsphenoidal surgery. 

PMID- 27273319
TI  - DNA Demethylation Rescues the Impaired Osteogenic Differentiation Ability of
      Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells in High Glucose.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus, characterized by abnormally high blood glucose levels, gives
      rise to impaired bone remodeling. In response to high glucose (HG), the
      attenuated osteogenic differentiation capacity of human periodontal ligament stem
      cells (hPDLSCs) is associated with the loss of alveolar bone. Recently, DNA
      methylation was reported to affect osteogenic differentiation of stem cells in
      pathological states. However, the intrinsic mechanism linking DNA methylation to
      osteogenic differentiation ability in the presence of HG is still unclear. In
      this study, we found that diabetic rats with increased DNA methylation levels in
      periodontal ligaments exhibited reduced bone mass and density. In vitro
      application of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), a DNA methyltransferase
      inhibitor, to decrease DNA methylation levels in hPDLSCs, rescued the osteogenic
      differentiation capacity of hPDLSCs under HG conditions. Moreover, we
      demonstrated that the canonical Wnt signaling pathway was activated during this
      process and, under HG circumstances, the 5-aza-dC-rescued osteogenic
      differentiation capacity was blocked by Dickkopf-1, an effective antagonist of
      the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Taken together, these results demonstrate
      for the first time that suppression of DNA methylation is able to facilitate the
      osteogenic differentiation capacity of hPDLSCs exposed to HG, through activation
      of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway.

PMID- 27273321
TI  - Few genetic and environmental correlations between life history and stress
      resistance traits affect adaptation to fluctuating thermal regimes.
AB  - Laboratory selection in thermal regimes that differed in the amplitude and the
      predictability of daily fluctuations had a marked effect on stress resistance and
      life history traits in Drosophila simulans. The observed evolutionary changes are
      expected to be the result of both direct and correlated responses to selection.
      Thus, a given trait might not evolve independently from other traits because of
      genetic correlations among these traits. Moreover, different test environments
      can induce novel genetic correlations because of the activation of
      environmentally dependent genes. To test whether and how genetic correlations
      among stress resistance and life history traits constrain evolutionary
      adaptation, we used three populations of D. simulans selected for 20 generations
      in constant, predictable and unpredictable daily fluctuating thermal regimes and
      tested each of these selected populations in the same three thermal regimes. We
      explored the relationship between genetic correlations between traits and the
      evolutionary potential of D. simulans by comparing genetic correlation matrices
      in flies selected and tested in different thermal test regimes. We observed
      genetic correlations mainly between productivity, body size, starvation and
      desiccation tolerance, suggesting that adaptation to the three thermal regimes
      was affected by correlations between these traits. We also found that the
      correlations between some traits such as body size and productivity or starvation
      tolerance and productivity were determined by test regime rather than selection
      regime that is expected to limit genetic adaptation to thermal regimes in these
      traits. The results of this study suggest that several traits and several
      environments are needed to explore adaptive responses, as genetic and
      environmentally induced correlations between traits as results obtained in one
      environment cannot be used to predict the response of the same population in
      another environment.

PMID- 27273320
TI  - Changes in pediatric waist circumference percentiles despite reported pediatric
      weight stabilization in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global health concern but the United States has reported
      a leveling in obesity rates in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: To provide
      updated waist circumference (WC) percentile values, identify differences across
      time and discuss differences within the context of reported weight stabilization
      in a nationally representative sample of American children. METHODS: Percentiles
      for WC in self-identified African Americans (AA), European Americans (EA) and
      Mexican Americans (MA) were obtained from 2009-2014 National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey data (NHANES2014). Descriptive trends across time in 10th,
      25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile WC distributions were identified by
      comparing NHANES2012 with previously reported NHANESIII (1988-1994). RESULTS: WC
      increased in a monotonic fashion in AA, EA and MA boys and girls. When compared
      with NHANESIII data, a clear left shift of percentile categories was observed
      such that values that used to be in the 90th percentile are now in the 85th
      percentile. Differences in WC were observed in EA and MA boys during a reported
      period of weight stabilization. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: WC has changed in the
      US pediatric population across time, even during times of reported weight
      stabilization, particularly among children of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds.

PMID- 27273322
TI  - Identifying environmental correlates of intraspecific genetic variation.
AB  - Genetic variation is critical to the persistence of populations and their
      capacity to adapt to environmental change. The distribution of genetic variation
      across a species' range can reveal critical information that is not necessarily
      represented in species occurrence or abundance patterns. We identified
      environmental factors associated with the amount of intraspecific, individual
      based genetic variation across the range of a widespread freshwater fish species,
      the Murray cod Maccullochella peelii. We used two different approaches to
      statistically quantify the relative importance of predictor variables, allowing
      for nonlinear relationships: a random forest model and a Bayesian approach. The
      latter also accounted for population history. Both approaches identified
      associations between homozygosity by locus and both disturbance to the natural
      flow regime and mean annual flow. Homozygosity by locus was negatively associated
      with disturbance to the natural flow regime, suggesting that river reaches with
      more disturbed flow regimes may support larger, more genetically diverse
      populations. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that artificially
      induced perennial flows in regulated channels may provide greater and more
      consistent habitat and reduce the frequency of population bottlenecks that can
      occur frequently under the highly variable and unpredictable natural flow regime
      of the system. Although extensive river regulation across eastern Australia has
      not had an overall positive effect on Murray cod numbers over the past century,
      regulation may not represent the primary threat to Murray cod survival. Instead,
      pressures other than flow regulation may be more critical to the persistence of
      Murray cod (for example, reduced frequency of large floods, overfishing and
      chemical pollution).

PMID- 27273323
TI  - A longitudinal genetic survey identifies temporal shifts in the population
      structure of Dutch house sparrows.
AB  - Dutch house sparrow (Passer domesticus) densities dropped by nearly 50% since the
      early 1980s, and similar collapses in population sizes have been reported across
      Europe. Whether, and to what extent, such relatively recent demographic changes
      are accompanied by concomitant shifts in the genetic population structure of this
      species needs further investigation. Therefore, we here explore temporal shifts
      in genetic diversity, genetic structure and effective sizes of seven Dutch house
      sparrow populations. To allow the most powerful statistical inference, historical
      populations were resampled at identical locations and each individual bird was
      genotyped using nine polymorphic microsatellites. Although the demographic
      history was not reflected by a reduction in genetic diversity, levels of genetic
      differentiation increased over time, and the original, panmictic population
      (inferred from the museum samples) diverged into two distinct genetic clusters.
      Reductions in census size were supported by a substantial reduction in effective
      population size, although to a smaller extent. As most studies of contemporary
      house sparrow populations have been unable to identify genetic signatures of
      recent population declines, results of this study underpin the importance of
      longitudinal genetic surveys to unravel cryptic genetic patterns.

PMID- 27273324
TI  - Life-history traits and effective population size in species with overlapping
      generations revisited: the importance of adult mortality.
AB  - The relationship between life-history traits and the key eco-evolutionary
      parameters effective population size (Ne) and Ne/N is revisited for iteroparous
      species with overlapping generations, with a focus on the annual rate of adult
      mortality (d). Analytical methods based on populations with arbitrarily long
      adult lifespans are used to evaluate the influence of d on Ne, Ne/N and the
      factors that determine these parameters: adult abundance (N), generation length
      (T), age at maturity (alpha), the ratio of variance to mean reproductive success
      in one season by individuals of the same age (phi) and lifetime variance in
      reproductive success of individuals in a cohort (Vk*). Although the resulting
      estimators of N, T and Vk* are upwardly biased for species with short adult
      lifespans, the estimate of Ne/N is largely unbiased because biases in T are
      compensated for by biases in Vk* and N. For the first time, the contrasting
      effects of T and Vk* on Ne and Ne/N are jointly considered with respect to d and
      phi. A simple function of d and alpha based on the assumption of constant vital
      rates is shown to be a robust predictor (R(2)=0.78) of Ne/N in an empirical data
      set of life tables for 63 animal and plant species with diverse life histories.
      Results presented here should provide important context for interpreting the
      surge of genetically based estimates of Ne that has been fueled by the genomics
      revolution.

PMID- 27273326
TI  - Response of Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome to Sirolimus Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare multifocal venous
      malformation syndrome involving predominantly the skin and gastrointestinal
      tract. Traditional treatment modalities include corticosteroids, interferon
      alpha, sclerotherapy, and aggressive surgical resection. Sirolimus has been used
      in several single case reports. PROCEDURE: We performed a single-institution
      retrospective review of four children with BRBNS, who received sirolimus as part
      of their treatment regimens. A diagnosis of BRBNS was based on clinical,
      radiologic, and pathologic criteria. RESULTS: Median age was 6.5 years (range: 2
      16 years). Pathologic evaluations revealed a combined malformation with venous
      and lymphatic components. The novel finding of a lymphatic component was
      confirmed with PROX-1 immunostaining. Patients received oral sirolimus with
      target drug levels between 10 and 13 ng/ml. Responses to treatment were defined
      as stabilization/decrease in size of lesions; resolution of transfusion
      requirements; reduction in pain, and improvement in quality of life (QOL). Median
      time to response was 1.5 months (SD +/- 0.96 month, range: 1-3 months). Median
      follow-up was 21 months (range: 18-26 months). Lesion size and characteristics
      improved in all patients. All patients reported decrease in pain and improvement
      in QOL. All three patients requiring transfusions became transfusion-independent.
      One patient had resolution of coagulopathy. Adverse effects of sirolimus
      consisted of mucositis in three patients and neutropenia in one patient.
      CONCLUSIONS: Sirolimus is safe and efficient for the treatment of BRBNS. Further
      prospective studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of this
      drug. This is the first report that identifies a lymphatic component as part of
      BRBNS.

PMID- 27273325
TI  - Population genetics of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, an invasive
      vector of human diseases.
AB  - The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is currently one of the most
      threatening invasive species in the world. Native to Southeast Asia, the species
      has spread throughout the world in the past 30 years and is now present in every
      continent but Antarctica. Because it was the main vector of recent Dengue and
      Chikungunya outbreaks, and because of its competency for numerous other viruses
      and pathogens such as the Zika virus, A. albopictus stands out as a model species
      for invasive diseases vector studies. A synthesis of the current knowledge about
      the genetic diversity of A. albopictus is needed, knowing the interplays between
      the vector, the pathogens, the environment and their epidemiological
      consequences. Such resources are also valuable for assessing the role of genetic
      diversity in the invasive success. We review here the large but sometimes
      dispersed literature about the population genetics of A. albopictus. We first
      debate about the experimental design of these studies and present an up-to-date
      assessment of the available molecular markers. We then summarize the main genetic
      characteristics of natural populations and synthesize the available data
      regarding the worldwide structuring of the vector. Finally, we pinpoint the gaps
      that remain to be addressed and suggest possible research directions.

PMID- 27273327
TI  - OCT angiography in choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal osteoma.

PMID- 27273328
TI  - Herpes simplex virus keratitis: an update of the pathogenesis and current
      treatment with oral and topical antiviral agents.
AB  - Ophthalmic herpes simplex viral keratitis is responsible for a range of ocular
      manifestations from superficial epithelial disease to stromal keratitis and
      endotheliitis. The Herpetic Eye Disease Study has guided the management of
      herpetic eye disease for almost twenty years, but newer medications such as
      valacyclovir are now available and are considered to have better bioavailability
      than acyclovir. In this review, we examine the existing evidence on the
      pathogenesis of different ophthalmic herpes simplex viral keratitis disease
      modalities and the role of oral and topically administered antiviral drugs in the
      treatment of herpes simplex viral keratitis.

PMID- 27273329
TI  - Activity and topographic changes in the somatosensory system in embouchure
      dystonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Embouchure dystonia is a highly disabling focal task-specific
      dystonia affecting professional brass players. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed
      to analyze activity changes along with topographic representations in primary and
      nonprimary centers for somatosensory processing in patients with embouchure
      dystonia. METHODS: We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging
      with automized tactile stimulation of dystonic (upper lip) and nondystonic
      (forehead and dorsal hand) body regions in 15 professional brass players with and
      without embouchure dystonia. Statistical analyses included whole-brain between
      group comparisons of stimulation-induced activation and region-of-interest-based
      single patient analyses of topographic activation characteristics. RESULTS:
      Affected musicians revealed increased stimulation-induced activity in
      contralateral primary and bilateral secondary somatosensory representations of
      dystonic and nondystonic body regions as well as in the cerebellum ipsilateral to
      the left dystonic upper lip. Changes of somatotopic organization with altered
      intracortical distances and between-group differences of the centers of
      representations were found in the right primary and the bilateral secondary
      somatosensory cortex and in the left cerebellum. Positional variability of
      dystonic and nondystonic body regions was reduced with an emphasis on face
      representations. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings are supportive of the concept
      of an abnormal processing of somatosensory information in embouchure dystonia
      affecting multiple domains. The underlying neurophysiological mechanisms (eg,
      changes in inhibition, maladaptive plasticity, changes in baseline activity)
      remain unclear. The involvement of nondystonic body areas can be viewed in the
      context of possible compensation or an endophenotypic predisposition. (c) 2016
      International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

PMID- 27273331
TI  - Syphilis Screening in the 21st Century: New Recommendations for an Old Disease.

PMID- 27273330
TI  - A High-Voltage and High-Capacity Li1+x Ni0.5 Mn1.5 O4 Cathode Material: From
      Synthesis to Full Lithium-Ion Cells.
AB  - We report Co-free, Li-rich Li1+x Ni0.5 Mn1.5 O4 (0<x<1) compounds as high-voltage
      and high-capacity cathode materials for Li-ion cells. Their tailored morphology
      allows high density and facile processability for electrode development. In the
      potential range 2.4-4.9 V, the cathode material of composition Li1.5 Ni0.5 Mn1.5
      O4 shows excellent performance in terms of capacity and cycling stability in half
      cells. In addition, for the first time, we demonstrate the application of the
      high-voltage and high-capacity cathode in full Li-ion cells with graphite anodes
      with very high cycling stability. The electrochemical performance and low cost of
      the cathode material, together with the feasibility of a chemical method to
      obtain Li-rich Li1+x Ni0.5 Mn1.5 O4 (0<x<1), make practical applications of high
      energy density Li-ion batteries possible.

PMID- 27273332
TI  - Fearless.

PMID- 27273333
TI  - GAP junctional communication in brain secondary organizers.
AB  - Gap junctions (GJs) are integral membrane proteins that enable the direct
      cytoplasmic exchange of ions and low molecular weight metabolites between
      adjacent cells. They are formed by the apposition of two connexons belonging to
      adjacent cells. Each connexon is formed by six proteins, named connexins (Cxs).
      Current evidence suggests that gap junctions play an important part in ensuring
      normal embryo development. Mutations in connexin genes have been linked to a
      variety of human diseases, although the precise role and the cell biological
      mechanisms of their action remain almost unknown. Among the big family of Cxs,
      several are expressed in nervous tissue but just a few are expressed in the
      anterior neural tube of vertebrates. Many efforts have been made to elucidate the
      molecular bases of Cxs cell biology and how they influence the morphogenetic
      signal activity produced by brain signaling centers. These centers, orchestrated
      by transcription factors and morphogenes determine the axial patterning of the
      mammalian brain during its specification and regionalization. The present review
      revisits the findings of GJ composed by Cx43 and Cx36 in neural tube patterning
      and discuss Cx43 putative enrollment in the control of Fgf8 signal activity
      coming from the well known secondary organizer, the isthmic organizer. 

PMID- 27273334
TI  - Function-structure connectivity in patients with severe brain injury as measured
      by MRI-DWI and FDG-PET.
AB  - A vast body of literature exists showing functional and structural dysfunction
      within the brains of patients with disorders of consciousness. However, the
      function (fluorodeoxyglucose FDG-PET metabolism)-structure (MRI-diffusion
      weighted images; DWI) relationship and how it is affected in severely brain
      injured patients remains ill-defined. FDG-PET and MRI-DWI in 25 severely brain
      injured patients (19 Disorders of Consciousness of which 7 unresponsive
      wakefulness syndrome, 12 minimally conscious; 6 emergence from minimally
      conscious state) and 25 healthy control subjects were acquired here. Default mode
      network (DMN) function-structure connectivity was assessed by fractional
      anisotropy (FA) and metabolic standardized uptake value (SUV). As expected, a
      profound decline in regional metabolism and white matter integrity was found in
      patients as compared with healthy subjects. Furthermore, a function-structure
      relationship was present in brain-damaged patients between functional metabolism
      of inferior-parietal, precuneus, and frontal regions and structural integrity of
      the frontal-inferiorparietal, precuneus-inferiorparietal, thalamo
      inferioparietal, and thalamofrontal tracts. When focusing on patients, a stronger
      relationship between structural integrity of thalamo-inferiorparietal tracts and
      thalamic metabolism in patients who have emerged from the minimally conscious
      state as compared with patients with disorders of consciousness was found. The
      latter finding was in line with the mesocircuit hypothesis for the emergence of
      consciousness. The findings showed a positive function-structure relationship
      within most regions of the DMN. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3707-3720, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273335
TI  - Simplification of Insulin Regimen in Older Adults and Risk of Hypoglycemia.

PMID- 27273336
TI  - Utility of the Validity-10 scale across the recovery trajectory following
      traumatic brain injury.
AB  - The Validity-10 scale was recently developed to screen for symptom exaggeration
      in patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, it has only been
      validated on patients with TBI largely in the chronic phase of recovery. The
      influence of time since injury on the Validity-10 scale was investigated in 2,661
      male servicemembers with TBI presenting to six U.S. Defense and Veterans Brain
      Injury Centers. Participants completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory
      (NSI). The Validity-10 scale and NSI total score were both weakly statistically
      significantly (1) positively correlated with time since injury, (2) negatively
      correlated with bodily injury severity, and (3) higher in participants undergoing
      medical board evaluations than in participants who returned to duty or were still
      hospitalized. Participants were statistically more likely to screen positive for
      possible symptom exaggeration on the Validity-10 scale as time since injury
      increased. However, the Validity-10 scale was only weakly related to time since
      injury, TBI severity, bodily injury severity, disposition, age, and return to
      duty status. That false positives are not increased in the acute phase of
      recovery and that the Validity-10 scale is not strongly related to clinical
      factors support the use of the Validity-10 scale in the acute recovery phase and
      across the TBI recovery trajectory.

PMID- 27273337
TI  - Comb-assisted cavity ring-down spectroscopy of a buffer-gas-cooled molecular
      beam.
AB  - We demonstrate continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy of a partially
      hydrodynamic molecular beam emerging from a buffer-gas-cooling source.
      Specifically, the (nu1 + nu3) vibrational overtone band of acetylene (C2H2)
      around 1.5 MUm is accessed using a narrow-linewidth diode laser stabilized
      against a GPS-disciplined rubidium clock via an optical frequency comb
      synthesizer. As an example, the absolute frequency of the R(1) component is
      measured with a fractional accuracy of ~1 * 10(-9). Our approach represents the
      first step towards the extension of more sophisticated cavity-enhanced
      interrogation schemes, including saturated absorption cavity ring-down or two
      photon excitation, to buffer-gas-cooled molecular beams. 

PMID- 27273338
TI  - Vitiligo-like depigmentations as the first sign of melanoma: a retrospective case
      series from a tertiary vitiligo centre.

PMID- 27273339
TI  - Pattern Formation on Networks: from Localised Activity to Turing Patterns.
AB  - Networks of interactions between competing species are used to model many complex
      systems, such as in genetics, evolutionary biology or sociology and knowledge of
      the patterns of activity they can exhibit is important for understanding their
      behaviour. The emergence of patterns on complex networks with reaction-diffusion
      dynamics is studied here, where node dynamics interact via diffusion via the
      network edges. Through the application of a generalisation of dynamical systems
      analysis this work reveals a fundamental connection between small-scale modes of
      activity on networks and localised pattern formation seen throughout science,
      such as solitons, breathers and localised buckling. The connection between
      solutions with a single and small numbers of activated nodes and the fully
      developed system-scale patterns are investigated computationally using numerical
      continuation methods. These techniques are also used to help reveal a much larger
      portion of of the full number of solutions that exist in the system at different
      parameter values. The importance of network structure is also highlighted, with a
      key role being played by nodes with a certain so-called optimal degree, on which
      the interaction between the reaction kinetics and the network structure organise
      the behaviour of the system.

PMID- 27273340
TI  - Extending the indication for robot-assisted retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy
      to antero-lateral renal tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy (RARPN) is
      typically employed for posterior renal tumors. This work aimed to extend the
      indication of RARPN to patients with selected antero-lateral renal tumor.
      METHODS: Patients who underwent RARPN between December 2013 and September 2015 at
      the authors' institution were enrolled. Two intersecting lines were drawn on an
      axial CT image to define the medial/lateral nature of anterior renal tumors.
      Patients with antero-lateral tumor and posterior tumor were compared. RESULTS:
      Antero-lateral tumors constituted 56.1% (32/57) of the total cases. The
      perioperative outcomes between the two groups were comparable. Although the
      operation time was longer for the antero-lateral tumor group, it did not show
      statistical significance. No cases had positive margins. There was one case of
      Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa complication in the antero-lateral tumor group.
      CONCLUSIONS: RARPN is a safe and effective procedure not only for posterior renal
      tumors but also for carefully selected antero-lateral renal tumors. Copyright (c)
      2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27273341
TI  - 'We just do the dirty work': dealing with incontinence, courtesy stigma and the
      low occupational status of carework in long-term aged care facilities.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To systematically examine, describe and explain how
      continence care was determined, delivered and communicated in Australian long
      aged care facilities. BACKGROUND: Incontinence is a highly stigmatising condition
      that affects a disproportionally large number of people living in long-term aged
      care facilities. Its day-to-day management is mainly undertaken by careworkers.
      We conducted a Grounded theory study to explore how continence care was
      determined, delivered and communicated in long-term aged care facilities. This
      paper presents one finding, i.e. how careworkers in long-term aged care
      facilities deal with the stigma, devaluation and the aesthetically unpleasant
      aspects of their work. DESIGN: Grounded theory. METHODS: Eighty-eight hours of
      field observations in two long-term aged care facilities in Australia. In
      addition, in-depth interviews with 18 nurses and careworkers who had experience
      of providing, supervising or assessment of continence care in any long-term aged
      care facility in Australia. RESULTS: Occupational exposure to incontinence
      contributes to the low occupational status of carework in long-term aged care
      facilities, and continence care is a symbolic marker for inequalities within the
      facility, the nursing profession and society at large. Careworkers' affective and
      behavioural responses are characterised by: (1) accommodating the context; (2)
      dissociating oneself; (3) distancing oneself and (4) attempting to elevate one's
      role status. CONCLUSION: The theory extends current understandings about the
      links between incontinence, continence care, courtesy stigma, emotional labour
      and the low occupational status of carework in long-term aged care facilities.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study provides insights into the ways in
      which tacit beliefs and values about incontinence, cleanliness and contamination
      may affect the social organisation and delivery of care in long-term aged care
      facilities. Nurse leaders should challenge the stigma and devaluation of carework
      and careworkers, and reframe carework as 'dignity work'.

PMID- 27273342
TI  - Cytotoxic Constituents and Mechanism from Peganum harmala.
AB  - Peganum harmala L. is a traditional Chinese and Uygur medicine used to treat
      cancer. Bioactivity-guided fractionation was applied to determine the cytotoxic
      constituents from P. harmala. A novel triterpenoid and a phenolic glycoside were
      isolated and identified, as well as seven known compounds. The novel metabolites
      were elucidated to be 3alpha-acetoxy-27-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid methyl
      ester (1, OA) and N-acetyl-9-syringinoside (9). Some compounds exhibited potent
      cytotoxicity against human tumor cells. Among them, OA showed the highest
      cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cells A549 with an IC50 value of 8.03 +/-
      0.81 MUm. OA had a potent anti-NSCLC cell activity by interfering with the
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation and its downstream signaling,
      and could exert an antiproliferative effect by inactivation of EGFR-driven
      antiapoptotic pathway followed by the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c,
      which might prove to be a promising leading compound for the development of an
      anti-lung cancer drug. 

PMID- 27273343
TI  - Pharmacokinetic Assessment of Drug-Drug Interactions of Isavuconazole With the
      Immunosuppressants Cyclosporine, Mycophenolic Acid, Prednisolone, Sirolimus, and
      Tacrolimus in Healthy Adults.
AB  - This report summarizes phase 1 studies that evaluated pharmacokinetic
      interactions between the novel triazole antifungal agent isavuconazole and the
      immunosuppressants cyclosporine, mycophenolic acid, prednisolone, sirolimus, and
      tacrolimus in healthy adults. Healthy subjects received single oral doses of
      cyclosporine (300 mg; n = 24), mycophenolate mofetil (1000 mg; n = 24),
      prednisone (20 mg; n = 21), sirolimus (2 mg; n = 22), and tacrolimus (5 mg; n =
      24) in the presence and absence of clinical doses of oral isavuconazole (200 mg 3
      times daily for 2 days; 200 mg once daily thereafter). Coadministration with
      isavuconazole increased the area under the concentration-time curves (AUC0
      infinity ) of tacrolimus, sirolimus, and cyclosporine by 125%, 84%, and 29%,
      respectively, and the AUCs of mycophenolic acid and prednisolone by 35% and 8%,
      respectively. Maximum concentrations (Cmax ) of tacrolimus, sirolimus, and
      cyclosporine were 42%, 65%, and 6% higher, respectively; Cmax of mycophenolic
      acid and prednisolone were 11% and 4% lower, respectively. Isavuconazole
      pharmacokinetics were mostly unaffected by the immunosuppressants. Two subjects
      experienced elevated creatinine levels in the cyclosporine study; most adverse
      events were not considered to be of clinical concern. These results indicate that
      isavuconazole is an inhibitor of cyclosporine, mycophenolic acid, sirolimus, and
      tacrolimus metabolism.

PMID- 27273344
TI  - Mutations in TUBB8 cause a multiplicity of phenotypes in human oocytes and early
      embryos.
AB  - BACKGROUND: TUBB8 is a primate-specific beta-tubulin isotype whose expression is
      confined to oocytes and the early embryo. We previously found that mutations in
      TUBB8 caused oocyte maturation arrest. The objective was to describe newly
      discovered mutations in TUBB8 and to characterise the accompanying spectrum of
      phenotypes and modes of inheritance. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with oocyte
      maturation arrest were sequenced with respect to TUBB8. We investigated the
      effects of identified mutations in vitro, in cultured cells and in mouse oocytes.
      Seven heterozygous missense and two homozygous mutations were identified. These
      mutations cause a range of folding defects in vitro, different degrees of
      microtubule disruption upon expression in cultured cells and interfere to varying
      extents in the proper assembly of the meiotic spindle in mouse oocytes. Several
      of the newly discovered TUBB8 mutations result in phenotypic variability. For
      example, oocytes harbouring any of three missense mutations (I210V, T238M and
      N348S) could extrude the first polar body. Moreover, they could be fertilised,
      although the ensuing embryos became developmentally arrested. Surprisingly,
      oocytes from patients harbouring homozygous TUBB8 mutations that in either case
      preclude the expression of a functional TUBB8 polypeptide nonetheless contained
      identifiable spindles. CONCLUSIONS: Our data substantially expand the range of
      dysfunctional oocyte phenotypes incurred by mutation in TUBB8, underscore the
      independent nature of human oocyte meiosis and differentiation, extend the class
      of genetic diseases known as the tubulinopathies and provide new criteria for the
      qualitative evaluation of meiosis II (MII) oocytes for in vitro fertilization
      (IVF).

PMID- 27273345
TI  - Cross-Platform DNA Encoding for Single-Cell Imaging of Gene Expression.
AB  - Integration of imaging data across different molecular target types can provide
      in-depth insight into cell physiology and pathology, but remains challenging
      owing to poor compatibility between target-type-specific labeling methods. We
      show that cross-platform imaging analysis can be readily achieved through DNA
      encoding of molecular targets, which translates the molecular identity of various
      target types into a uniform in situ array of ssDNA tags for subsequent labeling
      with complementary imaging probes. The concept was demonstrated through
      multiplexed imaging of mRNAs and their corresponding proteins with multicolor
      quantum dots. The results reveal heterogeneity of cell transfection with siRNA
      and outline disparity in RNA interference (RNAi) kinetics at the level of both
      the mRNA and the encoded protein.

PMID- 27273346
TI  - Broken selection rule in the quantum Rabi model.
AB  - Understanding the interaction between light and matter is very relevant for
      fundamental studies of quantum electrodynamics and for the development of quantum
      technologies. The quantum Rabi model captures the physics of a single atom
      interacting with a single photon at all regimes of coupling strength. We report
      the spectroscopic observation of a resonant transition that breaks a selection
      rule in the quantum Rabi model, implemented using an LC resonator and an
      artificial atom, a superconducting qubit. The eigenstates of the system consist
      of a superposition of bare qubit-resonator states with a relative sign. When the
      qubit-resonator coupling strength is negligible compared to their own
      frequencies, the matrix element between excited eigenstates of different sign is
      very small in presence of a resonator drive, establishing a sign-preserving
      selection rule. Here, our qubit-resonator system operates in the ultrastrong
      coupling regime, where the coupling strength is 10% of the resonator frequency,
      allowing sign-changing transitions to be activated and, therefore, detected. This
      work shows that sign-changing transitions are an unambiguous, distinctive
      signature of systems operating in the ultrastrong coupling regime of the quantum
      Rabi model. These results pave the way to further studies of sign-preserving
      selection rules in multiqubit and multiphoton models.

PMID- 27273347
TI  - Influence of High Polyphenol Beverage on Stress-Induced Platelet Activation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Platelets are playing a crucial role in acute cardiovascular events.
      We investigated if physical stress activates platelets and whether this
      activation can be inhibited by a polyphenol-enriched diet. METHODS: Blood samples
      were taken from a total of 103 athletes three weeks before, one day before,
      immediately as well as 24 hours and 72 hours after a marathon run. Participants
      were randomized, double-blinded and divided into two groups. One group received a
      polyphenol-rich beverage the other the same beverage without polyphenols. Besides
      analysis of platelet counts and impedance-aggregometric-measurement of platelet
      activity, soluble P-selectin and Endothelin-A measurements were performed.
      RESULTS: In the control group, runners showed a 2.2-fold increased platelet
      aggregation directly after completing a marathon and within the following three
      days when compared with baseline values (p<0.01). In accordance, significant
      increases in sP-selectin (57.52ng/ml vs. 94.86ng/ml;p<0.01) were detectable. In
      contrast, for the group consuming a beverage with increased polyphenol content
      (upper quartile of study beverage intake) we did not find any increase of
      platelet aggregation. DISCUSSION: Physical stress causes a significant increase
      in platelet activity. Our results demonstrate that a diet enriched in polyphenols
      is capable of preventing platelet activation. These findings might indicate a
      diminished cardiovascular stress-reaction following pre-exposition to polyphenol
      enriched diet.

PMID- 27273348
TI  - Hyperhomocysteinemia Is Associated with Vitamin B-12 Deficiency: A Cross
      sectional Study in a Rural, Elderly Population of Shanxi China.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To report the association of lifestyle factors and plasma vitamin B
      12 with hyperhomocysteinemia in a large sample of men and women living in a
      region of China where there is an increased risk of NTDs. DESIGN: Community
      based, cross-sectional study of Lvliang City, Shanxi Province, China. SETTING:
      Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease
      (CVD) and a sensitive marker of vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency. PARTICIPANTS:
      A total of 2355 (1044 men and 1311 women) participants born before 1 January 1958
      (>=55 years of age) and living in Lvliang City for at least 2 months a year were
      included. MEASUREMENTS: The participants were assessed regarding demographic
      characteristics, height, weight, as well as having a physical examination and
      blood sampling for serum cholesterol, total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, and
      vitamin B12 levels. RESULTS: The median (25th-75th percentile) tHcy concentration
      was 21.5 (15.8-33.6) umol/L in men and 18.0 (13.4-24.8) umol/L in women. The
      overall prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (tHcy >=15 umol/L) was 72.6% (84.3% in
      men and 63.2% in women), inversely correlated with folate (r=-0.230, P=0.006) and
      vitamin B-12 (r=-0.540, P<0.001), and positively correlated with uric acid
      (r=0.054, P<0.001). Vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency, older age, and male
      gender were associated with elevated tHcy; with vitamin B-12 deficiency being the
      strongest. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma tHcy concentration and hyperhomocysteinemia were
      significantly higher in this population than in previously studied populations.
      Vitamin B-12 and folate supplementation, concomitant lifestyle changes such as
      smoking cessation, and lipid-lowering treatments may help to decrease plasma tHcy
      concentrations and reduce the CVD risk in this population.

PMID- 27273349
TI  - Dietary Influence on Calcitropic Hormones and Adiposity in Caucasian and African
      American Postmenopausal Women Assessed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine differences in hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) and
      parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations between Caucasian and African American
      (AA) postmenopausal women, as well as the effects of dietary calcium, protein and
      vitamin D intakes on 25(OH)D, PTH, and body adiposity using structural equation
      modeling (SEM). DESIGN: Population-based prospective cohort study. SETTING:
      Academic research using the baseline data from two longitudinal studies.
      Participants Included n=113 Caucasian and n=40 African American, postmenopausal
      women who completed the baseline data collection and met inclusion criteria
      (dietary calcium intake <900 mg/day and being generally healthy) between 2006 and
      2010. MAIN OUTCOME: Dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D, assessed by dietary
      records, were examined in relation to calcitropic hormones concentrations and
      adiposity markers. Independent t-tests, confirmatory factor analysis, SEM and
      multi-group analyses were conducted to examine the aforementioned relationships
      as well as group differences among hormones, dietary intake, anthropometrics, age
      and other factors. RESULTS: Dietary calcium and protein intakes were
      significantly lower in AA women. Years since menopause were significantly higher
      in AA compared to Caucasian women. PTH and 25(OH)D levels were significantly
      lower in AA compared to Caucasian women. Dietary calcium and protein intakes did
      not influence body adiposity in either group of women. Dietary vitamin D had
      minimal indirect (via 25(OH)D levels) influence on adiposity. CONCLUSION: The
      study confirmed the positive relationship of 25(OH)D with adiposity markers and
      both AA and Caucasian women. The study provides a unique example of the use of
      SEM in nutrition research within a clinical context. This model should be further
      tested in other populations.

PMID- 27273351
TI  - Person-centered Feeding Care: A Protocol to Re-introduce Oral Feeding for Nursing
      Home Patients with Tube Feeding.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the literature on nursing home (NH) patients with tube
      feeding (TF) has focused primarily on the continuation vs. discontinuation of TF,
      the reassessment of these patients for oral feeding has been understudied. Re
      assessing patients for oral feeding may be better received by families and NH
      staff than approaches focused on stopping TF, and may provide an opportunity to
      address TF in less cognitively impaired patients as well as those with end-stage
      conditions. However, the literature contains little guidance on a systematic
      interdisciplinary team approach to the oral feeding reassessment of patients with
      TF, who are admitted to NHs. METHODS: This project had two parts that were
      conducted in one 170-bed intermediate/skilled, Medicare-certified NH in Honolulu,
      Hawai'i. Part 1 consisted of a retrospective observational study of
      characteristics of TF patients versus non-tube fed patients at NH admission (2003
      2006) and longitudinal follow-up (through death or 6/30/2011) with usual care of
      the TF patients for outcomes of: feeding and swallowing reassessment, goals of
      care reassessment, feeding status (TF and/or per oral (PO) feedings), and hospice
      status. Part 2 involved the development of an interdisciplinary TF reassessment
      protocol through working group discussions and a pilot test of the protocol on a
      new set of patients admitted with TF from 2011-2014. RESULTS: Part 1: Of 238
      admitted patients, 13.4% (32/238) had TF. Prior stroke and lack of DNR status was
      associated with increased likelihood of TF. Of the 32 patients with TF at NH
      admission, 15 could communicate and interact (mild, moderate or no cognitive
      impairment with prior stroke or pneumonia); while 17 were nonverbal and/or
      bedbound patients (advanced cognitive impairment or terminal disease). In the
      more cognitively intact group, 9/15 (60%) were never reassessed for tolerance of
      oral diets and 10/15 (66.7%) remained with TF without any oral feeding until
      death. Of the end-stage group, 13/17 (76.5%) did not have goals of care
      reassessed and remained with TF without oral feeding until death. Part 2: The
      protocol pilot project included all TF patients admitted to the facility in 2011
      2014 (N=33). Of those who were more cognitively intact (n=22), 21/22 (95.5%) had
      swallowing reassessed, 11/22 (50%) resumed oral feedings but 11 (50%) failed
      reassessment and continued exclusive TF. Of those with end-stage disease (n=11),
      100% had goals of care reassessed and 9 (81.8%) families elected individualized
      oral feeding (with or without TF). CONCLUSION: Using findings from our
      retrospective study of usual care, our NH's interdisciplinary team developed and
      pilot-tested a protocol that successfully reintroduced oral feedings to tube-fed
      NH patients who previously would not have resumed oral feeding.

PMID- 27273350
TI  - Genetic Variants of the FADS Gene Cluster Are Associated with Erythrocyte
      Membrane LC PUFA Levels in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long-chain (> 20 C-atoms) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFAs) of
      both the omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) series are important for the functional
      integrity of brain and thereby cognition, memory and mood. Clinical studies
      observed associations between altered LC PUFA levels and neurodegenerative
      diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and its prodromal stage, mild cognitive
      impairment (MCI). METHODS: The present study examined the LC PUFA status of MCI
      patients with specific view on the relative LC n-3 PUFA levels of
      eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in erythrocyte
      membranes (omega-3 index). 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the
      FADS1, FADS2, and FADS3 gene clusters were genotyped in 111 MCI patients and
      evaluated associations with PUFA levels in erythrocyte membranes (primary
      outcome). In addition, the associations between FADS SNPs and LC PUFA levels with
      serum lipid levels as well as depressive symptoms were examined (secondary
      outcomes). RESULTS: Minor allele carrier of rs174546, rs174548 (FADS1),
      rs3834458, rs1535, rs174574, rs174575, rs174576, and rs174578 (FADS2) showed
      significant higher n-6 and n-3 precursor PUFA levels (linoleic acid, and alpha
      linolenic acid, respectively) and lower arachidonic acid (AA) levels in
      erythrocyte membranes compared to the major allele carriers. Differences in EPA
      and DHA levels were not significant. Minor allele carriers of rs174574, rs174576
      and rs174578 (FADS2) and rs174455 (FADS3) exhibited significant higher
      triglyceride levels, whereas minor allele carriers for rs174449 and rs174455
      (FADS3) exhibited significant higher total- and LDL-cholesterol levels compared
      to the more common variant. The mean omega-3 index of the study cohort was 6.19
      +/- 1.55 %. In more than 85 % of the patients, the omega-3 index was below 8 %
      and in 23 % below 5 %. Moreover, it was shown that a low DHA status and omega-3
      index was associated with depressive symptoms (Beck's depression-inventory).
      DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings indicate an association between several
      FADS genotypes for higher n-6 and n-3 precursor PUFA and lower AA levels in
      erythrocyte membranes in minor compared to major allele carriers. To what extent
      FADS genotypes and a lower conversion of LA and ALA to biologically important LC
      PUFAs such as AA, EPA and DHA contributes to cognitive decline should be
      investigated in further trials. Nevertheless, the omega-3 index in this cohort of
      MCI patients can be classified as insufficient.

PMID- 27273352
TI  - The Protective and Therapeutic Effect of Exclusive and Combined Treatment with
      Alpha-ketoglutarate Sodium Salt and Ipriflavone on Bone Loss in Orchidectomized
      Rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of alpha-ketoglutarate sodium salt
      (AKG) and ipriflavone (IP) treatment on the mineralization of the tibia in male
      rats during the development and after the establishment of osteopenia. DESIGN:
      One hundred and twenty eight male rats were randomly selected and submitted to
      either sham-operation (SHO) or orchidectomy (ORX), after which each group were
      then randomly divided between the two experiments. In Experiment-1, treatment
      with AKG or/and IP started after a 7-day recovery period, whereas in Experiment
      2, the experimental protocol proceeded after a 60-day period of osteopenia
      establishment. AKG was then administered as an experimental drinking, at a
      concentration of 1.0 mol/l. As a control, a placebo solution was administered. IP
      at 50 mg/kg b.w., and physiological saline - PhS (as a control for IP) were
      applied daily via gavage. MEASUREMENTS: After 60 days of experimental treatment,
      in both experiments, the rats were sacrificed, their body weight recorded, while
      blood serum (Osteocalcin, CTX) and isolated tibia (weight, length, pQCT, DXA, 3
      point bending test) were stored for further analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results show that during the development of osteopenia, AKG and IP when
      applied exclusively, counteracts osteopenia development, whereas their usage
      after the establishment of osteopenia, significantly limits the development of
      bone disorders. Furthermore, combined treatment of AKG and IP exceeded the
      effects of their sole usage. In addition, during the development of osteopenia,
      AKG and IP not only inhibited bone resorption, but markedly stimulated the
      formation of bone tissue. Finally, after the development of osteopenia, combined
      treatment with AKG and IP protected the bone tissue against orchidectomy-induced
      bone loss.

PMID- 27273353
TI  - Prevalence of Glucosamine and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Use and Characteristics of Users
      among Mid-Age Women: Analysis of a Nationally Representative Sample of 10,638
      Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There has been a dramatic increase in the use of dietary supplements
      over the last few decades and both omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine are two of
      the best-selling dietary supplements in many countries. An understanding of omega
      3 fatty acids and glucosamine consumption is of significance to health care
      providers and for future health promotion activities. METHODS: This research
      involved analysis of data collected from a nationally-representative sample of
      Australian women as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
      (ALSWH). Participants' use of omega-3 fatty acids (FA), glucosamine, their
      demographics, health status and health care utilisation were measured. Analysis
      included logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: Of the 10,638 women in the
      study, 26.8% reported use of omega-3 FA and 15.9% glucosamine. Women with
      osteoarthritis (OR=2.529; 95% CI: 2.190, 2.921), other arthritis (OR= 1.618; 95%
      CI: 1.375, 1.905), and joint pain (OR= 2.699; 95% CI: 2.305, 3.160) were more
      likely to use glucosamine (all p<0.001). In contrast, those with diabetes (OR=
      0.471; 95% CI: 0.343, 0.646) or depression (OR= 0.764; 95% CI: 0.657, 0.887) were
      less likely to use glucosamine (both p<0.001). Women with osteoarthritis
      (OR=1.481; 95% CI: 1.297, 1.691) and joint pain (OR= 1.456; 95% CI: 1.306, 1.622)
      were more likely to use omega-3 FA (all p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial
      prevalence rates for use of glucosamine and omega-3 FA amongst mid-aged women
      highlights the need for health practitioners and policymakers to be mindful of
      the possible significant role of such supplement use as part of patient health
      seeking behaviours.

PMID- 27273354
TI  - Editorial: Frailty and Polypharmacy.

PMID- 27273356
TI  - Clinical and Functional Characterization of Pre-frailty among Elderly Patients
      Consulting Primary Care Centres.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Characterization of the main features of pre-frailty may contribute
      to better understanding the mechanisms involved in the development of frailty.
      OBJECTIVE: To characterize the pre-frail population consulting in primary care
      centres in Mataro (Catalonia, Spain), to describe the Fried's frailty criteria
      for this population and to identify the main associated factors. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional study. SETTING: Three primary care centres in Catalonia. PARTICIPANTS:
      Pre-frail subjects recruited from among persons aged 70 years and older
      consulting primary care centres and screened for frailty according to Fried's
      criteria. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical, nutritional and functional data. RESULTS:
      Frailty prevalence of 31.0% and pre-frailty prevalence of 49.0% were observed.
      Comorbidity was not especially frequent among elderly individuals classified as
      pre-frail (except for diabetes with 35.8% prevalence). Functional status and
      nutritional status were both reasonably satisfactory in pre-frail subjects with
      mean Barthel score of 98 points and 91% classified as well nourished. Among pre
      frail subjects, 35% were obese (body mass index>30); 75% reported pain; 12% had
      an accidental fall in the previous three months; and the mean number of
      medications ingested was 6.2. Weakness was the most prevalent frailty criterion
      (70%), followed by slowness (30%). Weakness was associated with age in men and
      with pain in women. Poor physical activity was associated with pain. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pre-frailty is very common among elderly subjects consulting primary care
      centres. Weakness, slowness, diabetes, pain and polypharmacy should alert
      healthcare professionals to the onset of a frailty process.

PMID- 27273357
TI  - Parathormone Levels Are Independently Associated with the Presence of Left
      Ventricular Hypertrophy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abnormalities of mineral metabolism and inflammation may affect the
      cardiovascular system. We have assessed the relationship of left ventricular
      hypertrophy (LVH) with inflammation and mineral metabolism. METHODS: LVH was
      measured in 146 outpatients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) using
      echocardiography. Calcidiol (a vitamin D metabolite), parathyroid hormone (PTH),
      fibroblast growth factor-23, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, MCP-1 (monocyte
      chemoattractant protein-1), galectin-3, NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated
      lipocalin), and sTWEAK (soluble TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis) plasma
      levels were studied. RESULTS: LVH, defined as septal thickness >=11 mm, was
      present in 19.9% of cases. These patients were older [75.0 (61.0-81.0) vs 64.0
      (51.0-76.0) years; p=0.002], had higher prevalence of left ventricular ejection
      fraction (LVEF)>40%, and had higher PTH [84.7 (59.6-104.7) vs 63.2 (49.2-85.2)
      pg/ml; p=0.007], galectin-3 [9.6 (8.0-11.1) vs 8.3 (6.9-9.9) ng/ml; p=0.037], and
      NGAL (208.5+/-87.6 vs 173.9+/-73.4 ng/ml; p=0.031) plasma levels than those
      without LVH. Glomerular filtration rate was lower in patients with LVH than in
      those without it (65.1+/-20.0 vs 74.7+/-19.9 mL/min/1.73 m2; p=0.021). There were
      no significant differences in hypertension (79.3 vs 68.4%; p=0.363) or sex
      between both groups. Variables showing differences based on univariate analysis
      and hypertension were entered into a logistic regression analysis. Only age [odds
      ratio (OR) =1.052 (1.011-1.096); p=0.013], PTH plasma levels [OR=1.017 (1.003
      1.031); p=0.021], and LVEF>40% [OR=7.595 (1.463-39.429); p=0.016] were
      independent predictors of LVH. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SCAD, elevated PTH
      levels are independently associated with the presence of LVH. Further studies are
      needed to elucidate the role of PTH in the development of myocardial hypertrophy.

PMID- 27273355
TI  - A Comprehensive Fracture Prevention Strategy in Older Adults: The European Union
      Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS) Statement.
AB  - Prevention of fragility fractures in older people has become a public health
      priority, although the most appropriate and cost-effective strategy remains
      unclear. In the present statement, the Interest Group on Falls and Fracture
      Prevention of the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS), in
      collaboration with the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics
      for the European Region (IAGG-ER), the European Union of Medical Specialists
      (EUMS), the International Osteoporosis Foundation - European Society for Clinical
      and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis, outlines its views on
      the main points in the current debate in relation to the primary and secondary
      prevention of falls, the diagnosis and treatment of bone fragility, and the place
      of combined falls and fracture liaison services for fracture prevention in older
      people.

PMID- 27273358
TI  - Inappropriate Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Elderly Patients Discharged from
      Acute Care Hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are extensively prescribed in older
      patients. However, little information is available on factors associated to PPI
      prescribing patterns among older patients discharged from hospital. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the appropriateness and clinical correlates of PPI prescription at
      discharge in a population of 1081 older patients discharged from acute care
      Italian hospitals. DESIGN: We used data from the CRiteria to Assess Appropriate
      Medication Use among Elderly Complex Patients (CRIME) study, a multicenter
      observational study. The appropriateness of PPI prescriptions was defined
      according to the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) rules. Correlates of
      overprescribing (i.e prescribing without recognized AIFA indications) and
      underprescribing (i.e. not prescribing despite the presence of recognized AIFA
      indications) were investigated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS:
      Overprescribing was observed in 30% of patients receiving PPIs at discharge.
      Underprescribing was observed in 11% of patients not receiving PPIs at discharge.
      Overprescribing of PPIs at discharge was negatively associated with age (OR=0.88,
      95%CI=0.85-0.91), depression (OR=0.58, 95%CI=0.35-0.96), use of aspirin (OR=0.03,
      95%CI=0.02-0.06) and systemic corticosteroids (OR=0.02, 95%CI=0.01-0.04). The
      negative association with number of medications (OR=0.95, 95%CI=0.88-1.03) and
      overall comorbidities (OR=0.92, 95%CI=0.83-1.02) was nearly significant.
      Conversely, older age (OR=1.09, 95%CI=1.04-1.14), use of aspirin (OR=24.0,
      95%CI=11.5-49.8) and systemic corticosteroids (OR=19.3, 95%CI=11.5-49.8) and
      overall comorbidities (OR=1.22, 95%CI=1.04-1.42) were independent correlates of
      underprescribing. CONCLUSION: Overprescribing of PPIs is more frequent in younger
      patients with lower burden of depression, whilst underprescribing is
      characterized by older age and greater burden of comorbidity and polypharmacy.
      Hospitalization should be considered as a clue to identify inappropriate use of
      PPIs and improve appropriateness of prescribing.

PMID- 27273359
TI  - Visual Field Dependence Is Associated with Reduced Postural Sway, Dizziness and
      Falls in Older People Attending a Falls Clinic.
AB  - Moving visual fields can have strong destabilising effects on balance,
      particularly when visually perceived motion does not correspond to postural
      movements. This study investigated relationships between visual field dependence
      (VFD), as assessed using the roll vection test, and reported dizziness, falls and
      sway under eyes open, eyes closed and optokinetic conditions. Ninety five falls
      clinic attendees undertook the roll vection test (i.e. attempted to align a rod
      to the vertical while exposed to a rotating visual field). Sway was assessed
      under different visual conditions by centre of pressure movement. Participants
      also completed questionnaires on space and motion discomfort, fear of falling,
      depression and anxiety. Thirty four (35.8%) participants exhibited VFD, i.e. had
      an error > 6.5o in the roll vection test. Compared to participants without VFD,
      participants with VFD demonstrated less movement of the centre of pressure across
      all visual conditions, were more likely to report space and motion discomfort and
      to have suffered more multiple falls in the past year. VFD was independent of
      fear of falling, anxiety and depression. VFD in a falls clinic population is
      associated with reduced sway possibly due to a stiffening strategy to maintain
      stance, dizziness symptoms and an increased risk of falls.

PMID- 27273360
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Response to Re: Comments Referring to the Article
      "Comprehensive Nutritional Status in Sarco-osteoporotic Older Fallers".

PMID- 27273362
TI  - Correction: Hybrid nanostructures of metal/two-dimensional nanomaterials for
      plasmon-enhanced applications.
AB  - Correction for 'Hybrid nanostructures of metal/two-dimensional nanomaterials for
      plasmon-enhanced applications' by Xuanhua Li et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016, 45,
      3145-3187.

PMID- 27273361
TI  - Ablation of the N-type calcium channel ameliorates diabetic nephropathy with
      improved glycemic control and reduced blood pressure.
AB  - Pharmacological blockade of the N- and L-type calcium channel lessens renal
      injury in kidney disease patients. The significance of specific blockade of
      alpha1 subunit of N-type calcium channel, Cav2.2, in diabetic nephropathy,
      however, remains to be clarified. To examine functional roles, we mated Cav2.2(-/
      ) mice with db/db (diabetic) mice on the C57BLKS background. Cav2.2 was localized
      in glomeruli including podocytes and in distal tubular cells. Diabetic Cav2.2(-/
      ) mice significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion, glomerular
      hyperfiltration, blood glucose levels, histological deterioration and systolic
      blood pressure (SBP) with decreased urinary catecholamine compared to diabetic
      Cav2.2(+/+) mice. Interestingly, diabetic heterozygous Cav2.2(+/-) mice also
      decreased albuminuria, although they exhibited comparable systolic blood
      pressure, sympathetic nerve activity and creatinine clearance to diabetic
      Cav2.2(+/+) mice. Consistently, diabetic mice with cilnidipine, an N-/L-type
      calcium channel blocker, showed a reduction in albuminuria and improvement of
      glomerular changes compared to diabetic mice with nitrendipine. In cultured
      podocytes, depolarization-dependent calcium responses were decreased by omega
      conotoxin, a Cav2.2-specific inhibitor. Furthermore, reduction of nephrin by
      transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in podocytes was abolished with omega
      conotoxin, cilnidipine or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor. In
      conclusion, Cav2.2 inhibition exerts renoprotective effects against the
      progression of diabetic nephropathy, partly by protecting podocytes.

PMID- 27273363
TI  - Synthesis of a Pentacene-Type Silaborin via Double Dehydrogenative Cyclization of
      1,4-Diboryl-2,5-disilylbenzene.
AB  - A new pentacene-type silaborin, in which three benzene rings are bridged by
      silicon and boron atoms, has been synthesized and characterized by using NMR
      spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The precursor, 1,4
      bis(dimesitylboryl)-2,5-bis(phenylsilyl)benzene (4), was prepared by stepwise
      introduction of a silyl group and a boryl group to a benzene ring starting from
      1,4-dibromobenzene. Double cyclization of 4 proceeds by a H-Mes exchange and a B
      H/C-H dehydrogenative condensation to afford pentacene-type silaborin 5. X-ray
      crystal structure analysis reveals that 5 adopts a bent structure rather than a
      planar one. UV/Vis spectra and DFT calculations for 5 reveal a lowering of the
      LUMO energy level compared with corresponding anthracene-type 3. 

PMID- 27273364
TI  - Finely Tuned Thermo-Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles for Photothermal Effect
      Triggered Efficient Cellular Internalization.
AB  - Although biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer micelles have been widely
      applied in the clinical applications as drug delivery nanocarriers, low
      efficiency cellular internalization frequently reduces therapeutic efficacy of
      the loaded drugs. Here, photothermal effect-promoted cellular internalization of
      finely tuned thermo-responsive amphiphilic biodegradable block copolymer
      nanocarriers via noninvasive stimuli of near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation is
      demonstrated. Amphiphilic block copolymers, poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-block
      poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PCL-b-P(NIPAM-co-DMA)),
      are prepared with finely tuned compositions of P(NIPAM-co-DMA) for desirable
      lower critical solution temperature of the block copolymer micelles in aqueous
      solution. The block copolymers are then used to co-encapsulate doxorubicin and
      indocyanine green, which show high encapsulation efficiency and significant
      photothermal effect upon exposure to NIR light irradiation. The photothermal
      effect-induced collapse and hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic transition of P(NIPAM-co
      DMA) shells significantly enhance the interactions between drug-loaded micelles
      and cell membranes, which dramatically promote the cellular internalization of
      the micelles and therapeutic efficacy of loaded anticancer drugs.

PMID- 27273366
TI  - Salvianolic acid A improves intestinal motility in diabetic rats through
      antioxidant capacity and upregulation of nNOS.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to detect the effect of a new herbal extract
      salvianolic acid A (SalA) on gastrointestinal complications in diabetic rats.
      METHODS: Altogether 80 rats were divided randomly into five groups, including
      normal control (NC) group, high-fat (HF) diet group, diabetes mellitus (DM)
      control group, and DM treated with SalA (0.1 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg) groups,
      respectively. DM was induced by feeding the rats with HF diet and the
      administration of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). Four weeks after the establishment
      of the DM model, the rats received SalA or double distilled water for 8 weeks.
      After the evaluation of intestinal motility, the animals were sacrificed and
      their intestines were isolated and collected. The levels of advanced glycation
      end-products (AGE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected. Protein gene product
      9.5 (PGP9.5) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expressions in the
      intestine were also detected. RESULTS: Compared with the NC and HF rats, the DM
      control rats showed significantly increased blood glucose level and decreased
      weight. Compared with the DM control group, SalA did not influence their weight
      and blood glucose level, but significantly reduced the levels of AGE and MDA.
      Intestinal transit was promoted by SalA in diabetic rats, and the expressions of
      PGP9.5 and nNOS in the intestine were both upregulated. CONCLUSION: The effect of
      SalA on the intestinal motility of diabetic rats might be due to its antioxidant
      capacity and restoring nNOS expression.

PMID- 27273365
TI  - Cell Deformation by Single-beam Acoustic Trapping: A Promising Tool for
      Measurements of Cell Mechanics.
AB  - We demonstrate a noncontact single-beam acoustic trapping method for the
      quantification of the mechanical properties of a single suspended cell with label
      free. Experimentally results show that the single-beam acoustic trapping force
      results in morphological deformation of a trapped cell. While a cancer cell was
      trapped in an acoustic beam focus, the morphological changes of the immobilized
      cell were monitored using bright-field imaging. The cell deformability was then
      compared with that of a trapped polystyrene microbead as a function of the
      applied acoustic pressure for a better understanding of the relationship between
      the pressure and degree of cell deformation. Cell deformation was found to become
      more pronounced as higher pressure levels were applied. Furthermore, to determine
      if this acoustic trapping method can be exploited in quantifying the cell
      mechanics in a suspension and in a non-contact manner, the deformability levels
      of breast cancer cells with different degrees of invasiveness due to acoustic
      trapping were compared. It was found that highly-invasive breast cancer cells
      exhibited greater deformability than weakly-invasive breast cancer cells. These
      results clearly demonstrate that the single-beam acoustic trapping technique is a
      promising tool for non-contact quantitative assessments of the mechanical
      properties of single cells in suspensions with label-free.

PMID- 27273367
TI  - An Unroofing Method to Observe the Cytoskeleton Directly at Molecular Resolution
      Using Atomic Force Microscopy.
AB  - An improved unroofing method enabled the cantilever of an atomic force microscope
      (AFM) to reach directly into a cell to visualize the intracellular cytoskeletal
      actin filaments, microtubules, clathrin coats, and caveolae in phosphate-buffered
      saline (PBS) at a higher resolution than conventional electron microscopy. All of
      the actin filaments clearly exhibited a short periodicity of approximately 5-6
      nm, which was derived from globular actins linked to each other to form
      filaments, as well as a long helical periodicity. The polarity of the actin
      filaments appeared to be determined by the shape of the periodic striations.
      Microtubules were identified based on their thickness. Clathrin coats and
      caveolae were observed on the cytoplasmic surface of cell membranes. The area
      containing clathrin molecules and their terminal domains was directly visualized.
      Characteristic ridge structures located at the surface of the caveolae were
      observed at high resolution, similar to those observed with electron microscopy
      (EM). Overall, unroofing allowed intracellular AFM imaging in a liquid
      environment with a level of quality equivalent or superior to that of EM. Thus,
      AFMs are anticipated to provide cutting-edge findings in cell biology and
      histology.

PMID- 27273368
TI  - Children referred for evaluation for ADHD: comorbidity profiles and
      characteristics associated with a positive diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are
      non-specific, and a range of possible causes and comorbidities need to be
      considered in children referred for assessment. OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors
      associated with ADHD diagnosis following multidisciplinary assessment. METHODS:
      Children underwent multidisciplinary evaluation including parent and teacher
      questionnaires; semi-structured interview to screen for internalizing and
      externalizing diagnoses; paediatric, psychology and special education
      assessments; and case conference. Predictors of ADHD diagnosis were examined in
      univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Data from 190
      assessments (82% male, mean age 6.8 years) were included. ADHD was diagnosed in
      132 (70%) cases, of which 77% had one or more comorbidities. In children not
      diagnosed with ADHD, 60% had one or more alternate diagnosis made. Teacher
      reported ADHD symptom severity and learning difficulties were the strongest
      predictors of ADHD diagnosis. The pattern of comorbid/alternative diagnoses was
      similar between those diagnosed with ADHD and those not diagnosed with ADHD.
      CONCLUSIONS: Direct report from teachers is the most critical element of the
      clinical dataset for the evaluation for ADHD. These findings emphasize the
      importance of cross-situational impairment to ADHD diagnosis. The frequency and
      similarity of diagnoses in both groups highlight the overlapping nature of
      childhood developmental disorders, and the importance of evaluating for comorbid
      disorders regardless of the primary diagnosis.

PMID- 27273369
TI  - Relative Contributions of UVB and UVA to the Photoconversion of (6-4)
      Photoproducts into their Dewar Valence Isomers.
AB  - Dewar valence isomers are photoisomerization products of pyrimidine (6-4)
      pyrimidone photoproducts, a major class of UV-induced DNA lesions, which exhibits
      a maximal absorption around 320 nm. However, Dewar isomers are not produced in
      significant amounts in cells exposed to biologically relevant doses of UVB. In
      contrast, they are readily produced when cells are exposed to a combination of
      UVA and UVB. The present computational work demonstrates that, on the basis of
      known absorption properties and formation quantum yields, the difference in Dewar
      formation between the two types of radiation can be explained by the role of
      normal bases. In the UVB range, at the low level of (6-4) photoproducts present
      in cells exposed to realistic doses, normal bases are present in overwhelming
      amounts and absorb the vast majority of the incident photons. In contrast, the
      absorption of DNA bases is much weaker in the UVA range while that of (6-4)
      photoproducts is still significant, making photoisomerization possible. This two
      photon process makes it difficult to define an action spectrum for the formation
      of Dewar isomers.

PMID- 27273370
TI  - Ultrafast Brain MRI: Clinical Deployment and Comparison to Conventional Brain MRI
      at 3T.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To compare an ultrafast brain magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) protocol to the conventional protocol in motion-prone inpatient clinical
      settings. METHODS: This retrospective study was HIPAA compliant and approved by
      the Institutional Review Board with waived inform consent. Fifty-nine inpatients
      (30 males, 29 females; mean age 55.1, range 23-93 years)who underwent 3-Tesla
      brain MRI using ultrafast and conventional protocols, both including five
      sequences, were included in the study. The total scan time for five ultrafast
      sequences was 4 minutes 59 seconds. The ideal conventional acquisition time was
      10 minutes 32 seconds but the actual acquisition took 15-20 minutes. The average
      scan times for ultrafast localizers, T1-weighted, T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated
      inversion recovery (FLAIR), diffusion-weighted, T2*-weighted sequences were 14,
      41, 62, 96, 80, 6 seconds, respectively. Two blinded neuroradiologists
      independently assessed three aspects: (1) image quality, (2) gray-white matter
      (GM-WM) differentiation, and (3) diagnostic concordance for the detection of six
      clinically relevant imaging findings. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to
      compare image quality and GM-WM scores. Interobserver reproducibility was
      calculated. RESULTS: The ultrafast T1-weighted sequence demonstrated
      significantly better image quality (P = .005) and GM-WM differentiation (P <
      .001) compared to the conventional sequence. There was high agreement (>85%)
      between both protocols for the detection of mass-like lesion, hemorrhage,
      diffusion restriction, WM FLAIR hyperintensities, subarachnoid FLAIR
      hyperintensities, and hydrocephalus. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrafast protocol achieved
      at least comparable image quality and high diagnostic concordance compared to the
      conventional protocol. This fast protocol can be a viable option to replace the
      conventional protocol in motion-prone inpatient clinical settings.

PMID- 27273372
TI  - Response.

PMID- 27273371
TI  - Physico-Chemical Condition Optimization during Biosynthesis lead to development
      of Improved and Catalytically Efficient Gold Nano Particles.
AB  - Biosynthesis of nanoparticles has gained great attention in making the process
      cost-effective and eco-friendly, but there are limited reports which describe the
      interdependency of physical parameters for tailoring the dimension and geometry
      of nanoparticles during biological synthesis. In the present study, gold
      nanoparticles (GNPs) of various shapes and sizes were obtained by modulating
      different physical parameters using Trichoderma viride filtrate. The particles
      were characterized on the basis of visual observation, dynamic light scattering,
      UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy, and X ray diffraction. While the size varied from 2-500
      nm, the shapes obtained were nanospheres, nanotriangles, nanopentagons,
      nanohexagons, and nanosheets. Changing the parameters such as pH, temperature,
      time, substrate, and culture filtrate concentration influenced the size and
      geometry of nanoparticles. Catalytic activity of the biosynthesized GNP was
      evaluated by UV-visible spectroscopy and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometric analysis for the conversion of 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenol
      which was strongly influenced by their structure and dimension. Common practices
      for biodegradation are traditional, expensive, require large amount of raw
      material, and time taking. Controlling shapes and sizes of nanoparticles could
      revolutionize the process of biodegradation that can remove all the hurdles in
      current scenario.

PMID- 27273374
TI  - Accumulation of 11C-methionine in the normal pituitary gland on 11C-methionine
      PET.
AB  - Background For pituitary tumors, positron emission tomography (PET) with 11C
      methonine (MET) has been reported as feasible to facilitate diagnosis. MET is
      well-known to accumulate in the normal pituitary glands, but almost no studies
      have examined the degree of MET accumulation in the normal pituitary gland.
      Purpose To investigate accumulation of MET in normal pituitary gland on PET/CT.
      Material and Methods Among patients who underwent PET/CT using MET over the past
      7 years, 77 patients who fulfilled our criteria for normal pituitary glands were
      retrospectively selected. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for the
      pituitary gland was measured. Results SUVmax of MET in the pituitary gland was in
      the range of 0.9-6.6 (mean +/- standard deviation = 2.60 +/- 1.04). A negative
      correlation between SUVmax and patient age (y = -0.032 * + 4.29, n = 77, r =
      0.55) was found by linear regression analysis. SUVmax of the pituitary gland did
      not differ significantly between women and men. Conclusion MET shows strong
      accumulation in normal pituitary gland. PET/CT would thus be feasible to
      differentiate between normal and abnormal pituitary glands.

PMID- 27273375
TI  - Detection of pulmonary embolism using repeated MRI acquisitions without
      respiratory gating: a preliminary study.
AB  - Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a severe medical condition with non
      specific clinical findings. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) using iodinated
      contrast agents is the golden standard for diagnosis, but many patients have
      contraindications for CTA. Purpose To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of
      repeated acquisitions of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), without respiratory
      gating or breath holding, in diagnosing PE using CTA as the reference standard.
      Material and Methods Thirty-three patients with clinically suspected PE underwent
      MRI within 48 h after diagnostic CTA. A control group of 37 healthy participants
      underwent MRI and was matched with an equal number of negative CTA exams. The MRI
      protocol was based on free-breathing steady-state free precession producing 4.5
      mm slices in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes. Instead of respiratory or
      cardiac gating five repetitive slices were obtained in each anatomical position
      to compensate for movement and artifacts. Clinical assessment including d-dimer
      and Well's score was performed prior to imaging. One radiologist reviewed the CTA
      exams and two radiologists reviewed the MRI scans. Results All 70 MRI exams were
      of diagnostic quality and the total acquisition time for each MRI scan was 9 min
      34 s. On CTA, 29 patients were diagnosed with PE and the MRI readers detected 26
      and 27 of those, respectively. Specificity was 100% for both readers. Sensitivity
      was 90% and 93%, respectively. Inter-reader agreement using Cohen's kappa was
      0.97. Conclusion Our unenhanced MRI protocol shows a high sensitivity and
      specificity for PE, but further studies are required before considering it as a
      safe diagnostic test.

PMID- 27273373
TI  - Dowser++, a new method of hydrating protein structures.
AB  - A new method of hydrating protein structures, which we call Dowser++, is
      presented. The method is based on a semi-empirical modification of a popular
      program for protein hydration Dowser, and the usage of protocols AutoDock Vina,
      and WaterDock. The positions of water molecules predicted by Dowser++ were
      compared with experimental data for a set of 14 high-resolution crystal
      structures of oligopeptide-binding protein (OppA) containing a large number of
      resolved internal water molecules, as well as for the D- and K-channels of
      cytochrome c oxidase, and the recent data on PSII. Comparison is also made with
      the predictions of the original Dowser, and its improved version, Dowser+,
      described in our previous publication. We also present a model for quantitative
      estimation of the quality of water molecules placement made by a program, which
      includes an assumption of possible false negative data from the crystallographic
      analysis. The comparison of predictions made by Dowser++, Dowser and Dowser+
      demonstrates significant improvement of predictive power of the new method.
      Proteins 2016; 84:1347-1357. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273376
TI  - Abnormalities in gray and white matter volumes associated with explicit memory
      dysfunction in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.
AB  - Background The neuroanatomical abnormalities associated with behavioral
      dysfunction on explicit memory in patients generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
      have not yet been clearly identified. Purpose To investigate the regional gray
      matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume alterations over the whole brain in
      patients with GAD, as well as the correlation between the brain structural
      abnormality and explicit memory dysfunction. Material and Methods Twenty patients
      with GAD and 20 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and education level
      underwent high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The
      participants performed the explicit memory tasks with the neutral and anxiety
      inducing words. Results Patients with GAD showed significantly reduced GM volumes
      in the midbrain (MB), thalamus, hippocampus (Hip), insula, and superior temporal
      gyrus (STG); and reduced WM volumes in the MB, anterior limb of the internal
      capsule (ALIC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and precentral gyrus
      (PrG). It is important to note that the GM volume of the Hip and the WM volume of
      the DLPFC were positively correlated with the recognition accuracy (%) in the
      explicit memory tasks with neutral and anxiety-inducing words, respectively. On
      the other hand, the WM volume of the PrG was negatively correlated with the
      reaction time in the same memory tasks. Conclusion This study demonstrated the
      regional volume changes on whole-brain GM and WM and the correlation between the
      brain structural alteration and explicit memory dysfunction in GAD patients.
      These findings would be helpful to understand the association between the brain
      structure abnormality and the functional deficit in the explicit memory in GAD.

PMID- 27273377
TI  - Portable Sequentially Shifted Excitation Raman spectroscopy as an innovative tool
      for in situ chemical interrogation of painted surfaces.
AB  - We present the first validation and application of portable Sequentially Shifted
      Excitation (SSE) Raman spectroscopy for the survey of painted layers in art. The
      method enables the acquisition of shifted Raman spectra and the recovery of the
      spectral data through the application of a suitable reconstruction algorithm. The
      technique has a great potentiality in art where commonly a strong fluorescence
      obscures the Raman signal of the target, especially when conventional portable
      Raman spectrometers are used for in situ analyses. Firstly, the analytical
      capability of portable SSE Raman spectroscopy is critically discussed using
      reference materials and laboratory specimens, comparing its results with other
      conventional high performance laboratory instruments (benchtop FT-Raman and
      dispersive Raman spectrometers with an external fiber optic probe); secondly, it
      is applied directly in situ to study the complex polychromy of Italian
      prestigious terracotta sculptures of the 16(th) century. Portable SSE Raman
      spectroscopy represents a new investigation modality in art, expanding the
      portfolio of non-invasive, chemically specific analytical tools. 

PMID- 27273378
TI  - Prostate cancer: Across the Finnish line.

PMID- 27273379
TI  - Prostate cancer: Urology journals recommend new prostate cancer grade groups.

PMID- 27273380
TI  - Bladder cancer: FOXP3Delta3 involved in chemotherapy resistance.

PMID- 27273381
TI  - Suppressive effect of microRNA-29b on hepatic stellate cell activation and its
      crosstalk with TGF-beta1/Smad3.
AB  - The microRNA (miR)-29 family is closely associated with fibrotic processes by
      virtue of its low expression in many tissues during organ fibrosis. The present
      study investigated whether miR-29b overexpression suppressed hepatic stellate
      cell (HSC) activation and its interactions with transforming growth factor (TGF)
      beta1/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3), a classical signal
      transduction pathway contributing to the activation of HSCs. The results showed
      that transfection of LX-2 (human HSC) cells with miR-29b mimic or pSUPER-Smad3
      silencing (si)RNA resulted in significantly increased expression of miR-29b and
      decreased expression of Smad3. miR-29b overexpression inhibited proliferation of
      LX-2 cells 24 h after transfection. Both miR-29b overexpression and Smad3
      silencing antagonized the effects of TGF-beta1 on the expression of alpha-smooth
      muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen type I (col-1). Furthermore, infection with
      miR-29b mimics suppressed Smad3 and TGF-beta1 expression, suggesting that miR-29b
      inhibited LX-2 activation mediated by both Smad3 and TGF-beta1. Nevertheless,
      primary miR-29a/b1, miR-29b2/c and mature miR-29b were downregulated by TGF-beta1
      and stimulated by Smad3 silencing, suggesting that TGF-beta1/Smad3 signalling
      pathway regulate not just mature miR-29b but also its transcription. In summary,
      our results show overwhelming evidence corroborating the suppressive effect of
      miR-29b on TGF-beta1-induced LX-2 cell activation. The results also revealed the
      existence of crosstalk between miR-29b and TGF-beta1/Smad3 during LX-2
      activation, suggesting a feedback loop between miR-29b and TGF-beta1/Smad3
      signalling that promotes liver fibrosis. Copyright (c) 2016 The Authors. Cell
      Biochemistry and Function published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27273383
TI  - A systematic literature review of the effectiveness of occupational health and
      safety regulatory enforcement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the strength of evidence on the effectiveness
      of legislative and regulatory policy levers in creating incentives for
      organizations to improve occupational health and safety processes and outcomes.
      METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken to assess the strength of evidence on
      the effectiveness of specific policy levers using a "best-evidence" synthesis
      approach. RESULTS: A structured literature search identified 11,947 citations
      from 13 peer-reviewed literature databases. Forty-three studies were retained for
      synthesis. Strong evidence was identified for three out of nine clusters.
      CONCLUSIONS: There is strong evidence that several OHS policy levers are
      effective in terms of reducing injuries and/or increasing compliance with
      legislation. This study adds to the evidence on OHS regulatory effectiveness from
      an earlier review. In addition to new evidence supporting previous study
      findings, it included new categories of evidence-compliance as an outcome, nature
      of enforcement, awareness campaigns, and smoke-free workplace legislation. Am. J.
      Ind. Med. 59:919-933, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273382
TI  - Cardiac arrest triggers hippocampal neuronal death through autophagic and
      apoptotic pathways.
AB  - The mechanism of neuronal death induced by ischemic injury remains unknown. We
      investigated whether autophagy and p53 signaling played a role in the apoptosis
      of hippocampal neurons following global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)
      injury, in a rat model of 8-min asphyxial cardiac arrest (CA) and resuscitation.
      Increased autophagosome numbers, expression of lysosomal cathepsin B, cathepsin
      D, Beclin-1, and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) suggested
      autophagy in hippocampal cells. The expression of tumor suppressor protein 53
      (p53) and its target genes: Bax, p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA),
      and damage-regulated autophagy modulator (DRAM) were upregulated following CA.
      The p53-specific inhibitor pifithrin-alpha (PFT-alpha) significantly reduced the
      expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and PUMA) and autophagic proteins (LC3
      II and DRAM) that generally increase following CA. PFT-alpha also reduced
      hippocampal neuronal damage following CA. Similarly, 3-methyladenine (3-MA),
      which inhibits autophagy and bafilomycin A1 (BFA), which inhibits lysosomes,
      significantly inhibited hippocampal neuronal damage after CA. These results
      indicate that CA affects both autophagy and apoptosis, partially mediated by p53.
      Autophagy plays a significant role in hippocampal neuronal death induced by
      cerebral I/R following asphyxial-CA.

PMID- 27273384
TI  - Pain Paroxysms With Coronal Radiation: Case Series and Proposal of a New Variant
      of Epicrania Fugax.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aim to report 4 patients with brief pain paroxysms whose clinical
      features remind of typical epicrania fugax (EF), except for the direction along a
      transverse trajectory. BACKGROUND: EF has been defined as a brief paroxysmal head
      pain, with stabbing quality, describing a linear or zig-zag trajectory across the
      surface of one hemicranium. METHODS: We considered all patients attending the
      headache outpatient office at 3 tertiary hospitals from March 2008 to December
      2015. We identified a total of 4 cases with dynamic pain paroxysms moving in
      coronal direction. RESULTS: The mean age at onset was 49 years (range 34-75). All
      the patients suffered a dynamic pain from parietal or temporal areas to the
      contralateral ones, crossing the midline in a linear or zig zag trajectory, the
      entire sequence lasting 2-3 seconds. No triggers were identified. One patient
      noticed mild interictal tenderness at the stemming point. The frequency of the
      attacks varied from 2 per week to 1 every 2 months. No underlying disorders were
      identified by physical and neurological exams and neuroimaging and laboratory
      tests. CONCLUSIONS: Our patients presented with a paroxysmal head pain that might
      correspond to a transverse variant of EF. These observations may not only expand
      the EF phenotype but also reinforce the distinction between EF and pericranial
      neuralgias.

PMID- 27273385
TI  - Continuing the conversation: 30 years of motivational interviewing dissemination.

PMID- 27273386
TI  - Commentary on Smith et al. (2016): Gabapentin-looks like a drug that can be
      misused..., probably is a drug that can be misused.

PMID- 27273387
TI  - Commentary on Betts et al. (2016): Polysubstance use and opioid substitution
      therapy among people who inject drugs.

PMID- 27273388
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27273390
TI  - Secondary Acquired Cholesteatoma: Presentation and Tympanoplasty Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Comparing the clinical features and surgical outcomes of patients
      undergoing tympanoplasty for secondary acquired cholesteatoma (SAC) versus non
      complicated tympanic membrane perforation (TMP). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective
      patient review. SETTING: Tertiary-care, academic center. PATIENTS: All 41
      patients with diagnosis of SAC confirmed at surgery between January 1, 2007 and
      June 30, 2014, and an age-matched cohort consisting of patients with TMP.
      INTERVENTION(S): Tympanoplasty using either medial or lateral graft techniques.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Resolution of perforation, SAC, and symptoms. RESULTS:
      Comparison between the two cohorts failed to reveal significant differences in
      otologic symptomology, or presentation. There was no significant difference in
      the resolution of SAC (p = 0.7) between the medial and lateral tympanoplasty
      techniques. Both techniques also had similar rates of success in the TMP cohort.
      The medial graft technique was significantly (p = 0.008) more likely to result in
      a successfully repaired tympanic membrane in the TMP cohort compared with the SAC
      cohort. The Lateral graft technique demonstrated no significant difference in the
      likelihood of TMP and SAC resolution. CONCLUSION: The presentation of SAC is
      similar to that of TMP despite being a separate clinical entity. A clinician's
      ability to distinguish the two is important to mitigate the destructive potential
      of untreated SAC and correctly council patients on tympanoplasty success rates.
      This study was unable to demonstrate a significant difference in disease control
      between the medial and lateral tympanoplasty techniques, although potential
      advantages of each technique are discussed.

PMID- 27273391
TI  - Auditory Brainstem Implantation in Chinese Patients With Neurofibromatosis Type
      II: The Hong Kong Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience and outcomes of auditory brainstem
      implantation (ABI) in Chinese patients with Neurofibromatosis Type II (NF2).
      STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center.
      PATIENTS: Patients with NF2 who received ABIs. RESULTS: Between 1997 and 2014,
      eight patients with NF2 received 9 ABIs after translabyrinthine removal of their
      vestibular schwannomas. One patient did not have auditory response using the ABI
      after activation. Environmental sounds could be differentiated by six (75%)
      patients after 6 months of ABI use (mean score 46% [range 28-60%]), and by five
      (63%) patients after 1 year (mean score 57% [range 36-76%]) and 2 years of ABI
      use (mean score 48% [range 24-76%]). Closed-set word identification was possible
      in four (50%) patients after 6 months (mean score 39% [range 12-72%]), 1 year
      (mean score 68% [range 48-92%]), and 2 years of ABI use (mean score 62% [range 28
      100%]). No patient demonstrated open-set sentence recognition in quiet in the ABI
      only condition. However, the use of ABI together with lip-reading conferred an
      improvement over lip-reading alone in open-set sentence recognition scores in two
      (25%) patients after 6 months of ABI use (mean improvement 46%), and five (63%)
      patients after 1 year (mean improvement 25%) and 2 years of ABI use (mean
      improvement 28%). At 2 years postoperatively, three (38%) patients remained ABI
      users. CONCLUSION: This is the only published study to date examining ABI
      outcomes in Cantonese-speaking Chinese NF2 patients and the data seems to show
      poorer outcomes compared with English-speaking and other nontonal language
      speaking NF2 patients. Environmental sound awareness and lip-reading enhancement
      are the main benefits observed in our patients. More work is needed to improve
      auditory implant speech-processing strategies for tonal languages and these
      advancements may yield better speech perception outcomes in the future.

PMID- 27273392
TI  - Long-term Results of ABI in Children With Severe Inner Ear Malformations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term outcomes of children who received auditory
      brainstem implant (ABI) because of severe inner ear malformations. STUDY DESIGN:
      Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary referral otolaryngology clinic.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between July 2006 and October 2014, 60 children received
      ABI at Hacettepe University. Preoperative work up included otolaryngologic
      examination, audiological assessment, radiological evaluation together with
      assessment of language development and psychological status. The surgeries were
      performed via retrosigmoid approach with a pediatric neurosurgeon.
      Intraoperatively, electrical auditory brainstem response was utilized. Initial
      stimulation was done 4 to 5 weeks postoperatively. Outcomes were evaluated with
      Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP), speech intelligibility rate (SIR),
      functional auditory performance of cochlear implant (FAPCI) and Manchester Spoken
      Language Development Scale scores; receptive and expressive language ages were
      determined. RESULTS: Sixty children who received ABI were between ages of 12 and
      64 months. Thirty-five patients with follow up period of at least 1 year, were
      reported in means of long-term audiological and language results. The most
      prevelant inner ear malformation was cochlear hypoplasia (n = 19). No major
      complication was encountered. Majority of the patients were in CAP 5 category,
      which implies that they can understand common phrases without lip reading. SIR
      was found out to be better with improving hearing thresholds. Children with ABI
      were performing worse than average cochlear implantation (CI) users when FAPCI
      scores were compared. Patients with the best hearing thresholds have expressive
      vocabulary of 50 to 200 words when evaluated with Manchester Spoken Language
      Development Scale. There was no relationship between the number of active
      electrodes and hearing thresholds. The type of inner ear anomaly with the best
      and the worst hearing thresholds were common cavity and cochlear aperture
      aplasia, respectively. Patients with additional handicaps had worse outcomes.
      Among 35 children, 29 had closed set discrimination and 12 developed open set
      discrimination above 50%. It was determined that, progress of the patients is
      faster in the initial 2 years when compared with further use of ABI. CONCLUSION:
      ABI is an acceptable and effective treatment modality for pediatric population
      with severe inner ear malformations. Bilateral stimulation together with CI and
      contralateral ABI should be utilized in suitable cases.

PMID- 27273393
TI  - The Impact of Smoking on Ossiculoplasty Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of tobacco smoking on outcomes after
      ossiculoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Tertiary
      care center. PATIENTS: Adult patients (16-88 yr of age) undergoing ossiculoplasty
      with cartilage tympanoplasty. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were classified as
      smokers (TOB) or nonsmokers (TOB). Comparisons were then made between these two
      groups with regard to early and late audiometric outcomes, rate of cure of
      conductive hearing loss, rate of successful graft healing, and incidence of
      complications after surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between
      the two groups with regard to postoperative DeltaPTA-ABG (change in pure-tone
      average air-bone gap) (-14.4 dB vs. -14.6 dB for TOB vs. TOB, respectively, p =
      0.946) or final audiometric outcome (DeltaPTA-ABGfinal) (-13.6 dB vs. -11.7 dB
      for TOB vs. TOB, respectively, p = 0.315), cure of conductive hearing loss,
      defined as closure of the PTA-ABG to <=20 dB HL, at postoperative audiometry
      (75.0% [129/172] for the TOB group vs. 69.3% [52/75] for the TOB group, p =
      0.355), late audiometry (71.4% [105/147] for the TOB group vs. 66.7% [44/66] for
      the TOB group, p = 0.483), or successful graft healing (99.4% in the TOB group
      vs. 98.7% in the TOB group, p = 0.544). However, complications were observed
      significantly (p = 0.0003) more often in the TOB group (34.7% [26/75]) than the
      TOB group (14.5% [25/172]). CONCLUSION: Smoking is not a significant risk factor
      for anatomic failure of cartilage tympanic membrane graft or worsened audiometric
      outcome after ossiculoplasty. However, complications were significantly more
      common in smokers, supporting the practice of primary tympanostomy tube placement
      at the time of ossiculoplasty.

PMID- 27273394
TI  - Flat-Panel CT Imaging for Individualized Pitch Mapping in Cochlear Implant Users.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify electrode contact location and to assess
      frequency deviation between predicted and actual frequency allocation maps in
      cochlear implant (CI) users. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a retrospective
      clinical study. Flat-panel computed tomography (FPCT) scans were collected for 17
      CI users. Cochlear length was measured using three-dimensional curved multiplanar
      reconstruction on high-resolution secondary reconstructions. Each electrode's
      percentage of distance from the base of the helicotrema was measured, and a
      modified Greenwood's function was applied. The patients' frequency allocation
      maps were retrieved from electronic medical records and compared with their
      calculated characteristic frequencies. RESULTS: Our results revealed that
      reprogramming based on FPCT imaging findings might improve 83% (n = 216) of 260
      electrode contacts. The most basal and apical electrodes (12, 11, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2,
      and 1) most consistently deviated (>83% of the time) from their theoretical
      characteristic frequencies; the basal electrodes undershot and the apical
      electrodes overshot their theoretical values. Frequency mismatch between the
      characteristic frequencies of auditory neurons and programmed center frequencies
      ranges from 0.41 to 1.51 in octave bands. CONCLUSIONS: Using FPCT imaging and a
      modified Greenwood's function, we identify a mathematical discrepancy between
      theoretical and actual CI placement with respect to frequency-place mapping. We
      demonstrate a clinically reproducible and direct assessment of frequency-place
      mismatch. Our individualized calculations account for inter-individual
      variability in cochlear lengths, operative differences in insertion depths, and
      electrode array kinking within the cochlea. The benefits of allocating electrode
      contact frequencies to their tonotopy-derived locations in the cochlea were not
      investigated in this study, and future prospective trials are needed to
      demonstrate the consequences of personalized pitch mapping for CI users with
      respect to speech and pitch perception.

PMID- 27273395
TI  - The Tightrope Facial Nerve-An Unsupported Mastoid Segment After Resection of
      Recidivistic Cholesteatoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Cholesteatomas are epidermal inclusion cysts containing
      stratified squamous epithelium that arise in the middle ear and mastoid cavities
      resulting in a persistent inflammatory state. Complications include chronic
      otorrhea, granulation tissue, and bony erosion. Cholesteatoma growth patterns
      predict frequent involvement of the Fallopian canal of the facial nerve.
      Extensive disease may extend to the posterior and middle fossa dura, the otic
      capsule, the carotid artery, and the jugular bulb. Dehiscence of the Fallopian
      canal and direct involvement of the facial nerve epineurium by cholesteatoma are
      risk factors for intraoperative facial nerve injury during tympanomastoid surgery
      by exposing the facial nerve to mechanical trauma and inflammation during
      microdissection. We present two cases of recidivistic cholesteatoma with unusual
      medial involvement of the vertical segment of the facial nerve that resulted in
      an unsupported mastoid segment after resection. The outcomes from these two
      patients suggest that facial nerve function may be preserved despite
      circumferential exposure with appropriate preoperative planning and intra
      operative techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Case studies. METHODS: Two patients
      undergoing revision tympanomastoidectomy for extensive recidivistic cholesteatoma
      with medial involvement of the facial nerve in the mastoid segment. In each case,
      the facial nerve was circumferentially exposed during the resection of the
      cholesteatoma. RESULTS: Normal facial nerve function after surgery was confirmed
      in both patients at 18 months and 6 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical
      resection of extensive cholesteatoma with medial involvement of the vertical
      segment of the facial nerve resulted in an unsupported mastoid segment in two
      patients with normal postoperative facial nerve function.

PMID- 27273396
TI  - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compatibility of a New Generation of Active Middle Ear
      Implant: A Clinically Relevant Temporal Bone Laboratory Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an essential tool of
      modern medical imaging and disease diagnosis. In November 2014, a new MRI
      conditional (up to 1.5 T) generation of an active middle ear implant (AMEI) was
      released to the market.The aim of the study was to test the MRI compatibility of
      the new implant system in a clinical-anatomical study. DESIGN: Experimental
      cadaver head model. SETTING: Temporal bone laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: AMEIs were
      implanted in 28 fixed temporal bones at three different floating mass transducer
      (FMT)-coupling positions (N = 8 short process of the incus, N = 16 long process
      of the incus, N = 4 round window). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The position of the FMT
      and the integrity of the ossicular chain was monitored through microscopy,
      microendoscopy, and computed tomography (CT) scans before and after the MRI (1.5
      T) was conducted. Proper function of the implant was tested with reverse transfer
      function (RTF) measurements. RESULTS: Neither positional nor functional changes
      after MRI were observed. CONCLUSION: The new generation of the AMEI is a MRI
      compatible system, which features an easier and quicker implant fixation method.
      The option of MRI in patients with AMEI should be taken into consideration during
      the preoperative discussion with potential candidates.

PMID- 27273397
TI  - Relationship Between Clinical Test Results and Morphologic Severity Demonstrated
      by Sitting 3-D CT in Patients With Patulous Eustachian Tube.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of sitting 3-D computed tomography (CT)
      scans of the Eustachian tube (ET) with subjective and objective findings in
      patients with patulous Eustachian tube (PET). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective.
      SETTING: Tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS: A retrospective survey of medical
      records in Sen-En Hospital identified 40 patients and 62 ears with PET between
      September 2014 and June 2015. METHOD: Diagnosis of PET was based on the presence
      of three characteristic aural symptoms (autophony of voice or breathing sounds,
      and aural fullness), as well as verification of synchronous movement of the
      tympanic membrane in response to forced breathing under an endoscope. Any
      pressure changes in the external auditory canal (EAC) elicited by deep breathing
      and sniffing were detected by tubotympanoaerodynamography (TTAG). In addition,
      sonotubometry was performed where two parameters were used determined to evaluate
      ET function. Patients were examined by 3-D CT (Accuitomo; Morita, Kyoto, Japan)
      in the sitting position. The length of the closed ET lumen section was measured.
      Ears were divided into three groups as follows: completely open, closed-short (3
      mm or less), and closed-long (longer than 3 mm). RESULTS: The median length of
      the closed section of the ET lumen was 1.85 +/- 2.69 mm in positive findings of
      PET. The three groups were significantly different in both aural fullness (p =
      0.023) and, similarly, the difference in tympanic membrane movement (p = 0.032)
      among these three groups was also significantly different (p = 0.032). However,
      for autophony of breathing sounds, there was no significant difference with
      regard to autophony of breathing sounds among these three groups (p = 0.324).
      Although TTAG findings were did not reveal any significantly difference among
      these three groups (p = 0.589), the difference was significant (p = 0.001) in
      degree of EAC pressure change in TTAG. The difference among the three groups was
      significant (p = 0.001) based on sonotubometry findings. CONCLUSION: Under
      resting conditions, the lengths of the closed area of the ETs in PET groups are
      clearly shorter than in groups without PET based on sitting position CT scans in
      resting condition. Among the symptoms and clinical test findings including the ET
      function test results, the presence of tympanic membrane movement induced by
      respiration, the high degree of EAC pressure change in TTAG, as well as the
      positive results of sonotubometry are significantly correlated with the positive
      findings of sitting CT revealing the open ET.

PMID- 27273398
TI  - Primary Epidermoid Tumors of the Cerebellopontine Angle: A Review of 47 Cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze disease presentation, treatment, and clinical course of a
      consecutive series of patients with primary cerebellopontine angle (CPA)
      epidermoids. PATIENTS: Forty-seven consecutive patients with previously untreated
      CPA epidermoids. INTERVENTION(S): Observation and microsurgery. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Disease- and treatment-associated morbidity, recurrence. RESULTS: Forty
      seven patients (mean age 39 years; 53% women) were analyzed and the average
      duration of follow-up was 42 months. The most common presenting symptom was
      headache (27; 57%); 13 (28%) exhibited preoperative asymmetric sensorineural
      hearing loss, 3 (6%) facial nerve paresis, and 3 (6%) hemifacial spasm. Thirteen
      patients (28%) were initially observed over a mean interval of 56 months;
      however, five experienced disease progression requiring operation. Thirty-nine
      patients (83%) underwent surgical resection; 18 (46%) received gross total, 5
      (13%) near total, and 16 (41%) aggressive subtotal resection. Three patients (8%)
      recurred at a median of 53 months; two after subtotal and one after gross total
      resection. Ninety-three percent of patients with useful hearing maintained
      serviceable hearing following treatment and one patient (3%) experienced mild
      long-term postoperative facial nerve paresis (HB II/VI). All patients with
      preoperative facial nerve paresis recovered normal function postoperatively.
      There were no episodes of stroke or death. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical intervention is
      effective in alleviating symptoms of cranial neuropathy and brainstem compression
      from CPA epidermoids. Gross total resection is preferred; however, aggressive
      subtotal removal should be considered with adherent or extensive disease as
      reoperation rates are low, even in the setting of aggressive subtotal resection.
      Conservative observation with serial imaging is a viable initial strategy in
      asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients.

PMID- 27273399
TI  - Asymmetrical Hearing Loss in Cases of Industrial Noise Exposure: A Systematic
      Review of the Literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Asymmetrical hearing thresholds are common in people claiming
      compensation for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). When present and otherwise
      unexplained, there is some controversy as to whether such asymmetry can be
      attributed to occupational noise exposure. In this review, our main objectives
      were to collate the overall prevalence of this finding in subjects with NIHL, and
      further, to provide a balanced argument regarding causality. DATA SOURCES:
      MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane, Google Scholar. No date or language
      restrictions. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: A systematic review of the
      literature was performed and data on noise exposure, pure tone audiometry, and
      lateralized hearing outcomes were reviewed. Newcastle-Ottawa (N-O) criteria were
      employed to assess quality of studies where applicable. DATA SYNTHESIS: N/A
      CONCLUSION:: Six studies met the inclusion criteria giving a total of 4,735
      individual cases with NIHL. Asymmetrical hearing loss accounted for between 2.4%
      and 22.6% of NIHL cases (L-R difference >15 dB for any frequency 0.5-8 kHz).
      However, the overwhelming majority of subjects in this review have symmetrical
      hearing loss when adjusted for other significant variables, e.g., age, sex, and
      binaural hearing deterioration. Subjects considered for noise exposure
      remuneration were men (94.3% SE +/- 2.7), aged 52.9 years (inter-quartile range,
      46.1-58.4), and from a broad range of industrial backgrounds. Future research
      will be needed to establish the influence of other factors such as smoking
      status, exposure to chemical agents, specific drugs, or genetic predisposition.

PMID- 27273400
TI  - The Association of Valsalva Status With Smoking and Its Impact on Ossiculoplasty
      Outcomes and Complications.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the association of a patient's ability to perform a
      clinically observed Valsalva maneuver with tobacco smoking and post
      ossiculoplasty outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING:
      Tertiary referral, university-based otology practice. PATIENTS: Adult patients
      (16-88 years of age) undergoing ossiculoplasty with tympanoplasty or
      tympanomastoidectomy using cartilage tympanic membrane grafts, retrograde
      mastoidectomy with canal wall reconstruction, or mastoid obliteration techniques.
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were classified as Valsalva negative (Val) or positive
      (Val). Comparisons were then made between these two groups for smoking status,
      final audiometric outcomes, rate of cure of conductive hearing loss, anatomic
      outcomes, and incidence of significant complications after otologic surgery
      involving ossiculoplasty. RESULTS: Tobacco smoking is not significantly
      correlated with the inability to insufflate the middle ear with the Valsalva
      maneuver (p = 0.557). An insignificant difference in final pure-tone average air
      bone gap (PTA-ABG) was observed between the Val and Val groups (20.2 dB HL versus
      18.2 dB HL, respectively; p = 0.152). Similarly, the rate of successful PTA-ABG
      closure to <=20 dB HL was not significantly different between the groups (62.5%
      [80 of 128] of Val patients and 56.8% [54 of 95] of Val patients [p = 0.394]).
      Postoperative complications were seen with a higher frequency in the Val patients
      (16.8% [16 of 95] versus 7.0% [9 of 128]; p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: A patient's
      inability to perform the Valsalva maneuver is not significantly associated with
      smoking; however, negative Valsalva status is associated with an increased
      incidence of significant complications after ossiculoplasty.

PMID- 27273401
TI  - Botulinum Toxin Treatment of Objective Tinnitus Because of Essential Palatal
      Tremor: A Systematic Review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In contrast to subjective tinnitus, objective tinnitus can be heard
      by the examiner as well as by the patient. It can be triggered by, among many
      other etiologies, idiopathic muscular tremor in the soft palate, the essential
      palatal tremor (EPT). Many treatment modalities have been investigated, of which
      only Botulinum toxin (BT) injections have shown promising results. GOAL: The aim
      of this study was to evaluate the effect of BT treatment on objective tinnitus
      due to EPT by a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: In accordance with
      PRISMA guideline a systematic literature search in three databases was performed.
      RESULTS: Twenty-two studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, mainly case reports
      and case series. A total of 51 BT treated patients diagnosed with EPT were
      identified in the literature. The studies were evaluated with focus on
      diagnostics, injection technique and BT dose, follow-up, effect on objective
      tinnitus, complications, and adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: The included studies
      suffer from an extremely low evidence level with several sources of bias. When
      optimally injected, BT seems to be an effective treatment of objective tinnitus
      due to EPT, with few adverse effects and complications. We suggest BT injections
      as first choice in case of EPT and present a guideline regarding diagnostics,
      treatment, and follow-up.

PMID- 27273402
TI  - A Systematic Review on Complications of Tissue Preservation Surgical Techniques
      in Percutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Devices.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate skin-related postoperative complications from tissue
      preservation approaches in percutaneous bone conduction device (BCD)
      implantations. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. STUDY
      SELECTION: We identified studies on BCDs including the opted surgical technique
      and derived complications. Retrieved articles were screened using predefined
      inclusion criteria. Critical appraisal included directness of evidence and risk
      of bias. Studies that successfully passed critical appraisal were included. DATA
      EXTRACTION: Outcome measures included patient demographics, surgery time, follow
      up time, and complications reported by Holgers classification. DATA SYNTHESIS: We
      selected 18 articles for data extraction; encompassing 381 BCDs implanted using
      non-skin thinning approaches. Four studies reported an implantation technique
      using the punch method (81 implants), 13 studies applied the linear incision
      technique without soft tissue reduction (288 implants) and one study used the
      Weber technique (12 implants). Holgers 3 was described in 2.5% following the
      punch technique, in 5.9% following the linear incision technique, and in no
      implants following the Weber technique. One patient was mentioned having Holgers
      4, skin overgrowth was reported in 6 patients, and 10 studies compared their non
      skin thinning technique with a skin-thinning technique. Overall, the soft tissue
      preservation technique had a similar or superior complication rate, shorter
      surgical time, and better and faster healing, compared with the soft tissue
      reduction technique. CONCLUSION: Tissue preservation surgical techniques for
      percutaneous BCDs have limited postoperative skin complication rates. Moreover,
      these techniques are suggested to have at least similar complications rates
      compared with skin-thinning techniques.

PMID- 27273403
TI  - Petroclival Chondrosarcoma: A Multicenter Review of 55 Cases and New Staging
      System.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical outcomes after treatment of petroclival
      chondrosarcoma and to propose a novel staging system. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective
      case review, 1995 to 2015. SETTING: Multicenter study. PATIENTS: Consecutive
      patients with histopathologically proven petroclival chondrosarcoma.
      INTERVENTION(S): Microsurgery, endoscopic endonasal surgery, radiation therapy,
      observation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disease- and treatment-associated morbidity,
      recurrence, mortality. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (mean age 42 years; 56%
      women) presenting with primary or recurrent petroclival chondrosarcoma were
      analyzed. The mean duration of follow-up was 74 months. Among 47 primary cases,
      the most common presenting symptoms were headache (55%) and diplopia (49%) and
      the mean tumor size at diagnosis was 3.3 cm. Subtotal resection was performed in
      33 (73%) patients and gross total resection in 12 (27%). Adjuvant postoperative
      radiation was administered in 30 (64%) cases. Preoperative cranial neuropathy
      improved in 13 (29%), worsened in 11 (24%), and remained stable in 21 (47%)
      patients; notably, 11 preoperative sixth nerve palsies resolved after treatment.
      Nine recurrences occurred at a mean of 42 months. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year
      recurrence-free survival rate for all 45 patients who underwent primary
      microsurgery with or without adjuvant radiation therapy was 97%, 89%, 70%, and
      56%, respectively. Higher tumor stage, larger categorical size (<4 versus >=4
      cm), lack of adjuvant radiation, and longer duration of follow-up were associated
      with greater risk of recurrence. The overall mortality rate was 2% for patients
      presenting with primary disease.Analyzing the cohort of 17 cases with 20
      recurrences, 3 received salvage surgery alone, 5 radiation therapy alone, 11
      multimodality treatment, and one patient has been observed. Tumor control was
      ultimately achieved in 15 of 17 patients with recurrent disease. One patient (6%)
      with grade 3 petroclival chondrosarcoma died as a result of rapidly progressive
      disease within 6 months of salvage treatment. The overall mortality rate was 6%
      for patients with recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: Gross total or subtotal
      resection with adjuvant radiation provides durable tumor control with minimal
      morbidity in most patients. Surgery may improve preoperative cranial nerve
      dysfunction, particularly in the case of cranial nerve 6 paralysis.

PMID- 27273404
TI  - TeleAudiology in the Veterans Health Administration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess effectiveness of TeleAudiology for hearing aid services.
      STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control. SETTING: Ambulatory Veterans Health
      Administration and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). PATIENTS: 42,697
      veterans who received hearing aids from January through September, 2014.
      INTERVENTION(S): TeleAudiology (TA) and conventional in-person (IP) audiology
      care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids
      (IOI-HA) outcomes data. The IOI-HA is a 7-item survey used to assess hearing aid
      effectiveness. Scored from 7 to 35 points, higher scores are more favorable.
      RESULTS: Among veterans nationwide who received hearing aids and completed the
      IOI-HA survey, 1,009 received TA and 41,688 received IP care. TA and IP groups
      have comparable mean IOI-HA values (TA = 29.6, SD = 3.9; IP = 28.7, SD = 4.2).
      Although comparison showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001, t
      test), principally because of large sample size, the distinction is not
      clinically meaningful.Subgroup analysis of veterans from San Francisco and six
      affiliated CBOCs showed 169 received TA and 338 received IP care. TA and IP
      groups have similar mean age (TA = 74, SD = 9.8; IP = 76, SD = 10.3) and sex
      distribution (TA male = 100%; IP male = 96%) with statistically significant (p <
      0.01, t test) but clinically insignificant differences. Mean IOI-HA scores (TA =
      30.7, SD = 3.6; IP = 30.5, SD = 3.1) are not different between groups (p > 0.05,
      t test). CONCLUSION: TA and IP encounters to provide hearing aid services to
      veterans are comparable, as both are highly effective based on IOI-HA results.
      The noninferiority of TA suggests its adoption to non-veterans may improve access
      while preserving high satisfaction. Financial impact of migration to TA will
      require future econometric analysis.

PMID- 27273405
TI  - Type I Tympanoplasty Meta-Analysis: A Single Variable Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine which independent variables influence the efficacy of
      type I tympanoplasty in adult and pediatric populations. DATA SOURCES: A search
      of the PubMed database and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews using the key
      words "tympanoplasty OR myringoplasty" from January 1966 to July 2014 was
      performed. STUDY SELECTION: Studies reporting outcomes of myringoplasty or Type I
      tympanoplasty in primary non-cholesteatomatous chronic tympanic membrane (TM)
      perforation were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Of 4,698 abstracts reviewed, 214
      studies involving 26,097 patients met our inclusion criteria and contributed to
      meta-analysis. DATA SYNTHESIS: The primary outcome of success was defined as
      closure rate at 12 months. The independent variables analyzed were age, follow-up
      period, approach, graft material, perforation cause, size, location, ear dryness,
      and surgical technique. Only those studies providing data on a given parameter of
      interest could be included when comparing each variable. CONCLUSION: The weighted
      average success rate of tympanic closure was 86.6%. Based on this meta-analysis,
      pediatric surgery has a 5.8% higher failure rate than adults and there is no
      correlation between follow-up period and success. Other variables associated with
      improved closure rates include perforation with a size less than 50% of total
      area (improved by 6.1%) and the use of cartilage as a graft (improved by 2.8%
      compared with fascia), while ears that were operated on while still discharging,
      those in different locations of the pars tensa, or using different surgical
      approaches or techniques did not have significantly different outcomes.

PMID- 27273407
TI  - Cochlear Implantation in Patients With Intracochlear and Intralabyrinthine
      Schwannomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Schwannomas may arise primarily within the inner ear, or invade the
      cochlea or labyrinth from the distal internal auditory canal through
      transmodiolar or transmacular extension, respectively. To date, very limited data
      exists regarding cochlear implant (CI) outcomes in this unique population. STUDY
      DESIGN: Retrospective case review. PATIENTS: Ten ears (nine patients) with inner
      ear schwannomas that underwent CI at a single tertiary referral center.
      INTERVENTION(S): Cochlear implantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Surgical
      approach, CI performance. RESULTS: Ten ears (nine patients) were implanted with
      conventional CI arrays. Three cases had primary inner ear schwannomas, while
      seven were in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) having transmodiolar
      invasion of the inner ear from a vestibular schwannoma (VS). In all cases,
      intracochlear tumor was left in situ to preserve cochlear anatomy and a full
      electrode insertion was achieved. Use of a styleted electrode with late
      deployment aided advancement through the intracochlear tumor. In all cases, the
      ipsilateral internal auditory canal and inner ear could be visualized on
      postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for tumor surveillance. Eight ears
      achieved good open-set word recognition (median, Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant
      [CNC] 50% [range, 28-88%], median, AzBio 73% [range, 60-91%]); two patients with
      NF2 and prolonged deafness (15 and 22 years) received limited benefit.
      CONCLUSIONS: Cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear schwannomas and an
      intact cochlear nerve is feasible. Leaving intracochlear schwannoma in situ
      preserves cochlear architecture and use of a styleted electrode may aid in
      achieving a full insertion when obstructing tumor is present. Postoperative MRI
      surveillance is still adequate after CI and a high percentage of patients achieve
      good open-set speech perception performance.

PMID- 27273406
TI  - Cochlear Histopathology as Observed in Two Patients With a Cochlear Implant
      Electrode With Positioner.
AB  - HYPOTHESIS: This study reports the cochlear histopathology of two patients who
      during life underwent cochlear implantation with a positioner. BACKGROUND: A
      silastic positioner introduced by the Advanced Bionics Corporation in 1999 was
      designed to position the electrode of the cochlear implant close to the modiolus.
      The positioner was recalled in the United States in July 2002 because of an
      apparent higher incidence of bacterial meningitis in patients in whom the
      positioner had been placed. METHODS: Four celloidin-embedded temporal bones from
      two patients with cochlear implants with a positioner from the temporal bone
      collection of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary were included in the study.
      In a previous study, we reported histopathologic findings in Patient 1, and in
      this report, we present the findings in a second case in a 94-year-old woman
      (Patient 2), and the similarities and differences between the two patients. All
      four specimens were prepared for histologic study by conventional techniques and
      2-D reconstruction. RESULTS: Evidence of insertion trauma was observed in all
      three implanted specimens. More significant trauma was found in Patient 2 than in
      Patient 1 including disruption of the osseous spiral lamina and the basilar
      membrane. In addition, there was more new fibrous tissue and bone in Patient 2
      than in Patient 1. There was a large fluid space in all three implanted temporal
      bones around the electrode and positioner. CONCLUSION: The findings observed in
      the two patients may help to explain the increased risk of meningitis in patients
      implanted with a positioner.

PMID- 27273409
TI  - Issues for the Traveling Team Physician.
AB  - This article outlines the value of having the team physician traveling with
      athletes to away venues for competitions or training sessions. At present, this
      travel presents several issues for the team physician who crosses state lines for
      taking care of the athletes. In this article, these issues and their possible
      remedies are discussed. A concern for the travelling team physician is practicing
      medicine while caring for the team in a state where the physician is not
      licensed. Another issue can be the transportation of controlled substances in the
      course of providing optimal care for the team athletes. These two issues are
      regulatory and legislative issues at both the state and federal levels. On the
      practical side of being a team physician, the issues of emergency action plans,
      supplies, and when to transport injured or ill patients are also reviewed. 

PMID- 27273408
TI  - Focal Endolymphatic Hydrops as Seen in the Pars Inferior of the Human Inner Ear.
AB  - HYPOTHESIS: Endolymphatic hydrops of the human inner ear may be localized focally
      in the pars inferior of the human inner ear. BACKGROUND: Endolymphatic hydrops
      may be found in the human inner ear in patients who in life had suffered from
      Meniere's syndrome or a variety of other disorders. The degree of endolymphatic
      hydrops may differ based on location in the inner ear. METHODS: A computer
      assisted search of all cases in the collection of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear
      Infirmary in which endolymphatic hydrops was found in the inner ear yielded 13
      specimens in which there was good evidence for focal endolymphatic hydrops in the
      pars inferior. Temporal bones were prepared for light microscopy. Semi-serial
      sections were reviewed to generate localization data for endolymphatic hydrops
      and also to search for evidence of a previous inflammatory process, including
      fibrosis or new bone formation. RESULTS: Endolymphatic hydrops was present in the
      saccule in 10 of 13 specimens. In the cochlear duct, there were segments of the
      cochlea in which there was no cochlear hydrops juxtaposed to other regions in
      which there was severe endolymphatic hydrops. Transition between hydropic and non
      hydropic status in the cochlear duct was often abrupt.Evidence for a previous
      inflammation process was found in 6 of 13 specimens including fibrosis because of
      temporal bone fracture, or traumatic stapedectomy and in those cases in which the
      cause of hearing loss was idiopathic, fibrosis, and osteoid between the
      labyrinthine surface of the footplate and the hydropic saccular wall, and/or
      osteoid in the scala vestibuli, or in the proximate Rosenthal's canal. Evidence
      of a previous inflammatory process was uniformly seen in the perilymphatic
      compartment. CONCLUSIONS: Endolymphatic hydrops of the pars inferior in the human
      may have a focal distribution. This study suggests that the pathogenesis of
      endolymphatic hydrops is unlikely to be because of distal obstruction of
      longitudinal flow and was more consistent with the hypothesis that homeostasis of
      the endolymphatic and perilymphatic volumes occurs all along the cochlear duct.
      Other factors including variable distensibility of Reissner's membrane or
      disturbance of local solute homeostatic mechanisms may be responsible for wide
      variations in the degree of hydrops. A focal inflammatory process during life may
      be one cause of focal endolymphatic hydrops as seen histopathologically.

PMID- 27273411
TI  - Functional lipids based on [12]aneN3 and naphthalimide as efficient non-viral
      gene vectors.
AB  - Small organic non-viral gene vectors with the structural combinations of
      (aliphatic chain)-naphthalimide-[12]aneN3 (11a, b) and naphthalimide-(aliphatic
      chain)-[12]aneN3 (12a-c) were synthesized and fully characterized. Agarose gel
      electrophoresis experiments indicated that the first type of compounds, 11a and
      11b, could completely retard DNA at the concentration of 5 MUM in the presence of
      DOPE. Within the second type of compounds, 12c with the decane chain showed a
      complete retardation of DNA at the concentration of 20 MUM, whereas 12a and 12b
      with the ethyl and hexyl chains could not retard DNA effectively. Dynamic light
      scattering measurements indicated that compounds 11a, 11b and 12b, 12c condensed
      DNA into nanoparticles with the size in the range of 60-160 nm. Due to the strong
      fluorescence of 11a and 11b, the distribution of lipids/DNA complexes and the
      process of DNA release from the lipids were clearly observed via cellular uptake
      experiments. On the other hand, the non-fluorescent 12a-c enabled the EB
      exclusion assay to afford the binding constants of 4.88 * 10(6) M(-1) (12a), 4.18
      * 10(6) M(-1) (12b) and 3.39 * 10(6) M(-1) (12c), respectively. The MTT assay
      revealed that both types of compounds have low cytotoxicity. Non-fluorescent 12c
      was successfully applied in the eGFP expression experiments in A549 cells and
      showed stronger green fluorescence emission than that of lipofectamine 2000.
      Quantitative transfection experiments through the luciferase assay further
      revealed that compounds 11a, 11b and 12c can act as non-viral gene vectors in
      different cell lines. Among them, 12c gave the highest transfection efficiency in
      HeLa cells, which was about 2 times that offered by lipofectamine 2000. This work
      clearly demonstrated that the right combination of different functional units and
      long aliphatic linkers will likely promote gene delivery and transfection
      efficiency. 

PMID- 27273422
TI  - 2016 American Transplant Congress Abstracts.

PMID- 27273421
TI  - Fast formation and growth of high-density Sn whiskers in Mg/Sn-based solder/Mg
      joints by ultrasonic-assisted soldering: Phenomena, mechanism and prevention.
AB  - A universally applicable method for promoting the fast formation and growth of
      high-density Sn whiskers on solders was developed by fabricating Mg/Sn-based
      solder/Mg joints using ultrasonic-assisted soldering at 250  degrees C for 6 s
      and then subjected to thermal aging at 25  degrees C for 7 d. The results showed
      that the use of the ultrasonic-assisted soldering could produce the
      supersaturated dissolution of Mg in the liquid Sn and lead to the existence of
      two forms of Mg in Sn after solidification. Moreover, the formation and growth of
      the high-density whiskers were facilitated by the specific contributions of both
      of the Mg forms in the solid Sn. Specifically, interstitial Mg can provide the
      persistent driving force for Sn whisker growth, whereas the Mg2Sn phase can
      increase the formation probability of Sn whiskers. In addition, we presented that
      the formation and growth of Sn whiskers in the Sn-based solders can be
      significantly restricted by a small amount of Zn addition (>=3 wt.%), and the
      prevention mechanisms are attributed to the segregation of Zn atoms at grain or
      phase boundaries and the formation of the lamellar-type Zn-rich structures in the
      solder.

PMID- 27273423
TI  - Lack of transparency in software used to analyze multiple breath washout data.

PMID- 27273424
TI  - Bioavailability and metabolism of phenolic compounds from wholegrain wheat and
      aleurone-rich wheat bread.
AB  - SCOPE: This work aimed at investigating absorption, metabolism, and
      bioavailability of phenolic compounds after consumption of wholegrain bread or
      bread enriched with an aleurone fraction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two commercially
      available breads were consumed by 15 participants on three occasions and matched
      for either the amount of ferulic acid in the bread or the amount of bread
      consumed. Urine was collected for 48 h from all the volunteers for phenolic
      metabolite quantification. Blood samples were collected for 24 h following bread
      consumption in five participants. A total of 12 and 4 phenolic metabolites were
      quantified in urine and plasma samples, respectively. Metabolites were sulfate
      and glucuronic acid conjugates of phenolic acids, and high concentrations of
      ferulic acid-4'-O-sulfate, dihydroferulic acid-4'-O-sulfate, and dihydroferulic
      acid-O-glucuronide were observed. The bioavailability of ferulic acid was
      significantly higher from the aleurone-enriched bread when all ferulic acid
      metabolites were accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that low amounts of
      aleurone-enriched bread resulted in equivalent plasma levels of ferulic acid as
      wholegrain bread. This could suggest that, if the absorbed phenolic metabolites
      after wholegrain product intake exert health benefits, equal levels could be
      reached through the consumption of lower doses of refined products enriched in
      aleurone fraction.

PMID- 27273425
TI  - Rapid assessment of salivary MMP-8 and periodontal disease using lateral flow
      immunoassay.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a novel
      point-of-care immunoflow device (POCID) for detecting matrix metalloproteinase
      (MMP)-8 concentrations in oral fluids in comparison with a gold standard
      laboratory-based immunoassay. METHODS: Oral rinse fluid and whole expectorated
      saliva samples were collected from 41 participants clinically classified as
      periodontally healthy or diseased. Samples were analyzed for MMP-8 by Luminex
      immunoassay and POCID. Photographed POCID results were assessed by optical scan
      and visually by two examiners. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation and
      receiver-operating characteristics. RESULTS: MMP-8 was readily detected by the
      POCID, and concentrations correlated well with Luminex for both saliva and rinse
      fluids (r = 0.57-0.93). Thresholds that distinguished periodontitis from health
      were delineated from both the optical scans and visual reads of the POCID
      (sensitivity: 0.7-0.9, specificity: 0.5-0.7; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Performance
      of this POCID for detecting MMP-8 in oral rinse fluid or saliva was excellent.
      These findings help demonstrate the utility of salivary biomarkers for
      distinguishing periodontal disease from health using a rapid point-of-care
      approach.

PMID- 27273426
TI  - Nanodiamond-based nanostructures for coupling nitrogen-vacancy centres to metal
      nanoparticles and semiconductor quantum dots.
AB  - The ability to control the interaction between nitrogen-vacancy centres in
      diamond and photonic and/or broadband plasmonic nanostructures is crucial for the
      development of solid-state quantum devices with optimum performance. However,
      existing methods typically employ top-down fabrication, which restrict scalable
      and feasible manipulation of nitrogen-vacancy centres. Here, we develop a general
      bottom-up approach to fabricate an emerging class of freestanding nanodiamond
      based hybrid nanostructures with external functional units of either plasmonic
      nanoparticles or excitonic quantum dots. Precise control of the structural
      parameters (including size, composition, coverage and spacing of the external
      functional units) is achieved, representing a pre-requisite for exploring the
      underlying physics. Fine tuning of the emission characteristics through
      structural regulation is demonstrated by performing single-particle optical
      studies. This study opens a rich toolbox to tailor properties of quantum
      emitters, which can facilitate design guidelines for devices based on nitrogen
      vacancy centres that use these freestanding hybrid nanostructures as building
      blocks.

PMID- 27273427
TI  - Mini-MACS: development of the Manual Ability Classification System for children
      younger than 4 years of age with signs of cerebral palsy.
AB  - AIM: To develop the Mini-Manual Ability Classification System (Mini-MACS) and to
      evaluate the extent to which its ratings are valid and reliable when children
      younger than 4 years are rated by their parents and therapists. METHOD: The Mini
      MACS was created by making adjustments to the MACS. The development involved a
      pilot project, consensus discussions within an expert group, and the creation of
      a test version of the Mini-MACS that was evaluated for content validity and
      interrater reliability. A convenience sample of 61 children with signs of
      cerebral palsy aged 12 to 51 months (mean age 30.2mo [SD 10.1]) were classified
      by one parent and two occupational therapists across a total of 64 assessments.
      Agreement between the parents' and therapists' ratings was evaluated using the
      intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the percentage of agreement.
      RESULTS: The first sentence of the five levels in the MACS was kept, but other
      descriptions within the Mini-MACS were adjusted to be more relevant for the
      younger age group. The ICC between parents and therapists was 0.90 (95%
      confidence interval [CI] 0.79-0.92), and for the two therapists it was 0.97 (95%
      CI 0.78-0.92). Most parents and therapists found the descriptions in the Mini
      MACS suitable and easy to understand. INTERPRETATION: The Mini-MACS seems
      applicable for children from 1 to 4 years of age.

PMID- 27273429
TI  - Estimated Cost of Injectable Medication Waste Attributable to Syringe Dead Space.

PMID- 27273428
TI  - p120-catenin is necessary for neuroprotection induced by CDK5 silencing in models
      of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) plays important roles in synaptic function. Its
      unregulated over-activation has been, however, associated with neurodegeneration
      in Alzheimer's disease. Our previous studies revealed that CDK5 silencing
      ameliorates tauopathy and spatial memory impairment in the 3xTgAD mouse model.
      However, how CDK5 targeting affects synaptic adhesion proteins, such as those
      involved in the cadherin/catenin system, during learning and memory processes is
      not completely understood. In this study, we detected reduced expression of p120
      catenin (p120 ctn), N-cadherin, and beta-catenin in the brain of human
      Alzheimer's disease patients, in addition to a reduced PSD95 and GluN2B protein
      levels in a 3xTgAD mouse model. Such decrease in synaptic proteins was recovered
      by CDK5 silencing in mice leading to a better learning and memory performance.
      Additionally, CDK5 inhibition or knockout increased p120 ctn levels. Moreover, in
      a glutamate-induced excitotoxicity model, CDK5 silencing-induced neuroprotection
      depended on p120 ctn. Together, those findings suggest that p120 ctn plays an
      important role in the neuronal dysfunction of Alzheimer's disease models and
      contributes to CDK5 silencing-induced neuroprotection and improvement of memory
      function. p120ctn is part of the synaptic adhesion molecular complex N
      cadh/p120ctn/B-ctn/PSD95, and it has a pivotal role in cell adhesion
      stabilization and dendritic spine modulation. Our data show that synaptic
      adhesion complex is affected in AD human brains and in AD models. This complex is
      recovered by the silencing of CDK5, preventing memory dysfunction in an AD mice
      model and contributing to the neuroprotection in a depend-mode of p120ctn.

PMID- 27273430
TI  - Imaging unstable plaque.
AB  - Recent advances in imaging technology have enabled us to utilise a range of
      diagnostic approaches to better characterise high-risk atherosclerotic plaque.
      The aim of this article is to review current and emerging techniques used to
      detect and quantify unstable plaque in the context of large and small arterial
      systems and will focus on both invasive and non-invasive imaging techniques.
      While the diagnosis of clinically relevant atherosclerosis still relies heavily
      on anatomical assessment of arterial luminal stenosis, evolving multimodal cross
      sectional imaging techniques that encompass novel molecular probes can provide
      added information with regard to plaque composition and overall disease burden.
      Novel molecular probes currently being developed to track precursors of plaque
      rupture such as inflammation, micro-calcification, hypoxia and neoangiogenesis
      are likely to have translational applications beyond diagnostics and have the
      potential to play a part in quantifying early responses to therapeutic
      interventions and more accurate cardiovascular risk stratification. 

PMID- 27273431
TI  - Inflammation: a trigger for acute coronary syndrome.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the vessel wall and a major
      cause of death worldwide. One of atherosclerosis' most dreadful complications are
      acute coronary syndromes that comprise ST-segment elevation myocardial
      infarction, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina.
      We now understand that inflammation substantially contributes to the initiation,
      progression, and destabilization of atherosclerosis. In this review, we will
      focus on the role of inflammatory leukocytes, which are the cellular protagonists
      of vascular inflammation, in triggering disease progression and, ultimately, the
      destabilization that causes acute coronary syndromes. 

PMID- 27273433
TI  - Study of the Atopic March: Development of Atopic Comorbidities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is often the first step in the atopic march
      leading to the development of asthma or allergic rhinitis. The goal of this study
      was to determine whether early intervention with pimecrolimus limits the atopic
      march in infants with AD and to evaluate its efficacy and safety. METHODS: This
      was a 3-year double-blind study in which patients were randomized to pimecrolimus
      or vehicle and then open-label pimecrolimus for a planned further 3 years. Rescue
      topical corticosteroid was permitted if 3 days of study medication led to no
      improvement; investigators made decisions on rescue medication until week 14 and
      caregivers thereafter. Efficacy assessments included disease-free days, Eczema
      Area and Severity Index, and body surface area affected. RESULTS: Infants ages 3
      to 18 months with recent-onset AD (<=3 months) were observed for a mean of 2.8
      years (N = 1,091). No significant differences between pimecrolimus- and placebo
      treated groups were found in the percentage of patients with AD who developed
      asthma (10.7%) or other allergic conditions (allergic rhinitis, 22.4%; food
      allergy, 15.9%; allergic conjunctivitis, 14.1%; one or more atopic comorbidities,
      37.0%) by study end. Allergic rhinitis, food allergy, and having one or more
      atopic comorbidities (but not asthma or allergic conjunctivitis alone) developed
      significantly more often in infants with greater AD severity at baseline.
      Pimecrolimus was significantly more effective than vehicle for AD treatment at
      week 14. Adverse event incidences were similar. CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal
      observation of infants with AD provides evidence of the atopic march.
      Pimecrolimus was safe and effective in infants with mild to moderate AD.

PMID- 27273434
TI  - Effectiveness of subarachnoid drug infusion for pediatric tumor-related pain.
AB  - Although the effectiveness of subarachnoid continuous drug infusion has been
      established in cancer pain management, its clinical use in children is rare. A 14
      year-old girl with neurofibromatosis type I complained of right leg pain stemming
      from a growing tumor on her right buttock. Continuous and breakthrough right leg
      pain were unbearable, even at high doses of systemic opioids that caused severe
      constipation and deep sedation. Subsequent continuous infusion of bupivacaine and
      morphine through a subarachnoid catheter effectively relieved the girl's pain.
      The corresponding decrease in systemic opioid also improved her activities of
      daily living. The patient eventually died of cachexia due to the rapidly growing
      buttock lesion that was pathologically confirmed post-mortem as a malignant
      peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Subarachnoid continuous drug infusion may be very
      useful in controlling severe pain with few side-effects, even in the field of
      pediatric palliative care. 

PMID- 27273435
TI  - Patterns of long-term care services use in a suburban municipality of Japan: a
      population-based study.
AB  - AIM: Increasing service use under the long-term care insurance (LTCI) system in
      Japan requires a comprehensive understanding of how the services are actually
      used. This study aimed to identify patterns of LTCI service use and to examine
      the characteristics of the patterns. METHODS: We analyzed data from a population
      of 4,339 older adults living in the community who were certified as "Needing
      Care" and were using at least one LTCI service in a suburban municipality of
      Japan. We identified six patterns of service use using cluster analysis based on
      the amount of fees for LTCI services and compared characteristics among the
      clusters. RESULTS: The clusters were: 1) light use of care services (n = 1,852);
      2) day care-centered (n = 1,071); 3) day care with rehabilitation-centered (n =
      616); 4) home help-centered (n = 365); 5) short-stay respite service-centered (n
      = 246); and 6) compound uses of visiting services (n = 189). "Home help-centered"
      and "short-stay respite service-centered" clusters used a large number of fees,
      whereas "compound uses of visiting services" clusters did not despite their
      severe conditions. The "day care-centered (with rehabilitation)" classification
      included few people who needed medical procedures, likely due to the lack of
      medical facilities in those agencies. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the impact of
      social and medical factors on LTCI service use, suggesting possible difficulties
      in the socialization of care. The clusters could be used as typical service use
      patterns, providing a framework for further studies, such as those evaluating the
      services' effects. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 753-759.

PMID- 27273432
TI  - Human glia can both induce and rescue aspects of disease phenotype in Huntington
      disease.
AB  - The causal contribution of glial pathology to Huntington disease (HD) has not
      been heavily explored. To define the contribution of glia to HD, we established
      human HD glial chimeras by neonatally engrafting immunodeficient mice with mutant
      huntingtin (mHTT)-expressing human glial progenitor cells (hGPCs), derived from
      either human embryonic stem cells or mHTT-transduced fetal hGPCs. Here we show
      that mHTT glia can impart disease phenotype to normal mice, since mice engrafted
      intrastriatally with mHTT hGPCs exhibit worse motor performance than controls,
      and striatal neurons in mHTT glial chimeras are hyperexcitable. Conversely,
      normal glia can ameliorate disease phenotype in transgenic HD mice, as striatal
      transplantation of normal glia rescues aspects of electrophysiological and
      behavioural phenotype, restores interstitial potassium homeostasis, slows disease
      progression and extends survival in R6/2 HD mice. These observations suggest a
      causal role for glia in HD, and further suggest a cell-based strategy for disease
      amelioration in this disorder.

PMID- 27273436
TI  - 3D Printing: 3D Printing of Shape Memory Polymers for Flexible Electronic Devices
      (Adv. Mater. 22/2016).
AB  - On page 4449, D. Cohn, S. Magdassi, and co-workers describe a general and facile
      method based on 3D printing of methacrylated macromonomers to fabricate shape
      memory objects that can be used in flexible and responsive electrical circuits.
      Such responsive objects can be used in the fabrication of soft robotics, minimal
      invasive medical devices, sensors, and wearable electronics. The use of 3D
      printing overcomes the poor processing characteristics of thermosets and enables
      complex geometries that are not easily accessible by other techniques. 

PMID- 27273438
TI  - Flexible and Stretchable Devices.

PMID- 27273440
TI  - Electroluminescent Devices: Extremely Stretchable Electroluminescent Devices with
      Ionic Conductors (Adv. Mater. 22/2016).
AB  - An extremely stretchable electroluminescent device is fabricated by P. S. Lee and
      co-workers, as described on page 4490. The stretchable alternating-current
      electroluminescent (ACEL) device possesses extremely high stretchability, and can
      be linearly stretched to 700% with the luminance being maintained at 70% of the
      initial value before stretching. The device can be repeatedly stretched to 400%
      with stable emission behavior. The presented device will provide new
      opportunities in stretchable lighting, volumetric 3D displays, interactive
      readout systems, and other unprecedented applications. 

PMID- 27273441
TI  - Biphasic Metal Films: Intrinsically Stretchable Biphasic (Solid-Liquid) Thin
      Metal Films (Adv. Mater. 22/2016).
AB  - On page 4507, S. P. Lacour and co-workers present highly conductive and
      stretchable solid-liquid films that are formed by physical vapor deposition of
      gallium onto an alloying gold layer. The image shows patterns defined by lift-off
      on an elastomer membrane. The magnified view is a false-color scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM) image (*5000) of the surface of the films under 50% applied
      strain, showing the liquid Ga (blue-gray) flowing between the AuGa2 /Ga clusters
      (gold). 

PMID- 27273439
TI  - Carbon Nanotubes: Printed Carbon Nanotube Electronics and Sensor Systems (Adv.
      Mater. 22/2016).
AB  - Printed electronics and sensors enable new applications ranging from low-cost
      disposable analytical devices to large-area sensor networks. Recent progress in
      printed carbon nanotube electronics in terms of materials, processing, devices,
      and applications is discussed on page 4397 by A. Javey and co-workers. The
      research challenges and opportunities regarding the processing and system-level
      integration are also discussed for enabling of practical applications. 

PMID- 27273442
TI  - Flexible Electronics: An Epidermal Stimulation and Sensing Platform for
      Sensorimotor Prosthetic Control, Management of Lower Back Exertion, and
      Electrical Muscle Activation (Adv. Mater. 22/2016).
AB  - The design of an ultrathin, conformal electronic device that integrates
      electrotactile stimulation with electromyography, temperature, and strain sensing
      in a single, simple platform is reported by J. A. Rogers and co-workers on page
      4462. Demonstrated application possibilities include prosthetic control with
      sensory feedback, monitors, and stimulation signals related to lower back
      exertion, and electrical muscle stimulation with feedback control. 

PMID- 27273443
TI  - Deformable Electronics: Conducting Polymer Dough for Deformable Electronics (Adv.
      Mater. 22/2016).
AB  - A simple strategy for changing a brittle conducting polymer ( PEDOT: PSS) into a
      solution-processed highly deformable viscoelastic polymer is presented by H.-K.
      Baik, U. Jeong, and co-workers on page 4455. The storage modulus versus loss
      modulus of the polymer is adjusted to control the viscoelastic properties to fit
      the properties required in deformable electronics. Rapid self-healing of
      conductivity, custom-designed LEDs with complex micropatterns, and foldable
      stretchable LEDs are demonstrated.

PMID- 27273447
TI  - Development of a control algorithm for the ultrasound scanning robot (NCCUSR)
      using ultrasound image and force feedback.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinicians who frequently perform ultrasound scanning procedures
      often suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, and myalgias. To minimize
      their occurrence and to assist clinicians, ultrasound scanning robots have been
      developed worldwide. Although, to date, there is still no commercially available
      ultrasound scanning robot, many control methods have been suggested and
      researched. These control algorithms are either image based or force based. If
      the ultrasound scanning robot control algorithm was a combination of the two
      algorithms, it could benefit from the advantage of each one. However, there are
      no existing control methods for ultrasound scanning robots that combine force
      control and image analysis. Therefore, in this work, a control algorithm is
      developed for an ultrasound scanning robot using force feedback and ultrasound
      image analysis. METHODS: A manipulator-type ultrasound scanning robot named
      'NCCUSR' is developed and a control algorithm for this robot is suggested and
      verified. First, conventional hybrid position-force control is implemented for
      the robot and the hybrid position-force control algorithm is combined with
      ultrasound image analysis to fully control the robot. The control method is
      verified using a thyroid phantom. RESULTS: It was found that the proposed
      algorithm can be applied to control the ultrasound scanning robot and
      experimental outcomes suggest that the images acquired using the proposed control
      method can yield a rating score that is equivalent to images acquired directly by
      the clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed control method can be applied to
      control the ultrasound scanning robot. However, more work must be completed to
      verify the proposed control method in order to become clinically feasible.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27273448
TI  - Povidone-iodine is still a premium antiseptic measure in ocular surgery.

PMID- 27273449
TI  - Towards 1D nanolines on a monolayered supramolecular network adsorbed on a
      silicon surface.
AB  - The growth of 3D extended periodic networks made up of pi-conjugated molecules on
      semi-conductor surfaces is of interest for the integration of nano-components in
      the future generations of smart devices. In the work presented in this article,
      we successfully achieved the formation of bilayered networks on a silicon surface
      including 1D-isolated nanolines in the second layer. Firstly, we observed the
      formation of a 2D large-scale supramolecular network in the plane of a silicon
      surface through the deposition of tailored molecules. Then using the same
      molecules, a second-layer, based on 1D nanolines, grew above the first layer,
      thanks to a template effect. Mono- or bi-layered networks were found to be stable
      from 100 K up to room temperature. These networks were investigated by scanning
      tunnel microscopy imaging under an ultra-high vacuum (UHV-STM). 

PMID- 27273451
TI  - Identification of IgE and IgG epitopes on native Bos d 4 allergen specific to
      allergic children.
AB  - Alpha-lactalbumin (ALA) is one of the major allergens in cow's milk. However,
      research on its conformational epitopes has been relatively limited. In our
      study, specific antibodies against cow's milk ALA were purified from eight
      children by two-step affinity chromatography. Subsequently, mimotopes against IgG
      and IgE were biopanned from Ph.D.-12 and Ph.D.-C7C, respectively. Based on the
      mimotopes, linear epitopes were defined with the UniProt alignment tool.
      Conformational epitopes were computed using the Pepitope Server. Six IgE and
      seven IgG linear epitopes were identified. Meanwhile, five IgE and three IgG
      conformational epitopes were revealed with PyMOL. The results showed that common
      residues were identified in both IgE and IgG epitopes and some residues of the
      conformational epitopes were composed of linear epitopes on bovine alpha
      lactalbumin. The results indicated that the data could be used for developing
      hypoallergenic dairy products on the basis of epitopes and providing a diagnostic
      tool for the assessment of patients who are allergic to cow's milk. 

PMID- 27273452
TI  - Syphilis Screening Recommendation in Nonpregnant Adults and Adolescents: Still
      Waters Run Deep.

PMID- 27273450
TI  - CRAF R391W is a melanoma driver oncogene.
AB  - Approximately 75% of melanomas have known driver oncogenic mutations in BRAF,
      NRAS, GNA11 or GNAQ, while the mutations providing constitutive oncogenic
      signaling in the remaining melanomas are not known. We established a melanoma
      cell line from a tumor with none of the common driver mutations. This cell line
      demonstrated a signaling profile similar to BRAF-mutants, but lacked sensitivity
      to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. RNA-seq mutation data implicated CRAF R391W as
      the alternative driver mutation of this melanoma. CRAF R391W was homozygous and
      over expressed. These melanoma cells were highly sensitive to CRAF, but not BRAF
      knockdown. In reconstitution experiments, CRAF R391W, but not CRAF WT,
      transformed NIH3T3 cells in soft-agar colony formation assays, increased kinase
      activity in vitro, induced MAP kinase signaling and conferred vemurafenib
      resistance. MAP kinase inducing activity was dependent on CRAF dimerization.
      Thus, CRAF is a bona fide alternative oncogene for BRAF/NRAS/GNAQ/GNA11 wild type
      melanomas.

PMID- 27273453
TI  - Mechanical properties of the superficial biofilm layer determine the architecture
      of biofilms.
AB  - Cells in biofilms sense and interact with their environment through the
      extracellular matrix. The physicochemical properties of the matrix, particularly
      at the biofilm-environment interface, determine how cells respond to changing
      conditions. In this study we describe the application of atomic force microscopy
      and confocal imaging to probe in situ the mechanical properties of these
      interfacial regions and to elucidate how key matrix components can contribute to
      the physical sensing by the cells. We describe how the Young's modulus of
      microcolonies differs according to the size and morphology of microcolonies, as
      well as the flow rate. The Young's modulus increased as a function of microcolony
      diameter, which was correlated with the production of the polysaccharide Psl at
      later stages of maturation for hemispherical or mushroom shaped microcolonies.
      The Young's modulus of the periphery of the biofilm colony was however
      independent of the hydrodynamic shear. The morphology of the microcolonies also
      influenced interfacial or peripheral stiffness. Microcolonies with a diffuse
      morphology had a lower Young's modulus than isolated, circular ones and this
      phenomenon was due to a deficiency of Psl. In this way, changes in the specific
      polysaccharide components imbue the biofilm with distinct physical properties
      that may modulate the way in which bacteria perceive or respond to their
      environment. Further, the physical properties of the polysaccharides are closely
      linked to the specific architectures formed by the developing biofilm. 

PMID- 27273454
TI  - High-Performance of Gas Hydrates in Confined Nanospace for Reversible CH4 /CO2
      Storage.
AB  - The molecular exchange of CH4 for CO2 in gas hydrates grown in confined nanospace
      has been evaluated for the first time using activated carbons as a host
      structure. The nano-confinement effects taking place inside the carbon cavities
      and the exceptional physicochemical properties of the carbon structure allows us
      to accelerate the formation and decomposition process of the gas hydrates from
      the conventional timescale of hours/days in artificial bulk systems to minutes in
      confined nanospace. The CH4 /CO2 exchange process is fully reversible with high
      efficiency at practical temperature and pressure conditions. Furthermore, these
      activated carbons can be envisaged as promising materials for long-distance
      natural gas and CO2 transportation because of the combination of a high storage
      capacity, a high reversibility, and most important, with extremely fast kinetics
      for gas hydrate formation and release. 

PMID- 27273456
TI  - Mononuclear Nonheme High-Spin (S=2) versus Intermediate-Spin (S=1) Iron(IV)-Oxo
      Complexes in Oxidation Reactions.
AB  - Mononuclear nonheme high-spin (S=2) iron(IV)-oxo species have been identified as
      the key intermediates responsible for the C-H bond activation of organic
      substrates in nonheme iron enzymatic reactions. Herein we report that the C-H
      bond activation of hydrocarbons by a synthetic mononuclear nonheme high-spin
      (S=2) iron(IV)-oxo complex occurs through an oxygen non-rebound mechanism, as
      previously demonstrated in the C-H bond activation by nonheme intermediate (S=1)
      iron(IV)-oxo complexes. We also report that C-H bond activation is preferred over
      C=C epoxidation in the oxidation of cyclohexene by the nonheme high-spin (HS) and
      intermediate-spin (IS) iron(IV)-oxo complexes, whereas the C=C double bond
      epoxidation becomes a preferred pathway in the oxidation of deuterated
      cyclohexene by the nonheme HS and IS iron(IV)-oxo complexes. In the epoxidation
      of styrene derivatives, the HS and IS iron(IV) oxo complexes are found to have
      similar electrophilic characters.

PMID- 27273455
TI  - Concordance of haemoglobin A1c, blood pressure and C-reactive protein between
      children and their parents in Chinese households.
AB  - BACKGROUND: China has the world's highest diabetes prevalence, which along with
      hypertension and inflammation continues to grow particularly among children.
      Little is known about the strength of the association of these cardiometabolic
      risk factors between parents and their children; thus, the potential of household
      based strategies to reduce risk is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the
      study is to examine the parent-child association for haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c),
      blood pressure (BP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in a large, geographically
      diverse Chinese sample. METHODS: In 940 parent-child pairs (children aged 7-17
      years) who participated in the 2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey, we
      measured each individual's HbA1c and CRP using fasting blood and BP. We used sex
      specific random-effects linear regression to examine the parent-child association
      for these risk factors, accounting for within-family clustering. RESULTS: Child's
      HbA1c was positively associated with parental HbA1c. Beta coefficients ranged
      from 0.06 (95% CI 0.03-0.12) for father-daughter to 0.43 (95% CI 0.28-0.58) for
      mother-son pairs. We also detected a positive mother-daughter association for BP
      and positive father-child associations for CRP. CONCLUSION: The statistically
      significant parent-child association for HbA1c, BP and CRP in Chinese families
      suggests that household-based interventions could be useful for confronting the
      high rates of diabetes, hypertension and inflammation in China.

PMID- 27273457
TI  - Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Electrophile Coupling with Organic Reductants in Non-Amide
      Solvents.
AB  - Cross-electrophile coupling of aryl halides with alkyl halides has thus far been
      primarily conducted with stoichiometric metallic reductants in amide solvents.
      This report demonstrates that the use of tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE)
      as an organic reductant enables the use of non-amide solvents, such as
      acetonitrile or propylene oxide, for the coupling of benzyl chlorides and alkyl
      iodides with aryl halides. Furthermore, these conditions work for several
      electron-poor heterocycles that are easily reduced by manganese. Finally, we
      demonstrate that TDAE addition can be used as a control element to 'hold' a
      reaction without diminishing yield or catalyst activity. 

PMID- 27273458
TI  - The importance of polarizability: comparison of models of carbon disulphide in
      the ionic liquids [C1C1im][NTf2] and [C4C1im][NTf2].
AB  - The local environment of CS2 and in solution in two ionic liquids ([C1C1im][NTf2]
      and [C4C1im][NTf2]) are investigated by atomistic simulation and compared with
      that in neat CS2. The intermolecular vibrational densities of states of CS2 are
      calculated and compared with experimental OHD-RIKES spectra. The fair agreement
      of the results from solutions but poor agreement of the results from neat CS2
      suggest that while collective effects are unimportant in solutions, they have a
      major effect on the OHD-RIKES spectrum of neat CS2. Comparing polarizable and
      unpolarizable models for CS2 emphasizes the importance of polarizability in
      determining local structure. 

PMID- 27273459
TI  - Trauma-Related Guilt Mediates the Relationship between Posttraumatic Stress
      Disorder and Suicidal Ideation in OEF/OIF/OND Veterans.
AB  - Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related guilt are risk factors
      for suicidal ideation (SI) in veterans. Components of trauma-related guilt were
      examined as serial mediators of the relationship between PTSD and SI. In a sample
      of 53 OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans, PTSD had an indirect effect on SI through a
      serial mediation chain of guilt cognitions, distress, and global guilt,
      suggesting that trauma-related guilt via cognitions, distress, and global guilt
      is a pathway from PTSD to SI. Attention should be given to assessing and
      addressing trauma-related guilt in veterans experiencing PTSD to prevent SI.

PMID- 27273460
TI  - Assessment of Heterotrophic Growth Supported by Soluble Microbial Products in
      Anammox Biofilm using Multidimensional Modeling.
AB  - Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is known to autotrophically convert
      ammonium to dinitrogen gas with nitrite as the electron acceptor, but little is
      known about their released microbial products and how these are relative to
      heterotrophic growth in anammox system. In this work, we applied a mathematical
      model to assess the heterotrophic growth supported by three key microbial
      products produced by bacteria in anammox biofilm (utilization associated products
      (UAP), biomass associated products (BAP), and decay released substrate). Both One
      dimensional and two-dimensional numerical biofilm models were developed to
      describe the development of anammox biofilm as a function of the multiple
      bacteria-substrate interactions. Model simulations show that UAP of anammox is
      the main organic carbon source for heterotrophs. Heterotrophs are mainly dominant
      at the surface of the anammox biofilm with small fraction inside the biofilm. 1-D
      model is sufficient to describe the main substrate concentrations/fluxes within
      the anammox biofilm, while the 2-D model can give a more detailed biomass
      distribution. The heterotrophic growth on UAP is mainly present at the outside of
      anammox biofilm, their growth on BAP (HetB) are present throughout the biofilm,
      while the growth on decay released substrate (HetD) is mainly located in the
      inner layers of the biofilm.

PMID- 27273461
TI  - Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of CYP3A4-Mediated Drug-Drug Interactions of
      Isavuconazole With Rifampin, Ketoconazole, Midazolam, and Ethinyl
      Estradiol/Norethindrone in Healthy Adults.
AB  - This report describes the phase 1 trials that evaluated the metabolism of the
      novel triazole antifungal isavuconazole by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and
      isavuconazole's effects on CYP3A4-mediated metabolism in healthy adults.
      Coadministration of oral isavuconazole (100 mg once daily) with oral rifampin
      (600 mg once daily; CYP3A4 inducer) decreased isavuconazole area under the
      concentration-time curve (AUCtau ) during a dosing interval by 90% and maximum
      concentration (Cmax ) by 75%. Conversely, coadministration of isavuconazole (200
      mg single dose) with oral ketoconazole (200 mg twice daily; CYP3A4 inhibitor)
      increased isavuconazole AUC from time 0 to infinity (AUC0-infinity ) and Cmax by
      422% and 9%, respectively. Isavuconazole was coadministered (200 mg 3 times daily
      for 2 days, then 200 mg once daily) with single doses of oral midazolam (3 mg;
      CYP3A4 substrate) or ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (35 MUg/1 mg; CYP3A4
      substrate). Following coadministration, AUC0-infinity increased 103% for
      midazolam, 8% for ethinyl estradiol, and 16% for norethindrone; Cmax increased by
      72%, 14%, and 6%, respectively. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in
      intensity; there were no deaths, and serious adverse events and adverse events
      leading to study discontinuation were rare. These results indicate that
      isavuconazole is a sensitive substrate and moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4.

PMID- 27273462
TI  - Effects Of treadmill training on hindlimb muscles of spinal cord-injured mice.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Treadmill training is known to prevent muscle atrophy after spinal
      cord injury (SCI), but the training duration required to optimize recovery has
      not been investigated. METHODS: Hemisected mice were randomized to 3, 6, or 9
      weeks of training or no training. Muscle fiber type composition and fiber cross
      sectional area (CSA) of medial gastrocnemius (MG), soleus (SOL), and tibialis
      anterior (TA) were assessed using ATPase histochemistry. RESULTS: Muscle fiber
      type composition of SCI animals did not change with training. However, 9 weeks of
      training increased the CSA of type IIB and IIX fibers in TA and MG muscles.
      CONCLUSIONS: Nine weeks of training after incomplete SCI was effective in
      preventing atrophy of fast-twitch muscles, but there were limited effects on slow
      twitch muscles and muscle fiber type composition. These data provide important
      evidence of the benefits of exercising paralyzed limbs after SCI. Muscle Nerve,
      2016 Muscle Nerve 55: 232-242, 2017.

PMID- 27273463
TI  - Incidence and risk factors of bacterial infections in children following
      autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Single-center experience from
      Jordan.
AB  - Bacterial infection is a serious sequela following AHSCT; however, limited data
      are available regarding pediatric recipients, especially in developing countries.
      We retrospectively analyzed the incidence and risk factors of bacterial
      infections during the first 100 days after AHSCT in children at KHCC in Amman,
      Jordan between January, 2005 and September, 2013. A total of 65 patients were
      identified, with median age of four yr (1-17). Forty-seven patients (72.3%) had
      solid tumors and 18 (27.7%) had lymphoma. Bacterial infections were documented in
      33 patients (50%), with a total of 63 episodes. Gram-negative infection (57.1%)
      was more prevalent than Gram-positive infection (38%). The risk of bacterial
      infections was higher among patients less than five yr of age (p = 0.028) and
      those who developed hypogammaglobulinemia requiring IVIG replacement (p = 0.001).
      Patients with solid tumors developed more bacterial infections compared to
      patients with lymphoma (p = 0.0057). No deaths were attributed to bacterial
      infection. Bacterial infection rate is high among recipients of AHSCT in Jordan
      with Gram-negative bacteria being the most common.

PMID- 27273465
TI  - Reducible Dimeric Conjugates of Small Internally Segment Interfering RNA for
      Efficient Gene Silencing.
AB  - The condensation of nucleic acids into compact nanoparticles with cationic
      carriers is a powerful tool for translocating exogenous nucleic acids into cells.
      To date, most efforts have been focused on the development of novel gene carriers
      for safe and efficient gene delivery. However, small interfering RNA (siRNA) is
      generally not strongly associated with cationic carriers due to its stiff
      structure and low spatial charge density. To overcome this limitation, this work
      introduces a well-defined dimeric conjugate of small internally segment
      interfering RNA (sisiRNA) linked via a disulfide bond for enhanced cellular
      uptake and gene silencing. Dimeric sisiRNA is synthesized through oxidizing two
      monomeric sisiRNA molecules, each of which consists of a sense strand carrying a
      nick and an antisense strand modified with a thiol group at the 3'-end. The nick
      in the sense strand enables the dimeric sisiRNA to be more effectively condensed
      into nanosized complexes due to the increased structural flexibility, which
      results in a higher gene silencing efficiency compared with the dimeric siRNA
      containing the intact sense strands. The results indicate that the discontinuity
      of the sense strands is a simple method of adding more flexibility to various
      siRNA-based nanostructures for enhanced gene silencing.

PMID- 27273466
TI  - A Green Approach to High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes: The Chemical
      Activation of Hydrochar with Potassium Bicarbonate.
AB  - Sustainable synthesis schemes for the production of porous carbons with
      appropriate textural properties for use as supercapacitor electrodes are in high
      demand. In this work a greener option to the widely used but corrosive KOH is
      proposed for the production of highly porous carbons. Hydrochar products are used
      as carbon precursors. It is demonstrated that a mild alkaline potassium salt such
      as potassium bicarbonate is very effective to generate porosity in hydrochar to
      lead to materials with large surface areas (> 2000 m(2)  g(-1) ) and a tunable
      pore size distribution. Furthermore, the use of KHCO3 instead of KOH gives rise
      to a significant 10 % increase in the yield of activated carbon, and the
      spherical morphology of hydrochar is retained, which translates into better
      packing properties and reduced ion diffusion distances. These features lead to a
      supercapacitor performance that can compete with, and even surpass, that of KOH
      activated hydrochar in a variety of electrolytes.

PMID- 27273464
TI  - Slitrk1 is localized to excitatory synapses and promotes their development.
AB  - Following the migration of the axonal growth cone to its target area, the initial
      axo-dendritic contact needs to be transformed into a functional synapse. This
      multi-step process relies on overlapping but distinct combinations of molecules
      that confer synaptic identity. Slitrk molecules are transmembrane proteins that
      are highly expressed in the central nervous system. We found that two members of
      the Slitrk family, Slitrk1 and Slitrk2, can regulate synapse formation between
      hippocampal neurons. Slitrk1 is enriched in postsynaptic fractions and is
      localized to excitatory synapses. Overexpression of Slitrk1 and Slitrk2 in
      hippocampal neurons increased the number of synaptic contacts on these neurons.
      Furthermore, decreased expression of Slitrk1 in hippocampal neurons led to a
      reduction in the number of excitatory, but not inhibitory, synapses formed in
      hippocampal neuron cultures. In addition, we demonstrate that different leucine
      rich repeat domains of the extracellular region of Slitrk1 are necessary to
      mediate interactions with Slitrk binding partners of the LAR receptor protein
      tyrosine phosphatase family, and to promote dimerization of Slitrk1. Altogether,
      our results demonstrate that Slitrk family proteins regulate synapse formation.

PMID- 27273467
TI  - Adjuvant Therapy for Colon Cancer: Small Steps Toward Precision Medicine.

PMID- 27273468
TI  - Dental implants in the elderly population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the outcome of dental
      implant therapy in elderly patients (>=65 years). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Online
      database and hand searches were systematically performed to identify studies
      reporting on dental implants placed in the partially/completely edentulous jaws
      of elderly patients. Only prospective studies reporting on regular-diameter (>=3
      mm), micro-rough surface implants were included in this review. Two investigators
      performed the search and data extraction. An inter-investigator reliability was
      verified using kappa statistics (kappa). A meta-analysis was performed on implant
      survival rates, while the mean peri-implant marginal bone level changes (PI-MBL),
      technical/mechanical complications, and biological complications were reported
      descriptively. RESULTS: The systematic search yielded 2221 publications, of which
      11 studies were included for statistical analyses. The calculated kappa for the
      various parameters extracted was kappa = 0.818-1.000. A meta-analysis was
      performed on the post-loading implant survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years.
      The random-effects model revealed an overall 1-year implant survival of 97.7%
      (95% CI: 95.8, 98.8; I2  = 0.00%, P = 0.968; n = 11 studies). The model further
      revealed an overall implant survival of 96.3% (95% CI: 92.8, 98.1; I2  = 0.00%, P
      = 0.618; n = 6 studies), 96.2% (95% CI: 93.0, 97.9; I2  = 0.00%, P = 0.850; n = 7
      studies), and 91.2% (95% CI: 83.4, 95.6; I2  = 0.00%, P = 0.381; n = 3 studies)
      for 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The reported 1-year average PI-MBL ranged
      between 0.1 and 0.3 mm, while the reported 5- and 10-year PI-MBL were 0.7 and 1.5
      mm, respectively. Information obtained pertaining to the technical and biological
      complications in the included studies was inadequate for statistical analysis.
      The frequent technical/mechanical complications reported were abutment screw
      loosening, fracture of the overdenture prostheses, activation of retentive clips,
      ceramic chipping, and fractures. The common biological complication reported
      included peri-implant mucositis, mucosal enlargement, bone loss, pain, and
      implant loss. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides robust evidence favoring dental
      implant therapy in elderly patients as a predictable long-term treatment option,
      in terms of implant survival, clinically acceptable PI-MBL changes, and minimal
      complications. Therefore, age alone should not be a limiting factor for dental
      implant therapy.

PMID- 27273469
TI  - Bone marrow transplantation for CVID-like humoral immune deficiency associated
      with red cell aplasia.
AB  - Patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) have a higher incidence of
      autoimmune disease, which may mark the disease onset; however, anemia secondary
      to pure red cell aplasia is an uncommon presenting feature. Here, we describe a
      case of CVID-like humoral immune deficiency in a child who initially presented
      with red cell aplasia and ultimately developed progressive bone marrow failure.
      Although bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has been associated with high
      mortality in CVID, our patient was successfully treated with a matched sibling
      BMT and engrafted with >98% donor chimerism and the development of normal
      antibody titers to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids.

PMID- 27273471
TI  - Practicing the art of medicine in the era of technology.

PMID- 27273472
TI  - Infantile haemangiomas do not occur more frequently in children with congenital
      melanocytic naevi.

PMID- 27273470
TI  - Transducer-based evaluation of tremor.
AB  - The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society established a task
      force on tremor that reviewed the use of transducer-based measures in the
      quantification and characterization of tremor. Studies of accelerometry,
      electromyography, activity monitoring, gyroscopy, digitizing tablet-based
      measures, vocal acoustic analysis, and several other transducer-based methods
      were identified by searching PubMed.gov. The availability, use, acceptability,
      reliability, validity, and responsiveness were reviewed for each measure using
      the following criteria: (1) used in the assessment of tremor; (2) used in
      published studies by people other than the developers; and (3) adequate
      clinimetric testing. Accelerometry, gyroscopy, electromyography, and digitizing
      tablet-based measures fulfilled all three criteria. Compared to rating scales,
      transducers are far more sensitive to changes in tremor amplitude and frequency,
      but they do not appear to be more capable of detecting a change that exceeds
      random variability in tremor amplitude (minimum detectable change). The use of
      transducer-based measures requires careful attention to their limitations and
      validity in a particular clinical or research setting. (c) 2016 International
      Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

PMID- 27273473
TI  - Experiments with Seasonal Forecasts of ocean conditions for the Northern region
      of the California Current upwelling system.
AB  - Resource managers at the state, federal, and tribal levels make decisions on a
      weekly to quarterly basis, and fishers operate on a similar timeframe. To
      determine the potential of a support tool for these efforts, a seasonal forecast
      system is experimented with here. JISAO's Seasonal Coastal Ocean Prediction of
      the Ecosystem (J-SCOPE) features dynamical downscaling of regional ocean
      conditions in Washington and Oregon waters using a combination of a high
      resolution regional model with biogeochemistry and forecasts from NOAA's Climate
      Forecast System (CFS). Model performance and predictability were examined for sea
      surface temperature (SST), bottom temperature, bottom oxygen, pH, and aragonite
      saturation state through model hindcasts, reforecast, and forecast comparisons
      with observations. Results indicate J-SCOPE forecasts have measurable skill on
      seasonal timescales. Experiments suggest that seasonal forecasting of ocean
      conditions important for fisheries is possible with the right combination of
      components. Those components include regional predictability on seasonal
      timescales of the physical environment from a large-scale model, a high
      resolution regional model with biogeochemistry that simulates seasonal conditions
      in hindcasts, a relationship with local stakeholders, and a real-time
      observational network. Multiple efforts and approaches in different regions would
      advance knowledge to provide additional tools to fishers and other stakeholders.

PMID- 27273475
TI  - Middle East respiratory syndrome-related knowledge, preventive behaviours and
      risk perception among nursing students during outbreak.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to survey nursing students' Middle
      East respiratory syndrome-related knowledge, preventive behaviours and risk
      perception to examine the correlations among the variables during a Middle East
      respiratory syndrome outbreak. BACKGROUND: Middle East respiratory syndrome is a
      new viral respiratory illness. Nursing students who engage in clinical practice
      at hospitals may have been exposed to Middle East respiratory syndrome infection
      during the Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak. DESIGN: This study was a
      descriptive cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Participants (n = 249) were nursing
      students in their third or fourth year of the programme who were engaged in
      clinical practice for eight hours per day at the tertiary hospitals with Middle
      East respiratory syndrome patients. Knowledge, preventive behaviours and risk
      perception related to Middle East respiratory syndrome were measured using scales
      developed through a preliminary survey and validity testing. RESULTS: The
      subjects' knowledge level of Middle East respiratory syndrome was 84.4%; their
      practice of preventive behaviours was rated at 44.5%; and their risk perception
      rating was 2.4 out of 5. Middle East respiratory syndrome-related risk perception
      was significantly different according to gender and Middle East respiratory
      syndrome education. Middle East respiratory syndrome-related knowledge was
      significantly correlated with preventive behaviours and risk perception.
      CONCLUSION: Considering the low scores for items regarding knowledge and
      preventive behaviours, it is necessary to develop effective and systematic
      publicity and education programmes for nursing students. Enhancing Middle East
      respiratory syndrome-related knowledge by considering cooperation between
      hospitals and universities will sharpen nursing students' risk perception of the
      disease and effectively increase their preventive behaviours. RELEVANCE TO
      CLINICAL PRACTICE: Similar to other emerging infectious diseases, Middle East
      respiratory syndrome outbreaks may occur in other countries. The results of this
      study can be used to develop and apply efficient and feasible Middle East
      respiratory syndrome education programmes for nursing students during Middle East
      respiratory syndrome outbreaks.

PMID- 27273474
TI  - Abnormal reward circuitry in anorexia nervosa: A longitudinal, multimodal MRI
      study.
AB  - Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a debilitating illness and existing interventions are
      only modestly effective. This study aimed to determine whether AN pathophysiology
      is associated with altered connections within fronto-accumbal circuitry
      subserving reward processing. Diffusion and resting-state functional MRI scans
      were collected in female inpatients with AN (n = 22) and healthy controls (HC; n
      = 18) between the ages of 16 and 25 years. Individuals with AN were scanned
      during the acute, underweight phase of the illness and again following inpatient
      weight restoration. HC were scanned twice over the same timeframe. Based on
      univariate and multivariate analyses of fronto-accumbal circuitry, underweight
      individuals with AN were found to have increased structural connectivity
      (diffusion probabilistic tractography), increased white matter anisotropy (tract
      based spatial statistics), increased functional connectivity (seed-based
      correlation in resting-state fMRI), and altered effective connectivity (spectral
      dynamic causal modeling). Following weight restoration, fronto-accumbal
      structural connectivity continued to be abnormally increased bilaterally with
      large (partial eta2  = 0.387; right NAcc-OFC) and moderate (partial eta2  =
      0.197; left NAcc-OFC) effect sizes. Increased structural connectivity within
      fronto-accumbal circuitry in the underweight state correlated with severity of
      eating disorder symptoms. Taken together, the findings from this longitudinal,
      multimodal neuroimaging study offer converging evidence of atypical fronto
      accumbal circuitry in AN. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3835-3846, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273477
TI  - Towards the Better: Intrinsic Property Amelioration in Bulk Metallic Glasses.
AB  - Tailoring the intrinsic length-scale effects in bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) via
      post-heat treatment necessitates a systematic analyzing strategy. Although
      various achievements were made in the past years to structurally enhance the
      properties of different BMG alloys, the influence of short-term sub-glass
      transition annealing on the relaxation kinetics is still not fully covered. Here,
      we aim for unraveling the connection between the physical, (thermo)mechanical and
      structural changes as a function of selected pre-annealing temperatures and time
      scales with an in-house developed Cu46Zr44Al8Hf2 based BMG alloy. The controlled
      formation of nanocrystals below 50 nm with homogenous distribution inside the
      matrix phase via thermal treatment increase the material's resistance to strain
      softening by almost an order of magnitude. The present work determines the design
      aspects of metallic glasses with enhanced mechanical properties via
      nanostructural modifications, while postulating a counter-argument to the
      intrinsic property degradation accounted for long-term annealing.

PMID- 27273476
TI  - Structural flexibility of the periplasmic protein, FlgA, regulates flagellar P
      ring assembly in Salmonella enterica.
AB  - A periplasmic flagellar chaperone protein, FlgA, is required for P-ring assembly
      in bacterial flagella of taxa such as Salmonella enterica or Escherichia coli.
      The mechanism of chaperone-mediated P-ring formation is poorly understood. Here
      we present the open and closed crystal structures of FlgA from Salmonella
      enterica serovar Typhimurium, grown under different crystallization conditions.
      An intramolecular disulfide cross-linked form of FlgA caused a dominant negative
      effect on motility of the wild-type strain. Pull-down experiments support a
      specific protein-protein interaction between FlgI, the P-ring component protein,
      and the C-terminal domain of FlgA. Surface plasmon resonance and limited
      proteolysis indicate that flexibility of the domain is reduced in the covalently
      closed form. These results show that the structural flexibility of the C-terminal
      domain of FlgA, which is related to the structural difference between the two
      crystal forms, is intrinsically associated with its molecular chaperone function
      in P-ring assembly.

PMID- 27273478
TI  - Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and metabolic syndrome: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and quantify the effect of Helicobacter
      pylori (H. pylori) infection on the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and metabolic
      parameters in individuals with H. pylori infection. METHODS: A systematic search
      of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed. Inclusion criteria were observational
      studies assessing the association between H. pylori infection and MS in adult
      participants. We calculated the pooled effect estimate of MS with 95% confidence
      interval (CI) between patients infected with H. pylori and those without by using
      a random-effects model. The secondary outcomes were the differences between
      groups in homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR),
      triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose
      (FBG), body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). RESULTS:
      Altogether 18 trials with 27 544 participants met the inclusion criteria. Six
      trials were included in the analysis of MS. There was a statistically significant
      association between H. pylori and MS with a pooled odds ratio of 1.34 (95% CI
      1.17-1.53, I(2)  = 39%, Pheterogeneity < 0.01). Between the infected and non
      infected groups there were significant differences in FBG, HDL-C, BMI,
      triglyceride, HOMA-IR and SBP (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection is
      positively associated with MS. Infection with H. pylori is also associated with
      higher triglyceride, FBG, BMI, HOMA-IR, SBP and lower HDL-C.

PMID- 27273480
TI  - Yap/Taz transcriptional activity in endothelial cells promotes intramembranous
      ossification via the BMP pathway.
AB  - Osteogenesis is categorized into two groups based on developmental histology,
      intramembranous and endochondral ossification. The role of blood vessels during
      endochondral ossification is well known, while their role in intramembranous
      ossification, especially the intertissue pathway, is poorly understood. Here, we
      demonstrate endothelial Yap/Taz is a novel regulator of intramembranous
      ossification in zebrafish. Appropriate blood flow is required for Yap/Taz
      transcriptional activation in endothelial cells and intramembranous ossification.
      Additionally, Yap/Taz transcriptional activity in endothelial cells specifically
      promotes intramembranous ossification. BMP expression by Yap/Taz transactivation
      in endothelial cells is also identified as a bridging factor between blood
      vessels and intramembranous ossification. Furthermore, the expression of Runx2 in
      pre-osteoblast cells is a downstream target of Yap/Taz transcriptional activity
      in endothelial cells. Our results provide novel insight into the relationship
      between blood flow and ossification by demonstrating intertissue regulation.

PMID- 27273481
TI  - Tolerability of Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine in Pediatric Patients.
AB  - Background.: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus
      endemic to parts of Asia. Manufacture of JE-VAX, the mouse brain-derived vaccine
      against JEV, was discontinued in February 2011. IXIARO, an inactivated cell
      culture-derived vaccine, was approved in 2009 for use in adult patients. Although
      IXIARO was not licensed for pediatric patients until 2013, our clinic routinely
      used this vaccine in at-risk children starting in 2011. The purpose of this study
      was to review our experience as to the tolerability of the new IXIARO vaccine in
      children. Methods.: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients
      less than 18 years of age who received at least 1 dose of IXIARO in our Family
      Travel Clinic from November 2011 through August 2014. Subjects' electronic
      medical records were reviewed for any documented medical visits within 3 months
      after vaccination. Each visit was assessed for possible adverse events with
      relationship to vaccine administration as determined by the reviewer. Results.:
      Ninety-two patients less than 18 years of age received a total of 145 doses of
      IXIARO between November 2011 and August 2014. Seven adverse events were
      documented. Only 1 was deemed to be possibly related. No serious adverse events
      were found on chart review. Conclusions.: Our study reinforces the recent
      decision to expand IXIARO vaccination to the pediatric population. The experience
      in our clinic since vaccine introduction shows it to be overall tolerable when
      used in routine clinical practice. Practitioners should feel comfortable
      recommending vaccination against JEV for any pediatric traveler to an area of
      risk.

PMID- 27273485
TI  - In Defense of Off-label Prescribing.

PMID- 27273479
TI  - Urinary excretions of 34 dietary polyphenols and their associations with
      lifestyle factors in the EPIC cohort study.
AB  - Urinary excretion of 34 dietary polyphenols and their variations according to
      diet and other lifestyle factors were measured by tandem mass spectrometry in 475
      adult participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and
      Nutrition (EPIC) cross-sectional study. A single 24-hour urine sample was
      analysed for each subject from 4 European countries. The highest median levels
      were observed for phenolic acids such as 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (157 MUmol/24
      h), followed by 3-hydroxyphenylacetic, ferulic, vanillic and homovanillic acids
      (20-50 MUmol/24 h). The lowest concentrations were observed for equol, apigenin
      and resveratrol (<0.1 MUmol/24 h). Urinary polyphenols significantly varied by
      centre, followed by alcohol intake, sex, educational level, and energy intake.
      This variability is largely explained by geographical variations in the diet, as
      suggested by the high correlations (r > 0.5) observed between urinary polyphenols
      and the intake of their main food sources (e.g., resveratrol and gallic acid
      ethyl ester with red wine intake; caffeic, protocatechuic and ferulic acids with
      coffee consumption; and hesperetin and naringenin with citrus fruit intake). The
      large variations in urinary polyphenols observed are largely determined by food
      preferences. These polyphenol biomarkers should allow more accurate evaluation of
      the relationships between polyphenol exposure and the risk of chronic diseases in
      large epidemiological studies.

PMID- 27273486
TI  - In Defense of Off-label Prescribing-Reply.

PMID- 27273487
TI  - Hypertension, the Swedish Patient Register, and Selection Bias.

PMID- 27273488
TI  - Questioning Nicotine Replacement Therapy Without Behavioral Support.

PMID- 27273489
TI  - Hypertension, the Swedish Patient Register, and Selection Bias-Reply.

PMID- 27273490
TI  - Questioning Nicotine Replacement Therapy Without Behavioral Support-Reply.

PMID- 27273491
TI  - Estimating Vitamin D Status and the Choice of Supplementation Dose.

PMID- 27273492
TI  - Estimating Vitamin D Status and the Choice of Supplementation Dose-Reply.

PMID- 27273493
TI  - Adverse Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease.

PMID- 27273494
TI  - Adverse Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease.

PMID- 27273495
TI  - Adverse Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease.

PMID- 27273496
TI  - Adverse Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease.

PMID- 27273497
TI  - Adverse Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease.

PMID- 27273498
TI  - Adverse Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease.

PMID- 27273499
TI  - Adverse Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease-Reply.

PMID- 27273500
TI  - Imaging More Wisely-Already At Work.

PMID- 27273501
TI  - Imaging More Wisely-Already At Work-Reply.

PMID- 27273503
TI  - Brain Herniation into Arachnoid Granulations: Clinical and Neuroimaging Features.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Brain herniation into presumed arachnoid granulations (BHAG)
      is an increasingly recognized entity. Though it has previously been described as
      isointense to brain matter on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we have
      encountered 21 cases in our clinical practice, many of which have signal
      abnormality in the herniated or adjacent parenchyma. We performed a systematic
      analysis on these cases to further understand the clinical significance. METHODS:
      This is a retrospective analysis of cases collected from our clinical MRI
      practice. Each case was evaluated for location, size, lobe of origin, associated
      signal abnormality, symptoms, and the presence or absence of intracranial
      hypertension. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases of BHAG identified in 16 patients. Seven
      cases (7/21, 33%) demonstrated signal abnormality in the herniated or underlying
      parenchyma. On serial imaging, the size of herniation either fluctuated (2/10,
      20%) or stayed the same (8/10, 80%). The associated signal abnormalities
      increased (1/5, 20%), decreased (1/5, 20%), or remained stable (3/5, 60%). Four
      patients (4/16, 25%) had signs/symptoms that could be associated with the BHAG.
      Ten patients (10/16, 63%) had either imaging findings or clinical signs that
      could be associated with intracranial hypertension. CONCLUSION: In contrast to
      previously reported cases, our study demonstrates that BHAG can be associated
      with MRI signal abnormalities of the herniated and adjacent brain. Symptoms are
      typically absent, though may be present in a small subset of patients, regardless
      of the presence of signal change or encephalomalacia of the involved brain.
      Indirect evidence of intracranial hypertension is present in a majority of
      patients but completely lacking in others.

PMID- 27273502
TI  - Human mesenchymal stem cells attenuate pulmonary hypertension induced by prenatal
      lipopolysaccharide treatment in rats.
AB  - Intra-amniotic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces pulmonary
      hypertension in newborn rats. This study was designed to test whether human
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reduce pulmonary hypertension and alleviate cardiac
      hypertrophy in prenatal LPS-treated rats. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were
      injected intraperitoneally with LPS (0.5 mg/kg per day) or untreated on
      gestational days 20 and 21. Human MSCs (3*10(5) cells and 1*10(6) cells) in 0.03
      mL of normal saline (NS) were transplanted intratracheally on postnatal day 5.
      Four study groups were considered: normal, LPS+NS, LPS+MSCs (3*10(5) cells), and
      LPS+MSCs (1*10(6) cells). On postnatal day 14, lung and heart tissues were
      collected for measuring the arterial medial wall thickness (MWT) and beta-myosin
      heavy chain (beta-MHC) level as markers of pulmonary hypertension and cardiac
      hypertrophy, respectively. The LPS+NS group exhibited a significantly higher
      right ventricle (RV)/[left ventricle (LV)+ interventricular septum (IVS)]
      thickness ratio and MWT, a greater cardiomyocyte width, a greater number of
      cardiomyocyte nuclei per squared millimeter, and higher beta-MHC expression than
      those observed in the normal group. Human MSC transplantation (3*10(5) cells and
      1*10(6) cells) in LPS-treated rats reduced MWT and the RV/(LV+IVS) thickness
      ratio to normal levels. This improvement in right ventricular hypertrophy was
      accompanied by a decrease in toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-kappaB,
      and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in the heart. Intratracheal human MSCs
      transplantation can attenuate pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular
      hypertrophy in prenatal LPS-treated rats; this attenuation may be associated with
      suppression of TLR4 expression via paracrine pathways.

PMID- 27273504
TI  - I. QUALITY THRESHOLDS, FEATURES, AND DOSAGE IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION:
      INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW.
AB  - This monograph addresses the hypotheses that preschool children benefit most
      strongly when early care and education (ECE) is at or above a threshold of
      quality, has specific quality features, and/or is of longer duration. These
      issues are pivotal in recent policies designed to improve the quality of ECE,
      especially for children from low-income families. Evidence of quality thresholds
      in which ECE quality has stronger impacts in settings with moderate to high
      levels of quality than in settings with low quality would inform policy
      initiatives in which monetary incentives or consequences are allocated to ECE
      settings based on their level of quality. Evidence that specific features of
      quality, such as quality of teacher-child interactions and of literacy and
      mathematics instruction, are predictors of gains in child outcomes could help
      inform quality improvement efforts. Evidence that more time spent in center-based
      ECE or in instruction in specific content areas predict larger gains among
      preschoolers could be useful in designing public preschool programs such as Head
      Start or prekindergarten. Secondary data analyses of eight large studies of
      preschool children in center-based ECE were conducted. Analyses focused on
      quality thresholds and quality features examined the extent to which three types
      of quality measures predicted gains in children's language, literacy,
      mathematics, and social skills. The measures comprised (1) global quality
      measures that provide an overall or global rating of quality, focusing on
      interactions as well as on physical features of the environment, activities, and
      routines; (2) interaction-specific measures that focus in depth on the quality of
      interactions between teachers and children with respect to instructional and
      emotional support; and (3) domain-specific measures that focus on the quality of
      instruction and stimulation in specific content areas such as early language and
      literacy. The goal was to provide replicated analyses with data from several
      projects in order to address each question. Multilevel analyses that controlled
      for entry skills were conducted, and results were combined by using meta
      analysis, nonlinear and nonparametric analyses, and propensity score analyses.
      With respect to thresholds, the analyses suggest that increases in the quality of
      instruction are related to larger gains in language and literacy outcomes, but
      only in higher quality classrooms. Results point to stronger associations between
      quality and child outcomes in higher versus lower quality classrooms for measures
      of the instructional quality of teacher-child interactions and of the quality of
      specific activities thought to promote early literacy, such as teaching phonemic
      skills and book reading. In addition, the items focusing on quality of
      interactions on the global measure also predicted acquisition of language and
      social skills in higher but not in lower quality classrooms. With respect to
      quality features, interaction-specific and especially domain-specific measures of
      quality remained significant predictors of child outcomes, whereas global
      measures of quality were never significant positive predictors, when both global
      and more specific measures of quality were included simultaneously in analyses.
      There is thus consistent evidence that more specific measures of quality are
      better predictors of child outcomes. With respect to dosage, several approaches
      were used in operationalizing both the cumulative and current dosage of
      children's exposure to ECE. Propensity score analyses that included baseline
      scores on outcomes to control for selection into larger dosages suggested that
      children with two as opposed to one year of Head Start had stronger vocabulary
      and literacy skills both immediately upon exit from Head Start and at the end of
      kindergarten. Fewer absences and more observed time spent on instruction were
      associated with stronger gains in literacy and mathematics skills. Finally,
      findings revealed that more time spent on instruction in classrooms with higher
      overall quality was particularly important to the development of mathematics
      skills. No other replicated evidence of quality by quantity interactions emerged.

PMID- 27273505
TI  - II. QUALITY THRESHOLDS, FEATURES, AND DOSAGE IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION:
      METHODS.

PMID- 27273506
TI  - III. TESTING FOR QUALITY THRESHOLDS AND FEATURES IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION.
AB  - In this chapter, we report on the analyses focusing on both quality thresholds
      and quality features. First, we address questions about quality thresholds, using
      two analytic approaches. The analyses ask whether there is evidence suggesting
      thresholds in the association between a specific quality measure and a specific
      child outcome. Second, we extend these analyses to ask whether each child outcome
      is more strongly related to global quality measures or to quality measures that
      measure teacher-child interactions or quality of instruction in a given content
      area. The research to date provides the basis for the articulation of two
      hypotheses related to quality thresholds and features: (1) the quality of ECE is
      a stronger predictor of residualized gains in child outcomes in classrooms with
      higher quality than in classrooms with lower quality and (2) more specific
      measures of quality are stronger predictors of residualized gains in child
      outcomes than are global measures. We turn now to analyses intended to address
      these hypotheses by using data from several data sets.

PMID- 27273507
TI  - IV. TESTING FOR DOSAGE-OUTCOME ASSOCIATIONS IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION.

PMID- 27273508
TI  - V. QUALITY THRESHOLDS, FEATURES, AND DOSAGE IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION:
      DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS.

PMID- 27273510
TI  - REFLECTIONS ON QUALITY AND DOSAGE OF PRESCHOOL AND CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT.
AB  - This ambitious monograph tackles several important questions related to
      children's preschool experiences that have relevance for program and policy
      initiatives at the state and federal levels. The authors' approach is rigorous:
      they conduct parallel analyses across eight large and diverse studies of
      preschool children in center care and use meta-analysis to summarize patterns
      across studies. The study finds nonlinear associations between preschool quality
      and gains in language and literacy skills, with larger associations in higher
      versus lower quality classrooms. Results also show that domain-specific measures
      of preschool quality were more strongly related to children's development than
      global quality measures. The "dosage" of preschool was likewise important: more
      years in Head Start predicted larger vocabulary and literacy gains, whereas more
      time spent on instruction predicted greater literacy and math skills growth. In
      this commentary, we situate these findings in the broader literature addressing
      links between preschool experiences and children's development and discuss key
      takeaways for research, practice, and policy. 

PMID- 27273511
TI  - Opioid agonist doses for oxycodone and morphine dependence: Findings from a
      retrospective case series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Use of opioid agonist treatments for prescription opioid (PO)
      dependence is rapidly increasing. Current guidelines are based on research with
      heroin users. This study aimed to examine methadone and buprenorphine dose
      requirements for PO-dependent people. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective case
      series of PO-dependent patients entering methadone and buprenorphine treatment.
      Daily oral morphine equivalent (OME) doses at baseline were calculated using
      standard dose conversion calculations. Dose conversion tables were used to
      estimate opioid agonist doses, based on starting dose of PO. Baseline methadone
      and buprenorphine dose at days 7 and 28 were examined. Linear models were fit to
      the data. RESULTS: Participants (n = 44) were 67% male, mean age 41 years (SD 10
      years); 69% reported a pain condition. The methadone group (n = 21) had a mean PO
      dose of 704.5 mg OME (SD 783.5 mg) prior to treatment, and mean methadone dose of
      45.3 mg (SD 13.1 mg) at day 7 and 61.6 mg (SD 20.8 mg) at day 28. The
      buprenorphine group (n = 23) had a mean PO dose of 771.7 mg OME (SD 867.7 mg)
      prior to treatment, with a mean dose of 14.6 mg (SD 8.3 mg) at day 7 and 18.1 (SD
      8.9 mg) at day 28. Linear relationships were not found between OME and opioid
      agonist dose. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid agonist dosages varied substantially between
      individuals, and from predicted dosages based on dose conversion tables. Use of
      conversion tables to guide selection of opioid agonist dosage may compromise
      patient safety. [Nielsen S, Bruno R, Degenhardt L, Demirkol A, Lintzeris N.
      Opioid agonist doses for oxycodone and morphine dependence: Findings from a
      retrospective case series Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:311-316].

PMID- 27273512
TI  - Generation of an ultra-short electrical pulse with width shorter than the
      excitation laser.
AB  - We demonstrate experimentally a rare phenomenon that the width of an electrical
      response is shorter than that of the excitation laser. In this work, generation
      of an ultrashort electrical pulse is by a semi-insulating GaAs photoconductive
      semiconductor switch (PCSS) and the generated electrical pulse width is shorter
      than that of the excitation laser from diode laser. When the pulse width and
      energy of the excitation laser are fixed at 25.7 ns and 1.6 MUJ respectively, the
      width of the generated electrical pulse width by 3-mm-gap GaAs PCSS at the bias
      voltage of 9 kV is only 7.3 ns. The model of photon-activated charge domain
      (PACD) is used to explain the peculiar phenomenon in our experiment. The
      ultrashort electrical pulse width is mainly relevant to the time interval of PACD
      from occurrence to disappearance in the mode. The shorter the time interval is,
      the narrower the electrical pulse width will become. In more general terms, our
      result suggests that in nonlinear regime a response signal can have a much short
      width than the excitation pulses. The result clearly indicates that generating
      ultrashort electrical pulses can be achieved without the need of ultrashort
      lasers.

PMID- 27273513
TI  - Artificial proteins as allosteric modulators of PDZ3 and SH3 in two-domain
      constructs: A computational characterization of novel chimeric proteins.
AB  - Artificial multidomain proteins with enhanced structural and functional
      properties can be utilized in a broad spectrum of applications. The design of
      chimeric fusion proteins utilizing protein domains or one-domain miniproteins as
      building blocks is an important advancement for the creation of new biomolecules
      for biotechnology and medical applications. However, computational studies to
      describe in detail the dynamics and geometry properties of two-domain constructs
      made from structurally and functionally different proteins are lacking. Here, we
      tested an in silico design strategy using all-atom explicit solvent molecular
      dynamics simulations. The well-characterized PDZ3 and SH3 domains of human zonula
      occludens (ZO-1) (3TSZ), along with 5 artificial domains and 2 types of molecular
      linkers, were selected to construct chimeric two-domain molecules. The influence
      of the artificial domains on the structure and dynamics of the PDZ3 and SH3
      domains was determined using a range of analyses. We conclude that the artificial
      domains can function as allosteric modulators of the PDZ3 and SH3 domains.
      Proteins 2016; 84:1358-1374. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273514
TI  - The transcription factor ERG recruits CCR4-NOT to control mRNA decay and mitotic
      progression.
AB  - Control of mRNA levels, a fundamental aspect in the regulation of gene
      expression, is achieved through a balance between mRNA synthesis and decay. E26
      related gene (Erg) proteins are canonical transcription factors whose previously
      described functions are confined to the control of mRNA synthesis. Here, we
      report that ERG also regulates gene expression by affecting mRNA stability and
      identify the molecular mechanisms underlying this function in human cells. ERG is
      recruited to mRNAs via interaction with the RNA-binding protein RBPMS, and it
      promotes mRNA decay by binding CNOT2, a component of the CCR4-NOT deadenylation
      complex. Transcriptome-wide mRNA stability analysis revealed that ERG controls
      the degradation of a subset of mRNAs highly connected to Aurora signaling, whose
      decay during S phase is necessary for mitotic progression. Our data indicate that
      control of gene expression by mammalian transcription factors may follow a more
      complex scheme than previously anticipated, integrating mRNA synthesis and
      degradation.

PMID- 27273515
TI  - Toward the atomic structure of the nuclear pore complex: when top down meets
      bottom up.
AB  - Elucidating the structure of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a prerequisite for
      understanding the molecular mechanism of nucleocytoplasmic transport. However,
      owing to its sheer size and flexibility, the NPC is unapproachable by classical
      structure determination techniques and requires a joint effort of complementary
      methods. Whereas bottom-up approaches rely on biochemical interaction studies and
      crystal-structure determination of NPC components, top-down approaches attempt to
      determine the structure of the intact NPC in situ. Recently, both approaches have
      converged, thereby bridging the resolution gap from the higher-order scaffold
      structure to near-atomic resolution and opening the door for structure-guided
      experimental interrogations of NPC function. 

PMID- 27273517
TI  - Increased 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-induced proteasome dysfunction is correlated with
      cardiac damage in streptozotocin-injected rats with isoproterenol infusion.
AB  - Increase in 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE) due to oxidative stress has been observed
      in a variety of cardiac diseases such as diabetic cardiomyopathy. 4HNE exerts a
      damaging effect in the myocardium by interfering with subcellular organelles like
      mitochondria by forming adducts. Therefore, we hypothesized that increased 4HNE
      adduct formation in the heart results in proteasome inactivation in isoproterenol
      (ISO)-infused type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) rats. Eight-week-old male Sprague
      Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg kg(-1) ). The rats were
      infused with ISO (5 mg kg(-1) ) for 2 weeks by mini pumps, after 8 weeks of STZ
      injection. We studied normal control (n = 8) and DM + ISO (n = 10) groups.
      Cardiac performance was assessed by echocardiography and Millar catheter at the
      end of the protocol at 20 weeks. Initially, we found an increase in 4HNE adducts
      in the hearts of the DM + ISO group. There was also a decrease in myocardial
      proteasomal peptidase (chymotrypsin and trypsin-like) activity. Increases in
      cardiomyocyte area (446 +/- 32.7 vs 221 +/- 10.83) (um(2) ), per cent area of
      cardiac fibrosis (7.4 +/- 0.7 vs 2.7 +/- 0.5) and cardiac dysfunction were also
      found in DM + ISO (P < 0.05) relative to controls. We also found increased 4HNE
      adduct formation on proteasomal subunits. Furthermore, reduced aldehyde
      dehydrogenase 2 activity was observed in the myocardium of the DM + ISO group.
      Treatment with 4HNE (100 MUM) for 4 h on cultured H9c2 cardiomyocytes attenuated
      proteasome activity. Therefore, we conclude that the 4HNE-induced decrease in
      proteasome activity may be involved in the cardiac pathology in STZ-injected rats
      infused with ISO. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27273518
TI  - Life Satisfaction and Psychological Well-Being of Older Adults With Cancer
      Experience: The Role of Optimism and Volunteering.
AB  - Promoting health and well-being among individuals of advancing age is a
      significant issue due to increased incidence of cancer among older adults. This
      study demonstrates the benefits of expecting positive outcomes and participating
      in volunteer activities among older adults with cancer. We used a nationally
      representative sample of 2,670 individuals who have experienced cancer from the
      2008 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. We constructed a structural
      equation model to explore the associations of optimism, volunteerism, life
      satisfaction, and psychological well-being. The level of optimism was a
      significant predictor of volunteerism, which in turn affected life satisfaction
      and psychological well-being. The level of engagement in volunteer activities was
      found to have significant path coefficients toward both life satisfaction and
      psychological well-being. Our study provides evidence that older adults who have
      experienced cancer and maintained a positive outlook on their lives and engaged
      in personally meaningful activities tended to experience psychological well-being
      and life satisfaction.

PMID- 27273516
TI  - Direct observation of DNA threading in flap endonuclease complexes.
AB  - Maintenance of genome integrity requires that branched nucleic acid molecules be
      accurately processed to produce double-helical DNA. Flap endonucleases are
      essential enzymes that trim such branched molecules generated by Okazaki-fragment
      synthesis during replication. Here, we report crystal structures of bacteriophage
      T5 flap endonuclease in complexes with intact DNA substrates and products, at
      resolutions of 1.9-2.2 A. They reveal single-stranded DNA threading through a
      hole in the enzyme, which is enclosed by an inverted V-shaped helical arch
      straddling the active site. Residues lining the hole induce an unusual barb-like
      conformation in the DNA substrate, thereby juxtaposing the scissile phosphate and
      essential catalytic metal ions. A series of complexes and biochemical analyses
      show how the substrate's single-stranded branch approaches, threads through and
      finally emerges on the far side of the enzyme. Our studies suggest that substrate
      recognition involves an unusual 'fly-casting, thread, bend and barb' mechanism.

PMID- 27273519
TI  - A method to estimate the contribution of regional genetic associations to complex
      traits from summary association statistics.
AB  - Despite considerable efforts, known genetic associations only explain a small
      fraction of predicted heritability. Regional associations combine information
      from multiple contiguous genetic variants and can improve variance explained at
      established association loci. However, regional associations are not easily
      amenable to estimation using summary association statistics because of
      sensitivity to linkage disequilibrium (LD). We now propose a novel method, LD
      Adjusted Regional Genetic Variance (LARGV), to estimate phenotypic variance
      explained by regional associations using summary statistics while accounting for
      LD. Our method is asymptotically equivalent to a multiple linear regression model
      when no interaction or haplotype effects are present. It has several
      applications, such as ranking of genetic regions according to variance explained
      or comparison of variance explained by two or more regions. Using height and BMI
      data from the Health Retirement Study (N = 7,776), we show that most genetic
      variance lies in a small proportion of the genome and that previously identified
      linkage peaks have higher than expected regional variance.

PMID- 27273521
TI  - News Feature: The Mars anomaly.

PMID- 27273523
TI  - Alternative Testing Strategies for Nanomaterials: State of the Science and
      Considerations for Risk Analysis.
AB  - The rapid growth of the nanotechnology industry has warranted equal progress in
      the nanotoxicology and risk assessment fields. In vivo models have traditionally
      been used to determine human and environmental risk for chemicals; however, the
      use of these tests has limitations, and there are global appeals to develop
      reliable alternatives to animal testing. Many have investigated the use of
      alternative (nonanimal) testing methods and strategies have quickly developed and
      resulted in the generation of large toxicological data sets for numerous
      nanomaterials (NMs). Due to the novel physicochemical properties of NMs that are
      related to surface characteristics, the approach toward toxicity test development
      has distinct considerations from traditional chemicals, bringing new requirements
      for adapting these approaches for NMs. The methodical development of strategies
      that combine multiple alternative tests can be useful for predictive NM risk
      assessment and help screening-level decision making. This article provides an
      overview of the main developments in alternative methods and strategies for
      reducing uncertainty in NM risk assessment, including advantages and
      disadvantages of in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico methods, and examples of
      existing comprehensive strategies. In addition, knowledge gaps are identified
      toward improvements for experimental and strategy design, specifically
      highlighting the need to represent realistic exposure scenarios and to consider
      NM-specific concerns such as characterization, assay interferences, and
      standardization. Overall, this article aims to improve the reliability and
      utility of alternative testing methods and strategies for risk assessment of
      manufactured NMs.

PMID- 27273524
TI  - Validity of cluster headache diagnoses in an electronic health record data
      repository.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cluster headache (CH) is uncommon, so electronic searches of large
      medical record databases provide an important opportunity to identify a
      sufficient number of patients for research, patient registries, or quality
      improvement work. However, the accuracy of CH diagnoses recorded in electronic
      health record (EHR) databases is unknown. The Research Patient Data Registry
      (RPDR) warehouses information from EHR of two academic medical centers in Boston.
      We assessed the validity of CH diagnoses in the RPDR as well as the sensitivity
      of International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) diagnostic criteria
      in relation to the gold standard of expert clinician diagnosis of CH. METHODS: In
      2013, we queried RPDR to identify all patients diagnosed with CH diagnosed by
      headache specialists from 2002 to 2012. We sought to determine the positive
      predictive value (PPV) of an EHR diagnosis of CH relative to a headache expert's
      clinical impression as the gold standard. We also calculated the sensitivity of
      ICHD-2 CH criteria compared with the gold standard of expert-diagnosed CH cases.
      RESULTS: RPDR queries identified 170 patients with a diagnosis of CH. Two
      researchers carried out a detailed chart review searching for information to
      support or refute this diagnosis. In 58 cases, the diagnosis of CH was determined
      to be inaccurate due to data entry errors. The PPV of an RPDR diagnosis of CH was
      63% (95% CI 54-71%) and the sensitivity of ICHD-2 criteria compared with the gold
      standard of expert diagnosis was 77% (95% CI 69-82%). CONCLUSIONS: The PPV of EHR
      diagnoses of CH is modest. Data entry errors are common, and only about three
      fourths of CH cases diagnosed by expert clinicians meet ICHD criteria for CH.
      Thus, EHR searches for patients with CH frequently will result in false
      positives. This has implications for activities such as research, quality
      improvement efforts, or disease registries that rely on EHR searches to identify
      patients. Further work is needed to develop high quality phenotypic algorithms so
      that the research potential of EHRs can be realized.

PMID- 27273525
TI  - Enhancement of the properties of a drug by mono-deuteriation: reduction of acid
      catalysed formation of a gut-motilide enol ether from 8-deuterio-erythromycin B.
AB  - Erythromycin B is structurally very similar to erythromycin A, and also shares
      its clinically important antibacterial activity. Its potential advantage is that
      it is much more stable to acid. Both compounds are susceptible to 6-9-enol ether
      formation, involving loss of a proton from C-8. The enol ethers lack
      antibacterial activity and can give rise to unpleasant gut motilide side-effects.
      Our previous work on degradation kinetics revealed that the formation of
      erythromycin B enol ether from erythromycin B is subject to a large deuterium
      isotope effect. We therefore synthesized 8-d-erythromycin B (in 87% yield) in the
      hope that acid-catalysed enol ether formation would be reduced, relative to
      erythromycin B. In a range of microbiological and biochemical assays,
      deuteriation did not appear to compromise the efficacy of the drug. Degradation
      studies showed, however, that incorporation of deuterium into erythromycin B
      reduces (though does not completely suppress) enol ether formation, providing the
      possibility of using a facile mono-deuteriation to reduce the gut motilide side
      effects of the drug. 

PMID- 27273527
TI  - Announcement from the editorial office: MEDLINE indexing and PubMed.

PMID- 27273526
TI  - Use of modified Atkins diet in glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome.
AB  - AIM: Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1-DS) results from
      impaired glucose transport into the brain, and is treated with a ketogenic diet.
      A few reports have suggested effectiveness of treatment using the modified Atkins
      diet (MAD). We aimed to assess the efficacy of MAD as a treatment for GLUT1-DS.
      METHOD: We evaluated the efficacy of MAD in 10 patients (four males, six females;
      mean age at diagnosis [SD] 6.2y [1.7], min-max: 4mo-12y) with GLUT1-DS. RESULTS:
      MAD was started at diagnosis in eight patients, including two infants. The mean
      duration (SD) under MAD was 2.5 [0.6] years (range 6mo-6y). Seven patients with
      epilepsy started MAD at GLUT1-DS diagnosis, and all experienced improvements in
      their epilepsy: five out of seven were seizure-free at M1, and three out of six
      at M3 and M6. The initiation of MAD allowed symptoms to be controlled in the
      three patients with movement disorders but without seizures. Two patients
      switched from the ketogenic diet to MAD. This switch was not responsible for the
      recurrence of any symptoms, and led to improvements in both physical abilities
      and growth parameters. INTERPRETATION: MAD, which is a less restrictive and more
      palatable diet than the ketogenic diet, seems to have comparable effectiveness.
      Moreover, a switch from the ketogenic diet to MAD appears to be beneficial for
      patients with GLUT1-DS.

PMID- 27273528
TI  - Carotenogenesis diversification in phylogenetic lineages of Rhodophyta.
AB  - Carotenoid composition is very diverse in Rhodophyta. In this study, we
      investigated whether this variation is related to the phylogeny of this group.
      Rhodophyta consists of seven classes, and they can be divided into two groups on
      the basis of their morphology. The unicellular group (Cyanidiophyceae,
      Porphyridiophyceae, Rhodellophyceae, and Stylonematophyceae) contained only beta
      carotene and zeaxanthin, "ZEA-type carotenoids." In contrast, within the
      macrophytic group (Bangiophyceae, Compsopogonophyceae, and Florideophyceae),
      Compsopogonophyceae contained antheraxanthin in addition to ZEA-type carotenoids,
      "ANT-type carotenoids," whereas Bangiophyceae contained alpha-carotene and lutein
      along with ZEA-type carotenoids, "LUT-type carotenoids." Florideophyceae is
      divided into five subclasses. Ahnfeltiophycidae, Hildenbrandiophycidae, and
      Nemaliophycidae contained LUT-type carotenoids. In Corallinophycidae,
      Hapalidiales and Lithophylloideae in Corallinales contained LUT-type carotenoids,
      whereas Corallinoideae in Corallinales contained ANT-type carotenoids. In
      Rhodymeniophycidae, most orders contained LUT-type carotenoids; however, only
      Gracilariales contained ANT-type carotenoids. There is a clear relationship
      between carotenoid composition and phylogenetics in Rhodophyta. Furthermore, we
      searched open genome databases of several red algae for references to the
      synthetic enzymes of the carotenoid types detected in this study. beta-Carotene
      and zeaxanthin might be synthesized from lycopene, as in land plants.
      Antheraxanthin might require zeaxanthin epoxydase, whereas alpha-carotene and
      lutein might require two additional enzymes, as in land plants. Furthermore,
      Glaucophyta contained ZEA-type carotenoids, and Cryptophyta contained beta
      carotene, alpha-carotene, and alloxanthin, whose acetylenic group might be
      synthesized from zeaxanthin by an unknown enzyme. Therefore, we conclude that the
      presence or absence of the four enzymes is related to diversification of
      carotenoid composition in these three phyla.

PMID- 27273530
TI  - Investigation of the Gracilaria gracilis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) proteome
      response to nitrogen limitation.
AB  - Inorganic nitrogen has been identified as the major growth-limiting nutritional
      factor affecting Gracilaria gracilis populations in South Africa. Although the
      physiological mechanisms implemented by G. gracilis for adaption to low nitrogen
      environments have been investigated, little is known about the molecular
      mechanisms of these adaptions. This study provides the first investigation of G.
      gracilis proteome changes in response to nitrogen limitation and subsequent
      recovery. A differential proteomics approach employing two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to
      investigate G. gracilis proteome changes in response to nitrogen limitation and
      recovery. The putative identity of 22 proteins that changed significantly (P <
      0.05) in abundance in response to nitrogen limitation and recovery was
      determined. The identified proteins function in a range of biological processes
      including glycolysis, photosynthesis, ATP synthesis, galactose metabolism,
      protein-refolding and biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism and cytoskeleton
      remodeling. The identity of fructose 1,6 biphosphate (FBP) aldolase was confirmed
      by western blot analysis and the decreased abundance of FBP aldolase observed
      with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was validated by enzyme assays and
      western blots. The identification of key proteins and pathways involved in the G.
      gracilis nitrogen stress response provide a better understanding of G. gracilis
      proteome responses to varying degrees of nitrogen limitation and is the first
      step in the identification of biomarkers for monitoring the nitrogen status of
      cultivated G. gracilis populations.

PMID- 27273529
TI  - On the use of high-throughput sequencing for the study of cyanobacterial
      diversity in Antarctic aquatic mats.
AB  - The study of Antarctic cyanobacterial diversity has been mostly limited to
      morphological identification and traditional molecular techniques. High
      throughput sequencing (HTS) allows a much better understanding of microbial
      distribution in the environment, but its application is hampered by several
      methodological and analytical challenges. In this work, we explored the use of
      HTS as a tool for the study of cyanobacterial diversity in Antarctic aquatic
      mats. Our results highlight the importance of using artificial communities to
      validate the parameters of the bioinformatics procedure used to analyze natural
      communities, since pipeline-dependent biases had a strong effect on the observed
      community structures. Analysis of microbial mats from five Antarctic lakes and an
      aquatic biofilm from the Sub-Antarctic showed that HTS is a valuable tool for the
      assessment of cyanobacterial diversity. The majority of the operational taxonomic
      units retrieved were related to filamentous taxa such as Leptolyngbya and
      Phormidium, which are common genera in Antarctic lacustrine microbial mats.
      However, other phylotypes related to different taxa such as Geitlerinema,
      Pseudanabaena, Synechococcus, Chamaesiphon, Calothrix, and Coleodesmium were also
      found. Results revealed a much higher diversity than what had been reported using
      traditional methods and also highlighted remarkable differences between the
      cyanobacterial communities of the studied lakes. The aquatic biofilm from the Sub
      Antarctic had a distinct cyanobacterial community from the Antarctic lakes, which
      in turn displayed a salinity-dependent community structure at the phylotype
      level.

PMID- 27273531
TI  - Nocturama gen. nov., Nothocladus s. lat. and other taxonomic novelties resulting
      from the further resolution of paraphyly in Australasian members of
      Batrachospermum (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta).
AB  - The informal "Australasica Group" was established in 2009 to include several
      Australasian endemic Batrachospermum species, a few species of the cosmopolitan
      Batrachospermum section Setacea, and the South American endemic Petrohua
      bernabei. Although useful for communication purposes, no formal taxonomic
      designation was proposed due to weakly supported basal nodes. The present
      research took a two-pronged approach of adding more taxa (29 additional
      specimens) as well as more sequence data (LSU, cox1, psaA, and psbA markers added
      to rbcL data) to provide better resolution. The resulting tree showed improved
      statistical support values (Bayesian posterior probability and maximum likelihood
      bootstrap) for most nodes providing a framework for taxonomic revision. Based on
      our well-resolved phylogeny, a new genus, Nocturama, is proposed for a clade of
      Batrachospermum antipodites specimens. The circumscription of Nothocladus is
      expanded to include Batrachospermum section Setacea and four additional sections
      composed of at least 10 species, mostly from Australia and New Zealand. One new
      species added to the data set, N. diatyches, did not form a clade with the other
      species of section Setaceus, where it was classified previously, rendering that
      section paraphyletic. To resolve this, N. diatyches and the morphologically
      similar species N. latericius are included with N. theaquus, in the new section
      Theaquus within Nothocladus s. lat. A specimen from Australia unaligned to these
      clades was sister to the Australia-New Zealand genus Psilosiphon and the
      cosmopolitan B. cayennense, but lacked statistical support. This specimen has the
      gross morphology of Batrachospermum s. lat. and is here provisionally assigned to
      that genus, as B. serendipidum sp. nov.

PMID- 27273533
TI  - The chloroplast genome of Phacus orbicularis (Euglenophyceae): an initial datum
      point for the phacaceae.
AB  - The Euglenophyceae chloroplast was acquired when a heterotrophic euglenoid
      engulfed a green alga and subsequently retained the algal chloroplast, in a
      process known as secondary endosymbiosis. Since this event, Euglenophyceae have
      diverged widely and their chloroplast genomes (cpGenomes) have as well. Changes
      to the cpGenome include extensive gene rearrangement and the proliferation of
      introns, the analyses of which have proven to be useful in examining cpGenome
      changes throughout the Euglenophyceae. The Euglenales fall into two families,
      Euglenaceae and Phacaceae. Euglenaceae contains eight genera and at least one
      cpGenome has been published for each genus. Phacaceae, on the other hand,
      contains three genera, none of which have had a representative chloroplast genome
      sequenced. Members of this family have many small disk-shaped chloroplasts that
      lack pyrenoids. We sequenced and annotated the cpGenome of Phacus orbicularis in
      order to fill in the large gap in our understanding of Euglenophyceae cpGenome
      evolution, especially in regard to intron number and gene order. We compared this
      cpGenome to those of species from both the Euglenaceae and Eutreptiales of the
      Euglenophyceae phylogenetic tree. The cpGenome showed characteristics that were
      more derived than that of the basal species Eutreptia viridis, with extensive
      gene rearrangements and nearly three times as many introns. In contrast, it
      contained fewer introns than all but one of the previously reported Euglenaceae
      cpGenomes, had a smaller estimated genome size, and shared greater synteny with
      two main branches of that family.

PMID- 27273532
TI  - Rhodenigma contortum, an obscure new genus and species of Rhodogorgonales
      (Rhodophyta) from Western Australia.
AB  - An unknown microscopic, branched filamentous red alga was isolated into culture
      from coral fragments collected in Coral Bay, Western Australia. It grew well
      unattached or attached to glass with no reproduction other than fragmentation of
      filaments. Cells of some branch tips became slightly contorted and digitated,
      possibly as a substrate-contact-response seen at filament tips of various algae.
      Attached multicellular compact disks on glass had a very different cellular
      configuration and size than the free filaments. In culture the filaments did not
      grow on or in coral fragments. Molecular phylogenies based on four markers (rbcL,
      cox1, 18S, 28S) clearly showed it belongs to the order Rhodogorgonales, as a
      sister clade of Renouxia. Based on these results, the alga is described as the
      new genus and species Rhodenigma contortum in the Rhodogorgonaceae. It had no
      morphological similarity to either of the other genera in Rhodogorgonaceae and
      illustrates the unknown diversity in cryptic habitats such as tropical coral
      rubble.

PMID- 27273534
TI  - Phylogenetic relationships of corallinaceae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta): taxonomic
      implications for reef-building corallines.
AB  - A new, more complete, five-marker (SSU, LSU, psbA, COI, 23S) molecular phylogeny
      of the family Corallinaceae, order Corallinales, shows a paraphyletic grouping of
      seven well-supported monophyletic clades. The taxonomic implications included the
      amendment of two subfamilies, Neogoniolithoideae and Metagoniolithoideae, and the
      rejection of Porolithoideae as an independent subfamily. Metagoniolithoideae
      contained Harveylithon gen. nov., with H. rupestre comb. nov. as the generitype,
      and H. canariense stat. nov., H. munitum comb. nov., and H. samoense comb. nov.
      Spongites and Pneophyllum belonged to separate clades. The subfamily
      Neogoniolithoideae included the generitype of Spongites, S. fruticulosus, for
      which an epitype was designated. Pneophyllum requires reassesment. The generitype
      of Hydrolithon, H. reinboldii, was a younger heterotypic synonym of H.
      boergesenii. The evolutionary novelty of the subfamilies Hydrolithoideae,
      Metagoniolithoideae, and Lithophylloideae was the development of
      tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roofs by filaments surrounding and interspersed
      among the sporangial initials.

PMID- 27273535
TI  - Temperature-dependent phagotrophy and phototrophy in a mixotrophic chrysophyte.
AB  - The roles of temperature and light on grazing and photosynthesis were examined
      for Dinobryon sociale, a common freshwater mixotrophic alga. Photosynthetic rate
      was determined for D. sociale adapted to temperatures of 8, 12, 16, and 20
      degrees C under photosynthetically active radiation light irradiances of 25, 66,
      and 130 MUmol photons . m(-2)  . s(-1) , with concurrent measurement of bacterial
      ingestion at all temperatures under medium and high light (66 and 130 MUmol
      photons . m(-2)  . s(-1) ). Rates of ingestion and photosynthesis increased with
      temperature to a maximum at 16 degrees C under the two higher light regimes, and
      declined at 20 degrees C. Although both light and temperature had a marked effect
      on photosynthesis, there was no significant difference in bacterivory at medium
      and high irradiances at any given temperature. At the lowest light condition (25
      MUmol photons . m(-2)  . s(-1) ), photosynthesis remained low and relatively
      stable at all temperatures. D. sociale acquired the majority of carbon from
      photosynthesis, although the low photosynthetic rate without a concurrent decline
      in feeding rate at 8 degrees C suggested 20%-30% of the carbon budget could be
      attributed to bacterivory at low temperatures. Grazing experiments in nutrient
      modified media revealed that this mixotroph had increased ingestion rates when
      either dissolved nitrogen or phosphorus was decreased. This work increases our
      understanding of environmental effects on mixotrophic nutrition. Although the
      influence of abiotic factors on phagotrophy and phototrophy in pure heterotrophs
      and phototrophs has been well studied, much less is known for mixotrophic
      organisms.

PMID- 27273536
TI  - The complete chloroplast genome of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta)
      gives new insight into the evolution of family Gracilariaceae.
AB  - The complete chloroplast genome of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis was recovered
      from a Next Generation Sequencing data set. Without quadripartite structure, this
      chloroplast genome (183,013 bp, 27.40% GC content) contains 202 protein-coding
      genes, 34 tRNA genes, 3 rRNA genes, and 1 tmRNA gene. Synteny analysis showed
      plasmid incorporation regions in chloroplast genomes of three species of family
      Gracilariaceae and in Grateloupia taiwanensis of family Halymeniaceae. Combined
      with reported red algal plasmid sequences in nuclear and mitochondrial genomes,
      we postulated that red algal plasmids may have played an important role in
      ancient horizontal gene transfer among nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial
      genomes. Substitution rate analysis showed that purifying selective forces
      maintaining stability of protein-coding genes of nine red algal chloroplast
      genomes over long periods must be strong and that the forces acting on gene
      groups and single genes of nine red algal chloroplast genomes were similar and
      consistent. The divergence of Gp. lemaneiformis occurred ~447.98 million years
      ago (Mya), close to the divergence time of genus Pyropia and Porphyra (443.62
      Mya).

PMID- 27273537
TI  - A new type of 3-D peripheral ultrastructure in Glaucocystis (Glaucocystales,
      Glaucophyta) as revealed by ultra-high voltage electron microscopy.
AB  - The coccoid glaucophyte genus Glaucocystis is characterized by having a thick
      cell wall, which has to date prohibited examination of the native ultrastructural
      features of the protoplast periphery. Recently, however, the three-dimensional (3
      D) ultrastructure of the protoplast periphery was revealed in two divergent
      Glaucocystis species, with the world's most powerful ultra-high voltage electron
      microscope (UHVEM). The two species exhibit morphological diversity in terms of
      their 3-D ultrastructural features. However, these two types do not seem to
      encompass actual ultrastructural diversity in the genetically diverse genus
      Glaucocystis. Here, we report a new type of peripheral 3-D ultrastructure
      resolved in "G. incrassata" SAG 229-2 cells by 3-D modeling based on UHVEM
      tomography using high-pressure freezing and freeze-substitution fixation. The
      plasma membrane and underlying flattened vesicles in "G. incrassata" SAG 229-2
      exhibited grooves at intervals of 200-600 nm, and the flattened vesicles often
      overlapped one another at the protoplast periphery. This 3-D ultrastructure
      differs from those of the two types previously reported in other species of
      Glaucocystis. The possibility of classification of Glaucocystis species based on
      the 3-D ultrastructure of the protoplast periphery is discussed.

PMID- 27273538
TI  - Arabidopsis LBP/BPI related-1 and -2 bind to LPS directly and regulate PR1
      expression.
AB  - Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major constituent of the outer membrane of Gram
      negative bacteria and acts as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern that
      triggers immune responses in both plants and animals. LPS-binding protein (LBP)
      and bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), which bind to LPS and
      play important roles in immunity of mammals, have been well studied. However, the
      molecule contributing to LPS binding in plants is mostly unknown. The Arabidopsis
      genome carries two genes encoding LBP/BPI-related proteins which we designated as
      AtLBP/BPI related-1 (AtLBR-1) and AtLBP/BPI related-2 (AtLBR-2). We found that
      their N-terminal domains were co-purified with cell wall-derived LPS when
      expressed in E. coli. Since this finding implied the direct binding of AtLBRs to
      LPS, we also confirmed binding by using LPS-free AtLBRs and purified LPS. AtLBRs
      directly bind to both rough and smooth types of LPS. We also demonstrated that
      LPS-treated atlbr mutant Arabidopsis exhibit a significant delay of induction of
      defence-related gene pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1) but no other PR genes.
      Furthermore, LPS-treated atlbr mutants showed defects in reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) generation. These results demonstrate that, as well as LBP and BPI of
      mammals, AtLBRs also play an important role in the LPS-induced immune response of
      plants.

PMID- 27273539
TI  - The antihypertensive drug pindolol attenuates long-term but not short-term binge
      like ethanol consumption in mice.
AB  - Alcohol dependence is a debilitating disorder with current therapies displaying
      limited efficacy and/or compliance. Consequently, there is a critical need for
      improved pharmacotherapeutic strategies to manage alcohol use disorders (AUDs).
      Previous studies have shown that the development of alcohol dependence involves
      repeated cycles of binge-like ethanol intake and abstinence. Therefore, we used a
      model of binge-ethanol consumption (drinking-in-the-dark) in mice to test the
      effects of compounds known to modify the activity of neurotransmitters implicated
      in alcohol addiction. From this, we have identified the FDA-approved
      antihypertensive drug pindolol, as a potential candidate for the management of
      AUDs. We show that the efficacy of pindolol to reduce ethanol consumption is
      enhanced following long-term (12 weeks) binge-ethanol intake, compared with short
      term (4 weeks) intake. Furthermore, pindolol had no effect on locomotor activity
      or consumption of the natural reward sucrose. Because pindolol acts as a dual
      beta-adrenergic antagonist and 5-HT1A/1B partial agonist, we examined its effect
      on spontaneous synaptic activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a brain
      region densely innervated by serotonin and norepinephrine-containing fibres.
      Pindolol increased spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic current frequency of BLA
      principal neurons from long-term ethanol-consuming mice but not naive mice.
      Additionally, this effect was blocked by the 5-HT1A/1B receptor antagonist
      methiothepin, suggesting that altered serotonergic activity in the BLA may
      contribute to the efficacy of pindolol to reduce ethanol intake following long
      term exposure. Although further mechanistic investigations are required, this
      study demonstrates the potential of pindolol as a new treatment option for AUDs
      that can be fast-tracked into human clinical studies.

PMID- 27273540
TI  - Assessment of Arterial Stiffness in Korean Patients With Psoriasis by Cardio
      Ankle Vascular Index.
AB  - Many recent studies have suggested that psoriasis, a chronic, inflammatory,
      immune-mediated skin disease, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular
      disease (CVD). We aimed to compare arterial stiffness in psoriasis and control
      patient groups using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and to determine
      whether psoriasis is an independent risk factor for CVD. A total 103 patients
      with psoriasis and 103 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Compared with
      controls, the patients showed a higher CAVI ( P = .03), particularly patients
      older than 40 years. The duration of psoriasis exhibited a positive correlative
      tendency with CAVI ( P = .066). Moreover, psoriasis is an independent predictor
      of arterial stiffness after adjusting for other factors ( P = .011). We suggest
      that psoriasis can be a risk factor for CVD, and older patients with psoriasis of
      longer disease duration should be monitored carefully for cardiovascular risk.

PMID- 27273549
TI  - Syphilis Screening in Neurology.

PMID- 27273550
TI  - Detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei toxin-mediated inhibition of protein
      synthesis using a Caenorhabditis elegans ugt-29 biosensor.
AB  - Toxins are believed to play a crucial role in Burkholderia pseudomallei
      pathogenicity, however to date, only a few have been identified. The discovery of
      additional toxic molecules is limited by the lack of a sensitive indicator of B.
      pseudomallei toxicity. Previously, from a whole genome transcriptome analysis of
      B. pseudomallei-infected Caenorhabditis elegans, we noted significant
      overexpression of a number of worm genes encoding detoxification enzymes,
      indicating the host's attempt to clear bacterial toxic molecules. One of these
      genes, ugt-29, a family member of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, was the most
      robustly induced phase II detoxification gene. In this study, we show that strong
      induction of ugt-29 is restricted to infections by the most virulent species
      among the pathogens tested. We also noted that ugt-29 is activated upon
      disruption of host protein synthesis. Hence, we propose that UGT-29 could be a
      promising biosensor to detect B. pseudomallei toxins that compromise host protein
      synthesis. The identification of bactobolin, a polyketide-peptide hybrid
      molecule, as a toxic molecule of B. pseudomallei further verifies the utilization
      of this surveillance system to search for bacterial toxins. Hence, a ugt-29 based
      reporter should be useful in screening for other molecules that inhibit host
      protein synthesis.

PMID- 27273551
TI  - Artichoke and milk thistle pills and syrups as sources of phenolic compounds with
      antimicrobial activity.
AB  - Dietary supplements based on hepatoprotective plants have been increasingly used
      in the prevention of liver injuries. In the present work, the aim was to study
      the phenolic profile and possibly relate it to the in vitro antimicrobial
      activity of two different formulations (pills and syrups) of artichoke and milk
      thistle, the antioxidant and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activities of which
      were previously reported by our research group. The phenolic profiles were
      obtained by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, and the antimicrobial activity evaluation was
      performed with the clinical isolates of multiresistant bacteria (Escherichia
      coli, extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli,
      Proteus mirabilis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Artichoke syrup revealed the presence of vanillic acid
      and luteolin-7-O-glucoside while the pills possessed higher concentrations of 4-O
      caffeoylquinic, 5-O-caffeoylquinic and 1,3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acids, this latest
      being able to inhibit the growth of MRSA. Regarding milk thistle formulations,
      the syrup presented isorhamnetin-O-deoxyhexoside-O-dihexoside, isorhamnetin-O
      deoxyhexoside-O-hexoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside as the major phenolic
      constituents whereas the pills were richer in taxifolin, silymarin derivatives
      and hydroxylated silibinin; the syrup revealed antimicrobial activity against all
      the studied bacteria with the exception of Proteus mirabilis whereas the pills
      revealed activity against ESBL producing Escherichia coli. Overall, all of the
      studied formulations revealed to be a good source of phenolic compounds, among
      which milk thistle syrup presented the highest variety and concentration of
      flavonoids, which is possibly related to its strongest antimicrobial activity. 

PMID- 27273552
TI  - Proinflammatory signaling regulates voluntary alcohol intake and stress-induced
      consumption after exposure to social defeat stress in mice.
AB  - Proinflammatory activity has been postulated to play a role in addictive
      processes and stress responses, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely
      unknown. Here, we examined the role of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in regulation of voluntary alcohol consumption, alcohol
      reward and stress-induced drinking. Mice with a deletion of the IL-1 receptor I
      gene (IL-1RI KO) exhibited modestly decreased alcohol consumption. However, IL
      1RI deletion affected neither the rewarding properties of alcohol, measured by
      conditioned place preference (CPP), nor stress-induced drinking induced by social
      defeat stress. TNF-alpha signaling can compensate for phenotypic consequences of
      IL1-RI deletion. We therefore hypothesized that double deletion of both IL-1RI
      and TNF-1 receptors (TNF-1R) may reveal the role of these pathways in regulation
      of alcohol intake. Double KOs consumed significantly less alcohol than control
      mice over a range of alcohol concentrations. The combined deletion of TNF-1R and
      IL-1RI did not influence alcohol reward, but did prevent increased alcohol
      consumption resulting from exposure to repeated bouts of social defeat stress.
      Taken together, these data indicate that IL-1RI and TNF-1R contribute to
      regulation of stress-induced, negatively reinforced drinking perhaps through
      overlapping signaling events downstream of these receptors, while leaving
      rewarding properties of alcohol largely unaffected.

PMID- 27273554
TI  - 2D-Crystal-Based Functional Inks.
AB  - The possibility to produce and process graphene, related 2D crystals, and
      heterostructures in the liquid phase makes them promising materials for an ever
      growing class of applications as composite materials, sensors, in flexible
      optoelectronics, and energy storage and conversion. In particular, the ability to
      formulate functional inks with on-demand rheological and morphological
      properties, i.e., lateral size and thickness of the dispersed 2D crystals, is a
      step forward toward the development of industrial-scale, reliable, inexpensive
      printing/coating processes, a boost for the full exploitation of such
      nanomaterials. Here, the exfoliation strategies of graphite and other layered
      crystals are reviewed, along with the advances in the sorting of lateral size and
      thickness of the exfoliated sheets together with the formulation of functional
      inks and the current development of printing/coating processes of interest for
      the realization of 2D-crystal-based devices. 

PMID- 27273553
TI  - Structural characterization of the heme-based oxygen sensor, AfGcHK, its
      interactions with the cognate response regulator, and their combined mechanism of
      action in a bacterial two-component signaling system.
AB  - The oxygen sensor histidine kinase AfGcHK from the bacterium Anaeromyxobacter sp.
      Fw 109-5 forms a two-component signal transduction system together with its
      cognate response regulator (RR). The binding of oxygen to the heme iron of its N
      terminal sensor domain causes the C-terminal kinase domain of AfGcHK to
      autophosphorylate at His183 and then transfer this phosphate to Asp52 or Asp169
      of the RR protein. Analytical ultracentrifugation revealed that AfGcHK and the RR
      protein form a complex with 2:1 stoichiometry. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange
      coupled to mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) suggested that the most flexible part of
      the whole AfGcHK protein is a loop that connects the two domains and that the
      heme distal side of AfGcHK, which is responsible for oxygen binding, is the only
      flexible part of the sensor domain. HDX-MS studies on the AfGcHK:RR complex also
      showed that the N-side of the H9 helix in the dimerization domain of the AfGcHK
      kinase domain interacts with the helix H1 and the beta-strand B2 area of the RR
      protein's Rec1 domain, and that the C-side of the H8 helix region in the
      dimerization domain of the AfGcHK protein interacts mostly with the helix H5 and
      beta-strand B6 area of the Rec1 domain. The Rec1 domain containing the
      phosphorylable Asp52 of the RR protein probably has a significantly higher
      affinity for AfGcHK than the Rec2 domain. We speculate that phosphorylation at
      Asp52 changes the overall structure of RR such that the Rec2 area containing the
      second phosphorylation site (Asp169) can also interact with AfGcHK. Proteins
      2016; 84:1375-1389. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273556
TI  - The bronchodilator response in preschool children: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The bronchodilator response (BDR) is frequently used to support
      diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making for children who wheeze. However,
      there is little evidence-based guidance describing the role of BDR testing in
      preschool children and it is unclear whether published cut-off values, which are
      derived from adult data, can be applied to this population. METHODS: We searched
      MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases (inception-September
      2015) for studies reporting response to a bronchodilator in healthy preschool
      children, response following placebo inhalation, and the diagnostic efficacy of
      BDR compared with a clinical diagnosis of asthma/recurrent wheezing. FINDINGS: We
      included 14 studies. Thirteen studies provided BDR data from healthy preschool
      children. Two studies reported response to placebo in preschool children with
      asthma/recurrent wheezing. Twelve studies compared BDR measurements from
      preschool children with asthma/recurrent wheeze to those from healthy children
      and seven of these studies reported diagnostic efficacy. Significant differences
      between the BDR measured in healthy preschool children compared with that in
      children with asthma/recurrent wheeze were demonstrated in some, but not all
      studies. Techniques such as interrupter resistance, oscillometry, and
      plethysmography were more consistently successfully completed than spirometry.
      Between study heterogeneity precluded determination of an optimum technique.
      INTERPRETATION: There is little evidence to suggest spirometry-based BDR can be
      used in the clinical assessment of preschool children who wheeze. Further
      evaluation of simple alternative techniques is required. Future studies should
      recruit children in whom airways disease is suspected and should evaluate the
      ability of BDR testing to predict treatment response. Pediatr Pulmonol.
      2016;51:1242-1250. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273557
TI  - Predicting Success in Psychological Statistics Courses.
AB  - Many students perform poorly in courses on psychological statistics, and it is
      useful to be able to predict which students will have difficulties. In a study of
      93 undergraduates enrolled in Statistical Methods (18 men, 75 women; M age = 22.0
      years, SD = 5.1), performance was significantly associated with sex (female
      students performed better) and proficiency in algebra in a linear regression
      analysis. Anxiety about statistics was not associated with course performance,
      indicating that basic mathematical skills are the best correlate for performance
      in statistics courses and can usefully be used to stream students into classes by
      ability. 

PMID- 27273555
TI  - Model-based exposure-response analysis to quantify age related differences in the
      response to scopolamine in healthy subjects.
AB  - AIM: Subjects with increasing age are more sensitive to the effects of the anti
      muscarinic agent scopolamine, which is used (among other indications) to induce
      temporary cognitive dysfunction in early phase drug studies with cognition
      enhancing compounds. The enhanced sensitivity has always been attributed to
      incipient cholinergic neuronal dysfunction, as a part of the normal aging
      process. The aim of the study was to correlate age-dependent pharmacodynamic
      neuro-physiologic effects of scopolamine after correcting for differences in
      individual exposure. METHODS: We applied a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
      modelling approach to describe individual exposure and neurocognitive effects of
      intravenous scopolamine administration in healthy subjects. RESULTS: A two
      compartment linear kinetics model best described the plasma concentrations of
      scopolamine. The estimated scopolamine population mean apparent central and
      peripheral volume of distribution was 2.66 +/- 1.050 l and 62.10 +/- 10.100 l,
      respectively and the clearance was 1.09 +/- 0.096 l min(-1) . Age was not related
      to a decrease of performance in the tests following scopolamine administration in
      older subjects. Only the saccadic peak velocity showed a positive correlation
      between age and sensitivity to scopolamine. Age was, however, correlated at
      baseline with an estimated slower reaction time while performing the cognitive
      tests and to higher global delta and frontal theta frequency bands measured with
      the surface EEG. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the differences in response to scopolamine
      administration between young and older subjects could be explained by
      pharmacokinetic differences (lower clearance) and not to an enhanced sensitivity
      when corrected for exposure levels.

PMID- 27273558
TI  - Validating the Executive Personal Finance Scale with Financial Investments and
      Expectations in University Students.
AB  - The validity of the Executive Personal Finance Scale (EPFS) was tested in a
      sample of 93 undergraduate students (31 men, 62 women; M age = 20.5 years, SD =
      1.3, range = 18-24). Scores on the Motivation drive, Organization, and Planning
      subscales of this scale were associated with having a savings account, owning
      bank CDs, and self-estimated knowledge about financial matters, while scores on
      the Impulse control and Motivational drive subscales were associated with
      expectations for a satisfactory retirement income. The results provide support
      for the validity of the EPFS. 

PMID- 27273559
TI  - Homonegative Attitudes and their Correlates Among Vietnamese College Students.
AB  - This study investigated sex differences in homonegativity and their correlates
      among 197 Vietnamese college students (males = 49, females = 148, M = 20.9 years,
      SD = 2.9) in Ho Chi Minh City. The survey included Vietnamese-language versions
      of four scales measuring attitudes toward homosexuality (ATHS), traditional
      masculinity ideology, knowledge of homosexuality, and contact experiences with
      homosexuals. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a 3-factor structure for
      the ATHS: Homonegativity, Tolerance, and Positive Images. Male respondents
      reported significantly higher scores on homonegativity. Traditional masculinity
      ideology was positively related to females' homonegativity, but negatively
      correlated with tolerant attitudes of both males and females. Knowledge about
      homosexuality was negatively correlated with homonegativity. Media contact with
      homosexuals was negatively correlated with males' homonegativity, but positively
      correlated with both females and males' tolerant attitudes. Results suggest that
      future research develop a new scale to measure Vietnamese's homonegativity and
      that media contact as well as ample and accurate knowledge about homosexuality
      can alter homonegativity. 

PMID- 27273560
TI  - Comparing American State Resident Neuroticism and State Tightness-Looseness as
      Predictors of Annual State Residential Mobility.
AB  - State resident neuroticism and the Harrington and Gelfand state tightness
      looseness dimension were compared as predictors of state levels of residential
      mobility from 2004 to 2005 in the 50 American states. Hierarchical multiple
      regression controlled for state SES, white population percent, urban population
      percent, home ownership percent, and percent of home owners or renters paying 30
      percent or more of household income for housing. Not moving was associated with
      higher neuroticism but not with tightness-looseness. Same-county moving,
      different-county moving, and within-state moving was associated with lower
      neuroticism but tightness-looseness was unrelated to any of these three criteria.
      However, lower tightness was associated with different-state moving and higher
      tightness was associated with greater tendency to move within a state rather than
      to a different state. Neuroticism showed no relation to the ratio of different
      state to same-state moving. Results suggest distance moved may determine when
      neuroticism or tightness-looseness is a residential mobility predictor. 

PMID- 27273561
TI  - Nasopharynx is well-suited for core temperature measurement during hypothermia
      therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rectal temperature is commonly used as the core temperature during
      therapeutic hypothermia therapy in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
      (HIE). The purpose of this study was to examine whether nasopharyngeal
      temperature could serve as a substitute for rectal temperature. METHODS: We
      prospectively investigated 40 neonates with HIE who underwent therapeutic
      hypothermia by selective head cooling, which involved cooling the body to 34
      degrees C for 72 h. During this period, nasopharyngeal temperature was measured
      and compared with rectal temperature every hour. RESULTS: For 40 neonates
      included in this study, the mean rectal and nasopharyngeal temperatures were 34.3
      +/- 0.4 degrees C (n = 2920) and 34.3 +/- 0.4 degrees C (n = 2920), respectively.
      Nasopharyngeal temperature strongly correlated with rectal temperature (R2 =
      0.623, P < 0.0001) and magnitude of the mean difference between nasopharyngeal
      and rectal temperature varied little during the 72 h of therapeutic hypothermia.
      CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal temperature in neonates with perinatal HIE undergoing
      therapeutic hypothermia may be a suitable substitute for rectal temperature.

PMID- 27273562
TI  - Who is Guilty of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Prediabetes? Chicken or Egg
      Causality Paradox Between Insulin Resistance and Epicardial Fat.

PMID- 27273564
TI  - Energetic Trinitro- and Fluorodinitroethyl Ethers of 1,2,4,5-Tetrazines.
AB  - Several new energetic ethyl ethers of 1,2,4,5-tetrazine have been synthesized.
      These molecules display good thermal stability, good oxygen balance, and high
      densities. Included in these studies are a 2,2,2-trinitroethoxy 1,2,4,5-tetrazine
      and two fluorodinitroethoxy 1,2,4,5-tetrazines. One of these compounds was
      converted into the di-N-oxide derivative. The sensitivity of these materials
      towards destructive stimuli was determined, and overall the materials show
      promising energetic performance properties.

PMID- 27273563
TI  - Suppressing epileptic activity in a neural mass model using a closed-loop
      proportional-integral controller.
AB  - Closed-loop control is a promising deep brain stimulation (DBS) strategy that
      could be used to suppress high-amplitude epileptic activity. However, there are
      currently no analytical approaches to determine the stimulation parameters for
      effective and safe treatment protocols. Proportional-integral (PI) control is the
      most extensively used closed-loop control scheme in the field of control
      engineering because of its simple implementation and perfect performance. In this
      study, we took Jansen's neural mass model (NMM) as a test bed to develop a PI
      type closed-loop controller for suppressing epileptic activity. A graphical
      stability analysis method was employed to determine the stabilizing region of the
      PI controller in the control parameter space, which provided a theoretical
      guideline for the choice of the PI control parameters. Furthermore, we
      established the relationship between the parameters of the PI controller and the
      parameters of the NMM in the form of a stabilizing region, which provided
      insights into the mechanisms that may suppress epileptic activity in the NMM. The
      simulation results demonstrated the validity and effectiveness of the proposed
      closed-loop PI control scheme.

PMID- 27273565
TI  - Platelet aggregation and serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in pregnancy
      associated with diabetes, hypertension and HIV.
AB  - Platelet aggregation and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity were evaluated in
      pregnant women living with some disease conditions including hypertension,
      diabetes mellitus and human immunodeficiency virus infection. The subject
      population is consisted of 15 non-pregnant healthy women [control group (CG)], 15
      women with normal pregnancy (NP), 7 women with hypertensive pregnancy (HP), 10
      women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 12 women with human
      immunodeficiency virus-infected pregnancy (HIP) groups. The aggregation of
      platelets was checked using an optical aggregometer, and serum ADA activity was
      determined using the colorimetric method. After the addition of 5 uM of agonist
      adenosine diphosphate, the percentage of platelet aggregation was significantly
      (p < 0.05) increased in NP, HP, GDM and HIP groups when compared with the CG,
      while the addition of 10 uM of the same agonist caused significant (p < 0.05)
      elevations in HP, GDM and HIP groups when compared with CG. Furthermore, ADA
      activity was significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced in NP, HP, GDM and HIP groups when
      compared with CG. In this study, the increased platelet aggregation and ADA
      activity in pregnancy and pregnancy-associated diseases suggest that platelet
      aggregation and ADA activity could serve as peripheral markers for the
      development of effective therapy in the maintenance of homeostasis and some
      inflammatory process in these pathophysiological conditions. Copyright (c) 2016
      John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27273566
TI  - Modification with Metallic Bismuth as Efficient Strategy for the Promotion of
      Photocatalysis: The Case of Bismuth Phosphate.
AB  - A BiPO4 nanostructure modified with Bi nanoparticles rich in oxygen vacancies in
      the surface and subsurface was prepared through a one-pot solvothermal treatment
      utilizing the weak reductive ability of ethylene glycol (EG). The presence of Bi
      nanocrystals and oxygen vacancies is beneficial for the separation and
      consumption of photogenerated electrons and holes where Bi nanocrystals act as
      active sites for the formation of (.) OH and oxygen vacancies are active sites
      for (.) O2 (-) formation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the
      synergistic effect of Bi nanocrystals and surface oxygen vacancies.

PMID- 27273567
TI  - Steroid therapy and conduction disturbances after transcatheter aortic valve
      implantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Direct mechanical compression of the frame struts on the adjacent
      bundle branch with local inflammatory reaction might cause conduction system
      disturbances and need for pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic
      valve implantation (TAVI). We assessed the impact of preprocedural anti
      inflammatory steroid therapy on the occurrence of conduction disturbances
      following TAVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: From a cohort of 324 patients who underwent
      transfemoral TAVI, 39 (12%) were pretreated with steroids because of iodine
      allergy (n=29) or active obstructive pulmonary disease (n=10). We compared the
      rate of occurrence of new conduction disturbances and pacemaker implantation
      between TAVI patients with (n=39) and without (n=285) steroid treatment, using
      Cox logistic regression estimates and proportional hazards models. The overall
      occurrence of new conduction defects and the need for new pacemaker implantation
      were similar among steroid and non-steroid-treated patients (38.4% vs 37.5% and
      25.6% vs 25.3%, respectively). New conduction disturbances were more prevalent in
      patients treated with CoreValve prosthesis, low implantation, and smaller aortic
      annulus diameter (P<.001, P<.001, and P=.006, respectively). Thirty-day mortality
      and complication rates were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Although
      safe, steroid treatment prior to TAVI failed to reduce the incidence of new
      conduction defects and the need for pacemaker implantation.

PMID- 27273568
TI  - Secondary electrospray ionization coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry
      reveals tryptophan pathway metabolites in exhaled human breath.
AB  - Many studies and personalized medicine in general require frequent measurements
      and/or rapid results of biomarker levels. Here we show that 20 low volatility
      metabolites of the tryptophan pathway can be detected in exhaled human breath.
      This real-time and non-invasive method offers an attractive alternative to blood
      analysis. 

PMID- 27273572
TI  - A Widespread Pruritic Rash With Facial Swelling and Black Streaks.

PMID- 27273573
TI  - Newborn Screening.

PMID- 27273569
TI  - Ubiqutination via K27 and K29 chains signals aggregation and neuronal protection
      of LRRK2 by WSB1.
AB  - A common genetic form of Parkinson's disease (PD) is caused by mutations in
      LRRK2. We identify WSB1 as a LRRK2 interacting protein. WSB1 ubiquitinates LRRK2
      through K27 and K29 linkage chains, leading to LRRK2 aggregation and neuronal
      protection in primary neurons and a Drosophila model of G2019S LRRK2. Knocking
      down endogenous WSB1 exacerbates mutant LRRK2 neuronal toxicity in neurons and
      the Drosophila model, indicating a role for endogenous WSB1 in modulating LRRK2
      cell toxicity. WSB1 is in Lewy bodies in human PD post-mortem tissue. These data
      demonstrate a role for WSB1 in mutant LRRK2 pathogenesis, and suggest involvement
      in Lewy body pathology in sporadic PD. Our data indicate a role in PD for
      ubiquitin K27 and K29 linkages, and suggest that ubiquitination may be a signal
      for aggregation and neuronal protection in PD, which may be relevant for other
      neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, our study identifies a novel therapeutic
      target for PD.

PMID- 27273574
TI  - Transcription factors AS1 and AS2 interact with LHP1 to repress KNOX genes in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - Polycomb group proteins are important repressors of numerous genes in higher
      eukaryotes. However, the mechanism by which Polycomb group proteins are recruited
      to specific genes is poorly understood. In Arabidopsis, LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN
      PROTEIN 1 (LHP1), also known as TERMINAL FLOWER 2, was originally proposed as a
      subunit of polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) that could bind the tri
      methylated lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) established by the PRC2. In this
      work, we show that LHP1 mainly functions with PRC2 to establish H3K27me3, but not
      with PRC1 to catalyze monoubiquitination at lysine 119 of histone H2A. Our
      results show that complexes of the transcription factors ASYMMETRIC LEAVES 1
      (AS1) and AS2 could help to establish the H3K27me3 modification at the chromatin
      regions of Class-I KNOTTED1-like homeobox (KNOX) genes BREVIPEDICELLUS and KNAT2
      via direct interactions with LHP1. Additionally, our transcriptome analysis
      indicated that there are probably more common target genes of AS1 and LHP1
      besides Class-I KNOX genes during leaf development in Arabidopsis.

PMID- 27273575
TI  - Mesoscopic bar magnet based on epsilon-Fe2O3 hard ferrite.
AB  - Ferrite magnets have a long history. They are used in motors, magnetic fluids,
      drug delivery systems, etc. Herein we report a mesoscopic ferrite bar magnet
      based on rod-shaped epsilon-Fe2O3 with a large coercive field (>25 kOe). The
      epsilon-Fe2O3-based bar magnet is a single crystal with a single magnetic domain
      along the longitudinal direction. A wide frequency range spectroscopic study
      shows that the crystallographic a-axis of epsilon-Fe2O3, which corresponds to the
      longitudinal direction of the bar magnet, plays an important role in linear and
      non-linear magneto-optical transitions, phonon modes, and the magnon (Kittel
      mode). Due to its multiferroic property, a magnetic-responsive non-linear optical
      sheet is manufactured as an application using an epsilon-Fe2O3-based bar magnet,
      resin, and polyethylene terephthalate. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of the
      large coercive field property, we demonstrate that a mesoscopic epsilon-Fe2O3 bar
      magnet can be used as a magnetic force microscopy probe.

PMID- 27273576
TI  - The T300A Crohn's disease risk polymorphism impairs function of the WD40 domain
      of ATG16L1.
AB  - A coding polymorphism of human ATG16L1 (rs2241880; T300A) increases the risk of
      Crohn's disease and it has been shown to enhance susceptibility of ATG16L1 to
      caspase cleavage. Here we show that T300A also alters the ability of the C
      terminal WD40-repeat domain of ATG16L1 to interact with an amino acid motif that
      recognizes this region. Such alteration impairs the unconventional autophagic
      activity of TMEM59, a transmembrane protein that contains the WD40 domain-binding
      motif, and disrupts its normal intracellular trafficking and its ability to
      engage ATG16L1 in response to bacterial infection. TMEM59-induced autophagy is
      blunted in cells expressing the fragments generated by caspase processing of the
      ATG16L1-T300A risk allele, whereas canonical autophagy remains unaffected. These
      results suggest that the T300A polymorphism alters the function of motif
      containing molecules that engage ATG16L1 through the WD40 domain, either by
      influencing this interaction under non-stressful conditions or by inhibiting
      their downstream autophagic signalling after caspase-mediated cleavage.

PMID- 27273578
TI  - Controllable Electronic Structures and Photoinduced Processes of Bay-Linked
      Perylenediimide Dimers and a Ferrocene-Linked Triad.
AB  - A series of perylene-3,4,9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI) dimers linked through the
      bay regions was systematically synthesized to examine the electronic structures
      and photophysical properties in dependence on the distance and orientation
      between the two PDI units. The spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements
      suggested that the coupling value of a directly linked PDI dimer (PDI)2 is much
      larger than those of para- and meta-phenylene-bridged PDI dimers p-(PDI)2 and m
      (PDI)2 . The width of Davydov splitting was quantitatively evaluated to compare
      the coupling values between the two PDI units in these dimers by absorption
      spectroscopy in frozen 2-methyl-THF. Excimer formation of PDI dimers induced the
      strong fluorescence quenching and large red-shifts. Femtosecond transient
      absorption revealed a broad absorption derived from an excimer in the range from
      about 600 nm to the near-IR region. The rate constants of formation and decay of
      the excimer are strongly dependent on the coupling values. Time-resolved
      measurements on ferrocene-linked p-(PDI)2 revealed a competition between the
      photoinduced processes of electron transfer and excimer formation in PhCN, which
      is in sharp contrast with the sole electron-transfer process in toluene. 

PMID- 27273577
TI  - Resting-state functional connectivity and motor imagery brain activation.
AB  - Motor imagery (MI) relies on the mental simulation of an action without any overt
      motor execution (ME), and can facilitate motor learning and enhance the effect of
      rehabilitation in patients with neurological conditions. While functional
      magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during MI and ME reveals shared cortical
      representations, the role and functional relevance of the resting-state
      functional connectivity (RSFC) of brain regions involved in MI is yet unknown.
      Here, we performed resting-state fMRI followed by fMRI during ME and MI with the
      dominant hand. We used a behavioral chronometry test to measure ME and MI
      movement duration and compute an index of performance (IP). Then, we analyzed the
      voxel-matched correlation between the individual MI parameter estimates and seed
      based RSFC maps in the MI network to measure the correspondence between RSFC and
      MI fMRI activation. We found that inter-individual differences in intrinsic
      connectivity in the MI network predicted several clusters of activation. Taken
      together, present findings provide first evidence that RSFC within the MI network
      is predictive of the activation of MI brain regions, including those associated
      with behavioral performance, thus suggesting a role for RSFC in obtaining a
      deeper understanding of neural substrates of MI and of MI ability. Hum Brain Mapp
      37:3847-3857, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273579
TI  - Association of Biomarker-Based Treatment Strategies With Response Rates and
      Progression-Free Survival in Refractory Malignant Neoplasms: A Meta-analysis.
AB  - Importance: The impact of a biomarker-based (personalized) cancer treatment
      strategy in the setting of phase 1 clinical trials was analyzed. Objective: To
      compare patient outcomes in phase 1 studies that used a biomarker selection
      strategy with those that did not. Data Sources: PubMed search of phase 1 cancer
      drug trials (January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2013). Study Selection:
      Studies included trials that evaluated single agents, and reported efficacy end
      points (at least response rate [RR]). Data Extraction and Synthesis: Data were
      extracted independently by 2 investigators. Main Outcomes and Measures: Response
      rate and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared for arms that used a
      personalized strategy (biomarker selection) vs those that did not. Overall
      survival was not analyzed owing to insufficient data. Results: A total of 346
      studies published in the designated 3-year time period were included in the
      analysis. Multivariable analysis (meta-regression and weighted multiple
      regression models) demonstrated that the personalized approach independently
      correlated with a significantly higher median RR (30.6% [95% CI, 25.0%-36.9%] vs
      4.9% [95% CI, 4.2%-5.7%]; P < .001) and a longer median PFS (5.7 [95% CI, 2.6
      13.8] vs 2.95 [95% CI, 2.3-3.7] months; P < .001). Targeted therapy arms that
      used a biomarker-based selection strategy (n = 57 trials) were associated with
      statistically improved RR compared with targeted therapy arms (n = 177 arms) that
      did not (31.1% [95% CI, 25.4%-37.4%] vs 5.1% [95% CI, 4.3%-6.0%]; P < .001).
      Nonpersonalized targeted arms had outcomes comparable with those that tested a
      cytotoxic agent (median RR, 5.1% [95% CI, 4.3%-6.0%] vs 4.7% [95% CI, 3.6%-6.2%];
      P = .63; respectively; median PFS, 3.3 [95% CI, 2.6-4.0] months vs 2.5 [95% CI,
      2.0-3.7] months; P = .22). Personalized arms using a "genomic (DNA) biomarker"
      had higher median RR than those using a "protein biomarker" (42.0% [95% CI, 33.7%
      50.9%] vs 22.4% [95% CI, 15.6%-30.9%]; P = .001). The median treatment-related
      mortality was not statistically different for arms that used a personalized
      strategy vs not (1.89% [95% CI, 1.36%-2.61%] vs 2.27% [95% CI, 1.97%-2.62%]; P =
      .31). Conclusions and Relevance: In this meta-analysis, most phase 1 trials of
      targeted agents did not use a biomarker-based selection strategy. However, use of
      a biomarker-based approach was associated with significantly improved outcomes
      (RR and PFS). Response rates were significantly higher with genomic vs protein
      biomarkers. Studies that used targeted agents without a biomarker had negligible
      response rates.

PMID- 27273580
TI  - Myosin XI-I is Mechanically and Enzymatically Unique Among Class-XI Myosins in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - Arabidopsis possesses 13 genes encoding class-XI myosins. Among these, myosin XI
      I is phylogenetically distant. To examine the molecular properties of Arabidopsis
      thaliana myosin XI-I (At myosin XI-I), we performed in vitro mechanical and
      enzymatic analyses using recombinant constructs of At myosin XI-I. Unlike other
      biochemically studied class-XI myosins, At myosin XI-I showed extremely low actin
      activated ATPase activity (Vmax = 3.7 Pi s(-1) head(-1)). The actin-sliding
      velocity of At myosin XI-I was 0.25 um s(-1), >10 times lower than those of other
      class-XI myosins. The ADP dissociation rate from acto-At myosin XI-I was 17 s(
      1), accounting for the low actin-sliding velocity. In contrast, the apparent
      affinity for actin in the presence of ATP, estimated from Kapp (0.61 uM) of actin
      activated ATPase, was extremely high. The equilibrium dissociation constant for
      actin was very low in both the presence and absence of ATP, indicating a high
      affinity for actin. To examine At myosin XI-I motility in vivo, green fluorescent
      protein-fused full-length At myosin XI-I was expressed in cultured Arabidopsis
      cells. At myosin XI-I localized not only on the nuclear envelope but also on
      small dots moving slowly (0.23 um s(-1)) along actin filaments. Our results show
      that the properties of At myosin XI-I differ from those of other Arabidopsis
      class-XI myosins. The data suggest that At myosin XI-I does not function as a
      driving force for cytoplasmic streaming but regulates the organelle velocity,
      supports processive organelle movement or acts as a tension generator. 

PMID- 27273582
TI  - Multi-modal MRI classifiers identify excessive alcohol consumption and treatment
      effects in the brain.
AB  - Robust neuroimaging markers of neuropsychiatric disorders have proven difficult
      to obtain. In alcohol use disorders, profound brain structural deficits can be
      found in severe alcoholic patients, but the heterogeneity of unimodal MRI
      measurements has so far precluded the identification of selective biomarkers,
      especially for early diagnosis. In the present work we used a combination of
      multiple MRI modalities to provide comprehensive and insightful descriptions of
      brain tissue microstructure. We performed a longitudinal experiment using
      Marchigian-Sardinian (msP) rats, an established model of chronic excessive
      alcohol consumption, and acquired multi-modal images before and after 1 month of
      alcohol consumption (6.8 +/- 1.4 g/kg/day, mean +/- SD), as well as after 1 week
      of abstinence with or without concomitant treatment with the antirelapse opioid
      antagonist naltrexone (2.5 mg/kg/day). We found remarkable sensitivity and
      selectivity to accurately classify brains affected by alcohol even after the
      relative short exposure period. One month drinking was enough to imprint a highly
      specific signature of alcohol consumption. Brain alterations were regionally
      specific and affected both gray and white matter and persisted into the early
      abstinence state without any detectable recovery. Interestingly, naltrexone
      treatment during early abstinence resulted in subtle brain changes that could be
      distinguished from non-treated abstinent brains, suggesting the existence of an
      intermediate state associated with brain recovery from alcohol exposure induced
      by medication. The presented framework is a promising tool for the development of
      biomarkers for clinical diagnosis of alcohol use disorders, with capacity to
      further inform about its progression and response to treatment.

PMID- 27273581
TI  - Contribution of PsbS Function and Stomatal Conductance to Foliar Temperature in
      Higher Plants.
AB  - Natural capacity has evolved in higher plants to absorb and harness excessive
      light energy. In basic models, the majority of absorbed photon energy is radiated
      back as fluorescence and heat. For years the proton sensor protein PsbS was
      considered to play a critical role in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of light
      absorbed by PSII antennae and in its dissipation as heat. However, the
      significance of PsbS in regulating heat emission from a whole leaf has never been
      verified before by direct measurement of foliar temperature under changing light
      intensity. To test its validity, we here investigated the foliar temperature
      changes on increasing and decreasing light intensity conditions (foliar
      temperature dynamics) using a high resolution thermal camera and a powerful
      adjustable light-emitting diode (LED) light source. First, we showed that light
      dependent foliar temperature dynamics is correlated with Chl content in leaves of
      various plant species. Secondly, we compared the foliar temperature dynamics in
      Arabidopsis thaliana wild type, the PsbS null mutant npq4-1 and a PsbS
      overexpressing transgenic line under different transpiration conditions with or
      without a photosynthesis inhibitor. We found no direct correlations between the
      NPQ level and the foliar temperature dynamics. Rather, differences in foliar
      temperature dynamics are primarily affected by stomatal aperture, and rapid
      foliar temperature increase during irradiation depends on the water status of the
      leaf. We conclude that PsbS is not directly involved in regulation of foliar
      temperature dynamics during excessive light energy episodes.

PMID- 27273583
TI  - Thermally Induced Carbohydroxylation of Styrenes with Aryldiazonium Salts.
AB  - The radical carbohydroxylation of styrenes with aryldiazonium salts has been
      achieved under mild thermal conditions. A broad range of aryldiazonium salts was
      tolerated, and the reaction principle based on a radical-polar crossover
      mechanism could be extended to carboetherification as well as to a two-step,
      metal-free variant of the Meerwein arylation leading to stilbenes.

PMID- 27273584
TI  - Mercury species induced frequency-shift of molecular orientational transformation
      based on SERS.
AB  - We proposed a novel readout method based on a peculiar phenomenon in which the
      vibrational frequencies of a SERS-active probe (dimethyldithiocarbamic acid
      sodium salt, DASS) can be affected when there is mercury species. Compared to the
      SERS intensity-dependent quantitative determination method, SERS frequency-shift
      based methods have several advantages: smaller standard deviation, perfect linear
      relationship, and higher accuracy and sensitivity. In addition, the SERS
      frequency-shift-based method was not affected by irreproducible aggregation of
      the SERS substrate and instrumental factors, which greatly improved the
      application prospect of SERS-based detection. The DASS-modified silver
      nanoparticles produced a highly sensitive sensor specific to mercury species.
      Upon the addition of a solution of mercury species to the chip, the mercury
      species specifically binds to the sulfur atoms, which induces a frequency shift
      of the band at 1374 cm(-1). The detection limit of the proposed method for Hg(2+)
      is as low as 10(-8) M. In addition, the proposed method exhibited the same
      phenomenon for organic mercury. Moreover, these results suggest that the proposed
      platform possesses the potential for sensitive, selective, and high-throughput on
      site mercury pollution monitoring in resource-constrained settings. 

PMID- 27273586
TI  - Information content and acoustic structure of male African elephant social
      rumbles.
AB  - Until recently, the prevailing theory about male African elephants (Loxodonta
      africana) was that, once adult and sexually mature, males are solitary and
      targeted only at finding estrous females. While this is true during the state of
      'musth' (a condition characterized by aggressive behavior and elevated androgen
      levels), 'non-musth' males exhibit a social system seemingly based on
      companionship, dominance and established hierarchies. Research on elephant vocal
      communication has so far focused on females, and very little is known about the
      acoustic structure and the information content of male vocalizations. Using the
      source and filter theory approach, we analyzed social rumbles of 10 male African
      elephants. Our results reveal that male rumbles encode information about
      individuality and maturity (age and size), with formant frequencies and absolute
      fundamental frequency values having the most informative power. This first
      comprehensive study on male elephant vocalizations gives important indications on
      their potential functional relevance for male-male and male-female communication.
      Our results suggest that, similar to the highly social females, future research
      on male elephant vocal behavior will reveal a complex communication system in
      which social knowledge, companionship, hierarchy, reproductive competition and
      the need to communicate over long distances play key roles.

PMID- 27273588
TI  - Current treatment of lacrimal gland carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The traditional treatment for lacrimal gland carcinoma is
      orbital exenteration followed by radiation therapy. However, orbital exenteration
      does not prevent distant relapse and death, and some patients experience local
      regional recurrence after exenteration. More recently, eye-sparing surgery and
      adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy have gained popularity in the
      treatment of lacrimal gland carcinoma. Preliminary studies show that these
      approaches are associated with reasonable local control rates and ocular toxicity
      profiles. In this review, we discuss recent studies of treatment of lacrimal
      gland carcinoma, including studies of potential molecular treatment targets.
      RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies suggest promising results for neoadjuvant intra
      arterial chemotherapy followed by orbital exenteration and adjuvant intravenous
      chemotherapy, but only in patients with an 'intact lacrimal artery'. Recent
      studies of globe-sparing surgery followed by adjuvant proton radiation therapy or
      concurrent chemoradiation suggest good local control, reasonable rates of eye
      preservation, and low risk of serious ocular toxic effects. Larger tumor size and
      predominant basaloid histology seem to be associated with higher risk of local
      regional recurrence and distant metastasis. One study showed oncogenic mutations
      in more than half of cases of lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma, with KRAS
      mutations in 10 of 24 patients, suggesting potential benefit of treatments
      targeting the EGFR-RAS-RAF cascade. SUMMARY: In selected patients with lacrimal
      gland carcinoma, eye-sparing surgery with eye-sparing radiation therapy offers
      preservation of visual function with good local control and minimal radiation
      induced ocular toxic effects. In patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, a
      search for actionable cancer-associated mutations may be prudent.

PMID- 27273587
TI  - Toll-like receptor-2 exacerbates murine acute viral hepatitis.
AB  - Viral replication in the liver is generally detected by cellular endosomal Toll
      like receptors (TLRs) and cytosolic helicase sensors that trigger antiviral
      inflammatory responses. Recent evidence suggests that surface TLR2 may also
      contribute to viral detection through recognition of viral coat proteins but its
      role in the outcome of acute viral infection remains elusive. In this study, we
      examined in vivo the role of TLR2 in acute infections induced by the highly
      hepatotrophic mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) type 3 and weakly hepatotrophic MHV-A59
      serotype. To address this, C57BL/6 (wild-type; WT) and TLR2 knockout (KO) groups
      of mice were intraperitoneally infected with MHV3 or MHV-A59. MHV3 infection
      provoked a fulminant hepatitis in WT mice, characterized by early mortality and
      high alanine and aspartate transaminase levels, histopathological lesions and
      viral replication whereas infection of TLR2 KO mice was markedly less severe. MHV
      A59 provoked a comparable mild and subclinical hepatitis in WT and TLR2 KO mice.
      MHV3-induced fulminant hepatitis in WT mice correlated with higher hepatic
      expression of interferon-beta, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha,
      CXCL1, CCL2, CXCL10 and alarmin (interleukin-33) than in MHV-A59-infected WT mice
      and in MHV3-infected TLR2 KO mice. Intrahepatic recruited neutrophils, natural
      killer cells, natural killer T cells or macrophages rapidly decreased in MHV3
      infected WT mice whereas they were sustained in MHV-A59-infected WT mice and MHV3
      infected TLR2 KO. MHV3 in vitro infection of macrophagic cells induced rapid and
      higher viral replication and/or interleukin-6 induction in comparison to MHV-A59,
      and depended on viral activation of TLR2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein
      kinase. Taken together, these results support a new aggravating inflammatory role
      for TLR2 in MHV3-induced acute fulminant hepatitis.

PMID- 27273590
TI  - The Wnt pathway: a key network in cell signalling dysregulated by viruses.
AB  - Viruses are obligate parasites dependent on host cells for survival. Viral
      infection of a cell activates a panel of pattern recognition receptors that
      mediate antiviral host responses to inhibit viral replication and dissemination.
      Viruses have evolved mechanisms to evade and subvert this antiviral host
      response, including encoding proteins that hijack, mimic and/or manipulate
      cellular processes such as the cell cycle, DNA damage repair, cellular metabolism
      and the host immune response. Currently, there is an increasing interest whether
      viral modulation of these cellular processes, including the cell cycle,
      contributes to cancer development. One cellular pathway related to cell cycle
      signalling is the Wnt pathway. This review focuses on the modulation of this
      pathway by human viruses, known to cause (or associated with) cancer development.
      The main mechanisms where viruses interact with the Wnt pathway appear to be
      through (i) epigenetic modification of Wnt genes; (ii) cellular or viral miRNAs
      targeting Wnt genes; (iii) altering specific Wnt pathway members, often leading
      to (iv) nuclear translocation of beta-catenin and activation of Wnt signalling.
      Given that diverse viruses affect this signalling pathway, modulating Wnt
      signalling could be a generalised critical process for the initiation or
      maintenance of viral pathogenesis, with resultant dysregulation contributing to
      virus-induced cancers. Further study of this virus-host interaction may identify
      options for targeted therapy against Wnt signalling molecules as a means to
      reduce virus-induced pathogenesis and the downstream consequences of infection.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27273589
TI  - Common UCP2 variants contribute to serum urate concentrations and the risk of
      hyperuricemia.
AB  - Elevated serum urate, which is regulated at multiple levels including genetic
      variants, is a risk factor for gout and other metabolic diseases. This study
      aimed to investigate the association between UCP2 variants and serum urate as
      well as hyperuricemia in a Chinese population. In total, 4332 individuals were
      genotyped for two common UCP2 variants, -866G/A and Ala55Val. These loci were not
      associated either serum urate level or with a risk of hyperuricemia in the total
      group of subjects. However, in females, -866G/A and Ala55Val were associated with
      a lower serum urate (P = 0.006 and 0.014, seperately) and played a protective
      role against hyperuricemia (OR = 0.80, P = 0.018; OR = 0.79, P = 0.016). These
      associations were not observed in the males. After further stratification, the
      two loci were associated with serum urate in overweight, but not underweight
      females. The haplotype A-T (-866G/A-Ala55Val) was a protective factor for
      hyperuricemia in the female subgroup (OR = 0.80, P = 0.017). This present study
      identified a novel gene, UCP2, that influences the serum urate concentration and
      the risk of hyperuricemia, and the degree of association varies with gender and
      BMI levels.

PMID- 27273591
TI  - Evaluation of Retinal Circulation Using Segmental-Scanning Doppler Optical
      Coherence Tomography in Anesthetized Cats.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study retinal blood flow (RBF) measurement reproducibility using
      segmental-scanning Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) in vitro in glass
      capillaries and in vivo in anesthetized cats. METHODS: As a preliminary study,
      the flow rates of human blood through glass capillaries were changed by using an
      infusion pump and measured at 13 preset velocities by DOCT. For in vivo
      measurement, the cats were anesthetized using sevoflurane. The flow in the parent
      vessel was compared with the sum of the flow values in the two daughter vessels.
      The RBF was measured using two different instruments: bidirectional laser Doppler
      velocimetry (LDV) and DOCT. The reproducibility of the measurements was assessed
      by calculating the coefficients of variation (CVs) for repeated measurements of
      RBF at the superior retinal arterioles and venules. RESULTS: In vitro, the flow
      velocities measured by DOCT agreed well with the preset velocities. In vivo, the
      flow in the parent vessel agreed with the sum of the flow values in the two
      daughter vessels. In addition, there were no significant differences in the mean
      averaged CVs of the RBF in both the arterioles and venules between LDV and DOCT.
      CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed segmental-scanning DOCT revealed the accuracy of
      the measurement in in vitro glass capillaries and reproducibility of the
      measurements of blood velocity in both the retinal arterioles and venules in
      anesthetized cats.

PMID- 27273593
TI  - Involvement of IL-37 in the Pathogenesis of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Interleukin-37 is suggested as a novel proangiogenic factor in our
      previous study. In this study, the role of IL-37 was investigated in
      proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Vitreous fluids from 10
      patients with PDR and 8 controls were collected. The levels of IL-37 were
      determined by ELISA and the relationship between IL-37 and VEGF-A/Ang-2 was
      analyzed. The effects of IL-37 on chorioretinal endothelial cell (RF/6A)
      proliferation, migration, and tube formation were determined by BrdU
      incorporation assay, Boyden chamber assay, scratch-wound assay and tube formation
      assay. RESULTS: The concentration of IL-37 in the PDR group was 95.09 +/- 5.22
      pg/mL and 34.91 +/- 5.61 pg/mL in control group (P = 0.001). The level of IL-37
      was highly related to the level of Ang-2 (P = 0.009, r = 0.772) and VEGF-A (P =
      0.003, r = 0.827) in the PDR group, and VEGF expression in RF/6A cell was
      upregulated by IL-37 at low concentration. Interleukin-37 remarkably promoted
      RF/6A cell proliferation and migration. Interleukin-37 (1 ng/mL) remarkably
      stimulated tube formation with an increase of 85.3% for total tubule length and
      74.1% for branching points compared with PBS control. CONCLUSIONS: The level of
      IL-37 is elevated in vitreous fluids of patients with PDR and correlates with the
      level of VEGF-A and Ang-2. Interleukin-37 stimulates proangiogenic response of
      retinal endothelial cells in vitro, suggesting the involvement of IL-37 in the
      pathogenesis of PDR.

PMID- 27273592
TI  - Mutation of wrb, a Component of the Guided Entry of Tail-Anchored Protein
      Pathway, Disrupts Photoreceptor Synapse Structure and Function.
AB  - PURPOSE: Tail-anchored (TA) proteins contain a single hydrophobic domain at the C
      terminus and are posttranslationally inserted into the ER membrane via the GET
      (guided entry of tail-anchored proteins) pathway. The role of the GET pathway in
      photoreceptors is unexplored. The goal of this study was to characterize the
      zebrafish pinball wizard mutant, which disrupts Wrb, a core component of the GET
      pathway. METHODS: Electroretinography, optokinetic response measurements (OKR),
      immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy analyses were employed to assess
      ribbon synapse function, protein expression, and ultrastructure in 5-day-old
      zebrafish larvae. Expression of wrb was investigated with real-time qRT-PCR and
      in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Mutation of wrb abolished the OKR and greatly
      diminished the ERG b-wave, but not the a-wave. Ribeye and SV2 were partially
      mislocalized in both photoreceptors and hair cells of wrb mutants. Fewer contacts
      were seen between photoreceptors and bipolar cells in wrb-/- mutants. Expression
      of wrb was observed throughout the nervous system and Wrb localized to the ER and
      synaptic region of photoreceptors. Morpholino knockdown of the cytosolic ATPase
      trc40, which targets TA proteins to the ER, also diminished the OKR.
      Overexpression of wrb fully restored contrast sensitivity in mutants, while
      overexpression of mutant wrbR73A, which cannot bind Trc40, did not. CONCLUSIONS:
      Proteins Wrb and Trc40 are required for synaptic transmission between
      photoreceptors and bipolar cells, indicating that TA protein insertion by the TRC
      pathway is a critical step in ribbon synapse assembly and function.

PMID- 27273594
TI  - Comments on Macular Choroidal Thickness in Children: The Shandong Children Eye
      Study.

PMID- 27273595
TI  - Author Response: Comments on Macular Choroidal Thickness in Children: The
      Shandong Children Eye Study.

PMID- 27273596
TI  - Impact of Dry Eye Disease on Work Productivity, and Patients' Satisfaction With
      Over-the-Counter Dry Eye Treatments.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the effect of dry eye disease on work productivity and
      performance of non-work-related activities, and patients' satisfaction with over
      the-counter (OTC) dry eye treatments. METHODS: In this prospective,
      noninterventional, cross-sectional study, conducted at 10 U.S.
      optometry/ophthalmology practices, 158 symptomatic dry eye patients naive to
      prescription medication underwent standard dry eye diagnostic tests and completed
      Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) and Ocular Surface Disease Index
      (OSDI) questionnaires. Use of OTC dry eye medication, and satisfaction with OTC
      medication and symptom relief were also assessed. RESULTS: On average, dry eye
      resulted in loss of 0.36% of work time (~5 minutes over 7 days) and ~30%
      impairment of workplace performance (presenteeism), work productivity, and non
      job-related activities. Presenteeism and productivity impairment scores showed
      significant correlation with OSDI total (r = 0.55) and symptom domain (r = 0.50)
      scores, but not with dry eye clinical signs. Activity impairment score showed
      stronger correlation with OSDI total (r = 0.61) and symptom domain (r = 0.53)
      scores than with clinical signs (r <= 0.20). Almost 75% of patients used OTC dry
      eye medication. Levels of patient satisfaction with OTC medication (64.2%) and
      symptom relief from OTC (37.3%) were unaffected by administration frequency (>=3
      vs. <=2 times daily). CONCLUSIONS: Dry eye causes negligible absenteeism, but
      markedly reduces workplace and non-job-related performances. Impairment of work
      performance is more closely linked to dry eye symptoms than to clinical signs.
      Patients' perceptions of OTC dry eye medication tend to be more positive than
      their perceptions of symptom relief.

PMID- 27273597
TI  - Association of Plasma Semaphorin 3A With Phenotypes of Diabetic Retinopathy and
      Nephropathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether diabetic retinopathy phenotypes and albuminuria
      are associated with the overexpression of plasma semaphorin 3A (Sema3A). METHODS:
      The study group with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or
      proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), the diabetes without diabetic
      retinopathy group, and the control group without diabetes consisted of all
      consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo intravitreal bevacizumab
      injection for treatment-naive diabetic macular edema (DME) and senile cataract
      surgery, respectively. In all subjects, the plasma Sema3A levels before
      intravitreal bevacizumab injections or cataract surgery were measured by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. In the patients with DME, the capillary nonperfusion
      area (measured by fluorescein angiography), total macular volume (measured by
      spectral-domain optical coherence tomography), and the urine albumin-to
      creatinine ratio were determined. RESULTS: Severe NPDR (57 eyes) and PDR groups
      (51 eyes) both had significantly higher Sema3A levels than the control (58 eyes)
      and diabetes without diabetic retinopathy groups (54 eyes) (P < 0.001). Moreover,
      the PDR group had higher Sema3A levels than the severe NPDR group (P < 0.001).
      Plasma Sema3A levels correlated positively with the retinal nonperfusion area
      size (r = 0.844, P = 0.004), total macular volume (r = 0.765, P = 0.005), and the
      urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (r = 0.752, P < 0.001). When DME patients were
      divided into normo-, micro-, and macroalbuminuria groups, the macroalbuminuria
      group had significantly higher plasma Sema3A levels than the microalbuminuria
      group or the normoalbuminuria group (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: The plasma Sema3A levels correlated significantly with the
      phenotypes of diabetic retinopathy and albuminuria. This suggests that Sema3A may
      be a potential biomarker for diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy.

PMID- 27273600
TI  - Halogen bonding anion recognition.
AB  - A halogen bond is an attractive non-covalent interaction between an electrophilic
      region in a covalently bonded halogen atom and a Lewis base. While these
      interactions have long been exploited as a tool in crystal engineering their
      powerful ability to direct supramolecular self-assembly and molecular recognition
      processes in solution has, until recently, been overlooked. During the last
      decade however an ever-increasing number of studies on solution-phase halogen
      bond-mediated anion recognition processes has emerged. This Feature Article
      summarises advancements which have been made thus far in this rapidly developing
      research area. We survey the use of iodoperfluoroarene, haloimidazolium and
      halotriazole/triazolium halogen-bond-donor motifs in anion receptor design,
      before providing an account of our research into the application of mechanically
      interlocked rotaxane and catenane frameworks as halogen bonding anion host
      systems. 

PMID- 27273598
TI  - Evaluating Descriptive Metrics of the Human Cone Mosaic.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate how metrics used to describe the cone mosaic change in
      response to simulated photoreceptor undersampling (i.e., cell loss or
      misidentification). METHODS: Using an adaptive optics ophthalmoscope, we acquired
      images of the cone mosaic from the center of fixation to 10 degrees  along the
      temporal, superior, inferior, and nasal meridians in 20 healthy subjects. Regions
      of interest (n = 1780) were extracted at regular intervals along each meridian.
      Cone mosaic geometry was assessed using a variety of metrics - density, density
      recovery profile distance (DRPD), nearest neighbor distance (NND), intercell
      distance (ICD), farthest neighbor distance (FND), percentage of six-sided Voronoi
      cells, nearest neighbor regularity (NNR), number of neighbors regularity (NoNR),
      and Voronoi cell area regularity (VCAR). The "performance" of each metric was
      evaluated by determining the level of simulated loss necessary to obtain 80%
      statistical power. RESULTS: Of the metrics assessed, NND and DRPD were the least
      sensitive to undersampling, classifying mosaics that lost 50% of their
      coordinates as indistinguishable from normal. The NoNR was the most sensitive,
      detecting a significant deviation from normal with only a 10% cell loss.
      CONCLUSIONS: The robustness of cone spacing metrics makes them unsuitable for
      reliably detecting small deviations from normal or for tracking small changes in
      the mosaic over time. In contrast, regularity metrics are more sensitive to
      diffuse loss and, therefore, better suited for detecting such changes, provided
      the fraction of misidentified cells is minimal. Combining metrics with a variety
      of sensitivities may provide a more complete picture of the integrity of the
      photoreceptor mosaic.

PMID- 27273599
TI  - Long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid-rich fish oil attenuates the development of
      atherosclerosis in mouse models.
AB  - SCOPE: Fish oil-derived long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFA)
      containing chain lengths longer than 18 were previously shown to improve
      cardiovascular disease risk factors in mice. However, it is not known if LCMUFA
      also exerts anti-atherogenic effects. The main objective of the present study was
      to investigate the effect of LCMUFA on the development of atherosclerosis in
      mouse models. METHODS AND RESULTS: LDLR-KO mice were fed Western diet
      supplemented with 2% (w/w) of either LCMUFA concentrate, olive oil, or not
      (control) for 12 wk. LCMUFA, but not olive oil, significantly suppressed the
      development of atherosclerotic lesions and several plasma inflammatory cytokine
      levels, although there were no major differences in plasma lipids between the
      three groups. At higher doses 5% (w/w) LCMUFA supplementation was observed to
      reduce pro-atherogenic plasma lipoproteins and to also reduce atherosclerosis in
      ApoE-KO mice fed a Western diet. RNA sequencing and subsequent qPCR analyses
      revealed that LCMUFA upregulated PPAR signaling pathways in liver. In cell
      culture studies, apoB-depleted plasma from LDLR-K mice fed LCMUFA showed greater
      cholesterol efflux from macrophage-like THP-1 cells and ABCA1-overexpressing BHK
      cells. CONCLUSION: Our research showed for the first time that LCMUFA consumption
      protects against diet-induced atherosclerosis, possibly by upregulating the PPAR
      signaling pathway.

PMID- 27273602
TI  - Patient Navigation for Comprehensive Cancer Screening in High-Risk Patients Using
      a Population-Based Health Information Technology System: A Randomized Clinical
      Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Patient navigation (PN) to improve cancer screening in low-income and
      racial/ethnic minority populations usually focuses on navigating for single
      cancers in community health center settings. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated PN for
      breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening using a population-based
      information technology (IT) system within a primary care network. DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Randomized clinical trial conducted from April 2014 to
      December 2014 in 18 practices in an academic primary care network. All patients
      eligible and overdue for cancer screening were identified and managed using a
      population-based IT system. Those at high risk for nonadherence with completing
      screening were identified using an electronic algorithm (language spoken, number
      of overdue tests, no-show visit history), and randomized to a PN intervention (n
      = 792) or usual care (n = 820). Navigators used the IT system to track patients,
      contact them, and provide intense outreach to help them complete cancer
      screening. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Mean cancer screening test completion rate
      over 8-month trial for each eligible patient, with all overdue cancer screening
      tests combined using linear regression models. Secondary outcomes included the
      proportion of patients completing any and each overdue cancer screening test.
      RESULTS: Among 1612 patients (673 men and 975 women; median age, 57 years),
      baseline patient characteristics were similar among randomized groups. Of 792
      intervention patients, patient navigators were unable to reach 151 (19%),
      deferred 246 (38%) (eg, patient declined, competing comorbidity), and navigated
      202 (32%). The mean proportion of patients who were up to date with screening
      among all overdue screening examinations was higher in the intervention vs the
      control group for all cancers combined (10.2% vs 6.8%; 95% CI [for the
      difference], 1.5%-5.2%; P < .001), and for breast (14.7% vs 11.0%; 95% CI, 0.2%
      7.3%; P = .04), cervical (11.1% vs 5.7%; 95% CI, 0.8%-5.2%; P = .002), and colon
      (7.6% vs 4.6%; 95% CI, 0.8%-5.2%; P = .01) cancer compared with control. The
      proportion of overdue patients who completed any cancer screening during follow
      up was higher in the intervention group (25.5% vs 17.0%; 95% CI, 4.7%-12.7%; P <
      .001). The intervention group had more patients completing screening for breast
      (23.4% vs 16.6%; 95% CI, 1.8%-12.0%; P = .009), cervical (14.4% vs 8.6%; 95% CI,
      1.6%-10.5%; P = .007), and colorectal (13.7% vs 7.0%; 95% CI, 3.2%-10.4%; P <
      .001) cancer. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Patient navigation as part of a
      population-based IT system significantly increased screening rates for breast,
      cervical, and colorectal cancer in patients at high risk for nonadherence with
      testing. Integrating patient navigation into population health management
      activities for low-income and racial/ethnic minority patients might improve
      equity of cancer care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:
      NCT02553538.

PMID- 27273601
TI  - A high-throughput assay for the measurement of uropathogenic Escherichia coli
      attachment to urinary bladder cells.
AB  - Strains of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the major causative agent of
      urinary tract infections (UTI), the most common infectious diseases in the world.
      Their ability to attach and enter into cells in the urinary tract is a limiting
      step for their pathogenicity. Many studies are thus focussing on these key
      mechanisms to propose new therapeutic strategies. To facilitate such studies, we
      developed a fast and high-throughput assay which makes it possible to monitor the
      interaction of UPEC with cultured human uroepithelial cells. This assay allows
      measurement of the in vitro association of fluorescently labelled clinical
      isolates with bladder epithelial cells using flow cytometry in a microplate
      format. The assay was sensitive enough to detect variations between isolates
      expressing different adhesins and virulence factors and the inhibitory effect of
      proanthocyanidins. Thus we have developed a fast and robust assay which allows us
      to measure variations in the adhesion properties of UPEC to human bladder cells.
      This novel assay will be valuable for the study of initial steps of pathogenesis
      in UTI and for the screening or validation of inhibitory molecules.

PMID- 27273603
TI  - The value of flexibility in conservation financing.
AB  - Land-acquisition strategies employed by conservation organizations vary in their
      flexibility. Conservation-planning theory largely fails to reflect this by
      presenting models that are either extremely inflexible-parcel acquisitions are
      irreversible and budgets are fixed-or extremely flexible-previously acquired
      parcels can readily be sold. This latter approach, the selling of protected
      areas, is infeasible or problematic in many situations. We considered the value
      to conservation organizations of increasing the flexibility of their land
      acquisition strategies through their approach to financing deals. Specifically,
      we modeled 2 acquisition-financing methods commonly used by conservation
      organizations: borrowing and budget carry-over. Using simulated data, we compared
      results from these models with those from an inflexible fixed-budget model and an
      extremely flexible selling model in which previous acquisitions could be sold to
      fund new acquisitions. We then examined 3 case studies of how conservation
      organizations use borrowing and budget carry-over in practice. Model comparisons
      showed that borrowing and budget carry-over always returned considerably higher
      rewards than the fixed-budget model. How they performed relative to the selling
      model depended on the relative conservation value of past acquisitions. Both the
      models and case studies showed that incorporating flexibility through borrowing
      or budget carry-over gives conservation organizations the ability to purchase
      parcels of higher conservation value than when budgets are fixed without the
      problems associated with the selling of protected areas.

PMID- 27273605
TI  - Survey on Current Postnatal Surgical Management of Myelomeningocele in Germany.
AB  - Background and Study Aims Although postnatal surgery can be regarded as the
      standard of care for open myelomeningocele (MMC), there is no uniform treatment
      for this condition in Germany. This study assessed the current situation
      regarding the management of open MMC, a first and essential step toward the
      development of standards of practice. Patients and Methods In the second half of
      2009, we had sent standardized questionnaires to 139 neurosurgery departments and
      73 pediatric surgery departments (number of returned questionnaires: 98 and 62,
      respectively) to identify the principles of MMC management. Newborns with open
      MMC are treated in 57 of the neurosurgery departments and in 18 of the pediatric
      surgery departments. Results Overall, 41 of the 57 neurosurgery departments and
      16 of the 18 pediatric surgery departments providing care for newborns with MMC
      perform MMC closure within 24 hours of delivery. In 52 neurosurgery departments
      and 15 pediatric surgery departments, infants with spina bifida are delivered by
      planned cesarean section. The diagnostic investigations performed between the
      time of caesarean delivery and plastic surgical closure vary from none to
      magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. The criteria underlying the placement of
      shunts and the time to plastic surgical closure are highly variable. Conclusions
      The type of treatment that infants with open MMC receive in Germany differs from
      institution to institution. Clear and consistent guidelines must be established
      using an interdisciplinary approach to improve treatment and standardize the care
      provided by surgical specialists for infants with MMC.

PMID- 27273604
TI  - Macrophage Migration Inhibitor Factor Upregulates MCP-1 Expression in an
      Autocrine Manner in Hepatocytes during Acute Mouse Liver Injury.
AB  - Macrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF), a multipotent innate immune
      mediator, is an upstream component of the inflammatory cascade in diseases such
      as liver disease. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a highly
      representative chemokine, is critical in liver disease pathogenesis. We
      investigated the role of MIF in regulating hepatocytic MCP-1 expression. MIF and
      MCP-1 expression were characterized by immunochemistry, RT-PCR, ELISA, and
      immunoblotting in CCl4-treated mouse liver and isolated hepatocytes. MIF was
      primarily distributed in hepatocytes, and its expression increased upon acute
      liver injury. Its expression was also increased in injured hepatocytes, induced
      by LPS or CCl4, which mimic liver injury in vitro. MIF was expressed earlier than
      MCP-1, strongly inducing hepatocytic MCP-1 expression. Moreover, the increase in
      MCP-1 expression induced by MIF was inhibited by CD74- or CD44-specific siRNAs
      and SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Further, CD74 or CD44 deficiency effectively
      inhibited MIF-induced p38 activation. MIF inhibitor ISO-1 reduced MCP-1
      expression and p38 phosphorylation in CCl4-treated mouse liver. Our results
      showed that MIF regulates MCP-1 expression in hepatocytes of injured liver via
      CD74, CD44, and p38 MAPK in an autocrine manner, providing compelling information
      on the role of MIF in liver injury, and implying a new regulatory mechanism for
      liver inflammation.

PMID- 27273606
TI  - Transcriptomic Signature of the CD24hi CD38hi Transitional B Cells Associated
      With an Immunoregulatory Phenotype in Renal Transplant Recipients.
AB  - The role of B cells after transplant regarding allograft rejection or tolerance
      has become a topic of major interest. Recently, in renal transplant recipients, a
      B cell signature characterized by the overexpression of CD19+ CD38hi CD24hi
      transitional B cells has been observed in operationally tolerant patients and in
      belatacept-treated patients with significantly lower incidence of donor-specific
      antibodies. The phenotypic and functional characterization of these transitional
      B cells is far from exhaustive. We present the first transcriptomic and
      phenotypic analysis associated with this cell phenotype. Three populations were
      studied and compared: (i) transitional CD24hi CD38hi , (ii) CD24+ CD38- , and
      (iii) CD24int CD38int B cells. Transcriptome bioinformatic analysis revealed a
      particular signature for the CD24hi CD38hi population. Phenotypic analysis showed
      that CD24hi CD38hi transitional B cells also expressed CD9, CD10, CD1b and
      inducible T cell costimulator ligand (ICOS-L) markers. In addition, we found
      enrichment of IL-10+ cells among CD24hi CD38hi cells expressing ICOS-L and CD1b,
      the latter showing regulatory properties. Renal transplant recipients treated
      with belatacept exhibited significant expression of CD1b. Our results show that
      transitional CD24hi CD38hi B cells exhibit a distinct and specific profile, and
      this could be helpful for understanding of immune-regulatory mechanisms and
      immune monitoring in the field of organ transplant and autoimmune disease.

PMID- 27273607
TI  - Bisphenol S- and bisphenol A-induced adipogenesis of murine preadipocytes occurs
      through direct peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The use of bisphenol A (BPA) in consumer products and food
      packaging has been associated under certain conditions with a risk of negative
      health outcomes. This prompted its removal from many products and replacement
      with structural analogs. Bisphenol S (BPS) is one such analog, but its metabolic
      effects have not been fully characterized. The objective of our study was to
      determine whether BPS functions similarly to BPA at inducing adipogenesis.
      METHODS: Murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were used to evaluate and compare the
      adipogenic potential of BPS to BPA. Cells were treated with 0.01-50 MUM BPS or
      0.01-50 MUM BPA and adipogenic effects were measured. Further, their ability to
      activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), an
      adipogenic transcription factor, was also determined. RESULTS: Our results
      indicate that treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with BPS induced lipid accumulation and
      increased mRNA and protein expression of key adipogenic markers (1-50 MUM;
      P<0.05). BPS treatment resulted in a higher expression of adipogenic markers as
      well as greater lipid accumulation when compared with BPA treatment. We showed
      that BPS can upregulate lipoprotein lipase, adipocyte protein 2, PPARgamma,
      perilipin, adipsin and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha mRNA expression
      levels. Furthermore, using transcriptional assays, we showed that BPS and BPA can
      modestly activate PPARgamma using a PPRE (PPARgamma response element)-dependent
      luciferase construct by 1.5-fold (P<0.05). However, BPS but not BPA was able to
      competitively inhibit rosiglitazone (ROSI)-activated PPARgamma, suggesting that
      BPS interacts with PPARgamma distinctly from BPA. Co-treatment of cells with the
      selective PPARgamma antagonist GW9662 inhibits BPS-, BPA-, ROSI- but not
      dexamethasone-dependent adipogenic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Both BPA and BPS
      can enhance 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation in a dose-dependent manner and
      require PPARgamma to induce adipogenesis. Through direct comparison, we show that
      BPS is a more potent adipogen than BPA.

PMID- 27273608
TI  - Brief Report: Anti-Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2B Autoantibodies Are Associated
      With Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate novel systemic sclerosis (SSc) autoantibodies in
      autoantibody-negative patients and establish clinical associations. METHODS:
      Serum samples and clinical data for 548 patients with SSc were collected. Routine
      serologic techniques were used to test the serum samples for known SSc
      autoantibodies, and samples with negative results were further investigated by
      radiolabeled-protein immunoprecipitation assay. Sera that immunoprecipitated a
      novel 30-kd band were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence and
      immunoprecipitation, using depleted cell extracts to establish a common
      reactivity. Mass spectrometry was performed to identify the novel autoantigen,
      and the results were confirmed using commercial antibodies. Sera from 426
      patients with other forms of connective tissue disease, 103 with rheumatoid
      arthritis, 114 with idiopathic interstitial lung disease (ILD), and 150 healthy
      subjects were serotyped as controls. RESULTS: A novel autoantigen with a
      molecular weight of ~30 kd was recognized by 7 sera from patients with SSc, 6 of
      whom had ILD, and by no controls. Six of the patients had diffuse cutaneous
      involvement, and 4 had overlap features with other autoimmune diseases.
      Immunodepletion experiments indicated that all samples targeted the same
      autoantigen, and mass spectrometry identified the novel autoantigen as eukaryotic
      initiation factor 2B (eIF2B). CONCLUSION: We report the identification of a novel
      autoantibody (anti-eIF2B) in a small number of patients with SSc (~1%); this
      autoantibody is closely associated with diffuse cutaneous manifestations and the
      presence of ILD.

PMID- 27273609
TI  - District nurses' perspectives on detecting mental health problems and promoting
      mental health among community-dwelling seniors with multimorbidity.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe district nurses' perspectives on detecting
      mental health problems and promoting mental health among homebound older people
      with multimorbidity. BACKGROUND: Mental health problems among older people with
      multiple chronic conditions, that is, multimorbidity, are challenging issues.
      These patients' homes often serve as arenas in which district nurses can promote
      health. Mental health promotion must be studied in greater depth within primary
      care because older people with multimorbidity are particularly prone to
      developing poor mental health, which can go undetected and untreated. DESIGN: A
      descriptive, qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and content
      analysis. METHODS: Twenty-five district nurses completed individual or focus
      group interviews. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS:
      Most district nurses stated that detecting mental health problems and promoting
      mental health were important tasks but that they typically focused on more
      practical home health care tasks. The findings revealed that district nurses
      focused on assessment, collaboration and social support as means of detecting
      mental health problems and promoting mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The district
      nurses described various factors and actions that appeared to be important
      prerequisites for their involvement in primary mental health care. Nevertheless,
      there were no established goals for mental health promotion, and district nurses
      often seemed to depend on their collaboration with other actors. Our findings
      indicated that district nurses cannot bear the primary responsibility for the
      early detection of mental health problems and early interventions to promote
      mental health within this population. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The
      findings of this study indicated that workforce training and collaboration
      between different care providers are important elements in the future development
      of this field. Early detection and early treatment of mental health-related
      issues should also be stated as explicit objectives in the provision of care to
      community-dwelling older people with multimorbidity.

PMID- 27273610
TI  - The concurrent and longitudinal associations of temperament and nutritional risk
      factors in early childhood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early childhood temperament is increasingly recognized as an
      important attribute that may impact screen time use, outdoor play and childhood
      obesity. The relationship between temperament and nutrition in preschool children
      is less clear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to investigate if
      temperament dimensions (negative affectivity, effortful control and surgency) in
      early childhood are associated with nutritional risk factors. METHODS: Six
      hundred seventy-eight children were followed (mean age at baseline visit 3.1
      years; mean time to follow-up 16.5 months). Parents reported on child temperament
      and nutritional risk factors during regularly scheduled well-child clinic visits.
      RESULTS: A mixed effect model demonstrated a significant association between
      higher negative affectivity (1.03; 95% CI 0.69 to 1.37) and higher effortful
      control (-0.88; 95% CI -1.27 to -0.49) on concurrent nutritional risk,
      independent of covariates. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified
      that higher effortful control, and not negative affectivity, was significantly
      associated with a decrease in nutritional risk (-0.67; 95% CI -1.10 to -0.24)
      over time, independent of covariates. There was no relationship identified
      between surgency and nutritional risk. CONCLUSION: Three-year-old children with
      higher effortful control had reduced nutritional risk at 5 years of age. Future
      nutritional risk prevention strategies may benefit from interventions to increase
      effortful control in early childhood.

PMID- 27273611
TI  - Syntheses, characterization and electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of
      ruthenium-iron complexes of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine and ferrocene
      acetylide ligands.
AB  - Heterodimetallic Ru-Fe complexes [(tppz)(PPh3)2RuL](ClO4) (L = C[triple bond,
      length as m-dash]CFc, [](ClO4); C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-C6H4-C[triple
      bond, length as m-dash]CFc), [](ClO4); C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-C6H4
      C6H4-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CFc, [](ClO4)) were synthesized by the
      reactions of [(tppz)(PPh3)2RuCl](ClO4) (tppz = 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2
      pyridyl)pyrazine) with ferrocence-acetylide ligands and characterized by ESI-MS,
      and (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopies. The structure of [](PF6) was determined by
      X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical studies show that compounds [](ClO4)
      [](ClO4) possess two widely separated anodic peaks, ascribable to one-electron
      oxidation of Fc and Ru(II), respectively. This assignment is further corroborated
      by the results of UV-vis-NIR, XPS, and theoretical calculation studies. Compound
      [](ClO4) exhibits significant RuFe metal-metal interactions across the Ru
      C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-Fc backbone. As revealed by electrochemical,
      spectroscopic and theoretical computational studies, one-electron oxidized
      species [](ClO4)2 is between the electronically delocalized and valence-trapped
      state and shows a typical Robin-Day class II mixed-valence behavior. 

PMID- 27273612
TI  - Abnormal functional-structural cingulum connectivity in mania: combined
      functional magnetic resonance imaging-diffusion tensor imaging investigation in
      different phases of bipolar disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between
      structural connectivity (SC) and functional connectivity (FC) in the cingulum in
      bipolar disorder (BD) and its various phases. METHOD: We combined resting-state
      functional magnetic resonance imaging and probabilistic tractographic diffusion
      tensor imaging to investigate FC and SC of the cingulum and its portions, the SC
      FC relationship, and their correlations with clinical and neurocognitive measures
      on sustained attention in manic (n = 21), depressed (n = 20), and euthymic (n =
      20) bipolar patients and healthy controls (HC) (n = 42). RESULTS: First, we found
      decreased FC between the anterior and posterior parts of the cingulum in manic
      patients when compared to depressed patients and HC. Second, we observed
      decreased SC of the cingulum bundle, particularly in its anterior part, in manic
      patients when compared to HC. Finally, alterations in the cingulum FC (but not
      SC) correlated with clinical severity scores while changes in the cingulum SC
      (but not FC) were related with neurocognitive deficits in sustained attention in
      BD. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate for the first time a reduction in FC and
      concomitantly in SC of the cingulum in mania, which correlated with
      psychopathological and neurocognitive parameters, respectively, in BD. This
      supports the central role of cingulum connectivity specifically in mania.

PMID- 27273613
TI  - Telemedicine in the UK Defence Medical Services: time for an upgrade?

PMID- 27273614
TI  - What are the best and worst things about having a father in UK Armed Forces?
      Analysis of free text responses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore what adolescents report as the best and
      worst aspects of having a father in the UK military. METHODS: Qualitative data
      were collected from 171 adolescents aged 11-16 years, via an online questionnaire
      exploring the impact of paternal military service on childhood well-being
      (response rate=70%). Questions about the best and worst aspects of their father's
      military role were examined. Content analysis has been used to code the
      qualitative data into themes. RESULTS: 85 girls and 86 boys were included with a
      mean age of 13 years (SD 1.92). The results showed lack of contact as the single
      most commonly reported negative factor of having a father in the military (61%).
      Positive aspects of their fathers' job most frequently reported included a sense
      of pride (25%) and financial benefits (25%). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents take a
      great deal of pride in their father's jobs in the military, and they enjoy the
      financial benefits. A majority, however, feel a lack of contact with their father
      is the most negative factor.

PMID- 27273615
TI  - The success of battlefield surgical airway insertion in severely injured military
      patients: a UK perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The insertion of a surgical airway in the presence of severe airway
      compromise is an uncommon occurrence in everyday civilian practice. In conflict,
      the requirement for insertion of a surgical airway is more common. Recent
      military operations in Afghanistan resulted in large numbers of severely injured
      patients, and a significant proportion required definitive airway management
      through the insertion of a surgical airway. OBJECTIVE: To examine the procedural
      success and survival rate to discharge from a military hospital over an 8-year
      period. METHODS: A retrospective database and chart review was conducted, using
      the UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry and the Central Health Records Library.
      Patients who underwent surgical airway insertion by UK medical personnel from
      2006 to 2014 were included. Procedural success, demographics, Injury Severity
      Score, practitioner experience and patient survival data were collected.
      Descriptive statistics were used for data comparison, and statistical
      significance was defined as p<0.05. RESULTS: 86 patients met the inclusion
      criterion and were included in the final analysis. The mean patient age was 25
      years, (SD 5), with a median ISS of 62.5 (IQR 42). 79 (92%) of all surgical
      airways were successfully inserted. 7 (8%) were either inserted incorrectly or
      failed to perform adequately. 80 (93%) of these procedures were performed either
      by combat medical technicians or General Duties Medical Officers (GDMOs) at the
      point of wounding or Role 1. 6 (7%) were performed by the Medical Emergency
      Response Team. 21 (24%) patients survived to hospital discharge. DISCUSSION:
      Surgical airways can be successfully performed in the most hostile of
      environments with high success rates by combat medical technicians and GDMOs.
      These results compare favourably with US military data published from the same
      conflict.

PMID- 27273616
TI  - Dicer functions as an antiviral system against human adenoviruses via cleavage of
      adenovirus-encoded noncoding RNA.
AB  - In various organisms, including nematodes and plants, RNA interference (RNAi) is
      a defense system against virus infection; however, it is unclear whether RNAi
      functions as an antivirus system in mammalian cells. Rather, a number of DNA
      viruses, including herpesviruses, utilize post-transcriptional silencing systems
      for their survival. Here we show that Dicer efficiently suppresses the
      replication of adenovirus (Ad) via cleavage of Ad-encoding small RNAs (VA-RNAs),
      which efficiently promote Ad replication via the inhibition of eIF2alpha
      phosphorylation, to viral microRNAs (mivaRNAs). The Dicer knockdown significantly
      increases the copy numbers of VA-RNAs, leading to the efficient inhibition of
      eIF2alpha phosphorylation and the subsequent promotion of Ad replication.
      Conversely, overexpression of Dicer significantly inhibits Ad replication.
      Transfection with mivaRNA does not affect eIF2alpha phosphorylation or Ad
      replication. These results indicate that Dicer-mediated processing of VA-RNAs
      leads to loss of activity of VA-RNAs for enhancement of Ad replication and that
      Dicer functions as a defence system against Ad in mammalian cells.

PMID- 27273617
TI  - Asterionellopsis tropicalis (Bacillariophyceae): a new tropical species found in
      diatom accumulations.
AB  - The diatom Asterionellopsis glacialis sensu lato forms high-density patches in
      the surf zone of some sandy beaches worldwide and was until recently considered a
      cosmopolitan species. With the recent description of four cryptic species, the
      identity of specimens found in these accumulations remains uncertain. In this
      study, diatom patches were sampled from two sandy beaches of the Brazilian coast:
      one tropical (Futuro Beach, 3 degrees  S; 38 degrees  W) and one subtropical
      (Cassino Beach, 32 degrees  S; 52 degrees  W). Fine structure of frustules and
      the sequencing of three phylogenetic markers revealed the subtropical strains to
      be A. guyunusae and the tropical strains to be a new species, here described as
      Asterionellopsis tropicalis sp. nov. A. tropicalis was differentiated
      morphologically by the number of striae in 10 MUm at the foot pole and head (39
      44; 38-45, respectively), from A. lenisilicea (46-55; 46-64), A. maritima (46-51;
      46-60), and A. thurstonii (42-58; 55-70). The number of striae at the head region
      of the valvocopula (10 MUm) helped to distinguish A. tropicalis (56-62) from A.
      guyunusae (61-64), but A. tropicalis was morphologically undistinguishable from
      A. glacialis. The sequence divergence from other identified Asterionellopsis
      species was 13%-16% (Cox1), 11%-12% (5.8S + ITS2) and 2%-6% (RbcL), and A.
      tropicalis formed a distinct monophyletic clade with high support in all analyzed
      phylogenetic trees (single or multi-locus). This work will aid in the
      understanding of the ecological and physiological diversity of diatom patches
      that are key to the trophic webs of sandy beaches.

PMID- 27273618
TI  - Serum stress responsive gene EhslncRNA of Entamoeba histolytica is a novel long
      noncoding RNA.
AB  - Non coding RNAs are known to play important roles in regulating gene expression
      at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels in metazoans. There is very
      little information available about non coding RNAs in protists such as Entamoeba
      histolytica. Antisense and micro RNAs have been reported in E. histolytica,
      however no long non coding RNAs has been reported yet. Here, we report our
      findings on an in vitro serum stress-inducible gene EhslncRNA, a member of B1
      transmembrane kinase family of E. histolytica. EhslncRNA encodes a transcript of
      2.6 kb and sequence analysis revealed that there is no ORF >150 bp within this
      transcript. The transcript was found to be polyadenylated and mainly associated
      with monosomes in the cytoplasm under serum starvation. In normal proliferating
      cells this RNA is mainly present in the nucleus. The promoter element was mapped
      between 437 to 346 nucleotides upstream of transcriptional start site and has
      both positive and negative regulatory elements. Deletion of the negative element
      converted the promoter to serum inducible type. Oxygen and heat stress also
      increased expression levels of EhslncRNA. These observations suggest that
      EhslncRNA may be a long non coding RNA and likely to help cells withstand
      stressful conditions in the host.

PMID- 27273620
TI  - Needs assessment for collaborative network in pediatric clinical research and
      education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A collaborative network for pediatric research has not been fully
      established in Japan. To identify the network infrastructure, we conducted a
      survey on the support and education for clinical research currently available in
      children's hospitals. METHODS: In November 2014, a 27-question survey was
      distributed to 31 hospitals belonging to the Japanese Association of Children's
      Hospitals and Related Institutions (JACHRI) to assess clinical research support,
      research education, research achievements, and their expectations. RESULTS: All
      the hospitals responded to the survey. Overall, 74.2% of hospitals had clinical
      research support divisions. Although all hospitals had ethics committees, <30% of
      the hospitals had a data manager, intellectual property management unit,
      biostatistician, and English-language editor. Seven hospitals had education
      programs for clinical research. The number of seminars and workshops for clinical
      research had significant correlations with the number of physicians (r = 0.927),
      pediatricians (r = 0.922), and clinical trial management physicians (r = 0.962).
      There was a significant difference in the number of clinical trials initiated by
      physicians between hospitals with research education programs and those without
      (P < 0.01). The number of education programs was significantly correlated with
      the number of original articles and case reports in English (r = 0.788), and the
      number of publications in Japanese (r = 0.648). All hospitals recognized the need
      for a leader to establish a collaborative network for clinical research.
      CONCLUSIONS: Important factors for creating a collaborative system for pediatric
      research in Japan were identified. Human resources to support clinical research
      are a key factor to improve clinical research education and research
      achievements.

PMID- 27273619
TI  - Local Immune Stimulation by Intravesical Instillation of Baculovirus to Enable
      Bladder Cancer Therapy.
AB  - Intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is currently used as
      adjuvant therapy for superficial, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
      However, nearly 40% of patients with NMIBC will fail Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
      therapy. In an attempt to investigate the feasibility of using insect baculovirus
      based vectors for bladder cancer therapy, we observed that intravesical
      instillation of baculoviruses without transgene up-regulated a set of Th1-type of
      cytokines and increased the survival rate of mice bearing established orthotopic
      bladder tumors. When baculoviral vectors were used to co-deliver the mouse CD40
      ligand and IL-15 genes through intravesical instillation, the immunogene therapy
      triggered significantly increased bladder infiltrations of inflammatory
      monocytes, CD4(+), CD8(+) and gammadelta T lymphocytes. All treated animals
      survived beyond 12 months whereas control animals died around 2 months after
      tumor inoculation. We conclude that direct intravesical instillation of
      baculoviral gene transfer vectors holds the potential to be a novel therapeutic
      modality for NMIBC.

PMID- 27273621
TI  - A Robust Metal-Organic Framework for Dynamic Light-Induced Swing Adsorption of
      Carbon Dioxide.
AB  - Adsorbents for CO2 capture need to demonstrate efficient release. Light-induced
      swing adsorption (LISA) is an attractive new method to release captured CO2 that
      utilizes solar energy rather than electricity. MOFs, which can be tailored for
      use in LISA owing to their chemical functionality, are often unstable in moist
      atmospheres, precluding their use. A MOF is used that can release large
      quantities of CO2 via LISA and is resistant to moisture across a large pH range.
      PCN-250 undergoes LISA, with UV flux regulating the CO2 desorption capacity.
      Furthermore, under UV light, the azo residues within PCN-250 have constrained,
      local, structural flexibility. This is dynamic, rapidly switching back to the
      native state. Reusability tests demonstrate a 7.3 % and 4.9 % loss in both
      adsorption and LISA capacity after exposure to water for five cycles. These
      minimal changes confirm the structural robustness of PCN-250 and its great
      potential for triggered release applications. 

PMID- 27273622
TI  - Asymmetric plasmonic induced ionic noise in metallic nanopores.
AB  - We present distinct asymmetric plasmon-induced noise properties of ionic
      transport observed through gold coated nanopores. We thoroughly investigated the
      effects of bias voltage and laser illumination. We show that the potential drop
      across top-coated silicon nanocavity pores can give rise to a large noise
      asymmetry (~2-3 orders of magnitude). Varying the bias voltage has an appreciable
      effect on the noise density spectra, typically in the Lorentzian components. The
      laser power is found to strongly affect the ionic noise level as well as the
      voltage threshold for light-induced noise generation. The asymmetric noise
      phenomenon is attributed to plasmon-induced interfacial reactions which promote
      light-induced charge fluctuation in the ion flow and allow voltage modulation of
      photo-induced carriers surmounting over such Schottky junctions. We further
      compare the ionic noise performances of gold nanocavities containing different
      material stacks, among which thermal oxide passivation of the silicon
      successfully mitigates the light-induced noise and is also fully CMOS-compatible.
      The understanding of the described noise characteristics will help to foster
      multiple applications using related structures including plasmonic-based sensing
      or plasmon-induced catalysis such as water splitting or solar energy conversion
      devices. 

PMID- 27273623
TI  - Aiming low: A resident male's rank predicts takeover success by challenging males
      in Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys.
AB  - In many primate species that form one-male breeding units (OMUs), the threat of a
      takeover by a bachelor male represents a major challenge to group stability and
      individual reproductive success. In the case of snub-nosed monkeys, which live in
      large multilevel or modular societies (MLS) comprising several OMUs that travel,
      feed and rest together and as well as one or more all male units (AMUs), the
      process by which rival males challenge resident OMU males for access to females
      is poorly understood. From September 2012 to October 2013, we recorded 48 cases
      in which rival males visited an OMU in a MLS of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys
      (Rhinopithecus bieti) inhabiting the Baimaxueshan National Nature Reserve, Yunnan
      Province, China. In 40 cases, rival males engaged in mild agonistic interactions
      (approaching, staring, teeth-baring and chasing) but failed to take over the
      group; we counted these visits as failed takeovers, recognizing that they may
      nevertheless allow rival males to assess the competitive ability of residents.
      During eight successful takeovers, however, there was severe physical aggression
      between challenging and resident males, with serious injuries to participants. We
      found that neither the number of adult and subadult females in an OMU, the number
      of non-pregnant, non-lactating adult females in an OMU, nor the rank of a
      resident male relative to other resident males in the MLS predicted which OMU a
      challenging male targeted for takeover. However, a resident male's rank
      significantly predicted whether takeover attempts were successful. Specifically,
      challenging males were more successful in displacing a lower-ranking resident
      male than a higher-ranking male. Given that a Yunnan snub-nosed monkey MLS may
      contain as many as 40 resident and 36 bachelor males, continued research is
      required to determine the set of factors that enable resident males to maintain
      high social rank and successfully defend their harems. Am. J. Primatol. 78:974
      982, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273625
TI  - Arrhythmia associated with buprenorphine and methadone reported to the Food and
      Drug Administration.

PMID- 27273624
TI  - Soluble B7-H3 promotes the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma cells
      through the TLR4/NF-kappaB pathway.
AB  - Many studies have demonstrated a relationship between soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) and
      the poor prognosis of patients with malignant tumors, and increasing evidence has
      shown a connection between sB7-H3 and NF-kappaB in tumor progression. In the
      present study, we demonstrate for the first time that sB7-H3 promotes the
      invasion and metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma cells through the TLR4/NF-kappaB
      pathway. In this study, we observed that sB7-H3 was highly expressed in mB7-H3
      positive pancreatic carcinoma (PCa) cells. Exogenous sB7-H3 significantly
      increased NF-kappaB activity and promoted the migration and invasion of PCa
      cells. Further studies proved that sB7-H3 first up-regulated TLR4 expression,
      then activated NF-kappaB signaling and finally promoted IL-8 and VEGF expression.
      In contrast, the silencing of TLR4 using a stable short hairpin RNA significantly
      decreased the sB7-H3-induced activity of NF-kappaB and the expression of IL-8 and
      VEGF in PCa cells. In vivo animal experiments further demonstrated that TLR4
      knock-down tumor cells displayed a decreased ability to metastasize compared with
      the control tumor cells after being induced by sB7-H3. Collectively, these
      results demonstrate that sB7-H3 promotes invasion and metastasis through the
      TLR4/NF-kappaB pathway in pancreatic carcinoma cells.

PMID- 27273627
TI  - Cellular gatekeepers.

PMID- 27273626
TI  - Functional Analysis of Amorpha-4,11-Diene Synthase (ADS) Homologs from Non
      Artemisinin-Producing Artemisia Species: The Discovery of Novel Koidzumiol and
      (+)-alpha-Bisabolol Synthases.
AB  - The production of artemisinin, the most effective antimalarial compound, is
      limited to Artemisia annua. Enzymes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis include
      amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS), amorpha-4,11-diene 12-monooxygenase (CYP71AV1)
      and artemisinic aldehyde Delta(11)13 reductase (DBR2). Although artemisinin and
      its specific intermediates are not detected in other Artemisia species, we
      reported previously that CYP71AV1 and DBR2 homologs were expressed in some non
      artemisinin-producing Artemisia plants. These homologous enzymes showed similar
      functions to their counterparts in A. annua and can convert fed intermediates
      into the following products along the artemisinin biosynthesis in planta These
      findings suggested a partial artemisinin-producing ability in those species. In
      this study, we examined genes highly homologous to ADS, the first committed gene
      in the pathway, in 13 Artemisia species. We detected ADS homologs in A.
      absinthium, A. kurramensis and A. maritima. We analyzed the enzymatic functions
      of all of the ADS homologs after obtaining their cDNA. We found that the ADS
      homolog from A. absinthium exhibited novel activity in the cyclization of
      farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) to koidzumiol, a rare natural sesquiterpenoid. Those
      from A. kurramensis and A. maritima showed similar, but novel, activities in the
      cyclization of FPP to (+)-alpha-bisabolol. The unique functions of the novel
      sesquiterpene synthases highly homologous to ADS found in this study could
      provide insight into the molecular basis of the exceptional artemisinin-producing
      ability in A. annua. 

PMID- 27273628
TI  - Atomic-level analysis of membrane-protein structure.
AB  - Membrane proteins are substantially more challenging than natively soluble
      proteins as subjects for structural analysis. Thus, membrane proteins are greatly
      underrepresented in structural databases. Recently, focused consortium efforts
      and advances in methodology for protein production, crystallographic analysis and
      cryo-EM analysis have accelerated the pace of atomic-level structure
      determination of membrane proteins. 

PMID- 27273630
TI  - Toward high-resolution computational design of the structure and function of
      helical membrane proteins.
AB  - The computational design of alpha-helical membrane proteins is still in its
      infancy but has already made great progress. De novo design allows stable,
      specific and active minimal oligomeric systems to be obtained. Computational
      reengineering can improve the stability and function of naturally occurring
      membrane proteins. Currently, the major hurdle for the field is the experimental
      characterization of the designs. The emergence of new structural methods for
      membrane proteins will accelerate progress.

PMID- 27273629
TI  - NMR as a tool to investigate the structure, dynamics and function of membrane
      proteins.
AB  - Membrane-protein NMR occupies a unique niche for determining structures,
      assessing dynamics, examining folding, and studying the binding of lipids,
      ligands and drugs to membrane proteins. However, NMR analyses of membrane
      proteins also face special challenges that are not encountered with soluble
      proteins, including sample preparation, size limitation, spectral crowding and
      sparse data accumulation. This Perspective provides a snapshot of current
      achievements, future opportunities and possible limitations in this rapidly
      developing field.

PMID- 27273631
TI  - Nanodiscs for structural and functional studies of membrane proteins.
AB  - Membrane proteins have long presented a challenge to biochemical and functional
      studies. In the absence of a bilayer environment, individual proteins and
      critical macromolecular complexes may be insoluble and may display altered or
      absent activities. Nanodisc technology provides important advantages for the
      isolation, purification, structural resolution and functional characterization of
      membrane proteins. In addition, the ability to precisely control the nanodisc
      composition provides a nanoscale membrane surface for investigating molecular
      recognition events. 

PMID- 27273634
TI  - Knud Hermann Nierhaus 1941-2016.

PMID- 27273632
TI  - Mechanistic diversity in ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters.
AB  - ABC transporters catalyze transport reactions, such as the high-affinity uptake
      of micronutrients into bacteria and the export of cytotoxic compounds from
      mammalian cells. Crystal structures of ABC domains and full transporters have
      provided a framework for formulating reaction mechanisms of ATP-driven substrate
      transport, but recent studies have suggested remarkable mechanistic diversity
      within this protein family. This review evaluates the differing mechanistic
      proposals and outlines future directions for the exploration of ABC-transporter
      catalyzed reactions.

PMID- 27273635
TI  - Escape from epigenetic silencing of lactase expression is triggered by a single
      nucleotide change.

PMID- 27273633
TI  - Structural mechanisms of activation and desensitization in neurotransmitter-gated
      ion channels.
AB  - Ion channels gated by neurotransmitters are present across metazoans, in which
      they are essential for brain function, sensation and locomotion; closely related
      homologs are also found in bacteria. Structures of eukaryotic pentameric cysteine
      loop (Cys-loop) receptors and tetrameric ionotropic glutamate receptors in
      multiple functional states have recently become available. Here, I describe how
      these studies relate to established ideas regarding receptor activation and how
      they have enabled decades' worth of functional work to be pieced together, thus
      allowing previously puzzling aspects of receptor activity to be understood.

PMID- 27273636
TI  - Reverse transcriptases lend a hand in splicing catalysis.

PMID- 27273637
TI  - Noncoding RNA joins Ku and DNA-PKcs for DNA-break resistance in breast cancer.

PMID- 27273638
TI  - Heavy lessons in protein allostery.

PMID- 27273639
TI  - Systematic review of traditional Chinese medicine for geriatrics.
AB  - The Japan Geriatrics Society revised its criteria for the medical treatment and
      safety of the elderly in 2015. The Japan Geriatrics Society guidelines contain a
      chapter for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM; traditional medicines in East
      Asian countries, such as China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and Singapore),
      because it is widely used for elderly patients and is sometimes covered by
      national medical insurance in Japan. The updated guidelines should be improved
      based on a comprehensive, systematic review and evidence grading. TCM is rapidly
      expanding in the literature, and is under intensive investigation in clinical
      trials. The objective of the present trial was to review TCM systematically and
      reflect the results to update the TCM chapter of the Japan Geriatrics Society
      guidelines. Here, we introduce the results of the systemic review of TCM for
      geriatrics. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 679-688.

PMID- 27273641
TI  - Costs Associated with Surgically Treated Cases of Abdominal Cystic
      Echinococcosis: A Single Center's Experience from 2008 to 2014, Pavia, Italy.
AB  - Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a globally distributed zoonosis caused by the
      Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato species complex. Four approaches are available
      for treatment of abdominal CE: surgery, percutaneous aspiration, chemotherapy
      with albendazole, and watch-and-wait. Allocation of patients to these different
      treatment options mainly depends on the stage of the cystic lesion. However, as
      available guidelines are not widely followed, surgery is often applied even
      without the correct indication outside referral centers. This is not only a
      disadvantage for the patient, but also a waste of money. In this study, we
      evaluated the cost of the surgical approach for abdominal CE by analyzing
      hospitalization costs for 14 patients admitted to the General Surgery Ward at the
      "San Matteo" Hospital Foundation in Pavia, Italy, from 2008 through 2014. We
      found that the total cost of a single hospitalization, including hospital stay,
      surgical intervention, personnel, drugs, and administrative costs ranged from
      ?5,874 to 23,077 (median ?11,033) per patient. Our findings confirm that surgery
      can be an expensive option. Therefore, surgical intervention should be limited to
      cyst types that do not benefit from nonsurgical therapies and appropriate case
      management can best be accomplished by using a cyst stage-specific approach.

PMID- 27273640
TI  - Availability and Quality of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care in Bangladesh.
AB  - Bangladesh's maternal mortality and neonatal mortality remain unacceptably high.
      We assessed the availability and quality of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) and
      emergency newborn care (EmNC) services at health facilities in Bangladesh. We
      randomly sampled 50 rural villages and 50 urban neighborhoods throughout
      Bangladesh and interviewed the director of eight and nine health facilities
      nearest to each sampled area. We categorized health facilities into different
      quality levels (high, moderate, low, and substandard) based on staffing,
      availability of a phone or ambulance, and signal functions (six categories for
      EmOC and four categories for EmNC). We interviewed the directors of 875 health
      facilities. Approximately 28% of health facilities did not have a skilled birth
      attendant on call 24 hours per day. The least commonly performed EmOC signal
      function was administration of anticonvulsants (67%). The quality of EmOC
      services was high in 33% and moderate in 52% of the health facilities. The least
      common EmNC signal function was kangaroo mother care (7%). The quality of EmNC
      was high in 2% and moderate in 33% of the health facilities. Approximately one
      third of health facilities lack 24-hour availability of skilled birth attendants,
      increasing the risk of peripartum complications. Most health facilities offered
      moderate to high quality services for EmOC and low to substandard quality for
      EmNC.

PMID- 27273642
TI  - Opossums and Cat Fleas: New Insights in the Ecology of Murine Typhus in
      Galveston, Texas.
AB  - Murine typhus is an acute undifferentiated febrile illness caused by Rickettsia
      typhi The classic reservoir (Rattus spp.) and flea vector (Xenopsylla cheopis)
      were once culprits of murine typhus in the United States. Vector and rodent
      control efforts have drastically decreased the prevalence of disease, except in a
      few endemic foci where opossums and cat fleas play a role in transmission. Since
      2012, there has been a reemergence of murine typhus in Galveston, TX. We
      hypothesize that opossums and cat fleas are involved in the transmission of R.
      typhi in Galveston. To explore this, we sought to find the seroprevalence of
      typhus group antibodies from opossums. We also sought to find the prevalence of
      R. typhi in fleas parasitizing these animals. We collected blood from 12 opossums
      and found that eight (66.7%) had the presence of anti-R. typhi antibodies. All
      opossums were infested with fleas; a total of 250 Ctenocephalides felis fleas
      were collected from these animals. Seven opossums (53.8%) were infested with
      fleas that had molecular evidence of R. typhi infection, while six (46.2%) were
      infested with fleas that contained Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis, an
      organism closely related to R. felis The minimum flea infection rate for R. typhi
      was 7.0%. The minimum infection rate for Candidatus R. senegalensis was 6.1%. Our
      study demonstrates that fleas infected with R. typhi parasitize opossums in
      Galveston. It is therefore likely that opossums and their fleas play a role in
      the city's recent reemergence of murine typhus.

PMID- 27273643
TI  - Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Detection of the 5.8S Ribosomal
      Ribonucleic Acid Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 Gene Found in Trypanosoma brucei
      gambiense.
AB  - The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay with its advantages of
      cost effectiveness, rapidity, and simplicity, has evolved as a sensitive and
      specific method for the detection of African trypanosomes. Highly sensitive LAMP
      reactions specific for Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense or that recognize but do
      not discriminate between Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. b. rhodesiense,
      Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, and Trypanosoma evansi have been developed. A
      sensitive LAMP assay targeting the T. b. gambiense 5.8S ribosomal RNA internal
      transcribed spacer 2 (5.8S-ITS2) gene is also available but this assay does not
      target binding sites that span the CCCA (C3A) (557-560 bps) insertion site that
      further differentiates T. b. gambiense from T. b. brucei Here we describe 5.8S
      ITS2-targeted LAMP assay that fit these criteria. The LAMP primer sets containing
      the T. b. gambiense-specific C3A tetranucleotide at the start of the outer
      forward primer sequences showed high specificity and sensitivity down to at least
      0.1 fg T. b. gambiense genomic DNA.

PMID- 27273644
TI  - Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Kenya, 2007.
AB  - Current estimates put the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in
      Kenya at 5-8%. We determined the HBV infection prevalence in the human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative Kenyan adult and adolescent population
      based on samples collected from a national survey. We analyzed data from HIV
      negative participants in the 2007 Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey to estimate the HBV
      infection prevalence. We defined past or present HBV infection as presence of
      total hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), and chronic HBV infection (CHBI) as
      presence of both total HBcAb and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). We
      calculated crude and adjusted odds of HBV infection by demographic
      characteristics and risk factors using logistic regression analyses. Of 1,091
      participants aged 15-64 years, approximately 31.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]
      = 28.0-35.3%) had exposure to HBV, corresponding to approximately 6.1 million (CI
      = 5.4-6.8 million) with past or present HBV infection. The estimated prevalence
      of CHBI was 2.1% (95% CI = 1.4-3.1%), corresponding to approximately 398,000 (CI
      = 261,000-602,000) with CHBI. CHBI is a major public health problem in Kenya,
      affecting approximately 400,000 persons. Knowing the HBV infection prevalence at
      baseline is important for planning and public health policy decision making and
      for monitoring the impact of viral hepatitis prevention programs.

PMID- 27273645
TI  - Associations Between Helminth Infections, Plasmodium falciparum Parasite Carriage
      and Antibody Responses to Sexual and Asexual Stage Malarial Antigens.
AB  - Infections with helminths and Plasmodium spp. overlap in their geographical
      distribution. It has been postulated that helminth infections may influence
      malarial transmission by altering Plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis. This
      cross-sectional study assessed the effect of helminth infections on P. falciparum
      gametocyte carriage and on humoral immune responses to sexual stage antigens in
      Gabon. Schistosoma haematobium and filarial infections as well as P. falciparum
      asexual forms and gametocyte carriage were determined. The antibody responses
      measured were to sexual (Pfs230, Pfs48/45) and asexual P. falciparum antigens
      (AMA1, MSP1, and GLURP). A total of 287 subjects were included. The prevalence of
      microscopically detectable P. falciparum asexual parasites was higher in S.
      haematobium-infected subjects in comparison to their uninfected counterparts (47%
      versus 26%, P = 0.003), but this was not different when filarial infections were
      considered. Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriage was similar between
      Schistosoma- or filaria-infected and uninfected subjects. We observed a
      significant decrease of Pfs48/45 immunoglobulin G titer in S. haematobium
      infected subjects (P = 0.037), whereas no difference was seen for Pfs230 antibody
      titer, nor for antibodies to AMA1, MSP1, or GLURP. Our findings suggest an effect
      of S. haematobium on antibody responses to some P. falciparum gametocyte antigens
      that may have consequences for transmission-blocking immunity.

PMID- 27273646
TI  - The Impact of an Intervention to Improve Malaria Care in Public Health Centers on
      Health Indicators of Children in Tororo, Uganda (PRIME): A Cluster-Randomized
      Trial.
AB  - Optimizing quality of care for malaria and other febrile illnesses is a complex
      challenge of major public health importance. To evaluate the impact of an
      intervention aiming to improve malaria case management on the health of community
      children, a cluster-randomized trial was conducted from 2010-2013 in Tororo,
      Uganda, where malaria transmission is high. Twenty public health centers were
      included; 10 were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control.
      Households within 2 km of health centers provided the sampling frame for the
      evaluation. The PRIME intervention included training in fever case management
      using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), patient-centered services, and
      health center management; plus provision of mRDTs and artemether-lumefantrine.
      Cross-sectional community surveys were conducted at baseline and endline (N =
      8,766), and a cohort of children was followed for approximately 18 months (N =
      992). The primary outcome was prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dL) in
      children under 5 years of age in the final community survey. The intervention was
      delivered successfully; however, no differences in prevalence of anemia or
      parasitemia were observed between the study arms in the final community survey or
      the cohort. In the final survey, prevalence of anemia in children under 5 years
      of age was 62.5% in the intervention versus 63.1% in control (adjusted risk ratio
      = 1.01; 95% confidence interval = 0.91-1.13; P = 0.82). The PRIME intervention,
      focusing on training and commodities, did not produce the expected health
      benefits in community children in Tororo. This challenges common assumptions that
      improving quality of care and access to malaria diagnostics will yield health
      gains. 

PMID- 27273647
TI  - Evidence of Rickettsia and Orientia Infections Among Abattoir Workers in
      Djibouti.
AB  - Of 49 workers at a Djiboutian abattoir, eight (16%, 95% confidence interval [CI]:
      9-29) were seropositive against spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), two (4%,
      95% CI: 1-14) against typhus group rickettsiae, and three (6%, 95% CI: 2-17)
      against orientiae. One worker (9%, 95% CI: 2-38) seroconverted against orientiae
      during the study period. This is the first evidence of orientiae exposure in the
      Horn of Africa. SFGR were also identified by polymerase chain reaction in 32 of
      189 (11%, 95% CI: 8-15) tick pools from 26 of 72 (36%) cattle. Twenty-five (8%,
      95% CI: 6-12) tick pools were positive for Rickettsia africae, the causative
      agent of African tick-bite fever. Health-care providers in Djibouti should be
      aware of the possibility of rickettsiae infections among patients, although
      further research is needed to determine the impact of these infections in the
      country.

PMID- 27273648
TI  - Two Unusual Cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Patients with
      Talaromyces marneffei Infection.
AB  - Talaromyces marneffei (formerly known as Penicillium marneffei) is a dimorphic
      fungus endemic in south and southeast Asia. It is not only commonly found in
      human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, but also among HIV-negative
      immunocompromised patients. The infection caused by this pathogen can disseminate
      hematogenously to other locations. Herein, we report for the first time two cases
      complicated with a rare disease or involving a rare site: in the first case, T.
      marneffei infection was complicated by Langerhans cell histiocytosis, whereas the
      second case showed clear etiological evidence of pleural nodules and pleural
      effusion caused by T. marneffei and diagnosed by thoracoscopic pleural biopsy. 

PMID- 27273649
TI  - Characteristics and Risk Factors for Fatality in Patients with Dengue Hemorrhagic
      Fever, Taiwan, 2014.
AB  - An unprecedented dengue outbreak involving more than 15,000 infections, including
      136 dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases and 20 fatalities, occurred in Taiwan in
      2014. The median age of the DHF cases was 71 years (range: 4-92 years) and most
      of them (N = 100, 73.5%) had comorbidities, of which the majority were
      hypertension (56%) and diabetes mellitus (DM; 27%). Only approximately half of
      the DHF cases (59/136) were classified as severe dengue, based on the 2009 WHO
      revised dengue classification. The fatality rate for this DHF outbreak was 14.7%.
      DM (odds ratio [OR] = 3.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22-10.63) and
      presentation with severe plasma leakage (OR = 6.42, 95% CI = 1.76-23.63) were
      independent risk factors for fatality.

PMID- 27273650
TI  - Pig-to-nonhuman primate solid organ xenografting: recent achievements on the road
      to first-in-man explorations.

PMID- 27273651
TI  - A clinical view on the development of technology-based tools in managing
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Recently, quantitative, objective, and easy-to-use technology-based tools that
      can assess PD features over long time periods have been developed and generate
      clinically relevant and comparable patient information. Herein, we present a
      clinician's view on technological developments that have the potential to
      revolutionize clinical management concepts in PD. According to prominent examples
      in clinical medicine (e.g., blood glycosylated hemoglobin and blood pressure), we
      argue that the consideration of technology-based assessment in the clinical
      management of PD must be based on specific assumptions: (1) It provides a valid
      and accurate parameter of a clinically relevant feature of the disease; (2) there
      is confirmed evidence that the parameter has an ecologically relevant effect on
      the specific clinical application; (3) a target range can be defined wherein the
      parameter reflects the adequate treatment response; and (4) implementation is
      simple to allow repetitive use. Currently, there are no technology-based tools
      available that fulfil all these assumptions; however, assessments of akinesia,
      dyskinesia, motor fluctuations, physical inactivity, gait impairment, and
      postural instability seem relatively close to the specifications described. An
      iterative process of integration is recommended to bring technology-based tools
      into clinical practice. (c) 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder
      Society.

PMID- 27273652
TI  - The long-term differential achievement effects of school socioeconomic
      composition in primary education: A propensity score matching approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effects of school socio-economic composition on student
      achievement growth trajectories have been a hot topic of discussion among
      politicians around the world for many years. However, the bulk of research
      investigating school socio-economic composition effects has been limited in
      important ways. AIMS: In an attempt to overcome the flaws in earlier research on
      school socio-economic composition effects, this study used data from a large
      sample, followed students throughout primary education, addressed selection bias
      problems, identified the grade(s) in which school socio-economic composition
      mattered the most, and studied the differential effects of school socio-economic
      composition by individual socio-economic status (SES). SAMPLE: In a longitudinal
      design with seven occasions of data collection, the authors drew on a sample of N
      = 3,619 students (age at T1 about 5 years, age at T7 about 12 years) from 151
      primary schools in Flanders (the northern part of Belgium). METHOD: Students in
      low-, medium-, high-, and mixed-SES schools were matched using propensity scores.
      To compare students' achievement growth trajectories in the different school
      compositions, multilevel regression modelling with repeated measurements was
      applied. RESULTS: The results showed that students had more positive achievement
      growth in high-SES as compared to low-SES and mixed-SES schools. In two of the
      three comparisons, students in mixed-SES schools showed the lowest math
      development. The negative effects of mixed-SES schools on math achievement growth
      were the strongest for high-SES students. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings contribute to
      the ongoing discussion on the effects of school socio-economic composition on
      student achievement growth.

PMID- 27273654
TI  - The Role of Sleep Disturbance in Suicidal and Nonsuicidal Self-Injurious Behavior
      among Adolescents.
AB  - The relationship between different sleep disturbances and self-harm thoughts and
      behaviors was examined among 223 adolescents presenting to a community clinic for
      mood disorders and suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors. Two-thirds
      of the adolescents reported nightly, severe sleep complaints. Relative to
      adolescents without significant sleep complaints, patients with severe sleep
      complaints at the time of clinic entry endorsed significantly more engagement in
      nonsuicidal self-injury. Middle insomnia and circadian reversal were both
      significant predictors of suicide attempts. Terminal insomnia was significantly
      associated with suicidal ideation. Results support the importance of assessing
      sleep difficulties among adolescents at risk for suicide.

PMID- 27273653
TI  - Photodynamic therapy inhibit Fibroblast Growth Factor-10 induced keratinocyte
      differentiation and proliferation through ROS in Fibroblast Growth Factor
      Receptor-2b pathway.
AB  - 5-aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is known to be effective in
      several skin diseases such as acne, actinic keratoses, condyloma acuminata.
      However, some detailed mechanisms of ALA-PDT to treat these skin diseases still
      remain elusive. In this study, we aimed to investigate mechanism of ALA-PDT in in
      vitro and in-vivo models. For in vitro, we use human keratinocyte cell line
      (HaCaT) cells. CCK-8 was used to detect cell proliferation activity,
      immunofluorescence and western blotting method to detect the content of keratin
      (K)1, K6, K16, protein kinase C (PKC), fibroblast growth factor receptor-2b
      (FGFR2b) protein, ELISA and RT-PCR to detect expression of interleukin (IL)
      1alpha in the cell supernatant, and detect reactive oxygen species (ROS). For in
      vivo, we use 20 rabbits to induce hyperkeratosis acne model in their ear.
      Dermatoscope was used to see follicle hyperkeratosis and skin biopsy to analyze
      histology and immunohistochemical of PKC, FGFR2b, K1, K6 and K16. Results from
      this study suggest that ROS stimulated by ALA-PDT lead to inhibition of FGFR2b
      pathway in PKC downstream to cause reduction of IL1alpha expression, and
      eventually, keratinocytes differentiation and proliferation. Our data thus reveal
      a treatment mechanism of ALA-PDT underlying hyperkeratosis related dermatoses.

PMID- 27273655
TI  - Strong Electron-Deficient Polymers Lead to High Electron Mobility in Air and
      Their Morphology-Dependent Transport Behaviors.
AB  - Planar backbone, locked conformation, and low lowest unoccupied molecular orbital
      level provide polymer F4 BDOPV-2T with ultrahigh electron mobilities of up to
      14.9 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and good air stability. It is found that the nonlinear
      transfer curves can be tuned to near-ideal ones by changing fabrication
      conditions, indicating that film morphology largely contributes to the nonlinear
      transfer curves in high-mobility conjugated polymers. 

PMID- 27273656
TI  - Hexaazatrinaphthylene Derivatives: Efficient Electron-Transporting Materials with
      Tunable Energy Levels for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATNA) derivatives have been successfully shown to
      function as efficient electron-transporting materials (ETMs) for perovskite solar
      cells (PVSCs). The cells demonstrate a superior power conversion efficiency (PCE)
      of 17.6 % with negligible hysteresis. This study provides one of the first
      nonfullerene small-molecule-based ETMs for high-performance p-i-n PVSCs.

PMID- 27273657
TI  - Risk factor analysis of hepatitis C virus seropositivity in Iranian blood donors:
      a case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to blood screening and blood donor selection, the prevalence of
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) is expected to be lower among blood donors compared to
      the general population. The effective control of blood-transmitted infectious
      diseases should be one of the goals of public health. Thus, this case-control
      study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of HCV in a representative
      sample of blood donors in Iran. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A case-control study
      was conducted on HCV-negative and on serologically confirmed HCV-positive donors
      across the country from 2009 to 2013. Univariate logistic regression, multiple
      logistic regression, and subgroup analyses were performed to assess the risk
      factors in first-time blood donors (FTs) and repeat blood donors (RDs)
      independently. RESULTS: A total of 970 cases and 1542 controls were selected from
      the cohort of Iranian blood donors registered in the Iran Blood Transfusion
      Organization. Intravenous (IV) drug abuse (ORFT , 6.42; 95% CI, 3.34-12.34; and
      ORRD , 27.62; 95% CI, 12.58-60.62), living with an IV drug abuser (ORFT , 3.47;
      95% CI, 1.26-9.55; and ORRD , 6.95; 95% CI, 1.54-31.34), prison history (ORFT ,
      2.4; 95% CI, 1.48-3.88; and ORRD , 2.42; 95% CI, 1.38-4.27), sharing personal
      razors (ORFT , 2.00; 95% CI, 1.01-3.96; and ORRD , 5.62; 95% CI, 2.65-11.89), and
      medical exposure (ORFT , 1.97; 95% CI, 1.15-3.37; and ORRD , 2.19; 95% CI, 1.27
      3.76) were significant independent risk factors in both types of blood donation.
      CONCLUSION: The findings of this analytic study on HCV exposure in Iranian blood
      donors conforms to those of international studies. Behavioral and medical factors
      should be examined in the donor health screening process.

PMID- 27273669
TI  - R.JIVE for exploration of multi-source molecular data.
AB  - : The integrative analysis of multiple high-throughput data sources that are
      available for a common sample set is an increasingly common goal in biomedical
      research. Joint and individual variation explained (JIVE) is a tool for
      exploratory dimension reduction that decomposes a multi-source dataset into three
      terms: a low-rank approximation capturing joint variation across sources, low
      rank approximations for structured variation individual to each source and
      residual noise. JIVE has been used to explore multi-source data for a variety of
      application areas but its accessibility was previously limited. We introduce
      R.JIVE, an intuitive R package to perform JIVE and visualize the results. We
      discuss several improvements and extensions of the JIVE methodology that are
      included. We illustrate the package with an application to multi-source breast
      tumor data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: R.JIVE
      is available via the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN) under the GPLv3
      license: https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/r.jive/ CONTACT: elock@umn.edu
      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics
      online.

PMID- 27273670
TI  - MetalPredator: a web server to predict iron-sulfur cluster binding proteomes.
AB  - MOTIVATION: The prediction of the iron-sulfur proteome is highly desirable for
      biomedical and biological research but a freely available tool to predict iron
      sulfur proteins has not been developed yet. RESULTS: We developed a web server to
      predict iron-sulfur proteins from protein sequence(s). This tool, called
      MetalPredator, is able to process complete proteomes rapidly with high recall and
      precision. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The web server is freely available
      at: http://metalweb.cerm.unifi.it/tools/metalpredator/ CONTACT:
      andreini@cerm.unifi.it SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are
      available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 27273671
TI  - MIA: non-targeted mass isotopolome analysis.
AB  - MIA detects and visualizes isotopic enrichment in gas chromatography electron
      ionization mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) datasets in a non-targeted manner. It
      provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface that allows for visual mass
      isotopomer distribution analysis across multiple datasets. MIA helps to reveal
      changes in metabolic fluxes, visualizes metabolic proximity of isotopically
      enriched compounds and shows the fate of the applied stable isotope labeled
      tracer. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Linux and Windows binaries,
      documentation, and sample data are freely available for download at
      http://massisotopolomeanalyzer.lu MIA is a stand-alone application implemented in
      C ++  and based on Qt5, NTFD and the MetaboliteDetector framework. CONTACT:
      karsten.hiller@uni.lu.

PMID- 27273672
TI  - Predicting regulatory variants with composite statistic.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Prediction and prioritization of human non-coding regulatory variants
      is critical for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of disease pathogenesis
      and promoting personalized medicine. Existing tools utilize functional genomics
      data and evolutionary information to evaluate the pathogenicity or regulatory
      functions of non-coding variants. However, different algorithms lead to
      inconsistent and even conflicting predictions. Combining multiple methods may
      increase accuracy in regulatory variant prediction. RESULTS: Here, we compiled an
      integrative resource for predictions from eight different tools on functional
      annotation of non-coding variants. We further developed a composite strategy to
      integrate multiple predictions and computed the composite likelihood of a given
      variant being regulatory variant. Benchmarked by multiple independent causal
      variants datasets, we demonstrated that our composite model significantly
      improves the prediction performance. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: We
      implemented our model and scoring procedure as a tool, named PRVCS, which is
      freely available to academic and non-profit usage at http://jjwanglab.org/PRVCS
      CONTACT: wang.junwen@mayo.edu, jliu@stat.harvard.edu, or limx54@gmail.com
      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics
      online.

PMID- 27273674
TI  - The long story of the Maillard reaction: the beginning of the second century.

PMID- 27273673
TI  - Accurate self-correction of errors in long reads using de Bruijn graphs.
AB  - Motivation: New long read sequencing technologies, like PacBio SMRT and Oxford
      NanoPore, can produce sequencing reads up to 50 000 bp long but with an error
      rate of at least 15%. Reducing the error rate is necessary for subsequent
      utilization of the reads in, e.g. de novo genome assembly. The error correction
      problem has been tackled either by aligning the long reads against each other or
      by a hybrid approach that uses the more accurate short reads produced by second
      generation sequencing technologies to correct the long reads. Results: We present
      an error correction method that uses long reads only. The method consists of two
      phases: first, we use an iterative alignment-free correction method based on de
      Bruijn graphs with increasing length of k -mers, and second, the corrected reads
      are further polished using long-distance dependencies that are found using
      multiple alignments. According to our experiments, the proposed method is the
      most accurate one relying on long reads only for read sets with high coverage.
      Furthermore, when the coverage of the read set is at least 75*, the throughput of
      the new method is at least 20% higher. Availability and Implementation: LoRMA is
      freely available at http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/lmsalmel/LoRMA/ . Contact:
      leena.salmela@cs.helsinki.fi.

PMID- 27273675
TI  - Defining heterogeneity within bacterial populations via single cell approaches.
AB  - Bacterial populations are heterogeneous, which in many cases can provide a
      selective advantage during changes in environmental conditions. In some
      instances, heterogeneity exists at the genetic level, in which significant
      allelic variation occurs within a population seeded by a single cell. In other
      cases, heterogeneity exists due to phenotypic differences within a clonal,
      genetically identical population. A variety of mechanisms can drive this latter
      strategy. Stochastic fluctuations can drive differential gene expression, but
      heterogeneity in gene expression can also be driven by environmental changes
      sensed by individual cells residing in distinct locales. Utilizing multiple
      single cell approaches, workers have started to uncover the extent of
      heterogeneity within bacterial populations. This review will first describe
      several examples of phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity, and then discuss many
      single cell approaches that have recently been applied to define heterogeneity
      within bacterial populations.

PMID- 27273676
TI  - Effects of 14 Versus 21 Days of Nimodipine Therapy on Neurological Outcomes in
      Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral nimodipine is standard therapy for patients suffering an
      aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). During a national drug shortage,
      nimodipine therapy was shortened from a 21-day course to a 14-day course at our
      institution. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare neurological
      outcomes among patients who had previously received the standard duration of
      therapy compared with those who received a shortened duration as a result of the
      national drug shortage. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated adult
      patients receiving nimodipine for aSAH from January 2012 to August 2013.
      Neurological outcome, graded by Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at hospital
      discharge, was compared between patients receiving a shortened course and those
      receiving the standard duration of nimodipine. RESULTS: A total of 199 aSAH
      patients were included in the analysis. There were 164 patients in the standard
      duration and 35 patients in the shortened-duration group. Baseline patient
      severity of illness, assessed by SAPS II (Simplified Acute Physiology Score), and
      severity of aSAH, assessed by Fisher grade, and Hunt and Hess grade scores, did
      not differ between the treatment groups. A shortened duration of nimodipine was
      not associated with a higher risk of a poor neurological outcome defined by mRS
      (odds ratio = 1.85; 95% CI = 0.54-6.32; P = 0.32). Mortality rates were similar
      between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A 14-day course of nimodipine therapy was not
      associated with worse neurological outcomes in aSAH patients at one institution.
      More studies are needed prior to recommending a shortened duration of nimodipine
      therapy in all aSAH patients.

PMID- 27273677
TI  - Beneficial Effects of a Cholecalciferol Supplementation Regimen for Elderly
      Patients With a Suboptimal Level of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D.

PMID- 27273678
TI  - Pharmacist-Provided Medication Management in Interdisciplinary Transitions in a
      Community Hospital (PMIT).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication management during transitions of care (TOC) impacts
      clinical outcomes. Published literature on TOC implementation is increasing, but
      data remains limited regarding the optimal role for the inpatient pharmacist,
      particularly in the community health setting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact
      of a dedicated inpatient TOC pharmacist on re-presentations following discharge.
      METHODS: This is a prospective study with historical control. All adult patients
      discharging home from study units were eligible. The TOC pharmacist (1) reviewed
      medication history and admission reconciliation, (2) met the patient/caregiver to
      assess barriers, (3) reviewed discharge reconciliation, (4) performed discharge
      education, and (5) communicated with next level of care. The primary outcome was
      30 day re-presentation rate. Secondary outcomes included 60, 90, and 365 day re
      presentation rates. IRB approval was obtained. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty
      four patients met inclusion criteria. When compared to 1,221 control patients,
      the intervention had an 11% absolute and 50.2% relative reduction in 30 day re
      presentation rate (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.30-0.61, NNT 9). Reductions in re
      presentations at 60, 90 and 365 days remained statistically significant.
      Utilization avoidance was $786,347. For every $1 invested in pharmacist time, $12
      was saved. The TOC pharmacist made a total of 904 interventions (mean 2.4 per
      patient). CONCLUSION: This study provides new information from previous studies
      and represents the largest study with significant and sustained reductions in re
      presentations. Integrating a pharmacist into an interdisciplinary team for
      medication management during TOC in a community health system is beneficial for
      patients and financially favorable for the institution.

PMID- 27273679
TI  - Recovery of baseline lung function after pulmonary exacerbation in children with
      primary ciliary dyskinesia.
AB  - RATIONALE: Spirometry in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) frequently fails to
      return to baseline after treatment for a pulmonary exacerbation. It is unclear
      whether the same is true for children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).
      OBJECTIVES: To determine in children with PCD treated with intravenous
      antibiotics for a pulmonary exacerbation: (1) the proportion who recover to
      baseline forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1 ) within 3 months after
      treatment and (2) to try to identify factors which are associated with failure to
      regain pre-exacerbation FEV1 . METHODS: Cohort study using the PCD database for
      children at the Royal Brompton Hospital, 2003-2013. We selected the first
      pulmonary exacerbation treated with intravenous antibiotics. The best FEV1 within
      3 months after treatment was compared to the best FEV1 in the 12 months before
      treatment (baseline). Recovery to baseline was defined as any FEV1 after
      treatment that was greater than or equal to 90% of the baseline FEV1 . RESULTS:
      32/150 children (21%) had at least one pulmonary exacerbation. 23/30 (77%)
      regained baseline spirometry within 3 months of treatment. There was no
      difference between responders and non-responders in any baseline characteristics.
      CONCLUSIONS: Around 25% of children with PCD fail to recover to baseline lung
      function within 3 months following treatment for a pulmonary exacerbation,
      similar to CF. Better treatment strategies are needed, and the results also
      suggest that prevention of exacerbations would be a useful end-point in clinical
      trials. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1362-1366. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273681
TI  - Quality of life in adolescents and adults with CHARGE syndrome.
AB  - Health-related Quality of Life and the Impact of Childhood Neurologic Disability
      Scale were collected for 53 patients with CHARGE syndrome aged 13-39 years with a
      mean academic level of 4th grade. The most prevalent new and ongoing issues
      included bone health issues, sleep apnea, retinal detachment, anxiety, and
      aggression. Sleep issues were significantly correlated with anxiety, self-abuse,
      conduct problems, and autistic-like behaviors. Problems with overall health,
      behavior, and balance most affected the number of social activities in the
      individual's life. Sensory impairment most affected relationships with friends.
      Two contrasting case studies are presented and demonstrate that the quality of
      life exists on a broad spectrum in CHARGE syndrome, just as its physical features
      range from mild to very severe. A multitude of factors, including those beyond
      the physical manifestations, such as anxiety and sleep problems, influence
      quality of life and are important areas for intervention. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273682
TI  - Indirect cavernous carotid fistula in a 12-year-old girl.
AB  - We present a very rare case of indirect cavernous carotid fistula (CCF) in a 12
      year-old girl. Indirect CCF is extremely rare in the paediatric population. A 12
      year-old girl presented with a 7-month history of frontal headaches and
      intermittent left-sided proptosis. On examination, she had dilated and engorged
      scleral veins on the left eye, mild dysdiadochokinesia and past pointing on the
      left side. A brain computer tomography with contrast, brain magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) and interventional radiography (IR) cerebral angiogram confirmed
      the diagnosis of CCF. The CCF was embolized and a follow-up brain MRI and an IR
      cerebral angiogram were conducted over the course of 8 months that revealed no
      evidence of residual CCF. CCF, though rare in the paediatric population, should
      be highly considered in the differential diagnosis when dilated scleral veins,
      proptosis and dysdiadokinesis are present in the clinical setting. Prompt
      treatment has good prognostic results. 

PMID- 27273680
TI  - Expression of Bcl-2 19-kDa interacting protein 3 predicts prognosis after
      ampullary carcinoma resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An adequate management strategy for ampullary carcinoma (AC), a rare
      neoplasm, has yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to identify
      specific molecular markers allowing for the adequate management of AC. METHODS:
      The clinicopathological data of 41 patients who underwent curative resection of
      AC were reviewed retrospectively. The expression of thymidylate synthase (TS) and
      Bcl-2 19-kDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3), two sensitive markers for S-1 and
      gemcitabine, respectively, was evaluated immunohistochemically. The relationship
      between the expression levels of these markers and the clinicopathological data
      were then investigated. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate in the study
      population was 62%. In univariate and multivariate analyses, lymph node
      metastasis, neural invasion, lymphatic invasion, and the high-level BNIP3
      expression were significant predictive factors for a poor postoperative
      prognosis. Neither TS nor BNIP3 expression were able to predict survival or the
      disease recurrence rate in patients who received postoperative adjuvant
      chemotherapy for AC. CONCLUSIONS: BNIP3 expression may serve as a prognostic
      marker for patients with AC, but neither TS nor BNIP3 contributes to the
      selection criteria for adjuvant chemotherapy for AC, at least with respect to
      current drug regimens.

PMID- 27273683
TI  - A rare case of appendicitis incarcerated in an inguinal hernia.
AB  - Amyand's hernia was coined after Claudius Amyand (1660-1740), who was the first
      to describe the presence of a perforated appendix in a hernial sac and also was
      the first to perform a successful appendectomy in 1735. It is an exceptionally
      rare condition in which the hernia itself contains the appendix, which may not
      necessarily be inflamed. The presence of an inflamed appendix further contributes
      to the rarity of this case. We report a case of acute appendicitis brought on by
      its incarceration in the inguinal hernia. 

PMID- 27273684
TI  - Delayed iliacus compartment syndrome following femoral artery puncture: case
      report and literature review.
AB  - Iliacus compartment syndrome is a rare retroperitoneal compartment neuropathy
      caused by bleeding within the iliacus muscle leading to hematoma formation and
      compression upon the femoral nerve, causing both sensory and motor deficits. A 75
      year-old Caucasian man presented with severe right hip pain associated with motor
      and sensory deficit in the right lower extremity, 2 weeks post elective balloon
      aortic valvuloplasty for critical aortic stenosis. A non-contrast computed
      tomography scan revealed low-attenuation areas in keeping with an iliacus
      hematoma. An iliacus fasciotomy and hematoma evacuation was performed with
      retroperitoneal approach. The patient reported marked reduction in his groin pain
      with clinical improvement of the right hip flexion though the sensory deficit was
      unchanged. On Day 3, postoperatively the patient died from respiratory and multi
      organ failure. Iliac hematomas are rare and can be caused by traumatic and non
      traumatic injury, and can be exacerbated by complications of anticoagulant
      therapy. Delaying surgical evacuation of the hematoma can lead to prolonged or
      permanent disability. However, there are other reports describing good recovery
      with non-operative management. Non-surgical intervention is recommended if
      radiological studies do not explicitly confirm the presence of a discreet
      hematoma compressing the femoral nerve, unless progression of symptoms increases.

PMID- 27273685
TI  - Art-of-Living Training: Developing an Intervention for Students to Increase Art
      of-Living.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Art-of-living describes a mindful and self-determined way of dealing
      with one's self and way of life. It is related to measures of well-being. Art-of
      living is based on strategies and attitudes which can be learned and therefore
      can be changed. Two types of training for students to increase art-of-living were
      developed and tested in two studies to determine the effects on art-of-living
      measures. METHODS: Study 1 dealt with the initial examination of whether it is
      possible to enhance the art-of-living by training selected art-of-living
      strategies. Therefore, training with three conditions was developed and conducted
      with secondary school students (ages 16-19). In Study 2, a second art-of-living
      training was developed and conducted with children from primary school (ages 8
      11). RESULTS: In Study 1, the art-of-living measures increased significantly for
      the training conditions compared to a control group. In addition, Study 2 showed
      that higher levels of the art-of-living lead to a better quality of life.
      CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the training successfully enhanced art-of-living.
      Limitations on and benefits of utilising the art-of-living training are
      discussed.

PMID- 27273686
TI  - Comment: Gabapentin: Abuse, Dependence, and Withdrawal.

PMID- 27273687
TI  - Limited Evidence on the Management of Respiratory Tract Infections in Down's
      Syndrome: A Systematic Review.
AB  - AIMS: To systematically review the effectiveness of preventative and therapeutic
      interventions for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in people with Down's
      syndrome. METHODS: Databases were searched for any published and ongoing studies
      of respiratory tract diseases in children and adults with Down's syndrome. These
      databases were searched for controlled trials, cohort studies and controlled
      before-after studies. Trial registries were searched for ongoing studies.
      Initially, all study types were included to provide a broad overview of the
      existing evidence base. However, those with a critical risk of bias were excluded
      using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. RESULTS: A total of 13,575 records were
      identified from which 5 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and 3
      fulfilled our criteria for data extraction. One randomized controlled trial of
      moderate risk of bias compared zinc therapy with placebo. Outcome data were only
      reported for 50 (78%) children who presented with extreme symptoms; no benefit of
      zinc therapy was found. One non-randomized controlled trial with serious risk of
      bias included 26 children and compared pidotimod (an immunostimulant) with no
      treatment; pidotimod was associated with fewer upper RTI recurrences compared
      with no treatment (1.43 vs. 3.82). A prospective cohort study with moderate risk
      of bias compared 532 palivizumab treated children with 233 untreated children and
      found that children treated with palivizumab had fewer respiratory syncytial
      virus-related hospitalization (23 untreated and 8 treated), but the same number
      of overall RTI-related hospitalizations (73 untreated and 74 treated) in the
      first 2 years of life. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence base for the management of RTIs
      in people with Down's syndrome is incomplete; current studies included children
      only and carry a moderate to serious risk of bias. Methodologic rigorous studies
      are warranted to guide clinicians in how best to prevent and treat RTIs in
      children with Down's syndrome.

PMID- 27273690
TI  - Tuberculosis Cervical Adenitis: Management Dilemmas.
AB  - Peripheral lymphadenopathy (scrofula) is the second most common site for
      childhood tuberculosis. Paradoxical reactions are commonly seen even in
      immunocompetent children after therapy is initiated, and this can lead to
      draining sinus tracts. We describe a multimodal therapeutic option of
      antituberculosis therapy, corticosteroids and therapeutic ultrasound-guided nodal
      aspiration in an adolescent with massive cervical adenopathy.

PMID- 27273688
TI  - The Epidemiology of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Asia: A Systematic Review and
      Analysis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a widespread pediatric disease
      caused primarily by human enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) and Coxsackievirus A16 (CV
      A16). OBJECTIVE: This study reports a systematic review of the epidemiology of
      HFMD in Asia. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar were
      searched up to December 2014. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently
      assessed studies for epidemiologic and serologic information about prevalence and
      incidence of HFMD against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. DATA
      EXTRACTION: Two reviewers extracted answers for 8 specific research questions on
      HFMD epidemiology. The results are checked by 3 others. RESULTS: HFMD is found to
      be seasonal in temperate Asia with a summer peak and in subtropical Asia with
      spring and fall peaks, but not in tropical Asia; evidence of a climatic role was
      identified for temperate Japan. Risk factors for HFMD include hygiene, age,
      gender and social contacts, but most studies were underpowered to adjust
      rigorously for confounding variables. Both community-level and school-level
      transmission have been implicated, but their relative importance for HFMD is
      inconclusive. Epidemiologic indices are poorly understood: No supporting
      quantitative evidence was found for the incubation period of EV-A71; the
      symptomatic rate of EV-A71/Coxsackievirus A16 infection was from 10% to 71% in 4
      studies; while the basic reproduction number was between 1.1 and 5.5 in 3
      studies. The uncertainty in these estimates inhibits their use for further
      analysis. LIMITATIONS: Diversity of study designs complicates attempts to
      identify features of HFMD epidemiology. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge on HFMD remains
      insufficient to guide interventions such as the incorporation of an EV-A71
      vaccine in pediatric vaccination schedules. Research is urgently needed to fill
      these gaps.

PMID- 27273689
TI  - Cardiac Myosin Epitopes Recognized by Autoantibody in Acute and Convalescent
      Rheumatic Fever.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune disorder associated with
      Streptococcus pyogenes infection. A prevailing hypothesis to account for this
      disease is that epitopes of self-antigens, such as cardiac myosin react to
      antibodies against S. pyogenes. The goal of our study was to confirm disease
      epitopes of cardiac myosin, identify immunodominant epitopes and to monitor the
      epitope response pattern in acute and convalescent rheumatic fever. METHODS:
      Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays were used to determine epitopes immunodominant
      in acute disease and to track the immune response longitudinally to document any
      changes in the epitope pattern in convalescent sera. Multiplex fluorescence
      immunoassay was used to correlate anti-streptolysin O (ASO) and anti-human
      cardiac myosin antibodies. RESULTS: Disease-specific epitopes in rheumatic fever
      were identified as S2-1, 4 and 8. Epitopes S2-1, 4, 8 and 9 were found to be
      immunodominant in acute sera and S2-1, 8, 9, 29 and 30 in the convalescent sera.
      Frequency analysis showed that 50% of the ARF subjects responded to S2-8. S2-8
      responders tended to maintain their epitope pattern throughout the convalescent
      period, whereas the S2-8 nonresponders tended to spread their responses to other
      epitopes later in the immune response. There was a significant correlation
      between anti-cardiac myosin and ASO titers. In addition, S2-8 responders showed
      elevated ASO titers compared with S2-8 non responders. CONCLUSION: Our studies
      confirm the existence of S2-1, 4 and 8 as disease-specific epitopes. We provide
      evidence that cardiac myosin S2-8 responders remain epitope stable in
      convalescence, whereas S2-8 nonresponders shift to neoepitopes. Multiplex data
      indicated a correlation between elevated ASO and anti-human cardiac myosin
      antibody titers. Mapping of cardiac myosin epitopes recognized in rheumatic fever
      sera may identify immunophenotypes of rheumatic fever.

PMID- 27273691
TI  - Ten-Year Study of the Stringently Defined Otitis-prone Child in Rochester, NY.
AB  - This review summarizes a prospective, longitudinal 10-year study in Rochester,
      NY, with virtually every clinically diagnosed acute otitis media (AOM) confirmed
      by bacterial culture of middle ear fluid. Children experiencing 3 episodes within
      6 months or 4 episodes in 12 months were considered stringently defined otitis
      prone (sOP). We found stringent diagnosis compared with clinical diagnosis
      reduced the frequency of children meeting the OP definition from 27% to 6%
      resulting in 14.8% and 2.4% receiving tympanostomy tubes, respectively.
      Significantly more often respiratory syncytial virus infection led to AOM in sOP
      than non-otitis-prone children that correlated with diminished total respiratory
      syncytial virus-specific serum IgG. sOP children produced low levels of antibody
      to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae candidate vaccine protein
      antigens and to routine pediatric vaccines. sOP children generated significantly
      fewer memory B cells, functional and memory T cells to otopathogens following
      nasopharyngeal colonization and AOM than non-otitis-prone children and they had
      defects in antigen-presenting cells.

PMID- 27273692
TI  - Two familial cases of Olmsted-like syndrome with a G573V mutation of the TRPV3
      gene.
AB  - Olmsted syndrome (OS) is a rare disease, characterized by symmetrical, sharply
      defined, hyperkeratotic, mutilating plaques on the palms and soles, which are
      associated with periorificial keratotic plaques. Other clinical manifestations of
      OS include diffuse alopecia, leucokeratosis of the oral mucosa, onychodystrophy,
      hyperkeratotic linear streaks, follicular hyperkeratosis and constriction of the
      digits. A recent study identified de novo mutations in the gene for transient
      receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3), causing constitutive activation of the
      TRPV3 channel, as a cause of OS. We report familial inheritance of OS in a family
      from Mongolia, which was caused by a previously undescribed G573V point mutation
      in TRPV3. To date, mutations in the G573 residue of TRPV3 have been reported in
      seven cases of OS: G573S in five cases, and G573C and G573A mutations in one case
      each. We present a Mongolian familial case of G573V point mutation in TRPV3. 

PMID- 27273693
TI  - Target geometry and rigidity determines laser-induced cavitation bubble transport
      and nanoparticle productivity - a high-speed videography study.
AB  - Laser-induced cavitation has mostly been studied in bulk liquid or at a two
      dimensional wall, although target shapes for the particle synthesis may strongly
      affect bubble dynamics and interfere with particle productivity. We investigated
      the dynamics of the cavitation bubble induced by pulsed-laser ablation in liquid
      for different target geometries with high-speed laser microsecond videography and
      focus on the collapse behaviour. This method enables us observations in a high
      time resolution (intervals of 1 MUs) and single-pulse experiments. Further, we
      analyzed the nanoparticle productivity, the sizes of the synthesized
      nanoparticles and the evolution of the bubble volume for each different target
      shape and geometry. For the ablation of metal (Ag, Cu, Ni) wire tips a
      springboard-like behaviour after the first collapse is observed which can be
      correlated with vertical projectile motion. Its turbulent friction in the liquid
      causes a very efficient transport and movement of the bubble and ablated material
      into the bulk liquid and prevents particle redeposition. This effect is
      influenced by the degree of freedom of the wire as well as the material
      properties and dimensions, especially the Young's modulus. The most efficient and
      largest bubble movement away from the wire was observed for a thin (500 MUm)
      silver wire with velocities up to 19.8 m s(-1) and for materials with a small
      Young's modulus and flexural rigidity. We suggest that these observations may
      contribute to upscaling strategies and increase of particle yield towards large
      synthesis of colloids based on targets that may continuously be fed. 

PMID- 27273694
TI  - Quantitative DWI implemented after DCE-MRI yields increased specificity for BI
      RADS 3 and 4 breast lesions.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess if specificity can be increased when semiautomated breast
      lesion analysis of quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is implemented
      after dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the
      workup of BI-RADS 3 and 4 breast lesions larger than 1 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      In all, 120 consecutive patients (mean-age, 48 years; age range, 23-75 years)
      with 139 breast lesions (>=1 cm) were examined (2010-2014) with 1.5T DCE-MRI and
      DWI (b = 0, 50, 200, 500, 800, 1000 s/mm2 ) and the BI-RADS classification and
      histopathology were obtained. For each lesion malignancy was excluded using
      voxelwise semiautomated breast lesion analysis based on previously defined
      thresholds for the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the three intravoxel
      incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters: molecular diffusion (Dslow ), microperfusion
      (Dfast ), and the fraction of Dfast (ffast ). The sensitivity (Se), specificity
      (Sp), and negative predictive value (NPV) based on only IVIM parameters combined
      in parallel (Dslow , Dfast , and ffast ), or the ADC or the BI-RADS
      classification by DCE-MRI were compared. Subsequently, the Se, Sp, and NPV of the
      combination of the BI-RADS classification by DCE-MRI followed by the IVIM
      parameters in parallel (or the ADC) were compared. RESULTS: In all, 23 of 139
      breast lesions were benign. Se and Sp of DCE-MRI was 100% and 30.4% (NPV = 100%).
      Se and Sp of IVIM parameters in parallel were 92.2% and 52.2% (NPV = 57.1%) and
      for the ADC 95.7% and 17.4%, respectively (NPV = 44.4%). In all, 26 of 139
      lesions were classified as BI-RADS 3 (n = 7) or BI-RADS 4 (n = 19). DCE-MRI
      combined with ADC (Se = 99.1%, Sp = 34.8%) or IVIM (Se = 99.1%, Sp = 56.5%) did
      significantly improve (P = 0.016) Sp of DCE-MRI alone for workup of BI-RADS 3 and
      4 lesions (NPV = 92.9%). CONCLUSION: Quantitative DWI has a lower NPV compared to
      DCE-MRI for evaluation of breast lesions and may therefore not be able to replace
      DCE-MRI; when implemented after DCE-MRI as problem solver for BI-RADS 3 and 4
      lesions, the combined specificity improves significantly. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging
      2016;44:1642-1649.

PMID- 27273696
TI  - Platinum(II) Metallomesogens: New External-Stimuli-Responsive Photoluminescence
      Materials.
AB  - New dicatenar isoquinoline-functionalized pyrazoles, [Hpz(R(n,n)iq) ] (R(n,n)=C6
      H3 (OCn H2n+1 )2 ; n=4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18), have been strategically
      designed and synthesized to induce mesomorphic and luminescence properties into
      the corresponding bis(isoquinolinylpyrazolate)platinum(II) complexes
      [Pt(pz(R(n,n)iq) )2 ]. Thermal studies reveal that all platinum(II) compounds
      exhibit columnar mesophases over an exceptionally wide temperature range, above
      300  degrees C in most cases. The photophysical behavior was also investigated in
      solution and in the solid state. As a consequence of the formation of Pt???Pt
      interactions, the weak greenish emission of the platinum derivatives turns bright
      orange in the mesophase. Additionally, the complexes are sensitive to a great
      variety of external inputs, such as temperature, mechanical grinding, pressure,
      solvents, and vapors. On this basis, they are used as dopant agents of a
      polyvinylpyrrolidone or poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer matrix to achieve
      stimuli-responsive thin films. 

PMID- 27273695
TI  - Significant reductions in human visual gamma frequency by the gaba reuptake
      inhibitor tiagabine revealed by robust peak frequency estimation.
AB  - The frequency of visual gamma oscillations is determined by both the neuronal
      excitation-inhibition balance and the time constants of GABAergic processes. The
      gamma peak frequency has been linked to sensory processing, cognitive function,
      cortical structure, and may have a genetic contribution. To disentangle the
      intricate relationship among these factors, accurate and reliable estimates of
      peak frequency are required. Here, a bootstrapping approach that provides
      estimates of peak frequency reliability, thereby increasing the robustness of the
      inferences made on this parameter was developed. The method using both simulated
      data and real data from two previous pharmacological MEG studies of visual gamma
      with alcohol and tiagabine was validated. In particular, the study by
      Muthukumaraswamy et al. [] (Neuropsychopharmacology 38(6):1105-1112), in which
      GABAergic enhancement by tiagabine had previously demonstrated a null effect on
      visual gamma oscillations, contrasting with strong evidence from both animal
      models and very recent human studies was re-evaluated. After improved peak
      frequency estimation and additional exclusion of unreliably measured data, it was
      found that the GABA reuptake inhibitor tiagabine did produce, as predicted, a
      marked decrease in visual gamma oscillation frequency. This result demonstrates
      the potential impact of objective approaches to data quality control, and
      provides additional translational evidence for the mechanisms of GABAergic
      transmission generating gamma oscillations in humans. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3882
      3896, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273698
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27273697
TI  - Early Invasive Strategy for Unstable Angina: a New Meta-Analysis of Old Clinical
      Trials.
AB  - Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conflicting to support whether unstable
      angina versus non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) patients best
      undergo early invasive or a conservative revascularization strategy. RCTs with
      cardiac biomarkers, in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials from 1975-2013 were reviewed considering all cause mortality,
      recurrent non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and their combination. Follow-up
      lasted from 6-24 months and the use of routine invasive strategy up to its end
      was associated with a significantly lower composite of all-cause mortality and
      recurrent non-fatal MI (Relative Risk [RR] 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      0.70-0.90) in UA/NSTEMI. In NSTEMI, by the invasive strategy, there was no
      benefit (RR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03-1.38). In the shorter time period, from
      randomization to discharge, a routine invasive strategy was associated with
      significantly higher odds of the combined end-point among UA/NSTEMI (RR 1.29; 95%
      CI, 1.05-1.58) and NSTEMI (RR 1.82; 95% CI, 1.34-2.48) patients. Therefore, in
      trials recruiting a large number of UA patients, by routine invasive strategy the
      largest benefit was seen, whereas in NSTEMI patients death and non-fatal MI were
      not lowered. Routine invasive treatment in UA patients is accordingly supported
      by the present study.

PMID- 27273699
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27273700
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27273702
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27273701
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27273703
TI  - Early intervention for incipient insanity: early notions from the 19th century
      English literature.
AB  - AIM: Early intervention programmes in mental illnesses started to bloom in the
      1990s, and many programmes have been established worldwide during the past twenty
      years. However, the concept of early intervention has emerged during the 19th
      century but it did not make much impact on practice. The aim of this review is to
      identify the difficulties appeared during that period of time which could provide
      insight into the modern development of early intervention initiatives. METHODS: A
      narrative review which focused on English literature about early intervention for
      insanity during the 19th century was undertaken. RESULTS: Clinicians during the
      19th century recognized that treatment would be the most effective at the early
      stage of the mental illness and they had emphasized the importance of early
      intervention. However, because of a number of factors, such as the limited roles
      of asylums, lack of knowledge about mental disorder and the lack of effective
      treatment, the idea of early intervention did not make impact in clinical service
      during that period of time. CONCLUSION: During the past two hundred years,
      understanding towards mental illness has advanced and more effective treatments,
      such as the use of anti-psychotic medications, have been developed. Reflecting on
      the past experience and difficulties might shed light on the development of today
      early intervention in mental disorder.

PMID- 27273704
TI  - Erratum: Genetic link between renal birth defects and congenital heart disease.

PMID- 27273706
TI  - Long-term spatial memory in Vespula germanica social wasps: the influence of past
      experience on foraging behavior.
AB  - Social insects exhibit complex learning and memory mechanisms while foraging.
      Vespula germanica (Fab.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is an invasive social wasp that
      frequently forages on undepleted food sources, making several flights between the
      resource and the nest. Previous studies have shown that during this relocating
      behavior, wasps learn to associate food with a certain site, and can recall this
      association 1 h later. In this work, we evaluated whether this wasp species is
      capable of retrieving an established association after 24 h. For this purpose, we
      trained free flying individuals to collect proteinaceous food from an
      experimental plate (feeder) located in an experimental array. A total of 150
      individuals were allowed 2, 4, or 8 visits. After the training phase, the array
      was removed and set up again 24 h later, but this time a second baited plate was
      placed opposite to the first. After 24 h we recorded the rate of wasps that
      returned to the experimental area and those which collected food from the
      previously learned feeding station or the nonlearned one. During the testing
      phase, we observed that a low rate of wasps trained with 2 collecting visits
      returned to the experimental area (22%), whereas the rate of returning wasps
      trained with 4 or 8 collecting visits was higher (51% and 41%, respectively).
      Moreover, wasps trained with 8 feeding visits collected food from the previously
      learned feeding station at a higher rate than those that did from the nonlearned
      one. In contrast, wasps trained 2 or 4 times chose both feeding stations at a
      similar rate. Thus, significantly more wasps returned to the previously learned
      feeding station after 8 repeated foraging flights but not after only 2 or 4
      visits. This is the first report that demonstrates the existence of long-term
      spatial memory in V. germanica wasps.

PMID- 27273709
TI  - Protocol for HER2 FISH determination on PAXgene-fixed and paraffin-embedded
      tissue in breast cancer.
AB  - Molecular diagnostics in personalized medicine increasingly relies on the
      combination of a variety of analytical technologies to characterize individual
      diseases and to select patients for targeted therapies. The gold standard for
      tissue-based diagnostics is fixation in formalin and embedding in paraffin, which
      results in excellent preservation of morphology but negatively impacts on a
      variety of molecular assays. The formalin-free, non-cross-linking PAXgene tissue
      system preserves morphology in a similar way to formalin, but also preserves
      biomolecules essentially in a similar way to cryopreservation, which markedly
      widens the spectrum, sensitivity and accuracy of molecular analytics. In this
      study, we have developed and tested a protocol for PAXgene-fixed and paraffin
      embedded tissues for fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The implementation
      of a 24-h formalin postfixation step of slides from PAXgene-fixed and paraffin
      embedded tissues allowed us to use the assays approved for formalin-fixed and
      paraffin-embedded tissues. The equivalence of the methodologies was demonstrated
      by FISH analysis of HER2 amplification in breast cancer cases. The 24-h
      postfixation step of the slides used for FISH can be well integrated in the
      routine diagnostic workflow and allows the remaining PAXgene-fixed and paraffin
      embedded tissue to be used for further molecular testing.

PMID- 27273705
TI  - Voltage-gated calcium channels and their auxiliary subunits: physiology and
      pathophysiology and pharmacology.
AB  - Voltage-gated calcium channels are essential players in many physiological
      processes in excitable cells. There are three main subdivisions of calcium
      channel, defined by the pore-forming alpha1 subunit, the CaV 1, CaV 2 and CaV 3
      channels. For all the subtypes of voltage-gated calcium channel, their gating
      properties are key for the precise control of neurotransmitter release, muscle
      contraction and cell excitability, among many other processes. For the CaV 1 and
      CaV 2 channels, their ability to reach their required destinations in the cell
      membrane, their activation and the fine tuning of their biophysical properties
      are all dramatically influenced by the auxiliary subunits that associate with
      them. Furthermore, there are many diseases, both genetic and acquired, involving
      voltage-gated calcium channels. This review will provide a general introduction
      and then concentrate particularly on the role of auxiliary alpha2 delta subunits
      in both physiological and pathological processes involving calcium channels, and
      as a therapeutic target.

PMID- 27273710
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Salmeterol/fluticasone Combination Therapy in Infants and
      Preschool Children with Asthma Insufficiently Controlled by Inhaled
      Corticosteroids.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical evidences of inhaled salmeterol/fluticasone propionate
      combination (SFC) therapy are insufficient in early childhood asthma. OBJECTIVES:
      To examine the effects of SFC50, a combination product of salmeterol xinafoate
      (50 MUg/day) and fluticasone propionate (100 MUg/day), in infants and preschool
      children with asthma. METHODS: The study was conducted at 31 sites in Japan. 35
      patients (6 months to 5 years old) with asthma insufficiently controlled by
      inhaled corticosteroids (100 MUg/day) were initiated to treat with SFC50 twice a
      day for 12 weeks with pressurized metered dose inhalers. The efficacy of SFC50
      was assessed using nighttime sleep disorder score as the primary endpoint and the
      other efficacy measurements. The safety measurement included the incidences of
      adverse event (AE). RESULTS: Mean patient age was 3.1 years, and 94.2% had mild
      to-moderate persistent asthma (atopic type: 65.7%). Nighttime sleep disorder
      scores, assessed by a nighttime sleep diary, significantly decreased after
      treatment with SFC50 throughout the study period (p<0.01). SFC50 also
      significantly improved other efficacy outcomes including asthma symptom score,
      frequency of short-acting beta-agonist treatment, frequency of unscheduled visits
      to clinic, frequency of exacerbation due to virus infection, asthma control score
      and patient QOL score (p<0.01). AEs of cold, upper respiratory inflammation and
      asthmatic attack occurred in each of the 3 patients (8.6%); however, these were
      not regarded as treatment-related AEs. CONCLUSIONS: SFC50 improved nighttime
      sleep disorder score and other efficacy outcome measures with no safety concerns.
      The results suggest that SFC50 treatment is useful to control the mild-to
      moderate asthma in infant and preschool-aged children.

PMID- 27273711
TI  - Febrile Seizure Risk After Vaccination in Children 6 to 23 Months.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: An increased risk of febrile seizure (FS) was
      identified with concomitant administration of trivalent inactivated influenza
      vaccine (IIV3) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) 13-valent during the 2010
      2011 influenza season. Our objective was to determine whether concomitant
      administration of IIV3 with other vaccines affects the FS risk. METHODS: We
      examined the risk of FS 0 to 1 day postvaccination for all routinely recommended
      vaccines among children aged 6 through 23 months during a period encompassing 5
      influenza seasons (2006-2007 through 2010-2011). We used a population-based self
      controlled risk interval analysis with a control interval of 14 to 20 days
      postvaccination. We used multivariable regression to control for receipt of
      concomitant vaccines and test for interaction between vaccines. RESULTS: Only PCV
      7-valent had an independent FS risk (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.98; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 3.91). IIV3 had no independent risk (IRR, 0.46;
      95% CI, 0.21 to 1.02), but risk was increased when IIV3 was given with either PCV
      (IRR, 3.50; 95% CI, 1.13 to 10.85) or a diphtheria-tetanus-acellular-pertussis
      (DTaP)-containing vaccine (IRR, 3.50; 95% CI, 1.52 to 8.07). The maximum
      estimated absolute excess risk due to concomitant administration of IIV3, PCV,
      and DTaP-containing vaccines compared with administration on separate days was 30
      FS per 100 000 persons vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of IIV3 on the
      same day as either PCV or a DTaP-containing vaccine was associated with a greater
      risk of FS than when IIV3 was given on a separate day. The absolute risk of
      postvaccination FS with these vaccine combinations was small.

PMID- 27273713
TI  - Vaccines and Febrile Seizures: Quantifying the Risk.

PMID- 27273712
TI  - Popular Music Celebrity Endorsements in Food and Nonalcoholic Beverage Marketing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Food and beverage marketing has been associated with childhood
      obesity. We quantified the number and type of food or beverage brands promoted by
      music celebrities, assessed the nutritional quality of the products, and examined
      Teen Choice Award data to assess the celebrities' popularity among adolescents.
      METHODS: This was a descriptive study. A list of music celebrities associated
      with the 2013 and 2014 Billboard Hot 100 Chart, which ranks songs according to
      sales and radio impressions, was compiled. Data on celebrity endorsements were
      gathered from official company Web sites, YouTube commercials, an advertising
      database, and media reports. Nutritional quality of foods was assessed according
      to the Nutrient Profile Index, whereas nonalcoholic beverages were evaluated
      based on calories from added sugar. Teen Choice Award nominations were used to
      measure the celebrities' popularity among adolescents. RESULTS: Of the 590
      endorsements made by the 163 celebrities in the sample, consumer goods (eg,
      fragrances, makeup) represented the largest endorsement category (26%), followed
      by food and beverage (18%) and retail (11%). Sixty-five celebrities were
      collectively associated with 57 different food and beverage brands owned by 38
      parent companies. Of these 65 celebrities, 53 (81.5%) had >=1 Teen Choice Award
      nomination. Forty-nine (71%) of the 69 nonalcoholic beverage references promoted
      sugar-sweetened beverages. Twenty-one (80.8%) of the 26 endorsed foods were
      energy dense and nutrient poor. Baauer, will.i.am, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5,
      and Britney Spears had the most food and beverage endorsements. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study demonstrates that music celebrities who are popular among adolescents
      endorse energy-dense, nutrient-poor products.

PMID- 27273714
TI  - Call rates of mothers change with maternal experience and with infant
      characteristics in free-ranging gray-cheeked mangabeys.
AB  - Studies have shown that becoming a mother triggers important social changes
      within females, according to both social experience and infant characteristics,
      showing different maternal concerns. But how this impacts call usage has been far
      less studied. Based on 6 months of observations of five free-ranging groups of
      gray-cheeked mangabeys, we investigated variations in the production of three
      call types (contact, excitement, and alarm calls) in 29 females of different
      ages, dominance ranks, and infant rearing experiences: 15 females with infants of
      different ages and sexes, and 14 females without infants. We found that in
      females with infants-both maternal and infant characteristics influenced call
      production in a call type-dependent way. Females produced contact calls at a
      higher rate during the first month of infant age and after weaning when infants
      start to move away. Mothers of daughters produced more contact calls than mothers
      of sons. More excitement calls were recorded for first-time and young mothers and
      for females with young infants, while alarm call rates were not influenced by any
      of these factors. Increased mother-infant spatial separation enhanced only
      contact and excitement call rates. Finally, we found that females with infants
      vocalized much more than females without infants. Our results contribute to the
      current debate about the social factors responsible for the flexibility of call
      usage in nonhuman primates and open new lines for research on mothering behavior
      in forest-dwelling species. Am. J. Primatol. 78:983-991, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273715
TI  - Clinical pre-test of a computerised antithrombotic risk assessment tool for
      stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients: giving consideration to NOACs.
AB  - RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The decision-making around antithrombotics in
      atrial fibrillation requires comprehensive risk versus benefit assessment. In
      view of the availability of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) including
      dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban, a decision support tool designed to assist
      the selection of antithrombotics has been modified to consider both warfarin and
      NOACs. This study aims to pre-test this modified decision support tool. METHODS:
      The decision support tool was modified to consider either warfarin or NOACs as
      first-line therapy and applied to data pertaining to a cohort of 393 patients in
      New South Wales. RESULTS: Overall, 380 (96.7%) patients were eligible for oral
      anticoagulants. In the scenario of warfarin being recommended as first-line
      therapy, the Computerised Antithrombotic Risk Assessment Tool version 2.0
      (caratv2.0) recommended warfarin for 360 (91.6%) patients, any NOAC for 5 (1.3%)
      patients, either rivaroxaban or apixaban for 6 (1.5%) patients and apixaban for 9
      (2.2%) patients. In the scenario of NOACs as first-line therapy, caratv2.0
      recommended any NOAC for 279 (70.9%) patients, either rivaroxaban or apixaban for
      80 (20.4%) patients, apixaban for 9 (2.3%) patients and warfarin for 12 (3.1%)
      patients. Key reasons for caratv2.0 to recommend a change from warfarin
      (patients' current therapy) to NOACs included known warfarin allergy/adverse
      reaction, a history of intracranial bleeding, and previous gastrointestinal
      bleeding. Key predictors for caratv2.0 to consider that patients are more
      suitable for NOACs over warfarin were a diagnosis of other gastrointestinal
      diseases, more co-morbidities and high risk of falls. CONCLUSIONS: According to
      this decision support tool, both warfarin and NOACs are viable treatment options
      in majority of the patients, but there is a scope for better rationalization of
      therapy.

PMID- 27273716
TI  - Motion Responses in Human Strabismus: What Optokinesis in the Deviating Eye Is
      Telling Us.

PMID- 27273717
TI  - Author Response: Motion Responses in Human Strabismus: What Optokinesis in the
      Deviating Eye Is Telling Us.

PMID- 27273719
TI  - Influence of Ametropia and Its Correction on Measurement of Accommodation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Amplitude of accommodation (AA) is reportedly greater for myopic eyes
      than for hyperopic eyes. We investigated potential explanations for this
      difference. METHODS: Analytical analysis and computer ray tracing were performed
      on two schematic eye models of axial ametropia. Using paraxial and nonparaxial
      approaches, AA was specified for the naked and the corrected eye using the
      anterior corneal surface as the reference plane. RESULTS: Assuming that axial
      myopia is due entirely to an increase in vitreous chamber depth, AA increases
      with the amount of myopia for two reasons that have not always been taken into
      account. First is the choice of reference location for specifying refractive
      error and AA in diopters. When specified relative to the cornea, AA increases
      with the degree of myopia more than when specified relative to the eye's first
      Gaussian principal plane. The second factor is movement of the eye's second
      Gaussian principal plane toward the retina during accommodation, which has a
      larger dioptric effect in shorter eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Using the corneal plane
      (placed at the corneal vertex) as the reference plane for specifying
      accommodation, AA depends slightly on the axial length of the eye's vitreous
      chamber. This dependency can be reduced significantly by using a reference plane
      located 4 mm posterior to the corneal plane. A simple formula is provided to help
      clinicians and researchers obtain a value of AA that closely reflects power
      changes of the crystalline lens, independent of axial ametropia and its
      correction with lenses.

PMID- 27273718
TI  - Hydrogen Sulfide Contributes to Retinal Neovascularization in Ischemia-Induced
      Retinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gaseous signaling molecule with
      significant pathophysiological importance, but its role in retinal neovascular
      diseases is unknown. Hydrogen sulfide is generated from L-cysteine by
      cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS), cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE), and/or 3
      mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST). The aim of this study was to
      investigate the role of H2S in retinal neovascularization (NV) in ischemia
      induced retinopathy. METHODS: Studies were performed in a murine model of oxygen
      induced retinopathy (OIR). Hydrogen sulfide was detected with a fluorescent
      assay. Western blots and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the changes of
      H2S-producing enzymes. Gene deletion and pharmacologic inhibition were used to
      investigate the role of H2S in retinal NV. RESULTS: Hydrogen sulfide production
      was markedly increased in retinas from OIR mice compared with those from room air
      (RA) controls. Cystathionine-beta-synthase and CSE were significantly increased
      in OIR retinas, whereas 3-MST was not changed. Cystathionine-beta-synthase was
      expressed throughout the neuronal retina and upregulated in neurons and glia
      during OIR. Cystathionine-gamma-lyase was also localized to multiple retinal
      layers. Its immunoreactivity was prominently increased in neovascular tufts in
      OIR. Pharmacologic inhibition of CBS/CSE or genetic deletion of CSE significantly
      reduced retinal NV in OIR. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that the H2S-generating
      enzymes/H2S contributes to retinal NV in ischemia-induced retinopathy and suggest
      that blocking this pathway may provide novel therapeutic approaches for the
      treatment of proliferative retinopathy.

PMID- 27273721
TI  - Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Features in Open-Angle Glaucoma With
      Diabetes Mellitus and Inadequate Glycemic Control.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)
      features according to glycemic control status in open-angle glaucoma with
      diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Subjects underwent comprehensive ocular examination,
      visual field testing, and SD-OCT imaging (Cirrus HD-OCT). The relationship
      between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and OCT measurements was compared between
      diabetic nonglaucomatous eyes and diabetic glaucomatous eyes. Glaucoma
      discriminating ability was assessed using the area under the receiver operating
      characteristic curves (AUCs) for OCT parameters and compared between groups
      relative to the glycemic control group. RESULTS: Analysis was performed on 69
      nonglaucomatous and 87 glaucomatous eyes in the nondiabetic group, and on 72
      nonglaucomatous and 56 glaucomatous eyes in the diabetic group. Average,
      inferonasal, inferior, and inferotemporal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer
      (GCIPL) thicknesses were positively correlated with HbA1c in diabetic
      nonglaucomatous eyes (P = 0.040, 0.037, 0.025, and 0.013, respectively). The AUC
      of the average cup-to-disc area ratio (CDR), vertical CDR, and cup volume in
      diabetic eyes with poor glycemic control was significantly higher than those in
      nondiabetic eyes (P = 0.011, 0.003, and 0.043, respectively). The AUC of cube
      volume, cube average thickness, and minimal GCIPL thickness in diabetic eyes with
      poor glycemic control was lower than those in nondiabetic eyes (P = 0.006, 0.007,
      and 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, optic nerve head parameters
      had a superior ability to discriminate glaucoma in diabetic eyes with poor
      glycemic control. Conversely, the ability to discriminate glaucoma using macular
      parameters tended to be lower for diabetic eyes with inadequate glycemic control.

PMID- 27273722
TI  - Hierarchical networks of redox-active reduced crumpled graphene oxide and
      functionalized few-walled carbon nanotubes for rapid electrochemical energy
      storage.
AB  - Crumpled graphene is known to have a strong aggregation-resistive property due to
      its unique 3D morphology, providing a promising solution to prevent the
      restacking issue of graphene based electrode materials. Here, we demonstrate the
      utilization of redox-active oxygen functional groups on the partially reduced
      crumpled graphene oxide (r-CGO) for electrochemical energy storage applications.
      To effectively utilize the surface redox reactions of the functional groups,
      hierarchical networks of electrodes including r-CGO and functionalized few-walled
      carbon nanotubes (f-FWNTs) are assembled via a vacuum-filtration process,
      resulting in a 3D porous structure. These composite electrodes are employed as
      positive electrodes in Li-cells, delivering high gravimetric capacities of up to
      ~170 mA h g(-1) with significantly enhanced rate-capability compared to the
      electrodes consisting of conventional 2D reduced graphene oxide and f-FWNTs.
      These results highlight the importance of microstructure design coupled with
      oxygen chemistry control, to maximize the surface redox reactions on
      functionalized graphene based electrodes. 

PMID- 27273720
TI  - Safety and Feasibility of Quantitative Multiplexed Cytokine Analysis From Office
      Based Vitreous Aspiration.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goals of this study were to evaluate the safety of office-based
      vitreous sampling, and determine the utility of these samples with multiplex
      cytokine analysis. METHODS: Vitreous samples were collected from office-based
      needle aspiration and the rate of adverse events during follow-up was reviewed.
      The vitreous cytokine concentrations in a subset of patients with diabetic
      macular edema (DME) were analyzed using a 42 plex-cytokine bead array. These
      results were compared with vitreous cytokine concentrations in proliferative
      diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and controls (macular hole, epiretinal membrane,
      symptomatic vitreous floaters) from pars plana vitrectomy. RESULTS: An adequate
      volume of vitreous fluid (100-200 MUL) was obtained in 52 (88%) of 59 office
      based sampling attempts. The average length of follow-up was 300 days (range, 42
      926 days). There were no complications, including cataract, retinal tear or
      detachment, and endophthalmitis. Two patients (3%) had posterior vitreous
      detachments within 3 months. Vitreous cytokine concentrations were measured in 44
      patients: 14 controls, 13 with DME, and 17 with PDR. The concentration of ADAM11,
      CXCL-10, IL-8, and PDGF-A were higher in PDR compared with controls and DME. The
      concentration of IL-6 was higher in PDR compared with controls, but not compared
      with DME. CONCLUSIONS: Office-based vitreous aspiration is safe and yields high
      quality samples for multiplex vitreous cytokine analysis. Significant elevations
      of vitreous cytokines were found in PDR compared with DME and controls, including
      the novel finding of elevated ADAM11. As such, office-based aspiration is a safe
      and effective means to identify vitreous factors associated with vitreoretinal
      disease.

PMID- 27273723
TI  - Pain and concomitant symptoms in medical and elective surgical inpatients: a
      point prevalence survey.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study (1) reports the prevalence of severe pain and
      other symptoms among both medical and elective surgical patients and (2) examines
      the co-occurrence of severe pain and other symptoms and symptom-related distress.
      BACKGROUND: As symptom burden can interfere with patients' rehabilitation, daily
      activities and quality of life, detection and optimal management of pain and
      other symptoms is important for good nursing care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional point
      prevalence survey. METHODS: Data were collected by self-report on 10
      predetermined screening days from medical and surgical patients admitted to a
      local hospital in Oslo, Norway. Patients rated their average level of pain on
      movement during the last 24 hours on a 0-10 numeric rating scale (severe pain
      defined as >=7). The occurrence of other symptoms and symptom distress were
      measured with 15 items from the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Data on
      comorbidities were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 602 patients participated
      in the study (response rate = 71%). Medical patients had a higher incidence of
      symptoms than surgical patients and reported more symptom distress. Surgical
      patients reported higher levels of pain than medical patients, but the prevalence
      of severe pain did not differ between the two groups. In analyses adjusted for
      age, sex and comorbidities, severe pain among medical patients was associated
      with severe distress due to concentration difficulties, vomiting, itching and
      swelling, while severe pain among surgical patients was associated with the
      occurrence of drowsiness. CONCLUSION: Associations between severe pain and other
      symptoms differ for medical and elective surgical patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL
      PRACTICE: Knowledge of concurrent symptoms and comorbidities in medical and
      surgical patients experiencing severe pain may help nurses to better tailor
      management of the patients' symptoms and improve quality of care.

PMID- 27273724
TI  - Germline development in amniotes: A paradigm shift in primordial germ cell
      specification.
AB  - In the field of germline development in amniote vertebrates, primordial germ cell
      (PGC) specification in birds and reptiles remains controversial. Avians are
      believed to adopt a predetermination or maternal specification mode of PGC
      formation, contrary to an inductive mode employed by mammals and, supposedly,
      reptiles. Here, we revisit and review some key aspects of PGC development that
      channelled the current subdivision, and challenge the position of birds and
      reptiles as well as the 'binary' evolutionary model of PGC development in
      vertebrates. We propose an alternative view on PGC specification where germ plasm
      plays a role in laying the foundation for the formation of PGC precursors (pPGC),
      but not necessarily of PGCs. Moreover, inductive mechanisms may be necessary for
      the transition from pPGCs to PGCs. Within this framework, the implementation of
      data from birds and reptiles could provide new insights on the evolution of PGC
      specification in amniotes.

PMID- 27273725
TI  - Langerhans cell histiocytosis: therapeutic strategy and outcome in a 30-year
      nationwide cohort of 1478 patients under 18 years of age.
AB  - The French national cohort of children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH)
      has included 1478 patients since it was established in 1983. LCH therapeutic
      strategies substantially changed in 1998, so we have divided the cohort into two
      15-year periods. Starting in 1998, therapy duration increased from 6 to 12
      months, repeated induction therapy was performed in cases showing a poor response
      to the first induction with vinblastine and steroids, and refractory disease in a
      risk organ (RO+) was treated with cladribine and cytarabine. A total of 483 (33%)
      patients were enrolled before 1998, and 995 (67%) after 1998. Five-year survival
      was 96.6% (95% confidence interval: 95.4-97.5%) overall, improving from 92% pre
      1998 to 99% post-1998 (P < 0.001 adjusted to disease extent). This change was
      supported by an increase in 5-year survival from 60% to 92% in the RO+ group.
      Survival was particularly associated with cladribine and cytarabine among
      refractory RO+ patients. Disease reactivation was slightly less frequent after
      1998, due to better enrolment of single-system patients, extended therapy
      duration, and more efficient second-line therapy. The crude rates of endocrine
      and neurological sequelae (the most frequent sequelae) appeared to improve over
      time, but this difference was not observed when the analysis was stratified by
      disease extent.

PMID- 27273726
TI  - Facial-nerve regeneration ability of a hybrid artificial nerve conduit containing
      uncultured adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction: An experimental study.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study investigated the potential of uncultured-stromal-vascular
      fraction (SVF) cells in promoting facial nerve regeneration in a rat model.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 7-mm nerve defect was created in the buccal branch of
      facial nerve in five groups of Lewis rats (total n = 30, n = 6 per group). A
      silicone tube, infused with syngeneic uncultured-SVF was implanted into the
      facial nerve defect. Groups 1-3 received 1 * 103 , 1 * 105 , and 1 * 107 cells,
      and regenerated nerves were examined at 13 weeks after the surgery. The findings
      were compared to the autograft and collagen-alone groups with facial palsy score
      (FPS), the number of myelinated fibers, fiber diameter, axon diameter, myelin
      thickness, and g ratio. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in FPS
      between the autograft and 1 * 105 -cell groups at 13 weeks after surgery, and FPS
      values of these two groups were significantly higher than those of the other
      three groups (P < 0.01). Axon diameter significantly increased in the 1 * 105 
      cell group compared with the 1 * 103 - (P < 0.05) and 1 * 107 -cell groups (P <
      0.01). Myelin thickness was found to be the highest in the autograft group,
      followed by the 1 * 105 -, 1 * 103 -, 1 * 107 -cell, and negative control groups,
      and there were significant differences among all groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION:
      The infusion of uncultured-SVF into the artificial nerve conduit promoted optimal
      nerve regeneration that was significantly better than nerve conduit alone. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:808-818, 2017.

PMID- 27273727
TI  - Modified PEEK Resin Bonded Fixed Dental Prosthesis for a Young Cleft Lip and
      Palate Patient.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This clinical report presents the use of a modified poly ether-ether
      ketone material as an alternative material for the fabrication of resin-bonded
      fixed dental prosthesis (RBFDP) framework. This new material can be used for
      patients allergic to metals, maintaining the same high esthetic demand of
      ceramics, presenting light weightness and a flexibility similar to bone as a
      distinct advantage over ceramic materials. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a BioHPP RBFDP
      framework could be considered as an alternative restoration for the replacement
      of missing lateral incisors in young patients with cleft palate defects. CLINICAL
      SIGNIFICANCE: This modified PEEK material known as BioHPP, is a biocompatible,
      non allergic, rigid material with good mechanical properties, wear resistance,
      chemical stability, high polishing and low absorption properties. BioHPP
      frameworks can be manufactured either via CAD/CAM or via the conventional lost
      wax technique. The low modulus of elasticity, combined with the use of indirect
      composite resin as a veneering material, provide a distinct advantage over
      ceramics or metal ceramics on dampening the occlusal forces, reducing the risk of
      debonding. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:201-207, 2016).

PMID- 27273728
TI  - Scanning electron microscopy combined with image processing technique: Analysis
      of microstructure, texture and tenderness in Semitendinous and Gluteus Medius
      bovine muscles.
AB  - In this study the effect of freeze drying on the microstructure, texture, and
      tenderness of Semitendinous and Gluteus Medius bovine muscles were analyzed
      applying Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with image analysis. Samples were
      analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy at different magnifications (250, 500,
      and 1,000*). Texture parameters were analyzed by Texture analyzer and by image
      analysis. Tenderness by Warner-Bratzler shear force. Significant differences (p <
      0.05) were obtained for image and instrumental texture features. A linear trend
      with a linear correlation was applied for instrumental and image features. Image
      texture features calculated from Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (homogeneity,
      contrast, entropy, correlation and energy) at 1,000* in both muscles had high
      correlations with instrumental features (chewiness, hardness, cohesiveness, and
      springiness). Tenderness showed a positive correlation in both muscles with image
      features (energy and homogeneity). Combing Scanning Electron Microscopy with
      image analysis can be a useful tool to analyze quality parameters in meat.Summary
      SCANNING 38:727-734, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273729
TI  - In Vivo Development of Transplant Arteriosclerosis in Humanized Mice Reflects
      Alloantigen Recognition and Peripheral Treg Phenotype of Lung Transplant
      Recipients.
AB  - Experimentally, regulatory T cells inhibit rejection. In clinical
      transplantations, however, it is not known whether T cell regulation is the cause
      for, or an epiphenomenon of, long-term allograft survival. Here, we study naive
      and alloantigen-primed T cell responses of clinical lung transplant recipients in
      humanized mice. The pericardiophrenic artery procured from human lung grafts was
      implanted into the aorta of NODrag-/- /IL-2rgammac-/- mice reconstituted with
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the respective lung recipient.
      Naive or primed allogeneic PBMCs procured 21 days post-lung transplantation with
      or without enriching for CD4+ CD25high T cells were used. Transplant
      arteriosclerosis was assessed 28 days later by histology. Mice reconstituted with
      alloantigen-primed PBMCs showed significantly more severe transplant
      arteriosclerosis than did mice with naive PBMCs (p = 0.005). Transplant
      arteriosclerosis was equally suppressed by enriching for autologous naive (p =
      0.012) or alloantigen-primed regulatory T cells (Tregs) (p = 0.009). Alloantigen
      priming in clinical lung recipients can be adoptively transferred into a
      humanized mouse model. Transplant arteriosclerosis elicited by naive or
      alloantigen-primed PBMCs can be similarly controlled by potent autologous Tregs.
      Cellular therapy with expanded autologous Tregs in lung transplantation might be
      a promising future strategy.

PMID- 27273730
TI  - Interactions of nitric oxide with alpha2 -adrenoceptors within the locus
      coeruleus underlie the facilitation of inhibitory avoidance memory by agmatine.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Agmatine, a putative neurotransmitter, plays a vital role
      in learning and memory. Although it is considered an endogenous ligand of
      imidazoline receptors, agmatine exhibits high affinity for alpha-adrenoceptors,
      NOS and NMDA receptors. These substrates within the locus coeruleus (LC) are
      critically involved in learning and memory processes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The
      hippocampus and LC of male Wistar rat were stereotaxically cannulated for
      injection. Effects of agmatine, given i.p. or intra-LC, on acquisition,
      consolidation and retrieval of inhibitory avoidance (IA) memory were measured.
      The NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione, non-specific (L-NAME) and specific NOS
      inhibitors (L-NIL, 7-NI, L-NIO), the alpha2 -adrenoceptor antagonist (yohimbine)
      or the corresponding agonist (clonidine) were injected intra-LC before agmatine.
      Intra-hippocampal injections of the NMDA antagonist, MK-801 (dizocilpine), were
      used to modify the memory enhancing effects of agmatine, SNG and yohimbine.
      Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and eNOS in the LC was assessed
      immunohistochemically. KEY RESULTS: Agmatine (intra-LC or i.p.) facilitated
      memory retrieval in the IA test. S-nitrosoglutathione potentiated, while L-NAME
      and L-NIO decreased, these effects of agmatine. L-NIL and 7-NI did not alter the
      effects of agmatine. Yohimbine potentiated, whereas clonidine attenuated, effects
      of agmatine within the LC. The effects of agmatine, S-nitrosoglutathione and
      yohimbine were blocked by intra-hippocampal MK-801. Agmatine increased the
      population of TH- and eNOS-immunoreactive elements in the LC. CONCLUSIONS AND
      IMPLICATIONS: The facilitation of memory retrieval in the IA test by agmatine is
      probably mediated by interactions between eNOS, NO and noradrenergic pathways in
      the LC.

PMID- 27273731
TI  - Effect of Adding Liraglutide vs Placebo to a High-Dose lnsulin Regimen in
      Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: An increasing number of patients with type 2 diabetes are treated
      with high doses of insulin. Such treatment is associated with weight gain,
      hypoglycemia, and high treatment burden. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness
      and safety of adding a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist to the treatment
      regimen of patients with type 2 diabetes requiring therapy with high-dose
      insulin. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This clinical trial was a double
      blind, placebo-controlled, randomized (1:1) study with 6 months of follow-up,
      conducted from August 13, 2012, to February 9, 2015, at ambulatory clinics at the
      University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Hospital.
      Participants were 71 patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (glycated
      hemoglobin level, 7.5%-11.0%) using more than 1.5 U/kg/d of insulin.
      INTERVENTIONS: Subcutaneous injection of liraglutide (1.8 mg/d) or matching
      placebo for 6 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the
      change in glycated hemoglobin level. Secondary outcomes were changes in weight,
      hypoglycemia rate, insulin dosage, and quality-of-life measures. RESULTS: Among
      71 patients, 45 (63%) were female. The mean (SD) age of patients was 54.2 (7.4)
      years, with a mean (SD) type 2 diabetes duration of 17.9 (8.4) years and a mean
      (SD) total daily dose of insulin of 247.0 (95.1) U. Ninety-three percent (66 of
      71) of participants completed all scheduled visits. The glycated hemoglobin level
      improved from a mean (SD) of 9.0% (1.2%) to 7.9% (1.1%) in the liraglutide group
      (P < .001) and remained unchanged (8.9%) in the placebo group, with an estimated
      treatment difference of 0.9% (95% CI, -1.5 to -0.4) (P = .002). Weight decreased
      from a mean (SD) of 114.6 (21.4) kg to 113.6 (20.8) kg in the liraglutide group
      vs a mean (SD) increase from 116.1 (26.6) kg to 117.2 (27.2) kg in the placebo
      group, with a treatment difference of -2.3 kg (95% CI, -4.3 to -0.4 kg) (P =
      .02). The total daily dose of insulin decreased 11.5% (95% CI, -21.8% to -1.1%)
      in the liraglutide group (P = .20). The hypoglycemia rate was higher in the first
      month after initiation of liraglutide compared with placebo (2.30 vs 0.91 events
      per person-month, P = .01), while the overall hypoglycemia rate over the entire
      follow-up was similar between groups (P = .11). Glycemia control perception,
      satisfaction with insulin treatment, and willingness to continue insulin use
      improved more in the liraglutide group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Liraglutide
      added to high-dose insulin therapy improved glycemic control, decreased body
      weight, and enhanced treatment satisfaction in this difficult-to-treat patient
      population with high-dose insulin requirements. Further studies are warranted to
      confirm these findings and evaluate the long-term risk and benefit of this
      treatment option. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01505673.

PMID- 27273732
TI  - Brief Report: Trends in Hospitalizations Due to Acute Coronary Syndromes and
      Stroke in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, 1996 to 2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been recognized as a major cause of
      morbidity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but it is not
      clear whether increased awareness of these risks has translated into improvements
      in CVD morbidity at the population level. The aim of this study was to examine
      trends in hospitalization rates for CVD events in a representative sample of
      adult patients with SLE in the US from 1996 to 2012. METHODS: We used the
      Nationwide Inpatient Sample to estimate the rates of hospitalization for acute
      myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina, and ischemic stroke from 1996 to
      2012 in patients with SLE. We compared these trends with those in the general
      population. RESULTS: During the study years, there were an estimated 31,012
      hospitalizations for acute MI, 4,160 hospitalizations for unstable angina, and
      26,144 hospitalizations for ischemic stroke among patients with SLE. The rates of
      hospitalization for acute MI and ischemic stroke increased over time in patients
      with SLE, while the rates for unstable angina decreased. The rates for all 3
      conditions decreased in the general population over these years, with
      hospitalization rates for unstable angina decreasing faster in the general
      population than in patients with SLE. CONCLUSION: Increased awareness of the
      burden of CVD in patients with SLE has not yet translated into decreased rates of
      hospitalization for acute MI or stroke. This may be due to barriers in
      implementation of CVD risk factor modification or to SLE-specific risks that have
      not yet been identified or effectively targeted.

PMID- 27273733
TI  - Impact of sugars and sugar taxation on body weight control: A comprehensive
      literature review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To conduct a comprehensive literature review in the field of added
      sugar consumption on weight gain including the effect of fructose-containing
      caloric sweeteners and sugar taxation. METHODS: A search of three databases was
      conducted in the time period from the inception of the databases to August 2015.
      Sensitive search strategies were used in order to retrieve systematic reviews
      (SR) of fructose, sucrose, or sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on weight gain and
      metabolic adverse effects, conducted on humans and written in English, Spanish,
      or French. In addition, a review about SSB taxation and weight outcomes was
      conducted. RESULTS: The search yielded 24 SRs about SSBs and obesity, 23 SRs on
      fructose or SSBs and metabolic adverse effects, and 24 studies about SSB taxation
      and weight control. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of SRs, especially the most recent
      ones, with the highest quality and without any disclosed conflict of interest,
      suggested that the consumption of SSBs is a risk factor for obesity. The effect
      of fructose-containing caloric sweeteners, on weight gain is mediated by
      overconsumption of beverages with these sweeteners, leading to an extra provision
      of energy intake. The tax tool alone on added sugars appears insufficient to curb
      the obesity epidemic, but it needs to be included in a multicomponent structural
      strategy.

PMID- 27273734
TI  - Predicting pressure-dependent unimolecular rate constants using variational
      transition state theory with multidimensional tunneling combined with system
      specific quantum RRK theory: a definitive test for fluoroform dissociation.
AB  - Understanding the falloff in rate constants of gas-phase unimolecular reaction
      rate constants as the pressure is lowered is a fundamental problem in chemical
      kinetics, with practical importance for combustion, atmospheric chemistry, and
      essentially all gas-phase reaction mechanisms. In the present work, we use our
      recently developed system-specific quantum RRK theory, calibrated by canonical
      variational transition state theory with small-curvature tunneling, combined with
      the Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism, to model the dissociation reaction of
      fluoroform (CHF3), which provides a definitive test for falloff modeling. Our
      predicted pressure-dependent thermal rate constants are in excellent agreement
      with experimental values over a wide range of pressures and temperatures. The
      present validation of our methodology, which is able to include variational
      transition state effects, multidimensional tunneling based on the directly
      calculated potential energy surface along the tunneling path, and torsional and
      other vibrational anharmonicity, together with state-of-the-art reaction-path
      based direct dynamics calculations, is important because the method is less
      empirical than models routinely used for generating full mechanisms, while also
      being simpler in key respects than full master equation treatments and the full
      reduced falloff curve and modified strong collision methods of Troe. 

PMID- 27273735
TI  - Risk Factors for In-Hospital Mortality in Heart Failure Patients: Does Rurality,
      Payer or Admission Source Matter?
AB  - PURPOSE: Considering the high prevalence of heart failure and the economic burden
      of the disease, factors that influence in-hospital mortality are of importance in
      improving outcomes of care for this patient population. The purpose of this study
      was to examine the determinants of in-hospital mortality for adult heart failure
      patients. METHODS: The study design is a retrospective observational study design
      using the 2010 Nebraska Hospital Discharge data set including 4,319
      hospitalizations for 3,521 heart failure patients admitted to 79 hospitals in
      Nebraska. Hierarchical logistic regression models including patient- and hospital
      specific random intercepts were analyzed. Covariates included in the analysis
      were patient age in years, gender, comorbidity status, length of stay, primary
      payer, type and source of admission, transfers, and rurality of county of
      residence. RESULTS: Overall, 3.5% of heart failure patients died during their
      hospital stay. In logistic regression analysis that adjusted for age, sex, and
      comorbidities, the odds of dying in hospital for heart failure patients increased
      with age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04), co-morbidity (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.05
      1.25) and length of stay (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05). The patient's gender,
      payer source, rurality of county of residence, source, and type of admission were
      not risk factors for in-hospital death. CONCLUSION: Increasing age, comorbidity
      and length of stay were risk factors for in-hospital death for heart failure. An
      understanding of the risk factors for in-hospital death is critical to improving
      outcomes of care for heart failure patients.

PMID- 27273736
TI  - Prodromal Parkinson's disease as defined per MDS research criteria in the general
      elderly community.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
      has defined research criteria for prodromal Parkinson's disease (PD), but to date
      their predictive value has not yet been tested in population-based cohorts.
      METHODS: We retrospectively applied these criteria to the longitudinal Bruneck
      Study cohort aged 55-94 years using recorded data on all included risk and
      prodromal markers that are quick and easily assessable. RESULTS: After excluding
      participants with idiopathic PD or secondary parkinsonism, prevalence of probable
      prodromal PD in the remaining 539 participants was 2.2% (95% confidence interval,
      1.2%-3.9%). Of 488 participants followed up over 5 years, 11 developed incident
      PD. Sensitivity of "probable prodromal PD" status for incident PD was 54.6% (95%
      confidence interval, 28.0%-78.8%), specificity was 99.2% (97.8%-99.8%), positive
      predictive value was 60.0% (31.2%-83.3%), and negative predictive value was 99.0%
      (97.5%-99.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the new research criteria
      for prodromal PD are a promising tool to identify cases of incident PD over 5
      years, arguing for their usefulness in defining target populations for disease
      prevention trials. (c) 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder
      Society.

PMID- 27273739
TI  - Cofactor squelching: Artifact or fact?
AB  - Cofactor squelching is the term used to describe competition between
      transcription factors (TFs) for a limited amount of cofactors in a cell with the
      functional consequence that TFs in a given cell interfere with the activity of
      each other. Since cofactor squelching was proposed based primarily on reporter
      assays some 30 years ago, it has remained controversial, and the idea that it
      could be a physiologically relevant mechanism for transcriptional repression has
      not received much support. However, recent genome-wide studies have demonstrated
      that signal-dependent TFs are very often absent from the enhancers that are
      acutely repressed by those signals, which is consistent with an indirect
      mechanism of repression such as squelching. Here we review these recent studies
      in the light of the classical studies of cofactor squelching, and we discuss how
      TF cooperativity in so-called hotspots and super-enhancers may sensitize these to
      cofactor squelching.

PMID- 27273737
TI  - Hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines retain the genomic and transcriptomic
      landscapes of primary human cancers.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines are useful in vitro models for the
      study of primary HCCs. Because cell lines acquire additional mutations in
      culture, it is important to understand to what extent HCC cell lines retain the
      genetic landscapes of primary HCCs. Most HCC cell lines were established during
      the last century, precluding comparison between cell lines and primary cancers.
      In this study, 9 Chinese HCC cell lines with matched patient-derived cells at low
      passages (PDCs) were established in the defined culture condition. Whole genome
      analyses of 4 HCC cell lines showed that genomic mutation landscapes, including
      mutations, copy number alterations (CNAs) and HBV integrations, were highly
      stable during cell line establishment. Importantly, genetic alterations in cancer
      drivers and druggable genes were reserved in cell lines. HCC cell lines also
      retained gene expression patterns of primary HCCs during in vitro culture.
      Finally, sequential analysis of HCC cell lines and PDCs at different passages
      revealed their comparable and stable genomic and transcriptomic levels if
      maintained within proper passages. These results show that HCC cell lines largely
      retain the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of primary HCCs, thus laying the
      rationale for testing HCC cell lines as preclinical models in precision medicine.

PMID- 27273740
TI  - Familial frontal fibrosing alopecia treated with dutasteride, minoxidil and
      artificial hair transplantation.
AB  - A 46-year-old premenopausal woman presented with familial frontal fibrosis
      alopecia affecting the temples bilaterally. The diagnosis was confirmed
      histologically. Her past history included rheumatoid arthritis treated with
      hydroxychloroquine 400 mg daily and methotrexate 20 mg weekly. Serial
      intralesional injections of triamcinolone did not limit the progression of hair
      loss. Treatment with dutasteride 0.1 mg daily and minoxidil 1 mg daily stabilised
      hair loss and artificial fibre hair transplantation initially led to a
      satisfactory cosmetic outcome. Unfortunately, the patient developed implant
      folliculitis uncontrolled by antibiotics, necessitating the removal of the fibres
      12 months post-transplantation.

PMID- 27273742
TI  - An efficient approach to construct benzisothiazol-3(2H)-ones via copper-catalyzed
      consecutive reaction of 2-halobenzamides and carbon disulfide.
AB  - An efficient copper-catalyzed reaction for the synthesis of benzisothiazol-3(2H)
      ones has been developed, starting from easily available 2-halobenzamides and
      carbon disulfide, which gave the corresponding target products in 30-89% yield
      for 25 examples. The reaction proceeds via a consecutive process with S-C bond
      and S-N bond formation. 

PMID- 27273741
TI  - Tautomers of a Fluorescent G Surrogate and Their Distinct Photophysics Provide
      Additional Information Channels.
AB  - Thienoguanosine ((th) G) is an isomorphic nucleoside analogue acting as a
      faithful fluorescent substitute of G, with respectable quantum yield in
      oligonucleotides. Photophysical analysis of (th) G reveals the existence of two
      ground-state tautomers with significantly shifted absorption and emission
      wavelengths, and high quantum yield in buffer. Using (TD)-DFT calculations, the
      tautomers were identified as the H1 and H3 keto-amino tautomers. When
      incorporated into the loop of (-)PBS, the (-)DNA copy of the HIV-1 primer binding
      site, both tautomers are observed and show differential sensitivity to protein
      binding. The red-shifted H1 tautomer is strongly favored in matched (-)/(+)PBS
      duplexes, while the relative emission of the H3 tautomer can be used to detect
      single nucleotide polymorphisms. These tautomers and their distinct environmental
      sensitivity provide unprecedented information channels for analyzing G residues
      in oligonucleotides and their complexes.

PMID- 27273743
TI  - Seasonality of reproductive events and early mortality in a colony of hamadryas
      baboons (Papio hamadryas hamadryas) over a 30-year period: Capital breeding and
      life history patterns in a food-provisioned population seasonally thermally
      stressed.
AB  - In environments where energy demands and resource availability vary seasonally,
      individuals are expected to time the optimal allocation of resources to support
      survival and reproduction. Although female baboons are regarded as all year
      round, capital breeders, we wondered how they would respond in an ecological
      scenario where food were not limiting, foraging effort were negligible, and they
      were thermally stressed during the cold winter. This study analyzes a 30-year
      database of conceptions, births, resumptions of postlactational ovarian activity,
      menarches, and prenatal and early postnatal reproductive failures recorded in a
      food-provisioned colony of hamadryas baboons located in a temperate zone (40
      degrees 25'N) to search for seasonal patterns in their life-history patterns and
      explore its fitness consequences. The results show that the study females
      exhibited moderate seasonality and behaved like capital breeders; ovarian
      activity peaked during the period of benign weather conditions (spring and early
      summer) and births and lactation peaked during the period when they were
      thermally stressed and faced a negative energy balance (winter). Mistimed
      conceptions were more likely to fail than timed conceptions were, although this
      association could be artefactual due to the difficulty to accurately detect
      prenatal losses. Insolation and, to a lesser extent, temperature were positively
      associated with conceptions, resumptions of postlactational ovarian activity and
      onsets of menarche, and negatively associated with births. These findings
      highlight the extent of plasticity (width of peaks) and resiliency (retention of
      a capital breeding tactic even under highly seasonally thermally stressful cold
      conditions) in how primates can adjust their life history patterns and solve
      tradeoffs in a scenario of strong seasonal variation. Am. J. Primatol. 78:1149
      1164, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273745
TI  - Low coordinate iron derivatives stabilized by a beta-diketiminate mimic.
      Synthesis and coordination chemistry of enamidophosphinimine scaffolds to
      generate diiron dinitrogen complexes.
AB  - In an effort to mimic N-diaryl-beta-diketiminate ligands (Nacnac), we have
      converted N-arylimine phosphine ligands to enamine-phosphinimines via the
      Staudinger reaction. By varying the aryl azide, one can access enamine
      phosphinimine ligands with the same or different N-aryl substituents on both the
      enamine and phosphinimine units, which allows this intrinsically unsymmetrical
      bidentate donor set to present variable steric effects at the metal center. The
      enamine-phosphinimine was deprotonated and used in metathetical reactions with
      Fe(ii) bromide precursors to generate low coordinate complexes of the empirical
      formula [(CY5)NpN(Ar,Ar')]FeBr (where CY5 = cyclopentenyl; Ar,Ar' = 2,6
      diisopropylphenyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl). Depending on the
      substituents, these bromide derivatives can be monomeric or dimeric via bromide
      bridges. Reduction under dinitrogen using potassium graphite generates the
      dinitrogen complexes ([(CY5)NpN(Ar,Ar')]Fe)2(MU-N2) for Ar,Ar' = 2,6
      diisopropylphenyl, and Ar = 2,6-dimethylphenyl, Ar' = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl.
      However, for the former, a unsymmetrical side product can be isolated that has a
      bridging N-2,6-diisopropylphenylimide unit with one enamido-phosphine ligand
      bound to one iron and the other iron stabilized with an intact enamido
      phosphinimine. When the steric bulk is reduced on both nitrogen donors, a
      complicated product mixture is obtained after reduction from which a small amount
      of [(CY5)NpN(Ar,Ar')]Fe[(CY5)NP(Ar)] (Ar,Ar' = 2,6-dimethylphenyl) could be
      isolated. All of these complexes are paramagnetic and have been characterized by
      elemental analysis, magnetic studies and X-ray crystallography. 

PMID- 27273744
TI  - The effect of missing KIR ligands, activating KIR genotype and haplotype on the
      outcome of T-cell-replete hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from HLA
      identical siblings in Thai patients.
AB  - This study was a retrospective analysis of Thai patients undergoing T-replete
      hematopoietic stem cell transplant from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical
      sibling donors. We investigated 66 patients, including 40 patients with acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML), 12 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 14
      patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor
      (KIR) genes and HLA ligands were typed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence
      specific oligonucleotide probes. We analyzed the effect of the number of missing
      KIR ligands (Bw4, C1 and C2) on clinical outcomes. A beneficial effect of missing
      KIR ligand was not observed in both univariate and multivariate analysis. When we
      analyzed the effect of specific missing KIR ligand on clinical outcomes, there
      was a trend that patients with missing A11 ligand had lower relapse rate (P =
      0.076). Therefore, we also conducted the analysis by including the group with
      missing KIR ligands of Bw4, C1, C2 and A11. Patients with two or more than two
      missing KIR ligands had a trend for better clinical outcome including reduced
      relapse (P = 055) and statistically significant in terms of reduced acute graft
      vs-host disease (aGVHD) rate (P = 0.013). In multivariate analysis, patients with
      two or more than two missing KIR ligands had a statistically significant better
      clinical outcome in terms of reduced aGVHD rate (HR = 0.155, 95%CI = 0.040-0.605,
      P = 0.007). The association between clinical outcome with KIR haplotypes,
      centromeric B haplotype and activating KIR was not observed here. Although the
      sample size in this study is rather limited, these data can later be subjected to
      meta-analysis to help reach the conclusion of the usefulness of this additional
      promising KIR genotyping in various hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
      types.

PMID- 27273746
TI  - Quality of life, unmet needs, and iatrogenic injuries in rehabilitation of
      patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome hypermobility type/Joint Hypermobility
      Syndrome.
AB  - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, hypermobility type (EDS-HT) and the joint hypermobility
      syndrome (JHS) are connective tissue disorders that form an overlapping clinical
      syndrome and are associated with frequent medical visits and substantial
      morbidity. EDS-HT/JHS-associated pain correlates with poor quality of life. While
      physical therapy is the recommended treatment for EDS-HT/JHS, little is known
      about therapy-related patient experiences and iatrogenic injuries. We studied 38
      adult EDS-HT/JHS patients, eliciting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from
      28 patients through the RAND SF-36 questionnaire. We also explored physical
      therapy experiences through focus groups with 13 patients. Our patients displayed
      poor HRQoL, with 71% reporting worse health over the past year. SF-36 scores were
      significantly lower than the scores of the average American population (P < 0.001
      for 8 of 10 categories assessed), but were comparable to EDS-HT/JHS populations
      in Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy. Focus groups identified factors
      associated with: negative past physical therapy experiences, iatrogenic joint
      injuries, positive treatment experiences, and unmet rehabilitation needs. This
      group of EDS-HT/JHS patients has significant decrements in HRQoL and many unmet
      treatment needs, as well as a risk for iatrogenic injuries. We identify several
      approaches to help meet patients' needs and improve joint rehabilitation in
      patients with EDS-HT/JHS. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273747
TI  - Toy Age-Labeling: An Overview for Pediatricians of How Toys Receive Their Age
      Safety and Developmental Designations.
AB  - Injuries related to toys continue to cause significant childhood morbidity and
      mortality, despite considerable government regulation of the toy industry. Recent
      controversy related to toys that contain strong magnets demonstrate the dangers
      they pose to children. The pediatric community is often unaware of how toys
      receive their developmental and safety labeling and the degree to which age
      labeling on toys can be discretionary. Toy labeling has 2 basic manifestations.
      The first, safety labeling for hazards like small parts, balloons, or small balls
      that may present a choking risk, is mandatory. The second, "developmental" age
      labeling, describes the age of the children for which the toy is intended, and
      sometimes has discretionary components. This article provides a review of the
      regulations governing toy age-safety standards and how they are reflected on toy
      packaging to help pediatric practitioners apply safety advice across settings and
      patient characteristics. We review the existing age-labeling regulations and
      processes and discuss the major areas where children remain vulnerable despite
      labeling. Finally, we list some recommendations for counseling parents about toy
      safety.

PMID- 27273749
TI  - Parent Health Literacy, Depression, and Risk for Pediatric Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Population-wide research on the impact of parent health literacy to
      children's health outcomes is limited. We assessed the relationship of low parent
      health literacy to a range of pediatric health risks within a large cohort of
      primary care patients. METHODS: Data were from 17 845 English- and Spanish
      speaking parents of children aged <=7 years presenting for well-child care. We
      used a 3-item screener to measure health literacy. Outcomes included secondhand
      smoke exposure, asthma treatment nonadherence, parent depression, child-rearing
      practices, injury prevention, and parent first-aid knowledge. We summarized study
      variables with descriptive statistics and then performed multivariable logistic
      regression to identify associations between low parent literacy and our dependent
      measures. RESULTS: Mean child age was 4.8 years (SD 3.7); 36.5% of parent
      respondents had low health literacy. In models adjusted for child gender,
      race/ethnicity, insurance, age, and parent language preference, low parent health
      literacy was related to a range of pediatric health risks, including parent
      depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.32; 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.48),
      firearm access (AOR 1.68; 1.49-1.89), not having a working smoke detector (AOR
      3.54; 2.74-4.58), and lack of first-aid knowledge about choking (AOR 1.67; 1.44
      1.93) and burns (AOR 1.45; 1.29-1.63). Children of parents with low health
      literacy were also more likely to watch >2 hours of television per day (AOR 1.27;
      1.17-1.36). CONCLUSIONS: Low parent health literacy is independently and
      significantly related to parent depression, child television viewing, and at-risk
      family behaviors associated with child injury. Use of low-literacy approaches to
      health-behavior interventions may be essential to address common child
      morbidities.

PMID- 27273748
TI  - Bottle Size and Weight Gain in Formula-Fed Infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Formula-fed infants may be at greater risk for overfeeding and rapid
      weight gain. Different size bottles are used for feeding infants, although little
      is known about whether bottle size is related to weight gain in bottle-fed
      infants. METHODS: Data from the Greenlight Intervention Study, a cluster
      randomized trial to prevent childhood obesity at 4 pediatric resident clinics,
      were used to analyze the exposure to regular (<6 oz) or large (>=6 oz) bottle
      size at the 2-month visit on changes in weight, weight-for-age z score (WAZ), and
      weight-for-length z score (WLZ) at the 6-month visit. Using multivariable
      regression, we adjusted for potential confounders (birth weight, gender, age,
      weight measures at 2 months, parent race/ethnicity, education, household income
      and size, time between 2- and 6-month visits, and first child status). RESULTS:
      Forty-five percent (n = 386; 41% black, 35% Hispanic, 23% white, 2% other) of
      infants at the 2-month visit were exclusively formula-fed, and 44% used large
      (>=6 oz) bottles. Infants whose parents fed with large bottles had 0.21 kg (95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 0.05 to 0.37) more weight change, 0.24 U (95% CI: 0.07
      to 0.41) more change in WAZ, and 0.31 U (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.54) more change in WLZ
      during this period than infants fed with regular bottles. CONCLUSIONS: Using a
      large bottle in early infancy independently contributed to greater weight gain
      and change in WLZ at the 6-month visit. Although growth in infancy is complex,
      bottle size may be a modifiable risk factor for rapid infant weight gain and
      later obesity among exclusively formula-fed infants.

PMID- 27273750
TI  - Sequencing and comparison of the Rickettsia genomes from the whitefly Bemisia
      tabaci Middle East Asia Minor I.
AB  - The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, harbors the primary symbiont 'Candidatus Portiera
      aleyrodidarum' and a variety of secondary symbionts. Among these secondary
      symbionts, Rickettsia is the only one that can be detected both inside and
      outside the bacteriomes. Infection with Rickettsia has been reported to influence
      several aspects of the whitefly biology, such as fitness, sex ratio, virus
      transmission and resistance to pesticides. However, mechanisms underlying these
      differences remain unclear, largely due to the lack of genomic information of
      Rickettsia. In this study, we sequenced the genome of two Rickettsia strains
      isolated from the Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) species of the B. tabaci
      complex in China and Israel. Both Rickettsia genomes were of high coding density
      and AT-rich, containing more than 1000 coding sequences, much larger than that of
      the coexisted primary symbiont, Portiera. Moreover, the two Rickettsia strains
      isolated from China and Israel shared most of the genes with 100% identity and
      only nine genes showed sequence differences. The phylogenetic analysis using
      orthologs shared in the genus, inferred the proximity of Rickettsia in MEAM1 and
      Rickettsia bellii. Functional analysis revealed that Rickettsia was unable to
      synthesize amino acids required for complementing the whitefly nutrition.
      Besides, a type IV secretion system and a number of virulence-related genes were
      detected in the Rickettsia genome. The presence of virulence-related genes might
      benefit the symbiotic life of the bacteria, and hint on potential effects of
      Rickettsia on whiteflies. The genome sequences of Rickettsia provided a basis for
      further understanding the function of Rickettsia in whiteflies. 

PMID- 27273751
TI  - The influence of gender and age on the thickness and echo-density of skin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The more recent use of ultrasound scanning allows a direct
      measurement on unmodified skin, and is considered to be a reliable method for in
      vivo measurement of epidermal and dermal thickness. The objective of this study
      was to assess the influence of gender and age on the thickness and echo-density
      of skin measured by high frequency ultrasonography (HFUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      This study was carried out on 30 healthy volunteers (17 female, 13 male) with age
      range of 24-61 years old. The thickness and echo-density of dermis as well as
      epidermal entrance echo thickness in five anatomic sites (cheek, neck, palm,
      dorsal foot, and sole) were measured using two different types of B mode HFUS, 22
      and 50 MHz frequencies. RESULTS: The epidermal entrance echo thickness and
      thickness of dermis in males were higher than females, which was statistically
      significant on neck and dorsum of foot. The echo-density of dermis was higher in
      females on all sites, but was only statistically significant on neck. The
      epidermal entrance echo thickness and thickness of dermis in young age group was
      statistically higher than old group on sole and dorsal of the foot respectively.
      Overall, the skin thickness decreased with age. CONCLUSION: High frequency
      ultrasonography method provides a simple non-invasive method for evaluating the
      skin thickness and echo-density. Gender and age have significant effect on these
      parameters. Differences in study method, population, and body site likely account
      for different results previously reported.

PMID- 27273752
TI  - Medial lower leg perforators: An anatomical study of their distribution and
      characteristics.
AB  - PURPOSE: The integument of the medial lower leg is underestimated as a donor site
      for local and distant reconstructions. Comprehensive knowledge of its perforator
      anatomy is lacking. This study aims to determine perforator location and
      characteristics and to compare these regarding the proximal, middle and distal
      third of the medial lower leg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medial lower leg region
      (MLLR) of 16 cadavers was delineated and investigated after injecting the
      popliteal artery with acrylic paint. Following dissection, all perforators larger
      than 0.3 mm were localized and mapped. Their course, source vessel, length and
      diameter were subsequently documented. RESULTS: Overall, 122 perforators were
      found, 102 (83.6%) originating from the posterior tibial artery, 16 (13.1%) from
      the medial sural artery and 4 (3.3%) from the anterior tibial artery. A mean of
      7.6 +/- 2.4 perforators (range 4-13) per MLLR was found. Most perforators (42.6%)
      were localized in the distal third of the MLLR, followed by the middle (36.9%)
      and proximal third (20.5%). The largest and longest perforators were found in the
      proximal third of the MLLR (diameter 1.4 mm, length 9.1 cm), followed by the
      middle and distal third respectively. Of all musculocutaneous perforators, the
      majority (78.6%) was located in the middle third of the MLLR. Of all
      septocutaneous perforators, most (55.3%) were found in the distal third of the
      MLLR. A small number of unexpected anatomical variants were found. CONCLUSION: In
      each third of the MLLR different perforator characteristics were found. Knowledge
      of these characteristics can be used to direct the reconstructive plan. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:319-326, 2017.

PMID- 27273753
TI  - Is near-infrared light neuroprotective?

PMID- 27273754
TI  - Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging of the pancreas:
      Characterization of benign and malignant pancreatic pathologies.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)
      and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters in differentiating patients
      with either a normal pancreas (NP), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC),
      neuroendocrine tumor (NET), solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT), acute pancreatitis
      (AcP), vs. autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 84
      pathologically confirmed pancreatic tumors (60 PDACs, 15 NETs, 9 SPTs), 20
      pancreatitis (13 AcPs, 7 AIPs), and 30 NP subjects underwent IVIM diffusion
      weighted imaging using 10 b-values (0-900 sec/mm2 ) at 1.5T. The ADC, pure
      molecular diffusion coefficient (Dslow ), perfusion fraction (f), and perfusion
      related diffusion coefficient (Dfast ) were calculated and compared using a
      Kruskal-Wallis test and post-hoc Dunn procedure. Receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess diagnostic performance.
      RESULTS: The f and Dfast of the PDAC were significantly lower than that of the NP
      (f = 0.10 vs. 0.24; Dfast  = 42.21 vs. 71.74 * 10-3 mm2 /sec; P < 0.05). In ROC
      analysis, f showed the best diagnostic performance (area-under-the-curve, 0.919)
      among all parameters in differentiating PDAC from NP (P <= 0.001). The f values
      of AcP (0.11) and AIP (0.13) and the Dfast values of SPT (20.48 * 10-3 mm2 /sec)
      and AcP (24.49 * 10-3 mm2 /sec) were significantly lower compared with NP (f =
      0.24; Dfast  = 71.74 * 10-3 mm2 /sec; P < 0.05). For NET, the f (0.21) was
      significantly higher than that of PDAC (0.10, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Perfusion
      related parameters f and Dfast are more helpful in characterizing pancreatic
      diseases than ADC or Dslow . The PDCA, SPT, AcP, and AIP were characterized by
      reduced f and Dfast values compared with normal pancreas. The f value might help
      in differentiating between PDAC and NET. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 J. Magn. Reson.
      Imaging 2017;45:260-269.

PMID- 27273755
TI  - Concise Review: Dental Pulp Stem Cells: A Novel Cell Therapy for Retinal and
      Central Nervous System Repair.
AB  - Dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) are neural crest-derived ecto-mesenchymal stem
      cells that can relatively easily and non-invasively be isolated from the dental
      pulp of extracted postnatal and adult teeth. Accumulating evidence suggests that
      DPSC have great promise as a cellular therapy for central nervous system (CNS)
      and retinal injury and disease. The mode of action by which DPSC confer
      therapeutic benefit may comprise multiple pathways, in particular, paracrine
      mediated processes which involve a wide array of secreted trophic factors and is
      increasingly regarded as the principal predominant mechanism. In this concise
      review, we present the current evidence for the use of DPSC to repair CNS damage,
      including recent findings on retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection and
      regeneration in optic nerve injury and glaucoma. Stem Cells 2017;35:61-67.

PMID- 27273756
TI  - UDP-glycosyltransferase 72B1 catalyzes the glucose conjugation of monolignols and
      is essential for the normal cell wall lignification in Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - Glycosylation of monolignols has been found to be widespread in land plants since
      the 1970s. However, whether monolignol glycosylation is crucial for cell wall
      lignification and how it exerts effects are still unknown. Here, we report the
      identification of a mutant ugt72b1 showing aggravated and ectopic lignification
      in floral stems along with arrested growth and anthocyanin accumulation.
      Histochemical assays and thioacidolysis analysis confirmed the enhanced
      lignification and increased lignin biosynthesis in the ugt72b1 mutant. The loss
      of UDP-glycosyltransferase UGT72B1 function was responsible for the lignification
      phenotype, as demonstrated by complementation experiments. Enzyme activity
      analysis indicated that UGT72B1 could catalyze the glucose conjugation of
      monolignols, especially coniferyl alcohol and coniferyl aldehyde, which was
      confirmed by analyzing monolignol glucosides of UGT72B1 transgenic plants.
      Furthermore, the UGT72B1 gene was strongly expressed in young stem tissues,
      especially xylem tissues. However, UGT72B1 paralogs, such as UGT72B2 and UGT72B3,
      had weak enzyme activity toward monolignols and weak expression in stem tissues.
      Transcriptomic profiling showed that UGT72B1 knockout resulted in extensively
      increased transcript levels of genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis, lignin
      polymerization and cell wall-related transcription factors, which was confirmed
      by quantitative real-time PCR assays. These results provided evidence that
      monolignol glucosylation catalyzed by UGT72B1 was essential for normal cell wall
      lignification, thus offering insight into the molecular mechanism of cell wall
      development and cell wall lignification.

PMID- 27273758
TI  - Bacterial microbiomes from vertically transmitted fungal inocula of the leaf
      cutting ant Atta texana.
AB  - Microbiome surveys provide clues for the functional roles of symbiotic microbial
      communities and their hosts. In this study, we elucidated bacterial microbiomes
      associated with the vertically transmitted fungal inocula (pellets) used by
      foundress queens of the leaf-cutting ant Atta texana as starter-cultures for new
      gardens. As reference microbiomes, we also surveyed bacterial microbiomes of
      foundress queens, gardens and brood of incipient nests. Pseudomonas,
      Acinetobacter, Propionibacterium and Corynebacterium were consistently present in
      high abundance in microbiomes. Some pellet and ant samples contained abundant
      bacteria from an Entomoplasmatales-clade, and a separate PCR-based survey of
      Entomoplasmatales bacteria in eight attine ant-genera from Brazil placed these
      bacteria in a monophyletic clade within the bacterial genus Mesoplasma. The
      attine ant-Mesoplasma association parallels a similar association between a
      closely related, monophyletic Entomoplasmatales-clade and army ants. Of thirteen
      A. texana nests surveyed, three nests with exceptionally high Mesoplasma
      abundance died, whereas the other nests survived. It is unclear whether
      Mesoplasma was the primary cause of mortality, or Mesoplasma became abundant in
      moribund nests for non-pathogenic reasons. However, the consistent and
      geographically widespread presence of Mesoplasma suggests an important functional
      role in the association with attine ants.

PMID- 27273757
TI  - Dynamic ruffling distortion of the heme substrate in non-canonical heme oxygenase
      enzymes.
AB  - Recent work by several groups has established that MhuD, IsdG, and IsdI are non
      canonical heme oxygenases that induce significant out-of-plane ruffling
      distortions of their heme substrates enroute to mycobilin or staphylobilin
      formation. However, clear explanations for the observations of "nested" S = 1/2
      VTVH MCD saturation magnetization curves at cryogenic temperatures, and exchange
      broadened (1)H NMR resonances at physiologically-relevant temperatures have
      remained elusive. Here, MCD and NMR data have been acquired for F23A and F23W
      MhuD-heme-CN, in addition to MCD data for IsdI-heme-CN, in order to complete
      assembly of a library of spectroscopic data for cyanide-inhibited ferric heme
      with a wide range of ruffling deformations. The spectroscopic data were used to
      evaluate a number of computational models for cyanide-inhibited ferric heme,
      which ultimately led to the development of an accurate NEVPT2/CASSCF model. The
      resulting model has a shallow, double-well potential along the porphyrin ruffling
      coordinate, which provides clear explanations for the unusual MCD and NMR data.
      The shallow, double-well potential also implies that MhuD-, IsdG-, and IsdI-bound
      heme is dynamic, and the functional implications of these dynamics are discussed.

PMID- 27273759
TI  - Reply to Cataldo (2016): Arrhythmia associated with buprenorphine and methadone
      reported to the Food and Drug Administration.

PMID- 27273760
TI  - Stewart-Bluefarb syndrome revisited.
AB  - Stewart-Bluefarb syndrome (SBS) is a subtype of pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma (PKS),
      which is associated with congenital arteriovenous malformation. It is a rare
      syndrome, characterized by cutaneous lesions with onset in the second decade of
      life. We report a case of SBS in a 33-year-old man presenting with a 15-year
      history of unilateral, reddish-brown, raised lesions on his right lower leg and
      the dorsum of his foot. Diagnosis of PKS was confirmed by histopathology and
      radiology. We report the clinical features, aetiopathogenesis, differential
      diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition. 

PMID- 27273761
TI  - Scalable procedure for the fragmentation of hydroperoxides mediated by copper and
      iron tetrafluoroborate salts.
AB  - An improved protocol for the formal elimination of propene from organic
      substrates is reported. This process entails the ozonolytic conversion of an
      alkene to a methoxy hydroperoxide which undergoes fragmentation mediated by
      copper and iron. The use of soluble Cu(BF4)2 and Fe(BF4)2 results in reproducible
      results up to a 100 gram scale. 

PMID- 27273762
TI  - Optimal hash arrangement of tentacles in jellyfish.
AB  - At first glance, the trailing tentacles of a jellyfish appear to be randomly
      arranged. However, close examination of medusae has revealed that the arrangement
      and developmental order of the tentacles obey a mathematical rule. Here, we show
      that medusa jellyfish adopt the best strategy to achieve the most uniform
      distribution of a variable number of tentacles. The observed order of tentacles
      is a real-world example of an optimal hashing algorithm known as Fibonacci
      hashing in computer science.

PMID- 27273763
TI  - Embedding Raman Tags between Au Nanostar@Nanoshell for Multiplex Immunosensing.
AB  - Novel Raman tags with various reporter molecules embedded in between gold
      nanostar (AuNS) and gold nanoshell are developed, showing significantly enhanced
      surface-enhanced Raman scattering intensity compared to gold nanoparticle-based
      composites. Immunoassay using these AuNS@tag@shell structures is highly specific
      with sensitivity down to 0.1 pg mL-1 , and is capable of multiplex detection,
      making them highly promising for biosensing applications.

PMID- 27273764
TI  - Ultrahigh Thermal Conductivity of Interface Materials by Silver-Functionalized
      Carbon Nanotube Phonon Conduits.
AB  - An ultrahigh thermal conductivity (kappa = 160 W m(-1) K(-1) ) of thermal
      interface materials is achieved with a high enhancement factor (96). A small
      amount (2.3 vol%) of 1D multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with high kappa
      constructs effective phonon transport pathways between microscale silver-flake
      islands, and a solid phonon transport junction is realized by the coalescence of
      silver nanoparticles pre-functionalized on the MWNTs. 

PMID- 27273765
TI  - Experiment-Driven Modeling of Crystalline Phosphorus Nitride P3 N5 : Wide-Ranging
      Implications from a Unique Structure.
AB  - Nitridophosphates have emerged as advanced materials due to their structural
      variability and broad technical applicability. Their binary parent compound P3 N5
      , a polymeric network of corner- and edge-sharing PN4 tetrahedra with N and N
      sites, is a particularly interesting example. We present a study of the band gap
      and electronic structure of alpha-P3 N5 by using soft X-ray spectroscopy
      measurements and DFT calculations. The band gap, which is crucial for all
      applications, is measured to be 5.87+/-0.20 eV. This agrees well with the
      calculated, indirect band gap of 5.21 eV. The density of states are found to show
      dramatic variation between the nonequivalent N sites and a high degree of
      covalency. Coupled to these results is what is, to our knowledge, the largest
      core hole shift reported to date for a soft X-ray absorption spectrum. We propose
      an intuitive bonding scheme for alpha-P3 N5 that explains the observed band gap
      and unique density of states, while providing a framework for predicting these
      properties in known and yet to be discovered PN compounds. We briefly consider
      the implications of these results for new low-dimensional P and PN materials,
      which alongside graphene, could become important materials for nanoelectronics. 

PMID- 27273766
TI  - YAP and TAZ control peripheral myelination and the expression of laminin
      receptors in Schwann cells.
AB  - Myelination is essential for nervous system function. Schwann cells interact with
      neurons and the basal lamina to myelinate axons using known receptors, signals
      and transcription factors. In contrast, the transcriptional control of axonal
      sorting and the role of mechanotransduction in myelination are largely unknown.
      Yap and Taz are effectors of the Hippo pathway that integrate chemical and
      mechanical signals in cells. We describe a previously unknown role for the Hippo
      pathway in myelination. Using conditional mutagenesis in mice, we show that Taz
      is required in Schwann cells for radial sorting and myelination and that Yap is
      redundant with Taz. Yap and Taz are activated in Schwann cells by mechanical
      stimuli and regulate Schwann cell proliferation and transcription of basal lamina
      receptor genes, both necessary for radial sorting of axons and subsequent
      myelination. These data link transcriptional effectors of the Hippo pathway and
      of mechanotransduction to myelin formation in Schwann cells.

PMID- 27273767
TI  - Topographical representation of odor hedonics in the olfactory bulb.
AB  - Hedonic value is a dominant aspect of olfactory perception. Using optogenetic
      manipulation in freely behaving mice paired with immediate early gene mapping, we
      demonstrate that hedonic information is represented along the antero-posterior
      axis of the ventral olfactory bulb. Using this representation, we show that the
      degree of attractiveness of odors can be bidirectionally modulated by local
      manipulation of the olfactory bulb's neural networks in freely behaving mice.

PMID- 27273768
TI  - Decoding subjective decisions from orbitofrontal cortex.
AB  - When making a subjective choice, the brain must compute a value for each option
      and compare those values to make a decision. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is
      critically involved in this process, but the neural mechanisms remain obscure, in
      part due to limitations in our ability to measure and control the internal
      deliberations that can alter the dynamics of the decision process. Here we
      tracked these dynamics by recovering temporally precise neural states from
      multidimensional data in OFC. During individual choices, OFC alternated between
      states associated with the value of two available options, with dynamics that
      predicted whether a subject would decide quickly or vacillate between the two
      alternatives. Ensembles of value-encoding neurons contributed to these states,
      with individual neurons shifting activity patterns as the network evaluated each
      option. Thus, the mechanism of subjective decision-making involves the dynamic
      activation of OFC states associated with each choice alternative.

PMID- 27273770
TI  - Utilizing G2/M retention effect to enhance tumor accumulation of active targeting
      nanoparticles.
AB  - In recent years, active targeting strategies by ligand modification have emerged
      to enhance tumor accumulation of NP, but their clinical application was strictly
      restricted due to the complex preparation procedures, poor stability and serious
      toxicity. An effective and clinical translational strategy is required to satisfy
      the current problems. Interestingly, the internalization of NP is intimately
      related with cell cycle and the expression of receptors is not only related with
      cancer types but also cell cycle progression. So the cellular uptake of ligand
      modified NP may be related with cell cycle. However, few investigations were
      reported about the relationship between cell cycle and the internalization of
      ligand modified NP. Herein, cellular uptake of folic acid (FA) modified NP after
      utilizing chemotherapeutic to retain the tumor cells in G2/M phase was studied
      and a novel strategy was designed to enhance the active targeting effect. In our
      study, docetaxel (DTX) notably synchronized cells in G2/M phase and pretreatment
      with DTX highly improved in vitro and in vivo tumor cell targeting effect of FA
      decorated NP (FANP). Since FA was a most common used tumor active targeting
      ligand, we believe that this strategy possesses broader prospects in clinical
      application for its simplicity and effectiveness.

PMID- 27273769
TI  - SHANK3 controls maturation of social reward circuits in the VTA.
AB  - Haploinsufficiency of SHANK3, encoding the synapse scaffolding protein SHANK3,
      leads to a highly penetrant form of autism spectrum disorder. How SHANK3
      insufficiency affects specific neural circuits and how this is related to
      specific symptoms remains elusive. Here we used shRNA to model Shank3
      insufficiency in the ventral tegmental area of mice. We identified dopamine (DA)
      and GABA cell-type-specific changes in excitatory synapse transmission that
      converge to reduce DA neuron activity and generate behavioral deficits, including
      impaired social preference. Administration of a positive allosteric modulator of
      the type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluR1 during the first postnatal
      week restored DA neuron excitatory synapse transmission and partially rescued the
      social preference defects, while optogenetic DA neuron stimulation was sufficient
      to enhance social preference. Collectively, these data reveal the contribution of
      impaired ventral tegmental area function to social behaviors and identify mGluR1
      modulation during postnatal development as a potential treatment strategy.

PMID- 27273771
TI  - Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with
      cerebral white matter changes in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - AIM: The presence of cerebral white matter changes (WMC) has been reported as an
      important predictor of the rapidity of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease
      (AD). The association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
      insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and WMC in AD is yet to be elucidated. The
      present study aimed to examine the association between the ACE I/D polymorphism
      and WMC among AD patients in Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 403 patients clinically
      diagnosed with AD were recruited in a cross-sectional study carried out in an
      area hospital in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The ACE I/D polymorphism was genotyped, and
      cerebral white matter rating was carried out using the visual rating scale for
      age-related white matter changes. RESULTS: The I allele was associated with a
      significantly lower total age-related white matter changes scale score compared
      with the D allele (4.83 vs 5.93, P = 0.013). The total age-related white matter
      changes scale score was significantly lower for the I/I genotype than for the I/D
      (4.37 vs 5.87, P = 0.009) and I/D + D/D genotypes (4.37 vs 5.91, P = 0.006), with
      no differences observed between the I/I + I/D and the D/D genotypes (5.08 vs
      6.09, P = 0.373), after adjustment for age and hypertension. A stratified
      analysis by sex demonstrated that the I/I genotype was associated with
      significant lower WMC than other genotypes in women, but not in men. CONCLUSIONS:
      The present study supports the hypothesis that the ACE I/D polymorphism is
      associated with the severity of WMC in patients with AD. Patients with AD who are
      homozygous for the I allele might be less likely to develop WMC, especially
      women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 945-950.

PMID- 27273772
TI  - Photo-induced morphological winding and unwinding motion of nanoscrolls composed
      of niobate nanosheets with a polyfluoroalkyl azobenzene derivative.
AB  - Photo-responsive nanoscrolls can be successfully fabricated by mixing a
      polyfluoroalkyl azobenzene derivative and a niobate nanosheet, which is
      exfoliated from potassium hexaniobate. In this study, we have found that the
      photo-responsive nanoscroll shows a morphological motion of winding and
      unwinding, which is basically due to the nanosheet sliding within the nanoscroll,
      by efficient photo-isomerization reactions of the intercalated azobenzene in
      addition to the interlayer distance change of the nanoscrolls. The relative
      nanosheet sliding of the nanoscroll is estimated to be ca. 280 nm from the AFM
      morphology analysis. The distance of the sliding motion is over 20 times that of
      the averaged nanosheet sliding in the azobenzene/niobate hybrid film reported
      previously. Photo-responsive nanoscrolls can be expected to be novel photo
      activated actuators and artificial muscle model materials. 

PMID- 27273784
TI  - Quality of life improves in patients with chronic heart failure and Cheyne-Stokes
      respiration treated with adaptive servo-ventilation in a nurse-led heart failure
      clinic.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate if quality of life
      improved in chronic heart failure patients with Cheyne-Stokes respiration treated
      with adaptive servo-ventilation in nurse-led heart failure clinic. BACKGROUND:
      Cheyne-Stokes respiration is associated with decreased quality of life in
      patients with chronic heart failure. Adaptive servo-ventilation is introduced to
      treat this sleep-disordered breathing. DESIGN: Randomised, controlled design.
      METHODS: Fifty-one patients (ranging from 53-84 years), New York Heart
      Association III-IV and/or left ventricular ejection fraction <=40% and Cheyne
      Stokes respiration were randomised to an intervention group who received adaptive
      servo-ventilation or a control group. Minnesota Living with Heart Failure
      Questionnaire was used to assess quality of life at randomisation and after three
      months. Both groups were followed in the nurse-led heart failure clinic. RESULT:
      Adaptive servo ventilation improved quality of life-scores both in a per protocol
      analysis and in an intention to treat analysis. Twenty-one patients dropped out
      of the study, nine in the control and 12 in the intervention group. CONCLUSION:
      Use of adaptive servo-ventilation improved quality of life in chronic heart
      failure patients with Cheyne-Stokes respiration. However, the drop-out rate was
      high. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Chronic heart failure patients come
      regularly to the nurse-led heart failure clinic. The heart failure nurses'
      competency has to include knowledge of equipment to provide support and
      continuity of care to the patients.

PMID- 27273785
TI  - Vitamin D and pulmonary function in obese asthmatic children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Asthma-related morbidity is higher among children with vitamin D
      deficiency and obesity, morbidities that frequently co-exist among minority
      children. However, the effect of co-existent obesity and vitamin D deficiency on
      pulmonary function is poorly understood. METHODS: We compared percent-predicted
      values of pulmonary function across vitamin D categories among 72 obese and 71
      normal-weight Hispanic and African-American children with asthma recruited at an
      urban children's hospital. Serum cytokines associated with Th1 and Th2
      inflammation and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) were quantified in fasting serum.
      25-OHD levels >=30 ng/ml were categorized as sufficient, <30 and >=20 ng/ml as
      insufficient, and <20 ng/ml as deficient. The role of inflammation was
      investigated by regression analysis. RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency was present in
      50% of children and did not differ by obese status. Forced Expiratory Volume in
      the first second (84.5 +/- 9.4 vs. 94.8 +/- 8.4, P < 0.001), and Functional
      Residual Capacity (67.5 +/- 20.1 vs. 79.3 +/- 19, P = 0.01) were lower among
      vitamin D deficient obese asthmatics than their sufficient counterparts, and
      Total Lung Capacity was lower than their insufficient counterparts (86.9 +/- 14.3
      vs. 96.6 +/- 10, P = 0.01); similar associations were not observed in normal
      weight asthmatics and were not influenced by systemic inflammation. No
      association between Th1 and Th2 inflammatory measures, vitamin D deficiency, and
      pulmonary function tests was found. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency was
      associated with pulmonary function deficits among obese children, but not among
      normal-weight children with asthma, an association that was independent of Th1
      and Th2 serum inflammatory measures. Vitamin D deficiency may be one potential
      mechanism underlying the obese-asthma phenotype. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1276
      1283. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273786
TI  - Toxicity of long chain fatty acids towards acetate conversion by Methanosaeta
      concilii and Methanosarcina mazei.
AB  - Long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) can inhibit methane production by methanogenic
      archaea. The effect of oleate and palmitate on pure cultures of Methanosaeta
      concilii and Methanosarcina mazei was assessed by comparing methane production
      rates from acetate before and after LCFA addition. For both methanogens, a sharp
      decrease in methane production (> 50%) was observed at 0.5 mmol L(-1) oleate, and
      no methane was formed at concentrations higher than 2 mmol L(-1) oleate.
      Palmitate was less inhibitory than oleate, and M. concilii was more tolerant to
      palmitate than M. mazei, with 2 mmol L(-1) palmitate causing 11% and 64%
      methanogenic inhibition respectively. This study indicates that M. concilii and
      M. mazei tolerate LCFA concentrations similar to those previously described for
      hydrogenotrophic methanogens. In particular, the robustness of M. concilii might
      contribute to the observed prevalence of Methanosaeta species in anaerobic
      bioreactors used to treat LCFA-rich wastewater.

PMID- 27273787
TI  - Upregulation of human CYP2C9 expression by Bisphenol A via estrogen receptor
      alpha (ERalpha) and Med25.
AB  - Bisphenol A (BPA) is an important industrial chemical, mainly used in the
      manufacture of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Due to its widespread use,
      humans have a high risk of exposure to BPA. BPA has been found to have adverse
      health effects such as interfering with hormone-related pathways and is well
      known to act as an endocrine disruptor. The present study is the first to show
      the induction effect of BPA on gene expression and enzyme activity of CYP2C9, an
      important hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme in human. We further identify the
      mechanism of BPA upregulation of CYP2C9 expression. We show that BPA is able to
      transcriptionally activate CYP2C9 promoter through ERalpha and ERE site within
      the CYP2C9 promoter region in HepG2 cells, and can induce CYP2C9 gene expression
      and enzyme activity in human primary hepatocytes. Moreover, we demonstrate that
      Med25, a variable member of the Mediator complex, is a coactivator of ligand
      activated ERalpha that interacts with ERalpha through its C-terminal LXXLL motif
      after BPA exposure, and is functionally involved in BPA-induced transcriptional
      regulation of CYP2C9 expression and enzyme activity. Our findings suggest that
      BPA exposure has a potential risk for adverse health effects in human liver
      metabolism by upregulation of CYP2C9 expression. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
      Environ Toxicol 32: 970-978, 2017.

PMID- 27273789
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27273788
TI  - Dysregulated hepatic bile acids collaboratively promote liver carcinogenesis.
AB  - Dysregulated bile acids (BAs) are closely associated with liver diseases and
      attributed to altered gut microbiota. Here, we show that the intrahepatic
      retention of hydrophobic BAs including deoxycholate (DCA), taurocholate (TCA),
      taurochenodeoxycholate (TCDCA), and taurolithocholate (TLCA) were substantially
      increased in a streptozotocin and high fat diet (HFD) induced nonalcoholic
      steatohepatitis-hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC) mouse model. Additionally
      chronic HFD-fed mice spontaneously developed liver tumors with significantly
      increased hepatic BA levels. Enhancing intestinal excretion of hydrophobic BAs in
      the NASH-HCC model mice by a 2% cholestyramine feeding significantly prevented
      HCC development. The gut microbiota alterations were closely correlated with
      altered BA levels in liver and feces. HFD-induced inflammation inhibited key BA
      transporters, resulting in sustained increases in intrahepatic BA concentrations.
      Our study also showed a significantly increased cell proliferation in BA treated
      normal human hepatic cell lines and a down-regulated expression of tumor
      suppressor gene CEBPalpha in TCDCA treated HepG2 cell line, suggesting that
      several hydrophobic BAs may collaboratively promote liver carcinogenesis.

PMID- 27273791
TI  - A-site compositional effects in Ga-doped hollandite materials of the form
      BaxCsyGa2x+yTi8-2x-yO16: implications for Cs immobilization in crystalline
      ceramic waste forms.
AB  - The hollandite structure is a promising crystalline host for Cs immobilization. A
      series of Ga-doped hollandite BaxCsyGa2x+yTi8-2x-yO16 (x = 0, 0.667, 1.04, 1.33;
      y = 1.33, 0.667, 0.24, 0) was synthesized through a solid oxide reaction method
      resulting in a tetragonal hollandite structure (space group I4/m). The lattice
      parameter associated with the tunnel dimension was found to increases as Cs
      substitution in the tunnel increased. A direct investigation of cation mobility
      in tunnels using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was conducted to evaluate
      the ability of the hollandite structure to immobilize cations over a wide
      compositional range. Hollandite with the largest tunnel size and highest aspect
      ratio grain morphology resulting in rod-like microstructural features exhibited
      the highest ionic conductivity. The results indicate that grain size and
      optimized Cs stoichiometry control cation motion and by extension, the propensity
      for Cs release from hollandite.

PMID- 27273792
TI  - Intensive Treatment and Severe Hypoglycemia Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Intensive glucose-lowering treatment among patients with non-insulin
      requiring type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. OBJECTIVES: To
      estimate the prevalence of intensive treatment and the association between
      intensive treatment, clinical complexity, and incidence of severe hypoglycemia
      among adults with type 2 diabetes who are not using insulin. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective analysis of administrative, pharmacy, and laboratory
      data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse from January 1, 2001, through December 31,
      2013. The study included nonpregnant adults 18 years or older with type 2
      diabetes who achieved and maintained a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level less than
      7.0% without use of insulin and had no episodes of severe hypoglycemia or
      hyperglycemia in the prior 12 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Risk-adjusted
      probability of intensive treatment and incident severe hypoglycemia, stratified
      by patient clinical complexity. Intensive treatment was defined as use of more
      glucose-lowering medications than recommended by practice guidelines at specific
      index HbA1c levels. Severe hypoglycemia was ascertained by ambulatory, emergency
      department, and hospital claims for hypoglycemia during the 2 years after the
      index HbA1c test. Patients were categorized as having high vs low clinical
      complexity if they were 75 years or older, had dementia or end-stage renal
      disease, or had 3 or more serious chronic conditions. RESULTS: Of 31 542 eligible
      patients (median age, 58 years; interquartile range, 51-65 years; 15 483 women
      [49.1%]; 18 188 white [57.7%]), 3910 (12.4%) had clinical complexity. The risk
      adjusted probability of intensive treatment was 25.7% (95% CI, 25.1%-26.2%) in
      patients with low clinical complexity and 20.8% (95% CI, 19.4%-22.2%) in patients
      with high clinical complexity. In patients with low clinical complexity, the risk
      adjusted probability of severe hypoglycemia during the subsequent 2 years was
      1.02% (95% CI, 0.87%-1.17%) with standard treatment and 1.30% (95% CI, 0.98%
      1.62%) with intensive treatment (absolute difference, 0.28%; 95% CI, -0.10% to
      0.66%). In patients with high clinical complexity, intensive treatment
      significantly increased the risk-adjusted probability of severe hypoglycemia from
      1.74% (95% CI, 1.28%-2.20%) with standard treatment to 3.04% (95% CI, 1.91%
      4.18%) with intensive treatment (absolute difference, 1.30%; 95% CI, 0.10%
      2.50%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: More than 20% of patients with type 2 diabetes
      received intensive treatment that may be unnecessary. Among patients with high
      clinical complexity, intensive treatment nearly doubles the risk of severe
      hypoglycemia.

PMID- 27273793
TI  - The crystal structure of the major pneumococcal autolysin LytA in complex with a
      large peptidoglycan fragment reveals the pivotal role of glycans for lytic
      activity.
AB  - The pneumococcal autolysin LytA is a key virulence factor involved in several
      important functions including DNA competence, immune evasion and biofilm
      formation. Here, we present the 1.05 A crystal structure of the catalytic domain
      of LytA in complex with a synthetic cell-wall-based peptidoglycan (PG) ligand
      that occupies the entire Y-shaped substrate-binding crevice. As many as twenty
      one amino-acid residues are engaged in ligand interactions with a majority of
      these interactions directed towards the glycan strand. All saccharides are
      intimately bound through hydrogen bond, van der Waals and CH-pi interactions.
      Importantly, the structure of LytA is not altered upon ligand binding, whereas
      the bound ligand assumes a different conformation compared to the unbound NMR
      based solution structure of the same PG-fragment. Mutational study reveals that
      several non-catalytic glycan-interacting residues, structurally conserved in
      other amidases from Gram-positive Firmicutes, are pivotal for enzymatic activity.
      The three-dimensional structure of the LytA/PG complex provides a novel
      structural basis for ligand restriction by the pneumococcal autolysin, revealing
      for the first time an importance of the multivalent binding to PG saccharides.

PMID- 27273790
TI  - Therapeutic potential of NADPH oxidase 1/4 inhibitors.
AB  - : The NADPH oxidase (NOX) family of enzymes produces ROS as their sole function
      and is becoming recognized as key modulators of signal transduction pathways with
      a physiological role under acute stress and a pathological role after excessive
      activation under chronic stress. The seven isoforms differ in their regulation,
      tissue and subcellular localization and ROS products. The most studied are NOX1,
      2 and 4. Genetic deletion of NOX1 and 4, in contrast to NOX2, has revealed no
      significant spontaneous pathologies and a pathogenic relevance of both NOX1 and 4
      across multiple organs in a wide range of diseases and in particular inflammatory
      and fibrotic diseases. This has stimulated interest in NOX inhibitors for
      therapeutic application. GKT136901 and GKT137831 are two structurally related
      compounds demonstrating a preferential inhibition of NOX1 and 4 that have
      suitable properties for in vivo studies and have consequently been evaluated
      across a range of disease models and compared with gene deletion. In contrast to
      gene deletion, these inhibitors do not completely suppress ROS production,
      maintaining some basal level of ROS. Despite this and consistent with most gene
      deletion studies, these inhibitors are well tolerated and slow or prevent disease
      progression in a range of models of chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases by
      modulating common signal transduction pathways. Clinical trials in patients with
      GKT137831 have demonstrated excellent tolerability and reduction of various
      markers of chronic inflammation. NOX1/4 inhibition may provide a safe and
      effective therapeutic strategy for a range of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases.
      LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Redox Biology and
      Oxidative Stress in Health and Disease. To view the other articles in this
      section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.12/issuetoc.

PMID- 27273794
TI  - Successful Transplantation of Human Kidneys Deemed Untransplantable but
      Resuscitated by Ex Vivo Normothermic Machine Perfusion.
AB  - We report the successful transplantation of a pair of human kidneys that were
      declined for transplantation due to inadequate in situ perfusion but subsequently
      transplanted after perfusion and assessment using ex vivo normothermic perfusion
      (EVNP). The kidneys were from a 35-year-old man, a donation after circulatory
      death donor. Both kidneys were declined by all UK transplant centers. On arrival,
      the kidneys had significant areas of incomplete clearance of blood from the
      microcirculation that did not clear after a further attempt to flush them.
      Kidneys underwent 60 min of EVNP with an oxygenated packed red blood cell-based
      solution warmed to 35.2 degrees C. During EVNP, the patchy areas cleared in both
      kidneys. The mean renal blood flow and total urine output were 68.0 mL/min/100 g
      and 560 mL in the left kidney and 59.9 mL/min/100 g, 430 mL in the right,
      respectively. Based on the EVNP perfusion parameters, both kidneys were deemed
      suitable for transplantation. They were transplanted without any complications,
      and both recipients had initial graft function. The serum creatinine levels at 3
      months were 1.2 mg/dl in the recipient of the left kidney and 1.62 mg/dl in the
      recipient of the right kidney. EVNP technology can be used to assess and rescue
      kidneys previously deemed unsuitable for transplantation.

PMID- 27273795
TI  - Better living with hyper-mutation.
AB  - The simplest forms of mutations, base substitutions, typically have negative
      consequences, aside from their existential role in evolution and fitness.
      Hypermutations, mutations on steroids, occurring at frequencies of 10(-2) -10(-4)
      per base pair, straddle a domain between fitness and death, depending on the
      presence or absence of regulatory constraints. Two facets of hypermutation, one
      in Escherichia coli involving DNA polymerase V (pol V), the other in humans,
      involving activation-induced deoxycytidine deaminase (AID) are portrayed. Pol V
      is induced as part of the DNA-damage-induced SOS regulon, and is responsible for
      generating the lion's share of mutations when catalyzing translesion DNA
      synthesis (TLS). Four regulatory mechanisms, temporal, internal, conformational,
      and spatial, activate pol V to copy damaged DNA and then deactivate it. On the
      flip side of the coin, SOS-induced pols V, IV, and II mutate undamaged DNA, thus
      providing genetic diversity heightening long-term survival and evolutionary
      fitness. Fitness in humans is principally the domain of a remarkably versatile
      immune system marked by somatic hypermutations (SHM) in immunoglobulin variable
      (IgV) regions that ensure antibody (Ab) diversity. AID initiates SHM by
      deaminating C -> U, favoring hot WRC (W = A/T, R = A/G) motifs. Since there are
      large numbers of trinucleotide motif targets throughout IgV, AID must exercise
      considerable catalytic restraint to avoid attacking such sites repeatedly, which
      would otherwise compromise diversity. Processive, random, and inefficient AID
      catalyzed dC deamination simulates salient features of SHM, yet generates B-cell
      lymphomas when working at the wrong time in the wrong place. Environ. Mol.
      Mutagen. 57:421-434, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273796
TI  - Mechanical elongation of astrocyte processes to create living scaffolds for
      nervous system regeneration.
AB  - Following brain injury or neurodegenerative disease, successful regeneration
      requires orchestrated migration of neurons and reformation of long-distance
      communication fibres, or axons. Such extensive regeneration does not occur in the
      mature brain; however, during embryonic development, pathways formed by glial
      cells extend several millimeters (mm) to create 'living scaffolds' for targeted
      neural cell migration and axonal pathfinding. Techniques to recapitulate long
      process outgrowth in glial cells have proven elusive, preventing the exploitation
      of this developmental mechanism for regeneration. In the current study,
      astrocytes were induced to form a network of interconnected processes that were
      subjected to controlled mechanical tension in vitro using custom-built
      mechanobioreactors. We discovered a specific micron (MUm)-scale mechanical growth
      regime that induced elongation of the astrocytic processes to a remarkable length
      of 2.5 mm at an optimal rate of 12.5 MUm/h. More rapid mechanical regimes (> 20
      MUm/h) caused greater incidence of process degeneration or outright breakage,
      whereas slow regimes (< 4 MUm/h) led to adaptive motility, thus failing to
      achieve process elongation. Cellular phenotype for this astrocytic 'stretch
      growth' was confirmed based on presentation of the intermediate filament glial
      fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Mechanical elongation resulted in the formation
      of dense bundles of aligned astrocytic processes. Importantly, seeded neurons
      readily adhered to, and extended neurites directly along, the elongated
      astrocytic processes, demonstrating permissiveness to support neuronal growth.
      This is the first demonstration of the controlled application of mechanical
      forces to create long astrocytic processes, which may form the backbone of tissue
      engineered 'living scaffolds' that structurally emulate radial glia to facilitate
      neuroregeneration. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27273797
TI  - Publication Rate and Evidence-Based Evaluation of Abstracts Presented at the
      American College of Veterinary Surgeon's Annual Meeting.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To document the publication rate of abstracts presented at 10 ACVS
      conferences and report the time required for publication and level of evidence.
      STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. METHODS: All scientific abstracts published in
      the ACVS proceedings from 2001 to 2010 were reviewed. The level of evidence of
      each abstract was evaluated and scored (1-4). Publication information was
      determined after a broad bibliographic search through multiple online databases.
      RESULTS: The overall publication rate for ACVS abstracts (n=1,395) was 66% and
      11% were published before conference presentation. The majority of abstracts
      focused on the dog (35%) or the horse (33%). Most (90%) abstracts were submitted
      to veterinary-based journals. The median time (interquartile range [IQR]) from
      abstract presentation to journal submission was 222 days (107-541), from journal
      submission to acceptance for publication was 122 days (89-185), and from
      acceptance to publication in a journal was 208 days (151-289). The time from
      abstract presentation to final publication took 449 days (238-794). Of the
      abstracts, 4% were of level 1 evidence, 9% level 2, 66% level 3, and 21% level 4.
      Studies with a higher level of evidence were submitted, accepted, and published
      quicker than ones with a lower level of evidence. The publication rate was 61%,
      71%, 68%, and 65% for level 1, 2, 3, 4 evidence, respectively. CONCLUSION: The
      publication rate of scientific abstracts presented at the ACVS conferences is
      comparable to other biomedical conferences. The subject matter is limited in
      scope and focused mainly on dogs or horses. Most abstracts contained lower level
      of evidence. Studies with higher levels of evidence were submitted, accepted, and
      published more timely. However, the publication rate was similar for abstracts of
      all levels of evidence.

PMID- 27273798
TI  - Effects of corn straw or mixed forage diet on rumen fermentation parameters of
      lactating cows using a wireless data logger.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different forage
      types on rumen fermentation parameters and profiles using a wireless data logger.
      Eight lactating cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments with
      a low forage diet with corn straw (CS) or a high forage diet with mixed forage
      (MF) as the forage source, respectively. Dietary physically effective neutral
      detergent fiber (peNDF) content was 11.3% greater in CS. Dry matter intake and
      milk fatty acid content decreased upon CS (P < 0.05). Ruminal pH, temperature and
      oxidation reduction potential (ORP) were monitored for 14 weeks. The CS group had
      significantly higher pH but lower temperature and ORP compared to MF (P < 0.01).
      With the CS diet regime, pH at the time before morning feeding, rumination and
      post-ingestion were significantly higher than those in the MF group (P < 0.05).
      However, times with the ruminal pH below 6.0 and 5.8 were significantly reduced
      (P < 0.05), whereas ruminal pH below 5.6 tended to be lower (P = 0.07). The
      results indicated that rumen fermentation parameters were affected by forage
      types and dietary peNDF content might be predominant in ruminal pH regulation.

PMID- 27273799
TI  - Oxidation State 10 Exists.
AB  - In a recent paper, Wang et al. found an iridium-containing compound with a formal
      oxidation state of 9. This is the highest oxidation state ever found in a stable
      compound. To learn if this is the highest chemical oxidation state possible, Kohn
      Sham density functional theory was used to study various compounds, including
      PdO4 (2+) , PtO4 (2+) , PtO3 F2 (2+) , PtO4 OH(+) , PtO5 , and PtO4 SH(+) , in
      which the metal has an oxidation state of 10. It was found that PtO4 (2+) has a
      metastable state that is kinetically stable with a barrier height for
      decomposition of 31 kcal mol(-1) and a calculated lifetime of 0.9 years. All
      other compounds studied would readily decompose to lower oxidation states.

PMID- 27273800
TI  - Keratoacanthoma formation after skin grafting: A brief report and
      pathophysiological hypothesis.
AB  - Keratoacanthoma formation after skin grafting is rare. We report the third case
      in the literature of multiple keratoacanthomas developed at both split-thickness
      skin graft donor and recipient sites. We provide possible explanations for this
      poorly understood phenomenon and highlight its implications on treatment options.

PMID- 27273801
TI  - Persistence With Conventional Triple Therapy Versus a Tumor Necrosis Factor
      Inhibitor and Methotrexate in US Veterans With Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare persistence and adherence to triple therapy with the
      nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) methotrexate (MTX),
      hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine, versus a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor
      (TNFi) plus MTX in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS:
      Administrative and laboratory data were analyzed for US Veterans with RA
      initiating triple therapy or TNFi + MTX between January 2006 and December 2012.
      Treatment persistence 365 days postindex was calculated using 3 definitions.
      Definition 1 required no gap in therapy of >=90 days for any drug in the original
      combination. Definition 2 required no added or switched DMARD, no decrease to
      nonbiologic DMARD monotherapy, and no termination of all DMARD therapies.
      Definition 3 was similar to definition 2 but allowed a switch to another drug
      within the same class. Adherence used a proportion of days covered of >=80%.
      Propensity-weighted analysis with matched weights was used to balance covariates.
      RESULTS: The analysis included 4,364 RA patients (TNFi + MTX, n = 3,204; triple
      therapy, n = 1,160). In propensity-weighted analysis, patients in the TNFi + MTX
      group were significantly more likely than patients in the triple therapy group to
      satisfy all persistence criteria in definition 1 (risk difference [RD] 13.1% [95%
      confidence interval (95% CI) 9.2-17.0]), definition 2 (RD 6.4% [95% CI 2.3
      10.5]), and definition 3 (RD 9.5% [95% CI 5.5-13.6]). Patients in the TNFi + MTX
      group also exhibited higher adherence during the first year (RD 7.2% [95% CI 3.8
      10.5]). CONCLUSION: US Veterans with RA were significantly more likely to be
      persistent and adherent to combination therapy with TNFi + MTX than triple
      therapy with nonbiologic DMARDs.

PMID- 27273802
TI  - Comparing the validity of informant and self-reports of personality using
      laboratory indices of emotional responding as criterion variables.
AB  - Personality traits relate to risk for psychopathology and can inform predictions
      about treatment outcome. In an effort to obtain a comprehensive index of
      personality, informant reports of personality are sometimes obtained in addition
      to self-reports of personality. However, there is limited research comparing the
      validity of self- and informant reports of personality, particularly among those
      with internalizing psychopathology. This is important given that informants may
      provide an additional (and perhaps different) perspective on individuals'
      personality. The present study therefore compared how both reports of positive
      affectivity (PA) and negative affectivity (NA) relate to psychophysiological and
      subjective measures of emotional responding to positive and negative stimuli.
      Given that our sample (n = 117) included individuals with no history of
      psychopathology, as well as individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD)
      and/or panic disorder (PD), we were also able to explore whether these
      internalizing diagnoses moderated the association between personality reports and
      measures of emotional responding. Informant-reported PA predicted physiological
      responses to positive stimuli (but not negative). Informant-reported NA predicted
      physiological responses to negative stimuli (but not positive). Self-reported
      personality did not predict physiological responding, but did predict
      subjectively measured emotional responding (NA for negative responding, PA for
      positive responding). Diagnoses of internalizing psychopathology (PD or MDD) did
      not moderate these associations. Results suggest self- and informant reports of
      personality may each provide valid indices of an individual's emotional response
      tendencies, but predict different aspects of those tendencies. 

PMID- 27273803
TI  - Etiologies of uterine malformations.
AB  - Ranging from aplastic uterus (including Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome)
      to incomplete septate uterus, uterine malformations as a group are relatively
      frequent in the general population. Specific causes remain largely unknown.
      Although most occurrences ostensibly seem sporadic, familial recurrences have
      been observed, which strongly implicate genetic factors. Through the study of
      animal models, human syndromes, and structural chromosomal variation, several
      candidate genes have been proposed and subsequently tested with targeted methods
      in series of individuals with isolated, non-isolated, or syndromic uterine
      malformations. To date, a few genes have garnered strong evidence of causality,
      mainly in syndromic presentations (HNF1B, WNT4, WNT7A, HOXA13). Sequencing of
      candidate genes in series of individuals with isolated uterine abnormalities has
      been able to suggest an association for several genes, but confirmation of a
      strong causative effect is still lacking for the majority of them. We review the
      current state of knowledge about the developmental origins of uterine
      malformations, with a focus on the genetic variants that have been implicated or
      associated with these conditions in humans, and we discuss potential reasons for
      the high rate of negative results. The evidence for various environmental and
      epigenetic factors is also reviewed. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273804
TI  - Fever treatment with a catheter-based heat exchange system in the neurointensive
      care unit.

PMID- 27273805
TI  - Cell death and inflammation: the case for IL-1 family cytokines as the canonical
      DAMPs of the immune system.
AB  - It is well known that necrotic cells are capable of promoting inflammation
      through releasing so-called endogenous 'danger signals' that can promote
      activation of macrophages, dendritic cells, and other sentinel cells of the
      innate immune system. However, the identity of these endogenous proinflammatory
      molecules, also called damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), has been
      debated since the 'danger model' was first advanced 20 years ago. While a
      relatively large number of molecules have been proposed to act as DAMPs, little
      consensus has emerged concerning which of these represent the key activators of
      sterile inflammation. Here I argue that the canonical DAMPs have long been hiding
      in plain sight, in the form of members of the extended IL-1 cytokine family (IL
      1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-18, IL-33, IL-36alpha, IL-36beta, and IL-36gamma). The
      latter cytokines possess all of the characteristics expected of endogenous DAMPs
      and initiate inflammation in a manner strikingly similar to that utilized by the
      other major category of inflammatory triggers, pathogen-associated molecular
      patterns (PAMPs). Furthermore, many PAMPs upregulate the expression of IL-1
      family DAMPs, enabling robust synergy between these distinct classes of
      inflammatory triggers. Thus, multiple lines of evidence now suggest that IL-1
      family cytokines represent the key initiators of necrosis-initiated sterile
      inflammation, as well as amplifiers of inflammation in response to infection
      associated tissue injury.

PMID- 27273806
TI  - Characterising the variations in ethnic skin colours: a new calibrated data base
      for human skin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate skin colour measurements are important for numerous medical
      applications including the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous disorders and the
      provision of maxillofacial soft tissue prostheses. METHODS: In this study, we
      obtained accurate skin colour measurements from four different ethnic groups
      (Caucasian, Chinese, Kurdish, Thai) and at four different body locations
      (Forehead, cheek, inner arm, back of hand) with a view of establishing a new skin
      colour database for medical and cosmetic applications. Skin colours are measured
      using a spectrophotometer and converted to a device-independent standard colour
      appearance space (CIELAB) where skin colour is expressed as values along the
      three dimensions: Lightness L*, Redness a* and Yellowness b*. Skin colour
      differences and variation are then evaluated as a function of ethnicity and body
      location. RESULTS: We report three main results: (1) When plotted in a standard
      colour appearance space (CIELAB), skin colour distributions for the four ethnic
      groups overlap significantly, although there are systematic mean differences.
      Between ethnicities, the most significant skin colour differences occur along the
      yellowness dimension, with Thai skin exhibiting the highest yellowness (b*) value
      and Caucasian skin the lowest value. Facial redness (a*) is invariant across the
      four ethnic groups. (2) Between different body locations, there are significant
      variations in redness (a*), with the forehead showing the highest redness value
      and the inner arm the lowest. (3) The colour gamut is smallest in the Chinese
      sample and largest in the Caucasian sample, with the Chinese gamut lying entirely
      the Caucasian gamut. Similarly, the largest variability in skin tones is found in
      the Caucasian group, and the smallest in the Chinese group. CONCLUSION: Broadly
      speaking, skin colour variation can be explained by two main factors: individual
      differences in lightness and yellowness are mostly due to ethnicity, whereas
      differences in redness are primarily due to different body locations. Variations
      in lightness are more idiosyncratic probably reflecting the large influence of
      environmental factors such as exposure to sun.

PMID- 27273807
TI  - The effect of lung deformation on the spatial distribution of pulmonary blood
      flow.
AB  - KEY POINTS: Pulmonary perfusion measurement using magnetic resonance imaging
      combined with deformable image registration enabled us to quantify the change in
      the spatial distribution of pulmonary perfusion at different lung volumes. The
      current study elucidated the effects of tidal volume lung inflation [functional
      residual capacity (FRC) + 500 ml and FRC + 1 litre] on the change in pulmonary
      perfusion distribution. Changes in hydrostatic pressure distribution as well as
      transmural pressure distribution due to the change in lung height with tidal
      volume inflation are probably bigger contributors to the redistribution of
      pulmonary perfusion than the changes in pulmonary vasculature resistance caused
      by lung tissue stretch. ABSTRACT: Tidal volume lung inflation results in
      structural changes in the pulmonary circulation, potentially affecting pulmonary
      perfusion. We hypothesized that perfusion is recruited to regions receiving the
      greatest deformation from a tidal breath, thus ensuring ventilation-perfusion
      matching. Density-normalized perfusion (DNP) magnetic resonance imaging data were
      obtained in healthy subjects (n = 7) in the right lung at functional residual
      capacity (FRC), FRC+500 ml, and FRC+1.0 l. Using deformable image registration,
      the displacement of a sagittal lung slice acquired at FRC to the larger volumes
      was calculated. Registered DNP images were normalized by the mean to estimate
      perfusion redistribution (nDNP). Data were evaluated across gravitational regions
      (dependent, middle, non-dependent) and by lobes (upper, RUL; middle, RML; lower,
      RLL). Lung inflation did not alter mean DNP within the slice (P = 0.10). The
      greatest expansion was seen in the dependent region (P < 0.0001: dependent vs non
      dependent, P < 0.0001: dependent vs middle) and RLL (P = 0.0015: RLL vs RUL, P <
      0.0001: RLL vs RML). Neither nDNP recruitment to RLL [+500 ml = -0.047(0.145), +1
      litre = 0.018(0.096)] nor to dependent lung [+500 ml = -0.058(0.126), +1 litre = 
      0.023(0.106)] were found. Instead, redistribution was seen in decreased nDNP in
      the non-dependent [+500 ml = -0.075(0.152), +1 litre = -0.137(0.167)) and
      increased nDNP in the gravitational middle lung [+500 ml = 0.098(0.058), +1 litre
      = 0.093(0.081)] (P = 0.01). However, there was no significant lobar
      redistribution (P < 0.89). Contrary to our hypothesis, based on the comparison
      between gravitational and lobar perfusion data, perfusion was not redistributed
      to the regions of the most inflation. This suggests that either changes in
      hydrostatic pressure or transmural pressure distribution in the gravitational
      direction are implicated in the redistribution of perfusion away from the non
      dependent lung.

PMID- 27273808
TI  - Versatility of pedicled anterolateral thigh flap in gynecologic reconstruction
      after vulvar cancer extirpative surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Ablative surgery for vulvar cancer can involve the resection of
      perineum, vagina, urethra, groins, mons pubis, and abdominal wall creating
      complex defects. In our opinion, ALT flap is an ideal flap for reconstruction,
      because of low incidence of complications, long pedicle outside the radiotherapy
      field, capability of carrying fascia and muscle, possibility of sensate
      reconstruction, and low donor site morbidity. The purpose of this report is to
      describe our experience with ALT flap for reconstruction after vulvar cancer
      extirpative surgery, discussing our indications for complex defects and focusing
      on its versatility. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of
      15 cases of complex postoncologic gynecological wounds, reconstructed with 16
      pedicled ALT flap, after vulvar cancer ablative surgery between 2014 and 2016.
      Age of the patients ranged from 44 to 77, with mean age of 62.6. Postoperative
      outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The flap size ranged from 12 * 8 cm to 22 * 15
      cm., in two cases we harvested vastus lateralis to fill the dead space after
      pelvic exenteration. In nine flaps, we could include only 1 perforator, in 7 we
      could use two, 5 were septocutaneous and 18 myocutaneous with a pedicle length
      ranging from9cm.to15cm.We had no flap necrosis.3 flaps showed dehiscence of a
      part of the wound that healed by dressings. In one case of obese patient the
      donor site showed partial wound edge necrosis, and required secondary grafting.
      During follow-up that ranged from 1 month to 2 years, cancer relapsed locally in
      5 patients. Global performance and specific pain improved after surgery.
      CONCLUSION: ALT flap should be included in the first line options for
      reconstructions of complex defects resulting from vulvar cancer surgery because
      of its reliability and versatility. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery
      37:516-524, 2017.

PMID- 27273810
TI  - A second patient with a De Novo GABRB1 mutation and epileptic encephalopathy.

PMID- 27273809
TI  - Preparing a prescription drug monitoring program data set for research purposes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a complete and consistent prescription drug monitoring
      program (PDMP) data set for use by drug safety researchers in evaluating patterns
      of high-risk use and potential abuse of scheduled drugs. METHODS: Using
      publically available data references from the US Food and Drug Administration and
      the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we developed a strategic
      methodology to assign drug categories based on pharmaceutical class for the
      majority of prescriptions in the PDMP data set. We augmented data elements
      required to calculate morphine milligram equivalents and assigned duration of
      action (short-acting or long acting) properties for a majority of opioids in the
      data set. RESULTS: About 10% of prescriptions in the PDMP data set did not have a
      vendor-assigned drug category, and 20% of opioid prescriptions were missing data
      needed to calculate risk metrics. Using inclusive methods, 19 133 167 (>99.9%) of
      prescriptions in the PDMP data set were assigned a drug category. For the opioid
      category, augmenting data elements resulted in 10 760 669 (99.8%) having required
      values to calculate morphine milligram equivalents and evaluate duration of
      action properties. CONCLUSIONS: Drug safety researchers who require a complete
      and consistent PDMP data set can use the methods described here to ensure that
      prescriptions of interest are assigned consistent drug categories and complete
      opioid risk variable values. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27273811
TI  - Obsessional and Eating Disorder-related Intrusive Thoughts: Differences and
      Similarities Within and Between Individuals Vulnerable to OCD or to EDs.
AB  - Unwanted intrusive cognitions constitute the normal variant of clinically
      significant intrusive cognitions found in disorders such as obsessive-compulsive
      disorder (OCD) and eating disorders (EDs). This study investigates whether
      individuals who are vulnerable to OCD or EDs experience more intrusions than
      people with no vulnerability to these disorders, and it examines the consequences
      of obsessional (OITs) and eating disorder (EDITs) intrusions in the same
      individuals, taking into account their susceptibility to OCD, EDs or neither of
      the two. From a sample of 922 participants, three groups were formed: risk of OCD
      (n = 92), risk of EDs (n = 41) and a no-risk group (n = 100). EDITs were more
      frequent than OITs in the two risk groups. Within-group comparisons showed that
      in the OCD-risk group, the OIT had more negative consequences (interference,
      emotional distress, dysfunctional appraisals and neutralizing strategies) than
      the EDIT, whereas in the ED-risk group, the OIT and the EDIT instigated similar
      negative consequences. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating
      Disorders Association.

PMID- 27273812
TI  - Fetoscopic repair of spina bifida: safer and better?

PMID- 27273813
TI  - Maintaining weight loss after bariatric surgery: when the spectator role is no
      longer enough.
AB  - Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is the gold standard treatment for severe
      obesity. Concern exists that patients are regaining weight in the longer term.
      Success and cost-effectiveness of surgery are threatened due to the re-emergence
      of related conditions such as diabetes. This exploratory qualitative study
      investigates patients' expectations and experiences of weight regain (WR) 2 years
      or more after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Ten participants (two men and
      eight women) who experienced WR were interviewed between 2 and 6 years following
      surgery. Findings highlight that participants reacted to initial weight loss as
      passive spectators and were unprepared for subsequent WR. Their tolerability of
      WR reduced as the amount of regain increased, suggesting a 'line of tolerance'
      for WR. WR was influenced by a new vulnerability arising from weight loss over
      time, and participants struggled to manage their own weight actively as surgical
      effects waned. They considered self-management skills, and carer and professional
      support to be limited at the time when WR was most likely to occur. Degrees of
      tolerability are noted in individuals regaining weight after RYGB. More studies
      are needed to further understand these problems. Pre- and post-operative support
      and teaching patients self-management skills may be helpful to minimize WR. 

PMID- 27273814
TI  - Tampering of opioid analgesics: a serious challenge for public health?

PMID- 27273816
TI  - Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H activation/cyclization of oximes with alkenes for
      regioselective synthesis of isoquinolines.
AB  - A Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H activation/cyclization of oximes and alkenes for facile
      and regioselective access to isoquinolines has been developed. This protocol
      features mild reaction conditions and easily accessible starting materials, and
      has been applied to the concise synthesis of moxaverine. A kinetic isotope effect
      study was conducted and a plausible mechanism was proposed. 

PMID- 27273815
TI  - High-fat diet-induced hypertension and autonomic imbalance are associated with an
      upregulation of CART in the dorsomedial hypothalamus of mice.
AB  - We evaluated herein whether diet-induced obesity alters sympathovagal balance,
      blood pressure, and neuropeptides levels at the hypothalamus and brainstem of
      mice. Male C57BL6J mice fed with a high-fat (HFD) or a high-fat high-sucrose
      (HFHSu), or a regular chow diet (C) for 8 weeks were evaluated for metabolic
      parameters and blood pressure, the latter being performed in conscious freely
      moving mice. Spectral analysis from the records of systolic blood pressure (SBP)
      and cardiac pulse intervals (PI) was performed to analyse the autonomic balance
      in the cardiovascular system. HFD-fed mice developed two distinct hemodynamic
      phenotypes: hypertensive mice (HFD-H) with high systolic and diastolic BP levels
      and hypertension-resistant mice (HFD-R) whose BP levels were similar to C group.
      Spectral analysis of SBP and PI variabilities indicate that the low-frequency
      (LF)/high-frequency (HF) ratio, which is an index of sympathovagal balance, is
      higher in HFD-H compared to HFD-R. Along with hypertension and higher LF/HF
      ratio, HFD-H mice presented increased hypothalamic mRNA levels of cocaine- and
      amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), and increased CART-positive neurones in
      the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) by high-fat diet when compared to C group.
      Despite developing obesity to similar levels than HFD feeding, intake of a HFHSu
      was not associated with hypertension in mice neither CART levels increase.
      Collectively, our main findings indicate that high-fat diet induced-hypertension
      and autonomic imbalance are associated to an upregulation of CART levels in the
      DMH of mice. 

PMID- 27273817
TI  - Effect of Anatomically Realistic Full-Head Model on Activation of Cortical
      Neurons in Subdural Cortical Stimulation-A Computational Study.
AB  - Electrical brain stimulation (EBS) is an emerging therapy for the treatment of
      neurological disorders, and computational modeling studies of EBS have been used
      to determine the optimal parameters for highly cost-effective electrotherapy.
      Recent notable growth in computing capability has enabled researchers to consider
      an anatomically realistic head model that represents the full head and complex
      geometry of the brain rather than the previous simplified partial head model
      (extruded slab) that represents only the precentral gyrus. In this work, subdural
      cortical stimulation (SuCS) was found to offer a better understanding of the
      differential activation of cortical neurons in the anatomically realistic full
      head model than in the simplified partial-head models. We observed that layer 3
      pyramidal neurons had comparable stimulation thresholds in both head models,
      while layer 5 pyramidal neurons showed a notable discrepancy between the models;
      in particular, layer 5 pyramidal neurons demonstrated asymmetry in the thresholds
      and action potential initiation sites in the anatomically realistic full-head
      model. Overall, the anatomically realistic full-head model may offer a better
      understanding of layer 5 pyramidal neuronal responses. Accordingly, the effects
      of using the realistic full-head model in SuCS are compelling in computational
      modeling studies, even though this modeling requires substantially more effort.

PMID- 27273818
TI  - Integration of Artificial Photosynthesis System for Enhanced Electronic Energy
      Transfer Efficacy: A Case Study for Solar-Energy Driven Bioconversion of Carbon
      Dioxide to Methanol.
AB  - Biocatalyzed artificial photosynthesis systems provide a promising strategy to
      store solar energy in a great variety of chemicals. However, the lack of direct
      interface between the light-capturing components and the oxidoreductase generally
      hinders the trafficking of the chemicals and photo-excited electrons into the
      active center of the redox biocatalysts. To address this problem, a completely
      integrated artificial photosynthesis system for enhanced electronic energy
      transfer efficacy is reported by combining co-axial electrospinning/electrospray
      and layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly. The biocatalysis part including multiple
      oxidoreductases and coenzymes NAD(H) was in situ encapsulated inside the lumen
      polyelectrolyte-doped hollow nanofibers or microcapsules fabricated via co-axial
      electrospinning/electrospray; while the precise and spatial arrangement of the
      photocatalysis part, including electron mediator and photosensitizer for photo
      regeneration of the coenzyme, was achieved by ion-exchange interaction-driven LbL
      self-assembly. The feasibility and advantages of this integrated artificial
      photosynthesis system is fully demonstrated by the catalyzed cascade reduction of
      CO2 to methanol by three dehydrogenases (formate, formaldehyde, and alcohol
      dehydrogenases), incorporating the photo-regeneration of NADH under visible-light
      irradiation. Compared to solution-based systems, the methanol yield increases
      from 35.6% to 90.6% using the integrated artificial photosynthesis. This work
      provides a novel platform for the efficient and sustained production of a broad
      range of chemicals and fuels from sunlight. 

PMID- 27273819
TI  - Intramolecular Tetrylene Lewis Adducts: Synthesis and Reactivity.
AB  - A series of benzyl(diphenylphosphino) and o-phenyl(diphenlyphosphino) substituted
      germylenes and plumbylenes were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution between
      the respective lithium reagent and tetrylene halide. The Lewis pairs were
      characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. The reactivity of
      the tetrylenes was investigated with respect to azide addition. In the germylene
      case, the germaniumimide was formed as the kinetically controlled product, which
      rearranges upon heating to give the phosphinimide. The stannylene and plumbylene
      derivatives react with adamantylazide to give the azide adducts. 1-Pentene reacts
      diastereoselectively with the phosphagermirane to give a cyclic addition product.
      Trimethysilylacetylene shows an addition with the benzylphosphino-substituted
      germylene and plumbylene to give the cycloheteropentene molecules. The addition
      product between phenylacetylene and the four membered Ge-P adduct shows after
      addition at room temperature a 1,4-phenylmigration to give a cyclic phosphine.
      Alkylnitrene insertion into a Ge-C bond of the alkyne addition product of the
      phosphagermirane was found in reaction with adamantylazide. 

PMID- 27273820
TI  - Cognitive impairment is independently associated with definitive and possible
      sarcopenia in hospitalized older adults: The prevalence and impact of
      comorbidities.
AB  - AIM: Older adults often present with several comorbidities, including sarcopenia.
      However, the prevalence of sarcopenia and its associations with other
      comorbidities in hospitalized older adults are unknown. The present study aimed
      to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia, and its associations with other
      comorbidities in hospitalized older adults. METHODS: The present cross-sectional
      study included 619 patients admitted to a geriatric hospital. The prevalence of
      comorbidities in the presence and absence of sarcopenia, nutritional status
      (according to body mass index and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form),
      and activities of daily living (according to the Barthel Index) were assessed.
      Sarcopenia was defined as skeletal muscle loss evaluated by both bioelectrical
      impedance and handgrip strength analyses. RESULTS: Of the 619 participants (mean
      age 83.0 +/- 8.2 years), 417 (67.4%) and 87 (14.1%) had definitive and possible
      sarcopenia, respectively. The prevalence rates of cognitive impairment and stroke
      were significantly higher in patients with definitive sarcopenia and those with
      possible sarcopenia than in those without sarcopenia (cognitive impairment 54.4%,
      70.1% and 20.9%, respectively, P < 0.001; stroke 31.2%, 48.3% and 19.1%,
      respectively, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that
      cognitive impairment was independently associated with sarcopenia after adjusting
      for age, sex, the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form score, Barthel Index and
      primary disease (adjusted odds ratio 1.98, 95% confidence interval 1.06-3.71; P =
      0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia might be highly prevalent among hospitalized
      older adults. Furthermore, cognitive impairment might be an independent
      explanatory variable of sarcopenia. Therefore, further studies on sarcopenia in
      patients with cognitive impairment are warranted. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17:
      1048-1056.

PMID- 27273821
TI  - Spirometer guided chest imaging in children: It is worth the effort!
AB  - PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are
      used to assess and monitor several pediatric lung diseases. It is well recognized
      that lung volume at the moment of acquisition has a major impact on the
      appearance of lung parenchyma and airways. Importantly, the sensitivity of chest
      CT and MRI to detect bronchiectasis and gas trapping is highly dependent on
      adequate volume control during the image acquisition. This paper describes a
      feasible method to obtain accurate control of lung volume during chest imaging in
      pediatric patients with lung disease. PROCEDURE: A procedure to obtain maximal
      respiratory manoeuvres with spirometry guidance during image acquisition for CT
      and MRI is described. This procedure requires training of the subject, an MRI
      compatible spirometer and close collaboration between a lung function scientist
      and the radiographer. A good to excellent target volume level for the inspiratory
      or expiratory scan can be achieved in around 90% of children. An important
      condition for this success rate is the training of the subject, executed prior to
      each chest CT or MRI, and instructions by the lung function scientist during the
      chest CT. CONCLUSION: Implementing lung volume guidance with a spirometer is an
      important and feasible step to standardize chest imaging and to optimize the
      diagnostic yield of chest CT and MRI in children with lung disease. Training and
      the collaborative effort by a lung function scientist and radiographer is the key
      factor for success of this procedure. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:48-56. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273823
TI  - Immunohistochemical distinction of metastases of renal cell carcinoma with
      molecular analysis of overexpression of the chemokines CXCR2 and CXCR3 as
      independent positive prognostic factors for the tumorigenesis.
AB  - Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents, on average, over 90% of all malignancies
      of the kidney that occur in adults in both sexes. Chemokine receptors expression
      has been found in many kinds of cancer and at tumor metastasis site. We
      determined CXCR2 and CXCR3 expression in RCC by immunohistochemistry method and
      analyzed the prognostic value of these markers. Our finding demonstrated that
      CXCR3 were highly overexpressed in renal cancer tissues compared with those
      adjacent normal kidney tissues (P < 0.001). The results showed that high
      expression of CXCR3 was markedly correlated with metastasis (P = 0.021) and tumor
      stage (P = 0.031). CXCR2 were overexpressed in renal cancer tissues compared with
      those adjacent normal kidney tissues (P < 0.001). Our result showed that CXCR2
      expression was correlated with high grade (P = 0.024), advanced stage (P = 0.029)
      and metastasis (P = 0.018). The log-rank test revealed that high CXCR2 and CXCR3
      expressions are related to poorer overall survival (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). In
      conclusion, this study indicates the correlation of CXCR3 and CXCR3 with
      progression of RCC. In addition, high CXCR3 andCXCR2 expressions were correlated
      with shorter overall survival. (c) 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(8):629-633, 2016.

PMID- 27273824
TI  - How Can Vaccines Contribute to Solving the Antimicrobial Resistance Problem?
AB  - There is a growing appreciation for the role of vaccines in confronting the
      problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Vaccines can reduce the prevalence of
      resistance by reducing the need for antimicrobial use and can reduce its impact
      by reducing the total number of cases. By reducing the number of pathogens that
      may be responsible for a particular clinical syndrome, vaccines can permit the
      use of narrower-spectrum antibiotics for empirical therapy. These effects may be
      amplified by herd immunity, extending protection to unvaccinated persons in the
      population. Because much selection for resistance is due to selection on
      bystander members of the normal flora, vaccination can reduce pressure for
      resistance even in pathogens not included in the vaccine. Some vaccines have had
      disproportionate effects on drug-resistant lineages within the target species, a
      benefit that could be more deliberately exploited in vaccine design. We describe
      the effects of current vaccines in controlling AMR, survey some vaccines in
      development with the potential to do so further, and discuss strategies to
      amplify these benefits. We conclude with a discussion of research and policy
      priorities to more fully enlist vaccines in the battle against AMR.

PMID- 27273822
TI  - Ecology of aspergillosis: insights into the pathogenic potency of Aspergillus
      fumigatus and some other Aspergillus species.
AB  - Fungi of the genus Aspergillus are widespread in the environment. Some
      Aspergillus species, most commonly Aspergillus fumigatus, may lead to a variety
      of allergic reactions and life-threatening systemic infections in humans.
      Invasive aspergillosis occurs primarily in patients with severe immunodeficiency,
      and has dramatically increased in recent years. There are several factors at play
      that contribute to aspergillosis, including both fungus and host-related factors
      such as strain virulence and host pulmonary structure/immune status,
      respectively. The environmental tenacity of Aspergilllus, its dominance in
      diverse microbial communities/habitats, and its ability to navigate the
      ecophysiological and biophysical challenges of host infection are attributable,
      in large part, to a robust stress-tolerance biology and exceptional capacity to
      generate cell-available energy. Aspects of its stress metabolism, ecology,
      interactions with diverse animal hosts, clinical presentations and treatment
      regimens have been well-studied over the past years. Here, we synthesize these
      findings in relation to the way in which some Aspergillus species have become
      successful opportunistic pathogens of human- and other animal hosts. We focus on
      the biophysical capabilities of Aspergillus pathogens, key aspects of their
      ecophysiology and the flexibility to undergo a sexual cycle or form cryptic
      species. Additionally, recent advances in diagnosis of the disease are discussed
      as well as implications in relation to questions that have yet to be resolved.

PMID- 27273826
TI  - History Leaves Its Mark on Soil Bacterial Diversity.
AB  - Dispersal is closely tied to the origin and maintenance of microbial diversity.
      With its focus on a narrow group of soil bacteria, recent work by Andam and
      colleagues on Streptomyces has provided perhaps the strongest support so far that
      some bacterial diversity in soils can be attributed to regional endemism (C. P.
      Andam et al., mBio 7:e02200-15, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mBio.02200-15).
      This means that dispersal is limited enough to allow for evolutionary
      diversification. Further analyses suggest that signatures of climate conditions
      more than 10,000 years ago can be detected in contemporary populations of this
      genus. These legacies have implications for how future climate change might alter
      soil microbial diversity.

PMID- 27273825
TI  - Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein II Compromises Brain Endothelial
      Barriers and May Promote Cerebral Malaria Pathogenesis.
AB  - Cerebral malaria (CM) is a disease of the vascular endothelium caused by
      Plasmodium falciparum It is characterized by parasite sequestration, inflammatory
      cytokine production, and vascular leakage. A distinguishing feature of P.
      falciparum infection is parasite production and secretion of histidine-rich
      protein II (HRPII). Plasma HRPII is a diagnostic and prognostic marker for
      falciparum malaria. We demonstrate that disruption of a human cerebral
      microvascular endothelial barrier by P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes depends
      on expression of HRPII. Purified recombinant or native HRPII can recapitulate
      these effects. HRPII action occurs via activation of the inflammasome, resulting
      in decreased integrity of tight junctions and increased endothelial permeability.
      We propose that HRPII is a virulence factor that may contribute to cerebral
      malaria by compromising endothelial barrier integrity within the central nervous
      system. IMPORTANCE: Cerebral malaria is a devastating disease. Patients have high
      levels of the protein HRPII in their blood. We have found that endothelial cell
      barriers become leaky when treated with concentrations of HRPII similar to those
      found in patients. This result suggests that HRPII may be important in cerebral
      malaria. Our finding that HRPII functions by causing inflammation suggests points
      of intervention for therapy or vaccination against this disease.

PMID- 27273827
TI  - The Prevalence of Inappropriate Image Duplication in Biomedical Research
      Publications.
AB  - Inaccurate data in scientific papers can result from honest error or intentional
      falsification. This study attempted to determine the percentage of published
      papers that contain inappropriate image duplication, a specific type of
      inaccurate data. The images from a total of 20,621 papers published in 40
      scientific journals from 1995 to 2014 were visually screened. Overall, 3.8% of
      published papers contained problematic figures, with at least half exhibiting
      features suggestive of deliberate manipulation. The prevalence of papers with
      problematic images has risen markedly during the past decade. Additional papers
      written by authors of papers with problematic images had an increased likelihood
      of containing problematic images as well. As this analysis focused only on one
      type of data, it is likely that the actual prevalence of inaccurate data in the
      published literature is higher. The marked variation in the frequency of
      problematic images among journals suggests that journal practices, such as
      prepublication image screening, influence the quality of the scientific
      literature.

PMID- 27273828
TI  - Exocytosis of Alphaherpesvirus Virions, Light Particles, and Glycoproteins Uses
      Constitutive Secretory Mechanisms.
AB  - Many molecular and cell biological details of the alphaherpesvirus assembly and
      egress pathway remain unclear. Recently we developed a live-cell fluorescence
      microscopy assay of pseudorabies virus (PRV) exocytosis, based on total internal
      reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and a virus-encoded pH-sensitive
      fluorescent probe. Here, we use this assay to distinguish three classes of viral
      exocytosis in a nonpolarized cell type: (i) trafficking of viral glycoproteins to
      the plasma membrane, (ii) exocytosis of viral light particles, and (iii)
      exocytosis of virions. We find that viral glycoproteins traffic to the cell
      surface in association with constitutive secretory Rab GTPases and exhibit free
      diffusion into the plasma membrane after exocytosis. Similarly, both virions and
      light particles use these same constitutive secretory mechanisms for egress from
      infected cells. Furthermore, we show that viral light particles are distinct from
      cellular exosomes. Together, these observations shed light on viral glycoprotein
      trafficking steps that precede virus particle assembly and reinforce the idea
      that virions and light particles share a biogenesis and trafficking pathway.
      IMPORTANCE: The alphaherpesviruses, including the important human pathogens
      herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), are
      among the few viruses that have evolved to exploit the mammalian nervous system.
      These viruses typically cause mild recurrent herpetic or zosteriform lesions but
      can also cause debilitating herpes encephalitis, more frequently in very young,
      old, immunocompromised, or nonnatural hosts. Importantly, many of the molecular
      and cellular mechanisms of viral assembly and egress remain unclear. This study
      addresses the trafficking of viral glycoproteins to the plasma membrane,
      exocytosis of light particles, and exocytosis of virions. Trafficking of
      glycoproteins affects immune evasion and pathogenesis and may precede virus
      particle assembly. The release of light particles may also contribute to immune
      evasion and pathogenesis. Finally, exocytosis of virions is important to
      understand, as this final step in the virus replication cycle produces infectious
      extracellular particles capable of spreading to the next round of host cells.

PMID- 27273830
TI  - PBX3 is a putative biomarker of aggressive prostate cancer.
AB  - There is a great need to identify new and better prognostic and predictive
      biomarkers to stratify prostate cancer patients for optimal treatment. The aims
      of this study were to characterize the expression profile of pre-B cell leukemia
      homeobox (PBX) transcription factors in prostate cancer with an emphasis on
      investigating whether PBX3 harbours any prognostic value. The expression profile
      of PBX3 and PBX1 in prostate tissue was determined by immunohistochemical and
      immunoblot analysis. Furthermore, the expression of PBX3 transcript variants was
      analyzed by RT-PCR, NanoString Technologies(r), and by analyzing RNA sequence
      data. The potential of PBX3 to predict prognosis, either at mRNA or protein
      level, was studied in four independent cohorts. PBX3 was mainly expressed in the
      nucleus of normal prostate basal cells, while it showed cytosolic expression in
      prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer cells. We detected four PBX3
      transcript variants in prostate tissue. Competing risk regression analysis
      revealed that high PBX3 expression was associated with slower progression to
      castration resistant prostate cancer (sub-hazard ratio (SHR) 0.18, 95% CI: 0.081
      0.42, p values < 0.001). PBX3 expression had a high predictive accuracy (area
      under the curve (AUC) = 0.82) when combined with Gleason score and age. Patients
      undergoing radical prostatectomy, with high levels of PBX3 mRNA, had improved
      prostate cancer specific survival compared to patients expressing low levels (SHR
      0.21, 95% CI: 0.46-0.93, p values < 0.001, and AUC = 0.75). Our findings strongly
      indicate that PBX3 has potential as a biomarker, both as part of a larger gene
      panel and as an immunohistochemical marker, for aggressive prostate cancer.

PMID- 27273831
TI  - The Effect of Perfusate Volume on Amikacin Concentration in the
      Metacarpophalangeal Joint Following Cephalic Regional Limb Perfusion in Standing
      Horses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of 3 perfusate volumes on amikacin
      concentration in the metacarpophalangeal joint following cephalic regional limb
      perfusion (RLP) in standing horses. ANIMALS: Seven healthy horses. METHODS: Three
      perfusate volumes (100, 60, and 30 mL), containing 2 grams of amikacin, were
      tested during intravenous RLP at the cephalic vein, placing the tourniquet at mid
      antebrachium, in standing sedated horses. Synovial fluid was collected from the
      metacarpophalangeal joint before perfusion and at 30 and 120 minutes after
      perfusion. Serum samples were taken from the jugular vein at the same time
      points. Samples were analyzed for amikacin concentrations and a repeated measures
      ANOVA, followed by least squares difference pairwise comparisons to identify
      differences in amikacin concentration across perfusate volumes. Differences were
      considered significant at P<.05. RESULTS: The mean amikacin concentration in
      synovial fluid at 30 minutes after perfusion was significantly higher following
      perfusate volume of 100 mL (579 MUg/mL), compared to volumes of 60 mL (227
      MUg/mL) or 30 mL (282 MUg/mL) (P<.05). When a threshold of 160 MUg/mL was used,
      more horses reached the synovial therapeutic threshold following perfusate volume
      of 100 mL (100%), than horses receiving 60 mL (43%) and 30 mL (57%) at 30 minutes
      after injection. CONCLUSION: The use of 100 mL volume for RLP at the cephalic
      vein in standing horses resulted in higher concentration of amikacin in the
      synovial fluid and is recommended for use in clinical cases.

PMID- 27273829
TI  - Bacterial Adrenergic Sensors Regulate Virulence of Enteric Pathogens in the Gut.
AB  - Enteric pathogens such as enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and
      Citrobacter rodentium, which is largely used as a surrogate EHEC model for murine
      infections, are exposed to several host neurotransmitters in the gut. An
      important chemical exchange within the gut involves the neurotransmitters
      epinephrine and/or norepinephrine, extensively reported to increase virulence
      gene expression in EHEC, acting through two bacterial adrenergic sensors: QseC
      and QseE. However, EHEC is unable to establish itself and cause its hallmark
      lesions, attaching and effacing (AE) lesions, on murine enterocytes. To address
      the role of these neurotransmitters during enteric infection, we employed C.
      rodentium Both EHEC and C. rodentium harbor the locus of enterocyte effacement
      (LEE) that is necessary for AE lesion formation. Here we show that expression of
      the LEE, as well as that of other virulence genes in C. rodentium, is also
      activated by epinephrine and/or norepinephrine. Both QseC and QseE are required
      for LEE gene activation in C. rodentium, and the qseC and qseE mutants are
      attenuated for murine infection. C. rodentium has a decreased ability to colonize
      dopamine beta-hydroxylase knockout (Dbh(-/-)) mice, which do not produce
      epinephrine and norepinephrine. Both adrenergic sensors are required for C.
      rodentium to sense these neurotransmitters and activate the LEE genes during
      infection. These data indicate that epinephrine and norepinephrine are sensed by
      bacterial adrenergic receptors during enteric infection to promote activation of
      their virulence repertoire. This is the first report of the role of these
      neurotransmitters during mammalian gastrointestinal (GI) infection by a
      noninvasive pathogen. IMPORTANCE: The epinephrine and norepinephrine
      neurotransmitters play important roles in gut physiology and motility. Of note,
      epinephrine and norepinephrine play a central role in stress responses in
      mammals, and stress has profound effects on GI function. Bacterial enteric
      pathogens exploit these neurotransmitters as signals to coordinate the regulation
      of their virulence genes. The bacterial QseC and QseE adrenergic sensors are at
      the center of this regulatory cascade. C. rodentium is a noninvasive murine
      pathogen with a colonization mechanism similar to that of EHEC, enabling the
      investigation of host signals in mice. The presence of these neurotransmitters in
      the gut is necessary for C. rodentium to fully activate its virulence program, in
      a QseC/QseE-dependent manner, to successfully colonize its murine host. Our study
      data provide the first example of epinephrine and norepinephrine signaling within
      the gut to stimulate infection by a bacterial pathogen in a natural animal
      infection.

PMID- 27273832
TI  - Overexpression of SepJ alters septal morphology and heterocyst pattern regulated
      by diffusible signals in Anabaena.
AB  - Filamentous, N2 -fixing, heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria grow as chains of cells
      that are connected by septal junctions. In the model organism Anabaena sp. strain
      PCC 7120, the septal protein SepJ is required for filament integrity, normal
      intercellular molecular exchange, heterocyst differentiation, and diazotrophic
      growth. An Anabaena strain overexpressing SepJ made wider septa between
      vegetative cells than the wild type, which correlated with a more spread location
      of SepJ in the septa as observed with a SepJ-GFP fusion, and contained an
      increased number of nanopores, the septal peptidoglycan perforations that likely
      accommodate septal junctions. The septa between heterocysts and vegetative cells,
      which are narrow in wild-type Anabaena, were notably enlarged in the SepJ
      overexpressing mutant. Intercellular molecular exchange tested with fluorescent
      tracers was increased for the SepJ-overexpressing strain specifically in the case
      of calcein transfer between vegetative cells and heterocysts. These results
      support an association between calcein transfer, SepJ-related septal junctions,
      and septal peptidoglycan nanopores. Under nitrogen deprivation, the SepJ
      overexpressing strain produced an increased number of contiguous heterocysts but
      a decreased percentage of total heterocysts. These effects were lost or altered
      in patS and hetN mutant backgrounds, supporting a role of SepJ in the
      intercellular transfer of regulatory signals for heterocyst differentiation.

PMID- 27273833
TI  - Structural Manipulation of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridine Nitrone Complexes to
      Generate Phosphorogenic Bioorthogonal Reagents for Selective Cellular Labeling.
AB  - We report a new class of ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes functionalized with
      a nitrone group as phosphorogenic bioorthogonal probes. These complexes were very
      weakly emissive owing to rapid C=N isomerization of the nitrone moiety, but
      exhibited significant emission enhancement upon strain-promoted alkyne-nitrone
      cycloaddition (SPANC) reaction with bicyclo[6.1.0]nonyne (BCN)-modified
      substrates. The modification of nitrone with a dicationic ruthenium(II)
      polypyridine unit at the alpha-C-position and a phenyl ring at the N-position led
      to remarkably accelerated reaction kinetics, which are substantially greater (up
      to ~278 fold) than those of other acyclic nitrone-BCN systems. Interestingly, the
      complexes achieved specific cell membrane/cytosol staining upon specific labeling
      of an exogenous substrate, BCN-modified decane (BCN-C10), in live cells.
      Importantly, the in situ generation of the more lipophilic isoxazoline adduct in
      the cytoplasm resulted in increased cytotoxicity, highlighting a novel approach
      to apply the SPANC labeling technique in drug activation. 

PMID- 27273834
TI  - Oxytocin receptor dynamics in the brain across development and species.
AB  - Oxytocin (OXT) signaling through the OXT receptor plays a significant role in a
      variety of physiological processes throughout the lifespan. OXT's effects depend
      on the tissue distribution of the receptor. This tissue specificity is dynamic
      and changes across development, and also varies with sex, experience, and
      species. The purpose of this review is to highlight these themes with examples
      from several life stages and several species. Important knowledge gaps will also
      be emphasized. Understanding the effective sites of action for OXT via its
      receptor will help refine hypotheses about the roles of this important
      neuropeptide in the experience-dependent development and expression of species
      typical social behavior. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77:
      143-157, 2017.

PMID- 27273835
TI  - Estimation of sweat rates during cycling exercise by means of the closed chamber
      condenser technology.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Knowledge of local sweating patterns is of importance in
      occupational and exercise physiology settings. The recently developed closed
      chamber condenser technology (Biox Aquaflux(r) ) allows the measurement of
      evaporative skin water loss with a greater measurement capacity (up to 1325
      g/h/m2 ) compared to traditional evaporimeters. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the applicability of the Biox Aquaflux(r) to estimate sweat production
      during exercise. METHODS: Fourteen healthy subjects performed a 20-min cycle
      ergometer trial at respectively 55% heart rate (HRreserve and 75% HRreserve .
      Sweat production was estimated by measuring body weight before and after
      exercise, by calculating the amount of sweat collected in a patch, and by
      measuring the water flux (in g/h/m2 ) with the Biox Aquaflux(r) instrument.
      RESULTS: The Biox Aquaflux(r) instrument allowed the follow up of sweat kinetics
      at both intensities. Correlations between the measurement methods were all
      significant for the 75% HRreserve trial (with r ranging from 0.68 to 0.76) whilst
      for the 55% HRreserve a significant relation was detected between the patch
      method and the Biox Aquaflux(r) only (with r ranging from 0.41 to 0.79).
      CONCLUSION: The Biox Aquaflux(r) instrument is a practical and direct method for
      the estimation of local sweat rates under field conditions.

PMID- 27273837
TI  - Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a child harboring a founder Hirschsprung
      RET mutation.
AB  - Chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction (CIPO) is a rare clinical entity
      characterized by symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction without either
      recognizable anatomical abnormalities or intestinal aganglionosis. A Chinese
      female infant presented to our institution with a clinical diagnosis of CIPO.
      Aganglionosis was ruled out by full thickness colonic and ileal biopsies and by
      rectal suction biopsies. Unexpectedly, direct sequencing and PCR amplification of
      RET proto-oncogene from peripheral blood extracted DNA identified a RET R114H
      mutation. This mutation has already been reported as strongly associated with
      Asian patients affected by Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) and is considered a
      founder mutation in Asia. The same mutation has never been reported in patients
      with CIPO, so far. These findings support the role of RET in the development of
      the enteric nervous system but underline the importance of other genetic or
      environmental factors contributing to the gastrointestinal phenotype of the
      disease. Somehow, this RET R114H mutation proved to have a role in the etiology
      of both CIPO and HSCR and could contribute to a more diffuse imbalance of gut
      dysmotility. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273836
TI  - Noninvasive Imaging of CCR2+ Cells in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury After Lung
      Transplantation.
AB  - Ischemia-reperfusion injury-mediated primary graft dysfunction substantially
      hampers short- and long-term outcomes after lung transplantation. This condition
      continues to be diagnosed based on oxygen exchange parameters as well as
      radiological appearance, and therapeutic strategies are mostly supportive in
      nature. Identifying patients who may benefit from targeted therapy would
      therefore be highly desirable. Here, we show that C-C chemokine receptor type 2
      (CCR2) expression in murine lung transplant recipients promotes monocyte
      infiltration into pulmonary grafts and mediates graft dysfunction. We have
      developed new positron emission tomography imaging agents using a CCR2 binding
      peptide, ECLi1, that can be used to monitor inflammatory responses after organ
      transplantation. Both 64 Cu-radiolabeled ECL1i peptide radiotracer (64 Cu-DOTA
      ECL1i) and ECL1i-conjugated gold nanoclusters doped with 64 Cu (64 CuAuNCs-ECL1i)
      showed specific detection of CCR2, which is upregulated during ischemia
      reperfusion injury after lung transplantation. Due to its fast pharmacokinetics,
      64 Cu-DOTA-ECL1i functioned efficiently for rapid and serial imaging of CCR2. The
      multivalent 64 CuAuNCs-ECL1i with extended pharmacokinetics is favored for long
      term CCR2 detection and potential targeted theranostics. This imaging may be
      applicable for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes for many immune-mediated
      diseases.

PMID- 27273838
TI  - Febuxostat for Patients With Gout and Severe Chronic Kidney Disease: Which Is the
      Appropriate Dosage? Comment on the Article by Saag et al.

PMID- 27273841
TI  - Editorial: Translating the advances of biosensors from bench to bedside.
AB  - Biosensors have been found with numerous applications in many areas including
      genetic analysis, detection of infectious diseases, environmental monitoring and
      forensic analysis. We have witnessed rapid advances in this field, especially
      with the emergence of nanotechnology in the past decade. 

PMID- 27273839
TI  - Effect of Pictorial Cigarette Pack Warnings on Changes in Smoking Behavior: A
      Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Pictorial warnings on cigarette packs draw attention and increase
      quit intentions, but their effect on smoking behavior remains uncertain.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of adding pictorial warnings to the front and
      back of cigarette packs. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This 4-week between
      participant randomized clinical trial was carried out in California and North
      Carolina. We recruited a convenience sample of adult cigarette smokers from the
      general population beginning September 2014 through August 2015. Of 2149 smokers
      who enrolled, 88% completed the trial. No participants withdrew owing to adverse
      events. INTERVENTIONS: We randomly assigned participants to receive on their
      cigarette packs for 4 weeks either text-only warnings (one of the Surgeon
      General's warnings currently in use in the United States on the side of the
      cigarette packs) or pictorial warnings (one of the Family Smoking Prevention and
      Tobacco Control Act's required text warnings and pictures that showed harms of
      smoking on the top half of the front and back of the cigarette packs). MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary trial outcome was attempting to quit smoking
      during the study. We hypothesized that smokers randomized to receive pictorial
      warnings would be more likely to report a quit attempt during the study than
      smokers randomized to receive a text-only Surgeon General's warning. RESULTS: Of
      the 2149 participants who began the trial (1039 men, 1060 women, and 34
      transgender people; mean [SD] age, 39.7 [13.4] years for text-only warning, 39.8
      [13.7] for pictorial warnings), 1901 completed it. In intent-to-treat analyses (n
      = 2149), smokers whose packs had pictorial warnings were more likely than those
      whose packs had text-only warnings to attempt to quit smoking during the 4-week
      trial (40% vs 34%; odds ratio [OR], 1.29; 95% CI, 1.09-1.54). The findings did
      not differ across any demographic groups. Having quit smoking for at least the 7
      days prior to the end of the trial was more common among smokers who received
      pictorial than those who received text-only warnings (5.7% vs 3.8%; OR, 1.53; 95%
      CI, 1.02-2.29). Pictorial warnings also increased forgoing a cigarette,
      intentions to quit smoking, negative emotional reactions, thinking about the
      harms of smoking, and conversations about quitting. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Pictorial warnings effectively increased intentions to quit, forgoing cigarettes,
      quit attempts, and successfully quitting smoking over 4 weeks. Our trial findings
      suggest that implementing pictorial warnings on cigarette packs in the United
      States would discourage smoking. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov
      Identifier: NCT02247908.

PMID- 27273842
TI  - ACB2015: Biotechnology and bioeconomy for sustainable future.

PMID- 27273844
TI  - Effect of Nutrient Availability on Progenitor Cells in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio).
AB  - In zebrafish brains, populations of continuously proliferating cells are present
      during an entire life span. Under normal conditions, stem cells give rise to
      rapidly proliferating progenitors that quickly exit the cell cycle and
      differentiate. Hence fish are favorable models to study what regulates
      postembryonic neurogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine if optic
      tectum (OT) cell proliferation is halted during nutritional deprivation (ND) and
      whether or not it can be restored with refeeding. We examined the effect of ND on
      the proliferation of Neuroepithelial/Ependymal Progenitor cell (NeEPC) and
      transitory-amplifying progenitors (TAPs). Following ND, no PCNA immunostaining
      was found in OT of starved fish, while positive cell populations of PCNA positive
      progenitors are found at its periphery in control fish. This indicated that
      active proliferation stopped. To label retaining progenitor cells, BrdU was
      applied and a chase-period was accompanied by ND. Positive NeEPCs were detected
      in the external tectum marginal zone of starved fish suggesting that these
      progenitors are relatively immune to ND. Moreover in the internal tectum marginal
      zone labeled retaining cells were observed leaving the possibility that some
      arrested TAPs were present to readily restart proliferation when nutrition was
      returned. Our results suggest that neurogenesis was maintained during ND and that
      a normal proliferative situation was recovered after refeeding. We point to the
      mTOR pathway as a necessary pathway in progenitors to regulate their mitosis
      activity. Thus, this study highlights mechanisms involved in neural stem and
      progenitor cell homeostatic maintenance in an adverse situation. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 26-38, 2017.

PMID- 27273843
TI  - 'PrEP is not ready for our community, and our community is not ready for PrEP':
      pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV for people who inject drugs and limits to the
      HIV prevention response.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, or 'PrEP', is the use of
      antiretroviral medicines by people who are HIV-negative to protect themselves
      against acquiring HIV. PrEP has shown efficacy for preventing HIV acquisition.
      Despite the potential, many concerns have been voiced by people who inject drugs
      (PWID) and their organizations. There is a need to engage with these views and
      ensure their integration in to policy and strategy. This paper presents PWID
      views on PrEP to foster the uptake of these opinions into scientific and policy
      debate around PrEP METHODS: Critical analysis of a report of a community
      consultation led by the International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD).
      RESULTS: The INPUD report highlights enthusiasm from PWID for PrEP, but also
      three main concerns: the feasibility and ethics of PrEP, its potential use as a
      substitute for other harm reduction strategies and how a focus on PrEP heralds a
      re-medicalization of HIV. Each concern relates to evidenced gaps in essential
      services or opposition to harm reduction and PWID human rights. CONCLUSIONS:
      People who use drugs have fundamental concerns about the potential impacts of pre
      exposure prophylaxis for HIV which reflect a 'fault line' in HIV prevention: a
      predominance of biomedical approaches over community perspectives. Greater
      community engagement in HIV prevention strategy is needed, or we risk continuing
      to ignore the need for action on the underlying structural drivers and social
      context of the HIV epidemic.

PMID- 27273845
TI  - Estimated or Measured GFR in Living Kidney Donors Work-up?
AB  - The value of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in living kidney donors
      screening is unclear. A recently published web-based application derived from
      large cohorts, but not living donors, calculates the probability of a measured
      GFR (mGFR) lower than a determined threshold. Our objectives were to validate the
      clinical utility of this tool in a cohort of living donors and to test two other
      strategies based on chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI)
      and on MDRD-eGFR. GFR was measured using 51 Cr- ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid
      urinary clearance in 311 potential living kidney donors (178 women, mean age 50
      +/- 11.6 years). The web-based tool was used to predict those with mGFR < 80
      mL/min/1.73 m2 . Inputs to the application were sex, age, ethnicity, and plasma
      creatinine. In our cohort, a web-based probability of mGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m2
      higher than 2% had 100% sensitivity for detection of actual mGFR <80 mL/min/1.73
      m2 . The positive predictive value was 0.19. A CKD-EPI-eGFR threshold of 104
      mL/min/1.73 m2 and an MDRD-eGFR threshold of 100 mL/min/1.73 m2 had 100%
      sensitivity to detect donors with actual mGFR <80 mL/min/1.73 m2 . We obtained
      similar results in an external cohort of 354 living donors. We confirm the
      usefulness of the web-based application to identify potential donors who should
      benefit from GFR measurement.

PMID- 27273846
TI  - Urorectal septum malformation sequence-Fetal series with the description of a new
      "intermediate" variant. Time to refine the terminology?

PMID- 27273847
TI  - Model biases in rice phenology under warmer climates.
AB  - Climate-induced crop yields model projections are constrained by the accuracy of
      the phenology simulation in crop models. Here, we use phenology observations from
      775 trials with 19 rice cultivars in 5 Asian countries to compare the performance
      of four rice phenology models (growing-degree-day (GDD), exponential, beta and
      bilinear models) when applied to warmer climates. For a given cultivar, the
      difference in growing season temperature (GST) varied between 2.2 and 8.2 
      degrees C in different trials, which allowed us to calibrate the models for lower
      GST and validate under higher GST, with three calibration experiments. The
      results show that in warmer climates the bilinear and beta phenology models
      resulted in gradually increasing bias for phenology predication and double yield
      bias per percent increase in phenology simulation bias, while the GDD and
      exponential models maintained a comparatively constant bias. The phenology biases
      were primarily attributed to varying phenological patterns to temperature in
      models, rather than on the size of the calibration dataset. Additionally, results
      suggest that model simulations based on multiple cultivars provide better
      predictability than using one cultivar. Therefore, to accurately capture climate
      change impacts on rice phenology, we recommend simulations based on multiple
      cultivars using the GDD and exponential phenology models.

PMID- 27273848
TI  - Molecular determinants of prokaryotic voltage-gated sodium channels for
      recognition of local anesthetics.
AB  - Local anesthetics (LAs) inhibit mammalian voltage-gated Na(+) channels (Navs) and
      are thus clinically important. LAs also inhibit prokaryotic Navs (BacNavs), which
      have a simpler structure than mammalian Navs. To elucidate the detailed
      mechanisms of LA inhibition to BacNavs, we used NavBh, a BacNav from Bacillus
      halodurans, to analyze the interactions of several LAs and quaternary ammoniums
      (QAs). Based on the chemical similarity of QA with the tertiary-alkylamine (TAA)
      group of LAs, QAs were used to determine the residues required for the
      recognition of TAA by NavBh. We confirmed that two residues, Thr220 and Phe227,
      are important for LA binding; a methyl group of Thr220 is important for
      recognizing both QAs and LAs, whereas Phe227 is involved in holding blockers at
      the binding site. In addition, we found that NavBh holds blockers in a closed
      state, consistent with the large inner cavity observed in the crystal structures
      of BacNavs. These findings reveal the inhibition mechanism of LAs in NavBh, where
      the methyl group of Thr220 provides the main receptor site for the TAA group and
      the bulky phenyl group of Phe227 holds the blockers inside the large inner
      cavity. These two residues correspond to the two LA recognition residues in
      mammalian Navs, which suggests the relevance of the LA recognition between
      BacNavs and mammalian Navs.

PMID- 27273849
TI  - Brief Report: Late-Onset Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome Due to Myeloid
      Restricted Somatic NLRP3 Mosaicism.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Gain-of-function NLRP3 mutations cause cryopyrin-associated periodic
      syndrome (CAPS), with gene mosaicism playing a relevant role in the pathogenesis.
      This study was undertaken to characterize the genetic cause underlying late-onset
      but otherwise typical CAPS. METHODS: We studied a 64-year-old patient who
      presented with recurrent episodes of urticaria-like rash, fever, conjunctivitis,
      and oligoarthritis at age 56 years. DNA was extracted from both unfractionated
      blood and isolated leukocyte and CD34+ subpopulations. Genetic studies were
      performed using both the Sanger method of DNA sequencing and next-generation
      sequencing (NGS) methods. In vitro and ex vivo analyses were performed to
      determine the consequences that the presence of the variant have in the normal
      structure or function of the protein of the detected variant. RESULTS: NGS
      analyses revealed the novel p.Gln636Glu NLRP3 variant in unfractionated blood,
      with an allele frequency (18.4%) compatible with gene mosaicism. Sanger sequence
      chromatograms revealed a small peak corresponding to the variant allele. Amplicon
      based deep sequencing revealed somatic NLRP3 mosaicism restricted to myeloid
      cells (31.8% in monocytes, 24.6% in neutrophils, and 11.2% in circulating CD34+
      common myeloid progenitor cells) and its complete absence in lymphoid cells.
      Functional analyses confirmed the gain-of-function behavior of the gene variant
      and hyperactivity of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the patient. Treatment with
      anakinra resulted in good control of the disease. CONCLUSION: We identified the
      novel gain-of-function p.Gln636Glu NLRP3 mutation, which was detected as a
      somatic mutation restricted to myeloid cells, as the cause of late-onset but
      otherwise typical CAPS. Our results expand the diversity of CAPS toward milder
      phenotypes than previously reported, including those starting during adulthood.

PMID- 27273850
TI  - In vivo monitoring of topical therapy for acne with reflectance confocal
      microscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common disease of the pilosebaceous unit. The aim
      of the study was to evaluate compartment-specific treatment action through the
      microscopic non-invasive imaging of skin changes. METHODS: Mild-moderate acne
      patients, that were prescribed a topical anti-acne product, were followed by
      clinical and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) imaging every 14 days to 6
      weeks. Mean and standard deviation of the scores were analyzed for each time
      point. RESULTS: After 2 weeks, the RCM count of papules/pustules and the RCM
      scores of exocytosis and dermal inflammation, decreased substantially. After 4
      weeks, the RCM number of comedos was reduced. After 6 weeks, the number of
      regular follicles increased, while the infundibula with thickened bright border
      decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: The progressive reduction in the clinical
      scores was correlated with the improvement of the RCM parameters. RCM study of
      acne skin showed a different timing for inflammatory and hyperkeratotic
      components to achieve a significant reduction during topical therapy with the
      association of retinoid and antibacterial molecules. The microscopic changes
      observed showed the regularization of the skin and the improvement of acne
      related features. RCM may represent a useful tool for the objective assessment of
      treatment efficacy and individual response evaluation.

PMID- 27273853
TI  - The surgeon as a risk factor: the need for shared individual outcome reports and
      quality improvement strategies.

PMID- 27273851
TI  - Influence of Alcohol Consumption on the Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
      Among Women in the Nurses' Health Study Cohorts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Moderate alcohol consumption has antiinflammatory properties and is
      associated with reduced cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis risks. We
      investigated the association between alcohol consumption and systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE) risk among women followed in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS)
      cohorts. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort analysis among 204,055 women
      in NHS (1980-2012) and NHSII (1989-2011) who were free of connective tissue
      disease and provided alcohol information at baseline. Alcohol consumption was
      assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire every 2-4 years.
      We validated incident SLE through medical record review after self-report. Cox
      proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for SLE based on
      cumulative average alcohol intake, adjusting for potential confounders. Results
      were meta-analyzed using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models. We further
      investigated SLE risk associated with wine, beer, and liquor intake. RESULTS: We
      identified 125 incident SLE cases in NHS and 119 in NHSII. Mean +/- SD age at SLE
      diagnosis was 55.8 +/- 9.5 years in NHS and 43.4 +/- 7.7 years in NHSII. Compared
      to no alcohol intake, the meta-analyzed multivariable HR for cumulative alcohol
      consumption >=5 gm/day was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.41-0.89).
      When limiting alcohol exposure to >4 years prior to SLE diagnosis, the
      multivariable HR was similar: 0.61 (95% CI 0.41-0.91). Women who drank >=2
      servings/week of wine had significantly decreased SLE risk (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45
      0.96) compared to women who did not drink wine. CONCLUSION: In these large
      prospective cohorts, we demonstrated an inverse association between moderate
      alcohol consumption (>=5 grams or 0.5 drink/day) and SLE risk in women.

PMID- 27273855
TI  - A special look at Outcomes.

PMID- 27273854
TI  - Compliance with enhanced recovery after surgery criteria and preoperative and
      postoperative counselling reduces length of hospital stay in colorectal surgery:
      results of a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to compare patients treated
      using a multimodal approach [enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)], with a
      special focus on counselling, to patients treated in a standard conventional care
      pathway, who underwent elective colorectal resection. METHOD: In a single-centre
      trial, adult patients eligible for open or laparoscopic colorectal resection were
      randomized to an ERAS programme or standard care. The primary end-point was
      postoperative total hospital stay. Identical discharge criteria were defined for
      both treatment groups. Secondary end-points included postoperative complications,
      postoperative C-reactive protein levels, postoperative hospital stay, readmission
      rate and mortality. All parameters were recorded before operation, on the day of
      surgery and daily thereafter until discharge. RESULTS: Total hospital stay was
      significantly shorter among patients randomized to ERAS than among the standard
      group [median 5 days (range 2-50 days) vs median 8 days (range 2-48 days); P =
      0.001]. The two treatment groups exhibited similar outcomes regarding overall
      major and minor morbidity, reoperation rate, readmission rate and 30-day
      mortality. There were also no differences in tolerance of enteral nutrition or in
      the inflammatory response, as reflected by postoperative C-reactive protein
      levels. CONCLUSION: ERAS care was associated with a significantly shorter length
      of hospital stay. Without any difference in surgical or general complications,
      tolerance of enteral nutrition or postoperative C-reactive protein levels, peri
      operative information and guidance for ensuring that patients comply with the
      ERAS approach appear to be important factors to reduce the length of hospital
      stay.

PMID- 27273858
TI  - Asthma in adolescence: Is there any news?
AB  - Asthma is a chronic disease that has a significant impact quality of life, which
      is particularly important in adolescence. We will discuss aspects of
      epidemiology, the clinical spectrum, diagnostics, and management of asthma in
      adolescence. In particular, we will highlight the psychological implications of
      having asthma during this developmental period. Data published in the past 10
      years, since we last reviewed the subject, will be the main focus of this paper.
      The care of the teenager with asthma should take into account the rapid physical,
      emotional, cognitive, and social changes that occur during normal adolescence.
      The diagnostic process may be more difficult since teenagers tend to deny their
      illness. Thus, both under-diagnosis and under-assessment of asthma severity may
      lead to under-treatment and potentially avoidable morbidity and even mortality.
      Conversely, teenagers may be often misdiagnosed as having asthma or their asthma
      severity may be overestimated leading to inappropriate and sometimes excessive
      treatment. Educational programs, environmental avoidance measures, proper use of
      medications along with a skilled approach, and a caring attitude of health
      providers are all very important for successful management. Pediatr Pulmonol.
      2017;52:129-138. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273859
TI  - Directional Clustering of Slanted Nanopillars by Elastocapillarity.
AB  - The unidirectional clustering induced by capillary force of drying liquids
      between pillars is investigated and a theoretical model to set a criterion of the
      unidirectional clustering of the slanted nanopillars is proposed. 

PMID- 27273860
TI  - Prospective, open-label safety study of intravenous recombinant tissue
      plasminogen activator in wake-up stroke.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It is estimated that one of four ischemic strokes are noticed upon
      awakening and are not candidates for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen
      activator (rtPA) because their symptoms are >3 hours from last seen normal (LSN).
      We tested the safety of rtPA in a multicenter, single-arm, prospective, open
      label study (NCT01183533) in patients with wake-up stroke (WUS). METHODS: We
      aimed to enroll 40 WUS patients with disabling deficits. Patients were 18 to 80
      years of age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) <=25, and
      selected only on the appearance of noncontrast computed tomography (ie, over one
      third middle cerebral artery territory hypodensity). Standard-dose (0.9mg/kg)
      intravenous rtPA had to be started <=3 hours of patient awakening. The primary
      safety outcome was symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) with preplanned
      stopping rules and data safety board oversight. Other endpoints included:
      asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage; clinical improvement in NIHSS; and 90-day
      modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. RESULTS: Between October 2010 and October
      2013, all 40 preplanned patients were enrolled (50% men) at five stroke centers.
      Four patients (10%) were subsequently determined to be mimics. Patients had a
      mean age of 60.8, median NIHSS of 6.5 (range, 2-24), and received thrombolysis at
      a mean time of 10.3 +/- 2.6 LSN and 2.6 +/- 0.6 hours from awakening with
      deficits. No sICH or parenchymal hematomas occurred. At 3 months, 20 of 38
      (52.6%) patients achieved excellent recovery with mRS scores of 0 or 1 (2
      patients were lost to follow-up). INTERPRETATION: Intravenous thrombolysis was
      safe in this prospective WUS study of patients selected by noncontrast CT. A
      randomized effectiveness trial appears feasible using a similar, pragmatic
      design. Ann Neurol 2016;80:211-218.

PMID- 27273862
TI  - Multifunctional Nanoparticles Self-Assembled from Small Organic Building Blocks
      for Biomedicine.
AB  - Supramolecular self-assembly shows significant potential to construct responsive
      materials. By tailoring the structural parameters of organic building blocks,
      nanosystems can be fabricated, whose performance in catalysis, energy storage and
      conversion, and biomedicine has been explored. Since small organic building
      blocks are structurally simple, easily modified, and reproducible, they are
      frequently employed in supramolecular self-assembly and materials science. The
      dynamic and adaptive nature of self-assembled nanoarchitectures affords an
      enhanced sensitivity to the changes in environmental conditions, favoring their
      applications in controllable drug release and bioimaging. Here, recent
      significant research advancements of small-organic-molecule self-assembled
      nanoarchitectures toward biomedical applications are highlighted. Functionalized
      assemblies, mainly including vesicles, nanoparticles, and micelles are
      categorized according to their topological morphologies and functions. These
      nanoarchitectures with different topologies possess distinguishing advantages in
      biological applications, well incarnating the structure-property relationship. By
      presenting some important discoveries, three domains of these nanoarchitectures
      in biomedical research are covered, including biosensors, bioimaging, and
      controlled release/therapy. The strategies regarding how to design and
      characterize organic assemblies to exhibit biomedical applications are also
      discussed. Up-to-date research developments in the field are provided and
      research challenges to be overcome in future studies are revealed. 

PMID- 27273863
TI  - A pilot randomized clinical trial assessing the effect of cricoid pressure on
      risk of aspiration.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients at risk for microaspiration during elective intubation
      often receive cricoid pressure in the hopes of mitigating such risk. However,
      there is scarce evidence to either support or reject this practice. The objective
      of this investigation was to assess the effect of cricoid pressure on
      microaspiration and to inform the potential feasibility of conducting a larger,
      more definitive clinical trial. METHODS: This was a pilot randomized clinical
      trial set in the operating rooms of a tertiary referral hospital between August
      and October of 2014. Patients with risk factors for microaspiration (obesity,
      gastroesophageal reflux disease, or diabetes) were enrolled. The patients were
      randomized to either cricoid pressure or no cricoid pressure during induction of
      anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Immediately after intubation, a sample
      of lower airway secretions was collected and analyzed for pepsin A. MAIN RESULTS:
      A total of 95 patients were evaluated, randomized and completed the study
      protocol. 46 were randomized to cricoid pressure and 49 to no cricoid pressure.
      Seven patients crossed-over treatment arms. A total of 18 (19.6%) patients met
      the pre-defined criteria for microaspiration. In both the intention-to-treat and
      per-protocol analyses, there were no statistically significant differences in the
      rate of microaspiration [OR (95% CI)] = 1.39 (0.49-3.92) and 1.30 (0.44-3.86),
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing pepsin A as a biomarker of aspiration, this
      pilot clinical trial did not find evidence for a reduced rate of aspiration or
      adverse clinical events with the administration of cricoid pressure during
      elective endotracheal intubation of patients with risk factors for
      microaspiration.

PMID- 27273864
TI  - Neuronal Nogo-A in New-born Retinal Ganglion Cells: Implication for the Formation
      of the Age-related Fiber Order in the Optic Tract.
AB  - Nogo-A is highly expressed in oligodendrocytes in the adult central nervous
      system (CNS). Recently it was found that Nogo-A is also expressed in some
      neuronal types during development. Here, we examined the expression pattern of
      Nogo-A in both the retina and optic tract (OT) of mouse embryos from E12 to E15.
      After perturbation of its function in the OT for 5 hr in the brain slice culture
      system using a Nogo-A specific antibody or antagonist of its receptor (NEP1-40),
      the optic nerve fibers and growth cones were traced with DiI. We showed that most
      Tuj-1 positive new-born neurons at E12 were Nogo-A positive. At E15, retinal
      neurons reduced the Nogo-A expression. It was worth noting that some projecting
      axons expressed Nogo-A along the retinofugal pathway. On the basis of their
      specific locations within the superficial half of the OT and the colocalization
      with GAP-43 (a marker for the newly born growth cones and axons), we concluded
      that those Nogo-A positive axons were the newly arrived retinal fibers. Blocking
      the function of Nogo-A with Nogo-A antibody or NEP1-40 resulted in the shift of
      DiI labeled axons and growth cones from the superficial half to the whole depth
      of the OT. These results indicate that Nogo-A in the newly born retinal ganglion
      cells (RGCs) and their axons are involved in sorting out the newly arrived axons
      to the subpial region of the OT. Anat Rec, 299:1027-1036, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273865
TI  - KSR1 and EPHB4 Regulate Myc and PGC1beta To Promote Survival of Human Colon
      Tumors.
AB  - Identification and characterization of survival pathways active in tumor cells
      but absent in normal tissues provide opportunities to develop effective
      anticancer therapies with reduced toxicity to the patient. We show here that,
      like kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1), EPH (erythropoietin-producing
      hepatocellular carcinoma) receptor B4 (EPHB4) is aberrantly overexpressed in
      human colon tumor cell lines and selectively required for their survival. KSR1
      and EPHB4 support tumor cell survival by promoting the expression of downstream
      targets, Myc and the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor gamma coactivator 1beta (PGC1beta). While KSR1 promotes the
      aberrant expression of Myc and the PGC1beta protein via a posttranscriptional
      mechanism, EPHB4 has a greater effect on Myc and PGC1beta expression via its
      ability to elevate mRNA levels. Subsequent analysis of the posttranscriptional
      regulation demonstrated that KSR1 promotes the translation of Myc protein. These
      findings reveal novel KSR1- and EPHB4-dependent signaling pathways supporting the
      survival of colorectal cancer cells through regulation of Myc and PGC1beta,
      suggesting that inhibition of KSR1 or EPHB4 effectors may lead to selective
      toxicity in colorectal tumors.

PMID- 27273866
TI  - Coordinated Action of Nap1 and RSC in Disassembly of Tandem Nucleosomes.
AB  - The SWI/SNF and RSC family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers disassembles
      nucleosomes by moving nucleosomes into the vicinity of adjoining nucleosomes. We
      found that the histone chaperone Nap1 efficiently promotes disassembly of
      adjacent nucleosomes with which RSC collides and not the disassembly of
      nucleosomes mobilized by RSC. Nap1 is specific to RSC, as it does not target
      SWI/SNF, its paralog in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Extensive mutational analysis of
      Nap1 has revealed that Nap1 affinity for histones H2A-H2B and H3-H4 and its
      ability to displace histones from DNA are required for Nap1 to enhance RSC
      mediated disassembly. Other histone chaperones, such as Vps75, that also bind
      histones are not able to enhance RSC-mediated disassembly. Our study suggests a
      mechanism by which Nap1 is recruited to actively transcribed regions and assists
      in the passage of the transcription complex through chromatin, and it provides a
      novel mechanism for the coordinated action of RSC and Nap1.

PMID- 27273868
TI  - Antifungal therapy: drug-drug interactions at your fingertips-authors' response.

PMID- 27273870
TI  - A 26-Year-Old Woman With Asthma and Bilateral Ocular Swelling.

PMID- 27273871
TI  - Interactive anatomical and surgical live stream lectures improve students'
      academic performance in applied clinical anatomy.
AB  - Tuebingen's Sectio Chirurgica (TSC) is an innovative, interactive, multimedia,
      and transdisciplinary teaching method designed to complement dissection courses.
      The Tuebingen's Sectio Chirurgica (TSC) allows clinical anatomy to be taught via
      interactive live stream surgeries moderated by an anatomist. This method aims to
      provide an application-oriented approach to teaching anatomy that offers students
      a deeper learning experience. A cohort study was devised to determine whether
      students who participated in the TSC were better able to solve clinical
      application questions than students who did not participate. A total of 365
      students participated in the dissection course during the winter term of the
      2012/2013 academic year. The final examination contained 40 standard multiple
      choice (S-MC) and 20 clinically-applied multiple-choice (CA-MC) items. The CA-MC
      items referred to clinical cases but could be answered solely using anatomical
      knowledge. Students who regularly participated in the TSC answered the CA-MC
      questions significantly better than the control group (75% and 65%, respectively;
      P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). The groups exhibited no differences on the S-MC
      questions (85% and 82.5%, respectively; P > 0.05). The CA-MC questions had a
      slightly higher level of difficulty than the S-MC questions (0.725 and 0.801,
      respectively; P = 0.083). The discriminatory power of the items was comparable (S
      MC median Pearson correlations: 0.321; CA-MC: 0.283). The TSC successfully
      teaches the clinical application of anatomical knowledge. Students who attended
      the TSC in addition to the dissection course were able to answer CA-MC questions
      significantly better than students who did not attend the TSC. Thus, attending
      the TSC in addition to the dissection course supported students' clinical
      learning goals. Anat Sci Educ 10: 46-52. (c) 2016 American Association of
      Anatomists.

PMID- 27273872
TI  - Cancer risk of sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that oral hypoglycemic agents used in
      type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may affect cancer risk. Sulfonylureas (SUs) are
      the most frequently used antidiabetic medications for T2DM. Whether using SUs has
      any effect on cancer has received considerable attention. The aim of this study
      was to assess the effects of SUs on cancer risk in T2DM patients. METHODS:
      Published studies were identified in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Register of
      Clinical Studies, and ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for additional information
      to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and case-control
      studies. The abstracts and full text were screened, data collected, and the risk
      of bias assessed for each individual study. RESULTS: Seventy-seven studies (33
      RCTs, 27 cohort studies, and 17 case-control studies) were analyzed. The RCTs did
      not report a difference in the risk of malignant tumor between SU-treated T2DM
      patients and controls (odds ratio [OR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78
      1.18); cohort studies showed that cancer risk was higher in patients using SUs
      than metformin (relative risk 1.60 [95%CI 1.37-1.87]; adjusted hazard ratio 1.13
      [95%CI 1.06-1.19]), and case-control studies suggested a trend for increased
      cancer risk in those using SUs compared with non-SU users (adjusted OR 1.13;
      95%CI 0.93-1.37). CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence clearly shows that SUs can
      significantly increase the risk of cancer compared with metformin. Although the
      evidence suggests the possibility that SU users may have a higher risk of cancer
      than those using alternative medications in addition to metformin, it remains
      inadequate to enable definitive conclusions to be drawn.

PMID- 27273869
TI  - 2016 Comprehensive Update of the Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft
      Pathology: Introduction of Antibody-Mediated Rejection.
AB  - The Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft Pathology reviewed and discussed
      literature evidence regarding antibody-mediated liver allograft rejection at the
      11th (Paris, France, June 5-10, 2011), 12th (Comandatuba, Brazil, August 19-23,
      2013), and 13th (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, October 5-10, 2015)
      meetings of the Banff Conference on Allograft Pathology. Discussion continued
      online. The primary goal was to introduce guidelines and consensus criteria for
      the diagnosis of liver allograft antibody-mediated rejection and provide a
      comprehensive update of all Banff Schema recommendations. Included are new
      recommendations for complement component 4d tissue staining and interpretation,
      staging liver allograft fibrosis, and findings related to immunosuppression
      minimization. In an effort to create a single reference document, previous
      unchanged criteria are also included.

PMID- 27273873
TI  - Apoptotic Process Induced by Oxaliplatin in Rat Hippocampus Causes Memory
      Impairment.
AB  - Aspects of memory involved in cognitive mechanisms were investigated in rat after
      oxaliplatin (OX) chemotherapy using animal behavioural assessment of passive
      avoidance and social learning paradigms, which are both hippocampus-sensitive.
      Rodents, previously subjected to 2-week OX treatment, showed passive avoidance
      and social learning impairment and apoptotic processes in the hippocampus.
      Apoptosis rate significantly increased in cultured hippocampal cells exposed to
      OX at increasing doses, and this effect was dose-dependent. Ex vivo experiments
      showed that cell damage and apoptosis were blocked in the hippocampus from OX
      rats cotreated with copper sulphate (CS) which precludes OX transport inside the
      cell. In vivo, passive avoidance and social learning impairment could not be
      observed in OX rats co-administered with CS. Thus, a site of action of OX
      treatment on memory impairment appears to be located at the hippocampus. These
      findings strongly support that cellular damage induced by OX in rodent
      hippocampus underlies the weakening of some memory functions.

PMID- 27273874
TI  - End-inspiratory molar mass step correction for analysis of infant multiple breath
      washout tests.
AB  - A refined software algorithm was recently proposed for the analysis of infant
      multiple breath washout (MBW) measurements. The proposed algorithm uses the
      change in end-inspiratory molar mass between the wash-in and wash-out curves
      (EIMM-step) to define the required step response correction of the MM signal and
      is assumed to provide an accurate evaluation of complete washout of the tracer
      gas, in comparison to the current software algorithm which applies the change in
      end-expiratory molar mass (EEMM)-step. We aimed to evaluate the use of the EIMM
      step method in a broad range of infants. We performed retrospective analyses
      comparing the EIMM- and EEMM-step change methods in MBW data collected from
      infants with cystic fibrosis (CF), infants born preterm, and healthy infants
      using an ultrasonic flowmeter. We found that the EIMM-step correction
      significantly increased LCI and functional residual capacity (FRC) in infants
      with CF, preterm infants, and healthy infants compared with the EEMM-step method.
      In addition, more than half the measurements that were technically acceptable and
      repeatable using the EEMM-step correction in healthy infants were excluded after
      using the EIMM-step correction. We found a large difference between the EIMM- and
      EEMM-steps in healthy infants indicating incomplete washout, suggesting the need
      for a longer washout time with using the EIMM-step analysis method. The data
      indicates that the EIMM-step analysis method may have the potential to generate
      false abnormal LCI values in individuals without lung disease. Revised normative
      data may be required if this method is universally adopted. Pediatr Pulmonol.
      2017;52:10-13. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273875
TI  - Methylene Homologues of Artemisone: An Unexpected Structure-Activity Relationship
      and a Possible Implication for the Design of C10-Substituted Artemisinins.
AB  - We sought to establish if methylene homologues of artemisone are biologically
      more active and more stable than artemisone. The analogy is drawn with the
      conversion of natural O- and N-glycosides into more stable C-glycosides that may
      possess enhanced biological activities and stabilities. Dihydroartemisinin was
      converted into 10beta-cyano-10-deoxyartemisinin that was hydrolyzed to the alpha
      primary amide. Reduction of the beta-cyanide and the alpha-amide provided the
      respective methylamine epimers that upon treatment with divinyl sulfone gave the
      beta- and alpha-methylene homologues, respectively, of artemisone. Surprisingly,
      the compounds were less active in vitro than artemisone against P. falciparum and
      displayed no appreciable activity against A549, HCT116, and MCF7 tumor cell
      lines. This loss in activity may be rationalized in terms of one model for the
      mechanism of action of artemisinins, namely the cofactor model, wherein the
      presence of a leaving group at C10 assists in driving hydride transfer from
      reduced flavin cofactors to the peroxide during perturbation of intracellular
      redox homeostasis by artemisinins. It is noted that the carba analogue of
      artemether is less active in vitro than the O-glycoside parent toward P.
      falciparum, although extrapolation of such activity differences to other
      artemisinins at this stage is not possible. However, literature data coupled with
      the leaving group rationale suggest that artemisinins bearing an amino group
      attached directly to C10 are optimal compounds.

PMID- 27273877
TI  - Self-Powered UV-Near Infrared Photodetector Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide/n-Si
      Vertical Heterojunction.
AB  - A novel self-powered photodetector based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/n-Si p-n
      vertical heterojunction with high sensitivity and fast response time is
      presented. The photodetector contains a p-n vertical heterojunction between a
      drop-casted rGO thin film and n-Si. Contacts between the semiconductor layer
      (rGO, n-Si) and source-drain Ti/Au electrodes allow efficient transfer of
      photogenerated charge carriers. The self-powered UV-near infrared photodetector
      shows high sensitivity toward a spectrum of light from 365 to 1200 nm. Under the
      600 nm illumination (0.81 mW cm-2 ), the device has a photoresponsivity of 1.52 A
      W-1 , with fast response and recover time (2 ms and 3.7 ms), and the ON/OFF
      ratios exceed 104 when the power density reaches ~2.5 mW cm-2 . The high
      photoresponse primarily arises from the built-in electric field formed at the
      interface of n-Si and rGO film. The effect of rGO thickness, rGO reduction level,
      and layout of rGO/n-Si effective contact area on device performance are also
      systematically investigated.

PMID- 27273878
TI  - Students helping students: Five years of experience.

PMID- 27273876
TI  - Elevated IgA Plasmablast Levels in Subjects at Risk of Developing Rheumatoid
      Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The disease process in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starts years before
      the clinical diagnosis is made, and elevated levels of disease-specific
      autoantibodies can be detected during this period. Early responses to known or
      novel autoantigens likely drive the eventual production of pathogenic
      autoimmunity. Importantly, the presence of disease-specific autoantibodies can
      identify individuals who are at high risk of developing RA but who do not
      currently have arthritis. The goal of the current study was to characterize
      plasmablasts from individuals at risk of developing RA. METHODS: We investigated
      antibody-secreting plasmablasts derived from a well-characterized cohort of
      individuals who were at risk of developing RA, based on RA-related serum
      autoantibody positivity, as compared to patients with early (<1 year)
      seropositive RA as well as healthy control subjects. The plasmablast antibody
      repertoires of at-risk subjects were analyzed using DNA barcode-based methods
      with paired heavy- and light-chain gene sequencing. Cells were single-cell
      sorted, the cell- and plate-specific DNA barcodes were sequentially added, and
      next-generation sequencing was performed. RESULTS: Total plasmablast levels were
      similar in the antibody-positive (1%) and control (0.4-1.6%) groups. However,
      increased frequencies of IgA+ versus IgG+ plasmablasts were observed in the
      antibody-positive group (39% IgA+ and 37% IgG+) as compared to other groups (1-9%
      IgA+ and 71-87% IgG+). Paired antibody sequences from antibody-positive subjects
      revealed cross-isotype clonal families and similar sequence characteristics in
      the IgA and IgG plasmablast repertoires. Antibody-positive individuals also
      demonstrated elevated serum levels of IgA isotype anti-cyclic citrullinated
      peptide 3 antibodies. CONCLUSION: The IgA plasmablast dominance in these antibody
      positive individuals suggests that a subset of RA-related autoantibodies may
      arise from mucosal immune responses and may be involved in early disease
      pathogenesis in individuals who are at risk of developing RA.

PMID- 27273879
TI  - Preoperative overnight parenteral nutrition (TPN) improves skeletal muscle
      protein metabolism indicated by microarray algorithm analyses in a randomized
      trial.
AB  - Loss of muscle mass is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality
      in hospitalized patients. Uncertainties of treatment efficiency by short-term
      artificial nutrition remain, specifically improvement of protein balance in
      skeletal muscles. In this study, algorithmic microarray analysis was applied to
      map cellular changes related to muscle protein metabolism in human skeletal
      muscle tissue during provision of overnight preoperative total parenteral
      nutrition (TPN). Twenty-two patients (11/group) scheduled for upper GI surgery
      due to malignant or benign disease received a continuous peripheral all-in-one
      TPN infusion (30 kcal/kg/day, 0.16 gN/kg/day) or saline infusion for 12 h prior
      operation. Biopsies from the rectus abdominis muscle were taken at the start of
      operation for isolation of muscle RNA RNA expression microarray analyses were
      performed with Agilent Sureprint G3, 8 * 60K arrays using one-color labeling. 447
      mRNAs were differently expressed between study and control patients (P < 0.1).
      mRNAs related to ribosomal biogenesis, mRNA processing, and translation were
      upregulated during overnight nutrition; particularly anabolic signaling S6K1 (P <
      0.01-0.1). Transcripts of genes associated with lysosomal degradation showed
      consistently lower expression during TPN while mRNAs for ubiquitin-mediated
      degradation of proteins as well as transcripts related to intracellular signaling
      pathways, PI3 kinase/MAPkinase, were either increased or decreased. In
      conclusion, muscle mRNA alterations during overnight standard TPN infusions at
      constant rate altered mRNAs associated with mTOR signaling; increased initiation
      of protein translation; and suppressed autophagy/lysosomal degradation of
      proteins. This indicates that overnight preoperative parenteral nutrition is
      effective to promote muscle protein metabolism. 

PMID- 27273880
TI  - Urea transporters and sweat response to uremia.
AB  - In humans, urea is excreted in sweat, largely through the eccrine sweat gland.
      The urea concentration in human sweat is elevated when compared to blood urea
      nitrogen. The sweat urea nitrogen (UN) of patients with end-stage kidney disease
      (ESRD) is increased when compared with healthy humans. The ability to produce
      sweat is maintained in the overwhelming majority of ESRD patients. A
      comprehensive literature review found no reports of sweat UN neither in healthy
      rodents nor in rodent models of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, this
      study measured sweat UN concentrations in healthy and uremic rats. Uninephrectomy
      followed by renal artery ligation was used to remove 5/6 of renal function. Rats
      were then fed a high-protein diet to induce uremia. Pilocarpine was used to
      induce sweating. Sweat droplets were collected under oil. Sweat UN was measured
      with a urease assay. Serum UN was measured using a fluorescent ortho
      pthalaldehyde reaction. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was accomplished with a
      horseradish peroxidase and diaminobenzidine technique. Sweat UN in uremic rats
      was elevated greater than two times compared to healthy pair-fed controls (220 +/
      17 and 91 +/- 15 mmol/L, respectively). Post hoc analysis showed a significant
      difference between male and female uremic sweat UN (279 +/- 38 and 177 +/- 11
      mmol/L, respectively.) IHC shows, for the first time, the presence of the urea
      transporters UT-B and UT-A2 in both healthy and uremic rat cutaneous structures.
      Future studies will use this model to elucidate how rat sweat UN and other solute
      excretion is altered by commonly prescribed diuretics. 

PMID- 27273881
TI  - Alteration of cardiac autonomic function in patients with newly diagnosed
      epilepsy.
AB  - The aim of the study was to determine if heart rate variability (HRV) showed any
      changes in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy in comparison with controls.
      Sixty-five patients with epilepsy (38 males and 27 females), aged 30-50 years,
      who had never previously received treatment with antiepileptic drugs were
      eligible for inclusion in this study. Resting electrocardiogram (ECG) at
      spontaneous respiration was recorded for 5 min in supine position. Time-domain
      analysis, frequency-domain analysis, and Poincare plot of HRV were recorded from
      ECG In time-domain measures, the square root of the mean of the sum of the
      squares of differences between adjacent RR intervals (RMSSD) and percentage of
      consecutive RR intervals that differ by more than 50 msec (pNN50) were
      significantly less in patients with epilepsy. In frequency-domain measures, high
      frequency [(HF) msec(2)], HF (nu), and low frequency [LF (msec(2))] were
      significantly less in patients with epilepsy while LF (nu) and LF/HF were
      significantly high in patients with epilepsy. In Poincare plot, standard
      deviation perpendicular to line of Poincare plot (SD1) and standard deviation
      along the line of entity in Poincare plot (SD2) were significantly less in
      patients with epilepsy. Our results suggest that epileptic patients have an
      impact on the cardiac autonomic function as measured by HRV. 

PMID- 27273882
TI  - Unexpected severe consequences of Pikfyve deletion by aP2- or Aq-promoter-driven
      Cre expression for glucose homeostasis and mammary gland development.
AB  - Systemic deficiency of PIKfyve, the evolutionarily conserved phosphoinositide
      kinase synthesizing cellular PtdIns5P and PtdIns(3,5)P2 and implicated in insulin
      signaling, causes early embryonic death in mice. In contrast, mice with muscle
      specific Pikfyve disruption have normal lifespan but exhibit early-age whole-body
      glucose intolerance and muscle insulin resistance, thus establishing the key role
      of muscle PIKfyve in glucose homeostasis. Fat and muscle tissues control
      postprandial glucose clearance through different mechanisms, raising questions as
      to whether adipose Pikfyve disruption will also trigger whole-body metabolic
      abnormalities, and if so, what the mechanism might be. To clarify these issues,
      here we have characterized two new mouse models with adipose tissue disruption of
      Pikfyve through Cre recombinase expression driven by adipose-specific aP2- or
      adiponectin (Aq) promoters. Whereas both mouse lines were ostensibly normal until
      adulthood, their glucose homeostasis and systemic insulin sensitivity were
      severely dysregulated. These abnormalities stemmed in part from accelerated fat
      cell lipolysis and elevated serum FFA Intriguingly, aP2-Cre-PIKfyve(fl/fl) but
      not Aq-Cre-PIKfyve(fl/fl) females had severely impaired pregnancy-induced mammary
      gland differentiation and lactogenesis, consistent with aP2-Cre-mediated Pikfyve
      excision in nonadipogenic tissues underlying this defect. Intriguingly, whereas
      mammary glands from postpartum control and Aq-Cre-PIKfyve(fl/fl) mice or ex vivo
      mammary gland explants showed profound upregulation of PIKfyve protein levels
      subsequent to prolactin receptor activation, such increases were not apparent in
      aP2-Cre-PIKfyve(fl/fl) females. Collectively, our data identify for the first
      time that adipose tissue Pikfyve plays a key role in the mechanisms regulating
      glucose homeostasis and that the PIKfyve pathway is critical in mammary
      epithelial differentiation during pregnancy and lactogenesis downstream of
      prolactin receptor signaling. 

PMID- 27273883
TI  - Gastrointestinal transport of calcium and glucose in lactating ewes.
AB  - During lactation, mineral and nutrient requirements increase dramatically,
      particularly those for Ca and glucose. In contrast to monogastric species, in
      ruminants, it is rather unclear to which extend this physiological change due to
      increased demand for milk production is accompanied by functional adaptations of
      the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Therefore, we investigated potential
      modulations of Ca and glucose transport mechanisms in the GIT of lactating and
      dried-off sheep. Ussing-chamber technique was applied to determine the ruminal
      and jejunal Ca flux rates. In the jejunum, electrophysiological properties in
      response to glucose were recorded. Jejunal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV)
      served to characterize glucose uptake via sodium-linked glucose transporter 1
      (SGLT1), and RNA and protein expression levels of Ca and glucose transporting
      systems were determined. Ruminal Ca flux rate data showed a trend for higher
      absorption in lactating sheep. In the jejunum, small Ca absorption could only be
      observed in lactating ewes. From the results, it may be assumed that lactating
      ewes compensate for the Ca loss by increasing bone mobilization rather than by
      increasing supply through absorption from the GIT Presence of SGLT1 in the
      jejunum of both groups was shown by RNA and protein identification, but glucose
      uptake into BBMV could only be detected in lactating sheep. This, however, could
      not be attributed to electrogenic glucose absorption in lactating sheep under
      Ussing-chamber conditions, providing evidence that changes in jejunal glucose
      uptake may include additional factors, that is, posttranslational modifications
      such as phosphorylation. 

PMID- 27273885
TI  - Repetitive flanking sequences challenge microsatellite marker development: a case
      study in the lepidopteran Melanargia galathea.
AB  - Microsatellite DNA families (MDF) are stretches of DNA that share similar or
      identical sequences beside nuclear simple-sequence repeat (nSSR) motifs,
      potentially causing problems during nSSR marker development. Primers positioned
      within MDFs can bind several times within the genome and might result in multiple
      banding patterns. It is therefore common practice to exclude MDF loci in the
      course of marker development. Here, we propose an approach to deal with multiple
      primer-binding sites by purposefully positioning primers within the detected
      repetitive element. We developed a new protocol to determine the family type and
      the primer position in relation to MDFs using the software packages repark and
      repeatmasker together with an in-house R script. We re-evaluated newly developed
      nSSR markers for the lepidopteran Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) and
      explored the implications of our results with regard to published data sets of
      the butterfly Euphydryas aurinia, the grasshopper Stethophyma grossum, the
      conifer Pinus cembra and the crucifer Arabis alpina. For M. galathea, we show
      that it is not only possible to develop reliable nSSR markers for MDF loci, but
      even to benefit from their presence in some cases: We used one unlabelled primer,
      successfully binding within an MDF, for two different loci in a multiplex PCR,
      combining this family primer with uniquely binding and fluorescently labelled
      primers outside of MDFs, respectively. As MDFs are abundant in many taxa, we
      propose to consider these during nSSR marker development in taxa concerned. Our
      new approach might help in reducing the number of tested primers during nSSR
      marker development.

PMID- 27273884
TI  - Effects of exercise mode, energy, and macronutrient interventions on inflammation
      during military training.
AB  - Load carriage (LC) exercise may exacerbate inflammation during training.
      Nutritional supplementation may mitigate this response by sparing endogenous
      carbohydrate stores, enhancing glycogen repletion, and attenuating negative
      energy balance. Two studies were conducted to assess inflammatory responses to
      acute LC and training, with or without nutritional supplementation. Study 1: 40
      adults fed eucaloric diets performed 90-min of either LC (treadmill, mean +/- SD
      24 +/- 3 kg LC) or cycle ergometry (CE) matched for intensity (2.2 +/- 0.1
      VO2peak L min(-1)) during which combined 10 g protein/46 g carbohydrate (223
      kcal) or non-nutritive (22 kcal) control drinks were consumed. Study 2: 73
      Soldiers received either combat rations alone or supplemented with 1000 kcal day(
      1) from 20 g protein- or 48 g carbohydrate-based bars during a 4-day, 51 km ski
      march (~45 kg LC, energy expenditure 6155 +/- 515 kcal day(-1) and intake 2866 +/
      616 kcal day(-1)). IL-6, hepcidin, and ferritin were measured at baseline, 3-h
      post exercise (PE), 24-h PE, 48-h PE, and 72-h PE in study 1, and before (PRE)
      and after (POST) the 4-d ski march in study 2. Study 1: IL-6 was higher 3-h and
      24-h post exercise (PE) for CE only (mode * time, P < 0.05), hepcidin increased 3
      h PE and recovered by 48-h, and ferritin peaked 24-h and remained elevated 72-h
      PE (P < 0.05), regardless of mode and diet. Study 2: IL-6, hepcidin and ferritin
      were higher (P < 0.05) after training, regardless of group assignment. Energy
      expenditure (r = 0.40), intake (r = -0.26), and balance (r = -0.43) were
      associated (P < 0.05) with hepcidin after training. Inflammation after acute LC
      and CE was similar and not affected by supplemental nutrition during energy
      balance. The magnitude of hepcidin response was inversely related to energy
      balance suggesting that eating enough to balance energy expenditure might
      attenuate the inflammatory response to military training. 

PMID- 27273886
TI  - On Engster's care-justification of the specialness thesis about healthcare.
AB  - To say health is 'special' is to say that it has a moral significance that
      differentiates it from other goods (cars, say or radios) and, as a matter of
      justice, warrants distributing it separately. In this essay, I critique a new
      justification for the specialness thesis about healthcare (STHC) recently put
      forth by Engster. I argue that, regrettably, Engster's justification of STHC
      ultimately fails and fails on much the same grounds as have previous
      justifications of STHC. However, I also argue that Engster's argument still adds
      something valuable to the debate around STHC insofar as it reminds us that the
      moral significance of healthcare may be wider than simply its effect on the
      incidence of disability and disease: one further reason we may think healthcare
      is morally significant is because it concerns the treatment and care of those who
      are already unwell.

PMID- 27273888
TI  - The Intergenerational Transmission of Suicide: Moral Injury and the Mysterious
      Object in the Work of Walker Percy.
AB  - The intrapsychic mechanisms for the intergenerational transmission of suicide are
      not adequately theorized, though it is well known that a family history of
      suicide places survivors at increased risk for suicide. The suicide of a family
      member, particularly a parent, it is hypothesized, marks some survivors with a
      type of trauma associated with moral injury, which may produce an alteration in
      object relations with the emergence of what may be called a mysterious object.
      Under the press of these conditions, survivors may embark on what Apprey (2014)
      has termed an "urgent errand" in an effort to solve a problem in the anterior
      generation. Analysands with a history of familial suicide may bring symptoms of
      moral injury, a mysterious object relation, and a risk for suicide into the
      transference. The family history, life history, and literary work of the novelist
      Walker Percy, who had an extensive family history of suicide, provides evidence
      for the hypothesis linking moral injury, a mysterious object, and an urgent
      errand in such patients.

PMID- 27273887
TI  - Why cure, why now?
AB  - Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is highly effective at preventing
      morbidity and mortality due to infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
      but does not eradicate the virus. Consequently, cART must be administered life
      long. Recent progress has stimulated research towards a cure of HIV infection.
      Approaches under investigation include hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,
      latency reactivating agents, immune based therapies, and cell-based therapies.
      Each of these approaches carries potential risks that must be weighed against the
      availability of safe and effective cART. Balancing the risks and benefits of this
      research poses unique challenges to potential study participants, clinicians and
      investigators.

PMID- 27273889
TI  - Controlling the time evolution of mAb N-linked glycosylation - Part II: Model
      based predictions.
AB  - N-linked glycosylation is known to be a crucial factor for the therapeutic
      efficacy and safety of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and many other glycoproteins.
      The nontemplate process of glycosylation is influenced by external factors which
      have to be tightly controlled during the manufacturing process. In order to
      describe and predict mAb N-linked glycosylation patterns in a CHO-S cell fed
      batch process, an existing dynamic mathematical model has been refined and
      coupled to an unstructured metabolic model. High-throughput cell culture
      experiments carried out in miniaturized bioreactors in combination with
      intracellular measurements of nucleotide sugars were used to tune the parameter
      configuration of the coupled models as a function of extracellular pH, manganese
      and galactose addition. The proposed modeling framework is able to predict the
      time evolution of N-linked glycosylation patterns during a fed-batch process as a
      function of time as well as the manipulated variables. A constant and varying mAb
      N-linked glycosylation pattern throughout the culture were chosen to demonstrate
      the predictive capability of the modeling framework, which is able to quantify
      the interconnected influence of media components and cell culture conditions.
      Such a model-based evaluation of feeding regimes using high-throughput tools and
      mathematical models gives rise to a more rational way to control and design cell
      culture processes with defined glycosylation patterns. (c) 2016 American
      Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1135-1148, 2016.

PMID- 27273891
TI  - Supporting the Evaluation and Implementation of Musculoskeletal Models of Care: A
      Globally Informed Framework for Judging Readiness and Success.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a globally informed framework to evaluate readiness for
      implementation and success after implementation of musculoskeletal models of care
      (MOCs). METHODS: Three phases were undertaken: 1) a qualitative study with 27
      Australian subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop a draft framework; 2) an
      eDelphi study with an international panel of 93 SMEs across 30 nations to
      evaluate face validity, and refine and establish consensus on the framework
      components; and 3) translation of the framework into a user-focused resource and
      evaluation of its acceptability with the eDelphi panel. RESULTS: A comprehensive
      evaluation framework was developed for judging the readiness and success of
      musculoskeletal MOCs. The framework consists of 9 domains, with each domain
      containing a number of themes underpinned by detailed elements. In the first
      Delphi round, scores of "partly agree" or "completely agree" with the draft
      framework ranged 96.7%-100%. In the second round, "essential" scores ranged 58.6%
      98.9%, resulting in 14 of 34 themes being classified as essential. SMEs strongly
      agreed or agreed that the final framework was useful (98.8%), usable (95.1%),
      credible (100%) and appealing (93.9%). Overall, 96.3% strongly supported or
      supported the final structure of the framework as it was presented, while 100%,
      96.3%, and 100% strongly supported or supported the content within the readiness,
      initiating implementation, and success streams, respectively. CONCLUSION: An
      empirically derived framework to evaluate the readiness and success of
      musculoskeletal MOCs was strongly supported by an international panel of SMEs.
      The framework provides an important internationally applicable benchmark for the
      development, implementation, and evaluation of musculoskeletal MOCs.

PMID- 27273892
TI  - Characterization of a novel HLA-B*40 allele, HLA-B*40:186:02, by cloning and
      sequencing.
AB  - A novel HLA-B*40 variant, HLA-B*40:186:02, has been identified by cloning and
      sequencing in a southern Chinese Han population. Aligned with HLA-B*40:01:01, HLA
      B*40:186:02 has a nonsynonymous cytosine mutation at nucleotide position 165 in
      exon 2, leading to amino acid change from glycine to arginine at codon 56. It
      differs from HLA-B*40:186:01 by a synonymous change (adenine to cytosine) at
      position 165 in exon 2. 

PMID- 27273890
TI  - Erosion of Transplantation Tolerance After Infection.
AB  - Recent clinical studies suggest that operational allograft tolerance can be
      persistent, but long-term surviving allografts can be rejected in a subset of
      patients, sometimes after episodes of infection. In this study, we examined the
      impact of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection on the quality of tolerance in a
      mouse model of heart allograft transplantation. Lm infection induced full
      rejection in 40% of tolerant recipients, with the remaining experiencing a
      rejection crisis or no palpable change in their allografts. In the surviving
      allografts on day 8 postinfection, graft-infiltrating cell numbers increased and
      exhibited a loss in the tolerance gene signature. By day 30 postinfection, the
      tolerance signature was broadly restored, but with a discernible reduction in the
      expression of a subset of 234 genes that marked tolerance and was down-regulated
      at day 8 post-Lm infection. We further demonstrated that the tolerant state after
      Lm infection was functionally eroded, as rejection of the long-term surviving
      graft was induced with anti-PD-L1 whereas the same treatment had no effect in
      noninfected tolerant mice. Collectively, these observations demonstrate that
      tolerance, even if initially robust, exists as a continuum that can be eroded
      following bystander immune responses that accompany certain infections.

PMID- 27273893
TI  - Cationic Supramolecular Vesicular Aggregates for Pulmonary Tissue Selective
      Delivery in Anticancer Therapy.
AB  - The biopharmaceutical properties of supramolecular vesicular aggregates (SVAs)
      were characterized with regard to their physicochemical features and compared
      with cationic liposomes (CLs). Neutral and cationic SVAs were synthesized using
      two different copolymers of poly(aspartyl hydrazide) by thin-layer evaporation
      and extrusion techniques. Both copolymers were self-assembled in pre-formulated
      liposomes and formed neutral and cationic SVAs. Gemcitabine hydrochloride (GEM)
      was used as an anticancer drug and loaded by a pH gradient remote loading
      procedure, which significantly increased drug loading inside the SVAs. The
      resulting average size of the SVAs was 100 nm. The anticancer activity of GEM
      loaded neutral and cationic SVAs was tested in human alveolar basal epithelial
      (A549) and colorectal cancer (CaCo-2) cells. GEM-loaded cationic SVAs increased
      the anticancer activity in A549 and CaCo-2 cells relative to free drug, neutral
      SVAs, and CLs. In vivo biodistribution in Wistar rats showed that cationic SVAs
      accumulate at higher concentrations in lung tissue than neutral SVAs and CLs.
      Cationic SVAs may therefore serve as an innovative future therapy for pulmonary
      carcinoma.

PMID- 27273895
TI  - Encapsulation of Single Plasmonic Nanoparticles within ZIF-8 and SERS Analysis of
      the MOF Flexibility.
AB  - Hybrid nanostructures composed of metal nanoparticles and metal-organic
      frameworks (MOFs) have recently received increasing attention toward various
      applications due to the combination of optical and catalytic properties of
      nanometals with the large internal surface area, tunable crystal porosity and
      unique chemical properties of MOFs. Encapsulation of metal nanoparticles of well
      defined shapes into porous MOFs in a core-shell type configuration can thus lead
      to enhanced stability and selectivity in applications such as sensing or
      catalysis. In this study, the encapsulation of single noble metal nanoparticles
      with arbitrary shapes within zeolitic imidazolate-based metal organic frameworks
      (ZIF-8) is demonstrated. The synthetic strategy is based on the enhanced
      interaction between ZIF-8 nanocrystals and metal nanoparticle surfaces covered by
      quaternary ammonium surfactants. High resolution electron microscopy and
      tomography confirm a complete core-shell morphology. Such a well-defined
      morphology allowed us to study the transport of guest molecules through the ZIF-8
      porous shell by means of surface-enhanced Raman scattering by the metal cores.
      The results demonstrate that even molecules larger than the ZIF-8 aperture and
      pore size may be able to diffuse through the framework and reach the metal core. 

PMID- 27273894
TI  - Effect of Comedication With Conventional Synthetic Disease-Modifying
      Antirheumatic Drugs on Retention of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Patients
      With Spondyloarthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether use of comedication with conventional synthetic
      disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) influences the retention of
      tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).
      METHODS: Patients with SpA from the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register who
      started treatment with their first TNFi between 2001 and 2014 were included in
      this study. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of
      comedication with csDMARDs on TNFi retention in 2 types of models: a model in
      which baseline (time-fixed) variables were included, and a second model
      incorporating time-varying variables, including sociodemographic features,
      measures of disease activity, measures of physical function, and cotreatment with
      other drugs (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and oral steroids). To control
      for possible confounding by indication, the effect of csDMARD comedication on
      TNFi retention was also tested after adjustment for the treatment propensity
      score. RESULTS: In total, 954 patients were included in the study, of whom 289
      (30.3%) discontinued treatment with their first TNFi after a median follow-up
      time of 2.5 years (range 0.08-13 years). Inefficacy was the most common reason
      for TNFi discontinuation (55.7% of patients). In the multivariable analyses,
      comedication with csDMARDs had no measurable effect on TNFi retention, neither in
      the baseline model (hazard ratio [HR] 0.83, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.59
      1.16) nor during follow-up in the model adjusted for time-varying covariates (HR
      1.07, 95% CI 0.68-1.68). The effect of csDMARD comedication remained
      nonsignificant after propensity score adjustment. CONCLUSION: Comedication with
      csDMARDs does not prolong TNFi retention in patients with SpA in clinical
      practice, suggesting that there is no benefit conferred by the concomitant use of
      these drugs.

PMID- 27273896
TI  - Evaluation of the effectiveness of 3D vascular stereoscopic models in anatomy
      instruction for first year medical students.
AB  - The head and neck region is one of the most complex areas featured in the medical
      gross anatomy curriculum. The effectiveness of using three-dimensional (3D)
      models to teach anatomy is a topic of much discussion in medical education
      research. However, the use of 3D stereoscopic models of the head and neck
      circulation in anatomy education has not been previously studied in detail. This
      study investigated whether 3D stereoscopic models created from computed
      tomographic angiography (CTA) data were efficacious teaching tools for the head
      and neck vascular anatomy. The test subjects were first year medical students at
      the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The assessment tools included:
      anatomy knowledge tests (prelearning session knowledge test and postlearning
      session knowledge test), mental rotation tests (spatial ability; presession MRT
      and postsession MRT), and a satisfaction survey. Results were analyzed using a
      Wilcoxon rank-sum test and linear regression analysis. A total of 39 first year
      medical students participated in the study. The results indicated that all
      students who were exposed to the stereoscopic 3D vascular models in 3D learning
      sessions increased their ability to correctly identify the head and neck vascular
      anatomy. Most importantly, for students with low-spatial ability, 3D learning
      sessions improved postsession knowledge scores to a level comparable to that
      demonstrated by students with high-spatial ability indicating that the use of 3D
      stereoscopic models may be particularly valuable to these students with low
      spatial ability. Anat Sci Educ 10: 34-45. (c) 2016 American Association of
      Anatomists.

PMID- 27273897
TI  - Work Ability and Its Related Factors Among Workers in Small and Medium
      Enterprises: Comparison Among Four ASEAN Countries.
AB  - Work ability is related to many factors that might influence one's capacity to
      work. This study aimed to examine the work ability and its related factors among
      small and medium enterprises (SME) workers in 4 Association of Southeast Asian
      Nations (ASEAN) countries. The participants in this study included 2098 workers
      from food and textile industries in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. A
      cross-sectional survey of anonymous self-administrated questionnaire was designed
      to collect information on sociodemographic factors, work environment and
      ergonomic condition, musculoskeletal disorders, and work ability. Bivariate
      correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analyses were used to
      predict the work ability. Results of this study confirm that work ability in 4
      ASEAN countries was similar to that in European countries, and that the
      sociodemographic factors, work environment and ergonomic condition, and
      musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) were associated with work ability. These factors
      are important for considering occupational health and safety policy to promote
      work ability in food, textile, and other SME workers. 

PMID- 27273898
TI  - Identifying a robust design space for glycosylation during monoclonal antibody
      production.
AB  - Glycan distribution has been identified as a "critical quality attribute" for
      many biopharmaceutical products, including monoclonal antibodies. Consequently,
      determining quantitatively how process variables affect glycan distribution is
      important during process development to control antibody glycosylation. In this
      work, we assess the effect of six bioreactor process variables on the glycan
      distribution of an IgG1 produced in CHO cells. Our analysis established that
      glucose and glutamine media concentration, temperature, pH, agitation rate, and
      dissolved oxygen (DO) had small but significant effects on the relative
      percentage of various glycans. In addition, we assessed glycosylation enzyme
      transcript levels and intracellular sugar nucleotide concentrations within the
      CHO cells to provide a biological explanation for the observed effects on glycan
      distributions. From these results we identified a robust operating region, or
      design space, in which the IgG1 could be produced with a consistent glycan
      distribution. Since our results indicate that perturbations to bioreactor process
      variables will cause only small (even if significant) changes to the relative
      percentage of various glycans (<+/-1.5%)-changes that are too small to affect the
      bioactivity and efficacy of this IgG1 significantly-it follows that the glycan
      distribution obtained will be consistent even with relatively large variations in
      bioreactor process variables. However, for therapeutic proteins where bioactivity
      and efficacy are affected by small changes to the relative percentage of glycans,
      the same analysis would identify the manipulated variables capable of changing
      glycan distribution, and hence can be used to implement a glycosylation control
      strategy. (c) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog.,
      32:1149-1162, 2016.

PMID- 27273899
TI  - Use of new imaging in detecting and monitoring ocular manifestations of the
      mucopolysaccharidoses.
AB  - The aim of this review is to summate the eye involvement in patients with
      mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) using current ocular imaging techniques, their
      advantages and disadvantages and how they may aid diagnosis, management and
      monitoring. We critically reviewed the current literature surrounding MPS and
      recent imaging technology as well as histology. Primary searches of PubMed and
      Web of Science were performed. We reviewed all papers on the topic published and
      summarized the findings of each medical device as well as the advantages and
      disadvantages of using these for the MPS patient. We discussed the potential of
      each of these devices to monitor potential ocular pathology in the MPS cohorts in
      the order of MPS subtype. We reviewed imaging techniques involving use of the
      Iris Camera, Pentacam, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as well as ultrasound
      and Heidelberg OCT. The need for reliable objective quantification of eye
      findings in MPS has led to utilization of new imaging technologies described
      here, and future use will enhance our understanding of the unique eye features in
      MPS. In particular, we note that the Pentacam and iris camera are able to provide
      objective measurements of corneal haze and monitor ocular response to treatment.

PMID- 27273900
TI  - Antigen-Specificity of T Cell Infiltrates in Biopsies With T Cell-Mediated
      Rejection and BK Polyomavirus Viremia: Analysis by Next Generation Sequencing.
AB  - This study interrogates the antigen-specificity of inflammatory infiltrates in
      renal biopsies with BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) viremia (BKPyVM) with or without
      allograft nephropathy (BKPyVN). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from
      five healthy HLA-A0101 subjects were stimulated by peptides derived from the
      BKPYV proteome or polymorphic regions of HLA. Next generation sequencing of the T
      cell-receptor complementary DNA was performed on peptide-stimulated PBMC and 23
      biopsies with T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) or BKPyVN. Biopsies from patients
      with BKPyVM or BKVPyVN contained 7.7732 times more alloreactive than virus
      reactive clones. Biopsies with TCMR also contained BKPyV-specific clones,
      presumably a manifestation of heterologous immunity. The mean cumulative T cell
      clonal frequency was 0.1378 for alloreactive clones and 0.0375 for BKPyV-reactive
      clones. Samples with BKPyVN and TCMR clustered separately in dendrograms of V
      family and J-gene utilization patterns. Dendrograms also revealed that V-gene, J
      gene, and D-gene usage patterns were a function of HLA type. In conclusion,
      biopsies with BKPyVN contain abundant allospecific clones that exceed the number
      of virus-reactive clones. The T cell component of tissue injury in viral
      nephropathy appears to be mediated primarily by an "innocent bystander" mechanism
      in which the principal element is secondary T cell influx triggered by both
      antiviral and anti-HLA immunity.

PMID- 27273901
TI  - Trajectories of Low Back Pain From Adolescence to Young Adulthood.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Despite the high prevalence and burden of low back pain (LBP),
      understanding of its course during the transition from adolescence to adulthood
      is limited. The aim of this study was to identify and describe trajectories of
      LBP and its impact among a general population sample followed from adolescence to
      young adulthood. METHODS: Data from followup assessments at years 17, 20, and 22
      of the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study were used (n = 1,249).
      Self-reported LBP and its impact on daily life were assessed, and latent class
      analysis was used to identify clusters. Resultant clusters were profiled on sex,
      waist circumference, diagnosed comorbid pain, and health-related quality of life.
      RESULTS: Four clusters were identified: a cluster of participants with a
      consistently low prevalence of LBP and its impact (53%) during the period from
      adolescence to young adulthood, a cluster with an increase in the prevalence of
      LBP and its impact (22%), a cluster with a decrease in the prevalence of LBP and
      its impact (15%), and a cluster with a consistently high prevalence of LBP and
      its impact (10%). These clusters differed markedly on the profiling variables.
      CONCLUSION: The identified clusters provide unique information on LBP and its
      impact during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Consideration
      of these trajectories could be important in the design of early prevention and
      management strategies.

PMID- 27273902
TI  - Characterization of a novel MICA allele, MICA*012:05, by cloning and sequencing.
AB  - A new MICA allelic variant, MICA*012:05, has been identified in a Chinese
      Mongolian population. Following polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing
      (PCR-SBT), this new allele was further confirmed by cloning and sequencing.
      MICA*012:05 was linked to an HLA-A*24-C*01-B*55:02-DRB1*09 haplotype. MICA*012:05
      differs from MICA*012:01 by a single synonymous C to T substitution at nucleotide
      position 269 in exon 3. 

PMID- 27273903
TI  - Association of IgG4-Related Disease With History of Malignancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibroinflammatory disease of
      unclear etiology. Some studies suggest that IgG4-RD predisposes patients to
      malignancy or is a forme fruste of cancer, but we have frequently observed IgG4
      RD patients who have a history of malignancy preceding the clinical onset of IgG4
      RD. This study was undertaken to characterize IgG4-RD in the setting of previous
      malignancy diagnosis. METHODS: We identified IgG4-RD patients with a history of
      invasive malignancy from a well-defined cohort of 125 patients and compared their
      malignancy history to those of 2 reference groups. First, we calculated a
      standardized prevalence ratio against general US population estimates from the
      Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Second, we
      identified up to 5 age- and sex-matched controls for each case and calculated the
      odds of malignancy among those with IgG4-RD compared to controls, using
      conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD age at IgG4-RD onset
      was 50.3 +/- 14.9 years, and 61% of the patients were male. Twenty (16%) had been
      diagnosed as having malignancies (total 21 malignancies) before the diagnosis of
      IgG4-RD. The observed prevalence of malignancy in this cohort was 2.5 times
      higher (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.1-3.6) than expected compared to the
      SEER database. Compared to matched controls, the frequency of history of
      malignancy was >3-fold higher in IgG4-RD patients (95% CI 1.6-6.2). CONCLUSION:
      Our findings suggest that, in a subset of patients with IgG4-RD, malignancy may
      be associated with subsequent IgG4-RD development. Potential explanations include
      shared risk factors for both IgG4-RD and cancer, the triggering by cancer of
      autoantigen expression leading to IgG4-RD, and an increased risk of IgG4-RD
      resulting from cancer treatment.

PMID- 27273904
TI  - Circular Dichroism Studies on Plasmonic Nanostructures.
AB  - In recent years, optical chirality of plasmonic nanostructures has aroused great
      interest because of innovative fundamental understanding as well as promising
      potential applications in optics, catalysis and sensing. Herein, state-of-the-art
      studies on circular dichroism (CD) characteristics of plasmonic nanostructures
      are summarized. The hybrid of achiral plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) and chiral
      molecules is explored to generate a new CD response at the plasmon resonance as
      well as the enhanced CD intensity of chiral molecules in the UV region, owing to
      the Coulomb static and dynamic dipole interactions between plasmonic NPs and
      chiral molecules. As for chiral assembly of plasmonic NPs, plasmon-plasmon
      interactions between the building blocks are found to induce generation of
      intense CD response at the plasmon resonance. Three-dimensional periodical
      arrangement of plasmonic NPs into macroscale chiral metamaterials is further
      introduced from the perspective of negative refraction and photonic bandgap. A
      strong CD signal is also discerned in achiral planar plasmonic nanostructures
      under illumination of circular polarized plane wave at oblique incidence or input
      vortex beam at normal incidence. Finally perspectives, especially on future
      investigation of time-resolved CD responses, are presented.

PMID- 27273906
TI  - YouTube anatomy education: Sources of ethical perplexity.

PMID- 27273907
TI  - Are We in the Same Risk of Diabetes Mellitus? Gender- and Age-Specific
      Epidemiology of Diabetes in 2001 to 2014 in the Korean Population.
AB  - In the early 2000s, the prevalence of diabetes in adults aged >=30 years in Korea
      was about 9% to 10%, and it remained stable. However, a nationwide survey showed
      that this prevalence increased over the past few years. After age-standardization
      using the Korean population of the year 2010, the prevalence of diabetes in
      adults aged >=30 years was 10.0% to 10.8% between 2001 and 2012, which increased
      to 12.5% in 2013 and 11.6% in 2014. During that period, there have been changes
      in the gender- and age-specific prevalence of diabetes in Korean adults. The
      prevalence of diabetes in the elderly population increased significantly, while
      this prevalence in young adults, especially in young women, did not change
      significantly. The contribution of each diabetic risk factor, such as obesity,
      beta-cell dysfunction, sarcopenia, and socioeconomic status, in developing
      diabetes has also changed during that period in each gender and age group. For
      young women, obesity was the most important risk factor; by contrast, for elderly
      diabetic patients, sarcopenia was more important than obesity as a risk factor.
      Considering the economic burden of diabetes and its associated comorbidities, a
      public health policy targeting the major risk factors in each population might be
      more effective in preventing diabetes. 

PMID- 27273908
TI  - Comparison of the Usefulness of the Updated Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA2)
      with the Original HOMA1 in the Prediction of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Koreans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The original homeostasis model assessment (HOMA1) and the updated
      HOMA model (HOMA2) have been used to evaluate insulin resistance (IR) and beta
      cell function, but little is known about the usefulness of HOMA2 for the
      prediction of diabetes in Koreans. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the
      usefulness of HOMA2 as a predictor of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Koreans without
      diabetes. METHODS: The study population consisted of 104,694 Koreans enrolled at
      a health checkup program and followed up from 2001 to 2012. Participants were
      divided into a normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group and a pre-diabetes group
      according to fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Anthropometric
      and laboratory data were measured at the baseline checkup, and HOMA values were
      calculated at the baseline and follow-up checkups. The hazard ratios (HRs) of the
      HOMA1 and HOMA2 values and the prevalence of diabetes at follow-up were evaluated
      using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier analysis.
      RESULTS: After adjusting for several diabetes risk factors, all of the HOMA
      values except 1/HOMA1-beta and 1/HOMA2-beta in the NGT group were significant
      predictors of the progression to diabetes. In the NGT group, there was no
      significant difference in HOMA1-IR (HR, 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04
      to 1.14) and HOMA2-IR (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.19). However, in the pre
      diabetes group, 1/HOMA2-beta was a more powerful marker (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.26
      to 1.31) than HOMA1-IR (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.28) or 1/HOMA1-beta (HR,
      1.14; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.16). In the non-diabetic group (NGT+pre-diabetes),
      1/HOMA2-beta was also a stronger predictor of diabetes (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.25 to
      1.29) than HOMA1-IR (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.15) or 1/HOMA1-beta (HR, 1.13;
      95% CI, 1.11 to 1.14). CONCLUSION: HOMA2 is more predictive than HOMA1 for the
      progression to diabetes in pre-diabetes or non-diabetic Koreans.

PMID- 27273909
TI  - Application of the Oral Minimal Model to Korean Subjects with Normal Glucose
      Tolerance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The oral minimal model is a simple, useful tool for the assessment of
      beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity across the spectrum of glucose
      tolerance, including normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes, and type 2
      diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in humans. METHODS: Plasma glucose, insulin, and C
      peptide levels were measured during a 180-minute, 75-g oral glucose tolerance
      test in 24 Korean subjects with NGT (n=10) and T2DM (n=14). The parameters in the
      computational model were estimated, and the indexes for insulin sensitivity and
      beta-cell function were compared between the NGT and T2DM groups. RESULTS: The
      insulin sensitivity index was lower in the T2DM group than the NGT group. The
      basal index of beta-cell responsivity, basal hepatic insulin extraction ratio,
      and post-glucose challenge hepatic insulin extraction ratio were not different
      between the NGT and T2DM groups. The dynamic, static, and total beta-cell
      responsivity indexes were significantly lower in the T2DM group than the NGT
      group. The dynamic, static, and total disposition indexes were also significantly
      lower in the T2DM group than the NGT group. CONCLUSION: The oral minimal model
      can be reproducibly applied to evaluate beta-cell function and insulin
      sensitivity in Koreans.

PMID- 27273910
TI  - Comparison of macular pigment and serum lutein concentration changes between free
      lutein and lutein esters supplements in Japanese subjects.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare changes in macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and serum
      lutein concentration between free lutein and lutein esters supplements in healthy
      Japanese individuals. METHODS: Twenty healthy subjects (age range, 22-47 years)
      were recruited into this prospective, randomized, doubled-blind comparative
      study. Individuals were evenly divided into two groups: free lutein group,
      supplementation with 10 mg of free lutein; or lutein esters group,
      supplementation with 20 mg of lutein esters equivalent to 10 mg of free lutein.
      Each participant took either type of oral lutein daily for 3 months. The serum
      lutein concentrations and MPOD levels were measured at baseline and 3 and 6
      months after the start of supplementation. RESULTS: There were no significant
      differences in the serum lutein concentrations and MPOD levels at baseline
      between the groups. The increased serum lutein concentration and MPOD levels at 3
      months were respectively, 89% and 38% in the free lutein group and 97% and 17% in
      the lutein esters group. The serum lutein concentrations in both groups and MPOD
      levels in the free lutein group increased significantly (p < 0.05) from baseline.
      No significant differences in serum lutein concentrations and MPOD levels were
      seen between the groups. Three months after supplementation ended, the serum
      lutein concentration decreased; the MPOD remained elevated in both groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: The serum lutein concentrations and MPOD levels increased
      significantly with either free lutein or lutein esters, and no significant
      differences were found between the two. Both were considered useful as lutein
      supplements.

PMID- 27273911
TI  - A novel HLA-B allele, HLA-B*35:279, identified by sequencing-based typing in a
      Czech patient.
AB  - The identification of a novel HLA-B*35:279 allele in a Czech patient is
      described. This allele is identical to the B*35:03:01 variant except the G/A
      nucleotide exchange at position 652 of the HLA-B gene that corresponds to the
      amino acid substitution from valine to isoleucine in alpha 3 domain of the HLA-B
      antigen. 

PMID- 27273912
TI  - Preferences for Disease-Related Education and Support Among Younger People With
      Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the usefulness and accessibility of different delivery
      modes of disease-related education and support, as perceived by younger people
      with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: People ages 20-55 years with hip or knee OA
      were recruited from 3 major Australian public hospitals and the community (n =
      147). Data were collected on use of disease-related education and support
      services, as well as perceived usefulness and accessibility of delivery modes
      including group-based programs, online resources, telephone helplines, mailed
      information, social media, and mobile applications (rated on visual analog scales
      from 1-10; higher scores indicate greater usefulness or accessibility). RESULTS:
      Very few participants had used social media (5%), group self-management programs
      (3%), or telephone helplines (2%) to obtain OA information. Mailed information
      packs and online education programs were considered the most useful (median
      usefulness scores 8.0 and 7.0, respectively) and accessible methods (median
      accessibility scores 10.0 and 9.0, respectively) for providing OA education and
      support. Social media was perceived as least useful (median usefulness score 2.0)
      and least accessible; 45% of participants considered it "not at all useful,"
      while 35% reported it would be "very difficult" to access OA education and
      support by this means. Less educational attainment was associated with greater
      perceived difficulty in accessing online/electronic delivery modes, while people
      in paid work perceived easier access. CONCLUSION: These data highlight the value
      of mailed information and online education to younger people with OA and can be
      used to develop targeted resources for individuals of working age. Social media
      was not a highly valued source of disease-related education and support.

PMID- 27273913
TI  - In vivo metabolism study of (R)-bambuterol in humans using ultra high performance
      liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - (R)-Bambuterol, a selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, has been approved as a
      new drug for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by
      the China Food and Drug Administration and is currently under phase I clinical
      trials. In this study, a combined method based on ultra high performance liquid
      chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and ultra high
      performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry was employed for the identification of the major metabolites of (R)
      bambuterol in human plasma and urine after an oral dose of 10 mg. The metabolites
      were separated by gradient elution program and different sample preparation
      methods were compared. Totally, 12 metabolites of (R)-bambuterol were identified,
      including four metabolites in plasma and all 12 metabolites in urine. Among
      these, four metabolites are reported for the first time. The possible metabolic
      pathways of (R)-bambuterol were subsequently proposed. The results indicated that
      (R)-bambuterol was metabolized via hydrolysis, demethylation, oxygenation,
      glucuronidation, and sulfation pathways in vivo. This study revealed that this
      combined method was accurate and sensitive to identify the possible metabolites
      and to better understand the metabolism of (R)-bambuterol in vivo. 

PMID- 27273914
TI  - Statins and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Nested Case-Control Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Statins have antiinflammatory/immunomodulatory effects that may be
      useful in preventing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but previous observational
      studies about the risk of RA with statin use yielded conflicting results. The aim
      of this study was to determine whether high-intensity statin treatment is
      associated with reduced risk of RA. METHODS: Using data from the UK Clinical
      Practice Research Datalink, we performed a nested case-control analysis in a
      population-based cohort of patients who began receiving statins between 1997 and
      2009 and were followed up until a first diagnosis of RA, death, end of
      registration with the physician's practice, or end of January 2011. For each case
      of RA, 10 age-, sex-, and calendar year-matched controls were randomly selected
      from risk sets. We estimated the hazard ratio (HR) of incident RA in the highest
      quintile of duration-weighted average statin intensity compared to the lowest,
      using conditional logistic regression. Models were adjusted for smoking status,
      total cholesterol level, obesity, history of cardiovascular disease, coexistent
      autoimmune disease, hypothyroidism, and persistence with treatment. RESULTS: The
      cohort included 528,654 new users of statins, with 1,357 new cases of RA
      occurring during a mean follow-up of 3.3 years, for an incidence rate of 7.9 per
      10,000 person-years. Cases were more likely to be smokers, to have other
      autoimmune diseases, and to have had lower total cholesterol levels at baseline.
      The incidence of RA was lower in the highest statin intensity quintile (adjusted
      HR 0.77 [95% confidence interval 0.63-0.95]) in comparison to the lowest
      quintile. CONCLUSION: In this large population-based study, high-intensity statin
      treatment was associated with a reduced risk of RA in comparison to low-intensity
      statin treatment.

PMID- 27273915
TI  - Excitation Energy Transfer in meta-Substituted Phenylacetylene Multibranched
      Chromophores.
AB  - A comprehensive investigation into the spectral properties and excitation energy
      transfer in di- or tribranched dithienyldiketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) molecules with
      meta-substituted benzene as a central core (TADPP2-TT and TADPP3), by means of
      steady-state and transient measurements and quantum chemical calculations, is
      reported. Excitation in the meta-substituted chromophores is localized on one of
      the DPP units in the branching molecules owing to the disruption of conjugation
      by meta substitution for both TADPP2-TT and TADPP3. Weak electronic couplings
      result from the long distance between the DPP chromophores and the steric effects
      from the attached side chains on DPP. The attachment of the acetylene linker in
      each branch, which has a very low twisting barrier, could also play an important
      role in reducing the interaction between DPP chromophores. The dynamics of the
      excited states show that excitation energy transfer occurs on the picosecond
      scale, which is attributed to the incoherent hopping mechanism.

PMID- 27273916
TI  - The need for ethical and pedagogical frameworks for developing online media in
      anatomy education.

PMID- 27273917
TI  - Endophthalmitis after small-gauge vitrectomy: a retrospective case series from
      Sweden.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the anatomical and functional outcomes of acute-onset
      endophthalmitis after small-gauge vitrectomy. METHODS: Retrospective case series
      of patients who underwent 23- or 25-gauge vitrectomy at four centres in Sweden
      between 2008 and 2012. Postvitrectomy endophthalmitis was identified through the
      search of the journal records of each institution, and the diagnosis was based on
      clinical criteria regardless of culture results. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients
      (24 eyes) were included. The incidence of endophthalmitis following small-gauge
      vitrectomy was 0.14%. Indications for small-gauge vitrectomy enclosed epiretinal
      membrane (n = 13), retinal detachment (n = 5) and others (n = 6). Surgical
      technique included 23- and 25-gauge vitrectomy (23:1). Four eyes had sutured
      sclerotomies, and two had postoperative hypotony <7 mmHg. Days to endophthalmitis
      presentation varied between 1 and 21 (mean 6 +/- 6). Treatment methods included
      the following: tap and antibiotic injection (n = 7), tap, antibiotic injection
      with subsequent vitrectomy (n = 2) and prompt vitrectomy with antibiotics (n =
      15). Sixteen eyes (66.7%) were culture positive, whereas the other eight cases
      were culture negative. Anatomical results included evisceration (n = 1), phthisis
      (n = 1), and globe intact (n = 22). Presenting best corrected visual acuity
      (BCVA) were hand motion (n = 14), light perception (n = 7), counting fingers (n =
      2), and no data (n = 1). Functionally 19 eyes (79%) had Snellen VA >=0.1; 11 eyes
      (46%) had VA >=0.5 Mean logMar BCVA preoperatively and at the last follow-up were
      2.07 +/- 0.6 and 0.79 +/- 0.99, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of good
      anatomical and functional results, this study showed higher rate of
      endophthalmitis than the latest reports suggesting that small-gauge vitrectomy
      has reached the safety level of standard 20-gauge vitrectomy when infectious
      endophthalmitis is concerned.

PMID- 27273918
TI  - A DANGEROUS MUDDYING OF THE WATERS? THE 'SIGNIFICANT HARM' OF RE B AND G
      (CHILDREN) (CARE PROCEEDINGS)[2015] EWFC 3.
AB  - The academic debate rages on as to whether male circumcision really is in the
      best interests of the child or if it constitutes an abusive practice. This
      commentary discusses the recent case of Re B and G (children) (care proceedings)
      [2015] EWFC 3, delivered by the current President of the Family Division of the
      High court, Sir James Munby. Two key issues are raised by this judgment. First,
      that President Munby's obiter comments constitute an attack on the legally
      accepted act of male circumcision by suggesting a similar nature between the
      illegal act of female genital mutilation (FGM) and that of male circumcision as
      well as the suggestion that male circumcision can be classed as a significant
      harm. Second, that this case reflects the woefully unprepared condition of the UK
      medical profession in dealing with FGM. 

PMID- 27273919
TI  - TRUST A v X AND OTHERS: THE GHOST OF NIELSEN RETURNS?
AB  - The case of Trust A v X and Others suggests that parents can authorise
      significant restrictions to be imposed on their disabled children. The court held
      that the parents of a D, a 15-year-old boy with autism and challenging behaviour,
      could consent to their son's placement in a locked psychiatric ward for over 15
      months, whereas if such restrictions were placed on a child of that age without
      such disabilities, they would 'probably amount to ill treatment'. Focussing on
      two main areas of concern, it is argued that this decision is questionable and
      provides little assistance in determining whether parents can consent to their
      child's admission to hospital. First, the decision seems to be influenced by a
      misunderstanding of the basis on which the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)
      determines if a deprivation of liberty has arisen. Secondly, the court appears to
      have assumed that as D's parents were acting in his best interests, they were
      able to authorise extensive restrictions on their son, which is not the case.
      Such an approach renders disabled children's rights in this area almost non
      existent and far exceeds the parental powers envisaged by the ECtHR in Nielsen v
      Denmark (1988), which has been subject to widespread criticism for failing to
      uphold the rights of the child. 

PMID- 27273920
TI  - European Court of Human Rights Rulings in Home Birth Set to Cause Trouble for the
      Future: A Review of Two Cases.
AB  - The safety of home birth is widely debated. The European Court of Human Rights
      (ECtHR) recently made two conflicting rulings on home birth, Ternovszky v Hungary
      and Dubska and Krejzova v the Czech Republic. In Ternovszky v Hungary, the ECtHR
      essentially forced Hungary to change existing legislation to allow home birth. In
      contrast, in Dubska and Krejzova v the Czech Republic, the Court found Czech
      Republic's stringent regulations against home birth acceptable. We describe these
      cases, the different evidence used and interpreted by the court and examine the
      ethical conflict between maternal autonomy and the rights of the newborn.

PMID- 27273921
TI  - Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of novel
      pleuromutilin derivatives having a piperazine ring.
AB  - A series of novel pleuromutilin derivatives possessing piperazine moieties were
      synthesized under mild conditions. The in vitro antibacterial activities of these
      derivatives against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were tested by the
      agar dilution method. Structure-activity relationship studies resulted in
      compounds 11b, 13b, and 14a with the most potent in vitro antibacterial activity
      among the series (minimal inhibitory concentration = 0.0625-0.125 MUg/mL). The
      binding of compounds 11b, 13b, and 14a to the E. coli ribosome was investigated
      by molecular modeling, and it was found that there is a reasonable correlation
      between the binding free energy and the antibacterial activity.

PMID- 27273923
TI  - Recurrent Episodes of Rhabdomyolysis after Seizures in a Patient with Glycogen
      Storage Disease Type V.

PMID- 27273922
TI  - Disability Progression in Multiple Sclerosis Is Affected by the Emergence of
      Comorbid Arterial Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We assessed the prevalence and potential association of
      hypertension with multiple sclerosis (MS)-related disability progression.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 2,813 patients who were followed for
      20 years. We modeled the associations of several risk factors with the pattern of
      disability progression. The primary end point was the rate of disability
      progression. RESULTS: In total, 2,396 patients were available for analysis, of
      which 1,074 (44.8%) scored 4 (EDSS4) on the Expanded Disability Status Scale
      (EDSS), 717 (29.9%) scored 6 (EDSS6), and 261 (10.9%) scored 8 (EDSS8). The mean
      times to reach scores of 4, 6, and 8 were 123.5, 163.1, and 218.9 months,
      respectively. Hypertension was present in 207 (8.6%) patients during follow-up.
      Hypertension was associated with a higher probability of reaching each EDSS score
      compared to non-hypertensive patients: 62% vs. 43% for EDSS4 (p<0.01), 51% vs.
      28% for EDSS6 (p<0.01), and 17% vs. 10% for EDSS8 (p<0.01). Nevertheless,
      hypertensive MS patients experienced longer intervals to reach each EDSS score:
      longer by 51.6, 38.9, and 62.7 months to EDSS4, EDSS6, and EDSS8, respectively
      (p<0.01) when compared to non-hypertensive MS patients reaching the same EDSS
      scores. CONCLUSIONS: Disability progression is more prevalent amongst
      hypertensive MS patients. However, they experience longer time intervals between
      the stages of disability progression.

PMID- 27273924
TI  - Tuberculomas Mimicking Posterior-Circulation Stroke.

PMID- 27273925
TI  - Estimating the Prevalence of Treated Epilepsy Using Administrative Health Data
      and Its Validity: ESSENCE Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Few of the epidemiologic studies of epilepsy have
      utilized well-validated nationwide databases. We estimated the nationwide
      prevalence of treated epilepsy based on a comprehensive medical payment database
      along with diagnostic validation. METHODS: We collected data on patients
      prescribed of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) from the Health Insurance Review and
      Assessment service, which covers the entire population of Korea. To assess the
      diagnostic validity, a medical records survey was conducted involving 6,774
      patients prescribed AEDs from 43 institutions based on regional clusters and
      referral levels across the country. The prevalence of treated epilepsy was
      estimated by projecting the diagnostic validity on the number of patients
      prescribed AEDs. RESULTS: The mean positive predictive value (PPV) for epilepsy
      was 0.810 for those prescribed AEDs with diagnostic codes that indicate epilepsy
      or seizure (Diagnosis-E), while it was 0.066 for those without Diagnosis-E. The
      PPV tended to decrease with age in both groups, with lower values seen in
      females. The prevalence was 3.84 per 1,000, and it was higher among males,
      children, and the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of epilepsy in Korea was
      comparable to that in other East Asian countries. The diagnostic validity of
      administrative health data varies depending on the method of case ascertainment,
      age, and sex. The prescriptions of AEDs even without relevant diagnostic codes
      should be considered as a tracer for epilepsy.

PMID- 27273927
TI  - Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometry and chemometric analysis of licorice based on the simultaneous
      determination of saponins and flavonoids.
AB  - Licorice is among the most popular herbal medicines and frequently used in
      traditional medicine, food products, and cosmetics. In China, only Glycyrrhiza
      uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. are
      officially used and are usually processed with honey prior to use. To maintain
      the quality of commercially available herbal products, a simple, rapid, and
      reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometry was developed to investigate the major active constituents of
      commercially available licorice products. Nineteen components were accurately
      determined, including eight triterpenoid saponins, one triterpene, and ten
      flavonoids. Subsequently, multivariate statistical analysis methods were employed
      to further explore and interpret the experimental data. The results indicated
      that liquiritin apioside may be considered as a candidate index for the quality
      control of licorice as well as 18beta-glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin. In
      addition, both 18beta-glycyrrhizic acid and licorice-saponin G2 can be used for
      discrimination between crude and honey-processed licorice. Furthermore, using
      18beta-glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin as markers, this work revealed that the
      quality of licorice products may have declined in recent years. This highlights
      the need for additional effort focused on good agricultural practice during the
      processing of licorice. In summary, this study provides a valuable reference for
      the quality assessment of licorice. 

PMID- 27273926
TI  - "You Obviously Just Have to Put on a Brave Face": A Qualitative Study of the
      Experiences and Coping Styles of Men With Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences, coping styles, and support preferences of
      male rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Six focus groups comprised 22
      men with RA. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
      RESULTS: Three overarching themes describe the experiences, coping styles, and
      support preferences of men with RA. In "challenges to masculinity," the men
      described a "reduction in strength and abilities," which can lead to loss of
      independence, "challenges to masculine identity and role," and "loss of power and
      control." Coping by "getting through life with RA" meant dealing with RA by "just
      getting on with it," "information seeking," engaging in "destructive behaviors,"
      and "withdrawing socially." Preferred "sources of support" tended not to include
      friends, as they were perceived to lack understanding or support. For acceptable
      support the men reported a preference for information-giving sessions rather than
      a discussion group, but there was no agreement on whether these should be mixed
      sex or men only, or who should run the sessions. CONCLUSION: Male patients
      reported a range of coping styles and support preferences to address their
      experiences of living with RA, many of which may not be shared with women.
      Further research is needed to investigate whether these findings exist in a
      larger sample and whether the support preferences of men with RA are broadly
      different from those of women with RA to decide whether there is a clinical need
      to design a service for the potentially different needs of men.

PMID- 27273929
TI  - Sulfur Confined in Sub-Nanometer-Sized 2 D Graphene Interlayers and Its
      Electrochemical Behavior in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.
AB  - Microspace-confined sulfur molecules as cathodes for lithium-sulfur (Li-S)
      batteries have shown great significance in both scientific and technical aspects.
      A study of different microspace-confined sulfur will not only promote the
      advancement of Li-S batteries but also arouse a wide interest in sulfur chemistry
      and related applications. Herein, we choose two-dimensional (2D) graphene
      interlayer as host and construct 2D space-confined sulfur model systems by simple
      intercalation chemistry of graphite oxide. Two routes, including solvothermal
      method and interlamellar reaction approach, are developed, and sulfur can be
      easily intercalated into sub-nanometer-sized graphene interlayers, forming a
      graphene confined sulfur structure. The 2D space-confined sulfur can work well in
      a carbonate-based electrolyte and show similar electrochemical behaviors of small
      sulfur molecules, indicating the special molecular form of sulfur in graphene
      layers. The 2D space-confined sulfur concept will be helpful for further
      understanding the electrochemical character of confined sulfur molecules and
      designing a high-performance sulfur cathode.

PMID- 27273928
TI  - Brief Report: Management of Chronic Post-Chikungunya Rheumatic Disease: The
      Martinican Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe chronic chikungunya manifestations seen during the
      outbreak in the Caribbean from December 2013 to January 2015. METHODS: Patients
      were seen at our center, the only rheumatology department in Martinique Island,
      and were examined by a senior rheumatologist using a standard care report form.
      Chikungunya was diagnosed collectively based on consensus among all clinicians.
      The median time from onset of acute chikungunya to the first rheumatology
      consultation was calculated, severity was evaluated based on clinical scales and
      the degree of joint destruction, and each patient's treatment was recorded.
      RESULTS: For the 147 patients analyzed, the median time between onset of acute
      chikungunya and the first rheumatology consultation was 8 months. After review of
      each patient's medical record, 19 (12.9%) were diagnosed as having epidemic
      influenced chikungunya. Four distinct rheumatologic patterns were observed in the
      remaining patients (those with compatible history and positive serologic
      findings): 47 patients (32%) had reactivation of painful chronic mechanical
      manifestations, 9 patients (6.1%) had fibromyalgia, 45 patients (30.6%) met
      criteria for spondyloarthritis (as evaluated before the chikungunya virus
      infection in all patients) and experienced a flare, and 27 patients (18.4%), with
      no history of joint disease, developed de novo bilateral symmetric chronic
      inflammatory joint disease in response to chikungunya virus infection. For
      inflammatory arthritis, most patients were treated with methotrexate (up to 25
      mg/week), with good response and tolerance. Thirteen patients were treated with
      conventional doses of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, with good tolerance and
      efficacy as expected. CONCLUSION: The term "chronic chikungunya syndrome" covers
      multiple etiologies. Compliance with the French Society of Rheumatology
      recommendations, careful recording of patient histories, and serologic
      verification help prevent errors inherent to the epidemic context and ensure
      early therapeutic intervention for these patients. To avoid late initiation of
      treatment, patients should receive rheumatologic consultation as early as
      possible.

PMID- 27273930
TI  - Anisometropia of ocular refractive and biometric measures among 66- to 79-year
      old female twins.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence of anisometropia of spherical refraction
      (AnisoSR), astigmatism (AnisoAST) and spherical equivalent (AnisoSE) and their
      associations with spherical refraction (SR), refractive astigmatism (AST),
      spherical equivalent (SE) and interocular differences of ocular biometric
      parameters among elderly female twins. METHODS: Refraction of 117 monozygotic
      (MZ) and 116 dizygotic (DZ) female twin subjects aged 66-79 years was assessed
      with an auto-refractor (Topcon AT) and controlled by subjective refraction.
      Corneal refraction, anterior chamber depth and axial length were measured with a
      Zeiss IOL Master. Participants with eyes operated for cataract or glaucoma were
      excluded, but the grade of nuclear opacity was not recorded. The associations
      between the absolute values of AnisoSR, AnisoAST and AnisoSE with SR, AST, SE,
      corneal refractive power (CR), corneal astigmatism (CAST), anterior chamber depth
      (ACD) and axial length (AL) and with their interocular differences were
      calculated. When calculating the interdependencies of the differences, the real
      and absolute differences between the right and left eye were used. RESULTS: Means
      +/- standard deviations for AnisoSR, AnisoAST and AnisoSE were 0.67 +/- 0.92 D,
      0.42 +/- 0.41 D and 0.65 +/- 0.71 D, respectively. AnisoSR, AnisoAST and AnisoSE
      >1.0 D were present in 14.7%, 4.2% and 17.7% of cases, respectively.
      Anisometropia of spherical refraction (AnisoSR), AnisoAST and AnisoSE were higher
      the more negative the values of SR or SE. Hyperopic ametropia did not increase
      these anisometropia values. The correlations of AnisoSR and AnisoSE with the
      absolute values of interocular differences in CR and AL were non-significant.
      Using the real values of the interocular differences, the respective correlations
      were significant. The correlation between the real interocular differences in CR
      and AL was negative (r = -0.258, p < 0.001). Thus, the combined effect of the
      real interocular differences in CR and AL was a decrease in AnisoSR and AnisoSE
      (emmetropization). CONCLUSION: Higher AnisoSR and AnisoSE were associated with
      more myopic refraction and longer AL. Higher AnisoAST was associated with more
      negative SR and higher AST and CAST. The negative correlation between real
      interocular differences in CR and AL indicated their influence of emmetropization
      in AnisoSR and AnisoSE.

PMID- 27273932
TI  - The Global Burden of Cardiovascular Disease.

PMID- 27273931
TI  - Persistence of megalencephaly in a subgroup of young boys with autism spectrum
      disorder.
AB  - A recurring finding in autism spectrum disorder research is that head and brain
      growth is disproportionate to body growth in early childhood. Nordahl et al.
      (2011) demonstrated that this occurs in approximately 15% of boys with autism.
      While the literature suggests that brain growth normalizes at older ages, this
      has never been evaluated in a longitudinal study. The current study evaluated
      head circumference and total cerebral volume in 129 male children with autism and
      49 age-matched, typically developing controls. We determined whether 3-year-old
      boys with brain size disproportionate to height (which we call disproportionate
      megalencephaly) demonstrated an abnormal trajectory of head growth from birth and
      whether they maintained an enlarged brain at 5 years of age. Findings were based
      on longitudinal, structural MRI data collected around 3, 4, and 5 years of age
      and head circumference data from medical records. At 3 years of age, 19 boys with
      autism had enlarged brains while 110 had brain sizes in the normal range. Boys
      with disproportionate megalencephaly had greater total cerebral, gray matter, and
      white matter volumes from 3-5 years compared to boys with autism and normal sized
      brains and typically developing boys, but no differences in body size. While head
      circumference did not differ between groups at birth, it was significantly
      greater in the disproportionate megalencephaly group by around 2 years. These
      data suggest that there is a subgroup of boys with autism who have brains
      disproportionate to body size and that this continues until at least 5 years of
      age. Autism Res 2016, 9: 1169-1182. (c) 2016 International Society for Autism
      Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27273933
TI  - Heroes in the Field.

PMID- 27273934
TI  - Dietary Fat Intake and Radiographic Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis: Data From
      the Osteoarthritis Initiative.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Few studies have investigated the role of dietary factors on knee
      osteoarthritis (OA) progression. We examined the prospective association of
      dietary fat intake with radiographic progression of knee OA. METHODS: In the
      Osteoarthritis Initiative, 2,092 participants with radiographic knee OA and
      having baseline dietary data were followed at yearly intervals up to 48 months.
      Dietary intakes of fatty acids were assessed with the Block Brief Food Frequency
      Questionnaire. To evaluate radiographic progression of knee OA, we used
      quantitative joint space width (JSW) between the medial femur and tibia of the
      knee based on fixed-flexion posteroanterior radiographs. Linear mixed models for
      repeated measures were used to test the association between dietary fat and JSW
      loss over time. RESULTS: We observed significant positive relationships of total
      fat and saturated fatty acids (SFA) intakes with JSW loss. With increasing
      quartiles of total fat intake, JSW decreases over 48 months were 0.26 mm, 0.27
      mm, 0.31 mm and 0.35 mm, respectively (P = 0.02 for trend). Similar association
      was observed between SFA intake and JSW loss. In contrast, higher intakes of mono
      (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and higher ratio of PUFA to SFA
      were associated with a reduced JSW loss. CONCLUSION: High intakes of total fat
      and SFA may be associated with increased structural knee OA progression, while
      MUFA and PUFA may reduce radiographic progression. Replication of these novel
      findings in other prospective studies is needed to confirm if reduction in SFA
      intake and increase in unsaturated fat intake lead to delayed knee OA
      progression.

PMID- 27273935
TI  - Effect of music therapy on pain behaviors in rats with bone cancer pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of music therapy on the pain behaviors and
      survival of rats with bone cancer pain and analyze the mediating mechanism of
      mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway. METHODS:
      Male Wistar rats aged 5-8 weeks and weighing 160-200 g were collected. The rat
      models of colorectal cancer bone cancer pain was successfully established.
      Animals were divided into experimental and control group, each with 10 rats. The
      animals in the observation group were given Mozart K448 sonata, sound intensity
      of 60 db, played the sonata once every 1 hr in the daytime, stopped playing
      during the night, and this cycle was kept for 2 weeks. On the other hand, rats in
      the control group were kept under the same environment without music. RESULTS:
      Animals in the experimental group consumed more feed and gained significant
      weight in comparison to the control group. The tumor volume of the experimental
      group was significantly smaller than that of the control group (p<0.05). After 1
      2 weeks of treatment, spontaneous foot withdrawal reflection caused by pain in
      the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group,
      heat pain threshold and free walking pain scoring in the experimental group were
      also significantly higher as compared with the control group (p<0.05). The
      expression of p38a and p38beta in animals' spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion
      was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p<
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Music therapy may improve the pain behaviors in rats with bone
      cancer pain, which might be related with low expression of p38a and p38beta in
      the MAPK signal transduction pathway.

PMID- 27273936
TI  - Is there a current change of maintenance treatment in ovarian cancer? An updated
      review of the literature.
AB  - Maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer has been introduced and evaluated in many
      large randomized trials; however, its efficacy is still unclear and includes
      concerns for both short-term and longer-term side effects. Thus far, some
      therapies that have been studied in this setting showed a delay in tumor
      progression but unfortunately no improvement in overall survival has been
      noticed. The introduction of new chemotherapeutic agents redirected research
      efforts. Assessing benefits of prolonged therapy and its impact in terms of
      toxicity is considerably important for the decision to administer such
      treatments. The purpose of this article was to provide an update on the
      randomized trials and review the role of maintenance therapy in the treatment of
      ovarian cancer. 

PMID- 27273937
TI  - Epigenetic mechanisms in endometrial cancer.
AB  - Purpose: Endometrial cancer is a very common type of cancer in females worldwide.
      Advances in diagnosis and treatment have not decreased the incidence of
      endometrial cancer. Lately, research has been focused on revealing the molecular
      and genetic characteristics of endometrial cancer in order to provide new
      insights in the biology of this entity, leading hopefully to innovating
      therapies. Research has revealed that epigenetic modifications govern endometrial
      carcinogenesis. In this review, the epigenetic mechanisms that are involved in
      endometrial cancer as well as the differences between the different types of
      endometrial cancer are discussed. The review also refers to the putative
      therapeutic benefits that hopefully can arise.

PMID- 27273938
TI  - Recent advances in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Purpose: The fifth most common cancer of the gastrointestinal system is liver
      cancer. It is also one of the most common cancers worldwide. The available
      treatment options include surgery, percutaneous ablation, and liver
      transplantation. Some of the latest modalities for the management of
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are radiofrequency ablation, trans-arterial
      chemoembolization, radioembolization and systemic targeted agents like sorafenib.
      The process of choice of a particular treatment modality in HCC depends on the
      tumor stage, patient performance status and liver function reserve. In the recent
      past with progress in research, the short-term survival of HCC has improved but
      recurrent disease remains a fundamental problem as the pathogenesis of HCC is a
      multistep and complex process. The present review is focused on recent advances
      in the management of HCC. This review will also provide an insight on the
      upcoming latest modalities including the emerging role of hepatoma-derived growth
      factor (HDGF) overexpression in liver fibrosis and carcinogenesis.

PMID- 27273939
TI  - Clinical significance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells.
AB  - Purpose: Spread of cancer cells from the organ of the origin of them to another
      location, namely metastasis, is one of the most important factors that complicate
      the treatment of cancer. Therefore, research for the treatment of metastatic
      disease is gaining importance, especially for advanced cancers. This research
      focuses on the mechanisms that facilitate the metastatic tendency of cancer
      cells. Therefore, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism that helps
      the cells become metastatic and cancer stem cells (CSCs) present in the
      heterogeneous tumor mass are in the center of these researches.

PMID- 27273940
TI  - Cervical cancer: screening, diagnosis and staging.
AB  - Purpose: Despite the widespread screening programs, cervical cancer remains the
      third most common cancer in developing countries. Based on the implementation of
      cervical screening programs with the referred adoption of improved screening
      methods in cervical cytology with the knowledge of the important role of the
      human papilloma virus (HPV) it's incidence is decreased in the developed world.
      Even if cervical HPV infection is incredibly common, cervical cancer is
      relatively rare. Depending on the rarity of invasive disease and the improvement
      of detection of pre-cancerous lesions due to the participation in screening
      programs, the goal of screening is to detect the cervical lesions early in order
      to be treated before cancer is developed. In populations with many preventive
      screening programs, a decrease in cervical cancer mortality of 50-75% is
      mentioned over the past 50 years. The preventive examination of vagina and cervix
      smear, Pap test, and the HPV DNA test are remarkable diagnostic tools according
      to the American Cancer Association guidelines, in the investigation of
      asymptomatic women and in the follow up of women after the treatment of pre
      invasive cervical cancer. The treatment of cervical cancer is based on the FIGO
      2009 cervical cancer staging.

PMID- 27273941
TI  - A randomized study comparing the effectiveness of microwave ablation
      radioimmunotherapy and postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation in the treatment of
      non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the differences in the outcomes of patients with stage II
      and IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with either 131I-labeled
      mouse/human chimeric monoclonal antibody against intracellular DNA exposed in
      necrotic and degenerating regions of tumors (131I-chTNT-mediated
      radioimmunotherapy) combined with percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy
      (PMCT) guided by computed tomography (CT) or with postoperative adjuvant
      chemoradiation. METHODS: Ninety-six patients with stage II and IIIa NSCLC were
      randomized into two groups. Group A included 49 patients who were treated with
      chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin and three-dimensional conformal
      radiotherapy 3-4 weeks after surgery. Group B included 47 patients treated with
      131I-chTNT and PMCT sequentially, with follow-up chemotherapy. RESULTS: The
      survival rates of patients in group A for the first and second years were 79.59%
      and 48.98%, respectively. The median survival was 23.0 months. Survival rates at
      1 and 2 years for group B were 82.98% and 53.19%, respectively and the median
      survival was 29.1 months. The survival rate of group B patients for the first and
      second years was better compared with group A, and the difference in median
      survival between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). However,
      median survival and the incidence of adverse events were not significantly
      different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: 131I-chTNT radioimmunotherapy with
      PMCT has a complementary effect in NSCLC, which can effectively improve
      therapeutic ratio and survival of patients effectively and has the same effect as
      that of post-operative adjuvant chemoradiation.

PMID- 27273942
TI  - Comparison of the efficacy of radiotherapy between postoperative mediastinal
      lymph node recurrence and stage III disease in non-small cell lung cancer
      patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: It is unknown if local treatment is equally effective in non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with postoperative mediastinal lymph node recurrence
      or primary stage III disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
      effectiveness of radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, in patients with
      postoperative mediastinal lymph node recurrence. METHODS: Patient
      characteristics, treatment response and survival were compared between NSCLC
      patients with mediastinal lymph node metastases treated between 2002-2009 by
      radiotherapy alone or by chemoradiotherapy (group A, N=33) and those with primary
      stage III disease (group B, N = 157). RESULTS: Men accounted for 60.6% of group A
      and 78.9% of group B (p=0.04 patients). ECOG performance status 0 was detected in
      78.7% of group A and 57.3% of group B (p=0.02). The response rates in groups A
      and B were 66.6 and 72.3%, respectively (p=0.64). Progression-free survival (PFS)
      was similar between groups A and B (median 15.0 vs 11.0 months; hazard ratio [HR]
      0.78; 95% CI 0.51-1.20; p=0.26). However, overall survival (OS) was better in
      group A than in group B (median 67.0 vs 39.0 months; HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.29-0.97;
      p=0.03). Postoperative PFS (median 12.5 vs 19.0 months; HR 1.50; 95% CI 0.64
      3.49; p=0.34) and OS (median, 67.0 vs 60.0 months; HR 1.22; 95% CI 0.36-4.14;
      p=0.74) were similar between the group A treatments (radiotherapy and
      chemoradiotherapy, respectively). CONCLUSION: Postoperative mediastinal lymph
      node recurrent NSCLC demonstrated distinctive features including better OS
      compared to patients with primary stage III disease, despite similar response
      rates and PFS.

PMID- 27273943
TI  - Prognostic significance of overexpressed matrix metalloproteinase-2, mouse-double
      minute: 2 homolog and epidermal growth factor receptor in non-small cell lung
      cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the rate of overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase-2
      (MMP2), mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) and epidermal growth factor receptor
      (EGFR) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and evaluate their
      correlation with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. METHODS: This was
      a prospective cohort study conducted from 2003 to 2008 among 184 NSCLC patients
      who underwent tumor resection. Each patient's clinical history and tumor
      characteristics were obtained from histopathology reports and medical records.
      EGFR, MDM2 and MMP2 expression were assessed by immunohistochemical (IHC)
      staining of the tissue specimens. RESULTS: MDM2 overexpression was observed in 70
      (38%) of the patients studied, and was significantly higher in younger patients
      (p=0.01). Only 46 (25%) of patients had overexpression of MMP2. EGFR positive
      staining occurred in 105 (57%percnt;) of the evaluated tumor specimens and was
      more frequent in specimens with squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.001), the elderly
      (p<0.001), and in smokers (p<0.001). Independent risk factors for mortality were
      older age (adjusted odds ratio/aOR 1.3=), being a smoker (aOR 10), having stage
      II disease (aOR 10.8) or stage III/IV disease (aOR 28.3), expression of EGFR (aOR
      5.9) and MMP2 (aOR 4.1). However, the expression of MDM2 independently predicted
      a reduced risk of death (aOR 0.3). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of MMP2 and EGFR
      were independent risk factors for mortality in NSCLC patients, while
      overexpression of MDM2 independently predicted a reduced risk of death.

PMID- 27273944
TI  - Results of third-generation epirubicin/cisplatin/xeloda adjuvant chemotherapy in
      patients with radically resected gastric cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a
      third-generation chemotherapy regimen in the adjuvant setting to radically
      operated patients with gastric cancer. This proposed new adjuvant regimen was
      also compared with a consecutive retrospective cohort of patients treated with
      the classic McDonald regimen. METHODS: Starting in 2006, a non-randomized
      prospective phase II study was conducted at the Institute of Oncology of Cluj
      Napoca on 40 patients with stage IB-IV radically resected gastric adenocarcinoma.
      These patients were administered a chemotherapy regimen already considered to be
      standard treatment in the metastatic setting: ECX (epirubicin, cisplatin, xeloda)
      and were compared to a retrospective control group consisting of 54 patients,
      treated between 2001 and 2006 according to McDonald's trial. RESULTS: In a
      previous paper, we reported toxicities and the possible predictive factors for
      these toxicities; in the present article, we report on the results concerning
      predictive factors on overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). The
      proposed ECX treatment was not less effective than the standard suggested by
      McDonald's trial. Age was an independent prognostic factor in multivariate
      analysis. N3 stage was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS. N ratio
      >70% was an independent predictive factor for OS and locoregional disease
      control. The resection margins were independent prognostic factors for OS and
      DFS. CONCLUSION: The proposed treatment is not less effective compared with the
      McDonald's trial. Age was an independent prognostic factor in multivariate
      analysis. N3 stage represented an independent prognostic factor and N ratio >70%
      was a predictive factor for OS and DFS. The resection margins were proven to be
      independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS.

PMID- 27273945
TI  - Clinical and pathological characteristics and their effect on survival in elderly
      patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are common tumors of the
      gastrointestinal tract. Their most frequent location is the stomach. Although the
      clinical and pathological characteristics of the disease are well-known, the
      clinical and pathological characteristics and the response to treatment are not
      clear in elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
      characteristics of GISTs in elderly patients with an aim at improving the
      therapeutic methodology and survival. METHODS: In this study, clinicopathological
      characteristics, evaluation of treatments administered and survival analyses were
      performed in patients aged 65 years or above, whose data were registered via a
      web-based patient records system following admission to three centers. RESULTS: A
      total of 85 patients aged 65 years or above were included in the study. According
      to the risk classification, 24 (28.2%) were in the low risk group, 20 (23.5%) in
      the moderate risk group, and 41 (48.3%) in high risk group, while no patient was
      in the very low risk group. At baseline, 70% of the patients had localized
      disease and 30% metastatic disease. The tumor was located in the stomach in the
      majority of the patients (45.6%). The tumor size most commonly seen was 5-10 cm
      (N=31; 36.4%). Of the 85 patients 23 (27%) were treated with imatinib 400 mg/d.
      Eight patients (9.4%) with metastatic disease switched from imatinib to
      sunitinib. At a median follow-up of 76 months (range 1-323), median overall
      survival (OS) was 72 months, without significant difference between elderly and
      younger patients. CONCLUSION: Clinicopathological characteristics and their
      prognostic impact on the disease course of elderly GIST patients should be
      elucidated in depth. Since age didn't show prognostic importance, other
      parameters should be used as prognostic/predictive factors in the tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors era in order to obtain improved therapeutic results.

PMID- 27273946
TI  - Identification of disrupted pathways in ulcerative colitis-related colorectal
      carcinoma by systematic tracking the dysregulated modules.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the altered biological pathways
      associated with ulcerative colitis (UC)-related colorectal carcinoma (CRC) by
      systematic tracking the dysregulated modules from re-weighted protein- protein
      interaction (PPI) networks based on the expression profiles from normal, UC and
      various stages of CRC. METHODS: We firstly recruited the UC- and CRC-related
      microarray data from ArrayExpress database, and obtained 8 expression profiles
      which contained 5 conditions (normal, UC, early stage CRC, stage II CRC and stage
      III CRC). Then, the PPI networks of normal and different disease stages were
      constructed and re-weighted using Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Next,
      the condition-specific modules were extracted from 5 PPI networks via clique
      merging algorithm, and altered modules were captured on the basis of module
      correlation density (MCD). Subsequently, the gene compositions of altered modules
      and gene differential expressions in different disease stages were identified to
      screen the dysregulated genes. Finally, pathways enrichment analyses for the
      genes in altered modules and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were
      implemented. RESULTS: The extensive changes of gene correlations existed in 5
      condition-specific PPI networks, which made different MCDs among different
      disease stages. The same number of modules (N=1952) were explored in 5 PPI
      networks. By comparing with normal condition, there were 463, 791, 1060 and 345
      altered modules in UC, early stage CRC, stage II and III CRC, respectively.
      Overall, 77, 110, 170 and 110 common genes were identified between genes of
      altered modules and DEGs in UC, early stage CRC, stage II CRC and stage III CRC,
      respectively. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that cell cycle and oocyte
      meiosis were the common and most significant pathways in colonic diseases.
      CONCLUSIONS: Tracking the altered modules from PPI networks is useful to uncover
      disrupted pathways in colonic diseases. Cell cycle and oocyte meiosis might be
      associated with the pathophysiological background of colonic diseases.

PMID- 27273947
TI  - Efficacy and safety of eribulin monotherapy in patients with heavily pretreated
      metastatic breast cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Eribulin is a non-taxane microtubule inhibitor, which can be used after
      anthracycline and taxane treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer
      (MBC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of
      eribulin monotherapy in heavily pretreated MBC patients. METHODS: In this single
      center trial, a total of 66 MBC patients who received eribulin monotherapy in
      Hacettepe University Cancer Institute between 2013 and 2015 were retrospectively
      analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was carried out for progression free
      survival (PFS) and for overall survival (OS). Two-sided p values <0.05 were
      considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients who received
      at least one cycle of eribulin were registered. Most patients were heavily
      pretreated with a median of 4 (range 2-7) previous chemotherapy lines prior to
      eribulin. Median patient age was 50 years (range 28-67). Most patients were
      treated with eribulin at 4th or 5th line (33.3 and 27.3%, respectively). Brain
      metastases were present in 19 (28.8%) patients at the time of initial eribulin
      administration. Median PFS was 5 (95% CI 4.1-5.8) and median OS was 8 (95% CI 6
      9.9) months. Fifteen patients (22.7%) responded to treatment with partial
      remission (PR) and 36 (54%) had stable disease (SD). No hypersensitivity
      reactions and no toxic deaths were observed. Three (5%) patients experienced
      grade 4 neurotoxicity. Fourteen (21.5%) patients developed grade 3-4 neutropenia.
      CONCLUSION: Eribulin monotherapy is an effective and safe regimen for MBC
      patients. Its low toxicity profile compared to other intravenous cytotoxic agents
      and the ease in its intravenous administration make this agent a preferable
      option for both physicians and patients.

PMID- 27273948
TI  - The role of p95HER2 in trastuzumab resistance in breast cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Trastuzumab, the HER2 oncogene targeting drug, shows remarkable clinical
      efficacy in HER2-amplified breast cancer patients. Despite of robust activity,
      some of the patients with HER2-positive breast cancers do not get the benefit due
      to trastuzumab resistance. Overexpression of p95HER2 is one of the molecular
      mechanisms of trastuzumab resistance. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate whether p95HER2 overexpressing breast cancers were resistant to
      trastuzumab. METHODS: p95HER2 (truncated HER2) and HER2 were determined by real
      time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. HER2 protein expression and
      HER2 gene amplification were also determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and
      chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). Archival material from 80 formalin
      fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast cancer tumor tissues was used for the
      study. None of the cases had metastases at the initial diagnosis. HER2-positive
      cases were treated with trastuzumab with/without chemotherapy. RESULTS: Of 80
      breast cancer cases 39 (48.7%) were HER2-positive and had trastuzumab treatment.
      Of these 39 cases 11 (28.2%) were trastuzumab-resistant and 28 (71.8%) were not,
      17 (43.6%) were recurrent cases and 22 (56.4%) were not. Three patients died
      during follow-up. p95HER2 mean ratio was 11.01+/-19.73 in 11 cases which were
      trastuzumab-resistant, while p95HER2 mean ratio was 1.99+/-1.37 in 28 cases
      without trastuzumab resistance. If p95HER2 ratio was low, there was no
      trastuzumab resistance. However, when p95HER2 ratio was high, there was
      trastuzumab resistance (p=0.210, Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSION: p95HER2 was
      correlated with trastuzumab resistance, but it was not an independent factor of
      trastuzumab resistance. We claim that p95HER2 is sensitive but not specific for
      the prediction of trastuzumab resistance.

PMID- 27273949
TI  - Personalized discovery of altered pathways in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
      using accumulated normal sample data.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify altered pathways in an individual with clear cell renal cell
      carcinoma (ccRCC) using accumulated normal sample data. METHODS: Gene expression
      data of E-GEOD-40435 was downloaded from the ArrayExpress database. Gene-level
      statistics of genes in tumor and normal samples were computed. Then, the Average
      Z method was applied to calculate the individual pathway aberrance score (iPAS).
      Subsequently, the significantly altered pathways in a ccRCC sample were
      identified using T-test based on the pathway statistics values of normal and
      ccRCC samples. Moreover, the identified altered pathways were verified through
      two methods: one was assessing classification capability for microarray data
      samples, and the other was computing the changed percentage of each pathway in
      ccRCC samples. RESULTS: Based on the threshold, 886 altered pathways were
      identified in all samples. The most significant pathways were potassium transport
      channels, proton-coupled monocarboxylate transport, beta oxidation of octanoyl
      CoA to hexanoyl-CoA, antigen presentation: folding, assembly and peptide loading
      of class I MHC, and so on. Additionally, iPAS separated ccRCC from normal
      controls with an accuracy of 0.980. Moreover, a total of 5 significant pathways
      with change in 100% ccRCC samples were extracted including proton-coupled
      monocarboxylate transport, antigen presentation: folding, assembly and peptide
      loading of class I MHC, and so on. CONCLUSIONS: iPAS is useful to predict marker
      pathways for ccRCC with a high accuracy. Pathways of proton-coupled
      monocarboxylate transport, and antigen presentation: folding, assembly and
      peptide loading of class I MHC might play crucial roles in ccRCC progression.

PMID- 27273950
TI  - Effectiveness of allogeneic CD3AK cells on transplanted human renal cell cancer
      in mice with severe combined immune deficiency.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the activity of allogeneic anti-CD3 antibody induced activated
      killer (CD3AK) cells on transplanted human renal cell cancer (RCC) in mice with
      severe combined immune deficiency (SCID), thus to provide theoretical and
      experimental support for clinical application of allogeneic CD3AK cells in the
      treatment of RCC. METHODS: A culture system which can massively increase
      allogeneic CD3AK cells was constructed. CCK-8 method was used to detect lethal
      effect of allogeneic CD3AK cells on human OS-RC-2 renal cancer cell line. Then,
      tumor-bearing mice models were constructed. SCID mice were randomly divided into
      four groups: group A (caudal vein was injected with allogeneic CD3AK cells before
      tumor bearing), group B (the control group of group A: caudal vein was injected
      with PBS before tumor bearing), group C (caudal vein was injected with allogeneic
      CD3AK cells after tumor bearing) and group D (the control group of group C:
      caudal vein was injected with PBS after tumor bearing), and spleen parameters
      were calculated to observe any inhibitory effect of allogeneic CD3AK cells on the
      growth of renal cancer cells, as well as their effect on the immune system of
      mice. RESULTS: Compared with the control groups B and D, spleen parameters of
      groups A and C increased significantly (p<0.05); compared with group C, spleen
      parameters of group A showed no obvious difference (p>0.05); compared with the
      control groups B and D, tumor weight of groups A and C decreased significantly
      and tumors grew slowly (p<0.05); the weight of mice in all groups increased while
      the weight of mice in the experimental groups increased less than the weight of
      mice in the control groups (p<0.05); compared with group C, tumor weight of group
      A reduced and grew slowly (p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed that CD3+ cells
      showed positive expression in tumor tissues of mice in group C, while no positive
      expression was found in tumor tissues of mice in other groups. CONCLUSION:
      Allogeneic CD3AK cells exerted lethal effect on OS-RC-2 cell line and significant
      inhibitory activity on the growth of transplanted cancer in mice with SCID. Also
      CD3AK cells expressed certain preventive effect on the development of implanted
      cancer in SCID mice; allogeneic CD3AK cells possessed antitumor activity and
      could enhance the immunologic functions of SCID mice with human renal cell
      bearing cancer.

PMID- 27273951
TI  - Analysis of short and long term therapeutic effects of radiofrequency
      hyperthermia combined with conformal radiotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the immediate and long term therapeutic effects of
      radiofrequency hyperthermia combined with conformal radiotherapy in patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Data was collected from 80 patients with
      HCC. All of the patients had confirmed primary HCC according to their clinical
      symptoms, imaging examinations, biochemical examinations and pathology. Patients
      were randomly divided into control group and experimental group, with 40 cases
      each. Patients in the control group were treated with conformal radiotherapy
      while patients in the experimental group were treated with conformal radiotherapy
      combined radiofrequency hyperthermia. Finally, the short and long term outcomes
      were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The levels of bilirubin, ALT and
      prothrombin time (PT) in both groups reduced after treatment and the reduction
      was more pronounced in the experimental group. In both groups of patients albumin
      was elevated and in the experimental group this elevation was significantly more
      pronounced (p<0.05). The total efficiency for patients in the experimental group
      was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). Follow-up
      results showed that 6-month and 1-year recurrence and mortality rates were
      significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group
      (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency hyperthermia combined conformal radiotherapy
      is remarkably effective in treating patients with HCC, which could effectively
      reduce the damages of radiotherapy to the liver, enhance the patient' s
      tolerability and improve the patients' short and long term survival.

PMID- 27273952
TI  - Microwave versus saline-linked radiofrequency (Aquamantys) assisted liver
      resection in a porcine liver resection model. A safety and feasibility pilot
      study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the feasibility, efficacy and
      safety of microwave ablation and saline-linked radiofrequency (Aquamantys) in
      liver resection. METHODS: Sixteen domestic pigs (8 per group) underwent
      thermoablations. Group A consisted of 8 pigs in which microwave left lateral
      liver resection was performed. Group B consisted of 8 pigs which underwent left
      lateral liver resection by the Aquamantys system. After 28 days of close follow
      up, the animals were sacrificed in order to study the macroscopic and microscopic
      findings of each intervention on the liver edge. RESULTS: An average of 47.13 min
      was enough for the entire operation to take place using Aquamantys, whereas an
      average of 59.13 min was needed in the microwave liver resection group. Mean
      blood loss was 40 ml (range 5-85) with Aquamantys whereas mean blood loss was
      72.37 ml (range 42-100) using microwave. Postoperative complications rates were
      extremely low in both groups. There was no intra- or postoperative mortality.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that left lateral liver resection using
      Aquamantys system is technically feasible in the porcine model and proved to be
      highly effective and a safer hemostatic method compared to microwave ablation.

PMID- 27273953
TI  - The management of patients with esophageal cancer and coronary artery stenosis
      undergoing radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a single-center
      experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: The incidence of esophageal cancer (EC) patients with coronary artery
      stenosis presents particular challenges. The aim of this retrospective study was
      to evaluate the efficiency of management on patients with both diseases treated
      by radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). METHODS: Fifty-three
      patients with both EC and coronary artery stenosis from June 2009 to August 2012
      were retrospectively analyzed. The patients received RT or CCRT with coronary
      artery stenosis management. Cardiac treatments often prescribed included aspirin,
      beta-blockers, statins etc. The adverse effects, overall response rate (ORR),
      progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS:
      Most of the patients were 40-70 years old. There were 25 patients in the CCRT
      group and 28 patients in the RT group. The complete response (CR) rate was higher
      in the patients in the CCRT group than in those in the RT group (48.0 vs 21.4%;
      p=0.041). The median PFS was 15.9 months in the CCRT group and 11.6 months in the
      RT group (p=0.025). OS was 22.4 months in the CCRT group and 15.8 months in the
      RT group (p=0.013). Though adverse effects were less in the RT group, no
      significance differences in grade 3-4 toxicity were observed. CONCLUSION: With
      the appropriate of coronary artery stenosis management, RT and CCRT were both
      tolerable and effective in EC patients with coronary artery stenosis.

PMID- 27273954
TI  - Survival following video-assisted thoracoscopic versus open esophagectomy for
      esophageal carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the overall and disease-free survival of
      patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (VATE) or open
      esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: Patients who underwent radical
      esophagectomy via VATE (VATE group, N=89) for esophageal carcinoma between
      January 2008 and December 2012 were retrospectively enrolled in this study.
      Patients subjected to open radical esophagectomy (open group) were
      retrospectively included at a ratio of 1:1, matching the VATE group in sex, age,
      clinical TNM stage, location of the primary tumor and ASA (American Society of
      Anesthesiologists) score. RESULTS: All the video-assisted thoracoscopic
      procedures were successfully completed, without conversion to open procedure. The
      age, gender, clinical TNM stage, location of the primary tumor and ASA score were
      similar in the two groups. VATE group was associated with significantly less
      blood loss and shorter hospital stay. The operative morbidity and mortality were
      similar between the two groups. The quality of the specimens in terms of
      resection margin and the number of lymph nodes examined were not inferior in the
      VATE group. With the median follow-up of 52 months, the 5-year overall survival
      and disease-free survival were similar between the two groups. The operative
      approach was not an independent prognostic factor in the overall and disease-free
      survival in univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: VATE for
      esophageal carcinoma is associated with more favorable short-term outcomes and
      comparable long-term prognosis when compared with open esophagectomy.

PMID- 27273955
TI  - MicroRNA-146b acts as a potential tumor suppressor in human prostate cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: MicroRNAs (miRs) act as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes and are
      frequently deregulated in cancers. Although downregulation of miR-146b has been
      reported in various cancers, its role in prostate cancer is totally unknown.
      METHODS: The miR-146b expression in 18 human prostate cancer lines with case
      matched adjacent normal tissues was measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore,
      the expression levels of miR-146b in normal prostate and prostate cancer cell
      lines were assessed. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion assays
      were performed in overexpressing or knockdown miR-146b cells. RESULTS: miR-146b
      expression was significantly reduced in all prostate tumor tissues. Furthermore,
      miR-146b was significantly decreased in prostate cancer cells as compared to
      normal prostate cells. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function showed that miR-146b
      induced apoptosis and suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion of
      the prostate cancer cell lines. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that miR
      146b expression is downregulated in prostate tumor tissues and is a potential
      tumor suppressor miR, suggesting that miR-146b might be a potential clinical
      marker and therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

PMID- 27273956
TI  - Correlation of p210 BCR-ABL transcript variants with clinical, parameters and
      disease outcome in 45 chronic myeloid leukemia patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to search the BCR/ABL 1 fusion gene in 45
      chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) Syrian patients using nested reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and compare our results with those of
      conventional cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetics methods. METHODS: 45 bone
      marrow or peripheral blood samples from untreated CML patients in chronic phase
      (CP) were obtained at diagnosis, and analyzed by nested RT-PCR, conventional
      cytogenetics and molecular cyto-genetics methods. RESULTS: 45 patients examined
      were positive for some type of BCR/ABL1 fusion gene rearrangement. Out of 45
      studied CML patients, 23 (51.1%) expressed b3a2 fusion transcript, 21 (46.7%)
      b2a2 transcript, and 1 (2.2%) a rare b2a3 transcript. No patient co-expressed
      both b3a2/b2a2 types. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution BCR-ABL1 transcript types
      found in Syria were similar to that of Indian Far-Eastern, African or European
      populations and the M-BCR rearrangement types were not dependent on white blood
      count (WBC), platelet count, hemoglobin level or gender of the patients. Overall,
      we could show that patients with b3a2 rearrangements were younger than patients
      with b2a2 transcripts, thus our young patients may have a worse prognosis.

PMID- 27273957
TI  - E-cadherin/alpha-catenin deregulated co-expression in thyroid carcinoma based on
      tissue microarray digital image analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Deregulation of cell-to-cell adhesion molecules is a common and also
      critical genetic event in epithelial malignancies leading to an increasing
      metastatic potential. Among them, e-cadherin and catenins--especially alpha and
      beta--, act as oncogenes during the carcinogenetic process affecting specific
      signaling transduction pathways (i.e. Wnt/ b-catenin). Concerning thyroid
      carcinoma, decreased or loss of expression in these proteins seems to affect the
      biological behavior of the neoplasm increasing its aggressiveness. The aim of
      this study was to investigate the deregulation of e-cadherin/alpha-catenin
      complex in thyroid carcinomas. METHODS: Thirty-five paraffin-embedded tissue
      samples including thyroid carcinomas (N=20) and also 15 cases of benign
      follicular nodules were cored at 1 mm diameter and transferred to a microarray
      block. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed using anti-e-cadherin/alpha
      catenin antibodies. Digital image analysis was also implemented for measuring the
      corresponding protein expression levels. RESULTS: E-cadherin/alpha-catenin
      protein expression demonstrated a significant progressive decrease regarding
      benign and malignant lesions (p=0.001). Simultaneous e-cadherin/alpha-catenin
      reduced or loss of expression was observed in 10/20 (50%) cancer cases correlated
      to advanced stage (especially nodal metastasis) of the examined tumours (p=0.02).
      Concerning the histological type, combined loss of e-cadherin/alpha-catenin
      expression was predominantly associated with follicular and anaplastic histology
      (p=0.001). Interestingly, alpha-catenin protein expression pattern was
      significantly correlated with the grade of differentiation of the examined
      malignancies (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Progressive loss of e-cadherin mainly and
      also alpha-catenin expression is associated with an aggressive phenotype (low
      differentiation, increased metastatic activity/advanced stage) in thyroid
      carcinomas. Based on their aberrant protein expression, novel agents have been
      developed for restoring their normal function.

PMID- 27273958
TI  - Multicenter experience of adult medulloblastoma: A study of Anatolian Society of
      Medical Oncology (ASMO).
AB  - PURPOSE: Medulloblastoma (MB) is rarely seen in adults. For adjuvant therapy in
      adults the same therapy protocols used in pediatric cases are used. The present
      study retrospectively evaluated the data of MB patients who were treated in
      different Oncology Centers in Turkey. METHODS: The data of 60 adult patients with
      MB from 8 Oncology Centers diagnosed between 2005 and 2012 were retrospectively
      analyzed. RESULTS: The median patient age was 28.8 years (range 16-54). The
      administered chemotherapy included procarbazine+lomustin+vincristine (group A,
      N=31) and cyclophosphamide/ifosfamide+vincristine+cisplatin (group B, N=13).
      Median chemotherapy courses were 4 (range 1-8). Median progression free survival
      (PFS) was 76 months and median overall survival (OS) has not been reached in both
      groups. In young female patients and in those who received adjuvant chemotherapy,
      median PFS and OS were longer but without statistical significance. Mean PFS and
      OS were 65.9 months and 101.2 months in group A and 113.6 months and 141.6 months
      in group B, respectively. CONCLUSION: Improved survival results were obtained in
      women, in patients aged below 25 years, in those who underwent gross total
      excision (GTE) and in those who received adjuvant therapy with
      cyclophosphamide/ifosphamide.

PMID- 27273959
TI  - Multidrug resistance and tumor-initiating capacity of oral cancer stem cells.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent studies in several tumors showed that presence of cancer stem
      like side population (SP) cells are responsible for chemotherapeutic drugs
      resistance and tumor relapse. In our present study, we have analyzed the role of
      SP cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell (OSCC) line OSCC-77. METHODS: The
      oral cancer cell line OSCC-77 was analyzed for the presence of SP cells by FACS
      using Hoechst 33342 dye exclusion method. Further the FACS-sorted SP and non-SP
      cells were subjected to drug resistance and sphere formation assays. RESULTS: We
      identified that the presence of SP cells in OSCC-77 cell line was 3.4%, which was
      reduced to 0.6% in the presence of verapamil, an inhibitor of ABC transporter.
      Furthermore, we showed that these SP cells were highly drug-resistant, had
      increased survival and were highly potent for self-renewal. Also, the clone
      formation efficiency of SP cells was significantly higher compared to non-SP
      cells (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that cancer stem-like SP cells of
      OSCC-77 cell line contribute to multidrug resistance and are highly involved in
      tumor relapse. However, further characterization of SP cells at gene expression
      level and their signaling pathways might provide new insights into the
      development of novel anticancer drugs.

PMID- 27273960
TI  - Strategic management of Public Hospitals' medical services.
AB  - Purpose: The quality of medical services provided by competing public hospitals
      is the primary consideration of the public in determining the selection of a
      specific hospital for treatment. The main objective of strategic planning is to
      improve the quality of public hospital medical services. This paper provides an
      introduction to the history, significance, principles and practices of public
      hospital medical service strategy, as well as advancing the opinion that public
      hospital service strategy must not merely aim to produce but actually result in
      the highest possible level of quality, convenience, efficiency and patient
      satisfaction.

PMID- 27273961
TI  - Policy and Practice Model of Public-Private Partnership in Public Hospitals
      during the New Medical Reform Period.
AB  - Purpose: Since the beginning of the new health care reform in 2009, the state has
      illustrated the top design and health care improvement strategy of "encouraging
      social capital to participate in the reform of public hospitals", in accordance
      with the program's general objective. All areas have been explored on this matter
      and the results obtained are very interesting, not to mention the acquisition of
      significant experience. At present, the existing business models in China are
      mainly the following: Rebuild-Operate-Transfer (ROT), franchise business model,
      Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, mixed ownership model and business
      insurance model. This paper introduces a variety of alternative models, and
      provides a simple analysis of the advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, for the
      reform of public hospitals, the government shares should go into franchise mode
      or mixed ownership, and all property rights should be transferred to the
      government to ensure the conservation and proliferation of state-owned assets.

PMID- 27273962
TI  - Anticancer activity of two ruthenium(II)-DMSO-chalcone complexes: Comparison of
      cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic and antimetastatic potential.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recently, we reported the synthesis and characterization of two
      complexes of general formula cis-[Ru(S-DMSO)3(R-CO-CH=CH-R')Cl] (R = 2
      hydroxyphenyl for both, R' = thiophene (1), 3-methyl thiophene (2)) that showed
      remarkable topoisomerase II inhibition and strong binding with DNA. The aim of
      this study was the investigation of cytotoxic properties of these complexes
      against a panel of human tumor cell lines, with elucidation of their anticancer
      mechanisms in HeLa cells. METHODS: Characterization of anticancer activity of the
      investigated ruthenium complexes 1 and 2 included analysis of cytotoxicity by MTT
      assay. Cell cycle phase disruption of HeLa cells treated with complexes 1 and 2
      was analyzed by flow cytometry after propidium iodide (PI) staining. Annexin V
      FITC/PI double staining and further flow cytometry analysis and acridine orange
      (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) double staining and fluorescent microscopy were used
      to determine the apoptotic potential of the investigated ruthenium complexes. The
      inhibitory effect on gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) as an indication of possible
      antimetastatic potential was also analyzed using gelatine zymography. RESULTS:
      The 50% cell growth inhibition (IC50) values of the investigated complexes ranged
      between 22.9 and 76.8 MUM, with complex 2 being more cytotoxic. Both complexes
      induced G2 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HeLa cells. Inhibitory effect
      of complex 2 on MMP-2 activity was detected. CONCLUSIONS: This work revealed the
      potential of the investigated Ru(II)-DMSO-chalcone complexes as anticancer agents
      with cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity and indicated complex 2 as leading
      compound for further chemical modifications and anticancer research.

PMID- 27273963
TI  - New evidence of TERT rs2736098 polymorphism and cancer risk: an updated meta
      analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Previous meta-analyses didn't suggest any significant association
      between TERT rs2736098 polymorphism and overall cancer risk, and the existing
      evidence lacks statistical power to draw a convincing conclusion. METHODS: Herein
      we performed an update meta-analysis to re-evaluate the association between
      rs2736098 polymorphism and the risk of overall cancer with all the case-control
      studies published before March 2015 according to PubMed and Embase databases.
      RESULTS: A total of 19 case-control studies were included in this analysis. We
      found that variant genotypes of rs2736098 (GA/AA) were significantly associated
      with an increased risk of overall cancer (GA/AA vs GG: OR=1.14; 95% CI=1.04
      1.25). Additionally, the association was more significant in Asians (OR=1.20; 95%
      CI=1.07-1.34), while in subsequent analyses stratified by cancer type, the
      variant rs2736098 was definitely associated with increased lung cancer (OR=1.18;
      95% CI=1.07-1.29) and hepatocellular carcinoma risk (OR=1.38; 95% CI=1.20-1.59).
      CONCLUSION: These findings provided further evidence that TERT rs2736098 variant
      may modify the susceptibility to cancer.

PMID- 27273964
TI  - Pelvic intraoperative iatrogenic oncosurgical injuries: single-center experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: Iatrogenic events are more likely to occur during surgical treatment of
      malignant conditions. Gynecologic and colorectal cancers account for most of the
      cases that require surgical treatment within the pelvic area. The purpose of this
      study was to analyze the incidence of intraoperative accidents and the most
      frequently encountered injuries during surgery for cancers of the pelvic area.
      METHODS: The records of 2702 patients admitted to our clinic over a 15-year
      period, (January 2000-December 2014), were analyzed for type and frequency of
      intraoperative accidents. RESULTS: Urinary tract lesions were the most common
      injuries seen in this series (63.1%), followed by enteral (28.1%) and vascular
      (8.8%) injuries, with an overall incidence of 2.9% for the whole group.
      Iatrogenic injuries showed a statistically significant difference in incidence
      depending on the type of primary malignancy (p<0.002). Cervical cancer was
      associated with a higher rate of ureteral lesions, whereas enteral injuries
      occurred predominantly during surgical resection for ovarian cancer. The use of
      neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy has been associated with a significantly
      lower risk of surgical iatrogenic injuries (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Immediate
      recognition of the lesion and prompt treatment are recommended in order to lower
      postoperative complications and to avoid a second operation.

PMID- 27273965
TI  - Determination of patient set-up error and optimal treatment margin for intensity
      modulated radiotherapy using image guidance system.
AB  - PURPOSE: The geometrical uncertainties in the patient positioning during
      intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) are crucial as there is potential to
      underdose the tumor and overdose the nearby critical structures. Image guided
      techniques provide a solution to assess the patient set-up uncertainties and help
      determine the optimal planning target volume (PTV) margin to the clinical tumor
      volume (CTV). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate patient
      set-up errors along the three translational directions at different treatment
      sites such as the brain, the head and neck (H&N) and the prostate. A total of 60
      patients' set-up error data was analysed to evaluate the systematic and random
      errors and the optimal CTV-PTV margin. RESULTS: For brain and H&N sites, more
      than 90, 80 and about 100% of the total image acquisitions were less than 3 mm in
      lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions respectively. For the prostate
      cases, the frequency of patient set-up error to be less than 3 mm were 79.7, 75.6
      and 80% in lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions respectively. About 0.6%
      had more than 7 mm error in the lateral and longitudinal directions for the
      prostate site. CTV-PTV margin of 3.4, 3.4 and 1.9 mm for brain cases, 3.5, 3 and
      1.8 mm for H&N cases and 5, 4.6 and 4.5 mm for the prostate cases in the lateral,
      longitudinal and vertical directions respectively were determined. CONCLUSION:
      Image guidance is an effective method to evaluate the accuracy of IMRT treatment
      delivery. The optimal CTV-PTV margin can be determined to ensure adequate dose to
      CTV, specific to the site.

PMID- 27273966
TI  - Molecular assays in detecting EGFR gene aberrations: an updated HER2-dependent
      algorithm for interpreting gene signals; a short technical report.
AB  - Purpose: Among oncogenes that have already been identified and cloned, Epidermal
      Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) remains one of the most significant. Understanding
      its deregulation mechanisms improves critically patients' selection for
      personalized therapies based on modern molecular biology and oncology guidelines.
      Anti-EGFR targeted therapeutic strategies have been developed based on specific
      genetic profiles and applied in subgroups of patients suffering by solid cancers
      of different histogenetic origin. Detection of specific EGFR somatic mutations
      leads to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) application in subsets of them.
      Concerning EGFR gene numerical imbalances, identification of pure gene
      amplification is critical for targeting the molecule via monoclonal antibodies
      (mAbs). In the current technical paper we demonstrate the main molecular methods
      applied in EGFR analyses focused also on new data in interpreting numerical
      imbalances based on ASCO/ACAP guidelines for HER2 in situ hybridization (ISH)
      clarifications.

PMID- 27273967
TI  - Impact of the functional neck dissection in maxillofacial surgical oncology: its
      role in robotic-based surgery era.
AB  - Head and neck cancers demonstrate an increased prevalence worldwide. The main
      therapeutic approaches are still surgery and radiotherapy, although in selective
      cases novel targeted therapeutic strategies based on monoclonal antibodies (ie
      anti-EGFR) are also applied. Concerning maxillofacial surgical oncology, a
      variety of methods has been developed. Among them the functional neck dissection
      technique seems to be a reliable and significant surgical approach, especially in
      removing identified cervical metastatic lymph node(s). In this technical paper,
      we focused on the method, its modifications adding our experience and also the
      challenges that arise in the modern robotic-based era regarding head and neck
      surgery. 

PMID- 27273968
TI  - Leg cramps associated with tamoxifen use--possible mechanism and treatment
      recommendations.

PMID- 27273969
TI  - When should we give aromatase inhibitors for insomnia; early in the day or after
      dinner?

PMID- 27273970
TI  - Which situations require attention during radiotherapy in patients with Behcet's
      disease-associated malignancy?

PMID- 27273971
TI  - Popular palliative cancer treatments in 18th--mid 19th century.
AB  - In the 18th century cancer was an incurable disease and the only therapeutic
      approach was surgery which was accompanied with several life threatening
      complications. In the absence of effective cancer treatment, palliative approach
      was proposed by physicians. Compression, ligation, "cura famis" and treatment by
      cold were four popular treatments in the 18th century provoking an outbreak of
      therapeutic illusions in cancer patients and physicians, before being lost in
      oblivion. 

PMID- 27273972
TI  - Development of a new analytical method for the determination of red beetroot
      betalains using dispersive solid-phase extraction.
AB  - The objective of this study was to develop a method for the determination of red
      beetroot betalains based on the dispersive solid-phase extraction and modified
      QuEChERS methods followed by micro-high performance liquid chromatography coupled
      with a mass spectrometer that was equipped with a quadrupole and time-of-flight
      detector. Currently, new techniques for the extraction of the pigments are
      necessary and in this study, an extraction of beetroot betalains based on the
      QuEChERS method was developed for the first time. Twelve variants of the methods
      with different sorbent combinations were tested. The extraction with 15% methanol
      and with 0.05% formic acid was performed as a reference method to compare the
      obtained results. In all of the samples with the addition of sorbents, a lower
      noise was demonstrated in the obtained results. The betalain concentrations
      obtained using the tested methods were 0.32-0.54 mg g(-1) , while the value of
      the reference method was 0.44 mg g(-1) . The method that used the strong ion
      exchange sorbent (0.44+/-0.05 mg g(-1) ) was the most adequate in terms of
      analyzed content, related standard deviation value and interference compared to
      the reference method. It was concluded that the properly modified QuEChERS method
      can be successfully applied for the determination of red beetroot betalains. 

PMID- 27273973
TI  - IgG4-Related Disease With an Aortoduodenal Fistula After Abdominal Aortic
      Aneurysm Repair.

PMID- 27273974
TI  - Determination of Water Vapor Pressure Over Corrosive Chemicals Versus Temperature
      Using Raman Spectroscopy as Exemplified with 85.5% Phosphoric Acid.
AB  - A method to determine the water vapor pressure over a corrosive substance was
      developed and tested with 85.5 +/- 0.4% phosphoric acid. The water vapor pressure
      was obtained at a range of temperatures from ~25 C to ~200 C using Raman
      spectrometry. The acid was placed in an ampoule and sealed with a reference gas
      (either hydrogen or methane) at a known pressure (typically ~0.5 bar). By
      comparing the Raman signals from the water vapor and the references, the water
      pressure was determined as a function of temperature. A considerable amount of
      data on the vapor pressure of phosphoric acid are available in the literature, to
      which our results could successfully be compared. A record value of the vapor
      pressure, 3.40 bar, was determined at 210 C. The method required a determination
      of the precise Raman scattering ratios between the substance, water, and the used
      reference gas, hydrogen or methane. In our case the scattering ratios between
      water and reference nu1 Q-branches were found to be 1.20 +/- 0.03 and 0.40 +/-
      0.02 for H2 and CH4, respectively.

PMID- 27273975
TI  - Calorimetry-Derived Composition Vectors to Resolve Component Raman Spectra in
      Phospholipid Phase Transitions.
AB  - Multidimensional least squares analysis is a well-established technique for
      resolving component vibrational spectra from mixed samples or systems. Component
      resolution of temperature-dependent vibrational spectra is challenging, however,
      due to the lack of a suitable model for the variation in sample composition with
      temperature. In this work, analysis of temperature-dependent Raman spectra of
      lipid membranes is accomplished by using "concentration" vectors independently
      derived from enthalpy changes determined by differential scanning calorimetry.
      Specifically, the lipid-bilayer phase transitions of DMPC (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn
      glycero-3-phosphocholine) are investigated through Raman spectra acquired from
      individual, optically trapped vesicles in suspension as a function of
      temperature. Heat capacity profiles of the same vesicle suspension are measured
      using differential scanning calorimetry and numerically integrated to generate
      enthalpy change curves of each phase transition, which are in turn used to
      construct composition vectors. Multidimensional least squares analysis optimized
      for a fit to these composition vectors allows resolution of the component spectra
      corresponding to gel, ripple, and liquid-crystalline phases of the DMPC. The
      quality of fit of the calorimetry-derived results is confirmed by unstructured
      residual differences between the data and the model, and a composition variation
      predicted by the resolved spectra that matches the calorimetry results. This
      approach to analysis of temperature-dependent spectral data could be readily
      applied in other areas of materials characterization, where one is seeking to
      learn about structural changes that occur through temperature-dependent phase
      transitions.

PMID- 27273976
TI  - Long-Standing Stability of Silver Nanorod Array Substrates Functionalized Using a
      Series of Thiols for a SERS-Based Sensing Application.
AB  - Silver nanorod (AgNR) array substrates were fabricated using an oblique angle
      thermal evaporation technique; their long-term stability, surface uniformity and
      reproducibility, which are primary requirements for their widespread realistic
      application and commercialization, were assessed using surface-enhanced Raman
      scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. The nanorod surfaces were functionalized using a
      series of organic thiols, which range from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, to mimic
      various conditions that often arise during detection of hydrophilic/phobic
      analytes in a realistic application field. A group of these functionalized
      substrates was stored in ambient laboratory atmosphere; another in light
      minimized, moisture-free vacuum; while another was stowed carefully and neatly in
      water to mimic realistic conditions. The effects of these storing conditions were
      studied. A surfactant was added to the water to maintain consistent surface
      wetting in the third group. SERS spectra of nanorod substrates prior to
      functionalization were also recorded to investigate the effect of adventitious
      carbonaceous contaminants. A meticulous systematic study on the reproducibility
      of SERS signals was carried out: spot-to-spot, substrate-to-substrate, batch-to
      batch, day-to-day. The relative standard deviation (RSD) shown by the SERS
      signals acquired from various spots of a single substrate was less than 3%, which
      is very similar to the only account reported so far, in which RSD is reported as
      2%. The wetting behavior of these thiol functionalized AgNR substrates are
      investigated using static contact angle measurements. The functionalized
      substrates have exhibited excellent long-standing stability over a period of six
      months when stored appropriately; hence, they are highly suitable for mass
      production towards realistic application.

PMID- 27273977
TI  - Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy: a controlled prospective study on visual
      recovery after endothelial keratoplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the determining factors of vision and subjective outcome
      after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) for Fuchs'
      endothelial dystrophy (FECD). METHODS: In a prospective study, 41 FECD patients
      who received DSAEK were compared to 40 cataract patients with normal corneas who
      received cataract surgery (control group). Subjects were recruited between March
      2013 and July 2014. Observational procedures included the following: best
      corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), Catquest-9SF
      questionnaire, Scheimpflug tomography and anterior OCT. Examinations were carried
      out before surgery and at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Main outcome measures
      were associations between corneal optics and visual parameters, as well as
      subjective improvement (Catquest-9SF effect size) RESULTS: Best-corrected visual
      acuity (BCVA) negatively correlated with anterior higher-order aberrations
      (HOA's) (p < 0.001) and central corneal thickness (p = 0.001). Contrast
      sensitivity (CS) was negatively correlated with anterior HOA's (p = 0.002) and
      positively correlated with posterior densitometry (p = 0.008). Catquest-9SF
      effect size was 1.32 (CI: 1.0-1.6) in the control group, 1.84 (CI: 1.4-2.3) in
      FECD patients who received phacoemulsification and intra-ocular lens implantation
      in combination with DSAEK (n = 26) and 1.37 (CI: 0.6-2.1) in pseudophakic FECD
      patients who received DSAEK (n = 15). CONCLUSIONS: DSAEK surgery leads to
      considerable improvement in patient-reported outcome in FECD patients. There was
      a strong correlation between anterior HOA's and vision after DSAEK, suggesting
      that anterior corneal pathology constitutes the major limitation for visual
      recovery after DSAEK.

PMID- 27273978
TI  - Listeriosis downregulates hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes in sublethal murine
      infection.
AB  - PURPOSE: Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) can cross the intestinal barrier in humans
      and then disseminates into different organs. Invasion of the liver occurs even in
      sublethal infections, however, knowledge of affected physiological processes is
      scarce. This study employed a sublethal murine infection model to investigate
      liver responses systematically by proteomics. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Liver samples
      from three stages of the sublethal infection covering the initial invasion, the
      peak of infection, and the clearance phase (1, 3, 9 days postinoculation) were
      analyzed in comparison to samples from noninfected mice. Apart from flow
      cytometry and RT-PCRs for immune status control, liver responses were analyzed by
      quantitative peptide sequencing (HPLC-Orbitrap Fusion) using 4-plex iTRAQ
      labeling. RESULTS: Accurate MS characterized about 3600 proteins and statistics
      revealed 15% of the hepatic proteome as regulated. Immunological data as well as
      protein regulation dynamics strongly indicate stage-specific hepatic responses in
      sublethal infections. Most notably, this study detected a comprehensive
      deregulation of drug metabolizing enzymes at all stages, including 25 components
      of the cytochrome P450 system. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sublethal Lm
      infection deregulates hepatic drug metabolizing pathways. This finding indicates
      the need to monitor drug administration along Lm infections, especially in all
      patients needing constant medication.

PMID- 27273979
TI  - Perceptions of Bedside Cardiac Critical Care Registered Nurses on 24 Hour
      Attending Intensivist Coverage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To elicit the perceptions of bedside critical care nurses toward
      continual in-house attending coverage and its effect on patient safety,
      communication, and nursing education. DESIGN: A 5-point Likert-type questionnaire
      was designed to evaluate the perception of bedside nurses in the pediatric
      cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) toward the presence of a 24 hour in-house
      attending physician. SETTING: Single tertiary referral PCICU in Washington, DC
      SUBJECTS: The 46 PCICU nurses who participated in the study were separated into
      two groups based on exposure to the recent implementation of continual in-house
      attending coverage at our institution. Group one consisted of 14 nurses with only
      exposure to the new 24/7 in-house coverage while group two encompassed 32 nurses
      who had experienced both the new and old system (off-site on-demand attending
      physician). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Surveys demonstrated that both groups
      found that the new system has a positive impact on nursing education (median
      score of 5) as well as a positive impact on the communication between
      multidisciplinary teams and between care team and families (median score of 5).
      Nurses who experienced only the new system scored one point lower (median score
      of 4) regarding the effect of this staffing model on patient outcomes than nurses
      who had experienced both systems (median score of 5, P = .016). Between 83% and
      98% of all 46 nurses who participated indicated they agree or strongly agree with
      each of the questions regarding the benefit of 24 hour in-house attending
      coverage. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that regardless of differences in
      experience, pediatric cardiac nurses believe the presence of an on-site
      intensivist to be beneficial to both nursing and patients.

PMID- 27273982
TI  - [Expert consensus on induction of human embryonic stem cells into tenocytes].
AB  - Embryonic stem cells have unlimited proliferative capacity, which may provide a
      source of tendon stem/progenitor cells for tissue engineering. Experts of
      International Science and Technology Collaborative Program of Ministry of Science
      and Technology have developed a protocol consensus on differentiation of human
      embryonic stem cells into the tendon cells. The consensus recommends a protocol
      of two-step generation of human embryonic stem cells into tendon cells: the human
      embryonic stem cells are first differentiated into mesenchymal stem cells on
      different material surfaces; then with the scaffold-free tissue engineering
      tendon formed by high-density planting, the mesenchymal stem cells are induced
      into tendon cells under static or dynamic mechanical stimulation in vivo and in
      vitro. Tissue engineering tendon established in vitro by the protocol can be used
      as a model in toxicological analysis and safety evaluation of tendon-relevant
      small molecule compounds, medical materials and drugs. 

PMID- 27273981
TI  - Direct and Indirect Determinants of the Patient Global Assessment in Rheumatoid
      Arthritis: Differences by Level of Disease Activity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the patient global assessment (PGA) has
      been strongly associated with pain severity, but less often with other measures,
      including disease activity measures. We tested whether RA activity and
      psychological measures had direct associations with the PGA or indirect
      associations that were mediated by pain. We also tested whether the correlates of
      the PGA differed with the degree of RA activity. METHODS: We studied 260 patients
      with active RA on 2 visits in a prospective longitudinal study. We used path
      analysis to test direct and indirect associations of Disease Activity Score in 28
      joints (DAS28), morning stiffness, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ),
      fatigue, physical role limitations, social functioning, depressive symptoms, and
      health distress with the PGA. RESULTS: Among the 509 visits, the median PGA score
      was 50 (25th-75th percentile: 24-66). Pain severity had the strongest association
      with the PGA, but direct associations were also found for morning stiffness
      severity, health distress, fatigue, and DAS28. Morning stiffness severity, DAS28,
      health distress, and HAQ were also indirectly associated with the PGA through
      pain. Among visits with DAS28 >=5.4, pain, morning stiffness severity, and HAQ
      were the only determinants of the PGA. Among visits with DAS28 <4.2, health
      distress and age were additional determinants, and fatigue was marginally
      associated with the PGA. CONCLUSION: Although pain was the strongest determinant
      of the PGA in RA, morning stiffness severity, health distress, fatigue, and DAS28
      were also important. Determinants of the PGA differed with RA activity, with
      health distress, age, and to a lesser degree, fatigue, contributing only in
      patients with less active RA.

PMID- 27273983
TI  - [Application of tendon-derived stem cells and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal
      stem cells for tendon injury repair in rat model].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of tendon-derived stem cells (TDSC) and
      bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) for patellar tendon injury
      repair in rat model. METHODS: TDSCs and BMSCs were isolated from patellar tendons
      or bone marrow of healthy SD rats. The patellar tendon injury model was induced
      in 60 SD rats, then the animals were divided into 3 groups with 20 in each group:
      rats in TDSC group received transplantation of TDSC with fibrin glue in defected
      patellar tendon, rats in BMSC group received BMSC with fibrin glue for
      transplantation and those in control group received fibrin glue only. The gross
      morphology, histology and biomechanics of the patellar tendon were examined at 1,
      2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: Gross observation showed that
      the tendon defects in TDSC group and BMSC group almost disappeared in week 8,
      while the boundary of tendon defects in control group was still visible.
      Histology examination showed that the neo-tendon formation in TDSC group and BMSC
      group was observed at week 8, while there was no neo-tendon formation in control
      group. Biomechanics study showed that the ultimate stress and Young Modulus,
      relative ultimate stress and relative Young Modulus increased with the time going
      in all groups(all P<0.05); the ultimate stress and Young Modulus, relative
      ultimate stress and relative Young Modulus of TDSC and BMSC groups were
      significantly higher than those in control group at week 4, 6 and 8(all P<0.05).
      There was no difference in ultimate stress and Young Modulus between TDSC group
      and BMSC group(P>0.05), however, the relative Young Modulus of TDSC group was
      significantly higher than that in BMSC group at week 8(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Allogeneic TDSC and BMSC transplantation facilitates the repair of tendon injury
      and improves the biomechanics of tendon. TDSC is more suitable for in vivo tendon
      regeneration than BMSC.

PMID- 27273984
TI  - [Three-dimensional parallel collagen scaffold promotes tendon extracellular
      matrix formation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of three-dimensional parallel collagen
      scaffold on the cell shape, arrangement and extracellular matrix formation of
      tendon stem cells. METHODS: Parallel collagen scaffold was fabricated by
      unidirectional freezing technique, while random collagen scaffold was fabricated
      by freeze-drying technique. The effects of two scaffolds on cell shape and
      extracellular matrix formation were investigated in vitro by seeding tendon
      stem/progenitor cells and in vivo by ectopic implantation. RESULTS: Parallel and
      random collagen scaffolds were produced successfully. Parallel collagen scaffold
      was more akin to tendon than random collagen scaffold. Tendon stem/progenitor
      cells were spindle-shaped and unified orientated in parallel collagen scaffold,
      while cells on random collagen scaffold had disorder orientation. Two weeks after
      ectopic implantation, cells had nearly the same orientation with the collagen
      substance. In parallel collagen scaffold, cells had parallel arrangement, and
      more spindly cells were observed. By contrast, cells in random collagen scaffold
      were disorder. CONCLUSION: Parallel collagen scaffold can induce cells to be in
      spindly and parallel arrangement, and promote parallel extracellular matrix
      formation; while random collagen scaffold can induce cells in random arrangement.
      The results indicate that parallel collagen scaffold is an ideal structure to
      promote tendon repairing.

PMID- 27273985
TI  - [Fabrication of bioactive tissue engineering scaffold for reconstructing
      calcified cartilage layer based on three-dimension printing technique].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To fabricate organic-inorganic composite tissue engineering scaffolds
      for reconstructing calcified cartilage layer based on three-dimensional (3D)
      printing technique. METHODS: The scaffolds were developed by 3D-printing
      technique with highly bioactive calcium-magnesium silicate ultrafine particles of
      1%, 3% and 5% of mass fraction, in which the organic phases were composed of type
      I collagen and sodium hyaluronate. The 3D-printed scaffolds were then crosslinked
      and solidified by alginate and CaCl2 aerosol. The pore size and distribution of
      inorganic phase were observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM); the
      mechanical properties were tested with universal material testing machine, and
      the porosity of scaffolds was also measured. RESULTS: Pore size was approximately
      (212.3 +/- 34.2) MUm with a porosity of (48.3 +/- 5.9)%, the compressive modulus
      of the scaffolds was (7.2 +/- 1.2) MPa, which was irrelevant to the percentage
      changes of calcium-magnesium silicate, the compressive modulus was between that
      of cartilage and subchondral bone. CONCLUSION: The porous scaffolds for calcified
      cartilage layer have been successfully fabricated, which would be used for multi
      layered composite scaffolds in osteochondral injury.

PMID- 27273980
TI  - High throughput toxicity screening and intracellular detection of nanomaterials.
AB  - With the growing numbers of nanomaterials (NMs), there is a great demand for
      rapid and reliable ways of testing NM safety-preferably using in vitro
      approaches, to avoid the ethical dilemmas associated with animal research. Data
      are needed for developing intelligent testing strategies for risk assessment of
      NMs, based on grouping and read-across approaches. The adoption of high
      throughput screening (HTS) and high content analysis (HCA) for NM toxicity
      testing allows the testing of numerous materials at different concentrations and
      on different types of cells, reduces the effect of inter-experimental variation,
      and makes substantial savings in time and cost. HTS/HCA approaches facilitate the
      classification of key biological indicators of NM-cell interactions. Validation
      of in vitro HTS tests is required, taking account of relevance to in vivo
      results. HTS/HCA approaches are needed to assess dose- and time-dependent
      toxicity, allowing prediction of in vivo adverse effects. Several HTS/HCA methods
      are being validated and applied for NM testing in the FP7 project NANoREG,
      including Label-free cellular screening of NM uptake, HCA, High throughput flow
      cytometry, Impedance-based monitoring, Multiplex analysis of secreted products,
      and genotoxicity methods-namely High throughput comet assay, High throughput in
      vitro micronucleus assay, and gammaH2AX assay. There are several technical
      challenges with HTS/HCA for NM testing, as toxicity screening needs to be coupled
      with characterization of NMs in exposure medium prior to the test; possible
      interference of NMs with HTS/HCA techniques is another concern. Advantages and
      challenges of HTS/HCA approaches in NM safety are discussed. WIREs Nanomed
      Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1413. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1413 For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

PMID- 27273986
TI  - [Progress and challenges in tissue engineering of intervertebral disc annulus
      fibrosus].
AB  - Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a leading cause of low back pain, which
      severely affects the quality of life and incurs significant medical cost. Annulus
      fibrosus(AF) injuries can lead to substantial deterioration of intervertebral
      disc degeneration. However, the AF repair/regeneration remains a challenge due to
      the intrinsic cellular, biochemical and biomechanical heterogeneity of AF tissue.
      Tissue engineering would be a promising approach for AF regeneration. This
      article aims to provide a brief overview of the fundamental aspects of AF, the
      current achievements and future challenges of AF tissue engineering. A
      multidisciplinary approach is proposed for future studies to fully mimic the
      native AF tissue and its microenvironment, including choosing adequate cell
      source, preparing scaffolds with hierarchical microstructures, supplementing
      appropriate growth factors, and enforcing suitable mechanical stimulation.
      Hopefully, the engineered AF tissues would be effectively used to facilitate the
      treatment of DDD in the future. 

PMID- 27273987
TI  - [Research advances of three-dimension printing technology in vertebrae and
      intervertebral disc tissue engineering].
AB  - Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is characterized by "inside-out" stack
      manufacturing. Compared with conventional technologies, 3D printing has the
      advantage of personalization and precision. Therefore, the shape and internal
      structure of the scaffolds made by 3D printing technology are highly biomimetic.
      Besides, 3D bioprinting can precisely deposit the biomaterials, seeding cells and
      cytokines at the same time, which is a breakthrough in printing technique and
      material science. With the development of 3D printing, it will make great
      contributions to the reconstruction of vertebrae and intervertebral disc in the
      future. 

PMID- 27273988
TI  - [Research progress of induced pluripotent stem cells in treatment of muscle
      atrophy].
AB  - Muscle atrophy caused by nerve injury is a common and difficult clinical problem.
      The development of stem cell researches has opened up a new way for the treatment
      of nerve injury-induced muscle atrophy. The induced pluripotent stem
      cells(iPSCs)can differentiate into various types of cells and have more
      advantages than embryonic stem cells (ESCs). After being transplanted into the
      damaged area, iPSCs are guided by neurogenic signals to the lesion sites, to
      repair the damaged nerve, promote generation of axon myelination, rebuild neural
      circuits and restore physiological function. Meanwhile, iPSCs can also
      differentiate into muscle cells and promote muscle tissue regeneration.
      Therefore, it would be possible to attenuate muscle atrophy caused by nerve
      injury with iPSCs treatment. 

PMID- 27273989
TI  - [Application of silk-based tissue engineering scaffold for tendon / ligament
      regeneration].
AB  - Tendon/ligament injury is one of the most common impairments in sports medicine.
      The traditional treatments of damaged tissue repair are unsatisfactory,
      especially for athletes, due to lack of donor and immune rejection. The strategy
      of tissue engineering may break through these limitations, and bring new hopes to
      tendon/ligament repair, even regeneration. Silk is a kind of natural
      biomaterials, which has good biocompatibility, wide range of mechanical
      properties and tunable physical structures; so it could be applied as
      tendon/ligament tissue engineering scaffolds. The silk-based scaffold has robust
      mechanical properties; combined with other biological ingredients, it could
      increase the surface area, promote more cell adhesion and improve the
      biocompatibility. The potential clinical application of silk-based scaffold has
      been confirmed by in vivo studies on tendon/ligament repairing, such as anterior
      cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, achilles tendon and rotator cuff.
      To develop novel biomechanically stable and host integrated tissue engineered
      tendon/ligament needs more further micro and macro studies, combined with product
      development and clinical application, which will give new hope to patients with
      tendon/ligament injury. 

PMID- 27273990
TI  - [Research progress on application of carbon nanotubes in bone tissue engineering
      scaffold].
AB  - Carbon nanotubes possess excellent mechanical and electrical properties and
      demonstrate broad application prospects in medical fields. Carbon nanotubes are
      composed of inorganic materials, natural biodegradable polymer or synthetic
      biodegradable polymer. The composite bone tissue engineering scaffolds are
      constructed by particle-hole method, lyophilization, microsphere aggregation
      method, electrostatic spinning or three-dimensional printing. Composite scaffolds
      overcome the shortcomings of single material and have good biocompatibility,
      osteoconduction and osteoinduction. With the study of surface chemistry,
      toxicology, and biocompatibility, a degradable "human-friendly" carbon nanotubes
      composite bone tissue scaffold will be available; and under the drive of new
      fabrication techniques, the clinical application of carbon nanotubes composite
      bone tissue engineering scaffolds will be better developed. 

PMID- 27273991
TI  - [MicroRNAs: a type of novel regulative factor for intervertebral disc
      degeneration].
AB  - Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of major causes for intervertebral
      disc degenerative diseases, and patients with IDD usually suffer from serious low
      back pain. The current treatments for patients with IDD only relieve the clinical
      symptom rather than restore biological balance of IDD, leading to inadequate and
      unsatisfactory results. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding, single
      stranded RNA molecules, which regulate the gene expression at the post
      transcription levels. Research evidences support the involvement of miRNAs in
      many biological processes, such as lipid metabolism, apoptosis, differentiation
      and organ development. Accumulating evidences indicate that the expressions of
      miRNAs change significantly in degenerative tissues. In addition, dysregulated
      miRNAs contribute to multiple pathological process of IDD, including
      proliferation and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus and extracellular matrix
      components, inflammatory response and cartilage endplates degeneration. In this
      review article, we summarize the expression profiles and roles of miRNAs in IDD,
      which may provide a novel strategy of biological therapy for the disease. 

PMID- 27273992
TI  - [Progress on treatment of tendinopathy with platelet-enriched plasma].
AB  - Platelet-enriched plasma (PRP) contains high concentration of platelets and
      abundant growth factors, which is made by centrifuging of blood and separating of
      blood elements. PRP promotes tendon repair by releasing various cytokines to
      enhance cell proliferation, tenogenic differentiation, formation and secretion of
      matrix; meantime, it can reduce pain by inhibiting the expression of pain
      associated molecules. A number of clinical studies demonstrated that PRP was
      effective in treatment of tendinopathy, including patellar tendinopathy, lateral
      epicondylitis and plantar fasciopathy. However, some studies did not support this
      conclusion, because of disparity of PRP types, therapeutic courses and injections
      protocols in clinical application. Based on its safety, PRP can be a choice of
      treatment for tendinopathy, in case other non-surgical therapies are of no
      effect. 

PMID- 27273993
TI  - [Protective effect of LR-90 on articular cartilage in rabbit model of
      osteoarthritis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of LR-90 on articular cartilage
      in rabbit model of osteoarthritis. METHODS: The cultured rabbits chondrocytes
      were assigned to be treated with IL-1beta (10ng/ml) or IL-1beta (10ng/ml)+LR-90
      (50 mg/L). The mRNA expression of MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, aggrecan and collagen II in
      chondrocytes were assessed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Twenty male New Zealand white rabbits
      underwent bilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) to establish a
      animal model of osteoarthritis. Four weeks after model established, on the basis
      of randomization one knee of each rabbit was treated with 50 mg/L LR-90 in normal
      saline (NS) (experimental group) and the other knee was treated with same volume
      of NS (control group), 1/week * 5. Nine weeks after ACLT all rabbits were
      sacrificed and the knee joints were evaluated by gross morphology and histology.
      The mRNA expression of IL-1beta, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, aggrecan and collagen II in
      articular cartilage was analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Gross morphology and Mankin
      histological evaluation showed that the extent and grade of cartilage damage in
      the experimental group were less severe than those in the control group.Compared
      to IL-1beta group, LR-90 treatment suppressed the mRNA expression of MMP-13 and
      ADAMTS-5, and enhanced aggrecan and collagen II mRNA expression. Consistent with
      the in vitro results, the intraarticular LR-90 administration suppressed the mRNA
      expression of IL-1beta,MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 (all P<0.01), while enhanced mRNA
      expression of aggrecan and collagen II in cartilage (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: LR
      90 protects against cartilage degradation and inhibits the progression of
      osteoarthritis in rabbit mode1 of osteoarthritis, which is associated with the
      suppressing IL-1beta, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5 and promoting aggrecan and collagen II
      mRNA expression in cartilage.

PMID- 27273994
TI  - [Effects of interim hemodialysis on survival and clinical outcomes in patients
      with maintenance peritoneal dialysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of interim hemodialysis (HD) on survival
      and clinical outcomes in patients with maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD).
      METHODS: The clinical data of 908 patients undergoing maintenance PD from January
      2010 to December 2014 registered in Zhejiang Dialysis Regisration System were
      retrospectively analyzed. Among all PD patients, 176 cases received interim HD
      for less than 3 months, and then transferred to PD (transfer group) and 732 cases
      had initial PD (non-transfer group). The demographic parameters, biochemical
      data, comorbidity, details of peritonitis and transplantation were documented.
      Survival curves were made by the Kaplan-Meier method; univariate and multivariate
      analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazard regression model to identify
      risk factors of mortality. RESULTS: Compared with patients in transfer group,
      patients in non-transfer group had significantly higher serum albumin and total
      Kt/V levels. The survival rate was significantly higher in non-transfer group,
      but there was no significant difference in technique survival between two groups.
      After multivariable adjustment, initial dialysis modality (HR=1.60, 95% CI:
      1.01~2.56), age (HR=1.07, 95% CI:1.05~1.09) and serum albumin (HR=0.96, 95% CI:
      0.93~0.99) and Charslon comorbidity index (HR=2.54, 95% CI:1.63~3.94) were
      independent factors for long-term survival. CONCLUSION: Patients who transfer to
      PD after interim HD have lower survival rate than patients who start with and are
      maintained on PD. HD is an independent risk factor for PD patients, therefore,
      patients with PD should be well informed and educated with dialysis protocols.

PMID- 27273995
TI  - [Characteristics of urinary tract infection in kidney transplant recipients and
      non-recipient patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of urinary tract infection (UTI)
      between kidney transplant recipients and non-recipient patients. METHODS: Forty
      nine kidney transplant recipients with UTI (69 episodes) and 401 non-recipient
      patients with UTI (443 episodes) admitted in Nanfang Hospital from January 2003
      to August 2014 were enrolled in the study. The characteristics of UTI were
      compared between two groups. RESULTS: In both groups of UTI, female patients
      comprised a greater proportion (63.3% and 58.6%) and Escherichia coli was the
      most common pathogen isolated (37.7% and 34.1%). However, the infection rate of
      Klebsiella pneumonia in recipients was higher than that in non-recipients (11.6%
      vs 3.2%, P= 0.001), while the infection rate of Candida albicans was lower (1.5%
      vs 11.3%, P=0.008) than that in non-recipients. Recipients were likely to develop
      antibiotic resistance and with a higher recurrence rate than non-recipient
      patients (38.8% vs 16.7%, P<0.001). Compared to non-recipient UTI patients, the
      symptoms of urinary irritation in recipient UTI patients were more common. There
      was higher percentage of neutrophil granulocyte (72.65% +/- 1.90% vs 68.59% +/-
      0.73%, P=0.048), lower proportion of lymphocytes (17.73% +/- 1.27% vs 21.28% +/-
      0.61%, P=0.037), and less platelets [(187.64 +/- 10.84) * 10(9)/L vs (240.76 +/-
      5.26) * 10(9)/L, P<0.01] in recipients than in non-recipient UTI patients.
      CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the characteristics of UTI in kidney
      transplantation recipients and non-recipients patients are different.

PMID- 27273996
TI  - [Epidemiology of acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients in China].
AB  - Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a disease spectrum ranging from minimal elevation of
      serum creatinine to complete renal failure. It is significantly associated with
      increased mortality, length of hospital stay and medical care cost. With the
      increasing awareness of the importance of AKI, several high quality and
      multicenter epidemiological studies have been published recently in China.
      However, the results differ a lot due to the differences in regional economic
      development, the selection of target population and testing indicators, the
      disease definition and study strategies. The reported incidence of AKI in China
      is much lower than that in the developed countries. This article will analyze the
      current status and the problems facing AKI epidemiological studies of
      hospitalized patients with our own data and those from literature. The article
      intends to clarify the burden of AKI,to increase the awareness of AKI among
      clinicians and policy makers for achieving the goal of "zero by 2025" in China. 

PMID- 27273997
TI  - [New insight in pathogenesis of podocyte disfunction in minimal change disease].
AB  - Minimal change disease (MCD) is a common pathological type of nephrotic syndrome.
      Its main histology is the fusion of podocyte foot process. The pathogenesis of
      MCD is not clear, but previously it was thought to be related to immune
      mechanism. In recent years more studies show that podocyte injury is the key link
      in the pathogenesis of MCD. In MCD mouse model and human kidney tissues, the
      expressions of podocyte slit membrane protein-nephrin and podocin, skeleton
      protein-synaptopodin are decreased, and the expression of synaptopodin is
      correlated with the response to hormone therapy. In addition, newest studies
      focused on another two potocyte associated proteins, CD80 and Angiopoietin-like
      4. CD80, a T cell stimulating molecule, is expressed in potocyte. Kappa B gene
      sequences can be activated by external microbes, antigens through acting
      potocytes, which can induce the upregulation of CD80 expression, cytoskeletal
      protein damage and the glomerular filtration rate changes, resulting in
      proteinuria. Angiopoietin-like-4 can be expressed in normal potocytes, but over
      expression of angiopoietin-like-4 may injure the GBM charge barrier and induce
      the foot process fusion, leading to MCD. However, further studies on the factors
      inducing CD80 and Angiopoietin-like-4 expression, and the interaction between
      glomerular basement membrane and the two proteins are needed. Based on the
      mechanism of MCD, NF-kappa B inhibitors and sialylation therapy would be a novel
      non-immune therapy for MCD. 

PMID- 27273998
TI  - Pulmonary Function Parameters Other Than Vital Capacity Should Be Considered in
      Screening for Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis:
      Comment on the Article by Suliman et al.

PMID- 27273999
TI  - A proof-of-concept study in engineering synthetic protein for selective
      recognition of substrate-free polyubiquitin.
AB  - Similar to substrate-conjugated polyubiquitin, unanchored polyubiquitin chains
      are emerging as important regulators for diverse biological processes. The
      affinity purification of unanchored polyubiquitin from various organisms has been
      reported, however, tools able to distinguish unanchored polyubiquitin chains with
      different isopeptide linkages have not yet been described. Toward the goal of
      selectively identifying and purifying unanchored polyubiquitin chains linked
      through different Lysines, Scott et al. developed a novel strategy in their study
      [Proteomics 2016, 16, 1961-1969]. They designed a linker-optimized ubiquitin
      binding domain hybrid (t-UBD) containing two UBDs, a ZnFCUBP domain, and a
      linkage-selective UBA domain, to specifically recognize unanchored Lys48-linked
      polyubiquitin chains. Subsequently, a series of assays has proved the feasibility
      of this novel strategy for the purification of endogenous substrate-free Lys48
      linked polyubiquitin chains from mammalian cell extracts. Their research not only
      provides a tool for purifying unanchored polyubiquitin with different isopeptide
      linkages, but also paves the way for generating reagents to study the function of
      unanchored polyubiquitin chains of different linkages in the future. The design
      of UBD hybrids for defined unanchored polyubiquitin (Lys48-polyubiquitin) in this
      study also set an excellent example for future methodology studies regarding
      monitoring in vivo dynamic changes in the patterns of ubiquitination.

PMID- 27274000
TI  - Acute phase proteins as promising biomarkers: Perspectives and limitations for
      human and veterinary medicine.
AB  - Acute phase proteins (APPs) are highly conserved plasma proteins that are
      increasingly secreted by the liver in response to a variety of injuries,
      independently of their location and cause. APPs favor the systemic regulation of
      defense, coagulation, proteolysis, and tissue repair. Various APPs have been
      applied as general diagnostic parameters for a long time. Through proteomic
      techniques, more and more APPs have been discovered to be differentially altered.
      Since they are not consistently explainable by a stereotypic hepatic expression
      of sets of APPs, most of these results have unfortunately been neglected or
      attributed to the nonspecificity of the acute phase reaction. Moreover, it
      appears that various extrahepatic tissues are also able to express APPs. These
      extrahepatic APPs show focally specific roles in tissue homeostasis and repair
      and are released primarily into interstitial and distal fluids. Since these focal
      proteins might leak into the circulatory system, mixtures of hepatic and
      extrahepatic APP species can be expected in blood. Hence, a selective alteration
      of parts of APPs might be expected. There are several hints on multiple molecular
      forms and fragments of tissue-derived APPs. These differences offer the chance
      for multiple selective determinations. Thus, specific proteoforms might indeed
      serve as tissue-specific disease indicators.

PMID- 27274001
TI  - Contributions of prestrains, hyperelasticity, and muscle fiber activation on
      mitral valve systolic performance.
AB  - The present study addresses the contributions of prestrains and muscle fiber
      activation to the global response of the mitral valve during systole. A finite
      element model of a porcine mitral valve is created using anatomical measurements
      and 3D echocardiographic recordings. The passive behavior of the leaflets is
      modeled using a transversely isotropic hyperelastic constitutive model, and we
      assume orthotropic muscle activations in the anterior leaflet. A simple approach
      to incorporate prestrains in the mitral valve apparatus is used by expanding the
      mitral annulus before applying the ventricular pressure to the mitral leaflets.
      Several finite element analyses are run with or without muscle activation and
      with or without prestrains. The analysis results are compared at peak systole
      with the echocardiograpic recordings. The case where prestrains and activation
      are accounted for simultaneously is the most efficient to approach the
      physiological flat shape of the closed valve observed in the echocardiograpic
      measurements. These results suggest that the active components present in the
      mitral leaflets and the presence of prestrains contribute to the physiological
      deformations of the mitral valve at peak systole and that material models based
      on in vitro mechanical testing are not sufficient for numerical studies of the
      mitral apparatus. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27274002
TI  - Relative Bioavailability and Bioequivalence of Brivaracetam 10 mg/mL Oral
      Solution and 50-mg Film-Coated Tablet.

PMID- 27274004
TI  - Cell structure imaging with bright and homogeneous nanometric light source.
AB  - Label-free optical nano-imaging of dendritic structures and intracellular
      granules in biological cells is demonstrated using a bright and homogeneous
      nanometric light source. The optical nanometric light source is excited using a
      focused electron beam. A zinc oxide (ZnO) luminescent thin film was fabricated by
      atomic layer deposition (ALD) to produce the nanoscale light source. The ZnO film
      formed by ALD emitted the bright, homogeneous light, unlike that deposited by
      another method. The dendritic structures of label-free macrophage receptor with
      collagenous structure-expressing CHO cells were clearly visualized below the
      diffraction limit. The inner fiber structure was observed with 120 nm spatial
      resolution. Because the bright homogeneous emission from the ZnO film suppresses
      the background noise, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the imaging results was
      greater than 10. The ALD method helps achieve an electron beam excitation
      assisted microscope with high spatial resolution and high SNR.

PMID- 27274003
TI  - Small Traditional Human Communities Sustain Genomic Diversity over
      Microgeographic Scales despite Linguistic Isolation.
AB  - At least since the Neolithic, humans have largely lived in networks of small,
      traditional communities. Often socially isolated, these groups evolved distinct
      languages and cultures over microgeographic scales of just tens of kilometers.
      Population genetic theory tells us that genetic drift should act quickly in such
      isolated groups, thus raising the question: do networks of small human
      communities maintain levels of genetic diversity over microgeographic scales?
      This question can no longer be asked in most parts of the world, which have been
      heavily impacted by historical events that make traditional society structures
      the exception. However, such studies remain possible in parts of Island Southeast
      Asia and Oceania, where traditional ways of life are still practiced. We captured
      genome-wide genetic data, together with linguistic records, for a case-study
      system-eight villages distributed across Sumba, a small, remote island in eastern
      Indonesia. More than 4,000 years after these communities were established during
      the Neolithic period, most speak different languages and can be distinguished
      genetically. Yet their nuclear diversity is not reduced, instead being comparable
      to other, even much larger, regional groups. Modeling reveals a separation of
      time scales: while languages and culture can evolve quickly, creating social
      barriers, sporadic migration averaged over many generations is sufficient to keep
      villages linked genetically. This loosely-connected network structure, once the
      global norm and still extant on Sumba today, provides a living proxy to explore
      fine-scale genome dynamics in the sort of small traditional communities within
      which the most recent episodes of human evolution occurred.

PMID- 27274005
TI  - Acute retinal necrosis and ocular neovascularization caused by cytomegalovirus
      following intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex(r) ) in an immunocompetent
      patient.

PMID- 27274006
TI  - Chest Ultrasonography as a Screening Tool for High-Resolution Computed Tomography
      Referral in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis-A Future Perspective: Comment on the
      Article by Suliman et al.

PMID- 27274007
TI  - Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Drug Interaction Study of Piragliatin, a
      Glucokinase Activator, and Glyburide, a Sulfonylurea, in Type 2 Diabetic
      Patients.
AB  - A glucokinase activator and a sulfonylurea might be coprescribed to synergize
      treatment success for type 2 diabetes (T2D). This clinical pharmacology study was
      designed to investigate the potential glucose-lowering effect or pharmacodynamic
      (PD), pharmacokinetic (PK), and safety/tolerability interactions between
      piragliatin and glyburide in T2D patients already taking glyburide but not
      adequately controlled. This was an open-label, multiple-dose, 3-period, single
      sequence crossover design: on days -1, 6, and 12, PD and PK samples were drawn
      with glyburide alone (period 0), piragliatin + glyburide (period 1), and
      piragliatin alone (period 2) treatments. The glucose-lowering effect, including
      fasting plasma glucose (FPG), of piragliatin was more pronounced when it was
      administered concomitantly with glyburide as compared to piragliatin or glyburide
      administered alone. However, this enhancement cannot be explained by a potential
      PK interaction between piragliatin and glyburide. Other than hypoglycemia, there
      were no clinically relevant safety findings. Thus, the enhanced PD effect
      warrants further investigation to define the optimal dose combination between
      glucokinase activators and sulfonylureas with regard to efficacy, safety, and
      tolerability.

PMID- 27274008
TI  - HLA-DRB1 Amino Acid Positions 11/13, 71, and 74 Are Associated With Inflammation
      Level, Disease Activity, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire Score in
      Patients With Inflammatory Polyarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility HLA-DRB1 haplotypes based on
      amino acid positions 11/13, 71, and 74 predict radiographic damage. The mechanism
      of action is unknown, but it may be mediated by inflammation. We undertook this
      study to systematically investigate the effect of these amino acids on
      nonradiographic measures of disease activity/outcomes. METHODS: We tested the
      association of RA susceptibility HLA-DRB1 amino acids with the C-reactive protein
      (CRP) level, the tender joint count (TJC), the swollen joint count (SJC), the
      Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), and the Health Assessment
      Questionnaire (HAQ) score in the Norfolk Arthritis Register (NOAR) and Early
      Rheumatoid Arthritis Study (ERAS) cohorts. Longitudinal modeling of disease
      activity/outcomes was performed using generalized linear latent and mixed models.
      Mediation analysis was performed using directed acyclic graphs to investigate the
      paths from genetic factors to outcome. RESULTS: A total of 2,158 patients were
      available for analysis in the NOAR cohort. Valine at position 11 showed the
      strongest association with the CRP level (P = 2.21 * 10-6 ), the SJC (P = 7.51 *
      10-6 ), and the DAS28 (P = 0.002); it was marginally associated with the HAQ
      score (P = 0.044) but not with the TJC. The same amino acid and haplotype risk
      hierarchy observed for susceptibility and radiographic severity was observed for
      the CRP level and nonradiographic measures of disease activity/outcome, apart
      from the TJC. The results were replicated in the ERAS cohort. The effect of
      valine at position 11 on the SJC was mainly mediated by anti-citrullinated
      protein antibody status, the effect of which was mainly mediated by inflammation;
      however, the effect of valine at position 11 was also independent of the CRP
      level (P = 1.6 * 10-4 ). CONCLUSION: Genetic markers of RA susceptibility located
      within HLA-DRB1 determine the levels of clinical and systemic inflammation
      independently, and also determine all objective measures of disease activity and
      outcome.

PMID- 27274009
TI  - Effect of Pradigastat, a Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 1 Inhibitor, on the QTcF
      Interval in Humans.
AB  - Pradigastat, a novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 inhibitor, has been studied
      in familial chylomicronemia syndrome. To evaluate the effects of supratherapeutic
      concentrations of pradigastat on the QTc interval, 2 studies were conducted. The
      first study assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single
      escalating intravenous doses of pradigastat (10, 30, 100, and 115 mg over 60
      minutes) in healthy adults. Single intravenous doses were safe, well tolerated,
      and at the higher doses resulted in supratherapeutic pradigastat exposure. The
      second was a parallel, 3-arm thorough QTc study in which healthy male subjects
      were randomized to pradigastat (115 mg intravenously), moxifloxacin (400 mg oral,
      positive control), or placebo. Following intravenous administration, pradigastat
      exposure peaked at 4 times the therapeutic concentration and did not prolong the
      baseline-adjusted and placebo-corrected QTc intervals. During the 60-minute
      pradigastat infusion, a number of infusion reactions and a small mean decrease in
      QTc were observed. Both effects disappeared when the infusion was stopped,
      suggesting that an infusate excipient may have been responsible. As expected,
      moxifloxacin significantly increased the QTc interval at multiple points,
      confirming the study's sensitivity to detect a true positive effect. Pradigastat
      is therefore unlikely to increase the risk of dysrhythmias associated with QTc
      prolongation in humans.

PMID- 27274010
TI  - A Novel Mechanism for Generating the Interferon Signature in Lupus: Opsonization
      of Dead Cells by Complement and IgM.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In vitro studies suggest that the type I interferon (IFN) signature
      seen in most lupus patients results from Fcgamma receptor-mediated uptake of
      nucleic acid-containing immune complexes by plasmacytoid dendritic cells and
      engagement of endosomal Toll-like receptors. The aim of this study was to
      reexamine the pathogenesis of the IFN signature in vivo. METHODS: Lupus was
      induced in mice by injecting pristane. Some mice were treated with normal
      immunoglobulin or with cobra venom factor to deplete complement. The IFN
      signature was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction. The IFN signature also was
      determined in C4-deficient patients and control subjects. RESULTS: Wild-type
      C57BL/6 mice with pristane-induced lupus developed a strong IFN signature, which
      was absent in immunoglobulin-deficient (MUMT), C3-/- , and CD18-/- mice.
      Intravenous infusion of normal IgM, but not IgG, restored the IFN signature in
      MUMT mice, and the IFN signature in wild-type mice was inhibited by depleting
      complement, suggesting that opsonization by IgM and complement is involved in IFN
      production. Consistent with that possibility, the levels of "natural" IgM
      antibodies reactive with dead cells were increased in pristane-treated wild-type
      mice compared with untreated controls, and in vivo phagocytosis of dead cells was
      impaired in C3-deficient mice. To examine the clinical relevance of these
      findings, we identified 10 C4-deficient patients with lupus-like disease and
      compared them with 152 C4-intact patients and 21 healthy controls. In comparison
      with C4-intact patients, C4-deficient patients had a different clinical/serologic
      phenotype and lacked the IFN signature. CONCLUSION: These studies define
      previously unrecognized roles of natural IgM, complement, and complement
      receptors in generating the IFN signature in lupus.

PMID- 27274011
TI  - Methotrexate Polyglutamate Monitoring in Patients With Crohn's Disease.
AB  - Methotrexate is an efficacious immunosuppressant for induction and maintenance of
      remission in Crohn's disease. The goal of this pilot study was to determine
      whether total or individual methotrexate glutamate levels (MTXGlun ) in red blood
      cells correlate with disease activity and adverse events in Crohn's disease. A
      cross-sectional study was undertaken with 12 patients on a stable dose of 25 mg
      weekly methotrexate (oral or subcutaneous). Clinical disease activity was
      assessed by the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), and biologic disease activity was
      measured by inflammatory markers. Concentrations of individual MTXGlun levels
      were measured in red blood cells (RBCs) using high-performance liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. No association was observed between RBC
      individual (MTXGlun ) or total methotrexate glutamate concentrations and clinical
      disease activity (HBI score) or inflammatory markers or adverse events. Although
      Crohn's disease patients in remission appeared to generally have higher RBC total
      longer-chain methotrexate polyglutamate (MTXGlu3+4+5 ) concentrations compared
      with those with active disease, a definitive association between RBC MTXGlu3+4+5
      levels and clinical disease activity could not be established. Larger
      longitudinal studies in patients with diverse disease activity are needed to
      establish the value of MTXGlun levels as indicators of treatment efficacy and
      clinical outcome.

PMID- 27274012
TI  - SMART-on-FHIR implemented over i2b2.
AB  - We have developed an interface to serve patient data from Informatics for
      Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) repositories in the Fast Healthcare
      Interoperability Resources (FHIR) format, referred to as a SMART-on-FHIR cell.
      The cell serves FHIR resources on a per-patient basis, and supports the
      "substitutable" modular third-party applications (SMART) OAuth2 specification for
      authorization of client applications. It is implemented as an i2b2 server plug
      in, consisting of 6 modules: authentication, REST, i2b2-to-FHIR converter,
      resource enrichment, query engine, and cache. The source code is freely available
      as open source. We tested the cell by accessing resources from a test i2b2
      installation, demonstrating that a SMART app can be launched from the cell that
      accesses patient data stored in i2b2. We successfully retrieved demographics,
      medications, labs, and diagnoses for test patients. The SMART-on-FHIR cell will
      enable i2b2 sites to provide simplified but secure data access in FHIR format,
      and will spur innovation and interoperability. Further, it transforms i2b2 into
      an apps platform.

PMID- 27274013
TI  - Effectiveness of computer-aided learning in oral health among patients and
      caregivers: a systematic review.
AB  - : Computer-aided learning (CAL) offers enormous potential in disseminating oral
      health care information to patients and caregivers. The effectiveness of CAL,
      however, remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to
      systematically review published evidence on the effectiveness of CAL in
      disseminating oral health care information to patients and caregivers. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A structured comprehensive search was undertaken among 7 electronic
      databases (PUBMED, CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, SCOPUS, WEB of SCIENCE, the Cochrane
      Library, and PsycINFO) to identify relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs) and observational studies were included in this review. Papers were
      screened by 2 independent reviewers, and studies that met the inclusion criteria
      were selected for further assessment. RESULTS: A total of 2915 papers were
      screened, and full texts of 53 potentially relevant papers (kappa = 0.885) were
      retrieved. A total of 5 studies that met the inclusion criteria (1 RCT, 1 quasi
      experimental study, and 3 post-intervention studies) were identified. Outcome
      measures included knowledge, attitude, behavior, and oral health. Significant
      improvements in clinical oral health parameters (P < .05) and knowledge/attitudes
      (P < .001) were reported in 2 of the studies. The 3 remaining studies reported
      improved oral health behaviors and confidence. CONCLUSION: There is a limited
      number of studies which have examined the effectiveness of CAL interventions for
      oral health care among patients and caregivers. Synthesis of the data suggests
      that CAL has positive impacts on knowledge, attitude, behavior, and oral health.
      Further high- quality studies on the effectiveness of CAL in promoting oral
      health are warranted.

PMID- 27274014
TI  - Which veterans enroll in a VA health information exchange program?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize patients who voluntarily enrolled in an electronic
      health information exchange (HIE) program designed to share data between Veterans
      Health Administration (VHA) and non-VHA institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Patients who agreed to participate in the HIE program were compared to those who
      did not. Patient characteristics associated with HIE enrollment were examined
      using a multivariable logistic regression model. Variables selected for inclusion
      were guided by a health care utilization model adapted to explain HIE enrollment.
      Data about patients' sociodemographics (age, gender), comorbidity (Charlson index
      score), utilization (primary and specialty care visits), and access (distance to
      VHA medical center, insurance, VHA benefits) were obtained from VHA and HIE
      electronic health records. RESULTS: Among 57 072 patients, 6627 (12%) enrolled in
      the HIE program during its first year. The likelihood of HIE enrollment increased
      among patients ages 50-64, of female gender, with higher comorbidity, and with
      increasing utilization. Living in a rural area and being unmarried were
      associated with decreased likelihood of enrollment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:
      Enrollment in HIE is complex, with several factors involved in a patient's
      decision to enroll. To broaden HIE participation, populations less likely to
      enroll should be targeted with tailored recruitment and educational strategies.
      Moreover, inclusion of special populations, such as patients with higher
      comorbidity or high utilizers, may help refine the definition of success with
      respect to HIE implementation.

PMID- 27274015
TI  - Alert override as a habitual behavior - a new perspective on a persistent
      problem.
AB  - Quantifying alert override has been the focus of much research in health
      informatics, with override rate traditionally viewed as a surrogate inverse
      indicator for alert effectiveness. However, relying on alert override to assess
      computerized alerts assumes that alerts are being read and determined to be
      irrelevant by users. Our research suggests that this is unlikely to be the case
      when users are experiencing alert overload. We propose that over time, alert
      override becomes habitual. The override response is activated by environmental
      cues and repeated automatically, with limited conscious intention. In this paper
      we outline this new perspective on understanding alert override. We present
      evidence consistent with the notion of alert override as a habitual behavior and
      discuss implications of this novel perspective for future research on alert
      override, a common and persistent problem accompanying decision support system
      implementation.

PMID- 27274016
TI  - An electronic documentation system improves the quality of admission notes: a
      randomized trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There are concerns that structured electronic documentation systems
      can limit expressivity and encourage long and unreadable notes. We assessed the
      impact of an electronic clinical documentation system on the quality of admission
      notes for patients admitted to a general medical unit. METHODS: This was a
      prospective randomized crossover study comparing handwritten paper notes to
      electronic notes on different patients by the same author, generated using a
      semistructured electronic admission documentation system over a 2-month period in
      2014. The setting was a 4-team, 80-bed general internal medicine clinical
      teaching unit at a large urban academic hospital. The quality of clinical
      documentation was assessed using the QNOTE instrument (best possible score =
      100), and word counts were assessed for free-text sections of notes. RESULTS:
      Twenty-one electronic-paper note pairs (42 notes) written by 21 authors were
      randomly drawn from a pool of 303 eligible notes. Overall note quality was
      significantly higher in electronic vs paper notes (mean 90 vs 69, P < .0001). The
      quality of free-text subsections (History of Present Illness and Impression and
      Plan) was significantly higher in the electronic vs paper notes (mean 93 vs 78, P
      < .0001; and 89 vs 77, P = .001, respectively). The History of Present Illness
      subsection was significantly longer in electronic vs paper notes (mean 172.4 vs
      92.4 words, P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: An electronic admission documentation system
      improved both the quality of free-text content and the overall quality of
      admission notes. Authors wrote more in the free-text sections of electronic
      documents as compared to paper versions.

PMID- 27274017
TI  - Computer use, language, and literacy in safety net clinic communication.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patients with limited health literacy (LHL) and limited English
      proficiency (LEP) experience suboptimal communication and health outcomes.
      Electronic health record implementation in safety net clinics may affect
      communication with LHL and LEP patients.We investigated the associations between
      safety net clinician computer use and patient-provider communication for patients
      with LEP and LHL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We video-recorded encounters at 5
      academically affiliated US public hospital clinics between English- and Spanish
      speaking patients with chronic conditions and their primary and specialty care
      clinicians. We analyzed changes in communication behaviors (coded with the Roter
      Interaction Analysis System) with each additional point on a clinician computer
      use score, controlling for clinician type and visit length and stratified by
      English proficiency and health literacy status. RESULTS: Greater clinician
      computer use was associated with more biomedical statements (+12.4, P = .03) and
      less positive affect (-0.6, P < .01) from LEP/LHL patients. In visits with
      patients with adequate English proficiency/health literacy, greater clinician
      computer use was associated with less positive patient affect (-0.9, P < .01),
      fewer clinician psychosocial statements (-3.5, P < .05), greater clinician verbal
      dominance (+0.09, P < .01), and lower ratings on quality of care and
      communication. CONCLUSION: Higher clinician computer use was associated with more
      biomedical focus with LEP/LHL patients, and clinician verbal dominance and lower
      ratings with patients with adequate English proficiency and health literacy.
      DISCUSSION: Implementation research should explore interventions to enhance
      relationship-centered communication for diverse patient populations in the
      computer era.

PMID- 27274019
TI  - Improving the quality of EHR recording in primary care: a data quality feedback
      tool.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Electronic health record (EHR) data are used to exchange information
      among health care providers. For this purpose, the quality of the data is
      essential. We developed a data quality feedback tool that evaluates differences
      in EHR data quality among practices and software packages as part of a larger
      intervention. METHODS: The tool was applied in 92 practices in the Netherlands
      using different software packages. Practices received data quality feedback in
      2010 and 2012. RESULTS: We observed large differences in the quality of
      recording. For example, the percentage of episodes of care that had a meaningful
      diagnostic code ranged from 30% to 100%. Differences were highly related to the
      software package. A year after the first measurement, the quality of recording
      had improved significantly and differences decreased, with 67% of the physicians
      indicating that they had actively changed their recording habits based on the
      results of the first measurement. About 80% found the feedback helpful in
      pinpointing recording problems. One of the software vendors made changes in
      functionality as a result of the feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Our EHR data quality
      feedback tool is capable of highlighting differences among practices and software
      packages. As such, it also stimulates improvements. As substantial variability in
      recording is related to the software package, our study strengthens the evidence
      that data quality can be improved substantially by standardizing the
      functionalities of EHR software packages.

PMID- 27274018
TI  - Precision medicine informatics.

PMID- 27274020
TI  - Learning temporal rules to forecast instability in continuously monitored
      patients.
AB  - Inductive machine learning, and in particular extraction of association rules
      from data, has been successfully used in multiple application domains, such as
      market basket analysis, disease prognosis, fraud detection, and protein
      sequencing. The appeal of rule extraction techniques stems from their ability to
      handle intricate problems yet produce models based on rules that can be
      comprehended by humans, and are therefore more transparent. Human comprehension
      is a factor that may improve adoption and use of data-driven decision support
      systems clinically via face validity. In this work, we explore whether we can
      reliably and informatively forecast cardiorespiratory instability (CRI) in step
      down unit (SDU) patients utilizing data from continuous monitoring of physiologic
      vital sign (VS) measurements. We use a temporal association rule extraction
      technique in conjunction with a rule fusion protocol to learn how to forecast CRI
      in continuously monitored patients. We detail our approach and present and
      discuss encouraging empirical results obtained using continuous multivariate VS
      data from the bedside monitors of 297 SDU patients spanning 29 346 hours (3.35
      patient-years) of observation. We present example rules that have been learned
      from data to illustrate potential benefits of comprehensibility of the extracted
      models, and we analyze the empirical utility of each VS as a potential leading
      indicator of an impending CRI event.

PMID- 27274021
TI  - Assessment-based health informatics curriculum improvement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Informatics programs need assurance that their curricula prepare
      students for intended roles as well as ensuring that students have mastered the
      appropriate competencies. The objective of this study is to describe a method for
      using assessment data to identify areas for curriculum, student selection, and
      assessment improvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multiple-choice examination
      covering the content in the Commission for Health Accreditation of Informatics
      and Information Management Education curricular facets/elements was developed and
      administered to 2 cohorts of entering students prior to the beginning of the
      program and to the first cohort after completion of the first year's courses. The
      reliability of the examination was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Content
      validity was assessed by having 2 raters assess the match of the items to the
      Commission for Health Accreditation of Informatics and Information Management
      Education requirements. Construct validation included comparison of exam
      performance of instructed vs uninstructed students. Criterion-related validity
      was assessed by examining the relationship of background characteristics to exam
      performance and by comparing examination performance to graduate Grade Point
      Average (GPA). RESULTS: Reliability of the examination was 0.91 and 0.82 (Cohort
      1 pre/post-tests) and 0.43 (Cohort 2 pretest). Both raters judged 76% of the test
      items as appropriate. There were statistically significant differences between
      the instructed (Cohort 1 post-test) and uninstructed (Cohort 2 pretest) students
      (t = 2.95 P < .01), as well as between the Cohort 1 pre/post-tests (t = 6.52, P <
      .001). Neither the background variables nor the graduate GPA were significantly
      correlated with the examination scores. CONCLUSION: We found that the examination
      had generally good psychometric properties and the exceptions could be used to
      identify areas for curriculum and assessment improvement.

PMID- 27274022
TI  - Health informatics and analytics - building a program to integrate business
      analytics across clinical and administrative disciplines.
AB  - Health care organizations must develop integrated health information systems to
      respond to the numerous government mandates driving the movement toward
      reimbursement models emphasizing value-based and accountable care. Success in
      this transition requires integrated data analytics, supported by the combination
      of health informatics, interoperability, business process design, and advanced
      decision support tools. This case study presents the development of a master's
      level cross- and multidisciplinary informatics program offered through a business
      school. The program provides students from diverse backgrounds with the
      knowledge, leadership, and practical application skills of health informatics,
      information systems, and data analytics that bridge the interests of clinical and
      nonclinical professionals. This case presents the actions taken and challenges
      encountered in navigating intra-university politics, specifying curriculum,
      recruiting the requisite interdisciplinary faculty, innovating the educational
      format, managing students with diverse educational and professional backgrounds,
      and balancing multiple accreditation agencies.

PMID- 27274023
TI  - A novel use of the discrete templated notes within an electronic health record
      software to monitor resident supervision.
AB  - Objective: Monitoring the supervision of residents can be a challenging task. We
      describe our experience with the implementation of a templated note system for
      documenting procedures with the aim of enabling automated, discrete, and
      standardized capture of documentation of supervision of residents performing
      floor-based procedures, with minimal extra effort from the residents. Materials
      and methods: Procedural note templates were designed using the standard existing
      template within a commercial electronic health record software. Templates for
      common procedures were created such that residents could document every procedure
      performed outside of the formal procedural areas. Automated reports were
      generated and letters were sent to noncompliers. Results: A total of 27 045
      inpatient non-formal procedural area procedures were recorded from August 2012 to
      June 2014. Compliance with NoteWriter template usage averaged 86% in the first
      year and increased to 94.6% in the second year ( P  = .0055). : Initially, only
      12.5% of residents documented supervision of any form. By the end of the first
      year, this was above 80%, with the gains maintained into the second year and
      beyond. Direct supervision was documented to have occurred where required in
      62.8% in the first year and increased to 99.8% in the second year ( P  = .0001)
      after the addition of hard stops. Notification of attendings prior to procedures
      was documented 100% of the time by September 2013. Letters sent to errant
      residents decreased from 3.6 to 0.83 per 100 residents per week. Conclusion: The
      templated procedure note system with hard stops and integrated reporting can
      successfully be used to improve monitoring of resident supervision. This has
      potential impact on resident education and patient safety.

PMID- 27274024
TI  - The organization and content of informatics doctoral dissertations.
AB  - This article offers suggested guidelines for graduate students who are embarking
      on informatics doctoral studies and anticipating the dissertation research and
      its documentation. Much of the guidance is pertinent for writing dissertations in
      other disciplines as well. The messages are largely directed at doctoral
      students, but some elements are also pertinent for master's students. All are
      relevant for faculty research advisors. The value of the dissertation is often
      underestimated. Too often it is seen as a hurdle to be overcome rather than an
      opportunity to gain insight into one's own research and to learn how to
      communicate effectively about it. Ideas that have been ill-formed often do not
      gel effectively until one tries to write about them. The main lesson is that the
      preparation of a carefully crafted, rigorous, logically evidence-based, and
      influential dissertation can be remarkably rewarding, both personally and
      professionally.

PMID- 27274025
TI  - Evaluation of clinical information modeling tools.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Clinical information models are formal specifications for representing
      the structure and semantics of the clinical content within electronic health
      record systems. This research aims to define, test, and validate evaluation
      metrics for software tools designed to support the processes associated with the
      definition, management, and implementation of these models. METHODOLOGY: The
      proposed framework builds on previous research that focused on obtaining
      agreement on the essential requirements in this area. A set of 50 conformance
      criteria were defined based on the 20 functional requirements agreed by that
      consensus and applied to evaluate the currently available tools. RESULTS: Of the
      11 initiative developing tools for clinical information modeling identified, 9
      were evaluated according to their performance on the evaluation metrics. Results
      show that functionalities related to management of data types, specifications,
      metadata, and terminology or ontology bindings have a good level of adoption.
      Improvements can be made in other areas focused on information modeling and
      associated processes. Other criteria related to displaying semantic relationships
      between concepts and communication with terminology servers had low levels of
      adoption. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed evaluation metrics were successfully tested
      and validated against a representative sample of existing tools. The results
      identify the need to improve tool support for information modeling and software
      development processes, especially in those areas related to governance, clinician
      involvement, and optimizing the technical validation of testing processes. This
      research confirmed the potential of these evaluation metrics to support decision
      makers in identifying the most appropriate tool for their organization.
      OBJECTIVO: Los Modelos de Informacion Clinica son especificaciones para
      representar la estructura y caracteristicas semanticas del contenido clinico en
      los sistemas de Historia Clinica Electronica. Esta investigacion define, prueba y
      valida un marco para la evaluacion de herramientas informaticas disenadas para
      dar soporte en la en los procesos de definicion, gestion e implementacion de
      estos modelos. METODOLOGIA: El marco de evaluacion propuesto se basa en una
      investigacion previa para obtener consenso en la definicion de requisitos
      esenciales en esta area. A partir de los 20 requisitos funcionales acordados, un
      conjunto de 50 criterios de conformidad fueron definidos y aplicados en la
      evaluacion de las herramientas existentes. RESULTADOS: Un total de 9 de las 11
      iniciativas identificadas desarrollando herramientas para el modelado de
      informacion clinica fueron evaluadas. Los resultados muestran que las
      funcionalidades relacionadas con la gestion de tipos de datos, especificaciones,
      metadatos y mapeo con terminologias u ontologias tienen un buen nivel de
      adopcion. Se identifican posibles mejoras en areas relacionadas con los procesos
      de modelado de informacion. Otros criterios relacionados con presentar las
      relaciones semanticas entre conceptos y la comunicacion con servidores de
      terminologia tienen un bajo nivel de adopcion. CONCLUSIONES: El marco de
      evaluacion propuesto fue probado y validado satisfactoriamente contra un conjunto
      representativo de las herramientas existentes. Los resultados identifican la
      necesidad de mejorar el soporte de herramientas a los procesos de modelado de
      informacion y desarrollo de software, especialmente en las areas relacionadas con
      gobernanza, participacion de profesionales clinicos y la optimizacion de la
      validacion tecnica en los procesos de pruebas tecnicas. Esta investigacion ha
      confirmado el potencial de este marco de evaluacion para dar soporte a los
      usuarios en la toma de decisiones sobre que herramienta es mas apropiadas para su
      organizacion.

PMID- 27274026
TI  - Long-Term Stability of Volatile Nitrosamines in Human Urine.
AB  - Volatile nitrosamines (VNAs) are established teratogens and carcinogens in
      animals and classified as probable (group 2A) and possible (group 2B) carcinogens
      in humans by the IARC. High levels of VNAs have been detected in tobacco products
      and in both mainstream and sidestream smoke. VNA exposure may lead to lipid
      peroxidation and oxidative stress (e.g., inflammation), chronic diseases (e.g.,
      diabetes) and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). To conduct
      epidemiological studies on the effects of VNA exposure, short-term and long-term
      stabilities of VNAs in the urine matrix are needed. In this report, the stability
      of six VNAs (N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosomethylethylamine, N
      nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosopiperidine, N-nitrosopyrrolidine and N
      nitrosomorpholine) in human urine is analyzed for the first time using in vitro
      blank urine pools fortified with a standard mixture of all six VNAs. Over a 24
      day period, analytes were monitored in samples stored at ~20 degrees C
      (collection temperature), 4-10 degrees C (transit temperature) and -20 and -70
      degrees C (long-term storage temperatures). All six analytes were stable for 24
      days at all temperatures (n = 15). The analytes were then analyzed over a longer
      time period at -70 degrees C; all analytes were stable for up to 1 year (n = 62).
      A subset of 44 samples was prepared as a single batch and stored at -20 degrees
      C, the temperature at which prepared samples are stored. These prepared samples
      were run in duplicate weekly over 10 weeks, and all six analytes were stable over
      the entire period (n = 22). 

PMID- 27274027
TI  - Seminal Plasma Promotes Neisseria gonorrhoeae Aggregation and Biofilm Formation.
AB  - Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes the human-specific disease gonorrhea and is
      transmitted from person to person primarily via sexual contact. During
      transmission, N. gonorrhoeae is often exposed to seminal fluid and must adapt to
      this change in environment. Previous work demonstrated that seminal fluid
      facilitates N. gonorrhoeae motility and alters epithelial cell interactions. In
      this study, exposure to seminal fluid was found to decrease surface adherence of
      gonococci in a manner that was independent of Opa adhesin proteins or type IV
      pilus retraction. Semen was also shown to cause dispersal of bacteria that had
      previously established surface adherence. Although surface adherence decreased,
      interbacterial interactions were increased by seminal plasma both in long-term
      static culture and on a cell-to-cell basis over shorter time periods. The result
      of increased bacterium-bacterium interactions resulted in the formation of
      microcolonies, an important step in the N. gonorrhoeae infectious process.
      Seminal fluid also facilitated increased bacterial aggregation in the form of
      shear-resistant three-dimensional biofilms. These results emphasize the
      importance of the gonococcal response to the influx of seminal fluid within the
      genital niche. Further characterization of the N. gonorrhoeae response to semen
      will advance our understanding of the mechanisms behind the establishment of
      infection in naive hosts and the process of transmission. IMPORTANCE: N.
      gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of the globally prevalent sexually transmitted
      infection gonorrhea. An understudied aspect of this human-adapted pathogen is the
      change in bacterial physiology that occurs during sexual transmission. N.
      gonorrhoeae encounters semen when transmitted from host to host, and it is known
      that, when N. gonorrhoeae is exposed to seminal fluid, alterations in bacterial
      motility and type IV pilus arrangement occur. This work extends our previous
      observations on this modulation of gonococcal physiology by seminal fluid and
      demonstrates that seminal plasma decreases surface adherence, promotes
      interbacterial interactions, and enhances biofilm formation.

PMID- 27274028
TI  - The SMUL_1544 Gene Product Governs Norcobamide Biosynthesis in the
      Tetrachloroethene-Respiring Bacterium Sulfurospirillum multivorans.
AB  - The tetrachloroethene (PCE)-respiring bacterium Sulfurospirillum multivorans
      produces a unique cobamide, namely, norpseudo-B12, which, in comparison to other
      cobamides, e.g., cobalamin and pseudo-B12, lacks the methyl group in the linker
      moiety of the nucleotide loop. In this study, the protein SMUL_1544 was shown to
      be responsible for the formation of the unusual linker moiety, which is most
      probably derived from ethanolamine-phosphate (EA-P) as the precursor. The product
      of the SMUL_1544 gene successfully complemented a Salmonella enterica DeltacobD
      mutant. The cobD gene encodes an l-threonine-O-3-phosphate (l-Thr-P)
      decarboxylase responsible for the synthesis of (R)-1-aminopropan-2-ol O-2
      phosphate (AP-P), required specifically for cobamide biosynthesis. When SMUL_1544
      was produced in the heterologous host lacking CobD, norpseudo-B12 was formed,
      which pointed toward the formation of EA-P rather than AP-P. Guided cobamide
      biosynthesis experiments with minimal medium supplemented with l-Thr-P supported
      cobamide biosynthesis in S. enterica producing SMUL_1544 or S. multivorans Under
      these conditions, both microorganisms synthesized pseudo-B12 This observation
      indicated a flexibility in the SMUL_1544 substrate spectrum. From the formation
      of catalytically active PCE reductive dehalogenase (PceA) in S. multivorans cells
      producing pseudo-B12, a compatibility of the respiratory enzyme with the cofactor
      was deduced. This result might indicate a structural flexibility of PceA in
      cobamide binding. Feeding of l-[3-(13)C]serine to cultures of S. multivorans
      resulted in isotope labeling of the norpseudo-B12 linker moiety, which strongly
      supports the hypothesis of EA-P formation from l-serine-O-phosphate (l-Ser-P) in
      this organism. IMPORTANCE: The identification of the gene product SMUL_1544 as a
      putative l-Ser-P decarboxylase involved in norcobamide biosynthesis in S.
      multivorans adds a novel module to the assembly line of cobamides (complete
      corrinoids) in prokaryotes. Selected cobamide-containing enzymes (e.g., reductive
      dehalogenases) showed specificity for their cobamide cofactors. It has recently
      been proposed that the structure of the linker moiety of norpseudo-B12 and the
      mode of binding of the EA-P linker to the PceA enzyme reflect the high
      specificity of the enzyme for its cofactor. Data reported herein do not support
      this idea. In fact, norpseudo-B12 was functional in the cobamide-dependent
      methionine biosynthesis of S. enterica, raising questions about the role of
      norcobamides in nature.

PMID- 27274029
TI  - Essential Genes Predicted in the Genome of Rubrivivax gelatinosus.
AB  - Rubrivivax gelatinosus is a betaproteobacterium with impressive metabolic
      diversity. It is capable of phototrophy, chemotrophy, two different mechanisms of
      sugar metabolism, fermentation, and H2 gas production. To identify core essential
      genes, R. gelatinosus was subjected to saturating transposon mutagenesis and high
      throughput sequencing (TnSeq) analysis using nutrient-rich, aerobic conditions.
      Results revealed that virtually no primary metabolic genes are essential to the
      organism and that genomic redundancy only explains a portion of the
      nonessentiality, but some biosynthetic pathways are still essential under
      nutrient-rich conditions. Different essentialities of different portions of the
      Pho regulatory pathway suggest that overexpression of the regulon is toxic and
      hint at a larger connection between phosphate regulation and cellular health.
      Lastly, various essentialities of different tRNAs hint at a more complex
      situation than would be expected for such a core process. These results expand
      upon research regarding cross-organism gene essentiality and further enrich the
      study of purple nonsulfur bacteria. IMPORTANCE: Microbial genomic data are
      increasing at a tremendous rate, but physiological characterization of those data
      lags far behind. One mechanism of high-throughput physiological characterization
      is TnSeq, which uses high-volume transposon mutagenesis and high-throughput
      sequencing to identify all of the essential genes in a given organism's genome.
      Here TnSeq was used to identify essential genes in the metabolically versatile
      betaproteobacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus The results presented here add to the
      growing TnSeq field and also reveal important aspects of R. gelatinosus
      physiology, which are applicable to researchers working on metabolically flexible
      organisms.

PMID- 27274030
TI  - Transcription of Sialic Acid Catabolism Genes in Corynebacterium glutamicum Is
      Subject to Catabolite Repression and Control by the Transcriptional Repressor
      NanR.
AB  - Corynebacterium glutamicum metabolizes sialic acid (Neu5Ac) to fructose-6
      phosphate (fructose-6P) via the consecutive activity of the sialic acid importer
      SiaEFGI, N-acetylneuraminic acid lyase (NanA), N-acetylmannosamine kinase (NanK),
      N-acetylmannosamine-6P epimerase (NanE), N-acetylglucosamine-6P deacetylase
      (NagA), and glucosamine-6P deaminase (NagB). Within the cluster of the three
      operons nagAB, nanAKE, and siaEFGI for Neu5Ac utilization a fourth operon is
      present, which comprises cg2936, encoding a GntR-type transcriptional regulator,
      here named NanR. Microarray studies and reporter gene assays showed that nagAB,
      nanAKE, siaEFGI, and nanR are repressed in wild-type (WT) C. glutamicum but
      highly induced in a DeltananR C. glutamicum mutant. Purified NanR was found to
      specifically bind to the nucleotide motifs
      A[AC]G[CT][AC]TGATGTC[AT][TG]ATGT[AC]TA located within the nagA-nanA and nanR
      sialA intergenic regions. Binding of NanR to promoter regions was abolished in
      the presence of the Neu5Ac metabolism intermediates GlcNAc-6P and N
      acetylmannosamine-6-phosphate (ManNAc-6P). We observed consecutive utilization of
      glucose and Neu5Ac as well as fructose and Neu5Ac by WT C. glutamicum, whereas
      the deletion mutant C. glutamicum DeltananR simultaneously consumed these sugars.
      Increased reporter gene activities for nagAB, nanAKE, and nanR were observed in
      cultivations of WT C. glutamicum with Neu5Ac as the sole substrate compared to
      cultivations when fructose was present. Taken together, our findings show that
      Neu5Ac metabolism in C. glutamicum is subject to catabolite repression, which
      involves control by the repressor NanR. IMPORTANCE: Neu5Ac utilization is
      currently regarded as a common trait of both pathogenic and commensal bacteria.
      Interestingly, the nonpathogenic soil bacterium C. glutamicum efficiently
      utilizes Neu5Ac as a substrate for growth. Expression of genes for Neu5Ac
      utilization in C. glutamicum is here shown to depend on the transcriptional
      regulator NanR, which is the first GntR-type regulator of Neu5Ac metabolism not
      to use Neu5Ac as effector but relies instead on the inducers GlcNAc-6P and ManNAc
      6P. The identification of conserved NanR-binding sites in intergenic regions
      within the operons for Neu5Ac utilization in pathogenic Corynebacterium species
      indicates that the mechanism for the control of Neu5Ac catabolism in C.
      glutamicum by NanR as described in this work is probably conserved within this
      genus.

PMID- 27274031
TI  - Genetic and Transcriptional Analyses of the Flagellar Gene Cluster in
      Actinoplanes missouriensis.
AB  - Actinoplanes missouriensis, a Gram-positive and soil-inhabiting bacterium, is a
      member of the rare actinomycetes. The filamentous cells produce sporangia, which
      contain hundreds of flagellated spores that can swim rapidly for a short period
      of time until they find niches for germination. These swimming cells are called
      zoospores, and the mechanism of this unique temporal flagellation has not been
      elucidated. Here, we report all of the flagellar genes in the bacterial genome
      and their expected function and contribution for flagellar morphogenesis. We
      identified a large flagellar gene cluster composed of 33 genes that encode the
      majority of proteins essential for assembling the functional flagella of Gram
      positive bacteria. One noted exception to the cluster was the location of the
      fliQ gene, which was separated from the cluster. We examined the involvement of
      four genes in flagellar biosynthesis by gene disruption, fliQ, fliC, fliK, and
      lytA Furthermore, we performed a transcriptional analysis of the flagellar genes
      using RNA samples prepared from A. missouriensis grown on a sporangium-producing
      agar medium for 1, 3, 6, and 40 days. We demonstrated that the transcription of
      the flagellar genes was activated in conjunction with sporangium formation.
      Eleven transcriptional start points of the flagellar genes were determined using
      the rapid amplification of cDNA 5' ends (RACE) procedure, which revealed the
      highly conserved promoter sequence CTCA(N15-17)GCCGAA. This result suggests that
      a sigma factor is responsible for the transcription of all flagellar genes and
      that the flagellar structure assembles simultaneously. IMPORTANCE: The biology of
      a zoospore is very interesting from the viewpoint of morphogenesis, survival
      strategy, and evolution. Here, we analyzed flagellar genes in A. missouriensis,
      which produces sporangia containing hundreds of flagellated spores each.
      Zoospores released from the sporangia swim for a short time before germination
      occurs. We identified a large flagellar gene cluster and an orphan flagellar gene
      (fliQ). These findings indicate that the zoospore flagellar components are
      typical of Gram-positive bacteria. However, the transcriptional analysis revealed
      that all flagellar genes are transcribed simultaneously during sporangium
      formation, a pattern differing from the orderly, regulated expression of
      flagellar genes in other bacteria, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli These
      results suggest a novel regulatory mechanism for flagellar formation in A.
      missouriensis.

PMID- 27274034
TI  - Science and Culture: How fish innards inspire art.

PMID- 27274032
TI  - Microfluidic Studies of Biofilm Formation in Dynamic Environments.
AB  - The advent of microscale technologies, such as microfluidics, has revolutionized
      many areas of biology yet has only recently begun to impact the field of
      bacterial biofilms. By enabling accurate control and manipulation of physical and
      chemical conditions, these new microscale approaches afford the ability to
      combine important features of natural and artificial microbial habitats, such as
      fluid flow and ephemeral nutrient sources, with an unprecedented level of
      flexibility and quantification. Here, we review selected case studies to
      exemplify this potential, discuss limitations, and suggest that this approach
      opens new vistas into biofilm research over traditional setups, allowing us to
      expand our understanding of the formation and consequences of biofilms in a broad
      range of environments and applications.

PMID- 27274035
TI  - Core Concept: Are we in the "Anthropocene"?

PMID- 27274038
TI  - Opinion: Big data biomedicine offers big higher education opportunities.

PMID- 27274040
TI  - Issues in human evolution.

PMID- 27274041
TI  - Unraveling the evolution of uniquely human cognition.
AB  - A satisfactory account of human cognitive evolution will explain not only the
      psychological mechanisms that make our species unique, but also how, when, and
      why these traits evolved. To date, researchers have made substantial progress
      toward defining uniquely human aspects of cognition, but considerably less effort
      has been devoted to questions about the evolutionary processes through which
      these traits have arisen. In this article, I aim to link these complementary aims
      by synthesizing recent advances in our understanding of what makes human
      cognition unique, with theory and data regarding the processes of cognitive
      evolution. I review evidence that uniquely human cognition depends on synergism
      between both representational and motivational factors and is unlikely to be
      accounted for by changes to any singular cognitive system. I argue that, whereas
      no nonhuman animal possesses the full constellation of traits that define the
      human mind, homologies and analogies of critical aspects of human psychology can
      be found in diverse nonhuman taxa. I suggest that phylogenetic approaches to the
      study of animal cognition-which can address questions about the selective
      pressures and proximate mechanisms driving cognitive change-have the potential to
      yield important insights regarding the processes through which the human
      cognitive phenotype evolved.

PMID- 27274042
TI  - Neogene biomarker record of vegetation change in eastern Africa.
AB  - The evolution of C4 grassland ecosystems in eastern Africa has been intensely
      studied because of the potential influence of vegetation on mammalian evolution,
      including that of our own lineage, hominins. Although a handful of sparse
      vegetation records exists from middle and early Miocene terrestrial fossil sites,
      there is no comprehensive record of vegetation through the Neogene. Here we
      present a vegetation record spanning the Neogene and Quaternary Periods that
      documents the appearance and subsequent expansion of C4 grasslands in eastern
      Africa. Carbon isotope ratios from terrestrial plant wax biomarkers deposited in
      marine sediments indicate constant C3 vegetation from ~24 Ma to 10 Ma, when C4
      grasses first appeared. From this time forward, C4 vegetation increases
      monotonically to present, with a coherent signal between marine core sites
      located in the Somali Basin and the Red Sea. The response of mammalian herbivores
      to the appearance of C4 grasses at 10 Ma is immediate, as evidenced from existing
      records of mammalian diets from isotopic analyses of tooth enamel. The expansion
      of C4 vegetation in eastern Africa is broadly mirrored by increasing proportions
      of C4-based foods in hominin diets, beginning at 3.8 Ma in Australopithecus and,
      slightly later, Kenyanthropus This continues into the late Pleistocene in
      Paranthropus, whereas Homo maintains a flexible diet. The biomarker vegetation
      record suggests the increase in open, C4 grassland ecosystems over the last 10 Ma
      may have operated as a selection pressure for traits and behaviors in Homo such
      as bipedalism, flexible diets, and complex social structure.

PMID- 27274043
TI  - The Pliocene hominin diversity conundrum: Do more fossils mean less clarity?
AB  - Recent discoveries of multiple middle Pliocene hominins have raised the
      possibility that early hominins were as speciose as later hominins. However,
      debates continue to arise around the validity of most of these new taxa, largely
      based on poor preservation of holotype specimens, small sample size, or the lack
      of evidence for ecological diversity. A closer look at the currently available
      fossil evidence from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Chad indicate that Australopithecus
      afarensis was not the only hominin species during the middle Pliocene, and that
      there were other species clearly distinguishable from it by their locomotor
      adaptation and diet. Although there is no doubt that the presence of multiple
      species during the middle Pliocene opens new windows into our evolutionary past,
      it also complicates our understanding of early hominin taxonomy and phylogenetic
      relationships.

PMID- 27274044
TI  - Neandertals revised.
AB  - The last decade has seen a significant growth of our knowledge of the
      Neandertals, a population of Pleistocene hunter-gatherers who lived in (western)
      Eurasia between ~400,000 and 40,000 y ago. Starting from a source population deep
      in the Middle Pleistocene, the hundreds of thousands of years of relative
      separation between African and Eurasian groups led to the emergence of different
      phenotypes in Late Pleistocene Europe and Africa. Both recently obtained genetic
      evidence and archeological data show that the biological and cultural gaps
      between these populations were probably smaller than previously thought. These
      data, reviewed here, falsify inferences to the effect that, compared with their
      near-modern contemporaries in Africa, Neandertals were outliers in terms of
      behavioral complexity. It is only around 40,000 y ago, tens of thousands of years
      after anatomically modern humans first left Africa and thousands of years after
      documented interbreeding between modern humans, Neandertals and Denisovans, that
      we see major changes in the archeological record, from western Eurasia to
      Southeast Asia, e.g., the emergence of representational imagery and the
      colonization of arctic areas and of greater Australia (Sahul).

PMID- 27274045
TI  - Ancient DNA and human history.
AB  - We review studies of genomic data obtained by sequencing hominin fossils with
      particular emphasis on the unique information that ancient DNA (aDNA) can provide
      about the demographic history of humans and our closest relatives. We concentrate
      on nuclear genomic sequences that have been published in the past few years. In
      many cases, particularly in the Arctic, the Americas, and Europe, aDNA has
      revealed historical demographic patterns in a way that could not be resolved by
      analyzing present-day genomes alone. Ancient DNA from archaic hominins has
      revealed a rich history of admixture between early modern humans, Neanderthals,
      and Denisovans, and has allowed us to disentangle complex selective processes.
      Information from aDNA studies is nowhere near saturation, and we believe that
      future aDNA sequences will continue to change our understanding of hominin
      history.

PMID- 27274046
TI  - Ecological consequences of human niche construction: Examining long-term
      anthropogenic shaping of global species distributions.
AB  - The exhibition of increasingly intensive and complex niche construction behaviors
      through time is a key feature of human evolution, culminating in the advanced
      capacity for ecosystem engineering exhibited by Homo sapiens A crucial outcome of
      such behaviors has been the dramatic reshaping of the global biosphere, a
      transformation whose early origins are increasingly apparent from cumulative
      archaeological and paleoecological datasets. Such data suggest that, by the Late
      Pleistocene, humans had begun to engage in activities that have led to
      alterations in the distributions of a vast array of species across most, if not
      all, taxonomic groups. Changes to biodiversity have included extinctions,
      extirpations, and shifts in species composition, diversity, and community
      structure. We outline key examples of these changes, highlighting findings from
      the study of new datasets, like ancient DNA (aDNA), stable isotopes, and
      microfossils, as well as the application of new statistical and computational
      methods to datasets that have accumulated significantly in recent decades. We
      focus on four major phases that witnessed broad anthropogenic alterations to
      biodiversity-the Late Pleistocene global human expansion, the Neolithic spread of
      agriculture, the era of island colonization, and the emergence of early urbanized
      societies and commercial networks. Archaeological evidence documents millennia of
      anthropogenic transformations that have created novel ecosystems around the
      world. This record has implications for ecological and evolutionary research,
      conservation strategies, and the maintenance of ecosystem services, pointing to a
      significant need for broader cross-disciplinary engagement between archaeology
      and the biological and environmental sciences.

PMID- 27274047
TI  - IGF-1 degradation by mouse mast cell protease 4 promotes cell death and adverse
      cardiac remodeling days after a myocardial infarction.
AB  - Heart disease is a leading cause of death in adults. Here, we show that a few
      days after coronary artery ligation and reperfusion, the ischemia-injured heart
      elaborates the cardioprotective polypeptide, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF
      1), which activates IGF-1 receptor prosurvival signaling and improves cardiac
      left ventricular systolic function. However, this signaling is antagonized by the
      chymase, mouse mast cell protease 4 (MMCP-4), which degrades IGF-1. We found that
      deletion of the gene encoding MMCP-4 (Mcpt4), markedly reduced late, but not
      early, infarct size by suppressing IGF-1 degradation and, consequently,
      diminished cardiac dysfunction and adverse structural remodeling. Our findings
      represent the first demonstration to our knowledge of tissue IGF-1 regulation
      through proteolytic degradation and suggest that chymase inhibition may be a
      viable therapeutic approach to enhance late cardioprotection in postischemic
      heart disease.

PMID- 27274048
TI  - Outer membrane vesicles displaying engineered glycotopes elicit protective
      antibodies.
AB  - The O-antigen polysaccharide (O-PS) component of lipopolysaccharides on the
      surface of gram-negative bacteria is both a virulence factor and a B-cell
      antigen. Antibodies elicited by O-PS often confer protection against infection;
      therefore, O-PS glycoconjugate vaccines have proven useful against a number of
      different pathogenic bacteria. However, conventional methods for natural
      extraction or chemical synthesis of O-PS are technically demanding, inefficient,
      and expensive. Here, we describe an alternative methodology for producing
      glycoconjugate vaccines whereby recombinant O-PS biosynthesis is coordinated with
      vesiculation in laboratory strains of Escherichia coli to yield glycosylated
      outer membrane vesicles (glycOMVs) decorated with pathogen-mimetic glycotopes.
      Using this approach, glycOMVs corresponding to eight different pathogenic
      bacteria were generated. For example, expression of a 17-kb O-PS gene cluster
      from the highly virulent Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis (type A) strain
      Schu S4 in hypervesiculating E. coli cells yielded glycOMVs that displayed F.
      tularensis O-PS. Immunization of BALB/c mice with glycOMVs elicited significant
      titers of O-PS-specific serum IgG antibodies as well as vaginal and
      bronchoalveolar IgA antibodies. Importantly, glycOMVs significantly prolonged
      survival upon subsequent challenge with F. tularensis Schu S4 and provided
      complete protection against challenge with two different F. tularensis subsp.
      holarctica (type B) live vaccine strains, thereby demonstrating the vaccine
      potential of glycOMVs. Given the ease with which recombinant glycotopes can be
      expressed on OMVs, the strategy described here could be readily adapted for
      developing vaccines against many other bacterial pathogens.

PMID- 27274049
TI  - Early farmers from across Europe directly descended from Neolithic Aegeans.
AB  - Farming and sedentism first appeared in southwestern Asia during the early
      Holocene and later spread to neighboring regions, including Europe, along
      multiple dispersal routes. Conspicuous uncertainties remain about the relative
      roles of migration, cultural diffusion, and admixture with local foragers in the
      early Neolithization of Europe. Here we present paleogenomic data for five
      Neolithic individuals from northern Greece and northwestern Turkey spanning the
      time and region of the earliest spread of farming into Europe. We use a novel
      approach to recalibrate raw reads and call genotypes from ancient DNA and observe
      striking genetic similarity both among Aegean early farmers and with those from
      across Europe. Our study demonstrates a direct genetic link between Mediterranean
      and Central European early farmers and those of Greece and Anatolia, extending
      the European Neolithic migratory chain all the way back to southwestern Asia.

PMID- 27274050
TI  - Scaling identity connects human mobility and social interactions.
AB  - Massive datasets that capture human movements and social interactions have
      catalyzed rapid advances in our quantitative understanding of human behavior
      during the past years. One important aspect affecting both areas is the critical
      role space plays. Indeed, growing evidence suggests both our movements and
      communication patterns are associated with spatial costs that follow reproducible
      scaling laws, each characterized by its specific critical exponents. Although
      human mobility and social networks develop concomitantly as two prolific yet
      largely separated fields, we lack any known relationships between the critical
      exponents explored by them, despite the fact that they often study the same
      datasets. Here, by exploiting three different mobile phone datasets that capture
      simultaneously these two aspects, we discovered a new scaling relationship,
      mediated by a universal flux distribution, which links the critical exponents
      characterizing the spatial dependencies in human mobility and social networks.
      Therefore, the widely studied scaling laws uncovered in these two areas are not
      independent but connected through a deeper underlying reality.

PMID- 27274051
TI  - Bison phylogeography constrains dispersal and viability of the Ice Free Corridor
      in western Canada.
AB  - The Ice Free Corridor has been invoked as a route for Pleistocene human and
      animal dispersals between eastern Beringia and more southerly areas of North
      America. Despite the significance of the corridor, there are limited data for
      when and how this corridor was used. Hypothetical uses of the corridor include:
      the first expansion of humans from Beringia into the Americas, northward
      postglacial expansions of fluted point technologies into Beringia, and continued
      use of the corridor as a contact route between the north and south. Here, we use
      radiocarbon dates and ancient mitochondrial DNA from late Pleistocene bison
      fossils to determine the chronology for when the corridor was open and viable for
      biotic dispersals. The corridor was closed after ~23,000 until 13,400 calendar
      years ago (cal y BP), after which we find the first evidence, to our knowledge,
      that bison used this route to disperse from the south, and by 13,000 y from the
      north. Our chronology supports a habitable and traversable corridor by at least
      13,000 cal y BP, just before the first appearance of Clovis technology in
      interior North America, and indicates that the corridor would not have been
      available for significantly earlier southward human dispersal. Following the
      opening of the corridor, multiple dispersals of human groups between Beringia and
      interior North America may have continued throughout the latest Pleistocene and
      early Holocene. Our results highlight the utility of phylogeographic analyses to
      test hypotheses about paleoecological history and the viability of dispersal
      routes over time.

PMID- 27274052
TI  - PROTAC-induced BET protein degradation as a therapy for castration-resistant
      prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer has the second highest incidence among cancers in men worldwide
      and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths of men in the United States.
      Although androgen deprivation can initially lead to remission, the disease often
      progresses to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which is still reliant
      on androgen receptor (AR) signaling and is associated with a poor prognosis. Some
      success against CRPC has been achieved by drugs that target AR signaling, but
      secondary resistance invariably emerges, and new therapies are urgently needed.
      Recently, inhibitors of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family proteins have
      shown growth-inhibitory activity in preclinical models of CRPC. Here, we
      demonstrate that ARV-771, a small-molecule pan-BET degrader based on proteolysis
      targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology, demonstrates dramatically improved
      efficacy in cellular models of CRPC as compared with BET inhibition. Unlike BET
      inhibitors, ARV-771 results in suppression of both AR signaling and AR levels and
      leads to tumor regression in a CRPC mouse xenograft model. This study is, to our
      knowledge, the first to demonstrate efficacy with a small-molecule BET degrader
      in a solid-tumor malignancy and potentially represents an important therapeutic
      advance in the treatment of CRPC.

PMID- 27274053
TI  - A scalable strategy for high-throughput GFP tagging of endogenous human proteins.
AB  - A central challenge of the postgenomic era is to comprehensively characterize the
      cellular role of the ~20,000 proteins encoded in the human genome. To
      systematically study protein function in a native cellular background, libraries
      of human cell lines expressing proteins tagged with a functional sequence at
      their endogenous loci would be very valuable. Here, using electroporation of Cas9
      nuclease/single-guide RNA ribonucleoproteins and taking advantage of a split-GFP
      system, we describe a scalable method for the robust, scarless, and specific
      tagging of endogenous human genes with GFP. Our approach requires no molecular
      cloning and allows a large number of cell lines to be processed in parallel. We
      demonstrate the scalability of our method by targeting 48 human genes and show
      that the resulting GFP fluorescence correlates with protein expression levels. We
      next present how our protocols can be easily adapted for the tagging of a given
      target with GFP repeats, critically enabling the study of low-abundance proteins.
      Finally, we show that our GFP tagging approach allows the biochemical isolation
      of native protein complexes for proteomic studies. Taken together, our results
      pave the way for the large-scale generation of endogenously tagged human cell
      lines for the proteome-wide analysis of protein localization and interaction
      networks in a native cellular context.

PMID- 27274054
TI  - GEFs and Rac GTPases control directional specificity of neurite extension along
      the anterior-posterior axis.
AB  - Although previous studies have identified many extracellular guidance molecules
      and intracellular signaling proteins that regulate axonal outgrowth and
      extension, most were conducted in the context of unidirectional neurite growth,
      in which the guidance cues either attract or repel growth cones. Very few studies
      addressed how intracellular signaling molecules differentially specify
      bidirectional outgrowth. Here, using the bipolar PLM neurons in Caenorhabditis
      elegans, we show that the guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) UNC-73/Trio
      and TIAM-1 promote anterior and posterior neurite extension, respectively. The
      Rac subfamily GTPases act downstream of the GEFs; CED-10/Rac1 is activated by
      TIAM-1, whereas CED-10 and MIG-2/RhoG act redundantly downstream of UNC-73.
      Moreover, these two pathways antagonize each other and thus regulate the
      directional bias of neuritogenesis. Our study suggests that directional
      specificity of neurite extension is conferred through the intracellular
      activation of distinct GEFs and Rac GTPases.

PMID- 27274055
TI  - Ancient mtDNA sequences from the First Australians revisited.
AB  - The publication in 2001 by Adcock et al. [Adcock GJ, et al. (2001) Proc Natl Acad
      Sci USA 98(2):537-542] in PNAS reported the recovery of short mtDNA sequences
      from ancient Australians, including the 42,000-y-old Mungo Man [Willandra Lakes
      Hominid (WLH3)]. This landmark study in human ancient DNA suggested that an early
      modern human mitochondrial lineage emerged in Asia and that the theory of modern
      human origins could no longer be considered solely through the lens of the "Out
      of Africa" model. To evaluate these claims, we used second generation DNA
      sequencing and capture methods as well as PCR-based and single-primer extension
      (SPEX) approaches to reexamine the same four Willandra Lakes and Kow Swamp 8
      (KS8) remains studied in the work by Adcock et al. Two of the remains sampled
      contained no identifiable human DNA (WLH15 and WLH55), whereas the Mungo Man
      (WLH3) sample contained no Aboriginal Australian DNA. KS8 reveals human
      mitochondrial sequences that differ from the previously inferred sequence.
      Instead, we recover a total of five modern European contaminants from Mungo Man
      (WLH3). We show that the remaining sample (WLH4) contains ~1.4% human DNA, from
      which we assembled two complete mitochondrial genomes. One of these was a
      previously unidentified Aboriginal Australian haplotype belonging to haplogroup
      S2 that we sequenced to a high coverage. The other was a contaminating modern
      European mitochondrial haplotype. Although none of the sequences that we
      recovered matched those reported by Adcock et al., except a contaminant, these
      findings show the feasibility of obtaining important information from ancient
      Aboriginal Australian remains.

PMID- 27274056
TI  - Leucokinin mimetic elicits aversive behavior in mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) and
      inhibits the sugar taste neuron.
AB  - Insect kinins (leucokinins) are multifunctional peptides acting as neurohormones
      and neurotransmitters. In females of the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti (L.),
      aedeskinins are known to stimulate fluid secretion from the renal organs
      (Malpighian tubules) and hindgut contractions by activating a G protein-coupled
      kinin receptor designated "Aedae-KR." We used protease-resistant kinin analogs
      1728, 1729, and 1460 to evaluate their effects on sucrose perception and feeding
      behavior. In no-choice feeding bioassays (capillary feeder and plate assays), the
      analog 1728, which contains alpha-amino isobutyric acid, inhibited females from
      feeding on sucrose. It further induced quick fly-away or walk-away behavior
      following contact with the tarsi and the mouthparts. Electrophysiological
      recordings from single long labellar sensilla of the proboscis demonstrated that
      mixing the analog 1728 at 1 mM with sucrose almost completely inhibited the
      detection of sucrose. Aedae-KR was immunolocalized in contact chemosensory
      neurons in prothoracic tarsi and in sensory neurons and accessory cells of long
      labellar sensilla in the distal labellum. Silencing Aedae-KR by RNAi
      significantly reduced gene expression and eliminated the feeding-aversion
      behavior resulting from contact with the analog 1728, thus directly implicating
      the Aedae-KR in the aversion response. To our knowledge, this is the first report
      that kinin analogs modulate sucrose perception in any insect. The aversion to
      feeding elicited by analog 1728 suggests that synthetic molecules targeting the
      mosquito Aedae-KR in the labellum and tarsi should be investigated for the
      potential to discover novel feeding deterrents of mosquito vectors.

PMID- 27274058
TI  - Encounter with mesoscale eddies enhances survival to settlement in larval coral
      reef fishes.
AB  - Oceanographic features, such as eddies and fronts, enhance and concentrate
      productivity, generating high-quality patches that dispersive marine larvae may
      encounter in the plankton. Although broad-scale movement of larvae associated
      with these features can be captured in biophysical models, direct evidence of
      processes influencing survival within them, and subsequent effects on population
      replenishment, are unknown. We sequentially sampled cohorts of coral reef fishes
      in the plankton and nearshore juvenile habitats in the Straits of Florida and
      used otolith microstructure analysis to compare growth and size-at-age of larvae
      collected inside and outside of mesoscale eddies to those that survived to
      settlement. Larval habitat altered patterns of growth and selective mortality:
      Thalassoma bifasciatum and Cryptotomus roseus that encountered eddies in the
      plankton grew faster than larvae outside of eddies and likely experienced higher
      survival to settlement. During warm periods, T. bifasciatum residing outside of
      eddies in the oligotrophic Florida Current experienced high mortality and only
      the slowest growers survived early larval life. Such slow growth is advantageous
      in nutrient poor habitats when warm temperatures increase metabolic demands but
      is insufficient for survival beyond the larval stage because only fast-growing
      larvae successfully settled to reefs. Because larvae arriving to the Straits of
      Florida from distant sources must spend long periods of time outside of eddies,
      our results indicate that they have a survival disadvantage. High productivity
      features such as eddies not only enhance the survival of pelagic larvae, but also
      potentially increase the contribution of locally spawned larvae to reef
      populations.

PMID- 27274057
TI  - Musashi-2 (MSI2) supports TGF-beta signaling and inhibits claudins to promote non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastasis.
AB  - Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a 5-y survival rate of ~16%, with most
      deaths associated with uncontrolled metastasis. We screened for stem cell
      identity-related genes preferentially expressed in a panel of cell lines with
      high versus low metastatic potential, derived from NSCLC tumors of
      Kras(LA1/+);P53(R172HDeltaG/+) (KP) mice. The Musashi-2 (MSI2) protein, a
      regulator of mRNA translation, was consistently elevated in metastasis-competent
      cell lines. MSI2 was overexpressed in 123 human NSCLC tumor specimens versus
      normal lung, whereas higher expression was associated with disease progression in
      an independent set of matched normal/primary tumor/lymph node specimens.
      Depletion of MSI2 in multiple independent metastatic murine and human NSCLC cell
      lines reduced invasion and metastatic potential, independent of an effect on
      proliferation. MSI2 depletion significantly induced expression of proteins
      associated with epithelial identity, including tight junction proteins [claudin 3
      (CLDN3), claudin 5 (CLDN5), and claudin 7 (CLDN7)] and down-regulated direct
      translational targets associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition,
      including the TGF-beta receptor 1 (TGFbetaR1), the small mothers against
      decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3), and the zinc finger proteins SNAI1 (SNAIL) and
      SNAI2 (SLUG). Overexpression of TGFbetaRI reversed the loss of invasion
      associated with MSI2 depletion, whereas overexpression of CLDN7 inhibited MSI2
      dependent invasion. Unexpectedly, MSI2 depletion reduced E-cadherin expression,
      reflecting a mixed epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype. Based on this work, we
      propose that MSI2 provides essential support for TGFbetaR1/SMAD3 signaling and
      contributes to invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung and may serve as a predictive
      biomarker of NSCLC aggressiveness.

PMID- 27274059
TI  - Chiral modes and directional lasing at exceptional points.
AB  - Controlling the emission and the flow of light in micro- and nanostructures is
      crucial for on-chip information processing. Here we show how to impose a strong
      chirality and a switchable direction of light propagation in an optical system by
      steering it to an exceptional point (EP)-a degeneracy universally occurring in
      all open physical systems when two eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenstates
      coalesce. In our experiments with a fiber-coupled whispering-gallery-mode (WGM)
      resonator, we dynamically control the chirality of resonator modes and the
      emission direction of a WGM microlaser in the vicinity of an EP: Away from the
      EPs, the resonator modes are nonchiral and laser emission is bidirectional. As
      the system approaches an EP, the modes become chiral and allow unidirectional
      emission such that by transiting from one EP to another one the direction of
      emission can be completely reversed. Our results exemplify a very
      counterintuitive feature of non-Hermitian physics that paves the way to chiral
      photonics on a chip.

PMID- 27274060
TI  - Transplantation of iPSC-derived TM cells rescues glaucoma phenotypes in vivo.
AB  - Glaucoma is a common cause of vision loss or blindness and reduction of
      intraocular pressure (IOP) has been proven beneficial in a large fraction of
      glaucoma patients. The IOP is maintained by the trabecular meshwork (TM) and the
      elevation of IOP in open-angle glaucoma is associated with dysfunction and loss
      of the postmitotic cells residing within this tissue. To determine if IOP control
      can be maintained by replacing lost TM cells, we transplanted TM-like cells
      derived from induced pluripotent stem cells into the anterior chamber of a
      transgenic mouse model of glaucoma. Transplantation led to significantly reduced
      IOP and improved aqueous humor outflow facility, which was sustained for at least
      9 wk. The ability to maintain normal IOP engendered survival of retinal ganglion
      cells, whose loss is ultimately the cause for reduced vision in glaucoma. In vivo
      and in vitro analyses demonstrated higher TM cellularity in treated mice compared
      with littermate controls and indicated that this increase is primarily because of
      a proliferative response of endogenous TM cells. Thus, our study provides in vivo
      demonstration that regeneration of the glaucomatous TM is possible and points
      toward novel approaches in the treatment of this disease.

PMID- 27274061
TI  - Southern Ocean phytoplankton turnover in response to stepwise Antarctic cooling
      over the past 15 million years.
AB  - It is not clear how Southern Ocean phytoplankton communities, which form the base
      of the marine food web and are a crucial element of the carbon cycle, respond to
      major environmental disturbance. Here, we use a new model ensemble reconstruction
      of diatom speciation and extinction rates to examine phytoplankton response to
      climate change in the southern high latitudes over the past 15 My. We identify
      five major episodes of species turnover (origination rate plus extinction rate)
      that were coincident with times of cooling in southern high-latitude climate,
      Antarctic ice sheet growth across the continental shelves, and associated
      seasonal sea-ice expansion across the Southern Ocean. We infer that past plankton
      turnover occurred when a warmer-than-present climate was terminated by a major
      period of glaciation that resulted in loss of open-ocean habitat south of the
      polar front, driving non-ice adapted diatoms to regional or global extinction.
      These findings suggest, therefore, that Southern Ocean phytoplankton communities
      tolerate "baseline" variability on glacial-interglacial timescales but are
      sensitive to large-scale changes in mean climate state driven by a combination of
      long-period variations in orbital forcing and atmospheric carbon dioxide
      perturbations.

PMID- 27274062
TI  - A class II KNOX gene, KNOX4, controls seed physical dormancy.
AB  - Physical dormancy of seed is an adaptive trait that widely exists in higher
      plants. This kind of dormancy is caused by a water-impermeable layer that blocks
      water and oxygen from the surrounding environment and keeps embryos in a viable
      status for a long time. Most of the work on hardseededness has focused on
      morphological structure and phenolic content of seed coat. The molecular
      mechanism underlying physical dormancy remains largely elusive. By screening a
      large number of Tnt1 retrotransposon-tagged Medicago truncatula lines, we
      identified nondormant seed mutants from this model legume species. Unlike wild
      type hard seeds exhibiting physical dormancy, the mature mutant seeds imbibed
      water quickly and germinated easily, without the need for scarification.
      Microscopic observations of cross sections showed that the mutant phenotype was
      caused by a dysfunctional palisade cuticle layer in the seed coat. Chemical
      analysis found differences in lipid monomer composition between the wild-type and
      mutant seed coats. Genetic and molecular analyses revealed that a class II
      KNOTTED-like homeobox (KNOXII) gene, KNOX4, was responsible for the loss of
      physical dormancy in the seeds of the mutants. Microarray and chromatin
      immunoprecipitation analyses identified CYP86A, a gene associated with cutin
      biosynthesis, as one of the downstream target genes of KNOX4 This study
      elucidated a novel molecular mechanism of physical dormancy and revealed a new
      role of class II KNOX genes. Furthermore, KNOX4-like genes exist widely in seed
      plants but are lacking in nonseed species, indicating that KNOX4 may have
      diverged from the other KNOXII genes during the evolution of seed plants.

PMID- 27274064
TI  - Role of quasiresonant planetary wave dynamics in recent boreal spring-to-autumn
      extreme events.
AB  - In boreal spring-to-autumn (May-to-September) 2012 and 2013, the Northern
      Hemisphere (NH) has experienced a large number of severe midlatitude regional
      weather extremes. Here we show that a considerable part of these extremes were
      accompanied by highly magnified quasistationary midlatitude planetary waves with
      zonal wave numbers m = 6, 7, and 8. We further show that resonance conditions for
      these planetary waves were, in many cases, present before the onset of high
      amplitude wave events, with a lead time up to 2 wk, suggesting that quasiresonant
      amplification (QRA) of these waves had occurred. Our results support earlier
      findings of an important role of the QRA mechanism in amplifying planetary waves,
      favoring recent NH weather extremes.

PMID- 27274063
TI  - APE1/Ref-1 facilitates recovery of gray and white matter and neurological
      function after mild stroke injury.
AB  - A major hallmark of oxidative DNA damage after stroke is the induction of
      apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites and strand breaks. To mitigate cell loss after
      oxidative DNA damage, ischemic cells rapidly engage the base excision-repair
      proteins, such as the AP site-repairing enzyme AP endonuclease-1 (APE1), also
      named redox effector factor-1 (Ref-1). Although forced overexpression of APE1 is
      known to protect against oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration, there is no
      concrete evidence demonstrating a role for endogenous APE1 in the long-term
      recovery of gray and white matter following ischemic injury. To address this gap,
      we generated, to our knowledge, the first APE1 conditional knockout (cKO) mouse
      line under control of tamoxifen-dependent Cre recombinase. Using a well
      established model of transient focal cerebral ischemia (tFCI), we show that
      induced deletion of APE1 dramatically enlarged infarct volume and impaired the
      recovery of sensorimotor and cognitive deficits. APE1 cKO markedly increased
      postischemic neuronal and oligodendrocyte degeneration, demonstrating that
      endogenous APE1 preserves both gray and white matter after tFCI. Because white
      matter repair is instrumental in behavioral recovery after stroke, we also
      examined the impact of APE1 cKO on demyelination and axonal conduction and
      discovered that APE1 cKO aggravated myelin loss and impaired neuronal
      communication following tFCI. Furthermore, APE1 cKO increased AP sites and
      activated the prodeath signaling proteins, PUMA and PARP1, after tFCI in
      topographically distinct manners. Our findings provide evidence that endogenous
      APE1 protects against ischemic infarction in both gray and white matter and
      facilitates the functional recovery of the central nervous system after mild
      stroke injury.

PMID- 27274065
TI  - DEG9, a serine protease, modulates cytokinin and light signaling by regulating
      the level of ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR 4.
AB  - Cytokinin is an essential phytohormone that controls various biological processes
      in plants. A number of response regulators are known to be important for
      cytokinin signal transduction. ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR 4 (ARR4) mediates
      the cross-talk between light and cytokinin signaling through modulation of the
      activity of phytochrome B. However, the mechanism that regulates the activity and
      stability of ARR4 is unknown. Here we identify an ATP-independent serine
      protease, degradation of periplasmic proteins 9 (DEG9), which localizes to the
      nucleus and regulates the stability of ARR4. Biochemical evidence shows that DEG9
      interacts with ARR4, thereby targeting ARR4 for degradation, which suggests that
      DEG9 regulates the stability of ARR4. Moreover, genetic evidence shows that DEG9
      acts upstream of ARR4 and regulates the activity of ARR4 in cytokinin and light
      signaling pathways. This study thus identifies a role for a ubiquitin-independent
      selective protein proteolysis in the regulation of the stability of plant
      signaling components.

PMID- 27274067
TI  - Coherent two-dimensional terahertz-terahertz-Raman spectroscopy.
AB  - We present 2D terahertz-terahertz-Raman (2D TTR) spectroscopy, the first
      technique, to our knowledge, to interrogate a liquid with multiple pulses of
      terahertz (THz) light. This hybrid approach isolates nonlinear signatures in
      isotropic media, and is sensitive to the coupling and anharmonicity of thermally
      activated THz modes that play a central role in liquid-phase chemistry.
      Specifically, by varying the timing between two intense THz pulses, we control
      the orientational alignment of molecules in a liquid, and nonlinearly excite
      vibrational coherences. A comparison of experimental and simulated 2D TTR spectra
      of bromoform (CHBr3), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and dibromodichloromethane
      (CBr2Cl2) shows previously unobserved off-diagonal anharmonic coupling between
      thermally populated vibrational modes.

PMID- 27274066
TI  - Tau protein is essential for stress-induced brain pathology.
AB  - Exposure to chronic stress is frequently accompanied by cognitive and affective
      disorders in association with neurostructural adaptations. Chronic stress was
      previously shown to trigger Alzheimer's-like neuropathology, which is
      characterized by Tau hyperphosphorylation and missorting into dendritic spines
      followed by memory deficits. Here, we demonstrate that stress-driven hippocampal
      deficits in wild-type mice are accompanied by synaptic missorting of Tau and
      enhanced Fyn/GluN2B-driven synaptic signaling. In contrast, mice lacking Tau [Tau
      knockout (Tau-KO) mice] do not exhibit stress-induced pathological behaviors and
      atrophy of hippocampal dendrites or deficits of hippocampal connectivity. These
      findings implicate Tau as an essential mediator of the adverse effects of stress
      on brain structure and function.

PMID- 27274068
TI  - Photodegradation of retinal bisretinoids in mouse models and implications for
      macular degeneration.
AB  - Adducts of retinaldehyde (bisretinoids) form nonenzymatically in photoreceptor
      cells and accumulate in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells as lipofuscin;
      these fluorophores are implicated in the pathogenesis of inherited and age
      related macular degeneration (AMD). Here we demonstrate that bisretinoid
      photodegradation is ongoing in the eye. High-performance liquid chromatography
      (HPLC) analysis of eyes of dark-reared and cyclic light-reared wild-type mice,
      together with comparisons of pigmented versus albino mice, revealed a
      relationship between intraocular light and reduced levels of the bisretinoids A2E
      and A2-glycero-phosphoethanolamine (A2-GPE). Analysis of the bisretinoids A2E, A2
      GPE, A2-dihydropyridine-phosphatidylethanolamine (A2-DHP-PE), and all-trans
      retinal dimer-phosphatidylethanolamine (all-trans-retinal dimer-PE) also
      decreases in albino Abca4(-/-) mice reared in cyclic light compared with
      darkness. In albino Abca4(-/-) mice receiving a diet supplemented with the
      antioxidant vitamin E, higher levels of RPE bisretinoid were evidenced by HPLC
      analysis and quantitation of fundus autofluorescence; this effect is consistent
      with photooxidative processes known to precede bisretinoid degradation.
      Amelioration of outer nuclear layer thinning indicated that vitamin E treatment
      protected photoreceptor cells. Conversely, in-cage exposure to short-wavelength
      light resulted in reduced fundus autofluorescence, decreased HPLC-quantified A2E,
      outer nuclear layer thinning, and increased methylglyoxal (MG)-adducted protein.
      MG was also released upon bisretinoid photodegradation in cells. We suggest that
      the lower levels of these diretinal adducts in cyclic light-reared and albino
      mice reflect photodegradative loss of bisretinoid. These mechanisms may underlie
      associations among AMD risk, oxidative mechanisms, and lifetime light exposure.

PMID- 27274069
TI  - Overexpression of a pH-sensitive nitrate transporter in rice increases crop
      yields.
AB  - Cellular pH homeostasis is fundamental for life, and all cells adapt to maintain
      this balance. In plants, the chemical form of nitrogen supply, nitrate and
      ammonium, is one of the cellular pH dominators. We report that the rice nitrate
      transporter OsNRT2.3 is transcribed into two spliced isoforms with a natural
      variation in expression ratio. One splice form, OsNRT2.3b is located on the
      plasma membrane, is expressed mainly in the phloem, and has a regulatory motif on
      the cytosolic side that acts to switch nitrate transport activity on or off by a
      pH-sensing mechanism. High OsNRT2.3b expression in rice enhances the pH-buffering
      capacity of the plant, increasing N, Fe, and P uptake. In field trials, increased
      expression of OsNRT2.3b improved grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by
      40%. These results indicate that pH sensing by the rice nitrate transporter
      OsNRT2.3b is important for plant adaption to varied N supply forms and can
      provide a target for improving NUE.

PMID- 27274070
TI  - Digital design of multimaterial photonic particles.
AB  - Scattering of light from dielectric particles whose size is on the order of an
      optical wavelength underlies a plethora of visual phenomena in nature and is a
      foundation for optical coatings and paints. Tailoring the internal nanoscale
      geometry of such "photonic particles" allows tuning their optical scattering
      characteristics beyond those afforded by their constitutive materials-however,
      flexible yet scalable processing approaches to produce such particles are
      lacking. Here, we show that a thermally induced in-fiber fluid instability
      permits the "digital design" of multimaterial photonic particles: the precise
      allocation of high refractive-index contrast materials at independently
      addressable radial and azimuthal coordinates within its 3D architecture.
      Exploiting this unique capability in all-dielectric systems, we tune the
      scattering cross-section of equisized particles via radial structuring and induce
      polarization-sensitive scattering from spherical particles with broken internal
      rotational symmetry. The scalability of this fabrication strategy promises a
      generation of optical coatings in which sophisticated functionality is realized
      at the level of the individual particles.

PMID- 27274071
TI  - Directed vaccination against pneumococcal disease.
AB  - Immunization strategies against commensal bacterial pathogens have long focused
      on eradicating asymptomatic carriage as well as disease, resulting in changes in
      the colonizing microflora with unknown future consequences. Additionally, current
      vaccines are not easily adaptable to sequence diversity and immune evasion. Here,
      we present a "smart" vaccine that leverages our current understanding of disease
      transition from bacterial carriage to infection with the pneumococcus serving as
      a model organism. Using conserved surface proteins highly expressed during
      virulent transition, the vaccine mounts an immune response specifically against
      disease-causing bacterial populations without affecting carriage. Aided by a
      delivery technology capable of multivalent surface display, which can be adapted
      easily to a changing clinical picture, results include complete protection
      against the development of pneumonia and sepsis during animal challenge
      experiments with multiple, highly variable, and clinically relevant pneumococcal
      isolates. The approach thus offers a unique and dynamic treatment option readily
      adaptable to other commensal pathogens.

PMID- 27274073
TI  - Measurement of background gamma radiation in the northern Marshall Islands.
AB  - We report measurements of background gamma radiation levels on six islands in the
      northern Marshall Islands (Enewetak, Medren, and Runit onEnewetak Atoll; Bikini
      and Nam on Bikini Atoll; and Rongelap on Rongelap Atoll). Measurable excess
      radiation could be expected from the decay of (137)Cs produced by the US nuclear
      testing program there from 1946 to 1958. These recordings are of relevance to
      safety of human habitation and resettlement. We find low levels of gamma
      radiation for the settled island of Enewetak [mean = 7.6 millirem/year (mrem/y) =
      0.076 millisievert/year (mSv/y)], larger levels of gamma radiation for the island
      of Rongelap (mean = 19.8 mrem/y = 0.198 mSv/y), and relatively high gamma
      radiation on the island of Bikini (mean = 184 mrem/y = 1.84 mSv/y). Distributions
      of gamma radiation levels are provided, and hot spots are discussed. We provide
      interpolated maps for four islands (Enewetak, Medren, Bikini, and Rongelap), and
      make comparisons to control measurements performed on the island of Majuro in the
      southern Marshall Islands, measurements made in Central Park in New York City,
      and the standard agreed upon by the United States and the Republic of the
      Marshall Islands (RMI) governments (100 mrem/y = 1 mSv/y). External gamma
      radiation levels on Bikini Island significantly exceed this standard (P =
      <<0.01), and external gamma radiation levels on the other islands are below the
      standard. To determine conclusively whether these islands are safe for
      habitation, radiation exposure through additional pathways such as food ingestion
      must be considered.

PMID- 27274072
TI  - Characterizing treatment pathways at scale using the OHDSI network.
AB  - Observational research promises to complement experimental research by providing
      large, diverse populations that would be infeasible for an experiment.
      Observational research can test its own clinical hypotheses, and observational
      studies also can contribute to the design of experiments and inform the
      generalizability of experimental research. Understanding the diversity of
      populations and the variance in care is one component. In this study, the
      Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) collaboration created
      an international data network with 11 data sources from four countries, including
      electronic health records and administrative claims data on 250 million patients.
      All data were mapped to common data standards, patient privacy was maintained by
      using a distributed model, and results were aggregated centrally. Treatment
      pathways were elucidated for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and
      depression. The pathways revealed that the world is moving toward more consistent
      therapy over time across diseases and across locations, but significant
      heterogeneity remains among sources, pointing to challenges in generalizing
      clinical trial results. Diabetes favored a single first-line medication,
      metformin, to a much greater extent than hypertension or depression. About 10% of
      diabetes and depression patients and almost 25% of hypertension patients followed
      a treatment pathway that was unique within the cohort. Aside from factors such as
      sample size and underlying population (academic medical center versus general
      population), electronic health records data and administrative claims data
      revealed similar results. Large-scale international observational research is
      feasible.

PMID- 27274074
TI  - Leaping eels electrify threats, supporting Humboldt's account of a battle with
      horses.
AB  - In March 1800, Alexander von Humboldt observed the extraordinary spectacle of
      native fisherman collecting electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) by "fishing
      with horses" [von Humboldt A (1807) Ann Phys 25:34-43]. The strategy was to herd
      horses into a pool containing electric eels, provoking the eels to attack by
      pressing themselves against the horses while discharging. Once the eels were
      exhausted, they could be safely collected. This legendary tale of South American
      adventures helped propel Humboldt to fame and has been recounted and illustrated
      in many publications, but subsequent investigators have been skeptical, and no
      similar eel behavior has been reported in more than 200 years. Here I report a
      defensive eel behavior that supports Humboldt's account. The behavior consists of
      an approach and leap out of the water during which the eel presses its chin
      against a threatening conductor while discharging high-voltage volleys. The
      effect is to short-circuit the electric organ through the threat, with increasing
      power diverted to the threat as the eel attains greater height during the leap.
      Measurement of voltages and current during the behavior, and assessment of the
      equivalent circuit, reveal the effectiveness of the behavior and the basis for
      its natural selection.

PMID- 27274075
TI  - Neural mechanisms underlying the impact of daylong cognitive work on economic
      decisions.
AB  - The ability to exert self-control is key to social insertion and professional
      success. An influential literature in psychology has developed the theory that
      self-control relies on a limited common resource, so that fatigue effects might
      carry over from one task to the next. However, the biological nature of the
      putative limited resource and the existence of carry-over effects have been
      matters of considerable controversy. Here, we targeted the activity of the
      lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) as a common substrate for cognitive control, and
      we prolonged the time scale of fatigue induction by an order of magnitude.
      Participants performed executive control tasks known to recruit the LPFC (working
      memory and task-switching) over more than 6 h (an approximate workday). Fatigue
      effects were probed regularly by measuring impulsivity in intertemporal choices,
      i.e., the propensity to favor immediate rewards, which has been found to increase
      under LPFC inhibition. Behavioral data showed that choice impulsivity increased
      in a group of participants who performed hard versions of executive tasks but not
      in control groups who performed easy versions or enjoyed some leisure time.
      Functional MRI data acquired at the start, middle, and end of the day confirmed
      that enhancement of choice impulsivity was related to a specific decrease in the
      activity of an LPFC region (in the left middle frontal gyrus) that was recruited
      by both executive and choice tasks. Our findings demonstrate a concept of focused
      neural fatigue that might be naturally induced in real-life situations and have
      important repercussions on economic decisions.

PMID- 27274077
TI  - Nonlinear analogue of the May-Wigner instability transition.
AB  - We study a system of [Formula: see text] degrees of freedom coupled via a smooth
      homogeneous Gaussian vector field with both gradient and divergence-free
      components. In the absence of coupling, the system is exponentially relaxing to
      an equilibrium with rate MU We show that, while increasing the ratio of the
      coupling strength to the relaxation rate, the system experiences an abrupt
      transition from a topologically trivial phase portrait with a single equilibrium
      into a topologically nontrivial regime characterized by an exponential number of
      equilibria, the vast majority of which are expected to be unstable. It is
      suggested that this picture provides a global view on the nature of the May
      Wigner instability transition originally discovered by local linear stability
      analysis.

PMID- 27274076
TI  - Pseudomonas syringae type III effector HopAF1 suppresses plant immunity by
      targeting methionine recycling to block ethylene induction.
AB  - HopAF1 is a type III effector protein of unknown function encoded in the genomes
      of several strains of Pseudomonas syringae and other plant pathogens. Structural
      modeling predicted that HopAF1 is closely related to deamidase proteins.
      Deamidation is the irreversible substitution of an amide group with a carboxylate
      group. Several bacterial virulence factors are deamidases that manipulate the
      activity of specific host protein substrates. We identified Arabidopsis
      methylthioadenosine nucleosidase proteins MTN1 and MTN2 as putative targets of
      HopAF1 deamidation. MTNs are enzymes in the Yang cycle, which is essential for
      the high levels of ethylene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis We hypothesized that
      HopAF1 inhibits the host defense response by manipulating MTN activity and
      consequently ethylene levels. We determined that bacterially delivered HopAF1
      inhibits ethylene biosynthesis induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns
      and that Arabidopsis mtn1 mtn2 mutant plants phenocopy the effect of HopAF1.
      Furthermore, we identified two conserved asparagines in MTN1 and MTN2 from
      Arabidopsis that confer loss of function phenotypes when deamidated via site
      specific mutation. These residues are potential targets of HopAF1 deamidation.
      HopAF1-mediated manipulation of Yang cycle MTN proteins is likely an
      evolutionarily conserved mechanism whereby HopAF1 orthologs from multiple plant
      pathogens contribute to disease in a large variety of plant hosts.

PMID- 27274078
TI  - Elucidation of cladofulvin biosynthesis reveals a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase
      required for anthraquinone dimerization.
AB  - Anthraquinones are a large family of secondary metabolites (SMs) that are
      extensively studied for their diverse biological activities. These activities are
      determined by functional group decorations and the formation of dimers from
      anthraquinone monomers. Despite their numerous medicinal qualities, very few
      anthraquinone biosynthetic pathways have been elucidated so far, including the
      enzymatic dimerization steps. In this study, we report the elucidation of the
      biosynthesis of cladofulvin, an asymmetrical homodimer of nataloe-emodin produced
      by the fungus Cladosporium fulvum A gene cluster of 10 genes controls cladofulvin
      biosynthesis, which begins with the production of atrochrysone carboxylic acid by
      the polyketide synthase ClaG and the beta-lactamase ClaF. This compound is
      decarboxylated by ClaH to yield emodin, which is then converted to chrysophanol
      hydroquinone by the reductase ClaC and the dehydratase ClaB. We show that the
      predicted cytochrome P450 ClaM catalyzes the dimerization of nataloe-emodin to
      cladofulvin. Remarkably, such dimerization dramatically increases nataloe-emodin
      cytotoxicity against mammalian cell lines. These findings shed light on the
      enzymatic mechanisms involved in anthraquinone dimerization. Future
      characterization of the ClaM enzyme should facilitate engineering the
      biosynthesis of novel, potent, dimeric anthraquinones and structurally related
      compound families.

PMID- 27274079
TI  - The Pseudomonas aeruginosa efflux pump MexGHI-OpmD transports a natural phenazine
      that controls gene expression and biofilm development.
AB  - Redox-cycling compounds, including endogenously produced phenazine antibiotics,
      induce expression of the efflux pump MexGHI-OpmD in the opportunistic pathogen
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa Previous studies of P. aeruginosa virulence, physiology,
      and biofilm development have focused on the blue phenazine pyocyanin and the
      yellow phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA). In P. aeruginosa phenazine
      biosynthesis, conversion of PCA to pyocyanin is presumed to proceed through the
      intermediate 5-methylphenazine-1-carboxylate (5-Me-PCA), a reactive compound that
      has eluded detection in most laboratory samples. Here, we apply electrochemical
      methods to directly detect 5-Me-PCA and find that it is transported by MexGHI
      OpmD in P. aeruginosa strain PA14 planktonic and biofilm cells. We also show that
      5-Me-PCA is sufficient to fully induce MexGHI-OpmD expression and that it is
      required for wild-type colony biofilm morphogenesis. These physiological effects
      are consistent with the high redox potential of 5-Me-PCA, which distinguishes it
      from other well-studied P. aeruginosa phenazines. Our observations highlight the
      importance of this compound, which was previously overlooked due to the
      challenges associated with its detection, in the context of P. aeruginosa gene
      expression and multicellular behavior. This study constitutes a unique
      demonstration of efflux-based self-resistance, controlled by a simple circuit, in
      a Gram-negative pathogen.

PMID- 27274081
TI  - Temperature-field phase diagram of extreme magnetoresistance.
AB  - The recent discovery of extreme magnetoresistance (XMR) in LaSb introduced
      lanthanum monopnictides as a new platform to study this effect in the absence of
      broken inversion symmetry or protected linear band crossing. In this work, we
      report XMR in LaBi. Through a comparative study of magnetotransport effects in
      LaBi and LaSb, we construct a temperature-field phase diagram with triangular
      shape that illustrates how a magnetic field tunes the electronic behavior in
      these materials. We show that the triangular phase diagram can be generalized to
      other topological semimetals with different crystal structures and different
      chemical compositions. By comparing our experimental results to band structure
      calculations, we suggest that XMR in LaBi and LaSb originates from a combination
      of compensated electron-hole pockets and a particular orbital texture on the
      electron pocket. Such orbital texture is likely to be a generic feature of
      various topological semimetals, giving rise to their small residual resistivity
      at zero field and subject to strong scattering induced by a magnetic field.

PMID- 27274080
TI  - Plasma membrane/cell wall perturbation activates a novel cell cycle checkpoint
      during G1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - Cellular wound healing or the repair of plasma membrane/cell wall damage (plasma
      membrane damage) occurs frequently in nature. Although various cellular
      perturbations, such as DNA damage, spindle misalignment, and impaired daughter
      cell formation, are monitored by cell cycle checkpoint mechanisms in budding
      yeast, whether plasma membrane damage is monitored by any of these checkpoints
      remains to be addressed. Here, we define the mechanism by which cells sense
      membrane damage and inhibit DNA replication. We found that the inhibition of DNA
      replication upon plasma membrane damage requires GSK3/Mck1-dependent degradation
      of Cdc6, a component of the prereplicative complex. Furthermore, the CDK
      inhibitor Sic1 is stabilized in response to plasma membrane damage, leading to
      cell integrity maintenance in parallel with the Mck1-Cdc6 pathway. Cells
      defective in both Cdc6 degradation and Sic1 stabilization failed to grow in the
      presence of plasma membrane damage. Taking these data together, we propose that
      plasma membrane damage triggers G1 arrest via Cdc6 degradation and Sic1
      stabilization to promote the cellular wound healing process.

PMID- 27274082
TI  - Mobile phones and seizures: drug-resistant epilepsy is less common in mobile
      phone-using patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a condition where patients have seizures due to abnormal
      nerve impulses in the brain. The effect of mobile phone radiation on patients
      with seizures is not known. OBJECTIVE: To compare the seizure profile of patients
      not using mobile phones with that of their peers using mobile phones. METHODS: In
      a retrospective cohort study performed at the neurology outpatient department of
      Guntur Medical College Hospital, Guntur, India from September 2014 to September
      2015, we included 178 consecutive epileptic patients aged 16-65 years, who had
      had seizure disorder for 1 year or more. On the basis of their possession and
      usage of mobile phones, patients were divided into three groups: no mobile group
      (NMG), home mobile group (HMG) and personal mobile group (PMG). We obtained data
      on seizure frequency and recorded details of mobile phone usage and their
      antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. RESULTS: 107 NMG, 3 HMG and 68 PMG patients
      were finalised for the analysis. There was no significant difference in the
      number of seizures in the past year between the three groups. The PMG (3.7%)
      contained a clinically significant lower proportion of patients with drug
      resistant epilepsy than the NMG (28.2%). Patients with drug-responsive epilepsy
      were 7.4 (95% CI 1.4 to 39.9) (p=0.01) times more likely to be found in the PMG
      than in the NMG after adjustment for differences in sex and occupation.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although the experimental data remain inconclusive, our clinical
      study suggests that patients who use mobile phones are less likely to have drug
      resistant epilepsy.

PMID- 27274083
TI  - Phlegmasia cerulea dolens.

PMID- 27274084
TI  - Broiler chicks with slow-feathering (K) or rapid-feathering (k+) genes: Effects
      of environmental stressors on physiological adaptive indicators up to 56 h
      posthatch.
AB  - Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects on the physiological
      responses of slow-feathering (K) and rapid-feathering (k(+)) genes in neonate
      broiler chicks subjected to posthatch fasting (PHF). In the first experiment, 300
      Ross 308 chicks were denied access to feed and water for 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35,
      42, 49, and 56 h posthatch. In the second experiment, 625 Ross 308 chicks were
      subjected to PHF for 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. In experiment 1, the weight loss
      rate increased over 56 h PHF and did not differ between fast- and slow-feathering
      chicks up to 28 h posthatch but was greater (P < 0.05) in fast-feathering birds
      from 28 to 56 h posthatch. The fast-feathering genotypes demonstrated greater
      serum K levels following 7, 21, and 56 h (P < 0.05) and serum uric acid (UA)
      levels after 7, 21, 28, 49, and 56 h PHF (P < 0.01). In experiment 2, weight loss
      increased linearly with no difference between fast- and slow-feathering chicks
      through 36 h PHF but increased in fast-feathering birds when PHF continued for 48
      h. Neonatal fasting periods of 12 to 48 h decreased breast and thigh percentage
      (P < 0.01), with no difference between feathering genotypes. The fast-feathering
      genotypes showed greater serum HDL levels at 24 h (P < 0.05) and greater serum UA
      concentration following 12, 36, and 48 h PHF (P < 0.05). The mean frequency of
      jumping (P < 0.01) and active wakefulness (P > 0.01) was increased as PHF
      continued from 12 to 48 h across genotypes. At 48 h, the fast-feathering chicks
      showed greater frequency of escape attempts from the test field (P < 0.01). It
      was concluded that slow-feathering chicks are more capable of withstanding PHF
      periods lasting more than 28 h. This is important to consider when day-old chicks
      are transported for extended periods without access to feed. 

PMID- 27274085
TI  - Effect of sex on histological and histochemical structures of different parts of
      the kidney in Japanese quail.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of gender on the
      histological and histochemical structures of different anatomical regions of the
      kidney in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Tissue samples from cranial, middle
      and caudal divisions of each kidney were obtained from 20 male and 20 female
      adult, healthy Japanese quail. The sections stained with hematoxylin & eosin ( H
      & E: ), Masson's trichrome, Verhoeff's, Alcian blue (pH 2.5), Periodic acid
      Schiff, and Gomori's method for reticulum. Unusual findings of the kidney in
      Japanese quail were the presence of three types of nephrons, all the connective
      tissue fibers in capsule and interlobular septa and AB-reactions of the proximal
      convoluted cells. No significant sex-based differences were found. The various
      histological structures of the kidney showed no significant differences among
      different divisions of the left and right kidneys. It is concluded that the
      general histological and histochemical properties of the kidney in Japanese quail
      were similar to those of chickens and some other species, but that there were
      also some differences. One of the major differences was brush border of
      interdigitating microvilli on luminal surface of collecting ducts in Japanese
      quail. 

PMID- 27274086
TI  - E2F and GATA switches turn off WD repeat domain 77 expression in differentiating
      cells.
AB  - WDR77 (WD repeat domain 77) is expressed during earlier lung development when
      cells are rapidly proliferating, but is absent from adult lung. It is re
      activated during lung tumorigenesis and is essential for lung cancer cell
      proliferation. Signalling pathways/molecules that control WDR77 gene expression
      are unknown. Promoter mapping, gel shift assay and ChIP revealed that the WDR77
      promoter contains bona fide response elements for E2F and GATA transcriptional
      factors as demonstrated in prostate cancer, lung cancer and erythroid cells, as
      well as in mouse lung tissues. The WDR77 promoter is transactivated by E2F1,
      E2F3, GATA1 and GATA6, but suppressed by E2F6, GATA1 and GATA3 in prostate cancer
      PC3 cells. WDR77 expression is associated with E2F1, E2F3, GATA2 and GATA6
      occupancy on the WDR77 gene, whereas, in contrast, E2F6, GATA1 and GATA3
      occupancy is associated with the loss of WDR77 expression during erythroid
      maturation and lung development. More importantly, the loss of WDR77 expression
      that results from E2F and GATA switches is required for cellular differentiation
      of erythroid and lung epithelial cells. In contrast, lung cancer cells avoid post
      mitotic differentiation by sustaining WDR77 expression. Altogether, the present
      study provides a novel molecular mechanism by which WDR77 is regulated during
      erythroid and lung development and lung tumorigenesis.

PMID- 27274088
TI  - Proximity-dependent biotin labelling in yeast using the engineered ascorbate
      peroxidase APEX2.
AB  - The engineered ascorbate peroxidase (APEX2) has been effectively employed in
      mammalian cells to identify protein-protein interactions. APEX2 fused to a
      protein of interest covalently tags nearby proteins with biotin-phenol (BP) when
      H2O2 is added to the cell culture medium. Subsequent affinity purification of
      biotinylated proteins allows for identification by MS. BP labelling occurs in 1
      min, providing temporal control of labelling. The APEX2 tool enables proteomic
      mapping of subcellular compartments as well as identification of dynamic protein
      complexes, and has emerged as a new methodology for proteomic analysis. Despite
      these advantages, a related APEX2 approach has not been developed for yeast. Here
      we report methods to enable APEX2-mediated biotin labelling in yeast. Our work
      demonstrated that high osmolarity and disruption of cell wall integrity permits
      live-cell biotin labelling in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae respectively. Under these conditions, APEX2 permitted targeted and
      proximity-dependent labelling of proteins. The methods described herein set the
      stage for large-scale proteomic studies in yeast. With modifications, the method
      is also expected to be effective in other organisms with cell walls, such as
      bacteria and plants.

PMID- 27274087
TI  - Zinc transporter ZIP10 forms a heteromer with ZIP6 which regulates embryonic
      development and cell migration.
AB  - There is growing evidence that zinc and its transporters are involved in cell
      migration during development and in cancer. In the present study, we show that
      zinc transporter ZIP10 (SLC39A10) stimulates cell motility and proliferation,
      both in mammalian cells and in the zebrafish embryo. This is associated with
      inactivation of GSK (glycogen synthase kinase)-3alpha and -3beta and down
      regulation of E-cadherin (CDH1). Morpholino-mediated knockdown of zip10 causes
      delayed epiboly and deformities of the head, eye, heart and tail. Furthermore,
      zip10 deficiency results in overexpression of cdh1, zip6 and stat3, the latter
      gene product driving transcription of both zip6 and zip10 The non-redundant
      requirement of Zip6 and Zip10 for epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is
      consistent with our finding that they exist as a heteromer. We postulate that a
      subset of ZIPs carrying prion protein (PrP)-like ectodomains, including ZIP6 and
      ZIP10, are integral to cellular pathways and plasticity programmes, such as EMT.

PMID- 27274089
TI  - Antireduction: an ancient strategy fit for future.
AB  - While antioxidants are on everyone's lips, antireductants are their much less
      known counterparts. Following an antioxidant's definition, an antireductant
      prevents the chemical reduction of another compound by undergoing reduction
      itself. Antireductants have been traced back as far as the origin of life, which
      they facilitated by removal of atmospheric dihydrogen, H2 Moreover, as electron
      acceptors, antireductants equipped the first metabolic pathways, enabling
      lithoautotrophic microbial growth. When the Earth's atmosphere became more
      oxidizing, certain antireductants revealed their Janus-face by acting as
      antioxidants. Both capacities, united in one compound, were detected in primary
      as well as plant secondary metabolites. Substantiated by product identification,
      such antireductants comprise antiradicals (e.g. carotenoids) up to diminishers of
      ruminal methane emission (e.g. fumarate, catechin or resveratrol). Beyond these
      Janus-faced, multifunctional compounds, the spectrum of antireductants extends to
      pure electron-attractors (e.g. atmospheric triplet oxygen, O2, for plant root and
      gut protection). Current and prospective fields of antireductant application
      range from health promotion over industrial production to environmental
      sustainability.

PMID- 27274090
TI  - Extracting human antibody sequences from public databases for antibody
      humanization: high frequency of species assignment errors.
AB  - In antibody humanization, complementarity determining regions from a 'donor'
      antibody are often grafted onto a human framework selected by high sequence
      identity with the donor. In our own humanization experiments, we have found that
      species information is often incorrect. Here we take three mouse antibodies and
      perform BLAST searches against sequences annotated as being human. We find that
      the first genuine human hits for the six chains appear at Positions 30, 4, 11,
      24, 18 and 29 in the hit lists. This illustrates both the need for caution in
      performing humanization and for improvements in annotation.

PMID- 27274092
TI  - High-Flow Nasal Cannula Versus Bag-Valve-Mask for Preoxygenation Before
      Intubation in Subjects With Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients with respiratory failure undergoing
      intubation have an increased risk of hypoxemia-related complications. Delivering
      oxygen via a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has theoretical advantages and is
      increasingly used. This study was conducted to compare HFNC with bag-valve-mask
      (BVM) for preoxygenation and to assess oxygenation during intubation in subjects
      with hypoxemic respiratory failure. METHODS: This study was a randomized
      controlled trial including 40 critically ill subjects with hypoxemic respiratory
      failure who received either HFNC or BVM for preoxygenation before intubation in
      the ICU. The primary outcome was the mean lowest SpO2 during intubation. RESULTS:
      The mean lowest SpO2 during intubation was 89 +/- 18% in the HFNC group and 86 +/
      11% in the BVM group (P = .56). In subjects receiving HFNC, a significant
      increase in SpO2 after preoxygenation was only seen in those previously receiving
      low-flow oxygen (P = .007), whereas there was no significant difference in SpO2
      in subjects previously receiving noninvasive ventilation or HFNC (P = .73).
      During the 1 min of apnea after the induction of anesthesia, SpO2 dropped
      significantly in the BVM group (P = .001), whereas there was no significant
      decrease in the HFNC group (P = .17). There were no significant differences
      between the 2 groups at any of the predefined time points before or after
      intubation concerning SpO2 , PaO2 /FIO2 , and PaCO2 . CONCLUSIONS: Preoxygenation
      using HFNC before intubation was feasible and safe compared with BVM in
      critically ill subjects with acute, mild to moderate hypoxemic respiratory
      failure. There was no significant difference in the mean lowest SpO2 during
      intubation between the HFNC and the BVM group. There was also no significant
      difference in SpO2 between the 2 groups at any of the predefined time points.
      However, on continuous monitoring, there was a significant decrease in SpO2
      during the apnea phase before intubation in the BVM group, which was not seen in
      the HFNC group. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01994928.).

PMID- 27274091
TI  - Consensus protein design.
AB  - A popular and successful strategy in semi-rational design of protein stability is
      the use of evolutionary information encapsulated in homologous protein sequences.
      Consensus design is based on the hypothesis that at a given position, the
      respective consensus amino acid contributes more than average to the stability of
      the protein than non-conserved amino acids. Here, we review the consensus design
      approach, its theoretical underpinnings, successes, limitations and challenges,
      as well as providing a detailed guide to its application in protein engineering.

PMID- 27274094
TI  - Respiratory Therapists' Experiences and Attitudes Regarding Terminal Extubations
      and End-of-Life Care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Respiratory therapists (RTs) routinely care for patients with life
      limiting illnesses and in some hospitals are responsible for terminal
      extubations. Data on how such experiences affect RTs are scarce. The objective of
      this work was to survey RTs at 2 academic medical centers about their experiences
      caring for patients with terminal extubations. METHODS: An online survey was
      distributed to the hospitals' RTs. Survey data included demographics and
      experiences with end-of-life care and terminal extubations. The survey was
      derived from previously published questionnaires plus input from hospital RT
      leaders. RESULTS: Sixty-five of 173 RTs (37.6%) responded. Of these, 42.4% were
      >=50 y old, and 62.7% were female. 20.3% had <=5 y experience; 52.5% had >=16 y.
      93.8% self-reported being involved in at least one terminal extubation; of those,
      36.1% reported performing >=20. Nearly half (47.5%) wanted to be involved in
      family meetings discussing terminal extubations, but just 6.6% were frequently
      involved. Only 32.3% felt that they received adequate education regarding
      terminal illness in RT school; 32.3% reported gathering this knowledge while
      working. 60.0% wanted more formal education around terminal patient care. 27.9%
      reported sometimes being uncomfortable with performing a terminal extubation;
      most of these rarely felt that they had the option not to perform the extubation.
      CONCLUSIONS: RTs are rarely involved in end-of-life discussions despite a desire
      to be, and they experience situations that generate discomfort. There is demand
      for more formal RT training around care for terminal patients. Clinical protocols
      that involve RTs in meetings before ventilator withdrawal should be considered.

PMID- 27274093
TI  - Induced Sputum Analysis in Subjects With Systemic Sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Induced sputum is a noninvasive tool, aimed at collecting cellular
      and soluble materials from lung airways. Induced sputum sampling analysis has
      been validated in chronic obstructive lung diseases as well as in various diffuse
      interstitial lung disorders. Our objective was to evaluate the utility of induced
      sputum speciments of cellular and soluble materials noninvasively sampled from
      the lung airways of subjects with systemic sclerosis compared with healthy
      controls and determine possible correlation with disease manifestations. METHODS:
      The study population included 20 consecutive subjects with systemic sclerosis and
      16 healthy volunteers (controls). All of the participants underwent pulmonary
      function testing (PFT), single-breath diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide, and
      induced sputum cytology analysis. RESULTS: The systemic sclerosis subjects'
      induced sputum samples contained a higher neutrophil count (P = .09) and lower
      lymphocyte count (P = .045) compared with the controls. Within the systemic
      sclerosis population, several clinical, PFT, and induced sputum findings were
      positively correlated: the modified Rodnan skin score score and CD3 (P = .044),
      modified Rodnan skin score and CD4 (P = .04), modified Rodnan skin score and
      percentage neutrophils (P = .059), and total lung capacity (TLC) and percentage
      lymphocytes (P = .02). Induced sputum neutrophil counts were inversely associated
      with TLC (P = .02) and FVC (P = .02). Induced sputum samples from the subgroup of
      systemic sclerosis subjects with PFT restrictive pattern contained a
      significantly lower percentage of lymphocytes (P = .004) and lower CD4/CD8 ratio
      (P = .03) compared with controls. In this subgroup, TLC also was negatively
      correlated with the neutrophil count (P = .043), and positive correlations were
      found between TLC and CD3 (P = .053), disease duration and CD4/CD8 ratio (P =
      .033), TLC and FVC and percentage macrophages (P = .033 and P = .052,
      respectively), diffusion per unit of alveolar volume, and percentage macrophages
      (P = .032), and C-reactive protein and percentage lymphocytes, percentage
      macrophages, and neutrophil count (P = .02, P = .008, and P = .006,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Induced sputum analysis of subjects with systemic
      sclerosis, including those with restrictive lung disease, shows changes in
      cellular pattern and correlation with several highly relevant clinical and PFT
      parameters.

PMID- 27274095
TI  - High frequency of immunodeficiency-like states in systemic lupus erythematosus: a
      cross-sectional study in 300 consecutive patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of immunodeficiency-like states in SLE and
      related clinical features. METHODS: Three hundred and fifteen SLE patients and
      301 controls were evaluated for C4A and C4B gene copy number, immunoglobulin
      isotypes, IgG subclasses, total haemolytic complement (CH50), C2, C3 and
      neutrophil oxidative burst. C2 and C3 genes were sequenced in cases of low C2 or
      C3 levels. Those presenting abnormal CH50 with normal C2 and C3 underwent C1q-C9
      determination. Patients with active SLE and abnormal results were re-tested after
      the flare or were excluded if no remission was attained. Fifteen patients were
      excluded on this basis. Persistent abnormal results characterized an
      immunodeficiency-like state. RESULTS: A significantly higher percentage of SLE
      patients presented an immunodeficiency-like state compared with controls (28.7%
      vs 3.3%; P < 0.001), especially low immunoglobulin serum levels. Rigorous testing
      confirmed only two cases of C2 deficiency carriers among the SLE patients. There
      were significantly more SLE patients with less than two C4A copies compared with
      controls. SLE patients had higher frequency of low IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 and IgM
      levels compared with controls. Patients with low IgG3 or IgG4 presented higher
      frequency of lupus nephropathy. Patients with low IgM had longer disease
      duration, older age at SLE onset and lower frequency of oral ulcers. CONCLUSION:
      An immunodeficiency-like state is present in a sizable fraction of SLE patients.
      Further studies are warranted to determine the impact of these immunodeficiency
      states and whether they are a primary condition or are secondary to confounding
      factors, including SLE itself.

PMID- 27274096
TI  - Incidence of ANCA-associated vasculitis in a UK mixed ethnicity population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to estimate the incidence of ANCA-associated vasculitis in
      the UK and how this varied by ethnic group. METHODS: We identified incident cases
      of ANCA-associated vasculitis between March 2007 and June 2013 in the Nottingham
      Derby urban area from medical records using multiple sources. We derived the
      denominator population from the 2011 census, and we calculated incidence rate
      ratios using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Overall, we identified 107 cases of
      ANCA-associated vasculitis, giving an incidence of 23.1 per million person-years
      (95% CI: 18.9, 27.9). The incidence among the white population was 25.8 per
      million person-years (95% CI: 21.0, 31.3) and among the black and minority ethnic
      (BME) population 8.4 per million person-years (95% CI: 3.1, 18.3). After
      adjustment for age and sex, the difference between ethnic groups was not
      statistically significant (incidence rate ratio 0.7, 95% CI: 0.3, 1.5, P = 0.3).
      CONCLUSION: Overall, the incidence of ANCA-associated vasculitis was similar to
      other epidemiological studies. Crude incidence rates were lower in the BME than
      in the white population, but this was partly explained by the older age profile
      among the white compared with BME population.

PMID- 27274097
TI  - High-extinction virtually imaged phased array-based Brillouin spectroscopy of
      turbid biological media.
AB  - Brillouin microscopy has recently emerged as a powerful technique to characterize
      the mechanical properties of biological tissue, cell, and biomaterials. However,
      the potential of Brillouin microscopy is currently limited to transparent
      samples, because Brillouin spectrometers do not have sufficient spectral
      extinction to reject the predominant non-Brillouin scattered light of turbid
      media. To overcome this issue, we combined a multi-pass Fabry-Perot
      interferometer with a two-stage virtually imaged phased array spectrometer. The
      Fabry-Perot etalon acts as an ultra-narrow band-pass filter for Brillouin light
      with high spectral extinction and low loss. We report background-free Brillouin
      spectra from Intralipid solutions and up to 100 MUm deep within chicken muscle
      tissue.

PMID- 27274098
TI  - A major Calanus finmarchicus overwintering population inside a deep fjord in
      northern Norway: implications for cod larvae recruitment success.
AB  - High Calanus finmarchicus abundances were recorded in wintertime in Vestfjorden,
      close to the main cod breeding grounds off Lofoten and Vesteralen, northern
      Norway. The mean abundance for locations with water depth >500 m was ~37000 ind.
      m-2 (range: 26700-49000 ind. m-2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of
      massive overwintering of C. finmarchicus on the Norwegian shelf. Because of the
      observed size and location of this population, we argue that local overwintering
      on the northern Norwegian shelf can contribute significantly to sustain a C.
      finmarchicus population on the shelf during the period of first feeding for cod
      larvae. This is supported by a particle tracking model.

PMID- 27274099
TI  - Phylogeography and connectivity of the Pseudocalanus (Copepoda: Calanoida)
      species complex in the eastern North Pacific and the Pacific Arctic Region.
AB  - The genus Pseudocalanus (Copepoda, Calanoida) is among the most numerically
      dominant copepods in eastern North Pacific and Pacific-Arctic waters. We compared
      population connectivity and phylogeography based on DNA sequence variation for a
      portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene for four Pseudocalanus
      species with differing biogeographical ranges within these ocean regions. Genetic
      analyses were linked to characterization of biological and physical environmental
      variables for each sampled region. Haplotype diversity was higher for the
      temperate species (Pseudocalanus mimus and Pseudocalanus newmani) than for the
      Arctic species (Pseudocalanus acuspes and Pseudocalanus minutus). Genetic
      differentiation among populations at regional scales was observed for all
      species, except P. minutus. The program Migrate-N tested the likelihood of
      alternative models of directional gene flow between sampled populations in
      relation to oceanographic features. Model results estimated predominantly
      northward gene flow from the Gulf of Alaska to the Beaufort Sea for P. newmani.
      Model scenarios that allowed bidirectional gene flow between sampled populations
      gave the best Bayesian predictions for P. acuspes, P. mimus and P. minutus. Under
      current warming trends, biogeographical boundaries and barriers for Pseudocalanus
      species may shift, allowing habitat range expansion or contraction and resulting
      in altered population connectivity between Arctic and sub-Arctic populations.

PMID- 27274100
TI  - Metabolically active, non-nitrogen fixing, Trichodesmium in UK coastal waters
      during winter.
AB  - Trichodesmium, a colonial cyanobacterium typically associated with tropical
      waters, was observed between January and April 2014 in the western English
      Channel. Sequencing of the heterocyst differentiation (hetR) and 16S rRNA genes
      placed this community within the Clade IV Trichodesmium, an understudied clade
      previously found only in low numbers in warmer waters. Nitrogen fixation was not
      detected although measurable rates of nitrate uptake and carbon fixation were
      observed. Trichodesmium RuBisCO transcript abundance relative to gene abundance
      suggests the potential for viable and potentially active Trichodesmium carbon
      fixation. Observations of Trichodesmium when coupled with a numerical advection
      model indicate that Trichodesmium communities can remain viable for >3.5 months
      at temperatures lower than previously expected. The results suggest that Clade IV
      Trichodesmium occupies a different niche to other Trichodesmium species, and is a
      cold- or low-light-adapted variant.

PMID- 27274101
TI  - siRNA-induced silencing of hypoxia-inducible factor 3alpha (HIF3alpha) increases
      endurance capacity in rats.
AB  - Molecular mechanisms of adaptation to exercise despite a large number of studies
      remain unclear. One of the crucial factors in this process is hypoxia inducible
      factor (HIF) that regulates transcription of many target genes encoding proteins
      that are implicated in molecular adaptation to hypoxia. Experiments were
      conducted on 24 adult male Fisher rats. Real-time PCR analysis was performed for
      quantitative evaluation of Hif3alpha, Igf1, Glut-4 and Pdk-1 in m. gastrocnemius,
      m. soleus, in lung and heart tissues. Mitochondrial respiratory function and
      electron microscopy were performed. Knockdown of Hif3alpha using siRNA increases
      time of swimming to exhaustion by 1.5 times. Level of mitochondrial NAD- and FAD
      dependent oxidative pathways is decreased, however efficiency of phosphorylation
      is increased after Hif3alpha siRNA treatment. Expression of HIF target genes in
      muscles was not changed significantly, except for increasing of Pdk-1 expression
      in m. soleus by 2.1 times. More prominent changes were estimated in lung and
      heart: Igf1 gene expression was increased by 32.5 and 37.5 times correspondingly.
      Glut4 gene expression in lungs was increased from undetected level till 0.3 rel.
      units and by 84.2 times in heart. Level of Pdk1 gene expression was increased by
      249.2 in lungs and by 35.1 times in hearts, correspondingly. Some destructive
      changes in muscle tissue were detected in animals with siRNA-inducing silencing
      of Hif3alpha. 

PMID- 27274102
TI  - Expression of SCGB1C1 gene as a potential marker of susceptibility to upper
      respiratory tract infections in elite athletes - a pilot study.
AB  - High levels of exercise in athletes result in temporary immunosuppression, which
      could increase the susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections.
      Understanding of immunological mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon could
      enable optimization of training schemes for elite athletes and avoidance of
      infection-related episodes of absence during sports championships. The aim of
      this study was to detect genes that may be responsible for modulation of
      individual susceptibility to infections. The blood and saliva samples were
      collected from 10 healthy, medically examined kayakers (4 females and 6 males)
      aged 24.7 +/- 2.3 years. All samples were taken in the morning, after overnight
      fasting, in a seated position. The ELISA method was used to determine the levels
      of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and interleukin 5 (IL-5). Whole genome
      expression in blood was assessed using microarrays. The study did not reveal any
      significant correlation between genome expression and sIgA concentration.
      However, low expression of a gene involved in protection against the common cold 
      secretoglobin 1C1 (SCGB1C1) - was detected in athletes with high IL-5
      concentrations (corrected p = 0.00065; fold change = 3.17). Our results suggest
      that blood expression of the SCGB1C1 gene might be a marker of susceptibility to
      upper respiratory tract infections in athletes. 

PMID- 27274103
TI  - The effects of two equal-volume training protocols upon strength, body
      composition and salivary hormones in male rugby union players.
AB  - This study examined the effects of two equal-volume resistance-training protocols
      upon strength, body composition and salivary hormones in male rugby union
      players. Using a crossover design, 24 male rugby players completed a 4-week full
      body (FB) and split-body (SB) training protocol of equal volume during the
      competitive season. One repetition maximum (1RM) strength, body composition via
      skinfold measurements and salivary testosterone (T) and cortisol (C)
      concentrations were assessed pre and post training. The FB and SB protocols
      improved upper (7.3% and 7.4%) and lower body 1RM strength (7.4% and 5.4%),
      whilst reducing body fat (-0.9% and -0.4%) and fat mass (-5.7% and -2.1%),
      respectively (all p <= 0.021). The SB protocol elevated T (21%) and C (50%)
      concentrations with a higher T/C ratio (28%) after FB training (all p <= 0.039).
      The strength changes were similar, but the body composition and hormonal results
      differed by protocol. Slope testing on the individual responses identified
      positive associations (p <= 0.05) between T and C concentrations and absolute 1RM
      strength in stronger (squat 1RM = 150.5 kg), but not weaker (squat 1RM = 117.4
      kg), men. A short window of training involving FB or SB protocols can improve
      strength and body composition in rugby players. The similar strength gains
      highlight training volume as a key adaptive stimulus, although the programme
      structure (i.e. FB or SB) did influence the body composition and hormonal
      outcomes. It also appears that 1RM strength is associated with individual
      hormonal changes and baseline strength. 

PMID- 27274104
TI  - A genetic-based algorithm for personalized resistance training.
AB  - Association studies have identified dozens of genetic variants linked to training
      responses and sport-related traits. However, no intervention studies utilizing
      the idea of personalised training based on athlete's genetic profile have been
      conducted. Here we propose an algorithm that allows achieving greater results in
      response to high- or low-intensity resistance training programs by predicting
      athlete's potential for the development of power and endurance qualities with the
      panel of 15 performance-associated gene polymorphisms. To develop and validate
      such an algorithm we performed two studies in independent cohorts of male
      athletes (study 1: athletes from different sports (n = 28); study 2: soccer
      players (n = 39)). In both studies athletes completed an eight-week high- or low
      intensity resistance training program, which either matched or mismatched their
      individual genotype. Two variables of explosive power and aerobic fitness, as
      measured by the countermovement jump (CMJ) and aerobic 3-min cycle test (Aero3)
      were assessed pre and post 8 weeks of resistance training. In study 1, the
      athletes from the matched groups (i.e. high-intensity trained with power genotype
      or low-intensity trained with endurance genotype) significantly increased results
      in CMJ (P = 0.0005) and Aero3 (P = 0.0004). Whereas, athletes from the mismatched
      group (i.e. high-intensity trained with endurance genotype or low-intensity
      trained with power genotype) demonstrated non-significant improvements in CMJ (P
      = 0.175) and less prominent results in Aero3 (P = 0.0134). In study 2, soccer
      players from the matched group also demonstrated significantly greater (P <
      0.0001) performance changes in both tests compared to the mismatched group. Among
      non- or low responders of both studies, 82% of athletes (both for CMJ and Aero3)
      were from the mismatched group (P < 0.0001). Our results indicate that matching
      the individual's genotype with the appropriate training modality leads to more
      effective resistance training. The developed algorithm may be used to guide
      individualised resistance-training interventions. 

PMID- 27274105
TI  - Effects of recreational soccer on physical fitness and health indices in
      sedentary healthy and unhealthy subjects.
AB  - Recreational soccer (RS) is becoming a popular alternative to the classical
      continuous exercise mode used for the improvement of cardiovascular and metabolic
      fitness in untrained people. The objective of this paper was to conduct a
      detailed systematic review of the literature, identifying the physiological
      responses to RS and the training effects of RS on aerobic fitness and health in
      untrained healthy individuals and clinical patients. PubMed, Google Scholar and
      ScienceDirect databases were searched using terms related to recreational soccer.
      Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCT) that assessed acute
      physiological responses to RS or the training effects of RS on physical fitness
      and health in sedentary, untrained subjects of any age or health status. All
      studies were assessed for methodological quality using the PEDro scale. Thirty
      five articles met the inclusion criteria; seven examined the acute response to
      RS, and 28 assessed training effects. Clear evidence was found that RS had
      positive effects on many health-related indices and variables, including VO2max
      (gains of 7-16%), blood pressure (reductions of 6-13 mmHg), body composition
      (decreased fat mass and improved indices of bone health), and metabolic and
      cardiac function. These positive effects were observed in both healthy
      individuals and clinical patients, irrespective of age or sex. Although this
      review provides clear evidence of the positive effects of RS on health, most
      studies had limitations of methodology (an average PEDro score < 6). Furthermore,
      many of the training studies were from a small number of research groups. Future
      studies should be extended to other countries and institutions to ensure
      generality of the results. Regular RS training leads to significant
      cardiovascular and muscular adaptations and gains of health both in sedentary
      individuals and clinical patients at all ages, suggesting that RS is a
      potentially highly motivational method to enhance population health. 

PMID- 27274106
TI  - High intensity interval and moderate continuous cycle training in a physical
      education programme improves health-related fitness in young females.
AB  - The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of eight weeks of regular
      physical education classes supplemented with high intensity interval cycle
      exercise (HIIE) or continuous cycle exercises of moderate intensity (CME). Forty
      eight collegiate females exercising in two regular physical education classes per
      week were randomly assigned to two programmes (HIIE; n = 24 or CME; n = 24) of
      additional (one session of 63 minutes per week) physical activity for 8 weeks.
      Participants performed HIIE comprising 2 series of 6x10 s sprinting with maximal
      pedalling cadence and active recovery pedalling with intensity 65%-75% HRmax or
      performed CME corresponding to 65%-75% HRmax. Before and after the 8-week
      programmes, anthropometric data and aero- and anaerobic capacity were measured.
      Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant time main effect for VO2max (p < 0.001),
      similar improvements being found in both groups (+12% in HIIE and +11% in CME),
      despite body mass not changing significantly (p = 0.59; +0.4% in HIIE and -0.1%
      in CME). A significant main time effect was found for relative fat mass (FM) and
      fat-free mass (FFM) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). A group x time
      interaction effect was found for relative FM and FFM (p = 0.018 and p = 0.018); a
      greater reduction in FM and greater increase in FFM were noted in the CME than
      the HIIE group. Improvements in anaerobic power were observed in both groups (p <
      0.001), but it was greater in the HIIE group (interaction effect, p = 0.022).
      Weight loss is not mandatory for exercise-induced effects on improving aerobic
      and anaerobic capacity in collegiate females. Eight weeks of regular physical
      education classes supplemented with CME sessions are more effective in improving
      body composition than physical education classes supplemented with HIIE sessions.
      In contrast to earlier, smaller trials, similar improvements in aerobic capacity
      were observed following physical activity with additional HIIE or CME sessions. 

PMID- 27274107
TI  - Greater effects of high- compared with moderate-intensity interval training on
      cardio-metabolic variables, blood leptin concentration and ratings of perceived
      exertion in obese adolescent females.
AB  - This study examined the effects of high- vs. moderate-intensity interval training
      on cardiovascular fitness, leptin levels and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)
      in obese female adolescents. Forty-seven participants were randomly assigned to
      one of three groups receiving either a 1:1 ratio of 15 s of effort comprising
      moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT at 80% maximal aerobic speed: MAS) or
      high-intensity interval training (HIIT at 100% MAS), with matched 15 s recovery
      at 50% MAS, thrice weekly, or a no-training control group. The HIIT and MIIT
      groups showed improved (p < 0.05) body mass (BM), BMI Z-score, and percentage of
      body fat (%BF). Only the HIIT group showed decreased waist circumference (WC) (p
      = 0.017). The effect of exercise on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was
      significant (p = 0.019, ES = 0.48 and p = 0.010, ES = 0.57, HIIT and MIIT,
      respectively). The decrease of rate-pressure product (RPP) (p < 0.05, ES = 0.53
      and ES = 0.46, HIIT and MIIT, respectively) followed the positive changes in
      resting heart rate and blood pressures. Blood glucose, insulin level and the
      homeostasis model assessment index for insulin decreased (p < 0.05) in both
      training groups. Significant decreases occurred in blood leptin (p = 0.021, ES =
      0.67 and p = 0.011, ES = 0.73) and in RPE (p = 0.001, ES = 0.76 and p = 0.017, ES
      = 0.57) in HIIT and MIIT, respectively. In the post-intervention period, blood
      leptin was strongly associated with %BF (p < 0.001) and VO2max (p < 0.01) in the
      HIIT and MIIT groups, respectively, while RPE was strongly associated with BM (p
      < 0.01) in the HIIT group. The results suggest that high-intensity interval
      training may produce more positive effects on health determinants in comparison
      with the same training mode at a moderate intensity. 

PMID- 27274108
TI  - Acute effects of concentric and eccentric exercise on glucose metabolism and
      interleukin-6 concentration in healthy males.
AB  - Acute muscle-damaging eccentric exercise (EE) negatively affects glucose
      metabolism. On the other hand, long-term eccentric endurance exercise seems to
      result in equal or superior positive effects on glucose metabolism compared to
      concentric endurance exercise. However, it is not known if acute non-muscle
      damaging EE will have the same positive effects on glucose metabolism as acute
      concentric exercise (CE). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) released from the exercising
      muscles may be involved in the acute adaptations of glucose metabolism after CE
      and non-muscle-damaging EE. The aim of this study was to assess acute effects of
      uphill walking (CE) and non-muscle-damaging downhill walking (EE) on glucose
      metabolism and IL-6 secretion. Seven sedentary non-smoking, healthy males
      participated in a crossover trial consisting of a 1 h uphill (CE) and a 1 h
      downhill (EE) walking block on a treadmill. Venous blood samples were drawn
      before (pre), directly after (acute) and 24 h after (post) exercise. An oral
      glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and 24 h after exercise.
      Glucose tolerance after 1 and 2 hours significantly improved 24 hours after CE (
      10.12+/-3.22%: P=0.039; -13.40+/-8.24%: P=0.028). After EE only the 1-hour value
      was improved (-5.03+/-5.48%: P=0.043). Acute IL-6 concentration rose
      significantly after CE but not after EE. We conclude that both a single bout of
      CE and a single bout of non-muscle-damaging EE elicit positive changes in glucose
      tolerance even in young, healthy subjects. Our experiment indicates that the
      overall metabolic cost is a major trigger for acute adaptations of glucose
      tolerance after exercise, but only the IL-6 production during EE was closely
      related to changes in glycaemic control. 

PMID- 27274109
TI  - Reliability and criterion-related validity of a new repeated agility test.
AB  - The study aimed to assess the reliability and the criterion-related validity of a
      new repeated sprint T-test (RSTT) that includes intense multidirectional
      intermittent efforts. The RSTT consisted of 7 maximal repeated executions of the
      agility T-test with 25 s of passive recovery rest in between. Forty-five team
      sports players performed two RSTTs separated by 3 days to assess the reliability
      of best time (BT) and total time (TT) of the RSTT. The intra-class correlation
      coefficient analysis revealed a high relative reliability between test and retest
      for BT and TT (>0.90). The standard error of measurement (<0.50) showed that the
      RSTT has a good absolute reliability. The minimal detectable change values for BT
      and TT related to the RSTT were 0.09 s and 0.58 s, respectively. To check the
      criterion-related validity of the RSTT, players performed a repeated linear
      sprint (RLS) and a repeated sprint with changes of direction (RSCD). Significant
      correlations between the BT and TT of the RLS, RSCD and RSTT were observed
      (p<0.001). The RSTT is, therefore, a reliable and valid measure of the
      intermittent repeated sprint agility performance. As this ability is required in
      all team sports, it is suggested that team sports coaches, fitness coaches and
      sports scientists consider this test in their training follow-up. 

PMID- 27274110
TI  - Effect of between-set recovery durations on repeated sprint ability in young
      soccer players.
AB  - The purposes of this study were to examine the effect of between-set recovery
      duration on physiological responses (heart rate and blood lactate), rating of
      perceived exertion (RPE) and performance indices of repeated sprint sets (RSS)
      and to investigate their relationship with aerobic power. Twenty-four young male
      soccer players (age: 17.4 +/- 0.32 years) performed three randomized RSS
      protocols consisting of 2 sets of 5x20 m with 15 s recovery between sprints and 1
      min (RSS1), 2 min (RSS2) and 4 min (RSS4) between sets, and a multi-stage aerobic
      track test to estimate VO2max. Results showed that in contrast to RSS2 and RSS4,
      RSS1 leads to a large decline in performance expressed as the sum of sprint times
      (34.0+/-1.0 s, 34.0+/-1.1s and 34.6+/-1.1s, respectively) and a significant
      increase of both mean heart rate (124.0+/-9.7 bpm, 112.5+/-6.7 bpm and 137.3+/
      12.4, respectively) and RPE (3.2+/-1.5, 3.4+/-1.2 and 6.3+/-1.4, respectively)
      with no change in blood lactate and peak HR between the three rest conditions. No
      significant correlations were obtained between estimated VO2max and any of the
      indices of the three RSS protocols. In conclusion, 1 min of recovery between sets
      is sufficient to ensure a significant decrease in performance in the second set,
      while 2 min and 4 min of recovery were long enough to provide maintenance of high
      intensity work in the second set. These findings would be useful for coaches and
      sport scientists when attempting to assess repeated sprint abilities, allowing
      coaches to accurately define the intended training goals in young soccer players.

PMID- 27274112
TI  - Bilateral and unilateral vertical ground reaction forces and leg asymmetries in
      soccer players.
AB  - The purposes of this study were to assess unilateral and bilateral vertical jump
      performance characteristics, and to compare the vertical ground reaction force
      characteristics of the impulse and landing phase of a vertical jump between the
      dominant and non-dominant leg in soccer players. The sample consisted of 20 male
      soccer players (22.80 +/- 2.71 years, 1.88 +/- 0.06 m, 76.47 +/- 8.80 kg) who
      competed in the third division of the Spanish football league. Vertical jump
      performance was determined by testing the impulse and landing phase of a
      bilateral vertical jump, dominant leg vertical jump and non-dominant leg vertical
      jump. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between dominant and non-dominant legs
      were found in counter movement jump (CMJ) flight time (LA = -2.38%, d = 0.33),
      CMJ flight height (LA = -4.55%, d = 0.33) and CMJ speed take-off (LA = -2.91%, d
      = 0.42). No significant differences were found between the dominant and non
      dominant leg in the F1 and F2 magnitudes during the landing phase, the time from
      the first contact of the foot with the ground to the production of F1, the time
      from the second contact of the foot with the ground to the production of F2, and
      the time to stabilization of the landing phase. Although differences were found
      between the dominant and non-dominant leg in the impulse phase of the jump, no
      significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant legs in the
      landing phase of vertical jump variables. 

PMID- 27274111
TI  - Change of direction ability test differentiates higher level and lower level
      soccer referees.
AB  - This report examines the agility and level of acceleration capacity of Spanish
      soccer referees and investigates the possible differences between field referees
      of different categories. The speed test consisted of 3 maximum acceleration
      stretches of 15 metres. The change of direction ability (CODA) test used in this
      study was a modification of the Modified Agility Test (MAT). The study included a
      sample of 41 Spanish soccer field referees from the Navarre Committee of Soccer
      Referees divided into two groups: i) the higher level group (G1, n = 20): 2ndA,
      2ndB and 3rd division referees from the Spanish National Soccer League (28.43 +/-
      1.39 years); and ii) the lower level group (G2, n = 21): Navarre Provincial
      League soccer referees (29.54 +/- 1.87 years). Significant differences were found
      with respect to the CODA between G1 (5.72 +/- 0.13 s) and G2 (6.06 +/- 0.30 s),
      while no differences were encountered between groups in acceleration ability. No
      significant correlations were obtained in G1 between agility and the capacity to
      accelerate. Significant correlations were found between sprint and agility times
      in the G2 and in the total group. The results of this study showed that agility
      can be used as a discriminating factor for differentiating between national and
      regional field referees; however, no observable differences were found over the 5
      and 15 m sprint tests. 

PMID- 27274113
TI  - Within- and between-session reliability of medial gastrocnemius architectural
      properties.
AB  - This study aimed to determine the within- and between-session reliability of
      medial gastrocnemius (MG) architecture (e.g. muscle thickness (MT), fascicle
      length (FL) and pennation angle (PA)), as derived via ultrasonography followed by
      manual digitization. A single rater recorded three ultrasound images of the
      relaxed MG muscle belly for both legs of 16 resistance trained males, who were
      positioned in a pronated position with their knees fully extended and the ankles
      in a neutral (e.g. 90 degrees ) position. A subset of participants (n = 11) were
      retested under the same conditions ~48-72 hours after baseline testing. The same
      rater manually digitized each ultrasound image on three occasions to determine MG
      MT, FL and PA before pooling the data accordingly to allow for within-image (n =
      96), between-image (n = 32) and between-session reliability (n = 22) to be
      determined. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) demonstrated excellent
      within-image (ICCs = 0.99-1.00, P < 0.001) and very good between-image (ICCs =
      0.83-0.95, P < 0.001) and between-session (ICCs = 0.89-0.95, P < 0.001)
      reliability for MT, FL and PA. Between-session coefficient of variation was low
      (<= 3.6%) for each architectural parameter and smallest detectible difference
      values of 10.6%, 11.4% and 9.8% were attained for MT, FL and PA, respectively.
      Manually digitizing ultrasound images of the MG muscle at rest yields highly
      reliable measurements of its architectural properties. Furthermore, changes in MG
      MT, FL and PA of >= 10.6%, 11.4% and 9.8% respectively, as brought about by any
      form of intervention, should be considered meaningful. 

PMID- 27274114
TI  - Performance profile of NCAA Division I men's basketball games and training
      sessions.
AB  - This study aimed to analyse live and stoppage time phases, their ratio, and
      action played on half and full court in college basketball games. Differences
      were assessed for the entire games and between halves. Moreover, differences of
      the live/stoppage time ratio were analysed between games and game-based
      conditioning drills. Ten games as well as fifteen defensive, fourteen offensive
      and six scrimmage-type drills of the same division I men's college team (13
      players) were analysed using time-motion analysis technique. Live and stoppage
      time were classified in five classes of duration: 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, >80
      seconds. Half court actions started and finished in the same half court. Full
      court actions were classified as transfer (TR) phases when at least 3 teammates
      crossed the mid-court line. TR phases were then classified in 5 classes of
      frequency: 1TR, 2TR, 3TR, 4TR, and >4TR. The results revealed no statistically
      significant differences between games or between halves for the considered
      parameters. The only significant difference was observed for live/stoppage time
      ratio between halves (p<0.001). Furthermore, a significant difference of the
      live/stoppage ratio was found between games and game-based drills (p<0.01). Post
      hoc analysis demonstrated significant differences of scrimmage-type drills in
      comparison to games, and defensive and offensive drills (p<0.05), whereas no
      differences emerged for the other pairwise comparisons. The absence of
      differences between games in the analysed parameters might be important to
      characterize the model of performance in division I men's college games.
      Furthermore, these results encourage coaches to use game-based conditioning
      drills to replicate the LT/ST ratio documented during games. 

PMID- 27274115
TI  - Privileges.

PMID- 27274116
TI  - Reed O. Dingman.

PMID- 27274117
TI  - Novel expansion techniques for skin grafts.
AB  - The quest for skin expansion is not restricted to cover a large area alone, but
      to produce acceptable uniform surfaces, robust engraftment to withstand
      mechanical shear and infection, with a minimal donor morbidity. Ease of the
      technique, shorter healing period and reproducible results are essential
      parameters to adopt novel techniques. Significant advances seen in four fronts of
      autologous grafting are: (1) Dermal-epidermal graft expansion techniques, (2)
      epidermal graft harvests technique, (3) melanocyte-rich basal cell therapy for
      vitiligo and (4) robust and faster autologous cell cultures. Meek's original
      concept that the sum of perimeter of smaller grafts is larger than the harvested
      graft, and smaller the graft size, the greater is the potential for regeneration
      is witnessed in newer modification. Further, as graft size becomes smaller or
      minced, these micrografts can survive on the wound bed exudate irrespective of
      their dermal orientation. Expansion produced by 4 mm * 4 mm sized Meek
      micrografts is 10-folds, similarly 0.8 mm * 0.8 mm size micrografts produce 100
      fold expansion, which becomes 700-fold with pixel grafts of 0.3 mm * 0.3 mm size.
      Fractional skin harvest is another new technique with 700 MU size full thickness
      graft. These provide instant autologous non-cultured graft to cover extensive
      areas with similar quality of engraftment surface as split skin grafts. Newer
      tools for epidermal blister graft harvest quickly, with uniform size to produce 7
      fold expansions with reproducible results. In addition, donor area heals faster
      with minimal scar. Melanocyte-rich cell suspension is utilised in vitiligo
      surgery tapping the potential of hair root melanocytes. Further advances in the
      cell culture to reduce the cultivation time and provide stronger epidermal sheets
      with dermal carrier are seen in trials. 

PMID- 27274118
TI  - Functional outcomes of post-traumatic metacarpal hand reconstruction with free
      toe-to-hand transfer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We present the functional outcomes of microvascular toe transfer to
      reconstruct the post-traumatic metacarpal hand deformity. Twelve toe transfers
      were successfully carried out in 11 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In each
      patient, the level of injury was classified according to the Wei classification
      system. Functional outcome was measured in seven patients using the Tamai score.
      Additional objective tests of function were carried out in three patients,
      including the Jebsen test, grip strength, pinch strength, web opening, static and
      moving two-point discrimination and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing.
      OBSERVATION AND RESULTS: The average Tamai score was 69 (range 60-83.5). Six
      patients achieved 'good' outcomes and one patient, with a double toe transfer, an
      'excellent' outcome. The average follow-up time was 43 months (range 10-148
      months). CONCLUSION: This study shows how even a single toe transfer can restore
      useful function to a hand that has otherwise lost all prehensile ability.

PMID- 27274119
TI  - Management of fourth degree obstetric perineal tear without colostomy using non -
      stimulated gracilis - our experience over eleven years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although gracilis muscle transposition for faecal incontinence has
      been well-described method, its literature for use in obstetric perineal tear
      without colostomy is sparse. In this study, we have tried to analyse its use in
      fourth-degree obstetric perineal tears. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 30
      patients with recto-vaginal fistula with faecal incontinence secondary to
      obstetric perineal tear were retrospectively studied between February 2003 and
      May 2014. The recto-vaginal fistula was explored, dissected and identification of
      sphincters was done using muscle stimulator. Fistula closure was done followed by
      sphincter repair, vaginal tightening procedure and single gracilis transposition.
      None of the patients had covering colostomy. Faecal incontinence was assessed pre
      and post-operatively by digital rectal examination (single examiner), Park's
      score and Corman's score in all cases and using barium hold and transperineal
      ultrasonography, manometric studies in a few cases. The outcome was measured at
      an average follow-up of 8.8 months (7-24 months). RESULTS: As per Park's score 26
      patients had Grade I continence, two had Grade II and two patients had Grade III
      continence. Corman's score improved from fair to excellent in 26 patients. The
      patients in whom manometry was performed showed a remarkable rise in both resting
      and squeeze pressures. Two patients developed post-operative infections in upper
      1/3 thigh incision site and three patients at gluteal region scar site.
      CONCLUSION: Satisfactory continence following gracilis muscle could be achieved.

PMID- 27274120
TI  - A case series of flow-through free anterolateral thigh flap to augment the
      vascularity of ischaemic limbs with soft tissue defect.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In a world of fast moving vehicles, heavy machinery and industries
      crush injury to limbs with vascular compromise and soft tissue defect is common.
      The traditional treatment is a 2 step one dealing with vascular repair and soft
      tissue cover separately, in the same operation. We report a series of single step
      vascular repair and soft tissue cover with flow through anterolateral thigh flap
      (ALT) flap for limb salvage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with soft tissue
      defect and vascular injury were included in this study. A two team approach was
      used to minimise operative time, team one prepared the vessels and team 2
      harvested the flap. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS: Of the ten patients operated (8
      males), eight flaps were done for upper limb and two for lower limb salvage. Six
      anastomosis were done with ulnar vessels, two with radial and two with posterior
      tibial vessels. Nine extremities could be salvaged while one patient developed
      progressive thrombosis leading to amputation. CONCLUSION: The ALT flow-through
      flap is a versatile single step procedure that can be used to salvage an ischemic
      limb with soft tissue loss avoiding the need for interpositional vein graft.

PMID- 27274121
TI  - Presurgical nasoalveolar moulding in unilateral cleft lip and palate.
AB  - CONTEXT: Presurgical nasoalveolar moulding (PNAM) is a non-surgical method of
      reshaping the cleft lip, alveolus, palate and the nose to minimize the severity
      of the cleft deformity, before primary cheiloplastyand palatoplasty. In this
      context, PNAM proves to be an invaluable asset in the management of unilateral
      cleft lip and palate. AIMS: The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of
      PNAM in the management of unilateral cleft lip and palate with the following
      objectives: (1) To assess and compare the degree of reduction in the size of
      cleft palate and alveolus (pre-PNAM and post-PNAM). (2) To evaluate and compare
      the improvement in columellar length and correction of columellar deviation (pre
      PNAM and post-PNAM). (3) To assess the changes in the position of the alar base
      and the alar cartilages. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: A prospective study consisting of, which included 20 patients with
      complete unilateral cleft lip and palate was conducted. The age at the start of
      PNAM treatment of the infants ranged from 2 to 44 days of age reporting to our
      institute between December 2011 and August 2013. All the patients underwent PNAM
      therapy before primary cheiloplasty at 6 months of age; clinical parameters were
      assessed pre- and post-therapy using photographs and dental study models of the
      maxilla. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Student's t-test for paired comparisons.
      RESULTS: Results of the study showed a promising reduction in the cleft size
      before the surgery, significant improvement in nasal symmetry, including the
      columellar length on the cleft side. CONCLUSIONS: PNAM is a valuable adjunct to
      our surgical armamentarium in dealing with the challenges of primary closure of
      unilateral cleft lip and palate thereby enhancing the overall surgical outcome.
      The advantages of this method include the simplicity of the procedure and
      improving the quality of surgical repair, particularly in obtaining tension free
      muscle closure in unilateral clefts.

PMID- 27274122
TI  - Cadaveric study using radio-opaque contrast to determine arterial communication
      between the two bellies of gastrocnemius muscles.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Gastrocnemius muscle is a workhorse flap to cover upper third
      tibial defects but has a limitation in covering middle one-third tibial defects.
      The inferiorly based hemi gastrocnemius muscle flap can be useful for
      reconstruction of the middle third of the leg. The arterial communication between
      the gastrocnemius muscle heads has been demonstrated, the consistent location,
      however, was not studied in large specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study
      was conducted on sixty specimens of gastrocnemius muscles harvested from thirty
      fresh cadavers to determine arterial communication between two heads of
      gastrocnemius muscle using radio-opaque contrast with future application of
      taking one head of muscle distally based for coverage of middle third defect of
      tibia. A total of 60 specimens were obtained from thirty fresh cadavers. In
      thirty specimens, medial sural artery ligated and divided and 20 ml iohexol (350)
      given through popliteal artery. In remaining thirty specimens lateral sural
      artery ligated and divided and 20 ml iohexol (350) given through popliteal
      artery. Digital X-rays of gastrocnemius muscle specimens were taken, and
      collaterals between two bellies in lower half were noted and the distance of
      collaterals from the muscles top edge was also noted. RESULTS: We found the
      communications between both bellies of the gastrocnemius muscle in all specimens
      in both legs. The mean distance of communications from the upper edge of the
      medial belly was 15.88 cm and from upper edge of the lateral belly was 14.72 cm
      in the right leg, respectively. The mean distance of communications from upper
      edge of the medial belly was 16.01 cm and from upper edge of the lateral belly
      was 13.78 cm in the left leg. The distal communications between gastrocnemius
      bellies were not constant in their location, but all the connections were present
      in distal 3.79 cm of raphe. CONCLUSION: This study supports the future
      application of inferior-based hemigastrocnemius muscles flap to cover defects of
      middle third leg. When distally based hemigastrocnemius flap is planned roughly
      1/3(rd) of distal attachment or distal 3.79 cm of connection between raphe should
      be maintained to preserve the vascular communications between the two bellies.

PMID- 27274123
TI  - Preauricular transmasseteric anteroparotid approach for extracorporeal fixation
      of mandibular condyle fractures.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Free grafting or extracorporeal fixation of traumatically displaced
      mandibular condyles is sometimes required in patients with severe anteromedial
      displacement of condylar head. Majority of the published studies report the use
      of a submandibular, retromandibular or preauricular incisions for the access
      which have demerits of limited visibility, access and potential to cause damage
      to facial nerve and other parotid gland related complications. PURPOSE: This
      retrospective clinical case record study was done to evaluate the preauricular
      transmasseteric anteroparotid (P-TMAP) approach for open reduction and
      extracorporeal fixation of displaced and dislocated high condylar fractures of
      the mandible. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved search of
      clinical case records of seven patients with displaced and dislocated high
      condylar fractures treated by open reduction and extracorporeal fixation over a 3
      year period. The parameters assessed were as follows: a) the ease of access for
      retrieval, reimplantation and fixation of the proximal segment; b) the
      postoperative approach related complications; c) the adequacy of anatomical
      reduction and stability of fixation; d) the occlusal changes; and the e) TMJ
      function and radiological changes. RESULTS: Accessibility and visibility were
      good. Accurate anatomical reduction and fixation were achieved in all the
      patients. The recorded complications were minimal and transient. Facial nerve
      (buccal branch) palsy was noted in one patient with spontaneous resolution within
      3 months. No cases of sialocele or Frey's syndrome were seen. CONCLUSION: The P
      TMAP approach provides good access for open reduction and extracorporeal fixation
      of severely displaced condylar fractures. It facilitates retrieval,
      transplantation, repositioning, fixing the condyle and also reduces the chances
      of requirement of a vertical ramus osteotomy. It gives straight-line access to
      condylar head and ramus thereby permitting perpendicular placement of screws with
      minimal risk of damage to the facial nerve.

PMID- 27274124
TI  - Direct brow lifting: Specific indications for a simplified approach to eyebrow
      ptosis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Brow lifting is an essential element in the rejuvenation of the ageing
      face. Various surgical techniques have been described. Among these, the direct
      brow lifting is an easy and effective technique that is often neglected because
      the scar can remain visible. Thus, this approach is usually reserved for elderly
      patients and males, with thick bushy brows. AIMS: The authors present their
      result from a series of fifty consecutive patients treated over 2 years with
      direct brow lift. The aim is to demonstrate when the hairline is high or temporal
      alopecia is present and whether this technique is the best in bald patients, when
      some surgical steps are carefully adhered to. In these cases, the scar is less
      visible, hidden in the brow and is a good solution in women too. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: Between January 2011 and January 2013, fifty patients underwent direct
      brow lift surgery. All were men. In all the cases, brow lifting was undertaken
      together with an upper blepharoplasty. The amount of brow elevation produced was
      assessed by comparing the vertical distances between the superior eyebrow
      hairline and the inter-pupillary line, pre- and post-operatively. The result and
      the scar quality were assessed both by the patient and the surgeon. STATISTICAL
      ANALYSIS USED: The paired t-test. RESULTS: The authors obtained statistically
      significant results in brow elevation in 98% of the patients after a 12-month
      follow-up. The main complication associated with this procedure was visibility of
      the scar in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: The direct brow lift technique in bald men
      and with a high anterior hairline provides excellent and long-lasting results.

PMID- 27274125
TI  - An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor
      training.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Consent for surgical procedures is an essential part of the patient's
      pathway. Junior doctors are often expected to do this, especially in the
      emergency setting. As a result, the aim of our audit was to assess our practice
      in consenting and institute changes within our department to maintain best
      medical practice. METHODS: An audit of consent form completion was conducted in
      March 2013. Standards were taken from Good Surgical Practice (2008) and General
      Medical Council guidelines. Inclusion of consent teaching at a formal consultant
      delivered orientation programme was then instituted. A re-audit was completed to
      reassess compliance. RESULTS: Thirty-seven consent forms were analysed. The re
      audit demonstrated an improvement in documentation of benefits (91-100%) and
      additional procedures (0-7.5%). Additional areas for improvement such as offering
      a copy of the consent form to the patient and confirmation of consent if a delay
      occurred between consenting and the procedure were identified. CONCLUSION: The re
      audit demonstrated an improvement in the consent process. It also identified new
      areas of emphasis that were addressed in formal teaching sessions. The audit
      cycle can be a useful tool in monitoring, assessing and improving clinical
      practice to ensure the provision of best patient care.

PMID- 27274127
TI  - Considerations for double-hand replantation in a resource-constrained healthcare
      facility.
AB  - Bilateral-hand amputation is extremely rare and double-hand replantation is even
      rarer. Only one case of successful double replantation at arm level has been
      reported from India. We present a case of double-hand replantation at proximal
      palmar level in a young adult executed in a small nursing home. The patient
      presented 5 h after injury with limbs preserved well in ice. There were
      difficulties in executing such an unusual case in a small nursing home set-up.
      The patient is performing his activities of daily living and basic functions
      independently. We share our experience of this double-hand replantation with
      special emphasis on problems encountered. 

PMID- 27274126
TI  - Indigenous technique of fabricating vaginal mould for vaginal reconstruction and
      uterine drainage in McIndoe vaginoplasty using 10 ml syringe.
AB  - Absence of vagina poses multitude of physical and psychosocial problems in
      woman's life. 10% of Mayer- Rokitansky-uster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome patients with
      high vaginal septum and vaginal atreisa has additional issue of draining uterine
      cavity. MC Indoe vaginoplasty is universally acceptable and widely practiced
      procedure for neocolposis reconstruction. Simultaneous reconstruction of vagina
      with simultaneous continued uterine drainage presents surgical challenge. We
      offer a simple solution of creating a vaginal mould using a 10 ml disposable
      syringe, which enables graft application of neovaginal cavity with simultaneous
      protected uterine drainage per vaginum. Total 10 patients were included in this
      study of which 4 needed uterine drainage procedure in addition to neovaginal
      creation. All the patients fared well, there were no problems regarding graft
      loss or vaginal mould extrusion etc. Fabrication of mould for graft enables easy
      dressing changes with out disturbing the skin graft. This innovation offers a
      simple easily reproducible and cheap way of fabricating vaginal mould for McIndoe
      vaginoplasty. It is especially useful for neovaginal graft application and
      simultaneous uterine drainage. 

PMID- 27274128
TI  - Nerve sparing clitoroplasty in a rare case of idiopathic clitoromegaly.
AB  - Clitoromegaly is an embarrassing condition causing psychological stress,
      requiring intervention. The goals of clitoroplasty are to achieve normal genital
      anatomy and to preserve tactile sensation with a satisfactory sexual response. We
      present a rare case of idiopathic clitoromegaly managed by reduction
      clitoroplasty, preserving the dorsal neurovascular bundle and extensive network
      of nerves around the corpora to the glans and the creation of labia minora. 

PMID- 27274129
TI  - Immediate breast reconstruction using the free lumbar artery perforator flap and
      lateral thoracic vein interposition graft for recipient lateral thoracic artery
      anastomosis.
AB  - The lumbar artery perforator (LAP) flap, which contains excess skin and fat
      tissue, love handles, that extends from the lower back to upper buttock, may
      provide an alternate tissue source for autologous breast reconstruction. However,
      LAP flap use during this procedure frequently requires vessel interposition
      grafts to correct the short flap pedicle length and mismatched recipient vessel
      calibre. A 46-year-old patient underwent a right nipple-sparing mastectomy using
      a lateral approach for ductal carcinoma in situ and immediate LAP flap breast
      reconstruction. The lateral thoracic vessel served as the recipient vessel, and a
      lateral thoracic vein interposition graft from the distal remnant was performed
      to adjust the arterial length and size discrepancy between the recipient lateral
      thoracic artery and pedicle artery. This procedure facilitates microsurgical
      anastomosis and medialisation of LAP flap to make a natural decollete line and
      create a cleavage for the reconstructed breast. 

PMID- 27274130
TI  - Double free-flap for a bimalleolar defect of lower leg and ankle.
AB  - Double free-flaps are necessary when tissue cover cannot be sufficed with a
      single flap. The other factors to be considered when using two free flaps for
      resurfacing of distal limb defects are the availability of more than one
      recipient vessel, the risk of distal limb ischaemia and the donor site morbidity
      of double flap harvest. If these factors are adequately addressed, double free
      flaps can be safely executed for resurfacing distal limb defects with minimal
      morbidity. We report the simultaneous harvest and transfer of the anterolateral
      and anteromedial thigh flaps inset and vascularised as double free-flaps to
      resurface a large bimalleolar defect in a 14-year-old boy with no additional
      morbidity as compared to that of a single free tissue transfer. 

PMID- 27274131
TI  - Successful microsurgical replantation of an amputated penis.
AB  - Penile amputation is an uncommon injury for which immediate surgical replantation
      is warranted. Microsurgical replantation is the "standard" method for penile
      replantation. Early replantation yields a high success and low complication rate.
      We report a case of a 34-year-old male who presented with amputation at the
      proximal penile shaft which was successfully replanted using microsurgical
      techniques. Minor skin necrosis was noted post-operatively which was debrided and
      covered with skin graft. Follow-up at 6 months showed satisfactory cosmetic
      appearance, normal voiding, return of sensations and erectile function. The level
      of evidence was V. 

PMID- 27274132
TI  - Palatoglossal fusion with cleft palate and hypoplasia of cerebellar vermis.
AB  - A new-born male presented within 12 h of birth with respiratory distress. On
      examination and workup, he had palatoglossal fusion, cleft palate and hypoplasia
      of the cerebellar vermis. A 2.5 Fr endotracheal tube was inserted into the
      pharynx through nostril as a nasopharyngeal stent, following which his
      respiratory distress improved. Once child was optimised, then feeding was started
      by nasogastric tube and feeds were tolerated well. Elective tracheostomy and
      gastrostomy were done, followed by release of adhesions between the tongue and
      palate at a later stage. Review of literature suggests that palatoglossal fusion
      is uncommon and presents as an emergency. Mostly, these oral synechiae are
      associated with digital and/or cardiac anomaly. Other disorders associated with
      intra-oral synechiae include congenital alveolar synechiae, van der Woude
      syndrome, popliteal pterygium syndrome and oromandibular limb hypogenesis
      syndrome. The authors report a hitherto undescribed association of palatoglossal
      fusion with cleft palate and hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis. 

PMID- 27274133
TI  - Hand replantation: First experience in a sub-Saharan African country (Togo).
AB  - Fifty years after Chen has performed the first forearm replantation, we report
      our first case of hand replantation in a sub-Saharan African country. The
      etiology of the amputation was machete due to interpersonal violence. The
      amputation was trans-carpal, guillotine-type, subtotal non-viable maintained with
      a small skin bridge. The replantation procedure was successful. At one year
      follow-up, the functional result according to Chen's criteria was excellent.
      Through this first experience, we can state that hand replantation can be
      performed successfully both in survival and function in a non-specialized
      hospital of a sub-Saharan African country. 

PMID- 27274134
TI  - Glial heterotopia of the lip: A rare presentation.
AB  - Glial heterotopia represents collections of normal glial tissue in an abnormal
      location distant to the central nervous system or spinal canal with no
      intracranial connectivity. Nasal gliomas are non-neoplastic midline tumours, with
      limited growth potential and no similarity to the central nervous system gliomas.
      The nose and the nasopharynx are the most common sites of location. Existence of
      glial heterotopia in the lip region is a rare developmental disorder. We report a
      case of large glial heterotopia in the upper lip region in a full-term female
      newborn which had intracranial extension with a fibrotic band. After the surgery,
      there was no recurrence in the follow-up period of 3 years. When glial
      heterotopia, which is a rare midline anomaly, is suspected, possible intracranial
      connection and properties of the mass should be evaluated by magnetic resonance
      imaging. By this way, lower complication rate and better aesthetic results can be
      achieved with early diagnosis and proper surgery. 

PMID- 27274135
TI  - Hot-press hand injury caused by roller type ironing machine.
AB  - Thermal crush burn injury due to roller type ironing press machine is relatively
      rare and can cause destructive effects with significant morbidity. These injuries
      can be avoided by taking some basic precautions. Early debridement after
      admission and definitive treatment after the extent of injury are delineated and
      these are the preferred approaches in the management. We present a case of
      thermal crush injury of the hand caused by laundry roller type ironing press
      machine. 

PMID- 27274136
TI  - Reinforcement of peritoneal repair in donor site post-concurrent laparotomy and
      rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap breast reconstruction using autologous dermal
      graft repair from zone 4 of deep inferior epigastric perforator flap: A case
      series in Asian patients.

PMID- 27274138
TI  - Smart apps for the smart plastic surgeon-An update.

PMID- 27274137
TI  - A cost-effective cadaveric model for plastic surgery simulation.

PMID- 27274139
TI  - Modified way of applying a tie-over dressing.

PMID- 27274140
TI  - An alternative receptacle for fat harvest: The infant mucous sucker.

PMID- 27274141
TI  - 'Glove technique' to secure skin grafts: A novel technique.

PMID- 27274142
TI  - Achieving optimal leg position for fibula flap harvest.

PMID- 27274143
TI  - Concern with the use of electrodes in perforator marking.

PMID- 27274144
TI  - Author's reply to comments on 'A simple technique of marking the perforator of a
      free flap for post-operative monitoring'.

PMID- 27274145
TI  - Index case of kite string causing neurovascular and tendon injury to ankle is
      being reported.

PMID- 27274146
TI  - Primary Dentition Analysis: Exploring a Hidden Approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate prediction of the mesiodistal widths (MDWs) of canines and
      premolars in children with primary dentition facilitates interception of
      malocclusion at an early age. Boston University (BU) approach is one, i.e., based
      on primary teeth for predicting canine and premolar dimensions. AIM: To predict
      the canine and premolar dimensions, in the contemporary population, using BU
      approach and compare with the values obtained using Tanaka-Johnston (T/J)
      approach. DESIGN: Children in the age range of 7-11 years with presence of all
      permanent mandibular incisors and primary maxillary and mandibular canines and
      first molars were included in the study. Those with interproximal caries or
      restorations, abnormalities in shape or size and history of orthodontic treatment
      were excluded. Impressions of both arches were made using irreversible
      hydrocolloid and poured with dental stone. The MDWs of the required teeth were
      measured on the models using electronic digital vernier caliper from which widths
      of permanent canines and premolars were predicted using both T/J and BU
      approaches. RESULTS: Statistically significant (p = 0.00) positive correlation (r
      = 0.52-0.55) was observed between T/J and BU approaches. A statistically
      significant (p = 0.00) strong positive correlation (r = 0.72-0.77) was observed
      among girls, whereas boys showed a statistically nonsignificant weak positive
      correlation (r=0.17-0.42) based on gender. CONCLUSION: Boston University approach
      can be further studied prospectively to make it possible as a prediction method
      of permanent tooth dimensions for children in primary dentition stage. How to
      cite this article: Nuvvula S, Vanjari K, Kamatham R, Gaddam KR. Primary Dentition
      Analysis: Exploring a Hidden Approach. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):1-4.

PMID- 27274147
TI  - Assessment of the Airway Characteristics in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate
      using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to use cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to
      assess the dimensional changes in the nasopharyngeal soft-tissue characteristics
      in children of Indian origin with repaired cleft lip and palate (CLP) and to
      compare the results with patients with ideal occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      sample of 20 children (10 girls, 10 boys) with repaired CLP was selected. Cone
      beam computed tomography scans were taken to measure the nasopharyngeal airway
      changes in terms of linear measurements and sagittal cross-sectional areas. Error
      analysis was performed to prevent systematic or random errors. Independent means
      t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis were used to evaluate sex differences
      and the correlations among the variables. RESULTS: Nasopharyngeal soft-tissue
      characteristics were different in the control and the study groups. Subjects with
      repaired CLP had lesser lower aerial width, lower adenoidal width and lower
      airway width. The upper airway width was also significantly lesser. The
      retropalatal and the total airway area were significantly greater in the control
      group. CONCLUSION: The narrow pharyngeal airway in patients with CLP might result
      in functional impairment of breathing in patients. Further investigations are
      necessary to clarify the relationship between pharyngeal structure and airway
      function in patients with CLP. How to cite this article: Agarwal A, Marwah N.
      Assessment of the Airway Characteristics in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate
      using Cone Beam Computed Tomography. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):5-9.

PMID- 27274148
TI  - Ability of Pit and Fissure Sealant-containing Amorphous Calcium Phosphate to
      inhibit Enamel Demineralization.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the effect of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-containing pit
      and fissure sealant on inhibition of enamel demineralization in vitro. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Enamel specimens (n = 75) were prepared using freshly extracted
      noncarious human third molars. Box-shaped cavities (8 * 2 * 2 mm) on the buccal
      or lingual surfaces were prepared and restored with resin-based sealant
      (ConciseTM), ACP-containing sealant (Aegis(r)) or fluoride-containing sealant
      (Conseal-FTM). The samples were acid challenged in a demineralizing solution of
      50 mmol/l lactic acid at pH 5.0 for 4 days. The change in enamel microhardness
      (ASuH) was calculated. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance
      (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: The mean SuH0 (+/-SD) (in Vicker's
      unit) prior to the acid challenge was: ConciseTM (318.83 +/- 33.86), Aegis(r)
      (331.03 +/- 21.52), Conseal-FTM (310.12 +/- 34.31). Following the acid challenge,
      the values dropped in all groups and ASuH (+/-SD) values were 269.17 +/- 47.49,
      151.39 +/- 23.96 and 175.79 +/- 32.39 respectively. CONCLUSION: The ACP
      containing pit and fissure sealant has the potential to inhibit enamel
      demineralization. How to cite this article: Zawaideh FI, Owais AI, Kawaja W.
      Ability of pit and fissure sealant-containing amorphous calcium phosphate to
      inhibit enamel demineralization. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):10-14.

PMID- 27274149
TI  - Effect of Comprehensive Dental Rehabilitation on Growth Parameters in Pediatric
      Patients with Severe Early Childhood Caries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children who have severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) weigh
      significantly less than caries-free children. The association between S-ECC and
      weight suggests that its timely treatment at early stages may preserve general
      health, in addition to preventing pain and infection. OBJECTIVE: This study was
      conducted to evaluate whether children with untreated S-ECC had lower weight and
      height as compared with children with low caries and to evaluate whether full
      mouth rehabilitation of children with S-ECC resulted in the phenomenon of catch
      up growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The weight and height of children with
      noncontributory medical histories and S-ECC (3-6 years) were compared with caries
      free children, before and 6 months after full mouth dental rehabilitation.
      RESULTS: Prior to dental rehabilitation, children with S-ECC had significantly
      less weight and height than their comparison counterparts (p < 0.001). Following
      therapeutic intervention, the test group children exhibited catch-up growth in
      relation to weight, as there was no significant difference in the body weight of
      the test and control groups (p = 0.171). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive full mouth
      rehabilitation of children with S-ECC results in catch-up growth, thus improving
      the overall health of the child. How to cite this article: Sachdev J, Bansal K,
      Chopra R. Effect of Comprehensive Dental Rehabilitation on Growth Parameters in
      Pediatric Patients with Severe Early Childhood Caries. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent
      2016;9(1):15-20.

PMID- 27274150
TI  - Effect of 95% Ethanol as a Final Irrigant before Root Canal Obturation in Primary
      Teeth: An in vitro Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Successful obturation in the primary teeth demands complete dryness
      of the root canal system. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the
      effect of 95% ethanol as the final irrigant before root canal obturation in
      primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 extracted primary mandibular
      canines were biomechanically prepared and pre-obturated volume of each tooth was
      assessed using spiral computed tomography (CT). The specimens were divided into
      two groups (n = 10): group 1, Metapex group; group 2, zinc oxide eugenol group.
      Each group was further divided randomly into two subgroups (n = 5): subgroup 1,
      canals were dried with 95% ethanol; subgroup 2, canals were blot dried with paper
      points with the last one appearing dry. All canals were obturated and the
      postobturated volume of each tooth was measured. The percentage of obturated
      volume (POV) was calculated using the formula: (postobturated volume/preobturated
      volume) * 100. The POV between the groups was statistically analyzed using Mann
      Whitney test and Wilcoxon Signed rank test appropriately. RESULTS: Root canals
      that were dried with ethanol showed better obturation than using paper points
      alone and the difference was statistically significant in both group 1 (p <
      0.001) and group 2 (p < 0.002). CONCLUSION: Drying of the root canal system with
      95% ethanol can result in better obturation in the primary teeth. How to cite
      this article: Thiruvenkadam G, Asokan S, John B, Geetha Priya PR. Effect of 95%
      Ethanol as a Final Irrigant before Root Canal Obturation in Primary Teeth: An in
      vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):21-24.

PMID- 27274151
TI  - Antimicrobial Efficacy of Probiotic and Herbal Oral Rinses against Candida
      albicans in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A growing number of dentists are embracing the philosophy that
      natural agents are better for children's oral health. Knowledge of probiotics on
      host immune system has entered a new phase of research, and progression in this
      field is likely to offer novel means by modulating host immunity for prevention
      and treatment of a wide variety of oral diseases. AIM: To compare the
      antimicrobial efficacy of probiotics in reducing salivary Candida albicans counts
      with commonly used antimicrobial agents like 0.2% chlorhexidine and herbal rinse.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 subjects
      aged between 6 and 14 years, for a period of 9 months. The subjects were randomly
      divided into three groups comprising 20 subjects in each group. Three oral agents
      were administered twice daily for a maximum period of 1 week. Candida albicans
      counts were recorded before and after intervention and the results were submitted
      for statistical analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
      version 15.0 software. RESULTS: The change in mean log10 colony-forming unit
      (CFU)/ ml of C. albicans in groups A to C was 0.43 +/- 0.72, 0.68 +/- 1.05 and
      0.22 +/- 0.66 CFU/ml respectively. CONCLUSION: Data obtained from the study
      demonstrated that probiotic rinse was equally effective as 0.2% chlorhexidine
      digluconate rinse in reducing C. albicans counts after 1 week of intervention.
      Herbal oral rinse was least effective. Probiotic oral rinses have opened new
      horizons in improvement of oral health by maintaining healthy ecosystem. However,
      a longitudinal study with larger sample size needs to be undertaken to evaluate
      the therapeutic effects of probiotics and herbal agents. How to cite this
      article: Mishra R, Tandon S, Rathore M, Banerjee M. Antimicrobial Efficacy of
      Probiotic and Herbal Oral Rinses against Candida albicans in Children: A
      Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):25-30.

PMID- 27274152
TI  - Impact of Dental Health Education on "Specific Learning Needs" Children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This article compares and evaluates the effect of dental health
      education through schoolteachers and dental health professionals to "specific
      learning needs" children attending special school. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total
      of 71 "specific learning needs" children attending special school participated in
      the study. The baseline oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S) for all the
      participants was recorded. The training of schoolteachers was done using
      audiovisual and verbal methods on dental health facts and how to provide
      instructions on oral hygiene measures for reinforcing to the students. The
      students were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1 - No further dental
      health education by the schoolteachers or by the dental professionals was given
      to these students after the initial oral health education. Group 2 - In this
      group, the trained teachers taught students about the importance of oral health
      and demonstrated them brushing technique at intervals of 15 days, 1 month and 3
      months. Group 3 - The dental professionals imparted dental health education and
      also demonstrated brushing techniques to these students at intervals of 15 days,
      1 month and 3 months. Six months following the intervention a second examination
      was done to find out the OHI-S scores. Data analysis were done with Statistical
      Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 using one-way analysis of
      variance (ANOVA) statistical test. RESULTS: Group 2 demonstrated significant
      decline in OHI-S scores after intervention and all the three groups showed a
      statistically significant difference between the baseline OHI-S score and the
      scores after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Schoolteachers can be utilized for reinforcing
      dental health education among "specific learning needs" children effectively. How
      to cite this article: Relwani AH, Kiran S, Bhatt R, Patel M. Impact of Dental
      Health Education on "Specific Learning Needs" Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent
      2016;9(1):31-34.

PMID- 27274153
TI  - Effect of Chewing Bicarbonate-containing Sugar-free Gum on the Salivary pH: An in
      vivo Study.
AB  - The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of chewing gum on the
      salivary pH and to compare the effect of chewing bicarbonate-containing sugar
      free gum on salivary pH against that of standard sugar-free gum. The experiment
      was carried out on 30 volunteers aged 20-22 years (mean age = 21 years) who
      fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The test gum was sugar-free greenmint-flavored
      bicarbonate-containing gum and the standard control was sugar-free spearmint
      flavored gum. The pH was measured immediately using pH strips. According to
      statistical analysis, the mean salivary pH of the bicarbonate gum at 0, 5, 10, 15
      and 20 minutes is 6.9713, 6.5667, 6.4267, 6.3867 and 6.3233 respectively. There
      is decrease in pH from 0 to 20 minutes. According to Bonferroni, there was no
      significant difference in pH from 0 to 20 minutes, 10 to 20 minutes and 15 to 20
      minutes, but there was a significant difference in salivary pH from 5 to 20
      minutes (p = 0.014). The mean salivary pH of the standard gum at 0, 5, 10, 15 and
      20 minutes is 6.8767, 6.6067, 6.4200, 6.4027 and 6.3000 respectively. There is
      decrease in pH from 0 to 20 minutes. According to Bonferroni, there was no
      significant difference in pH from 0 to 20 minutes, 5 to 20 minutes, 10 to 20
      minutes and 15 to 20 minutes. Thus, the higher salivary pH achieved with chewing
      bicarbonate gum compared with a standard sugar-free gum may have important oral
      health implications. How to cite this article: Ballal RK, Bhat SS, Ramdas SS,
      Ballal S. Effect of Chewing Bicarbonate-containing Sugar-free Gum on the Salivary
      pH: An in vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):35-38. 

PMID- 27274154
TI  - Association of Dermatoglyphic Peculiarities with Dental Caries in Preschool
      Children of Lucknow, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dermatoglyphics refers to study of the intricate dermal ridge
      configurations on the skin covering the palmar and plantar surfaces of hand and
      feet. The basis of considering dermatoglyphic patterns as genetic marker for
      dental caries is that the epithelium of finger buds as well as enamel has
      ectodermal origin, and both develop at the same time of intrauterine life. AIM:
      To assess the relationship between fingerprint patterns and dental caries among
      preschool children of Lucknow city. STUDY DESIGN: This study was of cross
      sectional design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 512 preschool
      children 2-6 years of age. The prevalence of caries was recorded using "Dentition
      status and treatment needs" (WHO basic oral health assessment form, 1997). They
      were divided into three groups as follows: Group I (dmft score = 0-2), group II
      (dmft score = 3-4) and group III (dmft score >=5). The handprints of each child
      were taken using a stamp pad. The fingertip patterns were analyzed according to
      the classical method and were classified according to the topological method. The
      frequency of occurrence of type of dermatoglyphic pattern on fingertip of each
      digit was noted. STATISTICS: Chi-square test was used to test the significant
      difference in proportions. Means were compared using Student's t-test and
      analysis of variance (ANOVA) or F-test. RESULTS: Subjects belonging to groups II
      and III showed maximum occurrence of whorl pattern on all digits. Group I
      subjects had maximum occurrence of arch pattern. All the variables had
      statistically significant value, with a degree of divergence of specific
      dermatoglyphic patterns among all three groups. CONCLUSION: The dental caries
      susceptibility of an individual increased with incidence of whorl pattern and it
      decreased with incidence of arch pattern. How to cite this article: Singh E, Saha
      S, Jagannath GV, Singh S, Saha S, Garg N. Association of Dermatoglyphic
      Peculiarities with Dental Caries in Preschool Children of Lucknow, India. Int J
      Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):39-44.

PMID- 27274155
TI  - Reciprocating vs Rotary Instrumentation in Pediatric Endodontics: Cone Beam
      Computed Tomographic Analysis of Deciduous Root Canals using Two Single-file
      Systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary root canals are considered to be most challenging due to
      their complex anatomy. "Wave one" and "one shape" are single-file systems with
      reciprocating and rotary motion respectively. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate and compare dentin thickness, centering ability, canal transportation,
      and instrumentation time of wave one and one shape files in primary root canals
      using a cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) analysis. STUDY DESIGN: This is an
      experimental, in vitro study comparing the two groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      total of 24 extracted human primary teeth with minimum 7 mm root length were
      included in the study. Cone beam computed tomographic images were taken before
      and after the instrumentation for each group. Dentin thickness, centering
      ability, canal transportation, and instrumentation times were evaluated for each
      group. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in instrumentation time and
      canal transportation measures between the two groups. Wave one showed less canal
      transportation as compared with one shape, and the mean instrumentation time of
      wave one was significantly less than one shape. CONCLUSION: Reciprocating single
      file systems was found to be faster with much less procedural errors and can
      hence be recommended for shaping the root canals of primary teeth. How to cite
      this article: Prabhakar AR, Yavagal C, Dixit K, Naik SV. Reciprocating vs Rotary
      Instrumentation in Pediatric Endodontics: Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Analysis
      of Deciduous Root Canals using Two Single-File Systems. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent
      2016;9(1):45-49.

PMID- 27274156
TI  - Prevalence of Malocclusion among 10-12-year-old Schoolchildren in Kozhikode
      District, Kerala: An Epidemiological Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A malocclusion is an irregularity of the teeth or a malrelationship
      of the dental arches beyond the range of what is accepted as normal. OBJECTIVES:
      To determine the prevalence of malocclusion in children aged 10-12 years in
      Kozhikode district of Kerala, South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive
      cross-sectional study was conducted among schoolchildren aged 10-12 years in six
      schools in Kozhikode district of Kerala, South India. A total of 2,366 children
      satisfied the inclusion criteria. Occlusal characteristics like crossbite, open
      bite, deep bite, protrusion of teeth, midline deviations, midline diastema and
      tooth rotation were recorded. The data were tabulated and analyzed using Chi
      square test. RESULTS: The results revealed that the overall prevalence of
      malocclusion was 83.3%. Of this, 69.8% of the children had Angle's class I
      malocclusion, 9.3% had class II malocclusion (division 1 = 8.85%, division 2 =
      0.5%) and 4.1% had class III malocclusion; 23.2% showed an increased overjet (>3
      mm), 0.4% reverse overjet, 35.6% increased overbite (>3 mm), 0.29% open bite,
      7.2% crossbite with 4.6% crossbite of complete anterior teeth, 63.3% deviation of
      midline, 0.76% midline diastema and 3.25% rotated tooth. No significant
      differences in gender distributions of malocclusions were noted except for
      increased overjet and overbite. CONCLUSION: There is high prevalence of
      malocclusion among schoolchildren in Kozhikode district of Kerala. Early
      interception and early correction of these malocclusions will eliminate the
      potential irregularities and malpositions in the developing dentofacial complex.
      How to cite this article: Narayanan RK, Jeseem MT, Kumar TVA. Prevalence of
      Malocclusion among 10-12-year-old Schoolchildren in Kozhikode District, Kerala:
      An Epidemiological Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):50-55.

PMID- 27274157
TI  - Knowledge and Awareness of Primary Teeth and Their Importance among Parents in
      Bengaluru City, India.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Often people responsible for the oral care of children feel or
      believe that since primary teeth will eventually shed, it is not worthwhile to
      spend time/money on providing good oral health to children. Parents are the ones
      who take care of their children and make decisions for them. Hence, they should
      have knowledge about primary teeth, their health and caring in order to build
      confidence in their children through tiny teeth. AIM: To assess the knowledge of
      primary teeth and their importance among parents with children below 12 years.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,000 questionnaires containing questions
      written both in English and in the local language (Kannada) were prepared for
      data collection and were personally distributed to parents visiting dental
      clinics for their children's dental treatment. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Both
      descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used. RESULTS: Complaints related
      to dental caries constituted 82% of children visiting dental clinics among
      children in Bengaluru city. Only 39% of respondents were aware of all functions
      of primary teeth. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that the parents of
      Bengaluru city had superficial or partial knowledge of primary teeth and that
      there is a need to improve this awareness. How to cite this article: Setty JV,
      Srinivasan I. Knowledge and Awareness of Primary Teeth and Their Importance among
      Parents in Bengaluru City, India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):56-61.

PMID- 27274158
TI  - Awareness in Primary School Teachers regarding Traumatic Dental Injuries in
      Children and Their Emergency Management: A Survey in South Jaipur.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Trauma to primary and permanent teeth and their supporting
      structures is one of the most common dental problems seen in children. The
      prognosis of traumatized teeth depends on timely attention with prompt and
      appropriate treatment, which often relies on knowledge of the teachers who may be
      present at the place of accidents. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate
      via a questionnaire the knowledge level of primary school teachers in South
      Jaipur regarding dental trauma. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A self-designed questionnaire was administered to 300 primary school
      teachers from 20 randomly selected private and semi-aided schools of South
      Jaipur. RESULTS: A total of 278 teachers responded to the survey. The collected
      data were subjected to statistical analysis. It was found that most of the
      respondents had accepted poor knowledge regarding dental trauma, with a mean
      knowledge of 10.56 +/- 2.58. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted inadequate
      knowledge regarding emergency management of traumatic dental injuries, and
      teachers felt the need for training in the management of dental trauma as part of
      their training program. How to cite this article: Nirwan M, Syed AA, Chaturvedi
      S, Goenka P, Sharma S. Awareness in Primary School Teachers regarding Traumatic
      Dental Injuries in Children and Their Emergency Management: A Survey in South
      Jaipur. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):62-66.

PMID- 27274159
TI  - Pendulum Therapy of Molar Distalization in Mixed Dentition.
AB  - Early and timely pedo-orthodontic treatment is aimed at eliminating the
      disturbances of skeletal or dentoalveolar development, to harmonize the
      stomatognathic system before the full eruption of all permanent teeth. The
      advantages of pendulum appliance are its minimal dependence on patient's
      compliance (child cooperation), ease of fabrication, onetime activation and
      adjustment of the springs if necessary to correct minor transverse and vertical
      molar positions. This article reports a successful treatment method of class II
      malocclusion with pendulum appliance in mixed dentition phase. Distalization of
      maxillary molar was done, followed by guidance of canine impaction
      orthodontically and other dental correction using 0.022 MBT appliances.
      Posttreatment results were stable and remarkable. How to cite this article: Patil
      RU, Prakash A, Agarwal A. Pendulum Therapy of Molar Distalization in Mixed
      Dentition. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):67-73. 

PMID- 27274160
TI  - Agenesis of Permanent Mandibular Central Incisors: A Concordant Condition in
      Siblings.
AB  - Concordance is an identical expression of phenotype in two related individuals.
      Concordance expression of hypodontia is an uncommon condition where associated
      individuals are affected with exactly similar kind and number of missing teeth.
      There is very limited documentation of this condition either in twins or in
      siblings, and literature shows paucity of data with regard to this anomaly. To
      the best of our knowledge, there is only one such case reported in the
      literature, which has actually showed similar missing lower central incisors in
      siblings. This report presents a case of two girl siblings aged 11 and 13 years
      with congenital bilateral missing of permanent mandibular central incisors, which
      is an absolute concordant condition. Apart from discussing etiology, clinical
      implications and management, this article highlights the significance of
      concordant and discordant condition of hypodontia and expression of this
      condition in twins and siblings. How to cite this article: Kagitha PK, Namineni
      S, Tupalli AR, Challa SK. Agenesis of Permanent Mandibular Central Incisors: A
      Concordant Condition in Siblings. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):74-77. 

PMID- 27274161
TI  - A Rare Clinical Variant of Oromandibular Limb Hypogenesis Syndrome Type I B.
AB  - Aglossia is a rare congenital malformation that often occurs as an isolated
      disorder or is observed in association with other congenital deformities,
      particularly limb defects. We present a unique case of a 7-year-old girl with
      aglossia, hypodactyli, rudimentary ears, retrognathic and V-shaped mandible. Her
      parental history revealed intrauterine exposure of medicines. The patient had
      problems in difficulty in eating, speech, taste sensation and hearing. The
      present case does not fit into Hall's classification of oromandibular limb
      hypogenesis syndrome (OLHS) which best describes hypoglossia and limb
      deformities. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to document the rare
      variant of OLHS which can be included in Hall's classification. How to cite this
      article: Kalaskar RR, Godhane A, Kalaskar A, Demble S. A Rare Clinical Variant of
      Oromandibular Limb Hypogenesis Syndrome Type I B. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent
      2016;9(1):78-81. 

PMID- 27274162
TI  - Hypothyroidism and Sturge-Weber Syndrome associated with Bilateral Port-wine
      Nevus.
AB  - Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare, nonhereditary developmental condition that
      is characterized by a hamartomatous vascular proliferation of the brain,
      resulting in multiple angiomas that occur on the same side due to arteriovenous
      malformations. It is believed to be caused by persistence of a vascular plexus
      around the cephalic portion of the neural tube and is present at birth in about 1
      in every 50,000 babies. It is one of the phakomatoses which is often associated
      with port-wine stains (PWSs) of the face, glaucoma, seizures, mental retardation
      and ipsilateral leptomeningeal angioma. Many people with SWS probably never know
      they have it. Hypothyroidism is a condition that arises from inadequate release
      of thyroid-stimulating hormone to stimulate an otherwise normal thyroid gland.
      This condition is often associated with a deficient secretion of other pituitary
      hormone, and growth hormone deficiency occurs with an increased prevalence in
      SWS, presumably secondary to involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
      Diagnosis is made by the presence of a facial PWS and evidence of leptomeningeal
      angioma either by skull X-ray or computed tomography scan that shows intracranial
      calcifications. Presently, there is no specific treatment for SWS, and the
      management of the clinical manifestations and complications is still far from
      adequate. Here, we report the case of hypothyroidism associated with SWS with
      oral and facial manifestations in an 11-year-old boy. How to cite this article:
      Saroj G, Gangwar A, Dhillon JK. Hypothyroidism and Sturge-Weber Syndrome
      associated with Bilateral Port-wine Nevus. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1): 82
      85. 

PMID- 27274163
TI  - Space Maintenance with an Innovative "Tube and Loop" Space Maintainer (Nikhil
      Appliance).
AB  - Despite the best efforts in prevention, premature loss of primary teeth continues
      to be a common problem in pediatric dentistry, resulting in disruption of arch
      integrity and adversely affecting the proper alignment of permanent successors.
      Space maintainers (SMs) are special appliances used for maintaining space created
      due to premature loss of primary teeth. Band and loop SM is mostly indicated for
      the premature loss of single primary molar, but this appliance has a number of
      limitations both for operators and for patients. Presented in this article is an
      innovative "Tube and Loop" SM (Nikhil appliance) which offers several advantages
      over the conventional band and loop SM. It is not only easy and quick to
      fabricate but can also be completed in a single sitting and cumbersome steps like
      impression making and laboratory procedures namely soldering are eliminated. How
      to cite this article: Srivastava N, Grover J, Panthri P. Space Maintenance with
      an Innovative "Tube and Loop" Space Maintainer (Nikhil Appliance). Int J Clin
      Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):86-89. 

PMID- 27274164
TI  - Review of Dilaceration of Maxillary Central Incisor: A Mutidisciplinary
      Challenge.
AB  - Traumatic injuries to primary dentition may interfere with the development of
      permanent dentition. Among the many malformations, dilaceration is particularly
      important to the clinician. Management of dilacerated maxillary central incisor
      requires a multidisciplinary approach. The main purpose of this review is to
      present the etiological factors, the mechanism, clinical features, radiographic
      features and treatment of dilaceration of the maxillary central incisors. How to
      cite this article: Walia PS, Rohilla AK, Choudhary S, Kaur R. Review of
      Dilaceration of Maxillary Central Incisor: A Multidisciplinary Challenge. Int J
      Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):90-98. 

PMID- 27274165
TI  - Uremic Toxins - Novel Arrhythmogenic Factor in Chronic Kidney Disease - Related
      Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) is associated with a high prevalence of AF, and uremic toxins are
      an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases associated with CKD. Uremic
      toxins can produce pro-fibrotic, pro-hypertrophic, and pro-inflammatory effects
      on cardiac tissues and enhance oxidative stress or neurohormonal phenomena of
      cardiovascular injury, which are recognized as arrhythmogenic factors of AF. This
      article reviews the clinical, molecular, and electrophysiological data of uremic
      toxins in CKD considered to induce AF through multiple mechanisms on structural
      and electrical remodeling of the cardiovascular system. 

PMID- 27274166
TI  - Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Presenting as ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial
      Infarction Referred for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: When acute aortic dissection is complicated with acute myocardial
      infarction, the diagnosis of dissection can be problematic. In these cases,
      patients might be treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
      and suffer acatastrophic outcome. However, there are few reports or algorithm to
      facilitate the accurate management of this clinical situation. METHODS: We
      evaluated 385 consecutive patients who underwent primary PCI arising from an
      initial diagnosis of STEMI at our hospitalbetween January 2006 and March 2011.
      Clinical characteristics, coronary angiographic findings, and outcomes were
      obtained from medical charts and databases. RESULTS: Five patients (1.3%) with
      STEMI secondary to aortic dissection were identified. All patients (100%) had
      sudden-onset of chest pain and a history of hypertension without diabetes or
      hyperlipidemia. An increased resistance while advancing the diagnostic catheter
      was reported by the operators in 3 of 5 patients (60%). Aortography performed by
      manual contrast-medium injection showed the discrepancy in the diameter between
      the aortic root and the ascending aorta in 4 patients (100%), and ascending
      aortic intimal flap dissections were noted in 3 patients (75%). Alternating
      appearance and disappearance of the coronary artery ostium was observed in 2
      patients, and bedside echocardiography showed intimal flap extension inall 4
      patients (100%) who underwent this examination. The mortality rate at 30days was
      40%. CONCLUSIONS: We construct an algorithm that incorporated factors including
      careful history evaluation, bedside echocardiography, resistance encountered
      while advancing a catheter, and findings of aortography performed with manual
      injection,which could b evaluable for this clinical situation.

PMID- 27274167
TI  - Direct Adsorption of Anti-CD34 Antibodies on the Nano-Porous Stent Surface to
      Enhance Endothelialization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In-stent restenosis following the insertion of conventional drug
      eluting stent has become an extremely serious problem due to coating techniques,
      with polymer matrices used to bind biological ingredients to the stent surface.
      However, several studies have indicated that new pro-healing technique could
      prevent stent thrombosis that can be caused by conventional drug-eluting stents.
      METHODS: A novel method of attaching anti-CD34 antibodies directly on the porous
      surface of a 316L stainless steel bare metal stent was developed in this study,
      which achieved both high stability of attached anti-CD34 antibodies on the metal
      stent surface and high antibody activity for stem cell capture. RESULTS: The in
      vitro and in vivo experimental results indicated that the new stent with directly
      coupled anti-CD34 antibodies can efficiently enhance stent endothelialization.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that we have developed a unique method of
      attaching anti-CD34 antibodies directly on the porous surface of a 316L stainless
      steel bare metal stent, which provides a novel polymer-free approach for
      developing pro-healing stents.

PMID- 27274168
TI  - Psychosocial Stress and Risk of Myocardial Infarction: A Case-Control Study in
      Belgrade (Serbia).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate which psychosocial risk
      factors show the strongest association with occurrence of myocardial infarction
      (MI) in the population of Belgrade in peacetime, after the big political changes
      in Serbia. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted involving 154 consecutive
      newly diagnosed patients with MI, and 308 controls matched by gender, age, and
      place of residence. RESULTS: According to conditional logistic regression
      analysis, after adjustment for conventional coronary risk factors, the odds
      ratios (95% confidence intervals) for work-related stressful events, financial
      stress, deaths and diseases, and general stress were 3.78 (1.83-7.81), 3.80 (1.96
      7.38), 1.69 (1.03-2.78), and 3.54 (2.01-6.22), respectively. Among individual
      stressful life events, the following were independently related to MI: death of a
      close family member, 2.21 (1.01-4.84); death of a close friend, 42.20 (3.70
      481.29); major financial problems, 8.94 (1.83-43.63); minor financial problems,
      4.74 (2.02-11.14); changes in working hours, 4.99 (1.64-15.22); and changes in
      working conditions, 30.94 (5.43-176.31). CONCLUSIONS: During this political
      transition period , stress at work, financial stress, and stress in general as
      they impacted the population of Belgrade, Serbia were strongly associated with
      occurence of MI.

PMID- 27274169
TI  - Influenza Vaccination Reduces Hospitalization for Heart Failure in Elderly
      Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a higher
      risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Previous studies have
      reported the beneficial effects of the influenza vaccine in patients with CVD.
      However, the effects of influenza vaccination on the reduction of
      hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) in elderly patients with CKD remain
      unclear. METHODS: This cohort study comprised elderly patients (>= 55 years of
      age) with a recorded diagnosis of CKD (n = 4406) between January 1, 1999 and
      December 31, 2008. Each patient was followed-up until the end of 2008. The hazard
      ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between the
      influenza vaccination and the first HF hospitalization were analyzed. In
      addition, the patients were categorized into four groups based on their
      vaccination status (unvaccinated and total number of vaccinations: 1, 2-3, and >=
      4). RESULTS: We found that elderly patients with CKD receiving influenza
      vaccination exhibited a lower risk of HF hospitalization (adjusted HR, 0.31; 95%
      CI, 0.26-0.39, p < 0.001). The protective effects of influenza vaccination
      remained consistent regardless of the age group (55-64, 65-74, >= 75), sex, and
      influenza seasonality. When the patients were stratified according to the total
      number of vaccinations, the adjusted HRs for HF hospitalization were 0.60 (0.47
      0.77), 0.30 (0.23-0.41), and 0.10 (0.06-0.16) for patients who received 1, 2-3,
      and >= 4 vaccinations during the follow-up period, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results revealed that elderly patients with CKD receiving annual influenza
      vaccination are at a lower risk of HF hospitalization.

PMID- 27274171
TI  - Predictive Value of Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio in
      Patients with Coronary Slow Flow.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased microvascular resistance due to chronic inflammation is
      assumed to be one of the mechanisms associated with coronary slow flow (CSF).
      Previous studies have shown that the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the
      neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are markers of inflammation for various
      diseases. In this study we aimed to evaluate the relationship between CSF and PLR
      NLR. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with CSF and 50 patients with normal
      coronary flow were enrolled into this study. The study subjects underwent medical
      examination and testing, after which their platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios and NLR
      values were calculated. An independent observer measured the coronary flow rate
      by Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Frame Count (TFC) method. The platelet
      to-lymphocyte ratio and NLR values were compared between the groups and
      correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between mean TFC
      with PLR and NLR. RESULTS: Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and NLR values were
      significantly higher in patients with CSF (p < 0.001). There was a positive
      significant correlation between TFC with NLR and PLR (Spearman's Rho: 0.59, p <
      0.001 and Spearman's Rho: 0.30, p = 0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic
      regression analysis revealed that NLR is the one independent predictor for CSF.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated an association between CSF and PLR-NLR.
      Although the exact mechanism could not be explained, our findings support the
      possible role of inflammation in CSF physiopathology.

PMID- 27274170
TI  - Pulmonary Hypertension in Hemodialysis Patients Following Repeated Endovascular
      Thrombectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension is unusually high in
      Taiwanese patients with end-stage renal disease. Thrombosis of hemodialysis
      grafts is common and pulmonary embolism has been reported after endovascular
      thrombectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between
      pulmonary hypertension and endovascular thrombectomy of hemodialysis grafts.
      METHODS: One hundred and ten patients on hemodialysis via arteriovenous grafts
      were enrolled in our study. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) was measured
      by right heart catheterization. Clinical information was collected by review of
      medical records. Comorbid cardiopulmonary disease was evaluated by
      echocardiography and chest X-ray. The history of patient vascular access
      thrombosis was reviewed from database, hemodialysis records, and interviews with
      staff at hemodialysis centers. RESULTS: Fifty-two participants (47%) had
      pulmonary hypertension diagnosed by right heart catheterization. There was no
      difference in the number of thrombectomy procedures between patients with and
      without pulmonary hypertension. Based on multivariate analysis, the number of
      prior endovascular thrombectomy procedures did not correlate with mean PAP (F
      value = 1.10, p = 0.30) nor was it associated with pulmonary hypertension (odds
      ratio = 0.92, p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Prior endovascular arteriovenous graft
      thrombectomies were not associated with pulmonary hypertension or increased mean
      PAP in end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

PMID- 27274172
TI  - Assessment of Prognostic Value of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet to
      Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute pulmonary embolism is a serious medical condition that has a
      substantial global impact. Inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology and
      prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE). The aim of the present study was to
      investigate the prognostic value of admission parameters for complete blood count
      (CBC) in APE. METHODS: A total of 203 patients who were hospitalized with
      diagnosed APE were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Clinical data, PESI
      scores, admission CBC parameters, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and
      platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were all recorded. The clinical outcomes of
      study subjects were determined by the reported patient 30-day mortality and long
      term mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 20 months
      [interquantile range 17], 34 subjects in the study population (17%) died. NLR and
      PLR levels were significantly higher in patients who died within the 30 days (n =
      14) [9.9 (5.5) vs. 4.5 (4.1), p = 0.01 and 280 (74) vs. 135 (75), p = 0.01,
      respectively] and during the long-term follow-up (n = 20) [8.4 (2.9) vs. 4.1
      (3.8), p = 0.01 and 153 (117) vs. 133 (73), p = 0.03, respectively] when compared
      to the patients that survived. In Cox regression analysis, age, systolic blood
      pressure, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, PESI scores (HR 1.02 95%CI 1.01
      1.04, p = 0.01), elevated levels of NLR (HR 1.13 95%CI 1.04-1.23, p = 0.01) and
      PLR (HR 1.002 95%CI 1.001-1.004, p = 0.01) were independently correlated with
      total mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Admission NLR and PLR may have prognostic value in
      patients with APE.

PMID- 27274173
TI  - Antiplatelet Effect of Sequential Administration of Cilostazol in Patients with
      Acetylsalycilic Acid Resistance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) resistance in patients with coronary
      artery disease is an important medical problem that can affect treatment decision
      making and outcomes. Cilostazol has been investigated to determine its
      effectiveness in patients with acetylsalicylic acid resistance. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the antiplatelet efficacy of sequential administration of
      CLZ in patients with ASA resistance. METHODS: A total of 180 patients were
      enrolled in our study. Patients with stable coronary artery disease were first
      given orally ASA 100 for 10 days, followed by collagen/epinephrine induced
      closure time (CTCEPI) measurements. Those who were found to be resistant to
      orally 100 mg of ASA were given orally 300 mg of ASA for an additional 10 days
      after which we repeated CTCEPI measurements. Those patients with resistance to
      orally 300 mg ASA were then given CLZ at a daily dose of orally 200 mg for 10
      days followed by a final CTCEPI measurement. RESULTS: The rate of resistance to
      100 mg ASA was 81/180 (45%) compared to a rate of 35/81 (43.2%) with 300 mg ASA.
      Of the 35 patients found to be resistant to 300 mg ASA, 22 (62.9%) also failed to
      respond to CLZ treatment. Overall, sequential administration of 300 mg ASA and
      200 mg CLZ resulted in a reduction in the number of non-responders from 45% to
      12.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of CLZ could be of benefit in some patients with
      ASA-resistance for whom an effective anti-aggregant effect is of clinical
      importance.

PMID- 27274174
TI  - Chest Pain with Normal Thallium-201 Myocardial Perfusion Image - Is It Really
      Normal?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thallium-201 myocardial perfusion image (MPI) is commonly used to
      detect coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain. Although a normal
      thallium-201 MPI result is generally considered to be a good prognosis and
      further coronary angiogram is not recommended, there are still a few patients who
      suffer from unexpected acute coronary events. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the clinical prognosis in patients with normal thallium-201 MPI.
      METHODS: From January 2006 to August 2012, a total 22,003 patients undergoing
      thallium-201 MPI in one tertiary center were screened. Of these, 8092 patients
      had normal results and were investigated retrospectively. During follow-up, 54
      patients underwent coronary angiogram because of refractory typical angina
      pectoris or unexpected acute coronary events. These 54 patients were divided into
      2 groups: group I consisted of 26 (48.1%) patients with angiography-proven
      significant coronary artery stenosis, and group II consisted of 28 (51.9%)
      patients without significant stenosis. RESULTS: Patients in group I had a higher
      prevalence of prior coronary stenting and electrocardiographic features of ST
      depression compared with patients in group II. The multivariate analysis
      demonstrated that both prior coronary stenting and ST depression were risk
      predictors of unexpected acute coronary events in the patients with normal
      thallium-201 MPI [odds ratio (OR), 5.93; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03
      34.06, p = 0.05 and OR, 7.10; 95% CI: 1.28-39.51, p = 0.03,respectively].
      CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a low incidence of unexpected acute coronary
      events in patients with chest pain and normal thallium-201 MPI, physicians should
      be aware of the potentials risk in certain patients in this specific population.

PMID- 27274175
TI  - Risk Factors for Thrombosis, Overshunting and Death in Infants after Modified
      Blalock-Taussig Shunt.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt procedure can provide increased
      flow of blood to the lungs for babies born with certain congenital heart defects.
      We evaluated 44 subjects under 2 years of age who had a Modified Blalock-Taussig
      shunt (MBTS) procedure performed from 2009-2013, to investigate risk factors for
      thrombosis, overshunting and death. METHODS: The study subjects included in our
      investigation were severely cyanotic newborns with pulmonary stenosis or atresia
      and duct dependent circulation, and infants having Tetralogy of Fallot with small
      pulmonary arteries who underwent a MBTS procedure in our facility from 2009-2013.
      We duly noted patient preoperative characteristics such as hemoglobin,
      hematocrit, mean platelet volume, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin
      time. Our study investigated the risk factors for post-operative overcirculation,
      thrombosis and death. RESULTS: The age and weight of patients in our study at the
      time of procedure ranged from 1 day to 20 months old (median 12 days), and 2.4 kg
      to 12 kg (mean 4.6 kg), respectively. A total of 8 patients died following
      surgery, and. 4 (9.1%) had shunt thrombosis, of which one died during shunt
      revision. Partial thromboplastin time was 28.7 seconds in patients with
      thrombosis, and 35 in all other patients (p = 0.04). Overcirculation was detected
      in 5 patients; shunt size/body weight was 1.25 in patients who had
      overcirculation, and 1.06 in all other patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to
      assess risk factors associated with the MBTS operation. The results of our study
      suggest that a preoperative low aPTT value may be an indicator for thrombosis in
      infants who have undergone MBTS surgery.

PMID- 27274177
TI  - Conjunction of Endocardial and Coronary Venous System Mapping to Ablate
      Ventricular Arrhythmias.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ablation of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) with epicardial
      or intramural origins is technically challenging. Herein, we have described the
      successful ablation of left VAs via the coronary venous system (CVS) in
      conjunction with endocardial map guided by three-dimensional electroanatomical
      map in six patients. METHODS: Out of a total consecutive 84 patients with
      symptomatic idiopathic VAs, radiofrequency ablation via the CVS was performed on
      six patients (7%). Furthermore, we reviewed patient records and
      electrophysiologic studies with respect to clinical characteristics. RESULTS:
      Activation map was conducted in 5 patients, and the earliest activation sites
      were identified within the CVS. The preceding times to the onset of QRS complex
      were longer than those at the earliest endocardial sites (36.2 +/- 5.6 ms vs.
      14.2 +/- 6.4 ms, p = 0.02, n = 5). Spiky fractionated long-duration potentials
      were recorded at the successful ablation sites in all 5 patients. The other
      patient received pacemapping only because of few spontaneous VAs during the
      procedure, and the best pacemap spot was found within the CVS. Irrigated
      catheters were required in 4 out of 6 patients because VAs were temporarily
      suppressed with regular ones. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic VAs can be ablated via the
      CVS in conjunction with endocardial mapping. Additionally, spiky fractionated
      long-duration potential can function as a clue to identify the good ablation
      site.

PMID- 27274178
TI  - Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Incidentally Found Left Coronary Artery to
      Pulmonary Artery Fistula in an 11-Year-Old Girl.
AB  - We report on a healthy 11-year-old girl who presented to our facility with sudden
      onset of fainting in a strenuous running course. Transthoracic echocardiography
      at short-axis view showed a diastolic flow into the main pulmonary artery (PA).
      The diagnosis of left anterior descending artery (LAD) to PA fistula was
      documented by cardiac computed tomography and catheterization. Interventional
      therapy of LAD to the main PA fistula was not performed because of no evidence of
      myocardial ischemia or significant hemodynamic change. Presently, the patient
      remains asymptomatic. Coronary fistula with an incidence of about 0.1-0.8% is
      very rare and may be undetected, particularly in pediatric patients without
      cardiac murmur. We herein describe the diagnostic approach and discuss the
      current treatment modalities. 

PMID- 27274176
TI  - Short and Long-Term Effect of Carotid Artery Stenting on Arterial Blood Pressure
      Measured through Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the short and long-term effects
      of carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure on blood pressure (BP) through
      ambulatory BP monitoring. METHODS: One hundred fifty three patients who underwent
      CAS for primary or secondary protection from December 2010 to September 2013 were
      enrolled to our study. The BP levels of total of 123 patients were monitored for
      1 year. Thereafter, the pre-procedure levels of BP were compared with BP levels
      at the 24-hour and the first year intervals after the procedure. RESULTS:
      Systolic and diastolic BP levels at the 24-hour and the first year intervals
      after CAS were significantly lower than the pre-procedure BP levels. The mean 24
      hour systolic BP was 113 +/- 13 mmHg and diastolic BP was 63 +/- 8 mmHg, both of
      which were significantly lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively), while the
      pre-procedure mean systolic BP was 133 +/- 10 mmHg and the mean diastolic BP was
      75 +/- 9 mmHg. Moreover, the mean first-year systolic BP was 125 +/- 10 mmHg with
      a decline of 8 +/- 8 mmHg and mean diastolic BP was 71 +/- 8 mmHg with a decline
      of 4 +/- 7 mmHg, both of which were again significantly lower compared to the pre
      procedure levels (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results
      of our study suggested that systolic and diastolic BP levels diminished after
      CAS. Additionally, BP reduction continued even 1 year after the CAS.

PMID- 27274179
TI  - Side-Branch and Coaxial Intravascular Ultrasound Guided Wire Re-Entry after
      Failed Retrograde Approach of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention.
AB  - Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) can provide valuable information during the
      intervention of difficult chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesion. Stumpless CTO
      lesions with an adjacent side branch are associated with a significantly lower
      success rate because the proper entry point is not always clearly identified and
      the guidewires easily slip into the side branch. Herein we presented a case of a
      stumpless middle left circumflex (LCX) artery CTO lesion with auto-collateral
      from obtuse marginal branch. Initially, we positioned the IVUS into the side
      branch to find the entry point of LCX-CTO lesion. However, the punctured wire
      went into the false lumen. A retrograde approach was tried but later failed.
      Therefore, we used IVUS to find the entry point where the true lumen transited to
      the false lumen, and used a stiff guidewire to puncture the entry point. After we
      confirmed with IVUS that the whole guidewire was in the true lumen, we deployed 3
      drug-eluting stents. The final angiogram showed TIMI 3 flow with preservation of
      all side branches. The patient was angina-free during the 6-month follow-up. By
      presenting this case, we have demonstrated the application of both side-branch
      and coaxial IVUS-guided recanalization technique in the stumpless CTO lesion. 

PMID- 27274180
TI  - Accidental Stenting Out of Stent: A Lesson from No-Reflow after New Stent
      Deployment Outside the Prior Stent.
AB  - An operator can be unaware that the guide wire has accidentally advanced into
      space outside the previous stent, which can result in deformation of the previous
      stent when a new stent is deployed outside the prior stent. We herein have
      reported a case of accidental guide wire advancement into a previously dissected
      lumen of right coronary artery (RCA), resulting in a new stent deploying outside
      the prior stent, resulting in deformity of the prior stent. Thrombus and friable
      atheromatous plaques dislodged and migrated to occlude distal RCA when attempting
      to restore the proximal luminal diameter by balloon inflation, resulting in
      profound shock with asystole. IVUS was successful in identifying the cause, and
      the thrombus was removed successfully by manual aspiration. Due to the poor
      endothelization of a recent stenting, clinicians should be particularly careful
      of possible wire advancing outside the stent structure, which can result in
      prominent thrombus or atheromatous debris occluding the distal vessel, and IVUS
      may be useful in confirming the cause of no-reflow. 

PMID- 27274181
TI  - Percutaneous Closure of an Iatrogenic Aorta to Right Ventricle Fistula Acquired
      Following Intracardiac Repair.
AB  - Iatrogenic aortocardiac fistulae have been described rarely following
      intracardiac repair. This 28 year-old-male presented to our facility with dyspnea
      going on 20 days after closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) and resection
      of subaortic membrane. A communication was noticed between the aorta and the
      right ventricle (RV) upon transthoracic echocardiography. Cardiac catheterisation
      revealed a significant shunt and an aortogram revealed a 6 mm communication
      between aorta and right ventricle. Percutaneous closure of this defect was
      attempted under local anaesthesia through right femoral access. An alpha
      arteriovenous loop was formed despite repeated attempts, hence a retrograde
      approach for device delivery was considered. An 8 mm Amplatzer muscular VSD
      occluder device was deployed across the defect achieving a complete closure
      through an 8F delivery sheath. To the best of our knowledge this is the first
      report of an iatrogenic aorta to RV fistula occurring in a patient following an
      intracardiac repair which has been successfully treated percutaneously. 

PMID- 27274183
TI  - Uterine Perforation with Intra-Abdominal Clostridium perfringens Gas Gangrene: A
      Rare and Fatal Infection.
AB  - Background:Clostridium perfringens gas gangrene is an extremely rare and fatal
      infection. Necrosis of the myometrium is rarely seen and has only been recorded
      in 18 cases to date. Of these 18 reported cases, only 5 have occurred in
      nonpregnant women. This article presents the 6th case of myometrium necrosis from
      C. perfringens.Case: A 72-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 2, presented with
      abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. After examinations, laboratory testing, and
      several surgical interventions, she was found to have C. perfringens infection
      and advanced high-grade serous adenocarcinoma of the endometrium with >50%
      invasion into the myometrium. Results: Despite the surgical interventions and use
      of several antibiotics, this patient did not improve. She was weaned from
      treatment per her advance directive and died after weaning. Conclusions:
      Awareness of the many etiologies for peritonitis is of great importance when a
      fatal infection may be the cause of the condition. Correct diagnosis and proper
      treatment is essential for the survival of patients infected with C. perfringens.
      (J GYNECOL SURG 32:182).

PMID- 27274182
TI  - The Impact of Obesity on Surgical Outcome in Endometrial Cancer Patients: A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - Background: Obesity is a significant public health problem in the United States,
      and many studies have established obesity as a significant risk factor for
      endometrial cancer. Surgery is the standard of care in staging and treatment of
      endometrial cancer, and obesity may influence surgical outcomes because of its
      attendant comorbid conditions. Therefore, assessment of the impact of obesity on
      surgical outcome is important for decreasing morbidity and improving survival in
      patients with endometrial cancer. Objective: The aims of this research were to
      evaluate and review epidemiologic data systematically on the impact of obesity on
      surgical outcomes and to assess safety and feasibility of newer surgical
      techniques in obese patients. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of
      PubMed was conducted to identify articles between 2004 and 2013 that focused on
      the impact of obesity on surgical outcome. Reference lists of retrieved articles
      were also used to identify other relevant articles. Thirteen relevant articles
      were reviewed. Results: Evidence from epidemiologic studies showed that obesity
      impacts surgical outcome adversely. On average, obese patients have worse
      surgical outcomes than their nonobese counterparts. In addition, surgical outcome
      worsens as level of obesity increases. However, surgical procedure also
      influences this association. Minimally invasive surgeries are more useful and are
      accompanied with fewer complications than conventional laparotomy and can be
      performed safely in obese patients. Conclusions: Obesity is a significant risk in
      the etiology, treatment, and surgical outcomes of patients with endometrial
      cancer. Future research will need more randomized controlled trials and
      prospective studies to identify the best procedures for maximal outcomes. (J
      GYNECOL SURG 32:149).

PMID- 27274184
TI  - Comparison of visual outcomes and subjective visual quality after bilateral
      implantation of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens and blended implantation
      of apodized diffractive bifocal intraocular lenses.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the visual acuity (VA) and quality of vision between
      bilateral implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) and blended bifocal
      IOLs with an intermediate add in the dominant eye and a near add in the
      nondominant eye. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with either trifocal or blended
      bifocal IOLs implanted were recruited after surgery. Subjects returned for a
      single diagnostic visit between 3 and 24 months after surgery. VA was tested at
      various distances, including low-contrast acuity and acuity at their preferred
      reading distance. A binocular defocus curve was obtained, and subjective visual
      function and quality of vision were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-five trifocal
      subjects and 30 blended bifocal subjects were enrolled. There were no significant
      differences in low-contrast acuity, preferred reading distance, or acuity at that
      reading distance. Binocular vision at 4 m, 60 cm, and 40 cm was not statistically
      significantly different. The trifocal provided statistically significantly better
      visual acuity (P<0.05) at vergences from -0.5 to -1.5 D (from 2 m to 67 cm
      viewing distance, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in
      the near vision subscale scores of the 39-question National Eye Institute Visual
      Function Questionnaire or the overall scores of the Quality of Vision
      questionnaire, though significantly more trifocal subjects reported that the
      observed visual disturbances were "bothersome" (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both lens
      modalities provided subjects with excellent binocular near and distance vision,
      with similar low rates of visual disturbances and good reported functional
      vision. The trifocal IOL provided significantly better intermediate VA in the
      viewing distance range of 2 m to 67 cm, corresponding to viewing things such as a
      car dashboard or grocery shelf. VA was similar between groups at viewing
      distances from 60 to 40 cm, corresponding to computer or reading distance.

PMID- 27274185
TI  - A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of oral antioxidant
      supplement therapy in patients with dry eye syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of oral antioxidant supplementation in the
      treatment of patients with dry eye syndrome (DES). METHODS: A prospective,
      randomized, double-blinded study compared the effects of an antioxidant
      supplement (containing anthocyanosides, astaxanthin, vitamins A, C, and E, and
      several herbal extracts, including Cassiae semen and Ophiopogonis japonicus) with
      placebo on patients with DES. We assessed dry eye symptoms, visual acuity,
      Schirmer's test, tear film breakup time, cornea and conjunctiva fluorescein
      staining, serum anti-SSA/anti-SSB antibodies, and the level of reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) in tears. The supplementation period was 8 weeks and patients were
      followed up every 4 weeks for 16 weeks. A linear mixed model was used to compare
      the groups, while within-group differences were tested by repeated-measures
      analysis of variance. RESULTS: Forty-three patients, 20 and 23 in treatment and
      placebo groups, respectively, completed the study. Liver and renal functions were
      normal. Diastolic blood pressure decreased in the treatment group. There were no
      significant differences in systolic blood pressure, dry eye symptoms, serum anti
      SSA and anti-SSB, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, or fluorescein corneal
      staining between the groups. Tear film breakup time scores and Schirmer's test
      without topical anesthesia significantly improved in the treatment group. Tear
      ROS level differed between the groups and decreased after treatment. Overall
      subjective impression revealed a significant improvement with treatment compared
      with placebo. CONCLUSION: Oral antioxidant supplementations may increase tear
      production and improve tear film stability by reducing tear ROS. The vegetable
      based antioxidant supplement used in this study is safe and can be utilized as an
      adjuvant therapy to conventional artificial tear therapy for patients with DES.

PMID- 27274186
TI  - Effect of benzalkonium chloride-free latanoprost ophthalmic solution on ocular
      surface in patients with glaucoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Benzalkonium chloride (BAK), included as a preservative in many
      topical treatments for glaucoma, induces significant toxicity and alters tear
      breakup time (TBUT). BAK-containing latanoprost, an ester prodrug of
      prostaglandin F2alpha, can cause ocular adverse events (AEs) associated with BAK.
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BAK-free
      latanoprost. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, open-label, single-arm,
      multicenter, 8-week study in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular
      hypertension taking BAK-containing latanoprost for >=12 months was performed.
      Patients were switched to BAK-free latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.005%
      administered once daily, and eyes were assessed after 28 and 56 days. Primary
      efficacy and safety variables were TBUT and treatment-emergent AEs, respectively.
      RESULTS: At day 56, 40 eyes were evaluable. Mean TBUT increased significantly
      from baseline (3.67+/-1.60 seconds) to 5.03+/-2.64 and 6.06+/-3.39 seconds after
      28 and 56 days of treatment with BAK-free latanoprost (P<0.0001). Ocular Surface
      Disease Index((c)) (OSDI((c))) score also decreased significantly to 12.06+/
      13.40 and 7.06+/-10.75 at 28 and 56 days, respectively, versus baseline (18.09+/
      18.61, P<0.0001). In addition, inferior corneal staining score decreased
      significantly to 0.53 from baseline (0.85, P=0.0033). A reduction in conjunctival
      hyperemia and intraocular pressure was observed at both time points. No treatment
      related serious AEs were evident and 12 (26.08%) treatment-emergent AEs occurred
      in seven patients, with eye pain and irritation being the most frequent. No
      clinically significant changes in vital signs or slit lamp examinations were
      observed. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that switching from BAK-containing
      latanoprost to BAK-free latanoprost resulted in significant improvements in TBUT,
      OSDI((c)) score, and inferior corneal staining score, and measurable reductions
      in conjunctival hyperemia score. Furthermore, BAK-free latanoprost was well
      tolerated with only mild-to-moderate and self-limiting AEs. BAK-free latanoprost
      appears to be effective in protecting ocular surface integrity in glaucoma
      patients but further studies are needed to confirm this beneficial effect.

PMID- 27274187
TI  - Comparison of intraocular pressure adjusted by central corneal thickness or
      corneal biomechanical properties as measured in glaucomatous eyes using
      noncontact tonometers and the Goldmann applanation tonometer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation coefficients between intraocular pressure
      (IOP) before and after adjusting for central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal
      biomechanical properties. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 218 eyes of 218
      patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (mean age =71.5 years; mean spherical
      equivalent =-0.51 D; mean deviation determined by Humphrey visual field analyzer
      =-3.22 dB) were included in this study. The tIOP and tIOPCCT, which were adjusted
      by the CCT (with tIOP meaning IOP not adjusted by CCT, as determined using the CT
      1P; and tIOPCCT meaning IOP adjusted by CCT, as determined using the CT-1P), were
      determined using a noncontact tonometer. The IOPg and IOPCCT, which were adjusted
      by CCT, and IOPcc adjusted by corneal biomechanical properties were determined
      using a Reichert 7CR (with IOPg meaning IOP not adjusted by CCT or corneal
      biomechanical properties, as determined using the Reichert 7CR; IOPCCT meaning
      IOP adjusted by CCT, as determined using the Reichert 7CR; and IOPcc meaning IOP
      adjusted by corneal biomechanical properties, as determined using the Reichert
      7CR). The GT and GTCCT adjusted by CCT were determined using a Goldmann
      applanation tonometer (with GT meaning IOP not adjusted by CCT, as determined
      using the Goldmann applanation tonometer; and with GTCCT meaning IOP adjusted by
      CCT, as determined using the GAT). Pearson's correlation coefficients among the
      IOPs were calculated and compared. P-values <0.05 were considered as
      statistically significant. RESULTS: The tIOP, tIOPCCT, IOPg, IOPCCT, IOPcc, GT,
      and GTCCT were 14.8+/-2.5, 15.0+/-2.4, 13.1+/-3.2, 13.3+/-3.1, 13.7+/-2.9, 13.2+/
      2.4, and 13.4+/-2.3 mmHg (mean +/- standard deviation), respectively. The
      correlation coefficient between tIOPCCT and tIOP (r=0.979) was significantly
      higher than that between tIOPCCT and the other IOPs (r=0.668-0.852; P<0.001,
      respectively). The correlation coefficient between IOPCCT and IOPg (r=0.994) or
      IOPcc and IOPg (r=0.892) was significantly higher than that between IOPCCT or
      IOPcc and the other IOPs (r=0.669-0.740; P<0.001, respectively). The correlation
      coefficient between GTCCT and GT (r=0.989) was significantly higher than that
      between GTCCT and the other IOPs (r=0.669-0.740; P<0.001, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: The IOP adjusted by CCT or corneal biomechanical properties depends
      on the measurement instrument itself, rather than the adjustment methods, for
      eyes of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

PMID- 27274188
TI  - An exploratory study evaluating the effects of macular carotenoid supplementation
      in various retinal diseases.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of daily oral
      supplementation with Macushield (10 mg/d meso-zeaxanthin, 10 mg/d lutein, and 2
      mg/d zeaxanthin) on eye health in patients with retinal diseases by assessing the
      macular pigment (MP) profile, the visual function, and the quality of life.
      METHODS: Fifty-one patients with various retinal diseases were supplemented daily
      and followed up for 6 months. The MP optical density was measured using the
      customized heterochromatic flicker photometry and dual-wavelength
      autofluorescence. Visual function was evaluated by assessing the change in best
      corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and glare sensitivity in mesopic
      and photopic conditions. Vision-related and general quality of life changes were
      determined using the National Eye Insititute- Visual Function Questionnaire-25
      (NEI-VFQ-25) and EuroQoL-5 dimension questionnaires. RESULTS: A statistically
      significant increase in the MP optical density was observed using the dual
      wavelength autofluorescence (P=0.04) but not with the customized heterochromatic
      flicker photometry. Statistically significant (P<0.05) improvements in glare
      sensitivity in low and medium spatial frequencies were observed at 3 months and 6
      months. Ceiling effects confounded other visual function tests and quality of
      life changes. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with the three carotenoids enhances
      certain aspects of visual performance in retinal diseases.

PMID- 27274189
TI  - Pre- and postsynaptic effects of brimonidine on isolated rabbit iris dilator
      muscles.
AB  - PURPOSE: Brimonidine is an imidazoline compound used for the treatment of
      glaucoma, but having very little effect on pupil diameter. Like para
      aminoclonidine, most imidazoline compounds interact with postsynaptic alpha
      adrenoceptors and cause pupil dilatation. Therefore, as part of an investigation
      of the mechanism of action of brimonidine on pupil diameter, the present study
      was initiated to measure, in vitro, the relative potency of brimonidine on the
      pre- and postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors of rabbit iris dilator muscle. METHODS:
      The contractile activity of brimonidine and its effect on twitch contraction
      evoked by electrical field stimulation were studied in isolated rabbit iris
      dilator muscles by isometric tension recording. RESULTS: Brimonidine
      significantly inhibited the twitch contraction of the dilator muscle caused by
      field stimulation, without affecting the response to exogenously applied
      phenylephrine. Compared to phenylephrine, brimonidine caused only a small
      contractile response with % maximum contraction values of <10%. CONCLUSION: These
      results suggest that brimonidine may act on nerve endings to inhibit adrenergic
      neurotransmission with very little effect on postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors.
      This may indicate that brimonidine reduced the pupil diameter just a little, thus
      improving night vision.

PMID- 27274190
TI  - Ranibizumab in monotherapy and combined with photodynamic therapy for retinal
      angiomatous proliferation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab in monotherapy (group
      A) and combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin (group B) in
      retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) treatment. METHODS: This was a
      multicentric, prospective, randomized clinical study conducted with parallel
      groups. The study eye in both groups received ranibizumab on days 1, 30, and 60
      (loading dose); group B received PDT additionally on day 1. Early Treatment
      Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity (VA) testing and optical
      coherence tomography were performed monthly, and fluorescein angiography and
      indocyanine green angiography were performed quarterly. Retreatment criteria were
      leakage in fluorescein angiography or indocyanine green angiography, mean foveal
      thickness increase >=100 um, or VA decrease >=5 letters. RESULTS: Twenty patients
      were recruited (ten patients in each group). Six eyes had previous treatment
      (three eyes in group A and three eyes in group B), so only 14 eyes were naive. At
      12-month follow-up, mean VA improved +1.5 letters in group A and +5.6 letters in
      group B (analysis of variance test; P>0.05). Two patients (20%) in both groups
      gained >=15 letters (chi-square test; P>0.05). Mean changes in greatest linear
      dimension and in foveal thickness were not statistically significant between
      groups of treatment (analysis of variance test; P>0.05). Mean retreatments per
      patient were 1.8 (group A) and 0.9 (group B) (Mann-Whitney U-test; P>0.05). One
      patient died due to underlying disease not related to study medication.
      CONCLUSION: Intravitreal ranibizumab administered in monotherapy or combined with
      PDT was efficacious in terms of VA stabilization in patients with RAP.

PMID- 27274191
TI  - Time of maximum cycloplegia after instillation of cyclopentolate 1% in children
      with brown irises.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to 1) determine the time of maximum cycloplegia after
      instillation of cyclopentolate 1% in children with brown irises, 2) evaluate the
      correlation between the pupillary reaction and time of maximum cycloplegia, and
      3) identify any side effects of the medication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a
      prospective analytical study involving children aged 5 to 14 years who were
      attending refraction clinic. Cyclopentolate 1% was instilled three times at 10
      minute intervals. The spherical equivalent, pupillary reaction, and pupillary
      diameter were recorded before the first drop and nine times after the last drop
      at 10-minute intervals. Side effects were assessed. Time of maximum cycloplegia
      was determined from the time point at which the 95% confidence interval of the
      differences between the mean spherical equivalent at each point and its final
      value at 110 minutes was reached and remained within the equivalence limit (+/
      0.25 D). RESULTS: Sixty children were enrolled in this study. Their mean age was
      9.8 years (range: 5-4 years). Time of maximum cycloplegia was reached at 30
      minutes after the first instillation of cyclopentolate. A poor correlation was
      observed between the pupillary reaction and the time of maximum cycloplegia (r=
      0.07). The mean pupillary diameter at 30 minutes was 3.7+/-1.3 mm, and further
      dilation occurred thereafter. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: In most
      children, maximum cycloplegia was reached 30 minutes after the first instillation
      of cyclopentolate. The absence of a pupillary reaction should not be used as an
      indicator of maximum cycloplegia.

PMID- 27274193
TI  - Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves dry eye symptoms in patients with
      glaucoma: results of a prospective multicenter study.

PMID- 27274192
TI  - Segmentation and removal of fibrovascular membranes with high-speed 23 G
      transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy, in severe proliferative diabetic
      retinopathy.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of high-speed (5,000 cuts per
      minute) 23 G transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) in severe diabetic
      fibrovascular proliferation (DFVP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective
      consecutive case series, patients who underwent 23 G TSV for severe DFVP between
      October 2011 and March 2014 at our institution were evaluated. 23 G TSV was
      performed with a high-speed (5,000 cuts per minute) cutter without a chandelier
      light. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 8 months (range: 4-23 months). Of
      the 27 eyes of 27 patients, 14 eyes (52%) underwent concomitant
      phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, nine
      eyes (33%) were pseudophakic, and four eyes were phakic (15%). DFVP was removed
      with ease in all, and visual acuity was improved in 18 (67%) eyes. Iatrogenic
      retinal tear was observed in four eyes (15%) and treated successfully during
      surgery. Suture placement to a single sclerotomy was performed in eight eyes
      (30%). Postoperative intraocular hemorrhage was observed in five eyes (18%).
      Cataract formation was observed in two of the four phakic eyes. Three (11%)
      patients had postoperative intraocular pressure rise. Postoperative hypotony (<=6
      mmHg) and endophthalmitis were not observed in any eye. CONCLUSION: The
      segmentation and removal of fibrovascular membranes with high-speed 23 G TSV
      seems to be a safe and easy method in severe diabetic eye disease.

PMID- 27274194
TI  - Clinical utility of the KAMRA corneal inlay.
AB  - The treatment of presbyopia has been the focus of much scientific and clinical
      research over recent years, not least due to an increasingly aging population but
      also the desire for spectacle independence. Many lens and nonlens-based
      approaches have been investigated, and with advances in biomaterials and improved
      surgical methods, removable corneal inlays have been developed. One such
      development is the KAMRATM inlay where a small entrance pupil is exploited to
      create a pinhole-type effect that increases the depth of focus and enables
      improvement in near visual acuity. Short- and long-term clinical studies have all
      reported significant improvement in near and intermediate vision compared to
      preoperative measures following monocular implantation (nondominant eye), with a
      large proportion of patients achieving Jaeger (J) 2 to J1 (~0.00 logMAR to ~0.10
      logMAR) at the final follow-up. Although distance acuity is reduced slightly in
      the treated eye, binocular visual acuity and function remain very good (mean 0.10
      logMAR or better). The safety of the inlay is well established and easily
      removable, and although some patients have developed corneal changes, these are
      clinically insignificant and the incidence appears to reduce markedly with
      advancements in KAMRA design, implantation technique, and femtosecond laser
      technology. This review aims to summarize the currently published peer-reviewed
      studies on the safety and efficacy of the KAMRA inlay and discusses the surgical
      and clinical outcomes with respect to the patient's visual function. 

PMID- 27274195
TI  - Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of novel glucokinase
      activator HMS5552: results from a first-in-human single ascending dose study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HMS5552, a novel fourth-generation glucokinase (GK) activator, has
      demonstrated promising effects on glycemic control in preclinical models of type
      2 diabetes. This single ascending dose study was conducted to investigate the
      safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of HMS5552
      during its first-in-human exposure. METHODS: Sixty healthy subjects were
      enrolled. In each of six dose-cohorts (5, 10, 15, 25, 35, and 50 mg), ten
      subjects were randomized with eight subjects receiving the same cohort-dose of
      HMS5552 and two receiving placebo. Plasma HMS5552 exposure, glucose, and insulin
      were measured repeatedly during fasting and after a standardized meal. Assessment
      included safety, PK, and PD endpoints. RESULTS: HMS5552 showed dose-proportional
      increases in area under the curve 0 to the last quantifiable concentration (AUC0
      t) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax). Slopes estimated by linear regression
      for AUC0-t and Cmax were ~1.0 (0.932 and 0.933, respectively). Geometric mean
      elimination half-life ranged from 4.48 to 7.51 hours and apparent clearance
      ranged from 11.5 to 13.1 L/h across all doses. No significant sex effect was
      observed in PK parameters. HMS5552 also demonstrated dose-related PD responses in
      terms of maximum glucose change from baseline (%) and mean glucose area under
      effect curve 0-4 hours change from baseline (%) (P<0.001). Fifteen adverse events
      were reported by nine subjects (ten with HMS5552 and five with the placebo). All
      adverse events were mild in intensity and resolved without any treatment.
      CONCLUSION: This first-in-human single ascending dose study provided predicted PK
      of HMS5552 with dose-proportional increases in AUC0-t and Cmax, as well as dose
      related glucose-lowering effects over the range of 5-50 mg in healthy subjects.
      HMS5552 at doses up to 50 mg in healthy subjects was safe and well-tolerated.

PMID- 27274197
TI  - Spotlight on brexpiprazole and its potential in the treatment of schizophrenia
      and as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of major depression.
AB  - Antipsychotic agents, utilized for the treatment of a range of psychiatric
      disorders, differ substantially in terms of their pharmacology and adverse effect
      profiles. Incomplete and variable efficacy, differences in safety-tolerability,
      and highly heterogeneous response across individuals prompt development of new
      agents. Brexpiprazole is one of the two most recently introduced antipsychotic
      agents approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and as an adjunct for
      treatment of major depressive disorder. Its pharmacology, clinical trial data,
      and efficacy and side effects in comparison with other antipsychotic agents are
      discussed. Brexpiprazole is a dopamine D-2 partial agonist with potent activity
      at the serotonin 5HT1A and 5HT2A and noradrenergic alpha-1B and alpha-2C
      receptors. Placebo-controlled clinical trials in persons with schizophrenia
      support its efficacy in treating psychosis and preventing relapse. Short-term
      clinical trials also support its efficacy as an adjunct to antidepressants in
      treating major depressive disorder in individuals inadequately responsive to
      antidepressant treatment alone. Adverse effects include akathisia,
      gastrointestinal side effects, and moderate weight gain. The recommended oral
      dose of brexpiprazole is 2-4 mg/day in schizophrenia and 2-3 mg/day as adjunctive
      treatment in major depression. It must be titrated up to its target dose over 1-2
      weeks and is effective in once-daily dosing. How brexpiprazole's unique
      pharmacological profile will translate into clinically meaningful differences
      from other antipsychotic agents is unclear. Its place in our antipsychotic
      armamentarium and potential role in the treatment of schizophrenia and major
      depressive disorder will be determined by additional clinical data and
      experience. 

PMID- 27274196
TI  - Spotlight on valsartan-sacubitril fixed-dose combination for heart failure: the
      evidence to date.
AB  - Heart failure is a global problem with elevated prevalence, and it is associated
      with substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Treating heart-failure
      patients has been a very challenging task. This review highlights the main
      pharmacological developments in the field of heart failure with reduced ejection
      fraction, giving emphasis to a drug that has a dual-acting inhibition of the
      neprilysin and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Neprilysin is an enzyme that
      participates in the breakdown of biologically active natriuretic peptides and
      several other vasoactive compounds. The inhibition of neprilysin has been a
      therapeutic target for several drugs tested in cardiovascular disease, mainly for
      heart failure and/or hypertension. However, side effects and a lack of efficacy
      led to discontinuation of their development. LCZ696 is a first-in-class
      neprilysin- and angiotensin-receptor inhibitor that has been developed for use in
      heart failure. This drug is composed of two molecular moieties in a single
      crystalline complex: a neprilysin-inhibitor prodrug (sacubitril) and the
      angiotensin-receptor blocker (valsartan). The PARADIGM-HF trial demonstrated that
      this drug was superior to an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril)
      in reducing mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection
      fraction. The ability to block the angiotensin receptor and augment the
      endogenous natriuretic peptide system provides a distinctive mechanism of action
      in cardiovascular disease. 

PMID- 27274198
TI  - The combination of blueberry juice and probiotics reduces apoptosis of alcoholic
      fatty liver of mice by affecting SIRT1 pathway.
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore the effects of the combination of blueberry juice and
      probiotics on the apoptosis of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). METHODS:
      Healthy C57BL/6J mice were used in the control group (CG). AFLD mice models were
      established with Lieber-DeCarli ethanol diet and evenly assigned to six groups
      with different treatments: MG (model), SI (SIRT1 [sirtuin type 1] small
      interfering RNA [siRNA]), BJ (blueberry juice), BJSI (blueberry juice and SIRT1
      siRNA), BJP (blueberry juice and probiotics), and BJPSI (blueberry juice,
      probiotics, and SIRT1 siRNA). Hepatic tissue was observed using hematoxylin and
      eosin (HE) and Oil Red O (ORO) staining. Biochemical indexes of the blood serum
      were analyzed. The levels of SIRT1, caspase-3, forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1),
      FasL (tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 6), BAX, and Bcl-2 were
      measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.
      RESULTS: HE and ORO staining showed that the hepatocytes were heavily destroyed
      with large lipid droplets in MG and SI groups, while the severity was reduced in
      the CG, BJ, and BJP groups (P<0.05). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD),
      reduced glutathione (GSH), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were
      increased in BJ and BJP groups when compared with the model group (P<0.05). In
      contrast, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT), total triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, low-density
      lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were lower in BJ and
      BJP groups than in the model group (P<0.05). The level of SIRT1 was increased,
      while the levels of FOXO1, phosphorylated FOXO1, acetylated FOXO1, FasL, caspase
      3, BAX, and Bcl-2 were decreased in CG, BJ, and BJP groups (P<0.05). Meanwhile,
      SIRT1 silence resulted in increase of the levels of FOXO1, phosphorylated FOXO1,
      acetylated FOXO1, FasL, caspase-3, BAX, and Bcl-2. CONCLUSION: The combination of
      blueberry juice and probiotics reduces apoptosis in AFLD by suppressing FOXO1,
      phosphorylated FOXO1, acetylated FOXO1, FasL, caspase-3, BAX, and Bcl-2 via the
      upregulation of SIRT1.

PMID- 27274199
TI  - Ursolic acid reduces the metalloprotease/anti-metalloprotease imbalance in
      cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Activators of PPARs, particularly PPARgamma, may be effective
      neuroprotective drugs against inflammatory responses in cerebral ischemia and
      reperfusion injury. Ursolic acid (UA) may act as a PPARgamma agonist and serve as
      an anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, we used a rat middle cerebral artery
      occlusion and reperfusion model to examine how UA acts as a neuroprotective agent
      to modulate the metalloprotease/anti-metalloprotease balance. METHODS: The middle
      cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion model (occlusion for 2 hours followed
      by reperfusion for 48 hours) was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats. UA was
      administered intragastrically 0.5, 24, and 47 hours after reperfusion. Bisphenol
      A diglycidyl ether (a PPARgamma antagonist) was intraperitoneally administered 1,
      24.5, and 47.5 hours after reperfusion. Forty-eight hours after reperfusion,
      neurological deficits and infarct volume were estimated. The PPARgamma level and
      the metalloprotease/anti-metalloprotease balance were examined by Western
      blotting and immunohistochemistry. The activation of MAPK signaling pathways was
      also assessed. RESULTS: UA-treated (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) rats showed significant
      improvement in neurological deficit score, infarct volume, and the number of
      intact neurons compared with control rats (P<0.01). Both the PPARgamma protein
      level and the percentage of PPARgamma-positive cells were increased in the UA
      treated groups (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the UA-treated groups
      exhibited reduced protein levels of MMP2, MMP9, and activated MAPKs (P<0.01) but
      an increased level of TIMP1 (P<0.01). UA exerted its protective effects in a dose
      dependent manner. Co-treatment with UA and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether
      completely abolished the UA-induced changes in PPARgamma expression; however UA
      continued to exert a significant but partial neuroprotective effect. CONCLUSION:
      UA can act as a PPARgamma agonist to improve the metalloprotease/anti
      metalloprotease balance, possibly by inhibiting the activation of the MAPK
      signaling pathway, thereby attenuating cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury.
      Therefore, UA may serve as a novel neuroprotective therapeutic agent.

PMID- 27274200
TI  - Safety, efficacy, and clinical utility of macitentan in the treatment of
      pulmonary arterial hypertension.
AB  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive, debilitating disease caused by
      a dysregulation of the pulmonary vascular tone that inevitably leads to right
      heart failure and death without treatment. Until relatively recently, the
      treatment options for those afflicted by pulmonary arterial hypertension were
      limited; today, a greater understanding of the pathophysiology behind this
      disease has led to several evidence-based therapies that can improve pulmonary
      function and quality of life for these patients. One of the primary mediators of
      pulmonary vascular tone is endothelin-1, which is a potent and long-lasting
      vasoconstrictor. Macitentan is a second-generation endothelin receptor antagonist
      that acts selectively as a pulmonary vasodilator without the significant side
      effects noted with previous endothelin receptor antagonists. This review focuses
      on the mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics of macitentan, as well as the
      adverse effects, efficacy, and clinical uses of macitentan in the clinical trials
      to date. In addition, the authors briefly review clinical trials currently
      underway to illustrate possible future directions for the use of macitentan. 

PMID- 27274201
TI  - Spotlight on idarucizumab and its potential for the reversal of anticoagulant
      effects of dabigatran.
AB  - Idarucizumab is the first targeted antidote of dabigatran, a direct oral
      anticoagulant used for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and
      prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation. Idarucizumab is a humanized fragment
      of a monoclonal antibody, which binds dabigatran reversibly with high affinity
      and, when administered intravenously, immediately neutralizes its anticoagulant
      effect. It is rapidly cleared by the kidney with captured dabigatran. In Phase I
      and II trials, no significant adverse events have been reported. Specifically,
      idarucizumab has no anticoagulant or procoagulant effect by itself. Idarucizumab
      is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase III trial, in patients treated
      with dabigatran presenting with severe active bleeding or requiring emergency
      surgery or an invasive procedure and are at high risk of bleeding. The results of
      the interim analysis confirm the ability of idarucizumab to neutralize dabigatran
      instantaneously, without rebound effect, except in rare patients with very high
      baseline levels of anticoagulant. Although not definitely proving clinical
      efficacy, due to the noncontrolled design of the trial and the heterogeneity of
      patient conditions, these promising results on an intermediate criterion with
      strong rationale have led to the approval of idarucizumab for these indications.
      However, several questions are unresolved. First, activity measurement of
      dabigatran in blood, useless in current practice, could be useful to guide the
      treatment and avoid over- or underutilization of the antidote; but so far, it has
      not been largely available in real time. Second, the translation of anticoagulant
      neutralization to an effect on mortality and better outcome is highly dependent
      on the global management of these patients, especially rapid diagnosis,
      supportive care, and easy access to antidote administration. Although
      idarucizumab represents a remarkable achievement in drug design and development,
      whether it will be an important step toward improved safety of patients treated
      with dabigatran in the real world will have to be demonstrated in the
      postmarketing phase. 

PMID- 27274202
TI  - Reducing the trigger dose of recombinant hCG in high-responder patients attending
      an assisted reproductive technology program: an observational study.
AB  - Decreasing the dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) used to trigger final
      oocyte maturation in assisted reproductive technology programs is regarded as a
      useful intervention in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, but
      the minimal effective dose has not been yet identified. In this study, the
      capacity of a reduced dose of recombinant hCG (r-hCG) to provide adequate oocyte
      maturation was tested for the first time. Thirty-five high-responder patients
      received a dose of 125 ug (half of the standard dose) of r-hCG for triggering
      final oocyte maturation. The number of oocytes retrieved per patient and the
      proportion of mature oocytes were evaluated. As a result, a mean number of 14
      oocytes were retrieved, of which 85% were found to be mature (MII). There was
      only one patient developing a moderate form of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
      and not requiring hospitalization. It is suggested that r-hCG at 125 ug can be
      effective in triggering final oocyte maturation in high-responder patients.
      Additional properly powered and controlled studies are needed to support this
      contention. 

PMID- 27274204
TI  - Older patients' experiences during care transition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A fragmented health care system leads to an increased demand for
      continuity of care across health care levels. Research indicates age-related
      differences during care transition, with the oldest patients having experiences
      and needs that differ from those of other patients. To meet the older patients'
      needs and preferences during care transition, professionals must understand their
      experiences. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to explore how patients >=80
      years of age experienced the care transition from hospital to municipal health
      care services. METHODS: The study has a descriptive, explorative design, using
      semistructured interviews. Fourteen patients aged >=80 participated in the study.
      Qualitative content analysis was used to describe the individuals' experiences
      during care transition. RESULTS: Two complementary themes emerged during the
      analysis: "Participation depends on being invited to plan the care transition"
      and "Managing continuity of care represents a complex and challenging process".
      DISCUSSION: Lack of participation, insufficient information, and vague
      responsibilities among staff during care transition seemed to limit the
      continuity of care. The patients are the vulnerable part of the care transition
      process, although they possess important resources, which illustrate the
      importance of making their voice heard. Older patients are therefore likely to
      benefit from more intensive support. A tailored, patient-centered follow-up of
      each patient is suggested to ensure that patient preferences and continuity of
      care to adhere to the new situation.

PMID- 27274203
TI  - Electroporation-delivered transdermal neostigmine in rats: equivalent action to
      intravenous administration.
AB  - PURPOSE: Transdermal electroporation has become one of the most promising
      noninvasive methods for drug administration, with greatly increased transport of
      macromolecules through the skin. The cecal-contracting effects of repeated
      transdermal electroporation delivery and intravenous administration of
      neostigmine were compared in anesthetized rats. METHODS: The cecal contractions
      were detected with implantable strain gauge sensors, and the plasma levels of
      neostigmine were followed by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS:
      Both intravenously and EP-administered neostigmine (0.2-66.7 MUg/kg) increased
      the cecal contractions in a dose-dependent manner. For both the low doses and the
      highest dose, the neostigmine plasma concentrations were the same after the two
      modes of administration, while an insignificantly higher level was observed at a
      dose of 20 MUg/kg after intravenous administration as compared with the
      electroporation route. The contractile responses did not differ significantly
      after the two administration routes. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that
      electroporation-delivered neostigmine elicits action equivalent to that observed
      after intravenous administration as concerning both time and intensity.
      Electroporation permits the delivery of even lower doses of water-soluble
      compounds through the skin, which is very promising for clinical practice.

PMID- 27274205
TI  - Typology of end-of-life priorities in Saudi females: averaging analysis and Q
      methodology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding culture-and sex-related end-of-life preferences is
      essential to provide quality end-of-life care. We have previously explored end-of
      life choices in Saudi males and found important culture-related differences and
      that Q-methodology is useful in identifying intraculture, opinion-based groups.
      Here, we explore Saudi females' end-of-life choices. METHODS: A volunteer sample
      of 68 females rank-ordered 47 opinion statements on end-of-life issues into a
      nine-category symmetrical distribution. The ranking scores of the statements were
      analyzed by averaging analysis and Q-methodology. RESULTS: The mean age of the
      females in the sample was 30.3 years (range, 19-55 years). Among them, 51%
      reported average religiosity, 78% reported very good health, 79% reported very
      good life quality, and 100% reported high-school education or more. The extreme
      five overall priorities were to be able to say the statement of faith, be at
      peace with God, die without having the body exposed, maintain dignity, and
      resolve all conflicts. The extreme five overall dis-priorities were to die in the
      hospital, die well dressed, be informed about impending death by family/friends
      rather than doctor, die at peak of life, and not know if one has a fatal illness.
      Q-methodology identified five opinion-based groups with qualitatively different
      characteristics: "physical and emotional privacy concerned, family caring"
      (younger, lower religiosity), "whole person" (higher religiosity), "pain and
      informational privacy concerned" (lower life quality), "decisional privacy
      concerned" (older, higher life quality), and "life quantity concerned, family
      dependent" (high life quality, low life satisfaction). Out of the extreme 14
      priorities/dis-priorities for each group, 21%-50% were not represented among the
      extreme 20 priorities/dis-priorities for the entire sample. CONCLUSION:
      Consistent with the previously reported findings in Saudi males, transcendence
      and dying in the hospital were the extreme end-of-life priority and dis-priority,
      respectively, in Saudi females. Body modesty was a major overall concern;
      however, concerns about pain, various types of privacy, and life quantity were
      variably emphasized by the five opinion-based groups but masked by averaging
      analysis.

PMID- 27274206
TI  - Attitudes toward anticoagulant treatment among nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
      patients at high risk of stroke and low risk of bleed.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of
      stroke. Anticoagulant (AC) therapies are effective at treating AF, but carry with
      them an increased risk of bleed. Research suggests that a large proportion of AF
      patients who have high risk of stroke and low risk of bleeding are not currently
      receiving AC treatment. The goal of this study was to understand the reasons why
      these patients do not engage in this potentially life-saving treatment. METHOD:
      Through a self-report online survey, using validated instruments, 1,184 US adults
      who self-reported a diagnosis of AF were screened for the risk of stroke and
      bleed. Of these patients, 230 (19.4%) were at high risk of stroke, low risk of
      bleed, and not currently using an AC treatment, and were asked follow-up
      questions to assess their reasons for nontreatment, attitudes toward treatment,
      and attitudes toward dosing regimens. RESULTS: The most common reasons patients
      stopped AC treatment were concerns regarding bleeding (27.8%) and other medical
      concerns (26.6%), whereas the most common reason cited for not being prescribed
      an AC in the first place was the use of antiplatelet therapy as an alternative
      (57.1%). In both cases, potentially erroneous decisions regarding perceived stoke
      and/or bleeding risk were also a factor. Finally, the largest factors regarding
      attitudes toward treatment and dosing regimen were instructions from an authority
      figure (eg, physician, pharmacist) and ease of use, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Results suggest that many AF patients who are at high risk of stroke but at low
      risk of bleed may not be receiving AC due to potentially inaccurate beliefs about
      risk. This study also found that AF patients place trust in physicians above
      other factors such as cost when making treatment decisions. Increased education
      of patients by physicians on the risks and benefits may be a simple strategy to
      improve outcomes.

PMID- 27274207
TI  - Impact of telephonic interviews on persistence and daily adherence to insulin
      treatment in insulin-naive type 2 diabetes patients: dropout study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of sequential
      telephonic interviews on treatment persistence and daily adherence to insulin
      injections among insulin-naive type 2 diabetes patients initiated on different
      insulin regimens in a 3-month period. METHODS: A total of 1,456 insulin-naive
      patients with type 2 diabetes (mean [standard deviation, SD] age: 56.0 [12.0]
      years, 49.1% were females) initiated on insulin therapy and consecutively
      randomized to sequential (n=733) and single (n=723) telephonic interview groups
      were included. Data on insulin treatment and self-reported blood glucose values
      were obtained via telephone interview. Logistic regression analysis was performed
      for factors predicting increased likelihood of persistence and skipping an
      injection. RESULTS: Overall, 76.8% patients (83.2% in sequential vs 70.3% in
      single interview group, (P<0.001) remained on insulin treatment at the third
      month. Significantly higher rate for skipping doses was noted in basal bolus than
      in other regimens (27.0% vs 15.0% for premixed and 15.8% basal insulin,
      respectively, P<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed sequential
      telephonic interview (odds ratio [OR], 1.531; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.093
      2.143; P=0.013), higher hemoglobin A1c levels (OR, 1.090; 95% CI, 0.999-1.189;
      P=0.049), and less negative appraisal of insulin therapy as significant
      predictors of higher persistence. Basal bolus regimen (OR, 1.583; 95% CI, 1.011
      2.479; P=0.045) and higher hemoglobin A1c levels (OR, 1.114; 95% CI, 1.028-1.207;
      P=0.008) were the significant predictors of increased likelihood of skipping an
      injection. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed positive influence of sequential
      telephonic interview, although including no intervention in treatment, on
      achieving better treatment persistence in type 2 diabetes patients initiating
      insulin.

PMID- 27274208
TI  - Development of TUA-WELLNESS screening tool for screening risk of mild cognitive
      impairment among community-dwelling older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Focus on screening for cognitive impairment has to be given
      particular importance because of the rising older adult population. Thus, this
      study aimed to develop and assess a brief screening tool consisting of ten items
      that can be self-administered by community dwelling older adults (TUA-WELLNESS).
      METHODOLOGY: A total of 1,993 noninstitutionalized respondents aged 60 years and
      above were selected for this study. The dependent variable was mild cognitive
      impairment (MCI) assessed using neuropsychological test batteries. The items for
      the screening tool comprised a wide range of factors that were chosen mainly from
      the analysis of ordinal logistic regression (OLR) and based on past literature. A
      suitable cut-off point was developed using receiver operating characteristic
      analysis. RESULTS: A total of ten items were included in the screening tool. From
      the ten items, eight were found to be significant by ordinal logistic regression
      and the remaining two items were part of the tool because they showed strong
      association with cognitive impairment in previous studies. The area under curve
      (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity for cut-off 11 were 0.84%, 83.3%, and 73.4%,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: TUA-WELLNESS screening tool has been used to screen for
      major risk factors of MCI among Malaysian older adults. This tool is only
      suitable for basic MCI risk screening purpose and should not be used for
      diagnostic purpose.

PMID- 27274209
TI  - Maximal intermittent handgrip strategy: design and evaluation of an exercise
      protocol and a grip tool.
AB  - Handgrip (HG) exercise has been prescribed as a lifestyle intervention to
      successfully reduce resting blood pressure (BP) among heterogeneous groups of
      participants. Current HG protocols have limited accessibility due to complicated
      exercise prescriptions and sophisticated required equipment. Therefore, this
      research describes the design and evaluation of the maximal intermittent (MINT)
      HG exercise strategy, consisting of both a novel exercise protocol (32*5 seconds
      maximal grip squeezes separated by 5 seconds of rest between sets) and an
      original grip tool. This research was a multistep progressive design that
      included 51 postmenopausal women as participants in three separate research
      studies. Part 1 of this research focuses on the MINT exercise protocol. A
      literature-informed rationale for the design of the protocol is described. This
      includes exercise intensity, work-to-rest ratio, and total exercise duration with
      reference to the unique physiology (mechanoreflex and metaboreflex) of
      postmenopausal women. Subsequent experimental analyses of acute responses to the
      MINT protocol revealed that women produced 50% of their maximum grip force with
      moderate cardiovascular responses (increases of systolic BP: 41.6 mmHg, diastolic
      BP: 20.1 mmHg, heart rate: 35.1 bpm) that remained far below the thresholds of
      concern identified by the American College of Sports Medicine. Part 2 of this
      research describes the creation of a novel grip tool, beginning with a mixed
      methods assessment of participant opinions regarding two distinct in-laboratory
      grip tools, leading to the creation of four prototype MINT tools. Structured
      focus groups revealed a strong preference for MINT prototype 1 for all tool
      design features, including color, shape, size, and foam grip. Collectively, the
      result of this multistep research is a novel HG exercise strategy with enhanced
      accessibility by being easy to understand and simple to execute. The long-term
      training effectiveness of MINT as an exercise intervention for the reduction of
      resting BP has yet to be determined. 

PMID- 27274210
TI  - Neurocognitive testing and cochlear implantation: insights into performance in
      older adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case series was to assess the impact of auditory
      rehabilitation with cochlear implantation on the cognitive function of elderly
      patients over time. DESIGN: This is a longitudinal case series of prospective
      data assessing neurocognitive function and speech perception in an elderly cohort
      pre- and post-implantation. SETTING: University cochlear implant center.
      PARTICIPANTS: The patients were post-lingually deafened elderly female (mean,
      73.6 years; SD, 5.82; range, 67-81 years) cochlear implant recipients (n=7).
      MEASUREMENTS: A neurocognitive battery of 20 tests assessing intellectual
      function, learning, short- and long-term memory, verbal fluency, attention,
      mental flexibility, and processing speed was performed prior to and 2-4.1 years
      (mean, 3.7) after cochlear implant (CI). Speech perception testing using
      Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant words was performed prior to implantation and at
      regular intervals postoperatively. Individual and aggregate differences in
      cognitive function pre- and post-CI were estimated. Logistic regression with
      cluster adjustment was used to estimate the association (%improvement or
      %decline) between speech understanding and years from implantation at 1 year, 2
      years, and 3 years post-CI. RESULTS: Improvements after CI were observed in 14
      (70%) of all subtests administered. Declines occurred in five (25%) subtests. In
      55 individual tests (43%), post-CI performance improved compared to a patient's
      own performance before implantation. Of these, nine (45%) showed moderate or
      pronounced improvement. Overall, improvements were largest in the verbal and
      memory domains. Logistic regression demonstrated a significant relationship
      between speech perception and cognitive function over time. Five neurocognitive
      tests were predictive of improved speech perception following implantation.
      CONCLUSION: Comprehensive neurocognitive testing of elderly women demonstrated
      areas of improvement in cognitive function and auditory perception following
      cochlear implantation. Multiple neurocognitive tests were strongly associated
      with current speech perception measures. While these data shed light on the
      complex relationship between hearing and cognition by showing that CI may slow
      the expected age-related cognitive decline, further research is needed to examine
      the impact of hearing rehabilitation on cognitive decline.

PMID- 27274211
TI  - Density abnormalities in normal-appearing gray matter in the middle-aged brain
      with white matter hyperintense lesions: a DARTEL-enhanced voxel-based morphometry
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about the structural alterations within
      gray matter (GM) in middle-aged subjects with white matter hyperintense (WMH)
      lesions. Here, we aimed to examine the anatomical changes within the GM and their
      relationship to WMH lesion loads in middle-aged subjects. PARTICIPANTS AND
      METHODS: Twenty-three middle-aged subjects with WMH lesions (WMH group) and 23
      demographically matched healthy control subjects participated in the study. A
      Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration Through Exponentiated Liealgebra-enhanced
      voxel-based morphometry was used to measure the GM density, and the correlations
      between WMH lesion volume and extracted GM values in abnormal regions were
      identified by voxel-based morphometry analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the
      healthy control subjects, the WMH group had a significantly decreased GM density
      in the left middle frontal gyrus, bilateral anterior cingulate cortex, left and
      right premotor cortex, and left and right middle cingulate cortex and an
      increased GM density in the bilateral cerebellum anterior lobe, left middle
      temporal gyrus, right temporoparietal junction, left and right prefrontal cortex
      (PFC), and left inferior parietal lobule. A relationship was observed between the
      normalized WMH lesion volume and the decreased GM density, including the left
      middle frontal gyrus (rho=-0.629, P=0.002), bilateral anterior cingulate cortex
      (rho=-0.507, P=0.019), right middle cingulate cortex (rho=-0.484, P=0.026), and
      right premotor cortex (rho=-0.438, P=0.047). The WMH lesion loads also negatively
      correlated with increased GM density in the right temporoparietal junction (rho=
      0.484, P=0.026), left PFC (rho=-0.469, P=0.032), and right PFC (rho=-0.438,
      P=0.047). CONCLUSION: We observed that lesion load-associated structural
      plasticity corresponds to bidirectional changes in regional GM density in the WMH
      group.

PMID- 27274212
TI  - Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide measurements in the diagnoses of asthma in
      elderly patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO)
      measurements in the diagnosis of asthma in elderly patients. METHODS: The
      clinical symptoms of 202 elderly patients were assessed with the asthma module of
      the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood test, which had been
      modified for the elderly patients, and the diagnostic routine for chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which was based on the Global initiative
      for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. Of the 202 patients assessed, 43
      were subjected to pulmonary function evaluations (spirometry) and FeNO
      measurements. RESULTS: Of the 202 elderly patients, 34 had asthma (23 definite
      and eleven probable), 20 met COPD criteria, 13 presented with an overlap of
      asthma and COPD, and 135 did not fit the criteria for obstructive pulmonary
      disease. Among the 43 elderly patients who were subjected to FeNO measurements,
      ten showed altered results (23.2%) and 33 had normal results (76.7%). The average
      value of FeNO in patients with definite and probable asthma undergoing this
      procedure was 29.2 parts per billion whereas that in nonasthmatic patients was
      17.5 parts per billion (P=0.0002). CONCLUSION: We show a clear relationship
      between FeNO levels and asthma symptoms and previous asthma diagnoses in elderly
      patients.

PMID- 27274213
TI  - Safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation
      through a small pupil using minimal iris manipulation.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the results of phacoemulsification
      through a small pupil using minimal iris manipulation versus phacoemulsification
      through a well-dilated pupil. METHODS: This prospective randomized control
      (comparative) study comprised 78 patients (group I) with a maximally dilated
      pupil size of <=4.00 mm and 45 patients (group II) with dilated pupil size of
      >=7.00 mm. In group I patients, only viscodilation and minimal push-and-pull iris
      stretching with two collar-button iris-retractor hooks were utilized without iris
      manipulation. Phacoemulsification was performed by two senior surgeons and the
      technique used consisted of either stop and chop or quick chop,
      infusion/aspiration of lens cortex, capsular bag refill with ocular viscoelastic
      devices, and implantation of an acrylic foldable intraocular lens. Patients were
      examined on the first day and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Forty-six eyes of
      group I patients had pseudoexfoliation syndrome, eleven eyes had previous
      glaucoma surgery, 14 eyes had angle-closure or open-angle glaucoma, and seven
      eyes had posterior synechiae with iritis. In group I patients, the mean pupil
      size measured under an operating microscope was 3.2 mm preoperatively, 4.3 mm
      after viscoelastic and mechanical pupil dilation, and 4.1 mm at the end of a
      surgical procedure. Rupture of the zonular fibers occurred in six patients of
      group I and the intraocular lens was implanted in the sulcus. Small iris
      sphincter rupture and small hemorrhages occurred in four eyes during pupillary
      manipulation, but they were not evident at the end of the surgery. In group II
      patients, no intraoperative complications occurred. Signs of significant corneal
      edema and iritis were observed more frequently in group I eyes (26 eyes and 20
      eyes, respectively) on the first postoperative day in comparison with group II
      eyes (ten eyes and six eyes, respectively). Intraocular pressure was <20 mmHg in
      all eyes of both groups. One month postoperatively, the pupil was round and
      reactive to light, the anterior chamber was quiet, and the cornea was clear in
      all eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity on Snellen chart was 20/40 (Monoyer's
      scale) or better in both groups. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification through a small
      pupil using minimal iris manipulation can be safe and exhibits the same results
      as those obtained with phacoemulsification through normal pupils.

PMID- 27274214
TI  - Does severity of dermatochalasis in aging affect corneal biomechanical
      properties?
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of a
      relationship between corneal biomechanical properties and different grades of
      dermatochalasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were assigned to four groups
      according to the severity of their dermatochalasis: normal (Group 1), mild (Group
      2), moderate (Group 3), and severe (Group 4). An Ocular Response Analyzer device
      was used to measure corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), and
      corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc). RESULTS: We found no
      significant differences in the mean values of the CH, CRF, and IOPcc of all
      groups (P=0.75, P=0.93, and P=0.11, respectively). However, CH and IOPcc were
      negatively correlated in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 patients (P=0.013, r=
      0.49; P=0.015, r=-0.52; and P=0.011, r=-0.47, respectively), but this correlation
      was not apparent in the Group 4 patients (P=0.57, r=0.12). CRF and IOPcc were
      correlated, but only in Group 4 (P=0.001, r=0.66). CONCLUSION: Severe
      dermatochalasis was associated with altered corneal biomechanical properties.
      Some of the important visual consequences of dermatochalasis and related diseases
      (such as floppy eyelid syndrome) can be understood by considering corneal
      biomechanical alterations.

PMID- 27274216
TI  - A randomized clinical trial of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist versus
      conventional weaning mode in patients with COPD and prolonged mechanical
      ventilation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient-ventilator asynchrony is a common problem in mechanically
      ventilated patients; the problem is especially obvious in COPD. Neutrally
      adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) can improve patient-ventilator asynchrony;
      however, the effect in COPD patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation is
      still unknown. The goals of this study are to evaluate the effect of NAVA and
      conventional weaning mode in patients with COPD during prolonged mechanical
      ventilation. METHODS: The study enrolled a total of 33 COPD patients with
      ventilator dependency for more than 21 days in the weaning center. A diaphragm
      electrical activity (Edi) catheter was inserted in patients within 24 hours after
      admission to the respiratory care center, and patients were randomly allocated to
      NAVA or conventional group. A spontaneous breathing trial was performed every 24
      hours. The results correlated with the clinical parameters. RESULTS: There were
      significantly higher asynchrony incidence rates in the whole group after using
      Edi catheter (before vs post-Edi catheter insertion =60.6% vs 87.9%, P<0.001).
      Asynchrony index: before vs post-Edi catheter insertion =7.4%+/-8.5% vs 13.2%+/
      13.5%, P<0.01. Asynchrony incidence: NAVA vs conventional =0% vs 84.2%, P<0.001.
      Asynchrony index: NAVA vs conventional =0 vs 11.9+/-11.2 (breath %), P<0.001. The
      most common asynchrony events were ineffective trigger and delayed trigger.
      CONCLUSION: Compared to conventional mode, NAVA mode can significantly enhance
      respiratory monitoring and improve patient-ventilator interaction in COPD
      patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation in respiratory care center.

PMID- 27274215
TI  - Genes associated with Alzheimer's disease: an overview and current status.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease and the most
      common form of dementia in elderly people. It is an emerging public health
      problem that poses a huge societal burden. Linkage analysis was the first
      milestone in unraveling the mutations in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 that cause early
      onset AD, followed by the discovery of apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 allele as the
      only one genetic risk factor for late-onset AD. Genome-wide association studies
      have revolutionized genetic research and have identified over 20 genetic loci
      associated with late-onset AD. Recently, next-generation sequencing technologies
      have enabled the identification of rare disease variants, including unmasking
      small mutations with intermediate risk of AD in PLD3, TREM2, UNC5C, AKAP9, and
      ADAM10. This review provides an overview of the genetic basis of AD and the
      relationship between these risk genes and the neuropathologic features of AD. An
      understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis and the
      potentially implicated pathways will lead to the development of novel treatment
      for this devastating disease. 

PMID- 27274218
TI  - A randomized, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy of
      umeclidinium/vilanterol 62.5/25 MUg on health-related quality of life in patients
      with COPD.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The combination of the inhaled muscarinic antagonist umeclidinium
      (UMEC) with the long-acting beta2-agonist vilanterol (VI) has been shown to
      provide significant improvements in lung function compared with UMEC, VI, or
      placebo (PBO) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This
      study was specifically designed to support these findings by assessing health
      related quality of life and symptomatic outcomes in a similar population.
      METHODS: This was a 12-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel
      group, placebo-controlled study. Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to receive
      once-daily UMEC/VI 62.5/25 MUg (via ELLIPTA((r)) dry powder inhaler) or PBO for
      12 weeks. The primary endpoint was St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)
      total score at day 84. Secondary efficacy endpoints included rescue albuterol use
      (puffs/day) over weeks 1-12 and trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second on
      day 84. Adverse events were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 496 patients were
      included in the intent-to-treat population in the UMEC/VI (n=248) and PBO (n=248)
      treatment groups. UMEC/VI 62.5/25 MUg provided a significant and clinically
      meaningful improvement in SGRQ total score at day 84 versus PBO (difference
      between treatments in SGRQ total score change from baseline: -4.03 [95%
      confidence interval {CI}: -6.28, -1.79]; P<0.001). UMEC/VI 62.5/25 MUg resulted
      in a statistically significant reduction in rescue albuterol use versus PBO (-0.7
      puffs/day [95% CI: -1.1, -0.4]; P<0.001). UMEC/VI 62.5/25 MUg provided a
      significant and clinically meaningful improvement in trough forced expiratory
      volume in 1 second on day 84 versus PBO (122 mL [95% CI: 71, 172]; P<0.001). The
      incidence of adverse events was similar between treatments (32% and 30% of
      patients in the UMEC/VI 62.5/25 MUg and PBO groups, respectively). CONCLUSION:
      The results of this study demonstrate that treatment with UMEC/VI 62.5/25 MUg
      provides clinically important improvements in SGRQ and rescue medication use
      versus PBO in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD.

PMID- 27274217
TI  - Assessment of illness acceptance by patients with COPD and the prevalence of
      depression and anxiety in COPD.
AB  - BACKGROUND: COPD is a civilization disease. It affects up to 8%-10% of population
      >30 years of age. Coexistence of depression occurs in 20%-40% of patients with
      COPD. Depression and anxiety reduce compliance and worsen prognosis. OBJECTIVE:
      The aims of this study were to determine the degree of illness acceptance among
      patients with COPD, to examine the relation between disease acceptance and
      perceived anxiety and depression, and to verify which of the sociodemographic and
      clinical factors are associated with illness acceptance, anxiety, and depression.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 102 patients with COPD (mean age 65.8
      years), hospitalized due to exacerbations. Acceptance of Illness Scale and
      Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used. For statistical analysis,
      Student's t-test and Pearson's r correlation coefficient were carried out.
      RESULTS: The overall illness acceptance level was moderate with a tendency toward
      lack of acceptance (mean 20.6, standard deviation [SD] 7.62). The overall scores
      were 10.2 (SD 3.32) for anxiety and 10.8 (SD 4.14) for depression, which indicate
      borderline or high intensity of these symptoms. Acceptance of illness was
      negatively correlated with the intensity of depression symptoms (r=-0.46,
      P<0.05). Intensity of depression was significantly associated with intensity of
      smoking, duration of the disease, severity of dyspnea, and living in a rural
      area. CONCLUSION: Early identification and assessment of depression and anxiety
      symptoms allow health care providers to offer patients at risk of depression a
      special medical supervision. Rapid start of antidepressant therapy may increase
      illness acceptance and improve prognosis among patients with COPD.

PMID- 27274219
TI  - Follow-up study on management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Hunan
      Province, the People's Republic of China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2009, our study showed an extreme imbalance and disparity in COPD
      related health resources allocation at three levels of public hospitals (PHs) in
      Hunan Province of the People's Republic of China, especially in second-level PHs.
      Moreover, most Chinese citizens accept their health care services in first- and
      second-level PHs for economic and geographical reasons, as well as because of the
      incomplete transfer system in the health care services. To improve diagnosis and
      treatment ability of pulmonologists in second-level PHs, an intervention that
      provided training combined with spirometry equipment was carried out in three PHs
      from six second-level PHs. The aim of this follow-up study was to evaluate the
      changes associated with COPD-related health resources allocation and the effect
      of the intervention 4 years later. METHODS: The data regarding the availability
      of spirometers, inhalation agents for COPD, and COPD-related health care
      education for local residents were collected from 57 PHs in 2009 and 48 PHs in
      2013. Pulmonologists working in these PHs were asked to complete a questionnaire
      individually. Six second-level PHs (three in the intervention group and the other
      three in the control group [without training and spirometry equipment]) that
      further took part in the survey in 2009 were reevaluated to determine the
      doubtful diagnostic ratio and the confirmation ratio of COPD. The differences
      between 2009 and 2013 data was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 762 questionnaires
      were completed. Compared with 2009, spirometer-equipped ratio raised from 40% to
      69% in 2013 (P=0.03). The overall inhalation agent-equipped ratio increased from
      58% in 2009 to 88% in 2013 (P=0.001). The total rate of health education raised
      from 35% in 2009 to 63% in 2013 (P=0.04). In total, 204 pulmonologists from six
      PHs (selected for study in 2009) completed the questionnaires in 2013. The median
      score of COPD knowledge questionnaire in the intervention group was higher than
      that of the control group (80 vs 50, respectively, P<0.01). Further, the clinical
      doubtful diagnostic ratio (15%) and the diagnosis ratio of COPD (3%) in the
      intervention group were higher than in the control group (4% and 1%,
      respectively, P<0.05) even after 4 years. CONCLUSION: COPD-related health
      resources allocation improved in the 4 years following intervention at three
      levels of PHs in the People's Republic of China. Short-term training combined
      with spirometry equipment had a sustained effect on improving the physicians'
      understanding and diagnosis ability of COPD.

PMID- 27274220
TI  - Comparison of pulmonary function in patients with COPD, asthma-COPD overlap
      syndrome, and asthma with airflow limitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was conducted in order to investigate the differences in
      the respiratory physiology of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD), asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS), and asthma with airflow limitation
      (asthma FL(+)). METHODS: The medical records for a series of all stable patients
      with persistent airflow limitation due to COPD, ACOS, or asthma were
      retrospectively reviewed and divided into the COPD group (n=118), the ACOS group
      (n=32), and the asthma FL(+) group (n=27). All the patients underwent chest high
      resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests, including
      respiratory impedance. RESULTS: The low attenuation area score on chest HRCT was
      significantly higher in the COPD group than in the ACOS group (9.52+/-0.76 vs
      5.09+/-1.16, P<0.01). The prevalence of bronchial wall thickening on chest HRCT
      was significantly higher in the asthma FL(+) group than in the COPD group (55.6%
      vs 25.0%, P<0.01). In pulmonary function, forced expiratory volume in 1 second
      (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate were significantly higher in the asthma
      FL(+) group than in the ACOS group (76.28%+/-2.54% predicted vs 63.43%+/-3.22%
      predicted, P<0.05 and 74.40%+/-3.16% predicted vs 61.08%+/-3.54% predicted,
      P<0.05, respectively). Although residual volume was significantly lower in the
      asthma FL(+) group than in the COPD group (112.05%+/-4.34% predicted vs 137.38%+/
      3.43% predicted, P<0.01) and the ACOS group (112.05%+/-4.34% predicted
      vs148.46%+/-6.25% predicted, P<0.01), there were no significant differences in
      functional residual capacity or total lung capacity. The increase in FEV1 in
      response to short-acting beta2-agonists was significantly greater in the ACOS
      group than in the COPD group (229+/-29 mL vs 72+/-10 mL, P<0.01) and the asthma
      FL(+) group (229+/-29 mL vs 153+/-21 mL, P<0.05). Regarding respiratory
      impedance, resistance at 5 Hz and resistance at 20 Hz, which are oscillatory
      parameters of respiratory resistance, were significantly higher in the asthma
      FL(+) group than in the COPD group at the whole-breath (4.29+/-0.30 cmH2O/L/s vs
      3.41+/-0.14 cmH2O/L/s, P<0.01 and 3.50+/-0.24 cmH2O/L/s vs 2.68+/-0.10 cmH2O/L/s,
      P<0.01, respectively), expiratory, and inspiratory phases. CONCLUSION: Although
      persistent airflow limitation occurs in patients with COPD, ACOS, and asthma
      FL(+), they may have distinct characteristics of the respiratory physiology and
      different responsiveness to bronchodilators.

PMID- 27274221
TI  - Diagnosis of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a population-based study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) remains an underdiagnosed
      condition despite initiatives developed to increase awareness. The objective was
      to describe the current situation of the diagnosis of AATD in primary care (PC)
      in Catalonia, Spain. METHODS: We performed a population-based study with data
      from the Information System for Development in Research in Primary Care, a
      population database that contains information of 5.8 million inhabitants (80% of
      the population of Catalonia). We collected the number of alpha-1 antitrypsin
      (AAT) determinations performed in the PC in two periods (2007-2008 and 2010-2011)
      and described the characteristics of the individuals tested. RESULTS: A total of
      12,409 AAT determinations were performed (5,559 in 2007-2008 and 6,850 in 2010
      2011), with 10.7% of them in children. As a possible indication for AAT
      determination, 28.9% adults and 29.4% children had a previous diagnosis of a
      disease related to AATD; transaminase levels were above normal in 17.7% of
      children and 47.1% of adults. In total, 663 (5.3%) individuals had intermediate
      AATD (50-100 mg/dL), 24 (0.2%) individuals had a severe deficiency (<50 mg/dL),
      with a prevalence of 0.19 cases of severe deficiency per 100 determinations. Nine
      (41%) of the adults with severe deficiency had a previous diagnosis of
      COPD/emphysema, and four (16.7%) were diagnosed with COPD within 6 months.
      CONCLUSION: The number of AAT determinations in the PC is low in relation to the
      prevalence of COPD but increased slightly along the study period. The indication
      to perform the test is not always clear, and patients detected with deficiency
      are not always referred to a specialist.

PMID- 27274222
TI  - Extracellular cadmium in the bronchoalveolar space of long-term tobacco smokers
      with and without COPD and its association with inflammation.
AB  - Tobacco contains cadmium, and this metal has been attributed a causative role in
      pulmonary emphysema among smokers, although extracellular cadmium has not to date
      been quantified in the bronchoalveolar space of tobacco smokers with or without
      COPD. We determined whether cadmium is enhanced in the bronchoalveolar space of
      long-term tobacco smokers with or without COPD in vivo, its association with
      inflammation, and its effect on chemokine release in macrophage-like cells in
      vitro. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), sputum, and blood samples were collected
      from current, long-term smokers with and without COPD and from healthy
      nonsmokers. Cadmium concentrations were determined in cell-free BAL fluid using
      inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Blood monocyte-derived macrophages
      were exposed to cadmium chloride in vitro. Depending upon the type of sample,
      molecular markers of inflammation were quantified either as protein (enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay) or as mRNA (real-time polymerase chain reaction).
      Cadmium concentrations were markedly increased in cell-free BAL fluid of smokers
      compared to that of nonsmokers (n=19-29; P<0.001), irrespective of COPD. In these
      smokers, the measured cadmium displayed positive correlations with macrophage TNF
      alpha mRNA in BAL, neutrophil and CD8(+) cell concentrations in blood, and
      finally with IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-9 protein in sputum (n=10-20; P<0.05). The
      cadmium chloride exposure caused a concentration-dependent increase in
      extracellular IL-8 protein in monocyte-derived macrophages in vitro. In
      conclusion, extracellular cadmium is enhanced in the bronchoalveolar space of
      long-term smokers and displays pro-inflammatory features. Its pathogenic role in
      tobacco-induced disease deserves further evaluation. 

PMID- 27274224
TI  - Erratum: Triple therapy with salmeterol/fluticasone propionate 50/250 plus
      tiotropium bromide improve lung function versus individual treatments in moderate
      to-severe Japanese COPD patients: a randomized controlled trial - Evaluation of
      Airway sGaw after treatment with tripLE [Corrigendum].
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 2393 in vol. 10, PMID: 26604737.].

PMID- 27274223
TI  - A comparison of synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation and pressure
      regulated volume control ventilation in elderly patients with acute exacerbations
      of COPD and respiratory failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Acute
      exacerbations of COPD may cause respiratory failure, requiring intensive care
      unit admission and mechanical ventilation. Intensive care unit patients with
      acute exacerbations of COPD requiring mechanical ventilation have higher
      mortality rates than other hospitalized patients. Although mechanical ventilation
      is the most effective intervention for these conditions, invasive ventilation
      techniques have yielded variable effects. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated pressure
      regulated volume control (PRVC) ventilation treatment efficacy and preventive
      effects on pulmonary barotrauma in elderly COPD patients with respiratory
      failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine intubated patients were divided into
      experimental and control groups and treated with the PRVC and synchronized
      intermittent mandatory ventilation - volume control methods, respectively. Vital
      signs, respiratory mechanics, and arterial blood gas analyses were monitored for
      2-4 hours and 48 hours. RESULTS: Both groups showed rapidly improved pH, partial
      pressure of oxygen (PaO2), and PaO2 per fraction of inspired O2 levels and lower
      partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels. The pH and PaCO2 levels at 2-4
      hours were lower and higher, respectively, in the test group than those in the
      control group (P<0.05 for both); after 48 hours, blood gas analyses showed no
      statistical difference in any marker (P>0.05). Vital signs during 2-4 hours and
      48 hours of treatment showed no statistical difference in either group (P>0.05).
      The level of peak inspiratory pressure in the experimental group after mechanical
      ventilation for 2-4 hours and 48 hours was significantly lower than that in the
      control group (P<0.05), while other variables were not significantly different
      between groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Among elderly COPD patients with respiratory
      failure, application of PRVC resulted in rapid improvement in arterial blood gas
      analyses while maintaining a low peak inspiratory pressure. PRVC can reduce
      pulmonary barotrauma risk, making it a safer protective ventilation mode than
      synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation - volume control.

PMID- 27274225
TI  - Effects of budesonide on toll-like receptor expression in alveolar macrophages
      from smokers with and without COPD.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are equipped with innate immune
      receptors such as toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In
      primary bronchial epithelial cells, exposure of toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands
      or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) increased TLR2 mRNA expression and
      reduced interleukin-8 (IL-8) release when coincubated with glucocorticosteroids.
      The aim of this study was to compare TLR2 and TLR4 expression levels and the
      effect of a glucocorticosteroid after stimulation with TLR ligands on AMs from
      smokers with and without COPD compared with the healthy controls. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed, and AMs were isolated from smokers
      with (n=10) and without COPD (n=11) and healthy controls (n=10) and stimulated ex
      vivo with peptidoglycan (PGN), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or TNF-alpha +/-
      budesonide (Bud). Blocking antibodies to TLR2 or TLR4 were added before
      stimulation with LPS or PGN +/- Bud, respectively. The release of proinflammatory
      cytokine (TNF-alpha), chemoattractant (CXCL8), and TLR expression was analyzed by
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription polymerase chain
      reaction. RESULTS: LPS, PGN, and TNF-alpha induced an increased release of IL-8
      and TNF-alpha in the AMs in all the groups independent of smoking or disease.
      These responses were inhibited by a glucocorticosteroid (Bud) in all the three
      groups, except PGN-induced IL-8 secretion in smokers without COPD. Bud increased
      TLR2 expression in the healthy controls and smokers without COPD. Costimulation
      of TLR ligands and Bud significantly enhanced TLR2 mRNA expression in both groups
      of smokers compared with TLR ligands alone. In smokers, costimulation with PGN
      and Bud significantly increased TLR2 expression when compared with Bud alone. On
      stimulation with the TLR4 agonist, LPS downregulated TLR4 mRNA expression in all
      the three groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of glucocorticosteroids with TLR
      ligands can increase TLR2 expression, thereby improving host defense in smokers.
      Also this combination can decrease the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and
      chemokines as an anti-inflammatory response. Our findings indicate that
      glucocorticosteroid therapy strengthens immune defense pathways, which may have
      implication during exacerbation caused by microorganisms.

PMID- 27274226
TI  - Investigating sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of the Clinical
      COPD Questionnaire, COPD Assessment Test, and Modified Medical Research Council
      scale according to GOLD using St George's Respiratory Questionnaire cutoff 25
      (and 20) as reference.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the GOLD (Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease)
      strategy document, the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ), COPD Assessment Test
      (CAT), or modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale are recommended for the
      assessment of symptoms using the cutoff points of CCQ >=1, CAT >=10, and mMRC
      scale >=2 to indicate symptomatic patients. The current study investigates the
      criterion validity of the CCQ, CAT and mMRC scale based on a reference cutoff
      point of St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) >=25, as suggested by GOLD,
      following sensitivity and specificity analysis. In addition, areas under the
      curve (AUCs) of the CCQ, CAT, and mMRC scale were compared using two SGRQ cutoff
      points (>=25 and >=20). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two data sets were used: study A,
      238 patients from a pulmonary rehabilitation program; and study B, 101 patients
      from primary care. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to
      assess the correspondence between the recommended cutoff points of the
      questionnaires. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC scores for cutoff
      point SGRQ >=25 were: study A, 0.99, 0.43, and 0.96 for CCQ >=1, 0.92, 0.48, and
      0.89 for CAT >=10, and 0.68, 0.91, and 0.91 for mMRC >=2; study B, 0.87, 0.77,
      and 0.9 for CCQ >=1, 0.76, 0.73, and 0.82 for CAT >=10, and 0.21, 1, and 0.81 for
      mMRC >=2. Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC scores for cutoff point SGRQ >=20
      were: study A, 0.99, 0.73, and 0.99 for CCQ >=1, 0.91, 0.73, and 0.94 for CAT
      >=10, and 0.66, 0.95, and 0.94 for mMRC >=2; study B, 0.8, 0.89, and 0.89 for CCQ
      >=1, 0.69, 0.78, and 0.8 for CAT >=10, and 0.18, 1, and 0.81 for mMRC >=2.
      CONCLUSION: Based on data from these two different samples, this study showed
      that the suggested cutoff point for the SGRQ (>=25) did not seem to correspond
      well with the established cutoff points of the CCQ or CAT scales, resulting in
      low specificity levels. The correspondence with the mMRC scale seemed
      satisfactory, though not optimal. The SGRQ threshold of >=20 corresponded
      slightly better than SGRQ >=25, recently suggested by GOLD 2015, with the
      established cutoff points for the CCQ, CAT, and mMRC scale.

PMID- 27274227
TI  - Hyperlipidemia in COPD is associated with decreased incidence of pneumonia and
      mortality: a nationwide health insurance data-based retrospective cohort study.
AB  - PURPOSE: COPD is often associated with various comorbidities that may influence
      its outcomes. Pneumonia, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer are the major
      causes of death in COPD patients. The objective of this study is to investigate
      the influence of comorbidities on COPD by using the Taiwan National Health
      Insurance database. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the
      database in 2006 of one million sampling cohort. Newly diagnosed patients with
      COPD with a controlled cohort that was matched by age, sex, and Charlson
      comorbidity index (CCI) were included for analysis. RESULTS: In total, 1,491
      patients with COPD were included for analysis (61.8% male). Patients with COPD
      had higher incidences of pneumonia (25.7% vs 10.4%; P<0.0001), CVD (15.1% vs
      10.5%; P<0.0001), and mortality rate (26.6% vs 15.8%; P<0.001) compared with the
      control group in the 4-year follow-up. In patients with COPD, CCI >=3 have a
      higher incidence of pneumonia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.61; 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 1.23-2.09; P<0.0001), CVD (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.24-2.41; P=0.001), and
      mortality (HR 1.12; 95% CI 1.12-1.83; P=0.004). Among the major comorbidities of
      COPD, hyperlipidemia was associated with decreased incidence of pneumonia (HR
      0.68; 95% CI 0.5-0.93; P=0.016) and mortality (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.46-0.90;
      P=0.009), but was not associated with increased risk of CVD (HR 1.10; 95% CI 0.78
      1.55; P=0.588). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that COPD is associated with
      increased incidence of pneumonia, CVD, and mortality. In patients with COPD,
      higher CCI is associated with increased incidence of pneumonia, CVD, and
      mortality. However, COPD with hyperlipidemia is associated with decreased
      incidence of pneumonia and mortality.

PMID- 27274228
TI  - Capturing and concentrating adenovirus using magnetic anionic nanobeads.
AB  - We recently demonstrated how various enveloped viruses can be efficiently
      concentrated using magnetic beads coated with an anionic polymer, poly(methyl
      vinyl ether-maleic anhydrate). However, the exact mechanism of interaction
      between the virus particles and anionic beads remains unclear. To further
      investigate whether these magnetic anionic beads specifically bind to the viral
      envelope, we examined their potential interaction with a nonenveloped virus
      (adenovirus). The beads were incubated with either adenovirus-infected cell
      culture medium or nasal aspirates from adenovirus-infected individuals and then
      separated from the supernatant by applying a magnetic field. After thoroughly
      washing the beads, adsorption of adenovirus was confirmed by a variety of
      techniques, including immunochromatography, polymerase chain reaction, Western
      blotting, and cell culture infection assays. These detection methods positively
      identified the hexon and penton capsid proteins of adenovirus along with the
      viral genome on the magnetic beads. Furthermore, various types of adenovirus
      including Types 5, 6, 11, 19, and 41 were captured using the magnetic bead
      procedure. Our bead capture method was also found to increase the sensitivity of
      viral detection. Adenovirus below the detectable limit for immunochromatography
      was efficiently concentrated using the magnetic bead procedure, allowing the
      virus to be successfully detected using this methodology. Moreover, these
      findings clearly demonstrate that a viral envelope is not required for binding to
      the anionic magnetic beads. Taken together, our results show that this capture
      procedure increases the sensitivity of detection of adenovirus and would,
      therefore, be a valuable tool for analyzing both clinical and experimental
      samples. 

PMID- 27274229
TI  - Hyperthermia treatment of tumors by mesenchymal stem cell-delivered
      superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.
AB  - Magnetic hyperthermia - a potential cancer treatment in which superparamagnetic
      iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are made to resonantly respond to an
      alternating magnetic field (AMF) and thereby produce heat - is of significant
      current interest. We have previously shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can
      be labeled with SPIONs with no effect on cell proliferation or survival and that
      within an hour of systemic administration, they migrate to and integrate into
      tumors in vivo. Here, we report on some longer term (up to 3 weeks) post
      integration characteristics of magnetically labeled human MSCs in an
      immunocompromized mouse model. We initially assessed how the size and coating of
      SPIONs dictated the loading capacity and cellular heating of MSCs.
      Ferucarbotran((r)) was the best of those tested, having the best like-for-like
      heating capability and being the only one to retain that capability after cell
      internalization. A mouse model was created by subcutaneous flank injection of a
      combination of 0.5 million Ferucarbotran-loaded MSCs and 1.0 million OVCAR-3
      ovarian tumor cells. After 2 weeks, the tumors reached ~100 uL in volume and then
      entered a rapid growth phase over the third week to reach ~300 uL. In the control
      mice that received no AMF treatment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data showed
      that the labeled MSCs were both incorporated into and retained within the tumors
      over the entire 3-week period. In the AMF-treated mice, heat increases of ~4
      degrees C were observed during the first application, after which MRI indicated a
      loss of negative contrast, suggesting that the MSCs had died and been cleared
      from the tumor. This post-AMF removal of cells was confirmed by histological
      examination and also by a reduced level of subsequent magnetic heating effect.
      Despite this evidence for an AMF-elicited response in the SPION-loaded MSCs, and
      in contrast to previous reports on tumor remission in immunocompetent mouse
      models, in this case, no significant differences were measured regarding the
      overall tumor size or growth characteristics. We discuss the implications of
      these results on the clinical delivery of hyperthermia therapy to tumors and on
      the possibility that a preferred therapeutic route may involve AMF as an adjuvant
      to an autologous immune response. 

PMID- 27274230
TI  - Erratum: Enhanced detection of single-cell-secreted proteins using a fluorescent
      immunoassay on the protein-G-terminated glass substrate [Corrigendum].
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 7197 in vol. 10, PMID: 26648723.].

PMID- 27274232
TI  - Transportan in nanocarriers improves skin localization and antitumor activity of
      paclitaxel.
AB  - In this study, the ability of nanocarriers containing protein transduction
      domains (PTDs) of various classes to improve cutaneous paclitaxel delivery and
      efficacy in skin tumor models was evaluated. Microemulsions (MEs) were prepared
      by mixing a surfactant blend (polyoxyethylene 10 oleoyl ether, ethanol and
      propylene glycol), monocaprylin, and water. The PTD transportan (ME-T),
      penetratin (ME-P), or TAT (ME-TAT) was added at a concentration of 1 mM to the
      plain ME. All MEs displayed nanometric size (32.3-40.7 nm) and slight positive
      zeta potential (+4.1 mV to +6.8 mV). Skin penetration of paclitaxel from the MEs
      was assessed for 1-12 hours using porcine skin and Franz diffusion cells. Among
      the PTD-containing formulations, paclitaxel skin (stratum corneum + epidermis and
      dermis) penetration at 12 hours was maximized with ME-T, whereas ME-TAT provided
      the lowest penetration (1.6-fold less). This is consistent with the stronger
      ability of ME-T to increase transepidermal water loss (2.4-fold compared to
      water) and tissue permeability. The influence of PTD addition on the ME
      irritation potential was assessed by measuring interleukin-1alpha expression and
      viability of bioengineered skin equivalents. A 1.5- to 1.8-fold increase in
      interleukin-1alpha expression was induced by ME-T compared to the other
      formulations, but this effect was less pronounced (5.8-fold) than that mediated
      by the moderate irritant Triton. Because ME-T maximized paclitaxel cutaneous
      localization while being safer than Triton, its efficacy was assessed against
      basal cell carcinoma cells and a bioengineered three-dimensional melanoma model.
      Paclitaxel-containing ME-T reduced cells and tissue viability by twofold compared
      to drug solutions, suggesting the potential clinical usefulness of the
      formulation for the treatment of cutaneous tumors. 

PMID- 27274233
TI  - Doxorubicin-modified magnetic nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for
      magnetic resonance imaging-monitoring magnet-enhancing tumor chemotherapy.
AB  - In this study, we developed functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)
      nanoparticles consisting of a magnetic Fe3O4 core and a shell of aqueous stable
      polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated with doxorubicin (Dox) (SPIO-PEG-D) for
      tumor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement and chemotherapy. The size of
      SPIO nanoparticles was ~10 nm, which was visualized by transmission electron
      microscope. The hysteresis curve, generated with vibrating-sample magnetometer,
      showed that SPIO-PEG-D was superparamagnetic with an insignificant hysteresis.
      The transverse relaxivity (r 2) for SPIO-PEG-D was significantly higher than the
      longitudinal relaxivity (r 1) (r 2/r 1 >10). The half-life of Dox in blood
      circulation was prolonged by conjugating Dox on the surface of SPIO with PEG to
      reduce its degradation. The in vitro experiment showed that SPIO-PEG-D could
      cause DNA crosslink more serious, resulting in a lower DNA expression and a
      higher cell apoptosis for HT-29 cancer cells. The Prussian blue staining study
      showed that the tumors treated with SPIO-PEG-D under a magnetic field had a much
      higher intratumoral iron density than the tumors treated with SPIO-PEG-D alone.
      The in vivo MRI study showed that the T2-weighted signal enhancement was stronger
      for the group under a magnetic field, indicating that it had a better
      accumulation of SPIO-PEG-D in tumor tissues. In the anticancer efficiency study
      for SPIO-PEG-D, the results showed that there was a significantly smaller tumor
      size for the group with a magnetic field than the group without. The in vivo
      experiments also showed that this drug delivery system combined with a local
      magnetic field could reduce the side effects of cardiotoxicity and
      hepatotoxicity. The results showed that the developed SPIO-PEG-D nanoparticles
      own a great potential for MRI-monitoring magnet-enhancing tumor chemotherapy. 

PMID- 27274234
TI  - Carbon nanospheres mediated delivery of nuclear matrix protein SMAR1 to direct
      experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice.
AB  - Owing to the suppression of immune responses and associated side effects, steroid
      based treatments for inflammatory encephalitis disease can be detrimental. Here,
      we demonstrate a novel carbon nanosphere (CNP) based treatment regime for
      encephalomyelitis in mice by exploiting the functional property of the nuclear
      matrix binding protein SMAR1. A truncated part of SMAR1 ie, the DNA binding
      domain was conjugated with hydrothermally synthesized CNPs. When administered
      intravenously, the conjugate suppressed experimental animal encephalomyelitis in
      T cell specific conditional SMAR1 knockout mice (SMAR(-/-)). Further, CNP-SMAR1
      conjugate delayed the onset of the disease and reduced the demyelination
      significantly. There was a significant decrease in the production of IL-17 after
      re-stimulation with MOG. Altogether, our findings suggest a potential carbon
      nanomaterial based therapeutic intervention to combat Th17 mediated autoimmune
      diseases including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. 

PMID- 27274235
TI  - Synergistic intrafibrillar/extrafibrillar mineralization of collagen scaffolds
      based on a biomimetic strategy to promote the regeneration of bone defects.
AB  - The mineralization of collagen scaffolds can improve their mechanical properties
      and biocompatibility, thereby providing an appropriate microenvironment for bone
      regeneration. The primary purpose of the present study is to fabricate a
      synergistically intra- and extrafibrillar mineralized collagen scaffold, which
      has many advantages in terms of biocompatibility, biomechanical properties, and
      further osteogenic potential. In this study, mineralized collagen scaffolds were
      fabricated using a traditional mineralization method (ie, immersed in simulated
      body fluid) as a control group and using a biomimetic method based on the polymer
      induced liquid precursor process as an experimental group. In the polymer-induced
      liquid precursor process, a negatively charged polymer, carboxymethyl chitosan
      (CMC), was used to stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to form
      nanocomplexes of CMC/ACP. Collagen scaffolds mineralized based on the polymer
      induced liquid precursor process were in gel form such that nanocomplexes of
      CMC/ACP can easily be drawn into the interstices of the collagen fibrils.
      Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to
      examine the porous micromorphology and synergistic mineralization pattern of the
      collagen scaffolds. Compared with simulated body fluid, nanocomplexes of CMC/ACP
      significantly increased the modulus of the collagen scaffolds. The results of in
      vitro experiments showed that the cell count and differentiated degrees in the
      experimental group were higher than those in the control group. Histological
      staining and micro-computed tomography showed that the amount of new bone
      regenerated in the experimental group was larger than that in the control group.
      The biomimetic mineralization will assist us in fabricating a novel collagen
      scaffold for clinical applications. 

PMID- 27274231
TI  - Current application of phytocompound-based nanocosmeceuticals for beauty and skin
      therapy.
AB  - Phytocompounds have been used in cosmeceuticals for decades and have shown
      potential for beauty applications, including sunscreen, moisturizing and
      antiaging, and skin-based therapy. The major concerns in the usage of phyto-based
      cosmeceuticals are lower penetration and high compound instability of various
      cosmetic products for sustained and enhanced compound delivery to the beauty
      based skin therapy. To overcome these disadvantages, nanosized delivery
      technologies are currently in use for sustained and enhanced delivery of phyto
      derived bioactive compounds in cosmeceutical sectors and products. Nanosizing of
      phytocompounds enhances the aseptic feel in various cosmeceutical products with
      sustained delivery and enhanced skin protecting activities. Solid lipid
      nanoparticles, transfersomes, ethosomes, nanostructured lipid carriers,
      fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes are some of the emerging nanotechnologies
      currently in use for their enhanced delivery of phytocompounds in skin care. Aloe
      vera, curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, vitamins C and E, genistein, and green
      tea catechins were successfully nanosized using various delivery technologies and
      incorporated in various gels, lotions, and creams for skin, lip, and hair care
      for their sustained effects. However, certain delivery agents such as carbon
      nanotubes need to be studied for their roles in toxicity. This review broadly
      focuses on the usage of phytocompounds in various cosmeceutical products,
      nanodelivery technologies used in the delivery of phytocompounds to various
      cosmeceuticals, and various nanosized phytocompounds used in the development of
      novel nanocosmeceuticals to enhance skin-based therapy. 

PMID- 27274236
TI  - Long-term effect of ropivacaine nanoparticles for sciatic nerve block on
      postoperative pain in rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: The analgesic effect of ropivacaine (Rop) for nerve block lasts only ~3
      6 hours for single use. The aim of this study was to develop long-acting regional
      anesthetic Rop nanoparticles and investigate the effects of sciatic nerve block
      on postoperative pain in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rop nanoparticles were
      developed using polyethylene glycol-co-polylactic acid (PELA). One hundred and
      twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=30,
      each): Con (control group; 0.9% saline, 200 uL), PELA (PELA group; 10 mg), Rop
      (Rop group; 0.5%, 200 uL), and Rop-PELA (Rop-PELA group; 10%, 10 mg). Another 12
      rats were used for the detection of Rop concentration in plasma. The mechanical
      withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were measured at 2 hours, 4
      hours, 8 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days after incision. The
      expression of c-FOS was determined by immunohistochemistry at 2 hours, 8 hours,
      48 hours, and 7 days. Nerve and organ toxicities were also evaluated at 7 days.
      RESULTS: The duration of Rop absorption in the plasma of the Rop-PELA group was
      longer (>8 hours) than that of the Rop group (4 hours). Mechanical withdrawal
      threshold and thermal withdrawal latency in the Rop-PELA group were higher than
      that in other groups (4 hours-3 days). c-FOS expression in the Rop-PELA group was
      lower than that in the control group at 2 hours, 8 hours, and 48 hours and lower
      than that in the Rop group at 8 hours and 48 hours after paw incision. Slight
      foreign body reactions were observed surrounding the sciatic nerve at 7 days. No
      obvious pathophysiological change was found in the major organs after Rop-PELA
      administration at 7 days. CONCLUSION: Rop-PELA provides an effective analgesia
      for nerve block over 3 days after single administration, and the analgesic
      mechanism might be mediated by the regulation of spinal c-FOS expression.
      However, its potential long-term tissue toxicity needs to be further
      investigated.

PMID- 27274237
TI  - Improving the osteogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell sheets by
      microRNA-21-loaded chitosan/hyaluronic acid nanoparticles via reverse
      transfection.
AB  - Cell sheet engineering has emerged as a novel approach to effectively deliver
      seeding cells for tissue regeneration, and developing human bone marrow
      mesenchymal stem cell (hBMMSC) sheets with high osteogenic ability is a constant
      requirement from clinics for faster and higher-quality bone formation. In this
      work, we fabricated biocompatible and safe chitosan (CS)/hyaluronic acid (HA)
      nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver microRNA-21 (miR-21), which has been proved to
      accelerate osteogenesis in hBMMSCs; then, the CS/HA/miR-21 NPs were cross-linked
      onto the surfaces of culture plates with 0.2% gel solution to fabricate miR-21
      functionalized culture plates for reverse transfection. hBMMSC sheets were
      induced continuously for 14 days using a vitamin C-rich method on the miR-21
      functionalized culture plates. For the characterization of CS/HA/miR-21 NPs, the
      particle size, zeta potential, surface morphology, and gel retardation were
      sequentially investigated. Then, the biological effects of hBMMSC sheets on the
      miR-21-functionalized culture plates were evaluated. The assay results
      demonstrated that the hBMMSC sheets could be successfully induced via the novel
      reverse transfection approach, and miR-21 delivery significantly enhanced the in
      vitro osteogenic differentiation of hBMMSC sheets in terms of upregulating
      calcification-related gene expression and enhancing alkaline phosphatase
      production, collagen secretion, and mineralized nodule formation. The enhanced
      osteogenic activity of hBMMSC sheets might promisingly lead to more rapid and
      more robust bone regeneration for clinical use. 

PMID- 27274238
TI  - Current status and perspectives in atomic force microscopy-based identification
      of cellular transformation.
AB  - Understanding the complex interplay between cells and their biomechanics and how
      the interplay is influenced by the extracellular microenvironment, as well as how
      the transforming potential of a tissue from a benign to a cancerous one is
      related to the dynamics of both the cell and its surroundings, holds promise for
      the development of targeted translational therapies. This review provides a
      comprehensive overview of atomic force microscopy-based technology and its
      applications for identification of cellular progression to a cancerous phenotype.
      The review also offers insights into the advancements that are required for the
      next user-controlled tool to allow for the identification of early cell
      transformation and thus potentially lead to improved therapeutic outcomes. 

PMID- 27274239
TI  - Aptamer-polymer functionalized silicon nanosubstrates for enhanced recovered
      circulating tumor cell viability and in vitro chemosensitivity testing.
AB  - Selection of the optimal chemotherapy regimen for an individual cancer patient is
      challenging. The existing chemosensitivity tests are costly, time-consuming, and
      not amenable to wide utilization within a clinic. This limitation might be
      addressed by the recently proposed use of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which
      provide an opportunity to noninvasively monitor response to therapy. Over the
      past few decades, various techniques were developed to capture and recover CTCs,
      but these techniques were often limited by a capture and recovery performance
      tradeoff between high viability and high efficiency. In this work, we used anti
      epithelial cell adhesion molecule coated aptamer-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)
      functionalized silicon nanowire substrates to capture and release epithelial cell
      adhesion molecule-positive CTCs at 32 degrees C and 4 degrees C, respectively.
      Then, we applied the nuclease to digest the aptamer to release the captured CTCs
      (near or at the end of the polymer brush), which cannot be released by
      heating/cooling process. High viability and purity CTCs could be achieved by
      decreasing the heating/cooling cycles and enzymatic treatment rounds.
      Furthermore, the time-saving process is helpful to maintain the morphology and
      enhance vitality of the recovered CTCs and is beneficial to the subsequent cell
      culture in vitro. We validated the feasibility of chemosensitivity testing based
      on the recovered HCC827 cells using an adenosine triphosphate-tumor
      chemosensitivity assay, and the results suggested that our method can determine
      which agent and what concentration have the best chemosensitivity for the
      culturing recovered CTCs. So, the novel method capable of a highly effective
      capture and recovery of high viability CTCs will pave the way for
      chemosensitivity testing. 

PMID- 27274240
TI  - Prevention of vaginal and rectal herpes simplex virus type 2 transmission in
      mice: mechanism of antiviral action.
AB  - Topical microbicides to stop sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes
      simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), are urgently needed. The emerging field of
      nanotechnology offers novel suitable tools for addressing this challenge. Our
      objective was to study, in vitro and in vivo, antiherpetic effect and antiviral
      mechanisms of several polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers with anti-HIV-1 activity
      to establish new potential microbicide candidates against sexually transmitted
      diseases. Plaque reduction assay on Vero cells proved that G2-S16, G1-S4, and G3
      S16 are the dendrimers with the highest inhibitory response against HSV-2
      infection. We also demonstrated that our dendrimers inhibit viral infection at
      the first steps of HSV-2 lifecycle: binding/entry-mediated events. G1-S4 and G3
      S16 bind directly on the HSV-2, inactivating it, whereas G2-S16 adheres to host
      cell-surface proteins. Molecular modeling showed that G1-S4 binds better at
      binding sites on gB surface than G2-S16. Significantly better binding properties
      of G1-S4 than G2-S16 were found in an important position for affecting transition
      of gB trimer from G1-S4 prefusion to final postfusion state and in several
      positions where G1-S4 could interfere with gB/gH-gL interaction. We demonstrated
      that these polyanionic carbosilan dendrimers have a synergistic activity with
      acyclovir and tenofovir against HSV-2, in vitro. Topical vaginal or rectal
      administration of G1-S4 or G2-S16 prevents HSV-2 transmission in BALB/c mice in
      values close to 100%. This research represents the first demonstration that
      transmission of HSV-2 can be blocked by vaginal/rectal application of G1-S4 or G2
      S16, providing a step forward to prevent HSV-2 transmission in humans. 

PMID- 27274241
TI  - Manipulating the NF-kappaB pathway in macrophages using mannosylated, siRNA
      delivering nanoparticles can induce immunostimulatory and tumor cytotoxic
      functions.
AB  - Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are critically important in the context of
      solid tumor progression. Counterintuitively, these host immune cells can often
      support tumor cells along the path from primary tumor to metastatic colonization
      and growth. Thus, the ability to transform protumor TAMs into antitumor, immune
      reactive macrophages would have significant therapeutic potential. However, in
      order to achieve these effects, two major hurdles would need to be overcome:
      development of a methodology to specifically target macrophages and increased
      knowledge of the optimal targets for cell-signaling modulation. This study
      addresses both of these obstacles and furthers the development of a therapeutic
      agent based on this strategy. Using ex vivo macrophages in culture, the efficacy
      of mannosylated nanoparticles to deliver small interfering RNA specifically to
      TAMs and modify signaling pathways is characterized. Then, selective small
      interfering RNA delivery is tested for the ability to inhibit gene targets within
      the canonical or alternative nuclear factor-kappaB pathways and result in
      antitumor phenotypes. Results confirm that the mannosylated nanoparticle approach
      can be used to modulate signaling within macrophages. We also identify
      appropriate gene targets in critical regulatory pathways. These findings
      represent an important advance toward the development of a novel cancer therapy
      that would minimize side effects because of the targeted nature of the
      intervention and that has rapid translational potential. 

PMID- 27274243
TI  - In vitro and in vivo targeting imaging of pancreatic cancer using a Fe3O4@SiO2
      nanoprobe modified with anti-mesothelin antibody.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant disease with a 5-year survival rate <5%
      mainly due to lack of early diagnosis and effective therapy. In an effort to
      improve the early diagnostic rate of pancreatic cancer, a nanoprobe Fe3O4@SiO2
      modified with anti-mesothelin antibody (A-MFS) was prepared to target cells and
      tumor tissues highly expressing mesothelin in vitro (human pancreatic cancer cell
      line SW1990) and in vivo (subcutaneously transplanted tumors) studies. The A-MFS
      probe was successfully prepared and was spherical and uniform with a hydrodynamic
      diameter between 110 and 130 nm. Cell Counting Kit-8 testing indicated that A-MFS
      was nontoxic in vitro and in vivo studies. The in vitro study showed that the A
      MFS probe specifically targeted SW1990 cells with high mesothelin expression. The
      in vivo study was conducted in Siemens 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging. The
      average T2-weighted signal values of the xenografts were 966.533+/-31.56 before
      injecting A-MFS and 691.133+/-56.84 before injecting saline solution. After
      injection of 0.1 mL A-MFS via nude mouse caudal vein for 2.5 hours, the average
      T2-weighted signal of the xenograft decreased by 342.533+/-42.6. The signal value
      decreased by -61.233+/-33.9 and -58.7+/-19.4 after injection of the saline and
      Fe3O4@SiO2. The decrease of tumor signal by A-MFS was much more significant than
      that by saline and Fe3O4@SiO2 (P<0.05). The results demonstrated the high
      stability and nontoxicity of A-MFS, which effectively targeted pancreatic cancer
      in vitro and in vivo. A-MFS is a promising agent for diagnosis of pancreatic
      cancer. 

PMID- 27274242
TI  - Vesicular (liposomal and nanoparticulated) delivery of curcumin: a comparative
      study on carbon tetrachloride-mediated oxidative hepatocellular damage in rat
      model.
AB  - The liver plays a vital role in biotransforming and extricating xenobiotics and
      is thus prone to their toxicities. Short-term administration of carbon
      tetrachloride (CCl4) causes hepatic inflammation by enhancing cellular reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) level, promoting mitochondrial dysfunction, and inducing
      cellular apoptosis. Curcumin is well accepted for its antioxidative and anti
      inflammatory properties and can be considered as an effective therapeutic agent
      against hepatotoxicity. However, its therapeutic efficacy is compromised due to
      its insolubility in water. Vesicular delivery of curcumin can address this
      limitation and thereby enhance its effectiveness. In this study, it was observed
      that both liposomal and nanoparticulated formulations of curcumin could increase
      its efficacy significantly against hepatotoxicity by preventing cellular
      oxidative stress. However, the best protection could be obtained through the
      polymeric nanoparticle-mediated delivery of curcumin. Mitochondria have a pivotal
      role in ROS homeostasis and cell survivability. Along with the maintenance of
      cellular ROS levels, nanoparticulated curcumin also significantly (P<0.0001)
      increased cellular antioxidant enzymes, averted excessive mitochondrial
      destruction, and prevented total liver damage in CCl4-treated rats. The therapy
      not only prevented cells from oxidative damage but also arrested the intrinsic
      apoptotic pathway. In addition, it also decreased the fatty changes in
      hepatocytes, centrizonal necrosis, and portal inflammation evident from the
      histopathological analysis. To conclude, curcumin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles
      are more effective in comparison to liposomal curcumin in preventing CCl4-induced
      oxidative stress-mediated hepatocellular damage and thereby can be considered as
      an effective therapeutic strategy. 

PMID- 27274244
TI  - The relevancy of controlled nanocrystallization on rifampicin characteristics and
      cytotoxicity.
AB  - PURPOSE: This article investigated the influence of novel rifampicin
      nanosuspension (RIF NS) for enhancing drug delivery properties. METHODS: RIF NS
      was fabricated using the antisolvent precipitation technique. The impact of
      solvent type and flow rate, stabilizer type and concentration, and stirring time
      and apparatus together with the solvent-antisolvent volume ratio on its
      controlled nanocrystallization has been evaluated. NSs were characterized by
      transmission electron microscopy, particle size and zeta potential analysis,
      solubility, and dissolution profiles. The compatibility between RIF and the
      stabilizer was investigated via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the
      differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The shelf-life stability of the RIF
      NS was assessed within a period of 3 months at different storage temperatures.
      Cell cytotoxicity was evaluated using 3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on lung epithelial cells. RESULTS:
      Polyvinyl alcohol at 0.4% w/v, 1:15 methanol to deionized water volume ratio and
      30-minutes sonication were the optimal parameters for RIF NS preparation.
      Nanocrystals were obtained with a nanometeric particle size (101 nm) and a
      negative zeta potential (-26 mV). NS exhibited a 50-fold enhancement in RIF
      solubility and 97% of RIF was dissolved after 10 minutes. The RIF NS was stable
      at 4+/-0.5 degrees C with no significant change in particle size or zeta
      potential. The MTT cytotoxicity assay of RIF NS demonstrated a good safety
      profile and reduction in cell cytotoxicity with half maximal inhibitory
      concentration values of 0.5 and 0.8 mg/mL for free RIF and RIF NS, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: A novel RIF NS could be followed as an approach for enhancing RIF
      physicochemical characteristics with a prominence of a safer and better drug
      delivery.

PMID- 27274245
TI  - In vivo evaluation of the anti-infection potential of gentamicin-loaded nanotubes
      on titania implants.
AB  - Titanium-based implants have been widely used in orthopedic surgery; however,
      failures still occur. Our in vitro study has demonstrated that gentamicin-loaded,
      80 nm-diameter nanotubes possessed both antibacterial and osteogenic activities.
      Thus, the aim of this study was to further investigate the in vivo anti-infection
      effect of the titanium implants with gentamicin-loaded nanotubes. Thirty-six male
      Sprague Dawley rats were used to establish an implant-associated infection model.
      A volume of 50 MUL Staphylococcus aureus suspension (1*10(5) CFU/mL) was injected
      into the medullary cavity of the left femur, and then the titanium rods without
      modification (Ti), titanium nanotubes without drug loading (NT), and gentamicin
      loaded titanium nanotubes (NT-G) were inserted with phosphate-buffered saline
      inoculated Ti rods as a blank control. X-ray images were obtained 1 day, 21 days,
      and 42 days after surgery; micro-computed tomography, microbiological, and
      histopathological analyses were used to evaluate the infections at the time of
      sacrifice. Radiographic signs of bone infection, including osteolysis, periosteal
      reaction, osteosclerosis, and damaged articular surfaces, were demonstrated in
      the infected Ti group and were slightly alleviated in the NT group but not
      observed in the NT-G group. Meanwhile, the radiographic and gross bone
      pathological scores of the NT-G group were significantly lower than those of the
      infected Ti group (P<0.01). Explant cultures revealed significantly less
      bacterial growth in the NT-G group than in the Ti and NT groups (P<0.01), and the
      NT group showed decreased live bacterial growth compared with the Ti group
      (P<0.01). Confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and
      histopathological observations further confirmed decreased bacterial burden in
      the NT-G group compared with the Ti and NT groups. We concluded that the NT-G
      coatings can significantly prevent the development of implant-associated
      infections in a rat model; therefore, they may provide an effective drug-loading
      strategy to combat implant-associated infections in clinic. 

PMID- 27274246
TI  - The prevalence and risk factors of stroke in patients with chronic schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the stroke risk and risk factors in patients with
      chronic schizophrenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a large-sample, cross
      sectional survey. A total of 363 patients with chronic schizophrenia were
      selected from the Changping Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Beijing, in
      August 2014. The patients were divided into either stroke group or control group
      based on the presence of stroke. Clinical evaluation included positive and
      negative syndrome scale assessment and a detailed questionnaire to collect the
      general information and disease-related conditions. RESULTS: The prevalence of
      stroke was 16.5% (60 cases). Stroke and control groups showed a significant
      difference in age, sex, smoking, combined medication, doses, negative factor
      score in positive and negative syndrome scale, body mass index, waist
      circumference, and systolic blood pressure. Multivariate analysis showed that a
      number of factors are significantly related to stroke, including age, sex,
      smoking, combined medication, doses, body mass index, and systolic blood
      pressure. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of stroke is relatively higher in Chinese
      patients with chronic schizophrenia. Chronic schizophrenia patients are more
      likely to suffer from stroke; meanwhile, a number of risk factors were
      identified, including old age, female sex, smoking history, combined medication
      with a variety of drugs, high doses, obesity, and high blood pressure.

PMID- 27274247
TI  - Absence epilepsy and the CHD2 gene: an adolescent male with moderate intellectual
      disability, short-lasting psychoses, and an interstitial deletion in 15q26.1
      q26.2.
AB  - Deletions of the 15q26 region encompassing the chromodomain helicase DNA binding
      domain 2 (CHD2) gene have been associated with intellectual disability,
      behavioral problems, and several types of epilepsy. Including the cases mentioned
      in ECARUCA (European cytogeneticists association register of unbalanced
      chromosome aberrations) and DECIPHER (database of genomic variation and phenotype
      in humans using ensembl resources), so far, a total of 13 intellectually disabled
      patients with a genetically proven deletion of the CHD2 gene are described, of
      whom eleven had a history of severe forms of epilepsy starting from a young age.
      In this article, a moderately intellectually disabled 15-year-old male with a
      15q26.1-q26.2 interstitial deletion is reported, who was referred for analysis of
      two recent short-lasting psychotic episodes that were nonresponsive to
      antipsychotic treatment and recurrent disinhibited behaviors since early infancy.
      Careful interdisciplinary assessment revealed that the psychotic phenomena
      originated from a previously unrecognized absence epilepsy. Treatment with
      valproic acid was started which resulted in full remission of psychotic symptoms,
      and consequently, substantial improvement of behavior. It was concluded that in
      case of (rare) developmental disorders with genetically proven etiology, a
      detailed inventory of anamnestic data and description of symptomatology over time
      may elucidate epilepsy-related psychopathology for which a specific treatment
      regimen is needed. 

PMID- 27274248
TI  - The impact of synapsin III gene on the neurometabolite level alterations after
      single-dose methylphenidate in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neurometabolite level changes according to synapsin
      III gene rs133945G>A and rs133946C>G polymorphisms by using magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
      (ADHD). METHODS: Fifty-seven adults diagnosed with ADHD were recruited for the
      study. The participants were examined by single-voxel (1)H MRS when medication
      naive and 30 minutes after oral administration of 10 mg methylphenidate (Mph).
      Those who had been on a stimulant discontinued the medication 48 hours before MRS
      imaging. Spectra were taken from the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral
      prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum, and N-acetylaspartate (NAA),
      choline, and creatine levels were examined. For genotyping of the synapsin III
      gene polymorphisms, DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. The
      effects of age, sex, and ADHD subtypes were controlled in the analyses. RESULTS:
      After a single dose of Mph, choline levels increased significantly in the
      striatum of rs133945G>A polymorphism-GG genotypes (P=0.020) and NAA levels rose
      in the anterior cingulate cortex of rs133946C>G polymorphism-CG genotypes
      (P=0.014). Both rs133945G>A and rs133946C>G polymorphisms were found to
      statistically significantly affect the alteration of NAA levels in response to
      Mph in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with two-way repeated measure of analysis
      of variance. Post hoc comparisons revealed a significant difference between CG
      and GG genotypes of rs133946C>G polymorphisms after Bonferroni adjustment
      (P=0.016). CONCLUSION: Synapsin III gene polymorphisms may be affecting the
      changes in neurometabolite levels in response to Mph in adult ADHD patients.
      Future studies are needed to confirm our findings.

PMID- 27274249
TI  - A retrospective study of predictive factors for effective aripiprazole
      augmentation of antidepressant therapy in treatment-resistant depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies have evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of
      aripiprazole for augmentation of antidepressant therapy for treatment-resistant
      depression (TRD). Here, we investigated the efficacy of aripiprazole augmentation
      for TRD including both major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder and the
      clinical predictors of treatment efficacy in a Japanese population. METHODS:
      Eighty-five depressed Japanese patients who underwent aripiprazole augmentation
      therapy after failing to respond satisfactorily to antidepressant monotherapy
      were included in the study. Treatment responses were evaluated based on Clinical
      Global Impression Improvement scores assessed 8 weeks after initiation of
      aripiprazole administration. We compared demographic and diagnostic variables,
      psychiatric medication variables, and clinical variables between remission and
      nonremission groups. RESULTS: The aripiprazole augmentation remission rate was
      36.5%. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that aripiprazole
      augmentation was significantly more effective for bipolar depression than for
      major depressive disorder, and both absence of comorbid anxiety disorders and
      current episode duration >3 months were significantly associated with the
      efficacy of aripiprazole augmentation. CONCLUSION: Polarity of depression,
      comorbidity of anxiety disorders, and current episode duration may predict the
      efficacy of aripiprazole augmentation for TRD including both major depressive
      disorder and bipolar disorder. Among them, comorbidity of anxiety disorders was
      significantly related to the efficacy for TRD including only major depressive
      disorder. Additional studies are needed to examine the association between the
      efficacy of aripiprazole augmentation and bipolarity, and these findings should
      be validated further in a prospective study.

PMID- 27274250
TI  - Memory deficit in patients with schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder:
      relational vs item-specific memory.
AB  - It has been well established that patients with schizophrenia have impairments in
      cognitive functioning and also that patients who experienced traumatic events
      suffer from cognitive deficits. Of the cognitive deficits revealed in
      schizophrenia or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients, the current
      article provides a brief review of deficit in episodic memory, which is highly
      predictive of patients' quality of life and global functioning. In particular, we
      have focused on studies that compared relational and item-specific memory
      performance in schizophrenia and PTSD, because measures of relational and item
      specific memory are considered the most promising constructs for immediate
      tangible development of clinical trial paradigm. The behavioral findings of
      schizophrenia are based on the tasks developed by the Cognitive Neuroscience
      Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (CNTRICS) initiative and
      the Cognitive Neuroscience Test Reliability and Clinical Applications for
      Schizophrenia (CNTRACS) Consortium. The findings we reviewed consistently showed
      that schizophrenia and PTSD are closely associated with more severe impairments
      in relational memory compared to item-specific memory. Candidate brain regions
      involved in relational memory impairment in schizophrenia and PTSD are also
      discussed. 

PMID- 27274251
TI  - Measuring negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia: reliability and
      validity of the Korean version of the Motivation and Pleasure Scale-Self-Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS) is
      one of the validated interview measures of negative symptoms in psychotic
      disorders. The Motivation and Pleasure Scale-Self-Report (MPSR) is a self-report
      measure that assesses the motivation and pleasure domains of negative symptoms
      based on the CAINS. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of a Korean
      version of the MPSR. METHODS: A total of 139 patients with schizophrenia
      completed the MPSR, CAINS, Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS),
      Brief Psychiatric Rating Scales, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, and
      other measures of trait and cognitive function. RESULTS: The 15-item MPSR showed
      good internal consistency. In addition, it also had a good convergent validity
      with the Motivation and Pleasure subscale of the CAINS and the
      anhedonia/avolition subscale of the SANS. The scale was not associated with
      psychotic symptoms, agitation/mania, and depression/anxiety, and it showed good
      discriminant validity. MPSR scores were significantly correlated with Behavioral
      Activation System total score for trait measure. CONCLUSION: The Korean version
      of the MPSR is a notable self-report method for examining the severity of
      negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

PMID- 27274252
TI  - Clinical usefulness of hemoencephalography beyond the neurofeedback.
AB  - AIM: Hemoencephalography (HEG) is an emerging procedure for clinical application
      in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and other disorders, regardless of
      age. It is available to any research group for its relative simplicity and low
      cost and is a useful tool for assessing prefrontal-dependent functions. Older
      teenagers pose peculiarities in the prefrontal maturation, and we aim to
      establish HEG patterns that might have clinical applicability. METHODS: The HEG
      patterns of 70 university students (56 women and 14 men, 21-48 years old, mean
      31.84, SD 10.65, standard error of mean 0.31) were compared with those of 59
      adolescents - 13-14-year-old secondary education students, 28 females and 31
      males. The HEG patterns were obtained in response to the observation of shocking,
      unpleasant, and pleasant pictures. We use one-way and two-way analysis of
      variance to disentangle the differences between groups. All effects were analyzed
      with F-tests. RESULTS: In all cases, university students and adolescents showed a
      decrease in prefrontal activity, indicative of differences in the emotional inner
      networks between groups, which are responsible for security-insecurity
      processing. Compared with university students, adolescents showed statistically
      significant differences in decreased activity in very unpleasant (shocking) tests
      that demand increased security-insecurity processing. Adolescents showed lower
      decrease. In addition, adolescents, compared with university subjects, did not
      show statistically significantly decreased HEG activity compared with the
      baseline in very unpleasant tests. CONCLUSION: Teens showed distinguishable
      patterns of HEG, which were consistent with the cognitive emotional dysregulation
      in cognition and emotion interaction, that is, exterior network versus internal
      network interactions. Disability in regulation (modulation) of emotional response
      to negative emotional stimuli (fear of insecurity) in adolescence is an indicator
      of possible future clinical and psychiatric disorders such as depression and
      anxiety with high incidence of onset at this critical age and frequent
      comorbidity in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. HEG pattern might be a
      useful marker to define maturation and future possible mental dysfunctions.

PMID- 27274253
TI  - The role of psychiatrists in diagnosing conversion disorder: a mixed-methods
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Since DSM-5 removed the requirement for a psychosocial formulation,
      neurologists have been able to make the diagnosis of conversion disorder without
      psychiatric input. We sought to examine whether neurologists and specialist
      psychiatrists concurred with this approach. DESIGN: We used mixed methods, first
      surveying all the neurologists in the UK and then interviewing the
      neuropsychiatrists in a large UK region on the role of psychiatrists in
      diagnosing conversion disorder. RESULTS: Of the surveyed neurologists, 76% did
      not think that psychiatrists were essential for the diagnosis and 71% thought
      that psychiatrists did not even consider conversion disorder when referred a
      case. The neuropsychiatrists who were interviewed held complex models of
      conversion disorder. They believed all cases could be explained psychosocially in
      theory, but the nature of the diagnostic encounter often prevented it in
      practice; all felt that psychosocial formulation could be very helpful and some
      felt that it was essential to diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Although neurologists do not
      think psychiatrists are required for diagnosing conversion disorder, specialist
      psychiatrists disagree, at least in some cases.

PMID- 27274254
TI  - Efficacy and motor complications of original and generic levodopa in Parkinson's
      disease treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In general, a generic drug is considered interchangeable with the
      original formulated drug. In Parkinson's disease (PD), generic drug use remains
      debated. This study was aimed to investigate whether the generic drug was as
      effective as the original in improving the symptoms of PD and the prevalence of
      motor complications. METHODS: This study was a multicenter cohort study of
      patients with PD enrolled from three northeast hospitals in Thailand between
      February 2013 and February 2014. The patients were categorized into original and
      generic levodopa groups. The clinical characteristics, efficacy, and motor
      complications were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were 400 eligible
      patients. Of these, 327 patients (81.75%) met the study criteria and were
      classified as the original levodopa group (200 patients, 61.16%) and the generic
      levodopa group (127 patients, 38.84%). The average age of all patients with PD
      was 65 years. The duration of PD and the modified Hoehn-Yahr stages were not
      different between the groups. The total doses of original and generic levodopa
      equivalent doses were significantly different (199.97+/-127.08 versus 305.58+/
      138.27 mg; P-value <0.001) and the actual doses were 198.10+/-117.92 versus
      308.85+/-139.40 mg (P-value <0.001). Approximately 80% of patients with PD in
      both groups had good responses (P-value >0.999), but the development of motor
      complications was significantly greater in the original than in the generic
      group. CONCLUSION: Generic levodopa was effective in improving the symptoms of
      PD. The prevalence of motor complications in the original compound group, at a
      lower dose of levodopa equivalent, was higher than in the generic group.

PMID- 27274255
TI  - A review of executive function deficits in autism spectrum disorder and attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
AB  - Executive dysfunction has been shown to be a promising endophenotype in
      neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article reviewed 26 studies that
      examined executive function comparing ASD and/or ADHD children. In light of
      findings from this review, the ASD + ADHD group appears to share impairment in
      both flexibility and planning with the ASD group, while it shares the response
      inhibition deficit with the ADHD group. Conversely, deficit in attention, working
      memory, preparatory processes, fluency, and concept formation does not appear to
      be distinctive in discriminating from ASD, ADHD, or ASD + ADHD group. On the
      basis of neurocognitive endophenotype, the common co-occurrence of executive
      function deficits seems to reflect an additive comorbidity, rather than a
      separate condition with distinct impairments. 

PMID- 27274256
TI  - Clinical features, comorbidity, and cognitive impairment in elderly bipolar
      patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Data specific to late-life bipolar disorder (BD) are limited.
      Current research is sparse and present guidelines are not adapted to this group
      of patients. OBJECTIVES: We present a literature review on clinical
      characteristics, comorbidities, and cognitive impairment in patients with late
      life BD. This review discusses common comorbidities that affect BD elders and how
      aging might affect cognition and treatment. METHODS: Eligible studies were
      identified in MedLine by the Medical Subject Headings terms "bipolar disorder"
      and "aged". We only included original research reports published in English
      between 2012 and 2015. RESULTS: From 414 articles extracted, 16 studies were
      included in the review. Cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, type II
      diabetes, and endocrinological abnormalities were observed as highly prevalent.
      BD is associated with a high suicide risk. Bipolar elderly had an increased risk
      of dementia and performed worse on cognitive screening tests compared to age
      matched controls across different levels of cognition. Despite high rates of
      medical comorbidity among bipolar elderly, a systematic under-recognition and
      undertreatment of cardiovascular disease have been suggested. CONCLUSION: There
      was a high burden of physical comorbidities and cognitive impairment in late-life
      BD. Bipolar elderly might be under-recorded and undertreated in primary medical
      care, indicating that this group needs an adapted clinical assessment and
      specific clinical guidelines need to be established.

PMID- 27274257
TI  - Clinical efficacy of perampanel for partial-onset and primary generalized tonic
      clonic seizures.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Perampanel, a selective noncompetitive antagonist at the
      alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor, is
      highly effective in a wide range of experimental models. Although initially
      licensed as adjunctive therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary
      generalization in patients aged 12 years or older, the US Food and Drug
      Administration has recently approved its use in the treatment of primary
      generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS). This paper reviews the
      pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and tolerability of perampanel as an antiepileptic
      drug. RESULTS: After oral ingestion, perampanel is rapidly absorbed (T max, 0.5
      2.5 hours), has a bioavailability of ~100%, and is highly protein bound (~95%) in
      plasma. It undergoes extensive (>90%) hepatic metabolism, primarily via
      cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), with a half-life of 48 hours. Carbamazepine and
      other antiepileptic drugs can enhance its metabolism via induction of CYP3A4.
      Efficacy of perampanel in focal seizures has been extensively evaluated in Phase
      II and randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III trials. The efficacy in PGTCS has
      been reported in one class I study. In the treatment of focal seizures,
      perampanel showed significant dose-dependent median seizure reductions: 4 mg/d,
      23%; 8 mg/d, 26%-31%; 12 mg/d, 18%-35%; and placebo, 10%-21%. The 50% responder
      rates were 15%-26%, 29%, 33%-38%, and 34%-36% for placebo, 4 mg/d, 8 mg/d, and 12
      mg/d perampanel, respectively. Freedom from seizures was recorded in 0%-1.7% of
      the placebo group, 1.9% of the 2 mg group, 2.6%-4.4% of the 8 mg group, and 2.6%
      6.5% of the 12 mg group. For PGTCS, the median seizure reduction was 76.5% for
      perampanel and 38.4% for placebo. The 50% responder rate was 64.2% for perampanel
      and 39.5% for placebo. Seizure freedom during maintenance phase was 30.9% for
      perampanel and 12.3% for placebo. Adverse effects included dose-dependent
      increases in the frequency of dizziness, somnolence, fatigue, irritability,
      falls, and probably nausea. CONCLUSION: Perampanel is effective in treating both
      partial-onset seizures and PGTCS.

PMID- 27274258
TI  - Treatment response in relation to subthreshold bipolarity in patients with major
      depressive disorder receiving antidepressant monotherapy: a post hoc data
      analysis (KOMDD study).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this observational study was to determine whether
      subthreshold bipolarity affects treatment response and remission in patients with
      major depressive disorder receiving antidepressant (AD) monotherapy over a 6
      month follow-up period. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with major depressive
      disorder were stratified into two subgroups according to the presence of
      subthreshold bipolarity, identified using the Korean version of the Mood Disorder
      Questionnaire (K-MDQ), which classifies patients as positive for a screening of
      bipolarity based on the cutoff for the total K-MDQ score (ie, 7 points). They
      received AD monotherapy such as escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine, or
      tianeptine for 6 months. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression
      Rating Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation
      were applied at baseline, 1 week, 3 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, and 6 months.
      RESULTS: The mean HAMD, BDI, and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation scores were
      higher in the bipolarity group than in the nonbipolarity group at 3 weeks. The
      mean BDI score was also higher in the bipolarity group than in the nonbipolarity
      group at 6 months. Evaluation of the ratio of improvement for each scale revealed
      different patterns of percentage changes between the two groups over the 6-month
      follow-up period. Furthermore, the response and remission rates (as assessed
      using BDI and HAMD scores) were higher in the nonbipolarity group than in the
      bipolarity group, with the exception of HAMD scores at the 3-week follow-up time
      point. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that depressed patients with
      bipolarity had a worse response to AD monotherapy than did those without
      bipolarity.

PMID- 27274259
TI  - Microplasma radiofrequency technology combined with triamcinolone improved the
      therapeutic effect on Chinese patients with hypertrophic scar and reduced the
      risk of tissue atrophy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to assess the value of microplasma
      radiofrequency technology combined with triamcinolone for the therapy of Chinese
      patients with hypertrophic scar. METHODS: A total of 120 participants with
      hypertrophic scars were enrolled in the current study. Participants were divided
      into two groups based on sex, and then randomly and evenly divided into four
      groups (Groups A, B, C, and D). Participants in Group A received microplasma
      radiofrequency technology combined with triamcinolone. Participants in Group B
      received microplasma radiofrequency technology combined with normal saline.
      Participants in Groups C and D received triamcinolone (40 and 10 mg/mL) injected
      directly into scar. Experienced physicians evaluated the condition of scars
      according to the Vancouver Scar Scale 1 month before and after the therapy.
      RESULTS: There was no difference in age, sex, area, height and location of scars,
      and Vancouver Scar Scale scores before the therapy between any groups (P>0.05 for
      all). Vancouver Scar Scale scores after the therapy were significantly lower than
      those before the therapy in all groups (P<0.05 for all). Vancouver Scar Scale
      scores after the therapy in Group A were significantly lower than those after the
      therapy in Groups B and C (P<0.05 for all). Vancouver Scar Scale scores after the
      therapy in Group B were significantly higher than those after the therapy in
      Group C (P<0.05 for all) and similar to those after the therapy in Group D
      (P>0.05 for all). Incidences of tissue atrophy after the therapy were
      significantly lower in Groups A and B than in Group C (P<0.05 for all) and
      similar among Groups A, B, and D (P>0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Microplasma
      radiofrequency technology combined with triamcinolone improved the therapeutic
      effect on Chinese patients with hypertrophic scar and reduced the risk of tissue
      atrophy compared with the use of either microplasma radiofrequency technology or
      triamcinolone injection alone.

PMID- 27274260
TI  - Recovery of a 10-year-old girl from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      sepsis in response to low-dose ceftaroline treatment.
AB  - A 9-year-old girl was severely injured in a car accident in Afghanistan, in which
      both her lower legs were badly damaged. She was treated at the Hospital of
      Ingolstadt (Klinikum Ingolstadt) after she had undergone initial surgery at an
      Indian hospital. Various bacterial species were isolated from multiple wounds,
      and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was one among them. After
      the amputation of her lower legs, she developed MRSA sepsis, which was
      successfully treated with a relatively low dosage of ceftaroline
      (Zinforo((r))/Teflaro((r)); 2*9 mg/kg/d), although the bacterial isolate's
      minimal inhibitory concentration (1.5-4 mg/L) suggested a decreased
      susceptibility. In summary, ceftaroline was highly efficient and well tolerated
      by the patient suffering from MRSA sepsis. 

PMID- 27274261
TI  - Association of glutathione S-transferase T1, M1, and P1 polymorphisms in the
      breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several case-control studies investigating the relationship between
      genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, GSTT1, and GSTP1
      (rs1695) and the risk of breast cancer have reported contradictory results. We
      therefore performed a meta-analysis to clarify this issue. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      An updated meta-analysis using PubMed and Web of Knowledge databases for the
      eligible case-control studies was performed. Random- or fixed-effects model was
      used. RESULTS: A total of 10,067 cancer cases and 12,276 controls in 41
      independent case-control studies from 19 articles were included in this meta
      analysis. Significant increase in risk of breast cancer for Asians was found in
      GSTM1-null genotype (P=0.012, odds ratio [OR] =1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]
      =1.04-1.32) and GSTT1-null genotype (P=0.039, OR =1.19, 95% CI =1.01-1.41). In
      addition, our results showed that the GSTP1 (rs1695) polymorphisms can
      significantly increase the risk among Caucasians (P=0.042, OR =1.16, 95% CI =1.01
      1.34). Sensitivity analysis and publication bias further confirmed the
      dependability of the results in this meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results
      demonstrate that both GSTM1- and GSTT1-null polymorphisms are associated with an
      increased risk of breast cancer in Asians and that GSTP1 Val105Ile (rs1695)
      polymorphism is associated with an increased breast cancer risk in Caucasians.

PMID- 27274262
TI  - Pathophysiology of hypophosphatasia and the potential role of asfotase alfa.
AB  - Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inherited systemic bone disease that is
      characterized by bone hypomineralization. HPP is classified into six forms
      according to the age of onset and severity as perinatal (lethal), perinatal
      benign, infantile, childhood, adult, and odontohypophosphatasia. The causative
      gene of the disease is the ALPL gene that encodes tissue-nonspecific alkaline
      phosphatase (TNAP). TNAP is expressed ubiquitously, and its physiological role is
      apparent in bone mineralization. A defect in bone mineralization can manifest in
      several ways, including rickets or osteomalacia in HPP patients. Patients with
      severe forms suffer from respiratory failure because of hypoplastic chest, which
      is the main cause of death. They sometimes present with seizures due to a defect
      in vitamin B6 metabolism resulting from the lack of alkaline phosphatase activity
      in neuronal cells, which is also lethal. Patients with a mild form of the disease
      exhibit rickets or osteomalacia and a functional defect of exercise.
      Odontohypophosphatasia shows only dental manifestations. To date, 302 mutations
      in the ALPL gene have been reported, mainly single-nucleotide substitutions, and
      the relationships between phenotype and genotype have been partially elucidated.
      An established treatment for HPP was not available until the recent development
      of enzyme replacement therapy. The first successful enzyme replacement therapy in
      model mice using a modified human TNAP protein (asfotase alfa) was reported in
      2008, and subsequently success in patients with severe form of the disease was
      reported in 2012. In 2015, asfotase alfa was approved in Japan in July, followed
      by in the EU and Canada in August, and then by the US Food and Drug
      Administration in the USA in October. It is expected that therapy with asfotase
      alfa will drastically change treatments and prognosis of HPP. 

PMID- 27274263
TI  - The effect of interferon gamma on conventional fractionated radiation-induced
      damage and fibrosis in the pelvic tissue of rabbits.
AB  - We aim to investigate the effect of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) on conventional
      fractionated radiation-induced damage and fibrosis in ureter and colorectal
      mucosa. Fifty-two rabbits were randomly divided into three groups comprising a
      conventional radiation group, an IFN-gamma group, and a control group. X-rays
      were used to irradiate the pelvic tissues of the rabbits in the IFN-gamma and
      conventional radiation groups. Five days after radiation exposure, the rabbits in
      the IFN-gamma group were administered 250,000 U/kg IFN-gamma intramuscularly once
      a week for 5 weeks. The rabbits in the conventional radiation group received 5.0
      mL/kg saline. The rabbits were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks
      postradiation, and the rectal and ureteral tissues within the radiation areas
      were collected. The results showed that the morphology of rectal and ureteral
      tissues was changed by X-ray radiation. The degree of damage at 4, 8, and 12
      weeks, but not at 16 weeks, postradiation was significantly different between the
      IFN-gamma and conventional radiation groups. The expression of transforming
      growth factor beta 1 mRNA in the ureter and colorectal mucosa of the IFN-gamma
      group was significantly lower than that in the conventional radiation group at 4,
      8, 12, and 16 weeks postradiation, but it was still higher than that in the
      control group. There were significant differences in the expression of collagen
      III among the three groups. IFN-gamma can inhibit the radiation-induced
      upregulation of transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA and collagen III protein
      in the ureter and colorectal mucosa and attenuate radiation-induced damage and
      fibrosis. 

PMID- 27274264
TI  - PCSK9 inhibition in the management of hyperlipidemia: focus on evolocumab.
AB  - Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) increases low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations through interference with normal
      physiologic hepatic LDL receptor (LDLR) recycling. Inhibiting PCSK9 results in
      improved LDLR recycling, increased LDLR availability on hepatocyte cell surfaces,
      and reduced blood LDL-C levels, making PCSK9 inhibition a novel therapeutic
      strategy for managing hypercholesterolemia. Monoclonal antibodies directed
      against PCSK9 have been developed for this purpose. A large number of clinical
      trials have demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies against PCSK9 yield
      substantial reductions in LDL-C when administered as monotherapy or in
      combination with statins to patients with nonfamilial and familial forms of
      hypercholesterolemia. Data from long-term trials demonstrate that the LDL-C
      lowering effect of PCSK9 inhibitors is durable. These agents are generally well
      tolerated, and few patients discontinue treatment due to adverse events.
      Moreover, PCSK9 inhibitors do not appear to elicit the hepatic and muscle-related
      side effects associated with statin use. The ultimate value of PCSK9 inhibitors
      will be measured by their effect on clinical outcomes. Early evidence of a
      reduction in cardiovascular events after 1 year of treatment was shown in a
      prospective exploratory analysis of two ongoing long-term open-label extension
      evolocumab trials. Similarly, cardiovascular events were reduced in another
      exploratory analysis after >1 year of therapy with alirocumab. For the primary
      care physician, PCSK9 inhibitors represent a welcome additional option for
      lowering LDL-C in patients with familial forms of hypercholesterolemia and those
      with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who are on maximally
      tolerated statin therapy. 

PMID- 27274265
TI  - Drug-eluting balloon catheters for lower limb peripheral arterial disease: the
      evidence to date.
AB  - A significant proportion of patients with severe lower limb peripheral arterial
      disease require revascularization. Over the past decade, an endovascular-first
      approach even for complex disease has gained widespread use among vascular
      specialists. An important limitation of percutaneous transluminal balloon
      angioplasty or stenting remains the occurrence of restenosis. Drug-coated
      balloons have emerged as an exciting technology developed to overcome the
      limitations of standard balloon angioplasty and stenting. Drug-eluting devices
      inhibit neointimal growth of vascular smooth muscle cells with the potential of
      preventing restenosis. This review provides a synopsis of the up-to-date evidence
      on the role of drug-coated balloons in the treatment of lower limb peripheral
      arterial disease. Bibliographic searches were conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE,
      and the Cochrane Library electronic database. Eleven randomized clinical trials,
      two systematic reviews, and a published registry providing the best available
      evidence were identified. Current evidence suggests that angioplasty with drug
      coated balloon is reliable, safe, and efficient in increasing patency rates and
      reducing target lesion revascularization and restenosis. However, it remains
      unknown whether these improved results can translate into beneficial clinical
      outcomes, as current randomized clinical trials have failed to demonstrate a
      significant benefit in limb salvage and mortality. Further randomized trials
      focusing on clinical and functional outcomes of drug-eluting balloons and on cost
      versus clinical benefit are required. 

PMID- 27274266
TI  - The effects of timing of prophylaxis, type of anesthesia, and use of mechanical
      methods on outcome in major orthopedic surgery - subgroup analyses from 17,701
      patients in the XAMOS study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Real-world data on the use of rivaroxaban in the perioperative period in
      patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery are limited. Subsets of data from
      the Phase IV, non-interventional XAMOS study were analyzed to explore the
      potential influence of timing of the first thrombo prophylactic dose, type of
      anesthesia, and concomitant mechanical prophylaxis on clinical outcomes in
      patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery in routine clinical practice.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: In XAMOS, 8,778 patients received rivaroxaban (10 mg once
      daily) and 8,635 received standard-of-care (SOC) pharmacological prophylaxis
      (safety population). Crude incidences of symptomatic thromboembolic and treatment
      emergent bleeding events were analyzed according to timing of the first
      postoperative thromboprophylactic dose, use of general or neuraxial anesthesia,
      and use of mechanical prophylaxis with pharmacological thromboprophylaxis.
      RESULTS: In the rivaroxaban group, the incidences of symptomatic thromboembolic
      events were 0.7%, 1.0%, and 0.7% in patients receiving the first
      thromboprophylactic dose at <=6 hours, >6 hours to <=10 hours, and >10 hours to
      <=24 hours after surgery, respectively. In the SOC group, the incidence of
      symptomatic thromboembolic events was slightly higher when the postoperative dose
      was given at >10 hours to <=24 hours (1.8% vs 1.1% at <=6 hours and 1.3% at >6
      hours to <=10 hours). The antithrombotic effect of rivaroxaban was maintained in
      comparison to the SOC group. The incidence of major bleeding (RECORD trial
      definition) was low and similar between the two treatment groups and was not
      influenced by timing of the first thromboprophylactic dose. Neuraxial anesthesia
      was used more than any other form of anesthesia for both hip and knee surgery;
      the effectiveness of rivaroxaban was not influenced by the type of anesthesia
      used. No spinal hematomas were reported in patients receiving neuraxial
      anesthesia in either treatment group. Use of mechanical thromboprophylaxis in
      addition to rivaroxaban or SOC pharmacological prophylaxis did not reduce the
      risk of thromboembolic events further. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness and safety
      of rivaroxaban in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery in routine
      clinical practice were maintained irrespective of timing of the first
      postoperative dose within 24 hours after surgery, the type of anesthesia, and the
      additional use of mechanical thromboprophylaxis.

PMID- 27274267
TI  - Scope of practice review: providers for triage and assessment of spine-related
      disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study explored which health care providers could be involved in
      centralized intake for patients with nonspecific low back pain to enhance access,
      continuity, and appropriateness of care. METHODS: We reviewed the scope of
      practice regulations for a range of health care providers. We also conducted
      telephone interviews with 17 individuals representing ten provincial colleges and
      regulatory bodies to further understand providers' legislated scopes of practice.
      Activities relevant to triaging and assessing patients with low back pain were
      mapped against professionals' scope of practice. RESULTS: Family physicians and
      nurse practitioners have the most comprehensive scopes and can complete all
      restricted activities for spine assessment and triage, while the scope of
      registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are progressively narrower.
      Chiropractors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and athletic therapists
      are considered experts in musculoskeletal assessments and appear best suited for
      musculoskeletal specific assessment and triage. Other providers may play a
      complementary role depending on the individual patient needs. CONCLUSION: These
      findings indicate that an interprofessional assessment and triage team that
      includes allied health professionals would be a feasible option to create a
      centralized intake model. Implementation of such teams would require removing
      barriers that currently prevent providers from delivering on their full scope of
      practice.

PMID- 27274268
TI  - Describing the characteristics, treatment pathways, outcomes, and costs of people
      with persistent noncancer pain managed by community pain clinics and generating
      an indicative estimate of cost-effectiveness: feasibility study protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) and fibromyalgia (FM), also known as chronic
      widespread pain (CWP), are highly prevalent chronic painful conditions that have
      substantial impact on patients, health care systems, and society. Diagnosis is
      complex and management strategies are associated with various levels of evidence
      for effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Multidisciplinary pain services have
      been shown to be effective in some settings and therefore are recommended by
      clinical practice guidelines as a rational treatment option to manage these
      patients. Knowing that these services are resource intensive, evidence is needed
      to demonstrate their cost-effectiveness. This study aims to describe the
      management of patients with LBP and FM in two community pain clinics to derive an
      indicative estimate of cost-effectiveness compared with standard practice.
      METHODS: This is a prospective observational multicenter study, using patient
      level data. The data from this study will be combined with modelling of the long
      term economic impact of community pain clinics in treating people with LBP and
      FM. Newly referred patients with LBP and FM who provide written consent will be
      included. We will collect data on functional disability, pain intensity, quality
      of life, and health resource utilization. Follow-up data at the 3- and 6-month
      points will be collected by patient-completed questionnaires and health care
      contact diaries. Health care resource use from diaries will be compared with
      patient electronic records to assess the agreement between these recording
      methods. Patient cohort characteristics, treatment pathways, resource use, and
      outcomes derived from this study will be integrated in a decision analysis model
      to assess the cost-effectiveness of community pain clinics compared with standard
      care. This feasibility study will address key methodological issues such as
      sample estimates and retention rate to inform the design of a future randomized
      controlled trial.

PMID- 27274269
TI  - HOXB7 as a promising molecular marker for metastasis in cancers: a meta-analysis.
AB  - Numerous studies on carcinoma have revealed that the expression level of HOXB7 in
      cancerous tissues was significantly higher than that in noncancerous tissues.
      Elevated expression of HOXB7 is associated with the susceptibility to lymph node
      metastasis and distant metastasis in various tumors. In this study, a meta
      analysis was performed to involve majority of relevant articles and explore the
      association of HOXB7 expression level with metastasis in cancer patients.
      Literature retrieval was conducted by searching in a number of electronic
      databases (up to December 1, 2015). The meta-analysis was conducted with RevMan
      5.3 software and Stata SE12.0. A total of 1,532 patients with carcinoma from 14
      studies were included in analysis. The results of meta-analysis demonstrated that
      lymph node metastasis was observed more frequently in the patients group with
      high expression level of HOXB7 than in the patients group with low expression
      level of HOXB7 (odds ratio =2.17, 95% CI: 1.74-2.71, P<0.00001, fixed-effects
      model). In addition, a similar result was observed in the association between
      HOXB7 expression and distant metastasis; the odds ratio was 1.77 (95% CI: 1.09
      2.88, P=0.02, fixed-effects model). This meta-analysis demonstrated that the
      overexpression of HOXB7 was significantly associated with metastasis in cancer
      patients, which may be served as a common molecular marker for indicating cancer
      metastasis. 

PMID- 27274270
TI  - Orbital metastasis as the initial presentation of lung adenocarcinoma: a case
      report.
AB  - Orbital metastasis as the initial presentation of lung adenocarcinoma is very
      rare, and so the lack of knowledge about this phenomenon can easily result in
      misdiagnosis, either as a orbital primary tumor or benign lesion. Here, we report
      a rare case in which the orbital symptom appeared first without any pulmonary
      manifestations. Our patient developed decreasing vision in his right eye over a 3
      month duration. He then presented with proptosis and multiple aches from head to
      back. After systemic evaluation, our patient was diagnosed with Stage IV non
      small-cell lung cancer and was managed with palliative chemoradiotherapy. The
      final result of treatment suggests that the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy
      on orbital metastasis is uncertain, and only some orbital metastatic masses may
      have a favorable response to radiation. Furthermore, we review the recent data
      and provide an in-depth discussion on the clinical features and course of ocular
      pulmonary metastases, and explain a new type of non-small-cell lung cancer
      metastatic pattern for ophthalmologists and oncologists to help them distinguish
      the orbital metastasis as the first manifestation. 

PMID- 27274271
TI  - Single-nucleotide polymorphism in microRNA-binding site of SULF1 target gene as a
      protective factor against the susceptibility to breast cancer: a case-control
      study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Numerous clinical studies have suggested that chemopreventive drugs for
      breast cancer such as tamoxifen and exemestane can effectively reduce the
      incidence of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. However, it remains
      unclear how to identify those who are susceptible to ER-positive breast cancer.
      Accordingly, there is a great demand for a probe into the predisposing factors so
      as to provide precise chemoprevention. Recent evidence has indicated that ERalpha
      expression can be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-206, in breast
      cancer. We assumed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the miR-206
      binding sites of the target genes may be associated with breast cancer
      susceptibility with different ER statuses. METHODS: We genotyped the SNPs that
      reside in and around the miR-206-binding sites of two target genes - heparan
      sulfatase 1 (SULF1) and RPTOR-independent companion of mammalian target of
      rapamycin Complex 2 (RICTOR) - which were related to the progression or
      metastasis of breast cancer cells in 710 breast cancer patients and 294 controls
      by the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass
      spectrometry method. Modified odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) were calculated by a multivariate logistic regression analysis to
      evaluate the potential association between the SNPs and breast cancer
      susceptibility. RESULTS: For rs3802278, which is located in the 3'-untranslated
      region (3'-UTR) of SULF1, the frequency of the AA genotype was less in breast
      cancer patients than that in the controls as compared to that of the GG + GA
      genotype not only for ER-positive breast cancer patients (adjusted OR =0.663,
      P=0.032) but also for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients (adjusted
      OR =0.610, P=0.018). Besides, the frequency of the AA genotype was less than that
      of the GG genotype between the ER-positive breast cancer patients and the
      controls (adjusted OR =0.791, P=0.038). For rs66916453, which is located in the
      3'-UTR of RICTOR, no significant difference was observed between the case and the
      control group for the genotypes or alleles (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The SNPs in the
      miRNA-binding sites within the 3'-UTR of SULF1 may serve as protective factors
      against the susceptibility to breast cancer, especially to ER-positive breast
      cancer in the Chinese population. These SNPs are promising candidate biomarkers
      to predict the susceptibility of breast cancer and guide the administration of
      targeted preventive endocrine therapy.

PMID- 27274272
TI  - Prognostic significance of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and CRP in patients with
      nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective multicenter
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammation has been reported to be involved in carcinogenesis and
      cancer progression. This study was designed to explore the prognostic
      significance of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and serum C-reactive protein
      (CRP) in nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients after
      treatment. METHODS: The retrospective study consisted of 985 patients with ccRCC
      who had undergone nephrectomy from 2005 to 2010 at multiple centers. The patients
      were divided into four groups using a quartile of LMR or CRP, and their
      associations with clinical characteristics and outcome were systematically
      estimated. RESULTS: Both low LMR and high CRP significantly diminished overall
      survival (OS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) in patients with ccRCC. Further
      investigation indicated that LMR and CRP were independent prognostic factors of
      both OS and MFS. Integration of LMR and CRP into a predictive model, including
      significant variables in multivariate analysis, established a nomogram to predict
      accurately the 3- and 5-year survival for nonmetastatic patients with ccRCC.
      CONCLUSION: LMR and CRP represent independent prognostic factors of OS and MFS
      for patients with ccRCC. Incorporation of LMR and CRP into the traditional TNM
      staging system may improve their predictive performance.

PMID- 27274274
TI  - Clinical developments in the treatment of relapsed or relapsed and refractory
      multiple myeloma: impact of panobinostat, the first-in-class histone deacetylase
      inhibitor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Panobinostat is a new agent for the treatment of relapsed and
      refractory multiple myeloma (rrMM) as part of a combination regimen. This article
      presents an overview of the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, safety,
      efficacy, patient care strategies, and role of the agent in treating rrMM
      patients. RESULTS: Panobinostat belongs to the class of drugs known as histone
      deacetylase inhibitors, and has high activity against Class I, II, and IV
      nonhistone deacetylases and histone deacetylases. It represents the first of its
      class to receive approval for use in MM, and received priority review and orphan
      drug status in both US and Europe, when used in combination with bortezomib and
      dexamethasone in the treatment of rrMM. Approval of panobinostat was based on
      subgroup analysis of Phase III data obtained in the PANORAMA trial program for
      evaluation of the combination of panobinostat, bortezomib, and dexamethasone.
      Additional clinical trials have continued to explore optimal dosing regimens and
      novel combination regimens to further clarify the optimal role of panobinostat in
      the arsenal of drugs for rrMM. Panobinostat has shown a manageable safety profile
      characterized primarily by hematologic toxicities (thrombocytopenia, neutropenia,
      lymphopenia, and anemia), gastrointestinal toxicities, notably diarrhea and
      nausea, as well as fatigue/asthenia, electrolyte abnormalities, and less commonly
      cardiac toxicities. CONCLUSION: Panobinostat represents an important addition to
      the treatment armamentarium for patients with rrMM, and studies are underway
      evaluating its optimal dosing strategy and role in combination with other drugs
      used to treat this patient population.

PMID- 27274275
TI  - Silencing of carboxypeptidase E inhibits cell proliferation, tumorigenicity, and
      metastasis of osteosarcoma cells.
AB  - Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), a prohormone processing enzyme, has been implicated in
      the progression of multiple malignancies. However, the biological role and
      molecular mechanisms of CPE in osteosarcoma remain elusive. In this study, we
      assessed the effects of CPE on cell proliferation, tumorigenicity, migration, and
      invasion in osteosarcoma. Our results showed that silencing of CPE significantly
      inhibited cell proliferation, caused cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, decreased
      the expression levels of cell cycle protein, cyclin D1, and inhibited
      tumorigenicity in vivo. Additionally, CPE downregulation repressed the migratory
      and invasive capacities of osteosarcoma cells in vitro. Furthermore,
      overexpression of CPE-DeltaN (a splice variant of CPE) enhanced the cell growth,
      migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. It is possible that both CPE forms
      are involved in the tumorigenesis and development of osteosarcoma, and therefore
      CPE may provide a promising biological target for osteosarcoma therapy. 

PMID- 27274273
TI  - Design, synthesis, and evaluation of cisplatin-containing EGFR targeting
      bioconjugates as potential therapeutic agents for brain tumors.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate four different platinated bioconjugates
      containing a cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum [cis-DDP]) fragment and
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting moieties as potential
      therapeutic agents for the treatment of brain tumors using a human EGFR
      expressing transfectant of the F98 rat glioma (F98EGFR) to assess their efficacy.
      The first two bioconjugates employed the monoclonal antibody cetuximab (C225 or
      Erbitux((r))) as the targeting moiety, and the second two used genetically
      engineered EGF peptides. C225-G5-Pt was produced by reacting cis-DDP with a fifth
      generation polyamidoamine dendrimer (G5) and then linking it to C225 by means of
      two heterobifunctional reagents. The second bioconjugate (C225-PG-Pt) employed
      the same methodology except that polyglutamic acid was used as the carrier. The
      third and fourth bioconjugates used two different EGF peptides, PEP382 and
      PEP455, with direct coordination to the Pt center of the cis-DDP fragment. In
      vivo studies with C225-G5-Pt failed to demonstrate therapeutic activity following
      intracerebral (ic) convection-enhanced delivery (CED) to F98EGFR glioma-bearing
      rats. The second bioconjugate, C225-PG-Pt, failed to show in vitro cytotoxicity.
      Furthermore, because of its high molecular weight, we decided that lower
      molecular weight peptides might provide better targeting and microdistribution
      within the tumor. Both PEP382-Pt and PEP455-Pt bioconjugates were cytotoxic in
      vitro and, based on this, a pilot study was initiated using PEP455-Pt. The end
      point for this study was tumor size at 6 weeks following tumor cell implantation
      and 4 weeks following ic CED of PEP455-Pt to F98 glioma-bearing rats.
      Neuropathologic examination revealed that five of seven rats were either tumor
      free or only had microscopic tumors at 42 days following tumor implantation
      compared to a mean survival time of 20.5 and 26.3 days for untreated controls. In
      conclusion, we have succeeded in reformatting the toxicity profile of cis-DDP and
      demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of the PEP455-Pt bioconjugate in F98 glioma
      bearing rats. 

PMID- 27274276
TI  - Sophoridinol derivative 05D induces tumor cells apoptosis by topoisomerase1
      mediated DNA breakage.
AB  - Sophoridine is a quinolizidine natural product of Sophora alopecuroides and has
      been applied for treatment of malignant trophoblastic tumors. Although
      characterized by low toxicity, the limited-spectrum antitumor activity hinders
      its further applications. 05D, a derivative of sophoridine, exhibits a better
      anticancer activity on diverse cancer cells, including solid tumors, and
      hematologic malignancy. It could inhibit topoisomerase 1 (top1) activity by
      stabilizing DNA-top1 complex and induce mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by
      promoting DNA single- and double-strand breakage mediated by top1. Also, 05D
      induced HCT116 cells arrest at G1 phase by inactivating CDK2/CDK4-Rb-E2F and
      cyclinD1-CDK4-p21 checkpoint signal pathways. 05D suppressed the ataxia
      telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ATM and Rad3-related (ATR) activation and
      decreased 53BP level, which contributed to DNA damage repair, suggesting that the
      novel compound 05D might be helpful to improve the antitumor activity of DNA
      damaging agent by repressing ATM and ATR activation and 53BP level. In addition,
      the priorities in molecular traits and druggability, such as a simple structure
      and formulation for oral administration, further prove 05D to be a promising
      targeting topoisomerase agent. 

PMID- 27274277
TI  - Can we avoid high levels of dose escalation for high-risk prostate cancer in the
      setting of androgen deprivation?
AB  - AIM: Both dose-escalated external beam radiotherapy (DE-EBRT) and androgen
      deprivation therapy (ADT) improve outcomes in patients with high-risk prostate
      cancer. However, there is little evidence specifically evaluating DE-EBRT for
      patients with high-risk prostate cancer receiving ADT, particularly for EBRT
      doses >74 Gy. We aimed to determine whether DE-EBRT >74 Gy improves outcomes for
      patients with high-risk prostate cancer receiving long-term ADT. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Patients with high-risk prostate cancer were treated on an institutional
      protocol prescribing 3-6 months neoadjuvant ADT and DE-EBRT, followed by 2 years
      of adjuvant ADT. Between 2006 and 2012, EBRT doses were escalated from 74 Gy to
      76 Gy and then to 78 Gy. We interrogated our electronic medical record to
      identify these patients and analyzed our results by comparing dose levels.
      RESULTS: In all, 479 patients were treated with a 68-month median follow-up. The
      5-year biochemical disease-free survivals for the 74 Gy, 76 Gy, and 78 Gy groups
      were 87.8%, 86.9%, and 91.6%, respectively. The metastasis-free survivals were
      95.5%, 94.5%, and 93.9%, respectively, and the prostate cancer-specific survivals
      were 100%, 94.4%, and 98.1%, respectively. Dose escalation had no impact on any
      outcome in either univariate or multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: There was no
      benefit of DE-EBRT >74 Gy in our cohort of high-risk prostate patients treated
      with long-term ADT. As dose escalation has higher risks of radiotherapy-induced
      toxicity, it may be feasible to omit dose escalation beyond 74 Gy in this group
      of patients. Randomized studies evaluating dose escalation for high-risk patients
      receiving ADT should be considered.

PMID- 27274278
TI  - Sodium phenylbutyrate antagonizes prostate cancer through the induction of
      apoptosis and attenuation of cell viability and migration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in
      men. Sodium phenylbutyrate (SPB) has shown its potential as an anticancer therapy
      in numerous cancer types. In the present study, we attempted to assess the effect
      of SPB against PCa and whether this treatment was associated with the regulation
      of survivin. METHODS: Two human PCa cancer cell lines, DU145 and PC3, were used
      in the present study. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was conducted to measure
      the proliferation of PCa cells incubated with SPB. The effect of SPB on the cell
      apoptosis, cell colony formation ability, and cell morphological change was also
      assessed. Transwell experiment and Western blotting assay were performed to
      determine the effect of SPB on the migration and invasion ability of both cell
      types. Moreover, the expression pattern of survivin and MAPK members in both cell
      types after the treatment of SPB was also detected. Additionally, an in vivo
      tumor formation assay was performed to evaluate the treatment potential of SPB
      against PCa. RESULTS: We found that the viability of PCa cells was significantly
      inhibited by SPB treatment. As illustrated by flow cytometry, for DU145 cell line
      the average apoptotic rate of SPB-treated cells was significantly lower than that
      of the control group (P<0.05); similar results were also seen for PC3 (P<0.05).
      SPB administration also attenuated the colony formation and migration abilities
      in both cell lines. The expression level of survivin in SPB-treated cells was
      significantly downregulated, while the phosphorylation of p-38 and ERK was
      enhanced. Furthermore, in vivo tumor formation of both cell lines was suppressed
      by SPB as well. CONCLUSION: The above results confirmed the potential of SPB as
      an effective therapeutic agent for the prevention or treatment of PCa. This
      amelioration might be due to the blockade of the survivin pathway.

PMID- 27274279
TI  - Transcatheter arterial embolization combined with radiofrequency ablation
      activates CD8(+) T-cell infiltration surrounding residual tumors in the rabbit
      VX2 liver tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE)
      combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment (TAE + RFA) on the
      expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in residual tumors and explore the
      relationship between the HSP70 and CD8(+) T-cell infiltrate surrounding residual
      tumors in the rabbit VX2 liver tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals with
      VX2 liver tumors were randomized into four groups (control, TAE, RFA, and TAE +
      RFA) with 15 rabbits in each group. Five rabbits in each group were sacrificed on
      days 1, 3, and 7 after treatment. HSP70 expression and infiltration of CD8(+) T
      cells in the liver and residual tumors surrounding the necrosis zone were
      detected by immunohistochemistry staining. The maximal diameters of tumor
      necrosis, numbers of metastases, and tumor growth rate were compared on day 7
      after treatment. RESULTS: TAE + RFA achieved larger maximal diameter of tumor
      necrosis, lower tumor growth rate, and fewer metastatic lesions, compared with
      other treatments on day 7. The number of CD8(+) T-cells in the TAE + RFA group
      was significantly higher than in other groups on days 1, 3, and 7. There was a
      positive correlation between HSP70 expression level and infiltration of CD8(+) T
      cells surrounding the residual tumor on day 1 (r=0.9782, P=0.012), day 3 (r=0.93,
      P=0.021), and day 7 (r=0.8934, P=0.034). CONCLUSION: In the rabbit VX2 liver
      tumor model, TAE + RFA activated the highest number of CD8(+) T-cells surrounding
      residual tumors. TAE + RFA appears to be a beneficial therapeutic modality for
      tumor control and antitumor immune response in this model.

PMID- 27274280
TI  - Metformin induces apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells by
      activating an AMPK/p53/miR-23a/FOXA1 pathway.
AB  - The antidiabetic drug metformin has been shown to possess antitumor functions in
      many types of cancers. Although studies have revealed its beneficial effects on
      the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the detailed molecular mechanism
      underlying this event remains largely unknown. In this work, we showed that miR
      23a was significantly induced upon metformin treatment; inhibition of miR-23a
      abrogated the proapoptotic effect of metformin in HepG2 cells. We next
      established forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1) as the functional target of miR-23a,
      and silencing FOXA1 mimicked the effect of metformin. Moreover, the
      phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the expression of p53
      were increased upon metformin treatment, and the inhibition of p53 abrogated the
      induction of miR-23a by metformin, suggesting that AMPK/p53 signaling axis is
      responsible for the induction of miR-23a by metformin. In summary, we unraveled a
      novel AMPK/p53/miR-23a/FOXA1 axis in the regulation of apoptosis in HCC, and the
      application of metformin could, therefore, be effective in the treatment of HCC. 

PMID- 27274281
TI  - Evaluation of response from axitinib per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid
      Tumors versus Choi criteria in previously treated patients with metastatic renal
      cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Axitinib, a selective and potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor of
      vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, was available to patients from
      Canada and Australia, prior to regulatory approval of axitinib in these
      countries, for treatment of clear-cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC)
      after failure of one prior systemic regimen. METHODS: This single-arm, open-label
      study of axitinib evaluated the efficacy, safety, and quality of life (QoL) in
      patients with mRCC whose disease progressed after one prior systemic first-line
      regimen. Primary objective was objective response rate evaluated per Response
      Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and Choi criteria. Progression-free
      survival, overall survival, safety, and QoL were secondary end points. Due to the
      small study size, analyses comprised of descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Fifteen
      patients were recruited, five from Canada and ten from Australia, over a limited
      recruitment period. Thirteen patients received sunitinib as prior therapy. All
      patients had clear-cell carcinoma, eleven had prior nephrectomy. Liver, lung, and
      lymph nodes were the most frequent sites of metastases; one patient had brain
      metastasis. Median time on axitinib was 118.0 days (range: 3.5-645.0 days);
      estimated survival probability at 12 months was 57.8%. Two (13.3%) patients had
      objective responses per RECIST versus nine (60.0%) per Choi criteria. Six
      patients had progressive disease based on RECIST versus three per Choi criteria.
      Nine (60.0%) events of progression or death occurred by the end of study, and
      three patients continued to receive the study drug. Fatigue (33%) and diarrhea
      (20%) were the most common grade >=3 all-causality, treatment-emergent adverse
      events. The mean change in European Quality of Life - 5 Dimensions score from
      baseline to end of treatment was -0.0837. CONCLUSION: The small number of
      patients and lack of a comparator arm limit the ability to draw definitive
      conclusions; however, safety and efficacy profiles of axitinib were consistent
      with reports from previous studies in patients with mRCC, and patients generally
      maintained QoL. The sizeable difference observed in objective response rate by
      RECIST versus Choi criteria merits further research.

PMID- 27274283
TI  - Comparative effects of different enteral feeding methods in head and neck cancer
      patients receiving radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy: a network meta-analysis.
AB  - Nasogastric tube (NGT) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were frequently
      used in the head and neck cancer patients when malnutrition was present.
      Nevertheless, the evidence was inclusive in terms of the choice and the time of
      tube placement. The aim of this network meta-analysis was to evaluate the
      comparative effects of prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (pPEG),
      reactive percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (rPEG), and NGT in the head and neck
      cancer patients receiving radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Databases of PubMed,
      Web of Science, and Elsevier were searched from inception to October 2015.
      Thirteen studies enrolling 1,631 participants were included in this network meta
      analysis. The results indicated that both pPEG and NGT were superior to rPEG in
      the management of weight loss. pPEG was associated with the least rate of
      treatment interruption and nutrition-related hospital admission among pPEG, rPEG,
      and NGT. Meanwhile, there was no difference in tube-related complications. Our
      study suggested that pPEG might be a better choice in malnutrition management in
      the head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.
      However, its effects need to be further investigated in more randomized
      controlled trials. 

PMID- 27274282
TI  - Recent advancements in erythrocytes, platelets, and albumin as delivery systems.
AB  - In the past few years, nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems have been applied
      to enhance the efficacy of therapeutics and to alleviate negative effects through
      the controlled delivery of targeting and releasing agents. However, few drug
      carriers can achieve high targeting efficacy, even when targeting modalities and
      surface markers are introduced. Immunological problems have also limited their
      wide applications. Biological drug delivery systems, such as erythrocytes,
      platelets, and albumin, have been extensively investigated because of their
      unique properties. In this review, erythrocytes, platelets, and albumin are
      described as efficient drug delivery systems. Their properties, applications,
      advantages, and limitations in disease treatment are explained. This review
      confirms that these systems can be used to facilitate a specific, biocompatible,
      and smart drug delivery. 

PMID- 27274284
TI  - Efficacy and safety of icotinib in patients with brain metastases from lung
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of
      icotinib in patients with brain metastases (BMs) from lung adenocarcinoma.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 28 cases with BMs from lung adenocarcinoma
      were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients took 125 mg icotinib orally three
      times a day. Progression of disease, intolerable adverse reactions, and number of
      deaths were recorded. RESULTS: For all the patients, the remission rate of
      icotinib was 67.8% and the disease control rate was 96.4%. The median overall
      survival time of patients was 21.2 months, and the median progression-free
      survival time of patients was 10.9 months. Only mild adverse events of grade 1/2
      were observed during the treatment. CONCLUSION: Icotinib was an effective and
      safe strategy to treat patients with BMs from lung adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 27274285
TI  - PIM1 polymorphism and PIM1 expression as predisposing factors of esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma in the Asian population.
AB  - Our study aimed to identify the association between a PIM1 polymorphism and PIM1
      expression levels with clinicopathological features of esophageal squamous cell
      carcinoma (ESCC). A total of 168 patients with ESCC were recruited as the case
      group, and 180 healthy individuals were included as the control group. Polymerase
      chain reaction-direct sequencing was employed to analyze all genotypes containing
      the PIM1 -1 882 A>T mutation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect PIM1
      expression. The distributions of genotype AA and allele A of PIM1 -1 882 A>T were
      higher in the case group than in the control group (both P<0.05). AT + TT
      carriers had a lower risk of ESCC than AA carriers (P<0.05). PIM1 polymorphism
      was related to the invasion depth, degree of differentiation, and lymphatic
      metastasis of ESCC (P<0.05). PIM1 expression was associated with lymphatic
      metastasis of ESCC and PIM1 polymorphism (both P<0.05). PIM1 -1 882 A>T and the
      overexpression of PIM1 were associated with the clinicopathological features of
      ESCC, and PIM1 -1 882 A>T may help to reduce the risk of ESCC in the Asian
      population. 

PMID- 27274287
TI  - Advances of wogonin, an extract from Scutellaria baicalensis, for the treatment
      of multiple tumors.
AB  - As the major bioactive compound of Scutellaria baicalensis that has been approved
      to be effective as an anti-inflammatory and antiviral inhibitor in cardiovascular
      diseases, wogonin (WG) showed potent and promising antitumor effects both in
      vitro and in vivo. It has been proved that WG has the ability to inhibit the
      growth of tumor cells, induce apoptosis, and suppress angiogenesis. The molecular
      mechanisms involve reactive oxygen species, Ca(2+), NF-kappaB, tumor necrosis
      factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
      Furthermore, the synergistic effect of WG with 5-fluorouracil, etoposide, and
      adriamycin to enhance chemotherapy and reverse drug resistance has also been
      confirmed. In this review, we summarize the advances in recent years on the
      antitumor effect of WG on multiple tumors; in addition, we also present
      information regarding the synergistic and chemosensitizing effects of WG with
      other drugs to illustrate its potential use in the clinic. 

PMID- 27274286
TI  - The association of the CYP1A1 Ile462Val polymorphism with head and neck cancer
      risk: evidence based on a cumulative meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to address the association between the
      Ile462Val polymorphism in the gene encoding cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and the
      risk of head and neck cancer (HNC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Medline/PubMed,
      EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched. The strength of the
      association was evaluated by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with a 95%
      confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Overall, we observed an increased risk of HNC
      in patients with the Ile/Val+Val/Val genotype compared to those with the Ile/Ile
      genotype among the 6,367 cases and 6,395 controls evaluated in the 34 eligible
      studies, with a pooled OR of 1.284 (95% CI: 1.119-1.473). In addition, we
      observed an increased risk of HNC in patients with the Ile/Val+Val/Val genotype
      compared to those with the Ile/Ile genotype in the subgroup analyses (OR =1.362,
      95% CI: 1.102-1.685 for laryngeal cancer; OR =1.519, 95% CI: 1.253-1.843 for
      pharyngeal cancer; OR =1.371, 95% CI: 1.111-1.693 for Asians; and OR =1.329, 95%
      CI: 1.138-1.551 for patients in studies using hospital-based controls).
      CONCLUSION: This cumulative meta-analysis suggests that the CYP1A1 Ile462Val
      polymorphism might contribute to the risk of HNC, particularly for pharyngeal
      cancer and laryngeal cancer.

PMID- 27274288
TI  - Idelalisib for the treatment of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a review of its
      clinical potential.
AB  - Idelalisib is a first-in-class, oral, selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
      delta inhibitor that offers a chemotherapy-free option for patients with relapsed
      or refractory (R/R) indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL). Clinical trials in iNHL
      have evaluated idelalisib as monotherapy and as combination therapy with
      rituximab, bendamustine, and rituximab + bendamustine. When administered to
      heavily pretreated patients with R/R iNHL, idelalisib monotherapy or combination
      therapy showed durable antitumor activity accompanied by sustained or improved
      quality-of-life outcomes. Idelalisib has an acceptable safety profile; however,
      serious or fatal diarrhea/colitis, hepatoxicity, pneumonitis, and intestinal
      perforation have occurred in treated patients. Selective inhibition of
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta with idelalisib is a valuable addition to
      available treatment options for patients with iNHL, many of whom do not respond
      to or cannot tolerate chemoimmunotherapy. Two Phase III, randomized, placebo
      controlled trials of idelalisib as combination therapy with rituximab or
      bendamustine + rituximab and a Phase I trial of idelalisib in combination with
      the Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor ONO/GS-4059 in R/R B-cell malignancies are
      currently ongoing. A Phase III monotherapy trial in previously treated follicular
      lymphoma or small lymphocytic lymphoma is planned. The development of other
      kinase inhibitors for the treatment of iNHL raises the potential for new
      treatment combinations. Additional research is needed to determine optimal
      therapy (monotherapy vs combination regimens), treatment sequencing, and long
      term management. 

PMID- 27274289
TI  - Low-grade nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma: a case report and review of
      the literature.
AB  - Low-grade nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare tumor,
      with only a limited number of cases reported in the literature. Some published
      studies have paid more attention to the clinicopathological features of
      nasopharyngeal adenocarcinoma, while little effort has been made to study the
      optimal therapeutic strategies. We report about a woman diagnosed with low-grade
      nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma. She received the treatment approach that
      combined transnasal endoscopic surgery to remove the lesion with postoperative
      radiotherapy for nasal cavity. There was no evidence of recurrence after 4 months
      of surgery, and further follow-up is being continued. Through this example, we
      wanted to explore the optimal therapeutic strategies for primary nasopharyngeal
      adenocarcinomas. 

PMID- 27274290
TI  - Economic burden of refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria on Kuwait's health
      system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common problem worldwide. We
      evaluated the direct medical costs of treating patients with refractory CSU and
      the budget effect of omalizumab use in these patients in Kuwait. METHODS: The
      prevalence of CSU was estimated using the Delphi method. Medical records of
      patients with refractory CSU in Kuwait were reviewed. Costs were calculated from
      a health system perspective. One-way sensitivity analyses were conducted on the
      price and utilization of each cost component. RESULTS: Before omalizumab use, the
      total direct costs of treating 1,293 patients with refractory CSU were estimated
      to be USD 3,650,733 per year. This estimation was principally generated by
      outpatient visits. After omalizumab use, the cost was sensitive to price
      variation and estimated to be USD 15,828,612 per year. All other direct costs
      were reduced. CONCLUSION: The economic burden of refractory CSU in Kuwait is
      high. Omalizumab use is costly, but its administration reduces all other direct
      costs.

PMID- 27274291
TI  - The economic impact of educational training assessed by the Handling
      Questionnaire with three inhalation devices in asthma and Chronic Obstructive
      Pulmonary Disease patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The usability of inhalation devices depends on several factors, eg,
      the drug to inhale, device handling, and patients' training. Usability is then
      presumed to have economic consequences. AIM: To assess and compare the cost of
      patients' training for proper usability of Breezhaler and Genuair (both dry
      powder inhalers) and Respimat (a soft mist inhaler) in asthma and chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outpatients. METHODS: The acceptance and
      handling of the three devices were investigated by means of the Handling
      Questionnaire. The time spent in specific training for ensuring a proper
      actuation and the corresponding costs were also calculated. Linear and logistic
      regressions were used in order to investigate the factors influencing proper
      handling of the devices. A significance level of P<0.05 was accepted. RESULTS:
      According to both the patients' and the nurse's judgments, Genuair and Respimat
      were perceived as the easiest devices to use, while Breezhaler required the
      highest number of attempts for achieving the first proper actuation (2.6 vs 1.6;
      P<0.0001). The total training cost per patient (including the nurse's time for
      demonstration and that for attending the patients' maneuvers) was ?1.38+/-?1.21.
      Breezhaler was found to be the most expensive as the cost per patient was ?2.35+/
      ?1.26, which was three to four times higher than that of Genuair and Respimat
      (both devices involved a cost of <?1 per patient, with negligible differences
      between each other). Asthma and COPD patients showed a similar trend, with better
      outcomes reported for asthma patients probably due to lower age. CONCLUSION:
      Substantial differences were found to exist in patients' acceptability and
      handling of the three devices. The economic impact of specific training was also
      different and strictly related to the comprehension of the procedure for
      actuation of each device. Respimat as a soft mist inhaler and Genuair as an
      metered-dose inhaler proved to be the most convenient in economic terms also.

PMID- 27274292
TI  - Treatment patterns and health care resource utilization associated with
      dalfampridine extended release in multiple sclerosis: a retrospective claims
      database analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have demonstrated the clinical benefits of
      dalfampridine extended release (D-ER) tablets in patients with multiple sclerosis
      (MS), there are limited real-world data on D-ER utilization and associated
      outcomes in patients with MS. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to
      evaluate treatment patterns, budget impact, and health care resource utilization
      (HRU) associated with D-ER use in a real-world setting. METHODS: A retrospective
      claims database analysis was conducted using the HealthCore Integrated Research
      Database(SM). Adherence (measured by medication possession ratio, or [MPR]) and
      persistence (measured by days between initial D-ER claim and discontinuation or
      end of follow-up) were evaluated over 1-year follow-up. Budget impact was
      calculated as cost per member per month (PMPM) over the available follow-up
      period. D-ER and control cohorts were propensity-score matched on baseline
      demographics, comorbidities, and MS-related resource utilization to compare
      walking-impairment-related HRU over follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 2,138 MS patients
      identified, 1,200 were not treated with D-ER (control) and 938 were treated with
      D-ER. Patients were aged 51 years on average and 74% female. Approximately 82.6%
      of D-ER patients were adherent (MPR >80%). The estimated budget impact range of D
      ER was $0.014-$0.026 PMPM. Propensity-score-matched D-ER and controls yielded 479
      patients in each cohort. Postmatching comparison showed that the D-ER cohort was
      associated with fewer physician (21.5% vs 62.4%, P<0.0001) and other outpatient
      visits (22.8% vs 51.4%, P<0.0001) over the 12-month follow-up. Changes in HRU
      from follow-up to baseline were lower in the D-ER cohort for metrics including
      walking-impairment-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
      CONCLUSION: The majority of D-ER patients were adherent to treatment. D-ER
      utilization was associated with fewer walking-impairment-related physician and
      outpatient visits, with lower HRU increase over time. The budget impact of D-ER
      was low.

PMID- 27274293
TI  - Prolonged length of stay associated with air leak following pulmonary resection
      has a negative impact on hospital margin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protracted hospitalizations due to air leaks following lung
      resections are a significant source of morbidity and prolonged hospital length of
      stay (LOS), with potentially significant impact on hospital margins. This study
      aimed to evaluate the relationship between air leaks, LOS, and financial outcomes
      among discharges following lung resections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Medicare
      Provider Analysis and Review file for fiscal year 2012 was utilized to identify
      inpatient hospital discharges that recorded International Classification of
      Diseases (ICD-9) procedure codes for lobectomy, segmentectomy, and lung volume
      reduction surgery (n=21,717). Discharges coded with postoperative air leaks (ICD
      9-CM codes 512.2 and 512.84) were defined as the air leak diagnosis group
      (n=2,947), then subcategorized by LOS: 1) <7 days; 2) 7-10 days; and 3) >=11
      days. Median hospital charges, costs, payments, and payment-to-cost ratios were
      compared between non-air leak and air leak groups, and across LOS subcategories.
      RESULTS: For identified patients, hospital charges, costs, and payments were
      significantly greater among patients with air leak diagnoses compared to patients
      without (P<0.001). Hospital charges and costs increased substantially with
      prolonged LOS, but were not matched by a proportionate increase in hospital
      payments. Patients with LOS <7, 7-10, and >=11 days had median hospital charges
      of US $57,129, $73,572, and $115,623, and costs of $17,594, $21,711, and $33,786,
      respectively. Hospital payment increases were substantially lower at $16,494,
      $16,307, and $19,337, respectively. The payment-to-cost ratio significantly
      lowered with each LOS increase (P<0.001). Higher inpatient hospital mortality was
      observed among the LOS >=11 days subgroup compared with the LOS <11 days subgroup
      (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients who develop prolonged air leaks after lobectomy,
      segmentectomy, or lung volume reduction surgery have the best clinical and
      financial outcomes. Hospitals experience markedly lower payment-to-cost ratios as
      LOS increases. Interventions minimizing air leak or allowing outpatient
      management will improve financial performance and hospital margins for lung
      surgery.

PMID- 27274294
TI  - Metabolic syndrome and C-reactive protein in bank employees.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP) is used for the
      diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, but it is not well described as a marker for
      the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: An observational and
      transversal study of bank employees evaluated anthropometric, hemodynamic, and
      biochemical data. CRP values were determined using commercial kits from Roche
      Diagnostics Ltd, and MS criteria were analyzed according to National Cholesterol
      Education Program's - Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). RESULTS: A total
      of 88 individuals had MS, and 77.3% (n=68) of these showed alterations of us-CRP
      (P=0.0001, confidence interval [CI] 0.11-0.34). Individuals with MS had higher
      mean values of us-CRP in global measures (P=0.0001) and stratified by sex
      (P=0.004) than individuals without the syndrome. This marker exhibited
      significant differences with varying criteria for MS, such as waist circumference
      (P=0.0001), triglycerides (P=0.002), and diastolic blood pressure (P=0.007), and
      the highest levels of us-CRP were found in individuals with more MS criteria.
      CONCLUSION: us-CRP was strongly associated with the presence of MS and MS
      criteria in this group of workers. us-CRP is a useful and effective marker for
      identifying the development of MS and may be used as a reference in routine care.

PMID- 27274296
TI  - Depression in diabetic patients attending University of Gondar Hospital Diabetic
      Clinic, Northwest Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus, frequently associated with comorbid depression,
      contributes to the double burden of individual patients and community. Depression
      remains undiagnosed in as many as 50%-75% of diabetes cases. This study aimed to
      determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression among diabetic
      patients attending the University of Gondar Hospital Diabetic Clinic, Northwest
      Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from
      March to May 2014 among 422 sampled diabetic patients attending the University of
      Gondar Hospital Diabetic Clinic. The participants were selected using systematic
      random sampling. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a
      standardized and pretested questionnaire linked with patient record review.
      Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Data were
      entered to EPI INFO version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. Binary
      logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with
      depression. RESULTS: A total of 415 diabetic patients participated in the study
      with a response rate of 98.3%. The prevalence of depression among diabetic
      patients was found to be 15.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.7-19.2). Only
      religion (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =2.65 and 95% CI: 1.1-6.0) and duration of
      diabetes (AOR =0.27 and 95% CI: 0.07-0.92) were the factors associated with
      depression among diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression was
      low as compared to other similar studies elsewhere. Disease (diabetes) duration
      of 10 years and above and being a Muslim religion follower (as compared to
      Christian) were the factors significantly associated with depression. Early
      screening of depression and treating depression as a routine component of
      diabetes care are recommended. Further research with a large sample size, wider
      geographical coverage, and segregation of type of diabetes mellitus is
      recommended.

PMID- 27274297
TI  - An indirect comparison of HbA1c treatment effect with albiglutide and exenatide
      2.0 mg QW using the Bucher method.
AB  - No head-to-head comparisons exist between once-weekly (QW) glucagon-like peptide
      1 receptor agonists; accordingly, this indirect comparison was conducted to
      evaluate the comparative efficacy of QW albiglutide vs QW exenatide. Following a
      systematic literature search, it was determined that HARMONY 7 and DURATION 6,
      Phase III trials for albiglutide and exenatide, respectively, were similar in
      study design and baseline characteristics and included a common comparator arm,
      making them suitable for an indirect comparison using the Bucher method. The
      primary endpoint of change from baseline in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with
      albiglutide 50 mg QW and exenatide 2.0 mg QW was compared and tested for
      noninferiority. The indirect comparison showed a treatment difference of 0.0%
      (95% confidence interval: -0.189% to 0.189%) in mean change in HbA1c from
      baseline, and albiglutide 50 mg was noninferior to exenatide 2.0 mg QW at the
      noninferiority margin of 0.3%. In the absence of a head-to-head trial, these
      results can be used in pharmacoeconomic analysis and to inform health technology
      assessment and clinical decision making. 

PMID- 27274295
TI  - Sources and implications of NADH/NAD(+) redox imbalance in diabetes and its
      complications.
AB  - NAD(+) is a fundamental molecule in metabolism and redox signaling. In diabetes
      and its complications, the balance between NADH and NAD(+) can be severely
      perturbed. On one hand, NADH is overproduced due to influx of hyperglycemia to
      the glycolytic and Krebs cycle pathways and activation of the polyol pathway. On
      the other hand, NAD(+) can be diminished or depleted by overactivation of poly
      ADP ribose polymerase that uses NAD(+) as its substrate. Moreover, sirtuins,
      another class of enzymes that also use NAD(+) as their substrate for catalyzing
      protein deacetylation reactions, can also affect cellular content of NAD(+).
      Impairment of NAD(+) regeneration enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase in
      erythrocytes and complex I in mitochondria can also contribute to NADH
      accumulation and NAD(+) deficiency. The consequence of NADH/NAD(+) redox
      imbalance is initially reductive stress that eventually leads to oxidative stress
      and oxidative damage to macromolecules, including DNA, lipids, and proteins.
      Accordingly, redox imbalance-triggered oxidative damage has been thought to be a
      major factor contributing to the development of diabetes and its complications.
      Future studies on restoring NADH/NAD(+) redox balance could provide further
      insights into design of novel antidiabetic strategies. 

PMID- 27274298
TI  - A qualitative study of perceptions of determinants of disease burden among young
      patients with type 1 diabetes and their parents in South India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a leading threat to public health in India. A huge
      prevalence of type 1 diabetes among young patients is documented in literature;
      India is one of the countries with the highest number of new cases per year
      (10,900), of which 3-4 million face poverty along with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The
      aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of determinants of the disease
      burden among young patients with type 1 diabetes and their parents. METHODS: In
      June 2014, perceptions were collected from eleven young patients and five
      available parents using the critical incident technique. RESULTS: Disease burdens
      associated with the management of type 1 diabetes can vary significantly
      according to the different social and economic determinants facing each
      household. Determinants associated with good practices in the management of
      childhood type 1 diabetes included socioeconomic status, unawareness of health
      complications, and beliefs about nutrition. Coping strategies applied via
      lifestyle changes included monitoring glycemia and regular checkups by
      diabetologists. A general lack of awareness about type 1 diabetes in Indian
      society, stigmatization, and limited access and systematic barriers to the
      delivery of optimal health care were all perceived to be factors hindering the
      successful management of chronic type 1 diabetes by young patients and their
      parents. CONCLUSION: Stigmatization, a lack of therapeutic adherence, and the
      financial strains placed on families, particularly on poor ones, are critical.
      More emphasis must be put on the prevention of acute and long-term complications
      and education.

PMID- 27274299
TI  - Enhanced effect of fibroblast growth factor-2-containing dalteparin/protamine
      nanoparticles on hair growth.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although treatments for alopecia are in high demand, not all treatments
      are safe and reliable. Dalteparin/protamine nanoparticles (D/P NPs) can
      effectively carry growth factors (GFs) such as fibroblast GF (FGF)-2. The purpose
      of this study was to identify the effects of FGF-2-containing D/P NPs (FGF-2&D/P
      NPs) on hair growth. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, the participants were
      12 volunteers with thin hair. One milliliter of FGF-2 (100 ng/mL) and D/P NPs (56
      MUg/mL) was applied and massaged on the skin of the scalp by the participants
      twice a day. They were evaluated for 6 months. Participants were photographed
      using a digital camera for general observation and a hair diagnosis system for
      measuring hair diameter. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the hairs was
      significantly higher following the application of FGF-2&D/P NPs for 6 months.
      Objective improvements in thin hair were observed in two cases. Nine participants
      experienced greater bounce and hair resilience. CONCLUSION: The transdermal
      application of FGF-2&D/P NPs to the scalp can be used as a new treatment for
      alopecia.

PMID- 27274301
TI  - Rectal budesonide and mesalamine formulations in active ulcerative
      proctosigmoiditis: efficacy, tolerance, and treatment approach.
AB  - Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune-mediated disease of the colon that is
      characterized by diffuse and continuous inflammation contiguous from the rectum.
      Half of UC patients have inflammation limited to the distal colon (proctitis or
      proctosigmoiditis) that primarily causes symptoms of bloody diarrhea and urgency.
      Mild-to-moderate distal UC can be effectively treated with topical formulations
      (rectal suppositories, enemas, or foam) of mesalamine or steroids to reduce
      mucosal inflammation and alleviate symptoms. Enemas or foam formulations
      adequately reach up to the splenic flexure, have a minimal side-effect profile,
      and induce remission alone or in combination with systemic immunosuppressive
      therapy. Herein, we compare the efficacy, cost, patient tolerance, and side
      effect profiles of steroid and mesalamine rectal formulations in distal UC.
      Patients with distal mild-to-moderate UC have a remission rate of approximately
      75% (NNT =2) after treatment for 6 weeks with mesalamine enemas. Rectal
      budesonide foam induces remission in 41.2% of patients with mild-to-moderate
      active distal UC compared to 24% of patient treated with placebo (NNT =5).
      However, rectal budesonide has better patient tolerance profile compared to enema
      formulations. Despite its favorable efficacy, safety, and cost profiles, patients
      and physicians significantly underuse topical treatments for treating distal
      colitis. This necessitates improved patient education and physician familiarity
      regarding the indications, effectiveness, and potential financial and
      tolerability barriers in using rectal formulations. 

PMID- 27274300
TI  - Recent developments in choledochoscopy: technical and clinical advances.
AB  - Peroral cholangioscopy has become an important tool in the diagnosis and
      treatment of a variety of biliary diseases, ranging from indeterminate biliary
      strictures to bile duct stones. Although the first cholangioscopy was performed
      in the 1970s, recent technological advances have provided us with cholangioscopes
      that yield high-resolution images, possess single-operator capability, and have
      ultrathin design to allow easier maneuverability and detailed imaging of the
      biliary tract. We review here the currently available devices for peroral
      cholangioscopy, their clinical applications, limitations, and complications. 

PMID- 27274302
TI  - Impaired bone healing in multitrauma patients is associated with altered
      leukocyte kinetics after major trauma.
AB  - Animal studies have shown that the systemic inflammatory response to major injury
      impairs bone regeneration. It remains unclear whether the systemic immune
      response contributes to impairment of fracture healing in multitrauma patients.
      It is well known that systemic inflammatory changes after major trauma affect
      leukocyte kinetics. We therefore retrospectively compared the cellular
      composition of peripheral blood during the first 2 weeks after injury between
      multitrauma patients with normal (n=48) and impaired (n=32) fracture healing of
      the tibia. The peripheral blood-count curves of leukocytes, neutrophils,
      monocytes, and thrombocytes differed significantly between patients with normal
      and impaired fracture healing during the first 2 weeks after trauma (P-values
      were 0.0122, 0.0083, 0.0204, and <0.0001, respectively). Mean myeloid cell counts
      were above reference values during the second week after injury. Our data
      indicate that leukocyte kinetics differ significantly between patients with
      normal and impaired fracture healing during the first 2 weeks after major injury.
      This finding suggests that the systemic immune response to major trauma can
      disturb tissue regeneration. 

PMID- 27274303
TI  - Protective effect of soybean oil- or fish oil-rich diets on allergic airway
      inflammation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in
      westernized societies has been associated with increased intake of diets rich in
      n-6 fatty acids (FAs) and poor in n-3 FAs. This study aimed to analyze the
      prophylactic effects of treatment with a soybean oil-rich diet (rich in n-6) or
      fish oil (rich in n-3) in an allergic airway inflammation model on lung
      inflammation score, leukocyte migration, T-helper cell (Th)-2 (interleukin [IL]
      4, IL-5) and Th1 (interferon [IFN]-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) cytokines,
      lipoxin A4, nitric oxide, bradykinin, and corticosterone levels in
      bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or lungs. METHODS: Male Wistar rats fed with soybean
      oil- or fish oil-rich diet or standard rat chow were sensitized twice with
      ovalbumin-alumen and challenged twice with ovalbumin aerosol. The BAL and lungs
      were examined 24 hours later. RESULTS: Both diets, rich in n-6 or n-3 FAs,
      impaired the allergic lung inflammation and reduced leukocyte migration,
      eosinophil and neutrophil percentages, and IL-4/IL-5/bradykinin levels in BAL
      and/or lungs, as well as increased the nitric oxide levels in BAL. The soybean
      oil-rich diet additionally increased the levels of lipoxin A4 and corticosterone
      in the lungs. CONCLUSION: Data presented demonstrated that the n-6 FA-rich diet
      had protective effect upon allergic airway inflammation and was as anti
      inflammatory as the n-3 FA-rich diet, although through different mechanisms,
      suggesting that both diets could be considered as complementary therapy or a
      prophylactic alternative for allergic airway inflammation.

PMID- 27274304
TI  - Marfan syndrome: current perspectives.
AB  - Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a pleiotropic connective tissue disease inherited as an
      autosomal dominant trait, due to mutations in the FBN1 gene encoding fibrillin 1.
      It is an important protein of the extracellular matrix that contributes to the
      final structure of a microfibril. Few cases displaying an autosomal recessive
      transmission are reported in the world. The FBN1 gene, which is made of 66 exons,
      is located on chromosome 15q21.1. This review, after an introduction on the
      clinical manifestations that leads to the diagnosis of MFS, focuses on
      cardiovascular manifestations, pharmacological and surgical therapies of thoracic
      aortic aneurysm and/or dissection (TAAD), mechanisms underlying the progression
      of aneurysm or of acute dissection, and biomarkers associated with progression of
      TAADs. A Dutch group compared treatment with losartan, an angiotensin II receptor
      1 blocker, vs no other additional treatment (COMPARE clinical trial). They
      observed that losartan reduces the aortic dilatation rate in patients with Marfan
      syndrome. Later on, they also reported that losartan exerts a beneficial effect
      on patients with Marfan syndrome carrying an FBN1 mutation that causes
      haploinsufficiency (quantitative mutation), while it has no significant effect on
      patients displaying dominant negative (qualitative) mutations. Moreover, a French
      group in a 3-year trial compared the administration of losartan vs placebo in
      patients with Marfan syndrome under treatment with beta-receptor blockers. They
      observed that losartan decreases blood pressure but has no effect on aortic
      diameter progression. Thus, beta-receptor blockers remain the gold standard
      therapy in patients with Marfan syndrome. Three potential biochemical markers are
      mentioned in this review: total homocysteine, serum transforming growth factor
      beta, and lysyl oxidase. Moreover, markers of oxidative stress measured in
      plasma, previously correlated with clinical features of Marfan syndrome, may be
      explored as potential biomarkers of clinical severity. 

PMID- 27274305
TI  - Genetic variations in the osteopontin promoters T-443C and G-156GG increase
      carotid intima-media thickness.
AB  - Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a clear predictor of atherosclerosis.
      The increase of CIMT is affected by mutations in the osteopontin (OPN) promoters.
      The purpose of this study was to examine genetic variations in OPN promoters T
      443C and G-156GG, identified in Javanese children with ischemic stroke parents,
      and to investigate their relationship with the increase of CIMT. A case-control
      analytic study was performed on 20 case and 12 control samples. Case samples were
      Javanese children aged between 10 to 21 years with ischemic stroke parents.
      Control samples were children with healthy parents. Mutations of T-443C and G
      156GG were determined by employing polymerase chain reaction. Results of
      sequencing were analyzed using CLC Main Workbench 6.0. CIMT was defined using
      ultrasound. Genetic variations of T-443C were identified in six samples.
      Likewise, genetic variations of G-156GG were identified in six samples. Genetic
      variations in the OPN promoters T-443C and G-156GG were not potential risk
      factors in an increase of CIMT (P=0.654 and P=0.654). This study proves that
      genetic variations could be identified at the points of T-443C and G-156GG in
      children with ischemic stroke parents. Although statistically insignificant, the
      tendency to increase CIMT occurs in children with genetic variations. Children
      with ischemic stroke parents have thicker CIMT than children of healthy parents. 

PMID- 27274306
TI  - Get the most from your data: a propensity score model comparison on real-life
      data.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the past, the propensity score has been in the middle of several
      discussions in terms of its abilities and limitations. With a comprehensive
      review and a practical example, this study examines the effect of propensity
      score analysis of real-life data and introduces a simple and effective clinical
      approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After the authors reviewed current publications,
      they applied their insights to the data of a nonrandomized clinical trial in
      bariatric surgery. This study examined weight loss in 173 patients where 127
      patients received Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and 46 patients sleeve
      gastrectomy. Both groups underwent analysis in terms of their covariate
      distribution using Mann-Whitney U and chi (2) testing. Mean differences within
      excess weight loss in native data were examined with Student's t-test. Three
      propensity score models were defined and matching was performed. Covariate
      distribution and mean differences in excess weight loss were checked with Mann
      Whitney U and chi (2) testing. RESULTS: Native data implied a significant
      difference in excess weight loss. The propensity score models did not confirm
      this difference. All models proved that both surgical procedures were equal, due
      to their weight-loss induction. Covariate distribution improved after the
      matching procedure in terms of an equal distribution. CONCLUSION: It seemed that
      a practical clinical approach with outcome-related covariates as a propensity
      score base is the ideal midpoint between an equal distribution in covariates and
      an acceptable loss of data. Nevertheless, propensity score models designed with
      clinical intent seemed to be absolutely suitable for overcoming heterogeneity in
      covariate distribution.

PMID- 27274307
TI  - Effect of pedicle fixation combined with (125)I seed implantation for metastatic
      thoracolumbar tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of
      pedicle fixation combined with (125)I brachytherapy in treating metastatic
      thoracolumbar tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the
      clinical data of seven metastatic thoracolumbar tumor patients who received
      pedicle fixation combined with radioactive (125)I seed implantation brachytherapy
      in our department between January 2009 and December 2013 was performed. The
      visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Karnofsky performance status (KPS)
      score before the operation and 1, 6, and 12 months after the operation were
      observed and recorded. The changes in the scores at each time point were
      compared. RESULTS: All the patients underwent a successful operation, without any
      complications during their hospitalization. All the patients received
      postoperative follow-up, and the duration of follow-up was 15-50 months, with an
      average of 32.2 months. One pancreatic cancer patient died of liver failure and
      hypoproteinemia 28 months post surgery. The VAS scores of patients before the
      operation and 1, 6, and 12 months after the operation were 7.43+/-0.98, 2.71+/
      0.49, 3.00+/-0.82, and 4.29+/-0.98, respectively; the KPS scores were 52.9+/-9.5,
      84.3+/-5.3, 75.7+/-5.3, and 72.9+/-4.9, respectively. These results suggest that
      the VAS score at each time point was significantly decreased compared with that
      before the operation, while the KPS score was significantly increased compared
      with that before the operation. Both differences had statistical significance
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: As a therapy for advanced malignant tumors with
      thoracolumbar metastasis, pedicle fixation combined with (125)I brachytherapy can
      effectively relieve short-term pain and improve patient's quality of life.

PMID- 27274309
TI  - Discoveries and application of prostate-specific antigen, and some proposals to
      optimize prostate cancer screening.
AB  - The discoveries and application of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) have been much
      appreciated because PSA-based screening has saved millions of lives of prostate
      cancer (PCa) patients. Historically speaking, Flocks et al first identified
      antigenic properties in prostate tissue in 1960. Then, Barnes et al detected
      immunologic characteristics in prostatic fluid in 1963. Hara et al characterized
      gamma-semino-protein in semen in 1966, and it has been proven to be identical to
      PSA. Subsequently, Ablin et al independently reported the presence of
      precipitation antigens in the prostate in 1970. Wang et al purified the PSA in
      1979, and Kuriyama et al first applied an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for
      PSA in 1980. However, the positive predictive value with a cutoff figure of 4.0
      ng/mL appeared substantially low (~30%). There are overdiagnoses and
      overtreatments for latent/low-risk PCa. Controversies exist in the PCa mortality
      reducing effects of PSA screening between the European Randomized Study of
      Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) and the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and
      Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. For optimizing PCa screening, PSA-related
      items may require the following: 1) adjustment of the cutoff values according to
      age, as well as setting limits to age and screening intervals; 2) improving test
      performance using doubling time, density, and ratio of free: total PSA; and 3)
      fostering active surveillance for low-risk PCa with monitoring by PSA value.
      Other items needing consideration may include the following: 1) examinations of
      cell proliferation and cell cycle markers in biopsy specimens; 2) independent
      quantification of Gleason grading; 3) developing ethnicity-specific staging
      nomograms based on tumor stage, PSA value, and Gleason score; 4) delineation of
      the natural history; 5) revisiting the significance of the androgen/testosterone
      hypothesis; and 6) devoting special attention to individuals with a certain
      genetic predisposition. Finally, considering the uncertainty that exists in
      medicine, risk communication on PSA-based screening is indeed due. 

PMID- 27274308
TI  - Profile of palbociclib in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. Each year, thousands
      die either because of disease progression or failure of treatment. Breast cancer
      is classified into different subtypes based on the molecular expression of
      estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor, and/or human epidermal growth
      factor receptor 2 (HER2). These receptors represent important therapeutic targets
      either through monoclonal antibodies or through small-molecule inhibitors
      directed toward them. However, up to 40% of patients develop either a primary or
      a secondary resistance to the current treatments. Therefore, there is an urgent
      need for investigating new targets in order to overcome the resistance and/or
      enhance the current therapies. Cell cycle is altered in many human cancers,
      especially in breast cancer. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), especially CDK4 and
      CDK6, play a pivotal role in cell cycle progression that makes them potential
      targets for new promising therapies. CDK inhibition has shown strong antitumor
      activities, ranging from cytostatic antiproliferative effects to synergistic
      effects in combination with other antitumor drugs. In order to overcome the
      drawbacks of the first-generation CDK inhibitors, recently, new CDK inhibitors
      have emerged that are more selective to CDK4 and CDK6 such as palbociclib, which
      is the most advanced CDK4/6 inhibitor in trials. In preclinical studies,
      palbociclib has shown a very promising antitumor activity, especially against
      ERalpha+ breast cancer subtype. Palbociclib has gained world attention, and US
      the Food and Drug Administration has accelerated its approval for first-line
      treatment in combination with letrozole for the first-line systematic treatment
      of postmenopausal women with ERalpha+/HER2- locally advanced or metastatic breast
      cancer. In this review, we discuss the potential role of CDK inhibition in breast
      cancer treatment, and focus on palbociclib progress from preclinical studies to
      clinical trials with mentioning the most recent ongoing as well as planned Phase
      II and Phase III trials of palbociclib in advanced breast cancer. 

PMID- 27274310
TI  - Dronabinol for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting unresponsive to
      antiemetics.
AB  - Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most common
      symptoms feared by patients, but may be prevented or lessened with appropriate
      medications. Several antiemetic options exist to manage CINV. Corticosteroids,
      serotonin receptor antagonists, and neurokinin receptor antagonists are the
      classes most commonly used in the prevention of CINV. There are many alternative
      drug classes utilized for the prevention and management of CINV such as
      antihistamines, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, cannabinoids, and dopamine
      receptor antagonists. Medications belonging to these classes generally have lower
      efficacy and are associated with more adverse effects. They are also not as well
      studied compared to the aforementioned agents. This review will focus on
      dronabinol, a member of the cannabinoid class, and its role in CINV. Cannabis
      sativa L. (also known as marijuana) contains naturally occurring delta-9
      tetrahydrocannibinol (delta-9-THC). The synthetic version of delta-9-THC is the
      active ingredient in dronabinol that makes dronabinol an orally active
      cannabinoid. Evidence for clinical efficacy of dronabinol will be analyzed in
      this review as monotherapy, in combination with ondansetron, and in combination
      with prochlorperazine. 

PMID- 27274311
TI  - Novel approaches to target HER2-positive breast cancer: trastuzumab emtansine.
AB  - The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 20% of
      breast carcinomas. Prior to the development of targeted therapies, HER2-positive
      breast cancer was associated with more aggressive disease and poor prognosis.
      Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is an antibody-drug conjugate that results from the
      combination of trastuzumab and DM1, a derivative of the antimicrotubule agent
      maytansine. This molecule has the ability to enhance cytotoxic drug delivery to
      specifically targeted cells that overexpress HER2, therefore, maximizing efficacy
      while sparing toxicity. In recent years, T-DM1 has shown to improve outcomes in
      metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer that is resistant to trastuzumab. In
      addition, T-DM1 is currently being tested in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant
      settings to identify patients who may benefit from this therapy. This review
      focuses on the mechanism of action, early and late-phase clinical trials, and
      ongoing studies of T-DM1 in HER2-positive breast cancer. 

PMID- 27274312
TI  - Linkage between the Danish National Health Service Prescription Database, the
      Danish Fetal Medicine Database, and other Danish registries as a tool for the
      study of drug safety in pregnancy.
AB  - A linked population-based database is being created in Denmark for research on
      drug safety during pregnancy. It combines information from the Danish National
      Health Service Prescription Database (with information on all prescriptions
      reimbursed in Denmark since 2004), the Danish Fetal Medicine Database, the Danish
      National Registry of Patients, and the Medical Birth Registry. The new linked
      database will provide validated information on malformations diagnosed both
      prenatally and postnatally. The cohort from 2008 to 2014 will comprise 589,000
      pregnancies with information on 424,000 pregnancies resulting in live-born
      children, ~420,000 pregnancies undergoing prenatal ultrasound scans, 65,000
      miscarriages, and 92,000 terminations. It will be updated yearly with information
      on ~80,000 pregnancies. The cohort will enable identification of drug exposures
      associated with severe malformations, not only based on malformations diagnosed
      after birth but also including those having led to termination of pregnancy or
      miscarriage. Such combined data will provide a unique source of information for
      research on the safety of medications used during pregnancy. 

PMID- 27274313
TI  - Intramural myomas: to treat or not to treat.
AB  - A debate among gynecologic and reproductive surgeons is whether or not there is a
      clinical need to treat all intramural myomas. Considerations include myoma size
      and number, ability to access them, whether or not they compromise the
      endometrium, and treatment effect on gynecologic, reproductive, and obstetric
      outcomes. We conducted a detailed study regarding intramural myomas, their
      prevalence in subject populations, the imaging methods used to detect them, their
      growth rate, their suspected adverse effects on gynecologic, fertility, and
      obstetric outcomes, and the effectiveness of various treatment methods. The
      growing body of evidence reported in the literature supports the need to manage
      intramural myomas and to treat them appropriately. 

PMID- 27274314
TI  - An unusual case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient
      being weaned from intrathecal morphine.
AB  - Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiological
      entity based on clinical signs, including headache, visual abnormalities, and
      seizures, and radiological abnormalities mostly consisting of vasogenic brain
      edema predominantly in the posterior parietal-temporal-occipital regions. PRES
      typically develops in the setting of a significant " systemic process", including
      preeclampsia, transplantation, infection/sepsis/shock, autoimmune disease, and
      cancer chemotherapy, in which hypertension often plays an important role. We
      present a case of PRES in a 63-year-old female patient with an infected
      intrathecal morphine pump on a cocktail of antibiotics, morphine, clonidine,
      diazepam, and amitriptyline. It is the first PRES case in a chronic pain patient,
      which illustrates that PRES can occur in the absence of any of the established
      risk factors. We hypothesize it may have been caused by antibiotic treatment in
      our patient. 

PMID- 27274315
TI  - An unusual case of spontaneous Mycobacterium chelonae corneal ulcer in a healthy
      middle-aged adult.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To report a rare presentation of culture-positive Mycobacterium
      chelonae corneal ulcer and its management. FINDINGS: We report a rare case of a
      patient with a history of chronic pain and blurriness of vision. Examination
      revealed a chronic nonhealing paracentral corneal ulcer inferiorly at the 5-7
      o'clock meridian with anterior chamber reaction unresponsive to routine
      antibiotic and antifungal medications with Mantoux test positivity in a middle
      aged nondiabetic patient with no prior history of trauma, ocular surgery, and
      contact lens usage. Ziehl-Neelsen staining of the nonhealing ulcer revealed acid
      fast bacilli typical of M. chelonae, with subsequent culture positivity in
      Lowenstein-Jensen medium. Subsequent treatment with topical fortified amikacin
      and tobramycin resulted in rapid healing of the corneal ulcer. CONCLUSION: M.
      chelonae presenting as a chronic nonhealing corneal ulcer spontaneously occurring
      in a healthy adult with no predisposing factor draws attention towards the need
      to have a good index of suspicion by performing a Ziehl-Neelsen stain and
      culture, and subsequent successful management with topical fortified amikacin and
      tobramycin.

PMID- 27274316
TI  - ROM Plus((r)): accurate point-of-care detection of ruptured fetal membranes.
AB  - Accurate and timely diagnosis of rupture of fetal membranes is imperative to
      inform and guide gestational age-specific interventions to optimize perinatal
      outcomes and reduce the risk of serious complications, including preterm delivery
      and infections. The ROM Plus is a rapid, point-of-care, qualitative
      immunochromatographic diagnostic test that uses a unique monoclonal/polyclonal
      antibody approach to detect two different proteins found in amniotic fluid at
      high concentrations: alpha-fetoprotein and insulin-like growth factor binding
      protein-1. Clinical study results have uniformly demonstrated high diagnostic
      accuracy and performance characteristics with this point-of-care test that
      exceeds conventional clinical testing with external laboratory evaluation. The
      description, indications for use, procedural steps, and laboratory and clinical
      characterization of this assay are presented in this article. 

PMID- 27274318
TI  - Management of fecal incontinence - focus on a vaginal insert for bowel control.
AB  - Fecal incontinence, also referred to as accidental bowel leakage, is a
      debilitating condition that impacts quality of life in a significant number of
      women. Current treatments for fecal incontinence include behavioral modification,
      biofeedback, drug therapy, and invasive surgical procedures. However, these
      treatments have suboptimal efficacy due to patient adherence, variability of
      presentation across patients, cost, and additional health risks. A vaginal bowel
      control system (EclipseTM System) was developed to offer a low-risk, effective,
      and patient-managed approach to treating accidental bowel leakage. The vaginal
      bowel control system consists of a vaginal insert and user-controlled, pressure
      regulated pump. Once inflated, the balloon of the vaginal insert is directed
      posteriorly to occlude the rectum, allowing the woman to immediately regain
      control of bowel function. This article will introduce the design evolution and
      feasibility studies of the Eclipse System. In addition, this review will discuss
      the results from a recent clinical trial that demonstrated the safety and
      efficacy of the vaginal bowel control system in managing fecal incontinence and
      other symptoms of bowel dysfunction. 

PMID- 27274317
TI  - The activL((r)) Artificial Disc: a next-generation motion-preserving implant for
      chronic lumbar discogenic pain.
AB  - Degeneration of the lumbar intervertebral discs is a leading cause of chronic low
      back pain in adults. Treatment options for patients with chronic lumbar
      discogenic pain unresponsive to conservative management include total disc
      replacement (TDR) or lumbar fusion. Until recently, only two lumbar TDRs had been
      approved by the US Food and Drug Administration - the Charite Artificial Disc in
      2004 and the ProDisc-L Total Disc Replacement in 2006. In June 2015, a next
      generation lumbar TDR received Food and Drug Administration approval - the
      activL((r)) Artificial Disc (Aesculap Implant Systems). Compared to previous
      generation lumbar TDRs, the activL((r)) Artificial Disc incorporates specific
      design enhancements that result in a more precise anatomical match and allow a
      range of motion that better mimics the healthy spine. The results of mechanical
      and clinical studies demonstrate that the activL((r)) Artificial Disc results in
      improved mechanical and clinical outcomes versus earlier-generation artificial
      discs and compares favorably to lumbar fusion. The purpose of this report is to
      describe the activL((r)) Artificial Disc including implant characteristics,
      intended use, surgical technique, postoperative care, mechanical testing, and
      clinical experience to date. 

PMID- 27274319
TI  - Development of devices for self-injection: using tribological analysis to
      optimize injection force.
AB  - This article describes the use of analytical models and physical measurements to
      characterize and optimize the tribological behavior of pen injectors for self
      administration of biopharmaceuticals. One of the main performance attributes of
      this kind of device is its efficiency in transmitting the external force applied
      by the user on to the cartridge inside the pen in order to effectuate an
      injection. This injection force characteristic is heavily influenced by the
      frictional properties of the polymeric materials employed in the mechanism.
      Standard friction tests are available for characterizing candidate materials, but
      they use geometries and conditions far removed from the actual situation inside a
      pen injector and thus do not always generate relevant data. A new test procedure,
      allowing the direct measurement of the coefficient of friction between two key
      parts of a pen injector mechanism using real parts under simulated use
      conditions, is presented. In addition to the absolute level of friction, the test
      method provides information on expected evolution of friction over lifetime as
      well as on expected consistency between individual devices. Paired with an
      analytical model of the pen mechanism, the frictional data allow the expected
      overall injection system force efficiency to be estimated. The test method and
      analytical model are applied to a range of polymer combinations with different
      kinds of lubrication. It is found that material combinations used without
      lubrication generally have unsatisfactory performance, that the use of silicone
      based internal lubricating additives improves performance, and that the best
      results can be achieved with external silicone-based lubricants.
      Polytetrafluoroethylene-based internal lubrication and external lubrication are
      also evaluated but found to provide only limited benefits unless used in
      combination with silicone. 

PMID- 27274320
TI  - Evaluation of a novel tool for bone graft delivery in minimally invasive
      transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Disk material removed (DMR) during L4-5 and L5-S1 transforaminal
      lumbar interbody fusion (T-LIF) surgery was compared to the corresponding bone
      graft (BG) volumes inserted at the time of fusion. A novel BG delivery tool
      (BGDT) was used to apply the BG. In order to establish the percentage of DMR
      during T-LIF, it was compared to DMR during anterior diskectomy (AD). This study
      was performed prospectively. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Minimal information is
      available as to the volume of DMR during a T-LIF procedure, and the relationship
      between DMR and BG delivered is unknown. BG insertion has been empiric and
      technically challenging. Since the volume of BG applied to the prepared disk
      space likely impacts the probability of arthrodesis, an investigation is
      justified. METHODS: A total of 65 patients with pathology at L4-5 and/or L5-S1
      necessitating fusion were treated with a minimally invasive T-LIF procedure. DMR
      was volumetrically measured during disk space preparation. BG material consisting
      of local autograft, BG extender, and bone marrow aspirate were mixed to form a
      slurry. BG slurry was injected into the disk space using a novel BGDT and
      measured volumetrically. An additional 29 patients who were treated with L5-S1 AD
      were compared to L5-S1 T-LIF DMR to determine the percent of T-LIF DMR relative
      to AD. RESULTS: DMR volumes averaged 3.6+/-2.2 mL. This represented 34% of the
      disk space relative to AD. The amount of BG delivered to the disk spaces was
      9.3+/-3.2 mL, which is 2.6+/-2.2 times the amount of DMR. The BGDT allowed
      uncomplicated filling of the disk space in <1 minute. CONCLUSION: The volume of
      DMR during T-LIF allows for a predictable volume of BG delivery. The BGDT allowed
      complete filling of the entire prepared disk space. The T-LIF diskectomy debrides
      34% of the disk relative to AD.

PMID- 27274321
TI  - Benign prostatic hyperplasia and new treatment options - a critical appraisal of
      the UroLift system.
AB  - The prostatic urethral lift procedure, more commonly known as UroLift, has been
      designed to improve male lower urinary tract symptoms while avoiding the
      complications and disadvantages of existing drug and surgical therapies. In
      particular, UroLift does not damage ejaculatory function or affect orgasmic
      sensation. It appears an option for men who wish to avoid long-term drug therapy,
      the side effects of drugs or surgery and who do not need or will not accept
      traditional surgical treatments. UroLift was introduced following a series of
      planned studies that led to US Food and Drug Administration approval in September
      2013. UroLift has recently been approved by the UK National Institute for
      Clinical and Health Excellence (September 2015) as effective and safe and cost
      effective for use in the UK health system. This review describes the device and
      the procedure and the evidence base that has led to those approvals. 

PMID- 27274322
TI  - Paritaprevir/ritonavir-ombitasvir and dasabuvir, the 3D regimen for the treatment
      of chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a concise review.
AB  - The treatment for chronic hepatitis C has been revolutionized with the
      development of direct-acting antiviral agents. Several regimens have been
      approved and are currently used in clinical practice, treating a wide range of
      patient populations infected with hepatitis C. The interferon-free combination of
      paritaprevir/ritonavir-ombitasvir and dasabuvir (PrOD or the three-drug [3D]
      regimen) with or without ribavirin is indicated for the treatment of chronic
      hepatitis C in both treatment-naive and experienced patients infected with
      genotype 1, including those coinfected with HIV and patients post-liver
      transplantation. More recently, paritaprevir/ritonavir-ombitasvir (PrO, or 2D
      regimen) has been approved in hepatitis C virus patients infected with genotype
      4. This review will summarize pharmacokinetic and clinical efficacy data for the
      3D regimen in an attempt to help the clinicians delineate its place in the ever
      increasing direct-acting antiviral armamentarium for the treatment of chronic
      hepatitis C. 

PMID- 27274323
TI  - Low recurrence rate after mini surgery outside the tendon combined with short
      rehabilitation in patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a general opinion that a structured and specific
      rehabilitation is needed after treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy to
      minimize recurrence of the condition. There is sparse knowledge about the
      recurrence rates in large patient materials after specific treatments for
      midportion Achilles tendinopathy. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the
      recurrence rates in a large number of patients with chronic painful midportion
      Achilles tendinopathy that had been surgically treated with the ultrasound (US)
      and Doppler (DP)-guided mini-surgical scraping technique. Postoperatively, a
      relatively simple rehabilitation protocol, including a range of movement
      exercises and gradually increased walking and biking before allowing free
      activity, was used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a database, information about the
      recurrence rates after US + DP-guided mini-surgical scraping, performed by a
      single surgeon on 519 tendons with US + DP-verified chronic painful midportion
      Achilles tendinopathy, was obtained. RESULTS: Recurrence of painful midportion
      Achilles tendinopathy was found in 26 of 519 (5%) operated tendons, 13 from women
      and 13 from men. In 13 tendons, a close by located plantaris tendon was
      extirpated during the reoperation. CONCLUSION: In this large material on patients
      treated with US + DP-guided mini-surgical scraping for midportion Achilles
      tendinopathy, there were few recurrences, although only a simple and nonspecific
      rehabilitation protocol was used.

PMID- 27274324
TI  - Airway dysfunction in elite swimmers: prevalence, impact, and challenges.
AB  - The prevalence of airway dysfunction in elite swimmers is among the highest in
      elite athletes. The traditional view that swimmers naturally gravitate toward
      swimming because of preexisting respiratory disorders has been challenged. There
      is now sufficient evidence that the higher prevalence of bronchial tone disorders
      in elite swimmers is not the result of a natural selection bias. Rather, the
      combined effects of repeated chlorine by-product exposure and chronic endurance
      training can lead to airway dysfunction and atopy. This review will detail the
      underpinning causes of airway dysfunction observed in elite swimmers. It will
      also show that airway dysfunction does not prevent success in elite level
      swimming. Neither does it inhibit lung growth and might be partially reversible
      when elite swimmers retire from competition. 

PMID- 27274325
TI  - Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: trends and developments.
AB  - Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was developed as a psychological
      intervention for individuals at risk of depressive relapse. Possible mechanisms
      of change for this intervention are in line with its theoretical underpinnings,
      and include increases in mindfulness and/or decreases in negative repetitive
      thoughts. This review provides an overview of current trends in MBCT research,
      including efficacy and questions regarding the specific effects of MBCT in light
      of recent comparisons with structurally equivalent control conditions, mechanisms
      of change, and moderators of treatment outcome. In addition, future directions
      are discussed, such as challenges with training an adequate number of therapists
      and disseminating this therapy. 

PMID- 27274326
TI  - Critical role of ethics in clinical management and public health response to the
      West Africa Ebola epidemic.
AB  - The devastation caused by the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa
      has brought to the fore a number of important ethical debates about how best to
      respond to a health crisis. These debates include issues related to prevention
      and containment, management of the health care workforce, clinical care, and
      research design, all of which are situated within the overarching moral problem
      of severe transnational disadvantage, which has very real and specific impacts
      upon the ability of citizens of EVD-affected countries to respond to a disease
      outbreak. Ethical issues related to prevention and containment include the
      appropriateness and scope of quarantine and isolation within and outside affected
      countries. The possibility of infection in health care workers impelled
      consideration of whether there is an obligation to provide health services where
      personal protection equipment is inadequate, alongside the issue of whether the
      health care workforce should have special access to experimental treatment and
      care interventions under development. In clinical care, ethical issues include
      the standards of care owed to people who comply with quarantine and isolation
      restrictions. Ethical issues in research include appropriate study design related
      to experimental vaccines and treatment interventions, and the sharing of data and
      biospecimens between research groups. The compassionate use of experimental drugs
      intersects both with research ethics and clinical care. The role of developed
      countries also came under scrutiny, and we concluded that developed countries
      have an obligation to contribute to the containment of EVD infection by
      contributing to the strengthening of local health care systems and infrastructure
      in an effort to provide fair benefits to communities engaged in research,
      ensuring that affected countries have ready and affordable access to any
      therapeutic or preventative interventions developed, and supporting affected
      countries on their way to recovery from the impact of EVD on their social and
      economic lives. 

PMID- 27274327
TI  - Enhancements to the multiple sleep latency test.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The utility of multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs) is limited to
      determining sleep onset latency (SOL) and rapid eye movement sleep latency. The
      odds ratio product (ORP) is a continuous index of sleep depth with values of 0,
      1.0, and 2.5 reflecting very deep sleep, light sleep, and full wakefulness,
      respectively. We determined the time course of sleep depth during MSLT naps
      expecting that this would enhance the test's clinical utility. METHODS: Thirty
      MSLTs (150 naps) were performed for excessive somnolence. Patients indicated
      whether they slept (yes/no) after each nap. SOL was scored by two experienced
      technologists. Time course of ORP was determined with a commercial system. We
      determined ORP at SOL (ORPSOL), times ORP decreased <2.0, <1.5, <1.0 and <0.5
      during the entire nap duration, and the integral of decrease in ORP over nap
      duration (DeltaORPINT). RESULTS: SOL occurred almost invariably when ORP was
      between 1.0 and 2.0. Of 47 naps (21 patients) with SOL <5 minutes, ORP decreased
      <1.0 (light sleep) in <5 minutes in only 13 naps (nine patients) and <0.5 (deep
      sleep) in only two naps in one patient. The relation between ORPINT and frequency
      of sleep perception was well defined, allowing determination of a threshold for
      sleep perception. This threshold ranged widely (5-50 DeltaORP*epoch). CONCLUSION:
      As currently identified, SOL reflects transition into a highly unstable state
      between wakefulness and sleep. Reporting the times of attaining different sleep
      depths may help better identify patients at high risk of vigilance loss.
      Furthermore, an ORPSOL outside the range 1.0-2.0 can help identify scoring
      errors.

PMID- 27274328
TI  - Understanding and optimizing health-related quality of life and physical
      functional capacity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
AB  - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a relentlessly progressive pulmonary
      disease characterized by the insidious onset of shortness of breath due to
      parenchymal scarring. As IPF progresses, breathlessness worsens, physical
      functional capacity declines, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) - the
      impact of health or disease on a person's satisfaction with their overall station
      in life - deteriorates. These two inextricably linked variables - breathlessness
      and physical functional capacity - are strong drivers of HRQL. With the emergence
      of new and prospective therapies for IPF, it is more important than ever to be
      able to accurately and reliably assess how IPF patients feel and function. Doing
      so will promote the development of novel interventions to target impairments in
      these areas and ensure that the field is capable of assessing the effect of
      therapeutics interventions on these critically important patient-centered
      outcomes. 

PMID- 27274329
TI  - Eye Care Quality and Accessibility Improvement in the Community (EQUALITY):
      impact of an eye health education program on patient knowledge about glaucoma and
      attitudes about eye care.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the impact of the education program of the Eye Care Quality
      and Accessibility Improvement in the Community (EQUALITY) telemedicine program on
      at-risk patients' knowledge about glaucoma and attitudes about eye care as well
      as to assess patient satisfaction with EQUALITY. PATIENTS AND METHODS: New or
      existing patients presenting for a comprehensive eye exam (CEE) at one of two
      retail-based primary eye clinics were enrolled based on >=1 of the following at
      risk criteria for glaucoma: African Americans >=40 years of age, Whites >=50
      years of age, diabetes, family history of glaucoma, and/or preexisting diagnosis
      of glaucoma. A total of 651 patients were enrolled. A questionnaire was
      administered prior to the patients' CEE and prior to the patients receiving any
      of the evidence-based eye health education program; a follow-up questionnaire was
      administered 2-4 weeks later by phone. Baseline and follow-up patient responses
      regarding knowledge about glaucoma and attitudes about eye care were compared
      using McNemar's test. Logistic regression models were used to assess the
      association of patient-level characteristics with improvement in knowledge and
      attitudes. Overall patient satisfaction was summarized. RESULTS: At follow-up,
      all patient responses in the knowledge and attitude domains significantly
      improved from baseline (P<=0.01 for all questions). Those who were unemployed
      (odds ratio =0.63, 95% confidence interval =0.42-0.95, P=0.026) or had lower
      education (odds ratio =0.55, 95% confidence interval =0.29-1.02, P=0.058) were
      less likely to improve their knowledge after adjusting for age, sex, race, and
      prior glaucoma diagnosis. This association was attenuated after further
      adjustment for other patient-level characteristics. Ninety-eight percent (n=501)
      of patients reported being likely to have a CEE within the next 2 years, whereas
      63% (n=326) had a CEE in the previous 2 years. Patient satisfaction with EQUALITY
      was high (99%). CONCLUSION: Improved knowledge about glaucoma and a high intent
      to pursue eye care may lead to improved detection of early disease, thus lowering
      the risk of blindness.

PMID- 27274331
TI  - A comparison of teaching three common ear, nose, and throat conditions to medical
      students through video podcasts and written handouts: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This pilot study conducted at the Peninsula Medical School is one of
      very few studies to compare the use of video podcasts to traditional learning
      resources for medical students. METHODS: We developed written handouts and video
      podcasts for three common ear, nose, and throat conditions; epistaxis, otitis
      media, and tonsillitis. Forty-one second-year students were recruited via email.
      Students completed a 60-item true or false statement test written by the senior
      author (20 questions per subject). Students were subsequently randomized to
      podcast or handouts. Students were able to access their resource via their unique
      university login on the university homepage and were given 3 weeks to use their
      resource. They then completed the same 60-item test. RESULTS: Both podcasts and
      handouts demonstrated a statistically significant increase in student scores
      (podcasts mean increase in scores 4.7, P=0.004, 95% confidence interval =0.07).
      Handout mean increase in scores 5.3, P=0.015, 95% confidence interval =0.11).
      However, there was no significant difference (P=0.07) between the two, with the
      handout group scoring fractionally higher (podcasts average post-exposure score
      =37.3 vs handout 37.8) with a larger average improvement. A 5-point Likert scale
      questionnaire demonstrated that medical students enjoy using reusable learning
      objects such as podcasts and feel that they should be used more in their
      curriculum. CONCLUSION: Podcasts are as good as traditional handouts in teaching
      second-year medical students three core ear, nose, and throat conditions and
      enhance their learning experience.

PMID- 27274330
TI  - Strategies to encourage physical activity in patients with hemophilia to improve
      quality of life.
AB  - Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder caused by a congenital abnormality of blood
      coagulation. Until the mid-1970s, patients with hemophilia (PWH) were advised to
      refrain from physical activity (PA) because of a perceived increased risk of
      bleeding. Since then, PA, which is recognized as being essential for health
      maintenance, is now recommended by the World Federation of Hemophilia. Moreover,
      a number of studies reported that PA can improve treatment efficacy and prevent
      bleeding in PWH. Physical assessment and intervention in PA are currently used in
      clinical practice. However, the necessity of PA is not emphasized, and many PWH
      generally have low- to- no PA. Therefore, a behavior change approach to encourage
      patient motivation is becoming ever more important. In this article, we review
      articles addressing PA in PWH and discuss strategies to encourage PA through a
      behavior change approach by focusing on factors relevant to hemophilia, such as
      benefits and bleeding risk of PA, risk management of bleeding, PA
      characteristics, and difficulty with exercise adherence. The trust relationship
      between clinicians and patients, a transtheoretical model of behavior change, and
      motivation theory as approaches to promote PA are introduced. Finally, we review
      a case report of the clinical success of a behavior change approach to promote
      PA. Many PWH find it difficult to continue PA because of aging, fear of bleeding,
      insufficient recognition of PA benefits, and psychological problems. Therefore,
      it is essential and important to perform prophylaxis with PWH and to heighten
      their understanding of the benefits and risks of PA, before initiating the
      exercise regimen. For those patients who find it difficult to participate in PA,
      it is necessary to plan individual-based behavior change approach and encourage
      self-efficacy. 

PMID- 27274332
TI  - Physician and medical student perceptions and expectations of the pediatric
      clerkship: a Qatar experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The average number of clerkship weeks required for the pediatric core
      rotation by the US medical schools is significantly lower than those required for
      internal medicine or general surgery. OBJECTIVE: The objective behind conducting
      this survey study was to explore the perceptions and expectations of medical
      students and pediatric physicians about the third-year pediatric clerkship.
      METHODS: An anonymous survey questionnaire was distributed to all general
      pediatric physicians at Hamad Medical Corporation and to students from Weill
      Cornell Medical College-Qatar. RESULTS: Feedback was obtained from seven
      attending pediatricians (100% response rate), eight academic pediatric fellow
      physicians (100% response rate), 36 pediatric resident physicians (60% response
      rate), and 36 medical students (60% response rate). Qualitative and quantitative
      data values were expressed as frequencies along with percentages and mean +/-
      standard deviation and median and range. A P-value <0.05 from a 2-tailed t-test
      was considered to be statistically significant. Participants from both sides
      agreed that medical students receive <4 hours per week of teaching, clinical
      rounds is the best environment for teaching, adequate bedside is provided, and
      that there is no adequate time for both groups to get acquainted to each other.
      On the other hand, respondents disagreed on the following topics: almost two
      thirds of medical students perceive postgraduate year 1 and 2 pediatric residents
      as the best teachers, compared to 29.4% of physicians; 3 weeks of inpatient
      pediatric clerkship is enough for learning; the inpatient pediatric environment
      is safe and friendly; adequate feedback is provided by physicians to students;
      medical students have accessibility to physicians; students are encouraged to
      practice evidence-based medicine; and students get adequate exposure to multi
      professional teams. CONCLUSION: Assigning devoted physicians for education,
      providing proper job description or definition of the roles of medical student
      and physician in the pediatric team, providing more consistent feedback, and
      extending the duration of the pediatric clerkship can diminish the gap of
      perceptions and expectations between pediatric physicians and medical students.

PMID- 27274333
TI  - Systematic review and meta-analysis of Internet interventions for smoking
      cessation among adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness
      of Internet interventions in promoting smoking cessation among adult tobacco
      users relative to other forms of intervention recommended in treatment
      guidelines. METHODS: This review followed Cochrane Collaboration guidelines for
      systematic reviews. Combinations of "Internet," "web-based," and "smoking
      cessation intervention" and related keywords were used in both automated and
      manual searches. We included randomized trials published from January 1990
      through to April 2015. A modified version of the Cochrane risk of bias assessment
      tool was used. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) for each study. Meta-analysis was
      conducted using random-effects method to pool RRs. Presentation of results
      follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta
      Analyses) guidelines. RESULTS: Forty randomized trials involving 98,530
      participants were included. Most trials had a low risk of bias in most domains.
      Pooled results comparing Internet interventions to assessment-only/waitlist
      control were significant (RR 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-2.21, I
      (2)=51.7%; four studies). Pooled results of largely static Internet interventions
      compared to print materials were not significant (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.63-1.10, I
      (2)=0%; two studies), whereas comparisons of interactive Internet interventions
      to print materials were significant (RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.25-3.52, I (2)=41.6%; two
      studies). No significant effects were observed in pooled results of Internet
      interventions compared to face-to-face counseling (RR 1.35, 95% CI 0.97-1.87, I
      (2)=0%; four studies) or to telephone counseling (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.79-1.13, I
      (2)=0%; two studies). The majority of trials compared different Internet
      interventions; pooled results from 15 such trials (24 comparisons) found a
      significant effect in favor of experimental Internet interventions (RR 1.16, 95%
      CI 1.03-1.31, I (2)=76.7%). CONCLUSION: Internet interventions are superior to
      other broad reach cessation interventions (ie, print materials), equivalent to
      other currently recommended treatment modes (telephone and in-person counseling),
      and they have an important role to play in the arsenal of tobacco-dependence
      treatments.

PMID- 27274334
TI  - Factors associated with high job satisfaction among care workers in Swiss nursing
      homes - a cross sectional survey study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While the relationship between nurses' job satisfaction and their
      work in hospital environments is well known, it remains unclear, which factors
      are most influential in the nursing home setting. The purpose of this study was
      to describe job satisfaction among care workers in Swiss nursing homes and to
      examine its associations with work environment factors, work stressors, and
      health issues. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from a
      representative national sample of 162 Swiss nursing homes including 4,145 care
      workers from all educational levels (registered nurses, licensed practical
      nurses, nursing assistants and aides). Care worker-reported job satisfaction was
      measured with a single item. Explanatory variables were assessed with established
      scales, as e.g. the Practice Environment Scale - Nursing Work Index. Generalized
      Estimating Equation (GEE) models were used to examine factors related to job
      satisfaction. RESULTS: Overall, 36.2 % of respondents reported high satisfaction
      with their workplace, while another 50.4 % were rather satisfied. Factors
      significantly associated with high job satisfaction were supportive leadership
      (OR = 3.76), better teamwork and resident safety climate (OR = 2.60), a resonant
      nursing home administrator (OR = 2.30), adequate staffing resources (OR = 1.40),
      fewer workplace conflicts (OR = .61), less sense of depletion after work (OR =
      .88), and fewer physical health problems (OR = .91). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of
      nursing home leadership-at both the unit supervisor and the executive
      administrator level-was strongly associated with care workers' job satisfaction.
      Therefore, recruitment strategies addressing specific profiles for nursing home
      leaders are needed, followed by ongoing leadership training. Future studies
      should examine the effects of interventions designed to improve nursing home
      leadership and work environments on outcomes both for care staff and for
      residents.

PMID- 27274335
TI  - Mothers' willingness to pay for HPV vaccines in Anambra state, Nigeria: a cross
      sectional contingent valuation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination in Nigeria will require
      substantial financing due to high cost of HPV vaccine and inexistence of
      structures to support adolescent vaccination. Alternative sources are needed to
      sustain the government funded HPV vaccination programme. This study assessed
      Nigerian mothers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for HPV vaccine. We also compared the
      difference between the average WTP and estimated costs of vaccinating a pre
      adolescent girl (CVG). METHODS: We conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional,
      survey-based study in which 50 questionnaires were distributed to each of 10
      secondary schools located in two rural and one urban city in Anambra state. The
      questionnaires were then randomly distributed to girls aged 9-12 years of age to
      give to their mothers. Contingent valuation approach using the payment card
      technique was used to estimate the average maximum WTP among the survey
      participants. Correlates of WTP for HPV vaccination were obtained using
      multivariate logistic regression. Estimated CVG was obtained by adapting cost of
      HPV vaccine delivery in Tanzania to the Nigerian setting. RESULTS: A total of 438
      questionnaires (88 %) were returned. The average WTP was US$ 11.68. This is
      opposed to estimated delivery cost of US$ 18.16 and US$ 19.26 for urban and rural
      populations respectively at vaccine price offered by the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi)
      and US$ 35.16 and US$ 36.26 for urban and rural populations respectively at the
      lowest obtainable public sector vaccine price. Demand for HPV vaccine was deemed
      high (91.6 %) and was significantly associated with respondents previously
      diagnosed of HPV infection. CONCLUSION: Demand for HPV vaccine was high although
      short of estimated CVG. High demand for vaccine should be capitalized upon to
      increase vaccine uptake. Education on cervical cancer and provider-initiated
      vaccination should be promoted to increase vaccine uptake. Co-payment could be a
      feasible financing strategy in the event of national HPV vaccination.

PMID- 27274336
TI  - Relationship between salivary stress biomarker levels and cigarette smoking in
      healthy young adults: an exploratory analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study investigated the relationships among salivary stress
      biomarkers, cigarette smoking, and mood states. METHODS: The study population
      comprised 49 healthy sixth-year dental students at Fukuoka Dental College (39
      men, 10 women; age, 23-31 years). Lifetime exposure to smoking was calculated
      using the Brinkman index (BI). Resting saliva samples were collected, and
      concentrations of cortisol, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), interleukin (IL)
      1beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were determined. Mood
      states (tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, fatigue,
      confusion, and vigor) over the previous week were assessed using the Profile of
      Mood States - Brief Japanese Version. RESULTS: Salivary IL-1beta levels were
      significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers (P = 0.044), regardless of the
      BI or mood state. A significant positive correlation was evident between the TNF
      alpha level and the BI (P = 0.036), and the SIgA level was positively correlated
      with the BI (P = 0.067) but did not reach statistical significance. In terms of
      mood states, higher fatigue scores and lower vigor scores were observed in
      smokers. The TNF-alpha level and vigor score were negatively correlated (r = 
      0.229, P = 0.135), but the correlation did not reach statistical significance.
      However, the SIgA level and fatigue score were significantly positively
      correlated (r = 0.410, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The TNF-alpha and SIgA levels
      were both positively correlated with the BI. Furthermore, the TNF-alpha level was
      negatively correlated with the vigor score, whereas the SIgA level was positively
      correlated with the fatigue score. Thus, salivary levels of TNF-alpha and SIgA
      may be used as biomarkers of mood states in healthy young smokers.

PMID- 27274337
TI  - Prevalent Practices of Thyroid Diseases During Pregnancy Among Endocrinologists,
      Internists and General Practitioners.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal thyroid disease in pregnancy is associated with adverse
      impact on both mother and fetus. Both the American thyroid association and the
      endocrine society have recently published guidelines for the management of
      thyroid disease in pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this survey was to
      assess and compare the current practices of various East-Asian physicians in the
      screening and management of thyroid disease in pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Completed survey questionnaires were collected from 112 physicians of six East
      Asian countries. The survey was based on clinical case scenarios, asking
      questions about the clinical practices related to diagnosis and management of
      thyroid disease during pregnancy. Reponses from 76 endocrinologists and 33
      internists and general practitioners (generalists) were analyzed. RESULTS: There
      were minor differences in treatment preferences for Graves' disease in pregnancy
      and tests to monitor antithyroid drugs between endocrinologists and generalists;
      the major difference being targeted free thyroxin, and also thyroxin, depicted in
      the upper end of normal range, by the majority of endocrinologist and within the
      normal range, by generalists. Compared to generalists, endocrinologists perform
      more targeted screening and are more familiar with its risk factors.
      Predominantly, endocrinologists increase levothyroxine dose in hypothyroid women,
      upon confirmation of pregnancy and also indicate full dose in a pregnant woman,
      diagnosed with overt hypothyroidism, and treat thyroid peroxidase antibody
      positive or negative pregnant women with thyroid stimulating hormone (2.5 - 5
      mU/L), as compared to generalists. CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variation in the
      clinical practices of screening and management of thyroid disorders during
      pregnancy in East-Asia, with many clinicians, in particular general
      practitioners, not adhering to clinical practice guidelines, unfortunately.

PMID- 27274338
TI  - Epithelial expression of keratinocytes growth factor in oral precancer lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a potent epithelial mitogen that
      acts by binding the KGF receptors (KGFRs) expressed on epithelial cells and
      regulates proliferation and differentiation. The objective of this study was to
      investigate the expression of KGF in the epithelium in oral precancer. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Archival tissues of oral submucous fibrosis (SMF) and leukoplakia
      were assessed for epithelial KGF expression by immunohistochemistry and real-time
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: KGF was predominantly expressed
      in the basal and parabasal cells in the epithelium of SMF tissues. KGF transcript
      in the epithelial cells increased with increasing severity of epithelial
      dysplasia in oral leukoplakia. CONCLUSION: Although widely reported as a product
      secreted by the mesenchymal cells, our data suggest that the KGF is also
      expressed in oral epithelial cells much like the expression in ovarian epithelial
      cells. Based on the localization of KGF in cells at the epithelial mesenchymal
      junction and that of the reported presence of KGFR in oral keratinocytes, a
      potential mechanism involving paracrine and autocrine interactions of KGF and
      KGFR in early stages of oral precancer is postulated.

PMID- 27274339
TI  - Association between serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and recurrent
      aphthous stomatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anxiety-related traits have been attributed to sequence variability
      in the genes coding for serotonin transmission in  the brain. Two alleles, termed
      long (L) and short (S) differing by 44 base pairs, are found in a polymorphism
      identified in the promoter region of serotonin transporter gene. The presence of
      the short allele  and SS and LS genotypes is found to be associated with the
      reduced expression of this gene decreasing the uptake of serotonin in the brain
      leading to various anxiety-related traits. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is
      an oral mucosal disease with varied etiology including the presence of stress,
      anxiety, and genetic influences. The present study aimed to determine this
      serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in patients with RAS and compare it with
      normal individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 20 subjects with
      various forms of RAS and 20 normal healthy age- and gender-matched individuals.
      Desquamated oral mucosal cells were collected for DNA extraction and subjected to
      polymerase chain reaction for studying insertion/deletion in the 5-HTT gene
      linked polymorphic region. Cross tabulations followed by Chi-square tests were
      performed to compare the significance of findings, P < 0.05 was considered
      statistically significant. RESULTS: The LS genotype was the most common genotype
      found in the subjects with aphthous stomatitis (60%) and controls (40%). The
      total percentage of LS and SS genotypes and the frequency of S allele were found
      to be higher in the subjects with aphthous stomatitis as compared to the control
      group although a statistically significant correlation could not be established,
      P = 0.144 and 0.371, respectively. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this
      study, occurrence of RAS was not found to be associated with polymorphic promoter
      region in serotonin transporter gene.

PMID- 27274341
TI  - Diagnostic efficacy of color Doppler ultrasound in evaluation of cervical
      lymphadenopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) in
      differentiating benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes by detecting
      differences in blood flow patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross
      sectional prospective study, 25 untreated patients with clinical evidence of
      cervical lymphadenopathy were evaluated. CDUS was performed for 80 cervical lymph
      nodes. The gray scale parameters of the lymph node and intranodal perfusion sites
      were the key CDUS features used to differentiate between reactive and metastatic
      lymph nodes. Histopathological confirmations were obtained and compared with the
      results of CDUS. RESULTS: Initially, 53 cervical lymph nodes were evaluated by
      clinical examination. Twenty-seven additional lymph nodes (53 + 27 = 80) were
      discovered by CDUS evaluation. Gray scale parameters for lymph nodes such as size
      of lymph node, shape of lymph node, and presence or absence of hilum revealed
      highly significant results (P < 0.0001). Color Doppler flow signals revealed that
      central/hilar flow was characteristic for benign nodes whereas peripheral/mixed
      flow was characteristic for malignant nodes, the findings were highly significant
      (P < 0.0001). Gray scale and color Doppler features are used to differentiate
      benign and malignant nodes. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study,
      CDUS evaluation was found to be highly significant with a high sensitivity and
      specificity over clinical evaluation CDUS examination provides a prospect to
      reduce the need for biopsy/fine needle aspiration cytology in reactive nodes.

PMID- 27274340
TI  - Masticatory ability with depression, anxiety, and stress: Does there exist any
      association?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Masticatory ability as a subjective response to masticatory function
      indicates patients' perception of their mastication. To the best of our
      knowledge, there has been no study on association between masticatory ability and
      psychological status. This study investigated the association between self
      assessed masticatory ability (SAMA) and psychological status among a large sample
      of Iranian adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data
      were extracted from 4135 adults who had been completed information in 20 counties
      across Isfahan province regarding masticatory ability and psychological statuses
      (depression, anxiety, and stress). An SAMA questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety
      and Depression Scale and General Health Questionnaire were used to measure
      masticatory ability, depression and anxiety, and stress of study population. To
      analyze the data, ANOVA, chi(2) test, and multinomial regression were applied at
      0.05 for the significance level. RESULTS: Masticatory ability was significantly
      correlated with depression (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), and stress (P <
      0.001). The participants in high masticatory ability group reported lower scores
      for presence of these psychological variables. Furthermore, males reported
      significantly higher level for masticatory ability than females (P = 0.025). In
      addition, there were significant association between low and moderate masticatory
      ability with anxiety (1.09, 1.08), depression (1.15, 1.13), and stress (1.11,
      1.09), respectively. The association was still significant after adjusting for
      age, sex, educational level, and marital status. CONCLUSION: Despite study
      limitations, the results of this study provide evidence that participants with
      higher score of depression, anxiety, and stress suffer lower masticatory ability.

PMID- 27274342
TI  - Effect of local administration of platelet-derived growth factor B on functional
      recovery of peripheral nerve regeneration: A sciatic nerve transection model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Effects of platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) on peripheral
      nerve regeneration was studied using a rat sciatic nerve transection model.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five male, white Wistar rats were divided into three
      experimental groups (n = 15), randomly: Normal control group (NC), silicon group
      (SIL), and PDGF-B treated group (SIL/PDGF). In NC group, left sciatic nerve was
      exposed through a gluteal muscle incision and after homeostasis muscle was
      sutured. In the SIL group, the left sciatic nerve was exposed in the same way and
      transected proximal to tibio-peroneal bifurcation leaving a 10-mm gap. Proximal
      and distal stumps were each inserted into a silicone conduit and filled with 10
      MUL phosphate buffered solution. In SIL/PDGF group, the silicon conduit was
      filled with 10 MUL PDGF-B (0.5 ng/mL). Each group was subdivided into three
      subgroups of five and were studied in 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery. RESULTS:
      Behavioral testing, sciatic nerve functional study, gastrocnemius muscle mass,
      and histomorphometric studies showed earlier regeneration of axons in SIL/PDGF
      than in SIL group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Local administration of PDGF-B combined
      with silicon grafting could accelerate functional recovery and may have clinical
      implications for the surgical management of patients after facial nerve
      transection.

PMID- 27274343
TI  - A finite element study of teeth restored with post and core: Effect of design,
      material, and ferrule.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Different postdesigns and materials are available; however, no
      consensus exists regarding superiority for stress distribution. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the effect of design and material of post with or without
      ferrule on stress distribution using finite element analysis. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 12 three-dimensional (3D) axisymmetric models of postretained
      central incisors were made: Six with ferrule design and six without it. Three of
      these six models had tapered posts, and three had parallel posts. The materials
      tested were titanium post with a composite resin core, nickel chromium cast post
      and core, and fiber reinforced composite (FRC) post with a composite resin core.
      The stress analysis was done using ANSYS software. The load of 100 N at an angle
      of 45? was applied 2 mm cervical to incisal edge on the palatal surface and
      results were analyzed using 3D von Mises criteria. RESULTS: The highest amount of
      stress was in the cervical region. Overall, the stress in the tapered postsystem
      was more than the parallel one. FRC post and composite resin core recorded
      minimal stresses within the post but the stresses transmitted to cervical dentin
      were more as compared to other systems. Minimal stresses in cervical dentine were
      observed where the remaining coronal dentin was strengthen by ferrule.
      CONCLUSION: A rigid material with high modulus of elasticity for post and core
      system creates most uniform stress distribution pattern. Ferrule provides uniform
      distribution of stresses and decreases the cervical stresses.

PMID- 27274344
TI  - Marginal adaptation of Spinell InCeram and feldspathic porcelain laminate
      veneers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This in vitro study investigated the marginal fit of two porcelain
      laminate veneers to help the selection of more accurate veneers in discolored
      teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty impressions of metal master die created from
      the prepared labial surface of an acrylic maxillary central incisor were made and
      poured with Type IV stone. The dies were distributed into test groups (n = 15)
      for the construction of DuCeram and InCeram laminate veneers. An image-analysis
      program was used to measure the gap between the veneers and the master die at the
      labial, lingual, and proximal margins. Statistical analysis was performed with
      repeated measures ANOVA. Independent t-test was used to compare the mean values
      between the two groups. Values of P < 0.05 were judged to be significant.
      RESULTS: Differences between marginal fit of two groups were significant (P <
      0.001). The overall mean marginal gap values (MUm) for InCeram and DuCeram were,
      respectively, 114.4 +/- 40.81 and 282.3 +/- 82.82. Independent t-test revealed
      significant differences between the marginal gaps of two materials at different
      predetermined points. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the
      marginal gap in InCeram laminate veneer was within the clinically acceptable
      standard set at 120 MUm.

PMID- 27274345
TI  - Evaluation of threshold response and appropriate electrode placement site for
      electric pulp testing in fluorosed anterior teeth: An in vivo study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate diagnosis is key to success. Diagnosing the pulpal status in
      varied clinical situations poses a challenge to the clinician. Electric pulp test
      (EPT) is one of the valuable attempts in evaluating the sensibility of pulp
      tissue. The aim of this study was to find out and compare the threshold levels
      and optimal electrode placement site for EPT in fluorosed and nonfluorosed
      anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: Eighty volunteers recruited for this
      study were divided into two groups based on the incidence of dental fluorosis.
      Electric pulp testing was done on either of the central incisors in fluorosed and
      nonfluorosed group. Four sites on each crown were tested 4 times with digitest
      electric pulp tester, and the mean of the threshold responses was recorded. The
      data were analyzed with SPSS, version 11. Means of variables from each location
      were compared using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test while the critical
      level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean and standard
      deviation of threshold levels in fluorosed teeth were greater when compared to
      that of nonfluorosed teeth at all sites with incisal edge showing the least mean
      threshold levels for both the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Within the
      limitations of this study, it can be concluded that fluorosed teeth respond to
      higher threshold levels than the non-fluorosed teeth, and incisal edge was the
      optimal electrode placement site.

PMID- 27274346
TI  - The association between periodontal disease parameters and severity of
      atherosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is the most common cause for heart attack and stroke.
      In the last decade, several epidemiological studies have found an association
      between periodontal infection and atherosclerosis. The aim of this research was
      to determine the possible association between chronic periodontal disease and
      severity of atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-two subjects that were
      referred to Chamran Heart Hospital in Isfahan for angiography were involved in
      this study. Fifty-nine subjects had coronary artery obstruction (CAO) and 23
      showed no obstruction after angiography. The severity of CAO was assessed.
      Periodontal parameters including pocket depth (PD), gingival recession (R),
      clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) of all subjects
      were recorded. The decayed-missing-filled (DMF) index of all subjects was also
      measured. For statistical analysis, Pearson correlation test, Chi-square, and
      independent t-test were used. RESULTS: There were significant positive
      correlation between variables R, PD, CAL, decayed (D), missing (M), DMF, BOP, and
      degree of CAO. However, there were no significant differences between filling
      variable degree of CAO (left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right
      coronary artery). Independent t-test showed that the mean of variables R, PD, AL,
      D, M, and DMF in patients with obstructed arteries were significantly higher than
      subjects without CAO. But there were no significant differences between variable
      F in two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this cross-section analytical study
      showed an association between periodontal disease and dental parameters with the
      severity of CAO measured by angiography. However, this association must not
      interpret as a cause and effect relationship.

PMID- 27274348
TI  - Effect of cyclic loading on microleakage of silorane based composite compared
      with low shrinkage methacrylate-based composites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are many concerns regarding the marginal seal of composite
      restorations, especially when composite restorations are subjected to cyclic
      loading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cyclic loading on
      the microleakage of silorane based composite compared with low shrinkage
      methacrylate-based composites in class V cavities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this
      in vitro study, class V cavities were prepared on the facial and lingual surfaces
      of 48 human premolars (96 cavities). The teeth were randomly divided into four
      groups of 12 teeth (24 cavities) each and restored as follows: Group 1 (Siloran
      System Adhesive + Filtek P90), Group 2 (All Bond SE + Aelite LS Posterior), Group
      3 (Futurabond NR + Grandio), and Group 4 (G-Bond + Kalore-GC). All the specimens
      were thermocycled for 2000 cycles (5-55 degrees C) and then half of the specimens
      from each group, were Load cycled. All teeth were immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsine
      dye, sectioned, and observed under a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using
      Wilcoxon test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U-tests. P < 0.05 was considered
      as significant. RESULTS: In both unloaded and loaded groups, no statistically
      significant differences were observed among four composites at the occlusal
      margin, but a significant difference in gingival microleakage was found between
      Aelite and silorane. Occlusal and gingival microleakage was not affected by
      cyclic loading in none of the four restorative materials. CONCLUSION: Silorane
      did not provide better marginal seal than the low shrinkage methacrylate-based
      composites (except Aelite). In addition, cyclic loading did not affect the
      marginal microleakage of evaluated composite restorations.

PMID- 27274347
TI  - The role of vascular endothelial growth factor in proliferation of odontogenic
      cysts and tumors: An immunohistochemical study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is capable of initiating
      angiogenesis in blood vessels and may act as mitogenic agent for epithelium of
      odontogenic cysts and tumors. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of
      epithelial VEGF expression in odontogenic cysts and ameloblastoma and its
      correlation with argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region counts to assess its
      role in their biological behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective
      cross-sectional study, 45 histologically confirmed cases, 15 cases of each of
      keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs), dentigerous cysts, and ameloblastomas
      were examined for immunohistochemical expression for epithelial VEGF, and
      argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) (used as secondary marker in
      this study) staining was done for comparing the proliferative capacity with VEGF.
      RESULTS: KCOT shows mild expression within the basal layers and strong expression
      in the suprabasal layer whereas, in dentigerous cysts, a majority showed no VEGF
      expression whereas ameloblastomas showed strong expression in all cases by
      stellate reticulum-like cells at the center of the follicles and suprabasal
      layers of epithelium. The results of AgNOR counts were higher in KCOTs as
      compared to ameloblastoma and least in dentigerous cysts. CONCLUSION: VEGF
      expression by the epithelium of odontogenic cysts and tumors may play a role in
      epithelial proliferation via autocrine mechanism as reflected by increased AgNOR
      counts. The angiogenic activity via paracrine pathway may be responsible for the
      difference in growth rate and neoplastic behavior of the lesions.

PMID- 27274349
TI  - Children's behavioral pain reactions during local anesthetic injection using
      cotton-roll vibration method compared with routine topical anesthesia: A
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Topical anesthesia has been widely advocated as an important
      component of atraumatic administration of intraoral local anesthesia. The aim of
      this study was to use direct observation of children's behavioral pain reactions
      during local anesthetic injection using cotton-roll vibration method compared
      with routine topical anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight children
      participated in this randomized controlled clinical trial. They received two
      separate inferior alveolar nerve block or primary maxillary molar infiltration
      injections on contralateral sides of the jaws by both cotton-roll vibration (a
      combination of topical anesthesia gel, cotton roll, and vibration for physical
      distraction) and control (routine topical anesthesia) methods. Behavioral pain
      reactions of children were measured according to the author-developed face, head,
      foot, hand, trunk, and cry (FHFHTC) scale, resulting in total scores between 0
      and 18. RESULTS: The total scores on the FHFHTC scale ranged between 0-5 and 0-10
      in the cotton-roll vibration and control methods, respectively. The mean +/-
      standard deviation values of total scores on FHFHTC scale were lower in the
      cotton-roll vibration method (1.21 +/- 1.38) than in control method (2.44 +/-
      2.18), and this was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It may be
      concluded that the cotton-roll vibration method can be more helpful than the
      routine topical anesthesia in reducing behavioral pain reactions in children
      during local anesthesia administration.

PMID- 27274350
TI  - Comparison of patients' age receiving therapeutic services in a cleft care team
      in Isfahan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to numerous difficulties in patients suffering from varieties of
      cleft lip and palate, their therapeutic management involves interdisciplinary
      teamwork. This study was conducted to compare the age of commencing treatments
      such as speech therapy, secondary palate and alveolar bone grafting and
      orthodontics between those who sought treatment early and late. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In this retrospective study, 260 files of patients with cleft lip and
      palate based on their age at the time of admission to a cleft care team were
      divided into two groups: The early admission and late admission. Both groups
      compared based on four variables including the mean age of beginning speech
      therapy, palatal secondary surgery, alveolar bone grafting, and receiving
      orthodontics using t-test. RESULTS: Based on the results, among 134 patients
      admitted for speech therapy, the mean age of initiating speech therapy in early
      clients was 3.3 years, and in the late ones was 9 years. Among 47 patients with
      secondary surgery, the mean age in early clients was 3.88 years, and in the late
      clients was 15.7 years. Among 17 patients with alveolar bone grafting, the mean
      age in the first group was 9 years, and in the other was 16.69 years. Among 24
      patients receiving orthodontic services, the mean age in early clients was 7.66
      years, and in the second group was 17.05 years. CONCLUSION: There was a
      significant difference between the age of performing secondary surgery and
      alveolar bone grafting and the age of beginning speech therapy and receiving
      orthodontic services in early references and late references to the team.

PMID- 27274351
TI  - Clinical and radiographic assessment of mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium
      hydroxide as apexification agents in traumatized young permanent anterior teeth:
      A comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate
      (MTA) and traditionally used calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in inducing root end
      formation of immature roots of traumatized young permanent anterior teeth.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 22 nonvital, immature
      permanent maxillary incisors. Samples were allotted into two groups - Group I MTA
      and Group II Ca(OH)2 Success rate was determined based upon the time duration
      required for apical barrier formation. The canals were obturated using gutta
      percha points in MTA group, after 24 h, whereas in Ca(OH)2 group, obturation was
      carried out after radiographic confirmation of the apical barrier. The clinical
      and radiographic evaluation was carried out at a follow-up periods of 3, 6, and 9
      months and statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS version 15.0 statistical
      analysis software (Chi-square test and fisher exact test). RESULTS: In MTA Group,
      barrier formation was observed in 90.90% of the patients after 9 months whereas
      in Ca(OH)2 Group, the same was observed in 81.81%. The mean time required for
      barrier formation in MTA group was 4.90 months and 5.33 months in Ca(OH)2 group.
      CONCLUSION: MTA and Ca(OH)2, as medicaments for apexification, were comparable in
      terms of the evaluation parameters. However, MTA was beneficial in terms of
      immediate obturation of immature roots with wide open apices.

PMID- 27274352
TI  - Definitive guiding flange prosthesis: A definitive approach in segmental
      mandibulectomy defect.
AB  - Mandibular discontinuity defects following a segmental mandibulectomy defects
      present a major challenge to the rehabilitation team. With no immediate
      intervention to rehabilitate the patient, definitive mandibular guidance
      prostheses with a metal guiding flange and acrylic teeth on the resected side can
      be used successfully to stabilize the occlusion and correct the deviation. The
      present case report describes the prosthodontic rehabilitation of a patient with
      a segmental mandibulectomy using a mandibular prosthesis with a metal guide
      flange and a maxillary stabilizing metal framework. 

PMID- 27274354
TI  - Plasticity varies with boldness in a weakly-electric fish.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The expression of animal personality is indicated by patterns of
      consistency in individual behaviour. Often, the differences exhibited between
      individuals are consistent across situations. However, between some situations,
      this can be biased by variable levels of individual plasticity. The interaction
      between individual plasticity and animal personality can be illustrated by
      examining situation-sensitive personality traits such as boldness (i.e. risk
      taking and exploration tendency). For the weakly electric fish Gnathonemus
      petersii, light condition is a major factor influencing behaviour. Adapted to
      navigate in low-light conditions, this species chooses to be more active in dark
      environments where risk from visual predators is lower. However, G. petersii also
      exhibit individual differences in their degree of behavioural change from light
      to dark. The present study, therefore, aims to examine if an increase of
      motivation to explore in the safety of the dark, not only affects mean levels of
      boldness, but also the variation between individuals, as a result of differences
      in individual plasticity. RESULTS: Boldness was consistent between a novel-object
      and a novel-environment situation in bright light. However, no consistency in
      boldness was noted between a bright (risky) and a dark (safe) novel environment.
      Furthermore, there was a negative association between boldness and the degree of
      change across novel environments, with shier individuals exhibiting greater
      behavioural plasticity. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that individual
      plasticity can vary with personality. In addition, the effect of light suggests
      that variation in boldness is situation specific. Finally, there appears to be a
      trade-off between personality and individual plasticity with shy but plastic
      individuals minimizing costs when perceiving risk and bold but stable individuals
      consistently maximizing rewards, which can be maladaptive.

PMID- 27274353
TI  - Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes Among Patients in Countries of the
      Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of WHO (EMRO): A Systematic Review and Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global public health issue.
      The Eastern Mediterranean regional office (EMRO) of the world health organization
      (WHO) seems to have one of the highest prevalence rates worldwide, with at least
      21.3 million HCV-infected patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was
      to review systematically all epidemiological data related to the prevalence of
      HCV genotypes in infected patients in EMRO countries. DATA SOURCES: A systematic
      search was conducted of peer-reviewed journals indexed in electronic databases
      (PubMed, Scopus, ISI, PakMediNet, and IMEMR, and Persian-specific databases
      including SID, Iran Medex, and MagIran). STUDY SELECTION: A systematic search was
      performed with temporal limits (papers published between January 2000 up to June
      2015), regarding the prevalence and distribution of HCV genotypes in EMRO
      countries. DATA EXTRACTION: The prevalence rates of HCV genotypes were pooled by
      metan command in Stata 14. Statistical heterogeneity was explored using the I
      square at the 5% significance level. Publication bias was assessed, graphically
      and statistically, by funnel plot and Begg and Egger tests. RESULTS: A total of
      563 records were identified through the electronic search. Of these records, 134
      studies comprising 67681 HCV-infected individuals were included in the meta
      analysis. In Iran, subtype 1a was the predominant subtype with a rate of 42% (95%
      CI, 39 - 46), followed by subtype 3a, 35% (95% CI, 31 - 38). In Pakistan, Subtype
      3a was the most common subtype with a rate of 56% (95% CI, 49 - 62), followed by
      subtype 3b, 10% (95% CI, 7 - 12). In Saudi Arabia and Egypt, genotype 4 was the
      most prevalent genotype with a rate of 65% (95% CI, 59 - 72) and 69% (95% CI, 36 
      100) respectively. In Tunisia and Morocco, subtype 1b was the most common
      subtype with a rate of 69% (95% CI, 50 - 88) and 32% (95% CI, 7 - 56)
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The genotype distribution of HCV takes diverse
      patterns in EMRO countries. Genotypes 1 and 3 were predominant in Iran and
      Pakistan, while genotype 4 and 1 were the most common genotypes in the Middle
      East Arab countries and North African Arab countries. Understanding the genotypes
      of HCV can help policy makers in designing good strategies for treatment.

PMID- 27274355
TI  - Suicide surveillance and health systems in Nepal: a qualitative and social
      network analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite increasing recognition of the high burden of suicide deaths
      in low- and middle-income countries, there is wide variability in the type and
      quality of data collected and reported for suspected suicide deaths. Suicide data
      are filtered through reporting systems shaped by social, cultural, legal, and
      medical institutions. Lack of systematic reporting may underestimate public
      health needs or contribute to misallocation of resources to groups most at risk.
      METHODS: The goal of this study was to explore how institutional structures,
      cultural perspectives on suicide, and perceived criminality of self-harm
      influence the type and quality of suicide statistics, using Nepal as an example
      because of its purported high rate of suicide in the public health literature.
      Official documentation and reporting networks drawn by police, policy makers, and
      health officials were analyzed. Thirty-six stakeholders involved in various
      levels of the death reporting systems in Nepal participated in in-depth
      interviews and an innovative drawn surveillance system elicitation task. RESULTS:
      Content analysis and social network analysis revealed large variation across the
      participants perceived networks, where some networks were linear pathways
      dominated by a single institution (police or community) with few nodes involved
      in data transmission, while others were complex and communicative. Network
      analysis demonstrated that police institutions controlled the majority of suicide
      information collection and reporting, whereas health and community institutions
      were only peripherally involved. Both health workers and policy makers reported
      that legal codes criminalizing suicide impaired documentation, reporting, and
      care provision. However, legal professionals and law review revealed that
      attempting suicide is not a crime punishable by incarceration. Another limitation
      of current reporting was the lack of attention to male suicide. CONCLUSIONS:
      Establishment and implementation of national suicide prevention strategies will
      not be possible without reliable statistics and comprehensive standardized
      reporting practices. The case of Nepal points to the need for collaborative
      reporting and accountability shared between law enforcement, administrative, and
      health sectors. Awareness of legal codes among health workers, in particular
      dispelling myths of suicide's illegality, is crucial to improve mental health
      services and reporting practices.

PMID- 27274356
TI  - A xylose-stimulated xylanase-xylose binding protein chimera created by random
      nonhomologous recombination.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Saccharification of lignocellulosic material by xylanases and other
      glycoside hydrolases is generally conducted at high concentrations of the final
      reaction products, which frequently inhibit the enzymes used in the
      saccharification process. Using a random nonhomologous recombination strategy, we
      have fused the GH11 xylanase from Bacillus subtilis (XynA) with the xylose
      binding protein from Escherichia coli (XBP) to produce an enzyme that is
      allosterically stimulated by xylose. RESULTS: The pT7T3GFP_XBP plasmid containing
      the XBP coding sequence was randomly linearized with DNase I, and ligated with
      the XynA coding sequence to create a random XynA-XBP insertion library, which was
      used to transform E. coli strain JW3538-1 lacking the XBP gene. Screening for
      active XBP was based on the expression of GFP from the pT7T3GFP_XBP plasmid under
      the control of a xylose inducible promoter. In the presence of xylose, cells
      harboring a functional XBP domain in the fusion protein (XBP+) showed increased
      GFP fluorescence and were selected using FACS. The XBP+ cells were further
      screened for xylanase activity by halo formation around xylanase producing
      colonies (XynA+) on LB-agar-xylan media after staining with Congo red. The
      xylanase activity ratio with xylose/without xylose in supernatants from the
      XBP+/XynA+ clones was measured against remazol brilliant blue xylan. A clone
      showing an activity ratio higher than 1.3 was selected where the XynA was
      inserted after the asparagine 271 in the XBP, and this chimera was denominated as
      XynA-XBP271. The XynA-XBP271 was more stable than XynA at 55  degrees C, and in
      the presence of xylose the catalytic efficiency was ~3-fold greater than the
      parental xylanase. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted the formation of an
      extended protein-protein interface with coupled movements between the XynA and
      XBP domains. In the XynA-XBP271 with xylose bound to the XBP domain, the mobility
      of a beta-loop in the XynA domain results in an increased access to the active
      site, and may explain the observed allosteric activation. CONCLUSIONS: The
      approach presented here provides an important advance for the engineering enzymes
      that are stimulated by the final product.

PMID- 27274357
TI  - Lignocellulose-derived thin stillage composition and efficient biological
      treatment with a high-rate hybrid anaerobic bioreactor system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to chemically characterize thin stillage derived from
      lignocellulosic biomass distillation residues in terms of organic strength,
      nutrient, and mineral content. The feasibility of performing anaerobic digestion
      on these stillages at mesophilic (40  degrees C) and thermophilic (55  degrees C)
      temperatures to produce methane was demonstrated. The microbial communities
      involved were further characterized. RESULTS: Energy and sugar cane stillage have
      a high chemical oxygen demand (COD of 43 and 30 g/L, respectively) and low pH (pH
      4.3). Furthermore, the acetate concentration in sugar cane stillage was high (45
      mM) but was not detected in energy cane stillage. There was also a high amount of
      lactate in both types of stillage (35-37 mM). The amount of sugars was 200 times
      higher in energy cane stillage compared to sugar cane stillage. Although there
      was a high concentration of sulfate (18 and 23 mM in sugar and energy cane
      stillage, respectively), both thin stillages were efficiently digested
      anaerobically with high COD removal under mesophilic and thermophilic temperature
      conditions and with an organic loading rate of 15-21 g COD/L/d. The methane
      production rate was 0.2 L/g COD, with a methane percentage of 60 and 64, and 92
      and 94 % soluble COD removed, respectively, by the mesophilic and thermophilic
      reactors. Although both treatment processes were equally efficient, there were
      different microbial communities involved possibly arising from the differences in
      the composition of energy cane and sugar cane stillage. There was more acetic
      acid in sugar cane stillage which may have promoted the occurrence of
      aceticlastic methanogens to perform a direct conversion of acetate to methane in
      reactors treating sugar cane stillage. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that thin
      stillage contains easily degradable compounds suitable for anaerobic digestion
      and that hybrid reactors can efficiently convert thin stillage to methane under
      mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Furthermore, we found that optimal
      conditions for biological treatment of thin stillage were similar for both
      mesophilic and thermophilic reactors. Bar-coded pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA
      gene identified different microbial communities in mesophilic and thermophilic
      reactors and these differences in the microbial communities could be linked to
      the composition of the thin stillage.

PMID- 27274358
TI  - If the shoe fits: development of an on-line tool to aid practitioner/patient
      discussions about 'healthy footwear'.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A previous study highlighted the importance of footwear to
      individuals' sense of their identity, demonstrating that shoes must 'fit' someone
      socially, as well as functionally. However, unhealthy shoes can have a
      detrimental effect on both foot health and mobility. This project utilises
      qualitative social science methods to enable podiatrists to understand the
      broader contribution of footwear to patients' sense of themselves and from this
      an online toolkit was developed to aid footwear education. METHOD: Semi
      structured interviews were conducted with six podiatrists/shoe-fitters and 13
      people with foot pathologies, some of whom also completed shoe diaries. These
      were supplemented with some follow-up interviews and photographs of participants'
      own shoes were taken to allow in-depth discussions. RESULTS: Four areas related
      to 'fit' were identified; practicalities, personal, purpose and pressures, all of
      which need to be considered when discussing changes in footwear. These were
      incorporated into an online toolkit which was further validated by service users
      and practitioners in a focus group. CONCLUSION: This toolkit can support
      podiatrists in partnership with patients to identify and address possible
      barriers to changing footwear towards a more suitable shoe. Enabling patients to
      make healthier shoe choices will help contribute to improvements in their foot
      health and mobility.

PMID- 27274359
TI  - Calcium binding protects E-cadherin from cleavage by Helicobacter pylori HtrA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cell adhesion and tumor suppressor protein E-cadherin is an
      important factor in the establishment and maintenance of epithelial integrity. E
      cadherin is a single transmembrane protein, which consists of an intracellular
      domain (IC), a transmembrane domain (TD), and five extracellular domains (EC). EC
      domains form homophilic interactions in cis and trans that require calcium
      binding to the linker region between the EC domains. In our previous studies, we
      identified the serine protease high temperature requirement A (HtrA) from the
      human pathogen and class-I carcinogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) as a
      bacterial E-cadherin-cleaving protease that targets the linker region of the EC
      domains, thereby disrupting gastric epithelial integrity. However, it remains
      unclear how calcium binding to the E-cadherin linker regions affects HtrA
      mediated cleavage. RESULTS: Investigating the influence of calcium on the HtrA
      mediated cleavage of recombinant E-cadherin (rCdh1) in vitro, we tested different
      concentrations of calcium ions and the calcium chelator
      ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Calcium efficiently reduced HtrA-mediated
      E-cadherin fragmentation. Conversely, the addition of EDTA strongly increased
      cleavage, resulting in a ladder of defined E-cadherin fragments. However, calcium
      ions did not affect HtrA oligomerization and protease activity as monitored by
      degradation of the universal protease substrate casein. Finally, addition of
      ethyleneglycol-bis-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) slightly enhanced E-cadherin cleavage
      during H. pylori infection of gastric epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that calcium blocks HtrA-mediated cleavage by interfering with the
      accessibility of calcium-binding regions between the individual EC domains, which
      have been identified as cleavage sites of HtrA.

PMID- 27274360
TI  - World Allergy Organization-McMaster University Guidelines for Allergic Disease
      Prevention (GLAD-P): Vitamin D.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic diseases is approximately 10 % in infants
      whose parents and siblings do not have allergic diseases and 20-30 % in those
      with an allergic first-degree relative. Vitamin D is involved in the regulation
      of the immune system and it may play a role in the development, severity and
      course of asthma and other allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The World Allergy
      Organization (WAO) convened a guideline panel to develop evidence-based
      recommendations addressing the use of vitamin D in primary prevention of allergic
      diseases. METHODS: Our WAO guideline panel identified the most relevant clinical
      questions and performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and
      non-randomized studies (NRS), specifically cohort and case-control studies, of
      vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of allergic diseases. We also
      reviewed the evidence about values and preferences, and resource requirements (up
      to January 2015, with an update on January 30, 2016). We followed the Grading of
      Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to
      develop recommendations. RESULTS: Having reviewed the currently available
      evidence, the WAO guideline panel found no support for the hypothesis that
      vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of developing allergic diseases in
      children. The WAO guideline panel suggest not using vitamin D in pregnant women,
      breastfeeding mothers, or healthy term infants as a means of preventing the
      development of allergic diseases. This recommendation does not apply to those
      mothers and infants who have other indications for prophylactic or therapeutic
      use of vitamin D. The panel's recommendations are conditional and supported by
      very low certainty evidence. CONCLUSIONS: WAO recommendations about vitamin D
      supplementation for the prevention of allergic diseases support parents,
      clinicians and other health care professionals in their decisions whether or not
      to use vitamin D in preventing allergic diseases in healthy, term infants.

PMID- 27274361
TI  - Complete genome sequence of Leuconostoc gelidum subsp. gasicomitatum KG16-1,
      isolated from vacuum-packaged vegetable sausages.
AB  - Leuconostoc gelidum subsp. gasicomitatum is a predominant lactic acid bacterium
      (LAB) in spoilage microbial communities of different kinds of modified-atmosphere
      packaged (MAP) food products. So far, only one genome sequence of a poultry
      originating type strain of this bacterium (LMG 18811(T)) has been available. In
      the current study, we present the completely sequenced and functionally annotated
      genome of strain KG16-1 isolated from a vegetable-based product. In addition, six
      other vegetable-associated strains were sequenced to study possible "niche"
      specificity suggested by recent multilocus sequence typing. The genome of strain
      KG16-1 consisted of one circular chromosome and three plasmids, which together
      contained 2,035 CDSs. The chromosome carried at least three prophage regions and
      one of the plasmids encoded a galactan degradation cluster, which might provide a
      survival advantage in plant-related environments. The genome comparison with LMG
      18811(T) and six other vegetable strains suggests no major differences between
      the meat- and vegetable-associated strains that would explain their "niche"
      specificity. Finally, the comparison with the genomes of other leuconostocs
      highlights the distribution of functionally interesting genes across the L.
      gelidum strains and the genus Leuconostoc. 

PMID- 27274362
TI  - Vibrational analysis on the revised potential energy curve of the low-barrier
      hydrogen bond in photoactive yellow protein.
AB  - Photoactive yellow protein (PYP) has a characteristic hydrogen bond (H bond)
      between p-coumaric acid chromophore and Glu46, whose OH bond length has been
      observed to be 1.21 A by the neutron diffraction technique [Proc. Natl. Acad.
      Sci. 106, 440-4]. Although it has been expected that such a drastic elongation of
      the OH bond could be caused by the quantum effect of the hydrogen nucleus,
      previous theoretical computations including the nuclear quantum effect have so
      far underestimated the bond length by more than 0.07 A. To elucidate the origin
      of the difference, we performed a vibrational analysis of the H bond on potential
      energy curve with O...O distance of 2.47 A on the equilibrium structure, and that
      with O...O distance of 2.56 A on the experimental crystal structure. While the
      vibrationally averaged OH bond length for equilibrium structure was
      underestimated, the corresponding value for crystal structure was in reasonable
      agreement with the corresponding experimental values. The elongation of the O...O
      distance by the quantum mechanical or thermal fluctuation would be indispensable
      for the formation of a low-barrier hydrogen bond in PYP. 

PMID- 27274363
TI  - Guidelines help us to keep calm when facing a difficult airway.

PMID- 27274364
TI  - A new therapeutic option for postoperative pain management with oxycodone HCI
      injection.
AB  - Fentanyl is the most commonly used opioid analgesic in intravenous patient
      controlled analgesia (IV PCA) in Korea. IV oxycodone was approved for
      postoperative IV PCA by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea in 2013.
      The approved dosage regimen for postoperative pain relief with IV oxycodone is IV
      bolus loading of 2 mg followed by PCA composed of demand boluses of 1 mg and no
      background infusion with an oxycodone concentration of 1 mg/ml. However, a
      simulation study indicated that the minimum effective analgesic concentration
      (MEAC, as indicated by relief of pain by administering rescue analgesics) of
      oxycodone was reached most quickly with a higher loading dose of 0.1 mg/kg and IV
      PCA with background infusion. Oxycodone is a therapeutic option as an analgesic
      for postoperative pain management. It is necessary to reduce the analgesic dose
      of oxycodone in elderly patients because metabolic clearance decreases with age. 

PMID- 27274365
TI  - Avoiding negative reviewer comments: common statistical errors in anesthesia
      journals.
AB  - Manuscripts submitted to journals should be understandable even to those who are
      not experts in a particular field. Moreover, they should use publicly available
      materials and the results should be verifiable and reproducible. Readers and
      reviewers will want to check the strengths and weaknesses of the research study
      design, and ways to make this determination should be clear through proper
      analysis methods. Studies should be described in detail so as to help readers
      understand the results. Statistical analysis is one of the key methods by which
      to do this. The inappropriate application of statistical methods could be
      misleading to readers and clinicians. While many researchers describe their
      general research methods in detail, statistical methods tend to be described
      briefly, with certain omissions or errors or other incorrect aspects. For
      instance, researchers should describe whether the median or mean was used,
      whether parametric or nonparametric tests were used, whether the data meet the
      normality test, whether confounding factors were corrected, and whether
      stratification or matching methods were used. Statistical analysis regardless of
      the program should be reported correctly. The results may be less reliable if the
      statistical assumptions before applying the statistical method are not met. These
      common errors in statistical methods originate from the researcher's lack of
      knowledge of statistics and/or from the lack of any statistical consultation. The
      aim of this work is to help researchers know what is important statistically and
      how to present it in papers. 

PMID- 27274366
TI  - Effect of neuromuscular blockade reversal by pyridostigmine on spectral entropy
      values during recovery from desflurane anesthesia: a prospective, randomized,
      double-blind, controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: According to several studies investigating the relationship between
      muscle activity and electroencephalogram results, reversal of neuromuscular
      blockade (NMB) may affect depth of anesthesia indices. Therefore, we investigated
      the effect of pyridostigmine on these indices via spectral entropy. METHODS:
      Fifty-six patients scheduled for thyroidectomy or parotidectomy were included in
      this study and randomized into two groups. At the start of skin suturing, the
      desflurane concentration was adjusted to 4.2 vol% in both groups. Following this,
      the pyridostigmine group (group P, n = 28) was administered pyridostigmine 0.2
      mg/kg mixed with glycopyrrolate 0.04 mg/kg, while the control group (group C, n =
      28) received normal saline. Entropy values (response entropy [RE] and state
      entropy [SE]), train of four (TOF) ratio, and end-tidal desflurane concentration
      were recorded from point of drug administration to 15 minutes post-drug
      administration. RESULTS: Mean RE values at 15 minutes, when the maximum effect of
      pyridostigmine was anticipated, showed a statistically significant difference
      between groups (53.8 +/- 10.5 in group P and 48.0 +/- 8.8 in group C; P = 0.030).
      However, mean SE at 15 minutes showed no significant difference between the two
      groups (P = 0.066). At 15 minutes, there were significant differences in the TOF
      ratio between the two groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NMB reversal by
      pyridostigmine significantly increased RE values but not SE values. This finding
      suggests that spectral entropy may be a useful alternative tool for monitoring
      anesthetic depth during recovery from anesthesia in the presence of
      electromyogram activity.

PMID- 27274367
TI  - Acupressure versus dilution of fentanyl to reduce incidence of fentanyl-induced
      cough in female cancer patients: a prospective randomized controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fentanyl-induced cough (FIC) is a transient condition with a reported
      incidence of 18% to 65% depending on the dose and route of administration of
      fentanyl. Nonpharmacological methods to prevent FIC are more cost-effective than
      medications. Dilution of fentanyl has a proven role in the prevention of FIC.
      Acupressure can also prevent FIC because it has a proven role in the treatment of
      cough. METHODS: This study included 225 female patients with an American Society
      of Anesthesiologists physical status of I or II who were randomly divided into 3
      groups of 75 patients each. Patients in the control group received undiluted
      fentanyl at 3 ug/kg, patients in the acupressure group received undiluted
      fentanyl at 3 ug/kg with acupressure, and patients in the dilution group received
      diluted fentanyl at 3 ug/kg. Coughing was noted within 2 min of fentanyl
      administration. The severity of FIC was graded as mild (1-2 coughs), moderate (3
      4 coughs), or severe (>=5 coughs). The timing of coughs was also noted. RESULTS:
      The incidence of FIC was 12.7% in the control group, 6.8% in the dilution group,
      and 1.3% in the acupressure group. The difference in the incidence of cough was
      statistically significant (P = 0.008) between the control and acupressure groups.
      The difference in the severity of cough among the groups was not statistically
      significant. The median onset time of cough among all groups was 9 to 12 seconds.
      CONCLUSIONS: The application of acupressure prior to administration of fentanyl
      significantly reduces the incidence of FIC. Dilution of fentanyl also reduces the
      incidence of FIC, but the difference is not statistically significant.

PMID- 27274368
TI  - Relationship between first-twitch depression and train-of-four ratio during
      sugammadex reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The primary outcome of sugammadex reversal for rocuronium-induced
      neuromuscular block (NMB) is a train-of-four ratio (TOFR) of 0.9, not first
      twitch (T1) height. We investigated whether the recovery of TOFR or T1 differs
      based on the reversal of NMB with neostigmine or sugammadex. METHODS: The
      acceleromyographic responses from 0.6 mg/kg of rocuronium were monitored
      supramaximally in 80 patients after induction of anesthesia. The TOFR and T1
      height were recorded, and saved in a personal computer using TOF-Watch SX Monitor
      software in all patients. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups to receive
      either neostigmine 50 ug/kg with glycopyrrolate 10 ug/kg (neostigmine group, n =
      40) or sugammadex 2.0 mg/kg (sugammadex group, n = 40). The primary objective was
      to determine the difference of recovery time between TOFR to 0.9 and T1 to 0.9
      after sugammadex or neostigmine administration during moderate rocuronium-induced
      NMB. RESULTS: The recovery pattern of the TOFR 2 min after sugammadex
      administration was 1.0 or more, but that of T1 was less than 90% (T1 / control
      value) up to 6 min after drug was injected. The recovery pattern of TOFR and T1
      was similar during the 20 min after reversal with neostigmine. CONCLUSIONS: If
      you have not performed the T1 monitoring, both TOFR and T1 should be considered
      to confirm suitable recovery during the 6 min after reversal with sugammadex
      during rocuronium-induced moderate NMB.

PMID- 27274369
TI  - Encountering unexpected difficult airway: relationship with the intubation
      difficulty scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An unexpected difficult intubation can be very challenging and if it
      is not managed properly, it may expose the encountered patient to significant
      risks. The intubation difficulty scale (IDS) has been used as a validated method
      to evaluate a global degree of intubation difficulty. The aims of this study were
      to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of unexpected difficult intubation
      using the IDS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 951 patients undergoing
      elective surgery in a single medical center. Patients expected to have a
      difficult intubation or who had history of difficult intubation were excluded.
      Each patient was assessed by the IDS scoring system with seven variables. Total
      prevalence of difficult intubation and the contributing individual factors were
      further analyzed. RESULTS: For the 951 patients, the difficult intubation cases
      presenting IDS > 5 was 5.8% of total cases (n = 55). The prevalence of Cormack
      Lehane Grade 3 or 4 was 16.2% (n = 154). Most of the difficult intubation cases
      were managed by simple additional maneuvers and techniques such as stylet
      application, additional lifting force and laryngeal pressure. CONCLUSIONS:
      Unexpected difficult airway was present in 5.8% of patients and most was managed
      effectively. Among the components of IDS, the Cormack-Lehane grade was most
      sensitive for predicting difficult intubation.

PMID- 27274370
TI  - Change of QT variability index during general anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The QT variability index (QTVI)-a non-invasive measure of beat-to
      beat QT interval (QTI) fluctuations-is related to myocardial repolarization
      lability. The QTVI represents the relationship between QTI and the RR interval.
      Elevated QTVI is associated with an increased risk of malignant ventricular
      arrhythmias and sudden death. We investigated the influence of general anesthesia
      and tourniquets on the QTVI. METHODS: We studied fifty patients who received
      total knee replacement arthroplasty under sevoflurane anesthesia. We measured
      QTI, corrected QTI (QTc), T-wave peak-to-end interval (TPE), QTVI, and heart rate
      variability. All variables were calculated at baseline (B), 30 min after general
      anesthesia (A), 30 min (TQ1) and 60 min (TQ2) after tourniquet inflation, and at
      tourniquet deflation (TQR). RESULTS: Prolongation of QTI was detected at all
      times, and QTc was significantly prolonged TQR. TPE was unchanged during general
      anesthesia. The QTVI was significantly decreased and more negative during
      anesthesia and tourniquet inflation. After deflation of the tourniquet, the QTVI
      was restored to preanesthetic values. Low frequency (LF) was significantly
      decreased during general anesthesia, but high frequency (HF) was somewhat
      maintained, except at TQ2. The LF/HF ratio was significantly decreased at A and
      TQ2. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane based general anesthesia induced repolarization
      stability and, more negativity of the QTVI, in patients undergoing total knee
      replacement arthroplasty.

PMID- 27274371
TI  - The prophylactic effect of dexamethasone on postoperative sore throat in prone
      position surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sore throat and hoarseness are common complications after general
      anesthesia with tracheal intubation. The position for patients can affect the
      incidence of postoperative sore throat (POST) by causing displacement of the
      endotracheal tube. This study investigated the prophylactic effect of
      dexamethasone in prone position surgeries. METHODS: One hundred-fifty patients
      undergoing lumbar spine surgery (18-75 yr) were randomly allocated into the
      normal saline group (group P, n = 50), dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg group (group D1, n
      = 50) or dexamethasone 0.2 mg/kg group (group D2, n = 50). The incidence and
      severity of POST, hoarseness, and cough were measured using direct interview at
      1, 6, and 24 h after tracheal extubation. The severity of POST, hoarseness, and
      cough were graded using a 4-point scale. RESULTS: At 1, 6, and 24 h after
      extubation, the incidence of sore throat was significantly lower in group D1 (1
      h; P = 0.015, 6 h; P < 0.001, 24 h; P = 0.038) and group D2 (1 h; P < 0.001, 6 h;
      P < 0.001, 24 h; P = 0.017) compared to group P. There were less number of
      patients in the groups D1 and D2 than group P suffering from moderate grade of
      POST at 1, 24 h after extubation. The incidence of hoarseness at 1, 6, and 24 h
      after extubation was significantly lower in groups D2 than group P (P < 0.001).
      There were no significant differences in the incidence of cough among the three
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic use of dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg and 0.2
      mg/kg in prone surgery reduces the incidence of postoperative sore throat and
      dexamethasone 0.2 mg/kg decreases the incidence of hoarseness.

PMID- 27274372
TI  - Thiamylal sodium increased inflammation and the proliferation of vascular smooth
      muscle cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thiamylal sodium is a common anesthetic barbiturate prepared in
      alkaline solution for clinical use. There is no previously reported study on the
      effects of barbiturates on the inflammation and proliferation of vascular smooth
      muscle cells (VSMCs). Here, we examined the effects of clinical-grade thiamylal
      sodium solution (TSS) on the inflammation and proliferation of rat VSMCs.
      METHODS: Expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and toll
      like receptors in rat VSMCs were detected by quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction and microarray analyses. The production of IL-6 by
      cultured VSMCs or ex vivo-cultured rat aortic segments was detected in
      supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. VSMC proliferation and
      viability were determined by the water-soluble tetrazolium-1 assay and trypan
      blue staining, respectively. RESULTS: TSS increased expression of IL-1alpha, IL
      6, and TLR4 in VSMCs in a dose-dependent manner, and reduced IL-1beta expression.
      Ex vivo TSS stimulation of rat aorta also increased IL-6. Low concentrations of
      TSS enhanced VSMC proliferation, while high concentrations reduced both cell
      proliferation and viability. Expression of IL-1 receptor antagonist, which
      regulates cell proliferation, was not increased by TSS stimulation. Exposure of
      cells to the TSS additive, sodium carbonate, resulted in significant upregulation
      of IL-1alpha and IL-6 mRNA levels, to a greater extent than TSS. CONCLUSIONS: TSS
      induced proinflammatory cytokine production by VSMCs is caused by sodium
      carbonate. However, pure thiamylal sodium has an anti-inflammatory effect in
      VSMCs. TSS exposure to VSMCs may promote vascular inflammation, leading to the
      progression of atherosclerosis or in-stent restenosis, resulting in vessel bypass
      graft failure.

PMID- 27274374
TI  - Anesthetic experience of patient with isolated left ventricular noncompaction: a
      case report.
AB  - Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare primary genetic
      cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent trabeculation of the left ventricular
      wall and intertrabecular recesses. Perioperative management of the patient with
      LVNC might be challenging due to the clinical symptoms of heart failure, systemic
      thromboembolic events, and fatal left ventricular arrhythmias. We conducted real
      time intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in a patient with LVNC
      undergoing general anesthesia for ovarian cystectomy. 

PMID- 27274373
TI  - Experience of hemostasis in tracheal bleeding very close to the carina by the
      bronchial blocker: a case report.
AB  - Massive hemoptysis is respiratory compromise which should be managed as a life
      threatening condition. In our case, the bronchial blocker played a role in
      hemostasis of tracheal bleeding very close to the carina and prevented further
      spillage into the contralateral lung. Right-sided one-lung isolation in an 87
      year-old female, who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to myocardial
      infarction, was requested due to hemoptysis. Right-sided bronchial bleeding was
      suspected on auscultation, but esophageal and tracheal bleeding due to violent
      intubation with a stylet was also considered. We attempted one-lung isolation
      with the bronchial blocker. The bronchial blocker was inadvertently advanced to
      the left mainstem bronchus, but the inflated balloon of the bronchial blocker
      compressed the site of bleeding, which was within 1 cm proximal and left
      posterior to the carina. Tracheal bleeding stopped, and we confirmed that
      hemostasis was achieved with the balloon of the bronchial blocker using a
      fiberoptic bronchoscope. 

PMID- 27274375
TI  - Severe hypoxemia during carinal resection in the lateral position under one-lung
      ventilation of a non-dependent lung: a case report.
AB  - During one-lung ventilation (OLV) in the lateral position, the dependent,
      ventilated lung receives more blood flow than the non-dependent, non-ventilated
      lung owing to gravity, improving the match of ventilation and perfusion.
      Conversely, in the rare clinical situations when OLV is applied to the non
      dependent lung, arterial oxygenation can get worse due to considerable shunt flow
      to the dependent non-ventilated lung. We report a case of severe hypoxemia during
      carinal resection under OLV of a non-dependent lung. In this case, OLV had to be
      applied to the non-dependent lung in the lateral position because the bronchus of
      the non-dependent lung was anastomosed with the trachea, whereas the bronchus of
      the dependent lung had already been resected for carinal resection. The
      subsequent hypoxemia resulting from the shunt flow to the dependent non
      ventilated lung was treated successfully by ligating the pulmonary artery of the
      dependent lung. 

PMID- 27274376
TI  - Anesthetic management of patient with Sjogren's syndrome who underwent cesarean
      section: a case report.
AB  - Sjogren's syndrome is one of the most common autoimmune disorders and has a
      female predominance. Maternal circulating autoantibodies such as anti-Ro/SSA and
      anti-La/SSB antibodies can cause congenital heart block of fetus, and in severe
      case, emergency pacemaker implantation may be needed for neonate. Therefore, it
      is very important to understand maternal and fetal condition and pay attention to
      the status of the neonate during delivery. In this paper, we present a case of
      patient with Sjogren's syndrome who underwent cesarean section under spinal
      anesthesia. 

PMID- 27274377
TI  - Emergency cesarean section in an epidemic of the middle east respiratory
      syndrome: a case report.
AB  - Only a few reports have been published on women with an infectious respiratory
      viral pathogen, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Coronavirus
      delivering a baby. A laboratory confirmed case of MERS was reported during a MERS
      outbreak in the Republic of Korea in a woman at gestational week 35 + 4. She
      recovered, and delivered a healthy baby by emergency cesarean section (C-sec). We
      present the clinical course and the emergency C-sec in a pregnant woman with
      MERS. 

PMID- 27274378
TI  - Cardiac arrest due to intracranial hypotension following pseudohypoxic brain
      swelling induced by negative suction drainage in a cranioplasty patient: a case
      report.
AB  - Pseudohypoxic brain swelling (PHBS) is known to be an uncommon event that may
      occur during and following an uneventful brain surgery, when negative suction
      drainage is used. The cerebrospinal fluid loss related to suction drainage can
      evoke intracranial hypotension that progress to PHBS. The main presentations of
      PHBS are sudden unexpected circulatory collapses, such as severe bradycardia,
      hypotension, cardiac arrest, consciousness deterioration and diffuse brain
      swelling as seen with brain computerized tomography (CT). We present a stuporous
      22-year-old patient who underwent cranioplasty under general anesthesia. The
      entire course of the general anesthesia and operation progressed favorably.
      However, the time of scalp suture completion, sudden bradycardia and hypotension
      occurred, followed by cardiac arrest immediately after initiation of subgaleal
      and epidural suction drainage. After successful resuscitation, the comatose
      patient was transferred to the neurosurgical intensive care unit and PHBS was
      confirmed using brain CT. 

PMID- 27274379
TI  - Lethal coronary air embolism caused by the removal of a double-lumen hemodialysis
      catheter: a case report.
AB  - Coronary air embolism is a rare event. We report a case in which an acute
      myocardial infarction occurred in the region supplied by the right coronary
      artery after the removal of a double-lumen hemodialysis catheter. Emergent
      coronary angiography revealed air bubbles obstructing the mid-segment of the
      right coronary artery with slow flow phenomenon distally. The patient expired due
      to myocardial infarction. 

PMID- 27274380
TI  - Simply modified percutaneous tracheostomy using the Cook(r) Ciaglia Blue RhinoTM:
      a case series.
AB  - When first introduced, percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) was performed
      using a bronchoscope. The bronchoscope itself, however, has several
      disadvantages, including interruption of ventilation. Modifications of the
      standard PDT technique have suggested that PDT can be safely performed without a
      bronchoscope. However, the safety of these modifications is unclear and many
      modifications have yet to be widely adopted. This study retrospectively evaluated
      the safety of a simplified PDT technique using the Cook(r) Ciaglia Blue RhinoTM
      in 186 patients. After confirming the underlying structures by palpation, PDT was
      performed without a bronchoscope or blunt dissection, 2.0 cm below the
      cricothyroid membrane. Ultrasonography was used only when palpation was
      difficult. Except for bleeding in three patients with coagulopathy, none of the
      patients experienced any early or late complications, and there were no deaths
      related to PDT. These findings confirm that PDT can be safely performed using a
      simplified technique, which may be useful in situations with limited equipment
      and medical personnel. 

PMID- 27274381
TI  - Iatrogenic iliac arteriovenous fistula with aortic pseudoaneurysm formation post
      lumbar (L4-L5) laminectomy and pedicular screw fixation.

PMID- 27274382
TI  - Erratum: Heart rate variability as a predictor of hypotension after spinal
      anesthesia in hypertensive patients.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 317 in vol. 65, PMID: 24228144.]. 

PMID- 27274383
TI  - False Replies on Smoking Rate Surveys and an In-Hospital Smoking Cessation
      Clinic.

PMID- 27274385
TI  - Compliance and Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Program Started on Hospitalized
      Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Varenicline is now very useful medication for cessation; however,
      there is only little result of researches with varenicline for cessation of
      hospitalized patients. This research attempted to analyze the cessation effect of
      medication and compliance of hospitalized patients. METHODS: This research
      included data for 52 patients who were prescribed varenicline among 280 patients
      who were consulted for cessation during their admission period. This research
      checked whether smoking was stopped or not after six months and analyzed their
      compliance, the factors for succeeding in smoking cessation. RESULTS: One hundred
      and ninety hospitalized patients participated in smoking cessation counseling
      among 280 patients who included consultation from their admission departments.
      And varenicline was prescribed for only 80 patients after counseling. Nineteen
      smokers were successful in smoking cessation among 52 final participants
      representing the rating of success of 36.5%. The linkage between compliance of
      varenicline and rate of smoking successful has no statistical significance. The
      factors for succeeding in smoking of hospitalized patients are admission
      departments, diseases, and economic states. CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation program
      has low inpatient compliance. Cooperation of each departments is very important
      for better compliance. Success rate of cessation was relatively high (36.5%).
      Cessation attempt during hospitalization is very effective strategy.

PMID- 27274384
TI  - Pharmacotherapy of Acute Bipolar Depression in Adults: An Evidence Based
      Approach.
AB  - In the majority of cases of bipolar disorder, manic episodes are usually brief
      and typically responsive to currently available psychopharmacological agents. In
      contrast, depressive manifestations are more prevalent and persistent, and can
      present as major depressive/mixed episodes or residual interepisode symptoms. The
      depressive phase is often associated with other neuropsychiatric conditions, such
      as anxiety spectrum disorders, substance use disorders, stressor-related
      disorders, and eating disorders. It is viewed as a systemic disease with
      associated ailments such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and
      cardiovascular disease. There is an increased rate of mortality not only from
      suicide, but also from concomitant physical illness. This scenario is made worse
      by the fact that depressive symptoms, which represent the main disease burden,
      are often refractory to existing psychotropic drugs. As such, there is a pressing
      need for novel agents that are efficacious in acute depressive exacerbations, and
      also have applicable value in preventing recurrent episodes. The rationale of the
      present review is to delineate the pharmacotherapy of the depressive phase of
      bipolar disorder with medications for which there is evidence in the form of
      observational, open-label, or double-blind randomized controlled studies. In the
      treatment of acute bipolar depression in adults, a comprehensive appraisal of the
      extant literature reveals that among mood stabilizers, the most robust proof of
      efficacy exists for divalproex sodium; while atypical antipsychotics, which
      include olanzapine, quetiapine, lurasidone, and cariprazine, are also effective,
      as demonstrated in controlled trials. 

PMID- 27274386
TI  - Effectiveness of Intraluminal Air Decompression on Postcolonoscopic Pain
      According to Reinsertion Site.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is a very effective and essential examination to diagnose
      colorectal cancer; however, many patients experience discomfort due to post
      examination abdominal pain, which reduces colonoscopy compliance. This study was
      conducted to determine methods for reducing post-colonoscopic abdominal pain.
      METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled study of 405 male and female adults
      who visited Hana General Hospital in Cheongju. We surveyed general
      characteristics, history of colonoscopy, and other related factors, then
      categorized examinees into 5 groups (0-5) according to the site of scope
      reinsertion. Pain was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS). RESULTS: The
      mean age of examinees in this study was 47.8 years, and 210 participants had
      prior experience of colonoscopy. No significant difference was observed between
      variables, with the exception of reinsertion duration (P=0.005). Pain scores were
      different between performing physicians (P=0.006), and were higher when the
      subjective level of procedure difficulty was low (P=0.026) in univariate
      analysis. Pain scores decreased as the reinsertion site became closer to the
      proximal colon (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference between groups
      3 and 4. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis, including
      univariate analysis, showed that group 1 had 0.48 times, group 2 had 0.38 times,
      group 3 had 0.09 times, and group 4 had 0.03 times odds ratio (moderate-to-severe
      pain, NRS >=4) than control group 0. CONCLUSION: Air decompression by scope
      reinsertion is an effective way to reduce abdominal pain after colonoscopy.
      Removing air when the reinserted scope approaches the hepatic flexure seems to be
      the most effective method to reduce post-colonoscopic pain.

PMID- 27274388
TI  - Discrepancy between Self-Reported and Urine-Cotinine Verified Smoking Status
      among Korean Male Adults: Analysis of Health Check-Up Data from a Single Private
      Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Enquiry into smoking status and recommendations for smoking cessation
      is an essential preventive service. However, there are few studies comparing self
      reported (SR) and cotinine-verified (CV) smoking statuses, using medical check-up
      data. The rates of discrepancy and under-reporting are unknown. METHODS: We
      performed a cross-sectional study using health examination data from Healthcare
      System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University Hospital in 2013. We analyzed SR
      and CV smoking statuses and discrepancies between the two in relation to
      sociodemographic variables. We also attempted to ascertain the factors associated
      with a discrepant smoking status among current smokers. RESULTS: In the sample of
      3,477 men, CV smoking rate was 11.1% higher than the SR rate. About 1 in 3
      participants either omitted the smoking questionnaire or gave a false reply. The
      ratio of CV to SR smoking rates was 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38
      1.61). After adjusting for confounding factors, older adults (>=60 years) showed
      an increased adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for discrepancy between SR and CV when
      compared to those in their twenties and thirties (aOR, 5.43; 95% CI, 2.69-10.96).
      Educational levels of high school graduation or lower (aOR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.36
      4.01), repeated health check-ups (aOR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.03-2.06), and low cotinine
      levels of <500 ng/mL (aOR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.33-3.09), were also associated with
      discordance between SR and CV smoking status. CONCLUSION: Omissions and false
      responses impede the accurate assessment of smoking status in health check-up
      participants. In order to improve accuracy, it is suggested that researcher pay
      attention to participants with greater discrepancy between SR and CV smoking
      status, and formulate interventions to improve response rates.

PMID- 27274387
TI  - The Association between Frailty and Cognition in Elderly Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frailty refers to the loss of physiologic complexity and the
      associated decline in ability to withstand stressors as one gets older. It is
      defined as unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, slow walking speed,
      and low physical activity. According to several western studies, frailty is
      associated with cognitive impairment, but there have been few studies about the
      relationship between frailty and cognitive impairment in Korea. Thus, the purpose
      of this study is to analyze the relationship between cognition and factors
      related to frailty such as grip strength, walking speed, physical activity, and
      depression, among female patients older than 65 in Korea. METHODS: A total of 121
      subjects among the outpatients of the department of family medicine at Kangbuk
      Samsung Hospital who did not meet the exclusion criteria were included in this
      study. We divided the participants into 2 groups, according to the Korean version
      of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score: 1 group with subjects that had
      normal cognition and the other group with patients that had impaired cognition. A
      comparison was made between the 2 groups in regards to the factors related to
      frailty, and we completed equation that predicting cognition from the frailty
      related factors. RESULTS: Compared with the impaired cognition group, the
      subjects in the normal cognition group had higher hand strength, and walked
      faster (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in physical
      activity between the 2 groups (P=0.19). When multiple linear regression analysis
      was performed using age, grip strength, and walking speed as the predictor
      variables and MoCA score as the dependent variable, the regression coefficients
      were calculated to be: -0.2015, 0.2294, 1.2372, and -0.1436, respectively
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In Korean female patients who are older than 65 years of
      age, cognition tends to decline as grip strength decreases, walking speed gets
      slower, depression becomes more severe, and as age increases.

PMID- 27274389
TI  - Accuracy of Korean-Mini-Mental Status Examination Based on Seoul Neuro
      Psychological Screening Battery II Results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Korean-Mini-Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE) is a dementia
      screening test that can be easily applied in both community and clinical
      settings. However, in 20% to 30% of cases, the K-MMSE produces a false negative
      response. This suggests that it is necessary to evaluate the accuracy of K-MMSE
      as a screening test for dementia, which can be achieved through comparison of K
      MMSE and Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB)-II results. METHODS:
      The study included 713 subjects (male 534, female 179; mean age, 69.3+/-6.9
      years). All subjects were assessed using K-MMSE and SNSB-II tests, the results of
      which were divided into normal and abnormal in 15 percentile standards. RESULTS:
      The sensitivity of the K-MMSE was 48.7%, with a specificity of 89.9%. The
      incidence of false positive and negative results totaled 10.1% and 51.2%,
      respectively. In addition, the positive predictive value of the K-MMSE was 87.1%,
      while the negative predictive value was 55.6%. The false-negative group showed
      cognitive impairments in regions of memory and executive function. Subsequently,
      in the false-positive group, subjects demonstrated reduced performance in memory
      recall, time orientation, attention, and calculation of K-MMSE items. CONCLUSION:
      The results obtained in the study suggest that cognitive function might still be
      impaired even if an individual obtained a normal score on the K-MMSE. If the K
      MMSE is combined with tests of memory or executive function, the accuracy of
      dementia diagnosis could be greatly improved.

PMID- 27274390
TI  - The Association between Taking Dietary Supplements and Healthy Habits among
      Korean Adults: Results from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutritional
      Examination Survey (2010-2012).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, the number of people interested in health in South Korea
      has increased, and the rate of dietary supplement use is rising. Researchers have
      hypothesized that the rate of practicing healthy habits is higher among those who
      use dietary supplements than those who do not. Therefore, this study aimed to
      discover the association between taking dietary supplements and practicing
      various healthy habits in the Korean, adult population. METHODS: The sample
      included 15,789 adults over 19 years old who participated in the fifth Korea
      National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The user group was defined as
      those taking dietary supplements for more than 2 weeks during the previous year
      or once during the past month. Measures for the seven healthy habits were based
      on those included in the Alameda study and were analyzed accounting for the
      complex sampling design. RESULTS: The rate of taking dietary supplements was
      significantly higher in women, middle aged participants, urban residents, those
      with a higher income, those with a higher education level, and nonsmokers as well
      as among women with a moderate subjective health status, women who limited their
      alcohol content, and women with dyslipidemia. In the adjusted analysis, the rate
      of performing three of the 'Alameda 7' habits-eating breakfast regularly,
      restricting snacking, and limiting drinking-was higher in the female dietary
      supplement user group than in the other groups. Women practiced more healthy
      habits and had a higher dietary supplement intake rate than men. CONCLUSION: We
      found that taking dietary supplements in Korean adults is highly associated with
      demographic and social factors. Taking dietary supplements had a relationship
      with dietary habits, and there was no significant association between dietary
      supplement and other healthy habits. Thus in the health clinic, we suggest that
      taking dietary supplements complements a patient's healthy habits, with the
      exception of dietary habits, for health promotion.

PMID- 27274391
TI  - Comparison of Surrogate Markers as Measures of Uncomplicated Insulin Resistance
      in Korean Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is known to increase the risk of various
      cardiometabolic diseases and in-sulin resistance (IR) has known to have central
      role in the development of MS. Many surrogate indices of IR have been proposed
      and the detection of MS might be a suitable model for assessing the accuracy of
      surrogate indices. The aims of our study are to invest the most appropriate index
      by assessment of the diagnostic capacity of IR among each surrogate index and
      identifying cut-off values for discriminating uncomplicated MS in Korean adults.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed, assessing 294 Korean adults, 85
      of whom were diagnosed with uncomplicated MS. The sensitivities and specificities
      of five surrogate IR indices were compared to discriminate MS from healthy
      subjects; these included fasting serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment
      insulin resistance index, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, McAuley
      index, and Disse index. Correlations between each index value were assessed using
      Pearson's and Spearman's correlation methods. RESULTS: The McAuley index showed
      the highest area under the curve (0.85), specificity (86.12%), accuracy (82.31%),
      positive predictive value (68.13%), and negative predictive value (88.67%) to
      distinguish MS, with a cut-off point of 5.3 defined. Correlation coefficients of
      the five indices showed that the McAuley index had the strongest correlation with
      IR. CONCLUSION: The McAuley index showed the best accuracy in the detection of MS
      as a surrogate marker of IR. To establish more effective and accurate standards
      of measuring IR, comprehensive and multi-scaled studies are required.

PMID- 27274392
TI  - Optic Neuropathy in Thyroid Eye Disease: A Case Series.
AB  - In patients with thyroid disease, ocular involvement or thyroid ophthalmopathy is
      common, irrespective of their thyroid status. A common feature of thyroid eye
      disease is eyelid retraction, which leads to a classical starry gaze (Kocher
      sign). Treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI) is a known therapy for
      hyperthyroidism. However, this treatment may lead to or worsen thyroid
      ophthalmopathy. We report a case series of two patients with thyrotoxicosis, who
      presented with an atypical and subtle occurrence of thyroid eye disease (TED)
      soon after RAI therapy. One of the patients was initially diagnosed and treated
      for dry eyes; however, over a period of time, the patient's vision progressively
      deteriorated. Clinical and radiological investigations confirmed thyroid
      ophthalmopathy with low serum thyroid hormone levels. Both patients recovered
      well after immediate intensive intravenous steroid treatment. These cases
      highlight the importance of recognizing partial ptosis as one of the presenting
      signs of active TED among general practitioners and physicians. 

PMID- 27274393
TI  - Targeted antiangiogenic agents in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy in
      preclinical and clinical studies in sarcoma.
AB  - Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal malignancies. In recent years,
      studies have demonstrated that inhibition of angiogenic pathways or disruption of
      established vasculature can attenuate the growth of sarcomas. However, when used
      as monotherapy in the clinical setting, these targeted antiangiogenic agents have
      only provided modest survival benefits in some sarcoma subtypes, and have not
      been efficacious in others. Preclinical and early clinical data suggest that the
      addition of conventional chemotherapy to antiangiogenic agents may lead to more
      effective therapies for patients with these tumors. In the current review, the
      authors summarize the available evidence and possible mechanisms supporting this
      approach. 

PMID- 27274394
TI  - A smoke-free medical campus in Jerusalem: data for action.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Establishing smoke-free environments is a major component of tobacco
      control policy. The introduction of a smoke-free policy in medical campuses may
      serve as a role model for other educational and health institutions but little
      has been published about their prevalence or impact. In 2012, the Faculty of
      Medicine at Hebrew University-Hadassah in Jerusalem, Israel launched a smoke-free
      Medical Campus initiative. This study examined smoking behaviours, cigarette
      smoke exposure and attitudes towards the smoke-free campus policy among students
      and employees. METHODS: Using a self-administered questionnaire, data was
      collected from medical, dental and pharmacy students, as well as employees of the
      school of pharmacy. We approached the entire target population in 2013 (N = 449),
      with a response rate of 72.5 % (N = 313). RESULTS: The rate of smoking was 8.3 %
      (95 % CI 5.5-11.9 %). Most participants reported daily exposure or exposure
      several times a week to cigarette smoke (65.8 %). Overall, 98.0 % had reported
      seeing people smoke in open campus areas and 27.2 % indoors. Most participants
      supported the smoking ban inside buildings (94.2 %) but fewer supported (40.8 %)
      a complete ban of smoking throughout the campus, including outside areas. Only
      18.4 % agreed that a policy prohibiting smoking was unfair to smokers. A
      multivariable analysis showed that support for a complete ban on smoking on
      campus was higher among non-smokers than for smokers (OR = 9.5, 95 % CI 2.2-31.5,
      p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The smoke-free policy does not have total compliance,
      despite the strong support among both students and employees for a smoke-free
      medical campus. The data collected will assist policy makers move towards a total
      smoke-free medical campus and will aid tobacco control efforts in Israel and
      other countries.

PMID- 27274395
TI  - Optimizing dietary lipid use to improve essential fatty acid status and
      reproductive performance of the modern lactating sow: a review.
AB  - Dietary lipid supplementation benefits the prolific and high-producing modern
      lactating sow. A comprehensive review of recent studies showed that lipid
      supplementation increases average daily energy intake, which is partitioned for
      lactation as indicated by greater milk fat output and improved litter growth
      rate. Recent compelling findings showed that addition of particular lipids during
      lactation improved the subsequent reproductive outcome of sows. Such benefits
      were related to the level of dietary essential fatty acids (EFA, linoleic acid,
      C18:2n-6; and alpha-linolenic acid, C18:3n-3) during lactation. Lactation diets
      without supplemental EFA resulted in a pronounced negative balance (intake minus
      milk output) of linoleic (-25.49 g/d) and alpha-linolenic acid (-2.75 g/d); which
      compromised sow fertility (farrowing rate < 75 % and culling rates > 25 % of
      weaned sows). This phenomenon seems to be increasingly important with advancing
      sow age because of a progressive reduction of body EFA pool over successive
      lactations. The net effect of supplemental EFA during lactation was to create a
      positive EFA balance, which improved the subsequent reproduction of sows.
      Adequate linoleic acid intake improved the proportion of sows that farrowed in
      the subsequent cycle (Farrowing rate (%) = [(-1.5 * 10(-3) * linoleic acid intake
      (g/d)(2)) + (0.53 * linoleic acid intake (g/d)) + (45.2)]; quadratic P = 0.002,
      R(2) = 0.997, RMSE = 0.031). In addition, increasing linoleic acid intake
      increased the number of pigs born in the subsequent cycle (total pigs born (n) =
      [(9.4 * 10(-5) * linoleic acid intake (g/d)(2)) + (0.04 * linoleic acid intake
      (g/d)) + (10.94)]; quadratic P = 0.002, R(2) = 0.997, RMSE = 0.031). Supplemental
      alpha-linolenic acid resulted in a rapid return to estrus (sows bred: sows weaned
      = 94.2 %; wean-to-estrus interval = 4.0 d) and achieved a high retention of
      pregnancy (sows pregnant: sows bred = 98 %). Collectively, we conclude that a
      minimum dietary intake of 10 g/d of alpha-linolenic acid, simultaneous with a
      minimum of 125 g/d of linoleic acid should be provided to >= 95 % of the sows;
      thereby, achieving a maximum sow reproductive efficiency through multiple
      mechanisms that include rapid return to estrus, high maintenance of pregnancy and
      large subsequent litter size in mature sows, that appear to be susceptible to EFA
      deficiency. 

PMID- 27274396
TI  - The effectiveness of physiotherapy treatment on balance dysfunction and postural
      instability in persons with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Balance dysfunction and postural instability in Parkinson's disease
      are among the most relevant determinants of an impaired quality of life.
      Physiotherapy interventions are essential to reduce the level of disability by
      treating balance dysfunction and postural instability. The aim of this systematic
      review with meta-analysis was to test the effectiveness of conventional
      physiotherapy interventions in the management of balance dysfunction and postural
      instability in Persons with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. METHOD: A systematic
      literature search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed/Medline, PEDro, Rehadat, and
      Rehab Trials were performed by 2 reviewers (AY and AT) independently. Eligible
      randomised controlled trials published from September 2005 to June 2015 were
      included. The selected RCTs, which investigated the effects of conventional
      physiotherapy treatments in the management of postural instability and balance
      dysfunction in Persons with Parkinson's disease, were assessed on a
      methodological quality rating scale. Included studies differed clearly from each
      other with regard to patient characteristics, intervention protocol, and outcome
      measures. Important characteristics and outcomes were extracted, summarized and
      analyzed. RESULTS: Eight trials with a total of 483 participants were eligible
      for inclusion of which 5 trials provide data for meta-analysis. Benefits from
      conventional physiotherapy treatment were reported for all of the outcomes
      assessed. The pooled estimates of effects showed significantly improved berg
      balance scale (SMD, 0.23; 95 % CI, 0.10-0.36; P < 0.001) after exercise therapy,
      in comparison with no exercise or sham treatment. Exercise interventions
      specifically addressing components of balance dysfunction demonstrated the
      largest efficacy with moderate effect size (SMD, 5.98; 95 % CI, 2.29-9.66; P <
      0.001). Little effects were observed for interventions that specifically targeted
      Falls efficacy scale. The pooled data indicated that physiotherapy exercises
      decreased the incidence of falling by 6.73 (95 % CI: -14.00, 0.54, p = 0.07) with
      the overall effect of Z = 1.81. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy interventions like
      balance training combined with muscle strengthening, the range of movement and
      walking training exercise is effective in improving balance in patients with
      Parkinson's disease and more effective than balance exercises alone. Highly
      challenging balance training and incremental speed-dependent treadmill training
      can also be part of a rehabilitation program for management of balance
      dysfunction and Postural instability in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's
      disease.

PMID- 27274397
TI  - A retrospective review of the two-step tuberculin skin test in dialysis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reactivation of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is
      a health concern for patients on dialysis or receiving a kidney transplant, as
      these patients are often immunosuppressed. The most frequently used test for LTBI
      screening in this population is the tuberculin skin test (TST). The diagnostic
      accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of the TST in a contemporary North
      American or Western European dialysis population is unknown. OBJECTIVES: Our
      objective was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of the
      two-step TST in patients receiving dialysis. DESIGN: This is a retrospective
      cohort study. SETTING: This study is set at four tertiary dialysis units across
      Winnipeg, Manitoba. PATIENTS: There are 483 chronic hemodialysis and peritoneal
      dialysis patients in the study. MEASUREMENTS: The measurements are sensitivity
      and specificity of the TST with respect to abnormal chest X-ray. METHODS: All
      patients received a two-step TST and assessment of risk factors for prior
      tuberculosis (TB) infection between February 2008 and December 2008. This cohort
      was retrospectively linked to our tuberculosis registry to ascertain if
      prophylaxis was received for LTBI. RESULTS: At an induration cutoff of 5 mm, 62
      (13 %) patients had a positive two-step TST. Patients with a known Bacillus
      Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination were more likely to test positive (50 % of
      those with a positive TST had a BCG versus 34 % with a negative TST, p = 0.05).
      Using a diagnostic gold standard of an abnormal chest X-ray as a proxy for LTBI,
      the sensitivity of the TST was only 14 % and the specificity was 88 %. Only 8 of
      62 patients with a positive TST (13 %) received prophylaxis for LTBI. None of the
      patients who tested negative were treated. LIMITATIONS: There is a lack of a
      truly accurate gold standard for LTBI. CONCLUSIONS: The TST has limited
      diagnostic and clinical utility for LTBI screening in patients on dialysis.
      Further research into the diagnostic accuracy of interferon-gamma release assays
      and a revision of LTBI screening guidelines in patients on dialysis should be
      considered.

PMID- 27274398
TI  - Preliminary study for predicting better methotrexate efficacy in Japanese
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease
      characterized by systemic inflammatory status, joint destruction, disability, and
      pain. Methotrexate (MTX) has been confirmed to reduce disease activity and delay
      or stabilize the development of bone erosions. However, major drawbacks are that
      patients show great interindividual variability in response to MTX and the
      unpredictable occurrence of side effects. A strategy for personalized MTX
      treatment to predict its efficacy and toxicity has not yet been determined. To
      establish personalized MTX therapy in Japanese patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis, we performed a preliminary study for predicting better methotrexate
      efficacy including single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for MTX-related
      transporters/enzymes. METHODS: Disease control status (good or poor) was judged
      by the number of Disease Activity Scores (DAS28) of <2 for 6-12 months. The
      response index R was calculated by the improved area under the curve (AUC) of the
      DAS28 score for 0-3 or 0-6 months by dividing the cumulative dose of MTX during 0
      3 or 0-6 months, respectively. Genotyping of alleles of RFC1 80G > A, RFC1 -43 T
      > C, FPGS 1994G > A, GGH 401C > T, MTHFR 1298A > C, and TYMS 3'-UTR (-6/+6) was
      performed using the real-time PCR system. RESULTS: Seven of 21 patients were
      judged as good responders in terms of disease control, and the remainder as poor
      responders. For 0-3 months after starting MTX administration, the median
      cumulative dose and improved DAS28 AUC in the good and poor response groups were
      96.0 mg and 25.4 and 118.0 mg and 23.4, respectively. For 0-6 months, the median
      cumulative dose and improved DAS28 AUC in the good and poor response groups were
      192.0 mg and 51.0 and 214.0 mg and 47.6, respectively. Statistically significant
      differences between the 2 groups in the 0-6-month period were observed in DAS28
      AUC improvement and index R. A slight tendency for a correlation between G/G
      genotypes and A allele genotypes in RFC1 80 genotypes was observed, although it
      did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that
      aggressive RA treatment with MTX from the early period of administration is
      necessary to obtain a good response after 6 months, although no SNPs predicting a
      better treatment response to MTX were identified.

PMID- 27274399
TI  - The Effects of Kangaroo Mother Care and Swaddling on Venipuncture Pain in
      Premature Neonates: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospitalized premature babies often undergo various painful
      procedures. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) and swaddling are two pain reduction
      methods. OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to compare the effects of
      swaddling and KMC on pain during venous sampling in premature neonates. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: This study was performed as a randomized clinical trial on 90
      premature neonates. The neonates were divided into three groups using a random
      allocation block. The three groups were group A (swaddling), group B (KMC), and
      group C (control). In all three groups, the heart rate and arterial oxygen
      saturation were measured and recorded in time intervals of 30 seconds before,
      during, and 30, 60, 90, and 120 seconds after blood sampling. The neonate's face
      was video recorded and assessed using the premature infant pain profile (PIPP) at
      time intervals of 30 seconds. The data was analyzed using the t-test, chi-square
      test, Repeated Measure analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis, Post-hoc,
      and Bonferroni test. RESULTS: The findings revealed that pain was reduced to a
      great extent in the swaddling and KMC methods compared to the control group.
      However, there was no significant difference between KMC and swaddling (P >=
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that there is no
      meaningful difference between swaddling and KMC on physiological indexes and pain
      in neonates. Therefore, the swaddling method may be a good substitute for KMC.

PMID- 27274400
TI  - Intracranial subdural empyema after surgery for lumbar lipomyelomeningocele: A
      rare complication.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgery is routinely recommended for lumbar lipomyelomeningocele,
      especially in the setting of tethered cord syndrome. The most common
      complications are wound infections and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which
      remain confined to the surgical site. To the best of our knowledge, there have
      been no prior reports relating an intracranial subdural empyema following
      detethering surgery. Prompt diagnosis is essential since subdural empyema is a
      neurosurgical emergency. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was an 11-month-old male
      who underwent detethering surgery for a lumbar lipomyelomeningocele. This was
      followed by wound drainage consistent with CSF leak, requiring revision. Cultures
      grew three aerobes (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, and Klebsiella) and three
      anaerobes (Clostridium, Veillonella, and Bacteroides). He was started on
      cefepime, vancomycin, and flagyl. The patient required two more wound revisions
      and placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) secondary to persistent
      wound leakage. A subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain was carried
      out due to protracted irritability, which revealed extensive left subdural
      empyema along the parietooccipital region and the inferior and anterior temporal
      lobe. He underwent evacuation of the subdural empyema where cultures exhibited no
      growth. Subsequently, he progressed well. His lumbar incision continued to heal.
      Serial MRI brains and inflammatory markers were reassuring. He weaned off his EVD
      and went home to complete a 6-week course of antibiotics. Upon completion of his
      antibiotics, he returned for a clinic visit; he exhibited no interim fevers or
      wound issues; cranial imaging documented no evidence of a residual or recurrent
      subdural empyema. CONCLUSION: Intracranial subdural empyema may occur after wound
      complications from detethering surgery despite early initiation of broad-spectrum
      antibiotics. Possible etiology may be local wound infection that seeds the
      subdural space and travels to the cranium, leading to meningitis and subdural
      empyema. Such a scenario should prompt surveillance imaging of the head as
      undiagnosed subdural empyema may lead to devastating consequences.

PMID- 27274401
TI  - A rare case of giant multiseptated thoracic myelomeningocele with segmental
      placode: Commentary.

PMID- 27274403
TI  - Intracranial extra-axial hemangioma in a newborn: A case report and literature
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Congenital hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors, and the
      intracranial counterpart was described in very few cases. CASE DESCRIPTION: A
      newborn presented with an intracranial tumor associated with an arachnoid cyst,
      diagnosed by antenatal ultrasound at 37 weeks of gestation. Surgery was indicated
      due to increased head circumference and bulging fontanelle, and a complete
      resection of an extra-axial red-brown tumor was performed at the 3(rd) week of
      life. Microscopy revealed a hemangioma. CONCLUSION: Hemangioma is a rare
      differential diagnosis that must be considered in extra-axial intracranial tumors
      affecting infants and neonates. The radiological features are not helpful in
      differentiating from other tumors, and surgery is indicated when the diagnosis is
      uncertain or whenever there are signs of increased intracranial pressure.

PMID- 27274402
TI  - Hydrocephalus caused by unilateral foramen of Monro obstruction: A review on
      terminology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus caused by unilateral foramen of Monro (FM) obstruction
      has been referred to in literature by many different terminologies. Precise
      terminology describing hydrocephalus confined to just one lateral ventricle has a
      very important prognostic value and determines whether or not the patient can be
      shunt free after an endoscopic procedure. METHODS: Aiming to define the best term
      for unilateral FM obstruction, 19 terms were employed on PubMed database
      (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) as quoted phrases. RESULTS: A total of 194
      articles were found. Four patterns of hydrocephalus were discriminated as a
      result of our research term query and were divided by types for didactic purpose.
      Type A - partial dilation of the lateral ventricle; Type B - pure unilateral
      obstruction of the FM; Type C - previously shunted patients with secondary
      obstruction of the FM; and Type D - asymmetric lateral ventricles with patent FM.
      CONCLUSION: In unilateral FM obstruction hydrocephalus, an in-depth review on
      terminology application is critical to avoid mistakes that may compromise
      comparisons among different series. This terminology review suggests that Type B
      hydrocephalus, i.e., the hydrocephalus confined to just one lateral ventricle
      with no other sites of cerebrospinal fluid circulation blockage, are best
      described by the terms unilateral hydrocephalus (UH) and monoventricular
      hydrocephalus, the first being by far the most popular. Type A hydrocephalus is
      best represented in the literature by the terms uniloculated hydrocephalus and
      loculated ventricle; Type C hydrocephalus by the terms isolated lateral ventricle
      and isolated UH; and Type D hydrocephalus by the term asymmetric hydrocephalus.

PMID- 27274404
TI  - Pediatric knowledge update: Approach to the management of vein of Galen
      aneurysmal malformations in neonates.

PMID- 27274405
TI  - Large solitary osteochondroma of the thoracic spine: Case report and review of
      the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spinal osteochondromas are typically benign tumors, but patients may
      present with myelopathy and neurologic deficits if there is tumor encroachment
      within the spinal canal. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report here a case of a large
      solitary osteochondroma originating from the posterior vertebral body of T9
      causing spinal cord compression and myelopathy. A 17-year-old man presented with
      3 months of bilateral feet numbness and gait difficulty. Imaging demonstrated a
      large left-sided 5.9 cm * 5.0 cm * 5.4 cm osseous mass arising from the T9
      vertebra consistent with an osteochondroma. He underwent bilateral
      costotransversectomies, and a left two-level lateral extracavitary approach for
      three partial corpectomies to both safely decompress the spinal canal as well as
      obtain a gross total resection of the tumor. Use of the O-arm intraoperative
      stereotactic computed tomographic navigation system assisted in delineating the
      osseous portions of the tumor for surgical removal. He experienced complete
      neurologic recovery after operative intervention. CONCLUSION: Careful surgical
      planning is needed to determine the best approach for spinal cord decompression
      and resection of this tumor, especially taking into account the bony elements
      from which it arises. We present this case, to highlight the feasibility of a
      single-stage posterior approach to the ventral thoracic spine for the resection
      of a large solitary thoracic osteochondroma causing cord compression.

PMID- 27274406
TI  - How to avoid perioperative visual loss following prone spinal surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In a prior article, "Perioperative visual loss (POVL) following prone
      spinal surgery: A review," Epstein documented that postoperative visual loss
      (POVL) occurs in from 0.013% to 0.2% of spine procedures performed in the prone
      position. POVL is largely attributed to ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), central
      retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), cortical blindness (CB), direct compression
      (prone pillows/horseshoe, eye protectors), and rarely, acute angle closure
      glaucoma. METHODS: Risk factors for ION include prolonged surgery, extensive
      fusions, anemia, hypotension, hypovolemia, diabetes, obesity, use of the Wilson
      frame, male sex, and microvascular pathology. CRAO may result from improper prone
      positioning (e.g., eye compression or rotation contributing to jugular/venous or
      carotid compression), while CB more typically results from both direct
      compression and obesity. RESULTS: Several preventive/prophylactic measures should
      limit the risk of POVL. The routine use of an arterial line and continuous
      intraoperative monitoring document intraoperative hypotension/hypovolemia/anemia
      that can be immediately corrected with appropriate resuscitative measures.
      Application of a 3-pin head holder completely eliminates direct eye compression
      and maintains the neck in a neutral posture, thus avoiding rotation that can
      contribute to jugular/venous obstruction and/or inadvertent carotid compression.
      In addition, elevating the head 10 degrees  from the horizontal directly reduces
      intraocular pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The best way to avoid POVL following prone
      spine surgery is to prevent it. Routine use of an arterial line, intraoperative
      monitoring, a 3-pin head holder, and elevation of the head 10 degrees  from the
      horizontal should limit the risk of encountering POVL after spinal procedures
      performed in the prone position.

PMID- 27274407
TI  - Low reoperation rate following 336 multilevel lumbar laminectomies with
      noninstrumented fusions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few reoperations are required in older patients undergoing multilevel
      lumbar laminectomy with noninstrumented fusions for spinal stenosis with/without
      spondylolisthesis/instability, and they rarely require instrumentation. METHODS:
      We reviewed 336 patients averaging 66.5 years of age undergoing initial average
      4.7 level lumbar laminectomies with average 1.4 level noninstrumented fusions
      over an average 7.1-year period (range 2.0-16.5 years). Patients uniformly
      exhibited spinal stenosis, instability (Grade I [195 patients] or Grade II
      spondylolisthesis [67 patients]), disc herniations (154 patients), and/or
      synovial cysts (66 patients). Reoperations, including for adjacent segment
      disease (ASD), addressed new/recurrent pathology. RESULTS: Nine (2.7%) of 336
      patients required reoperations, including for ASD, an average of 6.3 years (range
      2-15 years) following initial 4.7 level laminectomies with 1.4 level
      noninstrumented fusions. Second operations warranted average 4.8 level (range 3
      6) laminectomies and average 1.1 level non instrumented fusions addressing
      stenosis with instability (Grade I [7 patients] or Grade II [1 patient]
      spondylolisthesis), new disc herniations (2 patients), and/or a synovial cyst (1
      patient). CONCLUSIONS: Only 9 (2.7%) of 336 patients required reoperations
      (including for ASD) consisting of multilevel laminectomies with noninstrumented
      fusions for recurrent/new stenosis even with instability; these older patients
      were not typically unstable, or were likely already fused, and did not require
      instrumentation. Alternatively, reoperation rates following instrumented fusions
      in other series approached 80% at 5 postoperative years. Therefore, we as spinal
      surgeons should realize that older patients even with instability rarely require
      instrumentation and that the practice of performing instrumented fusions in
      everyone, irrespective of age, needs to stop.

PMID- 27274408
TI  - A review: Reduced reoperation rate for multilevel lumbar laminectomies with
      noninstrumented versus instrumented fusions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The reoperation rate, including for adjacent segment disease (ASD),
      is lower following multilevel lumbar laminectomy with noninstrumented versus
      instrumented fusions. METHODS: This study reviews selected literature focusing on
      the reoperation rate, including for ASD, following multilevel laminectomies with
      noninstrumented versus instrumented fusions. Several prior studies document a 1.3
      5.6% reoperation rate following multilevel laminectomy with/without
      noninstrumented fusions. RESULTS: The reoperation rates for instrumented fusions,
      including for ASD, are substantially higher. One study cited a 12.2-18.5%
      frequency for reoperation following instrumented transforaminal lumbar and
      posterior lumbar interbody fusions (TLIF and PLIFs) at an average of 164
      postoperative months. Another study cited a 9.9% reoperation rate for ASD 1 year
      following PLIF; this increased to 80% at 5 postoperative years. A further study
      compared 380 patients variously undergoing laminectomies/noninstrumented
      posterolateral fusions, laminectomies with instrumented fusions (PLFs), and
      laminectomies with instrumented PLF plus an interbody fusions; this study
      documented no significant differences in outcomes for any of these operations at
      4 postoperative years. Furthermore, other series showed fusion rates for 1-2
      level procedures which were often similar with or without instrumentation, while
      instrumentation increased reoperation rates and morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Many
      studies document no benefit for adding instrumentation to laminectomies performed
      for degenerative disease, including spondylolisthesis. Reoperation rates for
      laminectomy alone/laminectomy with noninstrumented fusions vary from 1.3% to 5.6%
      whereas reoperation rates for ASD after instrumented PLIF was 80% at 5
      postoperative years. This review should prompt spinal surgeons to reexamine when,
      why, and whether instrumentation is really necessary, particularly for treating
      degenerative lumbar disease.

PMID- 27274409
TI  - Perioperative visual loss following prone spinal surgery: A review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative visual loss (POVL) following prone spine surgery occurs
      in from 0.013% to 1% of cases and is variously attributed to ischemic optic
      neuropathy (ION: anterior ION or posterior ION [reported in 1.9/10,000 cases:
      constitutes 89% of all POVL cases], central retinal artery occlusion [CRAO],
      central retinal vein occlusion [CRVO], cortical blindness [CB], direct
      compression [horseshoe, prone pillows, and eye protectors Dupaco Opti-Gard]), and
      acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG). METHODS: Risk factors for ION include
      prolonged operative times, long-segment spinal instrumentation, anemia,
      intraoperative hypotension, diabetes, obesity, male sex, using the Wilson frame,
      microvascular pathology, decreased the percent of colloid administration, and
      extensive intraoperative blood loss. Risk factors for CRAO more typically include
      improper positioning during the surgery (e.g., cervical rotation), while those
      for CB included prone positioning and obesity. RESULTS: POVL may be avoided by
      greater utilization of crystalloids versus colloids, administration of alpha-2
      agonists (e.g., decreases intraocular pressure), avoidance of catecholamines
      (e.g., avoid vasoconstrictors), avoiding intraoperative hypotension, and averting
      anemia. Patients with glaucoma or glaucoma suspects may undergo preoperative
      evaluation by ophthalmologists to determine whether they require prophylactic
      treatment prior to prone spinal surgery and whether and if prophylactic treatment
      is warranted. CONCLUSIONS: The best way to avoid POVL is to recognize its
      multiple etiologies and limit the various risk factors that contribute to this
      devastating complication of prone spinal surgery. Furthermore, routinely
      utilizing a 3-pin head holder will completely avoid ophthalmic compression, while
      maintaining the neck in a neutral posture, largely avoiding the risk of jugular
      vein and/or carotid artery compromise and thus avoiding increasing IOP.

PMID- 27274410
TI  - Imaging characteristic analysis of metastatic spine lesions from breast,
      prostate, lung, and renal cell carcinomas for surgical planning: Osteolytic
      versus osteoblastic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgeons treating metastatic spine disease can use computed
      tomography (CT) imaging to determine whether lesions are osteolytic,
      osteoblastic, or mixed. This enables treatment that considers the structural
      integrity of the vertebral body (VB), which is impaired with lytic lesions but
      not blastic lesions. The authors analyzed CT imaging characteristics of spine
      metastasis from breast, lung, prostate, and renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) to
      determine the metastasis patterns of each of these common tumors. METHODS: The
      authors identified patients with metastatic spine disease treated during a 3-year
      period. Variables studied included age, sex, and cancer type. Lesions from
      breast, lung, prostate, and RCC primary lesions were selected for imaging
      analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were identified: 17 had breast metastasis,
      14 prostate, 18 lung, and 17 RCC. Breast cancer metastasis involved 33% of VBs
      with 56%, 20%, and 24% osteolytic, osteoblastic, and mixed, respectively.
      Prostate cancer metastasis involved 35% of VBs with 14%, 62%, and 24% osteolytic,
      osteoblastic, and mixed, respectively. Lung cancer metastasis involved 13% of VBs
      with 64%, 33%, and 3% osteolytic, osteoblastic, and mixed, respectively. RCC
      metastasis involved 11% of VBs with 91%, 7%, and 2% osteolytic, osteoblastic, and
      mixed lesions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: To improve surgical planning, we
      advocate the use of CT prior to surgery to evaluate whether spine metastases are
      osteolytic or osteoblastic. In cases of osteolytic lesions, the concern is of
      segmental instability requiring reconstruction and the risk for screw pull out
      should instrumentation be considered. In cases of osteoblastic lesions, surgeons
      should consider debulking dense bone.

PMID- 27274411
TI  - Traumatic spondyloptosis at the cervico-thoracic junction without neurological
      deficits.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There have been rare cases of traumatic cervical spondyloptosis
      without neurological compromise. We report another case and provide a review of
      the literature, with a focus on appropriate management. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 60
      year-old male rode his bicycle into a stationary semi-truck. He reported initial
      bilateral upper extremity paresthesias that resolved. Imaging demonstrated C7 on
      T1 spondyloptosis. Traction did not achieve reduction and a halo was applied.
      Subsequently, he underwent posterior decompression C6-T1, reduction via bilateral
      complete facetectomies at C7, and fixation from C4 to T2 fixation. Afterward, an
      anterior C7-T1 fixation occurred, where exposure was performed through a midline
      sternotomy. Postoperatively, he woke up with baseline motor and sensory
      examination in his extremities. He did exhibit voice hoarseness due to paralysis
      of the left vocal cords. He was discharged home 3 days after surgery. At 6 months
      follow-up, there was a progressive improvement of the left vocal cords to slight
      paresis; dynamic X-rays demonstrated no instability with good fusion progression.
      CONCLUSION: Traumatic cervical spondyloptosis without neurological compromise is
      a rare and challenging scenario. There is a concern for neurologic compromise
      with preoperative traction, but if specific posterior elements are fractured, the
      spinal canal may be wide enough where the concern for disc migration is minimal.
      For patients who have not been reduced preoperatively, a posterior approach with
      initial decompression to widen the canal, before reduction, appears safe. This
      scheme may avoid an initial anterior approach for decompression, necessitating a
      3-stage procedure if circumferential stabilization is pursued.

PMID- 27274412
TI  - Chondromyxoid fibroma of the sacrum: A case report and literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is an extremely rare, benign
      cartilaginous tumor that makes up <0.5% of all bone tumors, typically presenting
      in the second or third decade of life. CMF of the sacrum is exceedingly rare,
      with only seven documented cases reported in the neurosurgical literature. CASE
      DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 35-year-old female with a 3 month history of
      lower back pain after sustaining a fall on her sacrum/coccyx presenting with a
      progressive complaint of localized lower back pain, occasional urinary retention
      without incontinence, gluteal hypesthesia, and pressure below the gluteal crease.
      Imaging demonstrated a large, expansile enhancing soft-tissue lesion involving
      the sacrum, distal to the S2-3 disc space. The tumor was removed with partial
      sacrectomy for open en bloc resection with partial nerve sparing. The patient was
      found at 1.5-year follow-up with the improvement of symptoms, no recurrence, and
      no residual neurologic dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Sacral CMF is a rare clinical
      entity that may mirror more aggressive sacral pathology, including chordoma, in
      both clinical presentation and imaging characteristics. A review of the available
      literature regarding diagnosis, surgical management options, and prognosis for
      sacral CMF is provided.

PMID- 27274414
TI  - Effect of Picture Archiving and Communication System Image Manipulation on the
      Agreement of Chest Radiograph Interpretation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Variability in image interpretation has been attributed to differences
      in the interpreters' knowledge base, experience level, and access to the clinical
      scenario. Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) has allowed the user
      to manipulate the images while developing their impression of the radiograph. The
      aim of this study was to determine the agreement of chest radiograph (CXR)
      impressions among radiologists and neonatologists and help determine the effect
      of image manipulation with PACS on report impression. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Prospective cohort study included 60 patients from the Neonatal Intensive Care
      Unit undergoing CXRs. Three radiologists and three neonatologists reviewed two
      consecutive frontal CXRs of each patient. Each physician was allowed manipulation
      of images as needed to provide a decision of "improved," "unchanged," or "disease
      progression" lung disease for each patient. Each physician repeated the process
      once more; this time, they were not allowed to individually manipulate the
      images, but an independent radiologist presets the image brightness and contrast
      to best optimize the CXR appearance. Percent agreement and opposing reporting
      views were calculated between all six physicians for each of the two methods
      (allowing and not allowing image manipulation). RESULTS: One hundred percent
      agreement in image impression between all six observers was only seen in 5% of
      cases when allowing image manipulation; 100% agreement was seen in 13% of the
      cases when there was no manipulation of the images. CONCLUSION: Agreement in CXR
      interpretation is poor; the ability to manipulate the images on PACS results in a
      decrease in agreement in the interpretation of these studies. New methods to
      standardize image appearance and allow improved comparison with previous studies
      should be sought to improve clinician agreement in interpretation consistency and
      advance patient care.

PMID- 27274413
TI  - Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis arising from papillary thyroid carcinoma: A
      case report and review of literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (IMSCM) are typically drop
      lesions from intracranial metastases and are a rare manifestation of systemic
      malignancy (8.5% of central nervous system metastases). They arise from primaries
      such as the lungs, breast, kidney, melanoma, or lymphoma. On the other hand, they
      arise very rarely from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), even though it is the
      most common type of primary thyroid malignancy. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 54-year-old
      male presented with pain in the lower back along with tingling, numbness, and
      weakness in the bilateral lower limbs. This was associated with urine
      incontinence for 11/2 months. In the previous month, he developed a left-sided
      solitary thyroid nodule. Fine needle aspiration cytology and ultrasonography were
      suggestive of metastasis. Furthermore, the thoracolumbar magnetic resonance
      imaging showed T1-hypo and T2-hyper-intense D11-D12 level intramedullary lesion,
      with intense enhancement, which was consistent with an intramedullary lesion
      involving the conus. At surgery, a firm, brownish yellow, friable, vascular
      tumour was removed en toto. Upon discharge, the patient was neurologically intact
      except for residual bladder incontinence. CONCLUSION: In an extensive literature
      review (pubmed), IMSCM metastasis from PTC primary is confirmed as a rarity and
      this may be the fourth documented case. Moreover, this may be the first report of
      a case of PTC metastatic neurological deterioration "even before the treatment of
      the primary was undertaken." Early diagnosis and microsurgical resection can
      result in improvement of neurological deficits and in the quality of life of
      patients with IMSCM.

PMID- 27274415
TI  - A Review of Energy Drinks and Mental Health, with a Focus on Stress, Anxiety, and
      Depression.
AB  - Background: Concerns have been expressed regarding the potential for caffeinated
      energy drinks to negatively affect mental health, and particularly so in young
      consumers at whom they are often targeted. The products are frequently marketed
      with declarations of increasing mental and physical energy, providing a short
      term boost to mood and performance. Although a certain amount of evidence has
      accumulated to substantiate some of these claims, the chronic effects of energy
      drinks on mental health also need to be addressed. Methods: To review the
      relevant literature, PubMed and PsycINFO were searched for all peer-reviewed
      articles published in English that addressed associations between energy drink
      use and mental health outcomes. Case reports were also considered, though
      empirical studies investigating acute mood effects were excluded as a review of
      such articles had recently been published. Fifty-six articles were retrieved: 20
      of these (along with eight more identified through other means) were included in
      the current review, and, because the majority addressed aspects of stress,
      anxiety, and depression, particular focus was placed on these outcomes. Results:
      Though a number of null findings (and one negative relationship) were observed,
      the majority of studies examined reported positive associations between energy
      drink consumption and symptoms of mental health problems. Conclusions: Though the
      findings imply that energy drink use may increase the risk of undesirable mental
      health outcomes, the majority of research examined utilized cross-sectional
      designs. In most cases, it was therefore not possible to determine causation or
      direction of effect. For this reason, longitudinal and intervention studies are
      required to increase our understanding of the nature of the relationships
      observed.

PMID- 27274416
TI  - Energy Drink and Coffee Consumption and Psychopathology Symptoms Among Early
      Adolescents: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations.
AB  - Background: Little is known about possible links between energy drink use and
      psychopathology among youth. This study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal
      associations between energy drink consumption and psychopathology among early
      adolescents. In addition, associations between psychopathology and coffee
      consumption were examined to assess whether findings were specific to energy
      drinks or also applied to another commonly used caffeinated beverage. Methods:
      One hundred forty-four youth who participated in the Camden Youth Development
      Study (72 males; mean age 11.9 at wave 1; 65% Hispanic, 30% African American)
      were assessed using self-report measures of frequency of energy drink and coffee
      consumption and depression, anxiety, conduct disorder (CD) symptoms, and teacher
      reports of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Youth (92%) were
      reassessed 16 months later. Results: Concurrently, energy drink and coffee
      consumption were associated with similar psychopathology symptoms; when the other
      beverage was adjusted for, energy drinks remained associated with CD and coffee
      remained associated with panic anxiety. Initial energy drink consumption
      predicted increasing ADHD and CD over time, though the association with CD
      dropped to a trend level of significance when coffee was adjusted for. Initial
      levels of hyperactive ADHD predicted increasing coffee consumption over time;
      this association remained when energy drinks were controlled. Social anxiety was
      associated with less increase in energy drink consumption over time, controlling
      for coffee. Conclusion: Energy drink and coffee consumption among early
      adolescents are concurrently associated with similar psychopathology symptoms.
      Longitudinally, the associations between these beverages and psychopathology
      differ, indicating that these substances have differing implications for
      development over time.

PMID- 27274417
TI  - Demographics, Health, and Risk Behaviors of Young Adults Who Drink Energy Drinks
      and Coffee Beverages.
AB  - Objective: The present study investigates risk behaviors, sleep habits, and
      mental health factors associated with caffeinated beverage use in young adults.
      Materials and Methods: Students from a midsize private university (n = 159)
      completed a 15-minute anonymous questionnaire, including questions on risk
      behaviors, sleep habits, alcohol, and caffeine consumption. We compared behaviors
      between the top ~15% ("high end") of energy drink users (>=3/month) and coffee
      users (>=16/month) to those with less frequent or no caffeine consumption.
      Results: Caffeine consumption was frequent among young adults. In the last month,
      36% of students had an energy drink, 69% had coffee or espresso, and 86% reported
      having any caffeine; however, the majority of students were unaware of the
      caffeine content in these beverages. High-end energy drink consumers reported
      more risk-taking behaviors (increased drug and alcohol use and less frequent seat
      belt use), sleep disturbances (later bedtimes, harder time falling asleep, and
      more all-nighters), and higher frequency of mental illness diagnoses than those
      who consumed fewer energy drinks. In contrast, the frequency of most risk
      behaviors, sleep disturbances, and mental illness diagnoses was not significantly
      different between the high-end and general population of coffee drinkers.
      Conclusion: Students with delayed sleep patterns, mental illness, and higher
      frequency of substance use and risk behaviors were more likely to be regular
      energy drink users but not regular coffee drinkers. It is unclear whether the
      psychoactive content in energy drinks results in different behavioral effects
      than just caffeine in coffee, and/or different personality/health populations are
      drawn to the two types of beverages.

PMID- 27274418
TI  - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE EXERCISES THAT PRODUCE OPTIMAL MUSCLE RATIOS OF THE
      SCAPULAR STABILIZERS IN NORMAL SHOULDERS.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the exercises
      that optimize muscle ratios of the periscapular musculature for scapular
      stability and isolated strengthening. METHODS: A systematic search was performed
      in PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Discovery Layer. Studies were
      included if they examined the muscle activation of the upper trapezius compared
      to the middle trapezius, lower trapezius, or serratus anterior using EMG during
      open chain exercises. The participants were required to have healthy,
      nonpathological shoulders. Information obtained included maximal voluntary
      isometric contraction (MVIC) values, ratios, standard deviations, exercises, and
      exercise descriptions. The outcome of interest was determining exercises that
      create optimal muscle activation ratios between the scapular stabilizers.
      RESULTS: Fifteen observational studies met the inclusion criteria for the
      systematic review. Exercises with optimal ratios were eccentric exercises in the
      frontal and sagittal planes, especially flexion between 180  degrees  and 60 
      degrees . External rotation exercises with the elbow flexed to 90  degrees  also
      had optimal ratios for activating the middle trapezius in prone and side-lying
      positions. Exercises with optimal ratios for the lower trapezius were prone
      flexion, high scapular retraction, and prone external rotation with the shoulder
      abducted to 90  degrees  and elbow flexed. Exercises with optimal ratios for the
      serratus anterior were the diagonal exercises and scapular protraction.
      CONCLUSION: This review has identified optimal positions and exercises for
      periscapular stability exercises. Standing exercises tend to activate the upper
      trapezius at a higher ratio, especially during the 60-120  degrees  range. The
      upper trapezius was the least active, while performing exercises in prone, side
      lying, and supine positions. More studies need to be conducted to examine these
      exercises in greater detail and confirm their consistency in producing the
      optimal ratios determined in this review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1a.

PMID- 27274419
TI  - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORE ENDURANCE AND BACK DYSFUNCTION IN COLLEGIATE MALE
      ATHLETES WITH AND WITHOUT NONSPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical activity and sports can be associated with low back pain.
      However, little is known about the relationship between core stability and
      nonspecific low back pain (LBP) among athletes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this
      study was to investigate the relationship between core endurance and back
      dysfunction in collegiate male athletes with and without nonspecific LBP.
      METHODS: Fifty-five male collegiate athletes from a variety of sports were
      recruited for this study. Their mean age was 21.50 +/- (2.54) years, mean weight
      was 70.96 +/- (5.33) kg., and mean height was 174.38 +/- (4.37) cm. Thirty
      athletes with non-specific LBP and twenty five healthy athletes were assessed
      using McGill's anterior, posterior, and left and right plank core endurance tests
      (seconds) and for dysfunction using the Micheli functional scale (MFS). Pearson's
      product moment correlations examined the relationships between core endurance and
      MFS. RESULTS: There were significant differences regarding the measured core
      endurance tests between the healthy athletes group and the nonspecific LBP group
      (p < 0.05). Additionally, good negative (r = -0.794) and moderate negative (r = 
      0.541) correlations were found between MFS and trunk extensor and flexor
      endurance tests, respectively in the group with nonspecific LBP. CONCLUSION: The
      results of this study imply that poor core endurance is likely associated with
      nonspecific LBP in collegiate athletes. Injury risk reduction and back management
      programs for the athletic population should include strategies that emphasize
      endurance of the core muscles especially the trunk extensors and flexors. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: 2b.

PMID- 27274420
TI  - ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ROWING INJURIES AND THE FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREENTM IN
      FEMALE COLLEGIATE DIVISION I ROWERS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 48 percent of rowing injuries are due to overuse and occur more often
      in females. The Functional Movement ScreenTM (FMS) is a screening tool utilized
      to identify the risk of musculoskeletal injury in field sport athletes based on
      movement patterns. It has not been used to identify risk of injury in rowing.
      OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if the scores on the FMSTM
      are predictors of incidence of all injuries, including low back pain (LBP) in
      female collegiate rowers during one season of rowing. METHODS: Prospective cohort
      conducted in a clinical setting. Thirty-seven Division I female collegiate rowers
      (33 rowers and 4 coxswains). Investigators performed pre-season FMSTM screening
      and collected demographic data, rowing data, and Oswestry Low Back Pain
      questionnaire scores. Based on FMSTM scores, individuals were grouped high or low
      risk for injury. Injury reports and patient complaints of LBP over the course of
      a season were compared to FMSTM group. RESULTS: Those in the high risk group were
      significantly more likely to experience LBP during the season (p=.036) and
      reported a 58 percent greater mean in years of rowing experience (p=.008) than
      individuals in the low risk group. Those with a history of LBP were six times
      more likely to experience LBP during season (p=.027). DISCUSSION: The FMSTM
      indicated that rowers at a high risk of injury and more years of rowing
      experience, have a higher probability of sustaining LBP. Results could be due to
      chronic overuse associated with the rowing motion. Low back pain was evident in
      25 out of the 37 participants over the season. CONCLUSION: While the FMSTM has
      been proven to predict injury in field athletes, there was no statistically
      significant evidence to support prediction of a reported time loss injury in
      female collegiate rowers. However, it did indicate a higher likelihood for
      subjective report of low back pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cohort study, level 2b.

PMID- 27274421
TI  - ACCURACY OF SELF-REPORTED FOOT STRIKE PATTERN IN INTERCOLLEGIATE AND RECREATIONAL
      RUNNERS DURING SHOD RUNNING.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinicians are interested in the foot strike pattern (FSP) in runners
      because of the suggested relationship between the strike pattern and lower
      extremity injury. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of
      collegiate cross-country runners and recreational runners to self-report their
      foot strike pattern during running. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional Study. METHODS:
      Twenty-three collegiate cross-country and 23 recreational runners voluntarily
      consented to participate. Inclusion criteria included running at least 18 miles
      per week, experience running on a treadmill, no history of lower extremity
      congenital or traumatic deformity, or acute injury three months prior to the
      start of the study. All participants completed a pre-test survey to indicate
      their typical foot strike pattern during a training run (FSPSurvey). Prior to
      running, reflective markers were placed on the posterior midsole and the vamp of
      the running shoe. A high-speed camera was used to film each runner in standing
      and while running at his or her preferred speed on a treadmill. The angle between
      the vector formed by the two reflective markers and the superior surface of the
      treadmill was used to calculate the foot strike angle (FSA). To determine the
      foot strike pattern from the video data (FSPVideo), the static standing angle was
      subtracted from the FSA at initial contact of the shoe on the treadmill. In
      addition to descriptive statistics, percent agreement and Chi square analysis was
      used to determine distribution differences between the video analysis results and
      the survey. RESULTS: The results of the chi-square analysis on the distribution
      of the FSPSurvey in comparison to the FSPVideo were significantly different for
      both the XCRunners (p < .01; Chi-square = 8.77) and the REC Runners (p < .0002;
      Chi-square = 16.70). The cross-country and recreational runners could correctly
      self-identified their foot strike pattern 56.5% and 43.5% of the time,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the clinician
      cannot depend on an experienced runner to correctly self-identify their FSP.
      Clinicians interested in knowing the FSP of a runner should consider performing
      the two-dimensional video analysis described in this paper. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 27274423
TI  - INFLUENCE OF INJURY ON DYNAMIC POSTURAL CONTROL IN RUNNERS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Injury has been linked with altered postural control in active
      populations. The association between running injury and dynamic postural control
      has not been examined. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to
      examine dynamic postural control in injured and uninjured runners using the Star
      Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), Time to Stabilization (TTS) of ground reaction
      forces following a single-leg landing, and postural stability indices reflecting
      the fluctuations in GRFs during single-leg landing and stabilization tasks
      (forward and lateral hop). It was hypothesized that dynamic postural control
      differences would exist between runners with a history of injury that interrupted
      training for >=7 days (INJ) when compared to runners without injury (CON).
      DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Twenty-two INJ (14 F, 8 M; 23.7 +/- 2.1 y;
      22.3 +/- 2.8 kg/m2; 29.5 +/- 16.3 mi/wk) currently running > 50% pre-injury
      mileage without pain were compared with twenty-two matched CON (14F, 8M; 22.7 +/-
      1.2 y; 22.7 +/- 2.7 kg/m2; 31.2 +/- 19.6 mi/wk). INJ group was stratified by site
      of injury into two groups (Hip/Thigh/Knee and Lower Leg/Ankle/Foot) for secondary
      analysis. Leg length-normalized anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial reach
      distances on the SEBT, medial/lateral and anterior/posterior ground reaction
      force TTS, directional postural stability indices, and a composite dynamic
      postural stability index (DPSI), were assessed using mixed model ANOVA
      (alpha=0.05) and effect sizes (d). RESULTS: No group X direction interaction or
      group differences were observed for the SEBT (p=0.51, 0.71) or TTS (p=0.83, 0.72)
      measures. A group X direction interaction was found for postural stability
      indices during the forward landing task (p<0.01). Both Hip/Thigh/Knee and Lower
      leg/Ankle/Foot INJ groups demonstrated a greater vertical postural stability
      index (VPSI) (p=0.01 for both, d=0.80, 0.95) and DPSI (p=0.01, 0.02, d=0.75,
      0.93) when compared to CON suggesting impaired balance control. A group X
      direction interaction was also found for postural stability indices during the
      lateral landing task (p=0.03). Only the Hip/Thigh/Knee INJ runners displayed a
      greater VPSI (p=0.01, d=0.91) and DPSI (p=0.017, d=0.89) when compared to CON.
      CONCLUSIONS: When compared to CON, INJ runners demonstrated impaired dynamic
      control of vertical forces when performing the single leg landing and
      stabilization tasks. Clinicians should consider addressing dynamic control of
      vertical loads through functional tasks during the rehabilitation of running
      injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

PMID- 27274422
TI  - REPRODUCIBILITY OF THE MODIFIED STAR EXCURSION BALANCE TEST COMPOSITE AND
      SPECIFIC REACH DIRECTION SCORES.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mSEBT is a screening tool used to evaluate dynamic balance. Most
      research investigating measurement properties focused on intrarater reliability
      and was done in small samples. To know whether the mSEBT is useful to
      discriminate dynamic balance between persons and to evaluate changes in dynamic
      balance, more research into intra- and interrater reliability and smallest
      detectable change (synonymous with minimal detectable change) is needed. PURPOSE:
      To estimate intra- and interrater reliability and smallest detectable change of
      the mSEBT in adults at risk for ankle sprain. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, test
      retest design. METHODS: Fifty-five healthy young adults participating in sports
      at risk for ankle sprain participated (mean +/- SD age, 24.0 +/- 2.9 years). Each
      participant performed three test sessions within one hour and was rated by two
      physical therapists (session 1, rater 1; session 2, rater 2; session 3, rater 1).
      Participants and raters were blinded for previous measurements. Normalized
      composite and reach direction scores for the right and left leg were collected.
      Analysis of variance was used to calculate intraclass correlation coefficient
      values for intra- and interrater reliability. Smallest detectable change values
      were calculated based on the standard error of measurement. RESULTS: Intra- and
      interrater reliability for both legs was good to excellent (intraclass
      correlation coefficient ranging from 0.87 to 0.94). The intrarater smallest
      detectable change for the composite score of the right leg was 7.2% and for the
      left 6.2%. The interrater smallest detectable change for the composite score of
      the right leg was 6.9% and for the left 5.0%. CONCLUSION: The mSEBT is a reliable
      measurement instrument to discriminate dynamic balance between persons. Most
      smallest detectable change values of the mSEBT appear to be large. More research
      is needed to investigate if the mSEBT is usable for evaluative purposes. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level 2.

PMID- 27274424
TI  - PRE- AND POST-OPERATIVE SELF-REPORTED FUNCTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN WITH
      AND WITHOUT GENERALIZED JOINT LAXITY UNDERGOING HIP ARTHROSCOPY FOR
      FEMOROACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Generalized joint laxity is more prevalent in women than men and may
      lead to poorer post-operative outcomes in select orthopedic populations. There
      are no studies examining peri-operative function in patients with generalized
      joint laxity (GJL) and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). PURPOSE: The purpose
      of this study was to determine the difference in perceived function and quality
      of life as measured by the Hip Outcome Score ADL subscale (HOS-ADL),
      International Hip Outcomes Tool (iHOT-33) and the Short Form 12-Item Health
      Survey (SF-12) in women with and without GJL prior to and six months after
      undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort Study. METHODS: Peri
      operative data were collected from women with FAI from November 2011-September
      2014. Lax subjects were women with laxity scores >=4/9 on the Beighton and Horan
      Joint Mobility Index; Nonlax subjects were women with laxity scores <4/9.
      Functional outcomes were evaluated using the HOS-ADL, iHOT-33, PCS-12, and the
      MCS-12 pre-operatively and at 6 months post-operatively. Change scores (post
      score - pre-score) were calculated for each outcome measure and compared between
      groups, along with pre-operative and post-operative means, using Mann-Whitney U
      tests. RESULTS: 166 women met the inclusion criteria: Nonlax (n = 131), Lax (n =
      35). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in pre
      operative functional outcomes (all p > .05). Additionally, there were no
      statistically significant differences between groups in post-operative means or
      change scores, respectively, for HOS-ADL (p = .696, .358), iHOT-33 (p = .550,
      .705), PCS-12 (p = .713, .191), and MCS-12 (p = .751, .082). Laxity score was not
      associated with any post-operative functional outcome score or change score (all
      p > .05). CONCLUSION: Women with and without generalized joint laxity do not
      appear to report differences in hip function in the 6-month peri-operative period
      before and after hip arthroscopy for FAI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 27274425
TI  - ANKLE JOINT CONTROL DURING SINGLE-LEGGED BALANCE USING COMMON BALANCE TRAINING
      DEVICES - IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION STRATEGIES.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A lateral ankle sprain is the most prevalent musculoskeletal injury
      in sports. Exercises that aim to improve balance are a standard part of the ankle
      rehabilitation process. In an optimal progression model for ankle rehabilitation
      and prevention of future ankle sprains, it is important to characterize different
      balance exercises based on level of difficulty and sensori-motor training
      stimulus. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate frontal-plane
      ankle kinematics and associated peroneal muscle activity during single-legged
      balance on stable surface (floor) and three commonly used balance devices
      (Airex(r), BOSU(r) Ball and wobble board). DESIGN: Descriptive exploratory
      laboratory study. METHODS: Nineteen healthy subjects performed single-legged
      balance with eyes open on an Airex(r) mat, BOSU(r) Ball, wobble board, and floor
      (reference condition). Ankle kinematics were measured using reflective markers
      and 3-dimensional recordings and expressed as inversion-eversion range of motion
      variability, peak velocity of inversion and number of inversion-eversion
      direction changes. Peroneus longus EMG activity was averaged and normalized to
      maximal activity during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and in addition
      amplitude probability distribution function (APDF) between 90 and 10% was
      calculated as a measure of muscle activation variability. RESULTS: Balancing on
      BOSU(r) Ball and wobble board generally resulted in increased ankle kinematic and
      muscle activity variables, compared to the other surfaces. BOSU(r) Ball was the
      most challenging in terms of inversion-eversion variability while wobble board
      was associated with a higher number of inversion-eversion direction changes. No
      differences in average muscle activation level were found between these two
      surfaces, but the BOSU(r) Ball did show a more variable activation pattern in
      terms of APDF. CONCLUSION: The results showed large kinematic variability among
      different balance training devices and these differences are also reflected in
      muscle activation variability. The two most challenging devices were BOSU(r) Ball
      and Wobble board compared to Airex(r) and floor. This study can serve as guidance
      for clinicians who wish to implement a gradual progression of ankle
      rehabilitation and prevention exercises by taking the related ankle kinematics
      and muscle activity into account. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

PMID- 27274426
TI  - PREDICTING FOOT PROGRESSION ANGLE DURING GAIT USING TWO CLINICAL MEASURES IN
      HEALTHY ADULTS, A PRELIMINARY STUDY.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The foot progression angle (FPA) is related to the transverse plane
      rotation of the lower extremities and associated with many lower extremity
      conditions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine how two commonly
      used clinical measures, tibio-fibular torsion (TF) and hip rotation, can be used
      to predict FPA during gait in healthy adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study
      design. METHODS: Passive hip internal and external rotation ranges of motion and
      TF torsion were measured with a 12-inch goniometer while the FPA (degree of toe
      in/out) was measured with the GAITRite during midstance in sixty participants.
      The data was analyzed using a multiple regression model. RESULTS: Hip ER was not
      significant and was therefore excluded from the final model. The final model
      included passive hip IR and TF torsion (F = 19.64; p < .001; multiple R(2) = .41;
      adjusted R(2) = .39). Simple binary correlations showed that hip IR had a
      moderate negative correlation (r = -.40) with FPA (the greater the hip IR, the
      greater the in-toeing) while TF torsion had a positive correlation (r = .39) with
      FPA (the greater the external TF torsion. the greater the out-toeing).
      CONCLUSIONS: Greater amount of passive hip IR predicts in-toeing while greater TF
      torsion predicts out-toeing of the foot during midstance phase of gait. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level 2.

PMID- 27274428
TI  - PHYSICAL THERAPY INTERVENTION FOR MEDIAL PATELLOFEMORAL LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION
      AFTER REPEATED LATERAL PATELLAR SUBLUXATION/DISLOCATION.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of patellar subluxation or dislocation has been
      documented up to 43/100,000 with females more prevalent then males. There are
      many contributing factors involving the hip, knee, and ankle that lead to
      patellar subluxation. A patellar position of lateral tilt with lateral glide may
      indicate weakness of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and adductors, increased
      tightness in the iliotibial band, and overpowering of the vastus lateralis.
      Patella alta can predispose an individual to lateral dislocation due to the
      patella placement outside of the femoral trochlear groove with a disadvantage of
      boney stability. Other factors that may cause the patella to laterally sublux or
      dislocate during a functional activity or sporting activity include a position of
      femoral external rotation, tibial internal rotation, and excessive contraction of
      the vastus lateralis. The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) aids in the
      prevention of a lateral patellar subluxation or dislocation. In cases where there
      is recurrent subluxation/dislocation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging confirms a
      MPFL tear, a reconstruction may be the treatment of choice. PURPOSE: The purpose
      of this case series is to describe the post-surgical physical therapy management
      of MPFL reconstructions, outcomes using the Modified Cincinnati Knee Outcome
      Measure (MCKOM) and to propose staged physical therapy interventions for this
      pathology in the form of a treatment progression. METHODS: Post-operative
      management data and outcomes were retrospectively collected using a detailed
      chart review methodology from seven subjects who underwent MPFL reconstruction.
      FINDINGS: The Modified Cincinnati Knee Outcome Measure (MCKOM) was analyzed for
      each participant in four sections that were most important to the return and
      maintenance of participation in sport. At follow-up the mean scores for the seven
      subjects in Section 3 (instability) was 19.3/20, Section 4 (overall activity
      level) was 17.3/20, Section 7 (running activity) was 4.5/5, and Section 8
      (jumping and twisting) was 4.3/5. Overall all subjects scored over an 80 which
      indicated excellent results for return to activity/sport. CONCLUSIONS: In this
      case series, seven subjects after MPFL reconstruction returned to sport or
      functional activity following a physical therapy treatment progression including
      proprioceptive-focused, and dynamic rehabilitation, along with a home exercise
      program. Based on these positive results and a review of relevant literature
      regarding MPFL rehabilitation, a rehabilitation progression was presented. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: Level 4- Case Series.

PMID- 27274427
TI  - STRENGTH EXERCISES COMBINED WITH DRY NEEDLING WITH ELECTRICAL STIMULATION IMPROVE
      PAIN AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ROTATOR CUFF TENDINOPATHY: A
      RETROSPECTIVE CASE SERIES.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RTCT) is regularly treated by
      the physical therapist. Multiple etiologies for RTCT exist, leading an individual
      to seek treatment from their provider of choice. Strengthening exercises (SE)
      have been reported to be effective in the treatment of RTCT, but there is limited
      evidence on the effectiveness of dry needing (DN) for this condition. The purpose
      of this retrospective case series was to investigate DN to various non-trigger
      point-based anatomical locations coupled with strengthening exercises (SE) as a
      treatment strategy to decrease pain and increase function in healthy patients
      with chronic RTC pathology. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: Eight patients with RTCT were
      treated 1-2 times per week for up to eight weeks, and no more than sixteen total
      treatment sessions of SE and DN. Outcomes were tested at baseline and upon
      completion of therapy. A long-term outcome measure follow up averaging 8.75
      months (range 3 to 20 months) was also performed. The outcome measures included
      the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Quick Dash (QD). OUTCOMES: Clinically
      meaningful improvements in disability and pain in the short term and upon long
      term follow up were demonstrated for each patient. The mean VAS was broken down
      into best (VAS(B)), current (VAS(C)), and worst (VAS(W)) rated pain levels and
      the mean was calculated for the eight patients. The mean VAS(B) improved from
      22.5 mm at the initial assessment to 2.36 mm upon completion of the intervention
      duration. The mean VASC improved from 28.36 mm to 5.0 mm, and the mean VAS(W)
      improved from 68.88 mm to 13.25 mm. At the long-term follow up (average 8.75
      months), The mean VAS(B), VAS(C), and VAS(W) scores were 0.36 mm, 4.88 mm, and
      17.88 mm respectively. The QD(mean) for the eight patients improved from 43.09 at
      baseline to 16.04 at the completion of treatment. At long-term follow-up, the
      QD(mean) was 6.59. CONCLUSION: Clinically meaningful improvements in pain and
      disability were noted with the intervention protocol. All subjects responded
      positively to the intervention and reported quality of life was improved for each
      subject. The results of this case series show promising outcomes for the
      combination of SE and DN in the treatment of chronic RTCT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Level 4.

PMID- 27274429
TI  - A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THE REHABILITATION OF A COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL
      PLAYER FOLLOWING ANKLE FRACTURE: A CASE REPORT.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multiple rehabilitation factors including overall
      wellness need to be considered when an athlete returns to sport after an injury.
      The purpose of this case report is to describe a multidisciplinary approach for
      return to sport of a Division I collegiate football player following a traumatic
      ankle fracture requiring surgical repair. The assessment and treatment approach
      included the use of a performance-based physical therapy outcome measure, self
      reported functional abilities, body composition assessments, and nutritional
      counseling. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 21 year-old running back fractured his lateral
      malleolus due to a mechanism of injury of excessive eversion with external
      rotation of the ankle. Surgical intervention included an open reduction internal
      fixation (ORIF) of the fibula and syndesmosis. In addition to six months of
      rehabilitation, the patient received consultations from the team sports
      nutritionist specialist to provide dietary counseling and body composition
      testing. The Comprehensive High-level Activity Mobility Predictor-Sport (CHAMP
      S), a performance-based outcome measure, self-report on the Foot and Ankle
      Disability Index (FADI-ADL, FADI-S), and body composition testing using whole
      body densitometry (BOD POD(r)), were administered throughout rehabilitation.
      OUTCOMES: The subject was successfully rehabilitated, returned to his starting
      role, and subsequently was drafted by a National Football League (NFL) franchise.
      High-level mobility returned to above pre-injury values, achieving 105% of his
      preseason CHAMP-S score at discharge. Self-reported function on the FADI-ADL and
      FADI-Sport improved to 100% at discharge. Body fat percentages decreased (13.3%
      to 11.9%) and fat mass decreased (12.0 kg to 11.0kg). Lean body mass (78.1 kg to
      81.5 kg) and lbm/in increased (1.14 kg/in to 1.19 kg/in). His BMI changed from
      29.8 kg/m(2) to 30.6 kg/m(2). DISCUSSION: This case report illustrates the
      positive effects of a multidisciplinary approach where combining physical therapy
      and nutritional counseling demonstrated value with return to sport preparation
      and success following ankle fracture. A targeted physical therapy program
      combined with a personalized nutrition intervention based on body composition
      assessment assisted this athlete in avoiding deconditioning (atrophy, decreased
      aerobic capacities, and increases in body fat) often observed during
      postoperative care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

PMID- 27274430
TI  - TIBIOFEMORAL JOINT MOBILIZATION IN THE SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF PATELLOFEMORAL
      PAIN SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common source of
      anterior knee pain. Controversy exists over the exact clinical findings which
      define PFPS, thus, diagnosis and management can be challenging for clinicians.
      There is paucity in the literature concerning joint mobilization as treatment for
      PFPS, particularly at the tibiofemoral joint, as standard management is currently
      focused on therapeutic exercise, orthotics, bracing and taping. Therefore, the
      purpose of this case report is to describe the effects of tibiofemoral joint
      mobilization in the successful treatment of an individual with chronic PFPS as it
      relates to pain, function and central processing of pain. STUDY DESIGN: Case
      Report. CASE DESCRIPTION: The subject was a 28-year-old female with a two year
      history of left anterior, inferior patellar knee pain consistent with chronic
      PFPS. She demonstrated diminished pressure pain threshold (PPT) and allodynia at
      the anterior knee, suggesting a component of central sensitization to her pain.
      She met several common diagnostic criteria for PFPS, however, only tibiofemoral
      anterior-posterior joint mobilization increased her pain. Subsequent treatment
      sessions (Visits 1-6) consisted of solely joint mobilization supplemented by
      instruction in a home exercise program (therapeutic exercise and balance
      training). As outcomes improved, treatment sessions (Visits 7-8) consisted of
      solely therapeutic exercise and balance training with focus on return to
      independent pain free functional activity. OUTCOMES: Improvements consistent with
      the minimally clinically important difference were noted on the Kujala Anterior
      Knee Pain Scale, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Global Rating of Change (GROC).
      Scores on the Fear Avoidance-Belief Questionnaire (6/24 to 2/24 PA, 31/42 to 5/42
      W), PPT (119 to 386 kPa) and Step Down Test (11 to 40 steps) also demonstrated
      improvement. At a two month follow up, the subject reported continued improvement
      in functional activity, 0/10 pain and GROC = +5. DISCUSSION: This case describes
      the successful use of tibiofemoral joint mobilization in a subject with chronic
      PFPS and supports the use of joint mobilization as management in PFPS,
      particularly in cases where a centrally mediated component of pain may be
      present. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, Level 5.

PMID- 27274432
TI  - PHYSICAL THERAPY MANAGEMENT OF ICE HOCKEY ATHLETES: FROM THE RINK TO THE CLINIC
      AND BACK.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing number of athletes playing hockey compels
      rehabilitation professionals working in orthopedic and sports settings to
      understand the unique functional demands of ice hockey and the patterns of
      injuries they may promote. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical perspective is
      to: (1) discuss the functional implications of different positions and age levels
      on injury prevalence within the sport; (2) summarize the seven most common
      injuries sustained by ice hockey athletes; and (3) present a conceptual model for
      the clinical management and prevention of these injuries by rehabilitation
      professionals. METHODS: A narrative review and synthesis was conducted of
      currently available literature on prevalence, etiology, rehabilitative
      intervention, prognosis, and prevention of ice hockey injuries. RESULTS: Research
      evidence is available to support the prevalence of injuries sustained while
      participating in ice hockey, as well as the most effective clinical treatment
      protocols to treat them. Most of the existing protocols are based on clinical and
      sports experience with incorporation of scientific data. CONCLUSION: This
      clinical commentary reviews the current concepts of ice hockey injury care and
      prevention, based on scientific information regarding the incidence, mechanism,
      rehabilitation protocols, prognosis, and prevention of injuries. Science-based,
      patient-centered reasoning is integral to provide the highest quality of
      rehabilitative and preventative care for ice hockey athletes by physical
      therapists. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

PMID- 27274433
TI  - CORRIGENDUM.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 868 in vol. 10, PMID: 15976421.].

PMID- 27274431
TI  - PARTIAL ARTICULAR SUPRASPINATUS TENDON AVULSION (PASTA) LESION. CURRENT CONCEPTS
      IN REHABILITATION.
AB  - Rotator cuff pathology can contribute to shoulder pain and may affect the
      performance of sport activities, work, and activities of daily living. The
      partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesion represents a very
      common type of rotator cuff pathology seen in rehabilitation. When conservative
      treatment fails, surgery is generally required. Success of recovery depends on
      several factors, including: repair techniques, healing process related to timing,
      rehabilitation programs, and patient compliance with home exercises. To date,
      most treatment modalities and rehabilitation programs are based on clinical
      experience rather than scientific evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this
      clinical commentary is to provide an overview on the PASTA lesion, discuss the
      common treatment approaches adopted to date and to propose a rehabilitation
      program based on the available scientific evidence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

PMID- 27274434
TI  - Analysis of the Molecular Mechanisms of Reepithelialization in Drosophila
      Embryos.
AB  - Significance: The epidermis provides the main barrier function of skin, and
      therefore its repair following wounding is an essential component of wound
      healing. Repair of the epidermis, also known as reepithelialization, occurs by
      collective migration of epithelial cells from around the wound edge across the
      wound until the advancing edges meet and fuse. Therapeutic manipulation of this
      process could potentially be used to accelerate wound healing. Recent Advances:
      It is difficult to analyze the cellular and molecular mechanisms of
      reepithelialization in human tissue, so a variety of model organisms have been
      used to improve our understanding of the process. One model system that has been
      especially useful is the embryo of the fruit fly Drosophila, which provides a
      simple, accessible model of the epidermis and can be manipulated genetically,
      allowing detailed analysis of reepithelialization at the molecular level. This
      review will highlight the key insights that have been gained from studying
      reepithelialization in Drosophila embryos. Critical Issues: Slow
      reepithelialization increases the risk of wounds becoming infected and ulcerous;
      therefore, the development of therapies to accelerate or enhance the process
      would be a great clinical advance. Improving our understanding of the molecular
      mechanisms that underlie reepithelialization will help in the development of such
      therapies. Future Directions: Research in Drosophila embryos has identified a
      variety of genes and proteins involved in triggering and driving
      reepithelialization, many of which are conserved in humans. These novel
      reepithelialization proteins are potential therapeutic targets and therefore
      findings obtained in Drosophila may ultimately lead to significant clinical
      advances.

PMID- 27274435
TI  - Drosophila Imaginal Discs as a Model of Epithelial Wound Repair and Regeneration.
AB  - Significance: The Drosophila larval imaginal discs, which form the adult fly
      during metamorphosis, are an established model system for the study of epithelial
      tissue damage. The disc proper is a simple columnar epithelium, but it contains
      complex patterning and cell-fate specification, and is genetically tractable.
      These features enable unbiased genetic screens to identify genes involved in all
      aspects of the wound response, from sensing damage to wound closure, initiation
      of regeneration, and re-establishment of proper cell fates. Identification of the
      genes that facilitate epithelial wound closure and regeneration will enable
      development of more sophisticated wound treatments for clinical use. Recent
      Advances: Imaginal disc epithelia can be damaged in many different ways,
      including fragmentation, induction of cell death, and irradiation. Recent work
      has demonstrated that the tissue's response to damage varies depending on how the
      wound was induced. Here, we summarize the different responses activated in these
      epithelial tissues after the different types of damage. Critical Issues: These
      studies highlight that not all wounds elicit the same response from the
      surrounding tissue. A complete understanding of the various wound-healing
      mechanisms in Drosophila will be a first step in understanding how to manage
      damaged human tissues and optimize healing in different clinical contexts. Future
      Directions: Further work is necessary to understand the similarities and
      differences among an epithelial tissue's responses to different insults. Ongoing
      studies will identify the genes and pathways employed by injured imaginal discs.
      Thus, work in this genetically tractable system complements work in more
      conventional wound-healing models.

PMID- 27274436
TI  - Drosophila Embryos as a Model for Wound-Induced Transcriptional Dynamics: Genetic
      Strategies to Achieve a Localized Wound Response.
AB  - While many studies have established a paradigm for tissue repair at the level of
      cellular remodeling, it is not clear how an organism restricts a response only to
      the injured region of a damaged tissue. Skin, the largest organ in the human
      body, is prone to injury, and repair of epidermal tissue represents a medically
      relevant system to investigate. Significance: Studies in Drosophila melanogaster
      provide a robust genetic system to identify molecular components that will
      positively impact repair and healing. The Drosophila skin consists of a single
      cell epidermal layer and relies on well-conserved cellular mechanisms to
      coordinate gene expression during development. Many studies have established that
      key developmental genes promote a response to epidermal injury, but the balance
      between activator and inhibitor signals to coordinate a localized response
      remains unknown. Recent Advances: Discovery of a genetic pathway that promotes
      the restriction of transcriptional response to damage only in effected regions.
      Interestingly, genome-wide microarray studies have identified an intersection
      between gene expression after aseptic injury and activation of the innate immune
      response. Critical Issues: The use of a transcriptional activation reporter
      provides an innovative approach to uncover well-conserved components that promote
      the localization of a response during epidermal injury and may influence other
      pathological conditions of tissue damage. Future Directions: The work reviewed in
      this critical review may lead to development of molecular strategies of repair
      and improved healing after injury or infection. The outcomes on the fundamental
      contribution of a transcriptional response to injury will be translatable to
      mammalian systems.

PMID- 27274437
TI  - Wound-Induced Polyploidy Is Required for Tissue Repair.
AB  - Significance: All organs suffer wounds to some extent during an animal's lifetime
      and to compensate for cell loss, tissues often rely on cell division. However,
      many organs are made up of differentiated cells with only a limited capacity to
      divide. It is not well understood how cells are replaced in the absence of cell
      division. Recent Advances: Recent studies in the model organism Drosophila
      melanogaster have proven that wound-induced polyploidy (WIP) is an essential
      mechanism to replace tissue mass and restore tissue integrity in the absence of
      cell division. In this repair mechanism, preexisting differentiated cells
      increase their DNA content and cell size by becoming polyploid. Critical Issues:
      Cells within mammalian organs such as the liver, heart, and cornea have also been
      observed to increase their DNA ploidy in response to injury, suggesting that WIP
      may be an evolutionarily conserved mechanism to compensate for cell loss. Future
      Directions: The Hippo signal transduction pathway is required for differentiated
      cells to initiate WIP in Drosophila. Continued studies in Drosophila will help to
      identify other signaling pathways required for WIP as well as the conserved
      mechanisms that polyploid cells may play during wound repair in all organisms.

PMID- 27274438
TI  - Orotate phosphoribosyltransferase is overexpressed in malignant pleural
      mesothelioma: Dramatically responds one case in high OPRT expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive,
      treatment-resistant cancer. Pemetrexed, an inhibitor of thymidylate synthase
      (TS), is used worldwide for MPM as a first-line chemotherapy regimen. However,
      there is little consensus for a second-line chemotherapy. S-1, a highly effective
      dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD)-inhibitory fluoropyrimidine, mainly acts
      via a TS inhibitory mechanism similar to pemetrexed. Orotate
      phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT) is a key enzyme related to the first step
      activation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for inhibiting RNA synthesis. We investigated
      5-FU related-metabolism proteins, especially focusing on OPRT expression, in MPM
      Methods and Patients: Fifteen MPM patients who were diagnosed between July 2004
      and December 2013 were enrolled. We examined the protein levels of 5-FU
      metabolism-related enzymes (TS, DPD, OPRT, and thymidine phosphorylase [TP]) in
      14 cases RESULTS: High TS, DPD, OPRT, and TP expressions were seen in 28.6%,
      71.4%, 85.7%, and 35.7% of patients, respectively. We found that OPRT expression
      was extremely high in MPM tissue. We experienced one remarkable case of highly
      effective S-1 combined therapy for pemetrexed refractory MPM. This case also
      showed high OPRT protein expression Conclusion: The present study suggests that
      OPRT expression is high in MPM tumors. Although pemetrexed is mainly used for MPM
      chemotherapy as a TS inhibitor, S-1 has potential as an anticancer drug not only
      as a TS inhibitor but also inhibiting RNA synthesis through the OPRT pathway.
      This is the first report investigating OPRT protein expressions in MPM.

PMID- 27274439
TI  - Davis flap: the glory still present.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Upper third defects of the ear are too large to be closed primarily
      without distorting the auricle. Full thickness defects can be reconstructed with
      local flaps. In this article, Davis flap was used to fill the upper third defects
      of the ear with some modifications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients
      underwent reconstruction of full thickness auricular defects with Davis flaps
      from July 2012 to December 2014. The posterior surface of the flap and the raw
      area of conchal area were covered by full thickness graft taken from posterior
      surface of ear. RESULTS: All flaps survived. No congestion was noted. The donor
      sites and skin grafts healed uneventfully. CONCLUSION: Davis flap is a simple and
      reproducible tool for reconstruction of upper third of ear.

PMID- 27274440
TI  - Accuracy of computer-assisted implant placement with insertion templates.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of computer
      assisted implant insertion based on computed tomography and template-guided
      implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 246 implants were placed with
      the aid of 3D-based transfer templates in 181 consecutive partially edentulous
      patients. Five groups were formed on the basis of different implant systems,
      surgical protocols and guide sleeves. After virtual implant planning with the
      CoDiagnostiX Software, surgical guides were fabricated in a dental laboratory.
      After implant insertion, the actual implant position was registered
      intraoperatively and transferred to a model cast. Deviations between the
      preoperative plan and postoperative implant position were measured in a follow-up
      computed tomography of the patient's model casts and image fusion with the
      preoperative computed tomography. RESULTS: The median deviation between
      preoperative plan and postoperative implant position was 1.0 mm at the implant
      shoulder and 1.4 mm at the implant apex. The median angular deviation was 3.6o.
      There were significantly smaller angular deviations (P=0.000) and significantly
      lower deviations at the apex (P=0.008) in implants placed for a single-tooth
      restoration than in those placed at a free-end dental arch. The location of the
      implant, whether in the upper or lower jaw, did not significantly affect
      deviations. Increasing implant length had a significant negative influence on
      deviations from the planned implant position. There was only one significant
      difference between two out of the five implant systems used. CONCLUSION: The data
      of this clinical study demonstrate the accuracy and predictable implant placement
      when using laboratory-fabricated surgical guides based on computed tomography.

PMID- 27274441
TI  - Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria - analysis of the data obtained
      through a mandatory reporting system in the Rhine-Main region, Germany, 2012
      2015.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MRGN) and the infections
      they cause are a serious threat and a challenge to the healthcare system. This
      particularly applies to carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGN).
      Currently, the introduction of a nationwide mandatory notification system for
      CRGN in Germany is under consideration. Against this background, this paper
      presents an analysis of the mandatory reporting system for CRGN in effect since
      November 2011 in the federal state of Hesse (Germany). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All
      carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and the detected carbapenemases
      reported to the public health department of the city of Frankfurt am Main, Hesse,
      Germany, on the basis of the mandatory notification system were analyzed.
      RESULTS: 827 CRGN cases were reported to the public health department of
      Frankfurt/Main between April 2012 and December 2015. The following bacterial
      species were reported: Pseudomonas spp. (n=268), Acinetobacter spp. (n=183),
      Klebsiella spp. (n=195), Enterobacter spp. (n=77), Escherichia coli (n=75) and
      others (n=29). Between 2012 and 2015, a reduction of the CRGN reports was
      noticed, mainly due to changes in the reporting of Pseudomonas spp. Between 2012
      and 2015, the total number of notifications decreased slightly, although the
      number of reported CRGN in screening samples increased, thus giving no indication
      of a decreased testing frequency. For 10.5% of the patients, the place of
      residence was not Germany, 18.0% of the patients had previously stayed in
      hospitals abroad, often in countries with a high CRGN prevalence. CRGN bacteria
      were reported from all of Frankfurt's hospitals, and 3.9% were reported from out
      patient care facilities. Carbapenemases were detected and reported in 251 CRGN
      bacteria, including 73 OXA-48, 76 OXA-23, 56 NDM subtypes, and 21 KPC subtypes.
      There have been no major epidemiological signs of outbreak scenarios. DISCUSSION:
      CRGN bacteria are already widespread in patients from hospitals and out-patient
      care facilities. Clearly, infection control measurements should therefore not
      only include hospital patients but also those receiving out-patient care.
      Screening strategies focused on patients from foreign countries with high MRGN
      prevalence is not sufficient, as only 10.5% of MRGN patients resided in those
      countries, and only 18% of the patients had been previously treated in a foreign
      hospital. In a public health context, infection control measures should therefore
      encompass broader screening strategies.

PMID- 27274443
TI  - Impact of new water systems on healthcare-associated colonization or infection
      with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to study the impact of new water systems, which were less
      contaminated with P. aeruginosa, on the incidence of healthcare-associated P.
      aeruginosa cases (colonizations or infections) in care units that moved to a
      different building between 2005 and 2014. METHODS: Generalized Estimated
      Equations were used to compare the incidence of P. aeruginosa healthcare
      associated cases according to the building. RESULTS: Twenty-nine units moved
      during the study period and 2,759 cases occurred in these units. No difference
      was observed when the new building was compared with older buildings overall.
      CONCLUSION: Our results did not support our hypothesis of a positive association
      between water system contamination and the incidence of healthcare-associated P.
      aeruginosa cases. These results must be confirmed by linking results of water
      samples and patients' data.

PMID- 27274444
TI  - An All-Inside Repair for Full Radial Posterior Lateral Meniscus Tears.
AB  - There is controversy about the treatment for unstable full radial posterior
      lateral meniscus tears, particularly that involving the posterior root. Some
      surgeons have advocated repairing these types of meniscus tears using various
      techniques, but their methods are somewhat technical. We developed the technique
      for an all-inside repair for full radial posterior lateral meniscus tears using
      the Meniscal Viper (Arthrex, Naples, FL). A doubled thread is passed through 1
      edge of the radial tear by the Meniscal Viper and is kept in place without tying
      the knot. The Meniscal Viper is used again to set a new thread, repeating the
      same procedure to another edge of the tear. At this step, 2 doubled threads are
      passed through each stump of the tear, and both a loop end and 2 free ends of
      each thread are located outside of the joint. Then, 2 doubled threads pass the
      third thread into its own loop, pulling it out. Finally, the third thread becomes
      the mattress suture over the radial tear site and is fastened by sliding knot
      techniques. This procedure makes it easy to strictly, smoothly, and less
      invasively shorten the gap by drawing each stump of the meniscus in the direction
      of the circumference. 

PMID- 27274445
TI  - Minimally Invasive Anterior Semitendinosus Harvest: A Technique to Decrease
      Saphenous Nerve Injury.
AB  - Hamstring tendon harvest, especially semitendinosus harvest, has been widely used
      in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for many years. However, donor site
      morbidity has been described regarding the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous
      nerve. Minimally invasive anterior semitendinosus harvest is a simple, safe,
      reproducible, and elegant technique. A 2-cm vertical incision above the pes
      anserinus is performed 2 cm medial to the tibial anterior tubercle. The fascia
      superficialis is opened with a horizontal incision, and the gracilis is isolated
      using a retractor. The semitendinosus is grabbed with a probe, and the vincula
      are hooked one by one. The tendon is harvested with a closed stripper. The
      expansions are cut, and the tendon is detached from the bone with part of the
      periosteum. 

PMID- 27274442
TI  - Surveillance of bloodstream infections in pediatric cancer centers - what have we
      learned and how do we move on?
AB  - Pediatric patients receiving conventional chemotherapy for malignant disease face
      an increased risk of bloodstream infection (BSI). Since BSI may represent an
      acute life-threatening event in patients with profound immunosuppression, and
      show further negative impact on quality of life and anticancer treatment, the
      prevention of BSI is of paramount importance to improve and guarantee patients'
      safety during intensive treatment. The great majority of all pediatric cancer
      patients (about 85%) have a long-term central venous access catheter in use (type
      Broviac or Port; CVAD). Referring to the current surveillance definitions a
      significant proportion of all BSI in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia
      is categorized as CVAD-associated BSI. This state of the art review summarizes
      the epidemiology and the distinct pathogen profile of BSI in pediatric cancer
      patients from the perspective of infection surveillance. Problems in executing
      the current surveillance definition in this patient population are discussed and
      a new concept for the surveillance of BSI in pediatric cancer patients is
      outlined. 

PMID- 27274446
TI  - All-Arthroscopic Ligamentum Teres Reconstruction With Graft Fixation at the
      Femoral Head-Neck Junction.
AB  - Ligamentum teres (LT) tears are increasingly being recognized as a source of pain
      and dysfunction in the hip. Although debridement for partial tears of the LT has
      long been established as the standard of care with good pain relief,
      reconstruction has been successfully performed in select patients to address
      concerns of persistent symptomatic instability. The current technique for femoral
      tunnel preparation carries the added morbidity of open dissection in the
      peritrochanteric space, an unnecessarily long tunnel with excessive bone removal,
      and a need for a very long graft due to distal fixation at the lateral femoral
      cortex. To address these shortcomings, we present a technique for arthroscopic
      femoral tunnel drilling at the level of the head-neck junction, allowing for an
      all-arthroscopic LT reconstruction. 

PMID- 27274447
TI  - Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Treatment of Articular
      Cartilage Defects of the Knee.
AB  - Articular cartilage damage of the knee can cause severe morbidity. Owing to its
      avascular nature, articular cartilage has limited potential for self-healing and
      increased propensity to progress to osteoarthritis. Treatment of large, full
      thickness cartilage defects is still a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons but has
      recently achieved high success rates with the use of osteochondral allografts.
      This article details our technique of osteochondral allograft transplantation for
      the treatment of articular cartilage defects of the knee. 

PMID- 27274448
TI  - Inside-Out Meniscal Repair: Medial and Lateral Approach.
AB  - Preservation of meniscal tissue has been proven to be the best approach in most
      cases of meniscal tears. Currently available techniques for treating a peripheral
      meniscal tear include inside-out, outside-in, and all-inside techniques. Each of
      these techniques present potential advantages and disadvantages. Despite
      technologic advances in all-inside devices, because of implant-related
      complications, cost concerns, and device availability, the inside-out technique
      is still the preferred method among many surgeons. Although the inside-out repair
      technique is considered more technically demanding and requires additional
      incisions, it has several advantages such as the possibility for an increased
      number of sutures, creating a stronger construct, and greater versatility in
      their placement. This article describes the inside-out meniscal repair technique
      with its corresponding posterolateral and posteromedial surgical approaches. 

PMID- 27274449
TI  - Patellofemoral Joint Reconstruction for Patellar Instability: Medial
      Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction, Trochleoplasty, and Tibial Tubercle
      Osteotomy.
AB  - Recurrent patellar instability can be very debilitating and may require surgical
      intervention. A thorough workup must be completed in this subset of patients.
      Risk factors for recurrent instability include patella alta, trochlear dysplasia,
      an increased tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance, and insufficiencies in
      the medial retinacular structures. Necessary treatment of these risk factors,
      once identified, should be addressed surgically. Patellofemoral reconstruction
      must be individually tailored to each patient's anatomy and may necessitate
      medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, tibial tubercle osteotomy, or
      trochleoplasty in any combination or as a standalone procedure. This article
      details our technique for surgical treatment of recurrent patellar instability
      with a medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, an open trochleoplasty, and
      a tibial tubercle osteotomy for patients with severe trochlear dysplasia, an
      increased tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance, or patella alta. 

PMID- 27274450
TI  - The Combined "Double-Pulley" Simple Knot Technique for Arthroscopic Transtendon
      Fixation of Partial Articular-Sided Tear of the Subscapularis Tendon.
AB  - Subscapularis tendon tears occur more frequently than previously suspected. Most
      subscapularis tendon tears are partial tears that have the potential to progress
      to complete tears. Repairs of partial tears of the tendon are performed to
      preserve normal shoulder function. This report describes a combined transtendon
      double-pulley and simple knot technique for repair of partial articular tears of
      the subscapularis tendon. This technique incorporates the advantages of
      transtendon repair, the double-pulley technique, and simple knot fixation. 

PMID- 27274451
TI  - Surgical Dissection of the Anterolateral Ligament.
AB  - Recent investigations into the structure and function of the anterolateral
      ligament (ALL) have resulted in renewed interest in the role of the lateral extra
      articular structures in rotational control of the knee. With increased focus on
      the ALL, debate about the anatomic characteristics, the functional role in knee
      stability, and even the existence of this lateral structure has ensued. This
      article describes our dissection method for the ALL. Through careful dissection
      and precise elevation of the iliotibial band, the ALL can be clearly identified
      as a distinct structure with an attachment near the lateral epicondyle on the
      femur and an insertion in a fan-like fashion onto the tibia, between the Gerdy
      tubercle and the fibular head. This investigation provides the surgeon with
      anatomic landmarks to use during surgical reconstruction of the ALL. 

PMID- 27274452
TI  - Two-Stage Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Bone Grafting
      Technique Using an Allograft Bone Matrix.
AB  - Outcomes of primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have been
      reported to be far superior to those of revision reconstruction. However, as the
      incidence of ACL reconstruction is rapidly increasing, so is the number of
      failures. The subsequent need for revision ACL reconstruction is estimated to
      occur in up to 13,000 patients each year in the United States. Revision ACL
      reconstruction can be performed in one or two stages. A two-stage approach is
      recommended in cases of improper placement of the original tunnels or in cases of
      unacceptable tunnel enlargement. The aim of this study was to describe the
      technique for allograft ACL tunnel bone grafting in patients requiring a two
      stage revision ACL reconstruction. 

PMID- 27274453
TI  - The Role of Complete Suprapatellar Plicae.
AB  - Shelf syndrome mainly affects younger people, often athletes. Cases of complete
      suprapatellar plica syndrome are rare. Arthroscopic inspection is necessary to
      diagnose complete suprapatellar plicae. The patients' symptoms improve after
      removal of the plicae. Our technique is an easy, completely arthroscopic
      procedure that has yielded good clinical outcomes in patients who have complete
      suprapatellar plicae. Although cases of complete suprapatellar plica syndrome are
      rare, it should be considered in patients with moderate knee pain. 

PMID- 27274454
TI  - Arthroscopic Conjoint Tendon Transfer: A Technique for Revision Anterior Shoulder
      Stabilization.
AB  - Revision anterior stabilization of the shoulder presents a challenge to the
      surgeon and carries a higher risk of recurrent dislocation than primary repair.
      The Latarjet procedure may be more reliable than revision soft-tissue repair but
      may not be indicated in patients without significant glenoid bone loss. We
      describe an arthroscopic technique of conjoint tendon transfer using a
      combination of suspensory and interference screw fixation for patients without
      significant glenoid bone loss (<15%). The arthroscopic approach to this procedure
      allows intra-articular visualization to assist in mobilization of the conjoint
      tendon, accurate bone tunnel placement, and subsequent labral repair. It avoids
      the additional steps of bone block preparation and the larger portals required
      for arthroscopic Latarjet techniques, in addition to eliminating potential
      complications due to coracoid bone block resorption. 

PMID- 27274455
TI  - Anatomic Reconstruction of the Proximal Tibiofibular Joint.
AB  - Proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) instability can be easily missed or confused
      for other, more common lateral knee pathologies such as meniscal tears, fibular
      collateral ligament injury, biceps femoris pathology, or iliotibial band
      syndrome. Because of this confusion, some authors believe that PTFJ instability
      is more common than initially appreciated. Patients with PTFJ subluxation may
      have no history of inciting trauma or injury, and it is not uncommon for these
      patients to have bilateral symptoms and generalized ligamentous laxity.
      Currently, the optimal surgical treatment for patients with chronic PTFJ
      instability is unknown. Historically, a variety of surgical treatments have been
      reported. Initially, joint arthrodesis and fibular head resection were
      recommended. More recently, temporary screw fixation, nonanatomic reconstruction
      with strips of the biceps femoris tendon or iliotibial band, and reconstruction
      with free hamstring autograft have been described. The purpose of this report is
      to present our surgical technique for treatment of chronic PTFJ instability using
      an anatomic reconstruction of the posterior ligamentous structures of the PTFJ
      with a semitendinosus autograft. 

PMID- 27274456
TI  - Minimally Invasive Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction in the Setting of
      Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.
AB  - Recent evidence on the anatomy, function, and biomechanical properties of the
      anterolateral ligament has led to the recognition of the importance of this
      structure in the rotational control of the knee. This article describes a
      technique that allows for minimally invasive anterolateral ligament
      reconstruction as a complement to most techniques of anterior cruciate ligament
      reconstruction. A gracilis tendon autograft is harvested and prepared in a double
      strand, inverted V-shaped graft. The graft is percutaneously placed through a
      femoral stab incision, and each strand is then passed deep to the iliotibial
      band, emerging through each tibial stab incision. After the femoral-end loop
      graft is fixed, the tibial fixation of each strand is performed in full extension
      for optimal isometry. 

PMID- 27274457
TI  - Detection of phosphorylated Akt and MAPK in cell culture assays.
AB  - This article describes an immunocytochemistry (ICC) method for staining against
      phosphorylated forms of the kinases Akt (pAkt) and MAPK (pMAPK). Phosphorylation
      is induced upon their activation by a number stimuli including insulin and brain
      derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and is prerequisite for a number of cellular
      processes including cell proliferation and survival [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6].
      ICC using antibodies raised against specific phosphorylation sites allows cell
      type specific and subcellular monitoring of kinase activation. Here, we test how
      four different antibodies against pAkt and pMAPK, respectively perform in
      different cell types following insulin or BDNF stimulation using different
      protocol conditions. We find that phospho-specific-antibodies generally perform
      better when using Triton X-100 as a permeabilization agent compared to Saponin.
      In addition, two antibodies against pAkt and two against pMAPK gave a clear
      increase in signal in cells stimulated with insulin or BDNF compared to the
      signal obtained in unstimulated cells. These antibodies also performed well when
      tested with western blotting. Our results illustrate that both the choice of
      antibody as well as protocol details are critical parameters for successful
      detection of phosphorylated forms of kinases by ICC. This article includes: *A
      protocol for subcellular detection of phosphorylated Akt and MAPK.*Validation of
      8 antibodies by immunocytochemistry.*Confirmation by western blotting. 

PMID- 27274458
TI  - Scrap tyre recycling process with molten zinc as direct heat transfer and solids
      separation fluid: A new reactor concept.
AB  - Every year about 1.5 billion tyres are discarded worldwide representing a large
      amount of solid waste, but also a largely untapped source of raw materials. The
      objective of the method was to prove the concept of a novel scrap tyre recycling
      process which uses molten zinc as the direct heat transfer fluid and,
      simultaneously, uses this media to separate the solids products (i.e. steel and
      rCB) in a sink-float separation at an operating temperature of 450-470  degrees
      C. This methodology involved: *construction of the laboratory scale batch
      reactor,*separation of floating rCB from the zinc,*recovery of the steel from the
      bottom of the reactor following pyrolysis. 

PMID- 27274459
TI  - A review of the effect of swim training and nutrition on bone mineral density in
      female athletes.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present paper reviews the physiological adaptation to swim training
      and dietary supplementation relating to bone mineral density (BMD) in female
      swimmers. Swim training still seems to have conflicting effects on bone health
      maintenance in athletes. METHODS: This review article focuses on swim training
      combined with dietary supplementation with respect to BMD in female athletes.
      RESULTS: Upon review of previous studies, it became obvious that the majority of
      studies did not collect physical activity data on the swimmers outside of their
      swimming activities. These activities may have some influence on the BMD of
      swimmers and therefore, future studies need to examine additional physical
      activity history data as well as swim training. This additional information may
      help to explain why swimmers' BMD tends to be lower than the BMD of control
      individuals in many studies. Moreover, dietary supplementation such as calcium,
      magnesium, and vitamin D also affect bone health in swimmers, and it is extremely
      important to evaluate BMD in the context of dietary supplementation. CONCLUSION:
      A review of the literature suggests that exercise intervention studies, including
      longitudinal and randomized control trials, need to attempt to introduce various
      exercise programs to female swimmers in order to determine the optimal exercise
      prescription for bone health.

PMID- 27274462
TI  - Preparation and characterization of fine powdered whole soybean curd.
AB  - PURPOSE: Efficacy and comparative characteristics of fine powdered whole soybean
      curd. METHODS: Ground dried soybean to a fine powder (700 mesh) containing bean
      components in its entirety, and then produced whole soybean curd. Analysed its
      nutritive components, bioactive substances, antioxidant activities and texture
      compared with pressed soybean curd. RESULTS: Compared with pressed soybean curd,
      the nutrients and isoflavone in whole soybean curd were slightly decreased, but
      antioxidant activities, dietary fibers and moisture content were increased. Also,
      the yield rate of the total process was improved 1.9 times. CONCLUSION: Fine
      powdered whole bean curd has antioxidant effects, contains dietary fiber and
      possesses soft characteristics, hence has development potential in the diet
      market and as food for patients.

PMID- 27274460
TI  - Resistance training inhibits the elevation of skeletal muscle derived-BDNF level
      concomitant with improvement of muscle strength in zucker diabetic rat.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the present study, we investigated the effects of 8 weeks of
      progressive resistance training on the level of skeletal muscle derived BDNF as
      well as glucose intolerance in Zucker diabetic rats. METHODS: Six week-old male
      Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and Zucker lean control (ZLC) rats were randomly
      divided into 3 groups: sedentary ZLC (ZLC-Con), sedentary ZDF (ZDF-Con), and
      exercised ZDF (ZDF-Ex). Progressive resistance training using a ladder and tail
      weights was performed for 8 weeks (3 days/week). RESULTS: After 8 weeks of
      resistance training, substantial reduction in body weight was observed in ZDF-Ex
      compared to ZDF-Con. Though the skeletal muscle volume did not change, grip
      strength grip strength was significantly higher in ZDF-Ex compared to ZDF-Con. In
      the soleus, the level of BDNF was increased in ZDF-Con, but was significantly
      decreased (p<0.05) in ZDF-Ex, showing a training effect. Moreover, we found that
      there was a negative correlation (r=-0.657; p=0.004) between grip strength and
      BDNF level whereas there was a positive correlation (r=0.612; p=0.008) between
      plasma glucose level and BDNF level in skeletal muscle. CONCLUSION: Based upon
      our results, we demonstrated that resistance training inhibited the elevation of
      skeletal muscle derived-BDNF expression concomitant with the improvement of
      muscle strength in zucker diabetic rats. In addition, muscle-derived BDNF might
      be a potential mediator for the preventive effect of resistance training on the
      progress of type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27274461
TI  - Effect of high-intensity exercise and high-fat diet on lipid metabolism in the
      liver of rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of high-intensity exercise (Ex) and
      high dietary fat intake on lipid metabolism in the liver of rats. METHODS: Male
      Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the four groups (n=10 per
      group) that were maintained on a normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD)
      consisting of 30% fat (w/w), with or without exercise on a treadmill at 30 m/min
      and 8% grade) for 4 weeks (i.e., ND, ND+Ex, HFD, and HFD+Ex groups). RESULTS:
      Body weight (p<.001), total plasma cholesterol (TC) (p<.001), triglyceride (TG)
      (p<.05), and liver TG levels (p<.05) were increased in the HFD group relative to
      the ND groups, and serum glucose (p<.05), insulin (p<.05), homeostatic model
      assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p<.01), and liver TG levels (p<.01)
      were also higher in the HFD group compared to the ND+Ex group. Plasma free fatty
      acid was elevated in the HFD+Ex group compared to the HFD group (p<.01). With the
      exception of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, the expression of lipid metabolism
      related genes in the liver was altered in the Ex groups compared to the control
      group (p<.05), with genes involved in lipolysis specifically up regulated in the
      HFD+Ex group compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: Vigorous exercise may
      increase glucose utilization and fat oxidation by activating genes in the liver
      that are associated with lipid metabolism compared to that in animals consuming a
      HFD without exercise. Therefore, high intensity exercise can be considered to
      counter the adverse effects of high dietary fat intake.

PMID- 27274463
TI  - Serum levels of appetite-regulating hormones and pro-inflammatory cytokines are
      ameliorated by a CLA diet and endurance exercise in rats fed a high-fat diet.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study examined whether conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
      supplementation and endurance exercise affect appetite-regulating hormones and
      pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats. METHODS: Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley
      rats were divided randomly into the high-fat diet sedentary group (HS, n=8), the
      1.0% CLA supplemented high-fat diet sedentary group (CS, n=8), and the 1.0% CLA
      supplemented high-fat diet exercise group (CE, n=8). Rats in the CE group swam 60
      min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Leptin and insulin levels in the CS
      and CE groups were significantly lower than those in the HS group (p<0.001),
      whereas leptin (p<0.01) and insulin (p<0.05) levels decreased significantly in
      the CE compared to those in the CS group. Interleukin (IL)-1beta (p<0.001) and IL
      6 (p<0.01) levels in the CS and CE groups decreased significantly compared to
      those in the HS group. Leptin (IL-1beta: r=0.835, p<0.001), IL-6 (r=0.607,
      p<0.05), insulin (IL-1beta: r=0.797, p<0.01), and IL-6 (r=0.827, p<0.01) levels
      were positively related with pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. CONCLUSION:
      Endurance exercise may play an important role during CLA supplementation of rats
      on a high-fat diet.

PMID- 27274464
TI  - Six week swimming followed by acute uptakes of ginsenoside Rg1 may affect aerobic
      capacity of SD rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of six-weeks of
      endurance swim training and short-term intake of Rg1 on the expression of related
      proteins as well as improvement of aerobic exercise capacity in 8-week-old male
      SD rats. METHODS: The groups were divided into placebo (NP, n=6), Rg1 (NRG, n=6),
      exercise+placebo (EP, n=7), and exercise+Rg1 (ERG, n=7). On completion of the 6
      week swimming exercise, Rg1-intake groups were treated with acute uptakes (3
      times within 24hrs) of Rg1. After the treatment, all groups were subjected to a
      swim to exhaustion test, and then the mass of muscle tissue, mRNA expression
      level and activity of citrate synthase (CS) were analyzed on plantaris. RESULTS:
      There were no differences in the effect of 6-week swimming exercise and short
      term intake of Rg1 on body weight and muscle mass between groups. Although the CS
      mRNA expression was elevated in the exercise group and combined treatment group,
      there was no significant difference in CS activity. Acute uptakes of Rg1 did not
      affect swimming time to exhaustion, but it was increased by 235% and 314% by the
      6-weeks of exercise and combined treatment of exercise and Rg1, respectively,
      which suggests that the combined treatment increased the effect on the capacity
      of aerobic exercise. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it was confirmed that
      even a short-term treatment of Rg1 can give an additive effect for improvement of
      exercise function, and additional studies are needed for the mechanisms and modes
      of its working.

PMID- 27274465
TI  - Conversion Total Knee Arthroplasty after Failed High Tibial Osteotomy.
AB  - Clinical results of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) deteriorate over time despite the
      initial satisfactory results. Several knees may require a conversion to total
      knee arthroplasty (TKA) because of failure such as the progression of
      degenerative osteoarthritis and the loss of the correction angle. It is important
      to know the long-term survival rate and common reason of failure in HTO to inform
      patients of postoperative expectations before surgery and to prevent surgical
      errors during surgery. In addition, it has been reported that clinical and
      radiological results, revision rate, and complication rate were poorer than those
      in patients without a previous HTO. There are few review articles that describe
      why conversion TKA after HTO is surgically difficult and the results are poor.
      Surgeons have to avoid the various complications and surgical errors in this
      specific situation. We would like to present the considering factors and
      technical difficulties during conversion TKA after HTO with a review of the
      literature. We could conclude through the review that the correction of
      deformity, lower amount of tibial bone resection, and sufficient polyethylene
      insert thickness, restoration of the joint line height, and adequate ligament
      balancing can be helpful in overcoming the technical challenges encountered
      during TKA following HTO. 

PMID- 27274466
TI  - The Efficacy of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Combined with
      Tibial Tuberosity Transfer in the Treatment of Patellofemoral Instability.
AB  - A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of
      medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction combined with tibial
      tuberosity transfer (TTT) in the treatment of patellofemoral instability. Using
      PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses)
      guidelines, a systematic search was carried out to identify and review the
      published literature pertinent to MFPL reconstruction combined with TTT. Relevant
      studies were critically appraised with narrative data synthesis. Studies that met
      the eligibility criteria were suitable for appraisal and consisted of case series
      and therapeutic series (levels IV & III). All studies had inherent variations in
      outcomes reporting and limited follow-up. Combined treatment offers restoration
      of normal anatomy, thus adding clinical value to the currently recommended
      anatomic approach to MPFL reconstruction. Nevertheless, the current body of
      evidence does not determine the threshold at which patellofemoral axis requires
      the need for adjunctive distal realignment as opposed to MPFL reconstruction
      alone. This review highlighted numerous recurring limitations in the conduct and
      presentation of the studies, which inadvertently mitigated the interpretation of
      their results. Future priority should be awarded to larger randomised controlled
      trials utilising validated patient reported outcome measures. 

PMID- 27274467
TI  - In vivo Kinematics of the Knee after a Posterior Cruciate-Substituting Total Knee
      Arthroplasty: A Comparison between Caucasian and South Korean Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study compared in vivo kinematic differences between Caucasian and
      South Korean patients after a posterior-substituting total knee arthroplasty (PS
      TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo motions of 9 Caucasian and 13 South Korean
      knees with a PS-TKA during weight bearing single leg lunge were determined using
      a dual fluoroscopic imaging technique. Normalized tibiofemoral condylar motions
      and articular contact locations were analyzed. RESULTS: Femoral condylar motions
      of the two groups showed a similar trend in anteroposterior translation, but the
      South Korean patients were more anteriorly positioned than the Caucasian patients
      at low flexion and maximal flexion angles in both medial and lateral compartments
      (p<0.05). Mediolateral femoral condyle translations were similar between the two
      groups. For tibiofemoral articular contact kinematics, the South Korean patients
      had significantly more anterior contact locations at the medial compartment at
      low flexion angles, and more lateral contact locations at the lateral compartment
      at 0 degrees  and 90 degrees  flexion compared to the Caucasian patients
      (p<0.05). The South Korean patients had significantly larger distances between
      the medial and lateral contact locations at 60 degrees  and 90 degrees  flexion
      compared to the Caucasian patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that
      while the Caucasian and South Korean knees had similar femoral condylar motions,
      after PS-TKA the South Korean patients showed different articular contact point
      kinematics compared to the Caucasian patients.

PMID- 27274469
TI  - Comparison of Difference in Hematologic and Hemodynamic Outcomes between Primary
      Total Knee Arthroplasty and Revision of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study is to identify preoperative cautions for revision of infected
      total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by understanding the differences in hematologic and
      hemodynamic changes between primary TKA and revision of infected TKA. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: The study included 40 patients in each of the two groups: one group
      with patients who underwent TKA and the other group with patients who underwent
      revision of infected TKA. All patients matched for age and body mass index. The
      following data were compared between the groups: changes in blood pressure,
      variations in hemoglobin level, amount of postoperative blood loss and transfused
      blood, incidence of blood transfusion, white blood cell (WBC) count, albumin
      level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and liver
      enzyme level. RESULTS: The hemoglobin levels, transfusion rate, and the amount of
      blood loss were significantly higher in the revision group (p=0.012). In both
      groups, CRP reached the highest level on the 3rd postoperative day but it was
      normalized 2 weeks postoperatively; however, the revision TKA group showed a
      greater tendency to normalization (p=0.029). There were significant differences
      between the groups in ESR, WBC, blood pressure, and changes in liver enzyme
      levels. CONCLUSIONS: Revision of infected TKA results in greater hemodynamic
      variations than primary TKA. Therefore, more efforts should be made to identify
      pre- and postoperative hemodynamic changes and hematologic status.

PMID- 27274468
TI  - Active Flexion in Weight Bearing Better Correlates with Functional Outcomes of
      Total Knee Arthroplasty than Passive Flexion.
AB  - PURPOSE: Correlations between maximum flexion and functional outcomes in total
      knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients are reportedly weak. We investigated whether
      there are differences between passive maximum flexion in nonweight bearing and
      other types of maximum flexion and whether the type of maximum flexion correlates
      with functional outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 210 patients (359
      knees) underwent preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up evaluations
      (6, 12, and 24 months) for the assessment of clinical outcomes including maximum
      knee flexion. Maximum flexion was measured under five conditions: passive
      nonweight bearing, passive weight bearing, active nonweight bearing, and active
      weight bearing with or without arm support. Data were analyzed for relationships
      between passive maximum flexion in nonweight bearing by Pearson correlation
      analyses, and a variance comparison between measurement techniques via paired t
      test. RESULTS: We observed substantial differences between passive maximum
      flexion in nonweight bearing and the other four maximum flexion types. At all
      time points, passive maximum flexion in nonweight bearing correlated poorly with
      active maximum flexion in weight bearing with or without arm support. Active
      maximum flexion in weight bearing better correlated with functional outcomes than
      the other maximum flexion types. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests active maximum
      flexion in weight bearing should be reported together with passive maximum
      flexion in nonweight bearing in research on the knee motion arc after TKA.

PMID- 27274470
TI  - Posterior Shift of Contact Point between Femoral Component and Polyethylene in
      the LCS Rotating Platform Implant under Weight Bearing Condition.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the contact mechanics of the femoral component and
      polyethylene of the Low Contact Stress rotating platform (LCS-RP) in nonweight
      bearing and weight bearing conditions using full flexion lateral radiographs.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2009 to December 2013, 58 knees in 41 patients
      diagnosed with osteoarthritis and treated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were
      included in this study. TKA was performed using an LCS-RP knee prosthesis. Full
      flexion lateral radiographs in both weight bearing and nonweight bearing
      condition were taken at least one month postoperatively (average, 28.8 months).
      Translation of femoral component was determined by the contact point between the
      femoral component and polyethylene. Maximum flexion was measured as the angle
      between the lines drawn at the midpoint of the femur and tibia. RESULTS:
      Posterior shift of the contact point in LCS-RP TKA was observed under weight
      bearing condition, which resulted in deeper flexion compared to LCS-RP TKA under
      nonweight bearing condition. CONCLUSIONS: In the LCS-RP TKA, the contact point
      between the femoral component and polyethylene moved posteriorly under weight
      bearing condition, and the joint was more congruent and maximum flexion increased
      with weight bearing.

PMID- 27274471
TI  - Patterns and Influencing Factors of Medial Meniscus Tears in Varus Knee
      Osteoarthritis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the patterns of medial meniscus (MM) tears in patients
      with varus knee osteoarthritis who underwent total knee arthroplasty and analyze
      the factors that could affect MM tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients (365
      knees, 268 patients) were classified into three groups; group I with MM posterior
      horn (PH) tear only; group II with MM root tear only; and group III with MMPH
      plus root tear. The following factors were evaluated: age, gender, body mass
      index, varus deviation of the mechanical axis, medial proximal tibial angle,
      posterior tibial slope (PTS), and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) integrity
      (normal, degeneration, and tear or absence). RESULTS: MM tears were identified in
      all knees. The patterns of the combined MMPH tears in group III were less complex
      than those in group I. Varus deviation and PTS were significantly greater in
      group III than groups I and II. In group III, there were significantly more cases
      of ACL tear or absence than groups I and II. The others showed no differences
      among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Severe varus knee osteoarthritis was always
      accompanied by MM tears. Risk factors for MMPH plus root tears were severe varus
      deformity, great PTS, and ACL tear or absence.

PMID- 27274472
TI  - The Optimal Suture Site for the Repair of Posterior Horn Root Tears:
      Biomechanical Evaluation of Pullout Strength in Porcine Menisci.
AB  - PURPOSE: There are few studies on biomechanical evaluation of suture points in
      repair of root tears. The purpose of this study was to determine the point of
      greatest pullout strength for root tear repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of
      120 fresh porcine medial menisci were obtained. The red-red and red-white zones
      of the meniscus were divided by two lines designated as lines A and B (groups A
      and B). Groups A and B were further divided into three groups each by dividing
      lines A and B into three points: 3, 5, and 7 mm from the meniscal ligament root
      insertion. Vertical meniscal repair was performed on each point. The pullout
      failure strength was tested using a biaxial servohydraulic testing machine.
      RESULTS: The average maximal load at failure was significantly greater in group A
      than group B (87.65 vs. 62.93; p<0.001) The average length at maximal load
      failure was greater in group A than group B (4.35 vs. 3.2; p<0.001). Among the
      subgroups of 3, 5, and 7 mm in both groups A and B, 7 mm showed the greatest
      maximal load (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The pullout strength was statistically
      significantly greater in group A than group B and in the 7 mm subgroup than the 3
      and 5 mm subgroups. Thus, the 7 mm subgroup in group A showed the greatest
      pullout strength.

PMID- 27274473
TI  - A Novel Medial Soft Tissue Release Method for Varus Deformity during Total Knee
      Arthroplasty: Femoral Origin Release of the Medial Collateral Ligament.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Numerous methods of medial soft tissue release for severe varus
      deformity during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been reported. These include
      tibial stripping of the superficial medial collateral ligament (MCL), pie
      crusting technique, and medial epicondylar osteotomy. However, there are inherent
      disadvantages in these techniques. Authors hereby present a novel quantitative
      method: femoral origin release of the medial collateral ligament (FORM). SURGICAL
      TECHNIQUE: For medial tightness remaining even after the release of the deep MCL
      and semimembranosus, the FORM is initiated with identification of the femoral
      insertion area of the MCL with the knee in flexion. Starting from the most
      posterior part of the femoral insertion, one third of the MCL femoral insertion
      is released from its attachment. If necessary, further sequential medial release
      is performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen knees that underwent the FORM were
      evaluated for radiological and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Regardless of the
      extent of the FORM, no knees showed residual valgus instability at 24 weeks after
      surgery. CONCLUSIONS: As the FORM is performed in a stepwise manner, fine
      adjustment during medial release might be beneficial to prevent inadvertent over
      release of the medial structures of the knee.

PMID- 27274474
TI  - Surgical Treatment of Neglected Traumatic Quadriceps Tendon Rupture with Knee
      Ankylosis.
AB  - Quadriceps tendon rupture is an uncommon injury. This disabling condition is the
      result of direct or indirect trauma. It requires surgical repair to avoid poor
      outcomes in cases of neglected or chronic rupture. In most acute cases, simple
      tendon suture or reinsertion is suitable for an extensor mechanism reconstruction
      of the knee joint. However, chronic lesions often require a tendon graft or flap
      reconstruction. We report a case of a 15-year-old male who was diagnosed with a
      chronic quadriceps rupture with a patellar superior pole fracture. We performed
      quadriceps reconstruction using tibialis anterior allograft tendon and additional
      screw fixation to reconstruct the extensor mechanism and recover knee joint range
      of motion to prevent a high-level functional restriction. The treatment was
      difficult and limited due to neglect for 9-months that led to ankylosis
      accompanied with nonunion of tibial fracture. Our surgical treatment using
      allograft tendon resulted in a very good outcome after 30 months of follow-up. 

PMID- 27274475
TI  - Simultaneous Osteoperiosteal Autologous Iliac Crest Graft and Lateral Meniscus
      Allograft Transplantation for Osteochondral Lesion with Bony Defect and Lateral
      Discoid Meniscus Tear.
AB  - The optimal treatment for combined osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) with
      considerable bony defect of the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) and torn discoid
      lateral meniscus is unclear. We present a case of a 15-year-old female who was a
      gymnast and had a large OCD lesion in the LFC combined with deficiency of the
      lateral meniscus. The patient underwent the "one-step" technique of
      osteoperiosteal autologous iliac crest graft and lateral meniscus allograft
      transplantation after a failure of meniscectomy with repair at another hospital.
      Twenty-four months postoperatively, clinical results were significantly improved.
      Follow-up imaging tests and second-look arthroscopy showed well incorporated
      structured bone graft and fibrous cartilage regeneration as well as stabilized
      lateral meniscus allograft. She could return to her sport without any pain or
      swelling. This "one-step" surgical technique is worth considering as a joint
      salvage procedure for massive OCD lesions with torn discoid lateral meniscus. 

PMID- 27274476
TI  - Snapping Pes Syndrome after Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.
AB  - Snapping pes syndrome is defined as a snapping sensation in the medial knee
      caused by pes anserinus and rarely occurs. Snapping pes syndrome after
      unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has not been reported yet. We
      experienced two cases with this syndrome after UKA. Conservative treatment was
      effective in one case, while surgical excision of the gracilis tendon was
      necessary to relieve painful snapping in the other case. The main cause of the
      first case might be posteromedial overhang of the tibial tray that reached up to
      5 mm. The probable cause of the second case was posteromedial overhang of the
      mobile bearing. 

PMID- 27274477
TI  - Subtrochanteric fractures of the femur: update.
AB  - Because of the anatomical peculiarities of the subtrochanteric region, treatment
      of fractures in this region remains challenging. The undeniable evolution of
      implants has not been accompanied by the expected decrease in the complication
      rate. The aim of this study was to discuss critical points in detail, such as
      preoperative planning, reduction tactics and the current scientific evidence
      concerning treatment of subtrochanteric fractures of the femur. 

PMID- 27274478
TI  - Comparative study on three surgical techniques for intra-articular calcaneal
      fractures: open reduction with internal fixation using a plate, external fixation
      and minimally invasive surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, compare and identify the surgical technique with best
      results for treating intra-articular calcaneal fractures, taking into account
      postoperative outcomes, complications and scoring in the Aofas questionnaire.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective study on 54 patients with fractures of the
      calcaneus who underwent surgery between 2002 and 2012 by means of the following
      techniques: (1) open reduction with extended L-shaped lateral incision and
      fixation with double-H plate of 3.5 mm; (2) open reduction with minimal incision
      lateral approach and percutaneous fixation with wires and screws; and (3) open
      reduction with minimal incision lateral approach and fixation with adjustable
      monoplanar external fixator. RESULTS: Patients treated using a lateral approach,
      with fixation using a plate had a mean Aofas score of 76 points; those treated
      through a minimal incision lateral approach with screw and wire fixation had a
      mean score of 71 points; and those treated through a minimal incision lateral
      approach with an external fixator had a mean score of 75 points. The three
      surgical techniques were shown to be effective for treating intra-articular
      calcaneal fractures, without any evidence that any of the techniques being
      superior. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular calcaneal fractures are complex and their
      treatment should be individualized based on patient characteristics, type of
      fracture and the surgeon's experience with the surgical technique chosen.

PMID- 27274479
TI  - Osteosynthesis of mallet finger using plate and screws: evaluation of 25
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results from surgical treatment of patients with
      mallet finger injury using a hook plate and screw. METHODS: Twenty-five patients
      (19 males and six females) between the ages of 20 and 35 years were analyzed
      between May 2008 and December 2012. They were evaluated in accordance with
      Crawford's criteria and the mean follow-up was 18 months. RESULTS: The results
      from 10 patients (40%) were excellent and from 15 (60%), good. Twenty-one
      patients (84%) reported no pain, 18 months after the operation. There was no
      limitation to range of motion in 14 cases (56%), limitation of extension in seven
      (28%) and limitation of flexion in four (16%). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment by
      means of open reduction and internal fixation using a hook plate and screw proved
      to be an excellent option for treating mallet finger fractures and was considered
      to be a safe and effective method.

PMID- 27274481
TI  - Anthropometric study of the knee and its correlation with the size of three
      implants available for arthroplasty.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To define the anthropometric profile of the knee in a Brazilian
      population with gonarthrosis using intraoperative measurements; and to evaluate
      the compatibility of three implants available for total knee arthroplasty.
      METHODS: Morphometric data were collected prospectively from 117 subjects with
      gonarthrosis. Six dimensions in the distal femur and two in the proximal tibia
      were documented in 118 knees while performing total arthroplasty. These data were
      compared with the dimensions of three implants available for total knee
      arthroplasty. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that more than a quarter
      of the patients presented an unsatisfactory relationship between the knee and
      prosthesis. CONCLUSION: The implants evaluated need to be adjusted to better fit
      Brazilian patients.

PMID- 27274480
TI  - Transtibial technique versus two incisions in anterior cruciate ligament
      reconstruction: tunnel positioning, isometricity and functional evaluation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the transtibial and two-incision techniques for anterior
      cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a single band. METHODS: A
      prospective and randomized study was conducted in blocks. Patients underwent ACL
      reconstruction by means of two techniques: transtibial (group 1: 20 patients) or
      two incisions (group 2: 20 patients). The radiographic positioning of the tunnel,
      inclination of the graft, graft isometricity and functional results (IKDC and
      Lysholm) were evaluated. RESULTS: The positioning of the femoral tunnel on the
      anteroposterior radiograph, expressed as a mean percentage relative to the medial
      border of the tibial plateau, was 54.6% in group 1 and 60.8% in group 2 (p <
      0.05). The positioning of the femoral tunnel on the lateral radiograph, expressed
      as a mean percentage relative to the anterior border of Blumensaat's line, was
      68.4% in group 1 and 58% in group 2 (p < 0.05). The mean inclination of the graft
      was 19 degrees  in group 1 and 27.2 degrees  in group 2 (p < 0.05). The mean
      graft isometricity was 0.96 mm in group 1 and 1.33 mm in group 2 (p > 0.05).
      Group 2 had better results from the pivot-shift maneuver (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      The technique of two incisions allowed positioning of the femoral tunnel that was
      more lateralized and anteriorized, such that the graft was more inclined and
      there was a clinically better result from the pivot-shift maneuver. There was no
      difference in isometricity and no final functional result over the short follow
      up time evaluated.

PMID- 27274482
TI  - Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament by means of the anatomical
      double-bundle technique using metal anchors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate double-bundle reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral
      ligament (MPFL) using a graft from the semitendinosus tendon and fixation with
      metal anchors over the medium term. METHODS: This was a prospective cross
      sectional study. After approval from the research ethics committee, 31 patients
      with patellofemoral instability who underwent MPFL reconstruction by means of the
      anatomical double-bundle technique, with fixation using metal anchors, were
      analyzed between May 2010 and January 2015. To evaluate the effectiveness of the
      MPFL reconstruction surgery, the Kujala scale and the Tegner-Lysholm score were
      assessed before the procedure and one year afterwards, along with clinical data
      such as pain levels, range of motion and J sign. The data were tabulated in the
      Excel((r)) software and were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics((r)) software,
      version 21. The statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon T test and
      the McNemar test. RESULTS: The mean preoperative score from the Kujala test was
      45.64 +/- 1.24 and the postoperative score was 94.03 +/- 0.79 (p < 0.001). The
      preoperative Tegner-Lysholm score was 40.51 +/- 1.61 and the postoperative score
      was 91.64 +/- 0.79 (p < 0.001). The preoperative range of motion was 125.96 +/-
      2.11 and the postoperative range was 138.38 +/- 1.49 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MPFL
      reconstruction by means of the anatomical double-bundle technique is easily
      reproducible, without episodes of recurrence, with satisfactory results regarding
      restoration of stability and function of the patellofemoral joint.

PMID- 27274483
TI  - Rotator cuff injuries and factors associated with reoperation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of rotator cuff tears and describe the
      profile of reoperated patients, causes of repeated tendon tears, tear evolution
      and range of times between surgical procedures. METHOD: This was a cross
      sectional study involving 604 surgical procedures performed at two regional
      referral hospitals between January 2006 and December 2012. After approval by the
      ethics committee, data describing the patients' epidemiological profile were
      gathered at a single time, using Cofield's classification to measure the extent
      of the tears, all of which underwent arthroscopic surgery. The data were entered
      into Epi Info 3.5.3 and were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. RESULTS: Among the
      604 surgical procedures, females were affected in more cases (351; 58.1%). When
      the dominant limb was the right limb, it was affected in 90% of the cases (p <
      0.05). The supraspinatus tendon was affected in 574 cases (95%) and the tears
      were of medium size in 300 cases (49.7%). Eighteen reoperations were performed
      (2.98%) and the upper right limb was the most affected (66.6%). The cause was non
      traumatic in 12 patients. The repeated tears were mostly smaller (44%), and the
      length of time between the two surgical procedures ranged from 6 to 298 weeks.
      CONCLUSION: Female gender, smaller extent in the second procedure and non
      traumatic cause were found in most of the cases analyzed.

PMID- 27274484
TI  - Direct repair of chronic distal biceps tendon tears.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present the results from direct tendon repair using EndoButton and
      interference screws in patients with lesions of the distal biceps that had
      evolved over a period of more than 28 days. METHODS: Between January 2012 and
      November 2013, eleven patients (all male) with a torn distal biceps and a time
      interval between injury and surgery of more than 28 days were evaluated. The
      patients' mean age was 46 years and the most common mechanism of injury was
      eccentric loading with the elbow flexed and supinated. RESULTS: A subjective
      analysis on pain and function was conducted using a visual analog scale of pain
      (VAS) and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), before and after surgery. The
      VAS showed a decrease of 5 points to 0.8 points on average. The MEPS improved
      from 69.3 points before the operation to 97.5 points afterwards. The mean flexion
      was 133.1 degrees  on the operated side, versus 134.3 degrees . The mean
      extension was -2.5 degrees  and 0 degrees  (operated side versus non-operated).
      Supination was 88.2 degrees  versus 89.5 degrees  and pronation was 82.5 degrees 
      versus 84.1 degrees , comparing the operated side versus the non-operated side.
      Flexion and supination strengths were evaluated with the aid of a dynamometer,
      and the mean flexion and supination strengths were found to be respectively
      78.57% and 89.65% of the strength of the non-operated limb. CONCLUSION: Use of
      the technique of direct tendon repair using EndoButton and interference screws
      was shown to be a safe and effective alternative for repairing chronic lesions of
      the distal biceps.

PMID- 27274485
TI  - Treatment of congenital clubfoot using Ponseti method.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the results from treatment
      of congenital clubfoot with a mean follow-up of 4.6 years. METHODS: 26 patients
      who underwent treatment by means of the Ponseti method were analyzed (total of 39
      feet). The mean age at the start of the treatment was 5.65 months. The mean
      length of the follow-up subsequent to tenotomy of the Achilles tendon was 4.6
      years. Patients with secondary clubfoot were excluded. Epidemiological data,
      radiographic measurements on the Kite angle and data from a satisfaction
      questionnaire and the Laaveg questionnaire were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 26
      patients treated, one presented recurrence of the deformity and had to return to
      the beginning of the treatment. The mean score from the questionnaire and
      physical examination was 89.76 points, and this result was considered good. 99%
      of the patients responded that their feet never hurt or hurt only upon great
      activity; 88% said that their feet did not limit their activities; and 96% said
      that they were very satisfied or satisfied with the results from the treatment.
      The mean Kite angle in anteroposterior view was 28.14 degrees  and it was 26.11
      degrees  in lateral view. CONCLUSION: Treatment for idiopathic congenital
      clubfoot by means of the Ponseti method brings better results together with less
      soft-tissue injury, thus confirming the effectiveness and good reproducibility of
      this method.

PMID- 27274486
TI  - Obstetric paralysis: anterior arthroscopic release of the shoulder and transfer
      of the latissimus dorsi using a homologous graft.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Description of a new surgical technique for treating the shoulders of
      patients with sequelae of obstetric paralysis. Preliminary analysis on the
      results obtained from this technique. METHODS: Five consecutive patients
      underwent the proposed surgical procedure, consisting of arthroscopic anterior
      joint release followed by transfer of the latissimus dorsi tendon (elongated and
      reinforced with a homologous tendon graft) to the posterosuperior portion of the
      greater tubercle, using a single deltopectoral approach. All the patients were
      reevaluated after a minimum postoperative period of twelve months. The functional
      assessment was based on the range of motion and the modified Mallet
      classification system. Statistical analyses were not possible because of the
      small sample. RESULTS: Overall, passive and active lateral rotations increased,
      while medial rotation decreased. The other movements (elevation, capacity to
      place a hand in the mouth and capacity to place a hand behind the neck) had less
      consistent evolution. The mean modified Mallet score improved by 4.2 points (from
      11.4 to 15.6). CONCLUSION: The latissimus dorsi tendon can be transferred to the
      posterosuperior portion of the greater tubercle through a single deltopectoral
      approach when elongated and reinforced with a homologous tendinous graft.

PMID- 27274488
TI  - Postoperative comparison of the results from use of antibiotic prophylaxis for
      one and five days among patients undergoing lumbar arthrodesis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the postoperative results from use of antibiotic
      prophylaxis for one and five days among patients undergoing lumbar arthrodesis at
      up to three levels. METHODS: Forty-three patients who all underwent lumbar
      arthrodesis due to degenerative disc disease at one, two or three levels were
      evaluated. They were divided randomly into two groups: one received antibiotic
      prophylaxis with cefalotin (1 g) and the other received the same antibiotic for
      five days. After the surgical intervention, the patients were evaluated at the
      time of hospital discharge, at the first return to the clinic (two weeks later)
      and 90 days after the date of the surgery with the surgical wound, with clinical
      examination of the surgical wound and laboratory tests on both groups. RESULTS:
      It was observed that among the patients in the group with one day of antibiotic
      prophylaxis, 28.6% presented complications in the surgical wound, while in the
      group with five days, 27.9% presented complications. CONCLUSION: This study
      demonstrates that a single dose of antibiotic prophylaxis is as effective as a
      regimen of multiple doses in lumbar arthrodesis surgery at up to three levels.
      Thus, the costs and risks of subjecting patients to hospitalization under a
      prolonged drug regimen are unjustifiable.

PMID- 27274487
TI  - Hip dislocation in cerebral palsy: evolution of the contralateral side after
      reconstructive surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the progression of the contralateral hip after unilateral
      reconstruction of hip dislocation in patients classified as GMFCS IV-V; and to
      identify potential prognostic factors for their evolution. METHODS: This was a
      retrospective study on 17 patients with spastic cerebral palsy, who were
      classified on the GMFCS scale (Gross Motor Functional Classification System) as
      degrees IV and V, and who underwent unilateral reconstruction surgery to treat
      hip dislocation (adductor release, femoral varus osteotomy and acetabuloplasty).
      The minimum postoperative follow-up was 30 months. The clinical parameters
      evaluated were sex, age at time of surgery, length of follow-up after surgery and
      range of abduction. The treatment parameters were use/nonuse of femoral
      shortening, application of botulinum toxin and any previous muscle releases. The
      radiographic parameters were Reimer's extrusion index (REI), acetabular angle
      (AA) and the continuity of Shenton's line. RESULTS: Among the 17 patients
      evaluated, eight presented dislocation (group I) and nine did not (group II).
      Group I comprised three males and five females; group II comprised one male and
      eight females. The mean age at the time of surgery among the group I patients was
      62 months and the mean follow-up was 62 months. In group II, these were 98 and 83
      months, respectively. There was a trend in which patients of greater age did not
      evolve with contralateral dislocation. Among the nine patients with the
      combination of REI < 30% and AA < 25 degrees , only one presented dislocation
      during the follow-up. Contralateral subluxation occurred within the first two
      years after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Hips presenting REI < 30 degrees  and AA <
      25 degrees  do not tend to evolve to subluxation and can be kept under
      observation. Preoperative clinical and radiographic measurements alone are not
      useful for indicating the natural evolution of non- operated hips. The critical
      period for subluxation is the first two years after surgery.

PMID- 27274489
TI  - Initial experience of use of an articulated external fixator in treating Legg
      Calve-Perthes disease by means of arthrodiastasis during the active phase of the
      disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present the preliminary results from treating patients with Legg
      Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) by means of hip arthrodiastasis using a monolateral
      external fixator applied to the hip and to succinctly describe the surgical
      technique used, in a prospective study. METHODS: Prospective study on 18 patients
      with LCPD who underwent surgical treatment by means of the hip arthrodiastasis
      technique using a monolateral external fixator. There were 13 male and five
      female patients of mean age 8.5 years, ranging from five to 13 years. All the
      patients presented unilateral hip impairment: nine on the right side and nine on
      the left. The results were evaluated at maturity using clinical and radiological
      criteria. RESULTS: All the patients evolved with improvement of joint mobility,
      and pain relief was achieved in 88.9% of them. Reossification of the femoral
      epiphysis occurred within the first three months of the treatment. The hips
      operated at the necrosis stage of the disease did not passed through the
      fragmentation stage, thus shortening the evolution of the disease. The results
      were 77.8% satisfactory and 22.2% unsatisfactory. CONCLUSION: Hip arthrodiastasis
      with a monolateral external fixator during the active phase of LCPD improved the
      degree of joint mobility. Use of the arthrodiastasis technique at the necrosis
      stage or at the fragmentation stage (active phase of the disease) presented
      satisfactory results from treatment of LCPD.

PMID- 27274490
TI  - Adverse effect of beta-tricalcium phosphate with zeta potential control in
      repairing critical defects in rats' calvaria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a new biphasic cement composed of calcium sulfate
      and beta tricalcium phosphate with zeta potential control could induce or lead to
      bone neoformation in critical defects. METHODS: A critical defect of diameter 8
      mm was made in the calvaria of forty male Wistar rats. In the Test Group (n =
      20), the defects were filled with cement. In the Control Group (n = 20), the
      defect was not filled and only coagulum was present. The animals were sacrificed
      7, 14, 21 and 42 days after the operation. Calvaria specimens were subjected to
      microtomography and were then prepared for histological analysis. The analyses
      included morphological assessment on the histopathology of the repair;
      comparative morphometric evaluation of the area of formation of bone trabeculae
      between the groups; and histochemical staining by means of tartrate-resistant
      phosphatase (TRAP) in order to identify osteoclasts. RESULTS: Microtomographic
      images of the defects filled by the cement did not show any decrease in area over
      the course of postoperative evolution. In the Test Group, the material continued
      to present a foreign-body response until the last observational periods.
      Histomorphological analysis showed that there were more significant groupings of
      giant cells in the Test Group and greater maturity of neoformed bone in the
      Control Group. Exogenous material was also present. Histomorphometric analysis
      showed that in the Control Group, the total area of bone neoformation was
      significantly greater (p = 0.009) and grew progressively. The giant cells
      presented a positive reaction to TRAP but no osteoclasts were observed.
      CONCLUSION: The ceramic cement did not induce or lead to bone neoformation from
      the microtomographic or histological point of view.

PMID- 27274491
TI  - Translation and transcultural adaptation of the Hip Fracture Recovery Score
      assessment tool.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Hip Function Recovery Score questionnaire is an instrument that
      was developed for evaluating the functional recovery of patients over 60 years of
      age who undergo surgical treatment due to hip fractures. The objective of this
      study was to make a thorough transcultural translation of this questionnaire,
      with adaptation to the individual and cultural traits of the Brazilian
      population. METHOD: This translation method consisted of initial translation,
      back translation, drafting of a consensual version and pretesting with comments
      invited. Subsequently, a final version was drawn up after making the necessary
      adjustments, without altering the semantics of the questions in the original
      text. RESULTS: The consensual version was applied to thirty patients over the age
      of 60 years who had undergone surgical treatment due to hip fractures. However,
      some difficulties in understanding some words and expressions were observed, and
      these were then replaced with terms that were more easily understood. After the
      final version had been drawn up, this was applied to the same patients and full
      understanding was achieved among some of them, without altering the semantics of
      the questions of the original text. CONCLUSION: The transcultural translation of
      the Hip Function Recovery Score will have an immediate impact on functional
      evaluations on patients over 60 years of age who underwent surgery due to hip
      fracture. It will subsequently be possible for other Brazilian scientific studies
      to use this questionnaire, which has been standardized and adapted to Brazilian
      culture, in order to make comparisons between results, thereby enriching
      Brazilian scientific production.

PMID- 27274492
TI  - Rare anatomical variation of the musculocutaneous nerve - case report.
AB  - The clinical and surgical importance of anatomical knowledge of the
      musculocutaneous nerve and its variations is due to the fact that one of the
      complications in many upper-limb surgical procedures involves injury to this
      nerve. During routine dissection of the right upper limb of a male cadaver, we
      observed an anatomical variation of this nerve. The musculocutaneous nerve
      originated in the lateral cord and continued laterally, passing under the
      coracobrachialis muscle and then continuing until its first branch to the biceps
      brachialis muscle. Just after this, it supplied another two branches, i.e. the
      lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm and a branch to the brachialis muscle, and
      then it joined the median nerve. The median nerve followed the arm medially to
      the region of the cubital fossa and then gave rise to the anterior intermediate
      nerve of the forearm. The union between the musculocutaneous nerve and the median
      nerve occurred approximately at the midpoint of the arm and the median nerve.
      Given that either our example is not covered by the classifications found in the
      literature or that it fits into more than one variation proposed, without us
      finding something truly similar, we consider this variation to be rare. 

PMID- 27274493
TI  - Solid variant of aneurysmal bone cist on the distal extremity of the radius in a
      child.
AB  - The solid variant of aneurismal bone cysts (ABC) is considered rare. It occurs
      with greater frequency in pediatric patients and in the tibia, femur, pelvis and
      humerus. We present a case of a metaphyseal lytic lesion on the distal extremity
      of the radius in a child whose radiograph was requested after low-energy trauma.
      The hypothesis of a pathological bone fracture secondary to an aneurysmal bone
      cyst was suggested. After biopsy, the child underwent intralesional excision
      without bone grafting and the histopathological findings were compatible with the
      solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst. 

PMID- 27274494
TI  - Stress fracture in acetabular roof due to motocross: case report.
AB  - One of the first steps to be taken in order to reduce sports injuries such as
      stress fractures is to have in-depth knowledge of the nature and extent of these
      pathological conditions. We present a case report of a stress fracture of the
      acetabular roof caused through motocross. This type of case is considered rare in
      the literature. The description of the clinical case is as follows. The patient
      was a 27-year-old male who started to have medical follow-up because of
      uncharacteristic pain in his left hip, which was concentrated mainly in the
      inguinal region of the left hip during motocross practice. After clinical
      investigation and complementary tests, he was diagnosed with a stress fracture of
      the acetabular roof. 

PMID- 27274495
TI  - Reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon rupture using graft from contralateral
      patella graft together with reinforcement from flexor tendons. Case report.
AB  - Chronic patellar tendon rupture is a rare disabling injury that is technically
      difficult to repair. The true prevalence of this injury is unknown. Delayed
      reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon rupture has yielded suboptimal clinical
      and functional results. Many different surgical methods for reconstruction of
      chronic patellar tendon injury have been reported. In this report, we present a
      case with chronic patellar tendon injury that was addressed using a technique
      that had not previously been described in the literature, through combining
      procedures that had been described separately. The reconstruction method
      presented in this article has the advantages of being easy and reproducible,
      without a requirement of allografts. 

PMID- 27274496
TI  - Prevalence and characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux in children with otitis
      media in Isfahan, Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Otitis media (OM) is the most common cause of childhood hearing loss
      and reason to visit the pediatrician. Furthermore, gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
      has been associated with a variety of upper aerodigestive tract symptoms or
      diseases, such as sinusitis, laryngitis, and otits. The objective of the present
      study was to determine the frequency of GER in children, aged 3 months to 7
      years, with OM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case-control study was
      conducted on 50 children with OM and 50 healthy children. Presence of GER as the
      main variables was diagnosed by clinical examination in all studied children
      using the questionnaires with 2 age-stratified versions of the pediatric GER
      disease symptoms for children 2 years old and younger, and children 3-7 years
      old. RESULTS: The prevalence of GER in children with OM and controls was 58% and
      22% respectively (P = 0.0005). The frequency of irritability, congestion, and
      feeding complex in children with OM were significantly more than in control
      groups. Among children with recurrent acute OM (AOM), and chronic serous OM
      (CSOM) the prevalence of GER was significantly more than controls (61.1%, vs. 22%
      for AOM, P = 0.004, and 72.7% vs. 22%, P= 0.003). In children with AOM,
      regurgitation, vomiting, irritability and congestion were significantly higher
      than controls included. In children with CSOM, regurgitation, vomiting, and
      congestion were significantly higher than controls. CONCLUSION: Results show a
      significant association between GER and OM, AOM and CSOM in children with OM
      compares to healthy children. This shows that looking for GER in children with OM
      may help improving treatments outcomes.

PMID- 27274497
TI  - Predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular-specific mortality in type 2 diabetes:
      A competing risk modeling of an Iranian population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Asian population, diabetes mellitus is increasing and has become
      an important health problem in recent decades. In Iran, cardiovascular disease
      (CVD) accounts for nearly 46% of the total costs spent for diabetes-associated
      diseases. Because individuals with diabetes have highly increased CVD risk
      compared with normal individuals, it is important to diagnosis factors that may
      increase CVD risk in diabetic patients. The study objective was to identify
      predictors associated with CVD mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D)
      and to develop a prediction model for cardiovascular (CV)-death using a competing
      risk approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 2638 T2D
      (male = 1110, female = 1528) patients aged >=35 years attending from Endocrine
      and Metabolism Research Center in Isfahan for a mean follow-up period of 12
      years; predictors for different cause of death were evaluated using cause
      specific Cox proportional and subdistribution hazards models. RESULTS: Based on
      competing modeling, the increase in blood pressure (BP) (spontaneously
      hypertensive rats [SHR]: 1.64), cholesterol (SHR: 1.55), and duration of diabetes
      (SHR: 2.03) were associated with CVD-death. Also, the increase in BP (SHR: 1.85),
      fasting blood sugar (SHR: 2.94), and duration of diabetes (SHR: 1.68) were
      associated with other death (consist of cerebrovascular accidents, cancer,
      infection, and diabetic nephropathy). CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that
      more attention should be paid to the management of CV risk in type 2 diabetic
      patients with high cholesterol, high BP, and long diabetes duration.

PMID- 27274498
TI  - Intracranial meningiomas: Prognostic factors and treatment outcome in patients
      undergoing postoperative radiation therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Meningioma constitutes 20% of the intracranial neoplasms. Followed by
      surgery as the primary treatment for most patients, radiotherapy becomes
      indicated in high-grade tumors with incomplete surgical removal. We evaluated the
      prognostic factors and overall outcome in meningioma patients who underwent
      radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, data from
      all patients with documented diagnosis of meningioma who referred to the Omid and
      Ghaem Oncology Centers (Mashhad, Iran) from 2002 to 2013 were included. We
      calculated the overall survival rates using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared
      the survival curves between groups by the log-rank test. RESULTS: Eighty-three
      patients with a median age of 50 years (ranging: 16-84) were included. Grade I,
      II, and III meningiomas were seen in 40 (48%), 31 (37%), and 12 (15%) patients,
      respectively. Radiation therapy was indicated due to tumor recurrence, incomplete
      excision, or tumor grade in 32, 8, and 43 patients, respectively. Tumor grade had
      a significant effect on the overall survival with a 3-year overall survival of
      76.7%, 43.5%, and 13.3% in Grade I, II, and III, respectively (P < 0.001).
      Gender, age, and tumor location were not correlated with the overall survival.
      Moreover, patients with Grade II and III who underwent total resection had a
      significantly higher overall survival than those with subtotal resection or
      biopsy alone (5-year survival rates of 82% vs. 17.1%, respectively; P = 0.008).
      CONCLUSION: Tumor grade was the most important prognostic factor in meningioma
      patients undergoing radiation therapy. In patients with Grade II and III tumors,
      the extent of surgical resection is significantly correlated with the overall
      survival.

PMID- 27274499
TI  - Autologous platelet-rich plasma compared with whole blood for the treatment of
      chronic plantar fasciitis; a comparative clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intralesional injection of autologous blood-derived products has
      recently gained attention as a potential treatment for plantar fasciitis (PF). We
      compared platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood (WB) for the treatment of
      chronic PF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with chronic PF received either an
      intralesional injection of 3 cc PRP prepared by double centrifuge technique or WB
      (n = 17 in each group). Overall, morning and walking pain severity were assessed
      by 11-point numerical rating scale, and function was assessed by the Roles and
      Maudsley score (RMS) at baseline and 1-month and 3 months after treatment.
      Ultrasonography was performed to measure plantar fascia thickness at baseline and
      3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Pain scores were reduced over the study in the
      PRP (mean change = -5.00 +/- 1.17 to -5.47 +/- 1.46) and WB groups (mean change =
      -5.29 +/- 2.56 to -6.47 +/- 2.83), with no difference between groups (P > 0.05).
      One month and 3 months after treatment, successful treatment (RMS of <= 2) was
      respectively observed in 29.4% and 82.3% of the PRP and in 47.1% and 76.4% of the
      WB groups (P > 0.05). Also, fascia thickness was decreased in both the PRP and WB
      groups (mean change = -1.74 +/- 1.11 vs. -1.21 +/- 0.73 mm, respectively, P =
      0.115). CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvement in pain and function, as well as
      decrease in plantar fascia thickness, was observed by intralesional injection of
      the PRP and WB in patients with chronic PF. The study results indicate similar
      effectiveness between PRP and WB for the treatment of chronic PF in short-term.

PMID- 27274500
TI  - Screening and evaluation of chronic and occult Hepatitis B in chemo -
      radiotherapy patients with cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) and its complications is one of the
      most serious problems of the health system in many parts of the world. In the
      present study, we will assess chronic and occult HBV and isolated anti-Hepatitis
      B core antigen whose screening and evaluation is not routine in different
      populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive analytical study was
      conducted on 213 patients undergoing chemotherapy - radiotherapy referred to the
      hematology - oncology clinics of Isfahan, Iran in 2012. In order to determine the
      serum levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbSAg), Hepatitis B Antigen and
      Antibody (HBCAb), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT)
      and Alkaline phosphatase (ALK.P), venous blood samples were obtained. If the
      HBCAb sample was positive, another sample of the serum was sent to the laboratory
      to perform polymerase chain reaction and to determine viral load. RESULTS: The
      mean age of the patients was 47.7 +/- 9 years, with an age range of 27 -73 years;
      98 (46%) and 115 (54%) cases were male and female, respectively, with mean age of
      51.9 +/- 8.3 and 44.1 +/- 8.1 years, and there was no significant difference (P <
      0.001). The mean level of liver enzymes including AST, ALT and ALK.P were 34.2 +/
      36.02, 38.9 +/- 47.1 and 252.1 +/- 234.7, respectively. Two cases were HbSAg
      positive (0.9%) and six cases were HBCAb positive (2.8%) and HbSAg negative.
      Three cases had a high viral load at the rate of starting treatment among
      positive anti-HBC patients. CONCLUSION: Because occult hepatitis is investigated
      less commonly in routine studies, it seems that screening and evaluating its
      prevalence is useful in the management of patients.

PMID- 27274501
TI  - Nasal colonization in children with community acquired methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent
      cause of infections. The changing epidemiology of MRSA became evident in the
      1990s when CA-MRSA cases were first reported. Nasal carriage of CA-MRSA is
      associated with an increased risk for development of infections in various
      populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anterior nares culture for the presence of
      methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and MRSA was taken from 345
      children attending kindergartens, who didn't have any known risk factor for MRSA
      colonization. Also, children demographic variables were recorded. Identification
      of SA and community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA
      MRSA) with standard microbiological test was performed. Finally, the
      susceptibility of isolated to various antibiotics determined. The data were
      analyzed with Whonet 5.6 software. RESULTS: Of 345 children, 20 children (5.8%)
      were colonized with CA-MRSA, 86 children (24.9%) with MSSA and 239 cases (69.3%)
      didn't have SA colonization. The highest rate of MSSA and MRSA colonization was
      obtained at the age of 6 years. The frequency distribution of SA (MSSA and MRSA)
      colonization prevalence didn't have any significant differences based on age,
      gender and the admission time (P > 0.05); but it was significantly different in
      the urban areas (P < 0.001). The lowest resistance rate of CA-MRSA isolates, with
      a frequency of 10%, was detected with gentamicin, rifampin, and trimethoprim
      sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, CA-MRSA colonization was observed in
      child care centers remarkably. Therefore, by facing various infections due to SA
      especially in areas of low socio-economic status, it must be considered. Based on
      antibiogram test, empirical treatment with rifampin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin
      is recommended during CA-MRSA infections.

PMID- 27274502
TI  - Effect of drill-induced noise on hearing in non-operated ear.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of drill-generated
      noise on hearing loss in non-operated ear and if any, was temporary or
      persistent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective clinical study, 23
      patients who had undergone mastoidectomy and normal contralateral hearing were
      enrolled. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively (1 and 7
      days) following surgery using low and high-frequency pure tone audiometry (PTA)
      and low and high-frequency transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic
      emission (DPOAE) testing. RESULTS: Comparing preoperative and 1-day after
      surgery, PTA averages were significantly different at low frequencies, but no
      statistical significant differences were observed at 0.25 KHz and high
      frequencies. Comparing 1-day after surgery and 7 days after surgery showed that,
      PTA averages at 0.5, 2 and 2 KHz were significantly different with no significant
      differences at the other average of thresholds in low and high frequencies; PTA
      average at 1 KHz was significantly different with, no significant differences at
      the other averages of thresholds in low and high frequencies. DPOAEs showed a
      significant difference preoperative and 1-day after surgery, 1-day and 7 days
      after, but DPOAEs were not significantly different. Transiently evoked
      otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) had a significant difference preoperative and 1
      day after surgery, 1-day and 7 days after but when comparing preoperative and 7
      days after surgery, TEOAEs were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Drill
      induced noise during ear surgery (mastoidectomy) can cause reversible changes in
      PTA, DPOAEs and TEOAEs in the non-operated ear.

PMID- 27274503
TI  - Effect of folic acid on homocysteine and insulin resistance of overweight and
      obese children and adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Considering the increasing trend of childhood obesity and subsequent
      burden of the disease in Iran and other countries and importance of early life
      intervention for achieving sustained effect on health of children and
      adolescents, this study aimed to investigate the effect of two different dose of
      folic acid on homocysteine (Hcy) level and insulin resistance of obese children.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial
      study, 60 obese and overweight children aged 5-12 years were enrolled. Selected
      obese children randomly allocated in two interventional (1 mg/day folic acid and
      5 mg/day folic acid, for 8 weeks) and one control groups. Biochemical
      measurements including folic acid, Hcy, insulin and insulin resistance were
      measured between and within groups before and after trial. RESULTS: In each
      group, 20 obese children were studied. The three groups were age and sex matched.
      After folic acid administration, mean of Hcy, insulin resistance and insulin
      decreased significantly in two groups which folic acid administrated with two
      different doses (P < 0.05). The reduction in studied biochemical variables was
      similar in two interventional groups (1 and 5 mg folic acid daily) (P > 0.05).
      Mean differences for Hcy, insulin resistance and insulin, in two intervention
      groups were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.0001). Mean
      differences of Hcy, insulin resistance and insulin, in two intervention groups
      were not different significantly (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of current
      trial showed that folic acid in two studied doses could be a safe and effective
      supplement for obese children to reduce Hcy level and insulin resistance, which
      consequently could prevent obesity-related complications including cardiovascular
      and metabolic disorders.

PMID- 27274504
TI  - An online questionnaire survey on preferred timing for the diagnosis and
      management of thyroid carcinoma in general population in Korea.
AB  - PURPOSE: An optimal timing for diagnosis and management of papillary thyroid
      microcarcinoma (PTMC) has become the subject for much controversy. The aim of the
      present study is to analyze people's preference in Korea for timing of diagnosis
      and management of PTMC using an online questionnaire. METHODS: The questionnaire
      consists of 3 questions about preference for the diagnosis and management of PTMC
      and 3 additional questions about respondents' personal information. An online
      survey was conducted from March 3 to June 3 in 2015 using Google Survey
      (http://goo.gl/forms/b81yEjqNUA). RESULTS: A total 2,308 persons (1,246 males,
      1,053 females) answered the questionnaire. Respondents' ages varied widely from
      teenagers to 70-year-olds. If there was a suspicious thyroid nodule from PTMC
      measuring less than 1 cm in diameter, 95.7% of respondents want to know a
      cytological diagnosis for it. If a thyroid nodule turned out to be a PTMC, 59.5%
      of respondents wanted it removed immediately. For surgical management of PTMC,
      53.0% of respondents were worried more about recurrences than complications. In
      subgroup analyses, respondents younger than 40 years old more often want
      immediate surgery than others: 66.7% vs. 32.7% (P < 0.05). Respondents who
      underwent thyroid cancer surgery (n = 91) were worried more about recurrences
      than others: 69.2% vs. 52.4% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Almost all respondents in
      the present study wanted diagnosis of suspicious thyroid nodules immediately.
      However, there were opposing opinions about the preferred timing for surgical
      treatment and surgical extents. A patient's right to know their disease status
      and decision on treatments should be emphasized all the more.

PMID- 27274505
TI  - Risk factors for conversion to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy in
      single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for conversion
      to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) in single incision
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) along with the proposal for procedure
      selection guidelines in treating patients with benign gallbladder (GB) diseases.
      METHODS: SILC was performed in 697 cases between April 2010 and July 2014.
      Seventeen cases (2.4%) underwent conversion to conventional LC. We compared these
      2 groups and analyzed the risk factors for conversion to CLC. RESULTS: In
      univariate analysis, American Society of Anesthesiologist score > 3, preoperative
      percutaneous transhepatic GB drainage status and pathology (acute cholecystitis
      or GB empyema) were significant risk factors for conversion (P = 0.010, P = 0.019
      and P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, pathology (acute cholecystitis or GB
      empyema) was significant risk factors for conversion to CLC in SILC (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Although SILC is a feasible method for most patients with benign GB
      disease, CLC has to be considered in patients with acute cholecystitis or GB
      empyema because it is likely to result in inadequate visualization of the Calot's
      triangle and greater bleeding risk.

PMID- 27274506
TI  - Who experiences endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease?
AB  - PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become a standard treatment of
      symptomatic gallstone disease. But, some patients suffer from retained common
      bile duct stones after LC. The aim of this study is to analyze the predicting
      factors associated with subsequent postoperative endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after LC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a
      database of every LC performed between July 2006 and September 2012. We classify
      28 patients who underwent ERCP within 6 months after LC for symptomatic gallstone
      disease as the ERCP group and 56 patients who underwent LC for symptomatic
      gallstone disease during same period paired by sex, age, underlying disease,
      operation history, and body mass index as the control group. To identify risk
      factor performing postoperative ERCP after LC, we compared admission route,
      preoperative biochemical liver function test, number of gall stones, gallstone
      size, adhesion around GB, wall thickening of GB, and existence of acute
      cholecystitis between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Admission route, preoperative AST,
      ALT, and ALP, stone size, longer operation time, and acute cholecystitis were
      identified as risk factors of postoperative ERCP in univariate analyses. But,
      longer operation time (P = 0.004) and acute cholecystitis (P = 0.048) were
      identified as independent risk factors of postoperative ERCP in multivariate
      analyses. CONCLUSION: The patient who underwent ERCP after LC for symptomatic
      gallstone disease are more likely experienced longer operation time and acute
      cholecystitis than the patient who did not undergo ERCP after LC.

PMID- 27274507
TI  - The effects of scalpel, harmonic scalpel and monopolar electrocautery on the
      healing of colonic anastomosis after colonic resection.
AB  - PURPOSE: In our study, the effects of harmonic scalpel, scalpel, and monopolar
      electrocautery usage on the health and healing of colon anastomosis after
      resection was investigated. METHODS: In this study, 120 female albino Wistar rats
      were divided into 3 groups each containing 40 rats. Group A, resection with
      scalpel; group B, resection with monopolar electrocautery; group C, resection
      with harmonic scalpel. The groups were divided into 4 subgroups consisting of 10
      rats and analysed in the postoperative 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days. Anastomotic
      bursting pressures, hydroxyproline levels and histopathological parameters were
      surrogate parameters for evaluating wound healing. RESULTS: The tissue
      hydroxyproline levels did not show any significant difference between the groups
      and subgroups. The mean bursting pressure of group A on the 5th day was
      significantly higher than groups B and C (P < 0.001). When the fibroblast and
      fibrosis scores were evaluated, scores of group C on the 5th day were
      significantly higher than the other groups, but the results of bursting pressures
      and biochemical parameters did not support the fibroblast and fibrosis scores.
      There were not any significant differences between the groups in other
      histopathologic parameters. CONCLUSION: The use of monopolar electrocautery needs
      more attention since the device causes tissue destruction. The obliterating
      effect of harmonic scalpel on luminal organs is an important problem, especially
      if an anastomosis is planned. Despite the disadvantages of scalpel, its efficacy
      on early wound healing is better than the other devices.

PMID- 27274508
TI  - Preoperative thrombocytosis predicts prognosis in stage II colorectal cancer
      patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Thrombocytosis is known to be a poor prognostic factor in several types
      of solid tumors. The prognostic role of preoperative thrombocytosis in colorectal
      cancer remains limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic
      role of preoperative thrombocytosis in stage II colorectal cancer. METHODS: Two
      hundred eighty-four patients with stage II colorectal cancer who underwent
      surgical resection between December 2003 and December 2009 were retrospectively
      reviewed. Thrombocytosis was defined as platelet > 450 * 10(9)/L. We compared
      patients with thrombocytosis and those without thrombocytosis in terms of
      survival. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were lower in
      patients with thrombocytosis compared to those without thrombocytosis in stage II
      colorectal cancer (73.3% vs. 89.6%, P = 0.021). Cox multivariate analysis
      demonstrated that thrombocytosis (hazard ratio, 2.945; 95% confidence interval,
      1.127-7.697; P = 0.028) was independently associated with DFS in patients with
      stage II colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: This study showed that thrombocytosis is
      a prognostic factor predicting DFS in stage II colorectal cancer patients.

PMID- 27274509
TI  - Comparison of perioperative and short-term outcomes between robotic and
      conventional laparoscopic surgery for colonic cancer: a systematic review and
      meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Reports from several case series have described the feasibility and
      safety of robotic surgery (RS) for colonic cancer. Experience is still limited in
      robotic colonic surgery, and a few meta-analysis has been conducted to integrate
      the results for colon cancer specifically. We conducted a systematic review of
      the available evidence comparing the surgical safety and efficacy of RS with that
      of conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) for colonic cancer. METHODS: We
      searched English databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library), and Korean
      databases (KoreaMed, KMbase, KISS, RISS, and KisTi). Dichotomous variables were
      pooled using the risk ratio, and continuous variables were pooled using the mean
      difference (MD). RESULTS: The present study found that the RS group had a shorter
      time to resumption of a regular diet (MD, -0.62 days; 95% CI, -0.97 to -0.28),
      first passage of flatus (MD, -0.44 days; 95% CI, -0.66 to -0.23) and defecation
      (MD, -0.62 days; 95% CI, -0.77 to -0.47). Also, RS was associated with a shorter
      hospital stay (MD, -0.69 days; 95% CI, -1.12 to -0.26), a lower estimated blood
      loss (MD, -19.49 mL; 95% CI, -27.10 to -11.89) and a longer proximal margin (MD,
      2.29 cm; 95% CI, 1.11-3.47). However, RS was associated with a longer surgery
      time (MD, 51.00 minutes; 95% CI, 39.38-62.62). CONCLUSION: We found that the
      potential benefits of perioperative and short-term outcomes for RS than for CLS.
      For a more accurate understanding of RS for colonic cancer patients, robust
      comparative studies and randomized clinical trials are required.

PMID- 27274510
TI  - Thrombophilia in Korean patients with arterial or venous thromboembolisms.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of thrombophilia in Korean patients with an
      arterial thromboembolism (ATE) or a venous thromboembolism (VTE), and to evaluate
      the characteristic of VTE in patients with thrombophilia. METHODS: Hospital
      records of 294 patients (228 with VTE, 66 with ATE) including two foreign ones
      (mean age, 51.4 years) who underwent thrombophilia testing between August 2006
      and March 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. In general, such screening was
      performed according to the guidelines of the international consensus statement
      for VTE. Thrombophilia testing included evaluations of the factor V Leiden and
      prothrombin G20210A mutations, levels of proteins C and S and antithrombin, and
      antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS). RESULTS: A factor V Leiden mutation
      was not found in the 292 Korean patients. A prothrombin G21210A mutation was
      investigated in 33 patients but none was found. Among 226 Korean patients with
      VTE, 130 demonstrated no thrombophilia and 55 patients did after exclusion of 41
      patients without confirmatory test. The most common form was protein S deficiency
      (31 of 55, 56%) followed by protein C deficiency, antithrombin deficiency, and
      APLS. When comparing patients with a VTE or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) according
      to the presence of thrombophilia, thrombophilia was associated with younger age
      (P = 0.001 for VTE; P < 0.001 for DVT) and a family history (P < 0.001 for VTE
      and DVT). CONCLUSION: We did not find any factor V Leiden mutation in Korean
      subjects at high risk for thrombophilia. Therefore, this testing is not
      warranted. Thrombophilia was associated with VTE in younger age and a family
      history.

PMID- 27274511
TI  - Uncomplicated jejunal diverticulosis with pneumoperitoneum.
AB  - Small bowel diverticulosis is a rare finding within all bowel diverticuloses and
      jejunal diverticulosis is even rarer. Their relative clinical rarity and varied
      presentation may make diagnosis both delayed and difficult. We experienced a case
      of jejunal diverticulosis, which was diagnosed intraoperatively. A 55-year-old
      woman was admitted to Emergency Department with pneumoperitoneum on plain chest
      and abdominal film from a local clinic. She was hemodynamically stable with
      minimal tenderness on the left upper quadrant of the abdomen but no rebound
      tenderness. At surgery, small bowel torsion and jejunal diverticulosis were
      confirmed. Over 30 variable sized small bowel diverticula were noted on the
      mesenteric side of the proximal jejunum. The affected segment of the jejunum was
      about 180 cm. On exploration, we could not find any perforation site. No
      postoperative complications were observed, and the patient made a full recovery.
      Jejunal diverticulosis is rare, but it should not be regarded as insignificant. 

PMID- 27274512
TI  - Isolated cystic duct cyst with associated stones in a 4-month-old boy.
AB  - Isolated cystic duct cysts are rare entities, with few cases having been
      reported. We present the case of a 4-month-old male patient presenting with
      abdominal pain and vomiting. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance
      cholangiopancreatography revealed an isolated cystic duct cyst with associated
      stones. The patient underwent open cholecystectomy with complete cyst excision
      and cystic duct transection; there were no postoperative complications. While
      lesions like the one described herein are extremely rare, they should be included
      as a separate category in classifications of choledochal cysts. 

PMID- 27274513
TI  - Central Venous Pressure Monitoring; Introduction of a New Device.

PMID- 27274514
TI  - Comparison of Ultrasonography and Radiography in Detection of Thoracic Bone
      Fractures; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The potential benefit of ultrasonography for detection of thoracic
      bone fractures has been proven in various surveys but no comprehensive conclusion
      has been drawn yet; therefore, the present study aimed to conduct a thorough meta
      analytic systematic review on this subject. METHODS: Two reviewers independently
      carried out a comprehensive systematic search in Medline, EMBASE, ISI Web of
      Knowledge, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest databases. Data were summarized
      as true positive, false positive, true negative and false negative and were
      analyzed via STATA 11.0 software using a mixed-effects binary regression model.
      Sources of heterogeneity were further assessed through subgroup analysis.
      RESULTS: Data on 1667 patients (807 subjects with and 860 cases without thoracic
      fractures), whose age ranged from 0 to 92 years, were extracted from 17 surveys.
      Pooled sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in detection of thoracic
      bone fractures were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.90-0.99; I2= 88.88, p<0.001) and 0.94 (95%
      CI: 0.86-0.97; I2= 71.97, p<0.001), respectively. The same measures for chest
      radiography were found to be 0.77 (95% CI: 0.56-0.90; I2= 97.76, p<0.001) and 1.0
      (95% CI: 0.91-1.00; I2= 97.24, p<0.001), respectively. The sensitivity of
      ultrasonography was higher in detection of rib fractures, compared to fractures
      of sternum or clavicle (97% vs. 91%). Moreover, the sensitivity was found to be
      higher when the procedure was carried out by a radiologist in comparison to an
      emergency medicine specialist (96% vs. 90%). CONCLUSION: Base on the findings of
      the present meta-analysis, screening performance characteristic of
      ultrasonography in detection of thoracic bone fractures was found to be higher
      than radiography. However, these characteristics were more prominent in detection
      of rib fractures and in cases where was performed by a radiologist.

PMID- 27274515
TI  - Ventilator Weaning and Spontaneous Breathing Trials; an Educational Review.
AB  - The term "weaning" is used to describe the gradual process of decreasing
      ventilator support. It is estimated that 40% of the duration of mechanical
      ventilation is dedicated to the process of weaning. Spontaneous breathing trial
      (SBT) assesses the patient's ability to breathe while receiving minimal or no
      ventilator support. The collective task force in 2001 stated that the process of
      SBT and weaning should start by assessing whether the underlying cause of
      respiratory failure has been resolved or not. Weaning predictors are parameters
      that are intended to help clinicians predict whether weaning attempts will be
      successful or not. Although the international consensus conference in 2005 did
      not recommend their routine use for clinical decision making, researchers did not
      stop working in this area. In the present article, we review some of the recent
      studies about weaning predictors, criteria, procedure, as well as assessment for
      extubation a mechanically ventilated patient. 

PMID- 27274517
TI  - Effective Factors in Severity of Traffic Accident-Related Traumas; an
      Epidemiologic Study Based on the Haddon Matrix.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Traffic accidents are the 8(th) cause of mortality in different
      countries and are expected to rise to the 3(rd) rank by 2020. Based on the Haddon
      matrix numerous factors such as environment, host, and agent can affect the
      severity of traffic-related traumas. Therefore, the present study aimed to
      evaluate the effective factors in severity of these traumas based on Haddon
      matrix. METHODS: In the present 1-month cross-sectional study, all the patients
      injured in traffic accidents, who were referred to the ED of Imam Khomeini and
      Golestan Hospitals, Ahvaz, Iran, during March 2013 were evaluated. Based on the
      Haddon matrix, effective factors in accident occurrence were defined in 3 groups
      of host, agent, and environment. Demographic data of the patients and data
      regarding Haddon risk factors were extracted and analyzed using SPSS version 20.
      RESULTS: 700 injured people with the mean age of 29.66 +/- 12.64 years (3-82)
      were evaluated (92.4% male). Trauma mechanism was car-pedestrian in 308 (44%) of
      the cases and car-motorcycle in 175 (25%). 610 (87.1%) cases were traffic
      accidents and 371 (53%) occurred in the time between 2 pm and 8 pm. Violation of
      speed limit was the most common violation with 570 (81.4%) cases, followed by
      violation of right-of-way in 57 (8.1%) patients. 59.9% of the severe and critical
      injuries had occurred on road accidents, while 61.3% of the injuries caused by
      traffic accidents were mild to moderate (p < 0.001). The most common mechanisms
      of trauma for critical injuries were rollover (72.5%), motorcycle-pedestrian
      (23.8%), and car-motorcycle (13.14%) accidents (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on
      the results of the present study, the most important effective factors in
      severity of traffic accident-related traumas were age over 50, not using safety
      tools, and undertaking among host-related factors; insufficient environment
      safety, road accidents and time between 2 pm and 8 pm among environmental
      factors; and finally, rollover, car-pedestrian, and motorcycle-pedestrian
      accidents among the agent factors.

PMID- 27274516
TI  - Unintentional Home Injury Prevention in Preschool Children; a Study of
      Contributing Factors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Different factors such as parents' knowledge and attitudes
      regarding preventive measures (PM) have a great role in reducing children
      unintentional home injuries. The present study aims to evaluate the contributing
      factors of unintentional home injury prevention in preschool victims presented to
      the emergency department. METHODS: The subjects consisted of all the mothers of
      preschool children who were presented to the emergency department of Imam Hossein
      and Shohadaie-Hafte-Tir Hospitals, with unintentional home injuries, from March
      2011 to February 2012. The participants were divided into two groups according to
      implementation of preventive measures status. The significant confounding factors
      of PM application was determined by chi-squared test and entered into the
      backward multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: 230 mothers with the
      mean age of 29.4 +/- 5.2 years were evaluated. 225 (97.83%) of them were still
      married, 74 (32.17%) had high school education or higher, 122 (53.04%) were
      homemakers, and 31 (13.49%) worked outside the home for at least 8 hours daily.
      High level of knowledge (OR = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.002-0.32; P = 0.002), appropriate
      attitude (OR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03-0.51; P = 0.01), having at least three children
      (OR = 7.2; 95% CI: 1.1-32.9; P = 0.04), daily absence of mother for at least 8
      hours (OR = 9.2; 95% CI: 2.2-35.46; P = 0.002), and a history of home injury
      during the previous 3 weeks (OR = 8.3; 95% CI: 2.1-41.3; P = 0.001) were
      independent factors which influenced application of preventive measures.
      CONCLUSION: Increasing mothers' knowledge level and improving their attitudes
      were facilitating factors and mothers' absence from the house for more than 8
      hours a day and having at least 3 children were obstacles to application of
      preventive measures. In addition, a history of same injury during the previous 3
      weeks increased the risk of repeated event.

PMID- 27274518
TI  - Correlation between Central Venous Pressure and Inferior Vena Cava Sonographic
      Diameter; Determining the Best Anatomic Location.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The correlation of central venous pressure (CVP) with inferior vena
      cava (IVC) sonographic diameter has been reported in several studies. However,
      few studies have attempted to find the best anatomic location of measurement.
      Therefore, the purpose of this study was determining the best anatomic location
      to find precise correlation between CVP and IVC diameter using transesophageal
      echocardiography (TEE). METHODS: In the present diagnostic accuracy study,
      patients in need of central venous catheterization and TEE were enrolled. Maximum
      diameter of IVC were measured during expiratory phase of respiratory cycle at the
      level of diaphragm, 2cm above the diaphragm and at the point of entry into the
      right atrium using SonoSite TEE device. CVP was measured using an electronic
      transducer connected to the central venous line. The best location for sonography
      was determined via calculating and comparing area under the receiver operating
      characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC). RESULTS: 39 patients were enrolled (53.8%
      female). Mean CVP was 6.8 +/- 1.4 mmHg and 25 (64.1%) patients had normal CVP,
      while 14 (35.9%) showed elevated CVP (> 6 mmHg). Evaluating AUC showed that IVC
      diameter (p = 0.01), aorta diameter (p = 0.01) and IVC / aorta ratio (p = 0.004)
      had acceptable correlation with CVP. Point of entry of IVC into the right atrium
      with AUC of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95 - 1.00) was the location of highest correlation
      with CVP. CONCLUSION: Based on the present findings, the IVC sonographic diameter
      and IVC / aorta ratio had acceptable correlation with CVP at the level of IVC
      entry into the right atrium.

PMID- 27274519
TI  - Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III Score compared to
      Trauma-Injury Severity Score (TRISS) in Predicting Mortality of Trauma Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: More than 50 scoring systems have been published for classification
      of trauma patients in the field, emergency room, and intensive care settings, so
      far. The present study aimed to compare the ability of trauma injury severity
      score (TRISS) and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) III in
      predicting mortality of intensive care unit (ICU) admitted trauma patients.
      METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study included ICU admitted multiple
      trauma patients of Imam Hossein and Hafte-Tir Hospitals, Tehran, Iran, during
      2011 and 2012. Demographic data, vital signs, mechanism of injury and required
      variables for calculating APACHE III score and TRISS were recorded. The accuracy
      of the two models in predicting mortality of trauma patients was compared using
      area under the ROC curve. RESULTS: 152 multiple trauma patients with mean age of
      37.09 +/- 14.60 years were studied (78.94% male). 48 (31.57%) cases died. For
      both APACHE III and TRISS, predicted death rates significantly correlated with
      observed death rates (p < 0.0001). The mean age of dead patients was 37.21 +/-
      14.07 years compared to 37.03+/-14.96 years for those who survived (p = 0.4). The
      area under ROC curve was 0.806 (95% CI: 0.663-0.908) for TRISS and 0.797 (95% CI:
      0.652-0.901) for APACHE III (p = 0.2). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this
      study, both TRISS and APACHE models have the same accuracy in predicting
      mortality of ICU admitted trauma patients. Therefore, it seems that TRISS model
      would be more applicable in this regard because of its easier calculation,
      consideration of trauma characteristics, and independency of patient care
      quality.

PMID- 27274520
TI  - Remifentanil versus Fentanyl/Midazolam in Painless Reduction of Anterior Shoulder
      Dislocation; a Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Performance of painful diagnostic and therapeutic procedures is
      common in emergency department (ED), and procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA)
      is a fundamental skill for every emergency physician. This study was aim to
      compare the efficacy of remifentanil with fentanyl/midazolam in painless
      reduction of anterior shoulder dislocation. METHOD: In this randomized, double
      blind, clinical trial the procedural characteristics, patients' satisfaction as
      well as adverse events were compared between fentanyl/midazolam and remifentanil
      for PSA of 18-64 years old patients, which were presented to ED following
      anterior shoulder dislocation. RESULTS: 96 cases were randomly allocated to two
      groups (86.5% male). There were no significant difference between groups
      regarding baseline characteristics. Remifentanil group had lower duration of
      procedure (2.5 +/- 1.6 versus 4.6 +/- 1.8 minutes, p < 0.001), higher pain
      reduction (53.7 +/- 13.3 versus 33.5 +/- 19.6, p < 0.001), lower failure rate (1
      (2.1%) versus 15 (31.3%), p < 0.001), higher satisfaction (p = 0.005). Adverse
      events were seen in 12 (25%) patients in midazolam/fentanyl and 8 (16.7%) cases
      in remifentanil group (p = 0.122). CONCLUSION: It seems that use of remifentanil
      resulted in lower procedural time, lower failure rate, and lower pain during
      procedure as well as higher patient satisfaction in comparison with
      midazolam/fentanyl combination in anterior shoulder dislocation.

PMID- 27274522
TI  - Ultrasound and Perforated Viscus; Dirty Fluid, Dirty Shadows, and Peritoneal
      Enhancement.
AB  - Early detection of free air in the peritoneal cavity is vital in diagnosis of
      life-threatening emergencies, and can play a significant role in expediting
      treatment. We present a series of cases in which bedside ultrasound (US) in the
      emergency department accurately identified evidence of free intra-peritoneal air
      and echogenic (dirty) free fluid consistent with a surgical final diagnosis of a
      perforated hollow viscus. In all patients with suspected perforated viscus,
      clinicians were able to accurately identify the signs of pneumoperitoneum
      including enhanced peritoneal stripe sign (EPSS), peritoneal stripe
      reverberations, and focal air collections associated with dirty shadowing or
      distal multiple reflections as ring down artifacts. In all cases, hollow viscus
      perforation was confirmed surgically. It seems that, performing US in patients
      with suspected perforated viscus can accurately identify presence of intra
      peritoneal echogenic or "dirty" free fluid as well as evidence of free air, and
      may expedite patient management. 

PMID- 27274521
TI  - Sudden Death Following Exercise; a Case Series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Natural and unexpected death that happens within less than one hour
      of first symptom occurrence is called sudden death. Cardiovascular diseases are
      the main known reason of sudden death and more than 75% of sudden deaths in
      athletes are assigned to it. Here we reported the autopsy results of all cases
      with sudden death following exercise that were referred to forensic center of
      Tehran, Iran, from 2009 to 2014. METHODS: In this cross sectional study all
      subjects who were registered to forensic medicine center of Tehran, Iran, from
      2009 to 2014, as a case of sudden death following exercise were evaluated.
      Demographic data and medical history as well as autopsy and toxicology findings
      were retrospectively gathered using profiles of the deceased. Results were
      reported using descriptive analysis. RESULTS: 14 cases were registered as sudden
      death following exercise in forensic medicine profiles during the study period.
      Exploring the files of the mentioned deceased, revealed five non-compatible cases
      in this regard. Finally, 9 eligible cases were enrolled (88.9% male). The mean
      age of the deceased was 28.66 +/- 10.86 years (range: 7 - 40). Toxicological
      tests were available for 7 cases, one of which was positive for tramadol. Sudden
      death following football was reported most frequently (44.4%). Only 3 (33.3%)
      cases had herald signs such as chest pain, syncope, or loss of consciousness. 1
      case (11.11%) had a positive history of sudden death in relatives. CONCLUSION:
      Although most sudden death victims are asymptomatic until the event, all those
      who suffer from symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness,
      fatigue and irregular heart rate during physical activities, should be screened
      regarding common probable causes of sudden death.

PMID- 27274523
TI  - Peganum Harmala (Aspand) Intoxication; a Case Report.
AB  - There are several reports in the literature indicating a great variety of
      pharmacological effects for peganum harmala or aspand such as sedative anti
      bacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal. Some people believe that can
      be used for treatment of some organic or psychiatric disorders. We introduce a
      woman with history of long time constipation that was disappointed in novel
      medical treatment and decided to use comminuted Aspand to relieve her problem.
      Two hours after use, the intoxication symptoms manifested as blurred vision,
      phonophobia, floating feeling, and tinnitus ringing. Here we report the treatment
      process and outcome of this case. 

PMID- 27274524
TI  - Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis as a Rare Cause of Recurrent Epigastric Pain.
AB  - Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare inflammatory disorder of
      gastrointestinal tract characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the bowel
      wall. It can mimic many gastrointestinal disorders due to its wide spectrum of
      presentations. Diagnose is mostly based on excluding other disorders and a high
      suspicion. Here we report a case of 26 year old man with a history of sever
      epigastric pain followed by nausea, vomiting since a few days before admission
      with final diagnosis of EGE. 

PMID- 27274525
TI  - Evidence Based Emergency Medicine; Part 5 Receiver Operating Curve and Area under
      the Curve.

PMID- 27274526
TI  - Data on heavy metals and selected anions in the Persian popular herbal
      distillates.
AB  - In this data article, we determined the concentration levels of heavy metals
      including Pb, Co, Cd, Mn, Mg, Fe and Cu as well as selected anions including
      [Formula: see text] , [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see
      text] in the most used and popular herbal distillates in Iran. It is well known
      that heavy metals may pose a serious health hazard due to their bioaccumulation
      throughout the trophic chain ("Heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb) content in two
      fish species of Persian Gulf in Bushehr Port, Iran" (Dobaradaran et al., 2013)
      [1]; "Comparative investigation of heavy metal, trace, and macro element contents
      in commercially valuable fish species harvested off from the Persian Gulf" (Abadi
      et al., 2015) [2]) as well as some other environmental pollutions, "Assessment of
      sediment quality based on acid-volatile sulfide and simultaneously extracted
      metals in heavily industrialized area of Asaluyeh, Persian Gulf: concentrations,
      spatial distributions, and sediment bioavailability/toxicity" (Arfaeinia et al.,
      2016) [3]. The concentration levels of heavy metals and anions in herbal
      distillates samples were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry
      (FAAS, Varian AA240, Australia) and a spectrophotometer (M501 Single Beam
      Scanning UV/VIS, UK) respectively. 

PMID- 27274527
TI  - Data on the peptide mapping and MS identification for phosphorylated peptide.
AB  - This article contains peptides mapping, mass spectrometry and processed data
      related to the research "Identification and quantification of the phosphorylated
      ovalbumin by high resolution mass spectrometry under dry-heating treatment" [1].
      Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) was used to
      investigate the specific phosphorylation sites and the degree of phosphorylation
      (DSP) at each site. Specifically, phosphorylated peptides were monitored through
      mass shift on the FTICR MS spectrum. DSP was evaluated through the relative
      abundance levels of the FTICR MS spectrometry. From these data, the calculation
      method of DSP was exemplified. 

PMID- 27274528
TI  - Data from mass spectrometry, NMR spectra, GC-MS of fatty acid esters produced by
      Lasiodiplodia theobromae.
AB  - The data described herein is related to the article with the title "Fatty acid
      esters produced by Lasiodiplodia theobromae function as growth regulators in
      tobacco seedlings" C.C. Uranga, J. Beld, A. Mrse, I. Cordova-Guerrero, M.D.
      Burkart, R. Hernandez-Martinez (2016) [1]. Data includes nuclear magnetic
      resonance spectroscopy and GC-MS data used for the identification and
      characterization of fatty acid esters produced by L. theobromae. GC-MS traces are
      also shown for incubations in defined substrate, consisting in Vogel's salts
      supplemented with either 5% grapeseed oil or 5% glucose, the two combined, or 5%
      fructose. Traces for incubations in the combination of 5% grapeseed oil and 5%
      glucose for different fungal species are also included. Images of mycelium
      morphology when grown in 5% glucose with or without 5% grapeseed oil are shown
      due to the stark difference in mycelial pigmentation in the presence of
      triglycerides. High concentration gradient data for the plant model Nicotiana
      tabacum germinated in ethyl stearate (SAEE) and ethyl linoleate (LAEE) is
      included to show the transition between growth inhibition and growth induction in
      N. tabacum by these compounds. 

PMID- 27274529
TI  - Data on dynamic study of cytoophidia in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - The data in this paper are related to the research article entitled
      "Filamentation of metabolic enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae" Q.J. Shen et al.
      (2016) [1]. Cytoophidia are filamentous structures discovered in fruit flies
      (doi:10.1016/S1673-8527(09)60046-1) J.L. Liu (2010) [2], bacteria
      (doi:10.1038/ncb2087) M. Ingerson-Mahar et al. (2010) [3], yeast
      (doi:10.1083/jcb.201003001; doi:10.1242/bio.20149613) C. Noree et al. (2010) and
      J. Zhang, L. Hulme, J.L. Liu (2014) [4], [5] and human cells
      (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029690; doi:10.1016/j.jgg.2011.08.004) K. Chen et al.
      (2011) and W.C. Carcamo et al. (2011) ( [6], [7]. However, there is little
      research on the motility of the cytoophidia. Here we selected cytoophidia formed
      by 6 filament-forming proteins in the budding yeast S. cerevisiae, and performed
      living-cell imaging of cells expressing the proteins fused with GFP. The dynamic
      features of the six types of cytoophidia were analyzed. In the data, both raw
      movies and analysed results of the dynamics of cytoophidia are presented. 

PMID- 27274530
TI  - Data on the gene expression of cardiomyocyte exposed to hypothermia.
AB  - Hypothermia is widely used in neurosurgery and cardiac surgeries. However, little
      is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. We previously reported that
      the transcriptome responses of cardiomyocyte exposed to hypothermia, "The
      transcriptome responses of cardiomyocyte exposed to hypothermia" [4]. Herein, we
      provide the hypothermia inhibited proliferation of cardiomyocyte cells in vitro
      and the details of transcription factors in regulation of differentially
      expressed genes. 

PMID- 27274531
TI  - Data on morphological features of mycosis induced by Colletotrichum nymphaeae and
      Lecanicillium longisporum on citrus orthezia scale.
AB  - We describe symptoms of mycosis induced by two native fungal entomopathogens of
      the citrus orthezia scale, Praelongorthezia praelonga (Hemiptera: Ortheziidae),
      an important pest of citrus orchards. The data presented in this article are
      related to the article entitled "Seasonal prevalence of the insect pathogenic
      fungus Colletotrichum nymphaeae in Brazilian citrus groves under different
      chemical pesticide regimes" [1]. The endemic fungal pathogen, C. nymphaeae,
      emerges through the thin cuticular intersegmental regions of the citrus orthezia
      scale body revealing orange salmon-pigmented conidiophores bearing conidial
      masses, as well as producing rhizoid-like hyphae that extend over the citrus
      leaf. By contrast, nymphs or adult females of this scale insect infected with
      Lecanicillium longisporum exhibit profuse outgrowth of bright white-pigmented
      conidiophores with clusters of conidia emerging from the insect intersegmental
      membranes, and mycosed cadavers are commonly observed attached to the leaf
      surface by hyphal extensions. These morphological differences are important
      features to discriminate these fungal entomopathogens in citrus orthezia scales. 

PMID- 27274532
TI  - Proteomics data in support of the quantification of the changes of bovine milk
      proteins during mammary gland involution.
AB  - Here we provide data from three proteomics techniques; two-dimensional
      electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by identification of selected spots using PSD
      MALDI-TOF MS/MS, one-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by LC-MS/MS
      analysis of gel slices (GeLC) and dimethyl isotopic labelling of tryptic peptides
      followed by Orbitrap MS/MS (DML), to quantify the changes in the repertoire of
      bovine milk proteins that occurs after drying off. We analysed skim milk and whey
      sampled at day 0 and either day 3 or day 8 after drying off. These analyses
      identified 45 spots by MALDI-TOF, 51 proteins by GeLC and 161 proteins by DML,
      for which the detailed data work-up is presented as three Excel files. The data
      supplied in this article supports the accompanying publication "Changes in the
      repertoire of bovine milk proteins during mammary involution" (Boggs et al.,
      2015) [1]. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifiers
      ProteomeXchange: PXD003110 and ProteomeXchange: PXD003011. 

PMID- 27274533
TI  - Data on the identification of protein interactors with the Evening Complex and
      PCH1 in Arabidopsis using tandem affinity purification and mass spectrometry (TAP
      MS).
AB  - Tandem affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry (TAP-MS) analysis is
      a powerful biochemical approach to identify protein-protein associations. Here we
      describe two datasets generated by a series of TAP-MS analyses to co-purify
      proteins associated with either ELF3 or ELF4 of the Evening Complex (EC)
      ("Identification of Evening Complex Associated Proteins in Arabidopsis by
      Affinity Purification and Mass Spectrometry" (Huang et al., 2016a) [1]) or
      proteins associated with PCH1, which is a newly identified output of the
      circadian clock to regulate photoperiodic growth in Arabidopsis thaliana ("PCH1
      integrates circadian and light-signaling pathways to control photoperiod
      responsive growth in Arabidopsis" (Huang et al. 2016b) [2]). We used either ELF3,
      ELF4 or PCH1 fused to a C-terminal tandem affinity tag (6xHis-3xFLAG) as baits
      and conducted purifications in various genetic mutant backgrounds. These data are
      discussed in recent publications [1,2], and are deposited at the ProteomeXchange
      Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PRIDE:
      PXD002606 (for EC) and PRIDE: PXD003352 (for PCH1). 

PMID- 27274534
TI  - Whole transcriptome data analysis of zebrafish mutants affecting muscle
      development.
AB  - Formation of the contractile myofibril of the skeletal muscle is a complex
      process which when perturbed leads to muscular dystrophy. Herein, we provide a
      mRNAseq dataset on three different zebrafish mutants affecting muscle
      organization during embryogenesis. These comprise the myosin folding chaperone
      unc45b (unc45b-/-), heat shock protein 90aa1.1 (hsp90aa1.1-/-) and the
      acetylcholine esterase (ache-/-) gene. The transcriptome analysis was performed
      in duplicate experiments at 72 h post-fertilization (hpf) for all three mutants,
      with two additional times of development (24 hpf and 48 hpf) for unc45b-/-. A
      total of 20 samples were analyzed by hierarchical clustering for differential
      gene expression. The data from this study support the observation made in Etard
      et al. (2015) [1] (http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13059-015-0825-8) that a failure to
      fold myosin activates a unique transcriptional program in the skeletal muscles
      that is different from that induced in stressed muscle cells. 

PMID- 27274535
TI  - Koenen's tumor and facial angiofibromas in a case of Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome: A
      cutaneous contribution to growing evidence of a relationship with tuberous
      sclerosis complex.

PMID- 27274536
TI  - Surgical removal of a noninvoluting congenital hemangioma using a modified sub
      brow flap.

PMID- 27274537
TI  - Urogynecologic complications in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal
      necrolysis: Presentation of a case and recommendations for management.

PMID- 27274538
TI  - Keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

PMID- 27274539
TI  - Peroral endoscopic myotomy for Jackhammer esophagus: to cut or not to cut the
      lower esophageal sphincter.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: With the success of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
      in treatment of achalasia, its successful application to other spastic esophageal
      motility disorders such as Jackhammer esophagus has been noted. The question of
      whether the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) should be included in the myotomy
      for Jackhammer esophagus is a topic of current debate. Here, we report our
      experience and results with four patients with Jackhammer esophagus treated with
      POEM. The clinical and manometric results are presented and their potential
      implications are discussed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2014 and July
      2015, four patients underwent POEM for treatment of Jackhammer esophagus at our
      center. Manometry was performed prior to and after POEM. All patients met the
      Chicago classification criteria for Jackhammer esophagus and received a barium
      esophagram and endoscopic examination before having POEM. RESULTS: All patients
      had uneventful procedures without any intraoperative or post-procedure
      complications. Patients in which the LES was included during POEM had resolution
      or significant improvement in symptoms. One patient in whom the LES was preserved
      had resolution of chest pain but developed significant dysphagia and
      regurgitation. Subsequently this individual received a repeat POEM which included
      the LES, resulting in symptom resolution. CONCLUSIONS: POEM is a suitable
      treatment for patients with Jackhammer esophagus. Until there are larger-scale
      randomized studies, we speculate that based on our clinical experience and
      physiologic and manometric observations, obligatory inclusion of the LES is
      justified to reduce the risk of symptom development from iatrogenic ineffective
      esophageal motility or subsequent progression to achalasia.

PMID- 27274542
TI  - Why should I join my specialty societies?

PMID- 27274540
TI  - Screening for novel hexanucleotide repeat expansions at ALS- and FTD-associated
      loci.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether GGGGCC (G4C2) repeat expansions at loci other
      than C9orf72 serve as common causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
      METHODS: We assessed G4C2 repeat number in 28 genes near known ALS and
      frontotemporal dementia (FTD) loci by repeat-primed PCR coupled with fluorescent
      fragment analysis in 199 patients with ALS (17 familial, 182 sporadic) and 136
      healthy controls. We also obtained blood from patients with ALS4 for evaluation
      of repeats surrounding the SETX gene locus. C9orf72 expansions were evaluated in
      parallel. RESULTS: Expansions of G4C2 repeats in C9orf72 explained 8.8% of
      sporadic and 47% of familial ALS cases analyzed. Repeat variance was observed at
      one other locus, RGS14, but no large expansions were observed, and repeat sizes
      were not different between cases and controls. No G4C2 repeat expansions were
      identified at other ALS or FTD risk loci or in ALS4 cases. CONCLUSIONS: G4C2
      expansions near known ALS and FTD loci other than C9orf72 are not a common cause
      of ALS.

PMID- 27274541
TI  - Biochemical characteristics of AtFAR2, a fatty acid reductase from Arabidopsis
      thaliana that reduces fatty acyl-CoA and -ACP substrates into fatty alcohols.
AB  - Fatty alcohols and derivatives are important for proper deposition of a
      functional pollen wall. Mutations in specific genes encoding fatty acid
      reductases (FAR) responsible for fatty alcohol production cause abnormal
      development of pollen. A disrupted AtFAR2 (MS2) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana
      results in pollen developing an abnormal exine layer and a reduced fertility
      phenotype. AtFAR2 has been shown to be targeted to chloroplasts and in a purified
      form to be specific for acyl-ACP substrates. Here, we present data on the in
      vitro and in planta characterizations of AtFAR2 from A. thaliana and show that
      this enzyme has the ability to use both, C16:0-ACP and C16:0-CoA, as substrates
      to produce C16:0-alcohol. Our results further show that AtFAR2 is highly similar
      in properties and substrate specificity to AtFAR6 for which in vitro data has
      been published, and which is also a chloroplast localized enzyme. This suggests
      that although AtFAR2 is the major enzyme responsible for exine layer
      functionality, AtFAR6 might provide functional redundancy to AtFAR2. 

PMID- 27274543
TI  - A practical overview of pediatric atopic dermatitis, part 2: triggers and
      grading.
AB  - In part 2 of this 3-part series on atopic dermatitis (AD) in children, triggers
      for the appearance and flaring of AD are reviewed. The role of AD in the atopic
      march is explored. Furthermore, the usage of grading systems in the development
      of therapeutics and in clinical care is discussed. The natural history of AD has
      changed from improvement to 50% persistence and therefore it is important to
      council guardians and patients accordingly. 

PMID- 27274544
TI  - The impact of fellowship training on scholarly productivity in academic
      dermatology.
AB  - An increasing number of dermatology residents are pursuing postresidency
      fellowships to augment their knowledge in dermatology subspecialties. The purpose
      of this study was to determine whether fellowship training affects the scholarly
      impact of academic dermatologists, as measured by the h-index. A secondary
      objective was to compare scholarly productivity among different dermatology
      subspecialties. Overall, fellowship training is associated with increased
      scholarly impact; however, when stratifying for academic rank and years of
      publication activity, this difference does not exist. 

PMID- 27274545
TI  - Lupus erythematosus and localized scleroderma coexistent at the same sites: a
      rare presentation of overlap syndrome of connective-tissue diseases.
AB  - Overlap syndromes are known to occur with connective-tissue diseases (CTDs).
      Rarely, the overlap occurs at the same tissue site. We report the case of a
      patient with clinical and histopathologic findings consistent with the presence
      of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and localized scleroderma within the same
      lesions. Based on our case and other reported cases in the literature, the
      following features are common in patients with an overlap of lupus erythematosus
      (LE) and localized scleroderma: predilection for young women, photodistributed
      lesions, DLE, linear morphology clinically, and positivity along the
      dermoepidermal junction on direct immunofluorescence. Most patients showed good
      response to antimalarials, topical steroids, or systemic steroids. 

PMID- 27274546
TI  - Merkel cell carcinoma in a vein graft donor site.
AB  - The development of malignancies in graft donor sites is rare and may be caused by
      de novo malignancies as well as metastatic and iatrogenic spread. Malignancies in
      graft donor sites are distinguished from Marjolin ulcers by some investigators
      because they occur in healed surgical wounds rather than in chronic wounds or
      unstable scars and tend to occur sooner after injury. We present a unique case of
      Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) developing in a vein graft donor site 18 years after
      vein harvesting. 

PMID- 27274547
TI  - Erythematous atrophic plaque in the inguinal fold.

PMID- 27274548
TI  - Pityriasis lichenoides chronica presenting with bilateral palmoplantar
      involvement.
AB  - Pityriasis lichenoides is an uncommon, acquired, idiopathic, self-limiting skin
      disease that poses a challenge to patients and clinicians to diagnose and treat.
      Several variants exist including pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta
      (PLEVA), pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), and febrile ulcer-onecrotic Mucha
      Habermann disease. Precise classification can be difficult due to an overlap of
      clinical and histologic features. In this case report we describe a patient with
      a rare presentation of PLC exhibiting bilateral palmoplantar involvement and
      mimicking psoriasis. We review the literature and discuss the clinical course,
      pathogenesis, and current treatment modalities of PLC. 

PMID- 27274549
TI  - Benign lesion on the posterior aspect of the neck.

PMID- 27274550
TI  - The elongated dermatofibroma: a new dermoscopic variant?

PMID- 27274551
TI  - Palmoplantar pustular eruption due to dabigatran.

PMID- 27274553
TI  - Regional lymphomatoid papulosis of the breast restricted to an area of prior
      radiotherapy.
AB  - We report the case of a 59-year-old woman with type A regional lymphomatoid
      papulosis (LyP) that was localized to the left breast, a cutaneous area that had
      received radiotherapy for treatment of a carcinoma of the breast 5 years prior.
      This report is a rare example of regional LyP with all lesions located in an area
      of prior radiotherapy. 

PMID- 27274552
TI  - If a chronic wound does not heal, biopsy it: a clinical lesson on underlying
      malignancies.

PMID- 27274554
TI  - Onychomadesis following hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

PMID- 27274555
TI  - DRESS syndrome with autoimmune hepatitis from strontium ranelate.
AB  - Strontium ranelate, which is used for postmenopausal osteoporosis, has been
      associated with drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
      syndrome, a severe, acute, potentially fatal, multisystem adverse drug reaction
      characterized by skin rash, fever, hematological abnormalities, and
      lymphadenopathy with involvement of several internal organs. We report the case
      of a woman who developed DRESS syndrome with a generalized maculopapular rash,
      eosinophilia, dyspnea, bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, and reactivation of
      Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with liver damage 3 weeks after administration of
      strontium ranelate for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Approximately 6 months after
      total remission of cutaneous symptoms, the patient developed autoimmune
      hepatitis. This case confirms that strontium ranelate should be considered as a
      possible factor in the etiopathology of DRESS syndrome as well as in the
      subsequent development of autoimmune hepatitis. The possibility of developing
      autoimmune hepatitis as a part of DRESS syndrome related to strontium ranelate
      use can occur months after the acute episode. 

PMID- 27274556
TI  - Management of vitiligo patients with surgical interventions.
AB  - Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder of unknown etiology. Medical
      treatments are usually reasonably effective for nonstable vitiligo patches;
      however, for vitiligo patches that have been stable for a substantial period of
      time, surgical intervention should be considered. In this article, surgical
      interventions for vitiligo are reviewed, including split-thickness skin grafting,
      suction blister grafting, miniature punch grafting, and cultured melanocyte
      transplantation. 

PMID- 27274557
TI  - Growing subcutaneous mass on the thigh.

PMID- 27274558
TI  - Irregular, smooth, pink plaque on the back.

PMID- 27274559
TI  - Materials for use in dental CAD/CAM technology--spoiled for choice or a
      wellspring of new possibilities?

PMID- 27274560
TI  - Comparison of fracture loads of CAD/CAM and conventionally fabricated temporary
      fixed dental prostheses after different aging regimens.
AB  - This study evaluated the fracture loads of different threeunit fixed dental
      prostheses (FDPs) for temporary restorations. In total, three CAD/CAM materials
      (VITA CADTemp [CT], Telio CAD [TC], and ZENO ProFix [ZP]) and two chairside
      materials (Protemp 4 [PT], and Dentalon Plus [DP]) were used for the fabrication
      of the FDPs. Sixteen FDPs were fabricated from each material in an anatomical
      shape and stored in 0.9% NaCl solution at 37 degrees C for 14 days. Thereafter,
      one half of the specimens from each group (n = 8) were additionally mechanically
      and thermally loaded (240,000 chewing cycles, 50 N, 5 degrees /55 degrees C,
      2,100 thermal cycles). Fracture loads were measured and data analyzed using two-
      and one-way ANOVA, followed by Scheffe's post hoc test. ZP showed the highest
      mean fracture loads, regardless of the aging regime. Significantly lowest values
      were identified for DP and TC within the non-thermal loaded group, and for PT and
      CT within the thermal loaded group. No negative impact of aging regimes could be
      observed. 

PMID- 27274561
TI  - Understanding dental CAD/CAM for restorations--dental milling machines from a
      mechanical engineering viewpoint. Part B: labside milling machines.
AB  - Nowadays, dental numerical controlled (NC) milling machines are available for
      dental laboratories (labside solution) and dental production centers. This
      article provides a mechanical engineering approach to NC milling machines to help
      dental technicians understand the involvement of technology in digital dentistry
      practice. The technical and economic criteria are described for four labside and
      two production center dental NC milling machines available on the market. The
      technical criteria are focused on the capacities of the embedded technologies of
      milling machines to mill prosthetic materials and various restoration shapes. The
      economic criteria are focused on investment cost and interoperability with third
      party software. The clinical relevance of the technology is discussed through the
      accuracy and integrity of the restoration. It can be asserted that dental
      production center milling machines offer a wider range of materials and types of
      restoration shapes than labside solutions, while labside solutions offer a wider
      range than chairside solutions. The accuracy and integrity of restorations may be
      improved as a function of the embedded technologies provided. However, the more
      complex the technical solutions available, the more skilled the user must be.
      Investment cost and interoperability with third-party software increase according
      to the quality of the embedded technologies implemented. Each private dental
      practice may decide which fabrication option to use depending on the scope of the
      practice. 

PMID- 27274562
TI  - The effect of immediate dentin sealing and optical powder removal method on the
      fracture resistance of CAD/CAM-fabricated endocrowns.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of immediate dentin sealing and optical powder
      removal method on the fracture resistance of CAD/CAM-fabricated ceramic
      endocrowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight extracted premolars were
      endodontically treated. Standardized endocrown preparations were done in 60
      teeth. Teeth were divided equally (n = 10) depending on the treatment of dentin
      (delayed sealing [DS] or immediate sealing [IS]), and the methods of optical
      powder removal (air-water spray washing [AW]; microabrasion [MA]; or aqueous
      suspension of pumice [PB], followed by air-water spray washing). After
      cementation, specimens were thermocycled (5,000 cycles, 5 degrees C/50 degrees C)
      and stored in distilled water for 1 week. Specimens were loaded in compression
      using a universal testing machine until failure. Failure load was recorded, and
      modes of failure were examined under a stereomicroscope. Micromorphological
      evaluation of different dentin treatments was done under SEM (n = 3). Results
      were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc multiple comparison
      tests (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Fracture resistance of all IS groups was
      significantly lower than DS groups, except for AW. There was no statistically
      significant difference between powder removal methods. CONCLUSION: Immediate
      dentin sealing does not improve the fracture resistance of endocrown
      restorations. Air-water spray washing is adequate to remove the optical powder
      after optical scanning impression taking.

PMID- 27274563
TI  - Science beyond fiction. A revolution of knowledge transfer in research,
      education, and practice is on the horizon.
AB  - "Digitality" (as opposed to "digitalization"--the conversion from the analog
      domain to the digital domain) will open up a whole new world that does not
      originate from the analog world. Contemporary research in the field of neural
      concepts and neuromorphic computing systems will lead to convergences between the
      world of digitality and the world of neuronality, giving the theme "Knowledge and
      Culture" a new meaning. The simulation of virtual multidimensional and contextual
      spaces will transform the transfer of knowledge from a uni- and bidirectional
      process into an interactive experience. We will learn to learn in a ubiquitous
      computing environment and will abandon conventional curriculum organization
      principles. The adaptation of individualized ontologies will result in the
      emergence of a new world of knowledge in which knowledge evolves from a cultural
      heritage into a commodity.

PMID- 27274564
TI  - Microveneering technique for esthetic enhancement of monolithic zirconia
      restorations.
AB  - The importance of monolithic ceramic restorations is growing, given the safe and
      cost-effective options for fabrication of such dental crowns and fixed dental
      prostheses. The optical characteristics of traditional zirconia do not suffice
      for this purpose. Improved restorative materials that can achieve satisfactory
      results in posterior restorations have been proposed to solve the problem. In the
      anterior region, however, even "esthetic" zirconia ceramic is unable to attain
      results comparable to those of glass-ceramic. Microveneering is a simple,
      reliable, and timesaving solution. Minimal reduction and veneering can
      significantly improve the results. A characteristic case is presented here. 

PMID- 27274565
TI  - A rigorous detection of interstellar CH3NCO: An important missing species in
      astrochemical networks.
AB  - The recent analysis of the composition of the frozen surface of comet
      67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has revealed a significant number of complex organic
      molecules. Methyl isocyanate (CH3NCO) is one of the more abundant species
      detected on the comet surface. In this work we report extensive characterization
      of its rotational spectrum resulting in a list of 1269 confidently assigned
      laboratory lines and its detection in space towards the Orion clouds where 399
      lines of the molecule have been unambiguously identified. We find that the
      limited mm-wave laboratory data reported prior to our work require some revision.
      The abundance of CH3NCO in Orion is only a factor of ten below those of HNCO and
      CH3CN. Unlike the molecular abundances in the coma of comets, which correlate
      with those of warm molecular clouds, molecular abundances in the gas phase in
      Orion are only weakly correlated with those measured on the comet surface. We
      also compare our abundances with those derived recently for this molecule towards
      Sgr B2 (Halfen et al. 2015). A more accurate abundance of CH3NCO is provided for
      this cloud based on our extensive laboratory work.

PMID- 27274566
TI  - Advancing Translation and Dissemination Research and Practice Through the
      Physical Activity Policy Research Network Plus.

PMID- 27274567
TI  - Apparatus to measure the vapor pressure of slowly decomposing compounds from 1 Pa
      to 105 Pa.
AB  - This article describes an apparatus and method for measuring vapor pressures in
      the range from 1 Pa to 105 Pa. Its three distinctive elements are : (1) the
      static pressure measurements were made with only a small temperature difference
      between the vapor and the condensed phase, (2) the sample was degassed in situ,
      and (3) the temperature range extended up to 200  degrees C. The apparatus was
      designed to measure metal-organic precursors, which often are toxic, pyrophoric,
      or unstable. Vapor pressures are presented for naphthalene, ferrocene, diethyl
      phthalate, and TEMAH (tetrakisethylmethylaminohafnium). Also presented are data
      for the temperature-dependent decomposition rate of TEMAH.

PMID- 27274568
TI  - Taxes and Bribes in Uganda.
AB  - Using data from 433 firms operating along Uganda's charcoal and timber supply
      chains we investigate patterns of bribe payment and tax collection between supply
      chain actors and government officials responsible for collecting taxes and fees.
      We examine the factors associated with the presence and magnitude of bribe and
      tax payments using a series of bivariate probit and Tobit regression models. We
      find empirical support for a number of hypotheses related to payments,
      highlighting the role of queuing, capital-at-risk, favouritism, networks, and
      role in the supply chain. We also find that taxes crowd-in bribery in the
      charcoal market.

PMID- 27274569
TI  - Marital Conflict in Older Couples: Positivity, Personality, and Health.
AB  - We examine the implications of health and personality characteristics for late
      life marital conflict, using data from the 2010-11 wave of the National Social
      Life Health and Aging Project (NSHAP), a nationally representative study with
      data on both partners in 955 marital and cohabitational dyads. Using these data,
      we relate characteristics of husbands to characteristics of their wives, and vice
      versa. Wives with husbands in fair or poor physical health are more likely to
      report high levels of marital conflict, but the reverse is not true. Similarly,
      wives report more conflict when their husbands are high on Neuroticism, high on
      Extraversion, and low on a new measure we call Positivity. Our findings point to
      noteworthy gender differences between men and women in the associations between
      individual characteristics and levels of marital conflict. We point to
      differences between husbands' and wives' marital roles as a contributor to these
      differences.

PMID- 27274570
TI  - Spot size variation FCS in simulations of the 2D Ising model.
AB  - Spot variation fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (svFCS) was developed to
      study the movement and organization of single molecules in plasma membranes. This
      experimental technique varies the size of an illumination area while measuring
      correlations in time using standard fluorescence correlation methods. Frequently,
      this data is interpreted using the assumption that correlation measurements
      reflect the dynamics of single molecule motions, and not motions of the average
      composition. Here, we explore how svFCS measurements report on the dynamics of
      components diffusing within simulations of a 2D Ising model with a conserved
      order parameter. Simulated correlation functions report on both the fast dynamics
      of single component mobility and the slower dynamics of the average composition.
      Over a range of simulation conditions, a conventional svFCS analysis suggests the
      presence of anomalous diffusion even though single molecule motions are nearly
      Brownian in these simulations. This misinterpretation is most significant when
      the surface density of the fluorescent label is elevated, therefore we suggest
      future measurements be made over a range of tracer densities. Some simulation
      conditions reproduce qualitative features of published svFCS experimental data.
      Overall, this work emphasizes the need to probe membranes using multiple
      complimentary experimental methodologies in order to draw conclusions regarding
      the nature of spatial and dynamical heterogeneity in these systems.

PMID- 27274571
TI  - Internet Effects in Times of Political Crisis: Online Newsgathering and Attitudes
      toward the European Union.
AB  - This paper evaluates the influence of online news consumption on attitudes toward
      the European Union in a context of protracted economic crisis. Using data from
      the 2011 Irish National Election Study, we combine location-specific information
      on broadband availability with respondent geo-location data, which facilitates
      causal inference about the effects of online news consumption via instrumental
      variable models. Results show that Irish citizens who source political
      information online are more prone to blame the EU for the poor state of the
      economy than those who do not. There is evidence of preference reinforcement
      among those with negative predispositions toward the EU, but not among pro-EU
      citizens. We complement this analysis with a study of voting behavior in the
      European Fiscal Compact Referendum, employing a similar methodological approach.
      The results from this second survey confirm the anti-EU influence of online news
      consumption among Irish citizens, although evidence suggests a pro-EU effect
      among voters who browsed the website of the politically neutral Irish Referendum
      Commission. Our paper contributes to the literature on public opinion, the EU,
      and political attitudes in times of crisis.

PMID- 27274572
TI  - Democracy's Denominator: Reassessing Responsiveness with Public Opinion on the
      National Policy Agenda.
AB  - Democratic responsiveness concerns the degree to which government policies match
      public preferences. Responsiveness studies typically use national surveys to
      characterize public opinion, but whether poll questions overlap with the policy
      agenda is unknown. The first of two empirical analyses presented here, with
      hundreds of issues on the national agenda in the United States from 1947 to 2000,
      reveals that public opinion is mostly unrelated to policy outcomes. The picture
      appears to be even more ominous-that is, opinion and policy are negatively
      related-on highly salient issues that attract media attention. A second study
      revisiting published work confirms that responsiveness patterns look different
      depending upon whether studies of opinion-policy connections (a) begin with
      survey data and then examine policy developments, or (b) begin with national
      legislative agenda issues and then examine survey data. Thus, conclusions about
      democratic responsiveness depend upon the issues that are examined, and often
      opinion surveys do not include questions about tangible public policy options. In
      that sense, future changes in democratic responsiveness might go undetected
      because scholars often lack data on what goes into the denominator of democracy.

PMID- 27274573
TI  - The Anxious and Ambivalent Partisan: The Effect of Incidental Anxiety on Partisan
      Motivated Recall and Ambivalence.
AB  - Affective Intelligence Theory (AIT) asserts that anxiety reduces the effect of
      party identification on candidate preferences (Marcus, Neuman, and MacKuen 2000),
      but recent studies have raised doubts about this causal claim. Rather than
      functioning as a moderator of party identification, perhaps anxiety has a direct
      effect on preferences, or perhaps the relationship is reversed and preferences
      drive emotions (Ladd and Lenz 2008). Alternatively, Marcus et al.'s measure of
      anxiety may simply be capturing partisan ambivalence, so the posited relationship
      is spurious (Lavine, Johnston, and Steenbergen 2012). This paper addresses each
      of these questions by examining the effect of experimentally induced emotions on
      the types of considerations that came to mind when a national sample of adult
      Americans was asked what they liked and disliked about Barack Obama. By directly
      manipulating anxiety, this experiment avoids the causal ambiguity plaguing this
      debate and ascertains the true nature of the relationship between anxiety and
      ambivalence. Consistent with AIT, anxiety led respondents to recall more
      contemporary considerations, whereas enthusiasm brought to mind more long
      standing considerations. Because the political context at the time of the study
      (fall 2013) was a very tumultuous time for the Obama administration, the
      increased accessibility of contemporary considerations led Democratic
      participants to experience more ambivalence in the anxiety condition. This effect
      was concentrated among those Democrats who were exposed to the most newspaper
      coverage.

PMID- 27274574
TI  - The Political Consequences of Latino Prejudice against Blacks.
AB  - A good deal of scholarship examines the effects of prejudice against blacks on
      public opinion and vote choice in the United States. Despite producing valuable
      insights, this research largely ignores the attitudes of Latinos-a critical
      omission, since Latinos constitute a rapidly growing share of the population.
      Using two nationally representative survey data sets, we find that the level of
      racial prejudice is comparable for Latinos and non-Hispanic whites. Equally
      comparable are associations between prejudice and political preferences: policy
      opinion and support for Obama in the 2008 presidential election. Our findings
      suggest that despite demographic changes, efforts to enact policies intended to
      assist blacks and elect black candidates will continue to be undermined by
      prejudice. That said, Latinos are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to support
      policies intended to assist blacks, because Latinos are more Democratic than non
      Hispanic whites, more egalitarian, and less committed to the value of limited
      government.

PMID- 27274575
TI  - Are Survey Respondents Lying about Their Support for Same-Sex Marriage? Lessons
      from a List Experiment.
AB  - Public opinion polls consistently show that a growing majority of Americans
      support same-sex marriage. Critics, however, raise the possibility that these
      polls are plagued by social desirability bias, and thereby may overstate public
      support for gay and lesbian rights. We test this proposition using a list
      experiment embedded in the 2013 Cooperative Congressional Election Study. List
      experiments afford respondents an anonymity that allows them to provide more
      truthful answers to potentially sensitive survey items. Our experiment finds no
      evidence that social desirability is affecting overall survey results. If there
      is social desirability in polling on same-sex marriage, it pushes in both
      directions. Indeed, our efforts provide new evidence that a national opinion
      majority favors same-sex marriage. To evaluate the robustness of our findings, we
      analyze a second list experiment, this one focusing on the inclusion of sexual
      orientation in employment nondiscrimination laws. Again, we find no overall
      evidence of bias.

PMID- 27274576
TI  - Reliability Concerns in Measuring Respondent Skin Tone by Interviewer
      Observation.
AB  - The current study assesses the intercoder reliability of one of the most
      important skin tone measurement instruments-the Massey-Martin scale. This scale
      is used in several high-profile social surveys, but has not yet been
      psychometrically evaluated. The current evaluation is only possible because, for
      the first time, the General Social Survey's 2010-2014 panel used the instrument
      to guide interviewers' skin tone observation of the same respondents in two
      different years (2012 and 2014). Despite the widespread use of the Massey-Martin
      scale to investigate potential effects of skin tone on social attitudes and
      outcomes, the data suggest that the measure has low intercoder reliability.
      Implications for researchers and survey practitioners are discussed.

PMID- 27274577
TI  - Breaking Out of the Lab: Measuring Real-Time Responses to Televised Political
      Content in Real-World Settings.
AB  - Real-time response (RTR) measurement is an important technique for analyzing
      human processing of electronic media stimuli. Although it has been demonstrated
      that RTR data are reliable and internally valid, some argue that they lack
      external validity. The reason for this is that RTR measurement is restricted to a
      laboratory environment due to its technical requirements. This paper introduces a
      smartphone app that 1) captures real-time responses using the dial technique and
      2) provides a solution for one of the most important problems in RTR measurement,
      the (automatic) synchronization of RTR data. In addition, it explores the
      reliability and validity of mobile RTR measurement by comparing the real-time
      reactions of two samples of young and well-educated voters to the 2013 German
      televised debate. Whereas the first sample participated in a classical laboratory
      study, the second sample was equipped with our mobile RTR system and watched the
      debate at home. Results indicate that the mobile RTR system yields similar
      results to the lab-based RTR measurement, providing evidence that laboratory
      studies using RTR are externally valid. In particular, the argument that the
      artificial reception situation creates artificial results has to be questioned.
      In addition, we conclude that RTR measurement outside the lab is possible. Hence,
      mobile RTR opens the door for large-scale studies to better understand the
      processing and impact of electronic media content.

PMID- 27274578
TI  - Numeracy and the Persuasive Effect of Policy Information and Party Cues.
AB  - Numeric political appeals represent a prevalent but overlooked domain of public
      opinion research. When can quantitative information change political attitudes,
      and is this change trumped by partisan effects? We analyze how numeracy-or
      individual differences in citizens' ability to process and apply numeric policy
      information-moderates the effectiveness of numeric political appeals on a
      moderately salient policy issue. Results show that those low in numeracy exhibit
      a strong party-cue effect, treating numeric information in a superficial and
      heuristic fashion. Conversely, those high in numeracy are persuaded by numeric
      information, even when it is sponsored by the opposing party, overcoming the
      party-cue effect. Our results make clear that overlooking numeric ability when
      analyzing quantitative political appeals can mask significant persuasion effects,
      and we build on recent work advancing the understanding of individual differences
      in public opinion.

PMID- 27274579
TI  - Cross-National Trends in Religious Service Attendance.
AB  - The nature of religious change and the future of religion have been central
      questions of social science since its inception. But empirical research on this
      question has been quite American-centric, encouraged by the conventional wisdom
      that the United States is an outlier of religiosity in the developed world, and,
      more pragmatically, by the availability of survey data. The dramatic growth in
      the number and reach of cross-national surveys over the past two decades has
      offered a corrective. These data have allowed research on religious trends in the
      United States, Canada, and Europe, putting American trends into comparative
      relief. This research synthesis reviews the past quarter century of cross
      national comparative survey research on religious behavior, focusing on religious
      service attendance as a commonly measured behavior that is arguably more
      equivalent across societies and cultures than other measures of religiosity. The
      lack of evidence for religious revival is highlighted, noting instead declining
      rates of attendance in the United States and Canada, and either declining rates
      or low "bottomed-out" stability in Western Europe, most of Eastern Europe, and
      Australia and New Zealand. Finally, countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia
      are discussed to the extent that research allows, before a call for future
      research-in these places in particular-is made in order to correct for the
      Western and Christian focus of much of the research on cross-national religious
      trends.

PMID- 27274580
TI  - Manuscript Referees, 2015.

PMID- 27274586
TI  - Progress in Kdo-glycoside chemistry.
AB  - Glycosylation chemistry of 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid units has been
      considerably developed within the last decade. This review covers major
      achievements with respect to improved yields and anomeric selectivity as well as
      suppression of the elimination side reaction via selection of dedicated
      protecting groups and appropriate activation of the anomeric center.

PMID- 27274585
TI  - The Trans-Contextual Model of Autonomous Motivation in Education: Conceptual and
      Empirical Issues and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - The trans-contextual model outlines the processes by which autonomous motivation
      toward activities in a physical education context predicts autonomous motivation
      toward physical activity outside of school, and beliefs about, intentions toward,
      and actual engagement in, out-of-school physical activity. In the present
      article, we clarify the fundamental propositions of the model and resolve some
      outstanding conceptual issues, including its generalizability across multiple
      educational domains, criteria for its rejection or failed replication, the role
      of belief-based antecedents of intentions, and the causal ordering of its
      constructs. We also evaluate the consistency of model relationships in previous
      tests of the model using path-analytic meta-analysis. The analysis supported
      model hypotheses but identified substantial heterogeneity in the hypothesized
      relationships across studies unattributed to sampling and measurement error.
      Based on our meta-analysis, future research needs to provide further replications
      of the model in diverse educational settings beyond physical education and test
      model hypotheses using experimental methods.

PMID- 27274588
TI  - Defining the syndrome associated with congenital Zika virus infection.

PMID- 27274589
TI  - Charting a path to end the AIDS epidemic.

PMID- 27274590
TI  - Public health round-up.

PMID- 27274591
TI  - Fake lifejackets play a role in drowning of refugees.
AB  - Fake lifejackets are one of the hazards refugees face when they risk their lives
      to cross the sea to Europe. Menelaos Tzafalias reports from the Greek island of
      Lesbos. 

PMID- 27274592
TI  - The big causes of death from noncommunicable disease.
AB  - Richard Peto tells Andreia Azevedo Soares why efforts to reduce premature death
      from noncommunicable diseases should focus mainly on the big causes. 

PMID- 27274593
TI  - The role of the law in reducing tuberculosis transmission in Botswana, South
      Africa and Zambia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether laws and regulations in Botswana, South Africa
      and Zambia - three countries with a high tuberculosis and HIV infection burden -
      address elements of the World Health Organization (WHO) policy on tuberculosis
      infection control. METHODS: An online desk review of laws and regulations that
      address six selected elements of the WHO policy on tuberculosis infection control
      in the three countries was conducted in November 2015 using publicly available
      domestic legal databases. The six elements covered: (i) national policy and legal
      framework; (ii) health facility design, construction and use; (iii) tuberculosis
      disease surveillance among health workers; (iv) patients' and health workers'
      rights; (v) monitoring of infection control measures; and (vi) relevant research.
      FINDINGS: The six elements were found to be adequately addressed in the three
      countries' laws and regulations. In all three, tuberculosis case-reporting is
      required, as is tuberculosis surveillance among health workers. Each country's
      legal and regulatory framework also addresses the need to respect individuals'
      rights and privacy while safeguarding public health. These laws and regulations
      create a strong foundation for tuberculosis infection control. Although the legal
      and regulatory frameworks thoroughly address tuberculosis infection control,
      their dissemination, implementation and enforcement were not assessed, nor was
      their impact on public health. CONCLUSION: Laws and regulations in Botswana,
      South Africa and Zambia address all six selected elements of the WHO policy on
      tuberculosis infection control. However, the lack of data on their implementation
      is a limitation. Future research should assess the implementation and public
      health impact of laws and regulations.

PMID- 27274594
TI  - Recommendations for dealing with waste contaminated with Ebola virus: a Hazard
      Analysis of Critical Control Points approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess, within communities experiencing Ebola virus outbreaks, the
      risks associated with the disposal of human waste and to generate recommendations
      for mitigating such risks. METHODS: A team with expertise in the Hazard Analysis
      of Critical Control Points framework identified waste products from the care of
      individuals with Ebola virus disease and constructed, tested and confirmed flow
      diagrams showing the creation of such products. After listing potential hazards
      associated with each step in each flow diagram, the team conducted a hazard
      analysis, determined critical control points and made recommendations to mitigate
      the transmission risks at each control point. FINDINGS: The collection,
      transportation, cleaning and shared use of blood-soiled fomites and the shared
      use of latrines contaminated with blood or bloodied faeces appeared to be
      associated with particularly high levels of risk of Ebola virus transmission.
      More moderate levels of risk were associated with the collection and
      transportation of material contaminated with bodily fluids other than blood,
      shared use of latrines soiled with such fluids, the cleaning and shared use of
      fomites soiled with such fluids, and the contamination of the environment during
      the collection and transportation of blood-contaminated waste. CONCLUSION: The
      risk of the waste-related transmission of Ebola virus could be reduced by the use
      of full personal protective equipment, appropriate hand hygiene and an
      appropriate disinfectant after careful cleaning. Use of the Hazard Analysis of
      Critical Control Points framework could facilitate rapid responses to outbreaks
      of emerging infectious disease.

PMID- 27274595
TI  - A tuberculosis nationwide prevalence survey in Gambia, 2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the population prevalence of active pulmonary tuberculosis
      in Gambia. METHODS: Between December 2011 and January 2013, people aged >= 15
      years participating in a nationwide, multistage cluster survey were screened for
      active pulmonary tuberculosis with chest radiography and for tuberculosis
      symptoms. For diagnostic confirmation, sputum samples were collected from those
      whose screening were positive and subjected to fluorescence microscopy and liquid
      tuberculosis cultures. Multiple imputation and inverse probability weighting were
      used to estimate tuberculosis prevalence. FINDINGS: Of 100 678 people enumerated,
      55 832 were eligible to participate and 43 100 (77.2%) of those participated. A
      majority of participants (42 942; 99.6%) were successfully screened for symptoms
      and by chest X-ray. Only 5948 (13.8%) were eligible for sputum examination,
      yielding 43 bacteriologically confirmed, 28 definite smear-positive and six
      probable smear-positive tuberculosis cases. Chest X-ray identified more
      tuberculosis cases (58/69) than did symptoms alone (43/71). The estimated
      prevalence of smear-positive and bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary
      tuberculosis were 90 (95% confidence interval, CI: 53-127) and 212 (95% CI: 152
      272) per 100 000 population, respectively. Tuberculosis prevalence was higher in
      males (333; 95% CI: 233-433) and in the 35-54 year age group (355; 95% CI: 219
      490). CONCLUSION: The burden of tuberculosis remains high in Gambia but lower
      than earlier estimates of 490 per 100 000 population in 2010. Less than half of
      all cases would have been identified based on smear microscopy results alone.
      Successful control efforts will require interventions targeting men, increased
      access to radiography and more accurate, rapid diagnostic tests.

PMID- 27274596
TI  - Vaccination timing of low-birth-weight infants in rural Ghana: a population
      based, prospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate delays in first and third dose diphtheria-tetanus
      pertussis (DTP1 and DTP3) vaccination in low-birth-weight infants in Ghana, and
      the associated determinants. METHODS: We used data from a large, population-based
      vitamin A trial in 2010-2013, with 22 955 enrolled infants. We measured
      vaccination rate and maternal and infant characteristics and compared three
      categories of low-birth-weight infants (2.0-2.4 kg; 1.5-1.9 kg; and < 1.5 kg)
      with infants weighing >= 2.5 kg. Poisson regression was used to calculate
      vaccination rate ratios for DTP1 at 10, 14 and 18 weeks after birth, and for DTP3
      at 18, 22 and 24 weeks (equivalent to 1, 2 and 3 months after the respective
      vaccination due dates of 6 and 14 weeks). FINDINGS: Compared with non-low-birth
      weight infants (n = 18 979), those with low birth weight (n = 3382) had an almost
      40% lower DTP1 vaccination rate at age 10 weeks (adjusted rate ratio, aRR: 0.58;
      95% confidence interval, CI: 0.43-0.77) and at age 18 weeks (aRR: 0.63; 95% CI:
      0.50-0.80). Infants weighing 1.5-1.9 kg (n = 386) had vaccination rates
      approximately 25% lower than infants weighing >= 2.5 kg at these time points.
      Similar results were observed for DTP3. Lower maternal age, educational
      attainment and longer distance to the nearest health facility were associated
      with lower DTP1 and DTP3 vaccination rates. CONCLUSION: Low-birth-weight infants
      are a high-risk group for delayed vaccination in Ghana. Efforts to improve the
      vaccination of these infants are warranted, alongside further research to
      understand the reasons for the delays.

PMID- 27274597
TI  - Measuring the adequacy of antenatal health care: a national cross-sectional study
      in Mexico.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To propose an antenatal care classification for measuring the
      continuum of health care based on the concept of adequacy: timeliness of entry
      into antenatal care, number of antenatal care visits and key processes of care.
      METHODS: In a cross-sectional, retrospective study we used data from the Mexican
      National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) in 2012. This contained self
      reported information about antenatal care use by 6494 women during their last
      pregnancy ending in live birth. Antenatal care was considered to be adequate if a
      woman attended her first visit during the first trimester of pregnancy, made a
      minimum of four antenatal care visits and underwent at least seven of the eight
      recommended procedures during visits. We used multivariate ordinal logistic
      regression to identify correlates of adequate antenatal care and predicted
      coverage. FINDINGS: Based on a population-weighted sample of 9 052 044, 98.4% of
      women received antenatal care during their last pregnancy, but only 71.5% (95%
      confidence interval, CI: 69.7 to 73.2) received maternal health care classified
      as adequate. Significant geographic differences in coverage of care were
      identified among states. The probability of receiving adequate antenatal care was
      higher among women of higher socioeconomic status, with more years of schooling
      and with health insurance. CONCLUSION: While basic antenatal care coverage is
      high in Mexico, adequate care remains low. Efforts by health systems, governments
      and researchers to measure and improve antenatal care should adopt a more
      rigorous definition of care to include important elements of quality such as
      continuity and processes of care.

PMID- 27274598
TI  - Priority-setting for achieving universal health coverage.
AB  - Governments in low- and middle-income countries are legitimizing the
      implementation of universal health coverage (UHC), following a United Nation's
      resolution on UHC in 2012 and its reinforcement in the sustainable development
      goals set in 2015. UHC will differ in each country depending on country contexts
      and needs, as well as demand and supply in health care. Therefore, fundamental
      issues such as objectives, users and cost-effectiveness of UHC have been raised
      by policy-makers and stakeholders. While priority-setting is done on a daily
      basis by health authorities - implicitly or explicitly - it has not been made
      clear how priority-setting for UHC should be conducted. We provide justification
      for explicit health priority-setting and guidance to countries on how to set
      priorities for UHC. 

PMID- 27274599
TI  - How can health ministries present persuasive investment plans for women's,
      children's and adolescents' health?
AB  - Most low- and middle-income countries face financing pressures if they are to
      adequately address the recommendations of the Global Strategy for Women's,
      Children's and Adolescent's Health. Negotiations between government ministries of
      health and finance are a key determinant of the level and effectiveness of public
      expenditure in the health sector. Yet ministries of health in low- and middle
      income countries do not always have a good record in obtaining additional
      resources from key decision-making institutions. This is despite the strong
      evidence about the affordability and cost-effectiveness of many public health
      interventions and of the economic returns of investing in health. This article
      sets out 10 attributes of effective budget requests that can address the
      analytical needs and perspectives of ministries of finance and other financial
      decision-makers. We developed the list based on accepted economic principles, a
      literature review and a workshop in June 2015 involving government officials and
      other key stakeholders from low- and middle-income countries. The aim is to
      support ministries of health to present a more strategic and compelling plan for
      investments in the health of women, children and adolescents. 

PMID- 27274600
TI  - Scale-up of integrated malaria vector control: lessons from Malawi.
AB  - PROBLEM: Indoor residual spraying and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are
      key tools for malaria vector control. Malawi has struggled to scale up indoor
      residual spraying and to improve LLIN coverage and usage. APPROACH: In 2002, the
      Malawian National Malaria Control Programme developed guidelines for insecticide
      treated net distribution to reach the strategic target of at least 60% coverage
      of households with an LLIN. By 2005, the target coverage was 80% of households
      and the Global Fund financed the scale-up. The US President's Malaria Initiative
      funded the indoor residual spraying intervention. LOCAL SETTING: Malawi's entire
      population is considered to be at risk of malaria. Poor vector control,
      insecticide resistance in malaria vectors and insufficient technical and
      financial support have exacerbated the malaria burden. RELEVANT CHANGES: Between
      2002 and 2012, 18 248 206 LLINs had been distributed. The coverage of at least
      one LLIN per household increased from 27% (3689/13 664) to 58% (1974/3404).
      Indoor residual spraying coverage increased from 28 227 to 653 592 structures
      between 2007 and 2011. However, vector resistance prompted a switch from
      pyrethroids to organophosphates for indoor residual spraying, which increased the
      cost and operations needed to be cut back from seven to one district. Malaria
      cases increased from 2 853 315 in 2002 to 6 748 535 in 2010, and thereafter
      dropped to 4 922 596 in 2012. LESSONS LEARNT: A single intervention-based
      approach for vector control may have suboptimal impact. Well-coordinated
      integrated vector management may offer greater benefits. A resistance management
      plan is essential for effective and sustainable vector control.

PMID- 27274602
TI  - Recommended Protocol for Round Robin Studies in Additive Manufacturing.
AB  - One way to improve confidence and encourage proliferation of additive
      manufacturing (AM) technologies and parts is by generating more high quality data
      describing the performance of AM processes and parts. Many in the AM community
      see round robin studies as a way to generate large data sets while distributing
      the cost among the participants, thereby reducing the cost to individual users.
      The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has conducted and
      participated in several of these AM round robin studies. While the results of
      these studies are interesting and informative, many of the lessons learned in
      conducting these studies concern the logistics and methods of the study and
      unique issues presented by AM. Existing standards for conducting interlaboratory
      studies of measurement methods, along with NIST's experience, form the basis for
      recommended protocols for conducting AM round robin studies. The role of round
      robin studies in AM qualification, some of the limitations of round robin
      studies, and the potential benefit of less formal collaborative experiments where
      multiple factors, AM machine being only one, are varied simultaneously are also
      discussed.

PMID- 27274601
TI  - Bayesian regression analysis of data with random effects covariates from
      nonlinear longitudinal measurements.
AB  - Joint models for a wide class of response variables and longitudinal measurements
      consist on a mixed-effects model to fit longitudinal trajectories whose random
      effects enter as covariates in a generalized linear model for the primary
      response. They provide a useful way to assess association between these two kinds
      of data, which in clinical studies are often collected jointly on a series of
      individuals and may help understanding, for instance, the mechanisms of recovery
      of a certain disease or the efficacy of a given therapy. When a nonlinear mixed
      effects model is used to fit the longitudinal trajectories, the existing
      estimation strategies based on likelihood approximations have been shown to
      exhibit some computational efficiency problems (De la Cruz et al., 2011). In this
      article we consider a Bayesian estimation procedure for the joint model with a
      nonlinear mixed-effects model for the longitudinal data and a generalized linear
      model for the primary response. The proposed prior structure allows for the
      implementation of an MCMC sampler. Moreover, we consider that the errors in the
      longitudinal model may be correlated. We apply our method to the analysis of
      hormone levels measured at the early stages of pregnancy that can be used to
      predict normal versus abnormal pregnancy outcomes. We also conduct a simulation
      study to assess the importance of modelling correlated errors and quantify the
      consequences of model misspecification.

PMID- 27274603
TI  - Atomic Detail Visualization of Photosynthetic Membranes with GPU-Accelerated Ray
      Tracing.
AB  - The cellular process responsible for providing energy for most life on Earth,
      namely photosynthetic light-harvesting, requires the cooperation of hundreds of
      proteins across an organelle, involving length and time scales spanning several
      orders of magnitude over quantum and classical regimes. Simulation and
      visualization of this fundamental energy conversion process pose many unique
      methodological and computational challenges. We present, in two accompanying
      movies, light-harvesting in the photosynthetic apparatus found in purple
      bacteria, the so-called chromatophore. The movies are the culmination of three
      decades of modeling efforts, featuring the collaboration of theoretical,
      experimental, and computational scientists. We describe the techniques that were
      used to build, simulate, analyze, and visualize the structures shown in the
      movies, and we highlight cases where scientific needs spurred the development of
      new parallel algorithms that efficiently harness GPU accelerators and petascale
      computers.

PMID- 27274604
TI  - Photon counting imaging and centroiding with an electron-bombarded CCD using
      single molecule localisation software.
AB  - Photon event centroiding in photon counting imaging and single-molecule
      localisation in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy share many traits.
      Although photon event centroiding has traditionally been performed with simple
      single-iteration algorithms, we recently reported that iterative fitting
      algorithms originally developed for single-molecule localisation fluorescence
      microscopy work very well when applied to centroiding photon events imaged with
      an MCP-intensified CMOS camera. Here, we have applied these algorithms for
      centroiding of photon events from an electron-bombarded CCD (EBCCD). We find that
      centroiding algorithms based on iterative fitting of the photon events yield
      excellent results and allow fitting of overlapping photon events, a feature not
      reported before and an important aspect to facilitate an increased count rate and
      shorter acquisition times.

PMID- 27274605
TI  - A Newly Developed Tri-Leaflet Polymeric Heart Valve Prosthesis.
AB  - The potential of polymeric heart valves (PHV) prostheses is to combine the
      hemodynamic performances of biological valves with the durability of mechanical
      valves. The aim of this work is to design and develop a new tri-leaflet
      prosthetic heart valve (HV) made from styrenic block copolymers. A computational
      finite element model was implemented to optimize the thickness of the leaflets,
      to improve PHV mechanical and hydrodynamic performances. Based on the model
      outcomes, 8 prototypes of the designed valve were produced and tested in vitro
      under continuous and pulsatile flow conditions, as prescribed by ISO 5840
      Standard. A specially designed pulse duplicator allowed testing the PHVs at
      different flow rates and frequency conditions. All the PHVs met the requirements
      specified in ISO 5840 Standard in terms of both regurgitation and effective
      orifice area (EOA), demonstrating their potential as HV prostheses.

PMID- 27274606
TI  - Classroom and Teacher Support in Kindergarten: Associations with the Behavioral
      and Academic Adjustment of Low-Income Students.
AB  - For socio-economically disadvantaged children, a positive experience in
      kindergarten may play a particularly important role in fostering the behavioral
      adjustment and learning engagement necessary for school success. Prior research
      has identified supportive student-teacher relationships and classroom emotional
      support as two features of the classroom context that can promote student
      adjustment; however, very few studies have examined these two aspects of the
      classroom context simultaneously. Given their modest inter-correlations, these
      dimensions of classroom context may have both unique and shared associations with
      child progress. This study followed 164 children as they transitioned from Head
      Start into elementary school, and regressions revealed significant unique
      associations between each type of kindergarten support and children's aggressive
      behaviors, social withdrawal, learning engagement, and emergent literacy skills
      in first grade, controlling for their pre-kindergarten adjustment. In addition,
      learning engagement significantly mediated the association between a supportive
      relationship with the kindergarten teacher and first grade literacy skills.

PMID- 27274607
TI  - Electrical detection of specific versus non-specific binding events in breast
      cancer cells.
AB  - Detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from patient blood samples offers a
      desirable alternative to invasive tissue biopsies for screening of malignant
      carcinomas. A rigorous CTC detection method must identify CTCs from millions of
      other formed elements in blood and distinguish them from healthy tissue cells
      also present in the blood. CTCs are known to overexpress certain surface
      receptors, many of which aid them in invading other tissue, and these provide an
      avenue for their detection. We have developed carbon nanotube (CNT) thin film
      devices to specifically detect these receptors in intact cells. The CNT sidewalls
      are functionalized with antibodies specific to Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
      (EpCAM), a marker overexpressed by breast and other carcinomas. Specific binding
      of EpCAM to anti-EpCAM causes a change in the local charge environment of the CNT
      surface which produces a characteristic electrical signal. Two cell lines are
      tested in the device: MCF7, a mammary adenocarcinoma line which overexpresses
      EpCAM, and MCF10A, a non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial line which does not.
      Introduction of MCF7s causes significant changes in the electrical conductance of
      the devices due to specific binding and associated charge environment change near
      the CNT sidewalls. Introduction of MCF10A displays a different profile due to
      purely nonspecific interactions. The profile of specific vs. nonspecific
      interaction signatures using carbon based devices will guide development of this
      diagnostic tool towards clinical sample volumes.

PMID- 27274609
TI  - The cognitive impact of interactive design features for learning complex
      materials in medical education.
AB  - To identify the most effective way for medical students to interact with a
      browser-based learning module on the symptoms and neurological underpinnings of
      stroke syndromes, this study manipulated the way in which subjects interacted
      with a graphical model of the brain and examined the impact of functional changes
      on learning outcomes. It was hypothesized that behavioral interactions that were
      behaviorally more engaging and which required deeper consideration of the model
      would result in heightened cognitive interaction and better learning than those
      whose manipulation required less deliberate behavioral and cognitive processing.
      One hundred forty four students were randomly assigned to four conditions whose
      model controls incorporated features that required different levels of behavioral
      and cognitive interaction: Movie (low behavioral/low cognitive, n = 40), Slider
      (high behavioral/low cognitive, n = 36), Click (low behavioral/high cognitive, n
      = 30), and Drag (high behavioral/high cognitive, n = 38). Analysis of Covariates
      (ANCOVA) showed that students who received the treatments associated with lower
      cognitive interactivity (Movie and Slider) performed better on a transfer task
      than those receiving the module associated with high cognitive interactivity
      (Click and Drag, partial eta squared = .03). In addition, the students in the
      high cognitive interactivity conditions spent significantly more time on the
      stroke locator activity than other conditions (partial eta squared = .36). The
      results suggest that interaction with controls that were tightly coupled with the
      model and whose manipulation required deliberate consideration of the model's
      features may have overtaxed subjects' cognitive resources. Cognitive effort that
      facilitated manipulation of content, though directed at the model, may have
      resulted in extraneous cognitive load, impeding subjects in recognizing the
      deeper, global relationships in the materials. Instructional designers must,
      therefore, keep in mind that the way in which functional affordances are
      integrated with the content can shape both behavioral and cognitive processing,
      and has significant cognitive load implications.

PMID- 27274608
TI  - Influence of betaS-Globin Haplotypes and Hydroxyurea on Arginase I Levels in
      Sickle Cell Disease.
AB  - Introduction. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by hemoglobin S
      homozygosity, leading to hemolysis and vasoocclusion. The hemolysis releases
      arginase I, an enzyme that decreases the bioavailability of nitric oxide,
      worsening the symptoms. The different SCD haplotypes are related to clinical
      symptoms and varied hemoglobin F (HbF) concentration. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the impact of the betaS gene haplotypes and HbF concentration on
      arginase I levels in SCD patients. Methods. Fifty SCD adult patients were
      enrolled in the study and 20 blood donors composed the control group. Arginase I
      was measured by ELISA. The betaS haplotypes were identified by polymerase chain
      reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Statistical
      analyses were performed with GraphPad Prism program and the significance level
      was p < 0.05. Results. Significant increase was observed in the arginase I levels
      in SCD patients compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). The comparison
      between the levels of arginase I in three haplotypes groups showed a difference
      between the Bantu/Bantu * Bantu/Benin groups; Bantu/Bantu * Benin/Benin,
      independent of HU dosage. An inverse correlation with the arginase I levels and
      HbF concentration was observed. Conclusion. The results support the hypothesis
      that arginase I is associated with HbF concentration, also measured indirectly by
      the association with haplotypes. 

PMID- 27274610
TI  - Emergency contraception: Knowledge and practice among women and the spouses
      seeking termination of pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: India was one of the first countries to launch a formal family
      planning program. Initially, the main thrust of the program was on sterilization
      but subsequently it has got evolved and now the stress is to bring about
      awareness of contraception and make informed choices. Emergency contraception has
      been included in its armamentarium. This study was conducted to find out about
      the awareness among the cases who report for induced abortion. METHODS: A total
      of 784 willing cases were enrolled in the study; there were no exclusion criteria
      except unwillingness. A parallel group was also included consisting of their
      spouses. Information that was being sought about Emergency Contraception (EC)
      included its knowledge, details of administration, and availability. RESULTS: Of
      the 784 cases, a large number, 742 (94.6%), underwent first trimester abortion
      and only 42 (5.3%) underwent second trimester abortion. 286 (36.4%) patients had
      not used any contraceptive. A large number had used natural methods (35.3%), like
      lactation, abstinence, or coitus interruptus, and 25.7% had used barrier
      contraception inconsistently. A very small percentage in both the groups knew
      about EC; more number of men knew about EC than women. CONCLUSION: Awareness
      about emergency contraception is low, as reported in many other studies, though
      it is available for many years. Awareness about contraceptives needs to be
      improved and emergency contraceptive should be advocated as a backup method. More
      efforts are required to generate awareness about regular use of effective
      contraception and emergency contraception if required.

PMID- 27274611
TI  - A comparative analysis of root surface biomodification with ethylene diamine
      tetra acetic acid and tetracycline hydrochloride: An in vitro scanning electron
      microscopic study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The outcome of periodontal regenerative therapy depends upon the of
      the biocompatibility root surfaces to the regenerating periodontal tissues. This
      in vitro scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study was designed to evaluate and
      compare the demineralizing efficacy of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA),
      with that of tetracycline hydrochloride applied on to the mechanically treated
      root surfaces of periodontally involved tooth. METHODS: Forty specimens were
      prepared from teeth extracted due to advanced periodontal disease and divided
      into two groups. The study group was treated with an EDTA solution (pH 7.4) and
      the control group was treated with a tetracycline hydrochloride solution (pH
      1.8). The photomicrographs obtained were assessed for presence of smear layer,
      number of exposed dentinal tubules, area occupied by tubule orifices along with
      intertubular surface appearance. The results thus obtained were analyzed
      statistically. RESULTS: Both EDTA and tetracycline were effective in removing the
      smear layer and the exposure of the number of dentinal tubules. The diameters of
      the tubules and thereby the surface area occupied by the tubule orifices in the
      EDTA treated group were significantly greater than the tetracycline HCL treated
      group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The EDTA produced better effects than tetracycline
      by providing more demineralized area and collagen exposure at a neutral pH.

PMID- 27274612
TI  - To publish and perish: A Faustian bargain or a Hobson's choice.
AB  - As a matter of career choice, doctors have to choose between becoming an
      'academic' or a 'practitioner.' To conduct research and publish articles in
      scientific journals is compulsory for the academic professional and mostly
      optional for the latter. The Medical Council of India has revised the eligibility
      qualifications for medical teachers over the past decade, and has now come out
      with regulations for streamlining the process of promotion by focusing on
      scientific papers, apart from clarifying on required experience and
      qualifications. 'Predatory publishers' are proliferating across the world,
      exploiting the reach of the Internet, and are enticing naive professionals to
      publish their research work with them. The pitfalls of paid publishing in such
      journals may tarnish upcoming careers if doctors are not cautious. For a price,
      there are many publishers who will process articles without even rudimentary peer
      review; and for the sake of padding up of the resume, this Faustian bargain may
      eventually prove detrimental to authors, and thus with their professional
      credibility at stake, may prove to be a Hobson's choice. It is suggested for
      authors to make a wise choice and a correct decision when selecting a journal to
      submit their manuscripts. 

PMID- 27274613
TI  - BUY QUIET INITIATIVE IN THE USA.
AB  - Noise-induced hearing loss is still considered one of the most common work
      related illnesses in the United States of America. The U.S. National Institute
      for Occupational Safety and Health launched a national Buy Quiet campaign to
      raise awareness of the importance of purchasing quieter equipment. Buy Quiet
      encourages companies to seek out and demand quieter equipment thus driving the
      market to design and create quieter products. In the long run, investment in
      noise controls should be more prevalent as the market demands quieter products.
      This paradigm occurs as the market for quieter products expands both from the
      supply side (manufacturers) and the demand side (tool and equipment purchasers).
      The key to experiencing the reduced costs and increased benefits of Buy Quiet
      will be to develop partnerships between manufacturers and consumers. To this end,
      the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health continues to work
      with partners to educate stakeholders about the risks and true costs of noise
      induced hearing loss, as well as the economic benefits of buying quieter
      equipment.

PMID- 27274614
TI  - HOW DOES COMPLEXITY IMPACT EVALUATION? AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE.

PMID- 27274615
TI  - STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY AND SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR WOMEN PRISONERS RELEASED TO RURAL
      COMMUNITIES.
AB  - Incarceration and community reentry for rural women reflect gendered processes.
      We draw upon in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus groups to examine the
      return of women prisoners to underserved rural communities, while attending to
      the perspectives of their closest social supporters. Our findings underscore the
      complexity of the reentry process for rural women and its particular impact on
      their families. We challenge dominant discourses of personal responsibility that
      detract from the structura violence and injustice shaping reentry experiences for
      women and their social supporters. We also consider the policy implications of
      discharge and reentry planning for rural women and their families, as well as
      strategies to reduce recidivism.

PMID- 27274616
TI  - Interplay of Orbital and Relativistic Effects in Bismuth Oxyhalides: BiOF, BiOCl,
      BiOBr, and BiOI.

PMID- 27274617
TI  - CHARACTERIZATION OF 17 NEW MICROSATELLITE MARKERS FOR THE DINOFLAGELLATE
      ALEXANDRIUM FUNDYENSE (DINOPHYCEAE), A HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM SPECIES.
AB  - Alexandrium fundyense is the toxic marine dinoflagellate responsible for "red
      tide" events in temperate and sub-arctic waters worldwide. In the Gulf of Maine
      (GOM) and Bay of Fundy in the Northwest Atlantic, blooms of A. fundyense recur
      annually, and are associated with major health and ecosystem impacts. In this
      region, microsatellite markers have been used to investigate genetic structure
      and gene flow; however, the loci currently available for this species were
      isolated from populations from Japan and the North Sea, and only a subset are
      suitable for the analysis of A. fundyense populations in the Northwest Atlantic.
      To facilitate future studies of A. fundyense blooms, both in this region and
      globally, we isolated and characterized 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci from
      31 isolates collected from the GOM and from the Nauset Marsh System, an estuary
      on Cape Cod, MA, USA. These loci yielded between two and 15 alleles per locus,
      with an average of 7.1. Gene diversities ranged from 0.297 to 0.952. We then
      analyzed these same 31 isolates using previously published markers for
      comparison. We determined the new markers are sufficiently variable and better
      suited for the investigation of genetic structure, bloom dynamics, and diversity
      in the Northwest Atlantic.

PMID- 27274618
TI  - The Influence of Executive Functioning on Facial and Subjective Pain Responses in
      Older Adults.
AB  - Cognitive decline is known to reduce reliability of subjective pain reports.
      Although facial expressions of pain are generally considered to be less affected
      by this decline, empirical support for this assumption is sparse. The present
      study therefore examined how cognitive functioning relates to facial expressions
      of pain and whether cognition acts as a moderator between nociceptive intensity
      and facial reactivity. Facial and subjective responses of 51 elderly participants
      to mechanical stimulation at three intensities levels (50 kPa, 200 kPa, and 400
      kPa) were assessed. Moreover, participants completed a neuropsychological
      examination of executive functioning (planning, cognitive inhibition, and working
      memory), episodic memory, and psychomotor speed. The results showed that
      executive functioning has a unique relationship with facial reactivity at low
      pain intensity levels (200 kPa). Moreover, cognitive inhibition (but not other
      executive functions) moderated the effect of pressure intensity on facial pain
      expressions, suggesting that the relationship between pressure intensity and
      facial reactivity was less pronounced in participants with high levels of
      cognitive inhibition. A similar interaction effect was found for cognitive
      inhibition and subjective pain report. Consequently, caution is needed when
      interpreting facial (as well as subjective) pain responses in individuals with a
      high level of cognitive inhibition. 

PMID- 27274619
TI  - Trans fatty acids in the Portuguese food market.
AB  - Consistent evidence exist on the harmful health effects of industrial trans fatty
      acids (TFA). In order to have accurate data on TFA intake and implement adequate
      measures to reduce their intake, each country should have updated estimates of
      TFA content in the diet. The objective of the present study was to provide data
      on the TFA content in food commercialized in the Portuguese market. The results
      on the TFA content of 268 samples acquired between October and December 2013 are
      reported. Samples were categorized as margarines and shortenings (n = 16),
      spreadable chocolate fats (n = 6), fried potatoes and chips (n = 25), industrial
      bakery (n = 4), breakfast cereals (n = 3), pastry products (n = 120), seasonings
      (n = 5), instant soups (n = 5), instant desserts (n = 6), chocolate snacks (n =
      4), microwave popcorn (n = 4), cookies, biscuits and wafers (n = 53), and fast
      food (n = 13), with butter (n = 4) included for comparison purposes. TFA were
      quantified by gas chromatography. Total TFA content in the fat ranged from 0.06%
      to 30.2% (average 1.9%), with the highest average values in the "biscuits, wafers
      and cookies" group (3.4% TFA), followed by the pastry group (2.0%). Fifty samples
      (19%) had TFA superior to 2% in the fat. These findings highlight there is still
      much need for improvement in terms of the TFA content in Portuguese foods,
      particularly in traditional pastry.

PMID- 27274622
TI  - Modulating the dysregulated migration of pulmonary arterial hypertensive smooth
      muscle cells with motif mimicking cell permeable peptides.
AB  - Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells is a key element in remodeling during
      pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We are observing key alterations in the
      migratory characteristics of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMC)
      isolated from transplanted lungs of subjects with PAH. Using wound migration and
      barrier removal assays, we demonstrate that the PAH cells migrate under quiescent
      growth conditions and in the absence of pro-migratory factors such as platelet
      derived growth factor (PDGF). Under the same conditions, in the absence of PDGF,
      non-PAH HPASMC show negligible migration. The dysregulated migration initiates,
      in part, through phosphorylation events signaled through the unstimulated PDGF
      receptor via focal adhesion kinase (FAK) whose total basal expression and
      phosphorylation at tyrosine 391 is markedly increased in the PAH cells and is
      inhibited by a motif mimicking cell-permeable peptide (MMCPP) targeting the
      Tyr751 region of the PDGF receptor and by imatinib. However, exposure of the PAH
      cells to PDGF further promotes migration. Inhibition of p21 activated kinases
      (PAK), LIM kinases (LIMK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 mitogen
      activated protein kinases (MAPK) reduces both the dysregulated and the PDGF
      stimulated migration. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirms these observations
      showing activated JNK and p38 MAPK at the edge of the wound but not in the rest
      of the culture in the PAH cells. The upstream inhibitors FAK (PF-573228) and
      imatinib block this activation of JNK and p38 at the edge of the site of injury
      and correspondingly inhibit migration. MMCPP which inhibit the activation of
      downstream effectors of migration, cofilin and caldesmon, also limit the
      dysregulated migration. These results highlight key pathways which point to
      potential targets for future therapies of pulmonary hypertension with MMCPP.

PMID- 27274620
TI  - Holding the Inflammatory System in Check: TLRs and Their Targeted Therapy in
      Asthma.
AB  - Inflammation is a complex biological response to detrimental stimuli and can be a
      double-edged sword. Inflammation plays a protective role in removing pathogenic
      factors, but dysregulated inflammation is associated with several major fatal
      diseases such as asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Asthma is a complex
      heterogenous disease caused by genetic and environmental factors. TLRs are the
      primary proteins associated with the innate and adaptive immune responses to
      these fatal factors and play an important role in recognizing pathogen-associated
      molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs),
      which initiates the downstream immune response. Due to the complex TLRs cascade
      and nowadays unsuccessful control in asthma, new studies are focused on TLRs and
      other potential targets in TLR cascade to minimize airway inflammation. 

PMID- 27274623
TI  - The Effect of Oxygen on Bile Resistance in Listeria monocytogenes.
AB  - Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive facultative anaerobe that is the
      causative agent of the disease listeriosis. The infectious ability of this
      bacterium is dependent upon resistance to stressors encountered within the
      gastrointestinal tract, including bile. Previous studies have indicated bile salt
      hydrolase activity increases under anaerobic conditions, suggesting anaerobic
      conditions influence stress responses. Therefore, the goal of this study was to
      determine if reduced oxygen availability increased bile resistance of L.
      monocytogenes. Four strains representing three serovars were evaluated for
      changes in viability and proteome expression following exposure to bile in
      aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Viability for F2365 (serovar 4b), EGD-e (serovar
      1/2a), and 10403S (serovar 1/2a) increased following exposure to 10% porcine bile
      under anaerobic conditions (P < 0.05). However, HCC23 (serovar 4a) exhibited no
      difference (P > 0.05) in bile resistance between aerobic and anaerobic
      conditions, indicating that oxygen availability does not influence resistance in
      this strain. The proteomic analysis indicated F2365 and EGD-e had an increased
      expression of proteins associated with cell envelope and membrane bioenergetics
      under anaerobic conditions, including thioredoxin-disulfide reductase and cell
      division proteins. Interestingly, HCC23 had an increase in several dehydrogenases
      following exposure to bile under aerobic conditions, suggesting that the
      NADH:NAD+ is altered and may impact bile resistance. Variations were observed in
      the expression of the cell shape proteins between strains, which corresponded to
      morphological differences observed by scanning electron microscopy. These data
      indicate that oxygen availability influences bile resistance. Further research is
      needed to decipher how these changes in metabolism impact pathogenicity in vivo
      and also the impact that this has on susceptibility of a host to listeriosis.

PMID- 27274621
TI  - Oxidative-Nitrosative Stress and Myocardial Dysfunctions in Sepsis: Evidence from
      the Literature and Postmortem Observations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myocardial depression in sepsis is common, and it is associated with
      higher mortality. In recent years, the hypothesis that the myocardial dysfunction
      during sepsis could be mediated by ischemia related to decreased coronary blood
      flow waned and a complex mechanism was invoked to explain cardiac dysfunction in
      sepsis. Oxidative stress unbalance is thought to play a critical role in the
      pathogenesis of cardiac impairment in septic patients. AIM: In this paper, we
      review the current literature regarding the pathophysiology of cardiac
      dysfunction in sepsis, focusing on the possible role of oxidative-nitrosative
      stress unbalance and mitochondria dysfunction. We discuss these mechanisms within
      the broad scenario of cardiac involvement in sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from
      the current literature broaden our understanding of the role of oxidative and
      nitrosative stress unbalance in the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in
      sepsis, thus contributing to the establishment of a relationship between these
      settings and the occurrence of oxidative stress. The complex pathogenesis of
      septic cardiac failure may explain why, despite the therapeutic strategies,
      sepsis remains a big clinical challenge for effectively managing the disease to
      minimize mortality, leading to consideration of the potential therapeutic effects
      of antioxidant agents.

PMID- 27274624
TI  - Proteomic Findings in Melanoma.
AB  - Although the emergence of proteomics as an independent branch of science is
      fairly recent, within a short period of time it has contributed substantially in
      various disciplines. The tool of mass spectrometry has become indispensable in
      the analysis of complex biological samples. Clinical applications of proteomics
      include detection of predictive and diagnostic markers, understanding mechanism
      of action of drugs as well as resistance mechanisms against them and assessment
      of therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of drugs in patients. Here, we have
      summarized the major contributions of proteomics towards the study of melanoma,
      which is a deadly variety of skin cancer with a high mortality rate.

PMID- 27274626
TI  - Treatment of Melasma with the Photoacoustic Twin Pulse Mode of Low-Fluence 1,064
      nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low-fluence 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has been widely used for
      the treatment of melasma. Although new Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers with
      photoacoustic twin pulse (PTP) mode have been recently developed for high
      efficiency, there is limited information available for the new technique.
      OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and adverse
      effects after few sessions of repeated low fluence 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG
      laser treatment with PTP mode in Asian women with melasma. METHODS: Twenty-two
      Korean women were treated with a total of five sessions of low-fluence PTP mode
      Nd:YAG laser treatment (Pastelle(r)) at 2 weeks interval. Responses to treatments
      were evaluated by using Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scoring,
      colorimeter measurement, and the investigators' and patients' overall
      assessments. Adverse events were recorded at each visit. RESULTS: Investigators'
      and patients' overall assessment showed that 'significantly improved' was
      assessed by 13 (59.1%) and 19 of 22 patients (86.4%), respectively. MASI scores
      were significantly reduced by 20.4%. The lightness, measured by using a
      colorimeter, was significantly increased by 1.3 point. Notable adverse events
      were not observed. CONCLUSION: After 5 sessions of laser therapy alone, about 60%
      of the subjects showed significant improvement. Few sessions of repeated laser
      toning treatment using the PTP mode is a safe and effective way to treat facial
      melasma.

PMID- 27274625
TI  - Skin Pigmentation and Pigmentary Disorders: Focus on Epidermal/Dermal Cross-Talk.
AB  - Variation in human skin and hair color is the most notable aspect of human
      variability and several studies in evolution, genetics and developmental biology
      contributed to explain the mechanisms underlying human skin pigmentation, which
      is responsible for differences in skin color across the world's populations.
      Despite skin pigmentation is primarily related to melanocytes functionality, the
      surrounding keratinocytes and extracellular matrix proteins and fibroblasts in
      the underlying dermal compartment actively contribute to cutaneous homeostasis.
      Many autocrine/paracrine secreted factors and cell adhesion mechanisms involving
      both epidermal and dermal constituents determine constitutive skin pigmentation
      and, whenever deregulated, the occurrence of pigmentary disorders. In particular,
      an increased expression of such mediators and their specific receptors frequently
      lead to hyperpigmentary conditions, such as in melasma and in solar lentigo,
      whereas a defect in their expression/release is related to hypopigmented
      disorders, as seen in vitiligo. All these interactions underline the relevant
      role of pigmentation on human evolution and biology. 

PMID- 27274627
TI  - A Randomized, Evaluator-Blinded, Split-Face Comparison Study of the Efficacy and
      Safety of a Novel Mannitol Containing Monophasic Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler
      for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Nasolabial Folds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mannitol containing monophasic filler with higher crosslinking has
      not been well studied for moderate and severe nasolabial fold (NLF) correction.
      OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a novel mannitol containing
      hyaluronic acid (HA) filler (HA-G) with biphasic HA filler (HA-P) for moderate
      and severe NLF correction. METHODS: Thirteen subjects with symmetric moderate to
      severe NLF received HA-G (in one NLF) and HA-P (in other NLF) and were evaluated
      for 24 weeks. RESULTS: At both 12 and 24 weeks, the mean improvement in Genzyme 6
      point grading scale from baseline was significantly greater in the side of face
      that was treated with HA-G than HA-P (1.96+/-0.91 vs. 1.54+/-0.73 at week 12;
      p=0.044, 1.88+/-0.78 vs. 1.3+/-0.79 at week 24; p=0.027, respectively). At 12
      weeks, the mean Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale score was 2.92+/-0.93 for HA-G
      and 2.31+/-0.95 for HA-P (p=0.008). Both fillers were well tolerated. CONCLUSION:
      The HA filler HA-G provides better efficacy and similar local tolerability
      compared with HA-P in 6 months following treatment for moderate and severe NLF.

PMID- 27274628
TI  - Protective Effect of Topical Vitamin D3 against Photocarcinogenesis in a Murine
      Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer is increasing,
      there are no effective practical preventive measures other than avoiding sun
      exposure. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the protective effect of topical application of
      biologically active vitamin D3 (calcitriol) on skin cancer development caused by
      exposure to ultraviolet (UV). METHODS: Groups of hairless mice were topically
      treated with either calcitriol or vehicle immediately after exposure to UVB and
      UVA three times weekly for the initial 20 weeks, and without UV exposure in the
      following 6 weeks. Tumor number was counted and biopsies were done for
      histopathologic analysis. The changes of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) were
      evaluated 1 hour and 11 hours after short term of UV exposure and application of
      calcitriol. For safety evaluation, blood test and body weights were evaluated at
      23rd and 25th week. RESULTS: Total tumor count and number of tumors less than 3
      mm in size tended to be fewer in calcitriol group, and tumors more than 3 mm in
      size showed significantly lower tumor formation rate in calcitriol group. Single
      application of calcitriol reduced CPD at 1 hour and 11 hours after UV exposure.
      Histopathologic analysis showed tumors with lower grade malignancy in calcitriol
      group which suggested a delay in tumor progression. However, serum levels of
      calcium and phosphate in calcitriol group were above normal range, and weight
      loss was found. CONCLUSION: Topical calcitriol may suppress the formation and
      progression of UV-induced non-melanoma skin cancer by enhancing the repair
      mechanism of UV damage.

PMID- 27274629
TI  - Analysis of Dermatologic Diseases in Neurosurgical In-Patients: A Retrospective
      Study of 463 Cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both the skin and the neurologic system are derived from the ectoderm
      during embryogenesis, and thus patients with neurologic disorders may have
      accompanying dermatologic diseases. For example, seborrheic dermatitis is more
      frequently observed in patients with Parkinsonism and other neurologic disorders.
      To date, however, there has been limited review on dermatologic diseases in
      neurosurgical in-patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      characterize dermatological problems encountered in a neurosurgery unit and to
      compare these data to previous reports of in-patient dermatologic consultations.
      METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted over all in-patient dermatology
      consultations from the neurosurgery unit during a 3-year period. RESULTS: Of
      2,770 dermatology consultations, 463 (16.7%) came from the department of
      neurosurgery. The most frequent age group was the 6th decade of life, and the
      ratio of men to women was 1.07. Consults were most frequently placed from
      patients with intracranial hemorrhage (23.8%). Eczema/dermatitis (36.5%; n=204)
      and cutaneous infections (27.0%; n=151) accounted for more than half of all
      dermatological consultations, followed by cutaneous adverse drug reactions
      (11.8%; n=66). Additionally, seborrheic dermatitis was significantly more
      frequent (p=0.048, odds ratio=1.96) in patients with intracranial hemorrhage.
      CONCLUSION: This study characterizes the distribution of skin disorders in
      patients admitted to the neurosurgery service based on the consultations that
      have been made for dermatologic evaluation. Collaboration between the
      neurosurgeons and dermatologists may improve the quality of patient care and help
      to better predict the occurrence of these conditions.

PMID- 27274630
TI  - Correlation between Severity of Atopic Dermatitis and Sleep Quality in Children
      and Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The atopic dermatitis (AD) can limit a patient's physical and
      psychosocial development as well as lower their overall quality of life (QOL),
      including sleep quality. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
      relationships between clinical disease severity, QOL and sleep quality in
      children and adults with AD. METHODS: The SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) was
      examined to evaluate the severity of AD in fifty adult AD patients and 50
      children AD patients. A questionnaire based on the children's sleep habits
      questionnaire (CSHQ) and the children's dermatology life quality index (CDLQI)
      were used to evaluate QOL and sleep disturbance in children AD patients. The
      Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI)
      were used in adult AD patients. RESULTS: The SCORAD and CSHQ score, the SCORAD
      and CDLQI score and the CSHQ and CDLQI score demonstrated significant
      correlations. The SCORAD and PSQI score showed no significant correlation.
      However, there were significant correlations between the SCORAD and DLQI score
      and the PSQI and DLQI score. CONCLUSION: Increasing severity of AD affects sleep
      quality in child AD patients. In adults, even though the total score of the sleep
      questionnaire is not associated with the severity of AD, two components of sleep
      questionnaire are associated with the severity of AD. There is a significant
      correlation between sleep quality and QOL in both children and adults. Therefore,
      we suggest that evaluating the sleep quality as well as clinical severity of the
      disease is necessary in the management of AD patients.

PMID- 27274631
TI  - Epigallocatechin Gallate-Mediated Alteration of the MicroRNA Expression Profile
      in 5alpha-Dihydrotestosterone-Treated Human Dermal Papilla Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induces androgenic alopecia by shortening
      the hair follicle growth phase, resulting in hair loss. We previously
      demonstrated how changes in the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile influenced
      DHT-mediated cell death, cell cycle arrest, cell viability, the generation of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS), and senescence. Protective effects against DHT
      have not, however, been elucidated at the genome level. OBJECTIVE: We showed that
      epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea, protects DHT
      induced cell death by regulating the cellular miRNA expression profile. METHODS:
      We used a miRNA microarray to identify miRNA expression levels in human dermal
      papilla cells (DPCs). We investigated whether the miRNA expression influenced the
      protective effects of EGCG against DHT-induced cell death, growth arrest,
      intracellular ROS levels, and senescence. RESULTS: EGCG protected against the
      effects of DHT by altering the miRNA expression profile in human DPCs. In
      addition, EGCG attenuated DHT-mediated cell death and growth arrest and decreased
      intracellular ROS levels and senescence. A bioinformatics analysis elucidated the
      relationship between the altered miRNA expression and EGCG-mediated protective
      effects against DHT. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results suggest that EGCG
      ameliorates the negative effects of DHT by altering the miRNA expression profile
      in human DPCs.

PMID- 27274632
TI  - Clinical Features and Awareness of Hand Eczema in Korea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hand eczema is one of the most common skin disorders and negatively
      affects quality of life. However, a large-scale multicenter study investigating
      the clinical features of patients with hand eczema has not yet been conducted in
      Korea. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of various hand diseases, which is
      defined as all cutaneous disease occurring in hands, and to investigate the
      clinical features of patients with hand eczema and the awareness about hand
      eczema in the general population and to compare the prevalence of hand eczema
      between health care providers and non-health care providers. METHODS: To estimate
      the prevalence of hand diseases, we analyzed the medical records of patients from
      24 medical centers. Patients were assessed by online and offline questionnaires.
      A 1,000 from general population and 913 hand eczema patients answered the
      questionnaire, for a total of 1,913 subjects. RESULTS: The most common hand
      disease was irritant contact dermatitis. In an online survey, the lifetime
      prevalence of hand eczema was 31.2%. Hand eczema was more likely to occur in
      females (66.0%) and younger (20~39 years, 53.9%). Health care providers and
      housewives were the occupations most frequently associated with hand eczema.
      Winter (33.6%) was the most common season which people experienced aggravation.
      The 63.0% and 67.0% answered that hand eczema hinders their personal relationship
      and negatively affects daily living activities, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hand
      eczema is a very common disease and hinders the quality of life. The appropriate
      identification of hand eczema is necessary to implement effective and efficient
      treatment.

PMID- 27274633
TI  - CSP0510 Lotion as a Novel Moisturizer Containing Citric Acid and Trisodium
      Phosphate Relieves Objective and Subjective Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Moisturizers with anti-inflammatory or anti-itch activity should be
      developed for the safe and effective management of atopic dermatitis (AD).
      OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of a newly developed moisturizer,
      CSP0510 lotion (Twolines Inc., Korea), containing citric acid (CA) and trisodium
      phosphate (TSP) as active ingredients, in mild to moderate AD. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: CSP0510 lotion applied twice daily for 4 weeks to eczematous lesions
      improved objective and subjective (itch) symptoms of AD. The physician's global
      assessment (PGA) score for objective symptoms decreased from 2.5+/-0.6 before
      application to 1.3+/-0.5 after application in the CSP0510-treated group (n=42,
      p<0.001). Also, the PGA score decreased from 2.3+/-0.6 to 1.9+/-0.5 by vehicle
      treated (without CA and TSP) control group (p=0.001), but there was no
      statistical difference between CSP0510-treated and vehicle-treated groups
      (p=0.089). The visual analogue scale score for itch decreased from 4.8+/-1.3 to
      2.0+/-0.9 in the CSP0510-treated group (p<0.001), and from 4.6+/-1.1 to 3.5+/-0.9
      in the control group (p=0.075), showing a statistical significance between two
      groups (p=0.002). Our results in humans were further supported by in vitro and
      animal experiments. In HaCaT cells treated with compound 48/80 (7.5 ug/ml),
      CA:TSP (1:1, vol:vol) synergistically suppressed the compound 48/80-induced
      upregulation of thymic stromal lymphopoietin, nerve grow factor, and calcitonin
      gene-related peptide. Application of CSP0510 to the dorsal skin of hairless mice
      for 3 weeks suppressed the oxazolone-induced allergic skin inflammation.
      CONCLUSION: In conclusion, CSP0510 lotion has anti-itch and anti-inflammatory
      activity in the skin, which improves both objective and subjective symptoms of
      AD.

PMID- 27274635
TI  - The Association between Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and Cardiovascular Risk
      Factor in Korean Psoriasis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular
      morbidities, especially in severe cases. Severity of the disease has been known
      to be associated with higher prevalence of these risk factors. However, in the
      absence of robust measurements, studies to date relied mostly on treatment
      spectrum as a proxy for the severity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship
      between psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and cardiovascular risk factors
      in Korean patients. METHODS: Presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension,
      smoking history was surveyed through questionnaires and serum lipid profile
      analysis were done after fasting overnight. The severity of psoriasis was
      assessed using PASI scores: mild, <10; moderate to severe, >=10. Cardiovascular
      risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were
      compared between the mild group and moderate to severe group. The prevalence of
      diabetes and hypertension was compared among these two groups of psoriasis
      patients and the general population based control; age and gender were matched
      among three groups accordingly prior to analysis. RESULTS: A total of 256
      patients with plaque type psoriasis were included. Between mild group and
      moderate to severe group, significant differences of cardiovascular risk factors
      including lipid profile were not discovered except in triglyceride level.
      Comparing to general population, prevalence of diabetes was found significantly
      higher in psoriasis patients while that of hypertension was similar. CONCLUSION:
      Our results suggest that among cardiovascular risks, presence of DM and
      triglyceride level seem to be associated with the presence of psoriasis in Korean
      psoriasis patients, while other factors may not contribute meaningfully.

PMID- 27274634
TI  - Ampelopsis japonica Makino Extract Inhibits the Inflammatory Reaction Induced by
      Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns in Epidermal Keratinocytes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Keratinocytes are the major cells in epidermis, providing barrier
      components such as cornified cells through the sophisticated differentiation
      process. In addition, keratinocytes exerts their role as the defense cells via
      activation of innate immunity. It has been known that pathogen-associated
      molecular patterns (PAMPs) including double-strand RNA and nucleotides can
      provoke inflammatory reaction in keratinocytes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study
      is to evaluate the effect of Ampelopsis japonica Makino extract (AE) on PAMPs
      induced inflammatory reaction of keratinocytes. METHODS: The effects of AE were
      determined using poly (I:C)-induced inflammation and imiquimod-induced
      psoriasiform dermatitis models. RESULTS: In cultured keratinocytes, AE
      significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines,
      such as interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. AE
      significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced release of caspase-1 active form (p20),
      and down-regulated nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway. In imiquimod-induced
      psoriasiform dermatitis model, topical application of AE resulted in significant
      reduction of epidermal hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that AE may
      be a potential candidate for the treatment of skin inflammation.

PMID- 27274636
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Alitretinoin for Chronic Hand Eczema in Korean Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic hand eczema (CHE) tends to be refractory to conventional
      therapy. Previous clinical trials have found that a 24-week treatment course of
      oral alitretinoin is effective and well tolerated for CHE treatment. OBJECTIVE:
      The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral
      alitretinoin in Korean CHE patients. METHODS: A total of 27 patients with
      moderate to severe CHE took 30 mg of alitretinoin daily for 12 weeks. The primary
      efficacy parameter was the physician's global assessment (PGA). The response was
      defined as a patient being "clear" or "almost clear" of disease. The secondary
      efficacy parameters were the modified total lesion symptom score (mTLSS) and the
      patients' global assessment (PaGA). All adverse events and laboratory
      abnormalities were recorded during the treatment period. RESULTS: Alitretinoin
      led to CHE symptom improvement in 44.4% of patients. The PGA, mTLSS, and PaGA
      scores correlated well with each other. Reported adverse events were typical
      retinoid class effects and headache was the most common. CONCLUSION: Taking 30 mg
      of oral alitretinoin daily for 12 weeks was found to be effective in treating
      Korean patients with CHE, compared with the 24 week-treatment shown in previous
      studies.

PMID- 27274637
TI  - CD30-Positive Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Negative Systemic Anaplastic Large-Cell
      Lymphoma in a 9-Year-Old Boy.
AB  - Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a CD30-positive T-cell/null-cell
      lymphoma that is clinically classified into either primary cutaneous ALCL or
      systemic ALCL (S-ALCL) sub-types. Because 90% of childhood S-ALCL cases are
      anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive, there is a lack of data on ALK
      negative S-ALCL cases among pediatric patients. Herein, we report a rare case of
      ALK-negative S-ALCL in a 9-year-old Korean boy who initially presented with itchy
      erythematous maculopapules and an erosive nodule on the trunk area. We emphasize
      the need of high index of suspicion of an underlying malignant disease in the
      presence of refractory eczematous lesions. 

PMID- 27274638
TI  - Tumoral Calcinosis as an Initial Complaint of Juvenile-Onset Amyopathic
      Dermatomyositis.
AB  - Calcinosis is rarely observed in juvenile-onset amyopathic dermatomyositis in
      contrast to juvenile-onset dermatomyositis. A 6-year-old female presented with
      several 0.5 to 2 cm-sized painless grouped masses on both knees for 3 years. The
      patient also presented with multiple erythematous scaly patches and plaques on
      both elbows, knuckles, buttock, ankles and cheeks. Her mother had similar skin
      lesions which were erythematous scaly patches on the knuckles and elbows, since
      her childhood. When skin biopsy was performed from a left knee nodule, liquid
      chalky discharge was observed. The biopsy results were consistent with calcinosis
      cutis. Other biopsies from erythematous patch of the patient and erythematous
      patch of her mother showed vacuolization of basal cell layer with inflammatory
      cell infiltrations. Laboratory findings showed normal range of serum phosphorus
      (4.5 mg/dl), calcium (9.3 mg/dl), 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (10.8 ng/ml) and
      parathyroid hormone levels (11 pg/ml). Both patient and her mother had no history
      of muscle weakness and showed normal levels of muscle-specific enzyme. Both
      patients were diagnosed with juvenile-onset amyopathic dermatomyositis based on
      histopathology and cutaneous manifestations with no evidence of muscle weakness
      and no serum muscle enzyme abnormalities. Tumoral calcium deposits observed in
      daughter was diagnosed as dystrophic calcinosis which can be rarely seen in
      juvenile-onset amyopathic dermatomyositis. The patient is being treated with oral
      acetazolamide (40 mg/kg/d) for calcinosis. 

PMID- 27274639
TI  - Efficacy of Omalizumab in a Patient with Angioedema Clinically Resembling a
      Hereditary Angioedema.

PMID- 27274640
TI  - A Case of Papular Mycosis Fungoides: A New Clinical Variant of Early Mycosis
      Fungoides.

PMID- 27274641
TI  - A Case of Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by Exophiala lecanii-corni.

PMID- 27274642
TI  - Classic Juvenile Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris Treated with Oral Alitretinoin.

PMID- 27274643
TI  - Histiocytic Infiltrate in Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma with Cutaneous
      Nodules and Progressive Ulceration: A Rare Manifestation.

PMID- 27274644
TI  - Cutaneous Metastatic Rectal Adenocarcinoma in Zosteriform Distribution.

PMID- 27274645
TI  - Interstitial Granulomatous Dermatitis Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PMID- 27274646
TI  - A Case of Multiple Canaliform Median Raphe Cysts Showing a Mixed Type Lining of
      Epithelium: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

PMID- 27274647
TI  - Blue Toe Syndrome as an Early Sign of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.

PMID- 27274648
TI  - Development of Rheumatoid Nodules after Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
      Treatment with Adalimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PMID- 27274649
TI  - Acquired Unilateral Nevoid Telangiectasia Accompanied by Liver Metastasis of
      Colon Cancer.

PMID- 27274650
TI  - The Efficacy and Prognostic Factors for Long Pulse Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminum
      Garnet Laser Treatment on Onychomycosis: A Pilot Study.

PMID- 27274652
TI  - A Case of Multiple Desmoplastic Trichoepithelioma.

PMID- 27274651
TI  - Exacerbation of Psoriasis after Imatinib Mesylate Treatment.

PMID- 27274653
TI  - A Case of Terra Firma-Forme Dermatosis: Differentiation from Other Dirty
      Appearing Diseases.

PMID- 27274654
TI  - Using Multilevel Regression Mixture Models to Identify Level-1 Heterogeneity in
      Level-2 Effects.
AB  - This paper proposes a novel exploratory approach for assessing how the effects of
      level-2 predictors differ across level-1 units. Multilevel regression mixture
      models are used to identify latent classes at level-1 that differ in the effect
      of one or more level-2 predictors. Monte Carlo simulations are used to
      demonstrate the approach with different sample sizes and to demonstrate the
      consequences of constraining 1 of the random effects to zero. An application of
      the method to evaluate heterogeneity in the effects of classroom practices on
      students is used to show the types of research questions which can be answered
      with this method and the issues faced when estimating multilevel regression
      mixtures.

PMID- 27274655
TI  - A Method for Retrieval of Adverse Event Terms in Clinical Trial Databases Using
      Standardised MedDRA Queries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Standardized MedDRA Queries (SMQs) are sets of terms determined by
      experts that are used to identify adverse events (AEs) related to different
      disease processes. Their use can be challenging because most SMQs have 50 to 100
      preferred terms and AE databases can have many thousands of events. AIM: The aim
      of this study is to develop a technique where AEs corresponding to preferred
      terms in SMQs may be easily detected. METHODOLOGY: The method I developed uses
      the Table Join function of the JMP(r) software program to quickly and easily
      probe clinical trial AE databases. The SMQ Severe cutaneous adverse reactions was
      used as a probe in a mock AE dataset. Potentially confounding demographic or
      study-specific factors were evaluated by combining these datasets with the
      dataset containing the AEs identified with the SMQs. RESULTS: AEs were
      successfully detected in an AE database using the method described. Cases with
      potential confounding factors, such as concomitant medications, were identified.
      CONCLUSIONS: The method developed allows for AEs to be found in clinical trial
      databases and evaluated using software programs that are readily available to
      clinical researchers.

PMID- 27274656
TI  - Cardiorespiratory Effects of One-Legged High-Intensity Interval Training in
      Normoxia and Hypoxia: A Pilot Study.
AB  - A higher-than-average maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), is closely associated
      with decreased morbidity and mortality and improved quality of life and acts as a
      marker of cardiorespiratory fitness. Although there is no consensus about an
      optimal training method to enhance VO2max, nevertheless training of small muscle
      groups and repeated exposure to hypoxia seem to be promising approaches.
      Therefore, this study was aimed at gaining innovative insights into the effects
      of small muscle group training in normoxia and hypoxia. Thirteen healthy
      participants were randomly assigned to the hypoxic (HG, n = 7) or normoxic (NG, n
      = 6) training group. Both groups completed nine high-intensity interval training
      sessions in 3 wks. The NG performed the training in normoxia (FiO2: 0.21; ~ 600
      m) and the HG in hypoxia (FiO2: 0.126; ~ 4500 m). Each session consisted of 4 x 4
      min one-legged cycling at 90% of maximal heart rate separated by 4 min recovery
      periods. Before and after the intervention period, VO2max and peak power output
      (Wmax) and responses to submaximal cycling (100 and 150 watts) were assessed in a
      laboratory cycling test. Peak power output significantly improved within both
      groups (9.6 +/- 4.8% and 12.6 +/- 8.9% for HG and NG, respectively) with no
      significant interaction (p = 0.277). However, VO2max only significantly increased
      after training in hypoxia from 45.4 +/- 10.1 to 50.0 +/- 9.8 ml/min/kg (10.8 +/-
      6.0%; p = 0.002) with no significant interaction (p = 0.146). The maximal O2
      pulse improved within the HG and demonstrated a significant interaction (p =
      0.040). One-legged cycling training significantly improved VO2max and peak power
      output. Training under hypoxic conditions may generate greater effects on VO2max
      than a similar training in normoxia and is considered as a promising training
      method for improving cardiorespiratory fitness. Key pointsNine sessions of one
      legged high-intensity interval training significantly improved physical
      fitness.One-legged hypoxic training significantly improved Wmax, VO2max and
      submaximal performance.One-legged training in normoxia only improved Wmax but did
      not significantly improve VO2max and submaximal performance. 

PMID- 27274657
TI  - Neural Markers of Performance States in an Olympic Athlete: An EEG Case Study in
      Air-Pistol Shooting.
AB  - This study focused on identifying the neural markers underlying optimal and
      suboptimal performance experiences of an elite air-pistol shooter, based on the
      tenets of the multi-action plan (MAP) model. According to the MAP model's
      assumptions, skilled athletes' cortical patterns are expected to differ among
      optimal/automatic (Type 1), optimal/controlled (Type 2), suboptimal/controlled
      (Type 3), and suboptimal/automatic (Type 4) performance experiences. We collected
      performance (target pistol shots), cognitive-affective (perceived control,
      accuracy, and hedonic tone), and cortical activity data (32-channel EEG) of an
      elite shooter. Idiosyncratic descriptive analyses revealed differences in
      perceived accuracy in regard to optimal and suboptimal performance states. Event
      Related Desynchronization/Synchronization analysis supported the notion that
      optimal-automatic performance experiences (Type 1) were characterized by a global
      synchronization of cortical arousal associated with the shooting task, whereas
      suboptimal controlled states (Type 3) were underpinned by high cortical activity
      levels in the attentional brain network. Results are addressed in light of the
      neural efficiency hypothesis and reinvestment theory. Perceptual training
      recommendations aimed at restoring optimal performance levels are discussed. Key
      pointsWe investigated the neural markers underlying optimal and suboptimal
      performance experiences of an elite air-pistol shooter.Optimal/automatic
      performance is characterized by a global synchronization of cortical activity
      associated with the shooting task.Suboptimal controlled performance is
      characterized by high cortical arousal levels in the attentional brain
      networks.Focused Event Related Desynchronization activity during Type 1
      performance in frontal midline theta was found, with a clear distribution of
      Event Related Synchronization in the frontal and central areas just prior to shot
      release.Event Related Desynchronization patterns in low Alpha band for Type 3
      performance suggest that higher levels of general cortical arousal are associated
      with suboptimal-controlled performance states. 

PMID- 27274658
TI  - Effects of a Non-Circular Chainring on Sprint Performance During a Cycle
      Ergometer Test.
AB  - Non-circular chainrings have been reported to alter the crank angular velocity
      profile over a pedal revolution so that more time is spent in the effective power
      phase. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sprint cycling
      performance could be improved using a non-circular chainring (Osymetric:
      ellipticity 1.25 and crank lever mounted nearly perpendicular to the major axis),
      in comparison with a circular chainring. Twenty sprint cyclists performed an 8 s
      sprint on a cycle ergometer against a 0.5 N/kg(-1) friction force in four
      crossing conditions (non-circular or circular chainring with or without clipless
      pedal). Instantaneous force, velocity and power were continuously measured during
      each sprint. Three main characteristic pedal downstrokes were selected: maximal
      force (in the beginning of the sprint), maximal power (towards the middle), and
      maximal velocity (at the end of the sprint). Both average and instantaneous
      force, velocity and power were calculated during the three selected pedal
      downstrokes. The important finding of this study was that the maximal power
      output was significantly higher (+ 4.3%, p < 0.05) when using the non-circular
      chainring independent from the shoe-pedal linkage condition. This improvement is
      mainly explained by a significantly higher instantaneous external force that
      occurs during the downstroke. Non-circular chainring can have potential benefits
      on sprint cycling performance. Key pointsThe Osymetric non-circular chainring
      significantly maximized crank power by 4.3% during sprint cycling, in comparison
      with a circular chainring.This maximal power output improvement was due to
      significant higher force developed when the crank was in the effective power
      phase.This maximal power output improvement was independent from the shoe-pedal
      linkage condition.Present benefits provided by the non-circular chainring on
      pedalling kinetics occurred only at high cadences. 

PMID- 27274659
TI  - Determining Dimensionality of Exercise Readiness Using Exploratory Factor
      Analysis.
AB  - Assessment of "exercise readiness" is a central component to the flexible non
      linear periodization (FNLP) method of organizing training workloads, but the
      underlying factor structure of this construct has not been empirically
      determined. The purpose of this study was to assess construct dimensionality of
      exercise readiness using exploratory factor analysis. The result of which serve
      as initial steps of developing a brief measure of exercise readiness.
      Participants consisted of students recruited from undergraduate Kinesiology
      courses at a racially diverse, southern University. Independent, anonymous online
      survey data were collected across three stages: 1) generation of item pool (n =
      290), 2) assessment of face validity and refinement of item pool (n = 168), and
      3) exploratory factor analysis (n = 684). A principal axis factor analysis was
      conducted with 41 items using oblique rotation (promax). Four statistically
      significant factors, as determined through parallel analysis, explained 61.5% of
      the variance in exercise readiness. Factor 1 contained items that represented
      vitality (e.g., lively, revived). Factor 2 items related to physical fatigue
      (e.g. tired, drained). Factors 3 and 4 were descriptive of, discomfort (e.g.
      pain, sick) and health (i.e. healthy, fit), respectively. This inductive approach
      indicates that exercise readiness is comprised of four dimensions: vitality,
      physical fatigue, discomfort, and health. This finding supports readiness
      assessment techniques currently recommended for practitioners according to the
      FNLP model. These results serve as a theoretical foundation upon which to further
      develop and refine a brief survey instrument to measure exercise readiness. Key
      pointsAssessment of exercise readiness is a key component in implementing an
      exercise program based on flexible nonlinear periodization, but the
      dimensionality of this concept has not been empirically determined.Based on a
      series of surveys and a robust exploratory factor analysis, exercise readiness
      appears to be supported by 4 dimensions: vitality, physical fatigue, discomfort,
      and health.These findings prove a theoretical basis to construct a brief,
      multidimensional measure of exercise readiness. 

PMID- 27274660
TI  - Comparison of Level and Graded Treadmill Tests to Evaluate Endurance Mountain
      Runners.
AB  - Mountain endurance running has increased in popularity in recent years. Thus the
      aim of the present study was to determine if maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and
      energy cost of running (Cr) measured during level and uphill running are
      associated. Ten high level male endurance mountain runners performed three
      maximal oxygen uptake tests at three slope conditions (0, 12.5 and 25%).
      Metabolic data, step frequency (SF) and step length (SL) were recorded. No
      significant differences were found in VO2max (63.29 (+/-3.84), 63.97 (+/-3.54)
      and 63.70 (+/-3.58) mlO2/kg(-1)/min(-1)) or associated metabolic data at 0, 12.5
      and 25% slope respectively. High intra-individual correlations were found between
      metabolic data measured in the three conditions. The energy cost of running was
      significantly different between slopes (0.192 (+/-0.01), 0.350 (+/-0.029) and
      0.516 (+/-0.035) mlO2/kg(-1)/min(-1), p < 0.01), 0, 12.5 and 25% respectively.
      However, Cr0% was not correlated with either Cr25% or Cr12.5% (rs = 0.09 and rs =
      0.10), in contrast, Cr25% and Cr12.5% were correlated (rs = 0.78). Step length
      was positively correlated with speed under the three slope conditions. Step
      frequency was significantly lower at 25 compared to 12.5 and 0% slope. We found
      that the maximum aerobic power did not differ between level and graded treadmill
      tests. However, the increase in Cr on the inclined versus level conditions varied
      between subjects. None of the measured anthropometric or kinematic variables
      could explain the higher increase in Cr of some subjects when running uphill.
      Thus, a short graded (5min at 12.5%) running test should be performed at a
      submaximal velocity (around 40% of level vVO2max) to enhance understanding of an
      endurance runner's uphill capability. Key pointsIn elite endurance mountain
      runners, there is no difference in VO2max values between level and uphill
      running.In a homogeneous group of mountain runners, uphill Cr is not associated
      with level Cr.To assess performance potential of endurance mountain runners, a
      standardized uphill running protocol should be performed. 

PMID- 27274661
TI  - The Effects of a Duathlon Simulation on Ventilatory Threshold and Running
      Economy.
AB  - Multisport events continue to grow in popularity among recreational, amateur, and
      professional athletes around the world. This study aimed to determine the
      compounding effects of the initial run and cycling legs of an International
      Triathlon Union (ITU) Duathlon simulation on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max),
      ventilatory threshold (VT) and running economy (RE) within a thermoneutral,
      laboratory controlled setting. Seven highly trained multisport athletes completed
      three trials; Trial-1 consisted of a speed only VO2max treadmill protocol
      (SOVO2max) to determine VO2max, VT, and RE during a single-bout run; Trial-2
      consisted of a 10 km run at 98% of VT followed by an incremental VO2max test on
      the cycle ergometer; Trial-3 consisted of a 10 km run and 30 km cycling bout at
      98% of VT followed by a speed only treadmill test to determine the compounding
      effects of the initial legs of a duathlon on VO2max, VT, and RE. A repeated
      measures ANOVA was performed to determine differences between variables across
      trials. No difference in VO2max, VT (%VO2max), maximal HR, or maximal RPE was
      observed across trials. Oxygen consumption at VT was significantly lower during
      Trial-3 compared to Trial-1 (p = 0.01). This decrease was coupled with a
      significant reduction in running speed at VT (p = 0.015). A significant
      interaction between trial and running speed indicate that RE was significantly
      altered during Trial-3 compared to Trial-1 (p < 0.001). The first two legs of a
      laboratory based duathlon simulation negatively impact VT and RE. Our findings
      may provide a useful method to evaluate multisport athletes since a single-bout
      incremental treadmill test fails to reveal important alterations in physiological
      thresholds. Key pointsDecrease in relative oxygen uptake at VT (ml.kg(-1).min(
      1)) during the final leg of a duathlon simulation, compared to a single-bout
      maximal run.We observed a decrease in running speed at VT during the final leg of
      a duathlon simulation; resulting in an increase of more than 2 minutes to
      complete a 5 km run.During our study, highly trained athletes were unable to
      complete the final 5 km run at the same intensity that they completed the initial
      10 km run (in a laboratory setting).A better understanding, and determination, of
      training loads during multisport training may help to better periodize training
      programs; additional research is required. 

PMID- 27274662
TI  - Plantar Pressures During Long Distance Running: An Investigation of 10 Marathon
      Runners.
AB  - The objective of this study was to record plantar pressures using an in-shoe
      measuring system before, during, and after a marathon run in ten experienced long
      distance runners with a mean age of 37.7 +/- 11.5 years. Peak and mean plantar
      pressures were recorded before, after, and every three km during a marathon race.
      There were no significant changes over time in peak and mean plantar pressures
      for either the dominant or non-dominant foot. There were significant between foot
      peak and mean plantar pressure differences for the total foot (p = 0.0001),
      forefoot (p = 0.0001), midfoot (p = 0.02 resp. p = 0.006), hindfoot (p = 0.0001),
      first ray (p = 0.01 resp. p = 0.0001) and MTP (p = 0.05 resp. p = 0.0001). Long
      distance runners do not demonstrate significant changes in mean or peak plantar
      foot pressures over the distance of a marathon race. However, athletes
      consistently favoured their dominant extremity, applying significantly higher
      plantar pressures through their dominant foot over the entire marathon distance.
      Key pointsFatigue does not increase foot pressuresEvery runner has a dominant
      foot where pressures are higher and that he/she favoursFoot pressures do not
      increase over the distance of a marathon run. 

PMID- 27274663
TI  - Accuracy and Reliability of a New Tennis Ball Machine.
AB  - The aim was to evaluate the reliability of a newly-developed ball machine named
      'Hightof', on the field and to assess its accuracy. The experiment was conducted
      in the collaboration of the 'Hawk-Eye' technology. The accuracy and reliability
      of this ball machine were assessed during an incremental test, with 1 min of
      exercise and 30 sec of recovery, where the frequency of the balls increased from
      10 to 30 balls.min(-1). The initial frequency was 10 and increased by 2 until 22,
      then by 1 until 30 balls.min(-1). The reference points for the impact were 8.39m
      from the net and 2.70m from lateral line for the right side and 2.83m for the
      left side. The precision of the machine was similar on the right and left sides
      (0.63 +/- 0.39 vs 0.63 +/- 0.34 m). The distances to the reference point were
      0.52 +/- 0.42, 0.26 +/- 0.19, 0.52 +/- 0.37, 0.28 +/- 0.19 m for the Y-right, X
      right, Y-left and X-left impacts. The precision was constant and did not increase
      with the intensity. (e.g ball frequency). The ball velocity was 86.3 +/- 1.5 and
      86.5 +/- 1.3 km.h(-1) for the right and the left side, respectively. The
      coefficient of variation for the velocity ranged between 1 and 2% in all stages
      (ball velocity ranging from 10 to 30 balls.min(-1)). CONCLUSION: both the
      accuracy and the reliability of this new ball machine appear satisfying enough
      for field testing and training. Key pointsThe reliability and accuracy of a new
      ball machine named 'Hightof' were assessed.The impact point was reproducible and
      similar on the right and left sides (+/-0.63 m).The precision was constant and
      did not increase with the intensity (e.g ball frequency).The coefficient of
      variation of the ball velocity ranged between 1 and 2% in all stages (ball
      velocity ranging from 10 to 30 balls.min(-1)).

PMID- 27274664
TI  - Differing Roles of Functional Movement Variability as Experience Increases in
      Gymnastics.
AB  - Current theories, like Ecological Dynamics, propose that inter-trial movement
      variability is functional when acquiring or refining movement coordination. Here,
      we examined how age-based experience levels of gymnasts constrained differences
      in emergent movement pattern variability during task performance. Specifically,
      we investigated different roles of movement pattern variability when gymnasts in
      different age groups performed longswings on a high bar, capturing the range of
      experience from beginner to advanced status. We also investigated the
      functionality of the relationships between levels of inter-trial variability and
      longswing amplitude during performance. One-hundred and thirteen male gymnasts in
      five age groups were observed performing longswings (with three different
      experience levels: beginners, intermediates and advanced performers). Performance
      was evaluated by analysis of key events in coordination of longswing focused on
      the arm-trunk and trunk-thigh segmental relations. Results revealed that 10 of 18
      inter-trial variability measures changed significantly as a function of
      increasing task experience. Four of ten variability measures conformed to a U
      shaped function with age implying exploratory strategies amongst beginners and
      functional adaptive variability amongst advanced performers. Inter-trial
      variability of arm-trunk coordination variables (6 of 10) conformed to a ?-shaped
      curve, as values were reduced to complete the longswings. Changes in coordination
      variability from beginner to intermediate status were largely restrictive, with
      only one variability measure related to exploration. Data revealed how inter
      trial movement variability in gymnastics, relative to performance outcomes, needs
      careful interpretation, implying different roles as task experience changes. Key
      pointsInter-trial variability while performing longswings on a high bar was
      assessed in a large sample (113 participants) divided into five age groups (form
      beginners to advanced gymnasts). Longswing assessment allowed us to evaluate
      inter-trial variability in representative performance context.Coordination
      variability presented two different configurations across experience levels
      depending on the variable of interest: either a U-shaped or a L- or ?-shaped
      graph.Increased inter-trial variability of the functional phase events offered
      flexibility to adapt the longswing performance in the advanced gymnasts, while
      decreasing variability in arm-trunk coordination modes was critical to improve
      longswing and to achieve the most advanced level.In addition, the relationship
      between variability measures and the global performance outcome (i.e. the swing
      amplitude) revealed different functional roles of movement variability
      (exploratory or restrictive) as a function of changes in experience levels. 

PMID- 27274665
TI  - Alterations of Vertical Jump Mechanics after a Half-Marathon Mountain Running
      Race.
AB  - The fatiguing effect of long-distance running has been examined in the context of
      a variety of parameters. However, there is scarcity of data regarding its effect
      on the vertical jump mechanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
      alterations of countermovement jump (CMJ) mechanics after a half-marathon
      mountain race. Twenty-seven runners performed CMJs before the race (Pre),
      immediately after the race (Post 1) and five minutes after Post 1 (Post 2).
      Instantaneous and ensemble-average analysis focused on jump height and, the
      maximum peaks and time-to-maximum peaks of: Displacement, vertical force (Fz),
      anterior-posterior force (Fx), Velocity and Power, in the eccentric (tECC) and
      concentric (tCON) phase of the jump, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVAs were
      used for statistical analysis (p <= 0.05). The jump height decrease was
      significant in Post 2 (-7.9%) but not in Post 1 (-4.1%). Fx and Velocity
      decreased significantly in both Post 1 (only in tECC) and Post 2 (both tECC and
      tCON). Alpha timing shift of the Fz peaks (earlier during tECC and later during
      tCON) and altered relative peak times (only in tECC) were also observed. Ensemble
      average analysis revealed several time intervals of significant post-race
      alterations and a timing shift in the Fz-Velocity loop. An overall trend of
      lowered post-race jump output and mechanics was characterised by altered jump
      timing, restricted anterior-posterior movement and altered force-velocity
      relations. The specificity of mountain running fatigue to eccentric muscle work,
      appears to be reflected in the different time order of the post-race reductions,
      with the eccentric phase reductions preceding those of the concentric one. Thus,
      those who engage in mountain running should particularly consider downhill
      training to optimise eccentric muscular action. Key pointsThe 4.1% reduction of
      jump height immediately after the race is not statistically significantThe
      eccentric phase alterations of jump mechanics precede those of the concentric
      ones.Force-velocity alterations present a timing shift rather than a change in
      force or velocity magnitude. 

PMID- 27274667
TI  - Does Body Mass Index Influence Behavioral Regulations, Dispositional Flow and
      Social Physique Anxiety in Exercise Setting?
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine differences in behavioral regulations,
      dispositional flow, social physique anxiety of exercisers in terms of body mass
      index (BMI). 782 university students participated in this study. Dispositional
      Flow State Scale-2, Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire-2, Social
      Physique Anxiety Scale and Physical Activity Stages of Change Questionnaire were
      administered to participants. After controlling for gender, analysis indicated
      significant differences in behavioral regulations, dispositional flow and social
      physique anxiety of exercise participants with regards to BMI. In summary, the
      findings demonstrate that normal weighted participants exercise for internal
      reasons while underweighted participants are amotivated for exercise
      participation. Additionally, participants who are underweight had higher
      dispositional flow and lower social physique anxiety scores than other BMI
      classification. Key pointsNormal weighted participants exercise for internal
      reasons.Underweighted participants are amotivated for exercise
      participation.Underweighted participants had higher dispositional
      flow.Underweighted participants have lower social physique anxiety scores than
      normal weighted, overweight and obese participants. 

PMID- 27274666
TI  - The Association Analysis between ACE and ACTN3 Genes Polymorphisms and Endurance
      Capacity in Young Cross-Country Skiers: Longitudinal Study.
AB  - Endurance performance depends on the integration of several phenotypic traits
      influenced by multiple environmental and genetic factors. Objectives of the study
      were: (1) to examine the genotypic frequencies of the ACE I/D, ACTN3 R577X
      polymorphisms and endurance performance-related phenotypes, (2) to evaluate the
      dynamics of endurance performance parameters during a 5-year period in relation
      to ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X genotypes in Estonian young skiers. Determination of
      VO2peak was performed in 58 skiers aged 15-19 years (41 males, 17 females) during
      a 5-year period. The control group consisted of 322 healthy non-athletic subjects
      (145 males, 177 females). The study groups were genotyped for the ACE I/D and
      ACTN3 R577X variants. Frequencies of the ACE ID and ACTN3 RR genotypes were
      significantly higher (p = 0.047 and p = 0.003, respectively) and the RX genotype
      was lower (p = 0.008) in young male skiers compared with controls. A significant
      relationship was found between change (Delta) of training volume and DeltaVO2peak
      (mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) (r = 0.475, p = 0.002). No significant main effect was
      detected between VO2peak (mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) dynamics (comparison with the
      previous age group data) and ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X genotypes interactions (F =
      0.571, p = 0.770 and F = 0.650 and p = 0.705, respectively) in all young skiers.
      Study results indicated a significantly higher frequency of the ACE ID and ACTN3
      RR genotypes among Estonian young male skiers compared with the male control
      group. Significant genotype-related differences in dynamics of VO2peak during a 5
      year period were not found. In the future, longitudinal research including
      different gene variants may contribute to a better understanding of the nature of
      endurance performance. Key pointsSignificantly higher prevalence of the ACE ID
      and the ACTN3 RR genotypes were found among Estonian young male skiers compared
      with the male control group, which may be an advantage for the explosive speed
      and power capacity in race skiing.A more remarkable trend of increase in VO2peak
      (mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) during the 5-year period was observed among male skiers with
      the ACTN3 XX genotype and among female skiers with the ACE ID genotype.No
      significant genotype-related associations in the dynamics of VO2peak were found
      during the 5-year period. 

PMID- 27274668
TI  - Comparison of Ball-And-Racket Impact Force in Two-Handed Backhand Stroke Stances
      for Different-Skill-Level Tennis Players.
AB  - This study compared the kinetic roles of the upper extremities in racket impact
      force generation between the open stance (OS) and square stance (SS) for tennis
      players with different skill levels in two-handed backhand strokes. Twelve male
      tennis players were divided into an advanced group (AG) (L3-L2 skill level) and
      intermediate group (IG) (L7-L6 skill level), and their data were used in a three
      dimensional kinetic analysis. Their motions were captured using 21 reflective
      markers attached to anatomic landmarks for two-handed backhand stroke motion data
      collection. During the acceleration phase, significant differences were not
      observed between both stances, but they were observed between the groups with
      different skill levels for the force of the upper extremities (p = 0.027). The
      joint forces were significantly lower in the AG than in the IG. Players
      performing the SS had significantly larger pronation and supination of the wrist
      joint moment than those in the OS (p = 0.032) during the acceleration phase,
      irrespective of the playing level. Higher internal rotation moment after impact
      was observed at each joint, particularly among young intermediate tennis players,
      regardless of their stance. The AG demonstrated a higher joint force and moment
      at every joint compared with the IG at impact. Moreover, the AG demonstrated
      superior stroke efficiency and effectively reduced joint moment after impact and
      sports injury. Key pointsAdvanced players, regardless of open stance or square
      stance, have larger joint force and moment at each joint before ball impact
      resulting in better stroke efficiency and reduced chance of injury.Intermediate
      players, regardless of stance, have higher internal rotation moment at each joint
      instead of larger joint force as compared to advanced players before ball impact.
      The higher internal rotation moment will induce higher joint impact force which
      makes the player injury-prone.Young intermediate tennis players may want to avoid
      excessive follow-through movement after ball impact to prevent injury in their
      early career. 

PMID- 27274669
TI  - Can Time Efficient Exercise Improve Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Type 2
      Diabetes? A Pilot Study.
AB  - Exercise is considered a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of type 2
      diabetes, but few individuals with type 2 diabetes exercise according to
      guidelines. We investigated the effect of two time efficient high intensity
      exercise interventions on exercise capacity, glycemic control and other
      cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. Twenty-one
      individuals with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to low volume high
      intensity interval exercise (HIIE; 27 minutes/bout; 10x1-minute at 90 % of HRmax;
      n = 10) or extremely low volume sprint interval exercise (SIE; 10 minutes/bout;
      2x20 seconds at maximum achievable intensity; n = 11) 3 days/week for 12 weeks.
      Aerobic exercise capacity (VO2peak), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood
      pressure and body composition were measured at baseline and post test. Both HIIE
      and SIE improved VO2peak (3.3 mL.min(-1).kg(-1), 10.4 %), p < 0.01, and 1.4
      mL.min(-1).kg(-1) (4.6 %), p = 0.03, respectively). Only HIIE reduced body fat
      percentage (4.5 %, p = 0.04) and two minute heart rate recovery (11.0 bpm, p =
      0.02). Neither HIIE nor SIE improved HbA1c. In conclusion, this study indicates
      that substantially lower exercise volumes than recommended in current guidelines
      can improve aerobic exercise capacity in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
      However, 12 weeks of time efficient high intensity exercise did not improve
      glycemic control, and interventions of longer duration should be investigated.
      Key pointsLow volume high-intensity interval exercise can improve peak oxygen
      uptake in previously sedentary individuals with type 2 diabetesThe weekly
      exercise volumes in the two intervention groups of 81 and 30 minutes
      respectively, is substantially lower than recommended in current exercise
      guidelines and could reduce the time-barrier associated with exercise among
      patients with type 2 diabetes.However, 12 weeks of structured, supervised low
      volume exercise did not improve glycemic control, indicating a need for exercise
      volumes or longer intervention period. 

PMID- 27274670
TI  - Multi-Directional Sprint Training Improves Change-Of-Direction Speed and Reactive
      Agility in Young Highly Trained Soccer Players.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a repeated sprint training
      with multi-directional change-of-direction (COD) movements (RSmulti) compared to
      repeated shuttle sprints (RSS) on variables related to COD speed and reactive
      agility. Nineteen highly-trained male U15 soccer players were assigned into two
      groups performing either RSmulti or RSS. For both groups, each training session
      involved 20 repeated 15 s sprints interspersed with 30 s recovery. With RSmulti
      the COD movements were randomized and performed in response to a visual stimulus,
      while the RSS involved predefined 180 degrees  COD movements. Before and
      following the six training sessions, performance in the Illinois agility test
      (IAT), COD speed in response to a visual stimulus, 20 m linear sprint time and
      vertical jumping height were assessed. Both groups improved their performance in
      the IAT (p < 0.01, ES = 1.13; p = 0.01, ES = 0.55). The COD speed in response to
      a visual stimulus improved with the RSmulti (p < 0.01, ES = 1.03), but not the
      RSS (p = 0.46, ES = 0.28). No differences were found for 20 m sprint time
      (P=0.73, ES = 0.07; p = 0.14, ES = 0.28) or vertical jumping height (p = 0.46, ES
      = 0.11; p = 0.29, ES = 0.12) for the RSmulti and RSS, respectively. In
      conclusion, performance in the IAT improved with the RSmulti as well as RSS. With
      the RSmulti however, the COD movements are performed in response to a visual
      stimulus, which may result in specific adaptations that improve COD speed and
      reactive agility in young highly trained soccer players. Key pointsDuring soccer,
      the players perform repeated sprints involving multi-directional COD movements,
      while most of these turns and twists are not pre-planned but executed in response
      to an external stimulus, such as ball movement, several interacting opponents and
      changing game situations.Both groups improved performance in the IAT. With the
      RSmulti on the Speedcourt however, the COD movements are performed in response to
      a visual stimulus, which may result in specific adaptations that improve COD
      speed and reactive agility.The Speedcourt could serve as a valuable method to
      design and individualize specific conditioning drills for young highly-trained
      soccer players. 

PMID- 27274671
TI  - Does Physical Loading Affect The Speed and Accuracy of Tactical Decision-Making
      in Elite Junior Soccer Players?
AB  - A soccer player's capability to control and manage his behaviour in a game
      situation is a prerequisite, reflecting not only swift and accurate tactical
      decision-making, but also prompt implementation of a motor task during
      intermittent exercise conditions. The purpose of this study was to analyse the
      relationship between varying exercise intensity and the visual-motor response
      time and the accuracy of motor response in an offensive game situation in soccer.
      The participants (n = 42) were male, semi-professional, soccer players (M age
      18.0 +/- 0.9 years) and trained five times a week. Each player performed four
      different modes of exercise intensity on the treadmill (motor inactivity,
      aerobic, intermittent and anaerobic activity). After the end of each exercise,
      visual-motor response time and accuracy of motor response were assessed. Players'
      motion was captured by digital video camera. ANOVA indicated no significant
      difference (p = 0.090) in the accuracy of motor response between the four
      exercise intensity modes. Practical significance (Z-test = 0.31) was found in
      visual-motor response time between exercise with dominant involvement of aerobic
      metabolism, and intense intermittent exercise. A medium size effect (Z-test =
      0.34) was also found in visual-motor response time between exercise with dominant
      involvement of aerobic metabolism and exercise with dominant involvement of
      anaerobic metabolism, which was confirmed by ANOVA (897.02 +/- 57.46 vs. 940.95
      +/- 71.14; p = 0.002). The results showed that different modes of exercise
      intensity do not adversely affect the accuracy of motor responses; however, high
      intensity exercise has a negative effect on visual-motor response time in
      comparison to moderate intensity exercise. Key pointsDifferent exercise intensity
      modes did not affect the accuracy of motor response.Anaerobic, highly intensive
      short-term exercise significantly decreased the visual-motor response time in
      comparison with aerobic exercise.Further research should focus on the assessment
      of VMRT from a player's real - field position view rather than a perspective
      view. 

PMID- 27274672
TI  - The Influence of a Bout of Exertion on Novice Barefoot Running Dynamics.
AB  - Barefoot, forefoot strike (FFS) running has recently risen in popularity.
      Relative to shod, rear-foot strike (RFS) running, employing a FFS is associated
      with heightened triceps surae muscle activation and ankle mechanical demand.
      Novice to this pattern, it is plausible that habitually shod RFS runners exhibit
      fatigue to the triceps surae when acutely transitioning to barefoot running,
      thereby limiting their ability to attenuate impact. Therefore, the purpose was to
      determine how habitually shod RFS runners respond to an exertion bout of barefoot
      running, operationally defined as a barefoot run 20% of mean daily running
      distance. Twenty-one RFS runners performed novice barefoot running, before and
      after exertion. Ankle peak torque, triceps surae EMG median frequency, foot
      strike patterns, joint energy absorption, and loading rates were evaluated. Of
      the 21 runners, 6 maintained a RFS, 10 adopted a mid-foot strike (MFS), and 5
      adopted a FFS during novice barefoot running. In-response to exertion, MFS and
      FFS runners demonstrated reductions in peak torque, median frequency, and ankle
      energy absorption, and an increase in loading rate. RFS runners demonstrated
      reductions in peak torque and loading rate. These results indicate that a short
      bout of running may elicit fatigue to novice barefoot runners, limiting their
      ability to attenuate impact. Key pointsIn response to exertion, novice barefoot
      runners demonstrate fatigue to their soleus.In response to exertion, novice
      barefoot runners demonstrate a reduction in ankle energy absorptionIn response to
      exertion, novice barefoot runners demonstrate an increase in loading rate. 

PMID- 27274673
TI  - Association of Quality Physical Education Teaching with Students' Physical
      Fitness.
AB  - This study examined the extent to which four essential dimensions of quality
      physical education teaching (QPET) were associated with healthy levels of
      physical fitness in elementary school students. Participants were nine elementary
      PE teachers and 1, 201 fourth- and fifth-grade students who were enrolled in nine
      elementary schools. The students' physical fitness were assessed using four
      FITNESSGRAM tests. The PE teachers' levels of QPET were assessed using the
      Assessing Quality Teaching Rubrics (AQTR). The AQTR consisted of four essential
      dimensions including Task Design, Task Presentation, Class Management, and
      Instructional Guidance. Codes were confirmed through inter-rater reliability
      (82.4% and 84.5%). Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, multiple R
      squared regression models, and independent sample t-tests. The four essential
      teaching dimensions of QPET were significantly associated with the students'
      cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility.
      However, they accounted for relatively low percentage of the total variance in
      PACER test, followed by Curl-up test, while explaining very low portions of the
      total variance in Push-up and Trunk Lift tests. This study indicated that the
      students who had experienced high level of QPET were more physically fit than
      their peers who did not have this experience in PACER and Curl-up tests, but not
      in Push-up and Trunk lift tests. In addition, the significant contribution of the
      four essential teaching dimensions to physical fitness components was gender
      specific. It was concluded that the four teaching dimensions of QPET were
      significantly associated with students' health-enhancing physical fitness. Key
      pointsAlthough Task Design, Task Presentation, Class Management, and
      Instructional Guidance has its unique and critical teaching components, each
      essential teaching dimensions is intertwined and immersed in teaching
      practices.Four essential teaching dimensions all significantly contributed to
      students' health-enhancing physical fitness.Implementation of QPET in a lesson
      plays more significant role in contributing to improving girls' cardiovascular
      endurance.Implementation of QPET in a lesson contributed significantly to
      improving boy's abdominal, upper-body, and back extensor muscular strength and
      endurance as well as flexibility. 

PMID- 27274674
TI  - Relationship between Leg Mass, Leg Composition and Foot Velocity on Kicking
      Accuracy in Australian Football.
AB  - Kicking a ball accurately over a desired distance to an intended target is
      arguably the most important skill to acquire in Australian Football. Therefore,
      understanding the potential mechanisms which underpin kicking accuracy is
      warranted. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between leg
      mass, leg composition and foot velocity on kicking accuracy in Australian
      Football. Thirty-one Australian Footballers (n = 31; age: 22.1 +/- 2.8 years;
      height: 1.81 +/- 0.07 m; weight: 85.1 +/- 13.0 kg; BMI: 25.9 +/- 3.2) each
      performed ten drop punt kicks over twenty metres to a player target. Athletes
      were separated into accurate (n = 15) and inaccurate (n = 16) kicking groups. Leg
      mass characteristics were assessed using whole body DXA scans. Foot velocity was
      determined using a ten-camera optoelectronic, three-dimensional motion capture
      system. Interactions between leg mass and foot velocity evident within accurate
      kickers only (r = -0.670 to -0.701). Relative lean mass was positively correlated
      with kicking accuracy (r = 0.631), while no relationship between foot velocity
      and kicking accuracy was evident in isolation (r = -0.047 to -0.083). Given the
      evident importance of lean mass, and its interaction with foot velocity for
      accurate kickers; future research should explore speed-accuracy, impulse
      variability, limb co-ordination and foot-ball interaction constructs in kicking
      using controlled with-in subject studies to examine the effects of resistance
      training and skill acquisition programs on the development of kicking accuracy.
      Key pointsAccurate kickers expressed a very strong inverse relationship between
      leg mass and foot velocity. Inaccurate kickers were unable to replicate this,
      with greater volatility in their performance, indicating an ability of accurate
      kickers to mediate foot velocity to compensate for leg mass in order to deliver
      the ball over the required distance.Accurate kickers exhibited larger quantities
      of relative lean mass and lower quantities of relative fat mass in their kicking
      leg. Higher relative lean mass reduces the relative muscular impulses required to
      produce a given action, allowing greater limb control with proportionately
      reduced volitional effort.Kicking accuracy was unable to be explained by either
      foot velocity or leg mass in isolation; rather, it was the co-contribution and
      interrelation of these characteristics which were the discriminatory factors
      between accurate and inaccurate kickers. 

PMID- 27274675
TI  - Effect of Semi-Rigid and Soft Ankle Braces on Static and Dynamic Postural
      Stability in Young Male Adults.
AB  - Ankle braces have been suggested to protect ankle joints from a sprain by
      restricting inversion and improving proprioception. However, the difference in
      effects between a semi-rigid brace and a soft brace regarding dynamic postural
      control after landing is not known. The aim of the present study was to compare
      the effect of soft (SB) and semi-rigid (SRB) ankle braces on static and dynamic
      postural stability in healthy young men. Altogether, 21 male adults (mean age
      24.0 +/- 1.5 years) were assessed for one leg while wearing non-brace (NB), SB or
      SRB. Balance in single-limb stance on a single-force platform with open eyes and
      closed eyes were assessed for the non-dominant leg under SB, SRB, and NB
      conditions. Locus length/second (mm/s) and the enveloped area (mm.s(-2))
      surrounded by the circumference of the wave pattern during postural sway were
      calculated. For assessing dynamic postural stability, the participant jumped and
      landed on one leg on a force platform, and the Dynamic Postural Stability Index
      (DPSI) and the maximum vertical ground reaction force (vGRFmax) were measured.
      The data were compared among the three conditions with repeated-measures analysis
      of variance. The correlations between locus length/second, enveloped area, DPSI
      values (DPSI, Anterior-Posterior Stability Index, Medial-Lateral Stability Index,
      and Vertical Stability Index), and vGRFmax were then calculated. The results
      indicated that locus length/second and enveloped area with open eyes and closed
      eyes were not significantly different for each condition. However, a significant
      lower in the DPSI and Vertical Stability Index were observed with the SRB in
      comparison to the SB and NB. A significant improvement in vGRFmax was also
      observed with the SRB in comparison to NB. SRB demonstrated a positive effect on
      dynamic postural stability after landing on a single leg and may improve balance
      by increasing dynamic postural stability. Key pointsThis study examined the
      effect of ankle braces on healthy young individuals during dynamic postural
      stability using the DPSI.The semi-rigid brace improved dynamic postural stability
      compared with the soft brace and no brace. 

PMID- 27274676
TI  - The Effects of Two Self-Regulation Interventions to Increase Self-Efficacy and
      Group Exercise Behavior in Fitness Clubs.
AB  - Studies on the adoption and maintenance of group exercise behavior are scarce.
      The objective of this study is to test two self-efficacy based interventions to
      increase barrier self-efficacy and group exercise behavior. In total 122
      participants (Mage 42.02 yr.; SD 12.29; 67% females) were recruited and randomly
      assigned to one control and two experimental groups. The control group was
      limited to participate in one virtual group exercise program only (group 1). The
      first experimental group was able to self-set their activities and participate in
      multiple group exercise programs (group 2). The second experimental group
      received an additional monthly coaching protocol to manage self-set goals (group
      3). A validated scale for barrier self-efficacy was used, group exercise sessions
      were measured and drop-out rates were registered. An ANOVA indicated that mean
      amount of sessions of group 1 and 3, and 2 and 3 differed significantly (p <
      0.05) in 12 weeks. Descriptive statistics demonstrate mean group exercise
      sessions over the total of 12 weeks of 2.74 (SD 4.65) in the control group; 4.75
      (SD 6.08) in the first experimental group, and 12.25 (SD 9.07) for the second
      experimental group. Regression analysis indicated that self-efficacy at 8-weeks
      explained the highest variance in overall group exercise sessions (R(2) = 0.18; p
      < 0.05). Overall drop-out rates were 88% in group 1, 78% in group 2 and 48% in
      group 3. The results showed that group exercise behavior can significantly be
      improved by a coaching protocol on self-set goals. Future research should address
      the effectiveness of self-set activities and self-set goals for a longer period
      of time and in other types of exercise programs. Key pointsApproximately 144
      million individuals exercise in fitness clubs worldwide.About 50% participate in
      at least one group exercise program and 23% participate only in group exercise
      classes with instructor.Research on attendance and exercise behavior in fitness
      clubs is limited but there are strong indications that the frequencies are
      low.This study demonstrates that group exercise behavior in fitness clubs can be
      improved significantly by a coaching protocol on self-set goals based on tenets
      of self-efficacy theory. 

PMID- 27274677
TI  - Salivary Biomarker Responses to Two Final Matches in Women's Professional
      Football.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the link between salivary concentrations of
      cortisol, testosterone, immunoglobulin A (IgA) and the rate of perceived exertion
      (RPE) as a measure of internal load after two final matches played 3 days apart
      by professional women football players. Saliva samples were taken before and
      after the two matches (M1, M2). RPE was used to monitor the exercise intensity
      after each match. Testosterone concentrations increased after each match (M1:
      +42%, p = 0.002; M2: +50%, p < 0.001) while cortisol increased only after M1
      (+116%, p < 0.001). The testosterone-to-cortisol ratio decreased only after M1 (
      32.4%, p < 0.001). IgA concentration did not change after any match. Testosterone
      concentrations were correlated with IgA concentrations after each match (M1: R =
      0.59, p = 0.008; M2: R=0.51, p = 0.02). RPE was correlated with cortisol
      concentrations after M1 (R = 0.57; p = 0.01), but not after M2 (R = 0.38; p =
      0.07). All these results suggest that salivary cortisol and testosterone
      concentrations increase especially after the first match of a final, without
      affecting IgA levels. We speculate that increased testosterone concentration in
      women after football matches may play a protecting role against immune
      suppression usually observed after intense exercise. Key pointsIn our sample
      space, IgA concentrations did not change for teams even, before and after
      separated match. Suggesting that salivary IgA determinations after physical
      activities remain under debate.Testosterone concentrations were the only one
      hormone showing a consequent increase in both matches after physical activity
      carrying.The T/C ratio decrease only after M1 according with a higher cortisol
      level reach after M1 get-together, suggesting a differential impact over anxiety
      associated team performance. So M2 play gives a more stable psychological state. 

PMID- 27274678
TI  - Sex-Related Differences in Self-Paced All Out High-Intensity Intermittent
      Cycling: Mechanical and Physiological Responses.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare sex-related responses to a self-paced
      all out high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE). 9 women and 10 men were
      submitted to a maximal incremental test (to determine maximum aerobic power - MAP
      and VO2peak), and an HIIE cycling (60x8s:12s, effort:pause). During the protocol
      the mean value of VO2 and heart rate for the entire exercise (VO2total and
      HRtotal) as well as the values only in the effort or pause (VO2effort, VO2pause
      and HReffort and HRpause) relative to VO2peak were measured. Anaerobic power
      reserve (APR), blood lactate [La] and the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were
      also measured. These variables were compared between men and women using the
      unpaired t test. Men used greater APR (109 +/- 12%MAP vs 92 +/- 6%MAP) with
      similar VO2total (74 +/- 7 vs 78 +/- 8% VO2peak), however, when effort and pause
      were analysed separately, VO2effort (80 +/- 9 vs 80 +/- 5%VO2peak) was similar
      between sexes, while VO2pause was lower in men (69 +/- 6% vs 77 +/- 11% VO2peak,
      respectively). Women presented lower power decrement (30 +/- 11 vs 11 +/- 3%),
      RER (1.04 +/- 0.03 vs 1.00 +/- 0.02) and [La]peak (8.6 +/- 0.9 vs 5.9 +/- 2.3
      mmol.L(-1)). Thus, we can conclude that men self-paced HIIE at higher APR but
      with the same cardiovascular/aerobic solicitation as women. Key pointsMen self
      paced high-intensity intermittent exercise at higher intensities than women.Men
      utilized greater anaerobic power reserve than women.Men and women had same
      cardiovascular solicitation. 

PMID- 27274679
TI  - Effect of Wearing the Elevation Training Mask on Aerobic Capacity, Lung Function,
      and Hematological Variables.
AB  - Altitude training and respiratory muscle training (RMT) have been reported to
      improve performance in elite and well-trained athletes. Several devices (altitude
      and RMT) have been developed to help athletes gain the competitive edge. The
      Elevation Training Mask 2.0 (ETM) purportedly simulates altitude training and has
      been suggested to increase aerobic capacity (VO2max), endurance performance, and
      lung function. Twenty-four moderately trained subjects completed 6 weeks of high
      intensity cycle ergometer training. Subjects were randomized into a mask (n = 12)
      or control (n = 12) group. Pre and post-training tests included VO2max, pulmonary
      function, maximal inspiration pressure, hemoglobin and hematocrit. No significant
      differences were found in pulmonary function or hematological variables between
      or within groups. There was a significant improvement in VO2max and PPO in both
      the control (13.5% and 9.9%) and mask (16.5% and 13.6%) groups. There was no
      difference in the magnitude of improvement between groups. Only the mask group
      had significant improvements in ventilatory threshold (VT) (13.9%), power output
      (PO) at VT (19.3%), respiratory compensation threshold (RCT) (10.2%), and PO at
      RCT (16.4%) from pre to post-testing. The trends for improvements in VT and PO at
      VT between groups were similar to improvements in RCT and PO at RCT, but did not
      reach statistical significance (VT p = 0.06, PO at VT p = 0.170). Wearing the ETM
      while participating in a 6-week high-intensity cycle ergometer training program
      does not appear to act as a simulator of altitude, but more like a respiratory
      muscle training device. Wearing the ETM may improve specific markers of endurance
      performance beyond the improvements seen with interval training alone. Key
      pointsWearing the ETM during a 6-week high-intensity cycle ergometer training
      program may improve performance variables, such as VO2max, PPO, VT, PO at VT, RCT
      and PO at RCT.Wearing the ETM did not improve lung function, inspiratory muscle
      strength, or stimulate changes in hemoglobin or hematocrit levels.The ETM does
      not simulate altitude, but works more like an respiratory training device. 

PMID- 27274680
TI  - Self-Medication Practice among Amateur Runners: Prevalence and Associated
      Factors.

PMID- 27274681
TI  - Normobaric Hypoxia Exposure during Low Altitude Stay and Performance of Elite
      Level Race-Walkers.

PMID- 27274682
TI  - Evaluating Service Organization Models: The Relevance and Methodological
      Challenges of a Configurational Approach.
AB  - Based on the example of the evaluation of service organization models, this
      article shows how a configurational approach overcomes the limits of traditional
      methods which for the most part have studied the individual components of various
      models considered independently of one another. These traditional methods have
      led to results (observed effects) that are difficult to interpret. The
      configurational approach, in contrast, is based on the hypothesis that effects
      are associated with a set of internally coherent model features that form various
      configurations. These configurations, like their effects, are context-dependent.
      We explore the theoretical basis of the configuration approach in order to
      emphasize its relevance, and discuss the methodological challenges inherent in
      the application of this approach through an in-depth analysis of the scientific
      literature. We also propose methodological solutions to these challenges. We
      illustrate from an example how a configurational approach has been used to
      evaluate primary care models. Finally, we begin a discussion on the implications
      of this new evaluation approach for the scientific and decision-making
      communities.

PMID- 27274683
TI  - The detection of flaws in austenitic welds using the decomposition of the time
      reversal operator.
AB  - The non-destructive testing of austenitic welds using ultrasound plays an
      important role in the assessment of the structural integrity of safety critical
      structures. The internal microstructure of these welds is highly scattering and
      can lead to the obscuration of defects when investigated by traditional imaging
      algorithms. This paper proposes an alternative objective method for the detection
      of flaws embedded in austenitic welds based on the singular value decomposition
      of the time-frequency domain response matrices. The distribution of the singular
      values is examined in the cases where a flaw exists and where there is no flaw
      present. A lower threshold on the singular values, specific to austenitic welds,
      is derived which, when exceeded, indicates the presence of a flaw. The detection
      criterion is successfully implemented on both synthetic and experimental data.
      The datasets arising from welds containing a flaw are further interrogated using
      the decomposition of the time-reversal operator (DORT) method and the total
      focusing method (TFM), and it is shown that images constructed via the DORT
      algorithm typically exhibit a higher signal-to-noise ratio than those constructed
      by the TFM algorithm.

PMID- 27274684
TI  - Nonlinear regularization operators as derived from the micromorphic approach to
      gradient elasticity, viscoplasticity and damage.
AB  - The construction of regularization operators presented in this work is based on
      the introduction of strain or damage micromorphic degrees of freedom in addition
      to the displacement vector and of their gradients into the Helmholtz free energy
      function of the constitutive material model. The combination of a new balance
      equation for generalized stresses and of the micromorphic constitutive equations
      generates the regularization operator. Within the small strain framework, the
      choice of a quadratic potential w.r.t. the gradient term provides the widely used
      Helmholtz operator whose regularization properties are well known: smoothing of
      discontinuities at interfaces and boundary layers in hardening materials, and
      finite width localization bands in softening materials. The objective is to
      review and propose nonlinear extensions of micromorphic and strain/damage
      gradient models along two lines: the first one introducing nonlinear relations
      between generalized stresses and strains; the second one envisaging several
      classes of finite deformation model formulations. The generic approach is
      applicable to a large class of elastoviscoplastic and damage models including
      anisothermal and multiphysics coupling. Two standard procedures of extension of
      classical constitutive laws to large strains are combined with the micromorphic
      approach: additive split of some Lagrangian strain measure or choice of a local
      objective rotating frame. Three distinct operators are finally derived using the
      multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. A new feature is that a
      free energy function depending solely on variables defined in the intermediate
      isoclinic configuration leads to the existence of additional kinematic hardening
      induced by the gradient of a scalar micromorphic variable.

PMID- 27274685
TI  - Numerical solution of acoustic scattering by finite perforated elastic plates.
AB  - We present a numerical method to compute the acoustic field scattered by finite
      perforated elastic plates. A boundary element method is developed to solve the
      Helmholtz equation subjected to boundary conditions related to the plate
      vibration. These boundary conditions are recast in terms of the vibration modes
      of the plate and its porosity, which enables a direct solution procedure. A
      parametric study is performed for a two-dimensional problem whereby a
      cantilevered perforated elastic plate scatters sound from a point quadrupole near
      the free edge. Both elasticity and porosity tend to diminish the scattered sound,
      in agreement with previous work considering semi-infinite plates. Finite elastic
      plates are shown to reduce acoustic scattering when excited at high Helmholtz
      numbers k0 based on the plate length. However, at low k0, finite elastic plates
      produce only modest reductions or, in cases related to structural resonance, an
      increase to the scattered sound level relative to the rigid case. Porosity, on
      the other hand, is shown to be more effective in reducing the radiated sound for
      low k0. The combined beneficial effects of elasticity and porosity are shown to
      be effective in reducing the scattered sound for a broader range of k0 for
      perforated elastic plates.

PMID- 27274686
TI  - A personal perspective on modelling the climate system.
AB  - Given their increasing relevance for society, I suggest that the climate science
      community itself does not treat the development of error-free ab initio models of
      the climate system with sufficient urgency. With increasing levels of difficulty,
      I discuss a number of proposals for speeding up such development. Firstly, I
      believe that climate science should make better use of the pool of post-PhD
      talent in mathematics and physics, for developing next-generation climate models.
      Secondly, I believe there is more scope for the development of modelling systems
      which link weather and climate prediction more seamlessly. Finally, here in
      Europe, I call for a new European Programme on Extreme Computing and Climate to
      advance our ability to simulate climate extremes, and understand the drivers of
      such extremes. A key goal for such a programme is the development of a 1 km
      global climate system model to run on the first exascale supercomputers in the
      early 2020s.

PMID- 27274687
TI  - Sintering of viscous droplets under surface tension.
AB  - We conduct experiments to investigate the sintering of high-viscosity liquid
      droplets. Free-standing cylinders of spherical glass beads are heated above their
      glass transition temperature, causing them to densify under surface tension. We
      determine the evolving volume of the bead pack at high spatial and temporal
      resolution. We use these data to test a range of existing models. We extend the
      models to account for the time-dependent droplet viscosity that results from non
      isothermal conditions, and to account for non-zero final porosity. We also
      present a method to account for the initial distribution of radii of the pores
      interstitial to the liquid spheres, which allows the models to be used with no
      fitting parameters. We find a good agreement between the models and the data for
      times less than the capillary relaxation timescale. For longer times, we find an
      increasing discrepancy between the data and the model as the Darcy outgassing
      time-scale approaches the sintering timescale. We conclude that the decreasing
      permeability of the sintering system inhibits late-stage densification. Finally,
      we determine the residual, trapped gas volume fraction at equilibrium using X-ray
      computed tomography and compare this with theoretical values for the critical gas
      volume fraction in systems of overlapping spheres.

PMID- 27274688
TI  - The development of biofilm architecture.
AB  - We extend the one-dimensional polymer solution theory of bacterial biofilm growth
      described by Winstanley et al. (2011 Proc. R. Soc. A467, 1449-1467
      (doi:10.1098/rspa.2010.0327)) to deal with the problem of the growth of a patch
      of biofilm in more than one lateral dimension. The extension is non-trivial, as
      it requires consideration of the rheology of the polymer phase. We use a novel
      asymptotic technique to reduce the model to a free-boundary problem governed by
      the equations of Stokes flow with non-standard boundary conditions. We then
      consider the stability of laterally uniform biofilm growth, and show that the
      model predicts spatial instability; this is confirmed by a direct numerical
      solution of the governing equations. The instability results in cusp formation at
      the biofilm surface and provides an explanation for the common observation of
      patterned biofilm architectures.

PMID- 27274689
TI  - Frequency-dependent scaling from mesoscale to macroscale in viscoelastic random
      composites.
AB  - This paper investigates the scaling from a statistical volume element (SVE; i.e.
      mesoscale level) to representative volume element (RVE; i.e. macroscale level) of
      spatially random linear viscoelastic materials, focusing on the quasi-static
      properties in the frequency domain. Requiring the material statistics to be
      spatially homogeneous and ergodic, the mesoscale bounds on the RVE response are
      developed from the Hill-Mandel homogenization condition adapted to viscoelastic
      materials. The bounds are obtained from two stochastic initial-boundary value
      problems set up, respectively, under uniform kinematic and traction boundary
      conditions. The frequency and scale dependencies of mesoscale bounds are obtained
      through computational mechanics for composites with planar random chessboard
      microstructures. In general, the frequency-dependent scaling to RVE can be
      described through a complex-valued scaling function, which generalizes the
      concept originally developed for linear elastic random composites. This scaling
      function is shown to apply for all different phase combinations on random
      chessboards and, essentially, is only a function of the microstructure and
      mesoscale.

PMID- 27274690
TI  - Experimental demonstration of information to energy conversion in a quantum
      system at the Landauer limit.
AB  - Landauer's principle sets fundamental thermodynamical constraints for classical
      and quantum information processing, thus affecting not only various branches of
      physics, but also of computer science and engineering. Despite its importance,
      this principle was only recently experimentally considered for classical systems.
      Here we employ a nuclear magnetic resonance set-up to experimentally address the
      information to energy conversion in a quantum system. Specifically, we consider a
      three nuclear spins [Formula: see text] (qubits) molecule-the system, the
      reservoir and the ancilla-to measure the heat dissipated during the
      implementation of a global system-reservoir unitary interaction that changes the
      information content of the system. By employing an interferometric technique, we
      were able to reconstruct the heat distribution associated with the unitary
      interaction. Then, through quantum state tomography, we measured the relative
      change in the entropy of the system. In this way, we were able to verify that an
      operation that changes the information content of the system must necessarily
      generate heat in the reservoir, exactly as predicted by Landauer's principle. The
      scheme presented here allows for the detailed study of irreversible entropy
      production in quantum information processors.

PMID- 27274691
TI  - On the axisymmetric stability of heated supersonic round jets.
AB  - We perform an inviscid, spatial stability analysis of supersonic, heated round
      jets with the mean properties assumed uniform on either side of the jet shear
      layer, modelled here via a cylindrical vortex sheet. Apart from the hydrodynamic
      Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) wave, the spatial growth rates of the acoustically coupled
      supersonic and subsonic instability waves are computed for axisymmetric
      conditions (m=0) to analyse their role on the jet stability, under increased
      heating and compressibility. With the ambient stationary, supersonic instability
      waves may exist for any jet Mach number Mj >=2, whereas the subsonic instability
      waves, in addition, require the core-to-ambient flow temperature ratio Tj /To >1.
      We show, for moderately heated jets at Tj /To >2, the acoustically coupled
      instability modes, once cut on, to govern the overall jet stability with the K-H
      wave having disappeared into the cluster of acoustic modes. Sufficiently high
      heating makes the subsonic modes dominate the jet near-field dynamics, whereas
      the supersonic instability modes form the primary Mach radiation at far field.

PMID- 27274692
TI  - Optimality of general lattice transformations with applications to the Bain
      strain in steel.
AB  - This article provides a rigorous proof of a conjecture by E. C. Bain in 1924 on
      the optimality of the so-called Bain strain based on a criterion of least atomic
      movement. A general framework that explores several such optimality criteria is
      introduced and employed to show the existence of optimal transformations between
      any two Bravais lattices. A precise algorithm and a graphical user interface to
      determine this optimal transformation is provided. Apart from the Bain conjecture
      concerning the transformation from face-centred cubic to body-centred cubic,
      applications include the face-centred cubic to body-centred tetragonal transition
      as well as the transformation between two triclinic phases of terephthalic acid.

PMID- 27274693
TI  - Stored electromagnetic energy and quality factor of radiating structures.
AB  - This paper deals with the old yet unsolved problem of defining and evaluating the
      stored electromagnetic energy-a quantity essential for calculating the quality
      factor, which reflects the intrinsic bandwidth of the considered electromagnetic
      system. A novel paradigm is proposed to determine the stored energy in the time
      domain leading to the method, which exhibits positive semi-definiteness and
      coordinate independence, i.e. two key properties actually not met by the
      contemporary approaches. The proposed technique is compared with an up-to-date
      frequency domain method that is extensively used in practice. Both concepts are
      discussed and compared on the basis of examples of varying complexity.

PMID- 27274694
TI  - The Born-Infeld vortices induced from a generalized Higgs mechanism.
AB  - We construct self-dual Born-Infeld vortices induced from a generalized Higgs
      mechanism. Two specific models of the theory are of focused interest where the
      Higgs potential is either of a |phi|4- or |phi|6-type. For the |phi|4-model, we
      obtain a sharp existence and uniqueness theorem for doubly periodic and planar
      vortices. For doubly periodic solutions, a necessary and sufficient condition for
      the existence is explicitly derived in terms of the vortex number, the Born
      Infeld parameter, and the size of the periodic lattice domain. For the |phi|6
      model, we show that both topological and non-topological vortices are present.
      This new phenomenon distinguishes the model from the classical Born-Infeld-Higgs
      theory studied earlier in the literature. A series of results regarding doubly
      periodic, topological, and non-topological vortices in the |phi|6-model are also
      established.

PMID- 27274695
TI  - Lamb-type waves generated by a cylindrical bubble oscillating between two planar
      elastic walls.
AB  - The volume oscillation of a cylindrical bubble in a microfluidic channel with
      planar elastic walls is studied. Analytical solutions are found for the bulk
      scattered wave propagating in the fluid gap and the surface waves of Lamb-type
      propagating at the fluid-solid interfaces. This type of surface wave has not yet
      been described theoretically. A dispersion equation for the Lamb-type waves is
      derived, which allows one to evaluate the wave speed for different values of the
      channel height h. It is shown that for h<lambdat, where lambdat is the wavelength
      of the transverse wave in the walls, the speed of the Lamb-type waves decreases
      with decreasing h, while for h on the order of or greater than lambdat, their
      speed tends to the Scholte wave speed. The solutions for the wave fields in the
      elastic walls and in the fluid are derived using the Hankel transforms. Numerical
      simulations are carried out to study the effect of the surface waves on the
      dynamics of a bubble confined between two elastic walls. It is shown that its
      resonance frequency can be up to 50% higher than the resonance frequency of a
      similar bubble confined between two rigid walls.

PMID- 27274696
TI  - Lattice continuum and diffusional creep.
AB  - Diffusional creep is characterized by growth/disappearance of lattice planes at
      the crystal boundaries that serve as sources/sinks of vacancies, and by diffusion
      of vacancies. The lattice continuum theory developed here represents a natural
      and intuitive framework for the analysis of diffusion in crystals and lattice
      growth/loss at the boundaries. The formulation includes the definition of the
      Lagrangian reference configuration for the newly created lattice, the transport
      theorem and the definition of the creep rate tensor for a polycrystal as a
      piecewise uniform, discontinuous field. The values associated with each
      crystalline grain are related to the normal diffusional flux at grain boundaries.
      The governing equations for Nabarro-Herring creep are derived with coupled
      diffusion and elasticity with compositional eigenstrain. Both, bulk diffusional
      dissipation and boundary dissipation accompanying vacancy nucleation and
      absorption, are considered, but the latter is found to be negligible. For
      periodic arrangements of grains, diffusion formally decouples from elasticity but
      at the cost of a complicated boundary condition. The equilibrium of
      deviatorically stressed polycrystals is impossible without inclusion of interface
      energies. The secondary creep rate estimates correspond to the standard Nabarro
      Herring model, and the volumetric creep is small. The initial (primary) creep
      rate is estimated to be much larger than the secondary creep rate.

PMID- 27274697
TI  - Physical modelling of tsunamis generated by three-dimensional deformable granular
      landslides on planar and conical island slopes.
AB  - Tsunamis generated by landslides and volcanic island collapses account for some
      of the most catastrophic events recorded, yet critically important field data
      related to the landslide motion and tsunami evolution remain lacking. Landslide
      generated tsunami source and propagation scenarios are physically modelled in a
      three-dimensional tsunami wave basin. A unique pneumatic landslide tsunami
      generator was deployed to simulate landslides with varying geometry and
      kinematics. The landslides were generated on a planar hill slope and divergent
      convex conical hill slope to study lateral hill slope effects on the wave
      characteristics. The leading wave crest amplitude generated on a planar hill
      slope is larger on average than the leading wave crest generated on a convex
      conical hill slope, whereas the leading wave trough and second wave crest
      amplitudes are smaller. Between 1% and 24% of the landslide kinetic energy is
      transferred into the wave train. Cobble landslides transfer on average 43% more
      kinetic energy into the wave train than corresponding gravel landslides.
      Predictive equations for the offshore propagating wave amplitudes, periods,
      celerities and lengths generated by landslides on planar and divergent convex
      conical hill slopes are derived, which allow an initial rapid tsunami hazard
      assessment.

PMID- 27274698
TI  - Catalytic water dissociation by greigite Fe3S4 surfaces: density functional
      theory study.
AB  - The iron sulfide mineral greigite, Fe3S4, has shown promising capability as a
      hydrogenating catalyst, in particular in the reduction of carbon dioxide to
      produce small organic molecules under mild conditions. We employed density
      functional theory calculations to investigate the {001},{011} and {111} surfaces
      of this iron thiospinel material, as well as the production of hydrogen ad-atoms
      from the dissociation of water molecules on the surfaces. We systematically
      analysed the adsorption geometries and the electronic structure of both bare and
      hydroxylated surfaces. The sulfide surfaces presented a higher flexibility than
      the isomorphic oxide magnetite, Fe3O4, allowing perpendicular movement of the
      cations above or below the top atomic sulfur layer. We considered both molecular
      and dissociative water adsorption processes, and have shown that molecular
      adsorption is the predominant state on these surfaces from both a thermodynamic
      and kinetic point of view. We considered a second molecule of water which
      stabilizes the system mainly by H-bonds, although the dissociation process
      remains thermodynamically unfavourable. We noted, however, synergistic adsorption
      effects on the Fe3S4{001} owing to the presence of hydroxyl groups. We concluded
      that, in contrast to Fe3O4, molecular adsorption of water is clearly preferred on
      greigite surfaces.

PMID- 27274700
TI  - Validity of archaeomagnetic field recording: an experimental pottery kiln at
      Coppengrave, Germany.
AB  - Palaeomagnetic data obtained from archaeological materials are used for
      reconstructions of the Earth's magnetic field of the past millennia. While many
      studies tested the reliability of this recorder for palaeointensity only a few
      studies did this for direction. The study presents an archaeomagnetic and rock
      magnetic investigation applied to an experimental pottery kiln, which was
      operated in 2003 to produce stone ware. This kind of high-quality pottery needs a
      temperature of at least 1160  degrees C. Shortly before heating of the kiln
      direct absolute measurements of the absolute geomagnetic field vector have been
      carried out close to it. After cooling of the kiln 24 oriented palaeomagnetic
      samples have been taken. Although Curie temperatures are about 580  degrees C,
      that is the typical temperature for magnetite, thermal as well as alternating
      field demagnetisations reveal also a considerable amount of hematite as magnetic
      carrier. This mixture of magnetite and hematite is dominated by pseudo-single
      domain grains. Demagnetisation removed in some cases weak secondary components,
      but in most cases the specimens carried a single component thermoremanent
      magnetisation. The mean characteristic remanent magnetisation direction agrees on
      95 per cent confidence level with the directly measured field direction.
      Archaeointensity was obtained from five specimens with the Thellier-Coe method
      and with the multiple-specimen palaeointensity domain-state corrected method. Six
      of these specimens also provided a result of the Dekkers-Bohnel method, which
      overestimated the archaeointensity by about 9 per cent compared to the direct
      value, while after correction for fraction the value agrees very well. For the
      multiple-specimen palaeointensity domain-state corrected method only fractions
      between 25 and 75 per cent have been used and specimens showing alteration have
      been excluded. Above 450  degrees C many specimens showed alteration of the
      magnetic grains. Because median destructive temperatures were often above this
      value in most cases the fraction was less than 50 per cent. Nevertheless the
      obtained intensity (48.48 +/- 0.24 MU) is on 95 per cent confidence level in
      agreement with the direct observation. Behaviour of the specimens during the
      Thellier-experiments was not ideal because of narrow unblocking temperature
      spectra and alteration. Nevertheless, the obtained mean archaeointensity is also
      in agreement with the direct field observation. Here the relative palaeointensity
      error is about 6 per cent and very high compared the multiple-specimen
      palaeointensity domain-state corrected method. The investigation demonstrates
      that a pottery kiln can provide a very precise estimate of the ancient
      geomagnetic field vector.

PMID- 27274699
TI  - The reaction of formic acid with RaneyTM copper.
AB  - The interaction of formic acid with RaneyTM Cu proves to be complex. Rather than
      the expected generation of a monolayer of bidentate formate, we find the
      formation of a Cu(II) compound. This process occurs by direct reaction of copper
      and formic acid; in contrast, previous methods are by solution reaction. This is
      a rare example of formic acid acting as an oxidant rather than, as more commonly
      found, a reductant. The combination of diffraction, spectroscopic and
      computational methods has allowed this unexpected process to be characterized.

PMID- 27274701
TI  - The iron dispersion of the globular cluster M2, revised.
AB  - M2 has been claimed to possess three distinct stellar components that are
      enhanced in iron relative to each other. We use equivalent width measurements
      from 14 red giant branch stars from which Yong et al. detect a ~0.8 dex wide,
      trimodal iron distribution to redetermine the metallicity of the cluster. In
      contrast to Yong et al., which derive atmospheric parameters following only the
      classical spectroscopic approach, we perform the chemical analysis using three
      different methods to constrain effective temperatures and surface gravities. When
      atmospheric parameters are derived spectroscopically, we measure a trimodal
      metallicity distribution, that well resembles that by Yong et al. We find that
      the metallicity distribution from Fe ii lines strongly differs from the
      distribution obtained from Fe i features when photometric gravities are adopted.
      The Fe i distribution mimics the metallicity distribution obtained using
      spectroscopic parameters, while the Fe ii shows the presence of only two stellar
      groups with metallicity [Fe/H] ? -1.5 and -1.1 dex, which are internally
      homogeneous in iron. This finding, when coupled with the high-resolution
      photometric evidence, demonstrates that M2 is composed by a dominant population
      (~99 per cent) homogeneous in iron and a minority component (~1 per cent)
      enriched in iron with respect to the main cluster population.

PMID- 27274702
TI  - Cluster mass profile reconstruction with size and flux magnification on the HST
      STAGES survey.
AB  - We present the first measurement of individual cluster mass estimates using weak
      lensing size and flux magnification. Using data from the HST STAGES (Space
      Telescope A901/902 Galaxy Evolution Survey) survey of the A901/902 supercluster
      we detect the four known groups in the supercluster at high significance using
      magnification alone. We discuss the application of a fully Bayesian inference
      analysis, and investigate a broad range of potential systematics in the
      application of the method. We compare our results to a previous weak lensing
      shear analysis of the same field finding the recovered signal-to-noise of our
      magnification-only analysis to range from 45 to 110 per cent of the signal-to
      noise in the shear-only analysis. On a case-by-case basis we find consistent
      magnification and shear constraints on cluster virial radius, and finding that
      for the full sample, magnification constraints to be a factor 0.77 +/- 0.18 lower
      than the shear measurements.

PMID- 27274703
TI  - Tapering the sky response for angular power spectrum estimation from low
      frequency radio-interferometric data.
AB  - It is important to correctly subtract point sources from radio-interferometric
      data in order to measure the power spectrum of diffuse radiation like the
      Galactic synchrotron or the Epoch of Reionization 21-cm signal. It is
      computationally very expensive and challenging to image a very large area and
      accurately subtract all the point sources from the image. The problem is
      particularly severe at the sidelobes and the outer parts of the main lobe where
      the antenna response is highly frequency dependent and the calibration also
      differs from that of the phase centre. Here, we show that it is possible to
      overcome this problem by tapering the sky response. Using simulated 150 MHz
      observations, we demonstrate that it is possible to suppress the contribution due
      to point sources from the outer parts by using the Tapered Gridded Estimator to
      measure the angular power spectrum Cl of the sky signal. We also show from the
      simulation that this method can self-consistently compute the noise bias and
      accurately subtract it to provide an unbiased estimation of Cl.

PMID- 27274704
TI  - The different baryonic Tully-Fisher relations at low masses.
AB  - We compare the Baryonic Tully-Fisher relation (BTFR) of simulations and
      observations of galaxies ranging from dwarfs to spirals, using various measures
      of rotational velocity Vrot. We explore the BTFR when measuring Vrot at the flat
      part of the rotation curve, Vflat, at the extent of H i gas, Vlast, and using 20
      per cent (W20) and 50 per cent (W50) of the width of H i line profiles. We also
      compare with the maximum circular velocity of the parent halo, [Formula: see
      text], within dark matter only simulations. The different BTFRs increasingly
      diverge as galaxy mass decreases. Using Vlast one obtains a power law over four
      orders of magnitude in baryonic mass, with slope similar to the observed BTFR.
      Measuring Vflat gives similar results as Vlast when galaxies with rising rotation
      curves are excluded. However, higher rotation velocities would be found for low
      mass galaxies if the cold gas extended far enough for Vrot to reach a maximum.
      W20 gives a similar slope as Vlast but with slightly lower values of Vrot for low
      mass galaxies, although this may depend on the extent of the gas in your galaxy
      sample. W50 bends away from these other relations towards low velocities at low
      masses. By contrast, [Formula: see text] bends towards high velocities for low
      mass galaxies, as cold gas does not extend out to the radius at which haloes
      reach [Formula: see text]. Our study highlights the need for careful comparisons
      between observations and models: one needs to be consistent about the particular
      method of measuring Vrot, and precise about the radius at which velocities are
      measured.

PMID- 27274705
TI  - Optimized extraction of 2-arachidonyl glycerol and anandamide from aortic tissue
      and plasma for quantification by LC-MS/MS.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by plaque formation due to an
      accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and immune cells in the walls of arteries. If a
      plaque ruptures, an occlusive thrombosis may form that causes either a heart
      attack or stroke. Macrophages express CB-2 receptors, and are one type of immune
      cell that plays a role in plaque destabilization and rupture. Endocannabinoids
      anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) have been found to have
      activity on CB-1 and CB-2 receptors throughout the body and immune system. In
      this study, we investigated several sample preparation options for the LC-MS
      quantification of AEA and 2-AG from plasma and aortic tissue. The extractions
      considered included liquid-liquid (LLE), solid-phase (SPE), and supported liquid
      (SLE). Some extraction protocols yielded high analyte recovery and prevention of
      1-AG/2-AG isomerization. Our results indicate that a liquid-liquid extraction
      using toluene yields the highest recovery for both analytes, coupled with low
      ionization suppression in the mass spectrometer. This extraction and
      corresponding LC-MS/MS assay provides a simple, high throughput mechanism for the
      quantification of 2-AG and AEA in matrices relevant to the study of
      endocannabinoids' role in atherosclerosis.

PMID- 27274706
TI  - Impulsivity and predictive control are associated with suboptimal action
      selection and action-value learning in regular gamblers.
AB  - Heightened impulsivity and cognitive biases are risk factors for gambling
      problems. However, little is known about precisely how these factors increase the
      risks of gambling-related harm in vulnerable individuals. Here, we modelled the
      behaviour of eighty-seven community-recruited regular, but not clinically
      problematic, gamblers during a binary-choice reinforcement-learning game, to
      characterise the relationships between impulsivity, cognitive biases, and the
      capacity to make optimal action selections and learn about action-values.
      Impulsive gamblers showed diminished use of an optimal (Bayesian-derived)
      probability estimate when selecting between candidate actions, and showed slower
      learning rates and enhanced non-linear probability weighting while learning
      action values. Critically, gamblers who believed that it is possible to predict
      winning outcomes (as 'predictive control') failed to use the game's reinforcement
      history to guide their action selections. Extensive evidence attests to the ease
      with which gamblers can erroneously perceive structure in the reinforcement
      history of games when there is none. Our findings demonstrate that the generic
      and specific risk factors of impulsivity and cognitive biases can interfere with
      the capacity of some gamblers to utilise structure when it is available in the
      reinforcement history of games, potentially increasing their risks of sustaining
      gambling-related harms.

PMID- 27274707
TI  - Methanogen Diversity in Indigenous and Introduced Ruminant Species on the Tibetan
      Plateau.
AB  - Host factors are regarded as important in shaping the archaeal community in the
      rumen but few controlled studies have been performed to demonstrate this across
      host species under the same environmental conditions. A study was designed to
      investigate the structure of the methanogen community in the rumen of two
      indigenous (yak and Tibetan sheep) and two introduced domestic ruminant (cattle
      and crossbred sheep) species raised and fed under similar conditions on the high
      altitude Tibetan Plateau. The methylotrophic Methanomassiliicoccaceae was the
      predominant archaeal group in all animals even though Methanobrevibacter are
      usually present in greater abundance in ruminants globally. Furthermore, within
      the Methanomassiliicoccaceae family members from Mmc. group 10 and Mmc. group 4
      were dominant in Tibetan Plateau ruminants compared to Mmc. group 12 found to be
      highest in other ruminants studied. Small ruminants presented the highest number
      of sequences that belonged to Methanomassiliicoccaceae compared to the larger
      ruminants. Although the methanogen community structure was different among the
      ruminant species, there were striking similarities between the animals in this
      environment. This indicates that factors such as the extreme environmental
      conditions and diet on the Tibetan Plateau might have a greater impact on rumen
      methanogen community compared to host differences. 

PMID- 27274709
TI  - Cellular angiofibroma of the vulva: a poorly known entity, a case report and
      literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cellular angiofibroma represents a newly described, site specific
      tumor. Histologically, CAF is a benign mesenchymal neoplasm characterized by two
      principal components: bland spindle cells and prominent small to medium-sized
      vessels with mural hyalinization. The indolent nature of the lesion is
      underscored by the uniformity of its constituent stromal cells, and their lack of
      nuclear atypia. Characterization by immunohistochemistry is helpful
      distinguishing Cellular angiofibroma from other mesenchymal lesions. CASE
      PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 37-year-old woman, presenting with a
      painless nodule involving the vulva. This lesion had gradually increased in size;
      a simple excision was performed, and follow up was unremarkable. Gross
      examination showed a well circumscribed, firm tumor measuring 3* 3 * 2,5 cm.
      Histologically, the tumor was composed of uniform, short spindle-shaped cells,
      proliferating in an edematous to fibrous stroma and numerous small to medium
      sized thick-walled vessels. A panel of immunohistochemical stains was performed,
      and confirmed the diagnosis of Cellular angiofibroma. CONCLUSION: In this report
      we aim to describe the clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical features of
      this rare entity through a literature review, and to discuss other vulvar
      mesenchymal lesions.

PMID- 27274708
TI  - The Proteome and Lipidome of Thermococcus kodakarensis across the Stationary
      Phase.
AB  - The majority of cells in nature probably exist in a stationary-phase-like state,
      due to nutrient limitation in most environments. Studies on bacteria and yeast
      reveal morphological and physiological changes throughout the stationary phase,
      which lead to an increased ability to survive prolonged nutrient limitation.
      However, there is little information on archaeal stationary phase responses. We
      investigated protein- and lipid-level changes in Thermococcus kodakarensis with
      extended time in the stationary phase. Adaptations to time in stationary phase
      included increased proportion of membrane lipids with a tetraether backbone,
      synthesis of proteins that ensure translational fidelity, specific regulation of
      ABC transporters (upregulation of some, downregulation of others), and
      upregulation of proteins involved in coenzyme production. Given that the
      biological mechanism of tetraether synthesis is unknown, we also considered
      whether any of the protein-level changes in T. kodakarensis might shed light on
      the production of tetraether lipids across the same period. A putative carbon
      nitrogen hydrolase, a TldE (a protease in Escherichia coli) homologue, and a
      membrane bound hydrogenase complex subunit were candidates for possible
      involvement in tetraether-related reactions, while upregulation of
      adenosylcobalamin synthesis proteins might lend support to a possible radical
      mechanism as a trigger for tetraether synthesis. 

PMID- 27274710
TI  - Retrospective analysis of pulse oximeter alarm settings in an intensive care unit
      patient population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cacophony of alerts and alarms in a hospital produced by medical
      devices results in alarm fatigue. The pulse oximeter is one of the most common
      sources of alarms. One of the ways to reduce alarm rates is to adjust alarm
      settings at the bedside. This study is aimed to retrospectively examine
      individual pulse oximeter alarm settings on alarm rates and inter- and intra-
      patient variability. METHODS: Nine hundred sixty-two previously collected
      intensive care unit (ICU) patient records were obtained from the Multiparameter
      Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II Database (Beth Israel Deaconess
      Medical Center, Boston, MA). Inclusion criteria included patient records that
      contained SpO2 trend data sampled at 1 Hz for at least 1 h and a matching
      clinical record. SpO2 alarm rates were simulated by applying a range of
      thresholds (84, 86, 88, and 90 %) and delay times (10 to 60 s) to the SpO2 data.
      Patient records with at least 12 h of SpO2 data were examined for the variability
      in alarm rate over time. RESULTS: Decreasing SpO2 thresholds and increasing delay
      times resulted in decreased alarm rates. A limited number of patient records
      accounted for most alarms, and this number increased as alarm settings loosened
      (the top 10 % of patient records were responsible for 57.4 % of all alarms at an
      SpO2 threshold of 90 % and 15 s delay and 81.6 % at an SpO2 threshold of 84 % and
      45 s delay). Alarm rates were not consistent over time for individual patients
      with periods of high and low alarms for all alarm settings. CONCLUSION: Pulse
      oximeter SpO2 alarm rates are variable between patients and over time, and the
      alarm rate and the extent of inter- and intra-patient variability can be affected
      by the alarm settings. Personalized alarm settings for a patient's current status
      may help to reduce alarm fatigue for nurses.

PMID- 27274711
TI  - AG490 suppresses EPO-mediated activation of JAK2-STAT but enhances blood flow
      recovery in rats with critical limb ischemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Erythropoietin (EPO) has been demonstrated to enhance recovery in
      ischemic organs through enhancing angiogenesis. In this study, we used an
      experimental critical limb ischemia (CLI) rat model to reveal the underlying
      mechanisms and directly examine the benefits of the anti-apoptotic capacity of
      EPO in the acute phase of limb ischemia and following blood flow recovery.
      METHODS: To determine the role of the JAK2/STAT pathway in EPO-enhanced recovery
      after CLI, male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8 for each group) were divided into
      group 1 (normal control), group 2 (CLI treated with normal saline), group 3 (CLI
      treated with EPO), group 4 (CLI treated with AG490, a JAK2 inhibitor), and group
      5 (CLI treated with EPO and AG490). Animals were sacrificed either at day 1 or
      day 14 and biochemical and histopathological examination of ischemic quadriceps
      were conducted. RESULTS: At day 1, EPO administration reduced expression levels
      of apoptotic indices and activated the JAK2/STAT pathway; this activation was
      inhibited by additional AG490 treatment. Furthermore, the decrease in the size of
      the infarcted area, as well as activation of ERK1/2 and JNK showed similar
      regulatory trends with EPO or AG490 treatment. Of Interest, EPO and AG490 in
      combination showed a synergistic effect, increasing expression levels of
      antioxidants (GR, GPx, NQO-1) and decreasing transcriptional levels of pro
      inflammatory factors (TNF-alpha, NF-kB). At day 14, laser Doppler analysis showed
      that the blood flow recovery was enhanced by EPO, AG490, or combined treatment.
      CONCLUSION: Although inhibition of the JAK2/STAT pathways reduces the anti
      apoptotic effects of EPO in the early phase of CLI, the benefits of AG490 in anti
      inflammation and anti-oxidation still play a positive role in enhancing blood
      flow recovery after CLI.

PMID- 27274713
TI  - How Do I Review Thee? Let Me Count the Ways: A Comparison of Research Grant
      Proposal Review Criteria Across US Federal Funding Agencies.
AB  - While Elizabeth Barrett Browning counted 25 ways in which she loves her husband
      in her poem, "How Do I Love Thee? Let me Count the Ways," we identified only
      eight ways to evaluate the potential for success of a federal research grant
      proposal. This may be surprising, as it seems upon initial glance of the review
      criteria used by various federal funding agencies that each has its own distinct
      set of "rules" regarding the review of grant proposals for research and
      scholarship. Much of the grantsmanship process is dependent upon the review
      criteria, which represent the funders' desired impact of the research. But since
      most funders that offer research grants share the overarching goals of supporting
      research that (1) fits within its mission and (2) will bring a strong return on
      its financial investment, the review criteria used to evaluate research grant
      proposals are based on a similar set of fundamental questions. In this article,
      we compare the review criteria of 10 US federal agencies that support research
      through grant programs, and demonstrate that there are actually only a small and
      finite number of ways that a grant proposal can be evaluated. Though each funding
      agency may use slightly different wording, we found that the majority of the
      agencies' criteria address eight key questions. Within the highly competitive
      landscape of research grant funding, new researchers must find support for their
      research agendas and established investigators and research development offices
      must consider ways to diversify their funding portfolios, yet all may be
      discouraged by the apparent myriad of differences in review criteria used by
      various funding agencies. Guided by research administrators and research
      development professionals, recognizing that grant proposal review criteria are
      similar across funding agencies may help lower the barrier to applying for
      federal funding for new and early career researchers, or facilitate funding
      portfolio diversification for experienced researchers. Grantmakers are
      furthermore provided valuable guidance to develop and refine their own proposal
      review criteria.

PMID- 27274712
TI  - Can anti-inflammatory medications improve symptoms and reduce mortality in
      schizophrenia?

PMID- 27274714
TI  - Violent and Nonviolent Youth Offenders: Preliminary Evidence on Group Subtypes.
AB  - Youth violence is a costly social problem. This study compared the risk and needs
      of nonviolent youth offenders, with those who had committed violent offenses only
      (violent only) and those who had committed violent and nonviolent offenses
      (violent plus) to determine whether violent youth were a different "type" from
      nonviolent youth. The case files of 3,744 youth offenders (3,327 males and 417
      females, between 12 and 18 years old) were retrospectively coded, before official
      recidivism records were obtained. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA),
      chi2, and Cox regressions were conducted. Violent-plus youth were younger; higher
      in their total risk and all criminogenic needs; more likely to have several
      noncriminogenic needs; and at higher risk of any reoffending, violent
      reoffending, and nonviolent reoffending than nonviolent youth. Violent-only youth
      had the same total risk and risk of general and violent recidivism as nonviolent
      offenders but presented different criminogenic and noncriminogenic needs and risk
      of nonviolent recidivism. Compared to violent-only youth, violent-plus youth were
      younger, had higher total risk and criminogenic needs on five domains, were more
      likely to have several noncriminogenic needs, and were at higher risk of all
      types of reoffending (except sexual reoffending), suggesting subtypes of violent
      youth offenders. The implication is that nonviolent and violent youth offenders
      require different dosage and types of intervention.

PMID- 27274715
TI  - The effects of phosphatidic acid supplementation on strength, body composition,
      muscular endurance, power, agility, and vertical jump in resistance trained men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a lipid messenger that has been shown to
      increase muscle protein synthesis via signaling stimulation of the mammalian
      target of rapamycin (mTOR). MaxxTOR(r) (MT) is a supplement that contains PA as
      the main active ingredient but also contains other synergistic mTOR signaling
      substances including L-Leucine, Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate (HMB), and
      Vitamin D3. METHODS: Eighteen healthy strength-trained males were randomly
      assigned to a group that either consumed MT (n = 8, 22.0 +/- 2.5 years; 175.8 +/-
      11.5 cm; 80.3 +/- 15.1 kg) or a placebo (PLA) (n = 10, 25.6 +/- 4.2 years; 174.8
      +/- 9.0 cm; 88.6 +/- 16.6 kg) as part of a double-blind, placebo controlled
      pre/post experimental design. All participants volunteered to complete the three
      day per week resistance training protocol for the eight week study duration. To
      determine the effects of MT, participants were tested on one repetition maximum
      (1RM) leg press strength (LP), 1RM bench press strength (BP), push-ups to failure
      (PU), vertical jump (VJ), pro-agility shuttle time (AG), peak power output (P),
      lean body mass (LBM), fat mass (FM), and thigh muscle mass (TMM). Subjects were
      placed and monitored on an isocaloric diet consisting of 25 protein, 50
      carbohydrates, and 25 % fat by a registered dietitian. Separate two-way mixed
      factorial repeated measures ANOVA's (time [Pre, Post] x group [MT and PLA] were
      used to investigate strength, body composition, and other performance changes.
      Post-hoc tests were applied as appropriate. Analysis were performed via SPSS with
      significance at (p <= 0.05). RESULTS: There was a significant main effect
      (F(1,16) = 33.30, p < 0.001) for LBM where MT significantly increased LBM when
      compared to the PLA group (p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a significant main
      effect for LP (F(1,16) = 666.74, p < 0.001) and BP (F(1,16) = 126.36, p < 0.001)
      where both increased significantly more in MT than PLA group (p < 0.001). No
      significant differences between MT and PLA were noted for FM, TMM, VJ, AG, P, or
      PU. CONCLUSION: The results of this eight week trial suggest that the addition of
      MaxxTOR(r) to a 3-day per week resistance training program can positively impact
      LBM and strength beyond the results found with exercise alone.

PMID- 27274717
TI  - Valsaria and the Valsariales.
AB  - More than 100 recent collections of Valsaria sensu lato mostly from Europe were
      used to elucidate the species composition within the genus. Multigene phylogeny
      based on SSU, LSU, ITS, rpb2 and tef1 sequences revealed a monophyletic group of
      ten species within the Dothideomycetes, belonging to three morphologically
      similar genera. This group could not be accommodated in any known family and are
      thus classified in the new family Valsariaceae and the new order Valsariales. The
      genus Valsaria sensu stricto comprises V. insitiva, V. robiniae, V. rudis, V.
      spartii, V. lopadostomoides sp. nov. and V. neotropica sp. nov., which are
      phylogenetically well-defined, but morphologically nearly indistinguishable
      species. The new monotypic genus Bambusaria is introduced to accommodate Valsaria
      bambusae. Munkovalsaria rubra and Valsaria fulvopruinata are combined in
      Myrmaecium, a genus traditionally treated as a synonym of Valsaria, which
      comprises three species, with M. rubricosum as its generic type. This work is
      presented as a basis for additional species to be detected in future.

PMID- 27274719
TI  - A Database Framework for Classifier Engineering.

PMID- 27274716
TI  - Synovial fluid proteome in rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoinflammatory disorder that
      affects small joints. Despite intense efforts, there are currently no definitive
      markers for early diagnosis of RA and for monitoring the progression of this
      disease, though some of the markers like anti CCP antibodies and anti vimentin
      antibodies are promising. We sought to catalogue the proteins present in the
      synovial fluid of patients with RA. It was done with the aim of identifying newer
      biomarkers, if any, that might prove promising in future. METHODS: To enrich the
      low abundance proteins, we undertook two approaches-multiple affinity removal
      system (MARS14) to deplete some of the most abundant proteins and lectin affinity
      chromatography for enrichment of glycoproteins. The peptides were analyzed by LC
      MS/MS on a high resolution Fourier transform mass spectrometer. RESULTS: This
      effort was the first total profiling of the synovial fluid proteome in RA that
      led to identification of 956 proteins. From the list, we identified a number of
      functionally significant proteins including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1,
      S100 proteins, AXL receptor protein tyrosine kinase, macrophage colony
      stimulating factor (M-CSF), programmed cell death ligand 2 (PDCD1LG2), TNF
      receptor 2, (TNFRSF1B) and many novel proteins including hyaluronan-binding
      protein 2, semaphorin 4A (SEMA4D) and osteoclast stimulating factor 1. Overall,
      our findings illustrate the complex and dynamic nature of RA in which multiple
      pathways seems to be participating actively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of high
      resolution mass spectrometry thus, enabled identification of proteins which might
      be critical to the progression of RA.

PMID- 27274718
TI  - The Chemistry of Gut Microbial Metabolism of Polyphenols.
AB  - Gut microbiota contribute to the metabolism of dietary polyphenols and affect the
      bioavailability of both the parent polyphenols and their metabolites. Although
      there is a large number of reports of specific polyphenol metabolites, relatively
      little is known regarding the chemistry and enzymology of the metabolic pathways
      utilized by specific microbial species and taxa, which is the focus of this
      review. Major classes of dietary polyphenols include monomeric and oligomeric
      catechins (proanthocyanidins), flavonols, flavanones, ellagitannins, and
      isoflavones. Gut microbial metabolism of representatives of these polyphenol
      classes can be classified as A- and C-ring cleavage (retro Claisen reactions), C
      ring cleavage mediated by dioxygenases, dehydroxylations (decarboxylation or
      reduction reactions followed by release of H2O molecules), and hydrogenations of
      alkene moieties in polyphenols, such as resveratrol, curcumin, and isoflavones
      (mediated by NADPH-dependent reductases). The qualitative and quantitative
      metabolic output of the gut microbiota depends to a large extent on the metabolic
      capacity of individual taxa, which emphasizes the need for assessment of
      functional analysis in conjunction with determinations of gut microbiota
      compositions.

PMID- 27274720
TI  - Gender differences in the association between self-reported stress and cigarette
      smoking in Korean adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between stress
      and smoking among Korean adolescents, as well as the influence of gender on this
      relationship. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 3930
      adolescents aged 12-18 years, collected in the 2007-2012 Korea National Health
      and Nutrition Examination Surveys. RESULTS: An increased level of self-reported
      stress was positively associated with increasing levels of smoking in both girls
      and boys (p for trend < 0.001). After adjusting for age, the odds ratios of
      smoking among girls and boys reporting very high levels of stress were 15.99 (95
      % confidence interval (CI), 4.17-61.30) and 2.34 (95 % CI, 1.07-5.11),
      respectively, compared with those who reported low levels of stress. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study found a statistically significant association between stress and
      smoking among Korean adolescents and this association was stronger in girls than
      boys. Further research is needed to understand more fully the link between stress
      and smoking in adolescents, with particular attention to sex differences.

PMID- 27274722
TI  - Fatal neurotoxic envenomation following the bite of a greater black krait
      (Bungarus niger) in Nepal: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurotoxic envenomation following bites by kraits (Bungarus species)
      is a leading cause of snakebite mortality in South Asia. Over a long time, this
      had been attributed only to one species, the common krait (Bungarus caeruleus).
      However, recent research has provided increasing evidence of the involvement of
      several krait species. Here, we report a fatal case of neurotoxic envenomation
      following the bite of a greater black krait (Bungarus niger) in Nepal. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old man was bitten in the outdoor corridor of his home in
      the eastern hills of Ilam district while handling a snake he thought to be non
      venomous. He subsequently developed severe abdominal pain, frequent vomiting, and
      signs of neurotoxic envenomation leading to respiratory paralysis. The patient
      did not respond to Indian polyvalent antivenom given 4 h after the bite and died
      under treatment 8 h after the bite. This is the second time that a B. niger was
      observed in Nepal, the first documented case of envenomation by this species in
      the country and the sixth reported case worldwide. CONCLUSIONS: Previous
      distribution records - from eastern India and western Nepal, from western hills
      in Nepal, and from lowland localities in India and Bangladesh - indicate risk of
      envenomation by B. niger throughout the low and intermediate elevations of Nepal
      up to at least 1,500 m above sea level. As very few people in Nepal bring killed
      snakes to healthcare centers and because there is a general belief among local
      people that there are no kraits in the hills, bites by B. niger are likely to be
      misdiagnosed and underreported.

PMID- 27274721
TI  - Inhibition Controls Asynchronous States of Neuronal Networks.
AB  - Computations in cortical circuits require action potentials from excitatory and
      inhibitory neurons. In this mini-review, I first provide a quick overview of
      findings that indicate that GABAergic neurons play a fundamental role in
      coordinating spikes and generating synchronized network activity. Next, I argue
      that these observations helped popularize the notion that network oscillations
      require a high degree of spike correlations among interneurons which, in turn,
      produce synchronous inhibition of the local microcircuit. The aim of this text is
      to discuss some recent experimental and computational findings that support a
      complementary view: one in which interneurons participate actively in producing
      asynchronous states in cortical networks. This requires a proper mixture of
      shared excitation and inhibition leading to asynchronous activity between
      neighboring cells. Such contribution from interneurons would be extremely
      important because it would tend to reduce the spike correlation between
      neighboring pyramidal cells, a drop in redundancy that could enhance the
      information-processing capacity of neural networks. 

PMID- 27274723
TI  - Annexin A2 Coordinates STAT3 to Regulate the Invasion and Migration of Colorectal
      Cancer Cells In Vitro.
AB  - The present study aimed to reveal the expression of STAT3 and Anxa 2 in CRC
      specimens and to investigate the effects of STAT3 and Anxa 2 signaling on the
      proliferation, invasion, and migration in CRC Caco-2 cells. Results demonstrated
      that both Anxa 2 and STAT3 were highly expressed in CRC specimens in both mRNA
      and protein levels, with or without phosphorylation (Tyrosine 23 in Anxa 2 and
      Tyrosine 705 in STAT3). And the upregulated Anxa 2 promoted the phosphorylation
      of STAT3 (Tyrosine 705) in CRC Caco-2 cells. The upregulated Anxa 2 promoted the
      proliferation, migration, and invasion of Caco-2 cells in vitro. Moreover, the
      STAT3 knockdown also repressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Caco
      2 cells. In conclusion, the overexpressed Annexin A2 regulated the proliferation,
      invasion, and migration in CRC cells in an association with STAT3. 

PMID- 27274724
TI  - Simple, Safe, and Cost-Effective Technique for Resected Stomach Extraction in
      Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.
AB  - Background. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a popular operation
      during the recent years. This procedure requires resection of 80-90% of the
      stomach. Extraction of gastric specimen is known to be a challenging and costly
      stage of the operation. In this paper, we report results of a simple and cost
      effective specimen extraction technique which was applied to 137 consecutive LSG
      patients. Methods. Between October 2013 and October 2015, 137 laparoscopic sleeve
      gastrectomy surgeries were performed at Dokuz Eylul University General Surgery
      Department, Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit. All specimens were extracted
      through a 15 mm trocar site without using any special device. Results. We noticed
      one superficial incisional surgical site infection and treated this patient with
      oral antibiotics. No cases of trocar site hernia were observed. Conclusion.
      Different techniques have been described for specimen extraction. This simple
      technique allows extraction of specimen safely in a short time and does not
      require any special device. 

PMID- 27274725
TI  - Expressing Redundancy among Linear-Epitope Sequence Data Based on Residue-Level
      Physicochemical Similarity in the Context of Antigenic Cross-Reaction.
AB  - Epitope-based design of vaccines, immunotherapeutics, and immunodiagnostics is
      complicated by structural changes that radically alter immunological outcomes.
      This is obscured by expressing redundancy among linear-epitope data as fractional
      sequence-alignment identity, which fails to account for potentially drastic loss
      of binding affinity due to single-residue substitutions even where these might be
      considered conservative in the context of classical sequence analysis. From the
      perspective of immune function based on molecular recognition of epitopes,
      functional redundancy of epitope data (FRED) thus may be defined in a
      biologically more meaningful way based on residue-level physicochemical
      similarity in the context of antigenic cross-reaction, with functional similarity
      between epitopes expressed as the Shannon information entropy for differential
      epitope binding. Such similarity may be estimated in terms of structural
      differences between an immunogen epitope and an antigen epitope with reference to
      an idealized binding site of high complementarity to the immunogen epitope, by
      analogy between protein folding and ligand-receptor binding; but this
      underestimates potential for cross-reactivity, suggesting that epitope-binding
      site complementarity is typically suboptimal as regards immunologic specificity.
      The apparently suboptimal complementarity may reflect a tradeoff to attain
      optimal immune function that favors generation of immune-system components each
      having potential for cross-reactivity with a variety of epitopes. 

PMID- 27274726
TI  - A Cross-Study Biomarker Signature of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Infected
      with Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
AB  - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract
      infections in children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Despite of
      advances in diagnosis and treatment, biomarkers of RSV infection are still
      unclear. To understand the host response and propose signatures of RSV infection,
      previous studies evaluated the transcriptional profile of the human bronchial
      epithelial cell line-BEAS-2B-infected with different strains of this virus.
      However, the evolution of statistical methods and functional analysis together
      with the large amount of expression data provide opportunities to uncover novel
      biomarkers of inflammation and infections. In view of those facts publicly
      available microarray datasets from RSV-infected BEAS-2B cells were analyzed with
      linear model-based statistics and the platform for functional analysis InnateDB.
      The results from those analyses argue for the reevaluation of previously reported
      transcription patterns and biological pathways in BEAS-2B cell lines infected
      with RSV. Importantly, this study revealed a biosignature constituted by genes
      such as ABCC4, ARMC8, BCLAF1, EZH1, FAM118A, FAM208B, FUS, HSPH1, KAZN, MAP3K2,
      N6AMT1, PRMT2, S100PBP, SERPINA1, TLK2, ZNF322, and ZNF337 which should be
      considered in the development of new molecular diagnosis tools. 

PMID- 27274727
TI  - A Patient Specific Biomechanical Analysis of Custom Root Analogue Implant Designs
      on Alveolar Bone Stress: A Finite Element Study.
AB  - Objectives. The aim of this study was to analyse by means of FEA the influence of
      5 custom RAI designs on stress distribution of peri-implant bone and to evaluate
      the impact on microdisplacement for a specific patient case. Materials and
      Methods. A 3D surface model of a RAI for the upper right canine was constructed
      from the cone beam computed tomography data of one patient. Subsequently, five
      (targeted) press-fit design modification FE models with five congruent bone
      models were designed: "Standard," "Prism," "Fins," "Plug," and "Bulbs,"
      respectively. Preprocessor software was applied to mesh the models. Two loads
      were applied: an oblique force (300 N) and a vertical force (150 N). Analysis was
      performed to evaluate stress distributions and deformed contact separation at the
      peri-implant region. Results. The lowest von Mises stress levels were numerically
      observed for the Plug design. The lowest levels of contact separation were
      measured in the Fins model followed by the Bulbs design. Conclusions. Within the
      limitations of the applied methodology, adding targeted press-fit geometry to the
      RAI standard design will have a positive effect on stress distribution, lower
      concentration of bone stress, and will provide a better primary stability for
      this patient specific case. 

PMID- 27274728
TI  - Multianalytical Method Validation for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of
      Solvents of Abuse in Oral Fluid by HS-GC/MS.
AB  - The use of oral fluid as a biological matrix to monitor the use of drugs of abuse
      is a global trend because it presents several advantages and good correlation to
      the blood level. Thus, the present work aimed to develop and validate an
      analytical method for quantification and detection of solvents used as inhalants
      of abuse in oral fluid (OF), using QuantisalTM as collector device by headspace
      and gas chromatography coupled with a mass detector (HS-GC/MS). Chromatographic
      separation was performed with a ZB-BAC1 column and the total time of analysis was
      11.8 min. The method showed good linearity (correlation coefficient higher than
      0.99 for all solvents). The limits of detection ranged from 0.05 to 5 mg/L, while
      the lower limits of quantification ranged from 2.5 to 12.5 mg/L. Accuracy,
      precision, matrix effect, and residual effect presented satisfactory results,
      meeting the criteria accepted for the validation of bioanalytical methods. The
      method showed good selectivity considering that, for solvents coeluting at the
      same retention time, resolution was performed by the mass detector. The method
      developed proved to be adequate when applied in OF samples from users of drugs
      and may be used to monitor the abuse of inhalants in routine forensic analyses. 

PMID- 27274729
TI  - Study on Colloidal Model of Petroleum Residues through the Attraction Potential
      between Colloids.
AB  - The samples of DaGang atmospheric residue (DG-AR), Middle East atmospheric
      residue (ME-AR), TaHe atmospheric residue (TH-AR), and their thermal reaction
      samples were chosen for study. All the samples were fractioned into six
      components separately, including saturates plus light aromatics, heavy aromatics,
      light resins, middle resins, heavy resins, and asphaltenes. The dielectric
      permittivity of the solutions of these components was measured, and the
      dielectric permittivity values of the components can be determined by
      extrapolation, which increased steadily from saturates plus light aromatics to
      asphaltenes. Moreover, the Hamaker constants of the components were calculated
      from their dielectric permittivity values. The Van der Waals attractive potential
      energy between colloids corresponding to various models could be calculated from
      the fractional composition and the Hamaker constants of every component. It was
      assumed that the cores of colloidal particles were formed by asphaltenes and
      heavy resins mainly; the other fractions acted as dispersion medium. For the
      three serials of thermal reaction samples, the Van der Waals attraction potential
      energy between colloids for this kind of model was calculated. For TH-AR thermal
      reaction samples, the Van der Waals attraction potential energy presented the
      maximum as thermal reaction is going on, which was near to the end of coke
      induction period. 

PMID- 27274731
TI  - Determination of Natamycin in Turkish Yoghurt.
AB  - This study was aimed at developing RP-HPLC method for determination of natamycin
      in Turkish yoghurt. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C8 column (150
      mm * 4.6 mm * 5 um) with a mobile phase of methanol : water : acetic acid (12 : 8
      : 1 v/v/v), at 1 mL/min flow rate with a detection of 303 nm. Natamycin was
      spiked into handmade yoghurt samples and used for validation. The method has been
      fully validated according to ISO 9233-2, 2007 (IDF 140-2, 2007). It was
      successfully applied to determination of 28 different Turkish yoghurt products.
      Findings dealing with the presence of natamycin in cheese samples are presented. 

PMID- 27274730
TI  - Comparison of Three Solid Phase Materials for the Extraction of Carboxylic Acids
      from River Water Followed by 2D GC * GC-TOFMS Determination.
AB  - The extraction and determination of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids as
      well as their influence on the aromaticity and molecularity relationship of
      natural organic matter (NOM) in water are reported in this study. Three solid
      phase extraction (SPE) sorbents were used and their extraction efficiencies
      evaluated after chromatographic determinations (using gas chromatography with a
      time of flight mass spectrometer (GC * GC-TOFMS) and liquid chromatography with
      organic carbon detector (LC-OCD)). More than 42 carboxylic acids were identified
      in raw water from the Vaal River, which feeds the Lethabo Power Generation
      Station, South Africa, with cooling water. The aromatic carboxylic acid
      efficiency (28%) was achieved by using StrataTM X SPE while the highest aliphatic
      carboxylic acid efficiency (92.08%) was achieved by silica SPE. The hydrophobic
      nature of NOM in water depends on the nature of organic compounds in water,
      whether aromatic or aliphatic. The LC-OCD was used to assess the hydrophobicity
      levels of NOM as a function of these carboxylic acids in cooling water. The LC
      OCD results showed that the aromatic nature of NOM in SPE filtered water followed
      the order Silica>Strata X>C-18. From the results, the hydrophobicity degree of
      the samples depended on the type and number of carboxylic acids that were removed
      by the SPE cartridges. 

PMID- 27274732
TI  - Idiopathic Pulmonary Vein Thrombus Extending into Left Atrium: A Case Report and
      Review of the Literature.
AB  - Pulmonary vein thrombosis (PVT) is rather an uncommon condition which presents
      nonspecifically and is usually associated with lung malignancy and major
      pulmonary surgery. Rarely could no cause be found. It causes increased pulmonary
      venous pressure leading to pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction and subsequent
      pulmonary arterial hypertension and subsequently can cause cor pulmonale if not
      addressed in timely fashion. Other associated complications like peripheral
      embolization and stroke have also been reported. This case emphasizes the
      importance of maintaining high index of clinical suspicion especially when CT
      pulmonary angiogram is negative for pulmonary embolism. 

PMID- 27274733
TI  - Functional Properties of Human Stem Cell-Derived Neurons in Health and Disease.
AB  - Stem cell-derived neurons from various source materials present unique model
      systems to examine the fundamental properties of central nervous system (CNS)
      development as well as the molecular underpinnings of disease phenotypes. In
      order to more accurately assess potential therapies for neurological disorders,
      multiple strategies have been employed in recent years to produce neuronal
      populations that accurately represent in vivo regional and transmitter
      phenotypes. These include new technologies such as direct conversion of somatic
      cell types into neurons and glia which may accelerate maturation and retain
      genetic hallmarks of aging. In addition, novel forms of genetic manipulations
      have brought human stem cells nearly on par with those of rodent with respect to
      gene targeting. For neurons of the CNS, the ultimate phenotypic characterization
      lies with their ability to recapitulate functional properties such as passive and
      active membrane characteristics, synaptic activity, and plasticity. These
      features critically depend on the coordinated expression and localization of
      hundreds of ion channels and receptors, as well as scaffolding and signaling
      molecules. In this review I will highlight the current state of knowledge
      regarding functional properties of human stem cell-derived neurons, with a
      primary focus on pluripotent stem cells. While significant advances have been
      made, critical hurdles must be overcome in order for this technology to support
      progression toward clinical applications. 

PMID- 27274735
TI  - Cell-Based Strategies for Meniscus Tissue Engineering.
AB  - Meniscus injuries remain a significant challenge due to the poor healing
      potential of the inner avascular zone. Following a series of studies and clinical
      trials, tissue engineering is considered a promising prospect for meniscus repair
      and regeneration. As one of the key factors in tissue engineering, cells are
      believed to be highly beneficial in generating bionic meniscus structures to
      replace injured ones in patients. Therefore, cell-based strategies for meniscus
      tissue engineering play a fundamental role in meniscal regeneration. According to
      current studies, the main cell-based strategies for meniscus tissue engineering
      are single cell type strategies; cell coculture strategies also were applied to
      meniscus tissue engineering. Likewise, on the one side, the zonal recapitulation
      strategies based on mimicking meniscal differing cells and internal architectures
      have received wide attentions. On the other side, cell self-assembling strategies
      without any scaffolds may be a better way to build a bionic meniscus. In this
      review, we primarily discuss cell seeds for meniscus tissue engineering and their
      application strategies. We also discuss recent advances and achievements in
      meniscus repair experiments that further improve our understanding of meniscus
      tissue engineering. 

PMID- 27274736
TI  - The Effect of MSCs Derived from the Human Umbilical Cord Transduced by Fibroblast
      Growth Factor-20 on Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - Cell therapy is a potential therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease (PD).
      Mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human umbilical cord (hUC-MSCs) give
      priority to PD patients because of multiple advantages. The appropriate gene
      transduction of hUC-MSC before transplantation is a promising procedure for cell
      therapy. Fibroblast growth factor-20 (FGF-20) has been shown to protect
      dopaminergic neurons against a range of toxic insults in vitro. In this study,
      the hUC-MSCs were gene transduced with FGF-20, and then we transplanted them into
      the PD mice model. The results showed that MSC-FGF-20 treatment obviously
      improved the behavior of PD, accompanied by the increase of tyrosine carboxylase-
      (TH-) positive cell and dopamine (DA). Furtherly, immunohistochemistry disclosed
      that MSC-FGF-20 obviously promoted the degradation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF
      kappaB), a transcription factor that controls genes encoding proinflammatory
      cytokines, highly expressed in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic regions in PD
      patients. Therefore, MSC-FGF-20 has a potential for improving PD, closely related
      to the degradation of NF-kappaB. 

PMID- 27274734
TI  - Environmental Ligands of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Their Effects in
      Models of Adult Liver Progenitor Cells.
AB  - The toxicity of environmental and dietary ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon
      receptor (AhR) in mature liver parenchymal cells is well appreciated, while
      considerably less attention has been paid to their impact on cell populations
      exhibiting phenotypic features of liver progenitor cells. Here, we discuss the
      results suggesting that the consequences of the AhR activation in the cellular
      models derived from bipotent liver progenitors could markedly differ from those
      in hepatocytes. In contact-inhibited liver progenitor cells, the AhR agonists
      induce a range of effects potentially linked with tumor promotion. They can
      stimulate cell cycle progression/proliferation and deregulate cell-to-cell
      communication, which is associated with downregulation of proteins forming gap
      junctions, adherens junctions, and desmosomes (such as connexin 43, E-cadherin,
      beta-catenin, and plakoglobin), as well as with reduced cell adhesion and
      inhibition of intercellular communication. At the same time, toxic AhR ligands
      may affect the activity of the signaling pathways contributing to regulation of
      liver progenitor cell activation and/or differentiation, such as downregulation
      of Wnt/beta-catenin and TGF-beta signaling, or upregulation of transcriptional
      targets of YAP/TAZ, the effectors of Hippo signaling pathway. These data
      illustrate the need to better understand the potential role of liver progenitors
      in the AhR-mediated liver carcinogenesis and tumor promotion. 

PMID- 27274739
TI  - Special Series on the Use of Technology in the Delivery of Child and Youth Mental
      Health Services and Supports.

PMID- 27274737
TI  - A Systematic Comparison Identifies an ATP-Based Viability Assay as Most Suitable
      Read-Out for Drug Screening in Glioma Stem-Like Cells.
AB  - Serum-free culture methods for patient-derived primary glioma cultures, selecting
      for glioma stem-like cells (GSCs), are becoming the gold standard in
      neurooncology research. These GSCs can be implemented in drug screens to detect
      patient-specific responses, potentially bridging the translational gap to
      personalized medicine. Since numerous compounds are available, a rapid and
      reliable readout for drug efficacies is required. This can be done using
      approaches that measure viability, confluency, cytotoxicity, or apoptosis. To
      determine which assay is best suitable for drug screening, 10 different assays
      were systematically tested on established glioma cell lines and validated on a
      panel of GSCs. General applicability was assessed using distinct treatment
      modalities, being temozolomide, radiation, rapamycin, and the oncolytic
      adenovirus Delta24-RGD. The apoptosis and cytotoxicity assays did not
      unequivocally detect responses and were excluded from further testing. The NADH-
      and ATP-based viability assays revealed comparable readout for all treatments;
      however, the latter had smaller standard deviations and direct readout.
      Importantly, drugs that interfere with cell metabolism require alternative
      techniques such as confluency monitoring to accurately measure treatment effects.
      Taken together, our data suggest that the combination of ATP luminescence assays
      with confluency monitoring provides the most specific and reproducible readout
      for drug screening on primary GSCs. 

PMID- 27274740
TI  - SSRIs-Related Behavioural Syndromes in Children and Adolescents.

PMID- 27274738
TI  - Biomaterial Applications in Cell-Based Therapy in Experimental Stroke.
AB  - Stroke is an important health issue corresponding to the second cause of
      mortality and first cause of severe disability with no effective treatments after
      the first hours of onset. Regenerative approaches such as cell therapy provide an
      increase in endogenous brain structural plasticity but they are not enough to
      promote a complete recovery. Tissue engineering has recently aroused a major
      interesting development of biomaterials for use into the central nervous system.
      Many biomaterials have been engineered based on natural compounds, synthetic
      compounds, or a mix of both with the aim of providing polymers with specific
      properties. The mechanical properties of biomaterials can be exquisitely
      regulated forming polymers with different stiffness, modifiable physical state
      that polymerizes in situ, or small particles encapsulating cells or growth
      factors. The choice of biomaterial compounds should be adapted for the different
      applications, structure target, and delay of administration. Biocompatibilities
      with embedded cells and with the host tissue and biodegradation rate must be
      considerate. In this paper, we review the different applications of biomaterials
      combined with cell therapy in ischemic stroke and we explore specific features
      such as choice of biomaterial compounds and physical and mechanical properties
      concerning the recent studies in experimental stroke. 

PMID- 27274742
TI  - Web-Based and Mobile Suicide Prevention Interventions for Young People: A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Suicide is a significant public health issue, and is especially
      concerning in adolescents and young adults, who are over-represented both in
      attempts and completed suicide. Emerging technologies represent a promising new
      approach to deliver suicide prevention interventions to these populations. The
      current systematic review aims to identify online and mobile psychosocial suicide
      prevention interventions for young people, and evaluate the effectiveness of
      these interventions. METHOD: PsycINFO, Medline, Embase and The Cochrane Library
      were electronically searched for all articles published between January, 2000 and
      May, 2015. Peer-reviewed journal articles reporting on interventions for young
      people aged 12-25 years with suicidality as a primary outcome were eligible for
      inclusion. No exclusions were placed on study design. RESULTS: One study met
      inclusion criteria, and found significant reductions in the primary outcome of
      suicidal ideation, as well as depression and hopelessness. Two relevant protocol
      papers of studies currently underway were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: There is
      a paucity of current evidence for online and mobile interventions for suicide
      prevention in youth. More high quality empirical evidence is required to
      determine the effectiveness of these novel approaches to improving suicide
      outcomes in young people.

PMID- 27274743
TI  - Online and Social Media Suicide Prevention Interventions for Young People: A
      Focus on Implementation and Moderation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Suicide remains a major global public health issue for young people.
      The reach and accessibility of online and social media-based interventions herald
      a unique opportunity for suicide prevention. To date, the large body of research
      into suicide prevention has been undertaken atheoretically. This paper provides a
      rationale and theoretical framework (based on the interpersonal theory of
      suicide), and draws on our experiences of developing and testing online and
      social media-based interventions. METHOD: The implementation of three distinct
      online and social media-based intervention studies, undertaken with young people
      at risk of suicide, are discussed. We highlight the ways that these interventions
      can serve to bolster social connectedness in young people, and outline key
      aspects of intervention implementation and moderation. RESULTS: Insights
      regarding the implementation of these studies include careful protocol
      development mindful of risk and ethical issues, establishment of suitably
      qualified teams to oversee development and delivery of the intervention, and
      utilisation of key aspects of human support (i.e., moderation) to encourage
      longer-term intervention engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Online and social media-based
      interventions provide an opportunity to enhance feelings of connectedness in
      young people, a key component of the interpersonal theory of suicide. Our
      experience has shown that such interventions can be feasibly and safely conducted
      with young people at risk of suicide. Further studies, with controlled designs,
      are required to demonstrate intervention efficacy.

PMID- 27274744
TI  - Omega-6 to Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio in Patients with ADHD: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have been shown to be deficient in
      individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder compared to controls
      (Hawkey & Nigg, 2014). Clinical trials of omega-3 and omega-6 supplements as
      treatment for ADHD have demonstrated minimal efficacy (Bloch & Qawasmi, 2011;
      Gillies, Sinn, Lad, Leach, & Ross, 2011; Hawkey & Nigg, 2014; Puri & Martins,
      2014; Sonuga-Barke et al., 2013). Existing trials have analyzed omega-3 and omega
      6 separately although the tissue ratio of these fatty acids (n6/n3) may be more
      important than absolute levels of either. The objective of this study was to
      determine the relationship between blood n6/n3 and arachidonic acid to
      eicosapentaenoic acid (AA/EPA), to ADHD symptoms. METHOD: A systematic literature
      review identified original articles measuring blood n6/n3 or AA/EPA ratio in
      children and youth with ADHD, compared to controls without ADHD. Three databases
      were searched. Blood n6/n3, and AA/EPA ratios were compared between individuals
      with ADHD and controls. Results were pooled across studies using quantitative
      synthesis. RESULTS: Five articles met inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis.
      The pooled mean difference between patients with ADHD and controls was 1.97 (0.90
      3.04) for n6/n3 (n=5 studies, I(2) 83%) and 8.25 (5.94-10.56) for AA/EPA (n=3
      studies, I(2) 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Children and youth with ADHD have elevated ratios
      of both blood n6/n3 and AA/EPA fatty acids compared to controls. Thus an elevated
      n6/n3, and more specifically AA/EPA, ratio may represent the underlying
      disturbance in essential fatty acid levels in patients with ADHD. These findings
      have implications for the development of future interventions using essential
      fatty acids to treat ADHD, and for the use of these ratios as biomarkers for
      titrating and monitoring ADHD treatment with essential fatty acids.

PMID- 27274745
TI  - Links of Adolescents Identity Development and Relationship with Peers: A
      Systematic Literature Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: According to Erik Erikson, the main task of adolescents is to solve
      the crisis of identity versus role confusion. Research has shown that a stable
      and strong sense of identity is associated with better mental health of
      adolescents. Good relationships with peers are also linked with better emotional
      and psychological well-being of adolescents. However, there is a lack of reviews
      of studies in the scientific literature examining the relationship between the
      adolescents' identity development and relationships with peers. The aims of this
      article were to analyze links between adolescent identity development and
      relationships with peers identified from a literature review, summarize the
      results, and discuss the theoretical factors that may predict these
      relationships. METHOD: A systematic literature review. RESULTS: Analysis of
      findings from the systematic literature review revealed that a good relationship
      with peers is positively related to adolescent identity development, but
      empirical research in this area is extremely limited. CONCLUSIONS: The links
      between adolescents' identity development and their relationship with peers are
      not completely clear. The possible intermediate factors that could determine the
      relationship between adolescent identity development and their relationships with
      peers are discussed. Further empirical researches is needed in this area.

PMID- 27274747
TI  - Whole Genome Sequencing as a Genetic Test for Autism Spectrum Disorder: From
      Bench to Bedside and then Back Again.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by repetitive patterns of
      behaviour and impairments in social interactions and communication abilities.
      Although ASD is a heterogeneous disorder, it is a highly genetic condition for
      which genetic testing is routinely performed. Microarray analysis is currently
      the standard of care genetic test for ASD, however whole genome sequencing offers
      several key advantages and will likely replace microarrays as a frontline genetic
      test in the near future. The 2nd Consultation on Translation of Genomic Advances
      into Health Applications took place in the spring of 2014 to broadly explore the
      current and potential impacts of genomic advances in supporting personalized and
      family-centered care for autism and related developmental conditions. In
      anticipation of WGS becoming a standard of care test, we examine the policy
      landscape and highlight the lack of consistency among guidelines regarding what
      genomic information should be returned to patients and their families. We also
      discuss the need to create the infrastructure to share clinical WGS data with
      researchers in a systematic and ethically defensible manner. 

PMID- 27274748
TI  - The Developmental Expressions of Behavioural Dysregulation in a 25-Month old
      Infant Presenting with Sleep Problems: The Case of Emily.

PMID- 27274746
TI  - Characteristics of Youth Presenting to a Canadian Youth Concurrent Disorders
      Program: Clinical Complexity, Trauma, Adaptive Functioning and Treatment
      Priorities.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study describes clinical characteristics of youth presenting for
      service at a Canadian youth concurrent mental health and substance use disorders
      (SUD) program. METHOD: Participants were 100 adolescents and emerging adults
      (aged 14-25) who attended a Canadian concurrent mental health and substance use
      disorders outpatient program. SUDs were assigned using the Structured Clinical
      Interview for DSM-IV. Self-reported mental health symptoms, trauma exposure and
      adaptive functioning were also assessed. RESULTS: Eighty-three percent of
      participants scored over the clinical cut-off on at least one mental health scale
      and 33% reported at least one suicide attempt. Sixty-six percent met criteria for
      a current SUD; 96% met lifetime criteria. Exposure to adverse events was nearly
      universal (94%). Almost half of female (46%) and almost a third of male (31%)
      participants endorsed symptoms consistent with posttraumatic stress disorder
      (PTSD). Youth reported impairment and need for support in multiple domains of
      functioning, including school, peer, family and mental health. Substance use was
      least likely to be identified as a treatment priority. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of
      adverse events and PTSD highlight the need for trauma-informed care when
      providing services to this vulnerable population. Functional impairment in
      domains related to developmental transitions and tasks underscores the need for a
      developmental lens and integrated treatment that goes beyond mental health and
      SUD symptoms and addresses developmentally relevant domains during this
      transitional age.

PMID- 27274749
TI  - Psychotic Symptoms in a Child with Long Standing SLE Nephritis: Neuropsychiatric
      Manifestation or Sequelae to Lupus?
AB  - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease of unknown
      etiology, which affects multiple organ systems including the central nervous
      system (CNS). Though not common, childhood onset SLE is a known and established
      entity. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in childhood onset SLE. Of these,
      psychosis and behavioural symptoms are relatively rare, and there is no consensus
      on the proper treatment of such cases. We report a case of 13-year-old boy,
      diagnosed with lupus nephritis, and presented with psychosis and behavioural
      symptoms. The highlight of this case is that the psychiatric symptoms were
      present despite the primary illness being quiescent. Thus, the patient was
      treated with Olanzapine and lorazepam, while continuing immunosuppressive therapy
      as previously. Also, MRI brain revealed vasculitic changes in the right
      hemisphere, which might be one of the etiological factors playing role in the
      development of these neuropsychiatric symptoms. 

PMID- 27274751
TI  - Prevention and Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of Tanshinone IIA Sodium
      Sulfonate on Acute Liver Injury Mice Model.
AB  - Tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate (TSS) is a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone
      IIA, which is the main pharmacologically active component of Salvia miltiorrhiza.
      This study aimed to verify the preventive and therapeutic effects of TSS and its
      combined therapeutic effects with magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MI) in D
      galactosamine- (D-Gal-) induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice. The potential
      regulatory mechanisms of TSS on ALI were also examined. Our results may provide a
      basis for the development of novel therapeutics for ALI. 

PMID- 27274752
TI  - Synergism Effect of the Essential Oil from Ocimum basilicum var. Maria Bonita and
      Its Major Components with Fluconazole and Its Influence on Ergosterol
      Biosynthesis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of the EO and its major
      components of Ocimum basilicum var. Maria Bonita, a genetically improved
      cultivar, against the fluconazole sensitive and resistant strains of Candida
      albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Geraniol presented better results than the
      EO, with a low MIC (76 MUg/mL against C. neoformans and 152 MUg/mL against both
      Candida strains). The combination of EO, linalool, or geraniol with fluconazole
      enhanced their antifungal activity, especially against the resistant strain (MIC
      reduced to 156, 197, and 38 MUg/mL, resp.). The ergosterol assay showed that
      subinhibitory concentrations of the substances were able to reduce the amount of
      sterol extracted. The substances tested were able to reduce the capsule size
      which suggests they have an important mechanism of action. Transmission electron
      microscopy demonstrated cell wall destruction of C. neoformans after treatment
      with subinhibitory concentrations. In C. albicans ultrastructure alterations such
      as irregularities in the membrane, presence of vesicles, and cell wall thickening
      were observed. The biofilm formation was inhibited in both C. albicans strains at
      MIC and twice MIC. These results provide further support for the use of O.
      basilicum EO and its major components as a potential source of antifungal agents.

PMID- 27274753
TI  - Efficacy of Oral Ginger (Zingiber officinale) for Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic
      Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - This systematic review examines the efficacy of oral ginger for dysmenorrhea. Key
      biomedical databases and grey literature were searched. We included randomized
      controlled trials comparing oral ginger against placebo or active treatment in
      women with dysmenorrhea. Six trials were identified. Two authors independently
      reviewed the articles, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Discrepancies
      were resolved by consensus with a third reviewer. We completed a narrative
      synthesis of all six studies and exploratory meta-analyses of three studies
      comparing ginger with placebo and two studies comparing ginger with a
      nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ginger appeared more effective for
      reducing pain severity than placebo. The weighted mean difference on a 10 cm
      visual analogue scale was 1.55 cm (favoring ginger) (95% CI 0.68 to 2.43). No
      significant difference was found between ginger and mefenamic acid (an NSAID).
      The standardized mean difference was 0 (95% CI -0.40 to 0.41). Available data
      suggest that oral ginger could be an effective treatment for menstrual pain in
      dysmenorrhea. Findings, however, need to be interpreted with caution because of
      the small number of studies, poor methodological quality of the studies, and high
      heterogeneity across trials. The review highlights the need for future trials
      with high methodological quality. 

PMID- 27274754
TI  - Effect of Electroacupuncture on the Expression of Glycyl-tRNA Synthetase and
      Ultrastructure Changes in Atrophied Rat Peroneus Longus Muscle Induced by Sciatic
      Nerve Injection Injury.
AB  - Glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) is one of the key enzymes involved in protein
      synthesis. Its mutations have been reported to cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
      which demonstrates muscular atrophy in distal extremities, particularly
      manifested in peroneus muscles. In this situation, the dysfunctions of
      mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) affect energy supply and excitation
      contraction coupling of muscle fibers, therefore resulting in muscular atrophy.
      Although the treatment of muscular atrophy is a global urgent problem, it can be
      improved by electroacupuncture (EA) treatment. To investigate the mechanism
      underlying EA treatment improving muscular atrophy, we focused on the perspective
      of protein synthesis by establishing a penicillin injection-induced sciatic nerve
      injury model. In our model, injured rats without treatment showed decreased
      sciatic functional index (SFI), decreased peroneus longus muscle weight and
      muscle fiber cross-sectional area, aggregated mitochondria with vacuoles
      appearing, swollen SR, and downregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of
      GlyRS and myosin heavy chain IIb (MHC-IIb). The injured rats with EA treatment
      showed significant recovery. These results indicated that EA stimulation can
      alleviate peroneus longus muscular atrophy induced by iatrogenic sciatic nerve
      injury through promoting the recovery of GlyRS and muscle ultrastructure and
      increasing muscle protein synthesis. 

PMID- 27274755
TI  - Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological
      Activities.
AB  - Hirudo (Shuizhi in Chinese) is an important Chinese medicine, which possesses
      many therapeutic properties for the treatment of the cerebral hemorrhage and
      other thrombosis-related diseases. The phytochemical investigation gave more than
      51 compounds including pteridines, phosphatidylcholines, glycosphingolipids, and
      sterols, as well as some bioactive peptides from the Shuizhi derived from three
      animal species recorded in the current Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The pharmacological
      studies on the Shuizhi have revealed various activities such as anticoagulation,
      antithrombosis, antiatherosclerosis, antiplatelet aggregation, antitumor and anti
      inflammatory as well as hemorheology improvement, and protective effects against
      cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, some important issues based on the
      traditional uses of Shuizhi are still not clear. The aim of the present review is
      to provide comprehensive knowledge on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and
      pharmacological activities of Shuizhi. It will provide a potential guidance in
      exploring main active compounds of Shuizhi and interpreting the action mechanism
      for the further research. 

PMID- 27274756
TI  - Immune Signatures in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris of Blood-Heat Syndrome: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Objective. To determine whether immunological serum markers IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL
      17, IL-23, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 are elevated or decreased in patients
      compared with healthy controls. Methods. A complete search of the literature on
      this topic within the past 30 years was conducted across seven databases.
      Seventeen studies including 768 individuals were identified. Differences in serum
      marker levels between subjects and controls were pooled as MDs using the random
      effects model. Results. The pooled MDs were higher in patients than in healthy
      controls for IFN-gamma (MD 24.9, 95% CI 12.36-37.43), IL-17 (MD 28.92, 95% CI
      17.44-40.40), IL-23 (MD 310.60, 95% CI 4.96-616.24), and TNF-alpha (MD 19.84, 95%
      CI 13.80-25.87). Pooled IL-4 (MD -13.5, 95% CI -17.74--9.26) and IL-10 (MD 
      10.33, 95% CI -12.03--8.63) levels were lower in patients. Conclusion. The pooled
      analyses suggest that levels of IFN-gamma, IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-alpha are
      significantly elevated and that levels of IL-4 and IL-10 are significantly
      decreased in sera of patients with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome.
      Measuring progression of blood-heat syndrome of psoriasis vulgaris will require
      additional high-quality data, with a low risk of bias and adequate sample sizes,
      before and after antipsoriatic therapy. 

PMID- 27274757
TI  - Elevational spatial compounding for enhancing image quality in echocardiography.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Echocardiography is commonly used in clinical practice for the real
      time assessment of cardiac morphology and function. Nevertheless, due to the
      nature of the data acquisition, cardiac ultrasound images are often corrupted by
      a range of acoustic artefacts, including acoustic noise, speckle and shadowing.
      Spatial compounding techniques have long been recognised for their ability to
      suppress common ultrasound artefacts, enhancing the imaged cardiac structures.
      However, they require extended acquisition times as well as accurate spatio
      temporal alignment of the compounded data. Elevational spatial compounding
      acquires and compounds adjacent partially decorrelated planes of the same cardiac
      structure. METHODS: This paper employs an anthropomorphic left ventricle phantom
      to examine the effect of acquisition parameters, such as inter-slice angular
      displacement and 3D sector angular range, on the elevational spatial compounding
      of cardiac ultrasound data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Elevational spatial
      compounding can produce substantial noise and speckle suppression as well as
      visual enhancement of tissue structures even for small acquisition sector widths
      (2.5 degrees  to 6.5 degrees ). In addition, elevational spatial compounding
      eliminates the need for extended acquisition times as well as the need for
      temporal alignment of the compounded datasets. However, moderate spatial
      registration may still be required to reduce any tissue/chamber blurring side
      effects that may be introduced.

PMID- 27274758
TI  - Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, successful aging, and mortality: the
      PolSenior study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the elderly, chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) is a
      risk factor for the development of aging-related diseases and frailty. Using data
      from several thousand Eastern Europeans aged 65 years and older, we investigated
      whether the serum levels of two proinflammatory factors, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and
      C-reactive protein (CRP), were associated with physical and cognitive
      performance, and could predict mortality in successfully aging elderly. RESULTS:
      IL-6 and CRP levels systematically increased in an age-dependent manner in the
      entire study group (IL-6: n = 3496 individuals, p < 0.001 and CRP: n = 3632, p =
      0.003), and in the subgroup of successfully aging individuals who had never been
      diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, type 2
      diabetes, or cancer, and had a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score >=24
      and a Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score >=5 (IL-6: n = 1258, p < 0.001
      and CRP: n = 1312, p < 0.001). In the subgroup of individuals suffering from
      aging-related diseases/disability, only IL-6 increased with age (IL-6: n = 2238,
      p < 0.001 and CRP: n = 2320, p = 0.249). IL-6 and CRP levels were lower in
      successfully aging individuals than in the remaining study participants (both p <
      0.001). Higher IL-6 and CRP levels were associated with poorer physical
      performance (lower ADL score) and poorer cognitive performance (lower MMSE score)
      (both p < 0.001). This association remained significant after adjusting for age,
      gender, BMI, lipids, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and smoking status.
      Longer survival was associated with lower concentrations of IL-6 and CRP not only
      in individuals with aging-related diseases/disability (HR = 1.063 per each pg/mL,
      95 % CI: 1.052-1.074, p < 0.001 and HR = 1.020 per each mg/L, 95 % CI: 1.015
      1.025, p < 0.001, respectively) but also in the successfully aging subgroup (HR =
      1.163 per each pg/mL, 95 % CI: 1.128-1.199, p < 0.001 and HR = 1.074 per each
      mg/L, 95 % CI: 1.047-1.100, p < 0.001, respectively). These associations remained
      significant after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, lipids and smoking status. The
      Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed similar results (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Both IL-6 and CRP levels were good predictors of physical and cognitive
      performance and the risk of mortality in both the entire elderly population and
      in successfully aging individuals.

PMID- 27274759
TI  - Interaction between FTO gene variants and lifestyle factors on metabolic traits
      in an Asian Indian population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity have been shown
      to modify the association between fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene
      variants and metabolic traits in several populations; however, there are no gene
      lifestyle interaction studies, to date, among Asian Indians living in India. In
      this study, we examined whether dietary factors and physical activity modified
      the association between two FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs8050136 and
      rs11076023) (SNPs) and obesity traits and type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: The
      study included 734 unrelated T2D and 884 normal glucose-tolerant (NGT)
      participants randomly selected from the urban component of the Chennai Urban
      Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES). Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated
      interviewer administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).
      Physical activity was based upon the self-report. Interaction analyses were
      performed by including the interaction terms in the linear/logistic regression
      model. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between SNP rs8050136 and
      carbohydrate intake (% energy) (Pinteraction = 0.04), where the 'A' allele
      carriers had 2.46 times increased risk of obesity than those with 'CC' genotype
      (P = 3.0 * 10(-5)) among individuals in the highest tertile of carbohydrate
      intake (% energy, 71 %). A significant interaction was also observed between SNP
      rs11076023 and dietary fibre intake (Pinteraction = 0.0008), where individuals
      with AA genotype who are in the 3(rd) tertile of dietary fibre intake had 1.62 cm
      lower waist circumference than those with 'T' allele carriers (P = 0.02).
      Furthermore, among those who were physically inactive, the 'A' allele carriers of
      the SNP rs8050136 had 1.89 times increased risk of obesity than those with 'CC'
      genotype (P = 4.0 * 10(-5)). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to provide
      evidence for a gene-diet and gene-physical activity interaction on obesity and
      T2D in an Asian Indian population. Our findings suggest that the association
      between FTO SNPs and obesity might be influenced by carbohydrate and dietary
      fibre intake and physical inactivity. Further understanding of how FTO gene
      influences obesity and T2D through dietary and exercise interventions is
      warranted to advance the development of behavioral intervention and personalised
      lifestyle strategies, which could reduce the risk of metabolic diseases in this
      Asian Indian population.

PMID- 27274760
TI  - Association of low oleic acid intake with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic
      patients: a case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to describe the intake of
      macronutrient, especially fatty acids, and explore their possible effect on
      diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In
      this case-control study, we included a total of 146 patients with DR and 148
      without DR. The intake of macronutrient was evaluated using a validated food
      frequency questionnaire. We used logistic regression adjusted for sex, age,
      diabetes duration, energy intake, educational level, physical activity, waist
      circumference, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and
      diabetes treatment, to estimate odds ratio (ORs) of DR. RESULTS: Patients with DR
      had significantly lower intake of fibre, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and
      palmitic and oleic acid. Inverse associations were observed between MUFA and
      oleic acid intake in DR. Subjects with intermediate and high MUFA intake were
      less likely to have DR than those with lower MUFA intake, with ORs of 0.46 (95 %
      CI: 0.22-0.93) and 0.42 (95 % CI: 0.18-0.97), respectively. Similarly,
      intermediate and high oleic acid intake were associated with reduced DR frequency
      compared with low oleic acid intake, with OR values of 0.48 (95 % CI: 0.23-0.97)
      and 0.37 (95 % CI: 0.16-0.85), respectively. These associations were stronger in
      patients with a longer diabetes duration. CONCLUSION: In type 2 diabetes
      mellitus, MUFA and oleic acid intake were inversely associated with DR.

PMID- 27274761
TI  - Towards integrated care in breastfeeding support: a cross-sectional survey of
      practitioners' perspectives.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Integrated care is defined as concerted action of healthcare
      providers ensuring continuity of care within a patient-centered approach, thus
      contributing to healthcare efficiency and quality. Apart from the WHO/UNICEF Baby
      Friendly Initiatives, integrated care has been poorly explored within the context
      of breastfeeding support. The aim of this study was to investigate the experience
      of breastfeeding support practitioners, identifying barriers and facilitators
      towards integrated care. METHODS: A 62-item survey was conducted among 900
      participants at 3 international breastfeeding conferences. Analysis included uni
      and bivariate descriptive statistics, categorizing of mutually exclusive response
      groups and thematic networks analysis of responses to 18 open-ended items.
      RESULTS: Three-hundred-and-one participants (33 % response), from 34
      predominantly industrialized countries (98 %) on nearly all continents, responded
      to the survey. Norwegian residents alone, felt sufficiently supported in
      providing breastfeeding support by other healthcare providers, the work
      environment, society, the media and their National Breastfeeding Committee (P <
      0.05). Out of 11 suggested measures for effective breastfeeding promotion, 96 %
      of respondents ranked integrated care as the most important. The largest response
      group identified in open-ended items, as a major barrier to integrated care in
      breastfeeding support, was "lacking or failing health promotion strategies" (n =
      454), followed by "a lack of vertically integrated care" (n =268), described
      mainly as unsatisfactory cooperation within healthcare. This inconsistency of
      care also impairs "shared decision-making" on infant feeding for parents,
      including accessibility of information and support (n = 265). Among other
      measures, 29 % of respondents recommended incentivizing integrated breastfeeding
      support within healthcare. Two figures, based on open-ended response evaluations,
      illustrate participants' ideas of the National Breastfeeding Committees' role in
      coordinating policies and protagonists towards integrated breastfeeding support,
      and a family-centered model of integrated care to facilitate successful
      breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: According to practitioners in breastfeeding support,
      integrated care is essential for successful breastfeeding. Quality and
      accessibility of breastfeeding support should be motivated by healthcare system
      incentives, to counter the reported lack of consistency of care within and beyond
      healthcare. To effectively integrate a continuum of breastfeeding support into
      healthcare and society, a policy consensus and strong political action are
      indispensable, with coordination by an empowered National Breastfeeding
      Committee.

PMID- 27274762
TI  - A Mathematical Model of Regenerative Axon Growing along Glial Scar after Spinal
      Cord Injury.
AB  - A major factor in the failure of central nervous system (CNS) axon regeneration
      is the formation of glial scar after the injury of CNS. Glial scar generates a
      dense barrier which the regenerative axons cannot easily pass through or by. In
      this paper, a mathematical model was established to explore how the regenerative
      axons grow along the surface of glial scar or bypass the glial scar. This
      mathematical model was constructed based on the spinal cord injury (SCI) repair
      experiments by transplanting Schwann cells as bridge over the glial scar. The
      Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) was used in this model for three-dimensional
      numerical simulation. The advantage of this model is that it provides a parallel
      and easily implemented algorithm and has the capability of handling complicated
      boundaries. Using the simulated data, two significant conclusions were made in
      this study: (1) the levels of inhibitory factors on the surface of the glial scar
      are the main factors affecting axon elongation and (2) when the inhibitory factor
      levels on the surface of the glial scar remain constant, the longitudinal size of
      the glial scar has greater influence on the average rate of axon growth than the
      transverse size. These results will provide theoretical guidance and reference
      for researchers to design efficient experiments. 

PMID- 27274763
TI  - A Time-Delayed Mathematical Model for Tumor Growth with the Effect of a Periodic
      Therapy.
AB  - A time-delayed mathematical model for tumor growth with the effect of periodic
      therapy is studied. The establishment of the model is based on the reaction
      diffusion dynamics and mass conservation law and is considered with a time delay
      in cell proliferation process. Sufficient conditions for the global stability of
      tumor free equilibrium are given. We also prove that if external concentration of
      nutrients is large the tumor will not disappear and the conditions under which
      there exist periodic solutions to the model are also determined. Results are
      illustrated by computer simulations. 

PMID- 27274764
TI  - The Numerical Study of the Hemodynamic Characteristics in the Patient-Specific
      Intracranial Aneurysms before and after Surgery.
AB  - The patient-specific pre- and postsurgery cerebral arterial geometries in the
      study were reconstructed from computed tomography angiography (CTA). Three
      dimensional computational fluid dynamics models were used to investigate the
      hemodynamic phenomena in the cerebral arteries before and after surgery of the
      aneurysm under realistic conditions. CFD simulations for laminar flow of
      incompressible Newtonian fluid were conducted by using commercial software, ANSYS
      v15, with the rigid vascular wall assumption. The study found that the flow
      patterns with the complex vortical structures inside the aneurysm were similar.
      We also found that the inflow jet streams were coming strongly in aneurysm sac in
      the presurgery models, while the flow patterns in postsurgery models were quite
      different from those in presurgery models. The average wall shear stress after
      surgery for model 1 was approximately three times greater than that before
      surgery, while it was about twenty times greater for model 2. The area of low WSS
      in the daughter saccular aneurysm region in model 2 is associated with aneurysm
      rupture. Thus the distribution of WSS in aneurysm region provides useful
      prediction for the risk of aneurysm rupture. 

PMID- 27274765
TI  - Abdominal bloating is the most bothersome symptom in irritable bowel syndrome
      with constipation (IBS-C): a large population-based Internet survey in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abdominal bloating is a common symptom in patients with irritable
      bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). However, it is not included among the
      required items in the Rome III diagnostic criteria for IBS. Little is known about
      an impact of abdominal bloating seen in patients with IBS-C. Using a large
      population-based sample, the aim of the present study was to investigate what is
      the most bothersome symptom in subjects with IBS-C. METHODS: An Internet survey
      of 30,000 adults drawn from the general public throughout Japan was conducted to
      identify subtypes of IBS using the Rome III diagnostic questionnaire.
      Consecutively, the screened subjects with IBS-C and the same number of age- and
      sex-matched non-IBS subjects who were randomly selected as controls were asked to
      answer a questionnaire on the degree of anxiety they experienced in their daily
      lives, thoughts about bowel habit, and their dominant gastrointestinal symptoms
      together with exacerbation factors (for IBS-C only). RESULTS: The screening
      survey showed that the prevalence of overall IBS was 16.5 % (female 17.4 %, male
      15.5 %) and that 2.8 % met the criteria for IBS-C, 4.5 % for IBS with diarrhea
      (IBS-D) and 8.2 % for mixed IBS (IBS-M). Seven hundred and fifty-nine of 835
      (90.9 %) subjects with IBS-C and 746 of 830 (89.9 %) control subjects completed
      the consecutive questionnaire. IBS-C subjects felt a higher degree of anxiety in
      their daily lives (p < 0.01) and considered bowel habit to be an indicator of
      health (p < 0.01) to a greater extent than control subjects. In IBS-C, the degree
      of anxiety was significantly associated with abdominal discomfort (p < 0.01),
      pain (p < 0.01) and bloating (p = 0.02), but not with the frequency of bowel
      habit (p > 0.1). Abdominal bloating was the most bothersome symptom (27.5 %),
      which was more likely to occur after a meal (52.2 %), at work/school (29.2 %) and
      during times of stress (26.8 %). Only 4.5 % of IBS-C subjects reported abdominal
      pain as the 'most bothersome' symptom. CONCLUSIONS: A large population-based
      Internet survey suggests that abdominal bloating has a great impact on the daily
      lives of subjects diagnosed with IBS-C. Not only bowel movement/abdominal pain
      but also abdominal bloating should be evaluated in patients with IBS-C.

PMID- 27274767
TI  - A survey on patients' knowledge and expectations during informed consent for
      spinal surgery: can we improve the shared decision-making process?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The informed medical consent in surgery requires to some point basic
      medical knowledge. The treating physicians while explaining the details and risks
      of the recommended procedure often imply this. We hypothesized, that patients do
      not have adequate medical understanding to decide about the ongoing therapy and
      its potential complications based on knowledge jeopardizing the patients' safety.
      METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective database using a
      multiple choice questionnaire with 10 basic questions about anatomy, clinical
      symptoms and therapies of spinal diseases in our spine clinic at a German
      university hospital. Included were all patients at the spine clinic who agreed to
      the study and to fill in the questionnaire. Furthermore the patients age, mother
      tongue, the past spinal surgical history, the length of duration of symptoms and
      the patients education were inquired. The data were analyzed descriptive.
      RESULTS: Included were 248 patients with an average age of 59 years (16-88 a). 70
      % of all patients used German as their mother tongue. 30 % of the included
      patients already had spinal surgery and suffered on average for 13.4 years
      because of their spinal disorder. Overall 32.6 % of all questions were answered
      correctly (range 0.8-68 %). A correlation of correctly answered questions and the
      patients' age, duration of symptoms, mother tongue, education and past surgical
      history could not be described. CONCLUSION: The percentage of correctly answered
      questions is almost as low as the likelihood of nearness in guessing. Having this
      in mind the patients do not choose any treatment option based on knowledge. The
      physicians need to provide more basic knowledge to the patients. This would
      increase the amount of successful therapies, content patients and the patients
      safety.

PMID- 27274766
TI  - Adsorption and mechanism of cellulase enzymes onto lignin isolated from corn
      stover pretreated with liquid hot water.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the bioconversion of lignocellulosic substrates, the adsorption
      behavior of cellulase onto lignin has a negative effect on enzymatic hydrolysis
      of cellulose, decreasing glucose production during enzymatic hydrolysis, thus
      decreasing the yield of fermentation and the production of useful products.
      Understanding the interaction between lignin and cellulase is necessary to
      optimize the components of cellulase mixture, genetically engineer high
      efficiency cellulase, and reduce cost of bioconversion. Most lignin is not
      removed during liquid hot water (LHW) pretreatment, and the characteristics of
      lignin in solid substrate are also changed. To understand the interactions
      between cellulase and lignin, this study investigated the change in the
      characteristics of lignin obtained from corn stover, as well as the behavior of
      cellulase adsorption onto lignin, under various severities of LHW pretreatment.
      RESULTS: LHW pretreatment removed most hemicellulose and some lignin in corn
      stover, as well as improved enzymatic digestibility of corn stover. After LHW
      pretreatment, the molecular weight of lignin obviously increased, whereas its
      polydispersity decreased and became more negative. The hydrophobicity and
      functional groups in lignin also changed. Adsorption of cellulase from
      Penicillium oxalicum onto lignin isolated from corn stover was enhanced after LHW
      pretreatment, and increased under increasing pretreatment severity. Different
      adsorption behaviors were observed in different lignin samples and components of
      cellulase mixtures, even in different cellobiohydrolases (CBHs), endo-beta-1, 4
      glucanases (EGs). The greatest reduction in enzyme activity caused by lignin was
      observed in CBH, followed by that in xylanase and then in EG and beta-Glucosidase
      (BGL). The adsorption behavior exerted different effects on subsequent enzymatic
      hydrolysis of various biomass substrates. Hydrophobic and electrostatic
      interactions may be important factors affecting different adsorption behaviors
      between lignin and cellulase. CONCLUSIONS: LHW pretreatment changed the
      characteristics of the remaining lignin in corn stover, thus affected the
      adsorption behavior of lignin toward cellulase. For different protein components
      in cellulase solution from P. oxalicum, electrostatic action was a main factor
      influencing the adsorption of EG and xylanase onto lignin in corn stover, while
      hydrophobicity affected the adsorption of CBH and BGL onto lignin.

PMID- 27274768
TI  - Protective role for miR-9-5p in the fibrogenic transformation of human dermal
      fibroblasts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is the
      hallmark of fibrotic diseases, including skin fibrosis. This response relies on
      the activation of dermal fibroblasts that evolve into a pro-fibrogenic phenotype.
      One of the major players in this process is the cytokine transforming growth
      factor-beta (TGF-beta). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post
      transcriptionally regulate gene expression affecting a wide range of
      pathophysiological events including fibrogenesis. MicroRNA-9-5p (miR-9-5p) has
      been shown to exert a protective role in lung and peritoneal fibrosis. This study
      aimed to evaluate the role of miR-9-5p in skin fibrosis. RESULTS: miR-9-5p is up
      regulated in TGF-beta1-treated human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). In silico
      identification of miR-9-5p targets spotted the type II TGF-beta receptor (TGFBR2)
      as a potential TGF-beta signaling-related effector for this miRNA. Consistently,
      over-expression of miR-9-5p in HDFs down-regulated TGFBR2 at both the mRNA and
      protein levels and reduced the phosphorylation of Smad2 and the translocation of
      Smad2/3 to the nucleus. In keeping, over-expression of miR-9-5p significantly
      delayed TGF-beta1-dependent transformation of dermal fibroblasts, decreasing the
      expression of ECM protein collagen, type I, alpha 1 (Col1alpha1), and fibronectin
      (FN), the amount of secreted collagen proteins, and the expression of the
      archetypal myofibroblast marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA). By
      contrast, specific inhibition of miR-9-5p resulted in enhanced presence of
      fibrosis markers. The expression of miR-9-5p was also detected in the skin and
      plasma in the mouse model of bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis. Using lentiviral
      constructs, we demonstrated that miR-9-5p over-expression was also capable of
      deterring fibrogenesis in this same model. CONCLUSIONS: miR-9-5p significantly
      prevents fibrogenesis in skin fibrosis. This is mediated by an abrogation of TGF
      beta-mediated signaling through the down-regulation of TGFBR2 expression in HDFs.
      These results may pave the way for future diagnostic or therapeutic developments
      for skin fibrosis based on miR-9-5p.

PMID- 27274770
TI  - Are the physicochemical properties of antibacterial compounds really different
      from other drugs?
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is now widely recognized that there is an urgent need for new
      antibacterial drugs, with novel mechanisms of action, to combat the rise of multi
      drug resistant bacteria. However, few new compounds are reaching the market.
      Antibacterial drug discovery projects often succeed in identifying potent
      molecules in biochemical assays but have been beset by difficulties in obtaining
      antibacterial activity. A commonly held view, based on analysis of marketed
      antibacterial compounds, is that antibacterial drugs possess very different
      physicochemical properties to other drugs, and that this profile is required for
      antibacterial activity. RESULTS: We have re-examined this issue by performing a
      cheminformatics analysis of the literature data available in the ChEMBL database.
      The physicochemical properties of compounds with a recorded activity in an
      antibacterial assay were calculated and compared to two other datasets extracted
      from ChEMBL, marketed antibacterials and drugs marketed for other therapeutic
      indications. The chemical class of the compounds and Gram-negative/Gram-positive
      profile were also investigated. This analysis shows that compounds with
      antibacterial activity have physicochemical property profiles very similar to
      other drug classes. CONCLUSIONS: The observation that many current antibacterial
      drugs lie in regions of physicochemical property space far from conventional
      small molecule therapeutics is correct. However, the inference that a compound
      must lie in one of these "outlier" regions in order to possess antibacterial
      activity is not supported by our analysis. Graphical abstract.

PMID- 27274769
TI  - Interstitial 6q21q23 duplication - variant of variable phenotype and incomplete
      penetrance or benign duplication?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chromosome 6q duplication syndrome is a chromosome abnormality
      associated with characteristic phenotypic features such as intellectual
      disability (ID), short stature, feeding difficulties, microcephaly, dysmorphic
      features (prominent forehead, downslanting palpebral fissures, flat nasal bridge,
      tented upper lip, micrognathia, short webbed neck) and joint contractures. Only a
      few cases of pure partial 6q trisomy have been published and the severity of the
      phenotype seems to depend on the breakpoint position. Unfortunately, most of
      these cases were identified using karyotyping or FISH, so breakpoints at the
      molecular level and thus gene content are not known. CASES PRESENTATION: We
      report the first two families with an interstitial 6q duplication identified by
      karyotyping where the gene content and breakpoints were characterized with
      microarray. In family 1, the 6q22.1q23.2 duplication was detected in a female
      patient with ID. In family 2, the 6q21q22.33 duplication was identified in a male
      fetus with multiple congenital malformations. In both families, the duplication
      seems to show phenotypic heterogeneity and in family 1 also incomplete penetrance
      suggesting the co-existence of an "additional hit" in affected patients. This
      "additional hit" was identified in the first family to be a microduplication in
      16p11.2, a known susceptibility locus (SL) for neurodevelopmental disorders, that
      co-segregated with an abnormal phenotype in the affected family members.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that interstitial 6q21q23 duplication may represent
      a private variant that is benign, but may also contribute to developmental
      disorders of variable expressivity in a "multi-hit" model. Finding the
      "additional hit" within the family is therefore very important for genetic
      counseling and assessment of the CNV penetrance within the particular family.

PMID- 27274771
TI  - Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches.
AB  - Calcification occurs in atherosclerotic vascular lesions and In the aortic valve.
      Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a slow, progressive disorder that ranges
      from mild valve thickening without obstruction of blood flow, termed aortic
      sclerosis, to severe calcification with impaired leaflet motion, termed aortic
      stenosis. In the past, this process was thought to be 'degenerative' because of
      time-dependent wear and tear of the leaflets, with passive calcium deposition.
      The presence of osteoblasts in atherosclerotic vascular lesions and in CAVD
      implies that calcification is an active, regulated process akin to
      atherosclerosis, with lipoprotein deposition and chronic inflammation. If
      calcification is active, via pro-osteogenic pathways, one might expect that
      development and progression of calcification could be inhibited. The overlap in
      the clinical factors associated with calcific valve disease and atherosclerosis
      provides further support for a shared disease mechanism. In our recent research
      we used an in vitro porcine valve interstitial cell model to study spontaneous
      calcification and potential promoters and inhibitors. Using this model, we found
      that denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody targeting the receptor activator of
      nuclear factor-kappaB ligand may, at a working concentration of 50 MUg/mL,
      inhibit induced calcium deposition to basal levels.

PMID- 27274772
TI  - LEADER 7: cardiovascular risk profiles of US and European participants in the
      LEADER diabetes trial differ.
AB  - AIMS: To determine whether US and European participants in the Liraglutide Effect
      and Action in Diabetes: Evaluation of cardiovascular outcome Results (LEADER)
      trial differ regarding risk factors for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.
      METHODS: Baseline data, stratified for prior cardiovascular disease (CVD), were
      compared using multivariable logistic regression analysis to establish whether
      region is an independent determinant of achieved targets for glycated hemoglobin
      (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol.
      RESULTS: Independent of CVD history, US participants were more often of non-White
      origin and had a longer history of type 2 diabetes, higher body weight, and
      higher baseline HbA1c. They had substantially lower systolic and diastolic BP,
      and a marginally lower LDL-cholesterol level. Fewer US participants were
      diagnosed with left ventricular dysfunction. In the largest group of patients,
      those with prior CVD and the highest cardiovascular risk, US participants were
      more often female, had a higher waist circumference, and had a decreased
      estimated glomerular filtration rate, but less frequently prior myocardial
      infarction or angina pectoris. CONCLUSIONS: There were baseline differences
      between US and European participants. These differences may result from variation
      in regional targets for cardiovascular risk factor management, and should be
      considered in the analysis and reporting of the trial results. Clinical trial
      identifier: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01179048.

PMID- 27274773
TI  - Introducing the American Heritage Time Use Study Data Extract Builder (AHTUS-X).

PMID- 27274774
TI  - Epigenetic age acceleration predicts cancer, cardiovascular, and all-cause
      mortality in a German case cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have developed models predicting methylation age
      from DNA methylation in blood and other tissues (epigenetic clock) and suggested
      the difference between DNA methylation and chronological ages as a marker of
      healthy aging. The goal of this study was to confirm and expand such observations
      by investigating whether different concepts of the epigenetic clocks in a
      population-based cohort are associated with cancer, cardiovascular, and all-cause
      mortality. RESULTS: DNA methylation age was estimated in a cohort of 1863 older
      people, and the difference between age predicted by DNA methylation and
      chronological age (Deltaage) was calculated. A case-cohort design and weighted
      proportional Cox hazard models were used to estimate associations of Deltaage
      with cancer, cardiovascular, and all-cause mortality. Hazard ratios for Deltaage
      (per 5 years) calculated using the epigenetic clock developed by Horvath were
      1.23 (95 % CI 1.10-1.38) for all-cause mortality, 1.22 (95 % CI 1.03-1.45) for
      cancer mortality, and 1.19 (95 % CI 0.98-1.43) for cardiovascular mortality after
      adjustment for batch effects, age, sex, educational level, history of chronic
      diseases, hypertension, smoking status, body mass index, and leucocyte
      distribution. Associations were similar but weaker for Deltaage calculated using
      the epigenetic clock developed by Hannum. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that
      age acceleration in terms of the difference between age predicted by DNA
      methylation and chronological age is an independent predictor of all-cause and
      cause-specific mortality and may be useful as a general marker of healthy aging.

PMID- 27274775
TI  - Multimorbidity in Older Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.
AB  - Multimorbidity affects more than two thirds of older individuals and the vast
      majority of patients with chronic cardiovascular disease. Patients with
      multimorbidity have high resource utilization, poor mobility, and poor health
      status and are at an increased risk for death. The presence of multimorbidity
      imposes numerous management challenges in caring for patients with chronic
      cardiovascular disease. It complicates decision-making, promotes fragmented care,
      and imposes an immense burden on the patient and their social support system.
      Novel models of care, such as the cardiovascular patient-centered medical home,
      are needed to provide high-quality, efficient, effective care to this growing
      population.

PMID- 27274776
TI  - Civil Society Organizations and the Functions of Global Health Governance: What
      Role within Intergovernmental Organizations?
AB  - Amid discussion of how global health governance should and could be strengthened,
      the potential role of civil society organizations has been frequently raised.
      This paper considers the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in four
      health governance instruments under the auspices of the World Health Organization
      - the International Code on the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Framework
      Convention on Tobacco Control, International Health Regulations and Codex
      Alimentarius - and maps the functions they have contributed to. The paper draws
      conclusions about the opportunities and limitations CSOs represent for
      strengthening global health governance (GHG).

PMID- 27274777
TI  - Protective Effects of Carvedilol and Vitamin C against Azithromycin-Induced
      Cardiotoxicity in Rats via Decreasing ROS, IL1-beta, and TNF-alpha Production and
      Inhibiting NF-kappaB and Caspase-3 Expression.
AB  - The Food and Drug Administration recently warned of the fatal cardiovascular
      risks of azithromycin in humans. In addition, a recently published study
      documented azithromycin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. This study aimed to
      justify the exact cardiovascular events accompanying azithromycin administration
      in rats, focusing on electrocardiographic, biochemical, and histopathological
      changes. In addition, the underlying mechanisms were studied regarding reactive
      oxygen species production, cytokine release, and apoptotic cell-death. Finally,
      the supposed protective effects of both carvedilol and vitamin C were assessed.
      Four groups of rats were used: (1) control, (2) azithromycin, (3) azithromycin +
      carvedilol, and (4) azithromycin + vitamin C. Azithromycin resulted in marked
      atrophy of cardiac muscle fibers and electrocardiographic segment alteration. It
      increased the heart rate, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase,
      malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, interleukin-1 beta (IL1-beta), tumor necrosis
      factor alpha (TNF-alpha), nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kappaB), and caspase-3.
      It decreased reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide
      dismutase. Carvedilol and vitamin C prevented most of the azithromycin-induced
      electrocardiographic and histopathological changes. Carvedilol and vitamin C
      decreased lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, IL1-beta, TNF-alpha, NF-kappaB,
      and caspase-3. Both agents increased glutathione peroxidase. This study shows
      that both carvedilol and vitamin C protect against azithromycin-induced
      cardiotoxicity through antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antiapoptotic
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 27274778
TI  - The Analgesic Effect of the Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant SkQ1 in Pancreatic
      Inflammation.
AB  - Background. Chronic pancreatitis is one of the main risk factors for pancreatic
      cancer. In acute and chronic pancreatitis, oxidative stress is thought to play a
      key role. In this respect, the recently described mitochondria-targeted
      antioxidant SkQ1 effectively scavenges reactive oxygen species at nanomolar
      concentrations. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the influence of SkQ1 on
      tissue injury and pain in acute and chronic pancreatitis. Methods. Both acute and
      chronic pancreatitis were induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal cerulein
      injections and treatment with SkQ1 was carried out by peroral applications.
      Hyperalgesia was assessed by behavioral observation and measurement of abdominal
      mechanical sensitivity. Blood serum and pancreatic tissue were harvested for
      analysis of lipase and histology. Results. SkQ1 did not influence pain,
      serological, or histological parameters of tissue injury in acute pancreatitis.
      In chronic pancreatitis, a highly significant reduction of pain-related behavior
      (p < 0.0001) was evident, but histological grading revealed increased tissue
      injury in SkQ1-treated animals (p = 0.03). Conclusion. After SkQ1 treatment,
      tissue injury is not ameliorated in acute pancreatitis and increased in chronic
      pancreatitis. However, we show an analgesic effect in chronic pancreatitis.
      Further studies will need to elucidate the risks and benefits of mitochondria
      targeted antioxidants as an analgesic. 

PMID- 27274779
TI  - Association of Nuclear Factor-Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2, Thioredoxin
      Interacting Protein, and Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Polymorphisms with Diabetes and
      Obesity in Mexican Patients.
AB  - The nuclear factor-erythroid 2- (NF-E2-) related factor 2 (Nrf2) is abated and
      its ability to reduce oxidative stress is impaired in type 2 diabetes and
      obesity. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore if polymorphisms in Nrf2 and
      target genes are associated with diabetes and obesity in Mexican mestizo
      subjects. The rs1800566 of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene, rs7211
      of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) gene, rs2071749 of heme oxygenase-1
      (HMOX1) gene, and the rs6721961 and the rs2364723 from Nrf2 gene were genotyped
      in 627 diabetic subjects and 1020 controls. The results showed that the rs7211
      polymorphism is a protective factor against obesity in nondiabetic subjects (CC +
      CT versus TT, OR = 0.40, P = 0.005) and in women (CC versus CT + TT, OR = 0.7, P
      = 0.016). TT carriers had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and
      lower body mass index. The rs2071749 was positively associated with obesity (AA
      versus AG + GG, OR = 1.25, P = 0.026). Finally, the rs6721961 was negatively
      associated with diabetes in men (CC versus CA + AA, OR = 0.62, P = 0.003). AA
      carriers showed lower glucose concentrations. No association was found for
      rs1800566 and rs2364723 polymorphisms. In conclusion, the presence of Nrf2 and
      related genes polymorphisms are associated with diabetes and obesity in Mexican
      patients.

PMID- 27274780
TI  - An Evidence-Based Review of Related Metabolites and Metabolic Network Research on
      Cerebral Ischemia.
AB  - In recent years, metabolomics analyses have been widely applied to cerebral
      ischemia research. This paper introduces the latest proceedings of metabolomics
      research on cerebral ischemia. The main techniques, models, animals, and
      biomarkers of cerebral ischemia will be discussed. With analysis help from the
      MBRole website and the KEGG database, the altered metabolites in rat cerebral
      ischemia were used for metabolic pathway enrichment analyses. Our results
      identify the main metabolic pathways that are related to cerebral ischemia and
      further construct a metabolic network. These results will provide useful
      information for elucidating the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia, as well as the
      discovery of cerebral ischemia biomarkers. 

PMID- 27274782
TI  - Draft genome sequence of Fusicladium effusum, cause of pecan scab.
AB  - Pecan scab, caused by the plant pathogenic fungus Fusicladium effusum, is the
      most destructive disease of pecan, an important specialty crop cultivated in
      several regions of the world. Only a few members of the family Venturiaceae (in
      which the pathogen resides) have been reported sequenced. We report the first
      draft genome sequence (40.6 Mb) of an isolate F. effusum collected from a pecan
      tree (cv. Desirable) in central Georgia, in the US. The genome sequence described
      will be a useful resource for research of the biology and ecology of the
      pathogen, coevolution with the pecan host, characterization of genes of interest,
      and development of markers for studies of genetic diversity, genotyping and
      phylogenetic analysis. The annotation of the genome is described and a
      phylogenetic analysis is presented. 

PMID- 27274781
TI  - Antidiabetic and Antinephritic Activities of Aqueous Extract of Cordyceps
      militaris Fruit Body in Diet-Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Sprague Dawley Rats.
AB  - Cordyceps militaris has long been used as a crude drug and folk tonic food in
      East Asia. The present study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic and antinephritic
      effects of the aqueous extract of the Cordyceps militaris fruit body (CM) in diet
      streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats. During four weeks of continuous
      oral administration of CM at doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg and metformin at 100
      mg/kg, the fasting blood glucose and bodyweight of each rat were monitored.
      Hypoglycemic effects of CM on diabetic rats were indicated by decreases in plasma
      glucose, food and water intake, and urine output. The hypolipidemic activity of
      CM was confirmed by the normalization of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and
      low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in diabetic rats. Inhibitory
      effects on albuminuria, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and n-acetyl-beta-d
      glucosaminidase verified CM's renal protective activity in diabetic rats.
      Furthermore, CM exerted beneficial modulation of inflammatory factors and
      oxidative enzymes. Compared with untreated diabetic rats, CM decreased the
      expression of phosphor-AKT and phosphor-GSK-3beta in the kidneys. Altogether, via
      attenuating oxidative stress, CM displayed antidiabetic and antinephritic
      activities in diet-STZ-induced diabetic rats. 

PMID- 27274783
TI  - Comparing polysaccharide decomposition between the type strains Gramella
      echinicola KMM 6050(T) (DSM 19838(T)) and Gramella portivictoriae UST040801
      001(T) (DSM 23547(T)), and emended description of Gramella echinicola
      Nedashkovskaya et al. 2005 emend. Shahina et al. 2014 and Gramella portivictoriae
      Lau et al. 2005.
AB  - Strains of the genus Gramella (family Flavobacteriacae, phylum Bacteroidetes)
      were isolated from marine habitats such as tidal flat sediments, coastal surface
      seawater and sea urchins. Flavobacteriaceae have been shown to be involved in the
      decomposition of plant and algal polysaccharides. However, the potential to
      decompose polysaccharides may differ tremendously even between species of the
      same genus. Gramella echinicola KMM 6050(T) (DSM 19838(T)) and Gramella
      portivictoriae UST040801-001(T) (DSM 23547(T)) have genomes of similar lengths,
      similar numbers of protein coding genes and RNA genes. Both genomes encode for a
      greater number of peptidases compared to 'G. forsetii'. In contrast to the genome
      of 'G. forsetii', both genomes comprised a smaller set of CAZymes. Seven
      polysaccharide utilization loci were identified in the genomes of DSM 19838(T)
      and DSM 23547(T). Both Gramella strains hydrolyzed starch, galactomannan,
      arabinoxylan and hydroxyethyl-cellulose, but not pectin, chitosan and cellulose
      (Avicel). Galactan and xylan were hydrolyzed by strain DSM 19838(T), whereas
      strain DSM 23547(T) hydrolyzed pachyman and carboxy-methyl cellulose.
      Conclusively, both Gramella type strains exhibit characteristic physiological,
      morphological and genomic differences that might be linked to their habitat.
      Furthermore, the identified enzymes mediating polysaccharide decomposition, are
      of biotechnological interest. 

PMID- 27274784
TI  - Complete genome sequence of the haloalkaliphilic, obligately
      chemolithoautotrophic thiosulfate and sulfide-oxidizing gamma-proteobacterium
      Thioalkalimicrobium cyclicum type strain ALM 1 (DSM 14477(T)).
AB  - Thioalkalimicrobium cyclicum Sorokin et al. 2002 is a member of the family
      Piscirickettsiaceae in the order Thiotrichales. The gamma-proteobacterium belongs
      to the colourless sulfur-oxidizing bacteria isolated from saline soda lakes with
      stable alkaline pH, such as Lake Mono (California) and Soap Lake (Washington
      State). Strain ALM 1(T) is characterized by its adaptation to life in the
      oxic/anoxic interface towards the less saline aerobic waters (mixolimnion) of the
      stable stratified alkaline salt lakes. Strain ALM 1(T) is the first
      representative of the genus Thioalkalimicrobium whose genome sequence has been
      deciphered and the fourth genome sequence of a type strain of the
      Piscirickettsiaceae to be published. The 1,932,455 bp long chromosome with its
      1,684 protein-coding and 50 RNA genes was sequenced as part of the DOE Joint
      Genome Institute Community Sequencing Program (CSP) 2008. 

PMID- 27274785
TI  - Complete genome sequence of Streptococcus agalactiae strain GBS85147 serotype of
      type Ia isolated from human oropharynx.
AB  - Streptococcus agalactiae, also referred to as Group B Streptococcus, is a
      frequent resident of the rectovaginal tract in humans, and a major cause of
      neonatal infection. The pathogen can also infect adults with underlying disease,
      particularly the elderly and immunocompromised ones. In addition, S. agalactiae
      is a known fish pathogen, which compromises food safety and represents a zoonotic
      hazard. This study provides valuable structural, functional and evolutionary
      genomic information of a human S. agalactiae serotype Ia (ST-103) GBS85147 strain
      isolated from the oropharynx of an adult patient from Rio de Janeiro, thereby
      representing the first human isolate in Brazil. We used the Ion Torrent PGM
      platform with the 200 bp fragment library sequencing kit. The sequencing
      generated 578,082,183 bp, distributed among 2,973,022 reads, resulting in an
      approximately 246-fold mean coverage depth and was assembled using the Mira
      Assembler v3.9.18. The S. agalactiae strain GBS85147 comprises of a circular
      chromosome with a final genome length of 1,996,151 bp containing 1,915 protein
      coding genes, 18 rRNA, 63 tRNA, 2 pseudogenes and a G + C content of 35.48 %. 

PMID- 27274787
TI  - Screening for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Smoking Cessation Clinic
      in France.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to detect chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD) among smokers seeking treatment for the first time in a smoking
      cessation clinic and to assess the predictors of positive screening. METHODS:
      This study was based on a multicenter survey with questionnaires (Richmond,
      Fagerstrom, clinical signs) and spirometry miniaturized. Data were analyzed with
      SAS(r) by Pearson chi-square test, the test of analysis of variance, Spearman
      correlation coefficient, and multivariate logistic regression step down.
      FINDINGS: 1918 patients were assessed for eligibility and only 1737 were
      included. The report forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1/FEV6) was < 0.8
      for 33.2% of smokers and < 0.7 for 7.5% of them. People with likely COPD had more
      dyspnea (P < 0.010) and chronic bronchitis (CB) (P < 0.010). In multivariate
      analysis, CB, duration of smoking history since longer than 30 years, and dyspnea
      significantly increased the risk of being detected as COPD. The odds ratios of
      the above factors were 2.9, 4.1, and 4.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: 7.5% of
      smokers were likely COPD. Patient's risk factors, such as the presence of CB,
      smoking addiction for longer than 30 years, or dyspnea, were predictive of a
      positive screening for COPD.

PMID- 27274786
TI  - Stress pathways to health inequalities: Embedding ACEs within social and
      behavioral contexts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study addresses whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
      demonstrate disproportional prevalence across demographic- and health-affecting
      characteristics, offer significant explanation of adult health outcomes, and show
      patterned association with illness susceptibility early within and across
      adulthood when viewed in combination with income and psychosocial resources.
      METHODS: Data were derived from a population-based state health survey using
      stratified random sampling of household adults (n=7,470): ages 18-99 (M=55),
      59.9% females, and race/ethnicity, income and education levels representative of
      the region. We assessed ACEs by aggregating 8 adversity forms, 5 health behaviors
      and 3 psychosocial resources; and health outcomes (number of chronic conditions,
      subjective wellness). RESULTS: Disproportionality was evident in ACEs levels by
      demographics, adult SES, health behaviors, and psychosocial resources in expected
      directions. Stepped multiple regressions of health outcomes demonstrated
      significant betas and R2 change for each predictor block, revealing cumulative as
      well as unique explanatory utility. Early onset chronic illness was evident on
      the basis of ACEs levels. These illnesses were amplified for low income
      respondents. Prevalence was highest across adulthood for those also reporting low
      psychosocial assets. CONCLUSIONS: Findings offer novel insights as to the "long
      reach" of childhood adversity on health, conditioned by circumstances under which
      these effects may occur. Health resilience offered by health behaviors and
      psychosocial resources should shape thinking about preventive and remedial
      interventions by social work and allied professionals across a range of settings.

PMID- 27274788
TI  - Impact of Opium Addiction on Levels of Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines after
      Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Opium addiction alters immune responses to stresses such as an injury
      due to changing the secretion of cytokines. The present study assessed the effect
      of opium addiction on the cytokines [tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha),
      interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-10] before and after
      laparotomy. METHODS: Male rats were randomly divided into control and opium
      addicted (n = 20). Then, cytokines were measured before surgery, immediately
      after surgery (within 30-60 minutes) and 24 hours after surgery. FINDINGS: IFN
      gamma was raised in an addicted group in three phases of the study as compared to
      that of the control group. IL-4 in opium addicted group decreased in two phases
      after surgery compared to the control group. IL-4 was lower after surgery in
      comparison to before surgery in the opium addicted group. The difference in IL-10
      and TNFalpha levels was not statistically significant in the all groups measured
      in three phases of the investigation. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that opium
      addiction can increase plasma level of IFN-gamma in rats and decrease plasma
      level of IL-4 after surgical stress. It seems that opium addicted rats are a more
      susceptible to increased inflammation.

PMID- 27274789
TI  - Prevalence of Active and Passive Smoking among Adult Population: Findings of a
      Population-Based Survey in Kerman (KERCADRS), Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smoking is one of the major modifiable risk factors for non
      communicable diseases. Our aim was to report the pattern of active and passive
      smoking using the data collected through a population-base household survey in
      Kerman, Iran [(KERCADRS) Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors Study].
      METHODS: Using a cluster random sampling design, we recruited 5900 adult persons
      (15-75 years old) into our survey. After consenting, every participant was
      interviewed by a trained interviewer. The section for smoking included questions
      about daily (smoking at least one cigarette per day), non-daily, past and passive
      cigarette smoking as well as the duration of the exposure. We used Kerman
      population distribution (as the target population) to adjust our estimates using
      direct standardization method. FINDINGS: Overall, 8.3% of study participants
      (15.5% in men vs. 0.8% in women, P = 0.010) reported themselves as daily smokers
      and an additional 1.7% (2.9% in men vs. 0.4% in women, P = 0.010) as non-daily
      smokers. The passive smoking was common in total (27.5%), while women experienced
      more exposure than men (30.1% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.010). In daily smokers, 3.2%
      smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day. Among passive smokers, 62.6% were exposed
      to cigarette smoke more than 6 days per week. CONCLUSION: Smoking is pretty
      common among adult populations, particularly in men. A majority of tobacco-free
      young adult women are exposed to passive smoking. Age and gender oriented
      interventions are required to change this risk pattern in Kerman community to
      prevent from further smoking related morbidities and mortalities.

PMID- 27274790
TI  - Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Dental Settings: An Exploratory Survey in
      Bangalore City, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smoking and other forms of tobacco use remain the most significant
      worldwide public health problem. The dental practice is being identified as
      potential location for smoking cessation activity. Nicotine replacement therapy
      (NRT) promotes the chances of tobacco cessation, however, evidence related to
      prescription of the NRT in dental settings is lacking. This study aimed to assess
      and compare the attitudes, practices, beliefs, and barriers in prescribing NRT
      for tobacco cessation among dental interns and post-graduates (PGs). METHODS: For
      a cross-sectional survey among 232 participants from 10 dental colleges in
      Bangalore, India, a 21-item questionnaire was developed: 11-item based on
      attitudes and practices toward tobacco cessation and 10-items regarding scope and
      challenges in prescribing NRT. The data were analyzed using descriptive
      statistics, chi-square test, and test of proportions. FINDINGS: Majority of
      participants reported ongoing tobacco cessation activity in their college.
      Statistically significant difference was found between interns and PGs for items
      related to tobacco cessation practice (assisting, providing follow-up visit).
      Regarding NRT, significant differences were seen for items related to practice
      (assisting, assessing motivation for NRT), belief (not an appropriate activity
      for dentist, a valuable resource, increase in quit attempts) and barriers (bitter
      taste, cost, and fear of addiction) (P < 0.050). The majority of the PGs
      suggested cessation center followed by health care workers and pharmacists for
      the provision of subsidized nicotine gums. CONCLUSION: Favorable practices and
      beliefs are seen regarding the prescription of NRT among interns and PGs although
      differences exist. Time, cost, and taste emerged as major barriers.

PMID- 27274791
TI  - Comparing Time Perception among Morphine-Derived Drugs Addicts and Controls.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to compare time perception among drug
      addicts and controls. METHODS: 30 drug addicts were selected, and 30 non-addict
      individuals were selected as the control group. The two groups performed three
      tests of time reproduction, time estimation, and time discrimination. FINDINGS:
      There was a significant difference between the addicts group and the control
      group regarding the error of time reproduction and time estimation. The addict
      group in comparison to the control group had a lower under-reproduction and a
      higher over-reproduction error, and also a lower under-estimation and higher over
      estimation error. However, regarding time discrimination, no significant
      difference was observed between the errors committed by both groups. On the other
      hand, when showing images of drug consumption tools and normal images with same
      durations, the normal group believed that the images related to drug consumption
      tools were shown for a shorter period of time. CONCLUSION: Time perception is
      different between morphine-derived drugs addicts and controls.

PMID- 27274792
TI  - Evaluation of the Prevalence of Drug Abuse and Smoking in Parents of Children
      with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 5% of
      children. In addition to pharmacotherapy, non-drug treatments such as appropriate
      parenting are also very important in the treatment of these children. Diagnosis
      and treatment of parents with psychiatric disorders and substance abuse and
      evaluation of the frequency of these disorders in parents is critical. METHODS:
      In this case-control study, 200 parents were studied. The target population
      included parents of 7 to 12 year-old children who referred to child and
      adolescent psychiatric clinics. The control group included parents of children
      who referred to child non-psychiatric clinics. The parents were evaluated via a
      demographic information form, and structured interviews based on the Diagnostic
      and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) for nicotine and
      drug addiction. Then, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton
      Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was used to assess their anxiety and depression.
      FINDINGS: Among the studied parents, the comparison of drug abuse, smoking, and
      stress showed significant differences between the two groups. In terms of
      depression and ADHD, the difference between the case and control groups was not
      statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence of these disorders
      in parents of children with ADHD may indicate the possible role of this disorder
      in the etiology.

PMID- 27274793
TI  - Relapse and Risk-taking among Iranian Methamphetamine Abusers Undergoing Matrix
      Treatment Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study investigated the correlation between risk-taking and
      relapse among methamphetamine (MA) abusers undergoing the Matrix Model of
      treatment. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on male patients who
      were stimulant drug abusers undergoing the matrix treatment in the National
      Center for Addiction Research. A sampling was done using the availability method
      including 92 male patients. Demographic questionnaires and drug abuse related
      questionnaire were completed for each patient. Then, Bart's balloon risk-taking
      test was administered to the patients. FINDINGS: Participants had a mean age +/-
      standard deviation (SD) of 27.59 +/- 6.60 years with an age range of 17-29 years.
      Unemployment, unmarried status, criminal offense, and also addiction family
      history increased the probability of relapse. In addition, a greater adjusted
      score of the risk-taking test increased the odds of relapse by more than 97%. The
      simultaneous abuse of opium and stimulants compared to the abuse of stimulants
      only, revealed no statistically significant differences for relapse. Patients
      with higher risk-taking behavior had a more probability of relapse. CONCLUSION:
      This finding indirectly implies the usefulness of Bart's risk-taking test in
      assessing risk-taking behavior in stimulant drug abusers.

PMID- 27274794
TI  - Predisposing Factors for Methadone Poisoning in Children Hospitalized at Kerman
      Afzalipour Hospital, Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methadone is a synthetic opioid that has been used to relieve severe
      pain in addiction withdrawal. Unfortunately, due to non-standard supply and
      storage, the incidence of poisoning and deaths caused by this drug is increasing
      daily. The purpose of this study was to determine the underlying causes of
      methadone poisoning in children admitted to Kerman Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman
      University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during 2012. METHODS: This cross-sectional
      study was performed on 105 children diagnosed with methadone poisoning and
      admitted to the pediatric emergency ward at Kerman Afzalipour Hospital. The
      required information was recorded through interviews with parents, patient
      examination, and if necessary telephone calls with the parents. The data were
      analyzed using SPSS software. FINDINGS: Mean age of children was 3.9 +/- 2.4
      years and 59.0% of them were boys. Most parents had a high school diploma or a
      lower level of education. In all cases, a family member or relative, or at least
      one person in a party they attended was an addict. In most cases, methadone was
      fed to the child by mistake instead of water or other drugs. Parental substance
      abuse, employment status, and family income were significantly associated with
      methadone poisoning. CONCLUSION: Training of methadone storage in individuals who
      need to use this drug can help to prevent accidental ingestion and poisoning of
      children.

PMID- 27274795
TI  - Effective Interventions to Improve Triangular Clinic Services.

PMID- 27274796
TI  - Leaf cellulose density as the key determinant of inter- and intra-specific
      variation in leaf fracture toughness in a species-rich tropical forest.
AB  - Leaves as the main photosynthetic organ of plants must be well protected against
      various hazards to achieve their optimal lifespans. Yet, within-species variation
      and the material basis of leaf strength have been explored for very few species.
      Here, we present a large dataset of leaf fracture toughness from a species-rich
      humid tropical forest on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, reporting both among- and
      within-species variation in relation to light environment (sun-lit canopy versus
      shaded understorey) and ontogeny (seedlings versus adults). In this dataset
      encompassing 281 free-standing woody species and 428 species-light combinations,
      lamina fracture toughness varied ca 10 times. A central objective of our study
      was to identify generalizable patterns in the structural and material basis for
      interspecific variation in leaf lamina fracture toughness. The leaf lamina is a
      heterogeneous structure in which strong materials in cell walls, such as
      cellulose and lignin, contribute disproportionately to fracture toughness. We
      found significant increases in leaf fracture toughness from shade to sun and from
      seedling leaves to adult leaves. Both within and across species, leaf fracture
      toughness increased with total bulk density (dry biomass per unit volume) and
      cellulose mass concentration, but decreased with mass concentrations of lignin
      and hemicelluose. These bivariate relationships shift between light environments,
      but leaf cellulose density (cellulose mass per unit leaf volume) exhibits a
      common relationship with lamina fracture toughness between light environments and
      through ontogeny. Hence, leaf cellulose density is probably a universal predictor
      of leaf fracture toughness. 

PMID- 27274797
TI  - Minimally disruptive needle insertion: a biologically inspired solution.
AB  - The mobility of soft tissue can cause inaccurate needle insertions. Particularly
      in steering applications that employ thin and flexible needles, large deviations
      can occur between pre-operative images of the patient, from which a procedure is
      planned, and the intra-operative scene, where a procedure is executed. Although
      many approaches for reducing tissue motion focus on external constraining or
      manipulation, little attention has been paid to the way the needle is inserted
      and actuated within soft tissue. Using our biologically inspired steerable
      needle, we present a method of reducing the disruptiveness of insertions by
      mimicking the burrowing mechanism of ovipositing wasps. Internal displacements
      and strains in three dimensions within a soft tissue phantom are measured at the
      needle interface, using a scanning laser-based image correlation technique.
      Compared to a conventional insertion method with an equally sized needle, overall
      displacements and strains in the needle vicinity are reduced by 30% and 41%,
      respectively. The results show that, for a given net speed, needle insertion can
      be made significantly less disruptive with respect to its surroundings by
      employing our biologically inspired solution. This will have significant impact
      on both the safety and targeting accuracy of percutaneous interventions along
      both straight and curved trajectories. 

PMID- 27274798
TI  - Fundamentals of cutting.
AB  - The process of cutting is analysed in fracture mechanics terms with a view to
      quantifying the various parameters involved. The model used is that of orthogonal
      cutting with a wedge removing a layer of material or chip. The behaviour of the
      chip is governed by its thickness and for large radii of curvature the chip is
      elastic and smooth cutting occurs. For smaller thicknesses, there is a
      transition, first to plastic bending and then to plastic shear for small
      thicknesses and smooth chips are formed. The governing parameters are tool
      geometry, which is principally the wedge angle, and the material properties of
      elastic modulus, yield stress and fracture toughness. Friction can also be
      important. It is demonstrated that the cutting process may be quantified via
      these parameters, which could be useful in the study of cutting in biology. 

PMID- 27274799
TI  - Cutting food in terrestrial carnivores and herbivores.
AB  - Insects and mammals cut their food up into small pieces to facilitate ingestion
      and chemical digestion. Teeth and jaws act as cutting tools, but, unlike
      engineering tools designed for a specific purpose, must generally cope with
      substantial variation in food properties and work at many scales. Knowing how
      teeth and jaws work effectively requires an understanding of the cutting on the
      edges and the mechanisms that remove cut material. Variability and heterogeneity
      of diet properties are not well known, and, for example, may be higher and
      overlap more in the browsing and grazing categories of plant diets. A
      reinterpretation of tooth function in large mammal browsers and grazers is
      proposed. 

PMID- 27274800
TI  - Numerical modelling of orthogonal cutting: application to woodworking with a
      bench plane.
AB  - A numerical model for orthogonal cutting using the material point method was
      applied to woodcutting using a bench plane. The cutting process was modelled by
      accounting for surface energy associated with wood fracture toughness for crack
      growth parallel to the grain. By using damping to deal with dynamic crack
      propagation and modelling all contact between wood and the plane, simulations
      could initiate chip formation and proceed into steady-state chip propagation
      including chip curling. Once steady-state conditions were achieved, the cutting
      forces became constant and could be determined as a function of various
      simulation variables. The modelling details included a cutting tool, the tool's
      rake and grinding angles, a chip breaker, a base plate and a mouth opening
      between the base plate and the tool. The wood was modelled as an anisotropic
      elastic-plastic material. The simulations were verified by comparison to an
      analytical model and then used to conduct virtual experiments on wood planing.
      The virtual experiments showed interactions between depth of cut, chip breaker
      location and mouth opening. Additional simulations investigated the role of tool
      grinding angle, tool sharpness and friction. 

PMID- 27274801
TI  - Point of impact: the effect of size and speed on puncture mechanics.
AB  - The use of high-speed puncture mechanics for prey capture has been documented
      across a wide range of organisms, including vertebrates, arthropods, molluscs and
      cnidarians. These examples span four phyla and seven orders of magnitude
      difference in size. The commonality of these puncture systems offers an
      opportunity to explore how organisms at different scales and with different
      materials, morphologies and kinematics perform the same basic function. However,
      there is currently no framework for combining kinematic performance with cutting
      mechanics in biological puncture systems. Our aim here is to establish this
      framework by examining the effects of size and velocity in a series of controlled
      ballistic puncture experiments. Arrows of identical shape but varying in mass and
      speed were shot into cubes of ballistic gelatine. Results from high-speed
      videography show that projectile velocity can alter how the target gel responds
      to cutting. Mixed models comparing kinematic variables and puncture patterns
      indicate that the kinetic energy of a projectile is a better predictor of
      penetration than either momentum or velocity. These results form a foundation for
      studying the effects of impact on biological puncture, opening the door for
      future work to explore the influence of morphology and material organization on
      high-speed cutting dynamics. 

PMID- 27274802
TI  - Root dentine and endodontic instrumentation: cutting edge microscopic imaging.
AB  - Cutting of the dental hard tissues is an integral part of restorative dentistry.
      Cutting of the root dentine is also needed in preparation prior to endodontic
      treatment, with significant commercial investment for the development of flexible
      cutting instruments based around nickel titanium (NiTi) alloys. This paper
      describes the evolution of endodontic cutting instruments, both in materials
      used, e.g. the transition from stainless steel to NiTi, and the design of the
      actual instruments themselves and their method of activation-by hand or motor
      driven. We have been examining tooth-cutting interactions microscopically for
      over 25 years using a variety of microscopic techniques; in particular, video
      rate confocal microscopy. This has given a unique insight into how many of the
      procedures that we take for granted are achieved in clinical practice, by showing
      microscopic video images of the cutting as it occurs within the tooth. This
      technology has now been extended to allow imaging of the endodontic instrument
      and the root canal wall for the first time. We are able to image dentine
      distortion and crack propagation during endodontic filing of the root canal
      space. We are also able to visualize the often claimed, but seldom seen action of
      contemporary endodontic instruments. 

PMID- 27274804
TI  - Is fracture a bigger problem for smaller animals? Force and fracture scaling for
      a simple model of cutting, puncture and crushing.
AB  - Many of the materials that are challenging for large animals to cut or puncture
      are also cut and punctured by much smaller organisms that are limited to much
      smaller forces. Small organisms can overcome their force limitations by using
      sharper tools, but one drawback may be an increased susceptibility to fracture.
      We use simple contact mechanics models to estimate how much smaller the diameter
      of the tips or edges of tools such as teeth, claws and cutting blades must be in
      smaller organisms in order for them to puncture or cut the same materials as
      larger organisms. In order to produce the same maximum stress when maximum force
      scales as the square of body length, the diameter of the tool region that is in
      contact with the target material must scale isometrically for punch-like tools
      (e.g. scorpion stings) on thick targets, and for crushing tools (e.g. molars).
      For punch-like tools on thin targets, and for cutting blades on thick targets,
      the tip or edge diameters must be even smaller than expected from isometry in
      smaller animals. The diameters of a small sample of unworn punch-like tools from
      a large range of animal sizes are consistent with the model, scaling
      isometrically or more steeply (positively allometric). In addition, we find that
      the force required to puncture a thin target using real biological tools scales
      linearly with tip diameter, as predicted by the model. We argue that, for smaller
      tools, the minimum energy to fracture the tool will be a greater fraction of the
      minimum energy required to puncture the target, making fracture more likely.
      Finally, energy stored in tool bending, relative to the energy to fracture the
      tool, increases rapidly with the aspect ratio (length/width), and we expect that
      smaller organisms often have to employ higher aspect ratio tools in order to
      puncture or cut to the required depth with available force. The extra stored
      energy in higher aspect ratio tools is likely to increase the probability of
      fracture. We discuss some of the implications of the suggested scaling rules and
      possible adaptations to compensate for fracture sensitivity in smaller organisms.

PMID- 27274803
TI  - How chimpanzees integrate sensory information to select figs.
AB  - Figs are keystone resources that sustain chimpanzees when preferred fruits are
      scarce. Many figs retain a green(ish) colour throughout development, a pattern
      that causes chimpanzees to evaluate edibility on the basis of achromatic
      accessory cues. Such behaviour is conspicuous because it entails a succession of
      discrete sensory assessments, including the deliberate palpation of individual
      figs, a task that requires advanced visuomotor control. These actions are
      strongly suggestive of domain-specific information processing and decision
      making, and they call attention to a potential selective force on the origin of
      advanced manual prehension and digital dexterity during primate evolution. To
      explore this concept, we report on the foraging behaviours of chimpanzees and the
      spectral, chemical and mechanical properties of figs, with cutting tests
      revealing ease of fracture in the mouth. By integrating the ability of different
      sensory cues to predict fructose content in a Bayesian updating framework, we
      quantified the amount of information gained when a chimpanzee successively
      observes, palpates and bites the green figs of Ficus sansibarica. We found that
      the cue eliciting ingestion was not colour or size, but fig mechanics (including
      toughness estimates from wedge tests), which relays higher-quality information on
      fructose concentrations than colour vision. This result explains why chimpanzees
      evaluate green figs by palpation and dental incision, actions that could explain
      the adaptive origins of advanced manual prehension. 

PMID- 27274805
TI  - Fracture investigation in starch-based foods.
AB  - The study of oral processing and specifically cutting of the food piece during
      mastication can lead towards optimization of products for humans or animals. Food
      materials are complex biocomposites with a highly nonlinear constitutive
      response. Their fracture properties have not been largely investigated, while the
      need for models capable of predicting food breakdown increases. In this study,
      the blade cutting and the essential work of fracture (EWF) methodologies assessed
      the fracture behaviour of starch-based pet food. Tensile tests revealed rate
      dependent stiffness and stress softening effects, attributed to viscoplasticity
      and micro-cracking, respectively. Cutting data were collected for 5, 10 and 30 mm
      s(-1) sample feed rates, whereas the EWF tests were conducted at 1.7, 3.3 and 8.3
      mm s(-1) crosshead speeds corresponding to average crack speeds of 4, 7 and 15 mm
      s(-1), respectively. A reasonable agreement was achieved between cutting and EWF,
      reporting 1.26, 1.78, 1.76 kJ m(-2) and 1.52, 1.37, 1.45 kJ m(-2) values,
      respectively, for the corresponding crack speeds. These toughness data were used
      in a novel numerical model simulating the 'first' bite mastication process. A
      viscoplastic material model is adopted for the food piece, combined with a damage
      law that enabled predicting fracture patterns in the product. 

PMID- 27274806
TI  - Cut marks on bone surfaces: influences on variation in the form of traces of
      ancient behaviour.
AB  - Although we know that our lineage has been producing sharp-edged tools for over
      2.6 Myr, our knowledge of what they were doing with these tools is far less
      complete. Studies of these sharp-edged stone tools show that they were most
      probably used as cutting implements. However, the only substantial evidence of
      this is the presence of cut marks on the bones of animals found in association
      with stone tools in ancient deposits. Numerous studies have aimed to quantify the
      frequency and placement of these marks. At present there is little consensus on
      the meaning of these marks and how the frequency relates to specific behaviours
      in the past. Here we investigate the possibility that mechanical properties
      associated with edges of stone tools as well as the properties of bones
      themselves may contribute to the overall morphology of these marks and ultimately
      their placement in the archaeological record. Standardized tests of rock
      mechanics (Young's modulus and Vickers hardness) indicate that the hardness of
      tool edges significantly affects cut-mark morphology. In addition, we show that
      indentation hardness of bones also impacts the overall morphology of cut marks.
      Our results show that rock type and bone portions influence the shape and
      prevalence of cut marks on animal bones. 

PMID- 27274808
TI  - Slice-push, formation of grooves and the scale effect in cutting.
AB  - Three separate aspects of cutting are investigated which complement other papers
      on the mechanics of separation processes presented at this interdisciplinary Theo
      Murphy meeting. They apply in all types of cutting whether blades are sharp or
      blunt, and whether the material being cut is 'hard, stiff and strong' or 'soft,
      compliant and weak'. The first topic discusses why it is easier to cut when there
      is motion along (parallel to) the blade as well motion across (perpendicular to)
      the cutting edge, and the analysis is applied to optimization of blade geometries
      to produce minimum cutting forces and hence minimum damage to cut surfaces. The
      second topic concerns cutting with more than one edge with particular application
      to the formation of grooves in surfaces by hard pointed tools. The mechanics are
      investigated and applied to the topic of abrasive wear by hard particles.
      Traditional analyses say that abrasive wear resistance increases monotonically
      with the hardness of the workpiece, but we show that the fracture toughness of
      the surface material is also important, and that behaviour is determined by the
      toughness-to-hardness ratio rather than hardness alone. Scaling forms the third
      subject. As cutting is a branch of elasto-plastic fracture mechanics, cube-square
      energy scaling applies in which the important length scale is (ER/k (2)), where E
      is Young's modulus, R is the fracture toughness and k is the shear yield
      strength. Whether, in cutting, material is removed as ductile ribbons, as semi
      ductile discontinuous chips, or by brittle 'knocking lumps out' is shown to
      depend on the depth of cut relative to this characteristic length parameter.
      Scaling in biology is called allometry and its relationship with engineering
      scaling is discussed. Some speculative predictions are made in relation to the
      action of teeth on food. 

PMID- 27274807
TI  - Dental abrasion as a cutting process.
AB  - A mammalian tooth is abraded when a sliding contact between a particle and the
      tooth surface leads to an immediate loss of tooth tissue. Over time, these
      contacts can lead to wear serious enough to impair the oral processing of food.
      Both anatomical and physiological mechanisms have evolved in mammals to try to
      prevent wear, indicating its evolutionary importance, but it is still an
      established survival threat. Here we consider that many wear marks result from a
      cutting action whereby the contacting tip(s) of such wear particles acts akin to
      a tool tip. Recent theoretical developments show that it is possible to estimate
      the toughness of abraded materials via cutting tests. Here, we report experiments
      intended to establish the wear resistance of enamel in terms of its toughness and
      how friction varies. Imaging via atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to assess
      the damage involved. Damage ranged from pure plastic deformation to fracture with
      and without lateral microcracks. Grooves cut with a Berkovich diamond were the
      most consistent, suggesting that the toughness of enamel in cutting is 244 J m(
      2), which is very high. Friction was higher in the presence of a polyphenolic
      compound, indicating that this could increase wear potential. 

PMID- 27274809
TI  - Correction to 'Collagen network strengthening following cyclic tensile loading'.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2015.0088.]. 

PMID- 27274810
TI  - Lmod2 piggyBac mutant mice exhibit dilated cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leiomodin proteins, Lmod1, Lmod2 and Lmod3, are key regulators of the
      thin filament length in muscles. While Lmod1 is specifically expressed in smooth
      muscles, both Lmod2 and Lmod3 are expressed in striated muscles including both
      cardiac and skeletal muscles. We and others have previously shown that Lmod3
      mainly function in skeletal muscles and the mutant mice display disorganized
      sarcomere. Lmod2 protein has been found to act as an actin filament nucleator in
      both cell-free assays and in cultured rat and chicken cardiomyocytes. RESULTS: To
      better understand the function of Lmod2 in vivo, we have identified and
      characterized a piggyBac (PB) insertional mouse mutant. Our analysis revealed
      that the PB transposon inserts in the first exon of the Lmod2 gene and severely
      disrupts its expression. We found that Lmod2 (PB/PB) mice exhibit typical dilated
      cardiomyopathy (DCM) with ventricular arrhythmias and postnatal lethality.
      Electron microscope reveals that the Lmod2 (PB/PB) hearts carry disordered
      sarcomere, disarrayed thin filaments, and distorted intercalated discs (ICDs).
      Those ICDs display not only decreased convolutions, but also reduced electron
      dense staining, indicating less ICDs component proteins in Lmod2 (PB/PB) hearts.
      Consistent with the phenotype, the expression of the ICD component genes, beta
      catenin and Connexin43, are down-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data
      reveal that Lmod2 is required in heart thin filaments for integrity of sarcomere
      and ICD and deficient mice exhibit DCM with ventricular arrhythmias and postnatal
      lethality. The Lmod2 (PB/PB) mutant offers a valuable resource for interrogation
      of pathogenesis and development of therapeutics for DCM.

PMID- 27239267
TI  - Case Report: A case report of dry tap during ventriculostomy.
AB  - Pneumocephalus following ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion is an
      exceptionally rare occurrence. We report such an event after attempting
      ventricular puncture (ventriculostomy) for VP shunt insertion and then discuss
      the management of the same. Dry tap can lead to multiple attempts for
      ventriculostomy with the associated added risks of complications, as well as
      complicating the subsequent management. In addition, there is an increased risk
      of tension pneumocephalus, seizure and shunt failure due to a blockage by air
      bubbles. Our patient presented with features of raised intracranial pressure two
      months following craniotomy and evacuation of traumatic subdural hematoma.
      External ventricular puncture revealed egress of CSF under pressure. Upon
      attempting VP shunting for post-traumatic hydrocephalus, we experienced dry tap
      during ventricular puncture that complicated further management. We placed the
      proximal shunt in the presumed location of the foramen of Monro of ipsilateral
      frontal horn of lateral ventricle and did not remove the external ventricular
      drain. Post-operative CT scan revealed pneumoventriculi as the cause for the dry
      tap during ventricular puncture. Patient was managed with 100% oxygen. He showed
      gradual improvement and was later discharged. This case shows that variations in
      the procedure, including head down positioning, adequate cruciate dural incision
      prior to cortex puncture, and avoiding excessive egress of CSF can help to
      prevent such complications. 

PMID- 27274811
TI  - Absence of Cytotoxicity towards Microglia of Iron Oxide (alpha-Fe2O3)
      Nanorhombohedra.
AB  - Understanding the nature of interactions between nanomaterials, such as
      commercially ubiquitous hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) Nanorhombohedra (N-Rhomb) and
      biological systems is of critical importance for gaining insight into the
      practical applicability of nanomaterials. Microglia represent the first line of
      defense in the central nervous system (CNS) during severe injury or disease such
      as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease as illustrative examples. Hence, to
      analyze the potential cytotoxic effect of nanorhombohedra exposure in the
      presence of microglia, we have synthesized Rhodamine B (RhB) labeled-alpha-Fe2O3
      N-Rhomb, with lengths of 47 +/- 10 nm and widths of 35 +/- 8 nm. Internalization
      of RhB labeled-alpha-Fe2O3 N-Rhomb by microglia in the mouse brain was observed,
      and a dose-dependent increase in the cellular iron content as probed by cellular
      fluorescence was detected in cultured microglia after nanoparticle exposure. The
      cells maintained clear functional viability, exhibiting little to no cytotoxic
      effects after 24 and 48 hours at acceptable, physiological concentrations.
      Importantly, the nanoparticle exposure did not induce microglial cells to produce
      either tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) or interleukin 1-beta (IL1beta),
      two pro-inflammatory cytokines, nor did exposure induce the production of
      nitrites and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are common indicators for the
      onset of inflammation. Finally, we propose that under the conditions of our
      experiments, i.e. in the presence of RhB labeled-alpha-Fe2O3 N-Rhomb maintaining
      concentrations of up to 100 ug/mL after 48 hours of incubation, the in vitro and
      in vivo internalization of RhB labeled-alpha-Fe2O3 N-Rhomb are likely to be
      clathrin-dependent, which represents a conventional mechanistic uptake route for
      most cells. Given the crucial role that microglia play in many neurological
      disorders, understanding the potential cytotoxic effects of these nanostructures
      is of fundamental importance if they are to be used in a therapeutic setting.

PMID- 27239268
TI  - Enteropathogenic E. coli: breaking the intestinal tight junction barrier.
AB  - Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) causes acute intestinal infections in infants in
      the developing world. Infection typically spreads through contaminated food and
      water and leads to severe, watery diarrhea. EPEC attaches to the intestinal
      epithelial cells and directly injects virulence factors which modulate multiple
      signaling pathways leading to host cell dysfunction. However, the molecular
      mechanisms that regulate the onset of diarrhea are poorly defined. A major target
      of EPEC is the host cell tight junction complex which acts as a barrier and
      regulates the passage of water and solutes through the paracellular space. In
      this review, we focus on the EPEC effectors that target the epithelial barrier,
      alter its functions and contribute to leakage through the tight junctions. 

PMID- 27274814
TI  - The potential of plants as a system for the development and production of human
      biologics.
AB  - The growing promise of plant-made biologics is highlighted by the success story
      of ZMappTM as a potentially life-saving drug during the Ebola outbreak of 2014
      2016. Current plant expression platforms offer features beyond the traditional
      advantages of low cost, high scalability, increased safety, and eukaryotic
      protein modification. Novel transient expression vectors have been developed that
      allow the production of vaccines and therapeutics at unprecedented speed to
      control potential pandemics or bioterrorism attacks. Plant-host engineering
      provides a method for producing proteins with unique and uniform mammalian post
      translational modifications, providing opportunities to develop biologics with
      increased efficacy relative to their mammalian cell-produced counterparts. Recent
      demonstrations that plant-made proteins can function as biocontrol agents of
      foodborne pathogens further exemplify the potential utility of plant-based
      protein production. However, resolving the technical and regulatory challenges of
      commercial-scale production, garnering acceptance from large pharmaceutical
      companies, and obtaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for several
      major classes of biologics are essential steps to fulfilling the untapped
      potential of this technology. 

PMID- 27274815
TI  - Cholera outbreak caused by drug resistant Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 biotype
      ElTor serotype Ogawa in Nepal; a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cholera is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in underdeveloped
      countries including Nepal. Recently drug resistance in Vibrio cholerae has become
      a serious problem mainly in developing countries. The main objectives of our
      study were to investigate the occurrence of Vibrio cholerae in stool samples from
      patients with watery diarrhea and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility
      patterns of V. cholerae isolates. METHODS: A total of 116 stool samples from
      patients suffering from watery diarrhea during July to December 2012 were
      obtained from outbreak areas from all over Nepal. Alkaline peptone water and
      thiosulphate citrate bile salt sucrose agar (TCBS) were used to isolate the
      Vibrio cholerae. The isolates were identified with the help of colony morphology,
      Gram's staining, conventional biochemical testing, serotyping and biotyping.
      Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by determining the minimum
      inhibitory concentration (MIC) by agar dilution method. RESULTS: Vibrio cholerae
      was isolated from 26.72 % of total samples. All isolated Vibrio cholerae were
      confirmed to be Vibrio cholerae serogoup O1 biotype El Tor and serotype Ogawa.
      All isolates were resistant to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole. Twenty nine isolates
      were resistant toward two different classes of antibiotics, one strain was
      resistant to three different classes of antibiotics and one strain was resistant
      to four different classes of antibiotics. According to the definition of the
      multidrug resistant bacteria; 6.45 % of the strains of Vibrio cholerae were found
      to be multidrug resistant. CONCLUSIONS: Cholera due to multidrug resistant Vibrio
      cholerae is also possible in Nepal. According to the antimicrobial susceptibility
      pattern of Vibrio cholerae in our study we recommend to use any antibiotics among
      tetracycline, doxycycline, levofloxacin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol and
      ciprofloxacin for preliminary treatment of cholera in Nepal.

PMID- 27274816
TI  - Feasibility of a hemodialysis safety checklist for nurses and patients: a quality
      improvement study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with end-stage renal disease are at high risk for medical
      errors given their comorbidities, polypharmacy and coordination of care with
      other hospital departments. We previously developed a hemodialysis safety
      checklist (Hemo Pause) to be jointly completed by nurses and patients. Our
      objective was to determine the feasibility of using this checklist during every
      hemodialysis session for 3 months. METHODS: We conducted a single-center,
      prospective time series study. A convenience sample of 14 nurses and 22 prevalent
      in-center hemodialysis patients volunteered to participate. All participants were
      trained in the administration of the Hemo Pause checklist. The primary outcome
      was completion of the Hemo Pause checklist, which was assessed at weekly
      intervals. We also measured the acceptability of the Hemo Pause checklist using a
      local patient safety survey. RESULTS: There were 799 hemodialysis treatments pre
      intervention (13 January-5 April 2014) and 757 post-intervention (5 May-26 July
      2014). The checklist was completed for 556 of the 757 (73%) treatments. Among the
      hemodialysis nurses, 93% (13/14) agreed that the checklist was easy to use and
      79% (11/14) agreed it should be expanded to other patients. Among the
      hemodialysis patients, 73% (16/22) agreed that the checklist made them feel safer
      and should be expanded to other patients. CONCLUSIONS: The Hemo Pause safety
      checklist was acceptable to both nurses and patients over 3 months. Our next step
      is to spread this checklist locally and conduct a mixed methods study to
      determine mechanisms by which its use may improve safety culture and reduce
      adverse events.

PMID- 27274817
TI  - Omics databases on kidney disease: where they can be found and how to benefit
      from them.
AB  - In the recent decades, the evolution of omics technologies has led to advances in
      all biological fields, creating a demand for effective storage, management and
      exchange of rapidly generated data and research discoveries. To address this
      need, the development of databases of experimental outputs has become a common
      part of scientific practice in order to serve as knowledge sources and data
      sharing platforms, providing information about genes, transcripts, proteins or
      metabolites. In this review, we present omics databases available currently, with
      a special focus on their application in kidney research and possibly in clinical
      practice. Databases are divided into two categories: general databases with a
      broad information scope and kidney-specific databases distinctively concentrated
      on kidney pathologies. In research, databases can be used as a rich source of
      information about pathophysiological mechanisms and molecular targets. In the
      future, databases will support clinicians with their decisions, providing better
      and faster diagnoses and setting the direction towards more preventive,
      personalized medicine. We also provide a test case demonstrating the potential of
      biological databases in comparing multi-omics datasets and generating new
      hypotheses to answer a critical and common diagnostic problem in nephrology
      practice. In the future, employment of databases combined with data integration
      and data mining should provide powerful insights into unlocking the mysteries of
      kidney disease, leading to a potential impact on pharmacological intervention and
      therapeutic disease management. 

PMID- 27274818
TI  - The cell cycle biomarkers: promising research, but do not oversell them.
AB  - This review focuses on the most recent scientific and clinical information on the
      development and clinical applicability of the cell cycle biomarkers TIMP-2 and
      IGFBP-7 in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients at risk for and suffering from
      acute kidney injury (AKI). A number of evaluation studies have demonstrated that
      compared with existing biomarkers, urinary excretion of the product of both
      biomarkers, [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP-7], improved diagnostic performance in assessing the
      risk for AKI, predicting the need for renal replacement therapy, AKI-related
      complications and short- and long-term prognoses. The reference intervals for
      these biomarkers, measured by the recently approved NephroCheck test, have been
      determined in apparently healthy adults and those with stable chronic morbid
      conditions without AKI. This review recognizes that the combination of these two
      cell cycle arrest markers for the early detection of AKI is promising but
      concludes that its clinical impact is still unproved. Clinicians should
      understand the utility and limitations of this test before deciding whether to
      make it available at their institution. 

PMID- 27274820
TI  - Fat tissue and inflammation in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Body weight has been increasing in the general population and is an
      established risk factor for hypertension, diabetes, and all-cause and
      cardiovascular mortality. Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) gain
      weight, mainly during the first months of treatment. The aim of this study was to
      assess the relationship between body composition and metabolic and inflammatory
      status in patients undergoing PD. METHODS: This was a prospective, non
      interventional study of prevalent patients receiving PD. Body composition was
      studied every 3 months using bioelectrical impedance (BCM((r))). We performed
      linear regression for each patient, including all BCM((r)) measurements, to
      calculate annual changes in body composition. Thirty-one patients in our PD unit
      met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 26 (range 17-27)
      months. Mean increase in weight was 1.8 +/- 2.8 kg/year. However, BCM((r))
      analysis revealed a mean increase in fat mass of 3.0 +/- 3.2 kg/year with a loss
      of lean mass of 2.3 +/- 4.1 kg/year during follow-up. The increase in fat mass
      was associated with the conicity index, suggesting that increases in fat mass are
      based mainly on abdominal adipose tissue. Changes in fat mass were directly
      associated with inflammation parameters such as C-reactive protein (r = 0.382, P
      = 0.045) and inversely associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=
      0.50, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up of weight and body mass index can
      underestimate the fat mass increase and miss lean mass loss. The increase in fat
      mass is associated with proinflammatory state and alteration in lipid profile.

PMID- 27274819
TI  - Adipocytokines in renal transplant recipients.
AB  - In the last two decades, perceptions about the role of body fat have changed.
      Adipocytes modulate endocrine and immune homeostasis by synthesizing hundreds of
      hormones, known as adipocytokines. Many studies have been investigating the
      influences and effects of these adipocytokines and suggest that they are
      modulated by the nutritional and immunologic milieu. Kidney transplant recipients
      (KTRs) are a unique and relevant population in which the function of
      adipocytokines can be examined, given their altered nutritional and immune status
      and subsequent dysregulation of adipocytokine metabolism. In this review, we
      summarize the recent findings about four specific adipocytokines and their
      respective roles in KTRs. We decided to evaluate the most widely described
      adipocytokines, including leptin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin. Increasing
      evidence suggests that these adipocytokines may lead to cardiovascular events and
      metabolic changes in the general population and may also increase mortality and
      graft loss rate in KTRs. In addition, we present findings on the
      interrelationship between serum adipocytokine levels and nutritional and
      immunologic status, and mechanisms by which adipocytokines modulate morbidity and
      outcomes in KTRs. 

PMID- 27274822
TI  - Efficacy and safety of adrenocorticotropic hormone treatment in glomerular
      diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) may
      be effective in treating various forms of glomerular diseases. However, the
      efficacy of treatment and frequency of adverse effects associated with the use of
      ACTH in glomerular diseases are unknown. A systematic review and meta-analysis of
      the literature was performed. METHODS: A literature search was performed using
      Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
      from inception through 18 July 2015. Studies assessing the efficacy and safety of
      ACTH treatment in adults with glomerular diseases were included. RESULTS: Of the
      343 identified citations, 18 evaluated the drug efficacy and 12 evaluated the
      adverse effects. The most common glomerular diseases were membranous nephropathy
      (MN), primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change
      disease (MCD). The overall rate of complete remission in MN was 80% at 0-6
      months, 69% at >6-12 months, 90% at >12-24 months and 95% beyond 24 months of
      follow-up. Fifty percent of primary FSGS and MCD patients treated with ACTH were
      in remission at 6 months, but the relapse rate was high after ACTH
      discontinuation (17%). Evidence of ACTH efficacy for other glomerular diseases
      was scarce. Edema was the most commonly reported adverse effect {incidence rate
      [IR] 0.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.18]} followed by insomnia [IR 0.08
      (95% CI 0.03-0.15)]. The dropout rate due to adverse events was 7%, mostly due to
      edema and weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: ACTH is a well-tolerated therapy and is most
      promising when treating patients with MN. There may be a potential role for ACTH
      in patients with MCD and FSGS, but data are lacking.

PMID- 27274821
TI  - Therapeutic variability in adult minimal change disease and focal segmental
      glomerulosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Variability in the management of glomerulonephritis may negatively
      impact efficacy and safety. However, there are little/no data on actual
      variability in the treatment of minimal change disease (MCD)/focal segmental
      glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in adults. We assessed Spanish practice patterns for
      the management of adult nephrotic syndrome due to MCD or FSGS. The absence of
      reasonably good evidence on treatment for a disease often increases the
      variability substantially. Identification of evidence-practice gaps is the first
      necessary step in the knowledge-to-action cyclical process. We aim to analyse the
      real clinical practice in adults in hospitals in Spain and compare this with the
      recently released Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes clinical practice
      guideline for glomerulonephritis. METHODS: Participating centres were required to
      include all adult patients (age >18 years) with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of MCD
      or FSGS from 2007 to 2011. Exclusion criteria included the diagnosis of secondary
      nephropathy. RESULTS: We studied 119 Caucasian patients with biopsy-proven MCD (n
      = 71) or FSGS (n = 48) from 13 Spanish hospitals. Of these patients, 102 received
      immunosuppressive treatment and 17 conservative treatment. The initial treatment
      was steroids, except in one patient in which mycophenolate mofetil was used. In
      all patients, the steroids were given as a single daily dose. The mean duration
      of steroid treatment at initial high doses was 8.7 +/- 13.2 weeks and the mean
      global duration was 38 +/- 32 weeks. The duration of initial high-dose steroids
      was <4 weeks in 41% of patients and >16 weeks in 10.5% of patients. We did find a
      weak and negative correlation between the duration of whole steroid treatment in
      the first episode and the number of the later relapses (r = -0.24, P = 0.023).
      There were 98 relapses and they were more frequent in MCD than in FSGs patients
      (2.10 +/- 1.6 versus 1.56 +/- 1.2; P = 0.09). The chosen treatment was mainly
      steroids (95%). Only seven relapses were treated with another drug as a first
      line treatment: two relapses were treated with mycophenolate and five relapses
      were treated with anticalcineurinics. A second-line treatment was needed in 29
      patients (24.4%), and the most frequent drugs were the calcineurin inhibitors
      (55%), followed by mycophenolate mofetil (31%). Although cyclophosphamide is the
      recommended treatment, it was used in only 14% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: We
      found variation from the guidelines in the duration of initial and tapered
      steroid therapy, in the medical criteria for classifying a steroid-resistant
      condition and in the chosen treatment for the second-line treatment. All
      nephrologists started with a daily dose of steroids as the first-line treatment.
      The most frequently used steroid-sparing drug was calcineurin inhibitors.
      Cyclophosphamide use was much lower than expected.

PMID- 27274823
TI  - Revisiting post-infectious glomerulonephritis in the emerging era of C3
      glomerulopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN) is an immune complex
      mediated glomerular injury that typically resolves. Dominant C3 deposition is
      characteristic of PIGN, but with the emergence of C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) as
      a distinct entity, it is unclear how the pathologic similarities between PIGN and
      C3GN should be reconciled. Therefore, nephrologists and nephropathologists need
      additional guidance at the time of biopsy. METHODS: We studied 23 pediatric and
      young adult patients diagnosed with PIGN. Patients were divided into two groups,
      one with co-dominance between C3 and immunoglobulins and the other meeting
      proposed diagnostic criteria for C3GN. Clinical and pathological features were
      compared. RESULTS: No clinical and/or pathological features could distinguish
      between those with C3-co-dominant deposits and those with C3 dominance. Nearly
      all patients in both groups regained their baseline renal function without
      clinical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Although the identification of abnormalities
      of the alternative pathway of complement is characteristic of C3GN, testing is
      not widely available and the turnaround time often exceeds 1 month. Our study
      found that PIGN with either co-dominant or dominant C3 deposition in a cohort of
      young patients has excellent short-term outcomes. Close clinical observation for
      persistent abnormalities, such as hypocomplementemia, prolonged hematuria or
      proteinuria, is recommended to single out patients that may harbor intrinsic
      complement abnormalities.

PMID- 27274824
TI  - Kidney transplant outcomes in familial C3 glomerulopathy.
AB  - C3 glomerulopathy, a newly designated entity, is characterized by glomerular
      disease associated with dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway and
      is a rare cause of end-stage kidney disease. Overall disease characteristics that
      include clinical presentation, laboratory assessment, histopathology and genetic
      background have only been unravelled in recent years and have led to the
      development of anti-complement therapies targeting different levels of the
      alternative pathway. We describe the long-term outcomes following kidney
      transplantation in an Irish family with familial C3 glomerulopathy due to a
      hybrid CFHR3-1 gene. 

PMID- 27274825
TI  - Recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis apparently resistant to
      plasmapheresis improves after surgical repair of arteriovenous fistula aneurysms.
AB  - Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a leading cause of end-stage renal
      disease and has a high recurrence rate after kidney transplantation, attributed
      to a circulating permeability factor. Plasmapheresis is the treatment of choice
      after recurrence to remove the circulating factor. We present a case of recurrent
      FSGS 6 years after transplantation. It is instructive because proteinuria did not
      respond to intensive plasmapheresis-combined with rituximab-until the possibility
      of ineffective apheresis secondary to multiple aneurysms in the arteriovenous
      fistula (AVF) was considered. Proteinuria improved soon after alternative access
      for plasmapheresis was secured and AVF aneurysms were surgically repaired. 

PMID- 27274826
TI  - Severe acute interstitial nephritis after combination immune-checkpoint inhibitor
      therapy for metastatic melanoma.
AB  - Immune-checkpoint inhibitors are emerging as revolutionary drugs for certain
      malignancies. However, blocking the co-inhibitory signals may lead to immune
      related adverse events, mainly in the spectrum of autoimmune diseases including
      colitis, endocrinopathies and nephritis. Here, we report a case of a 75-year-old
      man with metastatic malignant melanoma treated with a combination of nivolumab
      (anti-PD1-antibody) and ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4 antibody) who developed systemic
      rash along with severe acute tubulointerstitial nephritis after two doses of
      combination therapy. Kidney biopsy and peripheral blood immune profile revealed
      highly proliferative and cytotoxic T cell features. Herein, we discuss the
      pathophysiology and management of immune checkpoint blockade-related adverse
      events. 

PMID- 27274827
TI  - Haematological malignancies and acute kidney injury requiring nephrology
      consultation: challenging the worst of the worst.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) often complicates the course of
      haematological malignancies (HMs) and confers a worse prognosis. The majority of
      these patients are managed by the attending physician, yet, a small group, mostly
      coincident with the worst presentation and outcomes, requires nephrology
      consultation, challenging the clinician with ethical issues regarding the
      decision to initiate or forgo renal support therapy. The purpose of this work is
      to identify the prognostic determinants for in-hospital mortality in this
      population. METHODS: A retrospective, observational chart review was undertaken
      at a single tertiary referral oncological centre. We reviewed the medical records
      of in-hospital patients with AKI and HM between 1 January 1995 and 31 December
      2014 who met the criteria for RIFLE (Risk, Injury, and Failure; and Loss; and End
      stage kidney disease) classification of I or higher and were followed by a
      nephrologist. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-five patients were included in the
      study. Predictors of in-hospital death in patients with HM and AKI were septic
      shock [odds ratio (OR) 4.290 (95% CI 2.058-8.943)], invasive mechanical
      ventilation (IMV) [OR 4.305 (95% CI 2.075-8.928)] and allogeneic stem cell
      transplantation (SCT) [OR 2.232 (95% CI 1.260-3.953)]. The combination of each
      risk factor was used to estimate the probability of dying. Patients with all
      three risk factors had a risk of death of 86%. CONCLUSIONS: Septic shock, IMV and
      allogeneic SCT were identified as independent predictors of death in patients
      with HM and AKI, with only a small chance of survival if all three were present.
      Depending on the combination of risk factors, the indication for aggressive life
      support therapies, such as RST, might be questionable.

PMID- 27274828
TI  - A novel heterozygous mutation in the ATP6V0A4 gene encoding the V-ATPase a4
      subunit in an adult patient with incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis.
AB  - A 40-year-old Japanese man who had a medical history of hypokalemic periodic
      paralysis 4 months prior was hospitalized to undergo a cholecystectomy.
      Hypokalemia, nephrocalcinosis and alkaluria suggesting distal renal tubular
      acidosis (dRTA) were detected, but metabolic acidosis was not evident. An
      ammonium chloride/furosemide-fludrocortisone/bicarbonate loading test
      demonstrated a remarkable disability in urinary H(+) excretion. A novel
      heterozygous mutation in the ATP6V0A4 gene encoding the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V
      ATPase) a4 subunit p.S544L was detected. Among cases of V-ATPase a4 mutations,
      this is the first case in which a heterozygous mutation developed to an
      incomplete or latent form of dRTA. 

PMID- 27274829
TI  - Familial vasculitides: granulomatosis with polyangitis and microscopic
      polyangitis in two brothers with differing anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody
      specificity.
AB  - Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group
      of rare autoimmune diseases. Although the aetiology of AAV is uncertain, it is
      likely that genetic and environmental factors contribute. We report the unusual
      case of two brothers presenting with AAV with differing clinical pictures and
      differing ANCA specificity. There is a recently identified difference in genetic
      risk factors associated with ANCA specificity, making it surprising that first
      degree relatives develop AAV with differing clinical and serological features.
      Our report illustrates the complex aetiology of AAV and suggests that further
      research on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors is needed. 

PMID- 27274830
TI  - Incident chronic kidney disease: trends in management and outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Management trends in early chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their
      associations with clinical outcomes have not previously been reported. METHODS:
      We evaluated incident (Stage G3A) CKD patients from an integrated health care
      system in 2004-06, 2007-09 and 2010-12 to determine adjusted trends in screening
      (urinary protein quantification), treatment [prescription for angiotensin
      converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), and
      statin] and nephrology referral. For the same time periods, adjusted rates for
      mortality, progression to Stage G4 CKD and hospitalization for myocardial
      infarction or heart failure were calculated and compared across time periods.
      RESULTS: There were 728, 788 and 956 patients with incident CKD in 2004-06, 2007
      09 and 2010-12, respectively. Adjusted rates of proteinuria quantification (31,
      39 and 51 screens/100 person-years), statin prescription (53, 63 and 64
      prescriptions/100 person-years) and nephrology referral (2, 3 and 5 referrals/100
      person-years) all increased over time (P for trend <0.001 in all cases). ACEI/ARB
      prescription rates did not change (88, 83 and 80 prescriptions/100 person-years,
      P = 0.68). Adjusted death rates (7, 5 and 6 deaths/100 person-years), CKD
      progression (9, 10 and 7 progressors/100 person-years) and cardiovascular
      hospitalization (10, 8 and 9 hospitalizations per 100/person-years) did not
      change (P for trend >0.4 in all cases). CONCLUSION: In this integrated health
      care system, management of incident CKD over the past decade has intensified.

PMID- 27274831
TI  - High prevalence of chronic kidney disease in a semi-urban population of Western
      India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Globally there is an increase in incidence of chronic kidney diseases
      (CKDs). Diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension and stone diseases are the major
      risk factors for CKD. We organized kidney disease screening camps in a semi-urban
      population of Gujarat, India on the occasion of World Kidney Day (WKD). METHODS:
      Voluntary participants from six towns were screened. Estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal
      Disease formula and CKD was defined as an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or
      albuminuria >=1+. Urogenital ultrasonography was performed with emphasis on stone
      burden. Participants with known diabetes, stone diseases, hypertension,
      kidney/liver/cardiac disease, hepatitis, HIV, transplant recipients, pregnant
      women and those <18 years were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 2350
      participants (1438 men), CKD was found in 20.93% and eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)
      was noted in 8.29% of participants. The prevalence of CKD peaked after the
      seventh decade of life in both genders. There was no significant difference in
      the prevalence of CKD between coastal and non-coastal regions, however, obesity,
      hypertension and diabetes were more common in the coastal belt, whereas stone
      burden was greater in the non-coastal region. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CKD
      in a semi-urban apparently healthy Indian population was higher than the reported
      prevalence in developed countries. Significant differences between regions point
      to the need to evaluate and correctregion-specific risk factors.

PMID- 27274833
TI  - Diabetes mellitus as a cause of end-stage renal disease in Europe: signs of
      improvement.

PMID- 27274832
TI  - Analysis of ABCG2 and other urate transporters in uric acid homeostasis in
      chronic kidney disease: potential role of remote sensing and signaling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD), altered extra-renal
      urate handling may be necessary to regulate plasma uric acid. The Remote Sensing
      and Signaling Hypothesis (Nigam S. What do drug transporters really do? Nat Rev
      Drug Discov 2015; 14: 29-44) suggests that multispecific solute carrier (SLC) and
      ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporters in different tissues are part of an
      inter-organ communication system that maintains levels of urate and other
      metabolites after organ injury. METHODS: Data from the Chronic Renal
      Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC; n = 3598) were used to study associations between
      serum uric acid and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the following uric
      acid transporters: ABCG2 (BRCP), SLC22A6 (OAT1), SLC22A8 (OAT3), SLC22A10 (OAT5),
      SLC22A11 (OAT4), SLC22A12 (URAT1), SLC22A13 (OAT10), SLC17A1-A3 (NPTs), SLC2A9
      (GLUT9), ABCC2 (MRP2) and ABCC4 (MRP4). Regression models, controlling for
      principal components age, gender and renal function, were run separately for
      those of European (EA) and African ancestry (AA), and P-values corrected for
      multiple comparisons. A twin cohort with participants of EA and normal renal
      function was used for comparison. RESULTS: Among those of EA in CRIC,
      statistically significant signals were observed for SNPs in ABCG2 (rs4148157;
      beta-coefficient = 0.68; P = 4.78E-13) and SNPs in SLC2A9 (rs13125646; beta
      coefficient = -0.30; P = 1.06E-5). Among those of AA, the strongest (but not
      statistically significant) signals were observed for SNPs in SLC2A9, followed by
      SNPs in ABCG2. In the twin study (normal renal function), only SNPs in SLC2A9
      were significant (rs4481233; beta-coefficient=-0.45; P = 7.0E-6). In CRIC, weaker
      associations were also found for SLC17A3 (NPT4) and gender-specific associations
      found for SLC22A8 (OAT3), SLC22A11 (OAT4), and ABCC4 (MRP4). CONCLUSIONS: In
      patients of EA with CKD (CRIC cohort), we found striking associations between
      uric acid and SNPs on ABCG2, a key transporter of uric acid by intestine.
      Compared with ABCG2, SLC2A9 played a much less significant role in this subset of
      patients with CKD. SNPs in other SLC (e.g. SLC22A8 or OAT3) and ABC (e.g. ABCC4
      or MRP4) genes appear to make a weak gender-dependent contribution to uric acid
      homeostasis in CKD. As renal urate transport is affected in the setting of
      declining kidney function, extra-renal ABCG2 appears to play a compensatory role
      a notion consistent with animal studies and the Remote Sensing and Signaling
      Hypothesis. Overall, the data indicate how different urate transporters become
      more or less important depending on renal function, ethnicity and gender.
      Therapies focused on enhancing ABCG2 urate handling may be helpful in the setting
      of CKD and hyperuricemia.

PMID- 27274835
TI  - A study to describe the health trajectory of patients with advanced renal disease
      who choose not to receive dialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) are unlikely to
      benefit from dialysis and conservative management (CM) is offered as a positive
      alternative. Understanding the trajectory of illness by health care professionals
      may improve end-of-life care. METHODS: We aimed to describe the trajectory of
      functional status within our CM population through a prospective, observational
      study using the objective Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and subjective Barthel Index
      (BI) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [EuroQol 5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L)]
      measurements and correlating them with demographic and laboratory data and with
      sentinel events. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in TUG scores over the
      6 months prior to death {2.24 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-4.32], P =
      0.017} and a significant decrease in EQ-5D-5L [-0.19 (95% CI -0.33 to -0.06), P =
      0.006]. The only significant associations with mortality were serum albumin
      [hazard ratio (HR) 0.81 (95% CI 0.67-0.97), P = 0.024] and male gender [HR 5.94
      (95% CI 1.50-23.5), P = 0.011]. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown there is a significant
      decline in functional status in the last 6 months before death in the CM
      population. Of interest, there was a significant relationship of lower serum
      albumin with functional decline and risk of death. We hope that with improved
      insight into disease trajectories we can improve our ability to identify and
      respond to the changes in needs of these patients, facilitate complex and
      sensitive end-of-life discussions and improve end-of-life care.

PMID- 27274836
TI  - Comparison of Turkish and US haemodialysis patient mortality rates: an
      observational cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are significant differences between countries in the mortality
      rates of haemodialysis (HD) patients. The extent of these differences and
      possible contributing factors are worthy of investigation. METHODS: As of March
      2009, all patients undergoing HD or haemodiafiltration for >3 months (n = 4041)
      in the Turkish clinics of the NephroCare network were enrolled. Data were
      prospectively collected for 2 years through the European Clinical Dialysis
      Database. Mean age +/- standard deviation was 58.7 +/- 14.7 years, 45.9% were
      female and 22.9% were diabetic. Comparison with US data was performed by applying
      an indirect standardization technique, using specific mortality rates for
      patients on HD by age, gender, race and primary diagnosis as provided by the 2012
      US Renal Data System Annual Data Report as reference. RESULTS: The crude
      mortality rate in Turkey was 95.1 per 1000 patient-years. Compared with the US
      reference population, the annual mortality rate for Turkey was significantly
      lower, irrespective of gender, age and diabetes. After adjustments for age,
      gender and diabetes, the mortality risk in the Turkish cohort was 50% lower than
      US whites [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46-0.54, P < 0.001], 44% lower than US
      African-Americans (95% CI 0.52-0.61, P < 0.001) and 20% lower than Asian
      Americans (95% CI 0.74-0.86, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The annual mortality rate of
      prevalent HD patients was found to be significantly lower in the studied Turkish
      cohort compared with that published by the US Renal Data System Annual Data
      Report. Differences in practice patterns may contribute to the divergence.

PMID- 27274837
TI  - Sevelamer carbonate reduces the risk of hypomagnesemia in hemodialysis-requiring
      end-stage renal disease patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sevelamer has been associated with less progression of vascular
      calcifications. This effect could be due to a reduction in serum phosphate levels
      but also to other additive effects. Magnesium has been also shown to prevent
      vascular calcification but the effect of sevelamer on serum magnesium levels has
      not been thoroughly evaluated. Our aim was to analyze whether the use of
      sevelamer reduces the risk of hypomagnesemia in hemodialysis (HD)-requiring end
      stage renal disease patients. METHODS: All prevalent patients from the dialysis
      unit of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires as of 1 June 2015 were evaluated.
      They were on three times per week bicarbonate/citrate-buffered HD. They were not
      receiving phosphate binders or magnesium-containing drugs. The average of three
      successive monthly magnesium serum levels was considered as the baseline
      magnesium concentration. Sevelamer carbonate use was retrieved from the patient's
      clinical records. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-one patients were included. A
      large proportion of individuals were on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (66%) and
      more than 50% were using sevelamer carbonate. Serum magnesium levels were
      significantly higher in those receiving sevelamer compared with those who did not
      (2.05 +/- 0.3 versus 1.8 +/- 0.4 mg/dL; P < 0.05). A larger proportion of
      individuals receiving sevelamer were among those with normal serum magnesium (P =
      0.02), while among those with hypomagnesemia, a larger proportion were on PPIs.
      In the multivariate model including the use of PPIs, sevelamer carbonate resulted
      in an independent protective factor for hypomagnesemia (odds ratio: 0.44; 95%
      confidence interval: 0.21-0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis patients receiving
      sevelamer show higher serum magnesium levels and a reduced risk of
      hypomagnesemia. This effect remains even after adjustment for PPI use. This
      effect could contribute to the still controversial superiority of sevelamer in
      preventing vascular calcifications.

PMID- 27274834
TI  - Renal replacement therapy in Europe: a summary of the 2013 ERA-EDTA Registry
      Annual Report with a focus on diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This article provides a summary of the 2013 European Renal
      Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry
      Annual Report (available at http://www.era-edta-reg.org), with a focus on
      patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) as the cause of end-stage renal disease
      (ESRD). METHODS: In 2015, the ERA-EDTA Registry received data on renal
      replacement therapy (RRT) for ESRD from 49 national or regional renal registries
      in 34 countries in Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Individual patient
      data were provided by 31 registries, while 18 registries provided aggregated
      data. The total population covered by the participating registries comprised 650
      million people. RESULTS: In total, 72 933 patients started RRT for ESRD within
      the countries and regions reporting to the ERA-EDTA Registry, resulting in an
      overall incidence of 112 per million population (pmp). The overall prevalence on
      31 December 2013 was 738 pmp (n = 478 990). Patients with DM as the cause of ESRD
      comprised 24% of the incident RRT patients (26 pmp) and 17% of the prevalent RRT
      patients (122 pmp). When compared with the USA, the incidence of patients
      starting RRT pmp secondary to DM in Europe was five times lower and the incidence
      of RRT due to other causes of ESRD was two times lower. Overall, 19 426 kidney
      transplants were performed (30 pmp). The 5-year adjusted survival for all RRT
      patients was 60.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 60.5-61.3] and 50.6% (95% CI
      49.9-51.2) for patients with DM as the cause of ESRD.

PMID- 27274838
TI  - Dialyzing women and men: does it matter? An observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Application and consequences of hemodialysis treatment may differ
      between genders; focusing on these differences may be useful to optimize
      outcomes. METHODS: Data from 1 999 648 hemodialysis sessions performed in 10 984
      (3316 incident and 7668 prevalent) patients, treated in 55 centers of the
      European Clinical Database (EuCliD)-Turkey, were analyzed, and various
      demographic, clinical, biochemical, therapeutic and prognostic parameters were
      compared. RESULTS: There were 1905 male and 1411 female incident and 4339 male
      and 3329 female prevalent patients. For females, the mean age in incident (61.8
      +/- 14.9 years) and prevalent (58.3 +/- 15.2 years) patients was higher than for
      males (60.2 +/- 14.8 and 56.5 +/- 14.9 years, respectively) (P < 0.001 for both
      analyses). Also, body mass index was higher, while the hemoglobin level, and the
      percentage of interdialytic weight gain and arteriovenous fistula were lower.
      Serum phosphorus was similar in both genders in incident cases, while it was
      lower in prevalent female patients. Serum parathyroid hormone levels were lower
      in incident, but higher in prevalent male cases. Erythropoiesis-stimulating
      agents and vitamin D preparations were more frequently used in female incident
      and prevalent patients. Hospitalization was more frequent in prevalent females,
      while it did not differ significantly in the incident cases. Overall, no
      significant difference was observed in survival rates at 3 years in both incident
      and prevalent male and female patients. CONCLUSIONS: Many parameters differ
      significantly between female and male dialysis patients. Considering the effects
      of sex on several parameters may be a valuable approach for achieving better
      outcomes when formulating treatment strategies in this patient population.

PMID- 27274839
TI  - Patient's perceptions of chronic kidney disease and their association with
      psychosocial and clinical outcomes: a narrative review.
AB  - Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) form organized beliefs regarding their
      illness and treatment. These perceptions influence the coping strategies employed
      by an individual to manage his/her illness and may act as a predictor for his/her
      willingness to engage in self-management behaviours. While illness perceptions
      have been identified as predictors of non-adherence, depression and mortality in
      dialysis patients, there is a paucity of research in CKD patients not requiring
      renal replacement therapy. This narrative review synthesizes the existing
      literature regarding the role of illness perceptions and associated clinical and
      psychosocial outcomes in non-dialysis CKD patients. Studies were identified
      following database searches of AMED, BNI, CINAHL, EMBASE, Health Business Elite,
      HMIC, Medline, PsycINFO and Google Scholar in January 2016. Despite the small
      evidence base, existing studies indicate that negative illness perceptions are
      associated with disease progression and a number of psychosocial outcomes in non
      dialysis CKD patients. Evidence from other clinical populations suggests that
      illness perceptions are modifiable through psychological intervention, which may
      be most effective if delivered early before beliefs have the chance to become
      more established. Therefore, targeting illness perceptions in the earlier stages
      of CKD may be optimal. Further studies are now required to ascertain the
      mechanisms through which illness perceptions predict psychosocial and clinical
      outcomes in CKD patients and to ultimately test the efficacy of illness
      perception-based interventions. 

PMID- 27274840
TI  - Differences in emotional responses in living and deceased donor kidney transplant
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The psychological functioning of living donor (LD) and deceased donor
      (DD) recipients are important factors for emotional adjustment to
      transplantation. This study investigated differences in medical, sociodemographic
      and emotional factors between these two groups. METHODS: A total of 241 kidney
      transplant recipients (68 LD, 173 DD) completed questionnaires on emotional and
      behavioural responses to transplantation, including quality of life, anxiety and
      depression, social support and experience with immunosuppressive medication.
      RESULTS: Overall, LD recipients were younger, better educated, more often
      employed and had a shorter duration of dialysis prior to transplantation.
      Findings indicate that LD recipients expressed more guilt towards the donor than
      DD recipients. In addition, more LD recipients experienced clinically significant
      levels of anxiety. Both groups experienced high levels of negative effects of
      immunosuppressant medication. No differences between LD and DD recipients were
      found for gender, relationship status, time since transplantation or transplant
      rejection treatment during the last 12 months. In addition, perceived social
      support and quality of life were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Feelings of guilt and anxiety may be an important focus for interventions to
      improve emotional adjustment to transplantation, especially in LD recipients.

PMID- 27274841
TI  - Caregiver word reading literacy and health outcomes among children treated in a
      pediatric nephrology practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Caregivers play a major role in the healthcare of pediatric patients,
      particularly during childhood and adolescence. This study examined the impact of
      caregivers' functional literacy on the health outcomes of adolescents with
      chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). METHODS:
      Caregiver-child dyads in a Southeastern US pediatric nephrology clinic
      participated in this cross-sectional study. We collected demographic information,
      data on caregivers' functional literacy skills (Wechsler Individual Achievement
      Test Word Reading Subtest) and child health outcomes (healthcare utilization and
      adherence). Negative binomial regression analyses were used to test the
      relationships. RESULTS: A total of 98 pediatric patients and their caregivers
      participated. Caregivers' word reading literacy was associated with their
      children's healthcare utilization. Patients whose caregivers had lower word
      reading literacy skills (<7th grade) had greater incidence of emergency room (ER)
      visits (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 2.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.007,
      4.177, P < 0.05) after adjusting for major demographic factors. Patients'
      hospitalization rates and adherence to medication/diet/appointments were
      comparable in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low caregiver functional word reading
      literacy was negatively related to health outcomes of adolescents with CKD/ESKD
      as reflected by greater ER visits. Educational materials and teaching strategies
      (dialysis training protocols, patient education materials) adjusted for low
      literacy levels may contribute to better outcomes.

PMID- 27274843
TI  - Resveratrol compares with melatonin in improving in vitro porcine oocyte
      maturation under heat stress.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resveratrol, an important phyto-antioxidant commonly found in grapes,
      mulberry, and other plants, has a variety of functions including anti-aging, anti
      cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. In the current study, we investigated
      the beneficial effects of resveratrol on in vitro porcine oocyte maturation under
      heat stress (HS). The effect of resveratrol, melatonin and their combination on
      alleviating HS was compared according to the maturation rate of oocytes and the
      development competence of embryos after parthenogenetic activation (PA). RESULTS:
      Supplementation with resveratrol (2.0 MUmol/L) not only improved the nuclear
      maturation but also raised the blastocyst rate of porcine embryos' PA from
      oocytes that underwent HS by increasing their glutathione (GSH) level, reducing
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) and up-regulating the expression of Sirtuin 1
      (SIRT1). It was also found that melatonin (10(-7) mol/L) and the combination of
      resveratrol (2.0 MUmol/L) plus melatonin (10(-7) mol/L) exhibited more potent
      effects than resveratrol alone regarding their protective activities on oocyte
      maturation under HS. CONCLUSIONS: This study compared the efficiencies of
      resveratrol, melatonin and their combination for protecting porcine oocytes from
      heat stress. The mechanisms are attributed to the fact that each treatment may
      have different ability to regulate the synthesis of steroid hormones and the
      expression of mature related genes.

PMID- 27274842
TI  - Improving clinical skills to support the emotional and psychological well-being
      of patients with end-stage renal disease: a qualitative evaluation of two
      interventions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) need and want
      improved emotional and psychological support. Explicit attention to patients'
      emotional issues during consultations can help, yet renal consultants rarely
      address emotional problems. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate whether two
      different low-cost interventions could individually enable consultants to talk
      with patients about their emotional concerns during routine outpatient
      consultations. METHOD: One intervention involved patients using a Patient Issues
      Sheet to identify two to three issues they would like to talk about in their
      consultation and the second involved consultants asking patients a direct
      question about their emotional feelings. Consultants were trained to handle any
      emotional issues raised. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five
      consultants and 36 ESRD patients from two UK renal units. Interviews were
      transcribed verbatim and analysed using the constant comparative method. RESULTS:
      Although consultants and patients tended to use the two interventions in
      different ways, they expressed generally positive views about how helpful the
      interventions were in promoting discussion of emotional issues. Consultants
      appreciated the training for facilitating empathetic handling of patients'
      emotional disclosures and containment of discussion. Most patients who raised
      emotional concerns were satisfied with their consultant's responses, while others
      were dissuaded from more explicit discussion by their consultant's concentration
      on physical considerations. CONCLUSIONS: These qualitative study findings suggest
      that both interventions are feasible and acceptable and have the potential to
      help consultants improve emotional and psychological patient care, providing
      cognitive and behavioural tools to enable discussion of emotional issues during
      routine outpatient consultations.

PMID- 27274844
TI  - Modification of TiO2 by Bimetallic Au-Cu Nanoparticles for Wastewater Treatment.
AB  - Au, Cu and bimetallic Au-Cu nanoparticles were synthesized on the surface of
      commercial TiO2 compounds (P25) by reduction of the metal precursors with
      tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) (0.5 % in weight). The
      alloyed structure of Au-Cu NPs was confirmed by HAADF-STEM, EDS, HRTEM and XPS
      techniques. The photocatalytic properties of the modified TiO2 have been studied
      for phenol photodegradation in aqueous suspensions under UV-visible irradiation.
      The modification by the metal nanoparticles induces an increase in the
      photocatalytic activity. The highest photocatalytic activity is obtained with Au
      Cu/TiO2 (Au/Cu 1:3). Their electronic properties have been studied by time
      resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) to follow the charge-carrier dynamics.
      TRMC measurements show that the TiO2 modification with Au, Cu and Au-Cu
      nanoparticles plays a role in charge-carrier separations increasing the activity
      under UV-light. Indeed, the metal nanoparticles act as a sink for electron,
      decreasing the charge carrier recombination. The TRMC measurements show also that
      the bimetallic Au-Cu nanoparticles are more efficient in electron scavenging than
      the monometallic Au and Cu ones.

PMID- 27274845
TI  - Pituitary abscess: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Pituitary abscess is a rare life-threating entity that is usually misdiagnosed as
      a pituitary tumor with a definite diagnosis only made postoperatively. Over the
      last several decades, advances in healthcare have led to a significant decrease
      in morbidity and mortality due to pituitary abscess. We report a case of a 34
      year-old woman who was admitted to our department for investigation of a
      pituitary mass and with symptoms of pituitary dysfunction, headaches and impaired
      vision. During her admission, she developed meningitis-like symptoms and was
      treated with antibiotics. She eventually underwent transsphenoidal surgery for
      excision of the pituitary mass. A significant amount of pus was evident
      intraoperatively; however, no pathogen was isolated. Six months later, the
      patient was well and had full recovery of the anterior pituitary function. Her
      menses returned, and she was only on treatment with desmopressin for diabetes
      insipidus that developed postoperatively. LEARNING POINTS: Pituitary abscess is a
      rare disease and the reported clinical features vary mimicking other pituitary
      lesions.The diagnosis of pituitary abscess is often very difficult to make and
      rarely included in the differential.The histological findings of acute
      inflammatory infiltration confirm the diagnosis of pituitary abscess.Medical and
      surgical treatment is usually recommended upon diagnosis of a pituitary abscess.

PMID- 27274846
TI  - Challenges in achieving a target international normalized ratio for deep vein
      thrombosis among HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis: a case series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV are among the risk factors for deep vein
      thrombosis (DVT). There are several challenges in the management of DVT patients
      with TB-HIV co-infection including drug-drug interactions and non-adherence due
      to pill burden. METHODS: HIV infected patients starting treatment for TB were
      identified and followed up two weekly. Cases of DVT were diagnosed with Doppler
      ultrasound and patients were initiated on oral anticoagulation with warfarin and
      followed up with repeated INR measurements and warfarin dose adjustment. RESULTS:
      We describe 7 cases of TB and HIV-infected patients in Uganda diagnosed with DVT
      and started on anticoagulation therapy. Their median age was 30 (IQR: 27-39)
      years and 86 % were male. All patients had co-medication with cotrimoxazole,
      tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz and some were on fluconazole. The therapeutic
      range of the International Normalization Ratio (INR) was difficult to attain and
      unpredictable with some patients being under-anticoagulated and others over
      anticoagulated. The mean Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR) for patients who had all
      scheduled INR measurements in the first 12 weeks was 33.3 %. Only one patient
      among those with all the scheduled INR measurements had achieved a therapeutic
      INR by 2 weeks. Four out of seven (57 %) of the patients had at least one INR
      above the therapeutic range which required treatment interruption. None of the
      patients had major bleeding. CONCLUSION: We recommend more frequent monitoring
      and timely dose adjustment of the INR, as well as studies on alternative
      strategies for the treatment of DVT in TB-HIV co-infected patients.

PMID- 27274847
TI  - A systematic review of financial incentives given in the healthcare setting; do
      they effectively improve physical activity levels?
AB  - BACKGROUND: According to current physical activity guidelines, a substantial
      percentage of the population in high-income countries is inactive, and inactivity
      is an important risk factor for chronic conditions and mortality. Financial
      incentives may encourage people to become more active. The objective of this
      review was to provide insight in the effectiveness of financial incentives used
      for promoting physical activity in the healthcare setting. METHODS: A systematic
      literature search was performed in three databases: Medline, EMBASE and
      SciSearch. In total, 1395 papers published up until April 2015 were identified.
      Eleven of them were screened on in- and exclusion criteria based on the full-text
      publication. RESULTS: Three studies were included in the review. Two studies
      combined a financial incentive with nutrition classes or motivational
      interviewing. One of these provided a free membership to a sports facility and
      the other one provided vouchers for one episode of aerobic activities at a local
      leisure center or swimming pool. The third study provided a schedule for exercise
      sessions. None of the studies addressed the preferences of their target
      population with regard to financial incentives. Despite some short-term effects,
      neither of the studies showed significant long-term effects of the financial
      incentive. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the limited number of studies and the diversity
      in findings, no solid conclusion can be drawn regarding the effectiveness of
      financial incentives on physical activity in the healthcare setting. Therefore,
      there is a need for more research on the effectiveness of financial incentives in
      changing physical activity behavior in this setting. There is possibly something
      to be gained by studying the preferred type and size of the financial incentive.

PMID- 27274848
TI  - Pre-pubertal males practising Taekwondo exhibit favourable postural and
      neuromuscular performance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The postural and neuromuscular performances in healthy children
      taekwondo (TKD) practitioners in comparison with control children were examined.
      METHODS: Seventeen healthy pre-pubertal males undertaking only physical education
      at school (age: 11.88 +/- 0.33 years) and 12 pre-pubertal male TKD practitioners
      (>3 years, 4 sessions a week) (age 11.66 +/- 0.49 years) were recruited.
      Performances in the dynamic postural control (Star Excursion Balance Test -SEBT),
      vertical jump [squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ)] and sprint running
      (distances: 5, 10, 20 and 30 m) tests were compared between the two groups.
      RESULTS: The performances of the TKD practitioners were better than those of the
      non-TKD active for the SEBT (for 14 of 16 conditions, p < 0.05), SJ (p < 0.01),
      CMJ (p < 0.03) sprint running (5 m, p < 0.01; 10 m, p < 0.04; the performances
      for the 20 and 30 m sprints were not significant, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TKD
      practice would stimulate sensory input and motor output of the postural system
      that would enhance its efficiency. In addition, the dynamic nature of TKD would
      develop the muscle power of the lower limbs. In our sample of healthy pre
      pubertal males, TKD appears to improve postural and neuromuscular functions, but
      further research is required.

PMID- 27274849
TI  - Complete coding sequence of Zika virus from Martinique outbreak in 2015.
AB  - Zika virus is an Aedes-borne Flavivirus causing fever, arthralgia, myalgia rash,
      associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome and suspected to induce microcephaly in
      the fetus. We report here the complete coding sequence of the first characterized
      Caribbean Zika virus strain, isolated from a patient from Martinique in December,
      2015. 

PMID- 27274850
TI  - First genome sequences of buffalo coronavirus from water buffaloes in Bangladesh.
AB  - We report the complete genome sequences of a buffalo coronavirus (BufCoV HKU26)
      detected from the faecal samples of two domestic water buffaloes (Bubalus
      bubalis) in Bangladesh. They possessed 98-99% nucleotide identities to bovine
      coronavirus (BCoV) genomes, supporting BufCoV HKU26 as a member of
      Betacoronavirus 1. Nevertheless, BufCoV HKU26 possessed distinct accessory
      proteins between spike and envelope compared to BCoV. Sugar-binding residues in
      the N-terminal domain of S protein in BCoV are conserved in BufCoV HKU26. 

PMID- 27274851
TI  - Linezolid-resistant mucoid Staphylococcus haemolyticus from a tertiary-care
      centre in Delhi.
AB  - We report an unusual morphological mucoid variant of Staphylococcus haemolyticus
      associated with linezolid resistance from a patient with sepsis. Linezolid
      resistance and mucoid character together made this pathogen difficult to treat.
      To our knowledge this is the first such report. 

PMID- 27274852
TI  - Polydrug abuse associated with nitrous oxide causes death.

PMID- 27274853
TI  - Cefepime-induced encephalopathy with normal renal function.
AB  - Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin that is frequently used in a wide
      array of infections. Since approval for use, concerns have been raised due to
      adverse effects including seizures, encephalopathy and myoclonus especially if
      renal dysfunction is present. Despite having appropriate renal dose adjustments,
      cases have been found with adverse neurological effects. On this occasion, we
      present a case of a patient with normal renal function that had demonstrated
      cefepime-induced encephalopathy with full resolution of symptoms following
      discontinuation of the medication. 

PMID- 27274854
TI  - Dengue fever complicated by hemophagocytosis.
AB  - Dengue is a common acute viral febrile illness in the tropics. Although the usual
      presentation is that of a self-limiting illness, its complications are protean.
      We report a 29-year-old man who presented with an acute febrile illness and was
      diagnosed with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Despite appropriate supportive therapy,
      the patient initially improved, but subsequently had clinical deterioration.
      Evaluation revealed features of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. He was
      successfully treated with glucocorticoids and had an uneventful recovery. This
      case adds to the limited adult cases of virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome
      in the literature and the need for prompt recognition and treatment of this rare
      complication. 

PMID- 27274855
TI  - Competing interests in a lung cancer with metastasis to the pituitary gland:
      syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion versus diabetes insipidus.
AB  - Metastases to the pituitary gland are rare; cancers that most commonly
      metastasize to the pituitary are breast and lung cancers. No specific computed
      tomography or magnetic resonance imaging features reliably distinguish primary
      pituitary masses from metastases. A combination of a detailed clinical assessment
      together with specialist endocrine and neuroradiology support is essential to
      make the rare diagnosis of a pituitary metastasis. We present the case of a man
      with metastatic lung cancer, initially presenting as hypopituitarism. Subtle
      features in the history, together with neuroimaging findings atypical for
      pituitary adenomas, provided clues that the diagnosis was one of the pituitary
      metastases. Treatment of diabetes insipidus (DI) with replacement antidiuretic
      hormone (ADH) was complicated by extreme difficulties in achieving a satisfactory
      sodium and water balance. This was the result of coexistent DI and syndrome of
      inappropriate ADH secretion perpetuated by the patient's primary lung cancer, a
      phenomenon not previously described in the literature. 

PMID- 27274856
TI  - Saddle pulmonary embolism: right ventricular strain an indicator for early
      surgical approach.
AB  - Current mainstay treatment for pulmonary embolism (PE) includes oral
      anticoagulation, thrombolytic therapy, catheter embolectomy and acute surgical
      embolectomy. Surgical embolectomy is reserved for hemodynamically unstable
      patients (cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest) and contraindication to thrombolytic
      therapy. We report a case of saddle PE in a young female with echocardiographic
      signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction who underwent early acute surgical
      embolectomy with a positive outcome. It would be beneficial to use bedside
      echocardiography even in hemodynamically stable patients to determine RV strain
      as this could act as an early indicator suggesting the escalation of therapy. 

PMID- 27274858
TI  - A novel type II collagen gene mutation in a family with spondyloepiphyseal
      dysplasia and extensive intrafamilial phenotypic diversity.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to describe a family with spondyloepiphyseal
      dysplasia caused by a novel type II collagen gene (COL2A1) mutation and the
      family's phenotypic diversity. Clinical and radiographic examinations of skeletal
      dysplasia were conducted on seven affected family members across two generations.
      The entire coding region of COL2A1, including the flanking intron regions, was
      analyzed with PCR and direct sequencing. The stature of the subjects ranged from
      extremely short to within normal height range. Hip deformity and advanced
      osteoarthritis were noted in all the subjects, ranging from severe coxa plana to
      mild acetabular dysplasia. Atlantoaxial subluxation combined with a hypoplastic
      odontoid process was found in three of the subjects. Various degrees of
      platyspondyly were confirmed in all subjects. Genetically, a novel COL2A1
      mutation (c.1349G>C, p.Gly450Ala) was identified in all the affected family
      members; however, it was not present in the one unaffected family member tested.
      We described a family with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia and a novel COL2A1
      mutation (c.1349G>C, p.Gly450Ala). Phenotypes were diverse even among individuals
      with the same mutation and within the same family. 

PMID- 27274857
TI  - A catalog of hemizygous variation in 127 22q11 deletion patients.
AB  - The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is the most common microdeletion disorder, with
      wide phenotypic variability. To investigate variation within the non-deleted
      allele we performed targeted resequencing of the 22q11.2 region for 127 patients,
      identifying multiple deletion sizes, including two deletions with atypical
      breakpoints. We cataloged ~12,000 hemizygous variant positions, of which 84% were
      previously annotated. Within the coding regions 95 non-synonymous variants, three
      stop gains, and two frameshift insertions were identified, some of which we
      speculate could contribute to atypical phenotypes. We also catalog tolerability
      of 22q11 gene mutations based on related autosomal recessive disorders in man,
      embryonic lethality in mice, cross-species conservation and observations that
      some genes harbor more or less variants than expected. This extensive catalog of
      hemizygous variants will serve as a blueprint for future experiments to correlate
      22q11DS variation with phenotype. 

PMID- 27274859
TI  - A de novo microdeletion in a patient with inner ear abnormalities suggests that
      the 10q26.13 region contains the responsible gene.
AB  - Microdeletions in the 10q26.1 region are related to intellectual disability,
      growth delay, microcephaly, distinctive craniofacial features, cardiac defects,
      genital abnormalities and inner ear abnormalities. The genes responsible for
      inner ear abnormalities have been narrowed to fibroblast growth factor receptor 2
      gene (FGFR2), H6 family homeobox 2 gene (HMX2) and H6 family homeobox 3 gene
      (HMX3). An additional patient with distinctive craniofacial features, congenital
      deafness and balance dysfunctions showed a de novo microdeletion of
      10q26.11q26.13, indicating the existence of a gene responsible for inner ear
      abnormalities in this region. 

PMID- 27274860
TI  - Novel OPN1LW/OPN1MW deletion mutations in 2 Japanese families with blue cone
      monochromacy.
AB  - Blue cone monochromacy (BCM) is caused by the lack of expression of the normal
      proteins encoded by the OPN1LW and OPN1MW genes, resulting in the absence of red
      and green cone sensitivities. We analyzed two cases of BCM in two different
      families and identified deletion mutations in the locus control region upstream
      of the two genes. Deletion breakpoints were determined to an accuracy of one base
      for both cases. 

PMID- 27274861
TI  - Physical, morphological, and wound healing properties of a polyurethane foam-film
      dressing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the physicochemical properties of Medifoam(r) N and
      its wound healing performance compared to other commercially available
      polyurethane (PU) foam dressing in vitro and in vivo to gain insight in their
      clinical performance. METHODS: Wound contact layer and cross-section of eleven
      polyurethane foam dressings were assessed with field-emission scanning electron
      microscope. Thickness, density, tensile strength, elongation, moisture-vapor
      transmission rate (MVTR), retention and absorptivity were measured to compare
      physical properties. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution absorption patterns
      were compared. An animal model for wound-healing was applied to validate in vitro
      findings. RESULTS: Among eleven tested foam dressings, Medifoam(r) N has the
      smallest pore and cell sizes with excellent uniformity, i.e. it has 25 ~ 75 MUm
      on the wound contact layer and 100 ~ 350 MUm in the cross-section while other
      dressings have a larger pose size with larger variability. Compared to other PU
      foams, Medifoam(r) N also has moderate thickness, density, tensile strength,
      elongation and MVTR. Furthermore, it has excellent fluid absorption and retention
      capacity. These intrinsic properties of Medifoam(r) N contributed to improve
      fluid absorption patterns, i.e. other dressing material flawed out PBS solution
      on the dressings while Medifoam(r) N retained all the tested solutions. In animal
      wound-healing study, Medifoam(r) N treated animals showed excellent angiogenesis
      and collagen deposition even though epithelial recovery rate was not
      significantly different to other dressings. CONCLUSIONS: Medifoam(r) N has
      optimized physical properties and thus improved fluid absorption/retention
      capacity. Compared to other dressings, Medifoam(r) N showed excellent fluid
      absorption patterns and these characteristics contributed to improved wound
      healing and excellent angiogenic potential. We found that Medifoam(r) N showed
      the best results among the employed dressing samples.

PMID- 27274863
TI  - Fast range measurement of spot scanning proton beams using a volumetric liquid
      scintillator detector.
AB  - Accurate confirmation and verification of the range of spot scanning proton beams
      is crucial for correct dose delivery. Current methods to measure proton beam
      range using ionization chambers are either time-consuming or result in
      measurements with poor spatial resolution. The large-volume liquid scintillator
      detector allows real-time measurements of the entire dose profile of a spot
      scanning proton beam. Thus, liquid scintillator detectors are an ideal tool for
      measuring the proton beam range for commissioning and quality assurance. However,
      optical artefacts may decrease the accuracy of measuring the proton beam range
      within the scintillator tank. The purpose of the current study was to 1) develop
      a geometric calibration system to accurately calculate physical distances within
      the liquid scintillator detector, taking into account optical artefacts; and 2)
      assess the accuracy, consistency, and robustness of proton beam range measurement
      using the liquid scintillator detector with our geometric calibration system. The
      range of the proton beam was measured with the calibrated liquid scintillator
      system and was compared to the nominal range. Measurements were made on three
      different days to evaluate the setup robustness from day to day, and three sets
      of measurements were made for each day to evaluate the consistency from delivery
      to delivery. All proton beam ranges measured using the liquid scintillator system
      were within half a millimeter of the nominal range. The delivery-to-delivery
      standard deviation of the range measurement was 0.04 mm, and the day-to-day
      standard deviation was 0.10 mm. In addition to the accuracy and robustness
      demonstrated by these results when our geometric calibration system was used, the
      liquid scintillator system allowed the range of all 94 proton beams to be
      measured in just two deliveries, making the liquid scintillator detector a
      perfect tool for range measurement of spot scanning proton beams.

PMID- 27274862
TI  - Uncovering low-dimensional, miR-based signatures of acute myeloid and
      lymphoblastic leukemias with a machine-learning-driven network approach.
AB  - Complex phenotypic differences among different acute leukemias cannot be fully
      captured by analyzing the expression levels of one single molecule, such as a
      miR, at a time, but requires systematic analysis of large sets of miRs. While a
      popular approach for analysis of such datasets is principal component analysis
      (PCA), this method is not designed to optimally discriminate different
      phenotypes. Moreover, PCA and other low-dimensional representation methods yield
      linear or non-linear combinations of all measured miRs. Global human miR
      expression was measured in AML, B-ALL, and TALL cell lines and patient RNA
      samples. By systematically applying support vector machines to all measured miRs
      taken in dyad and triad groups, we built miR networks using cell line data and
      validated our findings with primary patient samples. All the coordinately
      transcribed members of the miR-23a cluster (which includes also miR-24 and miR
      27a), known to function as tumor suppressors of acute leukemias, appeared in the
      AML, B-ALL and T-ALL centric networks. Subsequent qRT-PCR analysis showed that
      the most connected miR in the B-ALL-centric network, miR-708, is highly and
      specifically expressed in B-ALLs, suggesting that miR-708 might serve as a
      biomarker for B-ALL. This approach is systematic, quantitative, scalable, and
      unbiased. Rather than a single signature, our approach yields a network of
      signatures reflecting the redundant nature of biological signaling pathways. The
      network representation allows for visual analysis of all signatures by an expert
      and for future integration of additional information. Furthermore, each signature
      involves only small sets of miRs, such as dyads and triads, which are well suited
      for in depth validation through laboratory experiments. In particular, loss-and
      gain-of-function assays designed to drive changes in leukemia cell survival,
      proliferation and differentiation will benefit from the identification of multi
      miR signatures that characterize leukemia subtypes and their normal counterpart
      cells of origin.

PMID- 27274864
TI  - The role of the priming loop in Influenza A virus RNA synthesis.
AB  - RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) are used by RNA viruses to replicate and
      transcribe their RNA genomes1. They adopt a closed, right-handed fold with
      conserved subdomains called palm, fingers, and thumb1,2. Conserved RdRp motifs A
      F coordinate the viral RNA template, NTPs, and magnesium ions to facilitate
      nucleotide condensation1. For the initiation of RNA synthesis, most RdRps use
      either a primer-dependent or de novo mechanism3. The Influenza A virus RdRp in
      contrast, uses a capped RNA oligonucleotide to initiate transcription, and a
      combination of terminal and internal de novo initiation for replication4. To
      understand how the Influenza A virus RdRp coordinates these processes, we
      analysed the function of a thumb subdomain beta-hairpin using initiation,
      elongation, and single-molecule FRET assays. Our data shows that this beta
      hairpin is essential for terminal initiation during replication, but auxiliary
      for internal initiation and transcription. Analysis of individual residues in the
      tip of the beta-hairpin shows that PB1 proline 651 is critical for efficient RNA
      synthesis in vitro and in cell culture. Overall, this work advances our
      understanding of Influenza A virus RNA synthesis and identifies the initiation
      platform of viral replication.

PMID- 27274865
TI  - Retinal Ganglion Cell Atrophy in Homonymous Hemianopia due to Acquired Occipital
      Lesions Observed Using Cirrus High-Definition-OCT.
AB  - Purpose. To report a reduction in macular ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform
      layer (GCL+IPL) thickness and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL)
      thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in patients with
      homonymous hemianopia due to posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke. Methods.
      Seven patients with PCA stroke were examined using Cirrus high-definition-OCT.
      The GCL+IPL thicknesses were divided into the hemianopic and unaffected sides.
      The relationship between the time after stroke and the GCL+IPL thicknesses in the
      hemianopic side was evaluated. Results. The average thicknesses of the GCL+IPL
      were 64.6 and 82.0 MUm on the hemianopic and unaffected sides, respectively, and
      the measurement was significantly thinner on the former side (p = 0.018). A
      regression analysis revealed a negative linear relationship (R (2) = 0.574, p =
      0.049) between the time after stoke and the GCL+IPL thicknesses on the hemianopic
      side. The supratemporal and inferotemporal cpRNFL thicknesses in the eyes
      ipsilateral to the stroke showed a significant reduction. Conclusion. Our
      findings confirmed our previous observations that the degeneration of retinal
      ganglion cells can occur after PCA stroke. GCL+IPL thinning was demonstrated in
      the hemiretinae corresponding to the affected hemifields. Also, it is suggested
      that the retinal changes observed are progressive. 

PMID- 27274866
TI  - Daily Optical Coherence Tomography Examinations after First Antivascular
      Endothelial Growth Factor Injections: An Interventional Case Series.
AB  - Purpose. To evaluate daily spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)
      changes in naive-treatment patients with diagnosis of exudative age-related
      macular degeneration (AMD) treated with intravitreous bevacizumab (1.25 mg),
      during a 30-day follow-up period. Methods. In prospective, interventional study,
      SD-OCT was performed daily for 30 days after the first intravitreal injection.
      The baseline, initial-decrease, minimal, and final central retinal thicknesses
      (CRTs) were assessed. Results. Nine eyes of nine patients with neovascular AMD
      were enrolled. The mean baseline CRT was 625.3 +/- 182.5 MUm, and the mean final
      CRT was 383.4 +/- 163.0 MUm (mean difference, 206.1 +/- 167.6 MUm), a difference
      that reached significance (P = 0.006). After the first injection, the initial
      decrease in the CRT was seen as an average of one day after injection (mean CRT,
      503.6 +/- 189.10 MUm; P = 0.0431). The speed of the reduction in the CRT tended
      to decrease by day 17. The mean CRT was 336.5 +/- 105.44 MUm and the mean minimal
      CRT on day 30 was 320.75 +/- 96.38 MUm. Conclusion. The CRT decreased early after
      the first injection. We observed a tendency for reductions in the speed with
      which the CRT decreased by day 17 after the first injection, which may affect
      retreatment regime. 

PMID- 27274867
TI  - Postprandial Levels of Branch Chained and Aromatic Amino Acids Associate with
      Fasting Glycaemia.
AB  - High fasting plasma concentrations of isoleucine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine
      have been associated with increased risk of hyperglycaemia and incidence of type
      2 diabetes. Whether these associations are diet or metabolism driven is unknown.
      We examined how the dietary protein source affects the postprandial circulating
      profile of these three diabetes associated amino acids (DMAAs) and tested whether
      the postprandial DMAA profiles are associated with fasting glycaemia. We used a
      crossover design with twenty-one healthy individuals and four different
      isocaloric test meals, containing proteins from different dietary sources (dairy,
      fish, meat, and plants). Analysis of the postprandial DMAAs concentrations was
      performed using targeted mass spectrometry. A DMAA score was defined as the sum
      of all the three amino acid concentrations. The postprandial area under the curve
      (AUC) of all the three amino acids and the DMAA score was significantly greater
      after intake of the meal with dairy protein compared to intake of the three other
      meals. The postprandial AUC for the DMAA score and all the three amino acids
      strongly associated with fasting glucose level and insulin resistance. This
      indicates the importance of the postprandial kinetics and metabolism of DMAAs in
      understanding the overall association between DMAAs and glycaemia. 

PMID- 27274868
TI  - Salivary Myeloperoxidase, Assessed by 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine Colorimetry, Can
      Differentiate Periodontal Patients from Nonperiodontal Subjects.
AB  - Periodontal diseases, which result from inflammation of tooth supporting tissues,
      are highly prevalent worldwide. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), from certain white blood
      cells in saliva, is a biomarker for inflammation. We report our study on the
      salivary MPO activity and its association with severity of periodontal diseases
      among Thai patients. Periodontally healthy subjects (n = 11) and gingivitis (n =
      32) and periodontitis patients (n = 19) were enrolled. Assessments of clinically
      periodontal parameters were reported as percentages for gingival bleeding index
      (GI) and bleeding on probing (BOP), whereas pocket depth (PD) and clinical
      attachment loss (CAL) were measured in millimeters and then made to index scores.
      Salivary MPO activity was measured by colorimetry using 3,3'-diaminobenzidine as
      substrate. The results showed that salivary MPO activity in periodontitis
      patients was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (p = 0.003) and higher
      than in gingivitis patients (p = 0.059). No difference was found between
      gingivitis and healthy groups (p = 0.181). Significant correlations were observed
      (p < 0.01) between salivary MPO activity and GI (r = 0.632, p < 0.001), BOP (r =
      0.599, p < 0.001), PD (r = 0.179, p = 0.164), and CAL (r = 0.357, p = 0.004)
      index scores. Sensitivity (94.12%), specificity (54.55%), and positive (90.57%)
      and negative (66.67%) predictive values indicate that salivary MPO activity has
      potential use as a screening marker for oral health of the Thai community. 

PMID- 27274869
TI  - Obesity May Be Protective against Severe Perineal Lacerations.
AB  - Objective. To determine if there is an association between BMI and 3rd- or 4th
      degree perineal lacerations in normal spontaneous and operative vaginal
      deliveries. Study Design. We performed a retrospective case control study using a
      large obstetric quality improvement database over a six-year period. Cases were
      identified as singleton gestations with third- and fourth-degree lacerations.
      Controls were obtained randomly from the database of patients without third- or
      fourth-degree lacerations in a 1 : 1 ratio. Univariate and multivariate logistic
      regression analyses were performed. Results. Of 32,607 deliveries, 22,011 (67.5%)
      charts with BMI documented were identified. Third- or fourth-degree lacerations
      occurred in 2.74% (n = 605) of patients. 37% (n = 223) were identified in
      operative vaginal deliveries. In the univariate analysis, obesity, older maternal
      age, non-Asian race, and birth weight <4000 g were all protective against 3rd-
      and 4th-degree lacerations. After controlling for age, race, mode of vaginal
      delivery, and birth weight, obesity remained significant. Conclusion. Being obese
      may protect against third- and fourth-degree lacerations independent of parity,
      race, birth weight, and mode of delivery. 

PMID- 27274870
TI  - Active Holistic Surveillance: The Nutritional Aspect of Delayed Intervention in
      Prostate Cancer.
AB  - Purpose. Active surveillance is an emergent strategy for management of indolent
      prostate cancer. Our institution's watchful waiting protocol, Active Holistic
      Surveillance (AHS), implements close monitoring for disease progression along
      with various chemopreventive agents and attempts to reduce unnecessary biopsies.
      Our objective is to report on the treatment rates of men on our AHS protocol as
      well as determine reasons for progression. Materials/Methods. Low risk and low
      intermediate risk patients were enrolled in AHS at Winthrop University Hospital
      between February 2002 and August 2015. Our IRB-approved study analyzed survival
      rate, discontinuation rates, and definitive treatments for patients in our AHS
      cohort. Results. 235 patients met inclusion criteria. Median age and follow-up
      for the cohort were 66 (44-88) years and 42 (3-166) months, respectively. The
      overall survival for the cohort was 99.6% and the disease specific survival was
      100%. A total of 27 (11.5%) patients discontinued AHS. Conclusion. The
      incorporation of chemopreventive agents in our AHS protocol has allowed patients
      to prolong definitive treatment for many years. Longer follow-up and additional
      studies are necessary to further validate the effectiveness of AHS. 

PMID- 27274871
TI  - Retracted: Is Hippocampus Susceptible to Antinociceptive Tolerance to NSAIDs Like
      the Periaqueductal Grey?
AB  - [This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2014/654578.]. 

PMID- 27274872
TI  - Exploring Self-Efficacy in Australian General Practitioners Managing Patient
      Obesity: A Qualitative Survey Study.
AB  - Background. Obesity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the
      Australian community, and general practitioners (GPs) are commonly approached by
      patients for assistance in losing weight. Previous studies have shown that GPs
      have low self-efficacy and low outcome expectation when it comes to managing
      overweight and obese patients, which affects their willingness to initiate and
      continue with weight counselling. This qualitative survey study aimed to explore
      the factors influencing confidence and behaviour in obesity management in GPs.
      Method. Twelve GPs recruited to deliver a pilot of an obesity management program
      participated in semistructured interviews, and interpretive analysis underpinned
      by social cognitive theory was performed on the transcripts. Results. Analysis
      identified five main themes: (1) perceived knowledge and skills, (2) structure to
      management approach, (3) the GP-patient relationship, (4) acknowledged barriers
      to weight loss and lifestyle change, and (5) prior experience and outcome
      expectation. Conclusions. GPs are likely to welcome tools which provide a more
      structured approach to obesity management. Shifting away from weight and BMI as
      sole yardsticks for success or failure and emphasising positive lifestyle changes
      for their own sake may improve GP self-efficacy and allow for a more authentic GP
      patient interaction. 

PMID- 27274873
TI  - Astrocyte Hypertrophy Contributes to Aberrant Neurogenesis after Traumatic Brain
      Injury.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a widespread epidemic with severe cognitive,
      affective, and behavioral consequences. TBIs typically result in a relatively
      rapid inflammatory and neuroinflammatory response. A major component of the
      neuroinflammatory response is astrocytes, a type of glial cell in the brain.
      Astrocytes are important in maintaining the integrity of neuronal functioning,
      and it is possible that astrocyte hypertrophy after TBIs might contribute to
      pathogenesis. The hippocampus is a unique brain region, because neurogenesis
      persists in adults. Accumulating evidence supports the functional importance of
      these newborn neurons and their associated astrocytes. Alterations to either of
      these cell types can influence neuronal functioning. To determine if
      hypertrophied astrocytes might negatively influence immature neurons in the
      dentate gyrus, astrocyte and newborn neurons were analyzed at 30 days following a
      TBI in mice. The results demonstrate a loss of radial glial-like processes
      extending through the granule cell layer after TBI, as well as ectopic growth and
      migration of immature dentate neurons. The results further show newborn neurons
      in close association with hypertrophied astrocytes, suggesting a role for the
      astrocytes in aberrant neurogenesis. Future studies are needed to determine the
      functional significance of these alterations to the astrocyte/immature neurons
      after TBI.

PMID- 27274874
TI  - Increase in Growth Cone Size Correlates with Decrease in Neurite Growth Rate.
AB  - Several important discoveries in growth cone cell biology were made possible by
      the use of growth cones derived from cultured Aplysia bag cell neurons, including
      the characterization of the organization and dynamics of the cytoskeleton. The
      majority of these Aplysia studies focused on large growth cones induced by poly-L
      lysine substrates at early stages in cell culture. Under these conditions, the
      growth cones are in a steady state with very little net advancement. Here, we
      offer a comprehensive cellular analysis of the motile behavior of Aplysia growth
      cones in culture beyond this pausing state. We found that average growth cone
      size decreased with cell culture time whereas average growth rate increased. This
      inverse correlation of growth rate and growth cone size was due to the occurrence
      of large growth cones with a peripheral domain larger than 100 MUm(2). The large
      pausing growth cones had central domains that were less consistently aligned with
      the direction of growth and could be converted into smaller, faster-growing
      growth cones by addition of a three-dimensional collagen gel. We conclude that
      the significant lateral expansion of lamellipodia and filopodia as observed
      during these culture conditions has a negative effect on neurite growth.

PMID- 27274876
TI  - Pancreatic Pseudocyst Pleural Fistula in Gallstone Pancreatitis.
AB  - Extra-abdominal complications of pancreatitis such as pancreaticopleural fistulae
      are rare. A pancreaticopleural fistula occurs when inflammation of the pancreas
      and pancreatic ductal disruption lead to leakage of secretions through a
      fistulous tract into the thorax. The underlying aetiology in the majority of
      cases is alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis. The diagnosis is often delayed
      given that the majority of patients present with pulmonary symptoms and
      frequently have large, persistent pleural effusions. The diagnosis is confirmed
      through imaging and the detection of significantly elevated amylase levels in the
      pleural exudate. Treatment options include somatostatin analogues,
      thoracocentesis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with
      pancreatic duct stenting, and surgery. The authors present a case of pancreatic
      pseudocyst pleural fistula in a woman with gallstone pancreatitis presenting with
      recurrent pneumonias and bilateral pleural effusions. 

PMID- 27274875
TI  - Early Social Enrichment Improves Social Motivation and Skills in a Monogenic
      Mouse Model of Autism, the Oprm1 (-/-) Mouse.
AB  - Environmental enrichment has been proven to have positive effects on both
      behavioral and physiological phenotypes in rodent models of mental and
      neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we used mice lacking the u-opioid
      receptor gene (Oprm1 (-/-)), which has been shown to have deficits in social
      competence and communication, to assess the hypothesis that early enrichment can
      ameliorate sociability during development and adulthood. Due to the immaturity of
      sensory-motor capabilities of young pups, we chose as environmental stimulation a
      second lactating female, who provided extra maternal care and stimulation from
      birth. The results show that double mothering normalized the abnormal response to
      maternal separation in Oprm1 (-/-) pups and increased social motivation in
      juveniles and adult knockout mice. Additionally, we observed that Oprm1 (-/-)
      mice act as less attractive social partners than wild types, which suggests that
      social motivation can be modulated by the stimulus employed. This experiment
      supports previous findings suggesting that early social environmental stimulation
      has profound and long-term beneficial effects, encouraging the use of
      nonpharmacological interventions for the treatment of social defects in
      neurodevelopmental diseases.

PMID- 27274877
TI  - Aggressive Angiomyxoma in Pregnancy: A Rare Condition, a Common Misdiagnosis.
AB  - Introduction. Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm. Although
      benign in the majority of the cases, these neoplasms usually present a locally
      infiltrative nature and high rates of recurrence. Due to its rarity, misdiagnosis
      is a common problem. Case Presentation. We present one case of aggressive
      angiomyxoma in a 25-year-old pregnant woman. The patient presented with a large
      vaginal mass that was interpreted as a vaginal cyst. We performed surgical
      resection of the neoplasm and the correct diagnosis was only achieved after
      histological examination. With this case, we highlight the importance of
      considering this diagnosis in patients with genital and perineal masses of
      unknown origin and the impact of a correct preoperative diagnosis in patient's
      management and follow-up. Conclusion. Although aggressive angiomyxoma is rare, it
      should be considered in differential diagnosis of pelviperineal masses in young
      women. Its positivity to estrogen and progesterone receptors can justify
      enlargement and recurrence during pregnancy, although few cases are reported.
      Early recognition demands high index of suspicion for both gynaecologists and
      pathologists. Wide surgical excision with tumor free margins is the basis of
      curative treatment. Adjuvant therapy may be necessary for residual or recurrent
      tumors. Long-term follow-up is recommended. 

PMID- 27274878
TI  - Bilateral, Simultaneous, Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma in Pseudophakia Induced by
      Chlorthalidone.
AB  - Purpose. To report two persons with acute, bilateral, and simultaneous angle
      closure glaucoma in pseudophakia secondary to uveal effusions induced by
      administration of chlorthalidone. Methods. CASE REPORTS: Results. Bilateral
      shallow anterior chambers and high intraocular pressure with decline in visual
      acuity were reported in two patients within days of intake of chlorthalidone for
      systemic hypertension. Gonioscopy confirmed appositional angle closure while
      choroidal detachment and ciliochoroidal detachment were revealed on
      ultrasonographic studies. Discontinuing chlorthalidone and institution of aqueous
      suppressants to reduce IOP and cycloplegics reversed angle closure and glaucoma.
      Conclusions. Reports of angle closure glaucoma in pseudophakic eyes induced by
      idiosyncratic reaction to chlorthalidone confirms that osmotic changes in the
      crystalline lens has no role in the pathogenesis of drug induced glaucoma and
      reaffirms that glaucoma is secondary to ciliochoroidal detachment and ciliary
      body rotation and edema.

PMID- 27274879
TI  - Extraction of a Large Central Airway Foreign Body Using Flexible Bronchoscopy
      Combined with an Endobronchial Blocker.
AB  - Adult foreign body (FB) aspiration is an uncommon but potentially fatal event.
      Options for extraction include flexible bronchoscopy (FLXB), rigid bronchoscopy
      (RB), and surgical extraction. We report the case of a large, smooth aspirated
      rock causing airway obstruction in an elderly male. RB is generally the preferred
      approach for extraction of a large complex FB; however, due to its size, the FB
      had to be removed using FLXB combined with an endobronchial blocker. In this
      report, we describe the anesthetic and surgical considerations and the novel
      technique used to extract the FB. 

PMID- 27274880
TI  - A Giant Aggressive Angiomyxoma of the Pelvis Misdiagnosed as Incarcerated Femoral
      Hernia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor that is mostly
      derived from the female pelvic and perineal regions. AA is a locally infiltrative
      slow growing tumor with a marked tendency to local recurrence. Painless swelling
      located around the genitofemoral region is the common symptom; thus, it is often
      misdiagnosed as a gynecological malignancy or a groin hernia. A 35-year-old
      female patient who previously underwent surgery for left femoral hernia operation
      resulting in surgical failure was reoperated for a giant AA located in the
      pelvis. The tumor was completely excised with free margins. Histopathologic
      examination revealed an AA. The tumor size was measured as 24 * 12 * 6 cm with a
      weight of 4.2 kg. Immunohistochemically, the cells show positive staining with
      vimentin, desmin, estrogen, and progesterone receptor. S100, MUC4, CD34, and SMA
      were negative in the tumor cells. AA should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis of any painless swelling located in the genitofemoral region,
      particularly in women of reproductive age. The principle treatment should be
      complete surgical excision with tumor-free margins. Long-term follow-up and
      careful monitoring are essential due to its high tendency of local recurrence in
      spite of wide excision of the tumor. Adjuvant antihormonal therapy yields
      promising results for preventing recurrence. 

PMID- 27274881
TI  - Application of the Liver Maximum Function Capacity Test in Acute Liver Failure: A
      Helpful Tool for Decision-Making in Liver Transplantation?
AB  - Background. Despite aggressive intensive medical management acute liver failure
      (ALF) may require high-urgency liver transplantation (LTx). Available prognostic
      scores do not apply for all patients; reliable tools to identify individuals in
      need of LTx are highly required. The liver maximum function capacity test (LiMAx)
      might represent an appropriate option. Referring to a case of ALF after Amanita
      phalloides-intoxication the potential of the LiMAx-test in this setting is
      discussed. Presentation of Case. LiMAx was performed in a 27-year-old patient
      prior to and after high-urgency LTx. In accordance with clinical appearance of
      hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy, and acute kidney failure, the LiMAx-test
      constituted a fulminant course of ALF with hardly any detectable metabolic
      activity. Following LTx with a marginal donor organ (95% hepatosteatosis), uptake
      of liver function was demonstrated by postoperative increase of the LiMAx-value.
      The patient was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 26. Discussion. ALF
      often is associated with a critical state of the patient that requires almost
      immediate decision-making regarding further therapy. Application of a noninvasive
      liver function test might help to determine the prognosis of ALF and support
      decision-making for or against LTx as well as acceptance of a critical donor
      organ in case of a critically ill patient. 

PMID- 27274882
TI  - An Expert Diagnosis System for Parkinson Disease Based on Genetic Algorithm
      Wavelet Kernel-Extreme Learning Machine.
AB  - Parkinson disease is a major public health problem all around the world. This
      paper proposes an expert disease diagnosis system for Parkinson disease based on
      genetic algorithm- (GA-) wavelet kernel- (WK-) Extreme Learning Machines (ELM).
      The classifier used in this paper is single layer neural network (SLNN) and it is
      trained by the ELM learning method. The Parkinson disease datasets are obtained
      from the UCI machine learning database. In wavelet kernel-Extreme Learning
      Machine (WK-ELM) structure, there are three adjustable parameters of wavelet
      kernel. These parameters and the numbers of hidden neurons play a major role in
      the performance of ELM. In this study, the optimum values of these parameters and
      the numbers of hidden neurons of ELM were obtained by using a genetic algorithm
      (GA). The performance of the proposed GA-WK-ELM method is evaluated using
      statical methods such as classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity
      analysis, and ROC curves. The calculated highest classification accuracy of the
      proposed GA-WK-ELM method is found as 96.81%. 

PMID- 27274884
TI  - Development and Characterization of Novel Floating-Mucoadhesive Tablets Bearing
      Venlafaxine Hydrochloride.
AB  - The present investigation is concerned about the development of floating
      bioadhesive drug delivery system of venlafaxine hydrochloride which after oral
      administration exhibits a unique combination of floating and bioadhesion to
      prolong gastric residence time and increase drug bioavailability within the
      stomach. The floating bioadhesive tablets were prepared by the wet granulation
      method using different ratios of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4MCR) and
      Carbopol 934PNF as polymers. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and citric acid were
      used as gas (CO2) generating agents. Tablets were characterized for floating
      properties, in vitro drug release, detachment force, and swelling index. The
      concentration of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and Carbopol 934PNF significantly
      affects the in vitro drug release, floating properties, detachment force, and
      swelling properties of the tablets. The optimized formulation showed the floating
      lag time 72 +/- 2.49 seconds and duration of floating 24.50 +/- 0.74 hr. The in
      vitro release studies and floating behavior were studied in simulated gastric
      fluid (SGF) at pH 1.2. Different drug release kinetics models were also applied.
      The in vitro drug release from tablets was sufficiently sustained (more than 18
      hr) and the Fickian transports of the drug from the tablets were confirmed. The
      radiological evidence suggests that the tablets remained buoyant and altered
      position in the stomach of albino rabbit and mean gastric residence time was
      prolonged (more than > 6 hr). 

PMID- 27274883
TI  - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome May Be an Autoimmune Disorder.
AB  - Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder
      affecting females. It is a common cause of menstrual irregularities and
      infertility during reproductive age. Genetic and hormonal factors play crucial
      role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Low level of progesterone in PCOS causes
      overstimulation of immune system that produces more estrogen which leads to
      various autoantibodies. Different autoantibodies have been documented in PCOS,
      for example, anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-thyroid, anti-spermatic, anti-SM, anti
      histone, anti-carbonic anhydrase, anti-ovarian, and anti-islet cell antibodies.
      There is an association between PCOS and autoimmune diseases such as ANA and anti
      TPO that have been documented in systemic lupus erythematosus and Hashimoto
      thyroiditis, respectively, and it is suspected that there are autoantibodies that
      might affect the long term clinical management of these patients. Therefore
      fluctuating levels of autoantibodies in different PCOS patients give us the way
      to open new chapter for future research on molecular level. This may lead to
      discovery of better treatment options for PCOS in near future. 

PMID- 27274885
TI  - Environmental Risk Factors in Patients with Noninvasive Fungal Sinusitis.
AB  - Objective. The aim of our study was to try to determine the possible
      environmental risk factors for noninvasive fungal sinusitis in Egyptian patients.
      Methods. This is a prospective epidemiological case control study on the
      environmental risk factors of noninvasive fungal sinusitis. It included 60
      patients and 100 age and sex matched controls. Results. There was a statistically
      significant relation between apartment floor, surface area, exposure to dust,
      exposure to cockroaches, poor air conditioning, and fungal sinusitis. Yet, no
      statistical significance was found between allergy related occupations, exposure
      to animals or plants, although their percentages were higher among cases,
      smoking, and urban or rural residence. Conclusion. We suggest that for patients
      with noninvasive fungal sinusitis a change in their living environment must be
      implied with better exposure to sunlight, larger well ventilated homes, proper
      cleaning of dust and cockroach extermination, and if possible the judicious use
      of air conditioners. 

PMID- 27274886
TI  - Adaptability of Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) for Weed Control in
      Site of Animals Buried after Foot-and-Mouth Disease Infection.
AB  - After the infection of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Miyazaki, Japan, in
      2010, cattle and swine were slaughtered and buried in a site of 100 ha, where
      weed control is difficult and costly since lands are unlevelled and prohibited to
      be plowed for 3 years. To consider the adaptability of napiergrass (Pennisetum
      purpureum Schumach.) to the animal burial site for weed control, two napiergrass
      varieties, normal Wruk wona (WK) and dwarf late-heading variety (DL), were
      transplanted, compared with sowing of maize (MZ) and sorghum (SR) in both burial
      (BU) and neighboring bordered area (BO) in mid-June 2011. Even though several
      weed control methods were subjected to lands, MZ and SR failed to be established
      stably at only 1/3-1/2 due to the suppression of growth by indigenous weeds,
      while WK and DL successfully established as high as 82-91% and 73-85%,
      respectively, in 2011. The poor establishment of MZ and SR after sowing tended to
      be increased with the year from establishment. Plant dry matter yield and
      cellulose concentration were the highest in WK in 2011, while overwintering
      ability was constantly higher in DL in the 3 years. It is necessary to consider
      the utilization of forage plants on the animal burial site. 

PMID- 27274887
TI  - Approach to bulbar urethral strictures: Which technique and when?
AB  - Bulbar urethra is the most common site of anterior urethral stricture and this
      stricture develops secondary to idiopathic (40%), iatrogenic (35%), inflammatory
      (10%), and traumatic (15%) causes. Various techniques and approaches with buccal
      mucosal graft have been described. We wanted to describe different techniques of
      repair with specific advantages. 

PMID- 27274888
TI  - TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in Turkish patients with localized prostate cancer:
      results of radical prostatectomy specimens.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate and determine the frequency of Transmembrane
      protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2)-ERG fusion in Turkish patients with clinically
      localized prostate cancer by using immunohistochemistry and reveal its
      relationship with clinicopathologic variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Radical
      prostatectomy specimens of 99 patients, who underwent radical retropubic
      prostatectomy for localized cancer, between January 2002 and December 2011 were
      analyzed in the study. To detect ERG fusions, monoclonal ERG antibodyclone ID:
      EPR3864 (Epitomics, San Diego, CA, USA) and monoclonal anti-ERG antibody (9FY)
      (BiocareMedical, LLC, USA) were used. The immunistochemical expression of ERG
      protein was assessed as positive or negative regardless of stain intensity.
      Patients' age, total and primary Gleason scores, PSA levels, prostate volumes,
      tumor volumes, tumor stages and perineural invasion status were analysed
      retrospectively. Total fusion rate and correlation between the variables and
      fusion were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age, prostate volume, tumor volume, PSA
      value of 99 patients were 62.02 years (+/-5.93), 50.02 cc (+/-20.67), 3.19 cc (+/
      4.16), and 9.34 ng/mL (+/-3.37) respectively. TMPRSS2-ERG fusion was seen in 46
      (46.5%) of 99 patients. When the variables analysed with independent samples t
      test to predict fusion (+) status, none of them was found to be statistically
      significant. When evaluated by logistic regression analysis for (+) or (-)
      status, only tumor stage was found to be statistically significantly correlated
      with fusion (p=0.049). CONCLUSION: The incidence of TMPRSS-ERG fusion in patients
      with localised prostate cancer in our study with Turkish population was found as
      46.5%. Only tumor stage correlated with TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.

PMID- 27274889
TI  - The effect of ureteroscope size in the treatment of ureteral stone: 15-year
      experience of an endoscopist.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the ureter stone treatment results performed
      by using different- caliber semirigid ureteroscopes (URS). MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Adult patients who were treated for ureteral stones by a single endoscopist
      between January 2000 and March 2015 were analyzed. The patients were divided into
      3 groups in accordance with the caliber of the ureteroscope used: 10/10.5 F Storz
      (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) (January 2002-January 2005) URS was used in
      group 1, 8.9/9.8 F Storz (February 2005-December 2011) URS was used in group 2,
      and 6/7.5 FWolf (Richard Wolf, Knittlingen, Germany) (January 2012-March 2015)
      URS was used in group 3. Patients' age and gender, size and site of stones, stone
      free rates (SFR), intra- and perioperative complication rates, and durations of
      surgery were compared among the groups. Intraoperative complications were
      classified according to modified Satava, and perioperative complications were
      classified according to modified Clavien classification systems. RESULTS: A total
      of 2461 patients treated for ureteral stones were analyzed. There were 583
      patients in group 1 (10/10.5 F Storz), 1302 patients in group 2 (8.9/9.8 F
      Storz), and 576 patients in group 3 (6/7.5 F Wolf). SFR were 83.7%, 87.4%, and
      92.2% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p=0.01). Duration of surgery was
      30.34+/-10.36 min in group 1, 31.61+/-10.10 min in group 2, and 42.40+/-7.35 min
      in group 3 (p=0.01). The overall complication rates classified according to
      modified Satava classification were 10.8%, 7.6%, and 6.9% (p=0.01) while grade 3
      modified Satava complication rates were 1.9%, 1.5%and 0.5% in groups 1, 2, and 3,
      respectively (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that more frequent use
      of a small- caliber URS resulted in a longer duration of surgery and an increased
      rate for JJ stent insertion, however it facilitated a safer and more successful
      ureteroscopy procedure.

PMID- 27274890
TI  - Evaluation of the complications in transperitoneal laparoscopic renal and adrenal
      surgery with Clavien-Dindo classification.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate our complications in renal and adrenal transperitoneal
      laparoscopic surgeries with Clavien-Dindo classification. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Two hundred and eight patients to whom renal and adrenal laparoscopic surgeries
      were performed between January 2008 and June 2015 were included the study. One
      hundred and twenty one (58.2%) patients were female and 87 (41.8%) of them were
      male. Laparoscopic procedures were performed as radical nephrectomy (n=49;
      23.6%), simple nephrectomy (n=56; 26.9%), and partial nephrectomy (n=7; 3.4%),
      renal cyst decortication (n=27; 13%), pyelopasty (n=14; 6.7%) and adrenalectomy
      (n=55; 26.4%). Complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo
      classification. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 48.01+/-14.9 years. The
      mean duration of hospital stay was 3.5+/-1.9 days. According to European Scoring
      System for Laparoscopic Operations the procedures were graded based on procedural
      difficulty as simple (n=27; 12.9%), difficult (n=172; 82.8%), and highly
      difficult (n=9; 4.3%). Complications were observed in 13 (6.3%) interventions.
      One of these occurred during very hard and 14 during difficult procedures.
      According to Clavien-Dindo Classification; Grades 1, 2, and 3 A complications
      developed in 3 (1.4%), 9 (4.3%), and 1(0.5%) patient, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Laparoscopic surgery is an efficient procedure in well-chosen patients for renal
      and adrenal diseases with low complication rates.

PMID- 27274891
TI  - Clinical and histopathological results of the adult patients with unilateral
      cryptorchidism.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histopathological results of adult
      unilateral cryptorchidism patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from adult
      unilateral cryptorchidism patients that underwent orchiectomy in our clinic
      between between January 2004 and March 2013 were retrospectively evaluated.
      Patients were divided into three groups as intra-abdominal, inguinal canal and
      superficial inguinal region according to the location of the undescended testes.
      Patients were also grouped according to their testicular volume (<4 cc, 4.1-12
      cc, and >12 cc). Histopathology results of orchiectomy specimens were classified
      as follows: 1. Sertoli cells only, testicular atrophy and vanished testis
      (anorchia) 2. Hypospermatogenesis, and 3. Maturation arrest. Patients were
      grouped as normospermia, azoospermia and oligo/astheno/teratospermia groups
      according to semen analysis results. Correlations between testicular
      localization, testicular size, semen analysis and pathology results were
      evaluated. Incidental tumor detection rates were also calculated. RESULTS: Two
      hundred and forty-four adult unilateral cryptorchidism patients underwent
      orchiectomy in our clinic. There was no a significant relationship between
      location of the testis and testicular pathology results (p=0.707). Most common
      semen analysis results was normospermia in patients with high testicular volume
      group however azoospermia and oligoasthenospermia observed commonly in patients
      with low testicular volume group. There was a significant relationship between
      testicular volume and semen analysis results (p=0.023). No significant
      relationship was observed between semen analysis and pathological results
      (p=0.929). After an evaluation of all factors with possible effects on the semen
      analysis results, only testicular volume (p=0.036) was found to have a
      significant impact. Only one case (0.4%) was incidentally diagnosed seminoma
      after a review of 233 patients with available histopathological results on
      record. CONCLUSION: Adult unilateral cryptorchidism has a minimal effect on male
      fertility or even this effect can be overlooked. Low detection rates of
      incidental germ cell tumors also make an orchiectomy decision questionable in
      such cases.

PMID- 27274892
TI  - Early removal of urinary catheter after excision and primary anastomosis in
      anterior urethral stricture.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of removing the urinary catheter 7 days
      after excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) performed with the indication of
      anterior urethral stricture disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review
      of medical records of the patients who had undergone EPA between January 2005 and
      December 2010 was performed. These patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1
      (urethral catheter removed on or before 7. postoperative day) and Group 2
      (urethral catheter removed on 8. postoperative day or later). We compared 2
      groups as for the frequency of extravasation as detected on retrograde
      pericatheter urethrogram (PUG) and recurrence rate till the last follow-up.
      RESULTS: PUG was performed on an average day 7 and 14 in Groups 1 (n=102) and 2
      (n=134), respectively followed by removal of the catheter. Extravasation on the
      first PUG was detected in 6.8% of the patients in Group 1, and in 4.5% of the
      cases in Group 2 had extravasation on the first PUG. Urethral catheter was left
      in situ in these patients and a repeat PUG after one week was performed which was
      normal in all cases. The incidence of extravasation and recurrence rate did not
      differ significantly whether catheter was removed on day 7 or 14 (6.8% vs. 4.5%
      and 4.9% vs. 5.2% respectively) (p>0.5). CONCLUSION: We conclude that removal of
      the catheter on postoperative day 7 after EPA does not increase the rate of
      extravasation and recurrence during long-term follow-up. Urethral catheter
      restricts physical activity in the postoperative period which is bothersome to
      the patient. Hence early removal of a catheter should be offered to men after
      EPA.

PMID- 27274893
TI  - Comparison of sonoelastography with sonourethrography and retrograde
      urethrography in the evaluation of male anterior urethral strictures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Retrograde urethrography (RUG) is the most common and preferred
      imaging modality for imaging of the anterior urethral strictures despite its well
      known limitations and disadvantages. Sonourethrography (SUG) was introduced in
      1988 to overcome the limitations of RUG and to provide more accurate results. As
      proper selection of imaging modality is very important for planning the
      treatment, various advances in this area are required. One of the major factors
      for recurrence of stricture disease is spongiofibrosis. Sonoelastography (SE) is
      a newer technique, tried in various other pathologies. In this study, we have
      used this technique for the first time to assess its efficacy in the evaluation
      of anterior urethral stricture disease by comparison with RUG and SUG. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Between August 2014 and May 2015, 77 patients with clinical features
      of anterior urethral stricture disease were included in the study and evaluated
      by RUG followed by SUG and SE for stricture location, length, depth of
      spongiofibrosis and periurethral pathologies. The results were then correlated
      with operative and histopathological findings. RESULTS: Overall diagnostic
      accuracy of SE, SUG, and RGU for the estimation of stricture location, and length
      were estimated 92.68% vs. 91.54%, 79% vs. 78.87% and 80.48% vs. 43.66%,
      respectively, while for depth of spongiofibrosis SE, and SUG had accuracy rates
      of 87.3%, 48%, respectively. The mean length measured on SE was nearest to the
      mean intra-operative stricture length (21.34+11.8 mm). SE findings significantly
      correlated with the colour of bladder mucosa on cystoscopic examination (p=0.003)
      whereas the association was non-significant (p=0.127) for difficulty in incision.
      While a nonsignificant correlation existed between SUG findings related both to
      the colour of the bladder mucosa and difficulty in incision on cystoscopy, SE
      findings had a significant association (p<0.001) with histopathology findings for
      severe degree of fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Sonoelastography estimates stricture site
      and length better in comparison with RUG and SUG. It estimates degree of
      spongiofibrosis which serves as an important prognostic factor for stricture
      recurrence more accurately than SUG.

PMID- 27274894
TI  - 2% Lidocaine gel or plain lubricating gel: Which one should be used in male
      flexible cystoscopy?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the effects on pain of intraurethral 2%
      lidocaine gel and plain lubricating gel in male patients underwent flexible
      cystoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 220 male patients who underwent
      flexible cystoscopy between March 2012 and August 2014 were retrospectively
      analized. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to using
      intraurethral gel types. Group I included 120 patients who were underwent
      flexible cystoscopy with 2% lidocaine gel and Group II was consisted from 100
      patients who underwent flexible cystoscopy with plain lubricating gel. The groups
      were compared according to postprocedure data including pain score, procedure
      time and age of patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in Group I was
      50.02+/-11.87 years while that in Group II was 52.03+/-13.37 years (p=0.492). The
      mean procedure times were 6.02+/-0.787 and 6.28+/-0.689 minutes in Group I and
      Group II respectively (p=0.061). Pain perception scores were not statistically
      different between the groups (Group I: 3.10+/-0.980, Group II: 3.34+/-0.789,
      p=0.132). CONCLUSION: Use of intraurethral 2% lidocaine gel has no advantage over
      plain lubricating gel in regard to pain control during flexible cystoscopy in
      men.

PMID- 27274895
TI  - Assessment of bladder wall thickness in women with overactive bladder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare bladder wall thickness (BWT) between female patients with
      overactive bladder (OAB) and aged-matched healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Thirty-six female patients with OAB and 31 healthy women were enrolled in the
      present prospective observational study. Qmax and Qave were measured by using
      uroflowmetry in all of the women in the patient and control groups, and also
      maximum bladder capacity (MBC), post- void residual urine (PVRU), prevoiding and
      postvoiding BWT were measured by using transabdominal ultrasound. Lower urinary
      tract symptoms of the participants were assessed by using Overactive Bladder
      Version-8 (OAB-V8) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire
      Short Form (ICIQ-SF). All of the data were statistically compared between the
      patient and control groups. In the patient group, the relationships between
      parameters were evaluated correlation analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the
      patients and controls were similar (respectively, 45.58+/-12.35 and 44.21+/-11.60
      years (p=0.68). The mean pre- and post-voiding BWT, OAB-V8 and ICIQ-SF scores of
      the patients were significantly higher than the controls. In the patient group,
      the moderate positive correlations between BWT with Qmax (p=0.02) and Qave
      (p=0.02) were found. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the BWTs of the female
      patients with OAB are higher than those of healthy women. Further studies should
      investigate the changes in BWT of patients with OAB after treatment of OAB.

PMID- 27274896
TI  - Hamartoma of the urinary bladder in a 15-year-old boy.
AB  - Hamartoma of the bladder is an unusual entity described in only eleven patients
      to date. It may present as painless hematuria, irritative urinary tract symptoms,
      or inability to void or it may be diagnosed incidentally. Hamartoma of the
      bladder may be isolated or occur as part of a syndrome. No isolated bladder
      hamartoma to date has shown malignant potential. We describe here a bladder
      hamartoma in a 15-year-old boy. 

PMID- 27274897
TI  - Gastric metastasis of renal cell carcinoma 20 years after radical nephrectomy.
AB  - Renal cell carcinomas account for 2-3% of malignant neoplasms in adults. The
      lung, soft tissues and bone represent the most frequent sites of distant
      metastasis in renal cell carcinoma. Gastric metastasis is rare. Our case was a 72
      year-old man with complaints of fatigue and loss of appetite. In history, he had
      unergone radical nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma in 1993. A polypoid
      lesion was observed in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Histopathology of
      gastric biopsy specimen was reported as renal cell carcinoma. In English
      literature, there are 50 cases diagnosed as gastric metastasis from renal cell
      carcinoma. To date, there are only 4 cases with extremely late gastric metastasis
      of renal cell carcinoma. Herein, we present a rare case which underwent radical
      nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma and found to have gastric metastasis at
      20. year of his follow-up. 

PMID- 27274898
TI  - A rare cause of ureteral injuries; simultaneous common iliac artery and ureter
      injury during posterior lumbar disc surgery.
AB  - Major vascular injuries during lumbar disc surgery are rare but well-recognized
      complications. However, vascular injuries of the branches of the aorta and
      ureteral injuries are very rare. Although its incidence is not known definitely,
      it is estimated to be 1/1000. Ureteral injuries comprise less than 1% of all
      genitourinary traumas. In this article, we report clinical progress of a patient
      who had simultaneous internal iliac artery and ureteral injury during lumbar
      discectomy. The patient was managed with primary ureteroureterostomy. To our
      knowledge, this is the first case reported with simultaneous ureter and iliac
      artery trauma during lumbar disc surgery. 

PMID- 27274899
TI  - Surgical reconstruction in female genital mutilation.
AB  - Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an unusual condition for our country. However,
      an increase in FGM in future days can be predicted with the increasing numbers of
      exchange students coming from African countries, migration of refugees and
      socioeconomic relations with the African countries. We want to share our
      experience of two FGM victims admitted to our clinic with the request of
      reconstructive vulvar surgery before their marriage. Both women had WHO Type III
      FGM. Physical examination findings and surgical reconstruction techniques were
      presented. 

PMID- 27274900
TI  - RE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for isolated calyceal stones: How important is
      the stone location?

PMID- 27274901
TI  - Training problems of residents in urology.

PMID- 27274902
TI  - Late-Stage Diversification of Biologically Active Molecules via Chemoenzymatic C
      H Functionalization.
AB  - Engineered variants of rebeccamycin halogenase were used to selectively
      halogenate a number of biologically active aromatic compounds. Subsequent Pd
      catalyzed cross-coupling reactions on the crude extracts of these reactions were
      used to install aryl, amine, and ether substituents at the halogenation site.
      This simple, chemoenzymatic method enables non-directed functionalization of C-H
      bonds on a range of substrates to provide access to derivatives that would be
      challenging or inefficient to prepare by other means.

PMID- 27274903
TI  - Drug Use and Spatial Dynamics of Household Allocation.
AB  - : Household space allocation by women who consume drugs in New York and North
      Florida is depicted to demonstrate the complex character of household space and
      social relations. Some parents attempt to hide their drug consumption through the
      allocation space in the household for drug use. Women allocation of space for
      drug use within their households and the impact of this on the household are
      relevant issues with implications for therapy and prevention. OBJECTIVE: The use
      of household space has not been a focus of social scientists. Middle class
      households have been used by decoration literature to specify space utilization.
      Modest literature pay attention to the utilization of household space among drug
      focused households. Analysis herein looks at the lived social relations of drug
      users to their children through controlling household space. METHODS: Data
      presented comes from two studies, New York and Florida. The studies involved a
      total of 158 participants in 72 families from New York and 26 participants in 23
      families in North Florida. Both researches used an ethnographic methodology
      focusing on a variety of behavior patterns and conduct norms occurring within
      drug abusing households. Repeated interviews and observations took place in
      households which were visited at different times and days of the week. Florida
      study was conducted over a 2-year period; New York study took place over a 5-year
      period. RESULTS: Data suggest parents attempted to conceal their drug use from
      their offspring by using various strategies. Mental, social, and physical were
      tied together in space allocation. Household space acquired a different meaning
      and arose from use practice. CONCLUSION: In urban and rural settings a pattern of
      household allocation space and drug consumption is emerging. Although drug
      consumption is still prominent, it is not all consuming or the primary focus in
      the lives of women who use drugs. These women may have learned to integrate their
      consumption into their daily household/family life through the reallocation of
      space in their homes.

PMID- 27274904
TI  - Implementation of Computer-delivered Brief Alcohol Intervention in HIV Clinical
      Settings: Who Agrees to Participate?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Addressing alcohol use in primary HIV settings can improve medical
      outcomes and overall quality of life of persons living with HIV (PLWH). In order
      to assess the feasibility of computer-delivered brief alcohol intervention (CBI)
      and to inform future efforts to improve access to CBI, we examined patient-level
      socio-demographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics associated with
      agreement to participate in CBI among non-treatment seeking PLWH with alcohol
      misuse. METHODS: Participants were recruited from two Centres for AIDS Research
      (CFAR) Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) HIV clinics. PLWH completed
      a clinical assessment of patient-reported measures and outcomes using tablet
      based assessments, including socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics.
      HIV biological indicators, i.e., CD4 count and viral load, were also available
      from the electronic medical record. Participants were approached for CBI
      participation based on scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
      (AUDIT); no incentives were offered for CBI participation. We performed chi
      square tests, analysis of variance and multivariate logistic regression to
      compare socio-demographic, behavioural and clinical factors among participants
      who agreed to participate compared with those who refused/postponed
      participation. RESULTS: We observed that 42% of non-treatment seeking, non
      incentivized PLWH with alcohol misuse provided written agreement to participate
      in on-site CBI delivered in their HIV primary care clinic. A larger proportion of
      PLWH who agreed to enrol in CBI had detectable viral loads, heavier weekly
      alcohol use, and higher DSM-5 alcohol use disorder symptom counts and mental
      health symptoms. Neither socio-demographic background nor drug use status was
      associated with CBI enrolment. CONCLUSION: CBI implementation reached those
      patients most in need of care. The findings of this study may assist HIV-care
      providers to better identify appropriate patients and initiate discussions to
      facilitate the participation of PLWH in alcohol intervention services.

PMID- 27274905
TI  - Impact of Major Depressive Disorder on Prediabetes by Impairing Insulin
      Sensitivity.
AB  - Reports regarding the associations between major depressive disorder (MDD) and
      diabetes remain heterogeneous. Our aim was to investigate whether glucose
      homeostasis and insulin sensitivity were impaired in the MDD patients and its
      mechanisms. A total of 30 patients with MDD and 30 matched controls were
      recruited. The oral glucose tolerance test and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
      scan were performed in each participant. Insulin signaling in postmortem brain
      tissues from other depressive patients and controls (obtained from Alabama brain
      bank) was examined. Insulin sensitivity was reduced substantially in the MDD
      patients, however, the fasting and 2-h glucose concentrations remained within the
      normal range through compensatory insulin secretion. Despite increased insulin
      secretion, 1-h glucose concentrations in the MDD patients were significantly
      elevated compared with the controls. MDD patients had greater visceral fat mass
      but lower adiponectin levels compared with the controls. Furthermore,
      phosphorylated-AKT levels in insulin signaling were decreased in postmortem brain
      tissues in patients with MDD. These results suggest that MDD patients are at a
      greater risk for diabetes due to decreased insulin sensitivity, reduced
      disposition index, and impaired glucose tolerance as manifested by elevated 1-h
      glucose concentrations following an oral glucose challenge. Mechanistic studies
      reveal that decreased insulin sensitivity is associated with increased visceral
      fat mass, lower adiponectin levels and impaired insulin action in postmortem
      brain tissues in the MDD patients. Our findings emphasize the importance of
      screening depressive patients to identify susceptible individuals for developing
      future diabetes with the hope of improving their health outcomes.

PMID- 27274906
TI  - Adoptive Transfer of Dendritic Cells Expressing Fas Ligand Modulates Intestinal
      Inflammation in a Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic relapsing inflammatory
      conditions of unknown cause and likely result from the loss of immunological
      tolerance, which leads to over-activation of the gut immune system. Gut
      macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for maintaining tolerance,
      but can also contribute to the inflammatory response in conditions such as IBD.
      Current therapies for IBD are limited by high costs and unwanted toxicities and
      side effects. The possibility of reducing intestinal inflammation with DCs
      genetically engineered to over-express the apoptosis-inducing FasL (FasL-DCs) has
      not yet been explored. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the immunomodulatory effect of
      administering FasL-DCs in the rat trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) model of
      acute colitis. METHODS: Expression of FasL on DCs isolated from the mesenteric
      lymph nodes (MLNs) of normal and TNBS-colitis rats was determined by flow
      cytometry. Primary rat bone marrow DCs were transfected with rat FasL plasmid
      (FasL-DCs) or empty vector (EV-DCs). The effect of these DCs on T cell IFNgamma
      secretion and apoptosis was determined by ELISPOT and flow cytometry for Annexin
      V, respectively. Rats received FasL-DCs or EV-DCs intraperitoneally 96 and 48
      hours prior to colitis induction with TNBS. Colonic T cell and neutrophil
      infiltration was determined by immunohistochemistry for CD3 and myeloperoxidase
      activity assay, respectively. Macrophage number and phenotype was measured by
      double immunofluorescence for CD68 and inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase. RESULTS:
      MLN dendritic cells from normal rats expressed more FasL than those from colitic
      rats. Compared to EV-DCs, FasL-DCs reduced T cell IFNgamma secretion and
      increased T cell apoptosis in vitro. Adoptive transfer of FasL-DCs decreased
      macroscopic and microscopic damage scores and reduced colonic T cells,
      neutrophils, and proinflammatory macrophages when compared to EV-DC adoptive
      transfer. CONCLUSION: FasL-DCs are effective at treating colonic inflammation in
      this model of IBD and represent a possible new treatment for patients with IBD.

PMID- 27274907
TI  - Restoration of Retarded Influenza Virus-specific Immunoglobulin Class Switch in
      Aged Mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The declined immune response to infection causes significant higher
      morbidity and mortality in aging in spite of the coexisted
      hyperimmunoglobulinemia (HIG). This study is to reveal the cellular basis of HIG
      and mechanism of weakened HA-specific IgG response in aged mice and to test cell
      therapy in the treatment of age-related IgG antibody production deficiency with
      immunocyte adoptive transfer. METHODS: BALB/c mice was immunized with Influenza
      A/Taiwan vaccine and challenged with the same strain of virus. ELISA was used to
      assess the levels of total immunoglobulins and antigen specific antibody
      response. The flow cytometry and ELISPOT were used to evaluate the frequencies of
      total immunoglobulin- and specific antibody-producing and secreting B
      lymphocytes. In vitro expanded mononuclear cells, CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD20+ B
      lymphocytes from old and young mice were adoptively transferred into influenza
      virus-challenged aged mice, and HA-specific IgG responses were observed. RESULTS:
      It is found that old mice exhibited higher levels of total serum IgG, IgM and
      IgA, higher frequencies of IgG+, IgM+ and IgA+ cells, and greater antigen
      specific IgM and IgA responses to influenza infection, in comparison to young
      mice. However, influenza antigen- specific IgG and its subclass responses in old
      mice were significantly lower. CONCLUSION: The retarded specific IgG response
      could be attributed to an insufficiency of immunoglobulin class switch in aging.
      Correlation analysis indicated that HIG and deficient specific IgG production in
      aged mice could be independent to each other in their pathogenesis. Correction of
      deficient specific IgG production by adoptive transfer of in vitro expanded and
      unexpanded CD4+ cells from immunized young mice suggests the CD4+ cell
      dysfunction contributes to the insufficiency of immunoglobulin class switch in
      aged mice. The transfusion of in vitro expanded lymphocytes could be a potential
      effective therapy for the age-related immunodeficiency and could play a role in
      the infection prevention in aging.

PMID- 27274909
TI  - Soluble material secreted from Penicillium chrysogenum isolate exhibits
      antifungal activity against Cryphonectria parasitica- the causative agent of the
      American Chestnut Blight.
AB  - The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once the dominant canopy tree along
      the eastern region of the United States. Cryphonectria parasitica, the causative
      agent of chestnut blight, was introduced from Asia in the early 1900's, and
      obliterated the chestnut population within 50 years. We sought to identify
      environmental microbes capable of producing factors that were fungicidal or
      inhibited growth of C. parasitica in the hopes developing a biological control of
      chestnut blight. We isolated a filamentous fungus that significantly inhibited
      the growth of C. parasitica upon co-cultivation. Extracellular fractions of this
      fungal isolate prevented C. parasitica growth, indicating that a potential
      fungicide was produced by the novel isolate. Sequence analysis of 18S rRNA
      identified this inhibitory fungus as Penicillium chrysogenum. Furthermore, these
      extracellular fractions were tested as treatments for blight in vivo using
      chestnut saplings. Scarred saplings that were treated with the P. chrysogenum
      extracellular fractions healed subjectively better than those without treatment
      when inoculated with C. parasitica. These data suggest that material secreted by
      P. chrysogenum could be used as a treatment for the American chestnut blight.
      This work may assist the reclamation of the American chestnut in association with
      breeding programs and blight attenuation. Specifically, treatment of small groves
      under the right conditions may allow them to remain blight free. Future work will
      explore the mechanism of action and specific target of the extracellular
      fraction.

PMID- 27274908
TI  - Magnetofection Enhances Adenoviral Vector-based Gene Delivery in Skeletal Muscle
      Cells.
AB  - The goal of magnetic field-assisted gene transfer is to enhance internalization
      of exogenous nucleic acids by association with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs).
      This technique named magnetofection is particularly useful in difficult-to
      transfect cells. It is well known that human, mouse, and rat skeletal muscle
      cells suffer a maturation-dependent loss of susceptibility to Recombinant
      Adenoviral vector (RAd) uptake. In postnatal, fully differentiated myofibers, the
      expression of the primary Coxsackie and Adenoviral membrane receptor (CAR) is
      severely downregulated representing a main hurdle for the use of these vectors in
      gene transfer/therapy. Here we demonstrate that assembling of Recombinant
      Adenoviral vectors with suitable iron oxide MNPs into magneto-adenovectors (RAd
      MNP) and further exposure to a gradient magnetic field enables to efficiently
      overcome transduction resistance in skeletal muscle cells. Expression of Green
      Fluorescent Protein and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 was significantly enhanced
      after magnetofection with RAd-MNPs complexes in C2C12 myotubes in vitro and mouse
      skeletal muscle in vivo when compared to transduction with naked virus. These
      results provide evidence that magnetofection, mainly due to its membrane-receptor
      independent mechanism, constitutes a simple and effective alternative to current
      methods for gene transfer into traditionally hard-to-transfect biological models.

PMID- 27274910
TI  - Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency May Present with Cervical Dystonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ataxia with vitamin E deficiency (AVED) is an autosomal recessive
      disorder that usually presents with ataxia, areflexia, and proprioceptive and
      vibratory sensory loss. Dystonia has been reported rarely. CASE REPORT: An 11
      year-old female presented with dystonic head tremor and cervical and bilateral
      arm dystonia. Her 14-year-old older brother had dystonic head tremor and
      generalized dystonia. One year later, the brother developed dysarthria, limb
      dysmetria, and gait ataxia. Compound heterozygous mutations in TTPA were
      detected, confirming the diagnosis of AVED. DISCUSSION: AVED may present with
      dystonia rather than ataxia, and should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis of progressive dystonia.

PMID- 27274911
TI  - Multicollinearity in Regression Analyses Conducted in Epidemiologic Studies.
AB  - The adverse impact of ignoring multicollinearity on findings and data
      interpretation in regression analysis is very well documented in the statistical
      literature. The failure to identify and report multicollinearity could result in
      misleading interpretations of the results. A review of epidemiological literature
      in PubMed from January 2004 to December 2013, illustrated the need for a greater
      attention to identifying and minimizing the effect of multicollinearity in
      analysis of data from epidemiologic studies. We used simulated datasets and real
      life data from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort to demonstrate the adverse
      effects of multicollinearity in the regression analysis and encourage researchers
      to consider the diagnostic for multicollinearity as one of the steps in
      regression analysis.

PMID- 27274913
TI  - Optical Diffraction in Close Proximity to Plane Apertures. IV. Test of a Pseudo
      Vectorial Theory.
AB  - Rayleigh's pseudo-vectorial theory of the diffraction of polarized light by
      apertures which are small compared to the wavelength of light is analyzed with
      respect to its mathematical rigor and physical significance. It is found that the
      results published by Rayleigh and Bouwkamp for s-polarized incident do not obey
      the conditions assumed in their derivation and must therefore be dismissed. It is
      also found that the theory leads to paradoxical predictions concerning the
      polarization of the diffracted field, so that the pseudo-vectorial approach is
      intrinsically incapable of describing polarization effects.

PMID- 27274914
TI  - A Summary of Lightpipe Radiation Thermometry Research at NIST.
AB  - During the last 10 years, research in light-pipe radiation thermometry has
      significantly reduced the uncertainties for temperature measurements in
      semiconductor processing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology
      (NIST) has improved the calibration of lightpipe radiation thermometers (LPRTs),
      the characterization procedures for LPRTs, the in situ calibration of LPRTs using
      thin-film thermocouple (TFTC) test wafers, and the application of model-based
      corrections to improve LPRT spectral radiance temperatures. Collaboration with
      industry on implementing techniques and ideas established at NIST has led to
      improvements in temperature measurements in semiconductor processing. LPRTs have
      been successfully calibrated at NIST for rapid thermal processing (RTP)
      applications using a sodium heat-pipe blackbody between 700  degrees C and 900 
      degrees C with an uncertainty of about 0.3  degrees C (k = 1) traceable to the
      International Temperature Scale of 1990. Employing appropriate effective
      emissivity models, LPRTs have been used to determine the wafer temperature in the
      NIST RTP Test Bed with an uncertainty of 3.5  degrees C. Using a TFTC wafer for
      calibration, the LPRT can measure the wafer temperature in the NIST RTP Test Bed
      with an uncertainty of 2.3  degrees C. Collaborations with industry in
      characterizing and calibrating LPRTs will be summarized, and future directions
      for LPRT research will be discussed.

PMID- 27274915
TI  - A Tale About the First Weights and Measures Intercomparison in the United States
      in 1832.
AB  - In preparation for the Hassler memorial tablet dedication in the National
      Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Administration Building lobby in
      December of 2004, I learned that Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler had carried out the
      first systematic study of weights and measures in the United States. I obtained a
      copy of Comparison of Weights and Measures of Length and Capacity Reported to the
      Senate of the United States which is Hassler's 1832 report to Congress on this
      comparison that related all the weights and measures then in use by the states
      and federal customhouses. Handwritten inscriptions in the book reveal interesting
      facts about Hassler's work and his communication with other scientists in Europe
      at that time.

PMID- 27274916
TI  - Phase Transformations in the High-Tc Superconducting Compounds, Ba2RCu3O7-delta
      (R = Nd, Sm, Gd, Y, Ho, and Er).
AB  - The phase transformation between the orthorhombic and tetragonal structures of
      six high-T c superconductors, Ba2RCu3O7- delta , where R = Nd, Sm, Gd, Y, Ho, and
      Er, and delta = 0 to 1, has been investigated using techniques of x-ray
      diffraction, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis (DTA/TGA)
      and electron diffraction. The transformation from the oxygen-rich orthorhombic
      phase to the oxygen-deficient tetragonal phase involves two orthorhombic phases.
      A superlattice cell caused by oxygen ordering, with a' = 2a, was observed for
      materials with smaller ionic radius (Y, Ho, and Er). For the larger lanthanide
      samples (Nd, Sm, and Gd), the a' = 2a type superlattice cell was not observed.
      The structural phase transition temperatures, oxygen stoichiometry and
      characteristics of the T c plateaus appear to correlate with the ionic radius,
      which varies based on the number of f electrons. Lanthanide elements with a
      smaller ionic radius stabilize the orthorhombic phase to higher temperatures and
      lower oxygen content. Also, the superconducting temperature is less sensitive to
      the oxygen content for materials with smaller ionic radius. The trend of
      dependence of the phase transformation temperature on ionic radius across the
      lanthanide series can be explained using a quasi-chemical approximation (QCA)
      whereby the strain effect plays an important role on the order-disorder
      transition due to the effect of oxygen content on the CuO chain sites.

PMID- 27274917
TI  - An Examination of New Paradigms for Spline Approximations.
AB  - Lavery splines are examined in the univariate and bivariate cases. In both
      instances relaxation based algorithms for approximate calculation of Lavery
      splines are proposed. Following previous work Gilsinn, et al. [7] addressing the
      bivariate case, a rotationally invariant functional is assumed. The version of
      bivariate splines proposed in this paper also aims at irregularly spaced data and
      uses Hseih-Clough-Tocher elements based on the triangulated irregular network
      (TIN) concept. In this paper, the univariate case, however, is investigated in
      greater detail so as to further the understanding of the bivariate case.

PMID- 27274918
TI  - Integer Representation of Decimal Numbers for Exact Computations.
AB  - A scheme is presented and software is documented for representing as integers
      input decimal numbers that have been stored in a computer as double precision
      floating point numbers and for carrying out multiplications, additions and
      subtractions based on these numbers in an exact manner. The input decimal numbers
      must not have more than nine digits to the left of the decimal point. The decimal
      fractions of their floating point representations are all first rounded off at a
      prespecified location, a location no more than nine digits away from the decimal
      point. The number of digits to the left of the decimal point for each input
      number besides not being allowed to exceed nine must then be such that the total
      number of digits from the leftmost digit of the number to the location where
      round-off is to occur does not exceed fourteen.

PMID- 27274912
TI  - Microbiota and Neurological Disorders: A Gut Feeling.
AB  - In the past century, noncommunicable diseases have surpassed infectious diseases
      as the principal cause of sickness and death, worldwide. Trillions of commensal
      microbes live in and on our body, and constitute the human microbiome. The vast
      majority of these microorganisms are maternally derived and live in the gut,
      where they perform functions essential to our health and survival, including:
      digesting food, activating certain drugs, producing short-chain fatty acids
      (which help to modulate gene expression by inhibiting the deacetylation of
      histone proteins), generating anti-inflammatory substances, and playing a
      fundamental role in the induction, training, and function of our immune system.
      Among the many roles the microbiome ultimately plays, it mitigates against
      untoward effects from our exposure to the environment by forming a biotic shield
      between us and the outside world. The importance of physical activity coupled
      with a balanced and healthy diet in the maintenance of our well-being has been
      recognized since antiquity. However, it is only recently that characterization of
      the host-microbiome intermetabolic and crosstalk pathways has come to the
      forefront in studying therapeutic design. As reviewed in this report, synthetic
      biology shows potential in developing microorganisms for correcting pathogenic
      dysbiosis (gut microbiota-host maladaptation), although this has yet to be
      proven. However, the development and use of small molecule drugs have a long and
      successful history in the clinic, with small molecule histone deacetylase
      inhibitors representing one relevant example already approved to treat cancer and
      other disorders. Moreover, preclinical research suggests that epigenetic
      treatment of neurological conditions holds significant promise. With the mouth
      being an extension of the digestive tract, it presents a readily accessible
      diagnostic site for the early detection of potential unhealthy pathogens resident
      in the gut. Taken together, the data outlined herein provide an encouraging
      roadmap toward important new medicines and companion diagnostic platforms in a
      wide range of therapeutic indications. 

PMID- 27274919
TI  - One-Center Location With Block and Euclidean Distance.
AB  - A geometrical analysis is made of the dual simplex algorithm applied to a linear
      programming formulation of the one-center location problem in IR (2) using block
      distance. A geometric rule is given, and shown to be equivalent to the minimum
      ratio rule of the simplex algorithm, for updating the dual basis. The geometric
      analysis is applied to the Euclidean distance one-center problem and yields an
      alternative updating procedure for the dual algorithm.

PMID- 27274920
TI  - Optimal Facility-Location.
AB  - Dr. Christoph Witzgall, the honoree of this Symposium, can count among his many
      contributions to applied mathematics and mathematical operations research a body
      of widely-recognized work on the optimal location of facilities. The present
      paper offers to non-specialists a sketch of that field and its evolution, with
      emphasis on areas most closely related to Witzgall's research at NBS/NIST.

PMID- 27274921
TI  - Optimization Models for Scheduling of Jobs.
AB  - This work is motivated by a particular scheduling problem that is faced by
      logistics centers that perform aircraft maintenance and modification. Here we
      concentrate on a single facility (hangar) which is equipped with several work
      stations (bays). Specifically, a number of jobs have already been scheduled for
      processing at the facility; the starting times, durations, and work station
      assignments for these jobs are assumed to be known. We are interested in how best
      to schedule a number of new jobs that the facility will be processing in the near
      future. We first develop a mixed integer quadratic programming model (MIQP) for
      this problem. Since the exact solution of this MIQP formulation is time
      consuming, we develop a heuristic procedure, based on existing bin packing
      techniques. This heuristic is further enhanced by application of certain local
      optimality conditions.

PMID- 27274922
TI  - Fast Algorithms for Structured Least Squares and Total Least Squares Problems.
AB  - We consider the problem of solving least squares problems involving a matrix M of
      small displacement rank with respect to two matrices Z 1 and Z 2. We develop
      formulas for the generators of the matrix M (H) M in terms of the generators of M
      and show that the Cholesky factorization of the matrix M (H) M can be computed
      quickly if Z 1 is close to unitary and Z 2 is triangular and nilpotent. These
      conditions are satisfied for several classes of matrices, including Toeplitz,
      block Toeplitz, Hankel, and block Hankel, and for matrices whose blocks have such
      structure. Fast Cholesky factorization enables fast solution of least squares
      problems, total least squares problems, and regularized total least squares
      problems involving these classes of matrices.

PMID- 27274923
TI  - Projections Onto Order Simplexes and Isotonic Regression.
AB  - Isotonic regression is the problem of fitting data to order constraints. This
      problem can be solved numerically in an efficient way by successive projections
      onto order simplex constraints. An algorithm for solving the isotonic regression
      using successive projections onto order simplex constraints was originally
      suggested and analyzed by Grotzinger and Witzgall. This algorithm has been
      employed repeatedly in a wide variety of applications. In this paper we briefly
      discuss the isotonic regression problem and its solution by the Grotzinger
      Witzgall method. We demonstrate that this algorithm can be appropriately modified
      to run on a parallel computer with substantial speed-up. Finally we illustrate
      how it can be used to pre-process mass spectral data for automatic high
      throughput analysis.

PMID- 27274924
TI  - Three Rings of Polyhedral Simple Functions.
AB  - We survey three ways to multiply elements of the additive subgroup of the group
      of real-valued functions on R(d) which is generated by the indicator functions of
      polyhedra. In the resulting commutative rings, identities often correspond to
      useful techniques of decomposition of polyhedra. We are led immediately to
      various interesting topics, including Ehrhart polynomials, mixed volumes, Gram's
      relation, and transversal characteristics.

PMID- 27274925
TI  - Analysis of Interior-Point Paths.
AB  - Infeasible-interior-point paths are the main tools in interior-point methods for
      solving many kinds of optimization problems. These paths are usually parametrized
      by a penalty-parameter r ? 0 and further parameters describing their off
      centrality and infeasiblilty. Starting with an early result of C. Witzgall et al.
      [12] in linear programming, this paper gives an overview on results concerning
      the existence of these paths, their analyticity and the limiting behavior of
      their derivatives as r ? 0, and this also for degenerate problems in the areas of
      linear programming, linear complementarity problems, and semi-definte
      programming.

PMID- 27274926
TI  - Evaluation of Aerodynamic Drag and Torque for External Tanks in Low Earth Orbit.
AB  - A numerical procedure is described in which the aerodynamic drag and torque in
      low Earth orbit are calculated for a prototype Space Shuttle external tank and
      its components, the "LO2" and "LH2" tanks, carrying liquid oxygen and hydrogen,
      respectively, for any given angle of attack. Calculations assume the hypersonic
      limit of free molecular flow theory. Each shell of revolution is assumed to be
      described by a series of parametric equations for their respective contours. It
      is discretized into circular cross sections perpendicular to the axis of
      revolution, which yield a series of ellipses when projected according to the
      given angle of attack. The drag profile, that is, the projection of the entire
      shell is approximated by the convex envelope of those ellipses. The area of the
      drag profile, that is, the drag area, and its center of area moment, that is, the
      drag center, are then calculated and permit determination of the drag vector and
      the eccentricity vector from the center of gravity of the shell to the drag
      center. The aerodynamic torque is obtained as the cross product of those vectors.
      The tanks are assumed to be either evacuated or pressurized with a uniform
      internal gas distribution: dynamic shifting of the tank center of mass due to
      residual propellant sloshing is not considered.

PMID- 27274927
TI  - A Column-Generation and Branch-and-Cut Approach to the Bandwidth-Packing Problem.
AB  - The telecommunications problem of assigning calls with point to point demand to a
      capacitated network where each call can be assigned to at most one path has been
      called the Bandwidth-Packing Problem. For a given network, with specified arc
      costs and arc capacities, one wishes to route calls (defined by a starting and
      ending point) through the network to maximize the profit from the calls routed.
      Each such call is single path routed and not all calls will be routed. We propose
      a branch-and-cut methodology coupled with column generation to optimally solve
      such problems. We examine the alternative approaches in the literature and
      explain how this new method takes the best of all components of methods suggested
      previously. The method we suggest is new in that it includes a linear programming
      based heuristic for obtaining good lower bounds, uses lifted minimal covers that
      take into account special-ordered set constraints, and dynamically choose among
      three alternative branching strategies. In addition, whenever a new column is
      generated, it is lifted into all existing cuts. We also discuss the need to
      generate all tied optimal linear optimization solutions if one wishes to assure
      that the solution obtained is optimal. Our computational results provide
      solutions to problems previously unsolvable.

PMID- 27274928
TI  - RM 8111: Development of a Prototype Linewidth Standard.
AB  - Staffs of the Semiconductor Electronics Division, the Information Technology
      Laboratory, and the Precision Engineering Laboratory at NIST, have developed a
      new generation of prototype Single-Crystal CD (Critical Dimension) Reference
      (SCCDRM) Materials with the designation RM 8111. Their intended use is
      calibrating metrology instruments that are used in semiconductor manufacturing.
      Each reference material is configured as a 10 mm * 11 mm silicon test-structure
      chip that is mounted in a 200 mm silicon carrier wafer. The fabrication of both
      the chip and the carrier wafer uses the type of lattice-plane-selective etching
      that is commonly employed in the fabrication of micro electro-mechanical systems
      devices. The certified CDs of the reference features are determined from Atomic
      Force Microscope (AFM) measurements that are referenced to high-resolution
      transmission-electron microscopy images that reveal the cross-section counts of
      lattice planes having a pitch whose value is traceable to the SI meter.

PMID- 27274929
TI  - Requirements for the Development of Bacillus Anthracis Spore Reference Materials
      Used to Test Detection Systems.
AB  - Bacillus anthracis spores have been used as biological weapons and the
      possibility of their further use requires surveillance systems that can
      accurately and reliably detect their presence in the environment. These systems
      must collect samples from a variety of matrices, process the samples, and detect
      the spores. The processing of the sample may include removal of inhibitors,
      concentration of the target, and extraction of the target in a form suitable for
      detection. Suitable reference materials will allow the testing of each of these
      steps to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the detection systems. The
      development of uniform and well-characterized reference materials will allow the
      comparison of different devices and technologies as well as assure the continued
      performance of detection systems. This paper discusses the special requirements
      of reference materials for Bacillus anthracis spores that could be used for
      testing detection systems. The detection of Bacillus anthracis spores is based on
      recognition of specific characteristics (markers) on either the spore surface or
      in the nucleic acids (DNA). We have reviewed the specific markers and their
      relevance to characterization of reference materials. We have also included the
      approach for the characterization of candidate reference materials that we are
      developing at the NIST laboratories. Additional applications of spore reference
      materials would include testing sporicidal treatments, techniques for sampling
      the environment, and remediation of spore-contaminated environments.

PMID- 27274930
TI  - Variable Magnification With Kirkpatrick-Baez Optics for Synchrotron X-Ray
      Microscopy.
AB  - We describe the distinction between the operation of a short focal length x-ray
      microscope forming a real image with a laboratory source (convergent
      illumination) and with a highly collimated intense beam from a synchrotron light
      source (Kohler illumination). We demonstrate the distinction with a Kirkpatrick
      Baez microscope consisting of short focal length multilayer mirrors operating at
      an energy of 8 keV. In addition to realizing improvements in the resolution of
      the optics, the synchrotron radiation microscope is not limited to the usual
      single magnification at a fixed image plane. Higher magnification images are
      produced by projection in the limit of geometrical optics with a collimated beam.
      However, in distinction to the common method of placing the sample behind the
      optical source of a diverging beam, we describe the situation in which the sample
      is located in the collimated beam before the optical element. The ultimate limits
      of this magnification result from diffraction by the specimen and are determined
      by the sample position relative to the focal point of the optic. We present
      criteria by which the diffraction is minimized.

PMID- 27274931
TI  - Simulating Timescale Dynamics of Network Traffic Using Homogeneous Modeling.
AB  - Simulating and understanding traffic dynamics in large networks are difficult and
      challenging due to the complexity of such networks and the limitations inherent
      in simulation modeling. Typically, simulation models used to study traffic
      dynamics include substantial detail representing protocol mechanisms across
      several layers of functionality. Such models must be restricted in space and time
      in order to be computationally tractable. We propose an alternative simulation
      approach that uses homogeneous modeling with an increased level of abstraction,
      in order to explore networks at larger space-time scales than otherwise feasible
      and to develop intuition and insight about the space-time dynamics of large
      networks. To illustrate the utility of our approach, we examine some current
      understandings of the timescale dynamics of network traffic, and we discuss some
      speculative results obtained with homogeneous modeling. Using a wavelet-based
      technique, we show correlation structures, and changes in correlation structures,
      of network traffic under variations in traffic sources, transport mechanisms, and
      network structure. Our simulation results justify further investigation of our
      approach, which might benefit from cross-verifications against more detailed
      simulation models.

PMID- 27274933
TI  - Erratum: External-Field Shifts of the (199)Hg(+) Optical Frequency Standard.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 829 in vol. 105.].

PMID- 27274932
TI  - Simple Thermal-Efficiency Model for CMOS-Microhotplate Design.
AB  - Simple, semi-empirical, first-order, analytic approximations to the current,
      voltage, and power as a function of microhotplate temperature are derived. To
      lowest order, the voltage is independent of, and the power and current are
      inversely proportional to, the length of the microhotplate heater legs. A first
      order design strategy based on this result is described.

PMID- 27274934
TI  - Measurement of 100 nm and 60 nm Particle Standards by Differential Mobility
      Analysis.
AB  - The peak particle size and expanded uncertainties (95 % confidence interval) for
      two new particle calibration standards are measured as 101.8 nm +/- 1.1 nm and
      60.39 nm +/- 0.63 nm. The particle samples are polystyrene spheres suspended in
      filtered, deionized water at a mass fraction of about 0.5 %. The size
      distribution measurements of aerosolized particles are made using a differential
      mobility analyzer (DMA) system calibrated using SRM((r)) 1963 (100.7 nm
      polystyrene spheres). An electrospray aerosol generator was used for generating
      the 60 nm aerosol to almost eliminate the generation of multiply charged dimers
      and trimers and to minimize the effect of non-volatile contaminants increasing
      the particle size. The testing for the homogeneity of the samples and for the
      presence of multimers using dynamic light scattering is described. The use of the
      transfer function integral in the calibration of the DMA is shown to reduce the
      uncertainty in the measurement of the peak particle size compared to the approach
      based on the peak in the concentration vs. voltage distribution. A modified
      aerosol/sheath inlet, recirculating sheath flow, a high ratio of sheath flow to
      the aerosol flow, and accurate pressure, temperature, and voltage measurements
      have increased the resolution and accuracy of the measurements. A significant
      consideration in the uncertainty analysis was the correlation between the slip
      correction of the calibration particle and the measured particle. Including the
      correlation reduced the expanded uncertainty from approximately 1.8 % of the
      particle size to about 1.0 %. The effect of non-volatile contaminants in the
      polystyrene suspensions on the peak particle size and the uncertainty in the size
      is determined. The full size distributions for both the 60 nm and 100 nm spheres
      are tabulated and selected mean sizes including the number mean diameter and the
      dynamic light scattering mean diameter are computed. The use of these particles
      for calibrating DMAs and for making deposition standards to be used with surface
      scanning inspection systems is discussed.

PMID- 27274935
TI  - Methods to Characterize Ricin for the Development of Reference Materials.
AB  - Ricin is an abundant protein from the castor bean plant Ricinus communis. Because
      of its high toxicity and the simplicity of producing mass quantities, ricin is
      considered a biological terrorism agent. We have characterized ricin extensively
      with a view to develop Reference Materials that could be used to test and
      calibrate detection devices. The characterization of ricin includes: 1) purity
      test of a commercial batch of ricin using electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels,
      2) biological activity assay by measuring its ability to inhibit protein
      synthesis, 3) quantitation of protein concentration by amino acid analysis, 4)
      detection of ricin by an immunoassay using a flow cytometer, and 5) detection of
      ricin genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction using nine different primer sets.
      By implementing these five methods of characterization, we are in a position to
      develop a reference material for ricin.

PMID- 27274936
TI  - Intercomparison of the LBIR Absolute Cryogenic Radiometers to the NIST Optical
      Power Measurement Standard.
AB  - The Low Background Infrared calibration (LBIR) facility at the National Institute
      of Standards and Technology (NIST) presently maintains four absolute cryogenic
      radiometers (ACRs) which serve as standard reference detectors for infrared
      calibrations performed by the facility. The primary standard for optical power
      measurements at NIST-Gaithersburg has been the High Accuracy Cryogenic Radiometer
      (HACR). Recently, an improved radiometer, the Primary Optical Watt Radiometer
      (POWR), has replaced the HACR as the primary standard. In this paper, we present
      the results of comparisons between the radiometric powers measured by the four
      ACRs presently maintained by the LBIR facility to that measured by the HACR and
      POWR. This was done by using a Si photodiode light-trapping detector as a
      secondary transfer standard to compare the primary national standards to the ACRs
      maintained by the LBIR facility. The technique used to compare an ACR to the trap
      detector is described in detail. The absolute optical power measurements are
      found to be within 0.1 % of the primary standard for all the ACRs examined in
      this study.

PMID- 27274937
TI  - Development of Argon Isotope Reference Standards for the U.S. Geological Survey.
AB  - The comparison of physical ages of geological materials measured by laboratories
      engaged in geochronological studies has been limited by the accuracy of mineral
      standards or monitors for which reported ages have differed by as much as 2 %. In
      order to address this problem, the U.S. Geological Survey is planning to
      calibrate the conventional (40)Ar/(40)K age of a new preparation of an
      international hornblende standard labeled MMhb-2. The (40)K concentration in MMhb
      2 has already been determined by the Analytical Chemistry Division at NIST with
      an uncertainty of 0.2 %. The (40)Ar concentration will be measured by the USGS
      using the argon isotope reference standards that were recently developed by NIST
      and are described in this paper. The isotope standards were constructed in the
      form of pipette/reservoir systems and calibrated by gas expansion techniques to
      deliver small high-precision aliquots of high-purity argon. Two of the pipette
      systems will deliver aliquots of (38)Ar having initial molar quantities of 1.567
      * 10(-10) moles and 2.313 * 10(-10) moles with expanded (k = 2) uncertainties of
      0.058 % and 0.054 %, respectively. Three other pipette systems will deliver
      aliquots (nominally 4 * 10(-10) moles) of (40)Ar:(36)Ar artificial mixtures with
      similar accuracy and with molar ratios of 0.9974 +/- 0.06 %, 29.69 +/- 0.06 %,
      and 285.7 +/- 0.08 % (k = 2). These isotope reference standards will enable the
      USGS to measure the (40)Ar concentration in MMhb-2 with an expanded uncertainty
      of ~ 0.1 %. In the process of these measurements, the USGS will re-determine the
      isotopic composition of atmospheric Ar and calculate a new value for its atomic
      weight. Upon completion of the USGS calibrations, the MMhb-2 mineral standard
      will be certified by NIST for its K and Ar concentrations and distributed as a
      Standard Reference Material (SRM). The new SRM and the NIST-calibrated
      transportable pipette systems have the potential for dramatically improving the
      accuracy of interlaboratory calibrations and thereby the measured ages of
      geological materials, by as much as a factor of ten.

PMID- 27274938
TI  - Normalization and Technical Variation in Gene Expression Measurements.
AB  - Using data from the Microarray Quality Control (MAQC) project, we demonstrate two
      data-analysis methods that shed light on the normalization of gene expression
      measurements and thereby on their technical variation. One is an improved method
      for normalization of multiple assays with mRNA concentrations related by a
      parametric model. The other is a method for characterizing limitations on the
      effectiveness of normalization in reducing technical variation. We apply our
      improved normalization to the four project materials as part of testing the
      linearity of the probe responses. We find that the lack of linearity is
      statistically significant but small enough that its sources cannot be easily
      identified. Applying our characterization method to assays of the same material,
      we show that there is a source of variation that cannot be eliminated by
      normalization and therefore must be dealt with by other means. Four high-density,
      single probe, one-color microarray platforms underlie our demonstration.

PMID- 27274940
TI  - Comparison of the NIST and BIPM Standards for Air Kerma in Medium-Energy X-Rays.
AB  - A comparison has been made of the air-kerma standards for medium-energy x-rays of
      the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Bureau
      International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). The comparison involved a series of
      measurements at the BIPM and the NIST using the air-kerma standards and three
      NIST reference-class transfer ionization chamber standards. Reference beam
      qualities in the range from 100 kV to 250 kV were used. The results show the
      standards to be in reasonable agreement within the combined standard uncertainty
      of the comparison of 0.37 %, although a significant trend with radiation quality
      is observed and the possible sources discussed.

PMID- 27274939
TI  - Form-Profiling of Optics Using the Geometry Measuring Machine and the M-48 CMM at
      NIST.
AB  - We are developing an instrument, the Geometry Measuring Machine (GEMM), to
      measure the profile errors of aspheric and free form optical surfaces, with
      measurement uncertainties near 1 nm. Using GEMM, an optical profile is
      reconstructed from local curvatures of a surface, which are measured at points on
      the optic's surface. We will describe a prototype version of GEMM, its
      repeatability with time, a measurements registry practice, and the calibration
      practice needed to make nanometer resolution comparisons with other instruments.
      Over three months, the repeatability of GEMM is 3 nm rms, and is based on the
      constancy of the measured profile of an elliptical mirror with a radius of
      curvature of about 83 m. As a demonstration of GEMM's capabilities for curvature
      measurement, profiles of that same mirror were measured with GEMM and the NIST
      Moore M-48 coordinate measuring machine. Although the methods are far different,
      two reconstructed profiles differ by 22 nm peak-to-valley, or 6 nm rms. This
      comparability clearly demonstrates that with appropriate calibration, our
      prototype of the GEMM can measure complex-shaped optics.

PMID- 27274942
TI  - Spectrally Tunable Sources for Advanced Radiometric Applications.
AB  - A common radiometric platform for the development of application-specific metrics
      to quantify the performance of sensors and systems is described. Using this
      platform, sensor and system performance may be quantified in terms of the
      accuracy of measurements of standardized sets of source distributions. The
      prototype platform consists of spectrally programmable light sources that can
      generate complex spectral distributions in the ultraviolet, visible and short
      wave infrared regions for radiometric, photometric and colorimetric applications.
      In essence, the programmable spectral source is a radiometric platform for
      advanced instrument characterization and calibration that can also serve as a
      basis for algorithm testing and instrument comparison.

PMID- 27274941
TI  - Ambiguities in Powder Indexing: the Impact of a Quaternary Lattice Metric
      Singularity on the Characterization of Mawsonite and Chatkalite.
AB  - A lattice metric singularity occurs when unit cells defining two (or more)
      lattices yield the identical set of unique calculated d-spacings. The minerals
      Mawsonite and Chatkalite are of especial interest as both are characterized by
      tetragonal unit cells that correspond to the second member of a quaternary
      lattice metric singularity. This singularity includes lattices that are Cubic I,
      Tetragonal P, Orthorhombic F, and Orthorhombic P. The Mawsonite and Chatkalite
      lattices are unique in that they are highly specialized. In each case: (1) the
      determinative c/a ratio is very near 1/?2, (2) the symmetrical scalars of the
      reduced form [ a . a : b . b : c . c = 1:2:2] have greater specialization than
      required for the given reduced form type, (3) the tetragonal lattice has
      derivative lattices of higher symmetry, and (4) the powder pattern is highly
      compressed. Mawsonite and Chatkalite serve as exemplar-type compounds. Their
      tetragonal structure has important implications in structure determination using
      powder diffraction data. First, any cubic I lattice - established solely on the
      basis of indexing procedures - may actually be tetragonal or orthorhombic.
      Second, in establishing the lattice of an unknown, results from powder data
      indexing require routine confirmation by other techniques (e.g., single crystal,
      optical, etc.).

PMID- 27274943
TI  - Bayesian Tomography for Projections with an Arbitrary Transmission Function with
      an Application in Electron Microscopy.
AB  - The vast majority of the developments in tomography assume that the transmission
      of the probe through the sample follows Beer's Law, i.e., the rule of exponential
      attenuation. However, for transmission electron microscopy of samples a few times
      their mean free path, Beer's Law is no longer an accurate description of the
      transmission of the probe as a function of the sample thickness. Recent
      simulations [Z. H. Levine, Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 3943 (2003)] have demonstrated
      accounting for the correct transmission function leads to superior tomographic
      reconstructions for a photonic band gap sample 8 um square. Those recent
      simulations assumed that data was available at all angles, i.e., over 180 degrees
      . Here, we consider a limited-angle case by generalizing the Bayesian formalism
      of Bouman and Sauer to allow an arbitrary transmission function. The new
      formalism is identical to that of Bouman and Sauer when the transmission function
      obeys Beer's Law. The examples, based on 140 degrees  of data, suggest that using
      the physical transmission function is a requirement for performing limited angle
      reconstructions.

PMID- 27274944
TI  - NIST Calibration of a Neutron Spectrometer ROSPEC.
AB  - A neutron spectrometer was acquired for use in the measurement of National
      Institute of Standards and Technology neutron fields. The spectrometer included
      options for the measurement of low and high energy neutrons, for a total
      measurement range from 0.01 eV up to 17 MeV. The spectrometer was evaluated in
      calibration fields and was used to determine the neutron spectrum of an Americium
      Beryllium neutron source. The calibration fields used included bare and moderated
      (252)Cf, monoenergetic neutron fields of 2.5 MeV and 14 MeV, and a thermal
      neutron beam. Using the calibration values determined in this exercise, the
      spectrometer gives a good approximation of the neutron spectrum, and excellent
      values for neutron fluence, for all NIST calibration fields. The spectrometer
      also measured an Americium-Beryllium neutron field in a NIST exposure facility
      and determined the field quite well. The spectrometer measured scattering effects
      in neutron spectra which previously could be determined only by calculation or
      integral measurements.

PMID- 27274945
TI  - Synthetic Incoherence via Scanned Gaussian Beams.
AB  - Tomography, in most formulations, requires an incoherent signal. For a
      conventional transmission electron microscope, the coherence of the beam often
      results in diffraction effects that limit the ability to perform a 3D
      reconstruction from a tilt series with conventional tomographic reconstruction
      algorithms. In this paper, an analytic solution is given to a scanned Gaussian
      beam, which reduces the beam coherence to be effectively incoherent for medium
      size (of order 100 voxels thick) tomographic applications. The scanned Gaussian
      beam leads to more incoherence than hollow-cone illumination.

PMID- 27274946
TI  - In-situ Attenuation Corrections for Radiation Force Measurements of High
      Frequency Ultrasound With a Conical Target.
AB  - Radiation force balance (RFB) measurements of time-averaged, spatially-integrated
      ultrasound power transmitted into a reflectionless water load are based on
      measurements of the power received by the RFB target. When conical targets are
      used to intercept the output of collimated, circularly symmetric ultrasound
      sources operating at frequencies above a few megahertz, the correction for in
      situ attenuation is significant, and differs significantly from predictions for
      idealized circumstances. Empirical attenuation correction factors for a 45
      degrees  (half-angle) absorptive conical RFB target have been determined for 24
      frequencies covering the 5 MHz to 30 MHz range. They agree well with previously
      unpublished attenuation calibration factors determined in 1994 for a similar
      target.

PMID- 27274947
TI  - Recollections on Sixty Years of NBS Ionizing Radiation Programs for Energetic X
      Rays and Electrons.
AB  - These recollections are on ionizing radiation programs at the National Bureau of
      Standards (NBS) that started in 1928 and ended in 1988 when NBS became the
      National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The independent Council on
      Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards (CIRMS) was formed in 1992. This
      article focuses on how measurements and standards for x rays, gamma rays, and
      electrons with energies above 1 MeV began at NBS and how they progressed. It also
      suggests how the radiation processors of materials and foods, the medical
      radiographic and radiological industries, and the radiological protection
      interests of the government (including homeland security) represented in CIRMS
      can benefit from NIST programs.

PMID- 27274948
TI  - Erratum: Noise-Parameter Uncertainties: A Monte Carlo Simulation.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 433 in vol. 107.].

PMID- 27274950
TI  - Cellulose, Chitosan and Keratin Composite Materials: Facile and Recyclable
      Synthesis, Conformation and Properties.
AB  - A method was developed in which cellulose (CEL) and/or chitosan (CS) were added
      to keratin (KER) to enable [CEL/CS+KER] composites formed to have better
      mechanical strength and wider utilization. Butylmethylimmidazolium chloride
      ([BMIm+Cl-]), an ionic liquid, was used as the sole solvent, and because the
      majority of [BMIm+Cl-] used (at least 88%) was recovered, the method is green and
      recyclable. FTIR, XRD, 13C CP-MAS NMR and SEM results confirm that KER, CS and
      CEL remain chemically intact and distributed homogeneously in the composites. We
      successfully demonstrate that the widely used method based on the deconvolution
      of the FTIR bands of amide bonds to determine secondary structure of proteins is
      relatively subjective as the conformation obtained is strongly dependent on the
      choice of parameters selected for curve fitting. A new method, based on the
      partial least squares regression analysis (PLSR) of the amide bands, was
      developed, and proven to be objective and can provide more accurate information.
      Results obtained with this method agree well with those by XRD, namely they
      indicate that although KER retains its second structure when incorporated into
      the [CEL+CS] composites, it has relatively lower alpha-helix, higher beta-turn
      and random form compared to that of the KER in native wool. It seems that during
      dissolution by [BMIm+Cl-], the inter- and intramolecular forces in KER were
      broken thereby destroying its secondary structure. During regeneration, these
      interactions were reestablished to reform partially the secondary structure.
      However, in the presence of either CEL or CS, the chains seem to prefer the
      extended form thereby hindering reformation of the alpha-helix. Consequently, the
      KER in these matrices may adopt structures with lower content of alpha-helix and
      higher beta-sheet. As anticipated, results of tensile strength and TGA confirm
      that adding CEL or CS into KER substantially increase the mechanical strength and
      thermal stability of the [CS/CEL+KER] composites.

PMID- 27274949
TI  - Spontaneous Eye-Blink Rate as an Index of Reward Responsivity: Validation and
      Links to Bipolar Disorder.
AB  - Extensive research supports the role of striatal dopamine in pursuing and
      responding to reward, and that eye-blink rate is a valid indicator of striatal
      dopamine. This study tested whether phasic changes in blink rate could provide an
      index of reward pursuit. This hypothesis was tested in people with bipolar I
      disorder (BD; a population with aberrations in reward responsivity), and in those
      without BD. Thirty-one adults with BD and 28 control participants completed a
      laboratory task involving effort towards monetary reward. Blink rate was recorded
      using eye-tracking at baseline, reward anticipation, and post-reward. Those in
      the BD group completed self-report measures relating to reward and ambition.
      Results showed that across all participants, blink rates increased from reward
      anticipation to post-reward. In the BD group, reward-relevant measures were
      strongly correlated with variation in blink rate. These findings provide
      validation for phasic changes in blink rate as an index of reward response.

PMID- 27274951
TI  - A Comparative Review of Waivers Granted in Pediatric Drug Development by FDA and
      EMA from 2007-2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The European Union and the United States have different legal
      frameworks in place for pediatric drug development, which can potentially lead to
      different pediatric research requirements for the pharmaceutical industry. This
      manuscript compares pediatric clinical trial waivers granted by the European
      Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). METHODS:
      This is a retrospective review comparing EMA's Paediatric Committee (PDCO)
      decisions with FDA's Pediatric Review Committee (PeRC) recommendations for all
      product-specific pediatric full waiver applications submitted to EMA from January
      2007 through December 2013. Using baseline data from EMA, we matched product
      specific waivers with their FDA equivalents during the study period. RESULTS: For
      single active substance products, PDCO and PeRC adopted similar opinions in 42 of
      49 indications (86%). For fixed-dose combinations, PDCO and PeRC adopted similar
      opinions in 24 of 31 indications (77%). CONCLUSION: Despite the different legal
      frameworks, criteria, and processes of determination, the waiver decisions of the
      2 agencies were similar in the majority of cases.

PMID- 27274952
TI  - References for Haplotype Imputation in the Big Data Era.
AB  - Imputation is a powerful in silico approach to fill in those missing values in
      the big datasets. This process requires a reference panel, which is a collection
      of big data from which the missing information can be extracted and imputed.
      Haplotype imputation requires ethnicity-matched references; a mismatched
      reference panel will significantly reduce the quality of imputation. However,
      currently existing big datasets cover only a small number of ethnicities, there
      is a lack of ethnicity-matched references for many ethnic populations in the
      world, which has hampered the data imputation of haplotypes and its downstream
      applications. To solve this issue, several approaches have been proposed and
      explored, including the mixed reference panel, the internal reference panel and
      genotype-converted reference panel. This review article provides the information
      and comparison between these approaches. Increasing evidence showed that not just
      one or two genetic elements dictate the gene activity and functions; instead, cis
      interactions of multiple elements dictate gene activity. Cis-interactions require
      the interacting elements to be on the same chromosome molecule, therefore,
      haplotype analysis is essential for the investigation of cis-interactions among
      multiple genetic variants at different loci, and appears to be especially
      important for studying the common diseases. It will be valuable in a wide
      spectrum of applications from academic research, to clinical diagnosis,
      prevention, treatment, and pharmaceutical industry.

PMID- 27274953
TI  - Orderly Steps in Progression of JC Virus to Virulence in the Brain.
AB  - Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a neurodegenerative disease caused
      by demyelination in the brain. The demyelination is due to infection of
      oligodendroglial cells by polyomavirus JC, a circular DNA virus. The virus
      resides as an archetype form in uroepithelial cells and bone marrow of more than
      70% of adults, in whom it seldom causes overt symptoms. The JC viral form
      infecting the brain differs from the archetype. This viral form contains two
      deletions and a duplication in the non-coding control region that are thought to
      be derived from the archetype. These rearrangements are necessary for
      neurovirulence. This review considers how these rearrangements occur in the
      context of transit to the brain and adaptation to infect glial cells.

PMID- 27274954
TI  - Treatment considerations for patient with Amelogenesis Imperfecta: a review.
AB  - Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a group of inherited disorders primary affecting
      the structural of enamel. Patients with AI experience poor esthetic, excessive
      tooth sensitivity and compromised chewing function that dental treatments are
      frequently required at early age. This review describes the non-enamel
      implications, stage-specific management strategies and outcomes of selected
      restorative materials based on literature evidence.

PMID- 27274955
TI  - Did John B. Watson Really "Found" Behaviorism?
AB  - Developments culminating in the nineteenth century, along with the predictable
      collapse of introspective psychology, meant that the rise of behavioral
      psychology was inevitable. In 1913, John B. Watson was an established scientist
      with impeccable credentials who acted as a strong and combative promoter of a
      natural science approach to psychology when just such an advocate was needed. He
      never claimed to have founded "behavior psychology" and, despite the acclaim and
      criticism attending his portrayal as the original behaviorist, he was more an
      exemplar of a movement than a founder. Many influential writers had already
      characterized psychology, including so-called mental activity, as behavior,
      offered many applications, and rejected metaphysical dualism. Among others,
      William Carpenter, Alexander Bain, and (early) Sigmund Freud held views
      compatible with twentieth-century behaviorism. Thus, though Watson was the first
      to argue specifically for psychology as a natural science, behaviorism in both
      theory and practice had clear roots long before 1913. If behaviorism really needs
      a "founder," Edward Thorndike might seem more deserving, because of his great
      influence and promotion of an objective psychology, but he was not a true
      behaviorist for several important reasons. Watson deserves the fame he has
      received, since he first made a strong case for a natural science (behaviorist)
      approach and, importantly, he made people pay attention to it. 

PMID- 27274956
TI  - Contingency Horizon: on Private Events and the Analysis of Behavior.
AB  - Skinner's radical behaviorism incorporates private events as biologically based
      phenomena that may play a functional role with respect to other (overt)
      behavioral phenomena. Skinner proposed four types of contingencies, here
      collectively termed the contingency horizon, which enable certain functional
      relations between private events and verbal behavior. The adequacy and necessity
      of this position has met renewed challenges from Rachlin's teleological
      behaviorism and Baum's molar behaviorism, both of which argue that all "mental"
      phenomena and terminology may be explained by overt behavior and environment
      behavior contingencies extended in time. A number of lines of evidence are
      presented in making a case for the functional characteristics of private events,
      including published research from behavior analysis and general experimental
      psychology, as well as verbal behavior from a participant in the debate. An
      integrated perspective is offered that involves a multiscaled analysis of
      interacting public behaviors and private events. 

PMID- 27274957
TI  - Gamification: The Intersection between Behavior Analysis and Game Design
      Technologies.
AB  - Deterding et al. (Proceedings of the 15th International Academic MindTrek
      Conference: Envisioning Future Media Environments, USA 15: 9-15, 2011) report a
      recent rise in popularity of video game inspired software designed to address
      issues in a variety of areas, including health, energy conservation, education,
      and business. These applications have been based on the concept of gamification,
      which involves a process by which nongame activities are designed to be more like
      a game. We provide examples of how gamification has been used to increase health
      related behavior, energy consumption, academic performance, and other socially
      significant behavior. We argue that behavior analytic research and practice
      stands to benefit from incorporating successful elements of game design. Lastly,
      we provide suggestions for behavior analysts regarding applied and basic research
      related to gamification. 

PMID- 27274958
TI  - The Evidence-Based Practice of Applied Behavior Analysis.
AB  - Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a model of professional decision-making in which
      practitioners integrate the best available evidence with client values/context
      and clinical expertise in order to provide services for their clients. This
      framework provides behavior analysts with a structure for pervasive use of the
      best available evidence in the complex settings in which they work. This
      structure recognizes the need for clear and explicit understanding of the
      strength of evidence supporting intervention options, the important contextual
      factors including client values that contribute to decision making, and the key
      role of clinical expertise in the conceptualization, intervention, and evaluation
      of cases. Opening the discussion of EBP in this journal, Smith (The Behavior
      Analyst, 36, 7-33, 2013) raised several key issues related to EBP and applied
      behavior analysis (ABA). The purpose of this paper is to respond to Smith's
      arguments and extend the discussion of the relevant issues. Although we support
      many of Smith's (The Behavior Analyst, 36, 7-33, 2013) points, we contend that
      Smith's definition of EBP is significantly narrower than definitions that are
      used in professions with long histories of EBP and that this narrowness conflicts
      with the principles that drive applied behavior analytic practice. We offer a
      definition and framework for EBP that aligns with the foundations of ABA and is
      consistent with well-established definitions of EBP in medicine, psychology, and
      other professions. In addition to supporting the systematic use of research
      evidence in behavior analytic decision making, this definition can promote clear
      communication about treatment decisions across disciplines and with important
      outside institutions such as insurance companies and granting agencies. 

PMID- 27274959
TI  - Publishing Outside the Box: Popular Press Books.
AB  - Writing and publishing popular press books requires a set of skills, not natural
      to basic and applied researchers trained to publish in peer-referred behavior
      analytic journals or to practice behavior analysis in applied settings. This
      article provides suggestions and examples. These include finding a distinctive
      idea, securing a contract, hiring an agent (or not), deciding on a publisher, and
      writing engagingly for a broad audience. The last is the greatest challenge.
      Among my recommendations are to read good prose, good models, and good books
      about publishing; talk to experienced colleagues; read aloud to judge the
      appropriateness of your vocabulary and style; and interject humor, imagery, and
      drama. Book publishing is a long and difficult process, but it is possible. It
      has a great potential for bringing behavior analytic research, practice and
      theory to the attention of the general public. 

PMID- 27274961
TI  - Publishing Outside the Box: Unforeseen Dividends of Talking to Strangers.
AB  - This article describes publishing outside behavior analysis, letters to editors,
      and columns, as well as communicating outside the box with editors, authors, and
      journalists. Publishing can occur in a wide range of journals (e.g.,
      Consciousness and Cognition), in-house publications of professional associations
      (e.g., Association for Psychological Science's Observer), general science
      publications (e.g., American Scientist, The Scientist), publications in service
      to professions (e.g., The Chronicle of Higher Education), general interest and
      specialized magazines (e.g., Atlantic Monthly, Skeptical Inquirer), and
      newspapers (e.g., Los Angeles Times). Communicating with editors, authors, and
      journalists includes, for instance, formal correspondence with editors and
      personal correspondence with authors and journalists outside the box about
      misunderstandings, commonalities, and complementarities of their work with
      respect to ours. The consequences of publishing and communicating are often
      unforeseen and fortuitous, many of which can never occur by remaining in the box.

PMID- 27274960
TI  - Publishing in Journals Outside the Box: Attaining Mainstream Prominence Requires
      Demonstrations of Mainstream Relevance.
AB  - Primary pediatric medical care is as mainstream as any major cultural practice in
      the USA. Thus, publishing behavior analytic papers that pertain to problems that
      present in pediatric settings in pediatric medical journals is one route to
      mainstream relevance. With sufficient numbers of such papers, it could even lead
      to prominence. This article describes examples of publishing in pediatric
      journals and some lessons I learned from the experience. For example, (1) all
      child behavior problems that present in pediatric settings are of social
      importance but most are high-frequency, low-intensity problems that are not
      necessarily exotic or representative of serious pathology, and they usually
      respond to straightforward behavioral applications; (2) it is usually best to use
      a "colloquialized version of learning theory" when writing for and speaking to
      pediatric providers (and the families for whom they provide care); (3)
      pediatricians often have limited knowledge about behavior analytic research
      designs; and (4) when submissions are rejected by pediatric journals, the
      rejection can be exploited as an opportunity to educate pediatric editors and
      reviewers. 

PMID- 27274962
TI  - Determining How, When, and Whether You Should Publish Outside the Box: Sober
      Advice for Early Career Behavior Analysts.
AB  - Publishing outside of behavior analysis is necessary for the field's impact in
      advancing its science or improving its treatments. As consumers of behavior
      analysis, we typically only see the success stories in outlets such as the
      Journal for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, the Journal of Applied
      Behavior Analysis, and The Behavior Analyst. Lacking from these models is a
      description of the hard work and occasional missteps that accompany dissemination
      outside the box. In this paper, I propose that prospective disseminators need to
      (a) critically evaluate what they have to say, (b) carefully consider the field's
      interests, and (c) honestly analyze professional and personal contingencies to
      determine whether publishing outside the box should be a priority, depending on
      one's stage of professional development. I conclude with some general
      recommendations to early career behavior analysts aspiring to disseminate outside
      the field. 

PMID- 27274963
TI  - Stop Preaching to the Choir, Publish Outside the Box: A Discussion.
AB  - In this article, I comment on Normand's, Vyse's, Friman's, Schlinger's, and
      Reed's articles on publishing books, journal articles, letters to the editor, and
      columns outside of behavior analysis, that is, "outside the box," as well as
      communicating with editors, authors, and journalists. Among the topics I address
      are the prerequisite repertoires and these authors' guidance (e.g., task
      analyses), as well as technical terms and language and the many opportunities
      available to us, yet also caveats about how, whether, and when we should publish
      outside the box. In the process, I include lessons I have learned from submitting
      my own manuscripts outside the box and suggestions I have gleaned from my
      failures and successes. In conclusion, if the field values publishing outside the
      box, then, it should analyze the necessary repertoires and provide systematic
      instruction in them. 

PMID- 27274964
TI  - Nu-Way Snaps and Snap Leads: an Important Connection in the History of Behavior
      Analysis.
AB  - Beginning in the early 1950s, the snap lead became an integral and ubiquitous
      component of the programming of electromechanical modules used in behavioral
      experiments. It was composed of a Nu-Way snap connector on either end of a
      colored electrical wire. Snap leads were used to connect the modules to one
      another, thereby creating the programs that controlled contingencies, arranged
      reinforcers, and recorded behavior in laboratory experiments. These snap leads
      populated operant conditioning laboratories from their inception until the turn
      of the twenty-first century. They allowed quick and flexible programming because
      of the ease with which they could be connected, stacked, and removed. Thus, the
      snap lead was integral to the research activity that constituted the experimental
      analysis of behavior for more than five decades. This review traces the history
      of the snap lead from the origins of the snap connector in Birmingham, England,
      in the late eighteenth century, through the use of snaps connected to wires
      during the Second World War, to its adoption in operant laboratories, and finally
      to its demise in the digital age. 

PMID- 27274965
TI  - Behavior Analysts to the Front! A 15-Step Tutorial on Public Speaking.
AB  - Mainstream prominence was Skinner's vision for behavior analysis. Unfortunately,
      it remains elusive, even as we approach the 110th anniversary of his birth. It
      can be achieved, however, and there are many routes. One that seems overlooked in
      many (most?) behavior analytic training programs is what I call the front of the
      room. The front of the room is a very powerful locus for influencing people.
      Mastering it can turn a commoner into a king; a middling man into a mayor; or a
      group of disorganized, dispirited people into an energized force marching into
      battle. The most powerful members of our species had their most memorable moments
      at the front of the room. If so much is available there, why is mastery of it in
      such short supply, not just in behavior analysts but in the population at large?
      In this paper, I address why, argue that the primary reason can be overcome, and
      supply 15 behaviorally based steps to take in pursuit of front of the room
      mastery. 

PMID- 27274966
TI  - Improving the Conversational Skills of a College Student with Peer-Mediated
      Behavioral Skills Training.
AB  - We used a multiple baseline design across behaviors to evaluate peer-mediated
      behavioral skills training to improve a complex repertoire of conversational
      skills of an undergraduate student diagnosed with a learning disability NOS.
      Following treatment, we observed a decrease in interrupting and content
      specificity and an increase in questioning. Treatment effects maintained with
      naive peers during unstructured conversations and outcomes compared favorably
      with normative data on the conversational skills of three undergraduates without
      learning disabilities. 

PMID- 27274967
TI  - Mands for Information Using "How" Under EO-Absent and EO-Present Conditions.
AB  - The present study replicates and extends previous research on teaching "How?"
      mands for information to children with autism. The experimental preparation
      involved mand training in the context of completing preferred activities and
      included training and testing under conditions when the establishing operation
      (EO) was present and absent. Results show that two children with autism acquired
      mands for information using How? only in situations where information was
      valuable (i.e., the EO was present); they then consistently made use of the
      information provided in activity completion. Generalization to novel, untaught
      situations was assessed. 

PMID- 27274968
TI  - Observing Tacting Increases Uninstructed Tacts in Children with Autism.
AB  - The effects of observing an adult emitting tacts on children's rate of
      uninstructed (i.e., "spontaneous") tacts were examined in three children
      diagnosed with autism. Each participant was exposed to two conditions in four
      settings each: in condition 1, participants received 20 trials of teacher
      initiated interactions in which the child was asked to tact 20 objects during 5
      min. Condition 2 was identical to condition 1 except that the teacher also tacted
      20 objects interspersed with the 20 tact trials. The number of uninstructed tacts
      was recorded in both conditions. Children emitted between 1.58 and 2.68 times
      more uninstructed tacts in condition 2 than in condition 1. These results
      indicate that teachers' emission of tacts increases the emission of uninstructed
      tacts in children with autism. 

PMID- 27274969
TI  - Teaching Tacting of Private Events Based on Public Accompaniments: Effects of
      Contingencies, Audience Control, and Stimulus Complexity.
AB  - Our current understanding of the role of private events in the science of
      behavior is based largely on Skinner's natural science interpretation of private
      events. Skinner described public accompaniments as one source of control for a
      verbal community to differentially reinforce verbal behavior regarding private
      events. In this study, we developed an experimental analogue to study variables
      influencing tacting of private events. The participant had exclusive access to
      one set of stimuli (the private stimuli), and the experimenter attempted to teach
      tacts for private stimuli based on their correspondence with public stimuli
      accessible to both the experimenter and participant. Results of experiments 1 and
      2 demonstrated that reports of private stimuli were a function of degree of
      public-private correspondence, reinforcement contingency, and audience control.
      In some cases, we encountered reports controlled exclusively by public stimuli.
      Results of experiment 3 showed that public control was less likely when public
      stimuli were more complex and the experimenter had a unique behavioral history
      with respect to those stimuli that was not shared by the learner. The orderly
      patterns of data obtained suggest that analogue arrangements might be a useful,
      and even necessary, starting point for experimental investigations of how private
      events may enter into the analysis of behavior. 

PMID- 27274970
TI  - The Effects of Contingent Caregiver Imitation of Infant Vocalizations: a
      Comparison of Multiple Caregivers.
AB  - The present study replicated and extended the Pelaez et al. (Journal of Applied
      Behavior Analysis 44:33-40, 2011) study, which examined the reinforcing effects
      of mothers' contingent imitation of their infants' vocalizations. Three infants
      aged 7-12 months who could vocalize sounds but not words participated with two
      caregivers for each infant (i.e., triads). During the intervention phase, the
      caregivers were asked to immediately imitate all vocalizations emitted by the
      child for a 3-min period. During the yoked control phase, the caregivers listened
      to an audio recording from the preceding condition and provided vocalizations non
      contingently on the infants' responses. The procedures yielded different results
      across participants; one infant emitted a higher frequency of vocalizations
      during the contingent imitation phases over the control phases, and the other two
      infants showed higher rates of responding during the control phases. However, all
      infants emitted more imitative return vocalizations during contingent
      reinforcement conditions compared with the yoked control condition. 

PMID- 27274971
TI  - Establishing Concurrent Mands for Items and Mands for Information about Location
      in Children with Autism.
AB  - This study replicated and extended the methodology used in Howlett et al.
      (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 943-947 2011) to bring the mands
      "Where's (item)?" and "I want (item)" under appropriate antecedent control in two
      boys diagnosed with autism. Trials were alternated in which items were present,
      missing, and within view (but inaccessible) and missing and out of view. To
      program for generalization, fifteen items, multiple trainers, and multiple
      settings were used during teaching. For both participants, manding generalized to
      novel items, instructors, settings, and situations and maintained after 2 weeks
      following teaching. Results of the social validity assessment indicated that
      school staff found the procedures highly acceptable. 

PMID- 27274972
TI  - Implementing the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB
      MAPP): Teaching Assessment Techniques.
AB  - The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) is an
      assessment tool used with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and
      other language delays (Sundberg 2008). The milestones assessment section of the
      VB-MAPP is used to determine an individual's current skill level. The results of
      the milestones assessment can be used to identify instructional goals and
      objectives. The current study examined the effects of behavioral skills training
      (BST) on the administration of the milestones assessment by two educational
      professionals. The BST intervention resulted in immediate increases in
      performance for both participants. 

PMID- 27274973
TI  - Stimulus-Stimulus Pairing of Vocalizations: A Systematic Replication.
AB  - The current study replicated an enhanced stimulus-stimulus pairing (SSP)
      procedure used by Esch et al. (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 42: 42-225,
      2009) for increasing vocalizations in children with autism. The enhanced SSP
      procedure consisted of pairing target vocalizations with high-preference items,
      interspersed target and nontarget trials, an observing response, and the
      presentation of the vocalizations in "motherese" speech. Results showed
      substantial increases in target vocalizations above baseline levels and above
      nontarget vocalizations for two of three participants. 

PMID- 27274974
TI  - Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Recent Verbal Behavior Research on
      Individuals with Disabilities: a Review and Implications for Research and
      Practice.
AB  - The number of individuals from various culture and language backgrounds who are
      receiving behavior-analytic services is growing. Therefore, a behavioral
      understanding of the role of cultural and linguistic diversity (CLD) in language
      acquisition may be warranted. We searched recent editions of The Analysis of
      Verbal Behavior and the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis to determine the
      degree to which researchers report the CLD of individuals with disabilities who
      participate in verbal behavior research. Our results indicate that researchers in
      these journals rarely report the culture and language background of their
      participants. Given these results, we provide a conceptual analysis and describe
      implications for research and clinical practice. A further understanding of the
      role of CLD may aid in the development of better behavioral interventions and
      culturally sensitive treatments. Finally, research that explores the role of CLD
      in language acquisition may add to the generality of behavior-analytic research
      and practice. 

PMID- 27274975
TI  - Caregivers as Interventionists and Trainers: Teaching Mands to Children with
      Developmental Disabilities.
AB  - We evaluated the use of behavioral skills training (BST) to train caregivers to
      conduct procedures commonly associated with mand training. We trained two
      caregivers on the following procedures: (a) conducting preference assessments,
      (b) delivering preferred items contingent on appropriate behavior, (c) capturing
      and contriving motivating operations, (d) conducting probes to assess the child's
      current mand repertoire, (e) errorless prompting procedures using echoic prompts,
      (f) vocal shaping, (g) collecting data, and (h) correcting errors. We also
      assessed whether a trained caregiver could in turn train their spouse on these
      procedures. We evaluated the effects of the intervention on the frequency of
      child spontaneous and prompted mands. The three caregivers performed near zero
      percent accuracy during baseline but increased to above 80 % accuracy with
      training, and high performance persisted during most maintenance probes. These
      results were replicated for the parent who received training from their spouse.
      In addition, spontaneous mands were occurring more frequently than prompted mands
      by the end of the study. The implications of caregivers implementing mand
      training procedures based on Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior are discussed.

PMID- 27274976
TI  - An Investigation of Stimulus Pairing and Listener Training to Establish Emergent
      Intraverbals in Children with Autism.
AB  - We examined two methods to facilitate the emergence of untaught intraverbal
      responses to children with autism. Listener behavior training (LT) involved
      reinforcement of a selection-based response following presentation of an array of
      pictures on an iPad(r) and an auditory instruction describing a characteristic of
      the picture. Stimulus pairing (SP) involved presentation of one picture in
      isolation on the iPad(r) and an auditory instruction describing a characteristic
      of the picture. Participants were not required to emit an overt vocal response
      during SP. Results indicate both procedures were effective at producing some
      untaught intraverbal responses, but a transfer of stimulus control procedure was
      required for two of the three participants to meet mastery criterion. Results are
      discussed in terms of necessary prerequisite skills for each procedure, and the
      requirement of an overt or echoic response to help facilitate the emergence of
      intraverbals. 

PMID- 27274977
TI  - Selection-Based Instruction and the Emergence of Topography-Based Responses to
      Interview Questions.

PMID- 27274978
TI  - Emerging Tacts and Selections from Previous Learned Skills: A Comparison between
      Two Types of Naming.
AB  - Naming consists of tacting an object and selecting it upon hearing its name as a
      result of emergence. After acquiring naming, children learn object-name relations
      more quickly and, hence, it is an important achievement in development. We
      studied the acquisition of the two skills that define naming, using two
      procedures, in seven typically developing 4-year-old children. The tact-selection
      procedure consisted of (a) teaching tacts of objects (or pictures) and probing
      for object selection upon hearing the objects' names, and (b) teaching object
      selection and probing tacts. The pairing procedure consisted of presenting
      objects (or pictures) at the same time that an adult said their names, without
      requiring from the child other response than attending. Of the seven children,
      five showed emergence of selection responses and tacts. Children showed more
      instances of emergence with the tact-selection procedure than with the pairing
      procedure and with three-dimensional (3-D) objects than with pictures. The
      results have important implications for teaching preschool children and children
      with learning disabilities. 

PMID- 27274979
TI  - Simple and Conditional Discrimination and Specific Reinforcement in Teaching
      Reading: An Intervention Package.
AB  - This study evaluated an intervention package combining simple and conditional
      discrimination training and specific reinforcement for each stimulus class in
      teaching reading of simple words to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
      In conditional discrimination training, participants matched printed words and
      pictures to the recorded sounds made by the pictured objects and animals.
      Fourteen children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities were assigned to
      an experimental and a control group. The two groups' performance did not differ
      in the pretest. The experimental group demonstrated equivalence class formation
      and read the words that participated in the equivalence classes, whereas the
      control group did not. 

PMID- 27274980
TI  - Clinical epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum and
      Enterococcus casseliflavus bloodstream infections.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of vancomycin-resistant
      enterococcal bloodstream infections (VRE BSI) caused by Enterococcus gallinarum
      or Enterococcus casseliflavus. Variables associated with treatment failure were
      determined and treatment options were compared. This was a national retrospective
      study of hospitalised Veterans Affairs patients with non-faecium, non-faecalis
      VRE BSI. The primary outcome was treatment failure, defined as a composite of:
      (i) 30-day all-cause mortality; (ii) microbiological failure; and (iii) 30-day
      VRE BSI recurrence. Stepwise Poisson regression was conducted to determine
      variables associated with treatment failure. In total, 48 patients were included,
      with 29 cases (60.4%) caused by E. gallinarum and 19 cases (39.6%) caused by E.
      casseliflavus. Among these cases, 20 (41.7%) were treated with an anti-VRE agent
      (linezolid or daptomycin) and 28 (58.3%) were treated with an anti-enterococcal
      beta-lactam. Overall, 30-day mortality was 10.4% (5/48) and composite treatment
      failure was 39.6% (19/48). In multivariate analysis, treatment with an anti
      enterococcal beta-lactam was associated with increased treatment failure in
      comparison with anti-VRE therapy (adjusted risk ratio = 1.73, 95% confidence
      interval 1.06-4.97; P = 0.031). Overall, treatment with linezolid or daptomycin
      for vancomycin-resistant E. gallinarum or E. casseliflavus BSI resulted in
      improved clinical outcomes in comparison with anti-enterococcal beta-lactam
      treatment.

PMID- 27274981
TI  - Assessing Uncertainties of Theoretical Atomic Transition Probabilities with Monte
      Carlo Random Trials.
AB  - This paper suggests a method of evaluation of uncertainties in calculated
      transition probabilities by randomly varying parameters of an atomic code and
      comparing the results. A control code has been written to randomly vary the input
      parameters with a normal statistical distribution around initial values with a
      certain standard deviation. For this particular implementation, Cowan's suite of
      atomic codes (R.D. Cowan, The Theory of Atomic Structure and Spectra, Berkeley,
      CA: University of California Press, 1981) was used to calculate radiative rates
      of magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole transitions within the ground
      configuration of titanium-like iron, Fe V. The Slater parameters used in the
      calculations were adjusted to fit experimental energy levels with Cowan's least
      squares fitting program, RCE. The standard deviations of the fitted parameters
      were used as input of the control code providing the distribution widths of
      random trials for these parameters. Propagation of errors through the matrix
      diagonalization and summation of basis state expansions leads to significant
      variations in the resulting transition rates. These variations vastly differ in
      their magnitude for different transitions, depending on their sensitivity to
      errors in parameters. With this method, the rate uncertainty can be individually
      assessed for each calculated transition.

PMID- 27274982
TI  - Exploring the motivations behind misreporting self-measured blood glucose in
      adolescents with type 1 diabetes - a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite advances in diabetes management, the reporting and self
      monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) remains fundamental. While previous work has
      established that the misreporting of SMBG to family and medical professionals is
      surprisingly common, the motivations behind this behaviour have never been
      examined. We aimed to investigate the motivations behind misreporting of SMBG in
      adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). METHODS: Fifteen semi-structured
      interviews were conducted with adolescents (aged 12-19 inclusive) with T1DM
      recruited through diabetes clinics across the Otago/Southland region of New
      Zealand from November 2015 to January 2016. These were transcribed and content
      analysis performed to identify themes and subthemes in misreporting behaviour.
      RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 15.7 years, 60 % were male, with 67 %
      using multiple daily insulin injections, and 33 % on insulin pumps. Their median
      HbA1c was 84 mmol/mol, range 52-130. Misreporting behaviour was described for
      both electronic pump records and written logbooks, as well as verbally. Multiple
      motivations for misreporting were given, spanning three major themes: Achieving
      potential benefits; the avoidance of negative consequences; and the avoidance of
      worry/concern (in self or in others). The main suggestion of participants to
      reduce misreporting behaviour was to reduce the negative reactions of others to
      suboptimal blood glucose readings. CONCLUSION: Electronic, written, and verbal
      SMBG misreporting remains common. This study provides deeper insight into the
      motivations leading to this behaviour in adolescents, suggesting that further
      understanding and attention to this aspect of adherence may lead to improvements
      not only in glycaemic control and safety, but also to the psychological wellbeing
      of those with T1DM.

PMID- 27274983
TI  - Immunologic special forces: anti-pathogen cytotoxic T-lymphocyte immunotherapy
      following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - Anti-pathogen adoptive T-cell immunotherapy has been proven to be highly
      effective in preventing or controlling viral infections following hematopoietic
      stem cell transplantation. Recent advances in manufacturing protocols allow an
      increased number of targeted pathogens, eliminate the need for viral
      transduction, broaden the potential donor pool to include pathogen-naive sources,
      and reduce the time requirement for production. Early studies suggest that anti
      fungal immunotherapy may also have clinical benefit. Future advances include
      further broadening of the pathogens that can be targeted and development of T
      cells with resistance to pharmacologic immunosuppression.

PMID- 27274984
TI  - A Quantitative Genomic Approach for Analysis of Fitness and Stress Related Traits
      in a Drosophila melanogaster Model Population.
AB  - The ability of natural populations to withstand environmental stresses relies
      partly on their adaptive ability. In this study, we used a subset of the
      Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, a population of inbred, genome-sequenced
      lines derived from a natural population of Drosophila melanogaster, to
      investigate whether this population harbors genetic variation for a set of stress
      resistance and life history traits. Using a genomic approach, we found
      substantial genetic variation for metabolic rate, heat stress resistance,
      expression of a major heat shock protein, and egg-to-adult viability investigated
      at a benign and a higher stressful temperature. This suggests that these traits
      will be able to evolve. In addition, we outline an approach to conduct pathway
      associations based on genomic linear models, which has potential to identify
      adaptive genes and pathways, and therefore can be a valuable tool in conservation
      genomics. 

PMID- 27274986
TI  - Bioinformatics Applications in Life Sciences and Technologies.

PMID- 27274985
TI  - Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance in ESKAPE Pathogens.
AB  - The ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella
      pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter
      species) are the leading cause of nosocomial infections throughout the world.
      Most of them are multidrug resistant isolates, which is one of the greatest
      challenges in clinical practice. Multidrug resistance is amongst the top three
      threats to global public health and is usually caused by excessive drug usage or
      prescription, inappropriate use of antimicrobials, and substandard
      pharmaceuticals. Understanding the resistance mechanisms of these bacteria is
      crucial for the development of novel antimicrobial agents or other alternative
      tools to combat these public health challenges. Greater mechanistic understanding
      would also aid in the prediction of underlying or even unknown mechanisms of
      resistance, which could be applied to other emerging multidrug resistant
      pathogens. In this review, we summarize the known antimicrobial resistance
      mechanisms of ESKAPE pathogens. 

PMID- 27274987
TI  - Association between the Type of Workplace and Lung Function in Copper Miners.
AB  - The aim of the analysis was to retrospectively assess changes in lung function in
      copper miners depending on the type of workplace. In the groups of 225 operators,
      188 welders, and 475 representatives of other jobs, spirometry was performed at
      the start of employment and subsequently after 10, 20, and 25 years of work.
      Spirometry Longitudinal Data Analysis software was used to estimate changes in
      group means for FEV1 and FVC. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to
      assess an association between workplace and lung function. Lung function assessed
      on the basis of calculation of longitudinal FEV1 (FVC) decline was similar in all
      studied groups. However, multiple linear regression model used in cross-sectional
      analysis revealed an association between workplace and lung function. In the
      group of welders, FEF75 was lower in comparison to operators and other miners as
      early as after 10 years of work. Simultaneously, in smoking welders, the FEV1/FVC
      ratio was lower than in nonsmokers (p < 0,05). The interactions between type of
      workplace and smoking (p < 0,05) in their effect on FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEF50
      were shown. Among underground working copper miners, the group of smoking welders
      is especially threatened by impairment of lung ventilatory function. 

PMID- 27274988
TI  - Diagnostic Value of White Blood Cell and C-Reactive Protein in Pediatric
      Appendicitis.
AB  - Background. Acute appendicitis (AA) associated with acute phase reaction is the
      most prevalent disease which requires emergency surgery. Its delayed diagnosis
      and unnecessarily performed appendectomies lead to numerous complications. In our
      study, we aimed to detect the role of WBC and CRP in the exclusion of acute and
      complicated appendicitis and diagnostic accuracy in pediatric age group. Methods.
      Appendectomized patient groups were constructed based on the results of
      histological evaluation. The area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
      curve (AUC) was performed to examine diagnostic accuracy. Results. When WBC and
      CRP were used in combination, based on cut-off values of >=13.1 * 10(3)/MUL for
      WBC counts and >=1.17 mg/dL for CRP level, diagnostic parameters were as follows:
      sensitivity, 98.7%; specificity, 71.3%; PPV, 50.6%; NPV, 99.5%; diagnostic
      accuracy, 77.6%; LR(+), 3.44; LR(-), 0.017. AUC values were 0.845 (95% CI 0.800
      0.891) for WBC and 0.887 (95% CI 0.841-0.932) for CRP. Conclusions. For
      complicated appendicitis, CRP has the highest degree of diagnostic accuracy. The
      diagnosis of appendicitis should be made primarily based on clinical examination,
      and obviously more specific and systemic inflammatory markers are needed.
      Combined use of cut-off values of WBC (>=13100/MUL) and CRP (>=1.17 mg/L) yields
      a higher sensitivity and NPV for the diagnosis of complicated appendicitis. 

PMID- 27274989
TI  - Combinatorial Antitumor Effect of Rapamycin and beta-Elemene in Follicular
      Thyroid Cancer Cells.
AB  - Background. mTOR signaling would be a promising target for thyroid cancer
      therapy. However, in clinical trials, objective response rate with mTOR inhibitor
      monotherapy in most cancer types was modest. A new focus on development of
      combinatorial strategies with rapalogs is increasing. Objective. Investigating
      the combinatorial antitumor effect of rapamycin and beta-elemene in follicular
      thyroid cancer cells. Methods. MTT assay was used to determine the FTC-133 cell
      proliferation after culturing with rapamycin and/or beta-elemene. To analyze
      their combinatorial effect, immunoblotting was performed to analyze the
      activation status of AKT. Moreover, beta-elemene attenuated rapamycin-induced
      immunosuppression was tested in mice. Results. Combination of rapamycin and beta
      elemene exerted significant synergistic antiproliferative effects in FTC-133 cell
      lines in vitro, based on inhibiting the AKT feedback activation induced by
      rapamycin. In vivo, the beta-elemene could attenuate rapamycin-induced
      immunosuppression via reversing imbalance of Treg/Th17, with the underlying
      mechanism needed to be declared. Conclusions. We demonstrate that the novel
      combination of mTOR inhibitor with beta-elemene synergistically attenuates tumor
      cell growth in follicular thyroid cancer, which requires additional preclinical
      validation. 

PMID- 27274990
TI  - Tanshinone IIA Alleviates the AD Phenotypes in APP and PS1 Transgenic Mice.
AB  - Therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still deficient. To find
      active compounds from herbal medicine is of interest in the alleviation of AD
      symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Tanshinone
      IIA (TIIA) on memory performance and synaptic plasticity in a transgenic AD model
      at the early phase. 25-100 mg/kg TIIA (intraperitoneal injection, i.p.) was
      administered to the six-month-old APP and PS1 transgenic mice for 30 consecutive
      days. After treatment, spatial memory, synaptic plasticity, and related
      mechanisms were investigated. Our result showed that memory impairment in AD mice
      was mitigated by 50 and 100 mg/kg TIIA treatments. Hippocampal long-term
      potentiation was impaired in AD model but rescued by 100 mg/kg TIIA treatment.
      Mechanically, TIIA treatment reduced the accumulations of beta-amyloid 1-42, C
      terminal fragments (CTFs), and p-Tau in the AD model. TIIA did not affect basal
      BDNF but promoted depolarization-induced BDNF synthesis in the AD mice. Taken
      together, TIIA repairs hippocampal LTP and memory, likely, through facilitating
      the clearance of AD-related proteins and activating synaptic BDNF synthesis. TIIA
      might be a candidate drug for AD treatment. 

PMID- 27274991
TI  - Sequence- and Structure-Based Functional Annotation and Assessment of Metabolic
      Transporters in Aspergillus oryzae: A Representative Case Study.
AB  - Aspergillus oryzae is widely used for the industrial production of enzymes. In A.
      oryzae metabolism, transporters appear to play crucial roles in controlling the
      flux of molecules for energy generation, nutrients delivery, and waste
      elimination in the cell. While the A. oryzae genome sequence is available,
      transporter annotation remains limited and thus the connectivity of metabolic
      networks is incomplete. In this study, we developed a metabolic annotation
      strategy to understand the relationship between the sequence, structure, and
      function for annotation of A. oryzae metabolic transporters. Sequence-based
      analysis with manual curation showed that 58 genes of 12,096 total genes in the
      A. oryzae genome encoded metabolic transporters. Under consensus integrative
      databases, 55 unambiguous metabolic transporter genes were distributed into
      channels and pores (7 genes), electrochemical potential-driven transporters (33
      genes), and primary active transporters (15 genes). To reveal the transporter
      functional role, a combination of homology modeling and molecular dynamics
      simulation was implemented to assess the relationship between sequence to
      structure and structure to function. As in the energy metabolism of A. oryzae,
      the H(+)-ATPase encoded by the AO090005000842 gene was selected as a
      representative case study of multilevel linkage annotation. Our developed
      strategy can be used for enhancing metabolic network reconstruction. 

PMID- 27274992
TI  - Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Free-Range Chickens in Henan Province
      of China.
AB  - Background. Chickens serve as an intermediate host for Toxoplasma gondii and
      Neospora caninum; infection of free-range (FR) chickens with these organisms is a
      useful indicator of soil and environmental contamination with oocysts. A total of
      700 FR chicken serum samples and 300 heart samples were collected from Henan
      province from March to July 2015. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 18.86%
      (132/700) of the chickens by modified agglutination test (cut-off 1 : 25), while
      23.14% (162/700) were positive for N. caninum by indirect fluorescent antibody
      test (cut-off 1 : 25). T. gondii DNA was detected in the myocardium digestion
      liquids of 4/25 (16%) FR chickens. The PCR results of N. caninum DNA from FR
      chicken myocardium digestion liquids (n = 25) were all negative. Attempts to
      isolate viable T. gondii were unsuccessful. The results showed that there were
      antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum in FR chickens from Henan province.
      Accordingly, effective control of feces from cats and dogs and improved pets
      hygiene habits were needed. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report
      of the presence of N. caninum antibody in chickens from China. 

PMID- 27274993
TI  - Three-Dimensional Computer-Aided Detection of Microcalcification Clusters in
      Digital Breast Tomosynthesis.
AB  - We propose computer-aided detection (CADe) algorithm for microcalcification (MC)
      clusters in reconstructed digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images. The
      algorithm consists of prescreening, MC detection, clustering, and false-positive
      (FP) reduction steps. The DBT images containing the MC-like objects were enhanced
      by a multiscale Hessian-based three-dimensional (3D) objectness response function
      and a connected-component segmentation method was applied to extract the cluster
      seed objects as potential clustering centers of MCs. Secondly, a signal-to-noise
      ratio (SNR) enhanced image was also generated to detect the individual MC
      candidates and prescreen the MC-like objects. Each cluster seed candidate was
      prescreened by counting neighboring individual MC candidates nearby the cluster
      seed object according to several microcalcification clustering criteria. As a
      second step, we introduced bounding boxes for the accepted seed candidate,
      clustered all the overlapping cubes, and examined. After the FP reduction step,
      the average number of FPs per case was estimated to be 2.47 per DBT volume with a
      sensitivity of 83.3%. 

PMID- 27274994
TI  - Synergistic Effects of Six Chronic Disease Pairs on Decreased Physical Activity:
      The SMILE Cohort Study.
AB  - Little is known about whether and how two chronic diseases interact with each
      other in modifying the risk of physical inactivity. The aim of the present study
      is to identify chronic disease pairs that are associated with compliance or
      noncompliance with the Dutch PA guideline recommendation and to study whether
      specific chronic disease pairs indicate an extra effect on top of the effects of
      the diseases individually. Cross-sectional data from 3,386 participants of cohort
      study SMILE were used and logistic regression analysis was performed to study the
      joint effect of the two diseases of each chronic disease pair for compliance with
      the Dutch PA guideline. For six chronic disease pairs, patients suffering from
      both diseases belonging to these disease pairs in question show a higher
      probability of noncompliance to the Dutch PA guideline, compared to what one
      would expect based on the effects of each of the two diseases alone. These six
      chronic disease pairs were chronic respiratory disease and severe back problems;
      migraine and inflammatory joint disease; chronic respiratory disease and severe
      kidney disease; chronic respiratory disease and inflammatory joint disease;
      inflammatory joint disease and rheumatoid arthritis; and rheumatoid arthritis and
      osteoarthritis of the knees, hips, and hands. 

PMID- 27274995
TI  - Evaluation of Qualitative Changes in Simulated Periodontal Ligament and Alveolar
      Bone Using a Noncontact Electromagnetic Vibration Device with a Laser
      Displacement Sensor.
AB  - Evaluating periodontal tissue condition is an important diagnostic parameter in
      periodontal disease. Noncontact electromagnetic vibration device (NEVD) was
      previously developed to monitor this condition using mechanical parameters.
      However, this system requires accelerometer on the target tooth. This study
      assessed application of laser displacement sensor (LDS) to NEVD without
      accelerometer using experimental tooth models. Tooth models consisted of
      cylindrical rod, a tissue conditioner, and polyurethane or polyurethane foam to
      simulate tooth, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone, respectively. Tissue
      conditioner was prepared by mixing various volumes of liquid with powder.
      Mechanical parameters (resonant frequency, elastic modulus, and coefficient of
      viscosity) were assessed using NEVD with the following methods: Group A,
      measurement with accelerometer; Group B, measurement with LDS in the presence of
      accelerometer; and Group C, measurement with LDS in the absence of accelerometer.
      Mechanical parameters significantly decreased with increasing liquid volume.
      Significant differences were also observed between the polyurethane and
      polyurethane foam models. Meanwhile, no statistically significant differences
      were observed between Groups A and B; however, most mechanical parameters in
      Group C were significantly larger and more distinguishable than those of Groups A
      and B. LDS could measure mechanical parameters more accurately and clearly
      distinguished the different periodontal ligament and alveolar bone conditions. 

PMID- 27274996
TI  - The Relationships between Anabolic Hormones and Body Composition in Middle-Aged
      and Elderly Men with Prediabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - The influence of anabolic hormones and body composition in men with prediabetes
      (PD) is unknown. In a cross-sectional study we investigated the relationships
      between total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT),
      dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
      and body composition assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method
      in 84 patients with PD (40-80 years) and 56 men in control group. Patients with
      PD had lower TT, cFT, and DHEAS levels but similar IGF-1 levels in both groups.
      Patients with PD presented the higher total and abdominal fat as well as the
      lower total and abdominal lean than control (p < 0.02, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p
      < 0.02, resp.). We observed negative relationship between TT and total fat (p =
      0.014) and positive with abdominal lean mass (p = 0.034), while cFT was
      negatively associated with abdominal (p = 0.02), trunk (p = 0.024), and leg fat
      (p = 0.037) and positively associated with total (p = 0.022) and trunk lean (p =
      0.024). DHEAS were negatively associated with total fat (p = 0.045), and IGF-1
      were positively associated with abdominal (p = 0.003) and leg lean (p = 0.015).
      In conclusion, the lowered anabolic hormones are involved in body composition
      rearrangement in men with PD. Further studies are needed to establish whether the
      androgen replacement therapy would be beneficial in men with PD. 

PMID- 27274997
TI  - A Molecular and Whole Body Insight of the Mechanisms Surrounding Glucose Disposal
      and Insulin Resistance with Hypoxic Treatment in Skeletal Muscle.
AB  - Although the mechanisms are largely unidentified, the chronic or intermittent
      hypoxic patterns occurring with respiratory diseases, such as chronic pulmonary
      disease or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity, are commonly associated
      with glucose intolerance. Indeed, hypoxia has been widely implicated in the
      development of insulin resistance either via the direct action on insulin
      receptor substrate (IRS) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) or indirectly through
      adipose tissue expansion and systemic inflammation. Yet hypoxia is also known to
      encourage glucose transport using insulin-dependent mechanisms, largely reliant
      on the metabolic master switch, 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In
      addition, hypoxic exposure has been shown to improve glucose control in type 2
      diabetics. The literature surrounding hypoxia-induced changes to glycemic control
      appears to be confusing and conflicting. How is it that the same stress can
      seemingly cause insulin resistance while increasing glucose uptake? There is
      little doubt that acute hypoxia increases glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle
      and does so using the same pathway as muscle contraction. The purpose of this
      review paper is to provide an insight into the mechanisms underpinning the
      observed effects and to open up discussions around the conflicting data
      surrounding hypoxia and glucose control. 

PMID- 27274999
TI  - Randomized Phase II Study of Docetaxel plus Personalized Peptide Vaccination
      versus Docetaxel plus Placebo for Patients with Previously Treated Advanced Wild
      Type EGFR Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of personalized peptide
      vaccination (PPV) combined with chemotherapy for patients with previously treated
      advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods. Previously
      treated PS0-1 patients with IIIB/IV EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) wild
      genotype NSCLC were randomly assigned to docetaxel (60 mg/m(2) on Day 1) plus PPV
      based on preexisting host immunity or docetaxel plus placebo. Docetaxel
      administration was repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression. Personalized
      peptides or placebo was injected subcutaneously weekly in the first 8 weeks and
      biweekly in subsequent 16 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was progression
      free survival (PFS). Results. PPV related toxicity was grade 2 or less skin
      reaction. The median PFS for placebo arm and PPV arm was 52 days and 59 days,
      respectively. There was no significant difference between two arms by log-rank
      test (p = 0.42). Interestingly, PFS and overall survival (OS) in humoral
      immunological responder were significantly longer than those in nonresponder.
      Conclusion. PPV did not improve the survival in combination with docetaxel for
      previously treated advanced NSCLC. However, PPV may be efficacious for the
      humoral immunological responders and a further clinical investigation is needed. 

PMID- 27275000
TI  - Comparison of Indiana High School Football Injury Rates by Inclusion of the USA
      Football "Heads Up Football" Player Safety Coach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Indiana, high school football coaches are required to complete a
      coaching education course with material related to concussion awareness,
      equipment fitting, heat emergency preparedness, and proper technique. Some high
      schools have also opted to implement a player safety coach (PSC). The PSC, an
      integral component of USA Football's Heads Up Football (HUF) program, is a coach
      whose primary responsibility is to ensure that other coaches are implementing
      proper tackling and blocking techniques alongside other components of the HUF
      program. PURPOSE: To compare injury rates in Indiana high school football teams
      by their usage of a PSC or online coaching education only. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort
      study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Athletic trainers (ATs) evaluated and
      tracked injuries at each practice and game during the 2015 high school football
      season. Players were drawn from 6 teams in Indiana. The PSC group, which used the
      PSC component, was comprised of 204 players from 3 teams. The "education only"
      group (EDU), which utilized coaching education only, was composed of 186 players
      from 3 teams. Injury rates and injury rate ratios (IRRs) were reported with 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: During 25,938 athlete-exposures (AEs), a
      total of 149 injuries were reported, of which 54 (36.2%) and 95 (63.8%)
      originated from the PSC and EDU groups, respectively. The practice injury rate
      was lower in the PSC group than the EDU group (2.99 vs 4.83/1000 AEs; IRR, 0.62;
      95% CI, 0.40-0.95). The game injury rate was also lower in the PSC group than the
      EDU group (11.37 vs 26.37/1000 AEs; IRR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.25-0.74). When
      restricted to concussions only, the rate was lower in the PSC group (0.09 vs
      0.73/1000 AEs; IRR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.01-0.94), although only 1 concussion was
      reported in the PSC group. No differences were found in game concussion rates
      (0.60 vs 4.39/1000 AEs; IRR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.02-1.11). CONCLUSION: Findings
      support the PSC as an effective method of injury mitigation in high school
      football. Future research should seek to replicate this study using larger
      samples from additional states.

PMID- 27275001
TI  - Recombinant Human Elastase Treatment of Cephalic Veins.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vessel injury at the time of Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) creation may
      lead to neointimal hyperplasia that impairs AVF maturation. Vonapanitase, a
      recombinant human chymotrypsin-like elastase family member 1, is an
      investigational drug under development to improve AVF maturation and patency. The
      current studies were designed to document vonapanitase effects in human cephalic
      veins that are used in AVF creation. METHODS: Human cephalic veins were mounted
      on a perfusion myograph. Vonapanitase 1.2, 4, 13.2, and 40 MUg/ml or saline was
      applied drop wise on the vein followed by saline rinse. Vein segments were cut
      into rings for elastin content determination by desmosine radioimmunoassay and
      histology. Fluorescently-labelled vonapanitase was applied to veins and
      adventitial imaging was performed using laser scanning confocal microscopy. In
      vivo time course experiments were performed by treating rabbit jugular veins and
      harvesting 1 h and 4 h after vonapanitase treatment. RESULTS / CONCLUSION:
      Vonapanitase reduced desmosine content in a dose-related manner. Histology also
      confirmed a dose-related reduction in elastic fiber staining. Fluorescently
      labelled vonapanitase persistently localized to elastic fibers in the vein
      adventitia. In vivo experiments showed a reduction in desmosine content in
      jugular veins from 1 h to 4 h following treatment. These data suggest that
      vonapanitase targets elastin in elastic fibers in a dose related manner and that
      elastase remains in the vessel wall and has catalytic activity for at least 1 h.

PMID- 27274998
TI  - Adjuvants: Classification, Modus Operandi, and Licensing.
AB  - Vaccination is one of the most efficient strategies for the prevention of
      infectious diseases. Although safer, subunit vaccines are poorly immunogenic and
      for this reason the use of adjuvants is strongly recommended. Since their
      discovery in the beginning of the 20th century, adjuvants have been used to
      improve immune responses that ultimately lead to protection against disease. The
      choice of the adjuvant is of utmost importance as it can stimulate protective
      immunity. Their mechanisms of action have now been revealed. Our increasing
      understanding of the immune system, and of correlates of protection, is helping
      in the development of new vaccine formulations for global infections.
      Nevertheless, few adjuvants are licensed for human vaccines and several
      formulations are now being evaluated in clinical trials. In this review, we
      briefly describe the most well known adjuvants used in experimental and clinical
      settings based on their main mechanisms of action and also highlight the
      requirements for licensing new vaccine formulations. 

PMID- 27275002
TI  - Major vault protein in cardiac and smooth muscle.
AB  - Major vault protein (MVP) is the major component of the vault particle whose
      functions are not well understood. One proposed function of the vault is to serve
      as a mechanism of drug transport, which confers drug resistance in cancer cells.
      We show that MVP can be found in cardiac and smooth muscle. In human airway
      smooth muscle cells, knocking down MVP was found to cause cell death, suggesting
      that MVP serves as a cell survival factor. Further, our laboratory found that MVP
      is S-glutathionylated in response to ligand/receptor-mediated cell signaling. The
      S-glutathionylation of MVP appears to regulate protein-protein interactions
      between MVP and a protein called myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9). Through MYH9 and
      Vsp34, MVP may form a complex with Beclin-1 that regulates autophagic cell death.
      In pulmonary vascular smooth muscle, proteasome inhibition promotes the
      ubiquitination of MVP, which may function as a mechanism of proteasome inhibition
      mediated cell death. Investigating the functions and the regulatory mechanisms of
      MVP and vault particles is an exciting new area of research in
      cardiovascular/pulmonary pathophysiology.

PMID- 27275003
TI  - Western Analysis of Histone Modifications (Aspergillus nidulans).
AB  - Western blotting allows for the specific detection of proteins and/or
      modifications of proteins by an antibody of interest. This protocol utilizes a
      crude nuclei extraction protocol for Aspergillus nidulans to enrich for histones
      and other nuclear proteins prior to gel electrophoresis. Post translational
      modifications of histones may then be easily detected. After electrophoresis, the
      selected antibodies are used to detect and quantify levels of the modifications
      of interest.

PMID- 27275005
TI  - Genetic Analysis of Reduced gamma-Tocopherol Content in Ethiopian Mustard Seeds.
AB  - Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) line BCT-6, with reduced gamma
      tocopherol content in the seeds, has been previously developed. The objective of
      this research was to conduct a genetic analysis of seed tocopherols in this line.
      BCT-6 was crossed with the conventional line C-101 and the F1, F2, and BC plant
      generations were analyzed. Generation mean analysis using individual scaling
      tests indicated that reduced gamma-tocopherol content fitted an additive-dominant
      genetic model with predominance of additive effects and absence of epistatic
      interactions. This was confirmed through a joint scaling test and additional
      testing of the goodness of fit of the model. Conversely, epistatic interactions
      were identified for total tocopherol content. Estimation of the minimum number of
      genes suggested that both gamma- and total tocopherol content may be controlled
      by two genes. A positive correlation between total tocopherol content and the
      proportion of gamma-tocopherol was identified in the F2 generation. Additional
      research on the feasibility of developing germplasm with high tocopherol content
      and reduced concentration of gamma-tocopherol is required.

PMID- 27275006
TI  - Visuomotor Map Determines How Visually Guided Reaching Movements are Corrected
      Within and Across Trials.
AB  - When a visually guided reaching movement is unexpectedly perturbed, it is
      implicitly corrected in two ways: immediately after the perturbation by feedback
      control (online correction) and in the next movement by adjusting feedforward
      motor commands (offline correction or motor adaptation). Although recent studies
      have revealed a close relationship between feedback and feedforward controls, the
      nature of this relationship is not yet fully understood. Here, we show that both
      implicit online and offline movement corrections utilize the same visuomotor map
      for feedforward movement control that transforms the spatial location of visual
      objects into appropriate motor commands. First, we artificially distorted the
      visuomotor map by applying opposite visual rotations to the cursor representing
      the hand position while human participants reached for two different targets.
      This procedure implicitly altered the visuomotor map so that changes in the
      movement direction to the target location were more insensitive or more
      sensitive. Then, we examined how such visuomotor map distortion influenced online
      movement correction by suddenly changing the target location. The magnitude of
      online movement correction was altered according to the shape of the visuomotor
      map. We also examined offline movement correction; the aftereffect induced by
      visual rotation in the previous trial was modulated according to the shape of the
      visuomotor map. These results highlighted the importance of the visuomotor map as
      a foundation for implicit motor control mechanisms and the intimate relationship
      between feedforward control, feedback control, and motor adaptation.

PMID- 27275007
TI  - Voltage-Dependent Rhythmogenic Property of Respiratory Pre-Botzinger Complex
      Glutamatergic, Dbx1-Derived, and Somatostatin-Expressing Neuron Populations
      Revealed by Graded Optogenetic Inhibition.
AB  - The rhythm of breathing in mammals, originating within the brainstem pre
      Botzinger complex (pre-BotC), is presumed to be generated by glutamatergic
      neurons, but this has not been directly demonstrated. Additionally, developmental
      expression of the transcription factor Dbx1 or expression of the neuropeptide
      somatostatin (Sst), has been proposed as a marker for the rhythmogenic pre-BotC
      glutamatergic neurons, but it is unknown whether these other two phenotypically
      defined neuronal populations are functionally equivalent to glutamatergic neurons
      with regard to rhythm generation. To address these problems, we comparatively
      investigated, by optogenetic approaches, the roles of pre-BotC glutamatergic,
      Dbx1-derived, and Sst-expressing neurons in respiratory rhythm generation in
      neonatal transgenic mouse medullary slices in vitro and also more intact adult
      perfused brainstem-spinal cord preparations in situ. We established three
      different triple-transgenic mouse lines with Cre-driven Archaerhodopsin-3 (Arch)
      expression selectively in glutamatergic, Dbx1-derived, or Sst-expressing neurons
      for targeted photoinhibition. In each line, we identified subpopulations of
      rhythmically active, Arch-expressing pre-BotC inspiratory neurons by whole-cell
      recordings in medullary slice preparations in vitro, and established that Arch
      mediated hyperpolarization of these inspiratory neurons was laser power dependent
      with equal efficacy. By site- and population-specific graded photoinhibition, we
      then demonstrated that inspiratory frequency was reduced by each population with
      the same neuronal voltage-dependent frequency control mechanism in each state of
      the respiratory network examined. We infer that enough of the rhythmogenic pre
      BotC glutamatergic neurons also have the Dbx1 and Sst expression phenotypes, and
      thus all three phenotypes share the same voltage-dependent frequency control
      property.

PMID- 27275008
TI  - Rank Order Coding: a Retinal Information Decoding Strategy Revealed by Large
      Scale Multielectrode Array Retinal Recordings.
AB  - How a population of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) encodes the visual scene
      remains an open question. Going beyond individual RGC coding strategies, results
      in salamander suggest that the relative latencies of a RGC pair encode spatial
      information. Thus, a population code based on this concerted spiking could be a
      powerful mechanism to transmit visual information rapidly and efficiently. Here,
      we tested this hypothesis in mouse by recording simultaneous light-evoked
      responses from hundreds of RGCs, at pan-retinal level, using a new generation of
      large-scale, high-density multielectrode array consisting of 4096 electrodes.
      Interestingly, we did not find any RGCs exhibiting a clear latency tuning to the
      stimuli, suggesting that in mouse, individual RGC pairs may not provide
      sufficient information. We show that a significant amount of information is
      encoded synergistically in the concerted spiking of large RGC populations. Thus,
      the RGC population response described with relative activities, or ranks,
      provides more relevant information than classical independent spike count- or
      latency- based codes. In particular, we report for the first time that when
      considering the relative activities across the whole population, the wave of
      first stimulus-evoked spikes is an accurate indicator of stimulus content. We
      show that this coding strategy coexists with classical neural codes, and that it
      is more efficient and faster. Overall, these novel observations suggest that
      already at the level of the retina, concerted spiking provides a reliable and
      fast strategy to rapidly transmit new visual scenes.

PMID- 27275004
TI  - Translational aspects in targeting the stromal tumour microenvironment: from
      bench to bedside.
AB  - Solid tumours comprise, not only malignant cells but also a variety of stromal
      cells and extracellular matrix proteins. These components interact via an array
      of signalling pathways to create an adaptable network that may act to promote or
      suppress cancer progression. To date, the majority of anti-tumour
      chemotherapeutic agents have principally sought to target the cancer cell.
      Consequently, resistance develops because of clonal evolution, as a result of
      selection pressure during tumour expansion. The concept of activating or
      inhibiting other cell types within the tumour microenvironment is relatively
      novel and has the advantage of targeting cells which are genetically stable and
      less likely to develop resistance. This review outlines key players in the
      stromal tumour microenvironment and discusses potential targeting strategies that
      may offer therapeutic benefit.

PMID- 27275009
TI  - Liver Injury Assessment by Vetscan VS2 Analyzer and Most Frequently Used ALT/GTP
      Reagent.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Liver injury is estimated by serum alanine aminotransferases
      (ALT) levels in experimental animal models. Laboratories use various techniques
      to measure ALT levels including assay reagents and chemistry analyzers. VetScan
      VS2 (VS2) is widely used in veterinary clinics and research laboratories for
      highly reproducible, convenient and effective testing. Alternatively, ALT liquid
      reagent is used by laboratories to estimate liver injury in animal studies. The
      aim of this study was to perform comparative analyses of data obtained from these
      two assays in two different animal models. METHODS: In this study, we used two
      different mouse models and compared the ALT levels measured using VetScan VS2
      chemistry analyzer and ALT liquid reagent. Immunohistochemical analysis of
      hepatic tissue was also performed to document liver pathology. The first model is
      a high fat diet feeding model that results in a mild hepatic steatosis (fat
      accumulation in the liver) without elevation of ALT levels. For a severe liver
      injury model, we employed a hepatotoxin-induced liver injury model (carbon
      tetrachloride, CCl4), which leads to the development of hepatic fibrosis and very
      high ALT levels. RESULTS: VetScan VS2 and ALT reagent gave different values of
      ALT for all animal groups. However, linear regression analysis showed a
      significantly high association between ALT levels obtained by VS2 and ALT liquid
      reagent in a high-fat feeding model with no liver injury. For the CCl4 induced
      liver injury model, serum dilution (5 and 10 times) was performed to obtain
      accurate results with ALT reagent. ALT levels acquired from both techniques
      showed a close association. Interestingly, this correlation was closer when serum
      was diluted 5 fold. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that both methods give
      similar results when evaluating liver injury in animal studies. However, the
      serum dilution factor is critical for severe liver injury assessment when using
      ALT reagent and requires some optimization. In this regard, VetScan VS2 is easier
      to use and gives comparable results.

PMID- 27275010
TI  - High-Throughput Luciferase-Based Assay for the Discovery of Therapeutics That
      Prevent Malaria.
AB  - In order to identify the most attractive starting points for drugs that can be
      used to prevent malaria, a diverse chemical space comprising tens of thousands to
      millions of small molecules may need to be examined. Achieving this throughput
      necessitates the development of efficient ultra-high-throughput screening
      methods. Here, we report the development and evaluation of a luciferase-based
      phenotypic screen of malaria exoerythrocytic-stage parasites optimized for a 1536
      well format. This assay uses the exoerythrocytic stage of the rodent malaria
      parasite, Plasmodium berghei, and a human hepatoma cell line. We use this assay
      to evaluate several biased and unbiased compound libraries, including two small
      sets of molecules (400 and 89 compounds, respectively) with known activity
      against malaria erythrocytic-stage parasites and a set of 9886 diversity-oriented
      synthesis (DOS)-derived compounds. Of the compounds screened, we obtain hit rates
      of 12-13 and 0.6% in preselected and naive libraries, respectively, and identify
      52 compounds with exoerythrocytic-stage activity less than 1 MUM and having
      minimal host cell toxicity. Our data demonstrate the ability of this method to
      identify compounds known to have causal prophylactic activity in both human and
      animal models of malaria, as well as novel compounds, including some exclusively
      active against parasite exoerythrocytic stages.

PMID- 27275011
TI  - Next-generation profiling to identify the molecular etiology of Parkinson
      dementia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the underlying cortical gene expression changes
      associated with Parkinson dementia using a next-generation RNA sequencing
      approach. METHODS: In this study, we used RNA sequencing to evaluate differential
      gene expression and alternative splicing in the posterior cingulate cortex from
      neurologically normal control patients, patients with Parkinson disease, and
      patients with Parkinson disease with dementia. RESULTS: Genes overexpressed in
      both disease states were involved with an immune response, whereas shared
      underexpressed genes functioned in signal transduction or as components of the
      cytoskeleton. Alternative splicing analysis produced a pattern of immune and RNA
      processing disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: Genes with the greatest degree of
      differential expression did not overlap with genes exhibiting significant
      alternative splicing activity. Such variation indicates the importance of
      broadening expression studies to include exon-level changes because there can be
      significant differential splicing activity with potential structural
      consequences, a subtlety that is not detected when examining differential gene
      expression alone, or is underrepresented with probe-limited array technology.

PMID- 27275012
TI  - Mutation of TBCK causes a rare recessive developmental disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize the underlying genetic defect in a family with 3
      siblings affected by a severe, yet viable, congenital disorder. METHODS:
      Extensive genetic and metabolic investigations were performed, and the affected
      children were imaged at different ages. Whole-genome genotyping and whole-exome
      sequencing were undertaken. A single large region (>8 Mb) of homozygosity in
      chromosome 4 (chr4:100,268,553-108,609,628) was identified that was shared only
      in affected siblings. Inspection of genetic variability within this region led to
      the identification of a novel mutation. Sanger sequencing confirmed segregation
      of the mutation with disease. RESULTS: All affected siblings share homozygosity
      for a novel 4-bp deletion in the gene TBCK (NM_033115:c.614_617del:p.205_206del).
      CONCLUSIONS: This finding provides the genetic cause of a severe inherited
      disease in a family and extends the number of mutations and phenotypes associated
      with this recently identified disease gene.

PMID- 27275013
TI  - Three-dimensional characterization of fibroblast foci in idiopathic pulmonary
      fibrosis.
AB  - In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the fibroblast focus is a key
      histological feature representing active fibroproliferation. On standard 2D
      pathologic examination, fibroblast foci are considered small, distinct lesions,
      although they have been proposed to form a highly interconnected reticulum as the
      leading edge of a "wave" of fibrosis. Here, we characterized fibroblast focus
      morphology and interrelationships in 3D using an integrated micro-CT and
      histological methodology. In 3D, fibroblast foci were morphologically complex
      structures, with large variations in shape and volume (range, 1.3 * 104 to 9.9 *
      107 MUm3). Within each tissue sample numerous multiform foci were present,
      ranging from a minimum of 0.9 per mm3 of lung tissue to a maximum of 11.1 per mm3
      of lung tissue. Each focus was an independent structure, and no interconnections
      were observed. Together, our data indicate that in 3D fibroblast foci form a
      constellation of heterogeneous structures with large variations in shape and
      volume, suggesting previously unrecognized plasticity. No evidence of
      interconnectivity was identified, consistent with the concept that foci represent
      discrete sites of lung injury and repair.

PMID- 27275014
TI  - Deficiency of mitochondrial modulator MCJ promotes chemoresistance in breast
      cancer.
AB  - Despite major advances in early detection and prognosis, chemotherapy resistance
      is a major hurdle in the battle against breast cancer. Identifying predictive
      markers and understanding the mechanisms are key steps to overcoming
      chemoresistance. Methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ, also known as DNAJC15) is
      a negative regulator of mitochondrial respiration and has been associated with
      chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity in cancer cell lines. Here we show, in a
      retrospective study of a large cohort of breast cancer patients, that low MCJ
      expression in breast tumors predicts high risk of relapse in patients treated
      with chemotherapy; however, MCJ expression does not correlate with response to
      endocrine therapy. In a prospective study in breast cancer patients undergoing
      neoadjuvant therapy, low MCJ expression also correlates with poor clinical
      response to chemotherapy and decreased disease-free survival. Using MCJ-deficient
      mice, we demonstrate that lack of MCJ is sufficient to induce mammary tumor
      chemoresistance in vivo. Thus, loss of expression of this endogenous
      mitochondrial modulator in breast cancer promotes the development of
      chemoresistance.

PMID- 27275015
TI  - Abnormal PTPN11 enhancer methylation promotes rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast
      like synoviocyte aggressiveness and joint inflammation.
AB  - The PTPN11 gene, encoding the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2, is overexpressed in
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) compared with
      osteoarthritis (OA) FLS and promotes RA FLS invasiveness. Here, we explored the
      molecular basis for PTPN11 overexpression in RA FLS and the role of SHP-2 in RA
      pathogenesis. Using computational methods, we identified a putative enhancer in
      PTPN11 intron 1, which contained a glucocorticoid receptor- binding (GR-binding)
      motif. This region displayed enhancer function in RA FLS and contained 2
      hypermethylation sites in RA compared with OA FLS. RA FLS stimulation with the
      glucocorticoid dexamethasone induced GR binding to the enhancer and PTPN11
      expression. Glucocorticoid responsiveness of PTPN11 was significantly higher in
      RA FLS than OA FLS and required the differentially methylated CpGs for full
      enhancer function. SHP-2 expression was enriched in the RA synovial lining, and
      heterozygous Ptpn11 deletion in radioresistant or innate immune cells attenuated
      K/BxN serum transfer arthritis in mice. Treatment with SHP-2 inhibitor 11a-1
      reduced RA FLS migration and responsiveness to TNF and IL-1beta stimulation and
      reduced arthritis severity in mice. Our findings demonstrate how abnormal
      epigenetic regulation of a pathogenic gene determines FLS behavior and
      demonstrate that targeting SHP-2 or the SHP-2 pathway could be a therapeutic
      strategy for RA.

PMID- 27275016
TI  - Glycoprofiling of cancer biomarkers: Label-free electrochemical lectin-based
      biosensors.
AB  - Glycosylation of biomolecules is one of the most prevalent post- and co
      translational modification in a human body, with more than half of all human
      proteins being glycosylated. Malignant transformation of cells influences
      glycosylation machinery resulting in subtle changes of the glycosylation pattern
      within the cell populations as a result of cancer. Thus, an altered terminal
      glycan motif on glycoproteins could provide a warning signal about disease
      development and progression and could be applied as a reliable biomarker in
      cancer diagnostics. Among all highly effective glycoprofiling tools, label-free
      electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)-based biosensors have emerged as
      especially suitable tool for point-of-care early-stage cancer detection. Herein,
      we highlight the current challenges in glycoprofiling of various cancer
      biomarkers by ultrasensitive impedimetric-based biosensors with low sample
      consumption, low cost fabrication and simple miniaturization. Additionally, this
      review provides a short introduction to the field of glycomics and lectinomics
      and gives a brief overview of glycan alterations in different types of cancer.

PMID- 27275018
TI  - Information Propagation in Prior-Image-Based Reconstruction.
AB  - Advanced reconstruction methods for computed tomography include sophisticated
      forward models of the imaging system that capture the pertinent physical
      processes affecting the signal and noise in projection measurements. However,
      most do little to integrate prior knowledge of the subject - often relying only
      on very general notions of local smoothness or edges. In many cases, as in
      longitudinal surveillance or interventional imaging, a patient has undergone a
      sequence of studies prior to the current image acquisition that hold a wealth of
      prior information on patient-specific anatomy. While traditional techniques tend
      to treat each data acquisition as an isolated event and disregard such valuable
      patient-specific prior information, some reconstruction methods, such as PICCS[1]
      and PIR-PLE[2], can incorporate prior images into a reconstruction objective
      function. Inclusion of such information allows for dramatic reduction in the data
      fidelity requirements and more robustly accommodate substantial undersampling and
      exposure reduction with consequent benefits to imaging speed and reduced
      radiation dose. While such prior-image-based methods offer tremendous promise,
      the introduction of prior information in the reconstruction raises significant
      concern regarding the accurate representation of features in the image and
      whether those features arise from the current data acquisition or from the prior
      images. In this work we propose a novel framework to analyze the propagation of
      information in prior-image-based reconstruction by decomposing the estimation
      into distinct components supported by the current data acquisition and by the
      prior image. This decomposition quantifies the contributions from prior and
      current data as a spatial map and can trace specific features in the image to
      their source. Such "information source maps" can potentially be used as a check
      on confidence that a given image feature arises from the current data or from the
      prior and to more quantitatively guide the selection of parameter values
      affecting the strength of prior information in the resulting image.

PMID- 27275017
TI  - Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor 2 Regulates the Migration, Proliferation, and
      Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a multipotent cell population acquired most
      prominently from bone marrow with the capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts,
      chondrocytes, adipocytes, and others. MSCs demonstrate the capacity to home to
      sites of injury and contribute to tissue repair. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is
      a biologically active sphingolipid impacting proliferation, apoptosis,
      inflammation, and angiogenesis with changes in S1P concentration providing
      significant implications for various disease conditions including cancer,
      diabetes, and cardiac disease. These functions are primarily mediated by
      interactions with 5 G-protein coupled S1P receptors (S1PR1-5). In this paper, we
      demonstrate that inhibition of S1PR2 results in increased MSC clonogenicity,
      migration, and proliferation; features dependent on Erk phosphorylation.
      Furthermore, decreased S1PR2 expression decreases the differentiation of MSCs
      into adipocytes and mature osteoblasts that may be the result of increased
      expression of MSC pluripotency factors including Nanog, Sox-9, and Oct-4.
      Inhibition of S1PR1 and S1PR3 in contrast does not impact MSC migration or Erk
      activation although increased proliferation is observed. In the study, we
      describe the essential role of S1PR2 in MSC differentiation pathways through
      modification of pluripotency factors. We propose a MAPK dependent mechanism
      through S1PR2 inhibition that promotes equally multipotent MSC proliferation.

PMID- 27275019
TI  - Heuristics in Managing Complex Clinical Decision Tasks in Experts' Decision
      Making.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical decision support is a tool to help experts make optimal and
      efficient decisions. However, little is known about the high level of
      abstractions in the thinking process for the experts. OBJECTIVE: The objective of
      the study is to understand how clinicians manage complexity while dealing with
      complex clinical decision tasks. METHOD: After approval from the Institutional
      Review Board (IRB), three clinical experts were interviewed the transcripts from
      these interviews were analyzed. RESULTS: We found five broad categories of
      strategies by experts for managing complex clinical decision tasks: decision
      conflict, mental projection, decision trade-offs, managing uncertainty and
      generating rule of thumb. CONCLUSION: Complexity is created by decision
      conflicts, mental projection, limited options and treatment uncertainty. Experts
      cope with complexity in a variety of ways, including using efficient and fast
      decision strategies to simplify complex decision tasks, mentally simulating
      outcomes and focusing on only the most relevant information. APPLICATION:
      Understanding complex decision making processes can help design allocation based
      on the complexity of task for clinical decision support design.

PMID- 27275020
TI  - Supporting novice clinicians cognitive strategies: System design perspective.
AB  - Infections occur among all clinical domains. The changing nature of microbes,
      viruses and infections poses a great threat to the overall well-being in
      medicine. Clinicians in the infectious disease (ID) domain deal with diagnostic
      as well as treatment uncertainty in their everyday practice. Our current health
      information technology (HIT) systems do not consider the level of clinician
      expertise into the system design process. Thus, information is presented to both
      novice and expert ID clinicians in identical ways. The purpose of this study was
      to identify the cognitive strategies novice ID clinicians use in managing complex
      cases to make better recommendations for system design. In the process, we
      interviewed 14 ID experts and asked them to give us a detailed description of how
      novice clinicians would have dealt with complex cases. From the interview
      transcripts, we identified four major themes that expert clinicians suggested
      about novices' cognitive strategies including: A) dealing with uncertainty, B)
      lack of higher macrocognition, C) oversimplification of problems through
      heuristics and D) dealing with peer pressure. Current and future innovative
      decision support tools embedded in the electronic health record that can match
      these cognitive strategies may hold the key to cognitively supporting novice
      clinicians. The results of this study may open up avenues for future research and
      suggest design directions for better healthcare systems.

PMID- 27275021
TI  - Context matters: A community-based study of urban minority parents' views on
      child health.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Among children, there are substantial ethno-racial minority
      disparities across a broad range of health-related behaviors, experiences, and
      outcomes. Addressing these disparities is important, as childhood and adolescence
      establish health trajectories that extend throughout life. METHODS: The current
      study employed a community-based participatory research approach to gain
      community insight on child health priorities and to frame an intervention aimed
      at improving the health of minority children. Eight focus groups were conducted
      among seventy-five African American parents in a Southeastern city. The current
      study was guided by an ecological theoretical framework. RESULTS: Although the
      focus of this investigation was on community identification of child health
      priorities, participants cited, as root determinants, contextual factors, which
      included lack of healthy food options, lack of spaces for physical activity, and
      community violence. These co-occurring factors were related to limited engagement
      in outdoor activities and physical activity, increased obesity, and poor mental
      health and coping. Poor parenting was cited as the most substantial barrier to
      improving child health outcomes, and quality parenting was identified as the most
      important issue to address for community programs focused on promoting the health
      and success of children. For improving health outcomes for children in their
      neighborhoods, establishment of positive social capital and constructive
      activities were also cited. CONCLUSIONS: These results reinforce social
      determinants of health as influences on child health outcomes and describe how
      community engagement can address potential solutions through interventions that
      resonate with program participants.

PMID- 27275022
TI  - Cross-domain, soft-partition clustering with diversity measure and knowledge
      reference.
AB  - Conventional, soft-partition clustering approaches, such as fuzzy c-means (FCM),
      maximum entropy clustering (MEC) and fuzzy clustering by quadratic regularization
      (FC-QR), are usually incompetent in those situations where the data are quite
      insufficient or much polluted by underlying noise or outliers. In order to
      address this challenge, the quadratic weights and Gini-Simpson diversity based
      fuzzy clustering model (QWGSD-FC), is first proposed as a basis of our work.
      Based on QWGSD-FC and inspired by transfer learning, two types of cross-domain,
      soft-partition clustering frameworks and their corresponding algorithms, referred
      to as type-I/type-II knowledge-transfer-oriented c-means (TI-KT-CM and TII-KT
      CM), are subsequently presented, respectively. The primary contributions of our
      work are four-fold: (1) The delicate QWGSD-FC model inherits the most merits of
      FCM, MEC and FC-QR. With the weight factors in the form of quadratic memberships,
      similar to FCM, it can more effectively calculate the total intra-cluster
      deviation than the linear form recruited in MEC and FC-QR. Meanwhile, via Gini
      Simpson diversity index, like Shannon entropy in MEC, and equivalent to the
      quadratic regularization in FC-QR, QWGSD-FC is prone to achieving the unbiased
      probability assignments, (2) owing to the reference knowledge from the source
      domain, both TI-KT-CM and TII-KT-CM demonstrate high clustering effectiveness as
      well as strong parameter robustness in the target domain, (3) TI-KT-CM refers
      merely to the historical cluster centroids, whereas TII-KT-CM simultaneously uses
      the historical cluster centroids and their associated fuzzy memberships as the
      reference. This indicates that TII-KT-CM features more comprehensive knowledge
      learning capability than TI-KT-CM and TII-KT-CM consequently exhibits more
      perfect cross-domain clustering performance and (4) neither the historical
      cluster centroids nor the historical cluster centroid based fuzzy memberships
      involved in TI-KT-CM or TII-KT-CM can be inversely mapped into the raw data. This
      means that both TI-KT-CM and TII-KT-CM can work without disclosing the original
      data in the source domain, i.e. they are of good privacy protection for the
      source domain. In addition, the convergence analyses regarding both TI-KT-CM and
      TII-KT-CM are conducted in our research. The experimental studies thoroughly
      evaluated and demonstrated our contributions on both synthetic and real-life data
      scenarios.

PMID- 27275023
TI  - Plankton dynamics and biogeochemical fluxes in the Costa Rica Dome: introduction
      to the CRD Flux and Zinc Experiments.
AB  - The Costa Rica Dome (CRD) is an open-ocean upwelling system in the Eastern
      Tropical Pacific that overlies the ocean's largest oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). The
      region has unique characteristics, biomass dominance by picophytoplankton,
      suppressed diatoms, high biomass of higher consumers and presumptive trace metal
      limitation, but is poorly understood in terms of pelagic stock and process
      relationships, including productivity and production controls. Here, we describe
      the goals, project design, physical context and major findings of the Flux and
      Zinc Experiments cruise conducted in June-July 2010 to assess trophic flux
      relationships and elemental controls on phytoplankton in the CRD. Despite
      sampling during a year of suppressed summertime surface chlorophyll, cruise
      results show high productivity (~1 g C m-2 day-1), high new production relative
      to export, balanced production and grazing, disproportionate biomass-specific
      productivity of large phytoplankton and high zooplankton stocks. Zinc
      concentrations are low in surface waters relative to phosphorous and silicate in
      other regions, providing conditions conducive to picophytoplankton, like
      Synechococcus, with low Zn requirements. Experiments nonetheless highlight
      phytoplankton limitation or co-limitation by silicic acid, driven by a strong
      silica pump that is linked to low dissolution of biogenic silica in the cold
      shallow thermocline of the lower euphotic zone.

PMID- 27275024
TI  - Patterns of microbial community biomass, composition and HPLC diagnostic pigments
      in the Costa Rica upwelling dome.
AB  - We investigated biomass, size-structure, composition, depth distributions and
      spatial variability of the phytoplankton community in the Costa Rica Dome (CRD)
      in June-July 2010. Euphotic zone profiles were sampled daily during Lagrangian
      experiments in and out of the dome region, and the community was analyzed using a
      combination of digital epifluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and HPLC
      pigments. The mean depth-integrated biomass of phytoplankton ranged 2-fold, from
      1089 to 1858 mg C m-2 (mean +/- SE = 1378 +/- 112 mg C m-2), among 4 water
      parcels tracked for 4 days. Corresponding mean (+/-SE) integrated values for
      total chlorophyll a (Chl a) and the ratio of autotrophic carbon to Chl a were
      24.1 +/- 1.5 mg Chl a m-2 and 57.5 +/- 3.4, respectively. Absolute and relative
      contributions of picophytoplankton (~60%), Synechococcus (>33%) and
      Prochlorococcus (17%) to phytoplankton community biomass were highest in the
      central dome region, while >20 um phytoplankton accounted for <=10%, and diatoms
      <2%, of biomass in all areas. Nonetheless, autotrophic flagellates, dominated by
      dinoflagellates, exceeded biomass contributions of Synechococcus at all
      locations. Order-of-magnitude discrepancies in the relative contributions of
      diatoms (overestimated) and dinoflagellates (underestimated) based on diagnostic
      pigments relative to microscopy highlight potential significant biases associated
      with making community inferences from pigments.

PMID- 27275025
TI  - Phytoplankton production and taxon-specific growth rates in the Costa Rica Dome.
AB  - During summer 2010, we investigated phytoplankton production and growth rates at
      19 stations in the eastern tropical Pacific, where winds and strong opposing
      currents generate the Costa Rica Dome (CRD), an open-ocean upwelling feature.
      Primary production (14C-incorporation) and group-specific growth and net growth
      rates (two-treatment seawater dilution method) were estimated from samples
      incubated in situ at eight depths. Our cruise coincided with a mild El Nino
      event, and only weak upwelling was observed in the CRD. Nevertheless, the highest
      phytoplankton abundances were found near the dome center. However, mixed-layer
      growth rates were lowest in the dome center (~0.5-0.9 day-1), but higher on the
      edge of the dome (~0.9-1.0 day-1) and in adjacent coastal waters (0.9-1.3 day-1).
      We found good agreement between independent methods to estimate growth rates.
      Mixed-layer growth rates of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus were largely
      balanced by mortality, whereas eukaryotic phytoplankton showed positive net
      growth (~0.5-0.6 day-1), that is, growth available to support larger
      (mesozooplankton) consumer biomass. These are the first group-specific
      phytoplankton rate estimates in this region, and they demonstrate that integrated
      primary production is high, exceeding 1 g C m-2 day-1 on average, even during a
      period of reduced upwelling.

PMID- 27275026
TI  - Net biogenic silica production and the contribution of diatoms to new production
      and organic matter export in the Costa Rica Dome ecosystem.
AB  - We determined the net rate of biogenic silica (bSiO2) production and estimated
      the diatom contribution to new production and organic matter export in the Costa
      Rica Dome during summer 2010. The shallow thermocline significantly reduces bSiO2
      dissolution rates below the mixed layer, leading to significant enhancement of
      bSiO2 relative to organic matter (silicate-pump condition). This may explain why
      deep export of bSiO2 in this region is elevated by an order of magnitude relative
      to comparable systems. Diatom carbon, relative to autotrophic carbon, was low
      (<3%); however, the contribution of diatoms to new production averaged 3 and 13%
      using independent approaches. The 4-old discrepancy between methods may be
      explained by a low average C:Si ratio (~1.4) for the net produced diatom C
      relative to the net produced bSiO2. We speculate that this low production ratio
      is not the result of reduced C, but may arise from a significant contribution of
      non-diatom silicifying organisms to bSiO2 production. The contribution of diatoms
      to organic matter export was minor (5.7%). These results, and those of the
      broader project, suggest substantial food-web transformation of diatom organic
      matter in the euphotic zone, which creates enriched bSiO2 relative to organic
      matter within the exported material.

PMID- 27275027
TI  - Biomass and composition of protistan grazers and heterotrophic bacteria in the
      Costa Rica Dome during summer 2010.
AB  - We investigated biomass and composition of heterotrophic microbes in the Costa
      Rica Dome during June-July 2010 as part of a broader study of plankton trophic
      dynamics. Because picophytoplankton (<2 MUm) are known to dominate in this unique
      upwelling region, we hypothesized tight biomass relationships between size
      determined predator-prey pairs (i.e. picoplankton-nano-grazers, nanoplankton
      micro-grazers) within the microbial community. Integrated biomass of
      heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 180 to 487 mg C m-2 and was significantly
      correlated with total autotrophic carbon. Heterotrophic protist (H-protist)
      biomass ranged more narrowly from 488 to 545 mg C m-2, and was comprised of 60%
      dinoflagellates, 30% other flagellates and 11% ciliates. Nano-sized (<20 MUm)
      protists accounted for the majority (57%) of grazer biomass and were positively
      correlated with picoplankton, partially supporting our hypothesis, but
      nanoplankton and micro-grazers (>20 MUm) were not significantly correlated. The
      relative constancy of H-protist biomass among locations despite clear changes in
      integrated autotrophic biomass, Chl a, and primary production suggests that
      mesozooplankton may exert a tight top-down control on micro-grazers. Biomass
      specific consumption rates of phytoplankton by protistan grazers suggest an
      instantaneous growth rate of 0.52 day-1 for H-protists, similar to the growth
      rate of phytoplankton and consistent with a trophically balanced ecosystem
      dominated by pico-nanoplankton interactions.

PMID- 27275028
TI  - Preferential depletion of zinc within Costa Rica upwelling dome creates
      conditions for zinc co-limitation of primary production.
AB  - The Costa Rica Dome (CRD) is a wind-driven feature characterized by high primary
      production and an unusual cyanobacterial bloom in surface waters. It is not clear
      whether this bloom arises from top-down or bottom-up processes. Several studies
      have argued that trace metal geochemistry within the CRD contributes to the
      composition of the phytoplankton assemblages, since cyanobacteria and eukaryotic
      phytoplankton have different transition metal requirements. Here, we report that
      total dissolved zinc (Zn) is significantly depleted relative to phosphate (P) and
      silicate (Si) within the upper water column of the CRD compared with other
      oceanic systems, and this may create conditions favorable for cyanobacteria,
      which have lower Zn requirements than their eukaryotic competitors. Shipboard
      grow-out experiments revealed that while Si was a limiting factor under our
      experimental conditions, additions of Si and either iron (Fe) or Zn led to higher
      biomass than Si additions alone. The addition of Fe and Zn alone did not lead to
      significant enhancements. Our results suggest that the depletion of Zn relative
      to P in upwelled waters may create conditions in the near-surface waters that
      favor phytoplankton with low Zn requirements, including cyanobacteria.

PMID- 27275029
TI  - Microplankton trace element contents: implications for mineral limitation of
      mesozooplankton in an HNLC area.
AB  - Mesozooplankton production in high-nutrient low-chlorophyll regions of the ocean
      may be reduced if the trace element concentrations in their food are insufficient
      to meet growth and metabolic demands. We used elemental microanalysis (SXRF) of
      single-celled plankton to determine their trace metal contents during a series of
      semi-Lagrangian drift studies in an HNLC upwelling region, the Costa Rica Dome
      (CRD). Cells from the surface mixed layer had lower Fe:S but higher Zn:S and Ni:S
      than those from the subsurface chlorophyll maximum at 22-30 m. Diatom Fe:S values
      were typically 3-fold higher than those in flagellated cells. The ratios of Zn:C
      in flagellates and diatoms were generally similar to each other, and to co
      occurring mesozooplankton. Estimated Fe:C ratios in flagellates were lower than
      those in co-occurring mesozooplankton, sometimes by more than 3-fold. In
      contrast, Fe:C in diatoms was typically similar to that in zooplankton. RNA:DNA
      ratios in the CRD were low compared with other regions, and were related to total
      autotrophic biomass and weakly to the discrepancy between Zn:C in flagellated
      cells and mesozooplankton tissues. Mesozooplankton may have been affected by the
      trace element content of their food, even though trace metal limitation of
      phytoplankton was modest at best.

PMID- 27275030
TI  - Phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing dynamics across vertical
      environmental gradients determined by transplant in situ dilution experiments.
AB  - The Costa Rica Dome (CRD) represents a classic case of the bloom-forming capacity
      of small phytoplankton. Unlike other upwelling systems, autotrophic biomass in
      the CRD is dominated by picocyanobacteria and small eukaryotes that outcompete
      larger diatoms and reach extremely high biomass levels. We investigated responses
      of the subsurface phytoplankton community of the CRD to changes associated with
      vertical displacement of water masses, coupling in situ transplanted dilution
      experiments with flow cytometry and epifluorescence microscopy to assess group
      specific dynamics. Growth rates of Synechococcus (SYN) and photosynthetic
      picoeukaryotes (PEUK) were positively correlated with light (Rpearson_SYN = 0.602
      and Rpearson_PEUK = 0.588, P < 0.001). Growth rates of Prochlorococcus (PRO),
      likely affected by photoinhibition, were not light correlated (Rpearson_PRO =
      0.101, P = 0.601). Overall, grazing and growth rates were closely coupled in all
      picophytoplankton groups (Rspearman_PRO = 0.572, Rspearman_SYN = 0.588,
      Rspearman_PEUK = 0.624), and net growth rates remained close to zero. Conversely,
      the abundance and biomass of larger phytoplankton, mainly diatoms, increased more
      than 10-fold in shallower transplant incubations indicating that, in addition to
      trace-metal chemistry, light also plays a significant role in controlling
      microphytoplankton populations in the CRD.

PMID- 27275031
TI  - Biological response of Costa Rica Dome phytoplankton to Light, Silicic acid and
      Trace metals.
AB  - The Costa Rica Dome (CRD) is a unique open-ocean upwelling system, with
      picophytoplankton dominance of phytoplankton biomass and suppressed diatoms, yet
      paradoxically high export of biogenic silica. As a part of Flux and Zinc
      Experiments cruise in summer (June-July 2010), we conducted shipboard incubation
      experiments in the CRD to examine the potential roles of Si, Zn, Fe and light as
      regulating factors of phytoplankton biomass and community structure. Estimates of
      photosynthetic quantum yields revealed an extremely stressed phytoplankton
      population that responded positively to additions of silicic acid, iron and zinc
      and higher light conditions. Size-fractioned Chl a yielded the surprising result
      that picophytoplankton, as well as larger phytoplankton, responded most to
      treatments with added silicic acid incubated at high incident light (HL + Si).
      The combination of Si and HL also led to increases in cell sizes of picoplankton,
      notably in Synechococcus. Such a response, coupled with the recent discovery of
      significant intracellular accumulation of Si in some picophytoplankton, suggests
      that small phytoplankton could play a potentially important role in Si cycling in
      the CRD, which may help to explain its peculiar export characteristics.

PMID- 27275032
TI  - Vertical distribution of Eucalanoid copepods within the Costa Rica Dome area of
      the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
AB  - A variety of ecological strategies for tolerance of low-oxygen conditions within
      the Costa Rica Dome (CRD) area of the Eastern Tropical Pacific are documented for
      the copepod family Eucalanidae. During the summer of 2010, we compared the
      ecological strategies used by the Eucalanidae inside and outside the central CRD
      region. We compared the vertical and horizontal distributions of five species,
      Eucalanus inermis, Subeucalanus subtenuis, Subeucalanus subcrassus, Subeucalanus
      pileatus and Pareucalanus attenuatus together with Rhincalanus species, in the
      epipelagic (upper 200 m) among four locations, which we grouped into a section
      roughly crossing the core CRD area (inside-outside core CRD). The coastal area
      outside the CRD supported the most diverse assemblage, whereas overall abundance
      of Eucalanidae in the central CRD was 2-fold greater than outside and dominated
      by E. inermis (>60%). Eucalanidae in the central CRD had a shallow depth
      distribution, closely associated with the shallow thermocline (10-20 m). There
      was no evidence of daily vertical migration in the central CRD, but E. inermis
      demonstrated vertical migration outside the CRD. The vertical abundance patterns
      of Eucalanidae in the CRD region reflect complex interactions between subtle
      physical-chemical differences and food resources.

PMID- 27275033
TI  - Mesozooplankton biomass and grazing in the Costa Rica Dome: amplifying
      variability through the plankton food web.
AB  - We investigated standing stocks and grazing rates of mesozooplankton assemblages
      in the Costa Rica Dome (CRD), an open-ocean upwelling ecosystem in the eastern
      tropical Pacific. While phytoplankton biomass in the CRD is dominated by
      picophytoplankton (<2-um cells) with especially high concentrations of
      Synechococcus spp., we found high mesozooplankton biomass (~5 g dry weight m-2)
      and grazing impact (12-50% integrated water column chlorophyll a), indicative of
      efficient food web transfer from primary producers to higher levels. In contrast
      to the relative uniformity in water-column chlorophyll a and mesozooplankton
      biomass, variability in herbivory was substantial, with lower rates in the
      central dome region and higher rates in areas offset from the dome center. While
      grazing rates were unrelated to total phytoplankton, correlations with
      cyanobacteria (negative) and biogenic SiO2 production (positive) suggest that
      partitioning of primary production among phytoplankton sizes contributes to the
      variability observed in mesozooplankton metrics. We propose that advection of
      upwelled waters away from the dome center is accompanied by changes in
      mesozooplankton composition and grazing rates, reflecting small changes within
      the primary producers. Small changes within the phytoplankton community resulting
      in large changes in the mesozooplankton suggest that the variability in lower
      trophic level dynamics was effectively amplified through the food web.

PMID- 27275034
TI  - Factors affecting Fe and Zn contents of mesozooplankton from the Costa Rica Dome.
AB  - Mineral limitation of mesozooplankton production is possible in waters with low
      trace metal availability. As a step toward estimating mesozooplankton Fe and Zn
      requirements under such conditions, we measured tissue concentrations of major
      and trace nutrient elements within size-fractioned zooplankton samples collected
      in and around the Costa Rica Upwelling Dome, a region where phytoplankton growth
      may be co-limited by Zn and Fe. The geometric mean C, N, P contents were 27, 5.6
      and 0.21 mmol gdw-1, respectively. The values for Fe and Zn were 1230 and 498
      nmol gdw-1, respectively, which are low compared with previous measurements.
      Migrant zooplankton caused C and P contents of the 2-5 mm fraction to increase at
      night relative to the day while the Fe and Zn contents decreased. Fe content
      increased with size while Zn content decreased with size. Fe content was strongly
      correlated to concentrations of two lithogenic tracers, Al and Ti. We estimate
      minimum Fe:C ratios in large migrant and resident mixed layer zooplankton to be
      15 and 60 umol mol-1, respectively. The ratio of Zn:C ranged from 11 umol mol-1
      for the 0.2-0.5 mm size fraction to 33 umol mol-1 for the 2-5 mm size fraction.

PMID- 27275035
TI  - The biological pump in the Costa Rica Dome: an open-ocean upwelling system with
      high new production and low export.
AB  - The Costa Rica Dome is a picophytoplankton-dominated, open-ocean upwelling system
      in the Eastern Tropical Pacific that overlies the ocean's largest oxygen minimum
      zone. To investigate the efficiency of the biological pump in this unique area,
      we used shallow (90-150 m) drifting sediment traps and 234Th:238U deficiency
      measurements to determine export fluxes of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in
      sinking particles. Simultaneous measurements of nitrate uptake and shallow water
      nitrification allowed us to assess the equilibrium balance of new and export
      production over a monthly timescale. While f-ratios (new:total production) were
      reasonably high (0.36 +/- 0.12, mean +/- standard deviation), export efficiencies
      were considerably lower. Sediment traps suggested e-ratios (export/14C-primary
      production) at 90-100 m ranging from 0.053 to 0.067. ThE-ratios (234Th
      disequilibrium-derived export) ranged from 0.038 to 0.088. C:N and N:P
      stoichiometries of sinking material were both greater than canonical (Redfield)
      ratios or measured C:N of suspended particulates, and they increased with depth,
      suggesting that both nitrogen and phosphorus were preferentially remineralized
      from sinking particles. Our results are consistent with an ecosystem in which
      mesozooplankton play a major role in energy transfer to higher trophic levels but
      are relatively inefficient in mediating vertical carbon flux to depth, leading to
      an imbalance between new production and sinking flux.

PMID- 27275036
TI  - Phytoplankton production and grazing balances in the Costa Rica Dome.
AB  - We investigated phytoplankton production rates and grazing fates in the Costa
      Rica Dome (CRD) during summer 2010 based on dilution depth profiles analyzed by
      flow cytometry and pigments and mesozooplankton grazing assessed by gut
      fluorescence. Three community production estimates, from 14C uptake (1025 +/- 113
      mg C m-2 day-1) and from dilution experiments analyzed for total Chla (990 +/-
      106 mg C m-2 day-1) and flow cytometry populations (862 +/- 71 mg C m-2 day-1),
      exceeded regional ship-based values by 2-3-fold. Picophytoplankton accounted for
      56% of community biomass and 39% of production. Production profiles extended
      deeper for Prochlorococcus (PRO) and picoeukaryotes than for Synechococcus (SYN)
      and larger eukaryotes, but 93% of total production occurred above 40 m.
      Microzooplankton consumed all PRO and SYN growth and two-third of total
      production. Positive net growth of larger eukaryotes in the upper 40 m was
      balanced by independently measured consumption by mesozooplankton. Among larger
      eukaryotes, diatoms contributed ~3% to production. On the basis of this analysis,
      the CRD region is characterized by high production and grazing turnover,
      comparable with or higher than estimates for the eastern equatorial Pacific. The
      region nonetheless displays characteristics atypical of high productivity, such
      as picophytoplankton dominance and suppressed diatom roles.

PMID- 27275038
TI  - Maximizing organ yield from deceased Lead donors.

PMID- 27275037
TI  - Diazotroph community structure in the deep oxygen minimum zone of the Costa Rica
      Dome.
AB  - Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), characterized by depleted dissolved oxygen
      concentration in the intermediate depth of the water column, are predicted to
      expand under the influence of global warming. Recent studies in the Eastern
      Tropical South Pacific Ocean and Arabian Sea have reported that heterotrophic
      nitrogen fixation is active in the OMZs. In this study, we investigated the
      community structure of diazotrophs in the OMZ of the Costa Rica Dome (CRD)
      upwelling region in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific Ocean, using 454
      pyrosequencing of nifH gene amplicons. Comparing diazotroph assemblages in
      different depth strata of the OMZ (200-1000 m in depth), we found a unique
      diazotroph community in the OMZ core, which was mainly dominated by methanotroph
      like diazotrophs, suggesting a potential coupling of nitrogen cycle and methane
      assimilation. In addition, some OTUs revealed in this study, especially those
      belonging to the large sub-cluster Vibrio diazotrophicus, were reported to be
      abundant and expressing the nifH gene in other OMZs. Our results suggest that the
      unique hydrographic conditions in OMZs may support similar assemblages of
      diazotrophs, and heterotrophic nitrogen fixation could also be occurring in our
      studied region. Our study provides the first insight into the composition and
      distribution of putative diazotrophs in the CRD OMZ.

PMID- 27275039
TI  - Dexmedetomidine: The game changer or a team player?

PMID- 27275040
TI  - Brain death and care of the organ donor.
AB  - Brain death has specific implications for organ donation with the potential for
      saving several lives. Awareness on maintenance of the brain dead has increased
      over the last decade with the progress in the field of transplant. The diagnosis
      of brain death is clinical and can be confirmed by apnea testing. Ancillary tests
      can be considered when the apnea test cannot be completed or is inconclusive.
      Reflexes of spinal origin may be present and should not be confused against the
      diagnosis of brain death. Adequate care for the donor targeting hemodynamic
      indices and lung protective ventilator strategies can improve graft quality for
      donation. Hormone supplementation using thyroxine, antidiuretic hormone,
      corticosteroid and insulin has shown to improve outcomes following transplant.
      India still ranks low compared to the rest of the world in deceased donation. The
      formation of organ sharing networks supported by state governments has shown a
      substantial increase in the numbers of deceased donors primarily by creating
      awareness and ensuring protocols in caring for the donor. This review describes
      the steps in the establishment of brain death and the management of the organ
      donor. Material for the review was collected through a Medline search, and the
      search terms included were brain death and organ donation. 

PMID- 27275041
TI  - Amniotic fluid embolism.
AB  - Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is one of the catastrophic complications of
      pregnancy in which amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enters into
      the maternal pulmonary circulation, causing cardiovascular collapse. Etiology
      largely remains unknown, but may occur in healthy women during labour, during
      cesarean section, after abnormal vaginal delivery, or during the second trimester
      of pregnancy. It may also occur up to 48 hours post-delivery. It can also occur
      during abortion, after abdominal trauma, and during amnio-infusion. The
      pathophysiology of AFE is not completely understood. Possible historical cause is
      that any breach of the barrier between maternal blood and amniotic fluid forces
      the entry of amniotic fluid into the systemic circulation and results in a
      physical obstruction of the pulmonary circulation. The presenting signs and
      symptoms of AFE involve many organ systems. Clinical signs and symptoms are acute
      dyspnea, cough, hypotension, cyanosis, fetal bradycardia, encephalopathy, acute
      pulmonary hypertension, coagulopathy etc. Besides basic investigations lung scan,
      serum tryptase levels, serum levels of C3 and C4 complements, zinc
      coproporphyrin, serum sialyl Tn etc are helpful in establishing the diagnosis.
      Treatment is mainly supportive, but exchange transfusion, extracorporeal membrane
      oxygenation, and uterine artery embolization have been tried from time to time.
      The maternal prognosis after amniotic fluid embolism is very poor though infant
      survival rate is around 70%. 

PMID- 27275042
TI  - Intravenous sub-anesthetic ketamine for perioperative analgesia.
AB  - Ketamine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist, blunts central pain sensitization
      at sub-anesthetic doses (0.3 mg/kg or less) and has been studied extensively as
      an adjunct for perioperative analgesia. At sub-anesthetic doses, ketamine has a
      minimal physiologic impact though it is associated with a low incidence of mild
      psychomimetic symptoms as well as nystagmus and double vision. Contraindications
      to its use do exist and due to ketamine's metabolism, caution should be exercised
      in patients with renal or hepatic dysfunction. Sub-anesthetic ketamine improves
      pain scores and reduces perioperative opioid consumption in a broad range of
      surgical procedures. In addition, there is evidence that ketamine may be useful
      in patients with opioid tolerance and for preventing chronic postsurgical pain. 

PMID- 27275043
TI  - Effect of magnesium sulfate nebulization on the incidence of postoperative sore
      throat.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a well-recognized
      complication after general anesthesia (GA). Numerous nonpharmacological and
      pharmacological measures have been used for attenuating POST with variable
      success. The present study was conducted to compare the efficiency of
      preoperative nebulization of normal saline and magnesium sulfate in reducing the
      incidence of POST following GA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following institutional
      ethical committee approval and written informed consent, a prospective randomized
      double-blinded study was conducted in 100 cases divided into two equal groups.
      Patients included in the study were of either gender belonging to American
      Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) status 1 or 2 undergoing elective surgery of
      approximately 2 h or more duration requiring tracheal intubation. Patients in
      Group A are nebulized with 3 ml of normal saline and the patients in Group B are
      nebulized with 3 ml of 225 mg isotonic nebulized magnesium sulfate for 15 min, 5
      min before induction of anesthesia. The incidence of POST at rest and on
      swallowing and any undue complaints at 0, 2, 4, and 24 h in the postoperative
      period are evaluated. RESULTS: There is no significant difference in POST at rest
      during 0(th), 2(nd) and 4(th) h between normal saline and MgSO4. Significant
      difference is seen at 24(th) h, where MgSO4 lessens POST. There is no significant
      difference in POST on swallowing during 0(th) and 2(nd) h between normal saline
      and MgSO4. Significant difference is seen at 4(th) h, where MgSO4 has been shown
      to lessen POST. CONCLUSIONS: MgSO4 significantly reduces the incidence of POST
      compared to normal saline.

PMID- 27275044
TI  - Perioperative problems in patients with brainstem tumors and their influence on
      patient outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with brainstem tumors have many associated systemic
      abnormalities and are prone to develop perioperative complications. We studied
      the problems associated with brainstem tumors and their influence on the
      postoperative neurological outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of
      records of patients who underwent surgery for brainstem tumors over a period of 8
      years was done. Preoperative variables, perioperative complications and
      neurological outcome as assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale at the time of hospital
      discharge were noted. Association between perioperative factors and the
      unfavorable neurological outcome was evaluated. RESULTS: Data of 70 patients were
      retrieved, 7 patients were excluded from the study because of incomplete data and
      data analysis was carried out for 63 patients. We found that lower cranial nerve
      palsies (32%) and hydrocephalus (43%) were common preoperatively. Various
      intraoperative problems encountered were hemodynamic instability (56%), major
      blood loss requiring blood transfusion (40%) and venous air embolism (11%), and
      postoperative problems were meningitis (51%), hypokalemia (38%), chest infection
      (21%), seizure (11%), deterioration of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS, 11%),
      hyponatremia (8%), hydrocephalus (6%), respiratory distress (3%) and operatives
      site hematoma (3%). Fifty-six (89%) patients had favorable outcome at hospital
      discharge whereas, 7 (11%) had an unfavorable outcome. There was no association
      between pre- and intra-operative factors and the neurological outcome.
      Deterioration of GCS, chest infection, and the need for reintubation and
      tracheostomy were associated with unfavorable neurological outcome. CONCLUSION:
      Patients of brainstem tumors are at increased risk of perioperative
      complications. Some of the postoperative complications were associated with
      unfavorable neurological outcome.

PMID- 27275045
TI  - Incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis after peripheral nerve stimulator versus
      ultrasound guided interscalene brachial plexus block.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We compared interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) using
      peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and ultrasound (US) techniques. The primary
      outcomes were the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis (HDP) and the duration
      of the block. Secondary outcomes were the block success rate, time to conduct the
      block, onset of sensory block, and dermatomal spread, postoperative pain by
      Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), duration of postoperative analgesia and incidence of
      complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, and
      observer-blinded study in 60 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy under block
      plus general anesthesia. ISBPB was performed with 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine using
      either PNS (Group PNS, n = 30) or US (Group US, n = 30). Hemidiaphragmatic
      function, the primary outcome, was assessed by ultrasonographic evaluation of
      diaphragmatic movement and pulmonary function tests using a bedside spirometer
      (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak expiratory flow
      rate). General anesthesia was administered to all the patients for surgery. P <
      0.05 test was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Twelve
      patients in Group PNS had HDP and none in Group US (P < 0.0001). PFTs were also
      significantly reduced in Group PNS (P < 0.0001). The time to conduct the block
      and sensory onset time both were less in Group US (P < 0.05). The groups did not
      differ in block success rate, duration of analgesia, and NRS. Other complications
      like incidence of Horner's syndrome and vascular puncture were comparable in both
      the groups. CONCLUSIONS: PNS guided ISBPB with 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine is
      associated with a higher incidence of HDP as compared to US guided ISBPB. There
      is no significant difference in quality or duration of analgesia in the two
      groups.

PMID- 27275046
TI  - Outcomes associated with stroke volume variation versus central venous pressure
      guided fluid replacements during major abdominal surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is limited data on the impact of perioperative fluid
      therapy guided by dynamic preload variables like stroke volume variation (SVV) on
      outcomes after abdominal surgery. We studied the effect of SVV guided versus
      central venous pressure (CVP) guided perioperative fluid administration on
      outcomes after major abdominal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients
      undergoing major abdominal surgeries were randomized into two equal groups in
      this prospective single blind randomized study. In the standard care group, the
      CVP was maintained at 10-12 mmHg while in the intervention group a SVV of 10% was
      achieved by the administration of fluids. The primary end-points were the length
      of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital stay. The secondary end points were
      intraoperative lactate, intravenous fluid use, requirement for inotropes,
      postoperative ventilation and return of bowel function. RESULTS: The ICU stay was
      significantly shorter in the intervention group as compared to the control group
      (2.9 +/- 1.15 vs. 5.4 +/- 2.71 days). The length of hospital stay was also
      shorter in the intervention group, (9.9 +/- 2.68 vs. 11.96 +/- 5.15 days) though
      not statistically significant. The use of intraoperative fluids was significantly
      lower in the intervention group than the control group (7721.5 +/- 4138.9 vs.
      9216.33 +/- 2821.38 ml). Other secondary outcomes were comparable between the two
      groups. CONCLUSION: Implementation of fluid replacement guided by a dynamic
      preload variable (SVV) versus conventional static variables (CVP) is associated
      with lesser postoperative ICU stay and reduced fluid requirements in major
      abdominal surgery.

PMID- 27275047
TI  - Evaluation of low-dose dexmedetomidine and neostigmine with bupivacaine for
      postoperative analgesia in orthopedic surgeries: A prospective randomized double
      blind study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neuraxial adjuants to local anesthetics is an effective
      technique of improving the quality and duration of postoperative analgesia. The
      safety and efficacy of drugs like dexmedetomidine and neostigmine as epidural
      medications have been sparsely investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Combined
      spinal-epidural anesthesia was performed in 60 American Society of
      Anesthesiologists I and II patients who required lower limb surgeries of <=3 h
      duration. The epidural drug was administered at the end of surgery with patients
      randomized into three groups. Group I, II and III received 6 ml of 0.25%
      bupivacaine alone, with 1 ug/kg of neostigmine and with 0.5 ug/kg of
      dexmedetomidine + 1 ug/kg of neostigmine, respectively. The patients were
      prescribed 50 mg tramadol intravenous as rescue analgesic. Patients were assessed
      for hemodynamic parameters, pain scores, duration of analgesia, rescue analgesic
      requirements and the incidence of side-effects over the next 10 h. Data was
      analyzed using SPSS((r)) version 17.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). P < 0.05 was considered
      as statistically significant. RESULTS: Patients in Group III had significantly
      longer mean duration of analgesia (273.5 min) compared to Group II (176.25 min)
      and Group I (144 min). There was increased requirement of fluids to maintain
      blood pressures in Group III. Neostigmine did not cause significant incidence of
      gastrointestinal side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Epidurally administered
      dexmedetomidine and neostigmine exhibit synergism in analgesic action. The
      incidence of drug-related side-effects was low in our study.

PMID- 27275048
TI  - Nitroglycerine, esmolol and dexmedetomidine for induced hypotension during
      functional endoscopic sinus surgery: A comparative evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Induced hypotension limits intra-operative blood loss to
      provide better visibility of the surgical field and diminishes the incidence of
      major complications during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). We aimed
      at comparing nitroglycerine, esmolol and dexmedetomidine for inducing controlled
      hypotension in patients undergoing FESS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and
      fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II adult
      patients undergoing FESS under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to
      three groups of 50 patients each. Group E received esmolol in a loading and
      maintenance dose of 1 mg/kg over 1 min and 0.5-1.0 mg/kg/h, respectively. Group D
      received a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 1 MUg/kg over 10 min followed by an
      infusion 0.5-1.0 MUg/kg/h, and group N received nitroglycerine infusion at a dose
      of 0.5-2 MUg/kg/min so as to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 60 and
      70 mmHg in all the groups. The visibility of the surgical field was assessed by
      surgeon using Fromme and Boezaart scoring system. Hemodynamic variables, total
      intra-operative fentanyl consumption, emergence time and time to first analgesic
      request were recorded. Any side-effects were noted. The postoperative sedation
      was assessed using Ramsay Sedation Score. RESULT: The desired MAP (60-70 mmHg)
      could be achieved in all the three study groups albeit with titration of study
      drugs during intra-operative period. No significant intergroup difference was
      observed in Fromme's score during the intra-operative period. The mean total dose
      of fentanyl (MUg/kg) used was found to be significantly lower in group D compared
      to groups E and N (1.2 +/- 0.75 vs. 3.6 +/- 1.3 and 2.9 +/- 1.1 respectively).
      The mean heart rate was significantly lower in group D compared to groups E and N
      at all times of measurement (P < 0.05). The MAP was found to be significantly
      lower in group D compared to groups E and N after infusion of study drugs, after
      induction, just after intubation and 5 min after intubation (P < 0.05). The
      Ramsay Sedation Scores were significantly higher in group D (score 3 in 46%) when
      compared to group E (score 2 in 50%) and group N (score 2 in 54%) (P < 0.001).
      The emergence time was significantly lower in group E and group N compared to
      group D. Time to first analgesic request was significantly longer in group D.
      CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine and esmolol provided better hemodynamic stability and
      operative field visibility compared to nitroglycerin during FESS. Dexmedetomidine
      provides an additional benefit of reducing the analgesic requirements and
      providing postoperative sedation.

PMID- 27275049
TI  - The effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine premedication on intraocular pressure
      and pressor response to laryngoscopy and intubation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Penetrating eye injuries are a challenge for the
      anesthesiologists in emergency due to increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine
      premedication on changes in IOP and hemodynamic response following laryngoscopy
      and tracheal intubation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hundred patients aged 18-60 years
      undergoing elective nonophthalmic surgery were divided into two groups of 50
      each. Group D received a bolus dose of dexmedetomidine (0.4 MUg/kg) diluted to 20
      ml normal saline and Group C received normal saline (0.4 ml/kg) over 10 min as
      premedication. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and IOP were
      measured and recorded before premedication (T1), 5 and 10 m after premedication
      (T2, T3), immediately after induction, intubation and then 1, 3, 5 min after
      intubation (T4, 5, 6, 7, 8). RESULTS: HR was comparable in both groups at
      preoperative level, but it was significantly low in the drug group when compared
      with the control group at T4-T8 (P = 0.034, P < 0.001, 0.001, 0.036 and 0.001,
      respectively). The SBP was comparable in both the groups at baseline and till
      before induction. At T4-T8 there was a fall in SBP in Group D compared to the
      Group C (P = 0.045, P = 0.007, 0.001, 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). The
      baseline IOP was comparable in both the groups (P = NS). There was a significant
      fall in the IOP in Group D, 5 min after the drug infusion compared to Group C,
      which was sustained till 5 min after intubation (T8) (P < 0.001 at all
      intervals). CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine premedication in the dose of 0.4 MUg/kg
      lowers the IOP and attenuates the pressor response to laryngoscopy and
      intubation.

PMID- 27275051
TI  - Efficacy of intravenous paracetamol on pressor response in patients undergoing
      cesarean section under general anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Profound hemodynamic alterations due to stress and pain
      during endotracheal intubation may cause deleterious effects. The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous (IV) paracetamol on hemodynamic
      changes due to endotracheal intubation during cesarean section under general
      anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Random allocation of one hundred and ten
      patients in two groups (Group A - placebo and Group B - paracetamol), was
      achieved as per computer generated table. The placebo (normal saline) and
      paracetamol solutions looked identical as both were available in 100 ml piggy
      bags and were labeled as study drug. Infusion of the drug was given 1 h before
      surgery. Two baseline readings of heart rate, systolic blood pressure (BP),
      diastolic BP and mean BP were recorded before induction, and these readings were
      repeated during intubation. Detrimental effect on neonate was evaluated by Apgar
      score measured at 1 and 5 min after birth. RESULTS: There were no significant
      demographic differences found between the two groups. Hemodyamic changes during
      intubation also did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Administration
      of IV paracetamol 1 h before cesarean section has no significant effect in
      preventing hemodynamic changes at the time of endotracheal intubation.

PMID- 27275050
TI  - The efficacy and safety of epidural dexmedetomidine and clonidine with
      bupivacaine in patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgeries.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Alpha (alpha-2) adrenergic agonists have both analgesic and
      sedative properties when used as an adjuvant in regional anesthesia. A
      prospective randomized double-blind study was carried out to evaluate the
      efficacy of epidural route and to compare the efficacy and clinical profile of
      dexmedetomidine and clonidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine with special emphasis
      on their quality of analgesia, sedation and the ability to provide the smooth
      intra-operative and postoperative course. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was
      conducted in prospective, randomized and double-blind manner. It included 60
      American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I and II patients undergoing lower
      limb surgery under epidural anesthesia. Patients were randomly divided into Group
      A receiving 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine 15 ml with dexmedetomidine 1 MUg/kg and
      Group B receiving 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine 15 ml with clonidine 2 MUg/kg
      epidurally. Onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks, duration of
      analgesia, sedation, and adverse effects were assessed. RESULTS: Demographic
      data, surgical characteristics cardio-respiratory parameters, side-effect profile
      were comparable and statistically not significant in both the groups. However,
      sedation scores with dexmedetomidine were better than clonidine and turned out to
      be statistically significant. The onset times for sensory and motor blocks were
      significantly shorter in Group A as compared to Group B. The duration of
      analgesia and motor block was significantly longer in A Group as compared to
      Group B. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine is a superior neuraxial adjuvant to
      bupivacaine when compared to clonidine for early onset of analgesia, superior
      intra-operative analgesia, stable cardio-respiratory parameters, prolonged
      postoperative analgesia and providing patient comfort.

PMID- 27275052
TI  - Dexmedetomidine versus midazolam as adjuvants to intrathecal bupivacaine: A
      clinical comparison.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Trials are being carried out to identify an adjuvant to
      intrathecal bupivacaine that preferably potentiates postoperative analgesia. This
      prospective, randomized, double-blind study was aimed to compare the onset and
      duration of sensory and motor block, postoperative analgesia and adverse effects
      of dexmedetomidine or midazolam given with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal
      anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients, scheduled for vaginal
      hysterectomies, were randomly allocated to Group D (n = 40) to receive
      intrathecally 3.0 mL 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine +5 ug dexmedetomidine in 0.5 mL
      of normal saline; and Group M (n = 40) to receive 3 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric
      bupivacaine +2 mg midazolam in 0.4 mL (5 mg/mL) +0.1 mL normal saline. The onset,
      duration of sensory and motor block, time to first postoperative analgesia and
      side effects were noted. Power and Sample size (PS) version 3.0.0.34 was used for
      power and sample size calculation. Statistical analysis was performed using
      Microsoft (MS) Office Excel software with the Student's t-test and Chi-square
      test (level of significance P = 0.05). RESULTS: Duration of sensory, motor
      blockade and time to the first requirement of analgesia were significantly higher
      in Group D. Postoperative visual analog scale was significantly less in Group D
      than Group M. Both groups were similar with respect to sedation, hemodynamic
      variables and side-effects. CONCLUSION: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine was better
      adjuvant than midazolam as it produces significantly longer duration of sensory
      block, reduced doses of postoperative analgesic agents with comparable side
      effects.

PMID- 27275053
TI  - Postoperative analgesia in children: A comparison of three different doses of
      caudal epidural morphine.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Caudal epidural block is the most commonly used neuraxial
      block in children. Morphine has been used as a caudal additive for more than
      three decades. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and duration of
      analgesia of three different doses of caudal epidural morphine (CEM), and to find
      out the incidence of side effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted
      on 75 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists grades I and II, aged 2
      12 years, undergoing lower abdominal and urogenital surgeries. Patients were
      randomly allocated to one of the three groups according to the dose of morphine.
      Group I received 30 MUg/kg, group II 50 MUg/kg, and group III 70 MUg/kg. Heart
      rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, pain score, sedation
      score, duration of analgesia, and side-effects were noted. RESULTS: The mean
      duration of analgesia was 8.63 h in group I, 13.36 h in group II and 19.19 h in
      group III. Respiratory depression was noted in three patients in group III. One
      patient in group I had itching. One patient each in groups I, II, and III had
      nausea/vomiting. CONCLUSION: CEM significantly prolongs the duration of
      analgesia, though with a higher dose the risk of respiratory depression should
      always be kept in mind.

PMID- 27275054
TI  - Thoracic combined spinal epidural anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A
      feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The use of regional anesthesia for laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy has been reserved for patients who are at high-risk under general
      anesthesia (GA). The aim of this study was to assess whether thoracic combined
      spinal epidural (CSE) anesthesia is a feasible option for American Society of
      Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II patients undergoing elective
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty ASA physical status I
      and II patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy received
      thoracic CSE anesthesia at T9-T10 or T10-T11 interspinous space using the midline
      approach. Two ml of isobaric levobupivacaine 0.5% with 25 MUg of fentanyl was
      given intrathecally. RESULTS: Surgery was conducted successfully in all except
      one patient. Thoracic CSE was performed at T9-T10 interspace in 25 patients and
      T10-T11 interspace in five patients. Paresthesia occurred in two patients (6.6%)
      transiently on Whitacre needle insertion that disappeared spontaneously. Dural
      puncture on epidural needle insertion occurred in one patient, and intrathecal
      placement of epidural catheter occurred in one. Ten patients (33%) complained of
      shoulder pain. Conversion to GA was done in one patient due to severe shoulder
      pain and anxiety. Hypotension occurred in 11 patients (36%) and all responded to
      single dose of mephenteramine 6 mg and fluid bolus. Bradycardia occurred in six
      patients (20%) which was managed in all with a single dose of atropine.
      CONCLUSION: Thoracic CSE anesthesia can be used effectively for ASA I and II
      patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with significant postoperative
      benefits.

PMID- 27275055
TI  - Intrathecal buprenorphine versus fentanyl as adjuvant to 0.75% ropivacaine in
      lower limb surgeries.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aims to compare the anesthesia characteristics
      between buprenorphine and fentanyl when added as an adjuvant to intrathecal
      ropivaciane in an attempt to prolong the duration of spinal anesthesia. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: The present prospective double-blind study was undertaken on ninety
      American Society of Anesthesiologist I and II patients between 18 and 60 years of
      age undergoing subarachnoid block for lower limb surgery. Group I (n = 30)
      patients were administered 3 ml of intrathecal solution (2.8 ml of 0.75%
      ropivacaine + 0.2 ml of isotonic sodium chloride), while Groups II and III
      patients (n = 30 each) received 2.8 ml 0.75% ropivacaine + 0.2 ml buprenorphine
      (60 MUg) and 2.8 ml 0.75% ropivacaine + 0.2 ml fentanyl (10 MUg), respectively.
      Following parameters were observed: Onset times and duration of sensory and motor
      block, time to first analgesic use, total dose of rescue analgesia, intra- and
      post-operative pain scores based on visual analog scale, sedation scores,
      hemodynamic parameters, and side effects if any. Data were analyzed by
      appropriate statistical tests and P < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS:
      Time to onset of sensory and motor block in all the three groups was comparable.
      However, duration of sensory block was significantly prolonged in Groups II and
      III in comparison to Group I (P < 0.05) and it was the longest in Group II (P <
      0.05). The duration of motor blockade was similar in all the three groups. The
      time to first analgesic dose was also significantly prolonged in Groups II and
      III as compared to Group I (P < 0.05) but was comparable between Groups II and
      III. Intra- and post-operative hemodynamic parameters, as well as side effects,
      were comparable. CONCLUSION: Addition of buprenorphine and fentanyl as adjuvants
      to intrathecal 0.75% ropivacaine prolongs postoperative pain relief without
      causing any increase in the duration of motor blockade but buprenorphine is
      better as compared to fentanyl in prolonging the duration of sensory block and
      achieving a better outcome in terms of pain relief.

PMID- 27275056
TI  - Effect of dexamethasone in low volume supraclavicular brachial plexus block: A
      double-blinded randomized clinical study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: With the use of ultrasound, a minimal effective volume of 20
      ml has been described for supraclavicular brachial plexus block. However
      achieving a long duration of analgesia with this minimal volume remains a
      challenge. We aimed to determine the effect of dexamethasone on onset and
      duration of analgesia in low volume supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups of 30
      each. Group C received saline (2 ml) + 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and Group D
      received dexamethasone (8 mg) + 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine in supraclavicular
      brachial plexus block. Hemodynamic variables and visual analog scale (VAS) score
      were noted at regular intervals until 450 min. The onset and duration of sensory
      and motor block were measured. The incidence of "Halo" around brachial plexus was
      observed. Student's t-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical
      analysis. RESULTS: The onset of sensory and motor block was significantly earlier
      in dexamethasone group (10.36 +/- 1.99 and 12 +/- 1.64) minutes compared to
      control group (12.9 +/- 2.23 and 18.03 +/- 2.41) minutes. The duration of sensory
      and motor block was significantly prolonged in dexamethasone group (366 +/- 28.11
      and 337.33 +/- 28.75) minutes compared to control group (242.66 +/- 26.38 and 213
      +/- 26.80) minutes. The VAS score was significantly lower in dexamethasone group
      after 210 min. "Halo" was present around the brachial plexus in all patients in
      both the groups. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone addition significantly increases the
      duration of analgesia in patients receiving low volume supraclavicular brachial
      plexus block. No significant side-effects were seen in patients receiving
      dexamethasone as an adjunct.

PMID- 27275057
TI  - Comparative efficacy of intravenous dexmedetomidine, clonidine, and tramadol in
      postanesthesia shivering.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postanesthesia shivering continues to be a major challenge
      in the perioperative care. We compared the efficacy of tramadol, clonidine, and
      dexmedetomidine in preventing postoperative shivering and its potential adverse
      effects in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general
      anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty American Society of
      Anesthesiologists I and II patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were divided into four equal groups.
      Group 1 received clonidine 2 MUg/kg, Group 2 received tramadol 1 mg/kg, Group 3
      received dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg all intravenous diluted in NS to 5 ml, and
      Group 4 received NS intravenous 5 ml. Parameters analysed included postoperative
      blood pressure (BP), pulse rate, respiratory rate (RR), arterial saturation, and
      tympanic membrane temperature. Patients were observed for shivering episodes,
      sedation, pain, respiratory depression, nausea, and vomiting. Analysis of
      variance, Tukey's post-hoc comparison, Chi-square test and Bonferroni post-hoc
      comparison test were performed using SPSS (Statistical analysis by Statistical
      Package of Social Sciences of Microsoft Windows) Statistics (version 16.0).
      RESULTS: The incidence of shivering was 10, 3.3, 13.3 and 40% in Groups 1, 2, 3,
      and 4 respectively. Patients who were given tramadol had significantly less
      shivering than patients in clonidine and dexmedetomidine groups (P < 0.01).
      CONCLUSION: All the three drugs were effective in preventing postoperative
      shivering. However, tramadol has been found to be more efficacious in preventing
      postoperative shivering.

PMID- 27275058
TI  - Intravenous dexmedetomidine versus propofol for intraoperative moderate sedation
      during spinal anesthesia: A comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There has been a paradigm shift of focus toward quality of
      spinal anesthesia with sedation being an integral aspect of this regional
      anesthesia technique. Thus, this study was designed to compare efficacy of
      intravenous dexmedetomidine and propofol for moderate sedation during spinal
      anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients of age group 18-60
      years of American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I & II, posted for surgeries
      under spinal anesthesia were randomly divided in to three groups (n = 40 each);
      Group D received infusion of dexmedetomidine 1 MUg/kg over 10 min followed by
      maintenance infusion of 0.5 MUg/kg/h. Group P received infusion of propofol 6
      mg/kg/h for 10 min followed by the infusion maintenance of 2.5 mg/kg/h. Group C
      (control group) received normal saline. Level of sedation (using observer's
      assessment of alertness/sedation score), pain intensity (by visual analogue
      scale), onset and recovery from sedation, hemodynamic changes, and overall
      patient's satisfaction were assessed. RESULTS: The onset and recovery from
      sedation were significantly earlier with propofol (15.57 +/- 1.89 min vs. 27.06
      +/- 2.26 min; P < 0.001) however intraoperative sedation (level 4), and overall
      patient's satisfaction was significantly better with dexmedetomidine group (p <
      0.05). Duration of postoperative analgesia was significantly prolonged with
      dexmedetomidine (225.53 +/- 5.61 min vs. 139.60 +/- 3.03 min; P = 0.0013). Mean
      heart rate and blood pressure were significantly lower in the propofol group (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine with its stable cardio-respiratory profile,
      better sedation, overall patient's satisfaction, and analgesia could be a
      valuable adjunct for intraoperative sedation during spinal anesthesia.

PMID- 27275060
TI  - Intraperitoneal pre-insufflation of 0.125% bupivaciane with tramadol for
      postoperative pain relief following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a fairly
      high incidence of postoperative discomfort which is more of visceral origin than
      somatic. Studies have concluded that the instillation of local anesthetic with
      opioid around gall bladder bed provides more effective analgesia than either
      local anesthetic or opioid alone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 90
      American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients of age 16-65 years scheduled
      for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. The patients received
      the study drugs at the initiation of insufflation of CO2 in the intraperitoneal
      space by the operating surgeon under laparoscopic camera guidance over the
      gallbladder bed. Patients in Group T received tramadol 2 mg/kg in 30 ml normal
      saline, in Group B received bupivacaine 30 ml of 0.125% and in Group BT received
      tramadol 2 mg/kg in 30 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine intraperitoneally. Postoperative
      pain assessment was done at different time intervals in the first 24 h using
      Visual Analog Scale of 0-10 (0 = No pain, 10 = Worst pain imagined). Time to
      first dose of rescue analgesic and total analgesics required in the first 24 h
      postoperatively were also recorded. The incidence of side effects during the
      postoperative period was recorded. RESULTS: Reduction in postoperative pain was
      elicited, at 4 and 8 h postoperatively when Group BT (bupivacaine-tramadol group)
      was compared with Group T (tramadol group) or Group B (bupivacaine group) (P <
      0.01). There was a significantly lower requirement of analgesics during first 24
      h postoperatively in Group BT compared to Group B or T but no significant
      difference in the intake of analgesics was noted between Groups B Group T. Time
      to first dose of rescue analgesic was also significantly prolonged in Group BT
      compared to Group B or T. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was comparable in
      all the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal application of bupivacaine
      with tramadol was a more effective method for postoperative pain control after
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to intraperitoneal bupivacaine or tramadol
      alone.

PMID- 27275059
TI  - Comparison of surgical conditions following premedication with oral clonidine
      versus oral diazepam for endoscopic sinus surgery: A randomized, double-blinded
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) provides a challenge and an
      opportunity to the anesthesiologists to prove their mettle and give the surgeons
      a surgical field which can make their delicate surgery safer,more precise and
      faster. The aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical field and the rate of
      blood loss in patients premedicated with oral clonidine versus oral diazepam for
      endoscopic sinus surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ASA I or II patients who were
      scheduled to undergo ESS were randomly allocated to group D (n = 30) or group C
      (n = 30). The patients' vital parameters, propofol infusion rate, and rate of
      blood loss were observed and calculated. The surgeon, who was blinded, rated the
      visibility of the surgical field from grade 0-5. RESULTS: In the clonidine group,
      the rate of blood loss, the surgical time, propofol infusion rate was found to be
      statistically lower as compared to the diazepam group. Also a higher number of
      patients in the clonidine group had a better surgical score (better surgical
      field) than the diazepam group and vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: Premedication with
      clonidine as compared to diazepam, provides a better surgical field with less
      blood loss in patients undergoing ESS.

PMID- 27275061
TI  - Off-pump awake coronary artery bypass grafting under high thoracic epidural
      anesthesia.
AB  - Conventionally general anesthesia has been the preferred anesthetic technique for
      coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Ever since the first awake CABG the
      concept though appearing promising is still being continually evaluated. From the
      Indian perspective, the practice has been largely limited to certain institutions
      and seems to be not widely practiced across India. This case reports our
      experience with this technique from the western part of the country. 

PMID- 27275062
TI  - Epidural chloroprocaine bolus in emergency cesarean section-lessons learned from
      a near mishap.
AB  - Administration of a large bolus of epidural chloroprocaine to hasten the spread
      of anesthesia is an accepted practice during emergency cesarean section.
      Occasionally, this practice can result in a very high block that can compromise
      patient's safety. We describe a case of epidural chloroprocaine administration in
      a 4 point position resulting in a high dermatomal block requiring respiratory
      assistance. Events surrounding the case are discussed, with a view to warn the
      reader about the pitfalls of such a practice. 

PMID- 27275063
TI  - Supraglottic airway and caudal epidural for anesthetic management of a child with
      Larsen syndrome.

PMID- 27275064
TI  - Difficult airway: When deliberate is too close to improvisation.

PMID- 27275065
TI  - Spinal anesthesia and direction of spinal needle bevel.

PMID- 27275066
TI  - Thoracic combined spinal epidural anesthesia in patient of dilated cardiomyopathy
      undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PMID- 27275067
TI  - Anesthetic management of a rare case of Takayasu's arteritis posted for total
      abdominal hysterectomy.

PMID- 27275068
TI  - Pneumocephalus after epidural analgesia: Should loss of resistance with air be
      blown out?

PMID- 27275069
TI  - Heparin resistance during pediatric cardiac surgery: An unanticipated challenge
      for an anesthesiologist.

PMID- 27275070
TI  - A case of postpartum lateral sinus thrombosis following cesarean section under
      spinal anesthesia.

PMID- 27275071
TI  - Worldwide contribution of Indian authors in various anesthesia-related journals.

PMID- 27275072
TI  - Vaporizer interlock malfunctioning.

PMID- 27275073
TI  - Comparison of suction above cuff and standard endotracheal tubes in neurological
      patients for the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia and in-hospital
      outcome: A randomized controlled pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common complication with
      endotracheal intubation. The occurrence of VAP results in significant mortality
      and morbidity. Earlier studies have shown reduction in the incidence of VAP with
      subglottic secretion drainage. The incidence of VAP in neurologically injured
      patients is higher and can impact the neurological outcome. This study aimed to
      compare the incidence of VAP with standard endotracheal tube (SETT) and suction
      above cuff endotracheal tube (SACETT) in neurologically ill patients and its
      impact on clinical outcome. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with neurological
      illnesses aged >=18 years and requiring intubation and/or ventilation and
      anticipated to remain on ETT for >=48 h were randomized to receive either SETT or
      SACETT. All the VAP preventive measures were similar between two groups except
      for the difference in type of tube. RESULTS: The data of 50 patients were
      analyzed. The incidence of clinical VAP was 20% in SETT group and 12% in SACETT
      group; (P = 0.70). The incidence of microbiological VAP was higher in the SETT
      group (52%) as compared to SACETT group (44%) but not statistically significant;
      (P = 0.78). There was no difference between the two groups for measured outcomes
      such as duration of intubation, mechanical ventilation, and Intensive Care Unit
      stay. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study in neurological population, a there was no
      significant difference in incidence of clinical and microbiological VAP was seen
      between SETT and SACETT, when other strategies for VAP prevention were similar.
      Other outcomes were similar with use of either tube for intubation.

PMID- 27275074
TI  - Oral care practices for patients in Intensive Care Units: A pilot survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of knowledge and difficulties concerning
      hospitalized patients regarding preventive oral health measures among
      professionals working in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). STUDY POPULATION AND
      METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 71 health professionals
      working in the ICU. A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the
      methods used, frequency, and attitude toward oral care provided to patients in
      Brazilian ICUs. The variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics
      (percentages). A one-sample t-test between proportions was used to assess
      significant differences between percentages. t-statistics were considered
      statistically significant for P < 0.05. Bonferroni correction was applied to
      account for multiple testing. RESULTS: Most participants were nursing
      professionals (80.3%) working 12-h shifts in the ICU (70.4%); about 87.3% and
      66.2% reported having knowledge about coated tongue and nosocomial pneumonia,
      respectively (P < 0.05). Most reported using spatulas, gauze, and toothbrushes
      (49.3%) or only toothbrushes (28.2%) with 0.12% chlorhexidine (49.3%) to sanitize
      the oral cavity of ICU patients (P < 0.01). Most professionals felt that adequate
      time was available to provide oral care to ICU patients and that oral care was a
      priority for mechanically ventilated patients (80.3% and 83.1%, respectively, P <
      0.05). However, most professionals (56.4%) reported feeling that the oral cavity
      was difficult to clean (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The survey results suggest that
      additional education is necessary to increase awareness among ICU professionals
      of the association between dental plaque and systemic conditions of patients, to
      standardize oral care protocols, and to promote the oral health of patients in
      ICUs.

PMID- 27275075
TI  - Antimicrobial agents' utilization and cost pattern in an Intensive Care Unit of a
      Teaching Hospital in South India.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High utilization and inappropriate usage of antimicrobial
      agents (AMAs) in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) increases resistant organisms,
      morbidity, mortality, and treatment cost. Prescription audit and active feedback
      are a proven method to check the irrational prescription. Measuring drug
      utilization in DDD/100 bed-days is proposed by the WHO to analyze and compare the
      utilization of drugs. Data of AMAs utilization are required for planning an
      antibiotic policy and for follow-up of intervention strategies. Hence, in this
      study, we proposed to evaluate the utilization pattern and cost analysis of AMA
      used in the ICU. METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study was conducted for
      1 year from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014, and the data were obtained
      from the ICU of a tertiary care hospital. The demographic data, disease data,
      relevant investigation, the utilization of different classes of AMAs (WHO-ATC
      classification) as well as individual drugs and their costs were recorded.
      RESULTS: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two prescriptions of AMAs were
      recorded during the study period with an average of 1.73 +/- 0.04
      prescriptions/patient. About 80.4% patients were prescribed AMAs during
      admission. Ceftriaxone (22.77%) was the most commonly prescribed AMA followed by
      piperacillin/tazobactam (15.79%), metronidazole (12%), amoxicillin/clavulanic
      acid (6.44%), and azithromycin (4.34%). Ceftriaxone, piperacillin/tazobactam,
      metronidazole, and linezolid were the five maximally utilized AMAs with 38.52,
      19.22, 14.34, 8.76, and 8.16 DDD/100 bed-days respectively. An average cost of
      AMAs used per patient was 2213 Indian rupees (INR). CONCLUSION: A high
      utilization of AMAs and a high cost of treatment were noticed which was
      comparable to other published data, though an increased use of newer AMAs such as
      linezolid, clindamycin, meropenem, colistin was noticed.

PMID- 27275076
TI  - Tracheostomy in special groups of critically ill patients: Who, when, and where?
AB  - Tracheostomy is one of the most common procedures undertaken in critically ill
      patients. It offers many theoretical advantages over translaryngeal intubation.
      Recent evidence in a heterogeneous group of critically ill patients, however, has
      not demonstrated a benefit for tracheostomy, in terms of mortality, length of
      stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), or incidence of ventilator-associated
      pneumonia. It may be a beneficial intervention in articular subsets of ICU
      patients. In this article, we will focus on the evidence for the timing of
      tracheostomy and its effect on various subgroups of patients in critical care. 

PMID- 27275077
TI  - Exploration of eosinopenia as a diagnostic parameter to differentiate sepsis from
      systemic inflammatory response syndrome: Results from an observational study.
AB  - AIM OF THE STUDY: Initial differentiation of sepsis from systemic inflammatory
      response syndrome (SIRS) is of prime importance for early institution of
      appropriate treatment. This study aimed to compare the differential diagnostic
      efficacy of absolute eosinophil count (AEC - a routinely available economic
      marker) with total leukocyte count (TLC) and procalcitonin (PCT - a costly marker
      available only in specialized settings). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this
      prospective observational study, 170 patients of sepsis (severe sepsis = 125;
      SIRS = 45) were enrolled. AEC, TLC, and PCT were measured in the blood of all
      patients at the time of admission and data analyzed statistically. RESULTS:
      Median AEC was 0 cells/mm(3) in both SIRS and sepsis. TLC and PCT levels were
      significantly higher (P < 0.001) in culture negative, culture positive, and
      overall sepsis groups in comparison to SIRS group. At a cutoff of < 50
      cells/mm(3), AEC demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 23% and 68%,
      respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and
      negative predictive value of TLC were 57%, 71%, 85%, 37% and of PCT were 82.4%,
      82.2%, 93%, and 63%, respectively with area under curve of 0.455 for AEC, 0.640
      for TLC, 0.908 for PCT. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that eosinopenia is not
      a reliable diagnostic tool to differentiate sepsis from SIRS. PCT and TLC are
      better differential diagnostic biomarkers.

PMID- 27275078
TI  - Evaluation of antibiotic use in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a developing
      country.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) patients are often prescribed
      antibiotics with a low threshold in comparison to patients elsewhere. Irrational
      antibiotics use can lead to rapid emergence of drug resistance, so surveillance
      of their use is important. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of antibiotics in
      relation to bacteriological findings in PICU of a Tertiary Hospital. METHODS:
      Retrospective review of medical records of all children (age 1 month-16 years)
      admitted in our closed multidisciplinary-cardiothoracic PICU from January to June
      2013 was performed, after approval from Ethical Review Committee. For each
      antibiotic, indication (prophylactic, empiric, therapeutic) and duration of use
      were recorded. All diagnoses of infections were recorded according to diagnostic
      criteria of IPSCC 2005. Results are presented as frequency and percentages and
      median with inter quartile range using SPSS version 19. RESULTS: All of the total
      240 patients admitted in PICU during the study period received antibiotics: 43%
      (n = 104) prophylactically, 42% (n = 102) empirically, and 15% (n = 15)
      therapeutically. Median number of antibiotic use per patient in PICU was 3, with
      range of 1-7. 25% received 1 antibiotic, 23% received 2 antibiotics, 29% received
      3 antibiotics, and rest received >=4 antibiotics. Most commonly used antibiotics
      were cefazolin, meropenem, vancomycin and ceftriaxone, and most frequently used
      combination was meropenem and vancomycin. In majority of the cases, (70%) empiric
      antibiotic combinations were stopped in 72 h. CONCLUSION: This is the first
      report of antibiotics use in PICU from our country, which shows that antibiotics
      are prescribed universally in our PICU. Strategies to assess the need for
      antibiotic use are needed.

PMID- 27275079
TI  - Extracorporeal treatment with high-volume continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration
      and charcoal-based sorbent hemoperfusion for severe metformin-associated lactic
      acidosis.
AB  - We present a case of a 49-year-old female with an alleged history of ingestion of
      approximately 100 tablets of metformin (850 mg each). Investigations revealed
      severe lactic acidosis with lactate levels of 13.5 mmol/L and pH of 7.17. This
      indicates severe toxicity and is associated with a high mortality. Charcoal-based
      sorbent hemoperfusion was done as a desperate effort, as patient continued to
      deteriorate despite supportive care and high-volume continuous venovenous
      hemodiafiltration. The patient survived despite metformin-associated lactic
      acidosis related to severe metformin toxicity. 

PMID- 27275080
TI  - A rare complication of tracheal intubation.
AB  - Accidental endobronchial intubation is a frequent complication in critically ill
      patients requiring tracheal intubation (TI). If such complication occurs, it is
      more often the right main bronchus that is intubated due to anatomical reasons.
      Left main bronchus (LMB) intubation is rare. Here, we report a case with
      auscultatory, bronchoscopic, and radiographic evidence of accidental LMB
      intubation in a pregnant woman with dengue shock syndrome. We highlight this case
      to increase awareness about this possible-but-rare complication of TI. 

PMID- 27275081
TI  - Spontaneous arterial hemorrhage as a complication of dengue.
AB  - Bleeding complications of dengue hemorrhagic fever such as epistaxis, gum
      bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, hypermenorrhea, hematuria, and
      thrombocytopenia have been documented. A 49-year-old female presented with
      complaints of intermittent high-grade fever for the past 4 days, lower abdominal
      pain and altered sensorium for 1 day. Laboratory investigations revealed severe
      anemia, mild thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, and positive dengue serology.
      Emergency ultrasound examination of the abdomen revealed a possible rapidly
      expanding hematoma from the inferior epigastric artery and suggested urgent
      computed tomography (CT) angiogram for confirmation of the same. CT angiogram was
      confirmatory, and patient underwent emergency embolization of the right inferior
      epigastric artery. We report the first case of inferior epigastric hemorrhage and
      rectus sheath hematoma as a consequence of dengue. 

PMID- 27275082
TI  - Statin-induced rhabdomyolysis in patient with renal failure and underlying
      undiagnosed hypothyroidism.
AB  - Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by muscle necrosis which causes the
      release of myoglobin into the bloodstream. The manifestations of this syndrome
      range from asymptomatic elevation of serum muscle enzymes to life-threatening
      cases associated with extremely high enzyme levels, electrolyte imbalance, and
      acute renal failure. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include dark urine, muscle
      weakness, and fatigue. Statins are commonly used drugs for the prevention and
      management of dyslipidemia. We present an interesting and critical case on statin
      induced rhabdomyolysis with renal failure and previously undiagnosed idiopathic
      hypothyroidism. 

PMID- 27275083
TI  - Dying within dying: Ethical dilemmas of treating terminally ill patients with
      acute life-threatening illnesses.

PMID- 27275084
TI  - Scorpion bite, a sting to the heart!

PMID- 27275085
TI  - An aberrantly positioned central venous catheter: A presage of an underlying
      anatomical anomaly.

PMID- 27275086
TI  - Mid-term assessment of the decade of action for road safety: Progress made, yet
      at a slow rate.

PMID- 27275087
TI  - Another cutaneous sign of acute pancreatitis.

PMID- 27275088
TI  - Surgical dilemmas in the management of colorectal liver metastases: The role of
      timing.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an emerging health problem in the Western World both
      for its raising tendency as well as for its metastatic potential. Almost half of
      the patients with CRC will develop liver metastases during the course of their
      disease. The liver surgeon dealing with colorectal liver metastases faces several
      surgical dilemmas especially in the setting of the timing of operation.
      Synchronous resectable metastases should be treated prior or after induction
      chemotherapy? Furthermore in the case of synchronous colorectal liver metastases
      which organ should we first deal with, the liver or the colon? All these
      questions are set in the editorial and impulse for further investigation is put
      focusing on multidisciplinary approach and individualization of treatment
      modalities. 

PMID- 27275089
TI  - How important is donor age in liver transplantation?
AB  - The age of liver donors has been increasing in the past several years because of
      a donor shortage. In the United States, 33% of donors are age 50 years or older,
      as are more than 50% in some European countries. The impact of donor age on liver
      transplantation (LT) has been analyzed in several studies with contradictory
      conclusions. Nevertheless, recent analyses of the largest databases demonstrate
      that having an older donor is a risk factor for graft failure. Donor age is
      included as a risk factor in the more relevant graft survival scores, such as the
      Donor Risk Index, donor age and Model for End-stage Liver Disease, Survival
      Outcomes Following Liver Transplantation, and the Balance of Risk. The use of old
      donors is related to an increased rate of biliary complications and hepatitis C
      virus-related graft failure. Although liver function does not seem to be
      significantly affected by age, the incidence of several liver diseases increases
      with age, and the capacity of the liver to manage or overcome liver diseases or
      external injuries decreases. In this paper, the importance of age in LT outcomes,
      the role of donor age as a risk factor, and the influence of aging on liver
      regeneration are reviewed. 

PMID- 27275090
TI  - Current status of laparoscopic and robotic ventral mesh rectopexy for external
      and internal rectal prolapse.
AB  - External and internal rectal prolapse with their affiliated rectocele and
      enterocele, are associated with debilitating symptoms such as obstructed
      defecation, pelvic pain and faecal incontinence. Since perineal procedures are
      associated with a higher recurrence rate, an abdominal approach is commonly
      preferred. Despite the description of greater than three hundred different
      procedures, thus far no clear superiority of one surgical technique has been
      demonstrated. Ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR) is a relatively new and promising
      technique to correct rectal prolapse. In contrast to the abdominal procedures of
      past decades, VMR avoids posterolateral rectal mobilisation and thereby minimizes
      the risk of postoperative constipation. Because of a perceived acceptable
      recurrence rate, good functional results and low mesh-related morbidity in the
      short to medium term, VMR has been popularized in the past decade. Laparoscopic
      or robotic-assisted VMR is now being progressively performed internationally and
      several articles and guidelines propose the procedure as the treatment of choice
      for rectal prolapse. In this article, an outline of the current status of
      laparoscopic and robotic ventral mesh rectopexy for the treatment of internal and
      external rectal prolapse is presented. 

PMID- 27275091
TI  - Multiorgan chronic inflammatory hepatobiliary pancreatic murine model deficient
      in tumor necrosis factor receptors 1 and 2.
AB  - AIM: To provoke persistent/chronic multiorgan inflammatory response and to
      contribute to stones formation followed by fibrosis in hepatobiliary and
      pancreatic tissues. METHODS: Tumor necrosis factor receptors 1 and 2 (TNFR1/R2)
      deficient mice reared in-house were given dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) twice
      within 10 d by oral gavage delivery. Sham control animals received vehicle
      treatment and naive animals remained untreated throughout the study. Animals were
      monitored daily for symptoms of pain and discomfort. The abdominal and hindpaw
      hypersensitivity were assessed with von Frey microfilaments. Exploratory
      behaviors were recorded at the baseline, after initiation of treatment, and
      before study termination. Histopathological changes were examined postmortem in
      tissues. Collagen accumulation and fibrosis were confirmed with Sirius Red
      staining. RESULTS: Animals lost weight after oral administration of DBTC and
      developed persistent inflammatory abdominal and hindpaw hypersensitivity compared
      to sham-treated controls (P < 0.0001). These pain related secondary mechanical
      hypersensitivity responses increased more than 2-fold in DBTC-treated animals.
      The drastically diminished rearing and grooming rates persisted after DBTC
      administration throughout the study. Gross as well as micropathology at one month
      confirmed that animals treated with DBTC developed chronic hepatobiliary injuries
      evidenced with activation of stellate cells, multifocal necrosis, fatty
      degeneration of hepatocytes, periportal infiltration of inflammatory cells, and
      prominent biliary ductal dilation. The severity of hepatitis was scored 3.7 +/-
      0.2 (severe) in DBTC-treated animals vs score 0 (normal) in sham-treated animals.
      Fibrotic thickening was extensive around portal ducts, in hepatic parenchyma as
      well as in lobular pancreatic structures and confirmed with Sirius Red
      histopathology. In addition, pancreatic microarchitecture was presented with
      distortion of islets, and parenchyma, infiltration of inflammatory cells,
      degeneration, vacuolization, and necrosis of acinar cells and distention of
      pancreatic ducts. Extent of pancreatic damage and pancreatitis were scored 3.6 +/
      0.4 (severe) for DBTC-treated in contrast to score 0 (normal) in sham-treated
      animals. The gall bladder became expanded with ductal distention, and occasional
      bile stones were detected along with microscopic hepatic lesions. DBTC-treated
      animals developed splenic hypertrophy with increased weight and length (P < 0.01)
      along with thymic atrophy (P < 0.001). Finally, colitic lesions and colitis were
      prominent in DBTC-treated animals and scored 3.4 +/- 0.3 (moderately severe) vs 0
      (normal) for the sham-treated animals. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of
      chronic inflammatory multiorgan hepatobiliary pancreatitis, along with fibrosis
      and calculi formation induced reliably utilizing oral DBTC administration in
      TNFR1/R2 deficient mice.

PMID- 27275092
TI  - Phosalone-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in the colon: Evaluation and
      treatment.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the side effects of phosalone on intestinal cells and to
      evaluate benefits of ellagic acid (EA) as a remedy. METHODS: In order to conduct
      an in vivo study, a rat model was used. The rats were divided into ten groups
      based on the materials used in the experiment and their dosage. The first group
      was fed normally. The second group was administered EA through gavage. Next Four
      groups were given (1/3, 1/5, 1/10, 1/20) LD50 phosalone; an organophosphorus
      compound. The last four groups received (1/3, 1/5, 1/10, 1/20) LD50 phosalone and
      of EA. After one month, the rats were sacrificed and their colon cells were
      examined to evaluate the level of inflammation, proteins and oxidative stress
      markers. RESULTS: The results of this research show that phosalone elevates
      oxidative stress and changes the level of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha),
      interlukin-6beta (IL-6beta) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB proteins. EA
      administration reduced phosalone toxicity and changed oxidative stress and
      inflammatory markers for all phosalone doses. Overall changes in reduction of TNF
      alpha (230.47 +/- 16.55 pg/mg protein vs 546.43 +/- 45.24 pg/mg protein, P <
      0.001), IL-6beta (15.85 +/- 1.03 pg/mg protein vs 21.55 +/- 1.3 pg/mg protein, P
      < 0.05), and NF-kappaB (32.47 +/- 4.85 pg/mg protein vs 51.41 +/- 0.71 pg/mg
      protein, P < 0.05) manifest that the efficacy of EA is more viable for 1/3 LD50
      dose of phosalone. Furthermore, EA is effective to counteract the negative
      outcomes of oxidative stress. When EA was used to treat 1/3 LD50 of phosalone's
      side effects, it improved the level of AChE activity (48.5% +/- 6% vs 25% +/- 7%,
      P < 0.05), TTM (0.391 +/- 0.008 mmol/L vs 0.249 +/- 0.032 mmol/L, P < 0.05), FRAP
      (46.04 +/- 5.005 MUmol/L vs 18.22 +/- 1.9 MUmol/L, P < 0.01) and MPO (0.222 +/-
      0.019 U/mg protein vs 0.387 +/- 0.04 U/mg protein, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This
      research highlights that EA is effective to alleviate the side effects of
      phosalone by reducing the level of oxidative stress and inflammatory proteins.

PMID- 27275093
TI  - CdSe/ZnS quantum dots induce photodynamic effects and cytotoxicity in pancreatic
      cancer cells.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the photodynamic effect of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) on
      pancreatic cancer cells and elucidate the probable mechanisms. METHODS: The
      pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 was treated with different concentrations of
      CdSe/ZnS QDs (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 MUmol/L), with or without illumination.
      The viability of SW1990 cells was tested using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8)
      assay. The ultrastructural changes of SW1990 cells were observed by transmission
      electron microscopy. Apoptosis was detected by nuclear staining and flow
      cytometry (FCM). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by
      dichlorofluorescein diacetate via fluorescence microscopy. Expression of Bax, Bcl
      2 and caspase-3 was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and
      protein immunoblotting 24 h after SW1990 cells were treated with CdSe/ZnS QDs and
      illuminated. RESULTS: The CCK-8 assay results showed that both CdSe/ZnS QDs with
      and without illumination suppressed SW1990 cell proliferation. Cell viability was
      significantly lower when illuminated or with a longer incubation time and a
      higher light dose. CdSe/ZnS QDs with illumination caused ultrastructural changes
      in SW1990 cells, such as organelle degeneration and chromatin condensation and
      aggregation at the periphery of the nucleus. Fluorescence microscopy and FCM
      showed that CdSe/ZnS QDs (1.5 MUmol/L) with illumination increased SW1990 cell
      apoptosis (53.2%) and ROS generation compared with no illumination. Real-time PCR
      showed that expression of Bax and caspase-3 was upregulated and Bcl-2 was
      downregulated. Immunoblotting results were consistent with real-time PCR results.
      Inhibition of ROS and apoptosis both attenuated QD-photodynamic-therapy-induced
      cell death. CONCLUSION: CdSe/ZnS QDs can be used as a photosensitizer to inhibit
      SW1990 cell proliferation through ROS generation and apoptotic protein expression
      regulation.

PMID- 27275094
TI  - Interleukin-22 ameliorates acute severe pancreatitis-associated lung injury in
      mice.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the potential protective effect of exogenous recombinant
      interleukin-22 (rIL-22) on L-arginine-induced acute severe pancreatitis (SAP)
      associated lung injury and the possible signaling pathway involved. METHODS:
      Balb/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with L-arginine to induce SAP.
      Recombinant mouse IL-22 was then administered subcutaneously to mice. Serum
      amylase levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the lung tissue were
      measured after the L-arginine administration. Histopathology of the pancreas and
      lung was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Expression of B cell
      lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-xL and IL-22RA1 mRNAs in the lung tissue was
      detected by real-time PCR. Expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 were analyzed
      by Western blot. RESULTS: Serum amylase levels and MPO activity in the lung
      tissue in the SAP group were significantly higher than those in the normal
      control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the animals in the SAP group showed
      significant pancreatic and lung injuries. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL
      mRNAs in the SAP group was decreased markedly, while the IL-22RA1 mRNA expression
      was increased significantly relative to the normal control group (P < 0.05).
      Pretreatment with PBS did not significantly affect the serum amylase levels, MPO
      activity or expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL or IL-22RA1 mRNA (P > 0.05). Moreover, no
      significant differences in the degrees of pancreatic and lung injuries were
      observed between the PBS and SAP groups. However, the serum amylase levels and
      lung tissue MPO activity in the rIL-22 group were significantly lower than those
      in the SAP group (P < 0.05), and the injuries in the pancreas and lung were also
      improved. Compared with the PBS group, rIL-22 stimulated the expression of Bcl-2,
      Bcl-xL and IL-22RA1 mRNAs in the lung (P < 0.05). In addition, the ratio of p
      STAT3 to STAT3 protein in the rIL-22 group was significantly higher than that in
      the PBS group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Exogenous recombinant IL-22 protects mice
      against L-arginine-induced SAP-associated lung injury by enhancing the expression
      of anti-apoptosis genes through the STAT3 signaling pathway.

PMID- 27275095
TI  - (125)I-labeled anti-bFGF monoclonal antibody inhibits growth of hepatocellular
      carcinoma.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the inhibitory efficacy of (125)I-labeled anti-basic
      fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) monoclonal antibody (mAb) in hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: bFGF mAb was prepared by using the 1G9B9 hybridoma cell
      line with hybridization technology and extracted from ascites fluid through a
      Protein G Sepharose affinity column. After labeling with (125)I through the
      chloramine-T method, bFGF mAb was further purified by a Sephadex G-25 column.
      Gamma radiation counter GC-1200 detected radioactivity of (125)I-bFGF mAb. The
      murine H22 HCC xenograft model was established and randomized to interventions
      with control (phosphate-buffered saline), (125)I-bFGF mAb, (125)I plus bFGF mAb,
      bFGF mAb, or (125)I. The ratios of tumor inhibition were then calculated.
      Expression of bFGF, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), platelet-derived
      growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA was determined
      by quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction.
      RESULTS: The purified bFGF mAb solution was 8.145 mg/mL with a titer of 1:2560000
      and was stored at -20  degrees C. After coupling, (125)I-bFGF mAb was used at a
      1: 1280000 dilution, stored at 4  degrees C, and its specific radioactivity was
      37 MBq/mg. The corresponding tumor weight in the control, (125)I, bFGF mAb,
      (125)I plus bFGF mAb, and (125)I-bFGF mAb groups was 1.88 +/- 0.25, 1.625 +/-
      0.21, 1.5 +/- 0.18, 1.41 +/- 0.16, and 0.98 +/- 0.11 g, respectively. The tumor
      inhibition ratio in the (125)I, bFGF mAb, (125)I plus bFGF mAb, and (125)I-bFGF
      mAb groups was 13.6%, 20.2%, 25.1%, and 47.9%, respectively. Growth of HCC
      xenografts was inhibited significantly more in the (125)I-bFGF mAb group than in
      the other groups (P < 0.05). Expression of bFGF and FGFR mRNA in the (125)I-bFGF
      mAb group was significantly decreased in comparison with other groups (P < 0.05).
      Groups under interventions revealed increased expression of VEGF mRNA (except for
      (125)I group) compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: (125)I-bFGF mAb
      inhibits growth of HCC xenografts. The coupling effect of (125)I-bFGF mAb is more
      effective than the concomitant use of (125)I and bFGF mAb.

PMID- 27275096
TI  - Transarterial administration of integrin inhibitor loaded nanoparticles combined
      with transarterial chemoembolization for treating hepatocellular carcinoma in a
      rat model.
AB  - AIM: To compare the effect of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus GRGDSP
      (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro, integrin-inhibitor) loaded nanoparticles with TACE
      alone or TACE + GRGDSP in a rat model of liver tumor. METHODS: Morris hepatoma
      3924A tumors were implanted in the livers of 30 ACI rats. The ACI rats were
      divided randomly into three groups (10 animals each). Tumor volume before
      treatment (V1) was examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and then, after
      laparotomy and placement of a PE-10 catheter into the hepatic artery, the
      following interventional protocols were performed: TACE (mitomycin C + lipiodol +
      degradable starch microspheres) + GRGDSP loaded nanoparticles for group A; TACE +
      GRGDSP for group B (control group 1); TACE alone for group C (control group 2).
      Tumor volume (V2) was assessed by MRI and the mean ratio of the post-treatment to
      pretreatment tumor volumes (V2/V1) was calculated. Immunohistochemical analysis
      was performed to assess the quantification of matrix metalloprotein 9 (MMP-9) and
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) positive tumor cells in each treatment
      group. RESULTS: The mean tumor growth ratios (V2/V1) were 1.3649 +/- 0.1194 in
      group A, 2.0770 +/- 0.1595 in group B, and 3.2148 +/- 0.1075 in group C. Compared
      with groups B and C, group A showed a significant reduction in tumor volume.
      Lower expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma was observed in
      group A than in groups B and C. The angiogenesis of tumor was evaluated using
      anti-VEGF antibodies, and the metastasis of tumor was assessed using anti-MMP-9
      antibody. MMP-9 and VEGF were expressed in all specimens. The immunoexpression of
      these proteins was confirmed by the presence of red cytoplasmic staining in tumor
      cells. Lower expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma was
      observed in group A than in groups B and C. CONCLUSION: Transarterial
      administration of integrin inhibitor loaded nanoparticles combined with TACE
      evidently retards tumor growth and intrahepatic metastases compared with TACE
      alone or TACE plus integrin inhibitor in an animal model of hepatocellular
      carcinoma.

PMID- 27275097
TI  - Danish cohort of monozygotic inflammatory bowel disease twins: Clinical
      characteristics and inflammatory activity.
AB  - AIM: To describe the establishment of a Danish inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
      twin cohort with focus on concordance of treatment and inflammatory markers.
      METHODS: We identified MZ twins, likely to be discordant or concordant for IBD,
      by merging information from the Danish Twin Register and the National Patient
      Register. The twins were asked to provide biological samples, questionnaires, and
      data access to patient files and public registries. Biological samples were
      collected via a mobile laboratory, which allowed for immediate centrifugation,
      fractionation, and storage of samples. The mean time from collection of samples
      to storage in the -80  degrees C mobile freezer was less than one hour. The
      diagnoses where validated using the Copenhagen diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: We
      identified 159 MZ IBD twin pairs, in a total of 62 (39%) pairs both twins agreed
      to participate. Of the supposed 62 IBD pairs, the IBD diagnosis could be
      confirmed in 54 pairs. The cohort included 10 concordant pairs, whereof some were
      discordant for either treatment or surgery. The 10 concordant pairs, where both
      pairs suffered from IBD, included eight CD/CD pairs, one UC/UC pair and one
      UC/IBDU pair. The discordant pairs comprised 31 UC, 5 IBDU (IBD unclassified),
      and 8 CD discordant pairs. In the co-twins not affected by IBD, calprotectin was
      above 100 MUg/g in 2 participants, and above 50 MUg/g in a further 5
      participants. CONCLUSION: The presented IBD twin cohorts are an excellent
      resource for bioinformatics studies with proper adjustment for disease-associated
      exposures including medication and inflammatory activity in the co-twins.

PMID- 27275098
TI  - Serum Helicobacter pylori KatA and AhpC antibodies as novel biomarkers for
      gastric cancer.
AB  - AIM: To investigate catalase (KatA) and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC)
      antibodies of Helicobacter pylori as biomarkers for gastric cancer (GC). METHODS:
      This study included 232 cases and 264 controls. Recombinant KatA and AhpC
      proteins were constructed and the levels of antibodies were tested by indirect
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Logistic regression was applied to
      analyze the relationships between KatA, AhpC and GC. The chi(2) trend test was
      used to evaluate the dose-response relationships between serum KatA and AhpC
      antibody levels and GC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to
      evaluate the screening accuracy of KatA and AhpC as biomarkers. Combined analysis
      was used to observe screening accuracy of predictors for GC. RESULTS: In all
      subjects, the association between KatA and AhpC and GC risk was significant (P <
      0.001) with odds ratio (OR) = 12.84 (95%CI: 7.79-21.15) and OR = 2.4 (95%CI: 1.55
      3.73), respectively. KatA and AhpC antibody levels were strongly related to GC
      risk with a dose-dependent effect (P for trend < 0.001). The area under the ROC
      (AUC) for KatA was 0.806, providing a sensitivity of 66.81% and specificity of
      86.36%; and the AUC for AhpC was 0.615, with a sensitivity of 75.65% and
      specificity of 45.49%. The AUC was 0.906 for KatA and flagella protein A (FlaA)
      combined analysis. CONCLUSION: Serum KatA and AhpC antibodies are associated with
      GC risk and KatA may serve as a biomarker for GC. KatA/FlaA combined analysis
      improved screening accuracy.

PMID- 27275099
TI  - Endoscopy-based management decreases the risk of postoperative recurrences in
      Crohn's disease.
AB  - AIM: To investigate whether an endoscopy-based management could prevent the long
      term risk of postoperative recurrence. METHODS: From the pathology department
      database, we retrospectively retrieved the data of all the patients operated on
      for Crohn's disease (CD) in our center (1986-2015). Endoscopy-based management
      was defined as systematic postoperative colonoscopy (median time after surgery =
      9.5 mo) in patients with no clinical postoperative recurrence at the time of
      endoscopy. RESULTS: From 205 patients who underwent surgery, 161 patients (follow
      up > 6 mo) were included. Endoscopic postoperative recurrence occurred in 67.6%,
      79.7%, and 95.5% of the patients, respectively 5, 10 and 20 years after surgery.
      The rate of clinical postoperative recurrence was 61.4%, 75.9%, and 92.5% at 5,
      10 and 20 years, respectively. The rate of surgical postoperative recurrence was
      19.0%, 38.9% and 64.7%, respectively, 5, 10 and 20 years after surgery. In
      multivariate analysis, previous intestinal resection, prior exposure to anti-TNF
      therapy before surgery, and fistulizing phenotype (B3) were postoperative risk
      factors. Previous perianal abscess/fistula (other perianal lesions excluded),
      were predictive of only symptomatic recurrence. In multivariate analysis, an
      endoscopy-based management (n = 49/161) prevented clinical (HR = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.25
      0.66, P < 0.001) and surgical postoperative recurrence (HR = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.13
      0.70, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Endoscopy-based management should be recommended in
      all CD patients within the first year after surgery as it highly decreases the
      long-term risk of clinical recurrence and reoperation.

PMID- 27275100
TI  - Ulcerative colitis patients in clinical remission demonstrate correlations
      between fecal immunochemical test results, mucosal healing, and risk of relapse.
AB  - AIM: To assess the risk of relapse in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients in
      clinical remission using mucosal status and fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
      results. METHODS: The clinical outcomes of 194 UC patients in clinical remission
      who underwent colonoscopy were based on evaluations of Mayo endoscopic subscores
      (MESs) and FIT results. RESULTS: Patients with an MES of 0 (n = 94, 48%) showed a
      ten-fold lower risk of relapse than those with an MES of 1-3 (n = 100, 52%) (HR =
      0.10, 95%CI: 0.05-0.19). A negative FIT result (fecal hemoglobin concentrations
      <= 100 ng/mL) was predictive of patients with an MES of 0, with a sensitivity of
      0.94 and a specific of 0.76. Moreover, patients with a negative FIT score had a
      six-fold lower risk of clinical relapse than those with a positive score (HR =
      0.17, 95%CI: 0.10-0.28). Inclusion of the distinguishing parameter, sustaining
      clinical remission > 12 mo, resulted in an even stronger correlation between
      negative FIT results and an MES of 0 with respect to the risk of clinical relapse
      (HR = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.04-0.23). CONCLUSION: Negative FIT results one year or more
      after remission induction correlate with complete mucosal healing (MES 0) and
      better prognosis. Performing FIT one year after remission induction may be useful
      for evaluating relapse risk.

PMID- 27275101
TI  - Blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts survival after hepatectomy for
      hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score-based analysis.
AB  - AIM: To investigate whether an elevated preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte
      ratio (NLR) can predict poor survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 526 patients with HCC who underwent
      surgery between 2004 and 2011. RESULTS: Preoperative NLR >= 2.81 was an
      independent predictor of poor disease-free survival (DFS, P < 0.001) and overall
      survival (OS, P = 0.044). Compared with patients who showed a preoperative NLR <
      2.81 and postoperative increase, patients who showed preoperative NLR >= 2.81 and
      postoperative decrease had worse survival (DFS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001). Among
      patients with preoperative NLR >= 2.81, survival was significantly higher among
      those showing a postoperative decrease in NLR than among those showing an
      increase (DFS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001). When elevated, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
      provided no prognostic information, and so preoperative NLR >= 2.81 may be a good
      complementary indicator of poor OS whenever AFP levels are low or high.
      CONCLUSION: Preoperative NLR >= 2.81 may be an indicator of poor DFS and OS in
      patients with HCC undergoing surgery. Preoperative NLR >= 2.81 may be a good
      complementary indicator of poor OS when elevated AFP levels provide no prognostic
      information.

PMID- 27275102
TI  - Serum adipokines might predict liver histology findings in non-alcoholic fatty
      liver disease.
AB  - AIM: To assess significance of serum adipokines to determine the histological
      severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: Patients with persistent
      elevation in serum aminotransferase levels and well-defined characteristics of
      fatty liver at ultrasound were enrolled. Individuals with a history of alcohol
      consumption, hepatotoxic medication, viral hepatitis or known liver disease were
      excluded. Liver biopsy was performed to confirm non-alcoholic liver disease
      (NAFLD). The degrees of liver steatosis, lobular inflammation and fibrosis were
      determined based on the non-alcoholic fatty liver activity score (NAS) by a
      single expert pathologist. Patients with a NAS of five or higher were considered
      to have steatohepatitis. Those with a NAS of two or lower were defined as simple
      fatty liver. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the independent
      association of adipokines with histological findings. Receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to determine cut-off values of serum
      adipokines to discriminate the grades of liver steatosis, lobular inflammation
      and fibrosis. RESULTS: Fifty-four participants aged 37.02 +/- 9.82 were enrolled
      in the study. Higher serum levels of visfatin, IL-8, TNF-alpha levels were
      associated independently with steatosis grade of more than 33% [beta = 1.08
      (95%CI: 1.03-1.14), 1.04 (95%CI: 1.008-1.07), 1.04 (95%CI: 1.004-1.08), P <
      0.05]. Elevated serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels were associated independently with
      advanced lobular inflammation [beta = 1.4 (95%CI: 1.09-1.8), 1.07 (95%CI: 1.003
      1.15), P < 0.05]. Similarly, higher TNF-alpha, resistin, and hepcidin levels were
      associated independently with advanced fibrosis stage [beta = 1.06 (95%CI: 1.002
      1.12), 19.86 (95%CI: 2.79-141.19), 560.72 (95%CI: 5.98-5255.33), P < 0.05]. Serum
      IL-8 and TNF-alpha values were associated independently with the NAS score,
      considering a NAS score of 5 as the reference value [beta = 1.05 (95%CI: 1.01
      1.1), 1.13 (95%CI: 1.04-1.22), P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: Certain adipokines may
      determine the severity of NAFLD histology accurately.

PMID- 27275103
TI  - Usefulness of portal vein pressure for predicting the effects of tolvaptan in
      cirrhotic patients.
AB  - AIM: To elucidate influencing factors of treatment response, then tolvaptan has
      been approved in Japan for liquid retention. METHODS: We herein conducted this
      study to clarify the influencing factors in 40 patients with decompensated liver
      cirrhosis complicated by liquid retention. Tolvaptan was administered at a dosage
      of 7.5 mg once a day for patients with conventional diuretic-resistant hepatic
      edema for 7 d. At the initiation of tolvaptan, the estimated hepatic venous
      pressure gradient (HVPG) value which was estimated portal vein pressure was
      measured using hepatic venous catheterization. We analyzed the effects of
      tolvaptan and influencing factors associated with treatment response. RESULTS:
      Subjects comprised patients with a median age of 65 (range, 40-82) years.
      According to the Child-Pugh classification, class A was 3 patients, class B was
      19, and class C was 18. Changes from the baseline in body weight were -1.0 kg (P
      = 2.04 * 10(-6)) and -1.3 kg (P = 1.83 * 10(-5)), respectively. The median HVPG
      value was 240 (range, 105-580) mmH2O. HVPG was only significant influencing
      factor of the weight loss effect. When patients with body weight loss of 2 kg or
      greater from the baseline was defined as responders, receiver operating
      characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimal HVPG cutoff value was 190
      mmH2O in predicting treatment response. The response rate was 87.5% (7/8) in
      patients with HVPG of 190 mmH2O or less, whereas it was only 12.5% (2/16) in
      those with HVPG of greater than 190 mmH2O (P = 7.46 * 10(-4)). We compared each
      characteristics factors between responders and non-responders. As a result, HVPG
      (P = 0.045) and serum hyaluronic acid (P = 0.017) were detected as useful
      factors. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that tolvaptan in the treatment
      of liquid retention could be more effective for patients with lower portal vein
      pressure.

PMID- 27275104
TI  - Suppository naproxen reduces incidence and severity of post-endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: Randomized controlled trial.
AB  - AIM: To determine the efficacy of rectally administered naproxen for the
      prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
      pancreatitis (PEP). METHODS: This double-blind randomized control trial conducted
      from January 2013 to April 2014 at the Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases
      Research Center in Rasht, Iran. A total of 324 patients were selected from
      candidates for diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP by using the simple sampling
      method. Patients received a single dose of Naproxen (500 mg; n = 162) or a
      placebo (n = 162) per rectum immediately before ERCP. The overall incidence of
      PEP, incidence of mild to severe PEP, serum amylase levels and adverse effects
      were measured. The primary outcome measure was the development of pancreatitis
      onset of pain in the upper abdomen and elevation of the serum amylase level to >
      3 * the upper normal limit (60-100 IU/L) within 24 h after ERCP. The severity of
      PEP was classified according to the duration of therapeutic intervention for PEP:
      mild, 2-3 d; moderate 4-10 d; and severe, > 10 d and/or necessitated surgical or
      intensive treatment, or contributed to death. RESULTS: PEP occurred in 12%
      (40/324) of participants, and was significantly more frequent in the placebo
      group compared to the naproxen group (P < 0.01). Of the participants, 25.9%
      (84/324) developed hyperamylasemia within 2 h of procedure completion, among whom
      only 35 cases belonged to the naproxen group (P < 0.01). The incidence of PEP was
      significantly higher in female sex, in patients receiving pancreatic duct
      injection, more than 3 times pancreatic duct cannulations, and ERCP duration more
      than 40 min (Ps < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences
      between the groups regarding the procedures or factors that might increase the
      risk of PEP, sphincterotomy, precut requirement, biliary duct injection and
      number of pancreatic duct cannulations. In the subgroup of patients with
      pancreatic duct injection, the rate of pancreatitis in the naproxen group was
      significantly lower than that in the placebo (6 patients vs 23 patients, P <
      0.01, RRR = 12%, AR = 0.3, 95%CI: 0.2-0.6). Naproxen reduced the PEP in patients
      with >= 3 pancreatic cannulations (P < 0.01, RRR = 25%, AR = 0.1, 95%CI: 0.1-0.4)
      and an ERCP duration > 40 min (P < 0.01, RRR = 20%, AR = 0.9, 95%CI: 0.4-1.2).
      CONCLUSION: Single dose of suppository naproxen administered immediately before
      ERCP reduces the incidence of PEP.

PMID- 27275105
TI  - Contemporary meta-analysis of short-term probiotic consumption on
      gastrointestinal transit.
AB  - AIM: To determine the efficacy of probiotic supplementation on intestinal transit
      time (ITT) in adults and to identify factors that influence these outcomes.
      METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials of
      probiotic supplementation that measured ITT in adults. Study quality was assessed
      using the Jadad scale. A random effects meta-analysis was performed with
      standardized mean difference (SMD) of ITT between probiotic and control groups as
      the primary outcome. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses examined the impact of
      moderator variables on SMD of ITT. RESULTS: A total of 15 clinical trials with 17
      treatment effects representing 675 subjects were included in this analysis.
      Probiotic supplementation was moderately efficacious in decreasing ITT compared
      to control, with an SMD of 0.38 (95%CI: 0.23-0.53, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses
      demonstrated statistically greater reductions in ITT with probiotics in subjects
      with vs without constipation (SMD: 0.57 vs 0.22, P < 0.01) and in studies with
      high vs low study quality (SMD: 0.45 vs 0.00, P = 0.01). Constipation (R (2) =
      38%, P < 0.01), higher study quality (R (2) = 31%, P = 0.01), older age (R (2) =
      27%, P = 0.02), higher percentage of female subjects (R (2) = 26%, P = 0.02), and
      fewer probiotic strains (R (2) = 20%, P < 0.05) were predictive of decreased ITT
      with probiotics in meta-regression. Medium to large treatment effects were
      identified with B. lactis HN019 (SMD: 0.67, P < 0.001) and B. lactis DN-173 010
      (SMD: 0.54, P < 0.01) while other probiotic strains yielded negligible reductions
      in ITT relative to control. CONCLUSION: Probiotic supplementation is moderately
      efficacious for reducing ITT in adults. Probiotics were most efficacious in
      constipated subjects, when evaluated in high-quality studies, and with certain
      probiotic strains.

PMID- 27275108
TI  - Separation and purification and in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia
      cell K562 of Galium aparine L. petroleum ether phase.
AB  - To explore material basis of in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia
      cell K562 of petroleum ether phase of product resulting from Galium aparine L.
      60% ethanol extraction, the experiment adopts column chromatography combined with
      thin layer preparation, isolates and purifies petroleum ether, conducts
      structural identification of obtained single compound and applies MTT method for
      viability assay of in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia cell K562.
      Experimental results show that G. aparine L. petroleum ether contains mainly beta
      sitosterol, daucosterol and dibutyl phthalate and other substances. Under
      experimental conditions, the three could inhibit the proliferation of leukemia
      cell K562 with dose-effect and time-effect relationship, of which dibutyl
      phthalate has strongest activity. Dibutyl phthalate with excellent activity, beta
      sitosterol with rich content and moderate effect should be the main contributor
      to its biological activity. 

PMID- 27275106
TI  - Modified single transluminal gateway transcystic multiple drainage technique for
      a huge infected walled-off pancreatic necrosis: A case report.
AB  - We report a successful endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage of a huge
      infected multilocular walled-off necrosis (WON) that was treated by a modified
      single transluminal gateway transcystic multiple drainage (SGTMD) technique.
      After placing a wide-caliber fully covered metal stent, follow-up computed
      tomography revealed an undrained subcavity of WON. A large fistula that was
      created by the wide-caliber metal stent enabled the insertion of a forward
      viewing upper endoscope directly into the main cavity, and the narrow connection
      route within the main cavity to the subcavity was identified with a direct view,
      leading to the successful drainage of the subcavity. This modified SGTMD
      technique appears to be useful for seeking connection routes between subcavities
      of WON in some cases. 

PMID- 27275107
TI  - Natural cures for breast cancer treatment.
AB  - For centuries, herbs and plants have been used for medicinal purposes and as food
      as well. This review concerns about different types of plants that retain the
      immune stimulating and anti-tumor properties. Large variety of active
      phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, ligands, polyphenolics,
      terpenoids, sulfides, lignans and plant sterols has been identified in different
      types of herbs. These phytochemicals have different mechanisms of action. They
      either stimulate the protective enzyme like glutathione transferase or prevent
      the cell proliferation. This review has centered on the biochemical properties of
      Allium sativum, Echinacea, Curcuma longa, Arctium lappa, Camellia sinensis, Panax
      ginseng and Flax seed. Extracts and juices of Withania somnifera, Amoora
      rohituka, Dysoxylum binectariferum and Vaccinium macrocarpon, respectively also
      used as anti-breast cancer. The volatile oils and extracts of these herbs and
      plants inhibit the synthesis of mevalonate that lessen the tumor growth and
      cholesterol synthesis. 

PMID- 27275109
TI  - Release property study on the novel divalproex sodium enteric-coated capsules.
AB  - In the present study, a novel divalproex sodium (DS) enteric-coated capsule was
      prepared, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay method for DS
      was developed. Their uniformity, release curve and release characteristics in
      different solvents were examined. The release studies were performed using
      marketed sample as a reference and data were analyzed in terms of cumulative
      release amounts as a function of time. It was demonstrated by the results that
      assay developed was specific, rapid and reliable, which can be used to determine
      DS in vitro accurately, and our developed samples were similar to reference
      preparation in in vitro release characteristics. The release characteristics of
      different batches of samples were quite similar to each other, and the total
      release percents of DS from enteric-coated capsule were within 0-10% in HCl, and
      reached close to 100% in phosphate buffer. Similarity factors (f 2) of three
      batches between two preparations were all higher than 50. The developed enteric
      coated capsule may be a promising alternative dosage form for treatment of
      related diseases. 

PMID- 27275110
TI  - Study on fluorouracil-chitosan nanoparticle preparation and its antitumor effect.
AB  - To successfully prepare fluorouracil-chitosan nanoparticles, and further analyze
      its anti-tumor activity mechanism, this paper makes a comprehensive study of
      existing preparation prescription and makes a detailed analysis of fluorouracil
      chitosan in vitro release and pharmacodynamic behavior of animals. Two-step
      synthesis method is adopted to prepare 5-FU-CS-mPEG prodrugs, and infrared, (1)H
      NMR and differential thermal analysis are adopted to analyze characterization
      synthetic products of prepared drugs. To ensure clinical efficacy of prepared
      drugs, UV spectrophotometry is adopted for determination of drug loading capacity
      of prepared drugs, transmission electron microscopy is adopted to observe the
      appearance, dynamic dialysis method is used to observe in vitro drug release of
      prepared drugs and fitting of various release models is done. Anti-tumor effect
      is studied via level of animal pharmacodynamics. After the end of the experiment,
      tumor inhibition rate, spleen index and thymus index of drugs are calculated.
      Experimental results show that the prepared drugs are qualified in terms of
      regular shape, dispersion, drug content, etc. Animal pharmacodynamics experiments
      have shown that concentration level of drug loading capacity of prepared drugs
      has a direct impact on anti-tumor rate. The higher the concentration, the higher
      the anti-tumor rate. Results of pathological tissue sections of mice show that
      the prepared drugs cause varying degrees of damage to receptor cells, resulting
      in cell necrosis or apoptosis problem. It can thus be concluded that ion gel
      method is an effective method to prepare drug-loading nanoparticles, with
      prepared nanoparticles evenly distributed in regular shape which demonstrate good
      slow-release characteristics in receptor vitro and vivo. At the same time, after
      completion of drug preparation, relatively strong anti-tumor activity can be
      generated for the receptor, so this mode of preparation enjoys broad prospects
      for development. 

PMID- 27275111
TI  - Preparation and application of functionalized nano drug carriers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Targeting at category memory characteristics and preparation methods
      of functionalized nano drugs, preparation technology of functionalized nano drug
      carriers is studied, and then important role of functionalized nano drug carrier
      in preparation of medicine is studied. METHODS: Carry out the relevant literature
      search with computer, change limited language in the paper to Chinese and
      necessarily remove repetitive studies. RESULTS: After first review of 1260
      retrieved literature, it can be found that nano drug is with accurate quantity,
      relatively good targeting, specificity and absorbency. Necessary research of nano
      drug carriers can prevent and treat disease to a certain extent. CONCLUSION:
      Preparation of functionalized nanocarrier is simple and convenient, which can
      improve frequency of use of nano preparation technology and provide better
      development space for medical use. Therefore, nanocarriers should be combined
      with drugs with relatively strong specificity in clinics, in order to be able to
      conduct effective research on nanometer intelligent drug, effectively promote
      long-term development of nano biotechnology, and then provide favorable, reliable
      basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 27275112
TI  - Forgotten topological index of chemical structure in drugs.
AB  - A massive of early drug tests implies that there exist strong inner relationships
      between the bio-medical and pharmacology characteristics of drugs and their
      molecular structures. The forgotten topological index was defined to be used in
      the analysis of drug molecular structures, which is quite helpful for
      pharmaceutical and medical scientists to grasp the biological and chemical
      characteristics of new drugs. Such tricks are popularly employed in developing
      countries where enough money is lacked to afford the relevant chemical reagents
      and equipment. In our article, by means of drug molecular structure analysis and
      edge dividing technology, we present the forgotten topological index of several
      widely used chemical structures which often appear in drug molecular graphs. 

PMID- 27275113
TI  - Diagnosis of Genus Helicobacter through a hemi-nested PCR assay of 16S rRNA.
AB  - The present study aimed to establish a genus-specific PCR-based assay to detect
      helicobacters using 16S rRNA gene as the target template. We designed the hemi
      nested primers based on sequences of 16S rRNA gene of 34 types of Helicobacter
      species. The inclusivity, sensitivity, and specificity of the PCR assay using
      these primers were examined in three different models, comprising feces simulated
      samples, BLAB/c mice infection model and clinic patients samples. The detection
      sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter hepaticus and Helicobacter bilis
      strains from feces simulated samples was all 102 CFU/ml. We successfully detected
      H. hepaticus and H. bilis in the liver, cecum and feces of experimentally
      infected mice. H. pylori was successfully detected in the feces samples from 3
      patients infected with H. pylori while not in the feces samples from 3 healthy
      human. However, the C97/C05-C97/C98 PCR assay detected H. pylori in the 2
      positive samples. Due to the PCR assay's excellent inclusivity, high sensitivity
      and specificity it may be used to detect the presence of Helicobacters. 

PMID- 27275114
TI  - Endophytic filamentous fungi from a Catharanthus roseus: Identification and its
      hydrolytic enzymes.
AB  - This paper reported on the various filamentous fungi strains that were isolated
      from a wild grown Catharanthus roseus. Based on the morphological characteristics
      and molecular technique through a Polymerase Chain Reaction and DNA sequencing
      method using internal transcribed spacer (ITS), these fungi had been identified
      as a Colletotrichum sp., Macrophomina phaseolina, Nigrospora sphaerica and
      Fusarium solani. The ultrastructures of spores and hyphae were observed under a
      Scanning Electron Microscope. The hydrolytic enzyme test showed that all strains
      were positive in secreting cellulase. Colletotrichum sp. and F. solani strains
      also gave a positive result for amylase while only F. solani was capable to
      secrete protease. These fungi were putatively classified as endophytic fungi
      since they produced extracellular enzymes that allow them to penetrate plant cell
      walls and colonize with symbiotic properties. 

PMID- 27275115
TI  - New discovery of cryptorchidism: Decreased retinoic acid in testicle.
AB  - This study focuses on investigation of cryptorchidism induced by flutamide (Flu)
      and its histopathological damage, and detects retinoic acid concentration in
      testicle tissue, in order to find a new method for clinical treatment to
      infertility caused by cryptorchidism. Twenty SD (Sprague Dawley) pregnant rats
      were randomly divided into Flu cryptorchidism group (n = 10) and normal control
      group (n = 10). HE stained for observing morphological difference. Transmission
      electron microscope (TEM) was used for observing the tight junction structure
      between Sertoli cells. Epididymal caudal sperms were counted and observed in
      morphology. The expression of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8) was
      detected using immunohistochemistry, western blot, and Q-PCR. High performance
      liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was made on retinoic acid content. Sperm
      count and morphology observation confirmed cryptorchidism group was lower than
      normal group in sperm quantity and quality. The observation by TEM showed a loose
      structure of tight junctions between Sertoli cells. Immunohistochemistry, western
      blot, and Q-PCR showed that cryptorchidism group was significantly lower than
      normal group in the expression of Stra8. HPLC showed that retinoic acid content
      was significantly lower in cryptorchid testis than in normal testis. In the
      cryptorchidism model, retinoic acid content in testicular tissue has a
      significant reduction; testicles have significant pathological changes; damage
      exists in the structure of tight junctions between Sertoli cells; Stra8
      expression has a significant reduction, perhaps mainly contributing to
      spermatogenesis disorder. 

PMID- 27275116
TI  - The transport mechanism of monocarboxylate transporter on spinosin in Caco-2
      cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the uptake mechanism of
      spinosin (SPI) by the monocarboxylic acid transporters (MCTs) in Caco-2 cells.
      METHODS: The Caco-2 cells were pretreated with various monocarboxylic acids, and
      the uptake of spinosin from Caco-2 cells was measured by High Performance Liquid
      Chromatography (HPLC). KEY FINDINGS: Preloading of various monocarboxylic acids
      enhanced the uptake of SPI, especially salicylic acid (a substrate of MCTs) had a
      23.4 times increase in SPI uptake, indicating that the monocarboxylic acid
      transporters had an efflux effect on SPI uptake and salicylic acid had a strong
      inhibition on SPI efflux in Caco-2 cells. At the same time, the uptake of SPI
      through Caco-2 cells was Na(+)- and temperature-dependent, pretreatment without
      Na(+) significantly increased the uptake of SPI by 1.85 times and incubated at
      low temperature (4  degrees C) SPI uptake increased 20% than that of 37  degrees
      C. Furthermore, SPI was transported mainly via a carrier-mediated transport:
      [Vmax = 5.364 MUg/mg protein, Km = 657.0 MUg/mL]. CONCLUSION: The uptake of
      spinosin (SPI) in Caco-2 cells was mainly regulated by the monocarboxylic acid
      transporters along with Salicylic acid.

PMID- 27275117
TI  - The effect of chitooligosaccharides on oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation in
      HepG2 cells.
AB  - This experiment aimed to evaluate the capacities of two types of
      chitooligosaccharides (COS) with different molecular weights for the ability to
      eliminate lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. We have established a lipid
      accumulation model in HepG2 cells for these studies in vitro, which was
      established by induction with oleic acid. The capacity of COS to eliminate lipid
      accumulation was evaluated using three metrics: the thiazolyl blue dye absorbance
      (MTT value), the morphology of intracellular lipid droplets and the triglyceride
      level (TG). Two types of COS with different molecular weights (1000 Da and 3000
      Da) can significantly reduce intracellular lipid accumulation and decrease TG
      content in HepG2 cells, in a dose-dependent fashion. We found that low molecular
      weight COS is more efficacious than high molecular weight COS. Two types of COS
      can eliminate lipid accumulation induced by oleic acid in HepG2 cells, leading to
      an obvious hypolipidemic effect in vitro. These results suggest that COS may be
      effective preventive agents in fatty liver disease. 

PMID- 27275118
TI  - Patients treatment with neuroglioma by teniposide and semustine and its influence
      on Twist and E-cadherin expression.
AB  - This study focuses on curative effects of teniposide combining with semustine on
      patients with neuroglioma and the influences on the expression of Twist and E
      cadherin in tissue. Sixty-eight patients with neuroglioma taking operation in our
      hospital were divided into two groups randomly. Single radiotherapy was given to
      34 patients in group A, and teniposide (VM-26) and semustine (Me-CCUN) were added
      to radiotherapy for 34 patients in group B. Then, curative effects, survival
      rate, living quality and adverse reaction rate after operation were compared
      between two groups. Moreover, the difference in positive expression rate of Twist
      and E-cadherin before and after treatment between two groups was analyzed by
      immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In group B, the effective rate of treatment was
      88.2%, and the disease control rate was 70.6%, higher than 52.9% and 32.4% in
      group A with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Moreover, the survival rate in
      three years of group B was 44.1%, and the score of living quality was 67.11 +/-
      4.32, and also higher than 23.5% and 63.79 +/- 4.53 in group A with statistical
      significance (P < 0.05). However, the difference between two groups in adverse
      reaction rate has no statistical significance (P > 0.05). In addition, the
      difference in positive expression rate of Twist and E-cadherin between group A
      and group B has no statistical significance before treatment (P > 0.05). After
      treatment, however, the positive rate of Twist in group B is lower than that in
      group A, while the positive rate of E-cadherin is higher. Both differences have
      statistical significance (P < 0.05). Chemotherapy of VM-26 combining with Me-CCNU
      can inhibit Twist expression and improve the expression rate of E-cadherin to
      help improving the curative effects and living quality and increasing survival
      rate.

PMID- 27275119
TI  - Biomechanical analysis of press-extension technique on degenerative lumbar with
      disc herniation and staggered facet joint.
AB  - This study investigates the effect of a new Chinese massage technique named
      "press-extension" on degenerative lumbar with disc herniation and facet joint
      dislocation, and provides a biomechanical explanation of this massage technique.
      Self-developed biomechanical software was used to establish a normal L1-S1 lumbar
      3D FE model, which integrated the spine CT and MRI data-based anatomical
      structure. Then graphic technique is utilized to build a degenerative lumbar FE
      model with disc herniation and facet joint dislocation. According to the actual
      press-extension experiments, mechanic parameters are collected to set boundary
      condition for FE analysis. The result demonstrated that press-extension
      techniques bring the annuli fibrosi obvious induction effect, making the central
      nucleus pulposus forward close, increasing the pressure in front part. Study
      concludes that finite element modelling for lumbar spine is suitable for the
      analysis of press-extension technique impact on lumbar intervertebral disc
      biomechanics, to provide the basis for the disease mechanism of intervertebral
      disc herniation using press-extension technique. 

PMID- 27275120
TI  - Structure characteristics of self-bonding boards during hot press for leukemia
      inhibition.
AB  - 80% leukemia was caused by indoor formaldehyde pollution. And the results have
      shown that the absorbances of many connection bonds (such as C-O-C, and C-OOC)
      increased. It could be inferred that a lot of bonds were produced and played the
      role of molecular crosslinking. After hot press, the content of lignin in
      Eucalyptus wood fiber was all lower than the ones of self-bonding boards. And the
      change of content of lignin was closely related to time and temperature of hot
      press. 

PMID- 27275121
TI  - Research on AIDS patients' survival time after highly active antiretroviral
      therapy, treatment effect and treatment modes.
AB  - To fully define clinical efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy for
      AIDS, analyze patients' survival time and treatment mode after receiving
      treatment, and provide scientific theory to guide improvement of antiviral
      therapy, this paper selected 3100 cases of patients diagnosed with AIDS during
      April 2006 and April 2014 as object of this study. All patients were treated with
      highly active antiretroviral therapy. The main analysis contents of this study
      include CD4 + T lymphocyte count, viral load changes, incidence of opportunistic
      infections, specific cause of death and the like. The results show that patients'
      CD4 + T lymphocyte levels are significantly increased 3, 18, and 24 months after
      treatment, difference between the situation after and before receiving treatment,
      P < 0.05, with statistically significant difference. Analyzed from effective
      inhibition of virus, effective inhibition rate is 72.58.0% (2250/3100). Main
      causes of death in patients is usually respiratory failure. It thus can be
      concluded that highly active antiretroviral therapy for AIDS is with good
      clinical effect, which can effectively improve survival time of patients. So it
      enjoys application value of being widely used in clinical treatment of AIDS. 

PMID- 27275122
TI  - Effect of cynomorium flavonoids on morphology of perimenopausal depression mice
      model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this report, the effects of cynomorium flavonoids on mouse model of
      perimenopausal depression were investigated. METHOD: 60 ovariectomized female
      mice were randomly divided into 6 groups evenly: high, medium and low doses of
      cynomorium flavonoids groups (400 mg kg(-1), 200 mg kg(-1), 100 mg kg(-1)),
      Gengnian'an capsule group (675 mg kg(-1)), soy isoflavones soft capsule group
      (250 mg kg(-1)), and model group. Give the corresponding drug five days after
      surgery once a day, consecutive thirty days. The model group and control group
      were given the water of same volume. The model related groups were applied with
      different stress for consecutive eighteen days. Kill the mice and remove the
      thymus, spleen, uterus and one hand of brain when it is 2 h after the last
      administration in mice of each group. Observe the histological changes of each
      group under light microscope. RESULTS: By observing the pathological section,
      compared with model group, the pathological changes of the uterus and
      hypothalamus of mice were significantly improved. The thymic cortex markedly
      thickened, volume of splenic nodule also significantly increased, and the number
      of lymphocytes significantly increased (p < 0.01). Simulation results show that
      the high dose of cynomorium flavonoids group has the best effective. CONCLUSION:
      Cynomorium flavonoids on mouse uterus, hypothalamus, thymus and spleen lesions
      have a significant role in the improvement. Cynomorium flavonoids have a good
      therapeutic effect on mice with perimenopausal depression.

PMID- 27275123
TI  - Ablation effects of noninvasive radiofrequency field-induced hyperthermia on
      liver cancer cells.
AB  - To have in-depth analysis of clinical ablation effect of noninvasive
      radiofrequency field-induced hyperthermia on liver cancer cells, this paper
      collected liver cancer patients' treatment information from 10 hospitals during
      January 2010 and December 2011, from which 1050 cases of patients were randomly
      selected as study object of observation group who underwent noninvasive
      radiofrequency field-induced hyperthermia treatment; in addition, 500 cases of
      liver cancer patients were randomly selected as study object of control group who
      underwent clinical surgical treatment. After treatment was completed, three years
      of return visit were done, survival rates of the two groups of patients after 1
      year, 2 years, and 3 years were compared, and clinical effects of radiofrequency
      ablation of liver cancer were evaluated. Zoom results show that the two groups
      are similar in terms of survival rate, and the difference is without statistical
      significance. 125 patients in observation group had varying degrees of adverse
      reactions, while 253 patients in control group had adverse reactions. There was
      difference between groups P < 0.05, with significant statistical significance. It
      can be concluded that radiofrequency ablation of liver cancer is more secure.
      Therefore, the results of this study fully demonstrate that liver cancer
      treatment with noninvasive radiofrequency field-induced hyperthermia is with
      safety effect and satisfactory survival rate, thus with relatively high clinical
      value in clinical practice. 

PMID- 27275124
TI  - Serum TNF-alpha, GTH and MDA of high-fat diet-induced obesity and obesity
      resistant rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Mechanism of high fat diet-induced obesity is analyzed and serum tumor
      necrosis factor, malondialdehyde and glutathione levels of obesity resistant rats
      are effectively analyzed. METHODS: 120 male SD rats were grouped into obesity
      group and control group, each group with 60 rats. Obese rats were fed with high
      fat diet, while control rats were fed with ordinary fodder. After six months of
      feeding, growth degree of two groups of rats is observed , and the rats are
      divided into obesity group and obesity resistant group based on extent of growth.
      Then glutathione, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and MDA content in bat serum are
      detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The content of tumor
      necrosis factor alpha in obese rats and obesity resistant rats is far higher than
      that in control group (P < 0.05), there exists no statistical significance (P >
      0.05) in tumor necrosis factor alpha in obesity group and obesity resistant
      group, glutathione level of obesity group rats and obesity resistant group rats
      is significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with that of control group, and
      also serum MDA level of the two groups has statistical significance compared with
      that of normal control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among rats fed with high fat
      diet, in comparison with weight of obesity resistant rats and control group rats,
      there is no statistically significant difference, (P > 0.05). However, high fat
      diet will impact mechanisms in vivo in rats, which then induces oxidative stress
      response and inflammatory response in rats.

PMID- 27275125
TI  - Pathogen distribution and drug resistance of nephrology patients with urinary
      tract infections.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pathogen distribution characteristics of nephrology patients with
      urinary tract infections are studied, and drug resistance of nephrology and
      urinary tract infection disease are analyzed, so as to provide sufficient
      evidence for treatment of patients. METHODS: Conduct randomized control study of
      3500 cases of nephrology patients with urinary tract infections treated in
      different hospitals from December 2013 to December 2015, isolate pathogens in
      patients' urine samples, perform identification and drug sensitive test and then
      conduct detailed analysis of drug resistance of pathogens. RESULTS: Through
      isolation of pathogens, it can be found that all pathogens include Escherichia
      coli, Gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacteria, fungi, Acinetobacter
      baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, and urinary Enterococcus. Among them,
      proportion of E. coli is the largest. Patients have relatively high drug
      resistance to ceftriaxone, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and cotrimoxazole.
      CONCLUSION: For nephrology patients with urinary tract infection, the main
      pathogen is E. coli, which has had some drug resistance. Drug resistance
      detection of pathogen should be strengthened in clinics, so as to provide strong
      guidance for clinical treatment and promote effective treatment of patients.

PMID- 27275126
TI  - Protective effect of Astragaloside IV against sepsis-induced acute lung injury in
      rats.
AB  - The study aimed to explore the protective effects of AS-IV against sepsis-induced
      ALI. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method in Sprague
      Dawley rats. Rats were randomly assigned into five groups: animals undergoing a
      sham CLP (sham group); animals undergoing CLP (CLP group); animals undergoing CLP
      and treated with AS-IV at 2.5 mg/kg bw (low-dose AS-IV [L-AS] group), at 5 mg/kg
      bw (mid-dose AS-IV [M-AS] group), and at 10 mg/kg bw (high-dose AS-IV [H-AS]
      group). At 6 h, 12 h and 24 h post-CLP surgery, six rats were respectively
      sacrificed to collect blood and lung tissue samples. The levels of arterial blood
      gas index, lung water content, protein level and leukocyte counts (total amount,
      neutrophils and lymphocytes) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and cytokines
      such as TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF were measured at each time point in different
      groups. HE-staining and optical microscopy were performed to examine the
      pathological changes in lungs. The 72 h-survival rate of each group was also
      recorded. PaO2 was decreased significantly, while the lung water content, BALF
      protein level, cell numbers, BALF cytokine TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were
      increased significantly for CLP group as compared with sham group. Moreover,
      pathological injury was observed in lung tissue indicating the successful sepsis
      induced ALI model. Speaking of the effect of AS-IV, we founded that, compared
      with the CLP group, the AS-IV treatment groups could significantly alleviate all
      the above negative changes exited in the CLP group in a dose-dependent manner.
      What's more, the pathological injury was also gradually improved by AS-IV
      treatment compared with the CLP rats. AS-IV exerts its protective effect against
      sepsis-induced ALI in rats via improving pulmonary ventilation function,
      decreasing the permeability of alveolar epithelium and capillary as well as
      repressing lung inflammation. 

PMID- 27275127
TI  - Analgesic effect and possible mechanism of SCH772984 intrathecal injection on
      rats with bone cancer pain.
AB  - This study is to establish a model of rat tibial osteocarcinoma pain,
      intrathecally inject specific ERK1/2 inhibitors SCH772984, observe the analgesic
      effect, and discuss the influence of ERK-P90RSK-Fos signal path in bone cancer
      pain. Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Establish a bone
      cancer pain model after putting the intrathecal tube 5d and determine the rats'
      mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) after tube 5d; 40 SD rats with intrathecal
      tube back 5d were randomly divided into 5 groups. Sham Group receives no
      medication, the other four respectively receive 5% DMSO 10 MUl, SCH 0.1, 1.0, 10
      MUg (SCH dissolved in 10 MUl 5% DMSO) intrathecally. Determine the rats'
      mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) before and after giving medication 1, 3, 6,
      9, 12, 15, 18, 24 h, and 2 min spontaneous paw withdrawal. Western blot and
      immuno-fluorescence determine the expression condition of spinal cord dorsal horn
      of p-ERK, p-p90RSK and Fos protein. Intrathecal injection of SCH772984 has
      analgesic effects on rats with bone cancer pain, and the effects enhance with
      increasing dose; intrathecal injection of SCH772984 10 MUg could greatly reduce
      the expression of spinal dorsal horn Fos protein. Injecting walker 256 tumor
      cells into rats' tibia could cause behavior changes, such as idiopathic pain
      sensitivity and pain; the intrathecal tube almost has no effect on motor function
      of rats; ERK1/2 is involved in bone cancer pain, and intrathecal injection of
      ERK1/2 specific inhibitors SCH772984 10 MUg may effectively relieve bone cancer
      pain. 

PMID- 27275128
TI  - Preparation and evaluation of rotigotine-loaded implant for the treatment of
      Parkinson's disease and its evolution study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop rotigotine-loaded implants (RI) to achieve continuous release
      of rotigotine for long duration for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD).
      METHODS: RI was prepared by hot-melt extrusion method using poly (lactide-co
      glycolide) (PLGA) as the matrix. In vitro drug release was optimized by drug
      loading, melting temperature during preparing process and additives. The surface
      and internal morphology of RI was imaged by SEM. The in vivo release profile of
      RI was investigated on rat. RESULTS: RI prepared with PLGA 7525 5A showed
      sustained release of 40 days while suffering a lag phase, which was significantly
      shortened by blending 5050 2A and mannitol in the matrix. RI prepared by 7525
      5A/5050 2A/mannitol = 55:10:5 (rotigotine 30%) showed a 40-day sustained release
      in vivo with no lag phase. The drug release from RI was also affected by drug
      loading and melting temperature probably due to the drug state existed in the
      implant. The evolution of implants during release process was correlated well
      with the drug release kinetics. CONCLUSION: RI could achieve sustained drug
      release for 40 days which could supply an alternative of continuous dopaminergic
      stimulation (CDS) for the treatment of PD.

PMID- 27275129
TI  - The standard aqueous stem bark extract of Mangifera indica L. inhibits toxic PLA2
      - NN-XIb-PLA2 of Indian cobra venom.
AB  - The aqueous extract of Mangifera indica is known to possess diverse medicinal
      properties, which also includes anti-snake venom activities. However, its
      inhibitory potency and mechanism of action on multi-toxic snake venom
      phospholipases A2s are still unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was
      to evaluate the modulatory effect of standard aqueous bark extract of M. indica
      on NN-XIb-PLA2 of Indian cobra venom. The in vitro sPLA2, in situ hemolytic and
      in vivo edema inhibition effect were carried out as described. Also the effect of
      substrate and calcium concentration was carried out. M. indica extract dose
      dependently inhibited the GIA sPLA2 (NN-XIb-PLA2) activity with an IC50 value of
      7.6 MUg/ml. M. indica extract effectively inhibited the indirect hemolytic
      activity up to 98% at ~40 MUg/ml concentration. Further, M. indica extract (0-50
      MUg/ml) inhibited the edema formed in a dose dependent manner. When examined as a
      function of increased substrate and calcium concentration, there was no relieve
      of inhibitory effect of M. indica extract on the NN-XIb-PLA2. Further, the
      inhibition was irreversible as evident from binding studies. The in vitro
      inhibition is well correlated with in situ and in vivo edema inhibiting
      activities of M. indica. As the inhibition is independent of substrate and
      calcium and was irreversible, it can be concluded that M. indica extract mode of
      inhibition could be due to direct interaction of components present in the
      extract with the PLA2 enzyme. The aqueous extract of M. indica effectively
      inhibits svPLA2 enzymatic and its associated toxic activities, which substantiate
      their anti-snake venom properties. Further in-depth studies on the role and
      mechanism of the principal constituents present in the extract, responsible for
      the anti-PLA2 activity will be interesting to develop them into potent antisnake
      component and also as an anti-inflammatory agent. 

PMID- 27275130
TI  - Investigation of the Mechanism of Electron Capture and Electron Transfer
      Dissociation of Peptides with a Covalently Attached Free Radical Hydrogen Atom
      Scavenger.
AB  - The mechanisms of electron capture and electron transfer dissociation (ECD and
      ETD) are investigated by covalently attaching a free-radical hydrogen atom
      scavenger to a peptide. The 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-l-oxyl (TEMPO) radical
      was chosen as the scavenger due to its high hydrogen atom affinity (ca. 280
      kJ/mol) and low electron affinity (ca. 0.45 ev), and was derivatized to the model
      peptide, FQXTEMPOEEQQQTEDELQDK. The XTEMPO residue represents a cysteinyl residue
      derivatized with an acetamido-TEMPO group. The acetamide group without TEMPO was
      also examined as a control. The gas phase proton affinity (882 kJ/mol) of TEMPO
      is similar to backbone amide carbonyls (889 kJ/mol), minimizing perturbation to
      internal solvation and sites of protonation of the derivatized peptides.
      Collision induced dissociation (CID) of the TEMPO tagged peptide dication
      generated stable odd-electron b and y type ions without indication of any TEMPO
      radical induced fragmentation initiated by hydrogen abstraction. The type and
      abundance of fragment ions observed in the CID spectra of the TEMPO and acetamide
      tagged peptides are very similar. However, ECD of the TEMPO labeled peptide
      dication yielded no backbone cleavage. We propose that a labile hydrogen atom in
      the charge reduced radical ions is scavenged by the TEMPO radical moiety,
      resulting in inhibition of N-Calpha backbone cleavage processes. Supplemental
      activation after electron attachment (ETcaD) and CID of the charge-reduced
      precursor ion generated by electron transfer of the TEMPO tagged peptide dication
      produced a series of b + H (bH) and y + H (yH) ions along with some c ions having
      suppressed intensities, consistent with stable O-H bond formation at the TEMPO
      group. In summary, the results indicate that ECD and ETD backbone cleavage
      processes are inhibited by scavenging of a labile hydrogen atom by the localized
      TEMPO radical moiety. This observation supports the conjecture that ECD and ETD
      processes involve long-lived intermediates formed by electron capture/transfer in
      which a labile hydrogen atom is present and plays a key role with low energy
      processes leading to c and z ion formation. Ab initio and density functional
      calculations are performed to support our conclusion, which depends most
      importantly on the proton affinity, electron affinity and hydrogen atom affinity
      of the TEMPO moiety.

PMID- 27275131
TI  - How much training data for facial action unit detection?
AB  - By systematically varying the number of subjects and the number of frames per
      subject, we explored the influence of training set size on appearance and shape
      based approaches to facial action unit (AU) detection. Digital video and expert
      coding of spontaneous facial activity from 80 subjects (over 350,000 frames) were
      used to train and test support vector machine classifiers. Appearance features
      were shape-normalized SIFT descriptors and shape features were 66 facial
      landmarks. Ten-fold cross-validation was used in all evaluations. Number of
      subjects and number of frames per subject differentially affected appearance and
      shape-based classifiers. For appearance features, which are high-dimensional,
      increasing the number of training subjects from 8 to 64 incrementally improved
      performance, regardless of the number of frames taken from each subject (ranging
      from 450 through 3600). In contrast, for shape features, increases in the number
      of training subjects and frames were associated with mixed results. In summary,
      maximal performance was attained using appearance features from large numbers of
      subjects with as few as 450 frames per subject. These findings suggest that
      variation in the number of subjects rather than number of frames per subject
      yields most efficient performance.

PMID- 27275132
TI  - Accuracy in Rietveld quantitative phase analysis: a comparative study of strictly
      monochromatic Mo and Cu radiations.
AB  - This study reports 78 Rietveld quantitative phase analyses using Cu Kalpha1, Mo
      Kalpha1 and synchrotron radiations. Synchrotron powder diffraction has been used
      to validate the most challenging analyses. From the results for three series with
      increasing contents of an analyte (an inorganic crystalline phase, an organic
      crystalline phase and a glass), it is inferred that Rietveld analyses from high
      energy Mo Kalpha1 radiation have slightly better accuracies than those obtained
      from Cu Kalpha1 radiation. This behaviour has been established from the results
      of the calibration graphics obtained through the spiking method and also from
      Kullback-Leibler distance statistic studies. This outcome is explained, in spite
      of the lower diffraction power for Mo radiation when compared to Cu radiation, as
      arising because of the larger volume tested with Mo and also because higher
      energy allows one to record patterns with fewer systematic errors. The limit of
      detection (LoD) and limit of quantification (LoQ) have also been established for
      the studied series. For similar recording times, the LoDs in Cu patterns, ~0.2
      wt%, are slightly lower than those derived from Mo patterns, ~0.3 wt%. The LoQ
      for a well crystallized inorganic phase using laboratory powder diffraction was
      established to be close to 0.10 wt% in stable fits with good precision. However,
      the accuracy of these analyses was poor with relative errors near to 100%. Only
      contents higher than 1.0 wt% yielded analyses with relative errors lower than
      20%.

PMID- 27275133
TI  - In situ diagnostics of the crystal-growth process through neutron imaging:
      application to scintillators.
AB  - Neutrons are known to be unique probes in situations where other types of
      radiation fail to penetrate samples and their surrounding structures. In this
      paper it is demonstrated how thermal and cold neutron radiography can provide
      time-resolved imaging of materials while they are being processed (e.g. while
      growing single crystals). The processing equipment, in this case furnaces, and
      the scintillator materials are opaque to conventional X-ray interrogation
      techniques. The distribution of the europium activator within a BaBrCl:Eu
      scintillator (0.1 and 0.5% nominal doping concentrations per mole) is studied in
      situ during the melting and solidification processes with a temporal resolution
      of 5-7 s. The strong tendency of the Eu dopant to segregate during the
      solidification process is observed in repeated cycles, with Eu forming clusters
      on multiple length scales (only for clusters larger than ~50 um, as limited by
      the resolution of the present experiments). It is also demonstrated that the
      dopant concentration can be quantified even for very low concentration levels
      (~0.1%) in 10 mm thick samples. The interface between the solid and liquid phases
      can also be imaged, provided there is a sufficient change in concentration of one
      of the elements with a sufficient neutron attenuation cross section. Tomographic
      imaging of the BaBrCl:0.1%Eu sample reveals a strong correlation between crystal
      fractures and Eu-deficient clusters. The results of these experiments demonstrate
      the unique capabilities of neutron imaging for in situ diagnostics and the
      optimization of crystal-growth procedures.

PMID- 27275134
TI  - NearTree, a data structure and a software toolkit for the nearest-neighbor
      problem.
AB  - Many problems in crystallography and other fields can be treated as nearest
      neighbor problems. The neartree data structure provides a flexible way to
      organize and retrieve metric data. In some cases, it can provide near-optimal
      performance. NearTree is a software tool that constructs neartrees and provides a
      number of different query tools.

PMID- 27275135
TI  - Structure of nanocrystalline calcium silicate hydrates: insights from X-ray
      diffraction, synchrotron X-ray absorption and nuclear magnetic resonance.
AB  - The structure of nanocrystalline calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) having Ca/Si
      ratios ranging between 0.57 +/- 0.05 and 1.47 +/- 0.04 was studied using an
      electron probe micro-analyser, powder X-ray diffraction, 29Si magic angle
      spinning NMR, and Fourier-transform infrared and synchrotron X-ray absorption
      spectroscopies. All samples can be described as nanocrystalline and defective
      tobermorite. At low Ca/Si ratio, the Si chains are defect free and the Si Q3 and
      Q2 environments account, respectively, for up to 40.2 +/- 1.5% and 55.6 +/- 3.0%
      of the total Si, with part of the Q3 Si being attributable to remnants of the
      synthesis reactant. As the Ca/Si ratio increases up to 0.87 +/- 0.02, the Si Q3
      environment decreases down to 0 and is preferentially replaced by the Q2
      environment, which reaches 87.9 +/- 2.0%. At higher ratios, Q2 decreases down to
      32.0 +/- 7.6% for Ca/Si = 1.38 +/- 0.03 and is replaced by the Q1 environment,
      which peaks at 68.1 +/- 3.8%. The combination of X-ray diffraction and NMR
      allowed capturing the depolymerization of Si chains as well as a two-step
      variation in the layer-to-layer distance. This latter first increases from ~11.3
      A (for samples having a Ca/Si ratio <~0.6) up to 12.25 A at Ca/Si = 0.87 +/-
      0.02, probably as a result of a weaker layer-to-layer connectivity, and then
      decreases down to 11 A when the Ca/Si ratio reaches 1.38 +/- 0.03. The decrease
      in layer-to-layer distance results from the incorporation of interlayer Ca that
      may form a Ca(OH)2-like structure, nanocrystalline and intermixed with C-S-H
      layers, at high Ca/Si ratios.

PMID- 27275136
TI  - X-ray diffraction from nonuniformly stretched helical molecules.
AB  - The fibrous proteins in living cells are exposed to mechanical forces interacting
      with other subcellular structures. X-ray fiber diffraction is often used to
      assess deformation and movement of these proteins, but the analysis has been
      limited to the theory for fibrous molecular systems that exhibit helical
      symmetry. However, this approach cannot adequately interpret X-ray data from
      fibrous protein assemblies where the local strain varies along the fiber length
      owing to interactions of its molecular constituents with their binding partners.
      To resolve this problem a theoretical formulism has been developed for predicting
      the diffraction from individual helical molecular structures nonuniformly
      strained along their lengths. This represents a critical first step towards
      modeling complex dynamical systems consisting of multiple helical structures
      using spatially explicit, multi-scale Monte Carlo simulations where predictions
      are compared with experimental data in a 'forward' process to iteratively
      generate ever more realistic models. Here the effects of nonuniform strains and
      the helix length on the resulting magnitude and phase of diffraction patterns are
      quantitatively assessed. Examples of the predicted diffraction patterns of
      nonuniformly deformed double-stranded DNA and actin filaments in contracting
      muscle are presented to demonstrate the feasibly of this theoretical approach.

PMID- 27275137
TI  - A crystallization apparatus for temperature-controlled flow-cell dialysis with
      real-time visualization.
AB  - Many instrumentation developments in crystallization have concentrated on massive
      parallelization assays and reduction of sample volume per experiment to find
      initial crystallization conditions. Yet improving the size and diffraction
      quality of the crystals for diffraction studies often requires decoupling of
      crystal nucleation and growth. This in turn requires the control of variables
      such as precipitant and protein concentration, equilibration rate, and
      temperature, which are all difficult parameters to control in the existing
      setups. The success of the temperature-controlled batch method, originally
      developed to grow very large crystals for neutron crystallography, demonstrated
      that the rational optimization of crystal growth has potential in structural
      biology. A temperature-controlled dialysis button has been developed for our
      previous device, and a prototype of an integrated apparatus for the rational
      optimization of crystal growth by mapping and manipulating temperature
      precipitant concentration phase diagrams has been constructed. The presented
      approach differs from the current paradigm, since it involves serial instead of
      parallel experiments, exploring multiple crystallization conditions with the same
      protein sample. The sample is not consumed in the experiment and the conditions
      can be changed in a reversible fashion, using dialysis with a flowing precipitant
      reservoir as well as precise temperature control. The control software allows
      visualization of the crystals, as well as control of the temperature and
      composition of the crystallization solution. The rational crystallization
      optimization strategies presented here allow tailoring of crystal size,
      morphology and diffraction quality, significantly reducing the time, effort and
      amount of expensive protein material required for structure determination.

PMID- 27275138
TI  - Quantifying radiation damage in biomolecular small-angle X-ray scattering.
AB  - Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is an increasingly popular technique that
      provides low-resolution structural information about biological macromolecules in
      solution. Many of the practical limitations of the technique, such as minimum
      required sample volume, and of experimental design, such as sample flow cells,
      are necessary because the biological samples are sensitive to damage from the X
      rays. Radiation damage typically manifests as aggregation of the sample, which
      makes the collected data unreliable. However, there has been little systematic
      investigation of the most effective methods to reduce damage rates, and results
      from previous damage studies are not easily compared with results from other
      beamlines. Here a methodology is provided for quantifying radiation damage in
      SAXS to provide consistent results between different experiments, experimenters
      and beamlines. These methods are demonstrated on radiation damage data collected
      from lysozyme, glucose isomerase and xylanase, and it is found that no single
      metric is sufficient to describe radiation damage in SAXS for all samples. The
      radius of gyration, molecular weight and integrated SAXS profile intensity
      constitute a minimal set of parameters that capture all types of observed
      behavior. Radiation sensitivities derived from these parameters show a large
      protein dependence, varying by up to six orders of magnitude between the
      different proteins tested. This work should enable consistent reporting of
      radiation damage effects, allowing more systematic studies of the most effective
      minimization strategies.

PMID- 27275139
TI  - Neutron and hard X-ray diffraction studies of the isothermal transformation
      kinetics in the research reactor fuel candidate U-8 wt%Mo.
AB  - Exposing uranium-molybdenum alloys (UMo) retained in the gamma phase to elevated
      temperatures leads to transformation reactions during which the gamma-UMo phase
      decomposes into the thermal equilibrium phases, i.e. U2Mo and alpha-U. Since
      alpha-U is not suitable for a nuclear fuel exposed to high burn-up, it is
      necessary to retain the gamma-UMo phase during the production process of the fuel
      elements for modern high-performance research reactors. The present work deals
      with the isothermal transformation kinetics in U-8 wt%Mo alloys for temperatures
      between 673 and 798 K and annealing durations of up to 48 h. Annealed samples
      were examined at room temperature using either X-ray or neutron diffraction to
      determine the phase composition after thermal treatment, and in situ annealing
      studies disclosed the onset of phase decomposition. While for temperatures of 698
      and 673 K the start of decomposition is delayed, for higher temperatures the
      first signs of transformation are already observable within 3 h of annealing. The
      typical C-shaped curves in a time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram for
      both the start and the end of phase decomposition could be determined in the
      observed temperature regime. Therefore, a revised TTT diagram for U-8 wt%Mo
      between 673 and 798 K and annealing durations of up to 48 h is proposed.

PMID- 27275140
TI  - Ultra-small-angle neutron scattering with azimuthal asymmetry.
AB  - Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements from thin sections of rock
      samples such as shales demand as great a scattering vector range as possible
      because the pores cover a wide range of sizes. The limitation of the scattering
      vector range for pinhole SANS requires slit-smeared ultra-SANS (USANS)
      measurements that need to be converted to pinhole geometry. The desmearing
      algorithm is only successful for azimuthally symmetric data. Scattering from
      samples cut parallel to the plane of bedding is symmetric, exhibiting circular
      contours on a two-dimensional detector. Samples cut perpendicular to the bedding
      show elliptically dependent contours with the long axis corresponding to the
      normal to the bedding plane. A method is given for converting such asymmetric
      data collected on a double-crystal diffractometer for concatenation with the
      usual pinhole-geometry SANS data. The aspect ratio from the SANS data is used to
      modify the slit-smeared USANS data to produce quasi-symmetric contours. Rotation
      of the sample about the incident beam may result in symmetric data but cannot
      extract the same information as obtained from pinhole geometry.

PMID- 27275141
TI  - Fast two-dimensional grid and transmission X-ray microscopy scanning methods for
      visualizing and characterizing protein crystals.
AB  - A fast continuous grid scan protocol has been incorporated into the Swiss Light
      Source (SLS) data acquisition and analysis software suite on the macromolecular
      crystallography (MX) beamlines. Its combination with fast readout single-photon
      counting hybrid pixel array detectors (PILATUS and EIGER) allows for diffraction
      based identification of crystal diffraction hotspots and the location and
      centering of membrane protein microcrystals in the lipid cubic phase (LCP) in in
      meso in situ serial crystallography plates and silicon nitride supports.
      Diffraction-based continuous grid scans with both still and oscillation images
      are supported. Examples that include a grid scan of a large (50 nl) LCP bolus and
      analysis of the resulting diffraction images are presented. Scanning transmission
      X-ray microscopy (STXM) complements and benefits from fast grid scanning. STXM
      has been demonstrated at the SLS beamline X06SA for near-zero-dose detection of
      protein crystals mounted on different types of sample supports at room and
      cryogenic temperatures. Flash-cooled crystals in nylon loops were successfully
      identified in differential and integrated phase images. Crystals of just 10 um
      thickness were visible in integrated phase images using data collected with the
      EIGER detector. STXM offers a truly low-dose method for locating crystals on
      solid supports prior to diffraction data collection at both synchrotron
      microfocusing and free-electron laser X-ray facilities.

PMID- 27275142
TI  - Rapid automated superposition of shapes and macromolecular models using spherical
      harmonics.
AB  - A rapid algorithm to superimpose macromolecular models in Fourier space is
      proposed and implemented (SUPALM). The method uses a normalized integrated cross
      term of the scattering amplitudes as a proximity measure between two three
      dimensional objects. The reciprocal-space algorithm allows for direct matching of
      heterogeneous objects including high- and low-resolution models represented by
      atomic coordinates, beads or dummy residue chains as well as electron microscopy
      density maps and inhomogeneous multi-phase models (e.g. of protein-nucleic acid
      complexes). Using spherical harmonics for the computation of the amplitudes, the
      method is up to an order of magnitude faster than the real-space algorithm
      implemented in SUPCOMB by Kozin & Svergun [J. Appl. Cryst. (2001 ?), 34, 33-41].
      The utility of the new method is demonstrated in a number of test cases and
      compared with the results of SUPCOMB. The spherical harmonics algorithm is best
      suited for low-resolution shape models, e.g. those provided by solution
      scattering experiments, but also facilitates a rapid cross-validation against
      structural models obtained by other methods.

PMID- 27275144
TI  - Identification of rogue datasets in serial crystallography.
AB  - Advances in beamline optics, detectors and X-ray sources allow new techniques of
      crystallographic data collection. In serial crystallography, a large number of
      partial datasets from crystals of small volume are measured. Merging of datasets
      from different crystals in order to enhance data completeness and accuracy is
      only valid if the crystals are isomorphous, i.e. sufficiently similar in cell
      parameters, unit-cell contents and molecular structure. Identification and
      exclusion of non-isomorphous datasets is therefore indispensable and must be done
      by means of suitable indicators. To identify rogue datasets, the influence of
      each dataset on CC1/2 [Karplus & Diederichs (2012 ?). Science, 336, 1030-1033],
      the correlation coefficient between pairs of intensities averaged in two randomly
      assigned subsets of observations, is evaluated. The presented method employs a
      precise calculation of CC1/2 that avoids the random assignment, and instead of
      using an overall CC1/2, an average over resolution shells is employed to obtain
      sensible results. The selection procedure was verified by measuring the
      correlation of observed (merged) intensities and intensities calculated from a
      model. It is found that inclusion and merging of non-isomorphous datasets may
      bias the refined model towards those datasets, and measures to reduce this effect
      are suggested.

PMID- 27275145
TI  - Modeling truncated pixel values of faint reflections in MicroED images.
AB  - The weak pixel counts surrounding the Bragg spots in a diffraction image are
      important for establishing a model of the background underneath the peak and
      estimating the reliability of the integrated intensities. Under certain
      circumstances, particularly with equipment not optimized for low-intensity
      measurements, these pixel values may be corrupted by corrections applied to the
      raw image. This can lead to truncation of low pixel counts, resulting in
      anomalies in the integrated Bragg intensities, such as systematically higher
      signal-to-noise ratios. A correction for this effect can be approximated by a
      three-parameter lognormal distribution fitted to the weakly positive-valued
      pixels at similar scattering angles. The procedure is validated by the improved
      refinement of an atomic model against structure factor amplitudes derived from
      corrected micro-electron diffraction (MicroED) images.

PMID- 27275143
TI  - Room-temperature macromolecular crystallography using a micro-patterned silicon
      chip with minimal background scattering.
AB  - Recent success at X-ray free-electron lasers has led to serial crystallography
      experiments staging a comeback at synchrotron sources as well. With crystal
      lifetimes typically in the millisecond range and the latest-generation detector
      technologies with high framing rates up to 1 kHz, fast sample exchange has become
      the bottleneck for such experiments. A micro-patterned chip has been developed
      from single-crystalline silicon, which acts as a sample holder for up to several
      thousand microcrystals at a very low background level. The crystals can be easily
      loaded onto the chip and excess mother liquor can be efficiently removed.
      Dehydration of the crystals is prevented by keeping them in a stream of
      humidified air during data collection. Further sealing of the sample holder, for
      example with Kapton, is not required. Room-temperature data collection from
      insulin crystals loaded onto the chip proves the applicability of the chip for
      macromolecular crystallography. Subsequent structure refinements reveal no
      radiation-damage-induced structural changes for insulin crystals up to a dose of
      565.6 kGy, even though the total diffraction power of the crystals has on average
      decreased to 19.1% of its initial value for the same dose. A decay of the
      diffracting power by half is observed for a dose of D1/2 = 147.5 +/- 19.1 kGy,
      which is about 1/300 of the dose before crystals show a similar decay at
      cryogenic temperatures.

PMID- 27275146
TI  - Data processing pipeline for serial femtosecond crystallography at SACLA.
AB  - A data processing pipeline for serial femtosecond crystallography at SACLA was
      developed, based on Cheetah [Barty et al. (2014). J. Appl. Cryst.47, 1118-1131]
      and CrystFEL [White et al. (2016). J. Appl. Cryst.49, 680-689]. The original
      programs were adapted for data acquisition through the SACLA API, thread and
      inter-node parallelization, and efficient image handling. The pipeline consists
      of two stages: The first, online stage can analyse all images in real time, with
      a latency of less than a few seconds, to provide feedback on hit rate and
      detector saturation. The second, offline stage converts hit images into HDF5
      files and runs CrystFEL for indexing and integration. The size of the filtered
      compressed output is comparable to that of a synchrotron data set. The pipeline
      enables real-time feedback and rapid structure solution during beamtime.

PMID- 27275147
TI  - Hummingbird: monitoring and analyzing flash X-ray imaging experiments in real
      time.
AB  - Advances in X-ray detectors and increases in the brightness of X-ray sources
      combined with more efficient sample delivery techniques have brought about
      tremendous increases in the speed of data collection in diffraction experiments.
      Using X-ray free-electron lasers such as the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS),
      more than 100 diffraction patterns can be collected in a second. These high data
      rates are invaluable for flash X-ray imaging (FXI), where aerosolized samples are
      exposed to the X-ray beam and the resulting diffraction patterns are used to
      reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the sample. Such experiments require
      immediate feedback on the quality of the data collected to adjust or validate
      experimental parameters, such as aerosol injector settings, beamline geometry or
      sample composition. The scarcity of available beamtime at the laser facilities
      makes any delay extremely costly. This paper presents Hummingbird, an open-source
      scalable Python-based software tool for real-time analysis of diffraction data
      with the purpose of giving users immediate feedback during their experiments.
      Hummingbird provides a fast, flexible and easy-to-use framework. It has already
      proven to be of great value in numerous FXI experiments at the LCLS.

PMID- 27275148
TI  - IOTA: integration optimization, triage and analysis tool for the processing of
      XFEL diffraction images.
AB  - Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) uses an X-ray free-electron laser to
      extract diffraction data from crystals not amenable to conventional X-ray light
      sources owing to their small size or radiation sensitivity. However, a limitation
      of SFX is the high variability of the diffraction images that are obtained. As a
      result, it is often difficult to determine optimal indexing and integration
      parameters for the individual diffraction images. Presented here is a software
      package, called IOTA, which uses a grid-search technique to determine optimal
      spot-finding parameters that can in turn affect the success of indexing and the
      quality of integration on an image-by-image basis. Integration results can be
      filtered using a priori information about the Bravais lattice and unit-cell
      dimensions and analyzed for unit-cell isomorphism, facilitating an improvement in
      subsequent data-processing steps.

PMID- 27275149
TI  - On the release of cppxfel for processing X-ray free-electron laser images.
AB  - As serial femtosecond crystallography expands towards a variety of delivery
      methods, including chip-based methods, and smaller collected data sets, the
      requirement to optimize the data analysis to produce maximum structure quality is
      becoming increasingly pressing. Here cppxfel, a software package primarily
      written in C++, which showcases several data analysis techniques, is released.
      This software package presently indexes images using DIALS (diffraction
      integration for advanced light sources) and performs an initial orientation
      matrix refinement, followed by post-refinement of individual images against a
      reference data set. Cppxfel is released with the hope that the unique and useful
      elements of this package can be repurposed for existing software packages.
      However, as released, it produces high-quality crystal structures and is
      therefore likely to be also useful to experienced users of X-ray free-electron
      laser (XFEL) software who wish to maximize the information extracted from a
      limited number of XFEL images.

PMID- 27275150
TI  - OnDA: online data analysis and feedback for serial X-ray imaging.
AB  - This article describes a free and open-source data analysis utility designed for
      fast online feedback during serial X-ray diffraction and scattering experiments:
      OnDA (online data analysis). Three complete real-time monitors for common types
      of serial X-ray imaging experiments are presented. These monitors are capable of
      providing the essential information required for quick decision making in the
      face of extreme rates of data collection. In addition, a set of modules,
      functions and algorithms that allow developers to modify the provided monitors or
      develop new ones are provided. The emphasis here is on simple, modular and
      scalable code that is based on open-source libraries and protocols. OnDA monitors
      have already proven to be invaluable tools in several experiments, especially for
      scoring and monitoring of diffraction data during serial crystallography
      experiments at both free-electron laser and synchrotron facilities. It is felt
      that in the future the kind of fast feedback that OnDA monitors provide will help
      researchers to deal with the expected very high throughput data flow at next
      generation facilities such as the European X-ray free-electron laser.

PMID- 27275151
TI  - DCC: a Swiss army knife for structure factor analysis and validation.
AB  - Since 2008, X-ray structure depositions to the Protein Data Bank archive (PDB)
      have required submission of experimental data in the form of structure factor
      files. RCSB PDB has developed the program DCC to allow worldwide PDB (wwPDB;
      http://wwpdb.org) biocurators, using a single command-line program, to invoke a
      number of third-party software packages to compare the model file with the
      experimental data. DCC functionality includes structure factor validation,
      electron-density map generation and slicing, local electron-density analysis, and
      residual B factor analysis. DCC outputs a summary containing various
      crystallographic statistics in PDBx/mmCIF format for use in automatic data
      processing and archiving pipelines.

PMID- 27275152
TI  - Retraction: Water hyacinth: a possible alternative rate retarding natural polymer
      used in sustained release tablet design.
AB  - [This retracts the article on p. 137 in vol. 5, PMID: 24966835.]. 

PMID- 27275153
TI  - Determinants of Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing
      Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Renal impairment is a known predictor of mortality in both the
      general population and in patients with cardiac disease. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate factors that determine mortality in patients with chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
      METHODS: In this study we included 293 consecutive patients with CKD who
      underwent PCI between 1st January 2007 and 30th September 2012. The primary
      outcome that we studied was all-cause mortality in a follow-up period of 12-69
      months (mean 38.8 +/- 21.7). RESULTS: Age (p < 0.001), PCI indication (p =
      0.035), CKD stage (p < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.001)
      were significantly related to mortality. CKD stage 5 [hazard ratio (HR) = 6.39,
      95% CI: 1.51-27.12) and severely impaired left ventricular function (HR = 4.04,
      95% CI: 2.15-7.59) were the strongest predictors of mortality. Other factors
      tested (gender, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, established peripheral
      vascular disease/stroke, coronary arteries intervened, number of vessels treated,
      number of stents implanted and length of lesion treated) did not show any
      correlation with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of patients with CKD
      undergoing PCI increases with age, worsening CKD stage and deteriorating left
      ventricular systolic function, and it is also higher in patients with acute
      coronary syndromes compared to those with stable coronary artery disease.

PMID- 27275154
TI  - Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Reflects Both Inflammation and
      Kidney Function in Patients with Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has emerged as
      a marker for acute kidney injury and cardiovascular outcome. However, the
      relative importance of inflammation versus kidney function on plasma NGAL levels
      is uncertain, making the interpretation of plasma NGAL unclear. Accordingly, we
      investigated the relationship between plasma NGAL, inflammation and kidney
      function in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: We prospectively
      included 584 patients with acute ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) treated with
      primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 2006 to 2008. Blood samples
      were drawn immediately before PCI. Additionally, we included 42 patients who had
      4 blood samples drawn before and after PCI. Plasma NGAL was measured using a time
      resolved immunofluorometric assay. Cross-sectional analyses were performed in
      these two single-center, prospective study cohorts. RESULTS: Estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (eGFR) was associated significantly more strongly with plasma
      NGAL when eGFR was abnormal compared to normal eGFR: a decrease in eGFR of 10
      ml/min was associated with an increase in NGAL of 27% (18-36%) versus 4% (1-7%),
      respectively (p < 0.001). Leukocyte count and C-reactive protein were the main
      determinants of plasma NGAL in patients with normal eGFR, whereas eGFR was the
      main determinant at reduced kidney function. CONCLUSIONS: eGFR determines the
      association of NGAL with either inflammation or kidney function; in patients with
      normal eGFR, plasma NGAL reflects inflammation but when eGFR is reduced, plasma
      NGAL reflects kidney function, highlighting the dual perception of plasma NGAL.
      From a clinical perspective, eGFR may be used to guide the interpretation of
      elevated NGAL levels in patients with STEMI.

PMID- 27275155
TI  - Serum Uric Acid Levels and Renal Impairment among ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial
      Infarction Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated serum uric acid (UA) levels are associated with adverse
      outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients
      undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the
      relation between UA and acute kidney injury (AKI) in this population is unclear.
      We evaluated the effect of elevated UA levels on the risk to develop AKI among
      consecutive STEMI patients treated with primary PCI. METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective analysis of 1,372 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis
      of STEMI between January 2008 and February 2015. Patients were stratified into
      quartiles according to UA levels as follows: quartile 1, <4.7 mg/dl; quartile 2,
      4.8 to <5.6 mg/dl; quartile 3, 5.7 to <6.6 mg/dl, and quartile 4, >6.7 mg/dl.
      RESULTS: STEMI patients with elevated UA levels had a higher frequency of AKI (4
      vs. 6% vs. 10 vs. 24%; p < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis of patients with
      reduced baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (<=60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)), an
      elevated UA level was associated with a significant risk to develop AKI, with 46%
      of patients developing AKI in the highest UA quartile. In a multivariate logistic
      regression model, for every 1-mg/dl increase in the UA concentration, the
      adjusted risk for AKI increased by 46% (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.18-1.66; p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, elevated UA levels are
      an independent predictor of AKI.

PMID- 27275156
TI  - Psychological Distress and Hypertension: Results from the National Health
      Interview Survey for 2004-2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Psychological conditions are increasingly linked with
      cardiovascular disorders. We aimed to examine the association between
      psychological distress and hypertension. METHODS: We used data from the National
      Health Interview Survey for 2004-2013. Hypertension was self-reported and the 6
      item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was used to assess psychological
      distress (a score >=13 indicated distress). We used a logistic regression model
      to test the assumption that hypertension was associated with psychological
      distress. RESULTS: Among the study participants completing the survey (n =
      288,784), 51% were female; the overall mean age (+/-SEM) was 35.3 +/- 0.02 years
      and the mean body mass index was 27.5 +/- 0.01. In the entire sample, the
      prevalence of psychological distress was 3.2%. The adjusted odds of reporting
      hypertension in psychologically distressed individuals was 1.53 (95% CI = 1.31
      1.80, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that psychological distress is
      associated with higher odds of hypertension after adjusting for other risk
      factors for high blood pressure. Further studies are needed to confirm these
      findings and to elucidate the mechanisms by which stress increases hypertension
      risk.

PMID- 27275157
TI  - Circadian Blood Pressure Rhythm Is Changed by Improvement in Hypoalbuminemia and
      Massive Proteinuria in Patients with Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Proteinuria and nighttime blood pressure (BP) elevation are notable
      risk markers of chronic kidney disease and correlate closely with each other.
      However, daily urinary protein excretion (UPE) always fluctuates. In patients
      with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), serum albumin concentrations (SAC)
      decrease but fluctuate less than UPE. We evaluated whether SAC is a reliable
      marker for proteinuria, and compared the relations among circadian BP changes,
      SAC, and UPE. METHODS: In patients with MCNS (12 men and 11 women, 43 +/- 18
      years), blood and spot urine samples were collected on three consecutive days
      before treatment, and 24-hour BP was also measured on the three days. Then, an
      intervention study was conducted in the patients to examine circadian BP changes
      induced by treatment. Sleeping/waking BP ratio was analyzed as an indicator of
      circadian BP rhythm. RESULTS: In the three-day measurements before treatment,
      mean coefficient of variation, an index of dispersion of data, for SAC was 7.4 +/
      7.4%, which was markedly lower (p < 0.01) than 35.7 +/- 15.4% for UPE. SAC
      correlated inversely with sleeping/waking systolic and diastolic BP ratios on all
      three days, whereas UPE did not correlate significantly with sleeping/waking
      diastolic BP ratio on day 3. Sleeping/waking systolic and diastolic BP ratios
      were 96 +/- 5 and 95 +/- 6%, and were higher (p < 0.05) than in healthy subjects
      (89 +/- 8 and 88 +/- 10%). Treatment improved hyperproteinuria and
      hypoalbuminemia, and was accompanied by decreases (p < 0.05) in sleeping and
      waking systolic/diastolic BP ratio to 91 +/- 8 and 89 +/- 9%. CONCLUSION: These
      findings suggest that reduced SAC in patients with proteinuria is associated with
      disrupted circadian BP rhythm.

PMID- 27275158
TI  - Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Its
      Detection Using Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important complication of cardiac
      surgery due to its high mortality. The aim of the present study was to detect the
      factors leading to AKI in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery
      (CABS) and also to determine the optimal timing for detecting AKI using the
      biomarker neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The records of 375 patients who underwent CABS were reviewed in this
      case-control study. Ejection fraction (EF), common carotid artery intima-media
      thickness (CCA-IMT) and cross-clamp (C-C) time of the patients were recorded.
      Blood samples were taken from all patients on preoperative day 1 as well as 6,
      12, 24, 36, 48 h and 7 days after operation. Biochemical parameters were studied
      in patients with and without AKI. RESULTS: According to the Risk Injury Failure
      Loss End Stage criteria, 24 patients had renal risk, 17 had injury and 4 had
      failure. Postoperative 24-hour serum creatinine levels indicated the risk of
      renal dysfunction for only 4 patients in the AKI group. CCA-IMT, C-C time,
      haematocrit (HCT) and preoperative interleukin-6 levels were significantly higher
      in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group. Postoperative 6- and 12-hour NGAL
      levels in the AKI group correlated with postoperative 36-hour serum creatinine
      levels. The optimal cut-off values for postoperative 6- and 12-hour NGAL test
      were 310 and 283 ng/ml, respectively. The area under the curve was higher in the
      12-hour NGAL test (p < 0.0086). CONCLUSION: The number of stenotic coronary
      arteries, EF, CCA-IMT and HCT are all important risk factors. Early postoperative
      NGAL results were highly specific for the early recognition of AKI.

PMID- 27275159
TI  - Clinical and Echocardiographic Factors Associated with Right Ventricular Systolic
      Dysfunction in Hemodialysis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is a disorder of epidemic proportions that
      impairs cardiac function. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death
      in hemodialysis patients, and the understanding of new nontraditional predictors
      of mortality could improve their outcomes. Right ventricular systolic dysfunction
      (RVSD) has recently been recognized as a predictor of cardiovascular death in
      heart failure and hemodialysis patients. However, the factors contributing to
      RVSD in hemodialysis patients remain unknown. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic factors associated with RVSD in
      hemodialysis patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which
      100 outpatients with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis were
      evaluated. A transthoracic echocardiographic examination was performed at optimal
      dry weight. Right ventricular systolic function was evaluated using tricuspid
      annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Clinical and echocardiographic data
      were recorded for each patient. A multivariate linear logistic regression was
      created using RVSD (TAPSE <14 mm) as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Fifteen
      patients with RVSD and 85 patients without RVSD were analyzed. TAPSE had a
      positive correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and
      myocardial relaxation velocity. Independent contributors to RVSD were LVEF (OR
      1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.26), left ventricular mass index (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04),
      and myocardial relaxation velocity (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.18-3.19). CONCLUSIONS:
      Echocardiographic factors were significant contributors to RVSD. These
      measurements could be included as part of the routine workup in all end-stage
      renal disease patients on hemodialysis.

PMID- 27275160
TI  - Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiovascular Surgery: Evidence from
      2,157 Cases and 49,777 Controls - A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cardiovascular surgery-associated acute kidney injury (AKI-CS)
      contributes to mortality and morbidity. However, risk factors accelerating its
      development are unclear. We identified risk factors for AKI-CS in patients with
      cardiopulmonary bypass in the hospital surgical intensive care unit to predict
      and minimize renal complication in future cardiac surgery. METHODS: We analyzed
      data from 14 case-control studies published prior to June 2014 and indexed in
      Science Citation Index, PubMed, and other databases to determine the major risk
      factors for AKI-CS. RESULTS: Analyzed risk factors were divided into three
      groups: preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative. Preoperative factors
      included: age (OR, 4.87; 95% CI, 3.50-6.24), NYHA class III/IV (OR, 2.53; 95% CI,
      1.32-4.86), hypertension (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.44-1.97), preoperative creatinine
      (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.18-1.14), peripheral vascular disease (OR, 1.31 95% CI, 1.09
      1.57), respiratory system disease (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10-1.50), diabetes
      mellitus (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.07-2.16), and cerebrovascular disease (OR, 2.13;
      95% CI, 1.11-4.09). Intraoperative factors were: cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR,
      33.78; 95% CI, 23.15-44.41), aortic clamping time (OR, 13.24; 95% CI, 7.78
      18.69), use of intra-aortic balloon pump (OR, 4.44; 95% CI, 2.37-8.30), and type
      of surgery (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.43-2.39). Postoperative factors were: infection
      (OR, 3.58; 95% CI, 1.43-8.97), redo operation (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.75-3.78),
      emergency surgery (OR, 4.76; 95% CI, 3.05-7.43), and low cardiac output (OR,
      2.30; 95% CI, 1.05-5.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that preoperative,
      intraoperative, and postoperative factors are associated with AKI-CS. Ejection
      fraction, BMI, acute myocardial infarction, type of surgery, and congestive heart
      failure were not absolutely associated with AKI.

PMID- 27275161
TI  - Angiogenic Factors and Risks of Technique Failure and Cardiovascular Events in
      Patients Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a member of the vascular
      endothelial growth factor family that acts as a pleiotropic cytokine capable of
      stimulating angiogenesis and accelerating atherogenesis. Soluble fms-like
      tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) antagonizes PlGF action. Higher levels of PlGF and
      sFlt-1 have been associated with cardiovascular events in patients with chronic
      kidney disease, yet little is known about their relationship with adverse
      outcomes in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to
      investigate the association of PlGF and sFlt-1 with technique survival and
      cardiovascular events. METHODS: We measured serum levels of PlGF and plasma
      levels of sFlt-1 in 40 PD patients at Nara Medical University. RESULTS: PlGF and
      sFlt-1 levels were significantly correlated with the dialysate-to-plasma ratio of
      creatinine (r = 0.342, p = 0.04 and r = 0.554, p < 0.001) although PlGF and sFlt
      1 levels were not correlated with total creatinine clearance and total Kt/V.
      Additionally, both PlGF and sFlt-1 levels were significantly higher in patients
      with high transport membranes compared to those without (p = 0.039 and p < 0.001,
      respectively). Patients with PlGF levels above the median had lower technique
      survival and higher incidence of cardiovascular events than patients with levels
      below the median, with hazard ratios of 11.9 and 7.7, respectively, in univariate
      Cox regression analysis. However, sFlt-1 levels were not associated with
      technique survival or cardiovascular events (p = 0.11 and p = 0.10,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: Elevated PlGF and sFlt-1 are significantly associated
      with high transport membrane status. PlGF may be a useful predictor of technique
      survival and cardiovascular events in PD patients.

PMID- 27275162
TI  - Renal Effects and Carcinogenicity of Occupational Exposure to Uranium: A Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Uranium is a heavy metal with alpha radioactivity. We state the
      hypothesis that uranium exposure is harmful to human kidneys and carcinogenic to
      body tissues. Therefore, we review epidemiological studies from people with known
      long-lasting uranium exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three meta-analyses are
      performed using clinical studies published in the PubMed database and applying
      RevMan 5.3 from the Cochrane Collaboration to calculate the outcome. The first
      two meta-analyses examine the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and the
      standardized incidence ratio for any cancers of uranium workers who were
      operating in areas ranging from uranium processing to the assembly of final
      uranium products. The third meta-analysis evaluates the nephrotoxic risk in
      uranium workers as well as soldiers and of individuals with exposure to drinking
      water containing uranium. RESULTS: Overall and contrasting to our hypothesis, the
      tumor risk is significantly lower for uranium workers than for control groups
      (SMR = 0.90 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.84 to 0.96). In addition and also
      contrasting to our hypothesis, the risk of nephrotoxicity is not increased
      either. This holds for both the incidence and the mortality due to renal cell
      carcinoma or due to acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease. In contrast, a
      significantly better creatinine clearance is found for the uranium cohort as
      compared to the control groups (mean difference = 7.66 with a 95% confidence
      interval of 0.12 to 15.2). CONCLUSION: Our hypothesis that a chronic uranium
      exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer mortality or of kidney
      failure is refuted by clinical data. The decreased risk may result from better
      medical surveillance of uranium workers.

PMID- 27275163
TI  - The Liver MicroRNA Expression Profiles Associated With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus
      (HCV) Genotype-4 Infection: A Preliminary Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been repeatedly shown to play important roles
      in liver pathologies, including hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
      Egypt has the highest hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rate worldwide,
      predominantly involving genotype-4. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we attempted to
      characterize the miRNA profile of the poorly studied genotype 4 of HCV in
      chronically infected Egyptian patients to obtain a better understanding of the
      disease and its complications and help in the design of better management
      protocols. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the expression levels of a selected
      panel of 94 miRNAs in fresh liver biopsies collected from 50 Egyptian patients
      diagnosed with chronic HCV infection using quantitative real-time polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR) assay. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze the
      expression level of each miRNA and association with the clinicopathological
      features of enrolled patients in this study. RESULTS: Our results revealed
      differential expression levels of the analyzed miRNAs compared to the normal
      controls. Twenty-seven miRNAs (including miR-105, miR-147, miR-149-3p, and miR
      196b) showed up-regulation, while 17 miRNAs (including miR-21, miR-122, miR-199a
      3p, and miR-223) showed down-regulation. An inverse correlation was observed
      between levels of miR-95, miR-130a, and miR-142-5p with the blood albumin level.
      Increased expression levels of seven miRNAs (miR-29c, miR-30c, miR-126, miR-145,
      miR-199a, miR-199a-3p, and miR-222) were observed with severe chronic hepatic
      inflammation. Several deregulated miRNAs found in this study have been previously
      linked to chronic liver inflammation and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC) development. CONCLUSIONS: The identified expression profiles of some
      examined miRNAs might offer important points to consider for the treatment of
      naive patients and the management of chronically infected HCV patients in Egypt
      and around the world.

PMID- 27275164
TI  - Next Steps Toward Eradication of Hepatitis C in the Era of Direct Acting
      Antivirals.
AB  - CONTEXT: After the introduction of safe and highly effective hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) treatments, eradication of HCV in the next 20 years is the ultimate goal.
      Since 2011, the advent of first generation direct acting antivirals (DAAs) were
      started and followed by the introduction of a new wave of DAAs in 2013 which
      exhibit outstanding efficacy. It is obvious that the eradication of hepatitis C
      is not restricted to development of DAAs. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: An electronic
      search of available literature published was conducted in all peer-reviewed
      journal indexed in PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar. The literature search was
      done among articles related treatment of hepatitis C with DAAs in different
      patient groups with mass screening of the patients and cost benefit of new
      treatments as main key words. RESULTS: There are major steps that should be taken
      to eradicate HCV, including (1) the development of screening strategies,
      particularly for groups such as intravenous drug users and recipients of blood or
      blood products before the introduction of HCV screening in donors; (2) the
      development of strategies to overcome issues with the high cost of recently
      introduced treatments; (3) special attention to special patient groups, such as
      HIV/HCV co-infection, hemophilia, thalassemia, hemodialysis, and liver-transplant
      patients; and (4) development of preventive strategies, such as the development
      of an efficient HCV vaccine, special attention to harm reduction in high-risk
      groups, and promotion of mass awareness of HCV. CONCLUSIONS: The eradication of
      HCV will require significant governmental financial investment for screening,
      prevention, and treatment of infected patients. Although, we have a long way to
      eradication of HCV, the next steps could be including proper planning to patient
      finding, availability of new treatments to all patients and development of HCV
      prevention strategies such as vaccines.

PMID- 27275166
TI  - Angiotensin Receptor Blocker for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: beyond
      Blood Pressure Lowering?

PMID- 27275165
TI  - 2015 Korean Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia: Executive Summary
      (English Translation).

PMID- 27275167
TI  - Antioxidative Activity after Rosuvastatin Treatment in Patients with Stable
      Ischemic Heart Disease and Decreased High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The clinical significance of statin-induced high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) changes is not well known. We
      investigated whether rosuvastatin-induced HDL-C changes can influence the anti
      oxidative action of high-density lipoprotein particle. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A
      total of 240 patients with stable ischemic heart disease were studied. Anti
      oxidative property was assessed by paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity. We compared the
      lipid profile and PON1 activity at baseline and at 8 weeks after rosuvastatin 10
      mg treatment. RESULTS: Rosuvastatin treatment increased the mean HDL-C
      concentration by 1.9+/-9.2 mg/dL (6.4+/-21.4%). HDL-C increased in 138 patients
      (57.5%), but decreased in 102 patients (42.5%) after statin treatment. PON1
      activity increased to 19.1% in all patients. In both, the patients with increased
      HDL-C and with decreased HDL-C, PON1 activity significantly increased after
      rosuvastatin treatment (+19.3% in increased HDL-C responder; p=0.018, +18.8% in
      decreased HDL-C responder; p=0.045 by paired t-test). Baseline PON1 activity
      modestly correlated with HDL-C levels (r=0.248, p=0.009); however, the PON1
      activity evaluated during the course of the treatment did not correlate with HDL
      C levels (r=0.153, p=0.075). CONCLUSION: Rosuvastatin treatment improved the anti
      oxidative properties as assessed by PON1 activity, regardless of on-treatment HDL
      C levels, in patients with stable ischemic heart disease.

PMID- 27275168
TI  - Differential Clinical Implications of High-Degree Atrioventricular Block
      Complicating ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction according to the Location
      of Infarction in the Era of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The clinical implication of high-degree (second- and
      third-degree) atrioventricular block (HAVB) complicating ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI) is ripe for investigation in this era of primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to address the incidence,
      predictors and prognosis of HAVB according to the location of infarct in STEMI
      patients treated with primary PCI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 16536 STEMI
      patients (anterior infarction: n=9354, inferior infarction: n=7692) treated with
      primary PCI were enrolled from a multicenter registry. We compared in-hospital
      mortality between patients with HAVB and those without HAVB with anterior or
      inferior infarction, separately. Multivariate analyses were performed to unearth
      predictors of HAVB and to identify whether HAVB is independently associated with
      in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: STEMI patients with HAVB showed higher in
      hospital mortality than those without HAVB in both anterior (hazard ratio
      [HR]=9.821, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.946-19.503, p<0.001) and inferior
      infarction (HR=2.819, 95% CI: 2.076-3.827, p<0.001). In multivariate analyses,
      HAVB was associated with increased in-hospital mortality in anterior myocardial
      infarction (HR=19.264, 95% CI: 5.804-63.936, p<0.001). However, HAVB in inferior
      infarction was not an independent predictor of increased in-hospital mortality
      (HR=1.014, 95% CI: 0.547-1.985, p=0.901). CONCLUSION: In this era of primary PCI,
      the prognostic impact of HAVB is different according to the location of
      infarction. Because of recent improvements in reperfusion strategy, the negative
      prognostic impact of HAVB in inferior STEMI is no longer prominent.

PMID- 27275169
TI  - Differential Benefit of Statin in Secondary Prevention of Acute Myocardial
      Infarction according to the Level of Triglyceride and High Density Lipoprotein
      Cholesterol.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The differential benefit of statin according to the
      state of dyslipidemia has been sparsely investigated. We sought to address the
      efficacy of statin in secondary prevention of myocardial infarction (MI)
      according to the level of triglyceride and high density lipoprotein cholesterol
      (HDL-C) on admission. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Acute MI patients (24653) were
      enrolled and the total patients were divided according to level of triglyceride
      and HDL-C on admission: group A (HDL-C>=40 mg/dL and triglyceride<150 mg/dL;
      n=11819), group B (HDL-C>=40 mg/dL and triglyceride>=150 mg/dL; n=3329), group C
      (HDL-C<40 mg/dL and triglyceride<150 mg/dL; n=6062), and group D (HDL-C<40 mg/dL
      & triglyceride>=150 mg/dL; n=3443). We evaluated the differential efficacy of
      statin according to the presence or absence of component of dyslipidemia. The
      primary end points were major adverse cardiac events (MACE) for 2 years. RESULTS:
      Statin therapy significantly reduced the risk of MACE in group A (hazard
      ratio=0.676; 95% confidence interval: 0.582-0.785; p<0.001). However, the
      efficacy of statin was not prominent in groups B, C, or D. In a propensity
      matched population, the result was similar. In particular, the benefit of statin
      in group A was different compared with group D (interaction p=0.042). CONCLUSION:
      The benefit of statin in patients with MI was different according to the presence
      or absence of dyslipidemia. In particular, because of the insufficient benefit of
      statin in patients with MI and dyslipidemia, a different lipid-lowering strategy
      is necessary in these patients.

PMID- 27275170
TI  - Effects of Angiotensin-II Receptor Blocker on Inhibition of Thrombogenicity in a
      Canine Atrial Fibrillation Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) are known to
      reduce the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) through reverse-remodeling.
      However, the effect of ARBs on thrombogenicity in AF remains unknown. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Twelve dogs were assigned to control (n=4), ARB (candesartan
      cilexitil 10 mg/kg/day p.o., 12 weeks; n=4), or sham (n=4) groups. Sustained AF
      was induced by rapid atrial pacing. Both arterial and venous serum levels of
      tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, von Willebrand factor, P
      selectin, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured at
      baseline and during AF (0, 4, and 12 weeks) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay. Biopsies from both atria including the appendages were performed to semi
      quantitatively assess endocardial and myocardial fibrosis after 12 weeks.
      RESULTS: The serum levels of bio-markers were not significantly different at
      baseline or during AF between the control and the candesartan groups. The levels
      were not significantly different over time, but there was a trend toward a
      decrease in arterial VCAM-1 from 4 to 12 weeks in the candesartan group compared
      to the control group. The grades of endocardial fibrosis after 12 weeks but not
      those of myocardial fibrosis were slightly reduced in the candesartan group
      compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This study did not show that the ARB
      candesartan significantly reverses thrombogenicity or fibrosis during AF. Future
      studies using a larger number of subjects are warranted to determine the
      therapeutic effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade on
      prothrombogenic processes in AF.

PMID- 27275171
TI  - Effects of Trimetazidine on T Wave Alternans in Stable Coronary Artery Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies reveal that the microvolt T wave alternans
      (MTWA) test has a high negative predictive value for arrhythmic mortality among
      patients with ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we
      investigate the effects of trimetazidine treatment on MTWA and several
      echocardiographic parameters in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients (23 females, mean age 55.6+/-9.2
      years) with stable ischemic heart disease were included in the study group.
      Twenty-five age- and sex-matched patients with stable coronary artery disease
      formed the control group. All patients were stable with medical treatment, and
      had no active complaints. Trimetazidine, 60 mg/day, was added to their current
      treatment for a minimum three months in the study group and the control group
      received no additional treatment. Pre- and post-treatment MTWA values were
      measured by 24 hour Holter testing. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic
      functions were assessed by echocardiography. RESULTS: After trimetazidine
      treatment, several echocardiographic parameters related with diastolic
      dysfunction significantly improved. MTWA has been found to be significantly
      improved after trimethazidine treatment (63+/-8 MUV vs. 53+/-7 MUV, p<0.001).
      Abnormal MTWA was present in 29 and 11 patients pre- and post-treatment,
      respectively (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Trimetazidine improves MTWA, a non-invasive
      determinant of electrical instability. Moreover, several echocardiographic
      parameters related with left ventricular functions also improved. Thus, we can
      conclude that trimetazidine may be an effective agent to prevent arrhythmic
      complications and improve myocardial functions in patients with stable coronary
      artery disease.

PMID- 27275172
TI  - Two Distinct Responses of Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Pressure to Leg-Raise
      Exercise in Euvolemic Patients with Exertional Dyspnea.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Few studies have invasively assessed diastolic
      functional reserve and serial changes in left ventricular hemodynamics in
      euvolemic patients with exertional dyspnea. In this study, sequential changes in
      left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) to leg-raise exercise were
      measured invasively in patients with early heart failure with preserved ejection
      fraction (HFpEF) to determine the association between these serial changes and
      echocardiographic results or clinical features. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: During
      their hospital stay, 181 patients with early HFpEF underwent left cardiac
      catheterization, coronary angiography, and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).
      Leg-raise exercise was performed in two stages: during cardiac catheterization
      and again during TTE. RESULTS: Compared with the initial values, all the
      invasively measured LVEDP values increased significantly during the leg-raise
      exercise, whereas the septal e/e' ratio remained unchanged. Active leg-raise led
      to increased LVEDP, which caused dyspnea. The severity of symptoms correlated
      with the level and extent of changes in LVEDP. At the end of active leg-raise,
      LVEDP decreased in 40 patients (22.1%), who were younger and had significantly
      lower e/e' ratios. On multivariate analysis to predict the response of LVEDP to
      active leg-raise, age and the septal e/e' ratio remained significant predictors.
      CONCLUSION: Despite having similar LVEDP values at rest, patients may respond to
      exercise with different LVEDP levels and clinical manifestations, depending on
      their diastolic capacity. The leg-raise exercise in early HFpEF can elucidate
      individual diastolic profiles, and the LVEDP response to the leg-raise test may
      serve as a useful criterion in stratifying patients with early HFpEF with respect
      to functional reserve.

PMID- 27275173
TI  - Higher Blood Pressure Variability in White Coat Hypertension; from the Korean
      Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Blood pressure variability (BPV) was recently shown to
      be a risk factor of stroke. White coat hypertension (WCH) used to be regarded as
      innocuous, but one long-term follow-up study reported that WCH increased stroke
      rate compared to normotension (NT). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the
      relationship between WCH and BPV. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 1398 subjects
      from the Korean Ambulatory Blood Pressure Registry, who were divided into NT
      (n=364), masked hypertension (n=122), white coat hypertension (n=254), and
      sustained hypertension (n=658) groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were
      similar among groups. The average real variability (ARV), a highly sensitive BPV
      parameter, was highest in the WCH group, followed by the sustained hypertension,
      masked hypertension, and NT groups. The results persisted after being adjusted
      for covariates. The WCH vs. sustained hypertension results (adjusted mean+/
      standard error) were as follows: 24-h systolic ARV, 22.9+/-0.8 vs. 19.4+/-0.6; 24
      h diastolic ARV, 16.8+/-0.6 vs. 14.3+/-0.5; daytime systolic ARV, 21.8+/-0.8 vs.
      16.8+/-0.6; and daytime diastolic ARV, 16.2+/-0.6 vs. 13.4+/-0.5 (p<0.001 for all
      comparisons). CONCLUSION: From the registry data, we found that subjects with WCH
      or masked hypertension had higher BPV than NT. However, long-term follow-up data
      assessing the clinical influences of WCH on stroke are needed.

PMID- 27275174
TI  - Inter-Arm Difference in Brachial Blood Pressure in the General Population of
      Koreans.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the inter-arm difference in blood
      pressure of the general Korean population to identify associated factors.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 806 participants aged 30 to 64 years without
      history of major cardiovascular disease were analyzed in this cross-sectional
      study. They participated in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology
      Research Center cohort study that began in 2013. Brachial blood pressure was
      measured simultaneously for both arms using an automated oscillometric device
      equipped with two cuffs in seated position. After five minutes of rest, systolic
      blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured three
      times. The average of the three measurements was used for analysis. Multivariate
      logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with inter
      arm differences in blood pressure. RESULTS: The mean inter-arm difference was 3.3
      mmHg for SBP and 2.0 mmHg for DBP. Large inter-arm differences (>=10 mmHg) in SBP
      and in DBP were found in 3.7% and 0.9% of subjects, respectively. A large inter
      arm difference in SBP was associated with mean SBP (p=0.002) and C-reactive
      protein (p=0.014) while a large inter-arm different in DBP was only associated
      with body mass index (p=0.015). Sex, age, and anti-hypertensive medication use
      were not associated with differences in inter-arm blood pressure. CONCLUSION:
      Large inter-arm difference in blood pressure is only present in a small portion
      of healthy Korean adults. Our findings suggest that high SBP, chronic
      inflammation, and obesity may be associated with larger difference in inter-arm
      blood pressure.

PMID- 27275175
TI  - Medication Adherence and the Occurrence of Complications in Patients with Newly
      Diagnosed Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this retrospective cohort study, we sought to
      elucidate the relationship between medication adherence (MA) and the incidence of
      complications in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: Using claims data from the National Health Insurance Service, we
      measured health outcomes based on levels of MA, analyzed the incidence of
      complications in patients with a good MA, and clarified factors that may affect
      or predict MA. RESULTS: In 2008, a total of 4294773 patients were diagnosed with
      hypertension and were subsequently prescribed anti-hypertensive medications. In
      the present study, we enrolled 564782 patients who met our inclusion/exclusion
      criteria. The 40-59% medication possession ratio (MPR) group had a 1.36 times
      higher risk of developing complications (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-1.45)
      than did the MPR>= 80% group, as revealed through Cox's proportional hazards
      analysis. Similarly, the <20% MPR group was 2.01 times more likely to develop
      complications than the good MA group (95% CI: 1.82-2.23). Overall, patients who
      had a lower level of MA had a higher risk of developing complications.
      CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that MA is tightly correlated with
      hypertension health outcomes. Improving MA could be one strategy for reducing the
      risk of cerebrovascular disease complications and the loss of productivity in
      these patients.

PMID- 27275176
TI  - Obesity and Hypertension in Association with Diastolic Dysfunction Could Reduce
      Exercise Capacity.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Empirical evidence is lacking on the cumulative
      disease burden of obesity and hypertension and its impact on cardiac function and
      exercise capacity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the
      presence of obesity and hypertension together was associated with cardiac
      dysfunction and exercise capacity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using a retrospective
      study design, medical records were reviewed for echocardiographic and treadmill
      exercise stress test data. Subjects were grouped according to four categories:
      normal control, obese, hypertensive, or obese and hypertensive. RESULTS: Obese,
      hypertensive persons showed significantly lower Ea and E/A ratio and greater E/Ea
      ratio, deceleration time, left ventricular (LV) mass, and LV mass index compared
      to their counter parts (normal control, obese and/or hypertensive) (all p<0.05),
      after controlling for age and sex. After controlling for age and sex, significant
      differences in exercise capacity indices were found, with the obese group having
      shorter exercise time, lower metabolic equivalents, and lower maximal oxygen
      uptake than the normal control, hypertensive, or both groups (all p<0.05). The
      hypertensive or obese and hypertensive group had greater maximal blood pressure
      compared with the normal control group (all p<0.001). Obese and hypertensive
      persons were approximately three times more likely to have diastolic dysfunction
      (odd ratio=2.96, p=0.001), when compared to the reference group (normotensive,
      non-obese, or hypertensive only persons). CONCLUSION: Diastolic dysfunction was
      associated with obesity and/or hypertension. The cumulative risk of obesity and
      hypertension and their impact on diastolic dysfunction which could be modifiable
      could reduce exercise capacity.

PMID- 27275177
TI  - Levosimendan Reduces Lung Injury in a Canine Model of Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the lung-protective effect of levosimendan
      (LS) during cardiopulmonary bypass in a canine model by determining the wet/dry
      weight (W/D) ratio of lung tissue, malonaldehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase
      (SOD) concentrations, and performing a histological evaluation. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Thirty-two canines were divided randomly into four groups and underwent
      a routine aortic cross-clamping cardiopulmonary bypass procedure for 1 h,
      followed by recovery for 2 h. Animals were handled as follows: group C (means
      control group), no special treatment after aortic cross clamping; group P (means
      pulmonary artery perfusion group), pulmonary artery perfusion with cold
      oxygenated blood after aortic cross clamping; group LSIV (means intravenous
      injection of LS group), intravenous injection of LS (65 ug/kg) before
      thoracotomy, and the rest of the procedure was identical to the control group;
      group LPS (means pulmonary perfusion with LS group), pulmonary perfusion with
      cold oxygenated blood combined with LS (65 ug/kg) after aortic cross clamping.
      Lung tissues were removed and subjected to evaluation of pathological
      alterations, W/D ratio and MDA and SOD concentrations. RESULTS: In group C, the
      W/D ratio and MDA concentration were higher, while the SOD concentrations were
      lower (p<0.05). Compared with groups P and LSIV, the MDA concentration was lower
      in group LPS, while that of SOD was higher (p<0.05); Light and electron
      microscopy indicated that LS intervention reduced impairment of lung tissues.
      CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that LS plays an important role in protecting
      lung tissues.

PMID- 27275178
TI  - Abdominal Wall Hematoma as a Rare Complication following Percutaneous Coronary
      Intervention.
AB  - Abdominal wall hematoma is a rare but potentially serious vascular complication
      that may develop after coronary angiographic procedures. In particular, an
      oblique muscle hematoma caused by an injury of the circumflex iliac artery is
      very rare, yet can be managed by conservative treatment including hydration and
      transfusion. However, when active bleeding continues, angiographic embolization
      or surgery might be needed. In this study, we report an uncommon case of injury
      to the circumflex iliac artery by an inappropriate introduction of the
      hydrophilic guidewire during the performance of a percutaneous coronary
      intervention. 

PMID- 27275179
TI  - Preservation of Internal Iliac Artery after Endovascular Repair of Common Iliac
      Artery Dissection Using Modified Fenestrated Stent Graft.
AB  - Standard endovascular repair of iliac/aortoiliac pathologies can lead to
      complications, such as buttock claudication, colon ischemia and erectile
      dysfunction. Branch grafts have been developed but require at least 6 weeks for
      customization and are not currently available in China; they are also quite
      expensive. To our knowledge, modified fenestrated stent grafts (MFSGs) are a safe
      and effective alternative for treating patients with juxtarenal aneurysms. Most
      MFSGs are used for the preservation of renal and left subclavian arteries. Few
      cases of MFSGs have been reported in the treatment of iliac pathologies. The use
      of an MFSG is decided on a case-by-case basis. This report presents our first
      clinical use of an MFSG for preservation of the internal iliac artery. 

PMID- 27275180
TI  - Endovascular Treatment of Multilevel Chronic Total Occlusion Using a Stent
      Puncture Technique in Buerger's Disease.
AB  - We reported a patient with Buerger's disease who presented with critical limb
      ischemiawith prior recurrent occlusions after multiple surgical and endovascular
      treatments. Total occlusion of the whole native femoropopliteal and
      infrapopliteal arteries was observed. The femoropopliteal bypass graft, as well
      as a stent that was implanted in the mid-popliteal artery, were also occluded.
      Because of the lack of distal targets for bypass, surgical revascularization was
      not feasible; therefore, we decided to perform endovascular treatment. To
      overcome the limitation of vascular access, the previously implanted popliteal
      stent was directly punctured, and a guide wire was passed through the bypass
      graft. After the organized thrombus in the bypass graft was aspirated, further
      recanalization below the popliteal stent down to the plantar arteries was
      performed successfully. In conclusion, the stent puncture technique is a feasible
      and safe option for overcoming the limitations of vascular access in patients
      with multilevel occlusions. 

PMID- 27275181
TI  - Reversal of Pacing-Induced Cardiomyopathy by Normal QRS Axis Pacing.
AB  - Right ventricular apical pacing has been a commonly used method for placement of
      permanent pacemaker, but it is known to be associated with ventricular
      dyssynchrony and may lead to heart failure. Septal pacing could be an alternative
      method to improve this complication but the results have been conflicting; hence,
      other strategies are needed. This case is about a patient with pacing-induced
      cardiomyopathy who showed much improvement after repositioning the leads to a
      site different from that of normally paced QRS axis. 

PMID- 27275182
TI  - Non-Bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is frequently associated with various extra-joint
      complications. Although rare, thromboembolic complications are associated with
      high morbidity and mortality. We experienced a very rare case of nonbacterial
      thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) and subsequent embolic stroke in a patient with
      RA. A 72-year-old male with a 15-year history of RA suddenly developed neurologic
      symptoms of vomiting and dizziness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed
      recently developed multiple cerebellar and cerebral lacunar infarctions.
      Echocardiography showed a pulsating mitral valve vegetation involving the
      posterior cusp of the mitral valve leaflet, which was confirmed as NBTE.
      Immediate anti-coagulation therapy was started. The NBTE lesion disappeared in
      follow-up echocardiography after 4 weeks of anti-coagulation treatment. 

PMID- 27275183
TI  - Sympathetic Activity Index Should Be Kept in Mind When Assessing Autonomic Tonus.

PMID- 27275184
TI  - Apelin Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Ectasia.

PMID- 27275185
TI  - Erratum: Psychiatric Characteristics of the Cardiac Outpatients with Chest Pain.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 169 in vol. 46, PMID: 27014347.]. 

PMID- 27275186
TI  - Application of a modified drop method for high-resolution pachytene chromosome
      spreads in two Phalaenopsis species.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preparation of good chromosome spreads without cytoplasmic
      contamination is the crucial step in cytogenetic mapping. To date, cytogenetic
      research in the Orchidaceae family has been carried out solely on mitotic
      metaphase chromosomes. Well-spread meiotic pachytene chromosomes can provide
      higher resolution and fine detail for analysis of chromosomal structure and are
      also beneficial for chromosomal FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization)
      mapping. However, an adequate method for the preparation of meiotic pachytene
      chromosomes in orchid species has not yet been reported. RESULTS: Two Taiwanese
      native Phalaenopsis species were selected to test the modified drop method for
      preparation of meiotic pachytene chromosomes from pollinia. In this modified
      method, pollinia were ground and treated with an enzyme mixture to completely
      remove cell walls. Protoplasts were resuspended in ethanol/glacial acetic acid
      and dropped onto a wet inclined slide of 30 degrees  from a height of 0.5 m. The
      sample was then flowed down the inclined plane to spread the chromosomes.
      Hundreds of pachytene chromosomes with little to no cytoplasmic contamination
      were well spread on each slide. We also showed that the resolution of 45S rDNA
      containing chromosomes at the pachytene stage was up to 20 times higher than that
      at metaphase. Slides prepared following this modified drop method were amenable
      to FISH mapping of both 45S and 5S rDNA on pachytene chromosomes and, after FISH,
      the chromosomal structure remained intact for further analysis. CONCLUSION: This
      modified drop method is suitable for pachytene spreads from pollinia of
      Phalaenopsis orchids. The large number and high-resolution pachytene spreads,
      with little or no cytoplasmic contamination, prepared by the modified drop method
      could be used for FISH mapping of DNA fragments to accelerate the integration of
      cytogenetic and molecular research in Phalaenopsis orchids.

PMID- 27275187
TI  - Advanced SPARQL querying in small molecule databases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, the Resource Description Framework (RDF) and the
      SPARQL query language have become more widely used in the area of cheminformatics
      and bioinformatics databases. These technologies allow better interoperability of
      various data sources and powerful searching facilities. However, we identified
      several deficiencies that make usage of such RDF databases restrictive or
      challenging for common users. RESULTS: We extended a SPARQL engine to be able to
      use special procedures inside SPARQL queries. This allows the user to work with
      data that cannot be simply precomputed and thus cannot be directly stored in the
      database. We designed an algorithm that checks a query against data ontology to
      identify possible user errors. This greatly improves query debugging. We also
      introduced an approach to visualize retrieved data in a user-friendly way, based
      on templates describing visualizations of resource classes. To integrate all of
      our approaches, we developed a simple web application. CONCLUSIONS: Our system
      was implemented successfully, and we demonstrated its usability on the ChEBI
      database transformed into RDF form. To demonstrate procedure call functions, we
      employed compound similarity searching based on OrChem. The application is
      publicly available at https://bioinfo.uochb.cas.cz/projects/chemRDF.

PMID- 27275188
TI  - Current Scientific Impact of Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje,
      Republic of Macedonia in the Scopus Database (1960-2014).
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze current scientific impact of Ss Cyril
      and Methodius University of Skopje, Republic of Macedonia in the Scopus Database
      (1960-2014). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Affiliation search of the Scopus database was
      performed on November 23, 2014 in order to identify published papers from the Ss
      Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje (UC&M), Republic of Macedonia. A total
      number of 3960 articles (3055 articles from UC&M, 861 articles from Faculty of
      Medicine, UC&M, and 144 articles from Faculty of Pharmacy, UC&M) were selected
      for analysis (1960-2014). SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), Source Normalized Impact
      per Paper (SNIP) and h-index were calculated from the Scopus database. RESULTS:
      The number of published papers was sharply increased with maximum of 379 papers
      in 2012 year. The largest number of papers has been published in Macedonian
      Journal of Medical Sciences, Journal of Molecular Structure, Lecture Notes in
      Computer Science, Acta Pharmecutica, and Macedonian Journal of Chemistry and
      Chemical Engineering. The biggest SJR and SNIP has journal Nephrology Dialysis
      Transplantation. First three places of the top ten authors belong to Dimirovski
      GM, Gavrilovska L, and Gusev M. Top three places based on Scopus h-index (total
      number of published papers) belong to Kocarev L, Stafilov T, and Polenakovic M.
      The majority of papers originate from UC&M, but significant numbers of papers are
      affiliated to Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Institute of
      Chemistry as members of UC&M, as well as Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
      Articles are the most dominant type of documents followed by conference papers,
      and review articles. Medicine is the most represented subject. CONCLUSION:
      Officials of the Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje should undertake
      more effective and proactive policies for journal publishers and their Editorial
      Boards in order to include more journals from UC&M in the Scopus database.

PMID- 27275189
TI  - Gastrointestinal Colonization with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci In
      Hospitalized and Outpatients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of infection and intestinal colonization with
      vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) is increasing in many countries in the
      last decade. Concerning the difficult antimicrobial treatment of infections
      caused by VRE, decreasing the incidence and prevalence of these infections is an
      important factor in VRE-induced morbidity and mortality control. AIM: To
      determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal colonization with vancomycin
      resistant enterococci in hospitalized and outpatients, and to determine the
      genetic base of the vancomycin resistance in VRE isolates. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Seven hundred and eighty stool specimens were investigated for the
      gastrointestinal carriage of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
      Susceptibility to vancomycin was tested in all isolates by disk-diffusion test
      and E-test (AB Biodisk, Sweden). Determined vancomycin resistant enterococci were
      than tested for detection of vanA, vanB and vanC genes by PCR. RESULTS:
      Vancomycin resistant strains of enterococci were isolated from 46 (16.1 %) of the
      285 hospitalized patients and 5 (7.7 %) of the 65 patients living in the
      community (p < 0.05). The most of the highly resistant enterococci strains to
      vancomycin (95.2 %), were identified as E. faecium. Minimal inhibitory
      concentrations (MICs) to vancomycin in all 39 vanA genotypes of E. faecium and
      two vanA genotypes of E. fecalis were > 256 MUg/ml. Three vanB genotypes of E.
      faecium and one vanB genotype of E. faecalis had MICs of 32 MUg/ml. All six vanC
      genotypes of E. gallinarum had MICs of 8 MUg/ml. All vanA genotypes of VRE were
      highly resistant to vancomycin, with MICs above 256 MUg/ml. Three vanB genotypes
      of VR E. faecium and one VR E. fecalis were resistant, with MICs 32 MUg/ml. vanC
      genotypes of VR E. gallinarum were intermediate resistant to vancomycin with MICs
      of 8 MUg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vancomycin resistant enterococci in
      Republic of Macedonia was 2-fold higher in hospitalized than in outpatients. VanA
      genotype was dominant in isolates of E. faecium and it was highly associated with
      the MIC values above the 256 MUg/ml. Since most of the enterococcal infections
      are endogenous, there is a need for screening the colonization of patient's
      intestinal flora with VRE at the hospital entry. Identification and genotyping of
      faecal enterococci, together with their susceptibility testing to vancomycin,
      could be useful marker for the infection control.

PMID- 27275190
TI  - Eating Habits and Lifestyles among a Sample of Obese Working Egyptian Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy
      imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. AIM: To figure out
      food habits and different lifestyle pattern among a sample of Egyptian females
      working at the National Research Centre. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive
      study, including 138 overweight and obese Egyptian females (BMI >= 25 Kg/m(2));
      working at the National Research Centre; was done. A specific questionnaire was
      used to gather information regarding lifestyle including dietary habits, physical
      activity and sedentary behaviour. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight among the
      studied subjects was 27%, while that of obesity was 38%. Missing and or
      infrequent intake of breakfast at home, frequent consumption of snacks, low
      serving per day of fruits and vegetables with frequent consumption of sweets,
      fried food, eating while watching TV and sedentary behaviour were all predictors
      of obesity and overweight among the current sample. CONCLUSION: The present study
      identified several lifestyle factors and improper dietary habits associated with
      overweight and obesity among Egyptian females. There is a great need to change
      these habits to avoid the increasing risk of obesity. A national plan of action
      to overcome obesity is urgently needed to reduce its economic and health burden.

PMID- 27275191
TI  - Serum Ceramide Kinase as a Biomarker of Cognitive Functions, and the Effect of
      Using Two Slimming Dietary Therapies in Obese Middle Aged Females.
AB  - AIM: Highlighting the impact of obesity on mental and cognitive functions using
      serum ceramide kinase enzyme concentration as a biomarker for cognitive
      evaluation in the middle aged females, and also targeting to control the obesity
      and simultaneously postponing the deterioration of the cognitive functions, by
      implementing two slimming dietary therapies each incorporating different
      functional ingredients known to boost cognition. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety six
      obese middle aged females, divided into two groups volunteered to follow a low
      caloric balanced diet combined with two bread supplements composed essentially of
      barley flour and wheat germ mixed with either 5% turmeric, group (A); or with 5%
      ginger, group (B) for 4 weeks, phase (1); to be followed by the hypocaloric diet
      alone for another 4 weeks, phase (2). RESULTS: By the end of phase (1), the
      biochemical analysis showed a positive response of the levels of C-peptide and
      modified homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance; also increased
      levels of the serum ceramide kinase enzyme, coupled with improved cognitive
      functions tests. Improvement of the relevant metabolic profile, fasting blood
      glucose, blood pressure and the anthropometric measurements was detected.
      CONCLUSION: Using dietary therapy supported by special formulas which contain
      active ingredients succeeded in reducing weight and improving both the metabolic
      profile and the cognitive functions.

PMID- 27275192
TI  - Is Neck Circumference an Indicator for Metabolic Complication of Childhood
      Obesity?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The possible role of neck circumference (NC) for screening childhood
      obesity and its complication is not well characterized. AIM: To assess NC and to
      explore its increase as risk factor with metabolic syndrome (MS) variables.
      METHODS: Cross sectional case-control study included 50 obese children (BMI
      >=95(th) percentile) and 50 healthy (BMI 15(th)-<85(th) percentile). All were
      subjected to clinical examination, measuring blood pressure (BP), body weight,
      height, NC, waist (WC) and hip (HC)., fasting blood glucose, insulin and lipid
      profile. RESULTS: MS was detected among 52% of obese participants, but not among
      controls (0%). Clinical parameters and most of the laboratory values were higher
      in subjects with MS than in non-metabolic subjects, with statistical significance
      only in blood pressure and triglycerides. Among obese without MS, NC showed
      significantly positive correlations with age, weight, height, WC, HC and negative
      with LDL. While among Obese with MS, NC showed significantly positive
      correlations with age, weight, height, BMI-SDS, WC, HC and DBP. CONCLUSION: NC
      can be considered as a good indicator and predictor for obesity, especially
      central obesity. However, NC has no relation with lipid profile or fasting blood
      sugar.

PMID- 27275193
TI  - Determination of Acyclovir in Human Plasma Samples by HPLC Method with UV
      Detection: Application to Single-Dose Pharmacokinetic Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is estimation of pharmacokinetic parameters:
      Cmax, tmax, t1/2, AUC0-t and AUC0-infinity with the two-way analysis of variance,
      single observation (ANOVA) for two preparations containing acyclovir. OBJECTIVE:
      In order to evaluate pharmacokinetic study of acyclovir, method for quantitative
      determination of acyclovir in human plasma should be simple, rapid and
      reproducible. Therefore, the method is developed, validated and applied for
      analysis of acyclovir in plasma samples obtained from healthy volunteers.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with
      UV-detection for the determination of acyclovir in human plasma is presented.
      This method involves protein precipitation with 20 % (V/V) perchloric acid. The
      chromatographic separation was accomplished on a reversed phase C8 column with a
      mobile phase composed of 0.1 % (V/V) triethylamine in water (pH 2.5). No internal
      standard is required. UV detection was set at 255 nm. The method was successfully
      applied for the evaluation of pharmacokinetic profiles of acyclovir tablets in 24
      healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The validation results shows that proposed method is
      rugged, precise (RSDs for intra- and inter-day precision ranged from 1.02 to 8.37
      %) and accurate (relative errors are less than 6.66 %). The calibration curve was
      linear in the concentration range of 0.1-2.0 ug/ml and the limit of
      quantification was 0.1 ug/ml. The Cmax, tmax and AUCs for the two products were
      not statistically different (p>0.05), suggesting that the plasma profiles
      generated by Zovirax were comparable to those produced by acyclovir manufactured
      by Jaka 80 company. CONCLUSION: Good precision, accuracy, simplicity, sensitivity
      and shorter time of analysis of the method makes it particularly useful for
      processing of multiple samples in a limited period of time for pharmacokinetic
      study of acyclovir.

PMID- 27275194
TI  - Prediction of Gut Wall Integrity Loss in Viral Gastroenteritis by Non-Invasive
      Marker.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intestinal fatty acid binding proteins (I-FABPs) are mainly expressed
      in the intestinal villi, which are the initial site of destruction in viral
      gastroenteritis. AIM: This study was designed to assess serum I-FABPs as a
      predictor of gut wall integrity loss in viral gastroenteritis. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: This case-control cross-sectional study was conducted on 93 cases of
      acute viral gastroenteritis. Twenty-eight healthy children matching in age were
      recruited as control group. Serum I-FABPs were measured using ELISA technique.
      Viral detection and typing were done by PCR for adenovirus, and by Reverse
      transcriptase PCR for rotavirus, astrovirus and norovirus. RESULTS: Serum I-FABPs
      level was significantly higher in the cases compared to the controls and was also
      higher in the 46 rotavirus gastroenteritis cases compared to other viral
      gastroenteritis cases. Serum I- FABPs level was significantly higher in severely
      dehydrated cases as compared to mildly dehydrated ones (P=0.037). CONCLUSION:
      Serum I-FABPs could be used as an early and sensitive predictor marker of gut
      wall integrity loss in children with viral gastroenteritis and its level can
      indicate case severity.

PMID- 27275195
TI  - Some Adverse Effects of Used Engine Oil (Common Waste Pollutant) On Reproduction
      of Male Sprague Dawley Rats.
AB  - AIM: Used oil is contaminated not only with heavy metals but also with polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are insignificant in the unused oil. In our
      study we determined possible reproductive effects of used engine oil on male
      rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty eight male Wistar rats were used for the
      study. The rats had average weight of 181.5 +/- 10 g, animal feeds and portable
      water was provided ad-libitum. The rats were assigned to 4 groups (n = 7)
      including control. The treated groups orally received 0.1 ml/rat, 0.2 ml/rat and
      0.4 ml/rat of the used engine oil every other day for 28 days using oral canulla.
      The spermatozoa were collected from epididymis for sperm analysis and testes were
      removed and preserved in Bouin's fluid for routine histological analysis.
      RESULTS: Our results showed that there was progressive weight increase among the
      control group of rats that received distilled water. Meanwhile, rats that
      received 0.4 ml/rat of the used engine oil showed significant (P < 0.05) weight
      loss in second and third week of administration while rats that received 0.2
      ml/rat and 0.1 ml/rat of the used engine oil showed non-significant (P > 0.05)
      weight reduction. The spermatozoa number was decreased with significance (P <
      0.05) at 0.2 ml/rat (2.38 +/- 0.29) and 0.4 ml/rat (1.98 +/- 0.08) when compared
      with the control (5.00 +/- 0.89). However, the percentage of motile sperms was
      reduced significantly (P <0.05) at 0.2 ml/rat (52.86 +/- 3.59) and 0.4 ml/rat
      (45.71 +/- 2.94) except at 0.1 ml/rat where the reduction (64.00 +/- 7.5) was not
      significant (P> 0.05). The percentage of head deformity been 41.43 +/- 2.61 and
      42.00 +/- 3.74 at 0.2 ml/rat and 0.4 ml/rat respectively, also significant
      increase of middle piece deformity was observed only at 0.1 ml/rat (45.71 +/-
      2.02) while tail deformity significantly decreased (15.71 +/- 2.02, 20.00 +/-
      4.36 and 20.00 +/- 4.47) when compared with the control (30.00 +/- 1.29). The
      testicular seminiferous tubules were slightly degenerated with absence of Lumen.
      The germinal cell layer consisting of necrosis of spermatogonia and interstitial
      (Leydig) cells with affected Sertoli cells at different maturation stages.
      CONCLUSION: Hence, it can be said that there is a negative relation between used
      engine oil and male reproductive parameters. And it can be concluded that used
      engine oil should be prevented from leaking, spilling or improperly discarded as
      through medium it may enter storm water runoff and eventually affect the
      environmental health receiving water bodies.

PMID- 27275196
TI  - Investigation of Propolis' Effect on Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances and
      Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Levels of Hippocampus in Diabetic Rats Induced by
      Streptozotocin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Propolis is an organic resinous viscous substance collected from
      flower bud and plant sprig by bees. Propolis has a potential treatment agent for
      oxidative damage caused by diabetes in hippocampus due to its flavonoid and
      phenolic content. AIM: In this study effect of propolis on thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances and anti-oxidative enzyme levels of hippocampus in diabetic
      rats induced by streptozotocin was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study
      involved measuring levels of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and TBARs in hippocampus tissue of
      STZ-induced diabetic rats (Adult Male Sprague Dawley rats) after applying
      propolis for one month. The subjects of the study were composed of 51 rats
      randomly assigned to four groups (Control, STZ, P+STZ and STZ+P). For analysis of
      data, Kruskal Wallis Test was utilized. RESULTS: The findings of the study showed
      that there were no significant difference in the levels of TBARS, SOD, CAT and
      GSH-Px of hippocampus across the groups. CONCLUSION: Propolis application in four
      week duration does not have effect on TBARS, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px levels of
      hippocampus of diabetic rats. These findings mean that more time for observing
      oxidative harms on hippocampus is needed.

PMID- 27275197
TI  - Preferentially Expressed Antigen of Melanoma (PRAME) and Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT 1)
      Genes Expression in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Prognostic Role and
      Correlation with Survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common hematologic
      malignancy in children. In young children it is also largely curable, with more
      than 90% of afflicted children achieving long-term remission. PRAME
      (Preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma) gene belongs to Group 3 class I
      HLA-restricted widely expressed antigens in which genes encoding widely expressed
      tumor antigens have been detected in many normal tissues as well as in
      histologically different types of tumors with no preferential expression on a
      certain type of cancer. It has been found to be expressed in a variety of cancer
      cells as leukemia & lymphoma. PRAME monitoring can be useful for detection of
      minimal residual disease and subsequent relapses particularly those leukemias in
      which specific tumor markers are unavailable. Wilms' tumor1 (WT1) gene was
      identified as a gene that plays an important role in normal kidney development
      and inactivation of its function was shown to result in the development of Wilms'
      tumors in paediatric patients. Disruption of WT1 function has been implicated in
      the formation of many different tumor types. AIM: to study how PRAME & WT 1 genes
      expression patterns influence cancer susceptibility & prognosis. PATIENTS &
      METHODS: 50 patients with denovo childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as well
      as 50 age and sex matched apparently healthy volunteers were genotyped for PRAME
      and WT1 genes expression by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT
      PCR). RESULTS: PRAME gene was expressed in 34 of the patients (68%) and WT1 gene
      was expressed in 26 of the patients (52%). Expression of both genes was
      significantly higher compared to controls (P < 0.0001). Analysis of relapse free
      survival among our patients revealed that patients expressing PRAME gene or WT1
      gene had better relapse free survival (p value=0.02 and 0.01 respectively).
      Relapse free survival increased significantly among patients coexpressing PRAME
      and WT 1(p value =0.001). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the expression of
      PRAME and WT1 genes are indicators of favorable prognosis and can be useful tools
      for monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute leukemia especially in
      patients without known genetic markers. Differential expression between acute
      leukemia patients and healthy volunteers suggests that the immunogenic antigens
      (PRAME and WT1) are potential candidates for immunotherapy in childhood acute
      leukemia.

PMID- 27275198
TI  - Early Zinc Supplementation and Enhanced Growth of the Low-Birth Weight Neonate.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nutritional deficits are almost universal in Low-Birth Weight babies.
      Zinc is essential for normal infant growth and its supplementation assists growth
      probably through insulin-like growth factor-1. AIM: This double-blind randomized
      controlled trial aimed at evaluating the role of zinc in catch-up growth of low
      birth-weight infants and investigating its proposed mediator. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: The study was conducted in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. Two
      hundred low-birth-weight neonates were simply randomized to either oral zinc
      therapy or placebo. Anthropometric measurements were recorded at birth, 3, 6, and
      12 months; including weight, recumbent length, head, waist, chest, and mid-upper
      arm circumferences, and triceps and sub-scapular skin fold thickness. RESULTS: We
      found that initial and 3-months measurements, except weight, were comparable in
      the 2 groups. All measurements at 6- and 12-months, except sub-scapular skin-fold
      thickness, were significantly higher in zinc group than placebo. Catch-up growth,
      at 12-months, was significant in zinc group and was significantly higher in
      appropriate-for-gestational-age vs. small-for-gestational-age, in preterm vs.
      term, and in male vs. female infants. The median 6-months insulin-like growth
      factor-1 levels were significantly higher in zinc group. CONCLUSION: We conclude
      that early start of oral zinc supplementation in low-birth-weight neonates
      assists catch-up growth, probably through rise of insulin-like growth factor-1.

PMID- 27275199
TI  - Gender Associated High Body Mass Index in Allergic Diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of allergic diseases and atopy is affected
      by sex, age and lifestyle factors. Obesity and excess weight are reported to be
      potential risk factors for atopy and specifically for asthma symptoms in children
      and adults. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation between body mass index (BMI) and
      allergic diseases in patients of both genders, as well as association of BMI with
      atopy in healthy subjects. METHODS: BMI (kg/m(2)), skin-prick test and total
      serum immunoglobulin E levels were assessed in 139 subjects: 109 were patients
      with allergic diseases (M to F ratio was 51:58) and 30 were healthy controls (M
      to F ratio was 6:24). RESULTS: The study population was grouped into asthma,
      asthmarhinitis, rhinitis, Urticaria oreczema and controls by BMI and sex. Females
      with the highest BMI were in asthma and urticaria/eczema group. Males with the
      highest BMI were in asthmarhinitis and urticariaeczema group. High BMI was
      associated with atopy in both genders of healthy controls. High levels of total
      IgE were in male allergic patients. CONCLUSION: High BMI was associated with
      asthma in females, urticaria/eczema in both genders and atopy in both genders of
      healthy controls. Higher levels of total IgE were concluded in male patients.

PMID- 27275200
TI  - Prognostic Factors and Survival in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated
      with Chemoradiotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: According to the literature, performance status, stage-tumor
      dimension and nodal status, weight loss, were the most important prognostic
      factors for survival in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung
      cancer. AIM: To evaluate the treatment results and the prognostic variables in
      our patients treated with sequential and concurrent chemoradiotherapy. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: In the study 85 patients were randomly assigned to one of the two
      treatment arms. In the sequential arm, 45 patients had previously received
      sequential chemotherapy with 4 cycles of and etoposide followed by conformal
      radiotherapy (RT). In the second concurrent group, 40 patients received
      concomitant chemotherapy of cisplatine and etoposide and conformal RT, followed
      by two cycles of consolidation chemotherapy of carboplatine and etoposide. We
      described all phases of the conformal three dimensional (3-D) RT. RESULTS: From
      October 2005 to March 2008, 93 patients were enrolled. Eight patients were not
      eligible, seven had stage IV and one patient had pleural effusion. They were all
      initially considered to have stage IIIB disease. The median survival was 13
      months for the patients in the sequential arm and 19 months for those in the
      concurrent treatment arm. The differences were statistically significant (log
      rank test p=0.0039). The disease-free survival was 9 months in the sequential arm
      and 16 months in the concurrent treatment group. The differences were
      statistically significant (log-rank test p=0.0023). We found that the following
      prognostic factors significantly influenced the survival in lung cancer patients
      treated with conservative method: - age, p<0.05; - performant status, p<0.001; -
      weight loss, p<0.001; tumor dimension, p<0.05; and - nodal involvement, p<0.05.
      CONCLUSION: In our study, the dose-limiting toxicity, esophagitis was reduced by
      performing conformal radiotherapy. Conformal thoracic radiotherapy and new
      radiotherapy technics, such as respiratory gated radiotherapy, allow dose
      escalating and may probably improve survival and local control in lung cancer
      patients.

PMID- 27275201
TI  - Association of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D with Life Style and Dietary Factors in
      Egyptian Prepubescent Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There had been a growing evidence of high prevalence of vitamin D
      deficiency especially among children which may increase the risk of many chronic
      diseases in adulthood. AIM: Assessment of different lifestyles and dietary
      behaviour influencing the level of serum 25-OHD in a group of Egyptian
      prepubescent children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred boys and girls aged from
      9 to 11 years were recruited from two primary public schools situated in Giza
      governorate in Egypt. A questionnaire was developed to obtain relevant
      information related to age, dietary habits, and physical activity. Thorough
      clinical examination and measurement of weight and height were performed. Body
      mass index was calculated. Serum samples were assayed for 25-hydroxy vitamin D
      (25-OHD). RESULTS: Low serum 25-OHD (< 20 ng/ml) was found in 11.5% of the whole
      sample. Mean serum 25-OHD was significantly lower in obese subjects and in those
      with low physical activity (p < 0.05). Multiple stepwise linear regression
      analysis showed that BMI and physical activity were the main predictors of serum
      25-OHD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle factors in terms of physical activity
      and BMI may contribute significantly to the optimal vitamin D status of
      apparently healthy children.

PMID- 27275202
TI  - Effect of Acupuncture on Body Weight Reduction and Inflammatory Mediators in
      Egyptian Obese Patients.
AB  - AIM: Aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of body acupuncture on
      body weight loss, routine laboratory tests and pro-inflammatory markers.
      METHODOLOGY: The study was performed on eighty obese patients. They were divided
      into three groups according to their body mass index. Subjects received
      acupuncture for three- six months in combination with a low-calorie diet. They
      were assessed pre and post acupuncture, by anthropometric measurement, routine
      laboratory tests and, tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin- 6
      (IL-6), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in serum. RESULTS:
      The pre-acupuncture results showed significant difference between the three
      grades of obesity and the controls regarding TNFalpha, IL-6 and hsCRP. We found
      significant reduction in anthropometric measurement of adiposity after
      acupuncture. In comparing the pre &post acupuncture results of TNF-alpha, IL-6
      and hsCRP showed high significant reduction after acupuncture. There are highly
      significant decrease in kidney function (creatinine and uric acid) and lipid
      profile (cholesterol and triglycerides) and fasting blood glucose, but there was
      no significant difference in urea, SGPT, SGOT, HDL and LDL. CONCLUSION: Body
      acupuncture in combination with diet restriction was found to be effective for
      weight loss and also reduction of the inflammatory reactions. Acupuncture could
      be used as a synergistic treatment option for obesity control.

PMID- 27275203
TI  - Predictors of High Serum Casein Antibody Levels among Malnourished Infants and
      Young Children with Congenital Heart Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Factors predictive of growth retardation and malnutrition in patients
      with congenital heart disease remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to
      measure antibody response to bovine casein through assessing serum casein
      antibody levels in malnourished patients three year or younger with CHD, and to
      determine its relationship to gastrointestinal symptoms, anthropometric measures,
      and laboratory data. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross sectional case control
      study was conducted in sixty patients with CHD aged 4 to 72 months. They were
      subdivided into thirty patients with cyanotic and thirty patients with acyanotic
      CHD compared with thirty apparently healthy children. RESULTS: On comparison with
      controls, patients showed highly significant lower anthropometric measures,
      calcium, iron, hemoglobin levels, and higher serum levels of casein antibody,
      total iron binding capacity, and alkaline phoshatase activity (P<0.000). Serum
      levels of casein antibody showed significantly positive correlations with serum
      total iron binding capacity and alkaline phosphatase activities and negatively
      correlated with the age at onset of symptoms, anthropometric measures, serum
      calcium, and iron levels. CONCLUSION: Serum casein antibody levels play a
      significant role in the pathogenesis of malnutrition. Encouragement of breast
      feeding and avoidance of early cow's milk consumption could prevent the
      development of antibody response to bovine casein.

PMID- 27275204
TI  - Achieving Higher Diagnostic Results in Stereotactic Brain Biopsy by Simple and
      Novel Technique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurosurgeons have preferred to perform the stereotactic biopsy for
      pathologic diagnosis when the intracranial pathology located eloquent areas and
      deep sites of the brain. AIM: To get a higher ratio of definite pathologic
      diagnosis during stereotactic biopsy and develop practical method. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: We determined at least two different target points and two different
      trajectories to take brain biopsy during stereotactic biopsy. It is a different
      way from the conventional stereotactic biopsy method in which one point has been
      selected to take a biopsy. We separated our patients into two groups, group 1
      (N=10), and group 2 (N= 19). We chose one target to take a biopsy in group 1, and
      two different targets and two different trajectories in group 2. In group 2, one
      patient underwent craniotomy due to hemorrhage at the site of the biopsy during
      tissue biting. However, none of the patients in both groups suffered any
      neurological complication related biopsy procedure. RESULTS: In group 1, two of
      10 cases, and, in group 2, fourteen of 19 cases had positive biopsy harvesting.
      These results showed statistically significant difference between group 1 and
      group 2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding these results, choosing more than one
      trajectories and taking at least six specimens from each target provides higher
      diagnostic rate in stereotaxic biopsy taking method.

PMID- 27275205
TI  - Clinical Relevance of Transforming Growth Factor-beta1, Interleukin-6 and
      Haptoglobin for Prediction of Obesity Complications in Prepubertal Egyptian
      Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rate of obesity is increasing throughout the world. Obesity in
      adults' research is characterized by chronic inflammation, associated with type 2
      Diabetes and cardiovascular risk. The degree to which these changes occur in
      childhood obesity is not fully defined. AIM: This study was designed to explore
      the relation between circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and
      obesity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross sectional case control study was
      carried out in 50 randomly selected pre-pubertal overweight and obese children
      compared with fifty apparently healthy children of matched age and sex. Serum
      levels of transforming growth factor-beta1, interleukin-6, and haptoglobin were
      quantified by ELISA technique. RESULTS: ANOVA test followed by Post Hoc test
      showed highly significant increase in the serum levels of the transforming growth
      factor-beta1, interleukin-6 and haptoglobin among obese children compared to
      overweight and healthy children respectively. The body weight, BMI and BMI z
      score were significantly positively correlated with serum levels of the three pro
      inflammatory cytokines. Serum levels of interleukin-6, and haptoglobin were found
      to be strong predictors of complications in severe obesity by linear regression
      analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation.
      High levels of interleukin-6 and haptoglobin are considered to be early
      biomarkers of inflammation associated with severe obesity with subsequent
      cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risk.

PMID- 27275206
TI  - Correlation of the CT Compatible Stereotaxic Craniotomy with MRI Scans of the
      Patients for Removing Cranial Lesions Located Eloquent Areas and Deep Sites of
      Brain.
AB  - The first goal in neurosurgery is to protect neural function as long as it is
      possible. Moreover, while protecting the neural function, a neurosurgeon should
      extract the maximum amount of tumoral tissue from the tumour region of the brain.
      So neurosurgery and technological advancement go hand in hand to realize this
      goal. Using of CT compatible stereotaxy for removing a cranial tumour is to be
      commended as a cornerstone of these technological advancements. Following CT
      compatible stereotaxic system applications in neurosurgery, different techniques
      have taken place in neurosurgical practice. These techniques are magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI), MRI compatible stereotaxis, frameless stereotaxy,
      volumetric stereotaxy, functional MRI, diffusion tensor (DT) imaging techniques
      (tractography of the white matter), intraoperative MRI and neuronavigation
      systems. However, to use all of this equipment having these technologies would be
      impossible because of economic reasons. However, when we correlated this
      technique with MRI scans of the patients with CT compatible stereotaxy scans, it
      is possible to provide gross total resection and protect and improve patients'
      neural functions. 

PMID- 27275207
TI  - Significance of Serum Cytokeratin-18 in Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in
      Chronic Hepatitis C Infected Egyptian Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus is one of the most common etiologic agents of
      chronic liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in
      which there is continuous inflammation and regeneration of hepatocytes.
      Cytokeratin-18 (CK18) has been suggested to play an important role in
      tumorigenesis of epithelial cancers. AIM: Estimation of CK18 serum levels in
      patients with chronic viral hepatitis C (CHCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      and find the relationship between their levels, the severity of the disease and
      the development of HCC. METHODS: We measured serum levels of CK18 in 60 Egyptian
      patients (30 with CHCV & 30 with HCC) and 30 healthy controls. RESULTS: Patients
      with HCC had highly significant increased CK18 levels compared with CHCV
      patients, healthy controls. Cytokeratin-18 among the three classes of Child-Pugh
      classification show highly significant gradual increase from child A to C.
      Furthermore, In HCC there were positive correlations between CK18 and with RBCs,
      ESR, and AFP. CONCLUSION: CK18 is a sensitive indicator of the severity of liver
      disease. Patients with CHCV infection can be followed up by measurement of its
      serum level which can predict the development of HCC. The combination of AFP and
      CK18 increased the sensitivity of detection for HCC.

PMID- 27275208
TI  - Association between Serum Cortisol and DHEA-S Levels and Response to
      Antipsychotic Treatment in Schizophrenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that alterations in serum cortisol and
      DHEA-S levels may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. AIM: To
      compare serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels between patients with schizophrenia and
      healthy controls and to evaluate their association with the response to
      antipsychotic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this clinical prospective study
      were included 60 patients with schizophrenia and 40 healthy age and sex matched
      control subjects. Clinical evaluation of patients was performed using the
      Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. A questionnaire for socio-demographic and
      clinical data collection was used. For the purposes of the study, the examined
      group was divided in two subgroups: responders and nonresponders. Serum cortisol
      and DHEA-S levels were measured at baseline in all participants and after 3 and 6
      weeks of the antipsychotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia. RESULTS:
      Patients with schizophrenia had significantly higher serum cortisol and DHEA-S
      levels in comparison to the control group. Responders had significantly higher
      serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels compared with nonresponders. CONCLUSION:
      Elevated serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels may play a role in the pathophysiology
      of schizophrenia and they may be related to positive response to antipsychotic
      treatment in patients with schizophrenia.

PMID- 27275209
TI  - Klippel - Feil Syndrome Associated with Congential Heart Disease Presentaion of
      Cases and a Review of the Curent Literature.
AB  - First time described in 1912, from Maurice Klippel and Andre Feil independently,
      Klippel-Feil syndrome (synonyms: cervical vertebra fusion syndrome, Klippel-Feil
      deformity, Klippel-Feil sequence disorder) is a bone disorder characterized by
      the abnormal joining (fusion) of two or more spinal bones in the neck (cervical
      vertebrae), which is present from birth. Three major features result from this
      abnormality: a short neck, a limited range of motion in the neck, and a low
      hairline at the back of the head. Most affected people have one or two of these
      characteristic features. Less than half of all individuals with Klippel-Feil
      syndrome have all three classic features of this condition. Since first
      classification from Feil in three categories (I - III) other classification
      systems have been advocated to describe the anomalies, predict the potential
      problems, and guide treatment decisions. Patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome
      usually present with the disease during childhood, but may present later in life.
      The challenge to the clinician is to recognize the associated anomalies that can
      occur with Klippel-Feil syndrome and to perform the appropriate workup for
      diagnosis. 

PMID- 27275210
TI  - Cervicothoracic Arachnoid Cyst Causing Cervical Myelopathy: A Case Report.
AB  - Several types of intraspinal cyst develop within the spinal canal from the
      craniovertebral junction to the sacrum. These lesions occur in both children and
      adults. Arachnoid cysts are one of them and are more frequent in the paediatric
      population, being a relatively uncommon lesion in adults. The arachnoid cyst may
      be located intradurally or extradurally. The intradural type may be congenital or
      from spinal trauma, infection or spondylosis. Although intradural arachnoid cysts
      are often asymptomatic, they may give early symptoms when they exist with
      synchronous pathologies constricting the spinal canal gradually as in cervical
      spondylosis. In this report, a 60-year-old man with an arachnoid cyst of the
      cervicothoracic spine is presented. His cyst remained undiagnosed because of the
      nonspecific nature of the symptoms. It was only when he developed right
      hemiparesis that a posterior fluid collection compressing the spinal cord was
      found in Magnetic resonance imaginig. An intradural extramedullary cyst was
      removed with successful surgery and cord compression and symptoms were reversed.
      We discuss radiological diagnosis and surgical treatment of an arachnoid cyst in
      this report. 

PMID- 27275211
TI  - Internal Mammary Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer - Effects on Disease
      Prognosis and Therapeutic Protocols - A Case Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The main prognostic factor in early staged breast cancer is the
      axillary lymph node metastatic affection. Sentinel lymph node biopsy, as a
      staging modality, significantly decreases surgical morbidity. The status of
      internal mammary lymph nodes gains an increased predictive role in grading breast
      carcinomas and modulation of postoperative therapeutic protocols. If positive,
      almost always are associated with worse disease outcome. Nevertheless, the
      clinical significance of internal mammary lymph node micrometastases has not been
      up to date precisely defined. AIM: To present a case of female patient clinically
      diagnosed as T1, N0, M0 (clinical TNM) ductal breast carcinoma with scintigraphic
      detection of internal mammary and axillary sentinel lymph nodes. METHODS: Dual
      method of scintigraphic sentinel lymph node detection using 99mTc-SENTI-SCINT and
      blue dye injection, intraoperative gamma probe detection, radioguided surgery and
      intraoperative ex tempore biopsy were used. CASE REPORT: We present a case of
      clinically T1, N0, M0 ductal breast cancer with scintigraphic detection of
      internal mammary and axillary sentinel lymph nodes. Intraoperative ex tempore
      biopsy revealed micrometastases in the internal mammary node and no metastatic
      involvement of the axillary sentinel lymph node. CONCLUSION: Detection of
      internal mammary lymph node metastases improves N (nodal) grading of breast
      cancer by selecting a high risk subgroup of patients that require adjuvant
      hormone therapy, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

PMID- 27275212
TI  - Symptomatic Pneumocephalus after Lumbar Disc Surgery: a Case Report.
AB  - Symptomatic pneumocephalus is frequently seen after traumatic fracture of the
      skull base bone. However, it has rarely been reported after spinal surgery and
      its mechanism has not been fully explained. In this paper, we present a 30 year
      old male patient who had lumbar discectomy due to a symptomatic midline lumbar
      disc herniation. He had developed symptomatic pneumocephalus after the lumbar
      disc surgery associated with application of a vacuum suction device. We present
      and discuss our patient in the light of the literatures. 

PMID- 27275213
TI  - Work-Related Upper Limb Disorders: A Case Report.
AB  - In this study the complex interrelationship between physical factors, job stress,
      lifestyle and genetic factors on symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal
      disorders of the upper limbs is demonstrated by a case report and discussion of
      the literature. A 58 year old woman with long lasting complaints of the upper
      limbs with increasing intensity and duration, generalisation, combined with skin
      thickness, Raynaud's phenomenon, joint disorders, arterial and pulmonary
      hypertension, metabolic lipid dysfunctions is presented. Occupational history
      proves continuous duration of service at a job with occupational physical static
      load with numerous repetitive monotonous systematic motions of fingers and hands
      as a weaver of Persian rugs followed by work at an automated loom and variable
      labour activities. Though the complaints dated since the time she was a manual
      weaver, the manifestations of generalized joint degenerative changes, system
      sclerosis with Raynaud's phenomenon with similar upper extremities signs and
      symptoms discount upper limbs musculoskeletal disorder as caused only or mainly
      by occupational risk factors. The main principles and criteria for occupational
      diagnosis of musculoskeletal upper limb disorders and legislative requirements
      for their reglamentation are discussed. 

PMID- 27275214
TI  - Use of Medicines from the Group of Benzodiazepines in the Period of 2003-2013
      Year in the Republic of Macedonia.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the use of benzodiazepines in the
      period of 2003-2013 year in the Republic of Macedonia (MKD). METHOD: The study
      was cross sectional and analyzes the available data on the use of benzodiazepines
      in the country. This study used several sources of data: Statistical Reports of
      the United Nations regarding the consumption of psychotropic substances; data
      from the Ministry of Health associated with the use of benzodiazepines (BZD),
      derived from reports of Ministry of Health stakeholders; Data extracted from the
      database of the Ministry of Health in the electronic database "My term" and
      Analysis of reports of Health Insurance Fund. RESULTS: The analysis for the
      period 2003-2013 showed that the most consumed drug in MKD from the group of BZD
      is Diazepam, with 54.8 and predominantly is use of diazepam of 5 mg with 59 %.
      According to the Health Insurance Fund, Diazepam is second most prescribed
      medicaments of all medicaments with marketing authorization in MKD. CONCLUSIONS:
      The analysis shows that the use of BZD in MKD is particularly high. Limited
      number of studies was performed for this kind of drugs relating to their effects;
      differences in use between genders; adult population. There is need for
      additional focused research that will contribute to developing a full picture of
      the situation.

PMID- 27275215
TI  - Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function in Agricultural Workers -
      Influence of Exposure Duration and Smoking.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Job exposure in agricultural workers often leads to respiratory
      impairment. AIM: To assess the influence of exposure duration and smoking on
      chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in agricultural workers.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional study covered 75 agricultural workers, compared with
      an equal number of office workers matched by age, exposure duration and smoking
      status. Standardized questionnaire was used to obtain data on chronic respiratory
      symptoms, job and smoking history. Lung functional testing was performed by
      spirometry. RESULTS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher in
      agricultural workers, with significant difference for cough (P = 0.034), and
      dyspnea (P = 0.028). Chronic respiratory symptoms among agricultural workers were
      significantly associated with duration of exposure (P < 0.05) and daily smoking
      (P < 0.01), as well as with daily smoking in controls (P < 0.01). The average
      values of spirometric parameters in exposed workers were significantly different
      for MEF50 (P = 0.002), MEF75 (P = 0.000), and MEF25-75 (P = 0.049). Obstructive
      changes in small airways in exposed workers were strongly related to exposure
      duration (P < 0.05) and smoking (P < 0.01). Agricultural workers with job
      exposure more than 15 years had more expressed adverse respiratory symptoms and
      lung function decline. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed the influence of
      agricultural exposure and daily smoking on chronic respiratory symptoms and
      airflow limitation, primarily targeting the small airways.

PMID- 27275216
TI  - Burnout and Work Demands Predict Reduced Job Satisfaction in Health Professionals
      Working In a Surgery Clinic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Burnout syndrome develops in health professionals (HPs) as a result
      of exposure to chronic emotional and interpersonal workplace stressors. Research
      demonstrates the links between burnout, work demands, and job satisfaction in
      hospital HPs. AIMS: To examine the associations between burnout, work demands and
      job satisfaction, and to demonstrate the mediation effect of emotional exhaustion
      on the relationship between work demands and job satisfaction in surgery clinic
      HPs. METHODS: Maslach Burnout Inventory was used for assessment of burnout. Work
      demands and job satisfaction were measured with Hospital Experience Scale and Job
      Satisfaction Survey, respectively. In order to examine the role of emotional
      exhaustion, depersonalization, and work demands, controlling for age, hospital
      tenure, and unit tenure, a hierarchical multiple regression models were tested
      for each job satisfaction factor. RESULTS: Job satisfaction was negatively
      predicted by emotional exhaustion. Certain types of work demands negatively
      predicted different factors of job satisfaction. Emotional exhaustion was a
      significant partial mediator of the relationship between work demands and job
      satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate management of work demands, particularly
      excessive workload, time pressure, and lack of staff can lead to prevention of
      burnout and reduced job satisfaction in surgery clinic HPs, and contribute to
      better quality of patient care.

PMID- 27275217
TI  - Ebola in West Africa.
AB  - Ebola viral disease (EVD) is a severe and life-threatening disease. The current
      Ebola outbreak in West Africa entered its second year and is unprecedented
      because it is the largest one in history, involved urban centers and affected a
      large number of health care workers. It quickly escalated from medical into a
      humanitarian, social, economic, and security crisis. The primary pillars to
      prevent EVD are: early diagnosis, isolation of patients, contact tracing and
      monitoring, safe burials, infection prevention and control and social
      mobilization. The implementation of all these components was challenged in the
      field. Key lessons from this Ebola outbreak are that countries with weak health
      care systems can't withstand the major outbreaks; preparedness to treat the first
      confirmed cases is a national emergency; all control measures must be coordinated
      together and community engagement is the great factor to combat this disease. 

PMID- 27275218
TI  - Work Demands-Burnout and Job Engagement-Job Satisfaction Relationships: Teamwork
      as a Mediator and Moderator.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined teamwork as mediator and moderator of work
      demands-burnout and job engagement-job satisfaction relationships in healthcare
      workers (HCWs) in South-East Europe. AIM: To assess mediation and moderation
      effect of teamwork on the relationship between independent (work demands or job
      engagement) and dependent (burnout or job satisfaction) variables. METHODS: Work
      demands, burnout, job engagement, and job satisfaction were measured with
      Hospital Experience Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Utrecht Work Engagement
      Scale, and Job Satisfaction Survey, respectively. Hospital Survey on Patient
      Safety Culture was used for assessment of teamwork. In order to examine role of
      teamwork as a mediating variable we fit series of regression models for burnout
      and job satisfaction. We also fit regression models predicting outcome (burnout
      or job satisfaction) from predictor (work demands or job engagement) and
      moderator (teamwork) variable. RESULTS: Teamwork was partial mediator of work
      demands-burnout relationship and full mediator of job engagement-job satisfaction
      relationship. We found that only job engagement-job satisfaction relationship was
      moderated by teamwork. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational health services should target
      detection of burnout in HCWs and implementation of organizational interventions
      in hospitals, taking into account findings that teamwork predicted reduced
      burnout and higher job satisfaction.

PMID- 27275219
TI  - Association between Macronutrients Intake, Visceral Obesity and Blood Pressure in
      a Sample of Obese Egyptian Women.
AB  - AIM: Study the association between the total caloric intake, protein, lipid, and
      some classes of fatty acids of the diet, and their effects on blood pressure in a
      sample of Egyptian obese women with and without visceral obesity. METHODS: Five
      hundred forty-nine obese women were included in the study with mean age of 38.1
      +/- 11.56 years and mean Body mass index [BMI] of 36.17 +/- 7.23. They enrolled
      in a program for losing weight. Visceral fat was determined using ultrasound.
      Blood pressure was measured 3 times and the mean was recorded. Twenty four hours
      dietary recall was reported. RESULTS: Thirty point four percentages of samples
      has visceral obesity >= 7cm; they were the older, showed higher values of BMI,
      visceral obesity and blood pressure. Significant difference was found between
      groups regarding mean value of BMI, visceral obesity, both systolic blood
      pressure SBP and diastolic blood pressure DBP and most of the daily
      macronutrients intake. In groups (2&3) positive significant correlation was
      recorded between (SBP) & (DBP) and total daily intake of total calories,
      carbohydrate, total fat, saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, and negative
      significant correlation with total daily intake of total protein, animal and
      vegetable protein, linolenic and linoleic fatty acids, while oleic fatty acid
      showed negative correlation with SBP&DBP in all groups. CONCLUSION: This study
      emphasizes the hypothesis that the macronutrients composition of diet influences
      blood pressure in different ways, in obese patients with visceral obesity.

PMID- 27275220
TI  - Statistical Study of Risk Factors of End Stage Renal Failure in Peshawar,
      Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: End Stage Renal Failure (ESRD) is the last stage of the chronic renal
      failure in which kidneys become completely fail to function. AIM: The basic aim
      of this study was to discover the important risk factors of ESRD and to construct
      a model for prediction of the ESRD patients in various hospitals of Peshawar,
      Pakistan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were collected from the patients of
      renal diseases from three major hospitals of Peshawar. Brown method was used to
      obtain initial model, then backward elimination logistic regression analysis was
      performed to find the significant variables (risk factors). The response variable
      (ESRD) in this study is binary; therefore, logistic regression analysis is used
      to identify the significant variables. A Statistical Package GLIM and SPSS were
      used for fitting the model and for finding the significant variables. RESULTS:
      The backward elimination procedure selects predictor variables diabetic,
      hypertension, glomerulonephritis and heredity, for males. Thus, these variables
      are the main causes of ESRD. For females, the predictor variables selected are
      hypertension & (Diabetic*Hypertension), which means that hypertension and
      hypertensive diabetic are significant causes of ESRD. CONCLUSION: Our main
      conclusion from this analysis is that diabetic, hypertension and
      glomerulonephritis are the significant risk factors of ESRD.

PMID- 27275221
TI  - Lactoferrin Enhanced Apoptosis and Protected Against Thioacetamide-Induced Liver
      Fibrosis in Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis is the common pathologic consequence of all chronic
      liver diseases. AIM: Lactoferrin (Lf) was investigated for its possible
      hepatoprotective effect against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis rat
      model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats received TAA (200 mg/kg/biweekly, ip) for four
      successive weeks. Lf (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or vehicle (VHC) was administered for
      one month before and another month during TAA injection. Body weight and
      mortality rate were assessed during the month of TAA-intoxication. Thereafter,
      serum and liver tissues were analyzed for liver function, oxidative, fibrotic and
      apoptotic markers. RESULTS: Lf conserved rats against TAA-induced body weight
      loss and mortality. Preservation of serum albumin, alkaline phosphatase and total
      bilirubin levels was also observed. Lf also protected rats against TAA-induced
      decrease in reduced glutathione and increase in malondialdehyde liver contents.
      Normal liver contents of hydroxyproline, nuclear factor kappa B and alpha
      fetoprotein; as markers of fibrosis; were increased with TAA and conserved with
      Lf-TAA. Lf maintained the normal architecture of the liver and
      immunohistochemical findings revealed increase in apoptotic bodies compared to
      TAA that favored necrosis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Lf improved liver function,
      reduced oxidative stress and liver fibrosis, and enhanced apoptosis in rats with
      liver fibrosis, suggesting it to have useful therapeutic potential in patients
      with liver fibrosis.

PMID- 27275222
TI  - Total IgE Distribution in Food Allergy Suspected Patients in Republic of
      Macedonia (2001-2011).
AB  - BACKGROUND: IgE may be considered the hallmark of allergic disorders. It is
      easily detected in serum and can be measured as total IgE and as allergen
      specific IgE. In fact, the serum IgE assay is used to diagnose an allergy. AIM:
      The aim of this study is to evaluate, investigate and present the distribution of
      total serum IgE levels, determined with UniCap system, in food-allergy suspected
      patients in a Republic of Macedonia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study we
      analyzed retrospectively 8898 consecutive patients that were admitted for allergy
      testing at the Institute of Immunobiology and Human Genetics during the ten year
      period between 01.01.2001 and 01.01.2011. Total IgE levels in patient sera were
      detected with the in vitro system UniCAP100 (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden).
      RESULTS: When we analyzed the number of patients according to the total IgE
      groups, we noted that most of the patients have normal levels of total IgE in
      serum. However, we also discovered a group of patients with elevated levels of
      total IgE that are greater than 200 kU/L. The average concentration of total
      serum IgE is higher in women in the age group 6 (6-7 years), followed by a steep
      decrease in the age group 9 (9-10 years), and after that the average
      concentrations of total IgE were mostly constant with the exception of a partial
      increase in the age group 21 (65-69 years). For men, the average serum
      concentrations of total IgE were highest in the age group of 6 (6-7 years), which
      was significantly higher than the average concentrations of total IgE in all
      other age groups. CONCLUSION: The large number of enrolled patients, a particular
      strength of this study, revealed that average concentrations of total IgE in men
      are higher than in women and that total IgE did not decrease with age. On the
      contrary, increased total IgE levels were found in patients aged 65 and 69 of
      both genders. We continue our work with analyses of the specific IgE antibodies
      values toward food and the correlation with total IgE values.

PMID- 27275223
TI  - Tumor-Associated Macrophage (TAM) and Angiogenesis in Human Colon Carcinoma.
AB  - AIM: This study aimed to clarify how macrophages affect prognosis in cancer colon
      and their association with tumor angiogenesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty four
      biopsies of colon carcinoma and 15 of benign adenomatous polyps were investigated
      for macrophages infiltration and microvessels density using immunohistochemistry
      and image morphometric analysis. Macrophages and blood vessels were stained
      immunohistochemically by CD68 and F-VIII markers respectively. The morphometric
      analysis was carried out on the immunohistochemically stained slides using the
      Leica Qwin 500 Image Analyzer. Both of macrophages infiltration and microvessels
      density were correlated with histological tumor grade, stage and lymph node
      metastases and were correlated with each others. RESULTS: Macrophage infiltration
      was significantly higher in malignant cases than in benign polyps. High
      macrophage infiltration and hypervascularity were significantly correlated with T
      staging and lymph nodes metastasis. A significant correlation was found between
      macrophage infiltration and microvessels densitie in malignant tumors where
      hypervascularity was significantly correlated with high macrophages infiltration.
      CONCLUSION: The significant correlation between macrophage infiltration and tumor
      angiogenesis suggests an interaction between macrophages and cancer cells
      stimulating microvessels formation, tumor invasion and metastasis in colon
      cancer. We recommend that macrophages infiltration should be evaluated to
      investigate their clinical value in development of individualized therapeutic
      regimens for management of colon carcinoma.

PMID- 27275224
TI  - The Effect of the PEEK Cage on the Cervical Lordosis in Patients Undergoing
      Anterior Cervical Discectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Loss of cervical lordosis is a significant factor in the development
      of degeneration of the spine with aging. This degenerative changings of the
      cervical spine would cause pressure effect on the cervical root and/or medulla
      spinalis. AIM: Our goal is to understand the effect of the PEEK cage on cervical
      lordosis in the early postoperative period. Also, to interpret the effects of one
      level, two- level, three-level and four- level disc pathologies on cervical
      lordosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated our archive, and
      we selected thirty-four patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and
      fusion with PEEK cage filled with demineralized bone matrix (ACDFP). RESULTS: We
      determined that ACDFP provides improvement in the cervical lordosis angle in both
      groups. Also, we found statistically significant difference between group 1 and 2
      regarding causes of radiculomyelopathy statistically. CONCLUSION: We achieved
      better cervical lordotic angles at the postoperative period by implanting one
      level, two-level, three-level or four-level PEEK cage filled with demineralized
      bone matrix. Also, the causes of cervical root and or medulla spinalis
      impingement were different in group1 and 2. While extruded cervical disc
      impingement was the first pathology in group 1, osteophyte formation was the
      first pathology in group 2.

PMID- 27275225
TI  - The Accuracy of Noninvasive Imaging Techniques in Diagnosis of Carotid Plaque
      Morphology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The stroke is leading cause of death and severe disability worldwide.
      Atherosclerosis is responsible for over 30% of all ischemic strokes. It has been
      recently discovered that plaque morphology may help predict the clinical behavior
      of carotid atherosclerosis and determine the risk of stroke. The noninvasive
      imaging techniques have been developed to evaluate the vascular wall in an
      attempt to identify "vulnerable plaques". AIM: The purpose is to investigate the
      diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography and magnetic
      resonance imaging in the identification of plaque components associated with
      plaque vulnerability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients were admitted
      for carotid endarterectomy for high grade carotid stenosis. We defined the
      diagnostic value of B-mode ultrasound of carotid plaque in a half, and the
      accuracy of multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, in
      the other group, for detection of unstable carotid plaque. The reference standard
      was histology. RESULTS: Sensitivity of ultrasound, multidetector computed
      tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is 94%, 83% and 100%, and the
      specificity is 93%, 73% and 89% for detection of unstable carotid plaque.
      CONCLUSION: The ultrasound has high accuracy for diagnostics of carotid plaque
      morphology, magnetic resonance imaging has high potential for tissue
      differentiation and multidetector computed tomography determines precisely degree
      of stenosis and presence of ulceration and calcifications. The three noninvasive
      imaging modalities are complementary for optimal evaluation of the morphology of
      carotid plaque. This will help to determine the risk of stroke and to decide on
      the best treatment - carotid endarterectomy or carotid stenting.

PMID- 27275226
TI  - Detection of BCR/ABL Translocation in Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
      in Egyptian CML Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative
      disorder of hematopoietic stem cells. It is characterized at the cytogenetic
      level by Philadelphia (ph) chromosome and at the molecular level by the BCR/ABL
      gene rearrangement. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are
      pluripotent stem cells that can differentiate into several mesenchymal tissues.
      AIM: To observe the biological characteristics of MSCS from CML patients and to
      determine whether MSCs harbor the abnormal BCR/ABL translocation similar to CML
      bone marrow cells. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Characterized MSCs were isolated from 12
      newly diagnosed Philadelphia positive untreated CML patients. RESULTS: MSCs can
      be readily isolated from CML marrow and exhibit major expansion. Flow cytometry
      analysis revealed the typical MSC phenotype. Moreover; MSCs do not harbor the
      BCR/ABL translocation confirmed by karyotype and real time PCR. CONCLUSION: MSCs
      from CML patients express the typical MSC phenotype; and do not express the
      BCR/ABL gene. Since; MSCs are able to support engraftment of hematopoietic stem
      cells in stem cell transplantation(SCT) as well as suppress alloreactive T cells
      causing graft versus -host disease, this current study provides evidence that in
      a SCT setting of CML patients, autologous MSCs could be a source of stem cell
      support in future cell therapy applications.

PMID- 27275227
TI  - Prelabour Rupture of Membranes: Mode of Delivery and Outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pre-labour Rupture of Membranes (PROM) is an important cause of
      maternal and fetal morbidity and increased rate of cesarean section delivery.
      AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics, PROM
      delivery interval, mode of delivery, and early maternal neonatal outcome among
      pregnant patients presenting with pre-labour rupture of membranes. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: This prospective case control study is implemented at the Obstetric and
      Gynecology Clinic of the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. The study included
      100 pregnant patients presenting with prelabour rupture of membranes of which 63
      were primigravida and 37 patients were multigravida. RESULTS: The incidence of
      cesarean section in this study is 28 % and the most common indications for
      cesarean delivery were fetal distress, malpresentation, cephalopelvic
      disproportion, and failed induction. The most common maternal complications in
      this study are chorioamnionitis, retained placenta and postpartum hemorrhage.
      Neonatal infectious morbidity was present in 16 % of cases. CONCLUSION: PROM is a
      significant issue for obstetricians and an important cause of maternal and
      neonatal morbidity and increased rate of cesarean section delivery.

PMID- 27275228
TI  - Incidence of A-V Fistulas after Renal Biopsy of Native and Transplanted Kidney -
      Two Centers Experience.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study is to make a retrospective analysis of the incidence of
      AV fistulas after renal biopsy (RB) of native and transplanted kidney. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Five hundred and sixteen (516) RB were analyzed. One hundred twenty
      nine (129) were native kidneys RB performed in Clinic of Nephrology (CN), 190
      were performed in Clinic of Nephrology and transplantation (CNT) and 197 were
      transplanted kidney biopsies from the same clinic. Biopsy technique type Gun with
      needle 14G, 16 and 18 G was used in CN, CNT used the same technique with needles
      16G. Doppler ultrasound was made for A-V fistulas diagnosis. RESULTS: The A-V
      fistulas incidence was 0.8%. The frequency of A-V fistulas registered in CN was
      significantly higher than that registered in CNT (2.3% vs. 0.5%, p < 0.01).
      Biopsies performed by 14 G needles provide a higher percentage of A-V fistulas
      compared to those done by 16 G. (3.3% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.5). The frequency of the A
      V fistulas in native and transplanted kidneys in CNT was similar (0.5% vs. 0.5%,
      p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The A-V fistulas incidence is very low. The needle
      thickness is an important factor relevant to the risk of occurrence of A-V
      fistulas.

PMID- 27275229
TI  - Interactive Effects of Immunoglobulin Gamma and Human Leucocyte Antigen Genotypes
      on Response to Interferon Based Therapy of Hepatitis C Virus.
AB  - AIM: We examined the role that immunoglobulin GM 23 and KM allotypes-genetic
      markers of gamma and kappa chains, respectively-play in response to treatment of
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egyptian patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A
      total of 120 persons who had responded to HCV treatment and 125 with persistent
      HCV infection were genotyped for the presence of GM23 and KM determinants. HLA -C
      genotyping was also done. RESULTS: Association of GM 23+ and KM3 was
      significantly associated with non response to treatment (P < 0.0001). Individuals
      who lacked this GM genotype (but were positive for KM1,2 and 3) were likely to
      respond to treatment (P=0.045). Association of heterozygous GM23 (+/-) with KM
      1,2 and 3 or KM3 alone was significantly associated with SVR (P = 0.001) and (P =
      0.0001) respectively. Particular combinations of HLA and GM genotypes were
      associated significantly with the response to HCV treatment. The combination of
      HLAC2C2 and GM23+ was associated with persistence of infection (P = 0.027) while
      the association of HLAC2C2 and heterozygous GM23+/- was associated with SVR (P =
      0.001). The association of HLAC1C1 and heterozygous GM23+/- was significantly
      associated with SVR (P = 0.001) and also subjects with HLA C1/C2 and heterozygous
      GM23+/- were likely to respond to treatment (P = 0.003) while subjects with HLA
      C1/C2 and GM23+ show tendency to resist to treatment (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION:
      Our results didn't support a role for KM allotypes, GM23 allotype plays a role in
      the persistence of HCV infection in the presence or absence of KM1,3. Interaction
      between certain GM and HLA-C genotypes may favor adequate response to interferon
      based therapies.

PMID- 27275230
TI  - IDH1 Mutation in Gliomas in Mosul City - Iraq.
AB  - BACKGROUND: IDH1 (isocitrate dehydrogenase 1) mutation might be encounter in the
      low grade glioma and directs the progression of the tumor to a higher grade.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of IDH1 mutations in gliomas and to correlate
      the IDH1 positivity with the type and grade of tumors, the age and sex of the
      patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retro- and prospective case series study. One
      hundred and nine cases of intracranial gliomas were collected between 2008 and
      2014 from Mosul Private Laboratories and Al-Jamboree Teaching Hospitals in Mosul.
      IDH1 mutations were assessed immunohistochemically using anti-IDH1 R132H mouse
      monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: IDH1 mutation was perceived in 34.86% of gliomas.
      In adult gliomas, the secondary glioblastoma and the low-grade astrocytoma had
      the greatest values of IDH1 positivity (88.88% and 62.5% respectively), followed
      by oligoastrocytoma/oligodendroglioma (50.0%), and anaplastic astrocytoma
      (47.36%). The primary glioblastomsa showed 17.64% IDH1 positivity. Males and
      females expressed the IDH1 equally. While, there was no role of IDH1 in pediatric
      gliomas. CONCLUSION: IDH1 mutation is commonly present in adult gliomas
      particularly in low-grade gliomas, and secondary glioblastoma, with equal sex
      distribution, but it has no role in pediatric gliomas.

PMID- 27275231
TI  - Vitamin D Status in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Serbia:
      Correlation with Disease Activity and Clinical Manifestations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Numerous studies indicate potential role of vitamin D as an important
      factor in the development of many autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE). Patients with SLE are especially prone to the development of
      vitamin D deficiency due to the nature of their illness. AIM: The aims of our
      study were to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency
      in patients with SLE in Serbia, to identify clinical variables associated with
      vitamin D status and to examine the impact of vitamin D status on disease
      activity and presence of specific lupus autoantibodies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The
      study included 46 patients with SLE. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by
      electrohemiluminiscent immunoassay. RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of
      25(OH)D was 11.9 +/- 7.3 ng/ml. The prevalence of insufficiency was 32.6%, while
      the prevalence of deficiency was 67.4%. There was no association between vitamin
      D status and photosensitivity, skin lesions, arthritis and lupus nephritis.
      Vitamin D status was not associated with the presence of specific autoantibodies.
      There was no correlation between disease activity assessed by SLEDAI scale with
      the concentration of 25(OH)D. Patients who used vitamin D supplements and calcium
      did not have a significantly higher concentration of 25(OH)D. CONCLUSION: In
      conclusion, vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with SLE.

PMID- 27275232
TI  - Dietary Patterns of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Study Based in
      Egypt.
AB  - AIM: In the hope to assist in tailoring individualized nutritional therapy, this
      study aimed to assess the nutritional status of autistic children. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 80 autistic children, divided into
      two groups: group 1 (aged 3- 5 years) and group 2 (aged 6-9 years). Diagnosis was
      performed based on the criteria for autistic disorder as defined in the
      Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Autism
      Diagnostic Interview Revised and Autism Rating Scale. RESULTS: Socio-demographic
      data, anthropometric measurements and dietary intake patterns were recorded using
      a validated questionnaire. The daily intakes of calories and nutrients were
      converted to percentages of the Recommended Dietary Allowance or Dietary
      Reference Intake based on age- and gender-normalized DRIs. Plotting on the
      Egyptian sex-specific growth chart, BMI-z scores of both age groups were slightly
      overweight. Autistic children suffered inadequate intake of some micronutrients
      such as vitamin D and C, calcium, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron,
      some deficiencies were highly significant especially at older age. CONCLUSIONS:
      Tailoring a specially designed balanced diet with appropriate micronutrient
      supplementation may ameliorate the severity of autism symptoms and related
      abnormal behaviours.

PMID- 27275233
TI  - The Effect of Combined Therapy ICS/LABA and ICS/LABA plus Montelukast in Patients
      with Uncontrolled Severe Persistent Asthma Based on the Serum IL-13 and FEV1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: IL-13 is one of many cytokines responsible for the chronic
      inflammation of asthma. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of
      combined therapy ICS/LABA and ICS/LABA plus Montelukast in patients with
      uncontrolled severe persistent asthma by analyzing of serum IL-13 and FEV1 before
      the treatment and after 6 months of therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In study we
      included two groups. First group with 27 patients were treated with ICS/LABA.
      Second group with 29 patients were treated with ICS/LABA plus Montelukast. In
      each of them were measured serum IL-13 levels by the ELISA method and FEV1 before
      and after 6 months of treatment. Results were statistically analyzed according to
      the Wilcoxon Pairs Test and T-test. RESULTS: The obtained results in both groups
      showed that the serum IL-13 before the start of therapy were much higher and
      after 6 months of treatment significantly reduces their value, which in the
      second group were more expressed. The difference in the average value of FEV1 in
      both groups before and after therapy was statistically significant. CONCLUSION:
      Treatment with ICS/LABA plus Montelukast proved superior compared to therapy of
      ICS/LABA in patients with uncontrolled severe persistent asthma and allows
      achievement of well controlled of asthma with subjective clinical improvement.

PMID- 27275234
TI  - Hook Wire Localization Procedure and Early Detection of Breast Cancer - Our
      Experience.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this study is to describe our experience with needle
      localization technique in diagnosing small breast cancers. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      This retrospective study included a hundred and twenty patients' with impalpable
      breast lesions and they underwent wire localization. All patients had
      mammography, ultrasound exam and pathohystological results. We use Mammomat
      Inspiration Siemens digital unit for diagnosing mammography, machine - Lorad
      Affinity with fenestrated compressive pad for wire localization and ultrasound
      machine Acuson X300 with linear array probe 10 MhZ. We use two types of wire:
      Bard hook wire and Kopans breast lesion localization needle, Cook. Comparative
      radiologic and pathologic data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: In 120
      asymptomatic women, 68 malignancies and 52 benign findings were detected with
      mammography and ultrasound. The mean age for patients with malignancy was 58.6
      years. According BI-RADS classification for mammography the distribution is our
      group was: BI-RADS 3 was presented in 6 (8.82%) patients, BI-RADS 4 was presented
      in 56 (82.35%) patients and BI-RADS 5 was present in 6 (8.82%) of the patients.
      Most wire localizations were performed under mammographic guidance in 58 from 68
      patients with malignant lesions (85.29%) and with ultrasound in 10 (14.7%).
      According the mammographic findings patients with mass on mammograms were 29
      (42.65%), mass with calcifications 9 (13.23%), calcifications 20 (29.41%) and
      architectural distortions or asymmetry 10 (14.71%). CONCLUSION: Wire localization
      is a well established technique for the management of impalpable breast lesions.

PMID- 27275235
TI  - Association between Estrogen Receptor Alpha Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility
      to Idiopathic Scoliosis in Bulgarian Patients: A Case-Control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current consensus on idiopathic scoliosis maintains that it has a
      multifactorial etiology with genetic predisposing factors. AIM: Estrogen receptor
      alpha gene has been considered as candidate gene of idiopathic scoliosis.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of Bulgarian population
      samples (eighty patients with idiopathic scoliosis and one hundred-sixty healthy
      unrelated gender-matched controls) trying to investigate the association between
      common genetic polymorphisms of estrogen receptor alpha and the susceptibility to
      idiopathic scoliosis. Molecular detection of the restriction polymorphisms XbaI
      and PvuII was performed by polymerase chain reaction following by restriction
      fragment length polymorphism. The statistical analysis was performed by Pearson's
      chi-squared test. RESULTS: Our case-control study showed statistically
      significant association between the PvuII polymorphism and susceptibility to
      idiopathic scoliosis and curve progression. No genotype or allele of XbaI
      polymorphism was found to be correlated with the onset or severity of the
      disease. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of molecular markers with diagnostic and
      prognostic value could be useful for early detection of children at risk for the
      development of scoliosis and for prognosis of the risk for a rapid deformity
      progression. That would facilitate the therapy decisions and early stage
      treatment of the patient with the least invasive procedures.

PMID- 27275236
TI  - Evaluation of C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
      Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated with
      evidence of systemic oxidative stress, activation of circulating inflammatory
      cells and increased plasma level of proinflamatory cytokines which include C
      reactive protein (CRP). CRP is one biomarker of extrapulmonary or systemic
      consequences of COPD that can be detected. AIM: The aim of this research is to
      determine whether the level of CRP statistically significantly correlates with
      the level of bronchial obstruction and the accompanying co-morbidities in
      patients with COPD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 80 patients with
      exacerbation of COPD, hospitalised at the Institute for Lung Diseases and
      Tuberculosis in Skopje. We measured the level of CRP in the blood in all of these
      patients in fasting conditions. The classification of COPD patients by the
      severity of airflow limitation was made according to the actual version of the
      Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). The Student's
      Independent Samples t-test was used for the statistic analysis of the data.
      RESULTS: In 52 (65%) of the patients with exacerbation of COPD we detected an
      increase of the mean value of CRP. The statistical analysis using the Student's t
      test showed statistically significant differences in the mean value of CRP in
      patients with different level of bronchial obstruction. Hypertension, heart
      failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, coronary disease, and CVI were
      confirmed as co-morbidities in 45 (73.1%) of the patients, hypertension being the
      most frequent one (40%). The statistical analysis using the Student's t-test
      showed statistically significant difference of the mean value of CRP (p< 0.01)
      depending on the number of co-morbidities. CONCLUSION: In 52 (65%) of the
      patients with exacerbation of COPD, were detected an increase of the mean value
      of CRP. The mean values of CRP statistically significantly correlate with the
      level of bronchial obstruction and the number of co-morbidities in patients with
      COPD.

PMID- 27275237
TI  - Liver Enzymes in Children with beta-Thalassemia Major: Correlation with Iron
      Overload and Viral Hepatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Beta Thalassemia is the most common chronic hemolytic anemia in Egypt
      (85.1%) with an estimated carrier rate of 9-10.2%. Injury to the liver, whether
      acute or chronic, eventually results in an increase in serum concentrations of
      Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST). AIM: Evaluating the
      potentiating effect of iron overload & viral hepatitis infection on the liver
      enzymes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty (80) thalassemia major patients were
      studied with respect to liver enzymes, ferritin, transferrin saturation, HBsAg,
      anti-HCV antibody and HCV-PCR for anti-HCV positive patients. RESULTS: Fifty % of
      the patients were anti-HCV positive and 55% of them were HCV-PCR positive.
      Patients with elevated ALT and AST levels had significantly higher mean serum
      ferritin than those with normal levels. Anti-HCV positive patients had higher
      mean serum ferritin, serum ALT, AST and GGT levels and higher age and duration of
      blood transfusion than the negative group. HCV-PCR positive patients had higher
      mean serum ferritin and serum ALT and also higher age and duration of blood
      transfusion than the negative group. CONCLUSION: Iron overload is a main leading
      cause of elevated liver enzymes, and presence of HCV infection is significantly
      related to the increased iron overload.

PMID- 27275238
TI  - Correlation between the Amount of Anti-D Antibodies and IgG Subclasses with
      Severity of Haemolytic Disease of Foetus and Newborn.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of subclasses to IgG
      anti-D on the intensity of hemolytic disease of fetus and newborn (HDFN) at 45
      fetuses/newborns with symptoms of mild and severe HDFN in Republic of Macedonia.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: In retrospective and prospective studies, in a period of 10
      years, from 2004 to 2014, there have been immunohemathology tests performed on 22
      009 samples on serums of pregnant women. RESULTS: At 37.78% of the total number
      of tested patients, IgG1 and IgG3 was the reason for severe HDFN. At 17.77% of
      the total number of tested patients, which had only IgG1detected, was the reason
      for serious intensity of HDFN. The correlation of the titer to anti-D antibodies
      in the mother's serum and the intensity of HDFN were researched in 48 newborns.
      The titers between 1:8 and 1:32 resulted in 3 cases of HDFN with symptoms of
      severe disease and in 4 cases there were no signs of HDFN. At 12 women that had a
      titre between 1:32 and 1:512, five of the newborns developed severe HDFN, and
      seven had symptoms of mild and weak intensity form. In 3 cases the titer was
      higher than 512, and out of them one newborn had weak symptoms of HDFN, one
      developed severe HDFN and one ended with foetal death. Only in one case the titer
      reached a value higher than 1000, and it ended with a fetal death. CONCLUSIONS:
      The titers of the pregnant women serum those are lower than 32 and those higher
      than 1000 can well predict HDFN. The titers of anti-D antibodies between 64 and
      512 have no exact predictive value. IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses of anti-D have no
      predictive value by themselves, and cannot foresee the outcome of HDFN. The
      research study results suggest that IgG1 and IgG3 should be included in a multi -
      parameter protocol for evaluation of the HDFN intensity. They can give a real
      assessment of the expected HDFN intensity in combination with the titer hight and
      the significance of the antibodies.

PMID- 27275239
TI  - Combined Adiponectin Deficiency and Resistance in Obese Patients: Can It Solve
      Part of the Puzzle in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most
      prevalent cause of liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and
      fibrosis in obese patients identifies the risk group with increased incidence of
      liver-related deaths. AIM: To clarify the role of serum adiponectin and its
      receptor liver gene expression in the progression of liver damage in NAFLD.
      METHODS: Fifty four (54) obese patients with NAFLD preliminary diagnosed by liver
      ultra-sound were recruited. Full medical history, anthropometric measurement,
      biochemical studies, serum adiponectin level, liver biopsy for histological
      examination and NAS score to identify NASH patients, and assessment of
      adiponectin receptor gene expression by RT-PCR, were conducted for each patients.
      Fifteen ages matched average weight healthy adult had been chosen as a control
      for serum adiponectin level. RESULTS: According to NAS score, patients were
      divided into non- NASH (8 patients), and NASH (46 patients). Serum adiponectin
      level was significantly lower in NAFLD patients compared to normal participants
      (p < 0.004). Serum adiponectin level was lower in NASH patients (4.437 +/- 2.569
      ng/dl in NASH vs. 5.138 +/- 2.841 ng/dl in non-NASH). Adiponectin receptor liver
      gene expression was lower in NASH patients (0.8459 +/- 0.4671 vs. 1.0688 +/-
      0.3965 in non-NASH). CONCLUSION: Both adiponectin deficiency and resistance had a
      role in progression of simple liver steatosis to severe injury in obese patients.

PMID- 27275240
TI  - Comparison of Serum IgG Antibody Test with Gastric Biopsy for the Detection of
      Helicobacter Pylori Infection among Egyptian Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In developing countries, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is
      mainly acquired during childhood and may be a predisposing factor for peptic
      ulcer or gastric cancer later in life. Noninvasive diagnostic tools are
      particularly useful in children for screening tests and epidemiological studies.
      Data on serologic testing of children are lacking. Accurate noninvasive tests for
      diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in children are strongly required. AIM:
      The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a serological test
      (serum IgG antibody for H. pylori) in Egyptian children with recurrent abdominal
      pain necessitating endoscopy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred children,
      referred to the endoscopy unit at Mansoura University. Upper endoscopy was done
      for each with rapid urease test (RUT) and histological examination as the gold
      standard test for detection of H. pylori infection. Serum samples were collected
      for detecting IgG for H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects
      included in the study was 7.23 +/- 1.94 year. Serological test (IgG to H. pylori)
      was positive in 60% of all cases. A highly significant association between the
      standard test and the serological test at a cutoff > 10 U/ml at p = 0.001 were
      detected for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. The sensitivity, specificity,
      positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio for the IgG antibody a
      cutoff > 10 U/ml, were 96.5%, 93%, 13.83, 0.038 respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum
      IgG antibody to H. pylori infection has a high diagnostic value and can be
      considered as a suitable and reliable noninvasive test for detection of H. pylori
      infection.

PMID- 27275241
TI  - Fine Needle Aspiration in Thyroid Nodules - One Year Experience.
AB  - AIM: To estimate suspect nodule for benign or malignant characteristics, and to
      verify cytological features of the node with the fine needle aspiration (FNA)
      under ultrasound. DESIGN: A total of 106 patients were analyzed. FNA biopsy was
      performed at outpatient clinic via ultrasound. Inform consent was signed for each
      patient. Preparation of procedure with local anaesthesia was made by assistant
      nurse. PROCEDURE: Parallel approach of ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration
      (USGFNA) was used for each patient. This approach allows the operator to observe
      needle penetration, location and pathway of the entire needle within the neck,
      thyroid and nodule, which remain visible on the monitor. As a side effect
      commonly noticed mild pain and dizziness were recorded. RESULTS: General
      findings: According the gender, 96 (90.5%) of them were women and 10 (9.5%) men.
      Median age was 47 +/- 9 years. Cytological findings: 5 patients were with
      papillary carcinoma, 3 with Hurtle cell metaplasia, 1 follicular tumour and 1
      with unclear differentiation. CONCLUSION: Close collaboration between
      endocrinologists, morphologists and surgeons in a multidisciplinary frame is the
      key to correct preoperative thyroid cancer diagnosis and optimal treatment. FNA
      biopsy remains the most accurate diagnostic method in detecting thyroid cancer.

PMID- 27275242
TI  - Bristow-Latarjet Technique: Still a Very Successful Surgery for Anterior
      Glenohumeral Instability - A Forty Year One Clinic Experience.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the functional outcomes of the Bristow-Latarjet procedure in
      patients with recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Personal clinical records of 42 patients with 45 operated shoulders were reviewed
      retrospectively. Patient age at time of first dislocation, injury mechanism, and
      number of recurring dislocations before surgery were recorded. The overall
      function and stability of the shoulder was evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty five (78%)
      of the scapulohumeral humeral instabilities were caused by trauma. The mean
      number of recurring dislocations was 9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0-18); one
      patient had had 17 recurrences. Mean follow-up 46 months (95% CI, 16-88). No
      dislocation happened postoperatively. Four patients have fibrous union (9%). Only
      two had clinical sign of pain and discomfort. One of them was reoperated for
      screw removal with very good post-operative result. The overall functional
      outcome was good, with a mean Rowe score of 88 points (95% CI, 78-100). Scores of
      27 (64%) of the patients were excellent, 9 (22%) were good, 4 (9.5%) were fair,
      and 2 (4.5%) were poor. CONCLUSION: The Bristow-Latarjet procedure is a very good
      surgical treatment for recurrent anterior-inferior instability of the
      glenohumeral joint. It must not be used for multidirectional instability or
      psychogenic habitual dislocations.

PMID- 27275244
TI  - Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome: A Case Report in an Adolescent Nigerian Boy.
AB  - AIM: This is to report a case of Klippel Trenauay Weber syndrome in a fifteen
      year old Nigerian boy. This is a rare syndrome and it is the first case to be
      reported in UCTH Calabar. CASE PRESENTATION: Product of a full term uneventful
      pregnancy, delivered to non-consanguineous apparently healthy parents. At birth
      was noted to gradually develop swelling on the right leg, worse at the right
      foot. There was crossed hemi-hypertrophy with right leg bigger than the left. As
      child grew symptoms worsened, parents separated and eventually he was abandoned
      to the streets. He presented at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for
      medical care at the age of fifteen years with lymphatic obstruction, persistent
      foul smelling drainage, lipodermatosclerosis of right foot as well psycho-social
      and financial constraints. The diagnosis was made with x-rays and Doppler studies
      of the lower limb vessels. He is currently being managed conservatively with
      compression dressings on the affected limbs, Antibiotics for the infection and
      analgesics. De-bulking surgery is being anticipated at this time. CONCLUSION:
      This is a case of KTWS presenting in adolescence and due to its rarity in
      Nigeria, this report is to increase awareness.

PMID- 27275243
TI  - Sleep Deficiency is a Modifiable Risk Factor for Obesity and Cognitive Impairment
      and Associated with Elevated Visfatin.
AB  - AIM: To study the interaction between sleep deprivation, obesity and cognitive
      functions, and the effect of following a balanced low caloric diet and increasing
      sleep duration on those variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety two obese females
      with mean age 47.00 +/- 2.00 years and body mass index (BMI) 36.14 +/- 3.00 kg/m2
      were divided into 3 groups according to their sleeping hours. They followed
      balanced low-caloric diet and were instructed to increase sleeping hours. Full
      clinical examination, 24 hours dietary intake recall, anthropometric
      measurements, mini mental state test, questionnaire for subjective sleep and life
      style evaluation were performed at baseline and after 2 months. Serum visfatin,
      fasting blood glucose and C-peptide were assessed; Modified homeostatic model
      assessment of insulin resistance was calculated. RESULTS: About one third of our
      sample slept less than 6 hours daily, group (1), all patients had elevated
      visfatin serum level (33.87 +/- 2.8 ng/ml) with the highest level in group (1).
      At base line, group (1) showed the highest BMI, lowest cognitive functions,
      highest visfatin level and highest insulin resistance (P < 0.05). After 2 months
      of intervention, improvement was recorded in all variables, with the best
      improvement in group (1) after extending sleep duration (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Sleep deprivation may be a modifiable risk factor for obesity, cognitive
      impairment and visfatin elevation.

PMID- 27275245
TI  - Sjogren's Syndrome and Silicosis - a Case Report.
AB  - Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology where immune
      response to self-antigens is believed to result from interactions between genetic
      and environmental factors. We describe the case of a patient who has been
      diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome based on typical clinical and immunological
      parameters. The clinical picture was dominated by the respiratory symptoms, and
      radiographic and multislice computed tomography examination of the chest showed
      certain changes characteristic of pneumoconiosis. Given that the patient has
      worked in a foundry where he has been exposed to the silica dust, he was subject
      to examination by occupational health specialists under the suspicion of lung
      silicosis, who confirmed the silicosis. This case report points to the possible
      connection between a professional exposure to silica and Sjogren's syndrome.
      Occupational exposure to silica is a possible risk factor for the development of
      autoimmune diseases, and in the evaluation of patients with connective tissue
      diseases it is important to consider work-related history. 

PMID- 27275246
TI  - Beetroot-Carrot Juice Intake either Alone or in Combination with Antileukemic
      Drug 'Chlorambucil' As A Potential Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
AB  - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the chronic lymphoproliferative
      disorders (lymphoid neoplasms). It is characterized by a progressive accumulation
      of functionally incompetent lymphocytes. Patients with leukemia often seek
      unconventional treatments not prescribed by hematologist in order to improve
      their cancer treatment outcome or to manage symptoms. In the present report, a 76
      year-old patient was diagnosed with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).
      Beetroot-carrot juice is used as a complementary and or/alternative therapy used
      in conjunction with conventional leukemic treatment (chlorambucil) that has been
      a standard first-line chemotherapeutic agent for patients with CLL and known to
      have serious and undesirable side-effects. After one month and 15 days of
      administration of beetroot-carrot juice therapy, the patient had improved
      appetite, a sense of general well-being and increased vigor daily activities.
      Furthermore, beetroot-carrot juice was used as an adjuvant to chlorambucil
      resulted in a substantial reduction in leukocytes and lymphocytes count in
      peripheral blood and improvement in the relevant biochemical parameters. Beetroot
      carrot juice can be used as an effective treatment for CLL alone or in
      combination with chlorambucil when taken orally with regular diet on daily basis.

PMID- 27275247
TI  - Comparison of Results from Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment of Tuberculosis in
      Republic of Macedonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The successful treatment of patients with active tuberculosis is one
      of the priorities in the Tuberculosis Control Programs. AIM: The aim was to
      establish whether there was a statistically significant difference in the
      treatment outcome in patients with tuberculosis who began their initial treatment
      phase and/or pursued it as inpatient, as opposed to patients with tuberculosis
      who underwent their entire treatment regime as outpatient. Moreover, our goal was
      to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference in the
      outcome from the treatment between patients with tuberculosis who were
      hospitalized up to one month, two months, or more than two months. MATERIALS AND
      METHOD: The study includes 355 patients, divided into two groups. The first
      group, which consists of 219 patients, began their initial treatment phase as
      inpatient, and then they continued the treatment as outpatient. The second group,
      136 patients, underwent their entire treatment as outpatient. The treatment
      outcome is determined with every patient (cured, treatment completed, treatment
      default, treatment failed, died, treatment in progress). For the statistical data
      analysis and for establishing the significance of the findings regarding the
      differences between the two groups we used the Pearson Chi-Square Test and the
      Yates Corrected Test. RESULTS: The statistical analysis with the Pearson Chi
      Square Test showed that the treatment outcome does not significantly depend on
      the model of treatment (p = 0.31). The statistical data analysis showed that
      there is no statistically significant difference in the achievement of conversion
      of the bacterial result of the sputum at the end of the initial phase of
      treatment regarding the studied groups (p = 0.89). The statistical data analysis
      showed that the length of inpatient treatment affects the outcome of the
      treatment and that the difference is statistically highly significant (p <
      0.00005). CONCLUSION: There are no statistically significant differences in the
      sputum conversion and the treatment outcome among inpatient/outpatient with
      tuberculosis or outpatient only; however, the length of inpatient treatment is
      statistically significant regarding its effect on the treatment outcome.

PMID- 27275248
TI  - Cost-Effectiveness of Thrombolytic Therapy, Compared with Anticoagulants Therapy
      in the Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Albania.
AB  - AIM: The study aim is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of thrombolytic
      treatment in acute MI comparing with anticoagulants therapy and between each
      other thrombolytic (SK, r-Pa). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used a prospective
      registry of all patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction in intensive
      care units in Tirana. The average drugs cost was calculated for the
      hospitalization period in Albanian money (ALL). Survival and life quality were
      estimated by phone contact 1 year after acute MI. RESULTS: Anticoagulant group
      cost is 23865.3 ALL (170.5?), SK group cost is 54148.63 ALL (386.7?), r-Pa group
      has a cost of 92184.90 ALL (658.5?). In the group treated with SK the hospital
      survival is 100%, while in the control group 88.8%. Reteplase group has a lower
      period of stay in hospital than SK group 13.04 days vs. 17.97 days, mean age in
      group treated with r-Pa is 64.29 +/- 10.03 approximate with anticoagulant group
      mean age 64.17 +/- 11.08; differ significantly with SK group mean age 56.75 +/-
      10.04. Survival after 1 year was 96.4% for r-Pa and 96.9% SK. CONCLUSIONS: SK and
      r-Pa are successful thrombolytics with high effectiveness. It is gained a higher
      survival with the thrombolytic treatments. Reteplase is well tolerated in older
      patients than SK, is easier to apply than Streptokinase, but has higher cost.

PMID- 27275249
TI  - The Heavy Metals in Agrosystems and Impact on Health and Quality of Life.
AB  - The metal is a chemical element that conducts electricity well and heat, and the
      nonferrous metals builds cations and ionic bonds. Heavy metals include metals
      whose density is higher than 5 g/cm(3). The whole range of the metal is in the
      form of essential trace elements, essential for a number of functions in the
      human body, and its deficiency results in a lack of occurrence of a serious
      symptom. The best examples are anemia lack of iron, lack of chromium in diabetes,
      growth problems in lack of nickel. Other elements such as lead, cadmium, mercury,
      arsenic and molybdenum have been shown to exhibit large quantities of toxic
      effects. The paper examines the problem of heavy metals originating from
      agriculture on agroecosystems. This group of pollutants is considered the most
      important cause of degradation of soil quality, surface and groundwater and
      direct causal adverse effects on human and animal health. In order to complete
      the environmental monitoring of pollutants, these main categories, origins, and
      possible negative impacts of the basic principles of preventing their toxic
      effects were examined. 

PMID- 27275250
TI  - An Assessment of Mental Health Status of Undergraduate Medical Trainees in the
      University of Calabar, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mental health status of medical students has been proven to be
      poor compared to their peers in other disciplines and has led to grave personal
      and professional consequences. This subject has however remained largely
      unexplored in our medical school. AIM: The study was therefore conducted to
      assess the prevalence of mental health of medical students in the University of
      Calabar, Cross river state, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional
      survey of 451 randomly selected medical students from the pre-clinical and
      clinical levels of study in the University of Calabar. A self administered
      questionnaire including the GHQ12 was used to elicit information from the
      respondents. A score of >= 3 suggested poor mental while a score < 3 represented
      good mental health. Data were summarized using proportions, and chi2 test was
      used to explore associations between categorical variables. Level of significance
      was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 23.4 +/- 4.3
      years, 63.8% were males, 34.8% were from the preclinical and 65.2% from clinical
      levels of study. Based on the GHQ categorisation, 39.2% had a poor mental health
      status, compared to 60.8% with good mental health status. The factors
      significantly associated with poor mental health, were recent experience of
      mistreatment by trainers or colleagues, perceived inadequate monthly allowance
      and perception that medical training is stressful (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: With
      more than a third of undergraduate medical trainees with traits of poor mental
      health, provision of accessible mental health services/counselling is strongly
      recommended early in their training.

PMID- 27275251
TI  - Challenging Role of Dietary Aflatoxin B1 Exposure and Hepatitis B Infection on
      Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - Aflatoxins (AFT) are poisonous substances which are classified in Group 1
      carcinogenic agents to humans by International Agency for Research on Cancer
      (IARC). AFT can occur naturally in food commodities (maize, corn, rice) as a
      result of fungal contamination in hot and humid environments. In the food, toxin
      contamination can remain during manufacturing and long after fungi have stopped
      being biologically active. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most dominant and potent
      agent from all AFT. In developing countries, high exposure to AFB1 can cause
      chronic toxicity and usually increases the incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
      (HCC). However, in these regions hepatitis B is the most common risk factor for
      HCC cases. Many researches were aimed to enlighten the mechanism and the role of
      two etiological agents on risk of HCC, but the obtained data was conflicting with
      each other. It was uncertain that the indicators/biomarkers might be the
      contribution of the carcinogenic status of the patient; and, the biomarker
      samples from the subject may only reflect the recent effects of the toxin
      exposure after consumption of AFB1 contaminated commodities. The studies were
      facing with the errors of methods which were un-fit to enlighten the possible
      interaction between Hepatitis B and AFB1 on contribution to HCC. It was pivotal
      to understand the effect of each risk factor in order to prevent and improve
      public health in poor and undeveloped regions. Although some of the studies
      evaluate AFB1 alone as a considerable factor on HCC risk, according to this
      review it was concluded vice versa. This study was aimed to clarify the main
      etiological agent of HCC where AFB1 and HBV are endangering public health. In
      additionally, the purpose was to enlighten the possible synergistic effect
      between these two factors among HCC pathogenesis. Hence forth, appropriate and
      right applications could be conducted in undeveloped countries in order to
      protect public health. 

PMID- 27275252
TI  - Association between VNTR Polymorphism in Promoter Region of Prodynorphin (PDYN)
      Gene and Methamphetamine Dependence.
AB  - AIM: Prodynorphin (PDYN; OMIM: 131340) is the precursor of the dynorphin related
      peptides which plays an important role in drug abuse. Previous studies have been
      shown that the expression of PDYN is regulated by a genetic polymorphism of VNTR
      in the promoter region of the gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present case
      control study was performed on 52 (41 males, 11 females) methamphetamine
      dependence patients and 635 (525 males, 110 females) healthy blood donors
      frequency matched with the patients according to age and gender, as a control
      group was participated in the study. RESULTS: The genotypes of VNTR PDYN
      polymorphism were determined using PCR method. The HL (OR = 1.22, 95%CI: 0.67
      2.20, P = 0.500) and LL (OR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.28-2.57, P = 0.792) genotypes does
      not alter the risk of methamphetamine dependence, in comparison with the HH
      genotypes. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed no association between the VNTR
      polymorphism in the promoter region of the PDYN gene and methamphetamine
      dependence risk.

PMID- 27275253
TI  - Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Ocimum basilicum L. Essential
      Oil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The leaves of Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) are used in traditional
      cuisine as spices; its essential oil has found a wide application in perfumery,
      dental products as well as antifungal agents. AIM: To assess the chemical
      composition as well as the in vitro antifungal activity of O. basilicum L.
      essential oil against Aspergillus flavus fungal growth and aflatoxin B1
      production. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The essential oil of O. basilicum was obtained
      by hydrodistillation and analysed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled
      with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The essential oil was tested for its effects on
      Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) mycelial growth and aflatoxin B1 production in
      Yeast Extract Sucrose (YES) growth media. Aflatoxin B1 production was determined
      by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Nineteen compounds,
      representing 96.7% of the total oil were identified. The main components were as
      follows: linalool (48.4%), 1,8-cineol (12.2%), eugenol (6.6%), methyl cinnamate
      (6.2%), alpha-cubebene (5.7%), caryophyllene (2.5%), beta-ocimene (2.1%) and
      alpha-farnesene (2.0%). The tested oil showed significant antifungal activity
      that was dependent on the used oil concentration. The complete inhibition of A.
      flavus growth was observed at 1000 ppm oil concentration, while marked inhibition
      of aflatoxin B1 production was observed at all oil concentrations tested (500,
      750 and 1000 ppm). CONCLUSION: These results confirm the antifungal activities of
      O. basilicum L. oil and its potential use to cure mycotic infections and act as
      pharmaceutical preservative against A. flavus growth and aflatoxin B1 production.

PMID- 27275254
TI  - Effect of Streptozotocin on Plasma Insulin Levels of Rats and Mice: A Meta
      analysis Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the studies focusing on diabetic organisms, Streprozotocine (STZ)
      is a frequently used agent to induce diabetes in rats and mice. However the
      current studies do not represent practical importance of their statistical
      findings. For showing practical importance of the differences in plasma insulin
      levels of diabetic rats and mice induced by STZ, there should be a statistical
      synthesis regarding statistical findings of the studies. AIM: The purpose of this
      study is to make a meta-analysis of the studies on the effect of STZ on plasma
      insulin levels in diabetic rats and mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 39
      effect sizes (37 studies) about levels of plasma insulin were analyzed by
      calculating individual effect sizes (d) and mean effect size. RESULTS: The effect
      sizes were between -13.7 and +65.3 and the mean effect size value (+9.33)
      represented a large effect indicating that STZ was an effective agent to
      significantly decrease plasma insulin levels of diabetic rats and mice.
      CONCLUSION: It can be said that the differences in plasma insulin levels between
      STZ-applied and no application groups has a practical importance in making animal
      model of diabetes.

PMID- 27275255
TI  - Change in Profile of Entrants in a Brazilian Large Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
      Service.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are references regarding physical activity and cardiovascular
      disease since the nineteenth century. New evidences support that cardiac
      rehabilitation is closely related to therapeutic success after major coronary
      events. Although the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation programs are well
      established, referencing and enrolment in such services remain low. AIM: The aim
      of this paper is to describe the profile changes throughout the years in a large
      cardiac rehabilitation service in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a
      retrospective analysis of medical records of all patients referred to cardiac
      rehabilitation service of the Institute of Sports Medicine, University of Caxias
      do Sul from March 2003 to July 2014. Data collection was carried out using SPSS
      software and the statistical analysis with Student's t-test, ANOVA test and chi
      square test. RESULTS: It has seen a substantial increase of patients, mostly
      routed via universal health system, also an increase of post-myocardial
      infarction patients and ex-smokers. Also, it was seen few patients in the 7th and
      8th life decades, and men were in majority since the beginning. CONCLUSION: An
      increase in the number of patients referred by universal health system occurred
      because there is a governmental interest in this type of program. About tobacco,
      hospitalizations appear to be influential in the decision of abandonment. There
      was a substantial increase of patients with more severe disease which is in
      accordance with the latest guidelines of Cardiovascular and Metabolic
      Rehabilitation.

PMID- 27275256
TI  - Fetuin-A and Ghrelin Levels in Children with End Stage Renal Disease and the
      Effect of a Single Hemodialysis Session on Them.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fetuin-A and ghrelin have been implicated in cardiovascular diseases
      and mortality among end stage renal disease patients. The exact mechanisms have
      not been fully elucidated. There is robust data supporting an association between
      ghrelin and various cardiovascular conditions, and some common processes such as
      inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress have been
      implicated. AIM: This study was conducted to assay serum fetuin-A and ghrelin in
      chronic renal failure pediatric patients and to study changes in their level that
      may occur after a single hemodialysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty nine pediatric
      patients suffering from ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis (HD), 20 patients with
      chronic renal failure (CRF) not on dialysis and 35 healthy subjects as control
      group were included. The mean age of the study population was 10.58 +/- 3.94,
      10.62 +/- 3.24 and 10.61 +/- 3.97 years respectively. Serum fetuin-A and plasma
      acyl ghrelin levels were measured by using ELISA method. RESULTS: The present
      study revealed that predialysis serum fetuin-A level was significantly increased
      in pediatric HD patients compared with the normal population, while ghrelin
      levels were significantly reduced. Furthermore, serum levels of fetuin-A
      decreased significantly after a single HD session. CONCLUSION: Our study
      concluded that fetuin-A and acyl ghrelin may play a role in inflammatory process
      among HD pediatric patients which may account for cardiovascular insults and
      mortality but their use as biochemical markers among ESRD pediatric patients have
      limitations due to wide fluctuations.

PMID- 27275257
TI  - Orthostatic Reactivity in Patients with Ischemic Stroke in the Chronic Period.
AB  - AIM: This study aims to trace the influence of specialized kinesitherapeutic
      methodology (SKTM) on orthostatic reactivity in patients with ischemic stroke in
      the chronic period (ISChP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: An active orthostatic test is
      used for the evaluation of the orthostatic reactions. The arterial blood pressure
      and heart rate were defined in the 10 minutes of supine position, before and
      after 1, 5 and 10 minutes of active upright position. The orthostatic
      autoregulation is evaluated four times - at the beginning of the study, on the
      10th day, on the 1st month and three months after the start of the KT. The
      classification by Thulesius was used to separate the patients into two groups
      depending on the type of their orthostatic reactivity. RESULTS: At the beginning
      of the study of infringements symptomatic type orthostatic reactivity (SOR) was
      observed in 24 patients and hypertensive type orthostatic reactivity (HOR) was
      observed in the remaining 32 patients. Once applied SKTM establish improvement of
      orthostatic autoregulation for the groups SOR and HOR at the 10th day and the 1st
      month with a level of significance p <0.05. CONCLUSION: The applied specialized
      kinesitherapeutic methodology continued later as an adapted exercise program at
      home, has significantly improved the orthostatic reactivity in patients with
      orthostatic dysregulation due to the ISChP.

PMID- 27275258
TI  - Bifidobacterium lactis in Treatment of Children with Acute Diarrhea. A Randomized
      Double Blind Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Probiotics are becoming increasingly popular treatment for children
      diarrhea. Although there are several probiotic strains potentially useful,
      researches were often limited to certain strains. AIM: To test Bifidobacterium
      lactis on morbidity of acute diarrhea in children less than 2 years. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted in 50
      children (1 - 23 months) admitted with acute diarrhea to the Pediatric Hospital,
      Cairo University and were randomly assigned to receive in addition to usual
      treatment of diarrhea according to WHO guidelines; one of two treatments either
      milk formula non-supplemented (n = 25) or supplemented (n = 25) with
      Bifidobacterium lactis 14.5 * 10(6) CFU/100 ml daily for one week. Primary
      outcomes were frequency and duration of diarrhea and hospital stay. Secondary
      outcomes were duration of fever and vomiting episodes. Safety and tolerance were
      also recorded. RESULTS: On admission, patients' characteristics of both groups
      (50 cases) were similar. For children who received the probiotics for one week;
      mean duration of diarrhoea was shorter than in controls (3.12 +/- 0.92 vs. 4.10
      +/- 0.94 days) (P = 0.02), number of motions per day was less than in controls
      (3.96 +/- 0.62 vs. 4.46 +/- 0.85) (P = 0.04) and discharge from hospital <2 days
      was more frequent than in controls (72% vs. 44%) (P = 0.048). There was no effect
      on fever (P = 0.63) or vomiting (P = 0.54). CONCLUSION: Bifidobacterium lactis
      probiotics in supplemented milk formula decreased significantly frequency,
      duration of diarrhea, and hospital stay than usual treatment alone in children
      with acute diarrhea. Additional researches on other uncommon local probiotic
      species should be encouraged.

PMID- 27275259
TI  - Interventional Treatment of Pulmonary Valve Stenosis: A Single Center Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty is well established treatment of
      choice in pulmonary valve stenosis. AIM: The aim of our study was to present our
      experience with the interventional technique, its immediate and mid-term
      effectiveness as well as its complication rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study
      included 43 patients, where 33 (74%) of them were children between the age of 1
      month and 15 years. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 38 patients or 90%.
      Mean peak to peak transvalvular gradient was reduced from 91.2 mmHg (55-150 mmHg)
      to 39.1 mmHg (20-80 mmHg). Follow- up of patients was between 2 and 13 years and
      included echocardiographic evaluation of pulmonary valve gradient, right heart
      dimensions and function as well as assessment of pulmonary regurgitation. We
      experienced one major complication pericardial effusion in a 5 months old child
      that required pericardiocenthesis. Six patients (13.9%) required a second
      intervention. During the follow up period there was significant improvement of
      right heart function and echocardiography parameters. Mild pulmonary
      regurgitation was noted in 24 (55%) patients, and four (9%) patients developed
      moderate regurgitation, without affecting the function of the right ventricle.
      CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty is an effective procedure in
      treatment of pulmonary stenosis with good short and mid-term results.

PMID- 27275260
TI  - Bone Density, Osteocalcin and Deoxypyridinoline for Early Detection of
      Osteoporosis in Obese Children.
AB  - AIM: This study aimed at comparing between bone density using DEXA, serum
      osteocalcin and urinary DPD in obese and non obese prepubertal children. METHODS:
      After taking the consent of eighty children they were subjected to: full
      examination, anthropometric measurements, blood samples were withdrawn to
      determine serum osteocalcin, Ca, Ph, alkaline phosphatase, and urinary DPD. Bone
      densities, body composition of the whole body were examined using DEXA. Data were
      analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: All anthropometric variables showed significant
      increase in obese children except for height in comparison to control group.
      Total mass, lean + BMC, lean, fat, area, BMC, BMD and Z score of the whole body
      were significantly increased in obese children. Serum calcium showed significant
      increase while alkaline phosphatase was significantly decreased in obese
      children. DPD showed no significant difference between obese and non obese
      children. Significant negative correlation was found between ca, lean, lean + BMC
      and total mass. Serum alkaline phosphatase showed also a significant negative
      correlation with (lean + BMC and total mass). Serum osteocalcin showed negative
      significant correlation with area, BMC, BMD, lean and Z score. CONCLUSION: Obese
      children showed significant increase in anthropometric and DEXA parameters,
      increase in serum calcium and significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase.
      Osteocalcin was negatively correlated with most of DEXA results.

PMID- 27275261
TI  - A Case of Unicornuate Uterus with Atypical Located Hyperstimulated Ovary after in
      Vitro Fertilization Pre-Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET).
AB  - The authors describe a case of a congenital Mullerian anomaly, uterus unicornis
      with missing right fallopian tube. An in Vitro Fertilization Pre-Embryo Transfer
      (IVF-ET) procedure was done and presently is known that the patient has left
      fallopian tube and left ovary, two kidneys, and right ovary is missing. No
      diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy were done, only hysterosalpingography
      (HSG) before the IVF procedure. Several days after the follicular puncture of the
      left ovary the patient was urgently admitted to the hospital for specialized
      gynaecology in Varna. Transabdominal ultrasonography showed right ovary
      atypically located immediately next to the liver and with emerging theca-lutein
      cysts. 

PMID- 27275262
TI  - The Surgical Lips Deformity Corrected with Hyaluronic Fillers: A Case Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic filler is a sterile, biodegradable, viscoelastic,
      isotonic, transparent injectable gel implant which was approved by Food and Drug
      Administration (FDA) 1996. It is used for face reconstruction and modelling. CASE
      PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 40-year-old Serbian woman who presented
      after surgery of cleft lip, primary and secondary palate. We performed a biphasic
      therapy; in the first stage in the zone semimucosis lips is initially carried
      incision scar tissue. The second stage is placed hyaluronan implant. CONCLUSION:
      This case illustrates that, although hyaluronic fillers used mainly for
      correction of healthy tissue can be successfully used in the treatment of
      postoperative scars.

PMID- 27275263
TI  - A Case of Secondary Abdominal Pregnancy after in Vitro Fertilization Pre-Embryo
      Transfer (IVF-ET).
AB  - The authors describe a rare case of secondary abdominal pregnancy after in vitro
      fertilization pre-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Ultrasonography was applied to image
      ectopic gestational sac containing a yolk vesicle and located adjacent to the
      anterior uterine wall and left adnexa. Laparoscopy was done on the same day
      followed by sinistral salpingectomy due to tubal abortion indications.
      Intraabdominal examination showed chorionic structures penetrating pl.
      vesicouterina. Histological tests confirmed the EP diagnosis in the second
      material, i.e. indications of secondary abdominal pregnancy. 

PMID- 27275264
TI  - Cystic Adventitial Disease in Former Athlete.
AB  - In this paper we present a 39-year old former athlete complaining with pain in
      his legs during long walk resembling to intermittent claudication. Color duplex
      scan described a popliteal artery with 10 mm in diameter with mural thrombus that
      caused stenosis 75% of lumen. Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated a
      stenosis of right popliteal artery. The suspicion for Cystic adventitial disease
      was set. The patient was operated on by posterior direct approach. After
      incision, a yellowish viscous material was observed in adventitia. Partial
      resection of the affected popliteal artery and replacement by an autogenous great
      saphenous vein graft was performed. Patient was dismissed on the seventh
      postoperative day, in good condition and without any complication. Cystic
      adventitial disease of the popliteal artery should be considered in the
      differential diagnosis of intermittent claudication, especially in former
      sportsmen patients. Partial resection of the affected popliteal artery and
      replacement by an autogenous great saphenous vain graft produces excellent
      results. 

PMID- 27275265
TI  - Perioperative Challenges in Repeat Bladder Exstrophy Repair - Case Report.
AB  - Bladder exstrophy is a rare congenital malformation. It presents as leakage of
      urine in the anterior abdominal wall following defects in midline anterior
      abdominal wall skin and bladder. We report the use of combined general
      anaesthesia and caudal epidural analgesia in a 4yr old boy for repeat bladder
      exstrophy repair. Problems of prolonged surgery and the challenges of pain and
      sedation management in the post operative period are discussed. 

PMID- 27275266
TI  - A Very Rare Presentation of Multiple Myeloma: Unilateral Raccoon Eye.
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM), the second most common hematological malignancy, is caused
      by the accumulation of monoclonal plasma cells in bone marrow. It accounts for 10
      15% of deaths from hematological malignancies and approximately 2% of deaths from
      cancer. The median age at presentation is 70 years old. The diagnosis is
      incidental in 30% of cases. MM is often discovered through routine blood
      screening with a large gap between the total protein and the albumin levels. Two
      thirds of patients complain of bone pain, especially lower back pain. MM could be
      diagnosed after a pathologic fracture occurs in one third of patients.
      Presentation with symptoms related to hyperviscosity, hypercalcemia and bleeding
      tendency could also be observed. A rare presentation of MM is peri-orbital
      ecchymotic lesion (raccoon eye). Here, we report a 64 years old, male patient
      presented with unilateral raccoon eye and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate
      (ESR) to internal medicine outpatient. The patient was referred to hematology
      outpatient and was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. 

PMID- 27275267
TI  - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Secondary Antiphospholipid Syndrome after
      Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis - A Case Report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and myasthenia gravis (MG) are
      autoimmune diseases that show some similarities: a higher incidence in young
      women, relapsing-remitting course and positive anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA).
      However, they are two different clinical syndromes, which can coexist or precede
      each other. Thymectomy is a therapeutic option for patients with severe MG or
      thymoma. There are many cases of SLE after thymectomy described in the
      literature, so the question arises whether thymectomy predisposes patients to SLE
      and what are imunopathogenetic mechanisms behind this process. CASE REPORT: We
      report a case of a patient who was diagnosed with SLE and secondary
      antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) 28 years after thymectomy for MG. Clinical
      picture of SLE was characterized by cutaneous and articular manifestations,
      polyserositis, lupus nephritis and immunological parameters showed positive ANA,
      anti-ds-DNA, excessive consumption of complement components, positive
      cryoglobulins. Clinical and laboratory immunological parameters for the diagnosis
      of secondary APS where also present. The patient was initially treated with
      glucocorticoids followed by mycophenolate mofetil. During one year follow-up
      patient was in a stable remission of SLE. CONCLUSION: Thymectomy for MG may
      predispose SLE development in some patients. Further studies are needed to better
      understand the connection between these two autoimmune diseases.

PMID- 27275268
TI  - Fulminate Hepatic Failure in a 5 Year Old Female after Inappropriate
      Acetaminophen Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen is a drug widely used in children because of its safety
      and efficacy. Although the risk of its toxicity is lower in children such
      reactions occur in pediatric patients from intentional overdoses and less
      frequently attributable to unintended inappropriate dosing. The aim of reporting
      this case is to attract the attention to the risk of the acetaminophen toxicity
      when administered in high doses. CASE PRESENTATION: We report here a 5 year old
      girl who developed fulminate liver failure with renal impairment and acute
      pancreatitis, as a result of acetaminophen toxicity caused from unintentional
      repeated supratherapeutic ingestion, with a total administered dose of 4800 mg in
      three consecutive days, 1600 mg/day, approximately 90 mg/kg/day. The blood level
      of acetaminophen after 10 hours of the last administered dose was 32 mg/l. The
      patient presented with high fever, jaundice, lethargic, agitating with abdominal
      pain accompanied by encephalopathy. The liver function test revealed with high
      level of alanine aminotransferase 5794 UI/l and aspartate aminotransferase 6000
      UI/l. Early initiation of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) after biochemical evidence
      of liver toxicity was beneficial with rapid improvement of liver enzymes, hepatic
      function and encephalopathy. During the course of the illness the child developed
      acute pancreatitis with hyperamylasemia 255 UI/L and hyperlypasemia 514 UI/L.
      Patient totally recovered within 29 days. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers should
      considered probable acetaminophen toxicity in any child who has received the drug
      and presented with liver failure. When there is a high index of suspicion of
      acetaminophen toxicity NAC should be initiated and continued until there are no
      signs of hepatic dysfunction.

PMID- 27275269
TI  - Treatment of Gingival Hyperpigmentation by Diode Laser for Esthetical Purposes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gingival hyperpigmentation is a common esthetical concern in patients
      with gummy smile or excessive gingival display. Laser ablation has been
      recognized recently as the most effective, pleasant and reliable technique. It
      has the advantage of easy handling, short treatment time, hemostasis,
      decontamination, and sterilization effect. AIM: In the present study we wanted to
      explore the efficacy of a 980 nm wavelength diode laser in gingival
      depigmentation clinically by using both VAS and digital imaging method as means
      of assessment. METHODS: Diode laser ablation was done for 15 patients who
      requested cosmetic therapy for melanin pigmented gums. The laser beam delivered
      by fiberoptic with a diameter of 320 um, the diode laser system has 980 nm wave
      lengths and 3 W irradiation powers, in a continuous contact mode in all cases,
      the entire surface of each pigmented maxillary and mandibular gingiva that
      required treatment was irradiated in a single session. Clinical examination and
      digital image analysis were done and the patients were followed up for 3
      successive months. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant change in
      prevalence of bleeding after treatment, as none of the cases showed any signs of
      bleeding 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after ablation. No statistically
      significant change was observed in the prevalence of swelling after treatment The
      VAS evaluation demonstrated that only 4 patients complained of mild pain
      immediately after the procedure. No pain was perceived from the patients in the
      rest of the follow up period. There was no statistically significant change in
      prevalence of pain immediately after treatment compared to pain during treatment.
      There was a decrease in cases with mild pain after 1 week, 1 month as well as 3
      months compared to pain during treatment and immediately after treatment.
      CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the use of diode laser was
      shown to be a safe and effective treatment modality that provides optimal
      aesthetics with minimal discomfort in patients with gingival hyperpigmentation.

PMID- 27275270
TI  - The Biomechanical Effect of Different Denture Base Materials on the Articular
      Disc in Complete Denture Wearers: A Finite Element Analysis.
AB  - AIM: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different
      denture base materials on the stress distribution in TMJ articular disc (AD) in
      complete denture wearers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A three dimensional Finite
      Element (FEA) models of an individual temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was built on
      the basis CT scan. The FEA model consisted of four parts: the condyle, the
      articular disc, the denture base, and the articular eminence skull. Acrylic resin
      and chrome-cobalt denture base materials were studied. Static loading of 300N was
      vertically applied to the central fossa of the mandibular second premolar. Stress
      and strain were calculated to characterize the stress/strain patterns in the
      disc. RESULTS: The maximum tensile stresses were observed in the anterior and
      posterior bands of (AD) on load application with the two denture base materials.
      The superior boundaries of the glenoid fossa showed lower stress than those on
      the inferior boundaries facing the condyle. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations
      of the present study it may be concluded that: The denture base material may have
      an effect in stress-strain pattern in TMJ articular disc. The stiffer denture
      base material, the better the distribution of the load to the underling
      mandibular supporting structures & reducing stresses induced in the articular
      disc.

PMID- 27275271
TI  - A Comparative Evaluation of Low-Level Laser and Topical Steroid Therapies for the
      Treatment of Erosive-Atrophic Lichen Planus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease that
      causes bilateral white striations, papules, or plaques on the buccal mucosa,
      tongue, and gingivae. Erythema, erosions, and blisters may or may not be present.
      Several empirical therapies have been used in the treatment of (OLP). OBJECTIVE:
      To evaluate the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) versus topical steroids
      for the treatment of erosive-atrophic lichen planus. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty
      four patients with erosive-atrophic (OLP) were categorized into two groups. In
      the first group patients were treated with 970 nm diode laser irradiation, while,
      in the second group patients used topical corticosteroids (0.1% triamcinolone
      acetonide orabase). The gender, medical history and pain score were recorded. The
      pain score was measured before and after treatment by visual analogue scale
      (VAS). RESULTS: Steroid-treated group (0.1% triamcinolone acetonide orabase) show
      reduced pain score than laser group. CONCLUSION: Topical steroids are more
      effective than LLLT. LLLT may be used as an alternative treatment for symptomatic
      OLP when steroids are contraindicated.

PMID- 27275272
TI  - Serum Levels of Copper, Ceruloplasmin and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme among
      Silicotic and Non-Silicotic Workers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Silicosis is the most frequently occurring pneumoconiosis. AIM:
      Measurement of serum levels of Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), Copper (Cu)
      and Ceruloplasmin (Cp) in cement workers occupationally exposed to silica dust as
      biomarkers of exposure rather than biomarkers of effect for silicosis. METHODS:
      Plain chest X-ray & pulmonary functions were done for 30 silicotic and 42 non
      silicotic workers and 42 controls. CT scan was done for the exposed groups. Serum
      levels of Cu, Cp and ACE were estimated. RESULTS: The results showed a higher
      significant difference between the exposed groups and controls, and between the
      two exposed groups regarding the mean levels of all measured biochemical
      parameters. The pulmonary functions were significantly lower among silicotic
      workers than controls and non-silicotic groups. There was a significant positive
      correlation between duration of employment and serum ACE and Cu. CONCLUSION:
      Since respirable dust exposure-linked lung fibrosis disease is non-curable, the
      biochemical parameters (Cu, ACE and Cp) can be used as exposure biomarkers to
      silica dust, providing a better way for early diagnosis of this deadly disease.
      Down regulating the inflammatory responses could potentially reduce the adverse
      clinical pulmonary effects of air pollution.

PMID- 27275273
TI  - The Health Status of the Reproductive System in Women Living In the Aral Sea
      Region.
AB  - In order to assess women's reproductive health in the Kyzylorda region (the Aral
      Sea) of Kazakhstan, 1406 women were involved in an integrated clinical-functional
      and laboratory examination, given regional and environmental ecological factors.
      The high level of endocrine gynecological pathology is indicated in the examined
      women. In both examined zones, there is a late menarche over 16 years old, which
      is 39%. It is indicated a trend towards younger age of menopause onset.
      Inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs affect a third of the examined
      women. In the zone of ecological disaster, every fourth woman has fetal losses,
      cases of spontaneous pregnancy termination and/or non-developing pregnancies in
      anamnesis, which can be repeated many times. 

PMID- 27275274
TI  - Reliability, Validity and Factor Structure of the 12-Item General Health
      Questionnaire among General Population.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study is to analyze the internal consistency; validity and
      factor structure of the twelve item General Health Questionnaire for the
      Macedonian general population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data came from nationally
      representative sample of 1603 randomly selected Macedonians all aged 18 years or
      older. RESULTS: The mean GHQ score in the general sample was found to be 7.9 (SD
      = 4.3). The results revealed a higher GHQ score among women (M = 8.91, SD = 4.5)
      compared to men (M = 6.89; SD = 4.2). The participants from the rural areas
      obtained a lower GHQ score (M = 7.55, SD = 3.8) compared to participants coming
      from the urban areas (M = 9.37, SD = 4.1). The principal component analysis with
      oblique rotation (direct oblimin) with maximum likelihood procedure solution was
      performed and the results yielded a three factor solution which jointly accounted
      for 57.17% of the total variance: Factor I named social management (items 1, 3,
      4, 6, 7 and 8); Factor II stress (items 2, 5 and 9) and Factor III named self
      confidence (items 10, 11 and 12). Its factor structure is in line with
      representative research from other population groups. CONCLUSION: The GHQ-12 can
      be used effectively for assessment of the overall psychological well-being and
      detection of non-psychotic psychiatric problems among the Macedonian population.

PMID- 27275275
TI  - Level of Work Related Stress among Teachers in Elementary Schools.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Teaching is considered a highly stressful occupation, with work
      related stress levels among teachers being among the highest compared to other
      professions. Unfortunately there are very few studies regarding the levels of
      work-related stress among teachers in the Republic of Macedonia. AIM: To identify
      the level of self-perceived work-related stress among teachers in elementary
      schools and its relationship to gender, age, position in the workplace, the level
      of education and working experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a
      descriptive-analytical model of a cross-sectional study that involved 300
      teachers employed in nine elementary schools. Evaluation of examined subjects
      included completion of a specially designed questionnaire. RESULTS: We found that
      the majority of interviewed teachers perceive their work-related stress as
      moderate. The level of work-related stress was significantly high related to the
      gender, age, position in workplace, as well as working experience (p < 0.01),
      while it was significant related to level of education (p < 0.05). Significantly
      greater number of lower-grade teachers perceives the workplace as extremely
      stressful as compared to the upper-grade teachers (18.5% vs. 5.45%), while the
      same is true for female respondents as compared to the male ones (15.38% vs.
      3.8%). In addition, our results show that teachers with university education
      significantly more often associate their workplace with stronger stress than
      their colleagues with high education (13.48% vs. 9.4%). We also found that there
      is no significant difference of stress levels between new and more experienced
      teachers. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that the majority of interviewed
      teachers perceived their work-related stress as high or very high. In terms of
      the relationship between the level of teachers' stress and certain demographic
      and job characteristics, according to our results, the level of work-related
      stress has shown significantly high relation to gender, age, levels of grades
      taught as well as working experience, and significant relation to the level of
      education.

PMID- 27275276
TI  - Disturbance of Antioxidant Enzymes and Purine Metabolism in the Ejaculate of Men
      Living in Disadvantaged Areas of Kyzylorda Region.
AB  - AIM: Objective of the study was to evaluate the state of the main indicators of
      antioxidant status and enzymes of purine metabolism in the germ cells of men
      living in the zone of ecological catastrophe Aral Sea region. METHODS: The
      criterion for inclusion is the stay of an adult in the Aral Sea area is not less
      than 5 years, employment in occupations with no more than 2 hazard class.
      Determination of the activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) was conducted in semen
      by the method of Nemechek et al., 1993. Determination of the activity of catalase
      (CAT) was performed according by the method of Korolyuk et al., 1988. RESULTS:
      Results of the study indicate a change in the activity of catalase and adenosine
      deaminase, due to increased levels of oxidative stress and the development of the
      pathological process. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of study, it was put
      the influence of negative factors of the Aral Sea region in men's sperm of
      reproductive age gives to disability free-radical processes, that proves changing
      of ferments of ant oxidative protection Catalase and adenosine deaminase (ADA).
      This disturbance in men's sperm of reproductive age leading to increased level of
      oxidative stress and impaired activity of antioxidant enzymes and purine
      metabolism, responsible for the abnormal transmembrane and intracellular
      processes, reflecting the degree of imbalance of enzymes.

PMID- 27275277
TI  - Stress Causing Factors Among Teachers in Elementary Schools and Their
      Relationship with Demographic and Job Characteristics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Once high levels of work-related stress among teachers were confirmed
      many studies concentrated on identifying and investigating key stress factors
      among school teachers. Unfortunately there are very few researches made on stress
      causing factors among teachers in Republic of Macedonia. AIM: To determine the
      most frequent stress causing factors among teachers in elementary schools and to
      investigate their relationship with demographic and job characteristics.
      METHODOLOGY: We performed a descriptive-analytical model of a cross-sectional
      study which involved 300 teachers employed in nine elementary schools. Evaluation
      of examined subjects included completion of a specially designed questionnaire.
      RESULTS: Among six categories of factors that generate work related stress (job
      demands, control, relationships, role, changes and support) control and support
      had the highest mean scores. Within the control category the highest levels of
      perceived teacher's work-related stress were caused by the following factors -
      changes in terms and conditions without consultation and given responsibility
      without the authority to take decisions. 141 out of the interviewed teachers
      (47%) have mentioned changes in terms and conditions without consultation as very
      stressful, while another 50 (16.67%) have reported it as stressful. 123 out of
      interviewed teachers (41%) have stated given responsibility without the authority
      to take decisions as very stressful, with another 105 (35%) have reported it as
      stressful. In the category support the highest levels of perceived teacher's work
      related stress were caused by stress factors - lack of funds/resources to do the
      job and limited or no access to training. Out of 300 interviewed teachers, 179
      (59.67%) have reported lack of funds/resources to do the job as very stressful,
      while another 50 (16.67%) as stressful. There is no significant relationship
      between the stress factor limited or no access to training and demographic and
      job characteristics. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that within the control
      category, the highest levels of perceived teacher's work-related stress were
      caused by changes in terms and conditions without consultation and given
      responsibility without the authority to take decisions, while in the category
      support, the same was true for stress factors lack of funds/resources to do the
      job and limited or no access to training. We have also concluded that the lower
      grade school teachers, female teachers, teachers for whom this is the first job
      and teachers with university education perceive more often the lack of authority
      to take decisions as a very stressful factor than the upper-grade school
      teachers, male teachers, teachers previously employed in another workplace, and
      those with high education. The lower-grade school teachers, older teachers and
      teachers with university education perceive more often changes in education as a
      very stressful factor than the upper grade school teachers, younger teachers and
      those with high education.

PMID- 27275278
TI  - Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function in Never-Smoking Male Workers Exposed To
      Hardwood Dust.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Results from many studies suggest that workplace exposure to organic
      dust may lead to adverse respiratory effects in exposed workers. AIM: In order to
      assess the respiratory effects of the workplace exposure to hardwood dust we
      performed a cross-sectional study of never-smoking male workers employed in
      parquet manufacture and never-smoking male office workers as a control. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study including 37 never-smoking male
      workers employed in parquet manufacture and an equal number of never-smoking male
      office workers studied as a control. Evaluation of examined subjects included
      completion of a questionnaire for respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months and
      baseline spirometry performed according to the actual recommendations. RESULTS:
      We found a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms in parquet manufacturers
      than in office workers with significant difference for cough and phlegm. Majority
      of the respiratory symptoms in the parquet manufacturers were work-related. The
      mean values of all spirometric parameters with exception of forced ventilatory
      capacity (FVC) were significantly lower in the parquet manufacturers as compared
      to their mean values in the office workers. We found close relationship between
      both the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the reduction of spirometric
      parameters in the parquet manufacturers and the duration of the workplace
      exposure to wood dust. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that workplace exposure to
      hardwood dust may lead to adverse respiratory effects indicating the need of
      adequate preventive measures in order to protect the respiratory health of
      exposed workers.

PMID- 27275279
TI  - Burnout, Engagement, and Organizational Culture: Differences between Physicians
      and Nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Burnout results from a prolonged response to chronic emotional and
      interpersonal workplace stressors. The focus of research has been widened to job
      engagement. AIM: Purpose of the study was to examine associations between
      burnout, job engagement, work demands, and organisational culture (OC) and to
      demonstrate differences between physicians and nurses working in general hospital
      in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Maslach Burnout Inventory
      and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were used for assessment of burnout and job
      engagement. Work demands and OC were measured with Hospital Experience Scale and
      Competing Values Framework, respectively. RESULTS: Higher scores of dedication,
      hierarchy OC, and organizational work demands were found in physicians. Nurses
      demonstrated higher scores of clan OC. Burnout negatively correlated with clan
      and market OC in physicians and nurses. Job engagement positively correlated with
      clan and market OC in nurses. Different work demands were related to different
      dimensions of burnout and/or job engagement. Our findings support job demands
      resources (JD-R) model (Demerouti and Bakker). CONCLUSIONS: Data obtained can be
      used in implementation of specific organizational interventions in the hospital
      setting. Providing adequate JD-R interaction can lead to prevention of burnout in
      health professionals (HPs) and contribute positively to better job engagement in
      HPs and higher quality of patient care.

PMID- 27275280
TI  - Quality of Life of the Health Care Workers in the Pre-Retirement Period from the
      Private Sector of the Primary Health Care from the Skopje Region.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quality of life (QOL) of the workers in the pre-retirement period
      is an important line in their functioning, as well as in the process of their
      preparing for retirement. AIM: To assess the QOL of the health care workers - HCW
      (doctors and nurses/medical technicians) in the pre-retirement period from the
      private sector of the Primary Health Care (PHC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We
      performed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study including 200 HCW in their
      pre-retirement period from the PHC from the Skopje region divided in two groups.
      The examined group (EG) included 100 HCW working in the private sector, whereas
      the control group (CG) consisted of 100 HCW employed in the public sector,
      matched to EG by age and duration of employment at the actual workplace. The QOL
      of the examinees was assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life -
      Bref questionnaire (WHOQOL - BREF). RESULTS: Examinees from both group assessed
      their QOL as good, i.e. there was no significant difference between the mean
      scores of EG and CG in regard to assessment of their QOL (3.7 vs. 3.6; p =
      0.274). Regarding the satisfaction with their health, we found that examinees
      from EG are significantly more satisfied with their health than the examinees of
      CG as it was expressed by the obtained mean scores (3.9 vs. 3.6; p = 0.017). The
      mean scores of the domain assessing physical health and environment did not
      differ significantly between EG and CG (23.4 vs. 22.9; p = 0.187 and 25.7 vs.
      24.9; p = 0.290, respectively). We found significant difference between EG and CG
      in regard to the mean scores assessing the psychological health (23.1 vs. 21.5; p
      = 0.003) and social life (11.6 vs. 10.1; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HCW from EG
      evaluated their QOL slightly better and they were more satisfied with their
      health than HCW from CG. In addition, HCW from EG assessed better their
      psychological health and social life than HCW from CG, whereas regarding the
      assessment of the physical health and environment, there was no difference
      between two groups.

PMID- 27275281
TI  - Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction - Concept, Pathophysiology,
      Diagnosis and Challenges for Treatment.
AB  - Heart failure (HF) with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (HFpEF)
      occurs in 40 to 60% of the patients with HF, with a prognosis which is similar to
      HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). HFpEF pathophysiology is different
      from that of HFrEF, and has been characterized with diastolic dysfunction.
      Diastolic dysfunction has been defined with elevated left ventricular stiffness,
      prolonged iso-volumetric LV relaxation, slow LV filing and elevated LV end
      diastolic pressure. Arterial hypertension occurs in majority cases with HFpEF
      worldwide. Patients are mostly older and obese. Diabetes mellitus and atrial
      fibrillation appear proportionally in a high frequency of patients with HFpEF.
      The HFpEF diagnosis is based on existence of symptoms and signs of heart failure,
      normal or approximately normal ejection and diagnosing of LV diastolic
      dysfunction by means of heart catheterization or Doppler echocardiography and/or
      elevated concentration of plasma natriuretic peptide. The present recommendations
      for HFpEF treatment include blood pressure control, heart chamber frequency
      control when atrial fibrillation exists, in some situations even coronary
      revascularization and an attempt for sinus rhythm reestablishment. Up to now, it
      is considered that no medication or a group of medications improve the survival
      of HFpEF patients. Due to these causes and the bad prognosis of the disorder,
      rigorous control is recommended of the previously mentioned precipitating factors
      for this disorder. This paper presents a universal review of the most important
      parameters which determine this disorder. 

PMID- 27275282
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Orthostatic Reactivity in Patients with Ischemic Stroke in
      the Chronic Period. OA Maced J Med Sci.
      http://dx.doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2015.090.

PMID- 27275283
TI  - Errata Corrige. Orthostatic Reactivity in Patients with Ischemic Stroke in the
      Chronic Period. http://dx.doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2015.090.
AB  - AIM: This study aims to trace the influence of specialized kinesitherapeutic
      methodology (SKTM) on orthostatic reactivity in patients with ischemic stroke in
      the chronic period (ISChP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: An active orthostatic test is
      used for the evaluation of the orthostatic reactions. The arterial blood pressure
      and heart rate were defined in the 10 minutes of supine position, before and
      after 1, 5 and 10 minutes of active upright position. The orthostatic
      autoregulation is evaluated four times - at the beginning of the study, on the
      10th day, on the 1st month and three months after the start of the KT. The
      classification by Thulesius was used to separate the patients into two groups
      depending on the type of their orthostatic reactivity. RESULTS: At the beginning
      of the study of infringements symptomatic type orthostatic reactivity (SOR) was
      observed in 24 patients and hypertensive type orthostatic reactivity (HOR) was
      observed in the remaining 32 patients. Once applied SKTM establish improvement of
      orthostatic autoregulation for the groups SOR and HOR at the 10th day and the 1st
      month with a level of significance p <0.05. CONCLUSION: The applied specialized
      kinesitherapeutic methodology continued later as an adapted exercise program at
      home, has significantly improved the orthostatic reactivity in patients with
      orthostatic dysregulation due to the ISChP.

PMID- 27275284
TI  - DNA Cytometry and Nuclear Morphometry in Ovarian Benign, Borderline and Malignant
      Tumors.
AB  - BACKDROUND: Ovarian carcinoma is a leading cause of death in gynecological
      malignancy. Ovarian surface epithelial serous and mucinous tumours are classified
      as benign, borderline, and malignant. The identification of borderline tumours
      most likely to act aggressively remains an important clinical issue. AIM: This
      work aimed to study DNA ploidy and nuclear area in ovarian serous and mucinous;
      benign, borderline and malignant tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study
      included forty ovarian (23 serous and 17 mucinous) tumours. Paraffin blocks were
      sectioned; stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic and
      morphometric studies and with blue feulgen for DNA analysis. RESULTS: All four
      serous and six out of nine mucinous benign tumours were diploid. All eight serous
      and five mucinous malignant tumours were aneuploid. Nine of eleven (81.8%) serous
      and all three mucinous borderline tumours were aneuploid. There were highly
      significant differences in mean aneuploid cells percentage between serous benign
      (1.5%), borderline (45.6%) and malignant (74.5%) (p = 0.0001) and between
      mucinous benign (13.2%) and both borderline (63.7%) and malignant (68.4%) groups
      (p = 0.0001). There were significant differences in nuclear area between serous
      benign (26.191%), borderline (45.619%) and malignant (67.634 %) and a significant
      positive correlation between mean percentage aneuploid value and mean nuclear
      area in all serous and mucinous groups. CONCLUSION: We suggest that DNA ploidy
      and nuclear area combined, may be adjuncts to histopathology; in ovarian serous
      and mucinous benign, borderline and malignant neoplasms; identifying the
      aggressive borderline tumours.

PMID- 27275285
TI  - Lamivudine-Induced Liver Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lamivudine is a nucleoside analogue antiretroviral drug, known for
      its low toxicity at clinically prescribed dose. However, the toxicity or
      mechanism of toxicity and target tissue effects during prolonged administration
      of higher doses were hardly given sufficient laboratory attention. AIM: The
      present work was designed to investigate the biochemical and histopathological
      changes in the liver of rat administered with prolonged doses of lamivudine.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Lamivudine in multiple doses of five ranging from 4 mg/kg
      to 2500 mg/kg were administered, in vitro, by injection into the air-sac of 10
      day old fertile embryonated eggs of Gallus domesticus. Also, female rats of the
      Wistar strain received oral doses, up to 500 mg/kg singly or repeatedly for 15 or
      45 days, respectively. Spectrophotometric techniques were employed to monitor
      activities of the aminotransferases (ALT and AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase
      (GGT) and total protein concentration in serum while activities of glutathione S
      transferase (GST), GGT and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as concentrations
      of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein were determined in liver. Histopathological
      studies were carried out on liver. Data were analysed using ANOVA and were
      considered significant when p < 0.05. RESULTS: The LD50 for the drug calculated
      from the incubation experiment was 427 mg/kg. Total serum protein concentration
      significantly reduced while enzymes activities significantly increased at 500
      mg/kg only among the repeat-dosed rats. Hepatic GGT, GST and SOD activities as
      well as MDA concentration were significantly elevated at 20 mg/kg.
      Histopathological studies showed multifocal lymphoid cell population in the liver
      sinusoid of the chicken and hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes were recorded
      among rats repeatedly exposed to the drug respectively at doses >= 100 mg/kg.
      CONCLUSION: Lamivudine toxicity in rat liver appeared to be mediated by oxidative
      stress.

PMID- 27275286
TI  - Dysplasia in Gastric Mucosa and its Reporting Problems.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recognition, terminology used and histopathologic evaluation of
      two essential elements in gastric carcinogenesis, atrophy and dysplasia, are
      characterized by controversy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifteen cases,
      with slides and their histopathologic reports from the archive of the Laboratory
      of Pathology were studied for the diagnostic value, reporting of dysplasia,
      interobserver variability, the relation of dysplastic lesions with inflammation,
      atrophy and metaplasia. After retrospectively studying the histopathologic
      reports from the archive we distributed the cases according to endoscopic and
      histopathologic diagnosis, together with the reexamination of the slides. The
      comparison of the median values of the numeric variables was made with the Mann
      Whitney test (non-parametric equivalent of the Student's "t" test). RESULTS: The
      endoscopic clinical diagnosis were: malignancy/suspicious for malignancy 88 cases
      (76%) and non-neoplastic diagnosis (like ulcer or gastritis) 27 cases (24%). From
      the reexamination of the cases it resulted that there is no difference in
      reporting the malignancy, but there is a difference in the cases reported as
      dysplasia (p = 0.001) and negative for neoplasia (p = 0.063, borderline).
      CONCLUSION: Clinicians and pathologists can feel directly the discrepancy called
      "interobserver variability" and should be assured that the use of guidelines will
      cause a lowering of this variability.

PMID- 27275287
TI  - Neck Circumference as a Predictor of Adiposity among Healthy and Obese Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity, particularly in the upper part of body, is a major health
      problem. Because body mass index (BMI) does not adequately describe regional
      adiposity, other indices of body fatness are being explored. OBJECTIVES: To
      determine if neck circumference is a valid measure of adiposity (fat
      distribution) among group of Egyptian children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a
      cross sectional study, included 50 obese subjects, aged 7 - 12 years recruited
      from Endocrine, obesity and Metabolism Pediatric Unit at Children Hospital, Cairo
      University and 50 healthy children, age and sex matched. All children were
      subjected to blood pressure assessment (systolic SBP and diastolic DBP), and
      anthropometric assessment (body weight, height, neck circumference (NC), waist
      (WC) and hip (HC) circumferences, and skin fold thicknesses at three sites:
      biceps, triceps and sub scapular. BMI [weight (kg)/height (m2)] was calculated.
      RESULTS: In healthy females, significant associations were detected between NC
      and SBP, DBP and all anthropometric measurements. However, in healthy males NC
      was not significantly associated with BMI, SBP and DBP. In the obese group; both
      sexes; insignificant association was found between NC and SBP, DBP, BMI and
      skinfold thickness. CONCLUSION: NC is related to fat distribution among normal
      healthy female children. However, this relation disappears with increasing
      adiposity. The results do not support the use of NC as a useful screening tool
      for childhood obesity.

PMID- 27275288
TI  - Adipokines Vaspin and Visfatin in Obese Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adipokines provides new insights about the physiology, pathology and
      treatment of obesity. AIM: We investigated the association between serum vaspin
      and serum visfatin concentrations with obesity in Egyptian children. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Twenty two obese children with body mass index (BMI) above 95th
      percentile; 11 males and 11 females were included in this study. Their mean age
      was 9.18 +/- 2.8 years. After general clinical examination, fasting blood
      glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein
      cholesterol were measured in cases and controls (n=11). Fasting insulin, vaspin
      and visfatin were detected using ELIZA. Insulin resistance was estimated by
      Homeostasis model assessment method (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Blood pressure, in both
      systolic and diastolic measurements was elevated significantly in obese children.
      Significant elevation of serum insulin and insulin resistance (HOMA/IR) were
      observed in obese children too. Vaspin and visfatin showed significant elevation
      in obese children than controls. Significant positive correlations were detected
      between visfatin and BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and HOMA/IR. We
      found that Vaspin and visfatin are higher in obese children. CONCLUSION: Visfatin
      but not vaspin correlates positively with waist circumference and HOMA/IR in
      obese children.

PMID- 27275289
TI  - Amelioration of Cadmium-Induced Nephropathy using Polyphenol-rich Extract of
      Vernonia amygdalina (Del.) Leaves in Rat Model.
AB  - AIM: To determine the effects of polyphenol-rich extract of the leaves of
      Vernonia amygdalina (PEVA) in rats with Cd-induced nephropathy. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Sixty five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups as follows;
      Group 1 received distilled water throughout the period of study. Group 2 received
      5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium (Cd), in the form of CdSO4, for five consecutive
      days via intraperitoneal route. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were pretreated with Cd as
      group 2 and thereafter received oral treatment of PEVA for 4 weeks at 100 mg/kg,
      200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. RESULTS: Exposure to Cd
      toxicity significantly induced deleterious alterations in plasma and urine levels
      of creatinine, urea and glucose as well as creatinine and urea clearance (p <
      0.05) in the rat model. There was a significant disturbance in the antioxidant
      system as revealed by the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance
      (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05) in the kidney tissue of the
      rats. With marked improvements in renal histoarchitecture, PEVA treatment showed
      a duration and non dose-dependent ameliorative potential. CONCLUSION: PEVA
      treatment reversed the compromise of renal function that was induced by Cd
      toxicity in rat model.

PMID- 27275290
TI  - Association of Neck Circumference with Obesity in Female College Students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity levels have been dramatically increased in the United Arab
      Emirates over the last few years. High levels of body Mass Index, waist
      circumference, and percent of total body fat as a measure of obesity have found
      to be related to cardiovascular risk factors and other diseases. Neck
      circumference is a new tool that has been linked to obesity. However, no studies
      in UAE have been conducted yet. AIM: The purpose of this study was to measure the
      obesity levels in a college population and to correlate them with NC and other
      anthropometrical indexes. METHODS AND SUBJECTS: Two hundred forty three (243)
      female students aged 18-25 were conveniently selected to participate in the
      study. Anthropometrical indexes were obtained from all subjects e after fasting.
      RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity together was found to be 28.4 %
      (n = 69). Pearson correlation showed that WC, NC and BF (%) were significantly
      positively related to obesity, (r = 0.790; r = 0.758; r = 0.767, p < 0.001),
      respectively. In multiple regression analysis, only NC (Beta: 1.627, 95 %CI:
      0.370, 2.846, p < 0.001) and WC (Beta: 0.464, 95 %CI: 0.135, 0.664, p < 0.001)
      were found to be independently associated with obesity. CONCLUSION: NC was found
      to be independently associated with obesity levels in Emirati college students.

PMID- 27275291
TI  - Biochemical Assessment of Bone Health in Working Obese Egyptian Females with
      Metabolic Syndrome; the Effect of Weight Loss by Natural Dietary Therapies.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the relation between bone parameters and the metabolic
      syndrome criteria, before and after the administration of two different natural
      dietary supplements in middle aged working obese Egyptian women suffering from
      metabolic syndrome (MetS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty eight middle aged obese
      female volunteers suffering from metabolic syndrome were divided into two groups.
      During the first period, group (A) consumed a low caloric diet and nutritional
      supplement consisting of doum flour biscuits, while group (B) consumed whole meal
      wheat flour biscuit with the same instructions. During the second period, both
      supplements were omitted. Assessment of blood pressure, relevant anthropometric
      parameters, lipid accumulation product, fasting blood glucose, uric acid, 25
      hydroxy vitamin D (25 (OH) D), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone-specific
      alkaline phosphatase were performed. RESULTS: Data showed that although both
      supplements improved the MetS criteria and the bone health parameters, the
      supplement containing the doum flour proved to be more effective. CONCLUSION:
      These results confirm the benefit of doum in improving bone health parameter [25
      (OH) D/PTH axis] in the MetS patients, beside the MetS criteria. So, we can
      conclude that natural effective supplements lead towards the optimization of
      biochemical parameters in favor of a healthy outcome.

PMID- 27275292
TI  - Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin and MTHFR Mutation in Patients with Preeclamsia,
      Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Placental Abruption.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin and MTHFR gene mutation, could have an
      influence in pregnancy with adverse outcome Preeclamsia, IUGR and Placental
      abruption. AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of above
      mentioned inherited thrombophilias and its statistical significance, distribution
      among the complicated and normal pregnancy, and relative risk for carrier of
      mutation to develop preeclampsia, IUGR and placental abruption. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Prospective cohort study is implemented at University Clinic for
      Obstetric and Gynecology in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. The study included 109
      delivered patients: 40 with preeclapmsia, 22 with IUGR, 17 with placental
      abruption and 30 as control group with normal pregnancy. The amount of 3 ml
      venous blood has been used for detection of these point mutations using
      ThromboStrip -Opegen, QIAGEN kit manufactured for thrombotic risk. RESULTS: The
      highest frequency was found: in the group with preeclampsia 35% were MTHFR
      homozygous, IUGR -MTHFR heterozygous 45%, Placental abruption- 52.9% MTHFR
      heterozygous, and in the control group without thrombophilia 56.7%. There were
      combined thrombophilia in 3 patients. There aren't statistical significance in
      presence of thrombophilia among groups (p > 0.05). Statistical significance (p <
      0.05) was found between carriers of MTHFR homozygous in preeclampsia and group
      with placental abruption and control group. Relative risk in IUGR group for MTHFR
      homozygous was 5.54 (1.37<RR<22.4). Relative risk in placental abruption for
      Factor V Leiden heterozygous was 4.50 (0.47<RR<42.75). CONCLUSION: The presence
      of mutation MTHFR homozygous could increase the risk for development of IUGR and
      mutation of Factor V Leiden for placental abruption. Further investigations with
      more patients are warranted.

PMID- 27275293
TI  - A Pilot Study on BMI, Serum Testosterone and Estradiol Levels in Allergic Male
      Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The dramatic increase in the prevalence of high body mass index (BMI)
      increases the prevalence of allergic diseases, both in adults and children and
      obesity is associated with hypogonadism in adult males. AIM: We aimed to evaluate
      the effect of high body mass index on plasma concentrations of testosterone and
      estradiol in young pubertal and adult males with allergic diseases. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Morning fasting blood samples were obtained form 51 allergic patients
      and 6 healthy volunteer males between the ages 11-57 years (Mean 26.9, DS +/-
      11.9 years). Total testosterone, estradiol, FSH and LH concentrations were
      measured by radioimmunoassay. All participants were subjected to skin prick tests
      with test kit G aeroallergens, and BMI was calculated according to the body
      weight divided by the square of height (kg/m(2)). RESULTS: Low levels of
      testosterone and high levels of estradiol were associated with high BMI only in
      patients with asthma/rhinitis, but not in asthma patients. Allergic
      dermatitis/urticaria group along with healthy controls were overweight but within
      normal ranges for total testosterone and estradiol concentrations. Patients with
      allergic rhinitis were within normal ranges for BMI, total testosterone and
      estradiol concentrations. CONCLUSION: High BMI is not always associated with low
      levels of testosterone and high levels of estradiol in our patients with allergic
      diseases, but low levels of testosterone are present in patients with asthma and
      asthma/rhinitis although not among patients with rhinitis only. Our results
      should be confirmed in a larger group of participants.

PMID- 27275294
TI  - Influence of Kinesitherapy on Balance Reactions in Patients with Ischemic Stroke
      in the Chronic Period.
AB  - AIM: The study aims to trace the influence of specialized kinesitherapeutic
      methodology (SKTM) on balance reactions in patients with ischemic stroke in the
      chronic period (ISChP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study
      with 56 patients with ISChP. Evaluation of balance reactions using Berg Balance
      Scale - BBS, includes implementation of 14 tasks with increasing difficulty
      reflecting the usual activities of everyday life. The first 5 assignments are
      used to assess the main balance potential and the remaining 9 (6th to 14th task)
      include more sophisticated balance tasks. RESULTS: The patients were found with a
      significant improvement in balance opportunities, according to the scale of Berg.
      Compared to initial data there is a significant increase in the number of points
      in the measured indicators for functional and static balance. In absolute terms,
      positive change is most pronounced during the 1st month with a level of
      significance of p <0.001. CONCLUSION: The applied specialized kinesitherapeutic
      methodology continued later as adapted exercise program at home, and
      significantly improved equilibrium reactions in patients with postural disorders
      because of ischemic stroke and is with a supportive prolonged exposure.

PMID- 27275295
TI  - Newly Diagnosed Diabetes and Stress Glycaemia and Its' Association with Acute
      Coronary Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes is diagnosed in 10-20% of patients with acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS) not known to be diabetics. Elevated blood glucose is an
      independent risk factor for cardiac events, regardless of presence of diabetes.
      AIM: Evaluating the prevalence of new-diagnosed DM among patients with ACS, and
      assessing the relationship between stress glycaemia and new diagnosed DM with in
      hospital cardiac events. METHODS: Prospective observational study, in patients
      with ACS, in whom we analyzed parameters of glycemic metabolism, clinical data,
      and in-hospital cardiac events. We comparatively analyzed patients according to
      the HgbA1C and known DM in five groups: non-DM (< 5.6%), new pre-DM (5.6-6.5%),
      new DM (>= 6.5%), controlled (<7%) and uncontrolled (>=7%) known DM. RESULTS: 150
      patients, (93 male and 57 female) were included. Impaired glucose metabolism was
      detected in 44.5% of patients, 7.9% of whom were newly-diagnosed DM. The highest
      levels of stress glycaemia were found in new and uncontrolled known DM. The in
      hospital event rate was 20.7%, the mortality rate 7.3%, being the highest in new
      diagnosed and uncontrolled known DM patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of
      unknown DM was high among patients with ACS. Stress glycaemia and failure to
      achieve glycemic controlee, were an independent predictors of in-hospital cardiac
      events.

PMID- 27275296
TI  - Study of Adiponectin Level in Diabetic Adolescent Girls in Relation to Glycemic
      Control and Complication of Diabetes.
AB  - AIM: To study the relation between adiponectin level with glycemic control and
      complication of diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 40 female
      adolescent type 1 diabetic patients and 40 healthy volunteers of the same age and
      sex. Blood sample was taken for assessment of glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid
      profile and adiponectine. Urine sample was taken for assessment of
      albumin/creatinine ratio. RESULTS: Diabetic patients had a significantly higher
      diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and adiponectin
      than controls. Patients with diabetes complication had a significant lower BMI
      and HDL. On the other hand, they had higher disease duration, total cholesterol,
      HbA1, albumin/creatinine ratio and adiponectin. Patients with microalbuminuria
      had a lower BMI, higher disease duration, diastolic blood pressure and
      adiponectin. Patients with diabetic retinopathy had higher disease duration,
      insulin dose, HbA1, microalbuminuria and adiponectin. Adiponectin in diabetic
      patients had a significant negative correlation with BMI and positive correlation
      with systolic blood pressure and microlabuminuria. CONCLUSION: Serum adiponectin
      level is high in adolescent type 1 diabetic girls. It can be used as a predictor
      of diabetes complications rather than a sensitive biochemical marker for glycemic
      control.

PMID- 27275297
TI  - Influence of Kinesitherapy on Gait in Patients with Ischemic Stroke in the
      Chronic Period.
AB  - AIM: The study aims to trace the influence of specialized kinesitherapeutic
      methodology (SKTM) on gait in patients with ischemic stroke in the chronic period
      (ISChP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 56 patients with
      ISChP (duration of the disease up to 1 year). For determining changes in gait
      before and after the treatment a cadence of gait and maximum movement speed were
      taken into consideration. To determine the cadence, steps are counted for
      covering 6 meters and 10 meters respectively. The maximum speed of the gait is
      determined in m / min by dividing undergone distance (m) and time (min). RESULTS:
      Patients were found to significantly normalize the parameters of gait. Compared
      to the initial data, there is a significant reduction in the number of steps on 6
      and 10 meters and a tendency to increase the speed of gait, with the significant
      change during the 1st month with a level of significance of p <0.001. CONCLUSION:
      The applied specialized kinesitherapeutic methodology continued later as exercise
      program at home, which significantly improved gait cadence and speed of movement
      in patients with ischemic stroke in the chronic period and is with a supportive
      prolonged exposure.

PMID- 27275298
TI  - Incidence and Impact of Patient-Prosthesis Mismatch in Isolated Aortic Valve
      Surgery.
AB  - AIM: The mains topics of this work are the incidence of patient-prosthesis
      mismatch and the influence in the early results of isolated aortic valve surgery.
      METHODS: In 193 patients isolated aortic valve surgery was performed. The study
      population was divided in three subgroups: 20 patients with severe, 131 patients
      with moderate and 42 patients without patient-prosthesis mismatch. The indexed
      effective orifice area was used to define the subgroups. Operative mortality and
      perioperative complications were considered the indicators of the early results
      of aortic valve surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of severe and moderate patient
      prosthesis mismatch was respectively 10.3% and 67.8%. Hospital mortality and
      perioperative complications were: mortality 5% vs. 3.1% vs. 2.4% (p = 0.855), low
      cardiac output 5% vs. 6.9% vs. 4.8% (p = 0.861); pulmonary complications 5% vs.
      3.1 vs. 0.0% (p = 0.430); exploration for bleeding 5% vs. 0.8% vs. 2.4% (p =
      0.319); atrial fibrillation 30% vs. 19.8% vs. 11.9% (p = 0.225); wound infection
      5% vs. 0.8% vs. 0.00% (p = 0.165), respectively for the group with severe,
      moderate and without patient-prosthesis mismatch. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-prosthesis
      mismatch is a common occurrence in aortic valve surgery. This phenomenon does not
      affect the early results of aortic valve surgery.

PMID- 27275299
TI  - Role and Significance of Markers of Inflammation in the Asthmatic Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation which can be
      reversible. AIM: Investigation the importance of eosinophils, ECP and IL-5 in
      asthmatics versus patients with obstructive bronchitis and healthy subjects. We
      investigated the values before and after the treatment in asthmatics. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: We studied 77 subjects divided in three groups as follows: 1) asthma
      patients; 2) patients with obstructive bronchitis and 3) control group of healthy
      subjects. In all the subjects there were determined: Total number of eosinophils
      (Eo), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), Interleukin 5 (IL-5) and allergy
      tests. RESULTS: The total number of eosinophils was significantly increased in
      the group of asthma patients versus second and third group. We found that the
      presence of ECP demonstrate an ongoing inflammation, with or without clinical
      symptoms of asthma patients. There was significant difference between the values
      of ECP of asthma patients versus second and third group. Our results have shown
      that IL-5 was significantly increased versus second group and controls (p <
      0.01). We also found the decrease of the values of inflammatory markers after the
      treatment with corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophils, ECP and IL-5 could be
      useful markers for selecting allergic patients and could be the monitors of
      treatment effects.

PMID- 27275300
TI  - Psychological Patient Reactions after Septorhinoplasty - Our Personal View.
AB  - AIM: The aim of our study is to observe adequate and inadequate psychological
      reactions in patients who are candidates for septorhinoplasty, before and after
      surgery and to create an adequate psychological model of a person suitable for
      septorhinoplasty in this group of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study,
      140 patients with nasal septal deviation (deviatio septi nasi), alone or together
      with other nasal deformities, were observed in the period of 4 years (2011-2015
      year). Our patients were psychologically observed using two standard
      psychological tests: Patients selection for septorhinoplasty and their
      psychological abilities ("Self-body image" questionnaire) and Brief Symptom
      Inventory (BSI) test. RESULTS: Most of the patients 43 (39.8%), thought that
      after rhinoseptoplasty their self-confidence arise, 32 (29.63%) expected
      changing's in their life's, few of them 9 (8, 3%) thought that the environment
      will act different with them. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) in women group
      was shown that most of the women patients presented symptoms of somatisation; 23
      (23.33%) and 15 (25%) one year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The patients made a
      sound decision for intervention, which was useful for the surgeon too, because it
      helped them choose an adequate operative technique and especially helped them in
      the postoperative period.

PMID- 27275301
TI  - Clinical Significance of Serum IL-12 Level in Patients with Early Breast
      Carcinoma and Its Correlation with Other Tumor Markers.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the diagnostic significance of Interleukin 12 (IL-12) in
      breast cancer (BC) and its correlation with other tumor markers including cancer
      antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), matrix metalloproteinase
      9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), and MMP9/TIMP1
      ratio. METHODS: Serum levels of IL-12, tumor markers, and hormone receptors were
      measured in 92 BC and 56 benign lesion patients versus 40 healthy subjects.
      Clinical stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, grade, and histological type
      were recorded. RESULTS: BC patients have lower IL-12, but higher CA 15.3 and CEA
      than control group. High levels of serum IL-12 were associated with lymph node
      positivity and progesterone receptor negativity. IL-12 was significant lower in
      invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) compared to non IDC histological type. IL-12 was
      higher in patients with higher stage and grade but the difference was not
      statistically significant. IL-12 correlates negatively with MMP9/TIMP1 ratio.
      CONCLUSION: IL-12 is less specific than CEA for screening early BC, but its
      correlation with tumor aggressiveness and progression markers may have a
      prognostic value.

PMID- 27275302
TI  - Evaluation of Clinicopathological and Risk Factors for Nonmalignant H. Pylori
      Associated Gastroduodenal Disorders in Iraqi Patients.
AB  - AIM: To determine the risk factors associated with H. pylori infection and
      possible correlation with clinicopathological parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Gastroduodenal biopsies were examined by rapid urease test and Gram staining. Cag
      A cytotoxin was detected by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Risk of H. pylori
      acquisition reported as following: Males have 1.38 fold, rural residents have
      0.63 fold, Nonsmokers have 0.39 fold, mild smokers have 18 fold, and moderate
      smokers have 1.4 fold while heavy smokers have 1 fold. A person who's in contact
      with animals has 1.52 fold risks. Illiterates and patients with primary education
      have 5.36 & 3 fold risk respectively. Patients under proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
      therapy have 1.02 fold. Patients under NSAID therapy have 3.48 fold while
      nonalcoholic Patients have 0.75 fold. Patients using tap water have 0.45 fold
      risk. H. pylori infection positively correlated with age, weight loss, and
      heartburn. H. pylori inversely correlated with endoscopic diagnosis, Cag A
      positivity, and education level. Cag A positivity correlated with animal contact
      and NSAID usage. CONCLUSIONS: Several life style factors, education, animal
      contact, using of PPI, and NSAIDs increase the risk of H. pylori infection.
      Weight loss and heartburn cardinal signs for H. pylori infection. Endoscopic
      diagnosis and clinicopathological parameters not strictly associated with Cag A
      positivity.

PMID- 27275303
TI  - Predictive Factors for the Effect of Treatment by Noninvasive Ventilation in
      Patients with Respiratory Failure as a Result of Acute Exacerbation of the
      Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) applies ventilator support
      through the patient's upper airway using a mask. AIM: The aim of the study is to
      define factors that will point out an increased risk of NIV failure in patients
      with exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Patients over the age of 40, treated with NIV, were prospectively
      recruited. After data processing, the patients were divided into two groups: 1)
      successful NIV treatment group; 2) failed NIV treatment group. RESULTS: On
      admission arterial pH and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) levels were lower (pH: p <
      0.05, GCS: p < 0.05), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II
      (APACHE) score and PaCO2 were higher (p < 0.05) in the NIV failure group.
      Arterial pH was lower (p < 0.05) and PaCO2 and respiratory rate were higher (p <
      0.05) after 1h, and arterial pH was lower (p < 0.05) and PaCO2 (p < 0.05),
      respiratory and heart rate were higher (p < 0.05) after 4h in the NIV failure
      group. CONCLUSION: Measurement and monitoring of certain parameters may be of
      value in terms of predicting the effectiveness of NIV treatment.

PMID- 27275304
TI  - Depression and Resilience in Breast Cancer Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A significant number of breast cancer patients, during their life with
      the diagnosis, experience emotional distress in the form of depression and
      anxiety. Psychological resilience is the ability of a person to protect his/her
      mental health when faced with adverse circumstances such as the cancer diagnosis.
      This study aims to assess the resilience in breast cancer patients and to explore
      whether depression affects the resilience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred
      eighteen (218) women, treated for early breast cancer responded to Connor -
      Davidson Resilience Scale and Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale, in order to
      assess the level of psychological resilience and the level of depression.
      RESULTS: There is a significant negative correlation between depression and
      resilience in our sample (r = - 0.562, p < 0.001). Individuals with higher levels
      of depression have lower levels of psychological resilience. There is no
      statistically significant correlation between the ages of the participants; time
      passed since diagnosis, cancer stage and resilience levels. CONCLUSION: This
      study shows that patients who are less depressed have higher levels of resilience
      and that psychological resilience may independently contribute to lower levels of
      depression among breast cancer patients. The level of psychological resilience
      may be a protective factor for depression and psychological distress.

PMID- 27275305
TI  - The Effect of Pre-Incision Field Block versus Post-Incision Inguinal Wound
      Infiltration on Postoperative Pain after Paediatric Herniotomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block has been shown to
      significantly decrease opioid analgesic requirements and side effects after
      inguinal herniotomy. We compared the effect of pre-incisional field block with
      0.25% bupivacaine and post-incisional wound infiltration with 0.25% bupivacaine
      for postoperative pain control after inguinal herniotomy. PATIENTS & METHODS:
      This was a randomized controlled double blind study in 62 ASA I and II children
      aged 1-7 years scheduled for inguinal herniotomy. They were assigned to receive
      either pre-incision field block (group I) or post-incision wound infiltration at
      the time of wound closure (group II). The pain score was assessed in the recovery
      room using mCHEOPS score and VAS or FLACC score at home by the parents for 24
      hours. RESULTS: The mean pain scores during the 2 hour stay in the recovery room,
      at 12 and 18 hours at home were similar in both groups, p > 0.05. However, the
      mean pain scores were significantly lower at 6 hours at home in group I (1.22 +/-
      0.57) than in group II (1.58 +/-0.90), p <0.001, but significantly higher at 24
      hours at home in group I (3.29 +/- 0.46) than in group II (2.32 +/- 0.24), p =
      0.040. There was no difference in mean paracetamol requirement, and in the number
      of patients who required paracetamol for pain relief at home in both groups, p >
      0.05. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that both pre-incisional
      ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric field block and post incisional wound infiltration
      provided adequate postoperative analgesia for 24 hours after inguinal herniotomy.

PMID- 27275306
TI  - Analysis of Plasma Concentrations of Theophylline in Smoking and Nonsmoking
      Patients with Asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While dosing theophylline in asthmatics, we should consider that a
      lot of medicines, substances, conditions and diseases affect the clearance of
      theophylline, such as smoking, macrolide antibiotics, barbiturates, oral
      contraceptives, heart and liver insufficiency, alcohol, calcium-antagonists,
      pneumonia, viral infections, hypoxemia, etc. AIM: The aim of the study is to
      investigate the concentrations of theophylline during the day in smoking and
      nonsmoking patients with asthma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have estimated the
      concentrations of theophylline 6 times daily by the HPLC method (Keith Muir, J
      Chromatography) in 20 smoking and 20 nonsmoking asthmatic patients, who were
      treated with theophylline sustained-release tablets 175 mg twice daily. RESULTS:
      In the first group of 20 nonsmoking patients we obtained constant therapeutic and
      optimal concentrations of theophylline. In the second group of 20 smoking
      asthmatics the concentration of theophylline in plasma, in 8pm and 8am the next
      day was very low. CONCLUSION: Because in smokers we have increased clearance and
      the decreased half- life of theophylline, and in order to prevent the night time
      life-threatening attacks, it is necessary to recommend maximal doses of
      theophylline, especially in the evening. According to the study, dosage should be
      individualized in order to optimize the treatment based on the measurement of
      theophylline concentration in plasma.

PMID- 27275307
TI  - Glutathione Transferase as a Potential Marker for Gut Epithelial Injury versus
      the Protective Role of Breast Milk sIgA in Infants with Rota Virus
      Gastroenteritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) plays an important protective role
      in the recognition and clearance of enteric pathogens. AIM: This study was
      designed to assess if mucosal integrity "measured by secretory IgA (SIgA)" is a
      protective factor from more epithelial alteration "measured by glutathione
      transferase" in infants with Rota gastroenteritis and its relation to infants'
      feeding pattern. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 79 infants
      aged 6 months and less from those diagnosed as having gastroenteritis and
      admitted to Gastroenteritis Department in Abo El Rish Pediatric Hospital, Cairo
      University. Plasma glutathione s-transferases and Stool SIgA were measured using
      ELISA technique. Rota virus detection was done by Reverse transcriptase PCR.
      RESULTS: SIgA was found to be significantly positive in exclusive breast fed
      infants, Glutathione transferase was significantly more frequently positive in
      Rota positive cases than Rota negative cases by Reverse transcriptase PCR. A
      significant negative correlation between Glutathione transferase and Secretory
      IgA was found, (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Breast feeding should be encouraged and
      highly recommended in the first two years of life as it provides Secretory IgA to
      breast fed infants who in turn protect them against epithelial damage caused by
      Rota viral gastroenteritis.

PMID- 27275308
TI  - Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy and Early Atherosclerosis in Adolescent Type
      1 Diabetic Patient.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in type 1 Diabetics
      and to detect its relation to coronary artery calcification. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: It is a cross sectional study included 62 diabetics and 30 controls.
      Clinical, laboratory assessment and 24 Hr holter were done for all patients and
      controls and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring by multisclice CT was done for
      all patients only. T-test, Mann Whitney U test, and stepwise multiple regression
      were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: CAC score was positive in 8.1 % of
      patients. Heart rate variability (HRV) was significantly lower in diabetics. All
      parameters of HRV were insignificantly lower in diabetics with positive CAC
      score. Patients with microalbuminuria had a significantly lower HRV. HRV had a
      significant correlation with age of patients, duration of disease, HbA1, and Qtc
      in diabetics. CONCLUSION: Percentage of arrhythmia and early atherosclerosis is
      high in adolescent type 1 diabetic patients. CAN is associated with early
      atherosclerosis. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is associated with older age,
      longer duration, and poor glycemic control and microalbuminuria.

PMID- 27275309
TI  - Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients with Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules
      who underwent Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with thyroid nodules represent common problem in daily
      routine of thyroidologists as well as other medical specialties. Fortunately only
      small number of thyroid nodules turns out to be malignant. Ultrasound is most
      frequently used imaging modality in the evaluation of thyroid nodules and certain
      ultrasonographic features are associated with greater risk for malignancy. AIM:
      The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of various
      ultrasonographic findings regarding thyroid malignancy. METHODS: Between
      September 2012 and August 2013 a total of 592 patients with 694 nodules were
      included in the present study. They were evaluated for thyroid nodules as a part
      of routine work up at outpatient's unit of Institute of Pathophysiology and
      Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, UKIM Skopje. In all patients thyroid
      ultrasound and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) were performed. Surgically
      were removed 84 nodules and ultrasonography and cytology data were compared to
      histology results. RESULTS: From all examined ultrasonographic features,
      significant association with malignancy has been found for hypoechogenecity,
      marked central vascularisation, ultrasound suspicious nodules (including at least
      two suspicious features) and marginal for presence of microcalcifications.
      Highest sensitivity was obtained for hypoechogenecity, and highest specificity
      for microcalcifications and marked central vascularisation. CONCLUSION: Awareness
      of the suspicious ultrasound features is mandatory in order to optimize
      diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the vast number of patients with thyroid
      nodules.

PMID- 27275310
TI  - Evaluation of Neonatal Hemolytic Jaundice: Clinical and Laboratory Parameters.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice that occurs in ABO or Rhesus issoimunisation has
      been recognized as one of the major risk factors for development of severe
      hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin neurotoxicity. AIM: Aim of our study was to
      investigate clinical and laboratory parameters associated with hemolytic jaundice
      due to Rh and ABO incompatibility and compare results with the group of
      unspecific jaundice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred sixty seven (167) neonatal
      hyperbilirubinemia cases were included in the study, 24.6% of which presented
      with ABO/Rhesus type hemolytic jaundice, and the rest with unspecific jaundice.
      Evaluation included: blood count, reticulocites, serum bilirubin,
      aminotransferases, blood grouping, and Coombs test, also the day of bilirubin
      peak, duration of the hyperbilirubinemia, and additional bilirubin measurements.
      RESULTS: We showed significantly lower mean values of hemoglobin, erythrocytes
      and hematocrit and significantly higher values of reticulocytes in the group of
      ABO/Rh incompatibility compared to the group of jaundice of unspecific etiology;
      also an earlier presentation and a higher-grade jaundice in this group.
      CONCLUSIONS: The laboratory profile in ABO/Rh isoimmunisation cases depicts
      hemolytic mechanism of jaundice. These cases carry a significant risk for early
      and severe hyperbilirubinemia and are eligible for neurodevelopmental follow-up.
      Hematological parameters and blood grouping are simple diagnostic methods that
      assist the etiological diagnosis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

PMID- 27275311
TI  - Cardiac Affection in Type 1 Diabetic Patients in Relation to Omentin.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate cardiac affection in type 1 diabetes in relation to Omentin.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty two diabetics and 30 volunteer of the same age and
      sex were included as a control group. Blood sample was taken for assessment of
      omentin and oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL), glycosylated hemoglobin
      (HbA1) and lipid profile. Urine sample was taken for assessment of
      albumin/creatinine ratio. 24 hour holter was also done. T-test, simple
      correlation followed by stepwise multiple regression analysis was used for
      analysis of data. RESULTS: Parameters of 24 hour holter were significantly lower
      in diabetics. Omentin was significantly lower, while OxLDL were significantly
      higher than controls. RMSSD, ST deviation and OxLDL were the parameters related
      to omentin by stepwise multiple regression analysis in diabetics. CONCLUSION:
      Diabetic patients had a cardiac autonomic neuropathy. A significant reduction of
      omentin and elevation OxLDL imply that they influence glucose metabolism in type
      1 diabetes. Omentin had a significant relation to 24 hr holter which may reflect
      its role in cardiac affection. Omentin and OxLDL had a role in renal affection.

PMID- 27275313
TI  - Parkinsonism as a Complication of Bariatric Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association between Parkinsonism and BS has already been reported
      in only three patients worldwide. CASE SUMMARY: We report a 39-years old Kuwaiti
      female who presented with parkinsonian features and mononeuropathy (carpal tunnel
      syndrome) 3 years after a vertical sleeve gastrectomy operation. CONCLUSION: We
      conclude that with the increasing popularity of bariatric surgery, clinicians
      will need to recognize and manage neurologic complications that may appear soon
      after or years to decades later. Thorough evaluation is essential for any patient
      who has undergone bariatric surgery and develops neurologic symptoms.

PMID- 27275312
TI  - Antiphospholipid Syndrome - A Case Report of Pulmonary Thromboembolism, Followed
      with Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patient with Systemic Sclerosis.
AB  - AIM: We are presenting an uncommon case of pulmonary embolism, followed with an
      acute myocardial infarction, in a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis.
      CASE PRESENTATION: A female 40 years of age was admitted with signs of pulmonary
      embolism, confirmed with CT scan, which also reviled a thrombus in the right
      ventricle. The patient had medical history of systemic sclerosis since the age of
      16 years. She suffered an ischemic stroke 6 years ago, but she was not taking any
      anticoagulant or antithrombotic medications ever since. She received a treatment
      with thrombolytic therapy, and subsequent UFH, but, on the second day after
      receiving fibrinolysis, she felt chest pain accompanied with ECG changes
      consistent for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Urgent
      coronary angiography was undertaken, which reviled cloths causing total occlusion
      in 4 blood vessels, followed with thromboaspiration, but without successful
      reperfusion. Several hours later the patient developed rapid deterioration with
      letal ending. During the very short hospital course, blood sampling reviled
      presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. CONCLUSION: The acquired
      antiphospholipid syndrome is common condition in patients with systemic
      autoimmune diseases, but relatively rare in patients with systemic sclerosis.
      Never the less, we have to be aware of it when treating the patients with
      systemic sclerosis.

PMID- 27275314
TI  - Pheochromocytoma and Neurofibromatosis Type 1 in a Patient with Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal dominant condition that has
      a variety of clinical manifestations. Essential or secondary hypertension may be
      associated with neurofibromatosis. A rare finding is hypertension due to
      pheochromocytoma in patient with neurofibromatosis type 1. CASE REPORT: We
      present a case with a 7-year medical history of hypertension which was poorly
      controlled and with wide variations of blood pressure before the examination.
      Investigations did not reveal a secondary cause of hypertension. After the
      physical examination and establishing the diagnosis of neurofibromatosis, as well
      as the history of symptomes suggestive of catecholamine discharge, diagnostic
      procedures for pheochromocytoma were undertaken. Abdominal CT and MRI have proven
      the presence of a right adrenal tumor mass which was suspected to be a
      pheochromocytoma. Patient was preoperatively treated for two weeks with alpha and
      beta blokers and right adrenalectomy was performed. Perioperatively and on a
      longer term, blood pressure remained well controlled with less antihypertensive
      therapy. Diagnosis and management of pheochromocytoma in neurofibromatosis
      involves a dermatologist, endocrinologist, nephrologist and an urologist and
      requires a well-coordinated multidisciplinary approach. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pheochromocytoma, although a rare condition in patients with neurofibromatosis,
      may be a cause for uncontrolled hypertension, as well as other cardiovascular
      complications and the clinician should do all available clinical investigations
      to confirm it or exclude it on time.

PMID- 27275315
TI  - Clinical Assessment of the Efficiency of Low Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment
      of Oral Lichen Planus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the
      oral mucosa of uncertain etiology. AIM: To evaluate the effect of using low level
      laser therapy (LLLT (970 nm Siro laser Advance) for the treatment of symptomatic
      (OLP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on ten patients
      suffering from persistent oral lichen planus (OLP). Patients were treated with
      diode laser (970nm) for the symptomatic relief of pain and burning sensation. The
      patients were assessed before, during and after the completion of the laser
      treatment which was done twice weekly for two successive months with maximum of
      ten sessions. The assessment was performed using visual analogue scale (VAS) and
      clinical investigation for each patient. RESULTS: Detailed significant reduction
      in lesion size and showed complete remission of burning sensation and pain. No
      reported complications or therapy side effects were observed in any of the
      treated patients. CONCLUSION: Diode laser therapy seems to be an effective
      adjunctive treatment modality for relieving pain and clinical symptoms of OLP.

PMID- 27275316
TI  - Impact of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Bone Height Changes around Platform Switched
      Implants Supporting Mandibular Overdentures in Controlled Diabetic Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The platform switching concept was recently introduced to implant
      dentistry involving the reduction of restoration abutment diameter with respect
      to the diameter of dental implant. Long-term follow-up around these implants
      showed higher levels of bone preservation and proper stress distribution and
      improved esthetics. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes
      in bone height by means of radiographic examination around platform switched
      implant supporting mandibular overdentures in controlled diabetic patients.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fourteen male complete edentulous patients were selected
      and enrolled in a follow-up study plan. Split mouth technique was applied; one
      side implant chosen randomly with Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) and the other
      without PRP, bone height changes was assessed by Cone Beam Computed Tomography
      (CBCT) radiographic examination after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year
      later. RESULTS: There was increase in bone height loss in both sides but with no
      statistical significance difference between the two sides after 3 months, 6
      months, 9 months and 1 year respectively. CONCLUSION: The result of this article
      satisfied the patients both esthetically and functionally with recorded increase
      in bone height loss.

PMID- 27275317
TI  - Resilience and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that a relationship exists between quality of
      life (QoL) and resilience in breast cancer patients, but few studies present
      information on the nature of this relationship of resilience on QoL. Our aim was
      to examine the relationship between resilience and quality of life in breast
      cancer patients. METHODS: QoL was measured in 218 consequent breast cancer
      patients, with EORTC - QLQ Core 30 questionnaire, and EORTC QLQ-BR23. The
      resilience was measured with Connor Davidson Resilience Scale. RESULTS: The
      global quality of life was positively correlated with the levels of resilience (R
      = 0.39 p < 0.001). All functional scales (physical, role, emotional, cognitive
      and social functioning was in a positive correlation with resilience. The
      symptoms severity (fatigue, nausea and vomitus, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite
      loss, constipation, diarrhea, financial difficulties) was in negative correlation
      with resilience. Less resilient breast cancer patients reported worse body image
      and future perspective and suffered from more severe adverse effects of systemic
      therapy, and arm/breast symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that
      psychological resilience affects different aspects of health-related quality of
      life. More resilient patients have significantly better quality of life in almost
      all aspects of QoL.

PMID- 27275318
TI  - Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most often primary cancer of the liver and
      is one if the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The incidence of
      HCC has geographic distribution with the highest levels in countries with
      developing economies. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have poor prognosis
      despite the achievements in surgery techniques and other therapeutic procedures
      and it is a reason why continuous attention should be paid to this issue. This
      article provides an overview of this disease based on an extensive review of
      relevant literature. The article summarizes the current risk factors, diagnosis,
      staging and the management of HCC. 

PMID- 27275319
TI  - How to Verify Plagiarism of the Paper Written in Macedonian and Translated in
      Foreign Language?
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to show how to verify plagiarism of the paper
      written in Macedonian and translated in foreign language. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Original article "Ethics in Medical Research Involving Human Subjects", written
      in Macedonian, was submitted as an assay-2 for the subject Ethics and published
      by Ilina Stefanovska, PhD candidate from the Iustinianus Primus Faculty of Law,
      Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje (UKIM), Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
      in Fabruary, 2013. Suspected article for plagiarism was published by Prof. Dr.
      Gordana Panova from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Goce Delchev,
      Shtip, Republic of Macedonia in English with the identical title and identical
      content in International scientific on-line journal "SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGIES",
      Publisher "Union of Scientists - Stara Zagora". RESULTS: Original document
      (written in Macedonian) was translated with Google Translator; suspected article
      (published in English pdf file) was converted into Word document, and compared
      both documents with several programs for plagiarism detection. It was found that
      both documents are identical in 71%, 78% and 82%, respectively, depending on the
      computer program used for plagiarism detection. It was obvious that original
      paper was entirely plagiarised by Prof. Dr. Gordana Panova, including six
      references from the original paper. CONCLUSION: Plagiarism of the original papers
      written in Macedonian and translated in other languages can be verified after
      computerised translation in other languages. Later on, original and translated
      documents can be compared with available software for plagiarism detection.

PMID- 27275320
TI  - The Study of Cellular and Molecular Physiological Characteristics of Sperm in Men
      Living in the Aral Sea Region.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extreme environmental situation in the Aral crisis has caused a
      massive chemical pollution of the territory for decades with high doses of
      pesticides, herbicides. Discharge of industrial waste into the rivers that feed
      the Aral Sea has lead to the development of various pathological processes in the
      human body, as well as disruption of reproductive function in young men. AIM: To
      evaluate the performance of molecular cellular changes in the sperm of men under
      the influence of dust and salt aerosols in Aral Sea region. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Clinical and laboratory studies were conducted in men 5 settlements (Aralsk-city,
      v. Aiteke-Bi, v. Zhalagash, v. Zhusaly, v. Shieli). We have studied male
      ejaculate obtained after 4-5 days of abstinence, and placed it in a warm tube
      with a glass stopper. On the investigation proceeded ejaculate within 20-30
      minutes after its preparation, during which time he was subjected to
      liquefaction. Isolation and quantification of ASF, RNA, DNA, and determining the
      fraction of histones in sperm was performed by the method of Markusheva and
      Savina. RESULTS: It was found that the value of ASF in the semen of men living in
      the zone of ecological disaster higher compared with the values of parameters in
      men living in the area of environmental crisis, and this trend is observed in all
      age groups. The study of circulating extracellular DNA and RNA in the sperm of
      men registered their decline with a corresponding increase of acid precursors
      that can be attributed to the degradation of nucleic acids under the influence of
      negative factors in the complex area of ecological trouble. Also, according to a
      study in men residing in the areas of environmental catastrophe at the age of 18
      29 years, found an increased content of the H1 histone H2A lower total fraction,
      H3, H4 - and a sharp increase in histone H2B content - histones. CONCLUSIONS: Men
      living in environmentally disadvantaged areas of Kyzylorda region under the
      influence of dust and salt aerosols and other toxicants leads to disruption of
      the reproductive function in men.

PMID- 27275321
TI  - Expression of OCT-4 and SOX-2 in Bone Marrow-Derived Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
      during Osteogenic Differentiation.
AB  - AIM: Determine the levels of expression of pluripotency genes OCT-4 and SOX-2
      before and after osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells
      (hMSCs). METHODS: Human MSCs were derived from the bone marrow and differentiated
      into osteoblasts. The analyses were performed on days 0 and 14 of the cell
      culture. In vitro differentiation was evaluated due to bone markers - alkaline
      phosphatase (AP) activity and the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of AP and bone
      sialoprotein (BSP). The OCT-4 and SOX-2 expression was evaluated at mRNA level by
      real-time qPCR and at protein level by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: In vitro
      cultures on day 14 showed an increase in AP activity and upregulation of AP and
      BSP gene expression. OCT-4 and SOX-2 in undifferentiated hMSCs on day 0 is
      detectable and very low compared to tumor cell lines as a positive control.
      Immunocytochemistry detected OCT-4 in the cell nuclei prior (day 0) and post
      differentiation (day 14). On the same time points, cultures were negative for SOX
      2 protein. CONCLUSION: Messenger RNA for pluripotency markers OCT-4 and SOX-2
      isolated from hMSCs was less present, while OCT-4 protein was detected in cell
      nuclei prior and post differentiation into osteoblast lineage.

PMID- 27275322
TI  - Role of Cardiac Myocytes Heart Fatty Acid Binding Protein Depletion (H-FABP) in
      Early Myocardial Infarction in Human Heart (Autopsy Study).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many immunohistochemical markers have been used in the postmortem
      detection of early myocardial infarction. AIM: In the present study we examined
      the role of Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), in the detection of
      early myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We obtained samples from 40
      human autopsy hearts with/without histopathological signs of ischemia. RESULTS:
      All cases of definite and probable myocardial infarction showed a well-defined
      area of H-FABP depletion. All of the control cases showed strong H-FABP
      expression, except two markedly autolysed myocardial samples that showed affected
      antigenicity. CONCLUSION: Thus, we suggest H-FABP as being one of the valuable
      tools facing the problem of postmortem detection of early myocardial
      infarction/ischemia, but not in autolysis.

PMID- 27275323
TI  - Susceptibility of Urinary Tract Bacteria to Newer Antimicrobial Drugs.
AB  - Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the commonest types of bacterial
      infections. The antibiotic treatment for UTIs is associated with important
      medical and economic implications. Many different microorganisms can cause UTIs
      though the most common pathogens are E. coli and members of family
      Enterobacteriaceae. The knowledge of etiology and antibiotic resistance pattern
      of the organisms causing urinary tract infection is essential. The present study
      was undertaken to evaluate trends of antibiotic susceptibility of commonly
      isolated uropathogens using newer antimicrobial agents, prulifloxacin, fosfomycin
      (FOM) and doripenem. We conclude that maintaining a record of culture results and
      the antibiogram may help clinicians to determine the empirical and/or specific
      treatment based on the antibiogram of the isolate for better therapeutic outcome.

PMID- 27275324
TI  - The Validity of Body Adiposity Indices in Predicting Metabolic Syndrome and Its
      Components among Egyptian Women.
AB  - AIM: To assess the associations between the body adiposity indices and risk of
      metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in Egyptian women and to evaluate
      their predictive power. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional
      analysis performed on 180 Egyptian women aged between 25-35 years. They were 90
      women with MS diagnosed by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and 90 healthy
      age matched controls. Body adiposity index (BAI), body mass index (BMI), waist to
      hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated and serum
      samples were analyzed for metabolic parameters. Receiver operating characteristic
      curves (ROC) was used to determine the discriminatory capacity of BAI, WHR WHtR
      and BMI for MS. RESULTS: Area under the curve (AUC) was highest for BIA, followed
      by WHR, WHtR and then BMI. All adiposity indices were significantly correlated
      with metabolic components and BAI had the highest correlation coefficients
      compared to other indices. CONCLUSION: BAI is a practical predictor for MS and
      has satisfactory diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing MS among Egyptian women and
      can be used in addition to WHR, WHtR and BMI for identifying MS in the field
      studies.

PMID- 27275326
TI  - Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser in Treatment of Acne Scars.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scars appear as a result of skin damage during the process of the
      skin healing. There are two types of acne scars, depending on whether there is a
      loss or accumulation of collagen: atrophic and hypertrophic. In 80-90% it comes
      to scars with loss of collagen compared to smaller number of hypertrophic scars
      and keloids. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine efficiency and safety of
      fractional carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of acne scars. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: The study was carried out in Acibadem Sistina Clinical Hospital, Skopje
      at the Department of Dermatovenerology, with a total of 40 patients treated with
      fractional carbon dioxide laser (Lutronic eCO2). The study included patients with
      residual acne scars of a different type. RESULTS: Comedogenic and papular acne in
      our material were proportionately presented in 50% of cases, while the other half
      were the more severe clinical forms of acne - pustular inflammatory acne and
      nodulocystic acne that leave residual lesions in the form of second, third and
      fourth grade of scars. CONCLUSION: The experiences of our work confirm the world
      experiences that the best result with this method is achieved in dotted ice pick
      or V-shaped acne scars.

PMID- 27275325
TI  - Relation between microRNAs and Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - AIM: To determine the relation between serum microRNAs and apoptotic markers as
      regards development of HCC to understand the underlying mechanism of HCV related
      hepatocarcinogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 65 serum samples (25
      samples from controls, 20 samples from hepatitis and 20 samples from HCC
      patients) were collected for miRNAs (mir 21, mir 199-a, and mir 155) detection.
      Human Programmed cell death protein-4 (PDCD-4) and Human Cytochrome-C (CYT-C)
      were determined. RESULTS: miRNAs 21 and 155 were over expressed in sera of
      patients with HCC compared to patients with chronic hepatitis (p < 0.0001). While
      serum means values of miR 199a was significantly decreased among HCC group
      patients when compared to patients with chronic hepatitis (p < 0.0001). The serum
      levels of PCDC4 and CYTC were increased in patients with HCC when compared to
      chronic hepatitis patients. They were also increased in patients with chronic
      hepatitis when compared to controls (p < 0.05, significant). There was direct
      correlations between apoptotic markers and oncomirs miRNAs 21 and 155 while
      apoptotic markers were inversely correlated with miRNA 199-a. CONCLUSION: Both
      microRNAs and apoptotic markers have roles in HCC pathogenesis. It seems that
      oncogenic microRNAs induce liver carcinogenesis in HCV patients irrespective of
      suppression of apoptosis.

PMID- 27275327
TI  - Association between Nephrolithiasis, Hypertension and Obesity in Polycystic
      Kidney Disease.
AB  - AIM: We aim to define the correlations between nephrolithiasis, hypertension, age
      and obesity in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)
      in Albania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 100 patients with autosomal
      dominant polycystic kidney from 2011 to 2014. The patients underwent X-ray and
      renal ultrasonography. We performed the metabolic evaluation of blood and urine.
      RESULTS: The patients with renal stones had a higher level of mean systolic and
      diastolic blood pressure compared with patients without stones (155 +/- 12 mmHg
      vs. 145 +/- 8 mmHg, and 105 +/- 0.9 mmHg vs. 92 +/- 1.28 mmHg, respectively).
      Patients with renal stones were older (47 +/- 15 vs. 38 +/- 5 years), had a
      higher prevalence of obesity [body mass index (BMI): 28 +/- 2.4 vs. 25.7 +/-
      0.6], had higher levels of total cholesterol level (220 +/- 5 mg/dl vs. 203 +/- 4
      mg/dl) as well as triglyceride levels (160 +/- 9 mg/dl vs. 126 +/- 4 mg/dl),
      compared with no renal stone individuals. CONCLUSION: ADPKD patients with renal
      stones in our study had a higher mean level of systolic and diastolic blood
      pressure, BMI and cholesterol and triglycerides levels compared with individuals
      without renal stones.

PMID- 27275328
TI  - Prosthetic Subclavian-Aortic Bypass as a Safe Surgical Technique for the
      Coarctation of the Aorta in Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coarctation represents 5-8% of congenital heart disease. Residual
      hypertension remains the main problem after late correction. Surgical treatment
      in the adult remains a challenge for the surgeon. Our prefered method used in
      this category is the Subclavian-aortic bypass. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have
      reviewed our registry for the period of 12 years (1998- 2010) and we found a
      group of 18 adult patients being operated for coarctation of the aorta. The mean
      age of this group of patients was 24.7 +/- 8.43 years (range 16-42 years). 13
      were males and 5 females. RESULTS: Sugical technique: Most of the patients (13
      pts, 72%) which were obviously treated with subclavian-aortic bypass with a
      Dacron prostheses. Mean preoperative and postoperative pressure gradients
      measured by echocardiography were 77.7 +/- 20.16 mmHg and 22.3 +/- 9.14 mmHg
      respectively. No mortality was observed in this series of patients. Chylothorax
      was the only complication observed in one patient in the early postoperative
      period. CONCLUSION: Coarctation of the aorta in adults is treated with optimal
      early results at our surgical centre. Subclavian-aortic bypass grafting requires
      less aortic dissection, can be performed with a partially occluding clamp, and
      does not compromise the spinal cord vascularization.

PMID- 27275329
TI  - Analysis of Lymphocyte Immunological Reactivity in Patients with Pleural
      Effusions of Different Aetiology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The proportion of T and B lymphocytes in pleural fluids and blood may
      point to the presence of local immunological phenomena in pleural disorders. AIM:
      Aim of study was to evaluate the lymphocyte phenotype and the ratio between
      helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic/suppressor (CD8+) lymphocytes in malignant and non
      malignant effusions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 48 patients with pleural
      effusions. First group had 18 patients with tuberculosis pleural effusions;
      second group had 20 patients with malignant pleural fluids, third group had 10
      patients with transudates and 30 healthy controls. We investigated the
      distribution of T and B lymphocytes, T cells with helper/inducer CD4 or
      suppresser/cytotoxic CD8 phenotypes and the CD16 subset. RESULTS: Results showed
      decreases levels of CD3, CD4, and CD16 T cells in blood of patients versus
      healthy controls. There were increases in the percentage of the CD3 and CD4 T
      cells in the pleural fluid compared with values in the blood with statistical
      significance in tuberculous pleurisy. The values of CD8 were similar in the
      pleural fluid and in blood. Levels of CD16 were non-significantly higher in
      pleural fluid in all groups. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the hypothesis that
      pleural cavity is compartment with immunological reactivity and results could be
      used in differential diagnosis together with other examinations.

PMID- 27275330
TI  - Maternal and Neonatal Effects of Vasopressors Used for Treating Hypotension after
      Spinal Anesthesia for Caesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Study.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to examine whether ephedrine and phenylephrine were
      different in their efficacy for managing maternal hypotension and their effect of
      adverse maternal and neonatal outcome. METHODS: A double-blind randomized
      controlled study in healthy pregnant women ASA physical status 2, which underwent
      elective caesarian delivery under spinal anesthesia. Patients were randomized to
      receive an intravenous bolus of either phenylephrine (Ph group) or ephedrine (E
      group) immediately after the episode of hypotension after spinal anesthesia.
      Maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred and two (202)
      pregnant women at term were entered in this study. There were no differences
      between group E and group Ph regarding the incidence of hypotension after
      vasopressor therapy, and the incidence of nausea and vomiting. There was no
      significant difference between groups in the first-minute and the 5th minute
      Apgar score, none of the neonates had the true fetal acidosis. CONCLUSIONS:
      Ephedrine and phenylephrine have the same efficacy in treating hypotension after
      spinal anesthesia for caesarean section. The use of Phenylephrine was associated
      with better fetal acid-base status, and there were no differences on Apgar score
      values and on the incidence of maternal bradycardia and hypotension.

PMID- 27275332
TI  - Validation of the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale Revision 4 (SQLS-R4) Among
      Patients with Schizophrenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The main goal of psychiatric care is not to be focused only on
      reducing psychopathological symptoms, but on improvement of the patient's quality
      of life. AIM: To examine validation and reliability SQLS-R4 among patients with
      schizophrenia. METHODS: The sample consisted of 61 outpatients with schizophrenia
      attending the Psychiatry Hospital "Skopje". nclusion criteria for subject
      selection were: 1) age more than 18 years, 2) clinically stable (not acutely ill
      or has not been recently hospitalized at least for the past 3 months). They
      completed SQLS-R4 and SF36 questioners. RESULTS: The internal consistency
      reliability was satisfactory for both the psychosocial and vitality domains
      (Cronbach's alpha = 0.928, 0.83). Most of the items were significantly correlated
      with own scale score (from 0.189 to 0.687). The average of the score for the
      psychosocial quality life was 39.9 +/- 8.6 (sometimes), for the cognition and
      vitality was 26.5 +/- 6.1 (sometimes) (SQLS-R4). There was moderate correlation
      between SF 36-energy with SQOLS - motivation and energy; SF 36-mental health
      correlation with SQOLS-psychosocial. CONCLUSION: SQLS-R4 appears to offer
      excellent potential as an easily administered and patient acceptable assessment
      and monitoring measure of quality of life (QoL). However, a principle
      psychometric criterion crucial to the use and validity of the instrument concerns
      the underlying factor structure.

PMID- 27275331
TI  - Cardiac Biomarkers and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Asymptomatic Hemodialysis
      Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac biomarkers are often elevated in dialysis patients showing
      the presence of left ventricular dysfunction. The aim of the study is to
      establish the plasma levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs TnT),
      precursor of B-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high sensitivity C-reactive
      protein (hs CRP) and their relation to the presence of left ventricular
      hypertrophy (LVH) in patients undergoing hemodialysis without signs of acute
      coronary syndrome or heart failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 48 patients 
      26 men and 22 women. Pre and postdialysis levels of hs cTnT, NT-proBNP and hs
      CRP were measured at week interim procedure. Patients were divided in two groups
      according to the presence of echocardiographic evidence of LVH - gr A - 40
      patients (with LVH), and gr B - 8 patients (without LVH). RESULTS: In the whole
      group of patients was found elevated predialysis levels of all three biomarkers
      with significant increase (p < 0.05) after dialysis with low-flux dialyzers.
      Predialysis values of NT-proBNP show moderate positive correlation with hs cTnT
      (r = 0.47) and weaker with hs CRP (r = 0.163). Such dependence is observed in
      postdialysis values of these biomarkers. There is a strong positive correlation
      between the pre and postdialysis levels: for hs cTnT (r = 0.966), for NT-proBNP
      (r = 0.918) and for hs CRP (r = 0.859). It was found a significant difference in
      the mean values of hs cTnT in gr. A and gr. B (0.07 +/- 0.01 versus 0.03 +/- 0.01
      ng/mL, p < 0.05) and NT-proBNP (15,605.8 +/- 2,072.5 versus 2,745.5 +/- 533.55
      pg/mL, p < 0.05). Not find a significant difference in hs CRP in both groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the relationship of the studied cardiac
      biomarkers with LVH in asymptomatic patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment.

PMID- 27275333
TI  - Thumb Reconstruction Using Foucher's Flap.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extensive pulp defects of the thumb, with the exposure of tendon or
      bone, are challenging reconstructive problems. Surgical treatment includes the
      use of local, regional, and free flaps. AIM: This paper is focused in Foucher's
      neuro vascular flap. First DMCA or Foucher's pedicle flap is a successful thumb
      reconstruction method, especially in patients not disturbed by its cosmetic
      appearance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMCA)
      arises from the radial artery in the first intermetacarpal space, just distal to
      the tendon of the extensor pollicis longus. Pulp area of the thumb is the area
      where Foucher's flap is more utilizable. This technique has other applications
      such as first web reconstruction, thumb lengthening, and following resection of
      tumors on the dorsum of the hand. RESULTS: We have in study 7 cases with work
      related trauma in two years period of time, between 2012 and 2014. We had only
      one partial flap survival and all the other flaps survived entirely. We have also
      taken in consideration subjective satisfaction with a range score from 4 to 10,
      cold intolerance, flap area and donor site sensibility with a range score from
      low to medium to normal. CONCLUSION: Careful pedicle discovery, secured
      elevation, pedicle strangulation prevention are very important for flap survival.

PMID- 27275334
TI  - Echocardiography as a Predicting Method in Diagnosis, Evaluation and Assessment
      of Children with Subvalvar Aortic Stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstruction to the left ventricular outflow of the heart may be above
      the aortic valve (5%), at the valve (74%), or in the subvalvar region (23%).
      These anomalies represent 3 to 6% of all patients with congenital heart defects
      (CHD), and it occurs more often in males (male-female ratio of 4:1). AIM: The
      purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of
      transthoracic echocardiography in diagnosis of discrete subaortic membrane, to
      determine convenient time for surgical intervention, and for identifying
      involvement of the aortic valve by subaortic shelf. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A
      retrospective review of the medical records and echocardiograms of 18 patients
      [14 male (77%) and 4 female (23%)] with discrete subaortic membrane, aged 11
      month to 12 years, with mean age of 5 years and 3 month, diagnosed at the
      Pediatric Clinic in Prishtina, during the period September, 1999 and December,
      2010 were done. RESULTS: Four patients, in neonatal age were operated from
      critical coarctation of the aorta and, initial signs of congestive heart failure
      were presented. 2 of them were operated in Belgrade, Serbia and 2 in Lausanne,
      Switzerland. CONCLUSION: In all presented patients bicuspid aortic valve was
      noted, but none of them subaortic membrane was registered.

PMID- 27275335
TI  - Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) became a new epidemic of the twentieth
      and twenty-first centuries. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of
      end-stage renal failure as a result of the diabetes epidemic worldwide. AIM: The
      aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of CKD in the Republic of Macedonia
      and its association with diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was
      a part of a study conducted in 2006 in terms of screening for early detection of
      kidney disease. It was a cross-sectional study based on a random sample of
      patients aged > 20, consecutively consulting their primary physician for any
      cause. Fifty physicians throughout the country were included in the study. A
      total of 2637 patients have been analyzed based on integrity data. GFR was
      estimated using corrected values of serum creatinine and calculating kidney
      function by the Cockroft & Gault formula, adjusted for body surface using the
      Gehan & George formula. Patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
      less than 60 ml/min were considered as having CKD. Blood pressure, body weight,
      height, serum creatinine, glucose, hemoglobin, hematocrit, urinalysis and medical
      history for presence of cardiovascular diseases or diabetes were also assessed.
      RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 45.97 +/- 16.55 SD and 17.97% were
      older than 60. Regarding gender, 44.14% were males. The prevalence of diabetes
      mellitus was 13.9%. Subjects with CKD (eGFR less than 60 ml/min) were 7.53% of
      the total. Subjects aged 60 or above, had 20 times higher risk of having CKD
      (eGFR less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)). Out of the total group of subjects, 13.9%
      had diabetes mellitus and they had 3.13 times higher risk of having CKD stage 3-5
      (eGFR less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) when compared to non-diabetics. The results
      showed that diabetes was significantly more associated with lower eGFR (less than
      60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) in younger subjects (age less than 60) compared to older
      ones (odds ratio 3.29 versus 1.21). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that chronic
      kidney disease is frequent in the Republic of Macedonia and is associated with
      older age and diabetes. Diabetes had a significantly stronger association with
      CKD at younger age.

PMID- 27275336
TI  - Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Insulin Resistance in Postmenopausal
      Diabetic Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance (IR) is closely associated with diabetes mellitus.
      On the other hand, increased visceral fat in menopause is also associated with
      IR, which makes postmenopausal diabetic women in a big risk for cardiovascular
      diseases. There are conflicting reports about the effects on hormone replacement
      therapy (HRT) on IR. AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of
      HRT on IR. METHODS: A total of 40 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes were
      enrolled and followed for 12 months. Half of them were assigned to take HRT,
      while the other half made the control group. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and
      insulinemia were measured in both groups at baseline and after 12 months. IR was
      represented by Homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: HRT was
      associated with significant decrease in HOMA-IR, FPG and insulinemia in the
      examined group. There was no significant reduction in FPG and no significant
      increase in insulinemia levels and HOMA-IR values in control group after 12
      months. CONCLUSION: HRT was associated with statistically signifficant increase
      of insulin sensitivity. Larger clinical trials will be necessary to understand
      whether HRT may improve insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis in women with
      diabetes, especially when given shortly after entering menopause.

PMID- 27275337
TI  - Evaluation of Anesthesia Profile in Pediatric Patients after Inguinal Hernia
      Repair with Caudal Block or Local Wound Infiltration.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate anesthesia and recovery profile in
      pediatric patients after inguinal hernia repair with caudal block or local wound
      infiltration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective interventional clinical
      study, the anesthesia and recovery profile was assessed in sixty pediatric
      patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Enrolled children were randomly
      assigned to either Group Caudal or Group Local infiltration. For caudal blocks,
      Caudal Group received 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine; Local Infiltration Group
      received 0.2 ml/kg 0.25% bupivacaine. Investigator who was blinded to group
      allocation provided postoperative care and assessments. Postoperative pain was
      assessed. Motor functions and sedation were assessed as well. RESULTS: The two
      groups did not differ in terms of patient characteristic data and surgical
      profiles and there weren't any hemodynamic changes between groups. Regarding the
      difference between groups for analgesic requirement there were two major points -
      on one hand it was statistically significant p < 0.05 whereas on the other hand
      time to first analgesic administration was not statistically significant p =
      0.40. There were significant differences in the incidence of adverse effects in
      caudal and local group including: vomiting, delirium and urinary retention.
      CONCLUSIONS: Between children undergoing inguinal hernia repair, local wound
      infiltration insures safety and satisfactory analgesia for surgery. Compared to
      caudal block it is not overwhelming. Caudal block provides longer analgesia,
      however complications are rather common.

PMID- 27275338
TI  - The Impact of Treatment with Beta-Blockers upon Mortality in Chronic Heart
      Failure Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Besides the conventional therapy for heart failure, the diuretics,
      cardiac glycosides and ACE-inhibitors, current pharmacotherapy includes beta
      blockers, mainly because of their pathophysiological mechanisms upon heart
      remodeling. AIM: The study objective was to assess the cardiovascular mortality
      in the beta-blocker therapy group and to correlate it with the mortality in the
      control group as well as to correlate the combined outcome of death and/or
      hospitalization for cardiovascular reason between the two groups. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The study included 113 chronic heart failure patients followed up for a
      period of 18 months. The therapy group received conventional therapy plus the
      target dose of beta blockers, and the control group received the conventional
      therapy only. The therapy group was divided in three separate subgroups in terms
      of the type of beta-blocker (Metoprolol subgroup, Bisoprolol and Carvedilol
      subgroup). To compare the mortality and the combined outcome, the RRR (relative
      risk reduction) and NNT (number needed to treat) were used, as well as the
      survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier. RESULTS: The results showed the following: in
      regards of the cardiovascular mortality, the relative risk for death in the
      therapy group was 34%, which, though statistically not significant, is of great
      clinical significance. In regards of the combined outcome (death and/or number of
      hospitalizations) the results showed a RRR of 40% in the therapy group compared
      to the control group, which is statistically highly significant. CONCLUSION: The
      study confirmed that patients with stable chronic heart failure, treated with
      optimal doses of beta-blockers, show a significant reduction of the risk from
      death as well as combined outcome (death and/or number of hospitalizations).

PMID- 27275339
TI  - Refractory Epilepsy-MRI, EEG and CT scan, a Correlative Clinical Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Refractory epilepsies (RE), as well as, the surgically correctable
      syndromes, are of great interest, since they affect the very young population of
      children and adolescents. The early diagnosis and treatment are very important in
      preventing the psychosocial disability. Therefore MRI and EEG are highly
      sensitive methods in the diagnosis and localization of epileptogenic focus, but
      also in pre-surgical evaluation of these patients. The aim of our study is to
      correlate the imaging findings of EEG, MRI and CT scan in refractory symptomatic
      epilepsies, and to determine their specificity in detecting the epileptogenic
      focus. METHODS: The study was prospective with duration of over two years, open
      labelled, and involved a group of 37 patients that had been evaluated and
      diagnosed as refractory epilepsy patients. In the evaluation the type and
      frequency of seizures were considered, together with the etiologic factors and
      their association, and finally the risk for developing refractory epilepsy was
      weighted. EEG and MRI findings and CT scan results were evaluated for their
      specificity and sensitivity in detecting the epileptogenic focus, and the
      correlation between them was analyzed. RESULTS: Regarding the type of seizures
      considered in our study, the patients with PCS (partial complex seizures)
      dominated, as opposed to those with generalized seizures (GS) (D=1.178, p <
      0.05). Positive MRI findings were registered in 28 patients (75.7%). Most of them
      were patients with hippocampal sclerosis, 12 (42.8%), and also they were found to
      have the highest risk of developing refractory epilepsy (RE) (Odds ratio = 5.7),
      and the highest association between the etiologic factor and refractory epilepsy
      (p < 0.01). In detecting the epileptogenic focus, a significant difference was
      found (p < 0.01) between MRI and CT scan findings, especially in patients with
      hippocampal sclerosis and cerebral malformations. There was a strong correlation
      between the MRI findings and the etiologic factor (R = 1), and for CT scan and
      etiologic factor an R=0.75 correlation. There was a significant difference
      between imaging methods MRI/CT (p < 0.1), and CT/EEG (p < 0.05) in detecting the
      etiologic factor, and little difference was noticed between findings of EEG/MRI.
      CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that for an accurate diagnosis of refractory
      epilepsy in patients, a combination of neuroimaging and neurophysiologic methods
      is required. MRI showed to be highly sensitive in detecting the etiologic factor
      in RE patients, whereas EEG was sensitive in localization of the epileptogenic
      focus, with high correlation between these two methods. An early diagnosis of
      these patients is very important in having a better therapeutic response and
      prognosis for them.

PMID- 27275340
TI  - Evaluation of Maternal Complications in Severe Preeclampsia in a University
      Hospital in Tirana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive multisystem disorder of pregnancy that
      complicates up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide and is one of the leading causes
      of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. AIM: To evaluate maternal
      complications associated with severe preeclampsia. METHODS: This is a
      retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in the UHOG "Koco Gliozheni", in
      Tirana. Primary outcomes evaluated: maternal death, eclampsia, stroke, HELLP
      syndrome, and pulmonary edema. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: renal failure, admission in
      ICU, caesarean section, placental abruption, and postpartum hemorrhage. Fisher's
      exact test and Chi-squared test were used as statistical methods. RESULTS: In
      women with severe preeclampsia we found higher rates of complications comparing
      to the group with preeclampsia. Eclampsia (1.5% vs. 7.1%, P < 0.001), HELLP
      syndrome (2.4% vs. 11.0%; P < 0.001), stroke (0.5% vs 1.9%, P = 0.105) pulmonary
      edema (0.25% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.0035), renal failure (0.9% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.107),
      admission in ICU (19.5% vs. 71.4%, P = 0.007), caesarean section rates (55.5% vs.
      77%, P = 0.508), placental abruption (4.3% vs. 7.8%, P = 0.103) and severe
      postpartum hemorrhage (3.2% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.628). CONCLUSION: Severe preeclampsia
      is associated with high rates of maternal severe morbidity and early diagnosis
      and timely intervention can prevent life treating complications.

PMID- 27275341
TI  - Splenectomy in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Tabuk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease is a common genetic disease in Saudi Arabia; it
      is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by production of abnormal
      hemoglobin S and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Acute splenic
      sequestration is a life-threatening complication for this disease. Prophylactic
      splenectomy is the only effective strategy for preventing future life-threatening
      episodes. AIM: The aim of this study was to study hospital records for all
      children aged 2 to 12 year old with Sickle cell disease who underwent splenectomy
      in Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Records of 24 children (13 males, 11 females)
      who underwent splenectomy in surgery department of King Salman North West Armed
      Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia between 2008 and 2015 were reviewed retrospectively
      and analyzed for age, sex, indications for splenectomy, surgical technique,
      preoperative and postoperative length of stay, operative and postoperative
      complications, acute chest syndrome, painful crises, blood transfusion and fever
      (preoperative and postoperative). RESULTS: We stressed on the information about
      the details of operation, the frequency of blood transfusion, fever, acute chest
      syndrome and painful crisis before and after operation. CONCLUSION: Here we found
      that blood transfusion frequency decreased after splenectomy.

PMID- 27275342
TI  - Report on von Willebrand Disease in Malaysia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is an inherited hemostatic disorder that
      affects the hemostasis pathway. The worldwide prevalence of vWD is estimated to
      be 1% of the general population but only 0.002% in Malaysia. AIM: Our present
      paper has been written to disclose the statistical counts on the number of vWD
      cases reported from 2011 to 2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This article is based on
      sociodemographic data, diagnoses and laboratory findings of vWD in Malaysia. A
      total of 92 patients were reported to have vWD in Malaysia from 2011 to 2013.
      RESULTS: Sociodemographic-analysis revealed that 60% were females, 63% were of
      the Malay ethnicity, 41.3% were in the 19-44 year old age group and 15.2% were
      from Sabah, with the East region having the highest registered number of vWD
      cases. In Malaysia, most patients are predominately affected by vWD type 1
      (77.2%). Factor 8, von Willebrand factor: Antigen and vWF: Collagen-Binding was
      the strongest determinants in the laboratory profiles of vWD. CONCLUSION: This
      report has been done with great interest to provide an immense contribution from
      Malaysia, by revealing the statistical counts on vWD from 2011-2013.

PMID- 27275343
TI  - Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Adolescent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood and adolescent obesity is associated with insulin
      resistance, abnormal glucose metabolism, hypertension, dyslipidemia,
      inflammation, liver disease, and compromised vascular function. The purpose of
      this study was to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factor
      abnormalities and metabolic syndrome in a sample of obese adolescent as
      prevalence data might be helpful in improving engagement with obesity treatment
      in future. The high blood lipid levels and obesity are the main risk factors for
      cardio vascular diseases. Atherosclerotic process begins in childhood. AIM: This
      study aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity in adolescent and
      their blood lipids levels and blood glucose level. METHODS: This study was
      conducted with 100 adolescents of both gender age 12-17 years and body mass index
      (BMI) greater than 95th percentiles and 100 normal adolescents as control group.
      The blood samples were collected from all adolescents after overnight fasting (10
      hours) to analyze blood lipids (Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low
      density lipoprotein) and hematological profile (Hemoglobin, platelets and red
      blood cell, C reactive protein and fasting blood glucose. RESULTS: There were
      statistical difference between the two groups for red blood cells (P<0.001),
      Hemoglobin (P < 0.001) and platelets (P = 0.002), CRP (P = 0.02). Positive
      correlation was found between the two groups as regards total cholesterol (P =
      0.0001), P value was positive for HDL (P = 0.005 and Atherogenic index P value
      was positive (P = 0.002). Positive correlation was found between the two group as
      regards fasting blood glucose (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Saturated fat was
      associated with elevated lipid levels in obese children. These results reinforce
      the importance of healthy dietary habits since child-hood in order to reduce the
      risks of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.

PMID- 27275344
TI  - Characteristic of the Oxidative Stress in Blood of Patients in Dependence of
      Community-Acquired Pneumonia Severity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: At the present time the alternation of the oxidative metabolism is
      considered as one of the leading pathogenic mechanisms in the development and
      progression of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However the nature and
      direction of the oxidative protein changes in CAP patient's blood had been almost
      unexplored. AIM: To define oxidative and modified proteins in erythrocytes and
      blood plasma of CAP patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood plasma and erythrocytes
      obtained from: 42 patients with moderate severity pneumonia, 12 patients with
      grave severity pneumonia and 32 healthy volunteers. Content of advanced oxidation
      protein products, malondialdehyde and reactive carbonyl derivatives were
      estimated as indicators of the oxidative stress and oxidative damage of proteins.
      RESULTS: In patients with grave severity the level of oxidative proteins and MDA
      in erythrocytes exceeded both: control values and similar meanings in CAP
      patients with moderate severity. The further growth of MDA in this group
      patients' blood plasma was observed, but the level of oxidative proteins
      decreased in comparison with those in CAP patients with moderate severity.
      CONCLUSION: To sum up, our derived data show, that injury of erythrocytes' redox
      status and blood plasma components plays an essential role in development and
      progression CAP.

PMID- 27275345
TI  - Spontaneous Regression of an Incidental Spinal Meningioma.
AB  - AIM: The regression of meningioma has been reported in literature before. In
      spite of the fact that the regression may be involved by hemorrhage,
      calcification or some drugs withdrawal, it is rarely observed spontaneously. CASE
      REPORT: We report a 17 year old man with a cervical meningioma which was
      incidentally detected. In his cervical MRI an extradural, cranio-caudal contrast
      enchanced lesion at C2-C3 levels of the cervical spinal cord was detected.
      Despite the slight compression towards the spinal cord, he had no symptoms and
      refused any kind of surgical approach. The meningioma was followed by control MRI
      and it spontaneously regressed within six months. There were no signs of
      hemorrhage or calcification. CONCLUSION: Although it is a rare condition, the
      clinicians should consider that meningiomas especially incidentally diagnosed may
      be regressed spontaneously.

PMID- 27275346
TI  - Surgical Treatment of Anomalous Origin of Right Coronary Artery in a Patient with
      Mitral Stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An anomalous origin of the right coronary artery is rarely observed,
      with a reported incidence between 0.026% and 0.25%. This condition is often
      completely asymptomatic and is found incidentally during angiographic evaluation
      for other cardiac diseases. However some patients present with exertion angina or
      sudden death. Surgical treatment in patients with anomalous RCA is still
      controversial. Treatment can be conservative, angioplasty or surgery. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old man was admitted with severe mitral stenosis. He
      complained exertion and rest dyspnea, NYHA III class. He had sequels of embolic
      stroke, results of left atrial thrombus. Echocardiography showed calcified severe
      mitral stenosis with mitral orifice area of 1.1 square centimeters with PSPAP 60
      mmHg and normal LV function. Routine coronary angiography before surgery showed
      aberrant origin of RCA from the left sinus of Valsalva with 90% stenosis at his
      origin. Multi-slice computed tomography proved the diagnosis of anomalous RCA
      arising from the left sinus of Valsalva and taking an inter-arterial course
      between the aorta and pulmonary artery. The patient underwent mitral valve
      replacement with mechanical St. Jude prosthesis No 29 and saphenous vein graft to
      RCA. We chose by-pass grafting techniques because after aortotomy, RCA was too
      close to LMCA, intramural course was too short and stenosis of RCA was outside of
      aortic wall. The patient's perioperative course was without complications and
      patient was discharged on the seventh postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Correction
      of anomalous of the origin of right coronary artery is mandatory in cases where
      patient has to be operated for other cardiac causes.

PMID- 27275347
TI  - Vesicoureteral Reflux Detected with (99m)Tc-DTPA Renal Scintigraphy during
      Evaluation of Renal Function.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radionuclide techniques, as direct radionuclide cystography and
      (99m)Tc-DMSA scintigraphy, have been used in evaluation of vesicoureteral reflux
      (VUR) and reflux nephropathy (RN) in children. Dynamic (99m)Tc-DTPA scintigraphy
      is reserved for evaluation of differential renal function and obstruction in
      children, where hydronephrosis is detected by ultrasonography (US) pre- or
      postnatally. CASE REPORT: Six year old boy was prenatally diagnosed with
      bilateral hydronephrosis. Postnatal, severe bilateral VUR was detected by voiding
      urethrocytography. US and (99m)Tc-DTPA scintigraphy performed in the first month
      of life showed small left kidney that participated with 2% in the global renal
      function. Bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy has been performed in order to obtain
      good renal drainage and promote optimal renal growth. Twelve months later,
      classic antireflux procedure was done. Control (99m)Tc-DTPA scintigraphy, 5 ys
      after antireflux surgery, revealed persisting radioactivity during the diuretic
      phase, in the left kidney that indicated antireflux procedure failure with VUR
      reappearance. CONCLUSION: (99m)Tc-DTPA scintigraphy is the first method of choice
      for long-term monitoring of individual kidney function in children with VUR and
      other congenital urinary tract anomalies. Additionally, it can be used as
      indirect radionuclide cystography when rising of radioactivity in the kidney
      region, during the diuretic phase can indicate presence of VUR.

PMID- 27275348
TI  - Pure Motor Stroke Secondary to Cerebral Infarction of Recurrent Artery of Heubner
      after Mild Head Trauma: A Case Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recurrent Heubner's artery is the distal part of the medial
      striate artery. Occlusion of the recurrent artery of Heubner, classically
      contralateral hemiparesis with fasciobrachiocrural predominance, is attributed to
      the occlusion of the recurrent artery of Heubner and is widely known as a stroke
      syndrome in adults. However, isolated occlusion of the deep perforating arteries
      following mild head trauma also occurs extremely rarely in childhood. CASE
      REPORT: Here we report the case of an 11-year-old boy with pure motor stroke. The
      brain MRI showed an acute ischemia in the recurrent artery of Heubner supply area
      following mild head trauma. His fasciobrachial hemiparesis and dysarthria were
      thought to be secondary to the stretching of deep perforating arteries leading to
      occlusion of the recurrent artery of Heubner. CONCLUSION: Post-traumatic pure
      motor ischemic stroke can be secondary to stretching of the deep perforating
      arteries especially in childhood.

PMID- 27275349
TI  - Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase T-786C Mutation, Prothrombin Gene Mutation (G
      20210-A) and Protein S Deficiency Could Lead to Myocardial Infarction in a Very
      Young Male Adult.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Myocardial infarction is a rare medical event in young people. The
      main reasons include congenital coronary abnormalities, coronary artery spasm,
      and coronary thrombosis due to hypercoagulable states (hereditary and acquired).
      AIM: We present a case of a young male adult with myocardial infarction caused by
      a combination of gene mutations and anticoagulation protein deficiency. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 19 years old young man was admitted to our hospital complaining
      of chest pain during the last two weeks. The patient did not have any known
      cardiovascular risk factors, except a positive family anamnesis. Subacute
      inferior nonST segment myocardial infarction was diagnosed according to the
      patient's history, electrocardiographic and laboratory findings. Coronary
      angiography revealed suboclusive thrombus in the proximal, medial and distal part
      of the right coronary artery (TIMI 2). Percutaneous coronary intervention was
      performed. Anticoagulant and antiagregant therapy (heparin, acetilsalicilic acid
      and clopidogrel) according to protocol was started. The hospital stay was
      uneventful. Homozygous endothelial nitric oxid synthase (eNOS) T-786-C mutation,
      heterozygote prothrombin gene mutation (G-20210-A), and protein S deficiency were
      verified from the thrombophilia testing. Other trombophilic tests were normal.
      Three months after discharge from hospital another coronary angiography was
      performed. It revealed normal coronary arteries. Four years after the attack, the
      patient is free of symptoms and another cardiovascular event. CONCLUSION:
      Combination of genetic mutations and anticoagulation protein deficiency could be
      a reasonable cause for myocardial infarction in a very young male adult without
      any other cardiovascular risk factors.

PMID- 27275350
TI  - Long-Term Outcome after Rehabilitation of Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty in
      Renal Transplant Recipient - A Case Report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Total hip replacement is generally proposed for renal transplant
      patients with avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head. PURPOSE: The purpose
      of the study is to report the long-term outcome after rehabilitation of bilateral
      total hip arthroplasty in a patient with renal transplantation suffering from
      avascular osteonecrosis of the both femoral heads. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The
      patient S.D, 49 years old at follow-up. Few months after renal transplantation,
      the patient had got avascular osteonecrosis of both femoral head. One year after
      transplantation the total hip arthroplasty for both hip joints were performed.
      Three years later repeat total hip arthroplasty surgery for left hip was
      performed. After any surgery intervention the patient was referred for inpatient
      rehabilitation. For clinical assessment the clinical findings and Harris Hip
      Score have been used. The rehabilitation program consisted of exercises,
      occupational therapy, and patient education. RESULTS: After any rehabilitation
      treatment the patient had improvement of clinical findings. At follow-up
      assessment outcome for both hip function was good - Harris Hip Score was 81
      points. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation is integral part of multidisciplinary
      treatment of renal transplant recipient after total hip arthroplasty. Regular
      exercise training of these patients is very important for improving of their long
      term outcome.

PMID- 27275351
TI  - Clinical Therapeutic Effects of the Application of Doxycycline in the Treatment
      of Periodontal Disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of the application of doxycycline
      full dose (100 mg) and sub-dose (20 mg) in the treatment of periodontal disease.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients with periodontal disease were
      examined. Patients are divided into two groups: A) treated with antimicrobial
      dose of 100 mg doxycycline once daily for 30 days, and B) treated with 2 x 20
      mg/day. doxycycline, during 75 days. Among all patients a conservative treatment
      was carried out and ordinated the proper dose doxycycline in total dose during
      treatment from 3 gr. Index of dental plaque by Loe-Sillness, index of gingival
      inflammation and gingival bleeding by Cowell were followed. RESULTS: Values of
      dental plaque in relation first examination, 10th, 20th day, 1 month and 2.5
      months, showed that after 2.5 months, average value (x = 0.83) of dental plaque
      in second group is slightly less than the value (x = 0.93) of dental plaque in
      the first group. The average value (x = 0.17) of gingival inflammation in second
      group is significantly less than the value (x = 0.50) of gingival inflammation in
      the first group. The average value (x = 0.97) of gingival bleeding in patients
      from the first group was significantly higher than value(x = 0.37) of gingival
      bleeding in the second group. CONCLUSION: Patients whose therapy was helped by a
      sub-dose doxycycline demonstrated positive therapeutic effects on gingival
      inflammation and bleeding.

PMID- 27275352
TI  - The Effects of NBF Gingival Gel Application in the Treatment of the Erosive
      Lichen Planus: Case Report.
AB  - The therapy of erosive lichen planus (ELP) has been particular problem in the
      treatment of oral lesions. This case of ELP in male patient 29 years old was
      treated with topic application of the NBF gingival gel, three times a day after
      meal, previously rinsed with Clorhexidine gluconate 0.12%. After 5 days of
      treatment, initial improvements were recorded, and after two weeks of application
      of the NBF gingival gel we observed significant improvement. Clinical monitoring
      after the fifth day showed mild epithelialization of the eroded mucosa, yet still
      present erythematous base of the lesion. After the second week the erythema area
      was significantly reduced and the eroded surfaces of the mucosa were minimal,
      measured less than 0.5 mm. After the third week there were no erosions to detect
      on the oral mucosa, yet still present vague redness, which completely pulled
      after the fourth week. Treatment ended after the fifth week when the topical
      application of the NBF gingival gel was terminated, and therapy was done, and
      clinically achieved effects remained stable even after the third month of the
      treatment. Topic application of the NBF gingival gel with ELP patients showed
      positive clinical effects in relatively short time period. 

PMID- 27275353
TI  - 3D Finite Element Study on: Bar Splinted Implants Supporting Partial Denture in
      the Reconstructed Mandible.
AB  - AIM: This study aimed to estimate the stress patterns induced by the masticatory
      loads on a removable prosthesis supported and retained by bar splinted implants
      placed in the reconstructed mandible with two different clip materials and
      without clip, in the fibula-jaw bone and prosthesis using finite element
      analysis. METHODS: Two 3D finite element models were constructed, that models
      components were modeled on commercial CAD/CAM software then assembled into finite
      element package. Vertical loads were applied simulating the masticatory forces
      unilaterally in the resected site and bilaterally in the central fossa of the
      lower first molar as 100N (tension and compression). Analysis was based on the
      assumption full osseointegration between different types of bones, and between
      implants and fibula while fixing the top surface of the TMJ in place. RESULTS:
      The metallic bar connecting the three implants is insensitive to the clips
      material. Its supporting implants showed typical behavior with maximum stress
      values at the neck region. Fibula and jaw bone showed stresses within
      physiologic, while clips material effect seems to be very small due to its
      relatively small size. CONCLUSION: Switching loading force direction from tensile
      to compression did-not change the stresses and deformations distribution, but
      reversed their sign from positive to negative.

PMID- 27275354
TI  - Misuse of Psychologically Active Substances of Convicts being in Prisons and
      their Treatment.
AB  - Due to the data of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia, over 70% of
      persons being in prisons and serving their sentences are drug addicts, and 50% of
      them are drug users. In the European prisons, the percentage of persons using
      drugs in the entire prison population is 20-70%, and in the USA 70-80%, in the
      Australian prisons between 50 and 80% of the convicts in prisons are addicts of
      psychologically active substances. The results of our survey are pursuant to
      official statistics data for Serbia, the European countries, USA and Australia,
      since 80% of our convicts in prisons have misused psychologically active
      substances during the period of 30 days, the previous period before coming to
      these institutions. More than a half of our examinees (60%), misuses narcotics
      and alcohol occasionally or permanently, the alcohol users only 12.7%, and only
      narcotics 7.3% of the ones, meaning that a treatment of addiction disease should
      have a significant role in prevention of recidivism. 

PMID- 27275355
TI  - Genomic Imprinting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genomic imprinting is the inheritance out of Mendelian borders. Many
      of inherited diseases and human development violates Mendelian law of
      inheritance, this way of inheriting is studied by epigenetics. AIM: The aim of
      this review is to analyze current opinions and options regarding to this way of
      inheriting. RESULTS: Epigenetics shows that gene expression undergoes changes
      more complex than modifications in the DNA sequence; it includes the
      environmental influence on the gametes before conception. Humans inherit two
      alleles from mother and father, both are functional for the majority of the
      genes, but sometimes one is turned off or "stamped" and doesn't show in
      offspring, that gene is imprinted. Imprinting means that that gene is silenced,
      and gene from other parent is expressed. The mechanisms for imprinting are still
      incompletely defined, but they involve epigenetic modifications that are erased
      and then reset during the creation of eggs and sperm. Genomic imprinting is a
      process of silencing genes through DNA methylation. The repressed allele is
      methylated, while the active allele is unmethylated. The most well-known
      conditions include Prader-Willi syndrome, and Angelman syndrome. Both of these
      syndromes can be caused by imprinting or other errors involving genes on the long
      arm of chromosome 15. CONCLUSIONS: Genomic imprinting and other epigenetic
      mechanisms such as environment is shown that plays role in offspring
      neurodevelopment and autism spectrum disorder.

PMID- 27275356
TI  - Application of a Small Molecule Radiopharmaceutical Concept to Improve Kinetics.
AB  - Recently, large molecules or nanoparticles are actively studied as
      radiopharmaceuticals. However, their kinetics is problematic because of a slow
      penetration through the capillaries and slow distribution to the target. To
      improve the kinetics, a two-step targeting method can be applied by using small
      molecules and very rapid copper-free click reaction. Although this method might
      have limitations such as internalization of the first targeted conjugate, it will
      provide high target-to-non-target ratio imaging of radiopharmaceuticals. 

PMID- 27275357
TI  - Start from Scratch: the Prospect of Nuclear Cardiology.

PMID- 27275359
TI  - Instrumentation for Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography.
AB  - Positron emission tomography (PET) is a molecular imaging modality that provides
      information at the molecular level. This system is composed of radiation
      detectors to detect incoming coincident annihilation gamma photons emitted from
      the radiopharmaceutical injected into a patient's body and uses these data to
      reconstruct images. A major trend in PET instrumentation is the development of
      time-of-flight positron emission tomography (ToF-PET). In ToF-PET, the time
      information (the instant the radiation is detected) is incorporated for image
      reconstruction. Therefore, precise and accurate timing recording is crucial in
      ToF-PET. ToF-PET leads to better localization of the annihilation event and thus
      results in overall improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the
      reconstructed image. Several factors affect the timing performance of ToF-PET. In
      this article, the background, early research and recent advances in ToF-PET
      instrumentation are presented. Emphasis is placed on the various types of
      scintillators, photodetectors and electronic circuitry for use in ToF-PET, and
      their impact on timing resolution is discussed. 

PMID- 27275358
TI  - Combination Radioimmunotherapy Approaches and Quantification of Immuno-PET.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which play a prominent role in cancer therapy, can
      interact with specific antigens on cancer cells, thereby enhancing the patient's
      immune response via various mechanisms, or mAbs can act against cell growth
      factors and, thereby, arrest the proliferation of tumor cells. Radionuclide
      labeled mAbs, which are used in radioimmunotherapy (RIT), are effective for
      cancer treatment because tumor associated-mAbs linked to cytotoxic radionuclides
      can selectively bind to tumor antigens and release targeted cytotoxic radiation.
      Immunological positron emission tomography (immuno-PET), which is the combination
      of PET with mAb, is an attractive option for improving tumor detection and mAb
      quantification. However, RIT remains a challenge because of the limited delivery
      of mAb into tumors. The transport and uptake of mAb into tumors is slow and
      heterogeneous. The tumor microenvironment contributed to the limited delivery of
      the mAb. During the delivery process of mAb to tumor, mechanical drug resistance
      such as collagen distribution or physiological drug resistance such as high
      intestinal pressure or absence of lymphatic vessel would be the limited factor of
      mAb delivery to the tumor at a potentially lethal mAb concentration. When alpha
      emitter-labeled mAbs were used, deeper penetration of alpha-emitter-labeled mAb
      inside tumors was more important because of the short range of the alpha emitter.
      Therefore, combination therapy strategies aimed at improving mAb tumor
      penetration and accumulation would be beneficial for maximizing their therapeutic
      efficacy against solid tumors. 

PMID- 27275360
TI  - A Comparison Study of Esophageal Findings on (18)F-FDG PET/CT and
      Esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the esophageal findings of 2-deoxy
      2-[(18)F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ((18)F
      FDG PET/CT) and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed (18)F-FDG PET/CT and EGD findings of 369 subjects who underwent medical
      examination between January 2014 and December 2014. The range and intensity of
      esophageal (18)F-FDG uptake were visually analyzed. The maximum standardized
      uptake value (SUVmax) of the esophagus and around the esophagogastric (EG)
      junction was measured. EGD results were provided by the gastroenterologist. We
      compared the esophageal findings obtained using (18)F-FDG PET/CT and EGD.
      RESULTS: There were typical linear FDG uptakes in (18)F-FDG PET/CT patients who
      underwent EGD the same day. In visual analysis of the range and intensity of the
      (18)F-FDG uptake, the patients who underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT and EGD on the same
      day showed relatively diffuse and discernible (18)F-FDG uptake in the esophagus.
      Reflux esophagitis was diagnosed in 59 subjects, and 27 of these were classified
      as higher than Los Angeles classification A. With an increasing degree of reflux
      esophagitis observed on EGD, the SUVmax in the esophagus and around the EG
      junction was also increased. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that FDG uptake at the
      esophagus or the EG junction might be clinically significantly related to
      esophagitis. However, EGD performed before (18)F-FDG PET/CT on the same day may
      affect the esophageal (18)F-FDG uptake.

PMID- 27275361
TI  - Clinical Usefulness of F-18 FDG PET/CT in Papillary Thyroid Cancer with Negative
      Radioiodine Scan and Elevated Thyroglobulin Level or Positive Anti-thyroglobulin
      Antibody.
AB  - PURPOSE: Elevated thyroglobulin (Tg) levels, along with a negative radioiodine
      scan, present a clinical problem for the diagnosis of recurrence in papillary
      thyroid cancer (PTC) patients. The purpose of this study was to assess (1) the
      usefulness of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) positron emission tomography
      (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for PTC patients with negative diagnostic
      radioiodine scan and elevated serum Tg level or positive anti-thyroglobulin
      antibody (TgAb), and (2) the effect of endogenous thyroid stimulating hormone
      (TSH) stimulation (ETS) on detecting recurrence in these circumstances. METHODS:
      Eighty-four patients with negative diagnostic radioiodine scan and elevated serum
      Tg or positive TgAb under ETS were included. Correlation with clinicopathological
      features and recurrence, detectability of FDG PET/CT and cut-off value of serum
      Tg for recurrence in PTC patients with these circumstance were assessed. In
      addition, detectability of F-18 FDG PET/CT under ETS and suppression were
      compared. RESULTS: In Cox regression analysis, only serum Tg level was
      significantly associated with recurrence (P < 0.001, HR = 1.13; 95 % CI, 1.061
      1.208). The cut-off level of Tg was 21.5 ng/mL (AUC, 0.919; P < 0.001) for
      discriminating the recurrence in the patients with positive PET/CT finding. The
      sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of F-18 FDG PET/CT for detecting
      recurrence were 64 %, 94 %, 86 %, 81 %, and 83 %. In the analysis of F-18 FDG
      PET/CT under ETS, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy was 64 %,
      94 %, 88 %, 81 % and 83 %. Those under TSH suppression were 67 %, 92 %, 80 %, 85
      % and 83 %. CONCLUSIONS: F-18 FDG PET/CT, although less sensitive, showed high
      specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy and therefore can be useful for the patients
      with negative diagnostic radioiodine scan and elevated serum Tg or positive TgAb.
      In addition, FDG PET/CT under ETS does not seem to have an additive role in
      detecting recurrence in these patients.

PMID- 27275362
TI  - Correlation of Uptake Patterns on Single-Photon Emission Computed
      Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) and Treatment Response in Patients with
      Knee Pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether treatment response in patients with knee pain could
      be predicted using uptake patterns on single-photon emission computed
      tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) images. METHODS: Ninety-five patients
      with knee pain who had undergone SPECT/CT were included in this retrospective
      study. Subjects were divided into three groups: increased focal uptake (FTU),
      increased irregular tracer uptake (ITU), and no tracer uptake (NTU). A numeric
      rating scale (NRS-11) assessed pain intensity. We analyzed the association
      between uptake patterns and treatment response using Pearson's chi-square test
      and Fisher's exact test. Uptake was quantified from SPECT/CT with region of
      interest (ROI) counting, and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)
      calculated agreement. We used Student's t-test to calculate statistically
      significant differences of counts between groups and the Pearson correlation to
      measure the relationship between counts and initial NRS-1k1. Multivariate
      logistic regression analysis determined which variables were significantly
      associated with uptake. RESULTS: The FTU group included 32 patients; ITU, 39; and
      NTU, 24. With conservative management, 64 % of patients with increased tracer
      uptake (TU, both focal and irregular) and 36 % with NTU showed positive response.
      Conservative treatment response of FTU was better than NTU, but did not differ
      from that of ITU. Conservative treatment response of TU was significantly
      different from that of NTU (OR 3.1; p = 0.036). Moderate positive correlation was
      observed between ITU and initial NRS-11. Age and initial NRS-11 significantly
      predicted uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with uptake in their knee(s) on SPECT/CT
      showed positive treatment response under conservative treatment.

PMID- 27275363
TI  - Clinical Value of a One-Stop-Shop Low-Dose Lung Screening Combined with (18)F-FDG
      PET/CT for the Detection of Metastatic Lung Nodules from Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of
      additional low-dose high-resolution lung computed tomography (LD-HRCT) combined
      with (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography with CT ((18)F-FDG
      PET/CT) compared with conventional lung setting image of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for the
      detection of metastatic lung nodules from colorectal cancer. METHODS: From
      January 2011 to September 2011, 649 patients with colorectal cancer underwent
      additional LD-HRCT at maximum inspiration combined with (18)F-FDG PET/CT. Forty
      five patients were finally diagnosed to have lung metastasis based on
      histopathologic study or clinical follow-up. Twenty-five of the 45 patients had
      <=5 metastatic lung nodules and the other 20 patients had >5 metastatic nodules.
      One hundred and twenty nodules in the 25 patients with <=5 nodules were evaluated
      by conventional lung setting image of (18)F-FDG PET/CT and by additional LD-HRCT
      respectively. Sensitivities, specificities, diagnostic accuracies, positive
      predictive values (PPVs), and negative predictive values (NPVs) of conventional
      lung setting image of (18)F-FDG PET/CT and additional LD-HRCT were calculated
      using standard formulae. The McNemar test and receiver-operating characteristic
      (ROC) analysis were performed. RESULTS: Of the 120 nodules in the 25 patients
      with <=5 metastatic lung nodules, 66 nodules were diagnosed as metastatic. Eleven
      of the 66 nodules were confirmed histopathologically and the others were
      diagnosed by clinical follow-up. Conventional lung setting image of (18)F-FDG
      PET/CT detected 40 of the 66 nodules and additional LD-HRCT detected 55 nodules.
      All 15 nodules missed by conventional lung setting imaging but detected by
      additional LD-HRCT were <1 cm in size. The sensitivity, specificity, and
      diagnostic accuracy of the modalities were 60.6 %, 85.2 %, and 71.1 % for
      conventional lung setting image and 83.3 %, 88.9 %, and 85.8 % for additional LD
      HRCT. By ROC analysis, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of conventional lung
      setting image and additional LD-HRCT were 0.712 and 0.827 respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Additional LD-HRCT with maximum inspiration was superior to
      conventional lung setting image of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of
      metastatic lung nodules from colorectal cancer (P < 0.05).

PMID- 27275364
TI  - Correlation Between Apparent Diffusion Coefficients and Standardized Uptake
      Values in Hybrid (18)F-FDG PET/MR: Preliminary Results in Rectal Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography
      (PET) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) share the same role
      in clinical oncology and it is feasible to obtain the standardized uptake value
      (SUV) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) simultaneously by emerging the
      hybrid positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR). This study
      investigated the correlation between the ADCs of rectal cancer lesions and their
      SUVs derived from hybrid PET/MR. METHODS: Nine patients with histologically
      proven rectal adenocarcinoma (5 men, 4 women; mean age, 70 +/- 15.91 years)
      underwent torso (18)F-FDG PET/CT and regional hybrid (18)F-FDG PET/MR
      sequentially. A fixed threshold value of 40 % of maximum uptake was used to
      determine tumor volume of interest (VOI) on PET image; SUVmax, SUVpeak, and
      SUVmean were calculated automatically. A single freehand region of interest (ROI)
      was drawn on high b-value (b1000) DWI image and copied to corresponding ADC map
      to determine the ADCmean of rectal cancer lesion. Spearman's rank correlation
      coefficient (rho) was calculated to determine the correlation between SUVs and
      ADC values. RESULTS: SUVmax, SUVpeak, and SUVmean derived by hybrid PET/MR were
      12.35 +/- 4.66 (mean +/- standard deviation), 9.66 +/- 3.15 and 7.41 +/- 2.54,
      respectively. The ADCmean value of rectal cancer lesions was 1.02 +/- 0.08 * 10(
      3)mm(2)/s. ADCmean was significantly and inversely correlated with SUV values
      (SUVmax, rho = -0.95, p < 0.001; SUVpeak, rho = -0.93, p < 0.001; SUVmean, rho = 
      0.91, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary hybrid PET/MR study demonstrates
      a significant inverse correlation exists between metabolic activity on (18)F-FDG
      PET and water diffusion on DWI in rectal cancer.

PMID- 27275365
TI  - Growth Arrest Line Mimicking Lymphoma Involvement: The Findings of (99m)Tc-MDP
      Bone SPECT/CT and Serial Bone Scan in a Child with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
AB  - Growth arrest lines appear as dense sclerotic lines parallel to the growth plate
      of long bones on radiography. We describe the case of a 9-year-old female with
      growth arrest lines initially masquerading as lymphoma involvement on (99m)Tc-MDP
      bone scintigraphy who had been treated with chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's
      lymphoma about 3 years previously. Subsequent regional bone SPECT/CT clearly
      diagnosed the growth arrest lines, and retrograde review of previous bone
      scintigraphy demonstrated line migration in this patient. Growth arrest lines
      should be considered a possible diagnosis on bone scintigraphy, especially in the
      surveillance of children who have experienced severe childhood infections,
      malnutrition, immobilization, or treatment with immunosuppressive or
      chemotherapeutic drugs that may inhibit bone growth. 

PMID- 27275366
TI  - A Rare Case of Multilocular Thymic Cyst with Follicular Lymphoid Hyperplasia:
      Radiologic and Histopathologic Features.
AB  - Multilocular thymic cysts are rare and acquired lesions induced by an
      inflammatory arising within the thymus. We report a rare case of multilocular
      thymic cyst with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia in a 59-year-old female. Chest
      CT and MRI revealed a large multilocular cystic mass, which contains thick septa
      and nodules in the thymus. F-18 FDG PET/CT showed almost no FDG uptake of the
      multilocular cystic mass but moderate FDG uptake of the solid nodules. Extended
      total thymectomy was performed. Histopathological findings revealed follicular
      lymphoid hyperplasia of thymic tissue but no neoplastic lesion. Based on these
      findings, diagnosis of multilocular thymic cyst with follicular lymphoid
      hyperplasia was made. This is a rare case that preoperatively was difficult to
      diagnose. 

PMID- 27275367
TI  - Value of (99m)Tc-Technegas SPECT/CT for Localization of Alveolar-pleural
      Fistulas.

PMID- 27275368
TI  - Adrenocortical Carcinoma: False Positive in an I-123 Metaiodobenzylguanedine
      Scan.

PMID- 27275369
TI  - Intramedullary Spinal Cord Metastasis from Breast Cancer Mimicking Delayed
      Radiation Myelopathy: Detection With (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

PMID- 27275370
TI  - 18F-FDG PET/CT for Detecting Sarcoma of the Aorta in a Patient with Takayasu
      Arteritis.

PMID- 27275371
TI  - Lymphoscintigraphy SPECT/CT: Instrumental Navigator in Repair of Thoracic Duct
      Injury.

PMID- 27275372
TI  - Primary Rectal Adenocarcinoma Metastasizing to Bilateral Breasts - a Rare Case
      Demonstrated by (18) F-FDG PET/CT.

PMID- 27275373
TI  - Inferior Vena Cava Filter Thrombus: a Possible Cause of an Unanticipated Finding
      of (99m)Tc-labeled Red Blood Cell Scintigraphy.
AB  - (99m)Tc-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy, a sensitive and specific diagnostic
      test, is useful for patients suspected of suffering from active gastrointestinal
      bleeding. This study follows a case of a patient who was suspected of
      gastrointestinal bleeding after an inferior vena cava filter was inserted due to
      a deep vein thrombosis of the femoral vein. To evaluate an exact focus of
      bleeding, (99m)Tc-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy was executed. Herein, an
      unanticipated finding of (99m)Tc-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy probably due
      to a thrombus on the inferior vena cava filter is reported. 

PMID- 27275374
TI  - Detection of Synchronous Parathyroid Adenoma and Breast Cancer with (18)F
      Fluorocholine PET-CT.

PMID- 27275375
TI  - Towards a fourth spatial dimension of brain activity.
AB  - Current advances in neurosciences deal with the functional architecture of the
      central nervous system, paving the way for general theories that improve our
      understanding of brain activity. From topology, a strong concept comes into play
      in understanding brain functions, namely, the 4D space of a "hypersphere's
      torus", undetectable by observers living in a 3D world. The torus may be compared
      with a video game with biplanes in aerial combat: when a biplane flies off one
      edge of gaming display, it does not crash but rather it comes back from the
      opposite edge of the screen. Our thoughts exhibit similar behaviour, i.e. the
      unique ability to connect past, present and future events in a single, coherent
      picture as if we were allowed to watch the three screens of past-present-future
      "glued" together in a mental kaleidoscope. Here we hypothesize that brain
      functions are embedded in a imperceptible fourth spatial dimension and propose a
      method to empirically assess its presence. Neuroimaging fMRI series can be
      evaluated, looking for the topological hallmark of the presence of a fourth
      dimension. Indeed, there is a typical feature which reveal the existence of a
      functional hypersphere: the simultaneous activation of areas opposite each other
      on the 3D cortical surface. Our suggestion-substantiated by recent findings-that
      brain activity takes place on a closed, donut-like trajectory helps to solve long
      standing mysteries concerning our psychological activities, such as mind
      wandering, memory retrieval, consciousness and dreaming state. 

PMID- 27275376
TI  - An exploration of spatial auditory BCI paradigms with different sounds: music
      notes versus beeps.
AB  - Visual brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are not suitable for people who cannot
      reliably maintain their eye gaze. Considering that this group usually maintains
      audition, an auditory based BCI may be a good choice for them. In this paper, we
      explore two auditory patterns: (1) a pattern utilizing symmetrical spatial cues
      with multiple frequency beeps [called the high low medium (HLM) pattern], and (2)
      a pattern utilizing non-symmetrical spatial cues with six tones derived from the
      diatonic scale [called the diatonic scale (DS) pattern]. These two patterns are
      compared to each other in terms of accuracy to determine which auditory pattern
      is better. The HLM pattern uses three different frequency beeps and has a
      symmetrical spatial distribution. The DS pattern uses six spoken stimuli, which
      are six notes solmizated as "do", "re", "mi", "fa", "sol" and "la", and derived
      from the diatonic scale. These six sounds are distributed to six, spatially
      distributed, speakers. Thus, we compare a BCI paradigm using beeps with another
      BCI paradigm using tones on the diatonic scale, when the stimuli are spatially
      distributed. Although no significant differences are found between the ERPs, the
      HLM pattern performs better than the DS pattern: the online accuracy achieved
      with the HLM pattern is significantly higher than that achieved with the DS
      pattern (p = 0.0028). 

PMID- 27275377
TI  - Temporal properties of dual-peak responses of mouse retinal ganglion cells and
      effects of inhibitory pathways.
AB  - Dual-peak responses of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are observed in various
      species, previous researches suggested that both response peaks were involved in
      retinal information coding. In the present study, we investigated the temporal
      properties of the dual-peak responses recorded in mouse RGCs elicited by
      spatially homogeneous light flashes and the effect of the inhibitory inputs
      mediated by GABAergic and/or glycinergic pathways. We found that the two peaks in
      the dual-peak responses exhibited distinct temporal dynamics, similar to that of
      short-latency and long-latency single-peak responses respectively.
      Pharmacological studies demonstrated that the application of exogenous GABA or
      glycine greatly suppressed or even eliminated the second peak of the cells'
      firing activities, while little change was induced in the first peak. Co
      application of glycine and GABA led to complete elimination of the second peak.
      Moreover, application of picrotoxin or strychnine induced dual-peak responses in
      some cells with transient responses by unmasking a second response phase. These
      results suggest that both GABAergic and glycinergic pathways are involved in the
      dual-peak responses of the mouse RGCs, and the two response peaks may arise from
      distinct pathways that would converge on the ganglion cells. 

PMID- 27275378
TI  - Hemispheric asymmetry non-linear analysis of EEG during emotional responses from
      idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients.
AB  - Recent studies show right hemisphere has a unique contribution to emotion
      processing. The present study investigated EEG using non-linear measures during
      emotional processing in PD patients with respect to motor symptom asymmetry
      (i.e., most affected body side). We recorded 14-channel wireless EEGs from 20 PD
      patients and 10 healthy age-matched controls (HC) by eliciting emotions such as
      happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise and disgust. PD patients were divided
      into two groups, based on most affected body side and unilateral motor symptom
      severity: left side-affected (LPD, n = 10) or right side-affected PD patients
      (RPD, n = 10). Nonlinear analysis of these emotional EEGs were performed by using
      approximate entropy, correlation dimension, detrended fluctuation analysis,
      fractal dimension, higher order spectra, hurst exponent (HE), largest Lyapunov
      exponent and sample entropy. The extracted features were ranked using analysis of
      variance based on F value. The ranked features were then fed into classifiers
      namely fuzzy K-nearest neighbor and support vector machine to obtain optimal
      performance using minimum number of features. From the experimental results, we
      found that (a) classification performance across all frequency bands performed
      well in recognizing emotional states of LPD, RPD, and HC; (b) the emotion
      specific features were mainly related to higher frequency bands; and (c)
      predominantly LPD patients (inferred right-hemisphere pathology) were more
      impaired in emotion processing compared to RPD, as showed by a poorer
      classification performance. The results suggest that asymmetric neuronal
      degeneration in PD patients may contribute to the impairment of emotional
      communication. 

PMID- 27275379
TI  - Two generalized algorithms measuring phase-amplitude cross-frequency coupling in
      neuronal oscillations network.
AB  - An increasing number of studies pays attention to cross-frequency coupling in
      neuronal oscillations network, as it is considered to play an important role in
      exchanging and integrating of information. In this study, two generalized
      algorithms, phase-amplitude coupling-evolution map approach and phase-amplitude
      coupling-conditional mutual information which have been developed and applied
      originally in an identical rhythm, are generalized to measure cross-frequency
      coupling. The effectiveness of quantitatively distinguishing the changes of
      coupling strength from the measurement of phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) is
      demonstrated based on simulation data. The data suggest that the generalized
      algorithms are able to effectively evaluate the strength of PAC, which are
      consistent with those traditional approaches, such as PAC-PLV and PAC-MI.
      Experimental data, which are local field potentials obtained from anaesthetized
      SD rats, have also been analyzed by these two generalized approaches. The data
      show that the theta-low gamma PAC in the hippocampal CA3-CA1 network is
      significantly decreased in the glioma group compared to that in the control
      group. The results, obtained from either simulation data or real experimental
      signals, are consistent with that of those traditional approaches PAC-MI and PAC
      PLV. It may be considered as a proper indicator for the cross frequency coupling
      in sub-network, such as the hippocampal CA3 and CA1. 

PMID- 27275380
TI  - Functional connectivity between prefrontal cortex and striatum estimated by phase
      locking value.
AB  - The interplay between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum has an important
      role in cognitive processes. To investigate interactive functions between the two
      areas in reward processing, we recorded local field potentials (LFPs)
      simultaneously from the two areas of two monkeys performing a reward prediction
      task (large reward vs small reward). The power of the LFPs was calculated in
      three frequency bands: the beta band (15-29 Hz), the low gamma band (30-49 Hz),
      and the high gamma band (50-100 Hz). We found that both the PFC and striatum
      encoded the reward information in the beta band. The reward information was also
      found in the high gamma band in the PFC, not in the striatum. We further
      calculated the phase-locking value (PLV) between two LFP signals to measure the
      phase synchrony between the PFC and striatum. It was found that significant
      differences occurred between PLVs in different task periods and in different
      frequency bands. The PLVs in small reward condition were significant higher than
      that in large reward condition in the beta band. In contrast, the PLVs in the
      high gamma band were stronger in large reward trials than in small trials. These
      results suggested that the functional connectivity between the PFC and striatum
      depended on the task periods and reward conditions. The beta synchrony between
      the PFC and striatum may regulate behavioral outputs of the monkeys in the small
      reward condition. 

PMID- 27275381
TI  - Saliency computation via whitened frequency band selection.
AB  - Many saliency computational models have been proposed to simulate bottom-up
      visual attention mechanism of human visual system. However, most of them only
      deal with certain kinds of images or aim at specific applications. In fact, human
      beings have the ability to correctly select attentive focuses of objects with
      arbitrary sizes within any scenes. This paper proposes a new bottom-up
      computational model from the perspective of frequency domain based on the
      biological discovery of non-Classical Receptive Field (nCRF) in the retina. A
      saliency map can be obtained according to the idea of Extended Classical
      Receptive Field. The model is composed of three major steps: firstly decompose
      the input image into several feature maps representing different frequency bands
      that cover the whole frequency domain by utilizing Gabor wavelet. Secondly,
      whiten the feature maps to highlight the embedded saliency information. Thirdly,
      select some optimal maps, simulating the response of receptive field especially
      nCRF, to generate the saliency map. Experimental results show that the proposed
      algorithm is able to work with stable effect and outstanding performance in a
      variety of situations as human beings do and is adaptive to both psychological
      patterns and natural images. Beyond that, biological plausibility of nCRF and
      Gabor wavelet transform make this approach reliable. 

PMID- 27275382
TI  - Decreased gene expression activity as a result of a mutation in the calreticulin
      gene promoter in a family case of schizoaffective disorder.
AB  - Accumulating evidence of population association studies support the hypothesis
      that the high heritability of major psychiatric disorders is a combination of
      relatively common alleles of modest effect, and rare alleles some with relatively
      larger effects. We have previously reported low frequency mutations in the
      proximal promoter of the human calreticulin (CALR) gene that co-occur with the
      spectrum of major psychiatric disorders. One of those mutations at -205C>T
      (rs556992558) was detected in an isolate case of schizoaffective disorder. In the
      current study, the functional implication of mutation -205T is studied in the
      human neuronal cell lines LAN-5, BE(2)-C and HEK-293. In contrast with other
      mutations in the promoter region which increase gene expression activity, the 
      205T mutation significantly decreased gene expression in those cell lines in
      comparison with the wild-type -205C nucleotide (p < 0.000001, p < 0.0005, and p <
      0.017, respectively). Treatment of the cell lines with the mood-stabilizing drug,
      valproic acid (VPA) resulted in differential gene expression activity in the
      mutant -205T versus the wild-type -205C construct. VPA increased gene expression
      activity in both constructs, while a significantly higher expression activity was
      observed in the mutant construct (p < 0.01), indicative of the creation of a
      positive effector binding site for VPA as a result of the -205T mutation. We
      conclude that deviation from normalcy in the level of CALR in either direction is
      associated with major psychiatric disorders. 

PMID- 27275383
TI  - Metabolomics and metabolic pathway networks from human colorectal cancers,
      adjacent mucosa, and stool.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancers (CRC) are associated with perturbations in
      cellular amino acids, nucleotides, pentose-phosphate pathway carbohydrates, and
      glycolytic, gluconeogenic, and tricarboxylic acid intermediates. A non-targeted
      global metabolome approach was utilized for exploring human CRC, adjacent mucosa,
      and stool. In this pilot study, we identified metabolite profile differences
      between CRC and adjacent mucosa from patients undergoing colonic resection.
      Metabolic pathway analyses further revealed relationships between complex
      networks of metabolites. METHODS: Seventeen CRC patients participated in this
      pilot study and provided CRC, adjacent mucosa ~10 cm proximal to the tumor, and
      stool. Metabolomes were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
      and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). All
      of the library standard identifications were confirmed and further analyzed via
      MetaboLync(TM) for metabolic network interactions. RESULTS: There were a total of
      728 distinct metabolites identified from colonic tissue and stool matrices.
      Nineteen metabolites significantly distinguished CRC from adjacent mucosa in our
      patient-matched cohort. Glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate demonstrated
      0.64-fold and 0.75-fold lower expression in CRC compared to mucosa, respectively,
      whereas isobar: betaine aldehyde, N-methyldiethanolamine, and adenylosuccinate
      had 2.68-fold and 1.88-fold higher relative abundance in CRC. Eleven of the 19
      metabolites had not previously been reported for CRC relevance. Metabolic pathway
      analysis revealed significant perturbations of short-chain fatty acid metabolism,
      fructose, mannose, and galactose metabolism, and glycolytic, gluconeogenic, and
      pyruvate metabolism. In comparison to the 500 stool metabolites identified from
      human CRC patients, only 215 of those stool metabolites were also detected in
      tissue. This CRC and stool metabolome investigation identified novel metabolites
      that may serve as key small molecules in CRC pathogenesis, confirmed the results
      from previously reported CRC metabolome studies, and showed networks for
      metabolic pathway aberrations. In addition, we found differences between the CRC
      and stool metabolomes. CONCLUSIONS: Stool metabolite profiles were limited for
      direct associations with CRC and adjacent mucosa, yet metabolic pathways were
      conserved across both matrices. Larger patient-matched CRC, adjacent non
      cancerous colonic mucosa, and stool cohort studies for metabolite profiling are
      needed to validate these small molecule differences and metabolic pathway
      aberrations for clinical application to CRC control, treatment, and prevention.

PMID- 27275384
TI  - Fluticasone furoate/Vilanterol 92/22 MUg once-a-day vs Beclomethasone
      dipropionate/ Formoterol 100/6 MUg b.i.d.: a 12-week cost analysis in mild-to
      moderate asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma is a disease with high cost for the National Health Service.
      Two of the most recent LABA/ICS combinations for persistent bronchial asthma are
      Beclomethasone dipropionate/Formoterol (B/F) delivered via the Nexthaler device
      and Fluticasone furoate/Vilanterol (F/V) delivered via the Ellipta device. No
      comparison has been carried out yet in terms of cost analysis in asthma, to our
      knowledge. Aim of the present monocentric, observational, retrospective study was
      to calculate and compare the costs of mild-to-moderate asthma patients assuming
      B/F 100/6 MUg b.i.d. to those of patients assuming F/V 92/22 MUg once-a-day over
      a 12-week treatment period from the Italian National Health Service perspective.
      METHODS: Data were obtained automatically and anonymously from the institutional
      database of the Lung Unit of the Specialist Medical Centre (CEMS), Verona, Italy,
      UNI EN ISO 9001-2008 validated. FEV1 values, number of relapses, healthcare
      resources as hospitalizations due to asthma relapses, days of hospitalization,
      general practitioner (GP), specialist visits, and days of inactivity, were
      recorded over the study period together with the use of extra medications
      (systemic steroids and antibiotics). In order to compare the outcomes achieved in
      both groups, the propensity score matching method was used in STATA, and
      statistical significance was accepted for p < 0.05. RESULTS: Clinical data of 77
      patients treated with B/F b.i.d (Group A) and of 40 patients treated with F/V
      92/22 MUg once-a-day (Group B) were selected. The PS-matching process, designed
      as matching on the baseline covariates, gender, age, FEV1 and comorbidities,
      returned a cohort of 40 group A patients of the entire cohort matched with 40
      patients of group B, fully comparable for demographics and clinical
      characteristics. In the PS-matched cohort, the mean (+/-SE) number of relapses
      per patient during the follow-up was 0.53 (+/-0.12) in group A and 0.28 (+/-0.07)
      in group B. In group A, n = 25 (62.50 %), n = 9 (22.50 %), and n = 6 (15 %)
      patients had 0, 1, 2 relapses, respectively. In group B, n = 29 (72.50 %), and n
      = 11 (27.50 %) had 0 and 1 relapse, respectively. Over the study period, the
      average number of hospitalizations per patient was 0.15 (+/-0.06), with 0.28 (+/
      0.12) days of hospitalization in group A, and 0.08 (+/-0.04) with 0.08 (+/-0.04)
      days of hospitalization in group B, respectively. The difference between the two
      groups in terms of FEV1(L) improvement vs baseline was 0.11 in favour of group B
      (p = 0.007). When results were compared, the improvement in lung function
      obtained in group B proved significantly higher both in terms of absolute FEV1
      and of FEV1 % predicted. The mean (+/-SE) cost of hospitalizations per patient
      was ? 345.30 (+/-133.23) in group A and ? 172.65 (+/-98.18) in group B,
      respectively, with a mean not significant difference of - ? 172.65 in favour of
      group B (p = 0.9). In particular, the mean (+/-SE) cost for visits per patient
      was ? 26.82 (+/-3.73) in group A and ? 11.36 (+/-2.30) in group B (p = 0.002),
      and the mean cost for rescue medications per patient was ? 35.24 (+/-6.93) in
      group A, and ? 18.73 (+/-3.38) in group B, respectively (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Even if both ICS/LABA combinations were checked over a limited period of time,
      they seem characterized by a different profile in terms of effect on lung
      function and economic impact on mild-to-moderate asthma. The once-daily
      inhalation of combined Fluticasone furoate/Vilanterol 92/22 MUg showed the
      potential for enhanced clinical outcomes and reduced costs when compared to
      Beclomethasone dipropionate/Formoterol 100/6 MUg b.i.d.

PMID- 27275394
TI  - Cautionary optimism: caffeine and Parkinson's disease risk.
AB  - Most Parkinson's disease (PD) patients present without known family history and
      without a diagnosed prodromal phase, underscoring the difficulty of employing
      primary (neuroprevention) and secondary (neuroprotection) preventions. In cases
      of monogenic forms, however, potential gene-carrying family members of a proband
      could engage in neuroprevention, such as exercise or diet modifications, to
      attenuate the risk of, or delay, disease development. However, a historical lack
      of recognized disease-modifying interventions has limited clinicians' ability to
      recommend reliable preventive measures in caring for at-risk populations. We
      briefly analyze the first retrospective study to examine caffeine consumption and
      PD risk in a LRRK2 R1628P cohort. 

PMID- 27275395
TI  - On Edge: the impact of race-related vigilance on obesity status in African
      Americans.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Nearly half of African-Americans are classified as obese. Perceived
      racism has been associated with obesity, yet the internal experiences of racism
      have received little attention. African Americans who face racism may "ready
      themselves" to cope through survival strategies, including race-related
      vigilance. This study explores the association between race-related vigilance and
      obesity in African Americans. DESIGN AND METHODS: The Reactions to Race module of
      the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (years 2002-2010) was used. Our
      sample size consisted of 12,214 African-Americans. Race-related vigilance was
      assessed as: "How often do you think about your race?" and classified as: never,
      < daily, daily, and > daily. Obesity was dichotomized as body mass index (BMI)
      >=30 kg/m2 vs. < 30 kg/m2 using self-reported weight and height. Multivariable
      logistic models assessed the association between race-related vigilance and
      obesity. RESULTS: Seventeen percent of respondents reported thinking about their
      race > daily; 14% daily; 31% < daily, and 39% reported never thinking about their
      race. Compared to those who reported never thinking about their race, the
      adjusted odds of obesity were 0.91, 95% CI: 0.72-1.15 among those thinking about
      their race <daily, 1.09, 95%CI: 0.81-1.46 among those thinking about their race
      daily, and 1.37, 95% CI: 1.07-1.76 among those thinking about their race > daily.
      CONCLUSIONS: Frequently thinking about one's race was a risk factor for obesity
      in African-Americans in this study. Internalized impacts of racism captured
      through race-related vigilance may be particularly detrimental to African
      Americans, driving their risk for obesity.

PMID- 27275397
TI  - The siRNA-Mediated Down-Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
      Receptor1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is an important biological process involved in the
      proliferation of endothelial cells, tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered as a prominent regulator of
      angiogenesis which exerts the aforementioned effect(s) through its respective
      receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2). VEGF receptors are targeted as a therapeutic
      candidate for cancer growth inhibition. RNAi as a new and promising strategy has
      provided a useful means to specifically suppress gene expression in cancer cells.
      OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to down-regulate expression of the VEGFR1
      using siRNA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This experimental study designed specific
      siRNAs against VEGFR1. Total RNA was extracted from human umbilical vain
      endothelial cell (HUVEC) and subsequently cDNA was synthetized. PCR was performed
      using specific primers to amplify the target gene. After double digestion and
      purification, the gene was cloned into pEFGP-N1 expression vector. Then, AGS
      cells were transfected with recombinant pEGFP-N1 using lipofectamin. The gene
      expression and down-regulation were evaluated by fluorescence scanning, reverse
      transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot techniques. RESULTS: Fluorescent
      scanning, RT-PCR (27.68%) and western blot analysis (31.06%) showed that the
      expression of VEGFR1 was suppressed effectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the
      current study showed that specifically designed siRNA can be considered as an
      appropriate strategy to suppress gene expression and might be a promising tool to
      prevent angiogenesis.

PMID- 27275396
TI  - Loss of function of Ywhah in mice induces deafness and cochlear outer hair cells'
      degeneration.
AB  - In vertebrates, 14-3-3 proteins form a family of seven highly conserved isoforms
      with chaperone activity, which bind phosphorylated substrates mostly involved in
      regulatory and checkpoint pathways. 14-3-3 proteins are the most abundant protein
      in the brain and are abundantly found in the cerebrospinal fluid in
      neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting a critical role in neuron physiology and
      death. Here we show that 14-3-3eta-deficient mice displayed auditory impairment
      accompanied by cochlear hair cells' degeneration. We show that 14-3-3eta is
      highly expressed in the outer and inner hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons of
      cochlea and retinal ganglion cells. Screening of YWHAH, the gene encoding the 14
      3-3eta isoform, in non-syndromic and syndromic deafness, revealed seven non
      synonymous variants never reported before. Among them, two were predicted to be
      damaging in families with syndromic deafness. In vitro, variants of YWHAH induce
      mild mitochondrial fragmentation and severe susceptibility to apoptosis, in
      agreement with a reduced capacity of mutated 14-3-3eta to bind the pro-apoptotic
      Bad protein. This study demonstrates that YWHAH variants can have a substantial
      effect on 14-3-3eta function and that 14-3-3eta could be a critical factor in the
      survival of outer hair cells.

PMID- 27275398
TI  - Prevention and Treatment of Flatulence From a Traditional Persian Medicine
      Perspective.
AB  - CONTEXT: The feeling of abdominal fullness, bloating, and movement of gas in the
      abdomen is a very uncomfortable sensation termed flatulence. Since flatulence is
      one of the most common gastrointestinal symptoms that is bothersome to patients,
      it is important to identify effective methods to resolve this issue. In modern
      medicine, management of flatulence is often not satisfactory. On the other hand,
      traditional systems of medicine can be considered good potential sources to find
      new approaches for preventing and treating flatulence. The aim of this study is
      to review flatulence treatments from a traditional Persian medicine (TPM)
      viewpoint. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: In this study, the reasons for flatulence and
      methods for its prevention and treatment are reviewed in traditional Persian
      medicine (TPM) texts and then related with evidence from modern medicine by
      searching in databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and IranMedex.
      RESULTS: From a traditional Persian scholar viewpoint, one of the most important
      causes of flatulence is an incorrect manner of eating; valuable advice to correct
      bad eating habits will be illustrated. In addition, traditional practitioners
      describe some herbs and vegetables as well as herbal compounds that are effective
      food additives to relieve flatulence. The anti-flatulent effect of most of these
      herbs has been experimentally verified using modern medicine. CONCLUSIONS:
      Attention to TPM can lead to the identification of new preventive and curative
      approaches to avoid and treat flatulence. In addition, Persian viewpoints from
      the medieval era regarding flatulence are historically important.

PMID- 27275399
TI  - Road Traffic Accident Victims' Experiences of Return to Normal Life: A
      Qualitative Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Road traffic accident (RTA) victims also suffer from different types
      of injuries and disabilities, which can affect their quality of life. They
      usually face with various physical, mental, and social problems. Most traffic
      accident victims had difficulty to return to normal life. OBJECTIVES: This study
      aimed to understand the experiences of return to normal life in RTA victims.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: This qualitative study with content analysis approach was
      conducted on 18 Iranian patients with disability in the upper or lower limbs
      caused by traffic accidents, who had passed a time between 3 months till 2 years.
      A purposeful sampling method was applied until reaching data saturation. Data
      were collected using semi-structured interviews. Afterwards, the gathered data
      were analyzed through conventional content analysis. RESULTS: By analyzing 498
      primary codes, four main categories, including supportive needs, adaptation to
      the new situation, seeking information, and transition from functional
      limitation, were extracted from traffic accident victims' experiences of
      reintegration to normal life. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study may help
      policy-makers to take steps toward health promotion and recovery of RTA victims.
      Considering the results of this study, it is a need for further research to
      investigate RTAs victims' needs for reintegration to home and community. Access
      to training and supportive facilities like strong therapeutic, nursing and social
      support, and the possibility to participate in self-care activities is essential
      for reintegration to community in RTA victims.

PMID- 27275400
TI  - Association Between Outcomes and Demographic Factors in an Azeri Turkish
      Population With Cystic Fibrosis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran From 2001
      Through 2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Outcomesforcystic fibrosis patients are improving rapidly. The
      demographic factors are notable variables inoutcomes, which can be evaluated and
      modified. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the association
      between outcome and demographic factors in patients with cystic fibrosis.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study and data were gathered for
      331 patients using the census method, from March 2001 to September 2014 in Iran.
      Data was analyzed using logistic regression analysis, chi-square test, and
      independent sample t test using SPSS 18. Odds ratio with confidence intervals of
      95% and P < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: There were 85 (25.7%)
      deceased patients and 246 (74.3%) living patients at the time of the study. Of
      the 246 living CF patients, 202 (82.2%) were less than nine years of age, and 77
      (90.6%) out of the 85 deceased CF patients had died younger than four years of
      age. There was a significant difference between outcome and location of
      residence. The risk of mortality was 50% less in urban patients than in rural
      patients (P = 0.03). The risk of mortality was approximately two times higher in
      patients with a positive family history than in those with a negative family
      history (P = 0.02). The proportion of mortality was approximately two times, or
      94%, higher for those in a consanguineous marriage than for those in a non
      consanguineous marriage (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that
      the mortality rate was higher in CF patients with a positive family history, a
      consanguineous marriage, and residence in a rural area. Therefore, demographic
      factors play an important role in the outcome of cystic fibrosis. Unfortunately,
      these parameters, which can be managed easily and with low cost, have been
      overlooked.

PMID- 27275401
TI  - Preemptive Analgesic Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
      (TENS) on Postoperative Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled
      Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non
      pharmacological analgesic method used to control different types of pain.
      OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of preoperative
      TENS on post inguinal hernia repair pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized,
      double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 66 male patients
      with unilateral inguinal hernias who were admitted to the Shahid Beheshti
      hospital in Kashan, Iran, from April to October 2014. Participants were selected
      using a convenience sampling method and were assigned to intervention (n = 33)
      and control (n = 33) groups using permuted-block randomization. Patients in the
      intervention group were treated with TENS 1 hour before surgery, while the
      placebo was administered to patients in the control group. All of the patients
      underwent inguinal hernia repair by the Lichtenstein method, and pain intensity
      was evaluated at 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours after surgery using a visual analogue
      scale. Additionally, the amounts of analgesic administered by pump were
      calculated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean estimated
      postoperative pain intensity was 6.21 +/- 1.63 in the intervention group and 5.45
      +/- 1.82 in the control group (P = 0.08). In the intervention group pain
      intensity at 2 and 4 hours after surgery were 3.54 +/- 1.48 and 5.12 +/- 1.41 (P
      < 0.001), respectively. In the control group these values were 4.0+/-1.5 and 4.76
      +/- 1.39 (P = 0.04), respectively. No significant differences were observed in
      mean pain intensities at 6 and 12 hours. CONCLUSIONS: TENS can reduce
      postoperative pain in the early hours after inguinal hernia repair surgery.

PMID- 27275402
TI  - The Effects of Group Play Therapy on Self-Concept Among 7 to 11 Year-Old Children
      Suffering From Thalassemia Major.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children suffering from thalassemia have higher levels of depression
      and lower levels of self-concept. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to
      determine if group play therapy could significantly increase self-concept among
      children with thalassemia major ages 7 to 11 years old in teaching hospitals of
      Golestan province, Iran, in 2012. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this randomized,
      controlled clinical trial, 60 children with thalassemia major were randomly
      assigned to intervention (30 children) and control (30 children) groups. The
      intervention included eight 45 to 60 minute sessions during four weeks, during
      which the intervention group received group play therapy. The control group
      received no interventions. Self-concept was measured three times using the Piers
      Harris children's self-concept scale: before, immediately after, and a month
      after the intervention. RESULTS: For the intervention group, results showed that
      the mean self-concept score was significantly higher at the second point in time
      compared to the baseline (P < 0.001), going from 60.539 to 69.908. Likewise,
      comparing the first and third time points, the mean score significantly increased
      and reached 70.611 (P < 0.001). Furthermore, changes in the mean score from the
      second to the third time point, though non-significant (P = 0.509), followed the
      trend, going from 69.908 to 70.611. For the control group, comparing the first,
      second, and third time points did not result in any significant change in the
      mean score (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that group play therapy
      improves self-concept in children suffering from thalassemia major.

PMID- 27275403
TI  - Survey on Hypothermia and Hyperthermia in Poisoned Patients in a Unique Referral
      Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Body temperature is a critical criterion of health. Drugs and a
      variety of poisons can affect body temperature in poisoned patients, causing
      hyperthermia and hyperpyrexia. OBJECTIVES: Our previous study's findings in
      patients poisoned with organophosphate led us to the goal of this study:
      obtaining the initial tympanic temperature in patients poisoned by a variety of
      toxins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study reviewed the records of
      poisoned patients who were admitted to the toxicological intensive care unit
      (TICU) at Loghman Hakim hospital poison center (LHHPC) from February 2014 to
      February 2015. The data collected included gender, age, type of poisoning, the
      season during which poisoning occurred, vital signs, initial tympanic temperature
      (first four hours), presence of seizures, white blood cell (WBC) count,
      creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), length of stay and patient outcome. We determined
      the mean (SD) for normally distributed continuous variables, the median and
      interquartile range for non-normally distributed continuous variables, and the
      absolute and relative frequency (%) for categorical variables. All were
      determined using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: Data were collected from 310 eligible
      patients. The mean patient age was 32.65 (with a standard deviation of 14.40). Of
      the patients in the study, 183 (59%) were male. Intentional poisoning in an
      attempted suicide was documented in 253 (81.6%) patients. The most prevalent
      poisoning agent was aluminum phosphate (18.70%), followed by methadone (10%) and
      opium (10%). Seventy percent of the patients (n = 217) were diagnosed and
      classified with fever or hyperthermia. A temperature >= 40 degrees C was detected
      in just three cases. The highest mean temperature was found in patients poisoned
      with amphetamine, organophosphate and tramadol. Patients with alcohol and
      phenobarbital poisoning were included in the sample, but these patients were not
      diagnosed with hypothermia. WBC >= 10,000 cells/mL and CPK >= 975 IU/L were
      recorded in 57.7% and 13.2% of subjects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Body
      temperature changes in human poisonings are a matter in need of special
      attention. A literature review did not reveal any controversy over hypothermia,
      but poisoning cases exhibit a variety of patterns of fever and hyperthermia. If
      there are no limits to the diagnosis of fever and hyperthermia, all cases with a
      poor prognosis which fail to respond to treatment could be categorized as drug
      induced hyperthermia. Therefore, a different approach is needed for poisoning
      cases.

PMID- 27275404
TI  - Heart Failing Jehovah Witness Patient Successfully Treated by Minimally-Invasive
      Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation without any Blood Transfusions.

PMID- 27275405
TI  - Effects of Mands on Instructional Control: A Laboratory Simulation.
AB  - The effects of two types of mands on participants' adherence to instructions were
      examined across two groups using procedures based on Hackenberg and Joker
      (Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 62:367-383, 1994). Participants
      were presented with instructions describing a pattern of responding for producing
      points later exchanged for money and were exposed to choice trials in which a
      progressive-time (PT) and a fixed-time (FT) schedule were concurrently available.
      The instructions initially described how to optimize point production; however,
      the PT schedule was manipulated over the course of the experiment such that
      response patterns maximizing point production differed across conditions. All
      participants experienced the same experimental arrangement, and the two groups
      differed only in the form of the mand contained in the instructions presented to
      them. The instructions for the directive group contained the mand "you must..."
      (i.e., command) preceding the instructed response pattern, whereas the non
      directive group instructions contained the mand "you might consider..." (i.e.,
      suggestion) preceding the instructed response pattern. Results indicated that
      instruction type influenced response patterns across changing contingencies. The
      directive group exhibited greater adherence to the instruction than the non
      directive group when instruction following was less profitable. Results are
      interpreted in terms of Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior, and implications
      for practical application are discussed. 

PMID- 27275406
TI  - Multilevel D-loop PCR identification of hunting game.
AB  - The control region of mtDNA (D-loop) was used for hair samples of the five
      hunting game species identification: red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer
      (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama), mouflon (Ovis aries musimon), and
      wild boar (Sus scrofa). For D-loop multilevel PCR detection scheme was applied in
      six primers (CE CVZV 1 = 5'-GATCACGAGCTTGATCACCA-3'; CE CVZV 2 = 5'
      AGGAGTGGGCGATTTTAGGT-3'; DD CVZV 3 = 5'-CGCGTGAAACCAACAACCCGC-3'; DD CVZV 4 = 5'
      CCGGGTCGGGGCCTTAGACG-3'; SSW CVZV 5 = 5'-ACACGTGCGTACACGCGCATA-3'; SSW CVZV 6 =
      5'-GGTGCCTGCT T TCGTAGCACG-3') designed to identify unknown biological samples of
      the hunting game animals. The PCR reaction volume was 25 MUl at conditions 95 
      degrees C for 2 min, 94  degrees C for 30 s, 60  degrees C for 30 s, 72  degrees
      C for 30 s, 35 cycles, with last extension at 72  degrees C for 10 min. D-loop
      mtDNA amplicons of the game animals are characterized with specific PCR product
      sizes depending on species: red deer = 163 bp and 140 bp, fallow deer = 280 bp
      and 138 bp, roe deer = 303 bp, 280 bp, 160 bp and 138 bp, mouflon = 299 bp and
      178 bp, wild boar = 137 bp and 229 bp. 

PMID- 27275407
TI  - Association of polymorphism in cytochrome P450 2C9 with susceptibility to head
      and neck cancer and treatment outcome.
AB  - The present case-control study involving 750 cases and equal number of healthy
      controls investigates the association of polymorphism in cytochrome P450 2C9
      (CYP2C9) with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and response in
      patients receiving chemotherapy or combination of radio-chemotherapy. The
      frequency of heterozygous or homozygous genotypes of CYP2C9*2 & CYP2C9*3, which
      leads to the poor metabolizer (PM) genotype was significantly higher in HNSCC
      cases when compared to the healthy controls resulting in significantly increased
      risk in the cases. Tobacco use in the form of tobacco smoking or tobacco chewing
      was found to increase the risk several fold in cases when compared to the non
      tobacco users. Likewise, alcohol intake in cases with variant genotypes of
      CYP2C9*2 or CYP2C9*3 also significantly increased the HNSCC risk in cases when
      compared to non-alcohol users. Further, majority of the cases carrying variant
      alleles of both CYP2C9*2 or CYP2C9*3 were found to respond poorly to the
      chemotherapy or combination of radio-chemotherapy. The data suggests a
      significant association of the CYP2C9 polymorphism with HNSCC and treatment
      outcome. 

PMID- 27275408
TI  - Cloning and expression of dnaK gene from Bacillus pumilus of hot water spring
      origin.
AB  - A set of thermotolerant strains isolated from hot springs of Manikaran and
      Bakreshwar (India) were selected with an aim to isolate dnak gene which encodes
      DnaK protein. The gene dnaK along with its flanking region was successfully
      amplified from 5 different strains (4 from Bakreshwar and one from Manikaran).
      Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) revealed that amplicons were
      almost identical in sequence. The dnak gene from one representative, Bacillus
      pumilus strain B3 isolated from Bakreshwar hot springs was successfully cloned
      and sequenced. The dnaK gene was flanked by gene grpE on one side. The dnaK gene
      was 1842 bp in length encoding a polypeptide of 613 amino acid residues.
      Calculated molecular weight and pI of the protein were 66,128.36 Da and 4.72
      respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of this gene shared high sequence
      homology with other DnaK proteins and its homologue Hsp 70 from other
      microorganisms, but possessed 36 substitutions and two insertions, as compared to
      DnaK protein of Bacillus subtilis. The dnaK gene of B. pumilus was successfully
      expressed in Escherichia coli BL 21 (DE3) using pET expression systems.
      Heterologous expression of dnaK of B. pumilus in E. coli BL 21 (DE3) allowed for
      the growth of E. coli up to 50  degrees C and survival up to 60  degrees C for 16
      h, suggesting that dnak from B. pumilus imparts tolerance to host cells under
      high temperature. This novel gene can be an important component for possible
      utilization in abiotic stress management of plants. 

PMID- 27275409
TI  - Special Issue - From Biobanks to the Clinic.

PMID- 27275410
TI  - Rare disease research: Breaking the privacy barrier.
AB  - Due to the few patients affected, rare disease research has to count on
      international registries to exist in order to produce significant research
      outputs. Data sharing of registries is therefore a unique resource to allow rare
      disease research to flourish and any lost data will jeopardize the quality of an
      already extremely difficult research. The rules usually applied to research such
      as the right to withdraw or the need for specific consent for every use of data
      can be detrimental in order to get effective results. Privacy rights regulated
      through traditional informed consent mechanisms have been regarded as a major
      barrier in order to effectively share data worldwide. Some authors argue that
      this barrier hampers results that could be beneficial to the patients so that
      another right will be overstated: the right to quality healthcare. We argue in
      this paper that privacy has been often interpreted just one-sided as the right to
      secrecy but it can entail another meaning: the right to manage one's own private
      sphere. Managing it pertains, not only to the right to deny access, but also to
      the right to grant access. At the same time research on patient participation and
      transparency shows that new forms of IT-based informed consent can provide a good
      balance between the right of individuals to be in control of their data and the
      opportunity for science to pursue international research. 

PMID- 27275411
TI  - Biobanking and translation of human genetics and genomics for infectious
      diseases.
AB  - Biobanks are invaluable resources in genomic research of both the infectious
      diseases and their hosts. This article examines the role of biobanks in basic
      research of infectious disease genomics, as well as the relevance and
      applicability of biobanks in the translation of impending knowledge and the
      clinical uptake of knowledge of infectious diseases. Our research identifies
      potential fields of interaction between infectious disease genomics and biobanks,
      in line with global trends in the integration of genome-based knowledge into
      clinical practice. It also examines various networks and biobanks that specialize
      in infectious diseases (including HIV, HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis), and
      provides examples of successful research and clinical uptake stemming from these
      biobanks. Finally, it outlines key issues with respect to data privacy in
      infectious disease genomics, as well as the utility of adequately designed and
      maintained electronic health records. We maintain that the public should be able
      to easily access a clear and detailed outline of regulations and procedures for
      sample and data utilization by academic or commercial investigators, and also
      should be able to understand the precise roles of relevant governing bodies. This
      would ultimately facilitate uptake by researchers and clinics. As a result of the
      efforts and resources invested by several networks and consortia, there is an
      increasing awareness of the prospective uses of biobanks in advancing infectious
      disease genomic research, diagnostics and their clinical management. 

PMID- 27275412
TI  - P(3)G - 10 years of toolbuilding: From the population biobank to the clinic.
AB  - Over the past ten years, the Public Population Project in Genomics and Society
      ("P(3)G") has grown as a consortium. It has expanded its range of services and
      resources to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of the research community. From its
      outset - when P(3)G first tackled the building of biobanks as resources as well
      as data cataloguing and harmonization for data integration - to its new mission
      and vision, it has continually developed the tools for the conceptualization and
      design of population biobanks from their inception to their use to their closure.
      In so doing, P(3)G has become key in fostering research infrastructures to
      facilitate transition to the clinic. The consortium has become a crucial
      stakeholder in the international scientific, ethical, legal, and social research
      communities. 

PMID- 27275413
TI  - Comprehensive and computational analysis of genes in human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells responsive to X-irradiation.
AB  - Radiation exposure such as A-bomb or radiation therapy is considered a major
      health-risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In order to understand the
      molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammatory reaction frequently encountered
      in the vascular system after exposure to ionizing radiation, we carried out a
      global scale microarray and computational gene expression analyses on human
      umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to X-ray (2.5 Gy). The gene ontology
      analysis revealed that the down-regulated genes were associated with cell cycle
      regulation, whereas the up-regulated genes were associated with inflammatory
      responses, in particular, the type 1 interferon response. The computational
      analysis using ingenuity pathway analysis also identified a gene network
      containing the interferon response factor 7 (IRF7) and its transcriptional
      targets such as interferon-induced transcripts (IFITs) and Mx1, which have been
      known to be associated with inflammation in endothelial cells. The up-regulated
      genes and the gene network identified here may explain the inflammatory response
      induced by X-irradiation. These findings uncover part of the molecular basis of
      the mechanism(s) of the inflammatory disorder in response to X-irradiation in
      HUVECs. The dataset is publicly available at the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO)
      repository (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/) with accession number GSE76484. 

PMID- 27275414
TI  - Combined sequencing of mRNA and DNA from human embryonic stem cells.
AB  - Combined transcriptome and whole genome sequencing of the same ultra-low input
      sample down to single cells is a rapidly evolving approach for the analysis of
      rare cells. Besides stem cells, rare cells originating from tissues like tumor or
      biopsies, circulating tumor cells and cells from early embryonic development are
      under investigation. Herein we describe a universal method applicable for the
      analysis of minute amounts of sample material (150 to 200 cells) derived from sub
      colony structures from human embryonic stem cells. The protocol comprises the
      combined isolation and separate amplification of poly(A) mRNA and whole genome
      DNA followed by next generation sequencing. Here we present a detailed
      description of the method developed and an overview of the results obtained for
      RNA and whole genome sequencing of human embryonic stem cells, sequencing data is
      available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database under accession number
      GSE69471. 

PMID- 27275415
TI  - Sustained-release genistein from nanostructured lipid carrier suppresses human
      lens epithelial cell growth.
AB  - AIM: To design and investigate the efficacy of a modified nanostructured lipid
      carrier loaded with genistein (Gen-NLC) to inhibit human lens epithelial cells
      (HLECs) proliferation. METHODS: Gen-NLC was made by melt emulsification method.
      The morphology, particle size (PS), zeta potentials (ZP), encapsulation
      efficiency (EE) and in vitro release were characterized. The inhibition effect of
      nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), genistein (Gen) and Gen-NLC on HLECs
      proliferation was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, gene and
      protein expression of the proliferation marker Ki67 were evaluated with real-time
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence analyses.
      RESULTS: The mean PS of Gen-NLC was 80.12+/-1.55 nm with a mean polydispersity
      index of 0.11+/-0.02. The mean ZP was -7.14+/-0.38 mV and the EE of Gen in the
      nanoparticles was 92.3%+/-0.73%. Transmission electron microscopy showed that Gen
      NLC displayed spherical-shaped particles covered by an outer-layer structure. In
      vitro release experiments demonstrated a prolonged drug release for 72h. The CCK
      8 assay results showed the NLC had no inhibitory effect on HLECs and Gen-NLC
      displayed a much more prominent inhibitory effect on cellular growth compared to
      Gen of the same concentration. The mRNA and protein expression of Ki67 in LECs
      decreased significantly in Gen-NLC group. CONCLUSION: Sustained drug release by
      Gen-NLCs may impede HLEC growth.

PMID- 27275416
TI  - Use of high-throughput targeted exome sequencing in genetic diagnosis of Chinese
      family with congenital cataract.
AB  - AIM: To identify disease-causing mutation in a congenital cataract family using
      enrichment of targeted genes combined with next-generation sequencing. METHODS: A
      total of 371 known genes related to inherited eye diseases of the proband was
      selected and captured, followed by high-throughput sequencing. The sequencing
      data were analyzed by established bioinformatics pipeline. Validation was
      performed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: A recurrent heterozygous non-synonymous
      mutation c.130G>A (p.V44M) in the GJA3 gene was identified in the proband. The
      result was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The mutation showed co-segregation
      with the disease phenotype in the family but was not detected in unaffected
      controls. CONCLUSION: Targeted exome sequencing is a rapid, high-throughput and
      cost-efficient method for screening known genes and could be applied to the
      routine gene diagnosis of congenital cataract.

PMID- 27275417
TI  - Human melanopsin-AAV2/8 transfection to retina transiently restores visual
      function in rd1 mice.
AB  - AIM: To explore whether ectopic expression of human melanopsin can effectively
      and safely restore visual function in rd1 mice. METHODS: Hematoxylin-eosin
      staining of retinal sections from rd1 mice was used to detect the thickness of
      the outer nuclear layer to determine the timing of surgery. We constructed a
      human melanopsin-AAV2/8 viral vector and injected it into the subretinal space of
      rd1 mice. The Phoenix Micron IV system was used to exclude the aborted
      injections, and immunohistochemistry was used to validate the ectopic expression
      of human melanopsin. Furthermore, visual electrophysiology and behavioral tests
      were used to detect visual function 30 and 45d after the injection. The structure
      of the retina was compared between the human melanopsin-injected group and
      phosphate buffer saline (PBS)-injected group. RESULTS: Retinas of rd1 mice lost
      almost all of their photoreceptors on postnatal day 28 (P28). We therefore
      injected the human melanopsin-adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2/8 viral vector into
      P30 rd1 mice. After excluding aborted injections, we used immunohistochemistry of
      the whole mount retina to confirm the ectopic expression of human melanopsin by
      co-expression of human melanopsin and YFP that was carried by a viral vector. At
      30d post-injection, visual electrophysiology and the behavioral test
      significantly improved. However, restoration of vision disappeared 45d after
      human melanopsin injection. Notably, human melanopsin-injected mice did not show
      any structural differences in their retinas compared with PBS-injected mice.
      CONCLUSION: Ectopic expression of human melanopsin effectively and safely
      restores visual function in rd1 mice.

PMID- 27275418
TI  - In silico analysis of a disease-causing mutation in PCDH15 gene in a
      consanguineous Pakistani family with Usher phenotype.
AB  - AIM: To map Usher phenotype in a consanguineous Pakistani family and identify
      disease-associated mutation in a causative gene to establish phenotype-genotype
      correlation. METHODS: A consanguineous Pakistani family in which Usher phenotype
      was segregating as an autosomal recessive trait was ascertained. On the basis of
      results of clinical investigations of affected members of this family disease was
      diagnosed as Usher syndrome (USH). To identify the locus responsible for the
      Usher phenotype in this family, genomic DNA from blood sample of each individual
      was genotyped using microsatellite Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers for the
      known Usher syndrome loci. Then direct sequencing was performed to find out
      disease associated mutations in the candidate gene. RESULTS: By genetic linkage
      analysis, the USH phenotype of this family was mapped to PCDH15 locus on
      chromosome 10q21.1. Three different point mutations in exon 11 of PCDH15 were
      identified and one of them, c.1304A>C was found to be segregating with the
      disease phenotype in Pakistani family with Usher phenotype. This, c.1304A>C
      transversion mutation predicts an amino-acid substitution of aspartic acid with
      an alanine at residue number 435 (p.D435A) of its protein product. Moreover, in
      silico analysis revealed conservation of aspartic acid at position 435 and
      predicated this change as pathogenic. CONCLUSION: The identification of c.1304A>C
      pathogenic mutation in PCDH15 gene and its association with Usher syndrome in a
      consanguineous Pakistani family is the first example of a missense mutation of
      PCDH15 causing USH1 phenotype. In previous reports, it was hypothesized that
      severe mutations such as truncated protein of PCDH15 led to the Usher I phenotype
      and that missense variants are mainly responsible for non-syndromic hearing
      impairment.

PMID- 27275419
TI  - Anti-proliferative effect of olmesartan on Tenon's capsule fibroblasts.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the inhibitive effect of olmesartan to fibroblast proliferation
      and the anti-scarring effect in Tenon's capsule, both in vitro and in vivo.
      METHODS: Human primary Tenon's capsule fibroblasts were cultured in vitro,
      treated with up titrating concentrations of olmesartan. The rate of inhibition
      was tested with methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) method. Real-time PCR was
      performed to analyze changes in mRNA expressions of the fibrosis-related factors:
      matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP
      1,2) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Thirty rabbits were divided
      into 5 groups (3, 7, 14, 21, and 28d). A rabbit conjunctiva flap model was
      created in each eye. Olmesartan solution was injected subconjunctivally and then
      evaluated its anti-proliferation and anti-fibrosis effects through the
      histological morphology and immunohistochemistry of MMP-2 and PCNA in each group.
      Only the 7d group was treated with Masson's trichrome to compare the
      neovascularization in the subconjunctiva area. RESULTS: In vitro, cultured
      Tenon's capsule human fibroblasts showed a dose dependent inhibition by
      olmesartan in MTT. Olmesartan reduced mRNA expressions of MMP-2 and PCNA but
      increased mRNA expressions of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. In vivo, the rabbit eyes treated
      with olmesartan at 3(rd), 7(th), 14(th) and 21(st) days demonstrated a
      significant reduced expressions of MMP-2 and PCNA compared with control eye, no
      significant difference observed in 28(th) day group. The cellular proliferation
      and neovascularization was suppressed by olmesartan in Masson's trichrome
      observation. CONCLUSION: By inhibiting fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo,
      olmesartan prevents the proliferation and activity of fibroblasts in scar tissue
      formation, which might benefit glaucoma filtering surgery.

PMID- 27275421
TI  - Real-time polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of necrotizing herpes
      stromal keratitis.
AB  - AIM: To design, optimize and validate a rapid, internally controlled real-time
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the
      diagnosis of necrotizing herpes stromal keratitis. METHODS: Tears alone or
      together with corneal epithelium scrapings from 30 patients (30 eyes) suspected
      of necrotizing herpes stromal keratitis were tested for HSV DNA by RT-PCR. The
      samples were collected during the first visit and then on the subsequent 7, 14,
      28, 42, and 56d. The symptoms of the patients were scored before treatment to
      determine the correlation between HSV concentration in the corneal epithelium
      scrapings and clinical scores. RESULTS: The positive rate (46.4%) in the corneal
      epithelium group before the therapy was significantly higher than that (13.3%) in
      the tears group (P=0.006). There were 13 positive HSV patients before the
      therapy, the concentration of HSV DNA in corneal epithelium scrapings group was
      significantly higher than that in the tears group (paired t-test, P=0.0397).
      Multilevel mixed-effects model analysis showed that the difference between the
      corneal epithelium scrapings group and the tears group was statistically
      significant (P=0.0049). The Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated a
      positive correlation between the HSV concentration in the corneal epithelium
      scrapings and clinical scores before the treatment (r=0.844, P<0.0001).
      CONCLUSION: RT-PCR appears to be a powerful molecular tool for the diagnosis of
      necrotizing herpes stromal keratitis.

PMID- 27275420
TI  - Effect of sodium tungstate on visual evoked potentials in diabetic rats.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the effect of sodium tungstate on visual evoked potentials
      (VEPs) in diabetic rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into three
      groups as normal control, diabetic control and diabetic rats treated with sodium
      tungstate. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of
      streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). Sodium tungstate [40 mg/(kg.d)] was administered for
      12wk and then VEPs were recorded. Additionally, thiobarbituric acid reactive
      substance (TBARS) levels were measured in brain tissues. RESULTS: The latencies
      of P1, N1, P2, N2 and P3 waves were significantly prolonged in diabetic rats
      compared with control group. Diabetes mellitus caused an increase in the lipid
      peroxidation process that was accompanied by changes in VEPs. However, prolonged
      latencies of VEPs for all components returned to control levels in sodium
      tungstate-treated group. The treatment of sodium tungstate significantly
      decreased brain TBARS levels and depleted the prolonged latencies of VEP
      components compared with diabetic control group. CONCLUSION: Sodium tungstate
      shows protective effects on visual pathway in diabetic rats, and it can be worthy
      of further study for potential use.

PMID- 27275422
TI  - Comparison of phacotrabeculectomy and sequential surgery in the treatment of
      chronic angle-closure glaucoma coexisted with cataract.
AB  - AIM: To compare the safety and effectiveness of phacotrabeculectomy versus
      sequential surgery in chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) with coexisting
      cataract. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-two CACG patients (162 eyes) were
      retrospectively analyzed. Of them, 87 patients (87 eyes) in group A had underwent
      phacotrabeculectomy with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and 75 patients (75
      eyes) in group B had underwent sequential surgery with IOL implanted. Best
      corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), complications and
      anterior chamber angle (ACA) were measured. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics
      of the two groups were similar. A mean follow-up period was 15+/-6mo (range 13 to
      24mo), a mean IOP of 16.61+/-6.43 mm Hg in group A and 15.80+/-5.35 mm Hg in
      group B (P=0.84) at the last follow up. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that
      the cumulative probability of success in both groups was similar (P=0.61).
      Anterior uveitis and hypotony were the most common complications in group A,
      whereas group B experienced shallow anterior chamber with trabeculectomy. With
      the exception of anterior uveitis, no complications occurred to 11
      trabeculectomized eyes. All postoperative measurements of anterior chamber showed
      statistically significant differences in each group according to the preoperative
      data (P<0.05). However, fewer changes occurred in group B than in group A.
      CONCLUSION: Phacotrabeculectomy and sequential surgery exhibit similar IOP
      reduction, visual recovery, and complications when treating CACG patients with
      cataract. However, for a wider ACA, phacotrabeculectomy has demonstrated higher
      effectiveness than sequential surgery.

PMID- 27275423
TI  - Efficacy of combined cataract extraction and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation for
      the reduction of intraocular pressure and medication burden.
AB  - AIM: To report on the efficacy of combined endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP)
      and phacoemulsification cataract extraction (PCE) with intraocular lens placement
      for reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden in glaucoma.
      METHODS: A retrospective case review of 91 eyes (73 patients) with glaucoma and
      cataract that underwent combined PCE/ECP surgery was performed. Baseline
      demographic and ocular characteristics were recorded, as well as intraocular
      pressure, number of glaucoma medications, and visual acuity postoperatively with
      12-month follow-up. Treatment failure was defined as less than 20% reduction in
      IOP from baseline on two consecutive visits (at 1, 3, 6, or 12mo
      postoperatively), IOP >=21 mm Hg or <=5 mm Hg on two consecutive visits, or
      additional glaucoma surgery performed within 12mo after PCE/ECP. RESULTS:
      Overall, mean medicated IOP was reduced from 16.65 mm Hg at baseline to 13.38 mm
      Hg at 12mo (P<0.0001). Mean number of glaucoma medications was reduced from 1.88
      medications at baseline to 1.48 medications at 12mo (P=0.0003). At 3mo
      postoperatively, the success rate was 73.6% (95%CI: 63.3, 81.5), 57.1% at 6mo
      (95% CI: 46.3, 66.6), and 49.7% at 12mo (95%CI: 38.9, 59.6). Patient demographic
      characteristics were not associated with treatment success. The only ocular
      characteristic associated with treatment success was a higher baseline IOP.
      CONCLUSION: Combined PCE/ECP surgery is an effective surgical option for the
      reduction of IOP and medication burden in glaucoma patients. Patients with higher
      baseline IOP levels are most likely to benefit from this procedure.

PMID- 27275424
TI  - The refractive outcome of Toric Lentis Mplus implant in cataract surgery.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the refractive outcome of Toric Lentis Mplus intraocular lens
      (IOL) implant. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series. Consecutive patients
      with corneal astigmatism of at least 1.5 D had Toric Lentis Mplus IOL implant
      during cataract surgery. The exclusion criteria included irregular astigmatism on
      corneal topography, large scotopic pupil diameter (>6 mm), poor visual potential
      and significant ocular comorbidity. Postoperative manifest refraction,
      uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), best-corrected distance visual acuity
      (BCVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) at 3/4 m and uncorrected
      near visual acuity (UNVA) were obtained. RESULTS: There were 70 eyes from 49
      patients in this study. Patients were refracted at a median of 8.9wk (range 4.0
      to 15.5) from the operation date. Sixty-five percent of eyes had 6/7.5 (0.10
      logMAR) or better, and 99% 6/12 (0.30 logMAR) or better postoperative UDVA.
      Eighty-nine percent could read Jaeger (J) 3 (0.28 logMAR) and 95% J5 (0.37
      logMAR) at 40 cm. The median magnitude of astigmatism decreased from 1.91 D to
      0.49 D (Wilcoxon, P<0.001) after the operation. The range of the cylindrical
      error was reduced from 1.5-3.95 D (keratometric) preoperatively to 0.00-1.46 D
      (subjective refraction transposed to corneal plane) postoperatively. CONCLUSION:
      Toric Lentis Mplus IOL has good predictability in reducing preexisting corneal
      astigmatism.

PMID- 27275425
TI  - Comparison of two different methods of preoperative marking for toric intraocular
      lens implantation: bubble marker versus pendulum marker.
AB  - AIM: To compare the accuracy of two different methods of preoperative marking for
      toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, bubble marker versus pendulum marker,
      as a means of establishing the reference point for the final alignment of the
      toric IOL to achieve an outcome as close as possible to emmetropia. METHODS:
      Toric IOLs were implanted in 180 eyes of 110 patients. One group (55 patients)
      had preoperative marking of both eyes done with bubble marker (ASICO AE-2791TBL)
      and the other group (55 patients) with pendulum marker (Rumex((r))3-193).
      Reference marks were placed at 3-, 6-, and 9-o'clock positions on the limbus.
      Slit-lamp photographs were analyzed using Adobe Photoshop (version 7.0). Amount
      of alignment error (in degrees) induced in each group was measured. RESULTS: Mean
      absolute rotation error in the preoperative marking in the horizontal axis was
      2.42+/-1.71 in the bubble marker group and 2.83+/-2.31in the pendulum marker
      group (P=0.501). Sixty percent of the pendulum group and 70% of the bubble group
      had rotation error <=3 (P=0.589), and 90% eyes of the pendulum group and 96.7% of
      the bubble group had rotation error <=5 (P=0.612). CONCLUSION: Both preoperative
      marking techniques result in approximately 3 of alignment error. Both marking
      techniques are simple, predictable, reproducible and easy to perform.

PMID- 27275426
TI  - The association analysis polymorphism of CDKAL1 and diabetic retinopathy in
      Chinese Han population.
AB  - AIM: To identify the contribution of CDKAL1 to the development of diabetic
      retinopathy (DR) in Chinese population. METHODS: A case-control study was
      performed to investigate the genetic association between DR and polymorphic
      variants of CDKAL1 in Chinese Han population with type 2 diabetes mellitus
      (T2DM). A well-defined population with T2DM, consisting of 475 controls and 105
      DR patients, was recruited. All subjects were genotyped for the genetic variant
      (rs10946398) of CDKAL1. Genotyping was performed by iPLEX technology. The
      association between rs10946398 and T2DM was assessed by univariate and
      multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analysis. RESULTS: There were significant
      differences in C allele frequencies of rs10946398 (CDKAL1) between control and DR
      groups (45.06% versus 55.00%, P<0.05). The rs10946398 of CDKAL1 was found to be
      associated with the increased risk of DR among patients with diabetes.
      CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that rs10946398 of CDKAL1 is independently
      associated with DR in a Chinese Han population.

PMID- 27275427
TI  - Infrared autofluorescence, short-wave autofluorescence and spectral-domain
      optical coherence tomography of optic disk melanocytomas.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the findings of infrared fundus autofluorescence (IR-AF) and
      spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in eyes with optic disc
      melanocytoma (ODM). METHODS: IR-AF findings and those of other ophthalmologic
      imaging examinations, including short-wave autofluorescence (SW-AF), fluorescein
      angiography (FA), fundus color photography, and SD-OCT of 8 eyes of 8 consecutive
      cases with ODM were assessed. RESULTS: The ODMs in all cases (100%) presented
      similar IR-AF, SW-AF, and FA findings. On IR-AF images, ODMs showed outstanding
      hyper-AF with well-defined outline. On SW-AF images, the area of ODMs presented
      as hypo-AF. FA images revealed the leaking retinal telangiectasia on the surface
      of the ODMs. On SD-OCT images in 8 cases (100%), the ODMs were sloped with highly
      reflective surface, which were disorganized retina and optic nerve layers. In 7
      cases (87.5%), peripapillary choroids were involved. The melanocytomas of 8 cases
      (100%) presented as optically empty spaces. Vitreous seeds were found in one case
      (12.5%). CONCLUSION: IR-AF imaging may provide a new modality to evaluate the
      pathologic features of ODMs, and together with SW-AF imaging, offers a new tool
      to study biological characteristics associated with ODMs. SD-OCT is a valuable
      tool in delimitating the tumor extension and providing morphological information
      about the adjacent retinal tissue.

PMID- 27275428
TI  - Axial length in unilateral idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the axial length (AXL) in unilateral idiopathic central serous
      chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This retrospective case-control study was
      comprised of a consecutive case series of 35 patients with acute unilateral
      idiopathic CSC, and age- and sex-matched 50 control eyes. AXL of both eyes of
      unilateral CSC patients and the control eyes were investigated. AXL was measured
      by ultrasonic biometry, and the adjusted AXL was calculated for CSC eyes as
      measured AXL plus differences of foveal thickness between CSC and normal fellow
      eyes in millimeters. The main outcome measures were comparison of AXL between
      CSC, fellow and control eyes. RESULTS: The mean age of 35 CSC patients was 45.5y,
      and 31 males were included. The adjusted AXL of CSC eyes was 23.52 mm, and the
      AXL of fellow eyes was 23.46 mm, and of control eyes 23.94 mm. The AXL of both
      CSC and fellow eyes were significantly shorter than control eyes (CSC vs control,
      P=0.044; fellow vs control, P=0.026). There was no statistically significant
      difference in AXL between CSC and fellow eyes. CONCLUSION: In unilateral
      idiopathic CSC, the AXL of CSC and fellow eyes are shorter than that of control
      eyes. Short AXL may be related with choroidal circulation abnormality in CSC.

PMID- 27275429
TI  - Increased melatonin levels in aqueous humor of patients with proliferative
      retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - AIM: To report the association between melatonin levels in aqueous humor and
      serum, and diabetic retinopathy (DR) grade in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS:
      Aqueous humor and plasma samples from 26 patients with DR (in nonproliferative
      and proliferative stages) and 14 control subjects were collected during cataract
      surgery after 6 p.m. Melatonin concentrations were determined using an enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Melatonin levels were significantly
      higher in the aqueous humor of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy
      (PDR) [18.57+/-2.67 pg/mL (range 15.20-23.06) vs 13.63+/-2.71 pg/mL (range 10.20
      20.20), P=0.0001], but not in those with nonproliferative retinopathy (NPDR)
      [13.79+/-2.56 pg/mL (range 9.80-20.10) vs 13.63+/-2.71 pg/mL (range 10.20-20.20),
      P=0.961] compared to controls. There was decrement in the plasma melatonin level
      of patients with PDR, but no significant differences between the plasma melatonin
      levels of the study groups [5.37+/-1.74 pg/mL (range 2.85-8.65) vs 6.11+/-1.90
      pg/mL (range 3.13-9.41), P=0.293], or between control and DR groups [NPDR 6.11+/
      1.90 pg/mL (range 3.13-9.41) vs control 6.15+/-1.91 pg/mL (range 2.18-9.86); PDR
      (5.37+/-1.74 pg/mL (range 2.85-8.65) vs control 6.15+/-1.91 pg/mL (range 2.18
      9.86), P=0.808, P=0.264]. CONCLUSION: Elevated melatonin levels in aqueous humor
      in PDR may indicate the level to be associated with DR severity.

PMID- 27275430
TI  - Choroidal thickness measurements with optical coherence tomography in branch
      retinal vein occlusion.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate central macular thickness (CMT) and mean choroidal thickness
      (MCT) in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), before and after
      ranibizumab treatment using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD
      OCT). METHODS: Forty-two patients with unilateral BRVO and macular edema were
      included in this study. There were 25 men and 17 women. Using SD-OCT, choroidal
      thickness was measured at 500 um intervals up to 1500 um temporal and nasal to
      the fovea. MCT was calculated based on the average of the 7 locations. All the
      eyes with BRVO were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 mL).
      Comparisons between the BRVO and fellow eyes were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U
      test. Pre-injection and post-injection measurements were analyzed using Wilcoxon
      test and repeated measure analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, there was a significant
      difference between the BRVO and fellow eyes in MCT [BRVO eyes 245 (165-330) um,
      fellow eyes 229 (157-327) um] and CMT [BRVO eyes 463 (266-899) um, fellow eyes
      235 (148-378) um (P=0.041, 0.0001, respectively)]. Following treatment, CMT [295
      (141-558) um] and MCT [229 (157-329) um] decreased significantly compared to the
      baseline measurements (P=0.001, 0.006, respectively). Also BCVA (logMAR) improved
      significantly (P=0.0001) in the BRVO eyes following treatment. After treatment
      CMT [BRVO eyes 295 (141-558) um, fellow eyes 234 (157-351) um] and MCT [BRVO eyes
      229 (157-329) um, fellow eyes 233 (162-286) um] values did not reveal any
      significant difference in BRVO eyes and fellow eyes (P=0.051, 0.824,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: In eyes with BRVO, CMT and MCT values are greater than
      the fellow eyes, and decrease significantly following ranibizumab injection.

PMID- 27275431
TI  - Clinical features and in vivo confocal microscopy assessment in 12 patients with
      ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.
AB  - AIM: To describe the clinical features and microstructural characteristics
      assessed by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in patients with ocular
      cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). METHODS: A descriptive, uncontrolled case series
      study. Patients diagnosed with OCP were examined by clinical history, slit-lamp
      biomicroscopy features and IVCM images. The results of direct immunofluorescence
      (DIF) biopsies and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) were also recorded. Local
      and systemic immunosuppressive therapy were administered and adjusted according
      to response. RESULTS: A total of 12 consecutive OCP patients (7 male, 5 female;
      mean age 60.42+/-10.39y) were recruited. All patients exhibited bilateral
      progressive conjunctival scarring and recurrent chronic conjunctivitis was the
      most frequent clinical pattern. The mean duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis
      of OCP was 2.95+/-2.85y (range: 5mo to 10y). The Foster classification varied
      from stage I to IV and 20 eyes (83%) were within or greater than Foster stage III
      on presentation. Two of the 12 patients (17%) demonstrated positive DIF; 3 of the
      12 (25%) patients reported positive IIF. The mean duration of the follow-up
      period was 20.17+/-11.88mo (range: 6 to 48mo). IVCM showed variable degrees of
      abnormality in the conjuctiva-cornea and conjuctival scarring was detected in all
      the involved eyes. Corneal stromal cell activation and dendritic cell
      infiltration presented as ocular surface inflammation, ocular surface
      keratinization along with the destroyed Vogt palisades was noted in eyes with
      potential limbal stem cell deficiency. After treatment, remission of ocular
      surface inflammation was achieved in all the patients, 18 eyes (75%) remained
      stable, 6 eyes (25%) had recurrent conjunctivitis and cicatrization in 2 eyes
      (8%) was progressing. CONCLUSION: As an autoimmune disease, OCP manifests as
      variable degrees of clinical and laboratory abnormalities with both local and
      systemic immunosuppressive treatment playing important roles in disease therapy.
      IVCM can be as a valuable non-invasive technique to assess ocular surface changes
      in a cellular level with a potential value for providing diagnostic evidence and
      monitoring therapeutic effects during follow-up.

PMID- 27275432
TI  - Ocular trauma treated with pars plana vitrectomy: early outcome report.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate demographic variables and visual outcomes, among patients with
      ocular injuries involving the posterior segment, managed with pars plana
      vitrectomy. METHODS: The records of patients were studied retrospectively from
      March to September 2010, to determine the age, gender, place of occurrence of
      trauma, visual acuity, anatomical site, nature of injury, wound length, the
      presence of an afferent pupillary defect, and the timing of vitrectomy. The
      Ocular Trauma Score was measured. The minimum follow-up from presentation was
      6mo. RESULTS: Ninety patients (77 males, 13 females), with a mean age of 32.7+/
      15.8y were included over the 6-month period. The majority of cases occurred in
      the workplace (47 patients), followed by home (14 patients). The mean visual
      acuity (logMAR) of patients significantly improved from 2.36+/-0.72
      preoperatively to 1.50+/-1.14 postoperatively. Twenty-three patients had
      preoperative vision better than 2.0 logMAR, the postoperative visual acuity was
      significantly better among these patients than patients with worse than 2.0
      logMAR (P<0.001). Visual improvement between groups with early vitrectomy (<7d)
      and delayed vitrectomy (>7d) was not significantly different (P=0.66).
      Postoperative visual acuity was not significantly different between patients with
      injury in Zone I and II (P=0.64), but patients with injury in Zone III had
      significantly poorer visual acuity (P=0.02). Patients with relative afferent
      pupillary defect had significantly poorer postoperative visual acuity (P=0.02).
      Preoperative visual acuity, the difference of preoperative and postoperative
      visual acuity, and postoperative visual acuity were significantly different
      between groups with different ocular trauma scores (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Trauma
      is more likely to occur in men under 40y of age and in the workplace. The
      favorable final visual outcome is associated with the absence of afferent
      pupillary defect, ocular trauma score and presenting visual acuity as well as the
      zone of injury, and not associated with the timing of vitrectomy.

PMID- 27275433
TI  - An overlooked effect of systemic anticholinergics: alteration on accommodation
      amplitude.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the effect of oral solifenacin succinate, tolterodine-L
      tartarate and oxybutinin hydrochloride (HCl) on accommodation amplitude. METHODS:
      Female overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) patients who were planned to use oral
      anticholinergics, patients that uses solifenacin succinate 5 mg (Group I, n=25),
      tolterodine-L-tartarate 4 mg (Group II, n=25), and oxybutinin HCl 5 mg b.i.d
      (Group III, n=25) and age matched healthy female subjects (Group IV, n=25) were
      recruited and complete ophthalmological examination and accommodation amplitude
      assessment were done at baseline and 4wk after initiation of treatment. RESULTS:
      The mean age of 100 consecutive female subjects was 51.6+/-5.7 (40-60)y and there
      were no statistically significant difference with regard to the mean age
      (P=0.107) and baseline accommodation amplitude (P=0.148) between study groups.
      All treatment groups showed a significant decrease in accommodation amplitude
      following a 4-week course of anticholinergic treatment (P=0.008 in Group I,
      P=0.002 in Group II, P=0.001 in Group III), but there was no statistically
      significant difference in Group IV (P=0.065). CONCLUSION: A 4-week course of oral
      anticholinergic treatment have statistically significant effect on accommodation
      amplitude. Clinicians should avoid both overestimating this result, as this would
      unnecessarily restrict therapeutic possibilities, and also underestimating it
      which may lead to drug intolerance.

PMID- 27275434
TI  - Binocular vision and abnormal head posture in children when watching television.
AB  - AIM: To determine the association between the binocular vision and an abnormal
      head posture (AHP) when watching television (TV) in children 7-14y of age.
      METHODS: Fifty normal children in the normal group and 52 children with an AHP
      when watching TV in the AHP group were tested for spherical equivalents, far and
      near fusional convergence (FC) and fusional divergence (FD) amplitudes, near
      point of convergence, far and near heterophoria, accommodative convergence/
      accommodation ratio and stereoacuity. The values of these tests were compared
      between the two groups. The independent t test was applied at a confidence level
      of 95%. RESULTS: The far and near FC amplitudes and far FD amplitudes were lower
      in the AHP group (the far FC amplitudes: break point 13.6+/-5.4(Delta), recovery
      point 8.7+/-5.4(Delta). The near FC amplitudes: break point 14.5+/-7.3(Delta),
      recovery point 10.3+/-5.1(Delta). The far FD amplitudes: break point 3.9+/
      2.7(Delta), recovery point 2.6+/-2.3(Delta)) compared with those in the normal
      group (the far FC amplitudes: break point 19.1+/-6.2(Delta), recovery point
      12.4+/-4.5(Delta). The near FC amplitudes: break point 22.3+/-8.0(Delta),
      recovery point 16.1+/-5.7(Delta). The far FD amplitudes: break point 7.0+/
      2.1(Delta), recovery point 4.6+/-1.9(Delta)). Other tests presented no
      statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: An association between the
      reduced FC and FD amplitudes and the AHP in children when watching TV is proposed
      in the study. This kind of AHP is considered to be an anomalous manifestation
      which appears in a part of puerile patients of fusional vergence dysfunction.

PMID- 27275435
TI  - Long-term assessment of prostaglandin analogs and timolol fixed combinations vs
      prostaglandin analogs monotherapy.
AB  - AIM: To draw a Meta-analysis over the comparison of the intraocular pressure
      (IOP)-lowering efficacy and safety between the commonly used fixed-combinations
      of prostaglandin analogs and 0.5% timolol with prostaglandin analogs (PGAs)
      monotherapy. METHODS: After searching the published reports from MEDLINE, EMBASE,
      the Cochrane Library, all randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) comparing
      the fixed combination of PGAs/timolol therapy (FCs) and PGAs monotherapy with
      treatment duration at least 6mo were included. The efficacy outcomes were mean
      diurnal IOP, percentage of participants whose IOP were lower than 18 mm Hg,
      incidence of visual field change, while the safety outcomes included corneal side
      effects, hyperemia and eye irritation. The analysis was carried out in RevMan
      version 5.3 software. RESULTS: After six-month medical intervention, the mean
      diurnal IOP of FCs was lower than PGAs (MD -1.14, 95% CI -1.82 to -0.46,
      P=0.001); the percentage of target IOP achieving between FCs and PGAs showed no
      significant difference (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.43, P=0.10). No statistically
      significant differences of the incidence of hyperemia (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45 to
      1.01, P=0.06) and eye irritation (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.51, P=0.12) between
      the FCs and PGAs monotherapy were detected. Only one research involved in corneal
      events, result of this trial revealed no difference between two intervention
      groups regarding corneal effects (central endothelial cell density, MD -0.20, 95%
      CI -0.72 to 0.32, P=0.45; central corneal thickness, MD -0.01, 95% CI -0.02 to
      0.00, P=0.23). The evaluation of visual field change was not performed due to the
      limited duration of the trials included in this Meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: The
      long-term efficacy of the FCs overweighed the PGAs monotherapy in lowering IOP,
      but in the incidence of hyperemia and eye irritation syndromes, the differences
      are not statically significant. More RCTs with detailed and authentic data over
      the assessments of visual functions and morphology of optic nerve heads are hoped
      to be conducted.

PMID- 27275436
TI  - Efficacy, safety, predictability, aberrations and corneal biomechnical parameters
      after SMILE and FLEx: Meta-analysis.
AB  - AIM: To identify possible differences of efficacy, safety, predictability, higher
      order aberrations and corneal biomechnical parameters after small-incision
      lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond lenticule extraction (FLEx).
      METHODS: A systematic literature retrieval was conducted in Medline, Embase and
      the Cochrane Library, up to October, 2015. The included studies were subject to a
      Meta-analysis. Comparison between SMILE and FLEx was measured as pooled odds
      ratio (OR) or weighted mean differences (WMD). Of 95% confidence intervals (CI)
      were used to analyze data. RESULTS: A total of seven studies were included.
      Firstly, there were no differences in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA)
      20/20 or better (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.69 to 2.69; P=0.37) and logMAR UDVA (WMD, 
      0.02; 95% CI, -0.05 to 0.01; P=0.17) after SMILE versus FLEx. We found no
      differences in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) unchanged (OR, 0.98; 95%
      CI, 0.46 to 2.11; P=0.97) and logMAR CDVA (WMD, -0.00; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.01;
      P=0.90) either. Secondly, we found no differences in refraction within +/-1.00 D
      (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.13 to 7.28; P=0.99) and +/-0.50 D (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.62 to
      4.28; P=0.33) of target postoperatively. Thirdly, for higher-order aberrations,
      we found no differences in the total higher-order aberrations (WMD, -0.04; 95%
      CI, -0.09 to 0.01; P=0.14), coma (WMD, -0.04; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.01; P=0.11),
      spherical (WMD, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.03; P=0.60) and trefoil (WMD, -0.00; 95%
      CI, -0.04 to 0.03; P=0.76). Furthermore, for corneal biomechanical parameters, we
      also found no differences (WMD, 0.08; 95% CI, -0.17 to 0.33; P=0.54) after SMILE
      versus FLEx. CONCLUSION: There are no statistically differences in efficacy,
      safety, predictability, higher-order aberrations and corneal biomechnical
      parameters postoperative between SMILE and FLEx.

PMID- 27275437
TI  - Unilateral visual impairment in rural south India-Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease
      Study (APEDS).
AB  - AIM: To report the prevalence and causes of unilateral visual impairment (UVI) in
      rural population of all ages in rural Andhra Pradesh, India. METHODS: A
      population-based cross sectional study using a multi-stage cluster sampling
      methodology was carried out in West Godavari, Adilabad and Mahbubnagar districts
      in south India. A comprehensive eye examination that included presenting and best
      corrected visual acuity and dilated fundus examination was conducted by trained
      professionals. UVI is defined as presenting visual acuity <6/18 in one eye but
      >=6/18 in other eye. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to test
      association of UVI with socio-demographic risk factors. RESULTS: Data were
      analyzed for 6634/7771 participants after excluding those with bilateral visual
      impairment. The mean age of the participants was 27.4y (standard deviation:
      17.9y), 51.9% were women and 49.1% were educated. The prevalence of UVI was 7.8%
      (95% CI: 7.2%-8.5%). Uncorrected refractive error (60.8%), cataract (17.4%) and
      retinal causes (6.6%) were the leading causes of UVI. On multiple logistic
      regression analyses, older age, not having education, living in well-off district
      had significantly higher odds of being associated with UVI. UVI was not
      associated with gender. CONCLUSION: UVI is common in rural south India. Most of
      it is due to cataract and refractive errors, both of which can be addressed at
      primary and secondary levels of eye care. Burden of UVI should also be considered
      in planning eye care services.

PMID- 27275440
TI  - Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide: a "real world" analysis of visual acuity,
      pressure and outcomes.

PMID- 27275441
TI  - Hydration with Cefuroxime-a method for sealing a small leaking corneal
      perforation.

PMID- 27275438
TI  - Molecular underpinnings of corneal angiogenesis: advances over the past decade.
AB  - The cornea is maintained in an avascular state by maintaining an environment
      whereby anti-angiogenic factors take the upper hand over factors promoting
      angiogenesis. Many of the common pathologies affecting the cornea involve the
      disruption of such equilibrium and the shift towards new vessel formation,
      leading to corneal opacity and eventually-vision loss. Therefore it is of
      paramount importance that the molecular underpinnings of corneal
      neovascularization (CNV) be clearly understood, in order to develop better
      targeted treatments. This article is a review of the literature on the recent
      discoveries regarding pro-angiogenic factors of the cornea (such as vascular
      endothelial growth factors, fibroblast growth factor and matrix
      metalloproteinases) and anti-angiogenic factors of the cornea (such as
      endostatins and neostatins). Further, we review the molecular underpinnings of
      lymphangiogenesis, a process now known to be almost separate from (yet related
      to) hemangiogenesis. 

PMID- 27275442
TI  - Homozygosity mapping of a consanguineous Pakistani family affected with
      oculocutaneous albinism to Tyrosinase gene.

PMID- 27275439
TI  - Ocular diseases: immunological and molecular mechanisms.
AB  - Many factors, such as environmental, microbial and endogenous stress, antigen
      localization, can trigger the immunological events that affect the ending of the
      diverse spectrum of ocular disorders. Significant advances in understanding of
      immunological and molecular mechanisms have been researched to improve the
      diagnosis and therapy for patients with ocular inflammatory diseases. Some kinds
      of ocular diseases are inadequately responsive to current medications; therefore,
      immunotherapy may be a potential choice as an alternative or adjunctive
      treatment, even in the prophylactic setting. This article first provides an
      overview of the immunological and molecular mechanisms concerning several typical
      and common ocular diseases; second, the functions of immunological roles in some
      of systemic autoimmunity will be discussed; third, we will provide a summary of
      the mechanisms that dictate immune cell trafficking to ocular local
      microenvironment in response to inflammation. 

PMID- 27275443
TI  - An update to monocanalicular stent surgery.

PMID- 27275444
TI  - Selected current data on metronomic therapy (and its promise) from India.

PMID- 27275445
TI  - An audit of the results of a triplet metronomic chemotherapy regimen
      incorporating a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in recurrent/metastatic head and neck
      cancers patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Addition of erlotinib to metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) may lead to
      further improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival in
      head and neck cancers. The aim of this study was to study the PFS with MCT +
      erlotinib combination in our setting. METHODS: A single-arm prospective
      observational study conducted at Malabar Cancer Center. Patients warranting
      palliative chemotherapy for head and neck cancers, having adequate organ
      function, not-affording cetuximab and not willing for intravenous chemotherapy
      were included in this study. Oral methotrexate (15 mg/m(2)/week), oral celecoxib
      (200 mg twice daily), and erlotinib (150 mg once daily) were administered till
      the progression of the disease or till intolerable side-effects. Patients
      underwent toxicity (CTCAE version 4.02) and response (RECIST version 1.1)
      assessment every 30 days. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version
      16 (IBM, New York, USA). Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier analysis have
      been performed. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients received MCT. The median age of
      these patients was 65 years (range: 48-80). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology
      Group Performance Status was 0-1 in seven patients (46.7%), while it was 2 in
      eight patients (53.3%). The primary sites of tumor were predominantly oral
      cavity, 11 (73.4%). Prior to MCT, treatment with palliative radiation therapy was
      given in 11 patients and curative treatment in two patients. The best response
      post-MCT was complete remission in two patients, partial remission in seven
      patients, stable disease in four patients, and progressive disease in two
      patients. The median estimated PFS was 148 days (95% confidence interval 95.47
      200.52 days). For a median follow-up of 181 days, there were only three deaths.
      Grade 3-4 toxicity was seen in six patients (40%). Dose reduction was required in
      four patients (26.7%). CONCLUSION: The addition of erlotinib to an MCT schedule
      of methotrexate and celecoxib resulted in a promising PFS and should be tested in
      future studies.

PMID- 27275446
TI  - Outcome of operable oral cavity cancer and impact of maintenance metronomic
      chemotherapy: A retrospective study from rural India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral cavity cancer is the most common cancer among rural India. There
      is a paucity of data for outcomes of operable oral cavity cancer from rural
      India. Use of maintenance metronomic may delay or avoid relapse. AIM: To evaluate
      outcomes of operable oral cavity carcinoma and evaluate impact of maintenance
      metronomic chemotherapy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate disease-free survival (DFS),
      overall survival (OS), and factors affecting the outcome in operable oral cavity
      cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of patients diagnosed with oral cavity cancer
      registered between May 2008 and May 2014 were retrieved. Only those patients with
      operable oral cavity cancer and upfront definitive surgery were included in the
      study. Demographic profile, stage, tobacco consumption, adjuvant therapy, and
      pattern of failure were collected. Kaplan-Meir survival analysis was used to
      determine DFS and OS. Log-rank test was used to evaluate factors affecting
      outcome. RESULTS: Median follow-up is 24 months. Out of 335 patients, 225 (67%)
      had advanced operable cancer with 42/225 (18%) and 183/225 (82%) as Stages III
      and IVA, respectively. Buccal mucosa was the most common subsite (178/335, 53%)
      followed by tongue (63/335, 19%). Ninety-two percent patients were addicted to
      smokeless tobacco, whereas 27% were smokers. Median DFS is 13 months with 2 years
      relative DFS 32%. Median OS is 30 months, with 2 years OS of 54%. Metronomic
      adjuvant oral chemotherapy was given in 130/225 (58%); Stage III and IVA patients
      with median of 14 months (3-18 months). Use of metronomic chemotherapy improved
      DFS (8 vs. 14 months, P = 0.22) and OS (14 vs. 26 months, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION:
      Oral cavity cancer is a major health care problem in rural India. Presentation at
      advanced stage leads to suboptimal outcomes. Benefit of metronomic maintenance
      chemotherapy in locally advanced oral cavity needs to be further evaluated
      prospectively.

PMID- 27275447
TI  - Metronomic palliative chemotherapy in maxillary sinus tumor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metronomic chemotherapy consisting of methotrexate and celecoxib
      recently has shown promising results in multiple studies in head and neck
      cancers. However, these studies have not included patients with maxillary sinus
      primaries. Hence, the role of palliative metronomic chemotherapy in patients with
      maxillary sinus carcinoma that is not amenable to radical therapy is unknown.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of carcinoma maxillary sinus patients
      who received palliative metronomic chemotherapy between August 2011 and August
      2014. The demographic details, symptomatology, previous treatment details,
      indication for palliative chemotherapy, response to therapy, and overall survival
      (OS) details were extracted. SPSS version 16 was used for analysis. Descriptive
      statistics have been performed. Survival analysis was done by Kaplan-Meier
      method. RESULTS: Five patients had received metronomic chemotherapy. The median
      age was 60 years (range 37-64 years). The proportion of patients surviving at 6
      months, 12 months, and 18 months were 40%, 40%, and 20%, respectively. The
      estimated median OS was 126 days (95% confidence interval 0-299.9 days). The
      estimated median survival in patients with an event-free period after the last
      therapy of <6 months was 45 days, whereas it was 409 days in patients with an
      event-free period postlast therapy above 6 months (P = 0.063). CONCLUSION:
      Metronomic chemotherapy in carcinoma maxillary sinus holds promise. It has
      activity similar to that seen in head and neck cancers and needs to be evaluated
      further in a larger cohort of patients.

PMID- 27275448
TI  - Outcomes of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer with integration of metronomic
      chemotherapy: An Indian rural cancer centre experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel-platinum and optimal cytoreductive surgery are the
      standard of care for ovarian carcinoma. Poor socioeconomic profile and
      therapeutic constraints in rural India poses a therapeutic challenge. AIM: To
      evaluate outcomes of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. OBJECTIVES: To calculate
      disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and factors affecting
      outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of patients diagnosed as ovarian carcinoma
      registered between March 2009 and March 2014 were retrieved. Demographic profile,
      chemotherapy and response, surgery, and disease progression were collected.
      Patients who underwent surgery or completed three cycles of chemotherapy were
      selected. Kaplan-Meir survival was used to determine disease-free and OS. Log
      rank test used to evaluate factors affecting outcome. RESULTS: Median follow-up
      is 26 months. 93/102 patients (91%) underwent cytoreductive surgery, of which 37
      had primary cytoreduction (40%) while 56 had interval cytoreduction. 21/93 (23%),
      57/93 (61%), and 15/93 (16%) patients were operated by local surgeons, surgeons
      of our hospital, and trained oncosurgeons, respectively. Induction paclitaxel
      platinum was used in 35/63 (56%) patients while 28/63 patients (44%) received
      neoadjuvant metronomic chemotherapy. Median DFS and OS are 17 and 54 months
      respectively while 3 year OS of 66%. Median DFS of patients operated by
      oncosurgeons versus local surgeons were 22 months versus 15 months (P = 0.01), OS
      was 54 versus 26 months (P = 0.01).40/88 (45%) patients received maintenance
      metronomic therapy after adjuvant chemotherapy with median of 6 months (range 2
      18 months). Patients receiving metronomic maintenance had better DFS, 18 months
      versus 15 months (P = 0.69). CONCLUSION: Induction therapy in ovarian carcinoma
      helps in selecting patients for cytoreductive surgery. Outcomes are better if
      operated by trained oncosurgeons. Maintenance metronomic has potential to delay
      disease progression.

PMID- 27275449
TI  - Bromide contamination in rice, cancer risk for consumer.

PMID- 27275450
TI  - Tolerance of weekly metronomic paclitaxel and carboplatin as neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer patients who are unlikely to tolerate 3
      weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There are little data regarding safety and effectiveness of
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients who are considered unfit for
      receiving 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin. The aim of this study was to
      examine the toxicity and response rates of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin as
      NACT in such cohort of patients. METHODS: Study population included advanced
      ovarian cancer patients who were unlikely to tolerate 3 weekly paclitaxel and
      carboplatin and hence received weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin AUC
      2 as NACT. The data regarding the baseline characteristics, chemotherapy
      tolerance, completion rates, toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse
      Events version 4.02), and radiological response rates are presented. SPSS version
      16 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics is presented. RESULTS: Eleven
      patients received this schedule. Nine patients completed nine cycles of NACT.
      Except one, all patients completed NACT with an average relative dose intensity
      of >0.8. There was no chemotherapy-related mortality. Grade 3-4 life-threatening
      complications were seen in two patients. The post NACT response rate was 100%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy is safe and
      efficacious in patients who are unsuitable for 3 weekly paclitaxel and
      carboplatin chemotherapy schedules.

PMID- 27275451
TI  - Micrometastases in axillary nodes: Out of the reckoning?

PMID- 27275452
TI  - Weekly paclitaxel as metronomic palliative chemotherapy in small cell lung
      cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Topotecan is the standard second line agent used in relapsed small
      cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the erratic availability and the cost of the
      drug has been a prohibitive factor for its use in second-line setting in India.
      Paclitaxel has shown antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with SCLC.
      Hence, this audit was performed to study the efficacy of weekly paclitaxel as a
      form of metronomic therapy in the second-line setting in SCLC. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Fifty-seven patients of relapsed SCLC who presented to the thoracic
      medical oncology unit of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai between January 2011 and
      December 2015 were selected for this analysis. Weekly paclitaxel at a dose of 80
      mg/m(2) was administered until progression or development of intolerable side
      effects or patient refusal. Data regarding baseline demographics, previous
      treatment history, response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival
      (OS), and toxicity to weekly paclitaxel was extracted from a prospectively
      maintained database in the thoracic medical oncology unit and was analyzed using
      SPSS version 16 (IBM, New York, USA). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was
      performed. RESULTS: Median age of the cohort was 58 years (40-77 years).
      Etoposide with carboplatin was the regimen used in 40 patients (70.2%) whereas
      the remaining 17 patients received etoposide with cisplatin (29.8%). Eastern
      Cooperative Oncology Group performance status at relapse was 1 in 3 (5.3%), 2 in
      49 (86.0%), and 3 in 5 (8.7%) patients. The response rate and clinical benefit
      rate were 9.1% (5 patients) and 52.7% (29 patients), respectively. Grade 3-4
      toxicities were seen in 10.5% (6 patients). The median PFS was 145 days (95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 116.6-173.5 days) whereas the median OS was 168 days
      (95% CI: 112.5-223.5 days). CONCLUSION: Weekly paclitaxel as a second line agent
      in relapsed small cell cancer of the lung is a feasible and well-tolerated agent.

PMID- 27275453
TI  - Metronomic therapy with oral 6-mercaptopurine in elderly acute myeloid leukemia:
      A prospective pilot study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly patients differs
      biologically from that in younger patients and is known to have unfavorable
      chromosomal rearrangements, higher resistance, and lower tolerance to
      chemotherapy. In such circumstances, instead of giving full-blown chemotherapy,
      palliative metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) could be a treatment option. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: We performed a prospective pilot study of old AML patients (age >60
      years) not amenable to curative treatment. Thirty-two patients were enrolled into
      the study and were treated with daily oral 6-mercaptopurine 75 mg/m(2). The
      following inclusion criteria were used: age >60 years, nonpromyelocytic AML, the
      absence of uncontrolled comorbidities, and patient not amenable to curative
      treatment. Overall survival (OS) was calculated using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox
      regression analysis were used to calculate the hazards ratio of significant
      factors. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 69 years (range: 61-86
      years) with male: female ratio of 2.5:1. About 59.4% of patients had Eastern
      Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 while rest had the status of
      3. The median OS was 6 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4-7.6). Males had
      median OS of 7 months (95% CI: 5.4-8.6) versus females with OS of 3 months (95%
      CI: 1.5-4.4; P = 0.008). There was no survival difference on the basis of
      baseline hemoglobin or French-American-British class. There were no Grade 4
      toxicities and no episode of febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: MCT with oral 6
      mercaptopurine is an attractive treatment option in elderly AML patients who are
      not amenable to curative therapy with minimal toxicities.

PMID- 27275454
TI  - Evaluation of p16 hypermethylation in oral submucous fibrosis: A quantitative and
      comparative analysis in buccal cells and saliva using real-time methylation
      specific polymerase chain reaction.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study was to quantitatively investigate the
      hypermethylation of p16 gene in buccal cells and saliva of oral submucous
      fibrosis (OSMF) patients using real-time quantitative methylation-specific
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to compare the values of two methods.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 120 samples were taken from 60 subjects selected
      for this study, of which 30 were controls and 30 patients were clinically and
      histopathologically diagnosed with OSMF. In both groups, two sets of samples were
      collected, one directly from the buccal cells through cytobrush technique and the
      other through salivary rinse. We analyzed the samples for the presence of p16
      hypermethylation using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: In OSMF, the
      hypermethylation status of p16 in buccal cells was very high (93.3%) and in
      salivary samples, it was partially methylated (50%). However, no hypermethylation
      was found in controls suggesting that significant quantity of p16
      hypermethylation was present in buccal cells and saliva in OSMF. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study indicates that buccal cell sampling may be a better method for
      evaluation than the salivary samples. It signifies that hypermethylation of p16
      is an important factor to be considered in epigenetic alterations of normal cells
      to oral precancer, i.e. OSMF.

PMID- 27275455
TI  - Limitations of cytological cervical cancer screening (Papanicolaou test)
      regarding technical and cultural aspect in rural India.

PMID- 27275456
TI  - Long term results of comparison of concurrent low-dose daily cisplatin versus the
      standard weekly cisplatin with six fractions per week radiotherapy in locally
      advanced head neck cancer.
AB  - AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Weekly administration of cisplatin (cis
      diamminedichloroplatinum [CDDP]) appears more feasible and substantially more
      popular than the 3 weekly schedules due to better compliance. Different
      concurrent cisplatin schedules have been attempted including a daily schedule. We
      did a comparison of two consecutive single arm studies, i.e., use of weekly
      cisplatin versus daily cisplatin when used with concurrently with a moderately
      accelerated radiotherapy (RT) schedule. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two prospective
      feasibility, safety and efficacy studies were carried out consecutively within
      the department. The weekly CDDP study was done from August 2003 to August 2005
      and daily CDDP study was conducted from November 2005 to June 2007. Both studies
      included locally advanced stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head
      and neck region with RT dose of 70 Gy. Concurrent single-agent cisplatin was
      administered weekly (35 mg/m(2)) in the first and daily (6 mg/m(2)) in the second
      study. RESULTS: Weekly cisplatin study had 68 and daily CDDP study had 52
      patients. The median follow-up in the two studies was 93 and 63 months,
      respectively. Compliance in the two studies was comparable. Acute Grade III/IV
      mucositis and dysphagia were significantly higher in weekly cisplatin study. Late
      Grade II/III toxicities such as xerostomia, dysphagia, ototoxicity and
      nephrotoxicity were similar. The 5 years locoregional control was 18% and 25% and
      5 years overall survival rate was 32% and 31% in weekly and daily cisplatin
      studies, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Modest acceleration along with either weekly
      or daily cisplatin, whichever is possible in one's setup, is do-able, provided
      due attention is paid to patient selection and supportive care.

PMID- 27275457
TI  - Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy
      Syndrome following Rituximab Therapy.
AB  - The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab is associated with rare but
      significant adverse events, notably posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
      (PRES) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We report a case of
      concomitant ARDS and PRES developing after rituximab therapy for treatment of
      cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis. There are 7 reported cases of PRES complicating
      rituximab use. PRES onset varied from immediate to 21 days after administration.
      All patients recovered completely, and rituximab was reintroduced in half of the
      cases. The occurrence of ARDS in association with rituximab is rarer. Only 3
      confirmed cases exist, and ARDS may occur as a delayed reaction. 

PMID- 27275458
TI  - Hormonal control of the metabolic machinery of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most fatal malignancies worldwide.
      It is an aggressive cancer with low cure rate, frequent metastasis, and highly
      resistant to conventional chemotherapies. Better knowledge regarding the
      molecular and metabolic alterations in HCC will be instrumental to the
      development of novel therapeutic interventions against HCC. In the August 2015
      issue of Hepatology, Nie et al. reports an important molecular pathway that
      contributes to the Warburg Effect in HCC. They have beautifully demonstrated that
      the loss of a component of a hormonal system, the mineralocorticoid receptor
      (MR), reprogrammed the metabolic machinery of HCC cells to aerobic glycolysis
      through the miR-338-3p-PKL/R axis. The implication could be that in addition to
      drugs that directly target the metabolic enzymes in cancer cells, more
      translational efforts could be focused on the development of drugs that involve
      the activation of the MR-aldosterone system or other hormonal systems to target
      the Warburg effect. 

PMID- 27275459
TI  - Circulating microRNAs for early detection of hepatitis B-related hepatocellular
      carcinoma.

PMID- 27275460
TI  - STAT3 is a key transcriptional regulator of cancer stem cell marker CD133 in HCC.
AB  - Cancer stem cell (CSC) marker CD133 was found to be upregulated in many cancers
      including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanism of
      CD133 regulation in the liver tumor microenvironment has remained elusive. In
      this study Won and colleagues report that interleukin-6 (IL-6) mediated signal
      transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) signaling and hypoxia
      enhance the expression of CD133 and promote the progression of HCC. 

PMID- 27275461
TI  - In vitro three dimensional culture of hepatocellular carcinoma to measure
      prognosis and responsiveness to chemotherapeutic agents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) informs
      plans for care. Tumor morphology and molecular markers have been correlated with
      outcomes. Three-dimensional tissue culture (3DTC) allows for direct in vitro
      measurement of a tumor's ability to grow and metastasize. The impact of
      chemotherapeutic agents, alone or in combinations, may also be measured. METHODS:
      All patients with a presumed diagnosis of HCC were eligible for this study
      including those undergoing resection, chemoembolization and transplantation.
      Concomitant diseases and outcomes were recorded. One mm(3) HCC specimens were
      grown in multiwell plates containing gel media, without and with chemotherapeutic
      agents. RESULTS: Tumors were sampled from 17 patients. Only 13 had HCC, all of
      whom had liver transplantation. Of the confirmed HCC patients, 6 (46%) are alive
      and disease free 82 months following transplantation, 1 (7%) is alive with
      recurrence of disease and 6 (46%) died, with a mean survival of 12 months post
      liver transplant. Ten of thirteen 3DTC samples grew, having an average migration
      distance of 108.3um in the first 24 hours. Two of three patients who had prior
      chemoembolization had successful 3DTC. Migration distances (um) were 188.8+/
      104.3, 104.5+/-111.7 and 39.6+/-32.4 for tumors categorized as high, intermediate
      and low grade, respectively. Tumor migration was inhibited by irinotecan,
      paclitaxel and docetaxel (-68%+/-7%, -61%+/-19% and -60%+/-21%, respectively)
      whereas the effect was variable with 5 fluorouracil (5FU) and doxorubicin (-12%+/
      51% and 9%+/-76%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to grow tissue from
      HCC in 3DTC to study the tumor's capacity to grow and migrate and its
      responsiveness to commonly used chemotherapeutic protocols.

PMID- 27275462
TI  - Ophthalmological side effects of interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis C.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Egypt has one of the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV)
      worldwide. Ophthalmological side effects are recognized complications of
      interferon (IFN) therapy. This study aimed to evaluate IFN-induced
      ophthalmological manifestations in patients receiving PEGylated interferon (PEG
      IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) and to assess the effect of IFN duration, response and
      systemic risk factors on the severity. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 100
      patients with chronic HCV who were candidates for PEG-IFN and RBV therapy. All
      patients were subjected to clinical and ophthalmological examination, laboratory
      investigations, abdominal ultrasound, colored fundus photography and fundus
      fluorescein angiography, follow up was made at weeks 12, 24, and 48 of treatment.
      RESULTS: IFN-induced retinopathy had been found in (9/100; 9%), 5 (5/9; 55.5%) of
      them had bilateral lesions, (3/9; 33.3%) were treatment responders and (6/9;
      66.6%) non responders. The time of retinopathy appearance was mainly at W12.
      Retinopathy was asymptomatic in most of the affected patients (7/9; 77.77%) and
      reversible, cotton wool spots was the major associated sign. Patients with older
      age, DM and or HTN, and non-responders to antiviral therapy were associated with
      more severe retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Retinopathy is not a rare complication of
      IFN therapy for chronic HCV infection, but fortunately it's asymptomatic and
      reversible. Ophthalmological assessment at base-line and at follow up during IFN
      treatment is very important.

PMID- 27275463
TI  - Hypophosphatemia and recovery of post-hepatectomy liver insufficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypophosphatemia (HP) is frequent following liver resection, and
      thought to represent use of phosphate during liver regeneration. We sought to
      evaluate the association of post-hepatectomy HP with liver insufficiency and
      recovery. METHODS: Liver resections were retrospectively reviewed from 2009 to
      2012 at a single institution. We explored the relationship between HP (defined as
      serum phosphate <=0.65 mmol/L), occurrence of initial liver insufficiency (ILI)
      [bilirubin >50 umol/L, international normalized ratio (INR) >1.7 within 72 hours
      of surgery] and in-hospital recovery of ILI. Secondary outcomes included 30-day
      post-operative major morbidity (Clavien grade 3 and 4 complications), mortality,
      and re-admission. RESULTS: Among 402 patients, 223 (55.5%) experienced HP and 64
      (15.9%) met our definition of ILI, of which 53 (82.8%) recovered. Length of stay,
      30-day post-operative major morbidity, mortality, and re-admission were similar
      between patients with and without HP. Among patients with ILI, 44 (68.8%)
      experienced HP. Following ILI, patients with HP recovered more often than those
      with NP (90.9% vs. 65.0%; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In patients who experience post
      hepatectomy ILI, HP is associated with improved recovery, potentially indicating
      more efficient liver regeneration. Further studies should explore the usefulness
      of post-hepatectomy HP as an early prognostic factor of recovery from ILI.

PMID- 27275464
TI  - Radiofrequency and microwave ablation in combination with transarterial
      chemoembolization induce equivalent histopathologic coagulation necrosis in
      hepatocellular carcinoma patients bridged to liver transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bridging therapy plays an increasingly important role in the
      management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) awaiting liver
      transplantation (LT). Combination therapy with drug-eluting bead transarterial
      chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and percutaneous thermal ablation, such as
      radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA), has shown success at
      prolonging survival and bridging patients to LT. However, few studies have
      evaluated the two combination therapy regimens head-to-head at a single
      institution, and fewer have compared histopathology. This retrospective study
      compares tumor coagulation on explanted livers in patients with HCC treated with
      DEB-TACE sequentially combined with RFA versus MWA. METHODS: From 2005 to 2015,
      42 sequential patients underwent combination therapy prior to LT by Milan
      criteria, with 11 patients (11 tumors; mean, 2.9 cm; range, 1.8-4.3 cm) in the
      DEB-TACE/RFA cohort and 31 patients (40 tumors; mean, 2.4 cm; range, 1.1-5.4 cm)
      in the DEB-TACE/MWA cohort. The mean TACE procedures in the RFA and MWA cohorts
      were 1.3 (range, 1-2) and 1.3 (range, 1-3), respectively. The mean thermal
      ablations in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 1.2 (range, 1-2) and 1.3 (range, 1-3),
      respectively. Tumor coagulation was evaluated on explanted livers. RESULTS: Mean
      tumor coagulation in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 88.9% (range, 0-100%) and 90.5%
      (range, 30-100%), respectively (P=0.82). Rates of complete tumor coagulation in
      the RFA and MWA cohorts were 45% and 53%, respectively (P=0.74). No difference in
      tumor coagulation was found between the cohorts when separating tumors <3 cm
      (P=0.21) and >3 cm (P=0.09). Among all 51 tumors, the 36 in complete response
      (CR) on imaging at LT demonstrated mean tumor coagulation of 95.8%. No
      correlation was found between tumor coagulation and initial tumor size or time
      interval to LT. No tumor seeding was seen along the ablation tracts. CONCLUSIONS:
      RFA and MWA in sequential combination with DEB-TACE, used as a bridge to LT, are
      equally efficacious at inducing HCC tumor coagulation.

PMID- 27275465
TI  - Societal reintegration following cadaveric orthotopic liver transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies on patients' societal reintegration following orthotopic
      liver transplantation (OLT) are scarce. METHODS: Between September 2006 and
      January 2008, all adults who were alive after 3 years post OLT were included in
      this prospective cohort study. Validated questionnaires were administered to all
      candidates with the primary aim of investigating the rate of their social re
      integration following OLT and potential barriers they might have encountered.
      RESULTS: Among 157 eligible patients 110 (70%) participated. Mean participants'
      age was 57 years (SD 11.4) and 43% were females. Prior to OLT, 75% of patients
      were married and 6% were divorced. Following OLT there was no significant
      difference in marital status. Employment rate fell from 72% to 30% post-OLT.
      Patients who had been employed in either low-skill or advanced-skill jobs were
      less likely to return to work. After OLT, personal income fell an average of
      4,363 Canadian dollars (CAN$) (SD 20,733) (P=0.03) but the majority of recipients
      (80%) reported high levels of satisfaction for their role in society.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although patients' satisfaction post-OLT is high, employment status
      is likely to be negatively affected for individuals who are not self-employed.
      Strategies to assist recipients in returning to their pre-OLT jobs should be
      developed to improve patients' economical status and societal ability to recoup
      resources committed for OLT.

PMID- 27275466
TI  - Laparoscopic long sleeve pancreaticogastrostomy (LPG): a novel pancreatic
      anastomosis following central pancreatectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Central pancreatectomy (CP) is preferred to distal pancreatectomy
      (DP) for the excision of benign tumours at the neck or body of the pancreas, in
      order to preserve pancreatic function and the spleen. However, the
      pancreaticoenterostomy is technically difficult to perform laparoscopically and
      the postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) rate is high. METHODS: A novel
      laparoscopic reconstruction of the pancreatic stump during CP is described, the
      laparoscopic long sleeve pancreaticogastrostomy (LPG). RESULTS: Two males and two
      females with a median age of 49 years had a laparoscopic CP with LPG. After a
      median follow-up of 27.5 months, there was no mortality. One patient had a grade
      A POPF, managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: The LPG is a safe and technically
      less demanding method to reconstruct pancreatic drainage laparoscopically.

PMID- 27275467
TI  - Losartan may inhibit the progression of liver fibrosis in chronic HCV patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abundant experimental evidence indicates overproduction of
      angiotensin II in the injured liver, and a role in stimulation of hepatic
      stellate cell (HSC) activation and fibrogenesis thereby, representing an
      attractive antifibrotic target. The aim of this study was to examine the
      antifibrotic effect of losartan on histopathologic level in chronic HCV patients.
      METHODS: A prospective study on fifty patients with chronic HCV and liver
      fibrosis proved by liver biopsy was conducted. They included patients who did not
      respond (n=36) or comply (n=2) or receive therapy due to established cirrhosis
      (n=10), or refused to receive (n=2) combined interferon and ribavirin therapy.
      They were divided randomly into 2 groups. The 1(st) group (n=25) was given
      losartan 50 mg OD for 1 year and the 2(nd) group (25 patients) was given
      silymarin, 140 mg t.i.d., (silymarin group). Liver biopsy was done at baseline
      and 1 year from the onset of treatment (end of study). RESULTS: In the second
      liver biopsy after 1 year, the decrease in fibrosis stage was significantly
      different between losartan group and silymarin group (a decrease of 1.88+/-0.96
      (50.9%) vs. 0.45+/-0.93 (11.7%), respectively; P<0.01). In patients treated with
      losartan, regression in fibrosis stage was observed in 14/16 patients vs. 2/11 in
      silymarin group (P<0.01). No differences were observed in inflammation grades in
      both groups. A significant increase in albumin and prothrombin levels and a
      decrease in systolic blood pressure were found in losartan but not in silymarin
      group (P=0.009, 0.001 & 0.018 respectively and P=0.158, 0.603 & 0.288,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Histopathological scores showed that losartan had an
      inhibitory effect on progression and even led to regression of fibrosis stage but
      had no effect on the grade of inflammation.

PMID- 27275469
TI  - Spontaneous bilateral adrenal hemorrhage following cholecystectomy.
AB  - Postoperative bilateral adrenal hemorrhage is a rare but potentially life
      threatening complication. This diagnosis is often missed because the symptoms and
      laboratory results are usually nonspecific. We report a case of bilateral adrenal
      hemorrhage associated with acute primary adrenal insufficiency following
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The knowledge of this uncommon complication
      following any abdominal surgery allows timey diagnosis and rapid treatment. 

PMID- 27275468
TI  - Preoperative body mass index-to-prognostic nutritional index ratio predicts
      pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Estimating or scoring the risk of post-operative pancreatic fistula
      (POPF) may help with selection of high-risk patients and individualized patient
      consent. However, there are no simple and reliable preoperative predictors of
      POPF used in daily clinical practice. METHODS: We investigated the utility of
      body mass index-to-prognostic nutritional index (BMI/PNI) ratio as a preoperative
      marker to predict the development of POPF in 87 patients undergoing
      pancreaticoduodenectomy. RESULTS: The overall incidence of clinical (grade B/C)
      POPF was 17% (15 of 87 patients). Among various pre-, intra-, and post-operative
      variables analyzed, higher BMI and lower PNI were identified as independent
      predictors for POPF by multivariate analysis. We therefore investigated BMI/PNI
      ratio as a preoperative predictor for POPF. BMI/PNI ratio was significantly
      higher in patients with POPF than in those without POPF (0.54 vs. 0.45,
      P=0.0007). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated
      a fair capability of BMI/PNI ratio to predict the occurrence of POPF (area under
      the ROC curve 0.781). With a cut-off value of 0.5, the sensitivity, specificity,
      and diagnostic accuracy of BMI/PNI ratio to predict POPF was 73%, 74%, and 74%,
      respectively. In particular, when restricted to a subgroup of elderly (>=75 years
      old) male patients, the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of
      BMI/PNI ratio was 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The BMI/PNI
      ratio is a simple preoperative marker to predict the occurrence of POPF after
      pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PMID- 27275470
TI  - An unusual case of adrenocortical carcinoma with liver metastasis that occurred
      at 23 years after surgery.
AB  - Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon and aggressive cancer occurring
      more frequently in women; local or distant recurrences occur in 80% of cases,
      typically within 1 year after curative resection. Liver is the preferred
      metastatic site. Herein, we report the case of a unique liver metastasis from ACC
      occurring 23 years after the curative prior tumor surgery. A 45-year-old woman
      was operated in 1991 for adrenocortical stage II without microvascular
      involvement or capsular infiltration. At that time, no adjuvant treatment was
      indicated. The initial surgery consisted on a left adrenalectomy with
      contemporaneous left nephrectomy and regional lymphadenectomy. Five years after
      surgery, the patient was considered cured. However, 23 years later, the patient
      presented an atypical right subcostal pain. A 4 cm liver ACC metastasis involving
      the segment 4 and initially diagnosed as a hemangioma was discovered. A curative
      resection of the segment 4 was performed. Final pathological examination
      confirmed the diagnosis of ACC metastasis with a complete R0 resection; no lymph
      node metastases were observed. This case is the latest metachronous ACC
      metastasis ever reported in literature. To date, the patient is alive with no
      signs of recurrence after a post-surgical follow-up of 13 months. 

PMID- 27275471
TI  - The veno-venous bypass in liver transplantation: an unfinished product.
AB  - Veno-venous bypass (VVB) using a patent para-umbilical vein during liver
      transplantation (LT) has not been reported previously. Here, we report the
      decompression of the porto-mesenteric compartment via a patent para-umbilical
      vein in a patient needing a VVB during LT. Pre-transplant CT-scan showed a large
      patent para-umbilical vein. A femoro-axillary percutaneous VVB was installed
      prior to abdominal opening to decompress massive collateral veins in the
      abdominal wall. The para-umbilical vein was stapled and its proximal end was
      cannulated and connected to the VVB. The severe atrophy of the native liver
      allowed to place the whole liver graft in the "liver fossa" while maintaining the
      native liver pulled toward the left side and connected to the VVB. This maneuver
      maintained splanchnic venous decompression during latero-lateral cavo-caval
      anastomosis. The "portal" cannula was clamped and removed. The native portal vein
      was clamped and divided. Standard portal, arterial, and biliary reconstructions
      were then performed. A patent para-umbilical vein, present in one third of
      patients with portal hypertension could be used whenever VVB is indicated during
      LT in this setting. 

PMID- 27275473
TI  - Dr. Matteo Donadon: the status of hepatic resection in Italy.

PMID- 27275472
TI  - Spontaneous erosion of peripancreatic catheter into the duodenum: an unforeseen
      complication of percutaneous drainage.

PMID- 27275474
TI  - Prognostic factors for long term survival in patients with advanced non-small
      cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85% of all lung
      cancers. It is estimated that 60% of patients with NSCLC at time of diagnosis
      have advanced disease. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and
      demographic prognostic factors of long term survival in patients with
      unresectable NSCLC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of 1,156 patients
      with NSCLC stage IIIB or IV who survived more than 60 days from the time of
      diagnosis and treated from August 1987 until March 2013 in the Oncology
      Department of Pulmonary Clinic of the General Hospital Papanikolaou. Initially
      univariate analysis using the log-rank test was conducted and then multivariate
      analysis using the proportional hazards model of Cox. Also Kaplan Meier curves
      were used to describe the distribution of survival times of patients. The level
      of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 62 years.
      About 11.9% of patients were women and 88.1% were male. The majority of cases
      were adenocarcinomas (42.2%), followed squamous (33%) and finally the large cell
      (6%). Unlike men, most common histological type among women was adenocarcinoma
      rather than squamous (63% vs. 10.9%). In univariate analysis statistically
      significant factors in the progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival
      (OS) were: weight loss >=5%, histological type, line 1 drugs, line 1 combination,
      line 1 cycles and radio lung. Specifically radio lung gives clear survival
      benefit in the PFS and OS in stage IIIB (P=0.002) and IV (P<0.001). On the other
      hand, the number of distant metastases in stage IV patients did not affect OS,
      neither PFS. In addition patients who received platinum and taxane had better PFS
      (P=0.001) and OS (P<0.001) than those who received platinum without taxane. Also
      the third drug administration proved futile, since survival (682.06+/-34.9)
      (P=0.023) and PFS (434.93+/-26.93) (P=0.012) of patients who received less than
      three drugs was significantly larger. Finally, large cell carcinoma recorded the
      shortest OS and PFS compared with adenocarcinoma (P=0.043 and P=0.016
      respectively) and squamous cell carcinoma (P=0.021 and P=0.004 respectively). In
      multivariate analysis the same predictors were statistically significant except
      for line 1 drugs. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the increased incidence of
      adenocarcinoma in women than in men and the aggressiveness of large cell
      carcinoma. It also underlines the vitality of factors such as weight loss, radio
      lung and doublet platinum-based. On the other hand, it excludes significant
      factors such as gender, age and smoking.

PMID- 27275475
TI  - A pilot study-is there a role for mitoxantrone pleurodesis in the management of
      pleural effusion due to lung cancer?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of malignant pleural effusion (MPE).
      Management of MPEs remains a clinical challenge due to recurrence and poor
      quality of life. An ideal sclerosing agent has yet to be found. The aim of this
      cohort pilot study was to evaluate the role of mitoxantrone pleurodesis (MP) as
      an alternative to talc sclerotherapy for managing MPEs in lung cancer patients.
      METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on consecutively admitted
      patients with MPE to the Department of Post-Intensive Care at the Clinic for
      Respiratory Diseases "Jordanovac", University Hospital Centre Zagreb, in Croatia.
      RESULTS: Of 34 patients with MPE, twenty-one (64.8+/-9.46 years; 47-84 years)
      with primary lung carcinoma who received MP (30 mg of mitoxantrone) between
      December 2003 and February 2009 were included in this study. Chest radiographs
      taken prior to sclerotherapy and at 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-up were compared.
      At the post-sclerotherapy evaluation periods, overall success (OS) rates of MP
      were 88.2% [17.6%, complete response (CR); 70.6%, partial response (PR)], 53.9%
      (7.7% CR; 46.2% PR), and 45.5% (PR), respectively. Kaplan-Meier median survival
      from MP until death was 5.2 months, while that from diagnosis of primary lung
      cancer was 12.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: MP may be a safe and effective method of
      managing MPE due to lung cancer. Future randomized controlled studies comparing
      mitoxantrone and talc pleurodesis in lung cancer patients are warranted to
      elucidate whether a significant difference exists between these agents. Factors
      affecting success, survival probability, and quality of life also require further
      investigation.

PMID- 27275476
TI  - Biliary tract injuries after lap cholecystectomy-types, surgical intervention and
      timing.
AB  - Bile duct lesions, including leaks and strictures, are immanent complications of
      open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Endoscopic procedures have gained
      increasing potential as the treatment of choice in the management of
      postoperative bile duct injuries. Bile duct injury (BDI) is a severe and
      potentially life-threatening complication of LC. Several series have described a
      0.5% to 0.6% incidence of BDI during LC. Early recognition and an adequate
      multidisciplinary approach are the cornerstones for the optimal final outcome.
      Suboptimal management of injuries often leads to more extensive damage to the
      biliary tree and its vasculature. Early referral to a tertiary care center with
      experienced hepatobiliary surgeons and skilled interventional radiologists would
      appear to be necessary to assure optimal results. 

PMID- 27275477
TI  - Increasing incidence of colon cancer in patients <50 years old: a new entity?
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type in humans, the
      fourth most common cause of death because of cancer, and the second most common
      cancer type in terms of the number of individuals living with cancer 5 years
      after diagnosis worldwide, almost 694,000 people die from CRC annually. As it is
      expected is more frequent in older patients (patients older than 70 years old
      than in young patients (patients younger than 40 years old). The incidence of CRC
      in young adults is rising the last years and this fact arises the question; is
      this coincidence or is young adult CRC a real epidemy. In our current commentary
      we try and elucidate based on current data whether disease on young individuals
      is a new entity. 

PMID- 27275479
TI  - Thoracic duct cyst of posterior mediastinum: a "challenging" differential
      diagnosis.
AB  - Thoracic duct cysts of the mediastinum are extremely rare entities and their
      pathogenesis still remains unknown. Imaging methods are not specific and show a
      cystic mass, however the real nature of the lesion is confirmed only with the
      help of histopathological examination after surgical excision. Here, we present a
      case of thoracic cyst in a 28-year-old female, lining in posterior lower
      mediastinum. The cyst was removed by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and
      the histopathological findings were that of thoracic duct cyst. Through this
      case, we propose an ideal surgical approach and diagnostic procedure. 

PMID- 27275480
TI  - Isolated polycystic liver disease and aneurism: a case report.
AB  - Isolated polycystic liver disease (PCLD) has not been associated with aneurysms
      and concomitant PLD has not been reported previously in association with
      bilateral popliteal aneurysms. A case of a middle-aged man with PLD, marfanoid
      habitus and bilateral popliteal aneurysms is presented. 

PMID- 27275478
TI  - Pancreatic cancer from bench to bedside: molecular pathways and treatment
      options.
AB  - In the last forty years the pancreatic cancer treatment has made advances,
      however; still novel drugs are needed. It is known that the five year survival
      rate remains around 5%. The best treatment option still remains surgery, if
      patients are diagnosed early. In the last decade the biology of pancreatic cancer
      has been vastly explored and novel agents such as; tyrosine kinase agents, or
      vaccines have been added as a treatment perspective. The big challenge is now to
      translate this knowledge in better outcomes for patients. In this current review
      we will present information from pancreatic cancer diagnosis to molecular
      pathways and treatment options; current and future. 

PMID- 27275481
TI  - Use of GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin for rapid detection of
      rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains of clinically suspected
      multi-drug resistance tuberculosis cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multi-drug resistance (MDR) TB is defined as tuberculosis (TB)
      disease caused by a strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) that was resistant
      to at least isoniazid and rifampicin (RIF). Emerging Multidrug-Resistant TB is
      one of the major concerns of health policy and rapid detection of M. tuberculosis
      and detection of RIF resistance in infected patients are essential for disease
      management. The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns of RIF resistance in
      cases of sputum positive pulmonary TB by using GeneXpert MTB/RIF and comparing
      between phenotypic and genotypic testing of RIF resistance in MTB strains of
      clinically suspected MDR-TB isolated cases in western Algeria. METHODS: In this
      study 50 sputum positive cases of pulmonary TB who were potential MDR suspect
      were included. Their sputum samples were collected and subjected to sputum smear
      microscopy, culture and conventional MTB/RIF test followed by GeneXpert MTB/RIF
      assay. RESULTS: Of total 50 cases included in this study, MTB was detected in all
      patients (100%) by GeneXpert MTB/RIF. However, RIF's resistance was detected in
      only 21 cases (42%) by GeneXpert MTB/RIF. All RIF resistant strains detected by
      GeneXpert MTB/RIF were phenotypically confirmed as MDR strains. 42.85% of cases
      were retreatment failure cases, retreatment cases smear positive at 4 months were
      23.82%. While 19.05% of cases were retreatment cases smear positive at diagnosis,
      and 14.28% patient had history of contact with MDR-TB. Sensitivity, specificity,
      positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Xpert MTB/RIF to
      detect RIF resistance in comparison to conventional phenotypic drug
      susceptibility technique were found equal to the rates of 100%, 100%, 100% and
      100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is efficient and
      reliable technique for the rapid diagnostic of TB. It's simplicity, high
      sensitivity and specificity for RIF resistance detection make this technique a
      very attractive tool for diagnostic of MTB and RIF resistance in MDR cases.

PMID- 27275482
TI  - Cross table lateral radiography for measurement of acetabular cup version.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Appropriate orientation of the acetabular cup is an important factor
      for long-term results of total hip arthroplasty. For measurement of cup version
      cross-table lateral radiography is frequently used, but the reliability has been
      questioned. We compared cross table lateral radiography with computed tomography
      in patients that had undergone primary total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: The study
      was prospectively done in 117 patients (117 hips). At 3 months after total hip
      replacement the acetabular version was measured by cross table lateral
      radiography and compared to measurements by computed tomography. RESULTS: By
      cross table lateral radiography acetabular anteversion was on mean 13.9 degrees 
      with a standard deviation of 10.1 degrees  as compared to 17.8 degrees +/-12.6
      degrees  by computed tomography. Mean difference was -3.8 with a distribution of
      measurements of +/-13 degrees for 95% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows
      that cross table radiography provides acceptable information for clinical use,
      but has limited use for precise analysis of acetabular cup version.

PMID- 27275483
TI  - Gene expression profile of THP-1 cells treated with heat-killed Candida albicans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mechanisms under immune response against Candida albicans (C.
      albicans) remain largely unknown. To better understand the mechanisms of innate
      immune response against C. albicans, we analyzed the gene expression profile of
      THP-1 cells stimulated with heat-killed C. albicans. METHODS: THP-1 cells were
      stimulated with heat-killed C. albicans for 9 hours at a ratio of 1:1, and gene
      expression profile of the cells was analyzed using Whole Human Genome Oligo
      Microarray. Differentially expressed genes were defined as change folds more than
      2 and with statistical significance. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis were
      used to systematically identify biological connections of differentially
      expressed genes, as well as the pathways associated with the immune response
      against C. albicans. RESULTS: A total of 355 genes were up-regulated and 715
      genes were down-regulated significantly. The up-regulated genes were particularly
      involved in biological process of RNA processing and pathway of the spliceosome.
      In case of down-regulated genes, the particularly involved immune-related
      pathways were G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway, calcium signaling
      pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and Ras pathway. CONCLUSIONS: We depict the gene
      expression profile of heat-killed C. albicans stimulated THP-1 cells, and
      identify the major pathways involved in immune response against C. albicans.
      These pathways are potential candidate targets for developing anti-C. albicans
      agent.

PMID- 27275484
TI  - Determining the incidence of the hereditary form of retinoblastoma.
AB  - Retinoblastoma (Rb) is used here as the prototype of a condition which has a
      dominant mode of inheritance. Under the two-hit model of carcinogenesis, a
      germinal mutation may be followed by somatic mutation producing a tumour or
      tumours, in which case the carrier has relatively lower fitness. If somatic
      mutation does not occur, the carrier is assumed to have normal fitness, that is
      the Rb germinal mutation is incompletely penetrant. Formulae are given for the
      frequency of the Rb allele and the incidence of Rb in equilibrium as functions of
      the mutation rate, penetrance and fitness. 

PMID- 27275485
TI  - Uveal melanoma as a target for immune-therapy.
AB  - Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare disease that can be deadly in spite of adequate
      local treatment. Systemic therapy with chemotherapy is usually ineffective and
      new-targeted therapies have not improved results considerably. The eye creates an
      immunosuppressive environment in order to protect eyesight. UM cells use similar
      processes to escape immune surveillance. Regarding innate immunity the production
      of macrophage inhibiting factor (MIF) and TGF-beta, added to MHC class I
      upregulation, inhibits the action of natural killer (NK) cells. UM cells produce
      cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-10 that favor macrophage differentiation to the M2
      subtype, which promote tumor growth instead of an effective immune response. UM
      cells also impair the adaptive immune response through production of indoleamine
      2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), overexpression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1),
      alteration of FasL expression, and resistance to perforin. This biological
      background suggests that immunotherapy could be effective in fighting UM. A Phase
      II clinical trial with Ipilimumab has shown promising results with mean Overall
      Survival rate of ten months, and close to 50% of the patients alive at one year.
      Clinical trials with anti-PD1 antibodies in monotherapy and in combination with
      anti-CTLA4 are currently recruiting patients worldwide. 

PMID- 27275487
TI  - Multivariable fractional polynomial method for regression model.

PMID- 27275486
TI  - The emerging role of immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
      (HNSCC): anti-tumor immunity and clinical applications.
AB  - Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) carries a poor prognosis, with low
      survival rates for advanced stage tumors and minimal improvement in survival
      trends through the past decades. It is becoming increasingly clear that HNSCC
      oncogenesis and evolution is characterized by profound immune defects, as cancer
      cells evade immunosurveillance due to accumulation of genetic mutations and tumor
      heterogeneity. Improved understanding of the role of the immune system in cancer
      has led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets, which are being
      investigated for their potential to provide durable responses. In this review, we
      will summarize the role of the immune system in HNSCC, the rationale behind
      immunotherapy strategies and their clinical applications. 

PMID- 27275488
TI  - Successful management of H1N1 related severe acute respiratory distress syndrome
      with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.
AB  - Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life threatening complication of
      H1N1 pneumonia. According to the Berlin conference guidelines, severe ARDS
      requires management with early invasive mechanical ventilation. Whether
      noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) should be attempted in patients
      with H1N1 pneumonia is still a matter of debate. We report the case of one
      patient with severe ARDS without other organ failure. The patient was managed
      successfully using NIPPV. Endotracheal intubation was avoided and the patient was
      discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU) after 10 days with a successful
      outcome. NIPPV can be useful in patients with isolated severe H1N1 ARDS provided
      early improvement of the oxygenation parameters is achieved. Patients with
      multiple organ failure or with persistent severe hypoxemia under noninvasive
      ventilation should be electively intubated and started on invasive mechanical
      ventilation. 

PMID- 27275489
TI  - Presacral schwannoma: laparoscopic resection, a viable option.
AB  - Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumours arising from Schwann cells. Presacral
      schwannomas are rare with only case report and short case series being reported
      in literature. Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice for these
      rare tumours. Approach to surgical resection depends on the type of the tumour.
      Type 3 tumours have conventionally been treated with open intra or extra
      peritoneal approach. With improvement in the laparoscopic surgical skills, more
      and more complex surgical procedures have been attempted via this approach. We
      are presenting a case of presacral schwannoma in an overweight lady treated by
      laparoscopic resection. 

PMID- 27275491
TI  - When our body clocks run late: does it make us depressed?

PMID- 27275492
TI  - Revisiting of cancer vaccine?-Specific immunotherapy comes to field with the
      biomarker.

PMID- 27275490
TI  - What does the future hold for immunotherapy in cancer?

PMID- 27275493
TI  - Vps4A-mediated tumor suppression upon exosome modulation?

PMID- 27275494
TI  - Standardizing in vitro diagnostics tasks in clinical trials: a call for action.
AB  - Translational research is defined as the process of applying ideas, insights and
      discoveries generated through basic scientific inquiry to treatment or prevention
      of human diseases. Although precise information is lacking, several lines of
      evidence attest that up to 95% early-phase studies may not translate into
      tangible outcomes for improving clinical management. Major theoretical hurdles
      exist in the translational process, but is it also undeniable that many studies
      may have failed for practical reasons, such as the use of inappropriate
      diagnostic testing for evaluating efficacy, effectiveness or safety of a given
      medical intervention, or poor quality in laboratory testing. This can generate
      biased test results and result in misconceptions during data interpretation,
      eventually leading to no clinical benefit, possible harm, and a waste of valuable
      resources. From a genuine economic perspective, it can be estimated that over 10
      million euros of funding may be lost each year in clinical trials in the European
      Union due to preanalytical and analytical problems. These are mostly attributions
      to the heterogeneity of current guidelines and recommendations for the testing
      process, to the poor evidence base for basic pre-analytical, analytical and post
      analytical requirements in clinical trials, and to the failure to thoughtfully
      integrate the perspectives of clinicians, patients, nurses and diagnostic
      companies in laboratory best practices. The most rational means for filling the
      gap between what we know and what we practice in clinical trials cannot discount
      the development of multidisciplinary teams including research scientists,
      clinicians, nurses, patients associations and representative of in vitro
      diagnostic (IVD) companies, who should actively interplay and collaborate with
      laboratory professionals to adapt and disseminate evidence-based recommendations
      about biospecimen collection and management into the research settings, from
      preclinical to phase III studies. 

PMID- 27275495
TI  - Long non-coding RNAs in heart failure: an obvious lnc.
AB  - Heart failure is a life-threatening and costly ailment characterized by
      structural and functional impairment of the heart. Despite major advances in
      understanding protein-mediated transcriptional control and signaling pathways
      that underlie the cellular and interstitial alterations of heart failure,
      significant therapeutical breakthroughs for innovative treatments of this disease
      are still missing. The recent extensive profiling of the mammalian transcriptome
      has revealed a large number of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that play a
      diversity of important regulatory roles in gene expression. In here, we focus on
      a recent work by Ounzain and colleagues comprising genome-wide profiling of the
      cardiac transcriptome after myocardial infarction with an emphasis on the
      identification of novel heart-specific lncRNAs. 

PMID- 27275496
TI  - Focal loss of long non-coding RNA-PRAL, as determinant of cell function and
      phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 27275497
TI  - From genes to chronotypes: the influence of circadian clock genes on our daily
      patterns of sleep and wakefulness.

PMID- 27275498
TI  - TG4010 immunotherapy: a novel weapon against advanced non-small cell lung cancer?

PMID- 27275499
TI  - Design of nutrition trials in critically ill patients: food for thought.

PMID- 27275500
TI  - Erratum to Lifestyle changes might prevent Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 222 in vol. 3, PMID: 26488018.]. 

PMID- 27275501
TI  - Erratum to Body fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 70 in vol. 3, PMID: 25992369.]. 

PMID- 27275502
TI  - Erratum to Mitochondrial dysfunction in Kennedy's disease: a new pharmacological
      target?
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 66 in vol. 3, PMID: 25992365.]. 

PMID- 27275503
TI  - Erratum to Rate of early onset Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 38 in vol. 3, PMID: 25815299.]. 

PMID- 27275504
TI  - Letter to the editor regarding the editorial "Quo vadis? - Medical education 2020
      between politics and science".

PMID- 27275505
TI  - Preparation courses for medical clerkships and the final clinical internship in
      medical education - The Magdeburg Curriculum for Healthcare Competence.
AB  - BACKGROUND/GOALS: Supporting medical students entering their internships - the
      clinical clerkship and the internship "final clinical year" (Praktisches Jahr,
      PJ) - the seminars "Ready for Clerkship" and "Ready for PJ" were held for the
      first time in 2014 and continued successfully in 2015. These seminars are part of
      the "Magdeburg Curriculum for Healthcare Competence" (Magdeburger Curriculum zur
      Versorgungskompetenz, MCV). The concept comprises three main issues:
      "Understanding interdisciplinary clinical procedures", "Interprofessional
      collaboration", and "Individual cases and their reference to the system." The aim
      of the seminar series is to prepare students as medical trainees for their role
      in the practice-oriented clinical clerkship and PJ, respectively. METHODS:
      Quality assurance evaluations and didactic research are integral parts of the
      seminars. In preparation for the "Ready for PJ" seminar a needs assessment was
      conducted. The seminars were rated by the participants using an anonymized
      questionnaire consisting of a 5-choice Likert scale (ranging from 1=fully agree
      to 5=fully disagree) and spaces for comments that was generated by the evaluation
      software Evasys. RESULTS: The results are presented for the preparatory seminars
      "Ready for Clerkship" and "Fit fur PJ" held in 2014 and 2015. Overall, the
      students regarded the facultative courses as very good preparation for the
      clerkship as well as for the PJ. The three-dimensional main curricular concept of
      the MCV was recognized in the evaluation as a valuable educational approach.
      Interprofessional collaboration, taught by instructors focussing in teamwork
      between disciplines, was scored positively and highly valued. CONCLUSIONS: The
      "Magdeburg Curriculum for Healthcare Competence" (MCV) integrates clerkship and
      PJ in a framing educational concept and allows students a better appreciation of
      their role in patient care and the tasks that they will face. The MCV concept can
      be utilized in other practice-oriented phases (nursing internship, bed-side
      teaching, block internships).

PMID- 27275506
TI  - Simulating the physician as healthcare manager: An innovative course to train for
      the manager role.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: During their formal studies medical students acquire extensive
      medical expertise. However, the medical profession demands additional
      competencies, such as those involved in efficient resource allocation, business
      administration, development, organization, and process management in the
      healthcare system. At present students are not sufficiently prepared for the
      physician's role as manager. In response, we designed the seminar course, MeCuM
      SiGma, to impart basic knowledge about healthcare policy and management to
      students of medicine. This project report describes our teaching strategies and
      the initial evaluation of this educational project. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: In this
      semester-long, seminar course introduced in 2010, medical students gather
      experience with the competencies mentioned above as well as learn basic
      management skills. The course is offered each winter semester, and students sign
      up to attend voluntarily; course coordination and organization is done on a
      voluntary basis by physicians and employees of the Mentoring Office (MeCuM
      Mentor) at the Medical School of the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) in
      Munich, Germany. The course is open to all students enrolled at the two medical
      schools in Munich. During the first part of this elective, students learn about
      the basic principles of the German political and healthcare systems in case
      based, problem-based tutorials led by trained tutors and in lectures held by
      experts. In the second part of the course students take on the roles of the
      University Hospital's executive board of directors and supervisory board to work
      on an existing hospital project as a group within the scope of a simulation. This
      phase of the course is accompanied by workshops conducted in cooperation with
      university-based and off-campus partners that address the procedural learning
      objectives (teamwork, project management, negotiation strategies, etc.). A
      suitable, authentic issue currently facing the hospital is selected in advance by
      the course organizers in coordination with the hospital's executive board.
      Students then work on this issue in the third and final phase of the course under
      the supervision of tutors and with assistance from hospital employees. At the end
      of the course the students formally present the results of their work to the
      hospital's executive and supervisory boards. RESULTS: The course undergoes
      written student evaluation, a round of oral feedback, evaluation of the final
      projects, and feedback from the hospital's executive and supervisory boards. All
      attendees to date have reported a substantial gain in general knowledge and
      increased knowledge about the healthcare system, and rate the relevance of the
      course as being high. The majority felt the content was important for their
      future practice of medicine. Overall, students evaluated the course very
      positively [overall rating on a six-point grading scale (1=excellent;
      6=unsatisfactory): 1.28 (mean)+/-0.45 (standard deviation)]. DISCUSSION: The
      importance of the physician's role as manager in medical organizations and as a
      guiding force in the healthcare system is neglected in medical degree programs.
      Our seminar course attempts to address this shortcoming, is the object of great
      interest and receives positive evaluations from seminar participants, our
      cooperative partners and the executive and supervisory boards of the University
      Hospital in Munich.

PMID- 27275508
TI  - Learning Doctor-Patient Communication - Evaluating the effectiveness of the
      communication training course at Leipzig University from the students' point of
      view.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: At the University of Leipzig, the requirements of the Licensing
      Regulations for Doctors (Approbationsordnung fur Arzte) for the practical
      training of communication skills are actively implemented by a two-semester
      communication course. During this course, student tutors impart the basics of
      interpersonal as well as selected aspects of doctor-patient communication using
      interactive training methods. This article reports on the effect the training has
      on the self-assessed communication skills of the medicine students. METHODS: The
      students' self-perceived communication skills were assessed, both at the
      beginning and after the completion of the first and second course semesters using
      questionnaires related to the course's learning goals. Pre-post comparisons were
      then carried out. 142 students (of 163 students in total) participated in the
      survey at the start of the course, of which 117 completed the T2-questionnaire at
      the end of the first course semester. Only the 84 students who also completed the
      questionnaires in the second course semester were included in the statistical
      analysis. These responses were analysed using both descriptive and inferential
      statistics. RESULTS: The comparison of the self-assessments between the four
      measurement points showed that statistically significant learning progress for
      all assessed communication skills had taken place from the point of view of the
      students. The largest changes between measurements, and therefore the greatest
      learning progress, could be seen in knowledge related skills. CONCLUSION: From
      the students' point of view the communication training contributes significantly
      to the acquisition of communication skills. The results suggest that this "hands
      on" course concept is suited to successfully enhance the students' communication
      skills. The course concept should therefore be retained for both the course in
      its current form as well as for any extension of the course into the clinical
      part of medical school. However, further assessments on the exam results and long
      term effects should take place.

PMID- 27275507
TI  - Working as simulated patient has effects on real patient life - Preliminary
      insights from a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persons who simulate patients during medical education understand the
      routines and the underlying script of medical consultations better. We aimed to
      explore how simulated patients (SPs) integrated this new understanding into their
      daily life, how this work affected their private life as patients, and what we
      can learn from these changes for concepts of empowerment. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A qualitative interview study. All SPs of Gottingen medical school
      who had been working longer than three semesters (n=14) were invited and agreed
      to take part in an open interview about their daily experience with real doctors.
      Documentary method was used to identify the main issues. Several cases were
      chosen according to maximum contrast and analysed by in-depth analysis to provide
      vivid examples of how simulations may affect the real life of the SPs as
      patients. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed three main changes in the behaviour of
      SPs as real patients. They were more attentive, had a better understanding of the
      circumstances under which doctors work, and acted more self-confidently. From the
      selected cases it became apparent that working as a SP may lead to a constant and
      significant decrease of fear of hospitals and medical procedures or, in other
      cases, may enable the SPs to develop new abilities for giving feedback,
      questioning procedures, and explanations for real doctors. CONCLUSION: working as
      a simulated patient seems to be well-suited to understand own progression of
      diseases, to increase self-responsibility and to a confident attitude as patient.

PMID- 27275509
TI  - An algorithm for calculating exam quality as a basis for performance-based
      allocation of funds at medical schools.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The amendment of the Medical Licensing Act (AAppO) in Germany in 2002
      led to the introduction of graded assessments in the clinical part of medical
      studies. This, in turn, lent new weight to the importance of written tests, even
      though the minimum requirements for exam quality are sometimes difficult to
      reach. Introducing exam quality as a criterion for the award of performance-based
      allocation of funds is expected to steer the attention of faculty members towards
      more quality and perpetuate higher standards. However, at present there is a lack
      of suitable algorithms for calculating exam quality. METHODS: In the spring of
      2014, the students' dean commissioned the "core group" for curricular improvement
      at the University Medical Center in Rostock to revise the criteria for the
      allocation of performance-based funds for teaching. In a first approach, we
      developed an algorithm that was based on the results of the most common type of
      exam in medical education, multiple choice tests. It included item difficulty and
      discrimination, reliability as well as the distribution of grades achieved.
      RESULTS: This algorithm quantitatively describes exam quality of multiple choice
      exams. However, it can also be applied to exams involving short assay questions
      and the OSCE. It thus allows for the quantitation of exam quality in the various
      subjects and - in analogy to impact factors and third party grants - a ranking
      among faculty. CONCLUSION: Our algorithm can be applied to all test formats in
      which item difficulty, the discriminatory power of the individual items,
      reliability of the exam and the distribution of grades are measured. Even though
      the content validity of an exam is not considered here, we believe that our
      algorithm is suitable as a general basis for performance-based allocation of
      funds.

PMID- 27275510
TI  - Awareness of ethical issues in medical education: an interactive teach-the
      teacher course.
AB  - PURPOSE: We conducted an international, interdisciplinary teach-the-teacher
      course to sensitize physicians from different countries to ethical issues in
      medical education. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of this
      course. METHOD: Before and after participating in a short session on ethical
      issues in medical education, 97 physicians from different countries in Africa,
      Asia, and Europe completed a self-assessment questionnaire on their competence
      and interest in this field. The short session consisted of working in small
      groups to identify, analyze and discuss ethical dilemmas described in case
      vignettes adapted from published examples or written by medical students. In
      addition to the questionnaire, we conducted a large-group experience to explore
      four basic orientations of participants in ethical thinking: relativism,
      intentionalism, consequentialism, and absolutism. RESULTS: We found a significant
      self-perceived increase in the participants' ability to identify and describe
      ethical issues and students' dilemmas, in their knowledge about these issues and
      teaching professionalism, and in their ability to describe both students'
      perspectives and teachers' and students' behaviors. In addition, participants'
      feeling of understanding their own culturally learned patterns of determining
      what is right and wrong increased after taking part in the course. The four
      contrasting basic ethical orientations showed no significant differences between
      participants regarding nationality, age, or gender. CONCLUSION: Ethics of
      education is an important issue for medical teachers. Teachers' self-perceived
      competence can be increased by working on case vignettes in small groups.

PMID- 27275511
TI  - An Introduction to the Inverted/Flipped Classroom Model in Education and Advanced
      Training in Medicine and in the Healthcare Professions.
AB  - In describing the inverted classroom model (ICM), the following paper is meant to
      provide an introduction to the subject matter and to serve as a practical guide
      for those wishing to employ its methods in basic and advanced medical training
      and education. The ICM is a blended-learning method in which a self-directed
      learning phase (individual phase) precedes the classroom-instruction phase.
      During the online phase, factual knowledge is imparted that serves as a basis for
      the classroom phase. The classroom phase should subsequently be used to
      assimilate and implement the previously gained knowledge. In contrast,
      traditional course concepts impart factual knowledge in lectures, for example, or
      in other face-to-face teaching formats and are followed by the students' self
      instruction in order to assimilate this knowledge. The goal of the ICM is the
      shift from passive learning to accelerated learning in order to foster learning
      at cognitively demanding levels such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation. The
      concurrent increase in production and use of screencasts and educational videos,
      the Open Educational Resources "movement" and the widespread use of Massive Open
      Online Courses (MOOCS) have contributed to the increased dissemination of the
      inverted-classroom method. The intention of the present paper is to provide an
      introduction to the subject matter and simultaneously to offer a short overview
      of important projects and research results in the field of medical education and
      other health professions. Furthermore, an outline is given of the advantages and
      disadvantages of the model as well as its potential benefit to the future of
      medical education and training.

PMID- 27275512
TI  - Generation of Synthetic Copolymer Libraries by Combinatorial Assembly on Nucleic
      Acid Templates.
AB  - Recent advances in nucleic acid-templated copolymerization have expanded the
      scope of sequence-controlled synthetic copolymers beyond the molecular
      architectures witnessed in nature. This has enabled the power of molecular
      evolution to be applied to synthetic copolymer libraries to evolve molecular
      function ranging from molecular recognition to catalysis. This Review seeks to
      summarize different approaches available to generate sequence-defined
      monodispersed synthetic copolymer libraries using nucleic acid-templated
      polymerization. Key concepts and principles governing nucleic acid-templated
      polymerization, as well as the fidelity of various copolymerization technologies,
      will be described. The Review will focus on methods that enable the combinatorial
      generation of copolymer libraries and their molecular evolution for desired
      function.

PMID- 27275513
TI  - Dual Influence of Reduction Annealing on Diffused Hematite/FTO Junction for
      Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation.
AB  - Band structure engineering of the interface between the semiconductor and the
      conductive substrate may profoundly influence charge separation and transport for
      photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical devices. In this work, we found that a
      reduction-annealing treatment resulted in a diffused junction through enhanced
      interdiffusion of hematite/FTO at the interface. The activated hematite exhibited
      higher nanoelectric conductivity that was probed by a PeakForce TUNA AFM method.
      Furthermore, charge accumulation and recombination via surface states at the
      interface were dramatically reduced after the reduction-annealing activation,
      which was confirmed by transient surface photovoltage measurements. The diffused
      hematite junction promises improved photoelectrochemical performance without the
      need for a buffer layer. 

PMID- 27275514
TI  - Antifungal agents and liver toxicity: a complex interaction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The number of antifungal agents has sharply increased in recent
      decades. Antifungals differ in their spectrum of activity,
      pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties, dosing, safety-profiles and costs.
      Risk of developing antifungal associated hepatotoxicity is multifactorial and is
      influenced by pre-existing liver disease, chemical properties of the drug,
      patient demographics, comorbidities, drug-drug interactions, environmental and
      genetic factors. Antifungal related liver injury typically manifests as
      elevations in serum aminotransferase levels, although the clinical significance
      of these biochemical alterations is not always clear. Incidence rates of
      hepatotoxicity induced by antifungal therapy range widely, occurring most
      frequently in patients treated with azole antifungals for documented fungal
      infections. AREAS COVERED: This review provides an update regarding the
      hepatotoxicity profiles of the modern systemic antifungals used in treatment of
      invasive fungal infections. Expert commentary: Understanding the likelihood and
      pattern of hepatotoxicity for all suspected drugs can aid the clinician in early
      detection of liver injury allowing for intervention and potential mitigation of
      liver damage. Therapeutic drug monitoring is emerging as a potential tool to
      assess risk for hepatotoxicity.

PMID- 27275515
TI  - Synthesis of Glycosyl Amides Using Selenocarboxylates as Traceless Reagents for
      Amide Bond Formation.
AB  - Carbohydrate-derived amides were successfully prepared in good yields from a
      broad range of substrates, including furanosyl and pyranosyl derivatives. The
      methodology successfully relied on the in situ generation of lithium
      selenocarboxylates from Se/LiEt3BH and acyl chlorides or carboxylic acids and
      their reaction with sugar azides. A key aspect of the present protocol is that we
      start from elemental selenium; isolation and handling of all reactive and
      sensitive selenium-containing intermediates is avoided, therefore providing the
      selenocarboxylate the status of a traceless reagent.

PMID- 27275516
TI  - Sequential Block Copolymer Self-Assemblies Controlled by Metal-Ligand
      Stoichiometry.
AB  - While numerous efforts have been devoted to developing easy-to-use probes based
      on block copolymers for detecting analytes due to their advantages in the fields
      of self-assembly and sensing, a progressive response on block copolymers in
      response to a continuing chemical event is not readily achievable. Herein, we
      report the self-assembly of a 4-piperazinyl-1,8-naphthalimide based functional
      block copolymer (PS-b-PN), whose self-assembly and photophysics can be controlled
      by the stoichiometry-dependent metal-ligand interaction upon the side chain. The
      work takes advantages of (1) stoichiometry-controlled coordination-structural
      transformation of the piperazinyl moiety on PS-b-PN toward Fe(3+) ions, thereby
      resulting in a shrinkage-expansion conversion of the self-assembled
      nanostructures in solution as well as in thin film, and (2) stoichiometry
      controlled competition between photoinduced electron transfer and spin-orbital
      coupling process upon naphthalimide fluorophore leading to a boost-decline
      emission change of the system. Except Fe(3+) ions, such a stoichiometry-dependent
      returnable property cannot be observed in the presence of other transition ions.
      The strategy for realizing the dual-channel sequential response on the basis of
      the progressively alterable nanomorphologies and emissions might provide deeper
      insights for the further development of advanced polymeric sensors.

PMID- 27275517
TI  - Ruffling in a Series of Nickel(II) meso-Tetrasubstituted Porphyrins as a Model
      for the Conserved Ruffling of the Heme of Cytochromes c.

PMID- 27275518
TI  - Hidden Components in Aqueous "Gold-144" Fractionated by PAGE: High-Resolution
      Orbitrap ESI-MS Identifies the Gold-102 and Higher All-Aromatic Au-pMBA Cluster
      Compounds.
AB  - Experimental and theoretical evidence reveals the resilience and stability of the
      larger aqueous gold clusters protected with p-mercaptobenzoic acid ligands (pMBA)
      of composition Aun(pMBA)p or (n, p). The Au144(pMBA)60, (144, 60), or gold-144
      aqueous gold cluster is considered special because of its high symmetry,
      abundance, and icosahedral structure as well as its many potential uses in
      material and biological sciences. Yet, to this date, direct confirmation of its
      precise composition and total structure remains elusive. Results presented here
      from characterization via high-resolution electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry on an Orbitrap instrument confirm Au102(pMBA)44 at isotopic
      resolution. Further, what usually appears as a single band for (144, 60) in
      electrophoresis (PAGE) is shown to also contain the (130, 50), recently
      determined to have a truncated-decahedral structure, and a (137, 56) component in
      addition to the dominant (144, 60) compound of chiral-icosahedral structure. This
      finding is significant in that it reveals the existence of structures never
      before observed in all-aromatic water-soluble species while pointing out the path
      toward elucidation of the thermodynamic control of protected gold nanocrystal
      formation.

PMID- 27275520
TI  - Activation of Sigma-1 receptor ameliorates anxiety-like behavior and cognitive
      impairments in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder.
AB  - Among learning and memory processes, fear memories are crucial in some
      psychiatric disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Accumulating
      evidence shows that the sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) has comprehensive involvement
      in cognitive impairment and neuroprotective effects. It has also been reported
      that BDNF appears to enhance extinction of fear in anxiety disorders via the MAPK
      signaling cascade. However, it remains unclear whether BDNF-TrkB-MAPK pathway may
      be mechanistically involved in the therapeutic effect of sigma-1 receptor in the
      development of PTSD. To address this question, rats were subjected to a classical
      single-prolonged stress procedure (SPS) and kept undisturbed for 7 days. After
      that, rats were re-stressed by re-exposure to the forced swim component of SPS
      (RSPS). Behavior tests were subsequently performed to assess anxiety and
      cognitive impairments. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression of BDNF and the
      phosphorylation of TrkB and three MAPK pathways, namely, the ERK, JNK and p38. We
      found that the levels of BDNF and p-TrkB were increased following the RSPS
      procedure, which were reversed by the administration of PRE-084. Meanwhile, among
      the three MAPK signaling pathways, only the p-ERK expression was increased
      following the RSPS procedure. Collectively, our results indicate that BDNF-TrkB
      ERK signaling pathway may be involved in the activation of sigma-1 receptor to
      yield therapeutic benefits for PTSD.

PMID- 27275519
TI  - Extinction learning in childhood anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder
      and post-traumatic stress disorder: implications for treatment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Threat conditioning and extinction play an important role in
      anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress
      disorder (PTSD). Although these conditions commonly affect children, threat
      conditioning and extinction have been primarily studied in adults. However,
      differences in phenomenology and neural architecture prohibit the generalization
      of adult findings to youth. AREAS COVERED: A comprehensive literature search
      using PubMed and PsycInfo was conducted to identify studies that have used
      differential conditioning tasks to examine threat acquisition and extinction in
      youth. The information obtained from this review helps to clarify the influence
      of these processes on the etiology and treatment of youth with OCD, PTSD and
      other anxiety disorders. Thirty studies of threat conditioning and extinction
      were identified Expert commentary: Youth with anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD
      have largely comparable threat acquisition relative to unaffected controls, with
      some distinctions noted for youth with PTSD or youth who have suffered
      maltreatment. However, impaired extinction was consistently observed across youth
      with these disorders and appears to be consistent with deficiencies in inhibitory
      learning. Incorporating strategies to improve inhibitory learning may improve
      extinction learning within extinction-based treatments like cognitive behavioral
      therapy (CBT). Strategies to improve inhibitory learning in CBT are discussed.

PMID- 27275521
TI  - Elucidating the role of D4 receptors in mediating attributions of salience to
      incentive stimuli on Pavlovian conditioned approach and conditioned reinforcement
      paradigms.
AB  - The power of drug-associated cues to instigate drug 'wanting' and consequently
      promote drug seeking is a corner stone of contemporary theories of addiction.
      Gambling disorder has recently been added to the pantheon of addictive disorders
      due to the phenomenological similarities between the diseases. However, the
      neurobiological mechanism that may mediate increased sensitivity towards
      conditioned stimuli in addictive disorders is unclear. We have previously
      demonstrated using a rodent analogue of a simple slot machine that the dopamine
      D4 receptor is critically engaged in controlling animals' attribution of salience
      to stimuli associated with reward in this paradigm, and consequently may
      represent a target for the treatment of gambling disorder. Here, we investigated
      the role of acute administration of a D4 receptor agonist on animals'
      responsivity to conditioned stimuli on both a Pavlovian conditioned approach
      (autoshaping) and a conditioned reinforcement paradigm. Following training on one
      of the two tasks, separate cohorts of rats (male and female) were administered a
      dose of PD168077 shown to be maximally effective at precipitating errors in
      reward expectancy on the rat slot machine task (10mg/kg). However, augmenting the
      activity of the D4 receptors in this manner did not alter behaviour on either
      task. These data therefore provide novel evidence that the D4 receptor does not
      alter incentive motivation in response to cues on simple behavioural tasks.

PMID- 27275527
TI  - Clinical significance of residual platelet reactivity in patients treated with
      platelet P2Y12 inhibitors.
AB  - Platelet P2Y12 inhibitors have become an essential component of the treatment
      strategy for patients with acute coronary syndromes and patients undergoing
      percutaneous coronary intervention. It is now well-established that approximately
      30% of patients treated with the P2Y12 inhibitor clopidogrel display high
      residual platelet reactivity despite treatment. Patients with high on-treatment
      platelet reactivity have approximately 2-3-fold greater risk of adverse
      cardiovascular events and stent thrombosis than those without high platelet
      reactivity. Conversely, clopidogrel-treated patients with low platelet reactivity
      display approximately 1.7-fold increased risk of major bleeding. High platelet
      reactivity is uncommon during treatment with prasugrel and ticagrelor, which
      achieve a greater reduction in adverse cardiovascular events compared to
      clopidogrel in ACS patients treated with PCI. This is at the expense of an
      increase in spontaneous bleeding, however. Minor bleeding events, such as skin
      haematomas, are more common in prasugrel- and ticagrelor-treated patients that
      have particularly low platelet reactivity values. These minor bleeding events may
      occasionally prompt discontinuation of therapy, but their overall prognostic
      impact is uncertain. However, risk factors for bleeding tend to overlap with risk
      factors for adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore, patients with these minor
      bleeding events may also be at higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events,
      conferring a benefit from low platelet reactivity. Further work is needed to
      determine the optimal level of platelet reactivity in individuals by taking into
      account their risk of subsequent adverse cardiovascular events and bleeding.

PMID- 27275529
TI  - Excitonic Properties of Ordered Metal Nanocluster Arrays: 2D Silver Clusters at
      Multiporphyrin Templates.
AB  - The design of ordered arrays of metal nanoclusters such as, for example, two
      dimensional cluster-organic frameworks might open a new route toward the
      development of materials with tailored optical properties. Such systems could
      serve as plasmonically enhanced light-harvesting materials, sensors, or
      catalysts. We present here a theoretical approach for the simulation of the
      optical properties of ordered arrays of metal clusters that is based on the ab
      initio parametrized Frenkel exciton model. We demonstrate that small atomically
      precise silver clusters can be assembled in one- and two-dimensional arrays on
      suitably designed porphyrin templates exhibiting remarkable optical properties.
      By employing explicit time-dependent density functional theory calculations on
      smaller homologues, we show that the intrinsic optical properties of metal
      clusters are largely preserved but undergo J- and H-type excitonic coupling that
      results in controllable splitting of their excited states. Furthermore, ab initio
      parametrized Frenkel exciton model calculations allow us to predict an energetic
      splitting of up to 0.77 eV in extended two-dimensional square arrays and 0.79 eV
      in tilted square aggregates containing up to 25 cluster-porphyrin subunits. 

PMID- 27275528
TI  - Is platelet inhibition correlated with time from last intake on P2Y12 blockers
      after an acute coronary syndrome? A pilot study.
AB  - Delay from the last intake of drug could be an important and unexplored variable
      in the biological response to antiplatelet agents after acute coronary syndrome
      (ACS) discharge. The objective was to define the impact of the delay from P2Y12
      blocker intake on the platelet inhibition level. We compared ticagrelor-,
      prasugrel-, and clopidogrel-treated patients. All consecutive patients, who had
      been addressed between 2013 and 2014 for ACS, treated with aspirin and a P2Y12
      blocker as maintenance dose, were eligible. One month after discharge, blood
      sample and a questionnaire were proposed to the patient by a nurse blinded to the
      protocol. On this questionnaire, three questions about name of the drug,
      regularity of the intakes, and hour of the last intake were collected. The
      response to antiplatelet therapy was assessed using platelet reactivity index
      vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (PRI VASP) and % of adenosine-5'
      diphosphate-induced aggregation (%ADP).The primary objective of this study was to
      evaluate the correlation between platelet inhibition and delay from drug intake.
      We enrolled 474 ACS treated with clopidogrel 75 mg in 182 cases (38% patients),
      prasugrel in 190 cases (40%), or ticagrelor in 102 patients (22%). We observed a
      significant correlation between delay from intake and PRI VASP and %ADP for
      ticagrelor (r = 0.25, p = 0.01; r = 0.21, p = 0.03; respectively). On clopidogrel
      (r = 0.09, p = 0.24; r = 0.02, p = 0.80; respectively) and prasugrel (r = 0.02, p
      = 0.82; r = 0.11, p = 0.12 respectively), no correlation exists. In conclusion,
      ticagrelor, unlike thienopyridines, is associated with a significant correlation
      between delay from the last intake and platelet inhibition.

PMID- 27275530
TI  - Evaluation of T1-Weighted MRI to Detect Intratumoral Hemorrhage Within Papillary
      Renal Cell Carcinoma as a Feature Differentiating From Angiomyolipoma Without
      Visible Fat.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to determine whether hemorrhage
      within papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can be detected using T1-weighted MRI
      and to ascertain whether it can be used to differentiate papillary RCC from
      angiomyolipoma (AML) without visible fat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective
      case-control study compared 11 AMLs without visible fat with 58 papillary RCCs
      smaller than 5 cm that were evaluated using MRI between 2003 and 2015. Two
      blinded radiologists subjectively evaluated MR images to identify the presence of
      intratumoral hemorrhage on the basis of a decrease in signal intensity (SI) on in
      phase, compared with opposed-phase, chemical-shift MRI and also on the basis of
      the SI of the lesion compared with that of the renal cortex on fat-suppressed T1
      weighted MRI. A third radiologist established consensus and measured the ratio of
      the SI of the lesion to that of the renal cortex (hereafter referred to as the
      "SI ratio") on T2-weighted MRI; the SI loss index, as calculated using the
      equation [(SItumorIP - SItumorOP) / SItumorOP] * 100, where IP denotes the in
      phase image and OP denotes the opposed-phase image; and the SI ratio on fat
      suppressed T1-weighted MRI. Analyses were performed using tests of association
      and ROCs. RESULTS: When AMLs without visible fat were compared with papillary
      RCCs, no statistically significant difference in the T2-weighted SI ratio was
      noted (p = 0.08). Papillary RCCs had a lower mean (+/- SD) SI loss index (-3.7%
      +/- 17.3%; range, -51.3% to 31.3%) than did AMLs without visible fat (37.8% +/-
      76.1%; range, -15.6% to 184.4%) (p < 0.001). A mean SI loss index of less than 
      16% resulted in an AUC of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.52-0.91), with a sensitivity and
      specificity of 22.8% and 100%, respectively, for the diagnosis of papillary RCC.
      After consensus review, none of the AMLs without visible fat and 16 of the 58
      papillary RCCs (27.6%) were found to have a decrease in SI on subjective analysis
      (p = 0.06, kappa = 0.60). Between groups, no differences were noted in the SI
      ratio on fat-suppressed T1-weighted MRI (p = 0.58) or in the SI observed on
      subjective analysis of fat-suppressed T1-weighted MRI (p = 0.20, kappa = 0.48).
      CONCLUSION: The presence of intratumoral hemorrhage within papillary RCC is a
      specific feature that differentiates papillary RCCs from AMLs without visible
      fat. Subjective analysis may be more clinically appropriate than chemical-shift
      MRI because of limitations in the quantitative measurement of T2* signal with the
      use of chemical-shift MRI.

PMID- 27275531
TI  - Neonates and Infants Discharged Home Dependent on Medical Technology:
      Characteristics and Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preterm neonates and neonates with complex conditions admitted to a
      neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may require medical technology (eg,
      supplemental oxygen, feeding tubes) for their continued survival at hospital
      discharge. Medical technology introduces another layer of complexity for parents,
      including specialized education about neonatal assessment and operation of
      technology. The transition home presents a challenge for parents and has been
      linked with greater healthcare utilization. PURPOSE: To determine incidence,
      characteristics, and healthcare utilization outcomes (emergency room visits,
      rehospitalizations) of technology-dependent neonates and infants following
      initial discharge from the hospital. METHODS: This descriptive, correlational
      study used retrospective medical record review to examine technology-dependent
      neonates (N = 71) upon discharge home. Study variables included demographic
      characteristics, hospital length of stay, and type of medical technology used.
      Analysis of neonates (n = 22) with 1-year postdischarge data was conducted to
      identify relationships with healthcare utilization. Descriptive and regression
      analyses were performed. FINDINGS: Approximately 40% of the technology-dependent
      neonates were between 23 and 26 weeks' gestation, with birth weight of less than
      1000 g. Technologies used most frequently were supplemental oxygen (66%) and
      feeding tubes (46.5%). The mean total hospital length of stay for technology
      dependent versus nontechnology-dependent neonates was 108.6 and 25.7 days,
      respectively. Technology-dependent neonates who were female, with a gastrostomy
      tube, or with longer initial hospital length of stay were at greater risk for
      rehospitalization. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Assessment and support of families,
      particularly mothers of technology-dependent neonates following initial hospital
      discharge, are vital. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Longitudinal studies to
      determine factors affecting long-term outcomes of technology-dependent infants
      are needed.

PMID- 27275532
TI  - Attention and Working Memory in Female Adolescents With Chronic Pain and Pain
      free Female Adolescents: A Preliminary Pilot Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Adolescents with chronic pain often report inattention and poor
      memory. There has been little research on cognitive function in this population.
      The goal of this preliminary pilot study was to examine differences in cognitive
      function between adolescents with chronic pain to pain-free adolescents.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: All participants completed baseline assessments of pain,
      school absences, depression, anxiety, and sleep habits. Standardized
      neurocognitive tests were used to examine cognitive function with a focus on
      working memory and attention. RESULTS: Recruitment from the chronic pain clinic
      resulted in a female sample of 13 individuals (largely reflective of the clinical
      population). Pain-free age-matched and sex-matched individuals (n=12) were
      therefore also recruited as controls. Individuals with chronic pain had
      significantly lower working memory scores than controls. Differences were found
      between groups on the most difficult selective attention task and not on tests of
      sustained attention, divided attention, or attentional switching. In a stepwise
      regression with baseline characteristics entered in the first step, pain
      accounted for approximately 15% of the variance in working memory and medication
      score counted for 49% of the variance. DISCUSSION: This pilot study is the first
      study to examine differences in working memory and attention between participants
      with chronic pain and pain-free adolescents. Our findings suggest that chronic
      pain may negatively affect adolescents' working memory function and highlights
      the risk for cognitive difficulties and problems with educational progression in
      addition to negative health and social effects associated with chronic pain. The
      study provides a starting point for more research and has the potential to direct
      better identification and treatment of these cognitive deficits.

PMID- 27275533
TI  - Cytochrome P450 genes in coronary artery diseases: Codon usage analysis reveals
      genomic GC adaptation.
AB  - Establishing codon usage biases are imperative for understanding the etiology of
      coronary artery diseases (CAD) as well as the genetic factors associated with
      these diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of 18
      responsible cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes for the risk of CAD. Effective number of
      codon (Nc) showed a negative correlation with both GC3 and synonymous codon usage
      order (SCUO) suggesting an antagonistic relationship between codon usage and Nc
      of genes. The dinucleotide analysis revealed that CG and TA dinucleotides have
      the lowest odds ratio in these genes. Principal component analysis showed that GC
      composition has a profound effect in separating the genes along the first major
      axis. Our findings revealed that mutational pressure and natural selection could
      possibly be the major factors responsible for codon bias in these genes. The
      study not only offers an insight into the mechanisms of genomic GC adaptation,
      but also illustrates the complexity of CYP genes in CAD. 

PMID- 27275534
TI  - Human Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Form Dysfunctional Immune Synapses with B Cells
      Characterized by Non-Polarized Lytic Granule Release.

PMID- 27275535
TI  - Loss of insulin-like growth factor II imprinting is a hallmark associated with
      enhanced chemo/radiotherapy resistance in cancer stem cells.
AB  - Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) is maternally imprinted in most tissues, but
      the epigenetic regulation of the gene in cancer stem cells (CSCs) has not been
      defined. To study the epigenetic mechanisms underlying self-renewal, we isolated
      CSCs and non-CSCs from colon cancer (HT29, HRT18, HCT116), hepatoma (Hep3B),
      breast cancer (MCF7) and prostate cancer (ASPC) cell lines. In HT29 and HRT18
      cells that show loss of IGF2 imprinting (LOI), IGF2 was biallelically expressed
      in the isolated CSCs. Surprisingly, we also found loss of IGF2 imprinting in CSCs
      derived from cell lines HCT116 and ASPC that overall demonstrate maintenance of
      IGF2 imprinting. Using chromatin conformation capture (3C), we found that
      intrachromosomal looping between the IGF2 promoters and the imprinting control
      region (ICR) was abrogated in CSCs, in parallel with loss of IGF2 imprinting in
      these CSCs. Loss of imprinting led to increased IGF2 expression in CSCs, which
      have a higher rate of colony formation and greater resistance to chemotherapy and
      radiotherapy in vitro. These studies demonstrate that IGF2 LOI is a common
      feature in CSCs, even when the stem cells are derived from a cell line in which
      the general population of cells maintain IGF2 imprinting. This finding suggests
      that aberrant IGF2 imprinting may be an intrinsic epigenetic control mechanism
      that enhances stemness, self-renewal and chemo/radiotherapy resistance in cancer
      stem cells.

PMID- 27275536
TI  - Nuclearly translocated insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor phosphorylates
      histone H3 at tyrosine 41 and induces SNAI2 expression via Brg1 chromatin
      remodeling protein.
AB  - The insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) is a receptor tyrosine kinase
      that has crucial roles in cell proliferation and protection from apoptosis. It is
      therefore not surprising that IGF-1R is often found overexpressed in many types
      of tumors. This has made IGF-1R a prominent target molecule for pharmacological
      companies to develop new anti-cancer agents. However, several clinical trials
      during the last 5 years using IGF-1R specific antibodies have shown disappointing
      results. We have previously shown that upon IGF-1 stimulation, the receptor
      becomes SUMOylated and translocates into the nucleus of cancer cells to act as a
      transcription co-factor. Soon after our original study, several others have
      reported nuclear IGF-1R (nIGF-1R) as well, and some of them have demonstrated a
      prognostic value of nIGF-1R expression in cancer. In the current study we
      demonstrate that nIGF-1R binds to and phosphorylates histone H3 at tyrosine 41
      (H3Y41) in HeLa cells. Furthermore, our results suggest that phosphorylation of
      H3Y41 by nIGF-1R, stabilizes the binding of Brg1 chromatin remodeling protein to
      Histone H3. Our findings suggest that phosphorylated nIGF-1R, rather than total
      nIGF-1R, plays a superior role in these contexts. We identified SNAI2 oncogene as
      a target gene for nIGF-1R and its expression was decreased upon mutation of H3Y41
      or by Brg1 knockdown. Furthermore, we demonstrate that both IGF-1R and Brg1 binds
      to the SNAI2 promoter. As SNAI2 protein is implicated in e.g. cancer invasion and
      metastasis, the nIGF-1R-mediated effects shown in this study may influence such
      important tumor phenotypic actions.

PMID- 27275537
TI  - The HIV-derived protein Vpr52-96 has anti-glioma activity in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Patients with actively replicating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exhibit
      adverse reactions even to low irradiation doses. High levels of the virus-encoded
      viral protein R (Vpr) are believed to be one of the major underlying causes for
      increased radiosensitivity. As Vpr efficiently crosses the blood-brain barrier
      and accumulates in astrocytes, we examined its efficacy as a drug for treatment
      of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).In vitro, four glioblastoma-derived cell lines
      with and without methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) overexpression (U251,
      U87, U251-MGMT, U87-MGMT) were exposed to Vpr, temozolomide (TMZ), conventional
      photon irradiation (2 to 6 Gy) or to combinations thereof. Vpr showed high rates
      of acute toxicities with median effective doses of 4.0+/-1.1 MUM and 15.7+/-7.5
      MUM for U251 and U87 cells, respectively. Caspase assays revealed Vpr-induced
      apoptosis in U251, but not in U87 cells. Vpr also efficiently inhibited
      clonogenic survival in both U251 and U87 cells and acted additively with
      irradiation. In contrast to TMZ, Vpr acted independently of MGMT expression.Dose
      escalation in mice (n=12) was feasible and resulted in no evident renal or liver
      toxicity. Both, irradiation with 3x5 Gy (n=8) and treatment with Vpr (n=5)
      delayed intracerebral tumor growth and prolonged overall survival compared to
      untreated animals (n=5; p3x5 Gy<0.001 and pVpr=0.04; log-rank test).Our data show
      that the HIV-encoded peptide Vpr exhibits all properties of an effective
      chemotherapeutic drug and may be a useful agent in the treatment of GBM.

PMID- 27275538
TI  - Post-transcriptional knowledge in pathway analysis increases the accuracy of
      phenotypes classification.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Prediction of phenotypes from high-dimensional data is a crucial task
      in precision biology and medicine. Many technologies employ genomic biomarkers to
      characterize phenotypes. However, such elements are not sufficient to explain the
      underlying biology. To improve this, pathway analysis techniques have been
      proposed. Nevertheless, such methods have shown lack of accuracy in phenotypes
      classification. RESULTS: Here we propose a novel methodology called MITHrIL
      (Mirna enrIched paTHway Impact anaLysis) for the analysis of signaling pathways,
      which extends the work of Tarca et al., 2009. MITHrIL augments pathways with
      missing regulatory elements, such as microRNAs, and their interactions with
      genes. The method takes as input the expression values of genes and/or microRNAs
      and returns a list of pathways sorted according to their degree of deregulation,
      together with the corresponding statistical significance (p-values). Our analysis
      shows that MITHrIL outperforms its competitors even in the worst case. In
      addition, our method is able to correctly classify sets of tumor samples drawn
      from TCGA. AVAILABILITY: MITHrIL is freely available at the following URL:
      http://alpha.dmi.unict.it/mithril/.

PMID- 27275539
TI  - Human induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation and direct
      transdifferentiation into corneal epithelial-like cells.
AB  - The corneal epithelium is maintained by a small pool of tissue stem cells located
      at the limbus. Through certain injuries or diseases this pool of stem cells may
      get depleted. This leads to visual impairment. Standard treatment options include
      autologous or allogeneic limbal stem cell (LSC) transplantation, however graft
      rejection and chronic inflammation lowers the success rate over long time.
      Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have opened new possibilities for treating
      various diseases with patient specific cells, eliminating the risk of immune
      rejection. In recent years, several protocols have been developed, aimed at the
      differentiation of iPS cells into the corneal epithelial lineage by mimicking the
      environmental niche of limbal stem cells. However, the risk of teratoma formation
      associated with the use of iPS cells hinders most applications from lab into
      clinics. Here we show that the differentiation of iPS cells into corneal
      epithelial cells results in the expression of corneal epithelial markers showing
      a successful differentiation, but the process is long and the level of gene
      expression for the pluripotency markers does not vanish completely. Therefore we
      set out to determine a direct transdifferentiation approach to circumvent the
      intermediate state of pluripotency (iPS-stage). The resulting cells, obtained by
      direct transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into limbal cells, exhibited corneal
      epithelial cell morphology and expressed corneal epithelial markers. Hence we
      shows for the first time a direct transdifferentiation of human dermal
      fibroblasts into the corneal epithelial lineage that may serve as source for
      corneal epithelial cells for transplantation approaches.

PMID- 27275540
TI  - GLI1 inhibitor GANT61 exhibits antitumor efficacy in T-cell lymphoma cells
      through down-regulation of p-STAT3 and SOCS3.
AB  - T-cell lymphomas are lymphoid malignancies with aggressive clinical course and
      poor prognosis. Increasing evidences suggest that deregulation of signal
      transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) and suppressor of cytokine
      signaling 3 (SOCS3) is associated with the pathogenesis of T-cell lymphomas. The
      hedgehog (Hh)/glioma-associated oncogene-1 (GLI1) pathway, aberrantly activated
      in a number of tumors, has also been extensively studied. We found that protein
      expressions of GL11, p-STAT3, STAT3, and SOCS3 were up-regulated in T-cell
      lymphoma tissues and cell lines. Moreover, the protein expressions of p-STAT3 and
      SOCS3 were positively correlated with GLI1 in T-cell lymphomas. GLI1 inhibitor
      GANT61 and lentivirus-mediated siGLI1 exhibited inhibitory effects in the three T
      cell lines (Jurkat, Karpass299 and Myla3676 cells). The protein expressions of p
      STAT3 and SOCS3 were decreased accompanied with the inhibition of GLI1. These
      findings indicated that GANT61 is a promising agent against T-cell lymphoma and
      the antitumor activity might be partly mediated by down-regulating p-STAT3 and
      SOCS3.

PMID- 27275541
TI  - A novel predictive model based on preoperative blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte
      ratio for survival prognosis in patients with gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms.
AB  - PURPOSE: Evaluate the predictive value of the preoperative blood neutrophil-to
      lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on the clinical outcomes of patients with gastric
      neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NENs) after radical surgery. RESULTS: The NLR was
      significantly higher in patients with g-NENs than in matched normal volunteers (P
      < 0.05). A higher blood NLR was not significantly associated with clinical
      characteristics (all P > 0.05). According to the multivariate analysis, the NLR
      was an independent prognostic factor of RFS and OS. Nomograms, including the NLR,
      Ki-67 index and lymph node ratio, had superior discriminative abilities to
      predict clinical outcomes. The recurrence rate was 37% (55/147). The median time
      to recurrence was 9 months; 48 (87%) patients experienced recurrence within the
      first 2 years. Both the NLR and Ki-67 index were correlated with liver metastases
      (both P < 0.05) and were also negatively correlated with recurrence time (both P
      < 0.05). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 147 patients who were diagnosed with
      g-NENs and underwent radical surgery. Receiver operating characteristic curve
      analysis was used to identify the optimal value for blood NLR. Univariate and
      multivariate survival analysis were used to identify prognostic factors for g
      NENs. A nomogram was adopted to predict RFS and OS after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: As
      an independent prognostic factor for g-NENs, blood NLR can improve the
      predictability of RFS and OS. We recommend that g-NEN patients with a high blood
      NLR or high Ki-67 index undergo surveillance during the first month and then
      every 3 months for 2 years post-surgery.

PMID- 27275542
TI  - The reverse-mode NCX1 activity inhibitor KB-R7943 promotes prostate cancer cell
      death by activating the JNK pathway and blocking autophagic flux.
AB  - We explored the effects of KB-R7943, an inhibitor of reverse-mode NCX1 activity,
      in prostate cancer (PCa). NCX1 was overexpressed in PCa tissues and cell lines,
      and higher NCX1 levels were associated higher PCa grades. At concentrations
      greater than 10 MUM, KB-R7943 dose-dependently decreased PC3 and LNCaP cell
      viability. KB-R7943 also increased cell cycle G1/S phase arrest and induced
      apoptosis in PC3 cells. KB-R7943 increased autophagosome accumulation in PCa
      cells as indicated by increases in LC3-II levels and eGFP-LC3 puncta. Combined
      treatment with chloroquine (CQ) and KB-R7943 decreased P62 and increased LC3-II
      protein levels in PC3 cells, indicating that KB-R7943 blocked autophagic flux. KB
      R7943 induced autophagosome accumulation mainly by downregulating the PI3K/AKT/m
      TOR pathway and upregulating the JNK pathway. In xenograft experiments, KB-R7943
      inhibited tumor growth. Combined treatment with KB-R7943 and an autophagy
      inhibitor inhibited growth and increased apoptosis. These results indicate that
      KB-R7943 promotes cell death in PCa by activating the JNK signaling pathway and
      blocking autophagic flux.

PMID- 27275545
TI  - pH driven addressing of silicon nanowires onto Si3N4/SiO2 micro-patterned
      surfaces.
AB  - pH was used as the main driving parameter for specifically immobilizing silicon
      nanowires onto Si3N4 microsquares at the surface of a SiO2 substrate. Different
      pH values of the coating aqueous solution enabled to experimentally distribute
      nanowires between silicon nitride and silicon dioxide: at pH 3 nanowires were
      mainly anchored on Si3N4; they were evenly distributed between SiO2 and Si3N4 at
      pH 2.8; and they were mainly anchored on SiO2 at pH 2. A theoretical model based
      on DLVO theory and surface protonation/deprotonation equilibria was used to study
      how, in adequate pH conditions, Si nanowires could be anchored onto specific
      regions of a patterned Si3N4/SiO2 surface. Instead of using capillary forces, or
      hydrophilic/hydrophobic contrast between the two types of materials, the
      specificity of immobilization could rely on surface electric charge contrasts
      between Si3N4 and SiO2. This simple and generic method could be used for
      addressing a large diversity of nano-objects onto patterned substrates. 

PMID- 27275544
TI  - Cancer megafunds with in silico and in vitro validation: accelerating cancer drug
      discovery via financial engineering without financial crisis.
AB  - Advances in financial engineering are radically reshaping the biomedical
      marketplace. For instance, new methods of pooling diversified drug development
      programs by placing them in a special purpose vehicle (SPV) have been proposed to
      create a securitized cancer megafund allowing for debt and equity participation.
      In this study, we perform theoretical and numerical simulations that highlight
      the role of empirical validation of the projects comprising a cancer megafund. We
      quantify the degree to which the deliberately designed structure of derivatives
      and investments is key to its liquidity. Research megafunds with comprehensive in
      silico and laboratory validation protocols and ability to issue both debt, and
      equity as well as hybrid financial products may enable conservative investors
      including pension funds and sovereign government funds to profit from unique
      securitization opportunities. Thus, while hedging investor's longevity risk, such
      well-validated megafunds will contribute to health, well being and longevity of
      the global population.

PMID- 27275579
TI  - Readmission Rates, Reasons, and Risk Factors in Elderly Patients Treated With
      Lumbar Fusion for Degenerative Pathology.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database review. OBJECTIVE: To determine readmission
      rates after 1 to 2 level, primary, elective lumbar spinal fusion surgery for
      degenerative pathology and elucidate risk factors that predict increased risk of
      30-day readmission SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Early postoperative readmissions
      after spine surgery represent a significant source of increased cost and
      morbidity. As the elderly population represents a demographic with a growing need
      for spine surgery, readmissions within this population are of significant
      interest. METHODS: Medicare data (2005-2012) from an insurance database was
      queried for patients who underwent primary 1 to 2 level posterolateral lumbar
      spine fusion surgeries for degenerative lumbar pathology. After applying specific
      exclusion criteria to select for elderly patients (65-84 yr) undergoing mostly
      elective procedures, 52,567 patients formed the final study population.
      Readmission rates for medical, surgical, and all reasons were calculated within
      30 days, 90 days, and 1 year postoperatively. Risk factors for medical, surgical,
      and all 30-day readmissions were also determined. RESULTS: Within 30 days, 90
      days, and 1 year, 1510 (2.9%), 2776 (5.3%), and 6574 (12.5%) patients were
      readmitted, respectively. At 30 days, surgical diagnoses constituted 50.1% of all
      readmissions. Wound infection was the reason for readmission in 25.8% of all
      readmissions within 30 days. Diagnoses of chronic pulmonary disease (OR 1.41 95%
      CI 1.22-1.63), obesity (OR 2.20 95% CI 1.90-2.54), and positive smoking history
      (OR 1.33 95% CI 1.15-1.54) were associated with increased risk of surgical
      readmission. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion
      experience 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year readmission rates of 2.9, 5.3, and 12.5%
      for both medical and surgical reasons. Surgical site infection and wound
      complications are the most common surgery-related reasons for readmission.
      Medical diagnoses are more predominant during later readmissions, highlighting
      the comorbidity burden present in elderly patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 27275580
TI  - Development and Implementation of a Capstone Objective Structured Clinical
      Examination in Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwifery Programs.
AB  - Determining when advanced practice registered nurse students are safe and
      competent for beginning-level practice is challenging. This article describes the
      development and testing of a capstone objective structured clinical examination
      designed to evaluate the practice readiness of students enrolled in the family,
      adult-gerontology, women's health nurse practitioner, and nurse-midwifery tracks.
      Lessons learned from this process and how they were used to enhance the curricula
      are discussed.

PMID- 27275581
TI  - Individual mediodorsal thalamic neurons project to multiple areas of the rat
      prefrontal cortex: A single neuron-tracing study using virus vectors.
AB  - The prefrontal cortex has an important role in a variety of cognitive and
      executive processes, and is generally defined by its reciprocal connections with
      the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD). The rat MD is mainly subdivided into three
      segments, the medial (MDm), central (MDc), and lateral (MDl) divisions, on the
      basis of the cytoarchitecture and chemoarchitecture. The MD segments are known to
      topographically project to multiple prefrontal areas at the population level: the
      MDm mainly to the prelimbic, infralimbic, and agranular insular areas; the MDc to
      the orbital and agranular insular areas; and the MDl to the prelimbic and
      anterior cingulate areas. However, it is unknown whether individual MD neurons
      project to single or multiple prefrontal cortical areas. In the present study, we
      visualized individual MD neurons with Sindbis virus vectors, and reconstructed
      whole structures of MD neurons. While the main cortical projection targets of
      MDm, MDc, and MDl neurons were generally consistent with those of previous
      results, it was found that individual MD neurons sent their axon fibers to
      multiple prefrontal areas, and displayed various projection patterns in the
      target areas. Furthermore, the axons of single MD neurons were not homogeneously
      spread, but were rather distributed to form patchy axon arbors approximately 1 mm
      in diameter. The multiple-area projections and patchy axon arbors of single MD
      neurons might be able to coactivate cortical neuron groups in distant prefrontal
      areas simultaneously. Furthermore, considerable heterogeneity of the projection
      patterns is likely, to recruit the different sets of cortical neurons, and thus
      contributes to a variety of prefrontal functions. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:166-185,
      2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27275583
TI  - Locally Downscaled and Spatially Customizable Climate Data for Historical and
      Future Periods for North America.
AB  - Large volumes of gridded climate data have become available in recent years
      including interpolated historical data from weather stations and future
      predictions from general circulation models. These datasets, however, are at
      various spatial resolutions that need to be converted to scales meaningful for
      applications such as climate change risk and impact assessments or sample-based
      ecological research. Extracting climate data for specific locations from large
      datasets is not a trivial task and typically requires advanced GIS and data
      management skills. In this study, we developed a software package, ClimateNA,
      that facilitates this task and provides a user-friendly interface suitable for
      resource managers and decision makers as well as scientists. The software locally
      downscales historical and future monthly climate data layers into scale-free
      point estimates of climate values for the entire North American continent. The
      software also calculates a large number of biologically relevant climate
      variables that are usually derived from daily weather data. ClimateNA covers 1)
      104 years of historical data (1901-2014) in monthly, annual, decadal and 30-year
      time steps; 2) three paleoclimatic periods (Last Glacial Maximum, Mid Holocene
      and Last Millennium); 3) three future periods (2020s, 2050s and 2080s); and 4)
      annual time-series of model projections for 2011-2100. Multiple general
      circulation models (GCMs) were included for both paleo and future periods, and
      two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and 8.5) were chosen for future
      climate data. 

PMID- 27275582
TI  - The Prognostic Impact of NK/NKT Cell Density in Periampullary Adenocarcinoma
      Differs by Morphological Type and Adjuvant Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Natural killer (NK) cells and NK T cells (NKT) are vital parts of
      tumour immunosurveillance. However, their impact on prognosis and chemotherapy
      response in periampullary adenocarcinoma, including pancreatic cancer, has not
      yet been described. METHODS: Immune cell-specific expression of CD56, CD3, CD68
      and CD1a was analysed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays with tumours
      from 175 consecutive cases of periampullary adenocarcinoma, 110 of
      pancreatobiliary type (PB-type) and 65 of intestinal type (I-type) morphology.
      Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were applied to determine the impact of
      CD56+ NK/NKT cells on 5-year overall survival (OS). RESULTS: High density of
      CD56+ NK/NKT cells correlated with low N-stage and lack of perineural, lymphatic
      vessel and peripancreatic fat invasion. High density of CD56+ NK/NKT cells was
      associated with prolonged OS in Kaplan-Meier analysis (p = 0.003), and in
      adjusted Cox regression analysis (HR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.29-0.86). The prognostic
      effect of high CD56+ NK/NKT cell infiltration was only evident in cases not
      receiving adjuvant chemotherapy in PB-type tumours (p for interaction = 0.014).
      CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that abundant infiltration of CD56+ NK/NKT
      cells is associated with a prolonged survival in periampullary adenocarcinoma.
      However, the negative interaction with adjuvant treatment is noteworthy. NK cell
      enhancing strategies may prove to be successful in the management of these
      cancers.

PMID- 27275584
TI  - Location of Tessellations in Ocular Fundus and Their Associations with Optic Disc
      Tilt, Optic Disc Area, and Axial Length in Young Healthy Eyes.
AB  - Tessellated fundus is found as common and early-phase characteristic of myopic
      eyes and their locations are varied among patients. However, the relationship
      between their locations and morphological parameters of the eyes is still
      unknown. The purpose is this study is to determine the locations of the
      tessellations in the ocular fundus of young healthy eyes, and to determine
      relationships between their locations and morphological parameters of the eyes.
      This is a prospective observational cross sectional study of 126 eyes of 126
      healthy volunteers (mean age 26.0+/-4.1 years). The eyes were classified into
      eight groups based on the location of the tessellations; no tessellation,
      temporal, infra-temporal, inferior, nasal, peripapillary, whole retina, and
      unclassified tessellations. The degree of optic disc tilt was quantified using a
      sine curve fitting program on the optical coherence tomographic circle scan
      images. The correlations between each tessellation location and the axial length,
      area of the optic disc plus conus (AOC), and optic disc tilt were determined.
      Forty-four eyes were place in the no tessellation group, 12 eyes in the temporal,
      21 eyes in the infra-temporal, 9 eyes in the inferior, 8 eyes in the nasal, 15
      eyes in the peripapillary, 11 eyes in the whole, and 6 eyes in the unclassified
      groups. The differences in the axial lengths between the no tessellation group
      and the infra-temporal groups were significant. A significant difference was
      found in the AOC between the no tessellation and the inferior, infra-temporal,
      and peripapilalry groups. A significant difference was found in the optic disc
      tilt between the no tessellation and infra-temporal groups (P<0.05). The
      tessellations are located at specific sites in the fundus of young healthy eyes
      with the infra-temporal location most frequent. It was correlated with some
      parameters associated with myopia. 

PMID- 27275586
TI  - "I would like to be a surgeon, but ...." Will two years be enough?

PMID- 27275585
TI  - Post-traumatic stress symptoms in children and adolescents with chronic pain: A
      topical review of the literature and a proposed framework for future research.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The co-occurrence of chronic pain and post-traumatic
      stress symptoms (PTSS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has gained
      increasing research attention. Studies on associations among pain and PTSS or
      PTSD in youth have largely been conducted in the context of acute injury or
      trauma. Less is known about the risk for co-occurrence with paediatric chronic
      pain. In this review, we (1) propose a conceptual framework to outline factors
      salient during childhood that may be associated with symptom severity, co
      occurrence and mutual maintenance, (2) present relevant literature on PTSS in
      youth with acute and chronic pain and identify research gaps and (3) provide
      recommendations to guide paediatric research examining shared symptomatology.
      DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT: Electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar)
      were used to identify relevant articles using the search terms 'child,
      adolescent, paediatric, chronic pain, acute pain, post-traumatic stress symptoms
      and post-traumatic stress disorder'. Studies were retrieved and reviewed based on
      relevance to the topic. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that existing
      biobehavioural and ecological models of paediatric chronic pain lack attention to
      traumatic events or the potential development of PTSS. Paediatric studies are
      also limited by lack of a conceptual framework for understanding the prevalence,
      risk and trajectories of PTSS in youth with chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS: Our new
      developmentally informed framework highlights individual symptoms and shared
      contextual factors that are important when examining potential associations among
      paediatric chronic pain and PTSS. Future studies should consider bidirectional
      and mutually maintaining associations, which will be aided by prospective,
      longitudinal designs. WHAT DOES THIS REVIEW ADD?: This review presents relevant
      literature on pain and PTSS in youth and proposes a conceptual framework to
      examine factors salient during childhood that may be associated with symptom
      severity, comorbidity and mutual maintenance of chronic pain and PTSS in
      paediatric populations. We highlight dynamic factors that may change across
      children's development and provide recommendations to guide paediatric research
      examining potential associations among PTSS and chronic pain.

PMID- 27275587
TI  - Expression of Ki-67 and P16 INK4a in chemically-induced perioral squamous cell
      carcinomas in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the influence of Ki-67 and P16INK4a proteins
      immunohistochemical expressions on the clinical and morphological parameters of
      perioral squamous cell carcinoma induced with 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene
      (DMBA) in mice. METHODS: we topically induced the lesions in the oral commissure
      of ten Swiss mice for 20 weeks, determining the time to tumors onset and the
      average tumor volume up to 26 weeks. In histopathological analysis, the variables
      studied were histological malignancy grade and the immunohistochemical expression
      of Ki-67 and P16INK4a proteins. The correlation between variables was determined
      by application of the Spearman correlation test. RESULTS: the mean time to onset
      of perioral lesions was 21.1 +/- 2.13 weeks; mean tumor volume was 555.91 +/-
      205.52 mm3. Of the induced tumors, 80% were classified as low score and 20% high
      score. There was diffuse positivity for Ki-67 in 100% of lesions - Proliferation
      Index (PI) of 50.1 +/- 18.0. There was a strong direct correlation between Ki-67
      immunoreactivity and tumor volume (R = 0.702) and a low correlation with the
      malignancy score (R = 0.486). The P16INK4a protein expression was heterogeneous,
      showing a weak correlation with tumor volume (R = 0.334). There was no
      correlation between the immunohistochemical expression of the two proteins
      studied. CONCLUSION: in an experimental model of DMBA-induced perioral
      carcinogenesis, tumor progression was associated with the tumor proliferative
      fraction (Ki-67 positive cells) and with tumor histological grading, but not with
      P16INK4a expression. OBJETIVO: avaliar a influencia da expressao imuno
      histoquimica das proteinas Ki-67 e p16INK4a sobre parametros clinico-morfologicos
      em carcinomas espinocelulares periorais quimicamente induzidos com 9,10-dimetil
      1,2-benzantraceno (DMBA) em modelo murino. METODOS: as lesoes foram induzidas
      topicamente na comissura labial de dez camundongos Swiss durante 20 semanas,
      sendo determinado o momento de surgimento dos tumores e volume tumoral medio ate
      26 semanas. Na analise histopatologica, as variaveis estudadas foram gradacao
      histologica de malignidade tumoral e expressao imuno-histoquimica das proteinas
      Ki-67 e p16INK4a. A correlacao entre as variaveis estudadas foi determinada pela
      aplicacao do teste de correlacao de Spearman. RESULTADOS: o tempo medio de
      surgimento das lesoes periorais foi 21,1+/-2,13 semanas. Volume tumoral medio foi
      de 555,91+/-205,52mm3. Dos tumores produzidos, 80% foram classificados como de
      baixo escore e 20%, alto escore. Evidenciou-se positividade difusa para Ki-67 em
      100% das lesoes - indice de marcacao (PI) de 50,1+/-18,0. Verificou-se correlacao
      direta forte entre a imunoexpressao do Ki-67 e o volume tumoral (R=0,702) e fraca
      correlacao com o escore de malignidade (R=0,486). A expressao da proteina
      p16INK4a foi heterogenea, mostrando fraca correlacao com o volume tumoral
      (R=0,334). Nao houve correlacao entre a expressao imuno-histoquimica das duas
      proteinas estudadas. CONCLUSAO: Em modelo experimental de carcinogenese perioral
      DMBA-induzida, a progressao tumoral esta associada a fracao proliferativa do
      tumor (celulas ki-67 positivas) e com a gradacao histologica tumoral, porem nao
      com a expressao da p16INK4a.

PMID- 27275588
TI  - Bladder carcinogenesis in rats subjected to ureterosigmoidostomy and treated with
      L-lysine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of L-lysine in the bladder and intestinal
      epithelia in rats submitted to vesicosigmoidostomy. METHODS: we divided forty
      Wistar rats into four groups: group I - control group (Sham); group II -
      submitted to vesicosigmoidostomy and treated with L-lysine 150mg/kg; group III -
      submitted only to vesicosigmoidostomy; and group IV - received L-lysine 150mg/kg.
      After eight weeks the animals were sacrificed. RESULTS: in the bladders of all
      operated animals we observed simple, papillary and nodular hyperplasia of
      transitional cells, transitional cell papillomas and squamous metaplasia. As for
      the occurrence of aberrant crypt foci in the colons of operated animals, we did
      not observe statistically significant differences in any of the distal, proximal
      and medium fragments, or in all fragments together (p=1.0000). CONCLUSION:
      Although statistically there was no promotion of carcinogenesis in the epithelia
      of rats treated with L-lysine in the observed time, it was clear the histogenesis
      of bladder carcinogenesis in its initial phase in all operated rats, this being
      probably associated with chronic infection and tiny bladder stones. OBJETIVO: o
      objetivo deste trabalho e avaliar o efeito da L-lisina nos epitelios vesical e
      intestinal de ratas submetidas a vesicossigmoidostomia. METODOS: quarenta ratas
      Wistar, foram divididas em quatro grupos: grupo I- grupo controle (Sham); grupo
      II- submetido a vesicossigmoidostomia e tratado com L-lisina 150mg/kg; grupo III-
      submetido apenas a vesicossigmoidostomia; e grupo IV- recebeu L-lisina 150mg/kg.
      Apos oito semanas os animais foram sacrificados. RESULTADOS: na bexiga de todos
      os animais operados observou-se hiperplasia simples, papilar e nodular de celulas
      transicionais, papiloma de celulas transicionais e metaplasia escamosa. Quanto a
      ocorrencia de focos de criptas aberrantes nos colos dos animais operados, nao foi
      evidenciado diferenca estatistica significante em nenhum dos fragmentos distal,
      proximal e medio, e todos juntos (P=1,0000). CONCLUSAO: apesar de,
      estatisticamente, nao ter havido promocao de carcinogenese nos epitelios dos
      ratos tratados com L-lisina, no tempo observado, e nitida a histogenese da
      carcinogenese de bexiga em sua fase inicial, no epitelio vesical, em todos os
      ratos operados, estando esta provavelmente associada a infeccao cronica e aos
      diminutos calculos vesicais.

PMID- 27275589
TI  - The influence of nicotine in healing of small bowel anastomoses in rats:
      angiogenesis and miofibroblasts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to know the effect of nicotine on angiogenesis and myofibroblast
      formation in anastomoses of the small bowel of rats. METHODS: we randomly divided
      60 Wistar rats into the groups Nicotine (N) and control (C), according to the
      proposed treatment. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to
      the time interval used for the evaluation (7, 14 or 28 days). The N group with 30
      animals received nicotine subcutaneously at a dose of 2mg/kg body weight, diluted
      in 0.3ml of 0.9% saline, twice daily for 28 days prior to the operation, and for
      more 7, 14 or 28 days, depending on the subgroup. The C group (also 30 animals)
      received only saline on the same conditions and time intervals. After 28 days we
      carried out an end-to-end anastomosis 10cm distal to the duodenojejunal flexure
      in each rat. After 7, 14 or 28 days after surgery, we euthanized ten animals of
      each group, sent specimens of the anastomosis areas, 1cm proximal to 1cm distal,
      to counting of blood vessels and myofibroblasts through immunohistochemical
      staining by the application of monoclonal anti-factor VIII antibodies and anti
      smooth muscle alpha-actin. RESULTS: the administration of nicotine led to the
      decrease in the number of blood vessels measured on the 28th postoperative day
      and the number of myofibroblasts measured on the seventh day following completion
      of the anastomoses. CONCLUSION: administration of nicotine was deleterious on
      angiogenesis and myofibroblast formation in rats' small intestine anastomoses.
      OBJETIVO: conhecer o efeito da nicotina sobre a angiogenese e formacao de
      miofibroblastos em anastomoses do intestino delgado de ratos. METODOS: sessenta
      ratos Wistar foram divididos de maneira aleatoria em grupos Nicotina(N) e
      Controle (C), conforme o tratamento proposto. Cada grupo foi subdividido em tres
      subgrupos, de acordo com o intervalo de tempo utilizado para a avaliacao (7, 14
      ou 28 dias). O grupo N, com 30 animais, recebeu nicotina por via subcutanea, na
      dose de 2mg/Kg de peso, diluida em 0,3ml de solucao salina a 0,9%, em duas
      aplicacoes diarias, durante 28 dias previos a operacao e por mais 7, 14 ou 28
      dias, conforme o subgrupo. O grupo C (igualmente com 30 animais) recebeu somente
      a solucao salina nas mesmas condicoes e intervalos de tempo. Apos 28 dias efetuou
      se, em cada rato, anastomose termino-terminal a 10cm da flexura duodenojejunal.
      Apos 7, 14 ou 28 dias da cirurgia, os dez animais de cada subgrupo foram
      eutanasiados, sendo que as areas anastomosadas, 1cm proximal a 1cm distal, foram
      encaminhadas para contagem de vasos sanguineos e miofibroblastos, atraves de
      coloracao imuno-histoquimica por aplicacao dos anticorpos monoclonais antifator
      VIII e anti-alfa-actina muscular lisa. RESULTADOS: a administracao de nicotina
      levou a diminuicao do numero de vasos sanguineos aferidos no 28o dia pos
      operatorio e do numero de miofibroblastos aferidos no setimo dia apos a
      realizacao das anastomoses. CONCLUSAO: a administracao de nicotina foi deleteria
      sobre a angiogenese e formacao de miofibroblastos em anastomoses do intestino
      delgado de ratos.

PMID- 27275590
TI  - Extended pelvic resections for the treatment of locally advanced and recurrent
      anal canal and colorectal cancer: technical aspects and morbimortality predictors
      aftet 24 consecutive cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the profile of morbidity and mortality and its predictors
      related to extensive pelvic resections, including pelvic exenteration, to
      optimize the selection of patients and achieve better surgical results. METHODS:
      we performed 24 major resections for anorectal pelvic malignancy from 2008 to
      2015 in the Instituto do Cancer do Ceara. The factors analyzed included age,
      weight loss, resected organs, total versus posterior exenteration, angiolymphatic
      and perineural invasion, lymph node metastasis and overall and disease-free
      survival. RESULTS: the median age was 57 years and the mean follow-up was ten
      months. Overall morbidity was 45.8%, with five (20.8%) serious complications.
      There were no deaths in the first 30 postoperative days. The median overall
      survival was 39.5 months, and disease-free survival, 30.7 months. Concomitant
      resection of the bladder was an isolated prognostic factor for higher risk of
      complications (87.5% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.009). Angiolymphatic invasion and lymph
      node metastasis did not reach significance with respect to disease-free survival.
      CONCLUSION: treatment of advanced anorectal tumors is challenging, often
      requiring combined resections, such as cystectomy and sacrectomy, and complex
      reconstructions. The magnitude of the operation still carries a high morbidity
      rate, but is a procedure considered safe and feasible, with a low mortality and
      adequate locoregional tumor control when performed in referral centers.
      OBJETIVOS: avaliar o perfil de morbimortalidade e seus fatores preditivos
      relacionados as resseccoes pelvicas extensas, incluindo a exenteracao pelvica,
      com o intuito de otimizar a selecao dos pacientes e obtencao de melhores
      resultados cirurgicos. METODOS: foram realizadas 24 grandes resseccoes pelvicas
      por neoplasia maligna anorretal de 2008 a 2015 no Instituto do Cancer do Ceara.
      Os fatores analisados incluiram idade, perda de peso, orgao ressecados,
      exenteracao total versus posterior, invasao angiolinfatica e perineural,
      metastase linfonodal e sobrevida global e livre de doenca. RESULTADOS: a mediana
      de idade foi 57 anos e o tempo medio de seguimento foi dez meses. A morbidade
      global foi 45,8%, com cinco (20,8%) complicacoes graves. Nao houve obito nos
      primeiros 30 dias de pos-operatorio. A sobrevida global media foi 39,5 meses e a
      sobrevida livre de doenca foi 30,7 meses. A resseccao concomitante da bexiga foi
      fator prognostico isolado com maior risco para complicacoes (87,5% vs. 26,7%,
      p=0.009). Invasao angiolinfatica e metastase linfonodal nao alcancaram
      significancia com relacao a sobrevida livre de doenca. CONCLUSAO: o tratamento
      dos tumores anorretais avancados e desafiador, necessitando frequentemente de
      resseccoes combinadas, como a cistectomia e sacrectomia, alem de reconstrucoes
      complexas. A magnitude da cirurgia ainda carrega uma elevada taxa de morbidade,
      porem e um procedimento considerado seguro e factivel, com uma baixa mortalidade
      e adequado controle locorregional tumoral quando realizado em centros de
      referencia.

PMID- 27275591
TI  - Impact of neoadjuvant therapy in downstaging of lower rectal adenocarcinoma and
      the role of pelvic magnetic resonance in staging.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant therapy on the stage (TNM) of
      patients with rectal adenocarcinoma and validate the use of MRI as a method of
      determining locoregional stage. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective study of
      157 patients with lower rectum adenocarcinoma, whom we divided into two groups:
      Group 1, 81 patients (52%) who had undergone surgical treatment initially, with
      the purpose to analyze the accuracy of locoregional staging by pelvic magnetic
      resonance imaging throug the comparison of radiological findings with
      pathological ones; Group 2, 76 patients (48%), who had been submitted to
      neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and radiation) prior to definitive surgical
      treatment, so as to evaluate its effects on the stage by comparing clinical and
      radiological findings with pathology. RESULTS: In group 1, the accuracy of
      determining tumor depth (T) and lymph node involvement (N) was 91.4% and 82.7%,
      respectively. In group 2, neoadjuvant therapy decreased the T stage, N stage and
      TNM stage in 51.3%, 21% and 48.4% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: neoadjuvant
      therapy in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma is effective in decreasing disease
      stage, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging is effective for locoregional
      staging. OBJETIVO: avaliar o efeito da terapia neoadjuvante, nos pacientes
      portadores de adenocarcinoma de reto, sobre o estadio (TNM) e validar o emprego
      da ressonancia magnetica como metodo de determinacao do estadio locorregional.
      METODOS: estudo retrospectivo de 157 pacientes com diagnostico de adenocarcinoma
      de reto baixo, que foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo 1, 81 pacientes (52%),
      submetidos ao tratamento cirurgico de principio, cuja finalidade foi analisar a
      acuracia da determinacao do estadio locorregional pela ressonancia magnetica da
      pelve, atraves da comparacao entre os achados radiologicos e os achados
      anatomopatologicos; Grupo 2, 76 pacientes (48%), encaminhados a terapia
      neoadjuvante (quimioterapia e radioterapia), antes do tratamento cirurgico
      definitivo, com o intuito de avaliar seus efeitos sobre o estadio, atraves da
      comparacao dos achados clinico-radiologicos com os anatomopatologicos.
      RESULTADOS: no grupo 1, a acuracia da determinacao da profundidade da lesao (T) e
      do comprometimento linfonodal (N), foram de 91,4% e 82,7%, respectivamente. No
      grupo 2, a terapia neoadjuvante diminuiu o estadio T, estadio N e o estadio TNM
      em 51,3%, 21% e 48,4% dos casos, respectivamente. CONCLUSAO: a terapia
      neoadjuvante nos pacientes com adenocarcinoma de reto e efetiva na diminuicao do
      estadio e a ressonancia magnetica da pelve e eficaz na determinacao do estadio
      locorregional.

PMID- 27275592
TI  - The collagen, fibrinogen and thrombin biological adhesive is effective in
      treating experimental liver injuries.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effectiveness of an collagen-based adhesive associated
      with fibrinogen and thrombin in experimental liver injuries in rats. METHODS: we
      randomly divided 30 Wistar rats into three groups: A, B and C. All underwent a
      standard liver traumatic injury. In group A, the lesion was treated with the
      adhesive; in group B, with conventional, absorbable suture; group C received no
      treatment. We analyzed the time of hemostasis, mortality, occurrence of adhesions
      and any histological changes. RESULTS: there was no statistical difference in
      relation to mortality (p=0.5820). The adhesive treated group showed the lowest
      hemostasis times (p=0.0573, odds ratio 13.5) and lower incidence of adhesions
      (p=0.0119). The histological alterations of the Groups A and B were similar, with
      foreign body granuloma formation separating the adhesive material and the hepatic
      stroma suture. CONCLUSION: the collagen adhesive associated with fibrinogen and
      thrombin was effective in treating experimental hepatic injury, providing a lower
      incidence of adhesions between the liver and surrounding structures. OBJETIVO:
      avaliar a eficacia de um adesivo a base de colageno associado ao fibrinogenio e
      trombina, no trauma hepatico experimental em ratos. METODOS: toram incluidos no
      estudo 30 ratos Wistar, igualmente divididos aleatoriamente em tres grupos: A, B
      e C. Todos foram submetidos a lesao traumatica hepatica padronizada. No grupo A,
      a lesao foi tratada com o adesivo, no grupo B, com sutura convencional com fio
      absorvivel, e no grupo C, nao houve tratamento da lesao. Foram analisados o tempo
      de hemostasia, mortalidade, ocorrencia de aderencias e eventuais alteracoes
      histologicas. RESULTADOS: os resultados mostraram que nao houve diferenca
      estatistica em relacao a mortalidade (p=0,5820). O grupo tratado com adesivo
      apresentou os menores tempos de hemostasia (p=0,0573 e odds ratio 13,5) e menor
      ocorrencia de aderencias (p=0,0119). Microscopicamente as alteracoes histologicas
      dos grupos A e B foram semelhantes, com a formacao de granuloma de corpo estranho
      separando o material do adesivo e do fio de sutura do estroma hepatico.
      CONCLUSAO: o adesivo de colageno associado ao fibrinogenio e trombina foi eficaz
      no tratamento do trauma hepatico experimental, proporcionado menor ocorrencia de
      aderencias entre o figado e as estruturas vizinhas.

PMID- 27275593
TI  - Epidemiology and outcome of patients with postoperative abdominal fistula.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to present the epidemiological profile, incidence and outcome of
      patients who developing postoperative abdominal fistula. METHODS: This
      observational, cross-sectional, prospective study evaluated patients undergoing
      abdominal surgery. We studied the epidemiological profile, the incidence of
      postoperative fistulas and their characteristics, the outcome of this
      complication and the predictors of mortality. RESULTS: The sample consisted of
      1,148 patients. The incidence of fistula was 5.5%. There was predominance of
      biliary fistula (26%), followed by colonic fistulas (22%) and stomach (15%). The
      average time to onset of fistula was 6.3 days. For closure, the average was 25.6
      days. The mortality rate of patients with fistula was 25.4%. Predictors of
      mortality in patients who developed fistula were age over 60 years, presence of
      comorbidities, fistula closure time more than 19 days, no spontaneous closure of
      the fistula, malnutrition, sepsis and need for admission to the Intensive Care
      Unit. CONCLUSION: abdominal postoperative fistulas are still relatively frequent
      and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. OBJETIVO: apresentar o
      perfil epidemiologico, incidencia e desfecho em pacientes que evoluiram com
      fistula abdominal pos-operatoria. METODOS: trata-se de um estudo prospectivo
      transversal observacional que avaliou pacientes submetidos a cirurgia abdominal.
      Foram estudados o perfil epidemiologico, a incidencia das fistulas pos
      operatorias e suas caracteristicas, desfecho desta complicacaoe fatores
      preditivos de mortalidade. RESULTADOS: a amostra constou de 1148 pacientes. A
      incidencia de fistula foi 5,5%. Houve predominancia de fistulas biliares (26%),
      seguidas de fistulas colonicas (22%) e gastricas (15%). O tempo medio para o
      surgimento da fistula foi 6,3 dias. Para o fechamento, a media foi 25,6 dias. A
      taxa de mortalidade dos pacientes com fistula foi 25,4%. Os fatores preditivos de
      mortalidade nos casos que desenvolveram fistula foram idade maior do que 60 anos,
      presenca de comorbidades, tempo de fechamento da fistula superior a 19 dias, nao
      fechamento espontaneo da fistula, desnutricao, sepse e necessidade de admissao em
      Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. CONCLUSAO: as fistulas pos-operatorias abdominais
      ainda sao relativamente frequentes e associadas a morbidade e mortalidade
      significativas.

PMID- 27275594
TI  - Analysis of electrocautery generated smoke by chromatographic-mass spectrometry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to analyze the chemical components of the smoke from electrocautery
      from coagulating muscle and liver tissues of pigs. METHODS: we collected smoke
      produced by electrocautery applied to porcine tissue in previously evacuated
      bottles, with qualitative and quantitative analysis of the compounds present
      through the hyphenated technique gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. RESULTS:
      there was a majority of decanal aldehyde in the fumes from the subcutaneous,
      muscle and liver tissues. Fumes of subcutaneous and muscular tissues also showed
      the presence of hexanal and phenol. In the fumes of subcutaneous and liver
      tissues we also found toluene and limonene and, finally, nonanal smoke was
      present in the muscle and liver tissues. CONCLUSION: there is increasing evidence
      showing that smoke from electrocautery used in subcutaneous, muscle and liver
      tissue is harmful to human health. Thus, there is need to reduce exposure to it
      or wear masks with filters capable of retaining these particles. OBJETIVO:
      analisar quimicamente os componentes da fumaca do eletrocauterio, provenientes da
      coagulacao de tecidos, muscular e hepatico de suino. METODOS: coleta de fumaca
      produzida por eletrocauterizacao de tecido porcino em frascos previamente
      evacuados com analise qualitativa e quantitativa dos compostos presentes, atraves
      de tecnica hifenada, cromatografia a gas/espectrometria de massas. RESULTADOS:
      houve presenca majoritaria do aldeido decanal nas fumacas provenientes dos
      tecidos subcutaneo, muscular e hepatico. Fumacas dos tecidos subcutaneo e
      muscular mostraram tambem a presenca de hexanal e fenol. Nas fumacas dos tecidos
      subcutaneo e hepatico foram encontrados ainda tolueno e limoneno e, por fim,
      nonanal estava presente nas fumacas dos tecidos muscular e hepatico. CONCLUSAO:
      ha numero crescente de evidencias mostrando que fumaca proveniente de
      eletrocauterizacao de tecidos subcutaneo, muscular e hepatico e nociva a saude de
      seres humanos. Portanto, ha necessidade de reduzir a exposicao a ela ou usar
      mascara com filtro capaz de reter essas particulas.

PMID- 27275595
TI  - Preliminary analysis of hybrid laparoscopic procedure for resection of gastric
      submucosal tumors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the feasibility, safety and benefits of minimally invasive
      surgery for resection of gastric submucosal tumor (GSMT). METHODS: we conducted a
      retrospective study of medical records of patients undergoing endoscopy-assisted
      laparoscopic resection of gastric submucosal tumors (prospectively collected)
      from 2011 to 2014. We evaluated clinical data, surgical approach,
      clinicopathological characteristics of the GSMT (size, location,
      histopathological and immunohistochemical exams), outcome and patients follow-up.
      RESULTS: we evaluated six patients, 50% male, mean age 52+/-18 years and common
      symptoms of heartburn and gastric fullness. All patients underwent hybrid
      procedure without anatomical impairment of the organ. The average length of stay
      was 3.5 days and the average size of the tumors was 2.0+/-0.8cm, five of them
      (83%) in the proximal third of the stomach. The surgical specimens pathological
      and immunohistochemistry examination revealed one case of ectopic pancreas (17%),
      one grade 2 neuroendocrine tumor (17%), one lipoma (17%), one GIST (17%) and two
      leiomyomas (32%). There were no episodes of tumor rupture or intraoperative
      complications and no conversion to open surgery. During the postoperative follow
      up period, none of the patients had recurrence, metastasis, fistula or stenosis.
      CONCLUSION: the results showed that endoscopy-assisted laparoscopic resection is
      feasible and safe for patients with GSMT. Endoscopy proved to be essential in the
      location of lesions and as intraoperative support, especially when attempting to
      preserve the pylorus and cardia during surgery. OBJETIVO: avaliar a viabilidade,
      seguranca e vantagens da cirurgia minimamente invasiva para resseccao de tumores
      submucosos gastricos (TUSG). METODOS: estudo retrospectivo dos prontuarios de
      pacientes submetidos a resseccao videolaparoscopica assistida por endoscopia
      digestiva alta para tumores submucosos gastricos (coletados prospectivamente) de
      2011 a 2014. Os fatores avaliados foram dados clinicos, abordagem cirurgica,
      caracteristicas clinicopatologicas dos TUSG (tamanho, localizacao, exame
      anatomopatologico e imuno-histoquimico), resultados e acompanhamento dos
      pacientes. RESULTADOS: foram avaliados seis pacientes, 50% do sexo masculino, com
      media de idade 52+/-18 anos e sintomas comuns de pirose e plenitude gastrica.
      Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao procedimento hibrido e sem comprometimento
      anatomico do orgao. O tempo medio de internacao foi 3,5 dias e o tamanho medio
      dos tumores foi 2,0+/-0,8cm, cinco deles (83%) no terco proximal do estomago. Os
      exames anatomopatologicos e imuno-histoquimicos das pecas cirurgicas demonstraram
      um caso de pancreas ectopico (17%), um tumor neuroendocrino grau 2 (17%), um
      lipoma (17%), um GIST (17%) e dois leiomiomas (32%). Nao houve episodios de
      ruptura do tumor nem complicacoes intraoperatorias e nenhuma conversao para
      cirurgia aberta. Durante o periodo de acompanhamento pos-operatorio nenhum dos
      pacientes apresentou recidiva, metastase, fistula ou estenose. CONCLUSAO: os
      resultados obtidos mostraram que a resseccao laparoscopica assistida por
      endoscopia e viavel e segura para pacientes com TUSG. A endoscopia mostrou-se
      fundamental na localizacao das lesoes e suporte intraoperatorio, principalmente
      na tentativa de preservar a cardia e o piloro durante a cirurgia.

PMID- 27275596
TI  - Duodenum inclusion in alimentary transit for preventing or correcting nutritional
      deficiencies resulting from Roux-en-y gastric bypass in obesity treatment.
AB  - Nutritional and metabolic complications can develop after Roux-en-Y gastric
      bypass (RYGB) when there is an exaggerated response to the anatomical and
      functional changes or when there is inadequate nutritional supplementation.
      Severe malnutrition is rare, but deficiencies of vitamin B12, iron, calcium and
      thiamin, metabolic bone disease and gallstones are common after RYGB. Shortage of
      vitamin B12, iron, calcium and also cholelithiasis are caused at least partially
      by excluding the duodenum and proximal jejunum from food transit. We designed a
      new procedure, with the maintenance of the duodenum and proximal jejunum in the
      gastrointestinal transit through interposition of jejunal loop, as a primary
      operation to prevent such deficiencies or as corrective surgery for severe
      malnutrition after RYGB with failure in responding to conservative treatment.
      Complicacoes nutricionais e metabolicas podem se desenvolver apos a derivacao
      gastrica em Y de Roux (DGYR) quando ha uma resposta exagerada as mudancas
      anatomicas e funcionais ou quando ha suplementacao nutricional inadequada. A
      desnutricao grave e rara, mas deficiencias de vitamina B12, ferro, calcio e
      tiamina, doenca ossea metabolica e calculos biliares sao comuns apos a DGYR.
      Dessas deficiencias mencionadas, a de vitamina B12, de ferro, de calcio e tambem
      a colelitiase, sao causadas, ao menos parcialmente, pela exclusao do duodeno e
      jejuno proximal. Um novo procedimento com a manutencao do duodeno e do jejuno
      proximal no transito gastrointestinal, mediante interposicao de alca jejunal, foi
      idealizado como operacao primaria para prevenir essas deficiencias ou como
      cirurgia corretiva de desnutricao grave apos DGYR com falha na resposta a
      exaustivas tentativas de tratamento conservador. 

PMID- 27275597
TI  - Correction: Global Role and Burden of Influenza in Pediatric Respiratory
      Hospitalizations, 1982-2012: A Systematic Analysis.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001977.].

PMID- 27275598
TI  - Chiral Allenes via Alkynylogous Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction.
AB  - Herein we describe the development of a catalytic enantioselective alkynylogous
      Mukaiyama aldol reaction. The reaction is catalyzed by a newly designed chiral
      disulfonimide and delivers chiral allenoates in high yields and with excellent
      regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. Our process tolerates a broad range
      of aldehydes in combination with diverse alkynyl-substituted ketene acetals. The
      reaction products can be readily derivatized to furnish a variety of highly
      substituted enantiomerically enriched building blocks.

PMID- 27275599
TI  - Identification of Targets of a New Nutritional Mixture for Osteoarthritis
      Management Composed by Curcuminoids Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen and Green Tea
      Extract.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We have previously demonstrated that a mixture of curcuminoids
      extract, hydrolyzed collagen and green tea extract (COT) inhibited inflammatory
      and catabolic mediator's synthesis by osteoarthritic human chondrocytes. The
      objective of this study was to identify new targets of COT using genomic and
      proteomic approaches. DESIGN: Cartilage specimens were obtained from 12 patients
      with knee osteoarthritis. Primary human chondrocytes were cultured in monolayer
      until confluence and then incubated for 24 or 48 hours in the absence or in the
      presence of human interleukin(IL)-1beta (10-11M) and with or without COT, each
      compound at the concentration of 4 MUg/ml. Microarray gene expression profiling
      between control, COT, IL-1beta and COT IL-1beta conditions was performed.
      Immunoassays were used to confirm the effect of COT at the protein level.
      RESULTS: More than 4000 genes were differentially expressed between conditions.
      The key regulated pathways were related to inflammation, cartilage metabolism and
      angiogenesis. The IL-1beta stimulated chemokine ligand 6, matrix
      metalloproteinase-13, bone morphogenetic protein-2 and stanniocalcin1 gene
      expressions and protein productions were down-regulated by COT. COT significantly
      decreased stanniocalcin1 production in basal condition. Serpin E1 gene expression
      and protein production were down-regulated by IL-1beta. COT reversed the
      inhibitory effect of IL-1beta. Serpin E1 gene expression was up-regulated by COT
      in control condition. CONCLUSION: The COT mixture has beneficial effect on
      osteoarthritis physiopathology by regulating the synthesis of key catabolic,
      inflammatory and angiogenesis factors. These findings give a scientific rationale
      for the use of these natural ingredients in the management of osteoarthritis.

PMID- 27275600
TI  - Sex Differences in Diabetes Mellitus Mortality Trends in Brazil, 1980-2012.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the hypothesis that the change from the female predominance
      of diabetes mellitus to a standard of equality or even male preponderance can
      already be observed in Brazilian mortality statistics. METHODS: Data on deaths
      for which diabetes mellitus was listed as the underlying cause were obtained from
      the Brazilian Mortality Information System for the years 1980 to 2012. The
      mortality data were also analyzed according to the multiple causes of death
      approach from 2001 to 2012. The population data came from the Brazilian Institute
      of Geography and Statistics. The mortality rates were standardized to the world
      population. We used a log-linear joinpoint regression to evaluate trends in age
      standardized mortality rates (ASMR). RESULTS: From 1980 to 2012, we found a
      marked increment in the diabetes ASMR among Brazilian men and a less sharp
      increase in the rate among women, with the latter period (2003-2012) showing a
      slight decrease among women, though it was not statistically significant.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that diabetes mellitus in Brazil
      has changed from a pattern of higher mortality among women compared to men to
      equality or even male predominance.

PMID- 27275602
TI  - Formation of Oxazoles from Elusive Gold(I) alpha-Oxocarbenes: A Mechanistic
      Study.
AB  - The gold(I) catalyzed reaction between phenylacetylene, pyridine N-oxide and
      acetonitrile leading, via a putative gold-alpha-oxocarbene intermediate, towards
      an oxazole product has been investigated. A novel mass spectrometric method
      called "delayed reactant labeling" is used to track consecutive and parallel
      reactions. It clearly shows that the intramolecular formation of a pyridine
      adduct of gold-alpha-oxocarbene is in competition with the formation of the
      oxazole product. The reaction mechanism most probably corresponds to competition
      between acetonitrile and pyridine in an almost barrierless reaction with putative
      gold-alpha-oxocarbene within the solvent cage. The detected ionic species have
      been characterized by helium tagging infrared photodissociation spectroscopy.

PMID- 27275601
TI  - Chronic Methamphetamine Effects on Brain Structure and Function in Rats.
AB  - Methamphetamine (MA) addiction is a growing epidemic worldwide. Chronic MA use
      has been shown to lead to neurotoxicity in rodents and humans. Magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) studies in MA users have shown enlarged striatal volumes and
      positron emission tomography (PET) studies have shown decreased brain glucose
      metabolism (BGluM) in the striatum of detoxified MA users. The present study
      examines structural changes of the brain, observes microglial activation, and
      assesses changes in brain function, in response to chronic MA treatment. Rats
      were randomly split into three distinct treatment groups and treated daily for
      four months, via i.p. injection, with saline (controls), or low dose (LD) MA (4
      mg/kg), or high dose (HD) MA (8 mg/kg). Sixteen weeks into the treatment period,
      rats were injected with a glucose analog, [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), and
      their brains were scanned with micro-PET to assess regional BGluM. At the end of
      MA treatment, magnetic resonance imaging at 21T was performed on perfused rats to
      determine regional brain volume and in vitro [3H]PK 11195 autoradiography was
      performed on fresh-frozen brain tissue to measure microglia activation. When
      compared with controls, chronic HD MA-treated rats had enlarged striatal volumes
      and increases in [3H]PK 11195 binding in striatum, the nucleus accumbens, frontal
      cortical areas, the rhinal cortices, and the cerebellar nuclei. FDG microPET
      imaging showed that LD MA-treated rats had higher BGluM in insular and
      somatosensory cortices, face sensory nucleus of the thalamus, and brainstem
      reticular formation, while HD MA-treated rats had higher BGluM in primary and
      higher order somatosensory and the retrosplenial cortices, compared with
      controls. HD and LD MA-treated rats had lower BGluM in the tail of the striatum,
      rhinal cortex, and subiculum and HD MA also had lower BGluM in hippocampus than
      controls. These results corroborate clinical findings and help further examine
      the mechanisms behind MA-induced neurotoxicity.

PMID- 27275603
TI  - Functional Relationship between Sucrose and a Cariogenic Biofilm Formation.
AB  - Sucrose is an important dietary factor in cariogenic biofilm formation and
      subsequent initiation of dental caries. This study investigated the functional
      relationships between sucrose concentration and Streptococcus mutans adherence
      and biofilm formation. Changes in morphological characteristics of the biofilms
      with increasing sucrose concentration were also evaluated. S. mutans biofilms
      were formed on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs in culture medium containing 0,
      0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, or 40% (w/v) sucrose. The adherence (in 4-hour
      biofilms) and biofilm composition (in 46-hour biofilms) of the biofilms were
      analyzed using microbiological, biochemical, laser scanning confocal fluorescence
      microscopic, and scanning electron microscopic methods. To determine the
      relationships, 2nd order polynomial curve fitting was performed. In this study,
      the influence of sucrose on bacterial adhesion, biofilm composition (dry weight,
      bacterial counts, and water-insoluble extracellular polysaccharide (EPS)
      content), and acidogenicity followed a 2nd order polynomial curve with
      concentration dependence, and the maximum effective concentrations (MECs) of
      sucrose ranged from 0.45 to 2.4%. The bacterial and EPS bio-volume and thickness
      in the biofilms also gradually increased and then decreased as sucrose
      concentration increased. Furthermore, the size and shape of the micro-colonies of
      the biofilms depended on the sucrose concentration. Around the MECs, the micro
      colonies were bigger and more homogeneous than those at 0 and 40%, and were
      surrounded by enough EPSs to support their structure. These results suggest that
      the relationship between sucrose concentration and cariogenic biofilm formation
      in the oral cavity could be described by a functional relationship. 

PMID- 27275604
TI  - Utilization of Electrochromically Luminescent Transition-Metal Complexes for
      Erasable Information Recording and Temperature-Related Information Protection.
AB  - Transition metal complexes containing pyrazinium or pyridinium moieties display
      reversible luminescence changes in response to electrical stimuli, which is
      useful in the development of erasable information recording electric devices.
      These complexes are also suitable for temperature-related information protection,
      since chemically-induced luminescence turn-on is temperature-dependent. 

PMID- 27275605
TI  - Acclimatization of Photosynthetic Apparatus of Tor Grass (Brachypodium pinnatum)
      during Expansion.
AB  - The aim of this study was to understand the acclimatization mechanisms of
      photosynthetic apparatus in Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P. Beauv grass during its
      expansion. Twelve populations differentiated by age: young (30-50 years old),
      intermediate age (ca. 100 y) and old (>300 y) were studied. It was confirmed that
      the decrease of the number of genotypes as a result of environmental stress and
      competition were reflected in changes in chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF)
      parameters. The old stands were dominated by a few genotypes which seem to be the
      best acclimatized to the self-shading/competition by lowering their
      photosynthetic performance during light-phase of photosynthesis. On the other
      hand, the 'high-speed' photosynthetic rate observed in the young populations can
      be seen as acclimatization to very adverse conditions. Our results clearly
      confirm that ChlF is a powerful method of inferring physiological mechanisms of
      the expansion of tor grass. The Principal Component and Redundancy Analyses,
      followed with k-means classification, allowed to find the differentiation of
      groups of distinct ChlF parameters and enabled us to relate them to changes in
      genotypic diversity of populations. We conclude that the plastic morphological
      and physiological response to changeable habitat light conditions with its
      optimum in half-shade refers to its forest-steppe origin. 

PMID- 27275606
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis Genes of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Promote
      Resistance to Antimicrobial Chemokines.
AB  - Antimicrobial chemokines (AMCs) are a recently described family of host defense
      peptides that play an important role in protecting a wide variety of organisms
      from bacterial infection. Very little is known about the bacterial targets of
      AMCs or factors that influence bacterial susceptibility to AMCs. In an effort to
      understand how bacterial pathogens resist killing by AMCs, we screened Yersinia
      pseudotuberculosis transposon mutants for those with increased binding to the
      AMCs CCL28 and CCL25. Mutants exhibiting increased binding to AMCs were subjected
      to AMC killing assays, which revealed their increased sensitivity to chemokine
      mediated cell death. The majority of the mutants exhibiting increased binding to
      AMCs contained transposon insertions in genes related to lipopolysaccharide
      biosynthesis. A particularly strong effect on susceptibility to AMC mediated
      killing was observed by disruption of the hldD/waaF/waaC operon, necessary for
      ADP-L-glycero-D-manno-heptose synthesis and a complete lipopolysaccharide core
      oligosaccharide. Periodate oxidation of surface carbohydrates also enhanced AMC
      binding, whereas enzymatic removal of surface proteins significantly reduced
      binding. These results suggest that the structure of Y. pseudotuberculosis LPS
      greatly affects the antimicrobial activity of AMCs by shielding a protein ligand
      on the bacterial cell surface. 

PMID- 27275607
TI  - Oral Tori in Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of oral tori has long been debated and is thought to
      be the product of both genetic and environmental factors, including occlusal
      forces. Another proposed mechanism for oral tori is the combination of
      biomechanical forces, particularly in the oral cavity, combined with cortical
      bone loss and trabecular expansion, as one might see in the early stages of
      primary hyperparathyroidism. This study investigated the epidemiology of torus
      palatinus (TP) and torus mandibularis (TM) in peritoneal dialysis patients, and
      analyzed the influences of hyperparathyroidism on the formation of oral tori.
      METHOD: In total, 134 peritoneal dialysis patients were recruited between July 1
      and December 31, 2015 for dental examinations for this study. Patients were
      categorized into two subgroups based on the presence or absence of oral tori.
      Demographic, hematological, biochemical, and dialysis-related data were obtained
      for analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of oral tori in our sample group was high
      at 42.5% (57 of 134), and most patients with oral tori were female (61.4%). The
      most common location of tori was TP (80.7%), followed by TP and TM (14.0%), then
      TM (5.3%). All 54 TP cases were at the midline, and most were <2 cm (59.3%), flat
      (53.7%), and located in the premolar region (40.7%). Of the 11 TM cases, all were
      bilateral and symmetric, mostly <2 cm (81.9%), lobular (45.4%), and located at
      premolar region (63.6%). Interestingly, patients with oral tori had slightly
      lower serum levels of intact parathyroid hormones than those without oral tori,
      but the difference was not statistically significant (317.3+/-292.0 versus
      430.1+/-492.6 pg/mL, P = 0.126). In addition, patients with oral tori did not
      differ from patients without tori in inflammatory variables such as serum high
      sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (6.6+/-8.2 versus 10.3+/-20.2 mg/L, P =
      0.147) or nutritional variables such as serum albumin levels (3.79+/-0.38 versus
      3.77+/-0.45 g/dL, P = 0.790). Furthermore, there were no differences between
      patients with and without oral tori in dialysis adequacy (weekly Kt/Vurea, 2.14+/
      0.39 versus 2.11+/-0.33, P = 0.533; weekly creatinine clearance rate, 59.31+/
      17.58 versus 58.57+/-13.20 L/1.73 m2, P = 0.781), or peritoneal membrane
      transporter characteristics (P = 0.098). CONCLUSION: Secondary
      hyperparathyroidism does not contribute to the formation of tori in peritoneal
      dialysis patients. Further studies are warranted.

PMID- 27275608
TI  - In Vitro Interactions between Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and
      Antifungal Agents against Planktonic and Biofilm Forms of Trichosporon asahii.
AB  - Increasing drug resistance has brought enormous challenges to the management of
      Trichosporon spp. infections. The in vitro antifungal activities of non-steroidal
      anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) against Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. were
      recently discovered. In the present study, the in vitro interactions between
      three NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac sodium) and commonly used
      antifungal agents (fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin and
      amphotericin B) against planktonic and biofilm cells of T. asahii were evaluated
      using the checkerboard microdilution method. The spectrophotometric method and
      the XTT reduction assay were used to generate data on biofilm cells. The
      fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) and the DeltaE model were
      compared to interpret drug interactions. Using the FICI, the highest percentages
      of synergistic effects against planktonic cells (86.67%) and biofilm cells
      (73.33%) were found for amphotericin B/ibuprofen, and caspofungin/ibuprofen
      showed appreciable percentages (73.33% for planktonic form and 60.00% for
      biofilm) as well. We did not observe antagonism. The DeltaE model gave consistent
      results with FICI (86.67%). Our findings suggest that amphotericin B/ibuprofen
      and caspofungin/ibuprofen combinations have potential effects against T. asahii.
      Further in vivo and animal studies to investigate associated mechanisms need to
      be conducted. 

PMID- 27275609
TI  - Schizophrenia in the Netherlands: Continuity of Care with Better Quality of Care
      for Less Medical Costs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia need continuous elective medical care
      which includes psychiatric treatment, antipsychotic medication and somatic health
      care. The objective of this study is to assess whether continuous elective
      psychiatric is associated with less health care costs due to less inpatient
      treatment. METHODS: Data concerning antipsychotic medication and psychiatric and
      somatic health care of patients with schizophrenia in the claims data of Agis
      Health Insurance were collected over 2008-2011 in the Netherlands. Included were
      7,392 patients under 70 years of age with schizophrenia in 2008, insured during
      the whole period. We assessed the relationship between continuous elective
      psychiatric care and the outcome measures: acute treatment events, psychiatric
      hospitalization, somatic care and health care costs. RESULTS: Continuous elective
      psychiatric care was accessed by 73% of the patients during the entire three year
      follow-up period. These patients received mostly outpatient care and accessed
      more somatic care, at a total cost of ?36,485 in three years, than those without
      continuous care. In the groups accessing fewer or no years of elective care 34%
      68% had inpatient care and acute treatment events, while accessing less somatic
      care at average total costs of medical care from ?33,284 to ?64,509. CONCLUSIONS:
      Continuous elective mental and somatic care for 73% of the patients with
      schizophrenia showed better quality of care at lower costs. Providing continuous
      elective care to the remaining patients may improve health while reducing acute
      illness episodes.

PMID- 27275610
TI  - Fixed Erythema on the Abdomen in a Hematologic Patient.

PMID- 27275611
TI  - On gardens, brackets and money.

PMID- 27275612
TI  - Should deciduous teeth be preserved in adult patients? How about stem cells? Is
      it reasonable to preserve them?
AB  - When seeking orthodontic treatment, many adolescents and adult patients present
      with deciduous teeth. Naturally, deciduous teeth will inevitably undergo
      exfoliation at the expected time or at a later time. Apoptosis is the biological
      trigger of root resorption. In adult patients, deciduous teeth should not be
      preserved, as they promote: infraocclusion, traumatic occlusion, occlusal trauma,
      diastemata and size as well as morphology discrepancy malocclusion. Orthodontic
      movement speeds root resorption up, and so do restoring or recontouring deciduous
      teeth in order to establish esthetics and function. Deciduous teeth cells are
      dying as a result of apoptosis, and their regeneration potential, which allows
      them to act as stem cells, is limited. On the contrary, adult teeth cells have a
      greater proliferative potential. All kinds of stem cell therapies are laboratory
      investigative non authorized trials. 

PMID- 27275613
TI  - Bonding brackets on white spot lesions pretreated by means of two methods.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of
      brackets bonded to demineralized enamel pretreated with low viscosity Icon
      Infiltrant resin (DMG) and glass ionomer cement (Clinpro XT Varnish, 3M Unitek)
      with and without aging. METHODS: A total of 75 bovine enamel specimens were
      allocated into five groups (n = 15). Group 1 was the control group in which the
      enamel surface was not demineralized. In the other four groups, the surfaces were
      submitted to cariogenic challenge and white spot lesions were treated. Groups 2
      and 3 were treated with Icon Infiltrant resin; Groups 4 and 5, with Clinpro XT
      Varnish. After treatment, Groups 3 and 5 were artificially aged. Brackets were
      bonded with Transbond XT adhesive system and SBS was evaluated by means of a
      universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis
      of variance followed by Tukey post-hoc test. RESULTS: All groups tested presented
      shear bond strengths similar to or higher than the control group. Specimens of
      Group 4 had significantly higher shear bond strength values (p < 0.05) than the
      others. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment of white spot lesions, with or without aging,
      did not decrease the SBS of brackets.

PMID- 27275614
TI  - Effect of supplementary zinc on orthodontic tooth movement in a rat model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Osteoclasts and osteoblasts are responsible for regulating bone
      homeostasis during which the trace element zinc has been shown to exert a
      cumulative effect on bone mass by stimulating osteoblastic bone formation and
      inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study
      was to investigate the effects of zinc (Zn) on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM)
      in a rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 44 male Wistar rats were divided
      into four groups of 11 animals each and received 0, 1.5, 20 and 50 ppm Zn in
      distilled water for 60 days. In the last 21 days of the study, nickel-titanium
      closed coil springs were ligated between maxillary right incisors and first
      molars of all rats, and tooth movement was measured at the end of this period.
      Histological analysis of hematoxylin/eosin slides was performed to assess root
      resorption lacunae, osteoclast number and periodontal ligament (PDL) width.
      RESULTS: Mean OTM was calculated as 51.8, 49.1, 35.5 and 45 um in the 0, 1.5, 20
      and 50 ppm zinc-receiving groups, respectively. There were no significant
      differences in neither OTM nor histological parameters among the study groups (p
      > 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained in the current
      investigation, increase in supplementary zinc up to 50 ppm does not affect the
      rate of OTM neither bone and root resorption in rats.

PMID- 27275615
TI  - Comparison of arch forms between Turkish and North American.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the morphological differences in
      the mandibular arches of Turkish and North American white subjects. METHODS: The
      sample included 132 Turkish (34 Class I, 58 Class II, and 40 Class III) and 160
      North American (60 Class I, 50 Class II, and 50 Class III) subjects. The most
      facial portion of 13 proximal contact areas was digitized from photocopied images
      of patients' mandibular dental arches. Clinical bracket points were calculated
      for each tooth based on mandibular tooth thickness data. Four linear and two
      proportional measurements were taken. The subjects were grouped according to arch
      form types (tapered, ovoid and square) in order to have frequency distribution
      compared between ethnic groups in each Angle classification. RESULTS: The Turkish
      group showed significantly lower molar depth and more significant molar width
      depth (W/D) ratio in all three Angle classifications. On the other hand, the
      Turkish group also showed a significantly larger intercanine width in Class III
      malocclusion and intermolar width in Class II malocclusion. The most frequent
      arch forms seen were the ovoid arch form in the Turkish group and the tapered
      form in the white group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that when treating
      Turkish patients, one should expect to use preformed ovoid arch form orthodontic
      wires in a significant percentage of patients.

PMID- 27275616
TI  - Self-esteem in adolescents with Angle Class I, II and III malocclusion in a
      Peruvian sample.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare self-esteem scores in 12 to 16-year-old adolescents with
      different Angle malocclusion types in a Peruvian sample. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 276 adolescents (159, 52 and
      65 with Angle Class I, II and III malocclusions, respectively) from Trujillo,
      Peru. Participants were asked to complete the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES)
      and were also clinically examined, so as to have Angle malocclusion
      classification determined. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare
      RSES scores among adolescents with Class I, II and III malocclusions, with
      participants' demographic factors being controlled. RESULTS: Mean RSES scores for
      adolescents with Class I, II and III malocclusions were 20.47 +/- 3.96, 21.96 +/-
      3.27 and 21.26 +/- 4.81, respectively. The ANCOVA test showed that adolescents
      with Class II malocclusion had a significantly higher RSES score than those with
      Class I malocclusion, but there were no differences between other malocclusion
      groups. Supplemental analysis suggested that only those with Class II, Division 2
      malocclusion might have greater self-esteem when compared to adolescents with
      Class I malocclusion. CONCLUSION: This study shows that, in general, self-esteem
      did not vary according to adolescents' malocclusion in the sample studied.
      Surprisingly, only adolescents with Class II malocclusion, particularly Class II,
      Division 2, reported better self-esteem than those with Class I malocclusion. A
      more detailed analysis assessing the impact of anterior occlusal features should
      be conducted.

PMID- 27275617
TI  - The effect of canine disimpaction performed with temporary anchorage devices
      (TADs) before comprehensive orthodontic treatment to avoid root resorption of
      adjacent teeth.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the movement of impacted canines
      away from the roots of neighboring teeth before full-mouth bracket placement,
      performed by means of TADs to decrease undesired side effects on adjacent teeth.
      METHODS: The study sample consisted of 34 palatally impacted canines, being 19 in
      the experimental group and 15 in the control group. In the experimental group,
      before placement of brackets, the impacted canine was erupted by means of
      miniscrews. In the control group, after initiation of comprehensive orthodontics,
      canine disimpaction was performed by means of a cantilever spring soldered to a
      palatal bar. At the end of treatment, volume of lateral incisors and canine root
      resorption were measured and compared by means of a CBCT-derived tridimensional
      model. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, bleeding on probing (BOP) and gingival
      index (GI) were recorded. Clinical success rate was also calculated. RESULTS: The
      volume of root resorption of lateral teeth in the control group was significantly
      greater than in the experimental group (p < 0.001). At the end of treatment, VAS
      score, GI and BOP were not significantly different between the two groups.
      CONCLUSION: Based on our results, it seems that disimpaction of canines and
      moving them to the arch can be done successfully carried out with minimal side
      effects by means of skeletal anchorage.

PMID- 27275618
TI  - Peri-implant evaluation of osseointegrated implants subjected to orthodontic
      forces: results after three years of functional loading.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to clinically and radiographically
      assess the peri-implant conditions of implants used as orthodontic anchorage.
      METHODS: Two groups were studied: 1) a test group in which osseointegrated
      implants were used as orthodontic anchorage, with the application of 200-cN
      force; and 2) a control group in which implants were not subjected to orthodontic
      force, but supported a screw-retained prosthesis. Clinical evaluations were
      performed three, six and nine months after prosthesis installation and 1- and 3
      year follow-up examinations. Intraoral periapical radiographs were obtained 30
      days after surgical implant placement, at the time of prosthesis installation,
      and one, two and three years thereafter. The results were compared by Kruskal
      Wallis test. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in
      clinical probing depth (p = 0.1078) or mesial and distal crestal bone resorption
      (p = 0.1832) during the study period. After three years of follow-up, the mean
      probing depth was 2.21 mm for the control group and 2.39 mm for the test group.
      The implants of the control group showed a mean distance between the bone crest
      and implant shoulder of 2.39 mm, whereas the implants used as orthodontic
      anchorage showed a mean distance of 2.58 mm at the distal site. CONCLUSION:
      Results suggest that the use of stable intraoral orthodontic anchorage did not
      compromise the health of peri-implant tissues or the longevity of the implant.

PMID- 27275619
TI  - Translucency and color match with a shade guide of esthetic brackets with the aid
      of a spectroradiometer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Since the color of esthetic brackets should match that of teeth, the
      aims of this study were to determine the color and translucency of esthetic
      brackets by means of the clinically relevant use of a spectroradiometer, and to
      compare the color of brackets with that of a commercial shade guide. METHODS: The
      color of central and tie-wing regions of four plastic and four ceramic brackets
      was measured according to the CIE L*a*b* color scale over white and black
      backgrounds. Brackets were classified into five groups based on their
      composition. The color of Vitapan Classical Shade Guide tabs was also measured.
      Translucency parameter (TP) and contrast ratio (CR) were calculated to determine
      translucency. RESULTS: Color differences between brackets and the shade guide
      tabs were 10.4 - 34.5 ?E*ab units. TP and CR values for the central region were
      16.4 - 27.7 and 0.38 - 0.58, whereas for the tie-wings they were 24.0 - 39.9 and
      0.25 - 0.45, respectively. The color coordinates, TP and CR values were
      significantly influenced by bracket composition and brand (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Esthetic brackets investigated herein showed unacceptable color
      differences (?E*ab > 5.5) compared with the shade guide tabs. Differences in the
      translucency of brackets by brand were within the visually perceptible range (?CR
      > 0.07). Therefore, brackets showing the best matching performance for each case
      should be selected considering esthetic and functional demands.

PMID- 27275620
TI  - Orthodontic treatment outcomes obtained by application of a finishing protocol.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of a finishing protocol implemented in
      patients treated in the Orthodontics graduate program at Universidad de
      Antioquia. Evaluation was carried out by means of the criteria set by the
      Objective Grading System (OGS) of the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).
      METHODS: Cast models and panoramic radiographs of 34 patients were evaluated. The
      intervention group (IG) consisted of 17 patients (19.88 +/- 4.4 years old)
      treated under a finishing protocol. This protocol included training in finishing,
      application of a finishing guide, brackets repositioning and patient's follow-up.
      Results of the IG were compared to a control group of 17 patients (21.88 +/- 7.0
      years old) selected by stratified randomization without finishing intervention
      (CG). RESULTS: The scores for both CG and IG were 38.00 +/- 9.0 and 31.41 +/- 9.6
      (p = 0.048), respectively. The score improved significantly in the IG group,
      mainly regarding marginal ridges (CG: 5.59 +/- 2.2; IG: 3.65 +/- 1.8) (p = 0.009)
      and root angulation (CG: 7.59 +/- 2.8; IG: 4.88 +/- 2.6) (p = 0.007). Criteria
      that did not improve, but had the highest scores were: alignment (CG: 6.35 +/-
      2.7; IG: 6.82 +/- 2.8) (p = 0.62) and buccolingual inclination (CG: 3.6 +/- 5.88;
      IG: 5.29 +/- 3.9) (p = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Standardization and implementation of
      a finishing protocol contributed to improve clinical performance in the
      Orthodontics graduate program, as expressed by occlusal outcomes. Greater
      emphasis should be given on the finishing phase to achieve lower scores in the
      ABO grading system.

PMID- 27275622
TI  - Angle Class I malocclusion with anterior negative overjet.
AB  - This clinical case report describes the orthodontic treatment of an 8-year and 9
      month old female patient with Angle Class I malocclusion, anterior crossbite and
      canine Class III relationship. Orthodontic treatment was carried out in two
      stages. The first one was orthopedic, while the second one included the use of a
      fixed appliance and the need for space gain for reshaping of maxillary lateral
      incisors. The two-stage treatment combined with multidisciplinary Restorative
      Cosmetic Dentistry allowed excellent esthetic and functional outcomes to be
      achieved. This case was presented to the Brazilian Board of Orthodontics and
      Dentofacial Orthopedics (BBO) as a requirement for the title of certified by the
      BBO.

PMID- 27275621
TI  - Changes in alveolar bone support induced by the Herbst appliance: a tomographic
      evaluation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated alveolar bone loss around mandibular incisors,
      induced by the Herbst appliance. METHODS: The sample consisted of 23 patients (11
      men, 12 women; mean age of 15.76 +/- 1.75 years), Class II, Division 1
      malocclusion, treated with the Herbst appliance. CBCT scans were obtained before
      treatment (T0) and after Herbst treatment (T1). Vertical alveolar bone level and
      alveolar bone thickness of mandibular incisors were assessed. Buccal (B), lingual
      (L) and total (T) bone thicknesses were assessed at crestal (1), midroot (2) and
      apical (3) levels of mandibular incisors. Student's t-test and Wilcoxon t-test
      were used to compare dependent samples in parametric and nonparametric cases,
      respectively. Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlation analyses were performed
      to determine the relationship of changes in alveolar bone thickness. Results were
      considered at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Mandibular incisors showed no
      statistical significance for vertical alveolar bone level. Alveolar bone
      thickness of mandibular incisors significantly reduced after treatment at B1, B2,
      B3, T1 and significantly increased at L2. The magnitude of the statistically
      significant changes was less than 0.2 mm. The changes in alveolar bone thickness
      showed no statistical significance with incisor inclination degree. CONCLUSIONS:
      CBCT scans showed an association between the Herbst appliance and alveolar bone
      loss on the buccal surface of mandibular incisors; however, without clinical
      significance.

PMID- 27275623
TI  - Understanding the basis of space closure in Orthodontics for a more efficient
      orthodontic treatment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Space closure is one of the most challenging processes in
      Orthodontics and requires a solid comprehension of biomechanics in order to avoid
      undesirable side effects. Understanding the biomechanical basis of space closure
      better enables clinicians to determine anchorage and treatment options. In spite
      of the variety of appliance designs, space closure can be performed by means of
      friction or frictionless mechanics, and each technique has its advantages and
      disadvantages. Friction mechanics or sliding mechanics is attractive because of
      its simplicity; the space site is closed by means of elastics or coil springs to
      provide force, and the brackets slide on the orthodontic archwire. On the other
      hand, frictionless mechanics uses loop bends to generate force to close the space
      site, allowing differential moments in the active and reactive units, leading to
      a less or more anchorage control, depending on the situation. OBJECTIVE: This
      article will discuss various theoretical aspects and methods of space closure
      based on biomechanical concepts.

PMID- 27275624
TI  - Dynamic self-organization of microwell-aggregated cellular mixtures.
AB  - Cells with different cohesive properties self-assemble in a spatiotemporal and
      context-dependent manner. Previous studies on cell self-organization mainly
      focused on the spontaneous structural development within a short period of time
      during which the cell numbers remained constant. However the effect of cell
      proliferation over time on the self-organization of cells is largely unexplored.
      Here, we studied the spatiotemporal dynamics of self-organization of a co-culture
      of MDA-MB-231 and MCF10A cells seeded in a well defined space (i.e. non-adherent
      microfabricated wells). When cell-growth was chemically inhibited, high cohesive
      MCF10A cells formed a core surrounded by low cohesive MDA-MB-231 cells on the
      periphery, consistent with the differential adhesion hypothesis (DAH).
      Interestingly, this aggregate morphology was completely inverted when the cells
      were free to grow. At an initial seeding ratio of 1 : 1 (MDA-MB-231 : MCF10A),
      the fast growing MCF10A cells segregated in the periphery while the slow growing
      MDA-MB-231 cells stayed in the core. Another morphology developed at an inequal
      seeding ratio (4 : 1), that is, the cell mixtures developed a side-by-side
      aggregate morphology. We conclude that the cell self-organization depends not
      only on the cell cohesive properties but also on the cell seeding ratio and
      proliferation. Furthermore, by taking advantage of the cell self-organization, we
      purified human embryonic stem cells-derived pancreatic progenitors (hESCs-PPs)
      from co-cultured feeder cells without using any additional tools or labels. 

PMID- 27275625
TI  - The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Egypt 2015: implications for
      future policy on prevention and treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: In 2015, a national Egyptian health issue survey was conducted
      to describe the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this paper,
      we describe the HCV burden in 2015, compare the results with the national survey
      conducted in 2008, and discuss the implications of the new findings on prevention
      of HCV in Egypt. METHODS: A multistage probability sampling approach was used,
      similar to the national demographic survey conducted in 2008. More than 90% of
      sampled individuals complied with the interview and provided blood samples.
      RESULTS: In the 15-59-year age groups, the prevalence of HCV antibody was found
      to be 10.0% (95% CI 9.5-10.5) and that of HCV RNA to be 7.0% (95% CI 6.6-7.4). In
      children, 1-14 years old, the prevalence of HCV antibody and HCV RNA were 0.4%
      (95% CI 0.3-0.5) and 0.2% (95% CI 0.1-0.3) respectively. Approximately, 3.7
      million persons have chronic HCV infection in the age group 15-59 in 2015. An
      estimated 29% reduction in HCV RNA prevalence has been seen since 2008, which is
      largely attributable to the ageing of the group infected 40-50 years ago during
      the mass schistosomiasis treatment campaigns. Prevention efforts may have also
      contributed to this decline, with an estimated 75% (95% CI 6-45) decrease in HCV
      incidence in the 0-19 year age groups over the past 20 years. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings can be used to shape future HCV prevention policies in Egypt.

PMID- 27275626
TI  - Living with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in Italy: A Narrative Medicine Project
      to Improve the Pathway of Patient Care.
AB  - Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is perceived as a difficult to manage disease
      with negative impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to highlight
      how to improve the care of people with CSU, using the methodology of narrative
      medicine. From June 2014 to March 2015, CSU-diagnosed patients and their
      physicians were asked to record their experiences of the condition in writing.
      Fourteen healthcare teams participated: 41% considered CSU as a challenge to
      overcome, while 22% experienced CSU as a big commitment. The number of
      professional involved was evaluated as insufficient in 11 hospitals. Seventy-five
      percent of the 190 Italian patients had visited 3 or more physicians before
      receiving a final diagnosis, with a perceived waste of time and resources. The
      therapeutic pathways were described as unsatisfactory in 83% of cases. As a
      result, anger and frustration were life-dominant emotions in 92% of patients. The
      critical points of the care pathway are related to organizational issues and lack
      of awareness.

PMID- 27275627
TI  - Targeted Cancer Therapy: Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy Shows RGD-Targeted
      ZnO Nanoparticles Dissolve in the Intracellular Environment of Triple Negative
      Breast Cancer Cells and Cause Apoptosis with Intratumor Heterogeneity (Adv.
      Healthcare Mater. 11/2016).
AB  - On page 1310 J. S. Merzaban, A. E. Porter, and co-workers present fluorescently
      labeled RGD-targeted ZnO nanoparticles (NPs; green) for the targeted delivery of
      cytotoxic ZnO to integrin alphavbeta3 receptors expressed on triple negative
      breast cancer cells. Correlative light-electron microscopy shows that NPs
      dissolve into ionic Zn(2+) (blue) upon uptake and cause apoptosis (red) with
      intra-tumor heterogeneity, thereby providing a possible strategy for targeted
      breast cancer therapy. Cover design by Ivan Gromicho. 

PMID- 27275629
TI  - Microfluidics-Based Biosensors: A Microfluidic Paper-Based Origami Nanobiosensor
      for Label-Free, Ultrasensitive Immunoassays (Adv. Healthcare Mater. 11/2016).
AB  - The first microfluidic paper-based origami nano-biosensor featuring zinc oxide
      nanowires and an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy biosensing mechanism, for
      label-free, ultrasensitive immunoassays is reported by X. Li and X. Liu on page
      1326. The sensor consists of cellulose paper, a carbon ink electrode, and zinc
      oxide nanowires directly grown on the top. Possible parallelization of assays and
      high storage stability render the sensor promising for clinical diagnostics
      applications. 

PMID- 27275631
TI  - Constructing Hierarchically Hollow Core-Shell MnO2 /C Hybrid Spheres for High
      Performance Lithium Storage.
AB  - Hierarchical MnO2 /C hybrid spheres (MCS@MnO2 ), consisting of numerous hollow
      core-shell MnO2 @C nanospheres, are developed via a facile deposition process.
      The well-defined inner voids and robust carbon framework endow MCS@MnO2 with
      excellent mechanical stability, efficient utilization of MnO2 , and enhanced
      reaction kinetics for Li-ion batteries, therefore leading to large specific
      capacities, superior rate capability, and long-term cycling stability. 

PMID- 27275633
TI  - Oxygen Atom Exchange between H2O and Non-Heme Oxoiron(IV) Complexes: Ligand
      Dependence and Mechanism.
AB  - Detailed studies of oxygen atom exchange (OAE) between H2(18)O and synthetic non
      heme oxoiron(IV) complexes supported by tetradentate and pentadentate ligands
      provide evidence that they proceed by a common mechanism but within two different
      kinetic regimes, with OAE rates that span 2 orders of magnitude. The first
      kinetic regime involves initial reversible water association to the Fe(IV)
      complex, which is evidenced by OAE rates that are linearly dependent on [H2(18)O]
      and H2O/D2O KIEs of 1.6, while the second kinetic regime involves a subsequent
      rate determining proton-transfer step between the bound aqua and oxo ligands that
      is associated with saturation behavior with [H2(18)O] and much larger H2O/D2O
      KIEs of 5-6. [Fe(IV)(O)(TMC)(MeCN)](2+) (1) and [Fe(IV)(O)(MePy2TACN)](2+) (9)
      are examples of complexes that exhibit kinetic behavior in the first regime,
      while [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+) (3), [Fe(IV)(O)(BnTPEN)](2+) (4), [Fe(IV)(O)(1Py
      BnTPEN)](2+) (5), [Fe(IV)(O)(3Py-BnTPEN)](2+) (6), and
      [Fe(IV)(O)(Me2Py2TACN)](2+) (8) represent complexes that fall in the second
      kinetic regime. Interestingly, [Fe(IV)(O)(PyTACN)(MeCN)](2+) (7) exhibits a
      linear [H2(18)O] dependence below 0.6 M and saturation above 0.6 M. Analysis of
      the temperature dependence of the OAE rates shows that most of these complexes
      exhibit large and negative activation entropies, consistent with the proposed
      mechanism. One exception is complex 9, which has a near-zero activation entropy
      and is proposed to undergo ligand-arm dissociation during the RDS to accommodate
      H2(18)O binding. These results show that the observed OAE kinetic behavior is
      highly dependent on the nature of the supporting ligand and are of relevance to
      studies of non-heme oxoiron(IV) complexes in water or acetonitrile/water mixtures
      for applications in photocatalysis and water oxidation chemistry. 

PMID- 27275634
TI  - Delivery room hospice.
AB  - : Advances in perinatal science over the past five decades have reduced the
      practical 'threshold of viability' by approximately one week every 10 years such
      that survivors are expected as early as 22 weeks. Ethical standards regarding
      treatment of this periviable patient population remain enigmatic. CONCLUSION: We
      review limitations in the current ethical rationale for caring for these infants
      in the delivery room and introduce an alternative utilising a delivery room
      hospice care approach involving the administration of opioids.

PMID- 27275635
TI  - [Introduction to the molecular diagnostic methods of oncohematology].
AB  - Owing to our rapidly expanding knowledge on the genetic background of various
      oncohematologic diseases and the introduction of novel targeted therapies,
      molecular genetic techniques have been playing an increasingly important role in
      the diagnostics and follow-up of hematological malignancies. The various DNA- and
      RNA-based in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction and sequencing
      technologies are of key significance in diagnostics, classification and
      prognostic assessment of these diseases, as well as in the monitoring of minimal
      residual disease and selection of the most appropriate targeted therapy. This
      review provides an overview on the background and applications of the molecular
      methods most commonly used in oncohematological diagnostics.

PMID- 27275632
TI  - Preoperative Modified FOLFIRINOX Treatment Followed by Capecitabine-Based
      Chemoradiation for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: Alliance for Clinical
      Trials in Oncology Trial A021101.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Although consensus statements support the preoperative treatment of
      borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, no prospective, quality-controlled,
      multicenter studies of this strategy have been conducted. Existing studies are
      retrospective and confounded by heterogeneity in patients studied, therapeutic
      algorithms used, and outcomes reported. OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility
      of conducting studies of multimodality therapy for borderline resectable
      pancreatic cancer in the cooperative group setting. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A prospective, multicenter, single-arm trial of a multimodality
      treatment regimen administered within a study framework using centralized quality
      control with the cooperation of 14 member institutions of the National Clinical
      Trials Network. Twenty-nine patients with biopsy-confirmed pancreatic cancer
      preregistered, and 23 patients with tumors who met centrally reviewed
      radiographic criteria registered. Twenty-two patients initiated therapy (median
      age, 64 years [range, 50-76 years]; 55% female). Patients registered between May
      29, 2013, and February 7, 2014. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received modified
      FOLFIRINOX treatment (85 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin, 180 mg/m2 of irinotecan
      hydrochloride, 400 mg/m2 of leucovorin calcium, and then 2400 mg/m2 of 5
      fluorouracil for 4 cycles) followed by 5.5 weeks of external-beam radiation (50.4
      Gy delivered in 28 daily fractions) with capecitabine (825 mg/m2 orally twice
      daily) prior to pancreatectomy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Feasibility, defined
      by the accrual rate, the safety of the preoperative regimen, and the
      pancreatectomy rate. RESULTS: The accrual rate of 2.6 patients per month was
      superior to the anticipated rate. Although 14 of the 22 patients (64% [95% CI,
      41%-83%]) had grade 3 or higher adverse events, 15 of the 22 patients (68% [95%
      CI, 49%-88%]) underwent pancreatectomy. Of these 15 patients, 12 (80%) required
      vascular resection, 14 (93%) had microscopically negative margins, 5 (33%) had
      specimens that had less than 5% residual cancer cells, and 2 (13%) had specimens
      that had pathologic complete responses. The median overall survival of all
      patients was 21.7 months (95% CI, 15.7 to not reached) from registration.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The successful completion of this collaborative study
      demonstrates the feasibility of conducting quality-controlled trials for this
      disease stage in the multi-institutional setting. The data generated by this
      study and the logistical elements that facilitated the trial's completion are
      currently being used to develop cooperative group trials with the goal of
      improving outcomes for this subset of patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01821612.

PMID- 27275636
TI  - [Molecular and histological features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].
AB  - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a high-grade lymphoproliferative disease
      of mature B cells, representing the most common lymphoid malignancy of adulthood.
      There are multiple distinct subgroups of DLBCL in the 2008 WHO classification,
      organ specific forms, DLBCL associated with immunodeficiency and viral infections
      and rare CD20 negative and intermediate forms. However, most of the cases are
      still classified under the DLBCL not otherwise specified (NOS) category. This
      group of disease shows remarkable heterogeneity with respect to clinical
      presentation, biology and response to treatment, reflecting several molecular
      subgroups: the origin of B cells at various developmental stages, the oncogenic
      pathways that drive tumor development and also epigenetic changes and mutations
      involving the escape of immune surveillance. Contemporary chemo-immunotherapy
      does not result in durable remissions in as many as 30% of the cases. To achieve
      longer survival, the definition of new biomarkers are needed for targeted therapy
      based on better subgrouping of tumors according to the molecular pathways
      involved in lymphomagenesis. This paper summarizes the most important features
      influencing the outcome of this broad disease at the level of morphology,
      phenotype and genotype and gives a guideline for the routine pathological
      practice at present for the diagnostics of DLBCL treated by chemo-immunotherapy.

PMID- 27275637
TI  - [The role of PET/CT investigation in the management of patients with diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma].
AB  - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin's
      lymphoma (NHL). Although this lymphoma is curable, 40% of patients with DLBCL
      will die of relapsed or refractory disease. 18F-Fluoro-deoxyglucose positron
      emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a noninvasive, 3-dimensional, functional imaging
      modality. When combined with the anatomical imaging tool computed tomography
      (CT), PET/CT can differentiate among others necrotic masses and viable tumors.
      PET scan has become a basic clinical tool for staging and response assessment in
      aggressive lymphomas, such as DLBCL. It has been evaluated in pretreatment
      staging, restaging, monitoring during therapy, post-therapy surveillance and
      assessment of transformation. Based on the preliminary results of several studies
      FDG-PET scans play an important role in the early assessment of treatment
      response, in planning of the treatment including radiation therapy and in the
      estimation of prognosis.

PMID- 27275638
TI  - [The genetic landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia].
AB  - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most frequent mature B-cell non
      Hodgkin's lymphoma in the Western countries. The recent next-generation
      sequencing (NGS) studies lead to an exponential increase in our knowledge of the
      pathogenesis and progression of CLL. Whole genome and exome sequencing studies
      revealed a remarkable inter- and intra-patient genetic heterogeneity with a
      significant therapy-induced clonal evolution in the majority of the patients.
      Driver mutations were identified in components of various signalling pathways and
      cellular processes with notable prognostic and therapeutic relevance.
      Interestingly, these studies revealed only a few genes mutated in at least 15-20%
      of the patients with a larger number of genes mutated in a smaller proportion of
      patients. This improved understanding of the genomic landscape of CLL has opened
      new avenues for a more precise patient stratification and rational application of
      novel, more effective targeted therapies.

PMID- 27275639
TI  - [Treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia].
AB  - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in the Western
      countries. The abnormal B lymphocytes progress into the blood and infiltrate the
      bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes. CLL is a disease of the adults and
      older individuals who often have coexisting conditions. It usually progresses
      slowly, but in patients who need treatment, CLL eventually returns. For relapsed,
      refractory patients treatment options are limited. The only curative treatment is
      bone marrow transplantation. However, the new, alternative therapeutics show
      superior efficacy in CLL than standard regimens. The aim of this review is to
      summarize the most important therapeutic aspects of CLL and to give an insight
      into the novel treatment options.

PMID- 27275641
TI  - [The pathology and genetic background of myeloma].
AB  - Plasma cell myeloma is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy of plasma cells,
      occurring dominantly in the elderly population. It is now accepted that all
      myeloma cases are preceded by a clinically silent expansion of clonal plasma
      cells, known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Our knowledge
      on the genetics of myeloma is still limited and lags behind other well
      characterized hematological malignancies. One of the reasons of this fact is the
      difficulty to induce metaphases within the malignant plasma cell population. With
      the development of new molecular techniques (microarrays and next generation
      sequencing), our understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of myeloma has
      been highly improved in the past years. This review offers an insight into this
      newly gained knowledge.

PMID- 27275640
TI  - [Novelties in the diagnostics and therapy of hairy cell leukemia].
AB  - Differential diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and related disorders (hairy
      cell leukemia variant and splenic marginal zone lymphoma) is of utmost importance
      since the treatment and prognosis of these lymphomas differ. Since 2011 diagnosis
      of hairy cell leukemia has been easier because of discovery of the disease
      defining somatic mutation BRAF V600E mutation, which has been also known as
      driver mutation in malignant melanoma. The presence of this mutation enabled
      targeted molecular therapy in HCL as well. As first line therapy purine
      nucleoside analogues are the gold standard, but refractory/relapsed patient are
      candidates for targeted BRAF-inhibitor therapy. This manuscript serves as
      guidance in making diagnosis and standard treatment of HCL, and summarizes newest
      data about molecular therapy, including our single center experience collected
      from 75 patients.

PMID- 27275642
TI  - [Multiple myeloma and other plasma cell dyscrasias].
AB  - Multiple myeloma is the most common primary malignant disease of bone marrow. It
      mainly occurs among elderly people and, according to international databases, it
      is twice as frequent in men, however in our country this fact cannot be observed
      because of the high male mortality rate. The presence of this disease increased
      by more than one and the half times during the last 60 years. The five year
      survival for multiple myeloma has increased from 25% to 40% since the seventies
      due to high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation
      and the new anti-myeloma drugs which were introduced in the last decade, such as
      immunomodulators (IMiD) like thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide and
      proteasome inhibitors (PI) like bortezomib, carfilzomib, ixazomib. The number of
      treatment options are growing fast, and not only because of using new
      combinations of medications, but also due to the development of investigational
      products which are available for the patients by participating in a clinical
      trial.

PMID- 27275643
TI  - [Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: characteristics, diagnosis and
      treatment].
AB  - Longer remissions and better overall survival rates can be achieved with the
      introduction of new, effective treatments and targeted therapies in the past 1-2
      decades, however, the incidence of side effects is also increasing parallelly.
      Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and potentially
      debilitating side effect due to peripheral somatic or autonomic nerve
      dysfunction. CIPN becomes increasingly important, as it affects patients' quality
      of life, and it is very often a dose limiting factor with the potential for
      reduced treatment efficacy. The pathomechanism, diagnosis, prevention and
      treatment possibilities are described in this review with special attention to
      the different groups of drugs.

PMID- 27275644
TI  - Gas phase basicities of polyfunctional molecules. Part 5: Non-aromatic sp2
      nitrogen containing compounds.
AB  - This paper constitutes the fifth part of a general review of the gas-phase
      protonation thermochemistry of polyfunctional molecules (Part 1: Theory and
      methods, Mass Spectrom Rev 2007, 26:775-835, Part 2: Saturated basic sites, Mass
      Spectrom Rev 2012, 31:353-390, Part 3: Amino acids, Mass Spectrom Rev 2012,
      31:391-435, Part 4: Carbonyl as basic site, Mass Spectrom Rev 2015, 34:493-534).
      This part is devoted to non-aromatic molecules characterized by a lone pair
      located on a sp2 nitrogen atom, it embraces functional groups such as imines,
      amidines, guanidines, diazenes, hydrazines, oximes, and phosphazenes. Specific
      examples are examined under five major chapters. In the first one, aliphatic and
      unsaturated (conjugated and cyclic) imines, hydrazones, and oximes are
      considered. A second chapter describes the protonation energetic of aliphatic,
      conjugated, or cyclic amidines. Guanidines, polyguanides, and biomolecules
      containing guanidine were examined in the third chapter. A fourth chapter
      describes the particular case of the phosphazene molecules. Finally, diazenes and
      azides were considered in the last chapter. Experimental data were re-evaluated
      according to the presently adopted basicity scale, i.e., PA(NH3 ) = 853.6 kJ/mol,
      GB (NH3 ) = 819 kJ/mol. Structural and energetic information given by G4MP2
      quantum chemistry computations on typical systems are presented. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 37:139-170, 2018.

PMID- 27275645
TI  - Niche overlap analysis of a lizard assemblage from the Atlantic Rainforest,
      evaluation of arsenic toxicity in cladocerans, and molecular biology of
      mycoplasmas.

PMID- 27275646
TI  - Pertuzumab and trastuzumab: the rationale way to synergy.
AB  - It has now been 15 years since the HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody trastuzumab
      was introduced in clinical and revolutionized the treatment of HER2-positive
      breast cancer patients. Despite this achievement, most patients with HER2
      positive metastatic breast cancer still show progression of their disease,
      highlighting the need for new therapies. The continuous interest in novel
      targeted agents led to the development of pertuzumab, the first in a new class of
      agents, the HER dimerization inhibitors. Pertuzumab is a novel recombinant
      humanized antibody directed against extracellular domain II of HER2 protein that
      is required for the heterodimerization of HER2 with other HER receptors, leading
      to the activation of downstream signalling pathways. Pertuzumab combined with
      trastuzumab plus docetaxel was approved for the first-line treatment of patients
      with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and is currently used as a standard
      of care in this indication. In the neoadjuvant setting, the drug was granted FDA
      accelerated approval in 2013. Pertuzumab is also being evaluated in the adjuvant
      setting. The potential of pertuzumab relies in the dual complete blockade of the
      HER2/3 axis when administered with trastuzumab. This paper synthetises
      preclinical and clinical data on pertuzumab and highlights the mechanisms
      underlying the synergistic activity of the combination pertuzumab-trastuzumab
      which are essentially due to their complementary mode of action. 

PMID- 27275647
TI  - Thermal boundary conductance enhancement using experimentally achievable
      nanostructured interfaces - analytical study combined with molecular dynamics
      simulation.
AB  - Interfacial thermal resistance presents great challenges to the thermal
      management of modern electronics. In this work, we perform an analytical study to
      enhance the thermal boundary conductance (TBC) of nanostructured interfaces with
      square-shape pillar arrays, extendable to the characteristic lengths that can be
      fabricated in practice. As a representative system, we investigate a SiC
      substrate with the square-shape pillar array combined with epitaxial GaN as the
      nanostructured interface. By applying a first-order ray tracing method and
      molecular dynamics simulations to analyze phonon incidence and transmission at
      the nanostructured interface, we systematically study the impact of the
      characteristic dimensions of the pillar array on the TBC. Based on the multi
      scale analysis we provide a general guideline to optimize the nanostructured
      interfaces to achieve higher TBC, demonstrating that the optimized TBC value of
      the nanostructured SiC/GaN interfaces can be 42% higher than that of the planar
      SiC/GaN interfaces without nanostructures. The model used and results obtained in
      this study will guide the further experimental realization of nanostructured
      interfaces for better thermal management in microelectronics. 

PMID- 27275648
TI  - Photoinduced Electron and Energy Transfer in a Molecular Triad Featuring a
      Fullerene Redox Mediator.
AB  - In order to investigate the possibility of a fullerene acting as an electron
      and/or singlet energy relay between a donor chromophore and an acceptor, a triad
      consisting of a fullerene (C60) covalently linked to both a porphyrin energy and
      electron donor (P) and a beta-tetracyanoporphyrin energy and electron acceptor
      (CyP) was synthesized. Steady state and time-resolved spectroscopic
      investigations show that the porphyrin first excited singlet state donates
      singlet excitation and an electron to the fullerene and also donates singlet
      excitation to the CyP. All three processes differ in rate constant by factors of
      <=1.3, and all are much faster than the decay of (1)P-C60-CyP by unichromophoric
      processes. The fullerene excited state accepts an electron from P and donates
      singlet excitation energy to CyP. The P(*+)-C60(*-)-CyP charge-separated state
      transfers an electron to CyP to produce a final P(*+)-C60-CyP(*-) state. The same
      state is formed from P-C60-(1)CyP. Overall, the final charge-separated state is
      formed with a quantum yield of 85% in benzonitrile, and has a lifetime of 350 ps.
      Rate constants for formation and quantum yields of all intermediate states were
      estimated from results for the triad and several model compounds. Interestingly,
      the intermediate P(*+)-C60(*-)-CyP charge-separated state has a lifetime of 660
      ps. It is longer lived than the final state in spite of stronger coupling of the
      radical ions. This is ascribed to the fact that recombination lies far into the
      inverted region of the Marcus rate constant vs thermodynamic driving force
      relationship.

PMID- 27275649
TI  - Combining Bulk/Surface Engineering of Hematite To Synergistically Improve Its
      Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Performance.
AB  - One of the most promising candidates for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water
      splitting photoanode is hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) due to its narrow bandgap and
      chemical stability. However, the poor bulk/surface kinetics of hematite limits
      its PEC performance. Herein, a facile two-step approach is reported to
      synergistically improve the PEC performance of Fe2O3. First, through bulk
      engineering of Ti doping, the photocurrent density of Ti-Fe2O3 photoanode (1.68
      mA cm(-2) at 1.23 VRHE) shows a 3-fold increase compared with that of pure Fe2O3
      photoanode (0.50 mA cm(-2) at 1.23 VRHE). Second, the photocurrent density of Ti
      Fe2O3 photoanode could be further enhanced to 2.31 mA cm(-2) by surface
      engineering of FeOOH. The enhanced PEC water splitting performance is proposed to
      be the synergistic effect of bulk and surface engineering, which can be mainly
      attributed to the great increase of charge separation efficiency and surface
      transfer efficiency. 

PMID- 27275650
TI  - Commentary on "Phimosis with Preputial Fissures as a Predictor of Undiagnosed
      Type 2 Diabetes in Adults".

PMID- 27275651
TI  - Ticagrelor versus prasugrel in patients with high on-clopidogrel treatment
      platelet reactivity after PCI: The ISAR-ADAPT-PF study.
AB  - Patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) on clopidogrel are at
      high risk for adverse cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI). The aim of the ISAR-ADAPT-PF study was to assess the
      antiplatelet efficacy of ticagrelor versus prasugrel in patients with HTPR on
      clopidogrel. In a prospective and randomized clinical study, 70 patients with
      HTPR on clopidogrel loading dose (LD) within 24 h post PCI were assigned to
      receive either ticagrelor [180 mg LD followed by 90 mg maintenance dose (MD)
      twice daily] or prasugrel (60 mg LD followed by 10 mg MD once daily). The
      adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation assessed on the Multiplate
      analyzer on day 2 after randomization (primary end point) was as follows: the
      mean difference between the two treatment groups was 6 aggregation units (AU) *
      min with an upper 95% confidence interval (CI) of 41 AU * min, which was greater
      than the predefined noninferiority margin of 18 AU * min (P for noninferiority =
      0.29). However, no significant differences in absolute platelet reactivity levels
      between ticagrelor- versus prasugrel-treated patients at that time point were
      observed (138 +/- 100 AU * min vs. 132 +/- 64 AU * min, P for superiority =
      0.77). In conclusion, neither drug was statistically more effective for
      inhibition of platelet aggregation in patients with HTPR on clopidogrel post PCI,
      although the study could not formally demonstrate the assumed noninferiority of
      ticagrelor versus prasugrel.

PMID- 27275653
TI  - Comparing Gonioscopy With Visante and Cirrus Optical Coherence Tomography for
      Anterior Chamber Angle Assessment in Glaucoma Patients.

PMID- 27275652
TI  - Outcomes of Preoperative MRI-Guided Needle Localization of Nonpalpable
      Mammographically Occult Breast Lesions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: MRI-guided needle localization allows access to MRI-detected
      mammographically occult breast lesions that are not amenable to MRI-guided
      biopsy. The purpose of this study was to examine the safety and outcomes of MRI
      guided needle localization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine consecutive breast
      lesions that underwent preoperative MRI-guided needle localization were
      identified. Clinical indications for breast MRI, reasons for performing MRI
      guided needle localization, and surgical pathology results were recorded. Lesion
      characteristics, procedure time, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: Of 99
      lesions, 60 (60.6%) were in a location inaccessible for MRI biopsy, necessitating
      MRI-guided needle localization. Histologic evaluation revealed 38 (38.4%)
      carcinomas, 31 (31.3%) high-risk lesions, and 30 (30.3%) benign lesions.
      Carcinoma was more likely to be found in women with known cancer (31/61 [50.8%];
      p = 0.003) than in women undergoing imaging for high-risk screening (2/18
      [11.1%]) or problem solving (6/20 [30%]). Masses (p = 0.013) and foci (p < 0.001)
      were more likely to be malignant than were lesions with nonmass enhancement. Foci
      were significantly more often malignant compared with all other lesion types
      (9/10 [90%]; p < 0.001). The mean (+/- SD) procedure time was 32.9 +/- 9.39
      minutes. All lesions were occult on specimen radiographs. There were no procedure
      related complications. CONCLUSION: The positive predictive value of MRI-guided
      needle localization (38.4%) is comparable to that of mammography- and
      tomosynthesis-guided localizations and is highest in women with a known diagnosis
      of cancer. It is highly accurate in targeting small enhancing lesions, thereby
      improving surgical management. MRI-guided needle localization is a safe,
      accurate, and time-efficient procedure.

PMID- 27275654
TI  - A Pilot Evaluation Assessing the Ease of Use and Accuracy of the New Self/Home
      Tonometer IcareHOME in Healthy Young Subjects.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the ease of use and accuracy of a new self/home
      tonometer (IcareHOME) versus Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and the Icare
      tonometer (Icare) by measuring the diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP). PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: The right eyes of 43 healthy young subjects were studied. The IOP
      was measured using the IcareHOME, GAT, and Icare 6 times a day, every 2 hours,
      from 8:00 to 18:00. The coincidence of the diurnal curves among all tonometers
      was analyzed using a linear mixed model. The intradevice and interdevice
      agreement was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and
      Bland-Altman method. The subjects' perception of the IcareHOME was evaluated
      using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The liner mixed model showed similar diurnal IOP
      curves for all tonometers (P=0.543); however, significant differences were
      observed between the tonometers over time (P<0.001). The intradevice
      repeatability was ICC>0.8 among all tonometers, although the interdevice
      agreement was lowest between the IcareHOME and GAT (ICC=0.641). The IOP values
      were significantly lower for the IcareHOME than for the GAT at 12:00, 16:00, and
      18:00 (P<0.05, Tukey-Kramer test). The mean differences between the Icare and
      IcareHOME and GAT and IcareHOME were 0.83 and 1.03 mm Hg, respectively (95% limit
      of agreement: -4.17 to 5.84 mm Hg and -3.91 to 5.98 mm Hg, respectively).
      Regarding the subjects' perception of handling the IcareHOME, 17 (39.5%) subjects
      answered "easy to use," 20 (46.5%) answered "normal," and six (13.9%) answered
      "difficult to use." CONCLUSIONS: The IcareHOME can be used as a self/home
      tonometer; however, it may result in lower IOP values.

PMID- 27275655
TI  - The Effects of Physical Exercises on Ocular Physiology: A Review.
AB  - Sport has been known to be one of the most important factors in preventing
      cardiovascular disorders; some studies suggest its role in preventing
      neurodegenerative diseases. This review discusses the results of various studies
      regarding the effects of physical exercises on intraocular pressure (IOP),
      myopia, certain physical parameters of the eye, ocular blood flow, and retinal
      electrical function. Although dynamic exercises are known to reduce IOP from 1.2
      to 5.9 mm Hg only for a short period of time, uncertainty persists about whether
      isometric exercises or activities such as yoga can increase IOP up to 16.7 mm Hg.
      There has been an established connection between the time being spent outdoor and
      reduction in the odds of myopia-2% less odds for every hour spent outdoor.
      Physical activity and the level of physical fitness have an impact on the changes
      of b-wave electroretinogram and P100. Physical exercises increase perfusion
      pressure up to 190% baseline and also increase choroidal blood flow up to 140%,
      thus providing more blood to retina. Sport-induced change on visual field is a
      subject of controversy. Majority of patients show a better ocular physiological
      function due to sports and sports are thus considered essential for preventing
      common ocular diseases. Further research should focus more on long-term effects
      of sport-induced changes in ocular physiology and newly discovered techniques may
      be utilized for such purposes.

PMID- 27275656
TI  - Juvenile-onset Normal Tension Glaucoma From Chronic, Recurrent Low Cerebrospinal
      Fluid Pressure.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The evidence for low cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) as a key
      parameter in the pathogenesis of glaucoma is increasing. Primate models have
      demonstrated the onset normal tension glaucoma (NTG) from experimentally induced
      chronic intrathecal hypotension; an approach not possible in human subjects. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old man presented with a central scotoma in his left eye.
      He had undergone 8 CSF shunt revision procedures over a 25-year period secondary
      to recurrent low CSFP following surgical excision of a pinealoblastoma, aged 2. A
      focal nerve fiber layer defect was detected in the left eye associated with
      reduced retinal sensitivity on microperimetry. Three adjacent optic disc
      hemorrhages had been documented in the same position over an 18-month period. A
      diagnosis of left-sided NTG was made; the patient was started on Latanoprost
      0.005%. A new generation CSF shunting device (ProGAV)-which neutralizes CSFP
      fluctuations analogously to trabeculectomy surgery for intraocular pressure-was
      considered necessary in this patient to alleviate persistent headaches and reduce
      the risk of progressive glaucomatous visual loss. CONCLUSIONS: This exceptional
      case illustrates how premature onset NTG may occur as a result of chronic,
      recurrent intrathecal hypotension-a "pure" human model. We describe an original
      management approach of implanting an adjustable, programmable CSF shunt valve
      (ProGAV) to reduce fluctuations in the translaminar cribrosa pressure difference,
      and reduce the risk of glaucomatous visual loss.

PMID- 27275657
TI  - Comparison of Rotational Thromboelastography Findings in Pseudoexfoliation
      Syndrome Patients and Healthy Controls.
AB  - PURPOSE: Rotational thromboelastography (ROTEM) is a useful test for studying the
      characteristics of fibrin clot formation. As patients with pseudoexfoliation
      (PEX) have an increased risk for thrombotic events, clot-forming dysfunction may
      play a role. The aim of this study is to compare ROTEM findings in PEX syndrome
      patients with age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      A total of 21 patients with PEX syndrome and 22 age-matched and sex-matched
      healthy controls were included. All study participants underwent detailed
      ophthalmologic and systemic medical examination, including blood pressure
      measurement, hemoglobin-hematocrit levels, platelet count, coagulation parameters
      including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen
      levels, and D-dimer levels. Peripheral blood samples were collected and analyzed
      with ROTEM Coagulation Analyzer. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with PEX and
      controls was 66.5+/-8.3 and 65.9+/-9.5 years, respectively (P=0.7). The 2 groups
      did not differ with respect to age, sex, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet
      numbers, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen
      levels, D-dimer levels, and glucose levels. When extrinsic thromboelastometry
      results were analyzed, PEX patients showed a significantly decreased clotting
      time when compared with healthy controls (79.8 vs. 98.0 s; P=0.01), indicating
      faster clot formation. Other ROTEM parameters did now show any difference between
      the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: PEX patients showed faster clotting time when compared
      with healthy controls. This fibrin clot formation dysfunction may lead to
      vascular thrombotic events in these patients. Further studies are needed to
      elucidate the exact underlying mechanism of thrombosis seen in PEX patients.

PMID- 27275658
TI  - [Health care plan: a treatment as a piece of a puzzle. Considerations with
      respect to judgement of the Central Disciplinary Board for Health Care].
AB  - When faced with the question whether a particular treatment is indicated,
      dentists have to ask themselves to what extent it fits within a health care goal.
      If it does not, then the indication is usually rejected because it is in conflict
      with professional standards. Dentists who nevertheless consider such an
      indication have to bear the responsibility to make clear to the patient not only
      the general risks of a certain treatment but also the additional risks associated
      with the hazardous indication.

PMID- 27275659
TI  - [Gout in the temporomandibular joint].
AB  - A 76-year-old woman, with a medical history of diabetes mellitus and
      hypertension, presented herself to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with a
      sudden pre-auricular swelling of the right temporomandibular joint. As a result
      of the atypical clinical appearance and signs of local destruction in the initial
      panoramic x-ray, a malign process was first eliminated from consideration. With
      the aid of extensive diagnostics and an open biopsy, the diagnosis of gout was
      established.

PMID- 27275660
TI  - [Oral hygiene behaviour of a group of healthy students].
AB  - The aim of this cross-sectional study was to get a picture of the daily oral
      hygiene behaviour of a group of healthy Dutch students in the age range of 18 to
      30 years and its relation to oral health. On the basis of a questionnaire, the
      students were interviewed concerning their oral hygiene behaviour. The level of
      gingivitis and the level of tongue coating were analysed in relation to the
      results of the questionnaire. The study revealed that the majority brushed their
      teeth twice a day. The different methods of tooth brushing and the use of a
      manual or electric toothbrush had no significant effect on the clinical
      parameters in this study population. A small group used an interdental cleaning
      method daily. The toothpick was the aid most often used and its use resulted in a
      significant reduction of the tendency to interdental bleeding. The use of a
      tongue cleaner had no statistically significant effect on the level of tongue
      coating.

PMID- 27275661
TI  - [Dissertations 25 years after date 46. Treatment of mandibular fractures].
AB  - In the 1980s, professionals wanted to determine what the best method was for
      treating fractures of the mandibula. The emergence of osteosynthesis plates in
      the late 1960s, bringing with them the possibility of immediate functional
      restoration, had had a dramatic effect. This type of plate was most often placed
      by means of an extra-oral incision. A decade later, a system of smaller plates
      was introduced, which were placed intra-orally. A doctoral research project from
      1991 investigated the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods of
      treating a mandibular fracture in order to determine which was most applicable.
      The importance of careful assessment on the basis of the type of fracture and the
      desired firmness of the osteosynthesis, described in the dissertation, is still
      decisive in conclusions concerning surgical treatment method and choice of
      material. 

PMID- 27275662
TI  - [Is amalgam stained dentin a proper substrate for bonding resin composite?].
AB  - After the removal of amalgam restorations, black staining of dentin is often
      observed, which is attributed to the penetration of corrosion products from
      amalgam. A study was carried out to determine whether this amalgam stained dentin
      is a proper substrate for bonding resin composites. A literature study and an in
      vitro study showed that Sn and Zn in particular are found in amalgam stained
      dentin, and this was the case only in demineralised dentin. In vitro,
      demineralised dentin acted as porte d'entrEe for amalgam corrosion products. Bond
      strength tests with 5 adhesive strategies showed no differences between bond
      strengths to amalgam stained and to sound dentin, but did show different failure
      types. A clinical study showed good survival of extensive cusp replacing resin
      composite restorations. No failures were attributed to inadequate adhesion. It is
      concluded that staining of dentin by amalgam corrosion products has no negative
      effect upon bond strength of resin composite. It is suggested that Sn and Zn may
      have a beneficial effect upon dentin, thus compensating the effects of previous
      carious attacks, preparation trauma and physico-chemical challenges during
      clinical lifetime.

PMID- 27275663
TI  - Electrochemically Induced Nanobubbles between Graphene and Mica.
AB  - We present a new method to create dynamic nanobubbles. The nanobubbles are
      created between graphene and mica by reducing intercalated water to hydrogen. The
      nanobubbles have a typical radius of several hundred nanometers, a height of a
      few tens of nanometers and an internal pressure in the range of 0.5-8 MPa. Our
      approach paves the way to the realization of nanobubbles of which both size and
      internal pressure are tunable.

PMID- 27275664
TI  - Comparison of multiple genotyping methods for the identification of the cancer
      predisposing founder mutation p.R337H in TP53.
AB  - Germline mutations in the TP53 gene are associated with Li-Fraumeni and Li
      Fraumeni-Like Syndromes, characterized by increased predisposition to early-onset
      cancers. In Brazil, the prevalence of the TP53-p.R337H germline mutation is
      exceedingly high in the general population and in cancer-affected patients,
      probably as result of a founder effect. Several genotyping methods are used for
      the molecular diagnosis of LFS/LFL, however Sanger sequencing is still considered
      the gold standard. We compared performance, cost and turnaround time of Sanger
      sequencing, PCR-RFLP, TaqMan-PCR and HRM in the p.R337H genotyping. The
      performance was determined by analysis of 95 genomic DNA samples and results were
      100% concordant for all methods. Sequencing was the most expensive method
      followed by TaqMan-PCR, PCR-RFLP and HRM. The overall cost of HRM increased with
      the prevalence of positive samples, since confirmatory sequencing must be
      performed when a sample shows an abnormal melting profile, but remained lower
      than all other methods when the mutation prevalence was less than 2.5%.
      Sequencing had the highest throughput and the longest turnaround time, while
      TaqMan-PCR showed the lowest turnaround and hands-on times. All methodologies
      studied are suitable for the detection of p.R337H and the choice will depend on
      the application and clinical scenario. 

PMID- 27275665
TI  - The Brazilian Hereditary Cancer Network: historical aspects and challenges for
      clinical cancer genetics in the public health care system in Brazil.

PMID- 27275666
TI  - Self-reported cancer family history is a useful tool for identification of
      individuals at risk of hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome at primary care
      centers in middle-income settings: a longitudinal study.
AB  - Analysis of cancer family history (CFH) offers a low-cost genetic tool to
      identify familial cancer predisposition. In middle-income settings, the scarcity
      of individual records and database-linked records hinders the assessment of self
      reported CFH consistency as an indicator of familial cancer predisposition. We
      used self-reported CFH to identify those families at risk for hereditary cancer
      syndromes in community-based primary care centers of a low-income Brazilian area.
      We also evaluated the consistency of the information collected by reassessing CFH
      five years later. We interviewed 390 families and constructed their pedigrees for
      genetic cancer risk assessment. We found 125 families affected by cancer, 35.2%
      with moderate to high risk of familial susceptibility to cancer, a number that
      represents a relatively high prevalence of potential hereditary cancer syndromes
      in the overall study sample. Upon reassessment of CFH in 14/20 families that were
      previously identified as having at least one first-degree and one second-degree
      relative affected by cancer, and presented moderate to high risk for developing
      cancer, 90% of initial pedigrees were confirmed. These results demonstrate the
      reliability of self-reports as a means of early identification of healthy
      individuals at risk, encouraging the wider use of this method in low- and middle
      income primary care settings. 

PMID- 27275667
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cell therapy promotes the improvement and recovery of renal
      function in a preclinical model.
AB  - Acute renal failure (ARF) is an extremely important public health issue in need
      of novel therapies. The present study aimed to evaluate the capacity of
      mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy to promote the improvement and recovery of
      renal function in a preclinical model. Wistar rats were used as the experimental
      model, and our results show that cisplatin (5mg/kg) can efficiently induce ARF,
      as measured by changes in biochemical (urea and creatinine) and histological
      parameters. MSC therapy performed 24h after the administration of chemotherapy
      resulted in normalized plasma urea and creatinine levels 30 and 45d after the
      onset of kidney disease. Furthermore, MSC therapy significantly reduced
      histological changes (intratubular cast formation in protein overload nephropathy
      and tubular hydropic degeneration) in this ARF model. Thus, considering that
      current therapies for ARF are merely palliative and that MSC therapy can promote
      the improvement and recovery of renal function in this model system, we suggest
      that innovative/alternative therapies involving MSCs should be considered for
      clinical studies in humans to treat ARF. 

PMID- 27275668
TI  - Indole-2-carboxamide-based MmpL3 Inhibitors Show Exceptional Antitubercular
      Activity in an Animal Model of Tuberculosis Infection.
AB  - Our team had previously identified certain indolecarboxamides that represented a
      new chemical scaffold that showed promising anti-TB activity at both an in vitro
      and in vivo level. Based on mutational analysis using bacteria found resistant to
      one of these indolecarboxamides, we identified the trehalose monomycolate
      transporter MmpL3 as the likely target of these compounds. In the present work,
      we now further elaborate on the SAR of these compounds, which has led in turn to
      the identification of a new analog, 4,6-difluoro-N-((1R,2R,3R,5S)-2,6,6
      trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (26), that shows
      excellent activity against drug-sensitive (MIC = 0.012 MUM; SI >= 16000),
      multidrug-resistant (MDR), and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis strains, has superior ADMET properties, and shows excellent activity
      in the TB aerosol lung infection model. Compound 26 is also shown to work in
      synergy with rifampin. Because of these properties, we believe that
      indolecarboxamide 26 is a possible candidate for advancement to human clinical
      trials.

PMID- 27275669
TI  - Emergency Cricothyrotomy Performed by Surgical Airway-naive Medical Personnel: A
      Randomized Crossover Study in Cadavers Comparing Three Commonly Used Techniques.
AB  - BACKGROUND: When conventional approaches to obtain effective ventilation and
      return of effective spontaneous breathing fail, surgical airway is the last
      rescue option. Most physicians have a limited lifetime experience with
      cricothyrotomy, and it is unclear what method should be taught for this
      lifesaving procedure. The aim of this study is to compare the performance of
      medical personnel, naive to surgical airway techniques, in establishing an
      emergency surgical airway in cadavers using three commonly used cricothyrotomy
      techniques. METHODS: Twenty medical students, without previous knowledge of
      surgical airway techniques, were randomly selected from their class. After
      training, they performed cricothyrotomy by three techniques (surgical, Melker,
      and QuickTrach II) in a random order on 60 cadavers with comparable biometrics.
      The time to complete the procedure, rate of success, and number of complications
      were recorded. A success was defined as the correct placement of the cannula
      within the trachea in 3 min. RESULTS: The success rates were 95, 55, and 50% for
      surgical cricothyrotomy, QuickTrach, and Melker, respectively (P = 0.025). The
      majority of failures were due to cannula misplacement (15 of 20). In successful
      procedures, the mean procedure time was 94 +/- 35 s in the surgical group, 77 +/-
      34 in the QuickTrach II group, and 149 +/- 24 in the Melker group (P < 0.001).
      Few significant complications were found in successful procedures. No cadaver
      biometric parameters were correlated with success of the procedure. CONCLUSION:
      Surgical airway-naive medical personnel establish emergency cricothyrotomy more
      efficiently and safely with the surgical procedure than with the other two
      commonly used techniques.

PMID- 27275670
TI  - Surgical Cricothyrotomy, Rather than Percutaneous Cricothyrotomy, in "Cannot
      Intubate, Cannot Oxygenate" Situation.

PMID- 27275734
TI  - Iridium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Acylpyridines by [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of
      Diynes with Acyl Cyanides.
AB  - 2-Acylpyridines were prepared by iridium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of
      alpha,omega-diynes with acyl cyanides. [Ir(cod)Cl]2/rac-BINAP or F-DPPE is an
      efficient catalyst for this reaction. The scope and limitations of this reaction
      have been disclosed.

PMID- 27275735
TI  - Jiangsu Four Cancers Study: a large case-control study of lung, liver, stomach,
      and esophageal cancers in Jiangsu Province, China.
AB  - Cancer is a major public health burden both globally and in China. The most
      common cancer-related deaths in China are attributable to cancers of the lung,
      liver, stomach, and esophagus. Previous epidemiologic studies on cancer in China
      have often been limited by small sample sizes, inconsistent measurements, and
      lack of precise and accurate data. The Jiangsu Four Cancers (JFC) Study is a
      population-based case-control study carried out in an effort to obtain consistent
      and high-quality data to investigate the life style, behavioral, environmental,
      and genetic factors associated with the four major cancers in China. The aim of
      this paper is to describe the overall design of the JFC Study and report selected
      findings on the major risk factors for cancers. Epidemiologic data were collected
      from 2003 to 2010 through in-person interviews using a structured questionnaire
      and blood samples were drawn. Unconditional logistic regression was used to
      estimate the associations of putative risk factors with risks of cancers of the
      lung, liver, stomach, and esophagus. The study included 2871 lung cancer cases,
      2018 liver cancer cases, 2969 esophageal cancer cases, 2216 stomach cancer cases,
      and 8019 community controls. Low educational level, low income level, tobacco
      smoking, alcohol drinking, and family history of cancer were confirmed as risk
      factors for these major cancers. The JFC Study is one of the largest case-control
      studies of cancers in the Chinese population and will serve as a rich resource
      for future research on the four major cancers in China.

PMID- 27275736
TI  - Dexamethasone-suppressed Salivary Cortisol and Pain Sensitivity in Female Twins.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation is associated
      with chronic pain. Studying pain sensitivity and the HPA axis could elucidate the
      role of stress in chronic pain development, which might be influenced by familial
      factors, including genes. METHODS: Associations between pain sensitivity and
      salivary cortisol and familial confounding in these associations were examined in
      88 female, community-based twin pairs (75% monozygotic, mean age 29 y). Cortisol
      was assessed after 0.25 mg dexamethasone (DEX), recovery from 0.25 mg DEX, and
      after 0.5 mg DEX. Cold pressor task (CPT) pain ratings were obtained at threshold
      and at tolerance. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) was examined using thermal
      heat as the testing stimulus and hot water as the conditioning stimulus.
      Generalized estimating equation models were used and adjusted for baseline pain
      rating, age, and other relevant covariates. RESULTS: After controlling for
      baseline cortisol, greater cortisol suppression following DEX administration and
      lower recovery cortisol levels were associated with higher pain ratings at
      tolerance during the CPT (Bs=-2.42 to -17.82; Ps=0.031 to<0.001) as well as with
      reduced CPM (Bs=-0.92 to -1.68; Ps=0.003 to 0.046). Interestingly, familial
      confounding was evident in the CPT and CPM during recovery from DEX
      administration, but not immediately following DEX administration. DISCUSSION:
      These findings contribute to understanding possible mechanisms underlying chronic
      pain by demonstrating that HPA axis response to negative feedback is related to
      pain sensitivity.

PMID- 27275737
TI  - A Conceptual Framework for Understanding the Role of Adverse Childhood
      Experiences in Pediatric Chronic Pain.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This review outlines a conceptual framework adapted from the
      biopsychosocial model of pain to examine the relationship between adverse
      childhood experiences (ACEs) and chronic pain in youth to highlight the state of
      current research and guide future efforts. METHODS: A review of the literature
      was performed in the areas of ACEs and health outcomes with general adult and
      pediatric populations in addition to studies within the pain literature.
      Potential relationships between ACEs, chronic pain, and its impact in youth are
      outlined and discussed. RESULTS: The literature suggests an association between
      adverse outcomes of ACEs and chronic pain in children and adolescents although
      causal links have not been confirmed. However, ACEs are associated with multiple
      risk factors identified in the biopsychosocial model of pain, and may serve to
      exacerbate or confer heightened risk for pain and poor outcomes. DISCUSSION:
      Adverse experiences in childhood may be associated with greater risk for the
      development/maintenance of chronic pain in youth. More research is needed on ACEs
      and how they uniquely affect the biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying chronic
      pain in children throughout the lifespan.

PMID- 27275738
TI  - Disrupted Bone Metabolism in Long-Term Bedridden Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bedridden patients are at risk of osteoporosis and fractures,
      although the long-term bone metabolic processes in these patients are poorly
      understood. Therefore, we aimed to determine how long-term bed confinement
      affects bone metabolism. METHODS: This study included 36 patients who had been
      bedridden from birth due to severe immobility. Bone mineral density and bone
      metabolism markers were compared to the bedridden period in all study patients.
      Changes in the bone metabolism markers during a follow-up of 12 years were
      studied in 17 patients aged <30 years at baseline. RESULTS: The bone mineral
      density was reduced (0.58+/-0.19 g/cm3), and the osteocalcin (13.9+/-12.4 ng/mL)
      and urine N-terminal telopeptide (NTX) levels (146.9+/-134.0 mM BCE/mM
      creatinine) were greater than the cutoff value for predicting fracture. Among the
      bone metabolism markers studied, osteocalcin and NTX were negatively associated
      with the bedridden period. During the follow-up, osteocalcin and parathyroid
      hormone were decreased, and the 25(OH) vitamin D was increased. NTX at baseline
      was negatively associated with bone mineral density after 12 years. CONCLUSIONS:
      Unique bone metabolic abnormalities were found in patients who had been bedridden
      for long periods, and these metabolic abnormalities were altered by further bed
      confinement. Appropriate treatment based on the unique bone metabolic changes may
      be important in long-term bedridden patients.

PMID- 27275739
TI  - Association of IL28B SNPs rs12979860 and rs8099917 on Hepatitis C Virus-RNA
      Status in Donors/Recipients of Living Donor Liver Transplantation.
AB  - To investigate the effect of IL28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      (rs8099917 and rs12979860) in the donors and recipients on the outcome of
      Hepatitis C virus-RNA clearance after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).
      The rs8099917 and rs12979860 genotypes in 50 donor and recipients pairs were
      explored on the pre-operative day (POD) and post-operative day 30 (POD30). There
      was a significant difference in HCV-RNA clearance before (12%, 6/50) and after
      (48%, 24/50) liver transplantation (P < 0.001). The rs8099917 genotype TT was
      dominant in both the recipients (82%, 41/50) and donors (86%, 43/50), but had no
      significant effect on HCV-RNA clearance (87.5%, 21/24) and recurrence (76.9%,
      20/26) after LDLT. One recipient was detected with genotype GG on POD, which
      changed to genotype GT on POD30. Prevalence of rs12979860 genotype CT was 98%
      (49/50 recipient) and 92% (46/50 donor) and prevalence of genotype CC was 2%
      (1/50 recipient) and 8% (4/50 donor) on POD and POD30, respectively. Of the 4
      recipients with rs12979860 genotype CC on POD30, 3 recipients (12.5%, 3/24)
      exhibited HCV clearance and 1 experienced recurrence (3.9%, 1/26), however, this
      was not statistically significant. In conclusion, alterations in IL28B SNP
      genotype may occur after LDLT, leading to modifications in the host genome or
      donor proteome by HCV. This predicted mechanism will need to be investigated
      further. 

PMID- 27275740
TI  - Simvastatin Inhibits IL-5-Induced Chemotaxis and CCR3 Expression of HL-60-Derived
      and Human Primary Eosinophils.
AB  - IL-5-induced chemotaxis of eosinophils is an important feature of allergic airway
      inflammatory diseases. Simvastatin, a lipid lowering agent, has been shown to
      exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. Our aim was to investigate
      the effect of simvastatin on IL-5-induced eosinophil chemotaxis and its
      regulatory mechanisms. Eosinophils were derived by treating HL-60 clone 15 (HC15)
      cells with butyric acid (BA) in an alkaline condition or through direct isolation
      from human peripheral blood. The expressions of CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3)
      and interleukin (IL)-5 receptors (IL5Ralpha and beta) were analyzed using RT/real
      time PCR. The granular proteins were stained using fast green. Eotaxin-induced
      chemotaxis was measured using a transwell migration assay. CCR3 protein
      expression was revealed by immunocytochemistry. An animal model of allergic
      rhinitis was established by challenging Sprague-Dawley(r) rats repeatedly with
      ovalbumin. Butyric acid significantly increased the expression of IL5Ralpha and
      IL5Rbeta, CCR3 and granular proteins in HC15 cells, indicating the maturation of
      eosinophils (BA-E cells). IL-5 further enhanced the CCR3 expression at both the
      mRNA and protein levels and the eotaxin-induced chemotaxis of BA-E cells.
      Simvastatin inhibited the effects of IL-5 on BA-E cells, but not in the presence
      of mevalonate. Similar results were also exhibited in human primary eosinophils.
      In vivo animal studies further confirmed that oral simvastatin could
      significantly suppress the infiltration of eosinophils into turbinate tissues of
      allergic rats. Therefore, simvastatin was demonstrated to inhibit IL-5-induced
      CCR3 expression and chemotaxis of eosinophils mediated via the mevalonate
      pathway. We confirmed that simvastatin also reduced eosinophilic infiltration in
      allergic rhinitis. 

PMID- 27275741
TI  - SQSTM1 Mutations and Glaucoma.
AB  - Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. One subset
      of glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma (NTG) occurs in the absence of high
      intraocular pressure. Mutations in two genes, optineurin (OPTN) and TANK binding
      kinase 1 (TBK1), cause familial NTG and have known roles in the catabolic
      cellular process autophagy. TKB1 encodes a kinase that phosphorylates OPTN, an
      autophagy receptor, which ultimately activates autophagy. The sequestosome
      (SQSTM1) gene also encodes an autophagy receptor and also is a target of TBK1
      phosphorylation. Consequently, we hypothesized that mutations in SQSTM1 may also
      cause NTG. We tested this hypothesis by searching for glaucoma-causing mutations
      in a cohort of NTG patients (n = 308) and matched controls (n = 157) using Sanger
      sequencing. An additional 1098 population control samples were also analyzed
      using whole exome sequencing. A total of 17 non-synonymous mutations were
      detected which were not significantly skewed between cases and controls when
      analyzed separately, or as a group (p > 0.05). These data suggest that SQSTM1
      mutations are not a common cause of NTG. 

PMID- 27275742
TI  - Wide Variations in Compliance with Tuberculosis Screening Guidelines and
      Tuberculosis Incidence between Antiretroviral Therapy Facilities - Cote d'Ivoire.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Cote d'Ivoire, tuberculosis (TB) is a common cause of death among
      HIV-infected antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrollees. Ivorian guidelines recommend
      screening for TB and initiation of TB treatment before ART initiation. Compliance
      with these guidelines can help reduce TB-related mortality during ART and
      possibly nosocomial TB transmission. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In a retrospective
      cohort study among 3,682 randomly selected adults (>=15 years old) starting ART
      during 2004-2007 at 34 randomly selected facilities, documentation of TB
      screening completion, prevalence of active TB at ART initiation, and incidence of
      TB during ART were evaluated. At ART initiation, median age was 36 years, 67%
      were female, and median CD4 count was 135 cells/MUL. Among all 3,682 enrollees,
      73 (2%) were on TB treatment at the time of referral to the ART facility. Among
      the 3,609 not on TB treatment, 1,263 (36%) were documented to receive some TB
      screening before ART initiation; 21% were screened for cough, 21% for weight
      loss, 18% for fever, 18% for TB contacts, and 12% for night sweats. Among the
      1,263 screened, 111 (11%) were diagnosed with TB and started TB treatment before
      ART. No associations between patient characteristics and probability of being
      screened were noted. However, documentation of TB screening completion before ART
      varied widely by ART facility from 0-100%. TB incidence during ART was 3.0 per
      100 person-years but varied widely by ART facility from 0/100 person-year to
      13.1/100 person-years. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for TB before ART initiation was
      poorly documented. Facility-level variations in TB screening documentation
      suggest facility-level factors, such as investment in training programs, might
      determine documentation practices. Targeting under-performing ART facilities with
      improvement activities is needed. Variations among facilities in TB incidence
      warrant further research. These incidence variations could reflect differences
      between facilities in TB screening, diagnostic tests, documentation practices, or
      TB risk possibly related to infection control practices or local community TB
      incidence.

PMID- 27275743
TI  - Matrilineal Behavioral and Physiological Changes following the Death of a Non
      Alpha Matriarch in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta).
AB  - In many species, the loss of alpha matriarchs is associated with a number of
      negative outcomes such as troop fission, eviction, wounding, and reduced
      vitality. However, whether the dramatic consequences of their loss are due to
      their role as an old experienced figure or to their alpha status remains unclear.
      We tested the hypothesis that in a semi-free ranging colony of rhesus macaques
      (Macaca mulatta), the death of a non-alpha matriarch, who had a large set of kin,
      would lead to changes in behavior and physiological stress within her matriline.
      Following her death, her matriline increased in aggression, vigilance, and social
      grooming. Additionally, hierarchical stability, measured by levels of rank
      changes, decreased within her matriline, and levels of intense aggression by high
      ranking animals were more frequent, as well as matrilineal wounding. Although
      ordinal rank was positively associated with higher chronic hair cortisol
      concentrations (HCCs) in the months before the matriarch's death, following her
      death, only those who experienced large increases in rank within her matriline
      displayed higher HCCs. Changes in matrilineal stability, aggression, behavior,
      and HCCs within the other two matrilines in the troop were not evident, although
      caution is needed due to the small sample sizes. We conclude that the death of
      the non-alpha matriarch led to matrilineal instability, characterized by higher
      levels of aggression and subsequent vigilance, rank changes, physiological
      stress, and grooming. We suggest that non-alpha matriarchs with a large number of
      kin and social support can be integral to the stability of matrilines. 

PMID- 27275744
TI  - Spatial Configuration of Drought Disturbance and Forest Gap Creation across
      Environmental Gradients.
AB  - Climate change is increasing the risk of drought to forested ecosystems. Although
      drought impacts are often anecdotally noted to occur in discrete patches of high
      canopy mortality, the landscape effects of drought disturbances have received
      virtually no study. This study characterized the landscape configuration of
      drought impact patches and investigated the relationships between patch
      characteristics, as indicators of drought impact intensity, and environmental
      gradients related to water availability to determine factors influencing drought
      vulnerability. Drought impact patches were delineated from aerial surveys
      following an extreme drought in 2011 in southwestern Australia, which led to
      patchy canopy dieback of the Northern Jarrah Forest, a Mediterranean forest
      ecosystem. On average, forest gaps produced by drought-induced dieback were
      moderate in size (6.6 +/- 9.7 ha, max = 85.7 ha), compact in shape, and
      relatively isolated from each other at the scale of several kilometers. However,
      there was considerable spatial variation in the size, shape, and clustering of
      forest gaps. Drought impact patches were larger and more densely clustered in
      xeric areas, with significant relationships observed with topographic wetness
      index, meteorological variables, and stand height. Drought impact patch
      clustering was more strongly associated with the environmental factors assessed
      (R2 = 0.32) than was patch size (R2 = 0.21); variation in patch shape remained
      largely unexplained (R2 = 0.02). There is evidence that the xeric areas with more
      intense drought impacts are 'chronic disturbance patches' susceptible to
      recurrent drought disturbance. The spatial configuration of drought disturbances
      is likely to influence ecological processes including forest recovery and
      interacting disturbances such as fire. Regime shifts to an alternate, non
      forested ecosystem may occur preferentially in areas with large or clustered
      drought impact patches. Improved understanding of drought impacts and their
      patterning in space and time will expand our knowledge of forest ecosystems and
      landscape processes, informing management of these dynamic systems in an
      uncertain future. 

PMID- 27275746
TI  - Correction: Predictive Models of Primary Tropical Forest Structure from
      Geomorphometric Variables Based on SRTM in the Tapajos Region, Brazilian Amazon.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152009.].

PMID- 27275745
TI  - Regional Variability of Lifestyle Factors and Hypertension with Prediabetes and
      Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Population-Based KORA-F4 and SHIP
      TREND Studies in Germany.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) shows regional differences in Germany.
      The purpose of the project was to compare the prevalence of prediabetes and
      undiagnosed T2D in two regions in Germany, the Northeast and the South, and to
      evaluate their associations with regional variations in lifestyle factors and
      hypertension. METHODS: Data from the KORA-F4 study (South Germany, 2006-2008) and
      the SHIP-TREND study (Northeast Germany, 2008-2012) were used. Participants aged
      35-79 years without T2D with an overnight fasting of more than 8 hours and an
      oral glucose tolerance test were included: KORA-F4: n = 2,616 and SHIP-TREND: n =
      1,968. RESULTS: The prevalence of prediabetes/newly diagnosed T2D was especially
      high in men (about 60%) and women (about 50%) in the Northeast, followed by men
      (about 50%) and women (about 30%) in the South. Lifestyle factors associated with
      T2D varied between the regions: more participants in the Northeast were active
      smokers and the percentages of people with overweight or obesity were greater
      than in their southern counterparts. However, these differences could not explain
      the striking disparity in prediabetes/newly diagnosed T2D. The frequency of
      hypertension was also distinctly higher in the Northeast than in the South and
      clearly associated with prediabetes/newly diagnosed T2D. Especially in men living
      in the Northeast, screening individuals with blood pressure >= 140/90mmHg might
      reveal up to 70% of those with prediabetes/newly diagnosed T2D. CONCLUSIONS:
      Knowledge about regional variability in T2D and related risk factors is important
      for the planning of diabetes prevention programs. In our analyses, common
      lifestyle factors did not nearly explain these variations between the northern
      SHIP-TREND and the southern KORA-F4 studies. Further examinations of regional
      socioeconomic, political, environmental and other aspects are needed. Meanwhile,
      targeted diabetes prevention strategies with a special focus on men living in the
      northern parts of Germany are reasonable.

PMID- 27275748
TI  - Association between anti-Mullerian hormone and insulin resistance in non-obese
      adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate the association between
      anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and insulin resistance (IR) in non-obese adolescent
      females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with and without IR. METHODS:
      Seventy-seven consecutive non-obese patients were recruited and distributed into
      three groups according to diagnoses of PCOS and IR. Group I included 27 females
      diagnosed with PCOS and IR, group II included 18 females diagnosed with PCOS but
      without IR, and group III included 32 controls without PCOS. RESULTS: Group I had
      significantly higher AMH levels compared to group II and group III (p < 0.012 and
      p < 0.000, respectively). ROC curve analyses demonstrated that the AUC,
      indicative of the AMH value for discriminating PCOS with IR, was 0.763, with a
      confidence interval of 0.607-0.920 (p = 0.004). There was a significant positive
      correlation between serum AMH and HOMA-IR levels in adolescent females with PCOS
      (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: We found that serum AMH levels were higher in non-obese
      adolescent females with PCOS and IR than in PCOS patients without IR and the
      healthy controls. There was a significant positive correlation between AMH levels
      and IR in non-obese adolescent females with PCOS.

PMID- 27275747
TI  - Immunoregulatory Effects of Everolimus on In Vitro Alloimmune Responses.
AB  - Everolimus (EVL) is a novel mTOR-inhibitor similar to sirolimus (SRL) that is
      used in organ transplant recipients, often in combination with tacrolimus (TAC)
      or mycophenolate (MPA). The current study aims to determine its effects on
      regulatory T cells. Increasing concentrations of EVL, MPA and TAC alone or in
      combination were added to MLRs of healthy volunteers. Lymphoproliferation by 3H
      TdR incorporation and the percentage of newly generated CD4+CD127-CD25+FOXP3+
      (total Treg) and CD4+CD127-CD25HighFOXP3+ (natural Treg) in CFSE labeled
      responder cells were assessed by flow cytometry. In comparison to medium
      controls, EVL and other agents dose-dependently inhibited 3H-TdR incorporation in
      HLA-2DR-matched and HLA-mismatched MLRs (n = 3-10). However, EVL significantly
      amplified newly generated total and natural Tregs in CFSE labeled responder cells
      (p<0.05) at all concentrations, while MPA and SRL did this only at sub
      therapeutic concentrations and inhibited at therapeutic levels. In contrast, TAC
      inhibited newly generated Tregs at all concentrations. When tested in combination
      with TAC, EVL failed to reverse TAC inhibition of Treg generation. Combinations
      of EVL and low concentrations of MPA inhibited proliferation and amplified Treg
      generation in an additive manner when compared to medium controls or each drug
      tested alone (p<0.05). The relative tolerogenic effect from high to low was EVL >
      SRL> MPA > TAC. If the results from these in vitro studies are extrapolated to
      clinical transplantation, it would suggest EVL plus low concentrations of MPA may
      be the most tolerogenic combination. 

PMID- 27275757
TI  - From Kondo lattices to Kondo superlattices.
AB  - The realization of new classes of ground states in strongly correlated electron
      systems continues to be a major issue in condensed matter physics. Heavy fermion
      materials, whose electronic structure is essentially three-dimensional, are one
      of the most suitable systems for obtaining novel electronic states because of
      their intriguing properties associated with many-body effects. Recently, a state
      of-the-art molecular beam epitaxy technique was developed to reduce the
      dimensionality of heavy electron systems by fabricating artificial superlattices
      that include heavy fermion compounds; this approach can produce a new type of
      electronic state in two-dimensional (2D) heavy fermion systems. In artificial
      superlattices of the antiferromagnetic heavy fermion compound CeIn3 and the
      conventional metal LaIn3, the magnetic order is suppressed by a reduction in the
      thickness of the CeIn3 layers. In addition, the 2D confinement of heavy fermions
      leads to enhancement of the effective electron mass and deviation from the
      standard Fermi liquid electronic properties, which are both associated with the
      dimensional tuning of quantum criticality. In the superconducting superlattices
      of the heavy fermion superconductor CeCoIn5 and nonmagnetic metal YbCoIn5,
      signatures of superconductivity are observed even at the thickness of one unit
      cell layer of CeCoIn5. The most remarkable feature of this 2D heavy fermion
      superconductor is that the thickness reduction of the CeCoIn5 layers changes the
      temperature and angular dependencies of the upper critical field significantly.
      This result is attributed to a substantial suppression of the Pauli pair-breaking
      effect through the local inversion symmetry breaking at the interfaces of CeCoIn5
      block layers. The importance of the inversion symmetry breaking in this system
      has also been supported by site-selective nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy, which can resolve spectroscopic information from each layer
      separately, even within the same CeCoIn5 block layer. In addition, recent
      experiments involving CeCoIn5/YbCoIn5 superlattices have shown that the degree of
      the inversion symmetry breaking and, in turn, the Rashba splitting are
      controllable, offering the prospect of achieving even more fascinating
      superconducting states. Thus, these Kondo superlattices pave the way for the
      exploration of unconventional metallic and superconducting states.

PMID- 27275756
TI  - Bronchus-associated Lymphoid Tissue in Kabuki Syndrome with Associated Hyper-IgM
      Syndrome/Common Variable Immunodeficiency.

PMID- 27275758
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27275759
TI  - Polyvinyl alcohol-graft-polyethylene glycol hydrogels improve utility and
      biofunctionality of injectable collagen biomaterials.
AB  - Collagen-based materials have become a staple in both research and the clinic. In
      wound care, collagen-based materials comprise a core gamut of biological
      dressings and therapeutic strategies. In research, collagen-based materials are
      employed in everything from 3D cultures to bioprinting. Soluble collagen is well
      characterized to undergo fibrillation at neutral pH and 37  degrees C. To remain
      stable, a neutralized collagen solution must be maintained at 4  degrees C. These
      physical characteristics of collagen impose limitations on its utility. In our
      previous work, we identified that the incorporation of a simple polyvinyl
      alcohol:borate hydrogel could improve the rate of collagen gel fibrillation. In
      this work we sought to further investigate the interactions of polyvinyl alcohol
      blend variants, as surfactant-like polymers, in comparison with known non-polymer
      surfactants. To conduct our investigations scaffold variants were created using
      increasing concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol, differing combinations of
      polymers, and non-polymer surfactants Tweens 20 and 80, and TritonX-100.
      Activation energy for collagen fibrillation was found to significantly decrease
      in the presence of polyvinyl alcohols (p  <  0.01) at and above 0.4%w/v
      concentration. Further, addition of polyvinyl alcohol-graft-polyethylene glycol
      had the greatest enhancement (2.02 fold) on the fibrillation kinetics (p  < 
      0.01), wetting properties and the stability of the collagen scaffolds post-freeze
      drying. Our results demonstrated that the addition of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels
      to a collagen solution could stabilize collagen solution such that the solution
      could easily be lyophilized (at pH 7) and then reconstituted with water. Cells
      cultured in polyvinyl alcohol scaffolds also exhibited more organized F-actin, as
      well as a reduced abundance of pro-collagen and alpha-smooth actin. In
      conclusion, our results demonstrate for the first time that polyvinyl alcohol,
      preferably polyvinyl alcohol-graft-polyethylene glycol, directly affects the
      physical properties of collagen and the physiology of cells cultured within
      improving the utility of the combined material for both research and clinic
      needs.

PMID- 27275760
TI  - Metabolites of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Phenanthrene in the Urine of
      Cigarette Smokers from Five Ethnic Groups with Differing Risks for Lung Cancer.
AB  - Results from the Multiethnic Cohort Study demonstrated significant differences in
      lung cancer risk among cigarette smokers from five different ethnic/racial
      groups. For the same number of cigarettes smoked, and particularly among light
      smokers, African Americans and Native Hawaiians had the highest risk for lung
      cancer, Whites had intermediate risk, while Latinos and Japanese Americans had
      the lowest risk. We analyzed urine samples from 331-709 participants from each
      ethnic group in this study for metabolites of phenanthrene, a surrogate for
      carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure. Consistent with their lung
      cancer risk and our previous studies of several other carcinogens and toxicants
      of cigarette smoke, African Americans had significantly (p<0.0001) higher median
      levels of the two phenanthrene metabolites 3-hydroxyphenanthrene (3-PheOH, 0.931
      pmol/ml) and phenanthrene tetraol (PheT, 1.13 pmol/ml) than Whites (3-PheOH,
      0.697 pmol/ml; PheT, 0.853 pmol/ml) while Japanese-Americans had significantly (p
      = 0.002) lower levels of 3-PheOH (0.621 pmol/ml) than Whites. PheT levels (0.838
      pmol/ml) in Japanese-Americans were not different from those of Whites. These
      results are mainly consistent with the lung cancer risk of these three groups,
      but the results for Native Hawaiians and Latinos were more complex. We also
      carried out a genome wide association study in search of factors that could
      influence PheT and 3-PheOH levels. Deletion of GSTT1 explained 2.2% of the
      variability in PheT, while the strongest association, rs5751777 (p = 1.8x10-62)
      in the GSTT2 gene, explained 7.7% of the variability in PheT. These GWAS results
      suggested a possible protective effect of lower GSTT1 copy number variants on the
      diol epoxide pathway, which was an unexpected result. Collectively, the results
      of this study provide further evidence that different patterns of cigarette
      smoking are responsible for the higher lung cancer risk of African Americans than
      of Whites and the lower lung cancer risk of Japanese Americans, while other
      factors appear to be involved in the differing risks of Native Hawaiians and
      Latinos. 

PMID- 27275762
TI  - Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Acute Cardiogenic Shock: How Do You Mend
      a Broken Heart?

PMID- 27275761
TI  - Human MiR-544a Modulates SELK Expression in Hepatocarcinoma Cell Lines.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multi-factorial cancer with a very poor
      prognosis; therefore, there are several investigations aimed at the comprehension
      of the molecular mechanisms leading to development and progression of HCC and at
      the definition of new therapeutic strategies. We have recently evaluated the
      expression of selenoproteins in HCC cell lines in comparison with normal
      hepatocytes. Recent results have shown that some of them are down- and others up
      regulated, including the selenoprotein K (SELK), whose expression was also
      induced by sodium selenite treatment on cells. However, so far very few studies
      have been dedicated to a possible effect of microRNAs on the expression of
      selenoproteins and their implication in HCC. In this study, the analysis of SELK
      3'UTR by bioinformatics tools led to the identification of eight sites
      potentially targeted by human microRNAs. They were then subjected to a validation
      test based on luciferase reporter constructs transfected in HCC cell lines. In
      this functional screening, miR-544a was able to interact with SELK 3'UTR
      suppressing the reporter activity. Transfection of a miR-544a mimic or inhibitor
      was then shown to decrease or increase, respectively, the translation of the
      endogenous SELK mRNA. Intriguingly, miR-544a expression was found to be modulated
      by selenium treatment, suggesting a possible role in SELK induction by selenium. 

PMID- 27275763
TI  - Correction: Underweight, Markers of Cachexia, and Mortality in Acute Myocardial
      Infarction: A Prospective Cohort Study of Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries.
AB  - This article was republished on May 19th, 2016 to correct poor figure quality in
      the PDF version, which was introduced during the typesetting process. [This
      corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001998.].

PMID- 27275764
TI  - Structures of KdnB and KdnA from Shewanella oneidensis: Key Enzymes in the
      Formation of 8-Amino-3,8-Dideoxy-d-Manno-Octulosonic Acid.
AB  - 8-Amino-3,8-dideoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo8N) is a unique amino sugar that
      has thus far only been observed on the lipopolysaccharides of marine bacteria
      belonging to the genus Shewanella. Although its biological function is still
      unclear, it is thought that the sugar is important for the integrity of the
      bacterial cell outer membrane. A three-gene cluster required for the biosynthesis
      of Kdo8N was first identified in Shewanella oneidensis. Here we describe the
      three-dimensional structures of two of the enzymes required for Kdo8N
      biosynthesis in S. oneidensis, namely, KdnB and KdnA. The structure of KdnB was
      solved to 1.85-A resolution, and its overall three-dimensional architecture
      places it into the Group III alcohol dehydrogenase superfamily. A previous study
      suggested that KdnB did not require NAD(P) for activity. Strikingly, although the
      protein was crystallized in the absence of any cofactors, the electron density
      map clearly revealed the presence of a tightly bound NAD(H). In addition, a bound
      metal was observed, which was shown via X-ray fluorescence to be a zinc ion.
      Unlike other members of the Group III alcohol dehydrogenases, the dinucleotide
      cofactor in KdnB is tightly bound and cannot be removed without leading to
      protein precipitation. With respect to KdnA, it is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate or
      (PLP)-dependent aminotransferase. For this analysis, the structure of KdnA,
      trapped in the presence of the external aldimine with PLP and glutamate, was
      determined to 2.15-A resolution. The model of KdnA represents the first structure
      of a sugar aminotransferase that functions on an 8-oxo sugar. Taken together the
      results reported herein provide new molecular insight into the biosynthesis of
      Kdo8N.

PMID- 27275765
TI  - Assessment of ghrelin, leptin, orexin A and alpha-MSH serum concentrations and
      the levels of the autoantibodies against the aforementioned peptides in relation
      to Helicobacter pylori infections and Candida albicans colonization in children
      with short stature.

PMID- 27275766
TI  - [Body mass and body length of warsaw's newborns].

PMID- 27275767
TI  - [Screening in specific categories of neonates exposed to congenital
      hypothyroidism].

PMID- 27275768
TI  - [The treatment and monitoring of the therapy of congenital hypothyroidism].

PMID- 27275769
TI  - Zespol Silvera-Rusella. Czesc II.

PMID- 27275770
TI  - [Dental abnormalities and orthodontic disorders in Turner's syndrome patients].

PMID- 27275771
TI  - Syncope is a frequently under-diagnosed condition in infants and toddlers and has
      similar features to those seen in adolescents and adults.
AB  - AIM: Vagal syncope may not be readily recognised by the caregivers of younger
      children, often leading to extensive diagnostic evaluation. Our aim was to
      determine the characteristics of syncope in younger children and to assess
      whether this age group was more prone to undergoing extensive diagnostic work-ups
      and receiving wrong aetiological diagnoses. METHODS: We collected clinical data
      on children up to six years of age, referred to our paediatric neurology clinic
      between 2007 and 2014 following one or more episodes of sudden loss of
      consciousness. RESULTS: A family history of syncope was present in 59.5% of the
      37 children, and a trigger for syncope was identified in 30 children. Most of the
      episodes were short, with witnesses reporting an immediate or quick recovery.
      Most of the children underwent diagnostic procedures, particularly an
      electroencephalogram, and all the results were normal. Epilepsy did not develop
      in any of these cases. Syncope recurred in 22 patients during a two-year follow
      up. CONCLUSION: Vagal syncope had similar features in toddlers and young children
      to those seen in adolescents and adults. Its diagnosis should be considered
      following loss of consciousness due to an identifiable trigger and rapidly
      regaining consciousness to avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures and
      hospitalisation.

PMID- 27275772
TI  - Predicting the Risk of Melanoma.

PMID- 27275773
TI  - Chronic administration tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside promotes hippocampal memory
      and synaptic plasticity and activates ERKs, CaMKII and SIRT1/miR-134 in vivo.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Polygonum multiflorum Thunb is a traditional
      Chinese medicine with anti-aging effect. 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D
      glucoside (TSG) is generally considered as the main active component in Polygonum
      multiflorum Thunb. However, the effect of TSG on memory in adult is unclear till
      now. AIM OF STUDY: 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (TSG) is a
      polyphenols compound from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. The present study aimed to
      evaluate the effect of chronic administration of TSG on hippocampal memory in
      normal mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Behavioral test, electrophysiology and golgi
      staining were used to evaluate the effect of TSG on hippocampus-dependent memory
      and synaptic plasticity. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of
      ERK1/2, CaMKII, and SIRT1. Real-time quantitative PCR was explored to measure miR
      134. RESULTS: It was found that TSG enhanced hippocampus-dependent contextual
      fear memory and novel object recognition, facilitated hippocampal LTP and
      increased dendrite spine density in the CA1 region of hippocampus. TSG obviously
      promoted the phosphorylations of ERK1/2, CaMKII, CREB and the expression of BDNF
      in the hippocampus, with upregulation of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)
      and downregulation of miR-134. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic administration of TSG
      promotes hippocampal memory in normal mice, suggesting that supplementary of TSG
      might serve as an enhancement of memory.

PMID- 27275774
TI  - BACE1 molecular docking and anti-Alzheimer's disease activities of ginsenosides.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ginsenosides are natural product steroid
      glycosides and triterpene saponins obtained from the Panax species. Panax ginseng
      has been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for around a
      thousand years, especially in East Asian countries. Ginseng, the root and rhizome
      of the most popular species P. ginseng, used as tonic, prophylactic agent and
      restorative. In TCM, ginseng is highly valued herb and has been applied to a
      variety of pathological conditions and illnesses such as hypodynamia, anorexia,
      shortness of breath, palpitation, insomnia, impotence, hemorrhage and diabetes.
      AIM OF THE STUDY: The basic aim of this study was to evaluate the anti
      Alzheimer's disease activities of selected ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Re, Rg1,
      and Rg3) according to peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) scavenging activity and inhibitory
      activity of ONOO(-)-mediated nitrotyrosine formation as a measure of changes in
      oxidative stress. In addition, molecular docking simulation studies were
      performed to predict binding energies of the ginsenosides with beta-site amyloid
      precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1, beta-secretase) and identify the
      interacting residues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro cholinesterase enzyme
      assays by using acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and
      BACE1 were performed. In vitro authentic peroxynitrite scavenging activity and
      inhibitory activity against ONOO(-)-mediated nitrotyrosine formation were also
      performed. Molecular docking simulation studies were performed with Autodock Vina
      software and Discovery studio 4.1. RESULTS: In vitro enzyme assays demonstrated
      that ginsenosides have significant inhibitory potential against AChE, BChE, and
      BACE1, as well as ONOO(-) and nitrotyrosine formation. Most importantly,
      significant AChE inhibitory activities were observed for Re; BChE for Rg3; and
      BACE1 for Rc, with IC50 values of 29.86+/-3.20, 16.80+/-0.36, and 59.81+/
      2.74MUg/mL, respectively. Among the tested ginsenosides, Rb1 exhibited a higher
      scavenging activity against ONOO(-) with an IC50 value of 27.86+/-1.34MUg/mL,
      while Rc and Rg3 exhibited impressive inhibitory activity against the formation
      of nitrotyrosine. In addition, molecular docking studies revealed potential BACE1
      inhibitory activity of ginsenosides, especially Rb1 and Rb2, which exhibited good
      binding affinities towards BACE1, with docking scores of -10kcal/mol. CONCLUSION:
      The findings of the present study suggest the potential of ginsenosides (Rb1,
      Rb2, Rc, Re, Rg1, and Rg3) for use in the development of therapeutic or
      preventive agents for Alzheimer's disease, especially through inhibition of AChE,
      BChE and BACE1 activities, as well as scavenging of ONOO(-) and inhibition of
      nitrotyrosine formation.

PMID- 27275775
TI  - Guanylate binding protein 5: Impairing virion infectivity by targeting retroviral
      envelope glycoproteins.
AB  - Guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are interferon-inducible cellular factors that
      belong to the superfamily of guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) and play
      important roles in the cell-intrinsic defense against bacteria, protozoa and
      viruses. In a recent report in Cell Host & Microbe, we identify GBP5 as novel
      restriction factor of HIV-1 that reduces the infectivity of progeny virions by
      interfering with processing and incorporation of the viral envelope (Env)
      glycoprotein. The inhibitory activity of GBP5 requires C-terminal isoprenylation,
      mediating Golgi-association, but not its GTPase function. Notably, GBP5
      expression levels vary considerably in human macrophages and inversely correlate
      with infectious virus yield. We demonstrate that GBP5 can be evaded by an unusual
      tradeoff mechanism: Naturally occurring mutations in the start codon of the viral
      accessory gene vpu attenuate GBP5 inhibition by increasing Env expression at the
      cost of Vpu function. Whether direct counteraction mechanisms or more subtle
      changes balancing Vpu and Env expression also affect HIV-1 inhibition by GBP5
      remains to be clarified. Other open questions are whether GBP5 restricts HIV-1 in
      CD4+ T cells and if other GBP family members also decrease infectivity of HIV
      and/or additional enveloped viruses.

PMID- 27275776
TI  - Electromagnetic fields and anomalous transports in heavy-ion collisions-a
      pedagogical review.
AB  - The hot and dense matter generated in heavy-ion collisions may contain domains
      which are not invariant under P and CP transformations. Moreover, heavy-ion
      collisions can generate extremely strong magnetic fields as well as electric
      fields. The interplay between the electromagnetic field and triangle anomaly
      leads to a number of macroscopic quantum phenomena in these P- and CP-odd domains
      known as anomalous transports. The purpose of this article is to give a
      pedagogical review of various properties of the electromagnetic fields, the
      anomalous transport phenomena, and their experimental signatures in heavy-ion
      collisions.

PMID- 27275777
TI  - Survey of Intraocular Antibiotics Prophylaxis Practice after Open Globe Injury in
      China.
AB  - PURPOSE: To elucidate the Chinese practice of intraocular antibiotics
      administration for prophylaxis after open globe injury. METHODS: A cross
      sectional questionnaire survey was performed online by scanning a Quickmark (QR)
      code with smartphones at the 20th Chinese National Conference of Ocular Trauma in
      November 2014. RESULTS: A total of 153 (30.6%) of all participators at the
      conference responded. Of the respondents, 20.9% were routinely administered with
      prophylactic intraocular injection of antibiotics at the conclusion of the
      primary eye repair, and 56.9% were used only in cases with high risk of
      endophthalmitis development. The intraocular route of delivery was mainly
      included with intracameral injection (47.9%) and intravitreal injection (42.0%).
      Cephalosporins (53.8%) and vancomycin (42.0%) were the main choices of antibiotic
      agents, followed by fluoroquinolones (24.3%), and aminoglycosides (13.4%). Only
      21.9% preferred a combination of two or more two drugs routinely. In addition,
      significantly more respondents from the referral eye hospital (92.7%) replied
      using intraocular antibiotics injection for prophylaxis compared to those
      respondents from the primary hospital (69.4%) (p = 0.001, Fisher's exact test).
      CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular antibiotics injection for post-traumatic endophthalmitis
      prophylaxis is widely used in China. However, the choice of antibiotic agents and
      the intraocular route of delivery vary. A well-designed clinical trial is needed
      to establish a standardized protocol of intraocular antibiotics administration
      for post-traumatic endophthalmitis prophylaxis.

PMID- 27275778
TI  - Inflammatory and Immune Responses to Surgery and Their Clinical Impact.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe current understanding of the
      local and systemic immune responses to surgery and their impact on clinical
      outcomes, predictive biomarkers, and potential treatment strategies. BACKGROUND:
      Patients undergoing major surgery are at risk of life-threatening inflammatory
      complications that include infection, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome
      (SIRS), or sepsis. Although improvements in surgical technique and peri-operative
      care have resulted in reduction in the rates of these complications, they remain
      high, especially in patients undergoing complex abdominal procedures. There are
      currently no drugs licensed specifically for the treatment of sepsis nor is it
      possible to identify those at highest risk, which would allow pre-emptive therapy
      that may improve outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Local immune responses to surgery lead to
      systemic pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive phases that are temporally
      related and proportionate in magnitude. Improved understanding of these
      mechanisms has implications for clinical study design and has led to the
      emergence of novel biomarkers such as Toll-like receptor expression. These can be
      used to stratify patient care pathways to maximize the benefit from current
      therapies or to select the right target at the right phase of illness for future
      drug development.

PMID- 27275779
TI  - Arterial Transit Time Mapping Obtained by Pulsed Continuous 3D ASL Imaging with
      Multiple Post-Label Delay Acquisitions: Comparative Study with PET-CBF in
      Patients with Chronic Occlusive Cerebrovascular Disease.
AB  - Arterial transit time (ATT) is most crucial for measuring absolute cerebral blood
      flow (CBF) by arterial spin labeling (ASL), a noninvasive magnetic resonance (MR)
      perfusion assessment technique, in patients with chronic occlusive
      cerebrovascular disease. We validated ASL-CBF and ASL-ATT maps calculated by
      pulsed continuous ASL (pCASL) with multiple post-label delay acquisitions in
      patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease. Fifteen patients underwent MR
      scans, including pCASL, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans with 15O
      water to obtain PET-CBF. MR acquisitions with different post-label delays (1.0,
      1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 sec) were also obtained for ATT correction. The theoretical
      framework of 2-compartmental model (2CM) was also used for the delay
      compensation. ASL-CBF and ASL-ATT were calculated based on the proposed 2CM, and
      the effect on the CBF values and the ATT correction characteristics were
      discussed. Linear regression analyses were performed both on pixel-by-pixel and
      region-of-interest bases in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. There
      were significant correlations between ASL-CBF and PET-CBF both for voxel values
      (r = 0.74 +/- 0.08, slope: 0.87 +/- 0.22, intercept: 6.1 +/- 4.9) and for the MCA
      territorial comparison in both affected (R2 = 0.67, y = 0.83x + 6.3) and
      contralateral sides (R2 = 0.66, y = 0.74x + 6.3). ASL-ATTs in the affected side
      were significantly longer than those in the contralateral side (1.51 +/- 0.41 sec
      and 1.12 +/- 0.30 sec, respectively, p <0.0005). CBF measurement using pCASL with
      delay compensation was feasible and fairly accurate even in altered hemodynamic
      states. 

PMID- 27275780
TI  - NrdR Transcription Regulation: Global Proteome Analysis and Its Role in
      Escherichia coli Viability and Virulence.
AB  - Bacterial ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) play an important role in the
      synthesis of dNTPs and their expression is regulated by the transcription
      factors, NrdR and Fur. Recent transcriptomic studies using deletion mutants have
      indicated a role for NrdR in bacterial chemotaxis and in the maintenance of
      topoisomerase levels. However, NrdR deletion alone has no effect on bacterial
      growth or virulence in infected flies or in human blood cells. Furthermore,
      transcriptomic studies are limited to the deletion strain alone, and so are
      inadequate for drawing biological implications when the NrdR repressor is active
      or abundant. Therefore, further examination is warranted of changes in the
      cellular proteome in response to both NrdR overexpression, as well as deletion,
      to better understand its functional relevance as a bacterial transcription
      repressor. Here, we profile bacterial fate under conditions of overexpression and
      deletion of NrdR in E. coli. Biochemical assays show auxiliary zinc enhances the
      DNA binding activity of NrdR. We also demonstrate at the physiological level that
      increased nrdR expression causes a significant reduction in bacterial growth and
      fitness even at normal temperatures, and causes lethality at elevated
      temperatures. Corroborating these direct effects, global proteome analysis
      following NrdR overexpression showed a significant decrease in global protein
      expression. In parallel, studies on complementary expression of downregulated
      essential genes polA, eno and thiL showed partial rescue of the fitness defect
      caused by NrdR overexpression. Deletion of downregulated non-essential genes ygfK
      and trxA upon NrdR overexpression resulted in diminished bacterial growth and
      fitness suggesting an additional role for NrdR in regulating other genes.
      Moreover, in comparison with NrdR deletion, E. coli cells overexpressing NrdR
      showed significantly diminished adherence to human epithelial cells, reflecting
      decreased bacterial virulence. These results suggest that elevated expression of
      NrdR could be a suitable means to retard bacterial growth and virulence, as its
      elevated expression reduces bacterial fitness and impairs host cell adhesion. 

PMID- 27275781
TI  - Joint Effects: A Pilot Investigation of the Impact of Bipolar Disorder and
      Marijuana Use on Cognitive Function and Mood.
AB  - Marijuana is the most widely used illicit substance in those diagnosed with
      bipolar I disorder. However, there is conflicting evidence as to whether
      marijuana may alleviate or exacerbate mood symptomatology. As bipolar disorder
      and marijuana use are individually associated with cognitive impairment, it also
      remains unclear whether there is an additive effect on cognition when bipolar
      patients use marijuana. The current study aimed to determine the impact of
      marijuana on mood in bipolar patients and to examine whether marijuana confers an
      additional negative impact on cognitive function. Twelve patients with bipolar
      disorder who smoke marijuana (MJBP), 18 bipolar patients who do not smoke (BP),
      23 marijuana smokers without other Axis 1 pathology (MJ), and 21 healthy controls
      (HC) completed a neuropsychological battery. Further, using ecological momentary
      assessment, participants rated their mood three times daily as well as after each
      instance of marijuana use over a four-week period. Results revealed that although
      the MJ, BP, and MJBP groups each exhibited some degree of cognitive impairment
      relative to HCs, no significant differences between the BP and MJBP groups were
      apparent, providing no evidence of an additive negative impact of BPD and MJ use
      on cognition. Additionally, ecological momentary assessment analyses indicated
      alleviation of mood symptoms in the MJBP group after marijuana use; MJBP
      participants experienced a substantial decrease in a composite measure of mood
      symptoms. Findings suggest that for some bipolar patients, marijuana may result
      in partial alleviation of clinical symptoms. Moreover, this improvement is not at
      the expense of additional cognitive impairment. 

PMID- 27275782
TI  - 18O-Tracer Metabolomics Reveals Protein Turnover and CDP-Choline Cycle Activity
      in Differentiating 3T3-L1 Pre-Adipocytes.
AB  - The differentiation of precursor cells into mature adipocytes (adipogenesis) has
      been an area of increased focus, spurred by a rise in obesity rates. Though our
      understanding of adipogenesis and its regulation at the cellular level is
      growing, many questions remain, especially regarding the regulation of the
      metabolome. The 3T3-L1 cell line is the most well characterized cellular model of
      adipogenesis. Using a time course metabolomics approach, we show that the 3T3-L1
      preadipocyte metabolome is greatly altered during the first 48 hours of
      differentiation, where cells go through about two rounds of cell division, a
      process known as mitotic clonal expansion. Short-chain peptides were among
      several small molecules that were increased during mitotic clonal expansion.
      Additional indicators of protein turnover were also increased, including
      bilirubin, a degradation product of heme-containing proteins, and 3
      methylhistidine, a post-translationally modified amino acid that is not
      reutilized for protein synthesis. To study the origin of the peptides, we treated
      differentiating preadipocytes with 18O labeled water and found that 18O was
      incorporated into the short chain peptides, confirming them, at least in part, as
      products of hydrolysis. Inhibitors of the proteasome or matrix metalloproteinases
      affected the peptide levels during differentiation, but inhibitors of autophagy
      or peptidases did not. 18O was also incorporated into several choline metabolites
      including cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline), glycerophosphocholine, and
      several phosphatidylcholine species, indicative of phosphatidylcholine
      synthesis/degradation and of flux through the CDP-choline cycle, a hallmark of
      proliferating cells. 18O-Tracer metabolomics further showed metabolic labeling of
      glutamate, suggestive of glutaminolysis, also characteristic of proliferating
      cells. Together, these results highlight the utility of 18O isotope labeling in
      combination with metabolomics to uncover changes in cellular metabolism that are
      not detectable by time-resolved metabolomics. 

PMID- 27275784
TI  - Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene Migratory Behavior of Ungulates Using Isotopic
      Analysis of Tooth Enamel and Its Effects on Forager Mobility.
AB  - Zooarchaeological and paleoecological investigations have traditionally been
      unable to reconstruct the ethology of herd animals, which likely had a
      significant influence on the mobility and subsistence strategies of prehistoric
      humans. In this paper, we reconstruct the migratory behavior of red deer (Cervus
      elaphus) and caprids at the Pleistocene-Holocene transition in the northeastern
      Adriatic region using stable oxygen isotope analysis of tooth enamel. The data
      show a significant change in delta18O values from the Pleistocene into the
      Holocene, as well as isotopic variation between taxa, the case study sites, and
      through time. We then discuss the implications of seasonal faunal availability as
      determining factors in human mobility patterns. 

PMID- 27275783
TI  - Terpinen-4-ol: A Novel and Promising Therapeutic Agent for Human Gastrointestinal
      Cancers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Terpinen-4-ol, a naturally occurring monoterpene is the main
      bioactive component of tea-tree oil and has been shown to have many biological
      activities. AIM: To study the antitumor effects of terpinen-4-ol and its
      mechanism of action in prostate and GI malignancies, alone and in combination
      with chemotherapeutic and biological agents. METHODS: Terpinen-4-ol was
      administrated alone or combined with standard chemotherapy (Oxaliplatin,
      Fluorouracil, Gemcitabine, Tarceva) and biological agent (Cetuximab). It was also
      combined with humanized anti-CD24 mAbs (was developed by us). Killing effects
      were measured qualitatively by light microscopy and quantitatively using the MTT
      and FACS analysis, following treatment of colorectal, pancreatic, gastric and
      prostate cancer cells. Terpinen-4-ol effect on tumor development was evaluated in
      xenograft model. RESULTS: Terpinen-4-ol induces a significant growth inhibition
      of colorectal, pancreatic, prostate and gastric cancer cells in a dose-dependent
      manner (10-90% in 0.005-0.1%). Terpinen-4-ol and various anti-cancer agents
      (0.2MUM oxaliplatin and 0.5MUM fluorouracil) demonstrated a synergistic
      inhibitory effect (83% and 91%, respectively) on cancer cell proliferation. In
      KRAS mutated colorectal cancer cells, which are resistant to anti-EGFR therapy,
      combining of terpinen-4-ol with cetuximab (1 MUM) resulted in impressive efficacy
      of 80-90% growth inhibition. Sub-toxic concentrations of terpinen-4-ol potentiate
      anti-CD24 mAb (150MUg/ml)-induced growth inhibition (90%). Considerable reduction
      in tumor volume was seen following terpinen-4-ol (0.2%) treatment alone and with
      cetuximab (10mg/kg) (40% and 63%, respectively) as compare to the control group.
      CONCLUSION: Terpinen-4-ol significantly enhances the effect of several
      chemotherapeutic and biological agents. The possible molecular mechanism for its
      activity involves induction of cell-death rendering this compound as a potential
      anti-cancer drug alone and in combination in the treatment of numerous
      malignancies. Terpinen-4-ol restores the activity of cetuximab in cancers with
      mutated KRAS.

PMID- 27275785
TI  - Further development of biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an idiopathic
      neurodegenerative disease usually fatal in less than three years. Even if
      standard guidelines are available to diagnose ALS, the mean diagnosis delay is
      more than one year. In this context, biomarker discovery is a priority. Research
      has to focus on new diagnostic tools, based on combined explorations. AREAS
      COVERED: In this review, we specifically focus on biology and imaging markers. We
      detail the innovative field of 'omics' approach and imaging and explain their
      limits to be useful in routine practice. We describe the most relevant biomarkers
      and suggest some perspectives for biomarker research. Expert commentary: The
      successive failures of clinical trials in ALS underline the need for new strategy
      based on innovative tools to stratify patients and to evaluate their responses to
      treatment. Biomarker data may be useful to improve the designs of clinical
      trials. Biomarkers are also needed to better investigate disease pathophysiology,
      to identify new therapeutic targets, and to improve the performance of clinical
      assessments for diagnosis and prognosis in the clinical setting. A consensus on
      the best management of neuroimaging and 'omics' methods is necessary and a
      systematic independent validation of findings may add robustness to future
      studies.

PMID- 27275786
TI  - Aneuploidy Screening in Pregnancy.
AB  - Prenatal aneuploidy screening has changed dramatically in recent years with
      increases in the types of chromosomal abnormalities reliably identified and in
      the proportion of aneuploid fetuses detected. Initially, screening was available
      only for trisomies 21 and 18 and was offered only to low-risk pregnancies.
      Improved detection with the quadruple- and first-trimester multiple marker
      screens led to the option of aneuploidy screening for women 35 years of age and
      older. Cell-free DNA tests now screen for common autosomal trisomies and sex
      chromosome aneuploidies. Cell-free DNA screening is particularly effective in
      older women because of higher positive predictive values and lower false-positive
      rates. Integrated first- and second-trimester multiple marker tests provide
      specific risks for trisomies 21, 18, and possibly 13, and may detect an even
      wider range of aneuploidies. Given current precision in risk assessment, based on
      maternal age and preferences for screening or diagnostic tests, counseling has
      become more complex. This review addresses the benefits and limitations of
      available aneuploidy screening methods along with counseling considerations when
      offering them. 

PMID- 27275788
TI  - The Accuracy of Web Sites and Cellular Phone Applications in Predicting the
      Fertile Window.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of fertility web sites and applications
      (apps) by comparing the predicted fertile window of these modalities to the
      actual fertile window of a standard 28-day cycle. METHODS: This was a descriptive
      study. The top resulting free web sites and electronic apps downloadable to a
      cellular phone that provide calendars for fertility and ovulation prediction were
      assessed. Cycles were standardized to 28 days in length, 4 days of menses, and
      the last menstrual period was set to January 1, 2015. The predicted date of
      ovulation and fertility window generated were compared with an actual estimated
      date of ovulation on cycle day 15, January 15, and a fertile window consisting of
      cycle day 10 to cycle day 15, the day of ovulation plus the preceding 5 cycle
      days, January 10-15. RESULTS: Data from 20 web sites and 33 apps were collected.
      Of all the web sites and apps used, one web site and three apps predicted the
      precise fertile window. CONCLUSION: Web sites and electronic apps used by the
      general public to predict fertile windows are generally inaccurate, although the
      clinical effect of this inaccuracy is unknown. Although they all include the most
      fertile cycle day, the range of the fertility window varies widely. Patients who
      are trying to conceive with the assistance of calendars generated from web sites
      and electronic apps should be counseled on the inaccuracy of these modalities.

PMID- 27275787
TI  - Variation in Postpartum Glycemic Screening in Women With a History of Gestational
      Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess patterns and predictors of postpartum diabetes screening in
      a commercially insured, geographically and sociodemographically diverse sample of
      women with gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Using commercial insurance
      claims (2000-2012) from all 50 states, we conducted a retrospective cohort study
      in 447,556 women with at least one delivery and continuous enrollment 1 year
      before and after delivery. We identified women with a gestational diabetes
      mellitus pregnancy and examined postpartum diabetes screening type and timing and
      performed logistic regression to identify screening predictors. RESULTS:
      Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 32,253 (7.2%) women during the
      study timeframe. Three fourths received no screening within 1 year postpartum.
      Rates of recommended 75-g oral glucose tolerance testing within 6-12 weeks were
      low but increased over time (27 [2%] in 2001 compared with 249 [7%] in 2011,
      adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0-47). Among women
      screened, those in the Northeast (19%) and South (18%) were least likely to
      receive a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test within 0-12 weeks (adjusted OR 0.4 for
      each, CI 0.4-0.5) compared with the West (36%). Asian women were most likely to
      receive any screening (18%; adjusted OR 1.5, CI 1.3-1.6) compared with white
      women (12%). Black women were most likely to receive hemoglobin A1c (21%;
      adjusted OR 2.0, CI 1.3-3.2) compared with white women (11%). Antepartum
      antiglycemic medication (21%; adjusted OR 2.1, CI 2.0-2.3) or visit to a
      nutritionist-diabetes educator (19%; adjusted OR 1.6, CI 1.4-1.7) or
      endocrinologist (23%; adjusted OR 1.7, CI 1.6-1.9) predicted screening within 12
      weeks postpartum. CONCLUSION: Postpartum diabetes screening remains widely
      underused among commercially insured women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
      Differences in screening by geography, race, and antepartum care can inform
      health system and public health interventions to increase diabetes detection in
      this high-risk population.

PMID- 27275789
TI  - Association of Sexual Debut in Adolescents With Microbiota and Inflammatory
      Markers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of sexual debut and vaginal, anorectal,
      and oral microbiota and vaginal inflammatory markers in female adolescents.
      METHODS: We conducted a school-based study in adolescents in Antwerp, Belgium.
      During three visits over 8 months, participants answered questionnaires and self
      collected vaginal, anorectal, and oral swabs. Five Lactobacillus species,
      Lactobacillus genus, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Atopobium vaginae were
      quantified; and seven inflammatory markers were measured in the vaginal
      specimens. In the oral and anorectal specimens, Lactobacillus genus, G vaginalis,
      and A vaginae were ascertained. RESULTS: Of the 93 adolescents (mean age 16.2
      years) at the first visit, 41 (44.1%) had passed sexual debut (penile-vaginal
      intercourse) and five (5.4%) had sexual experience without passing sexual debut.
      Having sexual experience at the first visit was not found to be associated with
      species presence or concentrations (acknowledging an underpowered study because
      the required sample size was not attained). Modeling the longitudinal data on all
      girls showed that sexual debut was associated with increased odds of vaginal and
      anorectal G vaginalis (P=.021; P=.030) and A vaginae (P=.041; P=.012) with
      increments of interleukins (interleukin [IL]-1alpha P<.001, IL-1beta P=.046, IL-8
      P=.033) and chemokines (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and
      secreted P<.001; macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta P=.040), whereas no
      difference was seen when modeling (before-after) the girls initiating and girls
      staying without sexual intercourse. The association of sexual intercourse with IL
      1alpha (P<.001), IL-1beta (P=.030), and IL-8 (P=.002) at the first visit was
      (greater than 70%) mediated by vaginal G vaginalis and A vaginae concentrations.
      CONCLUSION: Sexual debut in adolescents is associated with an inflammatory
      vaginal reaction and with the presence of bacterial vaginosis-related species.
      Strategies preventing the colonization of bacterial vaginosis-related organisms
      during early sexual debut are urgently needed and may prevent acquisition of
      sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus in early
      life.

PMID- 27275790
TI  - Rhabdomyolysis After Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyperemesis gravidarum may lead to hypovolemia and substantial
      electrolyte abnormalities, including hypokalemia. Hypokalemia, when profound, may
      result in rare consequences, such as rhabdomyolysis. CASE: A 20-year-old woman
      with hyperemesis gravidarum at 19 weeks of gestation presented with extreme leg
      weakness and was found to have hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia. Her course was
      complicated by rhabdomyolysis, which, after excluding other causes, was
      attributed to hypokalemia and severe dehydration. After aggressive electrolyte
      and hydration repletion, she experienced resolution of her symptoms. CONCLUSION:
      Pregnancies complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum represent potentially high-risk
      clinical scenarios for electrolyte abnormalities and subsequent complications,
      including rhabdomyolysis.

PMID- 27275791
TI  - High-Dose Methylprednisolone to Prevent Platelet Decline in Preeclampsia: A
      Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether early administration of high-dose
      methylprednisolone limits the fall of platelets in preeclampsia. METHODS: A
      randomized trial of 180 mg methylprednisolone or placebo administered in divided
      doses over 36 hours was conducted in women admitted for preeclampsia and platelet
      counts below 150*10/L in four French academic centers. Patients were not included
      when platelet counts were below 50*10/L or when immediate delivery was required.
      The primary study outcome was the proportion of patients with platelet counts
      above 100*10/L 36 hours after the first dose of study medication. The total
      sample size needed to detect a 23% difference in the rate of this outcome between
      groups with a one-tailed alpha of 0.05 and 90% power was 94 patients. RESULTS:
      Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive methylprednisolone and 34
      placebo between October 2007 and May 2011. Platelet counts above 100*10/L at 36
      hours after the first dose of study medication were recorded in 30 (83%) in the
      active group and 29 (85%) in the placebo group (relative risk 0.98, 95%
      confidence interval 0.80-1.20; P=.82). The only adverse potentially study-related
      event was hyperglycemia in one woman allocated to methylprednisolone. CONCLUSION:
      In women with preeclampsia and platelet counts under 150*10/L, methylprednisolone
      was not effective in maintaining platelet counts above 100*10/L. CLINICAL TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: EU Clinical Trials Register, http://clinicaltrialsregister.eu,
      EudraCT 2006-004881-15-FR.

PMID- 27275792
TI  - Pregnancy-Associated Deaths in Rural, Nonrural, and Metropolitan Areas of
      Georgia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize pregnancy-associated deaths and examine the
      relationship between area of residence and pregnancy-associated deaths and
      pregnancy-related mortality ratios in Georgia from 2010 to 2012. METHODS: The
      cohort of pregnancy-associated deaths was reviewed and categorized as pregnancy
      related or resulting from other medical conditions not related to pregnancy,
      suicide, drug toxicity, homicide, or motor vehicle accident. Georgia Online
      Analytical Statistical Information System data were used to calculate pregnancy
      related mortality ratio by rural, nonrural, and metropolitan Atlanta area and by
      race. Causes of death and pregnancy-related mortality ratio were compared by area
      of residence and race using chi tests; a P value <.05 was considered significant.
      RESULTS: There were 262 pregnancy-associated deaths; 40.1% (n=105) were pregnancy
      related. The 2010-2012 pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 26.5 per 100,000
      live births and the pregnancy-related mortality ratio did not differ
      statistically among rural (27.1), nonrural (24.4), and metropolitan Atlanta
      (27.7) areas (P=.845). Most pregnancy-related deaths were the result of
      hemorrhage and cardiovascular factors. In aggregate, the pregnancy-related
      mortality ratio for black women was 49.5 compared with 14.3 for white women
      (P<.001). The gap in pregnancy-related mortality ratio between black and white
      women was highest for metropolitan Atlanta (51.6 compared with 12.4, P<.001),
      less in nonrural areas (50.3 compared with 12.0, P<.001), and comparable in rural
      areas (39.4 compared with 22.4, P=.281). CONCLUSION: Although the pregnancy
      related mortality ratio was similar for rural, nonrural, and metropolitan Atlanta
      areas, it was significantly higher for black compared with white women living
      outside of rural areas.

PMID- 27275793
TI  - Integrating Preexposure Prophylaxis for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention
      Into Women's Health Care in the United States.
AB  - Women comprise one in five new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses in
      the United States. Trials and implementation projects demonstrate preexposure
      prophylaxis for HIV prevention is effective in women. Preexposure prophylaxis is
      a method of preventing HIV acquisition by having an HIV-negative individual take
      antiretroviral medication before exposure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
      approved daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate coformulated with emtricitabine
      as preexposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention in 2012. Preexposure prophylaxis is
      highly dependent on adherence for effectiveness. The Centers for Disease Control
      and Prevention recommends offering preexposure prophylaxis to individuals at
      significant risk of infection and estimates 468,000 women in the United States
      are eligible for preexposure prophylaxis. Although variable individual and
      structural forces affect each woman's medication adherence, and therefore the
      effectiveness of preexposure prophylaxis, women's health care providers are
      uniquely positioned to screen, counsel about, and offer preexposure prophylaxis.
      Shared decision-making provides a framework for these clinical encounters,
      allowing patients and clinicians to make health care decisions together based on
      scientific evidence and patient experiences. By incorporating fertility desires
      and contraceptive needs, health care providers effectively integrate sexual and
      reproductive health care. Including preexposure prophylaxis in women's health
      services requires health care provider training and attention to lessons learned
      from family planning and HIV prevention. Nevertheless, obstetrician-gynecologists
      have an opportunity to play a critical role in reducing sexual transmission of
      HIV in the United States by integrating preexposure prophylaxis education and
      provision into their practices.

PMID- 27275794
TI  - Baseline Renal Function Tests and Adverse Outcomes in Pregnant Patients With
      Chronic Hypertension.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between baseline renal function tests in
      pregnant patients with chronic hypertension and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of women with a singleton
      pregnancy and chronic hypertension with assessment of renal function (urine
      protein-to-creatinine ratio and serum creatinine) before 20 weeks of gestation.
      The primary outcome was severe preeclampsia at less than 34 weeks of gestation.
      Secondary outcomes were severe preeclampsia at any gestational age, any
      preeclampsia, preterm birth at less than 35 weeks of gestation, composite
      perinatal outcome (perinatal death, assisted ventilation, cord pH less than 7, 5
      minute Apgar score 3 or less, or neonatal seizures), and small for gestational
      age. The association between baseline renal function and the primary outcome was
      assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and objective
      cutoffs determined. Outcomes were compared between those with values above and
      below the cutoffs using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Seven
      hundred fifty-five pregnant women with chronic hypertension had baseline renal
      function assessment. The urine protein-to-creatinine ratio and creatinine cutoffs
      for severe preeclampsia at less than 34 weeks of gestation were 0.12 or greater
      and 0.75 mg/dL or greater, respectively. The area under the ROC curves for severe
      preeclampsia at less than 34 weeks of gestation was 0.74 (95% confidence interval
      [CI] 0.7-0.8) for urine protein-to-creatinine ratio and 0.67 (95% CI 0.6-0.8) for
      creatinine. A urine protein-to-creatinine ratio 0.12 or greater was associated
      with an increased risk of developing severe preeclampsia at less than 34 weeks of
      gestation (16.4% compared with 2.6%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 7.5, 95% CI 3.9
      14.6) as was a creatinine 0.75 mg/dL or greater (15.7% compared with 4.6%,
      adjusted OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.9-6.3). Severe preeclampsia at less than 34 weeks of
      gestation occurred in only 1.6% of patients if their baseline tests were below
      both cutoffs. CONCLUSION: Baseline assessment of renal function can be used as a
      risk stratification tool in pregnant patients with chronic hypertension.

PMID- 27275795
TI  - Control of Postpartum Hemorrhage Using Vacuum-Induced Uterine Tamponade.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality
      worldwide. Vacuum-induced uterine tamponade is a possible alternative approach to
      balloon tamponade systems for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage resulting
      from atony. METHOD: In a prospective proof-of-concept investigation of 10 women
      with vaginal deliveries in a hospital setting who failed first-line therapies for
      postpartum hemorrhage, tamponade was used. Vacuum-induced uterine tamponade was
      created through a device inserted transvaginally into the uterine cavity. An
      occlusion balloon built into the device shaft was inflated at the level of the
      external cervical os to create a uterine seal. Negative pressure was created by
      attaching a self-contained, mobile, electrically powered, pressure-regulated
      vacuum pump with a sterile graduated canister. EXPERIENCE: In all 10 cases, the
      suction created an immediate seal at the cervical os, 50-250 mL of residual blood
      was evacuated from the uterine cavity, the uterus collapsed and regained tone
      within minutes, and hemorrhaging was controlled. The device remained in place for
      a minimum of 1 hour and up to 6.5 hours in one case while vaginal and perineal
      lacerations were easily repaired. CONCLUSION: This preliminary investigation
      suggests that a device designed to create vacuum-induced uterine tamponade may be
      a reasonable alternative to other devices used to treat atonic postpartum
      hemorrhage.

PMID- 27275796
TI  - Postpartum Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care Among Women Diagnosed During
      Pregnancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with continuity of care and human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virologic suppression among postpartum women
      diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy in New York State. METHODS: This
      retrospective cohort study was conducted among 228 HIV-infected women diagnosed
      during pregnancy between 2008 and 2010. Initial receipt of HIV-related medical
      care (first CD4 or viral load test after diagnosis) was evaluated at 30 days
      after diagnosis and before delivery. Retention in care (2 or more CD4 or viral
      load tests, 90 days or greater apart) and virologic suppression (viral load 200
      copies/mL or less) were evaluated in the 12 months after hospital discharge.
      RESULTS: Most women had their initial HIV-related care encounter within 30 days
      of diagnosis (74%) and before delivery (87%). Of these women, 70% were retained
      in the first year postpartum. Women waiting more than 30 days for their initial
      HIV-related care encounter were more likely diagnosed in the first (29%) compared
      with the third (11%) trimester and were of younger (younger than 25 years, 32%)
      compared with older (35 years or older, 13%) age. Loss to follow-up within the
      first year was significantly greater among women diagnosed in the third compared
      with the first trimester (adjusted relative risk 2.21, 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 1.41-3.45) and among women who had a cesarean compared with vaginal delivery
      (adjusted relative risk 1.76, 95% CI 1.07-2.91). Of the 178 women with one or
      more HIV viral load test in the first year postpartum, 58% had an unsuppressed
      viral load. CONCLUSION: Despite the high proportion retained in care, many women
      had poor postpartum virologic control. Robust strategies are needed to increase
      virologic suppression among newly diagnosed postpartum HIV-infected women.

PMID- 27275797
TI  - Enhanced Recovery Pathways for Improving Outcomes After Minimally Invasive
      Gynecologic Oncology Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway
      facilitates early recovery and discharge in gynecologic oncology patients
      undergoing minimally invasive surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective case
      control study. Consecutive gynecologic oncology patients undergoing laparoscopic
      or robotic surgery between July 1 and November 5, 2014, were treated on an
      enhanced recovery pathway. Enhanced recovery pathway components included patient
      education, multimodal analgesia, opioid minimization, nausea prophylaxis as well
      as early catheter removal, ambulation, and feeding. Cases were matched in a one
      to-two ratio with historical control patients on the basis of surgery type and
      age. Primary endpoints were length of hospital stay, rates of discharge by noon,
      30-day hospital readmission rates, and hospital costs. RESULTS: There were 165
      patients included in the final cohort, 55 of whom were enhanced recovery pathway
      patients. Enhanced recovery patients were more likely to be discharged on
      postoperative day 1 compared with patients in the control group (91% compared
      with 60%, P<.001, odds ratio 6.7, 95% confidence interval 2.46-18.04). Fifteen
      percent of enhanced recovery patients achieved discharge by noon compared with 4%
      of historical control patients (P=.03). Postoperative pain scores decreased (2.6
      compared with 3.12, P=.03) despite a 30% reduction in opioid use. Average total
      hospital costs were decreased by 12% in the enhanced recovery group ($13,771
      compared with $15,649, P=.01). Readmission rates, mortality, and reoperation
      rates did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: An enhanced recovery
      pathway in patients undergoing gynecologic oncology minimally invasive surgery is
      associated with significant improvements in recovery time, decreased pain despite
      reduced opioid use, and overall lower hospital costs.

PMID- 27275798
TI  - Vaginal Pessary in Women With Symptomatic Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Randomized
      Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare pelvic floor symptoms, quality of life, and complications
      in women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with or without vaginal
      pessaries in addition to those who do pelvic floor exercises for 12 months.
      METHODS: This was a parallel-group, single-blind, randomized controlled trial
      with 12 months of follow-up. Women with symptomatic stage I to stage III POP were
      randomized to either pelvic floor exercises training (control group) or pelvic
      floor exercises training and insertion of a vaginal pessary (pessary group). The
      primary outcome was the change of prolapse symptoms and quality of life by using
      the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaires.
      Secondary outcomes included bothersome of prolapse symptoms, desired treatment,
      and any complications. RESULTS: From December 2011 through November 2014, 311
      women were screened and 276 were randomized as follows: 137 to the control and
      139 to the pessary group. One hundred thirty-two (95.0%) women in the pessary
      group and 128 (93.4%) in the control group completed the study. The Pelvic Organ
      Prolapse Distress Inventory of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and the Pelvic
      Organ Prolapse Impact Questionnaire of Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire scores
      decreased in both groups after 12 months, but the mean score differences were
      higher in the pessary group (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory: -29.7
      compared with -4.7, P<.01; Pelvic Organ Prolapse Impact Questionnaire: -29.0
      compared with 3.5, P<.01). Complication rates were low and similar in both
      groups. CONCLUSION: We provided further evidence in nonsurgical treatment for
      POP. Prolapse symptoms and quality of life were improved in women using a vaginal
      pessary in addition to pelvic floor exercises. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics-Clinical Trials Registry,
      https://www2.ccrb.cuhk.edu.hk/web/?page_id=746, ChiCTR-TRC-11001796.

PMID- 27275799
TI  - Pregnancy Intentions and Safer Pregnancy Knowledge Among Female Sex Workers in
      Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      and pregnancy intentions and safer conception knowledge among female sex workers
      in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited
      female sex workers in Port Elizabeth using respondent-driven sampling and
      completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire alongside HIV testing and
      counseling. In this secondary analysis, robust Poisson regression was used to
      model prevalence ratios for positive fertility intentions in this cross-sectional
      study. Knowledge of safer conception methods by HIV status was compared using
      Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: Overall 391 women were represented in the analyses.
      More than 50% had a prior HIV diagnosis, and an additional 12% were diagnosed
      with HIV during the study. Approximately half (n=185) of the women reported
      future pregnancy intentions. In univariate analysis, a prior HIV diagnosis was
      negatively associated with pregnancy intentions as compared with HIV-negative
      women (prevalence ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.85). Only parity
      remained independently associated with future pregnancy intentions in
      multivariate regression after controlling for HIV status, age, race, relationship
      status, and years selling sex. Knowledge of safer conception methods such as
      timed sex without a condom, preexposure prophylaxis, or self-insemination was low
      and similar between those with and without future pregnancy plans. CONCLUSION:
      Pregnancy intentions did not significantly vary according to HIV status.
      Fertility intentions were high, however, and knowledge of safer conception
      methods low, suggesting a need to provide female sex workers with advice around
      options to conceive safely in the context of high HIV prevalence.

PMID- 27275800
TI  - Obstetric and Neonatal Risks Among Obese Women Without Chronic Disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether prepregnancy obesity is associated with adverse
      pregnancy outcomes among women without chronic disease. METHODS: Singleton
      deliveries (N=112,309) among mothers without chronic diseases in the Consortium
      on Safe Labor, a retrospective U.S. cohort, were analyzed using Poisson
      regression with robust variance estimation. Relative risks and 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) estimated perinatal risks in relation to prepregnancy obesity
      status adjusted for age, race-ethnicity, parity, insurance, smoking and alcohol
      use during pregnancy, and study site. RESULTS: Obstetric risks were variably (and
      mostly marginally) increased as body mass index (BMI) category and obesity class
      increased. In particular, the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders,
      gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, and induction increased in a dose
      response fashion. For example, the percentage of gestational diabetes among obese
      class III women was 14.6% in contrast to 2.8% among women with normal BMIs
      (corresponding relative risks [95% CI] 1.99 [1.86-2.13], 2.94 [2.73-3.18], 3.97
      [3.61-4.36], and 5.47 [4.96-6.04] for overweight, obese class I, obese class II,
      and obese class III women, respectively) compared with women with normal BMIs.
      Similarly, neonatal risks increased in a dose-response fashion with maternal BMI
      status including preterm birth at less than 32 weeks of gestation, large for
      gestational age (LGA), transient tachypnea, sepsis, and intensive care unit
      admission. The percentage of LGA neonates increased from 7.9% among women with
      normal BMIs to 17.3% among obese class III women and relative risks increased to
      1.52 (1.45-1.58), 1.74 (1.65-1.83), 1.93 (1.79-2.07), and 2.32 (2.14-2.52) as BMI
      category increased. CONCLUSION: Prepregnancy obesity is associated with increased
      risks of a wide range of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes among women
      without chronic diseases.

PMID- 27275801
TI  - Acute Babesiosis in Pregnancy: A Novel Imitator of Hemolysis, Elevated Liver
      Enzymes, and Low Platelet Count Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP)
      syndrome is a serious complication of pregnancy associated with significant
      maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Several medical conditions have been
      described as imitators of this syndrome, presenting with similar signs and
      symptoms. CASE: A term, multiparous woman with a history of prior pregnancy
      complicated by preeclampsia developed symptoms and laboratory abnormalities
      suggestive of HELLP syndrome. After an uncomplicated repeat caesarean delivery of
      a healthy newborn, infection with Babesia species was diagnosed incidentally on a
      peripheral blood smear. She was treated with antibiotics postpartum without
      sequelae for her or her newborn. The laboratory abnormalities normalized by
      postoperative day 4. CONCLUSION: Babesiosis complicating pregnancy may be a novel
      imitator of HELLP syndrome and should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis, especially where geographically prevalent infection exists.

PMID- 27275802
TI  - Association of Low-Dose Aspirin and Survival of Women With Endometrial Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the survival outcomes in women with endometrial cancer who
      were taking low-dose aspirin (81-100 mg/d). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective
      study was conducted examining patients with stage I-IV endometrial cancer who
      underwent hysterectomy-based surgical staging between January 2000 and December
      2013 (N=1,687). Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, medication types,
      tumor characteristics, and treatment patterns were correlated to survival
      outcomes. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate
      adjusted hazard ratio for disease-free and disease-specific overall survival.
      RESULTS: One hundred fifty-eight patients (9.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.8
      11.9) were taking low-dose aspirin. Median follow-up time for the study cohort
      was 31.5 months. One hundred twenty-seven patients (7.5%) died of endometrial
      cancer. Low-dose aspirin use was significantly correlated with concurrent
      obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia (all P<.001).
      Low-dose aspirin users were more likely to take other antihypertensive,
      antiglycemic, and anticholesterol agents (all P<.05). Low-dose aspirin use was
      not associated with histologic subtype, tumor grade, nodal metastasis, or cancer
      stage (all P>.05). On multivariable analysis, low-dose aspirin use remained an
      independent prognostic factor associated with an improved 5-year disease-free
      survival rate (90.6% compared with 80.9%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.25
      0.86, P=.014) and disease-specific overall survival rate (96.4% compared with
      87.3%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.64, P=.005). The increased
      survival effect noted with low-dose aspirin use was greatest in patients whose
      age was younger than 60 years (5-year disease-free survival rates, 93.9% compared
      with 84.0%, P=.013), body mass index was 30 or greater (92.2% compared with
      81.4%, P=.027), who had type I cancer (96.5% compared with 88.6%, P=.029), and
      who received postoperative whole pelvic radiotherapy (88.2% compared with 61.5%,
      P=.014). These four factors remained significant for disease-specific overall
      survival (all P<.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that low-dose aspirin use
      is associated with improved survival outcomes in women with endometrial cancer,
      especially in those who are young, obese, with low-grade disease, and who receive
      postoperative radiotherapy.

PMID- 27275803
TI  - Surgeon Experience and Complications of Transvaginal Prolapse Mesh.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To measure the proportion of women with transvaginal prolapse mesh
      complications and their association with surgeon volume. METHODS: We conducted a
      retrospective, population-based cohort study of all women who underwent a mesh
      based prolapse procedure using administrative data (hospital procedure and
      physician billing records) between 2002 and 2013 in Ontario, Canada. The primary
      outcome was surgical revision of the mesh. Primary exposure was surgeon volume:
      high (greater than the 75th percentile, requiring a median of five [interquartile
      range 5-6] procedures per year) and very high (greater than the 90th percentile,
      requiring a median of 13 [interquartile range 11-14] procedures per year) volume
      mesh implanters were identified each year. Primary analysis was an adjusted Cox
      proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 5,488 women underwent mesh
      implantation by 1 of 368 unique surgeons. Median follow-up time was 5.4
      (interquartile range 3.0-8.0) years. We found that 218 women (4.0%) underwent
      mesh reoperation a median of 1.17 (interquartile range 0.58-2.90) years after
      implantation. The hazard of reoperation for complications was only lower for
      patients of very high-volume surgeons (3.0% [145/3,001] compared with 4.8%
      [73/2,447], adjusted hazards ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.40-0.86). In
      multivariable modeling, younger age, concomitant hysterectomy, blood transfusion,
      and increased medical comorbidity were all associated with vaginal mesh
      reoperation. CONCLUSION: Approximately 5% of women who underwent mesh-based
      prolapse surgery required reoperation for a mesh complication within 10 years.
      The risk of reoperation was lowest for surgeons performing 14 or more procedures
      per year.

PMID- 27275804
TI  - Ensuring Access to Safe, Legal Abortion in an Increasingly Complex Regulatory
      Environment.
AB  - Restrictions on access to abortion in the United States have reached proportions
      unprecedented since the nationwide legalization of abortion in 1973. Although
      some restrictions aim to discourage women from having abortions, many others
      impede access by affecting the timeliness, affordability, or availability of
      services. Evidence indicates that these restrictions do not increase abortion
      safety; rather, they create logistic barriers for women seeking abortion, and
      they have the greatest effect on women with the fewest resources. In this
      commentary, we recall the important role that obstetrician-gynecologists (ob
      gyns) have played, both before and after Roe v. Wade, in facilitating access to
      safe abortion care. Using the literature on abortion safety and access as a
      foundation, we propose several practical ideas about what we as ob-gyns can do to
      address the current threat to abortion access, whether or not we provide abortion
      services in practice. We hope that this commentary will encourage discourse
      within our profession and prompt other suggestions. As ob-gyns who are dedicated
      to addressing health disparities and promoting the health and well-being of our
      patients, we can make a difference.

PMID- 27275805
TI  - Venous Thromboembolism in Minimally Invasive Compared With Open Hysterectomy for
      Endometrial Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether minimally invasive surgery for endometrial cancer
      is independently associated with a decreased odds of venous thromboembolism
      compared with open surgery. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis cohort
      study of prospectively collected quality improvement data and examined patients
      undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial cancer from 2008 to 2013 recorded in the
      National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients undergoing
      minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) surgery were compared with those
      undergoing open surgery with respect to 30-day postoperative venous
      thromboembolism. Demographic and procedure variables were examined as potential
      confounders. Data regarding receipt of perioperative venous thromboembolism
      prophylaxis were not available. Bivariable tests and logistic regression were
      used for analysis. RESULTS: Of 9,948 patients who underwent hysterectomy for the
      treatment of endometrial cancer, 61.9% underwent minimally invasive surgery and
      38.1% underwent open surgery. Patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery had
      a lower venous thromboembolism incidence (0.7%, n=47) than patients undergoing
      open surgery (2.2%, n=80) (P<.001). In a multivariate model adjusting for age,
      body mass index, race, operative time, Charlson comorbidity score, and surgical
      complexity, minimally invasive surgery remained associated with decreased odds of
      venous thromboembolism (adjusted odds ratio 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.24
      0.53) compared with open surgery. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery for the
      treatment of endometrial cancer is independently associated with decreased odds
      of venous thromboembolism compared with open surgery.

PMID- 27275806
TI  - Reduction in the Cesarean Delivery Rate After Obstetric Care Consensus Guideline
      Implementation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of primary cesarean delivery after adopting labor
      management guidelines. METHODS: This is a before-after retrospective cohort study
      at a single academic center. This center adopted guidelines from the Consensus
      for the Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery. Nulliparous women attempting
      vaginal delivery with viable, singleton, vertex fetuses were included. For the
      primary outcome of cesarean delivery rate among induced or augmented patients,
      200 consecutive women managed before guideline adoption were compared with 200
      similar patients afterward. Secondary outcomes of overall cesarean delivery rate,
      maternal morbidity, neonatal outcomes, and labor management practices were
      analyzed with inclusion of intervening spontaneously laboring women. RESULTS:
      Between September 13, 2013, and September 28, 2014, 275 women preguideline and
      292 postguideline were identified to include 200 deliveries after induction or
      augmentation each. Among women delivering after induction or augmentation, the
      cesarean delivery rate decreased from 35.5% to 24.5% (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.91). The overall cesarean delivery rate decreased
      from 26.9% to 18.8% (adjusted OR 0.59, CI 0.38-0.92). Composite maternal
      morbidity was reduced (adjusted OR 0.66, CI 0.46-0.94). The frequency of cesarean
      delivery documenting arrest of dilation at less than 6 cm decreased from 7.1% to
      1.1% postguideline (n=182 and 176 preguideline and postguideline, respectively,
      P=.006) with no change in other indications. CONCLUSION: Postguideline, the
      cesarean delivery rate among nulliparous women attempting vaginal delivery was
      substantially reduced in association with decreased frequency in the diagnosis of
      arrest of dilation at less than 6 cm.

PMID- 27275807
TI  - Making Room at the Table for Obstetrics, Midwifery, and a Culture of Normalcy
      Within Maternity Care.
AB  - The principle of avoiding the worst possible outcomes guided the enormous
      successes of modern obstetrics in reducing the morbidity and mortality of
      childbirth. The challenges of improving the quality of childbirth today has
      prompted health care providers, policymakers, and patients to ask whether this
      principle is in fact preventing us from supporting the normal processes of
      childbirth, resulting in undue intervention and potentially causing harm. In this
      commentary, we suggest that recognizing the strengths of the medical model of
      childbirth does not preclude looking outside of it to meet the maternity care
      needs of the majority of healthy, low-risk women. Obstetricians have the good
      fortune to have a partner in their work among midwives, who hail from a long
      tradition of incorporating a perspective of "normalcy" in the care of
      childbearing women. Given the many evidence-based practices demonstrating the
      strengths of midwifery to actualize patient-centered, low-intervention birth, we
      advocate for the explicit establishment of professional standards for team-based
      physician-midwife care. More than merely introducing midwives into a physician
      dominated setting, this means elevating the contributions of midwives and
      meaningfully incorporating a culture of normalcy to standardize practices such as
      intermittent auscultation, continuous birth support, nonpharmacologic pain
      management, and positional flexibility in labor. The literature suggests that a
      woman's health care provider is the most powerful determinant of her birth
      outcomes; striking the balance between averting poor outcomes and normalcy
      compels us to make room at the table for both obstetricians and midwives.

PMID- 27275808
TI  - Prescription of Hormonal Contraception by Pharmacists in Oregon: Implementation
      of House Bill 2879.
AB  - Prescription of hormonal contraception by pharmacists, without a doctor's visit
      or authorization, has been proposed as a strategy to improve access to
      contraception and reduce unintended pregnancy. Oregon is the first state to
      implement legislation expanding the scope of pharmacists to directly prescribe
      and dispense short-acting hormonal contraception (pill and patch). Several other
      states are considering similar legislation. Implementation of the policy is being
      researched to identify both barriers and facilitators to the successful
      dissemination of the practice and to determine the safety, efficacy, and
      acceptability of pharmacist-prescribed contraception.

PMID- 27275809
TI  - What Is New in Medical Student and Resident Education?: Best Articles From the
      Past Year.
AB  - This month we focus on current research in medical student and resident
      education. Dr. Fox discusses four recent publications, which are concluded with a
      "bottom line" that is the take-home message. The complete reference for each can
      be found in Box 1 on this page, along with direct links to the abstracts.

PMID- 27275810
TI  - Screening, Prevention, and Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy:
      Expectant Mothers Are Depending on You!

PMID- 27275811
TI  - The Next Generation of Health Care.

PMID- 27275812
TI  - Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy: Health Policy and Practice in the Midst of an
      Epidemic.
AB  - Opioid abuse among pregnant women has reached epidemic proportions and has
      influenced maternal and child health policy at the federal, state, and local
      levels. As a result, we review the current state of opioid use in pregnancy and
      evaluate recent legislative and health policy initiatives designed to combat
      opioid addiction in pregnancy. We emphasize the importance of safe and
      responsible opioid-prescribing practices, expanding the availability and
      accessibility of medication-assisted treatment and standardizing care for
      neonates at risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome. Efforts to penalize pregnant
      women and negative consequences for disclosing substance use to health care
      providers are harmful and may prevent women from seeking prenatal care and other
      beneficial health care services during pregnancy. Instead, health care providers
      should advocate for health policy informed by scientific research and evidence
      based practice to reduce the burden of prenatal opioid abuse and optimize
      outcomes for mothers and their neonates. 

PMID- 27275814
TI  - Connect the Dots-July 2016.

PMID- 27275813
TI  - Graft and Mesh Use in Transvaginal Prolapse Repair: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To update clinical practice guidelines on graft and mesh use in
      transvaginal pelvic organ prolapse repair based on systematic review. DATA
      SOURCES: Eligible studies, published through April 2015, were retrieved through
      ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases and bibliography searches.
      METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: We included studies of transvaginal prolapse repair
      that compared graft or mesh use with either native tissue repair or use of a
      different graft or mesh with anatomic and symptomatic outcomes with a minimum of
      12 months of follow-up. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Study data were
      extracted by one reviewer and confirmed by a second reviewer. Studies were
      classified by vaginal compartment (anterior, posterior, apical, or multiple),
      graft type (biologic, synthetic absorbable, synthetic nonabsorbable), and outcome
      (anatomic, symptomatic, sexual function, mesh complications, and return to the
      operating room). We found 66 comparative studies reported in 70 articles,
      including 38 randomized trials; quality of the literature has improved over time,
      but some outcomes still show heterogeneity and limited power. In the anterior
      vaginal compartment, synthetic nonabsorbable mesh consistently showed improved
      anatomic and bulge symptom outcomes compared with native tissue repairs based on
      meta-analyses. Other subjective outcomes, including urinary incontinence or
      dyspareunia, generally did not differ. Biologic graft or synthetic absorbable
      mesh use did not provide an advantage in any compartment. Synthetic mesh use in
      the posterior or apical compartments did not improve success. Mesh erosion rates
      ranged from 1.4-19% at the anterior vaginal wall, but 3-36% when mesh was placed
      in multiple compartments. Operative mesh revision rates ranged from 3-8%.
      CONCLUSION: Synthetic mesh augmentation of anterior wall prolapse repair improves
      anatomic outcomes and bulge symptoms compared with native tissue repair. Biologic
      grafts do not improve prolapse repair outcomes in any compartment. Mesh erosion
      occurred in up to 36% of patients, but reoperation rates were low.

PMID- 27275815
TI  - Abnormal Vaginal Pap Test Results After Hysterectomy in Human Immunodeficiency
      Virus-Infected Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of abnormal vaginal cytology and vaginal
      intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) and vaginal cancer in human immunodeficiency
      virus (HIV)-infected women with no history of abnormal cytologic screening who
      had a hysterectomy for conditions other than cervical dysplasia and cancer and to
      explore the risk factors associated with VAIN and vaginal cancer. METHODS: A
      retrospective cohort study was performed identifying 238 women between January
      2000 and January 2015 with a history of HIV, previous hysterectomy, and no
      previous abnormal Pap test results. Medical records from patients with both HIV
      and a history of hysterectomy were reviewed from Thomas Street Health Center and
      Northwest Community Health Center. RESULTS: Among 238 women, 164 (69%) had normal
      Pap test results, 12 (5%) had results showing atypical cells of undermined
      significance and human papillomavirus-positive, 55 (23.1%) had results showing
      low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and seven (2.9%) had results showing
      high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. No demographic risk factor was
      associated with abnormal Pap test results after hysterectomy. Median follow-up
      time for the Pap test was 16 years. Of those who underwent vaginal biopsies for
      abnormal Pap test results, 15 (28%) had normal results, 23 (43%) had VAIN 1, nine
      (16%) had VAIN 2, and seven (13%) had VAIN 3. No patients had invasive vaginal
      cancer. CONCLUSION: More than 30% of HIV-infected women who had no
      prehysterectomy history of abnormal Pap test results had abnormal vaginal Pap
      test results. Among those who had vaginal biopsies, 29% had VAIN 2 or 3,
      suggesting that Pap testing posthysterectomy in the HIV population may be
      indicated.

PMID- 27275817
TI  - The Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequences of the Medicinal Plant Pogostemon
      cablin.
AB  - Pogostemon cablin, the natural source of patchouli alcohol, is an important herb
      in the Lamiaceae family. Here, we present the entire chloroplast genome of P.
      cablin. This genome, with 38.24% GC content, is 152,460 bp in length. The genome
      presents a typical quadripartite structure with two inverted repeats (each 25,417
      bp in length), separated by one small and one large single-copy region (17,652
      and 83,974 bp in length, respectively). The chloroplast genome encodes 127 genes,
      of which 107 genes are single-copy, including 79 protein-coding genes, four rRNA
      genes, and 24 tRNA genes. The genome structure, GC content, and codon usage of
      this chloroplast genome are similar to those of other species in the family,
      except that it encodes less protein-coding genes and tRNA genes. Phylogenetic
      analysis reveals that P. cablin diverged from the Scutellarioideae clade about
      29.45 million years ago (Mya). Furthermore, most of the simple sequence repeats
      (SSRs) are short polyadenine or polythymine repeats that contribute to high AT
      content in the chloroplast genome. Complete sequences and annotation of P. cablin
      chloroplast genome will facilitate phylogenic, population and genetic engineering
      research investigations involving this particular species. 

PMID- 27275816
TI  - Human Saliva Collection Devices for Proteomics: An Update.
AB  - There has been a rapid growth in the interest and adaptation of saliva as a
      diagnostic specimen over the last decade, and in the last few years in
      particular, there have been major developments involving the application of
      saliva as a clinically relevant specimen. Saliva provides a "window" into the
      oral and systemic health of an individual, and like other bodily fluids, saliva
      can be analyzed and studied to diagnose diseases. With the advent of new, more
      sensitive technologies to detect smaller concentrations of analytes in saliva
      relative to blood levels, there have been a number of critical developments in
      the field that we will describe. In particular, recent advances in standardized
      saliva collection devices that were not available three to four years ago, have
      made it easy for safe, simple, and non-invasive collection of samples to be
      carried out from patients. With the availability of these new technologies, we
      believe that in the next decade salivary proteomics will make it possible to
      predict and diagnose oral as well as systemic diseases, cancer, and infectious
      diseases, among others. The aim of this article is to review recent developments
      and advances in the area of saliva specimen collection devices and applications
      that will advance the field of proteomics. 

PMID- 27275818
TI  - Gene Set-Based Functionome Analysis of Pathogenesis in Epithelial Ovarian Serous
      Carcinoma and the Molecular Features in Different FIGO Stages.
AB  - Serous carcinoma (SC) is the most common subtype of epithelial ovarian carcinoma
      and is divided into four stages by the Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetrics
      (FIGO) staging system. Currently, the molecular functions and biological
      processes of SC at different FIGO stages have not been quantified. Here, we
      conducted a whole-genome integrative analysis to investigate the functions of SC
      at different stages. The function, as defined by the GO term or canonical pathway
      gene set, was quantified by measuring the changes in the gene expressional order
      between cancerous and normal control states. The quantified function, i.e., the
      gene set regularity (GSR) index, was utilized to investigate the pathogenesis and
      functional regulation of SC at different FIGO stages. We showed that the
      informativeness of the GSR indices was sufficient for accurate pattern
      recognition and classification for machine learning. The function regularity
      presented by the GSR indices showed stepwise deterioration during SC progression
      from FIGO stage I to stage IV. The pathogenesis of SC was centered on cell cycle
      deregulation and accompanied with multiple functional aberrations as well as
      their interactions. 

PMID- 27275819
TI  - Could Vitamin D Analogues Be Used to Target Leukemia Stem Cells?
AB  - Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are defined as cells that possess the ability to self
      renew and give rise to the differentiated cancer cells that comprise the tumor.
      These LSCs seem to show chemo-resistance and radio-resistance leading to the
      failure of conventional cancer therapies. Current therapies are directed at the
      fast growing tumor mass leaving the LSC fraction untouched. Eliminating LSCs, the
      root of cancer origin and recurrence, is considered to be a hopeful approach to
      improve survival or even to cure cancer patients. In order to achieve this, the
      characterization of LSCs is a prerequisite in order to develop LSC-based
      therapies to eliminate them. Here we review if vitamin D analogues may allow an
      avenue to target the LSCs. 

PMID- 27275822
TI  - Fire Source Localization Based on Distributed Temperature Sensing by a Dual-Line
      Optical Fiber System.
AB  - We propose a method for localizing a fire source using an optical fiber
      distributed temperature sensor system. A section of two parallel optical fibers
      employed as the sensing element is installed near the ceiling of a closed room in
      which the fire source is located. By measuring the temperature of hot air flows,
      the problem of three-dimensional fire source localization is transformed to two
      dimensions. The method of the source location is verified with experiments using
      burning alcohol as fire source, and it is demonstrated that the method represents
      a robust and reliable technique for localizing a fire source also for long
      sensing ranges. 

PMID- 27275820
TI  - Ectopic Expression of Testis Germ Cell Proteins in Cancer and Its Potential Role
      in Genomic Instability.
AB  - Genomic instability is a hallmark of human cancer and an enabling factor for the
      genetic alterations that drive cancer development. The processes involved in
      genomic instability resemble those of meiosis, where genetic material is
      interchanged between homologous chromosomes. In most types of human cancer,
      epigenetic changes, including hypomethylation of gene promoters, lead to the
      ectopic expression of a large number of proteins normally restricted to the germ
      cells of the testis. Due to the similarities between meiosis and genomic
      instability, it has been proposed that activation of meiotic programs may drive
      genomic instability in cancer cells. Some germ cell proteins with ectopic
      expression in cancer cells indeed seem to promote genomic instability, while
      others reduce polyploidy and maintain mitotic fidelity. Furthermore, oncogenic
      germ cell proteins may indirectly contribute to genomic instability through
      induction of replication stress, similar to classic oncogenes. Thus, current
      evidence suggests that testis germ cell proteins are implicated in cancer
      development by regulating genomic instability during tumorigenesis, and these
      proteins therefore represent promising targets for novel therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 27275821
TI  - Intravenous Administration Is an Effective and Safe Route for Cancer Gene Therapy
      Using the Bifidobacterium-Mediated Recombinant HSV-1 Thymidine Kinase and
      Ganciclovir.
AB  - The herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV TK/GCV) system is one
      of the best studied cancer suicide gene therapy systems. Our previous study
      showed that caspase 3 expression was upregulated and bladder tumor growth was
      significantly reduced in rats treated with a combination of Bifidobacterium (BF)
      and HSV TK/GCV (BF-rTK/GCV). However, it was raised whether the BF-mediated
      recombinant thymidine kinase combined with ganciclovir (BF-rTK/GCV) was safe to
      administer via venous for cancer gene therapy. To answer this question, the
      antitumor effects of BF-rTK/GCV were mainly evaluated in a xenograft nude mouse
      model bearing MKN-45 gastric tumor cells. The immune response, including analysis
      of cytokine profiles, was analyzed to evaluate the safety of intramuscular and
      intravenous injection of BF-rTK in BALB/c mice. The results suggested that
      gastric tumor growth was significantly inhibited in vivo by BF-rTK/GCV. However,
      the BF-rTK/GCV had no effect on mouse body weight, indicating that the treatment
      was safe for the host. The results of cytokine profile analysis indicated that
      intravenous injection of a low dose of BF-rTK resulted in a weaker cytokine
      response than that obtained with intramuscular injection. Furthermore,
      immunohistochemical analysis showed that intravenous administration did not
      affect the expression of immune-associated TLR2 and TLR4. Finally, the BF-rTK/GCV
      inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in mouse model,
      which is helpful for inhibiting of tumor angiogenesis. That meant intravenous
      administration of BF-rTK/GCV was an effective and safe way for cancer gene
      therapy. 

PMID- 27275823
TI  - A MEMS Resonant Sensor to Measure Fluid Density and Viscosity under Flexural and
      Torsional Vibrating Modes.
AB  - Methods to calculate fluid density and viscosity using a micro-cantilever and
      based on the resonance principle were put forward. Their measuring mechanisms
      were analyzed and the theoretical equations to calculate the density and
      viscosity were deduced. The fluid-solid coupling simulations were completed for
      the micro-cantilevers with different shapes. The sensing chips with micro
      cantilevers were designed based on the simulation results and fabricated using
      the micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Finally, the MEMS resonant
      sensor was packaged with the sensing chip to measure the densities and
      viscosities of eight different fluids under the flexural and torsional vibrating
      modes separately. The relative errors of the measured densities from 600 kg/m3 to
      900 kg/m3 and viscosities from 200 MUPa.s to 1000 MUPa.s were calculated and
      analyzed with different microcantilevers under various vibrating modes. The
      experimental results showed that the effects of the shape and vibrating mode of
      micro-cantilever on the measurement accuracies of fluid density and viscosity
      were analyzed in detail. 

PMID- 27275825
TI  - Feasibility of Multiple Examinations Using (68)Ga-Labelled Collagelin Analogues:
      Organ Distribution in Rat for Extrapolation to Human Organ and Whole-Body
      Radiation Dosimetry.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Fibrosis is involved in many chronic diseases. It affects the
      functionality of vital organs, such as liver, lung, heart and kidney. Two novel
      imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of fibrosis have
      previously pre-clinically demonstrated promising target binding and organ
      distribution characteristics. However, the relevant disease monitoring in the
      clinical setup would require multiple repetitive examinations per year. Thus, it
      is of paramount importance to investigate the absorbed doses and total effective
      doses and thus, the potential maximum number of examinations per year. METHODS:
      Two cyclic peptide (c[CPGRVMHGLHLGDDEGPC]) analogues coupled via an ethylene
      glycol linker (EG2) to either 2-(4,7-bis(2-(tert-butoxy)-2-oxoethyl)-1,4,7
      triazonan-1-yl)acetic acid (NO2A-Col) or 4-(4,7-bis(2-(tert-butoxy)-2-oxoethyl)
      1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)-5-(tert-butoxy)-5-oxopentanoic acid (NODAGA-Col)
      were labelled with (68)Ga. The resulting agents, [(68)Ga]Ga-NO2A-Col and
      [(68)Ga]Ga-NODAGA-Col, were administered in the tail vein of male and female
      Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 24). An ex vivo organ distribution study was performed
      at the 5-, 10-, 20-, 40-, 60- and 120-min time points. The resulting data were
      extrapolated for the estimation of human organ and total body absorbed and total
      effective doses using Organ Level Internal Dose Assessment Code software
      (OLINDA/EXM 1.1) assuming a similar organ distribution pattern between the
      species. Time-integrated radioactivity in each organ was calculated by
      trapezoidal integration followed by a single-exponential fit to the data points
      extrapolated to infinity. The resulting values were used for the residence time
      calculation. RESULTS: Ex vivo organ distribution data revealed fast blood
      clearance and washout from most of the organs. Although the highest organ
      absorbed dose was found for kidneys (0.1 mGy/MBq), this organ was not the dose
      limiting one and would allow for the administration of over 1460 MBq per year for
      both [(68)Ga]Ga-NO2A-Col and [(68)Ga]Ga-NODAGA-Col. The total effective dose was
      the limiting parameter with 0.0155/0.0156 (female/male) mSv/MBq and 0.0164/0.0158
      (female/male) mSv/MBq, respectively, for [(68)Ga]Ga-NO2A-Col and [(68)Ga]Ga
      NODAGA-Col. This corresponded to the total amount of radioactivity that could be
      administered per year of 643 and 621 MBq before reaching the annual limit of 10
      mSv. Thus, up to six examinations would be possible. The residence time and organ
      absorbed doses in liver and spleen were higher for [(68)Ga]Ga-NODAGA-Col as
      compared to [(68)Ga]Ga-NO2A-Col. CONCLUSION: The limiting parameter for the
      administered dose was the total effective dose that would allow for at least six
      examinations per year that might be sufficient for adequate disease monitoring in
      longitudinal studies and a routine clinical setup.

PMID- 27275826
TI  - Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Alginate to Produce Oligosaccharides by a New Purified
      Endo-Type Alginate Lyase.
AB  - Enzymatic hydrolysis of sodium alginate to produce alginate oligosaccharides has
      drawn increasing attention due to its advantages of containing a wild reaction
      condition, excellent gel properties and specific products easy for purification.
      However, the efficient commercial enzyme tools are rarely available. A new
      alginate lyase with high activity (24,038 U/mg) has been purified from a newly
      isolated marine strain, Cellulophaga sp. NJ-1. The enzyme was most active at 50 
      degrees C and pH 8.0 and maintained stability at a broad pH range (6.0-10.0) and
      temperature below 40  degrees C. It had broad substrate specificity toward sodium
      alginate, heteropolymeric MG blocks (polyMG), homopolymeric M blocks (polyM) and
      homopolymeric G blocks (polyG), and possessed higher affinity toward polyG (15.63
      mM) as well as polyMG (23.90 mM) than polyM (53.61 mM) and sodium alginate (27.21
      mM). The TLC and MS spectroscopy analysis of degradation products suggested that
      it completely hydrolyzed sodium alginate into oligosaccharides of low degrees of
      polymerization (DPs). The excellent properties would make it a promising tool for
      full use of sodium alginate to produce oligosaccharides. 

PMID- 27275827
TI  - Nutrient Intakes in Early Life and Risk of Obesity.
AB  - There is increasing evidence that environmental factors in early life predict
      later health. The early adiposity rebound recorded in most obese subjects
      suggests that factors promoting body fat development have operated in the first
      years of life. Birth weight, growth velocity and body mass index (BMI)
      trajectories seem to be highly sensitive to the environmental conditions present
      during pregnancy and in early life ("The first 1000 days"). Particularly,
      nutritional exposure can have a long-term effect on health in adulthood. The high
      protein-low fat diet often recorded in young children may have contributed to the
      rapid rise of childhood obesity prevalence during the last decades. Metabolic
      programming by early nutrition could explain the development of later obesity and
      adult diseases.

PMID- 27275824
TI  - Homogeneous Biosensing Based on Magnetic Particle Labels.
AB  - The growing availability of biomarker panels for molecular diagnostics is leading
      to an increasing need for fast and sensitive biosensing technologies that are
      applicable to point-of-care testing. In that regard, homogeneous measurement
      principles are especially relevant as they usually do not require extensive
      sample preparation procedures, thus reducing the total analysis time and
      maximizing ease-of-use. In this review, we focus on homogeneous biosensors for
      the in vitro detection of biomarkers. Within this broad range of biosensors, we
      concentrate on methods that apply magnetic particle labels. The advantage of such
      methods lies in the added possibility to manipulate the particle labels by
      applied magnetic fields, which can be exploited, for example, to decrease
      incubation times or to enhance the signal-to-noise-ratio of the measurement
      signal by applying frequency-selective detection. In our review, we discriminate
      the corresponding methods based on the nature of the acquired measurement signal,
      which can either be based on magnetic or optical detection. The underlying
      measurement principles of the different techniques are discussed, and biosensing
      examples for all techniques are reported, thereby demonstrating the broad
      applicability of homogeneous in vitro biosensing based on magnetic particle label
      actuation. 

PMID- 27275828
TI  - Individual Characteristics Influencing Physicians' Perceptions of Job Demands and
      Control: The Role of Affectivity, Work Engagement and Workaholism.
AB  - The first purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of individual
      characteristics, i.e., positive and negative affectivity, in explaining the
      different perception of job control and job demands in a particularly demanding
      environment such as the healthcare setting. In addition, we aimed to explore the
      mediational role of work engagement and workaholism using the Job Demands
      Resources Model as a theoretical framework. Data were collected using a sample of
      269 Italian head physicians working in nine general hospitals. To test our
      hypotheses, the collected data were analyzed with structural equation modeling.
      Moreover, Sobel Test and bootstrapping were employed to assess the mediating
      hypotheses. Our results indicated that positive affectivity is related to work
      engagement, which, in its turn, showed a positive association with job control.
      In addition, workaholism mediated the relationship between negative affectivity
      and job demands. All in all, this study represents a first attempt to explore the
      role of trait affectivity as a dispositional characteristic able to foster the
      level of work engagement and workaholism exhibited by employees and, in turn, to
      increase the perceived levels of job control and job demands.

PMID- 27275829
TI  - Childhood Health Status and Adulthood Cardiovascular Disease Morbidity in Rural
      China: Are They Related?
AB  - Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the top health problems of the Chinese
      population. Although mounting evidence suggests that early childhood health
      status has an enduring effect on late life chronic morbidity, no study so far has
      analyzed the issue in China. Using nationally representative data from the 2013
      China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a Probit model and Two
      Stage Residual Inclusion estimation estimator were applied to analyze the
      relationship between childhood health status and adulthood cardiovascular disease
      in rural China. Good childhood health was associated with reduced risk of adult
      CVDs. Given the long-term effects of childhood health on adulthood health later
      on, health policy and programs to improve the health status and well-being of
      Chinese populations over the entire life cycle, especially in persons' early
      life, are expected to be effective and successful.

PMID- 27275830
TI  - Antiviral Effects of Black Raspberry (Rubus coreanus) Seed and Its Gallic Acid
      against Influenza Virus Infection.
AB  - Influenza is a serious public health concern worldwide, as it causes significant
      morbidity and mortality. The emergence of drug-resistant viral strains requires
      new approaches for the treatment of influenza. In this study, Rubus coreanus seed
      (RCS) that is left over from the production of wine or juice was found to show
      antiviral activities against influenza type A and B viruses. Using the time-of
      addition plaque assay, viral replication was almost completely abolished by
      simultaneous treatment with the RCS fraction of less than a 1-kDa molecular
      weight (RCSF1). One of the polyphenols derived from RCSF1, gallic acid (GA),
      identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, showed inhibitory
      effects against both influenza type A and B viruses, albeit at relatively high
      concentrations. RCSF1 was bound to hemagglutinin protein, inhibited
      hemagglutination significantly and disrupted viral particles, whereas GA was
      found to only disrupt the viral particles by using transmission electron
      microscopy. In BALB/c mice infected with influenza virus, oral administration of
      RCSF1 significantly improved the survival rate and reduced the viral titers in
      the lungs. Our results demonstrate that RCSF1 and GA show potent and broad
      antiviral activity against influenza A and B type viruses and are promising
      sources of agents that target virus particles.

PMID- 27275831
TI  - A Designed "Nested" Dimer of Cyanovirin-N Increases Antiviral Activity.
AB  - Cyanovirin-N (CV-N) is an antiviral lectin with potent activity against enveloped
      viruses, including HIV. The mechanism of action involves high affinity binding to
      mannose-rich glycans that decorate the surface of enveloped viruses. In the case
      of HIV, antiviral activity of CV-N is postulated to require multivalent
      interactions with envelope protein gp120, achieved through a pseudo-repeat of
      sequence that adopts two near-identical glycan-binding sites, and possibly
      involves a 3D-domain-swapped dimeric form of CV-N. Here, we present a covalent
      dimer of CV-N that increases the number of active glycan-binding sites, and we
      characterize its ability to recognize four glycans in solution. A CV-N variant
      was designed in which two native repeats were separated by the "nested" covalent
      insertion of two additional repeats of CV-N, resulting in four possible glycan
      binding sites. The resulting Nested CV-N folds into a wild-type-like structure as
      assessed by circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy, and displays high thermal
      stability with a Tm of 59  degrees C, identical to WT. All four glycan-binding
      domains encompassed by the sequence are functional as demonstrated by isothermal
      titration calorimetry, which revealed two sets of binding events to dimannose
      with dissociation constants Kd of 25 MUM and 900 MUM, assigned to domains B and
      B' and domains A and A' respectively. Nested CV-N displays a slight increase in
      activity when compared to WT CV-N in both an anti-HIV cellular assay and a fusion
      assay. This construct conserves the original binding specifityies of domain A and
      B, thus indicating correct fold of the two CV-N repeats. Thus, rational design
      can be used to increase multivalency in antiviral lectins in a controlled manner.

PMID- 27275833
TI  - Evaluation of the Impact of Mild Steaming and Heat Treatment on the Concentration
      of Okadaic Acid, Dinophysistoxin-2 and Dinophysistoxin-3 in Mussels.
AB  - This study explores the effect of laboratory and industrial steaming on mussels
      with toxin concentrations above and below the legal limit. We used mild
      conditions for steaming, 100  degrees C for 5 min in industrial processing, and
      up to 20 min in small-scale laboratory steaming. Also, we studied the effect of
      heat on the toxin concentration of mussels obtained from two different locations
      and the effect of heat on the levels of dinophysistoxins 3 (DTX3) in both the
      mussel matrix and in pure form (7-O-palmitoyl okadaic ester and 7-O-palmytoleyl
      okadaic ester). The results show that the loss of water due to steaming was very
      small with a maximum of 9.5%, that the toxin content remained unchanged with no
      concentration effect or increase in toxicity, and that dinophysistoxins 3 was
      hydrolyzed or degraded to a certain extent under heat treatment. The use of
      liquid-certified matrix showed a 55% decrease of dinophysistoxins 3 after 10 min
      steaming, and a 50% reduction in total toxicity after treatment with an autoclave
      (121  degrees C for 20 min).

PMID- 27275832
TI  - Phylogenetic and Molecular Variability Studies Reveal a New Genetic Clade of
      Citrus leprosis virus C.
AB  - Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) causes a severe disease affecting citrus
      orchards in the Western hemisphere. This study reveals the molecular variability
      of the virus by analyzing four genomic regions (p29, p15, MP and RNA2-intergenic
      region) distributed over its two RNAs. Nucleotide diversity (pi) values were
      relatively low but statistically different over the analyzed genes and
      subpopulations, indicating their distinct evolutionary history. Values of pip29
      and piMP were higher than those of pip15 and piRNA2-IR, whereas piMP was
      increased due to novel discovered isolates phylogenetically clustered in a
      divergent clade that we called SJP. Isolate BR_SP_SJP_01 RNA1 and RNA2 sequences,
      clade SJP, showed an identity of 85.6% and 88.4%, respectively, with those
      corresponding to CiLV-C, the type member of the genus Cilevirus, and its RNA2 5'
      proximal region was revealed as a minor donor in a putative inter-clade
      recombination event. In addition to citrus, BR_SP_SJP_01 naturally infects the
      weed Commelina benghalensis and is efficiently transmitted by Brevipalpus
      yothersi mites. Our data demonstrated that negative selection was the major force
      operating in the evaluated viral coding regions and defined amino acids
      putatively relevant for the biological function of cilevirus proteins. This work
      provides molecular tools and sets up a framework for further epidemiological
      studies.

PMID- 27275834
TI  - Evaluation of the Toxicity and Toxicokinetics of Cereulide from an Emetic
      Bacillus cereus Strain of Milk Origin.
AB  - Bacillus cereus is an opportunistic foodborne agent causing food poisoning and
      many infectious diseases. The heat-stable emetic toxin cereulide is one of the
      most prevalent toxins produced by pathogenic B. cereus, resulting in symptoms
      such as emesis and liver failure. In the present work, the toxicity and
      toxicokinetics of cereulide from an emetic B. cereus isolate (CAU45) of raw milk
      were evaluated. The production of cereulide was tested by a cytotoxicity test and
      enzyme immunoassay, and confirmed by the presence of the ces (cereulide
      synthetase) gene and the ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass
      spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. All results showed that the amount and toxicity
      of cereulide produced by CAU45 was 7 to 15.3 folds higher than the reference
      emetic B. cereus DSMZ 4312. Cereulide in plasma was collected at different time
      points after a single intravenous injection to evaluate its toxicokinetics in
      rabbits. The maximum concentration of cereulide was achieved in 2.6 +/- 3.4 h
      after administration, with the elimination half-life of 10.8 +/- 9.1 h, which
      expands our understanding of the toxic effects of cereulide. Together, it
      suggests that urgent sanitary practices are needed to eliminate emetic toxins and
      emetic B. cereus in raw milk.

PMID- 27275836
TI  - Molecular Imaging of Angiogenesis and Vascular Remodeling in Cardiovascular
      Pathology.
AB  - Angiogenesis and vascular remodeling are involved in a wide array of
      cardiovascular diseases, from myocardial ischemia and peripheral arterial
      disease, to atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm. Molecular imaging techniques to
      detect and quantify key molecular and cellular players in angiogenesis and
      vascular remodeling (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors,
      alphavbeta3 integrin, and matrix metalloproteinases) can advance vascular biology
      research and serve as clinical tools for early diagnosis, risk stratification,
      and selection of patients who would benefit most from therapeutic interventions.
      To target these key mediators, a number of molecular imaging techniques have been
      developed and evaluated in animal models of angiogenesis and vascular remodeling.
      This review of the state of the art molecular imaging of angiogenesis and
      vascular (and valvular) remodeling, will focus mostly on nuclear imaging
      techniques (positron emission tomography and single photon emission tomography)
      that offer high potential for clinical translation. 

PMID- 27275835
TI  - A Role for the Intestinal Microbiota and Virome in Myalgic
      Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)?
AB  - Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a heterogeneous
      disorder of significant societal impact that is proposed to involve both host and
      environmentally derived aetiologies that may be autoimmune in nature. Immune
      related symptoms of at least moderate severity persisting for prolonged periods
      of time are common in ME/CFS patients and B cell depletion therapy is of
      significant therapeutic benefit. The origin of these symptoms and whether it is
      infectious or inflammatory in nature is not clear, with seeking evidence of acute
      or chronic virus infections contributing to the induction of autoimmune processes
      in ME/CFS being an area of recent interest. This article provides a comprehensive
      review of the current evidence supporting an infectious aetiology for ME/CFS
      leading us to propose the novel concept that the intestinal microbiota and in
      particular members of the virome are a source of the "infectious" trigger of the
      disease. Such an approach has the potential to identify disease biomarkers and
      influence therapeutics, providing much-needed approaches in preventing and
      managing a disease desperately in need of confronting. 

PMID- 27275838
TI  - Detection of Volatile Metabolites of Garlic in Human Breast Milk.
AB  - The odor of human breast milk after ingestion of raw garlic at food-relevant
      concentrations by breastfeeding mothers was investigated for the first time chemo
      analytically using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC-MS/O),
      as well as sensorially using a trained human sensory panel. Sensory evaluation
      revealed a clear garlic/cabbage-like odor that appeared in breast milk about 2.5
      h after consumption of garlic. GC-MS/O analyses confirmed the occurrence of
      garlic-derived metabolites in breast milk, namely allyl methyl sulfide (AMS),
      allyl methyl sulfoxide (AMSO) and allyl methyl sulfone (AMSO2). Of these, only
      AMS had a garlic-like odor whereas the other two metabolites were odorless. This
      demonstrates that the odor change in human milk is not related to a direct
      transfer of garlic odorants, as is currently believed, but rather derives from a
      single metabolite. The formation of these metabolites is not fully understood,
      but AMSO and AMSO2 are most likely formed by the oxidation of AMS in the human
      body. The excretion rates of these metabolites into breast milk were strongly
      time-dependent with large inter-individual differences. 

PMID- 27275839
TI  - Right Anterolateral Minithoracotomy versus Median Sternotomy Approach for
      Resection of Left Atrial Myxoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery has become the standard approach for
      several cardiac diseases. In this retrospective study, we compared right
      anterolateral minithoracotomy (RALT) with standard median sternotomy (SMS) for
      resection of left atrial myxoma (LAM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009
      to June 2015, the clinical data of patients who underwent RALT (n = 30) and SMS
      (n = 36) for resection of LAM in our hospital were collected. The preoperative
      clinical data and operative results were compared between the two groups.
      RESULTS: There were no significant differences in aortic cross-clamp and
      cardiopulmonary bypass time between the two groups. The total incision length was
      significantly shorter in RALT group compared with SMS group (p < 0.001). For RALT
      and SMS groups, respectively, the intensive care unit length of stay was 29.2 +/-
      6.5 versus 43.5 +/- 6.9 hours (p < 0.001), and the postoperative hospital length
      of stay was 5 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 4-6) versus 8 days (IQR: 7-10) (p
      < 0.001). The total cost in RALT group was 27,000 RMB (IQR: 25,000-29,000) versus
      33,000 RMB (IQR: 31,000-35,000) in SMS group (p < 0.001). There were no
      significant differences in mortality and postoperative complications between the
      two groups. CONCLUSION: RALT approach for LAM resection can be performed safely
      with favorable cosmetic outcome, accepted clinical results, and lower cost. It
      should be considered as a promising alternative to SMS and merit additional
      study.

PMID- 27275837
TI  - Angiogenesis in Ischemic Stroke and Angiogenic Effects of Chinese Herbal
      Medicine.
AB  - Stroke is one of the major causes of death and adult disability worldwide. The
      underlying pathophysiology of stroke is highly complicated, consisting of
      impairments of multiple signalling pathways, and numerous pathological processes
      such as acidosis, glutamate excitotoxicity, calcium overload, cerebral
      inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The current treatment
      for ischemic stroke is limited to thromolytics such as recombinant tissue
      plasminogen activator (tPA). tPA has a very narrow therapeutic window, making it
      suitable to only a minority of stroke patients. Hence, there is great urgency to
      develop new therapies that can protect brain tissue from ischemic damage. Recent
      studies have shown that new vessel formation after stroke not only replenishes
      blood flow to the ischemic area of the brain, but also promotes neurogenesis and
      improves neurological functions in both animal models and patients. Therefore,
      drugs that can promote angiogenesis after ischemic stroke can provide therapeutic
      benefits in stroke management. In this regard, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has
      a long history in treating stroke and the associated diseases. A number of
      studies have demonstrated the pro-angiogenic effects of various Chinese herbs and
      herbal formulations in both in vitro and in vivo settings. In this article, we
      present a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on angiogenesis in the
      context of ischemic stroke and discuss the potential use of CHM in stroke
      management through modulation of angiogenesis. 

PMID- 27275840
TI  - Rapid Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus Pathogens from Infected Clinical Samples
      Using Magnetic Beads Coated with Fc-Mannose Binding Lectin.
AB  - Here we describe how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can be rapidly isolated from
      clinical samples of articular fluid and synovial tissue using magnetic beads
      coated with the engineered chimeric human opsonin protein, Fc-mannose-binding
      lectin (FcMBL). The FcMBL-beads were used to capture and magnetically remove
      bacteria from purified cultures of 12 S. aureus strains, and from 8 articular
      fluid samples and 4 synovial tissue samples collected from patients with
      osteoarthritis or periprosthetic infections previously documented by positive S.
      aureus cultures. While the capture efficiency was high (85%) with purified S.
      aureus strains grown in vitro, direct FcMBL-bead capture from the clinical
      samples was initially disappointing (< 5% efficiency). Further analysis revealed
      that inhibition of FcMBL binding was due to coating of the bacteria by
      immunoglobulins and immune cells that masked FcMBL binding sites, and to the high
      viscosity of these complex biological samples. Importantly, capture of pathogens
      using the FcMBL-beads was increased to 76% efficiency by pretreating clinical
      specimens with hypotonic washes, hyaluronidase and a protease cocktail. Using
      this approach, S. aureus bacteria could be isolated from infected osteoarthritic
      tissues within 2 hours after sample collection. This FcMBL-enabled magnetic
      method for rapid capture and concentration of pathogens from clinical samples
      could be integrated upstream of current processes used in clinical microbiology
      laboratories to identify pathogens and perform antibiotic sensitivity testing
      when bacterial culture is not possible or before colonies can be detected. 

PMID- 27275841
TI  - Trimethylation Enhancement Using (13)C-Diazomethane ((13)C-TrEnDi): Increased
      Sensitivity and Selectivity of Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylcholine, and
      Phosphatidylserine Lipids Derived from Complex Biological Samples.
AB  - Significant sensitivity enhancements in the tandem mass spectrometry-based
      analysis of complex mixtures of several phospholipid classes has been achieved
      via (13)C-TrEnDi. (13)C-TrEnDi-modified phosphatidylethanolamine (PE),
      phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipids extracted from HeLa
      cells demonstrated greater sensitivity via precursor ion scans (PISs) than their
      unmodified counterparts. Sphingomyelin (SM) species exhibited neither an
      increased nor decreased sensitivity following modification. The use of
      isotopically labeled diazomethane enabled the distinction of modified PE and
      modified PC species that would yield isobaric species with unlabeled
      diazomethane. (13)C-TrEnDi created a PE-exclusive PIS of m/z 202.1, two PS
      exclusive PISs of m/z 148.1 and m/z 261.1, and a PIS of m/z 199.1 for PC species
      (observed at odd m/z values) and SM species (observed at even m/z values). The
      standardized average area increase after TrEnDi modification was 10.72-fold for
      PE species, 2.36-fold for PC, and 1.05-fold for SM species. The sensitivity
      increase of PS species was not quantifiable, as there were no unmodified PS
      species identified prior to derivatization. (13)C-TrEnDi allowed for the
      identification of 4 PE and 7 PS species as well as the identification and
      quantitation of an additional 4 PE and 4 PS species that were below the limit of
      detection (LoD) prior to modification. (13)C-TrEnDi also pushed 24 PE and 6 PC
      lipids over the limit of quantitation (LoQ) that prior to modification were above
      the LoD only.

PMID- 27275842
TI  - Balancing Water Uptake and Loss through the Coordinated Regulation of Stomatal
      and Root Development.
AB  - Root development is influenced by nutrient and water availabilities. Plants are
      able to adjust many attributes of their root in response to environmental signals
      including the size and shape of the primary root, lateral roots and root hairs.
      Here we investigated the response of roots to changes in the levels of leaf
      transpiration associated with altered stomatal frequency. We found that plants
      with high stomatal density and conductance produce a larger rooting area and as a
      result have enhanced phosphate uptake capacity whereas plants with low stomatal
      conductance produce a smaller root. Manipulating the growth environment of plants
      indicated that enhanced root growth is most likely a result of an increased
      demand for water rather than phosphate. Plants manipulated to have an increase or
      reduction in root hair growth show a reduction or increase respectively, in
      stomatal conductance and density. Our results demonstrate that plants can balance
      their water uptake and loss through coordinated regulation of both stomatal and
      root development. 

PMID- 27275843
TI  - Cardiovascular effects of urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 in patients with chronic
      heart failure.
AB  - AIMS: Urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 may play a role in the pathophysiology of heart
      failure and are emerging therapeutic targets. We aimed to examine the local and
      systemic cardiovascular effects of urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 in healthy
      subjects and patients with heart failure. METHODS: Patients with heart failure (n
      = 8) and age and gender-matched healthy subjects (n = 8) underwent bilateral
      forearm arterial blood flow measurement using forearm venous occlusion
      plethysmography during intra-arterial infusions of urocortin 2 (3.6-36 pmol min(
      1) ), urocortin 3 (360-3600 pmol min(-1) ) and substance P (2-8 pmol min(-1) ).
      Heart failure patients (n = 9) and healthy subjects (n = 7) underwent non
      invasive impedance cardiography during incremental intravenous infusions of
      sodium nitroprusside (573-5730 pmol kg(-1)  min(-1) ), urocortin 2 (36-360 pmol
      min(-1) ), urocortin 3 (1.2-12 nmol min(-1) ) and saline placebo. RESULTS:
      Urocortin 2, urocortin 3 and substance P induced dose-dependent forearm arterial
      vasodilatation in both groups (P < 0.05 for both) with no difference in magnitude
      of vasodilatation between patients and healthy subjects. During systemic
      intravenous infusions, urocortin 3 increased heart rate and cardiac index and
      reduced mean arterial pressure and peripheral vascular resistance index in both
      groups (P < 0.01 for all). Urocortin 2 produced similar responses to urocortin 3,
      although increases in cardiac index and heart rate were only significant in heart
      failure (P < 0.05) and healthy subjects (P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Urocortins 2 and 3 cause vasodilatation, reduce peripheral vascular resistance
      and increase cardiac output in both health and disease. These data provide
      further evidence to suggest that urocortins 2 and 3 continue to hold promise for
      the treatment of heart failure.

PMID- 27275845
TI  - The Candida albicans fimbrin Sac6 regulates oxidative stress response (OSR) and
      morphogenesis at the transcriptional level.
AB  - The actin cytoskeleton coordinates numerous fundamental cellular processes.
      Fimbrins are a class of evolutionally conserved ABPs that mediate actin bundling
      and regulate actin dynamics and functions. In this study, we identified the
      fimbrin Sac6 from the important fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. Interestingly,
      deletion of SAC6 led to increased tolerance to oxidative stress, while its
      overexpression caused hyper-susceptibility to this stress. Further investigations
      revealed that Sac6, by interaction with actin, negatively regulated the cytosol
      to-nucleus transport of the key OSR (oxidative stress response) transcription
      factor Cap1 and consequent expression of OSR genes. Moreover, loss of Sac6
      enhanced hyphal maintenance, and its overexpression caused a defect in hyphal
      development, which was attributed to abnormal expression of morphogenesis-related
      genes. In addition, Sac6 was involved in regulation of secretion of lytic enzymes
      and virulence of C. albicans. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which
      fimbrin transcriptionally regulates OSR and morphogenesis, and sheds a novel
      light on the functions of actin cytoskeleton.

PMID- 27275846
TI  - Comparative analysis of two bacteriophages of Xanthomonas arboricola pv.
      juglandis.
AB  - Walnut blight caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj) is one of the
      most frequent infective diseases of walnut, resulting in serious economic losses.
      One potential solution to control this disease could be the application of
      bacteriophages. In this study, 24 phages were isolated from soil and walnut
      aerial tissues infected with Xaj. Two polyvalent bacteriophages, Xaj2 and Xaj24
      were chosen for further characterization including their morphological,
      physiological and genomic analyses. Xaj2 was classified as Siphoviridae whereas
      Xaj24 belonged to the Podoviridae family. Both phages demonstrated lytic effect
      on Xaj in laboratory trials. Complete genomes of Xaj2 and Xaj24 were determined.
      Genomes of Xaj2 and Xaj24 consisted of 49.241 and 44.861 nucleotides encoding 80
      and 53 genes, respectively. Comparative genome analyses have revealed that Xaj2
      had a unique genome sequence, while Xaj24 was a phiKMV-like phage and it was most
      similar to the Prado phage which is virulent for Xylella fastidiosa and
      Xanthomonas spp. In this study, we present the first two complete Xaj phage
      sequences enabling an insight into the genomics of Xaj phages.

PMID- 27275844
TI  - Self-Care for Management of Secondary Lymphedema: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a debilitating and disfiguring sequela of an
      overwhelmed lymphatic system. The most common causes of secondary lymphedema are
      lymphatic filariasis (LF), a vector-borne, parasitic disease endemic in 73
      tropical countries, and treatment for cancer in developed countries. Lymphedema
      is incurable and requires life-long care so identification of effective
      lymphedema management is imperative to improve quality of life, reduce the burden
      on family resources and benefit the local community. This review was conducted to
      evaluate the evidence for effective lymphedema self-care strategies that might be
      applicable to management of all types of secondary lymphedema.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Searches were conducted in Medline, CINAHL and
      Scopus databases in March 2015. Included studies reported before and after
      measures of lymphedema status or frequency of acute infections. The
      methodological quality was assessed using the appropriate Critical Appraisal
      Skills Program checklist. Descriptive synthesis and meta-analysis were used to
      evaluate effectiveness of the outcomes reported. Twenty-eight papers were
      included; two RCTs were found to have strong methodology, and overall 57% of
      studies were rated as methodologically weak. Evidence from filariasis-related
      lymphedema (FR-LE) studies indicated that hygiene-centred self-care reduced the
      frequency and duration of acute episodes by 54%, and in cancer-related lymphedema
      (CR-LE) home-based exercise including deep breathing delivered significant volume
      reductions over standard self-care alone. Intensity of training in self-care
      practices and frequency of monitoring improved outcomes. Cultural and economic
      factors and access to health care services influenced the type of intervention
      delivered and how outcomes were measured. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: There is
      evidence to support the adoption of remedial exercises in the management of FR-LE
      and for a greater emphasis on self-treatment practices for people with CR-LE.
      Empowerment of people with lymphedema to care for themselves with access to
      supportive professional assistance has the capacity to optimise self-management
      practices and improve outcomes from limited health resources.

PMID- 27275847
TI  - Phylodynamics of influenza A(H3N2) in South America, 1999-2012.
AB  - The limited influenza A(H3N2) genetic data available from the Southern Hemisphere
      (particularly from Africa and Latin America), constrains the accurate
      reconstruction of viral dissemination dynamics within those regions. Our
      objective was to describe the spatial dissemination dynamics of influenza A(H3N2)
      within South America. A total of 469 sequences of the HA1 portion of the
      hemagglutinin gene (HA) from influenza A(H3N2) viruses sampled in temperate and
      tropical South American countries between 1999 and 2012 were combined with
      available contemporary sequences from Australia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and
      the United States. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that influenza A(H3N2)
      sequences from South America were highly intermixed with sequences from other
      geographical regions, although a clear geographic virus population structure was
      detected globally. We identified 14 clades mostly (>=80%) composed of influenza
      sequences from South American countries. Bayesian phylogeographic analyses of
      those clades support a significant role of both temperate and tropical regions in
      the introduction and dissemination of new influenza A(H3N2) strains within South
      America and identify an intensive bidirectional viral exchange between different
      geographical areas. These findings indicate that seasonal influenza A(H3N2)
      epidemics in South America are seeded by both the continuous importation of viral
      variants from other geographic regions and the short-term persistence of local
      lineages. This study also supports a complex metapopulation model of influenza
      A(H3N2) dissemination in South America, with no preferential direction in viral
      movement between temperate and tropical regions.

PMID- 27275848
TI  - Daytime warming lowers community temporal stability by reducing the abundance of
      dominant, stable species.
AB  - Daytime warming and nighttime warming have the potential to influence plant
      community structure and ecosystem functions. However, their impacts on ecological
      stability remain largely unexplored. We conducted an eight-year field experiment
      to compare the effects of daytime and nighttime warming on the temporal stability
      of a temperate steppe in northern China. Our results showed that the cover and
      stability of dominant species, stability of subordinate species, and compensatory
      dynamics among species strongly influenced community-level stability. However,
      daytime, but not nighttime, warming significantly reduced community temporal
      stability mainly through the reduction in the abundance of dominant, stable
      species. These findings demonstrate the differential effects of daytime and
      nighttime warming on community stability and emphasize the importance of
      understanding the changes of dominant species for accurately predicting community
      dynamics under climate warming.

PMID- 27275849
TI  - Characteristics of the fibroplasia and collagen expression in the abdominal wall
      after implant of the polypropylene mesh and polypropylene/polyglecaprone mesh in
      rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare fibroplasia and the resistance of the abdominal wall when
      polypropylene meshes and polypropylene/poliglecaprone are used. METHODS: Seventy
      seven male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control Group (for
      resistance); Group E (polypropylene mesh); and Group U
      (polypropylene/poliglecaprone mesh). The animals in Groups E and U had a standard
      muscular and aponeurotic defect, with integral peritoneum, and correction with
      the mesh. Measurements were taken 4, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days after surgery. The
      resistance, and collagen density were studied. RESULTS: Resistance on the 56th
      day was similar in both meshes. The gain in resistance described an ascending
      curve for the polypropylene mesh and was irregular in the case of the
      polypropylene/poliglecaprone. Fibroplasia showed a gain in type I and type III
      collagen in both groups (p<0.001). Collagen III stabilized in the 14th day and
      collagen I continued to ascend. CONCLUSIONS: The gain in resistance of the
      polypropylene mesh is regular and ascending, whereas the
      polypropylene/poliglecaprone is not regular. The final resistance of both meshes
      is similar; the collagen density increases over time, and show the same
      inflammatory potential.

PMID- 27275850
TI  - Simvastatin and biphasic calcium phosphate affects bone formation in critical
      sized rat calvarial defects.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of locally applied simvastatin plus biphasic
      calcium phosphate (BoneCeramic(r)) or collagen sponge on bone formation in
      critical-sized bone defects. METHODS: Thirty defects of 5mm in diameter were
      created bilaterally with a trephine bur in the calvariae of fifteen Wistar rats.
      The defects were divided into five groups: group 1 - control, no treatment; group
      2 (BoneCeramic(r)); group 3 (BoneCeramic(r) + 0.1mg simvastatin); group 4
      (collagen sponge); and group 5 (collagen sponge + 0.1mg simvastatin). After eight
      weeks the animals were euthanized and their calvariae were histologically
      processed. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were subjected to histological
      and histomorphometrical analyses. The area of newly formed bone was calculated
      and compared between groups. RESULTS: The greater amount of a bone-like tissue
      was formed around the carrier in group 3 (BoneCeramic(r) + 0.1mg simvastatin)
      followed by group 2 (BoneCeramic(r)), and almost no bone was formed in the other
      groups. Group 3 was significantly different compared to group 2, and both groups
      were significantly different compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION:
      Simvastatin combined with BoneCeramic(r) induced significantly greater amounts of
      newly formed bone and has great potential for the healing of bone defects.

PMID- 27275851
TI  - Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Introduction of a new modified
      experimental model.
AB  - PURPOSE : To evaluate a modified experimental model for medication-related
      osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) through the upper right central incisor
      extraction followed by intravenous bisphosphonate administration. METHODS: Forty
      five rats underwent the upper right central incisor tooth extraction were divided
      in 2 groups: Group I - experimental group, 30 rats received an intravenous
      administration protocol of zoledronic acid 35MUg/kg into the tail vein every two
      weeks, totalizing four administrations, during eight weeks of administration,
      previously the extraction, and Group II - control group, 15 rats didn't received
      any medication before extraction. The groups were subdivided in postoperative
      periods: 14/28/42 days. Clinical analysis and microtomography were performed to
      verify the presence of osteonecrosis. In addition, descritive histological
      analysis of hematoxylin-eosin stained sections was performed to evaluate the
      presence of osteonecrosis or necrotic foci. RESULTS: Twelve (40%) rats, from
      experimental group, showed clinical signs of MRONJ (p=0.005), however, all
      samples showed imaginologic findings like osteolysis and loss of integrity of the
      cellular walls (p<=0.001). Microscopic evaluation revealed osteonecrosis areas
      with microbial colonies and inflammatory infiltrate (p<=0.001). In the control
      group, all animals presented the chronology of a normal wound healing.
      CONCLUSIONS: The presence of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw after
      maxillary central incisor extraction in rats. This new experimental model may be
      considered an option for the study of MRONJ.

PMID- 27275852
TI  - Effects of platelet rich plasma on fascial healing in rats with fecal peritonitis
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of platelet rich plasma (PRP) on the healing of
      fascia wherein peritonitis has been created. METHODS: Twenty eight Wistar Albino
      rats were divided into four groups. Only a primary fascial repair following
      laparotomy was performed on Group 1, a primary fascial repair performed and PRP
      treatment applied following laparotomy on Group 2, and a fecal peritonitis
      created following laparotomy and a primary fascial repair carried out on Group 3.
      A fecal peritonitis was created following laparotomy and primary fascial repair
      and PRP treatment on the fascia was carried out on Group 4. RESULTS: TNF-alpha
      was found to be significantly lower in the control group (Group 1). It was
      detected at the highest level in the group in which fecal peritonitis was created
      and PRP applied (Group 4). TGF-beta was determined as being significantly higher
      only in Group 4. Histopathologically, the differences between the groups in terms
      of cell infiltration and collagen deposition were not found to be significant.
      CONCLUSION: When platelet rich plasma was given histologically and biochemicaly
      as wound healing parameters cellular infiltration, collagen accumulation, and
      tissue hydroxyiproline levels were not increased but neovascularization,
      fibroblast activation and TNF Alfa levels were increased and PRP accelerated
      wound healing.

PMID- 27275853
TI  - Immediate postoperative evaluation of enteric anastomosis after the use of
      meloxicam in rats
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare ileal anastomoses in the immediate postoperative healing
      period after meloxicam use. METHODS: Forty two male Wistar rats were randomly
      divided into two groups of 21, COX and control group. To COX meloxicam in
      combination with morphine was given in 3 days period. Control group received only
      morphine during the same period. Each group was divided into three sub-groups of
      7, which were euthanized at 5, 10, and 21 days postoperatively. Comparison was
      based in histological evaluation of collagen type I and III using sirius red,
      immunohistochemical through vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix
      metalloproteinase-9. RESULTS: Healing process in scheduled periods did not show
      significant differences (p>0.05) between the COX and control groups during any of
      the periods. CONCLUSION: The use of meloxicam in the postoperative period
      following ileal anastomosis did not affect healing.

PMID- 27275854
TI  - Antibacterial properties and healing effects of Melipona scutellaris honey in
      MRSA-infected wounds of rats.
AB  - PURPOSE : To investigate the antimicrobial, immunological and healing effects of
      Melipona scutellaris honey on infected wounds of rat skin. METHODS: Twenty four
      Wistar rats were distributed in four groups (6-each). The uninfected skin wounds
      of group I rats were treated daily with saline for 7 days. Uninfected wounds
      (group II) rats were treated with honey. In group III (treated with saline) and
      group IV (treated with honey) wounds were inoculated with MRSA ATTC43300. The
      first bacterial culture was performed 24 hours later. In the 7th day new culture
      was done, and wound biopsies were used for cytokines dosage and histopathology.
      RESULTS: In group I and III rats the CFU/g count of S. aureus in wounds was zero.
      In group II rats the CFU/g counts in the wound tissue were significantly higher
      than in wounds of group IV rats. The density histopathological parameters and the
      expression of TNF-alpha, IL1-beta, Il-6 were significantly higher on wounds of
      group IV then in the other groups. CONCLUSION: Honey of Melipona scutellaris was
      effective in the management of infected wounds, by significant bacterial growth
      inhibition, enhancement of cytokine expression, and positively influenced the
      wound repair.

PMID- 27275855
TI  - Direct intraperitoneal resuscitation with lidocaine, methylene blue and
      pentoxiphylline combination does not decreases inflammation after intestinal
      ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of an intraperitoneal solution of methylene blue
      (MB), lidocaine and pentoxyphylline (PTX) on intestinal ischemic and reperfusion
      injury. METHODS: Superior mesenteric artery was isolated and clamped in 36 adult
      male Sprague Dawley rats. After 60 minutes, clamp was removed and a group
      received intraperitoneally UNITO solution (PTX 25mg/kg + lidocaine 5mg/kg + MB
      2mg/kg), while the other group was treated with warm 0.9% NaCl solution. Rats
      were euthanized 45 min after drug administration. Lung and bowel were collected
      for histological evaluation (using Park's score) and determination of
      myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. RESULTS: Control samples
      showed lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate and crypt necrosis of villi. MPO and MDA
      measurements shown no differences between treated and control groups. CONCLUSION:
      The combination of lidocaine, methylene blue and pentoxyphylline administered
      intraperitoneally at the studied dose, did not decreased histological lesion
      scores and biochemical markers levels in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

PMID- 27275856
TI  - Sevoflurane preconditioning during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion reduces
      infarct size and preserves autonomic control of circulation in rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion with sevoflurane
      anesthetic preconditioning (APC) would present beneficial effects on autonomic
      and cardiac function indexes after the acute phase of a myocardial ischemia
      reperfusion. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were allocated in three groups: control
      (CON, n=10), myocardial infarction with sevoflurane (SEV, n=5) and infarcted
      without sevoflurane (INF, n=5). Myocardial ischemia (60 min) and reperfusion were
      performed by temporary coronary occlusion. Twenty-one days later, the systolic
      and diastolic function were evaluated by echocardiography; spectral analysis of
      the systolic arterial pressure (SAPV) and heart rate variability (HRV) were
      assessed. After the recording period, the infarct size (IS) was evaluated.
      RESULTS: The INF group presented greater cardiac dysfunction and increased
      sympathetic modulation of the SAPV, as well as decreased alpha index and worse
      vagal modulation of the HRV. The SEV group exhibited attenuation of the systolic
      and diastolic dysfunction and preserved vagal modulation (square root of the mean
      squared differences of successive R-R intervals and high frequency) of HRV, as
      well as a smaller IS. CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane preconditioning better preserved
      the cardiac function and autonomic modulation of the heart in post-acute
      myocardial infarction period.

PMID- 27275857
TI  - Quantitative analysis of the renal aging in rats. Stereological study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the renal function and the renal histological alterations
      through the stereology and morphometrics in rats submitted to the natural process
      of aging. METHODS: Seventy two Wistar rats, divided in six groups. Each group was
      sacrificed in a different age: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. It was performed
      right nephrectomy, stereological and morphometric analysis of the renal tissue
      (renal volume and weight, density of volume (Vv[glom]) and numerical density
      (Nv[glom]) of the renal glomeruli and average glomerular volume (Vol[glom])) and
      also it was evaluated the renal function for the dosage of serum creatinine and
      urea. RESULTS: There was significant decrease of the renal function in the oldest
      rats. The renal volume presented gradual increase during the development of the
      rats with the biggest values registered in the group of animals at 12 months of
      age and significant progressive decrease in older animals. Vv[glom] presented
      statistically significant gradual reduction between the groups and the Nv[glom]
      also decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The renal function proved to be
      inferior in senile rats when compared to the young rats. The morphometric and
      stereological analysis evidenced renal atrophy, gradual reduction of the volume
      density and numerical density of the renal glomeruli associated to the aging
      process.

PMID- 27275858
TI  - Chest drainage teaching and training for medical students. Use of a surgical ex
      vivo pig model.
AB  - PURPOSE: Implement a constructivist approach in thoracic drainage training in
      surgical ex vivo pig models, to compare the acquisition of homogeneous surgical
      skills between medical students. METHODS: Experimental study, prospective,
      transversal, analytical, controlled, three steps. Selection, training,
      evaluation. INCLUSION CRITERIA: a) students without training in thoracic
      drainage; b) without exposure to constructivist methodology. 2) EXCLUSION
      CRITERIA: a) students developed surgical skills; b) a history of allergy. (N =
      312). Two groups participated in the study: A and B. Lecture equal for both
      groups. Differentiated teaching: group A, descriptive and informative method;
      group B, learning method based on problems. A surgical ex vivo pig model for
      training the chest drain was created. Were applied pre and post-test, test goal
      discursive and OSATS scale. RESULTS: Theoretical averages: Group A = 9.5 +/- 0.5;
      Group B = 8.8 +/- 1.1 (p = 0.006). Medium Practices: Group A = 22.8 +/- 1.8;
      Group B = 23.0 +/- 2.8 (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Through the constructivist
      methodology implemented in the thoracic drainage training in surgical ex vivo pig
      models, has proven the acquisition of surgical skills homogeneous compared among
      medical students.

PMID- 27275859
TI  - High-dose omeprazole infusion compared with scheduled second-look endoscopy for
      prevention of peptic ulcer rebleeding: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Previous studies have shown that both scheduled second
      look endoscopy and high-dose continuous omeprazole infusion are effective in
      preventing peptic ulcer rebleeding. The aim of this noninferiority trial was to
      compare the efficacy of these two strategies for the prevention of rebleeding
      following primary endoscopic hemostasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive
      patients who received endoscopic treatment for bleeding peptic ulcers (actively
      bleeding, with nonbleeding visible vessels) were randomized to two treatment
      groups following hemostasis. One group (second-look endoscopy group) received the
      proton pump inhibitor (PPI) omeprazole as an intravenous bolus every 12 hours for
      72 hours and a second endoscopy within 16 - 24 hours with retreatment for
      persistent stigmata of bleeding. The other group (PPI infusion group) received
      continuous high-dose omeprazole infusion for 72 hours. Patients who developed
      rebleeding underwent surgery if repeat endoscopic therapy failed. The primary
      outcome was the rebleeding rate within 30 days after initial hemostasis. The
      margin for noninferiority was set at 5 %. RESULTS: A total of 153 patients were
      randomized to the PPI infusion group and 152 to the second-look endoscopy group.
      Rebleeding occurred within 30 days in 10 patients (6.5 %) in the PPI infusion
      group and in 12 patients (7.9 %) in the second-look endoscopy group (P = 0.646).
      Surgery was required for rebleeding in six patients from the PPI infusion group
      and three patients in the second-look endoscopy group (P = 0.32). Intensive care
      unit stay, transfusion requirements, and mortality were not different between the
      groups. Patients in the second-look endoscopy group were discharged 1 day earlier
      than those in the PPI infusion group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After endoscopic
      hemostasis, high-dose PPI infusion was not inferior to second-look endoscopy with
      bolus PPI in preventing peptic ulcer rebleeding. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT: 00164931).

PMID- 27275860
TI  - Quality of optical diagnosis of diminutive polyps and associated factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of the study was to identify endoscopist-related and
      procedural factors that may be associated with the quality of optical diagnosis
      of diminutive polyps using narrow-band imaging (NBI). METHODS: All subjects who
      participated in a randomized trial on cap-assisted colonoscopy were eligible for
      the current study. Optical polyp diagnosis was an a priori outcome of the initial
      trial. Ten participating endoscopists used NBI to assess all of the diagnosed
      polyps as adenomatous or non-adenomatous in real-time and provided a degree of
      diagnostic certainty. The main outcome measures were quality benchmarks of
      optical diagnosis (negative predictive value [NPV] for diminutive rectosigmoid
      adenomas, agreement with pathology-based surveillance interval) and assessment of
      endoscopist-related and procedural factors potentially associated with the
      quality of optical diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 1650 polyps were found in 607
      patients, with 1311 polyps (79 %) being diminutive, of which 672 (53 %) were
      adenomatous. The NPV of optical diagnosis for rectosigmoid adenomas was 95 %. The
      optical diagnosis-based surveillance interval agreed with the pathology-based
      recommendation in 93 % of patients. Prior experience with image-enhanced
      endoscopy had no effect on optical diagnosis. Low and high adenoma detectors were
      not different in achieving the quality benchmarks. Cap-assisted colonoscopy was
      not associated with quality of optical diagnosis. Quality metrics of optical
      diagnosis remained similar during the first and second half of the study period.
      CONCLUSION: High quality optical diagnosis of diminutive polyps can be achieved
      and sustained by endoscopists previously inexperienced in this practice with
      minimal training. None of the examined factors appear to affect the quality of
      optical diagnosis; particularly, endoscopists' adenoma detection was not
      associated with optical diagnosis.

PMID- 27275861
TI  - Combined ovulation triggering with GnRH agonist and hCG in IVF patients.
AB  - The aim of the review is to analyse the combination of a gonadotrophin releasing
      hormone (GnRH) agonist with a human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) trigger, for
      final oocyte maturation in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles. The concept being
      a ''dual trigger'' combines a single dose of the GnRH agonist with a reduced or
      standard dosage of hCG at the time of triggering. The use of a GnRH agonist with
      a reduced dose of hCG in high responders demonstrated luteal phase support with
      improved pregnancy rates, similar to those after conventional hCG and a low risk
      of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The administration of a GnRH agonist
      and a standard hCG in normal responders, demonstrated significantly improved live
      birth rates and a higher number of embryos of excellent quality, or cryopreserved
      embryos. The concept of the ''double trigger" represents a combination of a GnRH
      agonist and a standard hCG, when used 40 and 34 h prior to ovum pick-up,
      respectively. The use of the ''double trigger" has been successfully offered in
      the treatment of empty follicle syndrome and in patients with a history of
      immature oocytes retrieved or with low/poor oocytes yield. Further prospective
      studies are required to confirm the aforementioned observations prior to clinical
      implementation.

PMID- 27275862
TI  - Propane Clathrate Hydrate Formation Accelerated by Methanol.
AB  - The role of methanol as both an inhibitor and a catalyst for the formation of
      clathrate hydrates (CHs) has been a topic of intense study. We report a new
      quantitative study of the kinetics of propane CH formation at 253 K from the
      reaction of propane gas with <75 MUm ice particles that have been doped with
      varying amounts of methanol. We find that methanol significantly accelerates the
      formation reaction with quite small doping quantities. Even for only 1 methanol
      molecule per 10 000 water molecules, the maximum uptake rate of propane into CHs
      is enhanced and the initiation pressure is reduced. These results enable more
      efficient production of CHs for gas storage. This remarkable acceleration of the
      CH formation reaction by small quantities of methanol may place constraints on
      the mechanism of the inhibition effect observed under other conditions, usually
      employing much larger quantities of methanol. 

PMID- 27275863
TI  - The H-ATOMIC Criteria for the Etiologic Classification of Patients with
      Intracerebral Hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are no generally accepted criteria for the
      etiologic classification of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). For this reason, we
      have developed a set of etiologic criteria and have applied them to a large
      number of patients to determine their utility. METHODS: The H-ATOMIC
      classification includes 7 etiologic categories: Hypertension, cerebral Amyloid
      angiopathy, Tumour, Oral anticoagulants, vascular Malformation, Infrequent causes
      and Cryptogenic. For each category, the etiology is scored with three degrees of
      certainty: Possible(3), Probable(2) and Definite(1). Our aim was to perform a
      basic study consisting of neuroimaging, blood tests, and CT-angio when a
      numerical score (SICH) suggested an underlying structural abnormality.
      Combinations of >1 etiologic category for an individual patient were acceptable.
      The criteria were evaluated in a multicenter and prospective study of consecutive
      patients with spontaneous ICH. RESULTS: Our study included 439 patients (age 70.8
      +/- 14.5 years; 61.3% were men). A definite etiology was achieved in 176 (40.1%
      of the patients: Hypertension 28.2%, cerebral Amyloid angiopathy 0.2%, Tumour
      0.2%, Oral anticoagulants 2.2%, vascular Malformation 4.5%, Infrequent causes
      4.5%). A total of 7 patients (1.6%) were cryptogenic. In the remaining 58.3% of
      the patients, ICH was attributable to a single (n = 56, 12.7%) or the combination
      of >=2 (n = 200, 45.5%) possible/probable etiologies. The most frequent
      combinations of etiologies involved possible hypertension with possible CAA
      (H3A3, n = 38) or with probable CAA (H3A2, n = 29), and probable hypertension
      with probable OA (H2O2, n = 27). The most frequent category with any degree of
      certainty was hypertension (H1+2+3 = 80.6%) followed by cerebral amyloid
      angiopathy (A1+2+3 = 30.9%). CONCLUSIONS: According to our etiologic criteria,
      only about 40% patients received a definite diagnosis, while in the remaining
      patients ICH was attributable to a single possible/probable etiology or to more
      than one possible/probable etiology. The use of these criteria would likely help
      in the management of patients with ICH.

PMID- 27275864
TI  - Antioxidative Activities of Both Oleic Acid and Camellia tenuifolia Seed Oil Are
      Regulated by the Transcription Factor DAF-16/FOXO in Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tea seed oil is a high quality edible oil, yet lacking sufficient
      scientific evidences to support the nutritional and medical purposes. We
      identified major and minor components in Camellia tenuifolia seed oil and
      investigated the antioxidative activity and its underlying mechanisms in
      Caenorhabditis elegans. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The results showed that the major
      constitutes in C. tenuifolia seed oil were unsaturated fatty acids (~78.4%).
      Moreover, two minor compounds, beta-amyrin and beta-sitosterol, were identified
      and their antioxidative activity was examined. We found that oleic acid was the
      major constitute in C. tenuifolia seed oil and plays a key role in the
      antioxidative activity of C. tenuifolia seed oil in C. elegans. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study found evidences that the transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO was involved in
      both oleic acid- and C. tenuifolia seed oil-mediated oxidative stress resistance
      in C. elegans. This study suggests the potential of C. tenuifolia seed oil as
      nutrient or functional foods.

PMID- 27275865
TI  - Enzyme Substrate Complex of the H200C Variant of Homoprotocatechuate 2,3
      Dioxygenase: Mossbauer and Computational Studies.
AB  - The extradiol, aromatic ring-cleaving enzyme homoprotocatechuate 2,3-dioxygenase
      (HPCD) catalyzes a complex chain of reactions that involve second sphere residues
      of the active site. The importance of the second-sphere residue His200 was
      demonstrated in studies of HPCD variants, such as His200Cys (H200C), which
      revealed significant retardations of certain steps in the catalytic process as a
      result of the substitution, allowing novel reaction cycle intermediates to be
      trapped for spectroscopic characterization. As the H200C variant largely retains
      the wild-type active site structure and produces the correct ring-cleaved
      product, this variant presents a valuable target for mechanistic HPCD studies.
      Here, the high-spin Fe(II) states of resting H200C and the H200C
      homoprotocatechuate enzyme-substrate (ES) complex have been characterized with
      Mossbauer spectroscopy to assess the electronic structures of the active site in
      these states. The analysis reveals a high-spin Fe(II) center in a low symmetry
      environment that is reflected in the values of the zero-field splitting (ZFS) (D
      ~ - 8 cm(-1), E/D ~ 1/3 in ES), as well as the relative orientations of the
      principal axes of the (57)Fe magnetic hyperfine (A) and electric field gradient
      (EFG) tensors relative to the ZFS tensor axes. A spin Hamiltonian analysis of the
      spectra for the ES complex indicates that the magnetization axis of the integer
      spin S = 2 Fe(II) system is nearly parallel to the symmetry axis, z, of the
      doubly occupied dxy ground orbital deduced from the EFG and A-values, an
      observation, which cannot be rationalized by DFT assisted crystal-field theory.
      In contrast, ORCA/CASSCF calculations for the ZFS tensor in combination with DFT
      calculations for the EFG- and A-tensors describe the experimental data remarkably
      well. 

PMID- 27275867
TI  - The Global Rise of Zero Liquid Discharge for Wastewater Management: Drivers,
      Technologies, and Future Directions.
AB  - Zero liquid discharge (ZLD)-a wastewater management strategy that eliminates
      liquid waste and maximizes water usage efficiency - has attracted renewed
      interest worldwide in recent years. Although implementation of ZLD reduces water
      pollution and augments water supply, the technology is constrained by high cost
      and intensive energy consumption. In this critical review, we discuss the
      drivers, incentives, technologies, and environmental impacts of ZLD. Within this
      framework, the global applications of ZLD in the United States and emerging
      economies such as China and India are examined. We highlight the evolution of ZLD
      from thermal- to membrane-based processes, and analyze the advantages and
      limitations of existing and emerging ZLD technologies. The potential
      environmental impacts of ZLD, notably greenhouse gas emission and generation of
      solid waste, are discussed and the prospects of ZLD technologies and research
      needs are highlighted.

PMID- 27275866
TI  - Ultrasound Microbubble Treatment Enhances Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis and Fluid
      Phase Uptake through Distinct Mechanisms.
AB  - Drug delivery to tumors is limited by several factors, including drug
      permeability of the target cell plasma membrane. Ultrasound in combination with
      microbubbles (USMB) is a promising strategy to overcome these limitations. USMB
      treatment elicits enhanced cellular uptake of materials such as drugs, in part as
      a result of sheer stress and formation of transient membrane pores. Pores formed
      upon USMB treatment are rapidly resealed, suggesting that other processes such as
      enhanced endocytosis may contribute to the enhanced material uptake by cells upon
      USMB treatment. How USMB regulates endocytic processes remains incompletely
      understood. Cells constitutively utilize several distinct mechanisms of
      endocytosis, including clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) for the
      internalization of receptor-bound macromolecules such as Transferrin Receptor
      (TfR), and distinct mechanism(s) that mediate the majority of fluid-phase
      endocytosis. Tracking the abundance of TfR on the cell surface and the
      internalization of its ligand transferrin revealed that USMB acutely enhances the
      rate of CME. Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy experiments
      revealed that USMB treatment altered the assembly of clathrin-coated pits, the
      basic structural units of CME. In addition, the rate of fluid-phase endocytosis
      was enhanced, but with delayed onset upon USMB treatment relative to the
      enhancement of CME, suggesting that the two processes are distinctly regulated by
      USMB. Indeed, vacuolin-1 or desipramine treatment prevented the enhancement of
      CME but not of fluid phase endocytosis upon USMB, suggesting that lysosome
      exocytosis and acid sphingomyelinase, respectively, are required for the
      regulation of CME but not fluid phase endocytosis upon USMB treatment. These
      results indicate that USMB enhances both CME and fluid phase endocytosis through
      distinct signaling mechanisms, and suggest that strategies for potentiating the
      enhancement of endocytosis upon USMB treatment may improve targeted drug
      delivery. 

PMID- 27275868
TI  - Effectiveness of a Rapid Lumbar Spine MRI Protocol Using 3D T2-Weighted SPACE
      Imaging Versus a Standard Protocol for Evaluation of Degenerative Changes of the
      Lumbar Spine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Reducing lumbar spine MRI scanning time while retaining diagnostic
      accuracy can benefit patients and reduce health care costs. This study compares
      the effectiveness of a rapid lumbar MRI protocol using 3D T2-weighted sampling
      perfection with application-optimized contrast with different flip-angle
      evolutions (SPACE) sequences with a standard MRI protocol for evaluation of
      lumbar spondylosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred fifty consecutive
      unenhanced lumbar MRI examinations performed at 1.5 T were retrospectively
      reviewed. Full, rapid, and complete versions of each examination were interpreted
      for spondylotic changes at each lumbar level, including herniations and neural
      compromise. The full examination consisted of sagittal T1-weighted, T2-weighted
      turbo spin-echo (TSE), and STIR sequences; and axial T1- and T2-weighted TSE
      sequences (time, 18 minutes 40 seconds). The rapid examination consisted of
      sagittal T1- and T2-weighted SPACE sequences, with axial SPACE reformations
      (time, 8 minutes 46 seconds). The complete examination consisted of the full
      examination plus the T2-weighted SPACE sequence. Sensitivities and specificities
      of the full and rapid examinations were calculated using the complete study as
      the reference standard. RESULTS: The rapid and full studies had sensitivities of
      76.0% and 69.3%, with specificities of 97.2% and 97.9%, respectively, for all
      degenerative processes. Rapid and full sensitivities were 68.7% and 66.3% for
      disk herniation, 85.2% and 81.5% for canal compromise, 82.9% and 69.1% for
      lateral recess compromise, and 76.9% and 69.7% for foraminal compromise,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Isotropic SPACE T2-weighted imaging provides high
      quality imaging of lumbar spondylosis, with multiplanar reformatting capability.
      Our SPACE-based rapid protocol had sensitivities and specificities for
      herniations and neural compromise comparable to those of the protocol without
      SPACE. This protocol fits within a 15-minute slot, potentially reducing costs and
      discomfort for a large subgroup of patients.

PMID- 27275869
TI  - Transition Metal Free Intermolecular Direct Oxidative C-N Bond Formation to
      Polysubstituted Pyrimidines Using Molecular Oxygen as the Sole Oxidant.
AB  - Various polysubstituted pyrimidines are smoothly formed via a base-promoted
      intermolecular oxidation C-N bond formation of allylic C(sp(3))-H and vinylic
      C(sp(2))-H of allyllic compounds with amidines using O2 as the sole oxidant. This
      protocol features protecting group free nitrogen sources, good functional group
      tolerance, high atom economy, and environmental advantages.

PMID- 27275871
TI  - If nursing associates are here to stay, get involved.
AB  - Like the idea or not - and professional opinion appears to be divided - nursing
      associates are coming. It was announced last week that about 1,000 students will
      be enrolled on courses next year, before starting work at a selection of test
      sites that are yet to be identified. 

PMID- 27275870
TI  - Prevalence of Smokeless Tobacco among Low Socioeconomic Populations: A Cross
      Sectional Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cost, social acceptability and non-stringent regulations pertaining
      to smokeless tobacco (SLT) product sales have made people choose and continue
      using SLT. If disaggregated data on smokeless forms and smoked practices of
      tobacco are reviewed, the incidence of SLT remains static. There is a strong
      positive correlation of SLT intake with the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular
      disease, particularly in the low socioeconomic populations. AIMS: To investigate
      the prevalence of smokeless tobacco, its initiation influence and risk factors
      associated with the practice among lower socioeconomic populations of Bangladesh.
      In this study, we explore the utilization of SLT among lower socioeconomic
      populations in industrialized zone of Bangladesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional
      analysis using both quantitative and categorical approaches was employed. Using
      systematic random sampling method, four focus group discussions (FGDs) were
      conducted and 459 participants were interviewed. Multiple logistic regression
      model was applied to distinguish the significant factors among the SLT users.
      RESULTS: Almost fifty percent of the respondents initiated SLT usage at the age
      of 15-24 years and another 22 percent respondents were smoking and using SLT
      concurrently. The bulk of the women respondents used SLT during their pregnancy.
      Nearly twenty five percent of the respondents tried to quit the practice of SLT
      and one-quarter had a plan to quit SLT in the future. More than twenty percent
      respondents were suffering from dental decay. A noteworthy correlation was found
      by gender (p<0.01), sufferings from SLT related disease (p<0.05). The multiple
      logistic regression analysis suggested that, males were 2.7 times more
      knowledgeable than that of females (p<0.01) about the adversative health
      condition of SLT usage. The respondents suffering from SLT related diseases were
      3.7 times as more knowledgeable about the effect of the practice of SLT than the
      respondents without diseases (p<0.01). Regarding the knowledge about the health
      consequences of the practice of SLT, one participant in the FGD session commented
      that "although the mouth is the gateway to health, we infected our mouth by using
      Zarda and Gul". Again, informants opined that peer, family, curiosity and
      hospitality, culture are influencing factors for SLT initiation. CONCLUSION:
      counselling on tobacco, including SLT, health hazards have to be emphasized
      through mass media and it is essential for development of relevant policies and
      communication messages to make people aware of serious health consequences of SLT
      usages.

PMID- 27275872
TI  - Associate role in motion, despite concern over 'nursing on the cheap'.
AB  - Progress towards creating 1,000 nursing associates by 2017 has gathered pace. 

PMID- 27275873
TI  - Belfast gives nurses freedom of the city for work during the Troubles.
AB  - All nurses who have worked or studied in Belfast were granted freedom of the city
      at a ceremony attended by about 300 representatives of the profession. 

PMID- 27275875
TI  - Labour: we'll fight the plan.
AB  - The Labour party has pledged to fight the government every step of the way over
      the scrapping of nursing student bursaries, shadow health secretary Heidi
      Alexander said last week. 

PMID- 27275874
TI  - Loss of bursary 'will lead to staff cuts and debts'.
AB  - Government plans to scrap the bursary for nursing, midwifery and other health
      students could cost the NHS 2,000 recruits a year, a new report warns. 

PMID- 27275876
TI  - Nurses need to be leaders, NMC told.
AB  - Future nurses should be equipped to be experts in the fundamentals of nursing
      care while also demonstrating leadership skills, the Nursing and Midwifery
      Council has been told. 

PMID- 27275878
TI  - 'We couldn't do this without the bursary'.
AB  - Our reporter Hannah Flynn sought out nurses' views at the 'save the bursary'
      lobby in London last week.... 

PMID- 27275877
TI  - Report calls for nurses to have a greater role on governing bodies.
AB  - Nurses need to be seen as more than 'tokenistic' members of clinical
      commissioning group governing bodies, the RCN said. 

PMID- 27275880
TI  - 'Patients with lung conditions should have specialist support'.
AB  - Patients with lung disease must have a nurse specialist to support them, the
      British Lung Foundation says. 

PMID- 27275881
TI  - Be alert to suicide's silent risk factors.
AB  - An apparent absence of suicidal ideas cannot be assumed to show lack of risk, say
      researchers. 

PMID- 27275882
TI  - Hospital staff 'frustrated' at lack of progress on delayed discharge.
AB  - Leading nurses have expressed their frustration at the latest figures revealing
      the scale of delays in discharging older people from hospital. 

PMID- 27275883
TI  - Roald Dahl nurses' rose is a peach.
AB  - A nurse working for Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity launched a new
      rose at Chelsea Flower Show to raise money and mark Dahl's centenary. 

PMID- 27275884
TI  - Effective, safe and affordable - the nurse's dream shopping list.
AB  - A team of nurses is being charged with the task of assessing equipment for cost
      and clinical effectiveness in a bid to improve NHS procurement. 

PMID- 27275885
TI  - Changes in alcohol intake over time found to affect disease risk.
AB  - Post-menopausal woman who drank two extra alcoholic drinks a day over a five-year
      period increased their risk of breast cancer, but reduced their chance of
      developing coronary heart disease, a new study suggests. 

PMID- 27275886
TI  - NHS should carry out more gastric band surgery to help fight obesity and
      diabetes.
AB  - The NHS has been urged to increase the numbers of patients receiving weight loss
      surgery to 50,000 a year, closer to the European average, to boost health and cut
      costs. 

PMID- 27275887
TI  - Morning sickness drug is not linked to increased risk of birth defects.
AB  - A new study has found no evidence of a link between anti-nausea drug Zofran, also
      known as ondansetron, to an increased risk of having a child with birth defects. 

PMID- 27275888
TI  - Lack of compliance with NICE guidance cited for variations in hip fracture
      surgery.
AB  - The use of hip fracture surgery varies widely across England, Wales and Northern
      Ireland, with men and people with high levels of socio-economic deprivation less
      likely to receive it. 

PMID- 27275889
TI  - Breast cancer radiotherapy treatments calculated to have environmental impact.
AB  - Giving radiotherapy during surgery to early-stage breast cancer patients could
      save millions of travel miles and carbon dioxide emissions, according to a study.

PMID- 27275890
TI  - Prostate cancer.
AB  - Essential facts Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland, at the base of the
      bladder in men. It surrounds the first part of the urethra, which carries urine
      from the bladder. The prostate gland helps in the production of semen, which is
      also carried in the urethra. It is the most common cancer in men - one in eight
      will develop it during their lifetime. 

PMID- 27275891
TI  - Autism services 'let people down'.

PMID- 27275892
TI  - New funding cap for cancer drugs.

PMID- 27275894
TI  - Hard to define.
AB  - 'What I do,' said an artist friend, 'is walk away from my picture for a while,
      then come back and turn it sideways and upside down. Then I get a different
      perspective.' 

PMID- 27275893
TI  - Making health a community issue.

PMID- 27275895
TI  - Let's hear it for loans.
AB  - Nursing bursaries. If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what
      we've always got. 

PMID- 27275897
TI  - Only skin deep.
AB  - It is the moment I have been dreading. Janet stares at my face and points to my
      nose. 'I think you'd better get that checked out,' she says. 

PMID- 27275896
TI  - Voices - Jane Cummings believes her new strategy will help nurses lead NHS
      change.
AB  - After an extensive engagement process, last month I launched the new national
      framework for nursing, midwifery and care staff. 

PMID- 27275898
TI  - Readers panel - When the pressure piles up.
AB  - Our experts consider a hot topic of the day. 

PMID- 27275899
TI  - Medicine management.
AB  - I have a patient who would benefit from a medicine not available on the NHS. Is
      there any advice I can give? 

PMID- 27275904
TI  - The best of the week's health-related TV and radio.
AB  - Our roundup of what's on. 

PMID- 27275900
TI  - Starting out - Do not write off a placement before you've given it a chance.
AB  - Never dismiss a placement or take it for granted. We all hear stories about the
      ones we would not want to do at any cost. I've been there. 

PMID- 27275905
TI  - Forest: Stay Focused app.
AB  - Did you know one sixth of smartphone owners check their mobiles 50 times a day?
      The Forest app is clearly aimed at those types of people. 

PMID- 27275906
TI  - Ageist comments by colleagues need to be challenged.
AB  - I was horrified to read about a senior nurse leaving because of colleagues'
      unkind ageist comments in 'Age discrimination by fellow nurses is forcing me to
      leave' (letters, April 27). 

PMID- 27275907
TI  - Action will boost awareness and training on domestic abuse.
AB  - Valid points on the need for nursing students to be able to competently detect
      and assess victims of intimate partner violence were made in Artur Dalfo
      Pibernat's letter in May's issue of Emergency Nurse magazine. 

PMID- 27275908
TI  - This civic honour is just the boost our humble nursing spirits need.
AB  - For the nurses of Belfast, May 25 marked a special occasion as Belfast City
      Council conferred the Freedom of the City award to the RCN and Belfast nurses. 

PMID- 27275910
TI  - Former director of RCN Wales Liz Hewett began at Ty Maeth in 1998.
AB  - Great story in Nursing Standard about the book Nursing Matters, which delves into
      the 50th anniversary of the RCN headquarters in Wales, Ty Maeth (features, May
      18). However, Liz Hewett began working at the RCN in Wales in 1998 - not in 1988
      as stated in the article. 

PMID- 27275911
TI  - Join us on streets to demand our say in decisions on NHS reforms.
AB  - The government knows we have an NHS staffing shortage - that is something we can
      all agree on. It is also their selling point for the removal of NHS bursaries. If
      we introduce a loan system, they say, it will give us an additional 10,000
      training places for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. 

PMID- 27275913
TI  - How to perform digital removal of faeces.
AB  - Rationale and key points This article provides practitioners with information
      about how to perform digital removal of faeces in a safe, effective and patient
      centred manner, promoting privacy and dignity. Passing faecal matter is essential
      to enable the elimination of waste. For some people, however, defecation is not
      possible without some form of intervention; this could be the administration of
      oral medication or an enema, insertion of suppositories or digital removal of
      faeces. ? Bowel care is a fundamental aspect of patient care. ? Digital removal
      of faeces should be performed by a practitioner competent in this skill. ?
      Digital removal of faeces is an invasive procedure and should only be carried out
      when necessary following holistic patient assessment. Reflective activity
      Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains
      evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short
      account of: 1. How you think this article will improve your practice. 2. How the
      patient receiving the care you delivered might have felt. Subscribers can upload
      their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio . 

PMID- 27275912
TI  - Health visitors know the benefits of breastfeeding.
AB  - I find it astonishing that the article promoting health visiting (careers, May 4)
      should portray formula feeding as normal in its accompanying photograph. This
      undermines the individual woman's choice to breastfeed. It also reinforces the
      societal norm of formula feeding. 

PMID- 27275914
TI  - The effect of nursing staff on student learning in the clinical setting.
AB  - Aim To explore baccalaureate nursing students' perspectives of the influence of
      nursing staff on their learning and experience in the clinical setting. Method A
      qualitative description approach was used. Thirty nursing students were
      interviewed individually or in focus groups. Data were analysed using content
      analysis. Four researchers analysed the data separately and agreed on the themes.
      Findings Nursing staff had positive (enabling) and negative (hindering) effects
      on students' clinical learning and socialisation to nursing. Nursing staff may
      encourage and excite students when they behave as positive mentors, facilitators
      and motivators. However, their actions may also have a negative effect on
      students, decreasing their confidence, learning and desire to continue in the
      profession. Conclusion Nursing staff influence student learning. Their actions,
      attitude and willingness to teach are influential factors. The findings have
      implications for patient safety, nurse retention and recruitment, and preparing
      students for professional practice. 

PMID- 27275915
TI  - Moving and handling: reducing risk through assessment.
AB  - Manual handling injuries can occur almost anywhere in a healthcare environment,
      and most staff perform a variety of moving and handling tasks every day. Heavy
      lifting, awkward posture, and previous or existing injury can increase the risk
      of musculoskeletal disorders. A healthcare professional's involvement in moving
      and handling is more widespread than it might appear, and their actions and
      understanding of techniques, legislation and guidelines have a direct effect on
      patient care. Every situation that involves the handling, or partial handling, of
      a person presents varying levels of risk to the patient and the carer.
      Maintaining a good level of patient mobility and independence is an essential
      part of care delivery and can reduce the risk of long-term physical and
      psychological effects. Delivery of care should focus on the individual's
      capacity, not their incapacity, to ensure that they are treated with dignity and
      respect. 

PMID- 27275916
TI  - Pulmonary oedema.
AB  - This informative CPD article on acute pulmonary oedema has improved my knowledge
      of the condition. 

PMID- 27275917
TI  - Be a leading candidate.
AB  - Nerves can take hold and speech become garbled when you are put on the spot.
      Here, we offer expert advice on being the best you can be at a job interview. 

PMID- 27275919
TI  - Dual role in mesothelioma care.
AB  - Mention the word mesothelioma and many nurses will know of someone whose life has
      been affected by this increasingly common cancer. 

PMID- 27275920
TI  - Student life - Professional conduct.
AB  - It is often said that we form assumptions of people within a few minutes of
      meeting. 

PMID- 27275921
TI  - Catalase-Loaded TaOx Nanoshells as Bio-Nanoreactors Combining High-Z Element and
      Enzyme Delivery for Enhancing Radiotherapy.
AB  - A novel type of bio-nanoreactor with catalase loaded inside TaOx hollow
      nanoshells is fabricated via a mild one-step method. Such bio-nanoreactors could
      efficiently improve the tumor oxygenation by supplying oxygen via decomposition
      of endogenic H2 O2 in a tumor microenvironment, and thus synergistically enhance
      the efficacy of cancer radiotherapy by both depositing radiation energy within
      the tumor and overcoming hypoxia-induced radiotherapy resistance. 

PMID- 27275922
TI  - Unilateral Gottron Papules in a Patient Following a Stroke: Clinical Insights
      Into the Disease Mechanisms and Pathophysiology of Cutaneous Dermatomyositis.

PMID- 27275923
TI  - Topical Delivery of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Emtricitabine from Pod
      Intravaginal Rings Protects Macaques from Multiple SHIV Exposures.
AB  - Topical preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV has been marginally successful
      in recent clinical trials with low adherence rates being a primary factor for
      failure. Controlled, sustained release of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs may help
      overcome these low adherence rates if the product is protective for extended
      periods of time. The oral combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and
      emtricitabine (FTC) is currently the only FDA-approved ARV drug for HIV PrEP. A
      novel pod-intravaginal ring (IVR) delivering TDF and FTC at independently
      controlled rates was evaluated for efficacy at preventing SHIV162p3 infection in
      a rigorous, repeat low-dose vaginal exposure model using normally cycling female
      pigtailed macaques. Six macaques received pod-IVRs containing TDF (65 mg) and FTC
      (68 mg) every two weeks, and weekly vaginal exposures to 50 TCID50 of SHIV162p3
      began one week after the first pod-IVR insertion. All pod-IVR-treated macaques
      were fully protected throughout the study (P = 0.0002, Log-rank test), whereas
      all control animals became infected with a median of 4 exposures to infection.
      The topical, sustained release of TDF and FTC from the pod-IVR maintained
      protective drug levels in macaques over four months of virus exposures. This
      novel and versatile delivery system has the capacity to deliver and maintain
      protective levels of multiple drugs and the protection observed here warrants
      clinical evaluation of this pod-IVR design. 

PMID- 27275924
TI  - The Protein Kinase CK2 Mediates Cross-Talk between Auxin- and Salicylic Acid
      Signaling Pathways in the Regulation of PINOID Transcription.
AB  - The protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous and highly conserved enzyme, the activity
      of which is vital for eukaryotic cells. We recently demonstrated that CK2
      modulates salicylic acid (SA) homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana, and that
      functional interplay between CK2 and SA sustains transcriptional expression of
      PIN-FORMED (PIN) genes. In this work, we show that CK2 also plays a key role in
      the transcriptional regulation of PINOID (PID), an AGC protein kinase that
      modulates the apical/basal localization of auxin-efflux transporters. We show
      that PID transcription is up-regulated by auxin and by SA and that CK2 is
      involved in both pathways. On the one hand, CK2 activity is required for
      proteosome-dependent degradation of AXR3, a member of the AUX/IAA family of auxin
      transcriptional repressors that must be degraded to activate auxin-responsive
      gene expression. On the other hand, the role of CK2 in SA homeostasis and,
      indirectly, in SA-driven PID transcription, was confirmed by using Arabidopsis
      NahG transgenic plants, which cannot accumulate SA. In conclusion, our results
      evidence a role for CK2 as a functional link in the negative cross-talk between
      auxin- and SA-signaling. 

PMID- 27275925
TI  - Transcriptome Analysis and Gene Identification in the Pulmonary Artery of
      Broilers with Ascites Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension, also known as Ascites syndrome (AS),
      remains a clinically challenging disease with a large impact on both humans and
      broiler chickens. Pulmonary arterial remodeling presents a key step in the
      development of AS. The precise molecular mechanism of pulmonary artery remodeling
      regulating AS progression remains unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We
      obtained pulmonary arteries from two positive AS and two normal broilers for RNA
      sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis and pathological observation. RNA-seq analysis
      revealed a total of 895 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with
      437 up-regulated and 458 down-regulated genes, which were significantly enriched
      to 12 GO (Gene Ontology) terms and 4 KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and
      Genomes) pathways (Padj<0.05) regulating pulmonary artery remodeling and
      consequently occurrence of AS. These GO terms and pathways include ribosome, Jak
      STAT and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways which regulate pulmonary artery
      remodeling through vascular smooth cell proliferation, inflammation and vascular
      smooth cell proliferation together. Some notable DEGs within these pathways
      included downregulation of genes like RPL 5, 7, 8, 9, 14; upregulation of genes
      such as IL-6, K60, STAT3, STAT5 Pim1 and SOCS3; IKKalpha, IkB, P38, five
      cytokines IL-6, IL8, IL-1beta, IL-18, and MIP-1beta. Six important regulators of
      pulmonary artery vascular remodeling and construction like CYP1B1, ALDH7A1, MYLK,
      CAMK4, BMP7 and INOS were upregulated in the pulmonary artery of AS broilers. The
      pathology results showed that the pulmonary artery had remodeled and become
      thicker in the disease group. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our present data
      suggested some specific components of the complex molecular circuitry regulating
      pulmonary arterial remodeling underlying AS progression in broilers. We revealed
      some valuable candidate genes and pathways that involved in pulmonary artery
      remodeling further contributing to the AS progression.

PMID- 27275926
TI  - Novel Dielectric Coagulometer Identifies Hypercoagulability in Patients with a
      High CHADS2 Score without Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent reports showed that the CHADS2 score predicted the risk of
      strokes in patients without atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the
      hypercoagulability may contribute to the thrombogenesis, it has not been fully
      investigated due to a lack of a sensitive evaluation modality. Recently a novel
      dielectric blood coagulometry (DBCM) was invented for evaluating the
      coagulability by measuring the temporal change in whole blood dielectric
      permittivity. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the utility of the DBCM for identifying the
      coagulability. PATIENTS/METHODS: For fundamental experiments, 133 citrated blood
      samples were drawn from subjects with or without heparin administration. A DBCM
      analysis was performed to find the adequate coagulation index, and to delineate
      its measurement range by adding recombinant human tissue factor (TF) or heparin.
      Then the coagulability was assessed by DBCM and conventional coagulation assays
      in 84 subjects without AF, who were divided into 3 groups by their CHADS2 score.
      Another 17 patients who received warfarin were also assessed by DBCM to evaluate
      the effect of anticoagulants. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We calculated the
      derivative of the dielectric permittivity change after recalcification, and
      extracted the end of acceleration time (EAT) as a novel index. The EAT showed a
      dose-dependent shortening with the addition of serial dilutions of TF (*10-2 to
      *10-4), and a dose-dependent prolongation with the addition of heparin (0.05 to
      0.15 U/ml). The EAT was significantly shorter in the higher CHADS2 score group
      (19.8 +/- 4.8, 18.6 +/- 3.1, and 16.3 +/- 2.7 min in the CHADS2 = 0, 1, and >=2
      groups, respectively, p = 0.0065 by ANOVA). Patients receiving warfarin had a
      significantly more prolonged EAT than those without warfarin (18.6+/-4.2 vs.
      25.8+/-7.3 min, p <0.001). DBCM detected the whole blood coagulability with a
      high sensitivity. Subjects with higher CHADS2 scores exhibited hypercoagulability
      without AF.

PMID- 27275927
TI  - Congenital Lobar Emphysema in an Adult.

PMID- 27275928
TI  - A Critical Evaluation of the Down Syndrome Diagnosis for LB1, Type Specimen of
      Homo floresiensis.
AB  - The Liang Bua hominins from Flores, Indonesia, have been the subject of intense
      scrutiny and debate since their initial description and classification in 2004.
      These remains have been assigned to a new species, Homo floresiensis, with the
      partial skeleton LB1 as the type specimen. The Liang Bua hominins are notable for
      their short stature, small endocranial volume, and many features that appear
      phylogenetically primitive relative to modern humans, despite their late
      Pleistocene age. Recently, some workers suggested that the remains represent
      members of a small-bodied island population of modern Austro-Melanesian humans,
      with LB1 exhibiting clinical signs of Down syndrome. Many classic Down syndrome
      signs are soft tissue features that could not be assessed in skeletal remains.
      Moreover, a definitive diagnosis of Down syndrome can only be made by genetic
      analysis as the phenotypes associated with Down syndrome are variable. Most
      features that contribute to the Down syndrome phenotype are not restricted to
      Down syndrome but are seen in other chromosomal disorders and in the general
      population. Nevertheless, we re-evaluated the presence of those phenotypic
      features used to support this classification by comparing LB1 to samples of
      modern humans diagnosed with Down syndrome and euploid modern humans using
      comparative morphometric analyses. We present new data regarding neurocranial,
      brain, and symphyseal shape in Down syndrome, additional estimates of stature for
      LB1, and analyses of inter- and intralimb proportions. The presence of cranial
      sinuses is addressed using CT images of LB1. We found minimal congruence between
      the LB1 phenotype and clinical descriptions of Down syndrome. We present
      important differences between the phenotypes of LB1 and individuals with Down
      syndrome, and quantitative data that characterize LB1 as an outlier compared with
      Down syndrome and non-Down syndrome groups. Homo floresiensis remains a
      phenotypically unique, valid species with its roots in Plio-Pleistocene Homo
      taxa. 

PMID- 27275929
TI  - Nanoparticulate Mineralized Collagen Scaffolds and BMP-9 Induce a Long-Term Bone
      Cartilage Construct in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
AB  - Engineering the osteochondral junction requires fabrication of a microenvironment
      that supports both osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. Multiphasic scaffold
      strategies utilizing a combination of soluble factors and extracellular matrix
      components are ideally suited for such applications. In this work, the
      contribution of an osteogenic nanoparticulate mineralized glycosaminoglycan
      scaffold (MC-GAG) and a dually chondrogenic and osteogenic growth factor, BMP-9,
      in the differentiation of primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) is
      evaluated. Although 2D cultures demonstrate alkaline phosphatase activity and
      mineralization of hMSCs induced by BMP-9, MC-GAG scaffolds do not demonstrate
      significant differences in the collagen I expression, osteopontin expression, or
      mineralization. Instead, BMP-9 increases expression of collagen II, Sox9,
      aggrecan (ACAN), and cartilage oligomeric protein. However, the hypertrophic
      chondrocyte marker, collagen X, is not elevated with BMP-9 treatment. In
      addition, histologic analyses demonstrate that while BMP-9 does not increase
      mineralization, BMP-9 treatment results in an increase of sulfated
      glycosaminoglycans. Thus, the combination of BMP-9 and MC-GAG stimulates
      chondrocytic and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.

PMID- 27275930
TI  - SIRT1 prevents pulmonary thrombus formation induced by arachidonic acid via
      downregulation of PAF receptor expression in platelets.
AB  - SIRT1, a class III histone deacetylase, is critically involved in cellular
      response to stress and modulates cardiovascular risk factors. However, its role
      in thrombus formation is largely unknown. Thus, this study investigated the
      effect of SIRT1 on pulmonary thrombus formation, and then identified its role in
      the modulation of platelet aggregation. In isolated human platelets, cell
      aggregation was increased by various platelet activators, such as platelet
      activating factor (PAF), arachidonic acid (AA), ADP, and thrombin. AA- and PAF
      mediated platelet aggregations were suppressed by WEB2086, a PAF receptor (PAFR)
      antagonist. Pulmonary thrombus formation induced by PAF or AA was also attenuated
      by WEB2086, suggesting that PAFR plays a key role in AA-induced platelet
      aggregation. In platelets isolated from SIRT1-TG mice as well as in platelets
      treated with resveratrol or reSIRT1, PAFR expression was decreased, whereas this
      expressional downregulation by SIRT1 activators was inhibited in platelets
      treated with MG132 (a proteasome inhibitor) or NH4Cl (a lysosome inhibitor).
      Furthermore, platelet aggregation induced by AA was markedly attenuated by
      resveratrol and reSIRT1. Likewise, the increased pulmonary thrombus formation in
      mice treated with AA was also attenuated by SIRT1 activators. In line with these
      results, pulmonary thrombus formation was markedly attenuated in SIRT1-TG mice.
      Taken together, this study showed that SIRT1 downregulates PAFR expression on
      platelets via proteasomal and lysosomal pathways, and that this downregulation
      inhibits platelet aggregation in vitro and pulmonary thrombus formation in vivo.

PMID- 27275931
TI  - Unlikely Fluctuations and Non-Equilibrium Work Theorems-A Simple Example.
AB  - An exciting development in statistical mechanics has been the elucidation of a
      series of surprising equalities involving the work done during a nonequilibrium
      process. Astumian has presented an elegant example of such an equality, involving
      a colloidal particle undergoing Brownian motion in the presence of gravity. We
      analyze this example; its simplicity, and its link to geometric Brownian motion,
      allows us to clarify the inner workings of the equality. Our analysis explicitly
      shows the important role played by large, unlikely fluctuations.

PMID- 27275932
TI  - Correlation of In Vivo and In Vitro Assay Results for Assessment of Free Radical
      Scavenging Activity of Green Tea Nutraceuticals.
AB  - Green tea (GT)-derived catechins; epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in particular
      are commonly used nutraceuticals for their free-radical scavenging activity
      (FRSA). The influence of photodegradation on the protective power of GT
      nutracenticals against oxidative stress was thoroughly explored. Photodegradation
      of GT extracts was carried out and monitored using orthogonal stability
      indicating testing protocol; in vitro and in vivo assays. Total polyphenol
      content (TPC) and FRSA were determined spectrophotometrically while EGCG was
      selectively monitored using SPE-HPLC. In vivo assessment of photodegraded samples
      was investigated via measuring a number of biomarkers for hepatic oxidative
      stress and apoptosis (caspase-3, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide,
      mitogen-activated protein kinase, glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactive
      substances, nuclear factor kappa beta, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related
      factor) as well as liver damage (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase)
      in serum of rats previously subjected to oxidative stress. Results showed
      complete degradation of EGCG in photodegraded green tea samples with no
      correlation with either TPC or FRSA. On the other hand, in vivo assay results
      revealed not only loss of activity but formation of harmful pro-oxidants.
      Photostability was found crucial for the protective effect of GT extract against
      lead acetate insult. Results confirmed that careful design of quality control
      protocols requires correlation of chemical assays to bioassays to verify
      efficacy, stability, and most importantly safety of nutraceuticals. 

PMID- 27275933
TI  - Improving your care of patients with spinal cord injury/disease.
AB  - Ninety percent of patients with spinal cord injury/disease identify FPs as their
      "regular doctors." So what can you do to keep them healthy and out of the
      hospital?

PMID- 27275934
TI  - Diabetes update: Your guide to the latest ADA standards.
AB  - The authors highlight the latest changes in the ADA standards and review
      recommendations of particular relevance for family physicians.

PMID- 27275935
TI  - Is platelet-rich plasma right for your patient?
AB  - Many pro athletes claim that platelet-rich plasma has improved their performance
      and saved their careers. But is it right for your patients? And if so, which
      ones?

PMID- 27275936
TI  - Increased syncopal episodes post surgery . Dx?
AB  - This case demonstrates that non-massive PE can present as vasovagal syncope.
      Recognizing that PE could lead to reflex-mediated syncope in the absence of
      massive emboli, it is important to rule it out in the evaluation of patients with
      vasovagal syncope when risk factors for PE are present.

PMID- 27275937
TI  - 8 USPSTF recommendations FPs need to know about.
AB  - Treat high blood pressure only if measurements taken outside of the office
      confirm an initial high BP reading . Screen blood-glucose levels in
      overweight/obese individuals 40 to 70 years old . and more.

PMID- 27275939
TI  - Elderly woman with sharp shoulder pain.
AB  - The patient denied recent trauma or any heavy lifting, but she'd lost 10 pounds
      over the previous month. What was causing her shoulder pain?

PMID- 27275938
TI  - PURLs: "Go low" or say "No" to aggressive systolic BP goals?
AB  - The SPRINT trial demonstrated the benefits--and risks--of reaching a systolic
      target <120 mm Hg in non-diabetic patients at high risk for CV events. Here's who
      might benefit.

PMID- 27275940
TI  - Help Desk Answers: Do corticosteroids reduce bronchiolitis hospitalizations?
AB  - Corticosteroids alone don't decrease hospital admissions or length of stay among
      children with bronchiolitis. Combining oral dexamethasone and inhaled epinephrine
      appears to prevent one hospital admission for every 11 patients treated.

PMID- 27275941
TI  - A valuable string of PURLs.
AB  - To qualify as a PURL, a study had to meet 6 criteria. It had to be scientifically
      valid, relevant to family medicine, applicable in a medical care setting,
      immediately implementable, clinically meaningful, and practice changing. These
      criteria still stand today.

PMID- 27275942
TI  - Clinical Inquiry: Which nonhormonal treatments are effective for hot flashes?
AB  - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs [fluoxetine, sertraline,
      paroxetine]) and the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)
      venlafaxine, as well as clonidine and gabapentin, reduce hot flashes by about 25%
      (approximately one per day) in women with and without a history of breast cancer.
      No studies compare medications against each other to determine a single best
      option.

PMID- 27275943
TI  - Painful, swollen, oozing right great toe.
AB  - We initially suspected septic arthritis or osteomyelitis in this patient. Further
      investigation proved it was neither.

PMID- 27275945
TI  - Differences in Pediatric Pain Management by Unit Types.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine differences in pediatric pain
      management by unit type in hospitals across the United States. The aims were to
      (a) compare unit-type rates of assessment, intervention, and reassessment (AIR),
      and (b) describe differences in assessment tools and intervention use by unit
      type. DESIGN: The study used a cross-sectional design. A secondary analysis of
      2013 data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI(r))
      pain AIR cycle indicator was conducted. The sample included 984 pediatric units
      in 390 hospitals. METHODS: Data were gathered via retrospective chart review on
      the pain assessment tool used, presence of pain, interventions, and reassessment.
      Descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance test
      were conducted. Post-hoc analyses included the Wilcoxon-rank sum test with
      Bonferroni correction. FINDINGS: Across all units the mean unit-level percentage
      of patients assessed for pain was 99.6%. Of those patients assessed, surgical
      units had the highest average unit-level percentage of patients with pain, while
      Level 4 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) had the lowest. The most commonly
      used assessment tool among all units was the Faces, Legs, Activity, Crying, and
      Consolability (FLACC) Scale. The Neonatal Pain, Agitation, and Sedation Scale (N
      PASS) and Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) specifically developed for infants
      were more commonly used across NICU unit types. The mean unit-level percentage of
      patients with pain receiving an intervention was 89.4%, and reassessment was
      83.6%. Overall, pharmacologic methods were the most common pain intervention,
      while music was the least common. CONCLUSIONS: Assessments were performed
      routinely, yet interventions and reassessments were not. Pain AIR cycle
      completion varied by unit type. Pain was also widely present across many unit
      types, and pharmacologic methods were most frequently used. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
      Frontline nurses are instrumental to pain management and have the ability to
      improve patient care and outcomes by effectively managing pain. A comprehensive
      understanding of it provides valuable insight into improving our practice to
      produce the best outcomes for pediatric patients.

PMID- 27275944
TI  - Phenol-Soluble Modulins Contribute to Early Sepsis Dissemination Not Late Local
      USA300-Osteomyelitis Severity in Rabbits.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In bone and joint infections (BJIs), bacterial toxins are major
      virulence factors: Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) expression leads to severe
      local damage, including bone distortion and abscesses, while alpha-hemolysin
      (Hla) production is associated with severe sepsis-related mortality. Recently,
      other toxins, namely phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) expressed by community
      associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) strain USA300
      (LAC WT) were shown to have ex vivo intracellular cytotoxic activity after S.
      aureus invasion of osteoblasts, but their in vivo contribution in a relatively
      PVL-sensitive osteomyelitis model remains poorly elucidated. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We compared the outcomes of experimental rabbit osteomyelitises induced
      with pvl+hla+psms+ LAC WT and its isogenic Deltapsm derivatives (LAC
      Deltapsmalpha and LAC Deltapsmalphabetahld) using an inoculum of 3 * 108 CFUs.
      Mortality, hematogenous spread (blood culture, spleen and kidney), lung and bone
      involvements were assessed in two groups (non-survivors of severe sepsis and
      survivors sacrificed on day (D) 14). RESULTS: Severe sepsis-related mortality
      tended to be lower for Deltapsm derivatives (Kaplan-Meier curves, P = .06). Non
      survivors' bone LAC-Deltapsmalpha (6.9 log10 CFUs/g of bone, P = .04) or 
      Deltapsmalphabetahld (6.86 log10 CFUs/g of bone, P = .014) densities were
      significantly higher than LAC WT (6.43 log10 CFUs/g of bone). Conversely, lung
      Deltapsmalphabetahld CFUs were significantly lower than LAC WT (P = .04). LAC
      Deltapsmalpha, Deltapsmalphabetahld and WT induced similar bone damage in D14
      survivors, with comparable bacterial densities (respectively: 5.89, 5.91, and
      6.15 log10 CFUs/g of bone). Meanwhile, pulmonary histological scores of
      inflammation were significantly higher for LAC Deltapsmalpha- and
      Deltapsmalphabetahld-infected rabbits compared to LAC WT (P = .04 and .01,
      respectively) but with comparable lung bacterial densities. CONCLUSION: Our
      experimental results showed that deactivating PSM peptides significantly limited
      bacterial dissemination from bone during the early phase of infection, but did
      not affect local severity of USA300 rabbit osteomyelitis.

PMID- 27275946
TI  - Discovery of the Potent and Selective M1 PAM-Agonist N-[(3R,4S)-3
      Hydroxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl]-5-methyl-4-[4-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)benzyl]pyridine
      2-carboxamide (PF-06767832): Evaluation of Efficacy and Cholinergic Side Effects.
AB  - It is hypothesized that selective muscarinic M1 subtype activation could be a
      strategy to provide cognitive benefits to schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease
      patients while minimizing the cholinergic side effects observed with nonselective
      muscarinic orthosteric agonists. Selective activation of M1 with a positive
      allosteric modulator (PAM) has emerged as a new approach to achieve selective M1
      activation. This manuscript describes the development of a series of M1-selective
      pyridone and pyridine amides and their key pharmacophores. Compound 38 (PF
      06767832) is a high quality M1 selective PAM that has well-aligned
      physicochemical properties, good brain penetration and pharmacokinetic
      properties. Extensive safety profiling suggested that despite being devoid of
      mAChR M2/M3 subtype activity, compound 38 still carries gastrointestinal and
      cardiovascular side effects. These data provide strong evidence that M1
      activation contributes to the cholinergic liabilities that were previously
      attributed to activation of the M2 and M3 receptors.

PMID- 27275947
TI  - Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ) for Brazilian Patients: Cross
      Cultural Adaptation and Validation Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Appetite and symptoms, conditions generally reported by the patients
      with cancer, are somewhat challenging for professionals to measure directly in
      clinical routine (latent conditions). Therefore, specific instruments are
      required for this purpose. This study aimed to perform a cultural adaptation of
      the Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ), into Portuguese and
      evaluate its psychometric properties on a sample of Brazilian cancer patients.
      METHODS: This is a validation study with Brazilian cancer patients. The face,
      content, and construct (factorial and convergent) validities of the Cancer
      Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire, the study tool, were estimated. Further, a
      confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted. The ratio of chi-square and
      degrees of freedom (chi2/df), comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index
      (GFI) and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were used for fit model
      assessment. In addition, the reliability of the instrument was estimated using
      the composite reliability (CR) and Cronbach's alpha coefficient (alpha), and the
      invariance of the model in independent samples was estimated by a multigroup
      analysis (Deltachi2). RESULTS: Participants included 1,140 cancer patients with a
      mean age of 53.95 (SD = 13.25) years; 61.3% were women. After the CFA of the
      original CASQ structure, 2 items with inadequate factor weights were removed.
      Four correlations between errors were included to provide adequate fit to the
      sample (chi2/df = 8.532, CFI = .94, GFI = .95, and RMSEA = .08). The model
      exhibited a low convergent validity (AVE = .32). The reliability was adequate (CR
      = .82 alpha = .82). The refined model showed strong invariance in two independent
      samples (Deltachi2: lambda: p = .855; i: p = .824; Res: p = .390). A weak
      stability was obtained between patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy
      (Deltachi2: lambda: p = .155; i: p < .001; Res: p < .001), and between patients
      undergoing chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and palliative care
      (Deltachi2: lambda: p = .058; i: p < .001; Res: p < .001). CONCLUSION: The
      Portuguese version of the CASQ had good face and construct validity and
      reliability. However, the CASQ still presented invariance in independent samples
      of Brazilian patients with cancer. However, the tool has low convergent validity
      and weak invariance in samples with different treatments.

PMID- 27275948
TI  - Why Patients Delay Their First Contact with Health Services After Stroke? A
      Qualitative Focus Group-Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite national and local French information campaigns, when acute
      stroke occurs, waiting times before calling mobile emergency medical services
      (EMS) to receive appropriate treatment (i.e. thrombolysis) and decrease the risk
      of physical disability, remain long. We aimed to identify the representations of
      stroke in the general population and to determine barriers to and facilitators
      for rapidly contacting EMS. METHOD: We conducted a qualitative study among the
      general population with 10 focus groups, 5 comprising employed people (N = 29)
      and 5 comprising retirees (N = 32). The themes discussed were general knowledge
      about stroke and its risk factors, symptoms, appropriate management and the
      awareness that stroke is an emergency issue. RESULTS: In addition to a lack of
      knowledge about stroke, other barriers to rapidly contacting the EMS were
      difficulties in recognizing symptoms and understanding that these symptoms
      constitute an emergency. Furthermore, when faced with stroke, a feeling of
      inevitability and fatalism about the consequences of a stroke was highlighted.
      Participants were unaware of the existence of an effective treatment and they
      mistrusted medical competences. Finally, we found a strong presence and
      participant appreciation of common knowledge, resulting in the sharing of
      experiences of stroke. This could partly compensate for the lack of specific
      knowledge about symptom recognition and appropriate action. CONCLUSION:
      Information campaigns should not only inform the public about stroke symptoms in
      order to ensure people act appropriately, but should also focus on increasing
      public awareness about the fact that an effective treatment exists.

PMID- 27275950
TI  - Two-Dimensional Titanium Carbide MXene As a Cathode Material for Hybrid
      Magnesium/Lithium-Ion Batteries.
AB  - As an alternative to pure lithium-ion, Li+, systems, a hybrid magnesium, Mg2+,
      and Li+ battery can potentially combine the high capacity, high voltage, and fast
      Li+ intercalation of Li-ion battery cathodes and the high capacity, low cost, and
      dendrite-free Mg metal anodes. Herein, we report on the use of two-dimensional
      titanium carbide, Ti3C2Tx (MXene), as a cathode in hybrid Mg2+/Li+ batteries,
      coupled with a Mg metal anode. Free-standing and flexible Ti3C2Tx/carbon nanotube
      composite "paper" delivered ~100 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C and ~50 mAh g-1 at 10 C. At 1 C
      the capacity was maintained for >500 cycles at 80 mAh g-1. The Mo2CTx MXene also
      demonstrated good performance as a cathode material in this hybrid battery.
      Considering the variety of available MXenes, this work opens the door for
      exploring a new large family of 2D materials with high electrical conductivity
      and large intercalation capacity as cathodes for hybrid Mg2+/Li+ batteries.

PMID- 27275949
TI  - 207-nm UV Light-A Promising Tool for Safe Low-Cost Reduction of Surgical Site
      Infections. II: In-Vivo Safety Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: UVC light generated by conventional germicidal lamps is a well
      established anti-microbial modality, effective against both bacteria and viruses.
      However, it is a human health hazard, being both carcinogenic and cataractogenic.
      Earlier studies showed that single-wavelength far-UVC light (207 nm) generated by
      excimer lamps kills bacteria without apparent harm to human skin tissue in vitro.
      The biophysical explanation is that, due to its extremely short range in
      biological material, 207 nm UV light cannot penetrate the human stratum corneum
      (the outer dead-cell skin layer, thickness 5-20 MUm) nor even the cytoplasm of
      individual human cells. By contrast, 207 nm UV light can penetrate bacteria and
      viruses because these cells are physically much smaller. AIMS: To test the
      biophysically-based hypothesis that 207 nm UV light is not cytotoxic to exposed
      mammalian skin in vivo. METHODS: Hairless mice were exposed to a bactericidal UV
      fluence of 157 mJ/cm2 delivered by a filtered Kr-Br excimer lamp producing
      monoenergetic 207-nm UV light, or delivered by a conventional 254-nm UV
      germicidal lamp. Sham irradiations constituted the negative control. Eight
      relevant cellular and molecular damage endpoints including epidermal hyperplasia,
      pre-mutagenic UV-associated DNA lesions, skin inflammation, and normal cell
      proliferation and differentiation were evaluated in mice dorsal skin harvested 48
      h after UV exposure. RESULTS: While conventional germicidal UV (254 nm) exposure
      produced significant effects for all the studied skin damage endpoints, the same
      fluence of 207 nm UV light produced results that were not statistically
      distinguishable from the zero exposure controls. CONCLUSIONS: As predicted by
      biophysical considerations and in agreement with earlier in vitro studies, 207-nm
      light does not appear to be significantly cytotoxic to mouse skin. These results
      suggest that excimer-based far-UVC light could potentially be used for its anti
      microbial properties, but without the associated hazards to skin of conventional
      germicidal UV lamps.

PMID- 27275951
TI  - Poly(1,3-propylene sebacate) and Poly(sebacoyl diglyceride): A Pair of Potential
      Polymers for the Proliferation and Differentiation of Retinal Progenitor Cells.
AB  - Using suitable polymers as a carrier for growing and delivering retinal
      progenitor cells (RPCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy in retinal cell
      replacement therapy. Herein recently developed polymer, poly(sebacoyl
      diglyceride) (PSeD), is selected and its nonhydroxylized counterpart poly(1,3
      propylene sebacate) (PPS) is designed to evaluate their potentials for RPC growth
      and future RPC application. The structures and mechanical properties of the
      polymers are characterized. The cytocompatibility and effects of these polymers
      on RPC proliferation, differentiation, and migration are systematically
      investigated in vitro. Our data show that PPS and PSeD display excellent
      cytocompatibility with low expression of inflammation and apoptosis factors,
      which benefit RPC growth. In proliferation assays reveal that RPCs expands well
      on the polymers, but PPS performs the best for RPC expansion, indicating that PPS
      can remarkably promote RPC proliferation. In differentiation conditions, RPCs
      grown on PSeD are more likely to differentiate toward retinal neurons, including
      photoreceptors, the most interesting type of cells for retinal cell-replacement
      therapy. Additionally, our results demonstrate that RPCs grown on PSeD display an
      outstanding ability to migrate. In conclusion, PPS can markedly promote RPC
      proliferation, whereas PSeD can enhance RPC differentiation toward retinal
      neurons, suggesting that PSeD and PPS have potential applications in future
      retinal cell-replacement therapies.

PMID- 27275952
TI  - High sensitivity plasmonic biosensor based on nanoimprinted quasi 3D nanosquares
      for cell detection.
AB  - Quasi three-dimensional (3D) plasmonic nanostructures consisting of Au
      nanosquares on top of SU-8 nanopillars and Au nanoholes on the bottom were
      developed and fabricated using nanoimprint lithography with simultaneous thermal
      and UV exposure. These 3D plasmonic nanostructures were used to detect cell
      concentration of lung cancer A549 cells, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells,
      and breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Nanoimprint technology has the advantage of
      producing high uniformity plasmonic nanostructures for such biosensors. Multiple
      resonance modes were observed in these quasi 3D plasmonic nanostructures. The
      hybrid coupling of localized surface plasmon resonances and Fabry-Perot cavity
      modes in the quasi 3D nanostructures resulted in high sensitivity of 496
      nm/refractive index unit. The plasmonic resonance peak wavelength and sensitivity
      could be tuned by varying the Au thickness. Resonance peak shifts for different
      cells at the same concentration were distinct due to their different cell area
      and confluency. The cell concentration detection limit covered a large range of 5
      * 10(2) to 1 * 10(7) cells ml(-1) with these new plasmonic nanostructures. They
      also provide a large resonance peak shift of 51 nm for as little as 0.08 cells
      mm(-2) of RPE cells for high sensitivity cell detection. 

PMID- 27275953
TI  - The Association of Metabolic Syndrome with Diabetic Retinopathy: The Korean
      National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2012.
AB  - AIMS: To explore gender differences and associations between metabolic syndrome
      (MetS) and its components, and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Korean adults aged 40
      years and older with diabetes. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Korean National
      Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008-2012). In total, 2,576 type 2
      diabetic participants, aged 40 and older, were evaluated. Seven standard retinal
      fundus photographs were obtained after pupil dilation in both eyes. DR was graded
      using the modified Airlie House classification system. Vision-threatening
      diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) included proliferative diabetic retinopathy and
      clinically significant macular edema. MetS was defined according to the Joint
      Interim Statement, proposed in 2009, by the International Diabetes Federation and
      the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
      Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship
      between MetS and its individual components with DR and VTDR. RESULTS: After
      controlling for confounders, MetS was not associated with DR in men or women.
      Moreover, the risk for DR or VTDR did not increase with increasing MetS
      components. However, high waist circumference was significantly inversely
      associated with VTDR (adjusted odds ratio = 0.36; 95% confidence interval = 0.14
      0.93) only in men. CONCLUSIONS: MetS was not associated with DR or VTDR in a
      Korean diabetic population. However, among MetS components, it seems that
      abdominal obesity was inversely associated with VTDR in Korean diabetic men.

PMID- 27275954
TI  - Two-thirds of adolescents who received active perinatal care after extremely
      preterm birth had mild or no disabilities.
AB  - AIM: Active perinatal care (APC) increases the survival of extremely preterm
      (EPT) infants, but may increase the rate of disabilities. We examined
      neurodevelopmental outcomes in adolescents aged 10-15 years who were born EPT and
      received APC in two Swedish tertiary care centres. METHODS: Cognitive function
      was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, and neurosensory
      impairments were assessed by reviewing the case records and a standard parent
      health questionnaire. The outcomes were compared to term-born controls. RESULTS:
      We assessed 132 EPT adolescents and 103 controls. The rates of cerebral palsy,
      moderate to severe visual impairment and moderate to severe hearing impairment
      were 9%, 4% and 6%, respectively, for the EPT children and zero for the controls.
      Serious cognitive impairment was present in 31% of the EPT adolescents and 5% of
      the controls. Combining impairments across domains showed that 34% of EPT
      adolescents had moderate and severe disabilities compared with 5% of the
      controls. Impairments were more common at 23-24 weeks of gestational age (43%)
      than at 25 weeks (28.4%). CONCLUSION: Two-thirds (66%) of adolescents born EPT
      who received APC had mild or no disabilities. Our results are relevant for
      healthcare providers and clinicians counselling families.

PMID- 27276000
TI  - Donor/Acceptor-Stabilized 1-Silaketene: Reversible [2+2] Cycloaddition with
      Pyridine and Evolution by an Olefin Metathesis Reaction.
AB  - The reaction of silacyclopropylidene 1 with benzaldehyde generates a 1-silaketene
      complex 2 by a formal atomic silicon insertion into the C=O bond of the aldehyde.
      The highly reactive 1-silaketene 2 undergoes a reversible [2+2] cycloaddition
      with pyridine to give sila-beta-lactam 3. Of particular interest, in the presence
      of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), 1-silaketene complex 2 evolves through an
      intramolecular olefin metathesis reaction, generating a new 1-silaketene complex
      8 and cis-stilbene. Theoretical studies suggest that the reaction proceeds
      through the formation of a transient silacyclobutanone, a four-membered-ring
      intermediate, similar to that proposed by Chauvin and co-workers for the
      transition-metal-based olefin metathesis. 

PMID- 27276001
TI  - Therapeutic Advances in Localized Pancreatic Cancer.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: It is estimated that pancreatic cancer (PC) will become the second
      leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States by 2030. OBSERVATIONS:
      Clinical and preclinical data support the understanding that PC metastases occur
      early in the pathogenesis of this disease, even before the primary tumor can be
      detected. This has important implications for the clinical management of patients
      with localized PC, as surgery alone is unlikely to be curative for most patients.
      The delivery of postoperative adjuvant therapy is problematic in this disease
      because of the magnitude of the operation needed to remove the primary tumor,
      which can affect patient recovery and delay (sometimes indefinitely) the delivery
      of systemic therapy. For these reasons, the use of chemotherapy and/or
      chemoradiation prior to surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) is increasingly recognized
      as the preferred strategy for treatment sequencing. Neoadjuvant therapy is
      recommended for patients with borderline resectable PC and, at some centers,
      neoadjuvant therapy has been extended to patients with resectable PC as well.
      Importantly, therapeutic advances in multidrug systemic therapy and radiation
      therapy have already been adopted in the neoadjuvant setting where treatment
      toxicity will not be compounded by surgical recovery. In addition, the use of
      local-regional therapies in highly selected patients with locally advanced PC,
      following a prolonged period of induction systemic therapy, will be an area of
      intense scrutiny. Future improvements in diagnostic biomarkers may allow for real
      time sequencing of multimodality therapy for individual patients based on a more
      accurate and timely assessment of treatment response. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Neoadjuvant treatment sequencing allows patients to receive multimodality therapy
      in a manner that prioritizes early exposure to systemic therapy to maximize the
      treatment of micrometastatic disease in an immune-competent host prior to
      surgical intervention. Patients who complete all intended neoadjuvant therapy,
      including surgery, experience an overall survival benefit that is unmatched by a
      surgery-first approach.

PMID- 27276002
TI  - Longitudinal Analysis of Gender Differences in Academic Productivity Among
      Medical Faculty Across 24 Medical Schools in the United States.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine gender differences in academic productivity, as indicated by
      publications and federal grant funding acquisition, among a longitudinal cohort
      of medical faculty from 24 U.S. medical schools, 1995 to 2012-2013. METHOD: Data
      for this research were taken from the National Faculty Survey involving a survey
      with medical faculty recruited from medical schools in 1995, and followed up in
      2012-2013. Data included surveys and publication and grant funding databases.
      Outcomes were number of publications, h-index, and principal investigator on a
      federal grant in the prior two years. Gender differences were assessed using
      negative binomial regression models for publication and h-index outcomes, and
      logistic regression for the grant funding outcome; analyses adjusted for
      race/ethnicity, rank, specialty area, and years since first academic appointment.
      RESULTS: Data were available for 1,244 of the 1,275 (98%) subjects eligible for
      the follow-up study. Men were significantly more likely than women to be
      married/partnered, have children, and hold the rank of professor (P < .0001).
      Adjusted regression models documented that women had a lower rate of publication
      (relative number = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.63, 0.81; P < .0001) and h-index (relative
      number = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.73, 0.90; P < .0001) relative to men, but there was no
      gender difference in grant funding. CONCLUSIONS: Women faculty acquired federal
      funding at similar rates as male faculty, yet lagged behind in terms of
      publications and their impact. Medical academia must consider how to help address
      ongoing gender disparities in publication records.

PMID- 27276003
TI  - Analysis of National Institutes of Health R01 Application Critiques, Impact, and
      Criteria Scores: Does the Sex of the Principal Investigator Make a Difference?
AB  - PURPOSE: Prior text analysis of R01 critiques suggested that female applicants
      may be disadvantaged in National Institutes of Health (NIH) peer review,
      particularly for renewals. NIH altered its review format in 2009. The authors
      examined R01 critiques and scoring in the new format for differences due to
      principal investigator (PI) sex. METHOD: The authors analyzed 739 critiques-268
      from 88 unfunded and 471 from 153 funded applications for grants awarded to 125
      PIs (76 males, 49 females) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison between 2010
      and 2014. The authors used seven word categories for text analysis: ability,
      achievement, agentic, negative evaluation, positive evaluation, research, and
      standout adjectives. The authors used regression models to compare priority and
      criteria scores, and results from text analysis for differences due to PI sex and
      whether the application was for a new (Type 1) or renewal (Type 2) R01. RESULTS:
      Approach scores predicted priority scores for all PIs' applications (P < .001),
      but scores and critiques differed significantly for male and female PIs' Type 2
      applications. Reviewers assigned significantly worse priority, approach, and
      significance scores to female than male PIs' Type 2 applications, despite using
      standout adjectives (e.g., "outstanding," "excellent") and making references to
      ability in more critiques (P < .05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: The
      authors' analyses suggest that subtle gender bias may continue to operate in the
      post-2009 NIH review format in ways that could lead reviewers to implicitly hold
      male and female applicants to different standards of evaluation, particularly for
      R01 renewals.

PMID- 27276004
TI  - Is Science Built on the Shoulders of Women? A Study of Gender Differences in
      Contributorship.
AB  - PURPOSE: Women remain underrepresented in the production of scientific
      literature, and relatively little is known regarding the labor roles played by
      women in the production of knowledge. This study examined labor roles by gender
      using contributorship data from science and medical journals published by the
      Public Library of Science (PLOS), which require each author to indicate their
      contribution to one or more of the following tasks: (1) analyzed the data, (2)
      conceived and designed the experiments, (3) contributed
      reagents/materials/analysis tools, (4) performed the experiments, and (5) wrote
      the paper. METHOD: The authors analyzed contribution data from more than 85,000
      articles published between 2008 and 2013 in PLOS journals with respect to gender
      using both descriptive and regression analyses. RESULTS: Gender was a significant
      variable in determining the likelihood of performing a certain task associated
      with authorship. Women were significantly more likely to be associated with
      performing experiments, and men were more likely to be associated with all other
      authorship roles. This holds true controlling for academic age: Although
      experimentation was associated with academically younger scholars, the gap
      between male and female contribution to this task remained constant across
      academic age. Inequalities were observed in the distribution of scientific labor
      roles. CONCLUSIONS: These disparities have implications for the production of
      scholarly knowledge, the evaluation of scholars, and the ethical conduct of
      science. Adopting the practice of identifying contributorship rather than
      authorship in scientific journals will allow for greater transparency,
      accountability, and equitable allocation of resources.

PMID- 27276005
TI  - Factors Associated With Attainment of Specialty Board Qualifications and Doctor
      of Medical Science Degrees Among Japanese Female Doctors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Specialty board qualifications or doctor of medical science (DMSc)
      degrees are essential for women's promotion to leadership positions in medicine
      in Japan. The authors examined what personal and professional characteristics of
      female doctors were associated with attainment of specialty board qualifications
      and DMSc degrees. METHOD: This study was based on alumnae surveys of 13 private
      medical schools in Japan conducted from 2009 to 2011 and investigating 882
      alumnae who had at least one child (mean age 47 years). Multinomial logistic
      regression models were applied to investigate factors associated with attainment
      of specialty board qualifications alone, DMSc degrees alone, and both, compared
      with attainment of neither specialty board qualifications nor DMSc degrees.
      RESULTS: In total, 34% of the sample obtained both specialty board qualifications
      and DMSc degrees, 33% obtained specialty board qualifications only, 9% obtained
      DMSc degrees only, and 24% obtained neither. A one-year increase in age at the
      time of first birth was associated with an increased likelihood of attaining a
      specialty board qualification and/or a DMSc versus having neither qualification
      (P < .0001). Women who resigned from their jobs instead of taking maternity leave
      at the time of first childbirth had a significantly lower likelihood ratio of
      obtaining specialty board qualifications either alone or in conjunction with DMSc
      degrees (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Earlier age and job resignation at the time of
      first childbirth among physician-mothers in Japan were associated with failure to
      attain specialty board qualifications and DMSc degrees, with important
      implications for future career advancement.

PMID- 27276006
TI  - Using Qualitative Research as a Means to an Effective Survey Instrument.

PMID- 27276007
TI  - Inequities in Academic Compensation by Gender: A Follow-up to the National
      Faculty Survey Cohort Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated gender differences in salaries
      within academic medicine. No research has assessed longitudinal compensation
      patterns. This study sought to assess longitudinal patterns by gender in
      compensation, and to understand factors associated with these differences in a
      longitudinal cohort. METHOD: A 17-year longitudinal follow-up of the National
      Faculty Survey was conducted with a random sample of faculty from 24 U.S. medical
      schools. Participants employed full-time at initial and follow-up time periods
      completed the survey. Annual pretax compensation during academic year 2012-2013
      was compared by gender. Covariates assessed included race/ethnicity; years since
      first academic appointment; retention in academic career; academic rank;
      departmental affiliation; percent effort distribution across clinical, teaching,
      administrative, and research duties; marital and parental status; and any leave
      or part-time status in the years between surveys. RESULTS: In unadjusted
      analyses, women earned a mean of $20,520 less than men (P = .03); women made 90
      cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. This difference was
      reduced to $16,982 (P = .04) after adjusting for covariates. The mean difference
      of $15,159 was no longer significant (P = .06) when adjusting covariates and for
      those who had ever taken a leave or worked part-time. CONCLUSIONS: The continued
      gender gap in compensation cannot be accounted for by metrics used to calculate
      salary. Institutional actions to address these disparities include both initial
      appointment and annual salary equity reviews, training of senior faculty and
      administrators to understand implicit bias, and training of women faculty in
      negotiating skills.

PMID- 27276008
TI  - An Integrated Framework for Gender Equity in Academic Medicine.
AB  - In 2008, the National Institutes of Health funded 14 R01 grants to study causal
      factors that promote and support women's biomedical careers. The Research
      Partnership on Women in Biomedical Careers, a multi-institutional collaboration
      of the investigators, is one product of this initiative.A comprehensive framework
      is needed to address change at many levels-department, institution, academic
      community, and beyond-and enable gender equity in the development of successful
      biomedical careers. The authors suggest four distinct but interrelated aspects of
      culture conducive to gender equity: equal access to resources and opportunities,
      minimizing unconscious gender bias, enhancing work-life balance, and leadership
      engagement. They review the collection of eight articles in this issue, which
      each address one or more of the four dimensions of culture. The articles suggest
      that improving mentor-mentee fit, coaching grant reviewers on unconscious bias,
      and providing equal compensation and adequate resources for career development
      will contribute positively to gender equity in academic medicine.Academic
      medicine must adopt an integrated perspective on culture for women and
      acknowledge the multiple facets essential to gender equity. To effect change,
      culture must be addressed both within and beyond academic health centers (AHCs).
      Leaders within AHCs must examine their institutions' processes, resources, and
      assessment for fairness and transparency; mobilize personnel and financial
      resources to implement evidence-based initiatives; and assign accountability for
      providing transparent progress assessments. Beyond AHCs, organizations must
      examine their operations and implement change to ensure parity of funding,
      research, and leadership opportunities as well as transparency of assessment and
      accreditation.

PMID- 27276009
TI  - Comparing Trainee and Staff Perceptions of Patient Safety Culture.
AB  - PURPOSE: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education implemented the
      Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) program to evaluate and improve the
      learning environment in teaching hospitals. Hospitals receive a report after a
      CLER visit with observations about patient safety, among other domains, the
      accuracy of which is unknown. Thus, the authors set out to identify complementary
      measures of trainees' patient safety experience. METHOD: In 2014, they
      administered the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture to residents and
      fellows and general staff at 10 hospitals in an integrated health system. The
      survey measured perceptions of patient safety in 12 domains and incorporated two
      outcome measures (number of medical errors reported and overall patient safety).
      Domain scores were calculated and compared between trainees and staff. RESULTS:
      Of 1,426 trainees, 926 responded (65% response rate). Of 18,815 staff, 12,015
      responded (64% response rate). Trainees and staff scored five domains similarly
      communication openness, facility management support for patient safety,
      organizational learning/continuous improvement, teamwork across units, and
      handoffs/transitions of care. Trainees scored four domains higher than staff
      nonpunitive response to error, staffing, supervisor/manager expectations and
      actions promoting patient safety, and teamwork within units. Trainees scored
      three domains lower than staff-feedback and communication about error, frequency
      of event reporting, and overall perceptions of patient safety. CONCLUSIONS:
      Generally, trainees had comparable to more favorable perceptions of patient
      safety culture compared with staff. They did identify opportunities for
      improvement though. Hospitals can use perceptions of patient safety culture to
      complement CLER visit reports to improve patient safety.

PMID- 27276010
TI  - Modular, Nondegenerate Polyprotein Scaffolds for Atomic Force Spectroscopy.

PMID- 27276011
TI  - Integrated Analysis of the Roles of Long Noncoding RNA and Coding RNA Expression
      in Sheep (Ovis aries) Skin during Initiation of Secondary Hair Follicle.
AB  - Initiation of hair follicle (HF) is the first and most important stage of HF
      morphogenesis. However the precise molecular mechanism of initiation of hair
      follicle remains elusive. Meanwhile, in previous study, the more attentions had
      been paid to the function of genes, while the roles of non-coding RNAs (such as
      long noncoding RNA and microRNA) had not been described. Therefore, the roles of
      long noncoding RNA(LncRNA) and coding RNA in sheep skin during the initiation of
      sheep secondary HF were integrated and analyzed, by using strand-specific RNA
      sequencing (ssRNA-seq).A total of 192 significant differentially expressed genes
      were detected, including 67 up-regulated genes and 125 down-regulated genes
      between stage 0 and stage 1 of HF morphogenesis during HF initiation. Only Wnt2,
      FGF20 were just significant differentially expressed among Wnt, Shh, Notch and
      BMP signaling pathways. Further expression profile analysis of lncRNAs showed
      that 884 novel lncRNAs were discovered in sheep skin expression profiles. A total
      of 15 lncRNAs with significant differential expression were detected, 6 up
      regulated and 9 down-regulated. Among of differentially expressed genes and
      LncRNA, XLOC002437 lncRNA and potential target gene COL6A6 were all significantly
      down-regulated in stage 1. Furthermore, by using RNAhybrid, XLOC005698 may be as
      a competing endogenous RNA ''sponges" oar-miR-3955-5p activity. Gene Ontology and
      KEGG pathway analyses indicated that the significantly enriched pathway was
      peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) pathway (corrected P-value <
      0.05), indicating that PPAR pathway is likely to play significant roles during
      the initiation of secondary HF.Results suggest that the key differentially
      expressed genes and LncRNAs may be considered as potential candidate genes for
      further study on the molecular mechanisms of HF initiation, as well as supplying
      some potential values for understanding human hair disorders. 

PMID- 27276013
TI  - Hydrogen bonding induced distortion of CO3 units and kinetic stabilization of
      amorphous calcium carbonate: results from 2D (13)C NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - Systematic correlation in alkaline-earth carbonate compounds between the
      deviation of the CO3 units from the perfect D3h symmetry and their (13)C nuclear
      magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) parameters is
      established. The (13)C NMR CSA parameters of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC)
      are measured using two-dimensional (13)C phase adjusted spinning sidebands (PASS)
      NMR spectroscopy and are analyzed on the basis of this correlation. The results
      indicate a distortion of the CO3 units in ACC in the form of an in-plane
      displacement of the C atom away from the centroid of the O3 triangle, resulting
      from hydrogen bonding with the surrounding H2O molecules, without significant out
      of-plane displacement. Similar distortion for all C atoms in the structure of ACC
      suggests a uniform spatial disposition of H2O molecules around the CO3 units
      forming a hydrogen-bonded amorphous network. This amorphous network is stabilized
      against crystallization by steric frustration, while additives such as Mg
      presumably provide further stabilization by increasing the energy of dehydration.

PMID- 27276012
TI  - Penta-EF-Hand Protein Peflin Is a Negative Regulator of ER-To-Golgi Transport.
AB  - Luminal calcium regulates vesicle transport early in the secretory pathway. In ER
      to-Golgi transport, depletion of luminal calcium leads to significantly reduced
      transport and a buildup of budding and newly budded COPII vesicles and vesicle
      proteins. Effects of luminal calcium on transport may be mediated by cytoplasmic
      calcium sensors near ER exits sites (ERES). The penta-EF-hand (PEF) protein
      apoptosis-linked gene 2 (ALG-2) stabilizes sec31A at ER exit sites (ERES) and
      promotes the assembly of inner and outer shell COPII components. However, in
      vitro and intact cell approaches have not determined whether ALG-2 is a negative
      or positive regulator, or a regulator at all, under basal physiological
      conditions. ALG-2 interacts with another PEF protein, peflin, to form cytosolic
      heterodimers that dissociate in response to calcium. However, a biological
      function for peflin has not been demonstrated and whether peflin and the ALG
      2/peflin interaction modulates transport has not been investigated. Using an
      intact, single cell, morphological assay for ER-to-Golgi transport in normal rat
      kidney (NRK) cells, we found that depletion of peflin using siRNA resulted in
      significantly faster transport of the membrane cargo VSV-G. Double depletion of
      peflin and ALG-2 blocked the increased transport resulting from peflin depletion,
      demonstrating a role for ALG-2 in the increased transport. Furthermore, peflin
      depletion caused increased targeting of ALG-2 to ERES and increased ALG-2/sec31A
      interactions, suggesting that peflin may normally inhibit transport by preventing
      ALG-2/sec31A interactions. This work identifies for the first time a clear steady
      state role for a PEF protein in ER-to-Golgi transport-peflin is a negative
      regulator of transport. 

PMID- 27276014
TI  - A C-H Insertion Approach to Functionalized Cyclopentenones.
AB  - Cyclopentenones are synthetically versatile structures, and their straightforward
      construction from alkynone substrates by employing synthetically streamlining C-H
      insertion is conceptually appealing and of high synthetic potential. But, its
      implementation is very limited. Herein we report a Au-catalyzed version, which
      affords 2-bromocyclopent-2-en-1-ones with a broad scope and synthetically
      desirable diastereoselectivities. The proposed key intermediate capable of the
      observed insertion into unactivated C-H bonds is a fully functionalized gold
      vinylidene, which is generated via a novel intermolecular strategy. This flexible
      access of likely gold vinylidenes opens various opportunities to explore their
      versatile reactivities.

PMID- 27276015
TI  - Educational intervention for collecting sputum for tuberculosis: a quasi
      experimental study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the quality of the sputum sample before and after the
      Nursing guidance to patients. METHODS: this is a quasi-experimental research
      design, single group type, before and after, non-randomized study. The study
      enrolled patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis, respiratory symptomatic
      patients for over three weeks, aged over 18 years, of both genders and without
      tuberculosis history in the last two years. The educational intervention
      consisted of individualized guidance on the collection of sputum sample, which
      was based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Health of Brazil and on the
      explanatory folder delivery. RESULTS: in this study participated 138 patients
      with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. The results showed significant increase of
      the samples with purulent particles, volume greater than 5 mL and increased rate
      of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis, after the educational intervention.
      CONCLUSION: it was shown that after the educational intervention, it was observed
      sputum samples with better quality, with satisfactory aspect and volume for the
      effectiveness of the bacilloscopic examination.

PMID- 27276016
TI  - Indicators to assess the quality of programs to prevent occupational risk for
      tuberculosis: are they feasible?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to analyze the feasibility of quality indicators for evaluation of
      hospital programs for preventing occupational tuberculosis. METHOD: a descriptive
      cross-sectional study. We tested indicators for evaluating occupational
      tuberculosis prevention programs in six hospitals. The criterion to define
      feasibility was the time spent to calculate the indicators. RESULTS: time spent
      to evaluate the indicators ranged from 2h 52min to 15h11min 24sec. The indicator
      for structure evaluation required less time; the longest time was spent on
      process indicators, including the observation of healthcare workers' practices in
      relation to the use of N95 masks. There was an hindrance to test one of the
      indicators for tuberculosis outcomes in five situations, due to the lack of use
      of tuberculin skin test in these facilities. The time requires to calculate
      indicators in regarding to the outcomes for occupational tuberculosis largely
      depends upon the level of organizational administrative structure for gathering
      data.

PMID- 27276017
TI  - Vulnerability to alcohol consumption, spiritual transcendence and psychosocial
      well-being: test of a theory.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to demonstrate the relations among vulnerability, self-transcendence
      and well-being in the young adult population and the effect of each of these
      variables on the adoption of low-risk consumption conducts. METHOD: quantitative
      and cross-sectional correlation study using structural equations analysis to test
      the relation among the variables. RESULTS: an inverse relation was evidenced
      between vulnerability to alcohol consumption and spiritual transcendence (beta
      0.123, p 0.025) and a direct positive relation between spiritual transcendence
      and psychosocial well-being (beta 0.482, p 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: the relations
      among the variables spiritual transcendence, vulnerability to alcohol consumption
      and psychosocial well-being, based on Reed's Theory, are confirmed in the
      population group of young college students, concluding that psychosocial well
      being can be achieved when spiritual transcendence is enhanced, as the
      vulnerability to alcohol consumption drops. OBJETIVO: demonstrar as relacoes
      entre vulnerabilidade, autotranscendencia e bem-estar na populacao adulta jovem e
      o efeito de cada uma destas variaveis na adocao de condutas de baixo risco de
      consumo. METODO: estudo quantitativo, transversal do tipo correlacional que
      utilizou a analise estatistica de Equacoes Estruturais para comprovar a relacao
      entre as variaveis. RESULTADOS: evidenciou-se uma relacao inversa entre a
      vulnerabilidade ao consumo do alcool e a transcendencia espiritual (beta-0.123, p
      0.025) e uma relacao direta positiva entre a transcendencia espiritual e o bem
      estar psicossocial (beta 0.482, p 0.000). Conclusoes: as relacoes das variaveis
      transcendencia espiritual, vulnerabilidade ao consumo do alcool e bem-estar
      psicossocial, fundamentadas na Teoria de Reed, sao confirmadas no grupo
      populacional de jovens adultos universitarios, concluindo que e possivel alcancar
      o bem-estar psicossocial quando se incrementa a transcendencia espiritual,
      enquanto a vulnerabilidade ao consumo do alcool se reduz. OBJETIVO: demostrar las
      relaciones entre vulnerabilidad, autotrascendencia y bienestar en la poblacion
      adulta joven y el efecto de cada una de estas variables en la adopcion de
      conductas de bajo riesgo de consumo. METODO: estudio de abordaje cuantitativo,
      trasversal de tipo correlacional que utilizo el analisis estadistico de
      Ecuaciones Estructurales para la comprobacion de la relacion entre las variables.
      RESULTADOS: se evidencio relacion inversa entre la vulnerabilidad al consumo de
      alcohol y la trascendencia espiritual (beta-0.123, p 0.025) y una relacion
      directa positiva entre la trascendencia espiritual y el bienestar psicosocial
      (beta 0.482, p 0.000). CONCLUSIONES: las relaciones de las variables
      trascendencia espiritual, vulnerabilidad al consumo de alcohol y bienestar
      psicosocial, fundamentadas en la Teoria de Reed, son confirmadas en el grupo
      poblacional de adultos jovenes universitarios, concluyendo que es posible
      alcanzar el bienestar psicosocial cuando se incrementa la trascendencia
      espiritual, en tanto que la vulnerabilidad al consumo de alcohol se reduce.

PMID- 27276018
TI  - Satisfaction with medication in coronary disease treatment: psychometrics of the
      Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to psychometrically test the Brazilian version of the Treatment
      Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication - TSQM (version 1.4), regarding ceiling
      and floor effect, practicability, acceptability, reliability and validity.
      METHODS: participants with coronary heart disease (n=190) were recruited from an
      outpatient cardiology clinic at a university hospital in Southeastern Brazil and
      interviewed to evaluate their satisfaction with medication using the TSQM
      (version 1.4) and adherence using the Morisky Self-Reported Measure of Medication
      Adherence Scale and proportion of adherence. The Ceiling and Floor effect were
      analyzed considering the 15% worst and best possible TSQM scores; Practicability
      was assessed by time spent during TSQM interviews; Acceptability by proportion of
      unanswered items and participants who answered all items; Reliability through the
      Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Validity through the convergent construct
      validity between the TSQM and the adherence measures. RESULTS: TSQM was easily
      applied. Ceiling effect was found in the side effects domain and floor effect in
      the side effects and global satisfaction domains. Evidence of reliability was
      close to satisfied in all domains. The convergent construct validity was
      partially supported. CONCLUSIONS: the Brazilian TSQM presents evidence of
      acceptability and practicability, although its validity was weakly supported and
      adequate internal consistency was observed for one domain.

PMID- 27276019
TI  - Pharmaceutical interventions in medications prescribed for administration via
      enteral tubes in a teaching hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to analyze the impact of guidelines regarding errors in medications
      prescribed for administration through enteral tubes. METHOD: quantitative study,
      in three phases, undertaken in internal medicine, neurology and an intensive care
      unit in a general teaching hospital. In Phase 1, the following was undertaken: a
      protocol for dilution and unit-dose repackaging and administration for 294
      medications via enteral tubes; a decision flowchart; operational-standard
      procedures for dilution and unit-dose repackaging of oral pharmaceutical forms
      and for administration of medications through enteral tubes. In phase 2, errors
      in 872 medications prescribed through enteral tubes, in 293 prescriptions for
      patients receiving inpatient treatment between March and June, were investigated.
      This was followed by training of the teams in relation to the guidelines
      established. In Phase 3, pharmaceutical errors and interventions in 945
      medications prescribed through enteral tubes, in 292 prescriptions of patients
      receiving inpatient treatment between August and September, were investigated
      prospectively. The data collected, in a structured questionnaire, were compiled
      in the Microsoft Office Excel(r) program, and frequencies were calculated.
      RESULTS: 786 errors were observed, 63.9% (502) in Phase 2, and 36.1% (284) in
      Phase 3. In Phase 3, a reduction was ascertained in the frequency of prescription
      of medications delivered via enteral tubes, medications which were
      contraindicated, and those for which information was not available. CONCLUSION:
      guidelines and pharmaceutical interventions were determined in the prevention of
      errors involving medications delivered through enteral tubes. OBJETIVO: analisar
      o impacto de diretrizes sobre erros em medicamentos prescritos para administracao
      via sondas enterais. METODO: estudo quantitativo, em tres fases, realizado em
      clinica medica, neurologia e unidade de terapia intensiva de hospital geral
      universitario. Na Fase 1 elaborou-se: protocolo de diluicao, unitarizacao -
      transformacao e administracao para 294 medicamentos via sondas enterais;
      fluxograma decisorio; procedimentos operacionais-padrao de diluicao e
      unitarizacao de formas farmaceuticas orais e de administracao de medicamentos via
      sondas enterais. Na Fase 2 investigou-se, retrospectivamente, erros em 872
      medicamentos prescritos via sondas enterais, em 293 prescricoes de pacientes
      internados de marco a junho. Seguiu-se capacitacao das equipes sobre diretrizes
      estabelecidas. Na Fase 3 investigou-se, prospectivamente, erros e intervencoes
      farmaceuticas em 945 medicamentos prescritos via sondas enterais, em 292
      prescricoes de pacientes internados de agosto a setembro. Dados coletados, em
      formulario estruturado, foram compilados no programa Microsoft Office Excel(r) e
      calculadas as frequencias. RESULTADOS: foram observados 786 erros, 63,9% (502) na
      Fase 2 e 36,1% (284) na Fase 3. Na Fase 3 verificou-se reducao na frequencia de
      prescricao de medicamentos, via sondas enterais, contraindicados e sem
      informacoes disponiveis. CONCLUSAO: diretrizes e intervencoes farmaceuticas foram
      determinantes na prevencao dos erros de medicamentos via sondas enterais.
      OBJETIVO: analizar el impacto de directrices sobre errores en medicamentos
      prescritos para administracion via sondas enterales. METODO: estudio
      cuantitativo, en tres fases, realizado en una clinica medica-neurologia y en
      unidad de terapia intensiva de un hospital general universitario. En la Fase 1 se
      elaboro: protocolo de dilucion, reenvasado - transformacion y administracion para
      294 medicamentos via sondas enterales; diagrama de flujo de decision;
      procedimientos operacionales estandar de dilucion y reenvasado - transformacion
      de formas farmaceuticas orales y de administracion de medicamentos via sondas
      enterales. En la Fase 2 se investigo, retrospectivamente, errores en 872
      medicamentos prescritos via sondas enterales, en 293 prescripciones de pacientes
      internados de marzo a junio. La continuacion, capacitacion de los equipos sobre
      directrices establecidas. En la Fase 3 se investigo, prospectivamente, errores e
      intervenciones farmaceuticas en 945 medicamentos prescritos via sondas enterales,
      en 292 prescripciones de pacientes internados de agosto a septiembre. Datos
      fueron colectados en un formulario estructurado, compilados en el programa
      Microsoft Office Excel(r) y se calcularon las frecuencias. RESULTADOS: se
      observaron 786 errores, 63,9% (502) en la Fase 2 y 36,1% (284) en la Fase 3. En
      la Fase 3 se verifico una reduccion en la frecuencia de prescripcion de
      medicamentos, via sondas enterales, contraindicados y sin informaciones
      disponibles. CONCLUSION: las directrices e intervenciones farmaceuticas fueron
      determinantes en la prevencion de los errores de medicamentos via sondas
      enterales.

PMID- 27276020
TI  - Qualitative Description of Global Health Nursing Competencies by Nursing Faculty
      in Africa and the Americas.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to analyze qualitative comments from four surveys asking nursing
      faculty to rate the importance of 30 global health competencies for undergraduate
      nursing programs. METHOD: qualitative descriptive study that included 591
      individuals who responded to the survey in English (49 from Africa and 542 from
      the Americas), 163 who responded to the survey in Spanish (all from Latin
      America), and 222 Brazilian faculty who responded to the survey in Portuguese.
      Qualitative comments were recorded at the end of the surveys by 175 respondents
      to the English survey, 75 to the Spanish survey, and 70 to the Portuguese survey.
      Qualitative description and a committee approach guided data analysis. RESULTS:
      ten new categories of global health competencies emerged from the analysis.
      Faculty also demonstrated concern about how and when these competencies could be
      integrated into nursing curricula. CONCLUSION: the additional categories should
      be considered for addition to the previously identified global health
      competencies. These, in addition to the guidance about integration into existing
      curricula, can be used to guide refinement of the original list of global health
      competencies. Further research is needed to seek consensus about these
      competencies and to develop recommendations and standards to guide nursing
      curriculum development.

PMID- 27276021
TI  - Complications of central venous catheter in patients transplanted with
      hematopoietic stem cells in a specialized service.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to identify the model, average length of stay on site and
      complications of central venous catheter in patients undergoing transplant of
      hematopoietic stem cells and verify the corresponding relationship between the
      variables: age, gender, medical diagnosis, type of transplant, implanted catheter
      and insertion site. METHOD: a retrospective and quantitative study with a sample
      of 188 patients transplanted records between 2007 and 2011. RESULTS: the majority
      of patients used Hickman catheter with an average length of stay on site of 47.6
      days. The complication fever/bacteremia was significant in young males with non
      Hodgkin's lymphoma undergoing autologous transplant, which remained with the
      device for a long period in the subclavian vein. CONCLUSION: nurses should plan
      with their team the minimum waiting time, recommended between the catheter
      insertion and start of the conditioning regimen, as well as not to extend the
      length of time that catheter should be on site and undertake their continuing
      education, focusing on the prevention of complications.

PMID- 27276022
TI  - MicroRNA-Offset RNA Alters Gene Expression and Cell Proliferation.
AB  - MicroRNA-offset RNAs (moRs) were first identified in simple chordates and
      subsequently in mouse and human cells by deep sequencing of short RNAs. MoRs are
      derived from sequences located immediately adjacent to microRNAs (miRs) in the
      primary miR (pri-miR). Currently moRs are considered to be simply a by-product of
      miR biosynthesis that lack biological activity. Here we show for the first time
      that a moR is biologically active. We demonstrate that endogenous or over
      expressed moR-21 significantly alters gene expression and inhibits the
      proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In addition, we find that
      miR-21 and moR-21 may regulate different genes in a given pathway and can oppose
      each other in regulating certain genes. We report that there is a "seed region"
      of moR-21 as well as a "seed match region" in the target gene 3'UTR that are
      indispensable for moR-21-mediated gene down-regulation. We further demonstrate
      that moR-21-mediated gene repression is Argonaute 2 (Ago2) dependent. Taken
      together, these findings provide the first evidence that microRNA offset RNA
      alters gene expression and is biologically active. 

PMID- 27276023
TI  - Determination of the Preassembled Nucleating Units That Are Critical for the
      Crystal Growth of the Metal-Organic Framework CdIF-4.
AB  - Identifying the form and role of the chemical species that traverse the stages of
      crystallization is critical to understanding the formation process of
      coordination polymers. Herein, we report the combined use of in situ atomic force
      microscopy and mass spectrometry to identify preformed, complex, cadmium 2
      ethylimidazole containing solution species in the growth solution of the cadmium
      2-ethylimidazolate metal-organic framework CdIF-4, and show that they are
      critical in the surface nucleation for the crystal growth of this material.
      Surface nucleation appears to be instigated by these [Cdx (CH3 CO2 )y (C5 H7 N2
      /C5 H8 N2 )z ]-containing solution species and not by sole addition of the ligand
      molecules. The CH3 CO2 (-) or Cd(CH3 CO2 )2 groups of the former are substituted
      subsequently as the framework growth proceeds. Our greater understanding of such
      solution species and their role in crystallization will guide future syntheses of
      designed functional coordination polymers.

PMID- 27276024
TI  - Invasive Bighead and Silver Carps Form Different Sized Shoals that Readily
      Intermix.
AB  - Two species of congeneric filter-feeding microphagous carps from Asia, the
      bighead and the silver carp, were recently introduced to North America and have
      become highly invasive. These species of carp have similar food habits but the
      silver carp has the unique habit of jumping when disturbed. Both species have
      complex but poorly understood social behaviors and while both are thought to
      aggregate (form groups) and shoal (form tight social groups), this possibility
      has not yet been examined in these species. The present study examined the
      grouping tendencies of these species in the laboratory and the effects of fish
      density and species identity on it. Using nearest neighbor distance (NND) as a
      metric, we showed that both juvenile bighead and juvenile silver carp grouped
      (aggregate) strongly (P<0.05) but to different extents, and that fish density had
      no effect (P>0.05) on this behavior. Within aggregations, bighead carp tended to
      form a single large shoal while silver carp formed shoals of 2-3 individuals.
      Further, when tested as mixed-species groups, bighead and silver carp readily
      shoaled with each other but not with the common carp, which is from Eurasia and a
      member of another feeding guild. Due to their similar feeding strategies, we
      speculate that the bighead and silver carp tend to aggregate and shoal to
      facilitate both their foraging efforts and to avoid predation, while the
      differences in the size of the shoals they form may seemingly reflect their
      different anti-predation strategies. These complex shoaling behaviors likely
      influence Asian carp distribution in rivers, and thus how they might be sampled
      and managed. 

PMID- 27276025
TI  - Unmeasured Confounding in Observational Studies with Multiple Treatment Arms:
      Comparing Emergency Department Mortality of Severe Trauma Patients by Trauma
      Center Level.
AB  - Comparing emergency department mortality across different levels of trauma care
      (nontrauma centers, level I and II centers) is important in evaluating
      regionalized care. Patient population characteristics differ across different
      levels of trauma care and it is essential to adjust for baseline covariates to
      make valid comparisons. Propensity score matching has been established as a more
      robust method to infer causal relationship in observational studies than
      conventional regression adjustment. We designed and implemented a three group
      matching methodology. First, we conducted optimal pair matching between the
      treatment group (nontrauma centers) and the first control group (level I trauma
      centers); second, we conducted optimal pair matching between the nontrauma
      centers and the second control group (level II trauma centers); the final step
      was to link the two sets of matched pairs by the common treatment subjects to
      form matched triplets. We then implemented a sensitivity analysis with three
      treatment arms, Lu's imputation based method, to assess the impact due to
      potential unmeasured confounding. The results showed that if the most severe
      adult trauma patients treated in nontrauma centers were to be treated in level I
      or II trauma centers, the odds of emergency department death would be reduced
      dramatically (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61 and 0.49). There was no difference between
      being treated in level I or II trauma centers. The sensitivity analysis revealed
      that the positive association between being treated at level I or II trauma
      centers and the reduced odds of mortality would remain present even in the
      presence of strong unmeasured confounding.

PMID- 27276026
TI  - Commentary: Can't WaSH Without Water: Instrumental Variables Evidence from a
      Randomized Trial.

PMID- 27276027
TI  - Commentary: Matched Instrumental Variables: A Possible Solution to Severe
      Confounding in Matched Observational Studies?

PMID- 27276028
TI  - Estimating the Effect of School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Improvements on
      Pupil Health Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We conducted a cluster-randomized water, sanitation, and hygiene
      trial in 185 schools in Nyanza province, Kenya. The trial, however, had imperfect
      school-level adherence at many schools. The primary goal of this study was to
      estimate the causal effects of school-level adherence to interventions on pupil
      diarrhea and soil-transmitted helminth infection. METHODS: Schools were divided
      into water availability groups, which were then randomized separately into either
      water, sanitation, and hygiene intervention arms or a control arm. School-level
      adherence to the intervention was defined by the number of intervention
      components-water, latrines, soap-that had been adequately implemented. The
      outcomes of interest were pupil diarrhea and soil-transmitted helminth infection.
      We used a weighted generalized structural nested model to calculate prevalence
      ratio. RESULTS: In the water-scarce group, there was evidence of a reduced
      prevalence of diarrhea among pupils attending schools that adhered to two or to
      three intervention components (prevalence ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval:
      0.10, 0.75), compared with what the prevalence would have been had the same
      schools instead adhered to zero components or one. In the water-available group,
      there was no evidence of reduced diarrhea with better adherence. For the soil
      transmitted helminth infection and intensity outcomes, we often observed point
      estimates in the preventive direction with increasing intervention adherence, but
      primarily among girls, and the confidence intervals were often very wide.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our instrumental variable point estimates sometimes suggested
      protective effects with increased water, sanitation, and hygiene intervention
      adherence, although many of the estimates were imprecise.

PMID- 27276029
TI  - Brief Report: Plasma Concentrations of Perfluorooctane Sulfonamide and Time-to
      pregnancy Among Primiparous Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A previous study reported a negative association between
      perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) concentrations and fecundability. METHODS: We
      examined this association among women enrolled in the Norwegian Mother and Child
      Cohort Study (MoBa), in 2003-2004. This analysis was restricted to 451
      primiparous women to avoid bias due to previous pregnancy. Self-reported time-to
      pregnancy (TTP) and plasma were obtained around 18 weeks of gestation.
      Approximately half of the women had measurable PFOSA levels; missing values were
      multiply imputed. We used the logistic analogue of discrete-time survival
      analysis to examine the adjusted association between PFOSA, other perfluoroalkyl
      substances, and TTP. RESULTS: The median-measured PFOSA concentration was 0.03
      ng/ml (interquartile range = 0.02, 0.07). The age and body mass index-adjusted
      association between an interquartile distance increase in PFOSA and TTP was 0.91
      (95% confidence interval = 0.71, 1.17). Imputation of missing PFOSA resulted in
      similar estimates. No association was observed with other perfluoroalkyl
      substances. CONCLUSION: Based on a weakly decreased fecundability odds ratio, we
      found only limited support for an association between plasma PFOSA concentrations
      and TTP among primiparous women. See Video Abstract at
      http://links.lww.com/EDE/B79.

PMID- 27276030
TI  - How Are Mate Preferences Linked with Actual Mate Selection? Tests of Mate
      Preference Integration Algorithms Using Computer Simulations and Actual Mating
      Couples.
AB  - Prior mate preference research has focused on the content of mate preferences.
      Yet in real life, people must select mates among potentials who vary along myriad
      dimensions. How do people incorporate information on many different mate
      preferences in order to choose which partner to pursue? Here, in Study 1, we
      compare seven candidate algorithms for integrating multiple mate preferences in a
      competitive agent-based model of human mate choice evolution. This model shows
      that a Euclidean algorithm is the most evolvable solution to the problem of
      selecting fitness-beneficial mates. Next, across three studies of actual couples
      (Study 2: n = 214; Study 3: n = 259; Study 4: n = 294) we apply the Euclidean
      algorithm toward predicting mate preference fulfillment overall and preference
      fulfillment as a function of mate value. Consistent with the hypothesis that mate
      preferences are integrated according to a Euclidean algorithm, we find that
      actual mates lie close in multidimensional preference space to the preferences of
      their partners. Moreover, this Euclidean preference fulfillment is greater for
      people who are higher in mate value, highlighting theoretically-predictable
      individual differences in who gets what they want. These new Euclidean tools have
      important implications for understanding real-world dynamics of mate selection. 

PMID- 27276031
TI  - Stable Isotope Dilution Assays for Clinical Analyses of Folates and Other One
      Carbon Metabolites: Application to Folate-Deficiency Studies.
AB  - Folate deficiency is generally accepted as a potential direct or indirect risk
      factor for diseases including spina bifida, coronary heart diseases, malfunctions
      of the central nervous system, and cancer. The direct inclusion of folates in the
      methylation cycle, including the remethylation of homocysteine and regeneration
      of S-adenosylmethionine, underlines the importance of these vitamins and other
      components of one-carbon metabolism. Therefore, the aim of the present study was
      to develop a multiple stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) for the respective
      analytes in plasma and tissue samples to allow for a closer look at the
      interaction between a severe folate deficiency and local folate status, as well
      as further interactions with circulating S-adenosylmethionine, S
      adenosylhomocysteine, and homocysteine. The analytical methods were based on
      SIDAs coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
      analysis using the deuterated folates [2H4]-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, [2H4]-5
      formyltetrahydrofolic acid, [2H4]-tetrahydrofolic acid, [2H4]-10-formylfolic
      acid, and [2H4]-folic acid and the deuterated one-carbon metabolites [2H4]
      homocysteine, [2H4]-S-adenosylhomocysteine, and [2H3]-S-adenosylmethionine as
      internal standards. Three analytical methods have been developed for the analysis
      of homocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, and six folate
      vitamers. Validation data for the analysis of C1-metabolites in plasma and tissue
      samples or folate analysis in tissue samples revealed excellent sensitivity,
      precision, and recovery for all analytes studied. The miniaturized methods using
      sample volumes as low as 50 MUL and weighed portions of 5-25 mg will allow the
      assessment of the status of folates and additional biomarkers of impaired one
      carbon metabolism during folate deficiency. 

PMID- 27276032
TI  - Interfacial Coupling-Induced Ferromagnetic Insulator Phase in Manganite Film.
AB  - Interfaces with subtle differences in atomic and electronic structures in
      perovskite ABO3 heterostructures often yield intriguingly different properties,
      yet their exact roles remain elusive. Here, we report an integrated study of
      unusual transport, magnetic, and structural properties of Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3 film
      on SrTiO3 substrate. The variations in the out-of-plane lattice constant and BO6
      octahedral rotation across the Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3/SrTiO3 interface strongly depend
      on the thickness of the Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3 film. In the 12 nm film, a new interface
      sensitive ferromagnetic polaronic insulator (FI') phase is formed during the
      cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition of SrTiO3, apparently due to the enhanced
      electron-phonon interaction and atomic disorder in the film. The transport
      properties of the FI' phase in the 30 nm film are masked because of the reduced
      interfacial coupling and smaller interface-to-volume ratio. This work
      demonstrates how thickness-dependent interfacial coupling leads to the formation
      of a theoretically predicted ferromagnetic-polaronic insulator, as illustrated in
      a new phase diagram, that is otherwise ferromagnetic metal (FM) in bulk form.

PMID- 27276033
TI  - Effect of Core/Shell Interface on Carrier Dynamics and Optical Gain Properties of
      Dual-Color Emitting CdSe/CdS Nanocrystals.
AB  - Two-color emitting colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) are of interest for
      applications in multimodal imaging, sensing, lighting, and integrated photonics.
      Dual color emission from core- and shell-related optical transitions has been
      recently obtained using so-called dot-in-bulk (DiB) CdSe/CdS NCs comprising a
      quantum-confined CdSe core embedded into an ultrathick (~7-9 nm) CdS shell. The
      physical mechanism underlying this behavior is still under debate. While a large
      shell volume appears to be a necessary condition for dual emission, comparison
      between various types of thick-shell CdSe/CdS NCs indicates a critical role of
      the interface "sharpness" and the presence of potential barriers. To elucidate
      the effect of the interface morphology on the dual emission, we perform side-by
      side studies of CdSe/CdS DiB-NCs with nominally identical core and shell
      dimensions but different structural properties of the core/shell interface
      arising from the crystal structure of the starting CdSe cores (zincblende vs
      wurtzite). While both structures exhibit dual emission under comparable pump
      intensities, NCs with a zincblende core show a faster growth of shell
      luminescence with excitation fluence and a more readily realized regime of
      amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) even under "slow" nanosecond excitation.
      These distinctions can be linked to the structure of the core/shell interface:
      NCs grown from the zincblende cores contain a ~3.5 nm thick zincblende CdS
      interlayer, which separates the core from the wurtzite CdS shell and creates a
      potential barrier for photoexcited shell holes inhibiting their relaxation into
      the core. This helps maintain a higher population of shell states and simplifies
      the realization of dual emission and ASE involving shell-based optical
      transitions.

PMID- 27276036
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276034
TI  - Evolution of High Cellulolytic Activity in Symbiotic Streptomyces through
      Selection of Expanded Gene Content and Coordinated Gene Expression.
AB  - The evolution of cellulose degradation was a defining event in the history of
      life. Without efficient decomposition and recycling, dead plant biomass would
      quickly accumulate and become inaccessible to terrestrial food webs and the
      global carbon cycle. On land, the primary drivers of plant biomass deconstruction
      are fungi and bacteria in the soil or associated with herbivorous eukaryotes.
      While the ecological importance of plant-decomposing microbes is well
      established, little is known about the distribution or evolution of cellulolytic
      activity in any bacterial genus. Here we show that in Streptomyces, a genus of
      Actinobacteria abundant in soil and symbiotic niches, the ability to rapidly
      degrade cellulose is largely restricted to two clades of host-associated strains
      and is not a conserved characteristic of the Streptomyces genus or host
      associated strains. Our comparative genomics identify that while plant biomass
      degrading genes (CAZy) are widespread in Streptomyces, key enzyme families are
      enriched in highly cellulolytic strains. Transcriptomic analyses demonstrate that
      cellulolytic strains express a suite of multi-domain CAZy enzymes that are
      coregulated by the CebR transcriptional regulator. Using targeted gene deletions,
      we verify the importance of a highly expressed cellulase (GH6 family
      cellobiohydrolase) and the CebR transcriptional repressor to the cellulolytic
      phenotype. Evolutionary analyses identify complex genomic modifications that
      drive plant biomass deconstruction in Streptomyces, including acquisition and
      selective retention of CAZy genes and transcriptional regulators. Our results
      suggest that host-associated niches have selected some symbiotic Streptomyces for
      increased cellulose degrading activity and that symbiotic bacteria are a rich
      biochemical and enzymatic resource for biotechnology.

PMID- 27276035
TI  - Hepcidin Response to Iron Therapy in Patients with Non-Dialysis Dependent CKD: An
      Analysis of the FIND-CKD Trial.
AB  - Hepcidin is the key regulator of iron homeostasis but data are limited regarding
      its temporal response to iron therapy, and response to intravenous versus oral
      iron. In the 56-week, open-label, multicenter, prospective, randomized FIND-CKD
      study, 626 anemic patients with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease (ND
      CKD) and iron deficiency not receiving an erythropoiesis stimulating agent were
      randomized (1:1:2) to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), targeting higher
      (400-600MUg/L) or lower (100-200MUg/L) ferritin, or to oral iron. Serum hepcidin
      levels were measured centrally in a subset of 61 patients. Mean (SD) baseline
      hepcidin level was 4.0(3.5), 7.3(6.4) and 6.5(5.6) ng/mL in the high ferritin FCM
      (n = 17), low ferritin FCM (n = 16) and oral iron group (n = 28). The mean (SD)
      endpoint value (i.e. the last post-baseline value) was 26.0(9.1),15.7(7.7) and
      16.3(11.0) ng/mL, respectively. The increase in hepcidin from baseline was
      significantly smaller with low ferritin FCM or oral iron vs high ferritin FCM at
      all time points up to week 52. Significant correlations were found between
      absolute hepcidin and ferritin values (r = 0.65, p<0.001) and between final post
      baseline increases in both parameters (r = 0.70, p<0.001). The increase in
      hepcidin levels over the 12-month study generally mirrored the cumulative iron
      dose in each group. Hepcidin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) absolute values
      showed no correlation, although there was an association between final post
      baseline increases (r = 0.42, p<0.001). Absolute values (r = 0.36, p = 0.004) and
      final post-baseline increases of hepcidin and hemoglobin (p = 0.30, p = 0.030)
      correlated weakly. Baseline hepcidin levels were not predictive of a
      hematopoietic response to iron therapy. In conclusion, hepcidin levels rose in
      response to either intravenous or oral iron therapy, but the speed and extent of
      the rise was greatest with intravenous iron targeting a higher ferritin level.
      However neither the baseline level nor the change in hepcidin was able to predict
      response to therapy in this cohort. 

PMID- 27276037
TI  - [Rhetoric of quantification: tuberculosis, statistics and the labor world in
      Colombia, 1916-1946].
AB  - This article examines the application of tuberculosis statistics in the Colombian
      medical discourse, the gap between these statistics and data officially
      published, as well as the relationship between the quantitative dynamics, the
      anti-tuberculosis campaign and the objectivation of tuberculosis in labor world
      in Colombia over the period ranging from the beginning of the campaign (1916) to
      the inclusion of tuberculosis in the list of professional diseases (1946). It
      also analyzes the critical role that labor statistics played in the first
      developments of the Colombian social security system and in the definition of
      professional diseases. These historical processes were studied according to its
      insertion in the international context.

PMID- 27276038
TI  - [The emergence of Aids in Amazonas].
AB  - This article analyzes the historical, social, and political context in which Aids
      emerged in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, and how local responses were shaped
      by changes taking place on a national political level. Documental sources from
      governmental and non-governmental institutions were researched, and the
      information was supplemented and clarified by oral sources - testimonials of
      activists and health professionals/managers who have led the organization of
      healthcare for people with HIV/Aids in the state. This research reveals that the
      lack of coordination between healthcare institutions and the dearth of any real
      political will to fight the epidemic in the state have hampered the planning and
      execution of public strategies and actions covering the whole welfare system in
      the state.

PMID- 27276039
TI  - [Philanthropy and welfare policies for the families of people with leprosy in the
      Brazilian state of Goias, 1920-1962].
AB  - This article analyzes the root causes of the shortage of social support for the
      relatives of people with leprosy, especially their children, in the state of
      Goias, Central West region of Brazil, between 1920 and 1962. It focuses on the
      constitution of discourses that defined the medical and philanthropic care for
      the children of people isolated in leper colonies as a problem, and how this
      process resulted in the organization of the Society for the Welfare of Lepers and
      Defense Against Leprosy, and the construction of Afranio de Azevedo children's
      home in Goiania, the state capital. These elements are directly associated with
      the construction of a new approach in the regional history and social and medical
      policies for leprosy.

PMID- 27276040
TI  - [A giant field of death: medical and scientific controversies about the cholera
      morbus epidemic of 1855].
AB  - The article examines the cholera morbus epidemic that afflicted the province of
      Pernambuco, Brazil, in 1855, focusing on the medical and scientific controversies
      about how the disease spread, which split medical opinion into two camps:
      contagion and infection. Documents and reports produced by the Society of
      Medicine of Pernambuco and the General Public Health Board were analyzed, based
      on which it was possible to describe the official medical and sanitation program,
      involving engineers, scientists, and physicians, designed to plan a salubrious
      city - a model of civilization that combined redeveloping the urban space and
      disseminating new habits amongst the local people. It is essentially an exercise
      in observing a science and a society as they take shape.

PMID- 27276041
TI  - [From the Belle Epoque to the city of vice: the fight against syphilis in Belem,
      Para, 1921-1924].
AB  - This article analyzes the fight against syphilis in Belem, capital of the
      Brazilian state of Para, between 1921 and 1924. When Instituto de Profilaxia e
      Doencas Venereas (Institute for Prophylaxis and Venereal Diseases) was founded,
      headed by Dr. Heraclides de Souza Araujo, many restrictions were imposed on
      prostitution in a bid to make prostitutes partners in the city's sanitation
      reform. The documents produced by the institute and published in newspapers of
      the day reveal the various clashes that occurred between doctors, the civil
      police force, and prostitutes, highlighting the prostitutes' attitudes to state
      intervention in their activities.

PMID- 27276042
TI  - [The leprosy "drama": Governador Valadares, public health policies, and their
      territorial implications in the 1980s].
AB  - The incidence of leprosy in Governador Valadares, Brazil, in the 1980s spurred
      this town to pioneer the introduction of polychemotherapy. The aim of this
      research was to understand how the different actors involved in this context
      interacted, especially the employees and patients at the Special Public Health
      Service. To identify the territories that these interactions inevitably
      constituted, a variety of theoretical instruments were used, including dramatism
      (Burke) and performance (Turner). By taking a theatrical metaphor, we sought to
      find out the dynamics by which the different actors took the stage and
      established their most significant relationships in a dynamic process of
      constituted and reconstituted territories.

PMID- 27276043
TI  - [The sertao remediated: the clash between the elite of Goias and sanitation
      thinking, 1910-1920].
AB  - In the early decades of the twentieth century, when health started becoming an
      issue on the political agenda, Arthur Neiva and Belisario Penna travelled to the
      sertao semi-arid region of Goias state, Brazil, to diagnose the population's
      state of health, particularly highlighting the spread of Chagas disease and the
      decadence of the sertao. The political elite in the state reacted to the
      sanitarians' findings. This article observes the controversy played out in the
      pages of A Informacao Goiana magazine. The publication supported the region's
      interests, because its leaders were sure that it was down to the people of Goias
      to reveal the truth about the sertao, its people, and its potentialities.

PMID- 27276044
TI  - [Introduction to a social cartography: the journal Revista de Saude Publica, 1967
      to 1977].
AB  - Through reliance on a social cartography method based on Karl Mannheim's
      sociology of knowledge, the article analyzes the first ten issues of Revista de
      Saude Publica, published by the University of Sao Paulo. Articles and editorials
      are mapped in order to understand the period's transformations. In the realm of
      the journal's editorial line, tensions are noted between complying with the
      principles of the institution and international transformations, which demanded
      an openness to interdisciplinary topics. Special focus is placed on sub-fields,
      dominated by an epidemiology that was in flux as it absorbed new knowledge in the
      context of the formation of the field of public health.

PMID- 27276045
TI  - [Art, mental health, and public healthcare: profile of a care culture in the
      history of Sao Paulo city].
AB  - By studying the inclusion of artistic and cultural activities in the care
      provided throughout the history of public mental healthcare in greater Sao Paulo,
      Brazil, we can better understand and characterize the practices adopted in the
      Psychosocial Care Centers in the city today. Experiments carried out between the
      1920s and 1990s are investigated, based on bibliographic research. The
      contemporary data were obtained from research undertaken at 126 workshops at 21
      Psychosocial Care Centers in the same city between April 2007 and April 2008. The
      findings indicate that the current trend in mental healthcare, whose clinical
      perspective spans the realms of art and mental health and has territorial
      ramifications, has maintained some of the features encountered in earlier mental
      healthcare experiments.

PMID- 27276046
TI  - [Communication and mental health: a discursive analysis of posters of the
      National Anti-Asylum Campaign Movement in Brazil].
AB  - The article analyzes two posters that with the same slogan - "Asylums nevermore" 
      promote National Anti-Asylum Day. The analysis was based on principles of the
      symptomatology of social discourse, articulating analytical concepts and
      practices arising from the French School and the pragmatic dimension of discourse
      analysis. The results revealed affirmation strategies of the movement for the
      qualification and exacerbation of the issues of the enunciation and other
      enunciators, namely political actors of the anti-asylum movement and their
      allies. It also reveals the attempt to disqualify competitive discourse,
      especially that which discloses the serious problems of its institutional models,
      but also by juxtaposing the positive presence of the issuers and enunciators of
      the posters.

PMID- 27276047
TI  - [The translation of knowledge in the ambit of international cooperation: the
      experience of Fiocruz in introducing health technologies to Haiti].
AB  - To investigate the debate about South-South cooperation, we conducted an analysis
      of a course on the Management of Physical and Technological Resources in Health
      given in Haiti as part of a partnership between Fiocruz and the Brazilian and
      Haitian ministries of health with the aim of enabling the functioning of the
      units built by Brazil, contributing to the sustainability of the tripartite
      cooperation project. The course format - designing interventions to overcome real
      problems identified by the students - resulted in the development of eight
      intervention pre-projects geared towards overcoming management problems at the
      reference community hospitals built by Brazil in Haiti.

PMID- 27276048
TI  - ["Tet asanm pou la sante": ethnographic notes on international cooperation for
      health in Haiti].
AB  - This article discusses the functioning of a health-oriented development project
      pursued in an emergency situation and its impacts beyond its stated goals. The
      tripartite project between Brazil, Haiti, and Cuba was designed to strengthen
      Haiti's health and epidemiologic surveillance system, introduced in 2010 as part
      of the aid effort after the earthquake. An essentially ethnographic perspective
      is taken, with a focus on describing the practices and perspectives of the agents
      involved in the program. The networks of agents were mapped out, paying
      particular attention to translators, drivers, and journalists, who were
      understood as being "cooperation brokers". Finally, the article discusses the
      project's position in the broader context of international health initiatives in
      Haiti.

PMID- 27276049
TI  - [Sociabilities, networks and the circulation of knowledges in the creation of a
      "psy scope" in Argentina during the inter-war period (Santa Fe, 1919-1943)].
AB  - This article presents the findings of a research study on the construction of a
      psy scientific field in Argentina during the inter-war period, with a focus on
      subnational spaces. After 1920, the mental hygiene movement, in its different
      disciplinary manifestations, became notable in the public sphere, in university
      education and - belatedly - in healthcare policies, in an expansion that led to
      the creation of an autonomous field with its own logic. I argue that the creation
      of this "psy field" - while it was as yet inexistent - was largely due to the
      strength of sociability networks that facilitated the management of resources and
      institutional spaces of power, making it possible for the field to become
      independent and established.

PMID- 27276050
TI  - [Between images and texts: manuals as a praxis of knowledge].
AB  - We investigate a series of writing genres from the Enlightenment in Portugal,
      especially between 1720 and 1800, comprehending them as manuals of knowledge, and
      we highlight some of the meanings of the images in these writings that were
      widely circulated in the Portuguese-speaking world.

PMID- 27276051
TI  - Antimicrobial Properties of an Immunomodulator - 15 kDa Human Granulysin.
AB  - Granulysin, a cationic protein expressed by human natural killer cells and
      cytotoxic T lymphocytes, is a mediator for drug-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome
      and graft-versus-host disease. Some 15 kDa granulysin are processed into 9 kDa
      forms and sequestered in cytolytic granules, while others are constitutively
      secreted into body fluids. Both 9 and 15 kDa granulysin have been shown to be a
      serum marker for cell-mediated immunity. Furthermore, 15 kDa is able to activate
      monocyte differentiation. However, its antimicrobial properties have not been
      clearly addressed. Here, we report a novel method to prepare both the soluble 9
      and 15 kDa granulysin and show that the 15 kDa form is more effective than the 9
      kDa form in exerting specific antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa within a range of few micromolars. We also show that the 15 kDa
      granulysin is able to hyperpolarize the membrane potential and increase membrane
      permeability of treated bacteria. Interestingly, the bactericidal activity and
      membrane permeability of the granulysins were markedly reduced at lower pH (pH
      5.4) as a result of probable increase in hydrophobicity of the granulysins.
      Additionally, we've also shown the granulysin to inhibit biofilm formation by P.
      aeruginosa. These results suggest that the 15 kDa granulysin exhibits a novel
      mechanism in bacteria killing in a way that's different from most antimicrobial
      peptides. Our novel granulysin preparation methodology will be useful for further
      study of action mechanisms of other antimicrobial, cytotoxic and immunomodulating
      properties in granulysin-mediated diseases. 

PMID- 27276053
TI  - In Situ Visualization of Lipid Raft Domains by Fluorescent Glycol Chitosan
      Derivatives.
AB  - Lipid rafts are highly ordered small microdomains mainly composed of
      glycosphingolipids, cholesterol, and protein receptors. Optically distinguishing
      lipid raft domains in cell membranes would greatly facilitate the investigations
      on the structure and dynamics of raft-related cellular behaviors, such as signal
      transduction, membrane transport (endocytosis), adhesion, and motility. However,
      current strategies about the visualization of lipid raft domains usually suffer
      from the low biocompatibility of the probes, invasive detection, or ex situ
      observation. At the same time, naturally derived biomacromolecules have been
      extensively used in biomedical field and their interaction with cells remains a
      long-standing topic since it is closely related to various fundamental studies
      and potential applications. Herein, noninvasive visualization of lipid raft
      domains in model lipid bilayers (supported lipid bilayers and giant unilamellar
      vesicles) and live cells was successfully realized in situ using fluorescent
      biomacromolecules: the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled glycol chitosan
      molecules. We found that the lipid raft domains in model or real membranes could
      be specifically stained by the FITC-labeled glycol chitosan molecules, which
      could be attributed to the electrostatic attractive interaction and/or
      hydrophobic interaction between the probes and the lipid raft domains. Since the
      FITC-labeled glycol chitosan molecules do not need to completely insert into the
      lipid bilayer and will not disturb the organization of lipids, they can more
      accurately visualize the raft domains as compared with other fluorescent dyes
      that need to be premixed with the various lipid molecules prior to the
      fabrication of model membranes. Furthermore, the FITC-labeled glycol chitosan
      molecules were found to be able to resist cellular internalization and could
      successfully visualize rafts in live cells. The present work provides a new way
      to achieve the imaging of lipid rafts and also sheds new light on the interaction
      between biomacromolecules and lipid membranes.

PMID- 27276052
TI  - In-Utero Low-Dose Irradiation Leads to Persistent Alterations in the Mouse Heart
      Proteome.
AB  - Prenatal exposure to stress such as increased level of reactive oxygen species or
      antiviral therapy are known factors leading to adult heart defects. The risks
      following a radiation exposure during fetal period are unknown, as are the
      mechanisms of any potential cardiac damage. The aim of this study was to gather
      evidence for possible damage by investigating long-term changes in the mouse
      heart proteome after prenatal exposure to low and moderate radiation doses.
      Pregnant C57Bl/6J mice received on embryonic day 11 (E11) a single total body
      dose of ionizing radiation that ranged from 0.02 Gy to 1.0 Gy. The offspring were
      sacrificed at the age of 6 months or 2 years. Quantitative proteomic analysis of
      heart tissue was performed using Isotope Coded Protein Label technology and
      tandem mass spectrometry. The proteomics data were analyzed by bioinformatics and
      key changes were validated by immunoblotting. Persistent changes were observed in
      the expression of proteins representing mitochondrial respiratory complexes,
      redox and heat shock response, and the cytoskeleton, even at the low dose of 0.1
      Gy. The level of total and active form of the kinase MAP4K4 that is essential for
      the embryonic development of mouse heart was persistently decreased at the
      radiation dose of 1.0 Gy. This study provides the first insight into the
      molecular mechanisms of cardiac impairment induced by ionizing radiation exposure
      during the prenatal period. 

PMID- 27276054
TI  - Decoupled Evolution between Senders and Receivers in the Neotropical Allobates
      femoralis Frog Complex.
AB  - During acoustic communication, an audible message is transmitted from a sender to
      a receiver, often producing changes in behavior. In a system where evolutionary
      changes of the sender do not result in a concomitant adjustment in the receiver,
      communication and species recognition could fail. However, the possibility of an
      evolutionary decoupling between sender and receiver has rarely been studied. Frog
      populations in the Allobates femoralis cryptic species complex are known for
      their extensive morphological, genetic and acoustic variation. We hypothesized
      that geographic variation in acoustic signals of A. femoralis was correlated with
      geographic changes in communication through changes in male-male recognition. To
      test this hypothesis, we quantified male call recognition using phonotactic
      responses to playback experiments of advertisement calls with two, three and four
      notes in eight localities of the Amazonian basin. Then, we reconstructed the
      ancestral states of call note number in a phylogenetic framework and evaluated
      whether the character state of the most recent common ancestor predicted current
      relative responses to two, three and four notes. The probability of a phonotactic
      response to advertisement calls of A. femoralis males was strongly influenced by
      the call mid-frequency and the number of notes in most populations. Positive
      phonotaxis was complete for calls from each individual's population, and in some
      populations, it was also partial for allotopic calls; however, in two
      populations, individuals equally recognized calls with two, three or four notes.
      This evidence, in conjunction with our results from phylogenetic comparative
      methods, supports the hypothesis of decoupled evolution between sender and
      receiver in the male-male communication system of the A. femoralis complex. Thus,
      signal recognition appears to evolve more slowly than the calls. 

PMID- 27276055
TI  - [Mantle cell lymphoma].

PMID- 27276057
TI  - Correction: Characterization and Functional Analysis of 4-Coumarate:CoA Ligase
      Genes in Mulberry.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155814.].

PMID- 27276056
TI  - A Milestone: Approval of CEUS for Diagnostic Liver Imaging in Adults and Children
      in the USA.
AB  - The approval of microbubbles with the inert gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and a
      palmitic acid shell (SonoVue((r)), Bracco Geneva, CH) for the diagnostic imaging
      of liver tumors in adults and children by the FDA in the United States represents
      a milestone for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).This warrants a look back at
      the history of the development of CEUS. The first publications based on
      echocardiographic observations of right ventricular contrast phenomena caused by
      tiny air bubbles following i. v. injection of indocyanine green appeared around
      1970 1 2 3. A longer period of sporadic publications but no real progress then
      followed since, in contrast to X-ray methods, ultrasound works quite well without
      a contrast agent.It is noteworthy that the foundations for further development
      were primarily laid in Europe. The development and approval (1991) of the
      contrast agent Echovist((r)) by a German contrast manufacturer for
      echocardiography unsuitable for passing through lungcapillaries 4 5 resulted in
      the first extracardiac indications, e. g. for detecting retrovesical reflux and
      tubal patency, in the mid-1980 s 6 7 8. The sensitivity of color Doppler was not
      able to compensate for the lack of an ultrasound contrast agent compared to CT
      with its obligatory contrast administration.Studies of SHU 508 - microbubbles of
      air moderately stabilized with galactose and palmitic acid - began in 1990 9 10
      11 12 13 14 15 and the contrast agent was then introduced in 1995 in Germany as
      Levovist((r)). The most important publications by Blomley, Cosgrove, Leen, and
      Albrecht are named here on a representative basis 16 17 18 19 20.SHU 508 along
      with other US contrast agents provided impressive proof of the superiority of
      CEUS for the diagnosis of liver metastases. However, practical application
      remained complicated and required skill and technical know-how because of a lack
      of suitable software on US units 21 22 23 24 25. The monograph regarding the use
      of contrast agent in the liver by Wermke and Gabetamann is impressive but
      unfortunately only available in German 26. In addition to being applied in the
      heart and the liver, CEUS was first used in transcranial applications 27 and in
      vessels 28, the kidneys 29, and the breast 30. Measurements at transit times were
      also of particular interest 31. It was difficult to convince ultrasound device
      manufacturers of the need to adapt US units to US contrast agents and not vice
      versa.The breakthrough came with low MI phase contrast inversion and the
      introduction of SonoVue((r)) in many European countries in 2001. This more stable
      US contrast agent is easy to use and is becoming indispensable in diagnostic
      imaging of the liver 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40. Studies have shown its excellent
      tolerability 41 and diagnostic reliability comparable to that of MDCT and MRI in
      the liver 42 43. Today it would be unimaginable to diagnose liver tumors without
      CEUS 44. This also applies to very small lesions 45 46.EFSUMB published the first
      CEUS guidelines in 2004 47 which have since been reissued and divided into
      hepatic 48 and extrahepatic applications 49. The first recommendations regarding
      quantitative assessment have also been published 50.The increasing scientific
      interest in CEUS is evident based on the greater number of PubMed hits for
      Echovist((r)) (ca. 130), Levovist((r)) (ca. 500) and SonoVue((r)) (ca. 1500) as
      well as on the fact that publications regarding CEUS comprise almost 20 % of
      UiM/EJU articles in the last 10 years. The number of CEUS articles in UiM/EJU
      continues to be high 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
      71 72 73 74 75.In the clinical reality, CEUS has been able to become established
      alongside CT and MRI according to the saying "better is the enemy of good" 76 as
      the method of choice after B-mode ultrasound in the evaluation of liver tumor
      malignancy in Germany, where the technically challenging method is promoted. In
      the case of unclear CT and MRI findings, CEUS performed by an experienced
      examiner/clinician often provides the solution, particularly in the case of small
      lesions, and is the last resort before US-guided biopsy 45 46. However, there is
      a lack of competent CEUS examiners and Germany continues to be the world champion
      of X-ray examinations with no noticeable reverse trend. In almost every doctor's
      office and hospital, ultrasound costs are by far not fully covered, resulting in
      an extremely high frequency of CT use with CT being available to everyone
      regardless of insurance status.The USA is now in the starting position for CEUS.
      It will be exciting to see how the method will develop there. The FDA's decision
      to approve sulfur hexafluoride (Lumason((r)) = SonoVue((r))) should be considered
      against the background of the radiation exposure caused by CT examinations and
      the fact that MRI using gadolinium-containing contrast agents is no longer
      considered noninvasive because of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) and the
      accumulation of the agent in the cerebrum. An essential point of the campaign
      regarding the avoidance of diagnostic radiation exposure triggered in the USA by
      the publications of Brenner et al. 77 78 was that the agent was approved for use
      in the liver even for children 79 80 - still off label in Europe - without
      additional comprehensive studies due to the available scientific results and the
      very low side effects profile of Lumason((r)) (= SonoVue((r))). It is admittedly
      unclear why other indications (except the heart which has been approved since
      2014) are excluded even though the microbubbles as a pure blood pool contrast
      agent can be diagnostically used in the entire vascular system and bed of all
      organs. To our knowledge, there is no such restriction on the approval of X-ray
      contrast agents.Like echocardiography and emergency ultrasound, CEUS began in
      Europe but will probably only establish its final diagnostic value as a
      "reimport".This is a major opportunity to permanently define the role of
      Ultrasound as a highly valuable, patient-centered imaging method in the German
      health care system.This may prompt some of our international readers to reflect
      upon the role of CEUS in their own countries. 

PMID- 27276058
TI  - Rapid Recovery of CD3+CD8+ T Cells on Day 90 Predicts Superior Survival after
      Unmanipulated Haploidentical Blood and Marrow Transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapid immune reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (allo-HSCT) is significantly associated with lower infection,
      relapse and possibly secondary malignancy rates. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the role of peripheral lymphocyte subsets, especially CD3+CD8+
      cytotoxic T cell recovery, in predicting transplant outcomes, including the
      overall survival (OS) and non-relapse mortality (NRM) rates after unmanipulated
      haploidentical blood and marrow transplantation (HBMT). METHODS: Peripheral blood
      samples were obtained from 214 HBMT recipients with hematological malignancies.
      The peripheral lymphocyte subsets (CD3+ T cells, CD3+CD4+ helper T cells,
      CD3+CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, and CD19+ B cells) were analyzed by flow cytometry at
      days 30, 60, 90, 180, 270 and 360 after HBMT. RESULTS: The CD3+CD8+ cytotoxic T
      cell recovery at day 90 (CD3+CD8+-90) was correlated with bacterial infection (P
      = 0.001), NRM (P = 0.001), leukemia-free survival (LFS, P = 0.005), and OS (P =
      0.001) at a cutoff value of 375 cells/MUL CD3+CD8+ T cells. The incidence of
      bacterial infection in patients with the CD3+CD8+-90 at >=375 cells/MUL was
      significantly lower than that of cases with the CD3+CD8+-90 at <375 cells/MUL
      after HBMT (14.6% versus 41.6%, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed the rapid
      recovery of CD3+CD8+ T cells at day 90 after HBMT was strongly associated with a
      lower incidence of NRM (HR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.15-0.60; P = 0.000) and superior LFS
      (HR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.32-0.82; P = 0.005) and OS (HR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.23-0.63; P
      = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the rapid recovery of CD3+CD8+
      cytotoxic T cells at day 90 following HBMT could predict superior transplant
      outcomes.

PMID- 27276059
TI  - An analysis of QTc prolongation with atypical antipsychotic medications and
      selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors using a large ECG record database.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs and
      selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on the corrected QT (QTc)
      interval using a large database obtained from clinical settings. Additionally,
      the effects of factors including age on QTc intervals were estimated. METHODS:
      Using an open-access QT database (ECG-ViEW), QTc-lengthening effects of 14
      selected atypical antipsychotics and SSRIs were compared to those of a positive
      control drug, cilostazol, and a negative control drug, diazepam. We also
      evaluated effects of age, sexgender, and select electrolyte levels on observed
      QTc intervals. RESULTS: The frequency of QTc prolongation with the pooled data of
      the 14 study drugs was lower than that with cilostazol (age-adjusted odds ratio
      (OR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.27-0.69), but no significant
      difference was found relative to when compared with that with diazepam (age
      adjusted OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.55-1.47). Furthermore, administration of the 14
      study drugs significantly increased the QTc interval by 2.89 ms after each 10
      year age increment (p-value < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that
      atypical antipsychotic drugs and SSRIs are less likely to be associated with QTc
      prolongation in clinical settings. In addition, age showed a significant
      association with the QTc interval. Further studies with well-characterized
      cohorts are warranted.

PMID- 27276060
TI  - Immunohistochemical Analysis of PD-L1 Expression in Canine Malignant Cancers and
      PD-1 Expression on Lymphocytes in Canine Oral Melanoma.
AB  - Spontaneous cancers are common diseases in dogs. Among these, some malignant
      cancers such as oral melanoma, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mast cell tumor
      are often recognized as clinical problems because, despite their high
      frequencies, current treatments for these cancers may not always achieve
      satisfying outcomes. The absence of effective systemic therapies against these
      cancers leads researchers to investigate novel therapeutic modalities, including
      immunotherapy. Programmed death 1 (PD-1) is a costimulatory receptor with
      immunosuppressive function. When it binds its ligands, PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) or PD
      L2, PD-1 on T cells negatively regulates activating signals from the T cell
      receptor, resulting in the inhibition of the effector function of cytotoxic T
      lymphocytes. Aberrant PD-L1 expression has been reported in many human cancers
      and is considered an immune escape mechanism for cancers. In clinical trials,
      anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies induced tumor regression for several
      malignancies, including advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and
      renal cell carcinoma. In this study, to assess the potential of the PD-1/PD-L1
      axis as a novel therapeutic target for canine cancer immunotherapy,
      immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 expression in various malignant cancers of
      dogs was performed. Here, we show that dog oral melanoma, osteosarcoma,
      hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumor, mammary adenocarcinoma, and prostate
      adenocarcinoma expressed PD-L1, whereas some other types of cancer did not. In
      addition, PD-1 was highly expressed on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes obtained
      from oral melanoma, showing that lymphocytes in this cancer type might have been
      functionally exhausted. These results strongly encourage the clinical application
      of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as novel therapeutic agents against these cancers in
      dogs. 

PMID- 27276061
TI  - Investigating the Role of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma Activation on the Dynamics of
      iNOS Gene Expression in LPS Stimulated Macrophages.
AB  - Macrophage produced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is known to play a
      critical role in the proinflammatory response against intracellular pathogens by
      promoting the generation of bactericidal reactive nitrogen species. Robust and
      timely production of nitric oxide (NO) by iNOS and analogous production of
      reactive oxygen species are critical components of an effective immune response.
      In addition to pathogen associated lipopolysaccharides (LPS), iNOS gene
      expression is dependent on numerous proinflammatory cytokines in the cellular
      microenvironment of the macrophage, two of which include interferon gamma (IFN
      gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). To understand the synergistic
      effect of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha activation, and LPS stimulation on iNOS
      expression dynamics and NO production, we developed a systems biology based
      mathematical model. Using our model, we investigated the impact of pre-infection
      cytokine exposure, or priming, on the system. We explored the essentiality of IFN
      gamma priming to the robustness of initial proinflammatory response with respect
      to the ability of macrophages to produce reactive species needed for pathogen
      clearance. Results from our theoretical studies indicated that IFN-gamma and
      subsequent activation of IRF1 are essential in consequential production of iNOS
      upon LPS stimulation. We showed that IFN-gamma priming at low concentrations
      greatly increases the effector response of macrophages against intracellular
      pathogens. Ultimately the model demonstrated that although TNF-alpha contributed
      towards a more rapid response time, measured as time to reach maximum iNOS
      production, IFN-gamma stimulation was significantly more significant in terms of
      the maximum expression of iNOS and the concentration of NO produced. 

PMID- 27276062
TI  - CD24 Expression May Play a Role as a Predictive Indicator and a Modulator of
      Cisplatin Treatment Response in Head and Neck Squamous Cellular Carcinoma.
AB  - Platinum-based therapy is most often used to treat advanced cases of head and
      neck cancers, but only a small fraction of the patient population responds to
      cisplatin, with a median survival time of less than a year. Although gene
      signatures and molecular etiology of head and neck cancers have been previously
      described, none of them are predictive indicators of cisplatin treatment response
      in particular. Therefore, currently, there is a lack of clinically employable
      predictive indicators of the disease beyond HPV status to specifically predict
      patients' response to platinum-based therapy. It beckons a substantial effort to
      look for predictive indicators of cisplatin treatment response. In this regard,
      CD24 expression level appears to be a significant molecular phenotype of
      cisplatin-resistant residual cells in laryngeal carcinoma lines. CD24 expression
      level directly affects cisplatin sensitivity and affects the expression of
      critical apoptotic, stem and drug resistance genes. A relatively small
      retrospective patient tumor analysis suggests that CD24 high tumors go on to show
      an unfavorable response to cisplatin treatment. Overall, based on the strength of
      further analysis, CD24 presents a strong rationale to be utilized as a predictive
      indicator to stratify head and neck cancer patients for platinum-based therapy.
      It also provides a rationale for using CD24 as a therapeutic adjuvant target
      along with standard cisplatin therapy. 

PMID- 27276064
TI  - MicroRNA-200b Impacts Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion by Regulating
      Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin.
AB  - BACKGROUND Ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) plays an important role in multiple links
      of tumors. It also involved in breast cancer invasion and metastasis, and might
      be a potential biomarker of breast cancer. Another study suggested that ERM
      expression was regulated directly by miR-200c, and had a critical role in miR
      200c suppressing cell migration. This study aimed to investigate the effect of
      miR-200b on ERM expression in a breast cancer cell line and its influence on
      invasion and metastasis ability in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS Breast cancer cell
      lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with different metastatic potentials were selected as
      a model. MiR-200b overexpression or inhibition was achieved by LipofectamineTM
      2000-mediated miRNA transfection. RT-PCR was used to test miR-200b level, while
      Western blot was selected to detect ERM protein expression. Wound healing assay
      and Transwell assay were performed to determine cell migration and invasion
      ability. RESULTS RT-PCR revealed that miR-200b level in MDA-MB-231 was obviously
      lower than that in MCF-7, while Western blot analysis showed that ERM expression
      was significantly higher. MiR-200b inhibition by transfection in MCF-7 markedly
      decreased miR-200b level, elevated ERM expression, and enhanced cell migration
      and invasion. MiR-200b overexpression in MDA-MB-231 obviously increased miR-200b
      level, reduced ERM expression, and weakened cell migration and invasion.
      CONCLUSIONS MiR-200b participates in breast cancer cell migration and invasion
      through regulating ERM in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. 

PMID- 27276065
TI  - Red Light Treatment in an Axotomy Model of Neurodegeneration.
AB  - Red light has been shown to provide neuroprotective effects. Axotomizing the
      optic nerve initiates retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration, and an early
      marker of this is dendritic pruning. We hypothesized that 670 nm light can delay
      axotomy-induced dendritic pruning in the retinal explant. To test this
      hypothesis, we monitored the effects of 670 nm light (radiant exposure of 31.7 J
      cm(-2) ), on RGC dendritic pruning in retinal explants from C57BL/6J mice, at 40
      min, 8 h and 16 h post axotomy. For sham-treated retinae, area under the Sholl
      curve, peak of the Sholl curve and dendritic length at 8 h post axotomy showed
      statistically significant reductions by 42.3% (P = 0.008), 29.8% (P = 0.007) and
      38.4% (P = 0.038), respectively, which were further reduced after 16 h by 40.56%
      (P < 0.008), 33.9% (P < 0.007), 45.43% (P < 0.006), respectively. Dendritic field
      area was also significantly reduced after 16 h, by 44.23% (P < 0.019). Such
      statistically significant reductions were not seen in light-treated RGCs at 8 or
      16 h post axotomy. The results demonstrate the ability of 670 nm light to
      partially prevent ex vivo dendropathy in the mouse retina, suggesting that it is
      worth exploring as a treatment option for dendropathy-associated
      neurodegenerative diseases, including glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease.

PMID- 27276063
TI  - Melanopsin Regulates Both Sleep-Promoting and Arousal-Promoting Responses to
      Light.
AB  - Light plays a critical role in the regulation of numerous aspects of physiology
      and behaviour, including the entrainment of circadian rhythms and the regulation
      of sleep. These responses involve melanopsin (OPN4)-expressing photosensitive
      retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs) in addition to rods and cones. Nocturnal light
      exposure in rodents has been shown to result in rapid sleep induction, in which
      melanopsin plays a key role. However, studies have also shown that light exposure
      can result in elevated corticosterone, a response that is not compatible with
      sleep. To investigate these contradictory findings and to dissect the relative
      contribution of pRGCs and rods/cones, we assessed the effects of light of
      different wavelengths on behaviourally defined sleep. Here, we show that blue
      light (470 nm) causes behavioural arousal, elevating corticosterone and delaying
      sleep onset. By contrast, green light (530 nm) produces rapid sleep induction.
      Compared to wildtype mice, these responses are altered in melanopsin-deficient
      mice (Opn4-/-), resulting in enhanced sleep in response to blue light but delayed
      sleep induction in response to green or white light. We go on to show that blue
      light evokes higher Fos induction in the SCN compared to the sleep-promoting
      ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO), whereas green light produced greater
      responses in the VLPO. Collectively, our data demonstrates that nocturnal light
      exposure can have either an arousal- or sleep-promoting effect, and that these
      responses are melanopsin-mediated via different neural pathways with different
      spectral sensitivities. These findings raise important questions relating to how
      artificial light may alter behaviour in both the work and domestic setting.

PMID- 27276066
TI  - Fullerene (C60)-based tumor-targeting nanoparticles with "off-on" state for
      enhanced treatment of cancer.
AB  - The traditional drug delivery systems always suffer from the unexpected drug
      release during circulation and the sluggish release of drug in target site. To
      address the problem, an "off-on" type drug delivery system with precise control
      was developed in this study. Doxorubicin (DOX) was covalently conjugated to
      fullerene (C60) nanoaggregates via a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive
      thioketal linker (C60-DOX NPs), and then the hydrophilic shell (Distearoyl-sn
      glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-PEG-CNGRCK2HK3HK11, DSPE-PEG-NGR) was attached to
      the outer surface of C60-DOX, giving it (C60-DOX-NGR NP) excellent stability in
      physiological solutions and active tumor-targeting capacity. C60-DOX-NGR NPs were
      able to entrap DOX efficiently even at acidic environment (pH5.5) when they were
      "off" state. In sharp contrast, when the NPs were "on" state, a large number of
      ROS were generated by C60, leading to the breaking of ROS-sensitive linker,
      thereby enabling the burst release of DOX. The "off" or "on" state of C60-DOX-NGR
      NPs could be precisely remote-controlled by a 532nm laser (at a low power
      density) with a high spatial/temporal resolution. In the in vivo and in vitro
      studies, the C60-based drug delivery system with "off-on" state exhibited a high
      antitumor efficacy and a low toxicity to normal tissues due to its tumor
      targeting ability, remote-controlled drug release property and combined
      therapeutic effect (photodynamic therapy combined with chemotherapy).

PMID- 27276067
TI  - DREMECELS: A Curated Database for Base Excision and Mismatch Repair Mechanisms
      Associated Human Malignancies.
AB  - DNA repair mechanisms act as a warrior combating various damaging processes that
      ensue critical malignancies. DREMECELS was designed considering the malignancies
      with frequent alterations in DNA repair pathways, that is, colorectal and
      endometrial cancers, associated with Lynch syndrome (also known as HNPCC). Since
      lynch syndrome carries high risk (~40-60%) for both cancers, therefore we decided
      to cover all three diseases in this portal. Although a large population is
      presently affected by these malignancies, many resources are available for
      various cancer types but no database archives information on the genes
      specifically for only these cancers and disorders. The database contains 156
      genes and two repair mechanisms, base excision repair (BER) and mismatch repair
      (MMR). Other parameters include some of the regulatory processes that have roles
      in these disease progressions due to incompetent repair mechanisms, specifically
      BER and MMR. However, our unique database mainly provides qualitative and
      quantitative information on these cancer types along with methylation, drug
      sensitivity, miRNAs, copy number variation (CNV) and somatic mutations data. This
      database would serve the scientific community by providing integrated information
      on these disease types, thus sustaining diagnostic and therapeutic processes.
      This repository would serve as an excellent accompaniment for researchers and
      biomedical professionals and facilitate in understanding such critical diseases.
      DREMECELS is publicly available at http://www.bioinfoindia.org/dremecels. 

PMID- 27276068
TI  - The Human Protein Atlas - an important resource for basic and clinical research.

PMID- 27276070
TI  - Neopterin and hsCRP are not correlated in gestational diabetes mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine serum neopterin and high sensitive C-reactive protein
      (hsCRP) levels in patients with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
      METHODS: Neopterin and hsCRP levels were quantified in 28 women with GDM and 20
      pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Postpartum neopterin and
      hsCRP levels were measured in a follow-up study. RESULTS: Neopterin levels were
      significantly higher in women with GDM than in women with NGT (15.89 +/- 8.19
      nmol/L versus 10.4 +/- 3.8 nmol/L, p < 0.008, respectively), however the levels
      significantly decreased after delivery in GDM group (15.89 +/- 8.19 nmol/L versus
      11.63 +/- 5.96 nmol/L, p < 0.001). hsCRP levels were not different between women
      with and without GDM (5.74 +/- 3.91 versus 5.73 +/- 3.34, p = 0.9, respectively).
      In contrast, hsCRP levels decreased after delivery in patients with GDM (5.74 +/-
      3.91 versus 3.78 +/- 2.78, p < 0.01). Neopterin levels were correlated with
      maternal age (r = 0.3, p = 0.02) and fasting glucose (r = 0.4, p = 0.004),
      postprandial glucose (r = 0.3, p = 0.01), HbA1c (r = 0.3, p = 0.02), whereas
      hsCRP levels were correlated with pre-pregnancy (r = 0.3, p = 0.04) and pregnancy
      body mass index (r = 0.4, p = 0.008). No correlation between serum neopterin and
      hsCRP levels was found (p = 0.9). CONCLUSION: Neopterin levels increased in
      patients with GDM; hence, it may be related to inflammation. However, the lack of
      correlation between neopterin and hsCRP suggests the role of different attitudes
      of these two parameters in the course of pregnancy and GDM.

PMID- 27276069
TI  - Structural and Functional Characterization of a Novel Family of Cyclophilins, the
      AquaCyps.
AB  - Cyclophilins are ubiquitous cis-trans-prolyl isomerases (PPIases) found in all
      kingdoms of life. Here, we identify a novel family of cyclophilins, termed
      AquaCyps, which specifically occurs in marine Alphaproteobacteria, but not in
      related terrestric species. In addition to a canonical PPIase domain, AquaCyps
      contain large extensions and insertions. The crystal structures of two
      representatives from Hirschia baltica, AquaCyp293 and AquaCyp300, reveal the
      formation of a compact domain, the NIC domain, by the N- and C-terminal
      extensions together with a central insertion. The NIC domain adopts a novel mixed
      alpha-helical, beta-sheet fold that is linked to the cyclophilin domain via a
      conserved disulfide bond. In its overall fold, AquaCyp293 resembles AquaCyp300,
      but the two proteins utilize distinct sets of active site residues, consistent
      with differences in their PPIase catalytic properties. While AquaCyp293 is a
      highly active general PPIase, AquaCyp300 is specific for hydrophobic substrate
      peptides and exhibits lower overall activity. 

PMID- 27276071
TI  - [Parkinson's Disease at the Border Between Inpatient and Outpatient Care].
AB  - Parkinson's disease is characterized by a continuous spectrum of varying
      severity. The treatment is driven by new and sometimes highly complex therapeutic
      procedures. These two aspects are responsible for the blurred dividing line
      between outpatient and inpatient care. The aim of this article is to define
      criteria that should help determine the indication for inpatient or outpatient
      treatment. We introduce quality requirements that have already been taken into
      account in part in therapy modalities such as Parkinson complex treatment. The
      decision on the appropriate form of care affects the medical freedom of therapy,
      which must reconcile the legitimate interest of patients to receive optimal care
      with the given economic conditions. Our aim is to provide guidance on decisions
      on the best form of treatment in the context of changing framework conditions in
      the health sector. 

PMID- 27276072
TI  - [The Geriatric Patient with Parkinson's Disease - a Neurological Challenge].
AB  - Geriatric patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) represent a particular challenge
      in terms of diagnostics and treatment. This overview article addresses age
      related characteristics of this patient group and discusses particularities in PD
      symptoms in this age group, frequent comorbidities and the resulting
      polypharmacy. Questions regarding the availability of specialist and therapist
      care as well as end-of-life aspects are discussed. While comprehensive care
      structures are not always available, this patient group requires a
      multidisciplinary treatment team supervised by neurologists with ample experience
      in PD treatment. 

PMID- 27276073
TI  - [Wearable Technique for the Assessment of Parkinson Symptoms: What's the
      Future?].
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystem disorder with a plethora of symptoms
      affecting the quality of life of patients in the home environment. Due to the
      rapid development of wearable technique in the health and fitness sector, an
      increasing number of such wearable devices are available to complement diagnostic
      strategies of PD symptoms not only in the clinical but also in the home
      environment. This development has clear advantages over clinical evaluation, as
      the latter is relatively subjective, time-consuming and costly, and provides only
      a snapshot of the condition. First results about the use of such technology for
      the assessment of PD symptoms (including bradykinesia, dyskinesia, tremor, daily
      activity and sleep behavior) in the home environment are promising. They suggest
      that these techniques can provide complementary information about the symptoms of
      PD patients, and have the potential to be included in future diagnostic workup
      concepts of routine care in PD. The use of such technique provides also the
      opportunity to more actively include patients into medical decision-making
      processes. 

PMID- 27276074
TI  - [Perioperative Management of PD Patients].
AB  - Both patients and caregivers but also treating physicians are concerned about
      complications along with surgical interventions. A major problem is abrupt
      cessation of anti-Parkinson medication, which leads to manifold disturbances,
      sometimes even to an akinetic crisis. There are several means to guarantee
      continuous dopaminergic stimulation even in patients that are not allowed to take
      medication orally before they undergo surgery. Amongst others rectally applied
      levodopa, amantadine infusions, and especially the use of a rotigotine patch are
      good means to overcome oral intake. Perioperative management is important due to
      the fact that in Germany alone each year more than 10 000 PD patients undergo
      surgery. Main reasons for this are fractures, but also elective interventions.
      Further emergency situations that cause treatment as an inpatient are psychosis,
      motoric disability, but also pneumonia and cardiovascular disturbances. In
      contrast PD patients suffer less often from cancer. 

PMID- 27276075
TI  - Converting a Natural Protein Compartment into a Nanofactory for the Size
      Constrained Synthesis of Antimicrobial Silver Nanoparticles.
AB  - Engineered biological systems are used extensively for the production of high
      value and commodity organics. On the other hand, most inorganic nanomaterials are
      still synthesized via chemical routes. By engineering cellular compartments,
      functional nanoarchitectures can be produced under environmentally sustainable
      conditions. Encapsulins are a new class of microbial nanocompartments with
      promising applications in nanobiotechnology. Here, we engineer the Thermotoga
      maritima encapsulin EncTm to yield a designed compartment for the size
      constrained synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). These Ag NPs exhibit
      uniform shape and size distributions as well as long-term stability. Ambient
      aqueous conditions can be used for Ag NP synthesis, while no reducing agents or
      solvents need to be added. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized protein
      coated or shell-free Ag NPs is superior to that of silver nitrate and citrate
      capped Ag NPs. This study establishes encapsulins as an engineerable platform for
      the synthesis of biogenic functional nanomaterials.

PMID- 27276076
TI  - Patterns in Volatile Emission of Different Aerial Parts of Caper (Capparis
      spinosa L.).
AB  - We analyzed the spontaneous volatile emission of different aerial parts of the
      caper (Capparis spinosa L.) by HS-SPME-GC/MS. We identified 178 different
      compounds of which, in different proportions based on the sample type, the main
      ones were (E)-beta-ocimene, methyl benzoate, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, alpha
      guaiene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, germacrene B, (E)-nerolidol, isopropyl
      tetradecanoate, and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone. The multivariate statistical
      analyses seem to point out that the parameter leading the emission patterns is
      the function of the analyzed sample; the flower samples showed differences in the
      emission profile between their fertile and sterile portions and between the other
      parts of the plant. The green parts emission profiles group together in a cluster
      and are different from those of seeds and fruits. We also hydrodistilled fully
      bloomed caper flowers, whose volatile oil showed significant differences in the
      composition from those of other parts of the plant reported. 

PMID- 27276078
TI  - Who Is Who: An Anomalous Predator-Prey Role Exchange between Cyprinids and Perch.
AB  - Piscivory in cyprinids (Cyprinidae) is extremely rare. Specifically, common bream
      (Abramis brama) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are zooplanktivorous fish in
      deep lentic waters. Nevertheless, we observed predation by these two cyprinids
      under natural conditions in the Vir Reservoir, Czech Republic. We conducted diet
      analysis for cyprinids caught by trawling and gillnets and the large amount of
      young-of-the-year (YOY) perch (Perca fluviatilis), with sizes of 37-52 mm
      standard length, were found in their digestive tracts. In 2010, a large amount of
      YOY perch caused a significant decrease in Daphnia spp. size and abundance in the
      reservoir. Hence, a food deficit was induced for the cyprinids, apparent also
      from the poor nutritional condition of common bream which was much worse than the
      condition of those in similar reservoirs. Common carp and common bream shifted to
      forced piscivory, and they utilized the YOY perch as an alternative food source.
      In contrast, smaller species, such as roach (Rutilus rutilus) and bleak (Alburnus
      alburnus), widely utilized planktonic cyanobacteria. In the following year, YOY
      perch occurred in significantly lower numbers and conversely, Daphnia spp. size
      and abundance were significantly higher. The forced piscivory was not observed.
      Our results indicate a switch to forced piscivory by cyprinids, which was caused
      by a shortage of their natural food source. Moreover, this phenomenon presents an
      effective mechanism for reduction in the numbers of YOY perch, ensuring the
      stability of the ecosystem. 

PMID- 27276077
TI  - Comparative Effectiveness of Phosphate Binders in Patients with Chronic Kidney
      Disease: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) has been
      linked to poor health outcomes, including diminished quality and length of life.
      This condition is characterized by high phosphate levels and requires phosphate
      lowering agents-phosphate binders. The objective of this systematic review is to
      compare the effects of available phosphate binders on patient-important outcomes
      in patients with CKD-MBD. METHODS: Data sources included MEDLINE and EMBASE
      Trials from 1996 to February 2016. We also searched the Cochrane Register of
      Controlled Trials up to April 2016. Teams of two reviewers, independently and in
      duplicate, screened titles and abstracts and potentially eligible full text
      reports to determine eligibility, and subsequently abstracted data and assessed
      risk of bias in eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Eligible trials
      enrolled patients with CKD-MBD, randomized them to receive calcium (delivered as
      calcium acetate, calcium citrate or calcium carbonate), non-calcium-based
      phosphate binders (NCBPB) (sevelamer hydrochloride, sevelamer carbonate,
      lanthanum carbonate, sucroferric oxyhydroxide and ferric citrate), phosphorus
      restricted diet, placebo or no treatment, and reported effects on all-cause
      mortality, cardiovascular mortality or hospitalization at >=4 weeks follow-up. We
      performed network meta-analyses (NMA) for all cause-mortality for individual
      agents (seven-node analysis) and conventional meta-analysis of calcium vs. NCBPBs
      for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization. In the
      NMAs, we calculated the effect estimates for direct, indirect and network meta
      analysis estimates; for both NMA and conventional meta-analysis, we pooled
      treatment effects as risk ratios (RR) and calculated 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs) using random effect models. We used the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations,
      Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach to rate the quality of evidence
      for each paired comparison. RESULTS: Our search yielded 1190 citations, of which
      71 RCTs were retrieved for full review and 15 proved eligible. With 13 eligible
      studies from a prior review, we included 28 studies with 8335 participants; 25
      trials provided data for our quantitative synthesis. Results suggest higher
      mortality with calcium than either sevelamer (NMA RR, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.02 to
      3.50], moderate quality evidence) or NCBPBs (conventional meta-analysis RR, 1.76
      [95% CI, 1.21 to 2.56, moderate quality evidence). Conventional meta-analysis
      suggested no difference in cardiovascular mortality between calcium and NCBPBs
      (RR, 2.54 [95% CI, 0.67 to 9.62 low quality evidence). Our results suggest higher
      hospitalization, although non-significant, with calcium than NCBPBs (RR, 1.293
      [95% CI, 0.94 to 1.74, moderate quality evidence). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Use of
      calcium results in higher mortality than either sevelamer in particular and
      NCBPBs in general (moderate quality evidence). Our results raise questions about
      whether administration of calcium as an intervention for CKD- MBD remains
      ethical. Further research is needed to explore the effects of different types of
      phosphate binders, including novel agents such as iron, on quality and quantity
      of life. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD-42016032945.

PMID- 27276079
TI  - Psychosocial Interventions for Families with Parental Cancer and Barriers and
      Facilitators to Implementation and Use - A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parental cancer has a significant impact on minor children and
      families. Psychosocial interventions for affected families can provide support
      where necessary. This systematic review aims at providing an overview of existing
      interventions and support programs and focuses on the systematic investigation of
      barriers and facilitators for using psychosocial interventions for families
      affected by parental cancer (PROSPERO; registration number CRD42014013020).
      METHODS: A search of five electronic databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycInfo,
      Psyndex, CINAHL) was conducted in June 2014, and updated in September 2015. We
      included any kind of studies reporting psychosocial support services or
      interventions for families affected by parental cancer. Study quality was
      assessed using the Mixed Method Assessment Tool. Narrative synthesis and thematic
      analyses were undertaken to examine the included interventions and to identify
      barriers and facilitators for use and implementation. RESULTS: A total of 36
      studies covering 19 interventions and support services were included in the
      systematic review. Interventions focused on children, parents or several family
      members and analyses revealed a broad picture of theoretical background and
      primary aims. Several studies focused on developmental or implementation phases
      or descriptions of interventions. Other included studies reported results of
      evaluations using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results suggest that
      interventions are helpful and that participants improved in various outcomes. The
      thematic analyses indicate that barriers for use of support services refer to
      aspects concerning the patients and families, such as practical difficulties,
      perceived need for support or fear of stigma. Cancer patients who understood the
      need and benefit of support services may have used them more often. Additionally,
      intervention characteristics such as a flexible structure and accessibility were
      important to reach families affected by parental cancer. Disease characteristics
      and complications in collaborations were identified as potential barriers. The
      provision of information about interventions by clinicians and understanding the
      support as part of routine care seem to be key issues for implementation and use
      of psychosocial support. CONCLUSION: This review identified a broad number of
      intervention concepts for families with minor children affected by parental
      cancer. Findings provide a basis for existing or future psychosocial
      interventions to anticipate potential barriers and facilitators to implementation
      and use and can help to reach a wider range of families in need for support.

PMID- 27276080
TI  - Vitamin D Status Does Not Affect Disability Progression of Patients with Multiple
      Sclerosis over Three Year Follow-Up.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) as well
      as MS disease activity is associated with vitamin D (25(OH)D) status. The
      relationship between the main functional disability hallmark of MS, disability
      progression, and 25(OH)D status is less well established though, especially not
      in MS patients with progressive disease. METHODS: This retrospective follow-up
      study included 554 MS patients with a serum baseline 25(OH)D level and Expanded
      Disability Status Scale (EDSS) with a minimum follow-up of three years. Logistic
      regressions were performed to assess the effect of baseline 25(OH)D status on
      relapse rate. Repeated measures linear regression analyses were performed to
      assess the effect on disability and disability progression. RESULTS: Baseline
      deseasonalized 25(OH)D status was associated with subsequent relapse risk
      (yes/no), but only in the younger MS patients (<= 37.5 years; OR = 0.872, per 10
      nmol/L 25(OH)D, p = 0.041). Baseline 25(OH)D status was not significantly
      associated with either disability or disability progression, irrespective of MS
      phenotype. CONCLUSION: Within the physiological range, 25(OH)D status is just
      significantly associated with the occurrence of relapses in younger MS patients,
      but is not associated with disability or disability progression over three years
      follow-up. Whether high dose supplementation to supra physiological 25(OH)D
      levels prevents disability progression in MS should become clear from long term
      follow-up of supplementation studies.

PMID- 27276082
TI  - Temporal Trends and Spatial Variability of Vegetation Phenology over the Northern
      Hemisphere during 1982-2012.
AB  - Satellite-derived vegetation phenology has been recognized as a key indicator for
      detecting changes in the terrestrial biosphere in response to global climate
      change. However, multi-decadal changes and spatial variation of vegetation
      phenology over the Northern Hemisphere and their relationship to climate change
      have not yet been fully investigated. In this article, we investigated the
      spatial variability and temporal trends of vegetation phenology over the Northern
      Hemisphere by calibrating and analyzing time series of the satellite-derived
      normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) during 1982-2012, and then further
      examine how vegetation phenology responds to climate change within different
      ecological zones. We found that during the period from 1982 to 2012 most of the
      high latitude areas experienced an increase in growing period largely due to an
      earlier beginning of vegetation growing season (BGS), but there was no
      significant trend in the vegetation growing peaks. The spatial pattern of
      phenology within different eco-zones also experienced a large variation over the
      past three decades. Comparing the periods of 1982-1992, 1992-2002 with 2002-2012,
      the spatial pattern of change rate of phenology shift (RPS) shows a more
      significant trend in advancing of BGS, delaying of EGS (end of growing season)
      and prolonging of LGS (length of growing season) during 2002-2012, overall shows
      a trend of accelerating change. Temperature is a major determinant of
      phenological shifts, and the response of vegetation phenology to temperature
      varied across different eco-zones. 

PMID- 27276083
TI  - Intrauterine thrombosis of umbilical artery - case report.
AB  - CONTEXT: Umbilical cord thrombosis is related to greater fetal and perinatal
      morbidity and mortality. It is usually associated with umbilical cord
      abnormalities that lead to mechanical compression with consequent vascular
      ectasia. Its correct diagnosis and clinical management remains a challenge that
      has not yet been resolved. CASE REPORT: This study reports a case of umbilical
      artery thrombosis that occurred in the second half of a pregnancy. The umbilical
      cord was long, thin and overly twisted and the fetus presented severe
      intrauterine growth restriction. The clinical and histopathological findings from
      this case are described. CONCLUSIONS: This case report emphasizes the difficulty
      in diagnosing and clinically managing abnormalities of intrauterine life with a
      high chance of perinatal complications.

PMID- 27276081
TI  - Will Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir (Harvoni) Be Cost-Effective and Affordable for Chinese
      Patients Infected with Hepatitis C Virus? An Economic Analysis Using Real-World
      Data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known on the cost-effectiveness of novel regimens for
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared with standard-of-care with pegylated interferon
      (pegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in developing countries. We evaluated cost
      effectiveness of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir for 12 weeks compared with a 48-week
      pegIFN-RBV regimen in Chinese patients with genotype 1b HCV infection by economic
      regions. METHODS: A decision analytic Markov model was developed to estimate
      quality-adjusted-life-years, lifetime cost of HCV infection and incremental cost
      effectiveness ratios (ICERs). SVR rates and direct medical costs were obtained
      from real-world data. Parameter uncertainty was assessed by one-way and
      probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Threshold analysis was conducted to estimate
      the price which can make the regimen cost-effective and affordable. RESULTS:
      Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir was cost-effective in treatment-experienced patients with
      an ICER of US$21,612. It varied by economic regions. The probability of cost
      effectiveness was 18% and 47% for treatment-naive and experienced patients, and
      it ranged from 15% in treatment-naive patients in Central-China to 64% in
      treatment-experienced patients in Eastern-China. The price of 12-week
      sofosbuvir/ledipasvir treatment needs to be reduced by at least 81% to US$18,185
      to make the regimen cost-effective in all patients at WTP of one time GDP per
      capita. The price has to be US$105 to make the regimen affordable in average
      patients in China. CONCLUSION: Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir regimen is not cost
      effective in most Chinese patients with genotype 1b HCV infection. The results
      vary by economic regions. Drug price of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir needs to be
      substantially reduced when entering the market in China to ensure the widest
      accessibility.

PMID- 27276085
TI  - Development of a strategy of physician-patient relationship for improving care
      for patients with disorders of sex development: a qualitative study.
AB  - CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Care for patients with disorders of sex development (DSD)
      should be provided in integrated-care centers by a multidisciplinary team.
      Implementation of this project within the teaching clinic routine presents
      several challenges: 1) difficulties in relationships between the medical team and
      patients and their families; 2) age, ethnic and cultural differences; 3) DSD
      related prejudice; and 4) physicians' anxiety. We report on a psychologist's work
      strategy that focused on creating arrangements that could contribute towards
      development of the relationship between the medical team and patients and their
      families, as a way of preparing the clinical staff to manage treatment of adult
      DSD patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective qualitative study. METHODS: Between
      February 2010 and April 2015, we conducted a qualitative study in the Adrenal
      Outpatient Clinic of Escola Paulista de Medicina (Sao Paulo, Brazil), based on
      interviews, team discussions and group dynamics with resident physicians,
      postgraduate students and attending physicians. RESULTS: Implementation of the
      project allowed residents to build a story of differentiated care for their
      patients, thus facilitating dialog between them and making it possible to address
      taboo topics. Sequential care provided by the same resident led patients to feel
      that their doctor cared for them, with individuality, continuity and a sense of
      interest in their story. CONCLUSION: Presence of a psychologist in the outpatient
      routine enabled inclusion of subjective factors in the routine of medical
      consultations, thus broadening the notion of healthcare for patients with DSD,
      facilitating bonds and providing support for difficulties faced.

PMID- 27276086
TI  - Correction: Estradiol Enhances CD4+ T-Cell Anti-Viral Immunity by Priming Vaginal
      DCs to Induce Th17 Responses via an IL-1-Dependent Pathway.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005589.].

PMID- 27276087
TI  - Transcatheter intervention in a child with scimitar syndrome.
AB  - Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital heart disease characterised by anomalous
      pulmonary venous drainage to the inferior vena cava, aortopulmonary collaterals,
      hypoplasia of the right lung and intracardiac defects. Surgical correction
      remains the gold-standard therapy. However, non-surgical intervention has been
      reported effective in selected cases with scimitar syndrome. We report on a one
      year-old boy with scimitar syndrome who underwent stepwise transcatheter
      intervention as an alternative treatment. Embolisation of the aortopulmonary
      collaterals and occlusion of the atrial septal defect were performed using
      detachable coils and an Amplatzer septal occluder, respectively. The patient's
      postcathetherisation course was uneventful. The right cardiac chamber and
      pulmonary arterial pressure returned to normal during follow up.

PMID- 27276089
TI  - Spleen and Portal Pneumatosis Secondary to Clostridium perfringens Septicemia.

PMID- 27276088
TI  - Development and External Validation of a Melanoma Risk Prediction Model Based on
      Self-assessed Risk Factors.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Identifying individuals at high risk of melanoma can optimize primary
      and secondary prevention strategies. OBJECTIVE: To develop and externally
      validate a risk prediction model for incident first-primary cutaneous melanoma
      using self-assessed risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We used
      unconditional logistic regression to develop a multivariable risk prediction
      model. Relative risk estimates from the model were combined with Australian
      melanoma incidence and competing mortality rates to obtain absolute risk
      estimates. A risk prediction model was developed using the Australian Melanoma
      Family Study (629 cases and 535 controls) and externally validated using 4
      independent population-based studies: the Western Australia Melanoma Study (511
      case-control pairs), Leeds Melanoma Case-Control Study (960 cases and 513
      controls), Epigene-QSkin Study (44 544, of which 766 with melanoma), and Swedish
      Women's Lifestyle and Health Cohort Study (49 259 women, of which 273 had
      melanoma). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: We validated model performance internally
      and externally by assessing discrimination using the area under the receiver
      operating curve (AUC). Additionally, using the Swedish Women's Lifestyle and
      Health Cohort Study, we assessed model calibration and clinical usefulness.
      RESULTS: The risk prediction model included hair color, nevus density, first
      degree family history of melanoma, previous nonmelanoma skin cancer, and lifetime
      sunbed use. On internal validation, the AUC was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.67-0.73). On
      external validation, the AUC was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.63-0.69) in the Western
      Australia Melanoma Study, 0.67 (95% CI, 0.65-0.70) in the Leeds Melanoma Case
      Control Study, 0.64 (95% CI, 0.62-0.66) in the Epigene-QSkin Study, and 0.63 (95%
      CI, 0.60-0.67) in the Swedish Women's Lifestyle and Health Cohort Study. Model
      calibration showed close agreement between predicted and observed numbers of
      incident melanomas across all deciles of predicted risk. In the external
      validation setting, there was higher net benefit when using the risk prediction
      model to classify individuals as high risk compared with classifying all
      individuals as high risk. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The melanoma risk prediction
      model performs well and may be useful in prevention interventions reliant on a
      risk assessment using self-assessed risk factors.

PMID- 27276091
TI  - Sesquiterpenes from Inula japonica with Inhibitory Effects on Nitric Oxide
      Production in Murine Macrophage RAW 264.7 Cells.
AB  - Eight new sesquiterpenes (1-8), along with seven known sesquiterpenes (9-15),
      were isolated from a methanol extract of the flowers of Inula japonica. Their
      structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and
      HRESIMS data. All of isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on
      nitric oxide production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, with their IC50 values
      ranging from 1.9 to 15.4 MUM.

PMID- 27276090
TI  - MicroRNA Signatures of Drought Signaling in Rice Root.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drought stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses and the
      main constraint to rice agriculture. MicroRNA-mediated post-transcriptional gene
      regulation is one of the ways to establish drought stress tolerance in plants.
      MiRNAs are 20-24-nt regulatory RNAs that play an important role in regulating
      plant gene expression upon exposure to biotic and abiotic stresses.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we applied a partial root drying
      system as well as a complete root drying system to identify miRNAs involved in
      conditions of drought stress, drought signaling and wet signaling using high
      throughput sequencing. To this end, we produced four small RNA libraries: (1)
      fully-watered (WW), (2) fully-droughted (WD), and split-root systems where (3)
      one-half was well watered (SpWW) and (4) the other half was water-deprived
      (SpWD). Our analysis revealed 10,671 and 783 unique known and novel miRNA reads
      in all libraries, respectively. We identified, 65 (52 known + 13 novel), 72 (61
      known + 11 novel) and 51 (38 known + 13 novel) miRNAs that showed differential
      expression under conditions of drought stress, drought signaling and wet
      signaling, respectively. The results of quantitative real-time PCR showed
      expression patterns similar to the high-throughput sequencing results.
      Furthermore, our target prediction led to the identification of 244, 341 and 239
      unique target genes for drought-stress-, drought-signaling- and wet-signaling
      responsive miRNAs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest
      that miRNAs that are responsive under different conditions could play different
      roles in the regulation of abscisic acid signaling, calcium signaling,
      detoxification and lateral root formation.

PMID- 27276092
TI  - Serum Albumin Levels and Economic Status in Japanese Older Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low serum albumin levels are associated with aging and medical
      conditions such as cancer, liver dysfunction, inflammation, and malnutrition and
      might be an independent predictor of long-term mortality in healthy older
      populations. We tested the hypothesis that economic status is associated with
      serum albumin levels and explained by nutritional and health status in Japanese
      older adults. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from the
      Japan Gerontological Evaluation study (JAGES). The study participants were 6528
      functionally independent residents (3189 men and 3339 women) aged >=65 years
      living in four municipalities in Aichi prefecture. We used household income as an
      indicator of economic status. Multiple linear regression was used to compare
      serum albumin levels in relation to household income, which was classified as
      low, middle, and high. Additionally, mediation by nutritional and health-related
      factors was analyzed in multivariable models. RESULTS: With the middle-income
      group as reference, participants with low incomes had a significantly lower serum
      albumin level, even after adjustment for sex, age, residential area, education,
      marital status, and household structure. The estimated mean difference was -0.17
      g/L (95% confidence interval, -0.33 to -0.01 g/L). The relation between serum
      albumin level and low income became statistically insignificant when "body mass
      index", "consumption of meat or fish", "self-rated health", "presence of medical
      conditions", "hyperlipidemia", or "respiratory disease "was included in the
      model. CONCLUSION: Serum albumin levels were lower in Japanese older adults with
      low economic status. The decrease in albumin levels appears to be mediated by
      nutrition and health-related factors with low household incomes. Future studies
      are needed to reveal the existence of other pathways.

PMID- 27276093
TI  - Cost-Effectiveness of Different Cervical Screening Strategies in Islamic Republic
      of Iran: A Middle-Income Country with a Low Incidence Rate of Cervical Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is the fourth most common cancer among
      women worldwide. Cervical screening programs have reduced the incidence and
      mortality rates of ICC. We studied the cost-effectiveness of different cervical
      screening strategies in the Islamic Republic of Iran, a Muslim country with a low
      incidence rate of ICC. METHODS: We constructed an 11-state Markov model, in which
      the parameters included regression and progression probabilities, test
      characteristics, costs, and utilities; these were extracted from primary data and
      the literature. Our strategies included Pap smear screening and human
      papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing plus Pap smear triaging with different starting
      ages and screening intervals. Model outcomes included lifetime costs, life years
      gained, quality-adjusted life years (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness
      ratios (ICERs). One-way sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the
      stability of the results. RESULTS: We found that the prevented mortalities for
      the 11 strategies compared with no screening varied from 26% to 64%. The most
      cost-effective strategy was HPV screening, starting at age 35 years and repeated
      every 10 years. The ICER of this strategy was $8,875 per QALY compared with no
      screening. We found that screening at 5-year intervals was also cost-effective
      based on GDP per capita in Iran. CONCLUSION: We recommend organized cervical
      screening with HPV DNA testing for women in Iran, beginning at age 35 and
      repeated every 10 or 5 years. The results of this study could be generalized to
      other countries with low incidence rates of cervical cancer.

PMID- 27276094
TI  - A Triboelectric-Based Artificial Basilar Membrane to Mimic Cochlear Tonotopy.
AB  - A triboelectric-based artificial basilar membrane (TEABM) can mimic cochlear
      tonotopy by triboelectrification between Kapton film and aluminum foil. The two
      films are stacked and clamped to form a beam structure. The TEABM tonotopy is
      tested using an animal model to verify the feasibility of a self-powered acoustic
      sensor for a prototype cochlear implant.

PMID- 27276095
TI  - SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH UNDER AN INTEGRATED PERSPECTIVE OF THE HUMAN BEING.

PMID- 27276096
TI  - THE APPROVAL OF VEDOLIZUMAB FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES IN
      BRAZIL: the beginning of a new biological era.

PMID- 27276097
TI  - GUIDELINE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BILE DUCT CANCERS BY THE BRAZILIAN
      GASTROINTESTINAL TUMOR GROUP.
AB  - The Brazilian Gastrointestinal Tumor Group developed guidelines for the surgical
      and clinical management of patients with billiary cancers. The multidisciplinary
      panel was composed of experts in the field of radiology, medical oncology,
      surgical oncology, radiotherapy, endoscopy and pathology. The panel utilized the
      most recent literature to develop a series of evidence-based recommendations on
      different treatment and diagnostic strategies for cholangiocarcinomas and
      gallbladder cancers. 

PMID- 27276099
TI  - Correction to "Diastereoselective Passerini Reaction of Biobased Chiral
      Aldehydes: Divergent Synthesis of Various Polyfunctionalized Heterocycles".

PMID- 27276100
TI  - Population aging: The transformation of societies, by Donald T. Rowling.

PMID- 27276101
TI  - Fundamentals of Joint Injection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Using image guidance for joint access is a valuable fundamental skill.
      The purpose of this article is to review fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided
      techniques and the medications used for injection into the glenohumeral, elbow,
      wrist, hip, knee, and ankle joints. CONCLUSION: Thorough understanding of basic
      injection principles, knowledge of the underlying anatomy, and consideration of
      the advantages and disadvantages of the imaging approaches should facilitate
      selection of the most appropriate technique for any clinical scenario.

PMID- 27276098
TI  - Biophysical Characterization of Fluorotyrosine Probes Site-Specifically
      Incorporated into Enzymes: E. coli Ribonucleotide Reductase As an Example.
AB  - Fluorinated tyrosines (FnY's, n = 2 and 3) have been site-specifically
      incorporated into E. coli class Ia ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) using the
      recently evolved M. jannaschii Y-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair. Class Ia RNRs require
      four redox active Y's, a stable Y radical (Y.) in the beta subunit (position 122
      in E. coli), and three transiently oxidized Y's (356 in beta and 731 and 730 in
      alpha) to initiate the radical-dependent nucleotide reduction process. FnY (3,5;
      2,3; 2,3,5; and 2,3,6) incorporation in place of Y122-beta and the X-ray
      structures of each resulting beta with a diferric cluster are reported and
      compared with wt-beta2 crystallized under the same conditions. The essential
      diferric-FnY. cofactor is self-assembled from apo FnY-beta2, Fe(2+), and O2 to
      produce ~1 Y./beta2 and ~3 Fe(3+)/beta2. The FnY. are stable and active in
      nucleotide reduction with activities that vary from 5% to 85% that of wt-beta2.
      Each FnY.-beta2 has been characterized by 9 and 130 GHz electron paramagnetic
      resonance and high-field electron nuclear double resonance spectroscopies. The
      hyperfine interactions associated with the (19)F nucleus provide unique
      signatures of each FnY. that are readily distinguishable from unlabeled Y.'s. The
      variability of the abiotic FnY pKa's (6.4 to 7.8) and reduction potentials (-30
      to +130 mV relative to Y at pH 7.5) provide probes of enzymatic reactions
      proposed to involve Y.'s in catalysis and to investigate the importance and
      identity of hopping Y.'s within redox active proteins proposed to protect them
      from uncoupled radical chemistry.

PMID- 27276102
TI  - Using Wearable Video Technology to Build a Point-of-View Surgical Education
      Library.

PMID- 27276103
TI  - Absorption of SO2(g) by TDAE[O2SSO2](s) to Give TDAE[O2SS(O)2SO2](s): Related
      Reactions of [NR4]2[O2SSO2](s) (R = CH3, C2H5).
AB  - One mole equivalent of gaseous SO2 is absorbed by purple TDAE[O2SSO2](s),
      producing red, essentially spectroscopically pure TDAE[O2SS(O)2SO2](s); under
      prolonged evacuation, the product loses SO2(g), regenerating TDAE[O2SSO2](s).
      Similarly, [NR4]2[O2SS(O)2SO2](s) (R = Et, Me) can be prepared, albeit at lower
      purity, from the corresponding tetraalkylammonium dithionites (prepared by a
      modification of the known [NEt4]2[O2SSO2](s) preparation). While the [NEt4](+)
      salt is stable at rt; the [NMe4](+) salt has only limited stability at -78 
      degrees C. Vibrational spectra assignments for the anion in these salts were
      distinctly different from those for the anion in salts containing the long-known
      [O3SSSO3](2-) dianion, the most thermodynamically stable form of [S3O6](2-) (we
      prepared TDAE[O3SSSO3].H2O(s) and obtained its structure by X-ray diffraction and
      vibrational analyses). The best fit between the calculated ((B3PW91/6-311+G(3df)
      and PBE0/6-311G(d)) and experimental vibrational spectra were obtained with the
      dianion having the [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) structure. Vibrational analyses of the three
      [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) salts prepared in this work showed that the corresponding
      [O3SSO2](2-) salts were present as a ubiquitous decomposition product. The
      formation of these new [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) dianion salts was predicted to be
      favorable for [NMe4](+) and larger cations using a combination of theoretical
      calculations (B3PW91/6-311+G(3df)) and volume based thermodynamics (VBT). Similar
      methods accounted for the greater stabilities of the TDAE(2+) and [NEt4](+) salts
      of [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) compared to [NMe4]2[O2SS(O)2SO2](s) toward irreversible
      decomposition to the corresponding [O3SSO2](2-) salts. These salts represent the
      first known examples of a new class of poly(sulfur dioxide) dianion, [SO2]n(2-)
      in which n > 2. 

PMID- 27276104
TI  - Chromosome Microarray.
AB  - Over the last half century, knowledge about genetics, genetic testing, and its
      complexity has flourished. Completion of the Human Genome Project provided a
      foundation upon which the accuracy of genetics, genomics, and integration of
      bioinformatics knowledge and testing has grown exponentially. What is lagging,
      however, are efforts to reach and engage nurses about this rapidly changing
      field. The purpose of this article is to familiarize nurses with several
      frequently ordered genetic tests including chromosomes and fluorescence in situ
      hybridization followed by a comprehensive review of chromosome microarray. It
      shares the complexity of microarray including how testing is performed and
      results analyzed. A case report demonstrates how this technology is applied in
      clinical practice and reveals benefits and limitations of this scientific and
      bioinformatics genetic technology. Clinical implications for maternal-child
      nurses across practice levels are discussed. 

PMID- 27276105
TI  - Posttraumatic Growth After Birth Trauma: "I Was Broken, Now I Am Unbreakable".
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate women's experiences of
      posttraumatic growth following traumatic childbirth. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A
      descriptive phenomenological study was conducted using Colaizzi's data analysis
      method. The Internet sample of 15 mothers was recruited from the Trauma and Birth
      Stress Web site. Women were asked to describe in as much detail as they could
      remember, their experiences of any positive changes in their beliefs or life as a
      result of their traumatic childbirth. RESULTS: Using Calhoun and Tedeschi's
      metaphor of an earthquake to help explain posttraumatic growth, the seismic waves
      of birth trauma had enough power to lead to four themes of posttraumatic growth
      revealed in this phenomenological study: (1) Opening oneself up to a new present,
      (2) Achieving a new level of relationship nakedness, (3) Fortifying spiritual
      mindedness, and (4) Forging new paths. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Mothers'
      experiences of their personal growth after birth trauma can help inform future
      research that can promote posttraumatic growth in mothers. Clinicians can share
      results of this study with their patients to provide some hope to mothers
      struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic birth that some women have reported
      positive growth. Healthcare providers need to respect trauma survivors' struggles
      while at the same time permitting mothers to explore possibilities for growth.
      Clinicians must not, however, create the false expectation that posttraumatic
      growth will happen in most trauma survivors.

PMID- 27276108
TI  - Yellow Fever in Angola and Beyond--The Problem of Vaccine Supply and Demand.

PMID- 27276110
TI  - Correction: Tracking Resilience to Infections by Mapping Disease Space.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002436.].

PMID- 27276109
TI  - Neonatal adverse drug reactions: an analysis of reports to the French
      pharmacovigilance database.
AB  - AIM: Term and preterm neonates are at high risk for serious adverse drug
      reactions (ADRs). METHODS: A descriptive study of reports registered in the
      French pharmacovigilance database from 1986 to 2012 were obtained. All reports
      concerning neonates (<=1 month of life) with direct drug exposure were retrieved.
      Characteristics of the reports, including reported ADR(s), drug(s) and the
      causality assessment using the French causality assessment method, were
      described. RESULTS: A total of 1688 reports were analyzed and more than half of
      them were classified as serious (n = 995). Median age at ADR occurrence was 9
      days. Overall, 3127 ADRs were described in these reports in relation to 2238
      suspect/interacting drugs. The most commonly reported system organ classes (SOCs)
      were injury, poisoning and procedural complications (16%), general disorders and
      administration site conditions (12.5%) and blood and lymphatic system disorders
      (12%). In the majority of ADRs reported (73%), infants fully recovered and less
      than 4% of neonates deceased as a consequence of the reported ADR. One out of
      five ADRs was associated with drug administration errors. Therapeutic classes
      commonly incriminated were anti-infectives, nervous system and alimentary tract
      drugs. Substances most frequently related to serious ADRs were zidovudine,
      ibuprofen and nevirapine. Among the 10 most frequently encountered drug-ADR
      pairs, two substances were mainly implicated, zidovudine in haematological
      adverse reactions and phytomenadione in maladministrations. CONCLUSIONS: Anti
      infective drugs, mainly antiretroviral therapy, account for the majority of ADRs
      reported in neonates. The specific issue of drug maladministration and medication
      errors remains to be addressed in neonates.

PMID- 27276111
TI  - Bone Reduction to Facilitate Immediate Implant Placement and Loading Using
      CAD/CAM Surgical Guides for Patients With Terminal Dentition.
AB  - The aim of this study is to present a method, using 3 computer-aided
      design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) surgical guides, to accurately
      obtain the desired bone reduction followed by immediate implant placements and
      loading for patients diagnosed with terminal dentition. Patients who had bone
      reduction, implants placed, and immediate loading using Anatomage Invivo 5
      CAD/CAM surgical guides between the period 2013 and 2015 were evaluated
      retrospectively. Patients diagnosed with terminal dentition and treated using the
      "3-guide technique" were identified. Pre- and postsurgical images were
      superimposed to evaluate deviations of the bone reduction and deviations at the
      crest, apex, and angle of implants placed. Twenty-six implants placed in 5
      patients were included in this study. The overall deviation means measured for
      bone reduction was 1.98 mm. The overall deviation means measured for implant
      placement at the crest, apex, and angle were 1.43 mm, 1.90 mm, and 4.14 degrees ,
      respectively. The CAD/CAM surgical guide fabrication is an emerging tool that may
      facilitate the surgical process and aid in safe and predictable execution of bone
      reduction and immediate implant placement. Using 3 CAD/CAM surgical guides, a
      method is presented to obtain the desired bone reduction followed by immediate
      implant placement and loading for patients diagnosed with terminal dentition.
      This method may improve guide stability for patients with terminal dentition
      undergoing complete implant-supported treatment by taking advantage of the teeth
      to be extracted.

PMID- 27276112
TI  - Loss of CDKN2A Promoter Methylation Coincides With the Epigenetic
      Transdifferentiation of Uterine Myosarcomatous Cells.
AB  - Leiomyosarcoma is the most common type of uterine sarcoma and usually displays
      typical morphology. Heterologous leiomyosarcoma is the rarest variant, in which
      the tumor contains liposarcomatous, osteosarcomatous, or rhabdomyosarcomatous
      components. We have investigated the largest series of uterine leiomyosarcoma
      with a rhabdomyosarcomatous component and we have disclosed a molecular finding,
      which coincides to the process of transdifferentiation from smooth muscle into
      striated muscle phenotype. The surgical specimens of 5 rare cases of uterine
      leiomyosarcoma with a rhabdomyosarcomatous component were formalin fixed and
      paraffin embedded. In addition to hematoxylin/eosin stains, phosphotungstic acid
      hematoxylin staining, immunohistochemistry, and methylation-specific polymerase
      chain reaction the CDKN2A promoter region were performed. Leiomyosarcomatous
      cells were found to be strongly immunoreactive for both desmin and alpha-smooth
      muscle actin. Rhabdomyosarcomatous cells were immunoreactive for sarcomeric
      actin, desmin, vimentin, CD10, and p16. The methylation-specific polymerase chain
      reaction revealed the presence of a methylated allele and an unmethylated allele
      in the microdissected samples, coming from leiomyosarcomatous cells. On the
      contrary, 2 unmethylated alleles, molecular expression of a loss of
      heterozygosity, were detected in all the microdissected samples in the
      rhabdomyosarcomatous cells. The loss of heterozygosity methylation in the
      promoter region of the CDKN2A gene, occurred only in the rhabdomyosarcomatous
      cells with increases in both p16 and p14 expression. This event may result in an
      inhibition of cdk4/cdk6 activity, stabilizes the tumor suppressor protein p53,
      and coincides with the transdifferentiation from smooth muscle into striated
      muscle. 

PMID- 27276113
TI  - RING domain is essential for the antiviral activity of TRIM25 from orange spotted
      grouper.
AB  - Tripartite motif-containing 25 (TRIM25) has been demonstrated to exert crucial
      roles in the regulation of innate immune signaling. However, the roles of fish
      TRIM25 in antiviral immune response still remained uncertain. Here, a novel fish
      TRIM25 gene from orange spotted grouper (EcTRIM25) was cloned and its roles in
      grouper virus infection were elucidated. EcTRIM25 encoded a 734-aa protein which
      shared 68% identity to large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Amino acid
      alignment showed that EcTRIM25 contained three conserved domains, including a
      RING-finger domain, a B box/coiled-coil domain and a SPRY domain. In healthy
      grouper, the transcript of EcTRIM25 was predominantly detected in skin, spleen
      and intestine. After stimulation with Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) or poly
      I:C, the relative expression of EcTRIM25 in grouper spleen was significantly
      increased at the early stage of injection. Subcellular localization analysis
      showed that EcTRIM25 distributed throughout the cytoplasm in grouper cells.
      Notably, the deletion RING domain affected its accurate localization and
      displayed microtubule like structures or bright aggregates in GS cells. After
      incubation with SGIV or red spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV),
      overexpression of full length of EcTRIM25 in vitro significantly decreased the
      viral gene transcription of SGIV and RGNNV. Consistently, the deletion of RING
      domain obviously affected the inhibitory effect of EcTRIM25. Furthermore,
      overexpression of EcTRIM25 significantly increased the expression level of
      interferon related signaling molecules, including interferon regulatory factor
      (IRF) 3, interferon-induced 35-kDa protein (IFP35), MXI, IRF7 and myeloid
      differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), suggesting that the positive regulation of
      interferon immune response by EcTRIM25 might affected RGNNV replication directly.
      Meanwhile, the expression levels of pro-inflammation cytokines were differently
      regulated by the ectopic expression of EcTRIM25. We proposed that the regulation
      of IRF7, MyD88 and pro-inflammation cytokines might contribute more important
      roles in SGIV infection. In addition, the RING domain of EcTRIM25 also played
      critical roles in the regulation of interferon immune and inflammation response.
      Together, our results will provide new evidences that the RING domain was
      essential for the antiviral action of fish TRIM25 against iridovirus and
      nodavirus infection. 

PMID- 27276114
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of immune response genes induced by pathogen agonists in
      the Antarctic bullhead notothen Notothenia coriiceps.
AB  - Fish are a representative population of lower vertebrates that serve as an
      essential link to early vertebrate evolution, and this has fueled academic
      interest in studying ancient vertebrate immune defense mechanisms in teleosts.
      Notothenia coriiceps, a typical Antarctic notothenioid teleost, has evolved to
      adapt to the cold and thermally stable Antarctic sea. In this study, we examined
      adaptive signaling pathways and immune responses to bacterial and viral
      pathogenic exposure in N. coriiceps. Using RNA sequencing, we investigated
      transcriptional differences in the liver tissues of N. coriiceps challenged with
      two pathogen-mimicking agonists, a bacterial ligand (heat-killed Escherichia
      coli, HKEB) and a viral ligand (polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, Poly I:C). We
      found that 567 unique genes were up-regulated two-fold in the HKEB-exposed group,
      whereas 392 unique genes, including 124 immune-relevant genes, were up-regulated
      two-fold in the Poly I:C-exposed group. A KEGG pathway analysis of the 124 immune
      relevant genes revealed that they exhibited major features of antigen processing
      and presentation bacterial ligand exposure, but they were down-regulated after
      viral ligand exposure. A quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis revealed that
      TNFalpha and TNF2, major inducers of apoptosis, were highly up-regulated after
      exposure to the viral ligand but not the bacterial ligand. The results suggest
      that the bacterial and viral ligands up-regulate inducers of different immune
      mechanisms in N. coriiceps liver tissue. N. coriiceps has an immune response
      defense strategy that uses antigen presentation against bacterial infection, but
      it may use a different defense, such as TNF-mediated apoptosis, against viral
      infection. The specific immune responses of N. coriiceps may be adaptations to
      the Antarctic environment and pathogens. These results will help define the
      characteristics of Antarctic fish and increase our understanding of their immune
      response mechanisms. 

PMID- 27276116
TI  - Formation and Self-assembly of Gold Nanoplates through an Interfacial Reaction
      for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering.
AB  - 3D hierarchical architectures assembled from individual particles have attracted
      great interest because they displayed novel properties from the individual
      building blocks as well as their complex structures. Here we present a new
      strategy to form 3D hierarchical gold (Au) nanostructures via an interfacial
      reduction reaction. An aniline (ANI) derivative, N-(3-amidino)-aniline (NAAN),
      and HAuCl4 were separately dissolved in toluene and water to form an
      organic/water interface. Au nanoplates formed at the interface and subsequently
      moved to the aqueous phase. As a capping agent for the nanoplate formation, the
      oxidized NAAN, i.e., poly(N-(3-amidino)-aniline) (PNAAN), also facilitated the
      self-assembly of Au nanoplates into 3D hierarchical Au nanoflowers (AuNFs)
      through pi-pi stacking. The individual AuNF exhibited good surface-enhanced Raman
      scattering (SERS) response both in enhancement factor and reproducibility because
      it integrates the SERS enhancement effects of individual Au nanoplates and their
      hierarchical structures. This is the first report depicting the one-pot formation
      and self-assembly of Au nanoplates into 3D organized hierarchical nanostructures
      through the molecular interaction of conducting polymer. 

PMID- 27276115
TI  - Minichromosome maintenance protein 7 regulates phagocytosis in kuruma shrimp
      Marsupenaeus japonicas against white spot syndrome virus.
AB  - Minichromosome maintenance protein (MCM7) belongs to the MCM protein family and
      participates in the MCM complex by playing a role in the cell replication cycle
      and chromosome initiation of eukaryotes. Previously, we found that several genes,
      including MCM7, were over-expressed in Drosophila melanogaster after white spot
      syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. In this study, we aimed to further research the
      MCM7 of kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus (mjMCM7) and determine its role in
      the innate immune system. To this end, we cloned the entire 2307-bp mjMCM7
      sequence, including a 1974-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 658-aa-long
      protein. Real-time PCR showed that the gene was primarily expressed in the
      hemolymph and hepatopancreas and over-expressed in shrimp challenged with WSSV.
      Gene function study was carried out by knocking down the expression of MCM7 using
      small interference RNA (siRNA). The results revealed that beta-actin, hemocyanin,
      prophenoloxidase (proPO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were up
      regulated while the cytoskeleton proteins such as myosin and Rho were
      significantly down-regulated at 24 h after treatment. The results indicate a
      possible relationship between mjMCM7 and the innate immune system, and suggest
      that mjMCM7 may play a role in phagocytosis. After WSSV challenge, WSSV copies
      and mortality count were both higher in the MCM7-siRNA-treated groups at 60 h
      after treatment, and the mortality count approached that of the control groups
      over time. The phagocytosis rate was significantly lower in the MCM7-siRNA
      treated group than in the WSSV group. The findings of this study confirm that
      mjMCM7 positively regulates phagocytosis and plays an important role against
      WSSV. These results could help researchers to further understand the function of
      the MCM7 protein and reveal its potential role in the innate immunity of
      invertebrates. 

PMID- 27276117
TI  - Predicting preschool pain-related anticipatory distress: the relative
      contribution of longitudinal and concurrent factors.
AB  - Anticipatory distress prior to a painful medical procedure can lead to negative
      sequelae including heightened pain experiences, avoidance of future medical
      procedures, and potential noncompliance with preventative health care, such as
      vaccinations. Few studies have examined the longitudinal and concurrent
      predictors of pain-related anticipatory distress. This article consists of 2
      companion studies to examine both the longitudinal factors from infancy as well
      as concurrent factors from preschool that predict pain-related anticipatory
      distress at the preschool age. Study 1 examined how well preschool pain-related
      anticipatory distress was predicted by infant pain response at 2, 4, 6, and 12
      months of age. In study 2, using a developmental psychopathology framework,
      longitudinal analyses examined the predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and
      present factors that led to the development of anticipatory distress during
      routine preschool vaccinations. A sample of 202 caregiver-child dyads was
      observed during their infant and preschool vaccinations (the Opportunities to
      Understand Childhood Hurt cohort) and was used for both studies. In study 1, pain
      response during infancy was not found to significantly predict pain-related
      anticipatory distress at preschool. In study 2, a strong explanatory model was
      created whereby 40% of the variance in preschool anticipatory distress was
      explained. Parental behaviours from infancy and preschool were the strongest
      predictors of child anticipatory distress at preschool. Child age positively
      predicted child anticipatory distress. This strongly suggests that the
      involvement of parents in pain management interventions during immunization is
      one of the most critical factors in predicting anticipatory distress to the
      preschool vaccination.

PMID- 27276118
TI  - Diagnostic Quality of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Interpretation for Peripheral
      Nerve Sheath Tumors: Can Malignancy Be Determined?
AB  - Background Optimal management of peripheral nerve sheath tumors including
      neurofibromas, schwannomas, and malignant peripheral sheath tumors (MPNSTs) is
      predicated on knowing the specific pathology. Magnetic resonance imagining (MRI)
      has the potential to provide insight in the tumor type, yet imprecision in
      diagnosis remains. We assessed the accuracy of preoperative imaging diagnoses by
      comparing them with postoperative histopathologic diagnoses. We specifically
      focus on erroneous diagnosis of MPNSTs. Methods We reviewed all pathologically
      confirmed cases of nerve sheath tumors treated at our institution retrospectively
      from 2007 to 2015. Pre- and postoperative imaging data were reviewed for imaging
      based diagnosis and compared with postresection pathologic diagnosis. Results The
      study included 127 patients: 82 diagnosed with neurofibroma, 17 with schwannoma,
      24 with MPNST, and 4 with other histology types. A mean age of 40.8 +/- 20.4
      years, mean tumor size of 4.3 +/- 3.6 cm, and mean follow-up of 29.1 +/- 21.6
      months were recorded. A family history of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was seen
      in 58 patients (46%). A discordant diagnosis from preoperative imaging and
      postoperative pathology was found in 65 individuals (51%). Most discordant
      diagnoses (n = 34) were inconclusive interpretation of preoperative imaging;
      however, 10 patients were diagnosed with a benign or unknown lesion on
      preoperative imaging but had an MPNST on histopathology. Patients with MPNST were
      more likely than those with benign pathologies to have larger lesions (7.6 +/-
      4.8 cm versus 3.5 +/- 3.3 cm; p = 0.004); however, a statistically acceptable
      threshold value could not be found to separate benign from malignant lesions.
      Clinical factors, such as NF1 status, did not meaningfully improve preoperative
      diagnosis. Conclusions These results suggest that routine MRI is insufficient to
      guide surgical decision making reliably. Additional imaging techniques may be
      necessary to delineate the radiologic features of nerve sheath tumors to
      determine pathology more precisely.

PMID- 27276119
TI  - Clinical and Radiographic Results of Indirect Decompression and Posterior
      Cervical Fusion for Single-Level Cervical Radiculopathy Using an Expandable
      Implant with 2-Year Follow-Up.
AB  - Background Indirect posterior cervical nerve root decompression and fusion
      performed by placing bilateral posterior cervical cages in the facet joints from
      a posterior approach has been proposed as an option to treat select patients with
      cervical radiculopathy. The purpose of this study was to report 2-year clinical
      and radiologic results of this treatment method. Methods Patients who failed
      nonsurgical management for single-level cervical radiculopathy were recruited.
      Surgical treatment involved a posterior approach with decortication of the
      lateral mass and facet joint at the treated level followed by placement of the
      DTRAX Expandable Cage (Providence Medical Technology, Lafayette, California,
      United States) into both facet joints. Iliac crest bone autograft was mixed with
      demineralized bone matrix and used in all cases. The Neck Disability Index (NDI),
      visual analog scale (VAS) for neck and arm pain, and SF-12 v.2 questionnaire were
      evaluated preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. Segmental (treated level)
      and overall C2-C7 cervical lordosis, disk height, adjacent segment degeneration,
      and fusion were assessed on computed tomography scans and radiographs acquired
      preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. Results Overall, 53 of 60 enrolled
      patients were available at 2-year follow-up. There were 35 females and 18 males
      with a mean age of 53 years (range: 40-75 years). The operated level was C3-C4 (N
      = 3), C4-C5 (N = 6), C5-C6 (N = 36), and C6-C7 (N = 8). The mean preoperative and
      2-year scores were NDI: 32.3 versus 9.1 (p < 0.0001); VAS Neck Pain: 7.4 versus
      2.6 (p < 0.0001); VAS Arm Pain: 7.4 versus 2.6 (p < 0.0001); SF-12 Physical
      Component Summary: 34.6 versus 43.6 (p < 0.0001), and SF-12 Mental Component
      Summary: 40.8 versus 51.4 (p < 0.0001). No significant changes in overall or
      segmental lordosis were noted after surgery. Radiographic fusion rate was 98.1%.
      There was no device failure, implant lucency, or surgical reinterventions.
      Conclusions Indirect decompression and posterior cervical fusion using an
      expandable intervertebral cage may be an effective tissue-sparing option in
      select patients with single-level cervical radiculopathy.

PMID- 27276120
TI  - Socioeconomic Drivers of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States.
AB  - Existing studies examined the U.S.'s direct GHG emitters and final consumers
      driving upstream GHG emissions, but overlooked the U.S.'s primary suppliers
      enabling downstream GHG emissions and relative contributions of socioeconomic
      factors to GHG emission changes from the supply side. This study investigates GHG
      emissions of sectors in the U.S. from production-based (direct emissions),
      consumption-based (upstream emissions driven by final consumption of products),
      and income-based (downstream emissions enabled by primary inputs of sectors)
      viewpoints. We also quantify relative contributions of socioeconomic factors to
      the US's GHG emission changes during 1995-2009 from both the consumption and
      supply sides, using structural decomposition analysis (SDA). Results show that
      income-based method can identify new critical sectors leading to GHG emissions
      (e.g., Renting of Machinery & Equipment and Other Business Activities and
      Financial Intermediation sectors) which are unidentifiable by production-based
      and consumption-based methods. Moreover, the supply side SDA reveals new factors
      for GHG emission changes: mainly production output structure representing product
      allocation pattern and primary input structure indicating sectoral shares in
      primary inputs. In addition to production-side and consumption-side GHG reduction
      measures, the U.S. should also pay attention to supply side measures such as
      influencing the behaviors of product allocation and primary inputs.

PMID- 27276162
TI  - The Effects of Trauma History and Prenatal Affective Symptoms on Obstetric
      Outcomes.
AB  - Prenatal maternal mood may inform the adverse obstetric outcomes seen in
      disadvantaged populations. The contribution of having a trauma history is not
      well studied. We examined the impact of trauma exposure and mood symptoms on
      obstetric outcomes in 358 women. Women with antecedent trauma were more likely to
      have a history of depression, odds ratio = 2.83, 95% confidence interval [1.81,
      4.42], were younger at their first pregnancy, 18.86 years versus 20.10 years, and
      had a higher number of previous pregnancies, 2.01 versus 1.54, compared to those
      with no trauma exposure. Women with prenatal anxiety had significantly smaller
      babies than nonanxious women, 3,313.17 g, (SD = 441.58) versus 3,429.27 g, (SD =
      437.82) Trauma history magnified the effects of maternal prenatal mood on
      birthweight; the moderating effect was limited to those who first experienced a
      trauma under 18 years of age. Childhood trauma exposure increased vulnerability
      for low birthweight delivery associated with prenatal mood disturbance. Screening
      pregnant women for trauma history and current mood symptoms is indicated.

PMID- 27276163
TI  - Competitive immobilization of Pb in an aqueous ternary-metals system by soluble
      phosphates with varying pH.
AB  - Chemical immobilization by phosphates has been widely and successfully applied to
      treat Pb in wastewater and contaminated soils. Pb in wastewaters and soils,
      however, always coexists with other heavy metals and their competitive reactions
      with phosphates have not been quantitatively and systematically studied. In this
      approach, immobilization of Pb, Zn, and Cd by mono-, di-, and tripotassium
      phosphate (KH2PO4, K2HPO4, and K3PO4) was observed in the single- and ternary
      metals solutions. The immobilization rates of the three metals were determined by
      the residual concentration. The mineral composition and structure of the
      precipitates were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and
      scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that competitive
      reaction occurred in Pb-Zn-Cd ternary system, with immobilization rates decrease
      of <3.6%, <78%, and <89% for Pb, Zn and Cd (molar ratios of P: metal <1),
      respectively, compared to single metal system. The reaction of Pb with three
      phosphates exhibited intense competitiveness and the phosphates had a stronger
      affinity for Pb when Cl(-) was added. Pb-phosphate minerals formed by KH2PO4 with
      the better crystalline characteristics and largest size were very stable with a
      low dissolution rate (<0.02%) in the solution of pH 2.88, compared to K2HPO4 and
      K3PO4. This study demonstrated that Pb could be firstly and effectively
      immobilized by phosphates in multi-metal solutions containing Pb, Zn and Cd.
      Moreover, the research provided the insight of the importance of phosphate with
      low pH (e.g. KH2PO4) and the presence of Cl(-) for more efficient immobilization
      of Pb in the multi-metals pollution system. 

PMID- 27276164
TI  - Effect of humic substances aggregation on the determination of fluoride in water
      using an ion selective electrode.
AB  - The control of drinking water quality is critical in preventing fluorosis. In
      this study humic substances (HS) are considered as representative of natural
      organic matter (NOM) in water. We show that when HS aggregate the response of
      fluoride ion selective electrodes (ISE) may be perturbed. Dynamic light
      scattering (DLS) results of both synthetic solutions and natural water sample
      suggest that low pH and high ionic strength induce HS aggregation. In the
      presence of HS aggregates, fluoride concentration measured by ISE has a reduction
      up to 19%. A new "open cage" concept has been developed to explain this
      reversible phenomenon. The interference of HS aggregation on fluoride measurement
      can be effectively removed by centrifugation pretreatment. 

PMID- 27276165
TI  - Effects of kinesiotaping versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and
      physical therapy for treatment of pes anserinus tendino-bursitis: A randomized
      comparative clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pes anserinus tendino-bursitis is a condition caused by repetitive
      friction over the bursa or direct trauma to knee joint and it presents with
      proximal medial tibial pain and swelling. The aim of this study is to determine
      the effects of kinesiotaping in comparison with naproxen and physical therapy in
      treatment of pes anserinus tendino-bursitis. METHODS: In a randomized comparative
      clinical trial 56 patients with clinical diagnosis of pes anserinus tendino
      bursitis were randomly assigned to kinesiotaping and naproxen/physical therapy
      (28 patients in each group). Kinesiotaping on the tender area in the form of
      space-correction (lifting) technique was used and repeated for three times with a
      one-week interval. Another group received naproxen (250mg TID for 10 days) and
      ten sessions of daily physical therapy. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used
      for evaluation of pain. The depth of swelling of the area was measured with
      sonography before and after treatment. Wilcoxon signed ranks test has been used
      for determining the influence of interventions on pain (VAS) and swelling scores
      in each group. The ANCOVA (Analysis of covariance) test was applied for comparing
      the influence of interventions on VAS and swelling scores after adjustment for co
      variables. RESULTS: At end of the study, 27 patients remained in the
      kinesiotaping group and 19 patients in naproxen/physical therapy group. Treatment
      with kinesiotaping significantly decreased the pain (P=0.0001) and swelling
      scores (P=0.0001) in comparison with naproxen/physical therapy after adjustment
      for baseline characteristics. Kinesiotaping was safe without any complications
      except for a mild local skin irritation in one patient. CONCLUSION: Kinesiotaping
      is more effective than naproxen plus physical therapy in reduction of pain and
      swelling in patients with pes anserinus tendino-bursitis. CLINICAL TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT01680263.

PMID- 27276167
TI  - Tuning Light Emission of a Pressure-Sensitive Silicon/ZnO Nanowires
      Heterostructure Matrix through Piezo-phototronic Effects.
AB  - Based on white light emission at silicon (Si)/ZnO hetrerojunction, a pressure
      sensitive Si/ZnO nanowires heterostructure matrix light emitting diode (LED)
      array is developed. The light emission intensity of a single heterostructure LED
      is tuned by external strain: when the applied stress keeps increasing, the
      emission intensity first increases and then decreases with a maximum value at a
      compressive strain of 0.15-0.2%. This result is attributed to the piezo
      phototronic effect, which can efficiently modulate the LED emission intensity by
      utilizing the strain-induced piezo-polarization charges. It could tune the energy
      band diagrams at the junction area and regulate the optoelectronic processes such
      as charge carriers generation, separation, recombination, and transport. This
      study achieves tuning silicon based devices through piezo-phototronic effect.

PMID- 27276166
TI  - Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Toward Quality Cartilage Using
      Fibrinogen-Based Nanofibers.
AB  - Mimicking the complex intricacies of the extra cellular matrix including 3D
      configurations and aligned fibrous structures were traditionally perused for
      producing cartilage tissue from stem cells. This study shows that human adipose
      derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) establishes significant chondrogenic
      differentiation and may generate quality cartilage when cultured on 2D and
      randomly oriented fibrinogen/poly-lactic acid nanofibers compared to 3D sandwich
      like environments. The adhering cells show well-developed focal adhesion
      complexes and actin cytoskeleton arrangements confirming the proper cellular
      interaction with either random or aligned nanofibers. However, quantitative
      reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis for Collagen 2 and
      Collagen 10 genes expression confirms favorable chondrogenic response of hADMSCs
      on random nanofibers and shows substantially higher efficacy of their
      differentiation in 2D configuration versus 3D constructs. These findings
      introduce a new direction for cartilage tissue engineering through providing a
      simple platform for the routine generation of transplantable stem cells derived
      articular cartilage replacement that might improve joint function.

PMID- 27276168
TI  - Predictive ability of the pooled cohort risk assessment for the incidence and
      progression of coronary artery calcification.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive ability of
      pooled cohort risk assessment (PRA) models for the incidence and progression of
      coronary artery calcification (CAC) over time comparing the Framingham risk score
      (FRS) in a healthy Korean population. METHODS: The study cohort included 4194
      individuals, aged 40 or older, without a history of cardiovascular disease or
      statin therapy, who underwent repeated cardiac computed tomography for CAC
      scoring from 2011 to 2014. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional
      hazards models were used. RESULTS: Of the 4194 individuals, 1244 had CAC
      progression and during over 5184 person-years of follow-up, 204 participants
      developed incident CAC. Compared with patients whose FRS was less than 10%, the
      odds ratios (ORs) [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for CAC progression in
      patients whose FRS ranged from 10 to 20% and whose FRS was at least 20% were 2.54
      (2.17-2.98) and 3.73 (2.69-5.15), respectively. Similarly, compared with the
      reference group, whose PRA was less than 5%, the ORs (95% CIs) for CAC
      progression in patients whose PRAs ranged from 5 to less than 7.5%, 7.5 to less
      than 10%, and at least 10% were 1.85 (95% CI 1.52-2.25), 2.63 (95% CI 2.01-3.46),
      and 3.58 (95% CI 2.73-4.70), respectively. Similarly, both PRA and FRS were
      associated positively with the development of CAC in a dose-response manner. In
      discriminating incident CAC and progression using receiver operating
      characteristic analysis, PRA was not significantly different from FRS.
      CONCLUSION: In a large sample of asymptomatic Korean adults without
      cardiovascular disease, both the PRA and FRS similarly predict the onset and
      progression of subclinical atherosclerosis over time.

PMID- 27276169
TI  - Ferrocenyl Quinone Methide-Thiol Adducts as New Antiproliferative Agents:
      Synthesis, Metabolic Formation from Ferrociphenols, and Oxidative Transformation.
AB  - Ferrociphenols (FCs) and their oxidized, electrophilic quinone methide
      metabolites (FC-QMs) are organometallic compounds related to tamoxifen that
      exhibit strong antiproliferative properties. To evaluate the reactivity of FC-QMs
      toward cellular nucleophiles, we studied their reaction with selected thiols. A
      series of new compounds resulting from the addition of these nucleophiles, the FC
      SR adducts, were thus synthesized and completely characterized. Such conjugates
      are formed upon metabolism of FCs by liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH
      and thiols. Some of the FC-SR adducts exhibit antiproliferative properties
      comparable to those of their FC precursors. Under oxidizing conditions they
      either revert to their FC-QM precursors or transform into new quinone methides
      (QMs) containing the SR moiety, FC-SR-QM. These results provide interesting data
      about the reactivity and mechanism of antiproliferative effects of FCs, and also
      open the way to a new series of organometallic antitumor compounds.

PMID- 27276170
TI  - HIV Incidence Estimates Using the Limiting Antigen Avidity EIA Assay at Testing
      Sites in Kiev City, Ukraine: 2013-2014.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate HIV incidence and highlight the characteristics of persons
      at greatest risk of HIV in the Ukraine capital, Kiev. METHOD: Residual samples
      from newly-diagnosed persons attending the Kiev City AIDS Centre were tested for
      evidence of recent HIV infection using an avidity assay. Questions on possible
      risk factors for HIV acquisition and testing history were introduced. All persons
      (>=16yrs) presenting for an HIV test April'13-March'14 were included. Rates per
      100,000 population were calculated using region-specific denominators. RESULTS:
      During the study period 6370 individuals tested for HIV. Of the 467 individuals
      newly-diagnosed with HIV, 21 had insufficient samples for LAg testing. Of the
      remaining 446, 39 (8.7%) were classified as recent with an avidity index <1.5ODn,
      10 were reclassified as long-standing as their viral load was <1000 copies/mL,
      resulting in 29 (6.5%) recent HIV infections. The only independent predictor for
      a recent infection was probable route of exposure, with MSM more likely to
      present with a recent infection compared with heterosexual contact [Odds Ratio
      8.86; 95%CI 2.65-29.60]. We estimated HIV incidence at 21.5 per 100,000
      population, corresponding to 466 new infections. Using population estimates for
      MSM and PWID, incidence was estimated to be between 2289.6 and 6868.7/100,000
      MSM, and 350.4 for PWID. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of persons newly-infected
      remain undiagnosed, with MSM disproportionally affected with one in four newly
      HIV-diagnosed and one in three recently-HIV-infected. Our findings should be used
      for targeted public health interventions and health promotion.

PMID- 27276171
TI  - Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 over Heterostructure Semiconductors into Value
      Added Chemicals.
AB  - Photoreduction of CO2 , which utilizes solar energy to convert CO2 into
      hydrocarbons, can be an effective means to overcome the increasing energy crisis
      and mitigate the rising emissions of greenhouse gas. This article covers recent
      advances in the CO2 photoreduction over heterostructure-based photocatalysts. The
      fundamentals of CO2 photoreduction and classification of the heterostructured
      photocatalysts are discussed first, followed by the latest work on the CO2
      photoreduction over heterostructured photocatalysts in terms of the
      classification of the coupling semiconductors. Finally, a brief summary and a
      perspective on the challenges in this area are presented.

PMID- 27276172
TI  - [Impact of Morbidity on Health Care Costs of a Department of Health through
      Clinical Risk Groups. Valencian Community, Spain].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Risk adjustment systems based on diagnosis stratify the population
      according to the observed morbidity. The aim of this study was to analyze the
      total health expenditure in a health area, relating to age, gender and morbidity
      observed in the population. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study of
      population and area of health care costs in the Health District of Denia-Marina
      Salud (Alicante) in 2013. Population (N=156,811) were stratified by Clinical Risk
      Groups into 9 states of health, state 1 being healthy, and state 9 the highest
      disease burden. Each inhabitant was charged with the hospital costs, primary care
      and outpatient pharmacy to obtain the total costs. Health status and severity by
      age and gender, as well as the costs of each group were analysed. The statistical
      tests, student t and chi2 were applied to verify the existence of significant
      differences between and intra groups. RESULTS: The average cost per inhabitant
      was 983 euros which increased from 240 euros to 42,881 at the state 9 and
      severity level 6. Patients of health states 5 and 6 caused the largest
      expenditure by concentration of the population, but health states 8 and 9 had the
      highest average expenditure, with 80% of hospitalised cost. CONCLUSIONS: A
      different composition of health expenditure per individual morbidity was
      corroborated, with an exponential growth in hospital spending.

PMID- 27276173
TI  - NMR Backbone Assignment of Large Proteins by Using (13) Calpha -Only Triple
      Resonance Experiments.
AB  - Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool to interrogate protein
      structure and dynamics residue by residue. However, the prerequisite chemical
      shift assignment remains a bottleneck for large proteins due to the fast
      relaxation and the frequency degeneracy of the (13) Calpha nuclei. Herein, we
      present a covariance NMR strategy to assign the backbone chemical shifts by using
      only HN(CO)CA and HNCA spectra that has a high sensitivity even for large
      proteins. By using the peak linear correlation coefficient (LCC), which is a
      sensitive probe even for tiny chemical-shift displacements, we correctly identify
      the fidelity of approximately 92 % cross-peaks in the covariance spectrum, which
      is thus a significant improvement on the approach developed by Snyder and
      Bruschweiler (66 %) and the use of spectral derivatives (50 %). Thus, we
      calculate the 4D covariance spectrum from HN(CO)CA and HNCA experiments, in which
      cross-peaks with LCCs above a universal threshold are considered as true
      correlations. This 4D covariance spectrum enables the sequential assignment of a
      42 kDa maltose binding protein (MBP), in which about 95 % residues are
      successfully assigned with a high accuracy of 98 %. Our LCC approach, therefore,
      paves the way for a residue-by-residue study of the backbone structure and
      dynamics of large proteins. 

PMID- 27276174
TI  - Low-haze, annealing-free, very long Ag nanowire synthesis and its application in
      a flexible transparent touch panel.
AB  - Since transparent conducting films based on silver nanowires (AgNWs) have shown
      higher transmittance and electrical conductivity compared to those of indium tin
      oxide (ITO) films, the electronics industry has recognized them as promising
      substitutes. However, due to the higher haze value of AgNW transparent conducting
      films compared to ITO films, the clarity is decreased when AgNW films are applied
      to optoelectronic devices. In this study, we develop a highly transparent, low
      haze, very long AgNW percolation network. Moreover, we confirm that analyzed
      chemical roles can easily be applied to different AgNW synthesis methods, and
      that they have a direct impact on the nanowire shape. Consequently, the lengths
      of the wires are increased up to 200 MUm and the diameters of the wires are
      decreased up to 45 nm. Using these results, we fabricate highly transparent (96%)
      conductors (100 Omega/sq) with low-haze (2%) without any annealing process. This
      electrode shows enhanced clarity compared to previous results due to the
      decreased diffusive transmittance and scattering. In addition, a flexible
      touchscreen using a AgNW network is demonstrated to show the performance of
      modified AgNWs. 

PMID- 27276175
TI  - How and why does the pharmaceutical management of PTSD differ between men and
      women?

PMID- 27276176
TI  - DNA nanovehicles and the biological barriers.
AB  - DNA is emerging as a smart material to construct nanovehicles for targeted drug
      delivery. The programmability of Watson-Crick base paring enables construction of
      defined and dynamic DNA nanostructures of almost arbitrary shape and DNA can
      readily be functionalized with a variety of molecular modules. The applications
      of DNA nanostructures are still in its infancy, but one of the high expectations
      are to deliver solutions for targeted therapy. Nucleic acids, however, do not
      easily enter cells unassisted and biological barriers and harsh nucleolytic
      conditions in the human body must also be overcome. Here, we highlight recent
      strategies for DNA nanostructures in drug delivery, DNA nanovehicles, to
      facilitate targeting and crossing of the biological barriers. In light of this,
      we discuss future solutions and challenges for DNA nanovehicles to unravel their
      great potential to facilitate targeted drug delivery.

PMID- 27276178
TI  - Intensive Care Unit Admission and Death Rates of Infants Admitted With
      Respiratory Syncytial Virus Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Mexico.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common etiology for
      acute respiratory infection hospital admissions in young children. Case fatality
      rates for hospitalized patients range between 0% and 3.4%. Recent reports
      indicate that deaths associated with RSV are uncommon in developed countries.
      However, the role of this virus as a current cause of mortality in other
      countries requires further examination. METHODS: Children with RSV infection
      admitted between May 2003 and December 2014 to a level 2 specialty hospital in
      Mexico were included in this analysis. Underlying risk factors, admission to the
      intensive care unit (ICU) and condition on discharge were assessed to determine
      the ICU admission and death rates associated to RSV infection. RESULTS: We
      analyzed data of 1153 patients with RSV infection in whom information regarding
      underlying illnesses and discharge status was available. Sixty patients (5.2 %)
      were admitted to the ICU and 12 (1.04 %) died. Relevant underlying conditions
      were present in 320 (27.7%) patients. Infants with underlying respiratory
      disorders (excluding asthma) and a history of prematurity had high ICU admission
      rates (17.1% and 13.8%, respectively). Mortality rates were highest for infants
      with respiratory disease (excluding asthma) (7.3%), cardiovascular diseases
      (5.9%) and neurologic disorders (5.3%). The ICU admission and death rates were
      higher in infants <6 months of age than in other age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The ICU
      admission rate and mortality rate in Mexican infants hospitalized with RSV
      infection were 5.2% and 1%, respectively. Mortality rates were high in infants
      with respiratory, cardiovascular and neurologic disorders.

PMID- 27276179
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of Colistin Following a Single Dose of Intravenous
      Colistimethate Sodium in Critically Ill Neonates.
AB  - In this study, we sought to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of colistin after
      intravenous administration of colistimethate sodium (CMS) in the critically ill
      neonates with Gram-negative bacterial infections. A single intravenous dose of
      CMS [approximately 150,000 IU/kg, equivalent to 5 mg/kg colistin base activity
      (CBA)] was administered to 7 critically ill neonates. Mean (+/-SD) maximum plasma
      colistin concentration and area under the time-concentration curve from 0 to
      infinity were 3.0 +/- 0.7 ug/mL and 25.3 +/- 10.4 ug.h/mL, respectively. Time to
      maximum concentration, half-life, apparent volume of distribution and clearance
      were 1.3 +/- 0.9 hours, 9.0 +/- 6.5 hours, 7.7 +/- 9.3 L/kg and 0.6 +/- 0.3
      L/h/kg, respectively. After a dose regimen of 5 mg/kg CBA every 24 hours, the
      average concentration expected at steady state is 1.1 +/- 0.4 ug/mL. In
      critically ill neonates, a single intravenous dose of 5 mg CBA/kg (approximately
      150,000 IU/kg of CMS) resulted in suboptimal plasma concentrations of colistin.
      According to our pharmacokinetics data, the dosage of CMS currently used in
      critically ill neonates is insufficient.

PMID- 27276177
TI  - Narrowing of the Diagnostic Gap of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children 0-6 Years of
      Age Using a Combination of Classical and Molecular Techniques, Delivers
      Challenges in Syndromic Approach Diagnostics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Twenty-five percent to 50% of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases
      remain etiologically undiagnosed. Our main aim was to determine the most
      appropriate list of enteric pathogens to be included in the daily diagnostics
      scheme of AGE, ensuring the lowest possible diagnostic gap. METHODS: Two hundred
      ninety seven children <=6 years of age, admitted to hospital in Slovenia, October
      2011 to October 2012, with AGE, and 88 <=6 years old healthy children were
      included in the study. A broad spectrum of enteric pathogens was targeted with
      molecular methods, including 8 viruses, 6 bacteria and 2 parasites. RESULTS: At
      least one enteric pathogen was detected in 91.2% of cases with AGE and 27.3% of
      controls. Viruses were the most prevalent (82.5% and 15.9%), followed by bacteria
      (27.3% and 10.2%) and parasites (3.0% and 1.1%) in cases and controls,
      respectively. A high proportion (41.8%) of mixed infections was observed in the
      cases. For cases with undetermined etiology (8.8%), stool samples were analyzed
      with next generation sequencing, and a potential viral pathogen was detected in
      17 additional samples (5.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that tests for
      rotaviruses, noroviruses genogroup II, adenoviruses 40/41, astroviruses,
      Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella sp. should be included in the initial
      diagnostic algorithm, which revealed the etiology in 83.5% of children tested.
      The use of molecular methods in diagnostics of gastroenteritis is preferable
      because of their high sensitivity, specificity, fast performance and the
      possibility of establishing the concentration of the target. The latter may be
      valuable for assessing the clinical significance of the detected enteric,
      particularly viral pathogens.

PMID- 27276180
TI  - Nonlinear and Interactive Effects of Temperature and Humidity on Childhood Hand,
      Foot and Mouth Disease in Hefei, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is one of the major infectious
      diseases among children and remains a health threat, especially among Asian
      countries. Many epidemiologic studies suggested significant association of air
      temperature and humidity with childhood HFMD; however, evidence on the
      temperature effects on childhood HFMD in temperate cities is limited, and the
      interactive effects of temperature and humidity have not been studied yet.
      METHODS: Daily counts of HFMD in children younger than 15 years of age and daily
      meteorologic variables during 2010 to 2012 were obtained in Hefei, China. A
      distributed lag nonlinear model was applied to estimate the potential nonlinear
      association between temperature and childhood HFMD. The interactive effects
      between temperature and humidity on childhood HFMD were also investigated.
      RESULTS: Temperature rise was associated with higher risk of childhood HFMD.
      Within the incubation period of HFMD, temperature rise appeared to have the acute
      effects on childhood HFMD, and a 5 degrees C increase of temperature at lag 0-6
      days was associated with 24.8% (95% confidence interval: 11.94%-39.10%) increase
      of childhood HFMD. Females and children of 0-4 years of agewere more vulnerable
      to temperature rise. Notably, there were obvious combined effects between
      temperature and humidity on childhood HFMD-the risk of childhood HFMD elevated at
      higher temperature and humidity level. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence
      that temperature and humidity may jointly affect childhood HFMD, and such
      interactive impact needs to be considered when evaluating the temperature
      childhood HFMD relationship.

PMID- 27276181
TI  - Risk Factors for Presumed Bacterial Pneumonia Among HIV-uninfected Children
      Hospitalized in Soweto, South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a leading cause of child morbidity and death. Data on
      risk factors can guide prevention efforts. Within a study on pneumococcal
      conjugate vaccine effectiveness, we investigated risk factors for presumed
      bacterial pneumonia (PBP). METHODS: PBP cases were human immunodeficiency virus
      (HIV) uninfected children with lower respiratory tract infection and
      consolidation on chest radiograph or nonconsolidated infiltrate with C-reactive
      protein >=40 mg/L hospitalized at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
      (CHBAH) in Soweto. Age-matched community controls were identified using CHBAH
      birth records +/-1 week of case birth date. Data were analyzed using conditional
      logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 889 PBP cases (median age 9 months) were
      matched to 2628 controls. Crowding was a significant risk factor among well
      nourished children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.29, 95% confidence interval
      [CI]: 1.89-2.78), but not in those with low weight-for-age. Malnutrition was
      associated with PBP; strength of association was highest in the absence of
      crowding (aOR: 6.68, 95% CI: 4.74-9.42). Exclusive breastfeeding was protective
      only among HIV-unexposed children (aOR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54-0.78). Self-reported
      maternal HIV infection was a risk factor among children exclusively breastfeed up
      to 4 months (aOR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.53-3.55). Having indoor tap water was
      protective (aOR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54-0.78), whereas a primary care giver who
      smoked was a risk factor (aOR: 5.15, 95% CI: 2.94-9.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings confirm several known pneumonia risk factors and highlight complex
      interactions between factors, including HIV exposure, breastfeeding, malnutrition
      and crowding. Improved housing, reduced secondhand smoke exposure and HIV
      prevention among women of reproductive age could lessen the child pneumonia
      burden.

PMID- 27276183
TI  - Archaeal lipid vaccine adjuvants for induction of cell-mediated immunity.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Liposomal vesicles (archaeosomes) composed of total polar lipids
      (TPL) or semi-synthetic glycerolipids, unique to the domain Archaea, constitute
      potent vaccine adjuvant and delivery systems. The characteristics of this
      adjuvant offer a novel prospect for the development of effective vaccines for
      emerging infections and cancers, which is reviewed in this article. Areas
      covered: The areas covered in this review include the chemical composition and
      physical characteristics, various in-vitro and in-vivo pre-clinical
      immunogenicity and efficacy studies for systemic immunization, induction of
      mucosal immunity upon modification of the formulation with cations, and the
      mechanism of adjuvant action following uptake by antigen presenting cells. Expert
      commentary: The unique features of archaeal lipids confer archaeosomes with many
      desirable features. With the use of semi-synthetic archaeosomes, highly defined
      lipids that are safe and robust for induction of cell-mediated immunity may be
      chosen. These adjuvants function as Toll-like receptor-independent innate immune
      stimulants.

PMID- 27276185
TI  - A real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for detection and
      quantification of Vesiculovirus.
AB  - Vesiculoviruses (VSV) are zoonotic viruses that cause vesicular stomatitis
      disease in cattle, horses and pigs, as well as sporadic human cases of acute
      febrile illness. Therefore, diagnosis of VSV infections by reliable laboratory
      techniques is important to allow a proper case management and implementation of
      strategies for the containment of virus spread. We show here a sensitive and
      reproducible real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
      for detection and quantification of VSV. The assay was evaluated with arthropods
      and serum samples obtained from horses, cattle and patients with acute febrile
      disease. The real-time RT-PCR amplified the Piry, Carajas, Alagoas and Indiana
      Vesiculovirus at a melting temperature 81.02 +/- 0.8oC, and the sensitivity of
      assay was estimated in 10 RNA copies/mL to the Piry Vesiculovirus. The viral
      genome has been detected in samples of horses and cattle, but not detected in
      human sera or arthropods. Thus, this assay allows a preliminary differential
      diagnosis of VSV infections. 

PMID- 27276186
TI  - Low impact to fixed cell processing aiming transmission electron microscopy.
AB  - In cell culture, cell structures suffer strong impact due to centrifugation
      during processing for electron microscope observation. In order to minimise this
      effect, a new protocol was successfully developed. Using conventional reagents
      and equipments, it took over one week, but cell compression was reduced to none
      or the lowest deformation possible. 

PMID- 27276187
TI  - Magnetic Co@g-C3N4 Core-Shells on rGO Sheets for Momentum Transfer with Catalytic
      Activity toward Continuous-Flow Hydrogen Generation.
AB  - Magnetic core-shell structures provide abundant opportunities for the
      construction of multifunctional composites. In this article, magnetic core-shells
      were fabricated with Co nanoparticles (NPs) as cores and g-C3N4 as shells. In the
      fabrication process, the Co@g-C3N4 core-shells were anchored onto the rGO
      nanosheets to form a Co@g-C3N4-rGO composite (CNG-I). For hydrogen generation
      from the hydrolysis of NaBH4 or NH3BH3, the Co NP cores act as catalytic active
      sites. The g-C3N4 shells protect Co NPs cores from aggregating or growing. The
      connection between Co NPs and rGO was strengthened by the g-C3N4 shells to
      prevent them from leaching or flowing away. The g-C3N4 shells also work as a
      cocatalyst for hydrogen generation. The magnetism of Co NPs and the shape of rGO
      nanosheets achieve effective momentum transfer in the external magnetic field. In
      the batch reactor, a higher catalytic activity was obtained for CNG-I in self
      stirring mode than in magneton stirring mode. In the continuous-flow process,
      stable hydrogen generation was carried out with CNG-I being fixed and propelled
      by the external magnetic field. The separation film is unnecessary because of
      magnetic momentum transfer. This idea of the composite design and magnetic
      momentum transfer will be useful for the development of both hydrogen generation
      and multifunctional composite materials.

PMID- 27276184
TI  - Pathogenicity and phenotypic sulfadiazine resistance of Toxoplasma gondii
      isolates obtained from livestock in northeastern Brazil.
AB  - Toxoplasma gondii is the causative protozoan agent of toxoplasmosis, which is a
      common infection that is widely distributed worldwide. Studies revealed stronger
      clonal strains in North America and Europe and genetic diversity in South
      American strains. Our study aimed to differentiate the pathogenicity and
      sulfadiazine resistance of three T. gondii isolates obtained from livestock
      intended for human consumption. The cytopathic effects of the T. gondii isolates
      were evaluated. The pathogenicity was determined by polymerase chain reaction
      restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using a CS3 marker and in a
      rodent model in vivo. Phenotypic sulfadiazine resistance was measured using a
      kinetic curve of drug activity in Swiss mice. IgM and IgG were measured by ELISA,
      and the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene sequence was analysed. The
      cytopathic effects and the PCR-RFLP profiles from chickens indicated a different
      infection source. The Ck3 isolate displayed more cytopathic effects in vitro than
      the Ck2 and ME49 strains. Additionally, the Ck2 isolate induced a differential
      humoral immune response compared to ME49. The Ck3 and Pg1 isolates, but not the
      Ck2 isolate, showed sulfadiazine resistance in the sensitivity assay. We did not
      find any DHPS gene polymorphisms in the mouse samples. These atypical
      pathogenicity and sulfadiazine resistance profiles were not previously reported
      and served as a warning to local health authorities. 

PMID- 27276188
TI  - Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy Versus Mexameter((r)) MX18 Measurements of
      Melanin and Erythema in an African Population.
AB  - Melanin provides protection against excess exposure to solar ultraviolet
      radiation (UVR) and related adverse health effects. Diffuse reflectance
      spectroscopy (DRS) can be used to calculate cutaneous melanin and erythema, but
      this is complex and has been mostly used for light-to-medium pigmented skin.
      Handheld reflectance spectrophotometers, such as the Mexameter((r)) MX18, can
      also be used. We compared DRS-calculated melanin and erythema values with
      Mexameter melanin and erythema index values to understand how these
      techniques/measurements correlate in an African population of predominantly
      deeply pigmented skin. Five hundred and three participants comprised 68.5% self
      identified Black African, 9.9% Indian/Asian, 18.4% White and 2.9% Colored. The
      majority of Black African (45%), Indian/Asian (34%) and Colored (53%)
      participants self-identified their skin as being "brown." Measured melanin levels
      increased with darker self-reported skin color. DRS-calculated and Mexameter
      melanin values demonstrated a positive correlation (Spearman rho = 0.87, P <
      0.001). The results from both instruments showed erythema values were strongly
      correlated with their own melanin values. This finding is considered spurious and
      may result from the complexity of separating brown and red pigment when using
      narrowband reflectance techniques. Further work is needed to understand melanin,
      erythema and color in Black skin given sun-related health risks in vulnerable
      groups in Africa.

PMID- 27276189
TI  - Size- and shape-dependent catalytic performances of oxidation and reduction
      reactions on nanocatalysts.
AB  - Heterogeneous catalysis is one of the most important chemical processes of
      various industries performed on catalyst nanoparticles with different sizes
      or/and shapes. In the past two decades, the catalytic performances of different
      catalytic reactions on nanoparticles of metals and oxides with well controlled
      sizes or shapes have been extensively studied thanks to the spectacular advances
      in syntheses of nanomaterials of metals and oxides. This review discussed the
      size and shape effects of catalyst particles on catalytic activity and
      selectivity of reactions performed at solid-gas or solid-liquid interfaces with a
      purpose of establishing correlations of size- and shape-dependent chemical and
      structural factors of surface of a catalyst with the corresponding catalytic
      performances toward understanding of catalysis at a molecular level.

PMID- 27276190
TI  - A rare form of limb girdle muscular dystrophy (type 2E) seen in an Iranian family
      detected by autozygosity mapping.
AB  - Sarcoglycanopathies (SGPs) constitute a subgroup of autosomal recessive limb
      girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) which are caused by mutations in sarcoglycan
      (SGs) genes. SG proteins form a core complex consisting of alpha, beta, gamma and
      delta sarcoglycans which are encoded by SGCA, SGCB, SGCG and SGCD genes,
      respectively. Genetic defect, in any of these SG proteins, results in instability
      of the whole complex. This effect can be helpful in interpreting muscle biopsy
      results. Autozygosity mapping is a gene mapping approach which can be applied in
      large consanguineous families for tracking the defective gene in most autosomal
      recessive disorders. In the present study, we used autozygosity mapping, to find
      the gene responsible for muscular dystrophy. Proband was a 10-year-old boy
      referred to our center for ruling out DMD (Duchenne muscular dystrophy).
      According to the pedigree and clinical reports, we assessed him for SGPs.
      Haplotyping, using the four short tandem repeat (STR) markers for each of the SG
      genes, showed that the phenotype may segregate with SGCB gene; and observing two
      crossing overs which occurred within the gene suggested that the mutation might
      be in the first two exons of SGCB gene. Mutation analysis showed a 26 bp
      duplication (10 bp before the initiation codon till 13 bp after the ATG start
      codon). This will cause a frameshift in protein synthesis.

PMID- 27276192
TI  - Effects of EPHX1 and CYP3A4*22 genetic polymorphisms on carbamazepine metabolism
      and drug response among Tunisian epileptic patients.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of polymorphisms in the EPHX1
      (c.416A > G, c.337T > C) and CYP3A4*22 genes involved in carbamazepine (CBZ)
      metabolism and pharmacoresistance among 118 Tunisian patients with epilepsy under
      maintenance dose of CBZ. These genetic polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP.
      Associations between plasma CBZ concentration, CBZ-E concentration, maintenance
      doses and metabolic ratio (CBZ-E:CBZ, CBZ-D:CBZ-E) were analyzed with each
      polymorphism. Both variants of EPHX1 c.416A > G and c.337T > C are significantly
      associated with higher metabolic ratio CBZ-E:CBZ and seem to decrease the
      activity of the epoxide hydrolase. The CYP3A4*22 variant allele is significantly
      associated with lower CBZ-D:CBZ-E ratio and seems also to be associated with less
      activity of the cytochrome. Our data suggest that certain polymorphisms of
      metabolizing enzyme genes could influence inter-individual variability of CBZ
      metabolism.

PMID- 27276193
TI  - Effects of transgenic expression of botulinum toxins in Drosophila.
AB  - Clostridial neurotoxins (botulinum toxins and tetanus toxin) disrupt
      neurotransmitter release by cleaving neuronal SNARE proteins. We generated
      transgenic flies allowing for conditional expression of different botulinum
      toxins and evaluated their potential as tools for the analysis of synaptic and
      neuronal network function in Drosophila melanogaster by applying biochemical
      assays and behavioral analysis. On the biochemical level, cleavage assays in
      cultured Drosophila S2 cells were performed and the cleavage efficiency was
      assessed via western blot analysis. We found that each botulinum toxin cleaves
      its Drosophila SNARE substrate but with variable efficiency. To investigate the
      cleavage efficiency in vivo, we examined lethality, larval peristaltic movements
      and vision dependent motion behavior of adult Drosophila after tissue-specific
      conditional botulinum toxin expression. Our results show that botulinum toxin
      type B and botulinum toxin type C represent effective alternatives to established
      transgenic effectors, i.e. tetanus toxin, interfering with neuronal and non
      neuronal cell function in Drosophila and constitute valuable tools for the
      analysis of synaptic and network function.

PMID- 27276191
TI  - Dopamine transporter mutant animals: a translational perspective.
AB  - The dopamine transporter (DAT) plays an important homeostatic role in the control
      of both the extracellular and intraneuronal concentrations of dopamine, thereby
      providing effective control over activity of dopaminergic transmission. Since
      brain dopamine is known to be involved in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders,
      investigations using mice with genetically altered DAT function and thus
      intensity of dopamine-mediated signaling have provided numerous insights into the
      pathology of these disorders and novel pathological mechanisms that could be
      targeted to provide new therapeutic approaches for these disorders. In this brief
      overview, we discuss recent investigations involving animals with genetically
      altered DAT function, particularly focusing on translational studies providing
      new insights into pathology and pharmacology of dopamine-related disorders.
      Perspective applications of these and newly developed models of DAT dysfunction
      are also discussed.

PMID- 27276194
TI  - Pharmacological evaluation of orexin receptor antagonists in preclinical animal
      models of pain.
AB  - Orexin signaling, known to modulate arousal and vigilance, is also involved in
      nociception as orexin neurons project to regions of the brain and spinal cord
      involved in pain processing, and the administration of orexin peptides can alter
      pain response in a wide range of preclinical models. Pharmacological treatment
      with the potent, selective and structurally distinct dual orexin receptor
      antagonists (ORAs) DORA-12 and DORA-2 significantly reduced pain responses during
      both phases I and II of the mouse formalin pain model and significantly reversed
      hyperalgesia in the rat complete Freund's adjuvant pain model, respectively.
      Significant antinociceptive effects of DORA-12 in the formalin model were also
      observed in orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) knockout mice, but not orexin 2 receptor
      (OX2R) or OX1R/OX2R double knockout mice. Mechanical hypersensitivity was
      significantly reduced with a series of structurally distinct, potent and highly
      selective ORAs (DORA-2, DORA-12 and DORA-22) in the rat spinal nerve ligation
      (SNL) injury model of neuropathic pain. Selective pharmacological targeting of
      OX2R with 2-SORA-7 also reduced pain responses in acute inflammatory (complete
      Freund's adjuvant) and neuropathic (SNL) rat pain models. Performance on the
      rotarod test of psychomotor performance and baseline thermal sensitivity were not
      affected in OX1R/OX2R knockout mice or ORA-treated mice, indicating that the
      observed pain-reducing effects were not due to sedation or motor deficits. These
      findings indicate that ORAs have pain-reducing effects across a number of acute
      and chronic neuropathic preclinical mouse and rat pain models. Further studies on
      the potential pain-relieving effects of orexin receptor antagonism are warranted.

PMID- 27276196
TI  - Feature Extraction and Machine Learning for the Classification of Brazilian
      Savannah Pollen Grains.
AB  - The classification of pollen species and types is an important task in many areas
      like forensic palynology, archaeological palynology and melissopalynology. This
      paper presents the first annotated image dataset for the Brazilian Savannah
      pollen types that can be used to train and test computer vision based automatic
      pollen classifiers. A first baseline human and computer performance for this
      dataset has been established using 805 pollen images of 23 pollen types. In order
      to access the computer performance, a combination of three feature extractors and
      four machine learning techniques has been implemented, fine tuned and tested. The
      results of these tests are also presented in this paper. 

PMID- 27276195
TI  - Deficits in social behavioral tests in a mouse model of alternating hemiplegia of
      childhood.
AB  - Social behavioral deficits have been observed in patients diagnosed with
      alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism and
      CAPOS syndrome, in which specific missense mutations in ATP1A3, encoding the
      Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha3 subunit, have been identified. To test the hypothesis
      that social behavioral deficits represent part of the phenotype of Na(+), K(+)
      ATPase alpha3 mutations, we assessed the social behavior of the Myshkin mouse
      model of AHC, which has an I810N mutation identical to that found in an AHC
      patient with co-morbid autism. Myshkin mice displayed deficits in three tests of
      social behavior: nest building, pup retrieval and the three-chamber social
      approach test. Chronic treatment with the mood stabilizer lithium enhanced nest
      building in wild-type but not Myshkin mice. In light of previous studies
      revealing a broad profile of neurobehavioral deficits in the Myshkin model -
      consistent with the complex clinical profile of AHC - our results suggest that
      Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha3 dysfunction has a deleterious, but nonspecific, effect
      on social behavior. By better defining the behavioral profile of Myshkin mice, we
      identify additional ATP1A3-related symptoms for which the Myshkin model could be
      used as a tool to advance understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms and
      develop novel therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 27276197
TI  - Salidroside Promotes Random Skin Flap Survival in Rats by Enhancing Angiogenesis
      and Inhibiting Apoptosis.
AB  - Background Flap necrosis is frequently observed in flap transfer operations.
      Salidroside has been reported to reduce cell apoptosis by alleviating
      inflammation and oxidative stress. We investigated the effects of salidroside on
      the survival of random skin flaps. Materials and Methods The McFarlane flap model
      was established in 80 rats that were divided into two groups and administered
      salidroside or saline solution intraperitoneally over 7 days. The area of
      necrosis and the extent of tissue edema were measured. Angiogenesis was assessed
      via lead oxide-gelatin angiography, immunohistochemistry for CD34, and VEGF
      expression. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by expression of cleaved caspase 3,
      caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl-2. The inflammatory response was evaluated using an ELISA
      kit for TNF-alpha and IL-6 in serum. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring
      the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde
      (MDA). Results Compared with controls, salidroside-treated flaps featured a
      greater area of surviving tissue and less edema. It also promoted the expression
      of VEGF and increased skin flap angiogenesis. Cell apoptosis, inflammation
      reaction, and oxidative stress were significantly attenuated in the salidroside
      group. Conclusion Salidroside has a positive effect on improving random skin flap
      survival.

PMID- 27276198
TI  - Facial-Hypoglossal End-To-Side Neurorrhaphy: Exploration of the Source of Axonal
      Sprouting.
AB  - Background The clinical application of end-to-side (ETS) neurorrhaphy is under
      debate partly due to a lack of consensus on the source of axonal sprouting.
      Methods In this study, 24 rats were divided into three groups: sham operation,
      facial-hypoglossal ETS neurorrhaphy, and end-to-end (ETE) neurorrhaphy.
      Electrophysiological tests were employed to detect the evoked compound muscle
      action potentials (CMAPs) in different situations, and the latencies and maximal
      amplitudes of the CMAPs recorded were compared. Fluorescence retrograde tracing
      studies, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemical staining of
      growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) were performed. The number and the diameter
      of myelinated axons proximal and distal to the coaptation sites were measured.
      Results Twelve weeks after the surgeries, reinnervation of whisker pad muscles by
      hypoglossal nerves in both the ETS and ETE groups were confirmed via
      electrophysiological study. The maximal amplitudes of the CMAPs recorded in
      different situations and the quantification of myelinated axons supported the
      coexistence spontaneous collateral sprouting and regenerative sprouting of axons.
      Double-labeled neurons were found within the hypoglossal nuclear areas in the ETS
      neurorrhaphy group and HE staining illustrated the axons crossed the coaptation
      site into the facial acceptor nerve. Although immunohistochemical staining of GAP
      43 revealed different timeframes between ETS and ETE neurorrhaphy groups, no
      significant difference on latency or diameters of the myelinated axons distal to
      the coaptation sites was noted between ETE and ETS groups. Conclusion Both
      spontaneous collateral sprouting and regenerative sprouting of axons coexisted
      following ETS neurorrhaphy, which represents an alternative approach to
      peripheral nerve reconstruction. 

PMID- 27276199
TI  - Anatomical Origins of Radial Artery Perforators Evaluated Using Color Doppler
      Ultrasonography.
AB  - Background The radial artery perforator (RAP) flap has been widely used for
      covering hand and forearm defects, and real-time accurate perforator mapping is
      important in planning and elevating the perforator flap. The origins of
      perforators, especially the superficial and ulnar perforators, arising from the
      radial artery are very important in the elevation of the RAP flap. Recently,
      color Doppler ultrasonography (US) using a higher frequency transducer has been
      developed for high-quality detection of lower flow in smaller vessels. This study
      aimed to identify the anatomical locations and origins of perforators arising
      from the radial artery using color Doppler US in healthy volunteers. Methods
      Twenty forearms of 10 volunteers were examined. Results In total, 120 perforators
      arising from the radial artery were identified 15 cm proximal to the distal wrist
      crease, with an average of six perforators per forearm. More than half the
      perforators (n = 72, 60%) were located within 50 mm proximal to the distal wrist
      crease. Regarding the perforator origins in the axial view, 40 perforators (33%)
      were located in the radial aspect of the radial artery, 47 (39%) in the ulnar
      aspect, 15 (13%) in the superficial aspect, and 18 (15%) in the deep aspect. In
      total, 62 (52%) perforators were located in the superficial and ulnar areas,
      which are important in nourishing and elevating the RAP flap. Conclusion We are
      the first to evaluate RAP using color Doppler US. This noninvasive, convenient,
      and real-time technique could be useful for preoperative planning and reliably
      elevating the RAP flaps. 

PMID- 27276200
TI  - Value and Efficacy of Sentinel Lymph Node Diagnostics in Patients With Penile
      Carcinoma With Nonpalpable Inguinal Lymph Nodes: Five-Year Follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been described as a minimally
      invasive method for lymph node staging in patients with a penile carcinoma and
      nonpalpable inguinal nodes in national and international guidelines of involved
      professional societies. However, this method is rarely used. The aim of this
      study was to validate reliability and morbidity of this method and to discuss
      radiation exposure of persons involved. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with
      histologically negative sentinel lymph nodes in 47 groins with nonpalpable
      inguinal lymph nodes were included in this study (17 T1(a/b)-, 8 T2- and 3 T3
      stages). We recorded prospectively all cases of lymph node recurrence and
      complications in patients with initially nonpalpable inguinal lymph nodes and
      histologically negative sentinel lymph nodes. False-negative findings and
      morbidity were calculated as qualitative criteria. Inguinal regions with palpable
      lymph nodes and/or evidence of metastases were not considered in accordance with
      the guidelines. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 68 (4-131) months, we
      observed one case of bilateral lymph node recurrence and one case of prolonged
      inguinal lymphorrhea, which could be managed conservatively. Per inguinal region,
      false-negative rate was 4.25%, and morbidity rate was 2.12%; seen per patient,
      the rates were both 3.57%. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy under use of
      radioactive tracers is a reliable method of lymph node staging in patients with
      penile carcinoma and nonpalpable inguinal lymph nodes. The methodical complexity
      is justified by high reliability and low radiation exposure for both patient and
      medical staff and low morbidity rates.

PMID- 27276201
TI  - Uremic Leontiasis Ossea in a Patient With Chronic Renal Insufficiency
      Demonstrated on Bone Scintigraphy.
AB  - A 37-year-old woman with chronic renal insufficiency underwent bone scintigraphy
      to evaluate renal osteodystrophy (ROD). Markedly increased uptakes were shown in
      the maxilla and the mandible, which suggested extensive maxillary and mandibular
      hypertrophy. CT image revealed that diffuse bony thickening and ground-glass
      appearance in the skull, maxilla, and mandible with poor distinction of the
      corticomedullary junction. Whole-body bone scintigraphy images also demonstrated
      various skeletal characteristics of ROD. This case emphasizes the utility of bone
      scintigraphy for the surveillance of the whole body in ROD. 

PMID- 27276202
TI  - Clinical Impact of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in a Patient With Biochemical Recurrence of
      Prostate Cancer.
AB  - A 64-year-old man with history of prostate adenocarcinoma underwent radical
      prostatectomy in 2003. He remained with undetectable prostate-specific antigen
      (PSA) levels until 2014, when he then presented rising serum PSA levels and
      performed a Tc-MDP bone scan that was negative for metastases. In August 2015,
      his PSA was 4.89 ng/dL, and restaging images with pelvic MR and F-FDG PET/CT were
      both negative. Therefore, the patient underwent a Ga-PSMA PET/CT that showed
      marked tracer uptake in a single mediastinal lymph node. Histopathology
      demonstrated metastatic adenocarcinoma secondary to prostate cancer, altering
      patient management to hormone therapy instead of pelvic radiotherapy. 

PMID- 27276203
TI  - 68Ga-DOTATATE Breast Uptake and Expression in Breast Milk.
AB  - The excretion of Ga-DOTA-Octreotate (DOTATATE) and related somatostatin analogues
      in breast milk has not been demonstrated. We report a case of a 34-year-old
      woman, 7 months postpartum and breastfeeding, who was referred for DOTATATE
      imaging after the diagnosis of appendiceal carcinoid and subsequent appendectomy.
      Prominent breast uptake was noted. A breast milk sample from the patient at 90
      minutes postinjection was assayed in a gamma counter and shown to have a
      concentration of 5.6 Bq/g per MBq administered. The excretion of DOTATATE in
      breast milk is important to consider when providing radiation safety advice to
      breastfeeding patients. 

PMID- 27276205
TI  - Left Main Coronary Artery Atresia in Young Man Examined With 99mTc-Tetrofosmin
      SPECT: A Rare and Challenging Anomaly.
AB  - A young man underwent Tc-tetrofosmin cardiac SPECT/CT for the evaluation of the 8
      month history of exertional dyspnea without chest pain. Tc-tetrofosmin SPECT
      demonstrated absence of perfusion defects and a mildly decreased uptake in post
      stress images, consistent with artifact, in the inferior myocardium. Cardiac
      catheterization showed a large right and a small left coronary artery opacified
      retrogradely by right collateral vessels without connections between the left
      main and the left coronary artery. In patients with anomalous coronary arteries,
      Tc SPECT can shows absence of perfusion defects, in the presence of a collateral
      circulation. 

PMID- 27276204
TI  - PET/CT Response Criteria (European Organization for Research and Treatment of
      Cancer) Predict Survival Better Than Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors
      in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Treated With Chemoradiation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether the ratio of SUVs measured with F-FDG PET/CT
      between pretreatment and posttreatment has prognostic value in patients with
      locally advanced cervical cancer treated with primary chemoradiation therapy.
      METHODS: Cases of locally advanced cervical cancer (International Federation of
      Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IB1 to IVA) treated with a nonsurgical curative
      modality (172 cases including chemoradiation or radiation therapy) were reviewed.
      F-FDG PET/CT parameters, including SUVmax and SUVmean, were evaluated by F-FDG
      PET/CT performed prior to treatment and 6 weeks after the end of treatment.
      Metabolic response was evaluated according to the European Organization for
      Research and Treatment of Cancer guidelines and was compared with radiologic
      response measured according to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours
      (RECIST). RESULTS: In total, 142 patients receiving chemoradiation showed
      radiologic responses (median 56% decrease in maximal diameter), whereas 160 and
      146 patients showed metabolic responses measured with SUVmax and SUVmean,
      respectively (73% decrease in SUVmax; 48% decrease in SUVmean). Radiologic
      response and metabolic response were significantly correlated for SUVmax and
      SUVmean (P = 0.0009; P = 0.0457, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed
      significant differences in overall survival and progression-free survival between
      the responder and nonresponder groups, based on the European Organization for
      Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria (both P < 0.001), whereas no
      significant difference was found when using RECIST criteria (P = 0.058, P =
      0.088, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: F-FDG PET/CT parameters are good prognostic
      markers for the response of cervical cancer patients to concurrent chemoradiation
      therapy, as compared with the RECIST criteria.

PMID- 27276206
TI  - Intrapatient Comparison of 111In-PSMA I&T SPECT/CT and Hybrid 68Ga-HBED-CC PSMA
      PET in Patients With Early Recurrent Prostate Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection efficiency of In
      PSMA-I&T SPECT/CT in comparison to hybrid Ga-PSMA HBED-CC PET in patients with
      early recurrent prostate cancer. METHODS: Twenty-two patients (mean age, 68.2 +/-
      6.8 years; range, 52-76 years) with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA;
      median, 1.03 ng/mL; range, 0.2-7.2ng/mL) and known positive lesions in hybrid Ga
      PSMA HBED-CC PET scheduled for salvage surgery were included. Whole-body
      scintigraphy and SPECT/CT were performed 4 hours after application of 147.0 +/-
      24.8 MBq (range, 90-183 MBq) In-PSMA I&T. Images were evaluated for suspected
      lesions, and conspicuity of all lesions was rated using a 4-point-scale (0 = not
      seen, 1 = retrospectively seen in knowledge of Ga-PSMA HBED-CC PET, 2 = low
      signal, 3 = high signal). Tumor-to-background ratios were determined for SPECT
      and PET and compared. Tumor-to-background ratio of SPECT was correlated with
      lesion size as well as patients' Gleason score and PSA level. RESULTS: In-PSMA
      I&T SPECT/CT detected 14 of 29 PET-positive lesions (48.3%) with no additional
      lesions identified with In-PSMA I&T SPECT/CT. There was a significant weak to
      moderate correlation of PSA level with tumor-to-background ratio of In-PSMA I&T
      SPECT/CT (correlation coefficient r = 0.6406; 95% confidence interval, 0.1667
      0.8741; P = 0.0136). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05), but a weak
      trend toward a higher detectability in In-PSMA I&T SPECT/CT regarding lesion size
      and initial PSA level. CONCLUSIONS: In a preselected collective of recurrent
      prostate cancer patients with low PSA values, In-PSMA I&T SPECT/CT showed lower
      detection rates than hybrid Ga-HBED-CC PSMA PET. However, In-PSMA I&T SPECT/CT
      showed a patient based detection rate of 59%, making it a potentially valuable
      imaging tool where PET is not available apart from its proven value as a PSMA
      targeted probe for radioguided surgery.

PMID- 27276207
TI  - Prognostic Value of 68Ga-NOTA-RGD PET/CT for Predicting Disease-Free Survival for
      Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Surgery: A
      Comparison Study With Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: We performed pretreatment angiogenesis imaging (Ga-NOTA-arginyl-glycyl
      aspartic acid [RGD] PET/CT) to compare its prognostic value to dynamic contrast
      enhanced (DCE) MRI in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Forty-four female patients
      with stage II or III breast cancer (aged 47.3 +/- 8.1 years) were prospectively
      enrolled and underwent Ga-NOTA-RGD PET/CT and DCE-MRI imaging. All patients
      received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent surgery. With pretreatment Ga
      NOTA-RGD PET/CT, SUVmax of the tumor in the torso (-T) and regional (-R) images
      were measured. With pretreatment DCE-MRI, the largest diameter of the tumor and
      maximum enhancement index (EImax; EImax = [highest signal / baseline signal] - 1)
      of the tumor were assessed. RESULTS: Ten patients (22.7%) were found to have
      breast cancer recurrence after 17.9 +/- 11.2 months. The SUVmax-R (P = 0.017,
      cutoff >2.79) of Ga-NOTA-RGD PET/CT, the largest diameter of tumor (P = 0.017,
      cutoff >6.3 cm), and the EImax (P = 0.008, cutoff >5.38) of DCE-MRI showed
      significant results by univariate analysis. The 3-year disease-free survival of
      SUVmax-R was 91.7% versus 59.1% by Kaplan-Meier analysis (hazard ratio, 5.379).
      Multivariable analysis demonstrated that SUVmax-R with tumor diameter or EImax
      were the significant parameters. In addition, the combined parameters of SUVmax-R
      and EImax revealed better predictive value for prediction of breast cancer
      recurrence (75.0%) than each parameter of SUVmax-R (64.2%) and EImax (68.7%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Increased angiogenic activity of regional Ga-NOTA-RGD PET/CT (SUVmax
      R) can be an early prognostic marker for the prediction of breast cancer
      recurrence.

PMID- 27276208
TI  - 18F-FDG PET/CT Osteometabolic Activity in Metastatic Parathyroid Carcinoma.
AB  - Parathyroid cancer is an uncommon type of malignancy, which is frequently
      associated with poor prognosis. Clinical manifestations are caused by elevated
      serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Diagnostic imaging studies as neck
      ultrasonography, technetium Tc Tc-sestamibi whole body scintigraphy, CT, and MR
      are already established tools for this malignancy. Nevertheless, the role of F
      FDG PET/CT remains unknown in this scenario, with few published studies in
      literature. Hence, in this article, we aimed to report an illustrative case of
      increased skeletal FDG uptake associated with high calcium and PTH levels. 

PMID- 27276209
TI  - Uterine Cervical Metastasis From Primary Rectal Adenocarcinoma on PET/CT and MRI.
AB  - FDG avid uterine cervical masses are most commonly due to primary cervical
      carcinoma; however, history and differential diagnoses are critical when
      interpreting FDG PET/CT studies. A 51-year-old woman with newly diagnosed
      moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the rectum underwent FDG PET/CT for
      staging, which revealed the hypermetabolic primary rectal tumor and nodal
      metastases. Additionally, FDG avid focus in the anterior cervix without a CT
      correlate was present. Cervical metastasis was suspected, and further evaluation
      with MRI and histopathologic correlation was recommended, which confirmed
      cervical metastasis. This case illustrates an unusual case of FDG-avid cervical
      metastasis from rectal adenocarcinoma. 

PMID- 27276210
TI  - Allergic Reaction to Ginkgo Nut on FDG PET/CT.
AB  - We report the case of a 36-year-old woman who previously underwent total
      thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. F FDG PET/CT images demonstrated
      multiple lymph nodes with increased FDG uptake in the neck, chest, and abdomen
      and diffusely increased FDG uptake in the spleen, which were highly suspicious
      findings for malignant lymphoma. However, subsequent biopsy of axillary lymph
      node presented reactive hyperplasia. Detailed history revealed that the patient
      had a history of generalized edema and severe arthralgia after contact with
      ginkgo nut one week ago. This case highlights allergic reaction mimicking
      lymphoma on FDG PET/CT. 

PMID- 27276211
TI  - False-Positive Finding on 18F FDG PET/CT: Report of a Rare Case With
      Xanthogranulomatous Inflammation in the Spinal Epidural Space.
AB  - Xanthogranulomatous inflammation in the spinal epidural space is extremely rare.
      We report a case of a 62-year-old man with a xanthogranulomatous inflammation in
      the spinal epidural space mistaken for lymphoma because of its avid F FDG uptake
      on PET/CT. This case emphasizes the need for caution when evaluating a spinal
      epidural mass using F FDG PET/CT as xanthogranulomatous inflammation can induce a
      false-positive reading on F-FDG PET/CT. 

PMID- 27276212
TI  - CRISPR/Cas9-Based Efficient Genome Editing in Clostridium ljungdahlii, an
      Autotrophic Gas-Fermenting Bacterium.
AB  - Acetogenic bacteria have the potential to convert single carbon gases (CO and
      CO2) into a range of bulk chemicals and fuels. Realization of their full
      potential is being impeded by the absence of effective genetic tools for high
      throughput genome modification. Here we report the development of a highly
      efficient CRISPR/Cas9 system for rapid genome editing of Clostridium ljungdahlii,
      a paradigm for the commercial production of ethanol from synthesis gas. Following
      the experimental selection of two promoters (Pthl and ParaE) for expression of
      cas9 and the requisite single guide RNA (sgRNA), the efficiency of system was
      tested by making precise deletions of four genes, pta, adhE1, ctf and pyrE.
      Deletion efficiencies were 100%, >75%, 100% and >50%, respectively. The system
      overcomes the deficiencies of currently available tools (more rapid, no added
      antibiotic resistance gene, scarless and minimal polar effects) and will find
      utility in other acetogens, including the pathogen Clostridium difficile.

PMID- 27276214
TI  - Nutrition in the cause and prevention of cancer: An update.

PMID- 27276213
TI  - Functional Characterization of Schizophrenia-Associated Variation in CACNA1C.
AB  - Calcium channel subunits, including CACNA1C, have been associated with multiple
      psychiatric disorders. Specifically, genome wide association studies (GWAS) have
      repeatedly identified the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1006737 in
      intron 3 of CACNA1C to be strongly associated with schizophrenia and bipolar
      disorder. Here, we show that rs1006737 marks a quantitative trait locus for
      CACNA1C transcript levels. We test 16 SNPs in high linkage disequilibrium with
      rs1007637 and find one, rs4765905, consistently showing allele-dependent
      regulatory function in reporter assays. We find allele-specific protein binding
      for 13 SNPs including rs4765905. Using protein microarrays, we identify several
      proteins binding >=3 SNPs, but not control sequences, suggesting possible
      functional interactions and combinatorial haplotype effects. Finally, using
      circular chromatin conformation capture, we show interaction of the disease
      associated region including the 16 SNPs with the CACNA1C promoter and other
      potential regulatory regions. Our results elucidate the pathogenic relevance of
      one of the best-supported risk loci for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. 

PMID- 27276215
TI  - Honokiol targets mitochondria to halt cancer progression and metastasis.
AB  - Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide. Plants have a long
      history of use in the treatment of cancer. Honokiol (HNK) is an important
      bioactive compound found in the bark of Magnolia tree, and has been shown to
      inhibit cancer growth and metastasis in many cell types in vitro and in animal
      models. Resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the major obstacle for
      cure of cancer. Combination of HNK with many traditional chemotherapeutic drugs
      as well as radiation sensitizes cancer cells to apoptotic death, suggesting that
      HNK not only directly inhibits primary cancers and metastasis, but also has
      potential to overcome drug resistance. Ultimately, this may mean that HNK could
      be combined with traditional chemotherapies administered at lower doses to
      significantly reduce toxicity, meanwhile enhance efficacy. As a natural compound,
      HNK is composed of polyphenols and has been described in many studies targeting
      multiple key cell signaling molecules. Mitochondria are the main hub for cellular
      energy production and play an important role in cell survival, and are the key
      target identified for HNK to mediate cancer cell death, survival, and metastasis.
      In this review, we have summarized different aspects of HNK's anti-cancer effects
      from recent accumulated literature, as well as the underlying molecular
      mechanisms. This review is primarily focused on the effects of HNK on epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transduction and activator of
      transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling, as well as the broader regulation of
      mitochondrial function and cancer cell metabolism.

PMID- 27276216
TI  - Small Molecule Recognition and Tools to Study Modulation of r(CGG)(exp) in
      Fragile X-Associated Tremor Ataxia Syndrome.
AB  - RNA transcripts containing expanded nucleotide repeats cause many incurable
      diseases via various mechanisms. One such disorder, fragile X-associated tremor
      ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), is caused by a noncoding r(CGG) repeat expansion
      (r(CGG)(exp)) that (i) sequesters proteins involved in RNA metabolism in nuclear
      foci, causing dysregulation of alternative pre-mRNA splicing, and (ii) undergoes
      repeat associated non-ATG translation (RANT), which produces toxic homopolymeric
      proteins without using a start codon. Here, we describe the design of two small
      molecules that inhibit both modes of toxicity and the implementation of various
      tools to study perturbation of these cellular events. Competitive Chemical Cross
      Linking and Isolation by Pull Down (C-Chem-CLIP) established that compounds bind
      r(CGG)(exp) and defined small molecule occupancy of r(CGG)(exp) in cells, the
      first approach to do so. Using an RNA GFP mimic, r(CGG)(exp)-Spinach2, we observe
      that our optimal designed compound binds r(CGG)(exp) and affects RNA localization
      by disrupting preformed RNA foci. These events correlate with an improvement of
      pre-mRNA splicing defects caused by RNA gain of function. In addition, the
      compounds reduced levels of toxic homopolymeric proteins formed via RANT.
      Polysome profiling studies showed that small molecules decreased loading of
      polysomes onto r(CGG)(exp), explaining decreased translation.

PMID- 27276217
TI  - Structure of a Berberine Bridge Enzyme-Like Enzyme with an Active Site Specific
      to the Plant Family Brassicaceae.
AB  - Berberine bridge enzyme-like (BBE-like) proteins form a multigene family (pfam
      08031), which is present in plants, fungi and bacteria. They adopt the vanillyl
      alcohol-oxidase fold and predominantly show bi-covalent tethering of the FAD
      cofactor to a cysteine and histidine residue, respectively. The Arabidopsis
      thaliana genome was recently shown to contain genes coding for 28 BBE-like
      proteins, while featuring four distinct active site compositions. We determined
      the structure of a member of the AtBBE-like protein family (termed AtBBE-like
      28), which has an active site composition that has not been structurally and
      biochemically characterized thus far. The most salient and distinguishing
      features of the active site found in AtBBE-like 28 are a mono-covalent linkage of
      a histidine to the 8alpha-position of the flavin-isoalloxazine ring and the lack
      of a second covalent linkage to the 6-position, owing to the replacement of a
      cysteine with a histidine. In addition, the structure reveals the interaction of
      a glutamic acid (Glu426) with an aspartic acid (Asp369) at the active site, which
      appear to share a proton. This arrangement leads to the delocalization of a
      negative charge at the active site that may be exploited for catalysis. The
      structure also indicates a shift of the position of the isoalloxazine ring in
      comparison to other members of the BBE-like family. The dioxygen surrogate
      chloride was found near the C(4a) position of the isoalloxazine ring in the
      oxygen pocket, pointing to a rapid reoxidation of reduced enzyme by dioxygen. A T
      DNA insertional mutant line for AtBBE-like 28 results in a phenotype, that is
      characterized by reduced biomass and lower salt stress tolerance. Multiple
      sequence analysis showed that the active site composition found in AtBBE-like 28
      is only present in the Brassicaceae, suggesting that it plays a specific role in
      the metabolism of this plant family. 

PMID- 27276218
TI  - Identifying Where REDD+ Financially Out-Competes Oil Palm in Floodplain
      Landscapes Using a Fine-Scale Approach.
AB  - Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) aims to
      avoid forest conversion to alternative land-uses through financial incentives.
      Oil-palm has high opportunity costs, which according to current literature
      questions the financial competitiveness of REDD+ in tropical lowlands. To
      understand this more, we undertook regional fine-scale and coarse-scale analyses
      (through carbon mapping and economic modelling) to assess the financial viability
      of REDD+ in safeguarding unprotected forest (30,173 ha) in the Lower Kinabatangan
      floodplain in Malaysian Borneo. Results estimate 4.7 million metric tons of
      carbon (MgC) in unprotected forest, with 64% allocated for oil-palm cultivations.
      Through fine-scale mapping and carbon accounting, we demonstrated that REDD+ can
      outcompete oil-palm in regions with low suitability, with low carbon prices and
      low carbon stock. In areas with medium oil-palm suitability, REDD+ could
      outcompete oil palm in areas with: very high carbon and lower carbon price;
      medium carbon price and average carbon stock; or, low carbon stock and high
      carbon price. Areas with high oil palm suitability, REDD+ could only outcompete
      with higher carbon price and higher carbon stock. In the coarse-scale model, oil
      palm outcompeted REDD+ in all cases. For the fine-scale models at the landscape
      level, low carbon offset prices (US $3 MgCO2e) would enable REDD+ to outcompete
      oil-palm in 55% of the unprotected forests requiring US $27 million to secure
      these areas for 25 years. Higher carbon offset price (US $30 MgCO2e) would
      increase the competitiveness of REDD+ within the landscape but would still only
      capture between 69%-74% of the unprotected forest, requiring US $380-416 million
      in carbon financing. REDD+ has been identified as a strategy to mitigate climate
      change by many countries (including Malaysia). Although REDD+ in certain
      scenarios cannot outcompete oil palm, this research contributes to the global
      REDD+ debate by: highlighting REDD+ competitiveness in tropical floodplain
      landscapes; and, providing a robust approach for identifying and targeting
      limited REDD+ funds. 

PMID- 27276219
TI  - Measuring the Impact of Research: Lessons from the UK's Research Excellence
      Framework 2014.
AB  - Impactful academic research plays a stellar role in society, pressing to ask the
      question of how one measures the impact created by different areas of academic
      research. Measuring the societal, cultural, economic and scientific impact of
      research is currently the priority of the National Science Foundation, European
      Commission and several research funding agencies. The recently concluded United
      Kingdom's national research quality exercise, the Research Excellence Framework
      (REF) 2014, which piloted impact assessment as part of the overall evaluation
      offers a lens to view how impact of research in different disciplines can be
      measured. Overall research quality was assessed through quality of outputs,
      'impact' and research environment. We performed two studies using the REF 2014 as
      a case study. The first study on 363 Impact Case Studies (ICSs) submitted in 5
      research areas (UoAs) reveals that, in general, the impact scores were
      constructed upon a combination of factors i.e. quantity of quartile-one (Q1)
      publications, quantity and value of grants/income, number of researchers stated
      in the ICSs, spin-offs created, discoveries/patents and presentation of esteem
      data, informing researchers/ academics of the factors to consider in order to
      achieve a better impact score in research impact assessments. However, there were
      differences among disciplines in terms of the role played by the factors in
      achieving their overall scores for the ICSs. The outcome of this study is thus a
      set of impact indicators, and their relationship with the overall score of impact
      of research in different disciplines as determined in REF2014, which would in the
      first instance provide some answers to impact measures that would be useful for
      researchers in different disciplines. The second study extracts the general
      themes of impact reported by universities by performing a word frequency analysis
      in all the ICSs submitted in the five chosen research areas, which were
      substantially varied owing to their fields. 

PMID- 27276220
TI  - Structural and Functional Brain Abnormalities in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
      Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Comparative Meta-analysis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and
      obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) share impaired inhibitory control. However,
      it is unknown whether impairments are mediated by shared or disorder-specific
      neurostructural and neurofunctional abnormalities. OBJECTIVE: To establish shared
      and disorder-specific structural, functional, and overlapping multimodal
      abnormalities in these 2 disorders through a voxel-based meta-analytic comparison
      of whole-brain gray matter volume (GMV) and functional magnetic resonance imaging
      (fMRI) studies of inhibition in patients with ADHD and OCD. DATA SOURCES:
      Literature search using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus up to
      September 30, 2015. STUDY SELECTION: Whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) or
      fMRI studies during inhibitory control comparing children and adults with ADHD or
      OCD with controls. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Voxel-wise meta-analyses of GMV
      or fMRI differences were performed using Seed-based d-Mapping. Regional structure
      and function abnormalities were assessed within each patient group and then a
      quantitative comparison was performed of abnormalities (relative to controls)
      between ADHD and OCD. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Meta-analytic disorder-specific
      and shared abnormalities in GMV, in inhibitory fMRI, and in multimodal functional
      and structural measures. RESULTS: The search revealed 27 ADHD VBM data sets
      (including 931 patients with ADHD and 822 controls), 30 OCD VBM data sets (928
      patients with OCD and 942 controls), 33 ADHD fMRI data sets (489 patients with
      ADHD and 591 controls), and 18 OCD fMRI data sets (287 patients with OCD and 284
      controls). Patients with ADHD showed disorder-contrasting multimodal structural
      (left z = 1.904, P < .001; right z = 1.738, P < .001) and functional (left z =
      1.447, P < .001; right z = 1.229, P < .001) abnormalities in bilateral basal
      ganglia/insula, which were decreased in GMV and function in patients with ADHD
      relative to those with OCD (and controls). In OCD patients, they were enhanced
      relative to controls. Patients with OCD showed disorder-specific reduced function
      and structure in rostral and dorsal anterior cingulate/medial prefrontal cortex
      (fMRI z = 2.113, P < .001; VBM z = 1.622, P < .001), whereas patients with ADHD
      showed disorder-specific underactivation predominantly in the right ventrolateral
      prefrontal cortex (z = 1.229, P < .001). Ventromedial prefrontal GMV reduction
      was shared in both disorders relative to controls. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Shared impairments in inhibitory control, rather than representing a
      transdiagnostic endophenotype in ADHD and OCD, were associated with disorder
      differential functional and structural abnormalities. Patients with ADHD showed
      smaller and underfunctioning ventrolateral prefrontal/insular-striatal regions
      whereas patients with OCD showed larger and hyperfunctioning insular-striatal
      regions that may be poorly controlled by smaller and underfunctioning
      rostro/dorsal medial prefrontal regions.

PMID- 27276221
TI  - Strict Selection Alone of Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation for Hilar
      Cholangiocarcinoma Is Associated with Improved Survival.
AB  - Liver transplantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hCCA) has regained attention
      since the Mayo Clinic reported their favorable results with the use of a neo
      adjuvant chemoradiation protocol. However, debate remains whether the success of
      the protocol should be attributed to the neo-adjuvant therapy or to the strict
      selection criteria that are being applied. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the value of patient selection alone on the outcome of liver
      transplantation for hCCA. In this retrospective study, patients that were
      transplanted for hCCA between1990 and 2010 in Europe were identified using the
      European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR). Twenty-one centers reported 173
      patients (69%) of a total of 249 patients in the ELTR. Twenty-six patients were
      wrongly coded, resulting in a study group of 147 patients. We identified 28
      patients (19%) who met the strict selection criteria of the Mayo Clinic protocol,
      but had not undergone neo-adjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Five-year survival in
      this subgroup was 59%, which is comparable to patients with pretreatment
      pathological confirmed hCCA that were transplanted after completion of the
      chemoradiation protocol at the Mayo Clinic. In conclusion, although the results
      should be cautiously interpreted, this study suggests that with strict selection
      alone, improved survival after transplantation can be achieved, approaching the
      Mayo Clinic experience. 

PMID- 27276222
TI  - Public Acceptability in the UK and USA of Nudging to Reduce Obesity: The Example
      of Reducing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption.
AB  - BACKGROUND: "Nudging"-modifying environments to change people's behavior, often
      without their conscious awareness-can improve health, but public acceptability of
      nudging is largely unknown. METHODS: We compared acceptability, in the United
      Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA), of government interventions
      to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. Three nudge interventions
      were assessed: i. reducing portion Size, ii. changing the Shape of the drink
      containers, iii. changing their shelf Location; alongside two traditional
      interventions: iv. Taxation and v. Education. We also tested the hypothesis that
      describing interventions as working through non-conscious processes decreases
      their acceptability. Predictors of acceptability, including perceived
      intervention effectiveness, were also assessed. Participants (n = 1093 UK and n =
      1082 USA) received a description of each of the five interventions which varied,
      by randomisation, in how the interventions were said to affect behaviour: (a) via
      conscious processes; (b) via non-conscious processes; or (c) no process stated.
      Acceptability was derived from responses to three items. RESULTS: Levels of
      acceptability for four of the five interventions did not differ significantly
      between the UK and US samples; reducing portion size was less accepted by the US
      sample. Within each country, Education was rated as most acceptable and Taxation
      the least, with the three nudge-type interventions rated between these. There was
      no evidence to support the study hypothesis: i.e. stating that interventions
      worked via non-conscious processes did not decrease their acceptability in either
      the UK or US samples. Perceived effectiveness was the strongest predictor of
      acceptability for all interventions across the two samples. CONCLUSION: In
      conclusion, nudge interventions to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened
      beverages seem similarly acceptable in the UK and USA, being more acceptable than
      taxation, but less acceptable than education. Contrary to prediction, we found no
      evidence that highlighting the non-conscious processes by which nudge
      interventions may work decreases their acceptability. However, highlighting the
      effectiveness of all interventions has the potential to increase their
      acceptability.

PMID- 27276223
TI  - Clinical Staging and Prognostic Factors in Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Large case series suggest that patients with folliculotropic mycosis
      fungoides (FMF) have a worse prognosis than patients with classic mycosis
      fungoides (MF). However, recent studies described a subgroup of patients with FMF
      with a more favorable prognosis. Distinction between indolent and aggressive FMF
      may have important therapeutic consequences but is hampered by the inability of
      the current tumor-node-metastasis-blood (TNMB) staging system to classify
      patients with FMF in a clinically meaningful way. OBJECTIVE: To differentiate
      between indolent and aggressive FMF using clinicopathological criteria and to
      define prognostic factors in patients with FMF. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: In this prospective cohort study, we followed 203 patients with
      FMF, included in the Dutch Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry between October 1985 and
      May 2014 at a tertiary referral center hosting the Dutch Cutaneous Lymphoma
      Registry. Overall, 220 patients with FMF had been registered, but 17 patients
      with incomplete follow-up data or a history of classic MF were excluded. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Main outcomes included clinical and histological
      characteristics, disease progression, and survival. Prognostic factors were
      investigated using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Distinction
      between early plaque-stage FMF and advanced plaque-stage FMF was made by a
      blinded review of skin biopsy specimens from patients presenting with plaques.
      RESULTS: In a cohort of 147 men and 56 women (median [range] age, 59 [15-93]
      years), patients with histologically early plaque-stage FMF had a very similar
      overall survival (OS) rate to patients with only patches and/or follicular
      papules (10-year OS, 71% vs 80%), while the survival rate of patients with
      histologically advanced plaque-stage FMF was almost identical to that of patients
      presenting with tumors (10-year OS, 25% vs 27%). Subsequently, 3 clinical
      subgroups with significantly different survival data were distinguished: early
      skin-limited FMF (group A; n = 84; 5-year and 10-year OS, 92% and 72%); advanced
      skin-limited FMF (group B; n = 102; 5-year and 10-year OS, 55% and 28%); and FMF
      presenting with extracutaneous disease (group C; n = 17; 5-year and 10-year OS,
      23% and 2%). Age at diagnosis, large cell transformation and secondary bacterial
      infection were independent risk factors for disease progression and/or poor
      survival. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this study provide useful
      criteria to differentiate between indolent and aggressive FMF and confirm the
      existence of a subgroup of FMF with a favorable prognosis.

PMID- 27276224
TI  - Chicken or the egg: ST elevation in lead aVR or SYNTAX score.
AB  - BACKGROUND: ST-segment elevation in lead aVR (STEaVR) anticipates left main
      and/or three-vessel disease (LM/3VD) in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
      STEaVR is generally reciprocal to and accompanied by ST-segment depression (STD)
      in the precordial leads. SYNTAX score (SS) is an angiographic scoring system and
      is widely used to evaluate the severity and complexity of coronary artery
      disease. The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between STEaVR
      and SS. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 117 patients with non
      ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). Electrocardiograms at
      presentation were reviewed, especially for ST-segment elevation of >= 0.05 mV in
      lead aVR and STD of >= 0.05 mV in more than two contiguous leads. All lesions
      causing >= 50% stenosis in a coronary artery with a diameter of >= 1.5 mm were
      included in the SS calculation. SS was divided into two groups: >= 23: high, <
      23: low. RESULTS: Among the 117 patients, 80 (68.4%) had STEaVR and 37 (31.6%)
      did not. Patients with STEaVR had a higher SS and higher rate of LM/3VD (85 vs
      67.6%, p < 0.001; 86.2 vs 72.9%, p = 0.03, respectively) than those without
      STEaVR. On multivariate analysis, STEaVR [odds ratio (OR) 1.85; 95% confidence
      interval (CI): 1.20-3.97, p = 0.03] and STD in leads V1-V4 (OR 2.14; 95% CI: 1.46
      4.23, p = 0.002) were independent predictors of a high SS. CONCLUSION: This study
      demonstrated that STEaVR was an independent predictor of a high SS.

PMID- 27276225
TI  - Ultrasound Tutorials in Under 10 Minutes: Experience and Results.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to validate the use of web
      based tutorials to teach technical skills in pediatric ultrasound. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A series of 10 video tutorials, each of which was less than 10 minutes
      long, was created to improve the education of radiology trainees in terms of
      their ultrasound technique. Pediatric radiology fellow trainees from our
      institution in the United States and radiology resident trainees from our partner
      institution in Ethiopia were invited to participate in the study. Validation of
      the video tutorials was performed using two learning modules that focused on the
      renal bladder and the right upper quadrant (RUQ). Pretest and posttest skill and
      confidence assessments were also conducted. After watching the tutorials, the
      trainees completed questionnaires that assessed the reach, appeal, and learning
      effectiveness of the modules. RESULTS: Ten fellow trainees and eight resident
      trainees participated in the study. The fellows were invited to evaluate both the
      RUQ and the renal bladder learning modules, whereas the residents evaluated the
      RUQ module only. Before reviewing the RUQ module, the fellows had performed a
      median of four RUQ ultrasound examinations, whereas the residents had performed a
      median of 400 RUQ ultrasound examinations. After the trainees viewed the learning
      module, the median skills test scores of the fellows increased from 20 to 37.5
      (highest possible score, 45) (p < 0.01), and those of the residents increased
      from 38 to 40 (highest possible score, 40) (p = 0.04). With a total possible
      score of 15, the median confidence score improved from 8 to 11 for fellows (p <
      0.01) and from 13.5 to 14.5 for residents (p = 0.04). After the fellows viewed
      the renal bladder learning module, their median skills test scores increased from
      20 to 37.5 (highest possible score, 40) (p < 0.01), and their median confidence
      score increased from 8.5 to 11 (highest possible score, 15) (p = 0.01). Trainees
      gave the tutorials positive ratings overall. CONCLUSION: Radiology fellow
      trainees and resident trainees with disparate backgrounds in ultrasound showed
      significant improvement in their technical skills in pediatric ultrasound and
      confidence after viewing the tutorials. The web-based design of the tutorials
      allows integration of international pediatric radiology training communities.

PMID- 27276227
TI  - Total Synthesis of (+)-Conolidine by the Gold(I)-Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization of
      a Conjugated Enyne.
AB  - A total synthesis of (+)-conolidine has been achieved via the gold(I)-catalyzed
      cascade cyclization of a conjugated enyne. Remarkably, this strategy allowed for
      the simultaneous formation of the indole ring and the ethylidene-substituted
      piperidine moiety of (+)-conolidine under homogeneous gold catalysis in an
      enantioselective manner (88-91% ee).

PMID- 27276226
TI  - Study of LAT1 Expression in Brain Metastases: Towards a Better Understanding of
      the Results of Positron Emission Tomography Using Amino Acid Tracers.
AB  - Positron emission tomography using radiolabeled amino acid (PET-AA) appears to be
      promising in distinguishing between recurrent tumour and radionecrosis in the
      follow-up of brain metastasis (BM). The amino acid transporter LAT1 and its
      cofactor CD98, which are involved in AA uptake, have never been investigated in
      BM. The aim of our study was to determine and compare the expression of LAT1 and
      CD98 in BM and in non-tumoral brain tissue (NT). The expression of LAT1 and CD98
      were studied by immunohistochemistry in 67 BM, including 18 BM recurrences after
      radiotherapy, in 53 NT, and in 13 cases of patients with previously irradiated
      brain tumor and investigated by [18F] FDOPA-PET. LAT1 and CD98 expression were
      detected in 98.5% and 59.7% of BM respectively and were significantly associated
      with BM tissue as compared to NT (p<0.001). LAT1 expression in recurrent BM was
      significantly increased as compared to newly occurring BM. Ten cases investigated
      by [18F] FDOPA-PET corresponding to recurrent BM displayed significant [18F]
      FDOPA uptake and LAT1 overexpression whereas three cases corresponding to
      radionecrosis showed no or low uptake and LAT1 expression. LAT1 expression level
      and [18F] FDOPA uptake were significantly correlated. In conclusion, we
      hypothesized that BM may overexpress the AA transporter LAT1. We have shown that
      LAT1 overexpression was common in BM and was specific for BM as compared to
      healthy brain. These results could explain the specific BM uptake on PET-AA. 

PMID- 27276228
TI  - Subtle Ecological Gradient in the Tropics Triggers High Species-Turnover in a
      Local Geographical Scale.
AB  - Our perception of diversity, including both alpha- and beta-diversity components,
      depends on spatial scale. Studies of spatial variation of the latter are just
      starting, with a paucity of research on beta-diversity patterns at smaller
      scales. Understanding these patterns and the processes shaping the distribution
      of diversity is critical to describe this diversity, but it is paramount in
      conservation too. Here, we investigate the diversity and structure of a tropical
      community of herbivorous beetles at a reduced local scale of some 10 km2,
      evaluating the effect of a small, gradual ecological change on this structure. We
      sampled leaf beetles in the Nui Chua National Park (S Vietnam), studying changes
      in alpha- and beta-diversity across an elevation gradient up to 500 m,
      encompassing the ecotone between critically endangered lowland dry deciduous
      forest and mixed evergreen forest at higher elevations. Leaf beetle diversity was
      assessed using several molecular tree-based species delimitation approaches (with
      mtDNA cox1 data), species richness using rarefaction and incidence-based
      diversity indexes, and beta-diversity was investigated decomposing the
      contribution of species turnover and nestedness. We documented 155 species in the
      area explored and species-richness estimates 1.5-2.0x higher. Species diversity
      was similar in both forest types and changes in alpha-diversity along the
      elevation gradient showed an expected local increase of diversity in the ecotone.
      Beta-diversity was high among forest paths (average Sorensen's dissimilarity =
      0.694) and, tentatively fixing at 300 m the boundary between otherwise continuous
      biomes, demonstrated similarly high beta-diversity (Sorensen's dissimilarity =
      0.581), with samples clustering according to biome/elevation. Highly relevant
      considering the local scale of the study, beta-diversity had a high contribution
      of species replacement among locales (54.8%) and between biomes (79.6%),
      suggesting environmental heterogeneity as the dominant force shaping diversity at
      such small scale, directly and indirectly on the plant communities. Protection
      actions in the Park, especially these addressed at the imperative conservation of
      dry forest, must ponder the small scale at which processes shape species
      diversity and community structure for inconspicuous, yet extraordinarily diverse
      organisms such as the leaf beetles. 

PMID- 27276229
TI  - Repeated and Widespread Evolution of Bioluminescence in Marine Fishes.
AB  - Bioluminescence is primarily a marine phenomenon with 80% of metazoan
      bioluminescent genera occurring in the world's oceans. Here we show that
      bioluminescence has evolved repeatedly and is phylogenetically widespread across
      ray-finned fishes. We recover 27 independent evolutionary events of
      bioluminescence, all among marine fish lineages. This finding indicates that
      bioluminescence has evolved many more times than previously hypothesized across
      fishes and the tree of life. Our exploration of the macroevolutionary patterns of
      bioluminescent lineages indicates that the present day diversity of some inshore
      and deep-sea bioluminescent fish lineages that use bioluminescence for
      communication, feeding, and reproduction exhibit exceptional species richness
      given clade age. We show that exceptional species richness occurs particularly in
      deep-sea fishes with intrinsic bioluminescent systems and both shallow water and
      deep-sea lineages with luminescent systems used for communication. 

PMID- 27276230
TI  - Contribution of hepatic cytochrome CYP1A and metallothionein mRNA abundance to
      biomonitoring-A case study with European flounder (Platichthys flesus) from the
      Gulf of Gdansk.
AB  - The aim of the research was to explore the contribution of hepatic cytochrome
      CYP1A and metallothionein (MT) mRNA expression to biological effect monitoring.
      The study was conducted in the European flounder (Platichthys flesus) from the
      Gulf of Gdansk. mRNA abundance was measured using reverse transcriptase
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in liver RNA of fish sampled from three
      coastal stations and from one offshore station in the inner Gulf. The
      contribution of the mRNA-based biomarkers to the assessment of the environment
      was determined in conjunction with a selection of commonly applied biochemical
      markers: 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST),
      catalase (CAT), metallothioneins (MT), fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs), all
      measured in the same individual fish. The mRNA biomarkers contributed to the
      separation between the sampling sites, but no correlations between CYP1A mRNA and
      EROD nor between MT mRNA and MT proteins were found, which should be attributed
      to the different levels these biomarkers correspond to and to the differences in
      factors that may affect them. One case of strong correlation between CYP1A mRNA
      and FACs was encountered. The overall results of this study suggest that
      biomarkers measured at the mRNA abundance level constitute a valuable addition to
      biomonitoring studies by providing additional information and contributing to the
      differentiation of results. 

PMID- 27276231
TI  - A Novel Peptide Hydrogel for an Antimicrobial Bandage Contact Lens.
AB  - A peptide hydrogel with an antimicrobial activity is developed as a bandage
      contact lens. The antimicrobial activity is enhanced with the addition of the
      biomolecules penicillin G or poly-epsilon-lysine and is positive against
      Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The lens is also noncytotoxic toward
      a human corneal epithelial cell line and as a consequence is of great potential
      as a drug-eluting bandage lens replacing conventional corneal ulcer treatment.

PMID- 27276232
TI  - Therapeutic role of a synthesized calcium phosphate nanocomposite material on
      hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.
AB  - Nanotechnology research is booming worldwide, and the general belief is that
      medical and biological applications will form the greatest sector of expansion
      over the next decade. With this in mind, this study was designed to evaluate the
      therapeutic effects of a synthesized tricalcium phosphate nanocomposite material
      (nano-TCP) on hepatocarcinoma in a rat model, as initiated with
      diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and promoted with phenobarbital (PB). Hepatocarcinoma
      was induced with intraperitoneal injections of DEN (50 mg.(kg body mass)(-1)) 3
      times a week for 2 weeks. Three weeks after the last dose of DEN, the rats
      received PB (0.05 %, w/v) in their drinking water for a further 6 weeks. Nano-TCP
      (100 mg.(kg body mass)(-1)) was administered intraperitoneally 3 times per week
      to rats with HCC. At the end of the experimental period, liver samples were
      collected from all animals for biochemical and histopathological analysis. The
      degree of DNA fragmentation was analyzed, in addition to immune status, by
      measuring the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-2 (IL-2). The activities of the most important free
      radical scavengers of the antioxidant defense system as well as malondialdehyde
      (MDA) content and liver enzymes were measured. The levels of hepatic heat shock
      protein-70 (HSP-70), caspase-3, and metalloproteinase-9 were also measured as
      markers for inflammation and apoptosis. Histopathological examination of liver
      tissue was performed. The results revealed the potent efficacy of nano-TCP in
      repairing the fragmented DNA and ameliorating most of the investigated parameters
      by significant elevation in the levels of hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
      superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. On the
      other hand, there was a significant decrease in hepatic gamma-glutamyl
      transpeptidase (gamma-GT), MDA, IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), HSP-70, and caspase-3 levels upon treatment. The
      findings form histopathological examination of the liver tissues agreed with the
      biochemical results and confirmed the difference between the control and
      treatment groups. In conclusion, nano-TCP succeeded in treating hepatocarcinoma
      efficiently, and presents a new hope for patients to get safe, fast, and
      effective treatment.

PMID- 27276233
TI  - Organophosphorus Compounds in Organic Electronics.
AB  - This Minireview describes recent advances of organophosphorus compounds as opto
      electronic materials in the field of organic electronics. The progress of (hetero
      ) phospholes, unsaturated phosphanes, and trivalent and pentavalent phosphanes
      since 2010 is covered. The described applications of organophosphorus materials
      range from single molecule sensors, field effect transistors, organic light
      emitting diodes, to polymeric materials for organic photovoltaic applications. 

PMID- 27276236
TI  - Iodide-Catalyzed Synthesis of Secondary Thiocarbamates from Isocyanides and
      Thiosulfonates.
AB  - A new method for the synthesis of secondary thiocarbamates from readily available
      isocyanides and thiosulfonates with broad functional group tolerance is reported.
      The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions in isopropanol and is
      catalyzed by inexpensive sodium iodide.

PMID- 27276235
TI  - Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Kumada Cross-Coupling of Symmetric Cyclic Sulfates.
AB  - Nickel-catalyzed enantioselective cross-couplings between symmetric cyclic
      sulfates and aromatic Grignard reagents are described. These reactions are
      effective with a broad range of substituted cyclic sulfates and deliver products
      with asymmetric tertiary carbon centers. Mechanistic experiments point to a
      stereoinvertive SN2-like oxidative addition of a nickel complex to the
      electrophilic substrate.

PMID- 27276238
TI  - Interassociation Task Force Punts Decision on Universal ECG Screenings for
      Athletes.

PMID- 27276237
TI  - Self-Assembly of Complex DNA Tessellations by Using Low-Symmetry Multi-arm DNA
      Tiles.
AB  - Modular DNA tile-based self-assembly is a versatile way to engineer basic
      tessellation patterns on the nanometer scale, but it remains challenging to
      achieve high levels of structural complexity. We introduce a set of general
      design principles to create intricate DNA tessellations by employing multi-arm
      DNA motifs with low symmetry. We achieved two novel Archimedean tiling patterns,
      (4.8.8) and (3.6.3.6), and one pattern with higher-order structures beyond the
      complexity observed in Archimedean tiling. Our success in assembling complicated
      DNA tessellations demonstrates the broad design space of DNA structural motifs,
      enriching the toolbox of DNA tile-based self-assembly and expanding the
      complexity boundaries of DNA tile-based tessellation.

PMID- 27276239
TI  - Metalloporphines: Dimers and Trimers.
AB  - Procedures for the purification and subsequent crystallization of the slightly
      soluble four-coordinate metallporphines, the simplest possible porphyrin
      derivatives, are described. Crystals of the porphine derivatives of cobalt(II),
      copper(II), platinum(II), and two polymorphs of zinc(II) were obtained. Analysis
      of the crystal and molecular structures shows that all except the platinum(II)
      derivative form an unusual trimeric species in the solid state. The isomorphous
      cobalt(II), copper(II), and one zinc(II) polymorph pack in the unit cell to form
      dimers as well as the trimers. Interplanar spacings between porphine rings are
      similar in both the dimers and trimers and range between 3.24 and 3.37 A.
      Porphine rings are strongly overlapped with lateral shifts between ring centers
      in both the dimers and trimers with values between 1.52 and 1.70 A or in Category
      S as originally defined by Scheidt and Lee. Periodic trends in the M-Np bond
      distances parallel those observed previously for tetraphenyl- and
      octaethylporphyrin derivatives. 

PMID- 27276240
TI  - Renal Leiomyoma and Leiomyosarcoma: A Study of 57 Cases.
AB  - Primary renal leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas are rare, and there is a paucity of
      data regarding the pathologic features and outcomes of patients with these
      tumors. The objective of this study was to review a large series of renal smooth
      muscle tumors, in order to more fully elucidate their natural histories. Fifty
      seven renal smooth muscle tumors were reviewed for various histopathologic
      features, and leiomyosarcomas were graded using the French Federation of Cancer
      Centers (FNCLCC) system. Tumor cores in tissue microarrays were evaluated for
      smooth muscle actin, desmin, h-caldesmon, calponin, myogenin, cytokeratin
      (OSCAR), CD117, Ki67, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and
      Wilms tumor 1 (WT1). Leiomyomas were selected on the basis of preexisting
      diagnostic criteria, which included a lack of cytologic atypia, necrosis, and
      mitotic activity (0 to 1 mitoses/10 hpf). These were found to have a strong
      predilection for women, tended to arise from the renal capsule, were small (mean
      size, 4.2 cm), and had a low Ki67 proliferative rate (mean 1.4%). In addition,
      they uniformly expressed all smooth muscle markers and were ER/PR/WT1 positive in
      nearly all cases. In 10 patients with clinical follow-up, none had a tumor
      recurrence. In contrast, leiomyosarcomas had an equal sex distribution, were
      larger (mean size, 9.8 cm), had significantly higher mitotic activity (mean 8.6
      mitoses/10 hpf), with most being FNCLCC grade 2. Leiomyosarcomas expressed at
      least 1 muscle marker, higher Ki67 proliferative activity (mean 20.4%) than
      leiomyomas, and most were ER/PR/WT1 negative. Tumor recurrence occurred in 65% of
      patients, and 35% of patients died of disease. This study therefore validates
      existing criteria to distinguish between leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas.

PMID- 27276241
TI  - Serious adverse drug events related to non-investigational drugs in academic
      clinical trials: another source of safety data for risk assessment?
AB  - AIMS: Sponsors of clinical trials have to analyze serious adverse events (SAEs).
      Both sponsors and investigators determine the relationship between the
      investigational medicinal product, the investigational device or procedure and
      SAEs. SAEs related to another cause, such as a non-investigational medicinal
      product (NIMP), do not have clear pharmacovigilance reporting requirements. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the amount and the nature of NIMP-related SAEs
      recorded by three French academic sponsors and to propose pharmacovigilance
      requirements for these cases. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study
      including all cases of NIMP-related SAEs occurring in clinical trials and
      reported to three academic sponsors between January 2009 and October 2014.
      RESULTS: Among 5870 cases of SAEs, 300 (5%) were related to a NIMP in 50 clinical
      trials. Involved NIMPs were mainly antithrombotics, cytostatics and
      immunosuppressants. Some of these drugs were currently followed by a risk
      management plan (e.g. rivoxaban). The most frequent NIMP-related SAEs were
      neurological, gastrointestinal and infectious disorders. Seven NIMP-related SAEs
      were known as 'rare' or 'very rare' and two were 'unlabelled'. CONCLUSIONS: As
      far as we know, this is the first study to focus about NIMP-related SAEs
      occurring in clinical trials. This work highlights the potential high quality
      source of safety data via NIMP-related SAE collection. Globally, we propose that
      NIMP-related SAEs occurring in clinical trials should systematically be notified
      to the pharmacovigilance system of the concerned country. Clearer procedures of
      interactions between safety units of academic sponsors and pharmacovigilance
      systems are needed to allow an effective recording of NIMP-related SAEs.

PMID- 27276243
TI  - Hepatic Gadolinium Deposition and Reversibility after Contrast Agent-enhanced MR
      Imaging of Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients.
AB  - Purpose To determine if hepatic gadolinium deposition occurs in pediatric
      patients with iron overload but normal renal and hepatic function who undergo
      gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.
      Materials and Methods Design and execution of this study was approved by the
      Ethical Committee of Institute for Research in Maternal and Child Health Burlo
      Garofolo of Trieste (reference no. 1105/2015). Because of the retrospective
      nature of the study, the requirement to obtain informed consent was waived.
      Twenty-one recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants who
      underwent GBCA-enhanced MR imaging for suspected infection or relapse followed by
      liver biopsy comprised the study group. The number of GBCA-enhanced MR
      examinations and cumulative gadolinium dose for each patient was analyzed by
      comparing liver histologic analysis and iron and gadolinium liver concentration
      (GLC). Eight patients had siderosis and underwent chelation therapy. The study
      group was compared with four control patients who were never exposed to GBCA.
      Statistical analysis was performed with Spearman rank coefficient for
      correlation. Results All 21 patients had positive correlations between GLC and
      total GBCA dose (r = 0.4486; P < .05) and between GLC and liver iron
      concentration (r = 0.56; P < .05). Patients who underwent deferoxamine therapy
      had a significant reduction of GLC (from 0.64 MUg/g +/- 0.29 to 0.20 MUg/g +/-
      0.17 [standard deviation]; P < .05). Conclusion In the presence of siderosis, a
      transmetallation mechanism may be set off between ferric ion and gadoterate
      meglumine. Deferoxamine appears capable of binding to gadolinium ion. Further
      studies of the safety of GBCAs in severe siderosis are needed. Chelation should
      be considered in patients with iron overload and a history of GBCA exposure. (c)
      RSNA, 2016.

PMID- 27276242
TI  - Assessing the Stability of Aortic Aneurysms with Pulse Wave Imaging.
AB  - Purpose To assess whether the stability of murine aortic aneurysms is associated
      with the homogeneity of pulse wave propagation within the saccular wall.
      Materials and Methods All animal procedures were approved by the institutional
      Animal Care and Use Committee. Apolipoprotein E and tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinases-1 knockout mice (n = 26) were infused with angiotensin II by
      using subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps, with an additional control mouse
      used for histologic examination (n = 1). Pulse wave imaging (PWI) was performed
      just before infusion and 15 days after infusion by using 40-MHz ultrasonography
      at 8000 frames per second (with electrocardiographic gating). Aneurysm appearance
      on B-mode images was monitored every 2-3 days for 30 days. On the basis of B-mode
      images obtained after 30 days, aneurysms were deemed to have been unstable if
      they had ruptured; otherwise, they were deemed stable. Statistical significance
      was assessed by using two-tailed t tests. Results In normal aortas, the pulse
      waves propagated at relatively constant velocities (mean +/- standard deviation,
      2.8 m/sec +/- 0.9). Fifteen days after infusion, all mice had developed
      aneurysms, with significant (P < .001/12) changes in maximum anterior-posterior
      diameter (increase of 54.9% +/- 2.5) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) (decrease of
      1.3 m/sec +/- 0.8). While there was no significant difference in these parameters
      (P = .45 for diameter and P = .55 for PWV) between stable aneurysms (n = 12) and
      unstable aneurysms (n = 14), the standard deviation of the high-resolution PWV
      was significantly higher (P < .001/12) in unstable aneurysms (5.7 m/sec +/- 1.6)
      than in stable ones (3.2 m/sec +/- 0.9). Conclusion High-resolution PWI was used
      to measure the local homogeneity of pulse wave propagation within the saccular
      wall, which is lower in unstable aneurysms than in stable ones. Hence, if proven
      to add additional information beyond size and appearance in human studies, PWI
      could potentially be used to assess the stability of aneurysms by providing
      information that is complementary to the anatomic data obtained with conventional
      B-mode imaging. (c) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this
      article.

PMID- 27276244
TI  - Aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 promotes multi-modality resistance and alters gene
      expression profile in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells.
AB  - Aldehyde dehydrogenases participate in a variety of cellular homeostatic
      mechanisms like metabolism, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, whereas
      recently, they have been implicated in normal and cancer cell stemness. We
      explored roles for ALDH3A1 in conferring resistance to
      chemotherapeutics/radiation/oxidative stress and whether ectopic overexpression
      of ALDH3A1 could lead to alterations of gene expression profile associated with
      cancer stem cell-like phenotype. MCF-7 cells were stably transfected either with
      an empty vector (mock) or human aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 cDNA. The expression
      of aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 in MCF-7 cells was associated with altered cell
      proliferation rate and enhanced cell resistance against various chemotherapeutic
      drugs (4-hydroxyperoxycyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, and 5
      fluorouracil). Aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 expression also led to increased
      tolerance of MCF-7 cells to gamma radiation and hydrogen peroxide-induced stress.
      Furthermore, aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1-expressing MCF-7 cells exhibited gene up
      regulation of cyclins A, B1, B2, and down-regulation of cyclin D1 as well as
      transcription factors p21, CXR4, Notch1, SOX2, SOX4, OCT4, and JAG1. When
      compared to mock cells, no changes were observed in mRNA levels of ABCA2 and
      ABCB1 protein pumps with only a minor decrease of the ABCG2 pump in the aldehyde
      dehydrogenase 3A1-expressing cells. Also, the adhesion molecules EpCAM and CD49F
      were also found to be up-regulated in aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1expressing cells.
      Taken together, ALDH3A1 confers a multi-modality resistance phenotype in MCF-7
      cells associated with slower growth rate, increased clonogenic capacity, and
      altered gene expression profile, underlining its significance in cell
      homeostasis.

PMID- 27276245
TI  - STAT5a promotes the transcription of mature mmu-miR-135a in 3T3-L1 cells by
      binding to both miR-135a-1 and miR-135a-2 promoter elements.
AB  - Despite extensive research on the role of miR-135a in biological processes, very
      little attention has been paid to the regulation of its transcription. We have
      previously reported that miR-135a suppresses 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation
      and adipogenesis by directly targeting the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene
      and activating the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, but the
      regulatory elements that regulate the expression of the two isoforms of miR-135a
      (miR-135a-1 and miR-135a-2) remain poorly understood. Here, by using deletion
      analysis, we predicted two binding sites (-874/-856 and -2020/-2002) for the
      transcription factor Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription 5a
      (STAT5a) within the core promoters of miR-135a-1 and miR-135a-2 (-1128/-556 and 
      2264/-1773), and the subsequent site-directed mutagenesis indicated that the two
      STAT5a binding sites regulated the activity of the miR-135a-1 and miR-135a-2
      promoters. The binding of STAT5a to the miR-135a-1/2 core promoters in vitro and
      in cell culture was identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA)
      and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Overexpression and RNAi
      knockdown of STAT5a showed that the transcription factor regulated the endogenous
      miR-135a expression. Additionally, The expression time frame of STAT5a and APC
      indicated a potential negative feedback between them. In sum, the overall results
      from this study indicate that STAT5a regulates miR-135a transcription by binding
      to both miR-135a-1 and miR135a-2 promoter elements and the findings provide novel
      insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of miR-135a during
      adipogenesis.

PMID- 27276246
TI  - Ensemble View of RNAs and Proteins: Loops, Knots, Territories, and Evolution.

PMID- 27276234
TI  - Intensive Blood-Pressure Lowering in Patients with Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited data are available to guide the choice of a target for the
      systolic blood-pressure level when treating acute hypertensive response in
      patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: We randomly assigned eligible
      participants with intracerebral hemorrhage (volume, <60 cm(3)) and a Glasgow Coma
      Scale (GCS) score of 5 or more (on a scale from 3 to 15, with lower scores
      indicating worse condition) to a systolic blood-pressure target of 110 to 139 mm
      Hg (intensive treatment) or a target of 140 to 179 mm Hg (standard treatment) in
      order to test the superiority of intensive reduction of systolic blood pressure
      to standard reduction; intravenous nicardipine to lower blood pressure was
      administered within 4.5 hours after symptom onset. The primary outcome was death
      or disability (modified Rankin scale score of 4 to 6, on a scale ranging from 0
      [no symptoms] to 6 [death]) at 3 months after randomization, as ascertained by an
      investigator who was unaware of the treatment assignments. RESULTS: Among 1000
      participants with a mean (+/-SD) systolic blood pressure of 200.6+/-27.0 mm Hg at
      baseline, 500 were assigned to intensive treatment and 500 to standard treatment.
      The mean age of the patients was 61.9 years, and 56.2% were Asian. Enrollment was
      stopped because of futility after a prespecified interim analysis. The primary
      outcome of death or disability was observed in 38.7% of the participants (186 of
      481) in the intensive-treatment group and in 37.7% (181 of 480) in the standard
      treatment group (relative risk, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 1.27;
      analysis was adjusted for age, initial GCS score, and presence or absence of
      intraventricular hemorrhage). Serious adverse events occurring within 72 hours
      after randomization that were considered by the site investigator to be related
      to treatment were reported in 1.6% of the patients in the intensive-treatment
      group and in 1.2% of those in the standard-treatment group. The rate of renal
      adverse events within 7 days after randomization was significantly higher in the
      intensive-treatment group than in the standard-treatment group (9.0% vs. 4.0%,
      P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of participants with intracerebral
      hemorrhage to achieve a target systolic blood pressure of 110 to 139 mm Hg did
      not result in a lower rate of death or disability than standard reduction to a
      target of 140 to 179 mm Hg. (Funded by the National Institute of Neurological
      Disorders and Stroke and the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center; ATACH-2
      ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01176565 .).

PMID- 27276247
TI  - Heterogeneous Epitaxy: Designed Peptides Scale Graphene's Surface.

PMID- 27276248
TI  - Modulation of the pH Stability of Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin: A Host Cell
      Adaptation Strategy.
AB  - Proteins undergo dynamic structural changes to function within the range of
      physical and chemical conditions of their microenvironments. Changes in these
      environments affect their activity unless the respective mutations preserve their
      proper function. Here, we examine the influenza A virus spike protein
      hemagglutinin (HA), which undergoes a dynamic conformational change that is
      essential to the viral life cycle and is dependent on endosomal pH. Since the
      cells of different potential hosts exhibit different levels of pH, the virus can
      only cross species barriers if HA undergoes mutations that still permit the
      structural change to occur. This key event occurs after influenza A enters the
      host cell via the endocytic route, during its intracellular transport inside
      endosomes. The acidic pH inside these vesicles triggers a major structural
      transition of HA that induces fusion of the viral envelope and the endosomal
      membrane, and permits the release of the viral genome. HA experiences specific
      mutations that alter its pH stability and allow the conformational changes
      required for fusion in different hosts, despite the differences in the degree of
      acidification of their endosomes. Experimental and theoretical studies over the
      past few years have provided detailed insights into the structural aspects of the
      mutational changes that alter its susceptibility to different pH thresholds. We
      will illustrate how such mutations modify the protein's structure and
      consequently its pH stability. These changes make HA an excellent model of the
      way subtle structural modifications affect a protein's stability and enable it to
      function in diverse environments.

PMID- 27276249
TI  - Correlation among DNA Linker Length, Linker Histone Concentration, and Histone
      Tails in Chromatin.
AB  - Eukaryotic cells condense their genetic material in the nucleus in the form of
      chromatin, a macromolecular complex made of DNA and multiple proteins. The
      structure of chromatin is intimately connected to the regulation of all
      eukaryotic organisms, from amoebas to humans, but its organization remains
      largely unknown. The nucleosome repeat length (NRL) and the concentration of
      linker histones (rhoLH) are two structural parameters that vary among cell types
      and cell cycles; the NRL is the number of DNA basepairs wound around each
      nucleosome core plus the number of basepairs linking successive nucleosomes.
      Recent studies have found a linear empirical relationship between the variation
      of these two properties for different cells, but its underlying mechanism remains
      elusive. Here we apply our established mesoscale chromatin model to explore the
      mechanisms responsible for this relationship, by investigating chromatin fibers
      as a function of NRL and rhoLH combinations. We find that a threshold of linker
      histone concentration triggers the compaction of chromatin into well-formed 30-nm
      fibers; this critical value increases linearly with NRL, except for long NRLs,
      where the fibers remain disorganized. Remarkably, the interaction patterns
      between core histone tails and chromatin elements are highly sensitive to the NRL
      and rhoLH combination, suggesting a molecular mechanism that could have a key
      role in regulating the structural state of the fibers in the cell. An estimate of
      the minimized work and volume associated with storage of chromatin fibers in the
      nucleus further suggests factors that could spontaneously regulate the NRL as a
      function of linker histone concentration. Both the tail interaction map and DNA
      packing considerations support the empirical NRL/rhoLH relationship and offer a
      framework to interpret experiments for different chromatin conditions in the
      cell.

PMID- 27276250
TI  - Contact Statistics Highlight Distinct Organizing Principles of Proteins and RNA.
AB  - Although both RNA and proteins have densely packed native structures, chain
      organizations of these two biopolymers are fundamentally different. Motivated by
      the recent discoveries in chromatin folding that interphase chromosomes have
      territorial organization with signatures pointing to metastability, we analyzed
      the biomolecular structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank and found that the
      intrachain contact probabilities, P(s) as a function of the arc length s, decay
      in power-law ~s(-gamma) over the intermediate range of s, 10 ? s ? 110. We found
      that the contact probability scaling exponent is gamma ~ 1.11 for large RNA (N >
      110), gamma ~ 1.41 for small-sized RNA (N < 110), and gamma ~ 1.65 for proteins.
      Given that Gaussian statistics is expected for a fully equilibrated chain in
      polymer melts, the deviation of gamma-value from gamma = 1.5 for the subchains of
      large RNA in the native state suggests that the chain configuration of RNA is not
      fully equilibrated. It is visually clear that folded structures of large-sized
      RNA (N ? 110) adopt crumpled structures, partitioned into modular multidomains
      assembled by proximal sequences along the chain, whereas the polypeptide chain of
      folded proteins looks better mixed with the rest of the structure. Our finding of
      gamma ~ 1 for large RNA might be an ineluctable consequence of the hierarchical
      ordering of the secondary to tertiary elements in the folding process.

PMID- 27276252
TI  - Structure of the Bacterial Cytoskeleton Protein Bactofilin by NMR Chemical Shifts
      and Sequence Variation.
AB  - Bactofilins constitute a recently discovered class of bacterial proteins that
      form cytoskeletal filaments. They share a highly conserved domain (DUF583) of
      which the structure remains unknown, in part due to the large size and
      noncrystalline nature of the filaments. Here, we describe the atomic structure of
      a bactofilin domain from Caulobacter crescentus. To determine the structure, we
      developed an approach that combines a biophysical model for proteins with
      recently obtained solid-state NMR spectroscopy data and amino acid contacts
      predicted from a detailed analysis of the evolutionary history of bactofilins.
      Our structure reveals a triangular beta-helical (solenoid) conformation with
      conserved residues forming the tightly packed core and polar residues lining the
      surface. The repetitive structure explains the presence of internal repeats as
      well as strongly conserved positions, and is reminiscent of other fibrillar
      proteins. Our work provides a structural basis for future studies of bactofilin
      biology and for designing molecules that target them, as well as a starting point
      for determining the organization of the entire bactofilin filament. Finally, our
      approach presents new avenues for determining structures that are difficult to
      obtain by traditional means.

PMID- 27276251
TI  - Influence of Glu/Arg, Asp/Arg, and Glu/Lys Salt Bridges on alpha-Helical
      Stability and Folding Kinetics.
AB  - Using a combination of ultraviolet circular dichroism, temperature-jump transient
      infrared spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the
      effect of salt bridges between different types of charged amino-acid residue
      pairs on alpha-helix folding. We determine the stability and the folding and
      unfolding rates of 12 alanine-based alpha-helical peptides, each of which has a
      nearly identical composition containing three pairs of positively and negatively
      charged residues (either Glu(-)/Arg(+), Asp(-)/Arg(+), or Glu(-)/Lys(+)). Within
      each set of peptides, the distance and order of the oppositely charged residues
      in the peptide sequence differ, such that they have different capabilities of
      forming salt bridges. Our results indicate that stabilizing salt bridges (in
      which the interacting residues are spaced and ordered such that they favor helix
      formation) speed up alpha-helix formation by up to 50% and slow down the
      unfolding of the alpha-helix, whereas salt bridges with an unfavorable geometry
      have the opposite effect. Comparing the peptides with different types of charge
      pairs, we observe that salt bridges between side chains of Glu(-) and Arg(+) are
      most favorable for the speed of folding, probably because of the larger
      conformational space of the salt-bridging Glu(-)/Arg(+) rotamer pairs compared to
      Asp(-)/Arg(+) and Glu(-)/Lys(+). We speculate that the observed impact of salt
      bridges on the folding kinetics might explain why some proteins contain salt
      bridges that do not stabilize the final, folded conformation.

PMID- 27276253
TI  - Three-Dimensional Domain Swapping Changes the Folding Mechanism of the Forkhead
      Domain of FoxP1.
AB  - The forkhead family of transcription factors (Fox) controls gene transcription
      during key processes such as regulation of metabolism, embryogenesis, and
      immunity. Structurally, Fox proteins feature a conserved DNA-binding domain known
      as forkhead. Interestingly, solved forkhead structures of members from the P
      subfamily (FoxP) show that they can oligomerize by three-dimensional domain
      swapping, whereby structural elements are exchanged between adjacent subunits,
      leading to an intertwined dimer. Recent evidence has largely stressed the
      biological relevance of domain swapping in FoxP, as several disease-causing
      mutations have been related to impairment of this process. Here, we explore the
      equilibrium folding and binding mechanism of the forkhead domain of wild-type
      FoxP1, and of two mutants that hinder DNA-binding (R53H) and domain swapping
      (A39P), using size-exclusion chromatography, circular dichroism, and hydrogen
      deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Our results show that domain swapping of
      FoxP1 occurs at micromolar protein concentrations within hours of incubation and
      is energetically favored, in contrast to classical domain-swapping proteins.
      Also, DNA-binding mutations do not significantly affect domain swapping.
      Remarkably, equilibrium unfolding of dimeric FoxP1 follows a three-state N2 <->
      2I <-> 2U folding mechanism in which dimer dissociation into a monomeric
      intermediate precedes protein unfolding, in contrast to the typical two-state
      model described for most domain-swapping proteins, whereas the A39P mutant
      follows a two-state N <-> U folding mechanism consistent with the second
      transition observed for dimeric FoxP1. Also, the free-energy change of the N <->
      U in A39P FoxP1 is ~2 kcal?mol(-1) larger than the I <-> U transition of both
      wild-type and R53H FoxP1. Finally, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry
      reveals that the intermediate strongly resembles the native state. Our results
      suggest that domain swapping in FoxP1 is at least partially linked to monomer
      folding stability and follows an unusual three-state folding mechanism, which
      might proceed via transient structural changes rather than requiring complete
      protein unfolding as do most domain-swapping proteins.

PMID- 27276254
TI  - Sequence Context Influences the Structure and Aggregation Behavior of a PolyQ
      Tract.
AB  - Expansions of polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts in nine different proteins cause a
      family of neurodegenerative disorders called polyQ diseases. Because polyQ tracts
      are potential therapeutic targets for these pathologies there is great interest
      in characterizing the conformations that they adopt and in understanding how
      their aggregation behavior is influenced by the sequences flanking them. We used
      solution NMR to study at single-residue resolution a 156-residue proteolytic
      fragment of the androgen receptor that contains a polyQ tract associated with the
      disease spinobulbar muscular atrophy, also known as Kennedy disease. Our findings
      indicate that a Leu-rich region preceding the polyQ tract causes it to become
      alpha-helical and appears to protect the protein against aggregation, which
      represents a new, to our knowledge, mechanism by which sequence context can
      minimize the deleterious properties of these repetitive regions. Our results have
      implications for drug discovery for polyQ diseases because they suggest that the
      residues flanking these repetitive sequences may represent viable therapeutic
      targets.

PMID- 27276255
TI  - A Simple Model of Protein Domain Swapping in Crowded Cellular Environments.
AB  - Domain swapping in proteins is an important mechanism of functional and
      structural innovation. However, despite its ubiquity and importance, the physical
      mechanisms that lead to domain swapping are poorly understood. Here, we present a
      simple two-dimensional coarse-grained model of protein domain swapping in the
      cytoplasm. In our model, two-domain proteins partially unfold and diffuse in
      continuous space. Monte Carlo multiprotein simulations of the model reveal that
      domain swapping occurs at intermediate temperatures, whereas folded dimers and
      folded monomers prevail at low temperatures, and partially unfolded monomers
      predominate at high temperatures. We use a simplified amino acid alphabet
      consisting of four residue types, and find that the oligomeric state at a given
      temperature depends on the sequence of the protein. We also show that hinge
      strain between domains can promote domain swapping, consistent with experimental
      observations for real proteins. Domain swapping depends nonmonotonically on the
      protein concentration, with domain-swapped dimers occurring at intermediate
      concentrations and nonspecific interactions between partially unfolded proteins
      occurring at high concentrations. For folded proteins, we recover the result
      obtained in three-dimensional lattice simulations, i.e., that functional
      dimerization is most prevalent at intermediate temperatures and nonspecific
      interactions increase at low temperatures.

PMID- 27276256
TI  - Chaperonin TRiC/CCT Recognizes Fusion Oncoprotein AML1-ETO through Subunit
      Specific Interactions.
AB  - AML1-ETO is the translational product of a chimeric gene created by the stable
      chromosome translocation t (8;21)(q22;q22). It causes acute myeloid leukemia
      (AML) by dysregulating the expression of genes critical for myeloid cell
      development and differentiation and recently has been reported to bind multiple
      subunits of the mammalian cytosolic chaperonin TRiC (or CCT), primarily through
      its DNA binding domain (AML1-175). Through these interactions, TRiC plays an
      important role in the synthesis, folding, and activity of AML1-ETO. Using single
      particle cryo-electron microscopy, we demonstrate here that a folding
      intermediate of AML1-ETO's DNA-binding domain (AML1-175) forms a stable complex
      with apo-TRiC. Our structure reveals that AML1-175 associates directly with a
      specific subset of TRiC subunits in the open conformation.

PMID- 27276257
TI  - Oxidation of RyR2 Has a Biphasic Effect on the Threshold for Store Overload
      Induced Calcium Release.
AB  - At the single-channel level, oxidation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2)
      is known to activate and inhibit the channel depending on the level of oxidation.
      However, the mechanisms through which these changes alter the activity of RyR2 in
      a cellular setting are poorly understood. In this study, we determined the effect
      of oxidation on a common form of RyR2 regulation; store overload-induced Ca(2+)
      release (SOICR). We found that oxidation resulted in concentration and time
      dependent changes in the activation threshold for SOICR. Low concentrations of
      the oxidant H2O2 resulted in a decrease in the threshold for SOICR, which led to
      an increase in SOICR events. However, higher concentrations of H2O2, or prolonged
      exposure, reversed these changes and led to an increase in the threshold for
      SOICR. This increase in the threshold for SOICR in most cells was to such an
      extent that it led to the complete inhibition of SOICR. Acute exposure to high
      concentrations of H2O2 led to an initial decrease and then increase in the
      threshold for SOICR. In the majority of cells the increased threshold could not
      be reversed by the application of the reducing agent dithiothreitol. Therefore,
      our data suggest that low levels of RyR2 oxidation increase the channel activity
      by decreasing the threshold for SOICR, whereas high levels of RyR2 oxidation
      irreversibly increase the threshold for SOICR leading to an inhibition of RyR2.
      Combined, this indicates that oxidation regulates RyR2 by the same mechanism as
      phosphorylation, methylxanthines, and mutations, via changes in the threshold for
      SOICR.

PMID- 27276258
TI  - Enthalpy-Entropy Compensation in the Binding of Modulators at Ionotropic
      Glutamate Receptor GluA2.
AB  - The 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide type of positive allosteric modulators of
      the ionotropic glutamate receptor A2 (GluA2) are promising lead compounds for the
      treatment of cognitive disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's disease. The modulators bind
      in a cleft formed by the interface of two neighboring ligand binding domains and
      act by stabilizing the agonist-bound open-channel conformation. The driving
      forces behind the binding of these modulators can be significantly altered with
      only minor substitutions to the parent molecules. In this study, we show that
      changing the 7-fluorine substituent of modulators BPAM97 (2) and BPAM344 (3) into
      a hydroxyl group (BPAM557 (4) and BPAM521 (5), respectively), leads to a more
      favorable binding enthalpy (DeltaH, kcal/mol) from -4.9 (2) and -7.5 (3) to -6.2
      (4) and -14.5 (5), but also a less favorable binding entropy (-TDeltaS, kcal/mol)
      from -2.3 (2) and -1.3 (3) to -0.5 (4) and 4.8 (5). Thus, the dissociation
      constants (Kd, MUM) of 4 (11.2) and 5 (0.16) are similar to those of 2 (5.6) and
      3 (0.35). Functionally, 4 and 5 potentiated responses of 10 MUM L-glutamate at
      homomeric rat GluA2(Q)i receptors with EC50 values of 67.3 and 2.45 MUM,
      respectively. The binding mode of 5 was examined with x-ray crystallography,
      showing that the only change compared to that of earlier compounds was the
      orientation of Ser-497 pointing toward the hydroxyl group of 5. The favorable
      enthalpy can be explained by the formation of a hydrogen bond from the side-chain
      hydroxyl group of Ser-497 to the hydroxyl group of 5, whereas the unfavorable
      entropy might be due to desolvation effects combined with a conformational
      restriction of Ser-497 and 5. In summary, this study shows a remarkable example
      of enthalpy-entropy compensation in drug development accompanied with a likely
      explanation of the underlying structural mechanism.

PMID- 27276260
TI  - Patch-Clamp Study of Hepatitis C p7 Channels Reveals Genotype-Specific
      Sensitivity to Inhibitors.
AB  - Hepatitis C is a major worldwide disease and health hazard, affecting ~3% of the
      world population. The p7 protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an intracellular
      ion channel and pH regulator that is involved in the viral replication cycle. It
      is targeted by various classical ion channel blockers. Here, we generated p7
      constructs corresponding to HCV genotypes 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a for recombinant
      expression in HEK293 cells, and studied p7 channels using patch-clamp recording
      techniques. The pH50 values for recombinant p7 channels were between 6.0 and 6.5,
      as expected for proton-activated channels, and current-voltage dependence did not
      show any differences between genotypes. Inhibition of p7-mediated currents by
      amantadine, however, exhibited significant, genotype-specific variation. The IC50
      values of p7-1a and p7-4a were 0.7 +/- 0.1 nM and 3.2 +/- 1.2 nM, whereas p7-2a
      and p7-3a had 50- to 1000-fold lower sensitivity, with IC50 values of 2402 +/-
      334 nM and 344 +/- 64 nM, respectively. The IC50 values for rimantadine were low
      across all genotypes, ranging from 0.7 +/- 0.1 nM, 1.6 +/- 0.6 nM, and 3.0 +/-
      0.8 nM for p7-1a, p7-3a, and p7-4a, respectively, to 24 +/- 4 nM for p7-2a.
      Results from patch-clamp recordings agreed well with cellular assays of p7
      activity, namely, measurements of intracellular pH and hemadsorption assays,
      which confirmed the much reduced amantadine sensitivity of genotypes 2a and 3a.
      Thus, our results establish patch-clamp studies of recombinant viroporins as a
      valid analytical tool that can provide quantitative information about viroporin
      channel properties, complementing established techniques.

PMID- 27276259
TI  - Release of Entropic Spring Reveals Conformational Coupling Mechanism in the ABC
      Transporter BtuCD-F.
AB  - Substrate translocation by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters involves
      coupling of ATP binding and hydrolysis in the nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs)
      to conformational changes in the transmembrane domains. We used molecular
      dynamics simulations to investigate the atomic-level mechanism of conformational
      coupling in the ABC transporter BtuCD-F, which imports vitamin B12 across the
      inner membrane of Escherichia coli. Our simulations show how an engineered
      disulfide bond across the NBD dimer interface reduces conformational fluctuations
      and hence configurational entropy. As a result, the disulfide bond is under
      substantial mechanical stress. Releasing this entropic spring, as is the case in
      the wild-type transporter, combined with analyzing the pairwise forces between
      individual residues, unravels the coupling mechanism. The identified pathways
      along which force is propagated from the NBDs via the coupling helix to the
      transmembrane domains are composed of highly conserved residues, underlining
      their functional relevance. This study not only reveals the details of
      conformational coupling in BtuCD-F, it also provides a promising approach to
      other long-range conformational couplings, e.g., in ABC exporters or other ATP
      driven molecular machines.

PMID- 27276261
TI  - Effects of Lipid Tethering in Extremophile-Inspired Membranes on H(+)/OH(-) Flux
      at Room Temperature.
AB  - This work explores the proton/hydroxide permeability (PH+/OH-) of membranes that
      were made of synthetic extremophile-inspired phospholipids with systematically
      varied structural elements. A fluorescence-based permeability assay was optimized
      to determine the effects on the PH+/OH- through liposome membranes with
      variations in the following lipid attributes: transmembrane tethering, tether
      length, and the presence of isoprenoid methyl groups on one or both lipid tails.
      All permeability assays were performed in the presence of a low concentration of
      valinomycin (10 nM) to prevent buildup of a membrane potential without
      artificially increasing the measured PH+/OH-. Surprisingly, the presence of a
      transmembrane tether did not impact PH+/OH- at room temperature. Among tethered
      lipid monolayers, PH+/OH- increased with increasing tether length if the number
      of carbons in the untethered acyl tail was constant. Untethered lipids with two
      isoprenoid methyl tails led to lower PH+/OH- values than lipids with only one or
      no isoprenoid tails. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed a strong positive
      correlation between the probability of observing water molecules in the
      hydrophobic core of these lipid membranes and their proton permeability. We
      propose that water penetration as revealed by molecular dynamics may provide a
      general strategy for predicting proton permeability through various lipid
      membranes without the need for experimentation.

PMID- 27276262
TI  - Reorganization of Lipid Diffusion by Myelin Basic Protein as Revealed by STED
      Nanoscopy.
AB  - Myelin is a multilayered membrane that ensheathes axonal fibers in the vertebrate
      nervous system, allowing fast propagation of nerve action potentials. It contains
      densely packed lipids, lacks an actin-based cytocortex, and requires myelin basic
      protein (MBP) as its major structural component. This protein is the basic
      constituent of the proteinaceous meshwork that is localized between adjacent
      cytoplasmic membranes of the myelin sheath. Yet, it is not clear how MBP
      influences the organization and dynamics of the lipid constituents of myelin.
      Here, we used optical stimulated emission depletion super-resolution microscopy
      in combination with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to assess the
      characteristics of diffusion of different fluorescent lipid analogs in myelin
      membrane sheets of cultured oligodendrocytes and in micrometer-sized domains that
      were induced by MBP in live epithelial PtK2 cells. Lipid diffusion was
      significantly faster and less anomalous both in oligodendrocytes and inside the
      MBP-rich domains of PtK2 cells compared with undisturbed live PtK2 cells. Our
      data show that MBP reorganizes lipid diffusion, possibly by preventing the
      buildup of an actin-based cytocortex and by preventing most membrane proteins
      from entering the myelin sheath region. Yet, in contrast to myelin sheets in
      oligodendrocytes, the MBP-induced domains in epithelial PtK2 cells demonstrate no
      change in lipid order, indicating that segregation of long-chain lipids into
      myelin sheets is a process specific to oligodendrocytes.

PMID- 27276263
TI  - The Flip-Flop Diffusion Mechanism across Lipids in a Hybrid Bilayer Membrane.
AB  - In this study, we examine the mechanism of flip-flop diffusion of proton carriers
      across the lipid layer of a hybrid bilayer membrane (HBM). The HBM consists of a
      lipid monolayer appended on top of a self-assembled monolayer containing a Cu
      based O2 reduction catalyst on a Au electrode. The flip-flop diffusion rates of
      the proton carriers dictate the kinetics of O2 reduction by the electrocatalyst.
      By varying both the tail lengths of the proton carriers and the lipids, we find
      the combinations of lengths that maximize the flip-flop diffusion rate. These
      experimental results combined with biophysical modeling studies allow us to
      propose a detailed mechanism for transmembrane flip-flop diffusion in HBM
      systems, which involves the bending of the alkyl tail of the proton carrier as
      the rate-determining step. Additional studies with an unbendable proton carrier
      further validate these mechanistic findings.

PMID- 27276264
TI  - Oligomerization of the Tetraspanin CD81 via the Flexibility of Its delta-Loop.
AB  - Tetraspanins are master organizers in the plasma membrane, forming tetraspanin
      enriched microdomains with one another and other surface molecules. Their rod
      shaped structure includes a large extracellular loop (LEL) that plays a pivotal
      role in tetraspanin network formation. We performed comparative atomistic and
      coarse-grain molecular-dynamics simulations of the LEL in isolation and full
      length CD81, and reproduced LEL flexibility patterns known from wet-lab
      experiments in which the LEL delta-loop region showed a pronounced flexibility.
      In a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine lipid bilayer and a plasma
      membrane environment, the conformational flexibility of the delta-loop initiates
      CD81-CD81 contacts for oligomerization. Furthermore, in the plasma membrane, CD81
      ganglioside bridges arising from preformed glycolipid patches cross-link the
      complexes. The data suggest that exposing a flexible domain enables binding to
      interaction partners by circumventing the restriction of orientation and
      conformational freedom of membrane proteins.

PMID- 27276265
TI  - A pH-Mediated Topological Switch within the N-Terminal Domain of Human Caveolin
      3.
AB  - Caveolins mediate the formation of caveolae, which are small omega-shaped
      membrane invaginations involved in a variety of cellular processes. There are
      three caveolin isoforms, the third of which (Cav3) is expressed in smooth and
      skeletal muscles. Mutations in Cav3 cause a variety of human muscular diseases.
      In this work, we characterize the secondary structure, dynamics, and topology of
      the monomeric form of the full-length lipidated protein. Cav3 consists of a
      series of membrane-embedded or surface-associated helical elements connected by
      extramembrane connecting loops or disordered domains. Our results also reveal
      that the N-terminal domain undergoes a large scale pH-mediated topological
      rearrangement between soluble and membrane-anchored forms. Considering that
      roughly one-third of pathogenic mutations in Cav3 influence charged residues
      located in this domain, we hypothesize that this transition is likely to be
      relevant to the molecular basis of Cav3-linked diseases. These results provide
      insight into the structure of Cav3 and set the stage for mechanistic
      investigations of the effects of pathogenic mutations.

PMID- 27276266
TI  - The Functional Activity of the Human Serotonin 5-HT1A Receptor Is Controlled by
      Lipid Bilayer Composition.
AB  - Although the properties of the cell plasma membrane lipid bilayer are broadly
      understood to affect integral membrane proteins, details of these interactions
      are poorly understood. This is particularly the case for the large family of G
      protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Here, we examine the lipid dependence of the
      human serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, a GPCR that is central to neuronal function. We
      incorporate the protein in synthetic bilayers of controlled composition together
      with a fluorescent reporting system that detects GPCR-catalyzed activation of G
      protein to measure receptor-catalyzed oligonucleotide exchange. Our results show
      that increased membrane order induced by sterols and sphingomyelin increases
      receptor-catalyzed oligonucleotide exchange. Increasing membrane elastic
      curvature stress also increases this exchange. These results reveal the broad
      dependence that the 5-HT1A receptor has on plasma membrane properties,
      demonstrating that membrane lipid composition is a biochemical control parameter
      and highlighting the possibility that compositional changes related to aging,
      diet, or disease could impact cell signaling functions.

PMID- 27276267
TI  - Statistical Thermodynamics for Actin-Myosin Binding: The Crucial Importance of
      Hydration Effects.
AB  - Actomyosin is an important molecular motor, and the binding of actin and myosin
      is an essential research target in biophysics. Nevertheless, the physical factors
      driving or opposing the binding are still unclear. Here, we investigate the role
      of water in actin-myosin binding using the most reliable statistical-mechanical
      method currently available for assessing biomolecules immersed in water. This
      method is characterized as follows: water is treated not as a dielectric
      continuum but as an ensemble of molecules; the polyatomic structures of proteins
      are taken into consideration; and the binding free energy is decomposed into
      physically insightful entropic and energetic components by accounting for the
      hydration effect to its full extent. We find that the actin-myosin binding brings
      large gains of electrostatic and Lennard-Jones attractive interactions. However,
      these gains are accompanied by even larger losses of actin-water and myosin-water
      electrostatic and LJ attractive interactions. Although roughly half of the energy
      increase due to the losses is cancelled out by the energy decrease arising from
      structural reorganization of the water released upon binding, the remaining
      energy increase is still larger than the energy decrease brought by the gains
      mentioned above. Hence, the net change in system energy is positive, which
      opposes binding. Importantly, the binding is driven by a large gain of
      configurational entropy of water, which surpasses the positive change in system
      energy and the conformational entropy loss occurring for actin and myosin. The
      principal physical origin of the large water-entropy gain is as follows: the
      actin-myosin interface is closely packed with the achievement of high shape
      complementarity on the atomic level, leading to a large increase in the total
      volume available to the translational displacement of water molecules in the
      system and a resultant reduction of water crowding (i.e., entropic correlations
      among water molecules).

PMID- 27276268
TI  - Graphene Symmetry Amplified by Designed Peptide Self-Assembly.
AB  - We present a strategy for designed self-assembly of peptides into two-dimensional
      monolayer crystals on the surface of graphene and graphite. As predicted by
      computation, designed peptides assemble on the surface of graphene to form very
      long, parallel, in-register beta-sheets, which we call beta-tapes. Peptides
      extend perpendicularly to the long axis of each beta-tape, defining its width,
      with hydrogen bonds running along the axis. Tapes align on the surface to create
      highly regular microdomains containing 4-nm pitch striations. Moreover, in
      agreement with calculations, the atomic structure of the underlying graphene
      dictates the arrangement of the beta-tapes, as they orient along one of six
      directions defined by graphene's sixfold symmetry. A cationic-assembled peptide
      surface is shown here to strongly adhere to DNA, preferentially orienting the
      double helix along beta-tape axes. This orientational preference is well
      anticipated from calculations, given the underlying peptide layer structure.
      These studies illustrate how designed peptides can amplify the Angstrom-level
      atomic symmetry of a surface onto the micrometer scale, further imparting long
      range directional order onto the next level of assembly. The remarkably stable
      nature of these assemblies under various environmental conditions suggests
      applications in enzymelike catalysis, biological interfaces for cellular
      recognition, and two-dimensional platforms for studying DNA-peptide interactions.

PMID- 27276269
TI  - Competition between Coiled-Coil Structures and the Impact on Myosin-10 Bundle
      Selection.
AB  - Coiled-coil fusions are a useful approach to enforce dimerization in protein
      engineering. However, the final structures of coiled-coil fusion proteins have
      received relatively little attention. Here, we determine the structural outcome
      of adjacent parallel and antiparallel coiled coils. The targets are coiled coils
      that stabilize myosin-10 in single-molecule biophysical studies. We reveal the
      solution structure of a short, antiparallel, myosin-10 coiled-coil fused to the
      parallel GCN4-p1 coiled coil. Surprisingly, this structure is a continuous,
      antiparallel coiled coil where GCN4-p1 pairs with myosin-10 rather than itself.
      We also show that longer myosin-10 segments in these parallel/antiparallel
      fusions are dynamic and do not fold cooperatively. Our data resolve conflicting
      results on myosin-10 selection of actin filament bundles, demonstrating the
      importance of understanding coiled-coil orientation and stability.

PMID- 27276270
TI  - Actomyosin Cortical Mechanical Properties in Nonadherent Cells Determined by
      Atomic Force Microscopy.
AB  - The organization of filamentous actin and myosin II molecular motor contractility
      is known to modify the mechanical properties of the cell cortical actomyosin
      cytoskeleton. Here we describe a novel method, to our knowledge, for using force
      spectroscopy approach curves with tipless cantilevers to determine the actomyosin
      cortical tension, elastic modulus, and intracellular pressure of nonadherent
      cells. We validated the method by measuring the surface tension of water in oil
      microdrops deposited on a glass surface. We extracted an average tension of T ~
      20.25 nN/MUm, which agrees with macroscopic experimental methods. We then
      measured cortical mechanical properties in nonadherent human foreskin fibroblasts
      and THP-1 human monocytes before and after pharmacological perturbations of
      actomyosin activity. Our results show that myosin II activity and actin
      polymerization increase cortex tension and intracellular pressure, whereas
      branched actin networks decreased them. Interestingly, myosin II activity
      stiffens the cortex and branched actin networks soften it, but actin
      polymerization has no effect on cortex stiffness. Our method is capable of
      detecting changes in cell mechanical properties in response to perturbations of
      the cytoskeleton, allowing characterization with physically relevant parameters.
      Altogether, this simple method should be of broad application for deciphering the
      molecular regulation of cell cortical mechanical properties.

PMID- 27276273
TI  - Correction: Neuronal Cell Fate Specification by the Convergence of Different
      Spatiotemporal Cues on a Common Terminal Selector Cascade.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002450.].

PMID- 27276271
TI  - A Computational Model of YAP/TAZ Mechanosensing.
AB  - In cell proliferation, stem cell differentiation, chemoresistance, and tissue
      organization, the ubiquitous role of YAP/TAZ continues to impact our fundamental
      understanding in numerous physiological and disease systems. YAP/TAZ is an
      important signaling nexus integrating diverse mechanical and biochemical signals,
      such as ECM stiffness, adhesion ligand density, or cell-cell contacts, and thus
      strongly influences cell fate. Recent studies show that YAP/TAZ mechanical
      sensing is dependent on RhoA-regulated stress fibers. However, current
      understanding of YAP/TAZ remains limited due to the unknown interaction between
      the canonical Hippo pathway and cell tension. Furthermore, the multiscale
      relationship connecting adhesion signaling to YAP/TAZ activity through
      cytoskeleton dynamics remains poorly understood. To identify the roles of key
      signaling molecules in mechanical signal sensing and transduction, we present a,
      to our knowledge, novel computational model of the YAP/TAZ signaling pathway.
      This model converts extracellular-matrix mechanical properties to biochemical
      signals via adhesion, and integrates intracellular signaling cascades associated
      with cytoskeleton dynamics. We perform perturbations of molecular levels and
      sensitivity analyses to predict how various signaling molecules affect YAP/TAZ
      activity. Adhesion molecules, such as FAK, are predicted to rescue YAP/TAZ
      activity in soft environments via the RhoA pathway. We also found that changes of
      molecule concentrations result in different patterns of YAP/TAZ stiffness
      response. We also investigate the sensitivity of YAP/TAZ activity to ECM
      stiffness, and compare with that of SRF/MAL, which is another important regulator
      of differentiation. In addition, the model shows that the unresolved synergistic
      effect of YAP/TAZ activity between the mechanosensing and the Hippo pathways can
      be explained by the interaction of LIM-kinase and LATS. Overall, our model
      provides a, to our knowledge, novel platform for studying YAP/TAZ activity in the
      context of integrating different signaling pathways. This platform can be used to
      gain, to our knowledge, new fundamental insights into roles of key molecular and
      mechanical regulators on development, tissue engineering, or tumor progression.

PMID- 27276272
TI  - Chloride Anions Regulate Kinetics but Not Voltage-Sensor Qmax of the Solute
      Carrier SLC26a5.
AB  - In general, SLC26 solute carriers serve to transport a variety of anions across
      biological membranes. However, prestin (SLC26a5) has evolved, now serving as a
      motor protein in outer hair cells (OHCs) of the mammalian inner ear and is
      required for cochlear amplification, a mechanical feedback mechanism to boost
      auditory performance. The mechanical activity of the OHC imparted by prestin is
      driven by voltage and controlled by anions, chiefly intracellular chloride.
      Current opinion is that chloride anions control the Boltzmann characteristics of
      the voltage sensor responsible for prestin activity, including Qmax, the total
      sensor charge moved within the membrane, and Vh, a measure of prestin's operating
      voltage range. Here, we show that standard narrow-band, high-frequency admittance
      measures of nonlinear capacitance (NLC), an alternate representation of the
      sensor's charge-voltage (Q-V) relationship, is inadequate for assessment of Qmax,
      an estimate of the sum of unitary charges contributed by all voltage sensors
      within the membrane. Prestin's slow transition rates and chloride-binding
      kinetics adversely influence these estimates, contributing to the prevalent
      concept that intracellular chloride level controls the quantity of sensor charge
      moved. By monitoring charge movement across frequency, using measures of
      multifrequency admittance, expanded displacement current integration, and OHC
      electromotility, we find that chloride influences prestin kinetics, thereby
      controlling charge magnitude at any particular frequency of interrogation.
      Importantly, however, this chloride dependence vanishes as frequency decreases,
      with Qmax asymptoting at a level irrespective of the chloride level. These data
      indicate that prestin activity is significantly low-pass in the frequency domain,
      with important implications for cochlear amplification. We also note that the
      occurrence of voltage-dependent charge movements in other SLC26 family members
      may be hidden by inadequate interrogation timescales, and that revelation of such
      activity could highlight an evolutionary means for kinetic modifications within
      the family to address hearing requirements in mammals.

PMID- 27276274
TI  - Alcohol-Tolerant Platinum Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction by Encapsulating
      Platinum Nanoparticles inside Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanocages.
AB  - Pt-based electrocatalysts are the most popular for direct alcohol fuel cells, but
      their performances easily deteriorate for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at
      the cathode because of the alcohol crossover effect. Herein, we report the novel
      Pt electrocatalyst encapsulated inside nitrogen-doped carbon nanocages (Pt@NCNC),
      which presents excellent alcohol-tolerant ORR activity and durability in acidic
      media, far superior to the Pt counterpart immobilized outside the nanocages
      (Pt/NCNC). The superb performance is correlated with the molecule-sieving effect
      of the micropores penetrating through the shells of the nanocages, which admit
      the small-sized oxygen and ions but block the large-sized alcohols into the
      nanocages. This mechanism is confirmed by examining the size dependence of ORR
      and alcohol oxidation activities by regulating the micropores sizes. This study
      provides a promising strategy to develop the superior alcohol-tolerant Pt-based
      ORR electrocatalyst in acidic media. 

PMID- 27276276
TI  - Nonparametric analysis of competing risks data with event category missing at
      random.
AB  - In competing risks setup, the data for each subject consist of the event time,
      censoring indicator, and event category. However, sometimes the information about
      the event category can be missing, as, for example, in a case when the date of
      death is known but the cause of death is not available. In such situations,
      treating subjects with missing event category as censored leads to the
      underestimation of the hazard functions. We suggest nonparametric estimators for
      the cumulative cause-specific hazards and the cumulative incidence functions
      which use the Nadaraya-Watson estimator to obtain the contribution of an event
      with missing category to each of the cause-specific hazards. We derive the
      propertied of the proposed estimators. Optimal bandwidth is determined, which
      minimizes the mean integrated squared errors of the proposed estimators over
      time. The methodology is illustrated using data on lung infections in patients
      from the United States Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry.

PMID- 27276275
TI  - Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in youth with vs without chronic pain.
AB  - Chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms have been found to
      co-occur in adults; however, research has not examined this co-occurrence in
      adolescence, when pediatric chronic pain often first emerges. The aims of this
      study were to compare the frequency and intensity of PTSD symptoms and stressful
      life events in cohorts of youth with (n = 95) and without (n = 100) chronic pain
      and their parents and to determine the association between PTSD symptoms, health
      related quality of life, and pain symptoms within the chronic pain sample. All
      participants completed questionnaire measures through an online survey. Findings
      revealed that youth with chronic pain and their parents had significantly higher
      levels of PTSD symptoms as compared with pain-free peers. More youth with chronic
      pain (32%) and their parents (20%) reported clinically significant elevations in
      PTSD symptoms than youth without chronic pain (8%) and their parents (1%). Youth
      with chronic pain also reported a greater number of stressful life events than
      those without chronic pain, and this was associated with higher PTSD symptoms.
      Among the chronic pain cohort, higher levels of PTSD symptoms were predictive of
      worse health-related quality of life and were associated with higher pain
      intensity, unpleasantness, and interference. Results suggest that elevated PTSD
      symptoms are common and linked to reduced functioning among youth with chronic
      pain. Future research is needed to examine PTSD at the diagnostic level and the
      underlying mechanisms that may explain why this co-occurrence exists.

PMID- 27276277
TI  - An effective host material with thermally activated delayed fluorescence formed
      by confined conjugation for red phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes.
AB  - A thermally activated delayed fluorescence material 2,6-bis(9,9-diphenylacridin
      10(9H)-yl)pyrazine was designed and synthesized. The twisted configuration made
      it possesses very small singlet-triplet splitting. A red electroluminescent
      device based on this new host material is able to achieve ~26% external quantum
      efficiency and relatively flat efficiency roll-off. 

PMID- 27276278
TI  - Application of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy: A phase behavior study of
      babassu biodiesel-based microemulsions.
AB  - Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable systems of two immiscible liquids,
      one aqueous and the other of organic nature, with a surfactant and/or co
      surfactant adsorbed in the interface between the two phases. Biodiesel-based
      microemulsions, consisting of alkyl esters of fatty acids, open a new means of
      analysis for the application of electroanalytical techniques, and is advantageous
      as it eliminates the required pre-treatment of a sample. In this work, the phase
      behaviours of biodiesel-based microemulsions were investigated through the
      electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. We observed thatan
      increase in the amount of biodiesel in the microemulsion formulation increases
      the resistance to charge transfer at the interface. Also, the electrical
      conductivity measurements revealed that a decrease or increase in electrical
      properties depends on the amount of biodiesel. EIS studies of the biodiesel-based
      microemulsion samples showed the presence of two capacitive arcs: one high
      frequency and the other low-frequency. Thus, the formulation of microemulsions
      plays an important role in estimating the electrical properties through the
      electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. 

PMID- 27276279
TI  - Origin of the Order-Disorder Transition and the Associated Anomalous Change of
      Thermopower in AgBiS2 Nanocrystals: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical
      Study.
AB  - Bulk AgBiS2 crystallizes in a trigonal crystal structure (space group, P3m1) at
      room temperature, which transforms to a cation disordered rock salt structure
      (space group, Fm3m) at ~473 K. Surprisingly, at room temperature, a solution
      grown nanocrystal of AgBiS2 crystallizes in a metastable Ag/Bi ordered cubic
      structure, which transforms to a thermodynamically stable disorded cubic
      structure at 610 K. Moreover, the order-disorder transition in nanocrystalline
      AgBiS2 is associated with an unusual change in thermopower. Here, we shed light
      on the origin of a order-disorder phase transition and the associated anomalous
      change of thermopower in AgBiS2 nanocrystals by using a combined experimental,
      density functional theory based first-principles calculation and ab initio
      molecular dynamics simulations. Positron-annilation spectroscopy indicates the
      presence of higher numbers of Ag vacancies in the nanocrystal compared to that of
      the bulk cubic counterpart at room temperature. Furthermore, temperature
      dependent two-detector coincidence Doppler broadening spectroscopy and Doppler
      broadening of the annihilation radiation (S parameter) indicate that the Ag
      vacancy concentration increases abruptly during the order-disorder transition in
      nanocrystalline AgBiS2. At high temperature, a Ag atom shuttles between the
      vacancy and interstitial sites to form a locally disordered cation sublattice in
      the nanocrystal, which is facilitated by the formation of more Ag vacancies
      during the phase transition. This process increases the entropy of the system at
      higher vacancy concentration, which, in turn, results in the unusual rise in
      thermopower. 

PMID- 27276337
TI  - Low-Temperature Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesis of Pt-Co Alloyed
      Nanoparticles with Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysis.
AB  - Novel Pt-Co alloyed nanocatalysts are generated via chemical vapor deposition
      assisted facile one-pot synthesis. The method guarantees highly monodisperse Pt
      Co alloy nanoparticles with precise control of metallic compositions within 1
      at%. A significant features is that a perfectly alloyed single-crystal structure
      is obtained at temperatures as low as 500  degrees C, which is much lower than
      conventional alloying temperatures. 

PMID- 27276338
TI  - Yields and Time-of-Flight Spectra of Neutral High-Rydberg Fragments at the K
      Edges of the CO2 Molecule.
AB  - We have studied the production of neutral fragments in high-Rydberg (HR) states
      at the C 1s and O 1s edges of the CO2 molecule by performing two kinds of
      experiments. First, the yields of neutral HR fragments were measured indirectly
      by ionizing such fragments in a static electric field and by collecting resulting
      singly charged positive ions as a function of the photon energy. Such
      measurements reveal not only excitations below the core ionization thresholds but
      also thresholds for single core-hole and shakeup photoionization. Second, we
      obtained the mass spectra of neutral HR fragments at selected photon energies by
      exploiting pulsed field ionization; they show atomic fragments C(HR) and O(HR).
      We discuss dissociation pathways leading to the production of neutral HR
      fragments in core excitation and ionization of CO2. 

PMID- 27276339
TI  - Electrospun Gelatin Fibers with a Multiple Release of Antibiotics Accelerate
      Dermal Regeneration in Infected Deep Burns.
AB  - Electrospun fibers of hydrophilic polymers meet challenges in a rapid degradation
      of fiber matrices and discharge of antibiotics to comply with requirements of
      infection control as a dermal regeneration template. In the current study, a pH
      conversion process is initially developed to ensure fluent electrospinning, an
      efficient in situ cross-linking of electrospun gelatin fibers with oxidized
      alginate and simultaneous loading of gentamicin sulfate (GS) and hydrophobic
      ciprofloxacin into fibers. The dual drug-loaded fibers indicate a complete
      release of GS during 6 d and a sustained release of ciprofloxacin for over three
      weeks, and the antibiotics release indicates significant growth inhibitions on
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The wound healing efficacy
      is evaluated on a deep burn model infected with 10(8) CFU of P. aeruginosa.
      Compared with fibers with loaded individual drugs, the concomitant release of GS
      and ciprofloxacin significantly reduces the bacteria numbers in wound and livers,
      at around 2.30 * 10(5) and 1.25 * 10(3) CFU after 3 d, respectively. The wound re
      epithelization, blood vessel formation, collagen deposition, and tissue
      remodeling process are accelerated with a complete healing observed after 21 d.
      This study provides a feasible strategy to design cross-linked hydrophilic fibers
      with an extended drug release for biomedical applications.

PMID- 27276340
TI  - The sensory-motor profile awake-A new tool for pre-, intra-, and postoperative
      assessment of sensory-motor function.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Awake craniotomy is a well-established procedure in surgery of
      intracranial tumors in eloquent areas. However, sufficiently standardized
      instruments for the assessment of sensory-motor function before, during and after
      the operation are currently lacking, despite their importance for evaluation of
      operative outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To address this issue, we designed a
      standardized assessment tool (the "sensory-motor profile awake scale"; SMP-a).
      The final scale consists of three motor sections (face, arm and leg) assessing
      both gross and fine motor skills and one sensory section. It differentiates
      between six grades of impairment and its tasks are applicable for intraoperative
      continuous monitoring of sensory-motor functions and supporting processes. We
      analyzed the data of 17 patients with intracranial tumors eligible for awake
      craniotomy who were preoperatively assessed with the SMP-a. In addition, we
      present an exemplary case. RESULTS: Our data support the assumption that the SMP
      a is feasible in patients eligible for awake craniotomy, even in patients with
      symptoms of mild aphasia or more severe sensory-motor deficits caused by tumor
      recurrence. The exemplary case demonstrates the feasibility of repeated measures
      with the SMP-a in a tumor patient, including the adaption of tasks to the
      individual requirements of an intraoperative setting. CONCLUSION: This
      exploratory study suggests that the SMP-a might be a feasible rating scale in
      patients with intracranial tumors. The flexibility of the scale enables
      individual adaption, but preserves the standardized scoring system to allow
      comparison between assessment dates, patients and, hopefully in the future,
      institutions. However, future studies are mandatory to provide data on the
      instrument's diagnostic properties with respect to feasibility, objectivity,
      validity and reliability.

PMID- 27276341
TI  - Dynamic Contact Angle at the Nanoscale: A Unified View.
AB  - Generation of a dynamic contact angle in the course of wetting is a fundamental
      phenomenon of nature. Dynamic wetting processes have a direct impact on flows at
      the nanoscale, and therefore, understanding them is exceptionally important to
      emerging technologies. Here, we reveal the microscopic mechanism of dynamic
      contact angle generation. It has been demonstrated using large-scale molecular
      dynamics simulations of bead-spring model fluids that the main cause of local
      contact angle variations is the distribution of microscopic force acting at the
      contact line region. We were able to retrieve this elusive force with high
      accuracy. It has been directly established that the force distribution can be
      solely predicted on the basis of a general friction law for liquid flow at solid
      surfaces by Thompson and Troian. The relationship with the friction law provides
      both an explanation of the phenomenon of dynamic contact angle and a methodology
      for future predictions. The mechanism is intrinsically microscopic, universal,
      and irreducible and is applicable to a wide range of problems associated with
      wetting phenomena.

PMID- 27276342
TI  - Catalytic C(sp(3) )-H Arylation of Free Primary Amines with an exo Directing
      Group Generated In Situ.
AB  - Herein, we report the palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of unactivated
      aliphatic C-H bonds in free primary amines. This method takes advantage of an exo
      imine-type directing group (DG) that can be generated and removed in situ. A
      range of unprotected aliphatic amines are suitable substrates, undergoing site
      selective arylation at the gamma-position. Methyl as well as cyclic and acyclic
      methylene groups can be activated. Furthermore, when aniline-derived substrates
      were used, preliminary success with delta-C-H arylation was achieved. The
      feasibility of using the DG component in a catalytic fashion was also
      demonstrated.

PMID- 27276343
TI  - Validity of Different Delirium Assessment Tools for Critically Ill Children:
      Covariates Matter.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate test validity of the Pediatric Confusion Assessment
      Method for the ICU, the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale, and the
      newly developed severity scale for the Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for
      the ICU; to prospectively assess covariates and their influence on test validity
      of the scores. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: PICU of a
      tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Critically ill patients 5 years old or
      older ventilated or nonventilated with an ICU length of stay of at least 24
      hours. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were scored
      with the Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and the Pediatric
      Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale once daily for a maximum of 21 days. Validity
      was determined by comparing scoring results with the evaluations of the delirium
      experts who used the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th
      Edition, Text Revision, for delirium diagnosis. Sixty-four patients were enrolled
      and 214 assessments were conducted and included in data analysis. The first
      assessments within each patient revealed sensitivities of 69.2% for the Pediatric
      Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale, 76.9% for the Pediatric Confusion Assessment
      Method for the ICU, and 84.9% for the severity scale for the Pediatric Confusion
      Assessment Method for the ICU. Specificities were 98% for all scores. Considering
      repeated measurements, sensitivities decreased to 35.9% for the Pediatric
      Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale and to 52.3% for the Pediatric Confusion
      Assessment Method for the ICU. The sensitivity of the severity scale for the
      Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU dropped to 71.8%, which was
      significantly higher compared to the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium
      scale (p = 0.0008). Receiver operator characteristic regression unveiled that
      sedation and mechanical ventilation had a significant negative effect on the
      validity of the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale and the severity
      scale for the Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. Age and gender
      had a significant impact on the receiver operator characteristic curve of the
      severity scale for the Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU.
      CONCLUSIONS: The severity scale for the Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for
      the ICU showed the best test validity when used in critically ill children of 5
      years old or older. Nevertheless, validity of delirium screening itself depends
      on patient specific factors. These factors should be taken into consideration
      when choosing a delirium screening instrument.

PMID- 27276345
TI  - A Glimpse of Our Journey into the Design of Optical Probes in Self-assembled
      Surfactant Aggregates.
AB  - Dynamic self-assembling amphiphilic surfactant molecules, popularly known as
      "micelles", have received widespread attention, due to their ability to modulate
      the photophysical properties of various organic dyes upon encapsulation. Along
      with their well-known use as cleaning agents, catalysts in organic reactions, and
      even for drug delivery purposes, these surfactant assemblies also show promising
      pertinence in the recognition of both ionic and nonionic targeted analytes. Low
      micropolarity and relatively hydrophobic environments promote their interaction
      with ionic analytes, whereas neutral species mostly affect the aggregation
      pattern of the probe molecules upon partitioning inside the micellar hydrophobic
      milieu. The environment-sensitive nature of micelle-based self-assembled probes
      also prompts us to devise new sensor arrays for the recognition of multiple
      analytes. While this account will largely focus on our own work in developing
      surfactant-triggered self-assembled sensors, our findings have been placed in the
      context of the relevant contributions from others during their strategic
      evolution.

PMID- 27276344
TI  - Relationship Between African-American Race and Delirium in the ICU.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Delirium is a highly prevalent syndrome of acute brain dysfunction
      among critically ill patients that has been linked to multiple risk factors, such
      as age, preexisting cognitive impairment, and use of sedatives; but to date, the
      relationship between race and delirium is unclear. We conducted this study to
      identify whether African-American race is a risk factor for developing ICU
      delirium. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: Medical and surgical ICUs
      of a university-affiliated, safety net hospital in Indianapolis, IN. PATIENTS: A
      total of 2,087 consecutive admissions with 1,008 African Americans admitted to
      the ICU services from May 2009 to August 2012. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS
      AND MAIN RESULTS: Incident delirium was defined as first positive Confusion
      Assessment Method for the ICU result after an initial negative Confusion
      Assessment Method for the ICU; and prevalent delirium was defined as positive
      Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU on first Confusion Assessment Method for
      the ICU assessment. The overall incident delirium rate in African Americans was
      8.7% compared with 10.4% in Caucasians (p = 0.26). The prevalent delirium rate
      was 14% in both African Americans and Caucasians (p = 0.95). Significant age and
      race interactions were detected for incident delirium (p = 0.02) but not for
      prevalent delirium (p = 0.3). The hazard ratio for incident delirium for African
      Americans in the 18-49 years age group compared with Caucasians of similar age
      was 0.4 (0.1-0.9). The hazard and odds ratios for incident and prevalent delirium
      in other groups were not different. CONCLUSIONS: African-American race does not
      confer any additional risk for developing incident or prevalent delirium in the
      ICU. Instead, younger African Americans tend to have lower rates of incident
      delirium compared with Caucasians of similar age.

PMID- 27276346
TI  - Interleukin-31 Polymorphisms and Serum IL-31 Level in Patients with Mastocytosis:
      Correlation with Clinical Presen-tation and Pruritus.
AB  - Data on interleukin-31 (IL-31) involvement in the patho-genesis of mastocytosis,
      and its impact on pruritus development in the disease, are limited. The aim of
      this study was to analyse distinct IL-31 gene polymorphisms in 127 patients (age
      0.5-76 years) with mastocytosis and their correlation with clinical presentation,
      pruritus and serum IL-31 levels. In patients with mastocytosis, the frequency of
      IL-31 IVS2+12AA genotype and IVS2+12A allele was higher than in control subjects
      and they were linked to an increased risk of development of mastocytosis. In
      adult patients, but not in children, -2057AA genotype was also associated with an
      increased risk of occurrence of mastocytosis. Pruritus affected 83.3% of 78 adult
      patients with mastocytosis, and a positive correlation between serum IL-31 levels
      and pruritus was found in these patients. In conclusion, distinct polymorphic
      variants of the IL-31 gene may be involved in the patho-genesis of mastocytosis,
      and IL-31 may be involved in the induction of pruritus in patients with
      mastocytosis.

PMID- 27276350
TI  - Historical Identification of Melanoma-Dark, Deep, and Deadly.

PMID- 27276351
TI  - Sugaring-Modern Revival of an Ancient Egyptian Technique for Hair Removal.

PMID- 27276352
TI  - Purity in the Eye of the Beholder-Home Remedies for Freckles.

PMID- 27276347
TI  - Characterising the Canine Oral Microbiome by Direct Sequencing of Reverse
      Transcribed rRNA Molecules.
AB  - PCR amplification and sequencing of phylogenetic markers, primarily Small Sub
      Unit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes, has been the paradigm for defining the
      taxonomic composition of microbiomes. However, 'universal' SSU rRNA gene PCR
      primer sets are likely to miss much of the diversity therein. We sequenced a
      library comprising purified and reverse-transcribed SSU rRNA (RT-SSU rRNA)
      molecules from the canine oral microbiome and compared it to a general bacterial
      16S rRNA gene PCR amplicon library generated from the same biological sample. In
      addition, we have developed BIONmeta, a novel, open-source, computer package for
      the processing and taxonomic classification of the randomly fragmented RT-SSU
      rRNA reads produced. Direct RT-SSU rRNA sequencing revealed that 16S rRNA
      molecules belonging to the bacterial phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes,
      Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Spirochaetes, were most abundant in the canine
      oral microbiome (92.5% of total bacterial SSU rRNA). The direct rRNA sequencing
      approach detected greater taxonomic diversity (1 additional phylum, 2 classes, 1
      order, 10 families and 61 genera) when compared with general bacterial 16S rRNA
      amplicons from the same sample, simultaneously provided SSU rRNA gene inventories
      of Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya, and detected significant numbers of sequences
      not recognised by 'universal' primer sets. Proteobacteria and Spirochaetes were
      found to be under-represented by PCR-based analysis of the microbiome, and this
      was due to primer mismatches and taxon-specific variations in amplification
      efficiency, validated by qPCR analysis of 16S rRNA amplicons from a mock
      community. This demonstrated the veracity of direct RT-SSU rRNA sequencing for
      molecular microbial ecology. 

PMID- 27276353
TI  - Dermatology and Comic Book Characters.

PMID- 27276354
TI  - Exfoliative Excrement.

PMID- 27276355
TI  - Cryotherapy-As Ancient as the Pharaohs.

PMID- 27276356
TI  - Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

PMID- 27276358
TI  - Weighing the evidence for weight loss as a therapeutic strategy for atrial
      fibrillation.

PMID- 27276359
TI  - Ammonium hydroxide modulated synthesis of high-quality fluorescent carbon dots
      for white LEDs with excellent color rendering properties.
AB  - A novel type of aqueous fluorescent carbon dot (CD) was synthesized using citric
      acid as the only carbon source via an ammonium hydroxide modulated method,
      providing a blue color gamut. The amino group is considered to be the key factor
      in the high fluorescence of CDs and a model is established to investigate the
      mechanism of fluorescence. In addition, white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) are
      fabricated by utilizing the prepared CDs and rare earth luminescent materials
      (SrSi2O2N2:Eu and Sr2Si5N8:Eu) as color conversion layers and UV-LED chips as the
      excitation light source. The WLEDs produce bright white light with attractive
      color rendering properties including a color rendering index of up to 95.1, a CIE
      coordinate of (0.33, 0.37), and a T c of 5447 K under a 100 mA driven current,
      indicating that the CDs are promising in the field of optoelectronic devices. 

PMID- 27276357
TI  - (11)C[double bond, length as m-dash]O bonds made easily for positron emission
      tomography radiopharmaceuticals.
AB  - The positron-emitting radionuclide carbon-11 ((11)C, t1/2 = 20.3 min) possesses
      the unique potential for radiolabeling of any biological, naturally occurring, or
      synthetic organic molecule for in vivo positron emission tomography (PET)
      imaging. Carbon-11 is most often incorporated into small molecules by methylation
      of alcohol, thiol, amine or carboxylic acid precursors using [(11)C]methyl iodide
      or [(11)C]methyl triflate (generated from [(11)C]carbon dioxide or
      [(11)C]methane). Consequently, small molecules that lack an easily substituted
      (11)C-methyl group are often considered to have non-obvious strategies for
      radiolabeling and require a more customized approach. [(11)C]Carbon dioxide
      itself, [(11)C]carbon monoxide, [(11)C]cyanide, and [(11)C]phosgene represent
      alternative reactants to enable (11)C-carbonylation. Methodologies developed for
      preparation of (11)C-carbonyl groups have had a tremendous impact on the
      development of novel PET tracers and provided key tools for clinical research.
      (11)C-Carbonyl radiopharmaceuticals based on labeled carboxylic acids, amides,
      carbamates and ureas now account for a substantial number of important imaging
      agents that have seen translation to higher species and clinical research of
      previously inaccessible targets, which is a testament to the creativity, utility
      and practicality of the underlying radiochemistry. 

PMID- 27276360
TI  - Short-term toxicity studies of loline alkaloids in mice.
AB  - Epichloe endophytes have been used successfully in pastoral systems to reduce the
      impact of insect pests through the expression of secondary metabolites. The use
      of endophytes could be extended to other plant species, such as cereal crops,
      where the production of bioactive secondary metabolites would reduce the reliance
      on pesticides for insect control. The success of this approach is dependent on
      the selection of an appropriate secondary metabolite target which must not only
      be effective against insect pests but also be safe for grazing and monogastric
      animals. The loline alkaloids have been identified as possible target metabolites
      as they are associated with potent effects on insects and low toxicity to grazing
      animals. The purpose of the current study was to generate toxicological data on
      the loline alkaloids in a monogastric system using mice. Male and female mice
      were fed 415 mg/kg/day total lolines for a 3-week period. The loline treatment
      caused no statistically significant effect on gross pathology, histology,
      haematology, blood chemistry, heart rate, blood pressure or motor coordination.
      Reduced weight gain and food consumption were noted in the loline groups during
      the initial stages of the experiment. This experiment raises no food safety
      concerns for the loline alkaloids. 

PMID- 27276361
TI  - WHO strategies for the programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Adequate management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), including
      multidrug- (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-) TB are within the
      priorities of the newly launched World Health Organization's End TB and
      Elimination Strategies. AREAS COVERED: This manuscript presents the evidence on
      the MDR- /XDR-TB epidemiology and discusses how the five recommended priority
      actions can be applied at the programmatic level to tackle the epidemic: 1)
      prevent development of MDR-TB thorough high quality treatment of drug-
      susceptible TB; 2) expand rapid testing and detection of drug-resistant TB; 3)
      provide immediate access to effective treatment and proper care; 4) prevent
      transmission through infection control; 5) increase political commitment and
      financing. A non-systematic review using Pubmed was carried out in addition to
      additional relevant information taken from the abstracts of international
      scientific conferences. Expert commentary: Current and future control of MDR-TB
      significantly relies on the correct use of new diagnostics and new drugs from one
      side, and on the consistent application of the five core interventions at the
      programmatic level. In addition, it is mandatory to tackle the social
      determinants and socio-economic barriers favouring the MDR-TB, otherwise it will
      not be possible to reach the planned goals as well as TB Elimination.

PMID- 27276362
TI  - The Effect of Reduced Water Availability in the Great Ruaha River on the
      Vulnerable Common Hippopotamus in the Ruaha National Park, Tanzania.
AB  - In semi-arid environments, 'permanent' rivers are essential sources of surface
      water for wildlife during 'dry' seasons when rainfall is limited or absent,
      particularly for species whose resilience to water scarcity is low. The
      hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) requires submersion in water to aid
      thermoregulation and prevent skin damage by solar radiation; the largest threat
      to its viability are human alterations of aquatic habitats. In the Ruaha National
      Park (NP), Tanzania, the Great Ruaha River (GRR) is the main source of surface
      water for wildlife during the dry season. Recent, large-scale water extraction
      from the GRR by people upstream of Ruaha NP is thought to be responsible for a
      profound decrease in dry season water-flow and the absence of surface water along
      large sections of the river inside the NP. We investigated the impact of
      decreased water flow on daytime hippo distribution using regular censuses at
      monitoring locations, transects and camera trap records along a 104km section of
      the GRR within the Ruaha NP during two dry seasons. The minimum number of hippos
      per monitoring location increased with the expanse of surface water as the dry
      seasons progressed, and was not affected by water quality. Hippo distribution
      significantly changed throughout the dry season, leading to the accumulation of
      large numbers in very few locations. If surface water loss from the GRR continues
      to increase in future years, this will have serious implications for the hippo
      population and other water dependent species in Ruaha NP. 

PMID- 27276363
TI  - Analysis of the genetic diversity of Candida isolates obtained from diabetic
      patients and kidney transplant recipients.
AB  - Yeasts of the genus Candida have high genetic variability and are the most common
      opportunistic pathogenic fungi in humans. In this study, we evaluated the genetic
      diversity among 120 isolates of Candida spp. obtained from diabetic patients,
      kidney transplant recipients and patients without any immune deficiencies from
      Parana state, Brazil. The analysis was performed using the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region
      and a partial sequence of 28S rDNA. In the phylogenetic analysis, we observed a
      consistent separation of the species C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata,
      C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. metapsilosis and C. orthopsilosis, however
      with low intraspecific variability. In the analysis of the C. albicans species,
      two clades were formed. Clade A included the largest number of isolates (91.2%)
      and the majority of isolates from GenBank (71.4%). The phylogenetic analysis
      showed low intraspecific genetic diversity, and the genetic polymorphisms between
      C. albicans isolates were similar to genetic divergence found in other studies
      performed with isolates from Brazil. This low genetic diversity of isolates can
      be explained by the geographic proximity of the patients evaluated. It was
      observed that yeast colonisation was highest in renal transplant recipients and
      diabetic patients and that C. albicans was the species most frequently isolated. 

PMID- 27276364
TI  - Highly active ozonides selected against drug resistant malaria.
AB  - Ever increasing multi-drug resistance by Plasmodium falciparum is creating new
      challenges in malaria chemotherapy. In the absence of licensed vaccines,
      treatment and prevention of malaria is heavily dependent on drugs. Potency, range
      of activity, safety, low cost and ease of administration are crucial issues in
      the design and formulation of antimalarials. We have tested three synthetic
      ozonides NAC89, LC50 and LCD67 in vitro and in vivo against multidrug resistant
      Plasmodium. In vitro, LC50 was at least 10 times more efficient inhibiting P.
      falciparum multidrug resistant Dd2 strain than chloroquine and mefloquine and as
      efficient as artemisinin (ART), artesunate and dihydroartemisinin. All three
      ozonides showed high efficacy in clearing parasitaemia in mice, caused by multi
      drug resistant Plasmodium chabaudi strains, by subcutaneous administration,
      demonstrating high efficacy in vivo against ART and artesunate resistant
      parasites. 

PMID- 27276365
TI  - Doxazosin, an alpha-1-adrenergic-receptor Antagonist, for Nightmares in Patients
      with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and/or Borderline Personality Disorder: a
      Chart Review.
AB  - Objective: Centrally active alpha-1-adrenergic-receptor antagonists such as
      prazosin are effective in the treatment of nightmares in patients with
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A pharmacological alternative is doxazosin,
      which has a longer half-life and fewer side effects. However, doxazosin is
      currently being used without solid empirical evidence. Furthermore, no study so
      far has assessed the effects of alpha-1-antagonists on nightmares in patients
      with borderline personality disorder (BPD). We retrospectively assessed the
      effectiveness of doxazosin on nightmares in PTSD and BPD. Method: A retrospective
      chart review of patients treated with doxazosin for trauma-associated nightmares
      in our clinic was performed. As in previous prazosin studies, the B2 score of the
      Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) was used as the primary outcome measure.
      Furthermore, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Addendum for PTSD (PSQI-A) and
      sleep logs were analyzed. Results: We identified 51 patients with PTSD and/or BPD
      (mean age 35.7 years, 92.3% women) who received doxazosin for nightmares. Of
      these, 46 patients continued doxazosin over a 4-week period and 31 patients over
      a 12-week period. Within the 12-week period, doxazosin treatment significantly
      reduced nightmares regardless of PTSD/BPD. 25 percent of patients treated for 12
      weeks had full remission of nightmares. PSQI-A scores indicated that additional
      trauma-associated sleep symptoms improved over 12 weeks. Furthermore,
      recuperation of sleep improved with doxazosin within the first 4 weeks of
      treatment. Conclusion: Doxazosin might improve trauma associated nightmares and
      more general sleep parameters in patients with PTSD and BPD. Randomized
      controlled trials are warranted.

PMID- 27276366
TI  - Translocator Protein (TSPO) Expression in Platelets of Depressed Patients
      Decreases during Antidepressant Therapy.
AB  - Introduction: A promising candidate in the field of pharmacological treatment
      options regarding major depressive disorder (MDD) is the mitochondrial
      translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO). TSPO is crucial for neurosteroid synthesis,
      which is in turn important for the regulation of emotions. It has already been
      shown that TSPO expression in platelets of depressed patients is reduced compared
      to healthy subjects. Methods: We measured TSPO levels in platelets of 37
      depressed patients before and after 6 weeks of pharmacological treatment to test
      the hypotheses that i) such treatment would increase TSPO expression and ii) that
      this increase would be correlated with therapeutic response. Results:
      Surprisingly, TSPO levels in platelets of all patients were significantly reduced
      after 6 weeks of treatment (p=0.044). Within the responder group, a non
      significant trend towards greater TSPO level reduction could be observed.
      Discussion: These results challenge our hypotheses that TSPO levels might
      increase during antidepressant therapy along with a decrease in depressive
      symptoms. Thus, we assume that TSPO expression in platelets is not a suitable
      state marker for MDD.

PMID- 27276367
TI  - An Older Female Patient With Abdominal Distention.

PMID- 27276369
TI  - Short-segment and intrasphincteric gastroesophageal reflux.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The traditional gold standard for measuring gastroesophageal
      acid reflux has been by placing a pH sensor 5 cm proximal to the lower esophageal
      sphincter. It is known that damage induced by reflux is maximal near to the
      gastroesophageal junction and this has stimulated interest in determining acid
      reflux at that site. RECENT FINDINGS: The extent of esophageal exposure from
      refluxing gastric acid is inversely related to the distance proximal to the
      gastroesophageal junction. In addition, the pH transition point from gastric to
      esophageal pH can be displaced proximally within the lower esophageal sphincter
      without complete loss of sphincter tone. This intrasphincteric reflux is
      associated with proximal extension of cardia mucosa because of columnar
      metaplasia of the most distal esophageal squamous mucosa. SUMMARY: The most
      distal esophageal mucosa is exposed to substantially greater gastric acid
      refluxate than that recorded at the traditional site 5 cm proximal to the lower
      esophageal sphincter.

PMID- 27276368
TI  - Determination of risk for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma and its precursor,
      Barrett's esophagus, have increased greatly over the past 40 years and continue
      to rise. This report summarizes the most recent data on the risk factors for
      Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. RECENT FINDINGS: Other
      factors, highly correlated with increasing trends for obesity, are the dominant
      driver of the increase in incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma, interacting
      with gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. Abdominal obesity, independently
      of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms, is associated with increased risk of
      Barrett's esophagus and this association is likely mediated by high levels of
      leptin and insulin. Use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
      statins, and proton pump inhibitors are associated with a reduced risk of
      Barrett's esophagus as well as lower risk of neoplastic progression in patients
      with Barrett's esophagus. An increasing number of genetic loci have been
      associated with risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
      SUMMARY: Recent advances in identifying risk factors and reporting of more
      precise estimates of effect for the main risk factors will positively impact
      clinical risk stratification efforts for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal
      adenocarcinoma. Large pooling studies are underway to derive and validate
      reliable clinical risk models.

PMID- 27276370
TI  - Common variable immunodeficiency, immune thrombocytopenia, rituximab and
      splenectomy: important considerations.
AB  - Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is readily considered in patients
      presenting with recurrent sino-pulmonary infections, however this disease has a
      broad range of clinical manifestations and diagnosis can be delayed by several
      years. We present the case of a 44-year-old postpartum female who presented with
      nausea, vomiting and abdominal distension. Four years prior, she was hospitalized
      for treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) with splenectomy and rituximab
      followed by two episodes of bacterial meningitis despite immunizations. The
      recurrent meningitis had been attributed to splenectomy and immunotherapy. During
      this hospitalization, extensive workup for gastrointestinal pathology was
      negative and she was diagnosed with intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Her hospital
      course was complicated by development of severe pseudomonas pneumonia, and
      subsequent immunoglobulin testing and impaired antibody response to vaccines were
      consistent with CVID. We review the clinical presentation of CVID, its
      association with autoimmune disease, and treatment implications, specifically the
      impact of rituximab therapy and splenectomy on immunoglobulin function and risk
      of serious infection. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction has been reported in children
      with CVID, but literature search failed to reveal similar presentation in adults.
      Physicians must consider the heterogeneous clinical manifestations of CVID to
      avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment. Institution of appropriate therapy with
      immunoglobulin replacement is important to decrease risk of serious infection. 

PMID- 27276371
TI  - A Perspective on the Trends and Challenges Facing Porphyrin-Based Anti-Microbial
      Materials.
AB  - The emergence of multidrug resistant bacterium threatens to unravel global
      healthcare systems, built up over centuries of medical research and development.
      Current antibiotics have little resistance against this onslaught as bacterium
      strains can quickly evolve effective defense mechanisms. Fortunately, alternative
      therapies exist and, at the forefront of research lays the photodynamic
      inhibition approach mediated by porphyrin based photosensitizers. This review
      will focus on the development of various porphyrins compounds and their
      incorporation as small molecules, into polymers, fibers and thin films as
      practical therapeutic agents, utilizing photodynamic therapy to inhibit a wide
      spectrum of bacterium. The use of photodynamic therapy of these porphyrin
      molecules are discussed and evaluated according to their electronic and bulk
      material effect on different bacterium strains. This review also provides an
      insight into the general direction and challenges facing porphyrins and
      derivatives as full-fledged therapeutic agents and what needs to be further done
      in order to be bestowed their rightful and equal status in modern medicine,
      similar to the very first antibiotic; penicillin itself. It is hoped that, with
      this perspective, new paradigms and strategies in the application of porphyrins
      and derivatives will progressively flourish and lead to advances against disease.

PMID- 27276372
TI  - Implications of oxidative stress in the brain plasticity originated by fasting: a
      BOLD-fMRI study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was assessing the intermittent fasting effect
      on brain plasticity and oxidative stress (OS) using blood-oxygenation-level
      dependent (BOLD)-functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI) approach. Evidences
      of physiological and molecular phenomena involved in this process are discussed
      and compared to reported literature. METHOD: Six fully healthy male non-smokers
      volunteered in this study. All volunteers were right handed, and have an
      equilibrated, consistent and healthy daily nutritional habit, and a healthy
      lifestyle. Participants were allowed consuming food during evening and night time
      while fasting with self-prohibiting food and liquids during 14 hours/day from
      sunrise to sunset. All participants underwent identical brain BOLD-fMRI protocol.
      The images were acquired in the Department of Radiology and Clinical Imaging of
      the University Hospital of Fez, Fez, Morocco. The anatomical brain and BOLD-fMRIs
      were acquired using a 1.5-Tesla scanner (Signa, General Electric, Milwaukee,
      United States). BOLD-fMRI image acquisition was done using single-shot gradient
      echo echo-planer imaging sequence. BOLD-fMRI paradigm consisted of the motor task
      where volunteers were asked to perform finger taping of the right hand. Two BOLD
      fMRI scan sessions were performed, the first one between the 5th and 10th days
      preceding the start of fasting and the second between days 25th and 28th of the
      fasting month. All sessions were performed between 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM. Although
      individual maps were originated from different individual participants, they
      cover the same anatomic area in each case. Image processing and statistical
      analysis were conducted with Statistical Parameter Mapping version 8 (2008,
      Welcome Department of Cognitive Neurology, London UK). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
      The maximal BOLD signal changes were calculated for each subject in the motor
      area M1; Activation maps were calculated and overlaid on the anatomical images.
      Group analysis of the data was performed, and the average volume and the maximum
      intensity of BOLD signal in the activated area M1 was determined for all studied
      volunteers. The current study allowed measuring regional brain volumes and neural
      network activity before and during an extended period of fasting using BOLD-fMRI.
      This demonstrated and confirmed the impact of fasting on human brain structure
      and function. Further studies are required to elucidate mechanisms and enable
      direct inference of a diet-induced OS effect on the brain.

PMID- 27276374
TI  - Floristic evolution in an agroforestry system cultivation in Southern Brazil.
AB  - Bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Bentham) is an important pioneer tree species in
      Ombrophylous Mixed Forest of Brazil and is widely used as an energy source. In
      traditional agroforestry systems, regeneration is induced by fire, then pure and
      dense stands known as bracatinga stands (bracatingais) are formed. In the first
      year, annual crops are intercalated with the seedlings. At that time the
      seedlings are thinned, then the stands remain at a fallow period and cut at seven
      years old. The species is very important mainly for small landowners. We studied
      the understory species that occur naturally during the succession over several
      years in order to manage them rationally in the future and maintain the natural
      vegetation over time. Three to 20 year-old Bracatinga stands were sampled between
      1998 and 2011. All tree species with diameter at breast height (DBH) >= 5 cm were
      measured.The floristic evolution was assessed with respect to Sociability Index,
      the Shannon Diversity Index and the Pielou Evenness Index. Graphs of
      rank/abundance over different age groups were evaluated using the Kolmogorov
      Smirnov test. We identified 153 species dispersed throughout the understory and
      tend to become aggregated over time. 

PMID- 27276373
TI  - Optimizing Treatment of Complicated Grief: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: To our knowledge, this is the first placebo-controlled randomized
      clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of antidepressant pharmacotherapy, with
      and without complicated grief psychotherapy, in the treatment of complicated
      grief. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the efficacy of a targeted complicated grief
      treatment (CGT), determine whether citalopram (CIT) enhances CGT outcome, and
      examine CIT efficacy without CGT. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Included in
      the study were 395 bereaved adults who met criteria for CG recruited from March
      2010 to September 2014 from academic medical centers in Boston, Massachusetts;
      New York, New York; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and San Diego, California. Co
      occurring substance abuse, psychosis, mania, and cognitive impairment were
      exclusionary. Study participants were randomized using site-specific permuted
      blocks stratified by major depression into groups prescribed CIT (n = 101),
      placebo (PLA; n = 99), CGT with CIT (n = 99), and CGT with PLA (n = 96).
      Independent evaluators conducted monthly assessments for 20 weeks. Response rates
      were compared under the intention-to-treat principle, including all randomized
      participants in a logistic regression with inverse probability weighting.
      INTERVENTIONS: All participants received protocolized pharmacotherapy optimized
      by flexible dosing, psychoeducation, grief monitoring, and encouragement to
      engage in activities. Half were also randomized to receive manualized CGT in 16
      concurrent weekly sessions. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Complicated grief
      anchored Clinical Global Impression scale measurments every 4 weeks. Response was
      measured as a rating of "much improved" or "very much improved." RESULTS: Of the
      395 study participants, 308 (78.0%) were female and 325 (82.3%) were white.
      Participants' response to CGT with PLA vs PLA (82.5% vs 54.8%; relative risk
      [RR], 1.51; 95% CI, 1.16-1.95; P = .002; number needed to treat [NNT], 3.6)
      suggested the efficacy of CGT, and the addition of CIT did not significantly
      improve CGT outcome (CGT with CIT vs CGT with PLA: 83.7% vs 82.5%; RR, 1.01; 95%
      CI, 0.88-1.17; P = .84; NNT, 84). However, depressive symptoms decreased
      significantly more when CIT was added to treatment (CGT with CIT vs CGT with PLA:
      model-based adjusted mean [standard error] difference, -2.06 [1.00]; 95% CI, 
      4.02 to -0.11; P = .04). By contrast, adding CGT improved CIT outcome (CIT vs CGT
      with CIT: 69.3% vs 83.7%; RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.00-1.46; P = .05; NNT, 6.9). Last,
      participant response to CIT was not significantly different from PLA at week 12
      (45.9% vs 37.9%; RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.82-1.81; P = .35; NNT, 12.4) or at week 20
      (69.3% vs 54.8%; RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.95-1.68; P = .11; NNT, 6.9). Rates of
      suicidal ideation diminished to a substantially greater extent among participants
      receiving CGT than among those who did not. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Complicated grief treatment is the treatment of choice for CG, and the addition
      of CIT optimizes the treatment of co-occurring depressive symptoms. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01179568.

PMID- 27276375
TI  - Equilibrium pricing and ordering policies in a two-echelon supply chain in the
      presence of strategic customers.
AB  - This paper studying the impact of strategic customer behavior on decentralized
      supply chain gains and decisions, which includes a supplier, and a monopoly firm
      as a retailer who sells a single product over a finite two periods of selling
      season. We consider three types of customers: myopic, strategic and low-value
      customers. The problem is formulated as a bi-level game where at the second level
      (e.g. horizontal game), the retailer determines his/her equilibrium pricing
      strategy in a non-cooperative simultaneous general game with strategic customers
      who choose equilibrium purchasing strategy to maximize their expected surplus. At
      the first level (e.g. vertical game), the supplier competes with the retailer as
      leader and follower in the Stackelberg game. They set the wholesale price and
      initial stocking capacity to maximize their profits. Finally, a numerical study
      is presented to demonstrate the impacts of strategic behavior on supply chain
      gain and decisions; subsequently the effects of market parameters on decision
      variables and total profitability of supply chain's members is studied through a
      sensitivity analysis. 

PMID- 27276376
TI  - Regarding the real diversity of Glyptodontidae (Mammalia, Xenarthra) in the late
      Pliocene (Chapadmalalan Age/Stage) of Argentina.
AB  - A large diversity of Glyptodontidae has been proposed as characterizing the
      Chapadmalalan Age (Pliocene). Most of these taxa were recognized on the basis of
      partial dorsal carapaces and/or caudal tubes, whereas the main diagnostic
      characteristic is a particular morphology of the exposed surface of the
      osteoderms. From a biostratigraphic point of view some species are
      biostratigraphically important. The Upper Chapadmalalan is based on the
      Paraglyptodon chapadmalensis biozone. Both the re-evaluation of the type and
      referred materials and new significant findings from the Chapadmalal and El
      Polvorin Formations indicate that the diversity of Pliocene Glyptodontidae is
      more limited than previously supposed. The particular morphology of the exposed
      surface of the osteoderms that characterizes some of the species actually
      corresponds to a taphonomic alteration, which results in a non-real ornamentation
      pattern. Thus, the Glyptodontinae P. chapadmalensis must be replaced as a fossil
      guide because neither this species nor the species included in the genera
      Urotherium, Trachycalyptus and Lomaphorus are well characterized. Taking into
      account the diversity of Glyptodontidae for this lapse, the Glyptodontinae are
      very scarce (a situation that contrasts with its records in the Pleistocene),
      whereas Eosclerocalyptus, "Plohophorini" (Plohophorus) and Doedicurinae (cf.
      Eleutherocercus antiquus) are among the most recorded taxa. 

PMID- 27276377
TI  - Late Pleistocene echimyid rodents (Rodentia, Hystricognathi) from northern
      Brazil.
AB  - Echimyidae (spiny rats, tree rats and the coypu) is the most diverse family of
      extant South American hystricognath rodents (caviomorphs). Today, they live in
      tropical forests (Amazonian, coastal and Andean forests), occasionally in more
      open xeric habitats in the Cerrado and Caatinga of northern South America, and
      open areas across the southern portion of the continent (Myocastor). The
      Quaternary fossil record of this family remains poorly studied. Here, we describe
      the fossil echimyids found in karst deposits from southern Tocantins, northern
      Brazil. The analyzed specimens are assigned to Thrichomys sp., Makalata cf.
      didelphoides and Proechimys sp. This is the first time that a fossil of Makalata
      is reported. The Pleistocene record of echimyids from this area is represented by
      fragmentary remains, which hinders their determination at specific levels. The
      data reported here contributes to the understanding of the ancient diversity of
      rodents of this region, evidenced until now in other groups, such as the
      artiodactyls, cingulates, carnivores, marsupials, and squamate reptiles. 

PMID- 27276378
TI  - Relevance of Hydrodynamic Effects for the Calculation of Outer Surface Potential
      of Biological Membrane Using Electrophoretic Data.
AB  - In this paper, we present the results of a study on the influence of hydrodynamic
      effects on the surface potentials of the erythrocyte membrane, comparing two
      different models formulated to simulate the electrophoretic movement of a
      biological cell: the classical Helmholtz-Smoluchowski model and a model presented
      by Hsu et al. (1996). This model considers hydrodynamic effects to describe the
      distribution of the fluid velocity. The electric potential equation was obtained
      from the non-linear Poisson-Boltzmann equation, considering the spatial
      distribution of electrical charges fixed in glycocalyx and cytoplasmic proteins,
      as well as electrolyte charges and ones fixed on the surfaces of lipidic bilayer.
      Our results show that the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski model is not able to reflect the
      real forces responsible to the electrophoretic behavior of cell, because it does
      not take account the hydrodynamic effects of glycocalyx. This charged network
      that covers cellular surface constitutes a complex physical system whose
      electromechanical characteristics cannot be neglected. Then, supporting the
      hypothesis of other authors, we suggest that, in electrophoretic motion analyses
      of cells, the classical model represents a limiting case of models that take into
      account hydrodynamic effects to describe the velocity distribution of fluid. 

PMID- 27276379
TI  - An examination of soil and water conservation practices in the paddy fields of
      Guilan province, Iran.
AB  - This study examined the use of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices among
      rice farmers in Iran. A random sample of 400 rice paddy farmers in the Foumanat
      plain of Guilan province, who use SWC measures, was drawn from a population of 52
      thousand farmers. A two-part questionnaire was used to examine the level of
      utilization of SWC practices and to profile paddy farmers. Internal consistency
      was demonstrated with a coefficient alpha of 0.76, and the content and face
      validity of the instrument was confirmed by a panel of soil and water experts.
      Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the data. Results of
      ANOVA indicated that the mean levels of SWC practices vary considerably at the
      0.01 level of significance by groups of age, education, non-agricultural income,
      production costs, yield, cultivated paddies and distance from home to the farm or
      to the main road. Similarly, significant differences were observed by groups of
      family size, rice production, ownership of livestock and profits from rice
      production at 0.05 level. The levels of experience in agriculture and ownership
      of poultry were found to have no significant effects on SWC practices. 

PMID- 27276380
TI  - Scientists in the public sphere: Interactions of scientists and journalists in
      Brazil.
AB  - In order to map scientists' views on media channels and explore their experiences
      interacting with journalists, the authors conducted a survey of about 1,000
      Brazilian scientists. Results indicate that scientists have clear and high
      expectations about how journalists should act in reporting scientific information
      in the media, but such expectations, in their opinion, do not always seem to be
      met. Nonetheless, the results show that surveyed scientists rate their relation
      with the media positively: 67% say that having their research covered by media
      has a positive impact on their colleagues. One quarter of the respondents
      expressed that talking to the media can facilitate acquisition of more funds for
      research. Moreover, 38% of the total respondents believe that writing about an
      interesting topic for release on media channels can also facilitate research
      publication in a scientific journal. However, 15% of the respondents outright
      agree that research reported in the media beforehand can threaten acceptance for
      publication by a scientific journal. We hope that these results can foster some
      initiatives for improving awareness of the two cultures, scientists and
      journalists; increasing the access of journalists to Brazilian scientific
      endeavors; stimulating scientists to communicate with the public via social
      networks. 

PMID- 27276381
TI  - Dating of fossil human teeth and shells from Toca do Enoque site at Serra das
      Confusoes National Park, Brazil.
AB  - This work reports the dating of a fossil human tooth and shell found at the
      archaeological site Toca do Enoque located in Serra das Confusoes National Park
      (Piaui, Brazil). Many prehistoric paintings have been found at this site. An
      archaeological excavation unearthed three sepulchers with human skeletons and
      some shells. Two Brazilian laboratories, in Ribeirao Preto (USP) and Recife
      (UFPE), independently performed Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements to
      date the tooth and the shell and obtain the equivalent dose received by each
      sample. The laboratories determined similar ages for the tooth and the shell
      (~4.8 kyBP). The results agreed with C-14 dating of the shell and other samples
      (charcoal) collected in the same sepulcher. Therefore, this work provides a valid
      inter-comparison of results by two independent ESR-dating laboratories and
      between two dating methods; i.e., C-14 and ESR, showing the validity of ESR
      dating for this range of ages. 

PMID- 27276382
TI  - Physico-chemical and sensory evaluation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) after
      irradiation.
AB  - This work evaluated the effects of ionizing radiation on the physico-chemical and
      sensory characteristics of the potato cultivar Agata (Solanum tuberosum L.),
      including budding and deterioration, with the end goal of increasing shelf life.
      For this, four groups of samples were harvested at the maturation stage. Three of
      them were separately exposed to a Co-60 source, receiving respective doses of
      0.10, 0.15 and 2.00 kGy, while the non-irradiated group was kept as a control.
      All samples were stored for 35 days at 24  degrees C (+/- 2) and at 39% relative
      humidity. The following aspects were evaluated: budding, rot, loss of weight,
      texture, flesh color, moisture, external and internal appearance, aroma, soluble
      solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C, protein, starch and glucose. The results
      indicated that 0.15 kGy was the most effective dose to reduce sprouting and post
      harvest losses, under the conditions studied. 

PMID- 27276383
TI  - Mesoporous Bamboo Charcoal Nanoparticles as a New Near-Infrared Responsive Drug
      Carrier for Imaging-Guided Chemotherapy/Photothermal Synergistic Therapy of
      Tumor.
AB  - Near-infrared-(NIR)-light-triggered photothermal nanocarriers have attracted much
      attention for the construction of more smart and effective therapeutic platforms
      in nanomedicine. Here, a multifunctional drug carrier based on a low cost,
      natural, and biocompatible material, bamboo charcoal nanoparticles (BCNPs), which
      are prepared by the pyrolysis of bamboo followed by physical grinding and
      ultrasonication is reported. The as-prepared BCNPs with porous structure possess
      not only large surface areas for drug loading but also an efficient photothermal
      effect, making them become both a suitable drug carrier and photothermal agent
      for cancer therapy. After loading doxorubicin (DOX) into the BCNPs, the resulting
      DOX-BCNPs enhance drug potency and more importantly can overcome the drug
      resistance of DOX in a MCF-7 cancer cell model by significantly increasing
      cellular uptake while remarkably decreasing drug efflux. The in vivo synergistic
      effect of combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy in this drug delivery
      system is also demonstrated. In addition, the BCNPs enhance optoacoustic imaging
      contrast due to their high NIR absorbance. Collectively, it is demonstrated that
      the BCNP drug delivery system constitutes a promising and effective nanocarrier
      for simultaneous bioimaging and chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy of cancer.

PMID- 27276384
TI  - Ruthenium-Catalyzed Oxidative Homocoupling of Arylboronic Acids in Water: Ligand
      Tuned Reactivity and Mechanistic Study.
AB  - Molecular catalysts based on water-soluble arene-Ru(II) complexes ([Ru]-1-[Ru]-5)
      containing aniline (L1), 2-methylaniline (L2), 2,6-dimethylaniline (L3), 4
      methylaniline (L4), and 4-chloroaniline (L5) were designed for the homocoupling
      of arylboronic acids in water. These complexes were fully characterized by (1)H,
      (13)C NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. Structural geometry for two
      of the representative arene-Ru(II) complexes [Ru]-3 and [Ru]-4 was established by
      single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Our studies showed that the selectivity
      toward biaryls products is influenced by the position and the electronic behavior
      of various substituents of aniline ligand coordinated to ruthenium. Extensive
      investigations using (1)H NMR, (19)F NMR, and mass spectral studies provided
      insights into the mechanistic pathway of homocoupling of arylboronic acids, where
      the identification of important organometallic intermediates, such as sigma
      aryl/di(sigma-aryl) coordinated arene-Ru(II) species, suggested that the reaction
      proceeds through the formation of crucial di(sigma-aryl)-Ru intermediates by the
      interaction of arylboronic acid with Ru-catalyst to yield biaryl products. 

PMID- 27276385
TI  - Palladium/Silver Synergistic Catalysis in Direct Aerobic Carbonylation of
      C(sp(2))-H Bonds Using DMF as a Carbon Source: Synthesis of Pyrido-Fused
      Quinazolinones and Phenanthridinones.
AB  - An unprecedented Pd/Ag synergistic catalysis in the direct carbonylation of
      C(sp(2))-H bonds utilizing DMF as the carbon source under oxygen is described and
      demonstrated in the synthesis of pyrido-fused quinazolinone and phenanthridinone
      scaffolds. Control experiments indicated that the "C" of the carbonyl group is
      derived from the methyl group of DMF and "O" originates from oxygen as in the
      case of Ge's recent work. This transformation offers an alternative avenue for
      "CO-free" carbonylations.

PMID- 27276386
TI  - Prison Experiences and Psychological Distress among Older Inmates.
AB  - This study investigates relationships between older prisoners' social experiences
      and their levels of distress. One hundred and seventy-three older prisoners (aged
      >= 50 years) from 8 Australian prisons were administered the Kessler
      Psychological Distress (K10) Scale, with additional information collected via
      individual interviews. Psychological distress scores were significantly
      associated with measures of self-reported safety (p < .001), prison victimization
      (p < .05), perceived social support from staff (p < .01) and inmates (p < .001),
      current employment (p < .05), and level of exercise (p < .001) among older
      inmates. Findings suggest that strategies for improving sense of safety, social
      support and level of exercise may ameliorate distress among older prisoners.

PMID- 27276387
TI  - Quasi-Block Copolymers Based on a General Polymeric Chain Stopper.
AB  - Quasi-block copolymers (q-BCPs) are block copolymers consisting of conventional
      and supramolecular blocks, in which the conventional block is end-terminated by a
      functionality that interacts with the supramolecular monomer (a "chain stopper"
      functionality). A new design of q-BCPs based on a general polymeric chain
      stopper, which consists of polystyrene end-terminated with a sulfonate group (PS
      SO3 Li), is described. Through viscosity measurements and a detailed diffusion
      ordered NMR spectroscopy study, it is shown that PS-SO3 Li can effectively cap
      two types of model supramolecular monomers to form q-BCPs in solution.
      Furthermore, differential scanning calorimetry data and structural
      characterization of thin films by scanning force microscopy suggests the
      existence of the q-BCP architecture in the melt. The new design considerably
      simplifies the synthesis of polymeric chain stoppers; thus promoting the
      utilization of q-BCPs as smart, nanostructured materials. 

PMID- 27276388
TI  - Is There a Role for PET/CT Parameters to Characterize Benign, Malignant, and
      Metastatic Parotid Tumors?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Assessment of benign and malignant lesions of the parotid gland,
      including metastatic lesions, is challenging with current imaging methods.
      Fluorine-18 FDG PET/CT is a noninvasive imaging modality that provides both
      anatomic and metabolic information. Semiquantitative data obtained from PET/CT,
      also known as PET/CT parameters, are maximum, mean, or peak standardized uptake
      values (SUVs); metabolic tumor volume; total lesion glycolysis; standardized
      added metabolic activity; and normalized standardized added metabolic activity.
      Our aim was to determine whether FDG PET/CT parameters can differentiate benign,
      malignant, and metastatic parotid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four
      patients with parotid neoplasms underwent PET/CT before parotidectomy; maximum
      SUV, mean SUV, peak SUV, total lesion glycolysis, metabolic tumor volume,
      standardized added metabolic activity, and normalized standardized added
      metabolic activity were calculated on a dedicated workstation. Univariate
      analyses were performed. A ROC analysis was used to determine the ability of
      PET/CT parameters to predict pathologically proven benign, malignant, and
      metastatic parotid gland neoplasms. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had a benign or
      malignant primary parotid tumor. Twenty had metastases to the parotid gland. When
      the specificity was set to at least 85% for each parameter to identify cut
      points, the corresponding sensitivities ranged from 15% to 40%. Assessment of
      benign versus malignant lesions of parotid tumors, as well as metastasis from
      squamous cell carcinoma versus other metastatic causes, revealed that none of the
      PET/CT parameters has enough power to differentiate among these groups.
      CONCLUSION: PET/CT parameters, including total lesion glycolysis, metabolic tumor
      volume, standardized added metabolic activity, and normalized standardized added
      metabolic activity, are not able to differentiate benign from malignant parotid
      tumors, primary parotid tumors from metastasis, or metastasis from squamous cell
      carcinoma and nonsquamous cell carcinoma metastasis.

PMID- 27276390
TI  - Computing Average Passive Forces in Sarcomeres in Length-Ramp Simulations.
AB  - Passive forces in sarcomeres are mainly related to the giant protein titin.
      Titin's extensible region consists of spring-like elements acting in series. In
      skeletal muscles these elements are the PEVK segment, two distinct immunoglobulin
      (Ig) domain regions (proximal and distal), and a N2A portion. While distal Ig
      domains are thought to form inextensible end filaments in intact sarcomeres,
      proximal Ig domains unfold in a force- and time-dependent manner. In length-ramp
      experiments of single titin strands, sequential unfolding of Ig domains leads to
      a typical saw-tooth pattern in force-elongation curves which can be simulated by
      Monte Carlo simulations. In sarcomeres, where more than a thousand titin strands
      are arranged in parallel, numerous Monte Carlo simulations are required to
      estimate the resultant force of all titin filaments based on the non-uniform
      titin elongations. To simplify calculations, the stochastic model of passive
      forces is often replaced by linear or non-linear deterministic and
      phenomenological functions. However, new theories of muscle contraction are based
      on the hypothesized binding of titin to the actin filament upon activation, and
      thereby on a prominent role of the structural properties of titin. Therefore,
      these theories necessitate a detailed analysis of titin forces in length-ramp
      experiments. In our study we present a simple and efficient alternative to Monte
      Carlo simulations. Based on a structural titin model, we calculate the exact
      probability distributions of unfolded Ig domains under length-ramp conditions
      needed for rigorous analysis of expected forces, distribution of unfolding
      forces, etc. Due to the generality of our model, the approach is applicable to a
      wide range of stochastic protein unfolding problems.

PMID- 27276389
TI  - On- and Off-Cycle Catalyst Cooperativity in Anion-Binding Catalysis.
AB  - Chiral, neutral H-bond donors have found widespread use as catalysts in
      enantioselective reactions involving ion-pair intermediates. Herein, a systematic
      mechanistic study of a prototypical anion-binding reaction, the thiourea
      catalyzed enantioselective alkylation of alpha-chloroethers, is detailed. This
      study reveals that the catalyst resting state is an inactive dimeric aggregate
      that must dissociate and then reassemble to form a 2:1 catalyst-substrate complex
      in the rate-determining transition structure. Insight into this mode of catalyst
      cooperativity sheds light on the practical limitations that have plagued many of
      the H-bond donor-catalyzed reactions developed to date and suggests design
      strategies for new, highly efficient catalyst structures.

PMID- 27276391
TI  - Biomechanical Behaviors in Three Types of Spinal Cord Injury Mechanisms.
AB  - Clinically, spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are radiographically evaluated and
      diagnosed from plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic
      resonance imaging. However, it is difficult to conclude that radiographic
      evaluation of SCI can directly explain the fundamental mechanism of spinal cord
      damage. The von-Mises stress and maximum principal strain are directly associated
      with neurological damage in the spinal cord from a biomechanical viewpoint. In
      this study, the von-Mises stress and maximum principal strain in the spinal cord
      as well as the cord cross-sectional area (CSA) were analyzed under various
      magnitudes for contusion, dislocation, and distraction SCI mechanisms, using a
      finite-element (FE) model of the cervical spine with spinal cord including white
      matter, gray matter, dura mater with nerve roots, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
      A regression analysis was performed to find correlation between peak von-Mises
      stress/peak maximum principal strain at the cross section of the highest
      reduction in CSA and corresponding reduction in CSA of the cord. Dislocation and
      contusion showed greater peak stress and strain values in the cord than
      distraction. The substantial increases in von-Mises stress as well as CSA
      reduction similar to or more than 30% were produced at a 60% contusion and a 60%
      dislocation, while the maximum principal strain was gradually increased as injury
      severity elevated. In addition, the CSA reduction had a strong correlation with
      peak von-Mises stress/peak maximum principal strain for the three injury
      mechanisms, which might be fundamental information in elucidating the
      relationship between radiographic and mechanical parameters related to SCI.

PMID- 27276392
TI  - The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio is a reliable indicator for evaluating
      complications of chronic kidney disease and progression in IgA nephropathy in
      China.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the correlation between the albumin-to
      creatinine ratio in the urine and 24-hour urine proteinuria and whether the ratio
      can predict chronic kidney disease progression even more reliably than 24-hour
      proteinuria can, particularly in primary IgA nephropathy. METHODS: A total of 182
      patients with primary IgA nephropathy were evaluated. Their mean urine albumin-to
      creatinine ratio and 24-hour proteinuria were determined during hospitalization.
      Blood samples were also analyzed. Follow-up data were recorded for 44 patients. A
      cross-sectional study was then conducted to test the correlation between these
      parameters and their associations with chronic kidney disease complications.
      Subsequently, a canonical correlation analysis was employed to assess the
      correlation between baseline proteinuria and parameters of the Oxford
      classification. Finally, a prospective observational study was performed to
      evaluate the association between proteinuria and clinical outcomes. Our study is
      registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, and the registration number is
      ChiCTR-OCH-14005137. RESULTS: A strong correlation (r=0.81, p<0.001) was found
      between the ratio and 24-hour proteinuria except in chronic kidney disease stage
      5. First-morning urine albumin-to-creatinine ratios of >=125.15, 154.44 and
      760.31 mg/g reliably predicted equivalent 24-hour proteinuria 'thresholds' of
      >=0.15, 0.3 and 1.0 g/24 h, respectively. In continuous analyses, the albumin-to
      creatinine ratio was significantly associated with anemia, acidosis,
      hypoalbuminemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperkalemia, hypercholesterolemia and higher
      serum cystatin C. However, higher 24-hour proteinuria was only associated with
      hypoalbuminemia and hypercholesterolemia. Higher tubular atrophy and interstitial
      fibrosis scores were also associated with a greater albumin-to-creatinine ratio,
      as observed in the canonical correlation analysis. Finally, the albumin-to
      creatinine ratio and 24-hour proteinuria were associated with renal outcomes in
      univariate analyses. CONCLUSION: This study supports the recommendation of using
      the albumin-to-creatinine ratio, rather than 24-hour proteinuria, to monitor
      proteinuria and prognosis in primary IgA nephropathy.

PMID- 27276393
TI  - The serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level is an independent predictor of
      recurrence after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether the serum matrix metalloproteinase-9
      level is an independent predictor of recurrence after catheter ablation for
      persistent atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with
      persistent atrial fibrillation were enrolled and underwent catheter ablation. The
      serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level was detected before ablation and its
      relationship with recurrent arrhythmia was analyzed at the end of the follow-up.
      RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 12.1+/-7.2 months, 21 (36.2%) patients had a
      recurrence of their arrhythmia after catheter ablation. At baseline, the matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 level was higher in the patients with recurrence than in the
      non-recurrent group (305.77+/-88.90 vs 234.41+/-93.36 ng/ml, respectively,
      p=0.006). A multivariate analysis showed that the matrix metalloproteinase-9
      level was an independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrence, as was a history of
      atrial fibrillation and the diameter of the left atrium. CONCLUSION: The serum
      matrix metalloproteinase-9 level is an independent predictor of recurrent
      arrhythmia after catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial
      fibrillation.

PMID- 27276394
TI  - The relationship between serum albumin levels and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure
      monitoring recordings in non-diabetic essential hypertensive patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum
      albumin levels and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-h ABPM)
      recordings in non-diabetic essential hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of
      354 patients (mean [SD] age: 55.5 [14.3] years, 50% females) with essential
      hypertension and 24-h ABPM recordings were included. Patient 24-h nighttime and
      daytime ABPM values, systolic and diastolic dipping status and average nocturnal
      dipping were recorded. The correlations between serum albumin levels and
      nocturnal systolic and diastolic dipping were evaluated, and correlates of
      average nocturnal systolic dipping were determined via a linear regression model.
      RESULTS: Overall, 73.2% of patients were determined to be non-dippers. The mean
      (SD) levels of serum albumin (4.2 [0.3] g/dL vs. 4.4 [0.4] g/dL, p<0.001) and the
      average nocturnal systolic (15.2 [4.8] mmHg vs. 0.3 [6.6] mmHg, p<0.001) and
      diastolic dipping (4.2 [8.6] mmHg vs. 18.9 [7.0] mmHg, p<0.001) were
      significantly lower in non-dippers than in dippers. A significant positive
      correlation was noted between serum albumin levels and both systolic (r=0.297,
      p<0.001) and diastolic dipping (r=0.265, p<0.001). The linear regression analysis
      revealed that for each one-unit increase in serum albumin, the average nocturnal
      dip in systolic BP increased by 0.17 mmHg (p=0.033). CONCLUSION: Our findings
      indicate an association between serum albumin levels and the deterioration of
      circadian BP rhythm among essential hypertensive patients along with the
      identification of a non-dipper pattern in more than two-thirds of patients. Our
      findings emphasize the importance of serum albumin levels, rather than urinary
      albumin excretion, as an independent predictor of nocturnal systolic dipping, at
      least in non-diabetic essential hypertensive patients with moderate proteinuria.

PMID- 27276395
TI  - Efficacy and safety of a NiTi CAR 27 compression ring for end-to-end anastomosis
      compared with conventional staplers: A real-world analysis in Chinese colorectal
      cancer patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new nickel
      titanium shape memory alloy compression anastomosis ring, NiTi CAR 27, in
      constructing an anastomosis for colorectal cancer resection compared with
      conventional staples. METHODS: In total, 234 consecutive patients diagnosed with
      colorectal cancer receiving sigmoidectomy and anterior resection for end-to-end
      anastomosis from May 2010 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The
      postoperative clinical parameters, postoperative complications and 3-year overall
      survival in 77 patients using a NiTi CAR 27 compression ring (CAR group) and 157
      patients with conventional circular staplers (STA group) were compared. RESULTS:
      There were no statistically significant differences between the patients in the
      two groups in terms of general demographics and tumor features. A clinically
      apparent anastomotic leak occurred in 2 patients (2.6%) in the CAR group and in 5
      patients (3.2%) in the STA group (p=0.804). These eight patients received a
      temporary diverting ileostomy. One patient (1.3%) in the CAR group was diagnosed
      with anastomotic stricture through an electronic colonoscopy after 3 months
      postoperatively. The incidence of postoperative intestinal obstruction was
      comparable between the two groups (p=0.192). With a median follow-up duration of
      39.6 months, the 3-year overall survival rate was 83.1% in the CAR group and
      89.0% in the STA group (p=0.152). CONCLUSIONS: NiTi CAR 27 is safe and effective
      for colorectal end-to-end anastomosis. Its use is equivalent to that of the
      conventional circular staplers. This study suggests that NiTi CAR 27 may be a
      beneficial alternative in colorectal anastomosis in Chinese colorectal cancer
      patients.

PMID- 27276396
TI  - Pleural effusion adenosine deaminase: a candidate biomarker to discriminate
      between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections of the pleural
      space.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Delay in the treatment of pleural infection may contribute to its
      high mortality. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic
      accuracy of pleural adenosine deaminase in discrimination between Gram-negative
      and Gram-positive bacterial infections of the pleural space prior to selecting
      antibiotics. METHODS: A total of 76 patients were enrolled and grouped into
      subgroups according to Gram staining: 1) patients with Gram-negative bacterial
      infections, aged 53.2+/-18.6 years old, of whom 44.7% had empyemas and 2)
      patients with Gram-positive bacterial infections, aged 53.5+/-21.5 years old, of
      whom 63.1% had empyemas. The pleural effusion was sampled by thoracocentesis and
      then sent for adenosine deaminase testing, biochemical testing and
      microbiological culture. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the
      differences in adenosine deaminase levels between the groups. Correlations
      between adenosine deaminase and specified variables were also quantified using
      Spearman's correlation coefficient. Moreover, receiver operator characteristic
      analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pleural effusion
      adenosine deaminase. RESULTS: Mean pleural adenosine deaminase levels differed
      significantly between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections of the
      pleural space (191.8+/-32.1 U/L vs 81.0+/-16.9 U/L, p<0.01). The area under the
      receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.689 (95% confidence interval: 0.570,
      0.792, p<0.01) at the cutoff value of 86 U/L. Additionally, pleural adenosine
      deaminase had a sensitivity of 63.2% (46.0-78.2%); a specificity of 73.7% (56.9
      86.6%); positive and negative likelihood ratios of 2.18 and 0.50, respectively;
      and positive and negative predictive values of 70.6% and 66.7%, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Pleural effusion adenosine deaminase is a helpful alternative
      biomarker for early and quick discrimination of Gram-negative from Gram-positive
      bacterial infections of the pleural space, which is useful for the selection of
      antibiotics.

PMID- 27276397
TI  - Randomized clinical trial comparing lumbar percutaneous hydrodiscectomy with
      lumbar open microdiscectomy for the treatment of lumbar disc protrusions and
      herniations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Hydrodiscectomy is a new technique used for percutaneous spinal
      discectomy that employs a high-intensity stream of water for herniated disc
      ablation and tissue aspiration. No previous clinical study has examined the
      effects of percutaneous hydrodiscectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the
      outcomes of hydrodiscectomy compared to open microdiscectomy regarding pain,
      function, satisfaction, complications and recurrence rates. METHODS: In this
      randomized clinical trial, patients referred to our tertiary hospital for lumbar
      back pain were recruited and included in the study if they had disc protrusion or
      small herniation in only one level, without neurological deficits and with no
      resolution after six weeks of conservative treatment. One group underwent open
      microdiscectomy, and the other group underwent percutaneous microdiscectomy via
      hydrosurgery. Function was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index and pain
      was assessed using a visual analog scale. Evaluations were performed
      preoperatively, and then during the first week and at one, three, six and twelve
      months postoperatively. Personal satisfaction was verified. Clinicaltrials.gov:
      NCT01367860. RESULTS: During the study period, 20 patients were included in each
      arm and 39 completed one-year of follow-up (one patient died of unrelated
      causes). Both groups exhibited equal improvement on the visual analog scale and
      Oswestry evaluations after treatment, without any significant differences. The
      improvement in the lumbar visual analog scale score was not significant in the
      hydrodiscectomy group (p=0.138). The rates of infection, pain, recurrence and
      satisfaction were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous
      hydrodiscectomy was demonstrated to be as effective as open microdiscectomy for
      reducing pain. The rates of complications and recurrence of herniation were
      similar between groups. Patient satisfaction with the treatment was also similar
      between groups.

PMID- 27276399
TI  - Is the difference in the volume of the pharyngeal space, as measured by acoustic
      pharyngometry, before and after tonsillectomy proportional to the volume of the
      excised tonsils?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adenotonsillectomy is recognized as an effective therapy for snoring
      and sleep disorders in children. It is important to understand whether
      adenotonsillectomy significantly increases the volume of the pharyngeal space.
      The goal of this study was to evaluate the change in oropharyngeal volume after
      adenotonsillectomy and the correlation of this change with the objective volume
      of the tonsils and body mass index. METHODS: We included 27 subjects (14 males)
      with snoring caused by tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy. The mean age of the
      subjects was 7.92 (+/-2.52) years. Children with craniofacial malformations or
      neuromuscular diseases or syndromes were excluded. The parents/caregivers
      answered an adapted questionnaire regarding sleep-disordered breathing. All
      patients were subjected to weight and height measurements and body mass index was
      calculated. The subjects underwent pharyngometry before and after
      adenotonsillectomy and the volume of both excised tonsils together was measured
      in cm3 in the operating room. RESULTS: Pharyngometric analysis showed that the
      mean pharyngeal volume was 28.63 (+/-5.57) cm3 before surgery and 31.23 (+/-6.76)
      cm3 after surgery; the volume of the oropharynx was significantly increased post
      surgery (p=0.015, Wilcoxon test). No correlation was found between the objective
      tonsil volume and the post-surgical volume increase (p=0.6885). There was a fair
      correlation between the oropharyngeal volume and body mass index (p=0.0224).
      CONCLUSION: Adenotonsillectomy increases the volume of the pharyngeal space, but
      this increase does not correlate with the objective tonsil size. Furthermore,
      greater BMI was associated with a smaller increase in the pharyngeal volume.
      Oropharyngeal structures and craniofacial morphology may also play a role in the
      increase in oropharyngeal volume.

PMID- 27276398
TI  - Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma: Brazilian survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The majority of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma have been reported
      in individuals with cirrhosis due to chronic viral hepatitis and alcoholism, but
      recently, the prevalence has become increasingly related to nonalcoholic
      steatohepatitis around the world. The study aimed to evaluate the clinical and
      histophatological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazilians'
      patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis at the present time. METHODS: Members
      of the Brazilian Society of Hepatology were invited to complete a survey
      regarding patients with hepatocellular carcinoma related to nonalcoholic
      steatohepatitis. Patients with a history of alcohol intake (>20 g/day) and other
      liver diseases were excluded. Hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis was performed by
      liver biopsy or imaging methods according to the American Association for the
      Study of Liver Diseases' 2011 guidelines. RESULTS: The survey included 110
      patients with a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and nonalcoholic fatty
      liver disease from nine hepatology units in six Brazilian states (Bahia, Minas
      Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Parana and Rio Grande do Sul). The mean age
      was 67+/-11 years old, and 65.5% were male. Obesity was observed in 52.7% of the
      cases; diabetes, in 73.6%; dyslipidemia, in 41.0%; arterial hypertension, in 60%;
      and metabolic syndrome, in 57.2%. Steatohepatitis without fibrosis was observed
      in 3.8% of cases; steatohepatitis with fibrosis (grades 1-3), in 27%; and
      cirrhosis, in 61.5%. Histological diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was
      performed in 47.2% of the patients, with hepatocellular carcinoma without
      cirrhosis accounting for 7.7%. In total, 58 patients with cirrhosis had their
      diagnosis by ultrasound confirmed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance
      imaging. Of these, 55% had 1 nodule; 17%, 2 nodules; and 28%, >=3 nodules.
      CONCLUSIONS: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a relevant risk factor associated
      with hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with and without cirrhosis in Brazil.
      In this survey, hepatocellular carcinoma was observed in elevated numbers of
      patients with steatohepatitis without cirrhosis.

PMID- 27276400
TI  - Effect of a gel containing pilocarpine on vaginal atrophy in castrated rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of Carbopol gel formulations containing
      pilocarpine on the morphology and morphometry of the vaginal epithelium of
      castrated rats. METHODS: Thirty-one female Wistar-Hannover rats were randomly
      divided into four groups: the control Groups I (n=7, rats in persistent estrus;
      positive controls) and II (n=7, castrated rats, negative controls) and the
      experimental Groups, III (n=8) and IV (n=9). Persistent estrus (Group I) was
      achieved with a subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate on the second
      postnatal day. At 90 days postnatal, rats in Groups II, III and IV were castrated
      and treated vaginally for 14 days with Carbopol gel (vehicle alone) or Carbopol
      gel containing 5% and 15% pilocarpine, respectively. Next, all of the animals
      were euthanized and their vaginas were removed for histological evaluation. A non
      parametric test with a weighted linear regression model was used for data
      analysis (p<0.05). RESULTS: The morphological evaluation showed maturation of the
      vaginal epithelium with keratinization in Group I, whereas signs of vaginal
      atrophy were present in the rats of the other groups. Morphometric examinations
      showed mean thickness values of the vaginal epithelium of 195.10+/-12.23 MUm,
      30.90+/-1.14 MUm, 28.16+/-2.98 MUm and 29.84+/-2.30 MUm in Groups I, II, III and
      IV, respectively, with statistically significant differences between Group I and
      the other three groups (p<0.0001) and no differences between Groups II, III and
      IV (p=0.0809). CONCLUSION: Topical gel formulations containing pilocarpine had no
      effect on atrophy of the vaginal epithelium in the castrated female rats.

PMID- 27276401
TI  - Adjunctive alpha-lipoic acid reduces weight gain compared with placebo at 12
      weeks in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: a double
      blind randomized placebo-controlled study.
AB  - alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA) has been reported to be effective in reducing body weight
      in rodents and obese patients. Our previous open trial showed that ALA may play a
      role in reducing weight gain in patients with schizophrenia on atypical
      antipsychotics. The present study evaluated the efficacy of ALA in reducing
      weight and BMI in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant
      weight gain since taking atypical antipsychotics. In a 12-week, double-blind
      randomized placebo-controlled study, 22 overweight and clinically stable patients
      with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive ALA or placebo. ALA was
      administered at 600-1800 mg, as tolerated. Weight, BMI, abdomen fat area measured
      by computed tomography, and metabolic values were determined. Adverse effects
      were also assessed to examine safety. Overall, 15 patients completed 12 weeks of
      treatment. There was significant weight loss and decreased visceral fat levels in
      the ALA group compared with the placebo group. There were no instances of
      psychopathologic aggravation or severe ALA-associated adverse effects. ALA was
      effective in reducing weight and abdominal obesity in patients with schizophrenia
      who had experienced significant weight gain since beginning an atypical
      antipsychotic regimen. Moreover, ALA was well tolerated throughout this study.
      ALA might play an important role as an adjunctive treatment in decreasing obesity
      in patients who take atypical antipsychotics.

PMID- 27276403
TI  - Special Edition for Anthropology and Medicine Biomedical Technology and Health
      Inequities in the Global North and South.

PMID- 27276404
TI  - Technologies of hope? Motherhood, HIV and infant feeding in eastern Africa.
AB  - A vast number of HIV positive mothers live with a known HIV positive status
      without an experienced ability to prevent the virus from spreading to their
      offspring. This article focuses on the dramatic effects on identity and sociality
      instigated by prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT)
      programmes, and discusses the potential for the development of HIV related
      activism linked to programme enrolment. Paying particular attention to the infant
      feeding options that are promoted through the programme - exclusive breastfeeding
      and replacement feeding - the article explores women's experiences struggling to
      secure an HIV free baby. At the heart of the findings lie devastating
      transformations in perceptions of body and self among HIV positive mothers
      enrolled in the PMTCT programmes, transformations highlighted by the shifting
      interpretations of mother's milk. The women suffer from extreme fear of feeding
      their babies HIV infected mother's milk. Very few mothers could afford formula
      products, and exclusive breastfeeding emerged as the option of the poor 'who have
      to breastfeed and let their babies die'. From being a prime symbol of nurture and
      love, mother's milk became a source of death in babies born to HIV positive
      mothers. The article argues that the incongruity between notions of maternal love
      and nurture on the one hand, and sexuality, HIV and death on the other, makes the
      PMTCT programme ill suited as a basis for activism. The material was collected
      through interviews and discussion with HIV positive mothers and nurse counsellors
      in Ethiopia and Tanzania, 2004-2006. 

PMID- 27276402
TI  - Antimyeloma activity of bromodomain inhibitors on the human myeloma cell line
      U266 by downregulation of MYCL.
AB  - Bromodomain and extraterminal protein (BET) inhibitors suppress the expression of
      c-MYC. U266, a human myeloma cell line, expresses the MYCL gene, but not the c
      MYC gene. Our aim was to analyse the antimyeloma activity of BET inhibitors on
      U266 cells. Two BET inhibitors, I-BET151 and JQ1, were tested. U266 cell
      proliferation decreased to 61.5 and 54.0% of the control after incubation with
      500 nmol/l I-BET151 for 72 and 96 h and to 53.5 and 56.4% of control after
      incubation with 500 nmol/l JQ1 for 72 and 96 h by MTS tetrazolium, respectively.
      BET inhibitors induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase in U266 cells, but did
      not induce apoptosis by flow cytometry. According to Gene Set Enrichment
      Analysis, MYC-related genes were significantly downregulated in U266 cells
      treated with I-BET151 similar to KMS11 cells that expressed c-MYC. The MYCL1 was
      expressed in U266 cells, whereas c-MYC and MYCN were not by quantitative real
      time reverse-transcription-PCR. Incubation with I-BET151 induced downregulation
      of MYCL1 in U266 cells. BET inhibitors decreased the cell proliferation in U266
      cells with overexpression of MYCL less than those without overexpression of MYCL.
      BET inhibitors induce G1 arrest without apoptosis and interfere with the
      proliferation of U266 myeloma cells, which express MYCL, but not c-MYC. BET
      inhibitors might be active in cancers that express MYCL, but not c-MYC.

PMID- 27276405
TI  - Living and working in spite of antiretroviral therapies: strength in chronicity.
AB  - This article is a reflection on the relationship between antiretroviral therapies
      and work. It is concerned with the impact of biomedical protocols and
      biotechnologies on the 'lifeworlds' of a small group of seropositive men employed
      in the construction industry in Milan. Construction workers stand out as a
      category with specific issues because of their physically demanding jobs and are
      more subject to the potentially damaging physical consequences of antiretroviral
      therapies, as data suggest. The article is focused on biomedical rationalities
      and technologies and interrogates the forms of knowledge and the practices that
      contribute to reshaping seropositive individuals as 'biological and therapeutic
      citizens'. At the same time, the relationship between identity and health
      technologies is explored, examining the individual trajectories and strategies
      displayed by construction workers in order to cultivate their own ideas of
      personhood and conception of identity. How they rethink their presence within the
      work environment is shown in light of drug regimens and through a creative
      manipulation of antiretroviral therapies. 

PMID- 27276406
TI  - Genomics as public health? Community genetics and the challenge of personalised
      medicine in Cuba.
AB  - Making use of a comparative perspective on the emergence of 'breast cancer
      genetics' in the different cultural context of the UK and Cuba, this article
      examines the tensions between the modern promise of genomics as personalised
      medicine and a commitment to public health. Focusing primarily on the Cuba
      context and drawing on ethnographic research as part of a collaborative project
      working with genetic professionals and publics, the article examines the
      particular technologies, identities and socialities at stake in an emerging and
      evolving field of genetic medicine. It highlights how long-standing continuities
      in the commitment to the equitable provision of public health, particularly as
      this relates to 'family medicine', are central to understanding the scope and
      expansion of 'community genetics' interventions, even when at the level of local
      practice, public health is also now subject to the unequal dynamics of economic
      necessity through the working out of 'lo informal'. Illuminating the different
      ways agency, risk, responsibility, citizenship and activism get configured by and
      between publics and health professionals in Cuba, the article reveals the
      challenges and opportunities posed by predictive genomic medicine in relation to
      the dynamic and shifting terrain of public health. 

PMID- 27276407
TI  - Bionetworking: experimental stem cell therapy and patient recruitment in India.
AB  - Over the last three to four years, an increasing number of private and public
      sector tertiary level hospitals and research centres in India have been using
      stem cell therapy, especially adult stem cell therapy, in the guise of
      experimental therapy for a variety of medical conditions. The promotion and
      growth of this experimental field across local and national borders traverses
      regulatory, ethical, social and financial boundaries. In this complex context,
      the article examines how healthcare centres in India negotiate bio-medical and
      health care circumstances in promoting a therapy that raises questionable
      medical, technical and ethical issues. The process of promoting experimental stem
      cell therapy is explained here by employing the concept of bionetworking and
      illustrated by two case studies of hospital groups. The case studies show how
      through bionetworking a centre creates and maintains novel networks of mutual
      exchanges with other collaborative bodies situated in local, national and global
      relations of inequality. Drawing on a three-month period of fieldwork and
      interviews in various locations in India, this article shows that: (1)
      Questionable stem cell therapy is promoted through bionetworks that resonate
      across local, national and global constellations; (2) Regulatory gaps facilitate
      the growth of such therapeutic practices; (3) The experimental stem cell
      therapies augment the healthcare divide in Indian society; (4) The weakening
      Indian state facilitates commercialisation of health, indirectly supporting the
      'bionetworking' practices of therapy providers. 

PMID- 27276408
TI  - Between religious philanthropy and individualised medicine: situating inherited
      breast cancer risk in Greece.
AB  - This article explores cultural articulations of inherited breast cancer risk at
      the meeting-point between religious philanthropy and individualised medicine.
      Drawing on the particularities of the ethnographic context of Northern Greece, in
      a rural area among a population facing the uneven distribution of
      biotechnologies, this analysis intends to show how developments in the field of
      breast cancer prevention and genetics are interwoven with the challenges and
      possibilities of the modernisation and secularisation processes. Notions of
      'control' or 'protection' are put to work in medical discourse and the religious
      domain, through a renewed repertoire of pre-existing meaning-systems that
      highlight often contrasting aspects of collectivity and individuality. For women
      with high-risk family history of breast cancer, these tensions are reflected in
      ways they negotiate articulations of their biology, inherited risk and female
      subjectivity. In effect, the issues of inequality and religious philanthropy
      bring forth a different terrain for thinking about the biosocial configurations
      and the image of individualised consumers that genetic knowledge has been said to
      enforce or endorse. 

PMID- 27276409
TI  - Rationalisation and racialisation in the Rainbow Nation: inequalities and
      identity in the South African bone marrow transplant network.
AB  - This article examines discourses and practises in the professional network of
      people and organisations in South Africa that comprise the bone
      marrow/haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (BMT) network. A prominent
      discursive inter-relationship asserts that some genetically inherited Human
      Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) types appear in certain ethnic populations more commonly
      than others, meaning that patients are most likely to find a transplant match
      with someone in the same ethnic group. The South African BMT network efforts to
      increase the number of donors from ethnic groups not well represented on the
      registry are crucial given South Africa's unique and diverse gene pool. This
      inter-relationship is at the heart of a complex interweaving of genomics,
      ethnicity, culture, South African nationhood, and the limits of bodily integrity.
      It necessitates serious engagement in health resource inequalities and burgeoning
      biosocial identities in a diverse South Africa, especially given its history and
      its contemporary political agenda of transformation. The analysis of fieldwork is
      particularly informed by Troy Duster's concept of feedback loops and Paul
      Rabinow's work on biosociality. Drawing from this analysis, the article also
      suggests possibilities for policy and practical application. 

PMID- 27276411
TI  - A History of the US Army Nurse Corps by Mary T. Sarnecky (1999).

PMID- 27276410
TI  - Tests for life chances: CD4 miracles and obstacles in Uganda.
AB  - This article discusses the relationship between technologies, socialities and
      inequities based on case material from a recent study about the first generation
      of people living with ART - Antiretroviral Therapy - in Uganda. The authors
      discuss how the diagnostic technologies of HIV tests, 'CD4 counts', and weight
      measuring produce results and numbers that are appropriated by people living with
      HIV to reflect upon their lives, bodies and relationships and hence influence
      their socialities and subjectivities. It is argued that because treatment
      programmes and especially their associated technologies vary greatly in Uganda,
      the programmes themselves introduce inequity in the already unequal landscape of
      HIV patients. In debates about biomedical technology and about HIV/AIDS it has
      been suggested that new kinds of socialities emerge, which have been
      conceptualised as 'therapeutic citizenship' and 'bio-sociality'. In the study on
      which the present article is based, clientship, friendship and kinship are kinds
      of sociality that play a much larger part in informants' lives than do
      'therapeutic citizenship' and 'bio-sociality'. The authors attribute these
      findings, not only to the Ugandan setting, but to the method of doing extended
      case studies, which were not institution and programme based, but family and home
      based. 

PMID- 27276412
TI  - Women at the Crossroads: A Prostitute Community's Response to AIDS in Urban
      Senegal by Michelle Lewis Renaud.

PMID- 27276413
TI  - Ageing In Today's World: Conversations between an Anthropologist and a Physician
      by Renee Rose Shield and Stanley M. Aronson.

PMID- 27276414
TI  - Culture, subject, psyche. Dialogues in psychoanalysis and anthropology, edited by
      Anthony Molino.

PMID- 27276416
TI  - Muslim communities of grace, by Jamil M. Abun-Nasr.

PMID- 27276415
TI  - Narcotic culture. A history of drugs in China, by Frank Dikotter, Lars Laamann
      and Zhou Xun.

PMID- 27276417
TI  - A complex delight. The secularization of the breast, 1350-1750, by Margaret R.
      Miles.

PMID- 27276418
TI  - Chemoselective Radical Dehalogenation and C-C Bond Formation on Aryl Halide
      Substrates Using Organic Photoredox Catalysts.
AB  - Despite the number of methods available for dehalogenation and carbon-carbon bond
      formation using aryl halides, strategies that provide chemoselectivity for
      systems bearing multiple carbon-halogen bonds are still needed. Herein, we report
      the ability to tune the reduction potential of metal-free phenothiazine-based
      photoredox catalysts and demonstrate the application of these catalysts for
      chemoselective carbon-halogen bond activation to achieve C-C cross-coupling
      reactions as well as reductive dehalogenations. This procedure works both for
      conjugated polyhalides as well as unconjugated substrates. We further illustrate
      the usefulness of this protocol by intramolecular cyclization of a pyrrole
      substrate, an advanced building block for a family of natural products known to
      exhibit biological activity.

PMID- 27276419
TI  - Beyond the Ebola Battle--Winning the War against Future Epidemics.

PMID- 27276420
TI  - A statistical method for detecting differentially expressed SNVs based on next
      generation RNA-seq data.
AB  - In this article, we propose a new statistical method-MutRSeq-for detecting
      differentially expressed single nucleotide variants (SNVs) based on RNA-seq data.
      Specifically, we focus on nonsynonymous mutations and employ a hierarchical
      likelihood approach to jointly model observed mutation events as well as read
      count measurements from RNA-seq experiments. We then introduce a likelihood ratio
      based test statistic, which detects changes not only in overall expression
      levels, but also in allele-specific expression patterns. In addition, this method
      can jointly test multiple mutations in one gene/pathway. The simulation studies
      suggest that the proposed method achieves better power than a few competitors
      under a range of different settings. In the end, we apply this method to a breast
      cancer data set and identify genes with nonsynonymous mutations differentially
      expressed between the triple negative breast cancer tumors and other subtypes of
      breast cancer tumors.

PMID- 27276422
TI  - Indirect DNA Sequence Readout by LAGLIDADG Homing Endonucleases.
AB  - In this issue of Structure, Lambert et al. (2016) describe extensive structural
      and functional work on meganucleases, the group of homing endonucleases most
      commonly adapted to genome engineering applications. The data are of interest to
      structural biologists, evolutionary biologists, protein designers, and genome
      engineers.

PMID- 27276421
TI  - Effects of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of orally administered
      deferiprone.
AB  - AIMS: In light of the growing recognition of renal disease in thalassemia, it is
      important to understand the impact of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of
      iron chelators. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics and safety of the iron
      chelator deferiprone (DFP) in subjects with renal impairment in comparison with
      healthy volunteers (HVs). METHODS: Thirty-two subjects were categorized into four
      groups based on degree of renal impairment: none, mild, moderate or severe, as
      determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). All subjects received
      a single oral dose of 33 mg kg(-1) DFP, provided serum and urine samples for
      pharmacokinetic assessment over 24 h and were monitored for safety. RESULTS:
      Renal clearance of DFP decreased as renal impairment increased. However, based on
      Cmax , AUC(0,t) and AUC(0,infinity), there were no significant group differences
      in systemic exposure, because less than 4% of the drug was excreted unchanged in
      the urine. DFP is extensively metabolized to a renally excreted,
      pharmacologically inactive metabolite, deferiprone 3-O-glucuronide (DFP-G), which
      exhibited higher Cmax , AUC(0,t), AUC(0,infinity) and longer tmax and t1/2 in the
      renally impaired groups compared with HVs. The Cmax and AUCs of DFP-G increased
      as eGFR decreased. Overall, 75%-95% of the dose was retrieved in urine, either as
      DFP or DFP-G, regardless of severity of renal impairment. With respect to safety,
      DFP was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that no adjustment of the
      DFP dosage regimen in patients with renal impairment is necessary, as there were
      no significant changes in the systemic exposure to the drug.

PMID- 27276423
TI  - JAK1 Takes a FERM Hold of Type II Cytokine Receptors.
AB  - Janus kinases (JAKs) initiate the intracellular signaling cascade triggered by
      exposure of cells to cytokines and interferons. In order to achieve this, JAKs
      are bound to the intracellular domain of specific cytokine receptors immediately
      adjacent to the cell membrane. In this issue of Structure, Ferrao et al. (2016)
      provide structural details of such an interaction and in doing so, identify for
      the first time the motif used by type II cytokine receptors to recruit JAK1.

PMID- 27276424
TI  - The Most Interesting Enzyme in the World.
AB  - Ribonucleotide reductases of the class I family are alpha2beta2 tetramers. Like
      all RNRs they are subject to allosteric control mechanisms affecting activity and
      specificity. In this issue of Structure, Johansson et al. (2016) present a
      structural analysis of an unusual mode of activity site regulation.

PMID- 27276425
TI  - Time to Stop Holding the Elevator: A New Piece of the Transport Protein Mechanism
      Puzzle.
AB  - In this issue of Structure, McCoy et al. (2016) describe the 2.55-A X-ray
      structure of the outward-facing occluded conformation of the Bacillus cereus
      maltose transporter MalT. This structure represents the penultimate piece needed
      to complete the picture of the transport cycle of the glucose superfamily of
      membrane-spanning EIIC components.

PMID- 27276426
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide Transport to the Cell Surface: New Insights in Assembly into
      the Outer Membrane.
AB  - In this issue of Structure, Botos et al. (2016) report crystal structures of the
      outer membrane LptDE translocon from three relevant Gram-negative pathogens. This
      study provides new details into the molecular mechanism of lipopolysaccharide
      assembly at the cell surface.

PMID- 27276428
TI  - Production of Heteromeric Transmembrane Receptors with Defined Subunit
      Stoichiometry.

PMID- 27276429
TI  - The first outbreak of Taenia ovis infection in China.
AB  - Infection of Taenia ovis metacestodes in sheep or goats causes great economic
      losses due to condemnation of carcasses. T. ovis infection is not formally
      recorded in China to date. In October, 2015, T. ovis infection occurred in
      Jingtai County, China, and 113 of 192 sheep from one farm were infected. Cysts
      resided in the cardiac and skeletal muscle, and evaginated metacestodes had four
      suckers and scolex armed with approximately 23 hooks. Using cox1 and nad1 as
      molecular markers, the sample was further identified and the results showed that
      the cox1 and nad1 nucleotide sequences of the sample shared 99% identity with
      that of T. ovis and 75%-91.3% with those of other Taenia species. Taken together,
      these results confirm the first occurrence of T. ovis in China. 

PMID- 27276430
TI  - Feeding Disorders in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Are Associated With
      Eosinophilic Esophagitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) can present as food selectivity or
      feeding disorders in children. Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
      commonly demonstrate behavioral food selectivity in type and texture, which often
      leads to the diagnosis of feeding disorder. We sought to evaluate the association
      of ASD with EoE. METHODS: A retrospective matched case-cohort study was performed
      using the Military Health System database from October 2008 to September 2013. We
      performed a 1:5 case-control match by age, sex, and enrollment timeframe. Feeding
      disorders, EoE, and atopic disorders were defined using diagnostic and procedure
      codes. RESULTS: There were 45,286 children with ASD and 226,430 matched controls.
      EoE was more common in children with ASD (0.4%) compared with controls (0.1%).
      Feeding disorders were associated with EoE in both children with ASD and
      controls. Feeding disorders also had a higher odds ratio for EoE compared with
      other atopic conditions, among both children with ASD (7.17, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 4.87-10.5) and controls (11.5, 95% CI 7.57-17.5). Compared with
      controls with a feeding disorder, children with ASD and a feeding disorder had no
      difference in the rate of diagnosed EoE (0.85, 0.95% CI 0.39-1.88). CONCLUSIONS:
      Children with ASD are more likely to be diagnosed with EoE compared with
      controls; however, among children with feeding disorders, there is no difference
      in the odds of EoE. A diagnosis of feeding disorder was strongly associated with
      EoE. Feeding disorders in children with ASD should not be assumed to be solely
      behavioral and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy should be performed to evaluate for
      EoE.

PMID- 27276431
TI  - Reduction of Arachidonate Is Associated With Increase in B-Cell Activation Marker
      in Infants: A Randomized Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infants who are not breast-fed benefit from formula with both
      docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n3) and arachidonic acid (ARA; C20:4n6). The amount of
      ARA needed to support immune function is unknown. Infants who carry specific
      fatty acid desaturase (FADS) polymorphisms may require more dietary ARA to
      maintain adequate ARA status. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine
      whether ARA intake or FADS polymorphisms alter ARA levels of lymphocytes, plasma,
      and red blood cells in term infants fed infant formula. METHODS: Infants (N = 89)
      were enrolled in this prospective, double-blind controlled study. Infants were
      randomized to consume formula containing 17 mg docosahexaenoic acid and 0, 25, or
      34 mg ARA/100 kcal for 10 weeks. Fatty acid composition of plasma
      phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, total fatty acids of
      lymphocytes and red blood cells, activation markers of lymphocytes, and
      polymorphisms in FADS1 and FADS2 were determined. RESULTS: Lymphocyte ARA was
      higher in the 25-ARA formula group than in the 0- or 34-ARA groups. In plasma,
      16:0/20:4 and 18:0/20:4 species of phosphatidylcholine and
      phosphatidylethanolamine were highest and 16:0/18:2 and 18:0/18:2 were lowest in
      the 34-ARA formula group. In minor allele carriers of FADS1 and FADS2, plasma ARA
      content was elevated only at the highest level of ARA consumed. B-cell activation
      marker CD54 was elevated in infants who consumed formula containing no ARA.
      CONCLUSIONS: ARA level in plasma is reduced by low ARA consumption and by minor
      alleles in FADS. Dietary ARA may exert an immunoregulatory role on B-cell
      activation by decreasing 16:0/18:2 and 18:0/18:2 species of phospholipids. ARA
      intake from 25 to 34 mg/100 kcal is sufficient to maintain cell ARA level in
      infants across genotypes.

PMID- 27276427
TI  - The C-Terminal Arm of the Human Papillomavirus Major Capsid Protein Is
      Immunogenic and Involved in Virus-Host Interaction.
AB  - Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent malignant tumor among women
      worldwide. High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are believed to be the major
      causative pathogens of mucosal epithelial cancers including cervical cancer. The
      HPV capsid is made up of 360 copies of major (L1) and 72 copies of minor (L2)
      capsid proteins. To date, limited high-resolution structural information about
      the HPV capsid has hindered attempts to understand details concerning the
      mechanisms by which HPV assembles and infects cells. In this study, we have
      constructed a pseudo-atomic model of the HPV59 L1-only capsid and demonstrate
      that the C-terminal arm of L1 participates in virus-host interactions. Moreover,
      when conjugated to a scaffold protein, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), this arm
      is immunogenic in vivo. These results provide new insights that will help
      elucidate HPV biology, and hence pave a way for the design of next-generation HPV
      vaccines.

PMID- 27276432
TI  - Propofol Use in Pediatric Patients With Food Allergy and Eosinophilic
      Esophagitis.
AB  - Propofol is a safe, well-tolerated anesthetic that is labeled as contraindicated
      in patients with egg or soy allergy. This contraindication has become
      increasingly problematic given the rising incidence of food allergy and
      eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). To address this issue, we studied practice
      patterns of propofol use for esophagogastroduodenoscopies in children with EoE
      and food allergies at our institution. A retrospective observational study of
      1365 esophagogastroduodenoscopies from January 2013 to June 2014 was performed.
      Data were analyzed using Student t tests, chi square tests, Fisher exact tests,
      and multivariable logistic regression. We found that propofol was used
      significantly less in patients with egg or soy allergy, and in patients with EoE,
      even after adjusting for the presence of food allergy. There was no difference in
      complication rates relative to propofol use. Propofol was used safely in
      pediatric patients with EoE and food allergy in this limited single-center
      review.

PMID- 27276434
TI  - Sodium Intake Requirements for Preterm Neonates: Review and Recommendations.
AB  - It is widely accepted that sodium is an essential nutritional electrolyte and its
      deficiency is associated with neurological sequelae and poor growth. The
      provision of an adequate sodium intake to preterm neonates is hampered by the
      technical difficulty in clinically assessing total body sodium content. As
      addressed in this review, there is a lack of consensus on the definition of
      hyponatremia early in life, but there is no evidence that it should deviate from
      the widely accepted normative data for adult subjects. A low urinary sodium
      content is accepted by many as reflecting total body sodium deficiency, yet spot
      urinary sodium measurements are of questionable clinical value. The hormonal
      regulation of sodium homeostasis is here reviewed and the mechanism accounting
      for sodium deficiency-induced growth impairment in preterm infants addressed.
      Lastly, we provide evidence-based gestational and postnatal age-dependent
      recommendations for the provision of adequate sodium intake to preterm neonates.

PMID- 27276433
TI  - NASPGHAN 2015 Distinguished Service Award.

PMID- 27276435
TI  - 2015 Harry Shwachman Award.

PMID- 27276437
TI  - Efficient access to alkynylated quinalizinones via the gold(i)-catalyzed
      aminoalkynylation of alkynes.
AB  - The gold-catalyzed aminoalkynylation of alkynes for the synthesis of
      quinalizinones is reported. For instance, the reaction of pyridinoalkynes with 1
      [(triisopropylsilyl)-ethynyl]-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one (TIPS-EBX) in the
      presence of a catalytic amount of AuCl at 50  degrees C afforded alkynylated
      quinalizinones in 57-87% yields. 

PMID- 27276438
TI  - Nitrogen Molecule Adsorption on Cationic Tantalum Clusters and Rhodium Clusters
      and Desorption from Their Nitride Clusters Studied by Thermal Desorption
      Spectrometry.
AB  - Adsorption and desorption of N2 molecules onto cationic Ta and Rh clusters in the
      gas phase were investigated in the temperature range of 300-1000 K by using
      thermal desorption spectrometry in combination with density functional theory
      (DFT) calculations. For Ta6(+), the first N2 molecule was found to adsorb
      dissociatively, and it remained adsorbed when Ta6(+)N2 was heated to 1000 K. In
      contrast, the second and the subsequent N2 molecules adsorbed weakly as a
      molecular form and were released into the gas phase when heated to 600 K. The
      difference can be explained in terms of the activation barrier between the
      molecular and dissociative forms. On the other hand, when Ta clusters were
      generated in the presence of N2 gas by the laser ablation of a Ta rod, isomeric
      clusters, TanNm(+), having heat resistivity were formed. For Rh6(+), N2 adsorbed
      molecularly at 300 K and desorbed totally at 450 K. These results were consistent
      with the DFT calculations, indicating that the dissociative adsorption of N2 is
      endothermic. 

PMID- 27276436
TI  - Lactulose Breath Test Gas Production in Childhood IBS Is Associated With
      Intestinal Transit and Bowel Movement Frequency.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bacterial gas
      production (colonic fermentation) is related to both symptom generation and
      intestinal transit. Whether gas production affects symptom generation,
      psychosocial distress, or intestinal transit in childhood IBS is unknown.
      METHODS: Children (ages 7-17 years) with pediatric Rome III IBS completed
      validated psychosocial questionnaires and a 2-week daily diary capturing pain and
      stooling characteristics. Stool form determined IBS subtype. Subjects then
      completed a 3-hour lactulose breath test for measurement of total breath hydrogen
      and methane production. Carmine red was used to determine whole intestinal
      transit time. RESULTS: A total of 87 children (mean age 13 +/- 2.6 [standard
      deviation] years) were enrolled, of whom 50 (57.5%) were girls. All children
      produced hydrogen and 51 (58.6%) produced methane. Hydrogen and methane
      production did not correlate with either abdominal pain frequency/severity or
      psychosocial distress. Hydrogen and methane production did not differ
      significantly by IBS subtype. Methane production correlated positively with whole
      intestinal transit time (r = 0.31, P < 0.005) and inversely with bowel movement
      frequency (r = -0.245, P < 0.05). Methane production (threshold 3 ppm) as a
      marker for identifying IBS-C had a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 42.9%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Lactulose breath test total methane production may serve as a
      biomarker of whole intestinal transit time and bowel movement frequency in
      children with IBS. In children with IBS, lactulose breath test hydrogen and
      methane production did not, however, correlate with abdominal pain, IBS subtype,
      or psychosocial distress.

PMID- 27276439
TI  - Switching the Stiffness of Polyelectrolyte Assembly by Light to Control Behavior
      of Supported Cells.
AB  - Polyelectrolyte block copolymer micelles assembled thin film is switched in
      response to local photocatalytic reactions on titanium dioxide, resulting in a
      layer of variable height, stiffness in response to visible light irradiation.
      Preosteoblasts migrate toward stiffer side of the substrates.

PMID- 27276440
TI  - Car free cities: Pathway to healthy urban living.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many cities across the world are beginning to shift their mobility
      solution away from the private cars and towards more environmentally friendly and
      citizen-focused means. Hamburg, Oslo, Helsinki, and Madrid have recently
      announced their plans to become (partly) private car free cities. Other cities
      like Paris, Milan, Chengdu, Masdar, Dublin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Bogota, and
      Hyderabad have measures that aim at reducing motorized traffic including
      implementing car free days, investing in cycling infrastructure and
      pedestrianization, restricting parking spaces and considerable increases in
      public transport provision. Such plans and measures are particularly implemented
      with the declared aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These reductions are
      also likely to benefit public health. AIMS: We aimed to describe the plans for
      private car free cities and its likely effects on public health. METHODS: We
      reviewed the grey and scientific literature on plans for private car free cities,
      restricted car use, related exposures and health. RESULTS: An increasing number
      of cities are planning to become (partly) private car free. They mainly focus on
      the reduction of private car use in city centers. The likely effects of such
      policies are significant reductions in traffic-related air pollution, noise, and
      temperature in city centers. For example, up to a 40% reduction in NO2 levels has
      been reported on car free days. These reductions are likely to lead to a
      reduction in premature mortality and morbidity. Furthermore the reduction in the
      number of cars, and therefore a reduction in the need for parking places and road
      space, provides opportunities to increase green space and green networks in
      cities, which in turn can lead to many beneficial health effects. All these
      measures are likely to lead to higher levels of active mobility and physical
      activity which may improve public health the most and also provide more
      opportunities for people to interact with each other in public space.
      Furthermore, such initiatives, if undertaken at a sufficiently large scale can
      result in positive distal effects and climate change mitigation through CO2
      reductions. The potential negative effects which may arise due to motorized
      traffic detouring around car free zone into their destinations also need further
      evaluation and the areas in which car free zones are introduced need to be given
      sufficient attention so as not to become an additional way to exacerbate
      socioeconomic divides. The extent and magnitude of all the above effects is still
      unclear and needs further research, including full chain health impact assessment
      modeling to quantify the potential health benefits of such schemes, and exposure
      and epidemiological studies to measure any changes when such interventions take
      place. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of private car free cities is likely to have
      direct and indirect health benefits, but the exact magnitude and potential
      conflicting effects are as yet unclear. This paper has overviewed the expected
      health impacts, which can be useful to underpin policies to reduce car use in
      cities.

PMID- 27276441
TI  - Unveiling the Switching Riddle of Silver Tetracyanoquinodimethane Towards Novel
      Planar Single-Crystalline Electrochemical Metallization Memories.
AB  - The switching riddle of AgTCNQ is shown to be caused by the solid electrolyte
      mechanism. Both factors of bulk phase change and contact issue play key roles in
      the efficient work of the devices. An effective strategy is developed to locate
      the formation/disruption of Ag conductive filaments using the planar asymmetric
      configuration of Au/AgTCNQ/AlOx /Al. These novel electrochemical metallization
      memories demonstrate many promising properties. 

PMID- 27276442
TI  - Liquid Chromatography Chip with Low-Dispersion and Low-Pressure-Drop Turn
      Structure Utilizing a Distribution-Controlled Pillar Array.
AB  - To realize efficient, fast separations on pillar array columns with turns, a
      novel turn with low-dispersion and low-pressure-drop properties was developed.
      This "pillar-distribution-controlled" (PDC) turn was designed as a constant
      radius turn filled with octagonal pillars that were arranged to control the
      linear velocity of the mobile phase in the radial direction. After the pillar
      positions were adjusted by computational fluid dynamics analysis, 27 mm long
      pillar array columns with two turns were fabricated on a 20 * 20 mm(2) silicon
      glass plate. The PDC turns suppressed the sample dispersion to a similar extent
      as the previously developed tapered turn, and the pressure drop of the newly
      designed turn was reduced to ~1/6 that of the tapered turn. Moreover, the C18
      modified pillar array column with the PDC turns showed good bioanalytical
      applicability; five fluorescently labeled amino acids were separated in only 24 s
      at a linear velocity of 7.5 mm/s. The developed turn structure offers the
      advantages of longer pillar array columns with more turns for the fast analysis
      of complex samples.

PMID- 27276443
TI  - Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) inhibits macrophage-mediated inflammation by
      activating Nrf2 and suppressing the NF-kappaB signaling pathway.
AB  - Our previous report has shown that FGF21 has anti-inflammatory properties in a
      collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. In this study, the underlying molecular
      mechanisms of action were also investigated using RAW 264.7 cells, a murine
      monocyte-macrophage. RAW 264.7 cells were pre-incubated with various
      concentrations (2000, 500, 100ng/ml) of FGF21 and stimulated with LPS to induce
      oxidative stress and inflammation. The result of flow cytometry showed that beta
      Klotho, FGF21 specific receptor, was expressed in murine splenic macrophages and
      RAW 264.7. In vitro, FGF21 reduced the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6
      and IFN-gamma and increased the level of IL-10 in a dose-dependent manner in LPS
      stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. FGF21 also suppressed profound elevation of ROS
      production and oxidative stress, as evidenced by an increase of the MDA level and
      depletion of the intracellular GSH level, and restored the activities of
      antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.
      Moreover, FGF21 inhibited LPS-induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)
      activation, including degradation of I-kappaB and nuclear translocation of p65.
      In addition, the result of Western blot and real-time PCR showed that FGF21
      induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and increased the nuclear
      transcription factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels in a dose-dependent manner
      in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In conclusion, the results suggest that
      macrophages are the targets for the anti-inflammatory effects of FGF21, and FGF21
      exerted an anti-inflammatory effect mainly via enhancing Nrf2-mediated anti
      oxidant capacity and suppressing NF-kappaB signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27276444
TI  - Peripartum cardiomyopathy: challenges in diagnosis and management.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is one of the leading causes of
      maternal mortality all over the world. Fortunately, some of the most important
      answers to the "PPCM puzzle" are emerging: AREAS COVERED: This is an update that
      includes current and recent research results. These developments hold promise to
      importantly decrease mortality from PPCM and increase recovery rates. Expert
      commentary: Increasing risks for the development and severity of PPCM include a
      genetic predisposition and the presence of any form of hypertension in pregnancy.
      Earlier recognition/diagnosis of PPCM confers greater opportunity for full
      recovery. Important biomarkers have the potential to help to recognize PPCM
      earlier and to provide better treatment. "Follow the Guidelines" is good advice
      for the best opportunity to achieve full recovery. These include the use of
      diuretics, BB, ACEI/ARB in tolerable dosages. Phasing out specific treatments
      appears to be safe for some; but the process must be individualized.

PMID- 27276445
TI  - Multi-Ethnic Attitudes Toward Physician-Assisted Death in California and Hawaii.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As aid-in-dying laws are gaining more public acceptance and support,
      it is important to understand diverse perceptions toward physician-assisted death
      (PAD). We compare attitudes of residents from California and Hawaii to identify
      variables that may predict attitudes toward PAD. METHODS: A cross-sectional
      online survey of 1095 participants (a 75.8% survey completion rate) from
      California and 819 from Hawaii (a 78.4% survey completion rate). Data were
      collected between July through October 2015. RESULTS: Majority of study
      participants in California (72.5%) and Hawaii (76.5%) were supportive of PAD.
      Only 36.8% of participants in Hawaii and 34.8% of participants in California
      reported completing advance directives. To better understand which subgroups were
      most in favor of PAD, data were analyzed using both recursive partitioning and
      stepwise logistic regression. Older participants were more supportive of PAD in
      both states. Also, all ethnic groups were equally supportive of PAD. Completion
      of advance directives was not a significant predictor of attitudes toward PAD.
      Persons who reported that faith/religion/spirituality was less important to them
      were more likely to support PAD in both states. Thus, the major influences on the
      attitudes to PAD were religious/spiritual views and age, not ethnicity and
      gender. Even in the subgroups least supportive of PAD, the majority supported
      PAD. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that in the ethnically diverse states of
      California and Hawaii, faith/religion/spirituality and age are major influencers
      of attitudes toward PAD and not ethnicity and gender. Even in the subgroups least
      supportive of PAD, the majority supports PAD.

PMID- 27276498
TI  - INTRAVITREAL TRIAMCINOLONE IN SUSAC SYNDROME.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the use of intravitreal triamcinolone for Susac Syndrome in
      one patient. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 23-year-old woman presented with
      presented with sudden visual loss in the left eye with associated neurologic
      symptoms. Ophthalmic examination and fluorescein angiography showed multiple
      areas of branch retinal artery occlusion, bilaterally. Magnetic resonance imaging
      showed dot-like, diffusion-restricted lesions in the corpus callosum, and
      audiometry showed low-frequency sensory hearing loss, compatible with Susac
      Syndrome. The patient received a single intravitreal injection of triamcinolone
      (4 mg) in the left eye. One week later, before beginning systemic
      corticosteroids, all signs and symptoms resolved in the left eye only.
      CONCLUSION: In cases of delayed systemic corticosteroid therapy, intravitreal
      triamcinolone resolves the ocular manifestations of Susac Syndrome.

PMID- 27276446
TI  - Single particle imaging of mRNAs crossing the nuclear pore: Surfing on the edge.
AB  - Six years ago, the Singer lab published a landmark paper which described how
      individual mRNA particles cross the nuclear pore complex in mammalian tissue
      culture cells. This involved the simultaneous imaging of mRNAs, each labeled by a
      large number of tethered fluorescent proteins and fluorescently tagged nuclear
      pore components. Now two groups have applied this technique to the budding yeast
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Their results indicate that in the course of nuclear
      export, mRNAs likely engage complexes that are present on either side of the pore
      and that these interactions are modulated by proteins present in the messenger
      ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complex. These findings lend support to the notion that
      just before and/or after the completion of nuclear export, mRNPs undergo one or
      more maturation steps that prepare the packaged mRNAs for translation. These
      results represent new and exciting insights into the mechanism of mRNA nuclear
      export.

PMID- 27276499
TI  - The length of the bridging chain in ansa-metallocenes influences their
      antiproliferative activity against triple negative breast cancer cells (TNBC).
AB  - In order to examine whether the length of the bridging chain in ansa-ferrocenes
      affects their antiproliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 triple negative
      breast cancer cell lines (TNBC), we synthesized derivatives of the type 1-[bis-(4
      hydroxyphenyl)]methylidene-[n]ferrocenophane and 1-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)
      phenyl]methylidene-[n]ferrocenophane with n = 3, 4, 5. We found that the
      derivatives of [3]ferrocenophane, the compounds with the shortest bridging
      chains, are the most active. IC50 values were 0.09 +/- 0.01, 2.41 +/- 0.10, and
      1.85 +/- 0.25 MUM for the dihydroxyphenyl derivatives, with n = 3, 4, 5,
      respectively. These differences can be explained in terms of modification of the
      key metabolites (radical versus quinone methides) within the ansa series
      depending on the length of the bridging chain. The derivative of
      [5]ferrocenophane, possessing two -[bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)]methylidene groups, was
      also prepared. Surprisingly, this relatively large molecule is also active (IC50
      = 2.7 +/- 0.3 MUM). Two ruthenocenophane analogs were also synthesized. These
      ruthenium compounds are practically inactive against MDA-MB-231 cells. The
      unusual chemistry of these different compounds is discussed in terms of
      elucidating the mechanism underlying their diverse antiproliferative activity,
      and their specific advantages are evaluated. 

PMID- 27276500
TI  - Core-Shell Microgels with Switchable Elasticity at Constant Interfacial
      Interaction.
AB  - Hydrogels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAm) exhibit a thermo
      reversible volume phase transition from swollen to deswollen states. This change
      of the hydrogel volume is accompanied by changes of the hydrogel elastic and
      Young's moduli and of the hydrogel interfacial interactions. To decouple these
      parameters from one another, we present a class of submillimeter sized hydrogel
      particles that consist of a thermosensitive pNIPAAm core wrapped by a
      nonthermosensitive polyacrylamide (pAAm) shell, each templated by droplet-based
      microfluidics. When the microgel core deswells upon increase of the temperature
      to above 34  degrees C, the shell is stretched and dragged to follow this
      deswelling into the microgel interior, resulting in an increase of the microgel
      surficial Young's modulus. However, as the surface interactions of the pAAm shell
      are independent of temperature at around 34  degrees C, they do not considerably
      change during the pNIPAAm-core volume phase transition. This feature makes these
      core-shell microgels a promising platform to be used as building blocks to
      assemble soft materials with rationally and independently tunable mechanics. 

PMID- 27276501
TI  - Catalysis of Cascade and Multicomponent Reactions of Carbonyl Compounds and C?H
      Acids by Electricity.
AB  - This review is concerned with modern trends in the use of electrochemically
      induced chain reactions in cascade and multicomponent electroorganic synthesis.
      The review summarizes the data on the use of electrochemically induced chain
      reactions in cascade and multicomponent organic synthesis, which were published
      mainly in the last decade.

PMID- 27276502
TI  - Neutron Scattering of Residual Hydrogen in 1,4-Dioxane-d8 Liquid: Understanding
      Measurements with Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - That incoherent scattering from protiated molecular liquids adds a constant
      background to the measured scattering intensity is well-known, but less
      appreciated is the fact that coherent scattering is also induced by the presence
      of hydrogen in a deuterated liquid. In fact, the scattering intensity can be very
      sensitive, in the small-q region, with respect to the amounts and distribution of
      residual H in the system. We used 1,4-dioxane liquid to demonstrate that the
      partial structure factors of the HD and DD atom pairs contribute significantly to
      intermolecular scattering and that uncertainty in the extent of deuteration
      account for discrepancies between simulations and measurements. Both
      contributions to uncertainty have similar magnitudes: scattering interference of
      the hydrogen-deuterium pair, and complementary interference from the deuterium
      deuterium pair by virtue of chemical inhomogeneity. This situation arises in
      practice since deuteration of liquids is often 99% or less. A combined
      experimental and extensive computational study of static thermal neutron
      scattering of 1,4-dioxane demonstrates the foregoing. We show, through
      simulations, that the reason for the differences is the content of protiated
      dioxane (vendors quote 1%). We estimate that up to 5% (at 298 K and at 343 K)
      protiated molar fraction may be involved in generating the scattering
      differences. Finally, we find that the particular distribution of hydrogen in the
      protiated molecules affects the results significantly; here, we considered
      molecules to be either fully protiated or fully deuterated. This scenario best
      reconciles the computational and experimental results, and leads us to speculate
      that the deuteration synthesis process tends to leave a molecule either fully
      deuterated or fully protiated. Although we have used 1,4-dioxane as a model
      liquid, the effects described in this study extend to similar liquids, and
      similar systematic experimental/computational studies can be performed to either
      understand measurements or calibrate/validate molecular dynamics models.

PMID- 27276503
TI  - Building Evidence: Fuze Versus Skype for Dance-Based Therapy With Older Adults
      and Nursing Students.

PMID- 27276504
TI  - Toward a Central Repository for Sharing Nursing Informatics' Best Practices.

PMID- 27276505
TI  - Teaching Electronic Health Record Communication.

PMID- 27276506
TI  - An Alternative Narrative.

PMID- 27276508
TI  - Chlorine Insertion Promoting Iron Reduction in Ba-Fe Hexagonal Perovskites:
      Effect on the Structural and Magnetic Properties.
AB  - BaFeCl0.13(2)O2.48(2) has been synthesized and studied. A proper tuning of the
      synthetic route has been designed to stabilize this compound as a single phase.
      The thermal stability and evolution, along with the magnetic and structural
      properties are reported here. The crystal structure has been refined from neutron
      powder diffraction data, and it is of the type (hhchc)2-10H. It is stable up to a
      temperature of 900  degrees C, where the composition reads BaFeCl0.13(2)O2.34(2).
      The study by electron microscopy shows that the crystal structure suffers no
      changes in the whole BaFeCl0.13(1)O3-y (2.34 <= 3 - y <= 2.48) compositional
      range. Refinement of the magnetic structure shows that the Fe is
      antiferromagneticaly ordered, with the magnetic moment parallel to the ab plane
      of the hexagonal structure. At higher temperature, a nonreversible phase
      transition into a (hchc)-4H structure type takes place with overall composition
      BaFeCl0.13(1)O2.26(1). Microstructural characterization shows that, in some
      crystals, this phase intergrows with a seemingly cubic related phase. Differences
      between these two crystalline phases reside in the chlorine content, which keeps
      constant through the phase transition for the former and disappears for the
      latter. 

PMID- 27276507
TI  - Eruptive Melanocytic Naevi Caused by Radotinib Therapy in Patients with Chronic
      Myeloid Leukaemia: 10 cases and a literature Review.

PMID- 27276509
TI  - Crystallographic and Dynamic Aspects of Solid-State NMR Calibration Compounds:
      Towards ab Initio NMR Crystallography.
AB  - The excellent results of dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D)
      calculations for static systems have been well established over the past decade.
      The introduction of dynamics into DFT-D calculations is a target, especially for
      the field of molecular NMR crystallography. Four (13) C ss-NMR calibration
      compounds are investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, molecular
      dynamics and DFT-D calculations. The crystal structure of 3-methylglutaric acid
      is reported. The rotator phases of adamantane and hexamethylbenzene at room
      temperature are successfully reproduced in the molecular dynamics simulations.
      The calculated (13) C chemical shifts of these compounds are in excellent
      agreement with experiment, with a root-mean-square deviation of 2.0 ppm. It is
      confirmed that a combination of classical molecular dynamics and DFT-D chemical
      shift calculation improves the accuracy of calculated chemical shifts. 

PMID- 27276510
TI  - Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: Answering the Most Important Question
      First.

PMID- 27276512
TI  - A strain-tunable nanoimprint lithography for linear variable photonic crystal
      filters.
AB  - This paper presents the fabrication methodology of a linear variable photonic
      crystal (PC) filter with narrowband reflection that varies over a broad spectral
      range along the length of the filter. The key component of the linear variable PC
      filter is a polymer surface-relief grating whose period changes linearly as a
      function of its position on the filter. The grating is fabricated using a
      nanoreplica molding process with a wedge-shaped elastomer mold. The top surface
      of the mold carries the grating pattern and the wedge is formed by a shallow
      angle between the top and bottom surfaces of the mold. During the replica molding
      process, a uniaxial force is applied to stretch the mold, resulting in a nearly
      linearly varying grating period. The period of the grating is determined using
      the magnitude of the force and the local thickness of the mold. The grating
      period of the fabricated device spans a range of 421.8-463.3 nm over a distance
      of 20 mm. A high refractive index dielectric film is deposited on the graded
      period grating to act as the waveguide layer of the PC device. The resonance
      reflection feature of the device varies linearly in a range of 680.2-737.0 nm
      over the length of the grating. 

PMID- 27276511
TI  - Metformin and resveratrol inhibit Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission and prevent
      ER stress-associated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the adipose tissue of
      diabetic mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that metformin
      and resveratrol exhibited the same effect on inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome
      activation with regulation of AMPK in adipose tissue exposed to high glucose.
      METHODS: To induce adipose tissue dysfunction, we treated epididymal adipose
      tissue of mice or differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes with high glucose (33 mM) for
      24 h. Meanwhile, mice were injected with streptozotocin STZ to induce diabetes
      and followed by oral administration of metformin (200 mg/kg), resveratrol (50
      mg/kg) or ER stress inhibitor TUDCA (50 mg/kg) for 7 days. The effects of
      metformin and resveratrol on ROS production, mitochondrial fission, ER stress,
      TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome activation, inflammation and apoptosis were observed.
      RESULTS: Metformin and resveratrol inhibited ROS-associated mitochondrial fission
      by upregulating Drp1 phosphorylation (Ser 637) in an AMPK-dependent manner, and
      then suppressed ER stress indicated by dephosphorylation of IRE1alpha and
      eIF2alpha in the adipose tissue. As a result from suppressing TXNIP/NLRP3
      inflammasome activation, metformin and resveratrol inhibited inflammation and
      reduced cell apoptosis in adipose tissue or adipocytes exposed to high glucose.
      CONCLUSION: Metformin and resveratrol protected mitochondrial integrity by
      inhibiting Drp1 activity and prevented NLRP3 inflammasome activation by
      suppressing ER stress, and thereby protected adipose function from high glucose
      insult.

PMID- 27276513
TI  - Endoscopic approaches to pancreatic disease.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Endoscopy plays a central role in the evaluation and
      management of patients with pancreatic disease. This review focuses on recent
      clinically relevant developments and timely research questions related to
      endoscopy in acute and chronic pancreatitis. RECENT FINDINGS: Endoscopic
      ultrasound (EUS) has moved to the forefront of the evaluation of unexplained
      pancreatitis; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for recurrent
      acute pancreatitis remains controversial but commonly practiced; fully covered
      metallic stents are challenging traditional stent therapy in the treatment of
      benign biliary and pancreatic strictures due to chronic pancreatitis; endoscopic
      drainage has become central in the therapeutic algorithm for pancreatic fluid
      collections; EUS-guided access to the pancreatic duct in cases of unsuccessful
      ERCP is a promising new platform that requires additional research and
      development. The evidence in these areas is discussed, with an emphasis on recent
      high-impact publications. SUMMARY: There have been significant recent advances in
      our endoscopic approach to pancreatic disease; however, additional research is
      necessary toward providing high-quality, evidence-based care in this area.

PMID- 27276515
TI  - Erratum.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0101].

PMID- 27276514
TI  - [Local History].

PMID- 27276516
TI  - Successful use of eltrombopag for surgical preparation in a patient with ANKRD26
      related thrombocytopenia.

PMID- 27276517
TI  - Configuring Electronic States in an Atomically Precise Array of Quantum Boxes.
AB  - A 2D array of electronically coupled quantum boxes is fabricated by means of on
      surface self-assembly assuring ultimate precision of each box. The quantum states
      embedded in the boxes are configured by adsorbates, whose occupancy is controlled
      with atomic precision. The electronic interbox coupling can be maintained or
      significantly reduced by proper arrangement of empty and filled boxes. 

PMID- 27276518
TI  - Quantitative Targeted Absolute Proteomics of Transporters and Pharmacoproteomics
      Based Reconstruction of P-Glycoprotein Function in Mouse Small Intestine.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a pharmacokinetic model
      integrating in vitro mdr1a efflux activity (which we previously reported) with in
      vitro/in vivo differences in protein expression level can reconstruct intestinal
      mdr1a function. In situ intestinal permeability-surface area product ratio
      between wild-type and mdr1a/1b (-/-) mice is one of the parameters used to
      describe intestinal mdr1a function. The reconstructed ratios of six mdr1a
      substrates (dexamethasone, digoxin, loperamide, quinidine, verapamil,
      vinblastine) and one nonsubstrate (diazepam) were consistent with the observed
      values reported by Adachi et al. within 2.1-fold difference. Thus, intestinal
      mdr1a function can be reconstructed by our pharmacoproteomic modeling approach.
      Furthermore, we evaluated regional differences in protein expression levels of
      mouse intestinal transporters. Sixteen (mdr1a, mrp4, bcrp, abcg5, abcg8, glut1,
      4f2hc, sglt1, lat2, pept1, mct1, slc22a18, ostbeta, villin1, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase,
      gamma-gtp) out of 46 target molecules were detected by employing our established
      quantitative targeted absolute proteomics technique. The protein expression
      amounts of mdr1a and bcrp increased progressively from duodenum to ileum. Sglt1,
      lat2, and 4f2hc were highly expressed in jejunum and ileum. Mct1 and ostbeta were
      highly expressed in ileum. The quantitative expression profiles established here
      should be helpful to understand and predict intestinal transporter functions.

PMID- 27276519
TI  - Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Ganglioside Hp-s1 Analogues
      Varying at Glucosyl Moiety.
AB  - Ganglioside Hp-s1 is isolated from the ovary of sea urchin Diadema setosum. It
      exhibited better neuritogenic activity than GM1 in pheochromocytoma 12 cells. To
      explore the roles of glucosyl moiety of Hp-s1 in contributing to the neurogenic
      activity, we developed feasible procedures for synthesis of Hp-s1 analogues (2a
      2f). The glucosyl moiety of Hp-s1 was replaced with alpha-glucose, alpha
      galactose, beta-galactose, alpha-mannose, and beta-mannose, and their biological
      activities on SH-SY5Y cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells were evaluated. We
      found that the orientation of C-2 hydroxyl group at glucosyl moiety of Hp-s1
      plays an important role to induce neurite outgrowth of SH-SY5Y cells.
      Surprisingly, compound 2d could activate NKT cells to produce interleukin 2,
      although it did not show great activity on neurite outgrowth of SH-SY5Y cells. In
      general, the Hp-s1 might be considered as a lead compound for the development of
      novel drugs aimed at modulating the activity of neuronal cells.

PMID- 27276520
TI  - Neonatal Outcomes in Women With Untreated Antenatal Depression Compared With
      Women Without Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Despite the prevalence of antenatal depression and the fact that only
      one-third of pregnant women with depression consider it acceptable to take
      antidepressants, the effect of untreated depression on neonatal outcomes remains
      to be addressed thoroughly. OBJECTIVE: To undertake a systematic review and meta
      analysis to understand the effect of untreated depression on neonatal outcomes.
      DATA SOURCES: We executed our search strategy, with emphasis on its
      exhaustiveness, in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and
      Allied Health, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of
      Science. The search was conducted in July, 2015. STUDY SELECTION: We included
      randomized and nonrandomized studies that examined neonatal outcomes in women
      with depression receiving neither pharmacological nor nonpharmacological
      treatment compared with women without depression. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS:
      Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, assessed full-text
      articles, extracted data, and assessed their quality using a modified version of
      the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We pooled data using random-effects meta-analyses,
      quantified heterogeneity using the I2 statistic, and explored it with subgroup
      analyses by type of assessment of depression, severity, reported conflicts of
      interest, and study quality. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes were
      preterm birth before 37 weeks and before 32 weeks, small and large for
      gestational age, low birth weight, and neonatal intensive care unit admission.
      RESULTS: Of the 6646 titles initially identified, 23 studies met inclusion
      criteria, all observational, with a total of 25 663 women. Untreated depression
      was associated with significantly increased risks of preterm birth (odds ratio
      [OR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.25-1.94; 14 studies; I2, 39%) and low birth weight (OR,
      1.96; 95% CI, 1.24-3.10; 8 studies; I2, 48%), with a trend toward higher risks
      for exposure to more severe depression. While the odds of preterm birth more than
      doubled in studies reporting conflicts of interest (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.70-3.67;
      5 studies; I2, 0%), studies not reporting such conflicts showed more moderate
      results (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.08-1.66; 9 studies; I2, 30%). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Our results contrast with what is, to our knowledge, the only previous
      systematic review that examined the question of untreated depression because we
      found significant risks of 2 key perinatal outcomes, preterm birth and low birth
      weight. These are important results for pregnant women and clinicians to take
      into account in the decision-making process around depression treatment.

PMID- 27276522
TI  - Photoredox-Catalyzed Three-Component Tandem Process: An Assembly of Complex
      Trifluoromethylated Phthalans and Isoindolines.
AB  - A novel photoredox-mediated tandem three-component process afforded a wide
      variety of CF3-containing phthalans and isoindolines in respectable yields and
      with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivity.

PMID- 27276521
TI  - Temporal Modulation of Stem Cell Activity Using Magnetoactive Hydrogels.
AB  - Cell activity is coordinated by dynamic interactions with the extracellular
      matrix, often through stimuli-mediated spatiotemporal stiffening and softening.
      Dynamic changes in mechanics occur in vivo through enzymatic or chemical means,
      processes which are challenging to reconstruct in cell culture materials. Here a
      magnetoactive hydrogel material formed by embedding magnetic particles in a
      hydrogel matrix is presented whereby elasticity can be modulated reversibly by
      attenuation of a magnetic field. Orders of magnitude change in elasticity using
      low magnetic fields are shown and reversibility of stiffening with simple
      permanent magnets is demonstrated. The broad applicability of this technique is
      demonstrated with two therapeutically relevant bioactivities in mesenchymal stem
      cells: secretion of proangiogenic molecules, and dynamic control of osteogenesis.
      The ability to reversibly stiffen cell culture materials across the full spectrum
      of soft tissue mechanics, using simple materials and commercially available
      permanent magnets, makes this approach viable for a broad range of laboratory
      environments.

PMID- 27276523
TI  - The Social Work Role in Reducing 30-Day Readmissions: The Effectiveness of the
      Bridge Model of Transitional Care.
AB  - The hospital experience is taxing and confusing for patients and their families,
      particularly those with limited economic and social resources. This complexity
      often leads to disengagement, poor adherence to the plan of care, and high
      readmission rates. Novel approaches to addressing the complexities of
      transitional care are emerging as possible solutions. The Bridge Model is a
      person-centered, social work-led, interdisciplinary transitional care
      intervention that helps older adults safely transition from the hospital back to
      their homes and communities. The Bridge Model combines 3 key components-care
      coordination, case management, and patient engagement-which provide a seamless
      transition during this stressful time and improve the overall quality of
      transitional care for older adults, including reducing hospital readmissions. The
      post Affordable Care Act (ACA) and managed care environment's emphasis on value
      and quality support further development and expansion of transitional care
      strategies, such as the Bridge Model, which offer promising avenues to fulfil the
      triple aim by improving the quality of individual patient care while also
      impacting population health and controlling per capita costs.

PMID- 27276524
TI  - Gold-Catalyzed Oxidation/C-H Functionalization of Ynones: Efficient and Rapid
      Access to Functionalized Polycyclic Salicyl Ketones.
AB  - An efficient strategy to construct salicyl ketones through gold-catalyzed
      oxidation/C-H functionalization of ynones is reported. A variety of
      functionalized salicyl ketones are readily accessed by utilizing this non-diazo
      approach, thus providing a viable alternative to synthetically useful salicyl
      ketones with a yield up to 98 %. The alpha-oxo gold carbenes generated in situ
      through gold-catalyzed oxidation of ynones can be trapped effectively by internal
      aryl and heteroaromatic groups. Electronic and steric effects were also
      investigated in this reaction. The anticancer activity of one salicyl ketone
      analogue was investigated and its cytotoxicity assays against the PC-3 prostate
      cancer cell line and SKOV-3 human ovarian carcinoma cell line yield IC50 were
      0.81+/-0.05 and 0.87+/-0.15 MUm, respectively, demonstrating that salicyl ketone
      analogues showed good anticancer activity. 

PMID- 27276525
TI  - Thermodynamics of Trapping Gases for Underwater Superhydrophobicity.
AB  - Rough surfaces submerged in a liquid can remain almost dry if the liquid does not
      fully wet the roughness, and gases are sustained in roughness grooves. Such
      partially dry surfaces can help reduce drag, enhance boiling, and reduce
      biofouling. Gases sustained in roughness grooves would be composed of air and the
      vapor phase of the liquid itself. In this work, the thermodynamics of sustaining
      gases (e.g., air) is considered. Governing equations are presented along with a
      solution methodology to determine a critical condition to sustain gases. The
      critical roughness scale to sustain gases is estimated for different degrees of
      saturation of gases dissolved in the liquid. It is shown that roughness spacings
      of less than a micron are essential to sustain gases on surfaces submerged in
      water at atmospheric pressure. This is consistent with prior empirical data.

PMID- 27276527
TI  - Comparison of adverse perinatal outcomes after single-needle and double-needle
      CVS techniques.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of the chorion villus sampling (CVS) technique
      on adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: In this case-control study, 412 women who
      underwent CVS at 11-14 weeks of gestation and 231 women who did not undergo any
      invasive procedure were retrospectively evaluated. The women in the CVS group
      were further divided into two groups according to the use of single-needle
      technique (n=148) vs. double-needle technique (n=264). The adverse outcomes were
      compared between controls and the two CVS groups, and regression analysis was
      used to determine the significance of independent contribution. RESULTS: The rate
      of preeclampsia for the control group was 2.2%, for the double-needle group was
      3% and for the single-needle group was 8.1%. CVS with single-needle technique was
      found to be an independent and statistically significant risk factor for
      preeclampsia [odds ratio (OR)=2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.4-2.7,
      P=0.008]. CONCLUSION: The risk of preeclampsia after CVS appears to be increased
      with single-needle technique compared with double-needle technique.

PMID- 27276526
TI  - Striatum on the anxiety map: Small detours into adolescence.
AB  - Adolescence is the most sensitive period for the development of pathological
      anxiety. Moreover, specific neural changes associated with the striatum might be
      related to adolescent vulnerability to anxiety. Up to now, the study of anxiety
      has primarily focused on the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
      (BNST), hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), while the
      striatum has typically not been considered as part of the anxiety system. This
      review proposes the addition of the striatum, a complex, multi-component
      structure, to the anxiety network by underscoring two lines of research. First,
      the co-occurrence of the adolescent striatal development with the peak
      vulnerability of adolescents to anxiety disorders might potentially reflect a
      causal relationship. Second, the recognition of the role of the striatum in
      fundamental behavioral processes that do affect anxiety supports the putative
      importance of the striatum in anxiety. These behavioral processes include (1)
      attention, (2) conditioning/prediction error, and (3) motivation. This review
      proposes a simplistic schematic representation of the anxiety circuitry that
      includes the striatum, and aims to promote further work in this direction, as the
      role of the striatum in shaping an anxiety phenotype during adolescence could
      have critical implications for understanding and preventing the peak onset of
      anxiety disorders during this period. This article is part of a Special Issue
      entitled SI: Adolescent plasticity.

PMID- 27276528
TI  - Incretin-based therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus is promising for treating
      neurodegenerative diseases.
AB  - Incretin hormones include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent
      insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Due to their promising action on insulinotropic
      secretion and improving insulin resistance (IR), incretin-based therapies have
      become a new class of antidiabetic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
      mellitus (T2DM). Recently, the links between neurodegenerative diseases and T2DM
      have been identified in a number of studies, which suggested that shared
      mechanisms, such as insulin dysregulation or IR, may underlie these conditions.
      Therefore, the effects of incretins in neurodegenerative diseases have been
      extensively investigated. Protease-resistant long-lasting GLP-1 mimetics such as
      lixisenatide, liraglutide, and exenatide not only have demonstrated promising
      effects for treating neurodegenerative diseases in preclinical studies but also
      have shown first positive results in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's
      disease (PD) patients in clinical trials. Furthermore, the effects of other
      related incretin-based therapies such as GIP agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV
      (DPP-IV) inhibitors, oxyntomodulin (OXM), dual GLP-1/GIP, and triple GLP
      1/GIP/glucagon receptor agonists on neurodegenerative diseases have been tested
      in preclinical studies. Incretin-based therapies are a promising approach for
      treating neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID- 27276530
TI  - Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 as a marker of cardiovascular response in
      professional mountain ultra-marathon runners.

PMID- 27276529
TI  - Hepatitis B virus surface protein-induced hPIAS1 transcription requires TAL1,
      E47, MYOG, NFI, and MAPK signal pathways.
AB  - The protein inhibitor of activated STAT1 (PIAS1) plays important roles in
      regulating virus-induced chronic hepatitis, but the interaction between hepatitis
      B virus (HBV) and hPIAS1 is not clear. Our aim was to verify if HBV encoding
      proteins enhance the transcription of hPIAS1 and which cis-elements and
      transcription factors were involved in the mechanism. In order to do, so a series
      of molecular biological methods, along with functional and histological studies,
      were performed. We found that the HBV surface protein (HBs) enhanced hPIAS1
      transcription through the activities of TAL1, E47, myogenin (MYOG), and NFI,
      dependent on the activation of p38MAPK and ERK signaling pathways in vitro, which
      might contribute to the ineffectiveness of treatment in CHB patients.
      Furthermore, liver samples from patients with high HBsAg levels and HBV DNA
      displayed increased hPIAS1 expression and high levels of TAL1, E47, MYOG, and
      NFI, compared to those patients with low HBsAg levels and HBV DNA, and healthy
      controls. These findings suggest that the HBs protein-induced hPIAS1
      transcription requires TAL1, E47, MYOG, NFI, and MAPK signal pathways. It
      provides new potential targets for antiviral therapeutic strategies for
      controlling HBV-associated diseases.

PMID- 27276531
TI  - Potentials of Mangifera indica in the treatment of depressive-anxiety disorders:
      possible mechanisms of action.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae) is an important herb in the
      traditional African and Ayurvedic medicines. The stem barks are used in the
      treatment of hypertension, insomnia, tumour, depression, rheumatism and as a
      tonic. This study was carried out to investigate antidepressant- and anxiolytic
      like effect of the hydroethanol stem bark extract of M. indica (HeMI) in mice.
      METHODS: HeMI (12.5-100 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 1 h before subjecting the
      animal to the forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and elevated
      plus maze tests (EPM). RESULTS: HeMI (12.5-100 mg/kg, p.o.) treatment produced
      significant reduction in immobility time [F(6.56)=8.35, p<0.001], [F(6,56)=7.55,
      p<0.001] in the FST and TST, respectively. Moreover, co-administration of sub
      therapeutic doses of imipramine or fluoxetine with HeMI (3.125 mg/kg) elicited
      significant reduction in time spent immobile in the FST. However, pretreatment of
      mice with parachlorophenylalanine, metergoline, yohimbine or sulpiride abolished
      the antidepressant-like effect elicited by HeMI. In the EPM, HeMI produced
      significant [F(5,42)=8.91, p<0.001] increase in open arms exploration by 75.55 %
      and this effect was blocked by pretreatment of mice with flumazenil or
      metergoline. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study showed antidepressant-like
      effect of M. indica through interaction with 5-HT2 receptor, alpha2-adrenoceptor
      and dopamine D2-receptors. Also, an anxiolytic-like effect through its affinity
      for 5-HT2 and benzodiazepine receptors. Hence, M. indica could be a potential
      phytotherapeutic agent in the treatment of mixed anxiety-depressive illness.

PMID- 27276532
TI  - Technique for CT Fluoroscopy-Guided Lumbar Medial Branch Blocks and
      Radiofrequency Ablation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe the procedure for CT
      fluoroscopy-guided lumbar medial branch blocks and facet radiofrequency ablation.
      CONCLUSION: CT fluoroscopic guidance allows more-precise needle tip positioning
      and is an alternative method for performing medial branch blocks and facet
      radiofrequency ablation.

PMID- 27276533
TI  - A Cu(II)2 Paramagnetic Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Contrast Agent
      Enabled by Magnetic Exchange Coupling.
AB  - The ability of magnetic exchange coupling to enable observation of paramagnetic
      chemical exchange saturation transfer (PARACEST) in transition metal ions with
      long electronic relaxation times (taus) is demonstrated. Metalation of the
      dinucleating, tetra(carboxamide) ligand HL with Cu(2+) in the presence of
      pyrophosphate (P2O7)(4-) affords the complex [LCu(II)2(P2O7)](-). Solution-phase
      variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data reveal weak ferromagnetic
      superexchange coupling between the two S = 1/2 Cu(II) centers, with a coupling
      constant of J = +2.69(5) cm(-1), to give an S = 1 ground state. This coupling
      results in a sharpened NMR line width relative to a GaCu analogue, indicative of
      a shortening of taus. Presaturation of the amide protons in the Cu2 complex at 37
      degrees C leads to a 14% intensity decrease in the bulk water (1)H NMR signal
      through the CEST effect. Conversely, no CEST effect is observed in the GaCu
      complex. These results provide the first example of a Cu-based PARACEST magnetic
      resonance contrast agent and demonstrate the potential to expand the metal ion
      toolbox for PARACEST agents through introduction of magnetic exchange coupling.

PMID- 27276534
TI  - Short Self-Assembling Peptides Are Able to Bind to Copper and Activate Oxygen.
AB  - We have shown that de novo designed peptides self-assemble in the presence of
      copper to create supramolecular assemblies capable of carrying out the oxidation
      of dimethoxyphenol in the presence of dioxygen. Formation of the supramolecular
      assembly, which is akin to a protein fold, is critical for productive catalysis
      since peptides possessing the same functional groups but lacking the ability to
      self-assemble do not catalyze substrate oxidation. The ease with which we have
      discovered robust and productive oxygen activation catalysts suggests that these
      prion-like assemblies might have served as intermediates in the evolution of
      enzymatic function and opens the path for the development of new catalyst
      nanomaterials.

PMID- 27276535
TI  - Description and Preliminary Evaluation of a Curriculum for Teaching
      Conversational Skills to Children With High-Functioning Autism and Other Social
      Cognition Challenges.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical focus article is to provide (a) a detailed
      description of a school-based intervention designed to teach children with high
      functioning autism spectrum disorders (HF-ASDs) and other social cognition
      challenges both the how and the why of conversation and (b) a preliminary
      evaluation of program outcomes. METHOD: This pilot study involved (a) qualitative
      and quantitative analysis of video footage of participants' conversational skills
      at baseline, during intervention, and postintervention; (b) interviews with
      participants' speech-language pathologist (third author) about individual
      participant progress; and (c) interviews with instructors responsible for
      implementing the curriculum regarding overall program effectiveness. Participants
      were four elementary-aged children with HF-ASDs and other social cognition
      challenges with deficits in expressive language and auditory processing and
      comprehension. RESULTS: Analyses of video-recorded footage indicated increases
      for all four participants in terms of peer-directed interactions, questions
      asked, use of wh-words to introduce new topics and/or extend conversation on
      existing topics, and attempts at conversational repair. Three participants also
      demonstrated increased use of attention-gaining behaviors. Qualitative analysis
      of transcripts, as well as in-depth interviews with the participants' speech
      language pathologist and other program instructors, supported these findings.
      CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings from this pilot study suggest that providing
      comprehensive instruction in many of the basic components required for successful
      conversation, including explanations for why these components are necessary, may
      be a promising means of teaching children with HF-ASDs and other social cognition
      challenges to engage in successful peer-to-peer conversation.

PMID- 27276536
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276537
TI  - [Perspectives and challenges of the "new" National Health Promotion Policy: to
      which political arena does management point?].
AB  - The "new" National Health Promotion Policy opens up prospects and challenges for
      the political arena. This is the space where agreements and disagreements
      relating to decision-making, which will underpin its implementation, are
      established. This study sought to understand these questions, seeking to reflect
      upon the formation of arenas, in order to contribute with strategies coherent
      with the policy. It is a qualitative study, based on the theory of justification
      and its 'polities' according to Boltanski and Thevenot. Those interviewed were
      social actors involved with management of this policy. The analysis verified the
      presence of the polities such as: civic -vision and concepts; project -execution;
      and industrial - imposed limits. These polities define the arenas where the
      designated prospects and challenges appear. The configurations arising from the
      intersection points of these polities reveal arenas established through interests
      and issues resulting from agreements. It further highlights the grandeur of
      polities that may be found in controversies or conflicts, especially among the
      subcategories present in more than one polity. Critical awareness and the
      establishment of a clear political game are required of the social actors
      involved in promoting agreements and/or disagreements related to the new policy. 

PMID- 27276538
TI  - [Evaluation of the National Health Promotion Policy (PNPS): prospects and
      challenges].
AB  - This article analyzes prospects and challenges for the evaluation of the
      implementation of the National Health Promotion Policy in Brazil. Based on a
      critical review of the literature, it highlights the limits of the approaches
      that pay little heed to the theory of programs and reject evaluation as know-how
      entrenched in the historical, cultural and political dynamics of each society.
      The conclusion is that despite recent advances in this debate, the evaluation of
      complex, participatory and intersectoral programs imposes in-depth reflection on
      the nature of proof of effectiveness as well as methodological strategies capable
      of illuminating aspects of the concept and design of actions and the process of
      implementation in the local context, over and above the emphasis on risk factors
      and final results. 

PMID- 27276539
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276541
TI  - [Sustainability of an innovative school food program: a case study in the
      northeast of Brazil].
AB  - The Brazilian School Food Program (PNAE) is intersectoral innature. It encourages
      social participation and local economies and is considered here as a health
      promotionpractice. In the Northeastern State of Pernambuco, the city of Tabira
      acquired international renownin 2012 for the management of its school food
      program (PAE). This study analyzed the positive and negative factors related to
      the sustainability of the innovations in Tabira to understand the processes
      related to the continuity of the innovative actions implemented. The research
      used a qualitative approach with a case study strategy. A focus group, semi
      structured interviews with key actors and document analysis were performed. The
      data were processed using content analysis and the techniques of thematic
      analysis. Positive organizational and socio-political factors were: the program
      institutionalization, the efficient use of financial resources, municipalized
      management, high community participation and the use of local resources. Negative
      factors were: weak inter-sectoral coordination and training and poor professional
      qualification. The strong political engagement at the local level showed both
      positive and negative impacts on sustainability. 

PMID- 27276540
TI  - [The Health Academy Program as a strategy to promote health and healthy
      lifestyles: the national implementation scenario].
AB  - The National Health Promotion Policy reasserted the Brazilian Ministry of
      Health's commitment to bolster the promotion of health in the Unified Health
      System. In this context, the Health Academy Program constitutes a new tool of the
      health network for the enhancement of individual and collective primary
      healthcare. The scope of this study is to present the program implementation
      scenario, describing characteristics of its operation in the country. Data were
      collected through an electronic form sent to all Municipal Health Departments
      that received federal resources to implement the program. The response rate was
      85%, corresponding to 2,418 municipalities. A total of 856 centers were found to
      be in operation, primarily promoting physical exercise, healthy eating and health
      education. The main participants were adults and the elderly. Difficulties
      reported by the administrators involve the inclusion of children and adolescents
      and the hiring of professionals. Over 90% of the program centers do not depend
      exclusively on federal funding for operation and receive municipal support to
      conduct their activities. The results show the potential of the program as a
      strategy to promote healthcare in the community nationwide in Brazil. 

PMID- 27276542
TI  - [Health promotion policy and urban planning: joint efforts for the development of
      healthy cities].
AB  - The National Health Promotion Policy (PNPS) defines strategies for devising inter
      sectoral public policies that ensure the development of healthy cities. Urban
      planning constitutes a tool to improve the quality of life and enhance health
      promotion. Using the studies and cooperation actions conducted by the Urban
      Research Laboratory (LABINUR/FEC-Unicamp) as a reference, this article describes
      relevant aspects of the PNPS that have an interface with urban planning policies
      in Brazil. An increase in interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral measures related
      to the new PNPS after the passing of Ordinance 2.446/14 was identified, which
      include: mobility and accessibility; safe development (sanitation, housing and
      transport); healthy eating with social inclusion and reduction of poverty
      (community vegetable gardens); corporal activities and physical exercise and the
      enhancement of urban spaces. The conclusion drawn is that social participation,
      inter-sectoral activities and the role of the university are important aspects
      for the promotion of healthy cities. 

PMID- 27276543
TI  - Common Elements Treatment Approach based on a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention:
      implementation in the Colombian Pacific.
AB  - Due to the limited supply of mental health services for Afro-Colombian victims of
      violence, a Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) intervention has been
      implemented in the Colombian Pacific. Given the importance of improvement in
      mental health interventions for this population, it is necessary to characterize
      this process. This article seeks to describe the implementation of CETA for Afro
      Colombian victims of violence in Buenaventura and Quibdo, Colombia through case
      studieswith individual in-depth interviews with Lay Psychosocial Community
      Workers (LPCW), supervisors, and coordinators responsible for implementing CETA.
      From this six core categories were obtained: 1. Effect of armed conflict and
      poverty 2. Trauma severity 3. Perceived changes with CETA 4. Characteristics and
      LPCW's performance 5. Afro-Colombian culturalapproach and 6. Strategies to
      promote users' well-being.Colombian Pacific's scenario implies several factors,
      such as the active armed conflict, economic crisis, and lack of mental health
      care resources, affecting the implementation process and the intervention
      effects. This implies the need to establish and strengthen partnerships between
      institutions in order to administer necessary mental health care for victims of
      violence in the Colombian Pacific. 

PMID- 27276544
TI  - [The promotion of health of the Brazilian female and healthy eating: discourses
      and opinions printed in the Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo].
AB  - The study identifies the discourse and opinions about women's health in relation
      to their eating habits by means of qualitative research using the journalistic
      discourse analysis method of the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper. Based on the
      selection of texts on health, women's health and nutrition published throughout
      the year 2013, the sample resulted in seven journalistic texts, in which voices
      from the scientific universe related to research, quotes from journals,
      scientific associations and the opinion of health professionals and researchers
      were predominantly identified. However, the discourse of women in general about
      their health rarely appears in the sample analyzed. The main topics were related
      to health risks and the connection with diet or supplements, as well as
      pregnancy. The predominant content discourse related to health risk and its
      relationship with eating habits, nutrition or supplements, as well as pregnancy
      and/or the manner of delivery; health as a commodity associated with products or
      procedures, such as diets, dietary supplements, drugs and bariatric surgery, with
      no room for the promotion of health and healthy eating. 

PMID- 27276545
TI  - [Prenatal care and risk factors associated with premature birth and low birth
      weight in the a capital in the Brazilian Northeast].
AB  - The main determinants of the risk of mortality in the neonatal period are low
      birth weight and premature birth. The study sought to analyze the adequacy of
      prenatal care and risk factors associated with premature birth and low birth
      weight in a northeastern Brazilian capital. This is a case-control study. A model
      for adequacy of prenatal conditions composed of four indicators was created.
      Descriptive statistics for univariate analysis were used; as well as Wald linear
      trend tests, Student's t and chi-square test for bivariate analysis and multiple
      logistic regression for multivariate analysis with p <0.05. Multivariate analysis
      showed that poor education, not performing gainful activity, caesarean section,
      oligohydramnios, placental abruption and pre-eclampsia are independent factors
      associated with premature birth and/or low birth weight. For adequacy of prenatal
      care, variable indicator III remained significant, showing that mothers who had
      inadequate prenatal care had an increased chance for the occurrence of the
      outcome, highlighting the need for adequate public health policies of care for
      pregnant women in the municipality under scrutiny. 

PMID- 27276546
TI  - [Awareness and education regarding sexually transmitted diseases among
      undergraduate students].
AB  - Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the main global cause of acute illness
      and death and represent a high socioeconomic cost. Undergraduate students are
      highly exposed to STDs. The research developed at UNICAMP sought to quantify and
      generate self-perception of knowledge(or lack thereof) about STDs, as well as
      evaluate the interest of the students in a course on the topic. The data
      collection instrument was a questionnaire sent electronically to students about
      to graduate at the end of 2011 and to freshmen in 2012. The questionnaire was
      answered by 1,448 seniors and 371 freshmen. Twenty percent of seniors and 38% of
      freshmen had no sexual activity. Among sexually active students, 26.9% had no
      regular partner and 28.2% more than two partners per year. The condom was used by
      99% of students, but less than 20% used them appropriately. About 80% were
      unaware that condoms do not provide protection outside the barrier area; they
      intended to read more about STDs and learnt something about the subject. Nearly
      half of the students considered that a course should be offered to all
      undergraduates. These findings will be of use in defining strategies for
      prevention and the teaching tool could be used in other learning environments. 

PMID- 27276548
TI  - Neutron Scattering from Polymers: Five Decades of Developing Possibilities.
AB  - The first three decades of my research career closely map the development of
      neutron scattering techniques for the study of molecular behavior. At the same
      time, the theoretical understanding of organization and motion of polymer
      molecules, especially in the bulk state, was developing rapidly and providing
      many predictions crying out for experimental verification. Neutron scattering is
      an ideal technique for providing the necessary evidence. This autobiographical
      essay describes the applications by my research group and other collaborators of
      increasingly sophisticated neutron scattering techniques to observe and
      understand molecular behavior in polymeric materials. It has been a stimulating
      and rewarding journey. 

PMID- 27276547
TI  - Effects of cadmium on lipid metabolism in female estuarine crab, Chiromantes
      dehaani.
AB  - Due to the nature of their habitat, which contains a high level of pollutants,
      estuarine crabs are at great risk of exposure to contaminants such as cadmium.
      Thus, in this study, the effects of cadmium on lipid metabolism were investigated
      in estuarine crab Chiromantes dehaani. Adult female estuarine crabs were randomly
      exposed to 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1mg/L of CdCl2 for 7, 14 and 21days, after which
      the lipid contents of the hepatopancreas and ovary were measured. Also, the
      substance contents and the activities of the enzyme in lipid digestion, lipid
      synthesis and lipid transport metabolism were analyzed. The results showed that
      the lipid contents in the hepatopancreas and ovary of the exposed crabs decreased
      after prolonged exposure to cadmium compared to the control. The lipase activity
      decreased while the activities of fatty acid synthase and acetyl coenzyme A in
      the hepatopancreas increased on day 7 but decreased on days 14 and 21. Moreover,
      the change in non-esterified fatty acid level was similar to fatty acid synthase.
      The level of low-density lipoprotein increased in the exposed crabs compared to
      the control group while the level of high-density lipoprotein and the activity of
      lipoprotein lipase decreased at a higher concentration of cadmium and longer
      exposure time. These observations suggest that cadmium decreases the lipid
      content by weakening the ability of digestion, transportation and synthase of
      lipid, thus affecting hepatopancreas and ovary indices. 

PMID- 27276549
TI  - A Selection of Recent Advances in C1 Chemistry.
AB  - This review presents a selection of recent publications related to the chemistry
      and catalysis of C1 molecules, including methane, methanol, carbon monoxide, and
      carbon dioxide. These molecules play an important role in the current supply of
      energy and chemicals and will likely become even more relevant because of the
      need to decarbonize fuels (shift from coal to natural gas) in line with CO2
      capture and use to mitigate global warming, as well as a gradual shift on the
      supply side from crude oil to natural gas. This review includes both recent
      industrial developments, such as the huge increase in methanol-to-olefins
      capacity build in China and the demonstration of oxidative coupling of methane,
      and scientific developments in these chemistries facilitated by improved
      capabilities in, for example, analytical tools and computational modeling. 

PMID- 27276550
TI  - Polymer Thin Films and Surface Modification by Chemical Vapor Deposition: Recent
      Progress.
AB  - Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) polymerization uses vapor phase monomeric
      reactants to synthesize organic thin films directly on substrates. These thin
      films are desirable as conformal surface engineering materials and functional
      layers. The facile tunability of the films and their surface properties allow
      successful integration of CVD thin films into prototypes for applications in
      surface modification, device fabrication, and protective films. CVD polymers also
      bridge microfabrication technology with chemical and biological systems. Robust
      coatings can be achieved via CVD methods as antifouling, anti-icing, and
      antihydrate surfaces, as well as stimuli-responsive or biocompatible polymers and
      novel nanostructures. Use of low-energy input, modest vacuum, and room
      temperature substrates renders CVD polymerization compatible with thermally
      sensitive substrates and devices. Compared with solution-based methods, CVD is
      particularly useful for insoluble materials, such as electrically conductive
      polymers and controllably crosslinked networks, and has the potential to reduce
      environmental, health, and safety impacts associated with solvents. This review
      discusses the relevant background and selected applications of recent advances by
      two methods that display and use the high retention of the organic functional
      groups from their respective monomers, initiated CVD (iCVD) and oxidative CVD
      (oCVD) polymerization. 

PMID- 27276551
TI  - Thermodynamics of Bioreactions.
AB  - Thermodynamic principles have been applied to enzyme-catalyzed reactions since
      the beginning of the 1930s in an attempt to understand metabolic pathways.
      Currently, thermodynamics is also applied to the design and analysis of
      biotechnological processes. The key thermodynamic quantity is the Gibbs energy of
      reaction, which must be negative for a reaction to occur spontaneously. However,
      the application of thermodynamic feasibility studies sometimes yields positive
      Gibbs energies of reaction even for reactions that are known to occur
      spontaneously, such as glycolysis. This article reviews the application of
      thermodynamics in enzyme-catalyzed reactions. It summarizes the basic
      thermodynamic relationships used for describing the Gibbs energy of reaction and
      also refers to the nonuniform application of these relationships in the
      literature. The review summarizes state-of-the-art approaches that describe the
      influence of temperature, pH, electrolytes, solvents, and concentrations of
      reacting agents on the Gibbs energy of reaction and, therefore, on the
      feasibility and yield of biological reactions. 

PMID- 27276552
TI  - Biomanufacturing of Therapeutic Cells: State of the Art, Current Challenges, and
      Future Perspectives.
AB  - Stem cells and other functionally defined therapeutic cells (e.g., T cells) are
      promising to bring hope of a permanent cure for diseases and disorders that
      currently cannot be cured by conventional drugs or biological molecules. This
      paradigm shift in modern medicine of using cells as novel therapeutics can be
      realized only if suitable manufacturing technologies for large-scale, cost
      effective, reproducible production of high-quality cells can be developed. Here
      we review the state of the art in therapeutic cell manufacturing, including cell
      purification and isolation, activation and differentiation, genetic modification,
      expansion, packaging, and preservation. We identify current challenges and
      discuss opportunities to overcome them such that cell therapies become highly
      effective, safe, and predictively reproducible while at the same time becoming
      affordable and widely available. 

PMID- 27276553
TI  - Polymer Fluid Dynamics: Continuum and Molecular Approaches.
AB  - To solve problems in polymer fluid dynamics, one needs the equations of
      continuity, motion, and energy. The last two equations contain the stress tensor
      and the heat-flux vector for the material. There are two ways to formulate the
      stress tensor: (a) One can write a continuum expression for the stress tensor in
      terms of kinematic tensors, or (b) one can select a molecular model that
      represents the polymer molecule and then develop an expression for the stress
      tensor from kinetic theory. The advantage of the kinetic theory approach is that
      one gets information about the relation between the molecular structure of the
      polymers and the rheological properties. We restrict the discussion primarily to
      the simplest stress tensor expressions or constitutive equations containing from
      two to four adjustable parameters, although we do indicate how these formulations
      may be extended to give more complicated expressions. We also explore how these
      simplest expressions are recovered as special cases of a more general framework,
      the Oldroyd 8-constant model. Studying the simplest models allows us to discover
      which types of empiricisms or molecular models seem to be worth investigating
      further. We also explore equivalences between continuum and molecular approaches.
      We restrict the discussion to several types of simple flows, such as shearing
      flows and extensional flows, which are of greatest importance in industrial
      operations. Furthermore, if these simple flows cannot be well described by
      continuum or molecular models, then it is not necessary to lavish time and energy
      to apply them to more complex flow problems. 

PMID- 27276554
TI  - Conformational Equilibrium and Potential Energy Functions of the O-H Internal
      Rotation in the Axial and Equatorial Species of 1-Methylcyclohexanol.
AB  - The rotational spectra of four conformers (At, Ag, Et, Eg) of the tertiary
      alcohol 1-methylcyclohexanol were assigned by pulsed jet Fourier transform
      microwave spectroscopy. The transitions of two gauche conformers were split in
      two separated component lines, but it was not possible-from the available
      measured transitions-to accurately determine their vibrational DeltaE0+0- ground
      state splittings, respectively. In addition, the rotational spectra of the four
      OD deuterated isotopologues were measured and assigned. For the gauche species of
      this isotopologue we were able to determine the tunneling splittings, DeltaE0+0
      (Ag, OD) = 15.581(5) GHz and DeltaE0+0-(Eg, OD) = 18.17(3) GHz, respectively.
      From these splittings the inversion barriers for Ag and Eg were determined, by
      using a flexible model, to be B2(Ag) = 356(10) and B2(Eg) = 320(10) cm(-1),
      respectively. 

PMID- 27276556
TI  - Kinetic Resolution of Racemic and Branched Monosubstituted Allylic Acetates by a
      Ruthenium-Catalyzed Regioselective Allylic Etherification.
AB  - We demonstrated the kinetic resolution of racemic and branched monosubstituted
      allylic acetates by a ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective allylic etherification.
      The reaction was effectively catalyzed by the chiral ruthenium catalyst, which
      was generated by [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and (S,S)-iPr-pybox and a catalytic amount of
      TFA, and both the allylic etherification product and recovered allylic acetate
      were obtained as an enantiomerically enriched form with up to a 103 s value.

PMID- 27276555
TI  - c-FOS expression in the visual system of tree shrews after monocular
      inactivation.
AB  - Tree shrews possess an unusual segregation of ocular inputs to sublayers rather
      than columns in the primary visual cortex (V1). In this study, the lateral
      geniculate nucleus (LGN), superior colliculus (SC), pulvinar, and V1 were
      examined for changes in c-FOS, an immediate-early gene, expression after 1 or 24
      hours of monocular inactivation with tetrodotoxin (TTX) in tree shrews. Monocular
      inactivation greatly reduced gene expression in LGN layers related to the blocked
      eye, whereas normally high to moderate levels were maintained in the layers that
      receive inputs from the intact eye. The SC and caudal pulvinar contralateral to
      the blocked eye had greatly (SC) or moderately (pulvinar) reduced gene
      expressions reflective of dependence on the contralateral eye. c-FOS expression
      in V1 was greatly reduced contralateral to the blocked eye, with most of the
      expression that remained in upper layer 4a and lower 4b and lower layer 6
      regions. In contrast, much of V1 contralateral to the active eye showed normal
      levels of c-FOS expression, including the inner parts of sublayers 4a and 4b and
      layers 2, 3, and 6. In some cases, upper layer 4a and lower 4b showed a reduction
      of gene expression. Layers 5 and sublayer 3c had normally low levels of gene
      expression. The results reveal the functional dominance of the contralateral eye
      in activating the SC, pulvinar, and V1, and the results from V1 suggest that the
      sublaminar organization of layer 4 is more complex than previously realized. J.
      Comp. Neurol. 525:151-165, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27276557
TI  - WGO Celebrates World Digestive Health Day 2016 Your Diet and Gut Health!

PMID- 27276559
TI  - Saving Tiny Tim--Pediatrics and Childhood Poverty in the United States.

PMID- 27276560
TI  - The Hell of Syria's Field Hospitals.

PMID- 27276564
TI  - IMAGES IN CLINICAL MEDICINE. Hyperkalemia after Missed Hemodialysis.

PMID- 27276563
TI  - Renal Complications of Hematopoietic-Cell Transplantation.

PMID- 27276561
TI  - Genomic Classification and Prognosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have provided a detailed census of genes that are
      mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Our next challenge is to understand how
      this genetic diversity defines the pathophysiology of AML and informs clinical
      practice. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 1540 patients in three prospective
      trials of intensive therapy. Combining driver mutations in 111 cancer genes with
      cytogenetic and clinical data, we defined AML genomic subgroups and their
      relevance to clinical outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 5234 driver mutations
      across 76 genes or genomic regions, with 2 or more drivers identified in 86% of
      the patients. Patterns of co-mutation compartmentalized the cohort into 11
      classes, each with distinct diagnostic features and clinical outcomes. In
      addition to currently defined AML subgroups, three heterogeneous genomic
      categories emerged: AML with mutations in genes encoding chromatin, RNA-splicing
      regulators, or both (in 18% of patients); AML with TP53 mutations, chromosomal
      aneuploidies, or both (in 13%); and, provisionally, AML with IDH2(R172) mutations
      (in 1%). Patients with chromatin-spliceosome and TP53-aneuploidy AML had poor
      outcomes, with the various class-defining mutations contributing independently
      and additively to the outcome. In addition to class-defining lesions, other co
      occurring driver mutations also had a substantial effect on overall survival. The
      prognostic effects of individual mutations were often significantly altered by
      the presence or absence of other driver mutations. Such gene-gene interactions
      were especially pronounced for NPM1-mutated AML, in which patterns of co-mutation
      identified groups with a favorable or adverse prognosis. These predictions
      require validation in prospective clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: The driver
      landscape in AML reveals distinct molecular subgroups that reflect discrete paths
      in the evolution of AML, informing disease classification and prognostic
      stratification. (Funded by the Wellcome Trust and others; ClinicalTrials.gov
      number, NCT00146120.).

PMID- 27276565
TI  - CASE RECORDS of the MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. Case 17-2016. A 60-Year-Old
      Woman with Increasing Dyspnea.

PMID- 27276567
TI  - Roads Diverge--A Robert Frost View of Leukemia Development.

PMID- 27276562
TI  - Exome Sequencing and the Management of Neurometabolic Disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whole-exome sequencing has transformed gene discovery and diagnosis
      in rare diseases. Translation into disease-modifying treatments is challenging,
      particularly for intellectual developmental disorder. However, the exception is
      inborn errors of metabolism, since many of these disorders are responsive to
      therapy that targets pathophysiological features at the molecular or cellular
      level. METHODS: To uncover the genetic basis of potentially treatable inborn
      errors of metabolism, we combined deep clinical phenotyping (the comprehensive
      characterization of the discrete components of a patient's clinical and
      biochemical phenotype) with whole-exome sequencing analysis through a
      semiautomated bioinformatics pipeline in consecutively enrolled patients with
      intellectual developmental disorder and unexplained metabolic phenotypes.
      RESULTS: We performed whole-exome sequencing on samples obtained from 47
      probands. Of these patients, 6 were excluded, including 1 who withdrew from the
      study. The remaining 41 probands had been born to predominantly nonconsanguineous
      parents of European descent. In 37 probands, we identified variants in 2 genes
      newly implicated in disease, 9 candidate genes, 22 known genes with newly
      identified phenotypes, and 9 genes with expected phenotypes; in most of the
      genes, the variants were classified as either pathogenic or probably pathogenic.
      Complex phenotypes of patients in five families were explained by coexisting
      monogenic conditions. We obtained a diagnosis in 28 of 41 probands (68%) who were
      evaluated. A test of a targeted intervention was performed in 18 patients (44%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Deep phenotyping and whole-exome sequencing in 41 probands with
      intellectual developmental disorder and unexplained metabolic abnormalities led
      to a diagnosis in 68%, the identification of 11 candidate genes newly implicated
      in neurometabolic disease, and a change in treatment beyond genetic counseling in
      44%. (Funded by BC Children's Hospital Foundation and others.).

PMID- 27276566
TI  - A New Label for Mifepristone.

PMID- 27276568
TI  - Targeting a Long Noncoding RNA in Breast Cancer.

PMID- 27276569
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control.

PMID- 27276570
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control.

PMID- 27276571
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control.

PMID- 27276572
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control.

PMID- 27276573
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control.

PMID- 27276574
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control.

PMID- 27276575
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control.

PMID- 27276576
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control.

PMID- 27276577
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control.

PMID- 27276579
TI  - Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy with Burch Colposuspension to Reduce Urinary Stress
      Incontinence.

PMID- 27276578
TI  - Corrections to Report of a Trial of Burch Colposuspension.

PMID- 27276580
TI  - IMAGES IN CLINICAL MEDICINE. Ventricular Septal Defect after Acute Myocardial
      Infarction.

PMID- 27276582
TI  - Cinacalcet for Symptomatic Hypercalcemia Caused by AP2S1 Mutations.

PMID- 27276581
TI  - INTERACTIVE MEDICAL CASE. A Woman with Dyspnea and Altered Mental Status.

PMID- 27276583
TI  - Peapod-Like Carbon-Encapsulated Cobalt Chalcogenide Nanowires as Cycle-Stable and
      High-Rate Materials for Sodium-Ion Anodes.
AB  - Peapod-like carbon-encapsulated cobalt chalcogenide nanowires are designed and
      synthesized by a facile method. The nanowires show excellent electrochemical
      performance for sodium storage, suggesting that chalcogenides, especially
      selenides, have potential as advanced anodes for sodium-ion batteries. 

PMID- 27276584
TI  - CRISPR guide RNA design for research applications.
AB  - The rapid rise of CRISPR as a technology for genome engineering and related
      research applications has created a need for algorithms and associated online
      tools that facilitate design of on-target and effective guide RNAs (gRNAs). Here,
      we review the state of the art in CRISPR gRNA design for research applications of
      the CRISPR-Cas9 system, including knockout, activation, and inhibition. Notably,
      achieving good gRNA design is not solely dependent on innovations in CRISPR
      technology. Good design and design tools also rely on availability of high
      quality genome sequence and gene annotations, as well as on availability of
      accumulated data regarding off-targets and effectiveness metrics.

PMID- 27276634
TI  - Pediatric Tibial Osteomyelitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteomyelitis shows a strong predilection for the tibia in the
      pediatric population and is a significant source of complications. The purpose of
      this article is to retrospectively review a large series of pediatric patients
      with tibial osteomyelitis. We compare our experience with that in the literature
      to determine any factors that may aid diagnosis and/or improve treatment
      outcomes. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective review was performed of clinical
      records of all cases of pediatric tibial osteomyelitis managed at the 2
      children's orthopaedic departments in the Auckland region. The Osteomyelitis
      Database was used to identify all cases between 1997 and 2007, at Starship
      Children's Hospital, and 1998 and 2008 at Middlemore's Kids First Hospital.
      RESULTS: One hundred ninety-one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and
      had a review of clinical notes and relevant investigations. The average duration
      of symptoms before presentation to hospital was 5.7 days. Less than 40% of
      patients had a recent episode of trauma. Almost 60% of patients could not bear
      weight on admission. Over 40% of patients had a temperature above 38 degrees C.
      Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated in 78% and the C-reactive protein was
      elevated in 90% of patients. In total, 42% of blood cultures and almost 75% of
      tissue cultures were positive, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly
      cultured organism. X-rays, bone scans, and magnetic resonance imaging were all
      used to aid the diagnosis. About 43% of patients had surgery. Treatment length
      was an average of 2 weeks 6 days of intravenous antibiotics followed by 3 weeks 2
      days of oral treatment. Six postsurgical complications and 46 readmissions were
      noted: 25 for relapse, with the remainder due to social and antibiotic-associated
      complications. CONCLUSIONS: Although generally diagnosed on presentation,
      pediatric tibial osteomyelitis can require more sophisticated investigations and
      prolonged management. Treatment with intravenous and oral antibiotics and
      surgical debridement where indicated can lead to a good clinical outcome,
      although complications are often noted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-Prognostic
      study.

PMID- 27276635
TI  - The Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee: An Inconsistent Finding in Pediatric
      Cadaveric Specimens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee has been identified as a
      structure that limits internal rotation, and thus, affects the pivot shift
      mechanism. It has previously been reported in a high percentage of adult
      subjects. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether the ALL could
      be identified on pediatric cadaveric knee specimens and compare these findings to
      previously published reports. METHODS: Eight skeletally immature cadaver knee
      specimens were examined through gross dissection: ages 3 months, 4 months, 1
      year, 2 years, 3 years, 3 years, 8 years, and 10 years. There were 3 male and 5
      female (7 right, 1 left) specimens. The presence or absence of the ALL was
      documented in each specimen, through dissection, intermittent internal and
      external rotation of the tibia, and anterior translation of the tibia, to produce
      tension of the lateral collateral tissues and joint capsule. These dissections
      were performed by a group of fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons. RESULTS:
      The iliotibial band, entire lateral joint capsule, lateral collateral ligament,
      and popliteus were readily identified in each specimen. In 7 specimens, a
      distinct ALL structure was not identified during dissection. The ALL was
      identified in 1 of 8 specimens (1-year-old female, right knee). The ALL was
      further delineated under applied internal rotational stress. CONCLUSIONS:
      Previous research has suggested that this ligament is present in the majority of
      adult specimens. This finding was not reproduced in the current study of
      pediatric cadaveric specimens, where only one of 8 specimens had an identifiable
      ALL. This suggests that this ligament may develop later in life, after
      physiological loads are applied to the joint capsule. Further research in both
      adult and pediatric knees needs to be conducted to further elucidate the
      development of this ligament, and the role of this structure in knee stability.
      CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ALL is a knee ligament that has been described in adults.
      However, it is unclear whether this structure is present or fully developed in
      younger populations. The current study sought to identify the ALL in pediatric
      cadaver knee specimens, identifying this structure in only one of 8 specimens.
      The findings of this study suggest that the ALL may be an inconsistent structure
      in the pediatric population.

PMID- 27276636
TI  - Arthroscopic Treatment of Discoid Lateral Meniscus Tears in Children With
      Achondroplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Achondroplasia is the most common form of skeletal dysplasia that
      presents to the pediatric orthopaedist. More than half of achondroplasia patients
      are affected with knee pain. It is thought that the majority of this pain may be
      due to spinal stenosis, hip pathology, or knee malalignment. Discoid menisci can
      be a source of lateral knee joint pain in skeletally immature patients in
      general. We present the first case series of patients with achondroplasia who had
      symptomatic discoid lateral menisci treated with arthroscopic knee surgery.
      METHODS: The charts of 6 patients (8 knees) with achondroplasia who underwent
      arthroscopic knee surgery for symptomatic discoid lateral menisci were collected.
      History and physical examination data, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and
      operative reports were reviewed. Meniscal tear configuration and treatment type
      (meniscectomy vs. repair) were noted. RESULTS: Each patient was found to have a
      tear of the discoid meniscus. All menisci were treated with saucerization. In
      addition, meniscal repair was performed in 2 cases, partial meniscectomy in 3
      cases, and subtotal meniscectomy in 3 cases. Two patients had bilateral discoid
      meniscal tears which were treated. Average follow-up was 2.4 years (range, 1 to
      4.5 y) and the average pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (pedi
      IKDC) score was 85.3% (range, 75% to 95.4%). At final follow-up, all patients
      were pain free and able to return to full activities. CONCLUSIONS: Discoid
      meniscus tears may be a source of lateral joint line pain in patients with
      achondroplasia. These injuries can be successfully treated with arthroscopic
      surgery in this patient population. Future studies need to be done to determine
      the exact incidence of discoid menisci in achondroplasia patients and also to
      determine whether there is a genetic relationship between the 2 conditions. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

PMID- 27276637
TI  - Vitamin D Status in Blount Disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Blount disease can be defined as idiopathic proximal tibial vara.
      Several etiologies including the mechanical theory have been described. Obesity
      is the only causative factor proven to be associated with Blount disease. The aim
      of this study is to assess if there is an association of vitamin D deficiency and
      Blount disease. METHODS: This a retrospective study of preoperative and
      postoperative patients with Blount disease who were screened for vitamin D
      deficiency. Patients with genu varum due to confirmed vitamin D deficiency and
      rickets were excluded. The study patients had the following blood tests done:
      calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D
      (25(OH)D) hormones. RESULTS: We recruited 50 patients. The mean age of these
      patients was 10.4 years (SD+/-3.88) with average body mass index of 28.7 kg/m (+/
      10.2). Thirty (60%) patients were diagnosed with infantile, 4 (8%) juvenile, and
      16 (32%) adolescent Blount disease. Eight (16%) patients were found to be vitamin
      D deplete (25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/L). Of these, 8 patients, 6 were insufficient
      (25(OH)D levels between 30 and 50 nmol/L) and the other 2 were deficient (25(OH)D
      levels <30 nmol/L). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the prevalence of vitamin
      D deficiency in children with Blount disease was similar to that of healthy
      children living in Johannesburg. There is no evidence that vitamin D deficiency
      is a factor in causing Blount disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective
      study.

PMID- 27276638
TI  - Correspondence.

PMID- 27276639
TI  - Correspondence.

PMID- 27276640
TI  - Light Pipe Guard-Assisted Cataract Extraction In Combined Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

PMID- 27276641
TI  - Correspondence.

PMID- 27276642
TI  - Correspondence.

PMID- 27276643
TI  - Correspondence.

PMID- 27276644
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27276645
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27276646
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27276647
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27276649
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27276648
TI  - Correspondence.

PMID- 27276650
TI  - Molten salts and energy related materials.
AB  - Molten salts have been known for centuries and have been used for the extraction
      of aluminium for over one hundred years and as high temperature fluxes in metal
      processing. This and other molten salt routes have gradually become more energy
      efficient and less polluting, but there have been few major breakthroughs. This
      paper will explore some recent innovations that could lead to substantial
      reductions in the energy consumed in metal production and in carbon dioxide
      production. Another way that molten salts can contribute to an energy efficient
      world is by creating better high temperature fuel cells and novel high
      temperature batteries, or by acting as the medium that can create novel materials
      that can find applications in high energy batteries and other energy saving
      devices, such as capacitors. Carbonate melts can be used to absorb carbon
      dioxide, which can be converted into C, CO and carbon nanoparticles. Molten salts
      can also be used to create black silicon that can absorb more sunlight over a
      wider range of wavelengths. Overall, there are many opportunities to explore for
      molten salts to play in an efficient, low carbon world.

PMID- 27276651
TI  - Development of a modified QuEChERS method for the determination of veterinary
      antibiotics in swine manure by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - A QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) based methodology was
      developed for the rapid, simultaneous quantification and identification of 26
      veterinary drugs in swine manure by liquid chromatography tandem mass
      spectrometry. The selected antibiotics included tetracyclines, sulfonamides,
      macrolides, fluoroquinolones, lincosamides and pleuromutilins. This is the first
      study to determine pleuromutilin levels in manure. The QuEChERS process involved
      two simple steps. First, sample extraction with methanol: acetonitrile: 0.1M EDTA
      McIlvaine buffer followed by phase separation with MgSO4: NaCl addition. The
      supernatant was then extracted and cleaned by dispersive solid-phase extraction
      using a primary-secondary amine (PSA) and octadecylsilane (C18) support. The
      proposed method provides a linearity in the range of 1-500ngmL-1 and linear
      regression coefficients (r) were greater than 0.996. MDL and MQL ranged between
      0.01-1.86MUgkg(-1) and 0.05-5.91MUgkg(-1), respectively. Recoveries ranged from
      61.39 to 105.65% with the exception of sulfaquinoxaline (55.7-56.8%) and
      valnemulin (33.7-37.7%). This method resulted in good precision (repeatability
      and reproducibility) and relative standard deviations less than 17% within the
      same day, and lower than 20% between days. The method was then applied to study
      the swine manure samples collected from Guangdong, China. Chlortetracycline,
      tetracycline, doxycycline, sulfadimidine and tilmicosin were detected in all
      samples indicating high residuals in manure. In fact tilmicosin was detected at
      14400MUgkg(-1) suggesting that prudent treatment of manure should be conducted to
      prevent environmental contamination. In conclusion, this workflow can provide a
      simpler and more cost-effective alternative to conventional methods and is
      compatible with processing large sample numbers over a short time period. 

PMID- 27276652
TI  - Reticulon 4A/Nogo-A influences the distribution of Kir4.1 but is not essential
      for potassium conductance in retinal Muller glia.
AB  - In the adult retina, we have previously shown that Nogo-A was highly expressed in
      Muller glia. However, the role of Nogo-A in the glial cell physiology is not
      clear. In this study, we investigated the possible influence that Nogo-A may
      exert on other polarized molecules in Muller cells, in particular inwardly
      rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) that
      respectively control potassium and water exchange in glial cells. Our results
      showed that adenovirus-mediated Nogo-A overexpression with AdNogo-A increased the
      immunofluorescent signal of Kir4.1 in rat Muller cell line 1 (rMC-1) cells but
      did not change its expression level by Western blotting. In vivo, AdNogo-A
      induced ectopic Kir4.1 immunoreactivity throughout the radial processes of Muller
      cells compared with AdLacZ control virus. Surprisingly, AdNogo-A did not modify
      the distribution of Dp71 and AQP4 that are common binding partners for Kir4.1 in
      the dystrophin-associated protein (DAP) complex anchored at the plasma membrane
      of Muller glia. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed molecular interactions
      between Nogo-A and Kir4.1. In Nogo-A KO mouse retinae, the distribution of Kir4.1
      was not different from that observed in Wild-Type (WT) animals. In addition,
      potassium conductance did not change in freshly dissociated Nogo-A KO Muller glia
      compared with WT cells. In summary, the increase of Nogo-A expression can
      selectively influence the distribution of Kir4.1 in glia but is not essential for
      Kir4.1-mediated potassium conductance at the plasma membrane in physiological
      conditions. Nogo-A-Kir4.1 interactions may, however, contribute to pathological
      processes taking place in the retina, for instance, after ischemia.

PMID- 27276654
TI  - OMIP-033: A comprehensive single step staining protocol for human T- and B-cell
      subsets.

PMID- 27276653
TI  - Silibinin rescues learning and memory deficits by attenuating microglia
      activation and preventing neuroinflammatory reactions in SAMP8 mice.
AB  - Silibinin was reported to be effective in reversing the learning and memory
      deficits of several AD animal models. These improvements are thought to be
      regulated by various factors, including antioxidative stress, inhibition of
      acetylcholinesterase activity and Abeta aggregation. However, there are still no
      reports that demonstrate the effect of silibinin on microglia activation in vivo.
      Thus, in this study, we used the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAMP8) strain to
      test the effects of silibinin on behavioral impairments and microglia activation
      induced neuroinflammation. Silibinin treatment significantly rescued memory
      deficits in novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test. Silibinin
      treatment significantly attenuated microglial activation; down-regulated the
      level of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4, and
      inflammation-associated proteins, iNOS and COX-2; and further modulated MAPK to
      protect neural cells. These results suggest that silibinin could be a potential
      candidate for the therapy of neurodegenerative disorders.

PMID- 27276655
TI  - Inverse Association Between Atopy and Melanoma: A Case-control Study.
AB  - Heightened cutaneous immune surveillance in atopic patients may inhibit
      development of melanoma. The aim of this study was to analyse the association
      between atopy and melanoma (development and outcome). A total of 188 cases of
      melanoma and 596 healthy controls were interviewed by telephone with a
      standardized questionnaire on atopic, demographic and melanoma characteristics.
      Cases were matched with controls on important confounders (age, sex, sunburn
      sensitivity, hair colour, number of moles, sunburn as juvenile, ever solarium,
      familial melanoma). Melanoma outcome data (disease relapse and death) within
      cases were retrieved. Analysis showed a general inverse association between atopy
      and melanoma development, but this was statistically significant only for a
      history of personal atopy (odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval: 0.30-0.96, p
      value = 0.04). Among melanoma patients, atopy did not affect survival or
      progression. In conclusion, this study suggests an inverse association between a
      history of atopy and melanoma development, but not with disease progression.

PMID- 27276656
TI  - Achieving Superior Two-Way Actuation by the Stress-Coupling of Nanoribbons and
      Nanocrystalline Shape Memory Alloy.
AB  - Inspired by the driving principle of traditional bias-type two-way actuators, we
      developed a novel two-way actuation nanocomposite wire in which a massive number
      of Nb nanoribbons with ultralarge elastic strains are loaded inside a shape
      memory alloy (SMA) matrix to form a continuous array of nanobias actuation pairs
      for two-way actuation. The composite exhibits a two-way actuation strain of 3.2%
      during a thermal cycle and an actuation stress of 934 MPa upon heating, which is
      about twice as high as that (~500 MPa) found in reported two-way SMAs. Upon
      cooling, the composite shows an actuation stress of 134 MPa and a mechanical work
      output of 1.08 * 10(6) J/m(3), which are about three and five times higher than
      those of reported two-way SMAs, respectively. It was revealed that the massive
      number of Nb nanoribbons in the compressive state provides the high actuation
      stress and high work output upon cooling, and the SMA matrix with high yield
      strength offers the high actuation stress upon heating. Compared to traditional
      bias-type two-way actuators, the two-way actuation composite with a small volume
      and simple construct works well with the miniaturization and simplification of
      actuators. 

PMID- 27276657
TI  - Phospholipids as cancer biomarkers: Mass spectrometry-based analysis.
AB  - Lipids, particularly phospholipids (PLs), are key components of cellular
      membrane. PLs play important and diverse roles in cells such as chemical-energy
      storage, cellular signaling, cell membranes, and cell-cell interactions in
      tissues. All these cellular processes are pertinent to cells that undergo
      transformation, cancer progression, and metastasis. Thus, there is a strong
      possibility that some classes of PLs are expected to present in cancer cells and
      tissues in cellular physiology. The mass spectrometric soft-ionization
      techniques, electrospray ionization (ESI), and matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization (MALDI) are well-established in the proteomics field, have
      been used for lipidomic analysis in cancer research. This review focused on the
      applications of mass spectrometry (MS) mainly on ESI-MS and MALDI-MS in the
      structural characterization, molecular composition and key roles of various PLs
      present in cancer cells, tissues, blood, and urine, and on their importance for
      cancer-related problems as well as challenges for development of novel PL-based
      biomarkers. The profiling of PLs helps to rationalize their functions in
      biological systems, and will also provide diagnostic information to elucidate
      mechanisms behind the control of cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative
      diseases. The investigation of cellular PLs with MS methods suggests new insights
      on various cancer diseases and clinical applications in the drug discovery and
      development of biomarkers for various PL-related different cancer diseases. PL
      profiling in tissues, cells and body fluids also reflect the general condition of
      the whole organism and can indicate the existence of cancer and other diseases.
      PL profiling with MS opens new prospects to assess alterations of PLs in cancer,
      screening specific biomarkers and provide a basis for the development of novel
      therapeutic strategies. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 37:107
      138, 2018.

PMID- 27276658
TI  - Homologues of CsLOB1 in citrus function as disease susceptibility genes in citrus
      canker.
AB  - The lateral organ boundary domain (LBD) genes encode a group of plant-specific
      proteins that function as transcription factors in the regulation of plant growth
      and development. Citrus sinensis lateral organ boundary 1 (CsLOB1) is a member of
      the LBD family and functions as a disease susceptibility gene in citrus bacterial
      canker (CBC). Thirty-four LBD members have been identified from the Citrus
      sinensis genome. We assessed the potential for additional members of LBD genes in
      citrus to function as surrogates for CsLOB1 in CBC, and compared host gene
      expression on induction of different LBD genes. Using custom-designed
      transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors, two members of the same clade as
      CsLOB1, named CsLOB2 and CsLOB3, were found to be capable of functioning
      similarly to CsLOB1 in CBC. RNA sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed a set of cell wall metabolic genes
      that are associated with CsLOB1, CsLOB2 and CsLOB3 expression and may represent
      downstream genes involved in CBC.

PMID- 27276659
TI  - New Giant Fullerenes Identified as Chloro Derivatives: Isolated-Pentagon-Rule
      C108(1771)Cl12 and C106(1155)Cl24 as well as Nonclassical C104Cl24.
AB  - High temperature chlorination of HPLC fractions of higher fullerenes followed by
      single crystal X-ray diffraction with the use of synchrotron radiation resulted
      in the structure determination of IPR C106(1155)Cl24 and IPR C108(1771)Cl12.
      C106(1155)Cl24 is cocrystallized with C104Cl24, a chloride of the nonclassical
      isomer of C104. The moderately stable isomer C106(1155) and the most stable
      C108(1771) represent so far the largest pristine fullerenes with known cages. 

PMID- 27276660
TI  - Atomic Resolution Insights into the Structural Aggregations and Optical
      Properties of Neat Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids.
AB  - A fundamental understanding of the structural heterogeneity and optical
      properties of ionic liquids is crucial for their potential applications in
      catalysis, optical measurement, and solar cells. Herein, a synergistic approach
      combining molecular dynamics simulations, excited-state calculations, and
      statistical analysis was used to explore the explicit correlation between the
      structural and optical properties of one imidazolium amino acid-based ionic
      liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium glycine. The estimated absorption spectrum
      successfully rationalizes the unusual and non-negligible absorption band beyond
      300 nm for the neat imidazolium-based ionic liquid. The absorption behavior of
      imidazolium-based ionic liquids is shown to be sensitive to the details of their
      locally heterogeneous environments. We quantitatively highlight the imidazolium
      moiety and its various molecular aggregations, rather than the monomeric
      imidazolium moiety, that are responsible for the absorption characteristics.
      These results would improve our understanding of the preliminary interplay
      between structural heterogeneity and optical properties for neat imidazolium
      based ionic liquids.

PMID- 27276661
TI  - Tailoring the surface of ZnO nanorods into corrugated nanorods via a selective
      chemical etch method.
AB  - Using the chemical vapour deposition method, we successfully converted smooth ZnO
      nanorods (NRs) into corrugated NRs by simply increasing the reaction time. The
      surface morphology and crystallographic structure of the corrugated NRs were
      investigated. The corrugated NRs were decorated by alternant [Formula: see text]
      and [Formula: see text] planes at the exposed side surfaces while the
      conventional [Formula: see text] planes disappeared. No twinning boundaries were
      found in the periodically corrugated structures, indicating that they were type
      II corrugated NRs. Further investigation told us that they were selectively
      etched. We introduced a hydrothermal method to synthesize the smooth ZnO NRs and
      then etched them in a tube furnace at 950  degrees C with a flow of carbon
      monoxide. By separating the growth stage and the selective etching stage, we
      explicitly demonstrated a successfully selective etching effect on ZnO NRs with a
      carbon monoxide reducing atmosphere for the first time. An etching mechanism
      based on the selective reaction between carbon monoxide and the different exposed
      surfaces was proposed. Our results will improve the understanding of the growth
      mechanism on coarse or corrugated NRs and provide a new strategy for the
      application of surface controlled nanostructured materials. 

PMID- 27276663
TI  - Serological evidence of exposure to tick-borne agents in opossums (Didelphis
      spp.) in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
AB  - This work involved a serological investigation of tick-borne pathogens in
      opossums in eight municipalities of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Serum samples
      from 109 opossums (91 Didelphis aurita and 18 Didelphis albiventris) were tested
      to detect antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii (Taiacu strain, 1:64 cut-off) and
      Ehrlichia canis (Sao Paulo strain, 1:40 cut-off), by indirect immunofluorescence
      assay (IFA); and against Borrelia burgdorferi (strain G39/40) by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of antibodies to anti-R. rickettsii,
      anti-E. canis and anti-B. burgdorferi was detected in 32 (29.35%), 16 (14.67%)
      and 30 (27.52%) opossums, respectively. Opossum endpoint titers ranged from 64 to
      1,024 for R. rickettsii, from 40 to 160 for E. canis, and from 400 to >51,200 for
      B. burgdorferi. These serological results suggest that opossums have been exposed
      to Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and B. burgdorferi-related agents in the
      state of Sao Paulo. Our study underscores the need for further research about
      these agents in this study area, in view of the occurrence of Spotted Fever and
      Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome disease in humans in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. 

PMID- 27276674
TI  - Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Sharp Needle in a Haystack.

PMID- 27276675
TI  - Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-6 expression independently predicts
      poor overall survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma after curative
      resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (GalNAc-Ts) are
      important glycosyltransferases in cancer, but the clinical role of its individual
      isoforms is unclear. We investigated the clinical significance and survival
      relevance of one isoform, GalNAc-T6 in lung adenocarcinoma after curative
      resection. RESULTS: GalNAc-T6 was identified in 27.8% (55/198) of patients, and
      statistically indicated advanced TNM stage (P = 0.069). Multivariate analysis
      showed GalNAc-T6 to be an independent predictor for reduced overall survival of
      patients (P = 0.027), and the result was confirmed with bootstraping techniques,
      and on line "Kaplan-Meier Plotter" and "SurvExpress" database analysis,
      respectively. Moreover, ROC curve demonstrated that GalNAc-T6 expression
      significantly improved the accuracy of survival prediction. METHODS: With 198
      paraffin-embedded tumor samples from lung adenocarcinoma patients, GalNAc-T6
      expression was immunohistochemically assessed for the association with
      clinicopathological parameters. The prognostic significance was evaluated by Cox
      proportional hazards regression analysis with 1000 bootstraping. "Kaplan-Meier
      Plotter", "SurvExpress" database analysis, and receiver-operating characteristic
      (ROC) curve were performed to provide further validation. CONCLUSIONS: GalNAc-T6
      expression correlated significantly with advanced TNM stage, and independently
      predicted worse OS for lung adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 27276676
TI  - MicroRNA-375 suppresses human colorectal cancer metastasis by targeting Frizzled
      8.
AB  - microRNAs are aberrantly expressed during the development and progression of a
      variety of human cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Of these microRNAs,
      microRNA-375 (miR-375) was previously observed to be downregulated in human
      colorectal cancer(CRC) plasma and tissues, but its functions are largely unknown.
      Here, we investigated the impact of miR-375 on CRC metastasis. Specifically, miR
      375 expression was significantly decreased in human CRC tissues compared with
      their matched noncancerous tissues (NCTs), and low levels of miR-375 predicted
      tumor metastatic potential. The up-regulation of miR-375 suppressed colorectal
      cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and reduced tumor metastases in
      murine models established by both orthotopic implantation and spleen injection.
      Furthermore, we identified Frizzled 8 (FZD8) as a direct target of miR-375 in
      CRC, and miR-375 negatively regulated Wnt/beta-catenin signaling by suppressing
      FZD8. More importantly, FZD8 expression inversely correlated with overall
      survival in human CRC patients and is a likely independent predictor of survival.
      Therefore, we concluded that miR-375 functions as a tumor-suppressive microRNA by
      directly acting upon FZD8, which may serve as a new therapeutic target to inhibit
      tumor metastasis in CRC.

PMID- 27276677
TI  - A novel CBL-Bflox/flox mouse model allows tissue-selective fully conditional
      CBL/CBL-B double-knockout: CD4-Cre mediated CBL/CBL-B deletion occurs in both T
      cells and hematopoietic stem cells.
AB  - CBL-family ubiquitin ligases are critical negative regulators of tyrosine kinase
      signaling, with a clear redundancy between CBL and CBL-B evident in the immune
      cell and hematopoietic stem cell studies. Since CBL and CBL-B are negative
      regulators of immune cell activation, elimination of their function to boost
      immune cell activities could be beneficial in tumor immunotherapy. However,
      mutations of CBL are associated with human leukemias, pointing to tumor
      suppressor roles of CBL proteins; hence, it is critical to assess the tumor
      intrinsic roles of CBL and CBL-B in cancers. This has not been possible since the
      only available whole-body CBL-B knockout mice exhibit constitutive tumor
      rejection. We engineered a new CBL-Bflox/flox mouse, combined this with an
      existing CBLflox/flox mouse to generate CBLflox/flox; CBL-Bflox/flox mice, and
      tested the tissue-specific concurrent deletion of CBL and CBL-B using the widely
      used CD4-Cre transgenic allele to produce a T-cell-specific double knockout.
      Altered T-cell development, constitutive peripheral T-cell activation, and a
      lethal multi-organ immune infiltration phenotype largely resembling the previous
      Lck-Cre driven floxed-CBL deletion on a CBL-B knockout background establish the
      usefulness of the new model for tissue-specific CBL/CBL-B deletion. Unexpectedly,
      CD4-Cre-induced deletion in a small fraction of hematopoietic stem cells led to
      expansion of certain non-T-cell lineages, suggesting caution in the use of CD4
      Cre for T-cell-restricted gene deletion. The establishment of a new model of
      concurrent tissue-selective CBL/CBL-B deletion should allow a clear assessment of
      the tumor-intrinsic roles of CBL/CBL-B in non-myeloid malignancies and help test
      the potential for CBL/CBL-B inactivation in immunotherapy of tumors.

PMID- 27276678
TI  - microRNA-558 facilitates the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha
      through binding to 5'-untranslated region in neuroblastoma.
AB  - Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. Our
      previous studies have shown that hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF-2alpha),
      one member of the bHLH-PAS transcription factor family, facilitates the
      progression of NB under non-hypoxic conditions. However, the mechanisms
      underlying HIF-2alpha expression in NB still remain largely unknown. Herein,
      through analyzing the computational algorithm programs, we identified microRNA
      558 (miR-558) as a crucial regulator of HIF-2alpha expression in NB. We
      demonstrated that miR-558 promoted the expression of HIF-2alpha at translational
      levels in NB cells through recruiting Argonaute 2 (AGO2). Mechanistically, miR
      558 directly bound with its complementary site within 5'-untranslated region (5'
      UTR) to facilitate the binding of AGO2 to eukaryotic translation initiation
      factor 4E (eIF4E) binding protein 1, resulting in increased eIF4E enrichment and
      HIF-2alpha translation. In addition, miR-558 promoted the growth, invasion,
      metastasis, and angiogenesis of NB cells in vitro and in vivo, and these
      biological features were rescued by knockdown of AGO2, eIF4E, or HIF-2alpha. In
      clinical NB specimens, miR-558, AGO2, and eIF4E were highly expressed and
      positively correlated with HIF-2alpha expression. Patients with high miR-558, HIF
      2alpha, AGO2, or eIF4E levels had lower survival probability. Taken together,
      these results demonstrate that miR-558 facilitates the expression of HIF-2alpha
      through bindingto its 5'-UTR, thus promoting the tumorigenesis and aggressiveness
      of NB.

PMID- 27276679
TI  - Upregulation of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in benzo[alpha]pyrene
      and arsenic-induced rat lung epithelial transformed cells.
AB  - Arsenic and benzo[alpha]pyrene (B[a]P) are common contaminants in developing
      countries. Many studies have investigated the consequences of arsenic and/or
      B[a]P-induced cellular transformation, including altered metabolism. In the
      present study, we show that, in addition to elevated glycolysis, B[a]P/arsenic
      induced transformation also stimulates oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS).
      Proteomic data and immunoblot studies demonstrated that enzymatic activities,
      involved in both glycolysis and OXPHOS, are upregulated in the primary
      transformed rat lung epithelial cell (TLEC) culture, as well as in subcloned TLEC
      cell lines (TMCs), indicating that OXPHOS was active and still contributed to
      energy production. LEC expression, of the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate
      mutase (PGAM) and the TCA cycle enzyme alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH),
      revealed an alternating cyclic pattern of glycolysis and OXPHOS during cell
      transformation. We also found that the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible
      factor-1a were consistent with the pattern of glycolysis during the course of
      transformation. Low doses of an ATP synthase inhibitor depleted endogenous ATP
      levels to a greater extent in TLECs, compared to parental LECs, indicating
      greater sensitivity of B[a]P/arsenic-transformed cells to ATP depletion. However,
      TLEC cells exhibited better survival under hypoxia, possibly due to further
      induction of anaerobic glycolysis. Collectively, our data indicate that
      B[a]P/arsenic-transformed cells can maintain energy production through
      upregulation of both glycolysis and OXPHOS. Selective inhibition of metabolic
      pathways may serve as a therapeutic option for cancer therapy.

PMID- 27276680
TI  - Increased serum levels of betatrophin in pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes.
AB  - Long-standing diabetes or glucose intolerance is recognized as a crucial event in
      the process of pancreatic cancer. Betatrophin, a novel liver-derived hormone,
      promotes beta-cell proliferation and improves glucose intolerance. However, the
      relationship between betatrophin and PDAC-associated diabetes is not fully
      understood. To evaluate the serum betatrophin levels in PDAC-associated diabetes,
      a total 105 Taiwanese subjects including 15 healthy subjects, and 12 patients
      having PDAC with normal glucose tolerance (PDAC-NGT), 12 patients having PC with
      impaired glucose tolerance (PDAC-IGT), and 66 patients having PC with diabetes
      mellitus (PDAC-DM) were enrolled for this study. Serum betatrophin and
      carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared to healthy subjects, PDAC patients had
      higher levels of betatrophin and CA19-9. Consistently, betatrophin protein was
      significantly expressed in pancreatic ductal of PDAC-associated DM patients using
      immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis
      showed the betatrophin was significantly and positively independent with T
      category (beta= 0.605, P=0.010), serum albumin (beta= 0. 423, P=0.021), lipase
      (beta= 0.292, P=0.039), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (beta= 0.303, P=0.040).
      Further, the betatrophin was three folds of having PDAC-associated diabetes with
      the highest odds ratio [OR=3.39; 95% CI (1.20-9.57); P=0.021) and receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that AUC value of betarophin
      was 0.853 which is slightly larger than AUC value of CA19-9 (0.792) in PDAC-DM
      patients. Interestingly, AUC value of betarophin plus CA19-9 was 0.988 in PDAC-DM
      patients. Therefore, betatrophin combined CA19-9 may serve as a potential
      biomarker for PDAC-associated diabetes.

PMID- 27276681
TI  - Cellular androgen content influences enzalutamide agonism of F877L mutant
      androgen receptor.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and second-most lethal cancer
      among men in the United States. The vast majority of prostate cancer deaths are
      due to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) - the lethal form of the
      disease that has progressed despite therapies that interfere with activation of
      androgen receptor (AR) signaling. One emergent resistance mechanism to medical
      castration is synthesis of intratumoral androgens that activate the AR. This
      insight led to the development of the AR antagonist enzalutamide. However,
      resistance to enzalutamide invariably develops, and disease progression is nearly
      universal. One mechanism of resistance to enzalutamide is an F877L mutation in
      the AR ligand-binding domain that can convert enzalutamide to an agonist of AR
      activity. However, mechanisms that contribute to the agonist switch had not been
      fully clarified, and there were no therapies to block AR F877L. Using cell line
      models of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), we determined that
      cellular androgen content influences enzalutamide agonism of mutant F877L AR.
      Further, enzalutamide treatment of AR F877L-expressing cell lines recapitulated
      the effects of androgen activation of F877L AR or wild-type AR. Because the BET
      bromodomain inhibitor JQ-1 was previously shown to block androgen activation of
      wild-type AR, we tested JQ-1 in AR F877L-expressing CRPC models. We determined
      that JQ-1 suppressed androgen or enzalutamide activation of mutant F877L AR and
      suppressed growth of mutant F877L AR CRPC tumors in vivo, demonstrating a new
      strategy to treat tumors harboring this mutation.

PMID- 27276682
TI  - Presence of TMPRSS2-ERG is associated with alterations of the metabolic profile
      in human prostate cancer.
AB  - TMPRSS2-ERG has been proposed to be a prognostic marker for prostate cancer. The
      aim of this study was to identify changes in metabolism, genes and biochemical
      recurrence related to TMPRSS2-ERG by using an integrated approach, combining
      metabolomics, transcriptomics, histopathology and clinical data in a cohort of
      129 human prostate samples (41 patients). Metabolic analyses revealed lower
      concentrations of citrate and spermine comparing ERGhigh to ERGlow samples,
      suggesting an increased cancer aggressiveness of ERGhigh compared to ERGlow.
      These results could be validated in a separate cohort, consisting of 40 samples
      (40 patients), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRSI) indicated an in
      vivo translational potential. Alterations of gene expression levels associated
      with key enzymes in the metabolism of citrate and polyamines were in consistence
      with the metabolic results. Furthermore, the metabolic alterations between
      ERGhigh and ERGlow were more pronounced in low Gleason samples than in high
      Gleason samples, suggesting it as a potential tool for risk stratification.
      However, no significant difference in biochemical recurrence was detected,
      although a trend towards significance was detected for low Gleason samples. Using
      an integrated approach, this study suggests TMPRSS2-ERG as a potential risk
      stratification tool for inclusion of active surveillance patients.

PMID- 27276683
TI  - Schlafen2 mutation unravels a role for chronic ER stress in the loss of T cell
      quiescence.
AB  - Immunologically naive lymphocytes are kept in a quiescent state until antigen
      engagement. These quiescent immune cells are characterized by small cell size,
      lack of spontaneous proliferation and low metabolic rate. Lymphocyte quiescence
      is actively enforced condition which ensures the preservation of proper
      differentiation and proliferation capabilities of naive and memory lymphocytes.
      Previously we described a chemically induced mutation in Schlafen2 (Slfn2),
      termed elektra, which breaks quiescence and compromises immunity. However, the
      mechanism by which Slfn2 maintains quiescence remains unknown. Here we
      demonstrate that elektra T cells display chronic ER stress under steady state
      conditions. Modulation of ER stress response by depletion of either UPR mediators
      XBP1 or CHOP, improved viability and partially corrected the developmental
      abnormalities and proliferation capabilities of elektra T cells. Altogether, our
      results demonstrate a functional connection between Slfn2 induced quiescence in T
      cells and ER homeostasis, clarifying a novel mechanism by which immune cell
      quiescence is maintained.

PMID- 27276684
TI  - MEF2C rs190982 polymorphism with late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Han Chinese: A
      replication study and meta-analyses.
AB  - The myocyte enhancer factor (MEF2) family of transcription factors plays a vital
      role in memory and learning due to its functions in regulating synapse number and
      reducing dendritic spines. Myocyte enhancer factor 2 C (MEF2C) is regarded as
      modulator of amyloid-protein precursor (APP) proteolytic processing, in which
      amyloid-beta (Abeta) is produced. A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP,
      rs190982) in MEF2C gene was identified to be related to late-onset Alzheimer's
      disease (LOAD) in Caucasians in a large meta-analysis of genome-wide association
      studies (GWAS). Here, we recruited unrelated 984 LOAD patients and 1348 healthy
      controls matched for gender and age to ascertain whether the rs190982
      polymorphism is related to LOAD in Han Chinese. No difference in the genotype and
      allele distributions of the MEF2C rs190982 polymorphism was found between LOAD
      cases and healthy controls (genotype: P = 0.861; allele: P = 0.862), even after
      stratification for APOE epsilon4 allele as well as statistical adjustment for
      age, gender and APOE epsilon4 status. Furthermore, the meta-analysis in 4089
      Chinese individuals did not detect the association of rs190982 within MEF2C with
      the risk for LOAD (OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.90-1.18). Overall, the current evidence
      did not support the relation between rs190982 polymorphism within MEF2C and the
      LOAD risk in Northern Han Chinese.

PMID- 27276685
TI  - Immunoglobulin G promotes skin graft acceptance in an immunologically potent rat
      model.
AB  - Immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been shown to protect graft rejection after
      transplantation, whereas the molecular mechanism of IgG in promoting graft
      acceptance has not been well established. In this study, we tested the
      effectiveness of IgG in preventing rejection of transplanted skin graft in an
      immunologically potent rat model, and studied the mechanism of this protection.
      We found that systemic or local administration of IgG significantly prolonged the
      survival of skin grafts with the immune tolerance induced by IgG and subcutaneous
      local injection of 1mg IgG to adult SD rat yielded the longest survival of skin
      grafts from 5.8 to 17.3 days. We also found that IgG reduced the number of pro
      inflammatory cells especially lymphocytes, neutrophils and basophils, increased
      the seral levels of anti-inflammatory factors including IL-10 and IL-4, and
      activated CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, unveiling the mechanisms of this
      protective effect. These findings provide new insight to support clinical
      application of IgG in treating transplantation.

PMID- 27276686
TI  - ATG4A promotes tumor metastasis by inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition
      and stem-like properties in gastric cells.
AB  - The metastasis of tumor cells to distant organs is an ominous feature of gastric
      cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the invasion and metastasis
      of gastric cancer cells remain elusive. In this study, we found that the
      expression of ATG4A, an autophagy-regulating molecule, was significantly
      increased in gastric cancer tissues and was significantlycorrelated with the
      gastric cancer differentiation degree, tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis.
      ATG4A over-expression significantly promoted gastric cancer cell migration and
      invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo, as well as promoted gastric cancer cell
      stem-like properties and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype.
      By contrast, ATG4A knockdown inhibited the migration, invasion and metastasis of
      cancer cells, as well as the stem-like properties and EMT phenotype.
      Mechanistically, ATG4A promotes gastric cancer cell stem-like properties and the
      EMT phenotype through the activation of Notch signaling not via autophagy, and
      using the Notch signaling inhibitor DAPT attenuated the effects of ATG4A on
      gastric cancer cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that ATG4A
      promotes the metastasis of gastric cancer cells via the Notch signaling pathway,
      which is an autophagy-independent mechanism.

PMID- 27276687
TI  - Assessing Social Isolation: Pilot Testing Different Methods.
AB  - Social isolation is a significant public health problem among many older adults;
      however, most of the empirical knowledge about isolation derives from community
      based samples. There has been less attention given to isolation in senior housing
      communities. The objectives of this pilot study were to test two methods to
      identify socially isolated residents in low-income senior housing and compare
      findings about the extent of isolation from these two methods. The first method,
      self-report by residents, included 47 out of 135 residents who completed in
      person interviews. To determine self-report isolation, residents completed the
      Lubben Social Network Scale 6 (LSNS-6). The second method involved a staff member
      who reported the extent of isolation on all 135 residents via an online survey.
      Results indicated that 26% of residents who were interviewed were deemed socially
      isolated by the LSNS-6. Staff members rated 12% of residents as having some or a
      lot of isolation. In comparing the two methods, staff members rated 2% of
      interviewed residents as having a lot of isolation. The combination of self
      report and staff report could be more informative than just self-report alone,
      particularly when participation rates are low. However, researchers should be
      aware of the potential discrepancy between these two methods.

PMID- 27276688
TI  - Second-Order Perturbation Theory for Generalized Active Space Self-Consistent
      Field Wave Functions.
AB  - A multireference second-order perturbation theory approach based on the
      generalized active space self-consistent-field (GASSCF) wave function is
      presented. Compared with the complete active space (CAS) and restricted active
      space (RAS) wave functions, GAS wave functions are more flexible and can employ
      larger active spaces and/or different truncations of the configuration
      interaction expansion. With GASSCF, one can explore chemical systems that are not
      affordable with either CASSCF or RASSCF. Perturbation theory to second order on
      top of GAS wave functions (GASPT2) has been implemented to recover the remaining
      electron correlation. The method has been benchmarked by computing the chromium
      dimer ground-state potential energy curve. These calculations show that GASPT2
      gives results similar to CASPT2 even with a configuration interaction expansion
      much smaller than the corresponding CAS expansion. 

PMID- 27276690
TI  - Exploring the urinary selenometabolome following a multi-phase selenite
      administration regimen in humans.
AB  - To gain more insight into the human metabolism of the essential trace element
      selenium, we investigate the response of the urinary selenium metabolites to
      changing selenium intake by applying a stepwise selenium administration regimen
      based on repeated dosaging. Sodium selenite was administered orally to healthy
      volunteers at an incrementally increasing dosage. The supplementation regimen
      extended over 20 days for each volunteer, and daily morning urine samples were
      collected prior to, during, and following the supplementation phases. A total of
      160 urine samples were analyzed for total urinary selenium and a panel of
      selenometabolites by using ICPMS and HPLC/ICPMS. Selenosugar 1 gave the strongest
      response followed by TMSe and then selenosugar 3. Se-methylselenoneine excretion
      was not stimulated by increased selenium intake, suggesting that it is not in
      equilibrium with selenium body pools. Selenate was detected in all urine samples;
      it showed a clear and consistent response to supplementation and an abrupt return
      to baseline levels upon cessation of supplementation, indicating that it arose
      from the oxidation of the administered selenite rather than from the oxidation of
      endogenous hydrogen selenide. The gap between total urinary selenium and the sum
      of Se species markedly increased in response to selenium administration, which
      highlights the presence of unknown Se species that respond to selenite
      supplementation. The characterization of these unknown species and their possible
      biological activities might be essential before considering selenium
      supplementation in clinical trials. We discuss the implications of the responses
      of the selenium metabolites and their inter-relationships for selenium
      metabolism.

PMID- 27276691
TI  - New Experimental Insight into the Nature of Metal-Metal Bonds in Digallium
      Compounds: J Coupling between Quadrupolar Nuclei.
AB  - Multiple bonding between atoms is of ongoing fundamental and applied interest.
      Here, we report a multinuclear ((1) H, (13) C, and (71) Ga) solid-state magnetic
      resonance spectroscopic study of digallium compounds which have been proposed,
      albeit somewhat controversially, to contain single, double, and triple Ga-Ga
      bonds. Of particular relevance to the nature of these bonds, we have carried out
      two-dimensional (71) Ga J/D-resolved NMR experiments which provide a direct
      measurement of J((71) Ga,(71) Ga) spin-spin coupling constants across the gallium
      gallium bonds. When placed in the context of clear-cut experimental data for
      analogous singly, doubly, and triply bonded carbon spin pairs or boron spin
      pairs, the (71) Ga NMR data clearly support the notion of a different bonding
      paradigm in the gallium systems. Our findings are consistent with an increasing
      role across the purported gallane-gallene-gallyne series for classical and/or
      slipped pi-type bonding orbitals. 

PMID- 27276689
TI  - mGlu1 receptor canonical signaling pathway contributes to the opening of the
      orphan GluD2 receptor.
AB  - The orphan Glutamate receptor Delta2 (GluD2) intrinsic ion channel activity is
      indirectly triggered by glutamate through stimulation of the metabotropic
      glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1), in cerebellar Purkinje cells. However, the
      mechanisms of GluD2 ion channel opening are entirely unknown. In this work, we
      investigated the signaling pathways underlying the mGlu1-induced GluD2 current,
      performing whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from mGlu1 and GluD2 transfected
      HEK293 cells. We show that the activation of GluD2 channels via DHPG-induced
      mGlu1 stimulation is Galphaq-dependent. Moreover, inhibition of the downstream
      components of the mGlu1 canonical signaling pathway PLC and PKC with U73122 and
      GF109203X, respectively, strongly reduced the DHPG-induced GluD2 current. These
      results were further confirmed on endogenous receptors at the Parallel Fiber -
      Purkinje Cell cerebellar synapse, indicating that the opening of the GluD2
      channel by mGlu1 receptor mobilizes the canonical Gq-PLC-PKC pathway. This
      article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors,
      5 years on'.

PMID- 27276693
TI  - Highly Stable, Amide-Bridged Autoinducing Peptide Analogues that Strongly Inhibit
      the AgrC Quorum Sensing Receptor in Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - Blocking quorum sensing (QS) pathways has attracted considerable interest as an
      approach to suppress virulence in bacterial pathogens. Toward this goal, we
      recently developed analogues of a native autoinducing peptide (AIP-III) signal
      that can inhibit AgrC-type QS receptors and attenuate virulence phenotypes in
      Staphylococcus aureus. Application of these compounds is limited, however, as
      they contain hydrolytically unstable thioester linkages and have only low aqueous
      solubilities. Herein, we report amide-linked AIP analogues with greatly enhanced
      hydrolytic stabilities and solubilities relative to our prior analogues, whilst
      maintaining strong potencies as AgrC receptor inhibitors in S. aureus. These
      compounds represent powerful tools for the study of QS.

PMID- 27276694
TI  - A framework for transitioning patients from pediatric to adult health settings
      for patients with neurogenic bladder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adolescents with neurogenic bladder are a vulnerable population that
      severely lacks consistent transitional care from pediatric to adult urology
      settings. AIMS: Our practice determined that 100 patients with spina bifida and
      other neurogenic bladder conditions were not appropriately transferred to the
      adult setting once reaching adulthood. METHODS: We initiated a transitional
      program to establish a dedicated and formal process for adolescent patients to
      transition to adult urology. The REACH clinic implements a formalized staging
      framework to facilitate migration of adolescents and young adults to the adult
      health setting. A social worker was incorporated to act as a patient advocate,
      behavioral health consultant, and resource specialist. RESULTS: To date 45
      patients have been enrolled in the transition program. We have identified and
      categorized according to the appropriate stage. The REACH clinic has
      appropriately outlined the goals and mission of the program and resources
      utilized are financially practical and feasible by conducting a monthly combined
      clinic. The program has been instrumental in improving tracking and monitoring of
      these patients through their transition period. CONCLUSION: Through the efforts
      of the pediatric and adult urology teams, the REACH program is a dedicated
      framework that provides structure for transition of the adolescent patient. The
      addition of a social worker has resulted in enriched rapport and will likely
      result in improved compliance. This program allows for surveillance and
      evaluation of patient outcome indicators in this patient population. We believe
      that early introduction and frequent encounters with the adult urologic team is
      crucial to successful transitions. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:973-978, 2017. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27276695
TI  - Comment on the paper by Pitanguy.

PMID- 27276696
TI  - Comment on the article by Baum et al.

PMID- 27276697
TI  - [Nutritional status of elderly Brazilians: a multilevel approach].
AB  - The objectives of this study were to diagnose the nutritional status of the
      elderly Brazilian population and to identify associated factors. The study used
      data from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey (2008/2009) for 20,114 elderly,
      whose nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI). Associated
      factors were tested with the Pearson chi-square test and multilevel linear
      models. The hierarchical analysis showed a significant effect of state of Brazil
      on BMI variance (p-value = 0.001). The individual level showed a negative
      association (p-value < 0.001) with Asian-descendant race, male gender, living
      alone, and older age and a positive association with per capita income.
      Underweight was more prevalent among elderly in rural areas (26.3%) and in the
      Northeast (23.7%) and Central regions (20.9%), and obesity was more prevalent in
      the South (45.1%) and Southeast (38.3%) and in cities (39%). The study suggests
      the importance of further in-depth research on nutritional status of elderly
      based on contextual variables. 

PMID- 27276698
TI  - Flexible Transparent Electronic Gas Sensors.
AB  - Flexible and transparent electronic gas sensors capable of real-time, sensitive,
      and selective analysis at room-temperature, have gained immense popularity in
      recent years for their potential to be integrated into various smart wearable
      electronics and display devices. Here, recent advances in flexible transparent
      sensors constructed from semiconducting oxides, carbon materials, conducting
      polymers, and their nanocomposites are presented. The sensing material selection,
      sensor device construction, and sensing mechanism of flexible transparent sensors
      are discussed in detail. The critical challenges and future development
      associated with flexible and transparent electronic gas sensors are presented.
      Smart wearable gas sensors are believed to have great potential in environmental
      monitoring and noninvasive health monitoring based on disease biomarkers in
      exhaled gas. 

PMID- 27276700
TI  - MEND Syndrome: A Case Report with Scanning Electron Microscopy Findings of the
      Collodion Membrane.

PMID- 27276699
TI  - High-throughput screening and selection of mammalian cells for enhanced protein
      production.
AB  - The production of recombinant proteins for biotherapeutic use is a multibillion
      dollar industry, which has seen continual growth in recent years. In order to
      produce the best protein with minimal cost and time, selection methods are
      utilized during the cell line development process in order to select for the most
      desirable clonal cell line from a heterogeneous transfectant pool. Today, there
      is a vast array of potential selection methods available, which vary in cost,
      complexity and efficacy. This review aims to highlight cell line selection
      methods that exist for the isolation of high-producing clones, and also reviews
      techniques that can be used to predict, at a small scale, the performance of
      clones at large, industrially-relevant scales. 

PMID- 27276701
TI  - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: cause or consequence of type 2 diabetes?
AB  - Growing epidemiological evidence suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
      (NAFLD) is an early predictor of and determinant for the development of type 2
      diabetes and other features of the metabolic syndrome. This finding may have
      important clinical implications for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of
      type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications. However, given the complex and bi
      directional relationships between NAFLD, insulin resistance and chronic
      hyperglycaemia, it is extremely difficult to distinguish whether NAFLD is a cause
      or a consequence of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Indeed, at the
      molecular level, hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic glucose production depend on
      differentially regulated branches of the insulin signalling pathway. Furthermore,
      genetic studies suggest that excess hepatic fat is associated with progressive
      liver disease, but does not always increase the risk of incident type 2 diabetes.
      Here, we will briefly review the epidemiological, pathophysiological and
      molecular evidence linking NAFLD to the development of type 2 diabetes. We will
      also discuss some recent genetic and therapeutic advances that seem to challenge
      a causal role of NAFLD in the pathogenesis type 2 diabetes, and propose a working
      hypothesis to explain this apparent conundrum. In conclusion, progressive liver
      disease and type 2 diabetes are divergent though inter-related consequences of
      insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 27276702
TI  - A Case Of Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Expressing Myeloid Markers By Flow Cytometry
      And Review Of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Flow cytometric data is often analyzed in isolation, without the
      benefit of clinical and morphologic context, and the findings must be interpreted
      with caution when unexpected results are obtained. METHODS: A bone marrow
      aspirate from a 69-year-old female with incidentally discovered pancytopenia was
      initially analyzed by flow cytometry alone. The results were subsequently
      correlated with clinical, morphologic, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic
      findings. RESULTS: Morphology and immunohistochemistry confirmed metastatic small
      cell carcinoma; by flow cytometric analysis, the neoplastic cells were positive
      for CD56 and showed unexpected expression of CD13 and CD117, raising the
      possibility of a myeloid neoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: Flow cytometric markers are not
      entirely sensitive or specific, and aberrant expression or lack of expression of
      certain markers can complicate interpretation, particularly when this is done in
      isolation (i.e., in reference laboratories). Whenever possible, clinical and
      morphologic correlation is strongly recommended. (c) 2016 International Clinical
      Cytometry Society.

PMID- 27276703
TI  - An Alternative Narrative.

PMID- 27276704
TI  - Modulation of macrophage polarization and lung cancer cell stemness by MUC1 and
      development of a related small-molecule inhibitor pterostilbene.
AB  - Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarized to the M2 phenotype play key roles
      in tumor progression in different cancer types, including lung cancer. MUC1
      expression in various types of cancer is an indicator of poorer prognosis.
      Elevated MUC1 expression has been reported in inflammatory lung macrophages and
      is associated with lung cancer development. Here, we investigated the role of M2
      polarized TAMs (M2-TAMs) in the generation of lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) and
      tested pterostilbene, a small-molecule agent that modulates MUC1 expression in
      lung cancer cells, with the goal of subverting the microenvironment toward a
      favorable anti-tumor impact. We found that MUC1 was overexpressed in lung cancer
      patients, which was associated with poor survival rates. M2-TAMs and cancer cell
      lines were co-cultured in an experimental tumor microenvironment model. The
      expression levels of MUC1 and cancer stemness genes significantly increased in
      lung cancer cells in the presence of the M2-TAM cells. Intriguingly,
      pterostilbene dose-dependently suppressed self-renewal ability in M2-TAMs-co
      cultured lung cancer cells, and this suppression was accompanied by
      downregulation of MUC1, NF-kappaB, CD133, beta-catenin, and Sox2 expression.
      Moreover, MUC1-silenced M2-TAMs exhibited a significantly lower ability to
      promote LCSC generation and decreased levels of NF-kappaB, CD133, and Sox2. The
      results suggest that MUC1 plays an important role in TAM-induced LCSC
      progression. Pterostilbene may have therapeutic potential for modulating the
      unfavorable effects of TAMs in lung cancer progression.

PMID- 27276705
TI  - 5d, a novel analogue of 3-n-butylphthalide, decreases NADPH oxidase activity
      through the positive regulation of CK2 after ischemia/reperfusion injury.
AB  - 5d, a novel analogue of the racemic 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), has been reported
      for its free radical scavenging activity in vitro and preventive neuroprotection
      in vivo. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which 5d attenuated ischemia/reperfusion
      (I/R) injury is still unknown. Our results showed that 5d significantly increased
      CK2 activity as well as CK2alpha and 2alpha' protein levels after I/R injury.
      Besides, 5d suppressed the translocation of cytosolic p47phox and Rac1 to the
      membrane, decreased NOX4 expression and ROS generation. Furthermore, 5d blocked
      the dissociation between CK2alpha and Rac1 so as to decrease NADPH oxidase
      activity. Based on these findings, we propose that the neuroprotective effect of
      5d is due to an increase of CK2 activity, which blocks I/R-induced dissociation
      between CK2alpha and Rac1, decreases NADPH oxidase activity, inhibits ROS
      production and finally realizes the neuroprotection of I/R. These findings point
      to that 5d might be considered an attractive candidate for further studies in
      ischemic stroke.

PMID- 27276706
TI  - Outcomes of re-treatment with first-line trastuzumab plus a taxane in HER2
      positive metastatic breast cancer patients after (neo)adjuvant trastuzumab: A
      prospective multicenter study.
AB  - Trastuzumab is the backbone of HER2-positive early breast cancer (eBC) and
      metastatic breast cancer (mBC) treatment, but limited data exist as to re
      treatment in relapsed patients. In this prospective, single arm, multicenter
      trial, we assessed efficacy and safety of trastuzumab and taxane combination in
      Chinese patients with HER2-positive mBC relapsed after prior (neo)adjuvant
      trastuzumab. Patients with previous (neo)adjuvant trastuzumab treatment for>=9
      weeks and a relapse-free interval >=6 months were assigned to trastuzumab
      treatment with paclitaxel or docetaxel. The primary endpoint was progression free
      survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR),
      clinical benefit rate (CBR), duration of response (DOR), time to progression
      (TTP), overall survival (OS) and safety profile. Thirty-two patients were
      enrolled and treated for a median duration of 33.5 weeks. The median PFS was 9.9
      months (95% CI, 6.28 - 13.63 months). The ORR was 81.3% (95% CI, 63.6% - 92.8%)
      and CBR (CR+PR+SD>=6months) was 81.3% (95% CI, 63.6% - 92.8%). The median DOR was
      9.8 months (95% CI, 5.82 - 11.60 months) and median TTP was 9.9 months (95% CI,
      6.28-13.63 months). OS median follow-up time was 20.1 months and 25% OS time was
      25.5 months. The safety profile was acceptable with common adverse events
      including leukopenia (59.4%), neutropenia (56.3%), hypoaesthesia (34.4%) and
      granulocytopenia (31.3%). In conclusion, re-treatment with trastuzumab plus a
      taxane as first-line therapy is an effective regimen for patients with HER2
      positive mBC relapsed after (neo)adjuvant trastuzumab. The safety profile was
      good and the adverse reactions were tolerable and manageable.

PMID- 27276707
TI  - Relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma present different genomic profiles between
      early and late relapses.
AB  - Despite major advances in first-line treatment, a significant proportion of
      patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) will experience treatment
      failure. Prognosis is particularly poor for relapses occurring less than one year
      after the end of first-line treatment (early relapses/ER) compared to those
      occurring more than one year after (late relapses/LR). To better understand
      genomic alterations underlying the delay of relapse, we identified copy number
      variations (CNVs) on 39 tumor samples from a homogeneous series of patients
      included in the Collaborative Trial in Relapsed Aggressive Lymphoma (CORAL)
      prospective study. To identify CNVs associated with ER or LR, we devised an
      original method based on Significance Analysis of Microarrays, a permutation
      based method which allows control of false positives due to multiple testing.
      Deletions of CDKN2A/B (28%) and IBTK (23%) were frequent events in relapsed
      DLBCLs. We identified 56 protein-coding genes and 25 long non-coding RNAs with
      significantly differential CNVs distribution between ER and LR DLBCLs, with a
      false discovery rate < 0.05. In ER DLBCLs, CNVs were related to transcription
      regulation, cell cycle and apoptosis, with duplications of histone H1T (31%),
      deletions of DIABLO (26%), PTMS (21%) and CK2B (15%). In LR DLBCLs, CNVs were
      related to immune response, with deletions of B2M (20%) and CD58 (10%), cell
      proliferation regulation, with duplications of HES1 (25%) and DVL3 (20%), and
      transcription regulation, with MTERF4 deletions (20%). This study provides new
      insights into the genetic aberrations in relapsed DLBCLs and suggest pathway
      targeted therapies in ER and LR DLBCLs.

PMID- 27276708
TI  - Besides an ITIM/SHP-1-dependent pathway, CD22 collaborates with Grb2 and plasma
      membrane calcium-ATPase in an ITIM/SHP-1-independent pathway of attenuation of
      Ca2+i signal in B cells.
AB  - CD22 is a surface immunoglobulin implicated in negative regulation of B cell
      receptor (BCR) signaling; particularly inhibiting intracellular Ca2+
      (Ca2+i)signals. Its cytoplasmic tail contains six tyrosine residues
      (Y773/Y783/Y817/Y828/Y843/Y863, designated Y1~Y6 respectively), including three
      (Y2/5/6) lying within immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs)
      that serve to recruit the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 after BCR activation
      induced phosphorylation. The mechanism of inhibiting Ca2+i by CD22 has been
      poorly understood. Previous study demonstrated that CD22 associated with plasma
      membrane calcium-ATPase (PMCA) and enhanced its activity (Chen, J. et al. Nat
      Immunol 2004;5:651-7). The association is dependent on BCR activation-induced
      cytoplasmic tyrosine phosphorylation, because CD22 with either all six tyrosines
      mutated to phenylalanines or cytoplasmic tail truncated loses its ability to
      associate with PMCA. However, which individual or a group of tyrosine residues
      determine the association and how CD22 and PMCA interacts, are still unclear. In
      this study, by using a series of CD22 tyrosine mutants, we found that ITIM Y2/5/6
      accounts for 34.3~37.1% Ca2+i inhibition but is irrelevant for CD22/PMCA
      association. Non-ITIM Y4 and its YEND motif contribute to the remaining
      69.4~71.7% Ca2+i inhibition and is the binding site for PMCA-associated Grb2.
      Grb2, independently of BCR cross-linking, is constitutively associated with and
      directly binds to PMCA in both chicken and human B cells. Knockout of Grb2 by
      CRISPR/Cas9 completely disrupted the CD22/PMCA association. Thus, our results
      demonstrate for the first time that in addition to previously-identified ITIM/SHP
      1-dependent pathway, CD22 holds a major pathway of negative regulation of Ca2+i
      signal, which is ITIM/SHP-1-independent, but Y4/Grb2/PMCA-dependent.

PMID- 27276709
TI  - Relationship of tobacco smoking and smoking-related DNA methylation with
      epigenetic age acceleration.
AB  - Recent studies have identified biomarkers of chronological age based on DNA
      methylation levels. Since active smoking contributes to a wide spectrum of aging
      related diseases in adults, this study intended to examine whether active smoking
      exposure could accelerate the DNA methylation age in forms of age acceleration
      (AA, residuals of the DNA methylation age estimate regressed on chronological
      age). We obtained the DNA methylation profiles in whole blood samples by Illumina
      Infinium Human Methylation450 Beadchip array in two independent subsamples of the
      ESTHER study and calculated their DNA methylation ages by two recently proposed
      algorithms. None of the self-reported smoking indicators (smoking status,
      cumulative exposure and smoking cessation time) or serum cotinine levels was
      significantly associated with AA. On the contrary, we successfully confirmed that
      66 out of 150 smoking-related CpG sites were associated with AA, even after
      correction for multiple testing (FDR <0.05). We further built a smoking index
      (SI) based on these loci and demonstrated a monotonic dose-response relationship
      of this index with AA. In conclusion, DNA methylation-based biological indicators
      for current and past smoking exposure, but not self-reported smoking information
      or serum cotinine levels, were found to be related to DNA methylation defined AA.
      Further research should address potential mechanisms underlying the observed
      patterns, such as potential reflections of susceptibility to environmental
      hazards in both smoking related methylation changes and methylation defined AA.

PMID- 27276711
TI  - FOXC2 disease-mutations identified in lymphedema-distichiasis patients cause both
      loss and gain of protein function.
AB  - Dominant mutations in the FOXC2 gene cause a form of lymphedema primarily of the
      limbs that usually develops at or after puberty. In 90-95% of patients,
      lymphedema is accompanied by distichiasis. FOXC2 is a member of the
      forkhead/winged-helix family of transcription factors and plays essential roles
      in different developmental pathways and physiological processes. We previously
      described six unrelated families with primary lymphedema-distichiasis in which
      patients showed different FOXC2 mutations located outside of the forkhead domain.
      Of those, four were missense mutations, one a frameshift mutation, and the last a
      stop mutation. To assess their pathogenic potential, we have now examined the
      subcellular localization and the transactivation activity of the mutated FOXC2
      proteins. All six FOXC2 mutant proteins were able to localize into the nucleus;
      however, the frameshift truncated protein appeared to be sequestered into nuclear
      aggregates. A reduction in the ability to activate FOXC1/FOXC2 response elements
      was detected in 50% of mutations, while the remaining ones caused an increase of
      protein transactivation activity. Our data reveal that either a complete loss or
      a significant gain of FOXC2 function can cause a perturbation of lymphatic vessel
      formation leading to lymphedema.

PMID- 27276712
TI  - 4,4'-diaponeurosporene, a C30 carotenoid, effectively activates dendritic cells
      via CD36 and NF-kappaB signaling in a ROS independent manner.
AB  - Carotenoids could be divided into C30 carotenoids and C40 carotenoids. The immune
      functions of C40 carotenoids had been extensively researched, while those of C30
      carotenoids still remain unclear. In this study, the immune functions of a
      biosynthetic C30 carotenoid, 4,4'-diaponeurosporene (Dia), were identified on
      dendritic cells (DCs). DCs treated with 1 MUM Dia for 24 h showed morphologic and
      phenotypic characteristics of mature state and had an increased production of IL
      6, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNFalpha, while beta-carotene had a suppressive effect on
      DCs maturation. Moreover, Dia promoted antigen uptake of DCs in vitro and
      increased the quantity of antigen loaded DCs in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Dia
      treated DCs also had an enhanced ability to stimulate T cell proliferation and
      Th1 polarization. Further researches showed that Dia activated DCs via CD36 as
      well as ERK, JNK, and NF-kappaB signals in a reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      independent manner.

PMID- 27276710
TI  - Important molecular genetic markers of colorectal cancer.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in the incidences of cancer morbidity and
      mortality worldwide. CRC is rather heterogeneous with regard to molecular genetic
      characteristics and pathogenic pathways. A wide spectrum of biomarkers is used
      for molecular subtype determination, prognosis, and estimation of sensitivity to
      different drugs in practice. These biomarkers can include germline and somatic
      mutations, chromosomal aberrations, genomic abnormalities, gene expression
      alterations at mRNA or protein level and changes in DNA methylation status. In
      the present review we discuss the most important and well-studied CRC biomarkers,
      and their potential clinical significance and current approaches to molecular
      classification of colorectal tumors.

PMID- 27276713
TI  - Tumor specific mutations in TERT promoter and CTNNB1 gene in hepatitis B and
      hepatitis C related hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Recurrent somatic mutations in the promoter region of telomerase reverse
      transcriptase (TERT) gene and in the exon 3 of CTNNB1 gene have been recognized
      as common events in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with variable frequencies
      depending on etiology and geographical region. We have analyzed TERT promoter and
      CTNNB1 gene mutations in 122 cases of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV)
      related HCCs, in 7 cases of cholangiocarcinoma (CC) and hepatocholangiocarcinoma
      (HCC-CC) as well as in autologous cirrhotic tissues. Overall, 50.4% and 26% of
      HCC as well as 14.3% and none of CC and HCC-CC were mutated in TERT promoter and
      in CTNNB1 exon 3, respectively. TERT and CTNNB1 mutations were found more
      frequently in HCV related (53.6% and 26.4%, respectively) than HBV related (41.7%
      and 16.7%, respectively) HCCs and coexisted in 57.6% of CTNNB1 mutated tumors.
      Mutations in TERT and CTNNB1 were not associated with the functional promoter
      polymorphism rs2853669. No mutations were detected in the 129 non-HCC cirrhotic
      tissues. In conclusion, mutations in TERT promoter and in CTNNB1 gene represent
      specific cancer signatures in the pathogenesis of viral related HCC and could be
      promising early biomarkers as well as targets for tailored therapies.

PMID- 27276714
TI  - SSX2 regulates focal adhesion but does not drive the epithelial to mesenchymal
      transition in prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy for men in the United
      States. Metastatic prostate cancer, the lethal form of the disease, has a life
      expectancy of approximately five years. Identification of factors associated with
      this transition to metastatic disease is crucial for future therapies. One such
      factor is the SSX gene family, a family of cancer/testis antigens (CTA)
      transcription factors which have been shown to be aberrantly expressed in other
      cancers and associated with the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). We
      have previously shown that SSX expression in prostate cancers was restricted to
      metastatic tissue and not primary tumors. In this study, we have identified SSX2
      as the predominant SSX family member expressed in prostate cancer, and found its
      expression in the peripheral blood of 19 of 54 (35%) prostate cancer patients,
      with expression restricted to circulating tumor cells, and in 7 of 15 (47%)
      metastatic cDNA samples. Further, we examined SSX2 function in prostate cancer
      through knockdown and overexpression in prostate cancer cell lines. While
      overexpression had little effect on morphology or gene transcript changes,
      knockdown of SSX2 resulted in an epithelial morphology, increased cell
      proliferation, increased expression of genes involved in focal adhesion,
      decreased anchorage independent growth, increased invasion, and increased
      tumorigenicity in vivo. We conclude from these findings that SSX2 expression in
      prostate cancer is not a driver of EMT, but is involved in processes associated
      with EMT including loss of focal adhesion that may be related to tumor cell
      dissemination.

PMID- 27276716
TI  - In thematic volumes of The Alkaloids seminal developments in areas of exceptional
      interest are summarized.

PMID- 27276717
TI  - "Nothing About Us Without Us": Toward Patient- and Family-Centered Care.

PMID- 27276718
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276715
TI  - Emerging roles and underlying molecular mechanisms of DNAJB6 in cancer.
AB  - DNAJB6 also known as mammalian relative of DnaJ (MRJ) encodes a highly conserved
      member of the DnaJ/Hsp40 family of co-chaperone proteins that function with Hsp70
      chaperones. DNAJB6 is widely expressed in all tissues, with higher expression
      levels detected in the brain. DNAJB6 is involved in diverse cellular functions
      ranging from murine placental development, reducing the formation and toxicity of
      mis-folded protein aggregates, to self-renewal of neural stem cells. Involvement
      of DNAJB6 is implicated in multiple pathologies such as Huntington's disease,
      Parkinson's diseases, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy
      and cancer. This review summarizes the important involvement of the spliced
      isoforms of DNAJB6 in various pathologies with a specific focus on the emerging
      roles of human DNAJB6 in cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

PMID- 27276719
TI  - [Age-related cognitive impairment: conceptual changes and diagnostic strategies].
AB  - The actual field of dementia encompasses also the pre-symptomatic phase, which
      may evolve for decades. Early detection and appropriate diagnosis decrease
      patient's and family's anxiety, improve patient's global care and allow better
      legal patient's protection. General Practitioners have at hand several available
      tools to screen a neurocognitive disorder, with up to 80% of sensitivity and
      specificity, to complete their clinical evaluation. An accurate diagnosis
      requires then a complete medical, neurological neuropsychological and
      neuroradiological evaluation in a Memory Clinic. Other investigations, such as
      functional cerebral imagery and spinal tap can be critical in unusual situations.
      Despite mood improvement after diagnostic announcement, increased suicidal risk
      in the 3 first months should be screened.

PMID- 27276720
TI  - [Dementia with motor and language disorders].
AB  - Memory is not the only core diagnostic criteria in Alzheimer's disease and many
      dementias are characterized by other cognitive deficits. Moreover dementias are
      often associated with multiple and complex motor signs. The first part of this
      reviewcovers parkinsonism in diffuse Lewy Body Disease and other
      neurodegenerative diseases, corticobasal syndrome, or motor deficit in the
      motoneurone disease-frontotemporal dementia spectrum. In the second part, primary
      progressive aphasia and its three variants including basic clinical evaluation
      are described. These complex clinical syndromes involving motor and language
      systems are important for the clinical practice since they are part of diagnostic
      criteria of several neurodegenerative diseases and can be considered as
      phenotypical markers of neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27276721
TI  - [Behavorial and psychological symptoms in dementia: what alternative to drug?].
AB  - Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are frequent and
      represent a challenge for an optimal care of patients. They must be investigated
      systematically and if necessary analyzed with specialized teams in the domain of
      old age Psychiatry so that these disorders are optimally addressed and
      complications are prevented. A precise analysis of potential causes of BPSD in
      concertation with both family members and caring team allows clinicians to avoid
      the use of drugs that may appear to solve the immediate issue but happen to have
      serious side effects or even toxicity over time.

PMID- 27276722
TI  - [Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in current clinical
      practice].
AB  - The cerebrospinal fluid levels of amyloid beta 1-42 (Abeta1-42), total tau and
      tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (ptau181) are well established biomarkers of
      cerebral amyloid pathology and tau related neurodegeneration, two hallmarks of
      Alzheimer's disease. These biomarkers can help to improve diagnostic accuracy and
      consequent decisions on counseling, support, and therapy of patients with mild
      cognitive impairment and dementia. The use of biomarkers is part of the proposed
      new criteria of AD diagnosis. It may be particularly helpful in cases of atypical
      clinical presentation and uncertain diagnosis, and if an important benefit for
      the patient is expected. The ongoing development of new biomarkers based on less
      or non-invasive procedures will allow for a larger use of biomarkers to improve
      the diagnosis of cognitive impairment.

PMID- 27276723
TI  - [Brain imaging of Alzheimer' disease: state of the art and perspectives for
      clinicians].
AB  - To improve the clinical detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) new diagnostic
      criteria have been proposed, based on biomarkers of synaptic dysfunction, AD
      related neurodegeneration, and Abeta cerebral amyloidosis. Magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) and position emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging can be
      configured as powerful means for the detection of medial-temporal atrophy,
      reduced uptake of 18F-FDG PET or and increased retention of Abeta amyloid protein
      by amyloid-PET. In this review, we will discuss these promising techniques that
      allow assessing in vivo AD pathology and help clinicians to better diagnose and
      follow-up patients, particularly in clinical trials using disease-modifying
      treatments.

PMID- 27276724
TI  - [Dementia: management and prevention].
AB  - Dementia represents a great challenge for health care providers. Detection of
      cognitive impairment is critical for early diagnosis of dementia. Early diagnosis
      allows to initiate individualized management that focuses on maintaining
      patient's autonomy and supporting their caregivers. Proposed multimodal
      interventions include physical activity, cognitive training, mediterranean diet,
      and management of cardiovascular risk factors. Before the initiation of pro
      cognitive therapy, medication review is essential to evaluate current treament
      and determine specific therapeutic objectives, based on patient's overall health
      and preferences. Overall risk reduction for dementia revolves around similar
      measures that target physical activity, cognition, diet and management of
      cardiovascular risk factors.

PMID- 27276725
TI  - [Iodine excess induced thyroid dysfunction].
AB  - The principle sources of iodine overload, amiodarone and radiologic contrast
      media, are frequently used in modern medicine. The thyroid gland exerts a
      protective effect against iodine excess by suppressing iodine internalization
      into the thyrocyte and iodine organification, the Wolff-Chaikoff effect.
      Insufficiency of this effect or lack of escape from it leads to hypo- or
      hyperthyroidism respectively. Amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis is a complex
      condition marked by two different pathophysiological mechanisms with different
      treatments. Thyroid metabolism changes after exposure to radiologic contrast
      media are frequent, but they rarely need to be treated. High risk individuals
      need to be identifed in order to delay the exam or to monitor thyroid function or
      apply prophylactic measures in selected cases.

PMID- 27276726
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276727
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276728
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276729
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276730
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276731
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276732
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276733
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27276734
TI  - The Optimal Cut-Points for Weight and Non-Weight Quantitative Ultrasound of the
      Calcaneus to Screen Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal cut-off point of quantitative ultrasound
      (QUS) of the calcaneus, and optimized position for QUS of the calcaneus, between
      non-weight (sitting) and weight (standing) position, to screen osteoporosis in
      postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study of
      postmenopausal women aged 65 years or older who came for bone mineral density
      (BMD) evaluation at the menopause unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
      Ramathibodi Hospital between April 2013 and October 2015. Bone tissue was
      measured by using QUS of the calcaneus in the standard sitting (non-weight
      position) and in standing (weight position) consecutively of non-dominant
      calcaneus to compared with BMD that measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
      (DXA) of lumbar spine and hip within the same visit of QUS measurement. The area
      under Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and optimal of diagnostic
      properties to diagnosed osteoporosis were analyzed by sensitivity, specificity,
      positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR +/-). RESULTS: One hundred sixty one
      postmenopausal women were enrolled, median age was 70 (65, 94) years old, median
      time since menopause was 22 (10, 55) years. Ten point five percent of subjects
      had history of osteoporotic fracture at wrist. The prevalence of osteoporosis was
      23% at lumbar spine and 30% at femoral neck respectively. Area under ROC curve
      for diagnosed osteoporosis was 0.73 in the non-weight QUS of the calcaneus and
      correlated well with using DXA at neck of femur (gold standard). However the
      weight or standing position did not improve the diagnostic power of QUS of the
      calcaneus. The optimal cut-point value of QUS of the calcaneus to screen
      osteoporosis at stiffness index was determined by T-score of <= -2.6 with 81.42%,
      45.83%, 1.5, and 0.41 for the sensitivity, specificity, LR +/- respectively.
      CONCLUSION: QUS of the calcaneus was acceptable and promising to be alternative
      tool for screening osteoporosis in postmenopausal woman age older than 65 years
      by the optimal cut-point of stiffness index T-score at <= -2.6 measured in
      standard position or non-weight method.

PMID- 27276735
TI  - Clinical Characteristics of Histoplasmosis in Siriraj Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Histoplasmosis is a rare infectious disease caused by Histoplasmosis
      capsulatum (H. capsulatum), a dimorphic fungus. Histoplasmosis is not endemic to
      Thailand. Cases of histoplasmosis are sporadic and mostly associated with HIV
      disease. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of histoplasmosis in
      Thai patients have not been well described. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
      clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with histoplasmosis at Siriraj
      Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand MATERIAL AND METHOD: This retrospective
      investigation studied adult patients with histoplasmosis who attended Siriraj
      Hospital for treatment between 2002 and 2012 (11 years). Clinical
      characteristics, microbiological data, and treatment outcomes were analyzed.
      RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included in the study. Twenty-one (37%) were
      culture-proven, 37 (64.9%) were male, and mean age was 37 years. Fifty-four (95%)
      patients had co-morbid diseases, of which HIV infection was the most common
      (85%), followed by autoimmune diseases. Mean CD4 count among HIV-infected
      patients was 40 (range: 1-320) cells/mm3. The most common clinical syndrome of
      histoplasmosis was progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH) (86%), followed
      by chronic non-cavitary histoplasmosis (7%), and fungal synovitis (5%). Organ
      involvement included lungs (38%), oral cavity (4%), adrenal gland (2%), and heart
      valve (2%). Bone and joint infection was found in three patients, all of which
      were HIV-negative. Common clinical manifestations were fever (84%), weight loss
      (88%), anemia (63%), jaundice (16%), hepatomegaly (38%), splenomegaly (18%),
      lymphadenopathy (41%), and molluscum-like skin lesions (30%). Chest radiography
      was abnormal in 54% of patients, with 65% of those having bilateral pulmonary
      lesions. Interstitial infiltration was the most common radiographic finding
      (42%), followed by perihilar adenopathy (19%) and cavitary lesion (16%).
      Microscopic examination was positive for yeast-like organism in bone marrow and
      skin in 66% and 89% of patients, respectively. Budding yeasts were detected in
      all biopsied tissues obtained from oral lesions, synovium, and adrenal gland.
      Fungal cultures were positive from bone marrow, skin, and blood in 20%, 17%, and
      5% of patients, respectively. All adrenal glands and heart valve vegetations sent
      for culture were positive. Fifty-one patients received amphotericin B
      deoxycholate followed by itraconazole, with clinical cure achieved in 86%.
      Survival rates at 6- and 12-month were 88% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PDH
      is the most common syndrome of histoplasmosis in Siriraj Hospital. Skin and bone
      marrow study are the most useful investigations for diagnosis. Effective
      treatment includes amphotericin B, followed by oral itraconazole.

PMID- 27276736
TI  - Clinical Significance of Bone Marrow Involvement as Confirmed by Bone Marrow
      Aspiration vs. Bone Marrow Biopsy in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), bone marrow (BM)
      involvement confirmed by BM biopsy confers a poor prognosis. However, in clinical
      practice, there may be disagreement in results between BM biopsy and BM
      aspiration in determination of BM involvement. It is unknown which of BM biopsy
      or BM aspiration better correlates with clinical outcome. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate
      clinical outcome of BM involvement as confirmed by BM aspiration vs. confirmation
      by BM biopsy in patients with DLBCL. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Clinical data,
      treatment, and outcome of 126 DLBCL patients with available BM aspirate slides
      who attended the Hematology Clinic at Siriraj Hospital between January 1, 2007
      and December 31, 2009 were reviewed. BM aspirate slides were revised and
      interpreted by hematologists. RESULTS: BM involvement was found in 12.7% (16/126)
      by BM biopsy and 24.6% (31/126) by BM aspiration. Regarding BM biopsy results,
      rates of complete remission (CR) among patients with unequivocal involvement,
      equivocal involvement, and without involvement were 75.0%, 57.1%, and 77.7%,
      respectively (p = 0.464). Two-year overall survival (OS) rates among the three
      groups were not significantly different (p = 0.663). Regarding BM aspiration
      results, CR rates among patients with unequivocal involvement, equivocal
      involvement, and without involvement were 80.6%, 75.8%, and 72.7% (p = 0.755).
      Two-year OS rates among the three groups were not significantly different (p =
      0.118). In multivariate analysis, BM involvement as determined by either BM
      biopsy or BM aspiration was not associated with CR rate or 2-year OS rates.
      However, the International Prognostic Index (PI) and use of rituximab were found
      to be signifcantly associated with CR rate and OS. CONCLUSION: In patients with
      DLBCL, BM involvement confirmed by either BM biopsy or BM aspiration appears not
      to influence the rate of complete remission or 2-year overall survival.

PMID- 27276737
TI  - Epidemiology of Antibiotic Use and Antimicrobial Resistance in Selected
      Communities in Thailand.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To generate epidemiological information regarding antibiotic use and
      antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in targeted communities for use by the Thailand
      AMR Containment and Prevention Program. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A survey of
      antibiotics sold by 215 grocery stores and retail shops located in the target
      communities was done by the local people who were instructed to purchase
      specified antibiotics and to present to such stores and shops with symptoms of
      sore throat, backache, common cold, acute diarrhea, inflamed uterus, and dysuria.
      The purchased drugs were then identified and recorded. Contamination of extended
      spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli was identified in 174 samples of
      foods and open water sources collected from the target communities. Carriage of
      ESBL-producing E. coli in gastrointestinal tracts of 534 adults living in the
      target communities was performed by stool sample culture. One thousand three
      hundred one patients with upper respiratory infection (URI) and 235 patients with
      acute diarrhea who attended the tambon health promoting hospitals located in the
      target communities were monitored for their clinical outcomes of treatments. The
      patients with URI and acute diarrhea with no indication of antibiotic received
      symptomatic treatments as appropriate and they were followed via telephone
      contact every few days until all symptoms related to URI and acute diarrhea
      disappeared. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. RESULTS:
      Antibiotics were sold to the local people who were presenting with common
      ailments at many grocery stores and retail shops in their respective communities.
      In almost all cases, antibiotics were inappropriately given. Overall prevalence
      of ESBL-producing E. coli contamination in foods and open water sources was
      26.4%. ESBL-producing E. coli was isolated from fresh meat and open water sources
      in many samples. Overall prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli carriage in
      gastrointestinal tracts of the adults cultured was 66.5%. All patients with URI
      and acute diarrhea who had no indication of antibiotics and did not receive
      antibiotics had either cure or favorable response within seven days of start of
      symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSION: Antibiotics are widely available and are
      inappropriately sold and given by grocery stores and retail shops located within
      local communities in Thailand. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria commonly and freely
      circulate within the community. Patients with URI and acute diarrhea with no
      indication for antibiotic therapy can be treated without antibiotics. Findings
      and observations from this study will be used as part of a social marketing
      campaign on prevention and containment of AMR to educate people living within
      communities in Thailand.

PMID- 27276738
TI  - Impact of GLI-2012 Spirometric References and Lower Limit of Normal on Prevalence
      of COPD in Older Urban Thai Persons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous analysis of survey data from a study in older urban Thai
      persons reported prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of
      7.11% according to formerly recommended criteria that used fixed ratio (70%) of
      pre-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC as the cut-off value. In 2012, the Global Lung
      Initiative (GLI)-2012 equations for spirometric reference were established and
      the diagnostic criteria for COPD were changed. OBJECTIVE: To reanalyze the data
      collected during the 2002 respiratory health survey to determine prevalence of
      COPD in older urban Thai persons according to the new GLI-2012 equations.
      MATERIAL AND METHOD: Demographic and clinical data of 3,094 subjects aged >= 60
      years from 124 urban communities were re-analyzed. Prevalence of COPD determined
      by post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC and GLI-2012 equations using lower limit of
      normal by the Lambda-Mu-Sigma method (LMS-LLN) was compared to COPD prevalence
      findings based on criteria used in previous analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of COPD
      in the study population using post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC and LMS-LLN was 6.50%
      (95% CI: 5.63-7.3 7), compared with 7.82% (95% CI: 6.87-8.77) when fixed ratio
      (70%) of FEV1/FVC was used as cut-off. Diagnostic agreement of COPD between LMS
      LLN and fixed ratio was high (kappa 0.88, p < 0.0001). However 45/242 (18.6%)
      subjects diagnosed as COPD by fixed ratio criteria were considered as "over
      diagnosed" when LMS-LLN was used as the standard cut-off The same comparison
      applied to subjects aged 80 years revealed an increased rate of over-diagnosis to
      7/22 (31.8%) subjects. Higher agreement was observed (kappa 0.95, p < 0.0001)
      when comparing between cut-offs for diagnosis of "at least GOLD stage II" COPD.
      CONCLUSION: Prevalence of COPD in older urban Thai persons was lower when LMS-LLN
      was substituted for fixed ratio (70%) of FEV1/FVC. Agreement in COPD diagnosis
      between both criteria was high, but a substantial proportion of subjects may be
      over-diagnosed

PMID- 27276739
TI  - Impact of Isomaltulose and Sucrose Based Breakfasts on Postprandial Substrate
      Oxidation and Glycemic/Insulinemic Changes in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Subjects.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of isomaltulose (ISO) and sucrose (SUC)
      based breakfast on the postprandial substrate oxidation and glycemic/insulinemic
      changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects (T2DM). MATERIAL AND METHOD: This
      was a randomized, controlled, double blind, and crossover study performed in two
      to five days. About 10 to 12 hours prior to the test, the subjects were not
      allowed to consume food or drink other than water. On the experimental day pre-
      and postprandial plasma glucose, serum insulin, and substrate utilization were
      measured after the subjects consumed a test breakfast with ISO or SUC, followed
      by a standard lunch three hours later. RESULTS: The plasma glucose levels in
      subjects after consuming ISO breakfast tended to be lower than subjects consuming
      SUC breakfast at 30- and 60-minute, respectively. The second meal effect after
      standard lunch (240-minute) on insulin levels in subject consuming ISO breakfast
      tended to be lower than that of subjects consuming SUC breakfast. Substrate
      oxidation indicated that the incremental area under the fat oxidation of ISO
      breakfast was 20% higher comparing to SUC breakfast. CONCLUSION: Therefore, ISO
      based breakfast tends to provide less postprandial glucose and insulin levels
      than SUC based breakfast, thereby increasing postprandial fat oxidation.

PMID- 27276740
TI  - Lupus Damage and Waist Circumference as the Independent Risk Factors for
      Cardiovascular Disease in SLE Patients from Phramongkutklao Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported to be a major cause of
      both morbidity and premature mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
      patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and
      associated risk factors in Thai SLE patients from Phramongkutklao Hospital,
      Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective cross-sectional study was
      performed to investigate the frequency of CVD in SLE patients in Phramongkutklao
      Hospital on the basis of medical record documentation. CVD was defined as
      coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease
      (stroke), transient ischemic attack, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The
      associated risk factors of CVD were examined by univariate and multivariate
      logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: One hundred fifty nine SLE patients were
      enrolled in the present study. Nine female and one male SLE patients had CVD
      (prevalence 6.3%). SLE patients with CVD had higher Systemic Lupus International
      Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SDI) score (p-value = 0.025) and received
      higher average dose of corticosteroid (p-value = 0.034) than SLE patients without
      CVD. Patients with CVD were more likely to present with malar rash (p-value =
      0.054), discoid rash (p-value = 0.047), and more likely to used cyclophosphamide
      (p-value = 0.045) than patients without CVD. SLE patients with CVD were more
      likely to have diabetes mellitus (p-value = 0.037), antiphospholipid syndrome (p
      value = 0.055), and had higher proportion of patients whose waist circumference
      more than 90 centimeters in male or more than 80 centimeters in female (p-value =
      0.06) than SLE patients without CVD. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies
      was higher in SLE patients with CVD than SLE patients without CVD (p-value =
      0.076). The multivariate regression analysis identified that SDI score (odds
      ratio (OR) = 1.74 with 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-2.69, p-value = 0.013),
      and waist circumference more than 90 centimeters in male or more than 80
      centimeters in female (OR = 6.9 with 95% CI 1.20-38.46, p-value = 0.031) were
      independently associated risk factors for the occurrence of CVD in SLE patients.
      The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies also had a trend toward increased
      risk of CVD in SLE patients (OR = 4.1 with 95% CI 0.96-17.8, p-value = 0.057).
      CONCLUSION: Lupus damage, waist circumference more than 90 centimeters in male or
      more than 80 centimeters in female were the independent risk factors for CVD in
      SLE patients.

PMID- 27276741
TI  - Monitoring of Effectiveness and Safety of Colistin for Therapy in Resistant Gram
      Negative Bacterial Infections in Hospitalized Patients at Siriraj Hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To monitor the effectiveness and safety of colistin for therapy in
      resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections at Siriraj Hospital 10 years after
      colistin was first introduced in Thailand at Siriraj Hospital in 2005. MATERIAL
      AND METHOD: Study subjects were hospitalized adult patients with documented Gram
      negative bacterial infections that received parenteral colistin (Colistate) for
      longer than 48 hours between October 2014 and June 2015. Patient information
      regarding demographics, characteristics of infections, antibiotic therapy,
      clinical outcomes, microbiological responses, and nephrotoxicity were identified
      and retrieved from patient medical records. The data were analyzed using
      descriptive statistics. RESULTS: One hundred thirty eight patients were included
      in the study. Many of the patients were elderly males. The most common type of
      infection was pneumonia and A. baumannii was the most common cause of infection.
      Nearly all isolates of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa were resistant to
      carbapenems. A loading dose of colistin (300 mg) was given in 94.9% of patients.
      Only 19.6% of patients received colistin alone. Most patients received
      concomitant antibiotics, especially carbapenems, and piperacillin-tazobactam.
      Favorable clinical outcome was observed in 71.7% of patients at the end of
      colistin therapy. Patient mortality at the end of colistin therapy and at 30 days
      after colistin therapy was completed was 23.2% and 39.9%, respectively.
      Microbiological eradication of target bacteria at the end of colistin therapy was
      found in 50.0% of patients. Overall incidence of acute kidney injury was 39.9%,
      with most cases classified as either risk (20.3%) or injury (13%). Colistin
      related renal dysfunction was reversible in most cases. CONCLUSION: Colistin
      remains the principal antibiotic in carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial
      infections. Colistin's effectiveness and safety is still rated as moderate for
      therapy in difficult-to-treat resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.

PMID- 27276742
TI  - Moringa Oleifera Leaf Increases Insulin Secretion after Single Dose
      Administration: A Preliminary Study in Healthy Subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Herbal medicine has long been used as an alternative medicine for
      treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently, Moringa oleifera (MO or
      ma-rum in Thai) leaf has been widely used in T2DM patients. Several studies in
      diabetes rat model have shown that MO had effect on glucose metabolism. However
      study in humans is lacking. OBJECTIVE: Examine effects of MO on plasma glucose
      and insulin secretion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ten healthy volunteers were enrolled
      in this study (mean age 29 +/- 5 years; BMI 20.6 +/- 1.5 kg/m2; FPG 81 +/- 5
      mg/dl). After an overnight fast and every two weeks, subjects received an oral
      dose of MO at increasing dosages of 0, 1, 2, and 4 g. Plasma glucose (PG) and
      insulin were collected at baseline and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, and 6 hours after
      each MO dosage administration. Insulin secretion rate was measured using area
      under the curve (AUC) of insulin and AUC of insulin/glucose ratio. RESULTS: After
      doses of 0, 1, 2, and 4 g MO, mean plasma insulin increased (2.3 +/- 0.9, 2.7 +/-
      1.0, 3.3 +/- 1.4, and 4.1 +/- 1.7 MUU/ml, respectively) despite there being no
      differences in mean PG (77 +/- 6, 78 +/- 5, 79 +/- 6, and 79 +/- 5 mg/dl,
      respectively). AUC of insulin was greater after high-dose MO (4 g) than after
      baseline or low-dose MO capsule (1 g) (24.0 +/- 3.5 vs. 14.5 +/- 1.8 or 16.1 +/-
      2.0, respectively; p = 0.03), while there was no difference in AUC of glucose.
      Accordingly, insulin secretion rate represented by AUC of insulin/glucose ratio
      after high-dose MO was significantly increased by 74% (P = 0.041), as compared
      with that of baseline. CONCLUSION: We concluded that high-dose (4 g) MO leaf
      powder capsules significantly increased insulin secretion in healthy subjects.
      These results suggest that MO leaf may be a potential agent in the treatment of
      type 2 diabetes. Further studies of MO in patients with T2DM are needed.

PMID- 27276743
TI  - Low Sleeping Time, High TV Viewing Time, and Physical Inactivity in School Are
      Risk Factors for Obesity in Pre-Adolescent Thai Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Explore the association between physically active behavior and obesity
      in 7- to 12-years-old Thai children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: As part of SEANUTS
      Thailand, information on anthropometry, physical activity, and sociodemographic
      variables were collected in 7- to 12-years-old urban and rural Thai children.
      Multi-stage sampling technique was used and 1,345 children (32% urban, and 50.3%
      boys) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements included weight,
      height, and BMI-for-age Z-scores (BAZ) using World Health Organization Growth
      Reference. Obesity was defined as BAZ > 2SD. Physical activity was assessed using
      a validated physical activity questionnaire (PAQ). The PAQ provided an activity
      score, activity time in school, sleeping hours, and TV watching time as
      categorical variable, low, moderate, and high. Chi-square by likelihood ratio
      test and logistic regression were used to compare obese and non-obese groups.
      RESULTS: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 10.2 and 10.8%
      respectively, whereas 8.2% was classified as thin. Maternal education and
      religion did not differ between obese and non-obese children. However, obese
      children's family income was higher. After controlling for family income,
      maternal education, and religion, obese children were significantly less active
      during break times in school, slept less, and watched more TV than non-obese.
      However, there was no difference in the activity score of obese and non-obese
      children. CONCLUSION: The study showed that physical activity during break time
      in school, sleep duration, and hours of TV viewing were associated with obesity
      in pre-adolescent Thai children. It is important to note that activity score was
      not associated with obesity. One of the most important benefits to be physically
      active in childhood is the potential to maintain this behavior into adulthood.
      Therefore, programs that encourage healthy behaviors and address these modifiable
      risk factors should be incorporated in the school curriculum.

PMID- 27276744
TI  - Risk Factors for Severe Enteroviral Infections in Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors associated with severe enterovirus infection
      among hospitalized pediatric patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)
      at King Narai Hospital, Lopburi, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed all
      of the suspected enterovirus infection cases aged less than 15 years admitted to
      King Narai Hospital between 2011 and 2013. Cases were classified into mild and
      severe enterovirus infection. Risk factors for severe enterovirus infection were
      analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. RESULTS: During
      the study period, 156 patients met the case definition for further analysis. Of
      those 156 patients, 131 (84.0%) were classifed as mild cases, and 25 (16.0%) as
      severe cases with five (3.2%) deaths. The most common manifestations among the
      severe cases were seizures, pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, meningitis, and
      hyperglycemia. Of the 31 identifiable cases, 12 were caused by enterovirus 71
      (EV71), 12 by coxsackievirus A16 (CA16), four by both, and three by other
      enterovirus. The clinical manifestations that were significantly related to
      severe enterovirus infection in univariate analysis were age of less than one
      year, highest body temperature greater than 39.0 degrees C, duration of fever
      greater than three days, absence of skin lesions, diarrhea, dyspnea, and
      hyperglycemia. The clinical manifestations that were significantly related to
      severe enterovirus infection by both univariate and multivariate analyses were
      absence of oral lesions, seizures, and drowsiness/lethargy. CONCLUSION: The major
      pathogens of severe disease were EV71 and CA16. High-risk factors significantly
      related to severe enterovirus infection in both univariate and multivariate
      analyses were absence of oral lesions, seizures, and drowsiness/lethargy. Early
      recognition of children at risk and prompt treatment is important to mitigate the
      deterioration of patients with enterovirus infection.

PMID- 27276745
TI  - Correlation between Serum SCCA and CYFRA 2 1-1, Tissue Ki-67, and
      Clinicopathological Factors in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) and CYFRA 21-1 have been
      reported as useful tumor markers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC),
      but no information has yet been reported about the relationship between these
      serum tumor markers and tissue proliferative activity (Ki-67) in ESCC patients.
      OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between SCCA, CYFRA 21-1, Ki-67, and
      clinicopathological factors in ESCC patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Pretreatment
      SCCA and CYFRA 21-1 serum levels were measured, while the expression of Ki-67 was
      assessed on tumor tissue. The associations between these biomarkers,
      clinicopathological factors, and overall survival were analyzed. RESULTS: One
      hundred sixty six patients participated in this study. Elevated SCCA and CYFRA 21
      1 were found in 78.9% and 50.0% of the patients, respectively, while 42.8% had
      both serum markers elevated. The SCCA and CYFRA 21-1 levels were not correlated
      (p = 0.128) to each other nor to age, sex, T N, M location, grade, or Ki-67. High
      Ki-67 expression levels were significantly correlated with T4 (p = 0.010), M1 (p
      = 0.010), and poor grade (p = 0.015) but not to age, sex, N, or location. Levels
      of SCCA, CYFRA 21-1, and Ki-67, alone or in any combination, were not correlated
      to survival of patients. CONCLUSION: The authors showed that Ki-67 in tumor
      tissue is probably a more reliable marker than serum SCCA and CYFRA 21-1 in
      predicting the clinical course of ESCC.

PMID- 27276746
TI  - DCE-MRI-Derived Parameters as Predictors of Response to Neo-Adjuvant
      Chemoradiation Treatment of Rectal Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preoperative combined chemoradiation treatment (CRT) is now accepted
      as the treatment of choice due to its benefits of decreasing the primary tumor
      volume and enhancing the sphincter preservation surgery. Determining whether a
      patient is responding to therapy is crucial for rectal cancer patients who may
      benefit from prompt treatment modifications. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of
      dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in predicting the
      treatment response. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Nineteen patients with histologically
      proven rectal adenocarcinoma who were candidates for neo-adjuvant CRT were
      prospectively included. All patients were examined by conventional and DCE-MRi at
      three time points (pre-, during-, and post-CRT). Surgical resection was performed
      after complete CRT. The pathological response and Dworak regression grade were
      assessed. All parameters were blindly analyzed. RESULTS: The median pathologic
      response rate for all patients was 40%. Dworak regression grades of 0, 1, 2, 3,
      and 4 were found in 0.0%, 21.1%, 42.1%, 26.3%, and 10.5% of patients,
      respectively. The tumor thickness and length were 30% and 32.9% lower at during
      CRT and 40.6% and 44.7% lower post-CRT and had moderate and fair negative
      correlations with the pathologic response rate and Dworak regression rate,
      respectively. Among the DCE-MRI parameters, only a change in the time to peak
      between pre- and during-CRT was correlated with the Dworak regression grade (p =
      0.01). The percentage change in the time to peak in patients with poor regression
      (grades 0-1) was significantly greater than in patients with
      intermediate/complete regression (grades 2-4) [139.25% vs. 6.13%]. CONCLUSION:
      Changes in the tumor thickness and length evaluated by conventional MRI and the
      time to peak evaluated by DCE-MRI during CRT may be useful for predicting the
      treatment response of rectal cancer patients.

PMID- 27276747
TI  - Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are few studies regarding the characteristics of mediastinal
      lymphadenopathy (MN) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Understanding its
      features could help radiologists interpret lung imaging more confidently.
      OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of MLN in patients
      with SSc and factors associated with MLN. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective
      review of medical records and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the
      lungs of all patients with SSc at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University,
      Thailand between 2009 and 2011 was done. Univariate and multivariate logistic
      regressions were used to analyze the outcomes. RESULTS: Sixty patients were
      eligible for the present study; the majority of them was women (71.7%) and had
      diffuse SSc (71.7%). The prevalence of MLN was 56.7% (36 in 60 cases). The
      distribution of MLN was mainly found in two or more locations (47.1%) and had
      isodensity on imaging (61.3%). The median size of nodes was 1.2 cm (inter
      quartile range 1, 1.4 cm). Only the pulmonary fibrosis score was significantly
      associated with MLN with the adjusted odds ratio of 1.2 (95% confidence interval
      1.1, 1.4, p = 0.03). There was no association between MLN with other factors.
      CONCLUSION: MLN was prevalent in patients with SSc. The pulmonary fibrosis score
      was an independent factor associated with MLN.

PMID- 27276748
TI  - Non-insulinoma Pancreatogeneous Hypoglycemia Syndrome with False-Positive
      Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy: A Case Report and Review of Literature.
AB  - Non-insulinoma pancreatogeneous hypoglycemia syndrome (NIPHS) is a rare cause of
      hypoglycemia in adults. The cause of NIPHS is diffuse hyperinsulinism. As a
      result, computed tomography (CT) of pancreas, endoscopic pancreatic
      ultrasonography (EUS), and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SSRS), which are
      usually performed to locate an insulinoma, are not able to diagnose NIPHS.
      Moreover, SSRS can give a false-positive result. In this case report, we
      introduce a 22-year-old Thai woman who presented with fasting and postprandial
      hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Accordingly, an insulinoma was suspected. She
      underwent several studies to locate the lesion. Pancreatic CT and EUS failed to
      locate a lesion; however, SSRS showed a faint focus of increased uptake at the
      pancreatic head. The suspected insulinoma was not identified during a first
      operation. Thereafter other diagnostic methods were performed in an effort to
      locate the suspected insulinoma, including selective arterial calcium stimulation
      test. The result of the selective arterial calcium stimulation test was negative.
      Intraoperative ultrasonography during a second operation also failed to locate a
      tumor. Finally, a pancreatic head resection was performed according to SSRS
      result, yet capillary blood glucose levels did not increase after resection. In
      response, a 95% pancreatectomy was performed. The pathology report was consistent
      with diffuse hyperinsulinism. This report emphasizes that SSRS can give false
      positive result in NIPHS.

PMID- 27276749
TI  - Impact of Computer Related Posture on the Occurrence of Musculoskeletal
      Discomfort among Secondary School Students in Lagos, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Computers have become an essential part of life particularly in
      industrially advanced countries of the world. Children now have greater
      accessibility to computers both at school and at home. Recent studies suggest
      that with this increased exposure, there are associated musculoskeletal disorders
      (MSDs) in both school-aged children and adults. OBJECTIVES: To assess the posture
      assumed by secondary school students during computer use and its impact on the
      occurrence and severity of reported musculoskeletal discomforts. METHODS: Posture
      assumed during normal computer class, occurrence of discomforts, body parts
      involved and the intensity of discomforts were evaluated in 235 school aged
      children using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) scale, Body Discomfort Chart
      (BDC) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after normal computer class.
      Inferential statistics of t-test and chi-square were used to determine
      significance difference between variables, with level of significant set at p <
      0.05. RESULTS: None of the participants demonstrated acceptable posture. Computer
      use produced significant discomforts on the neck, shoulder and low back. There
      was a significant relationship between participants height and posture assumed.
      Two hundred and eleven (89.8%) participants reported discomforts/pain during the
      use of computer. Weight and height were contributory factors to the occurrence of
      musculoskeletal discomfort/pain (p < 0.05) in some of the body parts studied.
      CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal discomfort was found to be a problem among the school
      aged children during computer use. Weight and height were implicated as factors
      that influenced the form of posture and the nature of the reported discomfort.
      Creating awareness about the knowledge of ergonomics and safety for promotion of
      good posture was therefore recommended.

PMID- 27276750
TI  - QT Dispersion in Healthy Adult Nigerians.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increase in QT dispersion (QTd) is associated with an increased risk
      of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to (i)
      determine the mean QTd and (ii) characterise QTd in a healthy Nigerian
      population. METHODS: One hundred healthy Nigerian adults were studied. Healthy
      status of the subjects was determined by history and physical examination. A
      resting 12- lead ECG was obtained from all subjects for determination of QTc, QTd
      and ECG left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) using Sokolow Lyon (SL) and Araoye's
      codes. Echocardiography was used to determine LV systolic function, LVM and LVMI
      for 60 subjects. RESULTS: The QTd ranged from 15-70ms with a mean value of 38.5
      +/- 11.2ms. QTd was independent of age (p = 0.86), sex (p = 0.97), heart rate (p
      = 0.22), blood pressure (p > 0.05), BMI (p = 0.81), QTc (p = 0.41), LVH (ECG and
      echo) and LV systolic function (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: QT dispersion is
      independent of demographic parameters, LV systolic function and LV hypertrophy in
      healthy adult Nigerians.

PMID- 27276751
TI  - Accidental Peno-Scrotal Degloving Injuries in a Child. A Case Report and
      Literature Review.
AB  - Injury to male external genitalia is very rare because of some intrinsic factors
      like location, strong investing tunica albuginea and cremasteric muscles.
      However, when it occurs it is considered a urological emergency. Child labour
      with poor understanding of risks and safety precautions, especially under harsh
      supervision, surely poses major challenges. This case illustrates degloving
      injury of the penis and avulsion of the scrotum in a young boy while operating a
      roller type machine used in palm trees plantation. The penis was primarily
      regloved and avulsed skin primarily repaired. A good cosmetic outcome was
      observed from this treatment. This case also illustrates the importance of early
      presentation and emergency intervention in this condition.

PMID- 27276752
TI  - Prevalence of Oro-Facial Lesions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Women
      in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Orofacial lesions are among the earliest clinical manifestations of
      HIV infections. OBJECTIVE: This study to investigate the oral lesions seen in HIV
      positive women with emphasis on the need for diagnosis of oral lesions by all
      health workers. METHOD: A prospective cross-sectional study of HIV positive women
      attending the HIV/AIDS clinic (PEPFAR) of the University of Benin Teaching
      Hospital, Benin-city, Nigeria. The subjects were investigated for the presence of
      oral lesions, between the period January and March, 2011. The study was approved
      by the ethics committee of the hospital and a written informed consent was
      obtained from each subject that participated in the study. Determination of HIV
      related oral lesions was carried out clinically using the criteria proposed by
      the ECC/WHO, 1993. P values <= 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: A total
      of 107 HIV/AIDS infected women attending the HIV/AIDS Clinic were examined. The
      age ranged from 18 to 50 years with mean age of 36 +/- 9.2 years. The age group
      of 21 to 30 was the most affected (n = 36, 33.6%). Sixty-one subjects (57.0%)
      presented with oral lesions. The most common observed oral lesion was
      pseudomembranous candidiasis (n = 37, 37.8%); followed by melanotic pigmentation
      (n = 11, 11.2%) and xerostomia (n = 11, 11.2%). Group 1 oral lesions accounted
      for 64.3%, group 2 accounted for 30.6%, while group 3 accounted for 5.1%.
      CONCLUSION: Oro-facial lesions are among the earliest clinical manifestations of
      HIV infection. These were commonly observed in HIV infected Nigerian women. Oral
      candidiasis the most common oral lesion observed in the series may therefore be
      used as a clinical indicator of early immunodeficiency associated with HIV.

PMID- 27276753
TI  - Improving First Aid Management of Epilepsy by Trainee Teachers of the Federal
      College of Education (Technical), Akoka - Lagos, South West Nigeria--Can Health
      Education have an Effect?
AB  - BACKGROUND: lt is estimated that epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people
      worldwide and about 40 million of them live in developing countries. Studies have
      indicated high rates of poor knowledge, negative attitude and poor first aid
      management skills of students with epilepsy among practicing teachers. However,
      there is paucity of such studies on trainee teachers to ascertain any
      similarities or differences (if any) and the effect of educational interventions.
      OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a health education intervention on trainee
      teachers' knowledge, attitude and first aid management of epilepsy. METHODS: The
      effect of a health education intervention in first aid management of epilepsy was
      assessed among 226 trainee teachers, attending the Federal College of Education
      (Technical), Akoka. This was done using a quasi-experimental study design. Data
      were analyzed using the SPSS version 15. RESULTS: The respondents had a median
      age of 22 years with a range of 18 to 56 years. The majority of them were females
      (68.6%), single (79.2%), Christians (81.9%), Yoruba (70.4%) and in first year
      (100 level) of their study (69.9%). The highest proportion was from the
      Accounting department (46.0%). A consistent increase in responses to items on
      knowledge, attitude and first aid management of epileptic seizure items from
      baseline to post-intervention was observed. For instance, the proportion of
      responses that epileptic seizures originate from the brain significantly (p =
      0.025) increased from 62.5% at baseline to 74.1% after intervention. Generally,
      slightly more than two-fifths (44.2%) and about two thirds (61.9%) of the
      respondents were observed to have poor knowledge and negative attitude to
      epilepsy respectively at baseline. Overall, giving health education on epilepsy
      led to a reduction in the proportion of respondents with poor knowledge by 15.5%
      (increase of good knowledge by 29.6%), decrease of negative attitude by 16.4% and
      increase of good first aid management skill by 25.0%. The knowledge scores were
      significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.003) and
      department (p = 0.004) while the attitude scores were significantly associated
      with teaching duration (p = 0.020). The knowledge was predicted by department (p
      = 0.001) while the attitude was predicted by teaching duration (p = 0.036).
      CONCLUSION: This study reveals that health education could improve the knowledge,
      attitude. and first aid management of students with epilepsy among trainee
      teachers. It is therefore proposed that an intervention programme on baseline
      knowledge of epilepsy and its first aid management be incorporated into the
      teacher-training curriculum, particularly those in health-related programmes, to
      address their deficiencies in knowledge, attitude and first aid management of
      students with epilepsy.

PMID- 27276754
TI  - Chronic Ulcers in Ikeja-Lagos, Nigeria: an eighteen month review of infecting
      bacterial agents and susceptibility pattern.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic ulcers are an important cause of morbidity among surgical and
      medical patients. Infection in ulcers may delay healing and cause septicemia
      resulting in mortality. Microbial studies are important for the appropriate
      management of these ulcers. METHODS: Details of all patients treated for ulcers
      that were investigated at the department of Medical Microbiology and
      Parasitology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja-Lagos, Nigeria
      between July 1st 2009 and December 31, 2010 were retrieved from the computer
      database and transferred into the proforma designed for the study. Data collected
      were demography, date of onset of ulcer, mode of specimen collection, names of
      isolates and drug sensitivity patterns. RESULTS: A total of 329 cases were seen
      and reviewed during the study period. Males constituted 50.2%, females 38.3% and
      the gender of the remaining 11.6% were not indicated. There were 259 (78.7%)
      adults and 42 (12.8%) children. The ages of 28 cases were not indicated.
      Microbial growths were obtained in 217 (66.7%) patients. Gram negative (Gn)
      organisms were isolated in 181 (83.5%) and Gram positive (Gp) in 35 (16%). The
      most common isolates were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.1%) Staphylococcus aureus
      (9.7%), Proteus mirabilis (7.6%) and Escherichia coli (7.3%). There were
      widespread resistances by the isolates to the common antibiotics in the study
      environment. CONCLUSIONS: The wide spread resistance may be due to lack of an
      antibiotic use policy. Certain antibiotics should be reserved for second line
      treatment in the emergency setting.

PMID- 27276755
TI  - Quality of Referral Letters to the Paediatric Department of a Tertiary Hospital
      in Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The referral letter is a flexible means of transmitting information
      about the care of patients from one healthcare worker to another. In developing
      regions of the world like Africa, where it may serve as the only means of
      transferring patient's information, the referral letter has infrequently been
      studied. OBJECTIVE: The study is to assess the quality of referral letters to the
      Paediatric department of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. METHODS: Referral
      letters sent to the Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Emergency Center (ORKCEC) and the
      Paediatric Outpatient Clinics of the Lagos University Teaching (LUTH) between
      December 2012 and February 2013 were reviewed for content of information. Letter
      sent to the emergency center were compared with letter sent from sources within
      LUTH. RESULTS: A total of 356 letters were reviewed, with 196 (55.1%) letters
      sent to the Emergency center. The majority of the referral letters (262; 73.6%)
      were from hospitals other than LUTH-(inter-hospital). Patient's name (99.7%),
      name of referring hospital (93.3%) and presenting complaints (91.1%) were the
      most consistently filled. Information relating to adverse clinical warning
      (1.7%), request for feedback (4.2%) and urgency of referral (8.4%), were the
      least filled. Only in 28.4% of the letters were the results of any or all the
      investigations done included. More interhospital letters had information on
      findings on physical examination, treatment, urgency of referral and request for
      feed-back from the receiving specialists. Referral letters to the clinics were
      more likely than letters to emergency centre to contain information on presenting
      complaints, history of the presenting complaints, and findings on physical
      examination. CONCLUSION: Referral letters sent to the paediatric department of
      LUTH are poorly written with significant information about patient care
      frequently missing. Interhospital referral letters and letters sent to the
      clinics, though similarly low in quality, were more likely to contain information
      on physical findings and treatment received.

PMID- 27276756
TI  - Anaemia Prevention In Pregnancy Among Antenatal Clinic Attendees In A General
      Hospital In Lagos.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anemia is the world's second leading cause of disability and thus one
      of the most serious global public health problems. The World Health Organization
      (WHO) estimates that an average of 56% of pregnant women in developing countries,
      are anaemic. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to. determine the knowledge,
      attitude and practices of prevention of anaemia in pregnancy amongst pregnant
      women attending the Antenatal Clinic at Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital. METHODS:
      The design was cross-sectional descriptive study. Simple random sampling method
      was used to select two hundred and twenty respondents (220). A pretested,
      structured, interviewer administered questionnaires were used for data
      collection. RESULTS: Majority (95%) of the respondents was aware of anemia in
      pregnancy but the mean knowledge score was 56.5%. Less than half (46.3%) of the
      respondents thought that contraceptives could help prevent anemia in pregnancy by
      reducing closely spaced pregnancies. Only 31.8% were compliant with the use of
      iron supplements. About one third (33.2%) didn't combine drinking tea with meals
      while 47.3% of the respondents didn't use iron supplements with milk products.
      CONCLUSION: The study showed that most of the respondents had a moderate level of
      knowledge, and positive attitude towards contraceptive use but a high proportion
      were not compliant with the daily use of iron supplements. It is recommended that
      health education of women as well as close family members should be reinforced to
      improve the compliance with supplements.

PMID- 27276757
TI  - Parental determinants of offspring head circumference using a sample of patients
      attending a government hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Head circumference at birth is an important neonatal parameter in
      view of its association with perinatal and postnatal morbidity and mortality. It
      is an indicator of brain volume and a tool for assessing the development of the
      central nervous system. Being a complex hereditary trait, predicting baby's head
      circumference from parental anthropometrics could complement the already existing
      ultrasonographic method of prediction. OBJECTIVE: To identify the parental
      anthropometric determinants of baby's head circumference in Lagos, Nigeria, using
      a sample of patients attending a government hospital. METHODS: Parental
      anthropometric parameters were obtained from 250 couples. The baby's head
      circumference was measured immediately after birth. The data were subjected to
      multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The parental variables that were most predictive
      of babies' head circumference were mid-parental weight, maternal height, maternal
      weight gain during pregnancy and maternal age. CONCLUSION: Assessment of these
      parental attributes can complement ultrasonographic data in predicting baby's
      head circumference for better perinatal outcome.

PMID- 27276758
TI  - Therapeutic Effects of Exercise Training On Selected Cardio-Pulmonary Parameters
      and Body Composition of Nigerians with Chronic Heart Failure (A Preliminary
      Study).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of exercise training in the management of individuals with
      chronic heart failure has not been widely accepted by health care providers
      especially in Sub-Saharan Africa because of the possibility that the failing
      hearts may have a negative response to the increased workload and stress of
      exercise. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise training
      (ET) on selected cardio-respiratory and body composition variables of Nigerians
      with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: Thirty two Nigerians with CHF (male -
      17), aged 30 to 71 years, mean age 54.2 +/- 1.9 years and New York Heart
      Association Functional Class (NYHA) II-III recruited from Cardiology Clinic of
      Lagos University Teaching Hospital Nigeria participated in the study. They were
      randomized into exercise (EG) and control groups (CG). Exercise group performed
      12-weeks of aerobic and resistance training for 60 minutes, three sessions per
      week. Selected cardio-respiratory and body composition variables were measured
      pre and post intervention in both groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS-17
      package. Level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: There was no significant
      difference in the measured variables between the groups at baseline (p > 0.05).
      Significant improvement was seen in EG in all the measured variables except the
      systolic (p = 0.29) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.45). No adverse effect
      was observed during the exercise training. No significant improvement was
      observed in the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Exercise training may
      improve cardiorespiratory and body composition variables in patients with chronic
      heart failure.

PMID- 27276759
TI  - Undergraduate Students' Knowledge and Practice of Gonorrhea and other Sexually
      Transmitted Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health
      issue. Adolescents and youth (15-24 years) are the age groups at the greater risk
      for acquiring them. Also a large percentage of new STIs occur in this age group
      with 7000 young people worldwide acquiring the infection every day. Sexually
      transmitted infections (STIs) are poorly recognized and inadequately treated in
      Nigeria despite the fact that they constitute a major risk factor for sexual
      transmission of HIV infection. The shortage of trained human resources is among
      the most important obstacles to strengthening health systems in low-income
      countries. OBJECTIVE: This study is to document the knowledge and practice of
      undergraduate students about gonorrhoea and other STIs as a baseline survey for
      future intervention work. METHODS: It was a questionnaire-based, cross sectional
      descriptive study of the knowledge and practice of STIs among students in the
      seven public tertiary academic institutions in Lagos State using list obtained
      from the Lagos State Ministry of Education. Thirty (30) students who agreed to be
      surveyed were conveniently selected from each school. Pre-tested, semi
      structured, validated questionnaires were administered and collected back. Data
      was entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed using EPI Info, SPSS version 15 and
      Microsoft Excel. Results were considered to be statistically significant if p <
      0.05. RESULTS: Majority of the respondents were of the 21 - 25 year age range
      (48%) and were mainly single (95%), Christian (61%) and Yoruba (81%). About 51%
      of the respondents had at least good knowledge of gonorrhoea and other STIs.
      Knowledge about symptoms and transmission was higher than knowledge of
      prevention, consequences and drugs. Among those that are sexually active 24% do
      not use condom while 10% reuse condom. Use of both modern and traditional medical
      practitioners (TMP) was documented among the students. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness
      programs with key messages about gonorrhoea and other STIs should be developed
      and circulated widely in tertiary institutions in the state to improve students'
      practice. Also strategies to embrace TMP for STI management should be evolved.

PMID- 27276760
TI  - Pathway to Independence: Implications for Developing A Sustainable MIS Program in
      low Resource settings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal surgery has been at the forefront of advances in
      minimally invasive surgery (MIS). In the low resource settings of the developing
      countries, despite the benefits of MIS, its uptake in sub-Saharan African
      countries has been slow. OBJECTIVE: The present study reports the process of
      developing a minimally-invasive surgery service line as well as surgical outcomes
      in LASUTH. METHODS. We reviewed medical records of all patients who underwent
      minimally invasive surgery at LASUTH between March 2011 and March 2012. During
      each of three training missions in LASUTH patients with Gastrointestinal and
      gynaecological surgical conditions were carefully selected, and prepared for
      surgery. All patients were admitted a day prior to surgery. A description of the
      surgical technique and the skills training used is also presented. RESULTS: A
      total of 24 laparoscopic procedures were performed between March 2011 and March
      2012. There were more females 17(70.8%) than males 7(29.2%), with a female to
      male ratio of 2.5:1. The age range was from 18 yrs to 75 yrs with a peak in the
      age group between 21-30 yrs. The chief complaints were right hypochondrial pain
      in 9 cases (37.5%) and right iliac fossa pain in 6 cases (25%) whilst others were
      right groin swelling, dysphagia, infertility and intersex state. CONCLUSION: The
      results presented in respect of conversion rate, length of post operative stay
      and complications rate are similar to the pattern in more established centers.
      The use of team training as done in LASUTH helps to accelerate the rate of
      learning and ensures sustainability.

PMID- 27276761
TI  - Practical Approach to the Management of the Severely Injured.
AB  - Events associated with severely injured victims are common occurrences. These
      injured patients should be properly managed to achieve good outcome. Trauma
      algorithm protocols are known to improve therapeutic process and outcome.
      However, most hospitals in our subregion that attend to severely injured patients
      are yet to develop an algorithm treatment protocols for the management of these
      patients. The ambulance system in Nigeria is still un-coordinated and
      unsupervised. Most of the existing ambulances are not well equipped and usually
      not manned by experienced paramedics. Therefore, transfer of severely injured
      victims is fraught with danger during transit. Communication link to inform the
      trauma centres ahead of transfer is virtually non-existent. Upgrading of the
      trauma systems in Nigeria is necessary to prevent unnecessary mortality among the
      resourceful age group that are mostly affected by events causing severely injured
      patients .

PMID- 27276762
TI  - Cytokines, Type 2 DM and the Metabolic Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammatory markers have been widely implicated in Diabetes Mellitus
      (DM) and the metabolic syndrome (Mets). Data on the association of cytokines (pro
      inflammatory mediators) and components of the Mets are sparse in sub Saharan
      Africa. OBJECTIVE: We sought to document the pattern of distribution of cytokines
      in Nigerian subjects with type 2 DM and compare cytokine levels between DM
      subjects with and without the Mets. METHODS: 200 subjects with type 2 DM and 100
      healthy sex and aged matched Controls were studied. Anthropometric indices, lipid
      parameters and cytokine levels, which included interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumour
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and C reactive
      protein (CRP) were determined. Continuous variables were compared between
      subjects with type 2 DM and the controls and also between DM subjects with and
      without the Mets. RESULTS: The mean levels of all studied cytokines were
      significantly higher in the subjects with type 2 DM than the Control subjects,
      save for IFN-gamma which was significantly lower in type 2 DM. The mean cytokine
      levels were comparable in the DM subjects with and without the Mets and also
      comparable in obese DM and non obese DM subjects. Of the Mets defining criteria,
      waist circumference (WC) and Triglyceride (TG) were found to be significantly
      associated with only two of the studied cytokines. The correlation coefficient
      and p values of these findings are as follows: WC vs TNF-alpha (r = 0.16, p =
      0.001) and TG vs CRP (r = 0.15, p = 0.03). Multiple regression analyses showed
      that the cytokines were linearly associated with each other but not with other
      clinical and biochemical variables. The cytokines were found to be interrelated.
      IL-10 with a beta value of 0.14 predicted the presence of INF-gamma with a 95%
      confidence interval of 0.000 - 0.109 and a p value of 0.05. TNF-alpha with a beta
      value of 0.17 predicted the presence of IL-10 with a 95% confidence interval of
      0.004 - 0.034 and a p value of 0.01. IL-10 with a beta value of 0.17 predicted
      the presence of TNF-alpha with a 95% confidence interval of 0.3-0.590 and a p
      value of 0.01. CONCLUSION: Cytokine levels are higher in DM than non DM subjects;
      however, the cytokine levels are not strongly associated with the Mets. Limited
      correlations were found between each of the cytokines and the parameters of the
      Mets. Further studies on this entity amongst Africans should be carried out to
      ascertain if these results are peculiar to DM subjects in sub- Saharan Africa.

PMID- 27276763
TI  - Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum
      Lam. Kurtz (Crassulaceae).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. Kurtz (Crassulaceae) is used in traditional
      African medicine in the treatment of diarrhoea. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
      antidiarrhoeal action of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum
      (BP). METHODS: Normal intestinal transit, castor oil-induced intestinal transit,
      castor oil-induced diarrhoea, gastric emptying and enteropooling models in
      rodents were used to investigate antidiarrhoeal effect. The possible mechanism of
      antidiarrhoeal activity was investigated using prazosin (1 mg/kg, s.c; alpha1,
      adrenoceptor antagonist), yohimbine (1 mg/kg, s.c; alpha2 adrenoceptor
      antagonist), propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.p; alpha- adrenoceptor non-selective
      antagonist), atropine (1 mg/kg, s.c; muscarinic cholinergic antagonist),
      pilocarpine (1 mg/kg, s.c; muscarinic cholinergic agonist), and isosorbide
      dinitrate (IDN) (150 mg/kg, p.o; nitric oxide donor). RESULTS: BP (25-100 mg/kg,
      p.o) produced dose-dependent and significant (P < 0.001) decrease in intestinal
      propulsion in normal and castor oil-induced intestinal transit models in
      comparison to distilled water (10 ml/kg, p.o.) treated control. This
      antidiarrhoeal effect was inhibited by propranolol pretreatment but yohimbine,
      prazosin, or atropine pretreatment failed to block this effect. BP treatment
      reduced the increased peristaltic activity induced by pilocarpine, however, co
      treatment with IDN significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced the antidiarrhoeal effect
      of the extract. In castor oil-induced diarrhoea test, the extract produced a dose
      dependent and significant (P < 0.001) increase in onset of diarrhoea, decreased
      diarrhoea score, the number and weight of wet stools when compared to control.
      The in vivo antidiarrhoeal index (ADI(in) vivo)) of 53.52 produced by the extract
      (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was similar to 76.28 ADI(in vivo) produced by morphine (10
      mg/kg, s.c.). The extract produced dose- dependent and significant (P < 0.05; P <
      0.001) decrease in the weight and volume of intestinal content in the intestinal
      fluid accumulation model. In gastric emptying test, BP treatment reduced the
      quantity of test meal emptied in 1 h but not significant. CONCLUSION: The results
      showed that the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum possesses
      antidiarrhoeal activity possibly mediated by interaction with beta adrenoceptor,
      muscarinic cholinergic receptor and nitric oxide pathway.

PMID- 27276764
TI  - Condom use among antiretroviral therapy naive people living with HIV at a
      tertiary health care hospital in Lagos, Nigeria: implication for prevention of
      new infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The consistent use of male latex condom significantly reduces the
      risk of HIV infection among men and women. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to
      assess the prevalence and pattern of male and female condom use among
      antiretroviral therapy naive people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Lagos, Nigeria.
      METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Interviewer administered
      questionnaires were used to collect demographic data of age, gender, marital
      status, rate, pattern of and reasons for not using condoms among PLHIV. RESULTS:
      Four hundred and forty three respondents were interviewed with age rangefrom 14
      to 75 years and a mean of 35 +/- 9 years. There were 175 (39.5%) males and 268
      (60.5%) females in the study. Overall, 71 (16.0%) of respondents used condom
      consistently. Only 55 (12.4%) of the respondents were aware of female condom
      while 9 (2%) used it. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that there is a low
      consistent use of male condoms and a very low awareness and use of female condoms
      among studied PLHIV.

PMID- 27276765
TI  - Histolopathological Patterns of Cervical Carcinoma Seen at A Radiotherapy Centre
      in Ibadan, Nigeria.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The treatment of cervical carcinoma is dependent on many factors
      including histological types and degree of differentiation. Degree of
      differentiation is an important consideration in determining the prognostic
      outcome. OBJECTIVE: The study is to describe the histological pattern of cervicer
      cancer seen in our practice with emphasis on tumour differentiation. METHOD: This
      retrospective study was carried out within Radiotherapy Department of University
      College Hospital, Ibadan. The records of patients diagnosed of cervical cancer
      seen between July 2008 and June 2010 were analysed. Data pulled out included age,
      disease stage at presentation, histological variant and degree of
      differentiation. RESULTS: 206 patients were seen during the period of which 196
      had complete data. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was seen in 178 patients (i.e.
      90.8%) while 14 patients (7.1%) had adenocarcinoma. One patient each had adenoid
      cystic carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma and mucinous
      carcinoma. Majority of the patients, 99 (50.5%) had poorly differentiated
      tumours, 64 (32.7%) had well differentiated tumours, while the rest 33 (16.8%)
      had moderately differentiated tumours. Of the SCC tumours, 95 (53.4%) were poorly
      differentiated, 58 (32.6%) well differentiated while the remaining 25 (14%) were
      moderately differentiated. In comparison only 3 of the 14 adenocarcinoma cases
      (21.4%) were poorly differentiated, 5 cases (35.7%) were well differentiated,
      while 6 (42.9%) were moderately differentiated. The difference in the degree of
      differentiation between squamous histology and adenocarcinoma was statistically
      significant (p value = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Poorly differentiated squamous cell
      carcinoma remains the leading variants of cervical cancer seen in our
      environment.

PMID- 27276766
TI  - Preliminary Anti-Fungal Activity of the Aqueous Bark Extract of Calotropis
      procera (ASCLEPIADACEAE).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Calotropis procera is a species of flowering plant which belongs to
      the Asclepiadaceous family. Its other names are Apple of Sodom, Giant Milkweed
      and Swallow-wort. It's native to Africa and Asian countries where they exist as a
      spreading shrub or small tree with height of about 4m. They. exude copious milky
      sap when cut or broken. It has a broad grey-green leaves with a pointed tip, two
      rounded basal lobes and no leaf stalk. Their flowers are waxy white. The
      different part of this plant has been used for different medicinal purposes such
      as cure of leprosy, eczema, inflammation, cutaneous infections, syphilis,
      malarial and low hectic fevers, and as abortifacient. OBJECTIVE: The extract of
      the bark of the plant Calotropis procera used locally by people in Sokoto to
      treat ringworm infection was investigated for the claimed activity by subjecting
      the extract collected to both phytochemical and antifungal screening. METHODS:
      The extracts of water, n-hexane, petroleum ether and chloroform of the bark of
      the plant Calotropis procera were evaluated for the presence of alkaloids,
      tannins, glycosides, saponins, steroids and flavonoids. And the water extract
      which is often used by the local people was tested for antifungal activity using
      Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) in Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method developed by
      Kirby et al. Fulcin tablet was used as a standard and two petridishes that does
      not contain the extracts were used as control. RESULTS: In the phytochemical
      study using extracts of n-hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform and water, the
      presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins and steroids (cardiac glycoside) were
      confirmed. Also, for the antifungal activity of the plant, there was a complete
      inhibition of Microsporum specie and Trichophyton specie in the sample after 10
      days of inoculation when water extract at different concentrations (i.e. 20 mg/L,
      30 mg/L and 40 mg/L) were applied. The tablet only completely inhibited
      Trichophyton specie. Epidermophyton specie was not found in the sample. The
      inhibitory effect of this extract was significant (p < 0.05) when compared with
      fulcin tablet. CONCLUSION: The research confirmed that the extract of the bark of
      the plant Calotropis procera has some antifungal activity.

PMID- 27276767
TI  - PREDICTORS OF DIFFICULT AIRWAY MANAGEMENT IN THYROID SURGERY: A FIVE-YEAR
      OBSERVATIONAL SINGLE-CENTER PROSPECTIVE STUDY.
AB  - Difficult tracheal intubation (DI) is more common in thyroid than in other
      surgical branches due to thyromegaly. Proper preoperative airway evaluation is
      necessary in order to reduce the potential numerous complications. The study
      examined the incidence of DI in thyroid surgery and the influence of tracheal
      dislocation and other risk factors on DI. A prospective study was conducted on
      2379 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at the Center for Endocrine Surgery,
      Clinical Center of Serbia, from 2007 to 2012. Patients were divided into groups
      with (n = 162) and without DI (n = 2217). Besides tracheal dislocation, another
      13 risk factors contained in 13 screening tests and three additional factors of
      gender, age and diagnosis were defined. The incidence of DI in our study was
      6.81%. The presence of tracheal dislocation was statistically significant, but
      not an independent predictor of DI. The diagnosis, large circumference and small
      neck length, previous DI, recessive mandible, tooth characteristics and oral
      anomalies were the most significant and independent predictors of DI. Neck
      circumference and small neck length had highest sensitivity. Previous DI had
      highest specificity. Thyromegaly, if causing tracheal dislocation and/or
      stenosis, represents a significant DI predictor, not individually, but in
      combination with other factors.

PMID- 27276768
TI  - PRACTICAL CHRONIC PAIN ASSESSMENT TOOLS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE.
AB  - The aim of the study was to show the role of tools in the evaluation of chronic
      pain (CP) in general practitioner (GP) everyday clinical practice. The study was
      done by analyzing electronic database of the first visits of 1090 CP patients
      referred to the Pain Clinic of the Karlovac General Hospital, Karlovac, Croatia,
      by their GPs. All patient records were analyzed according to the cause of CP,
      strongest pain a week before the examination, quality of sleep, and the Patients'
      Global Impression of Change scale. All statistical analyses were done using the
      IBM SPSS Statistics version 19.0.0.1 (www.spss.com). CP predominantly occurs in
      older age group. Patients with musculoskeletal pain accounted for the highest
      percentage (n = 316; 29%), followed by those with neuropathic pain (n = 253;
      23.20%) and those with low back pain (n = 225; 20.60%). The mean pain intensity
      rating scale score was 8.3 +/- 1.8 a week before the examination and the mean
      quality of sleep score was 6.8 +/- 1.9. Moderate and severe sleep quality
      disorder was significantly present in patients over 65 years of age (p = 0.007),
      patients with musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain, back pain, and those having
      rated Patients' Global Impression of Change scale as worsening (p = 0.001). The
      severity of pain and poor quality of sleep are the leading causes of
      deterioration of the Patients' Global Impression of Change scale in patients
      suffering from musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. In order to treat CP
      comprehensively, it is important for GPs to evaluate the outcomes of clinical
      treatment using tools for CP assessment.

PMID- 27276769
TI  - EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF DIFFICULT AIRWAY IN OBESITY A SINGLE CENTER
      RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.
AB  - The primary aim of this single center retrospective study was to evaluate
      difficult mask ventilation (DMV) and difficult laryngoscopy (DL) in a unique
      group of obese patients. A total of 427 adult patients with body mass index (BMI)
      >= 25 and surgically treated for endometrial cancer from 2011 to 2014 were
      assessed. Additional increase in BMI, comorbidities, bedside screening tests for
      risk factors, and the tools used to manage the patients were noted and their
      effects on DMV and/or DL investigated. Every escalation in the number of risk
      factors increased the probability of DMV 2.2-fold, DL 1.8-fold and DMV+DL 3.0
      fold. Among bedside tests, limited neck movement (LNM), short neck (SN) and
      absence of teeth were significant for DMV (p < 0.05), LNM, SN and obstructive
      sleep apnea for DL (p < 0.05), and LNM and SN for DMV+DL (p < 0.05). However, a
      10-point increase of BMI was not an independent risk factor when patients with
      BMI > 25% were considered. In conclusion, LNM and SN are independent risk factors
      for developing DMV and/or DL in obese endometrial cancer patients, while BMI
      increase over 30 was not additionally affecting difficult airway.

PMID- 27276770
TI  - EARLY VERSUS LATE PERCUTANEOUS TRACHEOTOMY IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS: A
      RETROSPECTIVE SINGLE CENTER OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.
AB  - Despite decades of experience in tracheotomy, there still exists a controversy
      over its ideal timing. The aim of our study was to compare the impact of early
      and late percutaneous tracheotomy in terms of their ability to reduce mechanical
      ventilation duration and length of stay in Intensive Care Unit, as well as the
      frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia and mortality rates in
      tracheotomized patients. This retrospective observational study indicated that
      early tracheotomy in surgical and neurosurgical patients was associated with a
      reduced duration of mechanical ventilation and reduced length of stay in
      Intensive Care Unit, but was unable to reduce the frequency of ventilator
      associated pneumonia and mortality. The reason behind the shorter duration of
      mechanical ventilation and shorter length of stay in Intensive Care Unit in the
      early tracheotomy arm was shorter duration of mechanical ventilation carried out
      prior to tracheotomy, while the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length
      of stay in Intensive Care Unit after tracheotomy were similar in both groups,
      suggesting that the procedure itself and not its timing influenced the duration
      of mechanical ventilation and the length of stay in Intensive Care Unit of
      tracheotomized patients.

PMID- 27276772
TI  - FIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY VERSUS VIDEO LARYNGOSCOPY IN PEDIATRIC AIRWAY MANAGEMENT.
AB  - The primary goal of pediatric airway management is to ensure oxygenation and
      ventilation. Routine airway management in healthy pediatric patients is normally
      easy in experienced hands. Really difficult pediatric airway is rare and usually
      is associated with anatomically and physiologically important findings such as
      congenital abnormalities and syndromes, trauma, infection, swelling and burns.
      Using predictors of difficult intubation should be mandatory preoperative
      assessment in pediatric patients. Difficult airway algorithm for pediatric
      patients has to consist of three parts: oxygenation (A), tracheal intubation (B),
      and rescue (C). According to this new algorithm, if conventional direct
      laryngoscopy fails, we have to use alternative glottic visualization device. Do
      we really need video laryngoscopy? If we look at numbers, we might estimate that
      conventional laryngoscopy is successful and effective in around 98.5% of cases.
      Do we need to replace Macintosh laryngoscope with video laryngoscope completely
      in our routine practice? Should video laryngoscope be available to replace
      fiberoptic intubation in pediatric airway management? According to the algorithm,
      fiberoptic-assisted tracheal intubation combined with extraglottic airway devices
      is the standard of care. Establishment of protocols for equipping and maintaining
      airway trolleys and regular training in their use must be provided to avoid
      tissue hypoxia in children with compromised airway.

PMID- 27276771
TI  - CHALLENGES IN THE USE OF VIDEO LARYNGOSCOPES.
AB  - Despite the lack of uniformity and the need of further investigation, video
      laryngoscopy continues to gain popularity both inside and outside the operating
      room. It has quickly become a first line strategy for potential and/or
      encountered difficult intubation. It is well established that video laryngoscope
      improves laryngeal view as compared with direct laryngoscopy in patients with
      suspected difficult intubation and simulated difficult airway scenarios. For
      novices and experienced anesthesiologists alike, video laryngoscopy is easy to
      use and the skills involved are easy to master. However, it is important to say
      that video laryngoscopes may be used in a variety of clinical scenarios and
      settings because of the video laryngoscope design offering an alternative
      intubation technique in both anaesthetized and awake patients. The aim of this
      article is to show and highlight clinical situations in which the use of video
      laryngoscope is a challenge for an experienced anesthesiologist in solving the
      airway. Challenges in the use of video laryngoscope with which we deal and
      encounter in everyday clinical practice that are discussed in this paper are
      intubation in the prehospital setting and emergency departments, intubation in
      Intensive Care Unit, intubation in a patient with cervical spine immobilization,
      and awake video laryngoscopy-assisted tracheal intubation in the obese. We also
      point out the important role of video laryngoscope as a tool for teaching and
      training in airway education. Training and education in difficult airway
      management is essential to improve patient safety at endotracheal intubation in
      emergency situation.

PMID- 27276773
TI  - SIMPLE, TIMELY, SAFELY? LARYNGEAL MASK AND PEDIATRIC AIRWAY.
AB  - Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was a useful, powerful airway management device for
      routine pediatric airway management, pediatric difficult airway, and in pediatric
      emergency situations. Over years, various designs, induction and insertion
      techniques have been described. LMA provides ease of placement and removal as
      compared with endotracheal intubation, less traumatism for the respiratory tract,
      better tolerability by patients, improved hemodynamic stability during emergency,
      less coughing, less sore throat, avoidance of laryngoscopy, and hands free
      airway. On the other hand, LMA is not suitable to overcome functional airway
      problems and mechanical airway obstruction in children. Simple airway management
      in pediatric patients is normally easy in experienced hands, for
      anesthesiologists working in specialized hospitals with appropriate personnel and
      equipment that guarantee optimal safety in these patients. On the other hand,
      pediatric airway management is a great challenge for anesthesiologists working in
      departments with a small number of pediatric surgical procedures. Careful
      preoperative evaluation, preparation and training in the recognition of
      challenges in pediatric airway are essential for the management of the airway in
      children. LMA plays a special role in the management of difficult pediatric
      airway; as a supraglottic airway device, it is incorporated into difficult
      pediatric airway algorithms.

PMID- 27276774
TI  - AIRWAY VISUALIZATION: EYES SEE WHAT MIND KNOWS.
AB  - Airway management is basic for anesthesia practice, and sometimes it can
      represent a really dramatic scenario for both the patient and the physicians.
      Laryngoscopy has been the gold standard of airway visualization for more than 60
      years, showing its limitations and failure rates with time. New technology has
      made available an opportunity to move the physician's eye inside patient airways
      thanks to video laryngoscopy and video assisted airway management technique.
      Undoubtedly, we have entered a new era of high resolution airway visualization
      and different approach in airway instrumentation. Nevertheless, each new
      technology needs time to be tested and considered reliable, and pitfalls and
      limitations may come out with careful and long lasting analysis, so it is
      probably not the right time yet to promote video assisted approach as a new gold
      standard for airway visualization, despite the fact that it certainly offers some
      new prospects. In any case, whatever the visualization approach, no patient dies
      because of missed airway visualization or failed intubation, but due to failed
      ventilation, which remains without doubt the gold standard of any patient safety
      goal and airway management technique.

PMID- 27276775
TI  - CHALLENGES OF OBSTETRIC ANESTHESIA: DIFFICULT LARYNGEAL VISUALIZATION.
AB  - Obstetric anesthesia is one of the high risk subspecialties of anesthesia
      practice. Anesthesia related complications are the sixth leading cause of
      maternal mortality. Difficult or failed intubation following induction of general
      anesthesia for CS remains the major contributory factor to anesthesia-related
      maternal complications. The airway management of obstetric patients is a
      challenging issue for several reasons. Anatomic and physiologic changes related
      to pregnancy may increase the difficult and failed intubation rates compared to
      the general surgical population. Proper evaluation of the airway anatomy and
      airway structures is vital to prevent airway management related catastrophes. In
      addition to basic airway and intubation equipment, each anesthesia department
      must have difficult intubation equipment cart including fiber optic laryngoscope,
      video laryngoscopes, and different types of laryngeal masks. It is essential that
      all anesthesiologists have a preconceived and well thought-out algorithm and
      emergency airway equipment to deal with airway emergencies during difficult or
      failed intubation of a parturient.

PMID- 27276776
TI  - VISUALIZATION OF AIRWAY.
AB  - The author provides an overview of the history of optical instruments for airway
      management in anesthesiology. It systematically demonstrates the development of
      laryngoscope down to the present time when video laryngoscope has been introduced
      in clinical practice.

PMID- 27276777
TI  - ALTERNATIVE DEVICES IN AIRWAY VISUALIZATION.
AB  - The Macintosh laryngoscope has been the most widely used device for intubation
      since its invention by Foregger in the 1940s. Recently, video and optic
      laryngoscopy assisted tracheal intubation has been used widely in patients with
      difficult airways. Their routine use, however, is not widely practiced. This
      review will summarize some of the newly available devices to assist tracheal
      intubation, with their advantages and disadvantages when compared with
      conventional laryngoscopes. It also presents the reasons to support their use in
      both elective and emergency airway management.

PMID- 27276778
TI  - UPPER AIRWAY BLOCKS FOR AWAKE DIFFICULT AIRWAY MANAGEMENT.
AB  - Airway anesthesia is pivotal for successful awake intubation provided either
      topically or by blocks. Airway blocks are considered technically more difficult
      to perform and carry a higher risk of complications. However, in experienced
      hands, they can be useful as they provide excellent intubating conditions. For
      complete upper airway anesthesia, bilateral glossopharyngeal and superior
      laryngeal nerve blocks with translaryngeal injection are required. Superior
      laryngeal nerve block and translaryngeal injection can be performed easily,
      safely and with a high success rate in patients with normal anatomy. In those
      with difficult landmarks, ultrasound can be of assistance. For the superior
      laryngeal nerve block, other targets than the nerve itself must be established to
      make the technique consistently successful, easy to teach, learn and perform. The
      same applies to the translaryngeal injection, where the use of ultrasound is
      necessary for correct midline identification. Intraoral glossopharyngeal nerve
      block is also safe and easy to perform, but associated with long lasting
      discomfort. Bilateral extraoral peristyloid approach should be discouraged since
      inadvertent blocks of the closely adjacent vagus nerve cannot be prevented in
      this location. A safe and easy method of blocking the distal portions of the
      glossopharyngeal nerve for awake intubation is therefore required.

PMID- 27276779
TI  - AIRWAY MANAGEMENT WITH DIRECT LARYNGOSCOPY IN A CHILD WITH GOLDENHAR SYNDROME.
AB  - Goldenhar syndrome, also known as oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia, is a rare
      congenital condition characterized by facial, cranial, vertebral, ocular,
      auricular and cardiac abnormalities. This syndrome is associated with hemifacial
      microsomia due to inadequate growth of the mandible and vertebral anomaly of the
      cervical part of the spine. For anesthesiologists, airway management is of great
      interest because of facial and oral abnormalities such as mandibular hypoplasia
      and limitation of neck movement. Considering different conditions of Goldenhar
      syndrome, every patient should be preoperatively evaluated in order to make the
      plan for the anticipated difficult airway management. We report a case of a 2.5
      year-old boy undergoing palatoplasty, who required general anesthesia and
      orotracheal intubation. Our decision to intubate with direct laryngoscopy and
      with slight external pressure on the larynx proved successful.

PMID- 27276780
TI  - MOEBIUS SYNDROME: CHALLENGES OF AIRWAY MANAGEMENT.
AB  - Moebius syndrome is a rare nonprogressive congenital neurological disorder with a
      wide range of severity and variability of symptoms. This diversity is a
      consequence of dysfunction of different cranial nerves (most often facial and
      abducens nerves), accompanying orofacial abnormalities, musculoskeletal
      malformations, congenital cardiac diseases, as well as specific associations of
      Moebius and other syndromes. The authors present anesthesia and airway management
      during the multiple tooth extraction surgery in a 10-year-old girl with Moebius
      syndrome associated with Poland and trigeminal trophic syndromes.

PMID- 27276781
TI  - BILATERAL PNEUMOTHORAX AS A COMPLICATION OF PERCUTANEOUS TRACHEOSTOMY: CASE
      REPORT.
AB  - Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure that is
      becoming the method of choice in critically ill patients whenever prolonged
      airway secure and/or ventilation support is needed. Although adverse events are
      relatively uncommon, serious life threatening complications can arise from this
      bedside procedure. We report a case of a 70-year-old female who developed
      extensive subcutaneous emphysema and bilateral pneumothorax immediately after a
      percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy procedure. Different mechanisms, such as
      damage to posterior or anterior tracheal wall, false passage or paratracheal
      placement or dislocation of the cannula are considered to be responsible for the
      development of pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema. Although bronchoscopic
      control after the tracheostomy procedure did not reveal any tracheal injury, we
      believe that subcutaneous emphysema and bilateral pneumothorax are most likely
      caused by procedure induced injuries of the trachea in addition to the applied
      high airway pressure induced by excessive or inappropriate ventilation. In our
      case report, we would like to emphasize that continuous bronchoscopic guidance
      during percutaneous tracheostomy is invaluable in decreasing the incidence of its
      overall complications, especially during enhancing the team experience.

PMID- 27276782
TI  - ANESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF A PATIENT WITH CENTRAL AIRWAY COMPRESSION DUE TO
      POSTERIOR MEDIASTINAL MASS.
AB  - Patients with mediastinal masses present unique challenge to anesthesiologists.
      Patients with anterior mediastinal masses have well documented cases of
      respiratory or cardiovascular collapse during anesthesia and in postoperative
      period. Masses in the posterior mediastinum have been traditionally regarded to
      carry a significantly lower risk of anesthesia related complications but cases of
      near fatal cardiorespiratory complications have been reported. We describe
      anesthetic management of a patient with posterior mediastinal mass compressing
      the trachea and the left main bronchus presented for left thoracotomy and tumor
      excision. The patient experienced pain and cough, and exhibited positional
      dyspnea. Airway was successfully secured with awake nasotracheal intubation and
      placement of single lumen endobronchial tube.

PMID- 27276783
TI  - LARYNGEAL CHONDROSARCOMA: SUCCESSFUL USE OF VIDEO LARYNGOSCOPE IN ANTICIPATED
      DIFFICULT AIRWAY MANAGEMENT.
AB  - Laryngeal chondrosarcoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor, most frequently affecting
      cricoid cartilage. The objective of this report is to present successful video
      laryngoscope usage in a patient with anticipated difficult airway who refused
      awake fiberoptic endotracheal intubation (AFOI). A 59-year-old male patient was
      admitted in our hospital due to difficulty breathing and swallowing. On clinical
      examination performed by ENT surgeon, preoperative endoscopic airway examination
      (PEAE) could not be performed properly due to the patient's uncooperativeness.
      Computed tomography revealed a spherical tumor that obstructed the subglottic
      area almost entirely. Due to the narrowed airway, the first choice for the
      anticipated difficult airway management was AFOI, which the patient refused.
      Consequently, we decided to perform endotracheal intubation with indirect
      laryngoscope using a C-MAC video laryngoscope (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany).
      Reinforced endotracheal tube (6.0 mm internal diameter) was placed gently between
      the tumor mass and the posterior wall of the trachea in the first attempt.
      Confirmation of endotracheal intubation was done by capnography. In a patient
      with subglottic area chondrosarcoma refusing PEAE and AFOI, video laryngoscope is
      a particularly helpful device for difficult airway management when difficult
      airway is anticipated.

PMID- 27276784
TI  - Making Lives better.

PMID- 27276786
TI  - Government injects L200m to social care programme.

PMID- 27276785
TI  - Scotland charities demand urgent action for 5,000 homeless children.

PMID- 27276787
TI  - Interface communities most linked to sectarian violence and deprivation.

PMID- 27276788
TI  - Breastfeeding reduces ear infections, study shows.

PMID- 27276789
TI  - Research sheds light on type 2 diabetes origin.

PMID- 27276791
TI  - Health visitor numbers appear to drop amid data collection confusion.

PMID- 27276790
TI  - Twenty-year survival expected for majority of liver transplant children.

PMID- 27276792
TI  - Make sure you're connected.

PMID- 27276793
TI  - Downbanding: in a CNN's shoes.

PMID- 27276794
TI  - BREAKING BOUNDARIES.

PMID- 27276795
TI  - Breathe easy.

PMID- 27276796
TI  - An urgent need.

PMID- 27276797
TI  - Recognition and management of learning disabilities in early childhood by
      community practitioners.

PMID- 27276798
TI  - Attachment icebergs: Maternal and child health nurses' evaluation of infant
      caregiver attachment.
AB  - Secure attachment of infants to their caregiver is important when promoting the
      emotional wellbeing and mental health of infants. Maternal and child health (MCH)
      nurses are well positioned to observe the quality of interactions between infants
      and caregivers and to assess and intervene. However, as yet there are no approved
      methods to assess the emotional and mental health of infants in community
      settings. A qualitative descriptive study of 12 MCH nurses in Victoria,
      Australia, using semi-structured interviews, was thematically analysed. The data
      revealed that nurses used many skills to identify and manage attachment
      difficulties. Key among these were observations of interactions, collaboration
      with caregivers and reflective practice. Assessments and interventions are also
      influenced by nurses' emotions, attitudes and workplace factors. An unexpected
      finding was that attachment markers can be likened to an 'iceberg': warning
      indicators at the tip can be easily observed by the nurse, while the less obvious
      underlying factors need to be explored in order to support attachment and improve
      infant mental health outcomes. Education for nurses should include concepts of
      attachment and link behaviours with emotional wellbeing.

PMID- 27276799
TI  - Health visitors have much to offer pre-registration child branch student nurses.
AB  - The primary care workforce has recently become the focus of several reports,
      which highlight the preparation and upskilling of nurses for a move to acute care
      in the community and plans to widen the community and primary care workforce.
      This paper explores current health plans in relation to pre-registration nurse
      education and identifies the health visitor as having key qualities and skills to
      manage child branch student nurses' community placements. A health visitor's
      perspective reinforces the discussion and highlights how the current climate
      offers a valuable opportunity for health visitors to promote a positive learning
      environment. Numerous learning opportunities are identified in the community
      placement, which can serve to equip student nurses with key nursing and
      interprofessional skills, such as leadership, management, assessment,
      communication and negotiation. A student's perspective is offered to provide an
      example of how a positive experience in the community can enhance student
      learning. This discussion concludes that the health visitor can be a valuable
      mentor to offer pre-registration student nurses a supportive environment in which
      to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and encourage students to flourish as
      caring and compassionate nurses.

PMID- 27276800
TI  - Last word with ... SHIRLEY SMITH.

PMID- 27276801
TI  - [OBSERVATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF HIP RESURFACING ARTHROPLASTY IN TREATMENT OF
      OSTEONECROSIS OF FEMORAL HEAD IN YOUNG AND MIDDLE-AGED PATIENTS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of hip resurfacing
      arthroplasty (HRA) for treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in young
      and middle-aged patients. METHODS: Between January 2008 and April 2009, 34
      patients with ONFH underwent HRA. There were 19 males and 15 females with an
      average age of 54 years (range, 33-59 years). Of 34 cases, 16 left hips and 18
      right hips were involved, including 9 cases of alcohol-induced ONFH, 8 cases of
      steroid-induced ONFH, 7 cases of traumatic ONFH, and 10 cases of unexplained
      ONFH. According to modified Ficat classification system, 26 hips were rated as
      stage III, and 8 hips as stage IV. The Harris hip score (HHS) and modified
      University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score were used to evaluate
      the clinical results. Migration of prosthesis was assessed on the anteroposterior
      radiographs. The abduction angle was measured on the acetabular side. On the
      femoral side, varus-valgus shift was determined by measurement of stem-shaft
      angle. The axial collapse of femoral component was assessed with the component
      lateral cortex ratio. RESULTS: Healing of incision by first intention was
      achieved in all patients without complications of infection and thrombosis of
      deep vein of lower extremities. Thirty-two patients were followed up 78 months on
      average (range, 70-84 months). No implant loosening, infection, femoral neck
      fracture, dislocation, and inflammatory pseudotumor were observed. At last follow
      up, the HHS score was significantly increased to 95.22 +/- 1.47 from preoperative
      50.10 +/- 2.27 (t=1.510, P=0.008). Modified UCLA activity score was significantly
      increased to 7.70 +/- 1.13 from preoperative 3.90 +/- 0.90 (t=0.830, P=0.003).
      The abduction angle, stem-shaft angle, and compotent-lateral cortex ratio showed
      no significant difference between at 3 days after operation and last follow-up
      (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: If the indication of operation is mastered strictly, HRA
      may be effective in treatment for ONFH at Ficat stage III or IV in young and
      middle-aged patients.

PMID- 27276802
TI  - [CLINICAL STUDY OF INTERNAL TENSION-RELIEVING TECHNIQUE IN ARTHROSCOPIC ASSISTED
      ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of internal tension-relieving technique for
      arthroscopic assisted anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS:
      Between March 2011 and September 2014, 51 cases of complete ACL rupture were
      randomly divided into 2 groups. Arthroscopic assisted single-bundle ACL
      reconstruction combined with internal tension-relieving technique was performed
      in 26 cases (group A), arthroscopic assisted single-bundle ACL reconstruction in
      25 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of
      injury, injured side, body mass index, Outerbridge classification of articular
      cartilage injury, disease duration, and the preoperative International Knee
      Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, and KT-1000 test value
      between 2 groups (P>0.05). At 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, the KT-1000
      was used to measure the anterior stability, and IKDC and Lysholm scores to
      evaluate the function of knee joint. RESULTS: Healing of incision by first
      intention was obtained in all patients of 2 groups, without complications of
      infection, deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity, and blood vessels and nerves
      injury. The patients were followed up 12 months after operation. All patients
      received second microscopic examination. The reconstructed ACL had good
      continuity and good coverage of synovial tissue. There was no re-rupture in any
      cases. The range of motion of the knee joint was close to normal. The MRI showed
      good healing of the ligament and the bone tunnel at 12 months after operation. KT
      1000 test value, IKDC score, and Lysholm score at 3, 6, and 12 months after
      operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones
      (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found among different time points
      after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in IKDC score and
      Lysholm score between 2 groups at 3 and 12 months (P>0.05); but IKDC score and
      Lysholm score of group A were significantly higher than those of group B (P<0.05)
      at 6 months. At diffenent time points after operation, the KT-1000 test values of
      group A were significantly lower than those of group B (P<0.05) except the value
      at 3 months (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: For patients with ACL rupture, using internal
      tension-relieving technique can effectively alleviate tension force of
      reconstructed ligament, which is beneficial to the healing of reconstructed
      ligament and early rehabilitation of the knee joint.

PMID- 27276803
TI  - [EFFECTIVENESS OF SLIDING OSTEOTOMY FOR CORRECTING SEVERE VALGUS DEFORMITY IN
      TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the surgical technique and effectiveness of sliding
      osteotomy of medial femur condyle in handling soft tissue balance of severe
      valgus deformity in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Between June 2008 and
      February 2014, 18 cases (19 knees) of severe valgus knees undergoing sliding
      osteotomy of medial femur condyle in primary TKA were included, Of the 18
      patients, 6 were male and 12 were female with an average age of 52.3 years
      (range, 29-72 years), including 3 cases (3 knees) of osteoarthritis, 11 cases (12
      knees) of rheumatoid arthritis, 3 cases (3 knees) of post-traumatic arthritis,
      and 1 case (1 knee) of deformities in skeletal dysplasia. Before surgery, the
      tibial femur angle (TFA) was (33.0 +/- 2.9) degrees; the Hospital for Special
      Surgery (HSS) score was 41.6 +/- 7.7; the Knee Society Score (KSS) lateral
      stability score was 6.0 +/- 5.4. All cases wererated as type II according to
      Krackow classification of valgus knee. During primary TKA, sliding osteotomy of
      medial femur condyle was performed via a medial parapatellar approach. RESULTS:
      Incision healed by first intention in all cases. Peroneal nerve palsy occurred in
      1 patient, which was cured after 6 months of conservative treatment. Eighteen
      cases were followed up 19 months to 7 years, with an average of 5.7 years. All
      patients had no complications of deep vein thrombosis, deep infection, and
      prosthesis loosening. X-ray films showed that bone healing was achieved in all
      cases at 6 months. At last follow-up, the TFA was (4.8 +/- 1.8) degrees, showing
      significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=62.61, P=0.00).
      The HSS score was 87.2 +/- 10.5 and the KSS lateral stability score was 12.4 +/-
      3.1, all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative scores
      (t = -33.35, P=0.00; t = -6.83, P=0.00). CONCLUSION: Sliding osteotomy of medial
      femur condyle is effective for correcting severe valgus knee deformity during
      TKA. Satisfactory joint function and stability may be achieved

PMID- 27276804
TI  - [SEMITENDINOUS AND GRACILIS TRANSFER FOR TREATMENT OF MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT
      INJURY CAUSED BY TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of semitendinous and gracilis transfer
      for the treatment of medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury caused by total knee
      arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Between March 2009 and May 2014, 11 patients (11
      knees) with MCL injuries caused by primary TKA were treated by semitendinous and
      gracilis transfer in primary TKA (injury group). Another 18 patients (21 knees)
      without MCL injury were included as the control group. There was no significant
      difference in gender, age, injury sides, disease duration, body mass index, knee
      varus deformity, and preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS) between 2 groups
      (P>0.05), with comparability. KSS score was used to evaluate the function after
      operation. RESULTS: Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, and
      no complications of joint instability and pain occurred. The follow-up time was-6
      29 months in injury group and was 7-34 months in control group. At last follow
      up, the KSS clinical score and ftinctional score were significantly increased to
      89.82 +/- 3.76 and 89.54 +/- 3.50 in the injury group (P<0.05) and were
      significantly increased to 90.19 +/- 3.39 and 90.00 +/- 3.53 in the control group
      (P<0.05) respectively, but no significant difference was shown between 2 groups
      (t=0.158, P=0.877; t=0.820, P=0.432). X-ray films showed no prosthetic loosening
      or subsidence during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The semitendinous and gracilis
      transfer is reliable for the treatment of MCL injury caused by TKA. The
      insertions of semitendinous tendon and gracilis are close to that of the knee
      MCL, which can effectively improve knee function.

PMID- 27276805
TI  - [EFFECTIVENESS COMPARISON OF PROXIMAL FEMORAL NAIL ANTI-ROTATION IN SUPINE
      "SCISSORS" POSITION AND IN LITHOTOMY POSITION TO TREAT FEMORAL INTERTROCHANTERIC
      FRACTURES OF OLD PATIENTS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation
      (PFNA) between in the supine "scissors" position and in the lithotomy position
      for treating femoral intertrochanteric fractures of old patients. METHODS: A
      retrospective study was performed on 58 patients with femoral intertrochanteric
      fractures treated with PFNA between January 2013 and January 2015. Fracture was
      treated with PFNA in the lithotomy position in 28 cases (group A) and in the
      supine "scissors" position in 30 cases (group B). There was no significant
      difference in gender, age, side, cause of injury, fracture type, and interval
      from injury to operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The incision length,
      operation time, perspective times, intraoperative blood loss, complications, and
      fracture healing time were recorded; Harris hip score was used to access the
      effectiveness. RESULTS: The wound healed by first intention without infection,
      pressure sores, deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity, and other complications.
      There was no significant difference in incision length between 2 groups (t=1.313,
      P=0.212). Group B was significantly better than group A in operation time,
      perspective times, and intraoperative blood loss (P<0.05). All patients were
      followed up 10-31 months (mean, 15.3 months). Stretch injury at normal side and
      perineal discomfort occurred in 1 case and 5 cases of group A respectively, and
      no nonunion and other complications was observed in the other patients. There was
      no significant difference in fracture healing time and Harris hip score at last
      follow-up between 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: PFNA in the supine "scissors"
      position has exact effectiveness and advantages of shorter operation time, less
      intraoperative blood loss, less perspective times, and fewer complications.

PMID- 27276806
TI  - [PRELIMINARY APPLICATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING PERSONALIZED EXTERNAL
      FIXATOR IN SERIOUS TIBIOFIBULA FRACTURES].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore a new method of treating serious tibiofibula comminuted
      fracture by using three-dimensional (3-D) printing personalized external fixator.
      METHODS: In April 2015, a male patient (aged 18 years with a height of 171 cm and
      a weight of 67 kg) with left tibiofibula comminuted fracture was included in the
      study. Computer-assisted reduction technique combined with 3-D printing was used
      to develop a customised personalized external fixator for fracture reduction. The
      effectiveness was observed. RESULTS: The operation time was about 10 minutes
      without fluoroscopy, and successful reduction was obtained. The patient had equal
      limb length after operation. X-ray films showed that the posterior angulation of
      distal fracture was corrected 37 degrees, and the eversion angle was corrected 4
      degrees. The tibial fractures had good paraposition or alignment, and the lower
      limb force line was corrected completely. No new fracture displacement occurred.
      The clinical healing time of fracture was 3.5 months and the bone union was
      achieved after 8 months. The function of affected limb recovered well after
      operation. CONCLUSION: A personalized external fixator for serious tibiofibula
      comminuted fracture reduction made by 3-D printing technique has the merits of
      easy manipulation, high individuation, accurate reduction, stable fixation, and
      no need of fluoroscopy.

PMID- 27276807
TI  - [EFFECTIVENESS OF DISTRACTION THERAPY ASSISTED BY ARTHROSCOPE IN TREATMENT OF
      ANKLE TRAUMATIC OSTEOARTHRITIS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of distraction therapy assisted by
      arthroscope in the treatment of ankle traumatic osteoarthritis. METHODS: Between
      October 2013 and October 2014, 13 patients with anlde traumatic osteoarthritis
      were treated, including 8 males and 5 females with an age range of 44-63 years
      (mean, 55.2 years). The left ankle and the right ankle were involved in 4 and 9
      cases respectively. The disease duration was 1.5-10.0 years (median, 5 years).
      The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind foot scale
      score was 51.00 +/- 7.09; the short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) score was
      40.82 +/- 4.62. According to Scranton grade system, 9 cases were rated as grade
      II and 4 cases as grade III. First, ande hyperplasia osteophytes was removed
      under arthroscope, then Ilizarov apparatus was used to maintain distraction of 5
      10 mm ande space for 3 months. RESULTS: One case had postoperative pin tract
      infection after removing the external fixation, and infection was controlled by
      dressing treatment; no related complications occurred in the other patients. All
      patients got follow-up of 12-18 months (mean, 14.7 months). Patients achieved
      disappearance of ankle swelling, pain relief, and were able to walk after
      rehabilitation. The ankle activity was obviously improved. At last follow-up,
      AOFAS ankel-hind foot scale score and SF-36 score were significantly increased to
      85.23 +/- 6.41 and 56.29 +/- 6.20 respectively (t=20.756, P=0.025; t=11.647,
      P=0.018). According to AOFAS scores, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good
      in 8 cases, and fair in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 92.3%.
      Postoperative X-ray film showed normal ankle position and alignment, osteophytes
      at the edges of the tibia and talus, articular surface sclerosis, normal joint
      space, and no joint swelling. CONCLUSION: Distraction therapy assisted by
      arthroscope is an effective method for treating ankle traumatic osteoarthritis.

PMID- 27276808
TI  - [PART-KESSLER TECHNIQUE WITH SUTURE ANCHOR IN REPAIR OF SPONTANEOUS Achilles
      TENDON RUPTURE].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To summarize the application and experience of repairing spontaneous
      Achilles tendon rupture by part-Kessler technique with suture anchor. METHODS:
      Between January 2011 and December 2013, 31 patients with spontaneous Achilles
      tendon rupture were treated by part-Kessler technique with suture anchor. Of 31
      cases, 23 were male and 8 were female, aged 16-53 years (mean, 38 years). The
      left side was involved in 15 cases and the right side in 16 cases. The causes of
      injury included sudden heel pain and walking weakness during sports in 22 cases;
      no surefooted down-stairs, slip, and carrying heavy loads in 9 cases. The
      distance from broken site to the calcaneus adhension of Achilles tendon was 3-6
      cm (mean, 4.2 cm). The time from injury to operation was 7 hours to 4 days (mean,
      36.8 hours). RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention without nerve
      injury or adhering with skin. The patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 15
      months). All patients could complete 25 times heel raising without difficulty at
      6 months after operation. No Achilles tendon rupture occurred again during follow
      up. At 6 months after operation, the range of motion of the ankle joint in
      dorsiflexion and plantar flexion showed no significant difference between normal
      and affected sides (t=0.648, P=0.525; t=0.524, P=0.605). The circumference of the
      affected leg was significantly smaller than that of normal leg at 6 months after
      operation (t=2.074, P=0.041), but no significant difference was found between
      affected and normal sides at 12 months after operation (t=0.905, P=0.426). The
      American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores at 6, 12, 18, and 24
      months after operation were significantly higher than preoperative score
      (P<0.05); the score at 6 months after operation was significantly lower than that
      at other time points (P<0.05), but no significant difference was shown between
      the other time points (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Repairing spontaneous Achilles tendon
      rupture by part-Kessler technique with suture anchor can supply strong strain and
      decrease the shear forces of suture. So part-Kessler technique with suture anchor
      is successful in repairing spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture.

PMID- 27276810
TI  - [ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW RADIUS DEFECT MODEL BASED ON ULNA ANATOMICAL MEASUREMENT
      IN RABBITS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new bone defect model based on the anatomical
      measurement of radius and ulna in rabbits for offering a standard model for
      further tissue engineering research. METHODS: Fifteen healthy 4-month-old New
      Zealand rabbits were selected for anatomic measurement and radiological
      measurement of the radius and ulna. Another 30 healthy 4-month-old New Zealand
      rabbits were randomly divided into groups A, B, and C (n=10). The radius bone
      defect was created bilaterally in 3 groups. In group A, the periosteum and
      interosseous membranes were fully removed with jig-saw by approach between
      extensor carpi radialis muscle and musculus extensor digitorum. The periosteum
      and interosseous membranes were fully removed in group B, and only periosteum was
      removed in group C with electric-saw by approach between extensor carpi radialis
      muscle and flexor digitorum profundus based on anatomical analysis results of
      ulnar and radial measurement. The gross observation, X-ray, micro-CT three
      dimensional reconstruction, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content
      (BMC) were observed and recorded at immediate and 15 weeks after operation. HE
      staining and Masson staining were performed to observe bone formation in the
      defect areas. RESULTS: Blood vessel injury (1 rabbit), tendon injury (2 rabbits),
      postoperative hematoma (1 rabbit), and infection (1 rabbit) occurred in group A,
      postoperative infection (1 rabbit) in group C, and no postoperative complications
      in group B; the complication rate of group A (50%) was significantly higher than
      that of groups B (0%) and C (10%) (P<0.05). The radiological examination showed
      bone defects were fully repaired in groups A and B at 15 weeks, but bridging
      callus formation was observed in group C. There was no significant difference in
      BMC and BMD among 3 groups (P>0.05). HE staining and Masson staining results
      showed bone formation in group A, with structure disturbance and sclerosis. New
      bone formed in groups B and C, cartilage cells were observed in the center of
      bone cells. CONCLUSION: The radius bone defect model established by approach
      between extensor carpi radialis muscle and flexor digitorum profundus is an ideal
      model because of better exposures, less intra-operative blood loss, less
      complications. Interosseous membranes play a role in bone tissue repair process,
      and the mechanism needs further study.

PMID- 27276809
TI  - [EFFECTIVENESS OF REPAIRING OR RECONSTRUCTING DEFECTS OF FOREFOOT].
AB  - METHODS: Between February 2006 and February 2013, 57 patients with defects of the
      forefoot were treated. There were 41 males and 16 females with an average age of
      38.9 years (range, 19-68 years). The disease causes included motor vehicles crush
      injury in 28 cases, crashing injury in 17 cases, and machine extrusion injury in
      12 cases. The left side was involved in 25 cases and the right side in 32 cases,
      with a mean disease duration of 4.7 hours (range, 0.5-75.0 hours). Defect located
      at the 1st metatarsus in 9 cases, at the 5th metatarsus in 8 cases, at the 1st
      and the 2nd metatarsus in 16 cases, at the 4th and 5th metatarsus in 11 cases, at
      multiple metatarsus and the forefoot in 13 cases. The bone defect ranged from 2.5
      cm x 1.9 cm x 1.4 cm to 13.3 cm x 11.2 cm x 2.7 cm. The soft tissue defect ranged
      from 12.4 cm x 6.3 cm to 27.2 cm x 18.7 cm. The iliac bone or vascularized iliac
      bone or vascularized fibula bone was used to rebuild the arch of the foot, and
      free flap was used to repair defects of the forefoot. The donor site was sutured
      directly or covered with skin graft. RESULTS: Venous crisis and partial necrosis
      occurred in 3 and 2 flaps respectively, which healed after symptomatic treatment.
      The other flaps and grafted skins survived, and wounds healed primarily. Fifty
      one cases were followed up 1.5-2.5 years (mean, 2.1 years). The appearance was
      excellent and the feeling of the flap recovered at different levels. The two
      point discrimination was 8.4-19.8 mm (mean, 13.7 mm) at 1.5 years after
      operation. According to upper extremity functional evaluation standard by hand
      surgery branch of Chinese Medical Association, sensation recovered to 52 in 6
      cases, to 53 in 18 cases, and to 54 in 27 cases. The patients began to walk with
      weight loading at 2-6 months after operation (mean, 3.9 months). The bone healing
      time was 3-6 months (mean, 4.2 months). Based on American Orthopaedic Foot and
      Ankle Society (AOFAS) standards, the results were excellent in 19 cases, good in
      24 cases, fair in 7 case, and poor in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was
      84.3%. CONCLUSION: It is a good solution to treat defects of the forefoot to use
      iliac bone or vascularized iliac bone or vascularized fibula bone for rebuilding
      the arch of the foot and use free flap for repairing defect.

PMID- 27276811
TI  - [EFFECT OF SPINAL DURAL RELEASE ON TREATMENT OF MULTI-SEGMENTAL CERVICAL
      MYELOPATHY WITH OSSIFICATION OF POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENT BY CERVICAL
      LAMINOPLASTY].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of spinal dural release on the effectiveness of
      expansive cervical laminoplasty for treating multi-segmental cervical myelopathy
      with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. METHODS: A retrospective
      analysis was made on the clinical data of 32 patients with multi-segmental
      cervical myelopathy with cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament
      who underwent expansive cervical laminoplasty and spinal dural release between
      February 2011 and October 2013 (group A); and 36 patients undergoing simple
      expansive cervical laminoplasty between January 2010 and January 2011 served as
      controls (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease
      duration, affected segments, combined internal disease, preoperative cervical
      curvature, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and visual analogue
      scale (VAS) score between 2 groups (P>0.05). Postoperative JOA score and
      improvement rate, VAS score, posterior displacement of the spinal cord, and the
      change of cervical curvature were compared between 2 groups. RESULTS: Spinal
      dural tear occurred in 3 cases (2 cases in group A and 1 case in group B) during
      operation. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases (2 cases in group A
      and 1 case in group B) after operation. The patients were followed up 12-46
      months (mean, 18.7 months). At last follow-up, the JOA score and VAS score were
      significantly improved in 2 groups when compared with preoperative scores
      (P<0.05). JOA score and improvement rate of group A were significantly higher
      than those of group B (P<0.05), but VAS score of group A was significantly lower
      than that of group B (P<0.05). At last follow-up, no significant difference in
      cervical curvature was found between 2 groups (P>0.05); posterior displacement of
      the spinal cord of group A was significantly larger than that of group B
      (P<0.05). No reclosed open-door was observed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: For
      patients with multi-segmental cervical myelopathy with ossification of posterior
      longitudinal ligament, full spinal dural release during expansive cervical
      laminoplasty can increase the posterior displacement of spinal cord, and
      significantly improve the effectiveness.

PMID- 27276812
TI  - [COMBINED POSTERIOR AND ANTERIOR APPROACHES FOR RESECTION OF THORACOLUMBAR SPINAL
      HUGE DUMBBELL-SHAPED TUMOR].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical outcome of combined posterior and anterior
      approaches for the resection of thoracolumbar spinal canal huge dumbbell-shaped
      tumor. METHODS: Between January 2009 and March 2015, 12 patients with
      thoracolumbar spinal canal huge dumbbell-shaped tumor were treated by posterior
      approach and anterolateral approach through diaphragmatic crura and
      thoracoabdominal incision for complete resection. There were 9 males and 3
      females, with an average age of 45 years (range, 30-65 years). The disease
      duration was 8-64 weeks (mean, 12.7 weeks). The tumor was located at T(12), L1 in
      6 cases, at L(1,2) in 5 cases, and at L(2,3) in 1 case. The tumor size ranged
      from 4.3 cm x 4.0 cm x 3.5 cm to 7.5 cm x 6.3 cm x 6.0 cm. According to tumor
      outside the spinal involvement scope and site and based on the typing of Eden, 5
      cases were rated as type b, 2 cases as type d, 4 cases as type e, and 1 case as
      type f in the transverse direction; two segments were involved in 8 cases, and
      more than two segments in 4 cases. The degree of tumor excision, tumor
      recurrence, and the spine stability were observed during follow-up. The verbal
      rating scale (VRS) was used to evaluate pain improvement. RESULTS: The average
      surgical time was 170 minutes (range, 150-230 minutes); the average
      intraoperative blood loss was 350 mL (range, 270-600 mL). All incisions healed by
      first intention, and no thoracic cavity infection and other operation related
      complication occurred. Of 12 cases, 10 were histologically confirmed as
      schwannoma, and 2 as neurofibroma. The patients were followed up 6 months to 6
      years (mean, 31 months). Neurological symptoms were significantly improved in all
      patients, without lower back soreness. The thoracolumbar X-ray film and MRI
      showed no tumor residue. No tumor recurrence, internal fixator loosening,
      scoliosis, and other complications were observed during follow-up. VRS at last
      follow-up was significantly improved to grade 0 (10 cases) or grade 1 (2 cases)
      from preoperative grade 1 (2 cases), grade 11 (8 cases), and grade III (2 cases)
      (Z = -3.217, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Combined posterior approach and anterolateral
      approach through diaphragmatic crura and thoracoabdominal incision for complete
      resection of thoracolumbar spinal canal huge dumbbell-shaped tumor is feasible
      and safe, and can protect the stability of thoracolumbar spine and paraspinal
      muscle function. It can obtain satisfactory clinical result to use this method
      for treating the complex type of thoracolumbar spinal canal dumbbell-shaped
      tumor.

PMID- 27276813
TI  - [CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES OF SYMPTOMATIC SEVERE OSTEOPOROTIC
      VERTEBRAL FRACTURE AND COLLAPSE].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the classification and treatment strategies of
      symptomatic severe osteoporotic vertebral fracture and collapse. METHODS: Between
      August 2010 and January 2014, 42 patients with symptomatic severe osteoporotic
      vertebral fracture and collapse were treated, and the clinical data were
      retrospectively analyzed. According to clinical symptom and imaging materials, 23
      cases were classified as type I (local pain, limitation of motion, no
      neurological symptom, and no obvious deformity), 12 cases as type II (slight
      neurological symptom and kyphotic Cobb angle < or = 30 degrees), and 7 cases as
      type III (severe neurological symptom and kyphotic Cobb angle >30 degrees). In 23
      type I patients, 17 underwent percutaneous vertebral augmentation, 6 underwent
      posterior pedicle screw fixation strengthened with bone cement combined with
      percutaneous vertebral augmentation. In 12 type II patients, they were treated
      with local spinal decompression and internal fixation strengthened with bone
      cement. In 7 type III patients, 5 underwent posterior osteotomy, and 2 underwent
      one stage posterior approach of vertebral resection and reconstruction. The
      visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and local kyphotic
      Cobb angle were used to evaluate the neurological function. The complications
      were recorded. RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed in all patients.
      Wound infection and ketoacidosis secondary to stress blood glucose rise occurred
      in 1 case of type III patients respectively, and were cured after corresponding
      treatment; primary healing of wound was obtained in the other patients. The
      patients were followed up from 6 to 36 months (mean, 11.6 months). The nerve
      function was improved in 17 cases, and micturition disability was observed in 2
      cases. Asymptomatic cement leakage occurred in 13 cases (30.95%) (7 cases in type
      I, 4 cases in type II, and 2 cases in type III). No bone cement dislocation and
      internal fixation failure were found during follow-up. The VAS score, ODI, and
      the local kyphotic Cobb angle at 1 week and last follow-up were significantly
      improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant
      difference was found between at 1 week and last follow-up (P>0.05). CONCLUSION:
      In order to improve the effectiveness and reduce the risk and complications of
      operation, individualized strategies should be performed according to different
      types of severe osteoporotic vertebral fracture and collapse.

PMID- 27276814
TI  - [EFFECT OF BODY MASS INDEX ON OUTCOME OF POSTERIOR 360 DEGREES FUSION FOR SINGLE
      LEVEL LUMBAR DEGENERATIVE DISEASES].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the outcome of
      posterior 360 degrees fusion for single-level lumbar degenerative diseases.
      METHODS: A retrospective study was carried on 302 cases of single- level lumbar
      degenerative diseases treated with posterior 360 degrees fusion between September
      2009 and September 2013. All patients were divided into 3 groups according to
      BMI: normal weight (BMI<24 kg/M2) in 105 cases (group A), overweight (24 kg/M2 <
      or = BMI < 28 kg/M2) in 108 cases (group B), and obese (BMI > or = 28 kg/m2) in
      89 cases (group C). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease
      duration, disease patterns, affected segments, preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic
      Association (JOA) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) among 3 groups
      (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital
      stay, and complications were recorded. The lumbar function was assessed by JOA
      score and ODI at pre- and post-operation (at 3, 6, and 24 months). RESULTS: The
      operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay of
      group C were significantly more than those of groups A and B (P<0.05), but no
      significant difference was found between group A and group B (P>0.05). The
      patients were followed up 24-45 months. Postoperative JOA score and ODI showed
      significant improvements in each group when compared with preoperative ones
      (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among groups at each time point
      after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of
      total complications among 3 groups (chi2 = 3.288, P=0.193). The incidence of
      incision-related complications (infection and poor healing) in group C was
      significantly higher than that of groups A and B (P<0.05), but no significant
      difference was shown between group A and group B (P>0.05). However, there was no
      significant difference in cerebrospinal fluid leak, pseudarthrosis formation, and
      revision among 3 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Posterior 360 degrees fusion for
      single-level lumbar degenerative diseases can obtain good effectiveness in
      patients with different BMI, but patients whose BMI was > or = 28 kg/in2 have
      longer operation time, more intraoperative blood loss, longer hospital stay, and
      higher incidence of postoperative incision-related complications.

PMID- 27276815
TI  - [EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON EFFECT OF THREE DIFFERENT OPERATIVE WAYS OF ANNULUS
      FIBROSUS INCISION ON INTERVERTEBRAL DISC BIOMECHANICAL STRENGTH].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect of three different ways of annulus fibrosus
      incision on the biomechanical strength of intervertebral disc. METHODS: A total
      of 30 goats underwent intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus extraction at L3,4 and
      45 by the working channel in group A (n=10), by circular incision in group B
      (n=10), and by square incision in group C (n=10). The body weight, male and
      female ratio, age, intraoperative blood loss, and wound healing time were
      recorded and compared among 3 groups. The survival rate and wound healing
      situation were observed after operation. At 24 weeks after operation, the goats
      were sacrificed, MRI images were taken to observe the signal intensity of nucleus
      pulposus. The disc height of L(3,4) and L(4,5) was measured to calculate the loss
      of disc height; biomechanical test was used to assess the strength of the disc
      and anulus. Histological staining was also conducted to observe the repair effect
      at L(4,5). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in body weight, male to
      female ratio, age, intraoperative blood loss, and wound healing time among groups
      (P>0.05). All goats survived to the end of the experiment. MRI examination showed
      decreased signal intensity in 3 groups, indicating intervertebral disc
      degeneration. According to modified Thompson classification method, the degree of
      intervertebral disc degeneration of group A was significantly higher than that of
      groups B and C (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups B
      and C (P>0.05). Difference was not significant in intervertebral space height
      before operation among 3 groups (P>0.05). But after 24 weeks, the intervertebral
      space height in group A was significantly higher than that in groups B and C
      (P<0.05), and the intervertebral space height loss in group A was significantly
      lower than that in groups B and C (P<0.05). The biomechanical strength in group A
      was also significantly higher than that in groups B and C (P<0.05), but no
      significant difference was found between group B and group C (P>0.05). HE and
      Masson staining showed good continuity of annulus fibrosus and clear layers in
      group A; poor continuity of annulus fibrosus and obvious scar tissues were
      observed in groups B and C. CONCLUSION: Application of working channel may have
      less destruction of annulus fibrosus, it plays a positive role in the maintenance
      of biomechanical strength and repair of annulus fibrosus.

PMID- 27276816
TI  - [APPLICATION OF SPLIT-THICKNESS SCALP GRAFT AND TEMPOROPARIETAL FASCIA FLAP IN
      LOW HAIRLINE AURICLE RECONSTRUCTION IN MICROTIA PATIENTS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application and effectiveness of split-thickness
      scalp graft and temporoparietal fascia flap in the low hairline auricle
      reconstruction in microtia patients. METHODS: Between July 2010 and April 2015,
      23 patients with low hairline microtia (23 ears) underwent low hairline auricle
      reconstruction. There were 16 males and 7 females with the mean age of 12 years
      (range, 6-34 years). The left ear was involved in 10 cases, and the right ear in
      13 cases. There were 18 cases of lobule-type, 4 cases of concha-type, and 1 case
      of small concha-type. Referring to Nagata's two-stage auricular reconstruction
      method, the first stage operation included fabrication and grafting of autogenous
      costal cartilage framework; after 6 months, second stage operation of depilation
      and formation of cranioauricular sulcus was performed. The split-thickness scalp
      was taken from the part of the reconstructive ear above hairline. The hair
      follicles and subcutaneous tissue layers in hair area were cut off during
      operation. The area of depilation and auriculocephalic sulcus were covered with
      temporoparietal fascia flap. Then split-thickness skin was implanted on the
      surface of temporoparieta fascia flap. RESULTS: All operations were successfully
      completed. Healing of incision by first intention was obtained, without related
      complication. The patients were followed up 6-20 months (mean, 12 months). The
      reconstructed ear had satisfactory appearance and, had no hair growth.
      CONCLUSION: The application of split-thickness scalp graft and temporoparietal
      fascia flap in low hairline auricle reconstruction in microtia patients can
      achieve satisfactory results.

PMID- 27276817
TI  - [DECOMPRESSION AND DIVERTING EFFECTS OF VASCULAR ANASTOMOSIS BASED ON DIGITAL
      ARTERIAL ARCH BRANCH IN REPLANTATION OF FREE FINGER-PULP].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the decompression and diverting effects of vascular
      anastomosis based on the digital arterial arch branch in replantation of free
      finger-pulp in distal phalanges. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed
      on the clinical data of 12 patients (12 fingers) who underwent free finger-pulp
      replantation with anastomosis of proper palmar digital artery and the palmar
      digital artery arch branch in the distal end between December 2004 and March
      2015. Of 12 cases, 9 were male and 3 were female, aged 15-39 years with an
      average of 32 years. The causes of injury included cutting injury in 4 cases,
      crush injury in 7 cases, and avulsion injury in 1 case. The thumb was involved in
      2 cases, index finger in 4 cases, ring finger in 3 cases, middle finger in 1
      case, and little finger in 2 cases. The free finger pulp ranged from 1.8 cm x 1.5
      cm to 2.8 cmx2.0 cm. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1.5 to 11.0
      hours, with an average of 5.7 hours. No arterial arch or proper palmar digital
      arteriae anastomosis was excluded. RESULTS: Free finger-pulp survived in 11 cases
      after operation; venous crisis occurred in 1 case at 2 days after operation, and
      was cured after symptomatic treatment. Nine cases were followed up 6-18 months
      with an average of 10 months. The finger-pulp had good appearance, clear
      fingerprint, and soft texture. The two-point discrimination was 3.1-6.0 mm, with
      an average of 4.6 mm at 6 months after operation. The function of finger flexion
      and extension was normal. And according to upper extremity functional evaluation
      standard by hand surgery branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were
      excellent in 7 cases, and good in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: In the replantation of
      amputated pulp with insufficiency of venous blood outflow, the anastomosis of
      digital arterial arch branch in the distal end can decompress and shunt arterial
      blood, adjust blood inflow and outflow, and solve the problems of insufficient
      quantity of the vein and venous reflux disturbance.

PMID- 27276818
TI  - [FREE CROIN FLAP FOR REPAIRING DEFECTS OF DONOR AFTER TOE TISSUE
      TRANSPLANTATION].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effectiveness of free croin flap in repairing defects
      of donor after toe or feetissue flap transplantation. METHODS: Between March 2010
      and May 2015, 23 cases of defects of donor after toe or feet tissue flap
      transplantation were repaired with free croin flap and followed up for more than
      6 months, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15
      males and 8 females, with an age range from 17 to 52 years (mean, 25.6 years).
      All finger or soft tissue defects were caused by trauma. Defects were repaired in
      emergency operation with toe or feet tissue flap transplantation in 18 cases,
      defects were secondarily reconstructed at 3-8 months after injury in 5 cases. The
      defect area at the feet donor site ranged from 3 cmx3 cm to 10 cmx6 cm, all
      accompanied with exposure of bone, and tendon. The area of free croin flap was
      3.5 cm x 3.5 cm-11.0 cm x 6.5 cm, the vessel of flap was anastomosed with artery
      and vein of foot. The inguinal donor site was sutured directly. RESULTS: The
      operation time was 3-9 hours (mean, 4.5 hours); the intraoperative blood loss was
      50-300 mL (mean, 120 mL). Vessel crisis occurred in 1 case postoperatively; mild
      and moderate swelling occurred in 3 cases, with small sporadic blisters
      formation; free croin flap survived completely in the other cases, and primary
      healing was obtained at feet wound and inguinal donor sites. Twenty-three cases
      were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 9 months). The color and texture of the croin
      flaps were similar to that of the adjacent skin, no obvious scar contracture and
      pigmentation were observed; the patient could walk with weight loading, the two
      point discrimination was 18-35 mm (mean, 26 mm) at 6 months after operation. The
      color, texture, and shape of reconstructed finger was good; the function of
      grasping and pinching recovered well; the two-point discrimination was 5.5-11.0
      mmfunctional evaluation standard by Chinese Medical Association, the results were
      excellent in 18 cases and good in 5 cases. CONCLUSION: Free croin flap can
      effectively repair skin and soft tissue defects of donor after toe or feet tissue
      flap transplantation, and good function and appearance of feet can be obtained.

PMID- 27276819
TI  - [AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON REPAIR OF FULL THICKNESS SKIN WOUND WITH GRAFT OF
      AUTOLOGOUS KERATINOCYTE SUSPENSION IN RATS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of autologous keratinocyte suspension
      transplantation in skin reconstruction. METHODS: Forty adult Sprague Dawley rats
      (weighing, 210-230 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10): high density
      keratinocyte suspension transplantation (1X106 cells/cm2) group (group A), middle
      density (1 x 10(5) cells/cm2) group (group B), low density (1 x 10(4) cells/cm2)
      group (group C), and control group (group D). Skin samples were harvested from
      the rats in groups A, B, C for the isolation of keratinocytes. The model of anti
      contracture of full thickness skin wound was made in rats and autologous
      keratinocyte suspension was transplanted into the wound. The wound was covered by
      the allogeneic skin (allogeneic skin derived from Wistar rats). The survival of
      rats was observed after operation. The survival of allogeneic skin was observed
      at 7, 14, and 21 days after operation, and wound healing rate was calculated
      after allogeneic skin dropped off. Histological staining and immunohistochemical
      staining were carried out at 21 days after operation. RESULTS: All the rats
      survived to the end of the experiment. The allograft skins survived in all
      groups, dried and dropped off. The epithelium sheet could be seen in groups A and
      B at 21 days, a few very thin epithelium in group C, and no epithelization in
      group D. The wound healing rate of groups A (62.9% +/- 9.6%) and B (64.2% +/-
      9.1%) were significantly higher than that of groups C (38.5% +/- 5.7%) and D
      (22.7% +/- 5.5%) (P<0.05), and significant difference was found between groups C
      and D (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups A and B
      (P>0.05). The results of histological observation showed that squamous epithelial
      cells were observed in groups A, B, and C, but not in group D; obvious layers of
      epidermis were observed in groups A and B, thin epidermis and inflammatory cell
      infiltration in group C, and granulation tissue in group D. The
      immunohistochemistry staining showed that the expressions of collagen type IV and
      collagen type VII in groups A, B, and C; the percentage of collagen type IV and
      collagen type VII positive cells in groups A and B were significantly higher than
      that of group C (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups
      A and B (P>0.05). The expressions of collagen type IV and collagen type VII in
      group D were negative. CONCLUSION: The repair of full thickness skin wound with
      graft of autologous keratinocyte suspension can achieve reconstruction of the
      skin. The appropriate density of keratinocyte suspension for wound healing is 1 x
      10(5) cells/cm2.

PMID- 27276820
TI  - [CYSTECTASY AND REHABILITATION TRAINING FOR TREATMENT OF NEUROGENIC BLADDER
      DYSFUNCTION WITH HYPERREFLEXIA].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of ileal mucosal seromuscular patch
      for bladder expansion combined with rehabilitation training for treating
      neurogenic bladder dysfunction (NBD) with hyperreflexia. METHODS: A retrospective
      study was performed on the clinical data of 61 patients with NBD and
      hyperreflexia who were treated and followed up between July 2008 and June 2013.
      There were 36 males and 25 females, aged 6-23 years (mean, 10 years). The reasons
      included meningomyelocele operation (43 patients),surgery for lipoma in lumbar
      vertebra (4 patients), operation of thoracolubar teratoma (2 patients), and
      lumbosacral spina B3ifida (12 patients). The results of urodynamics indicated
      that bladder volume decreased obviously and the residual urine increased. The
      voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) showed the vesicoureteral reflux (VUR),
      including 6 cases (10 sides) of grade V, 7 cases (12 sides) of grade IV, and 6
      cases (8 sides) of grade III. The color doppler ultrosound showed mild
      hydronephrosis in 23 cases (41 sides), moderate hydronephrosis in 25 cases (42
      sides), and severe hydronephrosis in 13 cases (22 sides). The blood biochemical
      examination suggested chronic renal failure (CRF) in 13 cases. The treatment
      included augmentation for bladder and rehabilitation training after operation.
      RESULTS: The operation time was (157+/- 26) minutes; the intraoperative blood
      loss was (43 +/- 15) mL, and no patient was given blood transfusion. The patients
      were followed up 1.5-6.0 years (mean, 4.5 years). Vesical fistula occurred in 4
      cases, urinary infection in 5 cases, dysuresia in 2 cases, and cystolith in 1
      case after operation. At 1 year after operation, the International Consultation
      on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontience Short Form (IQ-F) score was
      significantly better than peoperative score (H=9.813, P=0.000). The aurdynmic
      data showed that the difference value between observed and theoretical bladder
      volumes, bladder compliance, residual urine volume, maximum flow rate, and
      maximum storage detrusor pressure were significantly better than preoperative
      ones (P<0.05). And the color doppler ultrasound showed mild hydronephrosis in 34
      cases (56 sides), moderate hydronephrosis in 18 cases (33 sides), and severe
      hydronephrosis in 9 cases (16 sides). VCUG showed that bladder volume obviously
      increased, no contracture was observed; and VUR was improved. And renal function
      was improved in 13 patients with CRF. CONCLUSION: Heal mucosal seromuscular patch
      for bladder expansion combined with postoperative rehabilitation training has
      good effectiveness in treating NBD with hyperreflexia.

PMID- 27276821
TI  - [EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH OF CORE FAT TRANSFER WITH DIFFERENT DIAMETERS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the survival rate of core fat tissue with different
      diameters by advanced fat harvesting instrument. METHODS: Based on core fat
      transfer by 1 mL syringe, the fat harvesting instrument was modified with
      different diameters, including 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm respectively. Between May 2014
      and April 2015, the fat harvesting instrument with diameters of 4, 6, 8, and 10
      mm was respectively used to harvest abdominal fat in 3 of 12 patients undergoing
      autologous fat transplantation. The glucose transportation quantities and the fat
      cell viability were measured. Then 64 nude mice at the age of 3-4 weeks were
      randomly divided into 4 groups (groups A, B, C, and D, n=16). And 0.5 mL fat
      harvested with diameters of 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm was implanted into the dorsal
      subcutaneous space. After fat transplantation, the mice survival and the
      appearance at the recipient site were observed. At 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after fat
      transplantation, the grafted fat was harvested for gross, histological and
      immunohistochemical observations; the intact adipocytes and capillary were
      counted. RESULTS: The glucose transportation quantities gradually increased with
      increased diameter, showing significant difference among groups (P<0.05). And the
      fat cell viability had a rising tendency, showing significant differences when
      comparing groups A and B with group D (P<0.05). With the time passing by, the
      protuberant appearance became flat at the recipient site, but the appearance of
      groups C and D was better than groups A and B. Normal shape of the fat and
      capillary were found in groups C and D. At immediate and 1 week after fat
      transplantation, there was no significant difference in fat weight among 4 groups
      (P>0.05); the fat weight of group A was significantly less than that of groups B,
      C, and D (P<0.05) at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after fat transplantation, and it was
      significantly less in group B than groups C and D (P<0.05), but no significant
      difference was found between groups C and D (P>0.05). Histological and
      immunohistochemical observations showed better integrity of the cells, less
      necrosis, and higher vascular density in group D than groups A, B, and C as time
      extension. The adipocyte integrity of group A was significantly worse than that
      of other 3 groups at other time points (P<0.05) except at 1 week (P>0.05). At
      each time point, the capillary counting had an increasing trend with increased
      diameter in all groups, showing significant difference among groups (P<0.05).
      CONCLUSION: With diameters within 10 mm, the thicker the core fat is transferred,
      the better integrlity, higher vessel density, and quicker revascularization time
      can be predicted. So the postoperative appearance could be maintained longer.

PMID- 27276822
TI  - [EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH OF DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN AMNIOTIC MESENCHYMAL STEM
      CELLS INTO LIGAMENT CELLS IN VITRO].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss whether human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs)
      possesses the characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells, and could differentiate
      into ligament cells in vitro after induction. METHODS: The hAMSCs were separated
      through enzyme digestion, and the phenotypic characteristics of hAMSCs were
      tested through flow cytometry. The cells at passage 3 were cultured with L
      DMEM/F12 medium containing transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) + basic
      fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (group A), containing hyaluronic acid (HA) (group
      B), containing TGF-beta1+bFGF+HA (group C), and simple L-DMEM/F12 medium (group
      D) as control group. The morphology changes of cells in each group were observed
      by inverted phase contrast microscope at 21 days after induction; the cellular
      activities and proliferation were examined by sulforhodamine (SRB) colorimetric
      method; and specific mRNA and protein expressions of ligament including collagen
      type I, collagen type III, and tenascin C (TNC) were measured by real-time
      fluorescence quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The flow
      cytometry result indicated that hAMSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cell phenotype.
      After 21 days of induction, the cells in groups A, B, and C grew like spindle
      shaped fibroblasts under inverted phase contrast microscope, and cells showed
      single shape, obvious directivity, and compact arrangement in group C. The SRB
      result indicated that the cells in each group reached the peak of growth curve at
      6 days; the cellular activities of groups A, B, and C were significantly higher
      than that of group D at 6 days after induction. Also, the immunohistochemical
      staining results showed that no expressions of TNC were detected in 4 groups at 7
      days; expressions of collagen type I in groups A, B, and C were significantly
      higher than that in group D at 7, 14, and 21 days (P<0.001); the expressions of
      collagen type III in groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than that in
      group D at 14 and 21 days (P<0.001). There was an increasing tendency with time
      in collagen type I of group B, in collagen type III and TNC of groups A and C,
      showing significant difference among different time points (P<0.001). The real
      time fluorescence quantitative PCR results revealed that the mRNA expressions of
      collagen type I and TNC in group C were significantly higher than those in groups
      A and B (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression of collagen type III in group B were
      significantly higher than that in groups A and C at 21 days (P<0.05). The mRNA
      expressions of collagen type I and TNC in groups A and C and mRNA expression of
      collagen type III in group C had an increasing tendency with time, showing
      significant difference among different time points (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The
      hAMSCs possesses the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and excellent
      proliferation capacity. After in vitro induction, the expressions of ligament
      specific genes can be up-regulated and the synthesis of ligament specific
      proteins can be also strengthened. As a result, it can be used as one of ligament
      tissue engineering seed cell sources.

PMID- 27276823
TI  - [PHENOTYPIC CHANGES OF EPIDERMAL STEM CELLS DIFFERENTIATING INTO SWEAT GLANDS
      CELLS IN VITRO AND ITS MECHANISM].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the phenotypic changes of epidermal stem cells (ESCs)
      differentiating into sweat glands cells (SGCs) in vitro and its mechanisms.
      METHODS: ESCs and SGCs were isolated and cultured in vitro, which were identified
      using immunofluorescence staining. ESCs at passage 2 were divided into 4 groups:
      ESCs and SGCs co-cultured by Transwell plates in group A, ESCs cultured by simply
      adding sweat supernatant in group B, ESCs and SGCs co-cultured on Transwell plate
      adding epidermal growth factor (EGF) (60 ng/mL) in group C, and ESCs and SGCs co
      cultured on transwell plate adding PD98059 (10 mmol/L) in group D. The inverted
      microscope was used for observing the morphology of ESCs, flow cytometry for
      detecting ESCs positive phenotype, and Western blot for exploring mitogen
      activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK)
      pathway. RESULTS: The morphology observation and immunofluorescence staining
      suggested that cultured cells were ESCs and SGCs. The inverted phase contrast
      microscope observation showed that cells had similar morphological changes, with
      flat polygonal shape at 9 days in groups A, C, and D; cells had slow
      morphological change in group B, and had similar change to that of other groups
      at 12 days. Significant decreasing of beta1-integrin expression and increasing of
      carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) expression of ESCs were observed in group A when
      compared with group B, which was inhibited by EGF (group C) and enhanced by
      PD98059 (group D), and there were significant differences among groups A, C, and
      D (P<0.05). High level of ERK expression was displayed in 4 groups, but it was
      significantly lower in group B than the other 3 groups (P<0.05). The expression
      of phosphorylation ERK was the highest in group A and was the lowest in group C,
      showing significant difference among 4 groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ESCs can be
      induced to differentiate into SGCs with the phenotypic changes under the
      condition of co-cultured by Transwell plates. The MAPK/ERK pathway plays a key
      role in the diffrentation of ESCs into GCCs

PMID- 27276824
TI  - [BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF POROUS POLY LACTIC ACID/BONE MATRIX GELATIN COMPOSITE
      BIOMATERIALS FOR BONE REPAIR].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biocompatibility of poiy lactic acid/bone matrix
      gelatin (PLA/BMG) composite biomaterial so as to lay a foundation for bone defect
      repair. METHODS: Rats' MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with leaching solution of
      PIJA/BMG and PLA material respectively for 7 days. The cell proliferation rate
      was tested by MTT and cell toxicity grading was carried out everyday. The PLA/BMG
      and MG3T3-E1 cells were co-cultured, the cell shape and proliferation were
      observed by inverted phase contrast microscope at 1, 3, and 5 days and cell
      adhesion by scanning electron microscope at 5 days. The PLA and PLA/BMG were
      implanted subcutaneously ilS Wistar rats. The histological observation was done,
      and the thickness of fibrous membrane, the number of inflammatory cells, and the
      vascularization area were measured at postoperative 2nd, 4th, and 8th week.
      RESULTS: The tests for cytotoxicity in vitro showed that the cell proliferation
      rates were over 100% and the cell cytotoxic grades were grade 0 at 1-7 days in
      PLA/BMG group. While in PLA group, the cell proliferation rates were less than
      100% and the cell cytotoxic grades were grade 1 at 2, 4, and 7 days. After co
      culture of PLA/BMG and MC3T3-E1 cells, cells grew on the surface and in the pores
      of PLA! BMG, and the cellular morphology was triangle or polygon with abundant
      microvillus on the surface. After subcutaneous implantation, the rats survived to
      the end of experiment, and incision healed well. PLA was wrapped by connective
      tissue where there were a lot of lymphocytes and neutrophiic granulocytes. The
      cells and tissue grew slowly in PLA. The PLA! BMG materials were wrapped by utile
      connective tissue where there were a few inflammatory cells. The connective
      tissue growth was observed in the center of PLA/BMG. There was no significant
      difference in the thickness of fibrous membrane between 2 groups at each time
      point (P>0.05). The number of inflammatory cells of PLA/BMG group were
      significantly less than those in PLA group at 2, 4, and 8 weeks (P<0.05); the
      vascularization area was significantly larger than that in PLA group (P<0.05).
      CONCLUSION: PLA/BMG composite biomaterials prepared by super critical-CO2
      technique are good in cell and tissue biocompatibilty.

PMID- 27276825
TI  - [RESEARCH PROGRESS OF PERIPHERAL NERVE SURGERY ASSISTED BY Da Vinci ROBOTIC
      SYSTEM].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress of peripheral nerve surgery
      assisted by Da Vinci robotic system. METHODS: The recent domestic and
      international articles about peripheral nerve surgery assisted by Da Vinci
      robotic system were reviewed and summarized. RESULTS: Compared with conventional
      microsurgery, peripheral nerve surgery assisted by Da Vinci robotic system has
      distinctive advantages, such as elimination of physiological tremors and three
      dimensional high-resolution vision. It is possible to perform robot assisted limb
      nerve surgery using either the traditional brachial plexus approach or the mini
      invasive approach. CONCLUSION: The development of Da Vinci robotic system has
      revealed new perspectives in peripheral nerve surgery. But it has still been at
      the initial stage, more basic and clinical researches are still needed.

PMID- 27276826
TI  - The Prevalence and Related Factors of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Used
      in Thai Breast Cancer Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study's aim is to identify the prevalence and types of
      complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used among Thai breast cancer
      patients and investigate the factors influencing the use of CAM by these
      patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We interviewed 220 Thai breast cancer patients who
      visited the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center and the Maha
      Vajiralongkorn Cancer Center during the period from October 2008 to September
      2010 and collected data about their socio-economic status, history of cancer
      treatments and complications, the cancer staging, their Quality of life (QoL) and
      types and reasons of CAM used. RESULTS: The prevalence of CAM usage in Thai
      breast cancer patients was 560 in every 1,000 patients. Factors which influenced
      CAM usage were; the patients' educational level, amount of income per month, the
      duration of the individuals' breast cancer diagnoses, menopausal status, the type
      of axillary surgery used in the course of their treatment, the incidences of
      systemic recurrence and physical components as measured by the SF-36. CONCLUSION:
      The results have shown that most Thai breast cancer patients used CAM for the
      treatment of their breast cancer and had used CAM after being diagnosed with
      breast cancer Healthcare providers should recognize and provide pros and cons to
      patients and their family if CAM were used during breast cancer treatment.

PMID- 27276827
TI  - Abnormal Semen in Male Partners of Infertile Couples at HRH Maha Chakri
      Sirindhorn Medical Center.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of abnormal semen and its associate factor in
      male partners of infertile couples. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This research was a
      descriptive study. The men who attended our infertility clinic during January
      2008 through December 2008 were included in the present study. All of the semen
      samples were analysed with standard technique using the World Health Organization
      (1999) protocol. The associate factors for abnormal semen were collected and
      analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 75 men who had official semen report, sixty-four
      men (85.3%) were referred for primary infertility. The mean patients' age was
      35.6 +/- 5.8 years. The mean duration of infertility of couples was 3.6 +/- 2.6
      years. All of these subjects had abnormal semen analysis; the most common finding
      was astheno-teratozoospermia in 84%. Eight men (10.7%) had oligo-astheno
      teratozoospermia. Three men (4%) had teratozoospermia alone. The two most common
      associated factors were heavy exercise and alcoholic drinking. CONCLUSION: Male
      factor infertility shares a pivotal role in infertile couples. Combine abnormal
      sperm motility and morphology group was very common. Further studies need to be
      carried out to explore the cause of this abnormality.

PMID- 27276828
TI  - Occupational Risk Factors of Lymphohematopoietic Cancer in Rayong Province,
      Thailand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Lymphohematopoietic Cancer (LHC) incidence rate in Thailand has
      been rising over the past decade with unknown etiology, including Rayong
      province. One hypothesis of LHC risks is exposure to occupational carcinogens.
      OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of occupational exposure and LHC risks in
      Rayong province, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This matched hospital-based case
      control study was conducted in a Rayong provincial hospital from September 2009
      to January 2013. One LHC case was matched with four controls in gender and age,
      +/-5 years. Demographic data, residential factors, behavioral factors, and
      occupational exposure-including chemical exposure-were obtained by interviews and
      collected by occupational health care officers. The risk factor was analyzed by
      conditional logistic regression and reported in odds ratio with 95% confidence
      interval. RESULTS: This study found 105 LHC cases which met the inclusion
      criteria and were included in the study, yielding a 66% cover rate of cases
      reported in the database. The histology of LHC were 51 leukemia cases (47.7%), 43
      lymphoma cases (42.0%), and 11 multiple myeloma cases (10.3%). The results
      revealed that occupational exposure to pesticide and smoke were statistically
      significantly associated with LHC with adjusted ORs 2.26 (95% CI 1.30-3.91) and
      1.99 (95% CI = 1.13-3.51), respectively. When stratified to histological subtype
      of LHC by WHO 2000, leukemia was statistically significantly associated with
      occupational exposure to smoke, adjusted ORs 2.43 (95% CI 1.11-5.36), with
      occupational pesticide exposure a significant risk of lymphoma, adjusted ORs 4.69
      (95% CI 2.01-10.96). However, neither fumes, wood dust, working outdoors,
      cleaners, contact with animals, petroleum products and chlorine; nor occupational
      exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene or organic
      solvents, were statistically significant risk factors of LHC. In addition, there
      were no significant risks in the demographic data, residential factors, and
      behavioral factors. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to pesticides and smoke
      were important occupational risks in developing LHC in Rayong province. However,
      the ability or power to detect this problem due to the small sample size and
      recall bias from the study design could not be excluded.

PMID- 27276829
TI  - Effects of Long-Term Alpha-mangostin Supplementation on Hyperglycemia and Insulin
      Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Rats Induced by High Fat Diet and Low Dose
      Streptozotocin.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the effects of long-term
      supplementation of alpha-mangostin (MG; a xanthone isolated from mangosteen
      fruit) on hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats. MATERIAL
      AND METHOD: Type 2 diabetes (DM2) was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by
      feeding high fat diet for three weeks followed by an IP injection of low dose
      streptozotocin. The rats were divided into four groups: control and diabetes
      without or with alpha-MG supplementation (CON, DM2, CON-MG and DM2-MG group,
      respectively). Alpha-MG was administered by gavage feeding in the amount of 200
      mg/kg BW/day for 8 or 40 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, plasma HbA1c, cholesterol,
      and triglyceride were determined in all groups of rats. Serum insulin, calculated
      HOMA-IR and Oral glucose tolerance test were also carried out. RESULTS: The
      results showed that both 8 and 40 weeks DM2 groups had a significant increase in
      fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride compared with
      their aged-match control groups. Furthermore, the serum insulin and HOMA-IR were
      significantly elevated in 8 weeks DM2 whereas these two parameters were
      significantly decreased in 40 weeks DM2 group compared with their aged-match CON
      groups (p < 0.001). The OGTT showed impaired glucose tolerance in DM2 groups.
      Interestingly, alpha-MG supplemented DM2-MG group had significantly decreased
      levels of fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, plasma cholesterol, triglyceride when
      compared with the untreated DM2 groups. Supplementation of alpha-MG for 40 weeks
      in DM2-MG group showed significantly increase serum insulin levels compared with
      that of DM2 group (p < 0.001). Moreover alpha-MG supplemented DM-MG group
      demonstrated a better glucose tolerance pattern which was different from that of
      DM2 group at both 8 weeks and 40 weeks experimental periods. CONCLUSION: Long
      term alpha-mangostin supplementation has anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic
      effects and increase insulin sensitivity by improving beta-cell functions in type
      2 diabetes mellitus.

PMID- 27276830
TI  - Extracted Anaxagorea luzonensis A. Gray Restored Impairment of Endothelium
      Dependent Vasorelaxation Induced by Homocysteine Thiolactone in Rat Aortic Rings.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the beneficial effects of Anaxagorea luzonensis (AL)
      extract on homocysteine thiolactone (HTL)-induced impairment of endothelium
      dependent relaxation in rat aortic rings. The mechanisms involved in the effects
      of AL on endothelial dysfunctions by HTL are also examined. MATERIAL AND METHOD:
      Aortic rings from male Wistar rats were co-incubated for 90 minutes with L
      arginine (3 mM), a precursor of nitric oxide (NO); superoxide dismutase (SOD, 200
      U/mL), a scavenger of superoxide anion; indomethacin (10 uM), a cyclooxygenase
      (COX) inhibitor; SC560 (10 uM), a COX-1 inhibitor; NS398 (10 uM), a COX-2
      inhibitor; or SQ29548 (1 uM), a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist in the
      presence of HTL (1 mM). After 90 minutes of incubation period, the rings were pre
      contracted with methoxamine, and then carbachol was cumulatively added to the
      bath. AL (1 and 3 ug/mL) was co-incubated with 1 mM HTL in the presence of N(G)
      nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 300 uM), a NO synthase inhibitor and p
      hydroxymercurybenzoate (PHMB, 10 uM), a sulfhydryl group blocking agent. Changes
      in tension were measured using an isometric force transducer and recorded on the
      PowerLab. RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation to carbachol was impaired
      after exposure of aortic rings to HTL (0.3 and 1 mM). The inhibitory effects of
      HTL (1 mM) on relaxant responses to carbachol were restored by L-arginine, SOD,
      indomethacin, SC560 and SQ29548, but not NS398. Interestingly, AL reduced
      impairment of vasorelaxation induced by HTL (1 mM). However, L-NAME and PHMB
      largely inhibited the protective effects of AL. CONCLUSION: These results suggest
      that HTL-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation may occur via
      decreased NO release, and generation of oxygen free radical. This study first
      shows that enhancement of TxA2 production via COX-1 pathway is involved in HTL
      induced endothelial dysfunctions. The protective effects of AL on impairment of
      relaxation by HTL may be related to increasing NO production and sulfhydryl
      dependent.

PMID- 27276831
TI  - Level of Confidence in the 12 Roles of Medical Teacher. A Descriptive Study at
      Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An appropriate faculty development program is imperative for every
      medical school and should be tailored to suit the needs of individuals and the
      institution. OBJECTIVE: To measure the average level of confidence in each of the
      12 roles of medical teachers and analyse if any of these factors: age, gender
      duration of teaching, and teaching in pre-clinical or clinical years has effect
      on the level of confidence in the teacher roles. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The online
      questionnaire invitations were sent via email to all 211 faculty members at
      Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, and 118 (55.9%) responded. The
      questionnaire asked about demographic data, teaching experience and their
      specialty or disciplines. The respondents were also asked to rate their level of
      confidence in each of the 12 teacher roles on a 5 point Likert scale ranging from
      1 (none) to 5 (great). RESULTS: The three most highly rated roles on the level of
      confidence were the clinical teacher (4.11), the on the job role model (4.11) and
      the lecturer (3.97). The three roles with the lowest rating were the curriculum
      planner (3.08), the curriculum assessor (3.23) and the mentor (3.31). Age and
      teaching experience were positively correlated with the level of confidence in
      nearly all of the 12 teacher roles. The pre-clinical year teachers had a higher
      mean level of confidence than clinical teachers in 6 out of the 12 roles.
      CONCLUSION: The future faculty development programs should aim towards supporting
      self-evaluation of teaching, mentoring as well as promoting facilitative roles of
      the teacher Retention of faculty members at the institution is also important as
      the teaching experience significantly correlate with confidence in the teacher
      roles.

PMID- 27276832
TI  - Treatment of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.
AB  - Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome characterized by
      systemic activation of blood coagulation, generation of thrombin, and leading to
      disturbance of the microvasculature. In this article, definition and diagnostic
      criteria of DIC depend on the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
      (ISTH). There is no gold standard for diagnosis of DIC, only low quality evidence
      is used in general practice. Many diagnostic tests and repeated measurement are
      required. For the treatment of DIC, there is no good quality evidence. The most
      important treatment for DIC is the specific treatment of the conditions
      associated DIC. Platelets and/or plasma transfusion may be also necessary if
      indicated. Nevertheless, there is no gold standard for diagnosis and treatment of
      DIC, we use only low quality evidence in general practice.

PMID- 27276833
TI  - Effect of Short-Term Oral Administration of Phikud Navakot in Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phikud Navakot (PN), composed of nine herbs and used as a main
      component of Yahom Navakot, is used in traditional Thai medicine against
      dizziness and fainting. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of PN on blood
      pressure, heart rate (HR), and antioxidant properties on male Sprague Dawley
      rats. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All rats were weighted everyday in the morning, after
      that, PN (10, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW) were given oroesophageal feeding for
      seven days. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean
      arterial pressure (MAP), and HR were measured once per two days. At the end of
      the experiment, the blood was taken for determination of biochemical and
      hematological parameters, and lipid peroxidation in serum. The heart was
      immediately removed for Western blot analysis. RESULTS: SBP DBP and MAP of rats
      were transiently increased after 1 day of PN (100 mg/kg BW) treatment. Meanwhile,
      HR did not change throughout the experiment. PN (400 mg/kg BW) significantly
      increased (p< 0.05) the percentage of neutrophils in blood after 7 days of
      administration. PN treatment has no effect on biochemical parameters and
      peroxidation of lipid. In addition, ingestion of PN (100 mg/kg BW) significant
      increased (p < 0.05) HO-1 expression, but did not change ERK1/2 and Bax/Bcl-2
      ratio when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The results may possibly
      support the use of PN for prevention and/or alleviation of cardiovascular
      disorders, caused by reactive oxygen species. However, long-term treatment of PN
      has to be further studies.

PMID- 27276834
TI  - Variations of the Double Eyelid and the Upper Tarsus in Asians.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the variations of the double eyelid shapes and the tarsal
      shapes in Asians and find the association between them. MATERIAL AND METHOD:
      Healthy subjects with natural double eyelid and age between 20-40 years were
      enrolled. Characteristics and variations of the eyelid shapes and the tarsal
      shapes were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 101 subjects, 50 were males and 51 were
      females. The most common shape of double eyelid fold was nasally-tapered with
      merging into medial upper lid fold (39.6%). Then lateral flare configuration
      (27.7%), parallel (26.7%), and nasally-tapered without merging into medial skin
      fold (5.9%), followed in descending order of frequency. Sickle type was the most
      common tarsal shapes observed (45.5%), then trapezoid (32.7%) and triangular type
      (21.8%). There was a significant association between the double eyelid shapes and
      the tarsal shapes. CONCLUSION: Variations of double eyelids and tarsus morphology
      were present among Asians. Ethnic differences should be accounted for when
      performing aesthetic blepharoplasty as to maintain a natural ethnic appearance.

PMID- 27276835
TI  - Diabetes Mellitus Treated with Medical Nutritional Therapy and Self Blood Glucose
      Monitoring: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Medical Nutritional Therapy (MNT) combined
      with self blood glucose monitoring (SBGM) in the clinical outcomes of patients
      with type 2 diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A randomized controlled trial was
      conducted on patients with uncontrolled, not-using insulin type 2 diabetes at Her
      Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center Sixty patients were
      recruited and randomized equally into intervention group (MNT with SBGM) and
      control group (usual care). The primary endpoint was improvement of hemoglobin
      A1c (HbA1c) at 12 and 24 weeks. RESULTS: At 12 and 24 weeks the intervention
      group had significantly improved their glycemic control in comparison to control
      group (median decrement of HbA1c at 12 weeks 0.72% vs. 0.15%; p < 0.001 and at 24
      weeks 0.85% vs. 0.20%; p < 0.001). Oral hypoglycemic agents were reduced or
      discontinued in 7 patients in the intervention group and 1 patient in control
      group who achieved HbA1c goal after 24 weeks (p = 0.037). After 24 weeks, body
      weight was significantly decreased from baseline (2.3 kg, p < 0.001) in the
      intervention group while only non-significant decrease was observed in control
      group (0.1 kg, p = 0.632). CONCLUSION: MNT combined with SBGM is an effective non
      pharmacological intervention for patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27276837
TI  - Posterolateral Rotatory Apprehension Test in Tennis Elbow.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tennis elbow is a syndrome that commonly diagnosed in patient who
      comes with lateral elbow pain. Instability pain in tennis elbow patient was
      observed and reported in many previous literatures. Posterolateral rotatory
      apprehension test was proposed for diagnosis of posterolateral rotatory
      instability of elbow. However, no review literatures that studied about
      posterolateral rotatory apprehensions test in tennis elbow. OBJECTIVE: To find
      out the relationship between posterolateral rotatory apprehension test and tennis
      elbow. MATERIAL AND METHOD: There were 44 patients that were recruited in this
      study. We examined the posterolateral rotatory apprehension test in tennis elbow
      patients. The examination was done in our outpatient clinic from March 2012 to
      April 2012. The data was collected to find out the ratio of negative test in
      tennis elbow patient. RESULTS: The results from the posterolateral rotatory
      apprehension test were negative in 43 patients. The ratio of the negative test
      result was 98%. CONCLUSION: A result from posterolateral rotatory apprehension
      test should be negative in general tennis elbow patients. If this test is used in
      a tennis elbow patients who are suspected with hidden instability and the result
      is positive, further evaluation is strongly suggested.

PMID- 27276836
TI  - Microvasculature Improvement of Heart in Diabetic Rat with Curcumin
      Supplementation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of curcumin supplementation on the
      improvement of heart microvasculature in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.
      MATERIAL AND METHOD: Streptozotocin (STZ: 60 mg/kg BW) was applied into rat to
      induce diabetic condition. Male rats were divided into three groups, control (C),
      diabetic (DM) and diabetic rats supplemented with curcumin (DMC) (200 mg/kg BW).
      After 8 and 12 weeks of experiments, heart microvasculature was investigated
      under vascular corrosion cast technique with scanning electron microscope (SEM).
      RESULTS: Destruction of heart microvasculature of DM group was observed at 8 and
      12-week experiments. Five important categories of heart vessels and related veins
      and venules were examined respectively: right coronary arteries (RCA), medium
      arteries (MA), small arteries (SA), arterioles, and capillaries. RCA, cardiac
      arteries and veins demonstrated abnormality. Atypical patterns of vessels were
      presented, including shrinkage of artery vessels, capillary dropout, constriction
      and tortuousity of small cardiac vein and venules, and microaneurysm. At 12-week
      experiment, vascular lesion of DM group increased in complicated signs, including
      arterial constrictions and stenosis, arterial blind endings, capillary dropout
      and shrinkage. In addition, severity of microaneurysm dilatation of arterial
      branch of RCA, arterial tortuosity, coiled and twisting arteries were
      investigated. The diameters of vessels of all DM groups were evidently decreased.
      Subsequent to curcumin supplementation, typical and healthy heart
      microvasculatures were restored and redeveloped. The diameter sizes of DMC
      vessels have nearly increased back to normal situations, especially at artery,
      arteriole, and capillary levels. CONCLUSION: Efficiency of curcumin treatment
      beneficially repaired and recovered heart microvascular diabetic complications.
      This evidence suggests that potential anti-diabetic effect of curcumin is
      meaningful about the ongoing therapeutic consequences, owing to the improvement
      and recovery of heart blood vessels.

PMID- 27276838
TI  - Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Thai Children: Defined Using Modified 'The National
      Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III' Criteria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is considered to be a risk of metabolic syndrome; however,
      data on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Thai obese children are scarce.
      OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to determine the prevalence of metabolic
      syndrome in Thai obese children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was
      conducted on 113 obese children who were students of a public elementary school
      in Ongkharak district, Thailand, in 2013. Anthropometric data, blood pressure and
      biochemical parameters were measured. Metabolic syndrome was defined using
      modified 'the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III
      (NCEP/ATPIII)' criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in obese
      children was 50.4%. Children with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher
      waist circumference (86.9 vs. 82.4 cm, p-value = 0.049), biceps skinfold
      thickness (17.2 vs. 14.9 mm, p-value = 0.017), suprailiac skinfold thickness
      (36.5 vs. 31.8 mm, p-value = 0.019), systolic blood pressure (119.7 vs. 112.6
      mmHg, p-value = 0.007), diastolic blood pressure (73.7 vs. 69.0 mmHg, p-value =
      0.022), fasting blood glucose (97.4 vs. 93.6 mg/dL, p-value = 0.009) and
      triglyceride levels (140.0 vs. 85.6 mg/dL, p-value < 0.001) than those without
      metabolic syndrome. HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in children with
      metabolic syndrome than those in without metabolic syndrome (48.7 vs. 63.1 mg/dL,
      p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Of the sample, approximately half of children with
      obesity had metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome appears to
      be on the increase. Strategies for childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome
      prevention are urgently needed for Thai children.

PMID- 27276839
TI  - Demographics, Management Practices and In-Hospital Outcomes: Results from the HRH
      Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center Acute Coronary Syndrome Registry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the demographics and in-hospital outcomes of patients
      with acute coronary syndrome. It provides a real-life data to assess treatment
      strategies for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The
      prospective study included patients who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of
      ACS during January to December, 2013. The data were analyzed in terms of
      characteristics, clinical presentation, treatment, and in-hospital outcomes.
      RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were enrolled. Mean age of all patients was 73.8
      years and half of the patients were older than 70 years old. Twenty patients were
      classified as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 85 as
      unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI).
      Overall prevalence of diabetes was 52.4%. The STEMI group was predominantly male,
      with a fewer number of diabetes than in UA/NSTEMI group. Eighty percent of the
      STEMI patients received reperfusion therapy. Primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) was performed in 70% of STEMI patients. The median door-to
      needle and door-to-balloon time were 60 and 74 minutes, respectively. Six of
      fourteen primary PCI patients received it after 90 minutes. Nearly half of
      UA/NSTEMI patients went to coronary angiography and about one-third of them
      received revascularization with either PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting.
      The total mortality rate was 15% in both the STEMI patients and the UA/NSTEMI
      patients. CONCLUSION: This registry provided a detail of demographics, management
      practices, and in hospital outcomes of ACS patients. Door-to-needle time and door
      to-balloon time were considered as suboptimal. In-hospital mortality was higher
      than the latest national average. Patient delay should be improved by giving more
      education to the general public and concerted effort to improve in-hospital time
      delay is warranted. These data have an impact on our patient care system and
      alert our team to improve patient care.

PMID- 27276840
TI  - Neurovascular Complications in Forty-Nine Cases Elbow Arthroscopy and Review
      Literatures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An elbow arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery. There
      were several international publications report neurovascular complications in
      elbow arthroscopic surgery. But there was no study which was conducted in
      Thailand OBJECTIVE: To report the result of elbow arthroscopic surgery which
      focus on the neurovascular complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective
      review of elbow arthroscopic surgery between April 2011 to May 2014 at HRH
      Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center Srinakharinwirot University in
      Nakhon Nayok province was performed. The data of complications were collected
      since immediately after surgery until 6 weeks after procedure. RESULTS: Forty
      nine elbow arthroscopic surgeries were performed in 44 patients. The authors
      found total complications occurred in 2 cases (4%) which were minor
      complications. One case was transient cutaneous nerve injury (2%) and another
      case was cellulitis around a portal site (2%). No serious or permanent
      complication was detected. CONCLUSION: Elbow arthroscopic surgery is considered a
      safe operation, because only one minor neurological complication was observed and
      no major neurovascular complications were detected.

PMID- 27276841
TI  - The Pilot Study of the Effect of Meditation to the Serum Brain-Derived
      Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) of Medical Students, Srinakharinvirot University.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mindfulness meditation is a method to decrease stress and increase
      memory. So, mindfulness meditation should increase serum brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF). OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of mindfulness
      meditation on the serum BDNF of medical students. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study
      group consisted of 30 male and female second-year medical students that
      volunteered to participate in the study, aged 19.1 +/- 0.55 year olds (range 18
      20) from Srinakharinwirot University. Their blood was drawn to measure BDNF
      before and after a four-day mindfulness meditation programme. The comparison of
      serum BDNF levels before and after meditation were analysed by paired t-test.
      RESULTS: The subjects were 66.77%female and 33.33% male. The average serum BDNF
      level before the meditation was 17.67 ng/ml (SD 3.58). After meditation, there
      was a decrease in serum BDNF to 17.34 ng/ml, which was however not statistically
      significant (SD 4.04, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The levels of blood BDNF decreases
      slightly after practising meditation. We plan to investigate the reason in the
      future.

PMID- 27276842
TI  - The Effects of Single-Dose Preoperative Intravenous Dexamethasone on Clinical
      Outcome after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common procedures in
      surgery. Post-operative pain and post- operative nausea and vomiting (PON) are
      frequently events after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and cause distress to
      patients. Dexamethasones are known for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immune
      modulating and anti-emetic effects. Therefore, preoperative dexamethasone
      administration may reduce postoperative pain and postoperative nausea vomiting
      after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the
      effects of single-dose preoperative intravenous dexamethasone on clinical outcome
      such as postoperative pain nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a prospective
      randomized controlled trial study. Eighty patients undergoing elective
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to dexamethasone group and control
      group. Dexamethasone group received 8 mg (2 ml) of intravenous dexamethasone 60
      90 minute before surgery whereas control group received 2 ml of normal saline 60
      90 minute before surgery. Patients received a similar standardized anesthesia,
      surgical and multimodal analgesic treatment. The pain score, nausea and vomiting
      at 1, 6, 24 hours after surgery and before discharge including analgesic
      consumption and antiemetic required was recorded in both groups. Preoperative and
      postoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)
      were measured. RESULTS: No significant difference existed between two groups
      regarding age, sex, previous operation, operation time and hospital stays. All of
      the patients had no postoperative complication. Postoperative pain score, nausea
      and vomiting at 1st and 6th hours in dexamethasone group were significantly
      reduced in comparison with control group. Analgesic consumption, antiemetic
      requirement and CRIP postoperative were significantly decreased in dexamethasone
      group. CONCLUSION: Single-dose preoperative dexamethasone 8 mg 60-90 minute
      before induction of anesthesia improved clinical outcome in terms of
      significantly less nausea, vomiting, pain at first 6 hours and less inflammatory
      response after laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to placebo. The preoperative
      dexamethasone should be used as routine in patients undergoing laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy.

PMID- 27276843
TI  - Xanthones Isolated from the Pericarp of Mangosteen Inhibit Neurotransmitter
      Receptors Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate inhibitory effects of 7 xanthones and 3
      extracts obtained from the pericarp of mangosteen on serotonin (5-HT), N-methyl-D
      aspartate (NMDA) and glycine receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: Xenopus oocytes were injected with RNA of either 5-HT NMDA or glycine
      receptor and inhibitory effects of the xanthones and extracts were investigated
      using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. RESULTS: Xanthones from the
      pericarp of mangosteen affected 5-HT NMDA and glycine receptor functions with
      different degree of inhibition. Alpha-mangostin, garcinone-D and 9-hydroxycalaba
      xanthone inhibited 5-H T-induced currents by more than 80%. Gamma-mangostin and
      garcinone-E did by more than 50%, but not more than 80%. Garcinone-C and
      garcinone- D inhibited glutamate-induced currents by more than 80%. The alcohol
      extract did by more than 50%, but not more than 80%. Alpha-mangostin, garcinone
      C, garcinone-D, non-tannin extract and the alcohol extract inhibited glycine
      induced currents between 50-70%, neither compounds inhibited the currents up to
      80%. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that each xanthone derivatives has
      different selectivity to different types of neurotransmitter receptors.

PMID- 27276844
TI  - Lack of Association between IL-10 Gene Promoter Polymorphisms and Susceptible to
      Tuberculosis in Thai Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cytokines play a major role in defense against Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis infection. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding various cytokines
      have been associated with tuberculosis susceptibility. Polymorphisms of the
      regulatoy cytokine gene, the interleukin (IL)-10 is associated with the risk of
      tuberculosis (TB) in different populations. However IL-10 gene polymorphism and
      susceptibility to TB in Thai is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate whether the common IL-10 promoter gene polymorphisms are
      associated with TB in Thai population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-eight patients
      with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis were studied. DNA samples were
      extracted from leukocytes and used to investigate -1087A/G -819C/T -252C/A
      (rs1800896, rs1800871, rs1800872) in IL-10 gene using restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. RESULTS: In this study, the genotype and allele
      frequencies of IL-10-1087A/G, -819C/T -252C/A polymorphism did not significantly
      different between TB patients and healthy controls ((genotype: p = 0.38, p =
      0.92,p = 1; allele: p = 0.57, p = 0.77, p = 0.89, respectively). CONCLUSION: The
      lack of association between common IL-10 promoter polymorphisms and TB
      susceptibility in this study may provide clue for better understanding of IL-10
      1087A/G -819C/T -252C/A polymorphism and TB susceptibility in Thai population,
      which might facilitate the rationale design of vaccines. However further studies
      in large scales population are required for confirmation.

PMID- 27276845
TI  - Functional Results in Arthroscopic Treatment in Patients with Chronic Lateral
      Elbow Pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modern surgery as elbow arthroscopic surgery is an accepted operation
      due to benefit in precise intra-articular lesion detection and minimally invasive
      surgery. OBJECTIVE: To report the functional results when using arthroscopic
      surgery to treat chronic lateral elbow pain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The data was
      collected from 25 patients with chronic lateral elbow pain that failed in non
      operative treatment and treated with elbow arthroscopic surgery. Five patients
      were excluded from this study due to diagnosed as instability that needed the
      ligament reconstruction. The etiology of pain were grouped in to tennis elbow (4
      pts), plica (9 pts), tennis elbow combined with plica (4 pts) and cartilage
      lesion (3 pts). Thai quick DASH questionnaire was used to evaluate the functional
      results by comparing pre and post operation score and calculated statistic
      results with paired t-test by level of significance p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean
      follow-up after surgery was 22 months by mean disability module pre and post
      operative score is 68 and 18 respectively. In the occupation module was 74 and 25
      respectively and in sports module was 81 and 17 respectively. All modules, scores
      was significant improved with p-value = 0.000, 0.000 and 0.004 respectively. The
      disability mean score in pre and post-operative along the diagnosis, tennis elbow
      mean score was 74 and 33, in plica lesion mean score was 65 and 11, combined
      lesions mean score was 60 and 18 and cartilage lesion mean score was 60 and 20.
      CONCLUSION: Approaching chronic lateral elbow pain with arthroscopy can maintain
      the signficant improvement of functional result in midterm follow-up.

PMID- 27276846
TI  - Glycated Haemoglobin and Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in HRH
      Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important cause of blindness in type 2
      diabetic patients. When it occurs, it affects the patient's quality of life
      including their physical activity, emotion, mentality, and social interactions.
      Therefore, the objectives of this research were to study the relationship between
      glycaemic control and DR and the relationship between DR and other factors. We
      also aim to find the optimal cut-off point to screen diabetic retinopathy using
      glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a case
      control study. One hundred patients were divided into two groups (50 patients for
      DR group and 50 patients for non-DR group). Their HbA1c, weight, height, blood
      pressure, and lipid profiles were retrospectively reviewed by Electronic Medical
      Record (EMR). The data was analysed using both Chi-square test and logistic
      regression with two-tailed hypothesis. RESULTS: The research revealed that
      uncontrolled glycaemic in type 2 diabetic patients was significantly related to
      DR (Adjusted odds ratio 8.89, 95% CI = 2.3-18.00, p-value < 0.001). In addition,
      it occurred more commonly in males (Adjusted odds ratio 6.41, 95% CI = 3.02
      26.25, p-value < 0.001). A cut-off level of HbA1c for screening DR is 7.25%
      (sensitivity 84%, specificity 66%, positive predictive value = 71.2%, negative
      predictive value = 80.5%). CONCLUSION: HbA1c level and male gender are strongly
      related to DR (p < 0.001) and the optimal cut-off level for DR screening is 7.25%
      in type 2 diabetic patients that were treated in HRH Princess Maha Chakri
      Sirindhorn Medical Center.

PMID- 27276847
TI  - Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis Due to Salmonella enterica Serovar 4,5,12:i:-: A Case
      Report with Literature Review.
AB  - The authors report a case of a 36-week male infant born via spontaneous vaginal
      delivery who developed Salmonella sepsis at HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
      Medical Center Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand. He was born
      to a mother without identifiable risk factors. On day 3, he developed fever
      tachycardia, lethargy, poor feeding and diarrhea prompting a sepsis evaluation.
      Blood and stool cultures were positive for S. enterica serovar 4,5,12:i:-.
      Therefore, Salmonella infection should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis of early onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) particularly in endemic areas.

PMID- 27276848
TI  - Unusual Skin Manifestations in Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus.
AB  - Neonatal lupus erythematous (NLE) is a rare autoimmune disease caused by
      placental transfer of maternal anti-SSA/Ro or anti-SSB/La antibodies. It usually
      presents with transient cutaneous lesions, congenital heart block and other
      systemic symptoms. The authors report a case of neonatal lupus erythematosus who
      presented with targetoid-like lesions on both feet.

PMID- 27276849
TI  - A Report of Peritonitis from Aeromonas sobria in a Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
      Patient with Necrotizing Fasciitis.
AB  - A 70-years of age, male patient with underlying type 2 diabetes mellitus,
      hypertension, dyslipidemia and ischemic heart disease had undergone continuous
      ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)for 3 years without any episodes of
      peritonitis. He was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and later developed
      peritonitis after receiving a laceration from an aquatic injury suffered during
      the flood disaster of 2011. The blood culture, necrotic tissue and the clear
      dialysate collected upon admission had shown Aeromonas sobria. The route of
      peritonitis may be from the hematogenous spread of A. sobria resulting in
      necrotizing fasciitis. A. sobria should be considered as the pathogen of
      peritonitis in PD patients who have history of wounds from contaminated water. We
      suggest that the PD patients who present with septicemia and did not meet the
      criteria for peritonitis, the initial dialysate effluent should be sent for
      culture. The benefit of this is to allow early recognition and treatment of
      peritonitis.

PMID- 27276850
TI  - Laparoscopic Radical Cystoprostatectomy, Surgical Technique and Result: A Case
      Report.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy is a complicated operation.
      The objective of this study is to present our technique and results of
      laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A 72-year-old Thai
      male presented with gross hematuria. Cystoscope was performed. Large bladder
      tumor near right ureteric orifice was observed. Then, transurethral resection of
      bladder tumor was performed. His tumor pathology was muscle invasive high grade
      urothelial carcinoma with clinical staging T2N0M0. Laparoscopic radical
      cystoprostatectomy was then conducted with bilateral pelvic nodes dissection and
      ileal conduit. RESULTS: Operation period was eight hours. Blood loss was 500 ml.
      In pathological results, tumor invaded bladder muscle into perivesical tissue.
      Tumor margin was free. Lymph nodes were positive for malignancy 5/7 for right
      side and 0/4 for left side. Pathological staging was T3aN1M0. After post
      operative period, the patient was discharged from hospital uneventfully.
      CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy in Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
      Medical Center is minimal invasive, feasible and safe. However, a longer follow
      up period regarding long-term cancer control as well as functional and technical
      aspects will be required.

PMID- 27276851
TI  - Carotid artery wall stiffness is increased in patients with small vessel disease:
      A case-control study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cerebral ischemic small-vessel disease (SVD), causing lacunar
      infarcts and white matter hyperintensities on brain magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI), is a progressive disease associated with an increased risk of stroke,
      dementia and death. Increased arterial stiffness has been associated with
      ischemic stroke and cerebral SVD independently of common vascular risk factors.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze arterial stiffness in our patients
      with symptomatic SVD. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study design we included 30
      patients with clinical and MRI evidence of cerebral SVD and 30 age-, gender- and
      risk factor-matched control subjects with no neurological diseases. Patients were
      evaluated at the Ultrasound Laboratory at the Neurology Clinic, Clinical Center
      of Serbia in Belgrade, during a three-month period (from September 1st to
      December 1st 2012). Baseline demographic and vascular risk factors were recorded.
      All patients underwent standard carotid ultrasound scans with measuring of intima
      media thickness (IMT) and analysis of atheromatous plaques. Internal carotid
      artery stiffness was evaluated with the use of e-tracking option as beta
      stiffness index (BSI) value. RESULTS: There were no differences between study
      groups in regard to degree of carotid stenosis and type of carotid plaques (p >
      0.05). Patients in SVD group had significantly higher mean IMT (p = 0.0093) and
      mean BSI (p < 0.0001) than subjects in the control group. No significant
      correlation was detected between IMT and BSI in SVD group (r = 0.168; p = 0.376).
      Brain lesions severity correlated with BSI (r = 0.733; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION:
      Arterial stiffness is increased in symptomatic patients with SVD, independently
      of vascular risk factors and IMT.

PMID- 27276852
TI  - Estimation of total bacteria by real-time PCR in patients with periodontal
      disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Periodontal diseases are associated with the presence of elevated
      levels of bacteria within the gingival crevice. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study
      was to evaluate a total amount of bacteria in subgingival plaque samples in
      patients with a periodontal disease. METHODS: A quantitative evaluation of total
      bacteria amount using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)
      was performed on 20 samples of patients with ulceronecrotic periodontitis and on
      10 samples of healthy subjects. The estimation of total bacterial amount was
      based on gene copy number for 16S rRNA that was determined by comparing to Ct
      values/gene copy number of the standard curve. RESULTS: A statistically
      significant difference between average gene copy number of total bacteria in
      periodontal patients (2.55 x 107) and healthy control (2.37 x 106) was found (p =
      0.01). Also, a trend of higher numbers of the gene copy in deeper periodontal
      lesions (> 7 mm) was confirmed by a positive value of coefficient of correlation
      (r = 0.073). CONCLUSION: The quantitative estimation of total bacteria based on
      gene copy number could be an important additional tool in diagnosing
      periodontitis.

PMID- 27276853
TI  - Relationship between the vertical craniofacial disproportions and the
      cervicovertebral morphology in adult subjects.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Orthodontic diagnosis includes the interpretation of the relations
      between the craniofacial and cervical system, given the potential impact of the
      irregularities from one system to another. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was
      to examine morphological characteristics of the cervical spine, depending on the
      parameters of the vertical craniofacial growth and gender in adult subjects.
      METHODS: The sample comprised lateral cephalograms of 120 subjects with different
      vertical facial growth, aged 17.5-35 years. Measured parameters were the
      following: anterior and posterior vertebral body height (ABHC2-C5, PBHC2-C5),
      anterior and posterior intervertebral space (AISC2-C5, PISC2-C5), distance
      between vertebrae and point sella (SC2, SC3, SC4), pterygomaxillare (PmC2),
      gonion (GoC2) and basion (BaC4); cervical spine angulation (OPT/CVT) and
      inclination (OPT/HOR, CVT/HOR). RESULTS: Results showed that subjects with
      anterior facial growth rotation have greater values for BaC4, OPT/HOR, CVT/HOR,
      OPT/CVT, anterior and posterior vertebral body heights and intervertebral spaces,
      and lower values for GoC2 and PmC2. Higher values in males were found for
      anterior and posterior vertebral body heights, distances SC2, SC3, SC4, and BaC4.
      In females, the greater values were found for GoC2 and OPT/CVT. CONCLUSION:
      Subjects with anterior facial growth rotation have greater cervical spine
      inclination and angulation, higher cervical vertebrae and intervertebral spaces,
      longer upper cervical spines and shorter distances GoC2 and PmC2. Males show
      smaller cervical column curvature, but higher cervical vertebrae and greater
      length of the upper cervical spine.

PMID- 27276854
TI  - Influence of manual thrombus aspiration on left ventricular diastolic function in
      patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Data on effects of thrombus aspiration on left ventricular
      diastolic function in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) population are
      scarce. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare echocardiographic indices of the
      diastolic function and outcomes in STEMI patients treated with and without manual
      thrombus aspiration, in an academic, high-volume percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) center. METHODS: A total of 433 consecutive patients who
      underwent primary PCI in 2011-2012 were enrolled in the study. Patients were not
      eligible for the study if they already suffered a myocardial infarction, had been
      previously revascularized, received thrombolytics, presented with cardiogenic
      shock, had significant valvular disease, atrial fibrillation or had previously
      implanted pacemaker. Comprehensive echocardiogram was performed within 48 hours.
      During follow-up patients'status was assessed by an office visit or telephone
      interview. RESULTS: Patients treated with thrombus aspiration (TA+, n=216) had
      similar baseline characteristics as those without thrombus aspiration (TA-, n =
      217). Groups had similar total ischemic time (319 +/- 276 vs. 333 +/- 372 min; p
      = 0.665), but TA+ group had higher maximum values of troponin I (39.5 +/- 30.5
      vs. 27.6 +/- 26.9 ng/ml; p < 0.001). The echocardiography revealed similar left
      ventricular volumes and systolic function, but TA+ group had significantly higher
      incidence of E/e' > 15, as a marker of severe diastolic dysfunction' (TA+ 23.1%
      vs. TA- 15.2%; p = 0.050). During average follow-up of 14 +/- 5 months, major
      adverse cardiac/cerebral events occurred at the similar rate (log rank p =
      0.867). CONCLUSION: Thrombus aspiration is associated with a greater incidence of
      severe diastolic dysfunction in unselected STEMI patients treated with primary
      PCI, but it doesn't influence the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular
      events.

PMID- 27276855
TI  - Correlation between demographic characteristics, cognitive functioning and
      functional independence in stroke patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It has been assumed that there is causality of the achieved level
      of functional independence with the degree of preservation of cognitive function
      in stroke patients. Demographic characteristics may be important for monitoring
      the achieved level of functional independence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study
      was to examine the relationship of demographic characteristics and functional
      independence in regard to the level of cognitive impairment in stroke patients.
      METHODS: The study included 50 stroke patients after rehabilitation, as well as
      age- and gender-matched 50 subjects selected randomly, according to the
      demographic characteristics of the studied sample, who in their medical history
      had no neurological disorders. For the assessment of functional independence, the
      Functional Independence Measure (FIM) test was used.The general cognition was
      estimated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test. The statistical
      analyses included the Mann-Whitney test, for two independent samples, measures of
      canonical correlation, and chi2 test. RESULTS: There was a statistically
      significant difference between the groups in relation to risk factors,
      hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II (p < 0.001); There was a statistically
      significant difference within the groups in relation to the cognitive impairment
      in all the examined demographic characteristics (p<0.001); the differences within
      the groups in relation to the cognitive impairment are present on all subscales
      of the FIM test (p < 0.05); the differences within the groups in relation to
      handedness, hemiparesis, show that mild cognitive impairment is more common among
      left hemiparesis, while a more severe one is more common among right-sided
      hemiparesis (p < 0.05); More severe cognitive impairment is common among women,
      the elderly and in persons with lower education (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: By
      prevention of risk factors, and prevention of possible cognitive impairment,
      consequences of stroke can be reduced, the recovery can be made more successful,
      and quality of life can be improved.

PMID- 27276856
TI  - Clinical trial/experimental study (consort compliant): Optimal time period to
      achieve the effects on synbiotic-controlled wheezing and respiratory infections
      in young children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Urban life is often followed by immune dysfunction and loss of
      immune tolerance in the youngest children. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to
      determine optimal time efficiency of a synbiotic (5 x 109 Lactobacillus
      acidophilus Rosell-52, Bifidobacterium infantis Rosell-33, Bifidobacterium
      bifidum Rosell-71) in controlling respiratory infections and wheezing disease.
      METHODS: We randomly selected a group of children younger than five years,
      hospitalized earlier, and classified them into three groups. RESULTS: The
      incidence of respiratory infection before the study was once a month, while after
      a three-month supplementation with the synbiotic children rarely suffered from
      respiratory infections, and the state was maintained after six-month and nine
      month supplementations with the synbiotic. The decreased incidence of respiratory
      infections was followed by a falling incidence of concomitant wheezing. A
      significant increase in tIgA serum was observed in all groups for only three
      months, the increase being the highest in children with recurrent respiratory
      infections accompanied by wheezing. After a nine-month administration of the
      synbiotic, total IgE serum was lower in all groups of patients. CONCLUSION: The
      optimal duration of administration of the synbiotic containing three probiotic
      cultures to provide effective control of the frequency of respiratory infections
      was three months, and six months were required to establish control of the
      frequency of wheezing. This synbiotic is useful for immunomodulation in children
      and is well-tolerated in young children.

PMID- 27276857
TI  - Displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children: Comparison of three
      treatment approaches.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning are the most widely used
      treatment options for displaced supracondylar humerus fractures in children, but
      there is still no consensus concerning the most preferred technique in injuries
      of the extension type. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare three
      common orthopaedic procedures in the treatment of displaced extension type
      supracondylar humerus fractures in children. METHODS: Total of 93 consecutive
      patients (66 boys and 27 girls) referred to our hospital with Gartland type II or
      III extension supracondylar humeral fractures were prospectively included in the
      study over a six-year period. At initial presentation 48 patients were classified
      as Gartland type II and 45 as Gartland type III fractures. The patients were
      subdivided into three groups based on the following treatment modality: closed
      reduction with percutaneous pinning, open reduction with Kirschner wires (K
      wires) fixation, and closed reduction with cast immobilisation. The treatment
      outcome and clinical characteristics were compared among groups, as well as
      evaluated using Flynn's criteria. RESULTS: Excellent clinical outcome was
      reported in 70.3% of patients treated with closed reduction with percutaneous
      pinning and in 64.7% of patients treated with open reduction with K-wire
      fixation. The outcome was significantly worse in children treated with closed
      reduction and cast immobilisation alone, as excellent outcome is achieved in just
      36.4% of cases (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Closed reduction with percutaneous
      pinning is the method of choice in the treatment of displaced pediatric
      supracondylar humeral fracture, while open reduction with K-wire fixation is as a
      good alternative in cases with clear indications.

PMID- 27276858
TI  - Fungal infections in corn picker hand injury.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hand injuries caused by corn pickers are relatively rare but in
      most cases extensive, with massive tissue destruction. Severe wounds sustained
      during agricultural work are contaminated, with high incidence of infection.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and type of fungal
      infection in corn picker injuries and their impact on the course and outcome of
      treatment. METHODS: Corn picker hand injuries for the period 2006-2012 were
      analyzed. After setting up clinical suspicion, direct examination of repeated
      swabs and histopathological analysis of biopsy material were done in order to
      detect fungi. RESULTS: From the total number of 60 patients, there was a fungal
      infection in nine of them (which makes 15% of the total number of patients).
      Aspergillus spp. was isolated in seven patients, Candida spp. in three, and Mucor
      spp. in one patient. None of the patients had increased risk factors for
      developing a fungal infection. In most cases, there was loss of graft and tissue
      necrosis in previously normally look- ing wound, after seven or more days. All
      patients were treated with repeated surgical debridement and concomitant
      parenteral and topical application of appropriate antifungal agents. There was no
      need for reamputation in any patient. CONCLUSION: A high degree of suspicion and
      a multidisciplinary approach are needed for early diagnosis of fungal infection.
      Confirmation of diagnosis and the initiation of surgical and appropriate
      antifungal therapy are essential for a successful outcome.

PMID- 27276859
TI  - Clinical and laboratory differences between Epstein-Barr and cytomegalovirus
      infectious mononucleosis in children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Infective mononucleosis is most commonly caused by Epstein-Barr
      virus (EBV), and in smaller percentage by cytomegalovirus (CMV). OBJECTIVE: The
      aim of this paper was to determine the clinical and laboratory differences
      between EBV and CMV infectious mononucleosis in children. METHODS: Cohort
      retrospective analytical research was conducted. We used data from medical
      history in six years period and monitored anamnestic data, frequency of
      inspection and palpation obtained data during physical examination, several
      laboratory tests, abdomen ultrasonography examination finding and emergence of
      disease complications. Statistical processing of data has been performed using
      SPSS 20. RESULTS: Total number of examined children was 137, out of which 85.4%
      were with EBV and 14.6% with CMV infection. Affected children were most commonly
      younger than eight years. Boys were affected more often. There was no difference
      in frequency of high temperature, sore throat, bad breath, and respiratory
      symptomatology between examined children. Differences were discovered in
      frequency of stomachaches, eyelid swelling, skin rash and fatigue. Differences
      were not proven in the frequency of angina, lymphadenopathy and
      splenohepatomegaly between the groups. Values of transaminases and lactic
      dehydrogenases significantly decreased after seven days of hospitalization in
      both groups. In children with EBV, values of transaminases declined faster than
      in children with CMV. Anemia and bacterial superinfection of pharynx were most
      common disease complications. Thrombocytopenia was more common in children with
      CMV infection. Average duration of hospitalization was 6.7 days. CONCLUSION: In
      children with CMV abdominal pain, eyelid swelling, skin rash, fatigue and
      thrombocytopenia were more common. In children with EBV values of transaminases
      declined significantly faster.

PMID- 27276861
TI  - Doppler changes as the earliest parameter in fetal surveillance to detect fetal
      compromise in intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that 3-10% of infants are growth restricted. Growth
      disturbances may have long-term issues. Doppler allows insight into the fetal
      response to intrauterine stress. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to detect
      fetal compromise in intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses by means of
      biophysical profile (BPP) vis-a-vis Doppler velocimetry studies of the fetal
      umbilical artery, and to find out which of the two is a better and earlier
      predictor of fetal compromise. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on a
      total of 50 singleton pregnancies with IUGR between 28 and 42 weeks of gestation.
      Study patients were managed expectantly with nonstress testing and amniotic fluid
      assessment, BPP and Doppler velocimetry studies of the fetal umbilical artery.
      RESULTS: Fetal outcome was poor in 5/50 (10%) of the fetuses, defined as presence
      of all of the following: poor Apgar test score, neonatal intensive care unit
      stay, necrotizing enterocolitis, and low birth weight. Of the four with abnormal
      BPP, 50% had poor fetal outcomes. Out of 46 with normal BPP, 6.5% had poor fetal
      outcomes. CONCLUSION: Inference drawn from the study is that the Doppler
      technology provides us the opportunity for repetitive noninvasive hemodynamic
      monitoring in IUGR pregnancies.

PMID- 27276860
TI  - Epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of hepatitis E virus
      infection in Bulgaria: A report on 20 patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis E is one of the leading clinical manifestations of acute
      viral hepatitis in developing countries. In industrialized countries, during the
      past several years, sporadic "autochthonous" cases of HEV infection have been
      increased. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological,
      clinical and laboratory features of HEV infection among patients hospitalized at
      the Department of Infectious Diseases in Military Medical Academy, Sofia,
      Bulgaria. METHODS: A retrospective study of 806 cases of acute viral hepatitis
      was performed at the Department of Infectious Diseases in Military Medical
      Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria, between December 2004 and September 2012.The
      etiological diagnosis was established by ELISA. The statistical analysis was
      performed using Excel 2007 (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, USA) and SPSS
      Statistics 19.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NewYork, USA). RESULTS: Specific reaction to
      anti-HEV-IgM and anti-HEV-IgG antibodies were detected in 20 (2.48%) of 806
      patients. The most observed clinical presentations were jaundice (85%), fatigue
      (85%), anorexia (65%), abdominal discomfort (55%) and fever (40%). The mean
      values of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were 521 IU/l and 881
      IU/l, respectively. The cholestasis was slight, marked with mean values of gamma
      glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase, respectively 418 IU/I and 486
      IU/I. CONCLUSION: We report twenty autochthonous sporadic cases of acute
      infection with HEV. The zoonotic etiology of the virus as well as the foodborne
      transmission of the infection is discussed. We found that aging and pre-existing
      underlying diseases are risk factors for a severe course of the HEV infection.

PMID- 27276862
TI  - Iris melanocytoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Iris melanocytoma (IM) is a rare benign tumor, but unavoidable in
      differential diagnosis of pigmented iris lesions. According to the best knowledge
      of the authors it is for the first time in Serbia that a well-documented case of
      IM is presented and that the problem of this tumor is discussed. CASE OUTLINE: In
      the left eye of a 47-year-old white female at the iris in a six o'clock position,
      a highly pigmented, dome shaped lesion with a crater-like cavity in the center
      and with feathery margins was noticed. There were no signs of infiltration of
      surrounding tissue or intrinsic vessels and the lens was clear. Visual acuity and
      intraocular pressure were normal. An ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) revealed a
      well-defined lesion with high internal reflectivity, with a base diameter of 1.25
      mm and a thickness of 0.80 mm in the periphery, and 0.53 mm in the central
      part.The diagnosis of IM of the left eye was established and regular checkups
      were performed for ten years. No changes in clinical or UBM presentation were
      established. CONCLUSION: Awareness of clinical presentation of IM is most
      important for correct diagnosis. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a useful diagnostic
      procedure in the following up of IM.

PMID- 27276863
TI  - Peripartum cardiomyopathy in a patient treated for acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Peripartum cardiomyopathy usually presents with systolic heart
      failure during the last months of pregnancy and up to five months postpartum. The
      disease is rare and can be fatal. CASE OUTLINE: We report a 30-year-old female
      who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, with maturation and cytogenetic
      finding of t(8;21)(q22;q22),del(9)(q22) in January 2004. She was treated with
      chemotherapy and achieved complete remission that lasts to date. She became
      pregnant and delivered a healthy newborn with caesarean section in 2009. Seven
      months later, she again became pregnant and delivered the second child with
      caesarean section in January 2011. Seven days after delivery she developed
      symptoms and signs of heart failure. Electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm, low
      voltage and negative T-waves in inferior and lateral leads. Echocardiography
      revealed global left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction of 15%, with
      mobile thrombotic mass of 12 mm attached to the left ventricle wall. She was
      treated with both unfractionated and low-molecular heparin, diuretics,
      cardiotonics, and beta-blockers. Within six following weeks left ventricle
      systolic function improved up to 25-30%. The full clinical recovery was achieved
      in September 2013, resulting in absence of heart failure and left ventricular
      ejection fraction of 54%. CONCLUSION: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare
      condition. The cause of cardiomyopathy is unknown, but it is believed that it
      could be triggered by various conditions and risk factors. Although the patient
      was treated with cardiotoxic drugs (doxorubicin and mitoxantrone) in permitted
      doses, they could have been contributory factors of myocardial damage. Close
      monitoring of cardiac function in the peripartal period might be beneficial in
      patients treated with cardiotoxic drugs.

PMID- 27276864
TI  - A case of essential thrombocythemia and ankylosing spondylitis treated with a
      combination of anagrelide, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and etanercept.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A high platelet count, or thrombocytosis, is either a reactive
      process or a result of a myeloproliferative disorder. Ankylosing spondylitis is a
      chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting the spine and sometimes
      peripheral joints in which reactive mild to moderate thrombocytosis is a common
      finding. There have been no previously reported cases of essential
      thrombocythemia associated with ankylosing spondylitis. CASE OUTLINE: We report a
      case of a 32-year-old man with human leukocyte antigen B27-positive ankylosing
      spondylitis and Janus kinase 2-positive essential thrombocythemia who was treated
      first with a combination of anagrelide and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
      and, after liver toxicity, with a combination of anagrelide and etanercept (TNF
      alpha antagonist). Both diseases were gradually brought under control.
      CONCLUSION: Our case of ankylosing spondylitis and essential thrombocythemia
      suggests that concomitant etanercept and anagrelide therapy is safe, as well as
      effective.

PMID- 27276865
TI  - "Stray" achalasia: From gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and back.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Achalasia is a rare esophageal disorder which, due to frequent
      presence of both respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, can initially be
      referred either to pulmonologist or gastroenterologist. CASE OUTLINE: A 50-year
      old patient was initially referred to gastroenterologist with the following
      symptoms: nausea, vomiting, occasional hiccups, weight loss, chest pain,
      dysphonia, and dry cough. After chest X-ray, the patient was referred to
      pulmonologist with differential diagnosis for pulmonary infiltration and thoracic
      aortic aneurysm. Pulmonologist interpreted chest X-ray as showing paratracheal
      mediastinal enlargement with air-fluid levels, thus suspecting achalasia.
      Computed tomography scan of the thorax with per os contrast showed extremely
      dilated esophagus with food stasis. The patient was then referred to thoracic
      surgeon, who ordered additional diagnostics (esophageal passage with contrast,
      esophagomanometry, esophagogastroduodenoscopy), and finally performed Heller
      myotomy. Postoperatively there were no complications, and the patient was symptom
      free during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although achalasia can also result in
      respiratory symptoms, fastidious anamnesis and accurate radiological
      interpretation are essential for the correct diagnosis.

PMID- 27276866
TI  - Case report of an infant with severe vitamin D deficiency rickets manifested as
      hypocalcemic seizures.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hypocalcemic seizures are uncommon in the post-neonatal period. We
      report an infant with hypocalcemic seizures caused by severe deficiency of
      vitamin D. CASE OUTLINE: A five-month-old male infant was admitted to hospital in
      March 2013 with recurrent generalized afebrile seizures resistant to clonazepam
      therapy. At the clinical examination, the infant showed characteristic rachitic
      signs, so that after a blood sample was taken for laboratory testing, the infant
      was given infusion of 2 ml/kg of 10% of calcium gluconate at a rate of 0.5
      ml/min.The treatment resulted in immediate termination of seizures and
      normalization of the consciousness of the infant. Blood sample analysis showed
      extremely low levels of free and total calcium (0.36/1.24 mmol/) and 25(OH)D (<3
      ng/ml), elevated alkaline phosphatase (878 U/) and parathyroid hormone (283
      pg/ml), and low calcium/creatinine ratio (mg/mg) in a portion of urine (0.03),
      while the levels of serum phosphorus, pH, total protein, albumin and creatinine
      were within the reference range. Wrist X-ray showed typical signs of rickets. In
      order to fully stabilize calcium homeostasis, along with 2,000 IU of vitamin D3
      daily and standard cow's milk formula, calcium gluconate (80 mg/kg daily) was
      given orally over a period of two weeks.The treatment resulted in complete
      stabilization of the infant's condition and rapid improvement in laboratory,
      radiological and clinical findings of rickets. CONCLUSION: Generalized
      convulsions in the afebrile infant represent a serious and etiopathogenically
      very heterogeneous problem. Extremely rare, as in the case of our patient, it may
      be due to severe hypocalcemia caused by a deficiency of vitamin D.

PMID- 27276867
TI  - Recent advances in research on non-auditory effects of community noise.
AB  - Non-auditory effects of noise on humans have been intensively studied in the last
      four decades. The International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise has
      been following scientific advances in this field by organizing international
      congresses from the first one in 1968 in Washington, DC, to the 11th congress in
      Nara, Japan, in 2014. There is already a large scientific body of evidence on the
      effects of noise on annoyance, communication, performance and behavior, mental
      health, sleep, and cardiovascular functions including relationship with
      hypertension and ischemic heart disease. In the last five years new issues in
      this field have been tackled. Large epidemiological studies on community noise
      have reported its relationship with breast cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and
      obesity. It seems that noise-induced sleep disturbance may be one of the
      mediating factors in these effects. Given a large public health importance of the
      above-mentioned diseases, future studies should more thoroughly address the
      mechanisms underlying the reported association with community noise exposure.
      Keywords: noise; cancer; stroke; diabetes mellitus type 2; obesity

PMID- 27276868
TI  - Food allergy in children.
AB  - Food allergy represents a highly up-to-date and continually increasing problem of
      modern man. Although being present in all ages, it most often occures in children
      aged up to three years. Sensitization most often occurs by a direct way, but it
      is also possible to be caused by mother's milk, and even transplacentally.
      Predisposition of inadequate immune response to antigen stimulation, reaginic or
      nonreaginic, is of non-selective character so that food allergy is often multiple
      and to a high rate associated with inhalation and/or contact hypersensitivity.
      Also, due to antigen closeness of some kinds of food, cross-reactive allergic
      reaction is also frequent, as is the case with peanuts, legumes and tree nuts or
      cow's, sheep's and goat's milk. Most frequent nutritive allergens responsible for
      over 90% of adverse reactions of this type are proteins of cow's milk, eggs,
      peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.
      Allergy intolerance of food antigens is characterized by a very wide spectrum of
      clinical manifestations. Highly severe systemic reactions, sometimes fatal, are
      also possible.The diagnosis of food allergy is based on a detailed personal and
      family medical history, complete clinical examination, and corresponding
      laboratory and other examinations adapted to the type of hypersensitivity and the
      character of patient's complaints, and therapy on the elimination diet. A
      positive effect of elimination diet also significantly contributes to the
      diagnosis. Although most children "outgrow" their allergies, allergy to peanuts,
      tree nuts, fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and cephalopods are generally life-long
      allergies.

PMID- 27276870
TI  - Foreign scientists on the contribution of Serbian physician and scientist Dr.
      Lazar K. Lazarevic to medical science.
AB  - Dr. Lazar K. Lazarevic (1851-1890, Julian calendar/1891, Gregorian calendar) was
      an exceptional Serbian physician, scientist, writer and translator. During his
      short life and his close to 11-year-long professional career (1879-1890), Dr.
      Lazarevic authored 78 scientific papers and presentations in various branches of
      medicine. His greatest contribution to the field of neurology and to medical
      science in general is his description of the straight leg raising test.The
      article titled"Ischiac postica Cotunnii--One contribution to its differential
      diagnosis"was published in the Serbian language (in Cyrillic alphabet) in the
      Serbian Archives of Medicine in 1880.The article was translated to German and
      republished in Vienna in 1884 in Allgemeine Wiener medizinische Zeitung. The
      straight leg raising test is usually called Lasegue's test/sign, after the French
      clinician Charles Lasegue, although he never described it. However, there are
      numerous authors who admit that Lasegue never published the description of the
      straight leg raising test, and instead give full credits for its discovery to Dr.
      Lazarevic. Our objective in this article is to highlight the major literature
      written by foreign scientists who give credit to Dr. Lazarevic for his
      contribution to medical science.

PMID- 27276869
TI  - Electrocardiography in pre-participation screening and current guidelines for
      participation in competitive sports.
AB  - Electrocardiography (ECG) is especially significant in pre-participation
      screening due to its ability to discover or to rise a suspicion for certain
      cardiovascular diseases and conditions that represent a serious health risk in
      athletes. Common, conditionally benign and training related ECG changes are sinus
      bradycardia and sinus arrhythmia, first degree atrioventricular block, incomplete
      right bundle branch block, benign early repolarization, and isolated QRS voltage
      criteria for left ventricular enlargement. Uncommon ECG changes, unrelated to
      training, and some specific syndromes are ST segment depression and/or >= 2 mm T
      wave inversion in two or more adjacent leads, intraventricular conduction
      disorder, Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, long QT interval syndrome, short QT
      interval syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia,
      monomorphic ventricular extrasystole and benign ventricular tachycardia.
      Keywords: examination; athletes; recommendations

PMID- 27276871
TI  - How can eHealth enhance adherence to cancer therapy and supportive care?
AB  - eHealth is currently a hot topic, but is certainly not a new one. The use of
      communications technology to relay health-related information or provide medical
      services has been around since the advent of this technology. It has been
      primarily over the last decade that eHealth has seen a global expansion, due to
      the far-reaching capabilities of the Internet and the widespread use of wireless
      technology. This paper will outline what eHealth is, what adherence is, and how
      eHealth can help with adherence, in cancer and supportive care particularly. It
      will discuss the current state of the art, and project into the future. Keywords:
      telemedicine; compliance; use of electronic media for health

PMID- 27276872
TI  - Double trouble: accessory spleen mimicking renal carcinoma recurrence identified
      by scintigraphy.

PMID- 27276873
TI  - Effectiveness of intervention strategies exclusively targeting reductions in
      children's sedentary time: a systematic review of the literature.
AB  - An increasing number of interventions targeting sedentary behaviour in children
      have emerged in recent years. Recently published reviews included sedentary
      behaviour and physical activity interventions. This review critically summarizes
      evidence on the effectiveness of intervention strategies that exclusively
      targeted reducing sedentary time in children and adolescents. We performed a
      systematic literature search in Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library through
      November 2015. Two independent reviewers selected eligible studies, extracted
      relevant data and rated the methodological quality using the assessment tool for
      quantitative studies. We included 21 intervention studies, of which 8 studies
      scored moderate on methodological quality and 13 studies scored weak. Four out of
      eight moderate quality studies reported significant beneficial intervention
      effects.Although descriptions of intervention strategies were not always clearly
      reported, we identified encouragement of a TV turnoff week and implementing
      standing desks in classrooms as promising strategies. Due to a lack of high
      quality studies and inconsistent findings, we found no convincing evidence for
      the effectiveness of existing interventions targeting solely sedentary behaviour.
      We recommend that future studies apply mediation analyses to explore which
      strategies are most effective. Furthermore, to increase the effectiveness of
      interventions, knowledge of children's motives to engage in sedentary behavior is
      required, as well as their opinion on potentially effective intervention
      strategies. 

PMID- 27276874
TI  - Pneumococcal colonization and invasive disease studied in a porcine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive bacterium carried in the
      human nasopharynx, is an important human pathogen causing mild diseases such as
      otitis media and sinusitis as well as severe diseases including pneumonia,
      meningitis and sepsis. There is a strong resemblance between the anatomy,
      immunology and physiology of the pig and human species. Furthermore, there are
      striking similarities between S. suis pathogenesis in piglets and S. pneumoniae
      pathogenesis in humans. Therefore, we investigated the use of piglets as a model
      for pneumococcal colonization and invasive disease. RESULTS: Intravenous
      inoculation of piglets with an invasive pneumococcal isolate led to bacteraemia
      during 5 days, showing clear bacterial replication in the first two days.
      Bacteraemia was frequently associated with fever and septic arthritis. Moreover,
      intranasal inoculation of piglets with a nasopharyngeal isolate led to
      colonization for at least six consecutive days. CONCLUSIONS: This demonstrates
      that central aspects of human pneumococcal infections can be modelled in piglets
      enabling the use of this model for studies on colonization and transmission but
      also on development of vaccines and host-directed therapies. Moreover this is the
      first example of an animal model inducing high levels of pneumococcal septic
      arthritis.

PMID- 27276875
TI  - Characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine users and prescription analysis
      for pediatric atopic dermatitis: a population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis among children is an important issue due to
      relapses and skin manifestations. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly
      used to treat children with atopic dermatitis. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the characteristics and TCM prescriptions of patients with atopic
      dermatitis using a nationwide database. METHODS: Children younger than 12 years
      of age diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, defined as ICD-9-CM codes 691.8 and
      692.x, were identified from the database. Data on age, diagnosis codes, area of
      residence and use of corticosteroids of the TCM users were recorded. Association
      rule mining was used to analyze the prescriptions used for atopic dermatitis.
      RESULTS: We identified 13,646 children with atopic dermatitis using TCM in 2007.
      Female gender (OR: 0.83 for male gender), adolescence (OR: 10.0, 95 % CI: 8.88
      11.15) and allergic rhinitis (OR: 2.44, 95 % CI: 2.10-2.85) were associated with
      the use of TCM. Fewer of the TCM users were prescribed with corticosteroids (35.8
      % of all TCM users), but the TCM users had a higher rate of long-term topical
      corticosteroid therapy (10.6 % for TCM users versus 2.0 % for those who did not
      use TCM). Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) was used by 93.7 % of all TCM users in
      36,398 prescriptions. On average, 5.6 kinds of CHM were used in combination. The
      relationship between the CHMs constituted a network, in which Xiao-Feng-San was
      the core treatment for atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we
      described the characteristics of children with atopic dermatitis who use TCM in
      Taiwan. and identified the core CHM treatment. Further research on the safety and
      efficacy of this treatment are still needed.

PMID- 27276876
TI  - Organ-sparing treatment of penile cancer with interstitial pulsed-dose-rate
      brachytherapy.
AB  - AIM: To assess the efficacy and toxicity profile of protocol-based interstitial
      pulsed-dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy for penile carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      From August 2002 to February 2014, 13 men with penile cancer were treated by
      interstitial brachytherapy. The tumor stage was T1 for eight patients, T2 for
      four patients, and T3 for one patient. The tumor grade was well differentiated
      for five patients and moderately differentiated for seven patients, while it was
      unknown for one patient. Lymph node staging was positive for three of 13
      patients. All patients were treated using interstitial PDR brachytherapy with
      dose specifications according to the Paris system. For data collection of
      erectile dysfunction, the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire
      was used, supplemented by the follow-up data. RESULTS: The median follow-up was
      54.0 months (range, 13-155 months). Only one patient (1/13, 7.7 %) with local
      failure was documented. At 5 and 10 years, the local cumulative recurrence rate,
      disease-free survival, and the cancer-specific survival rates were 12.5 % (95 %
      CI, 80.4-119.6), 80.8 % (95 % CI, 75.2-124.8), and 77.9 % (95 % CI, 74.3-125.7),
      respectively. At the time of analysis, nine of 13 men were alive; two of 13 men
      died of distant metastases from the tumor and two for other reasons with no sign
      of cancer disease. Serious late side effects such as soft tissue necrosis
      occurred in four of 13 patients (30 %) and all were successfully treated with
      medication. Mutilating salvage surgery was not necessary in any of the cases.
      Urethral stenosis was documented for two of 13 (15.4 %) and dysuria occurred in
      four of 13 patients (30.8 %). Eight of 11 men (72.7 %) never or only sometimes
      had erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION: In selected patients, interstitial PDR
      brachytherapy of penile cancer is effective as an organ-sparing treatment. It
      yields satisfactory results for the conservation of sexual function.

PMID- 27276877
TI  - The impact of cycle proficiency training on cycle-related behaviours and
      accidents in adolescence: findings from ALSPAC, a UK longitudinal cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cycle accidents are a common cause of physical injury in children and
      adolescents. Education is one strategy to reduce cycle-related injuries. In the
      UK, some children undertake National Cycle Proficiency Scheme [NCPS] training
      (now known as Bikeability) in their final years of primary school. It aims to
      promote cycling and safe cycling behaviours but there has been little scientific
      evaluation of its effectiveness. METHODS: The sample (n = 5415) were participants
      in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children who reported whether or
      not they had received NCPS training. Outcomes were self-reported at 14 and 16
      years: cycling to school, ownership of cycle helmet, use of cycle helmet and high
      visibility clothing on last cycle, and involvement in a cycle accident. An
      additional outcome, hospital admittance due to a cycle accident from 11 to 16
      years, was also included for a subsample (n = 2222) who have been linked to
      Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data. RESULTS: Approximately 40 % of the sample
      had received NCPS training. Trained children were more likely to cycle to school
      and to own a cycle helmet at both 14 and 16 years, to have worn a helmet on their
      last cycle at age 14, and to have worn high-visibility clothing at age 16, than
      those who had not attended a course. NCPS training was not associated with self
      reported involvement in a cycle accident, and only six of those with HES data had
      been admitted to hospital due to a cycle accident. Irrespective of training,
      results indicate very low use of high-visibility clothing, very few girls cycling
      as part of their school commute, and less than half of helmet owners wearing one
      on their last cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest cycle training courses for
      children can have benefits that persist into adolescence. However, the low use of
      cycle helmets, very low use of high-visibility clothing, and low levels of
      cycling to school for girls, indicate the further potential for interventions to
      encourage cycling, and safe cycling behaviours, in young people.

PMID- 27276878
TI  - Different outcomes among favourable and unfavourable intermediate-risk prostate
      cancer patients treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy and androgen
      deprivation therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: to evaluate the role of a risk stratification system in intermediate
      risk prostate cancer (PCa) treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy (HyRT).
      METHODS: 131 patients affected by intermediate-risk PCa were treated with HyRT at
      the total dose of 54,75 Gy in 15 fraction plus 9 months of androgen deprivation
      therapy (ADT). Patients were classified as favourable risk (FIR) if they had a
      single NCCN intermediate-risk factor (IRF), a Gleason score <=3 + 4 = 7, and <50
      % of biopsy cores containing cancer (PBCC). If these criteria were not met were
      classified as unfavourable risk (UIR). Univariate and multivariate analyses using
      Cox proportional hazards model were calculated for biochemical recurrence-free
      survival (bRFS), the risk of local recurrence and metastasis-free survival (MFS).
      RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 56.7 months (range 9.8 to 93.7 months), 11
      patients (8.4 %) died, of whom 2 (1.5 %) for PCa. In the univariate analysis,
      Gleason score, PPBCs, IRFs and PSA at first follow-up were prognostic factors for
      bRFS and LF while Gleason score, PPBCs and PSA at first follow-up were
      significant predictor for MFS. In the multivariate analysis only the PSA at first
      follow-up resulted a prognostic factor for bRFS and MFS. Patients with a value of
      PSA at first follow-up <0.7 ng/mL respect to those with PSA >=0,7 ng/mL had a 5y
      bRFS of 93.3 % vs. 57.5 %, 5y-MFS of 99.0 % vs. 78.9 % and 5y-LF of 5.8 % vs.
      38.3 %. Patients in the UIR PCa group with a PSA value <0.7 ng/mL at first follow
      up had significant better bRFS, LF and MFS. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors currently
      not included in the guidelines are useful to stratify patients with intermediate
      risk PCa in two groups of different prognosis even when HyRT is delivered. PSA at
      first follow-up is useful in UIR PCa to guide the overall length of ADT.

PMID- 27276879
TI  - How should we measure global and regional left ventricular systolic function?
AB  - The assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function is frequently the most
      important task during the echocardiography examination. LV ejection fraction (EF)
      is the most commonly used measure to assess LV systolic function. EF is well
      established, with strong prognostic and therapeutic implications, but,
      nevertheless, it may not always be satisfactory in all patients. Other measures
      of myocardial contractility can provide valuable additive information in some
      patients. This is particularly true in patients with suspected heart failure but
      normal EF. The measurement of longitudinal function using M-mode and/or
      deformation analysis from tissue Doppler data or speckle tracking algorithms can
      be useful in this respect. Regional LV dysfunction can be difficult to detect
      using visual semi-quantitative assessment of regional wall motion. Contrast
      echocardiography can be most helpful in delineating the LV endocardial border
      and, thus, increasing sensitivity for detecting wall motion abnormalities.
      Deformation analysis can also be helpful for detecting subtle wall motion
      abnormalities, but these methods should be used with caution due to measurement
      variability and image quality dependence. 

PMID- 27276880
TI  - Effect of catheter ablation on the left ventricular mass index and other
      echocardiograph parameters in atrial fibrillation patients: comparison with
      antiarrhythmic drug treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation (CA) is reported to improve left ventricular (LV)
      function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study compared the
      effects of CA and antiarrhythmic drug treatment (AT) on LV remodeling and other
      echocardiography parameters in AF. METHODS: We performed a non-randomized
      prospective study involving 72 drug-resistant AF patients who were treated with
      either CA (n = 42) or who declined CA and continued on AT (n = 30). Baseline and
      follow-up (mean 20.7 +/- 7.5 months) echocardiography was performed in all
      patients. The maintenance of sinus rhythm was determined based on clinical
      interview, electrocardiography, and 24-h Holter and event recording. RESULTS:
      There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to
      demographic features, blood pressure, and medication. CA was superior to AT with
      respect to sinus rhythm maintenance, LV ejection fraction, left atrium (LA)
      diameter, and LA volume index. In addition, CA resulted in decreases in the LV
      mass [from 190.5 +/- 36.1 to 179.3 +/- 32.4 g (p = 0.02)] and the LV mass index
      [from 104.2 +/- 20.5 to 98.2 +/- 18.3 g/m(2) (p = 0.03)]. No parameter improved
      in AT patients. These improved echocardiographic parameters were observed in both
      groups with maintained sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: Reverse LV remodeling after CA
      may include a reduction in the LV mass index, which appears to be associated with
      sinus rhythm maintenance.

PMID- 27276881
TI  - Impaired coronary flow reserve in obstructive sleep apnea and its improvement
      after continuous positive airway pressure therapy: a transthoracic Doppler
      echocardiographic study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is reported that patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
      (OSAS) show endothelial dysfunction and that treatment of OSAS by continuous
      positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy improves it. OBJECTIVE: In this study we
      evaluated coronary flow reserve (CFR), which is considered to be affected by
      coronary microvascular dysfunction, and the change in CFR during treatment of
      OSAS by CPAP. METHODS: Eleven patients who were diagnosed as having OSAS by
      polysomnography (PSG) were studied. Phasic coronary flow velocity was obtained in
      the left anterior descending coronary artery at baseline and during hyperemic
      conditions with transthoracic 2D echocardiography. CFR was defined as the ratio
      of hyperemic to basal mean diastolic velocity. CFR was obtained before and after
      the initiation of CPAP therapy. RESULTS: Coronary flow reserve was decreased
      (<2.5) in 8 of 11 (73%) patients at baseline. After CPAP therapy, CFR of these 8
      patients increased significantly. CONCLUSION: Coronary flow reserve was decreased
      in 73% of the patients with OSAS and was significantly improved after CPAP
      therapy.

PMID- 27276883
TI  - A case of cardiac rupture subsequent to myocardial infarction diagnosed in
      emergency room.
AB  - A 72-year-old woman was transferred to the emergency room because of left
      anterior chest pain with cold sweating. Electrocardiography revealed recent
      anterior myocardial infarction. Echocardiography showed akinesis of the mid
      ventricular septum to the apex by apical view, a small amount of pericardial
      effusion and collapse of the right ventricular wall, indicating cardiac
      tamponade, by subcostal view. These echocardiographic findings strongly suggested
      cardiac rupture subsequent to the myocardial infarction. Emergent operation was
      successfully performed to repair the ruptured left ventricle. 

PMID- 27276882
TI  - Global longitudinal strain by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging predicts
      exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) predicts mortality in
      patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, a weak correlation was found
      between LVEF and peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) in CHF patients. Global
      longitudinal strain measured by two-dimensional (2D) strain is regarded as a more
      useful predictor of cardiac events than LVEF. We investigated whether 2D strain
      obtained at rest could predict peak [Formula: see text] in patients with CHF.
      METHODS: Fifty-one patients (mean age of 54.0 +/- 12.0 years, 14 females, LVEF
      46.0 +/- 15.0%) with stable CHF underwent resting echocardiography and
      cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Leg muscle strength was measured for the
      evaluation of peripheral factors. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) in the apical
      4-, 3-, and 2-chamber views and global circumferential strain (GCS) in the
      parasternal mid short-axis view were measured. RESULTS: In all patients, peak
      [Formula: see text] correlated with leg muscle strength (r = 0.55, p < 0.0001),
      LVEF (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), GLS (r = -0.45, p < 0.001), and GCS (r = -0.41, p =
      0.005), respectively. No significant correlation was found between the ratio of
      early transmitral velocity to peak early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/E')
      and peak [Formula: see text]. In the patients with heart failure and reduced
      LVEF, a multiple stepwise linear regression analysis based on leg muscle
      strength, LVEF, E/E', GLS, and GCS was performed to identify independent
      predictors of peak [Formula: see text], resulting in leg muscle strength and GLS
      (R (2) = 0.888) as independent predictors of peak [Formula: see text].
      CONCLUSION: Global longitudinal strain at rest could possibly predict exercise
      capacity, which appeared to be more useful than LVEF, E/E', and GCS in CHF
      patients with reduced LVEF.

PMID- 27276884
TI  - Inadvertent left ventricular pacing through a patent foramen ovale diagnosed by
      trans-thoracic echocardiography.

PMID- 27276885
TI  - The clinical value of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal
      echocardiography in the assessment of paravalvular leakage after prosthetic
      mitral valve replacement.

PMID- 27276886
TI  - A case of coagula tamponade 4 years after Bentall procedure.

PMID- 27276887
TI  - Bland-White-Garland syndrome.

PMID- 27276889
TI  - All eyes on relevance: strategic allocation of attention as a result of feature
      based task demands in multiple object tracking.
AB  - Multiple object tracking (MOT) plays a fundamental role in processing and
      interpreting dynamic environments. Regarding the type of information utilized by
      the observer, recent studies reported evidence for the use of object features in
      an automatic, low- level manner. By introducing a novel paradigm that allowed us
      to combine tracking with a noninterfering top-down task, we tested whether a
      voluntary component can regulate the deployment of attention to task-relevant
      features in a selective manner. In four experiments we found conclusive evidence
      for a task-driven selection mechanism that guides attention during tracking: The
      observers were able to ignore or prioritize distinct objects. They marked the
      distinct (cued) object (target/distractor) more or less often than other objects
      of the same type (targets /distractors)-but only when they had received an
      identification task that required them to actively process object features (cues)
      during tracking. These effects are discussed with regard to existing theoretical
      approaches to attentive tracking, gaze-cue usability as well as attentional
      readiness, a term that originally stems from research on attention capture and
      visual search. Our findings indicate that existing theories of MOT need to be
      adjusted to allow for flexible top-down, voluntary processing during tracking.

PMID- 27276888
TI  - Transcriptomic analysis illuminates genes involved in chlorophyll synthesis after
      nitrogen starvation in Acaryochloris sp. CCMEE 5410.
AB  - Acaryochloris species are a genus of cyanobacteria that utilize chlorophyll (chl)
      d as their primary chlorophyll molecule during oxygenic photosynthesis. Chl d
      allows Acaryochloris to harvest red-shifted light, which gives them the ability
      to live in filtered light environments that are depleted in visible light.
      Although genomes of multiple Acaryochloris species have been sequenced, their
      analysis has not revealed how chl d is synthesized. Here, we demonstrate that
      Acaryochloris sp. CCMEE 5410 cells undergo chlorosis by nitrogen depletion and
      exhibit robust regeneration of chl d by nitrogen repletion. We performed a time
      course RNA-Seq experiment to quantify global transcriptomic changes during
      chlorophyll recovery. We observed upregulation of numerous known chl biosynthesis
      genes and also identified an oxygenase gene with a similar transcriptional
      profile as these chl biosynthesis genes, suggesting its possible involvement in
      chl d biosynthesis. Moreover, our data suggest that multiple prochlorophyte
      chlorophyll-binding homologs are important during chlorophyll recovery, and light
      independent chl synthesis genes are more dominant than the light-dependent gene
      at the transcription level. Transcriptomic characterization of this organism
      provides crucial clues toward mechanistic elucidation of chl d biosynthesis. 

PMID- 27276891
TI  - International Cooperation of the Japanese Society of Echocardiography: a new
      friend, Asian-Pacific Association of Echocardiography (AAE).

PMID- 27276892
TI  - Kinetics of left ventricular rotation during exercise and its relation to
      exercise tolerance in atrial fibrillation: assessment by two-dimensional speckle
      tracking echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) rotation plays an important role in cardiac
      function both at rest and during exercise in sinus rhythm. The kinetics of
      rotation during exercise and the relation between exercise tolerance and rotation
      related parameters in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are unknown.
      METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (age 62 +/- 13 years, 6 females) with AF and
      preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were studied using two-dimensional speckle
      tracking echocardiography at rest and during exercise with a supine bicycle
      ergometer (20 W, 10 min). We measured the systolic rotation (Rot) and the peak
      rotation rate in systole and early diastole (eRotR) at the apical and basal
      levels of the LV. All patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to
      obtain their percent achieved of the predicted peak oxygen consumption (% peak
      VO2) value. RESULTS: During exercise, apical Rot-related indices were
      significantly increased only in the preserved % peak VO2 group. In contrast, E/e'
      was significantly elevated only in the reduced % peak VO2 group. Multivariable
      stepwise regression analysis showed that apical DeltaRot was independently
      associated with % peak VO2 (beta = 0.72; p < 0.01). Apical DeltaeRotR, which
      could not be selected as an independent predictor of % peak VO2, had a good
      linear correlation with apical DeltaRot (r = 0.81, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The
      augmentation of apical rotation in response to exercise may coincide with an
      increase of the apical derotation rate, and apical rotation reserve may reflect
      exercise tolerance in patients with AF and preserved LVEF.

PMID- 27276893
TI  - Developmental changes in the left ventricular diastolic wall strain on M-mode
      echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diastolic wall strain (DWS) of the left ventricle has been
      proposed as an indicator of left ventricular (LV) wall stiffness. The DWS is
      calculated as follows using M-mode echocardiography:[Formula: see text]Although
      this index is simple and clinically useful, normal values for children, including
      neonates, have not been reported. METHODS: The DWS was measured in 235 healthy
      people, ranging from neonates to adults. They were classified into 8 subgroups
      according to their age. The DWS was compared with conventional echocardiographic
      parameters for left ventricle function, including shortening fraction of the left
      ventricle, the Tei index, E/A of mitral flow, mitral annular tissue Doppler
      velocity during systole (s') and during early diastole (e'), and the E/e' ratio.
      RESULTS: The DWS in the just after birth group was 0.28 +/- 0.11, which was
      significantly lower than that of the remaining groups (p < 0.05), except for the
      neonate group at 5-10 days after birth. The DWS was highest in the 1-9 years of
      age group, and then gradually decreased with age. Stepwise regression of various
      echocardiographic parameters showed that e' was the most relevant parameter for
      the DWS (beta = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Normal values for the DWS of the left
      ventricle change with age. The data reported in this study can be used as normal
      values for the DWS of the left ventricle determined by M-mode echocardiography.

PMID- 27276895
TI  - A case of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and acquired von Willebrand
      syndrome: response to medical therapy.
AB  - Heyde's syndrome is the combined occurrence of acquired von Willebrand disease
      caused by aortic valve stenosis and gastrointestinal bleeding that occurs
      particularly in elderly patients. The bleeding may be linked to the intravascular
      shear-induced proteolysis of high-molecular-weight multimers (HMWMs) of von
      Willebrand factor (vWF). Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) in the
      left ventricular outflow tract generates a high shear stress condition that can
      induce such proteolysis. We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with HOCM who
      had severe anemia and loss of HMWMs. After reduction of the outflow gradient by
      medical treatment, vWF normalized, and her anemia alleviated.

PMID- 27276894
TI  - Low diastolic wall strain is associated with raised post-exercise E/E' ratio in
      elderly patients without obvious myocardial ischemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been reported that the diastolic wall strain (DWS) inversely
      correlates with the myocardial stiffness constant. The ratio of early diastolic
      transmitral flow velocity to annulus velocity (E/E') correlates with the left
      ventricular (LV) filling pressure. Increased LV wall stiffness is thought be
      associated with increased LV filling pressure after exercise. The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate the correlation between the DWS and post-exercise E/E' in
      elderly patients without obvious myocardial ischemia. METHODS: Fifty-eight
      elderly patients (age = 74 +/- 6 years) who underwent treadmill stress
      echocardiography were studied. All patients had normal LV wall motion at rest,
      and patients with exercise-induced wall motion abnormality were excluded. The DWS
      was calculated as follows: DWS = (PWTs - PWTd)/PWTs, where PWTs is the LV
      posterior wall thickness at end-systole and PWTd is that at end-diastole. As
      previously reported, DWS <= 0.33 was defined as low DWS and E/E' >=15.0 was
      defined as a marker of increased LV filling pressure. RESULTS: Eighteen patients
      had low DWS. Patients with low DWS had greater post-exercise E/E' (17.9 +/- 3.2
      vs. 12.8 +/- 3.3, p < 0.0001). The DWS was inversely and strongly correlated with
      post-exercise E/E' (r (2) = 0.534, p < 0.0001). Low DWS predicted the development
      of raised post-exercise E/E' >=15.0 with a positive predictive value of 94 % and
      a negative predictive value of 85 %. CONCLUSION: In elderly patients without
      obvious myocardial ischemia, the DWS correlates strongly and inversely with post
      exercise E/E'. Patients with low DWS were likely to develop raised E/E' after
      exercise.

PMID- 27276896
TI  - Usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosis of hemolytic anemia
      post total aortic arch replacement using the elephant trunk technique.
AB  - We report a rare case of a patient with hemolytic anemia who underwent emergency
      total arch replacement using the elephant trunk technique for type A acute aortic
      dissection 3 years earlier. The 78-year-old woman was referred to our hospital
      for diagnosis of the cause of the hemolytic anemia, which required twice weekly
      blood transfusion. Although contrast-enhanced computed tomography could not
      provide sufficient information, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed
      graft flection with high velocity. After percutaneous balloon dilatation, the
      hemolytic anemia improved and follow-up TEE showed no re-stenosis of the
      dilatation site.

PMID- 27276897
TI  - Intimo-intimal intussusception-circumferential aortic dissection: a rare
      mechanism of severe acute aortic regurgitation.

PMID- 27276898
TI  - An unusual cause of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction: obstructive
      pannus on the left ventricular side of a mechanical mitral prosthesis.

PMID- 27276899
TI  - Mitral valve thickening in Cogan's syndrome.

PMID- 27276900
TI  - Right heart serpiginous mass.

PMID- 27276901
TI  - What do cardiologists know about the safety indexes of echocardiography?

PMID- 27276902
TI  - Ultrasonic diagnosis of diffuse liver disease.

PMID- 27276903
TI  - Growth inhibition of neurofibroma by ultrasound-mediated interferon gamma
      transfection.
AB  - PURPOSE: We have previously shown that ultrasound-mediated transfection
      (sonotransfection) can be optimized using a concept based on the ultrasound
      induced apoptosis produced in our in vitro experiments. At optimized conditions,
      we have shown, using five cancer cell lines, that sonotransfection is superior to
      other conventional nonviral methods. Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) transfection
      using lipofection has been found to markedly inhibit the proliferation of
      neurofibroma cell lines. In this study, we investigated whether sonotransfection
      of IFN-gamma to neurofibroma cell lines can suppress cell proliferation. METHODS:
      The ultrasound device used was the SonoPore KTAC-4000, which is capable of
      various acoustic settings. Ultrasound transducers at an oscillation frequency of
      1.011 MHz were used; the potential ideal conditions were an intensity of 0.17
      W/cm(2) at a burst frequency of 0.5 Hz, 25% duty factor, and 30-s sonication
      duration. Cells were assayed at 3 and 5 days after sonication. RESULTS: The
      transfection efficiency was found to be 12%. The ultrasound-treated cells were
      successfully transfected with IFN-gamma genes as detected by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay, and the cell growth ratio in the IFN-gamma sonotransfection
      group tended to be lower than that in the other experimental groups. CONCLUSION:
      These results suggested that IFN-gamma sonotransfection could potentially become
      a nonsurgical method for treating skin lesions such as neurofibromas.

PMID- 27276904
TI  - Construction of artificial promoters sensitively responsive to sonication in
      vitro.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop artificial promoters that are activated in response to
      sonication and to determine these properties in vitro. METHODS: The binding sites
      of four transcription factors (nuclear factor-kappa B, activating protein-1,
      nuclear factor-Y, and CArG element binding factor A) that are activated by
      oxidative stress were randomly ligated and linked to a TATA-box sequence to
      control the luciferase gene located downstream. Transiently transfected HeLa
      cells from human cervical cancer with a plasmid vector containing such a gene
      cassette were exposed to sonication, and enhancement of luciferase expression was
      assessed by dual luciferase assay. RESULTS: Of 62 promoters constructed, two
      promoters, designated clone 31 and clone 62 promoters, showed a more than tenfold
      enhancement 6 h after sonication with 1-MHz ultrasound at 1.0 W/cm(2) for 60 s.
      These promoters were activated in a dose-dependent manner with the intensity and
      duration of sonication. The activation was attenuated by addition of dimethyl
      sulfoxide, an antioxidant, suggesting that oxidative stress was involved. The
      clone 31 promoter responded to each of two serial sonications. When sonicated 24
      h after the first sonication, the peak of promoter enhancement was higher than
      that after the first sonication. CONCLUSIONS: A promoter sensitively responsive
      to sonication was constructed using the above method, possibly leading to the
      construction of a promoter of interest that could be applied for clinical use.

PMID- 27276905
TI  - Clinical features and characteristics of blood flow of uterine vascular
      abnormalities.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical features and
      characteristics of the blood flow in uterine vascular abnormalities using
      ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A total of 17 women
      were diagnosed with uterine vascular abnormalities by ultrasound. The clinical
      characteristics of the patients and the distribution and waveform of the
      intrauterine vessels were examined using transvaginal gray-scale and Doppler
      ultrasonography, spin-echo MRI, and MR angiography. RESULTS: The average age of
      the 17 subjects was 44.3 years, and 5 were postmenopausal women. The number of
      pregnancies and deliveries was 2.0 and 1.7, respectively. Of the 17 subjects, 7
      had a moderate or severe grade of dysmenorrhea and 7 had a history of vascular
      disease. In all subjects, vaginal ultrasound demonstrated tubular or numerous
      tortuous anechoic areas in the uterine wall, and Doppler ultrasound showed that
      the tubular or numerous dilated tortuous vessels had an atypical wave flow,
      unlike that of an artery or a vein. The distribution of displayed flow varied,
      and the waveforms of the Doppler ultrasound displayed three patterns. The
      averages of the pulse Doppler flow indices showed low impedance in the abnormal
      uterine vessel and the uterine artery, especially in cases of true arteriovenous
      malformations. MR angiography demonstrated distinct, tortuous, and coiled
      vascular channels in the pelvis during and just after the arterial phase.
      CONCLUSION: Characterization of the clinical features of uterine vascular
      abnormalities is considered to be valuable for obstetricians and gynecologists.

PMID- 27276906
TI  - A case of dermoid cyst of the floor of the mouth: ultrasonography was more useful
      than computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the preoperative
      diagnosis.
AB  - Dermoid cysts are rare in the floor of the mouth. This report presents a case of
      dermoid cyst (dermoid type) of the floor of the mouth in a 21-year-old man. The
      preliminary preoperative assessment was made by using three modalities: computed
      tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasonography (US). CT
      depicted the lesion as a well-circumscribed, unilocular, homogeneous low-density
      mass. MRI showed a mass lesion located in the submental region between the
      geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles. The lesion exhibited homogeneous intermediate
      signal intensity on T1-weighted images and homogeneous high signal intensity on
      T2-weighted images. The wall of the lesion was well enhanced on gadolinium
      enhanced MRI. CT and MRI could not demonstrate any fatty components within the
      lesion and only indicated that the lesion was cystic in nature. In contrast, on
      US, multiple echogenic foci that seemed to be caused by keratin and sebaceous
      material were detected within the lesion, and this US finding was useful
      information for the differential diagnosis. In this case, of the three
      modalities, only US suggested that the lesion might be a dermoid cyst. 

PMID- 27276907
TI  - Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in children: diagnostic and therapeutic
      aspects.
AB  - Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease
      of the kidneys. It is characterized by destruction of renal parenchyma and
      accumulation of lipid-laden foamy macrophages. Diffuse and focal forms are known.
      The condition is mainly observed in middle-aged women, and it is very rare in
      childhood. Of 32 nephrectomies carried out in children for various diseases in
      our hospital over the course of 2 years, there were two cases of diffuse XGP. In
      both cases, the preoperative diagnosis based on ultrasound findings was highly
      suggestive of XGP. We present the two cases and define the typical
      ultrasonographic signs for distinguishing XGP from other renal masses. The
      diagnostic and therapeutic management is discussed and an overview of the
      literature is given. 

PMID- 27276908
TI  - Glycogen-rich clear cell carcinoma of the breast: a case report.
AB  - Glycogen-rich clear cell carcinoma (GRCC) of the breast is a rare malignant
      breast tumor. We recently encountered a case of GRCC and report our imaging
      findings here. The patient was a 49-year-old woman with a mass in her right
      breast. Mammographic study showed no definite mass shadow because the breast was
      dense. No calcifications were identified. Ultrasonography disclosed a hypoechoic
      mass that had a diameter of 1.3 cm, partially irregular borders, heterogeneous
      internal echoes, and posterior acoustic enhancement, suggesting an invasive
      carcinoma. Histologic study of core needle biopsy specimens showed a solid
      proliferation of large clear carcinoma cells, suggestive of a ductal carcinoma.
      The carcinoma cells possessed clear cytoplasm larger than that typical of ductal
      carcinoma cells. Breast-conserving surgery was performed with axillary sentinel
      lymph node biopsy. Macroscopically, the tumor was a solid, white-yellow mass with
      fairly well defined margins. Histologic examination of the tumor showed a
      characteristic feature of GRCC: the tumor cells were positive for estrogen
      receptor but negative for progesterone receptor and Her 2, and the sentinel lymph
      node was histologically negative. The patient remains well and has had no
      clinical recurrence of the disease after 2.5 years of follow-up without
      radiotherapy or adjuvant therapy. Noteworthy is the usefulness of mammography and
      ultrasonography, which should be used as complementary imaging tools. 

PMID- 27276909
TI  - Ultrasonographic findings of renal arteriovenous malformations.

PMID- 27276910
TI  - Roles of three AbrBs in regulating two-phase Clostridium acetobutylicum
      fermentation.
AB  - Clostridium acetobutylicum is an important industrial microorganism for n-butanol
      bioproduction, and its transcription factor AbrB0310 regulates various important
      cellular processes. However, the roles of two abrB homologues, abrB1941 and
      abrB3647, have not been determined because they appear inactive during
      transcription. Here, we performed a detailed investigation into the function of
      abrB1941 and abrB3647 in C. acetobutylicum. Interestingly, we observed that
      AbrB3647 exerts an important influence on biphasic fermentation that opposes the
      influence of AbrB0310, while AbrB1941 might not be essential. When abrB3647 was
      disrupted using the Targetron system, a greatly improved cellular growth
      occurred. The following analysis shows that all three AbrBs participated in
      metabolically regulating acidogenesis, solventogenesis, and a two-phase
      transition in C. acetobutylicum, but the AbrB0310 and AbrB3647 functions were the
      most important. Moreover, the target genes subject to AbrB0310 and AbrB3647
      regulation closely overlap. Based on these results, we will better understand the
      roles of the three AbrBs in regulating solventogenic clostridia cell physiology.

PMID- 27276912
TI  - Robot-assisted excision of cervical cystic hygroma through a retroauricular
      hairline approach: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cystic hygroma is a rare benign abnormality of the lymphatic system
      generally occurring in young children less than 2 years old. The standard
      transcervical surgical treatment of cystic hygroma may often leave a permanent
      scar in the neck region. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of cystic hygroma in
      a 19-month-old Asian baby girl successfully treated with robot-assisted excision
      through a hairline neck-lift approach. We present the use of the Yang's retractor
      as an instrumental advancement to this surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment
      options for cystic hygroma may be surgical or nonsurgical. We report a case of
      cystic hygroma in a 19-month-old child successfully treated with robot-assisted
      excision through a small concealed retroauricular hairline approach. This is the
      first report in the medical literature of treating cystic hygroma with a
      minimally invasive robot-assisted excision via a small, concealed, hairline
      incision.

PMID- 27276911
TI  - Enzymatic synthesis of bioactive compounds with high potential for cosmeceutical
      application.
AB  - Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products containing biologically active ingredients
      purporting to offer a pharmaceutical therapeutic benefit. The active ingredients
      can be extracted and purified from natural sources (botanicals, herbal extracts,
      or animals) but can also be obtained biotechnologically by fermentation and cell
      cultures or by enzymatic synthesis and modification of natural compounds. A
      cosmeceutical ingredient should possess an attractive property such as anti
      oxidant, anti-inflammatory, skin whitening, anti-aging, anti-wrinkling, or
      photoprotective activity, among others. During the past years, there has been an
      increased interest on the enzymatic synthesis of bioactive esters and glycosides
      based on (trans)esterification, (trans)glycosylation, or oxidation reactions.
      Natural bioactive compounds with exceptional theurapeutic properties and low
      toxicity may offer a new insight into the design and development of potent and
      beneficial cosmetics. This review gives an overview of the enzymatic
      modifications which are performed currently for the synthesis of products with
      attractive properties for the cosmeceutical industry. 

PMID- 27276914
TI  - Recommended Ethical Safeguards on Fertilization of Human Germ Cells Derived from
      Pluripotent Stem Cells Solely for Research Purposes.
AB  - Production of human fertilized embryos by using germ cells derived from
      pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) entails ethical issues that differ fundamentally
      depending on the aim. If the aim is solely to conduct research, then embryo
      generation, utilization and destruction must respect for the human embryo as
      having the innate potential to develop into a human being. If the aim is human
      reproduction, this technology must never be used to manipulate human life,
      confuse social order, or negatively affect future generations. Researchers should
      distinguish the aims and then accordingly establish a consensus on the safeguards
      needed to proceed with scientifically significant and socially accepted research,
      or otherwise set a moratorium. Currently, in Japan, germ cell production from
      human PSCs is permitted, whereas fertilization of these germ cells is not. The
      Japanese Expert Panel on Bioethics in the Cabinet Office has proposed that all of
      the following conditions must be met to approve fertilization for research
      purposes: (1) the research is significant for the life sciences and medicine; (2)
      the benefits or anticipated benefits are socially accepted; (3) human safety is
      assured; and (4) safeguards are put in place. If fertilization is ethically
      approved, I recommend the following safeguards: limitation of the purpose to
      improving conventional ART as an initial step; permitted culture of human embryos
      until the appearance of the primitive streak; restriction of the number of
      embryos produced to the minimum necessary; prohibition of transplantation into a
      human or animal uterus; and provision of human-derived ova that are not required
      for ART treatment.

PMID- 27276913
TI  - Risk prediction to inform surveillance of chronic kidney disease in the US
      Healthcare Safety Net: a cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The capacity of electronic health record (EHR) data to guide targeted
      surveillance in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear. We sought to leverage
      EHR data for predicting risk of progressing from CKD to end-stage renal disease
      (ESRD) to help inform surveillance of CKD among vulnerable patients from the
      healthcare safety-net. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of
      adults (n = 28,779) with CKD who received care within 2 regional safety-net
      health systems during 1996-2009 in the Western United States. The primary
      outcomes were progression to ESRD and death as ascertained by linkage with United
      States Renal Data System and Social Security Administration Death Master files,
      respectively, through September 29, 2011. We evaluated the performance of 3
      models which included demographic, comorbidity and laboratory data to predict
      progression of CKD to ESRD in conditions commonly targeted for disease management
      (hypertension, diabetes, chronic viral diseases and severe CKD) using traditional
      discriminatory criteria (AUC) and recent criteria intended to guide population
      health management strategies. RESULTS: Overall, 1730 persons progressed to end
      stage renal disease and 7628 died during median follow-up of 6.6 years.
      Performance of risk models incorporating common EHR variables was highest in
      hypertension, intermediate in diabetes and chronic viral diseases, and lowest in
      severe CKD. Surveillance of persons who were in the highest quintile of ESRD risk
      yielded 83-94 %, 74-95 %, and 75-82 % of cases who progressed to ESRD among
      patients with hypertension, diabetes and chronic viral diseases, respectively.
      Similar surveillance yielded 42-71 % of ESRD cases among those with severe CKD.
      Discrimination in all conditions was universally high (AUC >=0.80) when evaluated
      using traditional criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Recently proposed discriminatory
      criteria account for varying risk distribution and when applied to common
      clinical conditions may help to inform surveillance of CKD in diverse
      populations.

PMID- 27276916
TI  - Beneficial Effects of Magnesium Treatment on Heart Rate Variability and Cardiac
      Ventricular Function in Diabetic Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus induces life-threatening cardiovascular
      complications such as cardiac autonomic neuropathy and ventricular dysfunction
      and is associated with hypomagnesemia. In this study, we investigated the short
      term effects of magnesium (Mg2+) treatment on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
      diabetic cardiac complications. METHODS: Adult Wistar rats were treated once with
      STZ (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [ip]) or vehicle (citrate) and then daily for 7
      days with MgSO4 (270 mg/kg, ip) or saline. On the eighth day, in vivo tail-pulse
      plethysmography was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, and ex
      vivo Langendorff-based left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume parameters were
      measured using an intraventricular balloon. Measurements of plasma lipid and Mg2+
      levels as well as blood glucose and cardiac tissue Mg2+ levels were also
      performed. RESULTS: Treatment with Mg2+ prevented diabetes-induced alterations in
      the standard deviation of the averages of normal-to-normal (NN) intervals
      (SDANN), root mean square differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), heart
      rate, and low-frequency (LF) power-high-frequency (HF) power ratio. In addition,
      Mg2+ restored orthostatic stress-induced changes in SDANN, RMSSD, and LF-HF ratio
      in diabetic rats. In isolated hearts, Mg2+ reversed the diabetes-induced decrease
      in LV end-diastolic elastance and the right shift of end-diastolic equilibrium
      volume intercept, without altering LV-developed pressure or end-systolic
      elastance. However, Mg2+ did not prevent the elevation in blood glucose, total
      cholesterol, and triglycerides or the decrease in high-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol in diabetes. Plasma- or cardiac tissue Mg2+ was not different among
      the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Mg2+ treatment may
      attenuate diabetes-induced reduction in HRV and improve LV diastolic
      distensibility, without preventing hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Thus, Mg2+ may
      have a modulatory role in the early stages of diabetic cardiovascular
      complications.

PMID- 27276915
TI  - Markers of Hippo-Pathway Activity in Tumor Forming Liver Lesions.
AB  - Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal cancer worldwide. Recently, the hippo
      signaling pathway has been implicated in tumorigenesis of HCC and other malignant
      tumors. Aim of the study was therefore to evaluate the hippo signaling pathway
      activity and its clinico-pathological associations and crosstalk in different
      tumor forming hepatocellular lesions (HCC, hepatocellular adenoma (HCA), focal
      nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and cirrhosis). A tissue micro array (TMA) from paired
      human tumorous and non-tumorous (NT) tissue samples of HCC (n = 92), HCA (n =
      25), FNH (n = 28) and cirrhosis (n = 28; no NT) was constructed. The hippo
      pathway related proteins of MST1/2, (nuclear(n)/cytoplasmic(c)) YAP and
      (phospho(p)) TAZ and interactors as Glypican3, RASSF1a, pAKT, pERK and pP70S6K
      were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Proliferation was assessed by Ki67
      IHC and apoptosis by TUNEL-technique. MST1/2- and nYAP-immunoreactivity was
      associated with lymph node status (p = 0.048, p = 0.001), higher grading (p =
      0.012, p = 0.24) and unfavorable relapse-free survival (p = 0.004, p = 0.003).
      MST1/2, c/nYAP and pTAZ were significantly different between HCC/NT (p < 0.001, p
      = 0.029, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and mono-/polyclonal hepatocellular lesions
      (HCC/HCA vs. FNH/cirrhosis; all p <= 0.001). Phospho-TAZ-negativity and nYAP
      positivity were almost exclusively and MST1/2 exclusively detected in HCC. MST1/2
      correlated with pP70S6K (p = 0.002), pERK (p = 0.042), RASSF1a-IRS (p = 0.002)
      and GPC3 (p < 0.001) and nYAP with GPC3 (p = 0.025), higher Ki67-indices (p =
      0.016) and lower apoptosis rate (p = 0.078). MST1/2 and nYAP are unfavorable
      prognostic markers associated with an aggressive tumor-phenotype in HCC. Positive
      nYAP- and negative pTAZ-immunostaining were strong indicators of a monoclonal
      hepatocellular lesion. The unexpected findings for MST1/2 remain to be
      elucidated.

PMID- 27276917
TI  - Good papers, bad papers.

PMID- 27276918
TI  - Amlodipine has a preventive effect on temporal left ventricular hypokinesia after
      emotional stress compared with an angiotensin II receptor blocker.
AB  - PURPOSE: We previously reported that alpha- and beta-blockers protected against
      emotional stress-induced cardiac dysfunction, but the protective effects of other
      antihypertensive drugs is unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the
      ability of a calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, to prevent temporal left
      ventricular hypokinesia after emotional stress compared with an angiotensin II
      receptor blocker, olmesartan medoxomil. METHODS: Rats premedicated with
      amlodipine (0.2 mg/kg), olmesartan (0.8 mg/kg), or vehicle were restrained for 30
      min (immobilization stress: IMO) to reproduce emotional stress and then
      anesthetized to release stress. We measured the fractional area change (FAC)
      using echocardiography (SONOS5500) with a s12 probe (frequency 5-12 MHz, frame
      rate 120 Hz) and blood pressure and heart rate at the end of IMO and every 10 for
      60 min after IMO. RESULTS: During IMO, FAC in the amlodipine or the olmesartan
      group was as high as that in the vehicle group. At 20 min after IMO, FAC in the
      amlodipine group was significantly higher than in the other two groups (84 +/- 8
      vs. 60 +/- 7 or 68 +/- 15 %, p < 0.05). During IMO, blood pressure in the
      amlodipine or the olmesartan group was significantly lower than with vehicle (119
      +/- 6 and 110 +/- 7 vs. 124 +/- 5 mmHg, p < 0.05). After IMO, blood pressure in
      the olmesartan group was significantly lower than in the other two groups.
      CONCLUSION: Acute administration of amlodipine could prevent a sudden drop in
      cardiac function after acute stress like IMO, but olmesartan did not. Amlodipine
      might have a protective effect on temporal left ventricular hypokinesia after
      emotional stress, which might not be related to decreased blood pressure.

PMID- 27276919
TI  - Experimental evaluation of portal venous pulsatile flow synchronized with
      heartbeat intervals: effects of vascular clamping on portal hemodynamics.
AB  - PURPOSE: We previously showed that blood flow in the portal vein was pulsatile
      and influenced by both the inferior vena cava and the arterial system in a
      complex manner (Nihei et al., 38:141-149, 2011). The objective of the present
      study is to identify determinants of blood flow and to clarify the source of
      pulsatile flow in the portal vein. METHODS: Three-breed terminal crossbreed mini
      pigs underwent general anesthesia. Pressure and flow in the portal vein, inferior
      vena cava, hepatic artery, and mesenteric artery were measured simultaneously.
      Vascular occluders were placed in the inferior vena cava, hepatic artery, and
      mesenteric artery to examine the effects of clamping on portal venous flow.
      RESULTS: Clamping of the mesenteric artery altered pressure and flow waves in the
      portal vein to waveforms similar to those in the inferior vena cava. Waves
      resembling those of the inferior vena cava superimposed on portal venous flow
      appeared later than waves of the inferior vena cava. Clamping of the inferior
      vena cava promptly altered portal venous pressure and flow. Because clamping of
      the inferior vena cava led to a sharp rise in portal venous pressure, detailed
      evaluations were not feasible. Clamping of the hepatic artery had no effect on
      flow-wave pulsation in the portal vein. CONCLUSIONS: In the hepatic circulation,
      flow-wave pulsation in the portal vein is influenced by flow in the inferior vena
      cava via the sinusoids and by flow in the mesenteric artery via the capillary
      vessels of the intestine.

PMID- 27276920
TI  - Sonographically guided puncture of the pancreas: incidence of complications, and
      risk factors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Data yielded by transabdominal ultrasound-guided puncture techniques are
      valuable for determining the malignancy of inoperable mass lesions of the
      pancreas. In this study we analyzed the incidence of complications and the risk
      factors. METHODS: A total of 430 punctures of the pancreas were performed for 281
      patients. Risk factors were prospectively assessed and complications were
      recorded. All punctures were sonographically guided. RESULTS: The 281 patients
      underwent a total of 351 puncture procedures including 430 punctures and 901
      passes. The maximum diameter of the pancreatic mass lesion was documented; the
      mean diameter was 48.3 +/- 29.1 mm. 75.8 % of punctures were performed with a
      needle diameter of 0.7-0.95 mm, and 23.0 % of punctures were performed as cutting
      biopsies producing a tissue sample 1.2 or 1.6 mm in diameter. In 77.8 % of
      punctures, one puncture was performed, and in 21.9 %, two punctures were
      performed. Three punctures were performed for one patient (0.3 %) only. The
      incidence of major complications was 0.3 %. None of the assessed risk factors was
      associated with an elevated incidence of complications. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      demonstrate the safety of transabdominal percutaneous puncture of the pancreas
      but do not enable conclusions to be drawn with regard to individual risk factors.

PMID- 27276921
TI  - Ultrasonography of tubular ectasia of the rete testis with associated scrotal
      findings.
AB  - PURPOSE: Tubular ectasia of the rete testis (TERT) is a rare disorder that can be
      seen on ultrasonography (US) during a routine examination. In this study, we aim
      to discuss 15 cases of TERT and concomitant scrotal pathologies. METHODS: A total
      of 405 patients who were admitted to our department between March 2009 and
      December 2011 for scrotal US with different complaints such as scrotal pain,
      palpable mass, infertility, varicocele, or hydrocele were evaluated. Presence or
      absence of TERT and associated scrotal anomalies if TERT was present were
      considered on gray-scale US and color Doppler US. RESULTS: Tubular ectasia of the
      rete testis was detected in 15 patients (3.7 %). It was unilateral in eleven
      patients (73.3 %) and bilateral in four patients (26.7 %). The mean age of the
      patients with TERT in this study was 43.7 years (range 24-85 years). Five
      patients (33.3 %) with TERT presented with infertility, four of them (26.7 %)
      presented with palpable mass, and six of them (40%) were admitted with scrotal
      pain. In 14 patients (93.3 %), at least one of the following disorders associated
      with TERT was seen: epididymal cyst, spermatocele, hydrocele, and varicocele.
      CONCLUSION: Tubular ectasia of the rete testis shows characteristic appearances
      on gray-scale and Doppler US evaluation, and no other modality is necessary for
      diagnosis. TERT is usually associated with epididymal pathologies such as
      epididymal cyst or spermatocele located on the same side. Testicular neoplasms,
      intratesticular varicocele, and cystic dysplasia of the testis should be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of TERT.

PMID- 27276922
TI  - Dynamic power Doppler ultrasonography of anterior abdominal wall hernias:
      confirmation of incarceration.
AB  - PURPOSE: Power Doppler ultrasonography (PD-US) is a motion-sensitive modality
      that can display flow characteristics regardless of the direction. This increased
      motion sensitivity can be used as a parameter to show the tissue motion on
      artificially generated fremitus images. This study aimed to confirm any signs of
      incarceration in abdominal wall hernias proven by herniorrhaphy by examination
      with dynamic PD-US (during manual compression-decompression maneuvers). METHODS:
      Twenty-seven patients with anterior abdominal wall hernia with a narrow neck (<1
      cm in diameter) were examined firstly with gray-scale ultrasonography (GS-US),
      and then with dynamic PD-US. Two independent radiologists, who were blinded to
      the real-time images showing the orientation and motion of the hernia neck,
      completed the examinations. These images were evaluated for any signs of
      incarceration, as well as the orientation of the hernia neck. RESULTS:
      Orientations of the hernia neck were not described on GS-US images in 13 lesions
      and on dynamic PD-US images in 3 lesions. While the GS-US examination revealed
      incarcerated hernia in four of the patients, the dynamic PD-US examination
      revealed an additional seven patients with symptoms associated with
      incarceration. CONCLUSION: Dynamic PD-US may show the orientation of the hernia
      neck and any sign of incarceration more accurately and clearly than conventional
      GS-US. Being informed about these features preoperatively is of utmost
      importance. Thus, anterior abdominal wall hernias should be examined by dynamic
      PD-US.

PMID- 27276923
TI  - Case-control study of the RFA therapeutic effect of newly developed 4D US and
      conventional 2D US.
AB  - PURPOSE: For radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC), accurate positioning of the inserted needle in the index tumor seems to be
      an important factor affecting therapeutic effect. In a case-control study, we
      compared the therapeutic effect of RFA using 4D and 2D ultrasonography (US) to
      evaluate whether 4D US is more effective. METHODS: Twenty subjects treated with
      percutaneous RFA using 4D US (4D group) and 20 subjects using conventional 2D US
      (2D group), who were matched for age, sex, and HCC diameter, were enrolled in
      this study. Aplio XG was used as the US system and PVT-375MV as the newly
      developed 4D US probe. The therapeutic effect of RFA was classified into four
      grades (A-D: "Grade A" is "absolutely curative"). RESULTS: In the 2D group, Grade
      A was achieved in 12 subjects (60 %). In contrast, Grade A was achieved in 19
      subjects (95 %) in the 4D group. The proportion of cases in which Grade A was
      achieved was significantly higher in the 4D group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: By
      using a 4D US device for RFA, more accurate insertion could be achieved and more
      effective therapy could be performed.

PMID- 27276924
TI  - A case of focal nodular hyperplasia with a new characteristic finding on contrast
      enhanced ultrasonography using Levovist.
AB  - We used contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Levovist, a microbubble contrast agent,
      to diagnose a case of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). A new
      characteristic finding of heartbeat-synchronized centrifugal enhancement was
      discovered. We call this enhancement pattern the "sonographic fireworks sign." It
      is expected to be useful for diagnosing FNH, especially when the lesions are
      small and it is difficult to depict a spoke-wheel pattern. 

PMID- 27276925
TI  - Appendiceal mucocele and peritoneal inclusion cyst mimicking right adnexal
      masses: a diagnostic challenge in gynecologic practice.
AB  - Mucocele of the appendix (MA) is an uncommon disease. Preoperative differential
      diagnosis of MA and a peritoneal inclusion cyst (PIC) from gynecologic diseases
      is still a challenge. We herein report a very rare case with MA and PIC. As far
      as we know, this is the first report of a case having MA and PIC found
      simultaneously at surgery. A 31-year-old woman complained of lower abdominal pain
      and high fever. Based on her symptoms and laboratory tests, pelvic inflammatory
      disease (PID) was considered to be the most probable diagnosis. She underwent
      antibiotics therapy and her conditions subsided. However, ascites reappeared in a
      month, and ultrasound and MRI demonstrated a right ovarian cyst and a suspected
      right hydrosalpinx. Laparotomy revealed large PIC and MA with normal bilateral
      adnexa. Patients with an adnexal mass or symptoms suggesting PID should be
      examined carefully considering such conditions in a daily gynecologic practice. 

PMID- 27276926
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis of intracranial immature teratoma in the third trimester using
      2D and 3D sonography.
AB  - Intracranial tumors are uncommon and represent 0.5-1.5 % of all pediatric tumors.
      Teratoma is the most frequent intracranial tumor found at birth. Large teratomas
      are extremely rare and have a guarded prognosis since they grow fast and cause
      brain tissue destruction. A 31-week primigravida was referred to our hospital for
      investigation of an intracranial mass seen in the fetus. Two-dimensional
      ultrasound showed a large heterogeneous solid mass with calcifications inside,
      measuring 5.3 * 4.8 cm. It was in the right cerebral hemisphere at the level of
      the middle and posterior fossa, thereby shifting the midline and causing severe
      ventriculomegaly that measured 3.5 cm at the level of the lateral ventricle.
      Three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) in multiplanar mode allowed us to assess the
      anatomical relationships between the mass and the midline structures. The
      neurosurgical team, who had suspected that the case was inoperable, was thus able
      to gain a better understanding of the case. Transfontanellar ultrasound was
      performed on the day after the birth and confirmed the previous findings.
      Moreover, a biopsy confirmed the histology of the mass: it was an immature
      teratoma. The infant died on the 24th day of life after a large expansion of head
      circumference. Intracranial teratomas are extremely severe because of their quick
      growth and mass effect, often leading to neonatal death within days. 3DUS is a
      new prenatal diagnostic method that makes it possible to assess the anatomical
      relationships between the mass and the intracranial structures, thus enabling
      better preoperative planning. 

PMID- 27276928
TI  - Radiologic findings of a giant unilateral abdominoscrotal hydrocele associated
      with undescended testis.
AB  - Abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) is an uncommon entity characterized by an
      hourglass-shaped hydrocele that extends from the scrotum into the abdominal
      cavity. In this case, ultrasonography and computed tomography findings of an 11
      month-old patient with a right ASH and undescended testis are reported. 

PMID- 27276927
TI  - Prenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a hypovascular
      epignathus with a favorable prognosis.
AB  - Epignathus of a fetus is an extremely rare type of an oropharyngeal teratoma that
      commonly arises from the palate and often grows in the prenatal period, leading
      to polyhydramnios due to difficulty in swallowing before birth and a high
      mortality due to the airway obstruction after birth. We report here a very rare
      case of a fetus with an epignathus decreasing in size naturally in the prenatal
      period with a favorable prognosis. In contrast to previously reported cases of
      epignathus that grew rapidly in the prenatal period, color Doppler fetal
      ultrasound showed a hypovascular tumor in our case. Moreover, histopathologic
      examination revealed an epignathus with necrotic areas inside. Based on our
      experience, a hypovascular epignathus demonstrated by color Doppler fetal
      ultrasound may be an indicator of a favorable prognosis. 

PMID- 27276929
TI  - US and color Doppler findings in angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia
      involving the superficial temporal artery.
AB  - Reported here is a 60-year-old man with multiple localizations of angiolymphoid
      hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) in the temporal region, involving the
      superficial temporal artery, detected and analyzed with ultrasound and color
      Doppler. The usefulness of this diagnostic technique and the peculiar signs of
      ALHE are discussed. 

PMID- 27276930
TI  - Hepatic parenchymal hemodynamics of cholangitis with portal trunk thrombus using
      contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid: delineation of so-called central
      and peripheral zonal differentiation by arrival-time parametric imaging.
AB  - We carried out contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using Sonazoid for a patient who
      had portal thrombosis due to choledocholith and cholangitis, and the video images
      were analyzed by an offline procedure using arrival-time parametric imaging.
      Colors were changed with the time course from red to orange, yellow, green, light
      blue, and blue, with the time the contrast agent reached the right hepatic artery
      as the starting point. The central part of the liver was primarily colored blue,
      and the peripheral part primarily yellowish-green. In other words, we confirmed
      the central and peripheral zonal differentiation observed in the arterial phase
      of dynamic computed tomography by color mapping image of arrival-time parametric
      imaging. Particularly, real-time changes in the hemodynamics of the hepatic
      parenchyma could be captured by color mapping image using arrival-time parametric
      imaging. 

PMID- 27276931
TI  - "Double eyes" sign of congenital bilateral dacryocystoceles.
AB  - Dacryocystocele is caused by nasolacrimal duct obstruction and results in cystic
      dilatation of the proximal part of the nasolacrimal duct, which is located
      inferomedial to the orbit, leading to fluid accumulation. It is important to
      consider that persistent congenital bilateral dacryocystoceles may cause neonatal
      nasal obstruction resulting in respiratory difficulty, and large dacryocystoceles
      may require surgical drainage. Ultrasonography demonstrates that congenital
      bilateral dacryocystoceles and normal eyeballs prenatally resemble two pairs of
      cystic "lesions" of different sizes. We herein present a case of prenatally
      diagnosed isolated congenital bilateral dacryocystoceles and propose the new name
      of "double eyes" sign for this rare condition to create an impact on medical
      students and residents. 

PMID- 27276932
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using Sonazoid((r)) is useful for diagnosis of
      malignant ovarian tumors: comparison with Doppler ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of Sonazoid((r))
      enhanced ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in comparison
      with Doppler US. METHODS: Twenty-five ovarian tumor patients who were scheduled
      to undergo surgery were recruited for this study. The day before the operation,
      each patient was evaluated with color and power Doppler and baseline US during
      intravenous infusion of Sonazoid. Each lesion was classified as "benign" or
      "malignant" on the basis of specific criteria for a Doppler signal or Sonazoid
      enhanced pattern. The reference standard was the histology of surgically removed
      adnexal tumors. RESULTS: Twenty patients were diagnosed with malignant tumors
      (invasive cancer, n = 15; metastatic cancer, n = 1; borderline tumor, n = 4), and
      the remaining five were diagnosed with benign tumors. Sonazoid-enhanced US
      correctly depicted the presence or absence of intratumoral blood flow in all
      patients with an accuracy of 92 %. Color Doppler ultrasound depicted the
      malignancies with an accuracy of 64 %, and power Doppler ultrasound depicted them
      with an accuracy of 76 %. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that Sonazoid-enhanced
      US is superior to conventional color Doppler US for the diagnosis of malignant
      ovarian tumors, but not to power Doppler US. The data and their interpretation in
      our study should be taken with some degree of caution because of the small number
      of subjects. Further studies involving a larger sample size would be needed to
      confirm these findings.

PMID- 27276933
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis of congenital syngnathia by 3D ultrasound and pathological
      correlation.
AB  - Congenital syngnathia is a maxillomandibular fusion, and it can vary in severity
      from single mucosal bands (synechiae) to complete bony fusion (synostosis). Cases
      of combinations of bony or soft tissue adhesions between the mandible and maxilla
      with cleft of the lip or palate, aglossia, popliteal pterygium, and van der Woude
      syndrome have been reported. It is a very rare condition, with only one case
      report of prenatal diagnosis using two-dimensional ultrasound in the literature.
      We present the first case of prenatal diagnosis of congenital syngnathia by three
      dimensional ultrasound and the postnatal pathology correlation. 

PMID- 27276934
TI  - The Clinical Utility of Next Generation Sequencing Results in a Community-Based
      Hereditary Cancer Risk Program.
AB  - Since the 2013 Supreme Court ruling on BRCA1/BRCA2 patenting, hereditary cancer
      gene panels now include BRCA1 and BRCA2, making these panels an option for first
      tier testing. However, questions remain about the clinical utility and
      implications of these panels for medical management with inclusion of genes of
      unknown to moderate penetrance. To better understand how use of these panels
      affected our practice, we reviewed patients who underwent testing in our clinic
      from July 1, 2013 through May 23, 2014. Indications for testing included personal
      and/or family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. A total of 136 patients
      underwent panel testing via a single commercial laboratory; 12 (8.8 %) patients
      were positive for a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation (four BRCA2
      mutations, two TP53 mutations, one CDH1 mutation, two ATM mutations, and one
      patient each with a CHEK2, NBN, or PALB2 mutation). Of these positive patients,
      100 % met the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for
      Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer genetic testing (2.2014). Mutations in seven
      of twelve (58 %) patients led to changes in medical management; three of seven
      (43 %) had a non-BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. Our findings suggest that there is
      clinical utility of panels that include genes of unknown to moderate penetrance.

PMID- 27276937
TI  - Communication: Proper use of broken-symmetry calculations in antiferromagnetic
      polyradicals.
AB  - The present comment formulates some recommendations regarding the use of broken
      symmetry Unrestricted Density Functional Theory (UDFT) solutions in those
      polyradical architectures predicted to be of ground-state singlet character
      according to Ovchinnikov's rule. It proposes a procedure to identify the number
      of open shells, to reach the relevant Ms = 0 solution, and to estimate the low
      energy spectrum of the states which keeps this number of open shells. 

PMID- 27276935
TI  - Evaluating biochemical methane production from brewer's spent yeast.
AB  - Anaerobic digestion treatment of brewer's spent yeast (SY) is a viable option for
      bioenergy capture. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) assay was performed
      with three different samples (SY1, SY2, and SY3) and SY1 dilutions (75, 50, and
      25 % on a v/v basis). Gompertz-equation parameters denoted slow degradability of
      SY1 with methane production rates of 14.59-4.63 mL/day and lag phases of 10.72
      19.7 days. Performance and kinetic parameters were obtained with the Gompertz
      equation and the first-order hydrolysis model with SY2 and SY3 diluted 25 % and
      SY1 50 %. A SY2 25 % gave a 17 % of TCOD conversion to methane as well as shorter
      lag phase (<1 day). Average estimated hydrolysis constant for SY was 0.0141 (+/
      0.003) day(-1), and SY2 25 % was more appropriate for faster methane production.
      Methane capture and biogas composition were dependent upon the SY source, and co
      digestion (or dilution) can be advantageous.

PMID- 27276936
TI  - A novel amidase from Brevibacterium epidermidis ZJB-07021: gene cloning,
      refolding and application in butyrylhydroxamic acid synthesis.
AB  - A novel amidase gene (bami) was cloned from Brevibacterium epidermidis ZJB-07021
      by combination of degenerate PCR and high-efficiency thermal asymmetric
      interlaced PCR (hiTAIL-PCR). The deduced amino acid sequence showed low identity
      (<=55 %) with other reported amidases. The bami gene was overexpressed in
      Escherichia coli, and the resultant inclusion bodies were refolded and purified
      to homogeneity with a recovery of 22.6 %. Bami exhibited a broad substrate
      spectrum towards aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic amides, and showed the
      highest acyl transfer activity towards butyramide with specific activity of
      1331.0 +/- 24.0 U mg(-1). Kinetic analysis demonstrated that purified Bami
      exhibited high catalytic efficiency (414.9 mM(-1) s(-1)) for acyl transfer of
      butyramide, with turnover number (K cat) of 3569.0 s(-1). Key parameters
      including pH, substrate/co-substrate concentration, reaction temperature and
      catalyst loading were investigated and the Bami showed maximum acyl transfer
      activity at 50  degrees C, pH 7.5. Enzymatic catalysis of 200 mM butyramide with
      15 MUg mL(-1) purified Bami was completed in 15 min with a BHA yield of 88.1 %
      under optimized conditions. The results demonstrated the great potential of Bami
      for the production of a variety of hydroxamic acids.

PMID- 27276938
TI  - Communication: Proper treatment of classically forbidden electronic transitions
      significantly improves detailed balance in surface hopping.
AB  - Surface hopping is the most popular method for nonadiabatic molecular dynamics.
      Many have reported that it does not rigorously attain detailed balance at thermal
      equilibrium, but does so approximately. We show that convergence to the Boltzmann
      populations is significantly improved when the nuclear velocity is reversed after
      a classically forbidden hop. The proposed prescription significantly reduces the
      total number of classically forbidden hops encountered along a trajectory,
      suggesting that some randomization in nuclear velocity is needed when classically
      forbidden hops constitute a large fraction of attempted hops. Our results are
      verified computationally using two- and three-level quantum subsystems, coupled
      to a classical bath undergoing Langevin dynamics. 

PMID- 27276939
TI  - Toward a W4-F12 approach: Can explicitly correlated and orbital-based ab initio
      CCSD(T) limits be reconciled?
AB  - In the context of high-accuracy computational thermochemistry, the valence
      coupled cluster with all singles and doubles (CCSD) correlation component of
      molecular atomization energies presents the most severe basis set convergence
      problem, followed by the (T) component. In the present paper, we make a detailed
      comparison, for an expanded version of the W4-11 thermochemistry benchmark,
      between, on the one hand, orbital-based CCSD/AV{5,6}Z + d and CCSD/ACV{5,6}Z
      extrapolation, and on the other hand CCSD-F12b calculations with cc-pVQZ-F12 and
      cc-pV5Z-F12 basis sets. This latter basis set, now available for H-He, B-Ne, and
      Al-Ar, is shown to be very close to the basis set limit. Apparent differences
      (which can reach 0.35 kcal/mol for systems like CCl4) between orbital-based and
      CCSD-F12b basis set limits disappear if basis sets with additional radial
      flexibility, such as ACV{5,6}Z, are used for the orbital calculation.
      Counterpoise calculations reveal that, while total atomization energies with V5Z
      F12 basis sets are nearly free of BSSE, orbital calculations have significant
      BSSE even with AV(6 + d)Z basis sets, leading to non-negligible differences
      between raw and counterpoise-corrected extrapolated limits. This latter problem
      is greatly reduced by switching to ACV{5,6}Z core-valence basis sets, or simply
      adding an additional zeta to just the valence orbitals. Previous reports that all
      electron approaches like HEAT (high-accuracy extrapolated ab-initio
      thermochemistry) lead to different CCSD(T) limits than "valence limit + CV
      correction" approaches like Feller-Peterson-Dixon and Weizmann-4 (W4) theory can
      be rationalized in terms of the greater radial flexibility of core-valence basis
      sets. For (T) corrections, conventional CCSD(T)/AV{Q,5}Z + d calculations are
      found to be superior to scaled or extrapolated CCSD(T)-F12b calculations of
      similar cost. For a W4-F12 protocol, we recommend obtaining the Hartree-Fock and
      valence CCSD components from CCSD-F12b/cc-pV{Q,5}Z-F12 calculations, but the (T)
      component from conventional CCSD(T)/aug'-cc-pV{Q,5}Z + d calculations using
      Schwenke's extrapolation; post-CCSD(T), core-valence, and relativistic
      corrections are to be obtained as in the original W4 theory. W4-F12 is found to
      agree slightly better than W4 with ATcT (active thermochemical tables) data, at a
      substantial saving in computation time and especially I/O overhead. A W4-F12
      calculation on benzene is presented as a proof of concept. 

PMID- 27276940
TI  - Generalized quantum Fokker-Planck equation for photoinduced nonequilibrium
      processes with positive definiteness condition.
AB  - This work provides a detailed derivation of a generalized quantum Fokker-Planck
      equation (GQFPE) appropriate for photo-induced quantum dynamical processes. The
      path integral method pioneered by Caldeira and Leggett (CL) [Physica A 121, 587
      (1983)] is extended by utilizing a nonequilibrium influence functional applicable
      to different baths for the ground and the excited electronic states. Both
      nonequilibrium and non-Markovian effects are accounted for consistently by
      expanding the paths in the exponents of the influence functional up to the second
      order with respect to time. This procedure results in approximations involving
      only single time integrations for the exponents of the influence functional but
      with additional time dependent boundary terms that have been ignored in previous
      works. The boundary terms complicate the derivation of a time evolution equation
      but do not affect position dependent physical observables or the dynamics in the
      steady state limit. For an effective density operator with the boundary terms
      factored out, a time evolution equation is derived, through short time expansion
      of the effective action and Gaussian integration in analytically continued
      complex domain of space. This leads to a compact form of the GQFPE with time
      dependent kernels and additional terms, which renders the resulting equation to
      be in the Dekker form [Phys. Rep. 80, 1 (1981)]. Major terms of the equation are
      analyzed for the case of Ohmic spectral density with Drude cutoff, which shows
      that the new GQFPE satisfies the positive definiteness condition in medium to
      high temperature limit. Steady state limit of the GQFPE is shown to approach the
      well-known expression derived by CL in the high temperature and Markovian bath
      limit and also provides additional corrections due to quantum and non-Markovian
      effects of the bath. 

PMID- 27276941
TI  - Anharmonic densities of states: A general dynamics-based solution.
AB  - Density of states is a fundamental physical characteristic that lies at the
      foundation of statistical mechanics and theoretical constructs that derive from
      them (e.g., kinetic rate theories, phase diagrams, and others). Even though most
      real physical systems are anharmonic, the vibrational density of states is
      customarily treated within the harmonic approximation, or with some partial,
      often limited, account for anharmonicity. The reason for this is that the problem
      of anharmonic densities of states stubbornly resisted a general and exact, yet
      convenient and straightforward in applications, solution. Here we formulate such
      a solution within both classical and quantum mechanics. It is based on actual
      dynamical behavior of systems as a function of energy and as observed, or
      monitored, on a chosen time scale, short or long. As a consequence, the resulting
      anharmonic densities of states are fully dynamically informed and, in general,
      time-dependent. As such, they lay the ground for formulation of new statistical
      mechanical frameworks that incorporate time and are ergodic, by construction,
      with respect to actual dynamical behavior of systems. 

PMID- 27276942
TI  - J-factors of short DNA molecules.
AB  - The propensity of short DNA sequences to convert to the circular form is studied
      by a mesoscopic Hamiltonian method which incorporates both the bending of the
      molecule axis and the intrinsic twist of the DNA strands. The base pair
      fluctuations with respect to the helix diameter are treated as path trajectories
      in the imaginary time path integral formalism. The partition function for the sub
      ensemble of closed molecules is computed by imposing chain end boundary
      conditions both on the radial fluctuations and on the angular degrees of freedom.
      The cyclization probability, the J-factor, proves to be highly sensitive to the
      stacking potential, mostly to its nonlinear parameters. We find that the J-factor
      generally decreases by reducing the sequence length (N) and, more significantly,
      below N = 100 base pairs. However, even for very small molecules, the J-factors
      remain sizeable in line with recent experimental indications. Large bending
      angles between adjacent base pairs and anharmonic stacking appear as the causes
      of the helix flexibility at short length scales. 

PMID- 27276944
TI  - Quantum dynamics of a vibronically coupled linear chain using a surrogate
      Hamiltonian approach.
AB  - Vibronic coupling between the electronic and vibrational degrees of freedom has
      been reported to play an important role in charge and exciton transport in
      organic photovoltaic materials, molecular aggregates, and light-harvesting
      complexes. Explicitly accounting for effective vibrational modes rather than
      treating them as a thermal environment has been shown to be crucial to describe
      the effect of vibronic coupling. We present a methodology to study dissipative
      quantum dynamics of vibronically coupled systems based on a surrogate Hamiltonian
      approach, which is in principle not limited by Markov approximation or weak
      system-bath interaction, using a vibronic basis. We apply vibronic surrogate
      Hamiltonian method to a linear chain system and discuss how different types of
      relaxation process, intramolecular vibrational relaxation and intermolecular
      vibronic relaxation, influence population dynamics of dissipative vibronic
      systems. 

PMID- 27276945
TI  - An efficient and numerically stable procedure for generating sextic force fields
      in normal mode coordinates.
AB  - In this paper, we outline a general, scalable, and black-box approach for
      calculating high-order strongly coupled force fields in rectilinear normal mode
      coordinates, based upon constructing low order expansions in curvilinear
      coordinates with naturally limited mode-mode coupling, and then transforming
      between coordinate sets analytically. The optimal balance between accuracy and
      efficiency is achieved by transforming from 3 mode representation quartic force
      fields in curvilinear normal mode coordinates to 4 mode representation sextic
      force fields in rectilinear normal modes. Using this reduced mode-representation
      strategy introduces an error of only 1 cm(-1) in fundamental frequencies, on
      average, across a sizable test set of molecules. We demonstrate that if it is
      feasible to generate an initial semi-quartic force field in curvilinear normal
      mode coordinates from ab initio data, then the subsequent coordinate
      transformation procedure will be relatively fast with modest memory demands. This
      procedure facilitates solving the nuclear vibrational problem, as all required
      integrals can be evaluated analytically. Our coordinate transformation code is
      implemented within the extensible PyPES library program package, at
      http://sourceforge.net/projects/pypes-lib-ext/. 

PMID- 27276943
TI  - Extracting water and ion distributions from solution x-ray scattering
      experiments.
AB  - Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements can provide valuable information about
      the solvent environment around biomolecules, but it can be difficult to extract
      solvent-specific information from observed intensity profiles. Intensities are
      proportional to the square of scattering amplitudes, which are complex
      quantities. Amplitudes in the forward direction are real, and the contribution
      from a solute of known structure (and from the waters it excludes) can be
      estimated from theory; hence, the amplitude arising from the solvent environment
      can be computed by difference. We have found that this "square root subtraction
      scheme" can be extended to non-zero q values, out to 0.1 A(-1) for the systems
      considered here, since the phases arising from the solute and from the water
      environment are nearly identical in this angle range. This allows us to extract
      aspects of the water and ion distributions (beyond their total numbers), by
      combining experimental data for the complete system with calculations for the
      solutes. We use this approach to test molecular dynamics and integral-equation
      (3D-RISM (three-dimensional reference interaction site model)) models for solvent
      structure around myoglobin, lysozyme, and a 25 base-pair duplex DNA. Comparisons
      can be made both in Fourier space and in terms of the distribution of interatomic
      distances in real space. Generally, computed solvent distributions arising from
      the MD simulations fit experimental data better than those from 3D-RISM, even
      though the total small-angle X-ray scattering patterns are very similar; this
      illustrates the potential power of this sort of analysis to guide the development
      of computational models. 

PMID- 27276946
TI  - Geometry optimization made simple with translation and rotation coordinates.
AB  - The effective description of molecular geometry is important for theoretical
      studies of intermolecular interactions. Here we introduce a new translation
      rotation-internal coordinate (TRIC) system which explicitly includes the
      collective translations and rotations of molecules, or parts of molecules such as
      monomers or ligands, as degrees of freedom. The translations are described as the
      centroid position and the orientations are represented with the exponential map
      parameterization of quaternions. When TRIC is incorporated into geometry
      optimization calculations, the performance is consistently superior to existing
      coordinate systems for a diverse set of systems including water clusters, organic
      semiconductor donor-acceptor complexes, and small proteins, all of which are
      characterized by nontrivial intermolecular interactions. The method also
      introduces a new way to scan the molecular orientations while allowing orthogonal
      degrees of freedom to relax. Our findings indicate that an explicit description
      of molecular translation and rotation is a natural way to traverse the many
      dimensional potential energy surface. 

PMID- 27276947
TI  - Magnetoelectroluminescence in organic light-emitting diodes.
AB  - The magnetoelectroluminescence of conjugated organic polymer films is widely
      accepted to arise from a polaron pair mechanism, but their magnetoconductance is
      less well understood. Here we derive a new relationship between the
      experimentally measurable magnetoelectroluminescence and magnetoconductance and
      the theoretically calculable singlet yield of the polaron pair recombination
      reaction. This relationship is expected to be valid regardless of the mechanism
      of the magnetoconductance, provided the mobilities of the free polarons are
      independent of the applied magnetic field (i.e., provided one discounts the
      possibility of spin-dependent transport). We also discuss the semiclassical
      calculation of the singlet yield of the polaron pair recombination reaction for
      materials such as poly(2,5-dioctyloxy-paraphenylene vinylene) (DOO-PPV), the
      hyperfine fields in the polarons of which can be extracted from light-induced
      electron spin resonance measurements. The resulting theory is shown to give good
      agreement with experimental data for both normal (H-) and deuterated (D-) DOO-PPV
      over a wide range of magnetic field strengths once singlet-triplet dephasing is
      taken into account. Without this effect, which has not been included in any
      previous simulation of magnetoelectroluminescence, it is not possible to
      reproduce the experimental data for both isotopologues in a consistent fashion.
      Our results also indicate that the magnetoconductance of DOO-PPV cannot be solely
      due to the effect of the magnetic field on the dissociation of polaron pairs. 

PMID- 27276948
TI  - omegaB97M-V: A combinatorially optimized, range-separated hybrid, meta-GGA
      density functional with VV10 nonlocal correlation.
AB  - A combinatorially optimized, range-separated hybrid, meta-GGA density functional
      with VV10 nonlocal correlation is presented. The final 12-parameter functional
      form is selected from approximately 10 * 10(9) candidate fits that are trained on
      a training set of 870 data points and tested on a primary test set of 2964 data
      points. The resulting density functional, omegaB97M-V, is further tested for
      transferability on a secondary test set of 1152 data points. For comparison,
      omegaB97M-V is benchmarked against 11 leading density functionals including M06
      2X, omegaB97X-D, M08-HX, M11, omegaM05-D, omegaB97X-V, and MN15. Encouragingly,
      the overall performance of omegaB97M-V on nearly 5000 data points clearly
      surpasses that of all of the tested density functionals. In order to facilitate
      the use of omegaB97M-V, its basis set dependence and integration grid sensitivity
      are thoroughly assessed, and recommendations that take into account both
      efficiency and accuracy are provided. 

PMID- 27276949
TI  - Angular and internal state distributions of H2 (+) generated by (2 + 1) resonance
      enhanced multiphoton ionization of H2 using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
AB  - We report direct measurement of the anisotropy parameter beta for the angular
      distribution of the photoelectron and photoion in (2 + 1) resonance enhanced
      multiphoton ionization process of H2 X (1)Sigmag (+) (v = 0, J = 0) molecules
      through the intermediate H2 E,F (1)Sigmag (+) (v' = 0, J' = 0) level (lambda =
      201.684 nm) using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The time-of-flight spectra
      were recorded as the direction of polarization of the ionizing laser was varied
      with respect to the flight axis of the H2 molecular beam and were fitted to an
      angular distribution in an appropriately rotated coordinate system with the z
      axis oriented along the time-of-flight axis. The anisotropy parameter beta was
      found to be 1.72 +/- 0.13 by fitting the time-of-flight spectra and agreed with
      previous measurements. Using secondary ionization with a delayed laser pulse of
      different wavelength, we also determined the vibrational energy distribution of
      the ions, showing that 98% +/- 4% of the ions are generated in their ground
      vibrational state, in agreement with the calculated Franck-Condon factors between
      the H2 E,F (1)Sigmag (+) (v' = 0) and H2 (+) X (1)Sigmag (+) (v") vibrational
      levels. 

PMID- 27276950
TI  - Absolute molecular transition frequencies measured by three cavity-enhanced
      spectroscopy techniques.
AB  - Absolute frequencies of unperturbed (12)C(16)O transitions from the near-infrared
      (3-0) band were measured with uncertainties five-fold lower than previously
      available data. The frequency axis of spectra was linked to the primary frequency
      standard. Three different cavity enhanced absorption and dispersion spectroscopic
      methods and various approaches to data analysis were used to estimate potential
      systematic instrumental errors. Except for a well established frequency
      stabilized cavity ring-down spectroscopy, we applied the cavity mode-width
      spectroscopy and the one-dimensional cavity mode-dispersion spectroscopy for
      measurement of absorption and dispersion spectra, respectively. We demonstrated
      the highest quality of the dispersion line shape measured in optical spectroscopy
      so far. We obtained line positions of the Doppler-broadened R24 and R28
      transitions with relative uncertainties at the level of 10(-10). The pressure
      shifting coefficients were measured and the influence of the line asymmetry on
      unperturbed line positions was analyzed. Our dispersion spectra are the first
      demonstration of molecular spectroscopy with both axes of the spectra directly
      linked to the primary frequency standard, which is particularly desirable for the
      future reference-grade measurements of molecular spectra. 

PMID- 27276951
TI  - Single-site Lennard-Jones models via polynomial chaos surrogates of Monte Carlo
      molecular simulation.
AB  - In this work, two Polynomial Chaos (PC) surrogates were generated to reproduce
      Monte Carlo (MC) molecular simulation results of the canonical (single-phase) and
      the NVT-Gibbs (two-phase) ensembles for a system of normalized structureless
      Lennard-Jones (LJ) particles. The main advantage of such surrogates, once
      generated, is the capability of accurately computing the needed thermodynamic
      quantities in a few seconds, thus efficiently replacing the computationally
      expensive MC molecular simulations. Benefiting from the tremendous computational
      time reduction, the PC surrogates were used to conduct large-scale optimization
      in order to propose single-site LJ models for several simple molecules.
      Experimental data, a set of supercritical isotherms, and part of the two-phase
      envelope, of several pure components were used for tuning the LJ parameters
      (epsilon, sigma). Based on the conducted optimization, excellent fit was obtained
      for different noble gases (Ar, Kr, and Xe) and other small molecules (CH4, N2,
      and CO). On the other hand, due to the simplicity of the LJ model used, dramatic
      deviations between simulation and experimental data were observed, especially in
      the two-phase region, for more complex molecules such as CO2 and C2 H6. 

PMID- 27276952
TI  - Reflection and extinction of light by self-assembled monolayers of a quinque
      thiophene derivative: A coherent scattering approach.
AB  - Scattering matrix theory is used to describe resonant optical properties of
      molecular monolayers. Three types of coupling are included: exciton-exciton,
      exciton-photon, and exciton-phonon coupling. We use the K-matrix formalism,
      developed originally to describe neutron scattering spectra in nuclear physics to
      compute the scattering of polaritons by phonons. This perturbation approach takes
      into account the three couplings and allows one to go beyond molecular exciton
      theory without the need of introducing additional boundary conditions for the
      polariton. We demonstrate that reflection, absorption, and extinction of light by
      2D self-assembled monolayers of molecules containing quinque-thiophene
      chromophoric groups can be calculated. The extracted coherence length of the
      Frenkel exciton is discussed. 

PMID- 27276953
TI  - State-to-state mode selectivity in the HD + OH reaction: Perspectives from two
      product channels.
AB  - The state-to-state quantum dynamics (Jtot = 0) of the HD + OH(upsilon2 = 0, 1)
      reaction is studied using a reactant coordinate based method, which allows the
      analysis of both the H + DOH and D + HOH channels with a single propagation. The
      stretching vibration of the newly formed bond, namely, the OD bond in DOH and one
      OH bond in HOH, is excited, thanks to its strong coupling with the reaction
      coordinate at the transition state. On the other hand, the vibrational energy
      deposited into the OH reactant (upsilon2 = 1) is sequestered during the reaction
      in the spectator OH mode. The combined effect leads to the excitation of both the
      OD and OH stretching modes in the DOH product, and the dominance of the (002)
      normal-mode state population in the HOH product, which in the local-mode picture
      corresponds to the excitation of both OH bonds with one quantum each. The energy
      flow in this prototypical tetratomic reaction can be understood in terms of the
      sudden vector projection model. 

PMID- 27276954
TI  - Reactions of substituted benzene anions with N and O atoms: Chemistry in Titan's
      upper atmosphere and the interstellar medium.
AB  - The likely existence of aromatic anions in many important extraterrestrial
      environments, from the atmosphere of Titan to the interstellar medium (ISM), is
      attracting increasing attention. Nitrogen and oxygen atoms are also widely
      observed in the ISM and in the ionospheres of planets and moons. In the current
      work, we extend previous studies to explore the reactivity of prototypical
      aromatic anions (deprotonated toluene, aniline, and phenol) with N and O atoms
      both experimentally and computationally. The benzyl and anilinide anions both
      exhibit slow associative electron detachment (AED) processes with N atom, and
      moderate reactivity with O atom in which AED dominates but ionic products are
      also formed. The reactivity of phenoxide is dramatically different; there is no
      measurable reaction with N atom, and the moderate reactivity with O atom produces
      almost exclusively ionic products. The reaction mechanisms are studied
      theoretically by employing density functional theory calculations, and spin
      conversion is found to be critical for understanding some product distributions.
      This work provides insight into the rich gas-phase chemistry of aromatic ion-atom
      reactions and their relevance to ionospheric and interstellar chemistry. 

PMID- 27276955
TI  - Quantum chemical study of the geometrical and electronic structures of ScSi3 (
      /0) clusters and assignment of the anion photoelectron spectra.
AB  - The geometrical and electronic structures of ScSi3 (-/0) clusters have been
      studied with the B3LYP, CCSD(T), and CASPT2 methods. The ground state of the
      anionic cluster was evaluated to be the (1)A1 of rhombic eta(2)-(Si3)Sc(-)
      isomer, whereas that of the neutral cluster was computed to be the (2)A1 of the
      same isomer. All features in the 266 and 193 nm photoelectron spectra of ScSi3 (
      ) cluster were interpreted by the one- and two-electron detachments from the
      (1)A1 of rhombic eta(2)-(Si3)Sc(-) isomer. The Franck-Condon factor simulation
      results show that the first broad band starting at 1.78 eV in the spectra
      comprises several vibrational progression peaks of two totally symmetric modes
      with the corresponding frequencies of 296 and 354 cm(-1). 

PMID- 27276956
TI  - The bond length and bond energy of gaseous CrW.
AB  - Supersonically cooled CrW was studied using resonant two-photon ionization
      spectroscopy. The vibronically resolved spectrum was recorded over the region 21
      100 to 23 400 cm(-1), showing a very large number of bands. Seventeen of these
      bands, across three different isotopologues, were rotationally resolved and
      analyzed. All were found to arise from the ground (1)Sigma(+) state of the
      molecule and to terminate on states with Omega' = 0. The average r0 bond length
      across the three isotopic forms was determined to be 1.8814(4) A. A
      predissociation threshold was observed in this dense manifold of vibronic states
      at 23 127(10) cm(-1), indicating a bond dissociation energy of D0(CrW) = 2.867(1)
      eV. Using the multiple bonding radius determined for atomic Cr in previous work,
      the multiple bonding radius for tungsten was calculated to be 1.037 A.
      Comparisons are made between CrW and the previously investigated group 6 diatomic
      metals, Cr2, CrMo, and Mo2, and to previous computational studies of this
      molecule. It is also found that the accurately known bond dissociation energies
      of group 5/6 metal diatomics Cr2, V2, CrW, NbCr, VNb, Mo2, and Nb2 display a
      qualitative linear dependence on the sum of the d-orbital radial expectation
      values, r; this relationship allows the bond dissociation energies of other
      molecules of this type to be estimated. 

PMID- 27276957
TI  - Evidence for a liquid-liquid critical point in supercooled water within the E3B3
      model and a possible interpretation of the kink in the homogeneous nucleation
      line.
AB  - Supercooled water exhibits many thermodynamic anomalies, and several scenarios
      have been proposed to interpret them, among which the liquid-liquid critical
      point (LLCP) hypothesis is the most commonly discussed. We investigated Widom
      lines and the LLCP of deeply supercooled water, by using molecular dynamics
      simulation with a newly reparameterized water model that explicitly includes
      three-body interactions. Seven isobars are studied from ambient pressure to 2.5
      kbar, and Widom lines are identified by calculating maxima in the coefficient of
      thermal expansion and the isothermal compressibility (both with respect to
      temperature). From these data we estimate that the LLCP of the new water model is
      at 180 K and 2.1 kbar. The oxygen radial distribution function is calculated
      along the 2 kbar isobar. It shows a steep change in the height of its second peak
      between 180 and 185 K, which indicates a transition between the high-density
      liquid and low-density liquid phases and which is consistent with the ascribed
      location of the critical point. The good agreement of the height of the second
      peak of the radial distribution function between simulation and experiment at 1
      bar, as a function of temperature, supports the validity of the model. The
      location of the LLCP within the model is close to the kink in the experimental
      homogeneous nucleation line. We use existing experimental data to argue that the
      experimental LLCP is at 168 K and 1.95 kbar and speculate how this LLCP and its
      Widom line might be responsible for the kink in the homogeneous nucleation line. 

PMID- 27276958
TI  - Separating the effects of repulsive and attractive forces on the phase diagram,
      interfacial, and critical properties of simple fluids.
AB  - Molecular simulations in the canonical and isothermal-isobaric ensembles were
      performed to study the effect of varying the shape of the intermolecular
      potential on the phase diagram, critical, and interfacial properties of model
      fluids. The molecular interactions were modeled by the Approximate Non-Conformal
      (ANC) theory potentials. Unlike the Lennard-Jones or Morse potentials, the ANC
      interactions incorporate parameters (called softnesses) that modulate the
      steepness of the potential in their repulsive and attractive parts independently.
      This feature allowed us to separate unambiguously the role of each region of the
      potential on setting the thermophysical properties. In particular, we found
      positive linear correlation between all critical coordinates and the attractive
      and repulsive softness, except for the critical density and the attractive
      softness which are negatively correlated. Moreover, we found that the physical
      properties related to phase coexistence (such as span of the liquid phase between
      the critical and triple points, variations in the P-T vaporization curve,
      interface width, and surface tension) are more sensitive to changes in the
      attractive softness than to the repulsive one. Understanding the different roles
      of attractive and repulsive forces on phase coexistence may contribute to
      developing more accurate models of liquids and their mixtures. 

PMID- 27276959
TI  - Chemical potential and entropy in monodisperse and polydisperse hard-sphere
      fluids using Widom's particle insertion method and a pore size distribution-based
      insertion probability.
AB  - We estimate the excess chemical potential DeltaMU and excess entropy per particle
      Deltas of computer-generated, monodisperse and polydisperse, frictionless hard
      sphere fluids. For this purpose, we utilize the Widom particle insertion method,
      which for hard-sphere systems relates DeltaMU to the probability to successfully
      (without intersections) insert a particle into a system. This insertion
      probability is evaluated directly for each configuration of hard spheres by
      extrapolating to infinity the pore radii (nearest-surface) distribution and
      integrating its tail. The estimates of DeltaMU and Deltas are compared to (and
      comply well with) predictions from the Boublik-Mansoori-Carnahan-Starling-Leland
      equation of state. For polydisperse spheres, we employ log-normal particle radii
      distributions with polydispersities delta = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3. 

PMID- 27276960
TI  - Hydrogen bonding and orientation effects on the accommodation of methylamine at
      the air-water interface.
AB  - Methylamine is an abundant amine compound detected in the atmosphere which can
      affect the nature of atmospheric aerosol surfaces, changing their chemical and
      optical properties. Molecular dynamics simulation results show that methylamine
      accommodation on water is close to unity with the hydrophilic head group solvated
      in the interfacial environment and the methyl group pointing into the air phase.
      A detailed analysis of the hydrogen bond network indicates stronger hydrogen
      bonds between water and the primary amine group at the interface, suggesting that
      atmospheric trace gases will likely react with the methyl group instead of the
      solvated amine site. These findings suggest new chemical pathways for methylamine
      acting on atmospheric aerosols in which the methyl group is the site of
      orientation specific chemistry involving its conversion into a carbonyl site
      providing hydrophilic groups for uptake of additional water. This conversion may
      explain the tendency of aged organic aerosols to form cloud condensation nuclei.
      At the same time, formation of NH2 radical and formaldehyde is suggested to be a
      new source for NH2 radicals at aerosol surfaces, other than by reaction of
      absorbed NH3. The results have general implications for the chemistry of other
      amphiphilic organics, amines in particular, at the surface of atmospherically
      relevant aerosols. 

PMID- 27276961
TI  - Comparison of three empirical force fields for phonon calculations in CdSe
      quantum dots.
AB  - Three empirical interatomic force fields are parametrized using structural,
      elastic, and phonon dispersion data for bulk CdSe and their predictions are then
      compared for the structures and phonons of CdSe quantum dots having average
      diameters of ~2.8 and ~5.2 nm (~410 and ~2630 atoms, respectively). The three
      force fields include one that contains only two-body interactions (Lennard-Jones
      plus Coulomb), a Tersoff-type force field that contains both two-body and three
      body interactions but no Coulombic terms, and a Stillinger-Weber type force field
      that contains Coulombic interactions plus two-body and three-body terms. While
      all three force fields predict nearly identical peak frequencies for the strongly
      Raman-active "longitudinal optical" phonon in the quantum dots, the predictions
      for the width of the Raman peak, the peak frequency and width of the infrared
      absorption peak, and the degree of disorder in the structure are very different.
      The three force fields also give very different predictions for the variation in
      phonon frequency with radial position (core versus surface). The Stillinger-Weber
      plus Coulomb type force field gives the best overall agreement with available
      experimental data. 

PMID- 27276962
TI  - Lateral critical Casimir force in two-dimensional inhomogeneous Ising strip.
      Exact results.
AB  - We consider two-dimensional Ising strip bounded by two planar, inhomogeneous
      walls. The inhomogeneity of each wall is modeled by a magnetic field acting on
      surface spins. It is equal to +h1 except for a group of N1 neighboring surface
      spins where it is equal to -h1. The inhomogeneities of the upper and lower wall
      are shifted with respect to each other by a lateral distance L. Using exact
      diagonalization of the transfer matrix, we study both the lateral and normal
      critical Casimir forces as well as magnetization profiles for different
      temperature regimes: below the wetting temperature, between the wetting and the
      critical temperature, and above the critical temperature. The lateral critical
      Casimir force acts in the direction opposite to the shift L, and the excess
      normal force is always attractive. Upon increasing the shift L we observe,
      depending on the temperature regime, three different scenarios of breaking of the
      capillary bridge of negative magnetization connecting the inhomogeneities of the
      walls across the strip. As long as there exists a capillary bridge in the system,
      the magnitude of the excess total critical Casimir force is almost constant, with
      its direction depending on L. By investigating the bridge morphologies we have
      found a relation between the point at which the bridge breaks and the inflection
      point of the force. We provide a simple argument that some of the properties
      reported here should also hold for different models of the strip with the same
      type of inhomogeneity. 

PMID- 27276963
TI  - Growth and stability of rocksalt Zn1-xMgxO epilayers and ZnO/MgO superlattice on
      MgO (100) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy.
AB  - Zn1-xMgxO films with x = 0.04-0.50 grown on MgO (100) substrates by molecular
      beam epitaxy retain the rocksalt (rs) crystal structure and grow epitaxially for
      x >= 0.17. In addition, the rs-ZnO epilayer is observed to be stable up to a
      thickness of 5 nm and also in a ZnO/MgO superlattice sample. However, a portion
      of the superlattice has transformed to wurtzite (wz)-structure islands in a self
      accommodated manner during growth. The transformation is a combination of a Bain
      distortion, an in-plane rotation of 14.5 degrees , and a Peierls distortion,
      resulting in an orientation relationship of (100)rs//(1010)wz and <011>rs
      ~//<1213>wz. In such a manner, the volume expansion is only necessary along the
      growth direction and the in-plane strains can be minimized. A negative pressure
      generated during the transformation of ZnO stabilizes the MgO into a wurtzite
      structure. 

PMID- 27276964
TI  - Titratable macroions in multivalent electrolyte solutions: Strong coupling
      dressed ion approach.
AB  - We present a theoretical description of the effect of polyvalent ions on the
      interaction between titratable macroions. The model system consists of two point
      like macroions with dissociable sites, immersed in an asymmetric ionic mixture of
      monovalent and polyvalent salts. We formulate a dressed ion strong coupling
      theory, based on the decomposition of the asymmetric ionic mixture into a weakly
      electrostatically coupled monovalent salt and into polyvalent ions that are
      strongly electrostatically coupled to the titratable macro-ions. The charge of
      the macroions is not considered as fixed, but is allowed to respond to local
      bathing solution parameters (electrostatic potential, pH of the solution, and
      salt concentration) through a simple charge regulation model. The approach
      presented, yielding an effective polyvalent-ion mediated interaction between
      charge-regulated macroions at various solution conditions, describes the strong
      coupling equivalent of the Kirkwood-Schumaker interaction. 

PMID- 27276965
TI  - Polymer extension under flow: A path integral evaluation of the free energy
      change using the Jarzynski relation.
AB  - The Jarzynski relation (and its variants) has provided a route to the
      experimental evaluation of equilibrium free energy changes based on measurements
      conducted under arbitrary non-equilibrium conditions. Schroeder and co-workers
      [Soft Matter 10, 2178 (2014) and J. Chem. Phys. 141, 174903 (2014)] have recently
      exploited this fact to determine the elastic properties of model DNA from
      simulations and experiments of chain extension under elongational flow, bypassing
      the need to make these measurements mechanically using sophisticated optical
      trapping techniques. In this paper, motivated by these observations, we
      investigate chain elasticity analytically, using the Jarzynski relation and a
      finitely extensible nonlinear elastic-type Rouse model within a path integral
      formalism to calculate (essentially exactly) both the flow-induced free energy
      change between chain conformations of definite average end-to-end distance, as
      well as the force-extension curve that follows from it. This curve, based on a
      new analytic expression, matches the trends in the corresponding curve obtained
      from a model of chain stretching developed by Marko and Siggia [Macromolecules
      28, 8759 (1995)], which itself is in very satisfactory agreement with the
      numerical and experimental data from the work of Schroeder et al. 

PMID- 27276966
TI  - Self-assembly and glass-formation in a lattice model of telechelic polymer melts:
      Influence of stiffness of the sticky bonds.
AB  - Telechelic polymers are chain macromolecules that may self-assemble through the
      association of their two mono-functional end groups (called "stickers"). A deep
      understanding of the relation between microscopic molecular details and the
      macroscopic physical properties of telechelic polymers is important in guiding
      the rational design of telechelic polymer materials with desired properties. The
      lattice cluster theory (LCT) for strongly interacting, self-assembling telechelic
      polymers provides a theoretical tool that enables establishing the connections
      between important microscopic molecular details of self-assembling polymers and
      their bulk thermodynamics. The original LCT for self-assembly of telechelic
      polymers considers a model of fully flexible linear chains [J. Dudowicz and K. F.
      Freed, J. Chem. Phys. 136, 064902 (2012)], while our recent work introduces a
      significant improvement to the LCT by including a description of chain
      semiflexibility for the bonds within each individual telechelic chain [W.-S. Xu
      and K. F. Freed, J. Chem. Phys. 143, 024901 (2015)], but the physically
      associative (or called "sticky") bonds between the ends of the telechelics are
      left as fully flexible. Motivated by the ubiquitous presence of steric
      constraints on the association of real telechelic polymers that impart an
      additional degree of bond stiffness (or rigidity), the present paper further
      extends the LCT to permit the sticky bonds to be semiflexible but to have a
      stiffness differing from that within each telechelic chain. An analytical
      expression for the Helmholtz free energy is provided for this model of linear
      telechelic polymer melts, and illustrative calculations demonstrate the
      significant influence of the stiffness of the sticky bonds on the self-assembly
      and thermodynamics of telechelic polymers. A brief discussion is also provided
      for the impact of self-assembly on glass-formation by combining the LCT
      description for this extended model of telechelic polymers with the Adam-Gibbs
      relation between the structural relaxation time and the configurational entropy. 

PMID- 27276967
TI  - Highly efficient and selective pressure-assisted photon-induced polymerization of
      styrene.
AB  - The polymerization process of condensed styrene to produce polystyrene as an
      industrially important polymeric material was investigated using a novel approach
      by combining external compression with ultraviolet radiation. The reaction
      evolution was monitored as a function of time and the reaction products were
      characterized by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. By optimizing
      the loading pressures, we observed highly efficient and selective production of
      polystyrene of different tacticities. Specifically, at relatively low loading
      pressures, infrared spectra suggest that styrene monomers transform to amorphous
      atactic polystyrene (APS) with minor crystalline isotactic polystyrene. In
      contrast, APS was found to be the sole product when polymerization occurs at
      relatively higher loading pressures. The time-dependent reaction profiles allow
      the examination of the polymerization kinetics by analyzing the rate constant and
      activation volume as a function of pressure. As a result, an optimized pressure
      condition, which allows a barrierless reaction to proceed, was identified and
      attributed to the very desirable reaction yield and kinetics. Finally, the
      photoinitiated reaction mechanism and the growth geometry of the polymer chains
      were investigated from the energy diagram of styrene and by the topology analysis
      of the crystal styrene. This study shows strong promise to produce functional
      polymeric materials in a highly efficient and controlled manner. 

PMID- 27276968
TI  - Density-functional description of polymer crystals: A comparative study of recent
      van der Waals functionals.
AB  - Due to the lack of treatment of long-range dispersion energies, density
      functional theory with local and semilocal approximations of exchange-correlation
      energy is known to fail in describing van der Waals complexes, including polymer
      crystals. This limitation can be overcome by using a different class of
      functionals, called van der Waals density functional (vdW-DF), originally
      developed by Dion et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 246401 (2004)]. In this work, we
      performed a systematic study of structural properties of polymeric crystals using
      the original vdW-DF functional by Dion et al. and its variants and refinements.
      Our study shows that this class of functional outperforms the conventional LDA or
      PBE functionals and gives results with similar accuracy to that of empirical
      dispersion-corrected schemes such as DFT-D. This study suggests the use of vdW
      DF2 functional - a revised version of vdW-DF functional - to obtain a high
      fidelity prediction of structural and other properties of polymeric materials. 

PMID- 27276969
TI  - The influence of torsion on excimer formation in bipolar host materials for blue
      phosphorescent OLEDs.
AB  - We present a combined detailed spectroscopic and quantum chemical study on the
      bipolar host materials BPTRZ and MBPTRZ in solution and in neat film. In the two
      compounds, the hole transporting carbazole is separated from the electron
      transporting triazine moiety by a fully aromatic but non-conjugated meta-linked
      biphenyl unit. The two materials differ by an additional steric twist at the
      biphenyl in MBPTRZ, which is achieved by methyl-substitution in 2- and 2'
      position of the biphenyl. We find that while the twist shifts the triplet state
      in MBPTRZ to higher energies (3.0 eV in solution) compared to BPTRZ (2.8 eV in
      solution), this also localizes electron density on the carbazole moiety, leading
      to excimer formation in neat films. 

PMID- 27276971
TI  - Bifurcation of transition paths induced by coupled bistable systems.
AB  - We discuss the transition paths in a coupled bistable system consisting of
      interacting multiple identical bistable motifs. We propose a simple model of
      coupled bistable gene circuits as an example and show that its transition paths
      are bifurcating. We then derive a criterion to predict the bifurcation of
      transition paths in a generalized coupled bistable system. We confirm the
      validity of the theory for the example system by numerical simulation. We also
      demonstrate in the example system that, if the steady states of individual gene
      circuits are not changed by the coupling, the bifurcation pattern is not
      dependent on the number of gene circuits. We further show that the transition
      rate exponentially decreases with the number of gene circuits when the transition
      path does not bifurcate, while a bifurcation facilitates the transition by
      lowering the quasi-potential energy barrier. 

PMID- 27276970
TI  - Explicit-water theory for the salt-specific effects and Hofmeister series in
      protein solutions.
AB  - Effects of addition of salts on stability of aqueous protein solutions are
      studied theoretically and the results are compared with experimental data. In our
      approach, all the interacting species, proteins, ions, and water molecules, are
      accounted for explicitly. Water molecules are modeled as hard spheres with four
      off-center attractive square-well sites. These sites serve to bind either another
      water or to solvate the ions or protein charges. The ions are represented as
      charged hard spheres, and decorated by attractive sites to allow solvation.
      Spherical proteins simultaneously possess positive and negative groups,
      represented by charged hard spheres, attached to the surface of the protein. The
      attractive square-well sites, mimicking the protein-protein van der Waals
      interaction, are located on the surface of the protein. To obtain numerical
      results, we utilized the energy route of Wertheim's associative mean spherical
      approximation. From measurable properties, we choose to calculate the second
      virial coefficient B2, which is closely related to the tendency of proteins to
      aggregate and eventually crystalize. Calculations are in agreement with
      experimental trends: (i) For low concentration of added salt, the alkali halide
      salts follow the inverse Hofmeister series. (ii) At higher concentration of added
      salt, the trend is reversed. (iii) When cations are varied, the salts follow the
      direct Hofmeister series. (iv) In contrast to the colloidal theories, our
      approach correctly predicts the non-monotonic behavior of B2 upon addition of
      salts. (v) With respect to anions, the theory predicts for the B2 values to
      follow different sequences below and above the iso-ionic point, as also confirmed
      experimentally. (vi) A semi-quantitative agreement between measured and
      calculated values for the second virial coefficient, as functions of pH of
      solution and added salt type and concentration, is obtained. 

PMID- 27276972
TI  - Erratum: "Dissociative adsorption of H2O on LiCoO2 (00l) surfaces: Co reduction
      induced by electron transfer from intrinsic defects" [J. Chem. Phys. 144, 184706
      (2016)].

PMID- 27276973
TI  - Erratum: "Linear-scaling time-dependent density-functional theory beyond the Tamm
      Dancoff approximation: Obtaining efficiency and accuracy with in situ optimised
      local orbitals" [J. Chem. Phys. 143, 204107 (2015)].

PMID- 27276974
TI  - Erratum: "A search for manifestation of two types of collective excitations in
      dynamic structure of a liquid metal: Ab initio study of collective excitations in
      liquid Na" [J. Chem. Phys. 144, 194501 (2016)].

PMID- 27276975
TI  - Characterization of the nuclear import signal of herpes simplex virus 1 UL31.
AB  - The herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) UL31 protein is a multifunctional
      nucleoprotein that is important for viral infection; however, little is known
      concerning its subcellular localization signal. Here, by transfection with a
      series of HSV-1 UL31 deletion mutants fused to enhanced yellow fluorescent
      protein (EYFP), a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) was identified and
      mapped to amino acids (aa) 1 to 27 (MYDTDPHRRGSRPGPYHGKERRRSRSS). Additionally,
      fluorescence results showed that the predicted nuclear export signal (NES) might
      be nonfunctional, and the functional NES of UL31 might require a specific
      conformation. Taken together, these results would provide significant information
      for the study of the biological function of UL31 during HSV-1 infection. 

PMID- 27276976
TI  - Intraspecific differences in cadmium tolerance of Nitzschia palea (Kutzing) W.
      Smith: a biochemical approach.
AB  - Intraspecific variability occurs in all types of organisms and is a driving force
      to speciation, conferring genotypic and phenotypic differences that enable
      adaptive responses to sub-lethal stimuli such as exposure to pollutants
      (including cadmium, Cd). Thus, differences in biochemical parameters are expected
      among isolates of the same species. Studying the extent of these differences
      throughout a stress range, will provide information for the development of
      approaches to mitigate habitat contamination. This work was designed to identify
      possible differences in Cd tolerance of five isolates of the freshwater diatom
      Nitzschia palea from different sampling sites. Each isolate was exposed to five
      increasing Cd concentrations during 10 days. Growth inhibition was assessed and
      intracellular accumulation of Cd was quantified. Superoxide dismutase and
      catalase activities were determined. Glutathione as well as lipid peroxidation
      (LPO) and intracellular protein content were quantified. The results obtained
      identified intraspecific differences among isolates. These differences were
      associated with different approaches of coping with Cd stress. Higher
      intracellular Cd concentrations induced lower tolerance in isolates, since
      antioxidant mechanisms were unable to fight effectively against higher oxidative
      stress. Reversely, lower intracellular accumulation of Cd induced lower oxidative
      damage and allowed cells to better tolerate exposure to Cd. LPO emerged as an
      excellent marker of oxidative stress in N. palea and its use can differentiate
      isolates according to their tolerance. 

PMID- 27276977
TI  - Is it time for airway management education to be mandatory?

PMID- 27276979
TI  - Detailed analysis of B-mode ultrasonograms: backward-looking ultrasound diagnosis
      or source of inspiration?

PMID- 27276978
TI  - Genetic and Environmental Influences on Literacy and Numeracy Performance in
      Australian School Children in Grades 3, 5, 7, and 9.
AB  - We examined the extent to which genes and the environment contributed to
      variation in and covariation among reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation,
      writing, and numeracy in Australian school children in Grades 3, 5, 7, and 9.
      Heritability was generally high: reading .58-.71 (excepting Grade 5 girls),
      spelling .68-.78; grammar and punctuation .52-.66, writing .39-.52, and numeracy
      .39-.79. Boys' performance varied more than girls in spelling and numeracy, and
      the common environment was a greater influence in girls than boys in Grade 3
      numeracy and Grade 5 reading. Independent pathway models showed similar genetic
      and environmental structures at each grade with approximately one third to one
      half of the variation in each domain due to genes that influenced all domains.
      The covariation among the domains was largely mediated by genes. Results suggest
      substantial uniformity in the environmental factors influencing these academic
      domains. 

PMID- 27276980
TI  - A basic study on sonoporation with microbubbles exposed to pulsed ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sonoporation is an ultrasound technique that enables large molecules
      that normally do not penetrate the cell membrane to pass through it. Recent
      studies show that pulsed ultrasound in the presence of microbubbles increases the
      permeability of the cell membrane. However, the mechanism and basic properties of
      this sonoporation remain unclear. We thus investigated the mechanism of
      generation and frequency of occurrence of sonoporation, as well as the repair of
      a cell membrane damaged by microbubbles. METHODS: The spatial relationship
      between microbubbles and cells was observed microscopically when cells were
      sonicated with pulsed ultrasound. Effects of microbubbles on the cells were
      observed with a high-speed camera, and the ratio of cell membrane damage and
      repair was examined using fluorescent microscopy. RESULTS: Damage to the cell
      membrane, caused mainly by mechanical effects of the expansion and contraction of
      microbubbles, significantly increased the permeability of the cell membrane. The
      frequency of cell membrane damage was closely associated with the presence of
      microbubbles and increased with increase in acoustic pressure. The ratio of
      repair of damaged cells was about 70% during 3 min after a single shot of pulsed
      ultrasound, indicating that repair of damaged cell membranes requires little
      time. CONCLUSION: We examined the frequency of occurrence of cell membrane damage
      and repair in sonoporation using pulsed ultrasound and microbubbles. Our results
      should prove useful for improving pulsed-ultrasound sonoporation.

PMID- 27276981
TI  - Evaluation of intratumoral hemodynamics with color Doppler imaging in patients
      with colorectal carcinoma: comparison between waveform analysis and
      histopathologic characteristics.
AB  - PURPOSE: We studied the relation between intratumoral hemodynamics and
      histopathologic characteristics in patients with colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: A
      series of 82 patients with 28 well-differentiated adenocarcinomas, 40 moderately
      differentiated adenocarcinomas, 10 poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, and 4
      mucinous adenocarcinomas underwent color Doppler examination and surgical
      treatment. The waveform of blood flow in the thickened wall of the colon was
      analyzed by determining the maximum velocity (Vmax) and resistance index (RI).
      These parameters were compared with histopathologic findings of the resected
      specimens: gross form, tumor size, depth of invasion, histologic stage, and
      histopathologic classification. RESULTS: Both Vmax and RI were higher in the
      invasive tumors rather than the expansive ones. Vmax and tumor size were not
      correlated; however, the RI increased proportionately with tumor size in tumors
      larger than 4 cm in diameter. Both parameters increased with depth of invasion
      and histologic stage through stage IIIb. Both were markedly higher in mucinous
      adenocarcinomas than in the other histopathologic types. Furthermore, Vmax in
      well, moderately, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas did not differ
      significantly, although RI was negatively associated with the degree of
      differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that blood-flow analysis is closely
      associated with histopathologic findings of colorectal carcinomas and that it
      provides information useful in the clinical management of these patients.

PMID- 27276982
TI  - Vascularity of gastric carcinoma: evaluation using color Doppler ultrasonography.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the vascularity of primary
      gastric cancer lesions using color Doppler ultrasonography. METHODS: We used
      color Doppler ultrasonography to study 78 patients with gastric cancer detected
      on B-mode ultrasonographic examination and 14 patients without gastric tumors but
      with a slightly thickened gastric wall that was also detected on B-mode
      ultrasound. The color Doppler signals of the gastric lesions were graded as (-),
      no color signals; (+), slight increase in number of color signals; and (++), an
      obvious increase in number of color signals. The vessel area outside the tumor
      area in the microscopic pathological specimens was also calculated. RESULTS: The
      color signals of 13 (18%) of the 71 gastric cancer patients were graded (-);
      those of 14 (20%) patients were graded (+); and those of 44 (62%) patients were
      graded (++). The color signals for 9 (65%) of 14 patients without gastric tumors
      were graded (-); those of 4 (28%) patients were graded (+), and those of 1
      patient (7%) were graded (++). These differences were significant (P = 0.0002).
      The vessel count ratio in the microscopic pathologic specimens was also
      significantly higher in patients with an increased number of color signals than
      in those without an increased number of color signals (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION:
      Color Doppler ultrasound showed increased vascularity in the gastric cancers in
      most of the subjects (82%, 58/71). Furthermore, color Doppler ultrasound also
      showed no increase in vascularity in most subjects (65%, 9/14) whose B-mode
      ultrasonograms showed thickened gastric walls but who did not have gastric
      cancer. Thus, color Doppler imaging may prove useful as a screening modality for
      gastric cancer.

PMID- 27276983
TI  - Primary left atrial tumor showing mitral valve stenosis and left upper lobe
      pulmonary edema: report of a case.
AB  - Myxoma and other neoplasms in the left atrium often show signs and symptoms
      similar to those of mitral valve stenosis. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma, one of
      the most common sarcomas, occurs in the deep soft tissue of the limbs and
      retroperitoneum in adults. With the exception of primary lung cancer, however,
      sarcomatous intravascular extension in the lung and infiltration into the left
      atrium are rare. We report a case of overt left upper lobe pulmonary edema
      observed on chest radiograms and a mass occupying much of the left atrium and
      exhibiting hemodynamics similar to those of mitral valve stenosis on
      transthoracic echocardiography. Intraoperative and pathologic examination showed
      the mass to be a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma extending from the left
      upper pulmonary vein into the left atrium. 

PMID- 27276984
TI  - Improved prediction of antibody VL-VH orientation.
AB  - Antibodies are important immune molecules with high commercial value and
      therapeutic interest because of their ability to bind diverse antigens.
      Computational prediction of antibody structure can quickly reveal valuable
      information about the nature of these antigen-binding interactions, but only if
      the models are of sufficient quality. To achieve high model quality during
      complementarity-determining region (CDR) structural prediction, one must account
      for the VL-VH orientation. We developed a novel four-metric VL-VH orientation
      coordinate frame. Additionally, we extended the CDR grafting protocol in
      RosettaAntibody with a new method that diversifies VL-VH orientation by using 10
      VL-VH orientation templates rather than a single one. We tested the multiple
      template grafting protocol on two datasets of known antibody crystal structures.
      During the template-grafting phase, the new protocol improved the fraction of
      accurate VL-VH orientation predictions from only 26% (12/46) to 72% (33/46) of
      targets. After the full RosettaAntibody protocol, including CDR H3 remodeling and
      VL-VH re-orientation, the new protocol produced more candidate structures with
      accurate VL-VH orientation than the standard protocol in 43/46 targets (93%). The
      improved ability to predict VL-VH orientation will bolster predictions of other
      parts of the paratope, including the conformation of CDR H3, a grand challenge of
      antibody homology modeling.

PMID- 27276985
TI  - Coagulopathy in fulminant liver failure with ultimately fatal clot formation.

PMID- 27276987
TI  - A giant epiglottic cyst.

PMID- 27276986
TI  - Community-acquired pneumonia related to intracellular pathogens.
AB  - Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with high rates of morbidity and
      mortality worldwide; the annual incidence of CAP among adults in Europe has
      ranged from 1.5 to 1.7 per 1000 population. Intracellular bacteria are common
      causes of CAP. However, there is considerable variation in the reported incidence
      between countries and change over time. The intracellular pathogens that are well
      established as causes of pneumonia are Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma
      pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydophila psittaci, and Coxiella
      burnetii. Since it is known that antibiotic treatment for severe CAP is empiric
      and includes coverage of typical and atypical pathogens, microbiological
      diagnosis bears an important relationship to prognosis of pneumonia. Factors such
      as adequacy of initial antibiotic or early de-escalation of therapy are important
      variables associated with outcomes, especially in severe cases. Intracellular
      pathogens sometimes appear to cause more severe disease with respiratory failure
      and multisystem dysfunction associated with fatal outcomes. The clinical
      relevance of intracellular pathogens in severe CAP has not been specifically
      investigated. We review the prevalence, general characteristics, and outcomes of
      severe CAP cases caused by intracellular pathogens. 

PMID- 27276988
TI  - Desperate times call for desperate measures: benefits and costs of toxin
      antitoxin systems.
AB  - Toxin-antitoxin (TA) loci were first described as killing systems for plasmid
      maintenance. The surprisingly abundant presence of TA loci in bacterial
      chromosomes has stimulated an extensive research in the recent decade aimed to
      understand the biological importance of these potentially deadly systems.
      Accumulating evidence suggests that the evolutionary success of genomic TA
      systems could be explained by their ability to increase bacterial fitness under
      stress conditions. While TA systems remain quiescent under favorable growth
      conditions, the toxins can be activated in response to stress resulting in growth
      suppression and development of stress-tolerant dormant state. Yet, several
      studies suggest that the TA-mediated stress protection is costly and traded off
      against decreased fitness under normal growth conditions. Here, we give an
      overview of the fitness benefits of the chromosomal TA systems, and discuss the
      costs of TA-mediated stress protection.

PMID- 27276989
TI  - Facial palsy following cochlear implantation.
AB  - Owing to its anatomical location, the facial nerve (FN) is at risk of damage
      during cochlear implantation, especially during posterior tympanotomy. The aim of
      this study was, therefore, to evaluate the risk of FN palsy following cochlear
      implantation surgery via mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy approach (facial
      recess). This is a retrospective study. The data bank of patients who received a
      cochlear implant between 2000 and 2012 was analyzed. 3403 surgeries were done
      during this period. Records of the patients who had suffered from FN palsy were
      evaluated and the type of FN palsy, the severity, time of onset, and need for
      revision surgery were recorded. 0.76 % (26/3403) of the patients had FN palsy and
      were, therefore, included in the study. 76.9 % (20/26) subjects were 18 years or
      older. 0.15 % (5 subjects) suffered from immediate FN palsy and 0.62 % (21
      subjects) from delayed FN palsy. Intraoperative FN injury was documented in only
      three subjects of the immediate FN palsy group. In two subjects with immediate FN
      palsy, the FN was intraoperatively exposed but not injured, despite these
      individuals' experiencing FN palsy. In 100 % of the immediate onset FN palsy
      group a part of the FN was exposed during surgery, whereas it was exposed only in
      9.5 % of the delay onset FN palsy group. Although the FN was bone protected in 19
      subjects, they had FN palsy. Most of the subjects presented House-Brackmann grade
      III or IV (69.2 %). All of the subjects were treated initially with a
      conservative therapy, only 42.3 % (11 subjects) underwent revision surgery. The
      recovery rate was 80.8 % (in immediate onset palsy 40 %, in delayed onset palsy
      90.5 %). Cochlear implantation entails only a minimal risk of FN palsy and that
      FN palsy is chiefly a transient problem.

PMID- 27276990
TI  - A clinical assessment of cochlear implant recipient performance: implications for
      individualized map settings in specific environments.
AB  - Individual speech intelligibility was measured in quiet and noise for cochlear
      Implant recipients upgrading from the Freedom to the CP900 series sound
      processor. The postlingually deafened participants (n = 23) used either Nucleus
      CI24RE or CI512 cochlear implant, and currently wore a Freedom sound processor. A
      significant group mean improvement in speech intelligibility was found in quiet
      (Freiburg monosyllabic words at 50 dBSPL) and in noise (adaptive Oldenburger
      sentences in noise) for the two CP900 series SmartSound programs compared to the
      Freedom program. Further analysis was carried out on individual's speech
      intelligibility outcomes in quiet and in noise. Results showed a significant
      improvement or decrement for some recipients when upgrading to the new programs.
      To further increase speech intelligibility outcomes when upgrading, an enhanced
      upgrade procedure is proposed that includes additional testing with different
      signal-processing schemes. Implications of this research are that future
      automated scene analysis and switching technologies could provide additional
      performance improvements by introducing individualized scene-dependent settings.

PMID- 27276991
TI  - Dynamic upper airway collapse observed from sleep MRI: BMI-matched severe and
      mild OSA patients.
AB  - Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows real-time characterization of
      upper airway collapse in sleeping subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
      The aim of our study was to use sleep MRI to compare differences in upper airway
      collapse sites between BMI-matched subjects with mild OSA and severe OSA. This is
      a prospective, nested case-control study using dynamic sleep MRI to compare 15
      severe OSA subjects (AHI >40) and 15 mild OSA (AHI <10) subjects, who were
      matched for BMI. Upper airway imaging was performed on sleeping subjects in a 3.0
      T MRI scanner. Sleep MRI movies were used by blinded reviewers to identify
      retropalatal (RP), retroglossal (RG), and lateral pharyngeal wall (LPW) airway
      collapse. Mean AHI in the severe OSA group was 70.3 +/- 23 events/h, and in the
      mild group was 7.8 +/- 1 events/h (p < 0.001). All mild and severe OSA subjects
      demonstrated retropalatal airway collapse. Eighty percent in the mild group
      showed single-level RP collapse (p < 0.001). All subjects in the severe group
      showed multi-level collapse: RP + LPW (n = 9), RP + RG + LPW (n = 6). All severe
      OSA subjects showed LPW collapse, as compared with three subjects in the mild
      group (p < 0.001). LPW collapse was positively associated with AHI in simple
      regression analysis (beta = 51.8, p < 0.001). In conclusion, severe OSA patients
      present with more lateral pharyngeal wall collapse as compared to BMI-matched
      mild OSA patients.

PMID- 27276992
TI  - Numerical evaluation of implantable hearing devices using a finite element model
      of human ear considering viscoelastic properties.
AB  - Finite element method was employed in this study to analyze the change in
      performance of implantable hearing devices due to the consideration of soft
      tissues' viscoelasticity. An integrated finite element model of human ear
      including the external ear, middle ear and inner ear was first developed via
      reverse engineering and analyzed by acoustic-structure-fluid coupling.
      Viscoelastic properties of soft tissues in the middle ear were taken into
      consideration in this model. The model-derived dynamic responses including middle
      ear and cochlea functions showed a better agreement with experimental data at
      high frequencies above 3000 Hz than the Rayleigh-type damping. On this basis, a
      coupled finite element model consisting of the human ear and a piezoelectric
      actuator attached to the long process of incus was further constructed. Based on
      the electromechanical coupling analysis, equivalent sound pressure and power
      consumption of the actuator corresponding to viscoelasticity and Rayleigh damping
      were calculated using this model. The analytical results showed that the implant
      performance of the actuator evaluated using a finite element model considering
      viscoelastic properties gives a lower output above about 3 kHz than does Rayleigh
      damping model. Finite element model considering viscoelastic properties was more
      accurate to numerically evaluate implantable hearing devices. 

PMID- 27276993
TI  - Genomic prediction of crossbred performance based on purebred Landrace and
      Yorkshire data using a dominance model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In pig breeding, selection is usually carried out in purebred
      populations, although the final goal is to improve crossbred performance. Genomic
      selection can be used to select purebred parental lines for crossbred
      performance. Dominance is the likely genetic basis of heterosis and explicitly
      including dominance in the genomic selection model may be an advantage when
      selecting purebreds for crossbred performance. Our objectives were two-fold: (1)
      to compare the predictive ability of genomic prediction models with additive or
      additive plus dominance effects, when the validation criterion is crossbred
      performance; and (2) to compare the use of two pure line reference populations to
      a single combined reference population. METHODS: We used data on litter size in
      the first parity from two pure pig lines (Landrace and Yorkshire) and their
      reciprocal crosses. Training was performed (1) separately on pure Landrace (2085)
      and Yorkshire (2145) sows and (2) the two combined pure lines (4230), which were
      genotyped for 38 k single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Prediction accuracy
      was measured as the correlation between genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV)
      of pure line boars and mean corrected crossbred-progeny performance, divided by
      the average accuracy of mean-progeny performance. We evaluated a model with
      additive effects only (MA) and a model with both additive and dominance effects
      (MAD). Two types of GEBV were computed: GEBV for purebred performance (GEBV)
      based on either the MA or MAD models, and GEBV for crossbred performance (GEBV-C)
      based on the MAD. GEBV-C were calculated based on SNP allele frequencies of
      genotyped animals in the opposite line. RESULTS: Compared to MA, MAD improved
      prediction accuracy for both lines. For MAD, GEBV-C improved prediction accuracy
      compared to GEBV. For Landrace (Yorkshire) boars, prediction accuracies were
      equal to 0.11 (0.32) for GEBV based on MA, and 0.13 (0.34) and 0.14 (0.36) for
      GEBV and GEBV-C based on MAD, respectively. Combining animals from both lines
      into a single reference population yielded higher accuracies than training on
      each pure line separately. In conclusion, the use of a dominance model increased
      the accuracy of genomic predictions of crossbred performance based on purebred
      data.

PMID- 27276994
TI  - Anodic stripping voltammetry with graphite felt electrodes for the trace analysis
      of silver.
AB  - Graphite felt (GF) is a mass produced porous carbon electrode material commonly
      used in redox flow batteries. Previous studies have suggested GF may have
      valuable applications in electroanalysis as a low cost disposable carbon
      electrode material, although most GF sensors have used flow cell arrangements. In
      this work, an elegant wetting technique is employed that allows GF electrodes to
      be used in quiescent solution to detect trace levels of silver in water via
      anodic stripping voltammetry. GF electrodes display good repeatability and a
      limit of detection of 25 nM of Ag(+) in 0.1 M HNO3, with a linear range spanning
      two orders of magnitude. This compares to a value of around 140 nM when using
      conventional carbon electrodes. Combined with their low cost and disposable
      nature, the results suggest GF electrodes can make a valuable contribution to
      electroanalysis. 

PMID- 27276995
TI  - Re: Evaluation of Novel Ball-Tip Holmium Laser Fiber: Impact on Ureteroscope
      Performance and Fragmentation Efficiency (From: Shin RH, Lautz JM, Cabrera FJ, et
      al. J Endourol 2016;30:189-194).

PMID- 27276996
TI  - Out of School and Into Distress: Families of Young Adults with Intellectual and
      Developmental Disabilities in Transition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The transition period out of the educational system can be a source
      of stress for parents of young adults with intellectual and developmental
      disabilities, as families lose the support and respite offered by schools.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a before and after design nested within a 24-month
      follow-up study of parents seeking adult developmental services for their
      children, parents' perception of distress was measured using the Brief Family
      Distress Scale (Journal of Child and Family Studies, 20, 2011, 521) and their
      perception of helpfulness of formal supports was assessed using the Family
      Support Scale (Journal of Individual, Family, and Community Wellness, 1, 1984,
      45). RESULTS: Parents reported significantly higher levels of distress after
      their child transitioned out of school. Employed parents and parents of a child
      with an autism spectrum disorder are at increased risk for distress. CONCLUSIONS:
      Families fare worse once their adult children are no longer in school, although
      this is not associated with a reduction in the perception of the helpfulness of
      formal supports.

PMID- 27276997
TI  - Temperature dependent local atomic displacements in ammonia intercalated iron
      selenide superconductor.
AB  - Recently, ammonia-thermal reaction has been used for molecular intercalation in
      layered FeSe, resulting a new Lix(NH3)yFe2Se2 superconductor with Tc ~ 45 K.
      Here, we have used temperature dependent extended x-ray absorption fine structure
      (EXAFS) to investigate local atomic displacements in single crystals of this new
      superconductor. Using polarized EXAFS at Fe K-edge we have obtained direct
      information on the local Fe-Se and Fe-Fe bondlengths and corresponding mean
      square relative displacements (MSRD). We find that the Se-height in the
      intercalated system is lower than the one in the binary FeSe, suggesting
      compressed FeSe4 tetrahedron in the title system. Incidentally, there is hardly
      any effect of the intercalation on the bondlengths characteristics, revealed by
      the Einstein temperatures, that are similar to those found in the binary FeSe.
      Therefore, the molecular intercalation induces an effective compression and
      decouples the FeSe slabs. Furthermore, the results reveal an anomalous change in
      the atomic correlations across Tc, appearing as a clear decrease in the MSRD,
      indicating hardening of the local lattice mode. Similar response of the local
      lattice has been found in other families of superconductors, e.g., A15-type and
      cuprates superconductors. This observation suggests that local atomic
      correlations should have some direct correlation with the superconductivity.

PMID- 27276999
TI  - PRISM II: an open-label study to assess effectiveness of
      dextromethorphan/quinidine for pseudobulbar affect in patients with dementia,
      stroke or traumatic brain injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phase 3 trials supporting dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q) use as a
      treatment for pseudobulbar affect (PBA) were conducted in patients with
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis (MS). The PRISM II
      study provides additional DM/Q experience with PBA secondary to dementia, stroke,
      or traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Participants in this open-label,
      multicenter, 90-day trial received DM/Q 20/10 mg twice daily. The primary outcome
      was the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS), assessing change in
      PBA episode frequency and severity. The CNS-LS final visit score was compared to
      baseline (primary analysis) and to the response in a previously conducted placebo
      controlled trial with DM/Q in patients with ALS or MS. Secondary outcomes
      included change in PBA episode count and Clinical Global Impression of Change
      with respect to PBA as rated by a clinician (CGI-C) and by the patient or
      caregiver (PGI-C). RESULTS: The study enrolled 367 participants with PBA
      secondary to dementia, stroke, or TBI. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) CNS-LS
      score improved significantly from 20.4 (4.4) at baseline to 12.8 (5.0) at Day
      90/Final Visit (change, -7.7 [6.1]; P < .001, 95 % CI: -8.4, -7.0). This
      magnitude of improvement was consistent with DM/Q improvement in the earlier
      phase-3, placebo-controlled trial (mean [95 % CI] change from baseline, -8.2 [
      9.4, -7.0]) and numerically exceeds the improvement seen with placebo in that
      study (-5.7 [-6.8, -4.7]). Reduction in PBA episode count was 72.3 % at Day
      90/Final Visit compared with baseline (P < .001). Scores on CGI-C and PGI-C
      showed that 76.6 and 72.4 % of participants, respectively, were "much" or "very
      much" improved with respect to PBA. The most frequently occurring adverse events
      (AEs) were diarrhea (5.4 %), headache (4.1 %), urinary tract infection (2.7 %),
      and dizziness (2.5 %); 9.8 % had AEs that led to discontinuation. Serious AEs
      were reported in 6.3 %; however, none were considered treatment related.
      CONCLUSIONS: DM/Q was shown to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for
      PBA secondary to dementia, stroke, or TBI. The magnitude of PBA improvement was
      similar to that reported in patients with PBA secondary to ALS or MS, and the
      adverse event profile was consistent with the known safety profile of DM/Q. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01799941, registered on 25 February 2013.

PMID- 27276998
TI  - Elevation of brain glucose and polyol-pathway intermediates with accompanying
      brain-copper deficiency in patients with Alzheimer's disease: metabolic basis for
      dementia.
AB  - Impairment of brain-glucose uptake and brain-copper regulation occurs in
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we sought to further elucidate the processes that
      cause neurodegeneration in AD by measuring levels of metabolites and metals in
      brain regions that undergo different degrees of damage. We employed mass
      spectrometry (MS) to measure metabolites and metals in seven post-mortem brain
      regions of nine AD patients and nine controls, and plasma-glucose and plasma
      copper levels in an ante-mortem case-control study. Glucose, sorbitol and
      fructose were markedly elevated in all AD brain regions, whereas copper was
      correspondingly deficient throughout (all P < 0.0001). In the ante-mortem case
      control study, by contrast, plasma-glucose and plasma-copper levels did not
      differ between patients and controls. There were pervasive defects in regulation
      of glucose and copper in AD brain but no evidence for corresponding systemic
      abnormalities in plasma. Elevation of brain glucose and deficient brain copper
      potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in AD.

PMID- 27277000
TI  - Anti-platelet activity of panaxatriol saponins is mediated by suppression of
      intracellular calcium mobilization and ERK2/p38 activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased platelet aggregation is implicated in the pathogenesis of
      ischemic stroke and anti-platelet strategy may contribute to its therapy.
      Panaxatriol saponin (PTS), the main components extracted from Panax notoginseng,
      has been shown to be efficacious in the prevention and treatment of ischemic
      stroke in China. The aim of this study is to determine the anti-platelet activity
      and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Inhibitory effect of PTS and its
      main ginsenosides on agonists-induced platelet aggregation was determined using
      rabbit or human platelets. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i)
      mobilization was detected with fura-2/AM probe. MAPKs phosphorylation was
      determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: Our results showed PTS inhibited the
      rabbit platelet aggregation induced by various agonists (collagen, thrombin and
      ADP). The three main ginsenosides (Rg1, Re and R1) existing in PTS also showed
      anti-platelet activity, while their combination exhibited no synergistic effect
      on rabbit platelet aggregation. Further study demonstrated that PTS and its main
      ginsenosides also exhibited inhibitory effect on human platelet aggregation.
      Mechanism study demonstrated that pre-treatment with PTS inhibited the agonists
      induced intracellular calcium mobilization. Moreover, PTS significantly
      suppressed the activation of both ERK2 and p38 by the agonists via reducing the
      phosphorylation of ERK2 and p38. CONCLUSION: We proved that PTS is effective in
      anti-platelet aggregation, which may, at least in part, be related to the
      suppression of intracellular calcium mobilization and ERK2/p38 activation. This
      study may provide one reasonable explanation for the efficacy of PTS on the
      prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke.

PMID- 27277004
TI  - Deletion upstream of SALL1 producing Townes-Brocks syndrome.

PMID- 27277002
TI  - Immediate post-operative pain in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
      surgery with bone patellar tendon bone graft versus hamstring graft.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pain in the immediate post-operative period after anterior cruciate
      ligament (ACL) surgery, apart from an unpleasant experience for the patient, can
      act as a barrier for static quadriceps contractions and optimum execution of the
      initial rehabilitation protocol resulting in slow recovery and a later return to
      full function for a sportsperson. There is no report in the literature comparing
      pain in the immediate post-operative period after using the two most widely used
      autografts, bone patellar tendon bone (BPTB) graft and hamstring graft. METHODS:
      The present study compared the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score in the
      immediate post-operative period after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with the
      BPTB and hamstring autografts. Both groups consisted of 50 patients each. The
      mean age of the BPTB and hamstring cohorts was 26.9 +/- 7.3 years (age range 18
      59 years) and 26.7 +/- 9.0 years (age range 17-52 years), respectively. Unpaired
      t test was applied to compare pain scores between the BPTB and hamstring cohorts.
      RESULTS: In the present study, patients in the BPTB cohort showed higher mean
      pain scores across all the post-operative time intervals except at 6 h. However,
      the difference in the mean VAS pain score at post-operative 6, 12,18, 24, 36 and
      48 h in the two groups was statistically not significant (p value of 1, 0.665,
      0.798, 0.377, 0.651 and 0.215 at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 h, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study concludes that the arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with
      BPTB autograft and hamstring autograft is associated with similar pain in the
      immediate post-operative period. As a result, aggressive physiotherapy regime is
      not affected by the type of graft being used for ACL reconstruction, as the pain
      scores in the immediate post-operative period are similar for both techniques.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry-India, CTRI/2016/01/006502.

PMID- 27277005
TI  - Daniel R. Mishell Jr, MD, May 7, 1931-May 4, 2016.

PMID- 27277001
TI  - Food, health, and complexity: towards a conceptual understanding to guide
      collaborative public health action.
AB  - BACKGROUND: What we eat simultaneously impacts our exposure to pathogens,
      allergens, and contaminants, our nutritional status and body composition, our
      risks for and the progression of chronic diseases, and other outcomes.
      Furthermore, what we eat is influenced by a complex web of drivers, including
      culture, politics, economics, and our built and natural environments. To date,
      public health initiatives aimed at improving food-related population health
      outcomes have primarily been developed within 'practice silos', and the potential
      for complex interactions among such initiatives is not well understood.
      Therefore, our objective was to develop a conceptual model depicting how
      infectious foodborne illness, food insecurity, dietary contaminants, obesity, and
      food allergy can be linked via shared drivers, to illustrate potential complex
      interactions and support future collaboration across public health practice
      silos. METHODS: We developed the conceptual model by first conducting a
      systematic literature search to identify review articles containing schematics
      that depicted relationships between drivers and the issues of interest. Next, we
      synthesized drivers into a common model using a modified thematic synthesis
      approach that combined an inductive thematic analysis and mapping to synthesize
      findings. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 83 relevant references
      containing 101 schematics. The conceptual model contained 49 shared drivers and
      227 interconnections. Each of the five issues was connected to all others.
      Obesity and food insecurity shared the most drivers (n = 28). Obesity shared
      several drivers with food allergy (n = 11), infectious foodborne illness (n = 7),
      and dietary contamination (n = 6). Food insecurity shared several drivers with
      infectious foodborne illness (n = 9) and dietary contamination (n = 9).
      Infectious foodborne illness shared drivers with dietary contamination (n = 8).
      Fewer drivers were shared between food allergy and: food insecurity (n = 4);
      infectious foodborne illness (n = 2); and dietary contamination (n = 1).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our model explicates potential interrelationships between five
      population health issues for which public health interventions have historically
      been siloed, suggesting that interventions targeted towards these issues have the
      potential to interact and produce unexpected consequences. Public health
      practitioners working in infectious foodborne illness, food insecurity, dietary
      contaminants, obesity, and food allergy should actively consider how their
      seemingly targeted public health actions may produce unintended positive or
      negative population health impacts.

PMID- 27277003
TI  - Modulation of the sympathetic nervous system by renal denervation prevents
      reduction of aortic distensibility in atherosclerosis prone ApoE-deficient rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) rodents spontaneously develop
      severe hypercholesterolemia and increased aortic stiffness, both accepted risk
      factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in humans. In patients with
      resistant hypertension renal denervation (RDN) may improve arterial stiffness,
      however the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. This study
      investigates the impact of RDN on aortic compliance in a novel atherosclerosis
      prone ApoE(-/-)-rat model. METHODS: Normotensive, 8 weeks old ApoE(-/-) and
      Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to bilateral surgical RDN (n = 6 per
      group) or sham operation (n = 5 per group) and fed with normal chow for 8 weeks.
      Compliance of the ascending aorta was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.
      Vasomotor function was measured by aortic ring tension recordings. Aortic
      collagen content was quantified histologically and plasma aldosterone levels were
      measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: After 8 weeks,
      ApoE(-/-)-sham demonstrated a 58 % decrease in aortic distensibility when
      compared with SD-sham (0.0051 +/- 0.0011 vs. 0.0126 +/- 0.0023 1/mmHg; p = 0.02).
      This was accompanied by an impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortic
      rings and an increase in aortic medial fibrosis (17.87 +/- 1.4 vs. 12.27 +/- 1.1
      %; p = 0.006). In ApoE(-/-)-rats, RDN prevented the reduction of aortic
      distensibility (0.0128 +/- 0.002 vs. 0.0051 +/- 0.0011 1/mmHg; p = 0.01),
      attenuated endothelial dysfunction, and decreased aortic medial collagen content
      (12.71 +/- 1.3 vs. 17.87 +/- 1.4 %; p = 0.01) as well as plasma aldosterone
      levels (136.33 +/- 6.6 vs. 75.52 +/- 8.4 pg/ml; p = 0.0003). Cardiac function and
      metabolic parameters such as hypercholesterolemia were not influenced by RDN.
      CONCLUSION: ApoE(-/-)-rats spontaneously develop impaired vascular compliance.
      RDN improves aortic distensibility and attenuated endothelial dysfunction in
      ApoE(-/-)-rats. This was associated with a reduction in aortic fibrosis
      formation, and plasma aldosterone levels.

PMID- 27277006
TI  - Sorokiniol: a new enzymes inhibitory metabolite from fungal endophyte Bipolaris
      sorokiniana LK12.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medicinal plants harboring endophytic fungi could carry significant
      potential for producing bioactive secondary metabolites. Endophytic fungi serve
      as alternate source of interesting compounds in their natural and modified
      synthetic forms to treat different diseases. In this regard, endophytic
      microflora associated with alkaloid-rich medicinal plants Rhazya stricta is least
      known. RESULTS: We isolated one new bioactive compound sorokiniol (1) along with
      two known cyclic peptides BZR-cotoxin I (2) and BZR-cotoxin IV (3) from fungal
      endophyte Bipolaris sorokiniana LK12. The structures of the isolated new and
      known compounds were elucidated through spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D
      NMR ((1)H, (13)C, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), mass, and UV. The known peptides (2-3)
      were characterized by ESI-MS, MS/MS, and by comparing the NMR data with the
      literature. The isolated metabolites were assayed for their role against enzyme
      inhibition. Compound 1 was significantly inhibitory towards acetyl cholinestrase
      while the other compounds (2-3) had moderate anti-lipid peroxidation and urease
      activities. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that the endophytic
      microorganism associated with indigenously important medicinal plants can offer a
      rich source of biologically active chemical constituents which could help in
      discovering enzyme inhibitory lead drugs.

PMID- 27277007
TI  - Management challenges with brown tumor of primary hyperparathyroidism masked by
      severe vitamin D deficiency: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyperparathyroidism is a disease characterized by excessive secretion
      of parathyroid hormone, the hormone responsible for calcium and phosphate
      homeostasis in the body. It can be of three types: primary, secondary, or
      tertiary. It is essential to bear in mind that in any one patient more than one
      type of hyperparathyroidism may be found, which may create perplexity regarding
      the etiology of the case. Hyperparathyroidism can become apparent early in its
      course when a patient presents with symptoms of abdominal pain, recurrent renal
      calculi, repeated fractures, or behavior changes. It is generally accepted that
      bone involvement is a late manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism. It is
      imperative to consider that some patients, such as our patient described in this
      report, may be previously asymptomatic clinically and on the basis of laboratory
      findings and present with only late skeletal manifestations. Brown tumors are one
      of the mimickers of lytic lesions of the jaw and need to be ruled out early in
      the course of management. Researchers in several studies published in high-impact
      journals have recommended the use of high-dose vitamin D as safe in patients with
      primary hyperparathyroidism without the risk of raising calcium levels
      significantly. In our patient, we observed considerable hypercalcemia after high
      dose vitamin D therapy, and we propose exercising discretion with the use of high
      dose therapies. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 21-year-old Arab woman
      with a brown tumor who presented with hypocalcaemia. She presented with a mixed
      picture of primary hyperparathyroidism and severe vitamin D deficiency.
      CONCLUSIONS: Brown tumors, although thought to be a forgotten entity with the
      advent of early screening for hypercalcemia, is still prevalent, as a handful of
      patients may present late in the disease course with no early markers, such as in
      our patient. We emphasize using a holistic approach for early diagnosis and
      adopting a restricted attitude to treating these benign entities, especially in
      the context of cosmesis for sensitive locations such as the face. In addition, we
      express caution in using daily supplementation with a high vitamin D dose to
      improve vitamin D status and decrease parathyroid hormone.

PMID- 27277008
TI  - Perichondrium mesenchymal stem cells inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells
      via the DKK-1/Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.
AB  - In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which possess the ability to
      specifically home to tumor sites, with the potential of multi-directional
      differentiation and low immunogenicity, have been reported to inhibit the growth
      of various types of tumors. In the present study, we isolated MSCs from the rib
      perichondrium (PMSCs). By comparing PMSCs with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal
      stem cells (BMSCs), we demonstrated that PMSCs present biological characteristics
      similar to those of BMSCs. Furthermore, we explored the effect and antitumor
      mechanism of PMSCs in rat SHZ-88 breast cancer cells. The growth, migration and
      invasion of the SHZ-88 cells were significantly inhibited, and the Wnt/beta
      catenin pathway and its target genes were downregulated in the SHZ-88 cells by
      PMSC-conditioned medium. The expression level of dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) was higher in
      the PMSCs than that noted in the SHZ-88 cells. Neutralization of DKK-1 in the
      PMSC-conditioned medium attenuated the inhibitory effects of PMSCs on SHZ-88
      cells. Therefore, PMSC-secreted DKK-1 is involved in the inhibition of SHZ-88
      cell growth, migration and invasion, via the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.
      In addition, we demonstrated that PMSCs inhibited the growth of breast cancer in
      vivo and prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing rats. PMSCs inhibited the
      growth of transplanted breast tumors through the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling
      pathway. In conclusion, our data confirmed that MSCs derived from the
      perichondrium present biological characteristics similar to those of BMSCs and
      inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells through the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling
      pathway in vitro and in vivo. DKK-1 secreted by PMSCs played a vital role in
      controlling the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in breast cancer. 

PMID- 27277011
TI  - Maternal Obesity Promotes Diabetic Nephropathy in Rodent Offspring.
AB  - Maternal obesity is known to increase the risk of obesity and diabetes in
      offspring. Though diabetes is a key risk factor for the development of chronic
      kidney disease (CKD), the relationship between maternal obesity and CKD has not
      been clearly defined. In this study, a mouse model of maternal obesity was
      employed to determine the impact of maternal obesity on development of diabetic
      nephropathy in offspring. Female C57BL/6 mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for
      six weeks prior to mating, during gestation and lactation. Male offspring were
      weaned to normal chow diet. At postnatal Week 8, offspring were randomly
      administered low dose streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg/day for five days) to induce
      diabetes. Assessment of renal damage took place at postnatal Week 32. We found
      that offspring of obese mothers had increased renal fibrosis, inflammation and
      oxidative stress. Importantly, offspring exposed to maternal obesity had
      increased susceptibility to renal damage when an additional insult, such as STZ
      induced diabetes, was imposed. Specifically, renal inflammation and oxidative
      stress induced by diabetes was augmented by maternal obesity. Our findings
      suggest that developmental programming induced by maternal obesity has
      implications for renal health in offspring. Maternal obesity should be considered
      a risk factor for CKD.

PMID- 27277013
TI  - Effects of previous episodes of influenza and vaccination in preventing
      laboratory-confirmed influenza in Navarre, Spain, 2013/14 season.
AB  - We estimated whether previous episodes of influenza and trivalent influenza
      vaccination prevented laboratory-confirmed influenza in Navarre, Spain, in season
      2013/14. Patients with medically-attended influenza-like illness (MA-ILI) in
      hospitals (n = 645) and primary healthcare (n = 525) were included. We compared
      589 influenza cases and 581 negative controls. MA-ILI related to a specific virus
      subtype in the previous five seasons was defined as a laboratory-confirmed
      influenza infection with the same virus subtype or MA-ILI during weeks when more
      than 25% of swabs were positive for this subtype. Persons with previous MA-ILI
      had 30% (95% confidence interval (CI): -7 to 54) lower risk of MA-ILI, and those
      with previous MA-ILI related to A(H1N1)pdm09 or A(H3N2) virus, had a,
      respectively, 63% (95% CI: 16-84) and 65% (95% CI: 13-86) lower risk of new
      laboratory-confirmed influenza by the same subtype. Overall adjusted vaccine
      effectiveness in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza was 31% (95% CI: 5
      50): 45% (95% CI: 12-65) for A(H1N1)pdm09 and 20% (95% CI: -16 to 44) for
      A(H3N2). While a previous influenza episode induced high protection only against
      the same virus subtype, influenza vaccination provided low to moderate protection
      against all circulating subtypes. Influenza vaccine remains the main preventive
      option for high-risk populations. 

PMID- 27277012
TI  - The PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory pathway is altered in pre-eclampsia and regulates T
      cell responses in pre-eclamptic rats.
AB  - The programmed cell death-1(PD-1)/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway is critical to
      immune homeostasis by promoting regulatory T (Treg) development and inhibiting
      effector T (such as Th17) cell responses. However, the association between the PD
      1/PD-L1 pathway and the Treg/Th17 imbalance has not been fully investigated in
      pre-eclampsia (PE). In this study, we observed an inverse correlation between the
      percentages of Treg and Th17 cells, and the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 on the
      two subsets also changed in PE compared with normal pregnancy. We further
      explored their relationship in vivo using the L-NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (L
      NAME) induced PE-like rat models, also characterized by Treg/Th17 imbalance.
      Administration of PD-L1-Fc protein provides a protective effects on the pre
      eclamptic models, both to the mother and the fetuses, by reversing Treg/Th17
      imbalance through inhibiting PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signaling and enhancing PTEN
      expression. In addition, we also observed a protective effect of PD-L1-Fc on the
      placenta by reversing placental damages. These results suggested that altered PD
      1/PD-L1 pathway contributed to Treg/Th17 imbalance in PE. Treatment with PD-L1-Fc
      posed protective effects on pre-eclamptic models, indicating that the use of PD
      L1-Fc might be a potential therapeutic target in PE treatment.

PMID- 27277015
TI  - EPID-based daily quality assurance of linear accelerators will likely replace
      other methods within the next ten years.

PMID- 27277014
TI  - SCOUP: a probabilistic model based on the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process to analyze
      single-cell expression data during differentiation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Single-cell technologies make it possible to quantify the
      comprehensive states of individual cells, and have the power to shed light on
      cellular differentiation in particular. Although several methods have been
      developed to fully analyze the single-cell expression data, there is still room
      for improvement in the analysis of differentiation. RESULTS: In this paper, we
      propose a novel method SCOUP to elucidate differentiation process. Unlike
      previous dimension reduction-based approaches, SCOUP describes the dynamics of
      gene expression throughout differentiation directly, including the degree of
      differentiation of a cell (in pseudo-time) and cell fate. SCOUP is superior to
      previous methods with respect to pseudo-time estimation, especially for single
      cell RNA-seq. SCOUP also successfully estimates cell lineage more accurately than
      previous method, especially for cells at an early stage of bifurcation. In
      addition, SCOUP can be applied to various downstream analyses. As an example, we
      propose a novel correlation calculation method for elucidating regulatory
      relationships among genes. We apply this method to a single-cell RNA-seq data and
      detect a candidate of key regulator for differentiation and clusters in a
      correlation network which are not detected with conventional correlation
      analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We develop a stochastic process-based method SCOUP to
      analyze single-cell expression data throughout differentiation. SCOUP can
      estimate pseudo-time and cell lineage more accurately than previous methods. We
      also propose a novel correlation calculation method based on SCOUP. SCOUP is a
      promising approach for further single-cell analysis and available at
      https://github.com/hmatsu1226/SCOUP.

PMID- 27277016
TI  - Improving lung cancer prognosis assessment by incorporating synthetic minority
      oversampling technique and score fusion method.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the potential to improve lung cancer
      recurrence risk prediction performance for stage I NSCLS patients by integrating
      oversampling, feature selection, and score fusion techniques and develop an
      optimal prediction model. METHODS: A dataset involving 94 early stage lung cancer
      patients was retrospectively assembled, which includes CT images, nine clinical
      and biological (CB) markers, and outcome of 3-yr disease-free survival (DFS)
      after surgery. Among the 94 patients, 74 remained DFS and 20 had cancer
      recurrence. Applying a computer-aided detection scheme, tumors were segmented
      from the CT images and 35 quantitative image (QI) features were initially
      computed. Two normalized Gaussian radial basis function network (RBFN) based
      classifiers were built based on QI features and CB markers separately. To improve
      prediction performance, the authors applied a synthetic minority oversampling
      technique (SMOTE) and a BestFirst based feature selection method to optimize the
      classifiers and also tested fusion methods to combine QI and CB based prediction
      results. RESULTS: Using a leave-one-case-out cross-validation (K-fold cross
      validation) method, the computed areas under a receiver operating characteristic
      curve (AUCs) were 0.716 +/- 0.071 and 0.642 +/- 0.061, when using the QI and CB
      based classifiers, respectively. By fusion of the scores generated by the two
      classifiers, AUC significantly increased to 0.859 +/- 0.052 (p < 0.05) with an
      overall prediction accuracy of 89.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the
      feasibility of improving prediction performance by integrating SMOTE, feature
      selection, and score fusion techniques. Combining QI features and CB markers and
      performing SMOTE prior to feature selection in classifier training enabled RBFN
      based classifier to yield improved prediction accuracy.

PMID- 27277017
TI  - Method for simulating dose reduction in digital mammography using the Anscombe
      transformation.
AB  - PURPOSE: This work proposes an accurate method for simulating dose reduction in
      digital mammography starting from a clinical image acquired with a standard dose.
      METHODS: The method developed in this work consists of scaling a mammogram
      acquired at the standard radiation dose and adding signal-dependent noise. The
      algorithm accounts for specific issues relevant in digital mammography images,
      such as anisotropic noise, spatial variations in pixel gain, and the effect of
      dose reduction on the detective quantum efficiency. The scaling process takes
      into account the linearity of the system and the offset of the detector elements.
      The inserted noise is obtained by acquiring images of a flat-field phantom at the
      standard radiation dose and at the simulated dose. Using the Anscombe
      transformation, a relationship is created between the calculated noise mask and
      the scaled image, resulting in a clinical mammogram with the same noise and gray
      level characteristics as an image acquired at the lower-radiation dose. RESULTS:
      The performance of the proposed algorithm was validated using real images
      acquired with an anthropomorphic breast phantom at four different doses, with
      five exposures for each dose and 256 nonoverlapping ROIs extracted from each
      image and with uniform images. The authors simulated lower-dose images and
      compared these with the real images. The authors evaluated the similarity between
      the normalized noise power spectrum (NNPS) and power spectrum (PS) of simulated
      images and real images acquired with the same dose. The maximum relative error
      was less than 2.5% for every ROI. The added noise was also evaluated by measuring
      the local variance in the real and simulated images. The relative average error
      for the local variance was smaller than 1%. CONCLUSIONS: A new method is proposed
      for simulating dose reduction in clinical mammograms. In this method, the
      dependency between image noise and image signal is addressed using a novel
      application of the Anscombe transformation. NNPS, PS, and local noise metrics
      confirm that this method is capable of precisely simulating various dose
      reductions.

PMID- 27277018
TI  - Technical Note: Impact of cell repopulation and radionuclide uptake phase on cell
      survival.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study theoretically the impact on cell survival of the radionuclide
      uptake rate inside tumor cells for a single administration of a
      radiopharmaceutical. METHODS: The instantaneous-uptake model of O'Donoghue ["The
      impact of tumor cell proliferation in radioimmunotherapy," Cancer 73, 974-980
      (1994)] for a proliferating cell population irradiated by an exponentially
      decreasing dose-rate is here extended to allow for the monoexponential uptake of
      the radiopharmaceutical by the targeted cells. The time derivative of the
      survival curve is studied in detail deducing an expression for the minimum of the
      surviving fraction and the biologically effective dose (BED). RESULTS: Surviving
      fractions are calculated over a parameter range that is clinically relevant and
      broad enough to establish general trends. Specifically, results are presented for
      the therapy radionuclides Y-90, I-131, and P-32, assuming uptake half-times 1-24
      h, extrapolated initial dose-rates 0.5-1 Gy h(-1), and a biological clearance
      half-life of seven days. Representative radiobiological parameters for
      radiosensitive and rapidly proliferating tumor cells are used, with cell doubling
      time equal to 2 days and alpha-coefficient equal to 0.3 and 0.5 Gy(-1). It is
      shown that neglecting the uptake phase of the radiopharmaceutical (i.e., assuming
      instantaneous-uptake) results in a sizeable over-estimation of cell-kill (i.e.,
      under-estimation of cell survival) even for uptake half-times of only a few
      hours. The differences between the exponential-uptake model and the instantaneous
      uptake model become larger for high peak dose-rates, slow uptakes, and (slightly)
      for long-lived radionuclides. Moreover, the sensitivity of the survival curve on
      the uptake model was found to be higher for the tumor cells with the larger alpha
      coefficient. CONCLUSIONS: The exponential-uptake rate of the radiopharmaceutical
      inside targeted cells appears to have a considerable effect on the survival of a
      proliferating cell population and might need to be considered in radiobiological
      models of tumor cell-kill in radionuclide therapy.

PMID- 27277019
TI  - Interindividual registration and dose mapping for voxelwise population analysis
      of rectal toxicity in prostate cancer radiotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent studies revealed a trend toward voxelwise population analysis in
      order to understand the local dose/toxicity relationships in prostate cancer
      radiotherapy. Such approaches require, however, an accurate interindividual
      mapping of the anatomies and 3D dose distributions toward a common coordinate
      system. This step is challenging due to the high interindividual variability. In
      this paper, the authors propose a method designed for interindividual nonrigid
      registration of the rectum and dose mapping for population analysis. METHODS: The
      method is based on the computation of a normalized structural description of the
      rectum using a Laplacian-based model. This description takes advantage of the
      tubular structure of the rectum and its centerline to be embedded in a nonrigid
      registration-based scheme. The performances of the method were evaluated on 30
      individuals treated for prostate cancer in a leave-one-out cross validation.
      RESULTS: Performance was measured using classical metrics (Dice score and
      Hausdorff distance), along with new metrics devised to better assess dose mapping
      in relation with structural deformation (dose-organ overlap). Considering these
      scores, the proposed method outperforms intensity-based and distance maps-based
      registration methods. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method allows for accurately
      mapping interindividual 3D dose distributions toward a single anatomical
      template, opening the way for further voxelwise statistical analysis.

PMID- 27277020
TI  - Characterization of scintillator-based detectors for few-ten-keV high-spatial
      resolution x-ray imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: High-spatial-resolution x-ray imaging in the few-ten-keV range is
      becoming increasingly important in several applications, such as small-animal
      imaging and phase-contrast imaging. The detector properties critically influence
      the quality of such imaging. Here the authors present a quantitative comparison
      of scintillator-based detectors for this energy range and at high spatial
      frequencies. METHODS: The authors determine the modulation transfer function,
      noise power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency for Gadox, needle
      CsI, and structured CsI scintillators of different thicknesses and at different
      photon energies. An extended analysis of the NPS allows for direct measurements
      of the scintillator effective absorption efficiency and effective light yield as
      well as providing an alternative method to assess the underlying factors behind
      the detector properties. RESULTS: There is a substantial difference in
      performance between the scintillators depending on the imaging task but in
      general, the CsI based scintillators perform better than the Gadox scintillators.
      At low energies (16 keV), a thin needle CsI scintillator has the best performance
      at all frequencies. At higher energies (28-38 keV), the thicker needle CsI
      scintillators and the structured CsI scintillator all have very good performance.
      The needle CsI scintillators have higher absorption efficiencies but the
      structured CsI scintillator has higher resolution. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of
      scintillator is greatly dependent on the imaging task. The presented comparison
      and methodology will assist the imaging scientist in optimizing their high
      resolution few-ten-keV imaging system for best performance.

PMID- 27277021
TI  - Simultaneous extraction of endocardial and epicardial contours of the left
      ventricle by distance regularized level sets.
AB  - PURPOSE: Segmentation of the cardiac left ventricle (LV) is still an open problem
      and is challenging due to the poor contrast between tissues around the epicardium
      and image artifacts. To extract the endocardium and epicardium of the cardiac
      left ventricle accurately, the authors propose a two-layer level set approach for
      segmentation of the LV from cardiac magnetic resonance short-axis images.
      METHODS: In the proposed method, the endocardium and epicardium are represented
      by two specified level contours of a level set function. Segmentation of the LV
      is formulated as a problem of optimizing the level set function such that these
      two level contours best fit the epicardium and endocardium, subject to a distance
      regularization (DR) term to preserve a smoothly varying distance between them.
      The DR term introduces a desirable interaction between the two level contours of
      a single level set function, which contributes to preserve the anatomical
      geometry of the epicardium and endocardium of the LV. In addition, the proposed
      method has an intrinsic ability to deal with intensity inhomogeneity in MR
      images, which is a common image artifact in MRI. RESULTS: Their method is
      quantitatively validated by experiments on the datasets for the MICCAI 2009 grand
      challenge on left ventricular segmentation and the MICCAI 2013 challenge workshop
      on segmentation: algorithms, theory and applications (SATA). To overcome
      discontinuity of 2D segmentation results at some adjacent slices for a few cases,
      the authors extend distance regularized two-layer level set to 3D to refine the
      segmentation results. The corresponding metrics for their method are better than
      the methods in the MICCAI 2009 challenge. Their method was ranked at the first
      place in terms of Hausdorff distance and the second place in terms of Dice
      similarity coefficient in the MICCAI 2013 challenge. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental
      results demonstrate the advantages of their method in terms of segmentation
      accuracy and consistency with the heart anatomy.

PMID- 27277022
TI  - Technical Note: A fast online adaptive replanning method for VMAT using
      flattening filter free beams.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a fast replanning algorithm based on segment aperture
      morphing (SAM) for online replanning of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
      with flattening filter free (FFF) beams. METHODS: A software tool was developed
      to interface with a VMAT research planning system, which enables the input and
      output of beam and machine parameters of VMAT plans. The SAM algorithm was used
      to modify multileaf collimator positions for each segment aperture based on the
      changes of the target from the planning (CT/MR) to daily image [CT/CBCT/magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI)]. The leaf travel distance was controlled for large
      shifts to prevent the increase of VMAT delivery time. The SAM algorithm was
      tested for 11 patient cases including prostate, pancreatic, and lung cancers. For
      each daily image set, three types of VMAT plans, image-guided radiation therapy
      (IGRT) repositioning, SAM adaptive, and full-scope reoptimization plans, were
      generated and compared. RESULTS: The SAM adaptive plans were found to have
      improved the plan quality in target and/or critical organs when compared to the
      IGRT repositioning plans and were comparable to the reoptimization plans based on
      the data of planning target volume (PTV)-V100 (volume covered by 100% of
      prescription dose). For the cases studied, the average PTV-V100 was 98.85% +/-
      1.13%, 97.61% +/- 1.45%, and 92.84% +/- 1.61% with FFF beams for the
      reoptimization, SAM adaptive, and repositioning plans, respectively. The
      execution of the SAM algorithm takes less than 10 s using 16-CPU (2.6 GHz dual
      core) hardware. CONCLUSIONS: The SAM algorithm can generate adaptive VMAT plans
      using FFF beams with comparable plan qualities as those from the full-scope
      reoptimization plans based on daily CT/CBCT/MRI and can be used for online
      replanning to address interfractional variations.

PMID- 27277023
TI  - Noise power spectrum of the fixed pattern noise in digital radiography detectors.
AB  - PURPOSE: The fixed pattern noise in radiography image detectors is caused by
      various sources. Multiple readout circuits with gate drivers and charge
      amplifiers are used to efficiently acquire the pixel voltage signals. However,
      the multiple circuits are not identical and thus yield nonuniform system gains.
      Nonuniform sensitivities are also produced from local variations in the charge
      collection elements. Furthermore, in phosphor-based detectors, the optical
      scattering at the top surface of the columnar CsI growth, the grain boundaries,
      and the disorder structure causes spatial sensitivity variations. These
      nonuniform gains or sensitivities cause fixed pattern noise and degrade the
      detector performance, even though the noise problem can be partially alleviated
      by using gain correction techniques. Hence, in order to develop good detectors,
      comparative analysis of the energy spectrum of the fixed pattern noise is
      important. METHODS: In order to observe the energy spectrum of the fixed pattern
      noise, a normalized noise power spectrum (NNPS) of the fixed pattern noise is
      considered in this paper. Since the fixed pattern noise is mainly caused by the
      nonuniform gains, we call the spectrum the gain NNPS. We first asymptotically
      observe the gain NNPS and then formulate two relationships to calculate the gain
      NNPS based on a nonuniform-gain model. Since the gain NNPS values are quite low
      compared to the usual NNPS, measuring such a low NNPS value is difficult. By
      using the average of the uniform exposure images, a robust measuring method for
      the gain NNPS is proposed in this paper. RESULTS: By using the proposed measuring
      method, the gain NNPS curves of several prototypes of general radiography and
      mammography detectors were measured to analyze their fixed pattern noise
      properties. We notice that a direct detector, which is based on the a-Se
      photoconductor, showed lower gain NNPS than the indirect-detector case, which is
      based on the CsI scintillator. By comparing the gain NNPS curves of the indirect
      detectors, we could analyze the scintillator properties depending on the
      techniques for the scintillator surface processing. CONCLUSIONS: A robust
      measuring method for the NNPS of the fixed pattern noise of a radiography
      detector is proposed in this paper. The method can measure a stable gain NNPS
      curve, even though the fixed pattern noise level is quite low. From the measured
      gain NNPS curves, we can compare and analyze the detector properties in terms of
      producing the fixed pattern noise.

PMID- 27277024
TI  - A beam hardening and dispersion correction for x-ray dark-field radiography.
AB  - PURPOSE: X-ray dark-field imaging promises information on the small angle
      scattering properties even of large samples. However, the dark-field image is
      correlated with the object's attenuation and phase-shift if a polychromatic x-ray
      spectrum is used. A method to remove part of these correlations is proposed.
      METHODS: The experimental setup for image acquisition was modeled in a wave-field
      simulation to quantify the dark-field signals originating solely from a
      material's attenuation and phase-shift. A calibration matrix was simulated for
      ICRU46 breast tissue. Using the simulated data, a dark-field image of a human
      mastectomy sample was corrected for the finger print of attenuation- and phase
      image. RESULTS: Comparing the simulated, attenuation-based dark-field values to a
      phantom measurement, a good agreement was found. Applying the proposed method to
      mammographic dark-field data, a reduction of the dark-field background and
      anatomical noise was achieved. The contrast between microcalcifications and their
      surrounding background was increased. CONCLUSIONS: The authors show that the
      influence of and dispersion can be quantified by simulation and, thus, measured
      image data can be corrected. The simulation allows to determine the corresponding
      dark-field artifacts for a wide range of setup parameters, like tube-voltage and
      filtration. The application of the proposed method to mammographic dark-field
      data shows an increase in contrast compared to the original image, which might
      simplify a further image-based diagnosis.

PMID- 27277025
TI  - Technical Note: Improving proton stopping power ratio determination for a
      deformable silicone-based 3D dosimeter using dual energy CT.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the stopping power
      ratio (SPR) of a deformable, silicone-based 3D dosimeter could be determined more
      accurately using dual energy (DE) CT compared to using conventional methods based
      on single energy (SE) CT. The use of SECT combined with the stoichiometric
      calibration method was therefore compared to DECT-based determination. METHODS:
      The SPR of the dosimeter was estimated based on its Hounsfield units (HUs) in
      both a SECT image and a DECT image set. The stoichiometric calibration method was
      used for converting the HU in the SECT image to a SPR value for the dosimeter
      while two published SPR calibration methods for dual energy were applied on the
      DECT images. Finally, the SPR of the dosimeter was measured in a 60 MeV proton by
      quantifying the range difference with and without the dosimeter in the beam path.
      RESULTS: The SPR determined from SECT and the stoichiometric method was 1.10,
      compared to 1.01 with both DECT calibration methods. The measured SPR for the
      dosimeter material was 0.97. CONCLUSIONS: The SPR of the dosimeter was
      overestimated by 13% using the stoichiometric method and by 3% when using DECT.
      If the stoichiometric method should be applied for the dosimeter, the HU of the
      dosimeter must be manually changed in the treatment planning system in order to
      give a correct SPR estimate. Using a wrong SPR value will cause differences
      between the calculated and the delivered treatment plans.

PMID- 27277027
TI  - Technical Note: Validation and implementation of a wireless transponder tracking
      system for gated stereotactic ablative radiotherapy of the liver.
AB  - PURPOSE: Tracking soft-tissue targets has recently been cleared as a new
      application of Calypso, an electromagnetic wireless transponder tracking system,
      allowing for gated treatment of the liver based on the motion of the target
      volume itself. The purpose of this study is to describe the details of validating
      the Calypso system for wireless transponder tracking of the liver and to present
      the clinical workflow for using it to deliver gated stereotactic ablative
      radiotherapy (SABR). METHODS: A commercial 3D diode array motion system was used
      to evaluate the dynamic tracking accuracy of Calypso when tracking continuous
      large amplitude motion. It was then used to perform end-to-end tests to evaluate
      the dosimetric accuracy of gated beam delivery for liver SABR. In addition,
      gating limits were investigated to determine how large the gating window can be
      while still maintaining dosimetric accuracy. The gating latency of the Calypso
      system was also measured using a customized motion phantom. RESULTS: The average
      absolute difference between the measured and expected positional offset was 0.3
      mm. The 2%/2 mm gamma pass rates for the gated treatment delivery were greater
      than 97%. When increasing the gating limits beyond the known extent of planned
      motion, the gamma pass rates decreased as expected. The 2%/2 mm gamma pass rate
      for a 1, 2, and 3 mm increase in gating limits was measured to be 97.8%, 82.9%,
      and 61.4%, respectively. The average gating latency was measured to be 63.8 ms
      for beam-hold and 195.8 ms for beam-on. Four liver patients with 17 total
      fractions have been successfully treated at our institution. CONCLUSIONS:
      Wireless transponder tracking was validated as a dosimetrically accurate way to
      provide gated SABR of the liver. The dynamic tracking accuracy of the Calypso
      system met manufacturer's specification, even for continuous large amplitude
      motion that can be encountered when tracking liver tumors close to the diaphragm.
      The measured beam-hold gating latency was appropriate for targets that will
      traverse the gating limit each respiratory cycle causing the beam to be
      interrupted constantly throughout treatment delivery.

PMID- 27277026
TI  - Spatial and rotational quality assurance of 6DOF patient tracking systems.
AB  - PURPOSE: External tracking systems used for patient positioning and motion
      monitoring during radiotherapy are now capable of detecting both translations and
      rotations. In this work, the authors develop a novel technique to evaluate the 6
      degree of freedom 6(DOF) (translations and rotations) performance of external
      motion tracking systems. The authors apply this methodology to an infrared marker
      tracking system and two 3D optical surface mapping systems in a common tumor 6DOF
      workspace. METHODS: An in-house designed and built 6DOF parallel kinematics
      robotic motion phantom was used to perform motions with sub-millimeter and
      subdegree accuracy in a 6DOF workspace. An infrared marker tracking system was
      first used to validate a calibration algorithm which associates the motion
      phantom coordinate frame to the camera frame. The 6DOF positions of the mobile
      robotic system in this space were then tracked and recorded independently by an
      optical surface tracking system after a cranial phantom was rigidly fixed to the
      moveable platform of the robotic stage. The calibration methodology was first
      employed, followed by a comprehensive 6DOF trajectory evaluation, which spanned a
      full range of positions and orientations in a 20 * 20 * 16 mm and 5 degrees  * 5
      degrees  * 5 degrees  workspace. The intended input motions were compared to the
      calibrated 6DOF measured points. RESULTS: The technique found the accuracy of the
      infrared (IR) marker tracking system to have maximal root-mean square error
      (RMSE) values of 0.18, 0.25, 0.07 mm, 0.05 degrees , 0.05 degrees , and 0.09
      degrees  in left-right (LR), superior-inferior (SI), anterior-posterior (AP),
      pitch, roll, and yaw, respectively, comparing the intended 6DOF position and the
      measured position by the IR camera. Similarly, the 6DOF RSME discrepancy for the
      HD optical surface tracker yielded maximal values of 0.46, 0.60, 0.54 mm, 0.06
      degrees , 0.11 degrees , and 0.08 degrees  in LR, SI, AP, pitch, roll, and yaw,
      respectively, over the same 6DOF evaluative workspace. An earlier generation 3D
      optical surface tracking unit was observed to have worse tracking capabilities
      than both the IR camera unit and the newer 3D surface tracking system with
      maximal RMSE of 0.69, 0.74, 0.47 mm, 0.28 degrees , 0.19 degrees , and 0.18
      degrees , in LR, SI, AP, pitch, roll, and yaw, respectively, in the same 6DOF
      evaluation space. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed technique was found to be effective
      at evaluating the performance of 6DOF patient tracking systems. All observed
      optical tracking systems were found to exhibit tracking capabilities at the sub
      millimeter and subdegree level within a 6DOF workspace.

PMID- 27277028
TI  - Technical Note: High temporal resolution characterization of gating response
      time.
AB  - PURPOSE: Low temporal latency between a gating ON/OFF signal and the LINAC beam
      ON/OFF during respiratory gating is critical for patient safety. Here the authors
      describe a novel method to precisely measure gating lag times at high temporal
      resolutions. METHODS: A respiratory gating simulator with an oscillating platform
      was modified to include a linear potentiometer for position measurement. A photon
      diode was placed at linear accelerator isocenter for beam output measurement. The
      output signals of the potentiometer and diode were recorded simultaneously at
      2500 Hz with an analog to digital converter for four different commercial
      respiratory gating systems. The ON and OFF of the beam signal were located and
      compared to the expected gating window for both phase and position based gating
      and the temporal lag times extracted. RESULTS: For phase based gating, a real
      time position management (RPM) infrared marker tracking system with a single
      camera and a RPM system with a stereoscopic camera were measured to have mean
      gate ON/OFF lag times of 98/90 and 86/44 ms, respectively. For position based
      gating, an AlignRT 3D surface system and a Calypso magnetic fiducial tracking
      system were measured to have mean gate ON/OFF lag times of 356/529 and 209/60 ms,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Temporal resolution of the method was high enough to
      allow characterization of individual gate cycles and was primary limited by the
      sampling speed of the data recording device. Significant variation of mean gate
      ON/OFF lag time was found between different gating systems. For certain gating
      devices, individual gating cycle lag times can vary significantly.

PMID- 27277030
TI  - Automated detection of pulmonary nodules in PET/CT images: Ensemble false
      positive reduction using a convolutional neural network technique.
AB  - PURPOSE: Automated detection of solitary pulmonary nodules using positron
      emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) images shows good
      sensitivity; however, it is difficult to detect nodules in contact with normal
      organs, and additional efforts are needed so that the number of false positives
      (FPs) can be further reduced. In this paper, the authors propose an improved FP
      reduction method for the detection of pulmonary nodules in PET/CT images by means
      of convolutional neural networks (CNNs). METHODS: The overall scheme detects
      pulmonary nodules using both CT and PET images. In the CT images, a massive
      region is first detected using an active contour filter, which is a type of
      contrast enhancement filter that has a deformable kernel shape. Subsequently,
      high-uptake regions detected by the PET images are merged with the regions
      detected by the CT images. FP candidates are eliminated using an ensemble method;
      it consists of two feature extractions, one by shape/metabolic feature analysis
      and the other by a CNN, followed by a two-step classifier, one step being rule
      based and the other being based on support vector machines. RESULTS: The authors
      evaluated the detection performance using 104 PET/CT images collected by a cancer
      screening program. The sensitivity in detecting candidates at an initial stage
      was 97.2%, with 72.8 FPs/case. After performing the proposed FP-reduction method,
      the sensitivity of detection was 90.1%, with 4.9 FPs/case; the proposed method
      eliminated approximately half the FPs existing in the previous study.
      CONCLUSIONS: An improved FP-reduction scheme using CNN technique has been
      developed for the detection of pulmonary nodules in PET/CT images. The authors'
      ensemble FP-reduction method eliminated 93% of the FPs; their proposed method
      using CNN technique eliminates approximately half the FPs existing in the
      previous study. These results indicate that their method may be useful in the
      computer-aided detection of pulmonary nodules using PET/CT images.

PMID- 27277029
TI  - Characterizing spatiotemporal information loss in sparse-sampling-based dynamic
      MRI for monitoring respiration-induced tumor motion in radiotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sparse-sampling and reconstruction techniques represent an attractive
      strategy to achieve faster image acquisition speeds, while maintaining adequate
      spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio in rapid magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI). The authors investigate the use of one such sequence, broad-use linear
      acquisition speed-up technique (k-t BLAST) in monitoring tumor motion for
      thoracic and abdominal radiotherapy and examine the potential trade-off between
      increased sparsification (to increase imaging speed) and the potential loss of
      "true" information due to greater reliance on a priori information. METHODS: Lung
      tumor motion trajectories in the superior-inferior direction, previously recorded
      from ten lung cancer patients, were replayed using a motion phantom module driven
      by an MRI-compatible motion platform. Eppendorf test tubes filled with water
      which serve as fiducial markers were placed in the phantom. The modeled rigid and
      deformable motions were collected in a coronal image slice using balanced fast
      field echo in conjunction with k-t BLAST. Root mean square (RMS) error was used
      as a metric of spatial accuracy as measured trajectories were compared to input
      data. The loss of spatial information was characterized for progressively
      increasing acceleration factor from 1 to 16; the resultant sampling frequency was
      increased approximately from 2.5 to 19 Hz when the principal direction of the
      motion was set along frequency encoding direction. In addition to the phantom
      study, respiration-induced tumor motions were captured from two patients (kidney
      tumor and lung tumor) at 13 Hz over 49 s to demonstrate the impact of high speed
      motion monitoring over multiple breathing cycles. For each subject, the authors
      compared the tumor centroid trajectory as well as the deformable motion during
      free breathing. RESULTS: In the rigid and deformable phantom studies, the RMS
      error of target tracking at the acquisition speed of 19 Hz was approximately 0.3
      0.4 mm, which was smaller than the reconstructed pixel resolution of 0.67 mm. In
      the patient study, the dynamic 2D MRI enabled the monitoring of cycle-to-cycle
      respiratory variability present in the tumor position. It was seen that the range
      of centroid motion as well as the area covered due to target motion during each
      individual respiratory cycle was underestimated compared to the entire motion
      range observed over multiple breathing cycles. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' initial
      results demonstrate that sparse-sampling- and reconstruction-based dynamic MRI
      can be used to achieve adequate image acquisition speeds without significant
      information loss for the task of radiotherapy guidance. Such monitoring can yield
      spatial and temporal information superior to conventional offline and online
      motion capture methods used in thoracic and abdominal radiotherapy.

PMID- 27277031
TI  - Combination of voxel-based and projection-based methods in terms of convergence
      for CT reconstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent applications of iterative image reconstruction algorithms to
      multislice helical CT have shown that iterative reconstruction can significantly
      improve image quality and reduce artifacts. In this paper, the authors introduce
      a combination of two different algorithms with different convergence properties:
      ordered subsets separable paraboloidal surrogates (OS-SPS) and iterative
      coordinate descent (ICD). The first one updates image voxels simultaneously,
      slightly changing attenuation values iteration by iteration. The second algorithm
      updates image voxel by voxel, each time performing full forward and backward
      projections of the voxel. It has been shown that ICD converges better at high
      frequency areas and requires more iterations to reconstruct low-frequency
      components of the image. In contrast to ICD, SPS requires multiple iterations to
      reconstruct high-frequency areas. In this paper, the authors introduce an
      algorithm which leverages the benefits of both ICD and SPS. METHODS: The idea is
      to update the entire image with SPS, determine high-frequency components, and
      focus ICD computations on it using nonhomogeneous ICD update. RESULTS: The
      authors have successfully implemented OS-SPS, ICD, their hybrid approach, and few
      variations of ICD based on spatially nonuniform updates. CONCLUSIONS: The authors
      have examined the convergence of different algorithms and found that proposed
      algorithm converges better than OS-SPS, ICD, as well as various improved variants
      of ICD.

PMID- 27277032
TI  - MRI texture features as biomarkers to predict MGMT methylation status in
      glioblastomas.
AB  - PURPOSE: Imaging biomarker research focuses on discovering relationships between
      radiological features and histological findings. In glioblastoma patients,
      methylation of the O(6)-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter is
      positively correlated with an increased effectiveness of current standard of
      care. In this paper, the authors investigate texture features as potential
      imaging biomarkers for capturing the MGMT methylation status of glioblastoma
      multiforme (GBM) tumors when combined with supervised classification schemes.
      METHODS: A retrospective study of 155 GBM patients with known MGMT methylation
      status was conducted. Co-occurrence and run length texture features were
      calculated, and both support vector machines (SVMs) and random forest classifiers
      were used to predict MGMT methylation status. RESULTS: The best classification
      system (an SVM-based classifier) had a maximum area under the receiver-operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78-0.91) using four texture
      features (correlation, energy, entropy, and local intensity) originating from the
      T2-weighted images, yielding at the optimal threshold of the ROC curve, a
      sensitivity of 0.803 and a specificity of 0.813. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that
      supervised machine learning of MRI texture features can predict MGMT methylation
      status in preoperative GBM tumors, thus providing a new noninvasive imaging
      biomarker.

PMID- 27277033
TI  - Dosimetric comparison of stopping power calibration with dual-energy CT and
      single-energy CT in proton therapy treatment planning.
AB  - PURPOSE: The accuracy of proton dose calculation is dependent on the ability to
      correctly characterize patient tissues with medical imaging. The most common
      method is to correlate computed tomography (CT) numbers obtained via single
      energy CT (SECT) with proton stopping power ratio (SPR). CT numbers, however,
      cannot discriminate between a change in mass density and change in chemical
      composition of patient tissues. This limitation can have consequences on SPR
      calibration accuracy. Dual-energy CT (DECT) is receiving increasing interest as
      an alternative imaging modality for proton therapy treatment planning due to its
      ability to discriminate between changes in patient density and chemical
      composition. In the current work we use a phantom of known composition to
      demonstrate the dosimetric advantages of proton therapy treatment planning with
      DECT over SECT. METHODS: A phantom of known composition was scanned with a
      clinical SECT radiotherapy CT-simulator. The phantom was rescanned at a lower X
      ray tube potential to generate a complimentary DECT image set. A set of reference
      materials similar in composition to the phantom was used to perform a
      stoichiometric calibration of SECT CT number to proton SPRs. The same set of
      reference materials was used to perform a DECT stoichiometric calibration based
      on effective atomic number. The known composition of the phantom was used to
      assess the accuracy of SPR calibration with SECT and DECT. Intensity modulated
      proton therapy (IMPT) treatment plans were generated with the SECT and DECT image
      sets to assess the dosimetric effect of the imaging modality. Isodose difference
      maps and root mean square (RMS) error calculations were used to assess dose
      calculation accuracy. RESULTS: SPR calculation accuracy was found to be superior,
      on average, with DECT relative to SECT. Maximum errors of 12.8% and 2.2% were
      found for SECT and DECT, respectively. Qualitative examination of dose difference
      maps clearly showed the dosimetric advantages of DECT imaging, compared to SECT
      imaging for IMPT dose calculation for the case investigated. Quantitatively, the
      maximum dose calculation error in the SECT plan was 7.8%, compared to a value of
      1.4% in the DECT plan. When considering the high dose target region, the root
      mean square (RMS) error in dose calculation was 2.1% and 0.4% for SECT and DECT,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DECT-based proton treatment planning in a commercial
      treatment planning system was successfully demonstrated for the first time. DECT
      is an attractive imaging modality for proton therapy treatment planning owing to
      its ability to characterize density and chemical composition of patient tissues.
      SECT and DECT scans of a phantom of known composition have been used to
      demonstrate the dosimetric advantages obtainable in proton therapy treatment
      planning with DECT over the current approach based on SECT.

PMID- 27277034
TI  - Grating-based x-ray differential phase contrast imaging with twin peaks in phase
      stepping curves-phase retrieval and dewrapping.
AB  - PURPOSE: X-ray differential phase contrast CT implemented with Talbot
      interferometry employs phase-stepping to extract information of x-ray
      attenuation, phase shift, and small-angle scattering. Since inaccuracy may exist
      in the absorption grating G2 due to an imperfect fabrication, the effective
      period of G2 can be as large as twice the nominal period, leading to a phenomenon
      of twin peaks that differ remarkably in their heights. In this work, the authors
      investigate how to retrieve and dewrap the phase signal from the phase-stepping
      curve (PSC) with the feature of twin peaks for x-ray phase contrast imaging.
      METHODS: Based on the paraxial Fresnel-Kirchhoff theory, the analytical formulae
      to characterize the phenomenon of twin peaks in the PSC are derived. Then an
      approach to dewrap the retrieved phase signal by jointly using the phases of the
      first- and second-order Fourier components is proposed. Through an experimental
      investigation using a prototype x-ray phase contrast imaging system implemented
      with Talbot interferometry, the authors evaluate and verify the derived analytic
      formulae and the proposed approach for phase retrieval and dewrapping. RESULTS:
      According to theoretical analysis, the twin-peak phenomenon in PSC is a
      consequence of combined effects, including the inaccuracy in absorption grating
      G2, mismatch between phase grating and x-ray source spectrum, and finite size of
      x-ray tube's focal spot. The proposed approach is experimentally evaluated by
      scanning a phantom consisting of organic materials and a lab mouse. The
      preliminary data show that compared to scanning G2 over only one single nominal
      period and correcting the measured phase signal with an intuitive phase
      dewrapping method that is being used in the field, stepping G2 over twice its
      nominal period and dewrapping the measured phase signal with the proposed
      approach can significantly improve the quality of x-ray differential phase
      contrast imaging in both radiograph and CT. CONCLUSIONS: Using the phase
      retrieval and dewrapping methods proposed to deal with the phenomenon of twin
      peaks in PSCs and phase wrapping, the performance of grating-based x-ray
      differential phase contrast radiography and CT can be significantly improved.

PMID- 27277035
TI  - Impact of errors in recorded compressed breast thickness measurements on
      volumetric density classification using volpara v1.5.0 software.
AB  - PURPOSE: Mammographic density has been demonstrated to predict breast cancer
      risk. It has been proposed that it could be used for stratifying screening
      pathways and recommending additional imaging. Volumetric density tools use the
      recorded compressed breast thickness (CBT) of the breast measured at the x-ray
      unit in their calculation; however, the accuracy of the recorded thickness can
      vary. The aim of this study was to investigate whether inaccuracies in recorded
      CBT impact upon volumetric density classification and to examine whether the
      current quality control (QC) standard is sufficient for assessing mammographic
      density. METHODS: Raw data from 52 digital screening mammograms were included in
      the study. For each image, the clinically recorded CBT was artificially increased
      and decreased in increments of 1 mm to simulate measurement error, until +/-15%
      from the recorded CBT was reached. New images were created for each 1 mm step in
      thickness resulting in a total of 974 images which then had volpara density grade
      (VDG) and volumetric density percentage assigned. RESULTS: A change in VDG was
      observed in 38.5% (n = 20) of mammograms when applying +/-15% error to the
      recorded CBT and 11.5% (n = 6) was within the QC standard prescribed error of +/
      5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The current QC standard of +/-5 mm error in recorded CBT
      creates the potential for error in mammographic density measurement. This may
      lead to inaccurate classification of mammographic density. The current QC
      standard for assessing mammographic density should be reconsidered.

PMID- 27277036
TI  - Angular oversampling with temporally offset layers on multilayer detectors in
      computed tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: Today's computed tomography (CT) scanners operate at an increasingly
      high rotation speed in order to reduce motion artifacts and to fulfill the
      requirements of dynamic acquisition, e.g., perfusion and cardiac imaging, with
      lower angular sampling rate as a consequence. In this paper, a simple method for
      obtaining angular oversampling when using multilayer detectors in continuous
      rotation CT is presented. METHODS: By introducing temporal offsets between the
      measurement periods of the different layers on a multilayer detector, the angular
      sampling rate can be increased by a factor equal to the number of layers on the
      detector. The increased angular sampling rate reduces the risk of producing
      aliasing artifacts in the image. A simulation of a detector with two layers is
      performed to prove the concept. RESULTS: The simulation study shows that aliasing
      artifacts from insufficient angular sampling are reduced by the proposed method.
      Specifically, when imaging a single point blurred by a 2D Gaussian kernel, the
      method is shown to reduce the strength of the aliasing artifacts by approximately
      an order of magnitude. CONCLUSIONS: The presented oversampling method is easy to
      implement in today's multilayer detectors and has the potential to reduce
      aliasing artifacts in the reconstructed images.

PMID- 27277038
TI  - Validation of Varian TrueBeam electron phase-spaces for Monte Carlo simulation of
      MLC-shaped fields.
AB  - PURPOSE: This work evaluates Varian's electron phase-space sources for Monte
      Carlo simulation of the TrueBeam for modulated electron radiation therapy (MERT)
      and combined, modulated photon and electron radiation therapy (MPERT) where
      fields are shaped by the photon multileaf collimator (MLC) and delivered at 70 cm
      SSD. METHODS: Monte Carlo simulations performed with EGSnrc-based
      BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc and penelope-based PRIMO are compared against diode
      measurements for 5 * 5, 10 * 10, and 20 * 20 cm(2) MLC-shaped fields delivered
      with 6, 12, and 20 MeV electrons at 70 cm SSD (jaws set to 40 * 40 cm(2)). Depth
      dose curves and profiles are examined. In addition, EGSnrc-based simulations of
      relative output as a function of MLC-field size and jaw-position are compared
      against ion chamber measurements for MLC-shaped fields between 3 * 3 and 25 * 25
      cm(2) and jaw positions that range from the MLC-field size to 40 * 40 cm(2).
      RESULTS: Percent depth dose curves generated by BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc and PRIMO agree
      with measurement within 2%, 2 mm except for PRIMO's 12 MeV, 20 * 20 cm(2) field
      where 90% of dose points agree within 2%, 2 mm. Without the distance to
      agreement, differences between measurement and simulation are as large as 7.3%.
      Characterization of simulated dose parameters such as FWHM, penumbra width and
      depths of 90%, 80%, 50%, and 20% dose agree within 2 mm of measurement for all
      fields except for the FWHM of the 6 MeV, 20 * 20 cm(2) field which falls within 2
      mm distance to agreement. Differences between simulation and measurement exist in
      the profile shoulders and penumbra tails, in particular for 10 * 10 and 20 * 20
      cm(2) fields of 20 MeV electrons, where both sets of simulated data fall short of
      measurement by as much as 3.5%. BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc simulated outputs agree with
      measurement within 2.3% except for 6 MeV MLC-shaped fields. Discrepancies here
      are as great as 5.5%. CONCLUSIONS: TrueBeam electron phase-spaces available from
      Varian have been implemented in two distinct Monte Carlo simulation packages to
      produce dose distributions and outputs that largely reflect measurement.
      Differences exist in the profile shoulders and penumbra tails for the 20 MeV
      phase-space off-axis and in the outputs for the 6 MeV phase-space.

PMID- 27277037
TI  - Geometry planning and image registration in magnetic particle imaging using
      bimodal fiducial markers.
AB  - PURPOSE: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a quantitative imaging modality that
      allows the distribution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles to be visualized.
      Compared to other imaging techniques like x-ray radiography, computed tomography
      (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MPI only provides a signal from the
      administered tracer, but no additional morphological information, which
      complicates geometry planning and the interpretation of MP images. The purpose of
      the authors' study was to develop bimodal fiducial markers that can be visualized
      by MPI and MRI in order to create MP-MR fusion images. METHODS: A certain
      arrangement of three bimodal fiducial markers was developed and used in a
      combined MRI/MPI phantom and also during in vivo experiments in order to
      investigate its suitability for geometry planning and image fusion. An algorithm
      for automated marker extraction in both MR and MP images and rigid registration
      was established. RESULTS: The developed bimodal fiducial markers can be
      visualized by MRI and MPI and allow for geometry planning as well as automated
      registration and fusion of MR-MP images. CONCLUSIONS: To date, exact positioning
      of the object to be imaged within the field of view (FOV) and the assignment of
      reconstructed MPI signals to corresponding morphological regions has been
      difficult. The developed bimodal fiducial markers and the automated image
      registration algorithm help to overcome these difficulties.

PMID- 27277039
TI  - Minimizing treatment planning errors in proton therapy using failure mode and
      effects analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is a widely used tool to
      evaluate safety or reliability in conventional photon radiation therapy. However,
      reports about FMEA application in proton therapy are scarce. The purpose of this
      study is to apply FMEA in safety improvement of proton treatment planning at
      their center. METHODS: The authors performed an FMEA analysis of their proton
      therapy treatment planning process using uniform scanning proton beams. The
      authors identified possible failure modes in various planning processes,
      including image fusion, contouring, beam arrangement, dose calculation, plan
      export, documents, billing, and so on. For each error, the authors estimated the
      frequency of occurrence, the likelihood of being undetected, and the severity of
      the error if it went undetected and calculated the risk priority number (RPN).
      The FMEA results were used to design their quality management program. In
      addition, the authors created a database to track the identified dosimetric
      errors. Periodically, the authors reevaluated the risk of errors by reviewing the
      internal error database and improved their quality assurance program as needed.
      RESULTS: In total, the authors identified over 36 possible treatment planning
      related failure modes and estimated the associated occurrence, detectability, and
      severity to calculate the overall risk priority number. Based on the FMEA, the
      authors implemented various safety improvement procedures into their practice,
      such as education, peer review, and automatic check tools. The ongoing error
      tracking database provided realistic data on the frequency of occurrence with
      which to reevaluate the RPNs for various failure modes. CONCLUSIONS: The FMEA
      technique provides a systematic method for identifying and evaluating potential
      errors in proton treatment planning before they result in an error in patient
      dose delivery. The application of FMEA framework and the implementation of an
      ongoing error tracking system at their clinic have proven to be useful in error
      reduction in proton treatment planning, thus improving the effectiveness and
      safety of proton therapy.

PMID- 27277040
TI  - Anatomical pulmonary magnetic resonance imaging segmentation for regional
      structure-function measurements of asthma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pulmonary magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) and x-ray computed-tomography
      have provided strong evidence of spatially and temporally persistent lung
      structure-function abnormalities in asthmatics. This has generated a shift in
      their understanding of lung disease and supports the use of imaging biomarkers as
      intermediate endpoints of asthma severity and control. In particular, pulmonary
      (1)H MRI can be used to provide quantitative lung structure-function measurements
      longitudinally and in response to treatment. However, to translate such
      biomarkers of asthma, robust methods are required to segment the lung from
      pulmonary (1)H MRI. Therefore, their objective was to develop a pulmonary (1)H
      MRI segmentation algorithm to provide regional measurements with the precision
      and speed required to support clinical studies. METHODS: The authors developed a
      method to segment the left and right lung from (1)H MRI acquired in 20 asthmatics
      including five well-controlled and 15 severe poorly controlled participants who
      provided written informed consent to a study protocol approved by Health Canada.
      Same-day spirometry and plethysmography measurements of lung function and volume
      were acquired as well as (1)H MRI using a whole-body radiofrequency coil and fast
      spoiled gradient-recalled echo sequence at a fixed lung volume (functional
      residual capacity + 1 l). We incorporated the left-to-right lung volume
      proportion prior based on the Potts model and derived a volume-proportion
      preserved Potts model, which was approximated through convex relaxation and
      further represented by a dual volume-proportion preserved max-flow model. The max
      flow model led to a linear problem with convex and linear equality constraints
      that implicitly encoded the proportion prior. To implement the algorithm, (1)H
      MRI was resampled into ~3 * 3 * 3 mm(3) isotropic voxel space. Two observers
      placed seeds on each lung and on the background of 20 pulmonary (1)H MR images in
      a randomized dataset, on five occasions, five consecutive days in a row.
      Segmentation accuracy was evaluated using the Dice-similarity-coefficient (DSC)
      of the segmented thoracic cavity with comparison to five-rounds of manual
      segmentation by an expert observer. The authors also evaluated the root-mean
      squared-error (RMSE) of the Euclidean distance between lung surfaces, the
      absolute, and percent volume error. Reproducibility was measured using the
      coefficient of variation (CoV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for
      two observers who repeated segmentation measurements five-times. RESULTS: For
      five well-controlled asthmatics, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced
      vital capacity (FVC) was 83% +/- 7% and FEV1 was 86 +/- 9%pred. For 15 severe,
      poorly controlled asthmatics, FEV1/FV C = 66% +/- 17% and FEV1 = 72 +/- 27%pred.
      The DSC for algorithm and manual segmentation was 91% +/- 3%, 92% +/- 2% and 91%
      +/- 2% for the left, right, and whole lung, respectively. RMSE was 4.0 +/- 1.0 mm
      for each of the left, right, and whole lung. The absolute (percent) volume errors
      were 0.1 l (~6%) for each of right and left lung and ~0.2 l (~6%) for whole lung.
      Intra- and inter-CoV (ICC) were <0.5% (>0.91%) for DSC and <4.5% (>0.93%) for
      RMSE. While segmentation required 10 s including ~6 s for user interaction, the
      smallest detectable difference was 0.24 l for algorithm measurements which was
      similar to manual measurements. CONCLUSIONS: This lung segmentation approach
      provided the necessary and sufficient precision and accuracy required for
      research and clinical studies.

PMID- 27277041
TI  - Technical Note: Enhancing the surface dose using a weak longitudinal magnetic
      field.
AB  - PURPOSE: The surface dose in radiotherapy is subject to the physical properties
      of the radiation beam and collimator. The purpose of this work is to investigate
      the manipulation of surface dose using magnetic fields produced with a resistive
      magnet. Better understanding of the feasibility and mechanisms of altered surface
      dose could have important clinical applications where the surface dose must be
      increased for therapeutic goals, or reduced to enhance the therapeutic benefit.
      METHODS: A resistive magnet capable of generating a peak magnetic field up to
      0.24 T was integrated with a cobalt treatment unit. The magnetic fringe field of
      the magnet was small due to the self-shielding built within the magnet. The
      magnetic field at the beam collimation jaws of the cobalt irradiator was less
      than 10 G. The surface dose and depth dose were measured for varying magnetic
      field strengths. RESULTS: The resistive magnet was able to alter the dose in the
      buildup region of the (60)Co depth dose significantly, and the magnitude of dose
      enhancement was directly related to the strength of the longitudinal magnetic
      field. Peak magnetic fields as low as 0.08 T were able to affect the surface
      dose. At a peak field of 0.24 T, the authors measured a surface dose enhancement
      of 2.8-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Surface dose enhancement using resistive magnets is
      feasible. Further experimental study is needed to understand the origin of the
      scattered electrons that contribute to the increase in surface dose.

PMID- 27277042
TI  - A clinically observed discrepancy between image-based and log-based MLC
      positions.
AB  - PURPOSE: To present a clinical case in which real-time intratreatment imaging
      identified an multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf to be consistently deviating from
      its programmed and logged position by >1 mm. METHODS: An EPID-based exit-fluence
      dosimetry system designed to prevent gross delivery errors was used to capture
      cine during treatment images. The author serendipitously visually identified a
      suspected MLC leaf displacement that was not otherwise detected. The leaf
      position as recorded on the EPID images was measured and log-files were analyzed
      for the treatment in question, the prior day's treatment, and for daily MLC test
      patterns acquired on those treatment days. Additional standard test patterns were
      used to quantify the leaf position. RESULTS: Whereas the log-file reported no
      difference between planned and recorded positions, image-based measurements
      showed the leaf to be 1.3 +/- 0.1 mm medial from the planned position. This
      offset was confirmed with the test pattern irradiations. CONCLUSIONS: It has been
      clinically observed that log-file derived leaf positions can differ from their
      actual position by >1 mm, and therefore cannot be considered to be the actual
      leaf positions. This cautions the use of log-based methods for MLC or patient
      quality assurance without independent confirmation of log integrity. Frequent
      verification of MLC positions through independent means is a necessary
      precondition to trust log-file records. Intratreatment EPID imaging provides a
      method to capture departures from MLC planned positions.

PMID- 27277043
TI  - Spatial intratumoral heterogeneity of proliferation in immunohistochemical images
      of solid tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: The interactions of neoplastic cells with each other and the
      microenvironment are complex. To understand intratumoral heterogeneity, subtle
      differences should be quantified. Main factors contributing to heterogeneity
      include the gradient ischemic level within neoplasms, action of microenvironment,
      mechanisms of intercellular transfer of genetic information, and differential
      mechanisms of modifications of genetic material/proteins. This may reflect on the
      expression of biomarkers in the context of prognosis/stratification. Hence, a
      rigorous approach for assessing the spatial intratumoral heterogeneity of
      histological biomarker expression with accuracy and reproducibility is required,
      since patterns in immunohistochemical images can be challenging to identify and
      describe. METHODS: A quantitative method that is useful for characterizing
      complex irregular structures is lacunarity; it is a multiscale technique that
      exhaustively samples the image, while the decay of its index as a function of
      window size follows characteristic patterns for different spatial arrangements.
      In histological images, lacunarity provides a useful measure for the spatial
      organization of a biomarker when a sampling scheme is employed and relevant
      features are computed. The proposed approach quantifies the segmented
      proliferative cells and not the textural content of the histological slide, thus
      providing a more realistic measure of heterogeneity within the sample space of
      the tumor region. The aim is to investigate in whole sections of primary
      pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs), using whole-slide imaging and image
      analysis, the spatial intratumoral heterogeneity of Ki-67 immunostains.
      Unsupervised learning is employed to verify that the approach can partition the
      tissue sections according to distributional heterogeneity. RESULTS: The
      architectural complexity of histological images has shown that single
      measurements are often insufficient. Inhomogeneity of distribution depends not
      only on percentage content of proliferation phase but also on how the phase fills
      the space. Lacunarity curves demonstrate variations in the sampled image
      sections. Since the spatial distribution of proliferation in each case is
      different, the width of the curves changes too. Image sections that have smaller
      numerical variations in the computed features correspond to neoplasms with
      spatially homogeneous proliferation, while larger variations correspond to cases
      where proliferation shows various degrees of clumping. Grade 1
      (uniform/nonuniform: 74%/26%) and grade 3 (uniform: 100%) pNENs demonstrate a
      more homogeneous proliferation with grade 1 neoplasms being more variant, while
      grade 2 tumor regions render a more diverse landscape (50%/50%). Hence, some
      cases show an increased degree of spatial heterogeneity comparing to others with
      similar grade. Whether this is a sign of different tumor biology and an
      association with a more benign/malignant clinical course needs to be investigated
      further. The extent and range of spatial heterogeneity has the potential to be
      evaluated as a prognostic marker. CONCLUSIONS: The association with tumor grade
      as well as the rationale that the methodology reflects true tumor architecture
      supports the technical soundness of the method. This reflects a general approach
      which is relevant to other solid tumors and biomarkers. Drawing upon the merits
      of computational biomedicine, the approach uncovers salient features for use in
      future studies of clinical relevance.

PMID- 27277044
TI  - Semiautomated segmentation of head and neck cancers in 18F-FDG PET scans: A just
      enough-interaction approach.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to develop, validate, and compare a highly
      computer-aided method for the segmentation of hot lesions in head and neck 18F
      FDG PET scans. METHODS: A semiautomated segmentation method was developed, which
      transforms the segmentation problem into a graph-based optimization problem. For
      this purpose, a graph structure around a user-provided approximate lesion
      centerpoint is constructed and a suitable cost function is derived based on local
      image statistics. To handle frequently occurring situations that are ambiguous
      (e.g., lesions adjacent to each other versus lesion with inhomogeneous uptake),
      several segmentation modes are introduced that adapt the behavior of the base
      algorithm accordingly. In addition, the authors present approaches for the
      efficient interactive local and global refinement of initial segmentations that
      are based on the "just-enough-interaction" principle. For method validation, 60
      PET/CT scans from 59 different subjects with 230 head and neck lesions were
      utilized. All patients had squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. A
      detailed comparison with the current clinically relevant standard manual
      segmentation approach was performed based on 2760 segmentations produced by three
      experts. RESULTS: Segmentation accuracy measured by the Dice coefficient of the
      proposed semiautomated and standard manual segmentation approach was 0.766 and
      0.764, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (p =
      0.2145). However, the intra- and interoperator standard deviations were
      significantly lower for the semiautomated method. In addition, the proposed
      method was found to be significantly faster and resulted in significantly higher
      intra- and interoperator segmentation agreement when compared to the manual
      segmentation approach. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of consistency in tumor definition is a
      critical barrier for radiation treatment targeting as well as for response
      assessment in clinical trials and in clinical oncology decision-making. The
      properties of the authors approach make it well suited for applications in image
      guided radiation oncology, response assessment, or treatment outcome prediction.

PMID- 27277045
TI  - A Monte Carlo study on (223)Ra imaging for unsealed radionuclide therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Radium-223 ((223)Ra), an alpha-emitting radionuclide, is used in
      unsealed radionuclide therapy for metastatic bone tumors. The demand for
      qualitative (223)Ra imaging is growing to optimize dosimetry. The authors
      simulated (223)Ra imaging using an in-house Monte Carlo simulation code and
      investigated the feasibility and utility of (223)Ra imaging. METHODS: The Monte
      Carlo code comprises two modules, hexagon and nai. The hexagon code simulates the
      photon and electron interactions in the tissues and collimator, and the nai code
      simulates the response of the NaI detector system. A 3D numeric phantom created
      using computed tomography images of a chest phantom was installed in the hexagon
      code. (223)Ra accumulated in a part of the spine, and three x-rays and 19 gamma
      rays between 80 and 450 keV were selected as the emitted photons. To evaluate the
      quality of the (223)Ra imaging, the authors also simulated technetium-99m
      ((99m)Tc) imaging under the same conditions and compared the results. RESULTS:
      The sensitivities of the three photopeaks were 147 counts per unit of source
      activity (cps MBq(-1); photopeak: 84 keV, full width of energy window: 20%), 166
      cps MBq(-1) (154 keV, 15%), and 158 cps MBq(-1) (270 keV, 10%) for a low-energy
      general-purpose (LEGP) collimator, and those for the medium-energy general
      purpose (MEGP) collimator were 33, 13, and 8.0 cps MBq(-1), respectively. In the
      case of (99m)Tc, the sensitivity was 55 cps MBq(-1) (141 keV, 20%) for LEGP and
      52 cps MBq(-1) for MEGP. The fractions of unscattered photons of the total
      photons reflecting the image quality were 0.09 (84 keV), 0.03 (154 keV), and 0.02
      (270 keV) for the LEGP collimator and 0.41, 0.25, and 0.50 for the MEGP
      collimator, respectively. Conversely, this fraction was approximately 0.65 for
      the simulated (99m)Tc imaging. The sensitivity with the LEGP collimator appeared
      very high. However, almost all of the counts were because of photons that
      penetrated or were scattered in the collimator; therefore, the proportions of
      unscattered photons were small. CONCLUSIONS: Their simulation study revealed that
      the most promising scheme for (223)Ra imaging is an 84-keV window using an MEGP
      collimator. The sensitivity of the photopeaks above 100 keV is too low for
      (223)Ra imaging. A comparison of the fractions of unscattered photons reveals
      that the sensitivity and image quality are approximately two-thirds of those for
      (99m)Tc imaging.

PMID- 27277046
TI  - A region-based segmentation method for ultrasound images in HIFU therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Precisely and efficiently locating a tumor with less manual intervention
      in ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy is one of
      the keys to guaranteeing the therapeutic result and improving the efficiency of
      the treatment. The segmentation of ultrasound images has always been difficult
      due to the influences of speckle, acoustic shadows, and signal attenuation as
      well as the variety of tumor appearance. The quality of HIFU guidance images is
      even poorer than that of conventional diagnostic ultrasound images because the
      ultrasonic probe used for HIFU guidance usually obtains images without making
      contact with the patient's body. Therefore, the segmentation becomes more
      difficult. To solve the segmentation problem of ultrasound guidance image in the
      treatment planning procedure for HIFU therapy, a novel region-based segmentation
      method for uterine fibroids in HIFU guidance images is proposed. METHODS: Tumor
      partitioning in HIFU guidance image without manual intervention is achieved by a
      region-based split-and-merge framework. A new iterative multiple region growing
      algorithm is proposed to first split the image into homogenous regions
      (superpixels). The features extracted within these homogenous regions will be
      more stable than those extracted within the conventional neighborhood of a pixel.
      The split regions are then merged by a superpixel-based adaptive spectral
      clustering algorithm. To ensure the superpixels that belong to the same tumor can
      be clustered together in the merging process, a particular construction strategy
      for the similarity matrix is adopted for the spectral clustering, and the
      similarity matrix is constructed by taking advantage of a combination of
      specifically selected first-order and second-order texture features computed from
      the gray levels and the gray level co-occurrence matrixes, respectively. The
      tumor region is picked out automatically from the background regions by an
      algorithm according to a priori information about the tumor position, shape, and
      size. Additionally, an appropriate cluster number for spectral clustering can be
      determined by the same algorithm, thus the automatic segmentation of the tumor
      region is achieved. RESULTS: To evaluate the performance of the proposed method,
      50 uterine fibroid ultrasound images from different patients receiving HIFU
      therapy were segmented, and the obtained tumor contours were compared with those
      delineated by an experienced radiologist. For area-based evaluation results, the
      mean values of the true positive ratio, the false positive ratio, and the
      similarity were 94.42%, 4.71%, and 90.21%, respectively, and the corresponding
      standard deviations were 2.54%, 3.12%, and 3.50%, respectively. For distance
      based evaluation results, the mean values of the normalized Hausdorff distance
      and the normalized mean absolute distance were 4.93% and 0.90%, respectively, and
      the corresponding standard deviations were 2.22% and 0.34%, respectively. The
      running time of the segmentation process was 12.9 s for a 318 * 333 (pixels)
      image. CONCLUSIONS: Experiments show that the proposed method can segment the
      tumor region accurately and efficiently with less manual intervention, which
      provides for the possibility of automatic segmentation and real-time guidance in
      HIFU therapy.

PMID- 27277047
TI  - Data and methods to estimate fetal dose from fluoroscopically guided prophylactic
      hypogastric artery balloon occlusion.
AB  - PURPOSE: To provide data for estimation of fetal radiation dose (DF) from
      prophylactic hypogastric artery balloon occlusion (HABO) procedures. METHODS: The
      Monte-Carlo-N-particle (MCNP) transport code and mathematical phantoms
      representing a pregnant patient at the ninth month of gestation were employed.
      PA, RAO 20 degrees  and LAO 20 degrees  fluoroscopy projections of left and right
      internal iliac arteries were simulated. Projection-specific normalized fetal dose
      (NFD) data were produced for various beam qualities. The effects of projection
      angle, x-ray field location relative to the fetus, field size, maternal body
      size, and fetal size on NFD were investigated. Presented NFD values were compared
      to corresponding values derived using a physical anthropomorphic phantom
      simulating pregnancy at the third trimester and thermoluminescence dosimeters.
      RESULTS: NFD did not considerably vary when projection angle was altered by +/-5
      degrees , whereas it was found to markedly depend on tube voltage, filtration, x
      ray field location and size, and maternal body size. Differences in NFD < 7.5%
      were observed for naturally expected variations in fetal size. A difference of
      less than 13.5% was observed between NFD values estimated by MCNP and direct
      measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Data and methods provided allow for reliable
      estimation of radiation burden to the fetus from HABO.

PMID- 27277048
TI  - Development of a temperature-controlled phantom for magnetic resonance quality
      assurance of diffusion, dynamic, and relaxometry measurements.
AB  - PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted (DW) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) are increasingly applied for the assessment of functional tissue
      biomarkers for diagnosis, lesion characterization, or for monitoring of treatment
      response. However, these techniques are vulnerable to the influence of various
      factors, so there is a necessity for a standardized MR quality assurance
      procedure utilizing a phantom to facilitate the reliable estimation of
      repeatability of these quantitative biomarkers arising from technical factors
      (e.g., B1 variation) affecting acquisition on scanners of different vendors and
      field strengths. The purpose of this study is to present a novel phantom designed
      for use in quality assurance for multicenter trials, and the associated
      repeatability measurements of functional and quantitative imaging protocols
      across different MR vendors and field strengths. METHODS: A cylindrical acrylic
      phantom was manufactured containing 7 vials of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
      solutions of different concentrations, ranging from 0% (distilled water) to 25%
      w/w, to create a range of different MR contrast parameters. Temperature control
      was achieved by equilibration with ice-water. Repeated MR imaging measurements of
      the phantom were performed on four clinical scanners (two at 1.5 T, two at 3.0 T;
      two vendors) using the same scanning protocol to assess the long-term and short
      term repeatability. The scanning protocol consisted of DW measurements, inversion
      recovery (IR) T1 measurements, multiecho T2 measurement, and dynamic T1-weighted
      sequence allowing multiple variable flip angle (VFA) estimation of T1 values over
      time. For each measurement, the corresponding calculated parameter maps were
      produced. On each calculated map, regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn within
      each vial and the median value of these voxels was assessed. For the dynamic
      data, the autocorrelation function and their variance were calculated; for the
      assessment of the repeatability, the coefficients of variation (CoV) were
      calculated. RESULTS: For both field strengths across the available vendors, the
      apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) at 0  degrees C ranged from (1.12 +/- 0.01)
      * 10(-3) mm(2)/s for pure water to (0.48 +/- 0.02) * 10(-3) mm(2)/s for the 25%
      w/w PVP concentration, presenting a minor variability between the vendors and the
      field strengths. T2 and IR-T1 relaxation time results demonstrated variability
      between the field strengths and the vendors across the different acquisitions.
      Moreover, the T1 values derived from the VFA method exhibited a large variation
      compared with the IR-T1 values across all the scanners for all repeated
      measurements, although the calculation of the standard deviation of the VFA-T1
      estimate across each ROI and the autocorrelation showed a stability of the signal
      for three scanners, with autocorrelation of the signal over the dynamic series
      revealing a periodic variation in one scanner. Finally, the ADC, the T2, and the
      IR-T1 values exhibited an excellent repeatability across the scanners, whereas
      for the dynamic data, the CoVs were higher. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a
      novel PVP phantom, with multiple compartments to give a physiologically relevant
      range of ADC and T1 values, together with ice-water as a temperature-controlled
      medium, allows reliable quality assurance measurements that can be used to
      measure agreement between MRI scanners, critical in multicenter functional and
      quantitative imaging studies.

PMID- 27277049
TI  - Source strength verification and quality assurance of preloaded brachytherapy
      needles using a CMOS flat panel detector.
AB  - PURPOSE: Current methods of low dose rate brachytherapy source strength
      verification for sources preloaded into needles consist of either assaying a
      small number of seeds from a separate sample belonging to the same lot used to
      load the needles or performing batch assays of a subset of the preloaded seed
      trains. Both of these methods are cumbersome and have the limitations inherent to
      sampling. The purpose of this work was to investigate an alternative approach
      that uses an image-based, autoradiographic system capable of the rapid and
      complete assay of all sources without compromising sterility. METHODS: The system
      consists of a flat panel image detector, an autoclavable needle holder, and
      software to analyze the detected signals. The needle holder was designed to
      maintain a fixed vertical spacing between the needles and the image detector, and
      to collimate the emissions from each seed. It also provides a sterile barrier
      between the needles and the imager. The image detector has a sufficiently large
      image capture area to allow several needles to be analyzed simultaneously.Several
      tests were performed to assess the accuracy and reproducibility of source
      strengths obtained using this system. Three different seed models (Oncura 6711
      and 9011 (125)I seeds, and IsoAid Advantage (103)Pd seeds) were used in the
      evaluations. Seeds were loaded into trains with at least 1 cm spacing. RESULTS:
      Using our system, it was possible to obtain linear calibration curves with
      coverage factor k = 1 prediction intervals of less than +/-2% near the centre of
      their range for the three source models. The uncertainty budget calculated from a
      combination of type A and type B estimates of potential sources of error was
      somewhat larger, yielding (k = 1) combined uncertainties for individual seed
      readings of 6.2% for (125)I 6711 seeds, 4.7% for (125)I 9011 seeds, and 11.0% for
      Advantage (103)Pd seeds. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a flat panel
      detector dosimetry system is a viable option for source strength verification in
      preloaded needles, as it is capable of measuring all of the sources intended for
      implantation. Such a system has the potential to directly and efficiently
      estimate individual source strengths, the overall mean source strength, and the
      positions within the seed-spacer train.

PMID- 27277050
TI  - Iterative metal artifact reduction for x-ray computed tomography using unmatched
      projector/backprojector pairs.
AB  - PURPOSE: Metal artifact reduction (MAR) is a major problem and a challenging
      issue in x-ray computed tomography (CT) examinations. Iterative reconstruction
      from sinograms unaffected by metals shows promising potential in detail recovery.
      This reconstruction has been the subject of much research in recent years.
      However, conventional iterative reconstruction methods easily introduce new
      artifacts around metal implants because of incomplete data reconstruction and
      inconsistencies in practical data acquisition. Hence, this work aims at
      developing a method to suppress newly introduced artifacts and improve the image
      quality around metal implants for the iterative MAR scheme. METHODS: The proposed
      method consists of two steps based on the general iterative MAR framework. An
      uncorrected image is initially reconstructed, and the corresponding metal trace
      is obtained. The iterative reconstruction method is then used to reconstruct
      images from the unaffected sinogram. In the reconstruction step of this work, an
      iterative strategy utilizing unmatched projector/backprojector pairs is used. A
      ramp filter is introduced into the back-projection procedure to restrain the
      inconsistency components in low frequencies and generate more reliable images of
      the regions around metals. Furthermore, a constrained total variation (TV)
      minimization model is also incorporated to enhance efficiency. The proposed
      strategy is implemented based on an iterative FBP and an alternating direction
      minimization (ADM) scheme, respectively. The developed algorithms are referred to
      as "iFBP-TV" and "TV-FADM," respectively. Two projection-completion-based MAR
      methods and three iterative MAR methods are performed simultaneously for
      comparison. RESULTS: The proposed method performs reasonably on both simulation
      and real CT-scanned datasets. This approach could reduce streak metal artifacts
      effectively and avoid the mentioned effects in the vicinity of the metals. The
      improvements are evaluated by inspecting regions of interest and by comparing the
      root-mean-square errors, normalized mean absolute distance, and universal quality
      index metrics of the images. Both iFBP-TV and TV-FADM methods outperform other
      counterparts in all cases. Unlike the conventional iterative methods, the
      proposed strategy utilizing unmatched projector/backprojector pairs shows
      excellent performance in detail preservation and prevention of the introduction
      of new artifacts. CONCLUSIONS: Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of
      experimental results indicate that the developed method outperforms classical MAR
      algorithms in suppressing streak artifacts and preserving the edge structural
      information of the object. In particular, structures lying close to metals can be
      gradually recovered because of the reduction of artifacts caused by inconsistency
      effects.

PMID- 27277051
TI  - Concurrent Monte Carlo transport and fluence optimization with fluence adjusting
      scalable transport Monte Carlo.
AB  - PURPOSE: The future of radiation therapy will require advanced inverse planning
      solutions to support single-arc, multiple-arc, and "4pi" delivery modes, which
      present unique challenges in finding an optimal treatment plan over a vast search
      space, while still preserving dosimetric accuracy. The successful clinical
      implementation of such methods would benefit from Monte Carlo (MC) based dose
      calculation methods, which can offer improvements in dosimetric accuracy when
      compared to deterministic methods. The standard method for MC based treatment
      planning optimization leverages the accuracy of the MC dose calculation and
      efficiency of well-developed optimization methods, by precalculating the fluence
      to dose relationship within a patient with MC methods and subsequently optimizing
      the fluence weights. However, the sequential nature of this implementation is
      computationally time consuming and memory intensive. Methods to reduce the
      overhead of the MC precalculation have been explored in the past, demonstrating
      promising reductions of computational time overhead, but with limited impact on
      the memory overhead due to the sequential nature of the dose calculation and
      fluence optimization. The authors propose an entirely new form of "concurrent"
      Monte Carlo treat plan optimization: a platform which optimizes the fluence
      during the dose calculation, reduces wasted computation time being spent on
      beamlets that weakly contribute to the final dose distribution, and requires only
      a low memory footprint to function. In this initial investigation, the authors
      explore the key theoretical and practical considerations of optimizing fluence in
      such a manner. METHODS: The authors present a novel derivation and implementation
      of a gradient descent algorithm that allows for optimization during MC particle
      transport, based on highly stochastic information generated through particle
      transport of very few histories. A gradient rescaling and renormalization
      algorithm, and the concept of momentum from stochastic gradient descent were used
      to address obstacles unique to performing gradient descent fluence optimization
      during MC particle transport. The authors have applied their method to two simple
      geometrical phantoms, and one clinical patient geometry to examine the capability
      of this platform to generate conformal plans as well as assess its computational
      scaling and efficiency, respectively. RESULTS: The authors obtain a reduction of
      at least 50% in total histories transported in their investigation compared to a
      theoretical unweighted beamlet calculation and subsequent fluence optimization
      method, and observe a roughly fixed optimization time overhead consisting of ~10%
      of the total computation time in all cases. Finally, the authors demonstrate a
      negligible increase in memory overhead of ~7-8 MB to allow for optimization of a
      clinical patient geometry surrounded by 36 beams using their platform.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a fluence optimization approach, which could
      significantly improve the development of next generation radiation therapy
      solutions while incurring minimal additional computational overhead.

PMID- 27277052
TI  - Maximum likelihood positioning algorithm for high-resolution PET scanners.
AB  - PURPOSE: In high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET), lightsharing
      elements are incorporated into typical detector stacks to read out scintillator
      arrays in which one scintillator element (crystal) is smaller than the size of
      the readout channel. In order to identify the hit crystal by means of the
      measured light distribution, a positioning algorithm is required. One commonly
      applied positioning algorithm uses the center of gravity (COG) of the measured
      light distribution. The COG algorithm is limited in spatial resolution by noise
      and intercrystal Compton scatter. The purpose of this work is to develop a
      positioning algorithm which overcomes this limitation. METHODS: The authors
      present a maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm which compares a set of expected
      light distributions given by probability density functions (PDFs) with the
      measured light distribution. Instead of modeling the PDFs by using an analytical
      model, the PDFs of the proposed ML algorithm are generated assuming a single
      gamma-interaction model from measured data. The algorithm was evaluated with a
      hot-rod phantom measurement acquired with the preclinical hyperion II (D) PET
      scanner. In order to assess the performance with respect to sensitivity, energy
      resolution, and image quality, the ML algorithm was compared to a COG algorithm
      which calculates the COG from a restricted set of channels. The authors studied
      the energy resolution of the ML and the COG algorithm regarding incomplete light
      distributions (missing channel information caused by detector dead time).
      Furthermore, the authors investigated the effects of using a filter based on the
      likelihood values on sensitivity, energy resolution, and image quality. RESULTS:
      A sensitivity gain of up to 19% was demonstrated in comparison to the COG
      algorithm for the selected operation parameters. Energy resolution and image
      quality were on a similar level for both algorithms. Additionally, the authors
      demonstrated that the performance of the ML algorithm is less prone to missing
      channel information. A likelihood filter visually improved the image quality,
      i.e., the peak-to-valley increased up to a factor of 3 for 2-mm-diameter phantom
      rods by rejecting 87% of the coincidences. A relative improvement of the energy
      resolution of up to 12.8% was also measured rejecting 91% of the coincidences.
      CONCLUSIONS: The developed ML algorithm increases the sensitivity by correctly
      handling missing channel information without influencing energy resolution or
      image quality. Furthermore, the authors showed that energy resolution and image
      quality can be improved substantially by rejecting events that do not comply well
      with the single-gamma-interaction model, such as Compton-scattered events.

PMID- 27277053
TI  - Performance characteristics of dedicated molecular breast imaging systems at low
      doses.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the system performance
      characteristics and lesion detection capability of two molecular breast imaging
      (MBI) systems: a multicrystal sodium iodide (NaI)-based single-head system and a
      cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)-based dual-head system at low administered doses
      (150-300 MBq) of Tc-99m sestamibi. METHODS: System performance characteristics
      including count sensitivity, uniformity, energy resolution, and spatial
      resolution were measured using standard NEMA methods, or a modified version
      thereof in cases where the standard NEMA protocol could not be applied. A
      contrast-detail phantom with 48 lesions at varying depths from the collimator
      surface was used to assess lesion contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) using background
      count densities comparable to those observed in patient studies performed with
      administered doses of 150 MBq Tc-99m sestamibi. Lesions with CNR >3 were deemed
      to be detectable. Thirty patients undergoing MBI examinations with administered
      doses of 150-300 MBq were scanned for an additional view on the pixelated NaI
      system. CNR was calculated for lesions observed on patient images. Background
      count densities of patient images were measured and compared between the two
      systems. RESULTS: Over the central field of view, integral and differential
      uniformity were 6.1% and 4.2%, respectively, for the pixelated NaI system, and
      3.8% and 2.7%, respectively, for the CZT system. Count sensitivity was 10.8
      kcts/min/MBq for the NaI system and 32.9 kcts/min/MBq for the CZT system. Energy
      resolution was 13.5% on the pixelated NaI system and 4.5% on the CZT system.
      Spatial resolution (full-width at half-maximum) for the pixelated NaI detector
      was 4.2 mm at a distance of 1.2 cm from the collimator and 5.2 mm at 3.1 cm.
      Spatial resolution of a single CZT detector was 2.9 mm at a distance of 1.2 cm
      from the collimator and 4.7 mm at 3.1 cm. Effective spatial resolution obtained
      with dual-head CZT was below 4.7 mm throughout a simulated breast thickness of 6
      cm. From contrast-detail phantom images of lesions at distances of 1.5-4.5 cm
      from the collimator face, the CZT system detected 124 of 144 (86%) of lesions
      compared to 97 of 144 (67%) with the NaI system. In patient studies, from
      comparison of the same view with both systems, a total of 7 breast lesions were
      identified on CZT system in seven patients, and 4 of 7 (57%) were detected on NaI
      system. Patient image background count densities on the CZT system were on
      average 3.4 times higher than those on the NaI system. CONCLUSIONS: The CZT
      system demonstrated better uniformity, count sensitivity, spatial resolution,
      energy resolution, and lesion detection in phantom and patient studies compared
      to the NaI system. At administered doses of 150-300 MBq Tc-99m sestamibi, patient
      results obtained with CZT systems may not be directly translatable to NaI
      systems.

PMID- 27277054
TI  - Estimation of trabecular bone parameters in children from multisequence MRI using
      texture-based regression.
AB  - PURPOSE: This paper presents a statistical approach for the prediction of
      trabecular bone parameters from low-resolution multisequence magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) in children, thus addressing the limitations of high-resolution
      modalities such as HR-pQCT, including the significant exposure of young patients
      to radiation and the limited applicability of such modalities to peripheral bones
      in vivo. METHODS: A statistical predictive model is constructed from a database
      of MRI and HR-pQCT datasets, to relate the low-resolution MRI appearance in the
      cancellous bone to the trabecular parameters extracted from the high-resolution
      images. The description of the MRI appearance is achieved between subjects by
      using a collection of feature descriptors, which describe the texture properties
      inside the cancellous bone, and which are invariant to the geometry and size of
      the trabecular areas. The predictive model is built by fitting to the training
      data a nonlinear partial least square regression between the input MRI features
      and the output trabecular parameters. RESULTS: Detailed validation based on a
      sample of 96 datasets shows correlations >0.7 between the trabecular parameters
      predicted from low-resolution multisequence MRI based on the proposed statistical
      model and the values extracted from high-resolution HRp-QCT. CONCLUSIONS: The
      obtained results indicate the promise of the proposed predictive technique for
      the estimation of trabecular parameters in children from multisequence MRI, thus
      reducing the need for high-resolution radiation-based scans for a fragile
      population that is under development and growth.

PMID- 27277055
TI  - A novel approach to background subtraction in contrast-enhanced dual-energy
      digital mammography with commercially available mammography devices: Noise
      minimization.
AB  - PURPOSE: Dual-energy image subtraction represents a useful tool to improve the
      detectability of small lesions, especially in dense breasts. A feature it shares
      with all x-ray imaging techniques is the appearance of fluctuations in the
      texture of the background, which can obscure the visibility of interesting
      details. The aim of the work is to investigate the main noise sources, in order
      to create a better performing subtraction mechanism. In particular, the
      structural noise cancellation was achieved by means of a suitable extension of
      the dual-energy algorithm. METHODS: The effect of the cancellation procedure was
      tested on an analytical simulation of a target with varying structural
      composition. Subsequently, the subtraction algorithm was also applied to a set of
      actual radiographs of a breast phantom exhibiting a nonuniform background
      pattern. The background power spectra of the outcomes were computed and compared
      to the ones obtained from a standard subtraction algorithm. RESULTS: The
      comparison between the standard and the proposed cancellations showed an overall
      suppression of the magnitudes of the spectra, as well as a flattening of the
      frequency dependence of the structural component of the noise. CONCLUSIONS: The
      proposed subtraction procedure provides an effective cancellation of the residual
      background fluctuations. When combined with the polychromatic correction already
      described in a companion publication, it results in a high performing dual-energy
      subtraction scheme for commercial mammography units.

PMID- 27277056
TI  - Segmentation of prostate from ultrasound images using level sets on active band
      and intensity variation across edges.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this paper, the authors propose a novel efficient method to segment
      ultrasound images of the prostate with weak boundaries. Segmentation of the
      prostate from ultrasound images with weak boundaries widely exists in clinical
      applications. One of the most typical examples is the diagnosis and treatment of
      prostate cancer. Accurate segmentation of the prostate boundaries from ultrasound
      images plays an important role in many prostate-related applications such as the
      accurate placement of the biopsy needles, the assignment of the appropriate
      therapy in cancer treatment, and the measurement of the prostate volume. METHODS:
      Ultrasound images of the prostate are usually corrupted with intensity
      inhomogeneities, weak boundaries, and unwanted edges, which make the segmentation
      of the prostate an inherently difficult task. Regarding to these difficulties,
      the authors introduce an active band term and an edge descriptor term in the
      modified level set energy functional. The active band term is to deal with
      intensity inhomogeneities and the edge descriptor term is to capture the weak
      boundaries or to rule out unwanted boundaries. The level set function of the
      proposed model is updated in a band region around the zero level set which the
      authors call it an active band. The active band restricts the authors' method to
      utilize the local image information in a banded region around the prostate
      contour. Compared to traditional level set methods, the average intensities
      inside?outside the zero level set are only computed in this banded region. Thus,
      only pixels in the active band have influence on the evolution of the level set.
      For weak boundaries, they are hard to be distinguished by human eyes, but in
      local patches in the band region around prostate boundaries, they are easier to
      be detected. The authors incorporate an edge descriptor to calculate the total
      intensity variation in a local patch paralleled to the normal direction of the
      zero level set, which can detect weak boundaries and avoid unwanted edges in the
      ultrasound images. RESULTS: The efficiency of the proposed model is demonstrated
      by experiments on real 3D volume images and 2D ultrasound images and comparisons
      with other approaches. Validation results on real 3D TRUS prostate images show
      that the authors' model can obtain a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 94.03%
      +/- 1.50% and a sensitivity of 93.16% +/- 2.30%. Experiments on 100 typical 2D
      ultrasound images show that the authors' method can obtain a sensitivity of
      94.87% +/- 1.85% and a DSC of 95.82% +/- 2.23%. A reproducibility experiment is
      done to evaluate the robustness of the proposed model. CONCLUSIONS: As far as the
      authors know, prostate segmentation from ultrasound images with weak boundaries
      and unwanted edges is a difficult task. A novel method using level sets with
      active band and the intensity variation across edges is proposed in this paper.
      Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is more
      efficient and accurate.

PMID- 27277057
TI  - Dynamic PET simulator via tomographic emission projection for kinetic modeling
      and parametric image studies.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a fast and simple tool called dpetstep (Dynamic
      PET Simulator of Tracers via Emission Projection), for dynamic PET simulations as
      an alternative to Monte Carlo (MC), useful for educational purposes and
      evaluation of the effects of the clinical environment, postprocessing choices,
      etc., on dynamic and parametric images. METHODS: The tool was developed in matlab
      using both new and previously reported modules of petstep (PET Simulator of
      Tracers via Emission Projection). Time activity curves are generated for each
      voxel of the input parametric image, whereby effects of imaging system blurring,
      counting noise, scatters, randoms, and attenuation are simulated for each frame.
      Each frame is then reconstructed into images according to the user specified
      method, settings, and corrections. Reconstructed images were compared to MC data,
      and simple Gaussian noised time activity curves (GAUSS). RESULTS: dpetstep was
      8000 times faster than MC. Dynamic images from dpetstep had a root mean square
      error that was within 4% on average of that of MC images, whereas the GAUSS
      images were within 11%. The average bias in dpetstep and MC images was the same,
      while GAUSS differed by 3% points. Noise profiles in dpetstep images conformed
      well to MC images, confirmed visually by scatter plot histograms, and
      statistically by tumor region of interest histogram comparisons that showed no
      significant differences (p < 0.01). Compared to GAUSS, dpetstep images and noise
      properties agreed better with MC. CONCLUSIONS: The authors have developed a fast
      and easy one-stop solution for simulations of dynamic PET and parametric images,
      and demonstrated that it generates both images and subsequent parametric images
      with very similar noise properties to those of MC images, in a fraction of the
      time. They believe dpetstep to be very useful for generating fast, simple, and
      realistic results, however since it uses simple scatter and random models it may
      not be suitable for studies investigating these phenomena. dpetstep can be
      downloaded free of cost from https://github.com/CRossSchmidtlein/dPETSTEP.

PMID- 27277058
TI  - Multilayered tissue mimicking skin and vessel phantoms with tunable mechanical,
      optical, and acoustic properties.
AB  - PURPOSE: This paper describes the design, fabrication, and characterization of
      multilayered tissue mimicking skin and vessel phantoms with tunable mechanical,
      optical, and acoustic properties. The phantoms comprise epidermis, dermis, and
      hypodermis skin layers, blood vessels, and blood mimicking fluid. Each tissue
      component may be individually tailored to a range of physiological and
      demographic conditions. METHODS: The skin layers were constructed from varying
      concentrations of gelatin and agar. Synthetic melanin, India ink, absorbing dyes,
      and Intralipid were added to provide optical absorption and scattering in the
      skin layers. Bovine serum albumin was used to increase acoustic attenuation, and
      40 MUm diameter silica microspheres were used to induce acoustic backscatter.
      Phantom vessels consisting of thin-walled polydimethylsiloxane tubing were
      embedded at depths of 2-6 mm beneath the skin, and blood mimicking fluid was
      passed through the vessels. The phantoms were characterized through uniaxial
      compression and tension experiments, rheological frequency sweep studies, diffuse
      reflectance spectroscopy, and ultrasonic pulse-echo measurements. Results were
      then compared to in vivo and ex vivo literature data. RESULTS: The elastic and
      dynamic shear behavior of the phantom skin layers and vessel wall closely
      approximated the behavior of porcine skin tissues and human vessels. Similarly,
      the optical properties of the phantom tissue components in the wavelength range
      of 400-1100 nm, as well as the acoustic properties in the frequency range of 2-9
      MHz, were comparable to human tissue data. Normalized root mean square percent
      errors between the phantom results and the literature reference values ranged
      from 1.06% to 9.82%, which for many measurements were less than the sample
      variability. Finally, the mechanical and imaging characteristics of the phantoms
      were found to remain stable after 30 days of storage at 21  degrees C.
      CONCLUSIONS: The phantoms described in this work simulate the mechanical,
      optical, and acoustic properties of human skin tissues, vessel tissue, and blood.
      In this way, the phantoms are uniquely suited to serve as test models for
      multimodal imaging techniques and image-guided interventions.

PMID- 27277059
TI  - Automated multistructure atlas-assisted detection of lymph nodes using pelvic MR
      lymphography in prostate cancer patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether atlas-based anatomical information can improve a
      fully automated lymph node detection system for pelvic MR lymphography (MRL)
      images of patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Their data set contained MRL
      images of 240 prostate cancer patients who had an MRL as part of their clinical
      work-up between January 2008 and April 2010, with ferumoxtran-10 as contrast
      agent. Each MRL consisted of at least a 3D T1-weighted sequence, a 3D T2*
      weighted sequence, and a FLASH-3D sequence. The reference standard was created by
      two expert readers, reading in consensus, who annotated and interactively
      segmented the lymph nodes in all MRL studies. A total of 5089 lymph nodes were
      annotated. A fully automated computer-aided detection (CAD) system was developed
      to find lymph nodes in the MRL studies. The system incorporates voxel features
      based on image intensities, the Hessian matrix, and spatial position. After
      feature calculation, a GentleBoost-classifier in combination with local maxima
      detection was used to identify lymph node candidates. Multiatlas based anatomical
      information was added to the CAD system to assess whether this could improve
      performance. Using histogram analysis and free-receiver operating characteristic
      analysis, this was compared to a strategy where relative position features were
      used to encode anatomical information. RESULTS: Adding atlas-based anatomical
      information to the CAD system reduced false positive detections both visually and
      quantitatively. Median likelihood values of false positives decreased
      significantly in all annotated anatomical structures. The sensitivity increased
      from 53% to 70% at 10 false positives per lymph node. CONCLUSIONS: Adding
      anatomical information through atlas registration significantly improves an
      automated lymph node detection system for MRL images.

PMID- 27277061
TI  - Conformal image-guided microbeam radiation therapy at the ESRF biomedical
      beamline ID17.
AB  - PURPOSE: Upcoming veterinary trials in microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) demand
      for more advanced irradiation techniques than in preclinical research with small
      animals. The treatment of deep-seated tumors in cats and dogs with MRT requires
      sophisticated irradiation geometries from multiple ports, which impose further
      efforts to spare the normal tissue surrounding the target. METHODS: This work
      presents the development and benchmarking of a precise patient alignment protocol
      for MRT at the biomedical beamline ID17 of the European Synchrotron Radiation
      Facility (ESRF). The positioning of the patient prior to irradiation is verified
      by taking x-ray projection images from different angles. RESULTS: Using four
      external fiducial markers of 1.7  mm diameter and computed tomography-based
      treatment planning, a target alignment error of less than 2  mm can be achieved
      with an angular deviation of less than 2(?). Minor improvements on the protocol
      and the use of smaller markers indicate that even a precision better than 1  mm
      is technically feasible. Detailed investigations concerning the imaging dose lead
      to the conclusion that doses for skull radiographs lie in the same range as dose
      reference levels for human head radiographs. A currently used online dose monitor
      for MRT has been proven to give reliable results for the imaging beam.
      CONCLUSIONS: The ESRF biomedical beamline ID17 is technically ready to apply
      conformal image-guided MRT from multiple ports to large animals during future
      veterinary trials.

PMID- 27277062
TI  - A concept for classification of optimal breathing pattern for use in radiotherapy
      tracking, based on respiratory tumor kinematics and minimum jerk analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: During radiotherapy, maintaining the patient in a relaxed and
      comfortable state helps ensure respiratory regularity and reproducibility,
      thereby supports accurate respiratory tracking/gating treatment. Criteria to
      evaluate respiratory naturalness, regularity, and phase robustness are therefore
      needed to aid for the treatment system numerically and medical observers
      visually. This study introduces a new concept of respiratory tumor kinematics
      that describes the trajectory of tumor motion with respiration, leading to the
      minimum jerk theory. Using this theory, this study proposes novel respiratory
      criteria for respiratory naturalness, regularity, and phase robustness. METHODS:
      According to respiratory tumor kinematics, tumor motion follows the minimum
      curvature/jerk trajectory in 4D spacetime. Using this theory, the following three
      respiratory criteria are proposed: (1) respiratory naturalness Us, the residual
      sum of the squared difference between the normalized average free respiratory
      wave (single inhalation/exhalation averaged over each 10 phases) and the
      normalized minimum jerk theoretical respiratory wave; (2) respiratory regularity
      Cj16, the cumulative jerk squared cost function sampling every 0.2 s with a peak
      adjustment coefficient, 16; and (3) respiratory phase robustness (LDelta), a
      second-order partial differential in the respiratory position for regarded Cj16
      as the respiratory position function. To verify these respiratory criteria,
      values obtained from CyberKnife tracking marker log data for 15 patients were
      compared with regard to the correlation error between the correlation model and
      the imaged tumor position, as well as with the number of remodels. The Cj16
      growth curve was also compared between 15 patients and 15 healthy volunteers.
      RESULTS: In the 15 patients, data with Us < 1 and Cj16(60 s) < 10 000 satisfied
      average/maximum correlation errors of less than 1/3 mm. Data with higher Us
      values (less respiratory naturalness) and higher Cj16(60 s) values (less
      respiratory regularity) demonstrated more than 3 mm average/5 mm maximum
      correlation errors and an increased number of remodels. The data for the 15
      patients and 15 volunteers demonstrated that the Cj16 growth curve over 120 s
      from the start of sampling indicated patient-specific respiratory trends and that
      the distribution of LDelta clearly showed the respiratory phase shift. In 22 of
      30 subjects, the degree of change in the Cj growth curve trends from 60 to 120 s
      was 22% +/- 13% (average +/- SD). In contrast, the residual data observed when
      Cj16 > 1000 showed minimum and mean changes of 91% and 180%, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed and verified novel respiratory criteria for
      respiratory naturalness, regularity, and phase robustness obtained using
      respiratory tumor kinematics and minimum jerk analysis. These criteria should be
      useful in monitoring respiratory trends on a real-time basis during treatment, as
      well as in selecting optimal breathing for tracking/gating radiation treatment
      and defining numerical goals for respiratory training/gating.

PMID- 27277063
TI  - Guidelines by the AAPM and GEC-ESTRO on the use of innovative brachytherapy
      devices and applications: Report of Task Group 167.
AB  - Although a multicenter, Phase III, prospective, randomized trial is the gold
      standard for evidence-based medicine, it is rarely used in the evaluation of
      innovative devices because of many practical and ethical reasons. It is usually
      sufficient to compare the dose distributions and dose rates for determining the
      equivalence of the innovative treatment modality to an existing one. Thus,
      quantitative evaluation of the dosimetric characteristics of innovative
      radiotherapy devices or applications is a critical part in which physicists
      should be actively involved. The physicist's role, along with physician
      colleagues, in this process is highlighted for innovative brachytherapy devices
      and applications and includes evaluation of (1) dosimetric considerations for
      clinical implementation (including calibrations, dose calculations, and
      radiobiological aspects) to comply with existing societal dosimetric
      prerequisites for sources in routine clinical use, (2) risks and benefits from a
      regulatory and safety perspective, and (3) resource assessment and preparedness.
      Further, it is suggested that any developed calibration methods be traceable to a
      primary standards dosimetry laboratory (PSDL) such as the National Institute of
      Standards and Technology in the U.S. or to other PSDLs located elsewhere such as
      in Europe. Clinical users should follow standards as approved by their country's
      regulatory agencies that approved such a brachytherapy device. Integration of
      this system into the medical source calibration infrastructure of secondary
      standard dosimetry laboratories such as the Accredited Dosimetry Calibration
      Laboratories in the U.S. is encouraged before a source is introduced into
      widespread routine clinical use. The American Association of Physicists in
      Medicine and the Groupe Europeen de Curietherapie-European Society for
      Radiotherapy and Oncology (GEC-ESTRO) have developed guidelines for the safe and
      consistent application of brachytherapy using innovative devices and
      applications. The current report covers regulatory approvals, calibration, dose
      calculations, radiobiological issues, and overall safety concerns that should be
      addressed during the commissioning stage preceding clinical use. These guidelines
      are based on review of requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
      U.S. Department of Transportation, International Electrotechnical Commission
      Medical Electrical Equipment Standard 60601, U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
      European Commission for CE Marking (Conformite Europeenne), and institutional
      review boards and radiation safety committees. 

PMID- 27277060
TI  - Vision 20/20: Molecular-guided surgical oncology based upon tumor metabolism or
      immunologic phenotype: Technological pathways for point of care imaging and
      intervention.
AB  - Surgical guidance with fluorescence has been demonstrated in individual clinical
      trials for decades, but the scientific and commercial conditions exist today for
      a dramatic increase in clinical value. In the past decade, increased use of
      indocyanine green based visualization of vascular flow, biliary function, and
      tissue perfusion has spawned a robust growth in commercial systems that have near
      infrared emission imaging and video display capabilities. This recent history
      combined with major preclinical innovations in fluorescent-labeled molecular
      probes, has the potential for a shift in surgical practice toward resection
      guidance based upon molecular information in addition to conventional visual and
      palpable cues. Most surgical subspecialties already have treatment management
      decisions partially based upon the immunohistochemical phenotype of the cancer,
      as assessed from molecular pathology of the biopsy tissue. This phenotyping can
      inform the surgical resection process by spatial mapping of these features.
      Further integration of the diagnostic and therapeutic value of tumor metabolism
      sensing molecules or immune binding agents directly into the surgical process can
      help this field mature. Maximal value to the patient would come from identifying
      the spatial patterns of molecular expression in vivo that are well known to
      exist. However, as each molecular agent is advanced into trials, the performance
      of the imaging system can have a critical impact on the success. For example, use
      of pre-existing commercial imaging systems are not well suited to image receptor
      targeted fluorophores because of the lower concentrations expected, requiring
      orders of magnitude more sensitivity. Additionally the imaging system needs the
      appropriate dynamic range and image processing features to view molecular probes
      or therapeutics that may have nonspecific uptake or pharmacokinetic issues which
      lead to limitations in contrast. Imaging systems need to be chosen based upon
      objective performance criteria, and issues around calibration, validation, and
      interpretation need to be established before a clinical trial starts. Finally, as
      early phase trials become more established, the costs associated with failures
      can be crippling to the field, and so judicious use of phase 0 trials with
      microdose levels of agents is one viable paradigm to help the field advance, but
      this places high sensitivity requirements on the imaging systems used. Molecular
      guided surgery has truly transformative potential, and several key challenges are
      outlined here with the goal of seeing efficient advancement with ideal choices.
      The focus of this vision 20/20 paper is on the technological aspects that are
      needed to be paired with these agents. 

PMID- 27277064
TI  - Erratum: "Coverage-based treatment planning to accommodate deformable organ
      variations in prostate cancer treatment" [Med. Phys. 41(10), 101705 (14pp.)
      (2014)].

PMID- 27277065
TI  - Imaging in Nuclear Medicine.

PMID- 27277066
TI  - Molecular Imaging of Small Animals.

PMID- 27277067
TI  - Identification of a bipartite nuclear localization signal in the silkworm Masc
      protein.
AB  - The silkworm Masculinizer (Masc) gene encodes a CCCH-tandem zinc finger protein
      that controls both masculinization and dosage compensation. Masc protein is a
      nuclear protein, but the mechanism underlying the transport of this protein into
      the nucleus has not yet been elucidated. Here, we identified a functional
      bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) located between residues 274 and 290
      of the Masc protein. Sequence comparison revealed that this bipartite NLS is
      evolutionarily conserved in Masc proteins from other lepidopteran insects.
      Furthermore, we showed that the degree of nuclear localization is not associated
      with the masculinizing activity of the Masc protein.

PMID- 27277068
TI  - Protection of densely populated excited triplet state ensembles against
      deactivation by molecular oxygen.
AB  - This critical review discusses different approaches towards protection of
      photoactive materials based on triplet excited state ensembles against
      deactivation by molecular oxygen though quenching and photooxidation mechanisms.
      Passive protection, based on the application of barrier materials for packaging,
      sealing, or encapsulation of the active substances, which prevent oxygen
      molecules from penetration and physical contact with excited states and active
      protection, based on the application of oxygen scavenging species are compared.
      Efficiencies of different approaches together with examples and prospects of
      their applications are outlined. 

PMID- 27277070
TI  - Severity of nasal obstruction can predict the anxiety status of patients with
      allergic rhinitis but not patients with vasomotor rhinitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic systemic allergic disease with an
      association reported between allergy and anxiety. The objective of the current
      study was therefore to investigate and retrospectively evaluate the factors that
      may possibly induce state and trait anxiety among patients with AR and vasomotor
      rhinitis (VMR). METHODS: A total of 253 outpatients suffering from AR and 108
      suffering from VMR were assessed for nasal symptoms experienced during the 14
      days prior to assessment. All patients scored the severity of their symptoms on a
      visual analogue scale (VAS) and answered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
      questionnaire to evaluate their state (STAI-S) and trait (STAI-T) anxiety scores.
      Pearson's correlation and multiple regression tests were employed to assess
      correlations between symptom scores and anxiety status scores. RESULTS: The STAI
      S/T scores were not significantly different between AR and VMR patients; however,
      for AR patients, STAI-S and STAI-T were significantly associated with nasal
      obstruction and the total nasal symptom scores. Multiple regression analysis
      further demonstrated that only nasal obstruction significantly influenced both
      STAI-S and STAI-T scores. In contrast, nasal itching and total nasal symptom
      scores were significantly correlated with the STAI-S and STAI-T scores in VMR
      patients, whereas continuous sneezing VAS scores were significantly associated
      with only the STAI-S score. However, multiple regression analysis showed that the
      associations between any of the 4 nasal symptom scores and STAI-S and STAI-T
      scores were not significant. CONCLUSION: Nasal obstruction may play a prominent
      role in mediation of anxiety in patients suffering from AR, but not in patients
      suffering from VMR.

PMID- 27277069
TI  - Transcriptomic analysis of the ion channelome of human platelets and
      megakaryocytic cell lines.
AB  - Ion channels have crucial roles in all cell types and represent important
      therapeutic targets. Approximately 20 ion channels have been reported in human
      platelets; however, no systematic study has been undertaken to define the
      platelet channelome. These membrane proteins need only be expressed at low copy
      number to influence function and may not be detected using proteomic or
      transcriptomic microarray approaches. In our recent work, quantitative real-time
      PCR (qPCR) provided key evidence that Kv1.3 is responsible for the voltage
      dependent K+ conductance of platelets and megakaryocytes. The present study has
      expanded this approach to assess relative expression of 402 ion channels and
      channel regulatory genes in human platelets and three
      megakaryoblastic/erythroleukaemic cell lines. mRNA levels in platelets are low
      compared to other blood cells, therefore an improved method of isolating
      platelets was developed. This used a cocktail of inhibitors to prevent formation
      of leukocyte-platelet aggregates, and a combination of positive and negative
      immunomagnetic cell separation, followed by rapid extraction of mRNA. Expression
      of 34 channel-related transcripts was quantified in platelets, including 24 with
      unknown roles in platelet function, but that were detected at levels comparable
      to ion channels with established roles in haemostasis or thrombosis. Trace
      expression of a further 50 ion channel genes was also detected. More extensive
      channelomes were detected in MEG-01, CHRF-288-11 and HEL cells (195, 185 and 197
      transcripts, respectively), but lacked several channels observed in the platelet.
      These "channelome" datasets provide an important resource for further studies of
      ion channel function in the platelet and megakaryocyte.

PMID- 27277071
TI  - The clinical results of a novel method for minimal invasive dynamic hip screw
      fixation of intertrochanteric fractures compared to the conventional one.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hip intertrochanteric fractures are very frequent. Early mobilization
      reduces the associated mortality and morbidity rate. DHS is still commonly used
      in many centers. We describe a new minimal invasive DHS technique (MIDHS)
      depending on radiological land marks, facilitating the application of DHS in a
      proper way without the use of an angle guide and we retrospectively compared the
      functional results of the new technique with that of the conventional DHS (CDHS)
      technique. METHODS: 116 patients (MIDHS n = 56; CDHS n = 60) with stable
      intertrochanteric fractures were followed up for at least 12 months. The motoric
      function using the Barthel index, the post-operative pain using the VAS, and the
      time of bone healing of the new MIDHS group were compared to that of the CDHS
      group. RESULTS: The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 45th days showed a higher
      motoric function of the MIDHS compared with the CDHS, P (0.001, 0.032, 0.012,
      0.001, 0.028 and 0.041), respectively. VAS demonstrated less scores of the MIDHS
      group in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 45th days when compared with that of
      the CDHS group, P (0.001, 0.032, 0.012, 0.001, 0.028, and 0.041), respectively.
      However, no statistical significance was detected in bone-healing time between
      the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The new MIDHS technique is a trustable procedure
      that may help the surgeon to perform DHS fixation in a proper way. It offers a
      better motoric function, less pain. However, further studies should be conducted
      to evaluate the validity of such radiological land marks in proximal femoral
      surgery.

PMID- 27277072
TI  - The characteristics and pre-hospital management of blunt trauma patients with
      suspected spinal column injuries: a retrospective observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pre-hospital spinal immobilisation by emergency medical services
      (EMS) staff is currently the standard of care in cases of suspected spinal column
      injuries. There is, however, a lack of data on the characteristics of patients
      who received spinal immobilisation during the pre-hospital phase and on the
      adverse effects of immobilisation. The objectives of this study were threefold.
      First, we determined the pre-hospital characteristics of blunt trauma patients
      with suspected spinal column injuries who were immobilised by EMS staff. Second,
      we assessed the choices made by EMS staff regarding spinal immobilisation
      techniques and reasons for immobilisation. Third, we researched the possible
      adverse effects of immobilisation. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study in
      a cohort of blunt trauma patients. STUDY METHOD: Data of blunt trauma patients
      with suspected spinal column injuries were collected from one EMS organisation
      between January 2008 and January 2013. Coded data and free text notes were
      analysed. RESULTS: A total of 1082 patients were included in this study. Spinal
      immobilisation was applied in 96.3 % of the patients based on valid pre-hospital
      criteria. In 2.1 % of the patients immobilisation was not based on valid
      criteria. Data of 1.6 % patients were missing. Main reasons for spinal
      immobilisation were posterior midline spinal tenderness (37.2 % of patients) and
      painful distracting injuries (13.5 % of patients). Spinal cord injury (SCI) was
      suspected in 5.7 % of the patients with posterior midline spinal tenderness. A
      total of 15.8 % patients were immobilised using non-standard methods. The reason
      for departure from the standard method was explained for 3 % of these patients.
      Reported adverse effects included pain (n = 10, 0.9 %,); shortness of breath (n =
      3, 0.3 %); combativeness or anxiety (n = 6, 0.6 %); and worsening of pain when
      supine (n = 1, 0.1 %). CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION: Spinal immobilisation was
      applied in 96.3 % of all included patients based on pre-hospital criteria. We
      found that consensus among EMS staff on how to interpret the criterion
      'distracting injury' was lacking. Furthermore, the adverse effects of spinal
      immobilisation were incompletely documented in pre-hospital care reports. To
      provide validated information on potential symptoms of SCI, a uniform EMS scoring
      system for motoric assessment should be developed.

PMID- 27277073
TI  - A revised 3-column classification approach for the surgical planning of extended
      lateral tibial plateau fractures.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Variable angle locking compression plates allow for lateral buttress
      and support of the posterolateral joint surface of tibial plateau fractures. This
      gives room for improvement of the surgical 3-column classification approach. Our
      aim was to revise and validate the 3-column classification approach to better
      guide the surgical planning of tibial plateau fractures extending into the
      posterolateral corner. METHODS: In contrast to the 3-column classification
      approach, in the revised approach the posterior border of the lateral column in
      the revised approach lies posterior instead of anterior of the fibula. According
      to the revised 3-column classification approach, extended lateral column
      fractures are defined as single lateral column fractures extending posteriorly
      into the posterolateral corner. CT-images of 36 patients were reviewed and
      classified twice online according to Schatzker and revised 3-column
      classification approach by five observers. The intraobserver reliability was
      calculated using the Cohen's kappa and the interobserver reliability was
      calculated using the Fleiss' kappa. RESULTS: The intraobserver reliability showed
      substantial agreement according to Landis and Koch for both Schatzker and the
      revised 3-column classification approach (0.746 vs. 0.782 p = 0.37, Schatzker vs.
      revised 3-column, respectively). However, the interobserver reliability of the
      revised 3-column classification approach was significantly higher as compared to
      the Schatzker classification (0.531 vs. 0.669 p < 0.01, moderate vs. substantial
      agreement, Schatzker vs. revised 3-column, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: With the
      introduction of variable angle locking compression plates, the revised 3-column
      classification approach is a very helpful tool in the preoperative surgical
      planning of tibial plateau fractures, in particular, lateral column fractures
      that extend into the posterolateral corner. The revised 3-column classification
      approach is rather a practical supplement to the Schatzker classification. It has
      a significantly higher interobserver reliability as compared to the Schatzker
      classification, most likely due to the more simple nature of the revised 3-column
      classification approach.

PMID- 27277074
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide Attenuates the Cytotoxicity of Resveratrol in Transformed
      Mouse Macrophages.
AB  - Resveratrol and pterostilbene are natural products that are present in plants and
      have been incorporated into various dietary supplements. Numerous beneficial
      pharmacologic effects have been reported for these stilbenes; however, the
      mechanism by which these compounds exert a cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7
      macrophages has not been well characterized. We have previously described that
      resveratrol is toxic to these tumor-derived macrophages and that stimulation with
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reduces resveratrol toxicity via a mechanism that
      involves activation of toll like receptor 4. In the present work, we examined the
      cellular and molecular effects of resveratrol and the related compound
      pterostilbene by determining cell viability and caspase 3 activity in control and
      LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages incubated with these stilbenes for 24 h. We
      found that LPS stimulation reduced the cytotoxicity of resveratrol but not of
      pterostilbene in these cells. When examined for effects on caspase 3 activation
      after a 24 h incubation, resveratrol and pterostilbene were each found to
      separately and significantly increase caspase 3 activity in these cells. LPS
      stimulation prevented caspase 3 activation by pterostilbene and reduced caspase 3
      activation by resveratrol in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The data presented here
      indicate that LPS induces a phenotype switch in tumor-derived RAW 264.7
      macrophages in which cells experiencing LPS in the presence of resveratrol or
      pterostilbene become less likely to activate the pro-apoptotic factor caspase 3. 

PMID- 27277075
TI  - Glycemic Response to Corn Starch Modified with Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase
      and its Relationship to Physical Properties.
AB  - Corn starch was modified with cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) below the
      gelatinization temperature. The porous granules with or without CGTase hydrolysis
      products may be used as an alternative to modified corn starches in foods
      applications. The amount and type of hydrolysis products were determined,
      containing mainly beta-cyclodextrin (CD), which will influence pasting behavior
      and glycemic response in mice. Irregular surface and small holes were observed by
      microscopic analysis and differences in pasting properties were observed in the
      presence of hydrolysis products. Postprandial blood glucose in mice fed
      gelatinized enzymatically modified starch peaked earlier than their ungelatinized
      counterparts. However, in ungelatinized enzymatically modified starches, the
      presence of beta- CD may inhibit the orientation of amylases slowing hydrolysis,
      which may help to maintain lower blood glucose levels. Significant correlations
      were found between glycemic curves and viscosity pattern of starches. 

PMID- 27277076
TI  - Assessment of pathogenicity and tissue distribution of infectious bronchitis
      virus strains (Italy 02 genotype) isolated from moroccan broiler chickens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is one of the most important viral
      diseases of poultry, affecting chickens of all ages and causing major economic
      losses in poultry flocks. Mass vaccination is conducted in Morocco using a
      vaccine against Massachusetts, which is the most dominant serotype; however no
      information about the pathogenesis and tissue distribution of the Moroccan Italy
      02 genotype was reported. 40 one-day-old specific pathogen free chickens were
      divided randomly into four groups. Group1, 2 and 3 were inoculated intra oculo
      nasally with 103.5 EID50 of Italy02 viruses, and group 4 was kept as control.
      Chickens in each group were monitored for 14 days post-infection (pi). RESULTS:
      Chickens in all infected groups showed severe respiratory signs, which most of
      them have been reproduced on 2dpi, with varying times of appearance and
      disappearance. The infected birds appeared lethargic, reluctant to move, with
      specific respiratory clinical signs and macroscopic lesions. However no nephritis
      lesions or mortality were recorded in all groups. The specific histological
      lesions finding in all infected birds, exhibited tracheal lesions with mucosal
      thickening, hyperplasia of the surface epithelium, mononuclear inflammatory cell
      infiltrate of lamina propria. Primary and secondary bronchi, epithelial
      hyperplasia and mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate of the lamina propria
      were also observed. Tracheal lesions developed in all infected birds, confirm the
      ability of the three tested strains to induce respiratory disease. The results at
      14 dpi also revealed that all strains were able to induce serological response.
      Virus re-isolation from infected organs and amplification of the viral RNA by
      real-time PCR proved the presence of the virus in lung and trachea of infected
      chicks. Neither re-isolation nor significant viral RNA detection were detected in
      the kidney. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that the three strains Italy02
      genotype emerging in Moroccan poultry farms have a wide distribution for
      respiratory system, without kidney damage and without causing mortality.

PMID- 27277077
TI  - Patients with hepatic breast cancer metastases demonstrate highly specific
      profiles of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 after SIRT treatment as
      compared to other primary and secondary liver tumours.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with primary and metastatic liver malignancies represent a
      highly heterogeneous patient pool characterised by some of the shortest life
      expectancies amongst oncology patients. Investigation and better understanding of
      liver malignancies is an emerging field which requires high-quality
      multidisciplinary research and collaboration. METHODS: A study of 158 patients
      with primary hepatic carcinomas and secondary liver metastases, altogether 15
      cancer types of different origin, who underwent selective internal radiation
      therapy (SIRT) with Yttrium(90) or transarterial chemoembolisation, was
      undertaken in an effort to detect distinguishing features with respect to
      activity profiles of both blood matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9).
      RESULTS: Noteworthy, stratification of all hepatic cancer groups with respect to
      MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities revealed characteristic patterns specifically in
      patients with hepatic breast cancer metastases who had undergone SIRT. In
      contrast to all other groups, these patients demonstrated well-consolidated
      profiles of both MMPs, reflecting a common feature, namely an immediate and
      durable increase of their activity after the SIRT treatment. Although the total
      number of patients in the breast cancer group is relatively small (15 patients),
      since increased activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are well known prognostic factors
      for poor outcomes of oncologic patients, the significance and clear group
      specificity (from 15 ones investigated here) of this previously unanticipated
      finding requires particular attention and further investigations. Particularly
      important is to determine, whether this increase of the metalloproteinase
      activity was provoked by SIRT, as well as whether special selection criteria are
      required for patients with breast cancer metastases to the liver who are being
      considered for SIRT. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that a more focused,
      multidisciplinary and large-scaled investigations of the possible adverse effects
      of SIRT in patients with advanced metastatic disease of breast cancer be
      undertaken, with an appropriate patients' stratification, set-up of the relevant
      patient profiles and disease modelling.

PMID- 27277078
TI  - Can domestic helpers moderate distress of offspring caregivers of cognitively
      impaired older adults?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined the moderating effect of domestic helpers on
      distress of offspring caring for parents with cognitive impairments and with or
      without behavioural problems. METHOD: This secondary analysis of data involved
      5086 Hong Kong Chinese adults aged 60 or older applying for public long-term care
      services from 2010 to 2012. All variables were measured using the mandatory Hong
      Kong version of the Minimum Data Set-Home Care 2.0. RESULTS: Regarding taking
      care of parents with cognitive impairments, 10.7% of offspring primary caregivers
      were aided by domestic helpers, 55.54% reported distress, and 75.70% lived with
      their parents. Assistance from domestic helpers reduced offspring caregiver
      distress if the offspring provided psychological support to parents (ratio of OR
      = 0.655, p < .05) and were not living with parents (ratio of OR = 1.183, p <
      .01). CONCLUSION: These findings might suggest: a) the positive effects of
      audience on psychological responses to stress; b) caregiving is usually less
      stressful for informal caregivers not residing with care recipients. Conversely,
      having a domestic helper could add to caregiving distress if offspring caregivers
      live with their parents, most likely because offspring may witness difficulties
      that domestic helpers face in providing dementia care.

PMID- 27277080
TI  - Chelatococcus thermostellatus sp. nov., a new thermophile for bioplastic
      synthesis: comparative phylogenetic and physiological study.
AB  - The poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, accumulating thermophilic strain MW9(T),
      isolated from an aerobic organic waste treatment plant, was characterized by
      detailed physiological and phylogenetic studies. The strain is a Gram-stain
      negative, rod shaped, non-spore forming member of Alphaproteobacteria. It shows
      optimum growth at 50  degrees C. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the
      strain together with five very similar isolates, was affiliated to the genus
      Chelatococcus (Ibrahim et al. in J Appl Microbiol 109:1579-1590, 2010). Rep-PCR
      genomic fingerprints and partial dnaK gene sequence also revealed that these
      isolates are very similar, but differ from other Chelatococcus type strains. The
      major fatty acids were similar to those of other strains of the genus
      Chelatococcus. DNA-DNA hybridization of strain MW9(T) with Chelatococcus species
      type strains revealed 11.0-47.7 % relatedness. G+C content of DNA was 67.1 mol%,
      which is comparable with the other strains of Chelatococcus species. The
      physiological and phenotypic characteristics of the new strain MW9(T) are
      sufficient to differentiate it from previously described species in the genus
      Chelatococcus. Strain MW9(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the
      genus Chelatococcus, for which the name Chelatococcus thermostellatus is
      proposed. The type strain is MW9(T) (=LMG 27009(T) = DSM 28244(T)). Compared to
      known Chelatococcus strains, strain MW9(T) could be a potent candidate for
      bioplastic production at elevated temperature. 

PMID- 27277079
TI  - Metabolome analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and optimization of culture
      medium for S-adenosyl-L-methionine production.
AB  - S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) is a fine chemical used as a nutritional supplement
      and a prescription drug. It is industrially produced using Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae owing to its high SAM content. To investigate the optimization of
      culture medium components for higher SAM production, metabolome analysis was
      conducted to compare the intracellular metabolite concentrations between Kyokai
      no. 6 (high SAM-producing) and laboratory yeast S288C (control) under different
      SAM production conditions. Metabolome analysis and the result of principal
      component analysis showed that the rate-limiting step for SAM production was ATP
      supply and the levels of degradation products of adenosine nucleotides were
      higher in Kyokai 6 strain than in the S288C strain under the L-methionine
      supplemented condition. Analysis of ATP accumulation showed that the levels of
      intracellular ATP in the Kyokai 6 strain were also higher compared to those in
      the S288C strain. Furthermore, as expected from metabolome analysis, the SAM
      content of Kyokai 6 strain cultivated in the medium without yeast extract
      increased by 2.5-fold compared to that in the additional condition, by increasing
      intracellular ATP level with inhibited cell growth. These results suggest that
      high SAM production is attributed to the enhanced ATP supply with L-methionine
      condition and high efficiency of intracellular ATP consumption. 

PMID- 27277081
TI  - Thioesterase domain swapping of a linear polyketide tautomycetin with a
      macrocyclic polyketide pikromycin in Streptomyces sp. CK4412.
AB  - Tautomycetin (TMC) is a linear polyketide metabolite produced by Streptomyces sp.
      CK4412 that has been reported to possess multiple biological functions including
      T cell-specific immunosuppressive and anticancer activities that occur through a
      mechanism of differential inhibition of protein phosphatases such as PP1, PP2A,
      and SHP2. We previously reported the characterization of the entire TMC
      biosynthetic gene cluster constituted by multifunctional type I polyketide
      synthase (PKS) assembly and suggested that the linear form of TMC could be
      generated via free acid chain termination by a narrow TMC thioesterase (TE)
      pocket. The modular nature of the assembly presents a unique opportunity to alter
      or interchange the native biosynthetic domains to produce targeted variants of
      TMC. Herein, we report swapping of the TMC TE domain sequence with the exact
      counterpart of the macrocyclic polyketide pikromycin (PIK) TE. PIK TE-swapped
      Streptomyces sp. CK4412 mutant produced not only TMC, but also a cyclized form of
      TMC, implying that the bioengineering based in vivo custom construct can be
      exploited to produce engineered macrolactones with new structural functionality.

PMID- 27277083
TI  - Three-dimensional ultrasound is increasing our knowledge of the fetus little by
      little.

PMID- 27277082
TI  - Disorder-related risk factors for revision total hip arthroplasty after hip
      hemiarthroplasty in displaced femoral neck fracture patients: a nationwide
      population-based cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The choice of primary hip hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty
      for displaced femoral neck fracture is still controversial. Revision hip
      arthroplasty not only increases risk and cost but also could result in worse
      outcome. Determining the risk factors for revision can help inform medical
      decision-making and aid in risk stratification of publicly reported outcomes.
      Therefore, we conducted a nationwide population-based study to identify the
      disease-related risk factors and construct a risk score nomogram to predict
      revision surgery. METHODS: Records of all 68,030 femoral neck fracture patients
      receiving partial hemiarthroplasty (HA) in 2000-2010, with no total hip
      arthroplasty (THA) or revision HA history, were collected from the National
      Health Insurance Research Database. Cox proportional hazard regression was used
      to estimate the risk of revision hip replacement (RHA). The score of each risk
      factor was the quotient of the regression coefficient of the variable by the
      regression coefficient for a 10-year increase in age. The predictive accuracy was
      tested using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).
      RESULTS: The revision risk for hemiarthroplasty increased in male, those with
      schizophrenia and end-stage renal disease patients had 1.58-, 1.88-, and 1.74
      fold revision HA risk (95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.40-1.78, 1.26-2.79, and
      1.29-2.34, respectively). In a predictive model, the cumulative risk score ranged
      from 0 to 13 with a 5.08 to 91.82 % 10-year predicted RHA risk. The percentage of
      AUROC for 10-year RHA risk in nomogram was 61.9 (95 % CI = 60.0-63.4).
      CONCLUSIONS: Males, schizophrenia and end-stage renal disease patients have
      higher risk of revision surgery after hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture.

PMID- 27277084
TI  - Multiple-frequency ultrasonic imaging by transmitting pulsed waves of two
      frequencies.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was realization of a broadband measurement system
      that is capable of effectively carrying out a frequency compound method. In the
      present method, the secondary wave components of difference and sum frequencies
      are generated along with the higher harmonic components through the nonlinear
      interaction of two-frequency ultrasound. A multiple-frequency beam is generated
      together with the initially radiated frequency components. METHODS: For the
      structure of a transducer capable of simultaneously radiating two sound waves
      with different frequencies, a coaxial arrangement of a circular-disc
      piezoelectric transducer and a ring piezoelectric transducer was designed. The
      radiating frequencies chosen were 2 and 8 MHz. In addition to the 4-MHz second
      harmonic sound of the 2-MHz primary sound, sounds of the 6-MHz difference
      frequency and the 10-MHz sum frequency can be generated. RESULTS: By measuring
      the acoustic pressure distribution, the formation of a multiple-frequency beam
      was confirmed. The signal-to-noise ratio in an agar-gel phantom image was
      increased by 5-6 dB with application of the frequency compound method. The
      validity of the proposed method was demonstrated through the generation of a
      human finger image. Further, it was found that the influence of the Doppler
      effect was small enough that almost all the secondary waves were attributable to
      the nonlinear propagation of sounds. CONCLUSIONS: A multiple-frequency sound beam
      was realized by radiating a two-frequency sound. The effectiveness of the
      presented method was demonstrated through actual imaging.

PMID- 27277085
TI  - Low-intensity ultrasound adjuvant therapy: enhancement of doxorubicin-induced
      cytotoxicity and the acoustic mechanisms involved.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this study, the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIU) as
      an adjuvant to doxorubicin (DOX) treatment was further investigated in comparison
      to hyperthermia as another widely used adjuvant. The effects were compared with
      respect to cell killing and apoptosis induction in U937 cells. Human primary
      liver cancer (PLC) cells were also used to evaluate the effects of the
      combinations. The use of an echo contrast agent was investigated for further
      enhancement of cytotoxicity. Finally, the acoustic mechanisms involved were
      investigated. METHODS: The effects of different treatment regimens on cell
      viability were determined using the Trypan blue dye-exclusion test. Apoptosis
      induction was detected by flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate-annexin
      V and propidium iodide staining. The mechanistic study involved electron
      paramagnetic spin trapping for detecting free radical formation as an indicator
      of the occurrence of inertial cavitation and spectrophotometry for sucrose
      hydrolysis as an indicator for noncavitational effects. RESULTS: The combination
      treatments exerted synergistic effects on cytotoxicity depending on the acoustic
      conditions used. The use of LIU as an adjuvant to DOX treatment was shown to be
      superior to the use of hyperthermia as an adjuvant. Moreover, the combination
      seems to be promising for other cancer types provided that the acoustic
      conditions are properly selected with respect to drug concentration. The key
      ultrasound mechanism responsible for the synergism observed was shown to be the
      production of free radicals by inertial cavitation. Non-cavitational forces were
      also shown to contribute to the effect. CONCLUSION: This study is motivating to
      engage in in vivo research with various cancer types as a step toward clinical
      applicability and is emphasizing on the importance of developing therapeutic
      protocols for setting LIU parameters with respect to other therapeutic
      conditions.

PMID- 27277086
TI  - Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function using color kinesis:
      differentiation between normal and pseudonormalized patterns.
AB  - PURPOSE: Doppler examination of transmitral flow has been widely used to
      noninvasively assess left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. However, it has
      been demonstrated that transmitral flow velocity is dependent on LV relaxation
      and left atrial pressure. Increases in left atrial pressure compensate for the
      effects of impaired LV relaxation, frequently resulting in a
      "pseudonormalization" of the transmitral flow pattern. The purpose of this study
      was to assess whether analysis of diastolic color kinesis (CK) can be applied to
      differentiation between normal and pseudonormalized (PN) patterns of LV inflow.
      METHODS: We studied 60 subjects with a ratio of early to late transmitral peak
      velocities (E/A) greater than 1.0 according to conventional Doppler
      echocardiography. All subjects simultaneously underwent measurement of the early
      diastolic mitral annular velocity (e'), which was measured by tissue Doppler
      imaging, and LV ejection fraction (EF), which was calculated by the modified
      Simpson method. Study subjects were classified into the following three groups
      according to the value of e' and EF: (1) the normal group (e' > 10 cm/s, EF >
      60%), including 20 subjects (mean age 35 +/- 10 years); (2) the PN1 group (e' < 7
      cm/s, EF > 50%), consisting of 20 patients [mean age 63 +/- 11 years, 15 patients
      with hypertensive heart disease (HHD), 5 patients with aortic valve stenosis];
      and (3) the PN2 group (e' < 7 cm/s, EF < 50%), consisting of 20 patients (mean
      age 61 +/- 17 years, 18 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, 2 patients with
      HHD). Diastolic CK images were obtained for each subject from the LV midpapillary
      short-axis view. Analysis of CK diastolic images was performed using ICK
      software. The CK-diastolic index (CK-DI) was defined as the calculated LV
      segmental filling fraction during the first 30% of diastole, expressed as a
      percentage. The mean CK-DI was determined from the average CK-DI of six LV
      segments. RESULTS: The mean CK-DI was 70.9% +/- 6.5% in the normal group, 46.3%
      +/- 10.4% in the PN1 group, and 36.3% +/- 5.1% in the PN2 group. The mean CK-DI
      was significantly reduced in the PN1 and PN2 groups compared with the normal
      group (P < 0.0001). Although there was no difference in e' (PN1 group: 4.6 +/-
      1.8 cm/s, PN2 group: 4.4 +/- 1.7 cm/s) between the two pseudonormalized patient
      groups, the mean CK-DI was significantly reduced in the PN2 group compared with
      the PN1 group (P < 0.005). The reduction in mean CK-DI was seen not only in
      pseudonormalized patients with LV systolic dysfunction but also in those with
      preserved LV systolic function. CONCLUSION: The analysis of diastolic CK with ICK
      software is a useful method for detecting delayed early diastolic relaxation. We
      concluded that diastolic CK images may be applied to differentiating between
      normal and pseudonormalized patterns of LV inflow.

PMID- 27277087
TI  - Fetal preload index of the inferior vena cava and neonatal outcome of congenital
      diaphragmatic hernia.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess prognostic factors in patients
      with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: Thirteen patients with CDH
      diagnosed antenatally and delivered in our hospital between 1995 and 2006 were
      retrospectively studied. Assessments of sonographic examinations included
      gestational age at time of diagnosis; the ultrasonographic parameters [amniotic
      fluid index, cardiothoracic area ratio, and the lung-thoracic transverse area
      ratio (LTR)]; and the incidence of polyhydramnios, intrauterine growth
      retardation, and hydrops. Doppler velocimetry measurements comprised the
      resistance index of the umbilical artery, the resistance index of the midcerebral
      artery, the maximal velocity of the descending aorta, and the preload index of
      the inferior vena cava (IVCPLI). Results were expressed as the mean +/- standard
      deviation. The features of survivors and nonsurvivors were compared. RESULTS: Six
      fetuses were survivors and seven were nonsurvivors. The mean LTR value tended to
      be markedly low in both groups (23.8 +/- 16.4 vs 12.1 +/- 1.1). In Doppler
      analysis, the mean IVCPLI value in survivors was significantly lower than that in
      nonsurvivors (0.34 +/- 0.08 vs 0.52 +/- 0.14, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: We concluded
      that fetal IVCPLI might be a good predictor of the outcome in patients with CDH.

PMID- 27277088
TI  - Feasibility of ultrasonography in determining the diagnosis and treatment of
      perforated duodenal ulcer.
AB  - PURPOSE: We diagnosed and treated perforated duodenal ulcers (PDUs) based on the
      results of ultrasonography (US). We obtained useful ultrasonographic findings
      regarding the diagnosis and treatment of PDU. METHODS: We experienced 24 PDU
      cases over 6 years and 4 months (March 2002 to June 2008), and evaluated five
      useful ultrasonographic findings regarding PDU: (1) Two-way transmigration of
      liquid and air bubbles through the perforated duodenal wall, (2) hyperechoic band
      penetration out through the duodenal wall, (3) free air exiting the PDU, (4)
      fluid exiting the PDU, and (5) liver covering the PDU. RESULTS: Of the 24 cases,
      two-way transmigration was observed in 4 cases, hyperechoic band penetration was
      observed in 18 cases, and exiting free air and fluid was observed in all cases.
      In all patients with two-way transmigration of liquid and air bubbles, we could
      immediately diagnose PDU. For the PDU cases falling under categories 2, 3, and 4
      above, upon analysis, a large majority provided useful ultrasonographic findings
      for diagnosing PDU. Of the 5 cases in which the liver did not cover the PDU at
      all, two-way transmigration of liquid and air bubbles was observed in 4 cases,
      and surgery was performed in all 5 cases. Of the 19 cases where the PDU was
      completely covered by the surrounding organs (the liver in 16 cases and fatty
      organs such as the round ligament or the omentum in 3 cases), nonsurgical
      treatment was selected in 18 cases. As a result, patients with PDUs covered by
      surrounding organs, mainly by the liver, received nonsurgical treatment, whereas
      those with noncovered PDUs underwent surgery. CONCLUSION: The findings of
      ultrasonography are useful for diagnosing and determining the treatment of PDU.

PMID- 27277089
TI  - Epidermoid cyst appearing as a malignancy-mimicking subcutaneous lesion on
      ultrasonography.
AB  - PURPOSE: It is challenging to diagnose epidermoid cysts on ultrasonography;
      except in typical, benign-appearing cases. The purpose of this study was to
      include epidermoid cysts in the differential diagnosis of diverse subcutaneous
      lesions, especially malignancy-mimicking lesions, as seen on ultrasonography.
      METHODS: We reviewed 19 cases of pathologically confirmed epidermoid cysts in 19
      patients (male, 8; female, 11). Three radiologists, who were blinded to the
      pathology data, classified (by consensus) these epidermoid cysts as benign or
      malignancy-mimicking lesions, according to generally accepted ultrasonographic
      criteria, including the margin, shape, echotexture, and transitional zone with
      surrounding tissue, and also including the growth pattern and adjacent tissue
      change. The ultrasonographic data were then correlated with the pathology results
      regarding the ruptured or unruptured status of the cysts. RESULTS: Epidermoid
      cysts have been noted as showing a wide-spectrum of findings on ultrasonography.
      Twelve of our cases showed benign ultrasonographic features: six cases had
      typical, benign ultrasonographic features with unruptured status; two cases with
      ruptured status did not have clear ultrasonographic features, although we decided
      by consensus that there were benign ultrasonographic features; and four cases
      with unruptured status had peculiar internal echogenicities, described as
      "internal rod-like contents", that could be considered to be a variation of the
      typical ultrasonographic finding of epidermoid cysts. Seven cases showed
      malignancy-mimicking ultrasonographic features; all seven of these had ruptured
      status. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of ruptured epidermoid cysts should be included
      in the differential diagnosis of malignancy-mimicking subcutaneous lesions. The
      internal rod-like contents can be regarded as another typical ultrasonographic
      finding of epidermoid cysts.

PMID- 27277090
TI  - The thread and streaks sign.

PMID- 27277091
TI  - Mucin carriers of TF in ovarian cancer.

PMID- 27277092
TI  - Postoperative Bleeding and Leakage After Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Single-Center
      Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy is being performed increasingly, mainly due to its
      low morbidity and mortality, but complications do occur. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate bleeding and leakage rates of primary and revisional sleeve
      gastrectomy in a personal series of 664 consecutive patients. METHODS: Medical
      charts of all patients undergoing a primary or revisional sleeve gastrectomy
      between August 2008 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Subgroup
      analysis compared bleeding in patients after reduced port versus multiport
      technique and primary versus revisional sleeve gastrectomy. RESULTS: A total of
      664 sleeve gastrectomies (489 women and 175 men) were performed. Mean age and
      body mass index were 36.03 +/- 11.4 years and 42.9 +/- 8.3 kg/m2, respectively.
      Mean operative time was 58.5 +/- 20.0 min, with a 0.15 % conversion rate. Mean
      hospital stay was 2.1 +/- 0.3 days. The overall 30-day complication rate was 7.5
      %. Thirteen patients sustained postoperative bleeding (2 %), three of whom
      required reoperation (0.5 %). Staple line leakage and mortality were both nil in
      this series. No difference in postoperative complications was found between the
      subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In this single-surgeon, single-center experience, sleeve
      gastrectomy was a safe and effective bariatric procedure with a low complication
      rate. Staple line reinforcement by oversewing was associated with low bleeding
      complications and no leakage. The majority of patients with postoperative
      bleeding could be managed conservatively. In our experience, reduced port
      technique and revisional sleeve gastrectomy had similar complication rates
      compared to multiport and primary sleeve gastrectomy.

PMID- 27277093
TI  - Biological activity of soil contaminated with cobalt, tin, and molybdenum.
AB  - In this age of intensive industrialization and urbanization, mankind's highest
      concern should be to analyze the effect of all metals accumulating in the
      environment, both those considered toxic and trace elements. With this aim in
      mind, a unique study was conducted to determine the potentially negative impact
      of Sn(2+), Co(2+), and Mo(5+) in optimal and increased doses on soil biological
      properties. These metals were applied in the form of aqueous solutions of Sn(2+)
      (SnCl2 (.)2H2O), Co(2+) (CoCl2 . 6H2O), and Mo(5+) (MoCl5), each in the doses of
      0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg kg(-1) soil DM. The activity of
      dehydrogenases, urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase,
      and catalase and the counts of twelve microorganism groups were determined on the
      25th and 50th day of experiment duration. Moreover, to present the studied
      problem comprehensively, changes in the biochemical activity and yield of spring
      barley were shown using soil and plant resistance indices-RS. The study shows
      that Sn(2+), Co(2+), and Mo(5+) disturb the state of soil homeostasis. Co(2+) and
      Mo(5+) proved the greatest soil biological activity inhibitors. The residence of
      these metals in soil, particularly Co(2+), also generated a drastic decrease in
      the value of spring barley resistance. Only Sn(2+) did not disrupt its yielding.
      The studied enzymes can be arranged as follows for their sensitivity to Sn(2+),
      Co(2+), Mo(5+): Deh > Ure > Aryl > Pal > Pac > Cat. Dehydrogenases and urease may
      be reliable soil health indicators. 

PMID- 27277094
TI  - A road map for designing and implementing a biological monitoring program.
AB  - Designing and implementing natural resource monitoring is a challenging endeavor
      undertaken by many agencies, NGOs, and citizen groups worldwide. Yet many
      monitoring programs fail to deliver useful information for a variety of
      administrative (staffing, documentation, and funding) or technical (sampling
      design and data analysis) reasons. Programs risk failure if they lack a clear
      motivating problem or question, explicit objectives linked to this problem or
      question, and a comprehensive conceptual model of the system under study.
      Designers must consider what "success" looks like from a resource management
      perspective, how desired outcomes translate to appropriate attributes to monitor,
      and how they will be measured. All such efforts should be filtered through the
      question "Why is this important?" Failing to address these considerations will
      produce a program that fails to deliver the desired information. We addressed
      these issues through creation of a "road map" for designing and implementing a
      monitoring program, synthesizing multiple aspects of a monitoring program into a
      single, overarching framework. The road map emphasizes linkages among core
      decisions to ensure alignment of all components, from problem framing through
      technical details of data collection and analysis, to program administration.
      Following this framework will help avoid common pitfalls, keep projects on track
      and budgets realistic, and aid in program evaluations. The road map has proved
      useful for monitoring by individuals and teams, those planning new monitoring,
      and those reviewing existing monitoring and for staff with a wide range of
      technical and scientific skills. 

PMID- 27277095
TI  - Rapid change in environment for research on diagnostic ultrasound.

PMID- 27277096
TI  - Measurement of regional pulse wave velocity using very high frame rate
      ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the propagation velocity of the pressure
      wave along the artery due to the heartbeat. The PWV becomes faster with
      progression of arteriosclerosis and, thus, can be used as a diagnostic index of
      arteriosclerosis. Measurement of PWV is known as a noninvasive approach for
      diagnosis of arteriosclerosis and is widely used in clinical situations. In the
      traditional PWV method, the average PWV is calculated between two points, the
      carotid and femoral arteries, at an interval of several tens of centimeters.
      However, PWV depends on part of the arterial tree, i.e., PWVs in the distal
      arteries are faster than those in the proximal arteries. Therefore, measurement
      of regional PWV is preferable. METHODS: To evaluate regional PWV in the present
      study, the minute vibration velocity of the human carotid arterial wall was
      measured at intervals of 0.2 mm at 72 points in the arterial longitudinal
      direction by the phased-tracking method at a high temporal resolution of 3472 Hz,
      and PWV was estimated by applying the Hilbert transform to those waveforms.
      RESULTS: In the present study, carotid arteries of three healthy subjects were
      measured in vivo. The PWVs in short segments of 14.4 mm in the arterial
      longitudinal direction were estimated to be 5.6, 6.4, and 6.7 m/s, which were in
      good agreement with those reported in the literature. Furthermore, for one of the
      subjects, a component was clearly found propagating from the periphery to the
      direction of the heart, i.e., a well known component reflected by the peripheral
      arteries. By using the proposed method, the propagation speed of the reflection
      component was also separately estimated to be -8.4 m/s. The higher magnitude of
      PWV for the reflection component was considered to be the difference in blood
      pressure at the arrivals of the forward and reflection components. CONCLUSION:
      Such a method would be useful for more sensitive evaluation of the change in
      elasticity due to progression of arteriosclerosis by measuring the regional PWV
      in a specific artery of interest (not the average PWV including other arteries).

PMID- 27277097
TI  - A single-ensemble-based hybrid approach to clutter rejection combining bilinear
      Hankel with regression.
AB  - PURPOSE: Clutter regarded as ultrasound Doppler echoes of soft tissue interferes
      with the primary objective of color flow imaging (CFI): measurement and display
      of blood flow. Multi-ensemble samples based clutter filters degrade resolution or
      frame rate of CFI. The prevalent single-ensemble clutter rejection filter is
      based on a single rejection criterion and fails to achieve a high accuracy for
      estimating both the low- and high-velocity blood flow components. METHODS: The
      Bilinear Hankel-SVD achieved more exact signal decomposition than the
      conventional Hankel-SVD. Furthermore, the correlation between two arbitrary eigen
      components obtained by the B-Hankel-SVD was demonstrated. In the hybrid approach,
      the input ultrasound Doppler signal first passes through a low-order regression
      filter, and then the output is properly decomposed into a collection of eigen
      components under the framework of B-Hankel-SVD. The blood flow components are
      finally extracted based on a frequency threshold. RESULTS: In a series of
      simulations, the proposed B-Hankel-SVD filter reduced the estimation bias of the
      blood flow over the conventional Hankel-SVD filter. The hybrid algorithm was
      shown to be more effective than regression or Hankel-SVD filters alone in
      rejecting the undesirable clutter components with single-ensemble (S-E) samples.
      It achieved a significant improvement in blood flow frequency estimation and
      estimation variance over the other competing filters.

PMID- 27277098
TI  - Application of high-intensity focused ultrasound for fetal therapy: experimental
      study using an animal model of lower urinary tract obstruction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether high-intensity
      focused ultrasound (HIFU) exposure is able to produce a fistula between the
      bladder and abdominal wall of a fetus with lower urinary tract obstruction
      (LUTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We constructed a prototype HIFU transducer in
      combination with an imaging probe. HIFU was applied to the lower abdomen of a
      rabbit neonate that was complicated by LUTO as an experimental model to produce a
      fistula; HIFU was applied in a tank filled with degassed water. Exposed lesions
      were assessed by histological analysis at necropsy. RESULTS: When HIFU was
      applied at 5.5 kW/cm(2) of spatial-peak temporal average intensity (SPTA), a
      fistula was created between the lower abdominal wall and the urinary bladder;
      urine gushed out from the bladder through the fistula within 60 s after HIFU
      exposure. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that fetal diseases such as LUTO can
      be non-invasively treated using HIFU exposure from even outside the maternal
      body, though this study was performed in a water tank.

PMID- 27277099
TI  - Impact of milrinone on mitral annular velocity in patients with congestive heart
      failure.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of milrinone on mitral
      annular velocity in patients with congestive heart failure. METHOD: We studied 27
      patients with congestive heart failure. All patients underwent transthoracic
      echocardiography both before and after administration of milrinone. We measured
      the early transmitral velocity (E) and the mitral annular early diastolic
      velocity (Ea). The ratio of E to Ea (E/Ea) was calculated. After the baseline
      echocardiography, milrinone was administered as a continuous infusion at a rate
      of 0.25 MUg/kg/min. Echocardiographic measurements were repeated 4 h after
      milrinone was begun. RESULTS: After administration of milrinone, Ea was
      significantly increased, while E/Ea was significantly decreased. The population
      of 27 patients was divided into 20 (74 %) with left ventricular ejection fraction
      (LVEF) <50 % and seven (26 %) with LVEF >=50 %. Ea was significantly increased in
      both groups, while E/Ea was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: Even low-dose
      milrinone produced an improvement in left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, as
      evidenced by an increase in Ea, and falls in LV filling pressures, as determined
      by a decrease in E/Ea, in patients with congestive heart failure throughout a
      wide range of LV systolic function.

PMID- 27277101
TI  - Transcranial contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid in semiquantitative
      evaluation of brain perfusion.
AB  - PURPOSE: To semiquantitatively evaluate brain perfusion by transcranial contrast
      enhanced ultrasonography (TCEUS) using Sonazoid. METHODS: We performed TCEUS in
      11 healthy volunteers and seven patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease
      involving the anterior circulation. After recording first-pass perfusion images
      on one side of the head and flush-replenishment (FR) images on both sides, we
      measured the time from arrival to peak (TAP) and peak intensity (PI) at first
      pass. Using the FR method, plateau value (A) and rise rate (beta) of intensity
      (I) were obtained from the curve I(t) = A(1 - e (-beta*t) ). RESULTS: In the
      patients, TAP was longer and PI was smaller in middle cerebral artery (MCA) areas
      than in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) areas on the ipsilesional side of the
      head (p < 0.05). A and beta were smaller in MCA areas than in PCA areas on the
      ipsilesional side of the head (p < 0.05), while these parameters showed no
      apparent differences between MCA and PCA areas in the volunteers. CONCLUSION:
      TCEUS with Sonazoid allows effective semiquantitative evaluation of brain
      perfusion.

PMID- 27277100
TI  - Longitudinal comparison study of pelvic floor function between women with and
      without stress urinary incontinence after vaginal delivery.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the pelvic floor function between women with and without
      stress urinary incontinence after vaginal delivery. METHODS: Seventeen women (age
      35.5 +/- 3.5) were prospectively studied at about 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
      after vaginal delivery. Urinary incontinence was assessed by the International
      Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form. Pelvic floor function
      was assessed by antero-posterior diameter of the levator hiatus using
      transperineal ultrasound. RESULTS: Five of 17 women experienced postpartum stress
      urinary incontinence. The antero-posterior diameter of the levator hiatus at rest
      was significantly longer in stress urinary incontinent women than in continent
      women until 3 months after delivery (p < 0.01), though shortening of the antero
      posterior diameter of the levator hiatus was not significantly different between
      continent women and stress urinary incontinent women. Regardless of urinary
      incontinence, the antero-posterior diameter of the levator hiatus at rest
      shortened at 6 months postpartum, compared to 6 weeks postpartum (p < 0.001). The
      antero-posterior diameter of the levator hiatus during contraction had shortened
      only in continent women by 6 months postpartum (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The
      extended pelvic floor may be a cause of stress urinary incontinence in the
      postpartum period. Therefore, treatment to improve the extended pelvic floor
      should be developed for the prevention of stress urinary incontinence.

PMID- 27277102
TI  - Subvalvular aortic stenosis diagnosed by 3D transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - The patient was a 13-year-old male with chief complaints of exertional chest pain
      and dyspnea. Cardiac murmur was suspected in a medical checkup at 1 month old, at
      which time he was diagnosed with subvalvular aortic stenosis. He had subsequently
      been under follow-up observation at a nearby hospital for subvalvular aortic
      stenosis. He was admitted to our department for surgery due to aggravation of
      symptoms that had occurred over the previous year. Transthoracic echocardiography
      after admission showed an abnormal structure in the subvalvular aortic area, and
      the maximum pressure gradient between the left ventricle and aortic valve was 84
      mmHg. The preoperative valve area was 0.71 cm(2), as measured by the Doppler
      method. Measurement of valve area by the trace method was difficult.
      Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed a septum-like structure extending
      from the ventricular septum in the subvalvular area. On 3D TEE, the valve areas
      in the systolic and diastolic phases were 0.86 and 0.49 cm(2), respectively.
      Postoperative echocardiography showed resection of the structure in the
      subvalvular area, and the postoperative course was favorable. 

PMID- 27277103
TI  - A case of giant left main coronary artery aneurysm in an elderly man.
AB  - Aneurysms of the left main coronary artery are rare and their optimal treatments
      remain unknown. A 64-year-old man without any symptoms was referred to our
      department for suspected coronary aneurysm. Transthoracic echocardiography
      demonstrated an aneurysm of the left main coronary artery. On transesophageal
      echocardiography, the thrombus was suspected inside and severe ostial stenosis of
      the left coronary artery was highly suspected due to the accelerated flow
      velocity. Multidetector computed tomography demonstrated the aneurysm as being 37
      mm in diameter with significant stenosis at both left coronary arteries, more
      clearly than coronary angiography. Because of its size and coexisting coronary
      artery disease, surgical closure of the aneurysm and coronary artery bypasses
      were performed. Echocardiography and coronary computed tomography could help in
      the diagnosis and the therapeutic decision in the case of left main coronary
      artery aneurysm before coronary angiography. 

PMID- 27277104
TI  - Pilomatricoma of the breast in an adolescent girl: sonographic findings.
AB  - I report a case of pilomatricoma of the breast in an adolescent girl. Sonograms
      showed a solitary circumscribed, oval, heterogeneously hyperechoic mass in the
      skin. This is the first description of sonographic findings for this rare tumor
      in an adolescent breast. 

PMID- 27277105
TI  - Congenital aortico-left ventricular tunnel in fetuses and infants.
AB  - Congenital aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare congenital heart
      disease. A 27-year-old woman was referred to us at 37 weeks gestation with fetal
      cardiac enlargement. The left ventricle (LV) of the fetus was enlarged. Fetal
      aortic valve (AoV) ring diameter spread was observed. Back flow from the AoV
      margins to the LV was observed. The prenatal diagnosis of the fetus was aortic
      regurgitation (AR). A male neonate was delivered by cesarean section at 40 weeks
      gestation. We made the diagnosis of ALVT because the aorta and the LV of the
      neonate showed a tunnel with blood flow on echocardiography. We took another look
      at the fetal echocardiography. The neonate underwent surgery for exacerbation of
      heart failure on the 7th day after birth. Trivial flow from the tunnel and mild
      AR were observed after surgery. 

PMID- 27277106
TI  - Usefulness of ultrasonography and MRI for diagnosis of fetal pulmonary agenesis:
      case report and review of the literature.
AB  - A pregnant Japanese female was referred to our hospital due to intrauterine fetal
      growth restriction. A prenatal diagnosis of right pulmonary agenesis could be
      made using ultrasonography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging, and a Caesarian
      section was performed at 34 weeks of gestation. The infant developed a
      respiratory disorder immediately, received systemic management in the neonatal
      intensive care unit (NICU), and was discharged at age of 103 days without any
      severe sequelae. 

PMID- 27277107
TI  - An accessory thyroid gland that presented tumor-like images.
AB  - A 26-year-old woman presented with right breast pain and itching. Incidentally, a
      firm, non-tender, movable mass (3 cm in diameter) located in the lower right part
      of the neck was identified by palpation. Ultrasonography revealed a clearly
      demarcated dumbbell-shaped mass with homogenous hypo- (cranial side) and hyper
      echogenicity (caudal side) compared with the thyroid gland. Computed tomography
      scan and magnetic resonance imaging presented images that were different from
      thyroid gland substance. The right thyroid lobe was strongly compressed by the
      mass. Hyperparathyroidism was ruled out by laboratory testing. The patient
      solicited resection of the mass despite recommendations for core needle biopsy,
      and it was removed surgically. The mass was surrounded by a thin capsule and was
      not connected with the thyroid gland. Pathological examinations revealed normal
      thyroid gland tissue. The final diagnosis was an accessory thyroid gland.
      Accessory thyroid glands should be considered as a possible diagnosis when
      nodules around the main thyroid gland are encountered. 

PMID- 27277109
TI  - The effectiveness of "Protex" for disinfection of the ultrasound probe.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of "Protex" (Parker;
      Fairfield, NJ, USA) for disinfection of ultrasound probes. We examined bacterial
      contamination on ultrasound probes that were wiped with a plain paper towel, with
      a plain and an ethanol-soaked paper towel, or with a plain and Protex-soaked
      paper towel. The plain paper towel was used to remove the gel, and was
      contaminated by large numbers of bacteria, but the use of ethanol-soaked paper
      towels and that of paper towels soaked in ProtexTM broad-spectrum disinfectant
      (Parker: Fairfield, NJ, USA) reduced those numbers markedly. 

PMID- 27277110
TI  - Ultrasonographic appearance of intestinal Ascaris.

PMID- 27277108
TI  - The value of ultrasound elastography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of
      thyroid nodules in reducing nondiagnostic results.
AB  - Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is an important tool for diagnosing thyroid
      nodules; however, nondiagnostic results are a problem with FNAB. We evaluated the
      optimal targeting area of thyroid nodules for FNAB by using ultrasound
      elastography (USE) to reduce nondiagnostic results. Between December 2008 and
      November 2010, 96 consecutive prospective subjects scheduled to undergo FNAB were
      included in the study. Initially, the dominant nodule was evaluated with
      ultrasound, after which USE was performed. FNABs were performed from both the red
      (hard foci) and the green (soft foci) color-coded areas using the same technique
      according to the USE maps. The cellularity of all the specimens was evaluated
      cytopathologically. Nondiagnostic results from the red and green color-coded
      areas were compared by Chi-square test. In the red color-coded regions on USE
      images, the diagnostic rate was 76.0 % and the nondiagnostic rate was 24.0 %. In
      the green color-coded regions on USE images, the diagnostic rate was 53.1 % and
      the nondiagnostic rate was 46.9 %. Seven nodules were malignant and 89 were
      benign. Nondiagnostic results were significantly fewer in red color-coded regions
      (P = 0.0001). USE can help to enhance the cellularity of biopsy of thyroid
      nodules to reduce the nondiagnostic results if the red color-coded (less elastic
      or hard) areas are preferred. 

PMID- 27277111
TI  - Three-dimensional HDlive-rendered images of intrauterine abnormalities during
      pregnancy.

PMID- 27277112
TI  - Antenatal three-dimensional sonographic features of multicystic dysplastic
      kidney.

PMID- 27277113
TI  - Expression of serine/glycine metabolism-related proteins is different according
      to the thyroid cancer subtype.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and clinical
      implications of proteins related to serine/glycine metabolism in different
      subtypes of thyroid cancer. METHODS: Tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed with
      tissues from 557 thyroid cancers, consisting of 244 papillary thyroid carcinomas
      (PTC), 112 follicular carcinomas (FC), 70 medullary carcinomas (MC), 23 poorly
      differentiated carcinomas (PDC), and 8 anaplastic carcinomas (AC).
      Immunohistochemical staining of the serine/glycine metabolism-related molecules
      phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), phosphoserine aminotransferase, (PSAT),
      phosphoserine phosphatase (PSPH), serine hydromethyl transferase (SHMT), and
      glycine decarboxylase (GLDC) was performed with the TMA blocks and the results
      were analyzed together with clinicopathologic parameters. RESULTS: The expression
      of serine/glycine metabolism-related proteins differed among thyroid cancer
      subtypes. The expression rate of PHGDH (p < 0.001), PSAT1 (p = 0.001), PSPH (p =
      0.008), and tumoral SHMT1 (p < 0.001) was higher in PDC and PTC (78.3, 21.7,
      21.7, 30.4 and 63.4, 18.6, 12.8, 31.4 %, respectively), and lowest in MC (15.7,
      1.4, 0.0, 10.0 %). Stromal SHMT1 expression was highest in AC (62.5 %) and absent
      in all FC (p < 0.001). In PTC, positivity for PSPH (p = 0.041), tumoral SHMT1 (p
      = 0.018), and stromal SHMT1 (p < 0.001) expression was higher in the conventional
      type compared to follicular type (14.1 versus 2.5 %, 33.6 versus 15.0 %, 42.1
      versus 10.0 %, respectively). BRAF V600E mutation was associated with a higher
      rate of PHGDH (p < 0.001), PSAT1 (p = 0.001), PSPH (p < 0.001), tumoral SHMT1 (p
      = 0.001), stromal SHMT1 (p < 0.001), and GLDC (p < 0.001) expression compared to
      non-mutant cases (73.5 versus 40.6 %, 23.1 versus 8.5 %, 17.6 versus 1.9 %, 37.0
      versus 18.9 %, 45.8 versus 21.7 %, 21.8 versus 6.6 %, respectively). In
      univariate analysis, stromal SHMT1 expression was associated with shorter disease
      free survival (p = 0.015) in follicular variant PTC, and GLDC positivity was
      associated with shorter overall survival (OS) in sclerotic stromal type (p =
      0.002). In FC, minimally invasive type, PSPH positivity correlated with shorter
      OS (p = 0.045) and in MC, PHGDH positivity correlated with shorter OS (p =
      0.034). CONCLUSION: The expression of serine/glycine metabolism-related proteins
      differs among different thyroid cancer types, with a higher rate of expression in
      PDC and PTC, and lower rate of expression in MC. In PTC, the rate of expression
      is lower in the follicular variant and higher in cases with BRAF V600E mutation.

PMID- 27277114
TI  - The association between built environment features and physical activity in the
      Australian context: a synthesis of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence indicating that the built environment is a
      determinant of physical activity. However, despite the well-established health
      benefits of physical activity this is rarely considered in urban planning. We
      summarised recent Australian evidence for the association built environment
      physical activity among adults. This summary aims to inform policy makers who
      advocate for the consideration of health in urban planning. METHODS: A
      combination of built environment and physical activity terms were used to
      systematically identify relevant peer reviewed and grey literature. RESULTS: A
      total of 23 studies were included, providing 139 tests of associations between
      specific built environment features and physical activity. Of the total, 84
      relationships using objective measures of built environment attributes were
      evaluated, whereas 55 relationships using self-reported measures were evaluated.
      Our results indicate that walkable neighbourhoods with a wide range of local
      destinations to go to, as well as a diverse use of land, encourage physical
      activity among their residents. CONCLUSIONS: This research provides a summary of
      recent Australian evidence on built environments that are most favourable for
      physical activity. Features of walkability and availability of destinations
      within walking distance should be accounted for in the development or
      redevelopment of urban areas. Our findings emphasise the importance of urban
      planning for health via its impact on population levels of physical activity.

PMID- 27277115
TI  - Efficacy of chlorophyll c2 for seasonal allergic rhinitis: single-center double
      blind randomized control trial.
AB  - Chlorophyll c2 extracted from Sargassum horneri improved allergic symptoms in an
      animal model of allergic rhinitis. In the present study, we explored the efficacy
      of chlorophyll c2 in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. This was a single
      center, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Sixty-six patients
      aged 20-43 years, each with a 2-year history of seasonal allergic rhinitis, were
      randomly assigned to receive either a single daily dose (0.7 mg) of chlorophyll
      c2 or placebo for 12 weeks. The use of medications including H1-antihistamines
      and topical nasal steroids was recorded by rescue medication scores (RMSs) noted
      after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. Disease-specific quality of life was
      measured using the Japan Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JRQLQ) both
      before and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. The RMS at 8 weeks was
      significantly better in the chlorophyll c2 than the placebo group (mean RMS
      difference = -3.09; 95 % confidence interval = -5.96 to -0.22); the mean RMS at 4
      weeks was only slightly better in the chlorophyll c2 group. The JRQLQ scores did
      not differ significantly between the two groups. Chlorophyll c2 would have a
      potential to be an alternative treatment for allergic rhinitis.

PMID- 27277116
TI  - Is Thyroglobulin Level by Liquid Chromatography Tandem-Mass Spectrometry Always
      Reliable for Follow-Up of DTC After Thyroidectomy: A Report on Two Patients.

PMID- 27277117
TI  - More Time for Science and Less Time for Administration?

PMID- 27277120
TI  - Progress in science and technology.

PMID- 27277118
TI  - Potential of Environmental Enrichment to Prevent Transgenerational Effects of
      Paternal Trauma.
AB  - Adverse experiences in early life are risk factors for the development of
      behavioral and physiological symptoms that can lead to psychiatric and cognitive
      disorders later in life. Some of these symptoms can be transmitted to the
      offspring, in some cases by non-genomic mechanisms involving germ cells. Using a
      mouse model of unpredictable maternal separation and maternal stress, we show
      that postnatal trauma alters coping behaviors in adverse conditions in exposed
      males when adult and in their adult male progeny. The behavioral changes are
      accompanied by increased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression and decreased
      DNA methylation of the GR promoter in the hippocampus. DNA methylation is also
      decreased in sperm cells of exposed males when adult. Transgenerational
      transmission of behavioral symptoms is prevented by paternal environmental
      enrichment, an effect associated with the reversal of alterations in GR gene
      expression and DNA methylation in the hippocampus of the male offspring. These
      findings highlight the influence of both negative and positive environmental
      factors on behavior across generations and the plasticity of the epigenome across
      life.

PMID- 27277119
TI  - Locomotor Stimulant and Rewarding Effects of Inhaling Methamphetamine, MDPV, and
      Mephedrone via Electronic Cigarette-Type Technology.
AB  - Although inhaled exposure to drugs is a prevalent route of administration for
      human substance abusers, preclinical models that incorporate inhaled exposure to
      psychomotor stimulants are not commonly available. Using a novel method that
      incorporates electronic cigarette-type technology to facilitate inhalation, male
      Wistar rats were exposed to vaporized methamphetamine (MA), 3,4
      methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), and mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) in
      propylene glycol vehicle using concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 200 mg/ml.
      Rats exhibited increases in spontaneous locomotor activity, measured by implanted
      radiotelemetry, following exposure to methamphetamine (12.5 and 100 mg/ml), MDPV
      (25, 50, and 100 mg/ml), and mephedrone (200 mg/ml). Locomotor effects were
      blocked by pretreatment with the dopamine D1-like receptor antagonist SCH23390
      (10 MUg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)). MA and MDPV vapor inhalation also altered
      activity on a running wheel in a biphasic manner. An additional group of rats was
      trained on a discrete trial intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure
      interpreted to assess brain reward status. ICSS-trained rats that received
      vaporized MA, MDPV, or mephedrone exhibited a significant reduction in threshold
      of ICSS reward compared with vehicle. The effect of vapor inhalation of the
      stimulants was found comparable to the locomotor and ICSS threshold-reducing
      effects of i.p. injection of mephedrone (5.0 mg/kg), MA (0.5-1.0 mg/kg), or MDPV
      (0.5-1.0 mg/kg). These data provide robust validation of e-cigarette-type
      technology as a model for inhaled delivery of vaporized psychostimulants.
      Finally, these studies demonstrate the potential for human use of e-cigarettes to
      facilitate covert use of a range of psychoactive stimulants. Thus, these devices
      pose health risks beyond their intended application for the delivery of nicotine.

PMID- 27277121
TI  - Measurement of shear wave propagation and investigation of estimation of shear
      viscoelasticity for tissue characterization of the arterial wall.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to find an array of frequency components,
      ranging from 0 Hz (direct current) to several tens of hertz that comprise the
      small vibrations on the arterial wall using noninvasive in vivo experiments.
      These vibrations are caused mainly by blood flow. The viscoelasticity of the
      arterial wall was estimated from the frequency characteristics of these
      vibrations propagating from the intima to the adventitia. METHODS: Propagation of
      these frequencies in human tissue displays certain frequency characteristics.
      Based on the Voigt model, shear viscoelasticity can be estimated from the
      frequency characteristics of the propagating vibrations. Moreover, we estimated
      shear viscoelasticity from the measured frequency characteristics of shear wave
      attenuation. RESULTS: Shear wave propagation from the intima to the adventitia
      resulting from blood flow was explained theoretically based on the obtained
      measurements. Shear viscoelasticity was also estimated from the measured
      frequency characteristics of shear wave attenuation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the
      proposed method, shear viscoelasticity can be estimated from ultrasonographic
      measurements. These results have a novel potential for characterizing tissue
      noninvasively.

PMID- 27277122
TI  - Differentiation of myocardial infarction and angina pectoris by processing
      ultrasonic color kinesis images.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a method for early, accurate
      differentiation between old myocardial infarction (OMI) and angina pectoris (AP)
      using color kinesis (CK) images. We first extracted exact end-diastolic and end
      systolic contours from CK images and then extracted the features of cardiac
      function from two CK images (one at rest, the other after exercise) and
      investigated their effectiveness in differentiating old myocardial infarction and
      angina pectoris. We then evaluated the effectiveness of several features in
      recognizing coronary artery disease and used the effective features to show the
      differentiation results. METHODS: First, we extracted exact end-diastolic and end
      systolic contours from CK images with an active contour model. Second, we defined
      the features that seemed to be effective in recognizing coronary artery disease.
      The features are extracted from the region between the end-diastolic endocardial
      contour and end-systolic endocardial contour in two CK images: one obtained when
      the subject was at rest and the other after exercise. Nine features were
      considered effective for differentiating old myocardial infarction and angina
      pectoris, and the effectiveness in recognizing coronary artery disease, which
      includes old myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, was evaluated. Third,
      coronary artery disease is recognized by the effective features. RESULTS:
      Contours near a manual trace by a skilled physician were obtained using the
      proposed method. Multiple comparisons of the mean values of the extracted
      features were drawn among three groups: a healthy-subject group; an old
      myocardial infarction patient group; and an angina pectoris patient group. The
      feature effective in differentiating old myocardial infarction was the "area at
      rest"; those effective in differentiating angina pectoris were a "decrease in
      area" and a "decrease in movement." These effective features have almost always
      differentiated old myocardial infarction and angina pectoris. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study used the endocardial contour extraction technique with the dynamic contour
      model and evaluated the validity of the features of cardiac function; it then
      recognized coronary artery disease from the effective features. Multiple
      comparisons of the mean value of the extracted features among the healthy-subject
      group, the old myocardial infarction patient group, and the angina pectoris
      patient group has proved that the "area at rest" is effective in differentiating
      old myocardial infarction, and the "decrease in area" and "decrease in movement"
      are effective for differentiating angina pectoris.

PMID- 27277124
TI  - A case of unicuspid aortic valve associated with a single coronary artery and
      ventricular septal defect.
AB  - The patient was a 26-year-old man who had undergone patch closure of a
      ventricular septal defect at 2 years of age. After this surgery, his condition
      was satisfactory until he visited our hospital for treatment of paroxysmal
      supraventricular tachycardia in November 2000. Echocardiography revealed moderate
      to severe aortic valve regurgitation and dilatation of the left ventricle and
      ascending aorta. These echocardiographic abnormalities were attributed to a
      bicuspid aortic valve. Coronary angiography suggested the presence of a single
      coronary artery originating from the left Valsalva sinus. We performed Bentall's
      operation in January 2003. The intraoperative findings revealed that the aortic
      valve consisted of an extensively calcified single cusp, and there was a single
      coronary artery originating from the left Valsalva sinus. Because adult patients
      with a unicuspid aortic valve are rare, and no cases of unicuspid aortic valve
      associated with a single coronary artery have been reported, we herein report
      this case with a review of the literature. 

PMID- 27277123
TI  - Contrast-enhanced multiphase dynamic ultrasonography for the characterization of
      liver tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to introduce our protocol for contrast
      enhanced multiphase dynamic ultrasonography (US) and examine the effectiveness of
      this method for characterizing liver tumors. METHODS: The subjects were 142
      patients with liver tumors. The final diagnoses were 58 hepatocellular carcinomas
      (HCCs), 4 cholangiocellular carcinomas (CCCs), 14 metastases, 29 hemangiomas, 6
      cases of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), and 31 other benign lesions. The
      contrast agent used was Levovist. A wide-band pulse inversion harmonic imaging
      mode was employed. Multiphase dynamic US was achieved by changing the sound
      transmission interval automatically from 0.3 s to 15.0 s according to a preset
      menu. Early arterial-phase images were observed at the short interval, and an
      equilibrium-phase image was observed at the longest interval. After a series of
      vascular images, a postvascular liver parenchymal image was obtained. Based on
      previously published criteria, the most compatible diagnosis was noted. The
      accuracy of this multiphase dynamic US technique for diagnosing focal liver
      lesions was examined by comparing our results with the final diagnosis based on a
      prospective study. RESULTS: The overall accuracy of all 142 cases was 93.7%. The
      sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were, respectively, 100%,
      92.9%, and 90.6% for HCC; 88.9%, 97.6%, and 84.2% for metastasis or CCC; 89.7%,
      100%, and 100% for hemangioma; and 83.3%, 100%, and 100% for FNH. CONCLUSION:
      Contrast-enhanced multiphase dynamic US is a highly accurate, safe diagnostic
      tool for characterizing liver tumors.

PMID- 27277125
TI  - Benign endometrial adenofibroma and polyp in patients receiving tamoxifen:
      findings on transvaginal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is widely used to treat
      breast cancer, but an association has been reported between tamoxifen and the
      development of endometrial lesions, including endometrial carcinoma, endometrial
      polyps, and endometrial hyperplasia. There have also recently been a few reports
      on the relation between tamoxifen and adenofibroma. We present two case reports,
      one of a patient with a uterine adenofibroma and one of a patient with an
      endometrial polyp, both of whom received tamoxifen. Cases 1 and 2 are 75- and 65
      year-old postmenopausal women, respectively, undergoing tamoxifen therapy. In
      both cases, endometrial thickening and many small cysts in the uterine cavity
      were revealed by transvaginal ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging.
      Postoperative microscopic examination confirmed the mass as an adenofibroma in
      case 1 and as an endometrial polyp in case 2. 

PMID- 27277127
TI  - Standard measurement of cardiac function indexes (proposal).

PMID- 27277126
TI  - Wall thickening of the common carotid artery that increased over a 15-month
      period.

PMID- 27277128
TI  - Biolistic transformation of Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis Osb. * Poncirus
      trifoliata L. Raf.).
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: The development of transgenic citrus plants by the biolistic method.
      A protocol for the biolistic transformation of epicotyl explants and transgenic
      shoot regeneration of immature citrange rootstock, cv. Carrizo (Citrus sinensis
      Osb. * Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) and plant regeneration is described. Immature
      epicotyl explants were bombarded with a vector containing the nptII selectable
      marker and the gfp reporter. The number of independent, stably transformed
      tissues/total number of explants, recorded by monitoring GFP fluorescence 4 weeks
      after bombardment was substantial at 18.4 %, and some fluorescing tissues
      regenerated into shoots. Fluorescing GFP, putative transgenic shoots were micro
      grafted onto immature Carrizo rootstocks in vitro, confirmed by PCR amplification
      of nptII and gfp coding regions, followed by secondary grafting onto older
      rootstocks grown in soil. Southern blot analysis indicated that all the
      fluorescing shoots were transgenic. Multiple and single copies of nptII
      integrations were confirmed in five regenerated transgenic lines. There is
      potential to develop a higher throughput biolistics transformation system by
      optimizing the tissue culture medium to improve shoot regeneration and narrowing
      the window for plant sampling. This system will be appropriate for transformation
      with minimal cassettes.

PMID- 27277129
TI  - Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) for Monogenic Disorders: the Value of
      Concurrent Aneuploidy Screening.
AB  - Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has changed the landscape of clinical
      genetics by helping families reduce the transmission of monogenic disorders.
      However, given the high prevalence of embryonic aneuploidy, particularly in
      patients of advanced reproductive age, unaffected embryos remain at high risk of
      implantation failure or pregnancy loss due to aneuploidy. 24-chromosome
      aneuploidy screening has become widely utilized in routine in vitro fertilization
      (IVF) to pre-select embryos with greater pregnancy potential, but concurrent 24
      chromosome aneuploidy screening has not become standard practice in embryos
      biopsied for PGD. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who
      underwent PGD with or without 24-chromosome aneuploidy screening to explore the
      value of concurrent screening. Among the PGD + aneuploidy-screened group (n = 355
      blastocysts), only 25.6 % of embryos were both Single Gene Disorder (SGD)
      negative (or carriers) and euploid; thus the majority of embryos were ineligible
      for transfer due to the high prevalence of aneuploidy. Despite a young mean age
      (32.4 +/- 5.9y), 49.9 % of Blastocysts were aneuploid. The majority of patients
      (53.2 %) had >=1 blastocyst that was Single Gene Disorder (SGD)-unaffected but
      aneuploid; without screening, these unaffected but aneuploid embryos would likely
      have been transferred resulting in implantation failure, pregnancy loss, or a
      pregnancy affected by chromosomal aneuploidy. Despite the transfer of nearly half
      the number of embryos in the aneuploidy-screened group (1.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.9 +/-
      0.6, p < 0.0001), the implantation rate was higher (75 % vs. 53.3 %) and
      miscarriage rate lower (20 % vs. 40 %) (although not statistically significant).
      24-chromosome aneuploidy screening when performed concurrently with PGD provides
      valuable information for embryo selection, and notably improves single embryo
      transfer rates.

PMID- 27277130
TI  - "The Top Priority Is a Healthy Baby": Narratives of Health, Disability, and
      Abortion in Online Pregnancy Forum Discussions in the US and China.
AB  - The introduction of cell-free DNA prenatal genetic screening has rekindled
      discussion of ethical and social questions surrounding prenatal testing,
      perceptions of disability, and abortion. The growing use of prenatal genetic
      screening presents a unique opportunity to assess decision-making around new
      methods of prenatal testing; especially as there is little available research
      comparing individual and cultural differences that affect a pregnant woman's
      decision-making on prenatal testing. We performed a content analysis of online
      pregnancy forums in the United States and Mainland China. Content from January
      2012 to December 2013 was identified through search methodologies and refined to
      remove duplication. China-based content was translated by a native Mandarin
      speaker. We used qualitative analysis methods to identify common themes in the
      dataset. There were 333 English responses and 519 Mandarin responses. Three main
      themese were identified in the data: decision making factors, attitude towards
      the pregnancy, and attitudes towards abortion. Women's narratives reflected how
      broader social forces can have an impact on intimate personal decision-making.
      Women in the Mandarin dataset evoked stronger narratives of community and/or
      family decision-making in pregnancy and were more accepting of the possibility of
      abortion in the event of a finding of fetal abnormality. Narrative in the English
      dataset more frequently evoked ideas of unconditional love, regardless of fetal
      diagnosis, but also acknowledged much stronger support services for individuals
      with disability and less awareness of stigma. These results highlight the
      necessity of awareness around how broader cultural and social factors can
      consciously or unconsciously impact women's decisions and highlight potential
      focus areas for future counseling efforts.

PMID- 27277131
TI  - Attitudes Toward Discussing Approved and Investigational Treatments for Cystic
      Fibrosis in Prenatal Genetic Counseling Practice.
AB  - This project aimed to explore the attitudes of prenatal genetic counselors toward
      discussion of novel approved and experimental CF treatments in the prenatal
      setting, and to assess how knowledge of genotype-specific, targeted treatments
      may influence their current practices. Targeted treatments have the potential to
      impact the health-related quality of life of individuals affected with CF and
      therefore, knowledge of the availability of such treatments may influence the
      decision-making process of parents who receive a fetal diagnosis of CF. Using the
      2012 FDA approval and introduction of ivacaftor into CF clinical practice as a
      case study, a survey was designed to explore the opinions and practices of
      prenatal genetic counselors with regard to counseling for a prenatal diagnosis of
      CF, and how those practices might be impacted by the availability of a new
      genotype-specific treatment. Approximately 800 genetic counselors were sent
      questionnaires in January of 2013. Respondents were provided information about
      this treatment and were asked to rate its perceived benefits, along with the
      likelihood that they would discuss potential benefits and limitations with
      parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis of CF. One-hundred sixty-nine prenatal
      genetic counselors (21.1 %) responded to the survey. Results indicated that 80 %
      of respondents 'never heard of the drug', or they were 'not exactly sure' what it
      was. After reading the materials provided, counselors felt the new treatment
      would have 'some' or a 'significant' impact on an affected individual's life.
      Their opinions varied on what information about this treatment they would choose
      to discuss with their patients; even if the treatment is currently FDA approved
      and clinically available for affected individuals with the genotype of the fetus.
      However, they would 'definitely' refer these patients to a specialist to discuss
      targeted treatments further. Most prenatal genetic counselors indicated there are
      certain scenarios in the prenatal setting which warrant a discussion of targeted
      treatments for CF, at least on some level. Counselor's views on sharing
      information about new treatment options are shaped by their familiarity with the
      treatment and their perception of its benefits and limitations, their comfort
      discussing these subjects, and their interpretation of the genetic counselor's
      role. Most genetic counselors had never heard of ivacaftor or KalydecoTM prior to
      taking the survey. Therefore, counselors need to be better educated about the
      availability of CFTR mutation-based treatments before they will be able to
      incorporate discussion of new treatment options into their counseling.

PMID- 27277132
TI  - Atopy and Specific Cancer Sites: a Review of Epidemiological Studies.
AB  - Mounting evidence appears to link asthma and atopy to cancer susceptibility. This
      review presents and discusses published epidemiological studies on the
      association between site-specific cancers and atopy. PubMed was searched
      electronically for publications between 1995 and 2015, and cited references were
      researched manually. Quantitative studies relating to atopy, allergy, or asthma
      and cancer were identified and tabulated. Despite many exposure-related
      limitations, patterns in the studies were observed. Asthma, specifically, has
      been observed to be a risk factor for lung cancer. A protective effect of atopic
      diseases against pancreatic cancer has been shown consistently in case-control
      studies but not in cohort studies. Allergy of any type appears to be protective
      against glioma and adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Most studies on atopic
      diseases and non-Hodgkin lymphoma or colorectal cancer reported an inverse
      association. The other sites identified had varying and non-significant outcomes.
      Further research should be dedicated to carefully defined exposure assessments of
      "atopy" as well as the biological plausibility in the association between atopic
      diseases and cancer.

PMID- 27277133
TI  - Diagnoses and Management of Drug Hypersensitivity and Anaphylaxis in Cancer and
      Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Reactions to Taxanes and Monoclonal Antibodies.
AB  - Due to the increase in utilization of chemotherapies and antibodies, drug
      hypersensitivity reactions have increased dramatically worldwide, preventing the
      use of first-line therapies and impacting patients' survival and quality of life.
      Some of the more frequently used medications in cancer include taxanes for
      ovarian, lung, breast, and prostate cancers. Monoclonal antibodies are used in
      the treatment of neoplastic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases, and their
      clinical applications are becoming broader. Monoclonal antibody targets include
      CD20, HER-2, EGFR, IL-6 receptor, TNF-alpha, CD30, VEGF-A, IgE, and more, and
      examples of immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases that respond to monoclonal
      antibodies include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis,
      juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, Wegener's
      granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque
      psoriasis, and asthma. Neoplastic diseases include non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and colorectal, breast, gastric, and lung cancer.
      The clinical presentation of drug hypersensitivity reactions ranges from mild
      cutaneous reactions to life-threatening symptoms including anaphylaxis. Rapid
      drug desensitization (RDD) has become a groundbreaking approach to the management
      of immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions IgE and non-IgE mediated. It is the
      only effective procedure that enables sensitized patients to receive the full
      treatment dose safely, thus representing an important advance in the patients'
      treatment and prognosis. The aim of this review is to provide an update on
      hypersensitivity reactions to commonly used monoclonal and taxanes, their
      clinical presentations, diagnosis, and the use of RDD for their management.

PMID- 27277134
TI  - Characterization of the microbial community composition and the distribution of
      Fe-metabolizing bacteria in a creek contaminated by acid mine drainage.
AB  - A small watershed heavily contaminated by long-term acid mine drainage (AMD) from
      an upstream abandoned coal mine was selected to study the microbial community
      developed in such extreme system. The watershed consists of AMD-contaminated
      creek, adjacent contaminated soils, and a small cascade aeration unit constructed
      downstream, which provide an excellent contaminated site to study the microbial
      response in diverse extreme AMD-polluted environments. The results showed that
      the innate microbial communities were dominated by acidophilic bacteria,
      especially acidophilic Fe-metabolizing bacteria, suggesting that Fe and pH are
      the primary environmental factors in governing the indigenous microbial
      communities. The distribution of Fe-metabolizing bacteria showed distinct site
      specific patterns. A pronounced shift from diverse communities in the upstream to
      Proteobacteria-dominated communities in the downstream was observed in the
      ecosystem. This location-specific trend was more apparent at genus level. In the
      upstream samples (sampling sites just below the coal mining adit), a number of
      Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria such as Alicyclobacillus spp., Metallibacterium spp.,
      and Acidithrix spp. were dominant, while Halomonas spp. were the major Fe(II)
      oxidizing bacteria observed in downstream samples. Additionally, Acidiphilium, an
      Fe(III)-reducing bacterium, was enriched in the upstream samples, while
      Shewanella spp. were the dominant Fe(III)-reducing bacteria in downstream
      samples. Further investigation using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect
      size (LEfSe), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), and unweighted pair group
      method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering confirmed the difference of
      microbial communities between upstream and downstream samples. Canonical
      correspondence analysis (CCA) and Spearman's rank correlation indicate that total
      organic carbon (TOC) content is the primary environmental parameter in
      structuring the indigenous microbial communities, suggesting that the microbial
      communities are shaped by three major environmental parameters (i.e., Fe, pH, and
      TOC). These findings were beneficial to a better understanding of natural
      attenuation of AMD. 

PMID- 27277135
TI  - Non-traumatic lower limb amputation in patients with end-stage renal failure on
      dialysis: an Australian perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: End-stage renal failure (ESRF) and dialysis have been identified as a
      risk factor for lower limb amputations (LLAs). High rate of ESRF amongst the
      Australian population has been reported, however till date no study has been
      published identifying magnitude and risk factors of LLA in subjects on renal
      dialysis. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to document trends in the prevalence and
      identify risk factors of non-traumatic LLA in Australian patients on dialysis.
      METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients (218) who attended the regional
      dialysis center between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2013 was conducted.
      Demographic, clinical and biochemical data were analyzed. RESULTS: We identified
      a high prevalence of 13.3% of LLAs amongst Australian patients with ESRF on
      dialysis at our center. The associated risk factors were the presence of diabetes
      (OR 1.67 [1.49-1.88] p < 0.001), history of foot ulceration (OR 81 [18.20-360.48]
      p < 0.001), peripheral arterial disease (OR 31.29 [9.02-108.56] p < 0.001),
      peripheral neuropathy (OR 31.29 [9.02-108.56] p < 0.001), foot deformity (OR
      23.62 [5.82-95.93] p < 0.001), retinopathy (OR 6.08 [2.64-14.02] p < 0.001),
      dyslipidemia (OR 4.6 [1.05-20.05] p= 0.049) and indigenous background (OR 3.39
      [1.38-8.33] p= 0.01). 75% of the amputees had aboriginal heritage. We also
      identified higher HbA1c and CRP levels as well as low serum albumin, hemoglobin
      and vitamin D levels to have a strong association with LLAs (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: There is high prevalence of LLAs amongst Australian indigenous
      patients with diabetes on dialysis in North Queensland. Other strongly associated
      risk factors include history of foot ulceration, foot deformity and peripheral
      neuropathy as well as high HbA1c levels and low serum albumin levels.

PMID- 27277136
TI  - Assessment of Time to Clinical Response in Patients with Sepsis Treated Before
      and After Implementation of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of
      Flight Blood Culture Identification Algorithm.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To evaluate time to clinical response before and after implementation
      of rapid blood culture identification technologies. DESIGN Before-and-after
      trial. SETTING Large, tertiary, urban, academic health-sciences center. PATIENTS
      Patients >18 years old with sepsis and concurrent bacteremia or fungemia were
      included in the study; patients who were pregnant, had polymicrobial septicemia,
      or were transferred from an outside hospital were excluded. INTERVENTION Prior to
      the intervention, polymerase chain reaction was used to identify Staphylococcus
      species from positive blood cultures, and traditional laboratory techniques were
      used to identify non-staphylococcal species. After the intervention, matrix
      assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) assay and
      FilmArray were also used to identify additional species. During both periods, the
      antimicrobial stewardship team provided prospective audit and feedback for all
      patients on antibiotics. RESULTS A total of 219 patients were enrolled in the
      study: 115 patients prior to the intervention and 104 after the intervention. The
      median time to clinical response was statistically significantly shorter in the
      postintervention group than in the preintervention group (2 days vs 4 days,
      respectively; P=.002). By Cox regression, the implementation of MALDI-TOF and
      FilmArray was associated with shorter time to clinical response (hazard ratio
      [HR], 1.360; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.018-1.816). After controlling for
      potential confounders, the study group was not independently associated with
      clinical response (adjusted HR, 1.279; 95% CI, 0.955-1.713). Mortality was
      numerically, but not statistically significantly, lower in the postintervention
      group than in the preintervention group (7.6% vs 11.4%; P=.342). CONCLUSIONS In
      the setting of an existing antimicrobial stewardship program, implementation of
      MALDI-TOF and FilmArray was associated with improved time to clinical response.
      Further research is needed to fully describe the effect of antimicrobial
      stewardship programs on time to clinical response. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
      2016;37:916-923.

PMID- 27277137
TI  - Geraniol Induces Antinociceptive Effect in Mice Evaluated in Behavioural and
      Electrophysiological Models.
AB  - Geraniol (GER) is a monoterpene alcohol with various biochemical and
      pharmacological properties present in the essential oil of more than 160 species
      of herbs (especially the Cymbopogon genus). In this study, we evaluated the
      antinociceptive activity of GER in behavioural and electrophysiological in vitro
      experimental models of nociception using male Swiss mice. GER (12.5, 25 or 50
      mg/kg i.p. and 50 or 200 mg/kg p.o.) reduced the number of writhes induced by
      acetic acid. The opioid antagonist naloxone (5 mg/kg s.c.) administered in mice
      subsequently treated with GER (25 mg/kg i.p.) did not reverse such
      antinociceptive activity, suggesting a non-opioid pathway for the mechanism of
      action. GER (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg i.p.) reduced paw licking time in the second
      phase of the formalin test. Also, in the glutamate test, GER when administered 50
      mg/kg i.p. reduced paw licking time, probably modulating glutamatergic
      neurotransmission. GER blocked reversibly components of the compound action
      potential (CAP) recorded in isolated sciatic nerve in a concentration- and drug
      exposure time-dependent manner: 1 mM to 120 min. for the first component and 0.6
      mM to 90 min. for the second component. The IC50 was calculated for the peak-to
      peak amplitude (PPA) at 0.48 +/- 0.04 mM. The conduction velocity was also
      reduced by exposure to GER starting from the concentration of 0.3 mM for both
      components of the CAP. In conclusion, it is suggested that GER has
      antinociceptive activity, especially in pain related to inflammation, and in part
      related to reduced peripheral nerve excitability.

PMID- 27277138
TI  - Evolution and Use of Dynamic Transmission Models for Measles and Rubella Risk and
      Policy Analysis.
AB  - The devastation caused by periodic measles outbreaks motivated efforts over more
      than a century to mathematically model measles disease and transmission.
      Following the identification of rubella, which similarly presents with fever and
      rash and causes congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in infants born to women first
      infected with rubella early in pregnancy, modelers also began to characterize
      rubella disease and transmission. Despite the relatively large literature, no
      comprehensive review to date provides an overview of dynamic transmission models
      for measles and rubella developed to support risk and policy analysis. This
      systematic review of the literature identifies quantitative measles and/or
      rubella dynamic transmission models and characterizes key insights relevant for
      prospective modeling efforts. Overall, measles and rubella represent some of the
      relatively simplest viruses to model due to their ability to impact only humans
      and the apparent life-long immunity that follows survival of infection and/or
      protection by vaccination, although complexities arise due to maternal antibodies
      and heterogeneity in mixing and some models considered potential waning immunity
      and reinfection. This review finds significant underreporting of measles and
      rubella infections and widespread recognition of the importance of achieving and
      maintaining high population immunity to stop and prevent measles and rubella
      transmission. The significantly lower transmissibility of rubella compared to
      measles implies that all countries could eliminate rubella and CRS by using
      combination of measles- and rubella-containing vaccines (MRCVs) as they strive to
      meet regional measles elimination goals, which leads to the recommendation of
      changing the formulation of national measles-containing vaccines from measles
      only to MRCV as the standard of care.

PMID- 27277139
TI  - Adaptive evolution and functional innovation of Populus-specific recently evolved
      microRNAs.
AB  - Lineage-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) undergo rapid turnover during evolution;
      however, their origin and functional importance have remained controversial.
      Here, we examine the origin, evolution, and potential roles in local adaptation
      of Populus-specific miRNAs, which originated after the recent salicoid-specific,
      whole-genome duplication. RNA sequencing was used to generate extensive,
      comparable miRNA and gene expression data for six tissues. A natural population
      of Populus trichocarpa and closely related species were used to study the
      divergence rates, evolution, and adaptive variation of miRNAs. MiRNAs that
      originated in 5' untranslated regions had higher expression levels and their
      expression showed high correlation with their host genes. Compared with conserved
      miRNAs, a significantly higher proportion of Populus-specific miRNAs appear to
      target genes that were duplicated in salicoids. Examination of single nucleotide
      polymorphisms in Populus-specific miRNA precursors showed high amounts of
      population differentiation. We also characterized the newly emerged MIR6445
      family, which could trigger the production of phased small interfering RNAs from
      NAC mRNAs, which encode a transcription factor with primary roles in a variety of
      plant developmental processes. Together, these observations provide evolutionary
      insights into the birth and potential roles of Populus-specific miRNAs in genome
      maintenance, local adaptation, and functional innovation.

PMID- 27277140
TI  - Differential proteomics profiling of the ova between healthy and Rice stripe
      virus-infected female insects of Laodelphax striatellus.
AB  - Rice stripe virus-infected females of the small brown planthopper (SBPH,
      Laodelphax striatellus) usually lay fewer eggs with a longer hatch period, low
      hatchability, malformation and retarded or defective development compared with
      healthy females. To explore the molecular mechanism of those phenomena, we
      analyzed the differential proteomics profiling of the ova between viruliferous
      and healthy female insects using an isobaric tag for relative and absolute
      quantitation (iTRAQ) approach. We obtained 147 differentially accumulated
      proteins: 98 (66.7%) proteins increased, but 49 (33.3%) decreased in the ova of
      the viruliferous females. RT-qPCR was used to verify the 12 differential
      expressed proteins from iTRAQ, finding that trends in the transcriptional change
      for the 12 genes were consistent with those at the proteomic level.
      Differentially expressed proteins that were associated with meiosis
      (serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 2B and cyclin B3) and mitosis (cyclin B3
      and dynein heavy chain) in viruliferous ova may contribute to low hatchability
      and defective or retarded development. Alterations in the abundance of proteins
      involved in the respiratory chain and nutrition metabolism may affect embryonic
      development. Our study begins to explain macroscopical developmental phenomena
      and explore the mechanisms by which Rice stripe virus impacts the development of
      SBPH.

PMID- 27277142
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27277141
TI  - An Epichloe festucae homologue of MOB3, a component of the STRIPAK complex, is
      required for the establishment of a mutualistic symbiotic interaction with Lolium
      perenne.
AB  - In both Sordaria macrospora and Neurospora crassa, components of the conserved
      STRIPAK (striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase) complex regulate cell-cell
      fusion, hyphal network development and fruiting body formation. Interestingly, a
      number of Epichloe festucae genes that are required for hyphal cell-cell fusion,
      such as noxA, noxR, proA, mpkA and mkkA, are also required for the establishment
      of a mutualistic symbiotic interaction with Lolium perenne. To determine whether
      MobC, a homologue of the STRIPAK complex component MOB3 in S. macrospora and N.
      crassa, is required for E. festucae hyphal fusion and symbiosis, a mobC deletion
      strain was generated. The DeltamobC mutant showed reduced rates of hyphal cell
      cell fusion, formed intrahyphal hyphae and exhibited enhanced conidiation. Plants
      infected with DeltamobC were severely stunted. Hyphae of DeltamobC showed a
      proliferative pattern of growth within the leaves of Lolium perenne with
      increased colonization of the intercellular spaces and vascular bundles. Although
      hyphae were still able to form expressoria, structures allowing the colonization
      of the leaf surface, the frequency of formation was significantly reduced.
      Collectively, these results show that the STRIPAK component MobC is required for
      the establishment of a mutualistic symbiotic association between E. festucae and
      L. perenne, and plays an accessory role in the regulation of hyphal cell-cell
      fusion and expressorium development in E. festucae.

PMID- 27277144
TI  - Pregnancy and lactation period: Which antibiotic and rinsing solutions?
AB  - The aim of this paper is to show aspects of dental treatment in pregnancy. The
      reader should gain security in the election of the proper drugs for antibiotic
      therapy and rinsing solutions. Antibiotics as penicillins are the first choice in
      case of dental infections in pregnancy. In allergic patients, macrolides may be
      an alternative. Wound and mouth rinsing solutions containing chlorhexidine should
      be preferred in pregnancy. Ledermix((r)) in endodontic treatment should be
      avoided in the pregnant woman. Solcoseryl((r)) can be used for wound healing.
      Elective dental procedures should be postponed after delivery and after lactation
      period.

PMID- 27277145
TI  - A political construction or a coincidence?

PMID- 27277143
TI  - SIRT3 participates in glucose metabolism interruption and apoptosis induced by
      BH3 mimetic S1 in ovarian cancer cells.
AB  - The Bcl-2 antiapoptotic proteins are important cancer therapy targets; however,
      their role in cancer cell metabolism remains unclear. We found that the BH3-only
      protein mimetic S1, a novel pan Bcl-2 inhibitor, simultaneously interrupted
      glucose metabolism and induced apoptosis in human SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells,
      which was related to the activation of SIRT3, a stress-responsive deacetylase. S1
      interrupted the cellular glucose metabolism mainly through causing damage to
      mitochondrial respiration and inhibiting glycolysis. Moreover, S1 upregulated the
      gene and protein expression of SIRT3, and induced the translocation of SIRT3 from
      the nucleus to mitochondria. SIRT3 silencing reversed the effects of S1 on
      glucose metabolism and apoptosis through increasing the level of HK-II localized
      to the mitochondria, while a combination of the glycolysis inhibitor 2-DG and S1
      intensified the cytotoxicity through further upregulation of SIRT3 expression.
      This study underscores an essential role of SIRT3 in the antitumor effect of Bcl
      2 inhibitors in human ovarian cancer through regulating both metabolism and
      apoptosis. The manipulation of Bcl-2 inhibitors combined with the use of classic
      glycolysis inhibitors may be rational strategies to improve ovarian cancer
      therapy. 

PMID- 27277146
TI  - Prolonged stays in hospital acute geriatric care units: identification and
      analysis of causes.
AB  - In France, the population of very old frail patients, who require appropriate
      high-quality care, is increasing. Given the current economic climate, the mean
      duration of hospitalization (MDH) needs to be optimized. This prospective study
      analyzed the causes of prolonged hospitalization in an acute geriatric care unit.
      Over 6 months, all patients admitted to the target acute geriatric care unit were
      included and distributed into two groups according to a threshold stay of 14
      days: long MDH group (LMDHG) and short MDH group (SMDHG). These two groups were
      compared. 757 patients were included. The LMDHG comprised 442 with a mean age of
      86.7 years, of whom 67.65% were women and the SMDHG comprised 315 with a mean age
      of 86.6 years, of whom 63.2% were women. The two groups were statistically
      similar for age, sex, living conditions at home (alone or not, help), medical
      history and number of drugs. Patients in the LMDHG were more dependent (p=0.005),
      and were more likely to be hospitalized for social reasons (p=0.024) and to have
      come from their homes (p=0.011) than those in the SMDHG. The reasons for the
      prolonged stay, more frequent in the LMDHG than the SMDHG (p<0.05), were
      principally: waiting for imaging examinations, medical complications, and waiting
      for discharge solutions, assistance from social workers and/or specialist
      consultations. In order to reduce the MDH in acute geriatric care unit, it is
      necessary to consider the particularities of the patients who are admitted, their
      medico-socio-psychological management, access to technical
      facilities/consultations and post-discharge accommodation. 

PMID- 27277147
TI  - Treatment in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in the elderly: about a
      retrospective study.
AB  - There are no specific recommendations on the care of elderly patients with ITP. A
      retrospective study over two academic centers (Reims and Strasbourg), focused on
      patients over 65 who have been diagnosed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in
      two unit of internal medicine. 41 patients were enrolled, including 27 women
      (66%). The median age is 76.75 years. On admission, the average thrombocytopenia
      is 34.45 G/L; 24 patients (58.5%) showed severe bleeding mucosal and/or visceral
      signs; 37 patients (90%) had a first-line treatment. Corticosteroids established
      for 23 patients (56%). At 1 and 6 months, complete response was 9 patients (39%)
      and 2 patients (9%) respectively. Adverse events reported for 20 patients (87%).
      Polyvalent immunoglobulins were used for 6 (16%) with no response at 6 months. 5
      patients were treated with danazol. At 6 months, partial response in 3 patients
      (60%) and failure in 2 patients (40%). Splenectomy was performed for 8 patients
      (21%). At 1 month, a complete response observed for 7 patients. At 6 months, a
      failure observed in 4 patients. After failure of first-line treatments, we noted
      the use of rituximab for 4 patients (9.7%) with a complete response for 1
      patient, partial response in 2 patients and a failure for a patient for whom the
      "eltrombopag" was set up with a partially response. Monitoring of 41 patients,
      during 7 years, objectified 3 deaths. The clinical presentation of idiopathic
      thrombocytopenic purpura in the elderly seems more severe. Therapeutic responses
      are essentially identical to those observed in younger patients, but greater
      toxicity. Data on biologics is nonexistent in elderly outside small retrospective
      series. Studies are underway to better assess their effectiveness, long-term
      safety as well as their mechanism of action. 

PMID- 27277148
TI  - Difficulties encountered by general practitioners during acute behavioral
      disturbances of their dementia patients.
AB  - Alzheimer disease<strike>s</strike> and related disorders (ADRD) remain a major
      public health issue. The progression of the disease is dominated by behavioral
      and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) which are frequent and burdensome
      for caregivers. The aim of our survey was to study how the general practionner
      managed these behavioral disturbances (particularly agitation and aggressiveness)
      in community living patients with ADRD and support of their main caregivers. We
      based our study on a medical survey sent to all general practitioners (GP)
      practicing in four districts in Marseille near from a secure unit. Ninety five
      out of 260 answered to the survey and 57 had already been exposed to patients'
      behavioral decompensation. For these BPSD management, atypical neuroleptics and
      benzodiazepines were mostly prescribed, and according to the literature and
      guidelines. Half of the GP's recognized the weak effectiveness of this strategy.
      Almost all of them are interested in having a document summarizing the main
      strategy to be set up or a possibility to call a specialized mobile team with
      doctors and professionals caregivers. A few dedicated consultations were devoted
      to informal caregivers whereas GP were aware of negative effects of these
      decompensations on them. This study point out difficulties for GP to provide
      appropriate management for their patients with ADRD living at home and for their
      informal caregivers, particularly during acute behavioral disturbance, despite
      their practical knowledges. 

PMID- 27277149
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 27277150
TI  - Ageism and overestimation of cognitive difficulties in older people: a review.
AB  - Stigmatization related to age (i.e., ageism) is a widespread phenomenon in the
      modern industrial societies where older people are perceived as cognitively
      incompetent. Therefore negative stereotypes about age-related cognitive decline
      may have a detrimental influence on older adults on their cognitive performance.
      The aim of the present review is to understand how stereotypes can influence the
      performance of the elderly on cognitive tests. We first describe the stereotype
      threat phenomenon by providing an overview of situations likely to produce
      stereotype threat, as well as contextual and personal characteristics that
      moderate its effects. Possible mechanisms underlying these influences on
      cognitive performance are also presented. Secondly, we address self-stereotyping,
      which explains long-term negative effects of stereotypes and their unconscious
      influence on older adults' cognitive performance. However, some age stereotypes
      have also positive effects on aged people, as shown by some studies describing
      such beneficial effects of positive stereotypes on cognitive performance. Finally
      we try to understand why negative age stereotyping has a much stronger influence
      on important behavioral outcomes among older adults than does positive age
      stereotyping. Given all these results, we examine how negative age stereotypes
      may impact older adults' cognitive performance in real-world settings such as
      during a cognitive assessment. 

PMID- 27277151
TI  - Alcoholic abstinence in elderly subjects with misuse of alcohol.
AB  - Alcohol use disorder does not disappear with aging, neither the associated
      induced-suffering. While the prevalence of alcohol use disorder still remains
      around 10% in the subjects over 65 year old age, and daily encountered by
      hospital or nursing-home caregivers. Alcohol misuse is often overlooked in
      elderly people, which then obtain lesser care than younger adults although the
      care prognosis remains as good as or better than before the age of 65, alcoholic
      abstinence gets always a place among care offers to elders suffering of alcohol
      use disorders and dependence. However abstinence is a complex notion gathering
      various representations or meanings, and induces necessary psychological changes.
      Alcoholic abstinence seems thus to be feared by families or caregivers, because
      of lack of knowledge about the addictive dimension of the disorder. On behalf of
      ultimate freedom, and allowing a last pleasure, alcohol use disorders and its
      associated suffering can be neglected because abstinence is considered as
      aggressive and harmful. However, modalities of reduction of alcohol consumption
      as well as access control or regulated supply of alcoholic beverages, keep having
      a place in graduate care offers. Beyond the choice of decreasing or suppress
      drinking alcohol beverages, which only are terms or conditions of improvement,
      the main point remains the improvement of well-fare, quality of life and elders'
      health. 

PMID- 27277152
TI  - Young onset demented patients in French cognitive-behavioral specialized units.
AB  - The number of patients with young onset dementia (YOD) (first symptoms beginning
      before the age of 60 years) is estimated around 5,000 in France. On account of
      the usual severity of behavioral symptoms in these patients, the need for
      cognitive-behavioral specialized unit (UCC) is expected. To determine the number
      and characteristics of YOD patients cared for in UCC in France during the year
      2013. A specific questionnaire was sent to the 84 French UCC. The questionnaire
      was completed by 55 UCC (65%), whose 33 received 179 YOD patients. The diagnosis
      was Alzheimer's disease in 50% of the cases and frontotemporal dementia in 30%.
      The main reasons for the hospitalization in UCC were the severity of behavioral
      symptoms in 86% of cases, the need to alleviate the caregiver burden in 31% and
      the waiting for a place in a nursing home in 23%. Mean duration of
      hospitalization was 40.4 +/- 20.5 days. At the end of hospitalization 51% of the
      patients returned to their original living accomodation and 39% entered into a
      nursing home. The main reason of YOD patients hospitalization reject was the care
      team's fear in the UCC without experience. The severity of the behavioral
      troubles was the major issue while the necessary ethical reflection raised by the
      YOD patients management was a positive aspect. The teams rated how ready do they
      feel about taking care of YOD patients on a scale from 0 to 100, the median was
      35. The welcoming of YOD patients in UCC is necessary, however the severity of
      the behavioral troubles and the care teams fear prompt to set up specific
      education and to increase of the number of staff for YOD patients management. 

PMID- 27277153
TI  - Time perception in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.
AB  - Disturbances of time perception could explain some behavioral disorders in
      patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and the aim of this preliminary
      study was to evaluate time perception in these patients. 7 patients with DLB
      (mean age = 82+/-6,8 years) were compared to 7 cognitively normal subjects (m =
      81.2+/-6,8 years) for spatiotemporal orientation, verbal estimation, semantic
      knowledge, rhythm perception and verbal time estimation. The scores on the
      semantic scale of temporality were statistically different between the two
      groups, and patients made more rhythm errors than the control sample. Moreover, a
      significant improvement between the first and second assessment on verbal time
      estimation was found in the control subjetcs but not in the patients. Time
      perception seems to be disturbed in patients with DLB, but more studies are
      required to understand this result with the behavioural disorders. 

PMID- 27277154
TI  - Performances on a cognitive theory of mind task: specific decline or general
      cognitive deficits? Evidence from normal aging.
AB  - Compromised theory of mind (ToM) can be explained either by a failure to
      implement specific representational capacities (mental state representations) or
      by more general executive selection demands. In older adult populations, evidence
      supporting affected executive functioning and cognitive ToM in normal aging are
      reported. However, links between these two functions remain unclear. In the
      present paper, we address these shortcomings by using a specific task of ToM and
      classical executive tasks. We studied, using an original cognitive ToM task, the
      effect of age on ToM performances, in link with the progressive executive
      decline. 96 elderly participants were recruited. They were asked to perform a
      cognitive ToM task, and 5 executive tests (Stroop test and Hayling Sentence
      Completion Test to appreciate inhibitory process, Trail Making Test and Verbal
      Fluency for shifting assessment and backward span dedicated to estimate working
      memory capacity). The results show changes in cognitive ToM performance according
      to executive demands. Correlational studies indicate a significant relationship
      between ToM performance and the selected executive measures. Regression analyzes
      demonstrates that level of vocabulary and age as the best predictors of ToM
      performance. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that ToM deficits are
      related to age-related domain-general decline rather than as to a breakdown in
      specialized representational system. The implications of these findings for the
      nature of social cognition tests in normal aging are also discussed. 

PMID- 27277156
TI  - Mangiferin inhibits macrophage classical activation via downregulating interferon
      regulatory factor 5 expression.
AB  - Mangiferin is a natural polyphenol and the predominant effective component of
      Mangifera indica Linn. leaves. For hundreds of years, Mangifera indica Linn. leaf
      has been used as an ingredient in numerous traditional Chinese medicine
      preparations for the treatment of bronchitis. However, the pharmacological
      mechanism of mangiferin in the treatment of bronchitis remains to be elucidated.
      Macrophage classical activation is important role in the process of bronchial
      airway inflammation, and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) has been
      identified as a key regulatory factor for macrophage classical activation. The
      present study used the THP-1 human monocyte cell line to investigate whether
      mangiferin inhibits macrophage classical activation via suppressing IRF5
      expression in vitro. THP-1 cells were differentiated to macrophages by phorbol 12
      myristate 13-acetate. Macrophages were polarized to M1 macrophages following
      stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Flow
      cytometric analysis was conducted to detect the M1 macrophages. Reverse
      transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate
      cellular IRF5 gene expression. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines and IRF5 were
      assessed following cell culture and cellular homogenization using enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. IRF5 protein and nuclei co-localization was performed in
      macrophages with laser scanning confocal microscope immunofluorescence analysis.
      The results of the present study demonstrated that mangiferin significantly
      inhibits LPS/IFN-gamma stimulation-induced classical activation of macrophages in
      vitro and markedly decreases proinflammatory cytokine release. In addition,
      cellular IRF5 expression was markedly downregulated. These results suggest that
      the inhibitory effect of mangiferin on classical activation of macrophages may be
      exerted via downregulation of cellular IRF5 expression levels. 

PMID- 27277158
TI  - Echocardiographically Derived Pulse Wave Velocity and Diastolic Dysfunction Are
      Associated with an Increased Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with
      Systolic Heart Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is an established risk factor of atrial
      fibrillation (AF), but the prognostic value of cardiac and hemodynamic parameters
      in assessing the risk of developing AF among patients with CHF is less defined.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: We followed an outpatients cohort of CHF patients secondary
      to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, who were free of AF at baseline.
      All patients underwent clinical evaluation, comprehensive echocardiography, and
      blood drawing in the same morning. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), a measure
      of aortic stiffness, was determined by Doppler echocardiography. A total of 77
      patients (age 63 +/- 9 years; 79% male) with mean LVEF (34 +/- 8%) formed the
      study population. Fifteen patients developed incidental AF. At baseline, CHF
      patients who developed AF during follow-up had higher E-wave velocity (75 +/- 2
      cm/sec vs. 60 +/- 2 cm/sec; P = 0.02), higher difference duration between mitral
      and pulmonary vein A velocity (A'-A), (10 +/- 35 msec vs. 43 +/- 44 msec P =
      0.02), aPWV (7.1 +/- 2.6 vs. 5.3 +/- 1.9 m/sec P = 0.004), and furosemide dosage
      (110 +/- 145 mg vs. 49 +/- 48 mg P = 0.01) than those remaining free from AF. The
      two groups of patients did not significantly differ in terms of NYHA, LV volumes,
      ejection fraction, left atrial volume, creatinine, hemoglobin, renin,
      epinephrine, amino-terminal propeptide of type III and I procollagens, ACE
      inhibitor, and beta-blocker dose (P > 0.1 for all). Notably, higher aPWV (P =
      0.01) and longer A-A' duration (P = 0.04) were associated with an increased
      incidence of AF, independently of potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Increased
      aortic stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction are strong predictors of new onset
      of AF among patients with systolic CHF.

PMID- 27277159
TI  - Serum drug levels to diagnose non-adherence in acute decompensated heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze medication non-adherence by
      measuring serum drug levels (SDL) in patients presenting with acute decompensated
      heart failure (ADHF). METHODS: Included in the study were chronic heart failure
      patients presenting with signs of acute decompensation. Blood sampling for the
      measurement of SDL was performed shortly after presentation. SDL were measured
      using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The estimation of SDL
      was calculated from the recommended chronic cardiac medications with the
      exception of drugs administered as part of the acute treatment prior to blood
      sampling. The patients were labeled as non-adherent when any one of the evaluated
      medications was not found in the serum. RESULTS: Fifty patients with ADHF were
      prospectively enrolled. All of the evaluated drugs were detected in the sera of
      28 (56%) patients. Non-adherence was diagnosed in the remaining 22 (44%)
      patients. None of the evaluated medications was detected in the sera of 5 (10%)
      patients. CONCLUSION: The estimation of SDL indicates that non-adherence to the
      recommended chronic therapy is a common problem among patients presenting with
      ADHF. This method should be an essential aspect of routine clinical evaluation in
      these patients.

PMID- 27277157
TI  - Effect of glucocorticoids on osteoclast function in a mouse model of bone
      necrosis.
AB  - Osteonecrosis, also termed aseptic necrosis, is the cellular death of bone
      components due to interruption of the blood supply. Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy
      is a common non-traumatic cause of osteonecrosis. However, the mechanism by which
      GCs induce osteonecrosis remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study
      was to investigate the effects of GCs on osteoclast and osteoblast
      differentiation and function in a GC-induced osteonecrosis mouse model. BALB/c
      male mice (n=40; 4-weeks-old) were treated with dexamethasone and asparaginase
      for 8 weeks. The control group (n=20) was administered normal saline. The results
      demonstrated that the GC-treated group had a lower mean weight compared with the
      control group. Morphologically, 16/37 (43%) mice demonstrated significant
      osteonecrotic lesions in the GC-treated group. However, osteonecrotic lesions
      were not observed in the mice of the control group. Furthermore,
      immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the GC-treated group had a higher level of
      osteoprotegerin compared with the control group, without any change in the
      expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand. In addition,
      tartarate-resistant acid-phosphatase staining demonstrated significantly
      decreased osteoclasts in the areas of bone destruction in the GCs-treated group.
      Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that GCs increased expression levels
      of osterix and osteocalcin, and decreased expression of matrix metallopeptidase-9
      to regulate the differentiation and function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The
      results of the present study suggested that GCs influence bone remolding
      resulting in decreased osteoclasts formation/differentiation. Therefore,
      regulating the differentiation and activity of the osteoclasts may be beneficial
      to the control and treatment of osteonecrosis. 

PMID- 27277160
TI  - Overlap in drug-disease associations between clinical practice guidelines and
      drug structured product label indications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) recommend pharmacologic
      treatments for clinical conditions, and drug structured product labels (SPLs)
      summarize approved treatment indications. Both resources are intended to promote
      evidence-based medical practices and guide clinicians' prescribing decisions.
      However, it is unclear how well CPG recommendations about pharmacologic therapies
      match SPL indications for recommended drugs. In this study, we perform text
      mining of CPG summaries to examine drug-disease associations in CPG
      recommendations and in SPL treatment indications for 15 common chronic
      conditions. METHODS: We constructed an initial text corpus of guideline summaries
      from the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) from a set of manually selected
      ICD-9 codes for each of the 15 conditions. We obtained 377 relevant guideline
      summaries and their Major Recommendations section, which excludes guidelines for
      pediatric patients, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for medical diagnoses not
      meeting inclusion criteria. A vocabulary of drug terms was derived from five
      medical taxonomies. We used named entity recognition, in combination with
      dictionary-based and ontology-based methods, to identify drug term occurrences in
      the text corpus and construct drug-disease associations. The ATC (Anatomical
      Therapeutic Chemical Classification) was utilized to perform drug name and drug
      class matching to construct the drug-disease associations from CPGs. We then
      obtained drug-disease associations from SPLs using conditions mentioned in their
      Indications section in SIDER. The primary outcomes were the frequency of drug
      disease associations in CPGs and SPLs, and the frequency of overlap between the
      two sets of drug-disease associations, with and without using taxonomic
      information from ATC. RESULTS: Without taxonomic information, we identified 1444
      drug-disease associations across CPGs and SPLs for 15 common chronic conditions.
      Of these, 195 drug-disease associations overlapped between CPGs and SPLs, 917
      associations occurred in CPGs only and 332 associations occurred in SPLs only.
      With taxonomic information, 859 unique drug-disease associations were identified,
      of which 152 of these drug-disease associations overlapped between CPGs and SPLs,
      541 associations occurred in CPGs only, and 166 associations occurred in SPLs
      only. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CPG-recommended pharmacologic
      therapies and SPL indications do not overlap frequently when identifying drug
      disease associations using named entity recognition, although incorporating
      taxonomic relationships between drug names and drug classes into the approach
      improves the overlap. This has important implications in practice because
      conflicting or inconsistent evidence may complicate clinical decision making and
      implementation or measurement of best practices.

PMID- 27277161
TI  - IL-17A-producing T cells are associated with the progression of lung
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Accumulating evidence has shown that T cells are crucial in shaping the tumor
      microenvironment and regulating tumor development. However, the roles of IL-17A
      producing T cells (IL-17A+CD4+ Th17, IL-17A+CD8+ Tc17 and IL-17A+ gammadeltaT17
      cells) and related cytokines in the progression of lung cancer (LC) remain
      uncertain. Here, we found that the frequencies of both Th17 and gammadeltaT17
      cells in the peripheral blood of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LA) were
      higher than those in healthy controls (HCs), whereas the frequency of Tc17 cells
      in the patients with LA was decreased. In addition, the frequencies of
      circulating Th17 and gammadeltaT17 cells, but not Tc17 cells, were positively
      associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, the major source of
      IL-17A production was Th17 cells, followed by Tc17 and gammadeltaT17 cells, in
      peripheral blood from patients with LA and HCs; but the percentages of Th17 and
      gammadeltaT17 cells in total intracellular IL-17A+ cells obtained from the
      patients with LC were higher than those from HCs. Moreover, the protein and
      corresponding mRNA levels of IL-17A, IL-23, IL-1beta, and TGF-beta1 were much
      higher in the patients with LA than those in HCs, and the levels of IL-17A in
      patients were positively correlated with numbers of both Th17 and gammadeltaT17
      cells, but not Tc17 cells. Finally, the frequencies of circulating Th17 and
      gammadeltaT17 cells, along with the levels of IL-17A, IL-23, IL-1beta, and TGF
      beta1 were decreased in the patients with LA after tumor resection, whereas the
      frequency of circulating Tc17 cells was inversely increased in these patients.
      Our findings indicate that Th17, Tc17, gammadeltaT17 cells, and IL-17A-associated
      cytokines contribute to the development of LA and thus represent promising
      targets for therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 27277163
TI  - Thoracic laminectomy with spinal fixation in a nonambulatory patient with
      metastatic vertebral tumor from endometrial carcinoma.
AB  - Vertebral metastasis from endometrial cancer is a rare event and requires
      emergency treatment at the onset of neurologic symptoms caused by spinal cord
      compression. We report a case of a metastatic vertebral tumor, according to the
      International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics classification, of stage
      IVb endometrial cancer with multiple lung metastases. Emergency irradiation to
      the spinal tumor was conducted as a result of a loss of ambulation. Thoracic
      laminectomy with spinal fixation was subsequently performed because the patient
      remained nonambulatory and her neurological function deteriorated. Spinal
      decompression surgery enabled her to regain the ability to walk. Complete
      remission was achieved by subsequent pelvic surgery followed by combined
      chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel and carboplatin. Finally, the patient had no
      evidence of disease 45 months after the initial treatment. Early recognition and
      expeditious treatment is crucial for neurological recovery from metastatic spinal
      cord compression.

PMID- 27277162
TI  - Golgi-localized STELLO proteins regulate the assembly and trafficking of
      cellulose synthase complexes in Arabidopsis.
AB  - As the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, cellulose is a key structural component
      of the plant cell wall. Cellulose is produced at the plasma membrane by cellulose
      synthase (CesA) complexes (CSCs), which are assembled in the endomembrane system
      and trafficked to the plasma membrane. While several proteins that affect CesA
      activity have been identified, components that regulate CSC assembly and
      trafficking remain unknown. Here we show that STELLO1 and 2 are Golgi-localized
      proteins that can interact with CesAs and control cellulose quantity. In the
      absence of STELLO function, the spatial distribution within the Golgi, secretion
      and activity of the CSCs are impaired indicating a central role of the STELLO
      proteins in CSC assembly. Point mutations in the predicted catalytic domains of
      the STELLO proteins indicate that they are glycosyltransferases facing the Golgi
      lumen. Hence, we have uncovered proteins that regulate CSC assembly in the plant
      Golgi apparatus.

PMID- 27277164
TI  - Rhein lysinate decreases inflammation and adipose infiltration in KK/HlJ diabetic
      mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of rhein
      lysinate (RHL) on the liver. Mice were divided into four groups: C57BL/J control,
      the KK/HlJ diabetic model, and 25 and 50 mg/kg/day RHL-treated KK/HlJ groups. The
      KK/HlJ diabetic mouse model was made by injecting STZ and feeding mice diabetic
      food. At 16 weeks, mice were sacrificed and their livers were harvested. The
      results indicated that compared with the C57BL/J control group, the body weights,
      liver weights and liver weight-to-body weight ratio were increased in KK/HlJ
      diabetic mice; however, these values were decreased following treatment with RHL.
      Compared with the C57BL/J control, KK/HlJ diabetic mice had a significantly lower
      level of SOD and GSH-px in their livers, but had a significantly higher level of
      MDA. However, these effects were ameliorated by RHL. Hepatic adipose infiltration
      was observed in KK/HlJ mice, but not in C57BL/J mice. RHL decreased the incidence
      of hepatic adipose infiltration and significantly decreased the expression of TNF
      alpha, IL-6, NF-kappaB, SREBP-1c, and Fas, as well as the phosphorylation of NF
      kappaB in the liver. In conclusion, RHL can improve hepatic function by
      decreasing hepatic adipose infiltration and the expression of inflammatory
      factors. 

PMID- 27277165
TI  - Optimization of pancreatic lipase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of Ilex
      paraguariensis by using response surface methodology.
AB  - Response surface methodology (RSM) using a Box-Behnken design was used to
      optimize the extraction conditions for obtaining pancreatic lipase inhibitory and
      antioxidant principles from Ilex paraguariensis leaves. Three influencing
      factors: extraction time (min), the liquid-solid ratio, and ethanol concentration
      (%, v/v) were investigated in the ultrasonic extraction process. Optimization of
      the extraction conditions to obtain a product with minimum PL activity, maximum
      antioxidant activity, and maximum yield was performed using RSM by focusing on
      the three target influencing factors. The optimum conditions were established as
      the ethanol concentration (54.8 %), liquid-solid ratio (35.4), and extraction
      time (70.0 min). Under these conditions, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
      scavenging activity, PL activity, extraction yield were 59.3 +/- 3.5, 35.3 +/-
      3.0, and 34.4 +/- 0.4 %, respectively, similar to the theoretical predicted
      values of 59.7, 35.2, and 34.3 %, respectively. 

PMID- 27277166
TI  - Current status of stress echocardiography: is it a required procedure for every
      sonographer?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stress echocardiography is a versatile modality in the clinical
      cardiology. In its earlier days, its sole indication was restricted to diagnosing
      coronary artery disease. However, in response to the rapid development of
      ultrasound technology and analysis software, the indications have now evolved
      with expansion to several fields of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: I reviewed
      previous stress echocardiography publications, and discussed the current status
      of stress echocardiography in routine clinical setting. RESULTS: Although its
      portability and online assessment make possible for immediate diagnosis even at
      the bedside, establishment of an appropriate procedure and an accurate assessment
      require some experience. Other imaging competitors, such as multidetector
      computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance are gradually replacing the
      role of stress echocardiography in some fields. However, stress echocardiography
      has a potential for other new fields, including valvular heart disease and
      congestive heart failure. CONCLUSION: Although primary indication of stress
      echocardiography for coronary artery disease seems to be not relevant especially
      in Japan, novel indication of stress echocardiography in other field of
      cardiovascular disease is rapidly expanding in conjunction with the advent of new
      technology. Stress echocardiography is not a tool for limited researchers, but
      rather a fundamental routine method of choice for every sonographer.

PMID- 27277167
TI  - Role of cardiovascular echo in patients with Takayasu arteritis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Takayasu arteritis is an important differential diagnosis in young
      female patients presenting with fever, fatigue, hypertension, and/or neck pain.
      ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FEATURES: Aortic arch branch vessels are frequently affected
      and the carotid artery can have diffuse, homogeneous wall thickening, known as
      the 'macaroni sign'. The descending aorta can be stenotic with 'pseudo
      coarctation'. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular echo plays an important role in the
      screening and characterization of arterial lesions in patients with Takayasu
      arteritis.

PMID- 27277168
TI  - Reverse atrial remodeling in patients who maintain sinus rhythm after electrical
      cardioversion: evidence derived from the measurement of total atrial conduction
      time assessed by PA-TDI interval.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A key mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF) is atrial remodeling.
      Total atrial conduction time non-invasively assessed via tissue Doppler imaging
      (PA-TDI interval) may reflect the degree of electrical and structural atrial
      remodeling. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the PA-TDI
      interval is an independent predictor of recurrent AF after successful electrical
      cardioversion (eCV) and if it suggests reverse atrial remodeling. METHODS: Fifty
      one patients (mean +/- SD 66 +/- 10.6 years; 35 % women) with persistent AF and
      successful eCV were prospectively enrolled. The PA-TDI interval was measured 6 h
      and 90 days post-cardioversion. AF relapse was determined via 7-day Holter-ECG
      immediately after eCV and repeated after 90 days. RESULTS: Early recurrent AF
      (within 7 days) occurred in 21 patients (41.2 %), whereas after 90-day follow-up
      26 patients (51 %) had AF recurrence. PA-TDI interval was longer in patients with
      AF recurrence within 90 days compared to patients who remained in sinus rhythm
      (SR) (149.1 +/- 8.3 vs. 129.8 +/- 10.9 ms, p < 0.0001). Optimal cut-off values
      for recurrent AF after 7 or 90 days from ROC analysis were 142 and 143 ms,
      respectively. Furthermore, the PA-TDI interval decreased significantly from
      baseline in those who remained in SR (129.8 +/- 10.9 vs. 125.8 +/- 10 ms, p <
      0.0001), whereas the PA-TDI interval increased in patients who developed AF after
      90 days (149.1 +/- 8.3 vs. 152 +/- 9 ms, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The PA-TDI
      interval is an independent predictor of early and mid-term AF recurrence after
      eCV. Moreover, our data suggests reverse atrial remodeling in those patients who
      remained in stable SR.

PMID- 27277169
TI  - Right ventricular outflow tract systolic excursion: a useful method for
      determining right ventricular systolic function.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessment of right ventricular (RV) systolic function is not an easy
      task. Although RV fractional area change (FAC) and tricuspid annular plane
      systolic excursion (TAPSE) are useful in the assessment of RV function, their use
      can be sometimes limited. Right ventricular outflow tract systolic excursion
      (RVOT_SE) is a new way to evaluate RV systolic function. The aim of this study
      was to assess the correlation between RVOT_SE and other RV systolic function
      assessment methods. METHODS: RVOT_SE was defined as the systolic excursion of the
      RV outflow tract anterior wall endocardium. A total of 104 patients with a wide
      range of RV systolic function, ejection fraction, and pulmonary artery systolic
      pressure were studied. We also measured another four ways to evaluate RV systolic
      function, FAC, TAPSE, right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening
      (RVOT_FS), and tricuspid annular systolic excursion velocity S' (Tissue S').
      RESULTS: There was a strong correlation between RVOT_SE and each one of the four
      studied ways to evaluate RV systolic function. Multivariate regression analysis
      showed that the independent variables correlated with RVOT_SE were RVOT_FS (p <
      0.0001), FAC (p = 0.005) and TAPSE (p = 0.023). RVOT_SE diagnosed patients with
      reduced RV systolic function with 98 % sensitivity and 96 % specificity. There
      was no correlation between RVOT_SE and ejection fraction, or between RVOT_SE and
      pulmonary artery systolic pressure in patients with reduced RV systolic function.
      Intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility were favorable for RVOT_SE and
      all four studied ways. CONCLUSIONS: RVOT_SE is a simple, accurate, and promising
      method for evaluating RV systolic function.

PMID- 27277170
TI  - Visually confirmed post-systolic shortening during the recovery period in four
      cases of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
AB  - We report visually confirmed post-systolic shortening (PSS) during the recovery
      period and the relationship between PSS and electrocardiographic abnormalities in
      4 cases of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC). In these 4 cases, the appearance of
      visually confirmed PSS during the recovery period coincided with observation of
      the deepest T wave and the longest QT interval. The transmural repolarization
      gradient and heterogeneous duration of myocardial contractions may cause PSS in
      the TTC recovery period.

PMID- 27277171
TI  - A case with discrete fibromuscular subaortic stenosis: evaluation by three
      dimensional echocardiography.

PMID- 27277172
TI  - Huge pericardial collaterals mistaken for newly developed pericardial effusion by
      transthoracic echocardiography in a liver transplant recipient.

PMID- 27277173
TI  - Pomolic acid inhibits metastasis of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells
      through inactivation of the ERK pathway.
AB  - Expression of the CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4), a G protein-coupled receptor,
      and HER2, a receptor tyrosine kinase, strongly correlates with tumor progression
      and metastatic potential of breast cancer cells. We report the identification of
      pomolic acid (PA) as a novel regulator of HER2 and CXCR4 expression. We found
      that PA downregulated the expression of HER2 and CXCR4 in SKBR3 cells in a dose-
      and time-dependent manner. When investigated for the molecular mechanism(s), it
      was found that the downregulation of HER2 and CXCR4 was not due to proteolytic
      degradation but rather to transcriptional regulation as indicated by
      downregulation of mRNA expression. Moreover, we show that PA inhibits
      phosphorylation of ERK and reduces NF-kappaB activation. Suppression of CXCR4
      expression by PA correlated with the inhibition of CXCL12-induced invasion of
      HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Overall, our results demonstrate for the
      first time that PA is a novel inhibitor of HER2 and CXCR4 expression via kinase
      pathways and may play a critical role in determining the metastatic potential of
      breast cancer cells. 

PMID- 27277174
TI  - Evaluation of left ventricular rotation by two-dimensional speckle tracking
      method and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography: comparison with MRI
      tagging method.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, it has become possible to evaluate left ventricular (LV)
      torsion by two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking images. However, LV torsion is a
      three-dimensional (3D) performance, which per se cannot be assessed by the 2D
      speckle tracking method. The present study investigated the accuracy of the 2D
      speckle tracking method and real-time 3D echocardiography in measuring LV
      rotation, comparing with the MRI tagging method. METHODS: We assessed LV apical
      rotation using the 2D speckle tracking method, real-time 3D echocardiography, and
      MRI tagging method in 26 normal subjects, and compared the results of these three
      methods. LV apical rotation was measured just before the level in which the
      posterior papillary muscle was absorbed into the free wall. RESULTS: The degree
      of LV apical rotation evaluated by the 2D speckle tracking method (Deltatheta 2D)
      was significantly smaller than that evaluated by 3D echocardiography (Deltatheta
      3D) and the MRI tagging method (Deltatheta MRI) (Deltatheta 2D 7.3 +/- 2.8
      degrees ; Deltatheta 3D 8.8 +/- 3.4 degrees ; Deltatheta MRI 9.0 +/- 3.4 degrees
      ; Deltatheta 2D vs. Deltatheta 3D, p = 0.0001; Deltatheta 2D vs. Deltatheta MRI,
      p < 0.0001). There were good correlations among Deltatheta 2D, Deltatheta 3D, and
      Deltatheta MRI, but agreement between Deltatheta 3D and Deltatheta MRI (mean
      difference 0.14 +/- 1.43 degrees ) was better than that between Deltatheta 2D and
      Deltatheta MRI (mean difference 1.68 +/- 1.89 degrees ). CONCLUSION: The degree
      of LV apical rotation was underestimated with the 2D speckle tracking method
      compared with the MRI tagging method, whereas it could be precisely measured by
      3D echocardiography.

PMID- 27277175
TI  - Detection of prolonged regional myocardial systolic dysfunction after exercise
      induced myocardial ischemia by strain echocardiography with high frame rate
      tissue Doppler echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Strain echocardiography has enabled quantification of regional
      myocardial systolic function objectively and is less influenced by tethering
      effects and cardiac translational artifact than Doppler tissue imaging. Although
      strain echocardiography has been applied for the detection of inducible ischemia
      during dobutamine stress, it has not been fully applied to exercise stress
      echocardiography (ESE) because of technical difficulties. Prolonged myocardial
      systolic dysfunction after exercise-induced ischemia has been shown previously.
      Thus, we designed this study to evaluate whether the myocardial strain analysis
      can detect myocardial ischemia by the assessment of prolonged regional left
      ventricular (LV) dysfunction in ESE. METHODS: We performed ESE with myocardial
      strain imaging system in 20 consecutive patients who had exercise Tl-201 single
      photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Myocardial strain curves were
      obtained at six segments in mid LV walls from the apical approach before and 5
      min after ESE. We measured the duration from the R wave in the electrocardiogram
      to the timing of peak systolic strain corrected by the square root of the RR
      interval (TPSc). We finally calculated the differences of TPSc (DeltaTPSc) before
      ESE and 5 min after ESE. The results were compared with SPECT as a reference
      standard. RESULTS: A receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that a
      DeltaTPSc cutoff value of 70 ms had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 84%
      for the detection of myocardial ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged regional LV
      systolic dysfunction assessed by ESE with strain analysis was useful for the
      detection of myocardial ischemia.

PMID- 27277176
TI  - Aging change of left ventricular function in children evaluated by acoustic
      quantification method.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are few reports about acoustic quantification (AQ) in the area
      of pediatrics. We aim to determine normal values of AQ analysis and investigate
      the aging change of left ventricular function in children. METHODS: The subjects
      in this study included 137 patients (aged 29 days to 18 years) who had normal
      cardiac function and no cardiac load. None of the patients were receiving medical
      therapy. The instrument used was a PH-6500 (Philips, Andevor). Change of left
      ventricular area in short-axis view was detected by AQ analysis. From the mitral
      inflow, peak early (E) and peak late (A) diastolic velocities were measured, and
      E/A was calculated. RESULTS: End-diastolic area (EDA) and end-systolic area (ESA)
      increased with age. Fractional area change (FAC) decreased with age. Peak
      ejection rate (PER) and peak rapid filling rate (PRFR) decreased with age up to
      10 years. Atrial filling fraction (AFF) decreased and E/A increased with age up
      to 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Maturational or developmental alterations in LV
      diastolic properties were found up to 5 years old. AQ analysis is one of the
      useful indexes for investigating left ventricular diastolic function.

PMID- 27277177
TI  - Determinants of plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels in untreated hypertensive
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is elevated in patients
      with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy reflecting not only altered LV geometry
      but LV systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction. However, the values and limitations
      of BNP measurements are unclear in patients with untreated hypertension. In this
      study, plasma BNP level was compared with LV geometric and functional
      characteristics in patients with untreated hypertension. METHODS: Plasma BNP
      level was measured in 115 patients with untreated hypertension (72 males, 43
      females, aged 60 +/- 12 years). Routine echo parameters of LV geometry and LV
      systolic and diastolic performance were also determined. RESULTS: LV ejection
      fraction was 67 +/- 6% and plasma BNP level was 32 +/- 30 pg/ml. Plasma BNP
      levels correlated with age, LV mass index (LVMI), and mitral E velocity,
      respectively (r = 0.46, p < 0.05; r = 0.21, p < 0.05; r = 0.29, p < 0.05,
      respectively), but not with systolic blood pressure or relative wall thickness (r
      = 0.01; r = -0.02). Plasma BNP level correlated with E/E' ratio (r = 0.27, p <
      0.05, n = 77). When a stepwise multivariate analysis was performed, E velocity
      was selected in addition to age and LVMI as significant correlates of plasma BNP
      level. CONCLUSIONS: LVMI and E velocity were independent determinants of plasma
      BNP level in patients with untreated hypertension. Plasma BNP level is
      substantially useful for the screening of abnormalities of LV geometry and/or
      function in patients with untreated hypertension. Additional echocardiography is
      useful to assess the mechanism of the elevation of plasma BNP level in untreated
      hypertensive patients.

PMID- 27277178
TI  - Turbulent left-to-right shunt flow through the interatrial septum suggesting high
      left atrial pressure in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection
      fraction.
AB  - Lutembacher's syndrome is a combination of interatrial septal (IAS) defect or
      patent foramen ovale (PFO), associated with mitral stenosis. High left atrial
      (LA) pressure in mitral stenosis exaggerates left-to-right shunt in patients with
      interatrial communication. We present a case of heart failure with preserved
      ejection fraction. Echocardiography revealed normal left ventricular systolic
      function without mitral stenosis and turbulent left-to-right shunt through the
      IAS. The peak velocity of the shunt flow was 2.3 m/s and the estimated pressure
      gradient was 22 mmHg, indicating high LA pressure. The presence of turbulent left
      to-right shunt through the IAS is helpful for detecting high LA pressure. 

PMID- 27277179
TI  - Type A aortic dissection with transient myocardial ischemia caused by intimal
      flap inverting into the left ventricle.
AB  - A 41-year-old man with sudden onset of chest oppression and downslope ST
      depression was diagnosed as having type A aortic dissection with angina pectoris
      and aortic regurgitation. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
      showed intimal flap inverting into the left ventricle through the aortic valve.
      This case was rare in that transient myocardial ischemia was induced not by
      dissection of the aortic root reaching the coronary ostia but by back-and-forth
      movement of the intimal flap, covering the coronary ostia and interrupting the
      coronary artery flow. TEE was important for correct diagnosis. 

PMID- 27277180
TI  - Giant asymptomatic left atrial myxoma.
AB  - The classic triad of myxoma clinical presentation is characterized by
      intracardiac obstruction, embolisms, and constitutional symptoms with fever,
      weight loss, or symptoms resembling connective tissue disease. Giant myxoma
      without symptoms are very rare. We present a case of a 30-year-old female with a
      giant asymptomatic myxoma in the left atrium, discovered by echocardiography. The
      patient was asymptomatic. 

PMID- 27277181
TI  - Aspergillus cyst of aortic valve bioprosthesis.
AB  - Aspergillus endocarditis (AE) is an ominous complication of cardiac surgery with
      a dismal prognosis. We present a 35-year-old female who developed AE 4 months
      after her aortic and mitral valve replacement. Transesophageal echocardiography
      revealed an aortic root abscess and a cystic mass attached to the aortic
      bioprosthesis. Intraoperatively, the cyst was filled with fungal material. The
      aortic bioprosthesis was replaced and the patient was treated with amphotericin
      B. Six weeks later her condition suddenly deteriorated and she died on the same
      day. Early performance of transesophageal echocardiography and extended blood
      culture is mandatory in suspected cases of AE. 

PMID- 27277182
TI  - Idiopathic internal jugular vein thrombosis in a patient with severe dizziness.
AB  - Upper torso deep vein thrombosis usually occurs in association with an indwelling
      venous catheter and/or malignancy as part of a paraneoplastic syndrome. However,
      idiopathic internal jugular vein thrombosis is a rare but potentially fatal
      condition. We report a 59-year-old woman who presented with severe dizziness.
      Ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced multislice computed tomography revealed
      thrombi in the left internal jugular vein. This patient had no malignancy,
      coagulation disorder, or infection. A ventilation/perfusion scan of the lungs
      showed no evidence of pulmonary embolism. This is a rare case of idiopathic
      thrombosis of the internal jugular vein. 

PMID- 27277183
TI  - Suprasternal optical window to Doppler the superior vena cava in neonates.

PMID- 27277184
TI  - Severe dilated cardiomyopathy resulting in a globular cardiac silhouette on chest
      X-ray.

PMID- 27277185
TI  - Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve induced by coughing.

PMID- 27277186
TI  - Visfatin attenuates the ox-LDL-induced senescence of endothelial progenitor cells
      by upregulating SIRT1 expression through the PI3K/Akt/ERK pathway.
AB  - Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in aging-associated
      senescence, thereby potentially contributing to vascular pathologies. Visfatin,
      identified as a new adipocytokine, is closely associated with the senescence of
      human cells. However, the effects of visfatin on the oxidized low-density
      lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced senescence of EPCs has not yet been explored, to the
      best of our knowledge. For this purpose, in the present study, we examined the
      effects of visfatin in ox-LDL-stimulated EPCs as well as the underlying mechanism
      responsible for these effects. We found that visfatin attenuated the ox-LDL
      induced senescence of EPCs by repressing beta-galactosidase expression and
      recovering telomerase activity. Western blot analysis confirmed that visfatin
      induced a dose-dependent increase in sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression in EPCs and ox
      LDL exposure decreased SIRT1 expression. Silencing SIRT1 abolished the inhibition
      of EPC senescence and the suppression of p53 expression induced by visfatin.
      Moreover, visfatin attenuated the inhibition of phosphorylation of Akt,
      phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)
      induced by ox-LDL. Taken together, these findings suggest that the treatment of
      EPCs with visfatin markedly attenuates the ox-LDL-induced senescence of EPCs by
      upregulating SIRT1 expression through the PI3K/Akt/ERK pathway. 

PMID- 27277187
TI  - High throughput sequencing of cyclic peptide immobilized on a gel-type single
      bead.
AB  - Relatively larger scale peptide libraries immobilized on a gel-type solid support
      consisting of 24 natural and non-natural amino acids by the "split and combine
      method" have been constructed to find interacting molecules. The diversity was
      ca. 200 millions of hexapeptides with cysteinyl residues forming cyclotide.
      Selected beads after screening can be sequenced by the conventional Edman
      degradation, although several restrictions and the problems are known. To resolve
      these, a novel combinatorial method involving partial acid hydrolysis followed by
      liquid chromatography with on-line mass spectrometric analyses has been
      established. Problems were uncovered in an early stage of the process. Uncertain
      assignment caused by byproducts derived from a cystine residue and other
      materials could be resolved by optimal hydrolysis conditions and derivatization
      before mass spectrometric analysis. Discrimination between Leu and Ile could be
      performed using high energy collision induced dissociation in the high resolution
      MALDI-TOF-MS/MS. The present optimized protocol is useful for discovery of
      sequences of interacting molecules and a second library construction.

PMID- 27277188
TI  - Isolation and characterization of autoantibodies against human cystatin C.
AB  - Hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (HCCAA) is a severe neurodegenerative
      disorder related to the point mutation in cystatin C gene resulting in human
      cystatin C (hCC) L68Q variant. One of the potential immunotherapeutic approaches
      to HCCAA treatment is based on naturally occurring antibodies against cystatin C.
      A recent growing interest in autoantibodies, especially in the context of
      neurodegenerative diseases, emerges from their potential use as valuable
      diagnostic markers and for controlling protein aggregation. In this work, we
      present characteristics of natural anti-hCC antibodies isolated from the IgG
      fraction of human serum by affinity chromatography. The electrophoresis (1-D and
      2-D) results demonstrated that the isolated NAbs are a polyclonal mixture, but
      their electrophoretic properties did not allow to classify the new autoantibodies
      to any particular type of IgG. The Fc-glycan status of the studied autoantibodies
      was assessed using mass spectrometry analysis. For the isolated NAbs, the
      epitopic fragments in hCC sequence were identified by MS-assisted proteolytic
      excision of the immune complex and compared with the ones predicted
      theoretically. The knowledge of hCC fragments binding to NAbs and other ligands
      may contribute to the search for new diagnostic methods for amyloidosis of
      different types and the search for their treatment.

PMID- 27277189
TI  - Effect of esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor on the pharmacokinetics of
      sonidegib in healthy volunteers.
AB  - AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of esomeprazole on the
      pharmacokinetics of sonidegib. METHODS: This Phase I study evaluated the impact
      of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) esomeprazole on the oral absorption and
      pharmacokinetics (PKs) of a single dose of sonidegib under fasted conditions. A
      total of 42 healthy subjects were enrolled to receive either sonidegib alone (200
      mg single dose) or sonidegib in combination with esomeprazole (40 mg pre
      treatment 5 days and combination were given on day 6). Primary PK parameters
      assessed in the study were area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) from 0
      14 days and 0-7 days and maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax ). RESULTS:
      The plasma exposure (AUC0-14d, AUC0-7d and Cmax ) of a single 200 mg oral dose of
      sonidegib was decreased by 32-38% when sonidegib was co-administered with
      esomeprazole compared with sonidegib alone, with no apparent change in
      elimination slope and tmax . Baseline gastric pH was similar between the two
      arms. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a modest reduction in the extent of
      sonidegib absorption by esomeprazole. There was no obvious metabolic drug-drug
      interaction between the two agents. Both sonidegib and esomeprazole were well
      tolerated in the study population.

PMID- 27277190
TI  - In Vitro and In Vivo Differentiation of Progenitor Stem Cells Obtained After
      Mechanical Digestion of Human Dental Pulp.
AB  - Human population is facing a revolutionary change in the demographic structure
      with an increasing number of elderly people requiring an unmet need to ensure a
      smooth aging process and dental care is certainly an important aspect that has to
      be considered. To date, dentistry has been conservative and the need of
      transferring the scientific models of regenerative dentistry into clinical
      practice is becoming a necessity. The aim of this study was to characterize the
      differentiation commitment (in vitro) and the clinical grafting ability (in vivo)
      of a population of progenitor stem cells obtained after mechanical digestion of
      dental pulp with an innovative system recently developed. This approach was
      successfully used in previous studies to obtain a clinical-grade ready to use
      dental pulp fragments that could be grafted in autologous tissues to obtain bone.
      We are thus showing that micro grafts resulting from mechanical digestion contain
      stem cells with a mesenchymal phenotype, able to differentiate toward different
      cell types and to generate new bone in patients. We are providing data for the
      establishment of standardized and routinely oral surgery approaches, having
      outlined the cellular properties of human stem cells obtained from the dental
      pulp. This method can represent a valid tool for both regenerative medicine and
      tissue engineering purposes not only applicable to the cranio-maxillofacial
      region but, likely, to different bone pathologies for a fastening and healing
      recovering of patients. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 548-555, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27277191
TI  - Tibial component rotation during the unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: is the
      anterior superior iliac spine an appropriate landmark?
AB  - PURPOSE: No "ideal" landmark for tibial component rotation in medial
      unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been suggested by a biomechanical
      and clinical study. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the anterior
      superior iliac spine (ASIS) could provide a consistent rotational landmark of the
      tibial component during mobile-bearing medial UKA using computed tomography (CT).
      METHODS: During sagittal tibial resection, we utilized the ASIS as a rotational
      landmark. In 47 knees that underwent postoperative CT scans after medial UKA, the
      tibial component position was assessed by drawing a line tangential to the
      lateral wall of the tibial component. Rotation of the tibial component was
      measured using two reference lines: a line perpendicular to the posterior
      cortical rim of the tibia (angle alpha) and Akagi's line (angle beta). Instant
      bearing position and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) fossa involvement were
      also evaluated. External rotation of the tibial component relative to each
      reference line was considered positive values. RESULTS: The mean alpha and beta
      angles were 8.0 degrees  +/- 6.1 degrees  (range -4.0 to 24.3) and 8.7 degrees 
      +/- 4.8 degrees  (range 1.9-25.2), respectively. Fourteen knees (29.8 %) showed
      PCL fossa involvement of the tibial resection margin. One bearing showed complete
      180 degrees  rotation at 2 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Due to the wide
      variation and inherent difficulty of identifying the ASIS during the operation,
      it is not recommended for guidance of sagittal tibial resection during medial
      UKA. In cases of inappropriate tibia component rotation, risk of PE bearing
      spinning and iatrogenic PCL injury should be reminded after medial UKA. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: IV.

PMID- 27277192
TI  - Comparison of graft bending angle during knee motion after outside-in, trans
      portal and trans-tibial anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine graft bending angle (GBA) during knee motion after anatomic
      anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to clarify whether surgical
      techniques affect GBA. Our hypotheses were that the graft bending angle would be
      highest at knee extension and the difference of surgical techniques would affect
      the bending steepness. METHODS: Eight healthy volunteers with a mean age of 29.3
      +/- 3.0 years were recruited and 3D MRI knee models were created at three flexion
      angles (0 degrees , 90 degrees  and 130 degrees ). Surgical simulation of the
      tunnel drilling was performed with anatomic tunnel position using each outside-in
      (OI), trans-portal (TP) and trans-tibial (TT) techniques on the identical cases.
      The models were matched to other knee positions and the GBA in 3D was measured
      using computational software. Double-bundle ACL reconstruction was analysed
      first, and single-bundle reconstruction was also analysed to evaluate its effect
      to reduce GBA. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare GBA difference at
      three flexion angles, by three techniques or of three bundles. RESULTS: GBA
      changed substantially with knee motion, and it was highest at full extension (p <
      0.001) in each surgical technique. OI technique exhibited highest GBA for
      anteromedial bundle (94.3 degrees  +/- 5.2 degrees ) at extension, followed by TP
      (83.1 degrees  +/- 6.5 degrees ) and TT (70.0 degrees  +/- 5.2 degrees )
      techniques (p < 0.01). GBA for posterolateral bundle at extension were also high
      in OI (84.6 degrees  +/- 7.4 degrees ), TP (83.0 degrees  +/- 6.3 degrees ) and
      TT (77.2 degrees  +/- 7.0 degrees ) techniques (n.s.). Single-bundle grafts did
      not decrease GBA compared with double-bundle grafts. In OI technique, a more
      proximal location of the femoral exit reduced GBA of each bundle at extension and
      90 degrees  flexion. CONCLUSION: A significant GBA change with knee motion and
      considerably steep bending at full extension, especially with OI and TP
      techniques, were simulated. Although single-bundle technique did not reduce GBA
      as seen in double-bundle technique, proximal location of femoral exits by OI
      technique, with tunnels kept in anatomic position, was effective in decreasing
      GBA at knee extension and flexion. For clinical relevance, high stress on graft
      and bone interface has been suggested by steep GBA at full extension after
      anatomic ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study (prospective
      comparative study), Level II.

PMID- 27277193
TI  - Acute paraquat exposure determines dose-dependent oxidative injury of multiple
      organs and metabolic dysfunction in rats: impact on exercise tolerance.
AB  - This study investigated the pathological morphofunctional adaptations related to
      the imbalance of exercise tolerance triggered by paraquat (PQ) exposure in rats.
      The rats were randomized into four groups with eight animals each: (a) SAL
      (control): 0.5 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution; (b) PQ10: PQ 10 mg/kg; (c) PQ20: PQ 20
      mg/kg; and (d) PQ30: PQ 30 mg/kg. Each group received a single injection of PQ.
      After 72 hours, the animals were subjected to an incremental aerobic running test
      until fatigue in order to determine exercise tolerance, blood glucose and lactate
      levels. After the next 24 h, lung, liver and skeletal muscle were collected for
      biometric, biochemical and morphological analyses. The animals exposed to PQ
      exhibited a significant anticipation of anaerobic metabolism during the
      incremental aerobic running test, a reduction in exercise tolerance and blood
      glucose levels as well as increased blood lactate levels during exercise compared
      to control animals. PQ exposure increased serum transaminase levels and reduced
      the glycogen contents in liver tissue and skeletal muscles. In the lung, the
      liver and the skeletal muscle, PQ exposure also increased the contents of
      malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, superoxide
      dismutase and catalase, as well as a structural remodelling compared to the
      control group. All these changes were dose-dependent. Reduced exercise tolerance
      after PQ exposure was potentially influenced by pathological remodelling of
      multiple organs, in which glycogen depletion in the liver and skeletal muscle and
      the imbalance of glucose metabolism coexist with the induction of lipid, protein
      and DNA oxidation, a destructive process not counteracted by the upregulation of
      endogenous antioxidant enzymes.

PMID- 27277194
TI  - Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy in a patient with
      familial Mediterranean fever.

PMID- 27277195
TI  - Elevation of serum sphingosine-1-phosphate attenuates impaired cardiac function
      in experimental sepsis.
AB  - Serum levels of the lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are reduced in
      septic patients and are inversely associated with disease severity. We show that
      serum S1P is reduced in human sepsis and in murine models of sepsis. We then
      investigated whether pharmacological or genetic approaches that alter serum S1P
      may attenuate cardiac dysfunction and whether S1P signaling might serve as a
      novel theragnostic tool in sepsis. Mice were challenged with lipopolysaccharide
      and peptidoglycan (LPS/PepG). LPS/PepG resulted in an impaired systolic
      contractility and reduced serum S1P. Administration of the immunomodulator FTY720
      increased serum S1P, improved impaired systolic contractility and activated the
      phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-pathway in the heart. Cardioprotective effects
      of FTY720 were abolished following administration of a S1P receptor 2 (S1P2)
      antagonist or a PI3K inhibitor. Sphingosine kinase-2 deficient mice had higher
      endogenous S1P levels and the LPS/PepG-induced impaired systolic contractility
      was attenuated in comparison with wild-type mice. Cardioprotective effects of
      FTY720 were confirmed in polymicrobial sepsis. We show here for the first time
      that the impaired left ventricular systolic contractility in experimental sepsis
      is attenuated by FTY720. Mechanistically, our results indicate that activation of
      S1P2 by increased serum S1P and the subsequent activation of the PI3K-Akt
      survival pathway significantly contributes to the observed cardioprotective
      effect of FTY720.

PMID- 27277197
TI  - miR-126-3p and miR-451a correlate with clinicopathological features of lung
      adenocarcinoma: The underlying molecular mechanisms.
AB  - Lung cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide. This study aimed to identify
      miRNA biomarkers of lung adenocarcinoma and to investigate their molecular
      mechanisms. miRNA expression profiling of tumor tissues and adjacent normal
      tissues from 10 patients were detected using microarray. Differentially expressed
      miRNAs (DEMs) were identified, and were verified using quantitative reverse
      transcription-PCR. Thereafter, correlations between DEM expression and
      clinicopathological features were determined in 49 patients. Furthermore,
      Targetscan was utilized to predict target genes, among which transcription
      factors (TFs) were identified. The interactions among miRNAs, TFs and target
      genes were used to construct an miRNA-TF-target network. Totally, 11 DEMs were
      identified, among which two downregulated miRNAs (miR-126-3p and miR-451a) were
      validated. Low levels of miR-126-3p and miR-451a were associated with poor
      pathological stage, large tumor diameter and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05).
      Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that both miRNAs could predict
      pathological stage, tumor diameter and lymph node metastasis of lung
      adenocarcinoma (AUC >0.65, P<0.05). For miR-126-3p, 154 target genes were
      predicted (e.g., PLXNB2), which were enriched in 29 pathways mainly concerning
      apoptosis and cancer. For miR-451a, 397 target genes were predicted, which were
      enriched in 5 pathways including 'PPAR signaling pathway'. Ten genes were co
      regulated by miR-126-3p and miR-451a, e.g., TSC1. Furthermore, an miRNA-TF-target
      network was constructed, and a sub-network was identified, including 2 miRNAs, 15
      targets, and 7 TFs. In conclusion, miR-126-3p and miR-451a predicted the severity
      of lung adenocarcinoma. However, the possible mechanisms explored by
      bioinformatics need to be further validated. 

PMID- 27277196
TI  - MIC16 gene represents a potential novel genetic marker for population genetic
      studies of Toxoplasma gondii.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The zoonotic agent Toxoplasma gondii is distributed world-wide, and
      can infect a broad range of hosts including humans. Microneme protein 16 of T.
      gondii (TgMIC16) is responsible for binding to aldolase, and is associated with
      rhomboid cleavage and presence of trafficking signals during invasion. However,
      little is known of the TgMIC16 sequence diversity among T. gondii isolates from
      different hosts and geographical locations. RESULTS: In this study, we examined
      sequence variation in MIC16 gene among T. gondii isolates from different hosts
      and geographical regions. The entire genomic region of the MIC16 gene was
      amplified and sequenced, and phylogenetic relationship was reconstructed using
      Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum parsimony (MP) based on the MIC16 gene
      sequences. The results of sequence alignments showed two lengths of the sequence
      of MIC16 gene among all the examined 12 T. gondii strains: 4391 bp for strains
      TgCatBr5 and MAS, and 4394 bp for strains RH, TgPLH, GT1, PRU, QHO, PTG, PYS,
      GJS, CTG and TgToucan. Their A+T content ranged from 50.30 to 50.59 %. A total of
      107 variable nucleotide positions (0.1-0.9 %) were identified, including 29
      variations in 10 exons and 78 variations in 9 introns. Phylogenetic analysis of
      MIC16 sequences showed that typical genotypes (Type I, II and III) were able to
      be grouped into their respective genotypes. Moreover, the three major clonal
      lineages (Type I, II and III) can be differentiated by PCR-RFLP using restriction
      enzyme Pst I. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetic analysis and PCR-RFLP of the MIC16 locus
      among T. gondii isolates from different hosts and geographical regions allowed
      the differentiation of three major clonal lineages (Type I, II and III) into
      their respective genotypes, suggesting that MIC16 gene may provide a novel
      potential genetic marker for population genetic studies of T. gondii isolates.

PMID- 27277199
TI  - Implant integration: Problems at the interface.

PMID- 27277200
TI  - Platelets and coronary artery disease: Interactions with the blood vessel wall
      and cardiovascular devices.
AB  - In view of the rare presence of studies concerning platelet function as risk
      factor in atherosclerotic patients, processes underlying thromboembolic events
      are reviewed in this paper. The morphology and the structural organization
      membrane receptors, the open canalicular and dense tubular systems, the
      cytoskeleton, mitochondria, granules, lysosomes, and peroxisomes-of platelets are
      described. Platelet function under physiological conditions in atherosclerosis
      and after implantation of cardiovascular devices is summarized.

PMID- 27277198
TI  - The stepwise evolution of the exome during acquisition of docetaxel resistance in
      breast cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resistance to taxane-based therapy in breast cancer patients is a
      major clinical problem that may be addressed through insight of the genomic
      alterations leading to taxane resistance in breast cancer cells. In the current
      study we used whole exome sequencing to discover somatic genomic alterations,
      evolving across evolutionary stages during the acquisition of docetaxel
      resistance in breast cancer cell lines. RESULTS: Two human breast cancer in vitro
      models (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) of the step-wise acquisition of docetaxel
      resistance were developed by exposing cells to 18 gradually increasing
      concentrations of docetaxel. Whole exome sequencing performed at five successive
      stages during this process was used to identify single point mutational events,
      insertions/deletions and copy number alterations associated with the acquisition
      of docetaxel resistance. Acquired coding variation undergoing positive selection
      and harboring characteristics likely to be functional were further prioritized
      using network-based approaches. A number of genomic changes were found to be
      undergoing evolutionary selection, some of which were likely to be functional. Of
      the five stages of progression toward resistance, most resistance relevant
      genomic variation appeared to arise midway towards fully resistant cells
      corresponding to passage 31 (5 nM docetaxel) for MDA-MB-231 and passage 16 (1.2
      nM docetaxel) for MCF-7, and where the cells also exhibited a period of reduced
      growth rate or arrest, respectively. MCF-7 cell acquired several copy number
      gains on chromosome 7, including ABC transporter genes, including ABCB1 and
      ABCB4, as well as DMTF1, CLDN12, CROT, and SRI. For MDA-MB-231 numerous copy
      number losses on chromosome X involving more than 30 genes was observed. Of these
      genes, CASK, POLA1, PRDX4, MED14 and PIGA were highly prioritized by the applied
      network-based gene ranking approach. At higher docetaxel concentration MCF-7
      subclones exhibited a copy number loss in E2F4, and the gene encoding this
      important transcription factor was down-regulated in MCF-7 resistant cells.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study of the evolution of acquired docetaxel resistance
      identified several genomic changes that might explain development of docetaxel
      resistance. Interestingly, the most relevant resistance-associated changes
      appeared to originate midway through the evolution towards fully resistant cell
      lines. Our data suggest that no single genomic event sufficiently predicts
      resistance to docetaxel, but require genomic alterations affecting multiple
      pathways that in concert establish the final resistance stage.

PMID- 27277201
TI  - The serial changes of perfusion index in preterm infants with patent ductus
      arteriosus: is perfusion index clinically significant?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perfusion Index (PI) which reflects the peripheral blood flow may
      help early detection and treatment decision of hemodynamically significant patent
      ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in preterm infants. The present study is designed to
      analyze the usefulness of PI level in early detection of hsPDA in preterm
      infants. METHODS: Preterm infants born before 36 gestational weeks were assessed
      for PI and simultaneous echocardiography. Based on echocardiography, each infant
      is categorized into no-PDA (group 1), non-hsPDA (group 2) and hsPDA (group 3).
      Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), body temperature and oxygen
      saturation (SpO2) and concomitant PI were measured on days 1, 2, 3 and 4.
      RESULTS: In all preterm infants (N.=42) PI significantly increased from 0.7 on
      day 1 to 1.4 on day 4. The HR did not change by the days; however, the MAP
      increased on days 3 and 4 compared to day 1. In hsPDA group, the median PI was
      0.7 (IQR, 0.4) on day 1 compared to 0.9 (IQR, 0.2) on day 2. PI is significantly
      lower in hsPDA group compared to no-PDA group on day 1 and 2; however, this
      difference disappeared at 48 hour on the intravenous ibuprofen treatment (on day
      3 and 4). CONCLUSIONS: PI may predict the perfusion disorder and help to decide
      for treatment of hsPDA and was also helpful to monitor the response to treatment
      in hsPDA patients.

PMID- 27277202
TI  - Schistosoma haematobium infection, health and nutritional status in school-age
      children in a rural setting in Northern Senegal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of urinary
      schistosomiasis in school children in a rural village of Northern Senegal, and to
      evaluate the impact of this parasitic infection on children's health, growth, and
      nutritional status. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 465
      children resident in the village of Kassak Nord, in Senegal, in an area which is
      highly endemic for Schistosoma haematobium. Data on health, nutritional status
      and urinary schistosomiasis were collected. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of
      urinary schistosomiasis in school children in Kassak was 47.4%. As for
      malnutrition, 29.7% of children were malnourished (BMI-for-age Z-score [BAZ] <-2)
      and 14.5% had a significant linear growth retardation (height-for-age Z-score
      [HAZ] <-2). Children with urinary schistosomiasis showed lower mean BAZ and HAZ
      than uninfected children (HAZ positives -0.7+/-1.4 vs. HAZ negatives -0.4+/-1.4,
      P=0.004; BAZ positives -1.5+/-1 vs. BAZ negatives -1.3+/-1.1, P=0.03). It was
      also found that infected children were at greater risk of malnutrition (BAZ<-2;
      OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.01-2.26). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the
      hypothesis that urinary schistosomiasis affects negatively childhood health and
      nutritional status and are of importance for planning intervention aimed to
      monitoring and control Urinary Schistosomiasis and malnutrition.

PMID- 27277203
TI  - Fecaloma, a hard nut to crack?

PMID- 27277204
TI  - Subacute osteomyelitis by Kingella kingae in a 5-year-old boy after chickenpox
      infection.

PMID- 27277205
TI  - Hypercalcemia and nephrocalcinosis complicating subcutaneous fat necrosis in a
      newborn after therapeutic hypothermia.

PMID- 27277206
TI  - Degradation of di(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate by Fusarium culmorum: Kinetics,
      enzymatic activities and biodegradation pathway based on quantum chemical
      modelingpathway based on quantum chemical modeling.
AB  - Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer widely used in the manufacture
      of plastics, and it is an environmental contaminant. The specific growth rate
      (MU), maximum biomass (Xmax), biodegradation constant of DEHP (k), half-life
      (t1/2) of DEHP biodegradation and removal efficiency of DEHP, esterase and
      laccase specific activities, and enzymatic yield parameters were evaluated for
      Fusarium culmorum grown on media containing glucose and different concentrations
      of DEHP (0, 500 and 1000mg/L). The greatest MU and the largest Xmax occurred in
      media supplemented with 1000mg of DEHP/L. F. culmorum degraded 95% of the highest
      amount of DEHP tested (1000mg/L) within 60h of growth. The k and t1/2 were
      0.024h(-1) and 28h, respectively, for both DEHP concentrations. The removal
      efficiency of DEHP was 99.8% and 99.9% for 1000 and 500mg/L, respectively. Much
      higher specific esterase activity than specific laccase activity was observed in
      all media tested. The compounds of biodegradation of DEHP were identified by GC
      MS. A DEHP biodegradation pathway by F. culmorum was proposed on the basis of the
      intermolecular flow of electrons of the identified intermediate compounds using
      quantum chemical modeling. DEHP was fully metabolized by F. culmorum with
      butanediol as the final product. This fungus offers great potential in
      bioremediation of environments polluted with DEHP. 

PMID- 27277207
TI  - Functional redundancy as a tool for bioassessment: A test using riparian
      vegetation.
AB  - There is an urgent need to track how natural systems are responding to global
      change in order to better guide management efforts. Traditionally, taxonomically
      based metrics have been used as indicators of ecosystem integrity and
      conservation status. However, functional approaches offer promising advantages
      that can improve bioassessment performance. In this study, we aim to test the
      applicability of functional redundancy (FR), a functional feature related to the
      stability, resistance and resilience of ecosystems, as a tool for bioassessment,
      looking at woody riparian communities in particular. We used linear mixed-effect
      models to investigate the response of FR and other traditional biomonitoring
      indices to natural (drought duration) and anthropogenic stress gradients (flow
      regulation and agriculture) in a Mediterranean basin. Such indices include
      species richness, a taxonomic index, and the Riparian Quality Index, which is an
      index of ecological status. Then, we explored the ability of FR and the other
      indices to discriminate between different intensities of human alteration. FR
      showed higher explanatory capacity in response to multiple stressors, although we
      found significant negative relationships between all the biological indices
      (taxonomic, functional and ecological quality) and stress gradients. In addition,
      FR was the most accurate index to discriminate among different categories of
      human alteration in both perennial and intermittent river reaches, which allowed
      us to set threshold values to identify undisturbed (reference condition),
      moderately disturbed and highly disturbed reaches in the two types of river.
      Using these thresholds and the best-fitting model, we generated a map of human
      impact on the functional redundancy of riparian communities for all the stretches
      of the river network. Our results demonstrate that FR presents clear advantages
      over traditional methods, which suggests that it should be part of the
      biomonitoring toolbox used for environmental management so as to obtain better
      predictions of ecosystem response to environmental changes. 

PMID- 27277208
TI  - Spatial response surface modelling in the presence of data paucity for the
      evaluation of potential human health risk due to the contamination of potable
      water resources.
AB  - Potential human health risk from waterborne diseases arising from unsatisfactory
      performance of on-site wastewater treatment systems is driven by landscape
      factors such as topography, soil characteristics, depth to water table, drainage
      characteristics and the presence of surface water bodies. These factors are
      present as random variables which are spatially distributed across a region. A
      methodological framework is presented that can be applied to model and evaluate
      the influence of various factors on waterborne disease potential. This framework
      is informed by spatial data and expert knowledge. For prediction at unsampled
      sites, interpolation methods were used to derive a spatially smoothed surface of
      disease potential which takes into account the uncertainty due to spatial
      variation at any pre-determined level of significance. This surface was
      constructed by accounting for the influence of multiple variables which appear to
      contribute to disease potential. The framework developed in this work strengthens
      the understanding of the characteristics of disease potential and provides
      predictions of this potential across a region. The study outcomes presented
      constitutes an innovative approach to environmental monitoring and management in
      the face of data paucity. 

PMID- 27277209
TI  - Arsenic and arsenic species in shellfish and finfish from the western Arabian
      Gulf and consumer health risk assessment.
AB  - This study reports the levels of total arsenic and arsenic species in marine
      biota such as clams (Meretrix meretrix; N=21) and pearl oyster (Pinctada radiata;
      N=5) collected from nine costal sites in Jan 2014, and cuttlefish (Sepia
      pharaonis; N=8), shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus; N=1), and seven commercially
      important finfish species (N=23) collected during Apr-May 2013 from seven
      offshore sites in the western Arabian Gulf. Total As and As species such as
      dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenobetaine (AB), trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO),
      arsenocholine (AC), tetramethylarsonium ion (Tetra), arsenosugar-glycerol (As
      Gly) and inorganic As (iAs) were determined by using ICPMS and HPLC/ICPMS. In
      bivalves, the total As concentrations ranged from 16 to 118mg/kg dry mass; the
      toxic iAs fraction contributed on average less than 0.8% of the total As, while
      the nontoxic AB fraction formed around 58%. Total As concentrations for the
      remaining seafood (cuttlefish, shrimp and finfish) ranged from 11 to 134mg/kg dry
      mass and the iAs and AB fractions contributed on average 0.03% and 81%
      respectively of the total As. There was no significant relationship between the
      tissue concentrations of total As and iAs in the samples. There was also no
      significant relationship between As levels in seafood and geographical location
      or salinity of the waters from which samples were collected. Based on our
      results, we recommend introducing a maximum permissible level of arsenic in
      seafood from the Gulf based on iAs content rather than based on total As. Our
      analyses of cancer risks and non-cancer hazards identified non-negligible risks
      and the potential for hazards; the greatest risks were identified for expatriate
      consumers of bivalves and high-end consumers of seafood. Despite this, many
      uncertainties remain that would be best addressed by further analyses. 

PMID- 27277210
TI  - Assessing the relationship between groundwater nitrate and animal feeding
      operations in Iowa (USA).
AB  - Nitrate-nitrogen is a common contaminant of drinking water in many agricultural
      areas of the United States of America (USA). Ingested nitrate from contaminated
      drinking water has been linked to an increased risk of several cancers, specific
      birth defects, and other diseases. In this research, we assessed the relationship
      between animal feeding operations (AFOs) and groundwater nitrate in private wells
      in Iowa. We characterized AFOs by swine and total animal units and type (open,
      confined, or mixed), and we evaluated the number and spatial intensities of AFOs
      in proximity to private wells. The types of AFO indicate the extent to which a
      facility is enclosed by a roof. Using linear regression models, we found
      significant positive associations between the total number of AFOs within 2km of
      a well (p trend <0.001), number of open AFOs within 5km of a well (p trend
      <0.001), and number of mixed AFOs within 30km of a well (p trend <0.001) and the
      log nitrate concentration. Additionally, we found significant increases in log
      nitrate in the top quartiles for AFO spatial intensity, open AFO spatial
      intensity, and mixed AFO spatial intensity compared to the bottom quartile
      (0.171log(mg/L), 0.319log(mg/L), and 0.541log(mg/L), respectively; all p<0.001).
      We also explored the spatial distribution of nitrate-nitrogen in drinking wells
      and found significant spatial clustering of high-nitrate wells (>5mg/L) compared
      with low-nitrate (<=5mg/L) wells (p=0.001). A generalized additive model for high
      nitrate status identified statistically significant areas of risk for high levels
      of nitrate. Adjustment for some AFO predictor variables explained a portion of
      the elevated nitrate risk. These results support a relationship between animal
      feeding operations and groundwater nitrate concentrations and differences in
      nitrate loss from confined AFOs vs. open or mixed types. 

PMID- 27277211
TI  - Effect of high or low protamine dosing on postoperative bleeding following
      heparin anticoagulation in cardiac surgery. A randomised clinical trial.
AB  - While experimental data state that protamine exerts intrinsic anticoagulation
      effects, protamine is still frequently overdosed for heparin neutralisation
      during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Since comparative
      studies are lacking, we assessed the influence of two protamine-to-heparin dosing
      ratios on perioperative haemostasis and bleeding, and hypothesised that protamine
      overdosing impairs the coagulation status following cardiac surgery. In this open
      label, multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial, patients
      undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery were assigned to a low
      (0.8; n=49) or high (1.3; n=47) protamine-to-heparin dosing group. The primary
      outcome was 24-hour blood loss. Patient haemostasis was monitored using
      rotational thromboelastometry and a thrombin generation assay. The low protamine
      to-heparin dosing ratio group received less protamine (329 +/- 95 vs 539 +/- 117
      mg; p<0.001), while post-protamine activated clotting times were similar among
      groups. The high dosing group revealed increased intrinsic clotting times (236 +/
      74 vs 196 +/- 64 s; p=0.006) and the maximum post-protamine thrombin generation
      was less suppressed in the low dosing group (38 +/- 40 % vs 6 +/- 9 %; p=0.001).
      Postoperative blood loss was increased in the high dosing ratio group (615 ml; 95
      % CI 500-830 ml vs 470 ml; 95 % CI 420-530 ml; p=0.021) when compared to the low
      dosing group, respectively. More patients in the high dosing group received fresh
      frozen plasma (11 % vs 0 %; p=0.02) and platelet concentrate (21 % vs 6 %;
      p=0.04) compared to the low dosing group. Our study confirms in vitro data that
      abundant protamine dosing is associated with increased postoperative blood loss
      and higher transfusion rates in cardiac surgery.

PMID- 27277212
TI  - The effect of Riluzole on functional recovery of locomotion in the rat sciatic
      nerve crush model.
AB  - PURPOSE: Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is common disorder that represents more
      than 3 % of all traumatic injury cases. One type of PNI, sciatic nerve injury,
      leads to considerable motoneuron dysfunction. Because Riluzole is clinically
      approved for the treatment of motoneuron disease, we evaluated whether Riluzole
      treatment could enhance the nerve regeneration process and improve functional
      outcome after sciatic nerve crush in rats. METHODS: In acute treatment groups, a
      single dose of Riluzole (6 and 8 mg/kg) was administered intra-peritoneally 15
      min after the crush nerve injury. In the chronic treatment groups, animals were
      treated with Riluzole (4 and 6 mg/kg/d) for 8 days. Sciatic functional index
      (SFI) was evaluated for 9 weeks after injury. Furthermore, electrophysiological
      and morphometric evaluations were performed at the 9th week following injury.
      RESULTS: Acute and chronic administrations of Riluzole immediately after sciatic
      nerve crush result in significantly delayed regeneration and reduced motor
      function outcome. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that early administration
      of even a single dose of Riluzole after sciatic nerve crush injury can delay
      motor function recovery. This effect may not depend on its anti-nociceptive
      activity.

PMID- 27277213
TI  - Longitudinal assessment of health related quality of life of HIV infected
      patients treated for tuberculosis and HIV in a high burden setting.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Assessment of patients receiving treatment for human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) using a Health Related Quality
      of Life (HRQoL) instrument is important to get the subjective view of the
      patients' wellbeing. METHODS: We used the Functional Assessment of HIV Infection
      (FAHI) HRQoL instrument to collect perceived wellness information at baseline,
      month 3, 6 and 12 from patients enrolled in a pharmacokinetic study between March
      2007 and April 2008. Composite domain scores at each time point and their
      relationship with the rate of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events
      were compared between treatment arms. RESULTS: Out of the 82 patients enrolled,
      76 were analysed. There was a significant increase in total score in all groups
      between baseline, month 3, 6 and 12 (all p values < 0.0001), and over time (p <
      0.001). Adjusting for baseline total score, baseline CD4 count had a significant
      effect on the total score over time (p = 0.002) and the rate of change in total
      score over time, that is; interaction effect (p < 0.001). There was no difference
      in each domain scores between participants that received ART with TB treatment
      and those that received TB treatment only. Respiratory AEs had a significant
      effect on HRQoL. CONCLUSION: We found that assessment of HRQoL of participants in
      TB-HIV treatment using the FAHI instrument was useful in evaluating treatment
      responses. It showed improvement consistent with decrease in adverse events and
      signs and symptoms of TB. Number and type of AEs was related to lower HRQoL in
      spite of TB cure.

PMID- 27277215
TI  - What constitutes an Arabian Helicobacter pylori? Lessons from comparative
      genomics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori, the human gastric pathogen, causes a variety of
      gastric diseases ranging from mild gastritis to gastric cancer. While the studies
      on H. pylori are dominated by those based on either East Asian or Western
      strains, information regarding H. pylori strains prevalent in the Middle East
      remains scarce. Therefore, we carried out whole-genome sequencing and comparative
      analysis of three H. pylori strains isolated from three native Arab, Kuwaiti
      patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: H. pylori strains were sequenced using Illumina
      platform. The sequence reads were filtered and draft genomes were assembled and
      annotated. Various pathogenicity-associated regions and phages present within the
      genomes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out to determine the
      genetic relatedness of Kuwaiti strains to various lineages of H. pylori. The core
      genome content and virulence-related genes were analyzed to assess the pathogenic
      potential. RESULTS: The three genomes clustered along with HpEurope strains in
      the phylogenetic tree comprising various H. pylori lineages. A total of 1187
      genes spread among various functional classes were identified in the core genome
      analysis. The three genomes possessed a complete cagPAI and also retained most of
      the known outer membrane proteins as well as virulence-related genes. The cagA
      gene in all three strains consisted of an AB-C type EPIYA motif. CONCLUSIONS: The
      comparative genomic analysis of Kuwaiti H. pylori strains revealed a European
      ancestry and a high pathogenic potential.

PMID- 27277214
TI  - Development of monoclonal antibodies and serological assays including indirect
      ELISA and fluorescent microsphere immunoassays for diagnosis of porcine
      deltacoronavirus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A novel porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), also known as porcine
      coronavirus HKU15, was reported in China in 2012 and identified in the U.S. in
      early 2014. Since then, PDCoV has been identified in a number of U.S. states and
      linked with clinical disease including acute diarrhea and vomiting in the absence
      of other identifiable pathogens. Since PDCoV was just recently linked with
      clinical disease, few specific antibody-based reagents were available to assist
      in diagnosis of PDCoV and limited serological capabilities were available to
      detect an antibody response to this virus. Therefore, the overall objective of
      this project was to develop and validate selected diagnostic reagents and assays
      for PDCoV antigen and antibody detection. RESULTS: The nucleoprotein of PDCoV was
      expressed as a recombinant protein and purified for use as an antigen to immunize
      mice for polyclonal, hyperimmune sera and monoclonal antibody (mAb) production.
      The resulting mAbs were evaluated for use in fluorescent antibody staining
      methods to detect PDCoV infected cells following virus isolation attempts and for
      immunohistochemistry staining of intestinal tissues of infected pigs. The same
      antigen was used to develop serological tests to detect the antibody response to
      PDCoV in pigs following infection. Serum samples from swine herds with recent
      documentation of PDCoV infection and samples from expected naive herds were used
      for initial assay optimization. The tests were optimized in a checkerboard
      fashion to reduce signal to noise ratios using samples of known status.
      Statistical analysis was performed to establish assay cutoff values and assess
      diagnostic sensitivities and specificities. At least 629 known negative serum
      samples and 311 known positive samples were evaluated for each assay. The enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) of 96.1%
      and diagnostic specificity (DSp) of 96.2%. The fluorescent microsphere
      immunoassay (FMIA) showed a DSe of 95.8% and DSp of 98.1%. Both ELISA and FMIA
      detected seroconversion of challenged pigs between 8-14 days post-infection
      (DPI). An indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test was also developed using cell
      culture adapted PDCoV for comparative purposes. CONCLUSION: These new, specific
      reagents and serological assays will allow for improved diagnosis of PDCoV. Since
      many aspects of PDCoV infection and transmission are still not fully understood,
      the reagents and assays developed in this project should provide valuable tools
      to help understand this disease and to aid in the control and surveillance of
      porcine deltacoronavirus outbreaks.

PMID- 27277216
TI  - Clinical and histopathological features of fatal cases with dengue and
      chikungunya virus co-infection in Colombia, 2014 to 2015.
AB  - We report clinical features and histopathological findings in fatal cases with
      dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) co-infection identified at the Colombian
      National Institute of Health between September 2014 and October 2015. Seven such
      cases were documented. Dengue serotype 2 virus was identified in six cases. All
      patients were adults and comorbidities were present in four. Fever, arthralgia or
      myalgia was present in all cases. The frequency of rash, haemorrhage, oedema, and
      gastrointestinal symptoms was variable. Laboratory findings such as
      thrombocytopenia, renal failure, and leukocyte count were also inconsistent
      between cases. Post-mortem tissue examination documented focal hepatocellular
      coagulative necrosis in three cases, incipient acute pericarditis in one and
      tubulointerstitial nephritis in one. This study provides evidence of mortality in
      patients with DENV and CHIKV co-infection. Fatal cases were characterised by
      variable clinical and laboratory features. Evaluation of histopathology of
      autopsy tissues provided evidence of the pathological consequences of the
      disease. 

PMID- 27277217
TI  - Behavioural problems in the first year after Severe traumatic brain injury: a
      prospective multicentre study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of behavioural problems in patients with
      severe traumatic brain injury during the first year after injury and potential
      associations with outcome. An additional post hoc objective was to analyse the
      frequency of behaviours with need for intervention from staff. DESIGN AND
      SETTING: In a prospective population based cohort study 114 patients with severe
      traumatic brain injury were assessed at three weeks, three months and one year
      after injury. MAIN MEASURES: Assessments included clinical examination and
      standardised instruments. Agitation was assessed with the Agitated Behaviour
      Scale, the course of recovery by the Rancho Los Amigo Scale and outcome by
      Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended. RESULTS: Agitation were most common at 3 weeks
      post injury and 28% ( n=68) of the patients showed at least one agitated
      behaviour requiring intervention from staff. Presence of significant agitation at
      3 weeks after injury was not associated with poor outcome. At 3 months agitation
      was present in 11% ( n=90) and apathy in 26 out of 81 assessed patients. At 3
      months agitation and apathy were associated with poor outcome at one year.
      CONCLUSIONS: Most agitated behaviours in the early phase are transient and are
      not associated with poor outcome. Agitation and apathy are uncommon at three
      months but when present are associated with poor outcome at one year after
      injury. In the early phase after a severe traumatic brain injury agitated
      behaviour in need of interventions from staff occur in a substantial proportion
      of patients.

PMID- 27277218
TI  - Differentiation of severe bilateral panuveitis following phacoemulsification: a
      case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cataract surgery typically offers instant visual rehabilitation with
      rare postoperative complications. However, if complications occur, these
      complications may be confusing and threatening. We present a case of severe
      bilateral panuveitis following phacoemulsification and intraocular lens
      implantation and discuss the importance of a correct diagnosis and management.
      CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old Asian male with bilateral phacoemulsification
      and intraocular lens implantation developed severe inflammation with sharp vision
      loss in both eyes after the surgeries. Physical examination indicated bilateral
      panuveitis. With a presumptive diagnosis of suppurative endophthalmitis and a
      history of effective treatment with intravenous antibiotics plus ofloxacin and
      steroid drops, intravenous ceftazidime and vancomycin were administered. However,
      the effects were minimal. With a supplemental history of recurrent oral,
      perineal, and gastrointestinal ulcers, a diagnosis of Behcet's disease was made,
      and systemic immune inhibitors were prescribed instead of invasive treatments,
      which might exacerbate the condition. After 5 days of medication, the
      inflammation was markedly relieved, and no recurrence was observed 2 weeks later.
      CONCLUSION: Correct differentiation of confusing conditions is crucial to
      implement appropriate management. Postoperative complications of cataract surgery
      should be differentiated carefully, and perioperative management in patients with
      autoimmune uveitis should be provided with caution.

PMID- 27277219
TI  - [Epidemiology of chronic venous diseases].
AB  - AIM: Overview of the recent knowledge in epidemiology of chronic venous diseases.
      METHODS: Systematic search and discussion of recent studies concerning
      epidemiology of chronic venous diseases. RESULTS: The more recent epidemiologic
      studies of venous diseases in which the CEAP classification was used showed a
      prevalence of 60-70 % CEAP clinical class C0 and C1, app. 25 % for C2 and C3 and
      up to 5 % for C4 to C6 with skin changes or venous ulcers. The incidence of
      varicose veins is app. 2 % per year. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic venous diseases like
      varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency belong to the most frequent
      diseases in our adult population.

PMID- 27277221
TI  - Effect of the presence of trophectoderm vesicles on blastocyst in relation to in
      vitro hatching, clinical pregnancy, and miscarriage rates.
AB  - Trophectoderm vesicles (TVs) are observed in some blastocysts that penetrate
      cells from the zona pellucida to the outer margin. Therefore, we compared this
      incidence in relation to hatching, pregnancy, and miscarriage rates between
      conventional in vitro fertilization (c-IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection
      (ICSI). Vitrified/warmed blastocysts (n = 112) were derived from surplus embryos.
      The blastocysts were then observed using time-lapse cinematography to resolve the
      relationship between hatching and implantation. Another study was conducted that
      comprised 681 embryo transfer cycles in 533 patients who received a single
      vitrified/warmed blastocyst from our clinic. The incidence of TV was
      significantly higher in embryos inseminated by ICSI compared with c-IVF [ICSI:
      51/56 (91 %); c-IVF: 25/56 (45 %); P < 0.01]. The successful hatching rate was
      significantly lower in ICSI than in c-IVF [ICSI: 11/56 (20 %); c-IVF: 29/56 (52
      %); P < 0.01]. In addition, the hatching rate was significantly lower when TVs
      were present (14/76; 18 %) than in non-TV embryos (26/36; 72 %) (P < 0.01). In
      regard to the clinical study results, no significant differences were found
      between the groups in the pregnancy rate (TV present group: 107/183, 58.5 %; TV
      absent group: 273/498, 54.8 %) and miscarriage rate (TV present group: 21/107,
      19.6 %; TV absent group: 53/273, 19.4 %). In vivo, we hypothesized that hatching
      and hatched would occur naturally by assisting protease action in the uterus;
      therefore, these results suggest that the presence of TV has no effect on
      pregnancy rates in the clinical setting. 

PMID- 27277222
TI  - Ultrasound in the field of urology.

PMID- 27277220
TI  - International Paediatric Mitochondrial Disease Scale.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is an urgent need for reliable and universally applicable
      outcome measures for children with mitochondrial diseases. In this study, we
      aimed to adapt the currently available Newcastle Paediatric Mitochondrial Disease
      Scale (NPMDS) to the International Paediatric Mitochondrial Disease Scale (IPMDS)
      during a Delphi-based process with input from international collaborators,
      patients and caretakers, as well as a pilot reliability study in eight patients.
      Subsequently, we aimed to test the feasibility, construct validity and
      reliability of the IPMDS in a multicentre study. METHODS: A clinically,
      biochemically and genetically heterogeneous group of 17 patients (age 1.6-16
      years) from five different expert centres from four different continents were
      evaluated in this study. RESULTS: The feasibility of the IPMDS was good, as
      indicated by a low number of missing items (4 %) and the positive evaluation of
      patients, parents and users. Principal component analysis of our small sample
      identified three factors, which explained 57.9 % of the variance. Good construct
      validity was found using hypothesis testing. The overall interrater reliability
      was good [median intraclass correlation coefficient for agreement between raters
      (ICCagreement) 0.85; range 0.23-0.99). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we suggest
      using the IPMDS for assessing natural history in children with mitochondrial
      diseases. These data should be used to further explore construct validity of the
      IPMDS and to set age limits. In parallel, responsiveness and the minimal
      clinically important difference should be studied to facilitate sample size
      calculations in future clinical trials.

PMID- 27277223
TI  - Morphological and functional evaluation of normal and abnormal fetal growth by
      ultrasonography.
AB  - Correction or estimation of gestational age is essential for the evaluation of
      fetal growth. When necessary, an appropriate fetal biometric parameter should be
      selected depending on fetal size. In the first trimester, crown-rump length (CRL)
      is appropriate, especially when the CRL is 20-40 mm. In the second trimester,
      biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), and femur length (FL) are of
      equal predictability. Fetal weight estimation is still the basis of evaluation of
      fetal growth. The most predictable formula currently available includes the
      parameters BPD (or HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and FL. Serial measurements
      of AC are useful for diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and
      macrosomia. Quantitative evaluation of soft tissue deposition may be informative
      for macrosomia. Functional evaluation using Doppler velocimetry is essential in
      IUGR cases associated with uteroplacental insufficiency. Analysis of blood
      velocity waveforms of the umbilical and intracranial arteries, predominantly the
      middle cerebral artery, is widely performed. An increase in the pulsatility index
      (PI) or resistance index (RI) of the umbilical artery and/or a decrease in the PI
      or RI of the middle cerebral artery are highly predictable for fetal hypoxia
      and/or acidosis. 

PMID- 27277224
TI  - Participation of mast cells in angiogenesis in the border zone of myocardial
      infarction in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that mast cells may participate in coronary
      angiogenesis in acute myocardial infarction, contributing to myocardial salvage.
      METHODS: The left coronary artery was occluded in control (n = 30) and Ws rats (n
      = 30), which genetically lacked c-kit, resulting in a mast cell deficiency. Four
      weeks later, the infarct area, i.e., infarct core and surrounding infarct areas,
      and the non-infarct area were assessed histopathologically. The mast cell and
      small vessel densities were assessed using toluidine blue and alkaline
      phosphatase staining. Myocardial perfusion was assessed by myocardial contrast
      echocardiography (MCE). RESULTS: In Ws rats, the percentage infarct core area
      increased (p < 0.05) compared with the controls, whereas the percentage
      surrounding infarct area decreased (p < 0.01). Mast cell density increased most
      in the surrounding infarct area (p < 0.01) in control rats, whereas mast cells
      were absent in Ws rats. Compared with the controls, coronary microvessel density
      decreased in the surrounding infarct area in Ws rats (p < 0.01). MCE showed that
      the percentage infarct core area, i.e., perfusion defect, increased (p < 0.05)
      and the percentage surrounding infarct area, i.e., reduced perfusion area,
      decreased (p < 0.01) in Ws rats. CONCLUSION: Mast cells may participate in
      promoting coronary angiogenesis in the infarct area surrounding the infarct core,
      contributing to attenuation of left ventricular dysfunction.

PMID- 27277225
TI  - Relationship between upper limb peripheral artery stiffness using the radial
      artery and atherosclerotic parameters.
AB  - PURPOSE: A new method has been developed for evaluating arterial stiffness using
      transcutaneous and high-frequency ultrasound. There may be a difference in the
      clinical significance of peripheral arteries, such as the radial artery (a
      muscular property), and other medium/large-sized arteries (an elastic property).
      The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between upper limb
      peripheral arterial stiffness (ULPAS) using the new method for the radial artery
      and atherosclerotic parameters in comparison with carotid intima-media thickness
      (IMT) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in a healthy population and a
      diseased population with hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS:
      Forty-four apparently healthy individuals (mean age = 26.3 years, men/women =
      14/30), 45 patients with drug-treated HT (mean age = 55.3 years, men/women =
      17/28), and 37 patients with drug-treated DM (mean age = 55.2 years, men/women =
      21/16) were investigated. Body mass index, systolic blood pressure (SBP),
      diastolic blood pressure (DBP), CAVI, IMT, ultrasonographically measured ULPAS,
      blood lipid/glucose-related parameters, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were all
      determined. RESULTS: Among the healthy subjects, ULPAS showed a significantly
      positive correlation with SBP and CRP. ULPAS showed a different correlation
      pattern with atherosclerotic parameters from that of IMT and CAVI. The HT
      subjects had significantly higher ULPAS levels than those with DM. In this
      diseased population, ULPAS showed a significant positive correlation with SBP and
      DBP, as well as a significant negative correlation with glucose. CONCLUSION:
      These results suggest that ULPAS may provide new information in association with
      some atherosclerotic conditions as a unique index different from IMT and CAVI.

PMID- 27277226
TI  - Initial experience of transcranial contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with
      Sonazoid in the evaluation of microvascular brain anatomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to visualize the microvascular anatomy of the
      brain parenchyma using transcranial contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (TCEUS)
      with Sonazoid. METHODS: TCEUS was performed in 14 subjects using the
      transtemporal and transnuchal approach (two patients with cerebral infarction and
      12 healthy volunteers). An ultrasound system equipped with a 2- to 4-MHz sector
      probe set to coded phase inversion mode with a mechanical index of 0.4 was used.
      An intravenous bolus of Sonazoid (0.01 ml/kg) was injected. First-pass perfusion
      images were recorded from injection to 50 s after injection, and flush
      replenishment (FR) images were recorded three times on both sides of the head
      from 1 to 5 min after injection. RESULTS: Real-time perfusion images of the brain
      parenchyma could be observed in all cases. At first pass, the main cerebral
      arteries began to be visualized at 10-20 s after injection, followed by the
      microvasculature at 15-30 s. The microvasculature reconstructed by the FR method
      could be observed on both sides of the head. CONCLUSION: TCEUS with Sonazoid
      allows effective, noninvasive evaluation of brain parenchyma microvasculature.

PMID- 27277227
TI  - Case of right-neck tumor that appears to be ectopic thymus.
AB  - A 7-year-old female infant presented with an asymptomatic soft tissue mass in the
      right neck. The tumor was considered to be a benign one because it had a smooth
      margin and no change in its size was observed. Ultrasonography showed a 4.5-cm
      diameter solid tumor with a smooth, well-defined border. Inside the tumor, flow
      signals were observed on color Doppler and there were numerous echogenic spots.
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination showed findings consistent with an
      ectopic thymus, i.e., T1- and T2-weighted images showed thymus-like signals. The
      course of the case is being continuously followed. 

PMID- 27277228
TI  - Evaluation of congenital left ventricular aneurysm in the fetus by velocity
      vector imaging.
AB  - We report a case of left ventricular aneurysm evaluated using the velocity vector
      imaging (VVI) technique, an angle-independent method used to calculate the tissue
      velocity strain and strain rate on routine gray scale two-dimensional images and
      display the velocities of endocardial points as vectors overlaid on B-mode
      images. It uses a combination of speckle tracking and complex geometric analysis,
      allowing tracing of myocardial activity throughout the cardiac cycle. In this
      case, evaluation of the myocardial dynamics in the fetus by VVI was started at 27
      weeks of gestation, and both the systolic and diastolic velocities and the
      ejection fraction in the aneurysmal segment were less than in the other segments.
      VVI imaging at 35 weeks of gestation showed this difference even more clearly.
      Postnatal VVI examination showed no significant difference between results for
      the systolic and diastolic velocities or ejection fraction and those obtained at
      the prenatal VVI examination. VVI seemed to be as useful at this time, especially
      for assessing ventricular systolic function, as it was for postnatal examination.

PMID- 27277229
TI  - Asymptomatic emphysematous cholecystitis.
AB  - Emphysematous cholecystitis (EC) is a life-threatening complication of acute
      cholecystitis. Its clinical manifestations are usually vague, but asymptomatic
      cases are very rare. We present such a case with an emphasis on sonographic (US)
      findings. In this case, detection of gas echoes in the gallbladder wall and the
      surrounding hepatic tissue led us to an appropriate treatment. US is now the
      technique of first choice for diagnosing gallbladder diseases, and knowledge of
      US findings encountered in this case can help prevent a hazardous delay in
      emergent treatment. 

PMID- 27277230
TI  - Accuracy of ultrasonographic fetal weight estimation in Japanese twin
      pregnancies.

PMID- 27277231
TI  - Stathmin 1/2-triggered microtubule loss mediates Golgi fragmentation in mutant
      SOD1 motor neurons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathological Golgi fragmentation represents a constant pre-clinical
      feature of many neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis (ALS) but its molecular mechanisms remain hitherto unclear. RESULTS:
      Here, we show that the severe Golgi fragmentation in transgenic mutant SOD1(G85R)
      and SOD1(G93A) mouse motor neurons is associated with defective polymerization of
      Golgi-derived microtubules, loss of the COPI coat subunit beta-COP, cytoplasmic
      dispersion of the Golgi tether GM130, strong accumulation of the ER-Golgi v
      SNAREs GS15 and GS28 as well as tubular/vesicular Golgi fragmentation. Data
      mining, transcriptomic and protein analyses demonstrate that both SOD1 mutants
      cause early presymptomatic and rapidly progressive up-regulation of the
      microtubule-destabilizing proteins Stathmins 1 and 2. Remarkably, mutant SOD1
      triggered Golgi fragmentation and Golgi SNARE accumulation are recapitulated by
      Stathmin 1/2 overexpression but completely rescued by Stathmin 1/2 knockdown or
      the microtubule-stabilizing drug Taxol. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Stathmin
      triggered microtubule destabilization mediates Golgi fragmentation in mutant SOD1
      linked ALS and potentially also in related motor neuron diseases.

PMID- 27277232
TI  - First ultrastructural data on the human tapeworm Taenia asiatica eggs by scanning
      and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM).
AB  - Humans are definitive hosts of three species of the Taenia genus, namely Taenia
      solium, Taenia saginata and Taenia asiatica. The relative novelty of the latter
      explains the lack of knowledge concerning certain relevant aspects related to
      this parasite, such as its definite geographical distribution and whether its
      eggs can infect humans or not. So far, only the eggs of T. solium are known to be
      infective for humans, producing cysticercosis. Although eggs contain the
      infective stage, the oncosphere, there is a lack of research on the
      ultrastructure of eggs of human taeniids. We show, for the first time, the
      ultrastructure of eggs of T. asiatica by means of SEM and TEM analyses. We
      detected all the envelopes, namely the egg shell, vitelline layer, outer
      embryophoric membrane, embryophore, granular layer, basal membrane, oncospheral
      membrane and oncospheral tegument. Hooks surrounded by myofibrils and glycogen
      like particles, the two types of secretory granules of the penetration glands, as
      well as several nuclei and mitochondria were also revealed in the oncospheres. In
      addition to the already known structures in eggs from other Taenia species, the
      presence of two types of small vesicles is described herein, possibly
      corresponding to exosomes and ectosomes because of their shape and size, which
      could participate in the host/parasite intercellular communication. 

PMID- 27277233
TI  - DNA extraction methods and multiple sampling to improve molecular diagnosis of
      Sarcocystis spp. in cattle hearts.
AB  - Molecular detection of Sarcocystis spp. in tissue samples can be useful for
      experimental and diagnostic purposes. However, the parasite spreads unevenly
      through tissues, forming tissue cysts, and the cystic wall is an obstacle in DNA
      extraction protocols. Therefore, adequate sampling and effective disruption of
      the cysts are essential to improve the accuracy of DNA detection by PCR. The aims
      of this study were to evaluate the suitability of four protocols for DNA
      extraction from cysts of Sarcocystis spp. present in bovine myocardium samples or
      after their harvest in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution as well as
      determine the effects of single or multiple sampling on the accuracy of molecular
      diagnosis of sarcocystosis in cattle hearts. Cysts and myocardium samples from
      nine bovine hearts were randomly distributed to four DNA extraction protocols:
      kit, kit with modification, DNAzol, and cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB).
      Samples were submitted to DNA extraction and PCR as replicates of each heart
      (simplicate, duplicate, and triplicate), and the probability of a true positive
      diagnostic was calculated. Among the protocols tested, the kit with modification
      was determined to be the most suitable for DNA extraction from cysts in PBS
      solution (92.6 % of DNA detection by PCR); DNAzol resulted in higher DNA
      detection frequency from bovine myocardium samples (48.1 %). Multiple sampling
      improved the molecular diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. infection in cattle hearts,
      increasing at 22.2 % the rate of true positive diagnostic. 

PMID- 27277234
TI  - Patient men win the day.

PMID- 27277235
TI  - Effects of a vertical console position on operator muscular stress during
      ultrasonic diagnosis.
AB  - Ultrasound examinations tend to put sonographers in unnatural postures, which may
      lead to musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, we focused on the height of the
      operation panel of the diagnostic ultrasound system to quantitatively assess the
      effects of panel height (work plane height) on musculoskeletal stress during
      scanning in a sitting position. Eight subjects were asked to perform a simulated
      scanning task that involved touching nine points on the operation panel at four
      different panel heights. Electromyogram, left wrist joint angle, and subjective
      evaluation on ease of manipulation, etc., indicated that the optimum height of
      the operation panel during scanning in a sitting position is elbow height. 

PMID- 27277236
TI  - In vitro study of ultrasound radiation force-driven twinkling sign using PVA-H
      gel and glass beads tissue-mimicking phantom.
AB  - The twinkling sign observed in ultrasound coded-excitation imaging (e.g., GE B
      Flow) has been reported in previous research as a potential phenomenon to detect
      micro calcification in soft tissue. However, the mechanism of the twinkling sign
      has not been clearly understood yet. We conducted an in vitro experiment to
      clarify the mechanism of the twinkling sign by measuring a soft tissue-mimicking
      phantom with ultrasonic and optical devices. A soft tissue-mimicking phantom was
      made of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydro (PVA-H) gel and 200-MUm-diameter glass beads.
      We applied ultrasound to the phantom using medical ultrasound diagnostic
      equipment to observe the twinkling sign of glass beads. Optical imaging with a
      laser sheet and a high-speed camera was performed to capture the scatter lights
      of the glass beads with and without ultrasound radiation. The scatter lights from
      the glass beads were quantified and analyzed to evaluate their oscillations
      driven by the ultrasound radiation force. The twinkling sign from the glass beads
      embedded in the PVA-H gel soft tissue phantom was observed in ultrasound B-Flow
      color imaging. The intensity and oscillation of the scattered lights from the
      glass beads showed significant difference between the cases with and without
      ultrasound radiation. The results showed a close relationship between the
      occurrence of the twinkling sign and the variations of the scatter lights of
      glass beads, indicating that ultrasound radiation force-driven micro oscillation
      causes the twinkling sign of micro calcification in soft tissue. 

PMID- 27277237
TI  - Cardiac variation of inferior vena cava: new concept in the evaluation of
      intravascular blood volume.
AB  - Evaluation of the intravascular blood volume is an important assessment in
      emergency and critical care medicine. Measurement of the inferior vena cava (IVC)
      respiratory variation by ultrasound echography is useful, but it entails
      subjective problems. We have hypothesized that IVC cardiac variation is also
      correlated with intravascular blood volume and analyzed it automatically using
      computer software of two kinds, later comparing the results. Snakes, software to
      track boundaries by curve line continuity, and template matching software were
      incorporated into a computer with an ultrasound machine to track the short-axis
      view of IVC automatically and analyze it with approximation by ellipse. Eight
      healthy volunteers with temporary mild hypovolemia underwent echography before
      and after passive leg raising and while wearing medical anti-shock trousers. IVC
      cardiac variation was visually decreased by both leg raising and medical anti
      shock trousers. The collapse index (maximum - minimum/maximum) of area during
      three cardiac beats was decreased showing a good relationship to fluid load
      simulations; 0.24 +/- 0.03 at baseline versus 0.11 +/- 0.01 with leg raising and
      0.12 +/- 0.01 with medical anti-shock trousers. In conclusion, IVC cardiac
      variation has the potential to provide an evaluation of water volume. It presents
      some advantages in mechanical analysis over respiratory variation. At the very
      least, we need to exercise some caution with cardiac variation when evaluating
      respiratory variation. 

PMID- 27277238
TI  - Diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound-guided directional eFLOW in solid
      pancreatic lesions.
AB  - AIM: Ultrasound using microbubble-based contrast agents is useful for vascular
      imaging. Directional eFLOW (D-eFLOW) is a novel technology for vascular
      assessment that provides high spatial and temporal resolution. The purpose of
      this study was to investigate the utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided D
      eFlow before and after administration of an ultrasound contrast agent (USCA) for
      assessing the vascularity of solid pancreatic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: D
      eFlow was compared to power Doppler EUS (PD-EUS) or color Doppler EUS (CD-EUS)
      before and after USCA injection. We also evaluated the Visual Vascular Assessment
      (ViVA) scale for the estimation of vascularity and investigated its reliability
      using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). From January 2007 to March
      2007, 35 patients (mean age, 64.5 years old; age range, 28-81 years) underwent
      EUS followed by D-eFLOW EUS, PD-EUS, and CD-EUS before and after administration
      of USCA. The pancreatic parenchymal ViVA score, pancreatic vascular pattern, and
      ICC were evaluated for all lesions. RESULTS: Concerning the sensitivity for
      detection of the hypovascular pattern in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, D-eFLOW
      (before and after USCA) had similar sensitivity to PD-EUS (before and after USCA)
      and CD-EUS (before and after USCA). D-eFLOW after contrast showed the highest
      accuracy (82.3 %) and negative predictive value (53.8 %) among all the modalities
      investigated. There was a good correlation among the ViVA scores for D-eFLOW
      before contrast, those for D-eFLOW EUS, and those for PD-EUS and CD-EUS. The
      reliability of the ViVA scale was excellent with an ICC of 0.81. In conclusion, D
      eFLOW EUS is a sensitive, reliable, and highly accurate method of assessment of
      pancreatic vascularity. D-eFLOW EUS with contrast was more sensitive than PD-EUS
      and CD-EUS for assessment of pancreatic vascularity.

PMID- 27277239
TI  - Ultrasonographic thyroid nodular findings in Japanese children.
AB  - PURPOSE: The Fukushima Health Management Survey conducted after the accident at
      the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant included thyroid ultrasound examinations for
      children aged <=18 years at the time of the accident. The purpose of this study
      was to investigate the frequency of thyroid nodular lesions detected using high
      quality ultrasonography in a general population of Japanese children, in whom
      such data have not been previously characterized. METHODS: The current study
      investigated 4,365 free-living children aged between 3 and 18 years in three
      Japanese prefectures (Aomori, Yamanashi and Nagasaki). The same ultrasonography
      equipment as that used in the Fukushima Survey was employed to observe thyroid
      nodular lesions. The following categories of findings were used-'A', further
      examinations are not necessary; 'B', the presence of thyroid nodules with a
      diameter of >=5.1 mm or thyroid cysts with a diameter of >=20.1 mm; and 'C',
      immediate further examinations are required. As a sub-category of 'A', 'A1' was
      defined as the absence of nodules or cysts, and 'A2' was defined as the presence
      of thyroid nodules with a diameter of <=5.0 mm or thyroid cysts with a diameter
      of <=20.0 mm. RESULTS: Overall, 4,321 (99 %) of the total participants were
      classified with a status of 'A' and 44 (1 %) were classified with a status of
      'B'. No participants were classified with a status of 'C'. A total of 56.5 % of
      the total participants was classified with a status of 'A2'. Thyroid nodules were
      identified in 1.6 % of the total participants and thyroid cysts were identified
      in 56.9 % of the participants. CONCLUSION: The current study provides data
      regarding the actual frequency of ultrasonographically detected thyroid nodular
      lesions among the Japanese children. These results would be useful for evaluating
      thyroid findings in Japanese children, although careful interpretation is
      required.

PMID- 27277240
TI  - Sonohysterosalpingography: a suitable choice in infertility workup.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, compliance, and cost effectiveness of
      sonohysterosalpingography (HyCoSy) compared with hysteroscopy for uterine cavity
      evaluation and compared with RX-hysterosalpingography (RX-HSG) for tubal patency
      determination. METHODS: Three hundred and eight infertile patients underwent
      HyCoSy, hysteroscopy, and RX-HSG. We compared sensitivity, specificity, positive
      and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), discomfort level, and cost of all
      three procedures. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were higher for
      HyCoSy than for hysteroscopy but the differences were not significant. HyCoSy
      also has the same accuracy as RX-HSG. Pain perception and cost were higher for RX
      HSG and hysteroscopy than for HyCoSy. CONCLUSIONS: HyCoSy can be regarded as a
      procedure for initial evaluation of the uterine cavity and of tubal patency in
      infertile patients.

PMID- 27277241
TI  - Value of ultrasonography for observation of early healing of humeral shaft
      fractures.
AB  - PURPOSE: Explore the value of ultrasonography for observation of early healing of
      humeral shaft fractures. METHODS: Sixty-five humeral shaft fracture patients were
      recruited. They were examined sonographically with color Doppler ultrasonography
      (CDU) and/or power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) during the 1st week, 2nd week,
      3rd week, 4th week, 9th week, and 15th week after the initial surgical procedure
      of internal fixation. Formation of callus consolidation and the resistance
      indexes (RI) of blood flow in different durations were compared between the good
      healing group and bad healing (delayed fracture healing or nonunion) group.
      RESULTS: Ultrasound showed that 59 patients had good fracture healing. Within the
      2nd and 4th week after surgery, the RI decreased over time (P < 0.05) and color
      Doppler flow imaging (CDFI/PDU) grading ranged from II to III. Six patients had
      bad fracture healing (delayed healing or nonunion). Insufficient or absent blood
      flow signals demonstrated that no callus was found in and/or around the fracture
      sites. CDFI grading ranged from 0 to I. There was significant difference compared
      with the good healing group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CDFI/PDU is an easy,
      painless, and effective method for predicting the prognosis of humeral shaft
      fractures by estimating early healing.

PMID- 27277242
TI  - Sonographic evaluation of anterior cervical lymph nodes.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this study we evaluated the role of ultrasound in diagnosis of
      anterior cervical lymph (ACL) node disease. METHODS: Three-hundred and sixty-six
      patients were included in the study. When ACL nodes were found, we noted the
      station(s) involved, the number, and the short and long axis of each. Patients
      had their thyroid investigated and were then divided into four groups: no
      sonographic signs of thyroid abnormality, already diagnosed autoimmune
      thyroiditis, probable new diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis, and thyroid
      nodules. RESULTS: ACL nodes were found in 127 out of 366 patients examined. The
      127 patients with ACL nodes were classified into group 1 (2 patients), group 2
      (97 patients), group 3 (23 patients), and group 4 (5 patients). The only
      differences were the presence and number of lymph nodes in the prelaryngeal
      and/or prethyroidal and/or pretracheal stations, and the number of "acutely
      inflamed" nodes in group 3 compared with all the other groups. CONCLUSION: We
      observed a strong association between anterior cervical lymphadenopathy and
      autoimmune thyroiditis; this is certainly a good reason to justify thorough
      evaluation of anterior cervical lymph nodes for all patients with suspected
      thyroiditis.

PMID- 27277243
TI  - A case of mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver: description of Sonazoid-enhanced
      ultrasound imaging and histopathologic findings.
AB  - Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) of the hepatobiliary system are rare tumors that
      usually arise within the liver. We encountered a 63-year-old woman with a
      surgically proven MCN of the liver. We first performed contrast-enhanced
      ultrasound imaging, and the mass was found to have the appearance of a solid
      tumor, showing peripheral nodular enhancement in the arterial and portal phases
      with persistence of enhancement. The lesion remained enhanced in the post
      vascular phase (Kupffer phase). Based on these findings, we incorrectly
      identified the tumor as a cavernous hemangioma, despite negative findings in
      computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In our immunohistologic
      analysis using anti-CD68 antibody, the antibody-positive cells were identified as
      macrophages. Therefore, the Sonazoid microbubbles could have been retained within
      these macrophages, resulting in late enhancement. These findings appear to be of
      key importance in accurately diagnosing MCNs and clarifying their
      pathophysiology. 

PMID- 27277245
TI  - A case report of umbilical ring constriction with application of amnioinfusion.
AB  - This is a case report of a pregnant 38-year-old primigravida woman. Due to severe
      fetal growth restriction and oligohydramnios, she was referred to our tertiary
      perinatal center at 24 weeks' gestation. To rule out chromosomal abnormalities
      and facilitate ultrasound evaluation of fetal morphology, we performed
      amniocentesis and subsequent amnioinfusion. Thereafter, a precise ultrasound
      examination revealed no obvious fetal morphological abnormalities except for a
      hyper-coiled cord and marginal placenta previa. During expectant management, the
      amount of amniotic fluid was maintained at 20-26 mm for a few days; however, the
      pregnancy resulted in intrauterine fetal death after 26 weeks + 5 days of
      gestation. The stillborn infant weighed 530 g (-3.3 SD) and had no obvious
      external abnormalities apart from umbilical ring constriction. Although a
      postmortem autopsy was not performed, it is suspected that the fetal growth
      restriction and the intrauterine fetal death were associated with the hyper
      coiled cord and the umbilical ring constriction. It is thought that umbilical
      ring constriction might therefore be an irreversible fatal condition in cases
      with a hyper-coiled cord. 

PMID- 27277244
TI  - Ultrasonography of intrahepatic bile duct adenoma with renal cell carcinoma:
      correlation with pathology.
AB  - Intrahepatic bile duct adenoma (BDA) is a relatively rare benign tumor. Most
      cases are incidentally discovered during surgery or autopsy. We report here the
      co-existence of renal cell carcinoma and BDA mimicking metastasis in a 30-year
      old female. An isoechoic nodule with a hypoechoic rim sized 10 * 9 mm was
      observed by ultrasonography in S2 of the liver. On contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography (CEUS), the mass was enhanced in the early vascular phase and a
      defect with a clear border appeared in the post-vascular phase. We present the
      ultrasonography findings of BDA, including those yielded by CEUS using Sonazoid,
      along with the gross and microscopic pathological correlation. 

PMID- 27277246
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis of persistent left and absent right superior vena cava.
AB  - We report a case of persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) with absent right
      superior vena cava (RSVC) diagnosed prenatally. At 27 weeks' gestation, routine
      fetal ultrasonography showed an abnormal four-chamber view. Fetal
      echocardiography revealed a markedly enlarged coronary sinus in the four-chamber
      view. An absent RSVC and a persistent LSVC were demonstrated in the three-vessel
      view. No additional cardiac malformations were seen before birth. Postnatal
      imaging confirmed the prenatal diagnosis. The combination of persistent LSVC and
      absent RSVC without any other cardiac malformations is an extremely rare cardiac
      anomaly and less commonly detected in utero. Identification of a dilated coronary
      sinus in the four-chamber view, with atypical features in the three-vessel view,
      may lead to the antenatal diagnosis of this condition. 

PMID- 27277247
TI  - Morphological changes observed via fetal ultrasound in prenatally diagnosed and
      isolated congenital lymphangiomas: three case reports.
AB  - We illustrate three cases of isolated congenital lymphangioma (CL). Fetal
      ultrasound (US) demonstrated uniloculated cystic masses that changed to
      multiloculated, subcutaneous, hypoechoic, avascular cystic masses with thin
      septations without solid components. Case 1: CL of the right forearm; Case 2: CL
      of the right hypochondrium; and Case 3: CL of the left upper posterior back.
      Postnatal US detected multiloculated, subcutaneous, hypoechoic, avascular cystic
      masses with thin septations without solid components or invasive developments. We
      prenatally and postnatally diagnosed them as isolated CL cases due to focal,
      soft, bulging masses with unclear margins. Due to our correct diagnosis and
      precise evaluation of sizes and locations, no perinatal complications occurred.
      In this case series, uniloculated features changed to multiloculated features and
      the largest macrocyst size decreased, whereas the sizes of the smaller microcysts
      increased. These morphological changes observed via fetal US represent
      intermittent CL growing processes. 

PMID- 27277248
TI  - Three- and four-dimensional HDlive rendering image of fetal acrania/exencephaly
      in early pregnancy.
AB  - We present two cases of fetal acrania/exencephaly reconstructed employing the
      three- (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) HDlive rendering mode in early gestation.
      Two fetuses with acrania/exencephaly were studied with the 3D/4D HDlive rendering
      mode at 13 and 15 weeks, respectively. In Case 1, at 13 weeks' gestation,
      deformed and degenerated brain tissues were clearly shown using the 3D/4D HDlive
      rendering mode. In Case 2, at 15 weeks and 6 days of gestation, two amniotic
      bands and acrania/exencephaly were depicted with the 3D/4D HDlive rendering mode.
      Fragile brain hemispheres with amniotic bands were rocking with fetal movements.
      The 3D/4D HDlive rendering mode provides physicians, couples, and their families
      with important and additional information, and has the potential to supplement
      two-dimensional and conventional 3D ultrasound in diagnosing fetal
      acrania/exencephaly. 

PMID- 27277249
TI  - Antenatal three-dimensional sonographic diagnosis of persistent cloaca.
AB  - We present a case of fetal persistent cloaca diagnosed by two- (2D) and three
      dimensional (3D) sonography and the HDlive rendering mode. 2D sonography revealed
      a bicornate uterus with hydrometra, bilateral hydrosalpinx, a single umbilical
      artery, and ascites. 3D sonography and the HDlive rendering mode clearly showed
      these intra-abdominal structures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
      report of persistent cloaca employing antenatal 3D sonography and the HDlive
      rendering mode. 

PMID- 27277250
TI  - Antenatal three-dimensional sonographic features of fetal biliary atresia.
AB  - We present antenatal three-dimensional (3D) sonographic features of fetal biliary
      atresia. A 38-year-old pregnant Japanese woman was referred to our ultrasound
      clinic because of a fetal intra-abdominal cyst at 19 weeks of gestation.
      Conventional two-dimensional (2D) sonography and 3D sonography with an inversion
      mode showed a round cyst with a tiny dip in the subhepatic area. At 34 weeks,
      conventional 2D sonography and 3D sonography with inversion and transparent X-ray
      modes clearly revealed a round to oval cyst connected with the gallbladder via
      the cystic duct. A diagnosis of choledochal cyst (type I) was suggested
      antenatally. However, the final diagnosis made by employing operative
      cholangiography during surgery was biliary atresia (type I cyst) at 25 days of
      life. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of biliary atresia
      employing antenatal 3D sonography with inversion and transparent X-ray modes. 

PMID- 27277251
TI  - A case of aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva.
AB  - Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm of the female pelvis
      and vulva, which has a tendency for local recurrence. AA is occasionally
      misdiagnosed as Bartholin's gland cyst or abscess, lipoma, simple labial cyst, or
      soft tissue tumors. We describe a case of AA on the outside of the left labium
      majus pudendi in a 28-year-old female. We were able to make the preoperative
      diagnosis of AA by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US), and to
      perform complete surgical excision with a transperineal minimally invasive
      approach. The novelty of this case is the use of ultrasound for the diagnostic
      workup of the perineal tumor and determination of the incision line. 

PMID- 27277252
TI  - Bleeding in abdominal cavity revealed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

PMID- 27277253
TI  - Three-dimensional HDlive rendering images of the TRAP sequence in the first
      trimester: reverse end-diastolic umbilical artery velocity in a pump twin with an
      adverse pregnancy outcome.

PMID- 27277254
TI  - Three-dimensional HDlive rendering image of cystic hygroma.

PMID- 27277255
TI  - Evaluation of surgical strategy of conventional vs. percutaneous robot-assisted
      spinal trans-pedicular instrumentation in spondylodiscitis.
AB  - Robot-assisted percutaneous insertion of pedicle screws is a recent technique
      demonstrating high accuracy. The optimal treatment for spondylodiscitis is still
      a matter of debate. We performed a retrospective cohort study on surgical
      patients treated with pedicle screw/rod placement alone without the application
      of intervertebral cages. In this collective, we compare conventional open to a
      further minimalized percutaneous robot-assisted spinal instrumentation, avoiding
      a direct contact of implants and infectious focus. 90 records and CT scans of
      patients treated by dorsal transpedicular instrumentation of the infected
      segments with and without decompression and antibiotic therapy were analysed for
      clinical and radiological outcome parameters. 24 patients were treated by free
      hand fluoroscopy-guided surgery (121 screws), and 66 patients were treated by
      percutaneous robot-assisted spinal instrumentation (341 screws). Accurate screw
      placement was confirmed in 90 % of robot-assisted and 73.5 % of free-hand placed
      screws. Implant revision due to misplacement was necessary in 4.95 % of the free
      hand group compared to 0.58 % in the robot-assisted group. The average
      intraoperative X-ray exposure per case was 0.94 +/- 1.04 min in the free-hand
      group vs. 0.4 +/- 0.16 min in the percutaneous group (p = 0.000). Intraoperative
      adverse events were observed in 12.5 % of free-hand placed pedicle screws and 6.1
      % of robot robot-assisted screws. The mean postoperative hospital stay in the
      free-hand group was 18.1 +/- 12.9 days, and in percutaneous group, 13.8 +/- 5.6
      days (p = 0.012). This study demonstrates that the robot-guided insertion of
      pedicle screws is a safe and effective procedure in lumbar and thoracic
      spondylodiscitis with higher accuracy of implant placement, lower radiation dose,
      and decreased complication rates. Percutaneous spinal dorsal instrumentation
      seems to be sufficient to treat lumbar and thoracic spondylodiscitis.

PMID- 27277256
TI  - Trial Validates Biosimilar for Trastuzumab.
AB  - Preliminary data from the phase III Heritage trial suggest that a biosimilar to
      trastuzumab, MYL-14010, is just as safe and effective as its brand-name
      equivalent for women with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer. The findings,
      presented during the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
      in June, may pave the way for the first FDA-approved biosimilar for cancer.

PMID- 27277257
TI  - Treating Tumors by Molecular Profile, Not Type.
AB  - Preliminary findings from MyPathway, an ongoing phase II basket trial, indicate
      that matching molecular abnormalities of patients' tumors to relevant targeted
      therapies-albeit outside a given drug's FDA-approved indication-is both feasible
      and promising. Notably, patients with HER2-amplified colorectal, bladder, and
      biliary cancers responded well to the combination of trastuzumab and pertuzumab.

PMID- 27277259
TI  - Assessing pediatric ileocolonic Crohn's disease activity based on global MR
      enterography scores.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at correlating a magnetic resonance index of
      activity (MaRIA) and a magnetic resonance enterography global score (MEGS) with
      activity indexes in a paediatric population with Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS:
      This retrospective study included 32 paediatric patients (median age 14.5 years,
      18 male) with proven CD who underwent magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). A
      correlation analysis was performed on the MRE-based scores, the simplified
      endoscopic score for CD (SES-CD), the paediatric Crohn's disease activity index
      (PCDAI), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Based on PCDAI, comparison of both
      global MaRIA and MEGS was made between patients with mild and moderate/severe
      disease activity. RESULTS: Global MaRIA correlated with SES-CD (r = 0.70, p =
      0.001) and PCDAI (r = 0.42, p = 0.016). MEGS correlated with PCDAI (r = 0.46, p =
      0.007) and CRP levels (r = 0.35, p = 0.046). MEGS differed significantly (p =
      0.027) between patients grouped by clinical disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: MRE
      based global scores correlated with clinical indexes of CD activity. Therefore,
      they represent a potential useful tool to predict CD activity and severity, as
      well as a possible promising alternative to endoscopy, to monitor paediatric
      patients with CD during their follow-up. KEY POINTS: * MRE is widely used to for
      accurate assessment of CD. * Global MaRIA and MEGS have been suggested as
      indicators of CD activity. * Paediatric studies comparing MRE-based global scores
      with clinical CD activity are lacking. * Such scores can serve as predictors of
      CD activity/severity in paediatric patients. * MRE offers an alternative to
      clinical score/endoscopy for paediatric CD monitoring.

PMID- 27277258
TI  - MicroRNA-142-5p contributes to Hashimoto's thyroiditis by targeting CLDN1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs have the potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic
      targets in autoimmune diseases. However, very limited studies have evaluated the
      expression of microRNA profile in thyroid gland related to Hashimoto's
      thyroiditis (HT). METHODS: MicroRNA microarray expression profiling was performed
      and validated by quantitative RT-PCR. The expression pattern of miR-142-5p was
      detected using locked nucleic acid-in situ hybridization. The target gene was
      predicted and validated using miRNA targets prediction database, gene expression
      analysis, quantitative RT-PCR, western blot, and luciferase assay. The potential
      mechanisms of miR-142-5p were studied using immunohistochemistry,
      immunofluorescence, and quantitative assay of thyrocyte permeability. RESULTS:
      Thirty-nine microRNAs were differentially expressed in HT (Fold change >=2, P <
      0.05) and miR-142-5p, miR-142-3p, and miR-146a were only high expression in HT
      thyroid gland (P < 0.001). miR-142-5p, which was expressed at high levels in
      injured follicular epithelial cells, was also detected in HT patient serum and
      positively correlated with thyroglobulin antibody (r >= 0.6, P < 0.05).
      Furthermore, luciferase assay demonstrated CLDN1 was the direct target gene of
      miR-142-5p (P < 0.05), and Immunohistochemical staining showed a reverse
      expression patterns with miR-142-5p and CLDN1. Overexpression of miR-142-5p in
      thyrocytes resulted in reducing of the expression of claudin-1 both in mRNA and
      protein level (P = 0.032 and P = 0.009 respectively) and increasing the
      permeability of thyrocytes monolayer (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      indicate a previously unrecognized mechanism that miR-142-5p, targeting CLDN1,
      plays an important role in HT pathogenesis.

PMID- 27277260
TI  - Do quantitative and qualitative shear wave elastography have a role in evaluating
      musculoskeletal soft tissue masses?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine if quantitative and qualitative shear wave elastography
      have roles in evaluating musculoskeletal masses. METHODS: 105 consecutive
      patients, prospectively referred for biopsy within a specialist sarcoma centre,
      underwent B-mode, quantitative (m/s) and qualitative (colour map) shear wave
      elastography. Reference was histology from subsequent biopsy or excision where
      possible. Statistical modelling was performed to test elastography data and/or B
      mode imaging in predicting malignancy. RESULTS: Of 105 masses, 39 were malignant
      and 6 had no histology but benign characteristics at 12 months. Radiologist
      agreement for B-mode and elastography was moderate to excellent Kw 0.52-0.64;
      PABAKw 0.85-0.90). B-Mode imaging had 78.8% specificity, 76.9% sensitivity for
      malignancy. Quantitatively, adjusting for age, B-mode and lesion volume there was
      no statistically significant association between longitudinal velocity and
      malignancy (OR [95% CI] 0.40[0.10, 1.60], p=0.193), but some evidence that higher
      transverse velocity was associated with decreased odds of malignancy (0.28[0.06,
      1.28], p=0.101). Qualitatively malignant masses tended to be towards the blue
      spectrum (lower velocities); 39.5% (17/43) of predominantly blue masses were
      malignant, compared to 14.3% (1/7) of red lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitatively
      and qualitatively there is no statistically significant association between shear
      wave velocity and malignancy. There is no clear additional role to B-mode imaging
      currently. KEY POINTS: * Correlation between shear wave velocity and soft tissue
      malignancy was statistically insignificant * B-mode ultrasound is 76.9 %
      sensitive and 78.8 % specific * Statistical models show elastography does not
      significantly add to lesion assessment.

PMID- 27277263
TI  - The dilemma surrounding nuchal translucency-thickness measurement in Japan.

PMID- 27277262
TI  - The effectiveness of nutrition education for overweight/obese mothers with
      stunted children (NEO-MOM) in reducing the double burden of malnutrition in
      Indonesia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nutrition transition in developing countries were induced by rapid
      changes in food patterns and nutrient intake when populations adopt modern
      lifestyles during economic and social development, urbanization and
      acculturation. Consequently, these countries suffer from the double burden of
      malnutrition, consisting of unresolved undernutrition and the rise of
      overweight/obesity. The prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition tends to
      be highest for moderate levels (third quintile) of socioeconomic status. Evidence
      suggests that modifiable factors such as intra-household food distribution and
      dietary diversity are associated with the double burden of malnutrition, given
      household food security. This article describes the study protocol of a
      behaviorally based nutrition education intervention for overweight/obese mothers
      with stunted children (NEO-MOM) in reducing the double burden of malnutrition.
      METHODS: NEO-MOM is a randomized controlled trial with a three-month behavioral
      intervention for households involving pairs of 72 stunted children aged 2-5 years
      old and overweight/obese mothers (SCOWT) in urban Indonesia. The SCOWT pairs were
      randomly assigned to either an intervention group or to a comparison group that
      received usual care plus printed educational materials. The intervention
      consisted of six classroom sessions on nutrition education and home visits
      performed by trained community health workers using a motivational interviewing
      approach. The primary outcomes of this study are the prevalence of double burden
      of malnutrition as measured in SCOWT, child's height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and
      maternal body mass index (BMI). DISCUSSION: Because previous studies are mainly
      observational in nature, this study advances understanding of the double burden
      of malnutrition through a fully powered randomized controlled trial. The
      intervention assists participants in self-administered goal setting to improve
      diet and child feeding behaviors by improving self-efficacy. Maternal self
      efficacy may be enhanced through vicarious and active mastery of experiences
      gained during six sessions of nutrition education and verbal persuasion during
      home visits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Universal Trial Number (UTN) for this study
      is U1111-1175-5834. This trial was registered in the Australian New Zealand
      Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) and is allocated the registration number:
      ACTRN12615001243505 on 12 November 2015.

PMID- 27277264
TI  - Moment-based texture segmentation of luminal contour in intravascular ultrasound
      images.
AB  - PURPOSE: A system for luminal contour segmentation in intravascular ultrasound
      images is proposed. METHODS: Moment-based texture features are used for
      clustering of the pixels in the input image. After the clustering, morphological
      smoothing and a boundary detection process are applied and the final image is
      obtained. RESULTS: The proposed method was applied to 15 images from different
      patients, and a correlation coefficient of 0.86 was obtained between the areas of
      lumen automatically and manually defined. CONCLUSION: Moment-based texture
      features together with the radial feature are powerful tools for identification
      of the lumen region in intravascular ultrasound images. Morphological filtering
      was useful for improving the segmentation results.

PMID- 27277261
TI  - Advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis: conventional
      versus drug-eluting beads transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Our study sought to compare the overall survival in patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal venous thrombosis (PVT), treated with
      either conventional trans-arterial chemoembolization (cTACE) or drug-eluting
      beads (DEB) TACE. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included a total of 133
      patients, treated without cross-over and compared head-to-head by means or
      propensity score weighting. Mortality was compared using survival analysis upon
      propensity score weighting. Adverse events and liver toxicity grade >=3 were
      recorded and reported for each TACE. In order to compare with historical
      sorafenib studies, a sub-group analysis was performed and included patients who
      fulfilled the SHARP inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The median overall survival
      (MOS) of the entire cohort was 4.53 months (95 % CI, 3.63-6.03). MOS was similar
      across treatment arms, no significant difference between cTACE (N = 95) and DEB
      TACE (N = 38) was observed (MOS of 5.0 vs. 3.33 months, respectively; p = 0.157).
      The most common adverse events after cTACE and DEB- TACE, respectively, were as
      follows: post-embolization syndrome [N = 57 (30.0 %) and N = 38 (61.3 %)],
      diarrhea [N = 3 (1.6 %) and N = 3 (4.8 %)], and encephalopathy [N = 11 (5.8 %)
      and N = 2 (3.2 %)]. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective study could not reveal a
      difference in toxicity and efficiency between cTACE and DEB-TACE for treatment of
      advanced stage HCC with PVT. KEY POINTS: * Conventional TACE (cTACE) and drug
      eluting-beads TACE (DEB-TACE) demonstrated equal safety profiles. * Survival
      rates after TACE are similar to patients treated with sorafenib. * Child-Pugh
      class and tumor burden are reliable predictors of survival.

PMID- 27277265
TI  - Contribution of the renin-angiotensin system to the intrarenal resistive index in
      chronic unilateral partial ureteral obstruction in dogs.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the role of the renin-angiotensin system on intrarenal
      hemodynamics in chronic unilateral partial ureteral obstruction (UPUO) using
      Doppler ultrasound (US). METHODS: In 11 dogs with chronic UPUO, we determined the
      renal resistive index (RI) before and 1 h after the intravenous infusion of an
      angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (captopril), an angiotensin II
      receptor type 1 (ART1) antagonist (L-158,809), and the combination of these two
      drugs. Change in resistive index (DeltaRI) was calculated as RI after the
      administration of each tested material minus baseline RI. RESULTS: At the
      baseline measurement, significant differences in RI were seen between obstructed
      and nonobstructed kidneys. ACE inhibitor, ART1 antagonist, or the combination of
      these drugs did not result in any significant changes in RI in either obstructed
      or nonobstructed kidneys. However, in obstructed kidneys, DeltaRI in the
      combination of ACE inhibitor and ART1 antagonist were significantly greater than
      those in ACE inhibitor or ART1 antagonist alone, whereas there were no
      significant differences in those values in nonobstructed kidneys. CONCLUSION:
      These observations suggest that the renin-angiotensin system in dogs with chronic
      UPUO may not contribute significantly to the differences in intrarenal RI between
      obstructed and nonobstructed kidneys. However, the angiotensin-producing pathways
      and angiotensin II receptor subtypes other than ACE and ART1 may have some
      different effects between obstructed and nonobstructed kidneys.

PMID- 27277266
TI  - Evaluation of transcatheter arterial embolization therapy on hepatocellular
      carcinomas using contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography: comparison
      with CT, power Doppler sonography, and dynamic MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the sensitivity of power
      Doppler sonography, contrast-enhanced sonography, plain computed tomography (CT),
      and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) nodules incompletely treated with transcatheter arterial
      embolization (TAE). METHODS: A total of 63 unresectable HCC nodules were examined
      in this study. The HCCs were treated with TAE. All patients underwent plain CT,
      power Doppler sonography, contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography,
      and dynamic MRI 1 week after TAE. The sensitivity of each modality to
      incompletely treated HCC nodules was compared. Detection of the residual viable
      HCC on angiography or tumor biopsy was regarded as the gold standard for the
      diagnosis of incomplete treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-four nodules (38%) were
      diagnosed as incompletely treated. The sensitivities of plain CT, power Doppler
      sonography, contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography, and dynamic MRI
      to these incompletely treated nodules were 42% (10/24), 46% (11/24), 88% (21/24),
      and 79% (19/24), respectively. Eighty percent (19 nodules) of the 24 incompletely
      treated nodules were located within a depth of less than 8 cm. The sensitivities
      of plain CT, power Doppler sonography, contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler
      sonography, and dynamic MRI to these superficial incompletely treated nodules
      were 37% (7/19), 53% (10/19), 100% (19/19), and 74% (14/19), respectively. In
      contrast, the sensitivities of each modality to deeply located nodules were 60%
      (3/5), 20% (1/5), 40% (2/5), and 100% (5/5), respectively. CONCLUSION: Plain CT
      and power Doppler sonography had a low sensitivity to HCC nodules incompletely
      treated with TAE. Except for those that were deeply located, contrast-enhanced
      harmonic sonography showed the highest sensitivity in detecting incompletely
      treated HCC nodules.

PMID- 27277267
TI  - Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: an evaluation of the prognostic value of the
      lung-to-head ratio.
AB  - PURPOSE: A retrospective analysis of the prognostic significance of the lung-to
      head ratio (LHR) on the outcome of fetuses with left-sided congenital
      diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: A total of 12 fetuses with isolated left CDH
      without any chromosomal abnormalities were included in this study. Twelve LHR
      measurements could retrospectively be calculated from the last available
      ultrasonographic recordings before birth. The relationship between the LHR and
      fetal outcome and gestational age was investigated. The cutoff levels as
      previously published were applied to determine their predictive value in this
      population. The association between other prenatal predictive variables and the
      fetal outcome was also determined. Survival was defined as being discharged from
      the hospital. RESULTS: The overall survival rate was 75%, and a statistically
      significant difference was observed between the mean LHR of the survivors and the
      mean LHR of the nonsurvivors (1.81 vs. 0.43), whereas the mean gestational age of
      these two groups did not differ. The LHR was not gestational age dependent with
      regard to its ability to predict the fetal outcome. The cutoff levels LHR <1, 1
      1.4, and >1.4 showed good applicability for predicting fetal outcome within the
      present study population, with 100% survival if LHR >1.4 and 75% mortality if LHR
      <1. The intrathoracic position of the stomach, mediastinal shift, and
      polyhydramnios as individual variables and early diagnosis (<25 weeks gestation)
      all turned out to be poor sonographic predictors of fetal outcome. CONCLUSION:
      The LHR proved to be a good predictor of fetal outcome, independent of
      gestational age at the time of measurement. To further substantiate our
      observations, a prospective multicenter study is warranted.

PMID- 27277268
TI  - A case of splenosis: diagnosis with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.
AB  - We performed contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for a patient with known
      splenosis. One mass was clearly enhanced while another mass showed moderate
      enhancement. The right kidney showed similar enhancement and was a little
      confusing. We concluded that CEUS is useful for diagnosing this entity, although
      it has some limitations. CEUS could be a better diagnostic option than
      scintigraphic studies. 

PMID- 27277269
TI  - A Christmas-tree-like mass in the urinary bladder.

PMID- 27277270
TI  - 2005 Guidelines for ultrasonic diagnosis of breast diseases regarding the mass
      image-forming types.

PMID- 27277271
TI  - New Outstanding Paper Award to accompany the Kikuchi Award.

PMID- 27277272
TI  - Defensive Medicine Among Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeons in Israel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Defensive medicine (DM) includes medical practices that are aimed at
      avoiding liability rather than benefitting the patient. DM has not been well
      characterized among plastic surgeons. OBJECTIVES: The authors examined the
      extents of intended and unintended DM among members of the Israeli Society of
      Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery (ISPAS) and identified risk factors for DM.
      METHODS: A total of 108 ISPAS members were asked to complete a questionnaire that
      addressed physician attitudes toward DM and intended or unintended DM practices.
      RESULTS: Seventy-eight surgeons (72.2% response rate) returned the questionnaire,
      although some questionnaires were returned incomplete. Forty respondents
      acknowledged practicing DM (ie, DM group), and 33 respondents did not (ie, non-DM
      group). There were no between-group differences in gender, years of practice, or
      number of previous litigations. Thirty-one percent of respondents in the DM group
      indicated that they avoid certain surgical procedures, compared with 6% of
      respondents in the non-DM group (P = .008). In private practice, 66.2% of
      respondents stated that they obtain written informed consent twice before
      surgery, and 100% request preoperative blood-coagulation testing. In contrast,
      40% and 74% of respondents in public practice, respectively, acknowledged these
      behaviors (for consent, P = .027; for testing, P = .0059). Sixty-three percent of
      respondents prescribe antibiotics for more than 24 hours postoperatively, and
      this practice was slightly more common in the DM group (34 prescribe antibiotics
      vs 21 in the non-DM group; P = .079). CONCLUSIONS: DM is highly integrated into
      the daily medical practices of plastic surgeons in Israel.

PMID- 27277273
TI  - Barbed Suture Rescue Procedure.

PMID- 27277274
TI  - Anatomical Study of the Lateral Crural Strut Graft in Rhinoplasty and Its
      Clinical Application.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lateral crural strut graft has been used in rhinoplasty to correct
      deformities such as bulbous nasal tip, lateral crus malposition, alar retraction,
      collapsed external valve, lateral crus concavity, and alar deformity after domal
      suture. Despite its widespread use, the lateral crural strut graft has not been
      the subject of studies that show its benefits objectively and statistically.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess nasal anatomical variations in cadavers that underwent
      rhinoplasty using the lateral crural strut graft, considering the clinical
      applications of this graft. METHODS: The study was conducted with 16 human
      cadavers that underwent rhinoplasty with lateral crural strut graft. The
      variables were basilar nasal width, interalar width, columella-nasal tip height,
      nostril's width, and length and width of the graft. Measurements were taken with
      a digital caliper before and after rhinoplasty, and nostril cross-sectional area
      was measured with a computer program. All measurements were submitted to
      statistical analysis. RESULTS: Most of the cadavers were young, male, and black.
      Variables values were increased, but only basilar nasal width, columella-nasal
      tip height, and nostril cross-sectional area showed statistically significant
      differences (P < .05), leading to changes in the alar base, the nasal tip
      projection and the external nasal valve. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral crural strut graft
      improves external nasal valve and increases nasal tip projection and basilar
      nasal width.

PMID- 27277275
TI  - Use of the "Septal T" as a Spacer and Conformer for a Properly Contoured Nasal
      Tip in Rhinoplasty.

PMID- 27277276
TI  - Commentary on: Who is Publishing in Facial Cosmetic Surgery? A Citation Analysis
      Across Specialties Over Five Decades.

PMID- 27277277
TI  - HOSVD-Based 3D Active Appearance Model: Segmentation of Lung Fields in CT Images.
AB  - An Active Appearance Model (AAM) is a computer vision model which can be used to
      effectively segment lung fields in CT images. However, the fitting result is
      often inadequate when the lungs are affected by high-density pathologies. To
      overcome this problem, we propose a Higher-order Singular Value Decomposition
      (HOSVD)-based Three-dimensional (3D) AAM. An evaluation was performed on 310
      diseased lungs form the Lung Image Database Consortium Image Collection. Other
      contemporary AAMs operate directly on patterns represented by vectors, i.e.,
      before applying the AAM to a 3D lung volume,it has to be vectorized first into a
      vector pattern by some technique like concatenation. However, some implicit
      structural or local contextual information may be lost in this transformation.
      According to the nature of the 3D lung volume, HOSVD is introduced to represent
      and process the lung in tensor space. Our method can not only directly operate on
      the original 3D tensor patterns, but also efficiently reduce the computer memory
      usage. The evaluation resulted in an average Dice coefficient of 97.0 % +/- 0.59
      %, a mean absolute surface distance error of 1.0403 +/- 0.5716 mm, a mean border
      positioning errors of 0.9187 +/- 0.5381 pixel, and a Hausdorff Distance of
      20.4064 +/- 4.3855, respectively. Experimental results showed that our methods
      delivered significant and better segmentation results, compared with the three
      other model-based lung segmentation approaches, namely 3D Snake, 3D ASM and 3D
      AAM. 

PMID- 27277278
TI  - Healthcare Hackathons Provide Educational and Innovation Opportunities: A Case
      Study and Best Practice Recommendations.
AB  - Physicians and other healthcare professionals are often the end users of medical
      innovation; however, they are rarely involved in the beginning design stages.
      This often results in ineffective healthcare solutions with poor adoption rates.
      At the early design stage, innovation would benefit from input from healthcare
      professionals. This report describes the first-ever rehabilitation hackathon-an
      interdisciplinary and competitive team event aimed at accelerating and improving
      healthcare solutions and providing an educational experience for participants.
      Hackathons are gaining traction as a way to accelerate innovation by bringing
      together a diverse group of interdisciplinary professionals from different
      industries who work collaboratively in teams and learn from each other, focus on
      a specific problem ("pain point"), develop a solution using design thinking
      techniques, pitch the solution to participants, gather fast feedback and quickly
      alter the prototype design ("pivoting"). 102 hackers including 19 (18.6 %)
      physicians and other professionals participated, and over the course of 2 days
      worked in teams, pitched ideas and developed design prototypes. Three awards were
      given for prototypes that may improve function in persons with disabilities. 43
      hackers were women (42.2 %) and 59 men (57.8 %); they ranged in age from 16 to 79
      years old; and, of the 75 hackers who reported their age, 63 (84 %) were less
      than 40 years old and 12 (16 %) were 40 years or older. This report contributes
      to the emerging literature on healthcare hackathons as a means of providing
      interdisciplinary education and training and supporting innovation. 

PMID- 27277279
TI  - (11)C-Choline PET/CT for restaging prostate cancer. Results from 4,426 scans in a
      single-centre patient series.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate (11)C-choline PET/CT as a diagnostic tool for restaging
      prostate cancer (PCa), in a large, homogeneous and clinically relevant population
      of patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) of PCa after primary therapy. The
      secondary aim was to assess the best timing for performing (11)C-choline PET/CT
      during BCR. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 9,632 (11)C-choline PET/CT scans
      performed in our institution for restaging PCa from January 2007 to June 2015.
      The inclusion criteria were: (1) proven PCa radically treated with radical
      prostatectomy (RP) or with primary external beam radiotherapy (EBRT); (2) PSA
      serum values available; (3) proven BCR (PSA >0.2 ng/mL after RP or PSA >2 ng/mL
      above the nadir after primary EBRT with rising PSA levels). Finally, 3,203
      patients with recurrent PCa matching all the inclusion criteria were
      retrospectively enrolled and 4,426 scans were analysed. RESULTS: Overall, 52.8 %
      of the (11)C-choline PET/CT scans (2,337/4,426) and 54.8 % of the patients
      (1,755/3,203) were positive. In 29.4 % of the scans, at least one distant finding
      was observed. The mean and median PSA values were, respectively, 4.9 and 2.1
      ng/mL at the time of the scan (range 0.2 - 50 ng/mL). In our series, 995 scans
      were performed in patients with PSA levels between 1 and 2 ng/mL. In this
      subpopulation the positivity rate in the 995 scans was 44.7 %, with an incidence
      of distant findings of 19.2 % and an incidence of oligometastatic disease (one to
      three lesions) of 37.7 %. The absolute PSA value at the time of the scan and
      ongoing androgen deprivation therapy were associated with an increased
      probability of a positive (11)C-choline PET/CT scan (p < 0.0001). In the ROC
      analysis, a PSA value of 1.16 ng/mL was the optimal cut-off value. In patients
      with a PSA value <1.16 ng/mL, 26.8 % of 1,426 (11)C-choline PET/CT scans were
      positive, with oligometastatic disease in 84.7 % of positive scans. CONCLUSION:
      In a large cohort of patients, the feasibility of (11)C-choline PET/CT for
      detecting the sites of metastatic disease in PCa patients with BCR was confirmed.
      The PSA level was the main predictor of a positive scan with 1.16 ng/mL as the
      optimal cut-off value. In the majority of positive scans oligometastatic disease,
      potentially treatable with salvage therapies, was observed.

PMID- 27277280
TI  - Potent Protection Against MPP+-Induced Neurotoxicity via Activating Transcription
      Factor MEF2D by a Novel Derivative of Naturally Occurring
      Danshensu/Tetramethylpyrazine.
AB  - Danshensu (DSS) and tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) are active ingredients of Salvia
      miltiorrhiza Bge. and Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort that are widely used in oriental
      medicine. Structural combination of compounds with known biological activity may
      lead to the formation of a molecule with multiple properties or new function
      profile. In the current study, the neuroprotective effects of DT-010, a novel
      analogue in which TMP was coupled to DSS through an ester bond and two allyl
      groups at the carboxyl group, were evaluated in a cellular model of Parkinson's
      disease (PD). As evidenced by the increase in cell survival, as well as the
      decrease in the number of Hoechst-stained apoptotic nuclei and the level of
      intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, DT-010 at 3-30 uM
      substantially protected against MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in both PC12 cells and
      primary cerebellar granule neurons, a protection that was more potent and
      efficacious than its parent molecules DSS and TMP. Very encouragingly, we found
      that DT-010, but not DSS or TMP, could enhance myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D)
      transcriptional activity using luciferase reporter gene assay. The
      neuroprotective effects of DT-010 could be blocked by pharmacologic inhibition of
      PI3K pathways with LY294002, or MEF2D pathway with short hairpin RNA-mediated
      knockdown of MEF2D. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed that DT-010
      potentiates Akt protein expression against MPP+ to down-regulate MEF2D inhibitor
      GSK3beta. Taken together, the results suggest that DT-010 prevents MPP+-induced
      neurotoxicity via enhancing MEF2D through the activation of PI3K/Akt/GSK3beta
      pathway. DT-010 may be a potential candidate for further preclinical study for
      preventing and treating PD.

PMID- 27277281
TI  - Signal and Noise in the Perception of Facial Emotion Expressions: From Labs to
      Life.
AB  - Human interactions are replete with emotional exchanges, and hence, the ability
      to decode others' emotional expressions is of great importance. The present
      research distinguishes between the emotional signal (the intended emotion) and
      noise (perception of secondary emotions) in social emotion perception and
      investigates whether these predict the quality of social interactions. In three
      studies, participants completed laboratory-based assessments of emotion
      recognition ability and later reported their perceptions of naturally occurring
      social interactions. Overall, noise perception in the recognition task was
      associated with perceiving more negative emotions in others and perceiving
      interactions more negatively. Conversely, signal perception of facial emotion
      expressions was associated with higher quality in social interactions. These
      effects were moderated by relationship closeness in Greece but not in Germany.
      These findings suggest that emotion recognition as assessed in the laboratory is
      a valid predictor of social interaction quality. Thus, emotion recognition
      generalizes from the laboratory to everyday life.

PMID- 27277282
TI  - Pleasure From Another's Pain: The Influence of a Target's Hedonic States on
      Attributions of Immorality and Evil.
AB  - Can people's feelings about harm (i.e., their hedonic reactions) lead them to be
      morally condemned, even if they do not cause the harm themselves? We show that
      individuals who experience pleasure at serious harm that has befallen another
      person are judged both immoral and evil. This effect occurs for harm-causing
      actors, and for observers who play no role in causing the harm; actors can also
      be judged as immoral and evil when they experience mere indifference (Study 1).
      Observers are more likely to be similarly judged when they experience direct
      rather than indirect pleasure from harm caused to another (Study 2). The effects
      of pleasure are dissociable from those of malevolent desires (Study 3). Targets'
      experience of pleasure at the harm caused to another person leads to the social
      exclusion of observers (Studies 1-3) and the harsh punishment of actors,
      including the death penalty (Studies 1, 4a, and 4b).

PMID- 27277283
TI  - Reducing Stereotype Threat With Embodied Triggers: A Case of Sensorimotor-Mental
      Congruence.
AB  - In four experiments, we tested whether embodied triggers may reduce stereotype
      threat. We predicted that left-side sensorimotor inductions would increase
      cognitive performance under stereotype threat, because such inductions are linked
      to avoidance motivation among right-handers. This sensorimotor-mental congruence
      hypothesis rests on regulatory fit research showing that stereotype threat may be
      reduced by avoidance-oriented interventions, and motor congruence research
      showing positive effects when two parameters of a motor action activate the same
      motivational system (avoidance or approach). Results indicated that under
      stereotype threat, cognitive performance was higher when participants contracted
      their left hand (Study 1) or when the stimuli were presented on the left side of
      the visual field (Studies 2-4), as compared with right-hand contraction or right
      side visual stimulation. These results were observed on math (Studies 1, 2, and
      4) and Stroop (Study 3) performance. An indirect effect of congruence on math
      performance through subjective fluency was also observed.

PMID- 27277284
TI  - Drinking to toxicity: college students referred for emergency medical evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2009, a university adopted a policy of emergency department
      transport of students appearing intoxicated on campus. The objective was to
      describe the change in ED referrals after policy initiation and describe a group
      of students at risk for acute alcohol-related morbidity. METHODS: A retrospective
      cohort of university students during academic years 2007-2011 (September-June)
      transported to local ED's was evaluated. Data were compared 2 years prior to
      initiation of the policy and 3 years after and included total number of ED
      transports and blood or breath alcohol level. RESULTS: 971 Students were
      transported to local ED's. The mean number of yearly transports 2 years prior to
      policy initiation was 131 and 3 years after was 236 (56 % increase, p < 0.01). 92
      % had a blood or breath alcohol level obtained. The mean alcohol level was 193
      mg/dL. Twenty percent of students had alcohol levels greater than 250 mg/dL.
      CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of a university alcohol policy was followed by a
      significant increase in ED transports of intoxicated students. College students
      identified as intoxicated frequently drank to toxicity.

PMID- 27277286
TI  - Activated carbon becomes active for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution
      reactions.
AB  - We utilized a facile method for creating unique defects in the activated carbon
      (AC), which makes it highly active for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and
      hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The ORR activity of the defective AC (D-AC) is
      comparable to the commercial Pt/C in alkaline medium, and the D-AC also exhibits
      excellent HER activity in acidic solution. 

PMID- 27277288
TI  - The added value of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis
      of supravalvar mitral ring: case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Supravalvular mitral stenosis is a rare condition characterized by an abnormal
      ridge, with one or two orifices, covering and obstructing the mitral valve.
      Preoperative identification of the supravalvular ring is the target for obtaining
      good surgical results. Two-dimensional echocardiogram and transesophageal
      echocardiography both failed in reaching this objective. In this case, we showed
      that three-dimensional echocardiogram is a new technique that provides additional
      and more accurate echocardiographic characterization of congenital supravalvular
      mitral stenosis. 

PMID- 27277289
TI  - Quantification of mitral valve apparatus by three-dimensional transesophageal
      echocardiography: in vitro validation study comparing two different analysis
      systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Two commercial software systems have become available for
      quantitation of mitral leaflet and annulus geometry based on three-dimensional
      (3D) transesophageal echocardiographic (3DTEE) images. The aim of this study is
      to investigate the accuracy and compatibility of the three-dimensional (3D)
      measurements by Real View((r)) and MVQ((r)). METHODS: 3DTEE images were obtained
      from phantom models with saddle-shaped annulus of mitral valve prolapse and
      mitral valve tenting. From reconstructed 3D data, prolapse and tenting volume
      were calculated by both Real View((r)) and MVQ((r)) and compared with the actual
      volume. RESULTS: The volume of the phantom models with saddle-shaped annulus
      measured by Real View((r)) (tenting r = 0.99, prolapse r = 0.99) and MVQ((r))
      (tenting r = 0.99, prolapse r = 0.99) showed good agreement with the actual
      volume. However, significant difference between Real View((r)) and MVQ((r)) was
      observed in the result of quantification (tenting 2.27 +/- 1.5 ml versus 2.53 +/-
      1.6 ml, prolapse 2.55 +/- 1.7 ml versus 2.31 +/- 1.6 ml, both P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Although the 2 commercially available systems allow accurate
      quantitative measurements of the 3D volume, discrepancy in the quantified value
      as a result of differences in the estimation of annular level is observed.
      Therefore, we should take into account the characteristics of each software when
      interpreting analytical results.

PMID- 27277287
TI  - Molecular Pathophysiology of Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome and
      Perspectives for Drug Development.
AB  - Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is an inherited
      neurodegenerative disorder manifesting in carriers of 55 to 200 CGG repeats in
      the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the fragile X mental retardation gene (FMR1).
      FXTAS is characterized by enhanced FMR1 transcription and the accumulation of CGG
      repeat-containing FMR1 messenger RNA in nuclear foci, while the FMRP protein
      expression levels remain normal or moderately low. The neuropathological hallmark
      in FXTAS is the presence of intranuclear, ubiquitin-positive inclusions that also
      contain FMR1 transcript. Yet, the complete protein complement of FXTAS inclusions
      and the molecular events that trigger neuronal death in FXTAS remain unclear. In
      this review, we present the two most accepted toxicity mechanisms described so
      far, namely RNA gain-of-function and protein gain-of-function by means of repeat
      associated non-AUG translation, and discuss current experimental and
      computational strategies to better understand FXTAS pathogenesis. Finally, we
      review the current perspectives for drug development with disease-modifying
      potential for FXTAS.

PMID- 27277290
TI  - Noninvasive assessment of pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure in patients
      with congenital heart disease: a new method using M-mode echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accurate evaluation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and
      mean pulmonary artery pressure is important to determine the optimal management
      and therapeutic strategy for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). We
      evaluated the PVR and mean pulmonary artery pressure in 46 patients with several
      CHD types using the interventricular septum (IVS) motion determined by M-mode
      echocardiography. METHODS: We divided the patients into 2 groups according to the
      different IVS motions. We measured the maximum anterior displacement from the
      baseline during early systole (a) and the maximum posterior displacement from the
      baseline during early diastole (b). We defined type A to be a/b greater than or
      equal to 1.0, and type B to be a/b less than 1.0. RESULTS: The PVR and mean
      pulmonary artery pressure in type A patients were significantly higher than those
      in type B patients (p < 0.05). Type A IVS motion predicted patients with high PVR
      (>2.5 unit/m(2)) and high mean pulmonary artery pressure (>25 mmHg) (sensitivity
      89%, specificity 89% and sensitivity 70%, specificity 91%, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our method can noninvasively separate high and low PVR among
      patients with CHD. This noninvasive method is therefore considered to be useful
      in the management of patients with CHD in a clinical setting.

PMID- 27277291
TI  - Left coronary artery ostial stenosis from Takayasu's arteritis diagnosed using
      transthoracic color flow and pulsed Doppler echocardiography.
AB  - Coronary artery stenosis is seen in 10-45% of patients with Takayasu's arteritis
      (TA) and coronary ostia are most frequently involved. It may cause angina
      pectoris and sudden death during the early course of the disease. We describe a
      14-year-old girl who first presented with exertional angina and syncope and was
      diagnosed as having left coronary artery ostial stenosis from TA by using
      transthoracic echocardiography. This is the first report showing the important
      role of color flow and pulsed Doppler echocardiography to detect coronary artery
      stenosis caused by TA. 

PMID- 27277292
TI  - Prominent isovolumic relaxation flow in a patient with cardiac tamponade.
AB  - We present herein the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with orthopnea and
      was diagnosed with cardiac tamponade due to carcinomatous pericarditis. Pulsed
      Doppler echocardiogram showed prominent isovolumic relaxation flow (IVRF)
      directed from the cardiac base toward the apex. Such flow is rare in pericardial
      effusion and may be due to enhanced early diastolic untwisting, sphericalization
      of apex, and restriction of wall motion by epicardial fibrous tissue. We describe
      herein a rare case of prominent IVRF with interesting underlying mechanisms. 

PMID- 27277293
TI  - Three-dimensional echocardiographic pictures of isolated double-orifice mitral
      valve.
AB  - We present a case of a 12-year-old boy with a rare form of cardiac anomaly,
      isolated double-orifice mitral valve. He was referred to our hospital at 1.5
      years old because of heart murmur. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed double
      orifice mitral valve without any associated cardiac anomalies. He has been
      followed carefully without any medication for 11 years. He has had no symptoms
      and an excellent natural course thus far. 

PMID- 27277294
TI  - Giant left atrial myxoma causing severe pulmonary hypertension.
AB  - This report describes a case of giant left atrial myxoma in a 43-year-old woman.
      She presented with general malaise and dyspnea. Electrocardiogram showed severe
      right-axis deviation. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a giant mobile
      mass with size of 6.5 * 4.5 cm in the left atrium. This mass protruded into the
      left ventricle in diastole and disturbed transmitral left ventricular filling
      flow. Bilateral atrium and right ventricle were dilated. Severe tricuspid
      regurgitation was demonstrated with peak pressure gradient of 91 mmHg. This mass
      was surgically excised and was diagnosed as benign atrial myxoma by histological
      analysis. Pulmonary hypertension was improved after surgery. 

PMID- 27277295
TI  - Visualization of myocardial hemorrhage with real-time three-dimensional
      myocardial contrast echocardiography in patients with acute myocardial
      infarction.

PMID- 27277296
TI  - Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma originated from atrial side of mitral valve
      leaflet.

PMID- 27277297
TI  - Bioprosthetic tricuspid valve dysfunction evaluated by real-time three
      dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

PMID- 27277298
TI  - Imaging of pulmonary venous aneurysm.

PMID- 27277299
TI  - Three-dimensional echocardiography findings of biventricular thrombi complicated
      by cerebral embolism.

PMID- 27277300
TI  - Echocardiographic characteristics of aortic intramural hematoma for the
      differentiation from atheromatous plaques and mural thrombi in the aorta.

PMID- 27277301
TI  - 41st Annual Meeting - Cape Town, South Africa August 4 - 5, 2016.

PMID- 27277302
TI  - The effect of high protein diet and exercise on irisin, eNOS, and iNOS
      expressions in kidney.
AB  - Long-term effects of high protein diets (HPDs) on kidneys are still not
      sufficiently studied. Irisin which increases oxygen consumption and thermogenesis
      in white fat cells was shown in skeletal muscles and many tissues. Nitric oxide
      synthases (NOS) are a family of enzymes catalyzing the production of nitric oxide
      (NO) from L-arginine. We aimed to investigate the effects of HPD, irisin and NO
      expression in kidney and relation of them with exercise and among themselves.
      Animals were grouped as control, exercise, HPD and exercise combined with HPD
      (exercise-HPD). Rats were kept on a HPD for 5 weeks and an exercise program was
      given them as 5 exercise and 2 rest days per week exercising on a treadmill with
      increasing speed and angle. In our study, while HPD group had similar total
      antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels with control group, exercise and exercise-HPD
      groups had lower levels (p < 0.05). Kidneys of exercising rats had no change in
      irisin or eNOS expression but their iNOS expression had increased (p < 0.001).
      HPD-E group has not been observed to cause kidney damage and not have a
      significant effect on rat kidney irisin, eNOS, or iNOS expression. Localization
      of irisin, eNOS, and iNOS staining in kidney is highly selective and quite clear
      in this study. Effects of exercise and HPD on kidney should be evaluated with
      different exercise protocols and contents of the diet. Irisin, eNOS, and iNOS
      staining localizations should be supported with various research studies. 

PMID- 27277303
TI  - Functional and pharmacological characterization of two different ASIC1a/2a
      heteromers reveals their sensitivity to the spider toxin PcTx1.
AB  - Acid Sensing Ion Channels (ASICs) detect extracellular proton signals and are
      involved in synaptic transmission and pain sensation. ASIC subunits assemble into
      homo- and heteromeric channels composed of three subunits. Single molecule
      imaging revealed that heteromers composed of ASIC1a and ASIC2a, which are widely
      expressed in the central nervous system, have a flexible 2:1/1:2 stoichiometry.
      It was hitherto not possible, however, to functionally differentiate these two
      heteromers. To have a homogenous population of ASIC1a/2a heteromers with either
      2:1 or 1:2 stoichiometry, we covalently linked subunits in the desired
      configuration and characterized their functional properties in Xenopus oocytes.
      We show that the two heteromers have slightly different proton affinity, with an
      additional ASIC1a subunit increasing apparent affinity. Moreover, we found that
      zinc, which potentiates ASIC2a-containing ASICs but not homomeric ASIC1a,
      potentiates both heteromers. Finally, we show that PcTx1, which binds at subunit
      subunit interfaces of homomeric ASIC1a, inhibits both heteromers suggesting that
      ASIC2a can also contribute to a PcTx1 binding site. Using this functional
      fingerprint, we show that rat cortical neurons predominantly express the
      ASIC1a/2a heteromer with a 2:1 stoichiometry. Collectively, our results reveal
      the contribution of individual subunits to the functional properties of ASIC1a/2a
      heteromers.

PMID- 27277320
TI  - Clinicopathological features of 11 suspected outbreaks of bovine adenovirus
      infection and development of a real-time quantitative PCR to detect bovine
      adenovirus type 10.
AB  - CASE HISTORY: A retrospective study was conducted to investigate 11 outbreaks of
      presumptive fatal adenovirus infection diagnosed through two New Zealand
      diagnostic laboratories during 2014 and 2015. Outbreaks occurred in 6-12-month
      old Friesian or Friesian cross cattle during autumn, winter and spring.
      Individual outbreaks were short in duration, with mortality rates ranging from
      3/250 to 20/600 (1.2 to 3.3%). CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Clinical signs
      included severe diarrhoea, depression, recumbency, and death. Post-mortem
      examination revealed congestion and oedema of the alimentary tract and fluid to
      haemorrhagic intestinal contents. Histopathological lesions were characterised by
      congestion and haemorrhage of the alimentary tract mucosa, oedema of the
      submucosa, and mild interstitial inflammation in the kidneys. Large basophilic
      intranuclear inclusion bodies were identified in vascular endothelial cells of
      the alimentary tract in 11/11 cases and of the kidney in 8/9 cases. MOLECULAR
      TESTING: A real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was designed to detect bovine
      adenovirus type 10 (BAdV-10) using hexon gene sequences available in GenBank. DNA
      extracted from a field case and confirmed by sequencing was used as a positive
      control. The qPCR had a reaction efficiency of 101% (R(2)=0.99) and the limit of
      detection was <10 DNA copies/reaction. The qPCR detected BAdV-10 in formalin
      fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue from 10/11 cases. DNA sequencing of PCR
      products from nine of these cases showed them to be identical to BAdV-10
      sequences in GenBank. For the PCR-negative case, the PCR product had a hexon
      sequence 99% similar to bovine adenovirus Wic isolate Ma20-1, a close relative of
      BadV-10. DIAGNOSIS: Bovine adenovirus type 10 was identified in FFPE tissues from
      cattle with histopathological evidence of adenovirus infection. CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: Bovine adenoviruses, and especially BAdV-10, should be considered in
      the differential diagnosis for acute enteric disease and death in young cattle.
      The qPCR detected BAdV-10 from FFPE tissue of cattle with suspected adenoviral
      infection diagnosed by histopathology. However results should be interpreted in
      light of clinical and pathological findings due to the possibility of adenovirus
      shedding by healthy cattle and the presence of pathogenic adenoviruses other than
      BAdV-10.

PMID- 27277319
TI  - Copy number variants in the sheep genome detected using multiple approaches.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Copy number variants (CNVs) are a type of polymorphism found to
      underlie phenotypic variation, both in humans and livestock. Most surveys of CNV
      in livestock have been conducted in the cattle genome, and often utilise only a
      single approach for the detection of copy number differences. Here we performed a
      study of CNV in sheep, using multiple methods to identify and characterise copy
      number changes. Comprehensive information from small pedigrees (trios) was
      collected using multiple platforms (array CGH, SNP chip and whole genome sequence
      data), with these data then analysed via multiple approaches to identify and
      verify CNVs. RESULTS: In total, 3,488 autosomal CNV regions (CNVRs) were
      identified in this study, which substantially builds on an initial survey of the
      sheep genome that identified 135 CNVRs. The average length of the identified
      CNVRs was 19 kb (range of 1 kb to 3.6 Mb), with shorter CNVRs being more frequent
      than longer CNVRs. The total length of all CNVRs was 67.6Mbps, which equates to
      2.7 % of the sheep autosomes. For individuals this value ranged from 0.24 to 0.55
      %, and the majority of CNVRs were identified in single animals. Rather than being
      uniformly distributed throughout the genome, CNVRs tended to be clustered.
      Application of three independent approaches for CNVR detection facilitated a
      comparison of validation rates. CNVs identified on the Roche-NimbleGen 2.1M CGH
      array generally had low validation rates with lower density arrays, while whole
      genome sequence data had the highest validation rate (>60 %). CONCLUSIONS: This
      study represents the first comprehensive survey of the distribution, prevalence
      and characteristics of CNVR in sheep. Multiple approaches were used to detect CNV
      regions and it appears that the best method for verifying CNVR on a large scale
      involves using a combination of detection methodologies. The characteristics of
      the 3,488 autosomal CNV regions identified in this study are comparable to other
      CNV regions reported in the literature and provide a valuable and sizeable
      addition to the small subset of published sheep CNVs.

PMID- 27277321
TI  - Use of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Radiation Treatment
      Planning for Lung Cancer.
AB  - Radiotherapy (RT) plays an important role in the treatment of lung cancer.
      Accurate diagnosis and staging are crucial in the delivery of RT with curative
      intent. Target miss can be prevented by accurate determination of tumor contours
      during RT planning. Currently, tumor contours are determined manually by computed
      tomography (CT) during RT planning. This method leads to differences in
      delineation of tumor volume between users. Given the change in RT tools and
      methods due to rapidly developing technology, it is now more significant to
      accurately delineate the tumor tissue. F18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography/CT (F18 FDG PET/CT) has been established as an accurate method in
      correctly staging and detecting tumor dissemination in lung cancer. Since it
      provides both anatomic and biologic information, F18 FDG PET decreases inter-user
      variability in tumor delineation. For instance, tumor volumes may be decreased as
      atelectasis and malignant tissue can be more accurately differentiated, as well
      as better evaluation of benign and malignant lymph nodes given the difference in
      FDG uptake. Using F18 FDG PET/CT, the radiation dose can be escalated without
      serious adverse effects in lung cancer. In this study, we evaluated the
      contribution of F18 FDG PET/CT for RT planning in lung cancer. 

PMID- 27277322
TI  - Morphologic and Metabolic Comparison of Treatment Responsiveness with
      18Fludeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography According to
      Lung Cancer Type.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response to treatment
      by histopathologic type in patients with lung cancer and under follow-up with 18F
      fluoro-2deoxy-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG
      PET/CT) imaging by using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)
      and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria
      that evaluate morphologic and metabolic parameters. METHODS: On two separate (pre
      and post-treatment) 18F-FDG PET/CT images, the longest dimension of primary
      tumor as well as of secondary lesions were measured and sum of these two
      measurements was recorded as the total dimension in 40 patients. PET parameters
      such as standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic volume and total lesion
      glycolysis (TLG) were also recorded for these target lesions on two separate 18F
      FDG PET/CT images. The percent (%) change was calculated for all these
      parameters. Morphologic evaluation was based on RECIST 1.1 and the metabolic
      evaluation was based on EORTC. RESULTS: When evaluated before and after
      treatment, in spite of the statistically significant change (p<0.05) in SUVmax,
      the change was not significant in TLG, in the longest total size and in the
      longest size (p>0.05). In histopathologic typing, when we compare the post
      treatment phase change with the treatment responses of RECIST 1.1 and EORTC
      criteria; for RECIST 1.1 in squamous cell lung cancer group, progression was
      observed in sixteen patients (57%), stability in seven patients (25%), partial
      response in five patients (18%); and for EORTC progression was detected in four
      patients (14%), stability in thirteen patients (47%), partial response in eleven
      patients (39%), in 12 of these patients an increase in stage (43%), in 4 of them
      a decrease in stage (14%), and in 12 of them stability in stage (43%) were
      determined. But in adenocancer patients (n=7), for RECIST 1.1, progression was
      determined in four patients (57%), stability in two patients (29%), partial
      response in one patient (14%); for EORTC, progression in one patient (14%),
      stability in four patients (57%), partial response in two patients (29%) were
      observed and in these patients, an increase in stage was detected in 3 of them
      (43%), while 4 of them remained stable. According to histopathologic diagnosis,
      between squamous cell cancer and adenocancer cases, no significant difference was
      determined in terms of SUVmax (p>0.05). Post-treatment SUVmax was significantly
      different in primary tumor but was not significantly different in nodal
      involvement and metastatic lesions for squamous cell carcinoma patients as
      compared to the pre-treatment SUVmax measurements. Similarly, there was no
      significant difference between primary tumor and nodal involvement for
      adenocarcinoma patients. CONCLUSION: Whether metabolic or morphologic changes are
      more accurate in evaluating treatment response in lung cancer remains unknown,
      and there is no gold standard diagnostic method on this issue yet. The most
      reliable results can only be achieved by survival curve parameters. However, we
      believe SUVmax seems to provide more easy and practical data for the evaluation
      of treatment response.

PMID- 27277323
TI  - Evaluation of Silent Myocardial Ischemia with Single-Photon Emission Computed
      Tomography/Computed Tomography in Asymptomatic Subjects with Diabetes and Pre
      Diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to disclose the prevalence of myocardial
      ischemia, as detected by adenosine stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with
      hybrid single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT),
      in asymptomatic diabetic and pre-diabetic patients and to find out whether
      ischemia predicted the occurrence of adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events
      (ACCE) at follow-up. METHODS: Forty-three diabetic and thirty-five pre-diabetic
      asymptomatic patients without any history of coronary artery disease, underwent
      MPI and were followed-up for a 12.8+/-2.2 (8-19) months for the occurrence of
      ACCE. Baseline variables that would predict the presence of ischemia and the
      value of ischemia on MPI for predicting the occurrence of ACCE at follow-up were
      evaluated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Ischemia was detected in ten
      (23.3%) of the diabetic and in four (11.4%) of the pre-diabetic patients. The
      presence of diabetes was the only independent predictor of myocardial ischemia
      [odds ratio (OR): 12.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.83-82.66; p<0.01].
      During 12.8+/-2.2 (8-19) months of follow-up, ACCE was observed in five out of 78
      (6.4%) patients. Patients with ischemia were significantly more likely to have
      ACCE during follow-up as compared to those with normal MPI scans (event rates:
      21.4% vs. 3.1%, OR: 8.455 95% CI: 1.264-56.562, p=0.038). CONCLUSION: Myocardial
      ischemia as detected by adenosine stress SPECT/CT in a population of asymptomatic
      patients with diabetes mellitus or pre-diabetes appeared to predict the
      occurrence of ACCE at follow-up.

PMID- 27277324
TI  - Is Very High Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Level Required in Differentiated Thyroid
      Cancer for Ablation Success?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Remnant ablation with radioactive iodine (I-131) is a successful form
      of treatment that aims to destroy the remaining residual tissue and/or metastatic
      tissue after total thyroidectomy in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients.
      High level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (>=30 mIU/L) is recommended for
      success of ablation treatment. In this retrospective study, our aim was to
      investigate whether the TSH levels at the time of ablation effect the success of
      radioactive iodine remnant ablation. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with
      DTC, treated with bilateral total/near total thyroidectomy and who were referred
      for I-131 remnant ablation were included in this study. Patients with
      undetectable TSH-stimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level, normal physical
      examination, negative results on whole body scan with I-131, and no evidence of
      neck lymph node metastasis on ultrasound were defined as disease-free. The
      correlation between TSH level at the time of ablation and ablation success was
      assessed. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty one consecutive patients were included in
      the present study. Mean TSH level was 19.47+/-6 mIU/L in the 34 patients with TSH
      <30 mIU/L, while mean TSH level was 73.65+/-27 mIU/L in the 227 patients with TSH
      >=30 mIU/L during I-131 remnant ablation. Ablation was unsuccessful in only one
      patient with TSH <30 mIU/L who had lung metastasis. Ablation was unsuccessful in
      5.1% of patients with TSH >=30 mIU/L. The effect of TSH level was not significant
      on ablation success (p=0.472). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we think that a high
      TSH serum level alone is not a factor for the success of ablation. Age, presence
      of metastasis, extent of residual thyroid mass should also be considered.
      Especially, in the presence of metastatic tissue, obtaining adequate increase in
      TSH level is not always possible. The success of ablation at lower levels of TSH
      elevations may be sufficient for patients, and long-term hypothyroidism may not
      be required.

PMID- 27277325
TI  - Recurrence Incidence in Differentiated Thyroid Cancers and the Importance of
      Diagnostic Iodine-131 Scintigraphy in Clinical Follow-up.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) are tumors with good prognosis.
      However, local recurrence or distant metastasis can be observed. In our study, we
      aimed to investigate the incidence of recurrence and the importance of diagnostic
      iodine-131 whole body scan (WBS) in clinical follow-up in patients with DTC.
      METHODS: The clinical data of 217 patients with DTC who were followed-up more
      than 3 years were reviewed retrospectively. The incidence of recurrence was
      investigated in a group of patients who had radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment
      and showed no sign of residual thyroid tissue or metastasis with diagnostic WBS
      that was performed at 6-12 months after therapy and had a thyroglobulin (Tg)
      level lower than 2 ng/dl. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis, ten cases had
      thyroid capsule invasion, 25 cases had extra-thyroid soft tissue invasion, 11
      patients showed lymph node metastasis and four patients had distant organ
      metastasis. One hundred forty-five patients had RAI treatment at ablation dose
      (75-100 mCi), whereas 35 patients had RAI treatment at metastasis dose (150-200
      mCi). Thirty-seven patients with papillary microcarcinoma did not receive RAI
      treatment. In 12 (%7.5) of the 160 patients who were considered as "successful
      ablation", a recurrence was identified. Recurrence was detected by diagnostic WBS
      in all cases and stimulated Tg level was <2 ng/dL with the exception of the two
      cases who had distant metastasis. CONCLUSION: Identification of pathological
      findings with WBS in patients who developed local recurrence in the absence of
      elevated Tg highlights the importance of diagnostic WBS in clinical follow-up.

PMID- 27277326
TI  - Hypermetabolic Calcified Lymph Nodes on 18Fludeoxyglucose-Positron Emission
      Tomography/Computed Tomography in a Case of Treated Ovarian Cancer Recurrence:
      Residual Disease or Benign Formation?
AB  - The contribution of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)
      with 18F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) in evaluating ovarian cancer recurrence even after
      a prolonged disease-free interval, and in therapy response is well-described.
      Calcifications observed in CT, although usually attributed to benign conditions,
      may actually represent active disease. Such an example of calcified formations is
      psammoma bodies. We present a case of 56-y. o. patient with ovarian cancer
      relapse at the supraclavicular area 18 years after complete response and disease
      free interval. The patient received chemotherapy and underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT for
      the evaluation of treatment response. Both CT corrected and uncorrected PET
      images showed hypermetabolism in the massively calcified lymph nodes in the neck,
      mediastinum, axilla and abdomen, indicative of active residual disease. 

PMID- 27277327
TI  - Sentinel Lymph Node Detection by 3D Freehand Single-Photon Emission Computed
      Tomography in Early Stage Breast Cancer.
AB  - We herein present our first experience obtained by 3D freehand single-photon
      emission computed tomography (SPECT) (F-SPECT) guidance for sentinel lymph node
      detection (SLND) in two patients with early stage breast cancer. F-SPECT guidance
      was carried out using one-day protocol in one case and by the two-day protocol in
      the other one. SLND was performed successfully in both patients. Histopathologic
      evaluation showed that the excised nodes were tumor negative. Thus, patients
      underwent breast-conserving surgery alone. 

PMID- 27277328
TI  - Kikuchi Disease with Generalized Lymph Node, Spleen and Subcutaneous Involvement
      Detected by Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed
      Tomography.
AB  - Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, known as Kikuchi disease, is a rare benign and self
      limiting disorder that typically affects the regional cervical lymph nodes.
      Generalized lymphadenopathy and extranodal involvement are rare. We report a rare
      case of a 19-year-old female with a history of persistent fever, nausea, and
      debilitating malaise. Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) revealed multiple hypermetabolic
      generalized lymph nodes in the cervical, mediastinum, axillary, abdomen and
      pelvic regions with diffuse spleen, diffuse thyroid gland, and focal parotid
      involvement, bilaterally. In addition, subcutaneous lesions were noted in the
      left upper paraspinal and occipital regions. An excisional lymph node biopsy
      guided by 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed the patient's diagnosis as Kikuchi syndrome. 

PMID- 27277330
TI  - Thermopower measurements in molecular junctions.
AB  - The measurement of thermopower in molecular junctions offers complementary
      information to conductance measurements and is becoming essential for the
      understanding of transport processes at the nanoscale. In this review, we discuss
      the recent advances in the study of the thermoelectric properties of molecular
      junctions. After presenting the theoretical background for thermoelectricity at
      the nanoscale, we review the experimental techniques for measuring the
      thermopower in these systems and discuss the main results. Finally, we consider
      the challenges in the application of molecular junctions in viable thermoelectric
      devices. 

PMID- 27277329
TI  - Daytime nap controls toddlers' nighttime sleep.
AB  - Previous studies have demonstrated that afternoon naps can have a negative effect
      on subsequent nighttime sleep in children. These studies have mainly been based
      on sleep questionnaires completed by parents. To investigate the effect of
      napping on such aspects of sleep quality, we performed a study in which child
      activity and sleep levels were recorded using actigraphy. The parents were asked
      to attach actigraphy units to their child's waist by an adjustable elastic belt
      and complete a sleep diary for 7 consecutive days. 50 healthy young toddlers of
      approximately 1.5 years of age were recruited. There was a significant negative
      correlation between nap duration and both nighttime sleep duration and sleep
      onset time, suggesting that long nap sleep induces short nighttime sleep duration
      and late sleep onset time. We also found a significant negative correlation
      between nap timing and nighttime sleep duration and also a significant positive
      correlation between nap timing and sleep onset time, suggesting that naps in the
      late afternoon also lead to short nighttime sleep duration and late sleep onset.
      Our findings suggest that duration-controlled naps starting early in the
      afternoon can induce a longer nighttime sleep in full-term infants of
      approximately 1.5 years of age.

PMID- 27277331
TI  - The impact of micronized progesterone on the endometrium: a systematic review.
AB  - Postmenopausal women with an intact uterus using estrogen therapy should receive
      a progestogen for endometrial protection. International guidelines on menopausal
      hormone therapy (MHT) do not specify on progestogen type, dosage, route of
      application and duration of safe use. At the same time, the debate on
      bioidentical hormones including micronized progesterone increases. Based on a
      systematic literature review on micronized progesterone for endometrial
      protection, an international expert panel's recommendations on MHT containing
      micronized progesterone are as follows: (1) oral micronized progesterone provides
      endometrial protection if applied sequentially for 12-14 days/month at 200 mg/day
      for up to 5 years; (2) vaginal micronized progesterone may provide endometrial
      protection if applied sequentially for at least 10 days/month at 4% (45 mg/day)
      or every other day at 100 mg/day for up to 3-5 years (off-label use); (3)
      transdermal micronized progesterone does not provide endometrial protection. 

PMID- 27277332
TI  - Upregulation of microRNA-206 enhances lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and
      release of amyloid-beta by targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 in microglia.
AB  - Activated microglia are capable of facilitating amyloid-beta (Abeta) accumulation
      via the release of inflammatory factors, thus resulting in the exacerbation of
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). MicroRNAs (miRs) participate in the activation of
      microglia, which is associated with AD. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a
      neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory factor, which is able to accelerate clearance
      of Abeta peptides. The present study aimed to investigate the precise role of miR
      206 and IGF1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial inflammation. The
      expression levels of miR-206 and IGF1 were detected in 60 peripheral blood
      samples from patients with AD and matched age subjects using quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction. A dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to
      indicate the relationship between miR-206 and IGF1. In addition, the role of miR
      206 was determined by gain and loss of function experiments in LPS-treated
      microglia. The results demonstrated that miR-206 upregulation enhanced LPS
      induced inflammation and Abeta release in microglia by directly targeting the 3'
      untranslated region of IGF1. These effects were attenuated following treatment
      with exogenous IGF1, thus indicating that the miR-206/IGF1 signaling pathway may
      be considered a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of AD-associated
      microglial inflammation. 

PMID- 27277333
TI  - Low expression of Toll-like receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of
      pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Cancer is the second most common cause of death among children aged 1-14 years.
      Leukemia accounts for one-third of all childhood cancers, 78% of which is acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The development of cancer has been associated with
      malignant cells that express low levels of immunogenic molecules, which
      facilitates their escape from the antineoplastic immune response. It is thought
      that it may be possible to rescue the antineoplastic immune response through the
      activation of recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which
      activate the innate immune system. TLRs are type I membrane glycoproteins
      expressed mainly in immune system cells such as monocytes, neutrophils,
      macrophages, dendritic cells, T, B and natural killer cells. The aim of the
      present study was to evaluate the expression of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9
      in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with ALL and prior to
      any treatment. PBMCs were obtained from 50 pediatric patients diagnosed with ALL
      and from 20 children attending the ophthalmology and orthopedics services. The
      mean fluorescence intensity was obtained by analysis of immunofluorescence. We
      found lower expression levels of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 in PBMCs from
      patients with ALL compared with those from control patients. We also observed
      that the PBMCs from patients with Pre-B and B ALL had lower TLR4 expression than
      controls and patients with Pro-B, Pre-B, B and T ALL had lower TLR7 expression
      than controls. The present study is the first to demonstrate reduced expression
      of TLRs in PBMCs from pediatric patients with ALL. This finding is of great
      relevance and may partly explain the reduction in the antineoplastic immune
      response in patients with ALL. 

PMID- 27277334
TI  - Pharmacological interventions for clozapine-induced sinus tachycardia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clozapine is an efficacious treatment for treatment-resistant
      schizophrenia; however its use can be limited by side effect intolerability.
      Sinus tachycardia is a common adverse event associated with clozapine treatment.
      Various pharmacological treatments are used to control heart rate increase due to
      clozapine use and can include a decreased rate of clozapine titration, a switch
      to a different antipsychotic, or treatment with negative chronotropic drugs.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical effects and efficacy of pharmacological
      interventions for clozapine-induced sinus tachycardia.To systematically review
      the adverse events associated with pharmacological interventions for clozapine
      induced sinus tachycardia. SEARCH METHODS: On 23 March 2015, we searched the
      Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Study-Based Register of Trials, which is based on
      regular searches of CINAHL, BIOSIS, AMED, EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and
      registries of clinical trials. There are no language, date, document type or
      publication status limitations for inclusion of records in the register.
      SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing pharmacological
      interventions, at any dose and by any route of administration, for clozapine
      induced tachycardia. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We independently screened and
      assessed studies for inclusion using pre-specified inclusion criteria. MAIN
      RESULTS: The electronic searches located three references. However, we did not
      identify any studies that met our inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: With
      no studies meeting the inclusion criteria, it is not possible to arrive at
      definitive conclusions. There are currently insufficient data to confidently
      inform clinical practice. We cannot, therefore, conclude whether specific
      interventions, such as beta-blockers, are less effective or more effective than
      standard courses of alternative treatments for tachycardia. This lack of evidence
      for the treatment of clozapine-induced tachycardia has implications for research
      and practice. Well-planned, conducted and reported randomised trials are
      indicated. One trial is currently underway. Current practice outside of well
      designed randomised trials should be clearly justified.

PMID- 27277335
TI  - Acute-on-chronic liver failure in cirrhosis.
AB  - The definition of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remains contested. In
      Europe and North America, the term is generally applied according to the European
      Association for the Study of the Liver-Chronic Liver Failure (EASL-CLIF)
      Consortium guidelines, which defines this condition as a syndrome that develops
      in patients with cirrhosis and is characterized by acute decompensation, organ
      failure and high short-term mortality. One-third of patients who are hospitalized
      for acute decompensation present with ACLF at admission or develop the syndrome
      during hospitalization. ACLF frequently occurs in a closed temporal relationship
      to a precipitating event, such as bacterial infection or acute alcoholic, drug
      induced or viral hepatitis. However, no precipitating event can be identified in
      approximately 40% of patients. The mechanisms of ACLF involve systemic
      inflammation due to infections, acute liver damage and, in cases without
      precipitating events, probably intestinal translocation of bacteria or bacterial
      products. ACLF is graded into three stages (ACLF grades 1-3) on the basis of the
      number of organ failures, with higher grades associated with increased mortality.
      Liver and renal failures are the most common organ failures, followed by
      coagulation, brain, circulatory and respiratory failure. The 28-day mortality
      rate associated with ACLF is 30%. Depending on the grade, ACLF can be reversed
      using standard therapy in only 16-51% of patients, leaving a considerable
      proportion of patients with ACLF that remains steady or progresses. Liver
      transplantation in selected patients with ACLF grade 2 and ACLF grade 3 increases
      the 6-month survival from 10% to 80%.

PMID- 27277336
TI  - Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and cytomegalovirus reactivation during
      late pregnancy.
AB  - Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) represents an important public health concern as it
      is associated with severe morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients, HIV
      infected individuals and pregnant women given the risk of congenital infection.
      Congenital CMV is a leading cause of neurological sequelae, developmental delay
      and birth defects worldwide. Cytomegalovirus can be transmitted to the foetus
      following maternal infection or reactivation. NK cells expressing killer-cell
      immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are part of the innate immune system and the
      first line of defence against viral incursions. Previous reports have shown that
      KIR genes are associated with CMV infections in the post-transplant setting. In
      this study, we set out to determine whether a protective effect of KIR genes over
      CMV infection is seen in Mexican pregnant women. Cytomegalovirus infection was
      assessed through nucleic acid testing in 200 pregnant women and 600 healthy blood
      donors comprising the Mexican mestizo reference population. Killer-cell
      immunoglobulin-like receptors and HLA-C genotypes were obtained from 200 pregnant
      women and 300 reference samples using a comprehensive PCR-SSP approach. We
      observed statistically lower carrier frequencies of cB03|tA01 gene-content
      haplotype, of cB03 haplotype motif, of the KIR2DL5 + 2DS3/2DS5 gene pair and of
      KIR2DL5 amongst CMV-positive pregnant women in comparison with those CMV
      negative. None of these were associated with CMV status in the reference
      population. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the most important factor
      determining CMV status during third-trimester pregnancies was the KIR2DL5 +
      2DS3/2DS5 gene pair (OR 0.376 (95%CI 0.174, 0.811, P = 0.013). Our results
      indicate that CMV-protective KIR gene associations described in Caucasoid
      populations are also present in the genetically distinct Mexican mestizo
      population. Our results suggest that certain KIR gene combinations provide
      protection against CMV infections occurring during late-term pregnancies, a
      finding of utmost epidemiological importance given its implication with
      congenital CMV infections. 

PMID- 27277337
TI  - Autophagic death induced by thermo-chemotherapy in gastric cancer cells results
      from the reactive oxygen species pathway.
AB  - Gastric cancer is the third leading type of cancer and has the third leading
      cancer-associated mortality in China. The mechanism of thermo-chemotherapy in
      gastric cancer cells remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to
      investigate the role of autophagic cell death in the thermo-chemotherapy of
      gastric cancer. The current study included four groups: An empty control group, a
      hyperthermia group, a chemotherapy (oxaliplatin) group, and a thermo-chemotherapy
      group. Cell viability was analyzed by the MTS assay. Production of intracellular
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) was quantified by flow cytometry. Autophagy
      associated proteins, Beclin 1, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain
      (LC3B) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), were determined by western blot
      analysis. The results indicated that thermo-chemotherapy markedly increased
      intracellular ROS production, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. The
      transmission electron microscopy results indicated that thermo-chemotherapy
      induced production of autophagic bodies. In addition, thermo-chemotherapy-induced
      cell damage at the cellular and animal levels indicated a notable increase in the
      expression of the autophagy-associated genes, LC3B and Beclin 1. A negative
      correlation between mTOR expression and autophagy was also identified, which
      demonstrates that thermo-chemotherapy induces autophagic cell death by activating
      the autophagy-associated signaling pathways. The results of the present study
      demonstrated that the ROS level is important in autophagic death of the gastric
      carcinoma cells, and the increased ROS level, induced by thermo-chemotherapy
      treatment, induced autophagy in gastric carcinoma cells. 

PMID- 27277338
TI  - Butyrate-mediated acquisition of chemoresistance by human colon cancer cells.
AB  - Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid produced by the intestinal microflora and it
      not only induces apoptosis but also inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells.
      Recently, it has been reported that butyrate may cause resistance in colon cancer
      cells. Therefore, we investigated the effects of increased resistance to butyrate
      in HCT116 colon cancer cells. We established HCT116 cells resistant to butyrate
      (HCT116/BR) by treating HCT116 parental cells (HCT116/PT) with increasing
      concentrations of butyrate to a maximum of 1.6 mM for 3 months. The butyrate
      concentrations that inhibited cell growth by 50% (IC50) were 0.508 and 5.50 mM in
      HCT116/PT and HCT116/BR cells. The values after treatment with paclitaxel, 5
      fluorouracil (5-FU), doxorubicin and trichostatin A (TSA) were 2.42, 2.36, 4.31
      and 11.3-fold higher, respectively, in HCT116/BR cells compared with HCT116/PT
      cells. The protein expression of drug efflux pumps, such as P-glycoprotein (P
      gp), breast cancer-resistant protein (BCRP) and the multidrug resistance
      associated protein 1 (MRP1), did not differ between HCT116/PT and HCT116/BR
      cells. The expression level of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL protein was increased
      while those of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bim proteins were reduced in HCT116/BR
      cells. There were no significant differences in cell motility and invasion. This
      study suggests that exposure of colon cancer cells to butyrate results in
      development of resistance to butyrate, which may play a role in the acquisition
      of chemoresistance in colon cancer. 

PMID- 27277339
TI  - Structure dependence of lasing action in organic polymer films on DFB gratings
      for dinitrotoluene vapor detection.
AB  - Structure effects of distributed feedback (DFB) gratings on lasing action have
      been investigated for detecting explosive vapors. For the first time, we have
      established the optimized profiles of the DFB grating, and given the theoretical
      path to design its structure for amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) of organic
      polymer films based on Bragg conditions. A poly(p-phenylene ethynylene) (PPE)
      film can realize detection of dinitrotoluene (DNT) vapors in 2 min with a reduced
      excitation threshold of 26 mJ cm(-2) by using a simple and common 405 nm laser. 

PMID- 27277340
TI  - VEGF in nuclear medicine: Clinical application in cancer and future perspectives
      (Review).
AB  - Clinical trials using antiangiogenic drugs revealed their potential against
      cancer. Unfortunately, a large percentage of patients does not yet benefit from
      this therapeutic approach highlighting the need of diagnostic tools to non
      invasively evaluate and monitor response to therapy. It would also allow to
      predict which kind of patient will likely benefit of antiangiogenic therapy.
      Reasons for treatment failure might be due to a low expression of the drug
      targets or prevalence of other pathways. Molecular imaging has been therefore
      explored as a diagnostic technique of choice. Since the vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF/VEGFR) pathway is the main responsible of tumor angiogenesis,
      several new drugs targeting either the soluble ligand or its receptor to inhibit
      signaling leading to tumor regression could be involved. Up today, it is
      difficult to determine VEGF or VEGFR local levels and their non-invasive
      measurement in tumors might give insight into the available target for VEGF/VEGFR
      dependent antiangiogenic therapies, allowing therapy decision making and
      monitoring of response. 

PMID- 27277341
TI  - Effect of limestone particle size and calcium to non-phytate phosphorus ratio on
      true ileal calcium digestibility of limestone for broiler chickens.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of limestone particle size
      and calcium (Ca) to non-phytate phosphorus (P) ratio on the true ileal Ca
      digestibility of limestone for broiler chickens. A limestone sample was passed
      through a set of sieves and separated into fine (<0.5 mm) and coarse (1-2 mm)
      particles. The analysed Ca concentration of both particle sizes was similar (420
      g/kg). Six experimental diets were developed using each particle size with Ca:non
      phytate P ratios of 1.5:1, 2.0:1 and 2.5:1, with ratios being adjusted by
      manipulating the dietary Ca concentrations. A Ca-free diet was also developed to
      determine the basal ileal endogenous Ca losses. Titanium dioxide (3 g/kg) was
      incorporated in all diets as an indigestible marker. Each experimental diet was
      randomly allotted to 6 replicate cages (8 birds per cage) and fed from d 21 to 24
      post hatch. Apparent ileal digestibility of Ca was calculated using the indicator
      method and corrected for basal endogenous losses to determine the true Ca
      digestibility. The basal ileal endogenous Ca losses were determined to be 127
      mg/kg of dry matter intake. Increasing Ca:non-phytate P ratios reduced the true
      Ca digestibility of limestone. The true Ca digestibility coefficients of
      limestone with Ca:non-phytate P ratios of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 were 0.65, 0.57 and
      0.49, respectively. Particle size of limestone had a marked effect on the Ca
      digestibility, with the digestibility being higher in coarse particles (0.71 vs.
      0.43).

PMID- 27277342
TI  - In vitro characterization of TMPRSS2 inhibition in IPEC-J2 cells.
AB  - The transmembrane serine protease, TMPRSS2 is an important target in the
      treatment of seasonal influenza infections and contributes to prostate
      carcinogenesis and metastasis. In this study, the effect of the synthetic TMPRSS2
      inhibitor I-432 on jejunal IPEC-J2 cell monolayers cultured on membrane inserts
      was characterized. Using a fluorogenic substrate, it was found that the apical
      addition of I-432 could suppress trypsin-like activity in the supernatants of
      IPEC-J2 cells. The inhibition of TMPRSS2 did not affect physiologically produced
      hydrogen peroxide levels in the apical and in basolateral compartments. Loss of
      expression of the TMPRSS2 serine protease domain (28 kDa) was also observed when
      cells were pre-exposed to I-432. Partial decrease in immunofluorescent signal
      intensities derived from the altered distribution pattern of TMPRSS2 was detected
      after a 48 h long incubation of IPEC-J2 cells with the inhibitor indicating the
      efficacy of TMPRSS2 inhibition via I-432 administration in vitro.

PMID- 27277345
TI  - A stable room-temperature sodium-sulfur battery.
AB  - High-energy rechargeable batteries based on earth-abundant materials are
      important for mobile and stationary storage technologies. Rechargeable sodium
      sulfur batteries able to operate stably at room temperature are among the most
      sought-after platforms because such cells take advantage of a two-electron-redox
      process to achieve high storage capacity from inexpensive electrode materials.
      Here we report a room-temperature sodium-sulfur battery that uses a microporous
      carbon-sulfur composite cathode, and a liquid carbonate electrolyte containing
      the ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium-chlorate tethered to SiO2
      nanoparticles. We show that these cells can cycle stably at a rate of 0.5 C (1
      C=1675, mAh g(-1)) with 600 mAh g(-1) reversible capacity and nearly 100%
      Coulombic efficiency. By means of spectroscopic and electrochemical analysis, we
      find that the particles form a sodium-ion conductive film on the anode, which
      stabilizes deposition of sodium. We also find that sulfur remains interred in the
      carbon pores and undergo solid-state electrochemical reactions with sodium ions.

PMID- 27277346
TI  - Correlation between Umbilical Cord Diameter and Cross Sectional Area with
      Gestational Age and Foetal Anthropometric Parameters.
AB  - The objective of the study was to find out correlation between umbilical cord
      diameter, cross sectional area with gestational age and foetal anthropometric
      parameters. This cross sectional study was conducted among healthy women between
      the 24(th) and 40(th) completed weeks of a normal pregnancy in the Department of
      Radiology & Imaging, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh during the
      study period, from July 2009 to June 2011. A total of 230 consecutive normal
      pregnancy patients were included in the study. The diameter & cross-sectional
      area of the umbilical cord were measured on a plane adjacent to the junction of
      the umbilical cord and the fetal abdomen, in cross-section, with maximum
      magnification of the image. The cord was manually circled, and it's cross
      sectional areas was automatically calculated by the ultrasonograph. The mean+/-SD
      age was 24.3+/-4.7 years with range from 19 to 36 years. The mean gestational age
      was 32.1+/-4.5 weeks and more than a half (56.4%) of the pregnant women were
      nulliparas. A positive significant (p<0.001) correlation were found between
      umbilical cord diameter with bi-parietal diameter (r=0.548); head circumference
      (r=0.411); abdominal circumference (r=0.444); femur length (r=0.366) and
      gestational age gestation age (r=0.643). Similarly, a significant (p<0.001)
      positive week correlation were found between umbilical cross sectional area with
      bi-parietal diameter (r=0.3303); head circumference (r=0.3202); abdominal
      circumference (r=0.2651); femur length (r=0.3307) and gestation age (r=0.4051). A
      positive significant better correlation was found with umbilical cord diameter
      than cross sectional area with foetal anthropometric parameters.

PMID- 27277343
TI  - Rapid diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer using a new fluorescent
      method with gamma-glutamyl hydroxymethyl rhodamine green.
AB  - Sentinel lymph node biopsy is performed as a standard procedure in breast cancer
      surgery, and the development of quick and simple methods to detect metastatic
      lesions is in high demand. Here, we validated a new fluorescent method using
      gamma-glutamyl hydroxymethyl rhodamine green to diagnose metastatic lymph nodes
      in breast cancer. One hundred and forty-nine lymph nodes from 38 breast cancer
      patients were evaluated in this study. Comparison of fluorescent and pathological
      images showed that this fluorescent method was successful for visualizing breast
      cancer cells in lymph nodes. This method had a sufficiently high sensitivity
      (97%), specificity (79%) and negative predictive value (99%) to render it useful
      for an intraoperative diagnosis of cancer. These preliminary findings suggest
      that this novel method is useful for distinguishing non-cancerous specimens from
      those in need of careful examination and could help save time and cost for
      surgeons and pathologists.

PMID- 27277344
TI  - Strong preference of BRCA1 protein to topologically constrained non-B DNA
      structures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 encodes a
      multifunctional tumor suppressor protein BRCA1, which is involved in regulating
      cellular processes such as cell cycle, transcription, DNA repair, DNA damage
      response and chromatin remodeling. BRCA1 protein, located primarily in cell
      nuclei, interacts with multiple proteins and various DNA targets. It has been
      demonstrated that BRCA1 protein binds to damaged DNA and plays a role in the
      transcriptional regulation of downstream target genes. As a key protein in the
      repair of DNA double-strand breaks, the BRCA1-DNA binding properties, however,
      have not been reported in detail. RESULTS: In this study, we provided detailed
      analyses of BRCA1 protein (DNA-binding domain, amino acid residues 444-1057)
      binding to topologically constrained non-B DNA structures (e.g. cruciform,
      triplex and quadruplex). Using electrophoretic retardation assay, atomic force
      microscopy and DNA binding competition assay, we showed the greatest preference
      of the BRCA1 DNA-binding domain to cruciform structure, followed by DNA
      quadruplex, with the weakest affinity to double stranded B-DNA and single
      stranded DNA. While preference of the BRCA1 protein to cruciform structures has
      been reported previously, our observations demonstrated for the first time a
      preferential binding of the BRCA1 protein also to triplex and quadruplex DNAs,
      including its visualization by atomic force microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      discovery highlights a direct BRCA1 protein interaction with DNA. When compared
      to double stranded DNA, such a strong preference of the BRCA1 protein to
      cruciform and quadruplex structures suggests its importance in biology and may
      thus shed insight into the role of these interactions in cell regulation and
      maintenance.

PMID- 27277347
TI  - Comparative Study between Pentoxifylline and Pioglitazone in the Treatment of Non
      Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Newly Detected Glucose Intolerant Patients.
AB  - This quasi experimental study was carried out to compare the efficacy of
      Pentoxifylline versus Pioglitazone in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
      among newly detected glucose intolerant patients attended at GHPD, BIRDEM, Dhaka,
      Bangladesh from March 2011 to May 2012. Sixty patients with newly detected
      abnormal glucose tolerance, naive to any antidiabetic drugs were randomly
      selected, with the findings of USG changes of fatty liver and raised ALT.
      Patients were divided into Group A (51.7%; mean age - 44.45+/-7.34 years, BMI -
      26.76+/-3.65kg/m(2)) receiving Pioglitazone 30mg/day and Group B (48.3%; mean age
      - 43.97+/-10.13 years, BMI - 27.52+/-4.44kg/m(2)) receiving Pentoxifylline
      1200mg/day along with dietary and lifestyle modification. Baseline, follow up 1 &
      follow up 2: Serum AST in Group A (66.58+/-40.78U/L, 45.00+/-19.43U/L and 33.25+/
      9.92U/L) respectively and in Group B (54.13+/-20.11U/L, 38.31+/-12.90U/L and
      30.62+/-9.63U/L) respectively. Serum ALT in Group A (113.48+/-61.38U/L, 61.16+/
      19.45U/L and 42.45+/-13.84U/L) respectively & in Group B (99.13+/-37.95U/L,
      50.27+/-15.95U/L and 37.24+/-9.51U/L) respectively. No patient with normal USG
      finding was included in the study. Baseline USG finding: Grade I - Group A
      (35.5%), Group B (27.6%); Grade II - Group A (54.8%), Group B (48.3%); Grade III 
      Group A (9.7%), Group B (24.1%). Final Follow up: Normal - Group A (16.1%),
      Group B (10.3%); Grade I - Group A (38.7%), Group B (34.5%); Grade II - Group A
      (41.9%), Group B (44.8%); Grade III - Group A (3.2%), Group B (10.3%). Within
      groups findings were statistically significant (P<0.001) but between groups not
      significant (P>0.001). Biochemical and USG grading were improved in follow ups in
      both the groups. Such findings were observed due to synergistic effect of both
      therapeutic intervention along with supplementary dietary and lifestyle
      modification. Both Pioglitazone and Pentoxifylline have similar therapeutic
      outcome combined with supplementary dietary and lifestyle modification.

PMID- 27277348
TI  - Estimation of Thyroid Hormone in Early Pregnancy and it's Clinical Correlation.
AB  - This descriptive cross sectional study was done for the estimation of thyroid
      hormone in early pregnancy and it's clinical correlation. It was conducted at the
      Antenatal Clinic of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh from December
      2010 to November 2011. Total 185 cases in early pregnancy were taken purposively
      and randomly. Among the pregnant women, age ranged from 18-42 years with the
      Mean+/-SD age 25.77+/-4.96 years, the gestational weeks ranged 6+/-1 to 13+/
      1weeks having Mean+/-SD 9.06+/- 2.49 weeks. The gravida ranged from primi to 8th
      gravida Mean+/-SD 1.89+/-1.10. Haemoglobin level ranged from 9.0 to 13.2gm/dl;
      Mean+/-SD 10.90+/-0.99gm/dl. Mean+/-SD of serum FT4 was 17.77+/-7.25 and Mean+/
      SD of TSH was 3.95+/-2.94mIU/L. In present study, 5.40% (n=10) of the respondents
      had hypothyroidism and 0.54% (n=1) showed hyperthyroidism. The present study
      showed that, the incidence of hypothyroidism had relatively increased then the
      reference ranges but not statistically significant. But hyperthyroidism was
      within the reference range. This study showed slightly higher percentage of
      hypothyroidism in both <=30 (4.52%) and >=30 (10%) years of age groups especially
      a bit higher percentage in the elderly group. In present study, hypothyroidism
      was common among women of lower income group. Present study showed a higher
      percentage of stillbirth &miscarriage among study population. This study showed a
      relatively higher prevalence of abnormal thyroid function (especially
      hypothyroidism) in the study population and suggests the routine screening of
      thyroid hormone in early pregnancy in addition to routine antenatal care. 

PMID- 27277349
TI  - Serum Glucose Level in First and Third Trimester of Pregnancy.
AB  - In the present study serum glucose were estimated in pregnant women during the
      first trimester of pregnancy and third trimester of pregnancy to observe the
      frequency of hyperglycemia during pregnancy and to assess the incidence of
      gestational diabetes mellitus. This study was a cross sectional study, carried
      out in the Department of Physiology of Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh
      from July 2014 to June 2015. For this purpose, total 300 women with age ranged
      from 18 to 35 years were selected and divided into 100 healthy non pregnant women
      as control group and 200 normal pregnant women as study group. Study group was
      further divided into 100 pregnant women in first trimester of pregnancy and 100
      pregnant women in third trimester of pregnancy. Diagnosed case of type I and type
      II diabetes, hypothyroidism, cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary, antipsychotic
      drug users, regular steroid users were excluded from this study. Serum glucose
      was evaluated by the glucose-oxidase principle by GOD-PAP method in women with
      1st trimester of pregnancy, 3rd trimester of pregnancy and in non pregnant women.
      Statistical analysis of data was done by unpaired student's t test. The results
      showed that the serum glucose levels increased significantly in third trimester
      and the value is not significant in first trimester. The increasing frequency of
      serum glucose level in third trimester may predispose the women to hyperglycemia
      of pregnancy or gestational diabetes mellitus. 

PMID- 27277351
TI  - Comparison between Angiographic Findings of Coronary Artery Disease in STEMI and
      NSTEMI Patients of Bangladesh.
AB  - Coronary Angiogram (CAG) has been used to detect coronary artery disease in
      myocardial infarction (both STEMI and NSTEMI) patients. The purpose of this study
      was to compare the degree of coronary artery disease among STEMI and NSTEMI
      patients. Among acute coronary syndrome in NSTEMI we found more widespread
      coronary artery disease other than STEMI. Lack of documentations encouraged us to
      perform this study in our center. In this retrospective observational study we
      summarized all myocardial infarction (MI) patients who underwent coronary
      angiography (CAG) from August 2013 to August 2014 at Enam Medical College
      Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh and data of degree of coronary artery disease were
      recorded. Data of 100 consecutive MI patients who underwent CAG during that
      period were recorded. Among them 50 patients having STEMI as Group I (male 45,
      female 5) & other 50 patients sustained NSTEMI as Group II (male 38, female 12).
      Among NSTEMI patient group 80% were having multi-vessel disease and in STEMI
      patient group 80% having single vessel disease and remaining having multi-vessel
      disease. The degree of coronary artery disease is extensive in NSTEMI patients
      than in STEMI group. Coronary angiogram can visualize the degree of coronary
      artery involvement and is a useful screening modality to compare disease extent
      in MI patients. 

PMID- 27277350
TI  - Serum Uric Acid Level among Acute Stroke Patients.
AB  - Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in developed as well
      as developing countries like Bangladesh. Elevated serum uric acid levels may
      predict an increased risk for cerebro-vascular (CV) events including stroke. Aim
      of the study was to measure the serum uric acid level among stroke patients and
      determine the relationship between serum uric acid level and stroke. This
      descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in Department of Medicine,
      Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh to measure serum uric
      acid level among 102 stroke patients in a period of one year by using non
      probability sampling procedure. Finally, collected data were analyzed using SPSS
      software Version 17.0. It was observed that the mean age of patients was 60.87+/
      8.05 years, of them 80(78.43%) patients were male and the rest 22(21.57%) were
      female. About 66(64.70%) of respondents were in age group 60 years and above,
      while 36(35.30%) were in age group 59 years and below. At least 23(22.55%) of
      stroke patients had elevated serum uric acid with a mean serum uric acid level of
      5.18mg/dl and standard deviation 1.26mg/dl. About 23(27.38%) patients in ischemic
      stroke had elevated serum uric acid whereas 18(100%) patients in hemorrhagic
      stroke had normal uric acid level. Uric acid level was elevated in ischemic
      stroke than haemorrhagic stroke patients (p<0.001). High uric acid level may be
      considered as a risk factor in patients with acute ischemic stroke. 

PMID- 27277353
TI  - Histomorphological Study on Number of Acini of the Prostate Gland of Bangladeshi
      Cadaver.
AB  - The prostate is made up of 30 to 50 compound tubuloalveolar glands that are
      embedded in a framework of fibromuscular tissue and arranged in three concentric
      groups (mucosal, submucosal and main prostatic gland). The prostate consists of
      peripheral, central and transitional zone accounting for approximately 70%, 20%
      and 5% of the glandular substances. Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects the
      transitional zone and carcinoma of the prostate affects the peripheral zone. The
      glandular tissue consists of numerous acini with frequent internal papillae.
      Follicular epithelium is variable but predominantly columnar and either single
      layered or pseudostratified. This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted
      in Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh to
      find out the difference in number of acini of the prostate gland of Bangladeshi
      people in relation to age. The present study was performed on 67 postmortem human
      prostate gland collected from the morgue in the Department of Forensic Medicine,
      Mymensingh Medical College by non random purposive sampling technique. The
      specimens were collected from Bangladeshi cadaver of age ranging from 10 to 80
      years. All the specimens were grouped into three categories: Group A (up to 18
      years), Group B (19 to 45 years) and Group C (above 45 years) according to age.
      Dissection was performed following standard autopsy techniques. In the present
      study, total 60 slides were made for histological study from both central and
      peripheral zone of the prostate which were examined under low power objectives.
      The number of the acini of the prostate gland were counted and recorded. The mean
      number of the acini of the prostate gland was 16.45, 43.54 and 42.45 in Group A,
      B and C respectively in central zone and 30.08, 51.35 and 44.16 in Group A, B and
      C respectively in peripheral zone of the prostate. Variance analysis shows that
      mean differences were highly significant between Group A & B and Group C & A and
      non significant between Group B & C in central zone of the prostate. Mean
      differences were non significant among all three groups in peripheral zone of the
      prostate. The number of the acini of prostate gland was increased up to certain
      age limit but decreased in extreme age. In statistical analysis, differences
      between age groups were analyzed by using students unpaired 't' test. The present
      study will help to increase the information pool on the number of the acini of
      the prostate gland of Bangladeshi people at different age group. 

PMID- 27277352
TI  - Correlation between Troponin-I and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Level in Acute
      Myocardial Infarction Patients with Heart Failure.
AB  - Troponins are regarded as markers of choice for the diagnosis of acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI). But B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is also elevated in
      AMI and is a quantitative biochemical marker related to the extent of infarction
      and the left ventricle systolic dysfunction. Thus, BNP has prognostic value. In
      this study, we investigate the correlation of Troponin-I with BNP levels in
      patients presenting with AMI with or without Acute Heart Failure. Rationale of
      this study is to see, whether quantitative Troponin alone can serve for both
      diagnosis and prognosis of AMI Patients with heart failure or not. This cross
      sectional analytical study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology in
      Mymensingh Medical College Hospital from January 2014 to December 2014. Total 100
      patients were studied and divided into two groups - 50 patients in each group.
      Group I: Patients with first attack of acute myocardial infarction (without heart
      failure) & Group II: Patients with first attack of acute myocardial infarction
      with acute heart failure. Mean Troponin-I of Group I and Group II were 3.10+/
      2.68 and 62.93+/-32.75ng/ml respectively & mean BNP value of Group I and Group II
      were 20.96+/-14.18 and 615.65+/-249.27pg/ml respectively. In this study, it was
      shown that the levels of BNP had positive correlation with Troponin-I levels,
      with medium strength of association (r=0.734, p<0.05). Echocardiography shows
      that patients with high BNP level has low ejection fraction (LVEF) and patients
      with low BNP level has preserved ejection fraction (LVEF). Thus, the present
      study shows that the higher the Troponin-I levels, the higher the BNP levels in
      first attack of AMI patients and the more severe the heart failure (more severe
      left ventricle dysfunction). There is positive correlation between Troponin-I and
      BNP levels in first attack of AMI patients with acute heart failure. 

PMID- 27277354
TI  - Associations and Risk Factors of Diabetic Maculopathy.
AB  - Diabetic maculopathy is characterised by increased capillary leakage in the main
      retinal vessels and by alterations in the microcirculation of the macula.
      Maculopathy occurs frequently in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. Prevalence
      is higher in type 2 than in type 1 diabetic patients. Factors associated with the
      development of maculopathy are mostly unknown. As maculopathy is the main cause
      of vision deprivation in diabetic patients it is essential to know the
      associations and risk factors of diabetic maculopathy so that appropriate
      measures can be taken to prevent as well as treat diabetic maculopathy. We
      started the research work to find out the relation between diabetic maculopathy
      and various associated factors and risk factors for patients with diabetic
      retinopathy with maculopathy. This cross-sectional observational study done at
      the Department of Ophthalmology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
      (BSMMU), Dhaka & National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital (NIO & H), Sher-e
      Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2006 to June 2006. In this study out
      of 50 patients, diabetes was controlled in 20(40%) patients and uncontrolled in
      30(60%). A significant percentage of patients (40%) had elevated blood pressure.
      Diabetic autonomic neuropathy was observed in 24% cases and polyneuropathy was
      observed in 36% cases. It is evident that diabetic maculopathy has association
      with dyslipidaemia, abnormal renal function due to nephropathy. This study
      lighted on the association of diabetic maculopathy with diabetic nephropathy,
      cardiac abnormalities and diabetic neuropathy. 

PMID- 27277355
TI  - A Survey on Current Practice of Management of Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis.
AB  - It was a survey type of cross sectional study where the participants were from
      different teaching/referral hospital across the country and was done to gather
      information regarding current practice of management of neonatal sepsis among
      paediatricians and neonatologists and was conducted on the spot during a national
      conference of Bangladesh Perinatal Society in December 2013. Specialists in
      neonatology, paediatrics, and some other disciplines working in different
      institutes across the country were requested to respond. Out of 150 physicians,
      92 (61.33%) were neonatologists. Physicians suspected early onset neonatal sepsis
      (EONS) when there is history suggestive of prolonged rupture of membrane
      (74.77%), prolonged labour (9.33%), chorioamnionitis (7.33%) and maternal fever
      (2%). Clinical sepsis is found commonly (53.33%) which is later proved by
      laboratory evidences such as Hb%, TC, DC PBF (peripheral blood film), C-reactive
      protein, chest X-ray etc. Injection Ampicillin and Gentamycin are still the first
      choice of antibiotics (61.3%). Preferred route was intravenous (95.3%).
      Antibiotics were given for 7-10 days by most of the physicians (48.77%). However
      there is lack of uniformity among the participants in regard to taking decision
      about antibiotics, the choice of first line and the subsequent options of
      antibiotics. So, neonatal sepsis is the most important cause of neonatal
      mortality in the community. Therefore a standard protocolized approach for
      diagnosis and management of Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis may prove critical which
      is currently not in practice uniformly. 

PMID- 27277356
TI  - Challenges in HbA1c Analysis and Reporting in Patients with Variant Hemoglobins.
AB  - Hemoglobin A1c (HbA(1)c) is a well-established indicator of mean glycemia. The
      presence of genetic variants of hemoglobin can profoundly affect the accuracy of
      HbA(1)c measurements. Variants of hemoglobin especially Hemoglobin E (HbE) is
      prevalent in South East Asia including Bangladesh. The objective of our study is
      to compare the HbA(1)c values measured on high performance liquid chromatography
      (HPLC) and Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (TINIA) in diabetic patients with
      variant hemoglobins including HbE. A total of 7595 diabetic patients receiving
      treatment at BIRDEM General Hospital were analyzed for HbA(1)c results within a
      period of two months from December 2013 to January 2014. Seventy two cases out of
      7595 (0.95%) had either undetectable or below normal HbA(1)c levels (males-33 and
      females-39; ratio = 0.82:1) by HPLC method. In 34(0.45%) cases, HbA(1)c value was
      undetectable by HPLC method but was in the reportable range by TINIA method. In
      the other 38 (0.55%) cases, HbA(1)c levels were below the reportable range (<4%)
      by HPLC method but were in the normal or higher range by TINIA method. TINIA
      method did not agree with HPLC method on Bland Altman plot in the 38 cases with
      below normal HbA(1)c levels, [Mean bias -5.2(-9.3 to 1.0), 95% CI] but agreed
      very well [mean bias -0.21 (-0.84 to 0.42), y=1.1037+0.776X; r(2)=0.30, p<0.01]
      in controls. In control group mean MCV was 83.80+/-7.48 and in study group was
      73.65+/-10.44. Alkaline electrophoresis confirmed the variant hemoglobin to be
      HbE. The fasting blood sugar levels of all the 72 cases correlated strongly with
      TINIA method (r(2) =0.75, p<0.0001) but not with HPLC (r = 0.24, p=0.13). In our
      regions where populations have a high prevalence of Hb variant, proper knowledge
      of hemoglobin variants which affect the measurements HbA(1)c level is essential.
      MCV of 80fl or below may serve as a rough guide to select samples that require
      analysis by TINIA method. Moreover, HPLC may be a convenient and inexpensive tool
      for screening of hemoglobinopathies especially among diabetic population in
      Bangladesh. It may therefore be helpful in improving management of complications
      related to both anaemia and iron overload.

PMID- 27277357
TI  - Effect of Serum Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] in Menopausal Women.
AB  - The behavior of LP during the menopausal trinities and their relationship with
      sex hormones and body fat distribution is still unclear. The aim of this case
      control study was to estimate the serum lipoprotein (a) in postmenopausal women
      and women in reproductive age group and comparison of the above mention serum
      lipids between the two groups and was carried out in the Department of
      Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College (DMC), Dhaka, in co-operation with the
      Department of Immunology, Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in
      Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), Dhaka from July-2005 to
      June 2006. A total number of 70 women were selected. Selected women were grouped
      as Group A and Group B. In Group A 30 postmenopausal women were selected with age
      range 55-70 years. In Group B, 40 women within reproductive age were selected.
      Group B was again divided into two groups - Group B1 & Group B2 according to
      their ages. In Group B1 20 women were selected with age range 25-35 years, and in
      Group B2 another 20 women were selected with age range 36-45 years. Serum
      lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) and lipid profile of all groups were measured. Mean
      sLp(a) concentration were compared between groups by" Mann Whitney U" test. Mean
      concentrations of every individual components of lipid profile (sTAG, sTc, sLDL &
      sHDL) were compared with different groups. sLp(a) concentration of Group A
      compared to Group B1 was found to be significantly higher (p<0.001). In the same
      way mean serum Lp(a) concentration of Group A compared to Group B2 was also
      significantly higher (p<0.001). Mean sLp(a) concentration of B1 compared B2 did
      not differ significantly. Mean values of lipid profiles were slightly elevated in
      Group A compared to Group B1 and Group B2 except sHDL-c level. Mean
      concentrations HDL-c was significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B1 and
      Group B2. Thus the present study has revealed that there is increased Lp(a) in
      menopause & decreased HDL in menopause. 

PMID- 27277358
TI  - Outcome of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis.
AB  - This prospective study was conducted to compare the outcome of endoscopic sinus
      surgery (ESS) using SNOT-20 score chart (subjective) and Lund & Kennedy scoring
      chart (objective) and carried out in the Department of Otolaryngology & Head-Neck
      Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Dhaka
      Medical College Hospital (DMCH) & Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital
      (ShSMCH) from July 2010 to March 2012. Total 73 admitted cases were selected
      purposively for ESS, male 53(72.60%) and female 20(27.40%). Among the study
      participants 10(13.7%) had chronic rhinosinusitis with bilateral polyposis and
      26(35.62%) had chronic rhinosinusitis with unilateral polyposis and 12(16.44%)
      had bilateral chronic rhinosinusitis without polyposis and 25(34.25%) had
      unilateral chronic rhinosinusitis without polyposis. Surgical procedures done
      among the patients were Uncinectomy (infundibulectomy), Middle Meatal Antrostomy;
      Anterior Ethmoidectomy; Sphenoidotomy, Associated septoplasty and no significant
      per or post operative complications were noted. In Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)
      with polyposis pre operative SNOT-20 mean and SD 1.322+/-0.341 and post ESS snot
      20 mean and SD 0.3472+/-0.0755, CRS without polyposis pre operative SNOT-20 mean
      and SD 0.9297+/-0.86 and post ESS SNOT-20 mean and SD 1986+/-0.0558. In CRS with
      polyposis pre operative Lund & Kennedy score of endoscopic assessment, mean and
      SD 5.333+/-2.255 and post ESS mean and SD 1.31+/-1.009. In CRS without polyposis
      pre op Lund & Kennedy score mean and SD 3.108+/-1.074 and post ESS mean and SD
      0.76+/-0.641.Post ESS SNOT-20 in CRS with Polyposis, 't' test result was 27.58
      which was significant (p<0.001) and in CRS without Polyposis was 21.622 which was
      significant (p<0.001); Lund & Kennedy Score of post ESS in CRS with Polyposis 't'
      test result was 7.763 which was significant (p<0.001), CRS without Polyposis was
      7.177 which was significant (p<0.001).This implies that outcome of ESS in
      treatment of CRS with or without polyposis had statistically significant role.
      Symptomatic relief and quality of life improvement after ESS was compared by
      improvement in post operative scores of SNOT-20 & Lund-Kennedy score of
      endoscopic assessment. Post operative lower values were considered to be better
      improvement status. The results of the study suggests that ESS performed in
      Chronic Rhinosinusitis without Polyposis cases, relief of symptoms and quality of
      life improved was better than Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Polyposis cases
      postoperatively as compared by SNOT-20 and Lund & Kennedy score of endoscopic
      assessment. 

PMID- 27277359
TI  - CRP (C-reactive protein) in Early Pregnancy Predictor for Development of GDM.
AB  - This case-control study was done to find out whether elevated serum CRP in early
      pregnancy is a predictor of GDM and conducted under joined supervision of
      Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
      (BSMMU) Hospital and Biomedical Research Group (BMRG), BIRDEM, from August 2005
      to November 2007. Pregnant mothers at their first 16 weeks of gestation without
      any medical disorder of pregnancy were included in the study. For the purpose of
      this study blood samples were again collected for OGTT at their 16weeks, 24-28
      weeks and 32 weeks of pregnancy to detect GDM. After confirmation of GDM, C
      reactive protein and C-peptide were done from the preserved fasting serum sample
      at the end of this study to compare GDM with control group. A total of 297
      patients were included in this study. Among them 145(48%) patients completed
      follow up, 59(20%) lost from follow-up and 11(4%) patients had abortion; 82(28%)
      are due for follow up 31(10%) pregnant patients developed GDM subsequently.
      Finally 28 GDM patients were taken as cases and 71 were control matched for their
      gestational age and parity. At earlier weeks of gestation, hsCRP could predict
      (PPV) development of GDM in 59% with NPV 84%, sensitivity 61% and specificity
      83%. C-peptide in the 50th percentile could predict (PPV) development of GDM in
      58% with NPV 96%, sensitivity 72% and specificity 93%. The present data indicates
      that hsCRP and C-peptide both is sensitive markers in predicting GDM. 

PMID- 27277360
TI  - Preoperative Assessment of Serum Albumin Level as Risk Factor for Morbidity
      Following Routine Oncological Surgery.
AB  - This cross-sectional observational study was to establish the preoperative
      assessment of serum albumin level as indicator for morbidity following cancer
      surgery and to reduce the incidence of related postoperative complications.
      Therefore this study was undertaken to assess the morbidity associated with low
      serum level albumin and identify it as a risk factor following cancer surgery in
      Bangladeshi population. This study included 312 patients with malignancy who were
      waiting for surgery or within 60 days of postoperative period were enrolled for
      the study from indoor of surgical oncology department, National Institute of
      Cancer Research & Hospital (NICR&H), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Then the patients were
      submitted for further study to evaluate the preoperative fitness in terms of
      nutritional assessment - both clinical and biological especially serum albumin
      level. All the clinical (pre & post-operative including complication, if any),
      investigation findings were recorded accordingly. Statistical correlation was
      discovered between BMI and morbidity but no statistical correlation was found
      between WL >10% and major surgical complications of either infectious or
      noninfectious origin (p=NS). Conversely, a substantial statistical correlation
      was found between Hb% or albumin <30gm/l and major surgical complications (either
      infectious or noninfectious) (p<0.001). The serum albumin level below 30gm/l is a
      significant risk factor for oncological postoperative major complications (MC). 

PMID- 27277361
TI  - Mini-Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Review of 7200 Cases. Could it be the New Gold
      Standard?
AB  - Mini-Laparoscopy by reducing the instrument size and hence incision can lead to
      better surgical outcome. The safety and feasibility of mini-laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy (mini-Lch) has not been documented with a large patient sample.
      This observational descriptive study reports the results of 7200 cases of mini
      Lch performed at Ibrahim General Hospital and Eden Multi-care hospital, Dhaka,
      Bangladesh by a single surgeon. From May 1998 till July 2013in total 8700
      patients were offered Mini-lch and 7200 procedures were completed successfully.
      The operative indication, total operative time, conversion rate, hospital stay,
      patient satisfaction, post operative pain, complications, morbidity and mortality
      were reviewed. In this series conversion to open surgery was 0.39%. Average
      operating time was 30.22 minutes. Early acute cases (9%) did not require
      conversion to open. Average post operative hospital stay was 21 hours. There was
      no mortality in the series. Six patients developed incisional hernia at the
      umbilical port site and 16 patients had umbilical wound infection. Patient
      acceptance was excellent, postoperative analgesic requirement was less. With Mini
      Lch better cosmetic result was achieved, recovery was early. Minilaparoscopic
      cholecystectomy is an economically feasible, and more acceptable considering the
      cosmetic outcome and patient acceptance. Our results indicate that this procedure
      could be performed successfully and safely by experienced surgeons. 

PMID- 27277362
TI  - Factors Associated with Periodontal Disease in Pregnant Diabetic Women.
AB  - There have been an association between systemic diseases and hormonal changes
      particularly diabetes which has been cited as a risk factor in the progression of
      periodontitis in pregnant women. The incidence and severity of periodontal
      diseases are increasing at a higher rate and a common condition in pregnant
      diabetic women among Bangladeshi population. This cross sectional study included
      200 pregnant women who were selected from gynecological department and examined
      at the dental unit. The clinical parameters used were the Silness and Loe plaque
      index (PI), gingival scores and periodontal status and any relationship to socio
      demographic variables (age, occupation, level of education and urban or rural
      residence) and clinical variables (gestation period, previous pregnancy, type of
      diabetes and periodontal maintenance) were evaluated. The results showed that
      these clinical parameters increased concomitantly with an increase in the stage
      of pregnancy and in women with multiple pregnancies. Increased age, lower level
      of education, unemployment and patients residing in rural areas were associated
      with significantly higher gingival scores and periodontal measures. Women with
      increased age and multiple pregnancies usually have less interest to frequent
      periodontal maintenance showing a significant statistical relation between an
      increased age and changes in gingival and periodontal status; however no
      significant association was found between increased age and plaque index. It is
      concluded that gingival inflammatory symptoms are aggravated during pregnancy in
      diabetic women and are related to different clinical and demographic variables. 

PMID- 27277363
TI  - Pattern of Head Injuries (Cranio-cerebral) due to Homicide in Association with
      Other Injuries: A Retrospective Post-mortem Study Autopsied at Dhaka Medical
      College Morgue House.
AB  - Annually, homicide contributes to a greater number of the total head injury
      cases. This retrospective study was conducted from 1(st) January 2009 to
      31(st)December 2011 at Dhaka Medical College Mortuary. During this study period
      of three years a total of 15300 autopsies were done of which 5649 cases (36.84%)
      were of head injuries. Of them 747(13.22%) were of homicidal, 4080(72.22%) road
      traffic accidents, 502(8.88%) accidental and 320(5.66%) cases of fall from
      heights. Three hundred ninety eight (398) urban cases (53.27%) out numbered 307
      rural cases (41.09%) followed by 42 unknown cases (5.62%). Most cases belong to
      the younger age group i.e. 21-40 years (43.34%) with male preponderance
      470(63.10%). Defense wounds were present in 281 cases (37.82%) out of the total
      747 homicidal head injuries. There were 206(27.57%) upper limb, 176(23.56%)
      spinal, 139(18.60%) abdominal, 135(18.07%) thoracic, 58(7.76%) lower limb and
      33(4.41%) pelvic injuries found as associated injury. There were 258(34.53%)
      fractures of occipital followed by 209(28.29%) parietal, 113(15.01%) frontal,
      104(13.75%) temporal, 24(3.21%) ant. Cranial fossa, 23(3.07%) post. Cranial fossa
      and 16(2.08%) of middle cranial fossa fractures. Extradural haemorrhage was more
      i.e. 434 cases (58.43%) followed by subdural, combination of all, subarachnoid
      and intra-cerebral haemorrhages. Cases of concussion were more common i.e.
      445(59.75%) than lacerated and combination of them. Blunt weapon tops the list of
      causative weapons i.e. 669(89.22%) than firearms 59(8.07%) and sharp pointed
      weapons 19(2.68%).

PMID- 27277364
TI  - Role of Serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Testosterone and
      Prolactin Levels in Azoospermic Male Partner of Subfertile Couple.
AB  - This cross sectional study was carried out in the Infertility Unit, Department of
      Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU)
      from January 2011 and June 2013. Eighty one (81) consecutive azoospermic male
      partner of married couple, aged 20-50 years with at least two years of
      subfertility and no known endocrinopathy and ejaculatory dysfunction were
      included in this study to find out their abnormal hormonal pattern. None of them
      had received any form of treatment within the last 3 months prior to hormonal
      evaluation. Men with hypertension, recent fever, chemo or radiation exposure were
      excluded from the study. Eight weeks interval two semen analyses were done in the
      Andrology Laboratory of above department following standard WHO guideline, 2004.
      Using standard ELISA technique, serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone
      (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and prolactin were
      measured/assayed/estimated. The results of this study demonstrated that 40
      (49.4%) men had normal endocrine pattern against 51 (50.6%) with endocrinopathy.
      The former may be related to obstructive azoospermia, which needs further
      analyses. Both the increased FSH (>11.1mIU/ml) and LH (>7.6mIU/ml) were observed
      in 25 (30.9%) men, only elevated FSH (>11.1mIU/ml) in 9(11.1%), and only elevated
      LH (>7.6mIU/ml) in 7(8.6%). Low testosterone level (<270ng/dl) was observed in
      11(13.6%), low TSH (<0.4MUIU/ml) in 1(1.2%) and low prolactin (<2.5ng/dl) in
      5(6.2%).

PMID- 27277365
TI  - Presentation and Treatment Outcomes of 100 Lupus Nephritis Patients: Single
      Center Study.
AB  - Over a period of 3 years (January 2011 to December 2013) 100 cases of Lupus
      nephritis patients admitted in nephrology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib
      Medical University (BSMMU) were evaluated. Their clinical characteristics,
      biochemical parameters, renal histology according to WHO classification were
      categorized and their treatment modalities and outcome was observed. Among 100
      patients, 84 were female and 16 were male, with F:M ratio 5:1. Mean age of female
      were 23+/-4 years and male were 29+/-4 years, mean BP in male was systolic 135+/
      8 mmHg, diastolic 80+/-9mmHg and in female systolic was 130+/-7mmHg, diastolic
      75+/-6 mmHg, mean Serum Creatinine for male was 180+/-12MUmol/L and mean serum
      creatinine in female was 170+/-20MUmol/L. Sixty five percent (65%) patient showed
      extra renal manifestation. All patients presented with proteinuria, among them
      45% were nephrotic presentation, 25% patients presented with acute nephritic
      illness, 15% were nephritic nephrotic, 10% patients had rapidly progressing
      glomerulonephritis (RPGN), and 5% were with asymptomatic proteinuria. Renal
      biopsy of 100 patient according to WHO classification showed class I - 5%, class
      II - 20%, class III - 26%, class IV - 35%, class V - 8%, class VI - 6%.
      Immunosuppressive protocol used was prednisolone and cyclophorphamide in the
      majority of patients in class III to class VI LN patients. Few patients received
      prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil. Twenty four percent (24%) patients were
      in complete remission during this study period and 12% developed end stage renal
      disease (ESRD). Seventy six percent (76%) patients passed through various stages
      of CKD, majority of them were in CKD stage IV and stage III, and few were in CKD
      stage I and stage II. About 70% of the participants had suffered from one or more
      complications, where majority were infections. Infections and renal failure were
      the leading cause of death in our study. 

PMID- 27277366
TI  - Comparison between Decompressive Craniectomy with Durotomy and Conservative
      Treatment in Spontaneous Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage.
AB  - Large Intracerebral hematoma (ICH), compounded by perihematomal edema can produce
      severe elevations of intracranial pressure (ICP). Decompressive craniectomy (DC)
      beneficially addresses mass effect. Therefore this study is aimed to prove that
      decompressive craniectomy with durotomy has better outcome in patients with
      spontaneous supratentorial ICH than conservatively treated patients. This Quasi
      Experimental study was carried out in the Department of Neurosurgery, Dhaka
      Medical College & Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2012 to December
      2013 using purposive sampling procedure. A total of 80 admitted adult
      hypertensive patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH were enrolled in the
      study population fulfilling all selection criteria. Of them 40 patients underwent
      decompressive craniectomy with durotomy was considered as surgical group and 40
      patients were treated conservatively was considered as conservative group. All
      the cases were continuously followed up and GCS score at 7(th) day of treatment
      (D7) and at discharge was recorded. Mean+/-SD hematoma volume was 56.91+/-13.72ml
      in surgical patients and in conservative group 51.80+/-13.58ml. Outcome measured
      by modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. Sixty percent (60%) patients had good
      outcome (mRS 0-4) and 40% patients had poor outcome (mRS 5-6) in surgical group.
      On the other hand, 52.5% patients had good (mRS 0-4) and 47.5% had poor (mRS 5-6)
      outcome in conservative group. In logistic regression analysis, conservative
      group was 3.643 times more prone to develop poor outcome than surgical group
      which was statistically significant (95% CI, 1.040-13.047; p value <0.05) and
      volume of hematoma [OR (95% CI), 1.131(1.059-1.207); p value <0.001)] was the
      most important predictor of outcome. This study indicates that decompressive
      craniectomy with preservation of brain integrity in patients with spontaneous
      supratentorial ICH is feasible and safe. It can be a useful alternative surgical
      procedure in the treatment of spontaneous supratentorial ICH.

PMID- 27277367
TI  - Prognostic Role of Multiple Cardiac Biomarkers in Newly Diagnosed Acute Coronary
      Syndrome Patients.
AB  - Acute coronary syndrome includes unstable angina and myocardial infarction with
      or without ST-segment elevation, is life-threatening disorders that remain a
      source of high morbidity and mortality despite advances in treatment. The aim of
      the study was to evaluate the prognostic role of serum cTnI, CK-MB, hsCRP, MPO
      and BNP in newly diagnosed acute coronary syndrome patients. This cohort study
      was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib
      Medical University in cooperation with the Department of Cardiology, BSMMU and
      NICVD during the period of March 2013 to February 2014. A total 100 newly
      diagnosed acute coronary syndrome patients were purposively enrolled in this
      study within 24 hours of attacked, among them 30 were NSTEMI, 65 were STEMI and 5
      were unstable angina. Serum cTnI, CK-MB, hsCRP, MPO and BNP concentrations were
      measured at enrollment and grouping of the study subjects were done on the basis
      of their empirical cut off values into two groups. In cTnI: Group I (n=20) having
      cTnI <4ng/ml and Group II (n=80) having cTnI >=4ng/ml. In CK-MB: Group I (n=18)
      having CK-MB <10ng/ml and Group II (n= 82) having CK-MB >=10ng/ml. In hsCRP:
      Group I (n=36) having hsCRP <5mg/L and Group II (n=64) having hsCRP >=5mg/L. In
      MPO: Group I (n=30) having MPO <285.5pmol/L and Group II (n=70) having MPO
      >=285.5pmol/L. In BNP: Group I (n=26) having BNP <135pg/ml and Group II (n=74)
      having BNP >=135pg/ml. All the study subjects were treated and managed
      identically by standard management protocol and were followed up periodically up
      to three months from the onset of events during hospital stay and after
      discharge. Clinical outcomes of the study subjects such as good recovery,
      morbidity (recurrent ACS, heart failure, arrhythmia and revascularization) and
      mortality were evaluated with respect to their base line cTnI, CK-MB, hsCRP, MPO
      and BNP concentrations. Increased levels of base line cardiac biomarkers in Group
      II patients showed significantly high morbidity and mortality cTnI (p=0.044), CK
      MB (p=0.045), hsCRP (p=0.009), MPO (p=0.003), and BNP (p=0.001) in compared to
      Group I. In relative risk ratio analysis showed significantly worse outcome in
      Group II acute coronary syndrome patients in comparison to Group I. In case of
      cTnI RR - 1.85 at 95% CI 1.19-2.88, in case of CK-MB RR- 1.88 at 95% CI 1.21
      2.92, in case of hsCRP RR- 2.05 at 95% CI 1.30-3.25, in case of MPO RR- 2.59, at
      95% CI 1.49-4.49, and in case of BNP RR- 3.47 at 95% CI 2.5-5.36. It was
      concluded from this study that base line serum cTnI, CK-MB, hsCRP, MPO, and BNP
      can be used clinically as prognostic biomarkers of acute coronary syndrome. 

PMID- 27277368
TI  - Does Education Have Any Influence on Symptom Score of IBS Patients: A Randomized
      Controlled Study.
AB  - Despite much research, the pathophysiology of IBS remains poorly understood. So
      it is very difficult to treat. There is no standard treatment for IBS. Because
      IBS symptoms can be elicited or exacerbated by diet and stress, this suggests
      that patient education regarding his or her illness might be beneficial to
      patients in managing their symptoms. This study was done to see the short term
      effects of outpatient education in relation to change of symptom score in IBS
      patients. This is a prospective randomized comparative study. In this study a
      total of 80 patients were included. Forty patients were given only
      pharmacological management with Mebevarine hydrochloride 135mg thrice daily half
      an hour before meal and Amitryptline 10mg at night for six months and another
      forty were given education in addition to the same pharmacological treatment. In
      both the study group [medical management only versus medical management with
      education] changes of symptoms and quality of life of patients of IBS were
      assessed by using previously used, specially designed symptoms scoring system and
      a validated IBS-QOL instrument. There was no significant difference in severity
      of symptoms between only drug treatment group (118.973) and education plus drug
      treatment group (119.57) before treatment. The difference of improvement between
      the education group and without education group was not statistically significant
      (P>0.05), though the subsidence of pain in both the group before and after
      treatment was statistically significant (P<0.01). 

PMID- 27277369
TI  - Relationship between Serum Iron Profile and Blood Groups among the Voluntary
      Blood Donors of Bangladesh.
AB  - Blood donation results in a substantial iron loss and subsequent mobilization
      from body stores. Chronic iron deficiency is a well-recognized complication of
      regular blood donation. The present study conducted to compare the level of serum
      ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and percentage
      transferrin saturation in different ABO and Rhesus type blood groups among the
      voluntary blood donors of Bangladesh. The present prospective study included 100
      healthy voluntary donors attending at Department of Blood Transfusion, Dhaka
      Medical College, Dhaka between the periods of July 2013 to Jun 2014. From each
      donor 10mL venous blood sample was taken and divided into heparinized and non
      heparinized tubes for determination of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), serum
      iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin by standard
      laboratory methods. Percentage of transferrin saturation (TS) calculated from
      serum iron and TIBC. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 16) software and
      comparisons between groups were made using student's t-test and one way ANOVA. In
      the present study mean+/-SD of age of the respondents was 27.2+/-6.5 years with a
      range of 18 to 49 years and 81.0% were male and 19.0% were female. Among the
      donors 18.0% had blood group A, 35.0% had blood group B, 14.0% had blood group AB
      and 33.0% had blood group O. Among the donors 91.0% had rhesus positive and 9.0%
      had rhesus negative. Donors with blood group O had lowest haemoglobin, serum iron
      and transferring saturation levels. Donors with blood group A had highest TIBC
      level. Donors with blood group B had lowest serum ferritin level. An independent
      samples 't' test showed statistically significant difference in serum ferritin
      and percentage transferrin saturation between blood group AB and blood group O
      and in percentage transferrin saturation between blood group B and blood group O.
      One way ANOVA showed that there is no significant difference in haemoglobin,
      serum iron, serum ferritin and percentage transferring saturation in different
      ABO and Rh blood grouping categories. Blood donors with blood group O had lowest
      haemoglobin, serum iron and transferring saturation levels and donors with blood
      group A had highest TIBC level. Blood donors with blood group B had lowest serum
      ferritin level. The understanding of the different blood groups ability to retain
      iron in their system can give an insight into their ability to handle the disease
      iron deficiency anaemia. 

PMID- 27277370
TI  - Anatomical and Morphological Characterization of the Nasopalatine Canal: A Cone
      Beam Computed Tomography Study.
AB  - The anterior maxilla, also called pre-maxilla, is an area frequently requiring
      surgical interventions. Rehabilitation of this area remains a complex restorative
      challenge. The most prominent anatomical structure within the anterior maxilla is
      the Nasopalatine Canal. Thorough knowledge about this anatomical structure plays
      an important role in the successful outcomes of surgical procedures. This
      retrospective study was done to evaluate the anatomy and morphology of the
      Nasopalatine Canal using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The study included
      125 subjects aged between 15 and 78 years who were divided into the following 5
      groups: i) 15-30 years, ii) 30-45 years, iii) 45-60 years, iv) 60-75 years, v)
      >=75 years in the Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Sri Aurobindo College
      of Dentistry, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India from January 2012 to January 2015.
      Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed using a standard exposure and
      patient positioning protocol. The data of the CBCT images were sliced in three
      dimensions. Image planes on the three axes (X, Y, and Z) were sequentially
      analyzed for the location, morphology and dimensions of the Nasopalatine Canal.
      The correlation of age and gender with all the variables were evaluated. ANOVA
      and Z-test was used. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
      Males and females showed significant differences in the length of the canal and
      anterior bone width in the sagittal sections. Inverted L was identified as a new
      dimension to the morphological shape of Nasopalatine Canal in central Madhya
      Pradesh population. The present study highlighted important variability observed
      in the anatomy and morphology of the Nasopalatine Canal. 

PMID- 27277371
TI  - A 47 Years Lady with Intrathoracic Lipoma.
AB  - A case of a 47 years old female who presented to Mymensingh Medical College
      Hospital, Medicine Unit-5, complaining of severe dyspnea and occasional leg
      swelling. Chest X-ray, USG of chest and chest CT scan revealed a right sided
      giant intrathoracic mass extending across the posterior mediastinum into the left
      chest cavity. CT guided FNAC of right lung revealed lipoma. 

PMID- 27277372
TI  - Small Bowel Perforation during Suprapubic Trocar Cystotomy: A Case Report.
AB  - A 35 years old man presented with retention of urine secondary to meatal stenosis
      with bulbar urethral stricture. He had a distended, palpable, tender urinary
      bladder. Urethral catheterization and dilatation was tried but failed. A trocar
      cystostomy was performed under local anaesthesia, which led to the injury to the
      small bowel when least expected. This is a rare but well recognized complication
      of small bowel injury following blind trocar suprapubic cystostomy when it was
      least expected and as such had a significant bearing on its management. We
      discuss its subsequent management and possible mechanism underlying this
      unexpected and unfortunate complication in the given circumstances. 

PMID- 27277373
TI  - Huge Perineal Tumour: A Rare Presentation of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour of
      Rectum.
AB  - Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is a relatively rare neoplasm of
      gastrointestinal tract of which Rectal GIST is uncommon. It produces symptoms of
      per rectal bleeding or change in bowel habit. Recurrences following curative
      resection are predominantly intraabdominal, hepatic metastasis occurring at a
      median 20-25 months following the primary surgery. A 42 years old male presented
      a huge mass in hypogastrium, the size of which was reduced ofter neoadjuvant
      therapy for period of 1.5 years. He underwent abdominoperineal resection. He
      developed recurrences in perineum three times and in thigh at short intervals
      after primary resection. He also developed liver metastasis. He died two and half
      years after primary diagnosis. Rectal GIST should be included in differential
      diagnosis of intraabdominal mass and preoperative diagnosis based on
      histopathological as well as the immunohistochemical feature of the CD(117) and
      CD(34). Although complete surgical resection with negative tumour margin is the
      principal curative procedure for primary and non metastatic tumours, further
      studies are still needed for the determination of the most effective treatment
      strategy for patients of rectal GIST.

PMID- 27277374
TI  - Bartter Syndrome with Normal Aldosterone Level: An Unusual Presentation.
AB  - Bartter syndrome (BS) is a hereditary disease, with an autosomal recessive or
      autosomal dominant mode of transmission. It is characterized by salt wasting
      hypochloraemic, hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis and hyperreninaemia with normal
      blood pressure. The primary defect is in the thick ascending limb of loop of
      Henle (TAL). Herein, we report a case that had typical features of BS like severe
      dehydration, severe hypokalaemia, metabolic alkalosis and failure to thrive but
      had normal aldosterone level which is very uncommon. 

PMID- 27277375
TI  - Left Atrial Myxoma in a Late Case of Lung Carcinoma.
AB  - Concomitant occurrence of lung carcinoma and an atrial myxoma is rare. We are
      reporting such a case, a 55 year old male, farmer, smoker for 30 years was under
      evaluation for his recent episode of stroke with hemiparesis during which an
      echocardiography showed presence of a left atrial myxoma and chest x-ray showed a
      lesion in the midzone of right lung. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from
      enlarged right supraclavicular lymphnode revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma.
      Patient was referred to a tertiary cancer care hospital thereafter. 

PMID- 27277376
TI  - A Case of Massive Pleural Effusion: Pleurodesis by Bleomycin.
AB  - Malignant pleural effusion is a common complication of primary and metastatic
      pleural malignancies. Pleurodesis for the management of malignant pleural
      effusion is intended to achieve symphysis between parietal and visceral pleura,
      and to prevent relapse of pleural effusion. Many chemical agents are tried to
      induce inflammation and damage of the pleural mesothelial layer to achieve this
      symphysis. Hemorrhagic pleural effusion, especially in the right hemithorax
      commonly occurs as presentation of primary and metastatic pleural malignancies.
      This case reports massive right-sided hemorrhagic pleural effusion as the sole
      manifestation of primary lung cancer in a 45 year old man. Patient attended our
      department of thoracic surgery complaining of cough, shortness of breath and
      right sided chest pain. A chest X-ray and chest computer tomography (CT)
      radiograph shows right sided massive pleural effusion. Right sided tube
      thoracotomy done. Pleural fluid study was done. Fluid for cytopathology was
      positive for malignant cell. Computed tomography guided fine needle aspiration
      cytology from right lung lesion was also done. Diagnosis was as small cell
      carcinoma. Pleural effusion resolved after 9(th) post operative day of chest tube
      insertion. Bleomycin pleurodesis was done. Day after pleurodesis intra thoracic
      tube was removed and patient was discharged from hospital on 10(th) Post
      operative day with an advice to attend the oncology department for further
      treatment. The protocol of tube thoracostomy and chemical pleurodesis was almost
      always successful in giving symptomatic relief of respiratory distress for a
      considerable period of time. However, chemical pleurodesis is not possible in all
      cases of malignant pleural effusion because it has got potential complication
      including death.

PMID- 27277377
TI  - Niemann-Pick Disease Type B in a 21 Year Old Male.
AB  - Niemann-pick disease is a group of autosomal recessive disorder of lipid storage
      with progressive accumulation of sphingomyelin and other lipids in the lysosomes
      of various tissues. We are reporting a 21 year old male who had
      hepatosplenomegaly, cherry red macula and normal cognitive function. Bone marrow
      biopsy showed plenty of foam cells and sphingomyelinase level was low, thus
      conforming our diagnosis. Survival into adulthood and absence of gross
      neurological involvement suggests Niemann-Pick disease type B. 

PMID- 27277378
TI  - A Patient with Grave's Disease and Tuberculous Lymphadenitis.
AB  - Immune reactivity between Mycobacteria and human antigens can play an important
      role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. We report a case of Graves's
      disease and tuberculous lymphadenitis to explain the mechanism of correlation
      between immune-mediated diseases and tuberculosis and to raise awareness of the
      importance of screening for TB in this context, especially in endemic country.
      Screening for latent TB at immune mediated disease diagnosis and regular timely
      screening thereafter may be beneficial. 

PMID- 27277379
TI  - Cutaneous Tuberculosis: An Update.
AB  - Among extra pulmonary tuberculosis cutaneous tuberculosis occurs rarely, despite
      a high and increasing prevalence of tuberculosis worldwide particularly in
      developing countries. Cutaneous tuberculosis can be acquired exogenously or
      endogenously and present as a diverse of differing clinical morphologies.
      Diagnosis of these lesions can be difficult, as they resemble many other
      dermatological conditions that are often primarily considered. Moreover,
      microbiological confirmation is poor, despite scientific advances, such as the
      more frequent use of polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, treatment of
      cutaneous tuberculosis is also challenging in many cases. 

PMID- 27277380
TI  - Herd Immunity: A Brief Review.
AB  - Immunization is a means of protecting the greatest number of people. By reducing
      the number of susceptible in the community, it augments "herd immunity" making
      the infection more difficult to spread. It also reduces the risk for those
      individuals who have escaped vaccination or those who have not developed
      satisfactory protection. It is well to bear in mind that immunizations are not at
      all 100 per cent effective, particularly when an individual is exposed to a large
      dose of pathogenic organisms. 

PMID- 27277381
TI  - The impact of familiarization strategies on the missing-letter effect.
AB  - When reading a text and searching for a target letter, readers make more
      omissions of the target letter if it is embedded in frequent function words than
      if it is in rare content words. While word frequency effects are consistently
      found, few studies have examined the impacts of passage familiarity on the
      missing-letter effect and studies that have present conflicting evidence. The
      present study examines the effects of passage familiarity, as well as the impacts
      of passage familiarization strategy promoting surface or deep encoding, on the
      missing-letter effect. Participants were familiarized with a passage by retyping
      a text, replacing all common nouns with synonyms, or generating a text on the
      same topic as that of the original text, and then completed a letter search task
      on the familiar passage as well as an unfamiliar passage. In Experiment 1, when
      both familiar and unfamiliar passages use the same words, results revealed fewer
      omissions for the retyping and synonyms conditions. However, in Experiment 2,
      when different words are used in both types of texts, no effect of
      familiarization strategy was observed. Furthermore, the missing-letter effect is
      maintained in all conditions, adding support to the robustness of the effect
      regardless of familiarity with the text.

PMID- 27277382
TI  - Selection and evaluation of micro-organisms for biocontrol of Verticillium
      dahliae in olive.
AB  - AIMS: To identify potential biological control agents against Verticillium wilt
      in olive through a mass screening approach. METHOD AND RESULTS: A total of 47
      strains and nine mixtures of micro-organisms were evaluated against Verticillium
      dahliae in a three stage screening: (i) in vitro, by the effect on the mycelial
      growth and spore germination of the pathogen; (ii) in natural infested soil, by
      the effect on the reduction of microsclerotia of the pathogen; (iii) in planta,
      by the effect on the infection of olive plants under controlled conditions.
      Various fungal and bacterial strains and mixtures inhibited the pathogen and
      showed consistent biocontrol activity against Verticillium wilt of olive.
      CONCLUSION: The screening has resulted in promising fungi and bacteria strains
      with antagonistic activity against Verticillium, such as two non-pathogenic
      Fusarium oxysporum, one Phoma sp., one Pseudomonas fluorescens and two mixtures
      of micro-organisms that may possess multiple modes of action. SIGNIFICANCE AND
      IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides a practical basis for the potential use
      of selected strains as biocontrol agents for the protection of olive plants
      against V. dahliae infection. In addition, our study presented an effective
      method to evaluate antagonistic micro-organisms of V. dahliae in olive.

PMID- 27277383
TI  - Immature ovarian teratoma with hyponatremia and low serum vasopressin level.
AB  - Hyponatremia is often caused by the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of
      antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Hypersecretion of vasopressin from malignant tumors
      can be considered a cause of SIADH. Most of these ectopic productions of
      vasopressin are complications of small cell lung cancer. Cases concomitant with
      ovarian tumors are very rare, and a specific causative substance from the ovary
      is often unknown. A 16-year-old woman was diagnosed with an ovarian tumor. She
      developed hyponatremia that was resistant to medical treatment, but immediately
      improved after surgical resection of the tumor. Her diagnosis was SIADH caused by
      an ovarian tumor; however, her serum vasopressin level was normal. It is possible
      that a vasopressin-like substance causing SIADH was secreted by either nervous
      system tissue within an immature teratoma or small cell lung cancer. We should be
      cautious when SIADH is a complication of an ovarian tumor.

PMID- 27277384
TI  - Regulation of CBL and ESR1 expression by microRNA-22-3p, 513a-5p and 625-5p may
      impact the pathogenesis of dust mite-induced pediatric asthma.
AB  - Despite evidence for the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in pediatric
      asthma, the mechanism responsible has not yet been fully elucidated. We aimed to
      identify novel miRNAs and to study their pathogenic role(s) in children with dust
      mite-induced asthma in order to gain a better understanding of the underlying
      mechanism responsible for this disease. For this purpose, 62 patients with asthma
      as well as 62 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited. Twelve
      pairs of subjects were randomly subjected to microarray-based discovery analysis
      using a miRCURY LNATM array. The differential expression of miRNAs and their
      targeted messenger RNAs were validated using RT-qPCR. Plasma concentrations of
      cytokines were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.
      The results revealed that three novel miRNAs - miR-22-3p, miR-513a-5p and miR-625
      5p - were significantly downregulated in the asthma group compared with the
      control group (p<0.01), whereas the transcript levels of Cbl proto-oncogene, E3
      ubiquitin protein ligase (CBL), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma,
      coactivator 1 beta (PPARGC1B), and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) that are targeted
      by these miRNAs were increased (p<0.01). There were significant differences in
      the plasma concentrations of gamma-interferon, tumor necrosis factor-alpha,
      interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-10 between the two groups (p<0.05). Thus, miR-513a-5p,
      miR-22-3p and miR-625-5p may have an impact on the regulation of the immune
      response and inflammatory cytokine pathways through the regulation of their
      target gene(s), CBL, PPARGC1B and ESR1, which may then lead to a dust mite
      induced asthma attack. Our findings may provide novel insights into the
      pathogenesis of pediatric asthma. 

PMID- 27277385
TI  - RIN2 syndrome: Expanding the clinical phenotype.
AB  - Biallelic defects in the RIN2 gene, encoding the Ras and Rab interactor 2
      protein, are associated with a rare autosomal recessive connective tissue
      disorder, with only nine patients from four independent families reported to
      date. The condition was initially termed MACS syndrome (macrocephaly, alopecia,
      cutis laxa, and scoliosis), based on the clinical features of the first
      identified family; however, with the expansion of the clinical phenotype in
      additional families, it was subsequently coined RIN2 syndrome. Hallmark features
      of this condition include dysmorphic facial features with striking, progressive
      facial coarsening, sparse hair, normal to enlarged occipitofrontal circumference,
      soft redundant and/or hyperextensible skin, and scoliosis. Patients with RIN2
      syndrome present phenotypic overlap with other conditions, including EDS
      (especially the dermatosparaxis and kyphoscoliosis subtypes). Here, we describe a
      10th patient, the first patient of Caucasian origin and the oldest reported
      patient so far, who harbors the previously identified homozygous RIN2 mutation
      c.1878dupC (p. (Ile627Hisfs*7)). Besides the hallmark features, this patient also
      presents problems not previously associated with RIN2 syndrome, including
      cervical vertebral fusion, mild hearing loss, and colonic fibrosis. We provide an
      overview of the clinical findings in all reported patients with RIN2 mutations
      and summarize some of the possible pathogenic mechanisms that may underlie this
      condition. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27277386
TI  - Pectus excavatum: echocardiographic, pathophysiologic, and surgical insights.
AB  - Patients with pectus excavatum (PEX) may be referred for echocardiographic
      examination for a variety of complaints including exercise intolerance, dyspnea,
      palpitations, or chest pain. It is therefore important for the echocardiographer
      to have an appreciation of the various abnormalities associated with this
      disorder. Echocardiographic imaging may reveal a number of structural alterations
      of the right ventricle as well as a reduction in right ventricular systolic
      function. Interestingly, a number of these abnormalities have also been described
      in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, although patients
      with PEX do not share a predilection for malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
      Additional echocardiographic abnormalities associated with PEX include prolapse
      of the mitral and/or tricuspid valves, Marfan's aortopathy, pericardial effusion,
      prominence of the crista terminalis, and possibly a number of congenital cardiac
      anomalies. This review discusses the echocardiographic abnormalities associated
      with PEX and their pathophysiologic significance. The effects of corrective
      orthopedic surgery on cardiac function are also discussed. 

PMID- 27277387
TI  - Synthesis and evaluation of a (18) F-labeled 4-phenylpiperidine-4-carbonitrile
      radioligand for sigma1 receptor imaging.
AB  - We report the design and synthesis of several 4-phenylpiperidine-4-carbonitrile
      derivatives as sigma1 receptor ligands. In vitro radioligand competition binding
      assays showed that all the ligands exhibited low nanomolar affinity for sigma1
      receptors (Ki (sigma1 ) = 1.22-2.14 nM) and extremely high subtype selectivity
      (Ki (sigma2 ) = 830-1710 nM; Ki (sigma2 )/Ki (sigma1 ) = 680-887). [(18) F]9 was
      prepared in 42-46% isolated radiochemical yield, with a radiochemical purity of
      >99% by HPLC analysis after purification, via nucleophilic (18) F(-) substitution
      of the corresponding tosylate precursor. Biodistribution studies in mice
      demonstrated high initial brain uptakes and high brain-to-blood ratios.
      Administration of SA4503 or haloperidol 5 min prior to injection of [(18) F]9
      significantly reduced the accumulation of radiotracers in organs known to contain
      sigma1 receptors. Two radioactive metabolites were observed in the brain at 30
      min after radiotracer injection. [(18) F]9 may serve as a lead compound to
      develop suitable radiotracers for sigma1 receptor imaging with positron emission
      tomography.

PMID- 27277388
TI  - Stable and null current hysteresis perovskite solar cells based nitrogen doped
      graphene oxide nanoribbons hole transport layer.
AB  - Perovskite solar cells are becoming one of the leading technologies to reduce our
      dependency on traditional power sources. However, the frequently used component
      poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate ( PEDOT: PSS) has several
      shortcomings, such as an easily corroded indium-tin-oxide (ITO) interface at
      elevated temperatures and induced electrical inhomogeneity. Herein, we propose
      solution-processed nitrogen-doped graphene oxide nanoribbons (NGONRs) as a hole
      transport layer (HTL) in perovskite solar cells, replacing the conducting polymer
      PEDOT: PSS. The conversion efficiency of NGONR-based perovskite solar cells has
      outperformed a control device constructed using PEDOT: PSS. Moreover, our
      proposed NGONR-based devices also demonstrate a negligible current hysteresis
      along with improved stability. This work provides an effective route for
      substituting PEDOT: PSS as the effective HTL.

PMID- 27277389
TI  - Failure pressures after repairs of 2-cm * 2.5-cm rhinologic dural defects in a
      porcine ex vivo model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine failure pressures of 6
      rhinologic repair techniques of large skull base/dural defects in a controlled,
      ex vivo model. METHODS: Failure pressures of 6 dural repairs in a porcine model
      were studied using a closed testing apparatus; 24-mm * 19-mm dural defects were
      created; 40-mm * 34-mm grafts composed of porcine Duragen (Integra), fascia lata,
      and Biodesign (Cook) were used either with or without Tisseel (Baxter
      International Inc.) to create 6 repairs: Duragen/no glue (D/NG), Duragen/Tisseel
      (D/T), fascia lata/no glue (FL/NG), fascia lata/Tisseel (FL/T), Biodesign/no glue
      (B/NG), and Biodesign/Tisseel (B/T). Saline was infused at 30 mL/hour, applying
      even force to the underside of the graft until repair failure. Five trials were
      performed per repair type for a total of 30 repairs. RESULTS: Mean failure
      pressures were as follows: D/NG 1.361 +/- 0.169 cmH2 O; D/T 9.127 +/- 1.805 cmH2
      O; FL/NG 0.200 +/- 0.109 cmH2 O; FL/T 7.833 +/- 2.657 cmH2 O; B/NG 0.299 +/-
      0.109 cmH2 O; and B/T 2.67 +/- 0.619 cmH2 O. There were statistically significant
      differences between glued (Tisseel) and non-glued repairs for each repair
      category (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: All glued repairs performed better than non
      glued repairs. Both D/T and FL/T repairs performed better than B/T repairs. No
      repair tolerated pressures throughout the full range of adult supine intracranial
      pressure.

PMID- 27277390
TI  - Alteration of transbilayer phospholipid compositions is involved in cell
      adhesion, cell spreading, and focal adhesion formation.
AB  - We previously showed that P4-ATPases, ATP10A/ATP8B1, and ATP11A/ATP11C have
      flippase activities toward phosphatidylcholine (PC), and aminophospholipids
      [phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine], respectively. Here, we
      investigate the effect of PC-specific flippases versus aminophospholipid-specific
      flippases in cell spreading on the extracellular matrix. Expression of PC
      flippases, but not PS-flippases, delayed cell adhesion, cell spreading and
      inhibited formation of focal adhesions. In addition, overexpression of a PS
      binding probe that sequesters PS in the cytoplasmic leaflet delayed cell
      spreading and inhibited formation of focal adhesions. These results suggest that
      elevation of PC at the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane by expression
      of PC-flippases may reduce the local concentration of PS or phosphoinositides,
      required for efficient cell adhesion, focal adhesion formation, and cell
      spreading.

PMID- 27277391
TI  - Promoter and Terminator Discovery and Engineering.
AB  - Control of gene expression is crucial to optimize metabolic pathways and
      synthetic gene networks. Promoters and terminators are stretches of DNA upstream
      and downstream (respectively) of genes that control both the rate at which the
      gene is transcribed and the rate at which mRNA is degraded. As a result, both of
      these elements control net protein expression from a synthetic construct. Thus,
      it is highly important to discover and engineer promoters and terminators with
      desired characteristics. This chapter highlights various approaches taken to
      catalogue these important synthetic elements. Specifically, early strategies have
      focused largely on semi-rational techniques such as saturation mutagenesis to
      diversify native promoters and terminators. Next, in an effort to reduce the
      length of the synthetic biology design cycle, efforts in the field have turned
      towards the rational design of synthetic promoters and terminators. In this vein,
      we cover recently developed methods such as hybrid engineering, high throughput
      characterization, and thermodynamic modeling which allow finer control in the
      rational design of novel promoters and terminators. Emphasis is placed on the
      methodologies used and this chapter showcases the utility of these methods across
      multiple host organisms.

PMID- 27277392
TI  - Engineering Biomolecular Switches for Dynamic Metabolic Control.
AB  - Living organisms have been exploited as production hosts for a large variety of
      compounds. To improve the efficiency of bioproduction, metabolic pathways in an
      organism are usually manipulated by various genetic modifications. However,
      bottlenecks during the conversion of substrate to a desired product may result
      from cellular regulations at different levels. Dynamic regulation of metabolic
      pathways according to the need of cultivation process is therefore essential for
      developing effective bioprocesses, but represents a major challenge in metabolic
      engineering and synthetic biology. To this end, switchable biomolecules which can
      sense the intracellular concentrations of metabolites with different response
      types and dynamic ranges are of great interest. This chapter summarizes recent
      progress in the development of biomolecular switches and their applications for
      improvement of bioproduction via dynamic control of metabolic fluxes. Further
      studies of bioswitches and their applications in industrial strain development
      are also discussed.

PMID- 27277393
TI  - Anaerobes in Industrial- and Environmental Biotechnology.
AB  - Anaerobic microorganisms present in diverse ecological niches employ alternative
      strategies for energy conservation in the absence of oxygen which enables them to
      play a key role in maintaining the global cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur,
      and the breakdown of persistent compounds. Thereby they become useful tools in
      industrial and environmental biotechnology. Although anaerobes have been
      relatively neglected in comparison to their aerobic counterparts, with increasing
      knowledge about their diversity and metabolic potential and the development of
      genetic tools and process technologies to utilize them, we now see a rapid
      expansion of their applications in the society. This chapter summarizes some of
      the developments in the use of anaerobes as tools for biomass valorization, in
      production of energy carriers and chemicals, wastewater treatment, and the strong
      potential in soil remediation. The ability of several autotrophic anaerobes to
      reduce carbon dioxide is attracting growing attention as a means for developing a
      platform for conversion of waste gases to chemicals, materials, and biofuels.

PMID- 27277394
TI  - Biological Processes for Hydrogen Production.
AB  - Methane is produced usually from organic waste in a straightforward anaerobic
      digestion process. However, hydrogen production is technically more challenging
      as more stages are needed to convert all biomass to hydrogen because of
      thermodynamic constraints. Nevertheless, the benefit of hydrogen is that it can
      be produced, both biologically and thermochemically, in more than one way from
      either organic compounds or water. Research in biological hydrogen production is
      booming, as reflected by the myriad of recently published reviews on the topic.
      This overview is written from the perspective of how to transfer as much energy
      as possible from the feedstock into the gaseous products hydrogen, and to a
      lesser extent, methane. The status and remaining challenges of all the biological
      processes are concisely discussed.

PMID- 27277395
TI  - Acknowledging Rural Disadvantage in Mental Health: Views of Peer Workers.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this article was to present views and opinions of people
      employed to work from their personal experience of significant mental health
      challenges (peer workers). The specific focus was on their capacity to contribute
      meaningfully to mental health service provision and in rural areas and associated
      barriers. DESIGN AND METHODS: Grounded Theory was the methodology utilized. In
      depth interviews were conducted with peer workers throughout Australia. FINDINGS:
      Participants described significant barriers to the provision of quality mental
      health services in rural and regional locations. The two main areas identified
      were the following: transport and distance, and lack of mental health staff and
      services. CONCLUSIONS: The identified barriers place limitations on the capacity
      of peer workers to maximize effectiveness in rural settings. Peer workers could
      potentially play an important role in overcoming shortages of staff and services
      and improving mental health service delivery.

PMID- 27277396
TI  - Motor features in Parkinson's disease with normal olfactory function.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Normosmic Parkinson's disease (PD) might be a unique clinical
      phenotype with a more benign course when compared with hyposmic PD. OBJECTIVE:
      The objective of this study was to evaluate motor features and the acute levodopa
      response according to olfactory function. METHODS: A total of 169 de novo PD
      patients that underwent olfactory testing and acute levodopa challenge for
      clinical prediction of sustained long-term dopaminergic response were evaluated.
      RESULTS: The overall frequency of normosmia was 33%. Normosmic PD patients scored
      nonsignificantly different to hyposmic/anosmic patients on motor scale and on
      degree of improvement with levodopa. Motor scores at follow-up were comparable
      among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Normal olfactory function is common in early PD and
      was not associated with a different motor phenotype when compared with PD
      patients with olfactory dysfunction. (c) 2016 International Parkinson and
      Movement Disorder Society.

PMID- 27277397
TI  - Identification of polymorphisms in Apolipoprotein M gene and their relationship
      with risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism.
AB  - Apolipoprotein M (ApoM) plasma levels have been reported to be associated with
      risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence. However, the role of genetic
      alterations in the ApoM gene in VTE recurrence remains unknown. The aim of this
      study was to identify genetic aberrations in ApoM gene in VTE recurrence and
      their role in prediction of VTE recurrence in a prospective follow-up study of
      1465 VTE patients. During follow-up, 156 (10.6 %) patients had VTE recurrence.
      First screening of whole ApoM gene was performed by Sanger's sequencing in
      selected age and sex matched non-recurrent and recurrent patients (n=95). In
      total six polymorphisms were identified and two polymorphisms (rs805297 and
      rs9404941) with minor allele frequency (MAF) >=5 % were further genotyped in the
      whole cohort by Taqman PCR. ApoM rs805297 polymorphism was significantly
      associated with higher risk of VTE recurrence in males but not in females on both
      univariate (p= 0.038, hazard ratio = 1.72, confidence interval = 1.03-2.88) and
      on multivariate analysis adjusted with mild and severe thrombophilia, family
      history, location and acquired risk factors for VTE. However, ApoM rs9404941
      polymorphism showed no significant association with risk of VTE recurrence in all
      patients as well as in different gender groups. Moreover, ApoM rs805297 and
      rs9404941 polymorphisms were not associated with the ApoM plasma levels. In
      conclusion, for the first time we have sequenced whole ApoM gene in VTE and
      identified six polymorphisms. ApoM rs805297 was significantly associated with
      higher risk of VTE recurrence in male but not in female patients.

PMID- 27277398
TI  - Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and active surveillance: How to better
      select insignificant prostate cancer?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in
      improving the predictive accuracy of the Prostate Cancer Research International:
      Active Surveillance and Epstein criteria for active surveillance in prostate
      cancer. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out with 126 prostate cancer
      patients treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, but eligible for
      active surveillance according to the Prostate Cancer Research International:
      Active Surveillance criteria; 63 patients were also eligible according to the
      Epstein criteria. All patients underwent preoperative multiparametric magnetic
      resonance imaging, after at least 6 weeks from biopsy. The images from the
      multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging were assessed, and diagrams showing
      prostate sextants were used to designate regions of abnormalities within the
      prostate. Findings in the prostate were assigned to one of five categories
      according the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System guidelines (v1.0), and
      considered positive for prostate cancer if the final Prostate Imaging-Reporting
      and Data System guidelines were >3 and negative if <=3. Multivariate logistic
      regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the gain in accuracy of the
      Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance and Epstein criteria
      when added to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. Decision curve analysis
      was carried out to identify the net benefit of each model. RESULTS: The inclusion
      of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging to the Epstein criteria and the
      Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance multivariate model
      significantly increased their accuracy in predicting pathologically-confirmed
      insignificant prostate cancer by 7% and 5%, respectively. At the decision curve
      analysis evaluation, the model including the Prostate Cancer Research
      International: Active Surveillance criteria and multiparametric magnetic
      resonance imaging improved the clinical risk prediction over the other models.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that multiparametric magnetic resonance
      imaging is able to increase the predictive accuracy of Prostate Cancer Research
      International: Active Surveillance and Epstein criteria to identify prostate
      cancer patients eligible for active surveillance.

PMID- 27277399
TI  - Leucine-Rich Amelogenin Peptide (LRAP) Uptake by Cementoblast Requires Flotillin
      1 Mediated Endocytosis.
AB  - Basic, pre-clinical, and clinical studies have documented the potential of
      amelogenin, and its variants, to affect cell response and tissue regeneration.
      However, the mechanisms are unclear. Thus, the aim of the present study was to
      identify, in cementoblasts, novel binding partners for an alternatively spliced
      amelogenin form (Leucine-Rich Amelogenin Peptide-LRAP), which is supposed to act
      as a signaling molecule in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. LRAP-binding
      protein complexes from immortalized murine cementoblasts (OCCM-30) were achieved
      by capture affinity assay (GST pull down) and proteins present in these complexes
      were identified by mass spectrometry and immunoblotting. Flotillin-1, which
      functions as a platform for signal transduction, vesicle trafficking,
      endocytosis, and exocytosis, was identified and confirmed by co-precipitation and
      co-localization assays as a protein-binding partner for LRAP in OCCM-30 cells. In
      addition, we found that exogenously added GST-LRAP recombinant protein was
      internalized by OCCM-30 cells, predominantly localized in the perinuclear region
      and, that inhibition of flotillin1-dependent functions by small interference RNA
      (siRNA) methodology significantly affected LRAP uptake and its biological
      properties on OCCM-30 cells, including LRAP effect on the expression of genes
      encoding osteocalcin (Ocn), bone sialoprotein (Bsp), and runt-related
      transcription factor 2 (RunX2). In conclusion, LRAP uptake by cementoblast
      involves flotillin-assisted endocytosis, which suggests an involvement of LRAP in
      lipid-raft-dependent signaling pathways which are mediated by flotillin-1. J.
      Cell. Physiol. 232: 556-565, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27277400
TI  - Interactions between Genetic and Ecological Effects on the Evolution of Life
      Cycles.
AB  - Sexual reproduction leads to an alternation between haploid and diploid phases,
      whose relative length varies widely across taxa. Previous genetical models showed
      that diploid or haploid life cycles may be favored, depending on dominance
      interactions and on effective recombination rates. By contrast, niche
      differentiation between haploids and diploids may favor biphasic life cycles, in
      which development occurs in both phases. In this article, we explore the
      interplay between genetical and ecological factors, assuming that deleterious
      mutations affect the competitivity of individuals within their ecological niche
      and allowing different effects of mutations in haploids and diploids (including
      antagonistic selection). We show that selection on a modifier gene affecting the
      relative length of both phases can be decomposed into a direct selection term
      favoring the phase with the highest mean fitness (due to either ecological
      differences or differential effects of mutations) and an indirect selection term
      favoring the phase in which selection is more efficient. When deleterious alleles
      occur at many loci and in the presence of ecological differentiation between
      haploids and diploids, evolutionary branching often occurs and leads to the
      stable coexistence of alleles coding for haploid and diploid cycles, while
      temporal variations in niche sizes may stabilize biphasic cycles.

PMID- 27277401
TI  - Evolution of Conspecific Brood Parasitism versus Cooperative Breeding as
      Alternative Reproductive Tactics.
AB  - Cooperative breeding and conspecific brood parasitism can both be favored by
      ecological saturation of breeding territories or nest sites. Here, we develop a
      model that links these alternative reproductive tactics by focusing on nonnesting
      females (S) that either breed cooperatively with a nesting female (N) or
      parasitize a third, outside host female (H). We find that cooperative breeding is
      more likely to evolve with increasing relatedness of cooperating females (S or N)
      to the outside host female (H) and with increasing costs to the hosts for
      receiving parasitic eggs. Conversely, cooperation is less likely with increasing
      kinship between the two potentially cooperative nesters (S and N). This is
      because even the nesting female gains higher inclusive fitness as long as the
      number of parasitic eggs (of her otherwise potentially cooperating partner) is
      sufficiently high. We find the relationship between kinship and reproductive skew
      within cooperative nests can be either positive or negative depending on the
      fecundity of parasites versus nesting females. We also find that either of the
      cooperatively nesting females is more likely to tolerate a smaller fraction of
      group reproduction as kinship with the host female increases and as the host
      reproduces more (relative to the parasite) in outside nests. Finally, our model
      predicts that, as the outside option of conspecific brood parasitism becomes more
      profitable, helping behavior (zero reproduction by one female) is less likely to
      evolve in cooperatively breeding groups.

PMID- 27277402
TI  - The Role of Within-Host Competition for Coexistence in Multiparasitoid-Host
      Systems.
AB  - Multiparasitism (females of multiple species parasitizing the same host) is a
      ubiquitous phenomenon in parasitoids, yet the role of within-host competition has
      been mostly ignored in multiparasitoid-host models. Here we study the effect of
      varying the degree of competition at different life stages: competition over
      oviposition sites (between-adult competition) and larval competition over
      resources within the host (within-host competition). We adapt a Nicholson-Bailey
      model to allow for varying levels of between-adult competition (varying the
      overlap in species distributions) and within-host competition (varying the number
      of offspring that can successfully emerge from a host). Surprisingly, while
      stronger between-adult competition reduces coexistence, stronger within-host
      competition promotes it. Asymmetric between-adult competition (a fecundity
      difference between the two species) reduces coexistence when compared to
      symmetric competition; this can be counteracted by asymmetric within-host
      competition (within-host competitive advantage of the lower-fecundity species),
      but only when within-host competition is strong and the correlation between the
      parasitoids' distributions is intermediate. We discuss our results in the context
      of the interaction between two parasitoid species, Nasonia vitripennis and
      Nasonia giraulti, which have strongly correlated distributions and high levels of
      multiparasitism in the field. We conclude that either low or asymmetric within
      host competition is unlikely to explain their coexistence.

PMID- 27277403
TI  - Successful by Chance? The Power of Mixed Models and Neutral Simulations for the
      Detection of Individual Fixed Heterogeneity in Fitness Components.
AB  - Heterogeneity in fitness components consists of fixed heterogeneity due to latent
      differences fixed throughout life (e.g., genetic variation) and dynamic
      heterogeneity generated by stochastic variation. Their relative magnitude is
      crucial for evolutionary processes, as only the former may allow for adaptation.
      However, the importance of fixed heterogeneity in small populations has recently
      been questioned. Using neutral simulations (NS), several studies failed to detect
      fixed heterogeneity, thus challenging previous results from mixed models (MM). To
      understand the causes of this discrepancy, we estimate the statistical power and
      false positive rate of both methods and apply them to empirical data from a wild
      rodent population. While MM show high false-positive rates if confounding factors
      are not accounted for, they have high statistical power to detect real fixed
      heterogeneity. In contrast, NS are also subject to high false-positive rates but
      always have low power. Indeed, MM analyses of the rodent population data show
      significant fixed heterogeneity in reproductive success, whereas NS analyses do
      not. We suggest that fixed heterogeneity may be more common than is suggested by
      NS and that NS are useful only if more powerful methods are not applicable and if
      they are complemented by a power analysis.

PMID- 27277404
TI  - Process-Based Species Pools Reveal the Hidden Signature of Biotic Interactions
      Amid the Influence of Temperature Filtering.
AB  - A persistent challenge in ecology is to tease apart the influence of multiple
      processes acting simultaneously and interacting in complex ways to shape the
      structure of species assemblages. We implement a heuristic approach that relies
      on explicitly defining species pools and permits assessment of the relative
      influence of the main processes thought to shape assemblage structure:
      environmental filtering, dispersal limitations, and biotic interactions. We
      illustrate our approach using data on the assemblage composition and geographic
      distribution of hummingbirds, a comprehensive phylogeny and morphological traits.
      The implementation of several process-based species pool definitions in null
      models suggests that temperature-but not precipitation or dispersal limitation
      acts as the main regional filter of assemblage structure. Incorporating this
      environmental filter directly into the definition of assemblage-specific species
      pools revealed an otherwise hidden pattern of phylogenetic evenness, indicating
      that biotic interactions might further influence hummingbird assemblage
      structure. Such hidden patterns of assemblage structure call for a reexamination
      of a multitude of phylogenetic- and trait-based studies that did not explicitly
      consider potentially important processes in their definition of the species pool.
      Our heuristic approach provides a transparent way to explore patterns and refine
      interpretations of the underlying causes of assemblage structure.

PMID- 27277405
TI  - Scaling of Morphological Characters across Trait Type, Sex, and Environment.
AB  - Biological diversity is, to a large extent, a matter of variation in size.
      Proportional (isometric) scaling, where large and small individuals are magnified
      versions of each other, is often assumed to be the most common way morphological
      traits scale relative to overall size within species. However, the many traits
      showing nonproportional (allometric) scaling have motivated some of the most
      discussed hypotheses on scaling relationships in biology, like the positive
      allometry hypothesis for secondary sexual traits and the negative allometry
      hypothesis for genitals. I evaluate more than 3,200 allometric parameters from
      the literature and find that negative allometry, not isometry, is the expected
      scaling relationship of morphological traits within species. Slopes of secondary
      sexual traits are more often steeper compared with other traits, but slopes
      larger than unity are also common for traits not under sexual selection. The
      steepness of the allometric slope is accordingly a weak predictor of past and
      present patterns of selection. Scaling of genitals varies across taxonomic
      groups, but negative allometry of genitals in insects and spiders is a consistent
      pattern. Finally, I find indications that terrestrial organisms may have a
      different scaling of morphological traits overall compared with aquatic species.

PMID- 27277406
TI  - Interspecific Functional Convergence and Divergence and Intraspecific Negative
      Density Dependence Underlie the Seed-to-Seedling Transition in Tropical Trees.
AB  - The seed-to-seedling transition constitutes a critical bottleneck in the life
      history of plants and represents a major determinant of species composition and
      abundance. However, we have surprisingly little knowledge regarding the forces
      driving this ontogenetic transition. Here we utilize information regarding
      organismal function to investigate the strength of intra- and interspecific
      negative density dependence during the seed-to-seedling transition in Puerto
      Rican tree species. Our analyses were implemented at individual sites and across
      an entire 16-ha forest plot, spanning 6 years. The functional richness of
      seedling assemblages was significantly lower than expected given the seed
      assemblages, but the functional evenness was significantly higher than expected,
      indicating the simultaneous importance of constraints on the overall phenotypic
      space and trait differences for successful transitions from seed to seedling. The
      results were consistent across years. Within species, we also found evidence for
      strong intraspecific negative density dependence, where the probability of
      transition was proportionally lower when in a site with high conspecific density.
      These results suggest that filtering of similar phenotypes across species and
      strong negative density dependence within and among species are simultaneously
      driving the structure and dynamics of tropical tree assemblages during this
      critical life-history transition.

PMID- 27277407
TI  - Dynamics of Adaptation in Experimental Yeast Populations Exposed to Gradual and
      Abrupt Change in Heavy Metal Concentration.
AB  - Directional environmental change is a ubiquitous phenomenon that may have
      profound effects on all living organisms. However, it is unclear how different
      rates of such change affect the dynamics and outcome of evolution. We studied
      this question using experimental evolution of heavy metal tolerance in the
      baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To this end, we grew replicate lines of
      yeast for 500 generations in the presence of (1) a constant high concentration of
      cadmium, nickel, or zinc or (2) a gradually increasing concentration of these
      metals. We found that gradual environmental change leads to a delay in fitness
      increase compared with abrupt change but not necessarily to a different fitness
      of evolutionary endpoints. For the nonessential metal cadmium, this delay is due
      to reduced fitness differences between genotypes at low metal concentrations,
      consistent with directional selection to minimize intracellular concentrations of
      this metal. In contrast, for the essential metals nickel and zinc, different
      genotypes are selected at different concentrations, consistent with stabilizing
      selection to maintain constant intracellular concentrations of these metals.
      These findings indicate diverse fitness consequences of evolved tolerance
      mechanisms for essential and nonessential metals and imply that the rate of
      environmental change and the nature of the stressor are crucial determinants of
      evolutionary dynamics.

PMID- 27277408
TI  - Soldiers in a Stingless Bee.
AB  - The differentiation of workers into morphological subcastes (e.g., soldiers)
      represents an important evolutionary transition and is thought to improve
      division of labor in social insects. Soldiers occur in many ant and termite
      species, where they make up a small proportion of the workforce. A common
      assumption of worker caste evolution is that soldiers are behavioral specialists.
      Here, we report the first test of the "rare specialist" hypothesis in a eusocial
      bee. Colonies of the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula are defended by a small
      group of morphologically differentiated soldiers. Contrary to the rare specialist
      hypothesis, we found that soldiers worked more (+34%-41%) and performed a greater
      variety of tasks (+23%-34%) than other workers, particularly early in life. Our
      results suggest a "rare elite" function of soldiers in T. angustula, that is,
      that they perform a disproportionately large amount of the work. Division of
      labor was based on a combination of temporal and physical castes, but soldiers
      transitioned faster from one task to the next. We discuss why the rare specialist
      assumption might not hold in species with a moderate degree of worker
      differentiation.

PMID- 27277409
TI  - Can Clustering in Genotype Space Reveal "Niches"?
AB  - Community ecology lacks the success enjoyed by population genetics to quantify
      the relative roles played by deterministic and stochastic processes. It has been
      proposed that clustered patterns of abundance in genotype space provide evidence
      of selection in microbial communities, since no such clustering would arise in
      the absence of selection. We critique this test for its unrealistic null
      hypothesis. We show mathematically and with simulations that point mutations
      alone lead to clustering in genotype space by causing correlations between
      abundances of similar genotypes. We also show potential deviations from the
      mutation-only pattern caused by immigration from a source pool. Clustered
      patterns in genotype space may still be revealing of selection if analyzed
      quantitatively but only if neutral and selective regimes can be distinguished
      once mutation and immigration are included in the null model.

PMID- 27277410
TI  - The Adequate Use of Limited Information in Dispersal Decisions.
AB  - Several theoretical studies predict that informed (e.g., density-dependent)
      dispersal should generally result in lower emigration probabilities than
      uninformed (random) dispersal. In a 2012 publication, Bocedi et al. surprisingly
      come to the opposite conclusion. For most scenarios investigated, they found that
      noninformed and, particularly, less precisely informed dispersers evolve lower
      dispersal propensity than dispersers following "fully informed" strategies.
      Further, they observed that fully informed individuals evolved a steplike
      dispersal response-a response to local density that contradicts theoretical
      predictions for organisms with nonoverlapping generations. Replicating the
      individual-based simulations of Bocedi et al. we find that these conclusions are
      not justified and are based on a misinterpretation of simulation results: their
      controversial findings result from (i) a misleading use of the term "population
      density," (ii) a misconception concerning the true informative value of the
      different decision criteria they compared, and (iii) arbitrary constraints on the
      evolution of the dispersal response that prevented the evolution of strategies
      that allow for a fitness-enhancing utilization of available information.

PMID- 27277411
TI  - Models of Dispersal Evolution Highlight Several Important Issues in Evolutionary
      and Ecological Modeling.
AB  - Previous results showing that lack of information on local population density
      leads to higher emigration probabilities in unpredictable environments but to
      lower emigration probabilities in constant or highly predictable scenarios have
      recently been challenged by Poethke et al. By reimplementing both our model and
      that of Poethke and colleagues, we demonstrate that our original results indeed
      hold to the presented critiques and do not contradict previous findings. The
      comment by Poethke and colleagues does, however, present potentially intriguing
      results suggesting that negative density-dependent dispersal evolves under white
      noise for some model formulations. Here, through intermodel comparison, we seek
      to better understand the source of the differences in results obtained in our
      study and theirs. We conclude that the apparent negative density dependence
      reported by Poethke et al. is effectively density independence and that the shape
      of the reaction norm they obtain is a model artefact. Further, this response
      provides an opportunity to elaborate on some important issues in evolutionary and
      ecological modeling regarding (i) the importance of carefully considering
      different models' assumptions in comparisons among models, (ii) the need to
      consider the role of stochasticity and uncertainty when presenting and
      interpreting results from stochastic individual-based models, (iii) the adequate
      choice of the underlying ecological model that creates the selective pressures
      determining the evolution of behavioral reaction norms, and (iv) the appropriate
      choice of mutation models.

PMID- 27277412
TI  - Multiple Friends with Benefits: An Optimal Mutualist Management Strategy?
AB  - Most mutualisms in nature involve interactions between multispecies mutualist
      guilds and multiple partner species. While mechanisms such as niche partitioning
      can explain part of this diversity, the presence of low-quality partners, which
      produce relatively low returns on investment compared with other guild members,
      is not well understood. Here, we consider a novel explanation for this
      persistence: that low-quality partners are actively maintained by their hosts as
      part of a growth-maximizing strategy, even in the presence of higher-quality
      alternatives. We use a model inspired by the interaction between host trees and
      ectomycorrhizal fungi to demonstrate that when the environment is variable, trees
      maintain low-quality fungal partners that they would not otherwise maintain in
      constant environments. This active investment, which emerges as a response to
      saturating returns on investment in higher-quality partners, could contribute to
      the maintenance of diversity in multispecies mutualisms.

PMID- 27277415
TI  - 2015 American Society of Naturalists Awards.

PMID- 27277413
TI  - Within-Host Niche Differences and Fitness Trade-offs Promote Coexistence of Plant
      Viruses.
AB  - Pathogens live in diverse, competitive communities, yet the processes that
      maintain pathogen diversity remain elusive. Here, we use a species-rich, well
      studied plant virus system, the barley yellow dwarf viruses, to examine the
      mechanisms that regulate pathogen diversity. We empirically parameterized models
      of three viruses, their two aphid vectors, and one perennial grass host. We found
      that high densities of both aphids maximized virus diversity and that competition
      limited the coexistence of two closely related viruses. Even limited ability to
      simultaneously infect (coinfect) host individuals strongly promoted virus
      coexistence; preventing coinfection led to priority effects. Coinfection
      generated stabilizing niche differences by allowing viruses to share hosts.
      However, coexistence also required trade-offs between vector generalist and
      specialist life-history strategies. Our predicted outcomes broadly concur with
      previous field observations. These results show how competition within individual
      hosts and vectors may lead to unexpected population-level outcomes between
      pathogens, including coexistence, competitive exclusion, and priority effects,
      and how contemporary coexistence theory can help to predict these outcomes.

PMID- 27277417
TI  - Electromagnetically induced transparency metamaterial based on spoof localized
      surface plasmons at terahertz frequencies.
AB  - We numerically and experimentally demonstrate a plasmonic metamaterial whose unit
      cell is composed of an ultrathin metallic disk and four ultrathin metallic spiral
      arms at terahertz frequencies, which supports both spoof electric and magnetic
      localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances. We show that the resonant wavelength
      is much larger than the size of the unit particle, and further find that the
      resonant wavelength is very sensitive to the particle's geometrical dimensions
      and arrangements. It is clearly illustrated that the magnetic LSP resonance
      exhibits strong dependence to the incidence angle of terahertz wave, which
      enables the design of metamaterials to achieve an electromagnetically induced
      transparency effect in the terahertz frequencies. This work opens up the
      possibility to apply for the surface plasmons in functional devices in the
      terahertz band.

PMID- 27277416
TI  - Expression of FOXM1 and related proteins in breast cancer molecular subtypes.
AB  - Forkhead box (FOX) proteins constitute an extended family of transcriptional
      regulators. FOXM1 is ubiquitously expressed in cells undergoing proliferation,
      and overexpression of FOXM1 is associated with poor prognosis in various
      malignant tumours. FOXM1 and FOXO3a are often transcriptionally antagonistic.
      FOXO3a plays a critical tumour-suppressive role in breast cancer. FOXO activity
      is modulated by its acetylation status, which is regulated by class III histone
      deacetylases (sirtuins; also known as SIRTs). This study evaluated the role of
      FOX proteins and their regulators in each molecular subtype of breast cancer.
      Immunohistochemical expressions of FOXM1, FOXO3a, SIRT1 and SIRT6 were evaluated
      in tissue microarray blocks containing 688 consecutive breast cancer samples.
      Mean expression levels were used to categorize tumours according to the
      expression of each protein (high or low). High expression of FOXM1 was
      significantly correlated with high SIRT1 and SIRT6 expression, higher histologic
      grade and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). High expression of nuclear FOXO3a
      and nuclear SIRT1 was correlated with a lower histologic grade and the hormone
      receptor-positive/HER2-negative subtype. In survival analysis, FOXM1 was an
      independent adverse prognostic factor for disease-free and overall survival in
      the hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative subtype but not in the HER2-positive
      subtype or TNBC. In conclusion, although high FOXM1 expression was noted in the
      TNBC subtype, it had no prognostic impact in TNBC. However, it had prognostic
      significance in the hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative subtype.

PMID- 27277418
TI  - Grape seed proanthocyanidins induce apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway
      in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2 cells.
AB  - Although modern radiotherapy offers excellent local control in the treatment of
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), current therapeutic decisions remain burdensome
      due to the frequency of local recurrence and treatment failure at distant sites.
      One potential and promising strategy for the prevention or treatment of cancers
      is the use of bioactive components of plant origin, including dietary plant
      products. Herein, we studied one class of these bioactive compounds, grape seed
      proanthocyanidins (GSPs), and explored their effect on NPC CNE-2 cells, as well
      as the primary mechanism underlying this effect. Our results revealed that
      treatment of human NPC CNE-2 cells with GSPs reduced cell viability in a dose-
      and time-dependent manner, and moreover, markedly induced cell cycle arrest at
      the G2/M phase, leading to induction of apoptosis. In addition, we found that the
      underlying mechanism was associated with increased expression of the pro
      apoptotic protein Bax, decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2
      and Bcl-xL, upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)
      polymerase (PRAP) protein, and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP)
      (Deltapsim). Furthermore, GSPs upregulated the Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3)-only
      proteins, Bim and Bad, in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, these
      data supported our hypothesis that, in human NPC CNE-2 cells, GSPs could induce
      apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway and ultimately reduce cell viability.
      Collectively, the results discussed above provide substantive evidence for the
      potential of GSPs as an effective bioactive phytochemical for the treatment of
      NPC. 

PMID- 27277419
TI  - Nodal marginal zone B cells in mice: a novel subset with dormant self-reactivity.
AB  - Marginal zone (MZ) B cells, representing a distinct subset of innate-like B
      cells, mount rapid T-independent responses to blood-borne antigens. They express
      low-affinity polyreactive antigen receptors that recognize both foreign and self
      structures. The spleen is considered the exclusive site for murine MZ B cells.
      However, we have here identified B cells with a MZ B-cell phenotype in the
      subcapsular sinuses of mouse lymph nodes. The nodal MZ (nMZ) B cells display high
      levels of IgM, costimulators and TLRs, and are represented by naive and memory
      cells. The frequency of nMZ B cells is about 1-6% of nodal B cells depending on
      mouse strain, with higher numbers in older mice and a trend of increased numbers
      in females. There is a significant expansion of nMZ B cells following
      immunization with an autoantigen, but not after likewise immunization with a
      control protein or with the adjuvant alone. The nMZ B cells secrete
      autoantibodies upon activation and can efficiently present autoantigen to cognate
      T cells in vitro, inducing T-cell proliferation. The existence of self-reactive
      MZ B cells in lymph nodes may be a source of autoantigen-presenting cells that in
      an unfortunate environment may activate T cells leading to autoimmunity.

PMID- 27277420
TI  - Food control and a citizen science approach for improving teaching of Genetics in
      universities.
AB  - A Citizen Science approach was implemented in the laboratory practices of
      Genetics at the University of Oviedo, related with the engaging topic of Food
      Control. Real samples of food products consumed by students at home (students as
      samplers) were employed as teaching material in three different courses of
      Genetics during the academic year 2014-2015: Experimental Methods in Food
      Production (MBTA) (Master level), and Applied Molecular Biology (BMA) and
      Conservation Genetics and Breeding (COMGE) (Bachelor/Degree level). Molecular
      genetics based on PCR amplification of DNA markers was employed for species
      identification of 22 seafood products in COMGE and MBTA, and for detection of
      genetically modified (GM) maize from nine products in BMA. In total six seafood
      products incorrectly labeled (27%), and two undeclared GM maize (22%) were found.
      A post-Laboratory survey was applied for assessing the efficacy of the approach
      for improving motivation in the Laboratory Practices of Genetics. Results
      confirmed that students that worked on their own samples from local markets were
      significantly more motivated and better evaluated their Genetic laboratory
      practices than control students (chi(2)  = 12.11 p = 0.033). Our results suggest
      that citizen science approaches could not be only useful for improving teaching
      of Genetics in universities but also to incorporate students and citizens as
      active agents in food control. (c) 2016 by The International Union of
      Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 44(5):450-462, 2016.

PMID- 27277421
TI  - Hepatitis B and C surveillance and screening programmes in the non-EU/EEA Member
      States of the WHO European Region: survey findings from 10 countries, 2012.
AB  - The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemics warrant a
      comprehensive response based on reliable population-level information about
      transmission, disease progression and disease burden, with national surveillance
      systems playing a major role. In order to shed light on the status of
      surveillance in countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region
      outside of the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA), we surveyed 18
      countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Among the 10 countries that responded,
      the common features of many surveillance systems included mandatory surveillance,
      passive case-finding and the reporting of both acute and chronic HBV and HCV.
      Only some countries had surveillance systems that incorporated the tracking of
      associated conditions and outcomes such as cirrhosis and liver transplantation.
      Screening programmes for some key populations appeared to be in place in many
      countries, but there may be gaps in relation to screening programmes for people
      who inject drugs, prisoners, sex workers and men who have sex with men.
      Nonetheless, important components of a surveillance structure are in place in the
      responding study countries. It is advisable to build on this structure to develop
      harmonised HBV and HCV surveillance for all 53 Member States of the WHO European
      Region following the example of the system recently instituted in EU/EEA
      countries. 

PMID- 27277422
TI  - A novel DNMT1 mutation associated with early onset hereditary sensory and
      autonomic neuropathy, cataplexy, cerebellar atrophy, scleroderma, endocrinopathy,
      and common variable immune deficiency.
AB  - DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is an enzyme which has a role in methylation of
      DNA, gene regulation, and chromatin stability. Missense mutations in the DNMT1
      gene have been previously associated with two neurological syndromes: hereditary
      sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 with dementia and deafness (HSAN1E) and
      autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy (ADCA-DN). We
      report a case showing overlap of both of these syndromes plus associated clinical
      features of common variable immune deficiency, scleroderma, and endocrinopathy
      that could also be mutation associated. Our patient was found to be heterozygous
      for a previously unreported frameshift mutation, c.1635_1637delCAA p.(Asn545del)
      in the DNMT1 gene exon 20. This case displays both the first frameshift mutation
      described in the literature which is associated with a phenotype with a high
      degree of overlap between HSAN1E and ADCA-DN and early age of onset (c. 8 years).
      Our case is also of interest as the patient displays a number of new non
      neurological features, which could also be DNMT1 mutation related.

PMID- 27277423
TI  - TT2016 meeting report on the 13th Transgenic Technology meeting in Prague, Czech
      Republic.

PMID- 27277424
TI  - Comparison of the effects of ketamine and fentanyl-midazolam-medetomidine for
      sedation of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study assessed the effects of sedation using a combination of
      fentanyl, midazolam and medetomidine in comparison to ketamine. Rhesus Macaques
      (Macaca mulatta), (n = 16, 5 males and 3 females randomly allocated to each
      treatment group) received either ketamine (KET) (10 mg.kg(-1)) or fentanyl
      midazolam-medetomidine (FMM) (10 MUg/kg(-1); 0.5 mg.kg(-1); 20 MUg.kg(-1)) both
      IM. Oxygen (100%) was provided by mask and heart rate, blood pressure,
      respiratory rate, EtCO2 and depth of sedation were assessed every 5 min for 20
      min. After the last time point, FMM monkeys were reversed with atipamezole
      naloxone (0.2 mg.kg(-1); 10 MUg.kg(-1)). Recovery was scored using clinical
      scoring scheme. Differences in physiological parameters and quality of sedation
      were compared using Area Under the Curve (AUC) method and either Mann-Witney or t
      student tests. RESULTS: Heart rate (beats/min) (Ket = 119 +/- 18; FMM = 89 +/-
      17; p = 0.0066), systolic blood pressure (mmHg) (Ket = 109 +/- 10; FMM = 97 +/-
      10; p = 0.0313), and respiratory rate (breaths/min) (Ket = 39 +/- 9; FMM = 29 +/-
      10; p = 0.0416) were significantly lower in the FMM group. End-tidal CO2 (mmHg)
      did not differ between the groups (KET = 33 +/- 8; FMM = 42 +/- 11; p = 0.0462).
      Although some depression of physiological parameters was seen with FMM, the
      variables all remained within the normal ranges in both groups. Onset of a
      sufficient degree of sedation for safe handling was more rapid with ketamine (KET
      = 2.9 +/- 1.4 min; FMM = 7.9 +/- 1.2 min; p = 0.0009), but FMM recovery was
      faster (KET = 21.4 +/- 13.4 min; FMM = 9.1 +/- 3.6 min; p = 0.0379) and of better
      quality (KET = 1.3 +/- 0.9; FMM = 7.4 +/- 1.9; p = 0.0009) most probably because
      of the effectiveness of the reversal agents used. CONCLUSION: FMM provides an
      easily reversible immobilization with a rapid and good recovery quality and may
      prove a useful alternative to ketamine.

PMID- 27277425
TI  - Necrotizing herpetic retinopathy in an immune-compromised pediatric patient with
      minimal signs of inflammation: case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To report a case of necrotizing herpetic retinopathy(NHR) in an
      immuno-compromised pediatric patient. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old boy
      presented with a minimal ocular foreign-body sensation and peripheral visual
      field defect, as well as mild upper respiratory symptoms. He had undergone the
      Fontan operation for a ventricular septal defect and single ventricle during
      infancy, and had been taking oral steroids for 1 year immediately prior to his
      presentation to treat protein-losing enteropathy. Initially, a case of either
      cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis or acute retinal necrosis (ARN) was suspected,
      and an intravenous course of ganciclovir and acyclovir was therefore initiated.
      During treatment, varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was detected in the anterior
      chamber, and ARN was confirmed when both serum and aqueous humor were found by
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to be positive for VZV DNA. A peripheral retinal
      break and detachment developed after medical treatment, and a vitrectomy was
      performed. CONCLUSIONS: Typically, ARN is found in both healthy individuals and
      subclinically immuno-compromised patients of any age. CMV retinitis is somewhat
      more typical for immuno-compromised patients. Herein, we report a case of NHR in
      a pediatric patient with poor general condition and showing minimal signs of
      inflammation.

PMID- 27277426
TI  - Comparison of the accuracy of intraocular lens power calculations for cataract
      surgery in eyes after phototherapeutic keratectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of several methods of intraocular lens (IOL)
      power calculations used for cataract surgery in eyes treated with
      phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) that results in changes in the anterior
      corneal surface and axial length; these results make power calculations less
      predictable. METHODS: We evaluated the medical records of 23 eyes of 13 patients
      (mean age, 68.8 years; range 62-80 years) who underwent cataract surgery after
      PTK at Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. The prediction error, defined as
      the difference between the estimated postoperative spherical equivalent and the
      postoperative manifest refraction at the spectacle plane, was calculated using
      five formulas: SRK/T, Haigis-L, Shammas-PL, Camellin-Calossi, and OKULIX ray
      tracing software. We compared the median values of the arithmetic and absolute
      prediction errors among the five formulas. RESULTS: The median arithmetic errors
      after cataract surgery for the five formulas were 0.70 D (diopter) (range -0.41
      to 2.78), -0.96 D (range -2.14 to 0.81), -0.81 D (range -1.89 to 1.15), -0.04 D
      (range -1.35 to 1.47), and 0.68 D (range -0.61 to 2.50), respectively.
      CONCLUSION: The Camellin-Calossi formula is a good option for calculating IOL
      powers in eyes that underwent PTK.

PMID- 27277427
TI  - How is Change in Physical Health Status Reflected by Reports of Nurses and Older
      People Themselves?
AB  - Background : Self-rated health is assumed to closely reflect actual health
      status, but older people's shifting norms and values may influence this
      association. We investigated how older people's change in self-ratings, in
      comparison to their retrospective appreciation and change in nurse ratings,
      reflect functional decline and mortality risk. Methods : A representative sample
      of 85-year olds from a middle-sized city in the Netherlands, excluding those with
      severe cognitive dysfunction, was followed for 6 years. Participants and a
      research nurse annually provided ratings of health, and participants
      retrospectively appreciated their annual change in health. Functional status was
      assessed with the Groningen Activity Rating Scale and all were followed for vital
      status. Results : Functional decline was reflected by all reports of change in
      health (all p < .001). When incongruent, change in nurse-ratings reflected
      functional decline better than change in self-ratings but retrospective
      appreciation reflected functional decline best (p < .001 vs change in self
      ratings and p < .05 vs change in nurse-ratings). Mortality risk was only
      reflected by retrospective appreciation (p < .01). Conclusions : Retrospective
      appreciation of health by older people is superior to change in self-ratings and
      nurse-ratings in reflecting change in physical health, possibly because similar
      norms and values are applied in the assessment. The nurse's norms, like the norms
      of older people, may shift with the ageing of the researched cohort. Asking
      people to retrospectively appreciate their change in health is a valuable
      addition to usual enquiries in practice and research.

PMID- 27277429
TI  - Family caregivers' reports of hospitalizations and emergency department visits in
      community-dwelling individuals with dementia.
AB  - Individuals with dementia in the United States have higher rates of
      hospitalizations and emergency department visits compared to those without. This
      descriptive study examined the frequency of hospitalizations and emergency
      department visits among community-dwelling individuals with dementia, reasons for
      hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and caregivers' actions to
      prevent these events. Family caregivers (n = 63) from education/support groups
      offered through Alzheimer's Association chapters in western Ohio completed a
      survey. Twenty-two percent of caregivers reported that their care recipient
      stayed overnight in the hospital and 30% reported that their care recipient
      visited the emergency department at least once in the past three months. The most
      frequent reasons for hospitalization and emergency department visits, such as
      urinary tract infections and fall-related injuries, were potentially avoidable.
      Caregivers reported giving medications, seeking healthcare services, and
      obtaining home care services, as the most frequently used preventive actions.
      Family caregivers of individuals with dementia should be provided substantive
      education about preventable hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

PMID- 27277428
TI  - Developmental Trajectory of Beta Cortical Oscillatory Activity During a Knee
      Motor Task.
AB  - There is currently a void in the scientific literature on the cortical beta
      oscillatory activity that is associated with the production of leg motor actions.
      In addition, we have limited data on how these cortical oscillations may
      progressively change as a function of development. This study began to fill this
      vast knowledge gap by using high-density magnetoencephalography to quantify the
      beta cortical oscillatory activity over a cross-section of typically developing
      children as they performed an isometric knee target matching task. Advanced
      beamforming methods were used to identify the spatiotemporal changes in beta
      oscillatory activity during the motor planning and motor action time frames. Our
      results showed that a widespread beta event-related desynchronization (ERD) was
      present across the pre/postcentral gyri, supplementary motor area, and the
      parietal cortices during the motor planning stage. The strength of this beta ERD
      sharply diminished across this fronto-parietal network as the children initiated
      the isometric force needed to match the target. Rank order correlations indicated
      that the older children were more likely to initiate their force production
      sooner, took less time to match the targets, and tended to have a weaker beta ERD
      during the motor planning stage. Lastly, we determined that there was a
      relationship between the child's age and the strength of the beta ERD within the
      parietal cortices during isometric force production. Altogether our results
      suggest that there are notable maturational changes during childhood and
      adolescence in beta cortical oscillatory activity that are associated with the
      planning and execution of leg motor actions.

PMID- 27277430
TI  - A collaborative clinical and population-based curriculum for medical students to
      address primary care needs of the homeless in New York City shelters : Teaching
      homeless healthcare to medical students.
AB  - Background Millions of Americans experience homelessness annually. Medical
      providers do not receive adequate training in primary care of the
      homeless.Methods Starting in 2012, a comprehensive curriculum was offered to
      medical students during their family medicine or ambulatory clerkship, covering
      clinical, social and advocacy, population-based, and policy aspects. Students
      were taught to: elicit specific social history, explore health expectations, and
      assess barriers to healthcare; evaluate clinical conditions specific to the
      homeless and develop plans for care tailored toward patients' medical and social
      needs; collaborate with shelter staff and community organizations to improve
      disease management and engage in advocacy efforts. A mixed methods design was
      used to evaluate students' knowledge, attitudes, and skills including pre- and
      post-curriculum surveys, debriefing sessions, and observed clinical
      skills.Results The mean age of the students (n = 30) was 26.5 years; 55 % were
      female. The overall scores improved significantly in knowledge, attitude, and
      self-efficacy domains using paired t-test (p < 0.01). Specific skills in
      evaluating mental health, substance abuse, and risky behaviours improved
      significantly (p < 0.05). In evaluation of communication skills, the majority
      were rated as having 'outstanding rapport with patients.'Conclusions
      Comprehensive and ongoing clinical component in shelter clinics, complementary
      teaching, experienced faculty, and working relationship and collaboration with
      community organizations were key elements. 

PMID- 27277431
TI  - Hidden Reservoir: An Outbreak of Tuberculosis in Hospital Employees with No
      Patient Contact.
AB  - We describe an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) in the food preparation area of a
      hospital, which demonstrates that employees in healthcare settings may serve as
      potential risks for spread of TB even if they have no direct patient contact.
      Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:1111-1113.

PMID- 27277432
TI  - Pulmonary manifestation of immunoglobulin G4-related disease in a 7-year-old
      immunodeficient boy with Epstein-Barr virus infection: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a multiorgan
      fibroinflammatory condition with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates containing
      abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells. The immunopathogenesis of the disease and
      the potential role of triggering autoantigens or infectious factors have not been
      clearly defined. Immunoglobulin G4-related lung disease is a new and emerging
      condition in pediatric patients and to date, there have been only two reports
      regarding pulmonary manifestation of IgG4-RD in children recently published. This
      is the first report of IgG4-related lung disease in an immunodeficient child with
      Epstein-Barr virus infection. CASE PRESENTATION: We report on the case of a 7
      year old atopic boy who was hospitalized with an initial clinical and
      radiological diagnosis of pneumonia, positive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA in the
      blood and defective adaptive immunity. The lung CT showed a consolidated mass
      lesion adjacent to the posterior wall of the chest and the diaphragm. The child
      underwent surgical resection of the tumor, and the histologic examination of the
      lung specimens revealed lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with fibrosis and
      vasculitis correlating with IgG4-related lung disease. Subsequent monitoring of
      the patient with lung CT, pulmonary function tests and IgG4 levels did not show
      signs of active disease. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of IgG4-related lung disease
      in children is challenging because of its rarity, nonspecific symptomatology and
      heterogeneous morphological manifestations. Further studies are required in
      children with pulmonary presentation of IgG4-RD to better understand pathogenesis
      of this condition, possible immunological or infectious triggering factors, and
      finally, to determine pediatric patient-targeted therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 27277433
TI  - Effects of extracts from Echinacea purpurea (L) MOENCH on mice infected with
      different strains of Toxoplasma gondii.
AB  - In recent years, due to the growing concern about recurrent epidemics by
      Toxoplasma gondii and other pathogens in Brazil, there has been an increase in
      the use of different preparations obtained from Echinacea purpurea in order to
      test their effectiveness against these infections. Although studies have
      suggested the beneficial effects of this species against the influenza virus, no
      data are available on the use of E. purpurea aqueous extract in T. gondii
      infections. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of its
      administration in Swiss mice submitted to acute and prolonged infection with
      different T. gondii strains. This study showed that E. purpurea extract induced a
      significant reduction in the number of tachyzoites in the peritoneal fluid and
      liver imprints from mice infected by the RH strain. Moreover, prolonged treatment
      significantly increased the number of brain cysts of animals infected with ME 49
      strain. The results obtained in this study suggest that the crude extract
      obtained from E. purpurea has important protective activities against infection
      with different T. gondii strains. 

PMID- 27277435
TI  - Is newer better in the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function? Revival
      of left atrial size.

PMID- 27277434
TI  - First study on seroepidemiology and isolation of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range
      chickens in the semi-arid region of Paraiba state, Brazil.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence and isolation of
      Toxoplasma gondii in free-range chickens in the state of Paraiba, northeastern
      Brazil. For this, blood samples were collected from 483 chickens in five
      municipalities in the state of Paraiba. The indirect immunofluorescence assay for
      anti-T. gondii antibodies was performed. The seropositive birds were slaughtered,
      and their brains and hearts were collected in order to perform a bioassay in
      mice. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied on the smallholdings visited,
      and univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to evaluate risk
      factors. The prevalence of chickens seropositive for T. gondii was found to be
      31.5 % (152/483), and 86.1 % (56/65) of the smallholdings were positive. Among
      the 71 chickens subjected to bioassaying in mice, isolates of T. gondii were
      obtained from 33 (46.5 %). The isolates were named TgCkBrPB1 to 33. It was
      observed that the higher the chickens' antibody titer was, the greater the chance
      of isolating the parasite also was. Sixteen of the 33 isolates (48.5 %) were
      lethal for all the mice inoculated until 30 days post-inoculation. The risk
      factors for infection with T. gondii among these free-range chickens were
      extensive and semi-extensive rearing systems, smallholdings located in urban
      areas, and presence of cats. The results indicate that the prevalence of T.
      gondii among chickens in the state of Paraiba is high. Many parasites remained
      viable in the tissues of the birds studied, and presence of the protozoan was
      directly related to the management of these birds. 

PMID- 27277436
TI  - First trimester ultrasound: current approaches and practical pitfalls.
AB  - Revolutionary technological improvements and high-frequency transvaginal scanning
      have enabled the resolution of ultrasound imaging in the first trimester to
      increase such that detailed early fetal development can now be well visualized.
      This investment in imaging technology has enabled not only normal embryonic
      development but also chromosomal abnormalities and structural anomalies to be
      more easily and accurately diagnosed before the second trimester. This article is
      intended to help radiologists in the interpretation and clinical application of
      normal and abnormal first trimester ultrasound findings in early pregnancy. We
      review the current literature and applications and interpretations of first
      trimester ultrasound. 

PMID- 27277437
TI  - High-intensity focused ultrasound induced apoptosis with caspase 3, 8, and 9/6
      activation in rat hepatoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to investigate anticancer efficacy
      and apoptosis confirmed by caspase under several exposure conditions of high
      intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five rats with
      KDH-8 hepatoma were treated by HIFU at several acoustic energies to evaluate
      treatment efficacy. Apoptosis was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl
      transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and Hoechst 33258 staining,
      and caspase 3, 8, and 9/6 activity was respectively assayed. RESULTS: The KDH-8
      subcutaneous tumors were reduced by HIFU, and these rats survived longer than the
      nontreatment rats (P < 0.01). The minimal threshold of HIFU energy was 30 W * 1.0
      s for tumor control and long-term survival. The tumors exposed to HIFU exhibited
      marked apoptotic features under conditions of less than 10 W * 1.0 s. In cultured
      KDH-8 cells, apoptosis was caused at less than 30 W * 1.0 s (P < 0.01), and more
      was induced as the energy went down. Caspase 3, 8, and 9/6 were more activated at
      low energy under 10 W * 1.0 s (P < 0.01), and caspase 8, which is death receptor
      dependent, was significantly more activated than caspase 9/6, which is
      mitochondria dependent (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: HIFU-induced apoptosis in vivo and
      in vitro is one of the mechanisms for tumor control and is mediated by caspase 3,
      8, and 9/6. The significantly greater activation of caspase 8 than of caspase 9/6
      suggests that the apoptosis pathway induced by HIFU might be more mitochondria
      dependent than death receptor dependent. However, further examination will be
      needed.

PMID- 27277438
TI  - Comparison of methods for evaluating bacterial contamination of ultrasound
      probes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine suitable methods for evaluating bacterial contamination of
      ultrasound probes. METHODS: We compared probe imprinting, swab streaking, and
      swab suspension methods for evaluating bacterial contamination of ultrasound
      probes. RESULTS: Experimental and clinical investigations showed that the
      sensitivity for detecting bacterial contamination of ultrasound probes was higher
      with probe imprinting than with swab methods. Probe imprinting was very simple
      and required only agar plates. CONCLUSION: Probe imprinting was the most suitable
      method for evaluating bacterial contamination of ultrasound probes.

PMID- 27277440
TI  - The ratio of the atrial areas reflects the clinical status of patients with
      pulmonary arterial hypertension.
AB  - PURPOSE: Echocardiography is useful not only for detecting pulmonary hypertension
      (PH) but also for estimating the severity of PH by evaluating various
      morphological changes of the heart caused by pressure and volume overload and by
      ventricular interaction. We investigated whether a novel echocardiographic index,
      i.e., the ratio of the atrial areas (RA/LA), would be useful for evaluating the
      clinical status of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treated
      with intravenous epoprostenol. METHODS: We introduced epoprostenol therapy for
      seven PAH patients without severe tricuspid regurgitation. We evaluated clinical
      criteria indicative of prognosis, for example World Health Organization
      functional class (WHO-FC), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level,
      echocardiographic indices such as indexed RA area and RA/LA, and hemodynamics
      before and one year after intravenous epoprostenol therapy. RESULTS: There were
      significant improvements in both RA/LA (2.5 +/- 1.0, 1.3 +/- 0.4, P < 0.001) and
      indexed RA area (22.5 +/- 8.9, 14.5 +/- 5.8, P < 0.001). The improvement in RA/LA
      was more sensitive than that in indexed RA area (P < 0.01). Moreover, RA/LA was
      significantly correlated with WHO-FC (r = 0.50, P < 0.01) and BNP level (r =
      0.82, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: RA/LA is useful for evaluating the clinical status
      of patients with PAH treated with intravenous epoprostenol.

PMID- 27277439
TI  - Bladder neck evaluation by perineal ultrasound before and after reconstructive
      surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the correlation between stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and
      the mobility and funneling of the bladder neck (BN) by observation of pre- and
      postoperative course by perineal ultrasound (PUS). METHODS: We investigated 123
      cases that underwent reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We
      prospectively checked bladder neck mobility (BNM) during the Valsalva maneuver
      and funneling of the BN at rest by PUS. We defined the width multiplied by the
      depth of the funnel-like profile of the BN as the funneling index (FI). We
      checked BNM, FI, and the presence of SUI just before the operation, and we
      checked the postoperative course of BNM and SUI. RESULTS: When BNM was >=10 mm
      before surgery, the odds ratio for accompanying SUI was 2.68 relative to BNM <10
      mm (p = 0.031). When FI was >=150 before surgery, the odds ratio for accompanying
      SUI was 4.12 relative to FI <150 (p = 0.004). Although postoperative BNM values
      were significantly improved immediately after surgery, they gradually increased
      within 2 years. Among the cases with preoperative SUI, the recurrence rate was
      significantly higher in the patients whose FI was <150 (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results yielded by PUS suggested that larger BNM and FI values were the
      causative factors of SUI. PUS may be beneficial for selecting a suitable surgical
      procedure for POP, and it may also be helpful for assessing surgical efficacy.

PMID- 27277441
TI  - Portal gas in a diabetic patient under pharmacotherapy with an alpha-glucosidase
      inhibitor: report of a case with emphasis on US findings.
AB  - Portal gas is relatively rare, and its relation to ischemic bowel diseases has
      been emphasized. We report the case of a 56-year-old diabetic man under
      pharmacotherapy with an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor in which portal gas was
      incidentally detected by ultrasound (US). It showed multiple echo spots moving in
      the portal vein. Doppler signals confirmed them to be bidirectional and spiky,
      which immediately led to the diagnosis of portal gas. A change in oral
      antidiabetic drug caused the portal gas to disappear. We stress the usefulness of
      US and Doppler US for detecting and diagnosing portal gas. Although detailed
      analysis of a larger series of diabetic patients under this therapy is needed to
      draw a definitive conclusion, our observation merits attention. We also briefly
      review the literature. 

PMID- 27277442
TI  - Severe subaortic stenosis that progressed over a 12-year period after cardiac
      surgery.
AB  - A 12-year-old girl who had undergone cardiac surgery for ventricular septal
      defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in
      infancy was referred to our institution for fatigue and excessive sweating.
      Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic studies revealed tunnel-type
      subaortic stenosis with aortic valvular stenosis, for which she underwent aortic
      valve replacement and myomectomy of left ventricular outflow tract. Progression
      of subaortic stenosis should be considered in patients with only mild aortic
      valve stenosis after previous cardiovascular surgery. Echocardiography
      contributed significantly to making the diagnosis and therapeutic decision in our
      patient. 

PMID- 27277443
TI  - Atypical medullary carcinoma of the breast.

PMID- 27277444
TI  - Standard method for ultrasound evaluation of carotid artery lesions.

PMID- 27277445
TI  - Editor's Note.

PMID- 27277446
TI  - Scp3 expression in relation to the ovarian differentiation in the protogynous
      hermaphroditic ricefield eel Monopterus albus.
AB  - Synaptonemal complex protein 3 (Scp3), which is encoded by scp3, is a meiotic
      marker commonly used to trace the timing of gonadal differentiation in
      vertebrates. In the present study, the ricefield eel scp3 cDNA was cloned, and a
      fragment encoding amino acids 49 to 244 was overexpressed. The recombinant Scp3
      polypeptide was purified and used to generate a rabbit anti-Scp3 polyclonal
      antiserum. In adult ricefield eels, scp3 mRNA was predominantly detected in the
      gonads and faintly detected in discrete brain areas. In the gonads, Scp3
      immunoreactivities were shown to be localized to the germ cells, including
      meiotic primary growth oocytes, spermatocytes, and pre-meiotic spermatogonia.
      During early ovarian differentiation, immunoreactive Scp3 was not detected in the
      gonads of ricefield eels at 6 days post-hatching (dph) but was found to be
      abundantly localized in the cytoplasm of some oogonia at 7 dph, coinciding with
      the appearance of the ovarian cavity and ovarian differentiation. At 14 dph,
      strong Scp3 immunostaining was detected on one side of the nucleus with a
      distinct polarity in some germ cells, presumably at the leptotene stage.
      Consistent with these results, the expression of scp3 mRNA was faintly detected
      in the gonads of ricefield eels at 6 dph, increased at 8 dph, and then remained
      relatively high thereafter. Taken together, these results suggest that the
      appearance of immunoreactive Scp3 in oogonia could be a marker for early ovarian
      differentiation in ricefield eels. The translocation of the Scp3 protein from the
      cytoplasm to the nucleus in the oogonium of ricefield eels appears to be a
      controlled process that warrants further study.

PMID- 27277447
TI  - Open innovation in medical ultrasonics.

PMID- 27277448
TI  - Effect of fractionation on treatment outcome in local dual-frequency sonication
      and Dox-encapsulated nanomicelles.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to localize drug release from nanomicelles
      using dual-frequency sonication at low levels of acoustic intensity. METHODS: In
      this study, the antitumor effect of simultaneous dual-frequency sonication (28
      kHz and 3 MHz) at low levels of acoustic intensity in combination with
      doxorubicin and micellar doxorubicin injection was assessed in a spontaneous
      model of breast adenocarcinoma in female Balb/c mice. Sixty-three tumor-bearing
      mice were randomly grouped into control, sham, dual-frequency sonication,
      doxorubicin injection with and without dual-frequency sonication, and micellar
      doxorubicin injection with and without dual-frequency sonication groups. RESULTS:
      The results of volume change relative to initial volume showed that in the
      micellar doxorubicin injection with sonication group, this parameter was
      significantly different from that of the control, sham, sonication, and
      doxorubicin injection groups (P < 0.05). In addition, the volume began to
      increase on the 15th day after the start of treatment, which is a good indication
      to repeat treatment; therefore, another group received an extra treatment on day
      15. The animal life span in the micellar doxorubicin with sonication and repeated
      treatment groups was significantly higher than that in all the other experimental
      groups except for the micellar doxorubicin injection group (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: It was concluded that dual-frequency sonication with micellar
      doxorubicin injection extends the life span relative to doxorubicin injection or
      dual-frequency sonication alone, and that repeating this treatment on day 15
      decreases the rate of tumor growth significantly.

PMID- 27277449
TI  - JSUM ultrasound elastography practice guidelines: basics and terminology.
AB  - Ten years have passed since the first commercial equipment for elastography was
      released; since then clinical utility has been demonstrated. Nowadays, most
      manufacturers offer an elastography option. The most widely available commercial
      elastography methods are based on strain imaging, which uses external tissue
      compression and generates images of the resulting tissue strain. However, imaging
      methods differ slightly among manufacturers, which results in different image
      characteristics, for example, spatial and temporal resolution, and different
      recommended measurement conditions. In addition, many manufacturers have recently
      provided a shear wave-based method, providing stiffness images based on shear
      wave propagation speed. Each method of elastography is designed on the basis of
      assumptions of measurement conditions and tissue properties. Thus, we need to
      know the basic principles of elastography methods and the physics of tissue
      elastic properties to enable appropriate use of each piece of equipment and to
      obtain more precise diagnostic information from elastography. From this
      perspective, the basic section of this guideline aims to support practice of
      ultrasound elastography. 

PMID- 27277451
TI  - JSUM ultrasound elastography practice guidelines: breast.
AB  - Ten years have passed since the first elastography application: Real-time Tissue
      ElastographyTM. Now there are several elastography applications in existence. The
      Quality Control Research Team of The Japan Association of Breast and Thyroid
      Sonology (JABTS) and the Breast Elasticity Imaging Terminology and Diagnostic
      Criteria Subcommittee, Terminology and Diagnostic Criteria Committee of the Japan
      Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine (JSUM) have advocated breast elastography
      classifications for exact knowledge and good clinical use. We suggest two types
      of classifications: the technical classification and the classification for
      interpretation. The technical classification has been created to use vibration
      energy and to make images, and also shows how to obtain a good elastic image. The
      classification for interpretation has been prepared on the basis of
      interpretation of evidence in this decade. Finally, we describe the character and
      specificity of each vender equipment. We expect the present guidelines to be
      useful for many physicians and examiners throughout the world. 

PMID- 27277450
TI  - JSUM ultrasound elastography practice guidelines: liver.
AB  - In diffuse liver disease, it is extremely important to make an accurate diagnosis
      of liver fibrosis prior to determining indications for therapy or predicting
      treatment outcome and malignant potential. Although liver biopsy has long been
      the gold standard in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis, it is still an invasive
      method. In addition, the sampling error is an intrinsic problem of liver biopsy.
      Non-invasive serological methods for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis can be
      affected by factors unrelated to the liver. Recently, after the introduction of
      FibroScan, it became possible to measure liver fibrosis directly and non
      invasively by elastography, which has attracted attention as a non-invasive
      imaging diagnostic tool for liver fibrosis. In addition, real-time tissue
      elastography is currently being used to conduct clinical trials at many
      institutions. Moreover, virtual touch quantification enables the observation of
      liver stiffness at any location by simply observing B-mode images. Furthermore,
      the recently developed ShearWave elastography visualizes liver stiffness on a
      color map. Elastography is thought to be useful for all types of diffuse liver
      diseases. Because of its association with portal hypertension and liver
      carcinogenesis, elastography is expected to function as a novel prognostic tool
      for liver disease. Although various elastographic devices have been developed by
      multiple companies, each device has its own measurement principle, method, and
      outcome, creating confusion in clinical settings. Therefore, it is extremely
      important to understand the characteristics of each device in advance. The
      objective of this guideline, which describes the characteristics of each device
      based on the latest knowledge, is for all users to be able to make the correct
      diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis by ultrasound elastography. 

PMID- 27277452
TI  - Frequency and implication of focal fatty sparing in segmental homogeneous fatty
      liver at ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether focal fatty sparing
      arises from preexisting segmental homogeneous nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL).
      METHODS: Patients with various patterns of fatty liver were recruited from among
      16,127 people, and 132 participants with segmental homogeneous NAFL were followed
      during the second year. All participants underwent ultrasonography. The
      sonographic findings in segmental homogeneous NAFL were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the
      16,127 participants, 1,619 had fatty liver (10.0 %), and of these 1,568 had NAFL
      (9.72 %) and 51 had alcoholic fatty liver (0.31 %). Of the 1,568 patients with
      NAFL, 176 had homogeneous fatty liver with focal fatty sparing (11.2 %), 132 had
      segmental homogeneous fatty liver (8.42 %), and the rest had other patterns. At
      follow-up, of the 132 patients with segmental homogeneous fatty liver, 3 (2.3 %)
      were found to have a normal liver and 26 (19.7 %) diffuse homogeneous and
      heterogeneous fatty liver, and no focal fatty sparing was found (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Focal fatty sparing usually does not arise in preexisting segmental
      homogeneous NAFL. This implies that newly appearing nodular hypoechogenicity in
      segmental homogeneous fatty liver is more likely to be a true lesion rather than
      focal fatty sparing.

PMID- 27277453
TI  - Dorsal acoustic windows may ameliorate liver ultrasound in patients with chronic
      liver disease and meteorism/obesity/ascites.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify dorsal acoustic windows (DAWs) for the study of the liver
      and to investigate whether they could improve the visualization of the liver in
      patients with chronic liver disease and ascites, meteorism, and/or obesity.
      METHODS: The study was based on a single ultrasound examination and divided into
      three successive stages. Firstly, we performed a preliminary study involving 10
      cirrhotic patients to identify new DAWs. Inter-observer reproducibility of
      measurements obtained through the DAWs was then assessed in another 29 cirrhotic
      patients. Finally, in 50 patients with chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis, we employed
      the DAWs when ascites, meteorism or obesity hampered the conventional ultrasound
      examination. RESULTS: With patients sitting, we found three new DAWs, by the
      combined use of which it was possible to explore the liver, spleen, and their
      vascular structures, and which provided reproducible measurements. In the
      clinical setting, we found 11 of 50 patients in whom the addition of the new DAWs
      led to better results in terms of successful visualization/Doppler measurements
      for portal vein (ratio = 100 % vs 27 %, p = 0.001), hepatic artery (ratio = 90 %
      vs 27 %, p = 0.004), and hepatic veins (mean number = 2.4 +/- 0.2 vs 1.0 +/- 0.2,
      p = 0.01). Among these 11 patients, in one case the addition of DAWs led to
      visualization of hepatic focal lesions in the right lobe, not previously
      displayed through conventional ultrasound. CONCLUSION: These DAWs may be an
      additional tool that improves the accuracy of ultrasound examinations in patients
      with meteorism, ascites, or obesity.

PMID- 27277454
TI  - B-flow imaging of vascular structure for the diagnosis of liver tumor.
AB  - PURPOSE: B-flow is a non-Doppler-based technology for visualizing blood flow and
      has a high spatial resolution. The aim of this study is to evaluate the blood
      flow information of liver tumors using B-flow in comparison with color Doppler
      sonography (CDS). METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with 82 hepatic nodules were
      studied using B-flow and CDS. The study group included 45 HCC nodules, 23 liver
      metastasis nodules, four intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICC), and 13
      hemangiomas. The visualized vascularity and morphological findings of the hepatic
      tumor vessel were evaluated. RESULTS: B-flow showed multiple vessels in 48
      nodules (58.5 %) and a single vessel in 13 nodules (15.9 %). CDS showed multiple
      vessels in 44 nodules (53.7 %) and a single vessel in 23 nodules (28.0 %).
      Multivariate analysis showed basket pattern was significant for HCC (OR 49.263; p
      = 0.0002), and penetrating vessel was significant for liver metastasis or ICC (OR
      14.545; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: B-flow detects hepatic tumor blood flow with
      sensitivity as high as that of CDS. Vascular structure information obtained using
      B-flow could be potentially used to diagnose liver tumors.

PMID- 27277455
TI  - Total and viable residual splenic volume measurement after partial splenic
      embolization by three-dimensional ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: We prospectively evaluated the validity of total and viable residual
      splenic volume after partial splenic embolization (PSE) with three-dimensional
      (3D) ultrasound (US) measurement. METHODS: Twenty patients with splenomegaly were
      included. All splenic volumes were measured with transabdominal US using virtual
      organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL). The viable residual splenic volume after
      PSE was estimated by using contrast-enhanced (CE) US with VOCAL. The agreement of
      the measurements from VOCAL and computed tomography (CT) was confirmed using
      interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Mean
      volume was 503 +/- 250 ml for total spleen and 209 +/- 108 ml for viable residual
      volume. Regarding total volume, there was a high correlation and agreement (ICCs
      = 0.90) between 3D US and CT volumetry. Regarding viable residual volume,
      although there was a moderate correlation between 3D CEUS and CT volumetry, mean
      ICCs of 0.617 indicated poor agreement. With Bland-Altman plots, a narrow 95 %
      limit of agreement was observed among patients with a total volume under 1000 ml.
      CONCLUSION: The total splenic volume could be accurately estimated with 3D US.
      However, estimation of viable residual splenic volume should be limited in cases
      with total splenic volume under 1000 ml.

PMID- 27277456
TI  - Approach to improving sonographic visualization of elongated left lobe of the
      liver and its implications.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether visualization of the elongated left lobe of the
      liver can be improved by distending the stomach with water and the implications
      of this technique. METHODS: Forty-three out of 87 patients with elongated left
      lobe of the liver found at abdominal CT were included in this study after
      obtaining informed consent. Their livers were examined using ultrasound before
      and after drinking water. The left lobe of the liver was scanned from the
      subxiphoid and left subcostal approaches, with the sound beam directed to the
      spleen and the left lobe of the liver neighboring or behind the stomach; the
      elongated left lobe of the liver overlying the spleen was detected by scanning
      from the 9th-11th intercostal approach of the left flank. RESULTS: The overall
      visualization of the elongated left lobe of the liver before and after filling
      the stomach with water was 4.7 % (2/43) and 100.0 % (43/43), respectively (P <
      0.001); and the overall visualization of the spleen before and after filling the
      stomach with water was 4.7 % (2/43) and 100.0 % (43/43), respectively (P <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: Distending the stomach with sufficient water can
      substantially improve visualization of elongated left lobe of the liver at
      ultrasound, potentially improving detection of tumors in the liver and preventing
      misdiagnosis.

PMID- 27277457
TI  - Ultrasound elastography for the differential diagnosis of nipple retraction.
AB  - PURPOSE: Nipple retraction is difficult to diagnose radiologically and extremely
      worrisome for patients. It occurs most commonly due to pathologies such as
      previous mastitis or an infiltrative malignancy. With this in mind, the goal of
      this study was to differentiate benign from malignant lesions of nipple
      retraction, using the differential characteristics of retroareolar area
      stiffness, observed by means of the new technological modality of ultrasound
      elastography (USE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen unilateral nipple retraction
      cases, including five cases of mammary ductal carcinoma posteriorly infiltrated
      the areola, two cases of Paget disease, and 12 cases of mastitis, were
      investigated. Imaging findings [gray-scale ultrasound (US) and USE analyses of
      the breasts' nipple-areolar complex], pathological evaluation, and the results of
      4 years of follow-up treatment were obtained. The recorded images were evaluated
      by two different radiologists, and all data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS:
      Statistical analysis showed that there was a strong correlation between the two
      radiologists' evaluations. The US images were not diagnostic for either the
      malignant or benign conditions. The correlation between the diagnosis using US
      and the final diagnosis was calculated as 0.436 (p = 0.006). However, the USE
      images were more informative since the correlation ratio between the USE results
      and the final diagnosis was found to be 0.723 (p < 0.001). While the area under
      the concentration curve (AUC) values that were used for the diagnostic
      determination of the US results were inconclusive at 0.274 (p < 0.021), the AUC
      values for USE were significant, with a diagnostic value of 0.866 for all cases
      (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The USE modality, which is not commonly used in routine
      practice, has the potential to solve the problem of differentiation of nipple
      retraction etiologies in the near future.

PMID- 27277458
TI  - Four-dimensional HDlive rendering image of fetal facial expression: a pictorial
      essay.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our objective was to present our experience of fetal facial
      expressions reconstructed employing the four-dimensional (4D) HDlive rendering
      mode. METHODS: A total of 23 normal fetuses at 18-36 weeks' gestation were
      studied using the 4D HDlive rendering mode. RESULTS: The 4D HDlive rendering mode
      provided extraordinarily realistic features of the fetal face. In particular,
      blinking, mouthing, swallowing, yawning, tongue expulsion, and sucking were
      clearly noted. Moreover, various realistic fetal emotional expressions such as
      smiling-like and crying-like movements were recognized. The 4D HDlive rendered
      images of fetal facial expressions seem to be more readily discernible than those
      obtained by conventional 4D ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: Observation of facial
      expressions using the 4D HDlive rendering mode is considered to reflect the
      normal and abnormal neurological development of the fetus. Therefore, the 4D
      HDlive rendering mode may assist in evaluation of fetal brain function, and offer
      potential advantages relative to conventional 4D ultrasonography.

PMID- 27277459
TI  - Ultrasound evaluation of elbow fractures in children.
AB  - PURPOSE: Elbow fractures are a common pathology in any pediatric emergency unit.
      X-ray of the elbow is the standard diagnostic procedure. Previous studies have
      shown that fractures can also be visualized by ultrasound (US). The aim of our
      study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of US in comparison to X-rays in
      diagnosing pediatric elbow fractures. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients aged 1-13
      years with clinically suspected elbow fracture were first examined by US followed
      by standard two-plane radiographs. US examination was done with a 12-MHz linear
      probe from seven longitudinal positions across the distal humerus and
      additionally from longitudinal positions across the radial head and olecranon.
      The sonographic and radiological findings were compared in a contingency table,
      and sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the
      US diagnostic procedure were calculated. RESULTS: With X-ray, we found 48
      patients with an elbow fracture and 19 patients with no fracture. With US, we
      found 46 patients with an elbow fracture and 21 patients with no fracture. In
      comparison to X-ray diagnosis, we calculated for US diagnosis a sensitivity of
      97.9 %, a specificity of 95 %, a negative predictive value of 95 %, and a
      positive predictive value of 97.9 %. CONCLUSION: Typical elbow fractures in
      children could also be visualized by US. A positive fat pad sign, in particular,
      serves as a strong indicator for elbow joint fractures and can be identified very
      sensitively by US. We confirm US as a valuable primary screening tool for elbow
      injuries in children. In the absence of US signs of fracture and in
      sonographically confirmed non-displaced fractures, standard X-rays are
      dispensable, thereby minimizing the X-ray burden in children without loss of
      diagnostic safety.

PMID- 27277460
TI  - Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis demonstrated by repeat echocardiography.
AB  - We report a case of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) in a patient with
      bladder cancer presenting with multiple cerebral infarctions. Initial
      transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography did not show any
      abnormalities. However, repeat transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography
      demonstrated a vegetation on the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve with mild
      mitral regurgitation and no evidence of leaflet destruction. Persistent high
      grade fevers and leukocytosis were observed. The patient was suspected to have
      infective endocarditis. However, abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography
      scan revealed multiple metastatic masses, and serial blood cultures were
      negative. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with NBTE associated with multiple
      metastases of bladder cancer. This case suggests that even if echocardiography
      does not initially demonstrate any abnormalities in patients with embolism, it
      must be repeated at the recurrence of embolism, and that even if clinical signs
      of infection are documented, NBTE should be suspected in any cancer patient with
      thromboembolic events. 

PMID- 27277461
TI  - Rare sonographic finding of osteogenesis imperfecta type 2: fluid retention in
      the subarachnoid space.
AB  - Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type 2 is the most severe form of this osteogenetic
      disorder. A 26-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for suspected fetal
      hydrocephalus at 26 weeks' gestation. Detailed ultrasonographic examination
      revealed fluid retention in the subarachnoid space. The fetal head was expanded,
      and the skull bone was easily deformed by the pressure of the ultrasound probe.
      Pleural effusion and ascites were noted, and the upper and lower extremities were
      extremely shortened and deformed. On helical 3D-CT, the skull bones could not be
      imaged, and multiple rib fractures and deformed long bones were suspected. Based
      on these findings, the fetus was diagnosed with OI type 2, and it was explained
      to the patient and her family that this disease was fatal. Due to non-reassuring
      fetal status at 28 weeks, induced breech delivery resulted in a stillborn infant.
      The head of the infant was soft, and the upper and lower extremities were
      extremely shortened. Post-mortem radiography confirmed the presence of deformed
      long bones and ribs with multiple fractures, while the skull bones could not be
      imaged. Detailed ultrasound observation may detect cerebrospinal fluid retention
      in the subarachnoid space, a finding that may be associated with the membranous
      skull bones of this osteogenetic disorder. 

PMID- 27277462
TI  - Early ultrasonographic evaluation of tumor thrombus level during sunitinib
      therapy for renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - A 72-year-old man presenting with a 14-cm left renal mass, an inferior vena cava
      (IVC) tumor thrombus, and pulmonary metastases underwent renal mass biopsy that
      revealed clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Because of metastases and the extent of
      the tumor thrombus, sunitinib was administered, which resulted in a marked
      reduction in the tumor thrombus (from level III to level II after 11 weeks of
      treatment). Ultrasonography, preceding computed tomography, showed a slight
      shrinkage of the tumor thrombus level in the first 2 weeks. Therefore, ultrasound
      may be advantageous to monitor the IVC tumor thrombus level during the early
      phase of targeted therapy. 

PMID- 27277464
TI  - Sonography of multifocal hydatidosis involving lung and liver in a female child.
AB  - Hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is a zoonotic infection
      encountered worldwide. Though involvement of the liver and lungs is quite common,
      pelvic involvement is rarely reported, with the incidence being 0.2-2.2 %.
      Ovarian and broad ligament hydatids are rare entities and are usually seen after
      rupture of a hepatic hydatid cyst. These cysts are usually asymptomatic, and a
      high index of clinical suspicion coupled with unequivocal imaging findings is
      required to make an accurate and timely diagnosis. We present a case of
      multifocal hydatid disease in a female child involving the lungs and liver and
      provide an account of the quintessential radiological findings. 

PMID- 27277463
TI  - Utility of ultrasound in the diagnosis of chronic worsened gout.
AB  - Ultrasound (US) may be used to diagnose chronic worsened gout. US confirmed the
      clinical evidence of tophaceous deposits in the left elbow of a 75-year-old man;
      it also identified crystalline materials on the cartilage surface of the second
      metacarpophalangeal joint of the left hand. US may be helpful to detect signs of
      deposition of monosodium urate crystals in periarticular and intra-articular
      joints of patients with clinically suspected chronic worsened gout. 

PMID- 27277465
TI  - Ultrasound-guided arthroscope insertion and decompression of a supraspinous fossa
      cyst.
AB  - A cyst arising in the scapular supraspinous fossa may cause shoulder pain;
      subsequently, enlargement of the cyst may result in severe compression of the
      adjacent suprascapular nerve, leading to muscle weakness and sensory disorder.
      Decompression of the nerve through cyst removal is effective in resolving these
      symptoms. However, treatment can also be performed less invasively through
      arthroscopy. Insertion of an arthroscope without visual guidance could cause
      tissue damage and, consequently, would become an invasive procedure itself. The
      use of ultrasonography to guide the scope to the cyst decreases the invasiveness
      of the procedure. Here, we present the case of a patient with a cyst arising in
      the scapular supraspinous fossa, in whom we could relatively readily and safely
      observe the cyst by advancing an arthroscope under ultrasonographic guidance. The
      suprascapular nerve was decompressed via cyst removal. 

PMID- 27277466
TI  - Primary cardiac lymphoma diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy using transthoracic
      echocardiography in the substernal window.
AB  - We report a case of a 56-year-old man with a cardiac tumor, which grew and spread
      rapidly in the right heart. Using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the
      substernal window, a transvenous biopsy of the tumor was performed safely. The
      tissue diagnosis revealed a diffuse large B cell lymphoma. After undergoing
      chemotherapy, the tumor was completely cured and the patient continues to be in
      good health. A biopsy using TTE in the substernal window may be a useful method
      to diagnose right-sided extensive tumors. 

PMID- 27277468
TI  - Ultrasonographic findings: an unusual case of secondary leiomyosarcoma after
      radiotherapy for breast cancer.

PMID- 27277467
TI  - Atherosclerotic splenic artery aneurysm in a decompensated cirrhotic patient.
AB  - Splenic artery aneurysm is a rare condition with potential lethal complications.
      If associated with severe diseases, the diagnosis and management may be
      challenging. Usually, ultrasound examination is the first step in the diagnosis,
      and the specific ultrasound features suggest the diagnosis. When combined with
      contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination, the accuracy of ultrasound increases
      and can therefore rule out some severe complications. We present the case of a
      patient hospitalized with decompensated cirrhosis in whom the ultrasound
      examination revealed the presence of a high-risk splenic artery aneurysm.
      However, the treatment decisions were profoundly influenced by the liver disease
      complications. 

PMID- 27277469
TI  - HDlive rendering image at 6 weeks of gestation.

PMID- 27277470
TI  - Ultrasonographic diagnostic criteria for pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 27277471
TI  - Editor's Note.

PMID- 27277473
TI  - Wellens' syndrome.

PMID- 27277474
TI  - Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction attenuates rheumatoid arthritis partially by
      reversing inflammation-immune system imbalance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction (GSZD) has been extensively used for
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy. Marked therapeutic efficacy of GSZD acting on
      RA has been demonstrated in several long-term clinical trials without any
      significant side effects. However, its pharmacological mechanisms remain unclear
      due to a lack of appropriate scientific methodology. METHODS: GSZD's mechanisms
      of action were investigated using an integrative approach that combined drug
      target prediction, network analysis, and experimental validation. RESULTS: A
      total of 77 putative targets were identified for 165 assessed chemical components
      of GSZD. After calculating the topological features of the nodes and edges in the
      created drug-target network, we identified a candidate GSZD-targeted signal axis
      that contained interactions between two putative GSZD targets [histone
      deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and heat shock protein 90 kDa alpha, class A member 1
      (HSP90AA1)] and three known RA-related targets [NFKB2; inhibitor of kappa light
      polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells, kinase beta (IKBKB); and tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)]. This signal axis could connect different functional
      modules that are significantly associated with various RA-related signaling
      pathways, including T/B cell receptor, Toll-like receptor, NF-kappa B and TNF
      pathways, as well as osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, the therapeutic
      effects and putative molecular mechanisms of GSZD's actions on RA were
      experimentally validated in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: GSZD may partially
      attenuate RA by reversing inflammation-immune system imbalance and regulating the
      HDAC1-HSP90AA1-NFKB2-IKBKB-TNF-alpha signaling axis.

PMID- 27277475
TI  - The 5-HTTLPR and BDNF polymorphisms moderate the association between uncinate
      fasciculus connectivity and antidepressants treatment response in major
      depression.
AB  - Symptom improvement in depression due to antidepressant treatment is highly
      variable and clinically unpredictable. Linking neuronal connectivity and genetic
      risk factors in predicting antidepressant response has clinical implications. Our
      investigation assessed whether indices of white matter integrity, serotonin
      transporter-linked polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor
      (BDNF) val66met polymorphism predicted magnitude of depression symptom change
      following antidepressant treatment. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was used as an
      indicator of white matter integrity and was assessed in the uncinate fasciculus
      and superior longitudinal fasciculus using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS)
      and probabilistic tractography. Forty-six medication-free patients with major
      depressive disorder participated in a diffusion tensor imaging scan prior to
      completing an 8-week treatment regime with citalopram or quetiapine XR. Indexed
      improvements in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score from baseline to 8-week
      endpoint were used as an indicator of depression improvement. Carriers of the
      BDNF met allele exhibited lower FA values in the left uncinate fasciculus
      relative to val/val individuals [F(1, 40) = 7.314, p = 0.009]. Probabilistic
      tractography identified that higher FA in the left uncinate fasciculus predicted
      percent change in depression severity, with BDNF moderating this association
      [F(3, 30) = 3.923, p = 0.018]. An interaction between FA in the right uncinate
      fasciculus and 5-HTTLPR also predicted percent change in depression severity
      [F(5, 25) = 5.315, p = 0.002]. Uncorrected TBSS results revealed significantly
      higher FA in hippocampal portions of the cingulum bundle in responders compared
      to non-responders (p = 0.016). The predictive value of prefrontal and
      amygdala/hippocampal WM connectivity on antidepressant treatment response may be
      influenced by 5-HTTLPR and BDNF polymorphisms in MDD.

PMID- 27277479
TI  - The contributions of ultrasound to medicine.

PMID- 27277478
TI  - Disordered eating behavior, health and motives to exercise in young men: cross
      sectional population-based MOPO study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Being overweight is an increasing problem among young people, among
      whom disordered eating behavior is linked with weight problems as well as
      unhealthy weight control. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether
      health factors and motives to exercise differ in young men by the type of
      disordered eating behavior. METHODS: The population-based, cross-sectional MOPO
      study consisted of 2,096 young Finnish men (mean age 17.9, SD 0.7) attending
      compulsory call-ups for military service in the Oulu area in 2010, 2011, and
      2013. They responded to a questionnaire that included two subscales of the Eating
      Disorder Inventory-3 indicating drive for thinness and bulimic behavior and
      questions on health, physical activity, and motives to exercise. The association
      between disordered eating behavior and related factors was analyzed by binary
      logistic regression. RESULTS: Altogether, 6.9 % (n = 145) of the men had symptoms
      of disordered eating, i.e., 5.4 % had a drive for thinness (n = 114) and 3.7 %
      had bulimic behavior (n = 77). Drive for thinness was associated with a
      perception of being overweight (OR 3.7; 95 % CI 2.2-6.1), poor self-rated health
      (2.3; 1.2-4.4), more leisure sitting time (1.1; 1.0-1.2), and body-related
      exercise motives (body acceptance: 3.0; 1.7-5.2; weight loss: 2.5; 1.4-4.4).
      Bulimic behavior was positively associated with poor self-rated health (2.6; 1.1
      5.8) and several motives to exercise, i.e., due to another person's suggestion
      (2.8; 1.6-4.8), competitive sports (2.1; 1.2-3.7), body acceptance (2.1; 1.1
      3.9), and weight loss (1.9; 1.1-3.3), but inversely associated with
      health/fitness-related exercise motives (health promotion: 0.3; 0.1-0.5; muscular
      strength or physical performance: 0.5; 0.2-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: In young men,
      disordered eating behavior was associated with being overweight, having poor self
      rated health, and having a greater amount of leisure sitting time as well as non
      health-related motives to exercise. In order to recognize those at risk for
      disordered eating behavior, evaluating these factors could be beneficial.

PMID- 27277480
TI  - Quantitative evaluation of diagnostic information around the contours in
      ultrasound images.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a new contour extraction method for identifying abnormal
      tissue. METHODS: We combined two techniques: logarithmic K distribution of a
      scattering model (method 1) and regional discrimination using the characteristics
      of local ultrasound images (method 2) into an integrated method (method 3) that
      provides accurate contours, which are essential for quantitizing border
      information. RESULTS: The diagnostic tissue information around the border of an
      image can be characterized by its shape and texture statistics. The degrees of
      circularity and irregularity and the depth-width ratio were calculated for the
      extracted contours of breast tumors. In addition, gradients, separability, and
      variance between the two regions along the contour and the area and variance of
      the internal echoes, were calculated as indices of diagnostic criteria of breast
      tumors. The quantitized indices were able to discriminate among cysts,
      fibroadenomas, and cancer. CONCLUSION: In many ultrasound images of breast
      tumors, the combined techniques, the variance ratio of the logarithmic K
      distribution to the logarithmic Rayleigh distribution and the multilevel
      technique with local image information can effectively extract abnormal tissue
      contours.

PMID- 27277477
TI  - Correlation between prostate volume and single nucleotide polymorphisms
      implicated in the steroid pathway.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A few preliminary studies have suggested a link between some genetics
      variants and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Our goal was to study the link
      between a set of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) implicated in the steroid
      pathway and accurate measurement of prostate volume in a cohort of men who
      underwent radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data
      including prostate weight were obtained from 611 Caucasian patients with small
      volume, localized prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy. Patients were
      genotyped for 90 SNPs located inside or nearby genes implicated in the steroid
      pathway (Sequenom iPLEX). Correlation between prostate weight and genotypes from
      each SNP was studied by analysis of covariance, adjusted on age and tumor stage.
      A Bonferroni correction was applied, and the SNPs implicated were then
      incorporated in a multivariable model. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Seven SNPs
      located in or nearby genes implicated in steroid hormone metabolism were
      significantly associated with prostate volume: HSD17B2 (rs1119933), ESR2
      (rs8006145), SULT2B1 (rs279451), NQO1 (rs2917670), ESR1 (rs1569788), GSTP1
      (rs1138272), and CYP19A1 (rs17523880). Significant association was maintained
      after multivariate analysis for four SNPs, indicating their independent
      association with prostate volume. The power of the association of each SNP with
      prostate volume was comparable to the effect of age. The strongest associations
      were found with variants in ESR1, ESR2, HSD17B2, and CYP19A1 genes, indicating a
      potential role of the estrogen signaling pathway in genesis of BPH. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results are in favor of an implication of estrogen biotransformation and
      signaling pathways in the pathophysiology of BPH.

PMID- 27277481
TI  - Effects of sublingual nitroglycerin on working conditions of the heart and
      arterial system: analysis using wave intensity.
AB  - PURPOSE: The effects of nitroglycerin (NTG) on the vascular system are well
      known. However, the effects of NTG on the heart are still obscure, because these
      effects are modified by those on the vascular system, and vice versa. Therefore,
      to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of NTG, it is important to understand the
      interaction between the heart and the vascular system. Wave intensity (WI) is a
      new hemodynamic index that provides information about working conditions of the
      heart interacting with the arterial system. The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate the interactive effects of NTG on the cardiovascular system in normal
      subjects using wave intensity. METHODS: We simultaneously measured carotid
      arterial blood flow velocity and diameter change using a specially designed
      ultrasonic system, and calculated the WI and the stiffness parameter beta.
      Measurements were made in 13 normal subjects (9 men and 4 women, aged 47 +/- 10
      years) in the supine position before and after sublingual NTG. RESULTS: The
      maximum value of WI (W 1) and the mid-systolic expansion wave (X) increased (W 1
      from 9.1 +/- 4.3 to 12.3 +/- 5.5 * 10(3) mmHg m/s(3), P < 0.001; X from 105 +/-
      185 to 345 +/- 370 mmHg m/s(3), P < 0.05). beta increased (from 10.5 +/- 3.8 to
      14.1 +/- 3.8, P < 0.001). The pressure contours changed considerably.
      CONCLUSIONS: NTG increased W 1 and the mid-systolic expansion wave, which
      suggests enhanced cardiac power during the initial ejection and mid-systolic
      unloading. These results are new findings about the effects of NTG that can be
      added to the widely known late systolic unloading and preload reduction. NTG also
      increased arterial stiffness, which reduces the Windkessel function. By using an
      echo-Doppler system, WI can be obtained noninvasively. WI has the clinical
      potential to provide quantitative and detailed information about working
      conditions of the heart interacting with the arterial system.

PMID- 27277482
TI  - Diagnosis of follicular carcinoma of the thyroid: role of sonography in
      preoperative diagnosis of follicular nodules.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate sonographic examination, as well as
      other clinical tests, for clarifying the parameters for predicting follicular
      carcinoma in follicular nodules of the thyroid. Nine hundred and ten consecutive
      patients with follicular nodules were pathologically classified as having
      follicular carcinoma (109 patients) or benign tumor (811 patients). Benign tumors
      included follicular adenoma (237 patients) and adenomatous thyroid nodules (574
      patients). A case-control study was performed for follicular carcinomas and
      benign tumors. "Thyroglobulin 1000 ng/ml?", "cytology class 3?", and a "solid
      pattern", "low-echoic level of internal echo", and "jagged borders" of follicular
      carcinomas were found to be significantly higher than those of benign tumors. The
      sensitivities of a solid pattern (79.8%) and a low-echoic level (75.2%) were
      found to be relatively higher than those of other features and findings. The
      specificities of thyroglobulin 1000 ng/ml?(84.0%), cytology class 3?, and jagged
      borders (86.2%) were found to be relatively higher than those of other features
      and findings. We concluded that thyroglobulin 1000 ng/ml? and cytology class 3?
      in clinical features, and a solid pattern, low-echoic level, and jagged borders
      on sonography, indicated an increased risk of follicular carcinoma of the thyroid
      in follicular nodules. 

PMID- 27277483
TI  - Trial of a quantitative method for evaluating hemangioma of the liver and
      hepatocellular carcinoma using a radio-frequency signal.
AB  - PURPOSE: In recent years, advances in ultrasonographic techniques have allowed
      the detection of even small hepatocellular carcinomas. However, many cases do not
      show distinctive ultrasonographic features. A quantitative ultrasonographic
      procedure for making the diagnosis would therefore be desirable. It is recognized
      that radio-frequency (RF) signals from hepatic tumors conform to the K
      distribution. The K distribution is used for the characterization of the
      statistical properties of backscattering signals from heterogeneous regions. In
      this study, RF signals were acquired from hemangioma of the liver (hemangioma)
      and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and parameters of the K distribution, i.e.,
      phi (the mean square of the amplitude of RF signals) and alpha (the number of
      effective scatterers), were calculated for the quantitative ultrasonographic
      evaluation of hepatic tumors. METHODS: This study included 10 nodules of 10
      patients with hemangioma and 27 nodules of 24 patients with HCC. The A-mode RF
      signals passing through the hepatic tumors were acquired with an Aloka SSD-1000
      ultrasound system, and measurement units comprising 279 points were set on the RF
      signals corresponding to the tumor lesion. The parameters of the K distribution
      that were most consistent with the histogram were calculated and assessed.
      RESULTS: With regard to phi, the values were high in hemangioma, and there was a
      significant (P < 0.05) difference in the phi value between hemangioma and HCC. On
      the other hand, there was no significant difference in the alpha value between
      hemangioma and HCC. CONCLUSION: The alpha values of hemangioma were equivalent to
      those of HCC, while the phi values for hemangioma were higher than those for HCC.
      It was deduced from these observations that a situation in which an electron beam
      is likely to scatter exists in the tumor. This is also consistent with the
      pathological findings reported from previous studies. The use of these parameters
      is expected to allow quantitative ultrasonographic evaluation of hepatic tumors.

PMID- 27277484
TI  - Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma capsule by contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      using Levovist: correlations with pathological findings.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the most appropriate therapy for each hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) nodule, it is important to ascertain whether the tumor has a
      capsule. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic potential of
      contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in HCC capsule detection by comparing
      ultrasound findings with histological results from operative specimens. METHODS:
      Thirty-six HCC nodules (all smaller than 5 cm) from 36 patients who had undergone
      hepatectomy were examined by CEUS using Levovist with agent detection imaging.
      The vascular phase images and time course changes of HCC were observed after a
      bolus injection of Levovist. We classified the appearance of the tumor artery,
      tumor enhancement, and washout into several patterns. We grouped HCCs into
      encapsulated or nonencapsulated on the basis of the histology of the operative
      specimens, taking into account the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial
      chemoembolization. Ultrasound and pathological findings were compared to assess
      the ability of CEUS to detect HCC capsules. RESULTS: During the arterial phase,
      12 (80.0%) encapsulated and 3 (14.3%) nonencapsulated HCC nodules showed a
      surrounding artery with branches pattern (P < 0.0001). The sensitivity,
      specificity, and accuracy of this pattern for HCC capsule detection were 80%,
      86%, and 83%, respectively. A branching artery was found in 15 (71.4%)
      nonencapsulated but in only 3 (20.0%) encapsulated HCC nodules (P < 0.01). The
      sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of this branching artery pattern for
      confirming the absence of a capsule in HCC nodules were 71%, 80%, and 75%,
      respectively. Almost all HCC nodules showed strong-moderate or weak enhancement
      and strong-moderate or mild washout. Neither enhancement nor washout pattern
      correlated with the presence of a capsule. CONCLUSION: The arterial phase of CEUS
      is very useful for detection of HCC capsules and therefore facilitates selection
      of the most appropriate treatment method for HCC.

PMID- 27277485
TI  - Current state and effectiveness of abdominal ultrasonography in complete medical
      screening.
AB  - PURPOSE: The current state and effectiveness of abdominal ultrasonography (US)
      were investigated by reviewing statistical data for US of the kidney as part of
      complete medical screenings conducted at our institution between April 1994 and
      March 2004. METHODS: Among 4339 individuals with US findings, computed tomography
      (CT) was performed on 129 individuals at our institution. Among these
      individuals, US findings and CT diagnoses were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: US
      findings indicated renal tumors in 73 of the 129 subjects, and the breakdown of
      CT diagnoses for these 73 individuals was as follows: no lesion, n = 45 (61.6%);
      simple renal cyst, n = 13 (17.8%); complicated renal cyst, n = 5 (6.8%);
      suspected malignant tumor, n = 5 (6.8%); renal angiomyolipoma, n = 2 (2.7%);
      pelvic dilatation, n = 1 (1.4%); granuloma, n = 1 (1.4%); teratoma, n = 1 (1.4%).
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 4 of the 5 subjects with
      suspected malignant tumor, and surgery was performed in all 4 cases with
      suspected kidney cancer. Kidney cancer was histopathologically confirmed in 2
      patients, resulting in a detection rate of 0.046% for kidney cancer by US as part
      of a complete medical screening. In the 2 patients with kidney cancer,
      differentiating cystic renal cell cancer from a renal cyst was not possible based
      on US findings alone in 1 patient, and no thorough examinations were performed in
      the 3 years leading up to surgery. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that
      additional US and thorough examinations are necessary if a lesion cannot be
      confirmed as a simple renal cyst on initial US. Furthermore, to improve the skill
      levels of healthcare professionals who perform and interpret US, a feedback
      system should be established where data related to complete medical screenings
      are available to the personnel involved.

PMID- 27277486
TI  - Three-dimensional ultrasonography of hydrocephalus.
AB  - We examined two infants with hydrocephalus using three-dimensional (3-D)
      ultrasonography. One infant had congenital hydrocephalus with a
      ventriculoperitoneal shunt. On 2-D ultrasonography, the shunt tube was shown only
      as "a point." However, on 3-D ultrasonography, we could easily see the three
      dimensional position of the shunt tube, which was situated in the lateral
      ventricle. The other patient had hydrocephalus associated with an arachnoid cyst.
      We could understand the complex shape of the cyst and distinguish it from the
      third ventricle using 3-D ultrasonography. Thus, 3-D ultrasonography imaging is
      more useful than 2-D ultrasonography imaging in evaluating hydrocephalus. 

PMID- 27277487
TI  - Multiple metastases from a meningeal hemangiopericytoma associated with severe
      hypoglycemia.
AB  - Hemangiopericytomas are rare vascular tumors that may be associated with profound
      hypoglycemia. We present correlative imaging findings for a 57-year-old woman who
      had multiple abdominal and muscular metastases with severe hypoglycemia 11 years
      after resection of meningeal hemangiopericytoma. The metastases were well-defined
      masses containing solid and cystic components, and they were extremely
      hypervascular in the solid component. Those characteristics on imaging associated
      with hypoglycemia and the past history of meningeal hemangiopericytoma may
      suggest the diagnosis and be helpful in differentiating the mass from other
      vascular tumors. Color and power Doppler ultrasound may play a valuable role in
      characterizing and diagnosing metastasis from hemangiopericytoma. A delay of
      several years between diagnosis of the primary hemangiopericytoma and the
      manifestation of metastasis appears to be a special feature of
      hemangiopericytoma. 

PMID- 27277488
TI  - Hepatic angiomyolipoma: identification of an efferent vessel as a hepatic vein by
      contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography.
AB  - Two cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma were studied by contrast-enhanced harmonic
      sonography. The special tumor hemodynamics, namely the efferent blood flow of the
      hepatic angiomyolipoma draining into the hepatic vein, were clearly shown on
      harmonic imaging, and they corresponded well with those seen on angiography and
      computed tomography during angiography. Benign hepatic tumors were diagnosed
      preoperatively in both cases according to the hemodynamic findings. Hepatic
      angiomyolipoma was finally identified histologically. The special tumor
      hemodynamics might be one of the important characteristics of hepatic
      angiomyolipoma. Contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography is useful for the detection
      of special tumor hemodynamics and may facilitate the differential diagnosis from
      other hepatic tumors, especially malignant liver tumors. 

PMID- 27277489
TI  - Hemodynamic and morphologic changes of peripheral hepatic vasculature in chronic
      liver disease: a preliminary study by contrast-enhanced coded phase-inversion
      harmonic sonography.
AB  - To investigate whether observing the morphology of the peripheral hepatic
      vasculature and the hemodynamics of microbubble arrival time in these vessels can
      provide useful information for the diagnosis of liver disease, Five normal
      volunteers and 16 patients were studied by contrast-enhanced coded phase
      inversion harmonic sonography. Vessel images of the peripheral vessels were
      observed in real time after intravenous injection of Levovist. The time when the
      microbubbles appeared in the peripheral vessels was measured. Three patterns of
      morphologic change of the peripheral hepatic vasculature were seen, marked,
      slight, and no abnormal changes. The microbubble arrival times at the peripheral
      vessels were all shorter in patients with cirrhosis than chronic hepatitis or
      normal subjects. Marked, slight, and no abnormal morphologic changes of the
      peripheral hepatic vasculature in patients with liver cirrhosis were found in
      five, one and zero of the six patients, respectively. Those patients with chronic
      hepatitis, were found in one, six and three of the ten patients, respectively.
      There was a significant difference among the different groups (P < 0.001).
      Evaluating the hemodynamics and morphology by contrast-enhanced coded pulse
      inversion harmonic sonography may offer useful information in the diagnosis of
      liver disease. 

PMID- 27277491
TI  - When ultrasound fails to demonstrate a palpable abdominal mass.

PMID- 27277490
TI  - Imaging findings of biliary hamartomas (von Meyenburg complexes).
AB  - To evaluate the imaging findings of biliary hamartomas (von Meyenburg complexes,
      vMCs) and discuss their differential diagnosis from other related diseases,
      imaging findings of biliary hamartomas on ultrasonography (US), computed
      tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance
      cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and hepatobiliary scintigraphy were
      prospectively analyzed in six patients. On ultrasound images, five of the six
      cases showed multiple small hyper- and hypoechoic lesions with comet-tail echoes,
      especially when magnified using the zoom function. In all six cases, multiple
      tiny hypodense lesions less than 10 mm in diameter were scattered throughout the
      liver with no enhancement on CT. These tiny lesions were demonstrated to be hyper
      and hypointense on T2- and TI-weighted images, respectively, in three patients
      who underwent MRI examinations. MRCP was performed in two patients, and it
      clearly showed multiple tiny round and irregular-shaped hyperintense lesions.
      MRCP and hepatobiliary scintigraphy showed normal appearances of intra- and
      extrahepatic bile ducts in two and one patients, respectively. Imaging modalities
      are useful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of vMCs. A correct
      diagnosis might be obtained when typical imaging findings present even without
      histological confirmation. 

PMID- 27277492
TI  - Criteria for the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip joint
      (proposal).

PMID- 27277495
TI  - Hospital-Based Outpatient Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services: Current
      Status in Wisconsin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Direct access to physical therapist services is available in all 50
      states, with reported benefits including reduced health care costs, enhanced
      patient satisfaction, and no apparent compromised patient safety. Despite the
      benefits and legality of direct access, few data exist regarding the degree of
      model adoption, implementation, and utilization. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of the
      study were: (1) to investigate the extent of implementation and utilization of
      direct access to outpatient physical therapist services in Wisconsin hospitals
      and medical centers, (2) to identify barriers to and facilitators for the
      provisioning of such services, and (3) to identify potential differences between
      facilities that do and do not provide direct access services. DESIGN: A
      descriptive survey was conducted. METHODS: Eighty-nine survey questionnaires were
      distributed via email to the directors of rehabilitation services at Wisconsin
      hospitals and medical centers. The survey investigated facility adoption of the
      direct access model, challenges to and resources utilized during model
      implementation, and current barriers affecting model utilization. RESULTS: Forty
      seven (52.8%) of the 89 survey questionnaires were completed and returned. Forty
      two percent of the survey respondents (20 of 47) reported that their facility
      offered direct access to physical therapist services, but fewer than 10% of
      patients were seen via direct access at 95% of the facilities offering such
      services. The most frequently reported obstacles to model implementation and
      utilization were lack of health care provider, administrator, and patient
      knowledge of direct access; its legality in Wisconsin; and physical therapists'
      differential diagnosis and medical screening abilities. LIMITATIONS: Potential
      respondent bias and limited generalizability of the results are limitations of
      the study. These findings apply to hospitals and medical centers located in
      Wisconsin, not to facilities located in other geographic regions. CONCLUSIONS:
      Respondents representing direct access organizations reported more timely access
      to physical therapist services, enhanced patient satisfaction, decreased
      organizational health care costs, and improved efficiency of resource utilization
      as benefits of model implementation. For organizations without direct access, not
      being an organizational priority, concerns from referral sources, and concerns
      that the physician-patient relationship would be negatively affected were noted
      as obstacles to model adoption.

PMID- 27277494
TI  - Identifying Multimodal Intermediate Phenotypes Between Genetic Risk Factors and
      Disease Status in Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Neuroimaging genetics has attracted growing attention and interest, which is
      thought to be a powerful strategy to examine the influence of genetic variants
      (i.e., single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)) on structures or functions of
      human brain. In recent studies, univariate or multivariate regression analysis
      methods are typically used to capture the effective associations between genetic
      variants and quantitative traits (QTs) such as brain imaging phenotypes. The
      identified imaging QTs, although associated with certain genetic markers, may not
      be all disease specific. A useful, but underexplored, scenario could be to
      discover only those QTs associated with both genetic markers and disease status
      for revealing the chain from genotype to phenotype to symptom. In addition,
      multimodal brain imaging phenotypes are extracted from different perspectives and
      imaging markers consistently showing up in multimodalities may provide more
      insights for mechanistic understanding of diseases (i.e., Alzheimer's disease
      (AD)). In this work, we propose a general framework to exploit multi-modal brain
      imaging phenotypes as intermediate traits that bridge genetic risk factors and
      multi-class disease status. We applied our proposed method to explore the
      relation between the well-known AD risk SNP APOE rs429358 and three baseline
      brain imaging modalities (i.e., structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
      fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and F-18 florbetapir
      PET scans amyloid imaging (AV45)) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging
      Initiative (ADNI) database. The empirical results demonstrate that our proposed
      method not only helps improve the performances of imaging genetic associations,
      but also discovers robust and consistent regions of interests (ROIs) across multi
      modalities to guide the disease-induced interpretation.

PMID- 27277496
TI  - The 2015 Nepal Earthquake(s): Lessons Learned From the Disability and
      Rehabilitation Sector's Preparation for, and Response to, Natural Disasters.
AB  - The frequency of natural disasters appears to be mounting at an alarming rate,
      and the degree to which people are surviving such traumatic events also is
      increasing. Postdisaster survival often triggers increases in population and
      individual disability-related outcomes in the form of impairments, activity
      limitations, and participation restrictions, all of which have an important
      impact on the individual, his or her family, and their community. The increase in
      postdisaster disability-related outcomes has provided a rationale for the
      increased role of the disability and rehabilitation sector's involvement in
      emergency response, including physical therapists. A recent major earthquake that
      has drawn the world's attention occurred in the spring of 2015 in Nepal. The
      response of the local and international communities was large and significant,
      and although the collection of complex health and disability issues have yet to
      be fully resolved, there has been a series of important lessons learned from the
      2015 Nepal earthquake(s). This perspective article outlines lessons learned from
      Nepal that can be applied to future disasters to reduce overall disability
      related outcomes and more fully integrate rehabilitation in preparation and
      planning. First, information is presented on disasters in general, and then
      information is presented that focuses on the earthquake(s) in Nepal. Next, field
      experience in Nepal before, during, and after the earthquake is described, and
      actions that can and should be adopted prior to disasters as part of disability
      preparedness planning are examined. Then, the emerging roles of rehabilitation
      providers such as physical therapists during the immediate and postdisaster
      recovery phases are discussed. Finally, approaches are suggested that can be
      adopted to "build back better" for, and with, people with disabilities in
      postdisaster settings such as Nepal.

PMID- 27277497
TI  - Use of Perturbation-Based Gait Training in a Virtual Environment to Address
      Mediolateral Instability in an Individual With Unilateral Transfemoral
      Amputation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Roughly 50% of individuals with lower limb amputation
      report a fear of falling and fall at least once a year. Perturbation-based gait
      training and the use of virtual environments have been shown independently to be
      effective at improving walking stability in patient populations. An intervention
      was developed combining the strengths of the 2 paradigms utilizing continuous,
      walking surface angle oscillations within a virtual environment. This case report
      describes walking function and mediolateral stability outcomes of an individual
      with a unilateral transfemoral amputation following a novel perturbation-based
      gait training intervention in a virtual environment. CASE DESCRIPTION: The
      patient was a 43-year-old male veteran who underwent a right transfemoral
      amputation 7+ years previously as a result of a traumatic blast injury. He used a
      microprocessor-controlled knee and an energy storage and return foot. OUTCOMES:
      Following the intervention, multiple measures indicated improved function and
      stability, including faster self-selected walking speed and reduced functional
      stepping time, mean step width, and step width variability. These changes were
      seen during normal level walking and mediolateral visual field or platform
      perturbations. In addition, benefits were retained at least 5 weeks after the
      final training session. DISCUSSION: The perturbation-based gait training program
      in the virtual environment resulted in the patient's improved walking function
      and mediolateral stability. Although the patient had completed intensive
      rehabilitation following injury and was fully independent, the intervention still
      induced notable improvements to mediolateral stability. Thus, perturbation-based
      gait training in challenging simulated environments shows promise for improving
      walking stability and may be beneficial when integrated into a rehabilitation
      program.

PMID- 27277498
TI  - Diet may influence the oral microbiome composition in cats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is highly prevalent amongst domestic cats,
      causing pain, gingival bleeding, reduced food intake, loss of teeth and possibly
      impacts on overall systemic health. Diet has been suggested to play a role in the
      development of periodontal disease in cats. There is a complete lack of
      information about how diet (composition and texture) affects the feline oral
      microbiome, the composition of which may influence oral health and the
      development of periodontal disease. We undertook a pilot study to assess if
      lifelong feeding of dry extruded kibble or wet (canned and/or fresh meat
      combinations) diets to cats (n = 10) with variable oral health affected the
      microbiome. RESULTS: Oral microbiome composition was assessed by amplifying the
      V1-V3 region of the 16S gene from supragingival dental plaque DNA extracts. These
      amplicons were sequenced using Illumina technology. This deep sequencing revealed
      the feline oral microbiome to be diverse, containing 411 bacterial species from
      14 phyla. We found that diet had a significant influence on the overall diversity
      and abundance of specific bacteria in the oral environment. Cats fed a dry diet
      exclusively had higher bacterial diversity in their oral microbiome than wet-food
      diet cats (p < 0.001). Amongst this higher diversity, cats on dry-food diets had
      a higher abundance of Porphyromonas spp. (p < 0.01) and Treponema spp. (p <
      0.01). CONCLUSIONS: While we observed differences in the oral microbiome between
      cats on the two diets assessed, the relationship between these differences and
      gingival health was unclear. Our preliminary results indicate that further
      analysis of the influence of dietary constituents and texture on the feline oral
      microbiome is required to reveal the relationship between diet, the oral
      microbiome and gingival health in cats.

PMID- 27277500
TI  - Role of serotonin in the regulation of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.
AB  - In various renal injuries, tissue damage occurs and platelet activation is
      observed. Recent studies suggest that some factors, such as serotonin, are
      released into microenvironment upon platelet activation following renal injury.
      In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether platelets and platelet
      released serotonin are involved in the functional regulation of renal proximal
      tubular epithelial cells (PTECs). PTECs were obtained by primary cell culture and
      treated with platelet lysate (PL) (2 * 10(6)/mL, 4 * 10(6)/mL, 8 * 10(6)/mL) or
      serotonin (1 MUM or 5 MUM) for 12 or 24 h. Phenotypic transdifferentiation of
      epithelial cells into myofibroblasts were demonstrated under light microscope and
      confirmed by the determination of alpha-smooth muscle actin gene expression.
      Serotonin and PL were shown to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation
      of PTECs. After stimulation of PTECs with serotonin or PL, matrix
      metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and collagen-alpha1
      gene expressions, which were reported to be elevated in renal injury, were
      determined by real-time PCR and found to be upregulated. Expressions of some
      inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and
      transforming growth factor-beta1 were found to be increased in both protein and
      gene levels. Recently there is no published report on the effect of serotonin on
      renal PTECs. Results obtained in this study have lightened the role of serotonin
      and platelet-mediated effects of serotonin on fibrotic and inflammatory processes
      in PTECs. 

PMID- 27277501
TI  - Identification of G protein-coupled receptors required for vitellogenin uptake
      into the oocytes of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum.
AB  - Previous studies suggested that a membrane receptor might be involved in
      mediating vitellogenin (Vg) uptake and juvenile hormone (JH)-regulated remodeling
      of follicular epithelium (also called 'patency'). G protein-coupled receptor
      (GPCR) family is one of the largest membrane receptor protein families and
      controls many key physiological processes. To investigate the role of GPCRs in
      insect reproduction and juvenile hormone-regulated Vg uptake, we performed a
      comprehensive RNA interference (RNAi) screen targeting GPCRs in the red flour
      beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Out of 112 GPCRs tested, knockdown of 41 GPCRs
      resulted in a reduction in fecundity. Interestingly, RNAi against two GPCRs (a
      Rhodopsin-like receptor and a Dopamine D2-like receptor) led to a significant
      reduction in Vg accumulation in developing oocytes. Functional assays of these
      two GPCRs showed that JH triggers a dose-dependent inhibition of intracellular
      cAMP levels in HEK293 cells expressing Tribolium Dopamine D2-like receptor. These
      data suggest that Dopamine D2-like receptor plays crucial roles in regulating Vg
      uptake and is a promising candidate membrane receptor mediating JH regulation of
      patency in the red flour beetle.

PMID- 27277502
TI  - Patient preparation for cardiac fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography imaging of inflammation.
AB  - Although the number of clinical applications for fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose
      (18F-FDG) cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) has continued to grow, there
      remains a lack of consensus regarding the ideal method of suppressing normal
      myocardial glucose utilization for image optimization. This review describes
      various patient preparation protocols that have been used as well as the success
      rates achieved in different studies. Collectively, the available literature
      supports using a high-fat, no-carbohydrate diet for at least two meals with a
      fast of 4-12 hours prior to 18F-FDG PET imaging and suggests that isolated
      fasting for less than 12 hours and supplementation with food or drink just prior
      to imaging should be avoided. Each institution should adopt a protocol and
      continuously monitor its effectiveness with a goal to achieve adequate myocardial
      suppression in greater than 80% of patients.

PMID- 27277517
TI  - The impact of oral rehabilitation on oral health-related quality of life in
      patients receiving radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To analyze the influence of dental treatment on oral health-related
      quality of life (OHRQoL) in head and neck cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      This study included the data of 116 patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT)
      because of head and neck cancer. For each patient, the variables age, sex, tumor
      site, irradiation technique, dose on the spared parotid gland, concomitant
      chemotherapy, and denture status were documented. OHRQoL was determined using the
      OHIP-G14 questionnaire. Patients were divided into subgroups according to denture
      status: none or fixed partial dentures (none/FPD), removable partial dentures
      (RPD), and full dentures (CD). OHIP summary scores were determined and tested for
      clinical relevant differences with respect to the different variables. The
      association between OHRQol and the variables was assessed using linear
      regression. RESULTS: No clinically relevant influence on OHRQoL was found for
      gender, irradiation technique, and chemotherapy. Patients with tumors located in
      the oral cavity had a significantly higher OHIP score than patients with other
      tumor sites (p < 0.001). None/FPD and RPD patients had higher values than those
      found in a normal population, but did not differ significantly from each other (p
      = 0.387). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to tumor site, teeth and type of denture seem
      to have a limited effect on OHRQoL in head and neck cancer patients. CLINICAL
      SIGNIFICANCE: Prosthetic treatment in head and neck cancer patients do not lead
      to the same improvement in OHRQoL as found in the normal population. This might
      be taken into account especially if extensive dental treatment is intended.

PMID- 27277519
TI  - An effort to assess the relation between productivity loss costs and presenteeism
      at work.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study assesses potential presenteeism costs and the association of
      these with a company's business figures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted the
      questionnaire surveys in alternate years between 2003 and 2007 and linked them to
      sickness absence register data. Perceived work ability levels were assessed and
      converted into presenteeism days using the Presenteeism Scale tool. Sickness
      absence and presenteeism days were converted into monetary figures using median
      monthly salary information. RESULTS: The share of presenteeism costs was constant
      at about 1% of annual turnover and about 3.7% of personnel costs. The lowest
      annual presenteeism cost per employee was EUR 986 and the highest was EUR 1302.
      The lowest number of presenteeism days per employee in a year was 8.7 days and
      the highest number was 10.4 days. Estimated losses to a company due to sickness
      absences and presenteeism ranged from EUR 4.6 million to EUR 5.6 million
      annually. The potential presenteeism costs to the company and to Finnish society
      were vast. CONCLUSIONS: Presenteeism is a costly problem but more research is
      needed to reveal the connections between presenteeism and a company's turnover,
      personnel costs and profit.

PMID- 27277518
TI  - Randomized trial investigating zirconia electroplated telescopic retainers:
      quality of life outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study aims to evaluate the effect of electroplated telescopic
      removable dental prostheses (E-RDPs) with zirconia primary crowns on oral-health
      related quality of life (OHRQoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For E-RDPs,
      electroplating is used to produce precisely fitting gold copings on telescopic
      primary crowns. These copings are bonded intra-orally to the denture framework.
      Fifty-six participants in need of 60 removable restorations were randomly
      allocated one of two materials for the primary crowns: cobalt-chromium alloy or
      zirconia. OHRQoL was assessed by use of the 49-item Oral Health Impact Profile
      (OHIP-49) and by additional patient self-rating at baseline before treatment, and
      after 6 and 12 months. Statistical analysis was performed by use of one- and two
      sample t-tests and analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Mean OHIP sum score at
      baseline was 53.4 (SD 37.4, 95 % CI 41.3-62). At follow-ups, it decreased
      significantly (after 6 months: mean 20, SD 26, 95 % CI 13-27.1; after 12 months:
      mean 16.4, SD 17.9, 95 % CI 11.6-21.2). The mean reduction in OHIP sum score
      after 12 months was 25 (SD 31.2, 95 % CI 13.1-36.9) for cobalt-chromium alloy and
      44.4 (SD 32.3, 95 % CI 31.1-57.8) for zirconia. However, no statistically
      significant difference of the two materials on OHIP change or patient self-rating
      was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Although OHRQoL was improved by using both cobalt
      chromium alloy and zirconia primary crowns for E-RDPs, post-treatment differences
      between the groups were not statistically significant. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
      Zirconia E-RDPs enhance OHRQoL. However, zirconia primary crowns do not
      outperform cobalt-chromium alloy crowns regarding patient satisfaction-despite
      their tooth-like color.

PMID- 27277520
TI  - Roles of the glutathione- and thioredoxin-dependent systems in the Escherichia
      coli responses to ciprofloxacin and ampicillin.
AB  - Recently, it was proposed that some antibiotics stimulate the production of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS), which contribute to cell death. Later, other
      research groups have provided arguments against ROS-mediated killing of bacteria
      by antibiotics. At present, there remain a number of unanswered questions in
      understanding of the role of ROS in killing by antibiotics. Mutants of
      Escherichia coli in components of the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin redox pathways
      used in this study possess a great variability in antioxidant activity, and they
      therefore are a useful model for the investigation of the role of oxidative
      stress in bactericidal effect of antibiotics. Statistical analysis did not reveal
      a significant correlation between the susceptibility of the mutants to
      ciprofloxacin and ampicillin and their resistance to peroxide stress. However, we
      found strong reverse correlations between the bactericidal activity of
      antibiotics and the specific growth rate of these mutants at the moment of drug
      addition. Supplements changing the level of intra- and extracellular glutathione
      considerably affected E. coli susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and ampicillin. The
      effect of GSH precursors on bactericidal activity of antibiotics was also
      observed in gshA mutants. 

PMID- 27277521
TI  - Engineered disorder and light propagation in a planar photonic glass.
AB  - The interaction of light with matter strongly depends on the structure of the
      latter at wavelength scale. Ordered systems interact with light via collective
      modes, giving rise to diffraction. In contrast, completely disordered systems are
      dominated by Mie resonances of individual particles and random scattering.
      However, less clear is the transition regime in between these two extremes, where
      diffraction, Mie resonances and near-field interaction between individual
      scatterers interplay. Here, we probe this transitional regime by creating
      colloidal crystals with controlled disorder from two-dimensional self-assembly of
      bidisperse spheres. Choosing the particle size in a way that the small particles
      are transparent in the spectral region of interest enables us to probe in detail
      the effect of increasing positional disorder on the optical properties of the
      large spheres. With increasing disorder a transition from a collective optical
      response characterized by diffractive resonances to single particles scattering
      represented by Mie resonances occurs. In between these extremes, we identify an
      intermediate, hopping-like light transport regime mediated by resonant
      interactions between individual spheres. These results suggest that different
      levels of disorder, characterized not only by absence of long range order but
      also by differences in short-range correlation and interparticle distance, exist
      in colloidal glasses.

PMID- 27277522
TI  - Significantly enhanced proteolytic activity of cyclen complexes by
      monoalkylation.
AB  - A simple approach towards efficient artificial proteases based on the cyclen
      ligand is presented. We thus achieved an increase of the proteolytic activity of
      two orders of magnitude when compared to the unsubstituted cyclen complex.
      Amphiphilic Cu(ii) and Co(iii) complexes cut BSA and myoglobin as model
      substrates at MUM concentrations. MALDI-ToF MS is used to identify the cleavage
      fragments. 

PMID- 27277523
TI  - Medical Registry Data Collection Efficiency: A Crossover Study Comparing Web
      Based Electronic Data Capture and a Standard Spreadsheet.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Electronic medical records and electronic data capture (EDC) have
      changed data collection in clinical and translational research. However,
      spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel, are still used as data repository
      to record and organize patient data for research. OBJECTIVE: The objective of
      this study is to assess the efficiency of EDC as against a standard spreadsheet
      in regards to time to collect data and data accuracy, measured in number of
      errors after adjudication. METHODS: This was a crossover study comparing the time
      to collect data in minutes between EDC and a spreadsheet. The EDC tool used was
      Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), whereas the spreadsheet was Microsoft
      Excel. The data collected was part of a registry of patients who underwent
      coronary computed tomography angiography in the emergency setting. Two data
      collectors with the same experience went over the same patients and collected
      relevant data on a case report form identical to the one used in our Emergency
      Department (ED) registry. Data collection tool was switched after the patient
      that represented half the cohort. For this, the patient cohort was exactly 30
      days of our ED coronary Computed Tomography Angiography registry and the point of
      crossover was determined beforehand to be 15 days. We measured the number of
      patients admitted, and time to collect data. Accuracy was defined as absence of
      blank fields and errors, and was assessed by comparing data between data
      collectors and counting every time the data differed. Statistical analysis was
      made using paired t -test. RESULTS: The study included 61 patients (122
      observations) and 55 variables. The crossover occurred after the 30th patient.
      Mean time to collect data using EDC in minutes was 6.2+/-2.3, whereas using Excel
      was 8.0+/-2.0 (P <.001), a difference of 1.8 minutes between both means (22%).
      The cohort was evenly distributed with 3 admissions in the first half of the
      crossover and 4 in the second half. We saw 2 (<0.1%) continuous variable typos in
      the spreadsheet that a single data collector made. There were no blank fields.
      The data collection tools showed no differences in accuracy of data on
      comparison. CONCLUSIONS: Data collection for our registry with an EDC tool was
      faster than using a spreadsheet, which in turn allowed more efficient follow-up
      of cases.

PMID- 27277525
TI  - Lubricant sensitivity in function of paddle movement in the forced feeder of a
      high-speed tablet press.
AB  - CONTEXT: The negative impact of magnesium stearate (MgSt) on the hardness of
      tablets is a well-known phenomenon, but the influence of paddle movement in the
      forced feeder on the lubricant effect during tablet compression is often
      neglected. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to investigate the
      influence of paddle speed in the forced feeder on tablet tensile strength (TS).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mixtures of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and MgSt
      (0.5%) were blended using different methods (low & high shear). After blending,
      the formulations were compressed into tablets. All parameters of the tableting
      cycle were kept constant except the speed of the paddles in the forced feeder.
      RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The blending technique affected the sensitivity of the
      formulation to the paddle speed. The TS of pure MCC tablets did not change in
      function of paddle speed, while tablets prepared by low shear mixing became
      softer at higher paddle speed. The TS of tablets manufactured using the high
      shear mixed blend was low and did not vary in function of paddle speed,
      suggesting that overlubrication already occurred during the initial blending
      step. Furthermore, analysis of the machine parameters allowed evaluation of the
      influence of the paddles on the flowability, initial packing, and compactability
      of the powder mixtures. CONCLUSION: The results elucidated that during
      manufacturing of tablets using MgSt-containing blends care should not only be
      taken during the blending step prior to tableting, but also during the tableting
      process itself, as paddle speed can affect tablet TS, a critical quality
      attribute.

PMID- 27277526
TI  - Adulthood revictimization: looking beyond childhood trauma.

PMID- 27277524
TI  - Individual-specific changes in the human gut microbiota after challenge with
      enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and subsequent ciprofloxacin treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of diarrhea
      in inhabitants from low-income countries and in visitors to these countries. The
      impact of the human intestinal microbiota on the initiation and progression of
      ETEC diarrhea is not yet well understood. RESULTS: We used 16S rRNA (ribosomal
      RNA) gene sequencing to study changes in the fecal microbiota of 12 volunteers
      during a human challenge study with ETEC (H10407) and subsequent treatment with
      ciprofloxacin. Five subjects developed severe diarrhea and seven experienced few
      or no symptoms. Diarrheal symptoms were associated with high concentrations of
      fecal E. coli as measured by quantitative culture, quantitative PCR, and
      normalized number of 16S rRNA gene sequences. Large changes in other members of
      the microbiota varied greatly from individual to individual, whether or not
      diarrhea occurred. Nonetheless the variation within an individual was small
      compared to variation between individuals. Ciprofloxacin treatment reorganized
      microbiota populations; however, the original structure was largely restored at
      one and three month follow-up visits. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic ETEC infections,
      but not asymptomatic infections, were associated with high fecal concentrations
      of E. coli. Both infection and ciprofloxacin treatment caused variable changes in
      other bacteria that generally reverted to baseline levels after three months.

PMID- 27277527
TI  - The role of quantitation of real-time 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      in detecting microvascular invasion: an in vivo study.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the role of quantitative perfusion analysis
      of 3-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in detecting
      microvascular invasion (MVI) of liver tumor in vivo. METHODS: VX2 tumors were
      implanted in the livers of sixteen New Zealand rabbits. On day 10, real-time 3D
      CEUS was performed, and the real-time dynamic images were analyzed using online
      quantification software. The animals were sacrificed and sent for pathology
      examinations. According to the gold standard of pathology, the animals were
      divided into an MVI group and a group without MVI (non-MVI group). Time-intensity
      curves (TICs) were obtained for the VX2 tumors and the surrounding liver
      parenchyma, and the parameters peak intensity (PI), mean transit time (MTT), and
      time to peak (TTP) were compared within and between the MVI and non-MVI groups.
      RESULTS: The TTP and MTT of the VX2 tumors were significantly faster than those
      of the surrounding liver parenchyma in both MVI and non-MVI groups. The PI of the
      VX2 tumors was significantly lower than that of the surrounding liver parenchyma
      in the non-MVI group but not the MVI group. The TTP and MTT of the VX2 tumors and
      surrounding liver parenchyma were not significantly different in the MVI group
      compared with the non-MVI group, whereas the DeltaPI (the PI ratio between the
      VX2 liver tumors and the reference liver parenchyma) of the VX2 tumors in the MVI
      group was larger than that in the non-MVI group. VX2 tumors with MVI present
      different hemodynamic parameters, with a larger DeltaPI than tumors without MVI.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that quantitative perfusion analysis of 3D CEUS
      might be a promising method for predicting MVI in liver tumors.

PMID- 27277528
TI  - Cancer therapy-related complications in the bowel and mesentery: an imaging
      perspective.
AB  - Cancer therapy-induced complications in the bowel and mesentery are fairly
      common. It is important for clinicians to be aware of these complications and the
      agents most frequently implicated. Cancer therapy is rapidly evolving and often
      encompasses both classic cytotoxic drugs and newer molecular targeted agents.
      Drugs from both broad classes can have numerous adverse effects on the bowel and
      mesentery that can be detected on imaging. These adverse effects include ileus,
      various forms of enterocolitis, gastrointestinal perforation, pneumatosis
      intestinalis, secretory diarrhea, and sclerosing mesenteritis. These
      complications are diverse and range from relatively benign to life threatening.
      The management is also variable, but many of these conditions are easily
      controlled and reversed with supportive care and cessation of the particular
      cancer therapy. The objective of this pictorial essay is to demonstrate some of
      the more common cancer therapy-induced complications of the bowel and mesentery,
      with a focus on the radiographic findings.

PMID- 27277529
TI  - Slug inhibition increases radiosensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells
      by upregulating PUMA.
AB  - As a new strategy, radio-gene therapy was widely used for the treatment of cancer
      patients in recent few years. Slug was involved in the radioresistance of various
      cancers and has been found to have an anti-apoptotic effect. This study aims to
      investigate whether the modulation of Slug expression by siRNA affects oral
      squamous cell carcinoma sensitivity to X-ray irradiation through upregulating
      PUMA. Two oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (HSC3 and HSC6) were
      transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Slug and subjected to
      radiotherapy in vitro. After transfection with Slug siRNA, both HSC3 and HSC6
      cells showed relatively lower expression of Slug and higher expression of PUMA.
      The Slug siRNA transfected cells showed decreased survival and proliferation
      rates, an increased apoptosis rate and enhanced radiosensitivity to X-ray
      irradiation. Our results revealed that Slug siRNA transfection in combination
      with radiation increased the expression of PUMA, which contributed to
      radiosensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Thus, controlling the
      expression of Slug might contribute to enhance sensitivity of HSC3 and HSC6 cells
      toward X-ray irradiation in vitro by upregulating PUMA. 

PMID- 27277531
TI  - Acute-on-chronic liver failure in cirrhosis.

PMID- 27277530
TI  - Hydroxychloroquine protects melanocytes from autoantibody-induced injury by
      reducing the binding of antigen-antibody complexes.
AB  - Vitiligo is a polygenic autoimmune disorder characterized by loss of pigmentation
      due to melanocyte destruction. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an effective
      immunosuppressant widely used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. As
      generalized vitiligo (GV) is commonly considered to be a T cell and autoantibody
      induced immune disorder, the present study aimed to determine whether HCQ
      protects melanocytes from autoantibody-induced disruption. Anti-melanocyte
      antibodies were obtained from the serum of patients with progressive GV and the
      effects of HCQ on prevent the autoantibody-induced disruption of melanocytes was
      observed. Cell-based ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence and western blotting were
      used to analyze the autoantibody content of sera samples obtained from 32
      patients with progressive GV. The cytotoxicity of HCQ was detected by MTT assay,
      and 1 ug/ml HCQ was applied to human primary melanocytes (HMCs) to examine
      whether it could exert protective effects against autoantibody-induced immune
      injury. Flow cytometry was used to measure autoantibody binding to the surface of
      HMCs. Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cell
      mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were monitored by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase
      releasing assays. The concentration of autoantibodies in sera samples taken from
      GV patients was significantly higher than in controls, particularly in patients
      who had >10% of their body surface affected by vitiligo. The majority of the
      autoantibodies presented in the HMCs and human keratinocytes (HKCs) and were
      predominantly localized to the cell surface and cytoplasm. The molecular weights
      of the autoantigens were identified as 30, 37-39, 42, 53, 60-75, 90, 100, 110,
      and 126 kDa; the 30 kDa protein was observed only in HMCs. The addition of HCQ at
      a concentration of 1 ug/ml produced no significant cytotoxicity in HMCs and was
      demonstrated to reduce the binding of GV immunoglobulin G (IgG) to the surface of
      HMCs. HCQ also significantly decreased the effects of ADCC and CDC that were
      mediated by GV IgG. The present study provides evidence that HCQ dissociates
      autoantibody-antigen complexes on the surface of HMCs and reverses ADCC and CDC
      activity in vitro. Thus, in addition to its effectiveness as an antimalarial
      therapeutic agent, HCQ may also be a promising potential treatment for patients
      with vitiligo. 

PMID- 27277532
TI  - Characterization of the recombinant Brettanomyces anomalus beta-glucosidase and
      its potential for bioflavouring.
AB  - AIM: Plant materials used in the food industry contain up to five times more
      aromas bound to glucose (glucosides) than free, unbound aromas, making these
      bound aromas an unused flavouring potential. The aim of this study was to
      identify and purify a novel beta-glucosidase from Brettanomyces yeasts that are
      capable of releasing bound aromas present in various food products. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: We screened 428 different yeast strains for beta-glucosidase activity
      and are the first to sequence the whole genome of two Brettanomyces yeasts
      (Brettanomyces anomalus and Brettanomyces bruxellensis) with exceptionally high
      beta-glucosidase activity. Heterologous expression and purification of the
      identified B. anomalus beta-glucosidase showed that it has an optimal activity at
      a higher pH (5.75) and lower temperature (37 degrees C) than commercial beta
      glucosidases. Adding this B. anomalus beta-glucosidase to cherry beers and forest
      fruit milks resulted in increased amounts of benzyl alcohol, eugenol, linalool
      and methyl salicylate compared to Aspergillus niger and Almond glucosidase.
      CONCLUSIONS: The newly identified B. anomalus beta-glucosidase offers new
      possibilities for food bioflavouring. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This
      study is the first to sequence the B. anomalus genome and to identify the beta
      glucosidase-encoding genes of two Brettanomyces species, and reports a new
      bioflavouring enzyme.

PMID- 27277534
TI  - MicroRNA-320 was downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer and inhibited cell
      proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting fatty acid synthase.
AB  - The expression and functions of microRNA (miR)-320 have been previously
      investigated in various types of cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge,
      no previous studies have investigated miR-320 in human lung cancer. The current
      study determined the expression, biological functions and molecular mechanisms of
      miR-320 in human lung cancer. The expression level of miR-320 in human non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and normal adjacent tissue samples (NATs), NSCLC cell
      lines and non-tumorigenic bronchial epithelial cells was measured by reverse
      transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Following transfection with
      miR-320 mimics, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide,
      cell migration and cell invasion assays, western blot analysis and luciferase
      assay were performed in human NSCLC cell lines. The results demonstrated that miR
      320 was significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissue samples and cell lines
      compared with NATs and a control cell line, respectively. Statistical analysis
      demonstrated that expression of miR-320 was significantly associated with the TNM
      classification and metastasis. It was also observed that miR-320 inhibited cell
      growth, migration and invasion in NSCLC cells. Additionally, the present study
      provided evidence that miR-320 may directly target fatty acid synthase. These
      results suggest that miR-320 may serve as a therapeutic biomarker of NSCLC in the
      future. 

PMID- 27277533
TI  - Analysis of the genetic diversity and structure across a wide range of germplasm
      reveals prominent gene flow in apple at the European level.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The amount and structure of genetic diversity in dessert apple
      germplasm conserved at a European level is mostly unknown, since all diversity
      studies conducted in Europe until now have been performed on regional or national
      collections. Here, we applied a common set of 16 SSR markers to genotype more
      than 2,400 accessions across 14 collections representing three broad European
      geographic regions (North + East, West and South) with the aim to analyze the
      extent, distribution and structure of variation in the apple genetic resources in
      Europe. RESULTS: A Bayesian model-based clustering approach showed that diversity
      was organized in three groups, although these were only moderately differentiated
      (FST = 0.031). A nested Bayesian clustering approach allowed identification of
      subgroups which revealed internal patterns of substructure within the groups,
      allowing a finer delineation of the variation into eight subgroups (FST = 0.044).
      The first level of stratification revealed an asymmetric division of the
      germplasm among the three groups, and a clear association was found with the
      geographical regions of origin of the cultivars. The substructure revealed clear
      partitioning of genetic groups among countries, but also interesting associations
      between subgroups and breeding purposes of recent cultivars or particular usage
      such as cider production. Additional parentage analyses allowed us to identify
      both putative parents of more than 40 old and/or local cultivars giving
      interesting insights in the pedigree of some emblematic cultivars. CONCLUSIONS:
      The variation found at group and subgroup levels may reflect a combination of
      historical processes of migration/selection and adaptive factors to diverse
      agricultural environments that, together with genetic drift, have resulted in
      extensive genetic variation but limited population structure. The European
      dessert apple germplasm represents an important source of genetic diversity with
      a strong historical and patrimonial value. The present work thus constitutes a
      decisive step in the field of conservation genetics. Moreover, the obtained data
      can be used for defining a European apple core collection useful for further
      identification of genomic regions associated with commercially important
      horticultural traits in apple through genome-wide association studies.

PMID- 27277536
TI  - Novel "baby-in-mother" technique with the GuideLiner in the bifurcation coronary
      intervention with the protect-wire kept in the side branch.
AB  - We report a case of percutaneous coronary intervention in a bifurcation lesion
      involving the left anterior descending artery and the first-diagonal branch. The
      lesion was calcified with vessel tortuosity. Despite adequate lesion preparation
      using scoring balloon, the stent was not deliverable, even with deep intubation
      of 7Fr-guiding catheter. The use of 6-in-7 guiding extension catheter would have
      required removal of wire from the diagonal branch. To avoid this situation, we
      down-sized the extension catheter to 5Fr, which was successful in delivering the
      stent without removal of the wire from diagonal branch. We have also demonstrated
      this novel technique on ex vivo bench testing.

PMID- 27277535
TI  - A novel CCM2 variant in a family with non-progressive cognitive complaints and
      cerebral microbleeds.
AB  - Lobar cerebral microbleeds are most often sporadic and associated with
      Alzheimer's disease. The aim of our study was to identify the underlying genetic
      defect in a family with cognitive complaints and multiple lobar microbleeds and a
      positive family history for early onset Alzheimer's disease. We performed exome
      sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing for validation purposes on genomic DNA
      of three siblings with cognitive complaints, reduced amyloid-beta-42 in CSF and
      multiple cerebral lobar microbleeds. We checked for the occurrence of the variant
      in a cohort of 363 patients with early onset dementia and/or microbleeds. A novel
      frameshift variant (c.236_237delAC) generating a premature stop codon in the CCM2
      gene shared by all three siblings was identified. Pathogenicity of the variant
      was supported by the presence of cerebral cavernous malformations in two of the
      siblings and by the absence of the variant exome variant databases. Two siblings
      were homozygous for APOE-epsilon4; one heterozygous. The cognitive complaints,
      reduced amyloid-beta-42 in CSF and microbleeds suggest preclinical Alzheimer's
      disease, but the stability of the cognitive complaints does not. We hypothesize
      that the phenotype in this family may be due to a combination of the CCM2 variant
      and the APOE status. (c) 2016 The Authors. American Journal of Medical Genetics
      Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27277537
TI  - Drinking water insecurity: water quality and access in coastal south-western
      Bangladesh.
AB  - National drinking water assessments for Bangladesh do not reflect local
      variability, or temporal differences. This paper reports on the findings of an
      interdisciplinary investigation of drinking water insecurity in a rural coastal
      south-western Bangladesh. Drinking water quality is assessed by comparison of
      locally measured concentrations to national levels and water quality criteria;
      resident's access to potable water and their perceptions are based on local
      social surveys. Residents in the study area use groundwater far less than the
      national average; salinity and local rainwater scarcity necessitates the use of
      multiple water sources throughout the year. Groundwater concentrations of arsenic
      and specific conductivity (SpC) were greater than surface water (pond)
      concentrations; there was no statistically significant seasonal difference in
      mean concentrations in groundwater, but there was for ponds, with arsenic higher
      in the dry season. Average arsenic concentrations in local water drinking were 2
      4 times times the national average. All of the local groundwater samples exceeded
      the Bangladesh guidance for SpC, although the majority of residents surveyed did
      not perceive their water as having a 'bad' or 'salty' taste. 

PMID- 27277538
TI  - Selective inhibition of apicoplast tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase causes delayed
      death in Plasmodium falciparum.
AB  - The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum relies on efficient protein
      translation. An essential component of translation is the tryptophanyl-tRNA
      synthetase (TrpRS) that charges tRNA(trp). Here we characterise two isoforms of
      TrpRS in Plasmodium; one eukaryotic type localises to the cytosol and a bacterial
      type localises to the remnant plastid (apicoplast). We show that the apicoplast
      TrpRS aminoacylates bacterial tRNA(trp) while the cytosolic TrpRS charges
      eukaryotic tRNA(trp). An inhibitor of bacterial TrpRSs, indolmycin, specifically
      inhibits aminoacylation by the apicoplast TrpRS in vitro, and inhibits ex vivo
      Plasmodium parasite growth, killing parasites with a delayed death effect
      characteristic of apicoplast inhibitors. Indolmycin treatment ablates apicoplast
      inheritance and is rescuable by addition of the apicoplast metabolite isopentenyl
      pyrophosphate (IPP). These data establish that inhibition of an apicoplast
      housekeeping enzyme leads to loss of the apicoplast and this is sufficient for
      delayed death. Apicoplast TrpRS is essential for protein translation and is a
      promising, specific antimalarial target.

PMID- 27277540
TI  - Bulk binary ZrO2-based oxides as highly active alternative-type catalysts for non
      oxidative isobutane dehydrogenation.
AB  - Bulk binary ZrO2-based oxides efficiently catalyse non-oxidative dehydrogenation
      of isobutane to isobutylene. Their activity strongly depends on the kind of
      second metal oxide. So designed CrZrOx showed superior activity to industrially
      relevant catalysts with supported Pt or CrOx species. It was also stable under
      alternating dehydrogenation and oxidative regeneration cycles over ca. 110 h
      under different reaction conditions between 550 and 600  degrees C. 

PMID- 27277539
TI  - Identification of a new HLA-G allele, HLA-G*01:19, by cloning and phasing.
AB  - A new HLA-G allelic variant, HLA-G*01:19, was identified in a southern Chinese
      Han population by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT),
      cloning and phasing. HLA-G*01:19 differs from HLA-G*01:04:01 by a nonsynonymous
      cytosine at position 99 in exon 2, resulting in amino acid change from valine to
      leucine at codon 34 of the mature HLA-G molecule. 

PMID- 27277541
TI  - Proteasome inhibitor MG132 potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in gallbladder
      carcinoma GBC-SD cells via DR5-dependent pathway.
AB  - TRAIL is a tumor-selective apoptosis-inducing cytokine playing a vital role in
      the surveillance and elimination of some tumor cells. However, some tumors are
      resistant to TRAIL treatment. Proteasome inhibitor MG132 exhibits anti
      proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties in many tumors. In this study, we
      demonstrated that proteasome inhibitor MG132 in vitro and in vivo potentiates
      TRAIL-induced apoptosis in gallbladder carcinoma GBC-SD cells. MG132 was able to
      inhibit the proliferation of GBC-SD cells and induce apoptosis in a dose
      dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis by proteasome inhibitor MG132 was
      mainly through the extrinsic apoptotic pathways of caspase activation such as
      caspase-8, caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. In addition, this process was also
      dependent on the upregulation of death receptor 5 (DR5), which promoted TRAIL
      induced apoptosis in GBC-SD cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that
      MG132 possesses anti-gallbladder cancer potential that correlate with regulation
      of DR5-dependent pathway, and suggest that MG132 may be a promising agent for
      sensitizing GBC-SD cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. 

PMID- 27277542
TI  - Vending Machines of Food and Beverages and Nutritional Profile of their Products
      at Schools in Madrid, Spain, 2014-2015.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Policies restricting access to sugary drinks and unhealthy foods in
      the school environment are associated with healthier consumption patterns. In
      2010, Spain approved a Consensus Document regarding Food at Schools with
      nutritional criteria to improve the nutritional profile of foods and drinks
      served at schools. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of
      food and drink vending machines at secondary schools in Madrid, the products
      offered at them and their nutritional profile. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of
      a random sample of 330 secondary schools in Madrid in 2014-2015. The
      characteristics of the schools and the existence of vending machines were
      recorded through the internet and by telephone interview. The products offered in
      a representative sample of 6 vending machines were identified by in situ
      inspection, and its nutritional composition was taken from its labeling. Finally,
      the nutritional profile of each product was analyzed with the United Kingdom
      profile model, which classifies products as healthy and less healthy. RESULTS:
      The prevalence of vending machines was 17.3%. Among the products offered, 80.5%
      were less healthy food and drinks (high in energy, fat or sugar and poor in
      nutrients) and 10.5% were healthy products. CONCLUSIONS: Vending machines are
      common at secondary schools in Madrid. Most products are vending machines are
      still less healthy.

PMID- 27277543
TI  - Ultrasound characterization of the mastoid for detecting middle ear effusion: A
      preliminary clinical validation.
AB  - Ultrasound detection of middle ear effusion (MEE) is an emerging technique in
      otolaryngology. This study proposed using ultrasound characterization of the
      mastoid to noninvasively measure MEE-induced mastoid effusion (ME) as a new
      strategy for determining the presence of MEE. In total, 53 patients were enrolled
      (Group I: normal, n = 20; Group II: proven MEE through both otoscopy and
      tympanometry, n = 15; Group III: patients with MEE having effusions observed
      during grommet surgery, n = 18). A 2.25-MHz delay-line transducer was used to
      measure backscattered signals from the mastoid. The Nakagami parameter was
      estimated using the acquired signals to model the echo amplitude distribution for
      quantifying changes in the acoustic structures of mastoid air cells. The median
      Nakagami parameter and interquartile range were 0.35 (0.34-0.37) for Group I,
      0.39 (0.37-0.41) for Group II, and 0.43 (0.39-0.51) for Group III. The echo
      amplitude distribution observed for patients with MEE was closer to Rayleigh
      distribution than that without MEE. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve
      analysis further revealed that the area under the ROC was 0.88, sensitivity was
      72.73%, specificity was 95%, and accuracy was 81.13%. The proposed method has
      considerable potential for noninvasive and comfortable evaluation of MEE.

PMID- 27277544
TI  - A facile one-step folic acid modified partially oxidized graphene for high
      sensitivity tumor cell sensing.
AB  - A highly sensitive and selective tumor cell sensor based on partially oxidized
      graphene (POG) and folate acid (FA) composite was constructed. The POG was
      prepared through a modified Hummers method and characterized by means of Raman
      spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, atomic force
      microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The as-prepared POG exhibited
      the advantages of high electrochemical activity and a good capacity of linking
      amine derivatives. Using a facile one step reaction, the FA-modified POG was
      endowed with a more sensitive response to folate-expressing tumor cells than
      those sensors constructed by the two-step reaction, as well as high selectivity,
      good reproducibility and long-term stability. 

PMID- 27277545
TI  - Letter to 'Cervical varix complicated by placenta previa: A case report and
      literature review': A novel simple abdominal traction stitch (Matsubara) to hold
      the Bakri balloon.

PMID- 27277546
TI  - Ordered genome change of plant and animal body cells revealed by the genome
      profiling method.
AB  - In the past, it was widely thought that, although epigenetically different, the
      genome sequences of cells are basically the same in a single body. In retrospect,
      the genome-uniformity idea may have been naive, considering that DNA polymerases
      cannot be perfect. Here, a systemic, not sporadic, genome change was demonstrated
      in a single plant (Arabidopsis) and animal (zebrafish) body using genome DNAs
      taken in an ordered manner using the genome profiling method. This can be
      explained because mutations accumulate additively in progeny cells, and these
      results are critically significant for developmental and oncological research.

PMID- 27277547
TI  - Arctic cut-off high drives the poleward shift of a new Greenland melting record.
AB  - Large-scale atmospheric circulation controls the mass and energy balance of the
      Greenland ice sheet through its impact on radiative budget, runoff and
      accumulation. Here, using reanalysis data and the outputs of a regional climate
      model, we show that the persistence of an exceptional atmospheric ridge, centred
      over the Arctic Ocean, was responsible for a poleward shift of runoff, albedo and
      surface temperature records over the Greenland during the summer of 2015. New
      records of monthly mean zonal winds at 500 hPa and of the maximum latitude of
      ridge peaks of the 5,700+/-50 m isohypse over the Arctic were associated with the
      formation and persistency of a cutoff high. The unprecedented (1948-2015) and
      sustained atmospheric conditions promoted enhanced runoff, increased the surface
      temperatures and decreased the albedo in northern Greenland, while inhibiting
      melting in the south, where new melting records were set over the past decade.

PMID- 27277548
TI  - Italian Chapter of the International Society of Cardiovascular Ultrasound expert
      consensus document on coronary computed tomography angiography: overview and new
      insights.
AB  - Coronary computed tomography angiography is a noninvasive heart imaging test
      currently undergoing rapid development and advancement. The high resolution of
      the three-dimensional pictures of the moving heart and great vessels is performed
      during a coronary computed tomography to identify coronary artery disease and
      classify patient risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The technique
      provides useful information about the coronary tree and atherosclerotic plaques
      beyond simple luminal narrowing and plaque type defined by calcium content. This
      application will improve image-guided prevention, medical therapy, and coronary
      interventions. The ability to interpret coronary computed tomography images is of
      utmost importance as we develop personalized medical care to enable therapeutic
      interventions stratified on the bases of plaque characteristics. This overview
      provides available data and expert's recommendations in the utilization of
      coronary computed tomography findings. We focus on the use of coronary computed
      tomography to detect coronary artery disease and stratify patients at risk,
      illustrating the implications of this test on patient management. We describe its
      diagnostic power in identifying patients at higher risk to develop acute coronary
      syndrome and its prognostic significance. Finally, we highlight the features of
      the vulnerable plaques imaged by coronary computed tomography angiography. 

PMID- 27277549
TI  - Isolation and characterization of tumorspheres from a recurrent pineoblastoma
      patient: Feasibility of a patient-derived xenograft.
AB  - The existence of tumorspheres (TSs) might confer treatment resistance to
      pineoblastoma (PB). The existence of PB TSs with cellular immortalization
      potential has not yet been reported. We developed a procedure for isolating TSs
      from recurrent PB (rPB) and tested whether their properties made them suitable
      for use as a patient-derived xenograft (PDX). Immunocytochemical staining, RT-PCR
      and quantitative real-time PCR showed that, among stemness proteins, CD133,
      musashi and podoplanin were expressed at elevated levels in rPB TSs, but nestin
      was not. rPB TSs cultured under neuro-glial differentiation conditions expressed
      TUBB3, but not GFAP, MBP or NeuN. Unlike glioblastoma TSs, rPB TSs showed no
      clear evidence of invasion in 3D invasion assay or increased expression of genes
      associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. An orthotopic xenograft showed
      that tumor xenografts replicated the histopathological features of the patient
      tumor and expressed similar genome profiles, as determined by short tandem repeat
      genotyping. These data demonstrate the isolation and the characterization of rPB
      TSs for the first time. Using an orthotopic xenograft, we showed that rPB TSs
      could replicate the patient tumor, demonstrating their potential as a PDX for
      precision medicine. 

PMID- 27277550
TI  - Nuclear import of prototype foamy virus transactivator Bel1 is mediated by KPNA1,
      KPNA6 and KPNA7.
AB  - Bel1, a transactivator of the prototype foamy virus (PFV), plays pivotal roles in
      the replication of PFV. Previous studies have demonstrated that Bel1 bears a
      nuclear localization signal (NLS); however, its amino acid sequence remains
      unclear and the corresponding adaptor importins have not yet been identified. In
      this study, we inserted various fragments of Bel1 into an EGFP-GST fusion protein
      and investigated their subcellular localization by fluorescence microscopy. We
      found that the 215PRQKRPR221 fragment, which accords with the consensus sequence
      K(K/R)X(K/R) of the monopartite NLS, directed the nuclear translocation of Bel1.
      Point mutation experiments revealed that K218, R219 and R221 were essential for
      the nuclear localization of Bel1. The results of GST pull-down assay revealed
      that the Bel1 peptide 215-221, which bears the NLS, interacted with the
      nucleocytoplasmic transport receptors, karyopherin alpha 1 (importin alpha 5)
      (KPNA1), karyopherin alpha 6 (importin alpha 7) (KPNA6) and karyopherin alpha 7
      (importin alpha 8) (KPNA7). Finally, in vitro nuclear import assays demonstrated
      that KPNA1, KPNA6 or KPNA7, along with other necessary nuclear factors, caused
      Bel1 to localize to the nucleus. Thus, the findings of our study indicate that
      KPNA1, KPNA6 and KPNA7 are involved in Bel1 nuclear distribution. 

PMID- 27277551
TI  - Timing of Gestures: Gestures Anticipating or Simultaneous With Speech as Indexes
      of Text Comprehension in Children and Adults.
AB  - The deep comprehension of a text is tantamount to the construction of an
      articulated mental model of that text. The number of correct recollections is an
      index of a learner's mental model of a text. We assume that another index of
      comprehension is the timing of the gestures produced during text recall; gestures
      are simultaneous with speech when the learner has built an articulated mental
      model of the text, whereas they anticipate the speech when the learner has built
      a less articulated mental model. The results of four experiments confirm the
      predictions deriving from our assumptions for both children and adults. Provided
      that the recollections are correct, the timing of gestures can differ and can be
      considered a further measure of the quality of the mental model, beyond the
      number of correct recollections.

PMID- 27277552
TI  - A review on the important aspects of lipase immobilization on nanomaterials.
AB  - Lipase is one of the most widely used enzymes and plays an important role in
      biotechnological and industrial processes including food, paper, and oleochemical
      industries, as well as in pharmaceutical applications. However, its aqueous
      solubility and instability make its application relatively difficult and
      expensive. The immobilization technique is often used to improve lipase
      performance, and the strategy has turned out to be a promising method.
      Immobilized lipase on nanomaterials (NMs) has shown superiority to the free
      lipase, such as improved thermal and pH stability, longer stable time, and the
      capacity of being reused. However, immobilization of lipase on NMs also sometimes
      causes activity loss and protein loading is relatively lowered under some
      conditions. The overall performance of immobilized lipase on NMs is influenced by
      mechanisms of immobilization, type of NMs being used, and physicochemical
      features of the used NMs (such as particle size, aggregation behavior, NM
      dimension, and type of coupling/modifying agents being used). Based on the
      specific features of lipase and NMs, this review discusses the recent
      developments, some mechanisms, and influence of NMs on lipase immobilization and
      their activity. Multiple application potential of the immobilized lipases has
      also been considered.

PMID- 27277553
TI  - Cardiovascular regulation pattern of contamination-related disgust: Consistency
      and context dependence.
AB  - The cardiovascular response to contamination-related disgust was proposed to be
      under parasympathetic or parasympathetic-sympathetic cardiac control. However,
      findings of physiological disgust responses are inconsistent, possibly due to
      effects of the emotion induction context and single cardiovascular changes being
      part of larger cardiovascular regulation patterns. Therefore, we induced an
      emotionally neutral state and core and contamination disgust in female
      participants in two induction contexts (auditory script, film clip). Dependent
      variables were emotion self-reports and 10 cardiovascular factors derived from 23
      cardiovascular variables. We found elevated disgust ratings in both induction
      contexts. On the cardiovascular level, we observed consistent increases in a
      factor indicating vagal cardiac control in both contexts and changes in factors
      indicating sympathetic activation that were bound to the respective context.
      These findings support the notion of a parasympathetic dominance of the
      contamination-related disgust response and underpin the importance of
      incorporating the induction context in the study of cardiovascular responses to
      disgust.

PMID- 27277554
TI  - Exploring the mechanisms of action of human secretory RNase 3 and RNase 7 against
      Candida albicans.
AB  - Human antimicrobial RNases, which belong to the vertebrate RNase A superfamily
      and are secreted upon infection, display a wide spectrum of antipathogen
      activities. In this work, we examined the antifungal activity of the eosinophil
      RNase 3 and the skin-derived RNase 7, two proteins expressed by innate cell types
      that are directly involved in the host defense against fungal infection. Candida
      albicans has been selected as a suitable working model for testing RNase
      activities toward a eukaryotic pathogen. We explored the distinct levels of
      action of both RNases on yeast by combining cell viability and membrane model
      assays together with protein labeling and confocal microscopy. Site-directed
      mutagenesis was applied to ablate either the protein active site or the key
      anchoring region for cell binding. This is the first integrated study that
      highlights the RNases' dual mechanism of action. Along with an overall membrane
      destabilization process, the RNases could internalize and target cellular RNA.
      The data support the contribution of the enzymatic activity for the antipathogen
      action of both antimicrobial proteins, which can be envisaged as suitable
      templates for the development of novel antifungal drugs. We suggest that both
      human RNases work as multitasking antimicrobial proteins that provide a first
      line immune barrier.

PMID- 27277555
TI  - Impact of targeted counseling on reported vaginal hygiene practices and bacterial
      vaginosis: the HIV Prevention Trials Network 035 study.
AB  - The objective of this study was to describe the impact of intense counseling to
      reduce vaginal hygiene practices and its effect on bacterial vaginosis. A
      secondary data analysis of the HIV Prevention Trials Network 035 study was
      undertaken, focusing on HIV-negative, nonpregnant women who were at least 18
      years old, in seven African sites and one US site. At enrollment and during
      follow-up quarterly visits, vaginal hygiene practices were determined by face-to
      face administration of a behavioral assessment questionnaire. Vaginal hygiene
      practices were categorized as insertion into the vagina of (1) nothing, (2) water
      only, and (3) other substances with or without water. Each practice was
      quantified by frequency and type/combination of inserted substances. At quarterly
      visits, diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis was made using the Nugent score. Trends
      for vaginal hygiene practices and bacterial vaginosis were evaluated using
      generalized estimating equation models. A total of 3087 participants from the HIV
      Prevention Trials Network 035 study were eligible for this analysis. At
      enrollment, 1859 (60%) reported recent vaginal hygiene practices. By one year,
      this figure had decreased to 1019 (33%) with counseling. However, bacterial
      vaginosis prevalence remained consistent across the study observation period,
      with 36%-38% of women testing positive for the condition ( p for trend = 0.27).
      Overall, those who reported douching with water only (AOR = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.94
      1.13) and those who reported inserting other substances (AOR= 0.98, 95%CI: 0.88
      1.09) in the past quarter were not more likely to have bacterial vaginosis
      compared to those who reported no insertions. However, in South Africa, an
      increase in bacterial vaginosis was seen among those who reported inserting other
      substances (AOR: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.88). In conclusion, targeted counseling
      against vaginal hygiene practices resulted in change in self-reported behavior
      but did not have an impact on bacterial vaginosis diagnosis in all but one site.

PMID- 27277556
TI  - [Laparoscopic rectal resection technique].
AB  - The quality of radical oncological operations for patients with rectal cancer
      determines the rate of local recurrence and long-term survival. Neoadjuvant
      chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced tumors, a standardized surgical procedure
      for rectal tumors less than 12 cm from the anus with total mesorectal excision
      (TME) and preservation of the autonomous nerve system for sexual and bladder
      function have significantly improved the oncological results and quality of life
      of patients. The TME procedure for rectal resection has been performed
      laparoscopically in Germany for almost 20 years; however, no reliable data are
      available on the frequency of laparoscopic procedures in rectal cancer patients
      in Germany. The rate of minimally invasive procedures is estimated to be less
      than 20 %. A prerequisite for using the laparoscopic approach is implicit
      adherence to the described standards of open surgery. Available data from
      prospective randomized trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate that
      in the early postoperative phase the generally well-known positive effects of the
      minimally invasive approach to the benefit of patients can be realized without
      any long-term negative impact on the oncological results; however, the results of
      many of these studies are difficult to interpret because it could not be
      confirmed whether the hospitals and surgeons involved had successfully completed
      the learning curve. In this article we would like to present our technique, which
      we have developed over the past 17 years in more than 1000 patients. Based on our
      experiences the laparoscopic approach can be highly recommended as a suitable
      alternative to the open procedure. 

PMID- 27277557
TI  - [Nutritional deficiencies and supplementation after metabolic surgery].
AB  - Increasing prevalence of morbid obesity in Germany is associated with an
      increasing number of bariatric surgical interventions.Based on the effectiveness
      of bariatric surgery with regard to a significant reduction of body weight and
      comorbidity as well as improvement of the quality of life compared with
      conservative measures, its value and impact has been substantially increased.
      Long-term metabolic deficits such as nutrient deficiencies can be considered the
      main risks of various restrictive, combined and malabsorptive procedures of
      bariatric surgery.The aim of this overview is to characterize metabolic
      complications after bariatric surgery and their prophylaxis, which require a
      temporary or permanent surveillance and, if necessary, effective
      supplementation.Bariatric surgical interventions such as gastric banding (GB) and
      sleeve gastrectomy (SG) can be subsequently associated with deficiencies related
      to B-vitamins whereas iron, folate, and vitamins B1, B12 and D deficiencies might
      be consequences of malabsorptive procedures such as biliopancreatic diversion,
      duodenal switch and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.Due to possible metabolic and
      surgical complications after bariatric surgery, patients need to undergo life
      long follow-up investigations. The currently available guidelines of the American
      Association of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery are the basis for the latest
      recommendations on supplementation and treatment in bariatric surgery. 

PMID- 27277559
TI  - Proceedings from the Second International Conference on Physical Employment
      Standards - Best Practice in Physical Employment Standards: An International
      Perspective / Comptes rendus du deuxieme Congres international sur les normes
      physiques relatives a l'emploi - Pratiques exemplaires en matiere de normes
      physiques relatives a l'emploi : une perspective internationale.

PMID- 27277558
TI  - Scaling Law for Irreversible Entropy Production in Critical Systems.
AB  - We examine the Jarzynski equality for a quenching process across the critical
      point of second-order phase transitions, where absolute irreversibility and the
      effect of finite-sampling of the initial equilibrium distribution arise in a
      single setup with equal significance. We consider the Ising model as a
      prototypical example for spontaneous symmetry breaking and take into account the
      finite sampling issue by introducing a tolerance parameter. The initially ordered
      spins become disordered by quenching the ferromagnetic coupling constant. For a
      sudden quench, the deviation from the Jarzynski equality evaluated from the ideal
      ensemble average could, in principle, depend on the reduced coupling constant
      epsilon0 of the initial state and the system size L. We find that, instead of
      depending on epsilon0 and L separately, this deviation exhibits a scaling
      behavior through a universal combination of epsilon0 and L for a given tolerance
      parameter, inherited from the critical scaling laws of second-order phase
      transitions. A similar scaling law can be obtained for the finite-speed quench as
      well within the Kibble-Zurek mechanism.

PMID- 27277560
TI  - The Second International Conference on Physical Employment Standards: An
      International Perspective.

PMID- 27277561
TI  - Current considerations related to physiological differences between the sexes and
      physical employment standards.
AB  - The use of physical employment standards (PES) has helped ensure that workers
      have the physical attributes necessary to complete their jobs in a safe and
      efficient manner. However, PES used in the selection processes have not always
      reflected the critical physical requirements of the job tasks. Women generally
      have smaller anthropometric stature than men, less muscle mass, and therefore
      less strength, power, and endurance, particularly in the upper body. Nonetheless,
      these attributes in themselves are not valid grounds for exclusion from
      employment in physically demanding occupations. Selection standards based upon
      size or strength, irrespective of the job requirements, have resulted in the
      barring of capable women from physically demanding jobs, claims of gender bias,
      and costly litigations. To ensure all individuals are provided with equal access
      to employment, accurate characterization of the critical physical requirements of
      the job is paramount. This paper summarizes the existing research related to
      disparities between the sexes that contribute to sex differences in job
      performance in physically demanding occupations including physical and legal
      factors. Strategies for mitigating these differences in the setting of PES and
      the meeting of minimum employment standards are discussed. Where available,
      injury rates for women and men in physically demanding occupations are presented
      and the etiology considered. Finally, areas for further research are identified. 

PMID- 27277562
TI  - Protective clothing ensembles and physical employment standards.
AB  - Physical employment standards (PESs) exist for certain occupational groups that
      also require the use of protective clothing ensembles (PCEs) during their normal
      work. This review addresses whether these current PESs appropriately incorporate
      the physiological burden associated with wearing PCEs during respective tasks.
      Metabolic heat production increases because of wearing PCE; this increase is
      greater than that because of simply the weight of the clothing and can vary 2
      fold among individuals. This variation negates a simple adjustment to the PES for
      the effect of the clothing on metabolic rate. As a result, PES testing that only
      simulates the weight of the clothing and protective equipment does not adequately
      accommodate this effect. The physiological heat strain associated with the use of
      PCEs is also not addressed with current PESs. Typically the selection tests of a
      PES lasts less than 20 min, whereas the requirement for use of PCE in the
      workplace may approach 1 h before cooling strategies can be employed. One option
      that might be considered is to construct a heat stress test that requires new
      recruits and incumbents to work for a predetermined duration while exposed to a
      warm environmental temperature while wearing the PCE. 

PMID- 27277563
TI  - Load carriage, human performance, and employment standards.
AB  - The focus of this review is on the physiological considerations necessary for
      developing employment standards within occupations that have a heavy reliance on
      load carriage. Employees within military, fire fighting, law enforcement, and
      search and rescue occupations regularly work with heavy loads. For example,
      soldiers often carry loads >50 kg, whilst structural firefighters wear 20-25 kg
      of protective clothing and equipment, in addition to carrying external loads. It
      has long been known that heavy loads modify gait, mobility, metabolic rate, and
      efficiency, while concurrently elevating the risk of muscle fatigue and injury.
      In addition, load carriage often occurs within environmentally stressful
      conditions, with protective ensembles adding to the thermal burden of the
      workplace. Indeed, physiological strain relates not just to the mass and
      dimensions of carried objects, but to how those loads are positioned on and
      around the body. Yet heavy loads must be borne by men and women of varying body
      size, and with the expectation that operational capability will not be impinged.
      This presents a recruitment conundrum. How do employers identify capable and
      injury-resistant individuals while simultaneously avoiding discriminatory
      selection practices? In this communication, the relevant metabolic,
      cardiopulmonary, and thermoregulatory consequences of loaded work are reviewed,
      along with concomitant impediments to physical endurance and mobility. Also
      emphasised is the importance of including occupation-specific clothing,
      protective equipment, and loads during work-performance testing. Finally,
      recommendations are presented for how to address these issues when evaluating
      readiness for duty. 

PMID- 27277564
TI  - Thermal stress, human performance, and physical employment standards.
AB  - Many physically demanding occupations in both developed and developing economies
      involve exposure to extreme thermal environments that can affect work capacity
      and ultimately health. Thermal extremes may be present in either an outdoor or an
      indoor work environment, and can be due to a combination of the natural or
      artificial ambient environment, the rate of metabolic heat generation from
      physical work, processes specific to the workplace (e.g., steel manufacturing),
      or through the requirement for protective clothing impairing heat dissipation.
      Together, thermal exposure can elicit acute impairment of work capacity and also
      chronic effects on health, greatly contributing to worker health risk and reduced
      productivity. Surprisingly, in most occupations even in developed economies,
      there are rarely any standards regarding enforced heat or cold safety for
      workers. Furthermore, specific physical employment standards or accommodations
      for thermal stressors are rare, with workers commonly tested under near-perfect
      conditions. This review surveys the major occupational impact of thermal extremes
      and existing employment standards, proposing guidelines for improvement and areas
      for future research. 

PMID- 27277566
TI  - Abstracts of the Second International Conference on Physical Employment Standards
      / Resumes scientifique de la deuxieme Congres international sur les normes
      physiques relatives a l'emploi.

PMID- 27277565
TI  - Nutra-ergonomics: influence of nutrition on physical employment standards and the
      health of workers.
AB  - The importance of ergonomics across several scientific domains, including
      biomechanics, psychology, sociology, and physiology, have been extensively
      explored. However, the role of other factors that may influence the health and
      productivity of workers, such as nutrition, is generally overlooked. Nutra
      ergonomics describes the interface between workers, their work environment, and
      performance in relation to their nutritional status. It considers nutrition to be
      an integral part of a safe and productive workplace that encompasses physical and
      mental health as well as the long-term wellbeing of workers. This review explores
      the knowledge, awareness, and common practices of nutrition, hydration,
      stimulants, and fortified product use employed prior to physical employment
      standards testing and within the workplace. The influence of these nutra
      ergonomic strategies on physical employment standards, worker safety, and
      performance will be examined. Further, the roles, responsibilities, and
      implications for the applicant, worker, and the employer will be discussed within
      the context of nutra-ergonomics, with reference to the provision and
      sustainability of an environment conducive to optimize worker health and
      wellbeing. Beyond physical employment standards, workplace productivity, and
      performance, the influence of extended or chronic desynchronization (irregular or
      shift work) in the work schedule on metabolism and long-term health, including
      risk of developing chronic and complex diseases, is discussed. Finally, practical
      nutra-ergonomic strategies and recommendations for the applicant, worker, and
      employer alike will be provided to enhance the short- and long-term safety,
      performance, health, and wellbeing of workers. 

PMID- 27277567
TI  - Towards best practice in physical and physiological employment standards.
AB  - While the scope of the term physical employment standards is wide, the principal
      focus of this paper is on standards related to physiological evaluation of
      readiness for work. Common applications of such employment standards for work are
      in public safety and emergency response occupations (e.g., police, firefighting,
      military), and there is an ever-present need to maximize the scientific quality
      of this research. Historically, most of these occupations are male-dominated,
      which leads to potential sex bias during physical demands analysis and
      determining performance thresholds. It is often assumed that older workers
      advance to positions with lower physical demand. However, this is not always
      true, which raises concerns about the long-term maintenance of physiological
      readiness. Traditionally, little attention has been paid to the inevitable margin
      of uncertainty that exists around cut-scores. Establishing confidence intervals
      around the cut-score can reduce for this uncertainty. It may also be necessary to
      consider the effects of practise and biological variability on test scores. Most
      tests of readiness for work are conducted under near perfect conditions, while
      many emergency responses take place under far more demanding and unpredictable
      conditions. The potential impact of protective clothing, respiratory protection,
      load carriage, environmental conditions, nutrition, fatigue, sensory deprivation,
      and stress should also be considered when evaluating readiness for work. In this
      paper, we seek to establish uniformity in terminology in this field, identify key
      areas of concern, provide recommendations to improve both scientific and
      professional practice, and identify priorities for future research. 

PMID- 27277568
TI  - Human rights at work: Physical standards for employment and human rights law.
AB  - This review focuses on the human rights dimensions of creating and implementing
      physical standards for employment for prospective and incumbent employees. The
      review argues that physical standards for employment engage two fundamental legal
      concepts of employment law: freedom of contract and workplace human rights. While
      the former promotes an employer's right to set workplace standards and make
      decisions of whom to hire and terminate, the latter prevents employers from
      discriminating against individuals contrary to human rights legislation. With
      reference to applicable human rights legislative regimes and their judicial
      interpretation in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia,
      this review demonstrates the judicial preference for criterion validation in
      testing mechanisms in the finding of bona fide occupational requirements. With
      particular attention to the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Meiorin, this
      review argues that an effective balance between workplace safety and human rights
      concerns can be found, not in applying different standards to different groups of
      individuals, but in an approach that holds employers to demonstrating a
      sufficient connection between a uniform physical standard of employment and the
      actual minimum requirements to perform the job safety and efficiently. Combined
      with an employer's duty to accommodate, such an approach to lawful physical
      standards for employment conceives of worker and public safety and workplace
      diversity as emanating from a shared concern for human rights. 

PMID- 27277569
TI  - Standard-setting methodology: Establishing performance standards and setting cut
      scores to assist score interpretation.
AB  - A critical step in the development and use of tests of physical fitness for
      employment purposes (e.g., fitness for duty) is to establish 1 or more cut
      points, dividing the test score range into 2 or more ordered categories
      reflecting, for example, fail/pass decisions. Over the last 3 decades elaborated
      theories and methods have evolved focusing on the process of establishing 1 or
      more cut-scores on a test. This elaborated process is widely referred to as
      "standard-setting". As such, the validity of the test score interpretation hinges
      on the standard-setting, which embodies the purpose and rules according to which
      the test results are interpreted. The purpose of this paper is to provide an
      overview of standard-setting methodology. The essential features, key definitions
      and concepts, and various novel methods of informing standard-setting will be
      described. The focus is on foundational issues with an eye toward informing best
      practices with new methodology. Throughout, a case is made that in terms of best
      practices, establishing a test standard involves, in good part, setting a cut
      score and can be conceptualized as evidence/data-based policy making that is
      essentially tied to test validity and an evidential trail. 

PMID- 27277570
TI  - Validity and reliability of physical employment standards.
AB  - In this paper the role of validity and reliability in the development of physical
      employment standards (PESs) and the consideration of these factors in determining
      the final pass/fail criteria for a PES and ultimately the legal defensibility of
      a PES is examined. Particular attention is paid to the use of subject-matter
      experts, the levels of evidence used in the establishment of the minimum
      acceptable pace/intensity for the completion of critical tasks, and the
      considerations needed in physical test selection. 

PMID- 27277571
TI  - Age, human performance, and physical employment standards.
AB  - The proportion of older workers has increased substantially in recent years, with
      over 25% of the Canadian labour force aged >=55 years. Along with chronological
      age comes age-related declines in functional capacity associated with impairments
      to the cardiorespiratory and muscular systems. As a result, older workers are
      reported to exhibit reductions in work output and in the ability to perform
      and/or sustain the required effort when performing work tasks. However, research
      has presented some conflicting views on the consequences of aging in the
      workforce, as physically demanding occupations can be associated with improved or
      maintained physical function. Furthermore, the current methods for evaluating
      physical function in older workers often lack specificity and relevance to the
      actual work tasks, leading to an underestimation of physical capacity in the
      older worker. Nevertheless, industry often lacks the appropriate information
      and/or tools to accommodate the aging workforce, particularly in the context of
      physical employment standards. Ultimately, if appropriate workplace strategies
      and work performance standards are adopted to optimize the strengths and protect
      against the vulnerability of the aging workers, they can perform as effectively
      as their younger counterparts. Our aim in this review is to evaluate the impact
      of different individual (including physiological decline, chronic disease,
      lifestyle, and physical activity) and occupational (including shift work, sleep
      deprivation, and cold/heat exposure) factors on the physical decline of older
      workers, and therefore the risk of work-related injuries or illness. 

PMID- 27277572
TI  - Exon skipping and aberrant signal peptide cleavage produce novel fibrinogen with
      an Aalpha chain lacking the first 42 residues.

PMID- 27277573
TI  - Effects of different forage sources as a free-choice provision on the
      performance, nutrient digestibility, selected blood metabolites and structural
      growth of Holstein dairy calves.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different forage
      sources on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites
      of dairy calves. Individually housed calves (n = 40; body weight = 41.2 +/- 3.5
      kg) were randomly allocated (n = 10 calves per treatment: five males and five
      females) to one of the following four treatments: (i) starter without forage
      provision (CON), (ii) starter plus chopped alfalfa hay (AH), (iii) starter plus
      chopped wheat straw (WS) and 4) starter plus dried sugar beet pulp (BP) flakes.
      Calves fed AH diets had lowest (p < 0.05) starter intake than those fed other
      diets, and WS promoted a significant increase (p < 0.01) in starter intake during
      43-80 days. Forage intake was greatest (p < 0.01) for calves fed AH than those
      fed WS and BP. Calves in the AH treatment consumed less (p < 0.01) total dry
      matter intake than those offered other forage treatments. Final body weight was
      greatest (p < 0.05), and age of weaning was lowest for calves fed BP than other
      treatments. Calves in the BP treatment had greater (p < 0.05) average daily gain
      (ADG) than CON and WS treatments, but similar to AH calves. Digestibility of NDF
      and ADF was greater (p < 0.05) in BP treatment than other treatments. Calves fed
      BP had greater (p < 0.05) digestibility of DM and OM than those fed CON diets and
      similar to those fed AH and WS diets. Calves in the AH treatment had greater (p <
      0.05) CP digestibility than CON, but similar to WS and BP calves. Blood beta
      hydroxybutyrate concentration was lower in forage-offered calves than CON one.
      Body measurements (with the exception of body barrel) did not differ across
      treatments. It was concluded that BP improves final body weight, ADG and nutrient
      digestibility of calves than starter without forage provision during weaning
      transition.

PMID- 27277574
TI  - International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry on Social Media.

PMID- 27277575
TI  - Biomineralization Guided by Paper Templates.
AB  - This work demonstrates the fabrication of partially mineralized scaffolds
      fabricated in 3D shapes using paper by folding, and by supporting deposition of
      calcium phosphate by osteoblasts cultured in these scaffolds. This process
      generates centimeter-scale free-standing structures composed of paper supporting
      regions of calcium phosphate deposited by osteoblasts. This work is the first
      demonstration that paper can be used as a scaffold to induce template-guided
      mineralization by osteoblasts. Because paper has a porous structure, it allows
      transport of O2 and nutrients across its entire thickness. Paper supports a
      uniform distribution of cells upon seeding in hydrogel matrices, and allows
      growth, remodelling, and proliferation of cells. Scaffolds made of paper make it
      possible to construct 3D tissue models easily by tuning material properties such
      as thickness, porosity, and density of chemical functional groups. Paper offers a
      new approach to study mechanisms of biomineralization, and perhaps ultimately new
      techniques to guide or accelerate the repair of bone.

PMID- 27277576
TI  - Lovastatin, but not orlistat, reduces intestinal polyp volume in an ApcMin/+
      mouse model.
AB  - The statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase
      (HMGCoAR) and orlistat, an inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FAS), inhibit tumor
      cell growth by restricting cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis, respectively. We
      previously demonstrated that an omega (omega)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)
      or olive oil-enriched diet reduced the polyp number and volume in ApcMin/+ mice.
      This phenomenon was associated with a significant inhibition of FAS and HMGCoAR,
      as well as an increase in the estrogen receptor (ER)beta/alpha ratio. Herein, we
      evaluated the effect of lovastatin and orlistat on polyp development and ER
      expression in ApcMin/+ mice, in order to confirm previous data obtained with
      omega-3-PUFAs and olive oil. As expected, the use of lovastatin and orlistat
      significantly reduced HMGCoAR and FAS enzymatic activities and gene expression in
      colonic tissues, but did not affect the number of intestinal polyps, while there
      was a statistically significant reduction in polyp volume only in the mouse group
      treated with lovastatin. In the mice receiving orlistat, we observed a
      significant increase in cell proliferation in the polyp tissue, as well as
      enhanced expression of ERalpha. Moreover, the overexpression of ERalpha was
      associated with a statistically significant increase in PES1, Shh and Gli1
      protein levels, considered ERalpha-related molecular targets. 

PMID- 27277577
TI  - Connecting common genetic polymorphisms to protein function: A modular project
      sequence for lecture or lab.
AB  - Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA can result in phenotypes where the
      biochemical basis may not be clear due to the lack of protein structures. With
      the growing number of modeling and simulation software available on the internet,
      students can now participate in determining how small changes in genetic
      information impact cellular protein structure and function. We have developed a
      modular series of activities to engage lab or lecture students in examining the
      basis for common phenotypes. The activities range from basic phenotype
      testing/observation to DNA sequencing and simulation of protein structure and
      dynamics. We provide as an example study of the bitterness receptor TAS2R38 and
      PTC tasting, however these activities are applicable to other SNPs or genomic
      variants with a direct connection to an observable phenotype. These activities
      are modular and can be mixed to meet the student capabilities and infrastructure
      availability. The complete sequence of activities will demonstrate the direct
      connection between gene structure, protein structure and organism function. (c)
      2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 44(6):526
      536, 2016.

PMID- 27277578
TI  - Phylogenetic analysis of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from commercial
      poultry in Mozambique (2011-2016).
AB  - The complete sequence of the fusion (F) protein gene from 11 Newcastle disease
      viruses (NDVs) isolated from commercial poultry in Mozambique between 2011 and
      2016 has been generated. The F gene cleavage site motif for all 11 isolates was
      (112)RRRKRF(117) indicating that the viruses are virulent. A phylogenetic
      analysis using the full F gene sequence revealed that the viruses clustered
      within genotype VIIh and showed a higher similarity to NDVs from South Africa,
      China and Southeast Asia than to viruses previously described in Mozambique in
      1994, 1995 and 2005. The identification of these new NDVs has important
      implications for Newcastle disease management and control in Mozambique. 

PMID- 27277579
TI  - The Ahmed shunt versus the Baerveldt shunt for refractory glaucoma: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and
      tolerability of the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implant and the Baerveldt implant
      for the treatment of refractory glaucoma. METHODS: We comprehensively searched
      four databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane
      Library databases, selecting the relevant studies. The continuous variables,
      namely, intraocular pressure reduction (IOPR) and a reduction in glaucoma
      medication, were pooled by the weighted mean differences (WMDs), and the
      dichotomous outcomes, including success rates and tolerability estimates, were
      pooled by the odds ratio (ORs). RESULTS: A total of 929 patients from six studies
      were included. The WMDs of the IOPR between the AGV implant and the Baerveldt
      implant were 1.58 [95 % confidence interval (CI): -2.99 to 6.15] at 6 months, 
      1.01 (95 % CI: -3.40 to 1.98) at 12 months, -0.54 (95 % CI: -4.89 to 3.82) at 24
      months, and -0.47 (95 % CI: -3.29 to 2.35) at 36 months. No significant
      difference was detected between the two groups at any point in time. The pooled
      ORs comparing the AGV implant with the Baerveldt implant were 0.51 (95 % CI: 0.33
      to 0.80) for the complete success rate and 0.67 (95 % CI: 0.50 to 0.91) for
      qualified success rate. The Baerveldt implant was associated with a reduction in
      glaucoma medication at -0.51 (95 % CI: -0.90 to -0.12). There were no significant
      differences between the AGV implant and the Baerveldt implant on the rates of
      adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The Baerveldt implant is more effective in both its
      surgical success rate and reducing glaucoma medication, but it is comparable to
      the AGV implant in lowering IOP. Both implants may have comparable incidences of
      adverse events.

PMID- 27277580
TI  - Recovery of bioactive protein from bacterial inclusion bodies using
      trifluoroethanol as solubilization agent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Formation of inclusion bodies poses a major hurdle in recovery of
      bioactive recombinant protein from Escherichia coli. Urea and guanidine
      hydrochloride have routinely been used to solubilize inclusion body proteins, but
      many times result in poor recovery of bioactive protein. High pH buffers,
      detergents and organic solvents like n-propanol have been successfully used as
      mild solubilization agents for high throughput recovery of bioactive protein from
      bacterial inclusion bodies. These mild solubilization agents preserve native-like
      secondary structures of proteins in inclusion body aggregates and result in
      improved recovery of bioactive protein as compared to conventional solubilization
      agents. Here we demonstrate solubilization of human growth hormone inclusion body
      aggregates using 30% trifluoroethanol in presence of 3 M urea and its refolding
      into bioactive form. RESULTS: Human growth hormone was expressed in E. coli M15
      (pREP) cells in the form of inclusion bodies. Different concentrations of
      trifluoroethanol with or without addition of low concentration (3 M) of urea were
      used for solubilization of inclusion body aggregates. Thirty percent
      trifluoroethanol in combination with 3 M urea was found to be suitable for
      efficient solubilization of human growth hormone inclusion bodies. Solubilized
      protein was refolded by dilution and purified by anion exchange and size
      exclusion chromatography. Purified protein was analyzed for secondary and
      tertiary structure using different spectroscopic tools and was found to be
      bioactive by cell proliferation assay. To understand the mechanism of action of
      trifluoroethanol, secondary and tertiary structure of human growth hormone in
      trifluoroethanol was compared to that in presence of other denaturants like urea
      and guanidine hydrochloride. Trifluoroethanol was found to be stabilizing the
      secondary structure and destabilizing the tertiary structure of protein. Finally,
      it was observed that trifluoroethanol can be used to solubilize inclusion bodies
      of a number of proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Trifluoroethanol was found to be a suitable
      mild solubilization agent for bacterial inclusion bodies. Fully functional,
      bioactive human growth hormone was recovered in high yield from inclusion bodies
      using trifluoroethanol based solubilization buffer. It was also observed that
      trifluoroethanol has potential to solubilize inclusion bodies of different
      proteins.

PMID- 27277582
TI  - Erratum: First presentation of Addison's disease as hyperkalaemia in acute kidney
      injury.

PMID- 27277581
TI  - Public preferences for vaccination programmes during pandemics caused by
      pathogens transmitted through respiratory droplets - a discrete choice experiment
      in four European countries, 2013.
AB  - This study aims to quantify and compare preferences of citizens from different
      European countries for vaccination programme characteristics during pandemics,
      caused by pathogens which are transmitted through respiratory droplets. Internet
      panel members, nationally representative based on age, sex, educational level and
      region, of four European Union Member States (Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and
      Sweden, n = 2,068) completed an online discrete choice experiment. These
      countries, from different geographical areas of Europe, were chosen because of
      the availability of high-quality Internet panels and because of the cooperation
      between members of the project entitled Effective Communication in Outbreak
      Management: development of an evidence-based tool for Europe (ECOM). Data were
      analysed using panel latent class regression models. In the case of a severe
      pandemic scenario, vaccine effectiveness was the most important characteristic
      determining vaccination preference in all countries, followed by the body that
      advises on vaccination. In Sweden, the advice of family and/or friends and the
      advice of physicians strongly affected vaccine preferences, in contrast to Poland
      and Spain, where the advice of (international) health authorities was more
      decisive. Irrespective of pandemic scenario or vaccination programme
      characteristics, the predicted vaccination uptakes were lowest in Sweden, and
      highest in Poland. To increase vaccination uptake during future pandemics, the
      responsible authorities should align with other important stakeholders in the
      country and communicate in a coordinated manner. 

PMID- 27277583
TI  - Acupuncture in Osgood-Schlatter disease.
AB  - This article describes the use of acupuncture in the management of knee pain in
      Osgood-Schlatter disease. Manual and electroacupuncture were used. The patient
      responded well to acupuncture and found it effective in relieving his knee pain.
      Acupuncture should be considered in Osgood-Schlatter disease, both to manage the
      pain and to limit the need to take oral analgaesics for a prolonged period. 

PMID- 27277584
TI  - Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage due to ruptured cavernous internal carotid
      artery aneurysm after medical prolactinoma treatment.
AB  - Aneurysms of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are
      believed to have a low risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), given the confines
      of the dural rings and the anterior clinoid process. The risk may be greater when
      the bony and dural protection has been eroded. We report a case of spontaneous
      SAH from rupture of a cavernous ICA aneurysm in a patient whose large
      prolactinoma had markedly decreased in size as the result of cabergoline
      treatment. After passing a balloon test occlusion, the patient underwent
      successful endovascular vessel deconstruction. This case suggests that an eroding
      skull base lesion may distort normal anterior cranial base anatomy and allow
      communication between the cavernous ICA and subarachnoid space. The potential for
      SAH due to cavernous ICA aneurysm rupture should be recognised in patients with
      previous pituitary or other skull base lesions adjacent to the cavernous sinus. 

PMID- 27277585
TI  - Case of migrated Gore-Tex implant following external thyroplasty.

PMID- 27277586
TI  - Unclassified tibial hemimelia.
AB  - Tibial hemimelia (congenital longitudinal deficiency of the tibia) is rare (1 in
      1 000 000). There are several classifications in the literature. We report an
      unclassified case of tibial hemimelia. A 6-year-old girl presented with
      shortening of the right lower limb, with a small rudimentary foot (presence of
      all toes) and hyper lax ankle. Quadriceps function was excellent. Radiograph
      showed a partial tibia and fibula in synostosis. The Jones and Kalamachi type 2
      classifications both mention similar tibial anomalies; however, the fibula is
      normal in both varieties. The present variety can be considered as a variant of
      type 2 tibial hemimelia. 

PMID- 27277588
TI  - General ultrasound: The ichiro-type all-around diagnostician and the ichiro-type
      wide-fielding machine.

PMID- 27277587
TI  - Acute intermittent porphyria leading to posterior reversible encephalopathy
      syndrome (PRES): a rare cause of abdominal pain and seizures.
AB  - Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an inherited deficiency in the haem
      biosynthesis pathway. AIP is rare, affecting around 1 in 75 000 people. Acute
      attacks are characterised by abdominal pain associated with autonomic,
      neurological and psychiatric symptoms. AIP is rarely associated with posterior
      reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). PRES is a clinicoradiological
      condition caused by the failure of the posterior circulation to autoregulate,
      resulting in cerebral oedema, headaches, nausea and seizures. This association is
      important because drugs used in the management of seizures may worsen an attack
      of AIP. This article describes a case of AIP and PRES in a young woman. 

PMID- 27277589
TI  - Qualitative diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by contrast enhanced
      ultrasonography using Coded Harmonic Angio with Levovist.
AB  - We attempted to evaluate diagnosis and characterization and to access therapeutic
      effects in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by contrast enhanced
      ultrasound (CEUS) using Coded Harmonic Angio (CHA) with Levovist, an intravenous
      ultrasound contrast agent. Fifty-seven HCC foci in 39 patients, including 37 HCC
      foci in 28 patients before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization or
      radio frequency ablation, were examined by CEUS using the CHA mode, which is
      under development. This mode uses digitally encoded pulse sequences that identify
      and suppress nonmoving tissue signals and enhance contrast signals from Levovist
      in a gray-scale format. In all cases, abundant tortuous intratumoral blood flow
      was visualized in the early vascular phase by continuous transmission, while
      tumor stain was recognized by consecutive 1-to-2 second intermittent
      transmission. Residual tumor area after treatment was also clearly depicted by
      intratumoral blood flow and partial enhancement. CEUS using CHA with Levovist is
      likely to become important in the qualitative diagnosis of hepatic tumor and to
      improve the efficacy of treatment for HCC. 

PMID- 27277590
TI  - Proximal bifurcation of hepatic artery: Novel findings on hepatic arteries
      demonstrated by ultrasound Doppler imaging, B-flow, and US angiography.
AB  - PURPOSE: It has generally been held that each portal branch is always accompanied
      by a single arterial branch in the liver. During Doppler ultrasound examination,
      however, we sometimes encounter a portal branch that appears to be associated
      with two arterial branches, a phenomenon referred to below asthis finding orthis
      phenomenon. Here we attempt to confirm that this finding is based on a correct
      interpretation of the image and to disclose its basic mechanism. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Five cases of chronic liver disease in which this phenomenon appeared
      were analyzed with B-flow imaging. Videotapes obtained from 30 patients who had
      chronic liver disease and had undergone ultrasound angiography (USAG) with
      arterial infusion of CO2 micro bubbles were reviewed in order to look for similar
      findings. Sixty-nine healthy controls were also examined with Doppler sonography
      for this purpose. Histopathologic specimens from 7 patients who had undergone
      hepatectomy (3 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 with metastatic tumor, and 1 with
      focal nodular hyperplasia) were examined to study the basic structure of the
      hepatic vessels. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Three parallel color signals (two
      pulsatile and one of a constant waveform) observed on Doppler examination were
      confirmed by the B-flow method to be three independent vessels in all five cases
      in which both Doppler sonography and B-flow imaging were used. In 13 (43%) of the
      30 cases of USAG, two vessels along a portal branch were visualized by the inflow
      of micro bubbles, indicating that the two vessels were arteries. The trio of one
      portal and two arterial branches was also detected with Doppler sonography in 12
      (17%) of the 69 healthy controls. In 10 (59%) of the 17 cases (5 of liver disease
      and 12 normal) that showed this finding on Doppler examination, bifurcations of
      the hepatic artery and portal vein were both visualized. Hepatic arterial
      branches were found to bifurcate slightly more proximal to the hepatic hilus than
      the accompanying portal branch. Histopathologic study revealed Glisson's areas
      that contained one portal branch and two arterial vessels in nontumorous parts of
      specimens from all 7 patients with hepatectomy. CONCLUSION: Two arterial branches
      can be demonstrated along a portal branch as a result of a more-proximal
      bifurcation of the hepatic artery than of the portal vein.

PMID- 27277591
TI  - A case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome: Thickening of the lateroconal fascia and
      posterior renal fascia.
AB  - We encountered a case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome. Ultrasonography and computed
      tomography revealed a thickening of the lateroconal fascia and posterior renal
      fascia. These fasciae might be sensitive, although not specific, markers for this
      entity. 

PMID- 27277592
TI  - Diagnosis of arteriovenous malformation of the internal iliac vessels by color
      Doppler ultrasonography: A case report.
AB  - A 13-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital because of cardiomegaly found
      incidentally at regular medical checkup at her school. Although dilated
      cardiomyopathy was suspected, the girl showed no symptoms. chest x-ray film
      showed cardiomegaly (cardiothoracic ratio, 67%), and echocardiogram demonstrated
      a dilatation of the left ventricle without thinning of the wall. While
      contraction was diffusely decreased, estimated cardiac output was increased to
      13l/minute. Abdominal ultrasonography conducted to clarify the cause of this high
      output showed a multicystic lesion (8*6*4 cm) at the back of the left common
      iliac artery. Color Doppler ultrasonography revealed abundant blood flow within
      the lesion, establishing the diagnosis of arteriovenous malformation. Aortography
      delineated the arteriovenous malformation being supplied from the left internal
      iliac artery and from the left third and fourth lumbar arteries and drainage into
      the left common iliac vein and the right internal iliac vein. Although it did not
      show the precise location of the feeding and draining vessels, color Doppler
      ultrasonography was useful for the diagnosis of arteriovenous malformation. 

PMID- 27277593
TI  - Ultrasonographic features of polypoid myoglandular hyperplasia of the
      gallbladder, that were difficult to distinguish from early gallbladder cancer.
AB  - The patient, a 50-year-old man, had been followed up by a neurologist under the
      diagnosis of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. A gallstone detected by abdominal
      ultrasonography (US) had been present for several years, but localized
      protrusions of the gallbladder wall were first seen at the fundus in May 1995.
      Endoscopic US after abdominal US showed several small protruding lesions with
      maximum diameters of about 7 mm. These lesions had irregular surfaces and low
      internal echogenicity. An external high echoic layer, which represented the
      subserosa of the gallbladder, was intact. The lesions were enhanced on CT
      scanning. No anomalies of the pancreaticobiliary system were detected by
      endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Selective cystic arteriography
      disclosed slight staining of the body of the gallbladder. Because of the high
      possibility of gallbladder carcinoma, surgery was carried out. Macroscopy showed
      several elevated or protruding lesions up to 7 mm in diameter at the fundus of
      the resected gallbladder. The lesions had rough surfaces and were yellowish in
      color. Histologic examination showed the lesions to be covered by columnar
      epithelium, and no cellular dysplasia was detected. Because both pyloric gland
      like hyperplasia and smooth-muscle proliferation were observed, the lesions were
      diagnosed as polypoid myoglandular hyperplasia. We have encountered four other
      similar cases of this tumor. Accurate diagnosis of these lesions before surgery
      is sometimes difficult, and the sonographic features of myoglandular hyperplasia
      have to be recognized in order to distinguish it from early gallbladder cancer. 

PMID- 27277595
TI  - The AP2-type transcription factors DORNROSCHEN and DORNROSCHEN-LIKE promote G1/S
      transition.
AB  - The paralogous genes DORNROSCHEN (DRN) and DORNROSCHEN-LIKE (DRNL) encode AP2
      type transcription factors that are expressed and act cell-autonomously in the
      central stem-cell zone or lateral organ founder cells (LOFCs) in the peripheral
      zone of the Arabidopsis shoot meristem (SAM), but their molecular contribution is
      unknown. Here, we show using the Arabidopsis thaliana MERISTEM LAYER 1 promoter
      that DRN and DRNL share a common function in cell cycle progression and
      potentially provide local competence for G1-S transitions in the SAM. Analysis of
      double transgenic DRN::erGFP and DRNL::erCERULEAN promoter fusion lines suggests
      that the trajectory of this cellular competence starts with DRN activity in the
      central stem-cell zone and extends locally via DRNL activity into groups of
      founder cells at the IM or FM periphery. Our data support the scenario that after
      gene duplication, DRN and DRNL acquired different transcription domains within
      the shoot meristem, but retained protein function that affects cell cycle
      progression, either centrally in stem cells or peripherally in primordial founder
      cells, a finding that is of general relevance for meristem function. 

PMID- 27277596
TI  - A Review of the Key Clinical Trials of 2015: Results and Implications.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Multiple significant, potentially practice changing clinical trials
      in cardiology have been conducted and subsequently presented throughout the past
      year. METHODS: In this paper, the authors have reviewed and contextualized
      significant cardiovascular clinical trials presented at major international
      conferences of 2015 including American College of Cardiology, European
      Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, American Diabetes
      Association, European Society of Cardiology, Transcatheter Cardiovascular
      Therapeutics, Heart Rhythm Congress, and the American Heart Association
      Scientific Sessions. RESULTS: The authors describe new trial data for heart
      failure (including eplerenone, finerenone, patiromer, sacubitril/valsartan, the
      beta 3 agonist mirabegron, sitagliptin, empagliflozin, alginate-hydrogel LV
      epicardial implant), anticoagulation (idarucizumab and andexanet alfa reversal
      agents, adherence programmes, practice in ablation), transcatheter aortic valve
      replacement (long-term data, valve-in-valve use, the TriGuard embolic deflecting
      device), patent foramen ovale closure, cardiovascular prevention (PCSK9
      inhibitors, hypertension treatment) and antiplatelets strategies (extended
      duration therapy with clopidogrel or ticagrelor). Trial data are also described
      for contemporary technologies including the Biofreedom polymer-free drug coated
      stent, bioabsorbable stents, PCI strategies, left main treatment, atrial
      fibrillation ablation techniques, leadless pacemakers and the role of coronary
      computed tomographic angiography. CONCLUSIONS: This paper summarizes and
      contextualizes multiple pertinent 2015 clinical trials and will be of interest to
      both clinicians and cardiology researchers.

PMID- 27277597
TI  - Ultrastructural regenerating features of nasal mucosa following microdebrider
      assisted turbinoplasty are related to clinical recovery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The nasal mucosa plays a key role in conditioning the inhaled air and
      in regulating the immune response. These functions led many authors to recommend
      mucosal sparing techniques for the surgical management of inferior turbinate
      hypertrophy. However, the histological modifications of chronic diseases retain
      the inflammatory activity and prevent the nasal physiology restoration. It has
      been proved that the basal cells of the nasal mucosa are able to proliferate and
      to repair after cold-knife incision. The aim of this study was to demonstrate
      that the healing process after removal of the inferior turbinate mucosa with cold
      techniques results in a complete structural restoration. METHODS: A prospective
      study was performed in 18 patients who underwent Microdebrider inferior
      turbinoplasty (cold technique). Subjective and objective improvement of nasal
      patency was evaluated with visual analogue scale, rhinomanometry, videoendoscopy
      and mucociliary transport test. Pre- and post-operative biopsy specimens were
      taken from 7 patients to evaluate the healing process. Two samples were taken
      from two healthy patients as control. The specimens were processed for
      transmission electron microscopy analysis. RESULTS: Videoendoscopy showed
      reduction of lower turbinate after surgery. Nasal patency augmented and no
      adverse consequences were observed. After 4 months the nasal mucosa showed normal
      appearance, with restoration of the pseudostratified ciliated pattern,
      intercellular connections and normal cellular morphology. Fibrosis and submucosal
      edema disappeared. At longer time after operation (4 years) clinical improvement
      was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The total removal of the nasal mucosa with cold
      techniques results in a complete restoration of the normal structure and
      permanent resolution of the chronic inflammation typical of hypertrophic
      rhinopathy.

PMID- 27277598
TI  - Healthcare providers on the frontlines: a qualitative investigation of the social
      and emotional impact of delivering health services during Sierra Leone's Ebola
      epidemic.
AB  - Although research on the epidemiology and ecology of Ebola has expanded since the
      2014-15 outbreak in West Africa, less attention has been paid to the mental
      health implications and the psychosocial context of the disease for providers
      working in primary health facilities (rather than Ebola-specific treatment
      units). This study draws on 54 qualitative interviews with 35 providers working
      in eight peripheral health units of Sierra Leone's Bo and Kenema Districts. Data
      collection started near the height of the outbreak in December 2014 and lasted 1
      month. Providers recounted changes in their professional, personal and social
      lives as they became de facto first responders in the outbreak. A theme
      articulated across interviews was Ebola's destruction of social connectedness and
      sense of trust within and across health facilities, communities and families.
      Providers described feeling lonely, ostracized, unloved, afraid, saddened and no
      longer respected. They also discussed restrictions on behaviors that enhance
      coping including attending burials and engaging in physical touch (hugging,
      handshaking, sitting near, or eating with colleagues, patients and family
      members). Providers described infection prevention measures as necessary but
      divisive because screening booths and protective equipment inhibited bonding or
      'suffering with' patients. To mitigate psychiatric morbidities and maladaptive
      coping mechanisms-and to prevent the spread of Ebola-researchers and program
      planners must consider the psychosocial context of this disease and mechanisms to
      enhance psychological first aid to all health providers, including those in
      peripheral health settings. 

PMID- 27277599
TI  - Is it possible to stop follow-up of patients with primary T1G3 urothelial
      carcinoma of the bladder managed with intravesical bacille Calmette-Guerin
      immunotherapy?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recurrence and progression of T1 grade 3 (T1G3) urothelial bladder
      carcinomas (UBCs) treated with bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) are common events,
      but the long-term follow-up of the disease remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the long-term outcomes of BCG intravesical therapy in relation to
      disease recurrence and progression in primary T1G3 UBCs and upper tract disease.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-institution, retrospective, population-based
      analysis of 316 patients with primary T1G3 UBC treated with transurethral
      resection (TUR) and BCG induction intravesical instillations was performed.
      Response was determined and monitored by routine periodic urine cytology,
      cystoscopy, and upper tract imaging. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 70 months
      (maximum 210 months). Among all of the tumours, 49.4 % did not relapse, 48.7 %
      recurred in the bladder during the first 5 years of surveillance, and only 6
      patients (1.9 %) recurred after being free of disease during the first 5 years of
      follow-up. Nineteen percentage of the UBCs progressed to stage T2, and only 2
      patients (1.2 %) progressed after the first 5 years of surveillance. An upper
      urinary tract recurrence was detected in 9.2 % of the patients; 65.5 % were
      diagnosed within the upper urinary tract during the first 5 years of follow-up.
      CONCLUSIONS: Following a 5-year tumour-free period, there is minimal risk of
      recurrence and progression in T1G3 UBCs treated with TUR and BCG induction
      intravesical instillations. This finding supports a less intensive and
      potentially less invasive surveillance scheme of bladder follow-up and upper
      urinary tract imaging in patients without any recurrence.

PMID- 27277602
TI  - Electronic journals and reprint requests.

PMID- 27277603
TI  - Hypotonia-induced cell swelling enhances ultrasound-induced mechanical damage to
      cancer cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It has been shown that killing of suspended cells by low-intensity
      ultrasound (0.08-0.11 W/cm(2)) can be enhanced by a mild non-lethal hypotonic
      (146 mOsm) medium. PURPOSE: In this study we wished to determine whether
      hypotonia-induced cell swelling of suspension cells was directly related to
      enhancement of ultrasound-mediated cell killing, and to verify whether similar
      effects could be observed on circulating and attached cells. METHODS: U937 cells
      under mild hypotonia were exposed to ultrasound for different times with real
      time monitoring of cell size using a particle-size-distribution analyzer. To
      study the effect on attached cells, HeLa cells were exposed to ultrasound while
      under hypotonia in an in vivo-simulated set-up. RESULTS: The result showed that
      the enhanced cell killing (up to more than twice) was directly proportional to
      hypotonia-induced cell swelling. Similar membrane damage based on PI staining
      could be observed on HeLa cells treated with hypotonia. An in vivo-simulated
      circulating system also showed similar findings for hypotonia-enhanced ultrasound
      cell killing. CONCLUSION: These findings showed that mild hypotonia can be used
      to augment the effect of ultrasound in the treatment of cancers, particularly
      leukemia. The results showing that such enhancement is related to cell swelling
      could guide us toward proper timing of sonication while under hypotonic
      treatment.

PMID- 27277601
TI  - Socioeconomic determinants of childhood obesity among primary school children in
      Guangzhou, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic inequalities in childhood obesity prevalence differ
      according to a country's stage of nutrition transition. The aim of this study was
      to determine which socioeconomic factors influence inequalities in obesity
      prevalence in Chinese primary school children living in an urban setting.
      METHODS: We assessed obesity prevalence among 9917 children aged 5-12 years from
      a stratified random sample of 29 state-funded (residents) and private (migrants)
      schools in Guangzhou, China. Height and weight were objectively measured using
      standardised methods and overweight (+1 SD < BMI-for-age z-score <= +2 SD) and
      obesity (BMI-for-age z-score > +2 SD) were defined using the World Health
      Organisation reference 2007. Socioeconomic characteristics were ascertained
      through parental questionnaires. Generalised Linear Mixed Models with schools as
      a random effect were used to compare likelihood of overweight/obesity among
      children in private, with public schools, adjusting for child age and sex,
      maternal and paternal BMI and education level, and household per-capita income.
      RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 20.0 % (95 % CI 19.1 %-20.9 %)
      in resident compared with 14.3 % (95 % CI 13.0 %-15.4 %) in migrant children. In
      the adjusted model, the odds of overweight/obesity remained higher among resident
      children (OR 1.36; 1.16-1.59), was higher in boys compared with girls (OR 2.56;
      2.24-2.93), and increased with increasing age (OR 2.78; 1.95-3.97 in 11-12 vs 5-6
      year olds), per-capita household income (OR 1.27; 1.01-1.59 in highest vs lowest
      quartile) and maternal education (OR 1.51; 1.16-1.97 in highest vs lowest).
      Socioeconomic differences were most marked in older boys, and were only
      statistically significant in resident children. CONCLUSIONS: The socioeconomic
      gradient for childhood obesity in China is the reverse of the patterns seen in
      countries at more advanced stages of the obesity epidemic. This presents an
      opportunity to intervene and prevent the onset of social inequalities that are
      likely to ensue with further economic development. The marked gender inequality
      in obesity needs further exploration.

PMID- 27277600
TI  - Systemic therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Current systemic treatment of targeted therapies, namely the vascular
      endothelial growth factor-antibody (VEGF-AB), VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor (TKI) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, have
      improved progression-free survival and replaced non-specific immunotherapy with
      cytokines in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). METHODS: A panel of experts
      convened to review currently available phase 3 data for mRCC treatment of
      approved agents, in addition to available EAU guideline data for a collaborative
      review as the plurality of substances offers different options of first-, second-
      and third-line treatment with potential sequencing. RESULTS: Sunitinib and
      pazopanib are approved treatments in first-line therapy for patients with
      favorable- or intermediate-risk clear cell RCC (ccRCC). Temsirolimus has proven
      benefit over interferon-alfa (IFN-alpha) in patients with non-clear cell RCC (non
      ccRCC). In the second-line treatment TKIs or mTOR inhibitors are treatment
      choices. Therapy options after TKI failure consist of everolimus and axitinib.
      Available third-line options consist of everolimus and sorafenib. Recently,
      nivolumab, a programmed death-1 (PD1) checkpoint inhibitor, improved overall
      survival benefit compared to everolimus after failure of one or two VEGFR
      targeted therapies, which is likely to become the first established checkpoint
      inhibitor in mRCC. Data for the sequencing of agents remain limited. CONCLUSIONS:
      Despite the high level of evidence for first and second-line treatment in mRCC,
      data for third-line therapy are limited. Possible sequences include TKI-mTOR-TKI
      or TKI-TKI-mTOR with the upcoming checkpoint inhibitors in perspective, which
      might settle a new standard of care after previous TKI therapy.

PMID- 27277604
TI  - Ultrasonography for ureteral stone detection in patients with or without caliceal
      dilatation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between the degree of hydronephrosis and
      the detection rates of ureteral stones with ultrasonography (US). METHODS: Of 250
      consecutive patients with suspected ureterolithiasis, 214 who were diagnosed with
      ureterolithiasis were enrolled in this study. First, both kidneys were observed
      by US to evaluate the intrarenal collecting systems. Thereafter, the possible
      course of the ureters and the bladder were searched to find any stones. RESULTS:
      Stones were clearly observed in 80 (73%) of 109 patients with caliceal
      dilatation, whereas stones were clearly observed in 46 (44%) of 105 patients
      without dilatation (P < 0.05). Of the former 80 patients, 31 (39%) had stones in
      the ureterovesical junction (UVJ), whereas 51 (64%) had stones in the more
      proximal ureter. Of the latter 46 patients, 37 (80%) had stones in the UVJ or the
      bladder, whereas 9 (20%) had stones in the more proximal ureter. CONCLUSION: The
      US detection rate of ureteral stones was high in patients with caliceal
      dilatation. The whole ureter should be scanned in patients with caliceal
      dilatation for detection of ureteral stones. Even when patients have no caliceal
      dilatation, it is still considered to be useful to scan the UVJ and the bladder.

PMID- 27277605
TI  - Use of intraoperative ultrasonography to monitor surgery for large acoustic
      neuromas: a pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Operations for large acoustic neuromas were difficult. The aim of this
      pilot study was to determine whether intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) was a
      useful adjunct to the microsurgery. METHODS: Fifteen patients with large acoustic
      neuromas underwent surgical interventions. IOUS was applied in seven cases, and
      the other eight cases served as controls. IOUS was performed to monitor the
      surgery, and the intraoperative data were compared with postoperative CT/MRI
      scans. RESULTS: All tumors could be identified in ultrasonic images. Lesions
      appeared as solid (2/7) or mixed patterns (5/7) with clear boundaries. A larger
      tumor volume was seen in the IOUS group but without statistical significance
      (29.05 +/- 15.47 vs. 21.82 +/- 14.78 cm(3), P = 0.3718). The use of IOUS did not
      prolong the operation time (404.29 +/- 111.18 vs. 420.00 +/- 114.24 min, P =
      0.7921) and did not increase the rate of intracranial infections (28.57 vs.
      25.00%, P = 1.000). The residual tumor detected with IOUS immediately after the
      operation was consistent with the data from postoperative CT/MRI scans in all
      cases. CONCLUSION: IOUS can be used to monitor surgery in real time as a
      technique to assist microsurgical procedures for large acoustic neuromas with
      trouble.

PMID- 27277606
TI  - Painful hepatic hemangioma: report of a case with an emphasis on sonographic
      findings.
AB  - Hepatic hemangiomas are usually asymptomatic and very rarely produce abdominal
      symptoms. We report a painful 10 * 9 cm hemangioma situated at the hepatic
      surface of segment 6. The lesion showed a heterogeneous internal structure,
      composed irregularly of hyperechoic and hypoechoic areas, and it also showed weak
      posterior echo enhancement. Contrast-enhanced US showed the so-called fill-in
      pattern, leading to the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma. The patient's abdomen
      showed no other abnormal findings, which stressed the relationship between the
      hemangioma and the patient's symptoms. When the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma
      is conclusive, surgical therapy is indicated only in patients with severe
      symptoms. Our patient was considered to be a candidate for enucleation of the
      lesion. Histopathologically, the lesion included no areas of hemorrhage or
      necrosis, and the patient's abdominal pain was likely due to distension of the
      liver capsule. After surgery, the patient was completely free of symptoms, and
      enucleation was considered to be appropriate. 

PMID- 27277607
TI  - Pleomorphic adenoma originating from the trachea showing the appearance of a
      follicular tumor of the thyroid on ultrasonography.
AB  - Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common tumor of the salivary gland. This
      report presents a case of a PA originating from the trachea that looked like a
      thyroid neoplasm on ultrasonography, showing a well-circumscribed, hypovascular,
      solid, and hypoechoic tumor within the thyroid. The tumor was resected with the
      right lobe of the thyroid and the first tracheal ring, which revealed a PA
      impacted within the thyroid. PAs originating outside of the salivary glands are
      rare, and there have been no reports of PAs arising from the lateral side of the
      trachea. This report describes the first reported, and unique, case of this type
      of tumor. 

PMID- 27277608
TI  - Ultrasonographic findings in epiploic appendagitis.

PMID- 27277609
TI  - High-output heart failure caused by renal arteriovenous fistula.

PMID- 27277610
TI  - Erratum to: Bladder neck evaluation by perineal ultrasound before and after
      reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

PMID- 27277611
TI  - Technological innovations in medicine and health care, and restoration of trust.

PMID- 27277612
TI  - Confirmation of enhanced expression of heme oxygenase-1 gene induced by
      ultrasound and its mechanism: analysis by cDNA microarray system, real-time
      quantitative PCR, and Western blotting.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to reconfirm heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)
      induction by ultrasound, and elucidate the mechanism by which this occurs.
      METHODS: After exposure of human lymphoma U937 cells to 1 MHz continuous
      ultrasound (US), gene profiling by using cDNA microarray analysis, cell viability
      by using the trypan blue dye exclusion test, mRNA expression by using real-time
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression by using Western
      blotting were examined. As an indicator of cavitation, hydroxyl radical formation
      was studied by using electron paramagnetic resonance-spin trapping. RESULTS: The
      cDNA microarray analysis reconfirmed HO-1 induction in human lymphoma U937 cells
      after exposure to US, and further identified one upregulated and two
      downregulated genes. When U937 cells were exposed to US for 1 min, HO-1
      induction, as examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and
      Western blotting, was observed at intensities higher than the cavitational
      threshold. When a potent antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, was added to the
      culture medium before or after sonication, the induction was attenuated,
      indicating that reactive oxygen species are involved in HO-1 induction. A
      decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and generation of superoxide anion
      radicals were also observed in the cells exposed to US. CONCLUSION: We used a
      cDNA microarray system to confirm upregulation of the HO-1 gene and to discover
      new genes that respond to ultrasonic cavitation. Increased intracellular
      oxidative stress secondary to the sonomechanical effects arising from ultrasonic
      cavitation is suggested to be the mechanism of enhancement of HO-1 expression.

PMID- 27277613
TI  - Analysis of refractive artifacts by reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasound
      imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Refractive artifacts are frequently encountered in clinical settings,
      and they have been analyzed on the basis of conventional two-dimensional (2-D)
      ultrasound (US) images, but this method is restricted to monoplane data and is
      limited by its inability to assess the three-dimensional (3-D) structure of
      refractive artifacts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of
      reconstructed 3-D US images in the analysis of refractive artifacts. METHODS: The
      following representative refractive artifacts were analyzed on the basis of
      reconstructed 3-D US images: (a) a distorted image of a fine tube behind a cyst
      (balloon); (b) a deformed image of the bottom of a balloon; and (c) a duplication
      artifact due to the acoustic lens effect. RESULTS: (a) A tube was imaged as a
      fine echogenic line with two points of sudden interruption, unlike a curved
      needle, which was imaged without interruption. (b) 3-D US allowed us to visualize
      the mode of deformity in the image of the bottom of a fluid-filled balloon in a
      water bath. When the acoustic velocity in the fluid was greater than that in the
      surrounding water, the bottom of the balloon appeared to be shrunken. When the
      acoustic velocity in the fluid was less than that in the surrounding water, the
      bottom of the balloon appeared to be swollen. (c) When we placed two pieces of
      white chicken meat in front of a fine needle, the needle was duplicated in the
      resulting image. In this case, the needle appeared to be vague and fuzzy. In this
      case, 3-D US did not add further information to the 2-D images. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study suggests that reconstructed 3-D US images provide a better understanding of
      the mode of refractive artifacts than do 2-D US images.

PMID- 27277614
TI  - Low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography predicts the improvement of left
      ventricular systolic function and long-term prognosis in patients with idiopathic
      dilated cardiomyopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: It is unclear whether left ventricular (LV) contractile reserve assessed
      by low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) can predict the long-term
      prognosis together with LV functional changes in patients with idiopathic dilated
      cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: Contractile reserve was determined in
      28 patients with DCM, and was then compared with changes in LV fractional
      shortening (FS) and cardiac events during a follow-up period of 68 +/- 43 months.
      Nine events (2 sudden deaths, 5 heart failure deaths, and 2 rehospitalizations
      for heart failure) were observed. FS at peak dose was lower in patients with
      events (events group) than in those without events (no-events group) (20 +/- 6
      vs. 27 +/- 7%; P < 0.05), although there were no differences in FS at baseline
      between the two groups. FS at follow-up was lower in the events group than in the
      no-events group (14 +/- 7 vs. 21 +/- 8%; P < 0.05). The change in FS during DSE
      (FS at peak dose/baseline) correlated with the change in FS during the follow-up
      time (FS at follow-up/baseline), and it was a predictor of events by multiple
      regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: LV contractile reserve assessed by low-dose DSE
      is a useful marker not only to predict LV functional improvement, but also to
      determine the long-term prognosis in patients with DCM.

PMID- 27277615
TI  - Identification of stimulation site of pacemaker lead using tissue tracking
      method.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to identify the electrical stimulation sites of pacemaker leads
      using a tissue tracking method of tissue Doppler imaging. METHODS: The study
      group consisted of 30 patients who had undergone permanent pacemaker
      implantation. During tissue Doppler imaging, the initial contraction site was
      seen as a red area stimulated by the pacemaker lead. This red area was analyzed
      precisely using time-distance curves generated by tissue tracking. RESULTS: The
      initial contraction site of the myocardium was located in the interventricular
      septum in seven patients and in the apical portion of the right ventricle in 11
      patients. Furthermore, analysis of time-distance curves demonstrated that one
      point within the red area started to move earlier than the others. CONCLUSION:
      The site of electrical stimulation within the myocardium can be determined from
      the time-distance curves generated by the tissue tracking method.

PMID- 27277616
TI  - Contrast-enhanced sonography of pancreatic ductal carcinoma using agent detection
      imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the enhancement behavior of
      pancreatic ductal carcinoma by contrast-enhanced sonography with agent detection
      imaging (ADI), and to clarify the origin of microbubble signals by comparisons
      with histological findings of resected specimens. METHODS: The subjects were 21
      patients with resectable pancreatic carcinoma. The final histological diagnosis
      was tubular adenocarcinoma in 20 cases, and anaplastic carcinoma in one case.
      Ultrasound examinations were performed using an Acuson Sequoia 512 series system,
      and the contrast agent (Levovist) was injected intravenously in doses of 7 ml
      (300 mg/ml). The ADI signals (in the tumor) were recorded continuously for 30 s
      after an injection of Levovist (vascular image) and then obtained intermittently
      (30 s time-intervals) until the signal had diminished in pancreatic tissue
      (perfusion image). RESULTS: Contrast enhancement of the tumor was observed in
      71.4% of subjects on the vascular image and 76.3% of subjects on the perfusion
      image. Enhancement patterns on the vascular image were classified into three
      types: VI-1 (linear enhancement), VI-2 (spotty enhancement), and VI-3 (no
      enhancement). VI-1, VI-2, and VI-3 were seen in 9 (42.8%), 6 (28.6%), and 6
      (28.6%) of the 21 cases, respectively. Enhancement patterns on the perfusion
      image were classified into four types: PI-1 (diffuse uneven enhancement), PI-2
      (spotty enhancement), PI-3 (peripheral enhancement), and PI-4 (negative
      enhancement). The incidence of PI-1, PI-2, PI-3, and PI-4 was 4.8%, 42.9%, 28.6%,
      and 23.8%, respectively. With respect to resectable cases, these enhancement
      patterns were compared with histological findings, i.e., the distribution of
      blood vessels in the tumor, remaining pancreatic tissues in the tumor,
      differentiation of types of adenocarcinoma, volume of stroma, and invasion types
      of carcinoma. The enhanced patterns consequently corresponded to either the
      distribution of the blood vessels or the remaining pancreatic tissues in the
      tumor. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that pancreatic ductal carcinoma is
      frequently enhanced by microbubbles, and the signals seem to originate from fine
      blood vessels and the remaining pancreatic tissues in the tumor.

PMID- 27277617
TI  - Sonographic findings of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound in ectopic
      pregnancy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess whether the
      sonographic findings from transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound (TV-CDU) are
      helpful in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. METHODS: Thirty-four patients who
      received surgery for ectopic tubal pregnancies were preoperatively evaluated
      using TV-CDU. The presence or absence of color vascularity within the ectopic
      masses was examined. The relationship between the presence or absence of blood
      flow in the tubal mass and the corpus luteum cyst, or the serum beta-hCG values,
      was evaluated. RESULTS: Color vascularity within the adnexal mass was detected in
      27 of 34 (79.4%) patients with ectopic pregnancies by TV-CDU. Color vascularity
      within the mass was observed in 18 of 24 (75.0%) patients with a questionable
      adnexal mass that had no obvious gestational sac in B-mode images. Moreover,
      color vascularity was seen in all four patients with a serum beta-human chorionic
      gonadotropin (beta-hCG) value of less than 500 mIU/ml. However, it was difficult
      to identify the blood flow of the adnexal mass in six of the nine (66.7%)
      patients with a corpus luteum cyst in the ipsilateral ovary. No relationship was
      observed between the serum beta-hCG concentrations and the resistance indices, or
      the peak systolic velocity. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of color vascularity by TV
      CDU in patients with an ectopic pregnancy is helpful for diagnosis, especially
      for patients with either a questionable adnexal mass in B-mode images or lower
      serum beta-hCG concentrations.

PMID- 27277618
TI  - Three-dimensional sonographic measurement of fetal renal volume.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the growth of
      the fetal kidney in normal pregnancies using three-dimensional ultrasound.
      METHODS: Three-dimensional sonographic examinations were performed on 13
      appropriate-for-gestational-age fetuses. Fetal renal volume was measured every 2
      to 3 weeks after 20 weeks gestational age until delivery. RESULTS: There was a
      good linear correlation between left and right renal volumes (r = 0.9614, P <
      0.0001). Curvilinear relationships were found between gestational age and left
      and right renal volume (left: R(2) = 79.1%, P < 0.0001; right: R(2) = 74.2%, P <
      0.0001), and normal ranges of left and right renal volume measurements for
      estimating the growth of the fetal kidney during normal pregnancy were generated.
      There was a difference for each predicted value of the fetal renal volume in the
      third trimester of pregnancy in our study and in two other previous studies. The
      left and right fetal renal volume to estimated fetal weight ratios were constant
      during the pregnancies studied. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that fetal renal
      volume measurement plays a role in assessment of the growth of fetal kidneys.
      However, we are doubtful about the reproducibility of fetal renal volume
      measurements made by using three-dimensional ultrasound in utero. Further studies
      involving larger sample sizes are needed to reevaluate the usefulness and
      reproducibility of fetal renal volume measurements.

PMID- 27277619
TI  - Nodular fascitis in the thigh followed up using ultrasonography.
AB  - A 41-year-old woman noticed a mass on the inside of her right thigh in April
      2003. Ultrasound examination revealed a mass measuring 18 mm * 10 mm * 10 mm in
      the subcutaneous fatty tissues. Its boundary was relatively clear, with rough
      edges. The interior of the lesion was hyperechoic and contained an irregular
      hypoechoic area in its center; a color Doppler sonographic examination detected
      no blood flow signals. Incision biopsy examination seemed warranted.
      Pathologically, the specimen showed a proliferation of fibroblast-like spindle
      shaped cells but no atypical cells. Immunologic staining revealed that sections
      were positive to vimentin; negative to CD34, CD68, alpha-smooth muscle actin
      (alpha-SMA), and S-100 protein; and mildly positive to HHF35. These results led
      to a diagnosis of nodular fascitis. Nodular fascitis is not common, and few
      studies have described its sonographic characteristics. We therefore used
      ultrasound to follow up the patient and found that the lesion was markedly
      smaller 3 months after the first examination, at which time it was hardly
      discernible as a mass. Here we compare the ultrasound and pathologic findings,
      and report the results of a bibliographic study. 

PMID- 27277620
TI  - Prevalence of biliary ascariasis and its relation to biliary lithiasis.
AB  - Hepatobiliary ultrasound was carried out on 2224 consecutive patients at the
      Center for Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound and at one private diagnostic center
      in Mymensingh for ultrasound examination of different systems. The purpose of
      this study was to investigate the prevalence of biliary ascariasis and its
      association with other biliary diseases, specially biliary lithiasis. Data
      regarding the presence of stone, worm or other diseases were recorded accordingly
      in this prospective study. There were 952 male and 1272 female patients with an
      age range of 5-90 years. Biliary diseases were detected in 305 patients (13.71%),
      of whom 97 were male (10.19%) and 208 were female (16.35%). The most common
      biliary disease in both sexes was cholelithiasis (11.87%), which was found in 84
      male patients (8.82%) and in 180 female patients (14.15%). Other diseases found
      were choledocholithiasis in 14 patients (3 males, 11 females), gall bladder mass
      in 9 patients (3 males, 6 females), common bile duct mass in 7 patients (4 male,
      3 female) and biliary ascariasis in 10 patients (3 male, 7 female). Overall
      prevalence of biliary ascariasis was 0.45% (0.31% in male patients and 0.55% in
      female patients), and age range of patients with the condition was 6-50 years. No
      case of biliary ascariasis was associated with cholelithiasis or
      choledocholithiasis. Acute cholecystitis was associated with 8 cases (80%) of
      biliary ascariasis. Common sonographic findings in patients with biliary
      ascariasis were a single long, linear or curved echogenic structure within the
      bile duct, without acoustic shadowing. Other findings were gall bladder
      distention with sludge inside, an edematous wall and mildly dilated biliary tree.
      Prevalence of biliary ascariasis in the study was 0.45%, with incidence being
      higher in female subjects (0.55%). No correlation was found between biliary
      ascariasis and biliary lithiasis. Most of the cases of biliary ascariasis were
      associated with acute cholecystitis. We concluded that a careful search for
      biliary ascariasis should be considered for patients with acute acalculus
      cholecystitis, especially in areas in which ascariasis is endemic, such as
      Bangladesh. 

PMID- 27277621
TI  - The value of intraoperative ultrasonography in neurosurgery.
AB  - Intraoperative ultrasonography is widely used in neurosurgery today. Here we
      attempt to clarify and demonstrate its usefulness in the operating room. Of 113
      lesions, 112 were detected during surgery. The undetected lesion was a spinal
      arachnoid hematoma that had been absorbed during an intraoperative maneuver. No
      infection or complication occurred after surgery. Ultrasound guidance ensures
      safe tumor removal by minimizing injury to cerebral tissue and shortening
      operation time. Intraoperative ultrasonography improves the safety and efficiency
      of neurosurgery. 

PMID- 27277622
TI  - When the gallbladder is not detected in the usual location.

PMID- 27277623
TI  - Implication of advanced glycation end products (Ages) and their receptor (Rage)
      on myocardial contractile and mitochondrial functions.
AB  - Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play an important role for the development
      and/or progression of cardiovascular diseases, mainly through induction of
      oxidative stress and inflammation. AGEs are a heterogeneous group of molecules
      formed by non-enzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with amino acids of proteins,
      lipids and nucleic acids. AGEs are mainly formed endogenously, while recent
      studies suggest that diet constitutes an important exogenous source of AGEs. The
      presence and accumulation of AGEs in various cardiac cell types affect
      extracellular and intracellular structure and function. AGEs contribute to a
      variety of microvascular and macrovascular complications through the formation of
      cross-links between molecules in the basement membrane of the extracellular
      matrix and by engaging the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE).
      Activation of RAGE by AGEs causes up regulation of the transcription factor
      nuclear factor-kappaB and its target genes. of the RAGE engagement stimulates
      oxidative stress, evokes inflammatory and fibrotic reactions, which all
      contribute to the development and progression of devastating cardiovascular
      disorders. This review discusses potential targets of glycation in cardiac cells,
      and underlying mechanisms that lead to heart failure with special interest on AGE
      induced mitochondrial dysfunction in the myocardium.

PMID- 27277625
TI  - Differential Associations of Religious Involvement with the Mental Health of
      Asian-American Subgroups: A Cultural Perspective.
AB  - In the USA, Asian-Americans (AA) constitute the fastest growing ethnic minority
      group, in which heterogeneous religious patterns and acculturation experiences
      can impose significant impacts on their mental health. Using national data, the
      present study examined the contributions of religious involvement and social
      support to self-rated mental health (SRMH) of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipinos.
      Findings demonstrated cross-group variations, with Filipinos reporting the
      highest levels of SRMH, acculturation, and discrimination. However, religious
      involvement was associated with better SRMH in the least religious Chinese
      subgroup but not in the most religious Filipino subgroup. Social support
      predicted SRMH for both Chinese and Vietnamese subgroups. The differential
      religious patterns in the more acculturated generations between the two AA
      subgroups suggest religious assimilation as part of their acculturation in the
      context of divergent immigration experiences. 

PMID- 27277626
TI  - Expectations for contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

PMID- 27277624
TI  - Genetic Dissection of the Signaling Cascade that Controls Activation of the
      Shigella Type III Secretion System from the Needle Tip.
AB  - Many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens use type III secretion systems (T3SSs) for
      virulence. The Shigella T3SS consists of a hollow needle, made of MxiH and
      protruding from the bacterial surface, anchored in both bacterial membranes by
      multimeric protein rings. Atop the needle lies the tip complex (TC), formed by
      IpaD and IpaB. Upon physical contact with eukaryotic host cells, T3S is initiated
      leading to formation of a pore in the eukaryotic cell membrane, which is made of
      IpaB and IpaC. Through the needle and pore channels, further bacterial proteins
      are translocated inside the host cell to meditate its invasion. IpaD and the
      needle are implicated in transduction of the host cell-sensing signal to the T3S
      apparatus. Furthermore, the sensing-competent TC seems formed of 4 IpaDs topped
      by 1 IpaB. However, nothing further is known about the activation process. To
      investigate IpaB's role during T3SS activation, we isolated secretion-deregulated
      IpaB mutants using random mutagenesis and a genetic screen. We found ipaB point
      mutations in leading to defects in secretion activation, which sometimes
      diminished pore insertion and host cell invasion. We also demonstrated IpaB
      communicates intramolecularly and intermolecularly with IpaD and MxiH within the
      TC because mutations affecting these interactions impair signal transduction.

PMID- 27277627
TI  - Ex vivo evaluation of high-intensity focused ultrasound with ultrasonic-induced
      cavitation bubbles.
AB  - PURPOSE: In high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) comprising high-intensity
      burst ultrasound (triggering pulse) and medium-intensity continuous wave
      ultrasound (heating wave), optimizing the effects of the triggering pulse
      conditions on the coagulated volume may help to reduce treatment times. METHODS:
      HIFU combined with a triggering pulse was applied to chicken deep pectoral
      muscles. The acoustic power of the heating wave was set to 36, 54, or 72 W. Four
      different triggering pulse conditions were used: heating wave only; or pulse
      widths and pulse repetition frequencies of 30 MUs and 1 kHz, 300 MUs, and 100 Hz,
      or 3 ms and 10 Hz. RESULTS: Compared to the heating wave only condition, the
      coagulated volume was significantly larger under all conditions that included a
      triggering pulse. Significant differences were also observed in the ellipticity
      of the coagulated region between some conditions. CONCLUSION: HIFU combined with
      a triggering pulse may play an important role in reducing treatment times.

PMID- 27277629
TI  - Experimental verification of color flow imaging based on wideband Doppler method.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to eliminate the aliasing in color flow imaging. The
      wideband Doppler method is applied to generate a color flow image, and the
      validity of the method is experimentally confirmed. The single beam experiment is
      carried out to confirm the velocity estimation based on the wideband Doppler
      method. The echo data for the conventional pulsed Doppler method and the wideband
      Doppler method are obtained using a flow model, and the estimated velocity for
      each method is compared. The color flow images for each method are also generated
      using several types of flow model. The generated images are compared, and the
      characteristics of the imaging based on the wideband Doppler method are
      discussed. The high velocity beyond the Nyquist limit is successfully estimated
      by the wideband Doppler method, and the availability in low velocity estimation
      is also confirmed. The aliasing in color flow images is eliminated, and the
      generated images show the significance of the elimination of the aliasing in the
      flow imaging. The aliasing in color flow imaging can be eliminated by the
      wideband Doppler method. This technique is useful for the exact understanding of
      blood flow dynamics. 

PMID- 27277628
TI  - Ultrasound image-guided therapy enhances antitumor effect of cisplatin.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clarify whether ultrasound image-guided
      cisplatin delivery with an intratumor microbubble injection enhances the
      antitumor effect in a xenograft mouse model. METHODS: Canine thyroid
      adenocarcinoma cells were used for all experiments. Before in vivo experiments,
      the cisplatin and microbubble concentration and ultrasound exposure time were
      optimized in vitro. For in vivo experiments, cells were implanted into the back
      of nude mice. Observed by a diagnostic ultrasound machine, a mixture of cisplatin
      and ultrasound contrast agent, Sonazoid, microbubbles was injected directly into
      tumors. The amount of injected cisplatin and microbubbles was 1 MUg/tumor and 1.2
      * 10(7) microbubbles/tumor, respectively, with a total injected volume of 20 MUl.
      Using the same diagnostic machine, tumors were exposed to ultrasound for 15 s.
      The treatment was repeated four times. RESULTS: The combination of cisplatin,
      microbubbles, and ultrasound significantly delayed tumor growth as compared with
      no treatment (after 18 days, 157 +/- 55 vs. 398 +/- 49 mm(3), P = 0.049). Neither
      cisplatin alone nor the combination of cisplatin and ultrasound delayed tumor
      growth. The treatment did not decrease the body weight of mice. CONCLUSION:
      Ultrasound image-guided anticancer drug delivery may enhance the antitumor
      effects of drugs without obvious side effects.

PMID- 27277630
TI  - Normal values of liver elasticity measured by real-time tissue elastography (RTE)
      in healthy infants and children.
AB  - PURPOSE: To define normal values of liver elasticity measured by real-time tissue
      elastography (RTE) in healthy infants and children. METHODS: RTE was performed on
      91 children and adolescents by two experienced observers (female, n = 43; male, n
      = 48) and in two age groups (0-10 years, n = 45; 11-20 years, n = 46).
      Hepatopathies were excluded clinically by extensive laboratory testing and by
      ultrasound. RTE provides a histogram from a region of interest (ROI) in the liver
      representing the degree of stiffness of the liver. The distribution of the colors
      in the histogram corresponds to organ elasticity. By calculating the mean of
      stiffness values, a numerical value is expressed in arbitrary units (a.u.)
      representing the mean elasticity of the liver (MEAN). Additionally, the
      percentage values of relatively stiffer areas (color coded in blue) in the ROI
      can be calculated (%AREA). A Mann-Whitney U test was performed for these two
      parameters according to gender. The reproducibility of these values was
      determined with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test on another group
      of 18 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The median elasticity was 106 a.u. Gender did
      not have an influence on the parameters (MEAN: p = 0.052; %AREA: p = 0.051). Age
      specific analyses did not yield any significant difference between the two age
      groups for either of the two analyzed parameters (MEAN: p = 0.059; %AREA: p =
      0.058). The ICC test demonstrated a moderate agreement for MEAN (ICC = 0.582) and
      %AREA (ICC = 0.659). CONCLUSION: Real-time elastography is a new sonography-based
      method and may be used as a supportive analysis to assess liver parenchyma
      elasticity in children, especially when fibrosis is suspected. We measured RTE
      normal values in children as reference data.

PMID- 27277631
TI  - Breast US in patients with breast cancer presenting as only microcalcifications
      on mammography: can US differentiate ductal carcinoma in situ from invasive
      cancer?
AB  - PURPOSE: To retrospectively review sonographic findings of breast cancers
      presenting as only microcalcifications on mammography and to evaluate factors
      essential for differentiating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) from invasive
      cancers. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 620
      consecutive patients with confirmed breast cancer according to surgery performed
      between March 2008 and October 2011 at our institution. Of these, 53 lesions from
      52 patients who had only microcalcifications without a mass or other associated
      findings on mammography were selected. Sonographic findings of microcalcification
      areas were analyzed and correlated with the histopathological findings. RESULTS:
      Of the 53 lesions, 26 (49.18 %) were classified as invasive cancer and 27 (50.9
      %) as DCIS. Ultrasonography (US) showed only echogenic calcifications in five
      (9.4 %), calcifications within hypoechoic parenchymal thickening in 14 (26.4 %),
      calcifications within ductal changes in three (5.7 %), and calcifications within
      a mass in 14 (26.4 %). Seventeen (32.1 %) lesions were not visible on US.
      Negative findings in US were more frequently observed for DCIS (n = 15, 55.6 %)
      than for invasive cancers (n = 2, 7.7 %) (p < 0.001). Masses (n = 11, 42.3 % of
      invasive cancer; n = 3, 11.1 % of DCIS; p = 0.01) were more frequently observed
      in invasive cancers than in DCIS. CONCLUSIONS: US findings of breast cancers
      presenting as only mammographic microcalcifications were significantly different
      between DCIS and invasive cancers. Targeted US of microcalcifications might be
      helpful for predicting invasive cancers and for determining the clinical
      preoperative work-up, including axillary staging.

PMID- 27277632
TI  - Significance of septa in first trimester increased nuchal translucency thickness.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate perinatal outcome in
      cases of increased nuchal translucency (NT) with or without cystic hygroma (CH),
      and to determine whether first-trimester CH engenders a greater risk than simple
      increased NT. METHODS: In this retrospective study, data from singleton
      pregnancies in which fetal NT was found to be 3 mm or more at the 11 + 0 to 13 +
      6 weeks scan were reviewed. Cases were classified into two groups, namely 'CH'
      and 'increased NT'. RESULTS: Of the 76 cases with increased NT, 30 (39.4 %)
      presented with CH. NT measurement was significantly higher in the CH group (7.25
      vs. 3.5 mm, p < 0.001). Abnormal fetal karyotype, major chromosomal anomalies in
      chromosomally normal fetuses, and adverse outcome were significantly more
      frequent in the CH group as compared with the increased NT group (p = 0.019, p =
      0.021, and p = 0.001, respectively). Regression analysis revealed that NT
      thickness was the only significant variable in the prediction of chromosomal
      defect and/or major congenital anomaly (OR 2.05, 95 % CI 1.23-3.42, p = 0.005).
      CONCLUSION: Cystic hygroma results in poorer outcome due to higher NT
      measurement, and the thickness of NT rather than the presence of septa should be
      the mainstay of prenatal counseling in cases of increased NT in the first
      trimester.

PMID- 27277633
TI  - High-frequency ultrasound findings in epididymal malformations.
AB  - PURPOSE: This work aims to investigate high-frequency ultrasound findings in
      epididymal malformations and their clinical significance. METHODS: Eighty-five of
      9,849 patients who had been examined using high-frequency ultrasound for
      infertility, varicocele, scrotal swelling, and so on had epididymal
      malformations. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the ultrasound findings
      of epididymal malformations in these 85 patients. RESULTS: There were a total of
      117 malformed epididymides in 85 patients with epididymal malformations. The
      detection rate of epididymal malformations using high-frequency ultrasound was
      0.86 % (85/9,849). CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency ultrasound can be used to diagnose
      epididymal malformation and seminiferous duct blockage.

PMID- 27277634
TI  - Acceleration time ratio for the assessment of extracranial internal carotid
      artery stenosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To apply the acceleration time (AcT) ratio as an additional marker for
      diagnosing internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. METHODS: Carotid artery
      sonography was performed in 140 patients, and the AcT ratio was calculated as the
      AcT of the ICA divided by the AcT of the ipsilateral common carotid artery, and
      compared with diameter stenosis. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation
      between diameter stenosis and the AcT ratio. The receiver operating
      characteristic curve revealed a cutoff level of 1.5, with 90.0 % sensitivity and
      93.5 % specificity for stenosis >65 %. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that
      applying the AcT ratio can help in the diagnosis of ICA stenosis.

PMID- 27277636
TI  - A case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in a 70-year-old
      patient.
AB  - A 70-year-old man was admitted because of syncope and dyspnea. Two months before
      admission, exertional dyspnea occurred with syncope. Ventricular tachycardia with
      a monomorphic left bundle-branch block configuration was detected. An
      echocardiographic examination showed severe dilatation and diffuse, severe
      hypokinesis of the right ventricle, with thrombus formation in the right
      ventricular apex. Based on the clinical picture, the patient was diagnosed with
      arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). This case emphasizes the
      need for early identification of RV abnormalities in patients with ARVC to
      determine appropriate therapy. 

PMID- 27277635
TI  - Massive tricuspid regurgitation due to pacemaker-lead puncture of the tricuspid
      valve: successful diagnosis by 3-dimensional echocardiography.
AB  - An 83-year-old woman presented to our echocardiographic center with symptoms of
      right heart failure. A dual-chamber DDDR pacemaker had been implanted 9 years
      earlier. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed right atrial and ventricular
      enlargement and massive tricuspid regurgitation with immobilization of the
      anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve. Three-dimensional transesophageal
      echocardiography showed that the pacemaker lead had punctured the leaflet. These
      echocardiographic findings were confirmed during surgery. The pacemaker lead was
      transected and removed, and pericardial patch closure of the leaflet hole and
      tricuspid annuloplasty were performed. The mechanism of regurgitation was
      elucidated by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography, and surgical repair
      was straightforward. 

PMID- 27277637
TI  - Ileocecal, colonic, and peritoneal tuberculosis: role of imaging in diagnosis. A
      case report and literature review.
AB  - Tuberculosis is a widespread infectious disease that still remains a deadly
      global health problem and a condition that is life-threatening if misdiagnosed.
      Extrapulmonary manifestations are prevalent in the endemic areas but limited to
      the immunocompromised and immigrants in economically developed areas. False
      diagnostic situations rely on non-specific investigatory findings, the wide
      spectrum of clinical manifestations, and problems in discriminating between
      inflammation and neoplasms of the bowel. For an early diagnosis, a high index of
      suspicion and correlation of clinical and imaging aspects, as well as findings
      from colonoscopy, tissue biopsy, and microbiologic assessments, are necessary. We
      present a case of a patient with non-specific abdominal symptoms, mimicking a
      clinical syndrome of neoplastic impregnation, finally diagnosed as ileal
      tuberculosis with peritoneal involvement. We stress the importance of
      ultrasonography as a primary method of investigation, having an important role in
      raising the suspicion of an infectious bowel disease, as well as the role of
      contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination. 

PMID- 27277638
TI  - Spontaneously infarcted fibroadenoma of the breast in an adolescent girl:
      sonographic findings.
AB  - Spontaneous infarction in fibroadenoma unrelated to any known risk factors is
      extremely rare. Here, I present a case of a spontaneously infarcted fibroadenoma
      in an adolescent girl in whom no plausible predisposing factors were identified.
      High-resolution sonographic imaging showed a unique circumscribed, complex echoic
      mass containing a frondular solid portion. 

PMID- 27277639
TI  - Role of ultrasonography in detection of renal artery pseudoaneurysm caused by
      retroperitoneal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a patient with
      neurofibromatosis type 1.
AB  - Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are extremely uncommon
      neoplasms, predominantly seen within the deep soft tissues of the extremities, in
      close proximity to the nerve trunks. Retroperitoneal MPNSTs are exceedingly rare,
      usually seen in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), and often
      result from malignant degeneration of a plexiform neurofibroma. These tumors are
      highly malignant and the prognosis is worsened if they occur in association with
      NF-1. Metastasis is not uncommon, but local invasion by these tumors is rarely
      reported. Renal artery pseudoaneurysms are mostly iatrogenic and rarely result
      from invasion by retroperitoneal neoplasms. Ultrasonography is a valuable tool in
      early diagnosis of these neoplasms and vascular complications, particularly in
      emergency cases requiring immediate operative intervention. To the best of our
      knowledge, no case of renal artery pseudoaneurysm caused by retroperitoneal MPNST
      has been reported to date. We present a case of a middle-aged female with Von
      Recklinghausen disease, complaining of sudden onset of severe abdominal pain,
      where ultrasound accurately diagnosed renal artery pseudoaneurysm caused by a
      large retroperitoneal MPNST, and who was later treated by radical excision of the
      tumor and nephrectomy. 

PMID- 27277640
TI  - Epididymal lymphoma: report of two cases and imaging findings.
AB  - Epididymal lymphoma is a very rare tumor that is difficult to differentiate
      radiologically from other paratesticular tumors. Most cases of epididymal
      lymphoma are secondary involvement of the epididymis in patients with testicular
      lymphoma. However, isolated epididymal lymphoma is very rare. We herein report
      two cases of isolated epididymal lymphoma with different imaging findings.
      Patient 1 was a 52-year-old man who presented with a painless scrotal mass.
      Patient 2 was a 65-year-old man who presented with painless scrotal swelling.
      Ultrasound (US) demonstrated different imaging findings: US in patient 1 showed a
      well-defined round mass in the tail of the epididymis with hypervascularity
      confined to the epididymis, while US in patient 2 showed diffuse infiltrative
      enlargement with hypervascularity confined to the epididymis. Orchiectomy
      performed in both patients revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma confined to the
      epididymis. 

PMID- 27277641
TI  - Microcalcifications in the breast detected by a color Doppler method using
      twinkling artifacts: some important discussions based on clinical cases and
      experiments with a new ultrasound modality called multidetector-ultrasonography
      (MD-US).
AB  - The twinkling artifact is well known as a color Doppler artifact but it is still
      an unresolved phenomenon [Rahmouni et al., Radiology 1996;199:269-271 ; Atan et
      al., Astas Urol Esp 2001;35:396-402; Kamaya et al., AJR 2003;80:215-222]. Many
      factors affect the appearance of the twinkling artifact, such as the surface
      roughness of stones creating multiple reflections and a form of intrinsic noise
      known as clock jitter within the Doppler circuitry of the ultrasound equipment.
      However, no studies have reported on the twinkling artifact of breast
      microcalcifications. While considering these premises, I detected
      microcalcifications in the breast using twinkling artifacts that could not be
      detected on B-mode imaging. The twinkling artifact is a well-defined but not well
      understood phenomenon that may assist in the detection of calcified foci. The
      phenomenon of the twinkling artifact is discussed here with regard to
      prospectively and retrospectively studied cases including experiments with a new
      ultrasound modality called multidetector-ultrasonography (MD-US). MD-US using
      detectability of the twinkling artifact in microcalcifications of the breast may
      play an important role in breast screening. 

PMID- 27277642
TI  - HDlive rendering image of cyclopia and a proboscis in a fetus with normal
      chromosomes at 32 weeks of gestation.

PMID- 27277643
TI  - Sonographically guided puncture of pancreatic lesions: a low number of needle
      passes does not compromise the diagnostic yield.

PMID- 27277644
TI  - Ultrasound diagnostic criteria for hepatic tumors.

PMID- 27277645
TI  - Differential diagnosis of dialysis-associated renal cell carcinoma with
      ultrasonography.

PMID- 27277646
TI  - Fetal venous blood flow pattern reference ranges (2013).

PMID- 27277647
TI  - New blood pressure goals for patients with increased cardiovascular risk.

PMID- 27277648
TI  - In this issue July 2016.

PMID- 27277649
TI  - Pediatric anesthesia editorial-propofol and remifentanil: to mix or not to mix.

PMID- 27277650
TI  - Anesthesia for muscle biopsy: when nothing bad happened, was no special care
      needed?

PMID- 27277651
TI  - Symptomatic endotracheal tube obstruction in infants intubated with
      Microcuff((r)) endotracheal tubes.

PMID- 27277652
TI  - ABC Diaphragmatic Evaluation for neonates.

PMID- 27277653
TI  - Reply to Ideno, Satoshi; Seki, Hiroyuki; Morisaki, Hiroshi, regarding their
      comment 'Consider an additional pressure-relief port before we abandon the use of
      the wall oxygen through a bronchoscope'.

PMID- 27277654
TI  - Response to comment 'Tsui, Ban; Tsui, Jenkin: ABC diaphragmatic evaluation for
      neonates'.

PMID- 27277655
TI  - A call to solve the puzzle together by building an evidence base for
      perioperative management of children with autism spectrum disorder.

PMID- 27277656
TI  - Correspondence Letter to the Editor regarding 'The presumed central nervous
      system effects of rocuronium in a neonate and its reversal with sugammadex' by
      Langley, McFadzean & McCormack.

PMID- 27277657
TI  - Bubble induction.

PMID- 27277659
TI  - Impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on periprocedural myocardial infarction
      in patients undergoing non-urgent percutaneous coronary revascularisation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pro-thrombotic conditions importantly influence myocardial perfusion
      and procedural results after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The
      neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a predictor of cardiovascular
      events and of long-term prognosis, especially in ST-elevation myocardial
      infarction patients undergoing primary PCI. The aim of our study was to evaluate
      the role of NLR on periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) in patients
      undergoing non-urgent PCI. METHODS: In a consecutive cohort of 1542 patients
      undergoing PCI, myonecrosis biomarkers were determined at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours
      post-procedure. Patients were divided into quintiles according to NLR values.
      Periprocedural myonecrosis was defined as a troponin I increase of 3 times the
      upper limit of normal or as 50 % of an elevated baseline value, whereas
      periprocedural MI was defined as a CK-MB increase of 3 times the upper limit of
      normal or 50 % of baseline. RESULTS: Higher NLR was related to age, established
      risk factors and cardiovascular history. NLR was associated with severe coronary
      artery disease (p = 0.009), tighter stenosis (p < 0.001), coronary calcifications
      (p = 0.005), intracoronary thrombus or thrombectomy use (p < 0.001), TIMI flow
      pre- and post-PCI (p < 0.001), and inversely to restenosis (p = 0.04) and use of
      a drug-eluting stent (p = 0.001). NLR did not influence the occurrence of
      myonecrosis (p = 0.75; adjusted OR (95 % CI) = 0.99 (0.63-1.54), p = 0.96), but
      was associated with a higher occurrence of periprocedural MI, even after
      correction for baseline differences (p = 0.03; adjusted OR (95 % CI) = 1.33 (1.02
      2.3), p = 0.02), with NLR >= 3 best predicting the risk of periprocedural MI at
      the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. CONCLUSION: In patients
      undergoing non-urgent PCI, a higher NLR increases the risk of periprocedural MI,
      especially for values >= 3.

PMID- 27277660
TI  - Improvement in Glucose Control in Difficult-to-Control Patients With Diabetes
      Using a Novel Flash Glucose Monitoring Device.

PMID- 27277658
TI  - G-quadruplex RNA binding and recognition by the lysine-specific histone
      demethylase-1 enzyme.
AB  - Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 (LSD1) is an essential epigenetic regulator
      in metazoans and requires the co-repressor element-1 silencing transcription
      factor (CoREST) to efficiently catalyze the removal of mono- and dimethyl
      functional groups from histone 3 at lysine positions 4 and 9 (H3K4/9). LSD1
      interacts with over 60 regulatory proteins and also associates with lncRNAs
      (TERRA, HOTAIR), suggesting a regulatory role for RNA in LSD1 function. We report
      that a stacked, intramolecular G-quadruplex (GQ) forming TERRA RNA
      (GG[UUAGGG]8UUA) binds tightly to the functional LSD1-CoREST complex (Kd ~ 96
      nM), in contrast to a single GQ RNA unit ([UUAGGG]4U), a GQ DNA ([TTAGGG]4T), or
      an unstructured single-stranded RNA. Stabilization of a parallel-stranded GQ RNA
      structure by monovalent potassium ions (K(+)) is required for high affinity
      binding to the LSD1-CoREST complex. These data indicate that LSD1 can distinguish
      between RNA and DNA as well as structured versus unstructured nucleotide motifs.
      Further, cross-linking mass spectrometry identified the primary location of GQ
      RNA binding within the SWIRM/amine oxidase domain (AOD) of LSD1. An ssRNA binding
      region adjacent to this GQ binding site was also identified via X-ray
      crystallography. This RNA binding interface is consistent with kinetic assays,
      demonstrating that a GQ-forming RNA can serve as a noncompetitive inhibitor of
      LSD1-catalyzed demethylation. The identification of a GQ RNA binding site coupled
      with kinetic data suggests that structured RNAs can function as regulatory
      molecules in LSD1-mediated mechanisms.

PMID- 27277661
TI  - Antagonist wear of monolithic zirconia crowns after 2 years.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of wear on the
      antagonist occlusal surfaces of clinically placed monolithic zirconia premolar
      and molar crowns (LAVA Plus, 3M ESPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen in situ
      monolithic zirconia crowns and their opposing antagonists (n = 26) are the
      subject of an ongoing clinical trial and have been clinically examined at
      baseline and after 24 months. Silicone impressions were taken and epoxy replicas
      produced for qualitative SEM analysis and quantitative analysis using optical
      profilometry. Based on the baseline replicas, the follow-up situation has been
      scanned and digitally matched with the initial topography in order to calculate
      the mean volume loss (in mm3) as well as the mean maximum vertical loss (in mm)
      after 2 years in service. RESULTS: The mean volume loss for enamel antagonist
      contacts (n = 7) was measured to 0.361 mm3 and the mean of the maximum vertical
      loss to 0.204 mm. The mean volume loss for pure ceramic contacts (n = 10) was
      measured to 0.333 mm3 and the mean of the maximum vertical loss to 0.145 mm. The
      wear rates on enamel contacts were not significantly different from those
      measured on ceramic antagonists. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the limitations of this
      study, it can be concluded for the monolithic zirconia material LAVA Plus that
      the measured wear rates are in consensus with other in vivo studies on ceramic
      restorations. Further, that no significant difference was found between natural
      enamel antagonists and ceramic restorations as antagonists. The monolithic
      zirconia restorations do not seem to be affected by wear within the first 2
      years. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The monolithic zirconia crowns (LAVA Plus) show
      acceptable antagonist wear rates after 2 years in situ, regardless of natural
      enamel or ceramics as antagonist materials.

PMID- 27277663
TI  - Nine-Year Follow-up in a Child with Antenatally Diagnosed Hepatoblastoma.

PMID- 27277662
TI  - Event-related potentials reflecting smoking cue reactivity and cognitive control
      as predictors of smoking relapse and resumption.
AB  - RATIONALE: Given that most attempts to quit smoking fail, it is critical to
      increase knowledge about the mechanisms involved in smoking relapse and
      resumption (i.e., the increase in smoking over time after a quit attempt).
      Neurocognitive measures, such as event-related potentials (ERPs), may provide
      novel insights into smoking relapse and resumption. OBJECTIVES: The objective of
      the present study is to investigate the association between smoking relapse and
      resumption and ERPs reflecting smoking cue reactivity (i.e., P300, LPP),
      inhibitory control (i.e., N2, P3), and error processing (i.e., error-related
      negativity (ERN), Pe). METHODS: Seventy-two smokers viewed smoking and neutral
      pictures and performed a Go-NoGo and an Eriksen Flanker task, while ERPs were
      measured using electroencephalography. All smokers started a quit attempt in the
      week following the laboratory visit. Smoking behavior after the quit attempt was
      measured at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Both relapse (i.e., 7-day point prevalence at 12
      weeks) and smoking resumption (i.e., the number of cigarettes a day at 4, 8, and
      12 weeks) were used as outcome measures. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses
      showed that smaller P3 amplitudes, reflecting brain activation associated with
      inhibitory control, are related to an increased relapse risk. Latent growth curve
      analyses showed that reduced post-error slowing, the main behavioral measure
      reflecting error processing, is associated with stronger smoking resumption. ERPs
      reflecting smoking cue reactivity were unrelated to smoking relapse or
      resumption. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that smaller inhibitory control-related P3
      amplitudes are associated with increased relapse risks suggests that strategies
      to increase inhibitory control in smokers are worth further investigation in the
      search for more effective smoking cessation interventions.

PMID- 27277664
TI  - Primary Follicular Lymphoma of the Gastrointestinal Tract: Case Report and
      Review.
AB  - PURPOSE: Primary gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma (GI-FL) is considered a
      rare disease with fewer than 400 cases reported in the literature. It accounts
      for roughly 1-3 % of GI non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL). It originates in the GI
      tract and typically affects small bowel. The disease has an indolent course, and
      a prolonged survival can be expected in most cases. Due to its rarity, an optimal
      diagnostic work up and treatment plan has not been well established. METHODS:
      Endoscopic evaluation of the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract using
      esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), wireless capsule endoscopy, double-balloon
      enteroscopy, colonoscopy, and whole body examination with fluorodeoxyglucose
      positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has been suggested to more accurately
      stage the disease and guide the treatment plan. RESULTS: Treatment options for GI
      follicular lymphoma include watch and wait strategy, surgery, chemotherapy,
      radiation, immuno-radiotherapy, or a combination of these modalities. CONCLUSION:
      In this article, we have summarized the existing information regarding clinical
      presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options for this rare entity
      after presenting a case of GI-FL who was diagnosed during an EGD for evaluation
      of belching, heartburn, and weight loss.

PMID- 27277666
TI  - New blood test could personalise depression treatment.

PMID- 27277665
TI  - Genetic risk factors for restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention in
      Kazakh population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: After coronary stenting, the risk of developing restenosis is from 20
      to 35 %. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association of
      genetic variation in candidate genes in patients diagnosed with restenosis in the
      Kazakh population. METHODS: Four hundred fifty-nine patients were recruited to
      the study; 91 patients were also diagnosed with diabetes and were excluded from
      the sampling. DNA was extracted with the salting-out method. The patients were
      genotyped for 53 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Genotyping was performed on the
      QuantStudio 12K Flex (Life Technologies). Differences in distribution of BMI
      score among different genotype groups were compared by analysis of variance
      (ANOVA). Also, statistical analysis was performed using R and PLINK v.1.07.
      Haplotype frequencies and LD measures were estimated by using the software
      Haploview 4.2. RESULTS: A logistic regression analysis found a significant
      difference in restenosis rates for different genotypes. FGB (rs1800790) is
      significantly associated with restenosis after stenting (OR = 2.924, P = 2.3E-06,
      additive model) in the Kazakh population. CD14 (rs2569190) showed a significant
      association in the additive (OR = 0.08033, P = 2.11E-09) and dominant models (OR
      = 0.05359, P = 4.15E-11). NOS3 (rs1799983) was also highly associated with
      development of restenosis after stenting in additive (OR = 20.05, P = 2.74 E-12)
      and recessive models (OR = 22.24, P = 6.811E-10). CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      indicate that FGB (rs1800790), CD14 (rs2569190), and NOS3 (rs1799983) SNPs could
      be genetic markers for development of restenosis in Kazakh population. Adjustment
      for potential confounder factor BMI gave almost the same results.

PMID- 27277668
TI  - ALD/MLD processes for Mn and Co based hybrid thin films.
AB  - Here we report the growth of novel transition metal-organic thin-film materials
      consisting of manganese or cobalt as the metal component and terephthalate as the
      rigid organic backbone. The hybrid thin films are deposited by the currently
      strongly emerging atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) technique using the
      combination of a metal beta-diketonate, i.e. Mn(thd)3, Co(acac)3 or Co(thd)2, and
      terephthalic acid (1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid) as precursors. All the processes
      yield homogeneous and notably smooth amorphous metal-terephthalate hybrid thin
      films with growth rates of 1-2 A per cycle. The films are stable towards humidity
      and withstand high temperatures up to 300 or 400  degrees C under an oxidative or
      a reductive atmosphere. The films are characterized with XRR, AFM, GIXRD, XPS and
      FTIR techniques. 

PMID- 27277671
TI  - Physiological and comparative proteome analyses reveal low-phosphate tolerance
      and enhanced photosynthesis in a maize mutant owing to reinforced inorganic
      phosphate recycling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The low-phosphate-tolerant maize mutant Qi319-96 was obtained from
      Qi319 through cellular engineering. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms
      underlying the low-phosphate tolerance of this mutant, we performed comparative
      proteome analyses of the leaves of Qi319-96 and Qi319 under inorganic phosphate
      (Pi)-sufficient and Pi-deficient conditions. RESULTS: Low-phosphorus levels limit
      plant growth and metabolism. Although the overall phosphorus contents of shoots
      were not significantly different between Qi319 and Qi319-96, the Pi level of
      Qi319-96 was 52.94 % higher than that of Qi319. Under low phosphorus conditions,
      Qi319-96 had increased chlorophyll levels and enhanced photosynthesis. The
      changes in starch and sucrose contents under these conditions also differed
      between genotypes. The proteomic changes included 29 (Pi-sufficient) and 71 (Pi
      deficient) differentially expressed proteins involved in numerous metabolic
      processes. Proteome and physiological analyses revealed that Qi319-96 could
      better remodel the lipid composition of membranes and had higher V-ATPase
      activity levels than Qi319 under low-phosphate starvation, which enhanced the
      recycling of intracellular Pi, as reflected by its increased Pi levels.
      Chlorophyll biosynthesis was improved and the levels, and activities, of several
      Calvin cycle and "CO2 pump" enzymes were greater in Qi319-96 than in Qi319, which
      led to a higher rate of photosynthesis under low-phosphate stress in this line
      compared with in Qi319. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the increased
      tolerance of the maize mutant Qi319-96 to low-phosphate levels is owing to its
      ability to increase Pi availability. Additionally, inbred lines of maize with low
      P-tolerant traits could be obtained effectively through cellular engineering.

PMID- 27277672
TI  - Source and risk factors of a cutaneous anthrax outbreak, Jiangsu, Eastern China,
      2012.
AB  - Anthrax is still a severe public health problem and threat to human health. A
      cutaneous anthrax outbreak occurred in Jiangsu Province, a non-endemic anthrax
      region of eastern China, from July to August 2012. Epidemiological and laboratory
      investigation were initiated to trace the source of infection and identify the
      risk factors of the outbreak. On 25 July 2012, 17 persons were exposed to a sick
      cow, which had been imported from northeast China a few days previously. Of the
      17 exposed, eight developed symptoms between 1 and 8 days and were diagnosed as
      cutaneous anthrax cases. Three main genes of Bacillus anthracis were detected
      from both human and cow meat samples, indicating that the outbreak was associated
      with this infected cow. A retrospective cohort study showed that contact with
      blood and presence of skin damage contributed to the case infection with B.
      anthracis. The outbreak highlights the need to enhance quarantine for imported
      livestock, which should have been vaccinated prior to importation, the
      significance of education for high-risk individuals, and training for primary
      healthcare workers even in anthrax-free areas.

PMID- 27277673
TI  - Accumulation of human full-length tau induces degradation of nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptor alpha4 via activating calpain-2.
AB  - Cholinergic impairments and tau accumulation are hallmark pathologies in sporadic
      Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, the intrinsic link between tau accumulation
      and cholinergic deficits is missing. Here, we found that overexpression of human
      wild-type full-length tau (termed hTau) induced a significant reduction of alpha4
      subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with an increased cleavage
      of the receptor producing a ~55kDa fragment in primary hippocampal neurons and in
      the rat brains, meanwhile, the alpha4 nAChR currents decreased. Further studies
      demonstrated that calpains, including calpain-1 and calpain-2, were remarkably
      activated with no change of caspase-3, while simultaneous suppression of calpain
      2 by selective calpain-2 inhibitor but not calpain-1 attenuated the hTau-induced
      degradation of alpha4 nAChR. Finally, we demonstrated that hTau accumulation
      increased the basal intracellular calcium level in primary hippocampal neurons.
      We conclude that the hTau accumulation inhibits nAChRs alpha4 by activating
      calpain-2. To our best knowledge, this is the first evidence showing that the
      intracellular accumulation of tau causes cholinergic impairments.

PMID- 27277674
TI  - Surgeons' exposure to sevoflurane during paediatric adenoidectomy: a comparison
      of three airway devices.
AB  - Although sevoflurane is commonly used in anaesthesia, a threshold value for
      maximum exposure to personnel does not exist and although anaesthetists are aware
      of the problem, surgeons rarely focus on it. We used a photo-acoustic infrared
      device to measure the exposure of surgeons to sevoflurane during paediatric
      adenoidectomies. Sixty children were randomly allocated to laryngeal mask, cuffed
      tracheal tube or uncuffed tracheal tube. The average mean (maximum) sevoflurane
      concentrations within the surgeons' operating area were 1.05 (10.05) ppm in the
      laryngeal mask group, 0.33 (1.44) ppm in the cuffed tracheal tube group and 1.79
      (18.02) ppm in the uncuffed tracheal tube group, (p < 0.001), laryngeal mask and
      cuffed tracheal tube groups vs. uncuffed tube group. The presence of sevoflurane
      was noticed by surgeons in 20% of cases but there were no differences between the
      groups (p = 0.193). Surgical and anaesthetic complications were similar in all
      three groups. We conclude that sevoflurane can be safely used during
      adenoidectomies with all three airway devices, but in order to minimise
      sevoflurane peak concentrations, cuffed tracheal tubes are preferred.

PMID- 27277675
TI  - ROS homeostasis and metabolism: a dangerous liason in cancer cells.
AB  - Tumor cells harbor genetic alterations that promote a continuous and elevated
      production of reactive oxygen species. Whereas such oxidative stress conditions
      would be harmful to normal cells, they facilitate tumor growth in multiple ways
      by causing DNA damage and genomic instability, and ultimately, by reprogramming
      cancer cell metabolism. This review outlines the metabolic-dependent mechanisms
      that tumors engage in when faced with oxidative stress conditions that are
      critical for cancer progression by producing redox cofactors. In particular, we
      describe how the mitochondria has a key role in regulating the interplay between
      redox homeostasis and metabolism within tumor cells. Last, we will discuss the
      potential therapeutic use of agents that directly or indirectly block metabolism.

PMID- 27277676
TI  - Long non-coding RNA regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer
      metastasis.
AB  - Metastasis is a multistep process starting with the dissemination of tumor cells
      from a primary site and ending with secondary tumor development in an
      anatomically distant location. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a
      process that endows epithelial tumor cells with mesenchymal properties including
      reduced adhesion and increased motility, is considered a critical step driving
      the early phase of cancer metastasis. Although significant progress has been made
      in understanding the molecular characteristics of EMT, the intracellular
      mechanisms driving transition through the various stages of EMT remain unclear.
      In recent years, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the
      involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor metastasis through
      modulating EMT. LncRNAs and their associated signaling networks have now emerged
      as new players in the induction and regulation of EMT during metastasis. Here we
      summarize the recent findings and characterizations of several known lncRNAs
      involved in the regulation of EMT. We will also discuss the potential use of
      these lncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic
      targets to slow down or prevent metastatic spread of malignant tumors.

PMID- 27277677
TI  - KLF4 deletion alters gastric cell lineage and induces MUC2 expression.
AB  - Gastric cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world,
      particularly in underdeveloped countries. The mechanism of gastric cancer is less
      understood compared with other types of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Kruppel
      like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc-finger transcription factor and is a potential
      tumor suppressor in GI cancers. In this study, we have generated two mouse
      models, Rosa-Cre;Klf4(fl/fl) and Lgr5-Cre;Klf4(fl/fl). KLF4 was deleted by Rosa
      Cre in the gastric epithelia cells or by Lgr5-Cre in the antral stem cells in the
      adult mice. KLF4 deletion resulted in increased proliferating cells and decreased
      pit mucous cells. Surprisingly, the intestinal goblet cell marker, MUC2, which is
      not expressed in normal gastric tissues, was strongly induced at the base of the
      KLF4-deleted antral glands. To understand the clinical relevance of these
      findings, we analyzed the expression of KLF4 and MUC2 in human gastric cancer. In
      a subset of human gastric cancer, the expression of KLF4 is negatively associated
      with MUC2 expression. In conclusion, KLF4 is essential for normal homeostasis of
      antral stem cells; loss of KLF4 and expression of MUC2 could be important markers
      for gastric cancer diagnosis.

PMID- 27277678
TI  - PAX7 is a required target for microRNA-206-induced differentiation of fusion
      negative rhabdomyosarcoma.
AB  - Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood. RMS
      can be parsed based on clinical outcome into two subtypes, fusion-positive RMS
      (FP-RMS) or fusion-negative RMS (FN-RMS) based on the presence or absence of
      either PAX3-FOXO1 or PAX7-FOXO1 gene fusions. In both RMS subtypes, tumor cells
      show histology and a gene expression pattern resembling that of developmentally
      arrested skeletal muscle. Differentiation therapy is an attractive approach to
      embryonal tumors of childhood including RMS; however, agents to drive RMS
      differentiation have not entered the clinic and their mechanisms remain unclear.
      MicroRNA-206 (miR-206) expression increases through normal muscle development and
      has decreased levels in RMS compared with normal skeletal muscle. Increasing miR
      206 expression drives differentiation of RMS, but the target genes responsible
      for the relief of the development arrest are largely unknown. Using a
      combinatorial approach with gene and proteomic profiling coupled with genetic
      rescue, we identified key miR-206 targets responsible for the FN-RMS
      differentiation blockade, PAX7, PAX3, NOTCH3, and CCND2. Specifically, we
      determined that PAX7 downregulation is necessary for miR-206-induced cell cycle
      exit and myogenic differentiation in FN-RMS but not in FP-RMS. Gene knockdown of
      targets necessary for miR-206-induced differentiation alone or in combination was
      not sufficient to phenocopy the differentiation phenotype from miR-206, thus
      illustrating that miR-206 replacement offers the ability to modulate a complex
      network of genes responsible for the developmental arrest in FN-RMS. Genetic
      deletion of miR-206 in a mouse model of FN-RMS accelerated and exacerbated tumor
      development, indicating that both in vitro and in vivo miR-206 acts as a tumor
      suppressor in FN-RMS at least partially through downregulation of PAX7.
      Collectively, our results illustrate that miR-206 relieves the differentiation
      arrest in FN-RMS and suggests that miR-206 replacement could be a potential
      therapeutic differentiation strategy.

PMID- 27277679
TI  - DJ-1 deficiency attenuates expansion of liver progenitor cells through modulating
      the inflammatory and fibrogenic niches.
AB  - Our previous study suggested that DJ-1 has a critical role in initiating an
      inflammatory response, but its role in the liver progenitor cell (LPC) expansion,
      a process highly dependent on the inflammatory niche, remains elusive. The
      objective of this study is to determine the role of DJ-1 in LPC expansion. The
      correlation of DJ-1 expression with LPC markers was examined in the liver of
      patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively)
      infection, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC),
      nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC), respectively. The role of DJ-1 in LPC expansion and the formation of LPC
      associated fibrosis and inflammation was examined in a 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4
      dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet-induced liver injury murine model. We also determined
      the ability of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in recruiting macrophages in DJ-1
      knockout (KO) mice. The expression levels of DJ-1 were upregulated in the liver
      of HBV, HCV, PBC and PSC patients and DDC-fed mice. Additionally, DJ-1 expression
      was positively correlated with LPC proliferation in patients with liver injury
      and mice with DDC exposure. DJ-1 has no direct effect on LPC proliferation.
      Reduced activation of HSCs and collagen deposition were observed in DJ-1 KO mice.
      Furthermore, infiltrated CD11b(+)Gr-1(low) macrophages and pro-inflammatory
      factors (IL-6, TNF-alpha) were attenuated in DJ-1 KO mice. Mechanistically, we
      found that HSCs isolated from DJ-1 KO mice had decreased secretion of macrophage
      mobilizing chemokines, such as CCL2 and CX3CL1, resulting in impaired macrophage
      infiltration. DJ-1 positively correlates with LPC expansion during liver injury.
      DJ-1 deficiency negatively regulates LPC proliferation by impairing the formation
      of LPC-associated fibrosis and inflammatory niches.

PMID- 27277680
TI  - Endoplasmic reticulum stress in bone marrow-derived cells prevents acute cardiac
      inflammation and injury in response to angiotensin II.
AB  - Inflammation plays an important role in hypertensive cardiac injury. The
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway is involved in the inflammatory
      response. However, the role of ER stress in elevated angiotensin II (Ang II)
      induced cardiac injury remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role
      of ER stress in Ang II-induced hypertensive cardiac injury. Transcriptome
      analysis and quantitative real-time PCR showed that Ang II infusion in mice
      increased ER stress-related genes expression in the heart. C/EBP homologous
      protein (CHOP) deficiency, a key mediator of ER stress, increased infiltration of
      inflammatory cells, especially neutrophils, the production of inflammatory
      cytokines, chemokines in Ang II-infused mouse hearts. CHOP deficiency increased
      Ang II-induced cardiac fibrotic injury: (1) Masson trichrome staining showed
      increased fibrotic areas, (2) immunohistochemistry staining showed increased
      expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor beta1 and (3)
      quantitative real-time PCR showed increased expression of collagen in CHOP
      deficient mouse heart. Bone marrow transplantation experiments indicated that
      CHOP deficiency in bone marrow cells was responsible for Ang II-induced cardiac
      fibrotic injury. Moreover, TUNEL staining and flow cytometry revealed that CHOP
      deficiency decreased neutrophil apoptosis in response to Ang II. Taken together,
      our study demonstrated that hypertension induced ER stress after Ang II infusion.
      ER stress in bone marrow-derived cells protected acute cardiac inflammation and
      injury in response to Ang II.

PMID- 27277681
TI  - ATP2C1 gene mutations in Hailey-Hailey disease and possible roles of SPCA1
      isoforms in membrane trafficking.
AB  - ATP2C1 gene codes for the secretory pathway Ca(2+)/Mn(2+)-ATPase pump type 1
      (SPCA1) localizing at the golgi apparatus. Mutations on the human ATP2C1 gene,
      causing decreased levels of the SPCA1 expression, have been identified as the
      cause of the Hailey-Hailey disease, a rare skin disorder. In the last few years,
      several mutations have been described, and here we summarize how they are
      distributed along the gene and how missense mutations affect protein expression.
      SPCA1 is expressed in four different isoforms through alternative splicing of the
      ATP2C1 gene and none of these isoforms is differentially affected by any of these
      mutations. However, a better understanding of the tissue specific expression of
      the isoforms, their localization along the secretory pathway, their specific
      binding partners and the role of the C-terminal tail making isoforms different
      from each other, will be future goals of the research in this field.

PMID- 27277682
TI  - Mysm1 is required for interferon regulatory factor expression in maintaining HSC
      quiescence and thymocyte development.
AB  - Mysm1(-/-) mice have severely decreased cellularity in hematopoietic organs. We
      previously revealed that Mysm1 knockout impairs self-renewal and lineage
      reconstitution of HSCs by abolishing the recruitment of key transcriptional
      factors to the Gfi-1 locus, an intrinsic regulator of HSC function. The present
      study further defines a large LSKs in >8-week-old Mysm1(-/-) mice that exhibit
      increased proliferation and reduced cell lineage differentiation compared with
      those of WT LSKs. We found that IRF2 and IRF8, which are important for HSC
      homeostasis and commitment as transcription repressors, were expressed at lower
      levels in Mysm1(-/-) HSCs, and Mysm1 enhanced function of the IRF2 and IRF8
      promoters, suggesting that Mysm1 governs the IRFs for HSC homeostasis. We further
      found that the lower expressions of IRF2 and IRF8 led to an enhanced
      transcription of p53 in Mysm1(-/-) HSCs, which was recently defined to have an
      important role in mediating Mysm1(-/-)-associated defects. The study also
      revealed that Mysm1(-/-) thymocytes exhibited lower IRF2 expression, but had
      higher Sca1 expression, which has a role in mediating thymocyte death.
      Furthermore, we found that the thymocytes from B16 melanoma-bearing mice, which
      display severe thymus atrophy at late tumor stages, exhibited reduced Mysm1 and
      IRF2 expression but enhanced Sca1 expression, suggesting that tumors may
      downregulate Mysm1 and IRF2 for thymic T-cell elimination.

PMID- 27277683
TI  - MicroRNA-155 facilitates skeletal muscle regeneration by balancing pro- and anti
      inflammatory macrophages.
AB  - Skeletal muscle has remarkable regeneration capacity and regenerates in response
      to injury. Muscle regeneration largely relies on muscle stem cells called
      satellite cells. Satellite cells normally remain quiescent, but in response to
      injury or exercise they become activated and proliferate, migrate, differentiate,
      and fuse to form multinucleate myofibers. Interestingly, the inflammatory process
      following injury and the activation of the myogenic program are highly
      coordinated, with myeloid cells having a central role in modulating satellite
      cell activation and regeneration. Here, we show that genetic deletion of microRNA
      155 (miR-155) in mice substantially delays muscle regeneration. Surprisingly, miR
      155 does not appear to directly regulate the proliferation or differentiation of
      satellite cells. Instead, miR-155 is highly expressed in myeloid cells, is
      essential for appropriate activation of myeloid cells, and regulates the balance
      between pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages
      during skeletal muscle regeneration. Mechanistically, we found that miR-155
      suppresses SOCS1, a negative regulator of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, during
      the initial inflammatory response upon muscle injury. Our findings thus reveal a
      novel role of miR-155 in regulating initial immune responses during muscle
      regeneration and provide a novel miRNA target for improving muscle regeneration
      in degenerative muscle diseases.

PMID- 27277698
TI  - The role of alpha1-adrenergic receptors in regulating metabolism: increased
      glucose tolerance, leptin secretion and lipid oxidation.
AB  - The role of alpha1-adrenergic receptors (alpha1-ARs) and their subtypes in
      metabolism is not well known. Most previous studies were performed before the
      advent of transgenic mouse models and utilized transformed cell lines and poorly
      selective antagonists. We have now studied the metabolic regulation of the
      alpha1A- and alpha1B-AR subtypes in vivo using knock-out (KO) and transgenic mice
      that express a constitutively active mutant (CAM) form of the receptor, assessing
      subtype-selective functions. CAM mice increased glucose tolerance while KO mice
      display impaired glucose tolerance. CAM mice increased while KO decreased glucose
      uptake into white fat tissue and skeletal muscle with the CAM alpha1A-AR showing
      selective glucose uptake into the heart. Using indirect calorimetry, both CAM
      mice demonstrated increased whole body fatty acid oxidation, while KO mice
      preferentially oxidized carbohydrate. CAM alpha1A-AR mice displayed significantly
      decreased fasting plasma triglycerides and glucose levels while alpha1A-AR KO
      displayed increased levels of triglycerides and glucose. Both CAM mice displayed
      increased plasma levels of leptin while KO mice decreased leptin levels. Most
      metabolic effects were more efficacious with the alpha1A-AR subtype. Our results
      suggest that stimulation of alpha1-ARs results in a favorable metabolic profile
      of increased glucose tolerance, cardiac glucose uptake, leptin secretion and
      increased whole body lipid metabolism that may contribute to its previously
      recognized cardioprotective and neuroprotective benefits.

PMID- 27277684
TI  - Regulation of alternative splicing of Bcl-x by BC200 contributes to breast cancer
      pathogenesis.
AB  - BC200 is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that has been implicated in the
      regulation of protein synthesis, yet whether dysregulation of BC200 contributes
      to the pathogenesis of human diseases remains elusive. In this study, we show
      that BC200 is upregulated in breast cancer; among breast tumor specimens there is
      a higher level of BC200 in estrogen receptor (ER) positive than in ER-negative
      tumors. Further experiments show that activation of estrogen signaling induces
      expression of BC200. To determine the significance of ER-regulated BC200
      expression, we knockout (KO) BC200 by CRISPR/Cas9. BC200 KO suppresses tumor cell
      growth in vitro and in vivo by expression of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-xS isoform.
      Mechanistically, BC200 contains a 17-nucleotide sequence complementary to Bcl-x
      pre-mRNA, which may facilitate its binding to Bcl-x pre-mRNA and recruitment of
      heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2/B1, a known splicing factor.
      Consequently, hnRNP A2/B1 interferes with association of Bcl-x pre-mRNA with the
      Bcl-xS-promoting factor Sam68, leading to a blockade of Bcl-xS expression.
      Together, these results suggest that BC200 plays an oncogenic role in breast
      cancer. Thus, BC200 may serve as a prognostic marker and possible target for
      attenuating deregulated cell proliferation in estrogen-dependent breast cancer.

PMID- 27277699
TI  - Occupational injuries and sick leaves in household moving works.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study is concerned with household moving works and the
      characteristics of occupational injuries and sick leaves in each step of the
      moving process. METHODS: Accident data for 392 occupational accidents were
      categorized by the moving processes in which the accidents occurred, and possible
      incidents and sick leaves were assessed for each moving process and hazard
      factor. RESULTS: Accidents occurring during specific moving processes showed
      different characteristics depending on the type of accident and agency of
      accidents. The most critical form in the level of risk management was falls from
      a height in the 'lifting by ladder truck' process. Incidents ranked as a 'High'
      level of risk management were in the forms of slips, being struck by objects and
      musculoskeletal disorders in the 'manual materials handling' process. Also, falls
      in 'loading/unloading', being struck by objects during 'lifting by ladder truck'
      and driving accidents in the process of 'transport' were ranked 'High'.
      CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can be used to develop more effective
      accident prevention policy reflecting different circumstances and conditions to
      reduce occupational accidents in household moving works.

PMID- 27277700
TI  - [Hypothermic treatment in deceased organ donors and function of donor kidneys].

PMID- 27277701
TI  - Persistence of antibiotic resistance and plasmid-associated genes in soil
      following application of sewage sludge and abundance on vegetables at harvest.
AB  - Sewage sludge recovered from wastewater treatment plants contains antibiotic
      residues and is rich in antibiotic resistance genes, selected for and enriched in
      the digestive tracts of human using antibiotics. The use of sewage sludge as a
      crop fertilizer constitutes a potential route of human exposure to antibiotic
      resistance genes through consumption of contaminated crops. Several gene targets
      associated with antibiotic resistance (catA1, catB3, ereA, ereB, erm(B), str(A),
      str(B), qnrD, sul1, and mphA), mobile genetic elements (int1, mobA, IncW repA,
      IncP1 groups -alpha, -beta, -delta, -gamma, -epsilon), and bacterial 16S rRNA
      (rrnS) were quantified by qPCR from soil and vegetable samples obtained from
      unamended and sludge-amended plots at an experimental field in London, Ontario.
      The qPCR data reveals an increase in abundance of gene targets in the soil and
      vegetables samples, indicating that there is potential for additional crop
      exposure to antibiotic resistance genes carried within sewage sludge following
      field application. It is therefore advisable to allow an appropriate delay period
      before harvesting of vegetables for human consumption. 

PMID- 27277702
TI  - Proposal for probing energy transfer pathway by single-molecule pump-dump
      experiment.
AB  - The structure of Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) light-harvesting complex had long
      been recognized as containing seven bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) molecules.
      Recently, an additional BChl molecule was discovered in the crystal structure of
      the FMO complex, which may serve as a link between baseplate and the remaining
      seven molecules. Here, we investigate excitation energy transfer (EET) process by
      simulating single-molecule pump-dump experiment in the eight-molecules complex.
      We adopt the coherent modified Redfield theory and non-Markovian quantum jump
      method to simulate EET dynamics. This scheme provides a practical approach of
      detecting the realistic EET pathway in BChl complexes with currently available
      experimental technology. And it may assist optimizing design of artificial light
      harvesting devices.

PMID- 27277703
TI  - Graphene oxide-based electrochemical label-free detection of glycoproteins down
      to aM level using a lectin biosensor.
AB  - A label-free ultrasensitive impedimetric biosensor with lectin immobilised on
      graphene oxide (GO) for the detection of glycoproteins from 1 aM is shown here.
      This is the first time a functional lectin biosensor with lectin directly
      immobilised on a graphene-based interface without any polymer modifier has been
      described. The study also shows that hydrophilic oxidative debris present on GO
      has a beneficial effect on the sensitivity of (8.46 +/- 0.20)% per decade for the
      lectin biosensor compared to the sensitivity of (4.52 +/- 0.23)% per decade for
      the lectin biosensor built up from GO with the oxidative debris washed out. 

PMID- 27277704
TI  - Adenovirus with p16 gene exerts antitumor effect on laryngeal carcinoma Hep2
      cells.
AB  - Laryngeal cancer is an uncommon form of cancer. The tumor suppressor P16, known
      to be mutated or deleted in various types of human tumor, including laryngeal
      carcinoma, is involved in the formation and development of laryngeal carcinoma.
      It has been previously reported that the inactivation or loss of P16 is
      associated with the acquisition of malignant characteristics. The current study
      hypothesized that restoring wild-type P16 activity into P16-null malignant Hep2
      cells may exert an antitumor effect. A recombinant adenovirus carrying the P16
      gene (Ad-P16) was used to infect and express high levels of P16 protein in P16
      null Hep2 cells. Cell proliferation and invasion assays and polymerase chain
      reaction were performed to evaluate the effects of the P16 gene on cell
      proliferation and the antitumor effect on Hep2 cells. The results demonstrated
      that the Hep2 cells infected with Ad-P16 exhibited significantly reduced cell
      proliferation, invasion and tumor volume compared with untreated or control
      adenovirus cells. Furthermore, the expression of laryngeal carcinoma-associated
      genes, EGFR, survivin and cyclin D1, were measured in Ad-P16-infected cells and
      were significantly reduced compared with control groups. The results of the
      current study demonstrate that restoring wild-type P16 activity into P16-null
      Hep2 cells exerts an antitumor effect. 

PMID- 27277705
TI  - Survey of US Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Comparison of the New Electronic
      Interferon Beta-1b Autoinjector (BETACONNECTTM) With Mechanical Autoinjectors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) generally undergo long-term
      treatment with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). In the US, patients taking
      glatiramer acetate, interferon beta-1a, or interferon beta-1b, typically use a
      mechanical autoinjector. Recent survey results have shown that using an
      electronic autoinjector, such as BETACONNECTTM (Bayer Pharma AG) for interferon
      beta-1b/Betaseron(r) (Bayer Pharma AG) may reduce injection discomfort and
      increase patient satisfaction with treatment. The aim of the current survey was
      to assess patient perceptions of BETACONNECT compared with mechanical
      autoinjectors using a survey integrated with demonstrations and simulated
      injections with BETACONNECT. METHODS: Patients with MS currently using mechanical
      autoinjectors for glatiramer acetate/Copaxone(r) (Teva Pharmaceuticals USA,
      Inc.), interferon beta-1a/Rebif(r) (EMD Serono Inc.), or interferon beta
      1b/Extavia(r) (Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.), participated in a 60-min in
      person interview. Patients rated the importance of 18 ideal autoinjector
      attributes, and the performance of their current autoinjectors across these
      attributes. BETACONNECT was demonstrated and patients performed simulated
      injections with BETACONNECT before rating it across the same attributes. Patient
      overall autoinjector preference was assessed. RESULTS: Ninety patients completed
      the survey: 63 were using autoinjectors for Copaxone, 25 for Rebif, and 2 for
      Extavia. BETACONNECT scored higher than mechanical autoinjectors across all 18
      attributes. The top attributes of an ideal autoinjector were the injection
      process is easy overall, easy to push the button to start the injection, and
      autoinjector is comfortable to hold during injections. Unique BETACONNECT
      features most valued by patients were the built-in dwell time, self-check
      function, greater ability to customize injections, adjustment of injection speed,
      low injection noise, and automatic needle retraction. Overall, 75 out of 90
      patients (83%) expressed a preference for BETACONNECT over their current
      autoinjector. CONCLUSION: BETACONNECT attributes and features were highly rated
      by patients, compared with both an ideal autoinjector and their current
      mechanical autoinjectors. These findings suggest that the use of BETACONNECT may
      increase patient satisfaction and potentially increase overall medication
      adherence. FUNDING: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

PMID- 27277706
TI  - Microcirculatory blood flow during cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation does not correlate with global hemodynamics: an experimental study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current research highlights the role of microcirculatory disorders in
      post-cardiac arrest patients. Affected microcirculation shows not only
      dissociation from systemic hemodynamics but also strong connection to outcome of
      these patients. However, only few studies evaluated microcirculation directly
      during cardiac arrest (CA) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The aim of
      our experimental study in a porcine model was to describe sublingual
      microcirculatory changes during CA and CPR using recent videomicroscopic
      technology and provide a comparison to parameters of global hemodynamics.
      METHODS: Cardiac arrest was induced in 18 female pigs (50 +/- 3 kg). After 3 min
      without treatment, 5 min of mechanical CPR followed. Continuous hemodynamic
      monitoring including systemic blood pressure and carotid blood flow was performed
      and blood lactate was measured at the end of baseline and CPR. Sublingual
      microcirculation was assessed by the Sidestream Dark Field (SDF) technology
      during baseline, CA and CPR. Following microcirculatory parameters were assessed
      off-line separately for capillaries (<=20 um) and other vessels: total and
      perfused vessel density (TVD, PVD), proportion of perfused vessels (PPV),
      microvascular flow index (MFI) and heterogeneity index (HI). RESULTS: In
      comparison to baseline the CA small vessel microcirculation was only partially
      preserved: TVD 15.64 (13.59-18.48) significantly decreased to 12.51 (10.57-13.98)
      mm/mm(2), PVD 15.57 (13.56-17.80) to 5.53 (4.17-6.60) mm/mm(2), PPV 99.64 (98.05
      100.00) to 38.97 (27.60-46.29) %, MFI 3.00 (3.00-3.08) to 1.29 (1.08-1.58) and HI
      increased from 0.08 (0.00-0.23) to 1.5 (0.71-2.00), p = 0.0003 for TVD and
      <0.0001 for others, respectively. Microcirculation during ongoing CPR in small
      vessels reached 59-85 % of the baseline values: TVD 13.33 (12.11-15.11) mm/mm(2),
      PVD 9.34 (7.34-11.52) mm/mm(2), PPV 72.34 (54.31-87.87) %, MFI 2.04 (1.58-2.42),
      HI 0.65 (0.41-1.07). The correlation between microcirculation and global
      hemodynamic parameters as well as to lactate was only weak to moderate (i.e.
      Spearman's rho 0.02-0.51) and after adjustment for multiple correlations it was
      non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Sublingual microcirculatory parameters did not
      correlate with global hemodynamic parameters during simulated porcine model of CA
      and CPR. SDF imaging provides additional information about tissue perfusion in
      the course of CPR.

PMID- 27277707
TI  - Ecology of urban malaria vectors in Niamey, Republic of Niger.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Urbanization in African cities has major impact on malaria risk.
      Niamey, the capital of the Republic of Niger, is situated in the West African
      Sahel zone. The short rainy season and human activities linked with the Niger
      River influence mosquito abundance. This study aimed at deciphering the factors
      of distribution of urban malaria vectors in Niamey. METHODS: The distribution of
      mosquito aquatic stages was investigated monthly from December 2002 to November
      2003, at up to 84 breeding sites, throughout Niamey. An exploratory analysis of
      association between mosquito abundance and environmental factors was performed by
      a Principal Component Analysis and confirmed by Kruskall-Wallis non-parametric
      test. To assess the relative importance of significant factors, models were built
      for Anopheles and Culicinae. In a second capture session, adult mosquitoes were
      collected weekly with pyrethrum sprays and CDC light-traps from June 2008 to June
      2009 in two differentiated urban areas chosen after the study's first step.
      Members of the Anopheles gambiae complex were genotyped and Anopheles females
      were tested for the presence of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite antigens
      using ELISA. RESULTS: In 2003, 29 % of 8420 mosquitoes collected as aquatic
      stages were Anopheles. They were significantly more likely to be found upstream,
      relatively close to the river and highly productive in ponds. These factors
      remained significant in regression and generalized linear models. The Culicinae
      were found significantly more likely close to the river, and in the main
      temporary affluent stream. In 2009, Anopheles specimens, including Anopheles
      gambiae s.l. (95 %), but also Anopheles funestus (0.6 %) accounted for 18 % of
      the adult mosquito fauna, with a large difference between the two sampled zones.
      Three members of the An. gambiae complex were found: Anopheles arabiensis,
      Anopheles coluzzii, and An. gambiae. Nineteen (1.3 %) out of 1467 females tested
      for P. falciparum antigen were found positive. CONCLUSION: The study provides
      valuable update knowledge on malaria vector ecology and distribution in Niamey.
      The identification of spatial and environmental risk factors could pave the way
      to larval source management strategy and allow malaria vector control to focus on
      key zones for the benefit of the community.

PMID- 27277708
TI  - Akreos Adapt AO Intraocular lens opacification after vitrectomy in a diabetic
      patient: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative optic opacification of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular
      lenses (IOLs) is an uncommon complication leading to IOL explantation. In the
      past decade, several studies reported that the granular deposits responsible for
      the opacification were probably calcium and phosphate salts; however, the exact
      mechanism causing calcification of IOLs is unknown. The aim of this study is to
      describe clinical and laboratory findings of a case of late postoperative
      opacification of an aspheric hydrophilic acrylic IOL (Akreos Adapt AO) after
      vitrectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old woman diagnosed with cataract and
      severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) underwent uneventful
      phacoemulsification and hydrophilic acrylic IOL (Akreos Adapt AO, Bausch & Lomb)
      implantation in both eyes. Seven months later, the woman came back with a
      complaint of blurry vision in the left eye. Fundus examination revealed vitreous
      hemorrhage in the left eye veiling the retinal detail. A 23-gauge vitrectomy with
      endolaser treatment was performed in the left eye. Ten months after the
      vitrectomy, the patient complained of decreased visual acuity in the left eye
      again. On slit-lamp examination, we observed a well circumscribed centrally and
      paracentrally located opacification within the pupillary area localized to the
      anterior surface of the IOL. The IOL was explanted from the left eye together
      with the capsular bag, and an iris-claw lens (Artisan Aphakia OPHTEC) was
      implanted. The explanted IOL was examined under pathological evaluation (alizarin
      red method). CONCLUSIONS: IOL opacification is a rare event. We described a case
      of postoperative opacification of the Akreos Adapt AO IOL after vitrectomy in a
      patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and found the deposits on the
      anterior surface of the IOL consisted of calcium aggregates. Given the higher
      frequency of postoperative opacification observed in diabetic patients,
      hydrophilic acrylic IOLs should be used with caution in patients with diabetes.

PMID- 27277709
TI  - Primary Care Provider Views About Usefulness and Dissemination of a Web-Based
      Depression Treatment Information Decision Aid.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decisions related to mental health are often complex, problems often
      remain undetected and untreated, information unavailable or not used, and
      treatment decisions frequently not informed by best practice or patient
      preferences. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper was to obtain the opinions of
      health professionals working in primary health care settings about a Web-based
      information decision aid (IDA) for patients concerning treatment options for
      depression and the dissemination of the resources in primary care settings.
      METHODS: Participants were recruited from primary care clinics in Winnipeg and
      Ottawa, Canada, and included 48 family physicians, nurses, and primary care
      staff. The study design was a qualitative framework analytic approach of 5 focus
      groups. Focus groups were conducted during regular staff meetings, were digitally
      recorded, and transcripts created. Analysis involved a content and theme
      analysis. RESULTS: Seven key themes emerged including the key role of the primary
      care provider, common questions about treatments, treatment barriers, sources of
      patient information, concern about quality and quantity of available information,
      positive opinions about the IDA, and disseminating the IDA. The most common
      questions mentioned were about medication and side effects and alternatives to
      medication. Patients have limited access to alternative treatment options owing
      to cost and availability. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners evaluated the IDA
      positively. The resources were described as useful, supportive of providers'
      messages, and accessible for patients. There was unanimous consensus that
      information needs to be available electronically through the Internet.

PMID- 27277711
TI  - Assignment of an impact factor to our journal.

PMID- 27277710
TI  - Cardiovascular implanted electronic devices in people towards the end of life,
      during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and after death: guidance from the
      Resuscitation Council (UK), British Cardiovascular Society and National Council
      for Palliative Care.
AB  - The Resuscitation Council (UK), the British Cardiovascular Society (including the
      British Heart Rhythm Society and the British Society for Heart Failure) and the
      National Council for Palliative Care recognise the importance of providing clear
      and consistent guidance on management of cardiovascular implanted electronic
      devices (CIEDs) towards the end of life, during cardiorespiratory arrest and
      after death. This document has been developed to provide guidance for the full
      range of healthcare professionals who may encounter people with CIEDs in the
      situations described and for healthcare managers and commissioners. The authors
      recognise that some patients and people close to patients may also wish to refer
      to this document. It is intended as an initial step to help to ensure that people
      who have CIEDs, or are considering implantation of one, receive explanation of
      and understand the practical implications and decisions that this entails; to
      promote a good standard of care and service provision for people in the UK with
      CIEDs in the circumstances described; to offer relevant ethical and legal
      guidance on this topic; to offer guidance on the delivery of services in relation
      to deactivation of CIEDs where appropriate; to offer guidance on whether any
      special measures are needed when a person with a CIED receives cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation; and to offer guidance on the actions needed when a person with a
      CIED dies.

PMID- 27277712
TI  - Practical considerations for a method of rapid cardiac function analysis based on
      three-dimensional speckle tracking in a three-dimensional diagnostic ultrasound
      system.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy of our novel 3D
      speckle tracking method by using numerical data, and to demonstrate the rapid
      processing of this method by using data obtained from human subjects. METHODS: In
      order to create a method that can rapidly assess cardiac function in regional
      heart wall segments, a 3D speckle tracking algorithm was created that focuses on
      data quality and performance. Prototype application software based on this
      algorithm was written to evaluate cardiac wall motion and to calculate indices
      such as strain. Time series 3D image data were generated for artificial numerical
      models that simulate the shape of the left ventricle and exhibit various types of
      motion. We compared observed values returned by the algorithm with expected
      values yielded by the models. This software was also applied to volume data of
      the human heart acquired by a 3D ultrasound system. RESULTS: Measurement of the
      indices was evaluated by using an error ratio that was a residual between an
      expected value and estimated one divided by the expected value. The average error
      ratio of the time series volumes was less than 5% for all indices, and no
      individual error ratio was more than 10% for numerical models. The process was
      complete within 0.5 s per frame for human heart volumes. CONCLUSION: This
      application software can provide good estimates of various wall motion indices.
      The results are similar to data from numerical models, and are provided quickly
      enough for routine clinical usage.

PMID- 27277713
TI  - Comparison of ultrasound colored image views produced by application of
      statistical analysis of radio-frequency signals and histological findings in
      patients with chronic hepatitis C.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the tissue characteristics of chronic liver disease, we
      statistically analyzed the speckle signal from liver parenchyma. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: Analysis was performed for 65 patients with biopsy-proven chronic
      hepatitis C; individuals with fatty liver, heavy drinkers, and those with a thick
      abdominal wall were excluded. The probability density function of radio-frequency
      signal amplitude was statistically analyzed using a new analytical method. We
      focused on strong signals which deviated remarkably from the Rayleigh
      distribution. By applying the analytical results, lesions that caused the strong
      signals were displayed as red scatter overlaid on B-mode images (we called the
      red scatter "US-Red" in this study). US-Red% occupancy on the color image was
      statistically compared with pathological findings. RESULTS: US-Red suggests the
      existence of an acoustic reflectional plane mainly formed of fibrous bridge and
      septa. US-Red% increased significantly with progression of liver fibrosis stage.
      US-Red% varied widely in cirrhosis, and US-Red% in the large nodule group was
      significantly higher than that in the small nodule group. CONCLUSION: The results
      suggest that US-Red% is useful for evaluating liver fibrosis stage (F1-3) and the
      size of nodules in cirrhosis. In addition, visually detecting the acoustic
      reflectional plane, which increases with progression of disease, as color images
      will be clinically beneficial.

PMID- 27277714
TI  - Sonographic finding of papillary thyroid carcinoma with nodular fasciitis-like
      stroma.
AB  - Papillary thyroid carcinoma with nodular fasciitis-like stroma (PTC-NFS) is an
      extremely rare variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma characterized by prominent
      stromal cell proliferation. To our knowledge, sonographic findings of PTS-NFS
      have not been reported. Here, we report a case of PTC-NFS that presented as a
      homogenous and hypoechoic mass in the peripheral portion of the left thyroid
      gland on sonography in a 35-year-old pregnant woman. 

PMID- 27277715
TI  - Retroperitoneal abscess cured by percutaneous drainage with ultrasonography.
AB  - This report presents an unusual case of an extensive retroperitoneal abscess
      caused by appendicitis in a child. A 3-year-old boy who presented with right
      lower abdominal pain and a high fever was found, by abdominal ultrasonography
      (US) and computed tomography (CT), to have a retroperitoneal abscess.
      Percutaneous drainage of the abscess under US guidance was successfully
      performed. There was no sign of recurrence of appendicitis or the abscess 12
      months after the drainage. 

PMID- 27277716
TI  - Three cases of angiomyolipoma: diagnostic imaging by contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography.
AB  - We used contrast-enhanced ultrasound using the Sonazoid microbubble contrast
      agent to diagnose three cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma, which is a rare benign
      tumor. Some characteristic findings are obtained in the early vascular phase, for
      example fork-like tumor vessels. However, a variety of findings are seen after
      the early vascular phase because of microbubbles circulating the vascular
      enriched tumor. 

PMID- 27277717
TI  - Pseudoaneurysm in a chronic pancreatitis patient: report of a case, with emphasis
      on contrast-enhanced sonograms.
AB  - The association between pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery and pancreatitis is
      now established. Rupture of an aneurysm is a lethal condition, and early
      diagnosis and treatment are required to prevent this hazardous life-threatening
      complication. In our case, early detection of pseudoaneurysm of the splenic
      artery enabled us to start prompt embolization, which yielded good results.
      Splenic infarction is known to be an important and frequent complication of
      transarterial embolization of splenic artery aneurysms. Thus, when performing
      transarterial embolization of a splenic artery aneurysm, this complication must
      be kept in mind and it is absolutely necessary to confirm the presence or absence
      of this complication after embolization of the aneurysm. In our case of
      pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery due to acute aggravation of chronic
      pancreatitis, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography confirmed the spleen to be free
      from infarction. Thus, this technique is strongly recommended in such instances. 

PMID- 27277718
TI  - Parametric imaging using contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid for
      hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To clarify the usefulness of parametric imaging using contrast-enhanced
      ultrasound (CE-US) with Sonazoid by comparing parametric images of hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) with histopathological findings. METHODS: Two patients with HCCs
      underwent CE-US with Sonazoid before surgical resection. A single focus point was
      set at the lower margin of the tumor, and a bolus intravenous injection of
      Sonazoid (0.5 ml) was administered. Images of the ideal scanning plane were
      displayed in real-time mode for the early vascular phase. We analyzed these
      images using prototype PC software. The software watches, pixel by pixel, the
      increase in the intensity due to the inflow of the microbubbles, and displays
      colors if the intensity becomes larger than a certain threshold. Parametric
      images were compared with histopathological findings. RESULTS: The level of blood
      flow in the tumor could be visually evaluated using a single image by expressing
      the detailed hemodynamics of the tumor in terms of differences in color using a
      time axis appropriate for each case. CONCLUSIONS: Parametric imaging is a very
      useful way of facilitating straightforward visualization of the level of blood
      flow within HCC and the distribution of histopathological findings in single
      static images.

PMID- 27277719
TI  - A case of high-flow hepatic hemangioma: analysis by parametoric imaging using
      sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography.

PMID- 27277720
TI  - Ductal adenoma of the breast.

PMID- 27277723
TI  - Hybrid or integrated? An imagined view of medical imaging in the future.

PMID- 27277721
TI  - Social disparities in parental smoking and young children's exposure to
      secondhand smoke at home: a time-trend analysis of repeated cross-sectional data
      from the German KiGGS study between 2003-2006 and 2009-2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) have an increased
      risk of a wide range of health problems and illnesses. Smoke-free legislation
      aims to improve indoor air quality and in this way protect the health of people
      who do not smoke. This paper examines trends in SHS exposure at home among
      children in Germany since the introduction of smoking bans in public places.
      Special focus is placed on the importance of the family of origin's socioeconomic
      status (SES) and on parental smoking behaviour. METHODS: The analyses are based
      on two waves of the "German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children
      and Adolescents" (KiGGS)-one of which was conducted immediately before the
      introduction of central smoke-free legislation in the 2003-2006 period, the other
      approximately 6 years later from 2009 to 2012. A comparison is made between the
      answers given by the parents of children aged between 0 to 6 (KiGGS baseline
      study, n = 6680; KiGGS Wave 1, n = 4455). Domestic SHS exposure is covered in the
      parent interviews by asking whether anyone is allowed to smoke at home in the
      presence of their child. Parental smoking behaviour is determined separately for
      mothers and fathers. SES is determined on the basis of the parents' education,
      occupational status and income. RESULTS: The percentage of 0- to 6-year-old
      children exposed to SHS in the parental home fell from 23.9 to 6.6 % in the
      period from 2003-2006 to 2009-2012. At the same time, the percentage of children
      with at least one parent who smokes decreased from 49.8 to 41.8 %. While relative
      social inequalities in parental smoking behaviour have tended to increase over
      time, inequalities in domestic SHS exposure have persisted. Children whose
      parents smoke and children from low-SES families are still most likely to be
      exposed to tobacco smoke. In both study periods and after statistical adjustment
      for parental smoking behaviour, children with a low SES had a 6.6-fold higher
      risk for SHS exposure in the parental home than children from high-SES
      households. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the KiGGS study show that the proportion
      of children in Germany who are exposed to SHS at home has declined significantly
      over the last few years. There is much to suggest that the smoke-free legislation
      that has been introduced in Germany has led to a heightened awareness of the
      health risks of SHS both in public and in the private sphere, as well as to a
      denormalization of smoking. Children whose parents smoke, and among them
      particularly children from socially disadvantaged families, should be recognised
      as key target groups when implementing future tobacco-control measures.

PMID- 27277722
TI  - Grifolin induces autophagic cell death by inhibiting the Akt/mTOR/S6K pathway in
      human ovarian cancer cells.
AB  - Grifolin, a secondary metabolic product isolated from the mushroom Albatrellus
      confluence, has been reported to possess antitumor activities in various tumors.
      To date, no report exists on the role of autophagy in grifolin-treated human
      ovarian cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect and the
      mechanism of autophagy in ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and
      SKOV3 were treated with grifolin. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay
      and the autophagic effect was determined using flow cytometry, electron
      microscopy, immunofluorescence staining and GFP-LC3 puncta formation assay. The
      expression of autophagy markers and the main autophagy-associated Akt/mTOR/S6K
      pathway proteins were measured by western blot analysis. MTT assay indicated that
      grifolin inhibits the proliferation of human ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and
      SKOV3. Flow cytometry, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and GFP-LC3 puncta
      formation assay proved that grifolin induces autophagic cell death in human
      ovarian cancer. The results of the western blot analysis suggested that grifolin
      treatment leads to upregulation of autophagy markers LC3B, Atg7, Beclin-1 along
      with downregulation of P62. In addition, the proteins of the pathways p-Akt, p
      mTOR, p-p70S6K and p-4E-BP1 were downregulated while the total of these proteins
      remained unaffected. The present study indicated that grifolin could induce
      autophagic cell death in human ovarian cancer by inhibiting the Akt/mTOR/S6K
      pathway. 

PMID- 27277724
TI  - Development of an ultra-broadband ultrasonic imaging system: prototype mechanical
      sector device.
AB  - PURPOSE: We constructed an ultra-broadband ultrasonic transducer in a mechanical
      sector device, and prototyped a system to generate real-time images with higher
      harmonics. The potential of the system to reduce speckle was also studied.
      METHODS: To efficiently detect the higher harmonic components in echo signals, in
      addition to the transmitting transducer, another transducer only for broadband
      reception is necessary. We constructed a receiving transducer by bonding a
      polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) high-polymer piezofilm to the radiation surface of
      the transmitting lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducer. By building this PZT
      PVDF bi-layered ultrasonic probe into a mechanical sector scanner of an
      ultrasonic diagnosis system, an ultra-broadband ultrasonic imaging system capable
      of real-time imaging was prototyped. RESULTS: Using images of phantoms in water
      acquired using the prototype system, the acquisition of higher harmonic images
      with less noise up to the fourth order was demonstrated. In addition, we
      confirmed that the logarithmic summation of harmonic components from the
      fundamental to the fourth harmonic effectively reduces speckle noise in the
      images. CONCLUSIONS: By obtaining an echo signal from phantoms using a PZT-PVDF
      bi-layered ultrasonic mechanical sector probe, real-time imaging was carried out,
      and the effectiveness of its higher harmonic components from the fundamental to
      the fourth harmonic was confirmed with respect to speckle reduction.

PMID- 27277725
TI  - A fundamental study for quantitative measurement of ultrasound contrast
      concentration by low mechanical index contrast ultrasonography.
AB  - PURPOSE: In high mechanical index (MI) contrast ultrasonography it has been shown
      that the power of contrast signal intensity (CI) has a strong linear correlation
      with the concentration of the ultrasound contrast agent under conditions of
      constant applied acoustic pressure. However, it is unclear whether the linearity
      is preserved in low-MI contrast ultrasonography. Thus, we investigated the
      relationship between ultrasound contrast concentration and CI in vitro. METHODS:
      Solutions of the ultrasound contrast agents Definity and Imagent were prepared at
      concentrations of 0.5, 2, 8, 32, and 128 MUl/l. Placing a jelly block between the
      transducer and the solution, the solutions were transmitted using pulse
      subtraction imaging with an MI of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5. CI was measured in dB in a
      region of interest 3 mm in height placed just below the border between the jelly
      and the solution. Data were plotted using double logarithm scales, where the
      concentration was expressed in dB as 10 * log (concentration). RESULTS: CI in dB
      had a strong linear correlation with concentration in dB for both agents with any
      MI. Best fitted slopes were close to 1, indicating that the power of CI is
      proportional to the concentration. CONCLUSIONS: In low-MI contrast
      ultrasonography, the power of CI is proportional to contrast concentration, and
      CI in dB is logarithmic to the concentration. Thus, the microbubble concentration
      can be quantitatively measured even in low-MI contrast ultrasonography.

PMID- 27277726
TI  - Analysis of posterior echoes using reconstructed vertical ultrasound images.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of vertical images reconstructed using 3-D data in
      the analysis of posterior echoes. METHODS: Reconstructed vertical images of US
      phantoms with the following artifacts were retrieved and analyzed: acoustic
      shadowing (clean and dirty); posterior echo enhancement (with/without lateral
      shadowing); and reverberation artifacts (clean and dirty). RESULTS: For acoustic
      shadowing, a stone and posterior clean acoustic shadowing were imaged as an
      echogenic mass or an echogenic ring containing a central echo-free area. However,
      the stone and dirty acoustic shadowing were imaged as an echogenic mass or an
      echogenic mass consisting of many fine echo spots disseminated throughout the
      whole mass. For posterior echo enhancement, when lateral shadowing is present,
      the cyst and posterior echo enhancement are imaged as a round anechoic mass or a
      triple circle consisting of a thin anechoic outer rim, an echogenic ring, and an
      anechoic center. However, when lateral shadowing is absent, they are imaged as a
      round anechoic mass or a double circle consisting of an echogenic outer rim and
      an anechoic center. For clean reverberation artifacts and dirty reverberation
      artifacts, vertical images of clean reverberation artifacts consist of either a
      homogeneous echogenic area or an absent signal. However, vertical images of dirty
      reverberation artifacts consist of a homogeneous echogenic area and an area
      consisting of fine echo spots. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that reconstructed,
      previously unattainable, vertical plane images help us better understand the mode
      of posterior echoes.

PMID- 27277727
TI  - Measurement of renal blood flow in human subjects using the ultrasound velocity
      profiling technique.
AB  - PURPOSE: To (1) assess the accuracy of the ultrasound velocity profiling (USVP)
      technique of renal blood flow (RBF) measurement in normal subjects and (2)
      compare renal blood flow measurements obtained using USVP and renal clearance
      rate in patients with renal diseases. METHODS: First, we calculated unilateral
      renal blood flow (unil-RBF) using USVP and the clearance rate of para
      aminohippuric acid (CPAH) simultaneously in six healthy male subjects. We then
      compared unil-RBFUSVP and unil-RBFPAH in nine patients with chronic
      glomerulonephritis (CGN). RESULTS: In the first study, the limits of agreement in
      a Bland-Altman plot ranged from -325.3 to 32.0 ml/min per 1.48 m(2). The mean
      bias was -146.7 ml/min per 1.48 m(2). Subdivision for values of unil-RBFUSVP by
      flow showed small discrepancies in values above 280 ml/min per 1.48 m(2): mean
      bias, -98.2 ml/min per 1.48 m(2); limits of agreement, -223.3 to 26.8 ml/min per
      1.48 m(2). The three patients in the second study had immunoglobulin A (IgA)
      nephropathy, in whom unil-RBFPAH was estimated as being markedly lower than unil
      RBFUSVP, contrary to the primary result. CONCLUSION: Despite its consistent
      negative bias, USVP may be a reliable method of quantifying renal blood flow
      noninvasively when measured values exceed 280 ml/min per 1.48 m(2). We assumed
      that the p-aminohippurate extraction rate (EPAH) was profoundly impaired in the
      three patients with IgA nephropathy.

PMID- 27277728
TI  - Management of transvaginal ultrasound-guided absolute ethanol sclerotherapy for
      ovarian endometriotic cysts.
AB  - PURPOSE: Endometriosis and endometriotic ovarian cysts are common gynecologic
      diseases. Excision of the cyst wall by laparotomy or laparoscopy is the standard
      treatment for endometriotic ovarian cysts. However, some young patients with
      cysts would prefer not to have an abdominal incision. We reviewed and assessed
      the effectiveness of transvaginal ultrasound-guided ethanol sclerotherapy in
      these patients. METHODS: Eighteen patients with endometriotic ovarian cysts
      underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration and ethanol sclerotherapy
      using spinal anesthesia. The contents of the cysts were drained and sent for
      cytological examination. The cyst cavities were washed with absolute ethanol, and
      the cysts were then filled with absolute ethanol for 5 min. The patients were
      followed up with transvaginal ultrasonography. RESULTS: The transvaginal ethanol
      sclerotherapy was completed in all cases. The mean long diameter of the cysts was
      50 mm (31-100 mm), and the mean operative duration was 22 min (8-45 min).
      Malignant cells were not isolated from the aspirated fluid in any case. There
      were no significant intra- or postoperative complications. Two patients (11.1%)
      had a recurrence at 3 and 32 months after ethanol sclerotherapy, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal ultrasound-guided absolute ethanol sclerotherapy is
      useful for ovarian endometriotic cysts, particularly in young patients or in
      patients who would like to become pregnant. However, careful selection based on
      ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging findings and the age of the
      patients is critical.

PMID- 27277729
TI  - Hepatic cyst with intracystic bleeding: contrast-enhanced sonographic findings.
AB  - Intracystic bleeding is a relatively rare complication of hepatic cysts, which is
      very difficult to diagnose by conventional sonography (US). Hence, a new US
      technique has been sought for this purpose. We present the case of a hepatic cyst
      with intracystic bleeding in which contrast-enhanced US showed microbubbles
      oozing from the cyst wall into the cystic cavity. Contrast-enhanced US is now an
      important diagnostic tool for diagnosing liver tumors, but contrast-enhanced US
      findings relating to intracystic bleeding have not been reported. Our
      observations suggest that this technique may be a useful new diagnostic tool for
      this purpose. 

PMID- 27277730
TI  - Portal tumor thrombus secondary to gastric carcinoma: report of a case with an
      emphasis on color Doppler ultrasound findings.
AB  - We report the case of a 67-year-old woman with portal tumor thrombus (PTT)
      associated with gastric carcinoma. Abdominal ultrasound (US) revealed a marked
      thickening of the gastric wall and a mass lesion in the splenic vein. Color
      Doppler US showed the intraportal mass to be blood flow-poor and revealed a
      gastroepiploic vein extending from the splenic hilum to the portal confluence,
      passing behind the peritoneum. These findings corresponded well with gastric
      carcinoma with PTT. Endoscopy confirmed the presence of an advanced type II
      carcinoma predominantly located in the upper body, which yielded histological
      results consistent with a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient's
      general condition deteriorated rapidly, and she died 2 months later. To the best
      of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the presence of a large
      gastroepiploic vein secondary to gastric carcinoma-associated PTT. 

PMID- 27277731
TI  - Isolated splenic granuloma: report of a case with an emphasis on ultrasound
      findings.
AB  - There is a marked paucity of reports on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US)
      for focal splenic disease in the literature, and there are no previously reported
      contrast-enhanced US findings for splenic granuloma. We report the case of a 77
      year-old cirrhotic woman with isolated splenic granulomas. We detail the
      diagnostic difficulty encountered in this case and briefly review the literature.

PMID- 27277732
TI  - Papillary fibroelastoma in the left ventricular outflow tract.

PMID- 27277734
TI  - Standard measurement of cardiac function indexes.

PMID- 27277733
TI  - A well-demarcated hypervascular round nodule of the pancreas in a patient with a
      history of nephrectomy.

PMID- 27277735
TI  - Criteria for the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip joint.

PMID- 27277736
TI  - Addressing Deficits and Injustices: The Potential Epistemic Contributions of
      Patients to Research.
AB  - Patient or public involvement (PPI) in health research is increasingly expected
      as a matter of policy. In theory, PPI can contribute both to the epistemic aims
      intrinsic to research (generating knowledge), and to extrinsically valued
      features of research such as social inclusion and transparency. In practice, the
      aims of PPI have not always been clear, although there has been a tendency to
      encourage the involvement of so-called ordinary people who are regarded as
      representative of an assumed patient perspective. In this paper we focus on the
      epistemic potential of PPI, using theoretical work in epistemology to develop a
      nuanced account of patients' experiential knowledge and how this might contribute
      directly to conceptual development, hypothesis generation and data
      interpretation. We also consider how some features of health research pose
      barriers to this kind of epistemic contribution. Drawing on Miranda Fricker's
      idea of testimonial injustice, we explore how disciplinary indicators of
      credibility in clinical and academic health research contexts might be wrongly
      applied to those involved in PPI, undermining their potential to contribute.
      Finally we argue for a range of strategies to maximize opportunities for patients
      to engage with research teams and make epistemologically significant
      contributions to research.

PMID- 27277738
TI  - Our new Japanese and English journals serve two different purposes.

PMID- 27277737
TI  - Medical Need: Evaluating a Conceptual Critique of Universal Health Coverage.
AB  - Some argue that the concept of medical need is inadequate to inform the design of
      a universal health care system-particularly an institutional (universal,
      comprehensive) rather than a residual (minimalist, safety net) system. They argue
      that the concept (a) contradicts the idea of comprehensiveness; (b) leads to
      unsustainable expenditures; (c) is too indeterminate for policy; and (d) supports
      only a prioritarian distribution (and therefore a residual system). I argue (a)
      that 'comprehensive' understood as 'including the full continuum of care' and
      'medically necessary' understood as 'prioritized by medical criteria' are not
      contradictory, and (b) that UHC is a solution to the problem of sustainability,
      not its cause. Those who criticize 'medical need' for indeterminacy (c) are not
      transparent about the source (ethical, semantic, political, or other) of their
      commitment to their standards of determinacy: they promote standards that are
      higher than is necessary for legitimate policy, ignoring opportunity costs.
      Furthermore, the indeterminacy of concepts affects all risk-sharing systems and
      all systems that rely on medical standard of care. I then argue that (d) the
      concept of need in itself does not imply a minimal sufficientist standard or a
      prioritarian distribution; neither does the idea of legitimate public policy
      dictate that public services be minimalist. The policy choice for a system of
      health care that is comprehensive and offers as good care as can be achieved when
      delivered on equal terms and conditions for all is a coherent option.

PMID- 27277739
TI  - Evaluation of image quality of personal ultrasound imager: Comparison with the
      conventional machine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if the image quality of a personal ultrasound imager
      (PUI) is as good as that of a conventional machine (CM). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Ninety patients were studied by the same operator using both the PUI and CM. The
      quality of the B-mode images obtained from these patients was scored 0, 1 or 2,
      defined as poor, fair, or good, respectively. Liver-tumor vascularity depicted by
      power Doppler imaging (PDI) and directional PDI (DPDI) was classified as 0, no
      blood signal; 1, dot-like blood signal within the tumor; 2, mild blood-flow
      signal within the tumor; and 3, abundant blood-flow signal within the tumor.
      RESULTS: The mean score of PUI and CM B-mode image quality was 7.47+/-0.92 and
      7.54+/-0.99 (mean+/-SD), respectively (p=0.531). On PDI, grade of vascularity of
      the liver tumors determined with the PUI was 4.44 and 4.68 in those determined
      with the CM (p=0.78). On DPDI, tumor vascularity was 3.12 when scored by the PUI
      and 4.29 when scored with the CM (p=0.03). The qualities of images acquired by
      the PUI and CM were significantly correlated. CONCLUSION: The quality of B-mode
      images acquired using the PUI and CM are statistically the same, and they share a
      similar ability to detect intratumoral blood-flow signals on PDI. Because of its
      extreme portability, the PUI is expected to become a valuable diagnostic tool in
      the clinic.

PMID- 27277740
TI  - Clinical utility of doppler ultrasonography in evaluation of early therapeutic
      efficacy after transcatheter arterial embolization in patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - This study was undertaken to determine the value of Doppler ultrasonography in
      the early evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of hepatocellular carcinoma after
      transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Fifty-two nodules in which tumor
      vascularity had been detected by Doppler ultrasonography before TAE were examined
      in 41 patients. Doppler signals were evaluated 1 week after TAE, and the results
      were compared with tumor vascularity as determined by dynamic magnetic resonance
      imaging (dynamic MRI), which was used as the gold standard. The sonographic
      signal disappeared in 41 (79%) of the 52 nodules and remained in 11 (21%). All
      nodules in which intratumor vascularity had been detected showed positive stain
      to dynamic MRI. Four of 41 nodules in which the sonographic signal disappeard
      showed positive stain on dynamic MRI. The Sensitivity of Doppler ultrasonography
      was 73%; specificity, 100%; and accuracy, 92%. Flow signal in deeply (>=5 cm)
      located small (<3 cm) nodules tended to be more difficult to detect. We conclude
      that Doppler ultrasonography warrants use after TAE in the early evaluation as a
      specific and noninvasive imaging technique. 

PMID- 27277741
TI  - A case of double-chambered right ventricle associated with an interventricular
      septal aneurysm in an elderly patient.
AB  - Double-chambered right ventricle is a congential malformation caused by an
      anomalous muscle band obstructing the right ventricular outflow tract. Most
      reported cases of this condition have been diagnosed in infants, or adolescents.
      We encountered a 61-year-old woman with a double-chambered right ventricle,
      associated with a large interventricular septal aneurysm, which is a rare
      complication. The right ventricular obstruction was corrected with surgery. 

PMID- 27277742
TI  - A case of chronic dissecting aortic aneurysm complicated with rupture into the
      right atrium: Diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - Although rupture of a dissecting aortic aneurysm into the pericardial sac,
      pleural cavities, or mediastinum is a frequently encountered complication of this
      entity, rupture into a right-sided cardiac chamber is extremely rare. An 80-year
      old woman was admitted to this institution because of dyspnea and facial edema.
      One year before admission, a diagnosis of dissecting aortic aneurysm (Stanford A
      type) was made based on results of magnetic resonance imaging and transesophageal
      echocardiography (TEE); however, the patient and her family refused surgical
      therapy. On admission, blood pressure was 120/60 mmHg, and a Levine 3/6 degrees 
      continuous murmur was audible at the third and fourth intercostal spaces of the
      right sternal border. Chest x-ray film showed moderate cardiomegaly, congested
      lung fields, and bilateral pleural effusion. A two-dimensional echocardiogram
      revealed severe aortic root dilatation 80 mm in diameter with the intimal flap.
      Color flow Doppler imaging demonstrated abnormal flow toward the back space in
      dilated ascending aorta. Continuous wave Doppler imaging showed the peak velocity
      of this flow to be 4.8 m/s. This high-velocity flow strongly suggested that the
      dissecting aortic aneurysm had ruptured into the right-sided cardiac chamber, and
      shunt flow from the false lumen of the aortic aneurysm into the right atrium was
      directly visualized by TEE. Our diagnosis, based on these findings, was chronic
      dissecting aortic aneurysm with communication into the right atrium. In view of
      the patient's deteriorating clinical condition, cardiac catheterization was not
      performed before surgery. Surgery revealed an aneurysm of the ascending aorta
      measuring 90 mm in diameter and multiple fistulas approximately 2 to 3 mm in
      diameter arising from the false lumen of the aorta into the right atrium at the
      base of the atrial appendage. The patient underwent successful replacement of the
      ascending aorta and closure of the aorto-right atrial fistulas. She had an
      uneventful postoperative course and was discharged 7 weeks after surgery. 

PMID- 27277743
TI  - Primary carcinoid tumor of the liver: A case report.
AB  - A53-year-old woman was hospitalized with a hepatic tumor that had been detected
      on health-screening ultrasonography. Laboratory data showed no marked findings:
      HBs-Ag and HCV-Ab were negative, and levels of serum AFP, PIVKA-II, CEA, and CA
      19-0 were within their normal ranges. Ultrasonogram showed a hyperechoic circle
      concentric with and inside of a hypoechoic mass in the right hepatic lobe. The
      tumor appeared isodense with the surrounding liver in unenhanced CT, but enhanced
      CT showed a low density mass. A celiac arteriogram revealed a hypervascular
      tumor. The resected tumor measured 20*15 mm. Microscopic findings showed a
      carcinoid tumor that was positive for Grimelius stain. Further examination of the
      lung, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs found no primary carcinoid tumor.
      The patient has been well and free from tumor of the liver or elsewhere for the 7
      years since her operation. We therefore considered this lesion to have been a
      primary carcinoid tumor of the liver. Only 14 cases of this disease have ever
      been reported in Japan. This report includes a review of the literature on the
      imaging of this rare tumor. 

PMID- 27277745
TI  - Continuous enzymatic biodiesel production from coconut oil in two-stage packed
      bed reactor incorporating an extracting column to remove glycerol formed as by
      product.
AB  - The transesterification of coconut oil with ethanol catalyzed by Burkholderia
      cepacia lipase immobilized on polysiloxane-polyvinyl alcohol was performed in a
      continuous flow. The experimental design consisted of a two-stage packed-bed
      reactor incorporating a column with cationic resin (Lewatit GF 202) to remove the
      glycerol formed as by-product and the reactor performance was quantified for
      three different flow rates corresponding to space-times from 10 to 14 h. The
      influence of space-time on the ethyl ester (FAEE) concentrations, yields and
      productivities was determined. The reactor operation was demonstrated for space
      time of 14 h attaining FAEE concentrations of 58.5 +/- 0.87 wt%, FAEE yields of
      97.3 +/- 1.9 % and productivities of 41.6  +/- 1.0 mgester g medium (-1)  h(-1).
      Biodiesel purified samples showed average kinematic viscosity values of 5.5 +/-
      0.3 mm(2) s(-1) that meet the criteria established by the American National
      Standard ASTM (D6751). The immobilized lipase was found to be stable regarding
      its morphological and catalytic characteristics, showing half-life time (t 1/2)
      around 1540 h. The continuous packed-bed reactor connected in series with
      simultaneous glycerol removal has a great potential to attain high level of
      transesterification yields, raising biodiesel productivity. 

PMID- 27277746
TI  - Difference analysis of the enzymatic hydrolysis performance of acid-catalyzed
      steam-exploded corn stover before and after washing with water.
AB  - The difference in the enzymatic hydrolysis yield of acid-catalyzed steam-exploded
      corn stover (ASC) before and after washing with water reached approximately 15 %
      under the same conditions. The reasons for the difference in the yield between
      ASC and washed ASC (wASC) were determined through the analysis of the composition
      of ASC prehydrolyzate and sugar concentration of enzymatic hydrolyzate. Salts
      produced by neutralization (CaSO4, Na2SO4, K2SO4, and (NH4)2SO4), sugars
      (polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, and monosaccharides), sugar-degradation
      products (weak acids and furans), and lignin-degradation products (ethyl acetate
      extracts and nine main lignin-degradation products) were back-added to wASC.
      Results showed that these products, except furans, exerted negative effect on
      enzymatic hydrolysis. According to the characteristics of acid-catalyzed steam
      explosion pretreatment, the five sugar-degradation products' mixture and salts
      [Na2SO4, (NH4)2SO4] showed minimal negative inhibition effect on enzymatic
      hydrolysis. By contrast, furans demonstrated a promotion effect. Moreover,
      soluble sugars, such as 13 g/L xylose (decreased by 6.38 %), 5 g/L cellobiose
      (5.36 %), 10 g/L glucose (3.67 %), as well as lignin-degradation products, and
      ethyl acetate extracts (4.87 %), exhibited evident inhibition effect on enzymatic
      hydrolysis. Therefore, removal of soluble sugars and lignin-degradation products
      could effectively promote the enzymatic hydrolysis performance. 

PMID- 27277747
TI  - Palbociclib as a first-line treatment in oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2
      negative, advanced breast cancer not cost-effective with current pricing: a
      health economic analysis of the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK).
AB  - Endocrine therapy continues to be the optimal systemic treatment for metastatic
      ER(+)HER2(-) breast cancer. The CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib combined with
      letrozole has recently been shown to significantly improve progression-free
      survival. Here we examined the cost-effectiveness of this regimen for the Swiss
      healthcare system. A Markov cohort simulation based on the PALOMA-1 trial (Finn
      et al. in Lancet Oncol 16:25-35, 2015) was used as the clinical course. Input
      parameters were based on summary trial data. Costs were assessed from the Swiss
      healthcare system perspective. Adding palbociclib to letrozole (PALLET) compared
      to letrozole monotherapy was estimated to cost an additional CHF342,440 and gain
      1.14 quality-adjusted life years, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness
      ratio (ICER) of CHF301,227/QALY gained. In univariate sensitivity analyses, no
      tested variation in key parameters resulted in an ICER below a willingness-to-pay
      threshold of CHF100,000/QALY. PALLET had a 0 % probability of being cost
      effective in probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Lowering PALLET's price by 75 %
      resulted in an ICER of CHF73,995/QALY and a 73 % probability of being cost
      effective. At current prices, PALLET would cost the Swiss healthcare system an
      additional CHF155 million/year. Palbociclib plus letrozole cannot be considered
      cost-effective for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast
      cancer in the Swiss healthcare system.

PMID- 27277749
TI  - Clinical significance of RET mutation screening in a pedigree of multiple
      endocrine neoplasia type 2A.
AB  - The clinical characteristics and RET proto-oncogene (RET-PO) mutation status of a
      patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A pedigree (MEN2A) was analyzed
      with the aim of preliminarily exploring the molecular mechanisms and clinical
      significance of the disease. Clinical characteristics of a single MEN2A patient
      were analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the proband
      and 10 family members. The 21 exons of RET-PO were PCR amplified and the
      amplified products were sequenced. Of the family members, 5 exhibited a C634Y
      (TGC->TAC) missense mutation in exon 11 of RET-PO, among which 2 family members
      were screened as mutation carriers, while the others did not exhibit clinical
      symptoms of the mutation. The screening and analysis of RET-PO mutations for the
      MEN2A proband and the family members suggests potential clinical phenotypes and
      enables assessment of the risk of disease development, thus providing useful
      information for determining the surgical timing of preventive thyroid gland
      removal. 

PMID- 27277748
TI  - The structural alteration of gut microbiota in low-birth-weight mice undergoing
      accelerated postnatal growth.
AB  - The transient disruption of gut microbiota in infancy by antibiotics causes adult
      adiposity in mice. Accelerated postnatal growth (A) leads to a higher risk of
      adult metabolic syndrome in low birth-weight (LB) humans than in normal birth
      weight (NB) individuals, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we
      set up an experiment using LB + A mice, NB + A mice, and control mice with NB and
      normal postnatal growth. At 24 weeks of age (adulthood), while NB + A animals had
      a normal body fat content and glucose tolerance compared with controls, LB + A
      mice exhibited excessive adiposity and glucose intolerance. In infancy, more
      fecal bacteria implicated in obesity were increased in LB + A pups than in NB + A
      pups, including Desulfovibrionaceae, Enterorhabdus, and Barnesiella. One
      bacterium from the Lactobacillus genus, which has been implicated in prevention
      of adult adiposity, was enhanced only in NB + A pups. Besides, LB + A pups, but
      not NB + A pups, showed disrupted gut microbiota fermentation activity. After
      weaning, the fecal microbiota composition of LB + A mice, but not that of NB + A
      animals, became similar to that of controls by 24 weeks. In infancy, LB + A mice
      have a more dysbiotic gut microbiome compared to NB + A mice, which might
      increase their risk of adult metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 27277750
TI  - Co-delivery of pemetrexed and miR-21 antisense oligonucleotide by lipid-polymer
      hybrid nanoparticles and effects on glioblastoma cells.
AB  - Combination therapy using anticancer drugs and nucleic acid is a more promising
      strategy to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer and to enhance apoptosis. In
      this study, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNs), which contain both
      pemetrexed and miR-21 antisense oligonucleotide (anti-miR-21), have been
      developed for treatment of glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain tumor.
      Prepared LPNs have been well characterized by particle size distribution and zeta
      potential measurements, determination of encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro
      release experiments. Morphology of LPNs was determined by transmission electron
      microscopy. LPNs had a hydrodynamic size below 100 nm and exhibited sustained
      release of pemetrexed up to 10 h. Encapsulation of pemetrexed in LPNs increased
      cellular uptake from 6% to 78%. Results of confocal microscopy analysis have
      shown that co-delivery of anti-miR-21 significantly improved accumulation of LPNs
      in the nucleus of U87MG cells. Nevertheless, more effective cytotoxicity results
      could not be obtained due to low concentration of anti-miR-21, loaded in LPNs. We
      expect that the effective drug delivery systems can be obtained with higher
      concentration of anti-miR-21 for the treatment of glioblastoma.

PMID- 27277751
TI  - [Phakic intraocular lenses].
AB  - Refractive surgical procedures are generally divided into additive procedures
      with, e. g. implantation of an artificial lens and subtractive procedures with
      ablation of corneal tissue. In this article the current status of phakic
      intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for correction of refractive errors is
      reviewed. Phakic IOLs are constructed as angle-supported or iris-fixated anterior
      chamber lenses and sulcus-fixated posterior chamber lenses. The implantation of
      phakic IOLs has been demonstrated to be an effective, safe, predictable and
      stable procedure to correct higher refractive errors. Complications are rare and
      depend to a large extent on the location. For anterior chamber lenses the main
      concern is critical endothelial cell loss and for posterior chamber lenses early
      cataract formation. 

PMID- 27277752
TI  - [The IRIS(r) Registry : Purpose and perspectives. German Version].
AB  - The American Academy of Ophthalmology IRIS(r) Registry (Intelligent Research in
      Sight) launched about 2 years ago and has already become the largest national
      clinical specialty data registry with nearly 50 million patient visits and over
      14 million unique patients. The purpose of the registry is to support and promote
      continued improvement in the delivery of eye care. The perspectives that "big
      data" encompass are the key issues facing ophthalmology and eye care, including
      public health and public policy concerning disease incidence and prevalence,
      utilization of eye care services, natural history of disease, disease
      surveillance, comparative effectiveness, safety and adverse event monitoring,
      compliance with "best practices" and clinical guidelines, etc. The valuable real
      world and current-day insights provided by the IRIS Registry and other registries
      like it will accelerate scientific learning and improvements in care delivery,
      particularly in a cost-constrained environment. 

PMID- 27277753
TI  - Examination of the importance of age of onset, callous-unemotional traits and
      anger dysregulation in youths with antisocial behaviors.
AB  - Age of onset, callous-unemotional (CU) traits and anger dysregulation have
      separately been proposed as relevant factors in explaining the heterogeneity of
      antisocial behaviour (ASB). Taking a dimensional perspective, this study examined
      the specific contributions and the mutual influences (i.e., interactions) of
      these three characteristics on specific dimensions of ASB (i.e., criminal
      behaviours and externalizing symptoms). Assessments were conducted on 536 youths
      from institutions with the youth psychopathic traits inventory (CU traits), the
      Massachusetts youth screening instrument-second version (anger dysregulation),
      the criminology questionnaire (criminal behaviours) and the child behavior
      checklist (externalizing symptoms), rated by both the youths and their carers.
      Using Bayes as estimators, the results revealed that the number and frequency of
      crimes (and, more specifically, damage to property, property offenses and media
      crimes) were explained by a specific contribution of each factor (age of onset,
      CU traits and anger dysregulation). Additionally, the interactions between age of
      onset and CU traits or anger dysregulation were relevant predictors of some types
      of crimes (i.e., damage to property, property offences and media crimes).
      Furthermore, when rated by youths, externalizing symptoms were explained by CU
      traits and anger dysregulation. However, when rated by the carer, anger
      dysregulation was more important in explaining externalizing symptoms. This study
      highlights the importance of considering these factors altogether and the value
      of using a dimensional perspective when examining the structure of ASB in youths.
      Consequently, future classifications should take into account the mutual account
      of these characteristics, which were previously studied separately.

PMID- 27277754
TI  - An initial study of family accommodation in children and adolescents with chronic
      tic disorders.
AB  - This initial study examined the nature, incidence, and clinical correlates of
      family accommodation in youth with tic disorders, and validated a brief self
      report measure of tic-related family accommodation, the Tic Family Accommodation
      Scale (TFAS). Seventy-five youth aged 6-18 who were diagnosed with a tic disorder
      and their parent completed a diagnostic clinical interview, and clinician and
      parent-report measures of tic severity, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms,
      behavioral problems, family accommodation and impairment. An exploratory factor
      analysis of the TFAS showed a two-factor structure, with good internal
      consistency for the Total score, Modification of Child Environment and
      Modification of Parent Environment subscales (alpha = 0.88, 0.86, and 0.81,
      respectively). Family accommodation was not associated with tic severity. Family
      accommodation was associated with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms,
      higher externalizing, rule breaking, aggressive behaviors and social problems,
      and with greater tic-related functional impairment. Anxiety and externalizing
      problems (but not depressive symptoms) predicted family accommodation when
      controlling for tic severity. Family accommodation predicted high levels of
      functional impairment over and above the effect of tic severity, anxiety,
      depression and externalizing problems. Family accommodation is a common
      phenomenon for youth with tic disorders, with modifications typically
      encompassing changes to the child and/or parent environments. Accommodation was
      not associated with tic severity, but was related to higher levels of anxiety,
      depressive symptoms, externalizing symptoms, aggression, and rule breaking
      behaviors. Results suggest that other emotional symptoms are more likely to drive
      accommodation practices than the tic symptoms per se.

PMID- 27277755
TI  - Magnetofection based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-mediated low
      lncRNA HOTAIR expression decreases the proliferation and invasion of glioma stem
      cells.
AB  - Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are a special subpopulation of glioma cells that are key
      to the sensitivity of tumors to treatments and to the possibility of tumor
      recurrence. Identifying new strategies that inhibit the growth of GSCs are
      therefore important for developing novel therapies for glioblastoma multiforme
      (GBM). In this study, CD133+ human glioma stem cells were isolated and cultured.
      Magnetic nanoparticles were used to mediate the expression of siRNAs targeting
      the HOTAIR (si-HOTAIR) sequence in human gliomas. Effect of downregulation of
      HOTAIR expression on proliferation, invasion and in vivo tumorigenicity of human
      GSCs and underlying molecular mechanisms were further evaluated. The results of
      the MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis showed that downregulation of HOTAIR
      expression inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest. Transwell
      assays demonstrated that downregulation of HOTAIR expression resulted in a
      decrease in the invasive capability of GSCs. Moreover, magnetic nanoparticle
      mediated low expression of HOTAIR effectively reduced the tumorigenic capacity of
      glioma stem cells in vivo. In addition, the results of qRT-PCR and western blot
      analysis demonstrated that downregulation of HOTAIR expression significantly
      increased the expression of PDCD4 in GSCs, in addition to reducing the expression
      of CCND1 and CDK4. An in-depth mechanistic analysis showed that downregulation of
      HOTAIR expression reduced the recruitment of downstream molecules, EZH2 and LSD1,
      thereby activating the expression of PDCD4 at the transcriptional level. In
      conclusion, downregulation of HOTAIR expression effectively promoted the
      expression of PDCD4, thereby inhibiting the proliferation, invasion and in vivo
      tumorigenicity of human GSCs. 

PMID- 27277756
TI  - Dose to specific subregions of pelvic bone marrow defined with FDG-PET as a
      predictor of hematologic nadirs during concomitant chemoradiation in anal cancer
      patients.
AB  - To test the hypothesis that irradiated volume of specific subregions of pelvic
      active bone marrow as detected by (18)FDG-PET may be a predictor of decreased
      blood cells nadirs in anal cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation,
      we analyzed 44 patients submitted to IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy. Several
      bony structures were defined: pelvic and lumbar-sacral (LSBM), lower pelvis
      (LPBM) and iliac (IBM) bone marrow. Active BM was characterized employing (18)FDG
      PET and characterized in all subregions as the volume having standard uptake
      values (SUVs) higher than SUVmean. All other regions were defined as inactive BM.
      On dose-volume histograms, dosimetric parameters were taken. Endpoints included
      white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), hemoglobin (Hb)
      and platelet (Plt) nadirs. Generalized linear modeling was used to find
      correlations between dosimetric variables and blood cells nadirs. WBC nadir was
      significantly correlated with LSBM mean dose (beta = -1.852; 95 % CI -3.205/
      0.500; p = 0.009), V10 (beta = -2.153; 95 % CI -4.263/-0.721; p = 0.002), V20
      (beta = -2.081; 95 % CI -4.880/-0.112; p = 0.003), V30 (beta = -1.971; 95 % CI 
      4.748/-0.090; p = 0.023) and IBM V10 (beta = -0.073; 95 % CI -0.106/-0.023; p =
      0.016). ANC nadir found to be significantly associated with LSBM V10 (beta = 
      1.878; 95 % CI -4.799/-0.643; p = 0.025), V20 (beta = -1.765; 95 % CI -4.050/
      0.613; p = 0.030) and IBM V10 (beta = -0.039; 95 % CI -0.066/-0.010; p = 0.027).
      Borderline significance was found for correlation between Plt nadir and LSBM V30
      (beta = -0.056; 95 % CI -2.748/-0.187; p = 0.060), V40 (beta = -0.059; 95 % CI 
      3.112/-0.150; p = 0.060) and IBM V30 (beta = -0.028; 95 % CI -0.074/-0.023; p =
      0.056). No inactive BM subsites were found to be correlated with any blood cell
      nadir. (18)FDG-PET is able to define active bone marrow within pelvic osseous
      structures. LSBM is the strongest predictor of decreased blood cells nadirs in
      anal cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation. 

PMID- 27277758
TI  - Relationship between Fas and Fas Ligand gene polymorphisms and pre-eclampsia.
AB  - AIM: In normal pregnancy, the Th1 subtype, responsible for the production of
      inflammatory cytokines, is reduced, and the Th2 subtype is increased to prohibit
      inflammation. In pre-eclampsia, the Th1 cell population is increased; thus,
      subsequent inflammation and trophoblast destruction occur. Polymorphisms in the
      Fas and Fas Ligand (FasL) promoter regions can influence Fas and FasL expression
      and accused to increase of Th1 subtype. METHODS: DNA samples from 153 pregnant
      women with pre-eclampsia and 140 controls were genotyped through polymerase chain
      reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. A Fisher's exact test was used
      to compare the distribution of individual polymorphisms. RESULTS: Fas-1377 AA, AG
      and GG genotypes were observed in 2.61%, 18.30% and 79.08% in the pre-eclampsia
      group opposed to 0%, 27.14% and 72.85% in the control group (P = 0.037),
      respectively. Fas-670 AA, AG and GG genotypes were observed in 37.9%, 41.8% and
      20.3% of pre-eclampsia patients compared with 33.6%, 50.7% and 15.7% in healthy
      pregnant women (P = 0.291), respectively. No statically significant differences
      in the FasL-844 genotype were observed between the groups (P = 0.69). CONCLUSION:
      The Fas-1377G > A polymorphism is associated with a higher risk of pre-eclampsia.

PMID- 27277757
TI  - Epac1 knockdown inhibits the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells by
      inactivating AKT/Cyclin D1/CDK4 pathway in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological malignancies,
      and high grade serous ovarian carcinoma is the most common and most aggressive
      subtype. Recently, it was demonstrated that cAMP mediates protein kinase A
      independent effects through Epac (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP)
      proteins. Epac proteins, including Epac1 and Epac2, are implicated in several
      diverse cellular responses, such as insulin secretion, exocytosis, cellular
      calcium handling and formation of cell-cell junctions. Several reports document
      that Epac1 could play vital roles in promoting proliferation, invasion and
      migration of some cancer cells. However, the expression levels and roles of Epac1
      in ovarian cancer have not been investigated. In the present study, we detected
      the expression levels of Epac1 mRNA and protein in three kinds of ovarian cancer
      cells SKOV3, OVCAR3 and CAOV3. Furthermore, the effect of Epac1 knockdown on the
      proliferation and apoptosis of SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells was evaluated in vitro and
      in vivo. The results showed that there was higher expression of Epac1 mRNA and
      protein in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. Epac1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of
      SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells in vitro and in vivo. Decreased proliferation may be due
      to downregulation of Epac1-induced G1 phase arrest by inactivating the AKT/Cyclin
      D1/CDK4 pathway, but not to alterations in the MAPK pathway or to apoptosis.
      Taken together, our data provide new insight into the essential role of Epac1 in
      regulating growth of ovarian cancer cells and suggest that Epac1 might represent
      an attractive therapeutic target for treatment of ovarian cancer. 

PMID- 27277760
TI  - Right atrial aneurysm with downward displacement of the anterior leaflet that
      resembled Ebstein's anomaly.
AB  - A 13-year-old boy presented with right atrial aneurysm and downward displacement
      of the anterior leaflet in the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, without
      tricuspid valve regurgitation. Paroxysmal atrial flutter was caused by an
      abnormal electrical re-entry circuit, which could not be treated using catheter
      radiofrequency ablation. Therefore, the patient underwent surgical ablation and
      resection of the enlarged right atrial wall. The anterior leaflet of the
      tricuspid valve was plastered and displaced downward into the right ventricle,
      which resembled Ebstein's anomaly. Pathological evaluation revealed a thin wall
      that contained fibrous tissue with lipomatous degeneration and few muscular
      elements. No postoperative arrhythmia was observed.

PMID- 27277759
TI  - Longitudinal Associations Between Parental Monitoring Discrepancy and
      Delinquency: An Application of the Latent Congruency Model.
AB  - Studies have shown that discrepancies (relative concordance or discordance)
      between parent and adolescent ratings are predictive of problem behaviors;
      monitoring, in particular, has been consistently linked to them. The current
      study tested whether discrepancies in perceptions of maternal monitoring, rated
      by mothers and youth at age 12, foretold delinquency (rule breaking) at age 15,
      and whether parental closeness and conflict predicted higher discrepancies, and
      indirectly, higher delinquency. The final study sample used the NICHD
      longitudinal dataset with N = 966 youth (50.1 % female) and their mothers (80.1 %
      European American, 12.9 % African American, 7 % other ethnicity). The analytic
      approach consisted of an extension and application of the Latent Congruency Model
      (LCM) to estimate monitoring discrepancies as well as age 15 delinquency scores.
      Findings showed that age 12 monitoring discrepancy was predictive of age 15
      delinquency for both boys and girls based on youth reports, but not for maternal
      reports. Age 11 closeness predicted age 12 monitoring discrepancy, which served
      as a mediator for its effect on age 15 adolescent-reported delinquency. Thus,
      based on the rigorous LCM analytic approach which seeks to minimize the effects
      by competing explanations and to maximize precision in providing robust
      estimates, rates of perceived discordance in parenting behaviors during early
      adolescence matter in understanding variability in adolescent delinquency during
      middle adolescence.

PMID- 27277761
TI  - Postoperative pyothorax a risk factor for acute exacerbation of idiopathic
      interstitial pneumonia following lung cancer resection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Acute exacerbation (AE) of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IP) is a
      potentially fatal postoperative complication following lung cancer resection.
      Postoperative pyothorax (PP) following development of a bronchopleural fistula
      (BPF) after lung surgery induces continuous inflammation and may affect the
      occurrence of AE. We investigated the relationship between AE and PP in patients
      who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer. METHODS: A total of 941
      patients who underwent lung resection due to primary lung cancer from 2006 to
      2015 at our hospital were investigated. RESULTS: Of the 941 enrolled patients,
      137 (14.6 %) had idiopathic IP and were predominantly male (p < 0.01).
      Pathological stage Ia and adenocarcinoma were observed at significantly high
      rates in the non-IP group (p < 0.01). Patients with IP showed a tendency for a
      higher percentage of PP (p = 0.054). Of the 137 patients with IP, 17 (12.4 %)
      showed postoperative AE. Furthermore, PP was observed in three cases in the AE(+)
      group and two in the AE(-) group. PP had a correlation with a significantly
      higher incidence of AE (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: PP was found to be a significant
      risk factor for postoperative AE in lung cancer patients undergoing a pulmonary
      resection. Since IP itself is likely a risk factor for PP, prevention of BPF is
      important for patients with IP, as it can lead to PP.

PMID- 27277764
TI  - Separate from essential meaning but still important: space, colons and dashes.

PMID- 27277763
TI  - Female doctors in US earn much less than male doctors, study finds.

PMID- 27277762
TI  - Influence of alcohol and other substances of abuse at the time of injury among
      patients in a Norwegian emergency department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The presence of alcohol or other substances of abuse in blood or
      urine from injured patients is often used as a proxy for substance influence at
      the time of injury. The aim of this study was to obtain an estimate of substance
      influence at the time of injury based on blood concentrations of alcohol and
      other substances of abuse, and to explore the relationship between the substance
      prevalence at the time of admittance to the hospital and the actual influence at
      the time of the injury. METHODS: The study included all adult patients admitted
      to the emergency department of a university hospital during 1 year (n = 996).
      Quantification in blood was done by an enzymatic method for alcohol, and by
      liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
      for 28 other substances of abuse. Concentrations of alcohol and other substances
      in blood at the time of injury were calculated. The degree of influence was
      assessed on the basis of the calculated blood concentrations, with a threshold of
      influence set at a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 %, or a substance
      concentration leading to an influence similar to that of a BAC of 0.05 %.
      RESULTS: A total of 324 patients (32.5 %) were determined to be under the
      influence at the time of injury. In comparison, 394 patients (39.6 %) had one or
      more substances above the cut-off limit in blood at the time of admittance to the
      hospital. Alcohol was the most prevalent substance causing influence at 25.9 %.
      Among patients with violence-related injuries, almost 75 % were under the
      influence of alcohol and/or substances. Patients under the influence were
      younger, and men were more often under the influence than women. More patients
      were under the influence at nighttime and during weekends than at daytime and on
      weekdays. CONCLUSIONS: About one third of the injured patients were determined to
      be under the influence at the time of injury, with alcohol being the most
      prevalent substance causing influence. Approximately 98 % of the patients with
      alcohol detected in blood at the time of admittance to the hospital were under
      the influence of alcohol at the time of injury.

PMID- 27277765
TI  - Dual-frequency ultrasound activation of nanomicellar doxorubicin in targeted
      tumor chemotherapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the therapeutic effect of dual-frequency
      sonication (3 MHz and 28 kHz) at low intensity levels in combination with
      micellar doxorubicin in the treatment of a tumor model of spontaneous breast
      adenocarcinoma in Balb/c mice. METHODS: We used sonication frequencies 28 kHz and
      3 MHz and their dual combinations in the progressive wave mode to enhance
      acoustic cavitation. Then, the antitumor effect of the simultaneous dual
      frequency ultrasound (28 kHz and 3 MHz) at low intensity levels in combination
      with doxorubicin and micellar doxorubicin injection was investigated in a
      spontaneous model of breast adenocarcinoma in Balb/c mice. Sixty-three tumor
      bearing mice were randomly divided into seven groups: control, sham, sonication
      with dual frequency, doxorubicin without sonication, doxorubicin with dual
      frequency sonication, micellar doxorubicin without sonication, and micellar
      doxorubicin with dual-frequency sonication. The tumor volume change relative to
      the initial volume, tumor growth inhibition ratio, the required times for each
      tumor to reach two (T 2) and five (T 5) times its initial volume, and survival
      period were the tumor growth delay parameters which were calculated and recorded
      at various times after treatment. RESULTS: The results of the combination of
      frequencies 28 kHz (0.04 W/cm(2)) and 3 MHz (2.00 W/cm(2)) showed remarkable
      enhancement of the cavitation activity compared with single-frequency sonication
      (P < 0.05). The micellar doxorubicin injection with sonication group showed a
      significant difference in the relative volume percent parameter compared with the
      other groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, the T 2 and T 5 times in the micellar
      doxorubicin with sonication group were significantly higher than in the other
      groups (P < 0.05). Also, the survival period of the mice in the micellar
      doxorubicin with sonication group was significantly longer than in the other
      groups (P < 0.05). These findings were verified histopathologically. CONCLUSION:
      This study shows that simultaneous combined dual-frequency ultrasound sonication
      in continuous mode is effective in producing cavitation activity at low
      intensity. We conclude that dual-frequency sonication with micellar doxorubicin
      injection extends survival in a murine breast adenocarcinoma model.

PMID- 27277766
TI  - Expanding aliasing limit in measurement of tissue velocity using autocorrelation
      method.
AB  - Autocorrelation using in-phase and quadrature (IQ) signals suffers from aliasing
      when the velocity of rapidly moving tissue, such as the heart wall, is measured.
      In the present study, a simple method was proposed to expand the aliasing limit.
      In the proposed method, the velocity difference between two successive frames
      (corresponding to acceleration) of tissue was also estimated directly from IQ
      signals. When aliasing occurs in the velocity in the current frame, which was
      estimated from IQ signals, the velocity in the current frame was corrected by
      adding the velocity difference to the velocity in the previous frame. Using this
      procedure, the velocity can be estimated if the difference between velocities in
      the current and previous frames is less than the aliasing limit. The velocity of
      the posterior heart wall in the longitudinal-axis view of about 0.08 m/s could be
      estimated under the aliasing limit of the conventional autocorrelation method of
      0.047 m/s. Myocardial velocity over the conventional aliasing limit could be
      measured by the proposed method. 

PMID- 27277767
TI  - Effects of horizontal console position on operator muscular stress during
      abdominal ultrasonic diagnosis.
AB  - Ultrasound examinations may require sonographers to adopt unnatural postures,
      which can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. We previously assessed the effect of
      a vertical operation panel on muscular stress. In this study, we focused on the
      horizontal positioning of the control panel of a diagnostic ultrasound system to
      quantitatively assess the influence of work plane position on musculoskeletal
      stress during scanning. Five subjects were asked to perform a simulated scanning
      task that involved touching five points on the control panel, with the work plane
      set at different positions in space. Electromyograms of each part of the body and
      wrist joint angles indicated that the least stressful position of the left hand
      was about 350 mm from the center of the trunk in the longitudinal (front-back)
      direction and 100 mm left of the center of the trunk in the lateral (right-left)
      direction. 

PMID- 27277768
TI  - Erratum to: Effects of horizontal console position on operator muscular stress
      during abdominal ultrasonic diagnosis.

PMID- 27277769
TI  - Dynamic changes in ultrasound characteristics of nodules in cirrhotic liver and
      their implications in surveillance for malignancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there are ultrasound characteristics that can
      suggest HCC in ultrasound surveillance of nodules in cirrhotic liver. METHODS:
      Data from 277 patients with hepatitis B virus-related nodules in cirrhotic liver
      undergoing ultrasound surveillance of the nodules for malignancy were reviewed.
      Size of the nodules ranged 6-23 mm. The nodules were followed by color Doppler
      ultrasound at 3- to 6-month intervals, with focus on size, shape, echogenicity,
      margin, halo sign, and vasculature. Suspicious malignant nodules underwent
      contrast-enhanced CT/MRI, and some indeterminate nodules underwent biopsy.
      RESULTS: Nodules in 189 patients were hypo/isoechoic/faint high echoic, 23 were
      hyperechoic, and 65 were both hypo/isoechoic/faint high echoic and hyperechoic.
      Forty-two patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma: 35 from nodules and 7 from
      background parenchyma. Fourteen nodules recessed (size >10 mm), 11 new nodules
      emerged (size >10 mm), and the total number of nodules increased over 5 years.
      All hepatocellular carcinomas developed from hypo/isoechoic/faint high echoic
      nodules, and no typical hyperechoic nodules developed into hepatocellular
      carcinomas. The size increased significantly when the nodules developed into
      hepatocellular carcinomas. No nodule presented an overt halo, seven
      hepatocellular carcinomas developed from nodules with a halo, and ill-defined
      margins of 16 nodules became well defined when they developed into hepatocellular
      carcinomas. No vasculature was detectable in the nodules, while it was detectable
      in eight hepatocellular carcinomas. No significant change occurred in nodules
      without malignancy. CONCLUSION: The characteristics for dynamic surveillance of
      nodules in cirrhotic liver for malignancy should include nodule growth, margin,
      halo, and vasculature. Apart from evident growth, an ill-defined margin becoming
      a well-defined margin, a newly emerged halo, and newly detectable vasculature are
      strongly suggestive of nodule malignancy.

PMID- 27277770
TI  - Pimobendan improves right ventricular myocardial contraction and attenuates
      pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary
      arterial hypertension.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of pimobendan
      treatment for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rats administered monocrotaline
      (MCT). METHODS: Fifty-four 12-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected
      with monocrotaline or saline solution. Serial echocardiography and right
      ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) measurement via a cardiac catheter were
      performed. After injection of MCT, rats received oral pimobendan (MCT/pimobendan
      group) or no treatment (MCT group) until undergoing echocardiography and cardiac
      catheter insertion. RESULTS: Right ventricular systolic pressure in the
      MCT/pimobendan group was lower than that in the MCT group at 6 weeks. Right
      ventricle free wall (RVFW) myocardial systolic velocity (Sm) in the MCT group
      showed a reduction compared with the saline group at 2 weeks. RVFW Sm in the
      MCT/pimobendan group was preserved as compared with the saline group at 2 weeks.
      RVFW Tei index in the MCT/pimobendan group showed a reduction compared with the
      saline group and the MCT group at 2 weeks. Echocardiography in the MCT/pimobendan
      group showed improvement compared with MCT rats. CONCLUSIONS: Both a reduction in
      RVSP and improvement in myocardial contraction were demonstrated with
      administration of pimobendan in rats with PH induced by MCT. Echocardiography
      evaluation of systolic function seems to be useful for monitoring excess
      administration of pimobendan.

PMID- 27277771
TI  - HDlive rendering image of adnexal tumors: preliminary report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our objective is to present our first experience of adnexal tumors
      reconstructed employing the HDlive rendering mode. METHODS: Seven adnexal tumors
      (one case each of chocolate cyst, benign cystic teratoma, serous
      cystadenofibroma, and torsion of the hydrosalpinx, and three cases of ovarian
      cancer) were studied using the HDlive rendering mode. RESULTS: In the case of the
      chocolate cyst, the smooth inner wall with numerous tiny projections was clearly
      identified. In the case of benign cystic teratoma, a smooth hair ball inside the
      cyst was evident. In the case of the serous cystadenofibroma, a smooth, solid
      projection and relatively smooth septum were noted. In the three cases of ovarian
      cancer, numerous irregular papillae and irregular, thick septae were depicted. In
      the case of the bilateral hydrosalpinx with torsion of the right tube, different
      fluid contents were recognized. CONCLUSION: The HDlive rendering mode provides
      anatomically realistic features such as macroscopic specimens for physicians and
      pathologists due to the complete depiction of the inner surface of the adnexal
      tumors.

PMID- 27277772
TI  - Long-term investigation of kidney ultrasound in cases of hemolytic uremic
      syndrome in children.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim is to describe the changes in initial findings of kidney
      ultrasound examinations in cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children
      and to evaluate the respective importance of three sonographical parameters:
      echogenicity, corticomedullary differentiation (CMD), and kidney size. The
      correlation with laboratory parameters and proteinuria is analysed. METHODS:
      Reports containing ultrasound examinations and laboratory values from 1989
      through 2012 of 39 children (13 cases of atypical HUS and 26 cases of typical
      HUS, first diagnosis at age 4 months to 10 2/12 years) suffering from HUS were
      analysed retrospectively. Ultrasound scans of the right kidney (n = 312) were
      evaluated with regard to the factors echogenicity, CMD, and kidney volume (ml,
      percentile). Laboratory parameters included serum creatinine, endogenous
      creatinine clearance in 24-h urine collection, eGFR according to Schwartz, and
      the protein content of the 24-h urine collection. RESULTS: All patients initially
      had increased echogenicity of the kidneys. All kidney volumes were ranged in the
      higher percentiles (the median percentile was the 85th). For assessment of long
      term progression, the echogenicity proved to be of higher importance than the CMD
      due to a significant correlation between laboratory parameters of kidney function
      and the echogenicity. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound examination of the kidneys is an
      important method in follow-up examinations of patients with HUS. Renal morphology
      correlates with laboratory parameters of kidney function.

PMID- 27277773
TI  - Utility of three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in diagnosis of
      intermediate atrioventricular septal defect: report of an adult case.
AB  - We present the case of a 54-year-old male with an intermediate atrioventricular
      septal defect (AVSD). He was referred to our institute for treatment of shortness
      of breath. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated an ostium
      primum defect of the atrial septum, a common atrioventricular valve with mild
      regurgitations, and an interventricular communication, which are the features of
      complete AVSD. However, three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3D-TTE)
      could clearly visualize the tricuspid pouch (i.e., persistence of the tissue in
      the endocardial cushion), a feature of partial AVSD. 3D-TTE appears to be a
      useful modality for diagnosis of intermediate AVSD. 

PMID- 27277774
TI  - A case of solitary bile duct hamartoma with advanced gastric carcinoma: findings
      in contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.
AB  - Bile duct hamartomas (BDH), which are also known as von Meyenburg complexes, are
      benign neoplasms that involve cystic dilatation of the bile duct surrounded by
      fibrous stroma. However, multiple lesions develop in most cases of BDH, whereas a
      solitary lesion, as seen in our case, is relatively rare. We report here the co
      existence of gastric carcinoma and BDH mimicking metastasis in a 30-year-old
      woman. A lesion measuring 13 * 9 mm with the appearance of a hyperechoic nodule
      with no pulsatile blood flow signals was observed on US and Doppler US in S4 of
      the liver. On contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), the septum-like structure
      in the tumor was weakly enhanced at 17 s after administration of Sonazoid. There
      has been no description of solitary BDH findings on CEUS in the literature. We
      present the US findings of BDH, including those yielded by CEUS using Sonazoid,
      along with the microscopic pathological correlation. 

PMID- 27277775
TI  - Hemodynamic changes during balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolization (B
      TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma observed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.
AB  - Balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolization (B-TACE) is able to achieve
      denser accumulation of Lipiodol emulsion (LE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      than conventional TACE. However, to maximize the therapeutic effect of B-TACE, it
      is imperative to understand the hemodynamic changes that occur during arterial
      occlusion. We here present two patients with HCC in whom the hemodynamic changes
      during arterial occlusion were depicted and evaluated by contrast-enhanced
      ultrasound (CEUS). Arterial flow beyond the catheter tip was observed by CEUS
      even after balloon occlusion. In one patient, a reduction in arterial blood flow
      in the HCC was observed by CEUS during balloon occlusion of the target area for
      embolization. After B-TACE, dense LE accumulation in the HCC nodule was confirmed
      by flat-panel detector CT, indicating an excellent therapeutic effect. In the
      other patient, no changes in arterial blood flow in the HCC nodule were observed
      by CEUS during balloon occlusion of the target area for embolization. After B
      TACE, intermediate LE accumulation in the HCC nodule was confirmed by flat-panel
      detector CT, indicating an incomplete therapeutic effect. The findings obtained
      in the two patients presented here suggest that B-TACE can be performed more
      effectively and reliably by monitoring blood flow using CEUS. 

PMID- 27277776
TI  - Associated gastroduodenal artery aneurysm aortic aneurysm: the diagnostic
      contribution of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in correlation with computed
      tomography angiography.
AB  - Splanchnic aneurysms are rare conditions, with localization at the level of the
      gastroduodenal artery being encountered in only 1.5 % of the cases. Due to the
      high mortality risk, early detection and optimal treatment are required. We
      stress the importance of ultrasonography as a primary method of detection as well
      as the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in characterization of visceral
      aneurysms. Due to its noninvasive nature, the examination could be used for
      follow-up after therapeutic procedures or in cases were a curative intervention
      is not possible. 

PMID- 27277777
TI  - Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for treatment of giant cell tumor of bone
      guided by real-time US fused with CT.
AB  - Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a well-established technique for the treatment
      of soft tissue tumors of the liver and kidney that has increasingly been used for
      both benign and malignant bone tumors, such as giant cell tumor of bone (GCT).
      Reports in the literature pertaining to RFA for GCT have involved computed
      tomography (CT)-guided RFA, which presents several drawbacks such as radiation,
      lack of real-time monitoring, and the fact that it may be time-consuming. We
      report a case of GCT treated with percutaneous RFA using ultrasound guidance with
      CT fusion, which offers a simple, real-time guidance solution without radiation. 

PMID- 27277778
TI  - Imaging and surgical approach for a schwannoma of the hand.
AB  - Schwannomas are benign encapsulated neoplasms of the peripheral nerve sheath.
      Clinical diagnosis is often difficult, and final diagnosis is usually based on
      histopathological findings. Imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance
      imaging and ultrasonography, can be optimized to improve assessment prior to
      surgical treatment. The present case demonstrates that high-resolution sonography
      can be useful in assessing the underlying cause of median nerve pathology. 

PMID- 27277779
TI  - Follicular thyroid carcinoma with predominantly cystic formation presenting
      initially with multiple distant metastases.
AB  - Primary malignancies presenting with multiple distant metastases include lung
      cancer, gastrointestinal malignancy, breast cancer, and prostatic cancer.
      Multiple distant metastases from follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) are uncommon.
      Cystic formation in FTC is an atypical finding in ultrasonography. The cystic
      formation of a thyroid nodule is usually considered a benign sonographic finding.
      We report the case of a 78-year-old man who presented with multiple distant
      metastases from an FTC with a predominantly cystic formation. 

PMID- 27277780
TI  - Radiofrequency ablation of parathyroid adenoma in primary hyperparathyroidism.
AB  - We present a case of a 32-year-old woman with hyperparathyroidism, treated with
      ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). RFA, assisted by
      saline injection inferomedial to the parathyroid, is a safe technique that
      prevents burn injury to the nerve. The saline injection technique shifted the
      parathyroid gland laterally, so that the distance between the nerve and the
      parathyroid gland was sufficient to prevent burn injury. The completeness of
      tissue ablation was evaluated based on Doppler ultrasound imaging and serum
      intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level immediately after RFA. There were no
      complications associated with RFA. Serum iPTH levels normalized during follow-up
      for 20 months. It was possible to perform RFA for primary parathyroid adenoma
      safely using a saline injection technique. 

PMID- 27277781
TI  - Three- and four-dimensional sonographic diagnosis of fetal intra-abdominal
      umbilical vein varix.

PMID- 27277782
TI  - Active bleeding revealed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: beyond the
      abdominal cavity.

PMID- 27277783
TI  - Structure of the pulmonary hydatid cyst.

PMID- 27277784
TI  - Pericyst shell or absent pericyst layer in the brain hydatid cyst?

PMID- 27277785
TI  - Differentiation of renal cell carcinomas from other renal mass lesions.

PMID- 27277786
TI  - Introduction to indexes for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) indication.

PMID- 27277788
TI  - Temporary severe bradycardia due to pacemaker programming.

PMID- 27277789
TI  - Temporary severe bradycardia due to pacemaker programming.

PMID- 27277787
TI  - Coordination of the recruitment of the FANCD2 and PALB2 Fanconi anemia proteins
      by an ubiquitin signaling network.
AB  - Fanconi anemia (FA) is a chromosome instability syndrome and the 20 identified FA
      proteins are organized into two main arms which are thought to function at
      distinct steps in the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). These two arms
      include the upstream FA pathway, which culminates in the monoubiquitination of
      FANCD2 and FANCI, and downstream breast cancer (BRCA)-associated proteins that
      interact in protein complexes. How, and whether, these two groups of FA proteins
      are integrated is unclear. Here, we show that FANCD2 and PALB2, as indicators of
      the upstream and downstream arms, respectively, colocalize independently of each
      other in response to DNA damage induced by mitomycin C (MMC). We also show that
      ubiquitin chains are induced by MMC and colocalize with both FANCD2 and PALB2.
      Our finding that the RNF8 E3 ligase has a role in recruiting FANCD2 and PALB2
      also provides support for the hypothesis that the two branches of the FA-BRCA
      pathway are coordinated by ubiquitin signaling. Interestingly, we find that the
      RNF8 partner, MDC1, as well as the ubiquitin-binding protein, RAP80, specifically
      recruit PALB2, while a different ubiquitin-binding protein, FAAP20, functions
      only in the recruitment of FANCD2. Thus, FANCD2 and PALB2 are not recruited in a
      single linear pathway, rather we define how their localization is coordinated and
      integrated by a network of ubiquitin-related proteins. We propose that such
      regulation may enable upstream and downstream FA proteins to act at distinct
      steps in the repair of ICLs.

PMID- 27277790
TI  - Renal denervation: are we at a crossroads?

PMID- 27277791
TI  - Second-Language Learning Ability Revealed by Resting-State Functional
      Connectivity.

PMID- 27277792
TI  - Elucidating a Core Semantic Network in the Brain-Implications for Disorders of
      Semantic Cognition.

PMID- 27277793
TI  - Task Encoding across the Multiple Demand Cortex Is Consistent with a
      Frontoparietal and Cingulo-Opercular Dual Networks Distinction.
AB  - Multiple-demand (MD) regions of the human brain show coactivation during many
      different kinds of task performance. Previous work based on resting-state
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has shown that MD regions may be
      divided into two closely coupled subnetworks centered around the lateral
      frontoparietal (FP) and cingulo-opercular cortex. Here, we used on-task fMRI to
      test whether this division is apparent during the performance of an executive
      task. Furthermore, we investigated whether there is a difference in the encoding
      of task between the two subnetworks. Using connectivity methods, we found that
      activity across the entire MD cortex is correlated during task performance.
      Meanwhile, however, there was significantly stronger connectivity within each of
      the subnetworks than between them. Using multivoxel pattern analysis, we also
      found that, although we were able to decode task-relevant information from all
      regions of the MD cortex, classification accuracy scores were significantly
      higher in the FP subnetwork. These results suggest a nested picture with MD
      regions as a whole showing coactivation and broad rule representation, but with
      significant functional distinctions between component subnetworks. SIGNIFICANCE
      STATEMENT: Multiple-demand (MD) regions of frontal and parietal cortex appear
      essential for the orchestration of goal-directed behavior and problem solving.
      Understanding the relative specialization of regions within the MD cortex is
      crucial to understanding how we can coordinate and execute complex action plans.
      By examining functional connectivity during task performance, we extend previous
      findings suggesting that the MD cortex can be divided into two subnetworks
      centered around the frontoparietal (FP) and cingulo-opercular (CO) cortex.
      Furthermore, using multivoxel pattern analysis, we show that, compared with the
      CO subnetwork, the FP subnetwork manifests more differentiated coding of specific
      task events.

PMID- 27277794
TI  - Testosterone during Puberty Shifts Emotional Control from Pulvinar to Anterior
      Prefrontal Cortex.
AB  - Increased limbic and striatal activation in adolescence has been attributed to a
      relative delay in the maturation of prefrontal areas, resulting in the increase
      of impulsive reward-seeking behaviors that are often observed during puberty.
      However, it remains unclear whether and how this general developmental pattern
      applies to the control of social emotional actions, a fundamental adult skill
      refined during adolescence. This domain of control pertains to decisions
      involving emotional responses. When faced with a social emotional challenge
      (e.g., an angry face), we can follow automatic response tendencies and avoid the
      challenge or exert control over those tendencies by selecting an alternative
      action. Using an fMRI-adapted social approach-avoidance task, this study
      identifies how the neural regulation of emotional action control changes as a
      function of human pubertal development in 14-year-old adolescents (n = 47).
      Pubertal maturation, indexed by testosterone levels, shifted neural regulation of
      emotional actions from the pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus and the amygdala to
      the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC). Adolescents with more advanced pubertal
      maturation showed greater aPFC activity when controlling their emotional action
      tendencies, reproducing the same pattern consistently observed in adults. In
      contrast, adolescents of the same age, but with less advanced pubertal
      maturation, showed greater pulvinar and amygdala activity when exerting similarly
      effective emotional control. These findings qualify how, in the domain of social
      emotional actions, executive control shifts from subcortical to prefrontal
      structures during pubertal development. The pulvinar and the amygdala are
      suggested as the ontogenetic precursors of the mature control system centered on
      the anterior prefrontal cortex. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Adolescents can show
      distinct behavioral problems when emotionally aroused. This could be related to
      later development of frontal regions compared with deeper brain structures. This
      study found that when the control of emotional actions needs to be exerted, more
      mature adolescents, similar to adults, recruit the anterior prefrontal cortex
      (aPFC). Less mature adolescents recruit specific subcortical regions, namely the
      pulvinar and amygdala. These findings identify the subcortical pulvino-amygdalar
      pathway as a relevant precursor of a mature aPFC emotional control system,
      opening the way for a neurobiological understanding of how emotion control
      related disorders emerge during puberty.

PMID- 27277795
TI  - Experimental Cortical Spreading Depression Induces NMDA Receptor Dependent
      Potassium Currents in Microglia.
AB  - Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is a propagating event of neuronal
      depolarization, which is considered as the cellular correlate of the migraine
      aura. It is characterized by a change in the intrinsic optical signal and by a
      negative DC potential shift. Microglia are the resident macrophages of the CNS
      and act as sensors for pathological changes. In the present study, we analyzed
      whether microglial cells might sense CSD by recording membrane currents from
      microglia in acutely isolated cortical mouse brain slices during an
      experimentally induced CSD. Coincident with the change in the intrinsic optical
      signal and the negative DC potential shift we recorded an increase in potassium
      conductance predominantly mediated by K(+) inward rectifier (Kir)2.1, which was
      blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist D-AP5. Application of NMDA and an
      increase in extracellular K(+) mimics the CSD-induced Kir activation. Application
      of D-AP5, but not the purinergic receptor antagonist RB2, blocks the NMDA-induced
      Kir activation. The K(+) channel blocker Ba(2+) blocks both the CSD- and the NMDA
      triggered increase in Kir channel activity. In addition, we could confirm
      previous findings that microglia in the adult brain do not express functional
      NMDA receptors by recording from microglia cultured from adult brain. From these
      observations we conclude that CSD activates neuronal NMDA receptors, which lead
      to an increase in extracellular [K(+)] resulting in the activation of Kir channel
      activity in microglia. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Cortical spreading depression
      (CSD) is a wave of neuronal depolarization spreading through the cortex and is
      associated with the aura of migraine. Here we show that microglial cells, which
      are viewed as pathologic sensors of the brain, can sense this wave. The increase
      in the extracellular potassium concentration associated with that wave leads to
      the activation of an inward rectifying potassium conductance in microglia. The
      involvement of neuronal NMDA receptors is crucial because NMDA mimics that
      response and microglia do not express functional NMDA receptors. Although it is
      now evident that CSD leads to a signal in microglia, the consequences of this
      microglial activation during CSD needs to be explored.

PMID- 27277797
TI  - Serial Dependence in Perceptual Decisions Is Reflected in Activity Patterns in
      Primary Visual Cortex.
AB  - Sensory signals are highly structured in both space and time. These regularities
      allow expectations about future stimulation to be formed, thereby facilitating
      decisions about upcoming visual features and objects. One such regularity is that
      the world is generally stable over short time scales. This feature of the world
      is exploited by the brain, leading to a bias in perception called serial
      dependence: previously seen stimuli bias the perception of subsequent stimuli,
      making them appear more similar to previous input than they really are. What are
      the neural processes that may underlie this bias in perceptual choice? Does
      serial dependence arise only in higher-level areas involved in perceptual
      decision-making, or does such a bias occur at the earliest levels of sensory
      processing? In this study, human subjects made decisions about the orientation of
      grating stimuli presented in the left or right visual field while activity
      patterns in their visual cortex were recorded using fMRI. In line with previous
      behavioral reports, reported orientation on the current trial was consistently
      biased toward the previously reported orientation. We found that the orientation
      signal in V1 was similarly biased toward the orientation presented on the
      previous trial. Both the perceptual decision and neural effects were spatially
      specific, such that the perceptual decision and neural representations on the
      current trial were only influenced by previous stimuli at the same location.
      These results suggest that biases in perceptual decisions induced by previous
      stimuli may result from neural biases in sensory cortex induced by recent
      perceptual history. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We perceive a stable visual scene,
      although our visual input is constantly changing. This experience may in part be
      driven by a bias in visual perception that causes images to be perceived as
      similar to those previously seen. Here, we provide evidence for a sensory bias
      that may underlie this perceptual effect. We find that neural representations in
      early visual cortex are biased toward previous perceptual decisions. Our results
      suggest a direct neural correlate of serial dependencies in visual perception.
      These findings elucidate how our perceptual decisions are shaped by our
      perceptual history.

PMID- 27277798
TI  - ZIP It: Neural Silencing Is an Additional Effect of the PKM-Zeta Inhibitor Zeta
      Inhibitory Peptide.
AB  - Protein kinase M zeta (PKMzeta), an atypical isoform of protein kinase C, has
      been suggested to be necessary and sufficient for the maintenance of long-term
      potentiation (LTP) and long-term memory (LTM). This evidence is heavily based on
      the use of zeta inhibitory peptide (ZIP), a supposed specific inhibitor of
      PKMzeta that interferes with both LTP and LTM. Problematically, both LTP and LTM
      are unaffected in both constitutive and conditional PKMzeta knock-out mice, yet
      both are still impaired by ZIP application, suggesting a nonspecific mechanism of
      action. Because translational interference can disrupt neural activity, we
      assessed network activity after a unilateral intrahippocampal infusion of ZIP in
      anesthetized rats. ZIP profoundly reduced spontaneous hippocampal local field
      potentials, comparable in magnitude to infusions of lidocaine, but with a slower
      onset and longer duration. Our results highlight a serious confound in
      interpreting the behavioral effects of ZIP. We suggest that future molecular
      approaches in neuroscience consider the intervening level of cellular and systems
      neurophysiology before claiming influences on behavior. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT:
      Long-term memory in the brain is thought to arise from a sustained molecular
      process that can maintain changes in synaptic plasticity. A so-called candidate
      for the title of "the memory molecule" is protein kinase M zeta (PKMzeta), mainly
      because its inhibition by zeta inhibitory peptide (ZIP) interferes with
      previously established synaptic plasticity and memory. We show that brain
      applications of ZIP that can impair memory actually profoundly suppress
      spontaneous brain activity directly or can cause abnormal seizure activity. We
      suggest that normal brain activity occurring after learning may be a more primary
      element of memory permanence.

PMID- 27277796
TI  - Cross-Modal Plasticity in Higher-Order Auditory Cortex of Congenitally Deaf Cats
      Does Not Limit Auditory Responsiveness to Cochlear Implants.
AB  - Congenital sensory deprivation can lead to reorganization of the deprived
      cortical regions by another sensory system. Such cross-modal reorganization may
      either compete with or complement the "original" inputs to the deprived area
      after sensory restoration and can thus be either adverse or beneficial for
      sensory restoration. In congenital deafness, a previous inactivation study
      documented that supranormal visual behavior was mediated by higher-order auditory
      fields in congenitally deaf cats (CDCs). However, both the auditory
      responsiveness of "deaf" higher-order fields and interactions between the
      reorganized and the original sensory input remain unknown. Here, we studied a
      higher-order auditory field responsible for the supranormal visual function in
      CDCs, the auditory dorsal zone (DZ). Hearing cats and visual cortical areas
      served as a control. Using mapping with microelectrode arrays, we demonstrate
      spatially scattered visual (cross-modal) responsiveness in the DZ, but show that
      this did not interfere substantially with robust auditory responsiveness elicited
      through cochlear implants. Visually responsive and auditory-responsive neurons in
      the deaf auditory cortex formed two distinct populations that did not show
      bimodal interactions. Therefore, cross-modal plasticity in the deaf higher-order
      auditory cortex had limited effects on auditory inputs. The moderate number of
      scattered cross-modally responsive neurons could be the consequence of exuberant
      connections formed during development that were not pruned postnatally in deaf
      cats. Although juvenile brain circuits are modified extensively by experience,
      the main driving input to the cross-modally (visually) reorganized higher-order
      auditory cortex remained auditory in congenital deafness. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT:
      In a common view, the "unused" auditory cortex of deaf individuals is reorganized
      to a compensatory sensory function during development. According to this view,
      cross-modal plasticity takes over the unused cortex and reassigns it to the
      remaining senses. Therefore, cross-modal plasticity might conflict with
      restoration of auditory function with cochlear implants. It is unclear whether
      the cross-modally reorganized auditory areas lose auditory responsiveness. We
      show that the presence of cross-modal plasticity in a higher-order auditory area
      does not reduce auditory responsiveness of that area. Visual reorganization was
      moderate, spatially scattered and there were no interactions between cross
      modally reorganized visual and auditory inputs. These results indicate that cross
      modal reorganization is less detrimental for neurosensory restoration than
      previously thought.

PMID- 27277799
TI  - BDNF Signaling Promotes Vestibular Compensation by Increasing Neurogenesis and
      Remodeling the Expression of Potassium-Chloride Cotransporter KCC2 and GABAA
      Receptor in the Vestibular Nuclei.
AB  - Reactive cell proliferation occurs rapidly in the cat vestibular nuclei (VN)
      after unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN) and has been reported to facilitate
      the recovery of posturo-locomotor functions. Interestingly, whereas animals
      experience impairments for several weeks, extraordinary plasticity mechanisms
      take place in the local microenvironment of the VN: newborn cells survive and
      acquire different phenotypes, such as microglia, astrocytes, or GABAergic
      neurons, whereas animals eventually recover completely from their lesion-induced
      deficits. Because brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can modulate
      vestibular functional recovery and neurogenesis in mammals, in this study, we
      examined the effect of BDNF chronic intracerebroventricular infusion versus K252a
      (a Trk receptor antagonist) in our UVN model. Results showed that long-term
      intracerebroventricular infusion of BDNF accelerated the restoration of
      vestibular functions and significantly increased UVN-induced neurogenesis,
      whereas K252a blocked that effect and drastically delayed and prevented the
      complete restoration of vestibular functions. Further, because the level of
      excitability in the deafferented VN is correlated with behavioral recovery, we
      examined the state of neuronal excitability using two specific markers: the
      cation-chloride cotransporter KCC2 (which determines the hyperpolarizing action
      of GABA) and GABAA receptors. We report for the first time that, during an early
      time window after UVN, significant BDNF-dependent remodeling of excitability
      markers occurs in the brainstem. These data suggest that GABA acquires a
      transient depolarizing action during recovery from UVN, which potentiates the
      observed reactive neurogenesis and accelerates vestibular functional recovery.
      These findings suggest that BDNF and/or KCC2 could represent novel treatment
      strategies for vestibular pathologies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In this study, we
      report for the first time that brain-derived neurotrophic factor potentiates
      vestibular neurogenesis and significantly accelerates functional recovery after
      unilateral vestibular injury. We also show that specific markers of excitability,
      the potassium-chloride cotransporter KCC2 and GABAA receptors, undergo remarkable
      fluctuations within vestibular nuclei (VN), strongly suggesting that GABA
      acquires a transient depolarizing action in the VN during the recovery period.
      This novel plasticity mechanism could explain in part how the system returns to
      electrophysiological homeostasis between the deafferented and intact VN,
      considered in the literature to be a key parameter of vestibular compensation. In
      this context, our results open new perspectives for the development of
      therapeutic approaches to alleviate the vestibular symptoms and favor vestibular
      function recovery.

PMID- 27277800
TI  - beta1-C121W Is Down But Not Out: Epilepsy-Associated Scn1b-C121W Results in a
      Deleterious Gain-of-Function.
AB  - Voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) beta subunits signal through multiple
      pathways on multiple time scales. In addition to modulating sodium and potassium
      currents, beta subunits play nonconducting roles as cell adhesion molecules,
      which allow them to function in cell-cell communication, neuronal migration,
      neurite outgrowth, neuronal pathfinding, and axonal fasciculation. Mutations in
      SCN1B, encoding VGSC beta1 and beta1B, are associated with epilepsy. Autosomal
      dominant SCN1B-C121W, the first epilepsy-associated VGSC mutation identified,
      results in genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+). This mutation has
      been shown to disrupt both the sodium-current-modulatory and cell-adhesive
      functions of beta1 subunits expressed in heterologous systems. The goal of this
      study was to compare mice heterozygous for Scn1b-C121W (Scn1b(+/W)) with mice
      heterozygous for the Scn1b-null allele (Scn1b(+/-)) to determine whether the
      C121W mutation results in loss-of-function in vivo We found that Scn1b(+/W) mice
      were more susceptible than Scn1b(+/-) and Scn1b(+/+) mice to hyperthermia-induced
      convulsions, a model of pediatric febrile seizures. beta1-C121W subunits are
      expressed at the neuronal cell surface in vivo However, despite this, beta1-C121W
      polypeptides are incompletely glycosylated and do not associate with VGSC alpha
      subunits in the brain. beta1-C121W subcellular localization is restricted to
      neuronal cell bodies and is not detected at axon initial segments in the cortex
      or cerebellum or at optic nerve nodes of Ranvier of Scn1b(W/W) mice. These data,
      together with our previous results showing that beta1-C121W cannot participate in
      trans-homophilic cell adhesion, lead to the hypothesis that SCN1B-C121W confers a
      deleterious gain-of-function in human GEFS+ patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The
      mechanisms underlying genetic epilepsy syndromes are poorly understood. Closing
      this gap in knowledge is essential to the development of new medicines to treat
      epilepsy. We have used mouse models to understand the mechanism of a mutation in
      the sodium channel gene SCN1B linked to genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures
      plus. We report that sodium channel beta1 subunit proteins encoded by this mutant
      gene are expressed at the surface of neuronal cell bodies; however, they do not
      associate with the ion channel complex nor are they transported to areas of the
      axon that are critical for proper neuronal firing. We conclude that this disease
      causing mutation is not simply a loss-of-function, but instead results in a
      deleterious gain-of-function in the brain.

PMID- 27277801
TI  - Variability and Correlations in Primary Visual Cortical Neurons Driven by
      Fixational Eye Movements.
AB  - The ability to distinguish between elements of a sensory neuron's activity that
      are stimulus independent versus driven by the stimulus is critical for addressing
      many questions in systems neuroscience. This is typically accomplished by
      measuring neural responses to repeated presentations of identical stimuli and
      identifying the trial-variable components of the response as noise. In awake
      primates, however, small "fixational" eye movements (FEMs) introduce uncontrolled
      trial-to-trial differences in the visual stimulus itself, potentially confounding
      this distinction. Here, we describe novel analytical methods that directly
      quantify the stimulus-driven and stimulus-independent components of visual neuron
      responses in the presence of FEMs. We apply this approach, combined with precise
      model-based eye tracking, to recordings from primary visual cortex (V1), finding
      that standard approaches that ignore FEMs typically miss more than half of the
      stimulus-driven neural response variance, creating substantial biases in measures
      of response reliability. We show that these effects are likely not isolated to
      the particular experimental conditions used here, such as the choice of visual
      stimulus or spike measurement time window, and thus will be a more general
      problem for V1 recordings in awake primates. We also demonstrate that
      measurements of the stimulus-driven and stimulus-independent correlations among
      pairs of V1 neurons can be greatly biased by FEMs. These results thus illustrate
      the potentially dramatic impact of FEMs on measures of signal and noise in visual
      neuron activity and also demonstrate a novel approach for controlling for these
      eye-movement-induced effects. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Distinguishing between the
      signal and noise in a sensory neuron's activity is typically accomplished by
      measuring neural responses to repeated presentations of an identical stimulus.
      For recordings from the visual cortex of awake animals, small "fixational" eye
      movements (FEMs) inevitably introduce trial-to-trial variability in the visual
      stimulus, potentially confounding such measures. Here, we show that FEMs often
      have a dramatic impact on several important measures of response variability for
      neurons in primary visual cortex. We also present an analytical approach for
      quantifying signal and noise in visual neuron activity in the presence of FEMs.
      These results thus highlight the importance of controlling for FEMs in studies of
      visual neuron function, and demonstrate novel methods for doing so.

PMID- 27277802
TI  - Cholinergic Interneurons Use Orbitofrontal Input to Track Beliefs about Current
      State.
AB  - When conditions change, organisms need to learn about the changed conditions
      without interfering with what they already know. To do so, they can assign the
      new learning to a new "state" and the old learning to a previous state. This
      state assignment is fundamental to behavioral flexibility. Cholinergic
      interneurons (CINs) in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) are necessary for
      associative information to be compartmentalized in this way, but the mechanism by
      which they do so is unknown. Here we addressed this question by recording
      putative CINs from the DMS in rats performing a task consisting of a series of
      trial blocks, or states, that required the recall and application of
      contradictory associative information. We found that individual CINs in the DMS
      represented the current state throughout each trial. These state correlates were
      not observed in dorsolateral striatal CINs recorded in the same rats. Notably,
      DMS CIN ensembles tracked rats' beliefs about the current state such that, when
      states were miscoded, rats tended to make suboptimal choices reflecting the
      miscoding. State information held by the DMS CINs also depended completely on the
      orbitofrontal cortex, an area that has been proposed to signal environmental
      states. These results suggest that CINs set the stage for recalling associative
      information relevant to the current environment by maintaining a real-time
      representation of the current state. Such a role has novel implications for
      understanding the neural basis of a variety of psychiatric diseases, such as
      addiction or anxiety disorders, in which patients generalize inappropriately (or
      fail to generalize) between different environments. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT:
      Striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) are thought to be identical to tonically
      active neurons. These neurons have long been thought to have an important
      influence on striatal processing during reward-related learning. Recently, a more
      specific function for striatal CINs has been suggested, which is that they are
      necessary for striatal learning to be compartmentalized into different states as
      the state of the environment changes. Here we report that putative CINs appear to
      track rats' beliefs about which environmental state is current. We further show
      that this property of CINs depends on orbitofrontal cortex input and is
      correlated with choices made by rats. These findings could provide new insight
      into neuropsychiatric diseases that involve improper generalization between
      different contexts.

PMID- 27277804
TI  - Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Transplantation after a Complete Spinal Cord
      Transection Mediates Neuroprotective and Immunomodulatory Mechanisms to
      Facilitate Regeneration.
AB  - Multiple neural and peripheral cell types rapidly respond to tissue damage after
      spinal cord injury to form a structurally and chemically inhibitory scar that
      limits axon regeneration. Astrocytes form an astroglial scar and produce
      chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), activate microglia, and recruit blood
      derived immune cells to the lesion for debris removal. One beneficial therapy,
      olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation, results in functional
      improvements and promotes axon regeneration after spinal cord injury. The lack of
      an OEC-specific marker, however, has limited the investigation of mechanisms
      underlying their proregenerative effects. We compared the effects of enhanced
      green fluorescent protein-labeled fibroblast (FB) and OEC transplants acutely
      after a complete low-thoracic spinal cord transection in adult rats. We assessed
      the preservation of neurons and serotonergic axons, the levels of inhibitory
      CSPGs and myelin debris, and the extent of immune cell activation between 1 and 8
      weeks postinjury. Our findings indicate that OECs survive longer than FBs post
      transplantation, preserve axons and neurons, and reduce inhibitory molecules in
      the lesion core. Additionally, we show that OECs limit immune-cell activation and
      infiltration, whereas FBs alter astroglial scar formation and increase immune
      cell infiltration and concomitant secondary tissue damage. Administration of
      cyclosporine-A to enhance graft survival demonstrated that immune suppression can
      augment OEC contact-mediated protection of axons and neurons during the first 2
      weeks postinjury. Collectively, these data suggest that OECs have neuroprotective
      and immunomodulatory mechanisms that create a supportive environment for neuronal
      survival and axon regeneration after spinal cord injury. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT:
      Spinal cord injury creates physical and chemical barriers to axon regeneration.
      We used a complete spinal cord transection model and olfactory ensheathing cell
      (OEC) or fibroblast (FB; control) transplantation as a repair strategy. OECs, but
      not FBs, intermingled with astrocytes, facilitated astroglial scar border
      formation and sequestered invading peripheral cells. OECs attenuated immune cell
      infiltration, reduced secondary tissue damage, protected neurons and axons in the
      lesion core, and helped clear myelin debris. Immunosuppression enhanced survival
      of OECs and FBs, but only OEC transplantation promoted scaffold formation in the
      lesion site that facilitated axon regeneration and neuron preservation.

PMID- 27277803
TI  - Quantitative Trait Loci and a Novel Genetic Candidate for Fear Learning.
AB  - Trauma- and stress-related disorders are clinically heterogeneous and associated
      with substantial genetic risk. Understanding the biological origins of
      heterogeneity of key intermediate phenotypes such as cognition and emotion can
      provide novel mechanistic insights into disorder pathogenesis. Performing
      quantitative genetics in animal models is a tractable strategy for examining both
      the genetic basis of intermediate phenotypes and functional testing of candidate
      quantitative traits genes (QTGs). Here, existing and newly collected data were
      used for collaborative genome-wide mapping of cued fear acquisition and
      expression in 65 mouse strains from the BXD genetic reference panel. For fear
      acquisition, we identified a significant locus on chromosome (Chr) 10 and eight
      suggestive loci on Chr 2, 4, 5, 11, 13, and 15. For fear expression, we
      identified one significant and another highly suggestive locus on Chr 13, as well
      as four suggestive loci on Chr 10, 11, and X. Across these loci, 60 putative QTGs
      were identified. The quantitative trait locus on distal Chr 13 contained a
      single, highly promising gene at the location of the peak likelihood ratio
      statistic score. The gene, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated
      channel 1 (Hcn1), regulates neuronal excitability. Validation experiments using
      behavioral pharmacology revealed that functional Hcn channels in the basolateral
      amygdala are necessary for conditioned fear acquisition and expression. Hcn1,
      together with the other candidate QTGs, thus provide new targets for
      neurobiological and treatment studies of fear learning and trauma- and stress
      related disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: There is a knowledge gap in
      understanding the genetic contributions to behavioral heterogeneity in typical
      and atypical populations. Mouse genetic reference panels (GRPs) provide one
      approach for identifying genetic sources of variation. Here, we identified three
      loci for conditioned fear acquisition and expression in a mouse GRP. Each locus
      contained candidate quantitative trait genes (QTGs). One locus had a single QTG,
      Hcn1 (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1), which has
      been implicated in neuronal excitability and learning. This discovery was
      validated using behavioral pharmacology, revealing that Hcn channels in the
      basolateral amygdala are required for fear acquisition and expression. The study
      thus identifies novel candidate QTGs that may contribute to variation in
      emotional learning and highlight the utility of mouse GRPs for the identification
      of genes underlying complex traits.

PMID- 27277805
TI  - Cholinergic Regulation of hnRNPA2/B1 Translation by M1 Muscarinic Receptors.
AB  - Cholinergic vulnerability, characterized by loss of acetylcholine (ACh), is one
      of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous work has suggested that
      decreased ACh activity in AD may contribute to pathological changes through
      global alterations in alternative splicing. This occurs, at least partially, via
      the regulation of the expression of a critical protein family in RNA processing,
      heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A/B proteins. These proteins
      regulate several steps of RNA metabolism, including alternative splicing, RNA
      trafficking, miRNA export, and gene expression, providing multilevel surveillance
      in RNA functions. To investigate the mechanism by which cholinergic tone
      regulates hnRNPA2/B1 expression, we used a combination of genetic mouse models
      and in vivo and in vitro techniques. Decreasing cholinergic tone reduced levels
      of hnRNPA2/B1, whereas increasing cholinergic signaling in vivo increased
      expression of hnRNPA2/B1. This effect was not due to decreased hnRNPA2/B1 mRNA
      expression, increased aggregation, or degradation of the protein, but rather to
      decreased mRNA translation by nonsense-mediated decay regulation of translation.
      Cell culture and knock-out mice experiments demonstrated that M1 muscarinic
      signaling is critical for cholinergic control of hnRNPA2/B1 protein levels. Our
      experiments suggest an intricate regulation of hnRNPA2/B1 levels by cholinergic
      activity that interferes with alternative splicing in targeted neurons mimicking
      deficits found in AD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In Alzheimer's disease,
      degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons is an early event. These
      neurons communicate with target cells and regulate their long-term activity by
      poorly understood mechanisms. Recently, the splicing factor hnRNPA2/B, which is
      decreased in Alzheimer's disease, was implicated as a potential mediator of long
      term cholinergic regulation. Here, we demonstrate a mechanism by which
      cholinergic signaling controls the translation of hnRNPA2/B1 mRNA by activation
      of M1 muscarinic type receptors. Loss of cholinergic activity can have profound
      effects in target cells by modulating hnRNPA2/B1 levels.

PMID- 27277806
TI  - Intracranial Recordings of Occipital Cortex Responses to Illusory Visual Events.
AB  - Ambiguous visual stimuli elicit different perceptual interpretations over time,
      creating the illusion that a constant stimulus is changing. We investigate
      whether such spontaneous changes in visual perception involve occipital brain
      regions specialized for processing visual information, despite the absence of
      concomitant changes in stimulation. Spontaneous perceptual changes observed while
      viewing a binocular rivalry stimulus or an ambiguous structure-from-motion
      stimulus were compared with stimulus-induced perceptual changes that occurred in
      response to an actual stimulus change. Intracranial recordings from human
      occipital cortex revealed that spontaneous and stimulus-induced perceptual
      changes were both associated with an early transient increase in high-frequency
      power that was more spatially confined than a later transient decrease in low
      frequency power. We suggest that the observed high-frequency and low-frequency
      modulations relate to initiation and maintenance of a percept, respectively. Our
      results are compatible with the idea that spontaneous changes in perception
      originate from competitive interactions within visual neural networks.
      SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Ambiguous visual stimuli elicit different perceptual
      interpretations over time, creating the illusion that a constant stimulus is
      changing. The literature on the neural correlates of conscious visual perception
      remains inconclusive regarding the extent to which such spontaneous changes in
      perception involve sensory brain regions. In an attempt to bridge the gap between
      existing animal and human studies, we recorded from intracranial electrodes
      placed on the human occipital lobe. We compared two different kinds of ambiguous
      stimuli, binocular rivalry and the phenomenon of ambiguous structure-from-motion,
      enabling generalization of our findings across different stimuli. Our results
      indicate that spontaneous and stimulus-induced changes in perception (i.e.,
      "illusory" and "real" changes in the stimulus, respectively) may involve sensory
      regions to a similar extent.

PMID- 27277807
TI  - Perineuronal Nets Suppress Plasticity of Excitatory Synapses on CA2 Pyramidal
      Neurons.
AB  - Long-term potentiation of excitatory synapses on pyramidal neurons in the stratum
      radiatum rarely occurs in hippocampal area CA2. Here, we present evidence that
      perineuronal nets (PNNs), a specialized extracellular matrix typically localized
      around inhibitory neurons, also surround mouse CA2 pyramidal neurons and envelop
      their excitatory synapses. CA2 pyramidal neurons express mRNA transcripts for the
      major PNN component aggrecan, identifying these neurons as a novel source for
      PNNs in the hippocampus. We also found that disruption of PNNs allows synaptic
      potentiation of normally plasticity-resistant excitatory CA2 synapses; thus, PNNs
      play a role in restricting synaptic plasticity in area CA2. Finally, we found
      that postnatal development of PNNs on CA2 pyramidal neurons is modified by early
      life enrichment, suggesting that the development of circuits containing CA2
      excitatory synapses are sensitive to manipulations of the rearing environment.
      SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are thought to play a major role
      in restricting synaptic plasticity during postnatal development, and are altered
      in several models of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and Rett
      syndrome. Although PNNs have been predominantly studied in association with
      inhibitory neurons throughout the brain, we describe a dense expression of PNNs
      around excitatory pyramidal neurons in hippocampal area CA2. We also provide
      insight into a previously unrecognized role for PNNs in restricting plasticity at
      excitatory synapses and raise the possibility of an early critical period of
      hippocampal plasticity that may ultimately reveal a key mechanism underlying
      learning and memory impairments of PNN-associated neurodevelopmental disorders.

PMID- 27277808
TI  - mir-500-Mediated GAD67 Downregulation Contributes to Neuropathic Pain.
AB  - Neuropathic pain is a common neurobiological disease involving multifaceted
      maladaptations ranging from gene modulation to synaptic dysfunction, but the
      interactions between synaptic dysfunction and the genes that are involved in
      persistent pain remain elusive. In the present study, we found that neuropathic
      pain induced by the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel or L5 ventral root
      transection significantly impaired the function of GABAergic synapses of spinal
      dorsal horn neurons via the reduction of the GAD67 expression. We also found that
      mir-500 expression was significantly increased and involved in the modulation of
      GAD67 expression via targeting the specific site of Gad1 gene in the dorsal horn.
      In addition, knock-out of mir-500 or using mir-500 antagomir rescued the
      GABAergic synapses in the spinal dorsal horn neurons and attenuated the
      sensitized pain behavior in the rats with neuropathic pain. To our knowledge,
      this is the first study to investigate the function significance and the
      underlying molecular mechanisms of mir-500 in the process of neuropathic pain,
      which sheds light on the development of novel therapeutic options for neuropathic
      pain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Neuropathic pain is a common neurobiological
      disease involving multifaceted maladaptations ranging from gene modulation to
      synaptic dysfunction, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. The
      present study illustrates for the first time a mir-500-mediated mechanism
      underlying spinal GABAergic dysfunction and sensitized pain behavior in
      neuropathic pain induced by the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel or L5 ventral
      root transection, which sheds light on the development of novel therapeutic
      options for neuropathic pain.

PMID- 27277813
TI  - Hyperspectral backscatter imaging: a label-free approach to cytogenetics.
AB  - Current techniques for chromosome analysis need to be improved for rapid,
      economical identification of complex chromosomal defects by sensitive and
      selective visualisation. In this paper, we present a straightforward method for
      characterising unstained human metaphase chromosomes. Backscatter imaging in a
      dark-field setup combined with visible and short near-infrared spectroscopy is
      used to monitor morphological differences in the distribution of the chromosomal
      fine structure in human metaphase chromosomes. The reasons for the scattering
      centres in the fine structure are explained. Changes in the scattering centres
      during preparation of the metaphases are discussed. FDTD simulations are
      presented to substantiate the experimental findings. We show that local
      scattering features consisting of underlying spectral modulations of higher
      frequencies associated with a high variety of densely packed chromatin can be
      represented by their scatter profiles even on a sub-microscopic level. The result
      is independent of the chromosome preparation and structure size. This analytical
      method constitutes a rapid, cost-effective and label-free cytogenetic technique
      which can be used in a standard light microscope. Graphical abstract
      Hyperspectral backscatter imaging for label-free characterization. 

PMID- 27277809
TI  - Distinct Nrf2 Signaling Mechanisms of Fumaric Acid Esters and Their Role in
      Neuroprotection against 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine-Induced
      Experimental Parkinson's-Like Disease.
AB  - A promising approach to neurotherapeutics involves activating the nuclear-factor
      E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element signaling, which
      regulates expression of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective genes.
      Tecfidera, a putative Nrf2 activator, is an oral formulation of dimethylfumarate
      (DMF) used to treat multiple sclerosis. We compared the effects of DMF and its
      bioactive metabolite monomethylfumarate (MMF) on Nrf2 signaling and their ability
      to block 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced experimental
      Parkinson's disease (PD). We show that in vitro DMF and MMF activate the Nrf2
      pathway via S-alkylation of the Nrf2 inhibitor Keap1 and by causing nuclear exit
      of the Nrf2 repressor Bach1. Nrf2 activation by DMF but not MMF was associated
      with depletion of glutathione, decreased cell viability, and inhibition of
      mitochondrial oxygen consumption and glycolysis rates in a dose-dependent manner,
      whereas MMF increased these activities in vitro However, both DMF and MMF
      upregulated mitochondrial biogenesis in vitro in an Nrf2-dependent manner.
      Despite the in vitro differences, both DMF and MMF exerted similar
      neuroprotective effects and blocked MPTP neurotoxicity in wild-type but not in
      Nrf2 null mice. Our data suggest that DMF and MMF exhibit neuroprotective effects
      against MPTP neurotoxicity because of their distinct Nrf2-mediated antioxidant,
      anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial functional/biogenetic effects, but MMF does
      so without depleting glutathione and inhibiting mitochondrial and glycolytic
      functions. Given that oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial
      dysfunction are all implicated in PD pathogenesis, our results provide
      preclinical evidence for the development of MMF rather than DMF as a novel PD
      therapeutic. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Almost two centuries since its first
      description by James Parkinson, Parkinson's disease (PD) remains an incurable
      disease with limited symptomatic treatment. The current study provides
      preclinical evidence that a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug,
      dimethylfumarate (DMF), and its metabolite monomethylfumarate (MMF) can block
      nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6
      tetrahydropyridine mouse model of PD. We elucidated mechanisms by which DMF and
      its active metabolite MMF activates the redox-sensitive transcription factor
      nuclear-factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to upregulate antioxidant, anti
      inflammatory, mitochondrial biosynthetic and cytoprotective genes to render
      neuroprotection via distinct S-alkylating properties and depletion of
      glutathione. Our data suggest that targeting Nrf2-mediated gene transcription
      using MMF rather than DMF is a promising approach to block oxidative stress,
      neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction for therapeutic intervention in
      PD while minimizing side effects.

PMID- 27277811
TI  - A sensitive electrochemical impedance immunosensor for determination of malachite
      green and leucomalachite green in the aqueous environment.
AB  - Application of malachite green (MG) and leucomalachite green (LMG) in fish farm
      water causes an environmental problem. This study proposes for the first time a
      sensitive and convenient electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method for
      determining MG and LMG by a bovine serum albumin-decorated gold nanocluster (BSA
      AuNC)/antibody composite film-based immunosensor. In order to improve the
      analytical performance, the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with 1, 4
      phenylenediamine to form a stable layer, and then, BSA-AuNCs were covalently
      bound to the GCE. An adequate quantity of the polyclonal antibody of LMG was
      immobilized onto the surface of the BSA-AuNCs by the chemical reaction of
      EDC/NHS. The sensors can respond to the specific target based on specific
      covalent bonding. The experimental parameters, such as the pH, incubating
      concentration, and time, have been investigated and optimized. The calibration
      curve for LMG was linear in the range of 0.1~10.0 ng/mL with the limit of
      detection (LOD) 0.03 ng/mL. Furthermore, the sum of MG and LMG was detected in
      fish farm water by MG reduction. The recovery was between 89.7 % and 99.2 % in
      spiked samples. The EC sensor method was also compared with the ELISA method and
      validated by the LC-MS/MS method, which proves its great promise as a field
      instrument for the rapid monitoring of MG and LMG pollution. Graphical abstract
      1, 4-Phenylenediamine and BSA-AuNC/antibody-decorated glassy carbon electrodes
      have been used for the impedimetric detection of the sum of malachite green and
      leucomalachite green via specific immuno-binding. 

PMID- 27277810
TI  - TLR4 Deficiency Impairs Oligodendrocyte Formation in the Injured Spinal Cord.
AB  - Acute oligodendrocyte (OL) death after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is
      followed by robust neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2)-positive OL progenitor
      proliferation and differentiation into new OLs. Inflammatory mediators are
      prevalent during both phases and can influence the fate of NG2 cells and OLs.
      Specifically, toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling induces OL genesis in the
      naive spinal cord, and lack of TLR4 signaling impairs white matter sparing and
      functional recovery after SCI. Therefore, we hypothesized that TLR4 signaling may
      regulate oligodendrogenesis after SCI. C3H/HeJ (TLR4-deficient) and control
      (C3H/HeOuJ) mice received a moderate midthoracic spinal contusion. TLR4-deficient
      mice showed worse functional recovery and reduced OL numbers compared with
      controls at 24 h after injury through chronic time points. Acute OL loss was
      accompanied by reduced ferritin expression, which is regulated by TLR4 and needed
      for effective iron storage. TLR4-deficient injured spinal cords also displayed
      features consistent with reduced OL genesis, including reduced NG2 expression,
      fewer BrdU-positive OLs, altered BMP4 signaling and inhibitor of differentiation
      4 (ID4) expression, and delayed myelin phagocytosis. Expression of several
      factors, including IGF-1, FGF2, IL-1beta, and PDGF-A, was altered in TLR4
      deficient injured spinal cords compared with wild types. Together, these data
      show that TLR4 signaling after SCI is important for OL lineage cell sparing and
      replacement, as well as in regulating cytokine and growth factor expression.
      These results highlight new roles for TLR4 in endogenous SCI repair and emphasize
      that altering the function of a single immune-related receptor can dramatically
      change the reparative responses of multiple cellular constituents in the injured
      CNS milieu. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Myelinating cells of the CNS
      [oligodendrocytes (OLs)] are killed for several weeks after traumatic spinal cord
      injury (SCI), but they are replaced by resident progenitor cells. How the
      concurrent inflammatory signaling affects this endogenous reparative response is
      unclear. Here, we provide evidence that immune receptor toll-like receptor 4
      (TLR4) supports OL lineage cell sparing, long-term OL and OL progenitor
      replacement, and chronic functional recovery. We show that TLR4 signaling is
      essential for acute iron storage, regulating cytokine and growth factor
      expression, and efficient myelin debris clearance, all of which influence OL
      replacement. Importantly, the current study reveals that a single immune receptor
      is essential for repair responses after SCI, and the potential mechanisms of this
      beneficial effect likely change over time after injury.

PMID- 27277814
TI  - Lectin binding studies on a glycopolymer brush flow-through biosensor by
      localized surface plasmon resonance.
AB  - A localized surface plasmon resonance biosensor in a flow-through configuration
      was applied for investigating kinetics of lectin binding to surface-grafted
      glycopolymer brushes. Polycarbonate filter membranes with pore sizes of 400 nm
      were coated with a 114-nm thick gold layer and used as substrate for surface
      initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization of a glycomonomer. These grafted
      from glycopolymer brushes were further modified with two subsequent enzymatic
      reactions on the surface to yield an immobilized trisaccharide presenting brush.
      Specific binding of lectins including Clostridium difficile toxin A receptor
      domain to the glycopolymer brush surface could be investigated in a microfluidic
      setup with flow-through of the analytes and transmission surface plasmon
      resonance spectroscopy. Graphical abstract Glycopolymer brushes serve as high
      affinity ligands for lectin and toxin interactions in a sensitive, disposable
      flow-through LSPR biosensor. 

PMID- 27277815
TI  - Monitoring of changes in lipid profiles during PLK1 knockdown in cancer cells
      using DESI MS.
AB  - The importance of the polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) gene is increasing substantially
      both as a biomarker and as a target for highly specific cancer therapy. This is
      due to its involvement in multiple points of cell progression and carcinogenesis.
      PLK1 inhibitors' efficacy in treating human cancers has been limited due to the
      lack of a specific targeting strategy. Here, we describe a method of targeted
      downregulation of PLK1 in cancer cells and the concomitant rapid detection of
      surface lipidomic perturbations using desorption electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry (DESI MS). The efficient delivery of siRNA targeting PLK1 gene
      selectively to the cancer cells is achieved by targeting overexpressed cell
      surface epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) by the EpDT3 aptamer. The
      chimeric aptamer (EpDT3-siPLK1) showed the knockdown of PLK1 gene expression and
      PLK1 protein levels by quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. The
      abundant surface lipids, phosphatidylcholines (PCs), such as PC(32:1) (m/z
      754.6), PC(34:1) (m/z 782.6), and PC(36:2) (m/z 808.6), were highly expressed in
      MCF-7 and WERI-RB1 cancer cells compared to normal MIO-M1 cells and they were
      observed using DESI MS. These overexpressed cell surface lipids in the cancer
      cells were downregulated upon the treatment of EpDT3-siPLK1 chimera indicating a
      novel role of PLK1 to regulate surface lipid expression in addition to the
      efficient selective cancer targeting ability. Our results indicate that DESI MS
      has a potential ability to rapidly monitor aptamer-mediated cancer therapy and
      accelerate the drug discovery process. Graphical abstract Binding of aptamer
      chimera to the cells and changes in lipid profile. 

PMID- 27277816
TI  - Extension of overall survival beyond objective responses in patients with
      metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with high-dose interleukin-2.
AB  - PURPOSE: In metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), survival benefit associated
      with objective response rates of 16-20 % with high-dose interleukin-2 (HDIL-2) is
      well established and discussed. Based on recently emerged data on efficacy of
      cancer immunotherapy, we hypothesized that the survival benefit with HDIL-2
      extends beyond those achieving objective responses, i.e., to those who achieve
      stable disease as the best response to treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All
      sequential treatment naive mRCC patients treated with HDIL-2 at the University of
      Utah (1988-2013) and University of Michigan (1997-2013) were included. Best
      responses on treatment were associated with survival outcomes using log-rank and
      COX regression with a landmark analysis at 2 months. RESULTS: 391 patients (75 %
      male; median age 55 years) were included and belonged to the following prognostic
      risk categories: 20 % good, 64 % intermediate, and 15 % poor. Best responses on
      treatment were complete response (9 %), partial response (10 %), stable disease
      (32 %), progressive disease (42 %), and not evaluable for response (7 %). No
      significant differences in progression-free survival (HR 0.74, 95 % CI 0.48-1.1,
      p = 0.14) or overall survival (HR 0.66, 95 % CI 0.39-1.09, p = 0.11) were
      observed between patients achieving partial response versus stable disease.
      Significant differences in progression-free survival (HR 0.13, 95 % CI 0.09-0.22,
      p < 0.0001) and overall survival (HR 0.33, 95 % CI 0.23-0.48, p < 0.0001) were
      observed between patients achieving stable disease compared to those with
      progressive disease and who were not evaluable. CONCLUSIONS: Survival benefit
      with HDIL-2 is achieved in ~50 % patients and extends beyond those achieving
      objective responses.

PMID- 27277817
TI  - Fibre concentrate from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) stem by-products:
      Characterization and application as a bakery product ingredient.
AB  - The potential of fibre concentrate from artichoke stem by-product in bakery
      application was investigated. The elaboration of fibre concentrate was
      characterized by an extraction yield of 48.5%. The chemical composition showed
      high total dietary fibre (85 g/100 g d.m) and low lipid contents (0.5 g/100 g
      d.m). The fibre concentrate showed good water holding capacity (8.17 g/g) and
      high oil holding capacity (16.17 g/g). The effect of fibre concentrate
      incorporation to wheat dough, at level of 2%, on the rheological properties and
      physical characteristics of bread was also evaluated. The results showed that the
      addition of fibre concentrate in wheat flour significantly improved (P < 0.05)
      dough properties inducing an increase of water absorption, stability and
      tenacity, and a reduction of extensibility and softening in comparison to the
      dough without fibre. The colour values of the crust and crumb were significantly
      (P < 0.05) altered by the addition of fibre concentrate. It was also found that
      incorporation of fibre concentrate to bread produced a comparable specific volume
      and enhanced the shelf life, as textural studies revealed.

PMID- 27277818
TI  - Exploratory Literature Meta-Analysis to Characterize the Relationship Between
      Early and Longer Term Body Weight Loss for Antiobesity Compounds.
AB  - The presented analysis was performed to characterize the relationship between
      treatment-related early (week 4) and longer term (3-6 months) weight loss to
      understand the potential utility of 4-week proof-of-mechanism studies in the
      early decision-making process during clinical development of new antiobesity
      compounds. A regression-based meta-analysis was performed leveraging publically
      available clinical outcomes data to (1) characterize the within-trial
      relationship between treatment-related early and longer term body weight loss and
      (2) identify and quantify key covariate effects on this relationship. Data from
      89 randomized clinical trials with 209 treatment arms, representing observations
      from 54 461 patients and 9 treatments, were available for the meta-analysis.
      Results indicated that (1) there is a correlation between treatment-related early
      and longer term body weight loss (r > 0.9), (2) baseline body weight influences
      the relationship between early and longer term weight loss, whereas comorbidity
      such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, class of drugs including GLP-1 analogues and
      the antiobesity compounds lorcaserin or phentermine/topiramate showed no
      significant effects on this relationship. The model was externally evaluated with
      data from the investigational compound beloranib, for which longer term weight
      loss could be successfully predicted based on early response data. Based on these
      results, the identified strong relationship between treatment-related early and
      longer term weight loss appears to be independent of mechanism of action. Thus,
      findings from this analysis can optimize design of clinical studies and
      facilitate development of new anti-obesity compounds.

PMID- 27277820
TI  - Staged Delayed Sternal Closure Using a Binder Clip After Pediatric Cardiac
      Surgery.
AB  - After pediatric cardiac surgery, patients who undergo delayed sternal closure may
      become hemodynamically unstable. We performed a staged sternal closure technique
      using a binder clip in 31 consecutive patients to minimize cardiopulmonary
      instability. Only one patient (3.2%) died of mediastinitis. Thus, our technique
      may be safe and minimize cardiopulmonary instability. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12767 (J
      Card Surg 2016;31:464-466). 

PMID- 27277821
TI  - Dissociation of NSC606985 induces atypical ER-stress and cell death in prostate
      cancer cells.
AB  - Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a major cause of prostate cancer
      (Pca) death. Chemotherapy is able to improve the survival of CRPC patients. We
      previously found that NSC606985 (NSC), a highly water-soluble camptothecin
      analog, induced cell death in Pca cells via interaction with topoisomerase 1 and
      activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. To further elucidate the role
      of NSC, we studied the effect of NSC on ER-stress and its association with NSC
      induced cell death in Pca cells. NSC produced a time- and dose-dependent
      induction of GRP78, CHOP and XBP1s mRNA, and CHOP protein expression in Pca cells
      including DU145, indicating an activation of ER-stress. However, unlike
      conventional ER-stress in which GRP78 protein is increased, NSC produced a time-
      and dose-dependent U-shape change in GRP78 protein in DU145 cells. The NSC
      induced decrease in GRP78 protein was blocked by protease inhibitors, N-acetyl-L
      leucyl-L-leucylnorleucinal (ALLN), a lysosomal protease inhibitor, and epoxomicin
      (EPO), a ubiquitin-protease inhibitor. ALLN, but not EPO, also partially
      inhibited NSC-induced cell death. However, both 4-PBA and TUDCA, two chemical
      chaperons that effectively reduced tunicamycin-induced ER-stress, failed to
      attenuate NSC-induced GRP78, CHOP and XBP1s mRNA expression and cell death.
      Moreover, knockdown of NSC induction of CHOP expression using a specific siRNA
      had no effect on NSC-induced cytochrome c release and NSC-induced cell death.
      These results suggest that NSC produced an atypical ER-stress that is dissociated
      from NSC-induced activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and NSC
      induced cell death in DU145 prostate cancer cells. 

PMID- 27277822
TI  - [Input of a laboratory in the management of patients with Ebola virus disease and
      in the training of health personnel: experience of the Forecariah Ebola treatment
      centre (Guinea) in 2015].
AB  - Ebola virus disease (EVD) is associated with a high lethality rate even when the
      afflicted are provided with good support in an Ebola treatment center (ETC).
      Basic laboratory tests can help to better understand the pathophysiology of the
      disease, to guide treatment and to establish simple protocols and procedures
      tailored to the practice of medicine in the context of such precarious
      environment for caregivers. Based on a few clinical cases of patients treated in
      the ETC of Forecariah, Guinea, run by the French Red Cross, this article
      describes the difficult conditions associated with the provision of medical
      practice in this challenging environment, aiming to minimize the casualties in
      the EVD patient and to train the health staff.

PMID- 27277823
TI  - A molecular imaging biosensor detects in vivo protein folding and misfolding.
AB  - Aberrant protein folding represents the molecular basis of many important human
      diseases. Although the discovery of new anti-misfolding drugs is a major priority
      in molecular therapeutics, there is currently no generalizable protein folding
      assay for use in cell-based high throughput screening (HTS) of chemical
      libraries, or for in vivo imaging. We molecularly engineered a bioluminescence
      based biosensor composed of rationally split Firefly luciferase reporter
      fragments flanking a test protein, and used this in a protein-fragment
      complementation assay to quantitatively measure folding of the test protein. We
      comprehensively validated this biosensor in vitro, in cells, and by optically
      imaging protein folding and misfolding in living mice using several test proteins
      including enhanced green fluorescent protein, Renilla luciferase, Gaussia
      luciferase, and SIRT1. Applications of this novel biosensor are potentially far
      reaching in both cell-based HTS approaches to discover new anti-misfolding drugs,
      and when using the same biosensor in validation studies of drug candidates in
      small animal models. KEY MESSAGES: Novel anti-misfolding drugs are needed as
      molecular therapeutics for many diseases. We developed first in vivo imaging
      protein folding biosensor to aid drug discovery. Biosensor created by flanking a
      test protein with rationally split Firefly luciferase. Biosensor validated by
      detecting folding of test proteins EGFP, Rluc, Gluc, and SIRT1. Generalizable
      molecular biosensor for translational applications in drug screening.

PMID- 27277825
TI  - A retrospective evaluation of lomustine (CeeNU) in 32 treatment naive cats with
      intermediate to large cell gastrointestinal lymphoma (2006-2013).
AB  - Multi-drug chemotherapy protocols for feline lymphoma have demonstrated variable
      efficacy and tolerability. In phase I trials, lomustine has demonstrated efficacy
      for cats with lymphoma though its use for treatment naive feline
      intermediate/large cell gastrointestinal (GI) lymphoma remains unknown. This
      study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of lomustine for the treatment of
      feline GI lymphoma. Thirty-two cats with histologically or cytologically
      confirmed intermediate/large cell GI lymphoma were evaluated retrospectively.
      Factors assessed included clinical signs, hematologic/biochemical parameters and
      use of l-asparaginase at induction. A response rate of 50% (16/32), with median
      duration of response of 302 days (range 64-1450 days), was found. Median
      progression-free interval was 132 days (range 31-1450 days), with overall median
      survival time of 108 days (range 4-1488 days). History of hyporexia, presence of
      anaemia and dose of lomustine were significantly associated with progression-free
      survival. Overall, lomustine is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for
      feline GI lymphoma.

PMID- 27277824
TI  - Apolipoprotein E: from cardiovascular disease to neurodegenerative disorders.
AB  - Apolipoprotein (apo) E was initially described as a lipid transport protein and
      major ligand for low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors with a role in
      cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular disease. It has since emerged as a
      major risk factor (causative gene) for Alzheimer's disease and other
      neurodegenerative disorders. Detailed understanding of the structural features of
      the three isoforms (apoE2, apoE3, and apoE4), which differ by only a single amino
      acid interchange, has elucidated their unique functions. ApoE2 and apoE4 increase
      the risk for heart disease: apoE2 increases atherogenic lipoprotein levels (it
      binds poorly to LDL receptors), and apoE4 increases LDL levels (it binds
      preferentially to triglyceride-rich, very low density lipoproteins, leading to
      downregulation of LDL receptors). ApoE4 also increases the risk for
      neurodegenerative diseases, decreases their age of onset, or alters their
      progression. ApoE4 likely causes neurodegeneration secondary to its abnormal
      structure, caused by an interaction between its carboxyl- and amino-terminal
      domains, called domain interaction. When neurons are stressed or injured, they
      synthesize apoE to redistribute cholesterol for neuronal repair or remodeling.
      However, because of its altered structure, neuronal apoE4 undergoes neuron
      specific proteolysis, generating neurotoxic fragments (12-29 kDa) that escape the
      secretory pathway and cause mitochondrial dysfunction and cytoskeletal
      alterations, including tau phosphorylation. ApoE4-associated pathology can be
      prevented by small-molecule structure correctors that block domain interaction by
      converting apoE4 to a molecule that resembles apoE3 both structurally and
      functionally. Structure correctors are a potential therapeutic approach to reduce
      apoE4 pathology in both cardiovascular and neurological disorders.

PMID- 27277826
TI  - Structural identification of electron transfer dissociation products in mass
      spectrometry using infrared ion spectroscopy.
AB  - Tandem mass spectrometry occupies a principle place among modern analytical
      methods and drives many developments in the 'omics' sciences. Electron attachment
      induced dissociation methods, as alternatives for collision-induced dissociation
      have profoundly influenced the field of proteomics, enabling among others the top
      down sequencing of entire proteins and the analysis of post-translational
      modifications. The technique, however, produces more complex mass spectra and its
      radical-driven reaction mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here we
      demonstrate the facile structural characterization of electron transfer
      dissociation generated peptide fragments by infrared ion spectroscopy using the
      tunable free-electron laser FELIX, aiding the elucidation of the underlying
      dissociation mechanisms. We apply this method to verify and revise previously
      proposed product ion structures for an often studied model tryptic peptide,
      [AlaAlaHisAlaArg+2H](2+). Comparing experiment with theory reveals that
      structures that would be assigned using only theoretical thermodynamic
      considerations often do not correspond to the experimentally sampled species.

PMID- 27277827
TI  - Longitudinal strain of left ventricular basal segments and E/e' ratio
      differentiate primary cardiac amyloidosis at presentation from hypertensive
      hypertrophy: an automated function imaging study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Longitudinal strain is an early marker of left ventricular (LV)
      dysfunction in several cardiac diseases. Our aim was to differentiate cardiac
      amyloidosis (CA) at diagnosis from hypertensive LV hypertrophy (LVH) by analysis
      of longitudinal myocardial deformation. METHODS: Thirty healthy controls (C), 30
      newly diagnosed, never treated hypertensives with LVH (H-LVH), and 33 patients
      with CA at diagnosis underwent echo Doppler including speckle tracking-based
      automated function imaging (AFI). Averaged peak systolic global longitudinal
      strain (GLS, 18 segments) and basal, middle, and apical longitudinal strain (BLS,
      MLS, and ALS, respectively, six segments each) were calculated. RESULTS: Left
      ventricular mass index, relative wall thickness, and ejection fraction did not
      differ between H-LVH and CA. E/e' ratio was higher in CA than in H-LVH (P<.001)
      and C (P<.0001). GLS was lower in CA than in C (P<.0001), without difference with
      H-LVH. ALS did not differ among the three groups, MLS was significantly lower in
      both CA and H-LVH than in C but BLS was lower in CA compared to both H-LVH and C
      (both P<.0001). In the pooled population, E/e' was independently associated with
      BLS (beta=-0.54, P<.0001). At receiver operating curve analysis, CA was predicted
      by BLS<=-11.3% (sensitivity=63.3%, specificity=100%) and E/e'>=12.3
      (sensitivity=69.7%, specificity=83.3%). The best AUC (=0.819) was obtained by the
      combination E/e'+BLS. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight a real difference of
      E/e' ratio and longitudinal strain of LV basal segments between hypertensive LVH
      and CA, which could be used to differentiate the two diseases.

PMID- 27277829
TI  - L p Regularization for Bioluminescence Tomography Based on the Split Bregman
      Method.
AB  - PURPOSE: Bioluminescence tomography (BLT) is a promising in vivo optical imaging
      technique in preclinical research at cellular and molecular levels. The problem
      of BLT reconstruction is quite ill-posed and ill-conditioned. In order to achieve
      high accuracy and efficiency for its inverse reconstruction, we proposed a novel
      approach based on L p regularization with the Split Bregman method. PROCEDURES:
      The diffusion equation was used as the forward model. Then, we defined the
      objective function of L p regularization and developed a Split Bregman iteration
      algorithm to optimize this function. After that, we conducted numerical
      simulations and in vivo experiments to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of
      the proposed method. RESULTS: The results of the simulations indicated that
      compared with the conjugate gradient and iterative shrinkage methods, the
      proposed method is more accurate and faster for multisource reconstructions.
      Furthermore, in vivo imaging suggested that it could clearly distinguish the
      viable and apoptotic tumor regions. CONCLUSIONS: The Split Bregman iteration
      method is able to minimize the L p regularization problem and achieve fast and
      accurate reconstruction in BLT.

PMID- 27277828
TI  - Pre-clinical Evaluation of a Cyanine-Based SPECT Probe for Multimodal Tumor
      Necrosis Imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recently we showed that a number of carboxylated near-infrared
      fluorescent (NIRF) cyanine dyes possess strong necrosis avid properties in vitro
      as well as in different mouse models of spontaneous and therapy-induced tumor
      necrosis, indicating their potential use for cancer diagnostic- and prognostic
      purposes. In the previous study, the detection of the cyanines was achieved by
      whole body optical imaging, a technique that, due to the limited penetration of
      near-infrared light, is not suitable for investigations deeper than 1 cm within
      the human body. Therefore, in order to facilitate clinical translation, the
      purpose of the present study was to generate a necrosis avid cyanine-based NIRF
      probe that could also be used for single photon emission computed tomography
      (SPECT). For this, the necrosis avid NIRF cyanine HQ4 was radiolabeled with
      111indium, via the chelate diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA).
      PROCEDURES: The necrosis avid properties of the radiotracer [111In]DTPA-HQ4 were
      examined in vitro and in vivo in different breast tumor models in mice using
      SPECT and optical imaging. Moreover, biodistribution studies were performed to
      examine the pharmacokinetics of the probe in vivo. RESULTS: Using optical imaging
      and radioactivity measurements, in vitro, we showed selective accumulation of
      [111In]DTPA-HQ4 in dead cells. Using SPECT and in biodistribution studies, the
      necrosis avidity of the radiotracer was confirmed in a 4T1 mouse breast cancer
      model of spontaneous tumor necrosis and in a MCF-7 human breast cancer model of
      chemotherapy-induced tumor necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The radiotracer [111In]DTPA-HQ4
      possessed strong and selective necrosis avidity in vitro and in various mouse
      models of tumor necrosis in vivo, indicating its potential to be clinically
      applied for diagnostic purposes and to monitor anti-cancer treatment efficacy.

PMID- 27277830
TI  - Hypotension and hypovolemia during hemodialysis: is the usual suspect innocent?
AB  - Hypotension during intermittent hemodialysis is common, and has been attributed
      to acute volume shifts, shifts in osmolarity, electrolyte imbalance, temperature
      changes, altered vasoregulation, and sheer hypovolemia. Although hypovolemia may
      intuitively seem a likely cause for hypotension in intensive care patients, its
      role in the pathogenesis of intradialytic hypotension may be overestimated. 

PMID- 27277831
TI  - Prevalence of Plasmodium spp. in illegal gold miners in French Guiana in 2015: a
      hidden but critical malaria reservoir.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria is endemic in French Guiana, an overseas territory of France
      on the Guiana Shield. Since 2005, notified malaria cases are decreasing. However,
      new data show that malaria affects many Brazilian gold miners working illegally
      in French Guiana, the majority of whom are not counted in official data. In
      addition, one major concern is the usual practice of improper self-treatment in
      this mining population, raising fear of the development of anti-malarial
      resistance. This prospective study, conducted in 2015, aimed to estimate the
      prevalence of Plasmodium spp. in illegal gold miners working in French Guiana.
      METHODS: The recruitment of gold miners was carried out in resting sites along
      the French Guiana-Suriname border, where they go for supplies, medical care or
      leisure. After recording agreement, three malaria diagnostic methods were
      performed: rapid diagnostic test, microscopy and PCR. RESULTS: Among 421 persons
      recruited in the study, malaria prevalence, detected by nested-PCR, was 22.3 %
      (CI [18.3-26.3], n = 94/421) of which 84 % were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: This
      significant malaria reservoir in a mobile and illegal population with difficult
      access to a health care system raises the threat of artemisinin resistance and
      puts the population of the Guiana Shield at risk of new transmission foci while
      countries of the region aim at malaria elimination. Even though French
      legislation may hamper dealing with this population, France must face the reality
      of malaria in illegal gold miners in order to meet its commitment to malaria
      elimination.

PMID- 27277832
TI  - In situ starch and crude protein degradation in the rumen and in vitro gas
      production kinetics of wheat genotypes.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine the variation of in situ ruminal
      degradation characteristics of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and starch
      (ST), and to determine the effective degradation (ED) of wheat genotypes.
      Further, multivariate associations of these in situ values with their
      corresponding in vitro gas production (GP) kinetics and laboratory measurements
      were evaluated using correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. Grains
      of 20 genotypes of wheat were characterized by proximate constituents, amino acid
      (AA) composition and physical characteristics. Ruminal degradation kinetics were
      determined by in situ degradation of DM, CP and ST, and subsequent evaluation of
      in vitro GP relative to time courses. In situ and GP measurements were fitted to
      an exponential equation, and ED was calculated using passage rates in the rumen
      of 5%/h (ED5) and 8%/h (ED8). To predict ED8 of CP (EDCP8) and ST (EDST8),
      correlations were evaluated and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were
      applied. Estimated degradation parameters varied considerably between wheat
      genotypes irrespective of the nutrient tested. Variance in a, b and c was not
      reflected in the variation of the ED, due to high degradation rates (c). The
      assumed passage rate also impacted estimation of the ED minimally. Estimated GP
      parameters varied only slightly among wheat genotypes. Nevertheless, regression
      models explained up to 80 and 99% of the variance in EDCP8 and EDST8,
      respectively, and associations between EDST8 and EDCP8 and chemical and physical
      characteristics of grains were detected. As ST is the primary nutrient in wheat
      grains and can comprise substantial portions of dairy rations, the total amount
      of ST as well as its ED in the rumen should be taken into account when wheat is
      incorporated into dairy rations. Conversely, variance in wheat grain CP
      degradation was very low and can largely be neglected in practical ration
      formulation for ruminants.

PMID- 27277834
TI  - Constraints on mountain building in the northeastern Tibet: Detrital zircon
      records from synorogenic deposits in the Yumen Basin.
AB  - The Cenozoic basins and ranges form the high topography of the northeastern Tibet
      that resulted from the India-Eurasia collision. Sedimentary rocks in the basins
      provide direct insight into the exhumation history of the ranges and the tectonic
      processes that led to the northeastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau. In this
      study, we analyzed and compared detrital zircon U-Pb ages from sands of modern
      rivers draining the Bei Shan, and North Qilian Shan and sandstones from the Yumen
      Basin. The zircon age distributions indicate that the strata dated to 24.2-16.7
      Ma in the basin were derived from the Bei Shan, and the basin provenance changed
      rapidly to the North Qilian Shan terrane at ~16 Ma. These results suggest that an
      early stage of deformation along the Bei Shan at ~24 Ma was replaced by the
      growth of the North Qilian Shan at ~16 Ma. We conclude that the far-field effect
      associated with the Indo-Asian collision may result from Oligocene deformation in
      the Bei Shan, but the emergence of the North Qilian Shan at ~16 Ma could reflect
      the most recent outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau that may have been caused
      by the removal of some lithospheric mantle beneath central Tibet.

PMID- 27277833
TI  - Mechanisms of brief contact interventions in clinical populations: a systematic
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Brief Contact Interventions (BCIs) have been of increasing interest
      to suicide prevention clinicians, researchers and policy makers. However, there
      has been no systematic assessment into the mechanisms underpinning BCIs. The aim
      of the current paper is to provide a systematic review of the proposed mechanisms
      underpinning BCIs across trial studies. METHOD: A systematic review was conducted
      of trials using BCIs (post-discharge telephone contacts; emergency or crisis
      cards; and postcard or letter contacts) for suicide or self-harm. Following
      PRISMA guidelines, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the reference lists
      of all past reviews in the area. Secondary searches of reference lists were
      undertaken. RESULTS: Sixteen papers provided a description of possible mechanisms
      which we grouped into three main areas: social support; suicide prevention
      literacy, and; learning alternative coping behaviours. After assessment of the
      studies and considering the plausibility of mechanisms, we suggest social support
      and improved suicide prevention literacy are the most likely mechanisms
      underpinning BCIs. CONCLUSION: Researchers need to better articulate and measure
      the mechanisms they believe underpin BCIs in trial studies. Understanding more
      about the mechanisms of BCIs' will inform the development of future interventions
      for self-harm and suicide.

PMID- 27277835
TI  - Regulation of the RhoA/ROCK/AKT/beta-catenin pathway by arginine-specific ADP
      ribosytransferases 1 promotes migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in
      colon carcinoma.
AB  - Arginine-specific ADP-ribosytransferases 1 (ART1) is able to modify the arginine
      of specific proteins by mono-ADP-ribosylation. We previously reported that the
      expression of ART1 in human colon adenocarcinoma tissues was higher than in
      adjacent tissues. Herein, we primarily revealed that ART1 could regulate the
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and, therefore, the development of colon
      carcinoma. In CT26 cells, which overexpressed ART1 by lentiviral transfection,
      the following were promoted: alterations of spindle-like non-polarization,
      expression of EMT inducers and mesenchymal markers, migration, invasion and
      adhesion. However, epithelial marker expression was decreased. Correspondingly,
      knockdown of ART1 in CT26 cells had the opposite effects. The effect of ART1 on
      EMT and carcinoma metastasis was also verified in a liver metastasis model of
      BALB/c mice. To further explore the molecular mechanism of ART1 in EMT, CT26
      cells were treated with several specific inhibitors and gene silencing. Our data
      suggest that ART1 could regulate EMT by regulating the RhoA/ROCK1/AKT/beta
      catenin pathway and its downstream factors (snail1, vimentin, N-cadherin and E
      cadherin) and that it therefore plays an important role in the progression of
      colon carcinoma. 

PMID- 27277837
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27277836
TI  - Normalization of network connectivity in hemispatial neglect recovery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We recently reported that spatial and nonspatial attention deficits in
      stroke patients with hemispatial neglect are correlated at 2 weeks postonset with
      widespread alterations of interhemispheric and intrahemispheric functional
      connectivity (FC) measured with resting-state functional magnetic resonance
      imaging across multiple brain networks. The mechanisms underlying neglect
      recovery are largely unknown. In this study, we test the hypothesis that recovery
      of hemispatial neglect correlates with a return of network connectivity toward a
      normal pattern, herein defined as "network normalization." METHODS: We measured
      attention deficits with a neuropsychological battery and FC in a large cohort of
      stroke patients at, on average, 2 weeks (n = 99), 3 months (n = 77), and 12
      months (n = 64) postonset. The relationship between behavioral improvement and
      changes in FC was analyzed both in terms of a priori regions and networks known
      to be abnormal subacutely and in a data-driven manner. RESULTS: Attention deficit
      recovery was mostly complete by 3 months and was significantly correlated with a
      normalization of abnormal FC across many networks. Improvement of attention
      deficits, independent of initial severity, was correlated with improvements of
      previously depressed interhemispheric FC across attention, sensory, and motor
      networks, and a restoration of the normal anticorrelation between dorsal
      attention/motor regions and default-mode/frontoparietal regions, particularly in
      the damaged hemisphere. INTERPRETATION: These results demonstrate that abnormal
      network connectivity in hemispatial neglect is behaviorally relevant. A return
      toward normal network interactions, and presumably optimal information
      processing, is therefore a systems-level mechanism that is associated with
      improvements of attention over time after focal injury. Ann Neurol 2016;80:127
      141.

PMID- 27277838
TI  - 'Just wait then and see what he does': a speech act analysis of healthcare
      professionals' interaction coaching with parents of children with autism spectrum
      disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is evidence indicating that parent training programmes
      including interaction coaching of parents of children with autism spectrum
      disorders (ASD) can increase parental responsiveness, promote language
      development and social interaction skills in children with ASD. However, there is
      a lack of research exploring precisely how healthcare professionals use language
      in interaction coaching. AIMS: To identify the speech acts of healthcare
      professionals during individual video-recorded interaction coaching sessions of a
      Hanen-influenced parent training programme with parents of children with ASD.
      METHODS & PROCEDURES: This retrospective study used speech act analysis.
      Healthcare professional participants included two speech-language therapists and
      one occupational therapist. Sixteen videos were transcribed and a speech act
      analysis was conducted to identify the form and functions of the language used by
      the healthcare professionals. Descriptive statistics provided frequencies and
      percentages for the different speech acts used across the 16 videos. OUTCOMES &
      RESULTS: Six types of speech acts used by the healthcare professionals during
      coaching sessions were identified. These speech acts were, in order of frequency:
      Instructing, Modelling, Suggesting, Commanding, Commending and Affirming. The
      healthcare professionals were found to tailor their interaction coaching to the
      learning needs of the parents. A pattern was observed in which more direct speech
      acts were used in instances where indirect speech acts did not achieve the
      intended response. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The study provides an insight into
      the nature of interaction coaching provided by healthcare professionals during a
      parent training programme. It identifies the types of language used during
      interaction coaching. It also highlights additional important aspects of
      interaction coaching such as the ability of healthcare professionals to adjust
      the directness of the coaching in order to achieve the intended parental response
      to the child's interaction. The findings may be used to increase the awareness of
      healthcare professionals about the types of speech acts used during interaction
      coaching as well as the manner in which coaching sessions are conducted.

PMID- 27277841
TI  - Program Abstracts: American Headache Society(r) 58th Annual Scientific Meeting.

PMID- 27277840
TI  - Cardiac masses and tumours.

PMID- 27277843
TI  - (68)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer: How we review and
      report.
AB  - Recently, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using PSMA-ligands has
      gained high attention as a promising new radiotracer in patients with prostate
      cancer (PC). Several studies promise accurate staging of primary prostate cancer
      and restaging after biochemical recurrence with (68)Ga-PSMA ligand Positron
      emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). However, prospective trials and
      clinical guidelines for this new technique are still missing. Therefore, we
      summarized our experience with (68)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT examinations in patients
      with primary PC and biochemical recurrence. It focuses on the technical and
      logistical aspects of (68)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT examination as well as on the
      specific background for image reading discussing also potential pitfalls.
      Further, it includes relevant issues on free-text as well as structured reporting
      used in daily clinical routine. 

PMID- 27277839
TI  - HIV-Tat immunization induces cross-clade neutralizing antibodies and CD4(+) T
      cell increases in antiretroviral-treated South African volunteers: a randomized
      phase II clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has saved millions of
      lives, it is incapable of full immune reconstitution and virus eradication. The
      transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein is a key human immunodeficiency
      virus (HIV) virulence factor required for virus replication and transmission. Tat
      is expressed and released extracellularly by infected cells also under cART and
      in this form induces immune dysregulation, and promotes virus reactivation, entry
      and spreading. Of note, anti-Tat antibodies are rare in natural infection and,
      when present, correlate with asymptomatic state and reduced disease progression.
      This suggested that induction of anti-Tat antibodies represents a pathogenesis
      driven intervention to block progression and to intensify cART. Indeed Tat-based
      vaccination was safe, immunogenic and capable of immune restoration in an open
      label, randomized phase II clinical trial conducted in 168 cART-treated
      volunteers in Italy. To assess whether B-clade Tat immunization would be
      effective also in patients with different genetic background and infecting virus,
      a phase II trial was conducted in South Africa. METHODS: The ISS T-003 was a 48
      week randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate
      immunogenicity (primary endpoint) and safety (secondary endpoint) of B-clade Tat
      (30 MUg) given intradermally, three times at 4-week intervals, in 200 HIV
      infected adults on effective cART (randomised 1:1) with CD4(+) T-cell counts
      >=200 cells/uL. Study outcomes also included cross-clade anti-Tat antibodies,
      neutralization, CD4(+) T-cell counts and therapy compliance. RESULTS:
      Immunization was safe and well-tolerated and induced durable, high titers anti
      Tat B-clade antibodies in 97 % vaccinees. Anti-Tat antibodies were cross-clade
      (all vaccinees tested) and neutralized Tat-mediated entry of oligomeric B-clade
      and C-clade envelope in dendritic cells (24 participants tested). Anti-Tat
      antibody titers correlated positively with neutralization. Tat vaccination
      increased CD4(+) T-cell numbers (all participants tested), particularly when
      baseline levels were still low after years of therapy, and this had a positive
      correlation with HIV neutralization. Finally, in cART non-compliant patients (24
      participants), vaccination contained viral load rebound and maintained CD4(+) T
      cell numbers over study entry levels as compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: The
      data indicate that Tat vaccination can restore the immune system and induces
      cross-clade neutralizing anti-Tat antibodies in patients with different genetic
      backgrounds and infecting viruses, supporting the conduct of phase III studies in
      South Africa. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01513135, 01/23/2012.

PMID- 27277844
TI  - Tanshinone IIA decreases the protein expression of EGFR, and IGFR blocking the
      PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in gastric carcinoma AGS cells both in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Tan-IIA exerts powerful inhibitory effects in gastric cancer AGS cells. The
      PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is one of the most frequently dysregulated kinase cascades
      in human cancer. In the present study, we investigated the protein expression
      levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR in AGS cells treated with Tan-IIA both in vitro and
      in vivo. The AGS cells were treated with Tan-IIA for different durations in
      vitro. In the in vivo study, AGS cell xerograft SCID mice were treated with Tan
      IIA for 8 weeks. Subsequently, the protein expression of EGFR, IGFR, PI3K, AKT
      and mTOR was measured by western blotting. The results showed that Tan-IIA was
      able to decrease the protein expression levels of EGFR, IGFR, PI3K, AKT and mTOR
      significantly and dose-dependently in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, these
      findings indicate Tan-IIA could inhibit AGS cells through decreasing the protein
      expression of EGFR, IGFR and blocking PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway both in vitro and in
      vivo. 

PMID- 27277845
TI  - Chronic Kidney Disease Alters Vitamin A Homeostasis via Effects on Hepatic RBP4
      Protein Expression and Metabolic Enzymes.
AB  - Vitamin A, via retinoic acid (RA), is a critical micronutrient. Normally, plasma
      concentrations are tightly regulated. Concentrations of vitamin A metabolites
      (13cis-RA, atRA) and relationships between RBP4 and retinoids have never been
      fully evaluated in adult patients with CKD. We measured retinoid and RBP4
      concentrations in plasma and urine from 55 adult patients with CKD and 21 matched
      healthy subjects. RBP4 and retinol levels were increased approximately twofold in
      patients with CKD, with a negative correlation between plasma retinol and eGFR (p
      = 0.006) and plasma RBP4 and eGFR (p = 0.0007). RBP4 renal clearance was higher
      in patients with CKD than healthy subjects but not associated with eGFR.
      Circulating concentrations of atRA increased and concentrations of 13cis-RA
      decreased in subjects with CKD with no change in RA-to-retinol ratio. Increases
      in circulating retinol, RBP4, and atRA may be due to increased hepatic RBP4
      synthesis, retinyl ester hydrolysis, and/or hepatic secretion of RBP4-retinol.

PMID- 27277846
TI  - Inflammatory Markers of CRP, IL6, TNFalpha, and Soluble TNFR2 and the Risk of
      Ovarian Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There has been growing evidence showing that inflammatory markers
      play an important role in the development of ovarian cancer. We conducted a meta
      analysis on the associations between circulating levels of C-reactive protein
      (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and soluble
      TNFalpha receptor 2 (TNFR2), and the risk of ovarian cancer. METHODS: A
      systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE up until January 19, 2016 was conducted to
      retrieve prospective studies. The summary risk estimates were pooled using random
      effects models. The dose-response relationship was assessed using generalized
      least-squares trend estimation. RESULTS: Seven nested case-control studies and
      one prospective cohort study were included in the review. For circulating CRP,
      women in the highest category had a significantly increased risk of ovarian
      cancer than women in the lowest category, with no significant between-study
      heterogeneity [pooled relative risk (RR) = 1.91; 95% confidence intervals (CI)
      1.51-2.40; P < 0.001; I(2) = 0.0%]. Influence analyses further supported this
      positive association. A positive dose-response relationship was also observed
      (pooled RR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.03-1.30 per 5 mg/L of CRP). Publication bias was
      found. However, the association persisted after correction using the trim-and
      fill method. No significant association was observed for circulating IL6,
      TNFalpha, and soluble TNFR2. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides evidence
      that elevated levels of CRP, but not circulating IL6, TNFalpha, or soluble TNFR2,
      are significantly associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. IMPACT:
      These results suggest that circulating CRP may play a role in the etiology of
      ovarian cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(8); 1231-9. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27277848
TI  - Screening ultrasonic examination.

PMID- 27277847
TI  - Bias Explains Most of the Parent-of-Origin Effect on Breast Cancer Risk in
      BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Paternal transmission of a BRCA mutation has been reported to
      increase the risk of breast cancer in offspring more than when the mutation is
      maternally inherited. As this effect might be caused by referral bias, the aim of
      this study was to assess the parent-of-origin effect of the BRCA1/2 mutation on
      the breast cancer lifetime risk, when adjusted for referral bias. METHODS: A
      Dutch national cohort including 1,314 proven BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and
      covering 54,752 person years. Data were collected by family cancer clinics, via
      questionnaires and from the national Dutch Cancer Registry. The parent-of-origin
      effect was assessed using Cox regression analyses, both unadjusted and adjusted
      for referral bias. Referral bias was operationalized by number of relatives with
      cancer and by personal cancer history. RESULTS: The mutation was of paternal
      origin in 330 (42%, P < 0.001) BRCA1 and 222 (42%, P < 0.001) BRCA2 carriers.
      Paternal origin increased the risk of prevalent breast cancer for BRCA1 [HR,
      1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-2.00] and BRCA2 carriers (HR, 1.40; 95%
      CI, 0.95-2.06). Adjusted for referral bias by several family history factors,
      these HRs ranged from 1.41 to 1.83 in BRCA1 carriers and 1.27 to 1.62 in BRCA2
      carriers. Adjusted for referral bias by personal history, these HRs were 0.66
      (95% CI, 0.25-1.71) and 1.14 (95% CI, 0.42-3.15), respectively. CONCLUSION: A
      parent-of-origin effect is present after correction for referral bias by family
      history, but correction for the personal cancer history made the effect
      disappear. IMPACT: There is no conclusive evidence regarding incorporating a
      BRCA1/2 parent-of-origin effect in breast cancer risk prediction models. Cancer
      Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(8); 1251-8. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27277849
TI  - Ultrasound-mediated gene transfection: problems to be solved and future
      possibilities.
AB  - Together, the human genome project and advances in molecular biology have led to
      identification of many genes, some useful in the field of medicine. Gene therapy
      has opened a potentially new therapeutic avenue for managing an array of
      complicated diseases. One of the more critical areas of gene therapy is the
      design of an appropriate, accurate, and effective gene transfer system that can
      be safely applied in vivo. Because no known system meets all the requirements for
      clinical use, a better, more versatile method of gene transfer is desired.
      Ultrasound-mediated transfection (USMT) could serve as a potential site-specific
      gene transfer modality. Although no actual mechanism has yet been thoroughly
      described, we focus on the principles of USMT, discuss the use of microbubbles as
      a gene-transfer mechanism, and summarize preliminary in vivo experiments using
      microbubbles as vectors. Although the published data suggest the promise of this
      method, extensive improvement in USMT remains essential. Reassuringly, recent
      success in USMT research has positioned ultrasound as a highly safe modality for
      gene transfer. 

PMID- 27277850
TI  - Measurement of nonlinear property of artery wall using remote cyclic actuation.
AB  - PURPOSE: For tissue characterization of the arterial wall, we developed a "phased
      tracking" method to measure the strain (change in wall thickness) and elasticity
      of the arterial wall. To improve the accuracy of tissue characterization, we are
      now attempting to measure other mechanical properties in addition to elasticity.
      METHODS: In this study, the change in elasticity during the cardiac diastole was
      measured with ultrasound by generating a change in internal pressure using remote
      cyclic actuation. RESULTS: From the measured change in elasticity during cardiac
      diastole, the nonlinear property in the stress-strain relationship of the artery
      wall was estimated. In basic experiments using a silicone rubber tube and in vivo
      experiments in human carotid arteries. CONCLUSION: The proposal method enables
      the noninvasive measurement of the nonlinear mechanical property in addition to
      the elasticity of the arterial wall.

PMID- 27277851
TI  - New method of sentinel node detection using a combination of contrast-enhanced
      ultrasound and dye guidance: an animal study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether a combination of contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      guided methods and dye-guided methods can identify sentinel lymph nodes in
      animals. METHODS: Seven pigs were put under general anesthesia and injected
      subcutaneously in the neck: three with 2 ml saline and four with 2 ml fluid
      comprising 0.4 ml 5% patent blue violet solution and 1.6 ml of hydroxyethylated
      starch (Salinhes) solution (PB + HS). The regional lymph nodes were observed by
      ultrasound; blue-stained regional lymph nodes found after the skin was cut were
      situated as ultrasound had shown they would be. RESULTS: The regional lymph nodes
      of the pigs given saline were unchanged, but in the pigs receiving PB + HS, the
      echo level in the lymph nodes nearest the injection site was altered, producing a
      clear contrast with the surrounding tissues. The area of the relevant regional
      lymph node in each PB + HS-injected pig increased significantly (t-test, P <
      0.01; from 25.7, 39.6, 9.36, 70.2 mm(2), and mean, 36.2 mm(2); to 50.7, 65.5,
      21.1, 98.3 mm(2), and mean, 58.9 mm(2), respectively). These enlarged regional
      lymph nodes were easily found by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. When excised
      under ultrasound guidance, all were stained blue, indicating that they were
      sentinel lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that this combination of
      contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided and dye-guided methods warrants use as a
      quick, simple procedure for detecting sentinel lymph nodes.

PMID- 27277852
TI  - A case with diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid:
      characteristic features on ultrasonography.
AB  - We describe the case of a patient who had a diffuse sclerosing variant of
      papillary carcinoma of the thyroid with characteristic features on
      ultrasonography. Most papillary thyroid carcinomas can be easily recognized and
      diagnosed by ultrasonography. The thyroid carcinoma in this patient, however,
      showed diffuse enlargement of the thyroid without formation of any masses, and it
      had hypoechoic and heterogeneous internal echoes, which contained fine and
      multiple high-echo spots. Multiple lymph nodes were found to be swollen in the
      bilateral jugular chains on B-mode ultrasonography. It is very important that
      this type of papillary carcinoma with characteristic clinical features be
      detected by careful examination. 

PMID- 27277853
TI  - Development of severe string sign in internal thoracic arterial graft during
      first month.
AB  - In the present case, development of the string sign in an internal thoracic
      arterial graft was observed using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.
      Following surgery, the diameter of the internal thoracic graft decreased;
      however, the diameter of the left anterior descending coronary artery did not
      change from 1.9 mm. Further, the flow velocity in the internal thoracic artery
      during the systolic phase became greater than that in the early phase and then
      decreased on postoperative day 19, and it was not detected on postoperative day
      31. Coronary arteriography performed on postoperative day 31 revealed a severely
      stringed internal thoracic artery. 

PMID- 27277855
TI  - Isolated liver metastasis from a renal cell carcinoma 12 years after nephrectomy:
      report of a case and literature review.
AB  - We present a rare case of isolated liver metastasis from renal cell carcinoma 12
      years after complete resection of the primary site. Such abnormal behavior of
      renal cell carcinoma has been reported elsewhere in the literature; thus, careful
      long-term surveillance should be performed in patients with a past history of
      renal cell carcinoma, even after radical resection of the primary site. We
      present also contrast-enhanced sonographic findings for this case. 

PMID- 27277854
TI  - Marked change in Doppler waveform: report of two cases of subcutaneous hematoma.
AB  - We present two cases of subcutaneous hematoma in which color Doppler US revealed
      colored areas under probe compression, and Doppler waveforms obtained from these
      areas changed rapidly (from a constant flow to a pulsatile flow, and from a high
      velocity flow to a slow-velocity flow) according to the degree of probe
      compression. In our cases, a sufficient number of blood cells within the lesion
      moving under probe compression was thought to give rise to Doppler signals and
      changes in Doppler waveforms. 

PMID- 27277856
TI  - Inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen: report of a case with emphasis on
      contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings.
AB  - Splenic inflammatory pseudotumor is a rare pathology, and the literature stresses
      the difficulty of preoperative diagnosis. There are no previous reports of
      contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings for this tumor in the literature. Our case
      appears to be the first to be examined using this technique. In our case,
      contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed the mass to be homogeneously and less
      enhanced than the surrounding parenchyma in all phases, and it included fine
      enhanced spots. We also briefly review the literature. 

PMID- 27277857
TI  - Portal-systemic shunt through the right renal vein developing following portal
      tumor thrombus.
AB  - Despite the semi-routine use of color Doppler sonography for evaluating portal
      circulation abnormalities, there is a relative paucity of information on portal
      systemic (P-S) shunt through the right renal vein (P-SR shunt). We report such a
      case. The patient was a 60-year-old woman with hepatocellular carcinoma on liver
      cirrhosis. Serial sonography showed an aggravation in findings; an increase in
      the size of the tumor was followed by formation of a portal tumor thrombus, and
      then occurrence of a P-SR shunt. We present this case, with a comparison between
      the patient's clinical course and the color Doppler results. To our knowledge,
      this is the first report to make such a comparison in a P-SR shunt case. We also
      briefly review the literature. 

PMID- 27277858
TI  - Ultrasonographic findings for ovarian teratoma.

PMID- 27277859
TI  - Gallbladder varices.

PMID- 27277860
TI  - Peritoneal loose body.

PMID- 27277861
TI  - Guidelines for image presentation and measurement of the ophthalmic region
      (proposal).

PMID- 27277862
TI  - Polyomavirus BK Induces Inflammation via Up-regulation of CXCL10 at Translation
      Levels in Renal Transplant Patients with Nephropathy.
AB  - Polyomavirus BK-associated nephropathy (BKAN) is an important mechanism for renal
      losing after kidney transplantation. It seems that Polyomavirus BK can induce
      nephropathy by direct cell lysis and stimulation of the immune system and
      induction of inflammation. CXCL10 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which stimulates
      the migration and activation of immune cells to the infected sites. Therefore,
      the aim of the current study was to evaluate the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein
      levels of CXCL10 in the Polyomavirus BK-infected and Polyomavirus BK-non-infected
      post renal transplanted nephropathic patients in comparison to healthy controls.
      In this cross-sectional study, Polyomavirus BK-infected post renal transplanted
      nephropathic patients, Polyomavirus BK-non-infected post renal transplanted
      nephropathic patients, and healthy controls were enrolled to evaluate mRNA and
      protein levels of CXCL10 by real-time PCR and ELISA techniques, respectively.
      mRNA levels of CXCL10 were not significantly different among participants, while
      serum levels of CXCL10 were significantly elevated in the Polyomavirus BK
      infected patients when compared to non-infected patients as well as controls and
      in non-infected patients when compared to healthy controls. Due to the results,
      it seems that Polyomavirus BK may potentially induce renal losing through
      stimulation of inflammation via increasing translation of CXCL10, as a pro
      inflammatory chemokine. 

PMID- 27277863
TI  - Genome-wide analysis for identification of adaptive diversification between
      hepatitis C virus subtypes 1a and 1b.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease and has been estimated
      to infect approximately 2%-3% of the world's population. HCV genotype 1 is the
      subject of intense research and clinical investigations because of its worldwide
      prevalence and poor access to treatment for patients in developing countries and
      marginalized populations. The predominant subtypes 1a and 1b of HCV genotype 1
      present considerable differences in epidemiological features. However, the
      genetic signature underlying such phenotypic functional divergence is still an
      open question. Here, we performed a genome-wide evolutionary study on HCV
      subtypes 1a and 1b. The results show that adaptive selection has driven the
      diversification between these subtypes. Furthermore, the major adaptive
      divergence-related changes have occurred on proteins E1, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B.
      Structurally, a number of adaptively selected sites cluster in functional regions
      potentially relevant to (i) membrane attachment and (ii) the interactions with
      viral and host cell factors and the genome template. These results might provide
      helpful hints about the molecular determinants of epidemiological divergence
      between HCV 1a and 1b. 

PMID- 27277864
TI  - Erratum to: Patterns and correlates of accelerometer-assessed physical activity
      and sedentary time among colon cancer survivors.

PMID- 27277865
TI  - Erratum to: Variants of EVER1 and EVER2 (TMC6 and TMC8) and human papillomavirus
      status in patients with mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

PMID- 27277866
TI  - Emotion regulation involves both model-based and model-free processes.

PMID- 27277869
TI  - Learning and memory: Once upon a recent time.

PMID- 27277870
TI  - Classifying emotion regulation strategies.

PMID- 27277868
TI  - Time to connect: bringing social context into addiction neuroscience.
AB  - Research on the neural substrates of drug reward, withdrawal and relapse has yet
      to be translated into significant advances in the treatment of addiction. One
      potential reason is that this research has not captured a common feature of human
      addiction: progressive social exclusion and marginalization. We propose that
      research aimed at understanding the neural mechanisms that link these processes
      to drug seeking and drug taking would help to make addiction neuroscience
      research more clinically relevant.

PMID- 27277871
TI  - Metabolism and bioactivation of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline in
      human liver microsomes and human urine.
AB  - AIM: Amitriptyline is a widely used tricyclic antidepressant, but the metabolic
      studies were conducted almost 20 years ago using high-performance liquid
      chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detector or radiolabeled methods.
      RESULTS: First, multiple ion monitoring (MIM)- enhanced product ion (EPI) scan
      was used to obtain the diagnostic ions or neutral losses in human liver microsome
      incubations with amitriptyline. Subsequently, predicted multiple reaction
      monitoring (MRM)-EPI scan was used to identify the metabolites in human urine
      with the diagnostic ions or neutral losses. Finally, product ion filtering and
      neutral loss filtering were used as the data mining tools to screen metabolites.
      Consequently, a total of 28 metabolites were identified in human urine after an
      oral administration using LC-MS/MS. CONCLUSION: An integrated workflow using LC
      MS/MS was developed to comprehensively profile the metabolites of amitriptyline
      in human urine, in which five N-acetyl-l-cysteine conjugates were characterized
      as tentative biomarkers for idiosyncratic toxicity.

PMID- 27277872
TI  - Salvia divinorum: toxicological aspects and analysis in human biological
      specimens.
AB  - The identification and quantitation of the main psychoactive component of Salvia
      divinorum (salvinorin A) in biological specimens are crucial in forensic and
      clinical toxicology. Despite all the efforts made, its uncontrolled abuse has
      increased quickly, exposing its users' health to serious risks both in the short
      and long term. The use of alternative biological matrices in toxicological
      analyzes can be advantageous as complementary postmortem samples, or in
      situations when neither blood nor urine can be collected; they may be useful
      tools in those determinations, providing important information about prior
      exposure. The aim of this article is to present a brief summary of legal aspects
      of Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A, including the methods used for the
      determination of the latter in biological matrices. 

PMID- 27277867
TI  - Integrating neuroimmune systems in the neurobiology of depression.
AB  - Data from clinical and preclinical studies indicate that immune dysregulation,
      specifically of inflammatory processes, is associated with symptoms of major
      depressive disorder (MDD). In particular, increased levels of circulating pro
      inflammatory cytokines and concomitant activation of brain-resident microglia can
      lead to depressive behavioural symptoms. Repeated exposure to psychological
      stress has a profound impact on peripheral immune responses and perturbs the
      function of brain microglia, which may contribute to neurobiological changes
      underlying MDD. Here, we review these findings and discuss ongoing studies
      examining neuroimmune mechanisms that influence neuronal activity as well as
      synaptic plasticity. Interventions targeting immune-related cellular and
      molecular pathways may benefit subsets of MDD patients with immune dysregulation.

PMID- 27277873
TI  - Adaptation of hybrid immunoaffinity LC-MS methods for protein bioanalysis in a
      Contract Research Organization.

PMID- 27277874
TI  - Quantification of 18 amino acids in human plasma: application in renal transplant
      patient plasma by targeted UHPLC-MS/MS.
AB  - AIM: Quantification of amino acids in human plasma has become an important and
      essential analysis parameter in life science. In this paper, we developed a
      targeted UHPLC-MS/MS method for 18 amino acids in the renal transplant patients.
      METHODS & RESULTS: Plasma in small volume (150 MUl) was pretreated by a one-step
      protein precipitant extraction for analysis. Detection was executed by MS/MS in
      the MRM mode. Assays were validated according to current bioanalytical
      guidelines, with good linearity (R > 0.99), intraday and interday precision (CV <
      11.6%, RE <= +/- 14.8%), extraction recovery (between 77.4 and 117.6%), matrix
      effect (73.3-118.0%) and stability (RE<= +/-14.7%). CONCLUSION: The method was
      successfully applicable for amino acid analysis in the renal transplant patient.

PMID- 27277875
TI  - Real-time monitoring of exhaled volatiles using atmospheric pressure chemical
      ionization on a compact mass spectrometer.
AB  - AIM: Breath analyses have potential to detect early signs of disease onset.
      Ambient ionization allows direct combination of breath gases with MS for fast, on
      line analysis. Portable MS systems would facilitate field/clinic-based breath
      analyses. Results & methodology: Volunteers ingested peppermint oil capsules and
      exhaled volatile compounds were monitored over 10 h using a compact mass
      spectrometer. A rise and fall in exhaled menthone was observed, peaking at 60-120
      min. Real-time analysis showed a gradual rise in exhaled menthone postingestion.
      Sensitivity was comparable to established methods, with detection in the parts
      per trillion range. CONCLUSION: Breath volatiles were readily analyzed on a
      portable mass spectrometer through a simple inlet modification. Induced changes
      in exhaled profiles were detectable with high sensitivity and measurable in real
      time.

PMID- 27277876
TI  - Bioanalytical method transfer considerations of chromatographic-based assays.
AB  - Bioanalysis is an important part of the modern drug development process. The
      business practice of outsourcing and transferring bioanalytical methods from
      laboratory to laboratory has increasingly become a crucial strategy for
      successful and efficient delivery of therapies to the market. This chapter
      discusses important considerations when transferring various types of
      chromatographic-based assays in today's pharmaceutical research and development
      environment. 

PMID- 27277878
TI  - Squeezing more value from the analytes we have: personal baselines for multiple
      analytes in serial DBS.

PMID- 27277877
TI  - Development and validation of a UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous
      determination of paritaprevir and ritonavir in rat liver.
AB  - AIM: Determination of paritaprevir and ritonavir in rat liver tissue samples.
      RESULTS: We successfully validated a UPLC-MS/MS method to measure paritaprevir
      and ritonavir in rat liver using deuterated internal standards (d8-paritapervir
      and d6-ritonavir). The method is linear from 20 to 20,000 and 5 to 10,000 pg on
      column for paritaprevir and ritonavir, respectively, and is normalized per
      milligram tissue. Interday and intraday variability ranged from 0.591 to 5.33%
      and accuracy ranged from -6.68 to 10.1% for quality control samples. The method
      was then applied to the measurement of paritaprevir and ritonavir in rat liver
      tissue samples from a pilot study. CONCLUSION: The validated method is suitable
      for measurement of paritaprevir and ritonavir within rat liver tissue samples for
      PK studies.

PMID- 27277880
TI  - Ultrasound and its psychological effects.

PMID- 27277879
TI  - Antibody-drug conjugate bioanalysis using LB-LC-MS/MS hybrid assays: strategies,
      methodology and correlation to ligand-binding assays.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are complex drug constructs with
      multiple species in the heterogeneous mixture that contribute to their efficacy
      and toxicity. The bioanalysis of ADCs involves multiple assays and analytical
      platforms. METHODS: A series of ligand binding and LC-MS/MS (LB-LC-MS/MS) hybrid
      assays, through different combinations of anti-idiotype (anti-Id), anti-payload,
      or generic capture reagents, and cathepsin-B or trypsin enzyme digestion, were
      developed and evaluated for the analysis of conjugated-payload as well as for
      species traditionally measured by ligand-binding assays, total-antibody and
      conjugated-antibody. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Hybrid assays are complementary or
      viable alternatives to ligand-binding assay for ADC bioanalysis and PK/PD
      modeling. The fit-for-purpose choice of analytes, assays and platforms and an
      integrated strategy from Discovery to Development for ADC PK and bioanalysis are
      recommended.

PMID- 27277881
TI  - Arterial blood flow occlusion by high intensity focused ultrasound and histologic
      evaluation of its effect on arteries and surrounding tissues.
AB  - High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been used in a number of clinical
      studies. High intensity focused ultrasound could become the minimally invasive
      tumor therapy of choice if it could be used to occlude the feeding arteries of
      tumors by exposure from outside the body. We used high intensity focused
      ultrasound to insonate the femoral arteries of both thighs of 18 male and female
      Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, at frequencies of 1 or 3 MHz. Duration of exposure to
      high intensity focused ultrasound was 5 or 10 seconds. The femoral artery that
      was exposed to high intensity focused ultrasound was resected immediately after
      or 24 hours, 48 hours, or 12 days (at 1 MHz) after insonation. Arterial blood
      flow occlusion was achieved at 3 MHz, but not at 1 MHz. Free-field spatial peak
      intensity was 800 W/cm(2) at 1 MHz and 10 kW/cm(2) at 3 MHz. Histologic
      examination of the resected specimen showed that changes varied with ultrasound
      frequency and time course after exposure to high intensity focused ultrasound. We
      suggest that high intensity focused ultrasound might prove useful in occluding
      arteries when treating tumors in the clinical setting. 

PMID- 27277882
TI  - Qualitative and quantitative analysis of portal Doppler waveform and a novel
      factor of portal pulsatility: Systolic spike wave.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We attempted to identify the physiologic circumstances associated
      with the portal Doppler waveform. METHOD: The subjects were 98 patients: 42 had
      cirrhosis; 23, hepatitis; and 33, no liver disorder. We measured right portal
      venous peak velocity, minimum velocity, and hepatic arterial peak systolic
      velocity. Portal venous pulsatility was calculated as portal venous minimum
      velocity divided by portal venous peak velocity. We analyzed portal waveforms
      both qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: Portal Doppler waveforms were
      classified as nonphasic, monophasic, biphasic, biphasic including spike wave, and
      triphasic. Portal waveforms were phasic in 84 subjects who had a mild systolic
      dip during the arterial systolic period. Markedly portal pulsatility (portal
      venous pulsatility<0.6) was present in only 7 subjects. A systolic spike wave
      corresponding to a hepatic arterial peak systolic wave was detected in 48
      subjects. Hepatic arterial peak systolic velocity was significantly higher in the
      group with spike wave than in the group without it. CONCLUSION: Although portal
      pulsatility is generally attributed to multiple factors, the present study has
      pointed out a new factor; transmission via the hepatic artery through the portal
      vein vasa vasorum. Hepatic venous drainage and hepatic arterial blood flow
      influence portal waveform.

PMID- 27277883
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using levovist: Usefulness of diagnosis of
      small focal nodular hyperplasia lesions.
AB  - Differential diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma
      is clinically important because, while both are hypervascular tumors, they have
      vastly different prognoses. Because the spoke-wheel appearance is the primary
      characteristic of focal nodular hyperplasia, we attempted to detect this pattern
      in nodules smaller than 3 cm in diameter with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
      using a contrast agent (Levovist). Four patients were examined with contrast
      enhanced US: two of the patients were examined with Coded Harmonic Angio; the
      other two patients were examined with contrast-enhanced color and power Doppler
      US without harmonic imaging. Although the hepatic arteriogram showed the spoke
      wheel appearance in only one tumor (diameter, 3 cm), contrast-enhanced US clearly
      demonstrated this characteristic in all four tumors, including three tumors that
      were less than 2 cm in diameter. Because it is noninvasive and can be carried out
      in an outpatient clinic, contrast-enhanced US is extremely useful for diagnosing
      small focal noduler hyperplasia lesions at sites that can be observed with US. 

PMID- 27277884
TI  - Gallbladder carcinoma with ultrasonographically intact outer hyperechoic layer: A
      sign of a favorable outcome.
AB  - Thirty-one of 40 patients with gallbladder carcinoma whom we treated from
      December 1983 through June 1999 underwent resection of cancers extending from the
      mucosa (m) (pTis-pT1a) to the subserosa (ss) (pT2). The patients were classified
      into five groups according to the layered-structure of the gallbladder wall and
      the internal echo of tumors visualized in ultrasound images. Group A included
      pedunculated polyps with round margins, homogeneous hypoechoic internal echoes,
      and intact outer hyperechoic layers; group B, broad-based lesions with
      homogeneous hypoechoic internal echoes and intact outer hyperechoic layers; group
      C, broad-based lesions with intact outer hyperechoic layers and more
      heterogeneous hypoechoic internal echoes in their centers than those in the
      marginal lesions; group D, broad-based lesions with irregularity and/or thinning
      of outer hyperechoic layers; and group E, tumors that could not be evaluated. The
      ultrasonograms and histopathologic findings of groups A through D were compared,
      and the surgical techniques used in each group were examined. Outcomes achieved
      by groups A through C, with their intact outer hyperechoic layers, were compared
      with those achieved by groups D and E.The six tumors in group A were all well
      differentiated adenocarcinomas confined to the mucosa (pTis), and simple
      cholecystectomy was considered appropriate. The eight tumors in group B comprised
      three cases of m (pTis-pT1a) cancer, two cases of cancer invading the muscularis
      propria (mp) (pT1b), and three cases of cancer minutely scattered in the
      infiltrating subserosal fibrous layer (ss fibrous layer) (pT2). Accordingly,
      because of the difficulty of determining depth of invasion, resection of the
      liver bed was considered appropriate in group B. Histopathologic examination of
      group C showed that the tumors had invaded the ss fibrous layer (pT2) in all six
      patients. Although the ss fat layer had not been invaded, metastasis to the lymph
      nodes of the cystic duct (30%) had occurred, suggesting that a favorable outcome
      could be expected if the patient underwent resection of the liver bed and
      lymphadenectomy of the cystic duct, pericholedochal, hilar, peripancreatic,
      periportal, common hepatic, and proper hepatic lymph nodes. Group D comprised two
      patients with cancers that had invaded the ss fat layer (pT2). All nine tumors in
      group E were ss (pT2) cancers. The 5-year survival rate was 100 percent in groups
      A, B, and C; 50 percent in group D, and 45 percent in group E. Five-year survival
      rates were significantly lower in groups D and E than in groups A, B, and C, in
      which the outer hyperechoic layer remained intact (p<0.01).Gallbladder carcinomas
      with intact outer hyperechoic layers were classified into three groups (groups A,
      B, and C), in which depth of invasion ranged from m (pTis-pT1a) to the ss fibrous
      layer (pT2). These three groups were associated with favorable outcomes, although
      different surgical techniques were required for each group. An intact outer
      hyperechoic layer in the ultrasonogram is a predictor of a favorable outcome in
      patients with gallbladder carcinoma. 

PMID- 27277885
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis and antenatal history of persistent truncus arteriosus: A case
      report.
AB  - We report the prenatal diagnosis and the natural history of a fetus with truncus
      arteriosus. A 31-year-old woman, gravida 3, was referred for detailed examination
      for suspected cardiac anomaly during her 33rd week of gestation. Fetal
      echocardiography demonstrated a large truncal vessel overriding a ventricular
      septal defect, a right-side aortic arch, and a dilated ascending aortic arch.
      Pulsed-wave and color-flow Doppler imaging showed truncal valvular stenosis
      without insufficiency. No sign of congestive heart failure was detected during
      the prenatal period. A fetus weighing 2860 grams was delivered during the 38th
      week of gestation. Cyanosis was noted the day after delivery, however, and a
      Rastelli procedure was carried out 9 days after delivery. The baby died 7 days
      after the operation. 

PMID- 27277886
TI  - Real time tissue elasticity imaging using the combined autocorrelation method.
AB  - The elastic properties of tissues are expected to provide novel information for
      use in diagnosing pathologic changes in tissues and discriminating between
      malignant and benign tumors. Because it is hard to directly estimate the elastic
      modulus distribution from echo signals, methods for imaging the distribution of
      tissue strain under static compression are being widely investigated. Imaging the
      distribution of strain has proven to be useful for detecting disease tissues on
      the basis of their differences in elastic properties, although it is more
      qualitative than elastic modulus distribution. Many approaches to obtaining
      strain images from echo signals have been proposed. Most of these approaches use
      the spatial correlation technique, a method of detecting tissue displacement that
      provides maximum correlation between the echo signal obtained before and the one
      obtained after compression. Those methods are not suited for real-time
      processing, however, because of the amount of computation time they require. An
      alternative approach is a phase-tracking method, which is analogous to Doppler
      blood flowmetry. Although it can realize the rapid detection of displacement, the
      aliasing effect prevents its application to the large displacements that are
      necessary to improve the S/N ratio of the strain image. We therefore developed a
      more useful technique for imaging tissue elasticity. This approach, which we call
      the combined autocorrelation (CA) method, has the advantages of producing strain
      images of high quality with real-time processing and being applicable to large
      displacements.Numeric simulation and phantom experimentation have demonstrated
      that this method's capability to reconstruct images of tissue strain distribution
      under practical conditions is superior to that of the conventional spatial
      correlation method. In simulation and phantom experimentation, moreover, the
      image of elastic modulus distribution was also obtained by estimating stress
      distribution using a three-dimensional tissue model. When the proposed CA method
      was used to measure breast tumor specimens, the obtained strain images clearly
      revealed harder tumor lesions that were only vaguely resolved in B-mode images.
      Moreover, the results indicated the possibility of extracting the pathological
      characteristics of a tumor, making it useful for determining tumor type. These
      advantages justify the clinical use of the CA method. 

PMID- 27277887
TI  - Noninvasive measurement of stiffness and density of bone for its diagnosis using
      ultrasound.
AB  - Because the acoustic and elastic properties of bone evaluated using ultrasound
      based methods have proved so useful in the direct evaluation of bone
      characteristics, many workers have developed methods and systems based on thein
      vivo measurement of velocity, attenuation, or both, of ultrasound in bone. These
      include the acoustic emission (AE), apparent velocity of ultrasound (AVU), and
      speed of sound-broadband ultrasound attenuation (SOS-BUA) methods. Bone stiffness
      is accepted as an effective index in the diagnosis of such bone diseases as
      osteoporosis. The literature contains reports of the estimation of bone stiffness
      from velocity (speed of sound [SOS]) and attenuation (broadband ultrasound
      attenuation [BUA]). The physical explanation of the methods of evaluating
      stiffness from the obtained values of BUA and SOS is still not clear, however.
      Here we propose a new diagnostic method and system based on ultrasound
      measurement of the stiffness of bone. The proposed method determines stiffness
      from the velocity of the leaky surface skimming compressional waves (LSSCWs)
      obtained with the microdefocusing method and the acoustic impedance obtained with
      the reflectance method. Thus this method can evaluate stiffness without exposing
      the patient to X-rays; moreover, the physical basis of the calculation of
      stiffness from velocity and impedance is well understood. We applied this system
      to the human tibiain vivo: stiffness and density in a young volunteer were
      successfully evaluated at 24.9 GPa and 2.01*10(3) kg/m(3), respectively. 

PMID- 27277888
TI  - Abdominal ultrasonogram of autoimmune pancreatitis: Five cases of pancreatic
      lesions accompanied by Sjogren syndrome.
AB  - The concept of autoimmune pancreatitis has recently been established, and
      ultrasonographic findings we obtained from five cases consistent with autoimmune
      pancreatitis are reported here. Case 1, a 77-year-old man, was admitted
      complaining of loss of body weight. Serum hepatobiliary enzymes and gamma
      globulin levels were elevated, and antinuclear antibody was positive, Abdominal
      ultrasonography showed dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct, wall thickening
      of the common bile duct and hypoechoic swelling of the pancreatic head and body.
      ERCP revealed multiple stenosis of the intra-and extra-hepatic bile ducts, and
      diffuse irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. The patient complained
      of thirst, and the minor salivary gland was examined histologically. Our
      diagnosis was Sjogren syndrome accompanied by sclerosing cholangitis and a
      pancreatic lesion. Obstructive jaundice also developed, and PTCD was therefore
      performed. Both the pancreatic swelling and multiple stenosis of the bile duct
      improved after steroids were administered. Case 2, a 71-year-old man, was
      admitted with jaundice. Abdominal ultrasonography showed hypoechoic swelling of
      the pancreas. ERCP showed stenosis of the common bile duct in the pancreatic head
      region and diffuse irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. Histological
      examination of the minor salivary gland suggested Sjogren syndrome. Steroids were
      therefore administered because the presence of both hyper-gamma-globulinemia and
      positive antinuclear antibody suggested involvement of the autoimmune mechanism.
      Steroid therapy improved the jaundice as well as the findings from the
      cholangiograms and pancreatograms. We also encountered three similar cases, all
      consistent with the concept of autoimmune pancreatitis. The ultrasonographic
      findings of the pancreatic lesion (1) showed them as homogeneous and markedly
      hypoechoic areas and, (2) visualized the main pancreatic duct in the lesion,
      which facilitated a differential diagnosis of the neoplastic lesions. (3) Steroid
      therapy effectively decreased the hypoechoic area; in some cases, however, a
      hypoechoic area remained around the main pancreatic duct. 

PMID- 27277890
TI  - Clinical Characteristics and Lesions Responsible for Swallowing Hesitation After
      Acute Cerebral Infarction.
AB  - Some stroke patients with a unilateral lesion demonstrate acute dysphagia
      characterized by a markedly prolonged swallowing time, making us think they are
      reluctant to swallow. In order to clarify the clinical characteristics and
      causative lesions of delayed swallowing, we conducted a retrospective analysis of
      20 right-handed patients without a history of swallowing dysfunction who
      underwent videofluorography on suspicion of dysphagia after a first ischemic
      stroke. The oral processing time plus the postfaucial aggregation time required
      to swallow jelly for patients classified as having delayed swallowing was over 10
      s. The time required for swallowing jelly was significantly longer than that
      without the hesitation (median value, 24.1 vs. 8.9 s, P < 0.001). The oral
      processing time plus the postfaucial aggregation time required for patients with
      delayed swallowing to swallow thickened water was largely over 5 s and
      significantly longer than that of patients without swallowing hesitation (median
      value, 10.2 vs. 3.3 s, P < 0.001). Swallowing hesitation caused by acute
      unilateral infarction could be separated into two different patterns. Because
      four of the five patients with a rippling tongue movement in the swallowing
      hesitation pattern had a lesion in the left primary motor cortex, which induces
      some kinds of apraxia, swallowing hesitation with a rippling tongue movement
      seems to be a representative characteristic of apraxia. The patients with
      swallowing hesitation with a temporary stasis of the tongue in this study tended
      to have broad lesions in the frontal lobe, especially in the middle frontal
      gyrus, which is thought to be involved in higher cognition.

PMID- 27277891
TI  - Stimulus-Dependent Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein Expression Prolongs the
      Duration of B Cell Signalling.
AB  - Different dynamic behaviours of signalling activity can induce distinct
      biological responses in a variety of cells. However, the molecular mechanisms
      that determine the dynamics of kinase activities in immune cells are not well
      understood. In this study, we showed that the duration of both IkappaB kinase
      (IKK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activities in B cell
      receptor (BCR)- and CD40-signalling pathways in B cells were regulated by
      transcriptional feedback loops. We conducted a time-course transcriptome analysis
      after BCR or CD40 stimulation and identified the following four candidate genes
      as feedback regulators for IKK and ERK: inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP), TNF
      alpha-induced protein 3, dual-specificity phosphatase 5, and sprouty homolog 2.
      Quantitative experiments and mathematical modelling suggested that IAP inhibition
      shortened the duration of IKK and ERK activity following both BCR and CD40
      pathway stimulation, indicating a positive role for IAP in B cell signalling.
      Furthermore, transient kinase activities induced by IAP blockage reduced the
      levels of delayed expression genes. Together, our findings suggest that IKK and
      ERK activity durations can be fine-tuned by the coordinated regulation of
      positive and negative transcriptional feedback and that these network properties
      determine the biological output of B cells.

PMID- 27277892
TI  - Distress vocalization sequences broadcasted by bats carry redundant information.
AB  - Distress vocalizations (also known as alarm or screams) are an important
      component of the vocal repertoire of a number of animal species, including bats,
      humans, monkeys and birds, among others. Although the behavioral relevance of
      distress vocalizations is undeniable, at present, little is known about the rules
      that govern vocalization production when in alarmful situations. In this article,
      we show that when distressed, bats of the species Carollia perspicillata produce
      repetitive vocalization sequences in which consecutive syllables are likely to be
      similar to one another regarding their physical attributes. The uttered distress
      syllables are broadband (12-73 kHz) with most of their energy focussing at 23
      kHz. Distress syllables are short (~4 ms), their average sound pressure level is
      close to 70 dB SPL, and they are produced at high repetition rates (every 14 ms).
      We discuss that, because of their physical attributes, bat distress vocalizations
      could serve a dual purpose: (1) advertising threatful situations to conspecifics,
      and (2) informing the threatener that the bats are ready to defend themselves. We
      also discuss possible advantages of advertising danger/discomfort using
      repetitive utterances, a calling strategy that appears to be ubiquitous across
      the animal kingdom.

PMID- 27277893
TI  - Cross Mapping Between the Priority Nursing Care for Stroke Patients Treated With
      Thrombolytic Therapy and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To verify the correspondence between the priority nursing care for
      stroke patients treated with thrombolytic therapy and the Nursing Interventions
      Classification (NIC). METHODS: A cross-mapping study with a semi-structured
      interview was conducted with 11 expert nurses who described priority nursing care
      in clinical practice, and mapped it to the NIC. RESULTS: Eleven nursing care
      priorities cited by the nurses were mapped to eight NICs, including Thrombolytic
      Therapy Management (4270). CONCLUSIONS: There was correspondence between all
      priority nursing care interventions for stroke patients treated with thrombolytic
      therapy and the NIC. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The nursing care cited by
      the nurses was corroborated by the NIC, providing evidence for the clinical
      practice. OBJETIVO: Verificar a correspondencia entre os cuidados de enfermagem
      prioritarios a pacientes com acidente vascular encefalico tratados com terapia
      trombolitica e a Classificacao das Intervencoes de Enfermagem (NIC). METODOS:
      Estudo de mapeamento cruzado com uma entrevista semi-estruturada aplicada a 11
      enfermeiros especialistas que descreveram os cuidados de enfermagem prioritarios
      na pratica clinica, e mapeados para a NIC. RESULTADOS: Onze cuidados de
      enfermagem prioritarios foram citados pelos enfermeiros e mapeados em oito
      intervencoes de enfermagem NIC, incluindo a Thrombolytic Therapy Management
      (4270). CONCLUSOES: Houve correspondencia entre todos os cuidados de enfermagem
      prioritarios para pacientes com acidente vascular encefalico tratados com a
      terapia trombolitica e as intervencaes de enfermagem NIC. IMPLICACOES PARA A
      PRATICA DE ENFERMAGEM: Os cuidados de enfermagem citados pelos enfermeiros foram
      corroborados pela NIC, produzindo evidencias para a pratica clinica.

PMID- 27277894
TI  - Physical activity in European adolescents and associations with anxiety,
      depression and well-being.
AB  - In this cross-sectional study, physical activity, sport participation and
      associations with well-being, anxiety and depressive symptoms were examined in a
      large representative sample of European adolescents. A school-based survey was
      completed by 11,110 adolescents from ten European countries who took part in the
      SEYLE (Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe) study. The questionnaire
      included items assessing physical activity, sport participation and validated
      instruments assessing well-being (WHO-5), depressive symptoms (BDI-II) and
      anxiety (SAS). Multi-level mixed effects linear regression was used to examine
      associations between physical activity/sport participation and mental health
      measures. A minority of the sample (17.9 % of boys and 10.7 % of girls; p <
      0.0005) reported sufficient activity based on WHO guidelines (60 min + daily).
      The mean number of days of at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous activity in
      the past 2 weeks was 7.5 +/- 4.4 among boys and 5.9 days +/- 4.3 among girls.
      Frequency of activity was positively correlated with well-being and negatively
      correlated with both anxiety and depressive symptoms, up to a threshold of
      moderate frequency of activity. In a multi-level mixed effects model more
      frequent physical activity and participation in sport were both found to
      independently contribute to greater well-being and lower levels of anxiety and
      depressive symptoms in both sexes. Increasing activity levels and sports
      participation among the least active young people should be a target of community
      and school-based interventions to promote well-being. There does not appear to be
      an additional benefit to mental health associated with meeting the WHO
      recommended levels of activity.

PMID- 27277895
TI  - Learning the landscape: implementation challenges of primary care innovators
      around cancer survivorship care.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study describes the experiences of early implementers of primary
      care-focused cancer survivorship delivery models. METHODS: Snowball sampling was
      used to identify innovators. Twelve participants (five cancer survivorship
      primary care innovators and seven content experts) attended a working conference
      focused on cancer survivorship population strategies and primary care
      transformation. Data included meeting discussion transcripts/field notes,
      transcribed in-depth innovator interviews, and innovators' summaries of care
      models. We used a multistep immersion/crystallization analytic approach, guided
      by a primary care organizational change model. RESULTS: Innovative practice
      models included: (1) a consultative model in a primary care setting; (2) a
      primary care physician (PCP)-led, blended consultative/panel-based model in an
      oncology setting; (3) an oncology nurse navigator in a primary care practice; and
      (4) two subspecialty models where PCPs in a general medical practice dedicated
      part of their patient panel to cancer survivors. Implementation challenges
      included (1) lack of key stakeholder buy-in; (2) practice resources allocated to
      competing (non-survivorship) change efforts; and (3) competition with higher
      priority initiatives incentivized by payers. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer survivorship
      delivery models are potentially feasible in primary care; however, significant
      barriers to widespread implementation exist. Implementation efforts would benefit
      from increasing the awareness and potential value-add of primary care-focused
      strategies to address survivors' needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS:
      Current models of primary care-based cancer survivorship care may not be
      sustainable. Innovative strategies to provide quality care to this growing
      population of survivors need to be developed and integrated into primary care
      settings.

PMID- 27277897
TI  - An institutional approach to the management of the 'Can't Intubate, Can't
      Oxygenate' emergency in children.
AB  - The 'Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate' emergency is rare in children. Nevertheless,
      airway clinicians involved in pediatric airway management must be able to rescue
      the airway percutaneously through the front of the neck should this situation be
      encountered. Little evidence exists in children to guide rescue techniques, and
      extrapolation of adult evidence may be problematic due to anatomical differences.
      This document reviews the currently available evidence, and presents a practical
      approach to standardizing equipment, techniques, and training for managing the
      'Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate' emergency in children. 

PMID- 27277896
TI  - Cancer survivors' experiences with insurance, finances, and employment: results
      from a multisite study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer has significant implications on survivors' insurance coverage,
      financial status, and employment. We aimed to examine how these outcomes vary for
      survivors of different cancer types. METHODS: Using the Cancer Survivorship
      Supplement of the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS), in 2013, we surveyed
      survivors of five common cancers who were diagnosed during 2003-2008 and were
      continuously enrolled in one of three health plans in Massachusetts, Colorado,
      and Washington State. RESULTS: Among 615 eligible respondents, 96 % reported
      having health insurance at the time of or since diagnosis; of those, few reported
      barriers in coverage to visit doctors or facilities of their choice.
      Approximately 15 % reported experiencing financial hardships due to cancer. Of
      the 334 who responded as having been employed at the time of or since diagnosis,
      approximately 25 % reported that they or their spouses remained at their jobs due
      to concerns about losing medical insurance. Further, 63 % reported making changes
      in their jobs or careers (e.g., took extended time off, worked part time, or
      declined promotion) due to cancer, and 42 % reported that cancer interfered with
      their physical and/or mental tasks at work or reduced productivity. Negative
      employment and financial implications were most common among those with lung,
      breast, and colorectal cancer, and those diagnosed before age 65. CONCLUSIONS: In
      this insured population, few experienced restrictions in cancer care coverage,
      though maintaining health insurance often drove employment decisions. Significant
      negative effects on finances and employment were observed among specific cancer
      types and younger survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Our study
      findings emphasize a need to identify ways of supporting survivors and provide
      tailored resources to reduce the untoward financial and work-related implications
      of cancer.

PMID- 27277898
TI  - Postmortem serum levels of total IgE.
AB  - The first aim of this study was to assess whether non-allergic deaths in non
      atopic individuals with increasing postmortem intervals are characterized by
      progressively greater concentrations of total IgE in postmortem serum from
      femoral blood. Our second goal was to determine whether traumatic deaths with
      different survival times, septic deaths, and deaths in individuals suffering from
      diseases with significant systemic inflammation are systematically characterized
      by increased concentrations of total IgE in postmortem serum from femoral blood.
      Four study groups were prospectively and retrospectively formed (non-allergic
      deaths in non-atopic individuals with increasing postmortem intervals, traumatic
      deaths in non-atopic individuals with different survival times, deaths possibly
      related to sepsis in non-atopic individuals, and deaths occurring in non-atopic
      individuals with disseminated malignancies at autopsy). Unenhanced computed
      tomography, autopsy, histology, and biochemistry were performed in all cases.
      First results indicate that increasing postmortem intervals are not associated
      with progressively increasing postmortem serum IgE levels. Moreover, the obtained
      results do not reveal that severe trauma, bacterial sepsis, and disseminated
      malignancies are systematically associated with increased postmortem serum IgE
      levels, irrespective of survival time duration. Though the usefulness of
      increased total IgE concentrations in postmortem samples to assess any underlying
      atopic disposition or death preceded by acute IgE-mediated allergic reaction
      remains questionable, measurements of total IgE are possible in postmortem serum
      samples.

PMID- 27277899
TI  - Computer-Assisted In Sensu Exposure for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder:
      Development and Evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dissociative states during psychotherapy sessions reduce the benefit
      of exposure-based therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thus, in
      evidence-based therapeutic programs such as dialectical behavior therapy for PTSD
      (DBT-PTSD), therapists apply specific antidissociative skills to reduce
      dissociative features during in sensu exposure. In addition to therapist-guided
      sessions, exposure protocols often require that the patients listen to audio
      recordings of exposure sessions in self-management. The problem of how to prevent
      dissociative features during such self-administered exposure exercises has not
      been resolved yet. Hence, we developed the computer program MORPHEUS that
      supports the application of self-administered exposure exercises. MORPHEUS
      continuously monitors the level of dissociative states and offers state-related
      antidissociative skills. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine the acceptance
      and feasibility of the MORPHEUS program. METHODS: Patients who underwent 12 weeks
      of residential DBT-PTSD treatment used MORPHEUS during exposure exercises in self
      management. After the treatment, they filled out evaluation questionnaires.
      RESULTS: In sum, 26 patients receiving a 12-week standard DBT-PTSD program
      participated in this study; 2 participants could not be analyzed because of
      missing data. All the patients used MORPHEUS as often as it was required
      according to the DBT-PTSD treatment (2 to 5 times a week). The overall acceptance
      and feasibility as rated by the patients was high: for example, patients found
      the skills useful to block dissociation (mean 4.24 on a scale from 0 to 5, SD
      0.24) and stated that they would use the program again (mean 4.72 on a scale from
      0 to 5, SD 0.11). Furthermore, patients indicated that they would recommend
      MORPHEUS to a friend (mean 4.44 on a scale from 0 to 5, SD 0.12). In 82% (32/39)
      of the cases, the use of antidissociative skills was related to a decrease in
      dissociation. In 18% (5/39), dissociation remained unchanged or increased.
      CONCLUSIONS: The evaluative data suggest high acceptability and feasibility of
      MORPHEUS. Further studies should evaluate the effectiveness of the skills applied
      during the program. TRIAL REGISTRATION: World Health Organization International
      Clinical Trials Registry Platform: DRKS00006226;
      http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID= DRKS00006226 (Archived by
      WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/ 6hxuFbIUr).

PMID- 27277900
TI  - STAP cells.

PMID- 27277902
TI  - An improved balloon snake for HIFU image-guided system.
AB  - Target segmentation in ultrasound images is a key step in the definition of the
      intro-operative planning of high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy. This paper
      presents an improvement for the balloon snake in segmentation. A sign function,
      designed by the edge map and the moving snake, is added to give the direction of
      the balloon force on the moving snake separately. Segmentation results are
      demonstrated on ultrasound images and the effectiveness and convenience shown in
      applications. 

PMID- 27277901
TI  - New developments in paediatric cardiac functional ultrasound imaging.
AB  - Ultrasound imaging can be used to estimate the morphology as well as the motion
      and deformation of tissues. If the interrogated tissue is actively deforming,
      this deformation is directly related to its function and quantification of this
      deformation is normally referred as 'strain imaging'. Tissue can also be deformed
      by applying an internal or external force and the resulting, induced deformation
      is a function of the mechanical tissue characteristics. In combination with the
      load applied, these strain maps can be used to estimate or reconstruct the
      mechanical properties of tissue. This technique was named 'elastography' by Ophir
      et al. in 1991. Elastography can be used for atherosclerotic plaque
      characterisation, while the contractility of the heart or skeletal muscles can be
      assessed with strain imaging. Rather than using the conventional video format
      (DICOM) image information, radio frequency (RF)-based ultrasound methods enable
      estimation of the deformation at higher resolution and with higher precision than
      commercial methods using Doppler (tissue Doppler imaging) or video image data (2D
      speckle tracking methods). However, the improvement in accuracy is mainly
      achieved when measuring strain along the ultrasound beam direction, so it has to
      be considered a 1D technique. Recently, this method has been extended to multiple
      directions and precision further improved by using spatial compounding of data
      acquired at multiple beam steered angles. Using similar techniques, the blood
      velocity and flow can be determined. RF-based techniques are also beneficial for
      automated segmentation of the ventricular cavities. In this paper, new
      developments in different techniques of quantifying cardiac function by strain
      imaging, automated segmentation, and methods of performing blood flow imaging are
      reviewed and their application in paediatric cardiology is discussed. 

PMID- 27277903
TI  - Prolonged vortex formation during the ejection period in the left ventricle with
      low ejection fraction: a study by vector flow mapping.
AB  - PURPOSE: Vortex formation in the left ventricle (LV) can be visualized by novel
      vector flow mapping (VFM) based on color Doppler and speckle tracking data. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a vortex during the ejection
      period using VFM. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Color Doppler images were obtained to
      produce VFM images in 80 subjects (20 normal, 29 with dilated cardiomyopathy, and
      31 with old myocardial infarction). The duration of the LV vortex was measured
      and expressed as the ratio to the ejection time (VTRe). RESULTS: The VTRe showed
      significant correlations with EDV (rho = 0.672, p < 0.001), ESV (rho = 0.772, p <
      0.001), EF (rho = -0.783, p < 0.001), left atrium diameter (LAd) (rho = 0.302, p
      = 0.007), stroke volume (rho = -0.600, p < 0.001), e' (rho = -0.389, p < 0.001),
      a' (rho = -0.314, p = 0.005), s' (rho = -0.512, p < 0.001), and E/e' (rho =
      0.330, p = 0.003). The diastolic parameters (e', a', E/e', LAd) were not
      correlated when they were adjusted by EF. CONCLUSIONS: In the normal LV, a vortex
      existed for only a limited time during the early ejection period. In contrast,
      the lower the EF was, the longer the vortex remained during systole. Evaluation
      of vortices by VFM may noninvasively provide novel insights into the
      pathophysiology of impaired cardiac function.

PMID- 27277904
TI  - Serial change of liver stiffness measured by acoustic radiation force impulse
      imaging in chronic liver disease: correlation with biochemical markers.
AB  - PURPOSE: In patients with chronic diffuse liver diseases, liver fibrosis severity
      is an important element for prognosis and for selecting therapy. Acoustic
      radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging techniques were recently developed to
      measure liver fibrosis, but their specificity is impaired by cholestasis,
      inflammation, or edema in acute hepatitis. Herein, our objectives were to
      evaluate serial changes in shear wave velocity (SWV) and to correlate these
      changes with biochemical activity. METHODS: This study included 108 patients who
      underwent ARFI because of viral hepatitis [hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV)] with
      serial follow-up after 3-6 months at our institution between August 2011 and May
      2013. Based on baseline and follow-up ARFI, we divided patients with HBV and HCV
      into two groups: a decreasing SWV group and a non-decreasing SWV group. We
      evaluated serial SWV changes and correlated these changes with biochemical
      activity changes. RESULTS: The patients were divided into SWV groups as follows:
      decreasing SWV group (HBV, n = 23; HCV, n = 7) and non-decreasing SWV group (HBV,
      n = 40; HCV, n = 38). In both HBV and HVC patients, aspartate aminotransferase
      (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly decreased at follow
      up in the decreasing SWV group. CONCLUSIONS: The liver stiffness value assessed
      by ARFI became lower over time in patients who had decreasing AST and ALT levels.
      According to this study, ARFI overestimates fibrosis grade in patients with high
      AST and ALT. Thus, assessment of liver fibrosis by ARFI elastography should
      include consideration of biochemical markers such as AST and ALT levels and
      additional follow-up using ARFI elastography.

PMID- 27277905
TI  - Use of strain ratio in evaluating superficial soft tissue tumors on ultrasonic
      elastography.
AB  - OBJECT: The aim of this study was to describe the strain ratio in
      histopathologically confirmed superficial soft tissue tumors using ultrasonic
      elastography (USE). METHODS: From March to August 2012, 94 soft tissue tumors in
      79 consecutive patients (age range 19-70 years) were examined using USE for
      palpable masses. Among them, 39 lesions in 36 patients were histopathologically
      confirmed. Thirty-four lesions in 31 patients with lipoma, ganglion, epidermal
      inclusion cyst, and pilomatricoma were included: 34 histopathologically confirmed
      mature lipomas (n = 19), ganglia (n = 6), epidermal inclusion cysts (n = 5), and
      pilomatricomas (n = 4). Ultrasonographic features of margins, echogenicity,
      walls, ultrasonic transmission, and vascular flow via Doppler ultrasonography
      were evaluated. The strain ratios were calculated from the USE strain measured
      within the lesion and in adjacent tissue. Intraclass correlation (ICC) with
      Cohen's kappa was used to determine intraobserver agreement, and the strain
      ratios of the three groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. All
      statistical analyses were performed using R package statistical software, and p
      values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: On USE,
      repeated measurements of the strain ratios showed excellent intraobserver
      agreement [ICC value = 0.952 (CI 0.905-0.977), p < 0.05]. The strain ratios of
      lipomas (median +/- standard error 0.83 +/- 0.18) were statistically different (p
      < 0.05) from those of ganglia, epidermal inclusion cysts, and pilomatricomas. The
      strain ratios of ganglia (2.78 +/- 0.48) were also statistically different (p <
      0.05) from those of epidermal inclusion cysts and pilomatricomas. The strain
      ratios of epidermal inclusion cysts (0.17 +/- 0.21) were not statistically
      different (p > 0.05) from that of pilomatricomas (0.13 +/- 0.02). CONCLUSION:
      Strain ratios determined by USE help to differentiate lipomas and ganglia from
      other superficial soft tissue tumors. Our results suggest that USE could be used
      in addition to traditional ultrasound techniques to obtain diagnostic clues in
      the evaluation of superficial soft tissue tumors.

PMID- 27277906
TI  - Reproducibility of two different methods for performing mean gray value
      evaluation of cyst content in endometriomas using VOCAL.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare two different methods (manual sampling of the entire cyst
      and semi-automated spherical sampling from the central part of the cyst) for
      calculating the mean gray value (MGV) from the cystic content in endometriomas
      using virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL). METHODS: Forty-one volumes
      from histologically confirmed endometriomas were retrieved from our database and
      the volumes were analyzed to compare the MGVs obtained via the two modalities. In
      addition, to evaluate the reproducibility in a sample of 20 volumes, two
      different observers calculated the MGV from cyst content using VOCAL software.
      For each method, each examiner analyzed the volumes twice, 3 weeks apart, for
      assessment of intra-observer agreement. First, manual sampling of the internal
      contour of all the cysts was performed, and 1 week later semi-automated 2-cm
      sphere sampling from the central part of the cyst was carried out. In addition,
      the observers recorded the time spent performing each analysis. Inter- and intra
      observer reproducibility was evaluated for each method using intra-class
      correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: There was no difference in the mean MGV
      between manual sampling (22.211 +/- 7.541) and the semi-automated modality of
      sampling (23.840 +/- 8.621, p = 0.439). The correlation between manual and semi
      automated sampling measurement was high (r = 0.92). According to the ICCs, there
      was no significant difference in interobserver reliability between manual
      sampling (0.931; 95 % CI, 0.824-0.973) and the semi-automated modality of
      sampling (0.924; 95 % CI, 0.809-0.970). Intra-observer reproducibility for both
      examiners was good (ICC > 0.94). Semi-automated measurements were obtained faster
      than those obtained by manual evaluation (p = 0.0001 for observer 1 and p = 0.083
      for observer 2). CONCLUSIONS: Both methods seem to be reliable, but the semi
      automated method using the sphere should be preferred because it is a less time
      consuming procedure.

PMID- 27277907
TI  - Low-frequency high-definition power Doppler in visualizing and defining fetal
      pulmonary venous connections.
AB  - PURPOSE: The use of low-frequency high-definition power Doppler in assessing and
      defining pulmonary venous connections was investigated. METHODS: Study A included
      260 fetuses at gestational ages ranging from 18 to 36 weeks. Pulmonary veins were
      assessed by performing two-dimensional B-mode imaging, color Doppler flow imaging
      (CDFI), and low-frequency high-definition power Doppler. A score of 1 was
      assigned if one pulmonary vein was visualized, 2 if two pulmonary veins were
      visualized, 3 if three pulmonary veins were visualized, and 4 if four pulmonary
      veins were visualized. The detection rate between Exam-1 and Exam-2 (intra
      observer variability) and between Exam-1 and Exam-3 (inter-observer variability)
      was compared. In study B, five cases with abnormal pulmonary venous connection
      were diagnosed and compared to their anatomical examination. RESULTS: In study A,
      there was a significant difference between CDFI and low-frequency high-definition
      power Doppler for the four pulmonary veins observed (P < 0.05). The detection
      rate of each pulmonary vein when employing low-frequency high-definition power
      Doppler was higher than that when employing two-dimensional B-mode imaging or
      CDFI. There was no significant difference between the intra- and inter-observer
      variabilities using low-frequency high-definition power Doppler display of
      pulmonary veins (P > 0.05). The coefficient correlation between Exam-1 and Exam-2
      was 0.844, and the coefficient correlation between Exam-1 and Exam-3 was 0.821.
      In study B, one case of total anomalous pulmonary venous return and four cases of
      partial anomalous pulmonary venous return were diagnosed by low-frequency high
      definition power Doppler and confirmed by autopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of
      pulmonary venous connections by low-frequency high-definition power Doppler is
      advantageous. Pulmonary venous anatomy can and should be monitored during fetal
      heart examination.

PMID- 27277908
TI  - HDlive imaging of the face of fetuses with autosomal trisomies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our objective is to present our experience of facial dysmorphism
      reconstructed employing conventional three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and HDlive
      in fetuses with autosomal trisomies. METHODS: Seven fetuses with autosomal
      trisomies (one case of trisomy 13, three of trisomy 18, and three of trisomy 21)
      at 16-38 weeks' gestation were studied using 3D ultrasound and HDlive. RESULTS:
      In one case of trisomy 21 at 29 weeks and 5 days, upward slanting eyes, a
      flattened nose, low-set ears, and the corners of the mouth turned down were noted
      employing HDlive. In the other two cases of trisomy 21, both techniques showed
      the same facial findings. In one case of trisomy 18 at 27 weeks and 6 days, a
      small head accompanied by a prominent back portion of the head, low-set ears, a
      small jaw, upturned nose, narrow eyelid folds, and widely spaced eyes were
      identified using HDlive. In the other two cases of trisomy 18, HDlive showed more
      detailed features of the fetal face compared to conventional 3D ultrasound. In
      the single case of trisomy 13 at 31 weeks and 1 day, cleft lip and close-set eyes
      were recognized with both 3D ultrasound and HDlive. CONCLUSION: HDlive can
      provide clearer facial images than conventional 3D ultrasound. In particular,
      HDlive is superior to conventional 3D ultrasound for the depiction of eye
      fissures because of its shadowing effect. HDlive may be a useful diagnostic
      modality for the antenatal evaluation of subtle fetal facial dysmorphism.

PMID- 27277910
TI  - Evaluation of common carotid artery changes in Saudi current smokers using
      medical ultrasound (B-mode and Doppler).
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluates using ultrasound the changes that occur in wall
      thickness, blood flow velocity, and Doppler indices of the common carotid
      arteries (CCAs) in healthy Saudi adult males who are current smokers. METHODS: A
      prospective study was performed between May 2011 and May 2013 with a group
      consisting of nonsmokers (n = 180; 36 %) and current smokers (n = 320; 64 %) with
      a mean age of 25 +/- 2.6 years. In all cases, the CCA ultrasound scanning
      protocol met the standards established by the American Institute of Ultrasound in
      Medicine (AIUM) to measure intima media thickness (IMT), peak systolic velocity
      (PSV), and end diastolic velocity (EDV). The Statistical Package for the Social
      Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the results. RESULTS: Significant linear and
      positive correlations were noted between the level of daily consumption of
      cigarettes smoked and carotid mean IMT, PSV, and Doppler indices, while a linear
      and negative correlation was present between cigarette smoking and mean EDV.
      These findings were significant when compared with the results for nonsmokers.
      CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking is associated with CCA morphological changes
      caused by significant impairment of arterial endothelial function, and an
      increase in daily cigarette consumption significantly leads to a decrease in the
      blood flow velocity of CCAs.

PMID- 27277909
TI  - Quantification of sonographic echogenicity by the gray-level histogram in
      patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the gray-level value of the
      supraspinatus tendon of a painful shoulder with that of a normal shoulder
      measured by ultrasonography, and to investigate whether a low mean gray-level
      value of the supraspinatus tendon could indicate a partial-thickness or
      incomplete full-thickness tear. METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients had
      significant unilateral shoulder pain with the clinical suspicion of rotator cuff
      tendinopathy. They underwent bilateral shoulder ultrasonography, and the mean
      echogenicity of the histogram was calculated on the screen. The mean gray-level
      value of each patient's contralateral asymptomatic shoulder was compared with
      that of the painful shoulder. RESULTS: Based on the scan of transverse and
      longitudinal planes, a significant difference existed between the symptomatic
      shoulder and contralateral asymptomatic shoulder (p < 0.0001). The mean gray
      level values of symptomatic shoulders showed no statistically significant
      difference between the patients who underwent surgery and the patients who
      underwent conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the
      ultrasound gray-level histogram is a promising tool for detecting the
      hypoechogenic appearance of supraspinatus tendinopathy. A decrease in the mean
      gray-level value on the symptomatic shoulder may be used as an alternative
      sonographic indicator of rotator cuff partial-thickness tear or tendinopathy.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic level III.

PMID- 27277911
TI  - Real-time tissue elastography assessment of skin and subcutaneous tissue strains
      in legs with lymphedema.
AB  - PURPOSE: To confirm the feasibility of assessing strains of the skin and
      subcutaneous tissue in normal legs and legs with lymphedema via free-hand real
      time tissue elastography (RTE) using a phantom. METHODS: After placing a phantom
      on the skin, we measured the strains of the phantom (S p), skin (S sk), and
      subcutaneous tissue (S sc) of the inner thigh and calf by free-hand RTE in 35
      healthy volunteers. A reference S p was set using these data. We then assessed S
      sk and S sc in each leg of 15 patients with unilateral stage II lymphedema.
      RESULTS: In the healthy volunteers, the strain was largest in the subcutaneous
      tissue of the thigh, followed by the subcutaneous tissue of the calf, skin of the
      thigh, and skin of the calf. These differences were each significant. In the
      patients with unilateral lymphedema, S sk and S sc in the thigh and calf were not
      different between the affected and unaffected legs. CONCLUSION: It was feasible
      to assess the strains of the skin and subcutaneous tissue using free-hand RTE and
      standardization of the compression force using a phantom. We failed to
      demonstrate decreased strains of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in legs with
      stage II lymphedema compared with healthy legs.

PMID- 27277912
TI  - Ultrasonography is convenient and useful for assessment and follow-up of
      Takayasu's arteritis.
AB  - A 20-year-old woman first came to our hospital complaining of high fever and pain
      affecting the whole body. Takayasu's arteritis (TA) was diagnosed. Following full
      body examination, many vessels between the bilateral neck and iliac arteries were
      found to be impaired. Ultrasonography (US) showed the characteristic wall
      thickening of TA in the left common carotid artery. After starting prednisolone
      treatment (40 mg/day), symptoms improved quickly and vessel walls gradually
      became thinner. However, chest pain recurred when prednisolone was tapered to 20
      mg/day. Blood tests showed no signs of recurring inflammation, and US revealed
      worsened wall thickening only in the left carotid artery. We therefore diagnosed
      local recurrence of activation of TA. Assessing local recurrence of TA with a
      blood test is difficult, particularly after prescribing steroids. In this case,
      US identified the local changes attributable to TA before any other diagnostic
      modality. US can be useful in assessing inflammation and offers a good strategic
      tool for initial diagnosis of TA. 

PMID- 27277913
TI  - Chronological changes in the ultrasonic findings of gallbladder metastasis from
      renal cell carcinoma: a case report and review.
AB  - The present case involves a gallbladder metastasis from renal cell carcinoma
      (GBMRCC). During 11 months of ultrasound follow-up examinations, the mass,
      covered with a highly echoic surface layer, exhibited the following changes: the
      wide base became constricted, the tumor surface became irregular, and the mass
      increased in diameter. A histopathological examination confirmed that the tumor
      cells were mainly present in the subepithelial layer, the gallbladder epithelium
      had ruptured, and necrotic debris covered the tumor surface. The highly echoic
      surface layer observed on the latest ultrasound images corresponded to the
      necrotic debris. These findings suggested that GBMRCCs initially develop in the
      subepithelial layer and then undergo expansive intraluminal growth. They
      subsequently cause the epithelium to rupture, resulting in necrotic debris
      appearing on the tumor surface. 

PMID- 27277914
TI  - Multiple comet tail artifacts in the liver: a case of congenital hepatic fibrosis
      showing unusual biliary appearance.
AB  - Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is a form of autosomal recessive polycystic
      kidney disease. Because of the common underlying pathophysiology of ductal plate
      malformation, CHF can be accompanied by an abnormal biliary appearance, which is
      characterized by a saccular or fusiform dilatation of the bile ducts. We
      encountered the case of a 35-year-old man suffering from CHF concomitant with
      esophageal varices, which were treated by endoscopic sclerotherapy. The patient
      had elevated serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl
      transpeptidase without apparent biliary disease, including hepatolithiasis or a
      history of cholangitis. Magnetic resonance cholangiography showed an abnormal
      biliary appearance, which was not saccular or fusiform but had multiple stenosis
      with unknown causes. B-mode sonogram showed multiple comet tail artifacts in the
      liver parenchyma, probably corresponding to the compact fibrosis bands and bile
      in the bile duct as well as peripheral bile duct dilatation, which was proven
      pathologically. We propose that multiple comet tail artifacts in the liver may
      suggest the presence of a bile duct abnormality in patients with CHF, suggesting
      the potential risk for developing biliary complications. 

PMID- 27277915
TI  - Non-radiation endoscopic removal of common bile duct stone assisted with
      abdominal ultrasonography in a pregnant patient.
AB  - A common bile duct stone was detected in a pregnant patient who was in her second
      trimester. Avoiding the use of fluoroscopy, abdominal ultrasonography-assisted
      endoscopic removal of the stone was successful. 

PMID- 27277916
TI  - Glomus tumor of a female breast: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Glomus tumor is a benign, subcutaneous neoplasm which usually arises in areas
      that are rich in glomus bodies, most commonly the digital area, and usually
      appears as a painful nodule. Glomus tumor of the breast is extremely rare, and
      there has been only limited information reported in the literature to date. We
      herein present a case of a glomus tumor arising from the breast, showing a well
      circumscribed, hypervascular, solid and hypoechoic tumor within the retromammary
      fat. The tumor was resected and the patient's pain was relieved immediately after
      the surgery. She remains well without any symptoms after a year. This report
      describes a unique case of this type of tumor. 

PMID- 27277917
TI  - Usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for intracystic breast tumors: a
      report of three cases.
AB  - Cystic breast lesions are caused by a wide spectrum of breast diseases and can
      range from simple cysts to malignant tumors. Ultrasonography is a good tool for
      evaluation of the morphology and vascularity of cystic breast lesions. We report
      three patients in whom contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was used to
      evaluate intracystic tumors. One of the three patients was diagnosed with
      intracystic papilloma. Compared with conventional ultrasonography alone, CEUS
      more clearly demonstrated that the solid component within the mass was lobulated
      with a narrow base. The other two patients were diagnosed with intracystic
      papillary carcinoma, and CEUS clearly revealed the presence of widely elevated
      solid components within both masses, suggesting malignancy. Therefore, CEUS
      simplified morphological evaluation by enhancing the solid components within the
      cystic masses. 

PMID- 27277918
TI  - Fetal stomach paracentesis in combined duodenal and esophageal atresia.
AB  - Fetuses with concomitant duodenal atresia (DA) and esophageal atresia (EA) might
      develop in utero gastric rupture as well as neonatal respiratory complication due
      to dilated stomach and duodenum. Our patient with the typical "double bubble"
      appearance was highly suspected to have DA in the second trimester. Follow-up
      examinations revealed a massively dilated stomach and duodenum with a dilated
      distal esophagus, indicating concomitant DA and EA. With advancing pregnancy, the
      fetal abdomen progressively increased in size by retention of fluid in the closed
      loop of DA and EA. To avoid gastric perforation, prenatal stomach paracentesis
      using an ultrasound-guided needle was performed three times until delivery. A
      male neonate born at 37 weeks gestation showed no respiratory complication.
      Perinatal clinical features and operative findings revealed combined DA and EA
      (gross type A). He was successfully managed with duodenoduodenostomy, followed by
      esophago-esophagostomy. On fetal sonography, the marked "double bubble"
      appearance and the cystic structure presenting peristalsis-like movement above
      the diaphragm were indicative of concomitant DA and EA. Fetal stomach
      paracentesis could contribute to the improvement of perinatal outcomes in fetuses
      with this pathological condition. 

PMID- 27277919
TI  - HDlive 3D ultrasound and follicular development.
AB  - Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography is the fundamental technology on which
      diagnosis, management, and control in reproductive medicine depends. Over the
      years there have been efforts to improve 2D ultrasound image quality. In recent
      years, a series of software has appeared that has generated enormous interest.
      The goal of these modes has been to improve image quality and diagnostic
      accuracy. HDlive incorporates a movable virtual adjustable light source which, as
      it penetrates, produces selective illumination with respective shadows that
      result from the structures where light is reflected. This combination of light
      and shadow results in spectacular images which appear much more real than those
      obtained with conventional 3D ultrasonography. 

PMID- 27277920
TI  - Valsalva test: a new method to evaluate postpartum anal sphincter function by
      perineal ultrasound.

PMID- 27277922
TI  - What is coronary blood flow reserve? Insights using myocardial contrast
      echocardiography.
AB  - This review will briefly describe the principles of myocardial contrast
      echocardiography, and then discuss the clinical and experimental observations
      that led to the use of this approach to investigate the pathophysiological basis
      of coronary blood flow reserve. The insights offered by myocardial contrast
      echocardiography are unique and novel, and highlight the importance of the
      myocardial capillaries in determining coronary blood flow reserve in health and
      disease. 

PMID- 27277921
TI  - 'Bringing respite in the burden of illness' - dog handlers' experience of
      visiting older persons with dementia together with a therapy dog.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To illuminate meanings of the lived experiences of dog
      handlers' when visiting older persons with dementia with their therapy dog.
      BACKGROUND: Studies indicate that care of persons with dementia should focus on a
      person-centred approach with the person's interests in the centre. Animal
      assisted therapy using a therapy dog in the care of persons with dementia has
      been shown to increase well-being and decrease problematic behaviours associated
      with the illness. DESIGN: A qualitative lifeworld approach was adopted for this
      study. METHODS: Data were collected from open-ended interviews with nine dog
      handlers, and the analysis conducted using the phenomenological hermeneutical
      method. RESULTS: The structural analysis resulted in one theme, 'Respite from the
      burden of illness for persons with dementia'. CONCLUSIONS: Visiting a person with
      dementia can be seen as an act of caring, providing temporary respite from their
      illness, and creating a special relationship between handler and patient. A
      therapy dog visit can represent a moment of communion between the handler and the
      person with dementia. IMPLICATION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Dog handlers use their
      skills and knowledge to promote a situation that reduces symptoms of illness and
      encourages healthier behaviour. The results of this study may be of interest to
      researchers, clinical practitioners, caregivers and dog handlers who care for
      persons with dementia using therapy dog teams on prescription as an alternative
      method to minimise behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

PMID- 27277923
TI  - Usefulness of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in evaluating aortic
      root diameters during a cardiac cycle.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The preoperative evaluation of aortic root diameters is important for
      determining the surgical strategy in patients with aortic valve disease. The
      purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of real-time three
      dimensional echocardiography (3D-echo) for the evaluation of aortic root
      diameters compared with two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-echo) and to
      evaluate aortic root dynamics. METHODS: We prospectively investigated 23 patients
      with aortic stenosis (AS) and 37 normal controls. With 2D-echo, aortic root
      diameters were measured from the parasternal long-axis view. With 3D-echo, long
      axis and short-axis views of the aortic root were reconstructed from the full
      volume image, and aortic root diameters were measured at mid-systole, end
      systole, mid-diastole, and end-diastole. These aortic root diameters were
      compared between 2D and 3D measurements, regarding intraoperative and computed
      tomographic measurements as the gold standard. In addition, dynamic changes of
      aortic root diameters during a cardiac cycle were evaluated. RESULTS: Aortic root
      diameters measured by 3D-echo were larger than those measured by 2D-echo (annular
      diameter 19.6 +/- 2.1 vs. 21.2 +/- 2.2 mm, p < 0.0001), and 3D measurements were
      closer to intraoperative and computed tomographic measurements than 2D
      measurements. The diameter of the aortic annulus increased during diastole, but
      the changes during a cardiac cycle were significantly smaller in patients with AS
      than in normal controls (2.0 +/- 2.2 vs. 7.8 +/- 3.4%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Aortic root diameters can be more accurately measured by 3D-echo than 2D-echo.
      Dynamic change of the aortic annulus during a cardiac cycle was smaller in
      patients with AS. 3D-echo is useful for the quantitative evaluation of the aortic
      root, including dynamics during a cardiac cycle.

PMID- 27277924
TI  - Time-dependent variation in coronary flow velocity reserve induced by adenosine
      triphosphate: comparison to low-dose dipyridamole.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measuring the coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) by transthoracic
      Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) has been widely performed using adenosine.
      Although adenosine infusion is known to induce transient variation of hyperemia,
      the timing to measure the CFVR has not been well addressed. Therefore, we aimed
      to clarify the difference between the peak CFVR and at 2 min following adenosine
      triphosphate (ATP) infusion compared to the CFVR after low-dose dipyridamole
      infusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 26 patients with coronary artery
      diseases underwent TTDE. The coronary flow velocity (CFV) of the left anterior
      descending artery (LAD) was monitored during ATP infusion at 0.14 mg/kg/min. The
      CFVR was measured both at the first peak and at 2 min following ATP infusion, and
      after dipyridamole infusion at 0.56 mg/kg/min for 4 min. The first peak of
      hyperemia occurred 63.7 +/- 8 s after starting ATP infusion. The value of the
      peak CFVR was significantly higher than the CFVR at 2 min following ATP stress,
      which was equivalent to the CFVR after dipyridamole infusion (2.30 +/- 0.92, 1.83
      +/- 0.77, and 1.70 +/- 0.68, respectively, P < 0.001). Applying a cut-off value
      of 2.0 to predict angiographic LAD stenosis, the CFVR at 2 min following ATP
      stress was significantly correlated to the angiographic findings. However, the
      peak CFVR after ATP infusion did not correlate with the angiographic findings.
      CONCLUSIONS: During ATP infusion, the peak CFVR was significantly higher than the
      CFVR at 2 min, which was equivalent to the CFVR after low-dose dipyridamole. This
      finding should be considered for the standardization of CFVR measurements.

PMID- 27277925
TI  - Aortic regurgitation caused by cusp bending of aortic valve leaflet.
AB  - Pure aortic regurgitation (AR) is caused by primary disease of the aortic leaflet
      and/or the aortic root. However, there are many patients with AR with unclear
      etiology and mechanism. The assessment of mechanism is critical to the decision
      of surgical modality for AR. Echocardiography, particularly a detailed analysis
      of the aortic leaflets and root by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), could
      be an important diagnostic step to assess its mechanism. In this report, we
      present a case of AR in which the TEE images led to diagnosis of cusp bending of
      aortic leaflet without specific findings indicating this pathology. 

PMID- 27277926
TI  - A patient came back with retrograde coronary flow in the distal right coronary
      artery 2 years after coronary intervention: clinical significance of retrograde
      coronary flow to detect coronary artery occlusion.
AB  - A 69-year-old male patient, who had a history of coronary stent implantation to
      the proximal right coronary artery (RCA), presented with exertional chest pain.
      Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography revealed retrograde coronary flow in the
      distal RCA, and treadmill stress echocardiography revealed inducible myocardial
      ischemia in the inferior and posterior segments. Coronary angiography
      demonstrated a severe stenotic lesion with flow delay in the mid RCA and
      collateral circulation to the distal RCA from the left coronary artery. Detection
      of retrograde coronary flow in the distal RCA using transthoracic Doppler
      echocardiography is a useful method to diagnose subtotal occlusion of the RCA. 

PMID- 27277927
TI  - Stent placement in the ductus venosus of a neonate with total anomalous pulmonary
      venous return.
AB  - A newborn with right isomerism, infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous
      return (TAPVR), and obstruction of the ductus venosus underwent stent
      implantation in the ductus venosus at 4 h after birth. This procedure averted
      early pulmonary venous obstruction. Since gradual neointimal proliferation
      subsequently occurred within the stent, the patient underwent stent balloon
      dilatation at 35 days of age and underwent surgical repair of the TAPVR with a
      Blalock-Taussig shunt operation at 53 days of age. Finally, the patient was
      discharged without any complications. Transthoracic echocardiography is very
      useful to confirm subsequent minimal change within the stent. 

PMID- 27277928
TI  - Mitral annuloplasty ring detachment in real-time three-dimensional
      echocardiography.

PMID- 27277929
TI  - Evidence for impaired left ventricular ejection in hypertrophic obstructive
      cardiomyopathy: dynamic aortic ejection flow velocity profile demonstrated by
      pulsed Doppler echocardiography.

PMID- 27277930
TI  - A case of transient myocardial dysfunction with electrocardiographic abnormality
      due to acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

PMID- 27277931
TI  - Impact of the right parasternal view with supine positioning for
      echocardiographic visualization of acute type A aortic dissection.

PMID- 27277933
TI  - Immunoanalysis for environmental monitoring and human health.

PMID- 27277932
TI  - Retinal ganglion cell topography and spatial resolving power in African
      megachiropterans: Influence of roosting microhabitat and foraging.
AB  - Megachiropteran bats (megabats) show remarkable diversity in microhabitat
      occupation and trophic specializations, but information on how vision relates to
      their behavioral ecology is scarce. Using stereology and retinal wholemounts, we
      measured the topographic distribution of retinal ganglion cells and determined
      the spatial resolution of eight African megachiropterans with distinct roosting
      and feeding ecologies. We found that species roosting in open microhabitats have
      a pronounced streak of high retinal ganglion cell density, whereas those favoring
      more enclosed microhabitats have a less pronounced streak (or its absence in
      Hypsignathus monstrosus). An exception is the cave-dwelling Rousettus
      aegyptiacus, which has a pronounced horizontal streak that potentially correlates
      with its occurrence in more open environments during foraging. In all species, we
      found a temporal area with maximum retinal ganglion cell density (~5,000-7,000
      cells/mm2 ) that affords enhanced resolution in the frontal visual field. Our
      estimates of spatial resolution based on peak retinal ganglion cell density and
      eye size (~6-12 mm in axial length) range between ~2 and 4 cycles/degree. Species
      that occur in more enclosed microhabitats and feed on plant material have lower
      spatial resolution (~2 cycles/degree) compared with those that roost in open and
      semiopen areas (~3-3.8 cycles/degree). We suggest that the larger eye and
      concomitant higher spatial resolution (~4 cycles/degree) in H. monstrosus may
      have facilitated the carnivorous aspect of its diet. In conclusion, variations in
      the topographic organization and magnitude of retinal ganglion density reflect
      the specific ecological needs to detect food/predators and the structural
      complexity of the environments. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:186-203, 2017. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27277934
TI  - Statin use and the risk of developing diabetes: a network meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Randomized controlled trials have shown mixed findings regarding the
      association of statins and diabetes. This systematic literature review and
      network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to update evidence on this association
      to possibly assist clinicians in making more informed treatment choices. METHODS:
      We identified studies relevant to our NMA by performing study searches in
      databases like Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed, published between August 2010 and
      June 2014. Pre-2010 studies were identified from bibliography of previously
      published meta-analyses. Unpublished study data were found from
      clinicaltrial.gov. Data synthesis was performed by pairwise meta-analysis and NMA
      within a Frequentist framework. RESULTS: Twenty nine trials in which 1 63 039
      participants had been randomized were included in this review; among these 1 41
      863 were non-diabetic patients. The direct meta-analysis showed that statins, as
      a class, significantly increased the likelihood of developing diabetes by 12%
      (pooled OR 1.12; 95%CI 1.05-1.21; I2 36%; p = 0.002; 18 RCTs). In the NMA,
      atorvastatin 80 mg was associated with a highest risk of diabetes, with OR of
      1.34 (95%CI 1.14-1.57) followed by rosuvastatin (OR: 1.17; 95%CI: 1.02-1.35). The
      ORs (95%CIs) for simvastatin 80 mg, simvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin,
      lovastatin and pitavastatin were 1.21 (0.99-1.49), 1.13 (0.99-1.29), 1.13 (0.94
      1.34), 1.04 (0.93-1.16), 0.98 (0.69-1.38) and 0.74 (0.31-1.77), respectively.
      High-dose atorvastatin increased the odds of developing diabetes even when
      compared with pravastatin, simvastatin and low-dose atorvastatin in the NMA.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, statins, as a class, increased the risk of
      diabetes significantly in the pairwise meta-analysis. Overall, there appears to
      be a small increased risk of incident diabetes, particularly with more intensive
      statin therapy, although more data would be valuable to increase the robustness
      of this interpretation, given that the lower confidence intervals of our study
      analyses are close to, or just crossing one. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27277935
TI  - [Evaluation of the blood progesterone concentration in the bitch measured by
      chemiluminescence immunoassay at the day of ovulation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Modifications of human test systems used in veterinary laboratory
      practice could lead to reference-range adaptions for their veterinary use. In
      2012 the manufacturer of a widely used chemiluminescence immunoassay modified the
      test for progesterone measurement leading to a reference range adaption for the
      breeding-time detection in the bitch. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aim of the
      present study was to evaluate the mean progesterone concentration by using the
      modified chemiluminescence immunoassay at the time of ovulation in the bitch and
      to compare this with previously used reference ranges. Moreover, internal and
      external quality controls were performed and progesterone concentrations measured
      in different laboratories with different methods were compared at a national and
      international level. RESULTS: In the present study, it could be demonstrated that
      the concentration of progesterone of 0-6 ng/ml measured by the modified test was
      clearly lower than that measured by the previously delivered test. National and
      international quality control assurance showed a good agreement of progesterone
      measurements between different laboratories and with the modified test. In seven
      bitches, the mean progesterone concentration on the day of ultrasonographically
      detected ovulation was 3.4 +/- 0.9 ng/ml (2.0-4.5 ng/ml). CONCLUSION: This
      analysis indicates the need to change the widely accepted reference value for
      ovulation from 5-8 ng/ml to ~ 3.5 ng/ml for the currently used method.
      Particularly in veterinary endocrinology, the routine evaluation of reference
      values should be standard for good laboratory practice. However, the respective
      reference range is laboratory specific. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Reference ranges of
      the progesterone concentration indicating the day of ovulation should be provided
      by the respective laboratory.

PMID- 27277936
TI  - [Representatives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery residents in Germany].
AB  - In most German hospitals there are resident representatives to stand in for the
      rights and interests of residents. The precise number of representatives in
      orthopaedic and trauma surgery is unknown, as well as the field of duty and the
      rights of this position.The Junges Forum O&U presents survey data, which were
      collected from members of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU), the German
      Society for Orthopaedics and Orthpaedic Surgery (DGOOC) and the German Society
      for Orthopaedics and Trauma (DGOU). All had an age below 40 years. The Survey was
      carried out in a period between 27th of January 2015 and 26th of March 2015.These
      data allowed the Junges Forum O&U to analyse the duties and numbers of
      representatives for residents in orthopaedic and trauma surgery in Germany.
      Questionnaires from 316 representatives were fully analysed. Of these, 92 % work
      at university hospitals. The conditions of election and the duties are not
      defined. The activity as representative was mainly fulfilled in spare time. The
      major aspect was conflict resolution between colleagues.The Junge Forum O&U
      presents the recommendation for election, field of duty and meetings on a regular
      basis with the other residents or even the first-line management. 

PMID- 27277937
TI  - [Pre-requisites, observations and benefits of the DGU trauma registry in
      Austria].
AB  - The trauma registry of the DGU was founded in 1992 with the objective of
      collecting data on severely injured patients. The purpose of this registry, in
      which Austrian trauma units have taken part since 1998, is to answer questions
      related to the field of trauma management. Using the example of the Linz Trauma
      Center (UKH Linz), which has actively participated since 2012, the authors would
      like to share their experiences of collecting data in order to motivate other
      departments to participate in the trauma registry. We would like to make
      suggestions regarding implementation methods for high-quality data
      acquisition.However, the availability of essential human resources must be
      guaranteed, since the recording of data from severely injured patients sometimes
      takes 60-90 min. Additionally, an automatic data acquisition method is currently
      unavailable for technical reasons. 

PMID- 27277938
TI  - Echocardiographic diagnosis of double-chambered left ventricle.
AB  - Double-chambered left ventricle (DCLV) is a rare congenital abnormality in which
      the left ventricle is divided into two separate chambers by a septum or anomalous
      muscular structure. The chambers are observed mostly parallel to each other
      without stenosis, and less frequently in a superior-inferior arrangement. An
      asymptomatic girl is presented here who was diagnosed with DCLV on
      echocardiographic examination that was performed for the evaluation of cardiac
      murmur detected by a pediatrician. She has been followed up without treatment.

PMID- 27277939
TI  - Intensity of Left Atrial Spontaneous Echo Contrast as a Correlate for Stroke Risk
      Stratification in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - The intensity of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) by transesophageal
      echocardiography (TEE) has been proposed as an important variable in the
      stratification of thromboembolic risk, particularly in patients with nonvalvular
      atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We hypothesized that the quantification of LASEC by
      ultrasound will improve its utility in predicting subsequent stroke events in
      patients with NVAF. Patients (n = 206) with definite NVAF receiving TEE were
      included for this prospective cohort study. Baseline clinical risk factors of
      stroke, CHADS2 score and CHA2DS2-Vasc, left atrial thrombus (LAT), the five
      grades of LASEC and video intensity (VI) value of LASEC were measured. During 2
      years follow-up, 20 patients (9.7%) developed stroke. VI value of LASEC in the
      patients with stroke was higher compared to patients without stroke (25.30 +/-
      3.61 vs. 8.65 +/- 0.81, p < 0.001). On logistic regression analysis, LAT,
      qualitative LASEC, graded LASEC, VI value of LASEC and CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-Vasc
      score were independent predictors of stroke. Among them, the highest area under
      the curve of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) in predicting stroke was VI
      value of LASEC (p < 0.05). These results show that quantification of LASEC by VI
      value is the most favorable predictor of stroke in patients with NVAF, and calls
      for improving the utility of LASEC in predicting subsequent stroke events.

PMID- 27277940
TI  - Should we embed randomized controlled trials within action research: arguing from
      a case study of telemonitoring.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Action research (AR) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are
      usually considered to be theoretically and practically incompatible. However, we
      argue that their respective strengths and weaknesses can be complementary. We
      illustrate our argument from a recent study assessing the effect of
      telemonitoring on health-related quality of life, self-care, hospital use, costs
      and the experiences of patients, informal carers and health care professionals in
      two urban hospital services and one remote rural primary care service in New
      Zealand. METHODS: Data came from authors' observations and field notes of
      discussions with three groups: the healthcare providers and healthcare consumers
      who participated in the research, and a group of 17 researchers and
      collaborators. The consumers had heart failure (Site A, urban), airways disease
      (Site B, urban), and diabetes (Site C, rural). The research ran from 2008
      (project inception) until 2012 (project close-off). Researchers came from a wide
      range of disciplines. Both RCT and AR methods were recognised from early in the
      process but often worked in parallel rather than together. In retrospect, we have
      mapped our observed research processes to the AR cycle characteristics (creation
      of communicative space, democracy and participation, iterative learning and
      improvement, emergence, and accommodation of different ways of knowing). RESULTS:
      We describe the context, conduct and outcomes of the telemonitoring trial,
      framing the overall process in the language of AR. Although not fully articulated
      at the time, AR processes made the RCT sensitive to important context, e.g.
      clinical processes. They resulted in substantive changes to the design and
      conduct of the RCT, and to interpretation and uptake of findings, e.g. a simpler
      technology procurement process emerged. Creating a communicative space enabled co
      design between the researcher group and collaborators from the provider
      participant group, and a stronger RCT design. CONCLUSIONS: It appears possible to
      enhance the utility of RCTs by explicitly embedding them in an AR framework to
      shape stronger RCT design. The AR process and characteristics may enable
      researchers to evaluate telehealth while enhancing rather than compromising the
      quality of an RCT, where research results are returned to practice as part of the
      research process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials
      Registry, reference ACTRN12610000269033 .

PMID- 27277942
TI  - Behind the Smile.

PMID- 27277941
TI  - The effect of an affordable daycare program on health and economic well-being in
      Rajasthan, India: protocol for a cluster-randomized impact evaluation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The provision of affordable and reliable daycare services is a
      potentially important policy lever for empowering Indian women. Access to daycare
      might reduce barriers to labor force entry and generate economic opportunities
      for women, improve education for girls caring for younger siblings, and promote
      nutrition and learning among children. However, empirical evidence concerning the
      effects of daycare programs in low-and-middle-income countries is scarce. This
      cluster-randomized trial will estimate the effect of a community-based daycare
      program on health and economic well-being over the life-course among women and
      children living in rural Rajasthan, India. METHODS: This three-year study takes
      place in rural communities from five blocks in the Udaipur District of rural
      Rajasthan. The intervention is the introduction of a full-time, affordable,
      community-based daycare program. At baseline, 3177 mothers with age eligible
      children living in 160 village hamlets were surveyed. After the baseline, these
      hamlets were randomized to the intervention or control groups and respondents
      will be interviewed on two more occasions. Primary social and economic outcomes
      include women's economic status and economic opportunity, women's empowerment,
      and children's educational attainment. Primary health outcomes include women's
      mental health, as well as children's nutritional status. DISCUSSION: This
      interdisciplinary research initiative will provide rigorous evidence concerning
      the effects of daycare in lower-income settings. In doing so it will address an
      important research gap and has the potential to inform policies for improving the
      daycare system in India in ways that promote health and economic well-being.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: (1) The ISRCTN clinical trial registry (ISRCTN45369145),
      http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN45369145 , registered on May 16, 2016 and (2) The
      American Economic Association's registry for randomized controlled trials
      (AEARCTR-0000774), http://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/774 , registered
      on July 15, 2015.

PMID- 27277943
TI  - Isotope-filtered nD NMR spectroscopy of complex mixtures to unravel the molecular
      structures of phenolic compounds in tagged soil organic matter.
AB  - Unravelling structures of molecules contained in complex, chromatographically
      inseparable mixtures is a challenging task. Due to the number of overlapping
      resonances in NMR spectra of these mixtures, unambiguous chemical shift
      correlations attributable to individual molecules cannot be achieved and thus
      their structure determination is elusive by this technique. Placing a tag
      carrying an NMR active nucleus onto a subset of molecules enables (i) to
      eliminate signals from the non-tagged molecules, and (ii) to obtain a set of
      correlated chemical shifts and coupling constants belonging to a single molecular
      type. This approach provides an opportunity for structure determination without
      the need for compound separation. Focusing on the most abundant functional groups
      of natural organic matter molecules, the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups were
      converted into esters and ethers, respectively by introducing (13)CH3O groups. A
      set of (13)C-filtered nD NMR experiments was designed yielding
      structures/structural motives of tagged molecules. The relative sensitivity of
      these experiments was compared and a step-by-step guide how to use these
      experiments to analyse the structures of methylated phenolics is provided. The
      methods are illustrated using an operational fraction of soil organic matter,
      fulvic acid isolated from a Scottish peat bog. Analysis of 33 structures
      identified in this sample revealed a correlation between the position of the
      methoxy cross-peaks in the (1)H, (13)C HSQC spectra and the compound type. This
      information enables profiling of phenolic compounds in natural organic matter
      without the need to acquire a full set of experiments described here or access to
      high field cryoprobe NMR spectrometers. 

PMID- 27277944
TI  - 2016 European guideline on the management of non-gonococcal urethritis published.

PMID- 27277945
TI  - The Home Observation of Periconceptional Exposures (HOPE) study, a prospective
      cohort: aims, design, recruitment and compliance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To examine transient environmental exposures and their relationship
      with human fecundity, exposure assessment should occur optimally at the time of
      conception in both members of the couple. We performed an observational,
      prospective cohort study with biomonitoring in both members of a heterosexual
      couple trying to conceive. Couples collected urine, saliva, and semen specimens
      for up to two menstrual cycles on days corresponding to the time windows of
      fertilization, implantation, and early pregnancy, identified based on the woman's
      observations of her cervical fluid. RESULTS: Three hundred nine eligible couples
      were screened between 2011 and 2015, of which 183 enrolled. Eleven couples (6.0
      %) withdrew or were lost to follow up. The most successful and cost effective
      recruiting strategies were word of mouth (40 % of participating couples), posters
      and flyers (37 %), and targeted Facebook advertising (13 %) with an overall
      investment of $37.35 spent on recruitment per couple. Both men and women
      collected >=97.2 % of requested saliva samples, and men collected >=89.9 % of
      requested semen samples. Within the periovulatory days (+/-3 days), there was at
      least one urine specimen collected by women in 97.1 % of cycles, and at least one
      by men in 91.7 % of cycles. Daily compliance with periovulatory urine specimens
      ranged from 66.5 to 92.4 % for women and from 55.7 to 75.0 % for men. Compliance
      was >=88 % for questionnaire completion at specified time points. CONCLUSIONS:
      Couples planning to conceive can be recruited successfully for periconceptional
      monitoring, and will comply with intensive study protocols involving home
      collection of biospecimens and questionnaire data.

PMID- 27277947
TI  - Fibula regeneration following non-vascularized graft harvest in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A peculiarity of non-vascularized fibular harvest is that the donor
      site regenerates new bone provided periosteum is preserved. We prospectively
      investigated the regenerated fibula quantitatively and studied clinical
      implications of non-regeneration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The fibula was harvested
      using a periosteum preserving technique. Only fibulae from healthy legs were
      harvested. X-rays were done pre- and post-operatively at three and six months.
      Clinical assessment of donor limb included pain, gait, motor and sensory
      examination. Fibular regeneration was quantified using defined length and width
      criteria. RESULTS: There were 16 children with 21 harvested fibula. About 65 % of
      total fibular length was available for use as graft. There was regeneration of
      fibula similar to the pre-operative dimensions as early as six months in 71 % of
      cases. There were no clinical morbid findings as assessed at six months follow up
      despite non-continuity being observed in 29 % of cases. The predominant site for
      non-continuity was middle third-distal third junction. CONCLUSIONS: Periosteal
      preserving non-vascularized fibula grafting was a low morbidity procedure. In two
      third of the cases, there was regeneration of fibula comparable to pre-operative
      dimensions as early as six months. The non-continuous regeneration had no
      clinical implications.

PMID- 27277948
TI  - Accuracy of measuring acetabular cup position after total hip arthroplasty:
      comparison between a radiographic planning software and three-dimensional
      computed tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: Various methods are available for measuring acetabular cup position
      after total hip arthroplasty (THA) on standard anterior-posterior (AP)
      radiographs. We compared the accuracy of a commercial radiographic planning
      software program with that of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT)
      scans. METHODS: We obtained plain AP radiographs and 3D-CTs from 65 patients
      after THA. In addition to calculating cup anteversion and inclination with 3D-CT,
      we determined the cup position using the radiographic planning software program
      mediCAD(r) 2.5 (Hectec, Niederviehbach, Germany). Furthermore, we compared the
      measurements using the inter-teardrop and bi-ischial lines as pelvic landmarks.
      RESULTS: The mean difference in anteversion between 3D-CT and mediCAD(r) software
      was 0.1 degrees  using the inter-teardrop line (standard deviation [SD], 8.8
      degrees ; range, -21 degrees  to 23 degrees ; p = 0.97) and 0.4 degrees  using
      the bi-ischial line (SD, 8.8 degrees ; range, -23 degrees  to 21 degrees ; p =
      0.72). Inclination showed a mean difference of 0.6 degrees  using the inter
      teardrop line (SD, 4.4 degrees ; range, -9 degrees  to 21 degrees ; p = 0.24) and
      0.5 degrees  using bi-ischial line (SD, 4.6 degrees ; range, -9 degrees  to 22
      degrees ; p = 0.35). The means for absolute differences were 7.2 degrees  for
      anteversion and 3.1 degrees  for inclination. With regard to using the bi-ischial
      or inter-teardrop line, no significant difference was found between the two
      pelvic landmarks. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was analysed for
      anteversion and inclination using either the inter-teardrop line or the bi
      ischial line as radiographic baseline. CONCLUSIONS: A radiographic planning
      software program (mediCAD(r)) is a helpful tool for measuring cup inclination on
      AP radiographs. With respect to anteversion, measurements are rather susceptible
      to mistakes with mean inaccuracies of over 7 degrees . Thus, 3D-CT remains the
      "gold standard" if a lower tolerance limit (+/-3 degrees ) is required for more
      complex biomechanical evaluations. As a pelvic landmark, the interteardrop line
      is preferential to the bi-ischial line because of its lower impact on the
      position of the pelvis.

PMID- 27277946
TI  - Prevention of depression through nutritional strategies in high-risk persons:
      rationale and design of the MooDFOOD prevention trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity and depression are two prevalent conditions that are costly
      to individuals and society. The bidirectional association of obesity with
      depression, in which unhealthy dietary patterns may play an important role, has
      been well established. Few experimental studies have been conducted to
      investigate whether supplementing specific nutrients or improving diet and food
      related behaviors can prevent depression in overweight persons. METHOD/DESIGN:
      The MooDFOOD prevention trial examines the feasibility and effectiveness of two
      different nutritional strategies [multi-nutrient supplementation and food-related
      behavioral change therapy (FBC)] to prevent depression in individuals who are
      overweight and have elevated depressive symptoms but who are not currently or in
      the last 6 months meeting criteria for an episode of major depressive disorder
      (MDD). The randomized controlled prevention trial has a two-by-two factorial
      design: participants are randomized to daily multi-nutrient supplement (omega-3
      fatty acids, calcium, selenium, B-11 vitamin and D-3 vitamin) versus placebo,
      and/or FBC therapy sessions versus usual care. Interventions last 12 months. In
      total 1000 participants aged 18-75 years with body mass index between 25-40
      kg/m(2) and with a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score >= 5 will be recruited at
      four study sites in four European countries. Baseline and follow-up assessments
      take place at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary endpoint is the onset of an episode
      of MDD, assessed according to DSM-IV based criteria using the MINI 5.0 interview.
      Depressive symptoms, anxiety, food and eating behavior, physical activity and
      health related quality of life are secondary outcomes. During the intervention,
      compliance, adverse events and potentially mediating variables are carefully
      monitored. DISCUSSION: The trial aims to provide a better understanding of the
      causal role of specific nutrients, overall diet, and food-related behavior change
      with respect to the incidence of MDD episodes. This knowledge will be used to
      develop and disseminate innovative evidence-based, feasible, and effective
      nutritional public health strategies for the prevention of clinical depression.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov. Number of identification: NCT02529423 .
      August 2015.

PMID- 27277949
TI  - N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor siRNA inhibits the release of Weibel-Palade
      bodies in endothelial cells.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of small interfering RNA
      (siRNA) methods on the expression of N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) and
      Weibel-Palade body (WPB) release in endothelial cells. A small hairpin RNA
      (shRNA), mediated with an adenovirus vector, was designed to target the N
      terminal functional area of NSF. Subsequently, viruses were transfected into
      human aortic endothelial cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of NSF
      were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction
      and Western blot analyses, respectively, and the release of WPBs in the
      endothelial cells was examined using immunofluorescence. The mRNA expression of
      NSF in the endothelial cells, which were transfected with the adenoviruses
      carrying the NSF-shRNA was significantly decreased, compared with the negative
      control group (P=0.035) and blank control group (P=0.02). In addition, the mRNA
      expression of NSF was gradually decreased as duration increased; there were
      marked differences between the 24, 48 and 72 h groups (P<0.05). The protein
      expression of NSF was significantly decreased in the experimental group, compared
      with the negative control group (P=0.004) and blank control group (P=0.031),
      however, no difference was observed between the negative control and blank
      control groups (P=0.249). The immunofluorescence staining showed that the release
      of WPBs in the endothelial cells induced with thrombin was inhibited markedly
      following transfection with the virus carrying the NSF-shRNA. Therefore NSF-siRNA
      inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of NSF, and inhibited the
      release of WPBs in endothelial cells induced with thrombin. These results
      suggested that NSF-siRNA may be valuable for preventing and treating
      atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome. 

PMID- 27277950
TI  - Attention bias to threat indicates anxiety differences in sheep.
AB  - Humans and animals show increased attention towards threatening stimuli when they
      are in increased states of anxiety. The few animal studies that have examined
      this phenomenon, known as attention bias, have applied environmental
      manipulations to induce anxiety but the effects of drug-induced anxiety levels on
      attention bias have not been demonstrated. Here, we present an attention bias
      test to identify high and low anxiety states in sheep using pharmacological
      manipulation. Increased anxiety was induced using 1-methyl-chlorophenylpiperazine
      (m-CPP) and decreased anxiety with diazepam, and then we examined the behaviour
      of sheep in response to the presence of a dog as a threat. Increased attention
      towards the threat and increased vigilance were shown in sheep that received the
      m-CPP and reduced in sheep receiving the diazepam. The modulated attention
      towards a threat displayed by the m-CPP and diazepam animals suggests that
      attention bias can assess different levels of anxiety in sheep. Measuring
      attention bias has the potential to improve animal welfare assessment protocols.

PMID- 27277951
TI  - The potential for sexual transmission to compromise control of Ebola virus
      outbreaks.
AB  - Recent evidence suggests that sexual contact may give rise to transmission of
      Ebola virus long after infection has been cleared from blood. We develop a simple
      mathematical model that incorporates contact transmission and sexual transmission
      parametrized from data relating to the 2013-2015 West African Ebola epidemic. The
      model explores scenarios where contact transmission is reduced following
      infection events, capturing behaviour change, and quantifies how these actions
      reducing transmission may be compromised by sexual transmission in terms of
      increasing likelihood, size and duration of outbreaks. We characterize the extent
      to which sexual transmission operates in terms of the probability of initial
      infection resolving to sexual infectiousness and the sexual transmission rate,
      and relate these parameters to the overall case burden. We find that sexual
      transmission can have large effects on epidemic dynamics (increasing attack
      ratios from 25% in scenarios without sexual transmission but with contact
      transmission-reducing behaviour, up to 80% in equivalent scenarios with sexual
      transmission).

PMID- 27277952
TI  - On the prior distribution of extinction time.
AB  - Bayesian inference about the extinction of a species based on a record of its
      sightings requires the specification of a prior distribution for extinction time.
      Here, I critically review some specifications in the context of a specific model
      of the sighting record. The practical implication of the choice of prior
      distribution is illustrated through an application to the sighting record of the
      Caribbean monk seal.

PMID- 27277953
TI  - Intra-ejaculate sperm selection in female zebra finches.
AB  - Among internal fertilizers, typically fewer than 1% sperm survive the journey
      through the oviduct. Several studies suggest that the sperm reaching the ovum-the
      'fertilizing set'-comprise a non-random sub-population, but the characteristics
      of this group remain unclear. We tested whether oviductal selection in birds
      results in a morphologically distinct subset of sperm, by exploiting the fact
      that the fertilizing set are trapped by the perivitelline layer of the ovum. We
      show that these sperm have remarkably low morphological variation, as well as
      smaller head size and greater tail length, compared with those inseminated. Our
      study shows that the morphological composition of sperm-rather than length alone
      influences success in reaching the ovum.

PMID- 27277954
TI  - Distinct effects of pollinator dependence and self-incompatibility on pollen
      limitation in South African biodiversity hotspots.
AB  - Global synthesis indicates that limitation of plant fecundity by pollen receipt
      (pollen limitation) is positively related to regional plant diversity and is
      higher for self-incompatible than self-compatible species. While self
      incompatible species are always dependent on pollinating agents, self-compatible
      species may be pollinator-dependent or autofertile. This should cause variation
      in pollen limitation among self-compatible species, with lower pollen limitation
      in autofertile species because they do not depend on pollinators. We hypothesized
      that the intensity of pollen limitation in self-incompatible compared with
      pollinator-dependent self-compatible species should depend on whether pollen
      limitation is determined more by quantity than quality of pollen received. We
      compared pollen limitation between these three groups using a dataset of 70
      biotically pollinated species from biodiverse regions of South Africa. Comparison
      with a global dataset indicated that pollen limitation in the South African
      biodiversity hotspots was generally comparable to other regions, despite
      expectations of higher pollen limitation based on the global plant diversity
      pollen limitation relationship. Pollen limitation was lowest for autofertile
      species, as expected. It was also higher for pollinator-dependent self-compatible
      species than self-incompatible species, consistent with increased pollen-quality
      limitation in the former group due to negative consequences of pollinator
      mediated self-pollination. However, there was a higher frequency of plants with
      zygomorphic flowers, which were also more pollen-limited, among pollinator
      dependent self-compatible species. Thus, we could not attribute this difference
      in pollen limitation exclusively to a difference in pollen quality. Nevertheless,
      our results indicate that comparative studies should control for both pollinator
      dependence and self-incompatiblity when evaluating effects of other factors on
      pollen limitation.

PMID- 27277955
TI  - An Infant with a Prolonged Sympathomimetic Toxidrome after Lisdexamfetamine
      Dimesylate Ingestion.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Stimulant medications are approved to treat attention deficit
      hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children over the age of 6 years. Fatal
      ingestion of stimulants by children has been reported, although most ingestions
      do not result in severe toxicity. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, a once daily long
      acting stimulant, is a prodrug requiring conversion to its active form,
      dextroamphetamine, in the bloodstream. Based on its unique pharmacokinetics, peak
      levels of d-amphetamine are delayed. We describe a case of accidental ingestion
      of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in an infant. CASE REPORT: A previously healthy 10
      month-old infant was admitted to the hospital with a 5-h history of tachycardia,
      hypertension, dyskinesia, and altered mental status of unknown etiology.
      Confirmatory urine testing, from a specimen collected approximately 16 h after
      the onset of symptoms, revealed an urine amphetamine concentration of 22,312
      ng/mL (positive cutoff 200 ng/mL). The serum amphetamine concentration, from a
      specimen collected approximately 37 h after the onset of symptoms, was 68 ng/mL
      (positive cutoff 20 ng/mL). Urine and serum were both negative for
      methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxymethamphetamine
      (MDMA, Ecstasy), and methylenedioxyethamphetamine (MDEA). During the
      hospitalization, it was discovered that the infant had access to lisdexamfetamine
      dimesylate prior to the onset of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Amphetamine ingestions in
      young children are uncommon but do occur. Clinicians should be aware of signs and
      symptoms of amphetamine toxicity and consider ingestion when a pediatric patient
      presents with symptoms of a sympathetic toxidrome even when ingestion is denied.

PMID- 27277956
TI  - Evolutionary consequences of polyploidy in prokaryotes and the origin of mitosis
      and meiosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The origin of eukaryote-specific traits such as mitosis and sexual
      reproduction remains disputable. There is growing evidence that both mitosis and
      eukaryotic sex (i.e., the alternation of syngamy and meiosis) may have already
      existed in the basal eukaryotes. The mating system of the halophilic archaeon
      Haloferax volcanii probably represents an intermediate stage between typical
      prokaryotic and eukaryotic sex. H. volcanii is highly polyploid, as well as many
      other Archaea. Here, we use computer simulation to explore genetic and
      evolutionary outcomes of polyploidy in amitotic prokaryotes and its possible role
      in the origin of mitosis, meiosis and eukaryotic sex. RESULTS: Modeling suggests
      that polyploidy can confer strong short-term evolutionary advantage to amitotic
      prokaryotes. However, it also promotes the accumulation of recessive deleterious
      mutations and the risk of extinction in the long term, especially in highly
      mutagenic environment. There are several possible strategies that amitotic
      polyploids can use in order to reduce the genetic costs of polyploidy while
      retaining its benefits. Interestingly, most of these strategies resemble
      different components or aspects of eukaryotic sex. They include asexual ploidy
      cycles, equalization of genome copies by gene conversion, high-frequency lateral
      gene transfer between relatives, chromosome exchange coupled with homologous
      recombination, and the evolution of more accurate chromosome distribution during
      cell division (mitosis). Acquisition of mitosis by an amitotic polyploid results
      in chromosome diversification and specialization. Ultimately, it transforms a
      polyploid cell into a functionally monoploid one with multiple unique, highly
      redundant chromosomes. Specialization of chromosomes makes the previously evolved
      modes of promiscuous chromosome shuffling deleterious. This can result in
      selective pressure to develop accurate mechanisms of homolog pairing, and,
      ultimately, meiosis. CONCLUSION: Emergence of mitosis and the first evolutionary
      steps towards eukaryotic sex could have taken place in the ancestral polyploid,
      amitotic proto-eukaryotes, as they were struggling to survive in the highly
      mutagenic environment of the Early Proterozoic shallow water microbial
      communities, through the succession of the following stages: (1) acquisition of
      high-frequency between-individual genetic exchange coupled with homologous
      recombination; (2) acquisition of mitosis, followed by rapid chromosome
      diversification and specialization; (3) evolution of homolog synapsis and
      meiosis. Additional evidence compatible with this scenario includes mass
      acquisition of new families of paralogous genes by the basal eukaryotes, and
      recently discovered correlation between polyploidy and the presence of histones
      in Archaea. REVIEWER: This article was reviewed by Eugene Koonin, Uri Gophna and
      Armen Mulkidjanian. For the full reviews, please go to the Reviewers' comments
      section.

PMID- 27277958
TI  - Left main occlusion - a classic electrocardiogram.
AB  - Left main occlusion is associated with a dire prognosis, as the left main
      supplies blood to >75 % of the left ventricle. This is a case showing a classic
      electrocardiogram (ECG) together with the echocardiogram videos and images from
      coronary angiography. 

PMID- 27277957
TI  - Genetically encoded optical activation of DNA recombination in human cells.
AB  - We developed two tightly regulated, light-activated Cre recombinase enzymes
      through site-specific incorporation of two genetically-encoded photocaged amino
      acids in human cells. Excellent optical off to on switching of DNA recombination
      was achieved. Furthermore, we demonstrated precise spatial control of Cre
      recombinase through patterned illumination. 

PMID- 27277960
TI  - Motivating basic research in the university.

PMID- 27277959
TI  - Maternal morbidity measurement tool pilot: study protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While it is estimated that for every maternal death, 20-30 women
      suffer morbidity, these estimates are not based on standardized methods and
      measures. Lack of an agreed-upon definition, identification criteria,
      standardized assessment tools, and indicators has limited valid, routine, and
      comparable measurements of maternal morbidity. The World Health Organization
      (WHO) convened the Maternal Morbidity Working Group (MMWG) to develop
      standardized methods to improve estimates of maternal morbidity. To date, the
      MMWG has developed a definition and provided input into the development of a set
      of measurement tools. This protocol outlines the pilot test for measuring
      maternal morbidity in antenatal and postnatal clinical populations using these
      new tools. METHODS: In each setting, the tools will be piloted on approximately
      250 women receiving antenatal care (ANC) (at least 28 weeks pregnant) and 250
      women receiving postpartum care (PPC) (at least 6 weeks postpartum). The tools
      will be administered by trained health care workers. Each tool has three modules
      as follows: 1. personal history - socio-economic information, and risk-factors
      (such as violence and substance abuse) 2. patient symptoms - WHO Disability
      Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 12-item, and mental health questionnaires, General
      Anxiety Disorder, 7-item (GAD-7) and Personal Health Questionnaire, 9-item (PHQ
      9) 3. physical examination - signs, laboratory tests and results. DISCUSSION:
      This pilot (planned for Jamaica, Kenya and Malawi) will allow for comparing the
      types of morbidities women experience between and across settings, and determine
      the feasibility, acceptability and utility of using a modified, streamlined tool
      for routine measurement and summary estimates of morbidity to inform resource
      allocation and service provision. As part of the post-2015 Sustainable
      Development Goals (SDGs) estimating and measuring maternal morbidity will be
      essential to ensure appropriate resources are allocated to address its impact and
      improve well-being.

PMID- 27277961
TI  - Elastography: Imaging the elastic properties of soft tissues with ultrasound.
AB  - Elastography is a method that can ultimately generate several new kinds of
      images, called elastograms. As such, all the properties of elastograms are
      different from the familiar properties of sonograms. While sonograms convey
      information related to the local acoustic backscatter energy from tissue
      components, elastograms relate to its local strains, Young's moduli or Poisson's
      ratios. In general, these elasticity parameters are not directly correlated with
      sonographic parameters, i.e. elastography conveys new information about internal
      tissue structure and behavior under load that is not otherwise obtainable. In
      this paper we summarize our work in the field of elastography over the past
      decade. We present some relevant background material from the field of
      biomechanics. We then discuss the basic principles and limitations that are
      involved in the production of elastograms of biological tissues. Results from
      biological tissues in vitro and in vivo are shown to demonstrate this point. We
      conclude with some observations regarding the potential of elastography for
      medical diagnosis. 

PMID- 27277962
TI  - Sound waves and antineoplastic drugs: The possibility of an enhanced combined
      anticancer therapy.
AB  - Kremkau wrote a historical review of the use of ultrasound in cancer therapy in
      1979((1)) In 1990, Kondo and Kano published a Japanese review of the implications
      of the thermal and nonthermal effects of ultrasound in the treatment of
      cancer(2)). Again in 2000, Kondo et al reviewed the therapeutic applications of
      ultrasound and shock wave, emphasizing their thermal and cavitational
      effects(3)). Here we focus on the effects of ultrasound or shock waves in
      combination with anticancer agents, emphasizing their mechanisms of action and
      interaction. Most of the studies cited here reported promising results. Although
      the extent of the augmented combined effects in vivo is limited, synergism is the
      rule in vitro. In addition to the thermal effect of ultrasound, cavitational
      effects undoubtedly played a major role in both ultrasound and, more prominently,
      in shock wave therapy. Although the mechanism of the nonthermal noncavitational
      effects on biological processes is obscure, several factors, including
      temperature and the occurrence of cavitation and inertial cavitation, probably
      coexist and blend with these other effects. Magnification of anticancer activity
      results mainly from increased localization of drugs or other agents in vivo and
      increased intracellular permeabilisation both in vivo and in vitro. On the other
      hand, sublethal damage caused by ultrasound or shock waves may render cells more
      susceptible, to the effects of the agents, and both may act together, further
      amplifying these effects. We thus conclude that proper combination of an
      appropriate agent and ultrasound or shock wave should help improve cancer therapy
      by minimizing the side effects of drugs by lowering the effective dose and
      reducing the systemic concentration while increasing the efficiency of the
      therapy as a whole. Future studies should reveal specific conditions in this
      combined therapy that will lead to optimal outcome. 

PMID- 27277964
TI  - Contrast advanced dynamic flow imaging and contrast pulse subtraction imaging:
      Preliminary results in hepatic tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of contrast advanced dynamic flow imaging
      and contrast pulse subtraction imaging in the intranodular hemodynamics of
      hepatic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients underwent contrast advanced
      dynamic flow imaging and contrast pulse subtraction imaging using Levovist((r)),
      a microbubble contrast agent. Fourteen hepatic tumor nodules were studied: 9 were
      hepatocellular carcinoma, 1 metastasis, 1 hemangioma, 1 adenomatous hyperplasia,
      and 2 metastatic lymph nodes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Real-time scanning of
      contrast advanced dynamic flow imaging and intermittent interval-delay scanning
      of contrast pulse subtraction imaging were carried out in the early arterial
      phase, the late vascular phase, and the postvascular phase. The results obtained
      from contrast advanced dynamic flow imaging and contrast pulse subtraction
      imaging were compared with those obtained by precontrast power Doppler imaging
      and three-phase dynamic CT, respectively. RESULTS: The rate of detection of
      intranodular vascularity by contrast advanced dynamic flow imaging (93%) or
      contrast pulse subtraction imaging (93%) was significantly higher than that of
      precontrast power Doppler imaging (29%) and was as high as that of dynamic CT.
      Characteristic intranodular hemodynamics were detected in hepatocellular
      carcinoma, metastasis, hemangioma, and adenomatous hyperplasia with typical
      appearance of an intranodular blood vessel image in the early arterial phase, a
      parenchymal stain image in the late vascular phase, and a perfusion defect image
      in the post-vascular phase. CONCLUSION: Contrast advanced dynamic flow imaging
      and contrast pulse subtraction imaging clearly show the intranodular hemodynamics
      in hepatic tumors.

PMID- 27277963
TI  - Doppler ultrasound measurement of cerebral blood flow in healthy pregnant women.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare global cerebral blood supply in healthy pregnant women and
      nonpregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flow volumes in the common, internal,
      and external carotid, arteries and the vertebral arteries were determined using
      color Doppler ultrasonography in 17 nonpregnant women, 55 healthy pregnant women
      at 10 to 40 weeks gestation, and 24 puerperal women within 1 week after
      spontaneous delivery. Global cerebral blood flow was defined as the sum of flow
      volumes in the bilateral internal carotid and vertebral arteries. RESULTS: In the
      nonpregnant group, mean flow volumes of the common, internal, and external
      carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries, and mean global cerebral blood flow
      volume were (mean+/-SD) 863+/-108 ml/min, 554 +/-94 ml/min, 386+/-65 ml/min,
      115+/-24 ml/min, and 669+/-104 ml/min, respectively. During the second trimester,
      flow volumes of the common and external carotid arteries increased significantly
      in the healthy pregnant women, to about 130 percent and 140 percent of the
      nonpregnant level, respectively. Global cerebral blood flow volume remained
      unchanged during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: During pregnancy, increase in flow
      volumes in the common carotid arteries were accompanied by elevated flow volumes
      of the external carotid arteries but not the internal carotid arteries. This
      distribution would tend to regulate the volume of global cerebral blood flow
      throughout the period of pregnancy.

PMID- 27277965
TI  - The efferent blood flow of early hepatocellular carcinoma and borderline lesions:
      Demonstration by color Doppler imaging.
AB  - We performed waveform analysis of the efferent signal detected within early
      hepatocellular carcinomas and borderline lesions, in which portal flow was
      demonstrated. Continuity of this flow with the surrounding vessels was also
      analyzed. Nine nodules in 7 patients with early hepatocellular carcinomas and
      borderline lesions were included in this study. Tumor diameter ranged from 1.2 to
      3.5 cm; average, 2.1 cm. Waveform of the efferent flow signal from within these
      nodules was continuous in 5 nodules and biphasic venous in 4 nodules. Outside the
      nodules, the waveform of the efferent flow signal was that of a biphasic venous
      wave. All efferent signals were confirmed to continue in the hepatic vein. These
      findings thus suggest that the draining vessel in early hepatocellular carcinomas
      and their borderline lesions is the hepatic vein. 

PMID- 27277966
TI  - Studies on tissue characterization by texture analysis with co-occurrence matrix
      method using ultrasonography and CT imaging.
AB  - We used texture analysis with the co-occurrence matrix method to analyze
      ultrasonograms from normal and diseased livers, and X-ray CT images obtained from
      normal cases and cases of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Ten cases of normal,
      fatty, and cirrhotic livers; 10 cases of normal lungs; and 10 cases of idiopathic
      interstitial pneumonia, all confirmed by clinical findings, laboratory data,
      surgery, or biopsy, were the subjects of this study. We compared the results of
      texture analysis in normal and diseased livers under the same conditions of gain,
      focus, magnification rate, probe frequency, and depth of the region of interest.
      Here we discuss the relationship between Fisher ratio of texture analysis and
      pathological character. Although the normal and diseased liver groups did not
      differ significantly, the different pathological grades of fibrosis and the
      different size of nodules in the cirrhotic and normal liver groups did have
      different Fisher ratios. We compared the results of texture analysis with images
      obtained from normal cases and cases of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.
      Significant differences between normal lungs and those with idiopathic
      interstitial pneumonia were also found. We thus think that texture analysis can
      be used to analyze ultrasonograms obtained from lesions of different pathological
      grades and to classify CT images as well. 

PMID- 27277968
TI  - Fetal ascites immediately after rupture of ovarian cysts.
AB  - Ruptured fetal ovarian cysts are difficult to diagnose. We report on
      ultrasonograms recorded before and immediately after spontaneous rupture of fetal
      ovarian cysts followed by transient ascites. Ultrasound findings of transient
      ascites accompanied by rapid reduction in cyst size could aid in diagnosing
      rupture of fetal ovarian cysts. 

PMID- 27277967
TI  - Short-term therapy with relatively low-dose cerivastatin improves endothelial
      function independently of its lipid-lowering effect: Evaluation of brachial
      artery vasodilatation using B-mode ultrasound imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Administration of 0.4 to 0.8 mg of cerivastatin per day
      for 2 weeks has been reported to have pleiotropic effects and improve endothelial
      function. Whether low-dose cerivastatin would produce these rapid pleiotropic
      effects in the clinical setting remains uncertain, however. We investigated the
      effect of short-term therapy with relatively low-dose cerivastatin (0.15 mg/day)
      on endothelial function, thrombostatic parameters, and C-reactive protein (CRP)
      levels in hypercholesterolemic patients. METHODS: Thirteen patients with LDL
      cholesterol>160 mg/dl were treated with daily doses of 0.15 mg of cerivastatin
      for 2 weeks. Endothelial function, thrombostatic parameters (tissue-type
      plasminogen activator [t-PA], plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 [PAI-1], and
      CRP were estimated at baseline and again after 2 weeks of treatment. Endothelial
      function was measured as flow-mediated vasodilation. Flow-mediated vasodilatation
      was assessed by measuring the percent change in the diameter of the brachial
      artery in response to reactive hyperemia using high-resolution ultrasound.
      Endothelium-independent vasodilatation was also measured using sublingual
      nitroglycerin. RESULTS: No major complications developed after the treatment.
      Total cholesterol decreased significantly, from 258+/-32 to 211+/-21 mg/dl, and
      LDL-cholesterol also decreased from 171+/-15 to 133+/-16 mg/dl after the
      treatment. Flow-mediated vasodilatation increased significantly, from 4.6+/-1.3
      percent to 8.7+/-3.5 percent after 2 weeks of therapy, although endothelium
      independent vasodilatation was not affected (9.5+/-2.4% vs 8.8+/-3.1%). No
      relation was found between percent change in flow-mediated vasodilatation and
      improvement in levels of LDL-cholesterol after therapy (r=0.07). PAI-1, t-PA, and
      CRP were not significantly changed by 2 weeks of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: (1)
      Evaluating vasodilation of the brachial artery with B-mode ultrasound imaging was
      useful in investigating the effect of statin on endothelial function. (2)
      Although no effect was detected in PAI-1, t-PA, or CRP, relatively low-dose
      cerivastatin therapy for 2 weeks improved endothelial function and lipid level
      independently and safely in hypercholesterolemic patients.

PMID- 27277970
TI  - RUNX2 controls human IPO8 basal transcription in Saos-2 cells.
AB  - Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) is a vital regulatory factor that
      controls osteoblast-specific gene expression; however, RUNX2-regulated genes in
      human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) remain to be fully elucidated. In the
      present study, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-on-chip analysis of RUNX2 in
      hMSCs demonstrated that importin 8 (IPO8) may be a novel target gene. The 5'
      flanking region of the IPO8 gene, which is ~3,300 bp in length, was cloned and
      inserted into the pGL3-basic luciferase reporter vector. The results of dual
      luciferase reporter assays indicated that this segment possessed strong basal
      promoter activity. Furthermore, the RUNX2 binding site, which encompasses
      positions -496 to -501 bp, was required to achieve maximal IPO8 promoter activity
      in Saos-2 human osteosarcoma cells. In addition, ChIP analysis indicated that
      RUNX2 uniquely binds to this specific IPO8 sequence motif. Cells with a knockdown
      in RUNX2 expression exhibited downregulated IPO8 transcription. Finally,
      synchronization of IPO8 and RUNX2 expression was observed in Saos-2 cells
      cultured in osteoblast-induction medium. Taken together, these results indicated
      that RUNX2 regulates IPO8 gene transcription, and may have a contributory role in
      osteoblast differentiation. 

PMID- 27277971
TI  - Symptoms and musculoskeletal diseases in hospital nurses and in a group of
      university employees: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most studies have shown that nurses have a higher risk of developing
      musculoskeletal symptoms compared with other occupational groups. AIM: A cross
      sectional study was performed to gain more insight into the prevalence rates of
      musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in nurses. METHODS: The presence of
      musculoskeletal symptoms was revealed by personal interviews in a sample of 177
      hospital nurses and in a reference group of 185 university employees.
      Musculoskeletal diseases were based on radiological examinations in all subjects.
      RESULTS: Lower back pain (61% vs 42.2%) was the most frequently reported symptom,
      followed by neck pain (48.6% vs 38.4%) and shoulder pain (36.7% vs 25.9%), with a
      significantly higher prevalence in nurses. Women had about a 2-fold risk of upper
      limb region and neck pain compared with men. The most common abnormal findings on
      radiological examinations were disc herniations (n = 40). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses
      showed a significantly higher risk of MSDs. Prevalence rates in nurses increased
      significantly with age. Musculoskeletal symptoms were also common in university
      employees. This suggests the need for effective intervention strategies involving
      workers' active participation, in order to improve the process and organization
      of work and promote a positive psychosocial work environment.

PMID- 27277974
TI  - Safety of ultrasound diagnosis.

PMID- 27277972
TI  - The satiety factor oleoylethanolamide impacts hepatic lipid and glucose
      metabolism in goldfish.
AB  - Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is an acylethanolamide synthesized mainly in the
      gastrointestinal tract with known effects in mammals on food intake and body mass
      through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor type alpha
      (PPARalpha). Since we previously demonstrated that acute treatment with OEA in
      goldfish resulted in decreased food intake and locomotor activity, as in mammals,
      we hypothesize that OEA would be involved in the control of energy metabolism in
      fish. Therefore, we assessed the effects of acute (for 6 h) and chronic (for 11
      days) treatments with OEA (5 ug g-1 body mass) on metabolite concentrations and
      enzyme activities related to glucose and lipid metabolism in liver of goldfish
      (Carassius auratus). In the chronic treatment, OEA impairs the increase in body
      mass and reduces locomotor activity, without any signs of stress. The lipolytic
      capacity in liver decreased after both acute and chronic OEA treatments, whereas
      lipogenic capacity increased after acute and decreased after chronic treatment
      with OEA. These results are different from those observed to date in mammalian
      adipose tissue, but not so different from those known in liver, and might be
      attributed to the absence of changes in the expression of pparalpha, and/or to
      the increase in the expression of the clock gene bmal1a after chronic OEA
      treatment. As for glucose metabolism, a clear decrease in the capacity of hepatic
      tissue to use glucose was observed in OEA-treated fish. These results support an
      important role for OEA in the regulation of liver lipid and glucose metabolism,
      and could relate to the metabolic changes associated with circadian activity and
      the regulation of food intake in fish.

PMID- 27277973
TI  - Pharmacological exploitation of the phenothiazine antipsychotics to develop novel
      antitumor agents-A drug repurposing strategy.
AB  - Phenothiazines (PTZs) have been used for the antipsychotic drugs for centuries.
      However, some of these PTZs have been reported to exhibit antitumor effects by
      targeting various signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. Thus, this study was
      aimed at exploiting trifluoperazine, one of PTZs, to develop potent antitumor
      agents. This effort culminated in A4 [10-(3-(piperazin-1-yl)propyl)-2
      (trifluoromethyl)-10H-phenothiazine] which exhibited multi-fold higher apoptosis
      inducing activity than the parent compound in oral cancer cells. Compared to
      trifluoperazine, A4 demonstrated similar regulation on the phosphorylation or
      expression of multiple molecular targets including Akt, p38, and ERK. In
      addition, A4 induced autophagy, as evidenced by increased expression of the
      autophagy biomarkers LC3B-II and Atg5, and autophagosomes formation. The
      antitumor activity of A4 also related to production of reactive oxygen species
      and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. Importantly, the antitumor
      utility of A4 was extended in vivo as it, administrated at 10 and 20 mg/kg
      intraperitoneally, suppressed the growth of Ca922 xenograft tumors. In
      conclusion, the ability of A4 to target diverse aspects of cancer cell growth
      suggests its value in oral cancer therapy.

PMID- 27277975
TI  - Volume measurement of a pediatric ventricular phantom model using three
      dimensional echocardiography.
AB  - PURPOSE: Volume measurement of the ventricle is necessary to evaluate cardiac
      function. Accurate volume measurement of the ventricle by three-dimensional (3D)
      echocardiography will mark a new step in pediatric cardiovascular diagnosis and
      treatment. We studied volume measurement of a pediatric ventricular model using
      3D echocardiography. METHODS: The ultrasonic diagnostic setup used in this study
      comprised a Philips Sonos 7500 ultrasound system with an electronic sector probe
      of a *4 matrix phased array transducer. The ventricular model was made from a
      latex surgical glove. The tip of the third finger of the glove was cut off and
      fixed to a manifold. The ventricular model was gently placed in a reservoir
      filled with water. Volumes of physiological saline solution ranging from 2 ml to
      50 ml in 2-ml increments were injected into the ventricular model and examined.
      Twenty-five ultrasound images of the ventricular model were obtained using 4D
      Cardio View RT 1.2 software. RESULTS: There was excellent correlation and
      agreement between the injected volumes and the calculated volumes (Y = -0.539 +
      1.005X, r = 0.997, four cut plane; Y = -0.191 + 1.006X, r = 0.997, eight cut
      plane). Thus, accurate volume measurement of the ventricular model by 3D
      echocardiography was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that 3D
      echocardiography is highly accurate for volume measurement in a pediatric
      ventricular model (for volumes of 2 to 50 ml) under static conditions.

PMID- 27277976
TI  - Usefulness of measurement of carotid arterial wall elasticity distribution in
      detection of early-stage atherosclerotic lesions caused by cigarette smoking.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate early-stage changes in the
      arterial wall caused by smoking. METHODS: A newly developed real-time ultrasonic
      measurement system was used to measure the elasticity distribution of the carotid
      arterial intima-media complex in 53 healthy male volunteers (mean age: 37.6
      years), including 27 smokers. Simultaneous measurement of the elasticity
      distribution and intima-media thickness (IMT) was performed at six locations in
      the bilateral carotid arteries. RESULTS: The mean elastic modulus in the radial
      direction (Er) of the carotid arterial area where the IMT was less than 1.1 mm in
      smokers was larger than that in age-matched nonsmokers. There were no significant
      correlations between IMT and Er at the same location. However, a significant
      positive correlation was observed between the maximum IMT (maxIMT) and that of Er
      (maxEr) in six locations. In smokers, maxEr had a better correlation with the
      smoking index, and areas of IMT less than 1.1 mm containing harder lesions of Er
      >= 160 kPa were significantly more frequent than in nonsmokers. CONCLUSION:
      Measurement of carotid arterial wall elasticity is useful for detecting
      distortion in the intramural elasticity distribution that occurs prior to IMT
      thickening caused by smoking as an early-stage atherosclerotic sign.

PMID- 27277977
TI  - Aging and transmitral flow pattern in patients with systemic hypertension.
AB  - PURPOSE: Currently, the transmitral flow (TMF) pattern is routinely recorded as
      the first step in the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function. In
      young, healthy subjects, it is known that the early diastolic flow (E wave) of
      TMF is larger than the late diastolic flow (A wave). The E/A ratio then gradually
      decreases with age. This change in the pattern of TMF can be expected to occur
      earlier in patients with systemic hypertension than in healthy subjects. However,
      data pertaining to this matter are limited for Japanese patients. The purpose of
      this study was to investigate the changing pattern of TMF with age in Japanese
      patients with systemic hypertension. METHODS: A database of echocardiographic
      examination reports was surveyed. A total of 553 patients with systemic
      hypertension (HT group) and 394 patients without hypertension or organic heart
      disease (control group) were included in this study. The patients were subdivided
      according to age, after which the E/A ratio was compared for different patient
      categories and age groups. RESULTS: The E/A ratio gradually decreased with age in
      the control group, and the mean value of E/A was <1 in the sixth decade. On the
      other hand, the E/A ratio rapidly decreased and was <1 in the fifth decade in the
      HT group. CONCLUSION: In patients in the HT group, the E/A ratio decreased about
      a decade earlier compared with patients in the control group.

PMID- 27277978
TI  - Predicting prognosis based on the shape of the left ventricular cavity in dilated
      cardiomyopathy: analysis using rate of improvement in the circle index.
AB  - PURPOSE: To elucidate the relation between a quantitative measure of the shape of
      the left ventricular cavity, cardiac function, and prognosis in patients with
      dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: The hearts of 20 healthy individuals and
      18 patients with DCM were evaluated. Participants were aged 48.5 +/- 5.0 years.
      On the basis of end-systolic four-chamber view echocardiograms, the endocardium
      of the left ventricle was traced and the resulting curve was segmented using 100
      points. A line tangential to the curve was then drawn at each point, and the
      angle between two adjacent tangential lines was calculated. The deviation of
      these angles was designated as the circle index. The circle index and hemodynamic
      findings in patients with DCM were compared, and the rate of improvement in the
      circle index in these cases of DCM was determined. These patients were then
      placed into one of two groups: group R (11 patients), those with improvement
      rates of 10% or higher at time of discharge; and group NR (seven patients), those
      with rates less than 10%. Diuretic (furosemide) use, New York Heart Association
      (NYHA) classification, and readmission rate for the two groups were compared 2
      years after discharge. RESULTS: The circle index was 2.7 +/- 0.9 in the DCM group
      and 17.5 +/- 4.2 in the healthy group (P < 0.01). The circle index in the DCM
      group was correlated with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r(2) = 0.42). Use
      of furosemide was unchanged in group R 2 years after discharge, but had increased
      for all patients in group NR. All cases in group R were classified as NYHA I 2
      years after discharge. In group NR, in contrast, although all cases were
      classified as NYHA I at discharge, five of seven cases had deteriorated to NYHA
      III-IV 2 years later and were readmitted to hospital. CONCLUSION: There appears
      to be a quantifiable correlation between the circularity of the left ventricular
      cavity and the circle index. This suggests that rate of improvement after
      treatment for heart failure could predict prognosis in patients with DCM.

PMID- 27277979
TI  - Relationship between spontaneous echo contrast in the thoracic aorta and plasma
      von Willebrand factor.
AB  - PURPOSE: To clarify the relationships between spontaneous echo contrast (SEC)
      detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and coagulopathy,
      ultrasonographic findings that may correlate to biochemical coagulation markers
      were examined. METHODS: TEE was performed on 49 consecutive patients (mean age 64
      +/- 14 years; 28 men, 21 women). Blood samples were taken at the same time as TEE
      was carried out. Aortic SEC (Ao-SEC) and left atrial SEC (LA-SEC) were classified
      into three grades: absent, mild and marked. Levels of von Willebrand factor
      (vWF), thrombin antithrombin III complex (TAT), prothrombin fragments 1+2 (F1+2)
      and fibrinopeptide A (FPA) were measured. RESULTS: Mean plasma vWF levels by Ao
      SEC grade were 144 +/- 39% for absent, 177 +/- 55% for mild and 210 +/- 73% for
      marked, with significantly higher levels in the Ao-SEC marked group than in the
      Ao-SEC absent group (P < 0.05). Mean plasma vWF levels by LA-SEC were 185 +/- 73%
      for absent, 180 +/- 49% for mild and 201 +/- 62% for marked, with no significant
      differences apparent between groups. Moreover, no relationships were identified
      between Ao-SEC grade and plasma levels of coagulation indicators TAT, F1+2 and
      FPA. CONCLUSION: Plasma vWF levels correlated to grade of aortic SEC.
      Characteristics of the coagulation system differ between Ao-SEC and LA-SEC. Ao
      SEC offers a clinical indicator of platelet thrombus formation.

PMID- 27277980
TI  - Transabdominal sonographic appearance of adult colonic polyps.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the ability of transabdominal ultrasound to detect adult
      colonic polyps and to describe their ultrasonographic appearance. METHODS: Total
      colonoscopy was carried out for 729 consecutive patients over a 39-month period.
      Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen was followed by specific examination
      of the colon. Colorectal ultrasound was carried out for patients with colonic
      polyps of the protruded type (exclusive of advanced cancers and polyps of the
      flat or depressed types), and cleansing liquid was administered preparatory to
      colonoscopic examination. In examining colonic polyps we wanted to determine the
      sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for detecting colonic polyps, and the
      presence of power-Doppler flow signals, location, morphologic classification, and
      size of the polyps. RESULTS: Ultrasound identified no colonic polyps less than 10
      mm in diameter in any of the 729 patients. Of the 732 deternimation (three
      patients had two polyps greater than 10 mm in diameter), ultrasound yielded a
      positive diagnosis in 16 cases, false-positive in four cases, false-negative in
      40 cases, and negative in 672 cases. Sensitivity of the technique was 28.6% and
      specificity was 99.4% for detection of polyps greater than 10 mm in diameter.
      Doppler signals were detected in all positive cases. Most polyps that were false
      negatives on ultrasound examination occurred in the rectum and sigmoid colon.
      Sensitivity increased with tumor size, and was as high as 82% (9/11) for polyps
      exceeding 25 mm in diameter. Fifty-seven percent of pedunculated polyps (type Ip)
      but no sessile polyps (type Is) were found using ultrasound. CONCLUSION:
      Colorectal ultrasound detected adult colonic polyps greater than 10 mm in
      diameter 16 of the 56 in present 729 patients, suggesting that this method may be
      of limited value in screening for colonic polyps.

PMID- 27277981
TI  - Establishment of seminars to improve the diagnostic accuracy and effectiveness of
      breast ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: To improve the ability of technicians and physicians to find and
      diagnose breast lesions in breast ultrasound screening. METHODS: Seminars were
      organized for technicians and physicians engaged in breast ultrasound screening,
      and tests were carried out to evaluate the usefulness of the seminars. Each
      seminar lasted 2 days and comprised lectures and group activities. Pretests and
      post-tests conducted before and after each seminar, respectively, consisted of
      100 questions: 50 about animated images, and 50 about static images. The tests
      required the participant to find lesions in animated images and estimate the
      probability of malignancy from static images. RESULTS: In the animated image
      tests, sensitivity was greater after the seminar, although specificity did not
      change significantly. In the static image tests, sensitivity increased, and a
      significant increase was also observed in the receiver operating curve analysis
      for degree of certainty in diagnosing cancer. CONCLUSION: The seminars improved
      the participants' ability to find and diagnose breast lesions during ultrasound
      screening.

PMID- 27277982
TI  - Interventional ultrasound for adrenal masses.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the value of interventional ultrasound (US) for adrenal
      masses, especially incidentally discovered adrenal masses. METHODS: Demographic,
      clinical, and pathological data were reviewed for eight patients who underwent
      percutaneous US-guided puncture or biopsy for adrenal masses from September 1994
      through March 2002 in our institute. RESULTS: US-guided intervention was
      successfully performed for seven patients: two with adrenal cysts, two with
      adrenocortical adenomas, and three with metastatic adrenal tumors (one from
      prostate cancer, one from lung cancer, and one from renal cell carcinoma). The
      remaining patient had bilateral adrenal masses, and a biopsy specimen could not
      be obtained because safe puncture was difficult. For all patients there was no
      postoperative hemorrhage or pain, and no major complications were observed during
      the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Interventional US using the color Doppler method for
      adrenal masses is a useful procedure for safe puncture to reveal the orientation
      of adjacent viscera and blood vessels at the puncture site and to avoid
      complications including hemorrhage and pneumothorax. US, including color Doppler
      US, is also useful for detection of complications and follow-up studies because
      it is noninvasive and can be used for real-time examinations. In addition,
      pathological examination of specimens obtained by percutaneous biopsy or fine
      needle aspiration is useful for avoiding unnecessary surgery in patients with
      metastatic adrenal masses.

PMID- 27277983
TI  - Isolated gastric varices due to pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 27277984
TI  - Pancreatic metastasis from lung cancer.

PMID- 27277985
TI  - Spontaneous ruptured hepatic malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

PMID- 27277986
TI  - Gallbladder varices.

PMID- 27278003
TI  - Intent to treat analysis of in vitro fertilization and preimplantation genetic
      screening versus expectant management in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: In an intent to treat analysis, are clinical outcomes improved in
      recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients undergoing IVF and preimplantation
      genetic screening (PGS) compared with patients who are expectantly managed (EM)?
      SUMMARY ANSWER: Among all attempts at PGS or EM among RPL patients, clinical
      outcomes including pregnancy rate, live birth (LB) rate and clinical miscarriage
      (CM) rate were similar. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The standard of care for
      management of patients with RPL is EM. Due to the prevalence of aneuploidy in CM,
      PGS has been proposed as an alternate strategy for reducing CM rates and
      improving LB rates. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Retrospective cohort study of
      300 RPL patients treated between 2009 and 2014. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING,
      METHODS: Among two academic fertility centers, 112 RPL patients desired PGS and
      188 patients chose EM. Main outcomes measured were pregnancy rate and LB per
      attempt and CM rate per pregnancy. One attempt was defined as an IVF cycle
      followed by a fresh embryo transfer or a frozen embryo transfer (PGS group) and 6
      months trying to conceive (EM group). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In the
      IVF group, 168 retrievals were performed and 38 cycles canceled their planned
      PGS. Cycles in which PGS was intended but cancelled had a significantly lower LB
      rate (15 versus 36%, P = 0.01) and higher CM rate (50 versus 14%, P < 0.01)
      compared with cycles that completed PGS despite similar maternal ages. Of the 130
      completed PGS cycles, 74% (n = 96) yielded at least one euploid embryo. Clinical
      pregnancy rate per euploid embryo transfer was 72% and LB rate per euploid embryo
      transfer was 57%. Among all attempts at PGS or EM, clinical outcomes were
      similar. Median time to pregnancy was 6.5 months in the PGS group and 3.0 months
      in the EM group. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The largest limitation is the
      retrospective study design, in which patients who elected for IVF/PGS may have
      had different clinical prognoses than patients who elected for expectant
      management. In addition, the definition of one attempt at conception for PGS and
      EM groups was different between the groups and can introduce potential
      confounders. For example, it was not confirmed that patients in the EM group were
      trying to conceive for each month of the 6-month period. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF
      THE FINDING: Success rates with PGS are limited by the high incidence of cycles
      that intend but cancel PGS or cycles that do not reach transfer. Counseling RPL
      patients on their treatment options should include not only success rates with
      PGS per euploid embryo transferred, but also LB rate per initiated PGS cycle.
      Furthermore, patients who express an urgency to conceive should be counseled that
      PGS may not accelerate time to conception. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS:
      None. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE: N/A. DATE OF FIRST
      PATIENT'S ENROLLMENT: N/A.

PMID- 27278004
TI  - Pharmacological Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor {Delta}
      Increases Sphingomyelin Synthase Activity in THP-1 Macrophage-Derived Foam Cell.
AB  - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors, which
      mediate glucose and lipid homeostasis by regulating the expression of a large
      number of transcription factors. Sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) is a key enzyme in
      the synthesis of sphingomyelin (SM), and its expression and activity have been
      reported to be associated with atherosclerosis (AS). Although there have been
      many functional PPAR and SMS studies on atherosclerosis in recent years, few have
      investigated the correlation between the activation of PPARdelta and the activity
      of SMS. In his study, macrophage-induced foam cells were utilized to model
      important pathological changes that occur in AS. The influence of PPARdelta
      agonism by GW501516 on SMS and its product molecule SM were measured. Results
      indicated that the activation of PPARdelta was correlated in a positive manner
      with the activity of SMS2, and the content of SM was dose dependently increased
      by GW501516. Together, this study represents the first to suggest that PPARdelta
      activation may be a potential risk of AS through enhancing activity of SMS2. 

PMID- 27278005
TI  - Neutral endopeptidase and natriuretic peptide receptors participate in the
      regulation of C-type natriuretic peptide expression in renal interstitial
      fibrosis.
AB  - The initiation and progression of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a
      complicated process in which many factors may play an activate role. Among these
      factors, C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an endothelium-derived hormone and
      acts in a local, paracrine fashion to regulate vascular smooth muscle tone and
      proliferation. In this study, we established a rat model of unilateral ureteral
      obstruction (UUO). CNP expression tends to be higher immediately after ligation
      and declined at later time points, occurring predominantly in tubular epithelial
      cells. A high-level CNP may contribute to the elevated expression of natriuretic
      peptide receptor (NPR)-B in the early phase of UUO. However, the sustained
      expression of NPR-C and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) observed throughout the study
      period (that is up to 3 months) helps to, at least partly, explain the subsequent
      decline of CNP. Thus, NEP and NPRs participate in the regulation of CNP
      expression in RIF.

PMID- 27278007
TI  - Melancholy about ultrasonography: something is wrong.

PMID- 27278006
TI  - Downregulation of the PHLDA1 gene in IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells increases levels
      of Aurora A, TRKB and affects proteins involved in apoptosis and autophagy
      pathways.
AB  - We have recently shown that mRNA and protein of PHLDA1 (pleckstrin-homology-like
      domain family A, member  1) were by far the most upregulated molecules upon
      treatment of IMR-32 cells with the anti-GD2 ganglioside monoclonal antibody
      14G2a. Hence, we decided to study functions of PHLDA1 using human neuroblastoma
      IMR-32 cells as a model. Here, we show that constitutive expression of mRNA and
      protein of the PHLDA1 gene in IMR-32 cells was inversely correlated with
      transcript of the AURKA gene and Aurora A oncoprotein. Next, we silenced PHLDA1
      expression in IMR-32 cells using an shRNA interference method. We report that IMR
      32 cells with stable downregulation of PHLDA1 showed enhanced cellular ATP levels
      and an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential, as compared to control and
      non-transduced cells. We demonstrated that downregulation of PHLDA1 leads to a
      significant increase in expression of Aurora A and TRKB that are markers of poor
      prognosis in neuroblastoma. Also, we measured an increase in Aurora A and Akt
      kinases phosphorylation in the cells. Most importantly, PHLDA1-silenced cells
      were less susceptible to apoptosis than control cells, as shown by the lower
      expression of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP as well as a decreased activity of
      caspase-3 and -7. Our study negatively correlates expression of PHLDA1 and Aurora
      A in IMR-32 cells and sheds new light on functions of PHLDA1 in the neuroblastoma
      tumor cells, suggesting its role as a pro-apoptotic protein. Additionally, our
      results show possible links of the protein to regulation of features of
      mitochondria and formation of autophagosomes. 

PMID- 27278008
TI  - The current status of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in China.
AB  - This review article provides an overview of the use of contrast-enhanced
      ultrasound (CEUS) in China. Currently, the only licensed contrast agent is
      SonoVue, a sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubble contrast agent. In combination
      with a low mechanical index contrast-specific imaging mode, SonoVue-enhanced CEUS
      can be used to visualize the micro and macro-vasculature continuously. Since
      2004, CEUS has been widely used in China in various clinical scenarios. The
      authors compared CEUS with baseline ultrasound or contrast-enhanced computed
      tomography with regard to characterization of focal liver lesions (FLLs). On
      CEUS, heterogeneous or homogeneous hyperenhancement during the arterial phase and
      washout in the portal/late phase are typical findings for hepatocellular
      carcinoma. The enhancement features of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, infected
      FLLs, focal fatty infiltration, focal fatty sparing, complex cystic FLLs, and
      uncommon benign FLLs were carefully depicted. CEUS was also used for patient
      selection in ablation therapy and evaluation of response to ablation for liver
      cancer. The utility of three-dimensional CEUS of the liver was also explored. In
      non-liver use, CEUS in hilar cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder, breast, and
      prostate was initially investigated. In addition, CEUS was used in interventional
      procedures such as CEUS-guided hemostatic injection, intraoperative CEUS in
      neurosurgery, and evaluation of response to high-intensity focused ultrasound
      ablation of uterine fibroids. The Chinese experience has resulted in increased
      use of CEUS. 

PMID- 27278009
TI  - Mechanical and clinical performance of pulse-inversion tissue harmonic imaging in
      the superficial region.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare image quality between fundamental imaging (FI; transmitted
      and received frequencies 8.0 and 9.0 MHz, respectively) and pulse-inversion
      tissue harmonic imaging (PI-THI; transmitted frequencies 4.0 and 4.5 MHz,
      respectively) within 40 mm of the surface of the probe, we tested axial, lateral,
      and contrast resolution. METHODS: The axial and lateral resolution were tested by
      use of a tissue-mimicking test object. For contrast resolution, milk agar blocks
      of different concentration were used for the comparison test. RESULTS: The
      lateral resolution was significantly improved by use of PI-THI at a depth of 20
      to 40 mm from the surface of the phantom. Axial resolution was not reduced by use
      of PI-THI compared with FI. The value of the contrast index was higher in PI-THI
      than in FI. The researchers also evaluated the two modes clinically, by comparing
      the visibility of 170 cervical lymph nodes (identification of lymph node,
      echogenic hilus, parenchymal echogenicity). The results revealed significant
      advantages of PI-THI over FI for three features. CONCLUSION: This study suggests
      that PI-THI might be mechanically and clinically useful in the superficial
      region.

PMID- 27278010
TI  - Clinical experience with newer electronic radial-type endoscopic color Doppler
      ultrasonography in the diagnosis of esophageal varices.
AB  - PURPOSE: Endoscopic color Doppler ultrasonography (ECDUS) is a method for
      obtaining color images of flow in blood vessels. In this study, we report the
      utility of a newer electronic radial ECDUS for evaluating cases with esophageal
      varices. METHODS: Nineteen patients with esophageal varices were selected. The
      ECDUS was performed using a Pentax EG-3670URK (forward-view) with a distal tip
      diameter of 12 mm. A Hitachi EUB 7500, which provides a 360 degrees  view, was
      used for display. RESULTS: The newer electronic radial ECDUS more clearly
      delineates images of vessels in patients with esophageal varices. We found two
      chief advantages over the old probe, i.e., it is easier to manipulate in the
      distal esophagus than the old probe and it produces 360 degrees  images instead
      of 60 degrees  or 270 degrees  images. CONCLUSION: Forward-view optics and an
      extended 360 degrees  viewing angle enabled clear color flow images to be
      obtained from all cases of esophageal varices examined.

PMID- 27278011
TI  - Ultrasound diagnosis of juvenile forearm fractures.
AB  - PURPOSE: Metaphyseal forearm fractures are a common pathology in any emergency
      department. The standard diagnostic procedure is an X-ray of the forearm and
      wrist. Former studies have shown that these fractures can be visualized by
      ultrasound. The intention of this study was to evaluate the safety and
      reliability of the ultrasound diagnostic procedure in comparison with X-ray
      diagnosis. METHODS: Patients aged 0-12 years with tentative diagnosis of forearm
      fracture in a physical examination were then examined, from six positions, with a
      7.5-MHz linear array transducer. The diagnosis and the recommended treatment were
      noted, after which standard X-rays were taken. Finally, differences between
      diagnoses, the extent and direction of the deformity, and the treatment
      recommended after both diagnostic procedures were analysed. RESULTS: From January
      2007 to May 2008, 93 patients were examined. We found 77 fractures in 64 patients
      (48 radius, 2 physeal fractures of the radius, 1 ulna, and 13 radius and ulna).
      The sensitivity of ultrasound in diagnosing forearm fractures was 94%, and the
      specificity was 99%. Difference between the means of the deformities were 1.6
      degrees  (radius anterior-posterior direction), 1.6 degrees  (radius medial
      lateral direction), 0.2 degrees  (ulna anterior-posterior direction), and 0.2
      degrees  (ulna medial-lateral direction). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound seems to be a
      valuable and safe alternative to X-ray diagnosis.

PMID- 27278012
TI  - Calculus detection for ultrasonography using decorrelation of forward scattered
      wave.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel strategy to detect small
      calculi efficiently. METHODS: The proposed calculus detection strategy focuses on
      decorrelation of forward scattered waves caused by the failure of Born's
      approximation. A calculus causes waveform changes of transmit pulses, resulting
      in a decrease in the cross-correlation coefficients calculated from IQ signals
      scattered near the calculus position. Therefore, we can detect calculi from the
      appearance of dips in correlation coefficients. RESULTS: When a calculus exists
      in a digital tissue map, sharp and deep dips in cross-correlation coefficients
      between acoustic IQ signals appear around the calculus. By contrast, no apparent
      dip exists when a tissue map contains no calculus. A scan line interval of 0.2 mm
      or less is appropriate for the conditions simulated in this paper, and the proper
      transmit focal range for the proposed method is at a calculus range. CONCLUSION:
      These results imply that the proposed strategy can improve the efficiency of US
      devices for small calculus detection.

PMID- 27278013
TI  - Evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis by CEUS
      before and after hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common neoplasms worldwide.
      Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is a common complication of advanced HCC, and
      the prognosis of advanced HCC with PVTT is extremely poor. We report a case of
      HCC with PVTT evaluated by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) before and
      after hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). A 59-year-old man with
      chronic hepatitis C was admitted to our hospital. CEUS clearly showed the thread
      and streaks sign in a solid lesion that occupied the right main branch of the
      portal vein. HAIC was performed, and CEUS after HAIC clearly showed disappearance
      of the thread and streaks sign. CEUS was very useful in diagnosing PVTT and in
      evaluating the effectiveness of HAIC in this case. 

PMID- 27278014
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography revealed active thoracic bleeding.
AB  - A 61-year-old woman with a hepatocellular carcinoma located in the subphrenic
      region was treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under artificial pleural
      effusion. During RFA, B-mode ultrasonography showed a swirling high echoic lesion
      in the artificial pleural effusion. A real-time scan performed using contrast
      enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) revealed a jet-like extravasation of contrast
      medium and pooling of microbubbles in the pleural cavity, which were confirmed by
      angiography. CEUS successfully identified the site of bleeding and can be
      regarded an effective tool for detecting active bleeding in an emergency. 

PMID- 27278015
TI  - Ultrasonographic findings in isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection.

PMID- 27278016
TI  - Endoscopic ultrasonographic findings before and after sclerotherapy for gastric
      varices.

PMID- 27278017
TI  - Three-dimensional visualisation of soft biological structures by X-ray computed
      micro-tomography.
AB  - Whereas the two-dimensional (2D) visualisation of biological samples is routine,
      three-dimensional (3D) imaging remains a time-consuming and relatively
      specialised pursuit. Current commonly adopted techniques for characterising the
      3D structure of non-calcified tissues and biomaterials include optical and
      electron microscopy of serial sections and sectioned block faces, and the
      visualisation of intact samples by confocal microscopy or electron tomography. As
      an alternative to these approaches, X-ray computed micro-tomography (microCT) can
      both rapidly image the internal 3D structure of macroscopic volumes at sub-micron
      resolutions and visualise dynamic changes in living tissues at a microsecond
      scale. In this Commentary, we discuss the history and current capabilities of
      microCT. To that end, we present four case studies to illustrate the ability of
      microCT to visualise and quantify: (1) pressure-induced changes in the internal
      structure of unstained rat arteries, (2) the differential morphology of stained
      collagen fascicles in tendon and ligament, (3) the development of Vanessa cardui
      chrysalises, and (4) the distribution of cells within a tissue-engineering
      construct. Future developments in detector design and the use of synchrotron X
      ray sources might enable real-time 3D imaging of dynamically remodelling
      biological samples.

PMID- 27278019
TI  - The Rho GTPase Rif signals through IRTKS, Eps8 and WAVE2 to generate dorsal
      membrane ruffles and filopodia.
AB  - Rif induces dorsal filopodia but the signaling pathway responsible for this has
      not been identified. We show here that Rif interacts with the I-BAR family
      protein IRTKS (also known as BAIAP2L1) through its I-BAR domain. Rif also
      interacts with Pinkbar (also known as BAIAP2L2) in N1E-115 mouse neuroblastoma
      cells. IRTKS and Rif induce dorsal membrane ruffles and filopodia. Dominant
      negative Rif inhibits the formation of IRTKS-induced morphological structures,
      and Rif activity is blocked in IRTKS-knockout (KO) cells. To further define the
      Rif-IRTKS signaling pathway, we identify Eps8 and WAVE2 (also known as WASF2) as
      IRTKS interactors. We find that Eps8 regulates the size and number of dorsal
      filopodia and membrane ruffles downstream of Rif-IRTKS signaling, whereas WAVE2
      modulates dorsal membrane ruffling. Furthermore, our data suggests that Tir, a
      protein essential for enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection, might compete
      for Rif for interaction with the I-BAR domain of IRTKS. Based on this evidence,
      we propose a model in which Rho family GTPases use the I-BAR proteins, IRSp53
      (also known as BAIAP2), IRTKS and Pinkbar, as a central mechanism to modulate
      cell morphology.

PMID- 27278020
TI  - Diversity in ultrasonics.

PMID- 27278018
TI  - Sorting nexin 9 negatively regulates invadopodia formation and function in cancer
      cells.
AB  - The ability of cancer cells to degrade the extracellular matrix and invade
      interstitial tissues contributes to their metastatic potential. We recently
      showed that overexpression of sorting nexin 9 (SNX9) leads to increased cell
      invasion and metastasis in animal models, which correlates with increased SNX9
      protein expression in metastases from human mammary cancers. Here, we report that
      SNX9 expression is reduced relative to neighboring normal tissues in primary
      breast tumors, and progressively reduced in more aggressive stages of non-small
      cell lung cancers. We show that SNX9 is localized at invadopodia where it
      directly binds the invadopodia marker TKS5 and negatively regulates invadopodia
      formation and function. SNX9 depletion increases invadopodia number and the local
      recruitment of MT1-MMP by decreasing its internalization. Together, these effects
      result in increased localized matrix degradation. We further identify SNX9 as a
      Src kinase substrate and show that this phosphorylation is important for SNX9
      activity in regulating cell invasion, but is dispensable for its function in
      regulating invadopodia. The diversified changes associated with SNX9 expression
      in cancer highlight its importance as a central regulator of cancer cell
      behavior.

PMID- 27278021
TI  - Effects of cell culture scaffold stiffness on cell membrane damage induced by
      sonoporation.
AB  - PURPOSE: As basic studies to realize in vivo sonoporation, rates of cell membrane
      damage during sonoporation were evaluated using monolayer cells cultured on
      scaffolds with different degrees of stiffness. METHODS: Four types of scaffolds,
      constructed using collagen gel, 10 and 30 % acrylamide gels, and a coverslip,
      were used for cultivation of monolayer cells. Young's moduli measured using an
      atomic force microscope were in the range 0.09-8.6 kPa for the gel scaffolds,
      whereas Young's modulus for living cells was 4.5 kPa. Cells with attached
      microbubbles were exposed to one-shot pulsed ultrasound of 8.0/-1.3 MPa in peak
      positive/negative pressures with durations of 3, 100, and 10,000 cycles. RESULTS:
      Cell membrane damage was visualized by fluorescence microscopy using propidium
      iodide. The 3-cycle ultrasound pulse had no significant effect; however, the
      rates of damage caused by 100-cycle and 10,000-cycle pulses showed a strong
      tendency for higher rates of damage with a higher Young's modulus. CONCLUSION:
      The experimental results indicate that the stiffness of the underlying layer of
      adherent cells should be considered as an essential parameter of the sonoporation
      condition and that the optimum exposure conditions for in vivo sonoporation
      should be determined with consideration of the physical properties of underlying
      tissues.

PMID- 27278022
TI  - A micrometer-sized ultrasound contrast agent with nanometer-scale polygonal
      patterning surfaces.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a smaller micro-sized bubble ultrasound contrast agent which
      composed of an insoluble, less-dense, self-assembled surfactant with a condensed
      crystallized nanometer-scale polygonal patterning surface. METHODS: The
      microbubble was prepared by high-shear mixing a mixture of sucrose esters,
      glucose sugar, and water. The coulter counter was used to measure the size and
      concentration of the microbubble. Surface patterns of the microbubble were
      determined using vitrified samples under cryo-transmission electron microscopy.
      Myocardial contrast effects of six normal dog's myocardium were assessed.
      RESULTS: The diameter of the developed microbubble was smaller than Sonovue((r)).
      Direct imaging of cryo-transmission electron microscopy revealed that the
      developed microbubble has a nanometer-scale polygonal surface pattern. Both the
      developed microbubble and Sonovue((r)) effectively enhanced the myocardial
      contrast. The difference in the peak video intensity, the longevity of the
      contrast effect, and time-to-peak interval between both microbubbles were not
      statistically significant (NS). CONCLUSION: The microbubble with nanometer-scale
      polygonal patterning surfaces is a feasible and promising contrast agent for the
      ultrasound imaging.

PMID- 27278023
TI  - In vitro experiment using porcine artery for evaluation of ultrasonic measurement
      of arterial luminal surface profile.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In early-stage atherosclerosis, the luminal surface of the arterial
      wall becomes rough because of detachment of endothelial cells and degeneration of
      the internal elastic layer. Therefore, it would be useful if minute luminal
      surface roughness of the carotid arterial wall, which occurs in the early stage
      of atherosclerosis, could be measured noninvasively with ultrasound. The injured
      luminal surface is believed to have roughness of a few hundred micrometers.
      However, in conventional ultrasonography, the axial resolution of a B-mode image
      depends on the ultrasonic wavelength (150 MUm at ultrasonic center frequency of
      10 MHz) because a B-mode image is constructed using the amplitude of the RF echo
      signal. Therefore, such surface roughness cannot be measured accurately from a
      conventional B-mode image. Recently, we successfully measured such minute surface
      profile transcutaneously using the phase shift of an ultrasonic echo from the
      carotid arterial wall. In our previous validation experiment, a silicone phantom
      with minute surface roughness of 10-20 MUm was measured. However, the feasibility
      of our proposed method has never been validated using biological tissues.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, luminal surface roughness of a
      porcine artery was measured and the result was evaluated by comparing it with the
      result measured using a stylus profilometer. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The root
      mean squared difference between the surface roughness measured by ultrasound and
      the stylus profilometer was 10.5 MUm. This result proves that our proposed method
      can be used to measure minute surface roughness of biological tissue.

PMID- 27278024
TI  - Evaluation of whether the ultrasonographic onion skin sign is specific for the
      diagnosis of an appendiceal mucocele.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the onion skin sign on ultrasonography (US) of the
      lower abdomen is specific for the diagnosis of an appendiceal mucocele. METHODS:
      Our study included 231 lesions from 229 patients in whom transabdominal US
      detected lesions in the lower abdomen and who had definitive pathological
      diagnoses in the small bowel, ileocecal valve, cecum, appendix, mesentery, adnexa
      uteri or pelvic cavity outside the major organs. Patients with metastatic tumors
      were excluded. We reviewed the reports and images from transabdominal US and
      checked for the presence of the onion skin sign. The sensitivity, specificity,
      and accuracy of the sign for the diagnosis of an appendiceal mucocele were
      calculated. RESULTS: Five (2.2 %) of the 231 lesions showed the onion skin sign
      on US and all were diagnosed with an appendiceal mucocele. The sensitivity,
      specificity, and accuracy of the sign for the diagnosis of an appendiceal
      mucocele were 63, 100, and 99 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The onion skin sign
      in the lower abdomen appears to be specific for the diagnosis of an appendiceal
      mucocele. In cases where the onion skin sign is obviously present in the lower
      abdomen on US, an appendiceal mucocele should be considered as the leading
      diagnosis.

PMID- 27278025
TI  - Acoustic structure quantification (ASQ): a new tool in sonographic examination of
      liver lesions in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Qualitative and quantitative acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) is
      a new, noninvasive sonographic imaging method based on B-mode. This prospective
      clinical pilot study aims to answer the question whether delineation and
      measurement of liver lesions in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) can be
      improved by ASQ. Furthermore, this is the first pilot study to explore how ASQ
      parameters in HAE lesions develop. METHODS: A total of 24 patients (male =
      13/female = 11, mean age = 52 years (16-85), mean disease duration = 68 months (1
      334)) with HAE were examined with ASQ using a Toshiba Aplio 500 unit. ASQ
      parameters were measured in HAE liver lesions and in adjacent non-tumor
      parenchyma. Quantitative analysis was performed offline using ASQ quantification
      software. RESULTS: Subjectively parasitic tumors in HAE appear more prominent in
      color-coded ASQ imaging, but the size of lesions measured in ASQ mode does not
      differ from size measurements in B-mode. Median focal disturbance ratio (FD
      ratio) in lesions was 3 (0.1-3), compared with 0.5 (0.1-1.8) in surrounding liver
      parenchyma (p < 0.0001). Statistical comparison of other ASQ parameters (mode,
      average, standard deviation) shows results that are similarly significant with p
      values between p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0018. CONCLUSION: ASQ is a promising
      sonographic method for examination and quantification of structural changes of
      liver parenchyma in HAE lesions.

PMID- 27278026
TI  - Real-time tissue elastography (RTE) for noninvasive evaluation of fibrosis in
      liver diseases in children in comparison to liver biopsy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the value of real-time tissue elastography (RTE) in
      pediatric liver diseases in comparison to liver biopsy. METHODS: RTE was
      performed on 34 patients (?, n = 17; ?, n = 17; range 0-21 years) with various
      acute and chronic liver diseases: autoimmune hepatitis (n = 5), liver
      transplantation (n = 5), Wilson's disease (n = 4), hepatopathy of unknown origin
      (n = 4), unclear cholestatic hepatitis (n = 2), thalassemia major (n = 2),
      glycogenosis (n = 2), hereditary fructose intolerance (n = 1), alpha-1
      antitrypsin deficiency (n = 1), diabetes mellitus type 1 (n = 1), chronic
      intestinal pseudo-obstruction (n = 1), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 1),
      hepatitis B (n = 1), cirrhosis of unknown origin (n = 1), drug-induced
      hepatopathy (n = 1), unexplained transaminase elevation (n = 1), and nonalcoholic
      steatohepatitis (n = 1). Included children were biopsied. RTE was performed on a
      control group (n = 30; ?, n = 15; ?, n = 15). The mean value of strain (MEAN) in
      arbitrary units and the ratio of blue color-coded harder tissue (AREA) were
      calculated based on an elasticity histogram of the selected region of interest in
      liver parenchyma. They were compared with the histologically defined grade of
      liver fibrosis. RESULTS: In comparison to the scoring systems, a moderate
      correlation was observed for MEAN and AREA by excluding the F0 patients [MEAN r =
      -0.575 to -0.645, AREA r = 0.545-0.607 (p < 0.05)]. Differentiation of the
      control group and low-grade fibrosis (F1) from high-grade fibrosis (F2-4) was
      significantly possible (p values <0.001 at 5 % significance level). CONCLUSION:
      RTE parameters enable a possible differentiation of high fibrosis; however, their
      correlation with fibrosis stage was moderate. RTE seems to be a promising method
      in liver fibrosis grading in children.

PMID- 27278027
TI  - Relationship between detection of the cervical gland area during the late third
      trimester and necessity for induction of labor to prevent post-term delivery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: With the maturation of the cervical canal during pregnancy, the
      cervical gland area (CGA) as observed on transvaginal ultrasonography is
      gradually obscured. The aim of this study was to elucidate the significance of
      CGA in the late third trimester as a determinant of the outcome of labor.
      METHODS: We investigated 123 primiparous women with singleton pregnancies at 36
      41 weeks' gestation. The women were divided into two groups: a normal delivery
      group (93 women), which had vaginal delivery without medical intervention, and an
      induction of labor group (30 women), which required induction of labor after 41
      weeks and 0 day. At outpatient prenatal checkups, the Bishop score (BS) was
      assessed by pelvic examination, and cervical length (CL) and CGA were evaluated
      by transvaginal ultrasonography. The relationship between each parameter and
      induction of labor was retrospectively determined and compared. RESULTS: Time
      dependent assessment of each outcome determinant showed that the CGA detection
      rate was higher and the CL was longer in the induction of labor group from 3
      weeks to 1 week before delivery at a significant level (P < 0.05); however, the
      BS was significantly lower in the induction of labor group only at 1 week before
      delivery (P < 0.05). When multiple logistic regression analysis of the necessity
      of induction of labor was conducted using BS, CL, and CGA parameters as
      explanatory variables at 1 week before delivery, CGA alone was shown to be an
      independent predictor of induction of labor (OR = 6.1, 95 % CI 2.3-16.2).
      CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that in the late third trimester,
      evaluation of CGA with transvaginal ultrasonography is most useful in predicting
      the necessity of induction of labor to prevent post-term delivery.

PMID- 27278028
TI  - Accuracy of the sonographic fat pad sign for primary screening of pediatric elbow
      fractures: a preliminary study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the
      sonographic fat pad sign (FPS) as a predictor for pediatric elbow fractures.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of children under 14 years with
      suspected elbow fractures. All participants underwent at first ultrasonography
      focused on a FPS followed by standard elbow radiographs. US findings were
      compared to final fracture diagnosis. RESULTS: 38 out of 79 children had an elbow
      fracture. A sonographic FPS predicted an elbow fracture with a
      sensitivity/specificity of 97.3/90.5 %, positive/negative likelihood ratios (LR)
      were 10.2/0.03 and correct/false classification rates were 93.7/6.3 %. Primary US
      findings were later reviewed by a blinded physician giving a congruity of 96.2 %.
      These secondary US findings predicted an elbow fracture with a
      sensitivity/specificity of 92.1/92.7 %, positive/negative LRs were 12.6/0.09 and
      correct/false classification rates were 92.4/7.5 %. CONCLUSION: The sonographic
      FPS could serve as a useful screening tool in primary evaluation of pediatric
      elbow injuries. If a fracture is unlikely after clinical and US evaluation,
      additional radiographs are dispensable, thereby potentially minimizing the
      radiation burden in childhood and reducing the length of stay in the Emergency
      Department.

PMID- 27278029
TI  - Reliability of peripheral intraneural microhemodynamics evaluation by using
      contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to validate the reliability of quantitative
      intraneural enhancement patterns by using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
      (CEUS). METHODS: Nine asymptomatic wrists underwent a total of three CEUS
      examinations each conducted at 1-month intervals. The CEUS enhancement pattern of
      median nerves was quantitatively evaluated. The area under the time-intensity
      curve was calculated by placing the regions of interest at the proximal, center,
      and distal regions of the median nerve. An intra-class correlation coefficient
      for intra-observer, inter-observer, and inter-examination reproducibility was
      calculated. RESULTS: The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was almost
      perfect. Inter-examination reproducibility of the proximal, center, and distal
      regions was 0.891, 0.614, and 0.535, respectively. In this study, we found that
      the reproducibility of the distal and center regions of the median nerve in the
      carpal tunnel was lower than that of the proximal region. CONCLUSION: High intra
      observer, inter-observer, and inter-examination reproducibility of CEUS was
      obtained in the evaluation of the intraneural enhancement pattern when the region
      of interest was placed in the proximal region of the median nerve.

PMID- 27278030
TI  - Carcinosarcoma, an atypical subset of gallbladder malignancies.
AB  - Carcinosarcoma represents an atypical subset of gallbladder malignancies, and
      sonographic imaging features have not yet been precisely defined. Previously
      reported cases have shown a heterogeneously echogenic solid mass protruding into
      and filling the gallbladder lumen. We present herein a case of carcinosarcoma and
      propose another finding suggestive of this tumor. The patient was a woman in her
      70s. Abdominal sonography revealed that the gallbladder lumen was half-filled by
      a large mass (maximum diameter, 68 mm) showing heterogeneous echogenicity
      slightly higher than that of bile. However, despite the large size of the mass,
      gallbladder shape was well-preserved. Considering the findings on computed
      tomography, cholecystectomy was performed under a diagnosis of gallbladder
      malignancy. Pathological examination revealed two types of malignant histology: a
      sarcomatous element of malignant spindle cells and a carcinomatous element of
      adenocarcinoma tissue. Foci of malignant cartilage and bone areas were also found
      sporadically. Accompanied by immunohistochemical examination, the mass was
      diagnosed as carcinosarcoma. The present case showed somewhat different imaging
      findings from those of ordinary gallbladder carcinoma. Carcinosarcoma should be
      considered when a well-preserved shape of the gallbladder is recognized along
      with protrusion of a large heterogeneously echogenic mass into and filling the
      gallbladder lumen. 

PMID- 27278032
TI  - Prenatal ultrasound findings and a new ultrasonographic sign of epidermolysis
      bullosa with congenital pyloric atresia: a report of three cases.
AB  - Epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia (EB-PA) is a rare autosomal recessive
      disease that is characterized by fragility of the skin and mucous membranes. The
      course of EB-PA is usually severe and often lethal in the neonatal period. In
      most cases, prenatal diagnosis of this syndrome is considered in pregnancies at
      risk for recurrence. EB-PA can be described during pregnancy with sonographic
      signs such as polyhydramnios with a dilated stomach, the "snowflake sign", which
      are echogenic particles in the amniotic fluid, and several other anomalies. In
      this report, we present three cases of EB-PA suggested by the results of prenatal
      sonography, and describe a new ultrasonographic sign, i.e., complete
      chorioamniotic membrane separation, which can be helpful for the diagnosis. The
      prenatal diagnoses were confirmed postnatally. Two of the three cases had no
      family history, and one of these two cases was the product of a non
      consanguineous couple. 

PMID- 27278031
TI  - Three-dimensional high-definition flow in the diagnosis of placental lakes.
AB  - Placental lakes are sonolucent areas often found in the normal placenta. Most of
      them are asymptomatic. They are sometimes related to placenta accreta or
      intrauterine fetal growth restriction, among other conditions. Although Doppler
      sonography is useful for evaluating noxious placental lakes, it is not easy to
      adapt Doppler studies to conventional two-dimensional color Doppler sonography
      because of the low-velocity blood flow and high vascularity in the placenta.
      Here, we demonstrate how three-dimensional high-definition imaging of flow
      provides a novel visual depiction of placental lakes, which helps substantially
      with the differential diagnosis. As far as we know, there have been no previous
      reports of observation of placental lakes using three-dimensional high-definition
      imaging of flow. 

PMID- 27278033
TI  - Conservative management after prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of meconium
      periorchitis.
AB  - Meconium periorchitis is caused by the leakage of meconium from a bowel
      perforation into the peritoneal cavity via a patent processus vaginalis into the
      scrotal sac during fetal life or in the early postnatal period. Intrauterine
      meconium peritonitis causes sterile inflammatory response and calcification.
      Here, we describe a prenatally diagnosed case of meconium periorchitis. During
      the ultrasound scan at 29 weeks' gestation, enlargement of the scrotum with many
      small hyperechogenic masses and normal anatomy of testis was observed. Our case
      is the 11th prenatally diagnosed case presented in the worldwide literature and
      the first one described in Poland. This case confirms the latest tendency for the
      conservative management of meconium periorchitis and an asymptomatic postnatal
      course. 

PMID- 27278034
TI  - HDlive and HD-flow images of early-stage nonhydropic mole.
AB  - We present our first experience of constructing an image of an early-stage
      complete hydatidiform mole employing HDlive. Conventional 2D sonography showed
      massive, lobulated, and mixed masses and intrauterine anechoic fluid collection.
      Smooth, lobulated masses were clearly recognized using HDlive. Small, irregular,
      cystic spaces inside the masses were also evident. HDlive provided anatomically
      realistic features akin to macroscopic specimens for physicians and pathologists,
      owing to the complete depiction of the inner surface of an early-stage
      nonhydropic mole. 

PMID- 27278035
TI  - HDlive imaging of fetal enteric duplication cyst.
AB  - Enteric duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies, but their antenatal
      diagnosis is becoming more common because of advances in ultrasonography. With
      the latest state-of-the-art technology, HDlive facilitates a more realistic
      anatomical visualization of different fetal organ structures, making diagnosis
      more precise. We present a case of antenatal HDlive imaging of an enteric
      duplication cyst. A 26-year-old pregnant Japanese woman was referred to our
      ultrasound clinic because of a fetal intra-abdominal cyst at 27 weeks of
      gestation. Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound revealed a sonolucent, ellipsoid
      structure in the subhepatic area. Magnetic resonance imaging yielded the same
      findings. However, irregular internal echoes appeared at 33 weeks of gestation.
      There was no vascularity on color Doppler. HDlive clearly depicted a more
      realistic image of the circular mass, which was thick walled, with a large amount
      of debris inside, and showed no communication with adjacent structures. Careful
      monitoring was conducted for these unusual findings. A day after delivery, an
      emergency operation was performed because the infant had sudden signs and
      symptoms of obstruction. Intra-operative findings were ileus and a necrotic ileal
      duplication cyst confirmed by histopathologic studies. Complications of enteric
      duplication cyst can arise at any time of life, and so thorough monitoring may be
      recommended. The findings of irregular internal echoes and a large amount of
      debris inside the cyst are relatively characteristic features of a complicated
      cyst. HDlive gives us additional information on the actual appearance of a
      complicated cyst that may be difficult to obtain using conventional 2D sonography
      alone. HDlive can be very useful in the antenatal surveillance of enteric
      duplication cysts. 

PMID- 27278036
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis of type 1 fibular hemimelia.
AB  - Fibular hemimelia (FH) is a congenital longitudinal limb deficiency characterized
      by complete or partial absence of the fibula. Typically, it has been diagnosed at
      birth, when the neonate is seen to have lower limb shortening and a foot with
      missing toes. Although it is the most frequent lower limb deficiency anomaly,
      there are few published reports of prenatally diagnosed cases. Most of these
      published cases have involved the complete absence of the fibula, which is
      relatively easy to diagnose with antenatal ultrasound. In our opinion, our case
      is the first case of unilateral partial absence of the fibula detected using
      prenatal ultrasound imaging. Herein, we report a FH case associated with foot
      equinovalgus, and absence of the fourth and fifth foot rays diagnosed at 24
      weeks' gestation. The anomaly was confirmed after birth by X-ray, and
      conservative orthopedic management was chosen. Our case shows that partial limb
      defects can also be detected by prenatal ultrasound imaging. 

PMID- 27278037
TI  - HDlive imaging of vertical, bridging uterine synechia during pregnancy.
AB  - We present a case of vertical, bridging uterine synechia in the central part of
      the uterine cavity diagnosed by conventional two-dimensional (2D) sonography and
      HDlive at 29 weeks and 5 days of gestation. 2D sonography showed a uterine
      synechia located vertically in the central part of the uterine cavity, dividing
      the lower uterine cavity into two parts. HDlive clearly revealed triangular,
      vertical, and bridging uterine synechia with foot protrusion and umbilical cord
      prolapse in the lower uterine cavity. The low, liquor-filled amniotic cavity was
      divided by a thin membrane. MRI confirmed the vertical structure dividing the
      uterus with umbilical cord prolapse. Emergency cesarean section was performed at
      37 weeks and 1 day of gestation because of onset of labor, and a female infant
      weighing 2,380 g was delivered with an umbilical artery pH of 7.25, and Apgar
      score of 6/9 at 1 and 5 min, respectively. The vertical, bridging synechia in the
      central part of uterine cavity was confirmed during the operation. 

PMID- 27278038
TI  - A case of reocclusion of the renal artery diagnosed by the color Doppler method
      with evaluation of blood flow direction in the collateral circulation of the
      kidney in addition to the non-detectable blood signal in the renal artery.
AB  - A 23-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for an interventional procedure
      for chronic total occlusion of the right renal artery, probably due to
      fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), and for control of renal vascular hypertension.
      Before percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA), aortography revealed
      collateral circulation to the right kidney from the lower lumbar artery. After
      PTRA, however, blood flow in the renal side of the collateral circulation flowed
      outside from the right renal parenchyma. 4 months later, we could not find a
      blood flow signal in the right renal artery, and there was a contrary flow signal
      in the right kidney parenchyma continuously from the extrahilar vessel, possibly
      a collateral artery. These findings indicated reocclusion of the right artery. We
      confirmed reocclusion of the renal artery and collateral feeding by contrast
      dynamic computed tomography (CT), and PTRA was performed again without any
      complications or reocclusion for 5 months. This is the first case report showing
      that a back-flowing signal in the right renal parenchyma from the extrahilar
      artery is useful as an indirect finding suggesting reocclusion. 

PMID- 27278039
TI  - Assessment of irreversible electroporation ablation zone using Kupffer-phase
      contrast-enhanced ultrasound images with Sonazoid.

PMID- 27278040
TI  - Observation of the interureteric ridge and ureteral orifice in a patient with a
      cystocele using color Doppler ultrasonography via the prolapsed bladder.

PMID- 27278042
TI  - Editor's note.

PMID- 27278041
TI  - Standard method for ultrasound evaluation of aortic and peripheral arterial
      lesions.

PMID- 27278043
TI  - Acknowlegment to reviewers.

PMID- 27278044
TI  - Modified nonlinear complex diffusion filter (MNCDF).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Speckle noise removal is the most important step in the processing of
      echocardiographic images. A speckle-free image produces useful information to
      diagnose heart-related diseases. Images which contain low noise and sharp edges
      are more easily analyzed by the clinicians. This noise removal stage is also a
      preprocessing stage in segmentation techniques. METHODS: A new formulation has
      been proposed for a well-known nonlinear complex diffusion filter (NCDF). Its
      diffusion coefficient and the time step size are modified to give fast processing
      and better results. An investigation has been performed among nine patients
      suffering from mitral regurgitation. Images have been taken with 2D echo in
      apical and parasternal views. RESULTS: The peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR),
      universal quality index (Qi), mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE),
      and root mean square error (RMSE) have been calculated, and the results show that
      the proposed method is much better than the previous filters for
      echocardiographic images. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method, modified nonlinear
      complex diffusion filter (MNCDF), smooths the homogeneous area and enhances the
      fine details.

PMID- 27278045
TI  - A novel global strain diastolic index correlates with plasma NT-proBNP levels in
      asymptomatic hypertensive patients with preserved left ventricular ejection
      fraction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The strain imaging diastolic index (SI-DI) was reported to be a
      sensitive marker of regional left ventricular (LV) delayed relaxation induced by
      ischemia. However, the clinical usefulness of the global SI-DI has not been
      evaluated. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a sensitive
      biomarker for the detection of asymptomatic diastolic LV dysfunction. This study
      investigated the ability of a novel parameter, the global SI-DI, obtained using
      2D speckle tracking imaging (2DSI) to correlate with the plasma NT-proBNP levels
      in asymptomatic hypertensive patients with preserved LV ejection fraction.
      METHODS: We performed 2D echocardiography and 2DSI in 83 asymptomatic
      hypertensive patients with preserved ejection fraction (>45 %) and in 37 control
      subjects. In 2DSI, the LV longitudinal peak strain and the SI-DI of 18 LV
      segments were measured. NT-proBNP was measured in all subjects. The data were
      compared between hypertensive patients and normal controls. RESULTS: The average
      peak strain and global SI-DI of 18 LV segments were significantly reduced in
      hypertensive patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.05); however, only
      the global SI-DI was significantly correlated with log10 NT-proBNP (r = -0.469, P
      = 0.001). In Pearson's correlation analyses, log10 NT-proBNP was significantly
      correlated with E/e', E/A ratio, early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e'),
      global peak strain, deceleration time of the E-wave, and LV ejection fraction. In
      the multiple stepwise regression analysis, the global SI-DI was the strongest
      independent determinant of log10 NT-proBNP (beta = -0.386, P = 0.008).
      CONCLUSIONS: The global SI-DI derived from 2DSI correlates well with plasma NT
      proBNP levels and may have prognostic value in asymptomatic hypertensive patients
      with preserved ejection fraction.

PMID- 27278046
TI  - Left atrial appendage occlusion device-related thrombus: a case report and review
      of the literature.
AB  - A 75-year-old male with persistent atrial fibrillation underwent implantation of
      a left atrial occlusion device. After 6 weeks, a scheduled trans-esophageal
      echocardiogram showed a 1.1-cm * 1.1-cm mass within the occluded left atrial
      appendage, suspected to be thrombus. He was continued on warfarin for an
      additional 6 weeks and a repeat trans-esophageal echocardiogram showed
      obliteration of the left atrial appendage. This report describes an uncommon
      observation detected at scheduled follow up by trans-esophageal echocardiogram,
      which sheds some light on the mechanism by which this device "matures" after it
      is implanted inside the left atrial appendage. 

PMID- 27278047
TI  - Endophthalmitis as a first manifestation of right-sided endocarditis in a patient
      with patent foramen ovale.
AB  - Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare complication of endocarditis, rendering poor
      visual prognosis. We report a case of a 66-year-old female with renal failure who
      presented with fever, ocular pain, and purulent eye discharge. After a diagnosis
      of endogenous endophthalmitis, she was treated with antibiotics and enucleation
      of the eye. Due to persistent fever and positive blood cultures, a
      transesophageal echocardiography was undertaken, disclosing a large mural
      vegetation in the right atrium, catheter-associated vegetations, and a patent
      foramen ovale. Endocarditis is an uncommon source of endogenous endophthalmitis,
      and has rarely been associated to right-sided endocarditis and paradoxical septic
      embolization. 

PMID- 27278048
TI  - A case of significantly increased mitral regurgitation early after atrial septal
      defect closure.
AB  - We report a rare case in which mitral regurgitation (MR) was exacerbated to a
      severe level early after atrial septal defect (ASD) closure, even though the
      female patient had preoperatively mild MR and mild changes in mitral valve (MV)
      and sinus rhythm. The mechanism of increased MR was considered as poor coaptation
      and tethering of the MV due to the restricted motion of the posterior leaflet in
      addition to geometric changes of the left ventricle (LV) after ASD closure. 

PMID- 27278049
TI  - Left main coronary artery origin from the right coronary sinus: rare, dangerous,
      and easy to miss on routine transoesophageal echocardiography.

PMID- 27278050
TI  - Left ventricular undulation in a patient with atrial flutter.

PMID- 27278051
TI  - Biatrial thrombus across a patent foramen ovale with fatal pulmonary and coronary
      embolism.

PMID- 27278052
TI  - Parachute-like mass at the superior vena cava occurring after diagnostic right
      heart catheterization evaluated with real-time three-dimensional transesophageal
      echocardiography.

PMID- 27278053
TI  - Giant left atrial thrombus caused by direct invasion of lung cancer.

PMID- 27278055
TI  - Cooperativity of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in microsolvated DMSO and DMF
      clusters: a DFT, AIM, and NCI analysis.
AB  - Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to study the hydrogen
      bonding in the DMSO-water and DMF-water complexes. Quantitative molecular
      electrostatic potential (MESP) and atoms-in-molecules (AIM) analysis are applied
      to quantify the relative complexation of DMSO and DMF with water molecules. The
      interaction energy of DMSO with water molecules was higher than in DMF-water
      complexes. The existence of cooperativity effect helps in the strong complex
      formation. A linear dependence was observed between the hydrogen bond energies
      EHB, and the total electron densities in the BCP's of microsolvated complexes
      which supports the existence of cooperativity effect for the complexation
      process. Due to the stronger DMSO/DMF and water interaction, the water molecules
      in the formed complexes have a different structure than the isolated water
      clusters. NCI analysis shows that the steric area is more pronounced in DMF-water
      complex than the DMSO-water complex which accounts for the low stability of DMF
      water complexes compared to the DMSO-water complex. Graphical abstract NCI
      analysis shows that the steric area is more pronounced in DMF-water complex than
      the DMSO-water complex which accounts for the low stability of DMF-water
      complexes compared to the DMSO-water complex.

PMID- 27278056
TI  - Does radiofrequency ablation (RFA) epiphysiodesis affect adjacent joint
      cartilage?
AB  - PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that epiphysiodesis made with radiofrequency
      ablation (RFA) is a safe procedure that disrupts the growth plate without
      damaging the adjacent joint articular cartilage. METHODS: RFA epiphysiodesis was
      done during 8 min in vivo in 40 growing pig tibia physis. In addition, three
      tibiae were ablated for 16 min and three more for 24 min. As a burned cartilage
      reference, six tibiae were ablated on the joint articular cartilage for 8 min.
      After the procedure, the animals were terminated and the tibiae were harvested.
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done ex vivo to evaluate the joint articular
      cartilage in all samples. We used T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and water content
      sequences under a 1.5 T magnetic field. RESULTS: On the burned articular
      cartilage, intensity changes were observed at MRI. We found no evidence of
      articular cartilage damage on the 40 8-min RFA procedures. The tibiae ablated for
      16 min and 24 min showed intact joint cartilage. CONCLUSIONS: Epiphysiodesis
      using RFA is safe for the adjacent articular cartilage. This study shows that RFA
      can be done safely in the growing physis of pigs, even with triple duration
      procedures.

PMID- 27278054
TI  - Head-to-Head Comparison of Aripiprazole and Risperidone in the Treatment of ADHD
      Symptoms in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and ADHD: A Pilot, Open
      Label, Randomized Controlled Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity
      disorder (ADHD) are frequently overlapping neurodevelopmental disorders.
      Individuals in whom the disorders are comorbid show more severe impairment
      because of deficits in the processing of social situations, adaptive functioning,
      and executive control than individuals with either disorder alone. OBJECTIVE:
      This open-label pilot study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and
      tolerability of risperidone and aripiprazole for treating ADHD symptoms in
      patients with both ASD and ADHD over the course of 24 weeks of treatment.
      METHODS: Patients (n = 44) were randomly assigned to start treatment with
      risperidone (22 patients) or aripiprazole (22 patients). Children were evaluated
      before starting treatment (T0), and after 12 weeks (T1) and 24 weeks (T2) of
      treatment. At each visit, specific psychiatric clinical scales were administered
      to assess the efficacy of the two drugs. RESULTS: The mean age was 8.4 +/- 2.9
      years in the aripiprazole group and 7.8 +/- 2.3 years in the risperidone group. A
      total of 37 children (29 boys and 8 girls) completed the study (18 in the
      aripiprazole group and 19 in the risperidone group). Aripiprazole and risperidone
      appeared to have similar benefits in terms of efficacy and tolerability, although
      there were slight differences between the two drugs. Both groups showed a
      significant improvement in ADHD symptoms after 24 weeks of treatment (ADHD Rating
      Scale, Conners Parent Rating Scale-Hyperactivity, and Clinical Global Improvement
      Severity Scale). No significant difference between the two drugs on any
      parameters at 24 weeks were found. Prolactin levels were decreased in the
      aripiprazole group. Both drugs were well tolerated, with no serious adverse
      events detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the efficacy of both
      aripiprazole and risperidone in ameliorating ADHD symptoms of children also
      presenting with ASD.

PMID- 27278057
TI  - Synchronized and controlled release of metformin hydrochloride/glipizide from
      elementary osmotic delivery.
AB  - The combination of metformin hydrochloride (MTF) and glipizide (GLZ) is second
      line medication for diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2). In the present study,
      elementary osmotic pump ( EOP) tablet is designed to deliver the combination of
      MTF and GLZ in a sustained and synchronized manner. By analyzing different
      variables of the formulation, sodium hydrogen carbonate is introduced as pH
      modifier to improve the release of GLZ, while ethyl cellulose acts as release
      retardant to reduce the burst release phase of MTF. A two-factor, three-level
      face-centered central composite design (FCCD) is applied to investigate the
      impact of different factors on drug release profile. Compared with conventional
      tablets, the EOP tablet demonstrates a controlled release behavior with relative
      bioavailability of 99.2% for MTF and 99.3% for GLZ. Data also shows EOP tablet is
      able to release MTF and GLZ in a synchronized and sustained manner both in vitro
      and in vivo.

PMID- 27278058
TI  - [Spontaneous intracranial hypotension and Marfan syndrome].
AB  - Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is the most common complication in patients
      undergoing a lumbar puncture. A much rarer entity is headaches attributed to
      spontaneous (or idiopathic) low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure but the
      combination with a connective tissue disorder is even rarer. The first case of a
      patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension and genetically established
      Marfan syndrome was published in 1995. This article describes the cases of two
      female patients who presented with postural headache. Magnetic resonance imaging
      revealed multiple leakages of CSF and both patients had a genetically confirmed
      diagnosis of Marfan syndrome. The initial symptomatic treatment did not result in
      a significant relief of the headaches. Epidural blood patching was performed and
      the intervention was successful in both patients. Finally, the most important
      epidemiological, diagnostic and pathophysiological aspects are demonstrated and
      the therapeutic procedures are presented. 

PMID- 27278059
TI  - [Pharmacological prophylactic treatment for relapse of alcohol dependence :
      Results of current meta-analyses].

PMID- 27278060
TI  - Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide inhibition efficiently blocks
      hepatitis B virus spread in mice with a humanized liver.
AB  - Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a recently discovered
      hepatitis B virus (HBV) receptor. In the present study, we used TK-NOG mice with
      a humanized liver to examine the impact of endogenous NTCP expression on HBV
      infection. Upon inoculation with HBV, these mice exhibited clear viremia in 2
      weeks, and serum HBV DNA levels gradually increased. The frequency of HBsAg
      positive hepatocytes in the liver was 5.1 +/- 0.6% at 2 weeks and increased with
      increasing HBV DNA levels, reaching 92.9 +/- 2.8% at 10 to 12 weeks. In vivo
      siRNA-mediated NTCP knockdown before and after HBV inoculation significantly
      suppressed the levels of HBV replication and the frequency of HBsAg-positive
      hepatocytes at 2 weeks, whereas NTCP knockdown 13 weeks after infection did not
      affect these parameters. Similar to the humanized mouse livers in the early phase
      of HBV infection, human liver samples from chronic hepatitis B patients,
      especially those treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues, contained a considerable
      number of hepatocytes that were negative for the anti-HBs antibody. In
      conclusion, NTCP inhibition prevents the spread of HBV-infected hepatocytes in
      mice with a humanized liver. NTCP-targeted therapy has potential for regulating
      HBV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

PMID- 27278061
TI  - Food variety consumption and household food insecurity coping strategies after
      the 2010 landslide disaster - the case of Uganda.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional situation of the victims of the 2010
      landslide disaster in Uganda, food varieties consumed and coping strategies were
      assessed. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. Food variety scores (FVS) were obtained as the
      total of food items eaten over the last week while an index was based on severity
      weighting of household food insecurity coping strategies. We included 545
      affected and 533 control households. SETTING: Victims in the affected Bududa
      district in Eastern Uganda and those victims resettled in the Kiryandongo
      district, Western Uganda. RESULTS: Adjusted for covariates, in Bududa
      significantly higher mean FVS were observed among: affected than controls;
      farmers than others; and relief food recipients. Control households scored higher
      means (se) on severity of coping: 28.6 (1.3) v. 19.2 (1.2; P<0.01). In
      Kiryandongo, significantly higher FVS were observed among: control households;
      household heads educated above primary school; those with assets that complement
      food source; and recipients of relief food. Severity of coping was significantly
      higher among affected households and non-recipients of relief food. Affected
      households had a higher likelihood to skip a day without eating a household meal
      in Bududa (OR=2.31; 95 % CI 1.62, 3.29; P<0.01) and Kiryandongo (OR=1.77; 95 % CI
      1.23, 2.57; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Whereas FVS and severity of coping showed
      opposite trends in the two districts, resettlement into Kiryandongo led to severe
      coping experiences. Administrative measures that provide a combination of relief
      food, social protection and resettlement integration may offset undesirable
      coping strategies affecting diet.

PMID- 27278062
TI  - Comparative effects of unilateral and bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain
      stimulation on gait kinematics in Parkinson's disease: a randomized, blinded
      study.
AB  - Gait dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) does not always respond to bilateral
      subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS). Since right hemisphere
      motor networks may be dominant for gait control, identical stimulation of
      asymmetric circuits could account for gait dysfunction. We compared the effects
      of bilateral and unilateral STN-DBS on gait kinematics in PD patients who
      developed gait impairment after STN-DBS. Twenty-two PD patients with >50 %
      improvement in motor scores, but dopamine-resistant gait dysfunction 6-12 months
      after bilateral STN-DBS were blindly tested off dopaminergic effects in four
      randomly assigned DBS conditions: bilateral, right-sided, left-sided and off
      stimulation. Motor scores (MDS-UPDRS III), gait scores (MDS-UPRDS 2.11-2.13 + 3.9
      3.13), turning time (seconds), stride length (meters) and velocity
      (meters/second) were measured 1 h after DBS changes. Motor and gait scores
      significantly improved with bilateral versus unilateral STN-DBS. Stride length
      and velocity (0.95 +/- 0.06, 0.84 +/- 0.07) significantly improved with bilateral
      (1.09 +/- 0.04, 0.95 +/- 0.05), right-sided (1.06 +/- 0.04, 0.92 +/- 0.05) and
      left-sided stimulation (1.01 +/- 0.05, 0.90 +/- 0.05) (p < 0.05). Stride length
      significantly improved with right-sided versus left-sided (0.05 +/- 0.02) and
      bilateral versus left-sided stimulation (0.07 +/- 0.02) (p < 0.05). Turning time
      (4.89 +/- 0.6) tended to improve with bilateral (4.13 +/- 0.5) (p = 0.15) and
      right-sided (4.27 +/- 0.6) (p = 0.2) more than with left STN-DBS (4.69 +/- 0.5)
      (p = 0.5). Bilateral STN-DBS yields greater improvement in motor and gait scores
      in PD patients. Yet, unilateral stimulation has similar effects on gait
      kinematics. Particularly, right-sided stimulation might produce slightly greater
      improvements. Although the clinical relevance of differential programming of
      right versus left-sided STN-DBS is unclear, this approach could be considered in
      the management of treatment-resistant gait dysfunction in PD. 

PMID- 27278063
TI  - Effect of botulinum toxin treatment on quality of life in patients with isolated
      lingual dystonia and oromandibular dystonia affecting the tongue.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of botulinum toxin (BoNT)
      treatment on the quality of life (QoL) for patients with prominent lingual
      dystonia (LD) using a disease-specific questionnaire, the oromandibular dystonia
      questionnaire-25 (OMDQ-25). This is a prospective, observational study of a
      cohort of 30 patients treated with BoNT injections for LD, with or without
      concurrent jaw dystonia. Primary efficacy outcome was the absolute difference
      between total OMDQ-25 baseline score and total OMDQ-25 scores 4 and 8 weeks after
      the treatment. Safety outcome was the occurrence of adverse effects. The mean
      total OMDQ-25 baseline score was 46.8 +/- 17.8. After BoNT treatment, there was a
      significant reduction in the mean total OMDQ-25 score at 4 weeks (38.2 +/- 17.6;
      p = 0.004), as well as at 8 weeks (39.6 +/- 18.1; p = 0.008). At the multiple
      regression analysis, a jaw deviation pattern (JDD) and high questionnaire
      baseline total score were detected as predictors of a better outcome, whilst
      associated jaw tremor was a predictor of poor outcome. In patients with JDD, jaw
      opening muscles were more frequently injected and genioglossus less frequently
      than in patients without JDD. No major adverse events were detected. A consistent
      and measurable improvement in QoL, with good safety and tolerability, can be
      achieved in patients with prominent LD by injecting BoNT into genioglossus and/or
      other muscles of the oromandibular region. 

PMID- 27278064
TI  - Serial electrophysiological findings in Guillain-Barre syndrome not fulfilling
      AIDP or AMAN criteria.
AB  - Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is categorized into two major subtypes: acute
      inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal
      neuropathy (AMAN). However, a proportion of patients are electrophysiologically
      unclassified because of electrophysiological findings that do not fulfil AIDP or
      AMAN criteria, and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and lesion
      distributions of unclassified patients are not well defined. The aims of this
      study are to elucidate disease pathophysiology and lesion distribution in
      unclassified patients. We retrospectively studied 48 consecutive GBS patients.
      Patients were classified on the basis of initial electrophysiological findings
      according to Ho's criteria. Clinical and serial electrophysiological examinations
      of unclassified patients were conducted. Twelve (25 %) GBS patients were
      unclassified. All unclassified patients were able to walk independently at 21
      days after onset. No unclassified patients, except one patient with diabetes
      mellitus, had sensory nerve involvement. Eight patients underwent a follow-up
      study within 15 days of the initial study. Distal motor latencies (DMLs) of the
      left median motor nerve were found to be significantly and uniformly decreased
      compared with initial studies (p = 0.008). DMLs (p < 0.0001) and distal compound
      action potential (CMAP) durations (p = 0.002) of all nerves were significantly
      decreased, and distal CMAP amplitudes (p = 0.026) significantly increased
      compared with initial studies. In unclassified GBS patients, DML values during
      initial electrophysiological studies would be prolonged compared with expected
      values in the same patient unaffected by GBS and later improve rapidly with
      increased distal CMAP amplitudes without the development of excessive temporal
      dispersions. Lesions are also present in distal nerve segments caused by
      reversible conduction failure. 

PMID- 27278065
TI  - Magnitude of anthropogenic phosphorus storage in the agricultural production and
      the waste management systems at the regional and country scales.
AB  - Based on a systematic review of 17 recent substance flow analyses of phosphorus
      (P) at the regional and country scales, this study presents an assessment of the
      magnitude of anthropogenic P storage in the agricultural production and the waste
      management systems to identify the potential for minimizing unnecessary P storage
      to reduce the input of P as mineral fertilizer and the loss of P. The assessment
      indicates that in case of all (6) P flow analyses at the regional scale, the
      combined mass of annual P storage in the agricultural production and the waste
      management systems is greater than 50 % of the mass of annual P inflow as mineral
      fertilizer in the agricultural production system, while this is close to or more
      than 100 % in case of half of these analyses. At the country scale, in case of
      the majority (7 out of 11) of analyses, the combined mass of annual P storage in
      the agricultural production and the waste management systems has been found to be
      roughly equivalent or greater than 100 % of the mass of annual P inflow as
      mineral fertilizer in the agricultural production system, while it ranged from 30
      to 60 % in the remaining analyses. A simple scenario analysis has revealed that
      the annual storage of P in this manner over 100 years could result in the
      accumulation of a massive amount of P in the agricultural production and the
      waste management systems at both the regional and country scales. This study
      suggests that sustainable P management initiatives at the regional and country
      scales should put more emphasis on minimizing unwanted P storage in the
      agricultural production and the waste management systems. 

PMID- 27278066
TI  - Industrial-scale application of the plunger flow electro-oxidation reactor in
      wastewater depth treatment.
AB  - Effluents after biochemical treatment contain pollutants that are mostly non
      degradable. Based upon previous pilot-scale test results, an industrial-scale
      electro-oxidation device was built to decompose these refractory materials in the
      effluent from a park wastewater treatment plant. The electro-oxidation device
      comprised a ditch-shaped plunger flow electrolysis cell, with mesh-plate Ti/PbO2
      electrodes as the anode and the same size mesh-plate Ti as the cathode.
      Wastewater flowed vertically through electrodes; the effective volume of the cell
      was 2.8 m(3), and the surface-to-volume ratio was 17.14 m(2) m(-3). The optimal
      current density was 100 A m(-2), and a suitable flow velocity was 14.0 m h(-1).
      The removal efficiencies for chemical oxygen demand and color in the effluent
      were over 60.0 and 84.0 %, respectively. In addition, the electro-oxidation
      system offered a good disinfection capability. The specific energy consumption
      for this industrial-scale device was 43.5 kWh kg COD(-1), with a current
      efficiency of 32.8 %, which was superior to the pilot-scale one. To meet the
      requirements for emission or reuse, the operation cost was $0.44 per ton of
      effluent at an average price for electricity of $0.11 kWh(-1). 

PMID- 27278067
TI  - Effects and mechanism of acid rain on plant chloroplast ATP synthase.
AB  - Acid rain can directly or indirectly affect plant physiological functions,
      especially photosynthesis. The enzyme ATP synthase is the key in photosynthetic
      energy conversion, and thus, it affects plant photosynthesis. To clarify the
      mechanism by which acid rain affects photosynthesis, we studied the effects of
      acid rain on plant growth, photosynthesis, chloroplast ATP synthase activity and
      gene expression, chloroplast ultrastructure, intracellular H(+) level, and water
      content of rice seedlings. Acid rain at pH 4.5 remained the chloroplast structure
      unchanged but increased the expression of six chloroplast ATP synthase subunits,
      promoted chloroplast ATP synthase activity, and increased photosynthesis and
      plant growth. Acid rain at pH 4.0 or less decreased leaf water content, destroyed
      chloroplast structure, inhibited the expression of six chloroplast ATP synthase
      subunits, decreased chloroplast ATP synthase activity, and reduced photosynthesis
      and plant growth. In conclusion, acid rain affected the chloroplast
      ultrastructure, chloroplast ATPase transcription and activity, and P n by
      changing the acidity in the cells, and thus influencing the plant growth and
      development. Finally, the effects of simulated acid rain on the test indices were
      found to be dose-dependent. 

PMID- 27278068
TI  - Novel bacterial consortia isolated from plastic garbage processing areas
      demonstrated enhanced degradation for low density polyethylene.
AB  - This study aimed to formulate novel microbial consortia isolated from plastic
      garbage processing areas and thereby devise an eco-friendly approach for enhanced
      degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The LDPE degrading bacteria were
      screened and microbiologically characterized. The best isolates were formulated
      as bacterial consortia, and degradation efficiency was compared with the
      consortia formulated using known isolates obtained from the Microbial Culture
      Collection Centre (MTCC). The degradation products were analyzed by FTIR, GC-FID,
      tensile strength, and SEM. The bacterial consortia were characterized by 16S
      ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing. The formulated bacterial consortia demonstrated
      81 +/- 4 and 38 +/- 3 % of weight reduction for LDPE strips and LDPE pellets,
      respectively, over a period of 120 days. However, the consortia formulated by
      MTCC strains demonstrated 49 +/- 4 and 20 +/- 2 % of weight reduction for LDPE
      strips and pellets, respectively, for the same period. Furthermore, the three
      isolates in its individual application exhibited 70 +/- 4, 68 +/- 4, and 64 +/- 4
      % weight reduction for LDPE strips and 21 +/- 2, 28 +/- 2, 24 +/- 2 % weight
      reduction for LDPE pellets over a period of 120 days (p < 0.05). The end product
      analysis showed structural changes and formation of bacterial film on degraded
      LDPE strips. The 16S rDNA characterization of bacterial consortia revealed that
      these organisms were novel strains and designated as Enterobacter sp. bengaluru
      btdsce01, Enterobacter sp. bengaluru-btdsce02, and Pantoea sp. bengaluru
      btdsce03. The current study thus suggests that industrial scale-up of these
      microbial consortia probably provides better insights for waste management of
      LDPE and similar types of plastic garbage. 

PMID- 27278069
TI  - Influence of sub-lethal crude oil concentration on growth, water relations and
      photosynthetic capacity of maize (Zea mays L.) plants.
AB  - Maize tolerance potential to oil pollution was assessed by growing Zea mays in
      soil contaminated with varying levels of crude oil (0, 2.5 and 5.0 % v/w basis).
      Crude oil contamination reduced soil microflora which may be beneficial to plant
      growth. It was observed that oil pollution caused a remarkable decrease in
      biomass, leaf water potential, turgor potential, photosynthetic pigments, quantum
      yield of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm), net CO2 assimilation rate, leaf nitrogen
      and total free amino acids. Gas exchange characteristics suggested that reduction
      in photosynthetic rate was mainly due to metabolic limitations. Fast chlorophyll
      a kinetic analysis suggested that crude oil damaged PSII donor and acceptor sides
      and downregulated electron transport as well as PSI end electron acceptors
      thereby resulting in lower PSII efficiency in converting harvested light energy
      into biochemical energy. However, maize plants tried to acclimate to moderate
      level of oil pollution by increasing root diameter and root length relative to
      its shoot biomass, to uptake more water and mineral nutrients. 

PMID- 27278072
TI  - New challenges for the Journal of Echocardiography with an innovative system for
      online submission, editorial processing, and publication.

PMID- 27278070
TI  - Elemental composition of Marrubium astracanicum Jacq. growing in tungsten
      contaminated sites.
AB  - This study evaluates the elemental (W, Mo, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb, Cr, Co, B, and
      Bi) composition of Marrubium astracanicum Jacq. (Lamiaceae), around the abandoned
      tungsten mine on Uludag Mountain, Turkey, to determine if it is an appropriate
      candidate for phytomonitoring and/or phytoremediation purposes. Three sample
      sites were selected around the mine for soil and plant sampling. Two sites
      approximately 500 m from the mine were assumed to be unpolluted sites. The other
      site was selected from a waste removal pool (WRP) and was assumed to be a
      polluted site. The soil and different organs (roots, leaves, and flowers) of
      plant samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP
      MS) to determine the elemental content. The classic open wet digestion procedure
      was applied to the samples with 5 mL HNO3 and 3 mL H2O2 in a borosilicate glass
      vessel for the roots, leaves, and the flowers of the plants. Kjeldahl digestion
      was used for the soil samples. The W, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb, B, and Bi contents
      were found to be higher in the soil samples from the waste removal pools compared
      with the samples from the unpolluted sites. We also found that the elemental
      composition of M. astracanicum has generally been increased by the activity of
      the tungsten mine, and there were significant correlations between the elemental
      contents of the soil samples and plant parts, except for Mo and Cr. The high
      level of many elements in the soil samples indicates the presence of
      contamination related to tungsten-mining activity on Uludag Mountain. Assessing
      the elemental contents of M. astracanicum, we can suggest this species as a
      candidate for phytoremediation purposes of W-contaminated sites due to its high W
      accumulation capacity. 

PMID- 27278071
TI  - Acute toxicity and chemical evaluation of coking wastewater under biological and
      advanced physicochemical treatment processes.
AB  - This study investigated the changes of toxic compounds in coking wastewater with
      biological treatment (anaerobic reactor, anoxic reactor and aerobic-membrane
      bioreactor, A1/A2/O-MBR) and advanced physicochemical treatment (Fenton oxidation
      and activated carbon adsorption) stages. As the biological treatment stages
      preceding, the inhibition effect of coking wastewater on the luminescence of
      Vibrio qinghaiensis sp. Nov. Q67 decreased. Toxic units (TU) of coking wastewater
      were removed by A1/A2/O-MBR treatment process, however approximately 30 % TU
      remained in the biologically treated effluent. There is a tendency that fewer and
      fewer residual organic compounds could exert equal acute toxicity during the
      biological treatment stages. Activated carbon adsorption further removed toxic
      pollutants of biologically treated effluent but the Fenton effluent increased
      acute toxicity. The composition of coking wastewater during the treatment was
      evaluated using the three-dimensional fluorescence spectra, gas chromatography
      mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The organic compounds with high polarity were the main
      cause of acute toxicity in the coking wastewater. Aromatic protein-like matters
      in the coking wastewater with low biodegradability and high toxicity contributed
      mostly to the remaining acute toxicity of the biologically treated effluents.
      Chlorine generated from the oxidation process was responsible for the acute
      toxicity increase after Fenton oxidation. Therefore, the incorporation of
      appropriate advanced physicochemical treatment process, e.g., activated carbon
      adsorption, should be implemented following biological treatment processes to
      meet the stricter discharge standards and be safer to the environment. 

PMID- 27278073
TI  - Comparison of usefulness of the wall thickness of the left anterior descending
      coronary artery, determined by transthoracic echocardiography, and carotid intima
      media thickness in predicting multivessel coronary artery disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Wall thickness in the distal part of the left anterior descending
      coronary artery (LAD) can be measured by using two-dimensional high-resolution
      transthoracic echocardiography (2DHTTE). The objective of this study was to
      compare the diagnostic accuracy of measuring carotid intima-media thickness (IMT)
      and distal LAD wall thickness for prediction of multivessel coronary artery
      disease (MVD). METHODS: We measured wall thickness in the distal LAD using 2DHTTE
      and carotid IMT using B-mode ultrasound in 100 patients who subsequently
      underwent coronary angiography (CAG). Patients were classified into three groups
      based on the results of CAG-no significant stenosis (group N), single-vessel
      disease (group S), or multivessel disease (group M). RESULTS: Successful
      measurements of LAD wall thickness were accomplished in 96 patients. Distal LAD
      wall thickness was significantly greater in group M (0.92 +/- 0.20 mm) than in
      group N (0.72 +/- 0.11 mm, P < 0.01) and group S (0.76 +/- 0.19 mm, P < 0.01).
      Carotid IMT was significantly greater in group M (0.90 +/- 0.24 mm) than in group
      N (0.75 +/- 0.21 mm, P < 0.05) and group S (0.80 +/- 0.17 mm, P < 0.05). Distal
      LAD wall thickness >0.8 mm had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 67% in
      predicting MVD, whereas carotid IMT >0.8 mm was 63% sensitive and 67% specific in
      the prediction of MVD. There was a weak but significant correlation between
      distal LAD wall thickness and IMT (r = 0.31, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive
      measurement of distal LAD wall thickness by 2DHTTE is feasible, and has
      equivalent diagnostic accuracy to IMT measurements for predicting MVD.

PMID- 27278074
TI  - Accuracy of three-dimensional echocardiography in patients with prior
      anteroseptal myocardial infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is the most feasible modality for monitoring cardiac
      volume and function. However, conventional two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE)
      is frequently not accurate in measuring cardiac performance in cases of abnormal
      left ventricular wall motion, because of the geometric assumptions. Quantitative
      gated scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging are reliable modalities, but
      are expensive and not feasible for repetitive use. Real-time three-dimensional
      echocardiography (RT3DE) has been proved to be applicable in daily practice. The
      purpose of this study was to confirm the superiority of RT3DE to 2DE in assessing
      cardiac volume and function in patients with abnormal wall motion. METHODS: The
      subjects were 41 patients with old anteroseptal myocardial infarction who
      underwent left ventricular volume and functional measurement by RT3DE, 2DE, and
      left ventriculography (LVG). End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume
      (ESV), and ejection fraction (EF) from RT3DE and 2DE were measured and compared
      with results from LVG. RESULTS: RT3DE correlated well with LVG in measurements of
      EDV, ESV, and EF (r = 0.815, 0.940, and 0.812, respectively; P < 0.001 each).
      Likewise, 2DE correlated with LVG, but underestimated left ventricular volume,
      particularly EDV (r = 0.652, 0.909, and 0.761, respectively; P < 0.001 each).
      CONCLUSION: Values derived from RT3DE were closer to those from LVG than were
      values derived from 2DE. RT3DE provides important information on cardiac function
      in patients with prior anteroseptal myocardial infarction.

PMID- 27278075
TI  - Transient late-onset ischemic mitral regurgitation following Dor's procedure.
AB  - A 60-year-old man developed anteroseptal acute myocardial infarction with
      subsequent left hemiplegia. Echocardiography detected apical aneurysm with
      thrombus. Coronary artery bypass grafting with Dor's procedure were performed.
      Chronic heart failure (CHF) developed three months after the surgery. CHF with
      mitral regurgitation (MR) continued for more than two months and then
      disappeared. When surgical intervention is considered for late MR after Dor's
      procedure, it is important to consider that late-onset MR after Dor's procedure
      can be transient with full medication, which may require four or more months to
      achieve its full effects. 

PMID- 27278076
TI  - The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Uses its C
      Terminus to Regulate the A2B Adenosine Receptor.
AB  - CFTR is an apical membrane anion channel that regulates fluid homeostasis in many
      organs including the airways, colon, pancreas and sweat glands. In cystic
      fibrosis, CFTR dysfunction causes significant morbidity/mortality. Whilst CFTR's
      function as an ion channel has been well described, its ability to regulate other
      proteins is less understood. We have previously shown that plasma membrane CFTR
      increases the surface density of the adenosine 2B receptor (A2BR), but not of the
      beta2 adrenergic receptor (beta2AR), leading to an enhanced, adenosine-induced
      cAMP response in the presence of CFTR. In this study, we have found that the C
      terminal PDZ-domain of both A2BR and CFTR were crucial for this interaction, and
      that replacing the C-terminus of A2BR with that of beta2AR removed this CFTR
      dependency. This observation extended to intact epithelia and disruption of the
      actin cytoskeleton prevented A2BR-induced but not beta2AR-induced airway surface
      liquid (ASL) secretion. We also found that CFTR expression altered the
      organization of the actin cytoskeleton and PDZ-binding proteins in both HEK293T
      cells and in well-differentiated human bronchial epithelia. Furthermore, removal
      of CFTR's PDZ binding motif (DeltaTRL) prevented actin rearrangement, suggesting
      that CFTR insertion in the plasma membrane results in local reorganization of
      actin, PDZ binding proteins and certain GPCRs.

PMID- 27278077
TI  - High extracellular pressure promotes gastric cancer cell adhesion, invasion,
      migration and suppresses gastric cancer cell differentiation.
AB  - Slightly increased pressure stimulates tumor cell adhesion and proliferation. In
      the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of high pressure on gene
      expression and the biological behavior of gastric cancer cells. After incubation
      for 30 min at 37C under ambient and increased pressure, one portion of SGC7901
      cells was used for cell proliferation and apoptosis assays, cell cycle analysis,
      adhesion invasion or migration assays. The other portion of cells was harvested
      for detection of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), inhibitor of DNA binding-1
      (ID1), sonic Hedgehog (SHH) and E-cadherin expression by western blotting or RT
      PCR. In addition, we investigated the effects of high pressure on SGC7901 cell
      ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy. We found that the adhesion
      fold under increased pressure of 760 and 1,520 mmHg was 2.39+/-1.05 (P<0.05) and
      2.47+/-0.85 (P<0.01) as compared with the control, respectively. The invasion
      fold was 3.42+/-2.06 (P<0.05) and 5.13+/-2.49 (P<0.01) as compared with the
      control, respectively. The migration was 1.65+/-0.20 (P<0.001) and 2.53+/-0.50
      (P<0.001) as compared with the control, respectively. At increased pressure, MMP
      2 and ID1 expression increased significantly, while the expression of SHH
      decreased significantly. However, we did not find significant change in
      proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle or ultrastructure of the SGC7901 cells under
      high pressure. In conclusion, high pressure promoted the adhesion, invasion and
      migration of SGC7901 cells. Moreover, the present study suggests that the
      pressure-augmented invasion and migration may be related to the increase in MMP-2
      expression. Moreover, high pressure may suppress SGC7901 cell differentiation,
      which may result from the change in SHH and ID1 expression. 

PMID- 27278078
TI  - Urine sampling techniques in symptomatic primary-care patients: a diagnostic
      accuracy review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Choice of urine sampling technique in urinary tract infection may
      impact diagnostic accuracy and thus lead to possible over- or undertreatment.
      Currently no evidencebased consensus exists regarding correct sampling technique
      of urine from women with symptoms of urinary tract infection in primary care. The
      aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of urine culture from different
      sampling-techniques in symptomatic non-pregnant women in primary care. METHODS: A
      systematic review was conducted by searching Medline and Embase for clinical
      studies conducted in primary care using a randomized or paired design to compare
      the result of urine culture obtained with two or more collection techniques in
      adult, female, non-pregnant patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection. We
      evaluated quality of the studies and compared accuracy based on dichotomized
      outcomes. RESULTS: We included seven studies investigating urine sampling
      technique in 1062 symptomatic patients in primary care. Mid-stream-clean-catch
      had a positive predictive value of 0.79 to 0.95 and a negative predictive value
      close to 1 compared to sterile techniques. Two randomized controlled trials found
      no difference in infection rate between mid-stream-clean-catch, mid-stream-urine
      and random samples. CONCLUSIONS: At present, no evidence suggests that sampling
      technique affects the accuracy of the microbiological diagnosis in non-pregnant
      women with symptoms of urinary tract infection in primary care. However, the
      evidence presented is in-direct and the difference between mid-stream-clean
      catch, mid-stream-urine and random samples remains to be investigated in a paired
      design to verify the present findings.

PMID- 27278079
TI  - Academic Productivity of US Cardiothoracic Surgical Centers.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: We investigated which metrics represent valid correlates of
      the academic productivity of cardiothoracic (CT) surgical centers. METHODS: We
      collected data from 57 US academic CT surgical groups (663 surgeons), including H
      index and institutional role of each surgeon, ranking by US News & World Report
      (USNWR) and NIH funding, and designation as department versus division. RESULTS:
      Academic productivity (median H-index of each group) was significantly different
      across institutions (p < 0.001). Several USNWR hospital categories ("Honor Roll",
      "Adult Cardiology and Heart Surgery", "Adult Pulmonology", "Adult Cancer") and
      medical school ranking for research were associated with differences in academic
      productivity, while ranking by NIH funding or designation as department versus
      division was not. Groups with chairperson's individual H-index >=50 were overall
      more productive than those with chairperson's H-index <50 (median H-index: 18 vs.
      14; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: USNWR rankings provide a good representation of
      academic productivity, while NIH funding ranking or designation as department
      versus division does not. The individual productivity of the chairperson is
      correlated with that of the whole group. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12773 (J Card Surg
      2016;31:423-428).

PMID- 27278080
TI  - Calibrating the impact of dual RAAS blockade on the heart and the kidney -
      balancing risks and benefits.
AB  - Overactivity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role
      in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
      RAAS antagonists can significantly improve clinical outcomes, but monotherapy
      blocks but one step of the RAAS and can be bypassed through compensatory
      mechanisms. Providing more complete RAAS blockade by deploying drugs with
      complementary actions seemed logical - hence the practice of using dual (or
      triple) RAAS inhibitors. However, RAAS antagonists also exhibit dose-limiting
      side effects, including acute kidney injury, hyperkalaemia and hypotension, which
      blunt their overall effectiveness. Despite achieving better RAAS blockade,
      several trials failed to show clinical outcome improvements. Patients with
      concomitant CKD and HF (cardiorenal syndrome) are at the greatest risk of these
      adverse events and therefore the least able to benefit, yet they also have the
      worst prognosis. This paradox, where those most in need have fewest therapeutic
      options, poses three questions which are the focus of this review: whether (i)
      novel therapies that prevent adverse effects can restore therapeutic benefits to
      patients who would otherwise be RAAS-therapy intolerant, (ii) there are any
      validated alternatives to their use and (iii) newer approaches to the detection
      of fluid congestion are ready for implementation. 

PMID- 27278082
TI  - Neutral detergent fiber increases endogenous ileal losses but has no effect on
      ileal digestibility of amino acids in growing pigs.
AB  - Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of neutral detergent fiber
      (NDF) on endogenous amino acids and protein ileal losses; and also apparent ileal
      digestibility (AID), and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids
      and crude protein. Sixteen barrows were fed four protein-free diets containing
      graded NDF levels in Experiment 1. NDF was a mixture of sugarcane bagasse and
      corn leaves (SBCL). Twenty-four barrows were fed diets with soybean protein
      concentrate (SPC) or casein as protein sources and SBCL or corncobs (CC) as NDF
      sources in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, a linear increase (P < 0.05) in
      endogenous amino acid and protein ileal losses was observed with increased NDF
      levels, except for arginine, histidine, methionine and proline. In Experiment 2,
      protein (P < 0.001) and NDF (P < 0.01) sources significantly affected AID of dry
      matter, which was higher in casein diets (71.7%) and CC diets (70.7%). Protein
      and NDF sources significantly affected (P < 0.05) SID of crude protein, which was
      higher in casein diets (92.8%) and CC diets (92.7%). NDF source had no effect (P
      > 0.05) on SID of amino acids. Overall, this study showed that NDF increased
      endogenous amino acid and protein ileal losses, but did not affect ileal
      digestibility of amino acids.

PMID- 27278081
TI  - Incomplete radiofrequency ablation accelerates proliferation and angiogenesis of
      residual lung carcinomas via HSP70/HIF-1alpha.
AB  - Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy has been proved effective and feasible for
      lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of local lung cancer recurrence
      following RFA are poorly understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the
      ability of HSP70/HIF-1alpha to affect the proliferation and angiogenesis of non
      small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) following insufficient RFA to uncover the
      molecular mechanisms of local recurrence. In vitro heat treatment was used to
      establish sublines of NCI-H1650 cells. The NCI-H1650 subline that was established
      by heat treatment at 54C had a relatively higher viability and significantly
      elevated heat tolerance (compared to the parental strain). After treatment with
      the HSP70 inhibitor VER-155008, the HIF-1alpha inhibitor YC-1 and PI3K/Akt
      inhibitor wortmannin, the viability and proliferation rate of the cells was
      measured. At the same time, HSP70, HIF-1alpha and Akt were detected by real-time
      PCR and western blotting. In vivo xenograft tumors were created by subcutaneously
      inoculating nude mice with NCI-H1650 cells. HSP70, HIF-1alpha and Akt were
      detected by western blotting, and CD34 expression was detected by
      immunohistochemistry before and after RFA or treatment with the VER-155008, YC-1
      or wortmannin inhibitors. The heat-adapted NCI-H1650 subline established in vitro
      had a higher viability and proliferative activity compared to parental cells.
      Inhibiting HSP70/HIF-1alpha abolished this difference. Blocking the PI3K/Akt
      signaling pathway decreased HSP70/HIF-1alpha expression levels. In vivo, we found
      that incomplete RFA treatment promoted HSP70/HIF-1alpha and CD34 expression.
      Additionally, the combination of RFA and treatment targeting HSP70/HIF-1alpha
      resulted in a synergistic reduction in tumor growth compared to incomplete RFA
      alone. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is also involved in regulating HSP70/HIF
      1alpha expression during this process. We conclude that the accelerated
      proliferation and angiogenesis potential of residual lung carcinomas following
      RFA treatment was induced by HSP70/HIF-1alpha, expression of which is regulated
      by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27278083
TI  - Agency alters perceptual decisions about action-outcomes.
AB  - Humans experience themselves as agents, capable of controlling their actions and
      the outcomes they generate (i.e., the sense of agency). Inferences of agency are
      not infallible. Research shows that we often attribute outcomes to our agency
      even though they are caused by another agent. Moreover, agents report the sensory
      events they generate to be less intense compared to the events that are generated
      externally. These effects have been assessed using highly suprathreshold stimuli
      and subjective measurements. Consequently, it remains unclear whether
      experiencing oneself as an agent lead to a decision criterion change and/or a
      sensitivity change. Here, we investigate this issue. Participants were told that
      their key presses generated an upward dot motion but that on 30 % of the trials
      the computer would take over and display a downward motion. The upward/downward
      dot motion was presented at participant's discrimination threshold. Participants
      were asked to indicate whether they (upward motion) or the computer (downward
      motion) generated the motion. This group of participants was compared with a 'no
      agency' group who performed the same task except that subjects did not execute
      any actions to generate the dot motion. We observed that the agency group
      reported seeing more frequently the motion they expected to generate (i.e.,
      upward motion) than the no-agency group. This suggests that agency distorts our
      experience of (allegedly) caused events by altering perceptual decision
      processes, so that, in ambiguous contexts, externally generated events are
      experienced as the outcomes of one's actions.

PMID- 27278085
TI  - Conversation game: talking bacteria.
AB  - The story of autonomous unicellular organisms, bacteria with unimaginable
      computational and evolutionary capabilities along with collective behavior has
      been running since the first six decades of the twentieth Century. However, do
      not consider them to be small and simple, because they possess the generic term
      quorum sensing adopted to describe the cell communication process which co
      ordinate gene expression, when the population has reached a high cell density.
      Bacteria release diffusible signal molecules known as autoinducers or quorum
      sensing molecules. In recent research, the direction for activating or
      deactivating nature of a wave of gene expression is predicted experimentally
      which control bacterial populations subject to a diffusing autoinducer signal. On
      the other hand, it has been observed that the accumulation of the quorum sensing
      molecules leads to a negative diffusion coefficient in the solution of governing
      differential equation.

PMID- 27278084
TI  - Nerve crush but not displacement-induced stretch of the intra-arachnoidal facial
      nerve promotes facial palsy after cerebellopontine angle surgery.
AB  - Little is known about the reasons for occurrence of facial nerve palsy after
      removal of cerebellopontine angle tumors. Since the intra-arachnoidal portion of
      the facial nerve is considered to be so vulnerable that even the slightest
      tension or pinch may result in ruptured axons, we tested whether a graded stretch
      or controlled crush would affect the postoperative motor performance of the
      facial (vibrissal) muscle in rats. Thirty Wistar rats, divided into five groups
      (one with intact controls and four with facial nerve lesions), were used. Under
      inhalation anesthesia, the occipital squama was opened, the cerebellum gently
      retracted to the left, and the intra-arachnoidal segment of the right facial
      nerve exposed. A mechanical displacement of the brainstem with 1 or 3 mm toward
      the midline or an electromagnet-controlled crush of the facial nerve with a
      tweezers at a closure velocity of 50 and 100 mm/s was applied. On the next day,
      whisking motor performance was determined by video-based motion analysis. Even
      the larger (with 3 mm) mechanical displacement of the brainstem had no harmful
      effect: The amplitude of the vibrissal whisks was in the normal range of 50
      degrees -60 degrees . On the other hand, even the light nerve crush (50 mm/s)
      injured the facial nerve and resulted in paralyzed vibrissal muscles (amplitude
      of 10 degrees -15 degrees ). We conclude that, contrary to the generally
      acknowledged assumptions, it is the nerve crush but not the displacement-induced
      stretching of the intra-arachnoidal facial trunk that promotes facial palsy after
      cerebellopontine angle surgery in rats.

PMID- 27278086
TI  - S100A4 influences cancer stem cell-like properties of MGC803 gastric cancer cells
      by regulating GDF15 expression.
AB  - Many studies have revealed that S100A4 is involved in cancer progression by
      affecting a variety of biological functions. Our previous study showed that
      S100A4 influences many biological properties of gastric cancer cells; however,
      the underlying mechanisms are far from clear. In this study, we used cDNA
      microarray analysis to investigate the global alterations in gene expression in
      MGC803 gastric cancer cells after siRNA-mediated S100A4 inhibition. Among the
      total genes investigated, 179 differentially expressed genes (38 upregulated and
      141 downregulated) were detected in S100A4-siRNA transfected MGC803 cells
      compared with NC-siRNA transfected cells. We focused on the GDF15 gene, which was
      significantly downregulated after S100A4 inhibition. ChIP studies showed that the
      S100A4 protein binds to the GDF15 promoter, implicating S100A4 in GDF15
      regulation at the transcriptional level. GDF15 overexpression promoted CSC-like
      properties of MGC803 cells, such as spheroid and soft-agar colony forming
      abilities. S100A4 inhibition suppressed the CSC-like properties of the cells,
      whereas, GV141-GDF15 vector transfection reversed these effects. Our results
      suggest that S100A4 influences the CSC-like properties of MGC803 gastric cancer
      cells by regulating GDF15 expression. 

PMID- 27278087
TI  - Aspects of fish conservation in the upper Patos Lagoon basin.
AB  - The Patos Lagoon basin is a large (201 626 km(2) ) and complex drainage system in
      southern Brazil. The lagoon is 250 km long and 60 km wide, covering an area of 10
      360 km(2) . The exchange of water with the Atlantic Ocean occurs through a 0.8 km
      wide and 15 m deep inlet, fixed by 4 km long jetties, at the southernmost part of
      the Patos Lagoon. The estuarine area is restricted to its southern portion (10%),
      although the upper limit of saline waters migrates seasonally and year to year,
      influenced by the wind regime and river discharge. The known number of recorded
      limnetic fish species is 200, but this number is expected to increase. A higher
      endemism is observed in fish species occurring in upper tributaries. The basin
      suffers from the direct impact of almost 7 million inhabitants, concentrated in
      small to large cities, most with untreated domestic effluents. There are at least
      16 non-native species recorded in natural habitats of the Patos Lagoon basin,
      about half of these being from other South American river basins. Concerning the
      fishery, although sport and commercial fisheries are widespread throughout the
      Patos Lagoon basin, the lagoon itself and the estuarine area are the main fishing
      areas. Landing statistics are not available on a regular basis or for the whole
      basin. The fishery in the northern Patos Lagoon captures 31 different species,
      nine of which are responsible for most of the commercial catches, but only three
      species are actually sustaining the artisanal fishery: the viola Loricariichthys
      anus: 455 kg per 10 000 m(2) gillnet per day, the mullet Mugil liza: 123 kg per
      10 000 m(2) gillnet per day and the marine catfish Genidens barbus: 50 kg per 10
      000 m(2) gillnet per day. A decline of the fish stocks can be attributed to
      inadequate fishery surveillance, which leads to overfishing and mortality of
      juveniles, or to decreasing water quality because of urban and industrial
      activities and power production. Global climatic changes also represent a major
      threat to the Patos system by changing the frequency of El Nino-La Nina-Southern
      Oscillation (ENSO). 

PMID- 27278088
TI  - Ultrasound assessment of perinatal testicular torsion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to elucidate the different sonographic
      features of prenatal and postnatal testicular torsion (TT) using high-frequency
      colour Doppler ultrasound (HCDU) in an effort to increase diagnostic accuracy.
      METHODS: 29 patients (average age, 7.5 days) with perinatal TT were divided into
      patients with postnatal (acute) TT vs patients with prenatal (chronic) TT and
      their clinical characteristics, imaging features on HCDU and surgical pathology
      results were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Significant differences were
      observed between prenatal and postnatal TT cases with regard to testicular size
      (p = 0.01) and echogenicity (p = 0.007). All 17 prenatal cases had non
      homogeneous testicular parenchymal echo patterns compared with only 9 (64.3%)
      postnatal TT cases. Five postnatal TT cases presented with homogeneous echo
      patterns compared with none of the prenatal TT cases. Testicular blood supply was
      absent in 25 (80.7%) of 31 testes on colour Doppler flow imaging, with the
      majority occurring in the prenatal TT cases [i.e. 16 (94.1%) cases]. 1 affected
      testis out of a total 17 testes from 16 patients with prenatal TT was salvaged,
      with a salvage rate of 1/17 or 0.06%. 7 affected testes out of a total 16 testes
      from 13 patients with postnatal neonatal TT were salvaged, with a salvage rate of
      7/16 or 43.8%. CONCLUSION: In neonates with acute scrotal symptoms, the
      possibility of perinatal TT should be considered and HCDU examination should be
      performed in a timely manner. HCDU examination could aid in testicular salvage by
      prompting quick surgical intervention. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study
      underlined the clinical contribution of HCDU in evaluating postnatal (acute) vs
      prenatal (chronic) TT. The sonographic features of postnatal TT with salvageable
      testes were compared with prenatal torsion and the relative salvage rates in both
      cases were discussed.

PMID- 27278089
TI  - Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane as an efficient catalyst in the guanylation
      reaction of amines.
AB  - Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, [B(C6F5)3], has been used as an efficient catalyst
      in the guanylation reaction of amines with carbodiimide under mild conditions. A
      combined approach involving NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations was employed to
      gain a better insight into the mechanistic features of this process. The results
      allowed us to propose a new Lewis acid-assisted Bronsted acidic pathway for the
      guanylation reaction. The process starts with the interaction of
      tris(pentafluorphenyl)borane and the amine to form the corresponding adduct,
      [(C6F5)3B-NRH2] , followed by a straightforward proton transfer to one of the
      nitrogen atoms of the carbodiimide, (i)PrN[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double
      bond, length as m-dash]N(i)Pr, to produce, in two consequent steps, a guanidine
      borane adduct, [(C6F5)3B-NRC(N(i)PrH)2] . The rupture of this adduct liberates
      the guanidine product RNC(N(i)PrH)2 and interaction with additional amine
      restarts the catalytic cycle. DFT studies have been carried out in order to study
      the thermodynamic characteristics of the proposed pathway. Significant borane
      adducts with amines and guanidines have been isolated and characterized by
      multinuclear NMR in order to study the N-B interaction and to propose the
      existence of possible Frustrated Lewis Pairs. Additionally, the molecular
      structures of significant components of the catalytic cycle, namely 4-tert
      butylaniline-[B(C6F5)3] adduct and both free and [B(C6F5)3]-bonded 1-(phenyl)-2,3
      diisopropylguanidine, and respectively, have been established by X-ray
      diffraction. 

PMID- 27278090
TI  - Vertical transport and plant uptake of nanoparticles in a soil mesocosm
      experiment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Agricultural soils represent a potential sink for increasing amounts
      of different nanomaterials that nowadays inevitably enter the environment.
      Knowledge on the relation between their actual exposure concentrations and
      biological effects on crops and symbiotic organisms is therefore of high
      importance. In this part of a joint companion study, we describe the vertical
      translocation as well as plant uptake of three different titanium dioxide (nano
      )particles (TiO2 NPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) within a pot
      experiment with homogenously spiked natural agricultural soil and two plant
      species (red clover and wheat). RESULTS: TiO2 NPs exhibited limited mobility from
      soil to leachates and did not induce significant titanium uptake into both plant
      species, although average concentrations were doubled from 4 to 8 mg/kg Ti at the
      highest exposures. While the mobility of MWCNTs in soil was limited as well,
      microwave-induced heating suggested MWCNT-plant uptake independent of the
      exposure concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Quantification of actual exposure
      concentrations with a series of analytical methods confirmed nominal ones in soil
      mesocosms with red clover and wheat and pointed to low mobility and limited plant
      uptake of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes.

PMID- 27278091
TI  - Clonal expansion of antitumor T cells in breast cancer correlates with response
      to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
AB  - The immune microenvironment of tumor plays a critical role in therapeutic
      responses to chemotherapy. Cancer tissues are composed of a complex network
      between antitumor and pro-tumor immune cells and molecules; therefore a
      comprehensive analysis of the tumor immune condition is imperative for better
      understanding of the roles of the immune microenvironment in anticancer treatment
      response. In this study, we performed T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire analysis
      of tumor infiltrating T cells (TILs) in cancer tissues of pre- and post
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) from 19 breast cancer patients; five cases showed
      CR (complete response), ten showed PR (partial response), and four showed SD/PD
      (stable disease/progressive disease) to the treatment. From the TCR sequencing
      results, we calculated the diversity index of the TCRbeta chain and found that
      clonal expansion of TILs could be detected in patients who showed CR or PR to
      NAC. Noteworthy, the diversity of TCR was further reduced in the post-NAC tumors
      of CR patients. Our quantitative RT-PCR also showed that expression ratio of
      CD8/Foxp3 was significantly elevated in the post-NAC tumors of CR cases
      (p=0.0032), indicating that antitumor T cells were activated and enriched in
      these tumors. Collectively, our findings suggest that the clonal expansion of
      antitumor T cells may be a critical factor associated with response to
      chemotherapy and that their TCR sequences might be applicable for the development
      of TCR-engineered T cells treatment for individual breast cancer patients when
      their tumors relapse. 

PMID- 27278093
TI  - Efficacy of concurrent treatments in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients with
      a rapid progression of respiratory failure: an analysis of a national
      administrative database in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some IPF patients show a rapid progression of respiratory failure.
      Most patients are treated with high-dose corticosteroids. However, no large
      clinical studies have investigated the prognosis or efficacy of combined
      treatments including high-dose corticosteroids in IPF patients with a rapid
      progression of respiratory failure. METHODS: We enrolled IPF patients who
      received mechanical ventilation and high-dose corticosteroids between April 2010
      and March 2013. Records were extracted from a Japanese nationwide inpatient
      database. We conducted a retrospective epidemiologic and prognostic analysis.
      RESULTS: Two hundred nine patients receiving an average of 12.8 days of
      ventilatory support were enrolled. There were 138 (66 %) fatal cases; the median
      survival was 21 days. The short-term (within 30 days) and long-term (within 90
      days) survival rates were 44.6 and 24.6 %, respectively. The average monthly
      admission rate among the IPF patients with the rapid progression of respiratory
      failure in the winter was significantly higher than that in spring (p = 0.018).
      Survival did not differ to a statistically significant extent in the different
      geographic areas of Japan. Survivors were significantly younger (p = 0.002) with
      higher rates of mild dyspnea on admission (p = 0.012), they more frequently
      underwent bronchoscopy (p < 0.001), and received anticoagulants (p = 0.027), co
      trimoxazole (p < 0.001) and macrolide (p = 0.02) more frequently than non
      survivors. A multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that two factors were
      significantly associated with a poor prognosis: >80 years of age (OR = 2.94, 95 %
      Cl 1.044-8.303; p = 0.041) and the intravenous administration of high-dose
      cyclophosphamide (OR = 3.17, 95 % Cl 1.101-9.148; p = 0.033). Undergoing
      bronchoscopy during intubation (OR = 0.25, 95 % Cl 0.079-0.798; p = 0.019) and
      the administration of co-trimoxazole (OR = 0.28, 95 % Cl 0.132-0.607; p = 0.001)
      and macrolides (OR = 0.37, 95 % Cl 0.155-0.867; p = 0.033) were significantly
      associated with a good prognosis. The dosage of co-trimoxazole significantly
      correlated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Co-trimoxazole and macrolides may be a
      good addition to high-dose corticosteroids in the treatment of IPF patients with
      a rapid progression of respiratory failure.

PMID- 27278095
TI  - Acute plasma amylase increase after glucagon-like peptide -1 receptor agonist
      exenatide administration in Type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 27278096
TI  - How to develop a more accurate risk prediction model when there are few events.

PMID- 27278094
TI  - Rel B-modified dendritic cells possess tolerogenic phenotype and functions on
      lupus splenic lymphocytes in vitro.
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized
      by high morbidity and mortality and its treatment remains challenging. Dendritic
      cells (DCs) have been shown to participate in the initiation and perpetuation of
      lupus pathogenesis and the DCs that can induce tolerogenicity appear as potential
      cell-based therapy in this condition. In this study, we examined the in vitro
      tolerogenic properties of bone-marrow derived DCs (BMDCs) in the murine lupus
      setting. We used lentiviral transduction of RelB-silencing short hairpin RNA to
      modify the expression of RelB, a key transcription factor regulating DC
      maturation, in BMDCs from MRL/MpJ mice. Tolerogenic properties of RelB-modified
      DCs were compared with scrambled control (SC) -modified DCs. RelB expression was
      found to be significantly reduced in RelB-modified DCs derived from MRL/MpJ mice,
      wild-type of the same genetic background as MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice. These
      MRL/MpJ RelB-modified DCs displayed semi-mature phenotype with expression of
      lower levels of co-stimulatory molecules compared with SC-modified DCs. RelB
      modified DCs were found to be low producers of interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70) and
      could induce hyporesponsiveness of splenic T cells from MRL/MpJ and MRL/lpr mice.
      Furthermore, they down-regulated interferon-gamma expression and induced IL-10
      producing T cells in MRL/MpJ splenocytes, and attenuated interferon-gamma and IL
      17 expression in MRL/lpr splenic CD4(+) lymphocytes. Splenocytes primed by RelB
      modified DCs demonstrated antigen-specific suppressive effects on allogeneic
      splenocytes. In conclusion, RelB-silencing in DCs generates DCs of tolerogenic
      properties with immunomodulatory function and appears as potential option of cell
      targeted therapy.

PMID- 27278098
TI  - Lipoic acid stimulates bone formation in ovariectomized rats in a dose-dependent
      manner.
AB  - This study was undertaken to determine the osteotropic effect of different doses
      of lipoic acid (LA) on the mineralization of bone tissue in female Wistar rats
      with experimental osteopenia induced by bilateral ovariectomy. Fifty-six rats
      were randomly selected and submitted to either a sham operation (n = 8) or an
      ovariectomy (n = 48). The ovariectomized rats were randomly placed into two
      control groups, treated subcutaneously with either physiological saline or 17beta
      estradiol in the dose of 4 MUg/kg body mass per day, and four experimental groups
      that received LA subcutaneously in the doses of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body
      mass per day (n = 8 in each group). After 28 days of experimental treatment, the
      rats were sacrificed, and body mass, total skeletal density, and body composition
      were recorded. Blood serum and isolated femora were stored for further analysis.
      Our results revealed that the osteoprotective effect of LA was dose-dependent and
      was observed in rats treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg of LA. Moreover, the LA
      applied to the ovariectomized rats in the dose of 50 mg/kg not only stopped the
      bone resorption, but stimulated its formation. 

PMID- 27278097
TI  - Donor-Derived Exosomes With Lung Self-Antigens in Human Lung Allograft Rejection.
AB  - The immunological role of exosomes in allograft rejection remains unknown. We
      sought to determine whether exosomes are induced during lung allograft rejection
      and to define the antigenic compositions of HLA, lung-associated self-antigens
      (SAgs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). Exosomes were isolated from sera and
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 30 lung transplant recipients (LTxRs) who were
      stable or who had acute rejection (AR) or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome
      (BOS). Exosomes were defined by flow cytometry for CD63 and western blotting for
      annexin V SAgs, collagen V (Col-V) and Kalpha1 tubulin were examined by electron
      microscopy; miRNAs were profiled by a miRNA array. Donor HLA and SAgs were
      detected on exosomes from LTxRs with AR and BOS but not from stable LTxRs.
      Exosomes expressing Col-V were isolated from sera from LTxRs 3 mo before AR and 6
      mo before BOS diagnosis, suggesting that exosomes with SAgs may be a noninvasive
      rejection biomarker. Exosomes isolated from LTxRs with AR or BOS also contained
      immunoregulatory miRNAs. We concluded that exosomes expressing donor HLA, SAgs
      and immunoregulatory miRNAs are present in the circulation and local site after
      human lung transplantation and play an important role in the immune pathogenesis
      of acute allograft rejection and BOS.

PMID- 27278099
TI  - Self-medication practices among undergraduate nursing and midwifery students in
      Australia: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-medication is a global phenomenon and a major form of self-care.
      OBJECTIVES: To explore the self-medication practices of Australian nursing and
      midwifery students. METHODS: An online questionnaire that examined the prevalence
      of self-medication, reasons for self-medication, medications consumed and
      medication knowledge was distributed to student nurses and midwives at one
      university in Victoria, Australia. Data were collected between February and May
      2014. RESULTS: Self-medication practices were reported in 91.7% (n = 110) of
      students. Students reported the main reason for self-medication was to play an
      active role in their health. The incidence of stress was high (n = 82, 74.5%),
      along with back pain (n = 84, 76.4%) and nearly half the students (n = 46, 42.2%)
      reported using antibiotics that were prescribed for a previous health problem.
      CONCLUSION: Self-medication practices were common in this student cohort and some
      results give rise to concern for the general wellbeing of our future nursing and
      midwifery workforce.

PMID- 27278100
TI  - Differential induction of type I interferons in macaques by wild-type measles
      virus alone or with the hemagglutinin protein of the Edmonston vaccine strain.
AB  - Measles vaccines are highly effective and safe; however, the mechanism(s)
      underlying their attenuation has not been well understood. In this study, type I
      IFNs (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) induction in macaques infected with measles virus
      (MV) strains was examined. Type I IFNs were not induced in macaques infected with
      wild-type MV. However, IFN-alpha was sharply induced in most macaques infected
      with recombinant wild-type MV bearing the hemagglutinin (H) protein of the
      Edmonston vaccine strain. These results indicate that the H protein of MV vaccine
      strains may have a role in MV attenuation. 

PMID- 27278101
TI  - Making the journey with me: a qualitative study of experiences of a bespoke
      mental health smoking cessation intervention for service users with serious
      mental illness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smoking is one of the major modifiable risk factors contributing to
      early mortality for people with serious mental illness. However, only a minority
      of service users access smoking cessation interventions and there are concerns
      about the appropriateness of generic stop-smoking services for this group. The
      SCIMITAR (Smoking Cessation Intervention for Severe Mental Ill-Health Trial)
      feasibility study explored the effectiveness of a bespoke smoking cessation
      intervention delivered by mental health workers. This paper reports on the nested
      qualitative study within the trial. METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured
      interviews were conducted with 13 service users receiving the intervention and 3
      of the MHSCPs (mental health smoking cessation practitioners) delivering the
      intervention. Topic guides explored the perceived acceptability of the
      intervention particularly in contrast to generic stop-smoking services, and
      perceptions of the implementation of the intervention in practice. Transcripts
      were analysed using the Constant Comparative Method. RESULTS: Generic services
      were reported to be inappropriate for this group, due to concerns over stigma and
      a lack of support from health professionals. The bespoke intervention was
      perceived positively, with both practitioners and service users emphasising the
      benefits of flexibility and personalisation in delivery. The mental health
      background of the practitioners was considered valuable not only due to their
      increased understanding of the service users' illness but also due to the more
      collaborative relationship style they employed. Challenges involved delays in
      liaising with general practitioners and patient struggles with organisation and
      motivation, however the MHSCP was considered to be well placed to address these
      problems. CONCLUSION: The bespoke smoking cessation intervention was acceptable
      to service users and the both service users and practitioners reported the value
      of a protected mental health worker role for delivering smoking cessation to this
      group. The results have wider implications for understanding how to achieve
      integrated and personalised care for this high-risk population and further
      underscore the need for sensitised smoking cessation support for people with
      serious mental illness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials
      ISRCTN79497236 . Registered 3(rd) July 2009.

PMID- 27278103
TI  - Erratum to: Is the use of thin, highly cross-linked polyethylene liners safe in
      total hip arthroplasty?

PMID- 27278102
TI  - Dynamic protein coronas revealed as a modulator of silver nanoparticle
      sulphidation in vitro.
AB  - Proteins adsorbing at nanoparticles have been proposed as critical toxicity
      mediators and are included in ongoing efforts to develop predictive tools for
      safety assessment. Strongly attached proteins can be isolated, identified and
      correlated to changes in nanoparticle state, cellular association or toxicity.
      Weakly attached, rapidly exchanging proteins are also present at nanoparticles,
      but are difficult to isolate and have hardly been examined. Here we study rapidly
      exchanging proteins and show for the first time that they have a strong
      modulatory effect on the biotransformation of silver nanoparticles. Released
      silver ions, known for their role in particle toxicity, are found to be trapped
      as silver sulphide nanocrystals within the protein corona at silver nanoparticles
      in serum-containing cell culture media. The strongly attached corona acts as a
      site for sulphidation, while the weakly attached proteins reduce nanocrystal
      formation in a serum-concentration-dependent manner. Sulphidation results in
      decreased toxicity of Ag NPs.

PMID- 27278105
TI  - Deceived by orchids: sex, science, fiction and Darwin.
AB  - Between 1916 and 1927, botanists in several countries independently resolved
      three problems that had mystified earlier naturalists - including Charles Darwin:
      how did the many species of orchid that did not produce nectar persuade insects
      to pollinate them? Why did some orchid flowers seem to mimic insects? And why
      should a native British orchid suffer 'attacks' from a bee? Half a century after
      Darwin's death, these three mysteries were shown to be aspects of a phenomenon
      now known as pseudocopulation, whereby male insects are deceived into attempting
      to mate with the orchid's flowers, which mimic female insects; the males then
      carry the flower's pollen with them when they move on to try the next deceptive
      orchid. Early twentieth-century botanists were able to see what their
      predecessors had not because orchids (along with other plants) had undergone an
      imaginative re-creation: Darwin's science was appropriated by popular
      interpreters of science, including the novelist Grant Allen; then H.G. Wells
      imagined orchids as killers (inspiring a number of imitators), to produce a genre
      of orchid stories that reflected significant cultural shifts, not least in the
      presentation of female sexuality. It was only after these changes that scientists
      were able to see plants as equipped with agency, actively able to pursue their
      own, cunning reproductive strategies - and to outwit animals in the process. This
      paper traces the movement of a set of ideas that were created in a context that
      was recognizably scientific; they then became popular non-fiction, then popular
      fiction, and then inspired a new science, which in turn inspired a new generation
      of fiction writers. Long after clear barriers between elite and popular science
      had supposedly been established in the early twentieth century, they remained
      porous because a variety of imaginative writers kept destabilizing them. The
      fluidity of the boundaries between makers, interpreters and publics of scientific
      knowledge was a highly productive one; it helped biology become a vital part of
      public culture in the twentieth century and beyond. 

PMID- 27278104
TI  - Salvianolic Acid B Attenuates Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis through Inhibition
      of the TGF-beta Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and fatal disorder. In our previous study, we
      found that the Yiqihuoxue formula (YQHX), a prescription of Traditional Chinese
      Medicine, had a curative effect on scleroderma, a typical fibrotic disease. The
      aim of this study was to determine the key ingredient mediating the therapeutic
      effects of YQHX and to examine its effect on pulmonary fibrosis, including its
      mechanism. Luciferase reporter assays showed that the most important anti
      fibrotic component of the YQHX was Salviae miltiorrhiza (SM). Experiments
      performed using a bleomycin-instilled mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis showed
      that Salvianolic acid B (SAB), the major ingredient of SM, had strong anti
      inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects through its inhibition of inflammatory
      cell infiltration, alveolar structure disruption, and collagen deposition.
      Furthermore, SAB suppressed TGF-beta-induced myofibroblastic differentiation of
      MRC-5 fibroblasts and TGF-beta-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of
      A549 cells by inhibiting both Smad-dependent signaling and the Smad-independent
      MAPK pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that SM is the key anti
      fibrotic component of the YQHX and that SAB, the major ingredient of SM,
      alleviates experimental pulmonary fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro by
      inhibiting the TGF-beta signaling pathway. Together, these results suggest that
      SAB potently inhibits pulmonary fibrosis.

PMID- 27278106
TI  - Balancing benefits and harms: privacy protection policies.

PMID- 27278108
TI  - A Pilot Test of Self-Affirmations to Promote Smoking Cessation in a National
      Smoking Cessation Text Messaging Program.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although effective smoking cessation treatments, including mHealth
      interventions, have been empirically validated and are widely available, smoking
      relapse is likely. Self-affirmation, a process through which individuals focus on
      their strengths and behaviors, has been shown to reduce negative effects of self
      threats and to promote engagement in healthier behavior. OBJECTIVE: To assess the
      feasibility of incorporating self-affirmations into an existing text messaging
      based smoking cessation program (Smokefree TXT) and to determine whether self
      affirmation led to greater engagement and higher cessation rates than the
      standard intervention. METHODS: Data were collected from smokers (n=1261) who
      subscribed to a free smoking cessation program and met eligibility criteria. The
      intervention lasted 42 days. The original design was a 2 (Baseline affirmation: 5
      item questionnaire present vs absent) * 2 (Integrated affirmation: texts present
      vs absent) factorial design. Only 17 eligible users completed all baseline
      affirmation questions and these conditions did not influence any outcomes, so we
      collapsed across baseline affirmation conditions in analysis. In the integrated
      affirmation conditions, affirmations replaced approximately 20% of texts
      delivering motivational content. RESULTS: In all, 687 users remained enrolled
      throughout the 42-day intervention and 81 reported smoking status at day 42.
      Among initiators (n=1261), self-affirmation did not significantly improve (1)
      intervention completion, (2) days enrolled, (3) 1-week smoking status, or (4) 6
      week smoking status (all Ps>.10); and among the 687 completers, there were no
      significant effects of affirmation on cessation (Ps>.25). However, among the 81
      responders, those who received affirmations were more likely to report cessation
      at 6 weeks (97.5%; 39 of 40) than those not given affirmations (78.1%; 32 of 41;
      chi(2)(1)=7.08, P=.008). CONCLUSION: This proof-of-concept study provides
      preliminary evidence that self-affirmation can be integrated into existing text
      based cessation programs, as the affirmations did not lead to any adverse effects
      (ie, less engagement or lower rates of cessation). Among those who reported
      smoking status at the end of the intervention period (6.4% of eligible
      respondents), affirmations facilitated cessation. This study provides a "proof-of
      concept" that brief, low-touch interventions may be integrated into a text
      messaging program with potential benefits, minimal disruption to the program or
      users, and little cost. Many questions remain regarding how self-affirmation and
      similar approaches can promote engagement in population interventions.

PMID- 27278107
TI  - Comparison of equations for dosing of medications in renal impairment.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the concordance among the Cockcroft
      Gault, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease and the Chronic Kidney Disease
      Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations in hypothetical dosing of renally
      cleared medications. METHODS: A total of 2163 patients prescribed at least one of
      the 31 renally cleared drugs under review were included in the study. Kidney
      function was estimated using the three equations. We compared actual prescribed
      dosages of the same drug with recommended dosages based on the kidney function as
      calculated by each of the equations and applying dosing recommendations in the
      Australian Medicines Handbook. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the
      kidney function values estimated from the three equations (P < 0.001). Despite
      the good overall agreement in renal drug dosing, we found selected but
      potentially important discrepancies among the doses rendered from the equations.
      The CKD-EPI equation non-normalized for body surface area had a greater rate of
      concordance with the Cockcroft-Gault equation than the Modification of Diet in
      Renal Disease equation for renal drug dosing. CONCLUSIONS: There is need for a
      long-term multi-centre study in a diverse population to define the clinical
      effects of the discrepancies among the equations for drug dosing. Given the
      greater concordance of the non-normalized CKD-EPI equation with the Cockcroft
      Gault equation for dosing, the recommendation by Kidney Health Australia and the
      United States National Kidney Disease Education Program that 'dosing based on
      either eCrCl or an eGFR with body surface area normalization removed are
      acceptable' seems suitable and practicable for the purpose of dosing of non
      critical drugs in the primary care setting.

PMID- 27278109
TI  - Pharmaceutical cocrystals: walking the talk.
AB  - Pharmaceutical cocrystals belong to a sub-class of cocrystals wherein one of the
      components is a drug molecule (or an active pharmaceutical ingredient, API) and
      the second is a benign food or drug grade additive (generally regarded as safe,
      GRAS). The two components are hydrogen-bonded in a fixed stoichiometric ratio in
      the crystal lattice. In the past decade, pharmaceutical cocrystals have
      demonstrated significant promise in their ability to modify the physicochemical
      and pharmacokinetic properties of drug substances, such as the solubility and
      dissolution rate, bioavailability, particle morphology and size, tableting and
      compaction, melting point, physical form, biochemical and hydration stability,
      and permeability. In this feature review, we highlight some prominent examples of
      drug cocrystals which exhibit variable hardness/softness and
      elasticity/plasticity depending on coformer selection, improvement of solubility
      and permeability in the same cocrystal, increase of the melting point for solid
      formulation, enhanced color performance, photostability and hydration stability,
      and a longer half-life. Cocrystals of flavanoids and polyphenols can make
      improved pharmaceuticals and also extend to the larger class of nutraceuticals.
      The application of crystal engineering to assemble ternary cocrystals expands
      this field to drug-drug cocrystals which may be useful in multi-drug resistance,
      mitigating side effects of drugs, or attenuating/enhancing drug action
      synergistically by rational selection. The advent of new techniques for
      structural characterization beyond the standard X-ray diffraction will provide a
      better understanding of drug phases which are at the borderline of crystalline
      amorphous nature and even newer opportunities in the future. 

PMID- 27278110
TI  - Can saliva testing replace blood measurements for health monitoring? Insights
      from a correlation study of salivary and whole blood glutathione in humans.
AB  - The feasibility of using saliva samples as diagnostic for health status is
      assessed. Although blood is regularly used for this purpose, an alternative non
      invasive route which yields equivalent clinical information is desirable. The non
      invasive saliva testing is validated by comparing its result to that of blood
      examination. In this investigation, we used glutathione as a paradigmatic example
      of a biomarker and diagnostic auxiliary. Correlation between the levels of total
      unbound glutathione, reduced and oxidized, in saliva and whole blood samples from
      healthy individuals is evaluated. Both salivary and blood glutathione were
      measured using an enzymatic kinetic assay which was improved to eliminate
      measurement errors arising from the variation in the enzyme activity from
      different batches. 

PMID- 27278111
TI  - Lung cancer radiation therapy in Australia and New Zealand: Patterns of practice.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The RANZCR Faculty of Radiation Oncology Lung Interest Cooperative
      (FROLIC) surveyed patterns of lung cancer radiation therapy practice for non
      small cell (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) to evaluate current patterns
      of care and potential for improvement. METHODS: In October 2014, Radiation
      Oncologists (ROs) from all 62 departments in Australia and New Zealand were
      invited to a web-based survey directed at those treating lung cancer. Questions
      covered current radiation therapy practice as well as quality measures. RESULTS:
      Fifty-eight per cent of respondents used 4D-CT simulation. For curative
      treatment, 98% employed 3D-CRT and 34% intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
      techniques. Treatment verification was primarily performed using cone-beam CT
      (86%). In NSCLC, the commonest curative dose-fractionation regime was 60 Gy/30#
      (96%) and for palliative intent, 30 Gy/10# (76%). Forty-four per cent treated
      patients with stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) and half treated
      central tumours with this technique. In fit patients with synchronous solitary
      brain metastases, 80% would give radical treatment. For curative-intent SCLC, 45
      50.4 Gy/25-28# (61%) and 45 Gy/30#/1.5 Gy b.d. (48%) were used. Ninety-four per
      cent discussed lung cancer patients at multidisciplinary meetings. Contours were
      peer-reviewed by 74% and 50% for conventional fractionation and SABR
      respectively. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of ROs did not have access to
      4D-CT. The majority used 3D image verification and consistently prescribed
      evidence based doses. A significant number did not participate in peer-review of
      contours. Practice in IMRT and synchronous oligo-metastatic disease is variable
      and should be an area of future research. Utilising survey findings, FROLIC is
      developing consensus recommendations to guide practice.

PMID- 27278112
TI  - Identification of the novel HLA-DRB1*11:192 allele by sequence-based typing in
      Greece.
AB  - The new allele DRB1*11:192 exon 2 differs from the DRB1*11:01:01:01 by three
      substitutions.

PMID- 27278113
TI  - Structural disorder in metallic glass-forming liquids.
AB  - We investigated structural disorder by a new structural parameter, quasi-nearest
      atom (QNA), in atomistic configurations of eight metallic glass-forming systems
      generated through molecular dynamics simulations at various temperatures.
      Structural analysis reveals that the scaled distribution of the number of QNA
      appears to be an universal property of metallic liquids and the spatial
      distribution of the number of QNA displays to be clearly heterogeneous.
      Furthermore, the new parameter can be directly correlated with potential energy
      and structural relaxation at the atomic level. Some straightforward relationships
      between QNA and other properties (per-atom potential energy and alpha-relaxation
      time) are introduced to reflect structure-property relationship in metallic
      liquids. We believe that the new structural parameter can well reflect structure
      disorder in metallic liquids and play an important role in understanding various
      properties in metallic liquids.

PMID- 27278114
TI  - Texture Adaption in Dysphagia: Acceptability Differences Between Thickened and
      Naturally Thick Beverages.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate differences in the acceptability
      between thickened and naturally viscous beverages. DESIGN: This was an
      exploratory, cross-sectional study. METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight healthy
      volunteers rated overall liking/disliking of a selection of each of three
      thickened drinks and three beverages of natural viscosity pre- and
      postconsumption. Mean ratings were subjected to statistical analysis done with t
      tests. FINDINGS: Although all naturally thick beverages evoked good expectations,
      there were significant differences in expected acceptance of thickened fluids
      concerning the kind of beverage. Postconsumption of naturally thick beverages
      were rated significantly better than thickened. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest
      an alternative offer of naturally thick drinks and waiver of thickening water
      when viscosity adaption is needed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The sufficient and safe
      oral fluid intake in dysphagia requires compliance to dietetic recommendations.
      Naturally thick beverages can contribute to increase the appeal of texture
      modified diet.

PMID- 27278115
TI  - Expression of VEGFR and PDGFR-alpha/-beta in 187 canine nasal carcinomas.
AB  - Radiotherapy represents the standard of care for intranasal carcinomas. Responses
      to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been reported but data on expression of
      target receptor tyrosine kinases (rTKs) is limited. This study characterizes the
      expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet
      derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-alpha and PDGFR-beta in canine intranasal
      carcinomas. Histological samples from 187 dogs were retrieved.
      Immunohistochemistry was performed using commercially available antibodies.
      Expression of rTKs was classified into weak, moderate or intense and additionally
      recorded as cytoplasmic, membranous, cytoplasmic-membranous, nuclear or stromal.
      VEGFR was expressed in 158 dogs with predominantly moderate expression (36.9%)
      and a cytoplasmic-membranous expression pattern (70.9%). PDGFR-alpha was detected
      in 133 with predominantly weak expression (57.9%) and cytoplasmic pattern
      (87.9%). PDGFR-beta was identified in 74 patients with a predominantly moderate
      expression (17.6%) and cytoplasmic expression pattern (63.5%). Co-expression of
      rTKs was common. These results confirm expression of VEGFR, PDGFR-alpha and PDGFR
      beta in canine intranasal carcinomas and support the utility of TKIs.

PMID- 27278116
TI  - Building resilience in the face of adversity: navigation processes used by older
      lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults living in Ireland.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore resilience processes among older lesbian, gay,
      bisexual and transgender adults. BACKGROUND: Older lesbian, gay, bisexual and
      transgender identities have frequently been viewed from a deficit, vulnerability
      and pathological perspective; consequently, the natural resilience processes that
      underpin the lives of many older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
      goes unrecognised, with few studies focusing on the processes they use in
      building resilience. DESIGN: The design of the study is qualitative and
      exploratory. METHODS: Data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face
      interviews. Thirty-six lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people participated
      in the interviews. The mean age of the interview participants was 60.3 years.
      Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Nine processes were
      identified that enhanced participants resilience, namely: 'Making a decision to
      accept oneself and not be defined by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
      identity'; 'Acquiring an empowering perspective'; 'Learning to let go and moving
      on'; 'Leaving oppressive social environments'; 'Experiencing affirming
      relationships with family and others'; 'Accessing formal supports'; 'Maintaining
      connections with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people'; 'Remaining
      positive and being thankful for life' and 'Remaining active and keeping busy'.
      These processes fostered the development of characteristics, such as: courage and
      strength; a positive sense of self and an optimistic outlook on life. CONCLUSION:
      This study provides evidence of the considerable strength among this group of
      people, highlighting how adversity has engendered in participants a set of
      resilience skills, adding to the emerging body of research into resilience and
      older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL
      PRACTICE: Nurses not only need to be aware of the life histories of older
      lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people but they also need to assess their
      strengths and offer sensitive services that promote and support resilience among
      this population.

PMID- 27278117
TI  - Urinary tract infections in cats. Prevalence of comorbidities and bacterial
      species, and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility to commonly used
      antimicrobial agents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of comorbidities (CM) in cats with
      urinary tract infections (UTIs), as well as the prevalence of bacterial species
      in cats with different CM and their antimicrobial susceptibility to the commonly
      used antibacterial agents doxycycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS),
      amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC), cephalothin, and enrofloxacin. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis of cats with positive urine cultures in the
      years 2003 to 2009 was performed. Cats were assigned to one of four groups: cats
      with systemic comorbidities (sCM), cats with indwelling urinary catheters (iUC),
      cats with local comorbidities (lCM), or cats without CM. To evaluate the
      potential effectivity of the antibiotics the antibacterial impact factors were
      calculated. RESULTS: A total of 194 cats with 219 isolates were included in the
      study. In 78.4% (152/194) of cats, a CM was identified; 49.5% had a sCM and 28.9%
      (56/194) had an iUC or a lCM. Cats with sCM were significantly older than cats in
      all other groups, and the proportion of female animals was higher in cats with
      sCM than in cats with iUC or lCM. More than half of the cats with sCM did not
      show clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease. The most commonly isolated
      bacteria species were Escherichia (E.) coli, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus
      spp., and Enterococcus spp. with a significantly higher proportion of E. coli
      isolates in cats with sCM and significantly higher proportions of Streptococcus
      and Staphylococcus spp. isolates in cats with iUC and other lCM. According to the
      antimicrobial impact factors bacterial isolates in cats with any CM were most
      likely susceptible to AMC and TMS. Isolates from cats with iUC and lCM had a
      lower likelihood to be susceptible to the tested antimicrobials than cats with
      sCM and cats without CM. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Relevant
      comorbidities for bacterial urinary tract infection were identified in the
      majority of cats in the present study. Cats with sCM often do not show clinical
      signs of lower urinary tract disease. AMC and TMS were the antimicrobial agents
      with the highest antimicrobial impact factor in this population of cats.

PMID- 27278118
TI  - Evidence of human infection by a new mammarenavirus endemic to Southeastern Asia.
AB  - Southeastern Asia is a recognised hotspot for emerging infectious diseases, many
      of which have an animal origin. Mammarenavirus infections contribute
      significantly to the human disease burden in both Africa and the Americas, but
      little data exists for Asia. To date only two mammarenaviruses, the widely spread
      lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and the recently described Wenzhou virus have
      been identified in this region, but the zoonotic impact in Asia remains unknown.
      Here we report the presence of a novel mammarenavirus and of a genetic variant of
      the Wenzhou virus and provide evidence of mammarenavirus-associated human
      infection in Asia. The association of these viruses with widely distributed
      mammals of diverse species, commonly found in human dwellings and in peridomestic
      habitats, illustrates the potential for widespread zoonotic transmission and adds
      to the known aetiologies of infectious diseases for this region.

PMID- 27278119
TI  - The effect of dietary supplementation with rumen-protected methionine alone or in
      combination with rumen-protected choline and betaine on sheep milk and
      antioxidant capacity.
AB  - This study investigated the effects of dietary inclusion of rumen-protected
      methionine alone or in combination with rumen-protected choline and betaine on:
      (i) milk yield, chemical composition and fatty acids (FA) profile and (ii) blood
      plasma glutathione transferase (GST) activity of periparturient ewes.
      Furthermore, the oxidative stress indicators for measuring total antioxidant and
      free radical scavenging activity [ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and
      2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays] were also
      determined in plasma and milk of ewes. Thus, 45 ewes were divided into three
      equal groups. Each animal of the control group fed daily with a basal diet. The
      same diet was offered also in each animal of the other two groups. However, the
      concentrate fed to M group was supplemented with 2.5 g/kg rumen-protected
      methionine, while the concentrate fed to MCB group with 5 g/kg of a commercial
      product which contained a combination of methionine, choline and betaine, all
      three in rumen-protected form. The results showed that the M diet, compared with
      the control, increased significantly the ewe's milk fat and the total solids
      content. Likewise, a tendency for higher milk fat and total solids content in
      ewes fed the MCB diet was also observed. Both M and MCB diets had not noticeable
      impact on ewes milk FA profile. Significantly higher FRAP values in the blood
      plasma of ewes fed the MCB and in the milk of ewes fed with the M diet compared
      with the control were found. Additionally, significantly higher GST activity in
      the blood plasma of ewes fed the M diet, compared with the control, was observed.
      Moreover, a significant increase (by 20%) and a tendency for increase (by 16.72%)
      in the growth rate of lambs nursing ewes fed with M and MCB diets, respectively,
      compared to controls, were found.

PMID- 27278120
TI  - COP1 is downregulated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and inhibits the migration of
      RCC ACHN cells in vitro.
AB  - Constitutive photomorphogenic 1 (COP1) belongs to the COP-de-etiolated (DET)
      fusca (FUS) protein family and has been demonstrated to suppress prostate
      adenocarcinomas and other types of tumor, such as liver and gastric cancer. The
      present study investigated the expression of COP1 and its downstream factor, ets
      variant 1 (ETV1) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissue samples, and evaluated the
      correlation of COP1 expression levels with the clinicopathological
      characteristics of RCC. In addition, the role of COP1 in the proliferation and
      migration of RCC ACHN cells was investigated. The results demonstrated
      significantly downregulated COP1 expression levels in the RCC intratumors, which
      was negatively associated with clinicopathological characteristics, such as tumor
      size, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node or distant metastasis.
      COP1 was demonstrated to markedly reduce the colony size of RCC ACHN cells, and
      inhibit the migration and invasion of ACHN cells. In addition, ETV1 and matrix
      metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly
      downregulated by the overexpressed COP1. Thus, the results of the present study
      demonstrate the reduced expression of COP1 and the upregulated expression of ETV1
      in RCC tissue samples, which was associated with a high tumor-node-metastasis
      stage of RCC. Furthermore, the overexpression of COP1 in the RCC ACHN cells
      inhibited the migration and invasion of ACHN cells, and downregulated ETV1 and
      MMP7 expression levels. The present study demonstrated the tumor suppressive role
      of COP1 in RCC by inhibiting cell migration. 

PMID- 27278121
TI  - Relationship of Early Spontaneous Type V Blood Pressure Fluctuation after
      Thrombolysis in Acute Cerebral Infarction Patients and the Prognosis.
AB  - We examined the relationship between an early spontaneous type V blood pressure
      fluctuation and the post-thrombolysis prognosis of patients with acute cerebral
      infarction. Patients were admitted consecutively. All patients were categorized
      into the type V blood pressure fluctuation group or non-type V blood pressure
      group. Their blood pressure was monitored before thrombolysis and until 6 h after
      thrombolysis. Baseline data and clinical outcomes were compared. Of 170 patients,
      43 (25.2%) had an early type V blood pressure fluctuation. The National Institute
      of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score before thrombolysis and 24 h after
      thrombolysis, and the modified Rankin scale score at 90 days differed
      significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression
      analysis showed that an unfavorable prognosis at 3 months was associated with the
      NIHSS score before thrombolysis (P = 0.000) but probably not with this blood
      pressure fluctuation (P = 0.058). An early spontaneous type V blood pressure
      fluctuation is common in patients with acute cerebral infarction who received
      venous thrombolysis, especially if they have a higher NIHSS score before
      thrombolysis. The type V blood pressure fluctuation may not influence patients'
      prognosis; however, this needs to be confirmed in future trials.

PMID- 27278122
TI  - Design of a photoelectrochemical device for the selective conversion of aqueous
      CO2 to CO: using mesoporous palladium-copper bimetallic cathode and hierarchical
      ZnO-based nanowire array photoanode.
AB  - An overall PEC CO2 conversion was firstly reported by integrating both the newly
      designed metal cathode and the n-type photoanode with functional nanostructures.
      The maximum Faradaic efficiency (FE) for CO is ca. 75% at -1.2 V with incident
      photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) value of 16% at 340 nm. 

PMID- 27278123
TI  - Experimental arthritis: Helminth infection ameliorates arthritis.

PMID- 27278124
TI  - Inflammatory myopathies: Muscle pathology helps predict JDM outcomes.

PMID- 27278125
TI  - Systemic sclerosis: Tenascin C perpetuates tissue fibrosis.

PMID- 27278126
TI  - GWAS analysis implicates NF-kappaB-mediated induction of inflammatory T cells in
      multiple sclerosis.
AB  - To identify genes and biologically relevant pathways associated with risk to
      develop multiple sclerosis (MS), the Genome-Wide Association Studies noise
      reduction method (GWAS-NR) was applied to MS genotyping data. Regions of
      association were defined based on the significance of linkage disequilibrium
      blocks. Candidate genes were cross-referenced based on a review of current
      literature, with attention to molecular function and directly interacting
      proteins. Supplementary annotations and pathway enrichment scores were generated
      using The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery. The
      candidate set of 220 MS susceptibility genes prioritized by GWAS-NR was highly
      enriched with genes involved in biological pathways related to positive
      regulation of cell, lymphocyte and leukocyte activation (P=6.1E-15, 1.2E-14 and
      5.0E-14, respectively). Novel gene candidates include key regulators of NF-kappaB
      signaling and CD4+ T helper type 1 (Th1) and T helper type 17 (Th17) lineages. A
      large subset of MS candidate genes prioritized by GWAS-NR were found to interact
      in a tractable pathway regulating the NF-kappaB-mediated induction and
      infiltration of pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17 T-cell lineages, and maintenance of
      immune tolerance by T-regulatory cells. This mechanism provides a biological
      context that potentially links clinical observations in MS to the underlying
      genetic landscape that may confer susceptibility.

PMID- 27278127
TI  - Gene-disease association with human IFNL locus polymorphisms extends beyond
      hepatitis C virus infections.
AB  - Interferon (IFN) lambda (IFN-lambda or type III IFN) gene polymorphisms were
      discovered in the year 2009 to have a strong association with spontaneous and
      treatment-induced clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in human hosts.
      This landmark discovery also brought renewed interest in type III IFN biology.
      After more than half a decade since this discovery, we now have reports that show
      that genetic association of IFNL gene polymorphisms in humans is not limited only
      to HCV infections but extends beyond, to include varied diseases such as non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease, allergy and several other viral diseases including
      that caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. Notably, all these conditions
      have strong involvement of host innate immune responses. After the discovery of a
      deletion polymorphism that leads to the expression of a functional IFN-lambda4 as
      the prime 'functional' variant, the relevance of other polymorphisms regulating
      the expression of IFN-lambda3 is in doubt. Herein, I seek to critically address
      these issues and review the current literature to provide a framework to help
      further understanding of IFN-lambda biology.

PMID- 27278128
TI  - Phorbol ester-mediated re-expression of endogenous LAT adapter in J.CaM2 cells: a
      model for dissecting drivers and blockers of LAT transcription.
AB  - Linker for activation of T cells (LAT) is a raft-associated, transmembrane
      adapter protein critical for T-cell development and function. LAT expression is
      transiently upregulated upon T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement, but molecular
      mechanisms conveying TCR signaling to enhanced LAT transcription are not fully
      understood. Here we found that a Jurkat subline J.CaM2, initially characterized
      as LAT deficient, conditionally re-expressed LAT upon the treatment with a
      protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). We took
      advantage of the above observation for studying cis-elements and trans-acting
      factors contributing to the activation-induced expression of LAT. We identified a
      LAT gene region spanning nucleotide position -14 to +357 relative to the ATG
      start codon as containing novel cis-regulatory elements that were able to promote
      PMA-induced reporter transcription in the absence of the core LAT promoter.
      Interestingly, a point mutation in LAT intron 1, identified in J.CaM2 cells,
      downmodulated LAT promoter activity by 50%. Mithramycin A, a selective Sp1 DNA
      binding inhibitor, abolished LAT expression upon PMA treatment as did calcium
      ionophore ionomycin (Iono) and valproic acid (VPA), widely used as an anti
      epileptic drug. Our data introduce J.CaM2 cells as a model for dissecting drivers
      and blockers of activation induced expression of LAT.

PMID- 27278129
TI  - Perception and Assessment of Verbal and Written Information on Sex and
      Relationships after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate experiences of verbal and written information
      about sex and relationships among men and women treated with hematopoietic stem
      cell transplantation. The study also aimed to investigate the demand for
      information and assessment of the quality of written patient information material
      entitled "Sex and relationships in the treatment of blood diseases." Few studies
      exist that shed any light on the demand for information about sex and
      relationships on the part of patients with hematological diseases before, during,
      and after their treatment. A total of 216 patients undergoing treatment for
      malignant blood diseases between 2000 and 2010 participated in this study.
      Patients' experiences of information about sex and relationships, and their
      opinions about the written patient information, were assessed using a
      questionnaire created specifically for this study. Most patients (81 %) had not
      received information about sex and relationships from a healthcare professional.
      Almost 90 % of men felt that verbal information was important, compared with 82 %
      of women. The majority also held that written information was important. These
      results indicate that patients, regardless of gender, age, and treatment,
      consider oral and written information about sex and relationships to be important
      and that the healthcare system should provide the information. The written
      patient information was considered to play an important role in creating an
      opening for a conversation about a sensitive topic such as sexuality, and also as
      a source of reference and support for the patient and his/her partner.

PMID- 27278130
TI  - Optimising recruitment and informed consent in randomised controlled trials: the
      development and implementation of the Quintet Recruitment Intervention (QRI).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pragmatic randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are considered
      essential to determine effective interventions for routine clinical practice, but
      many fail to recruit participants efficiently, and some really important RCTs are
      not undertaken because recruitment is thought to be too difficult. The 'QuinteT
      Recruitment Intervention' (QRI) aims to facilitate informed decision making by
      patients about RCT participation and to increase recruitment. This paper presents
      the development and implementation of the QRI. METHODS: The QRI developed
      iteratively as a complex intervention. It emerged from the National Institute for
      Health Research (NIHR) ProtecT trial and has been developed further in 13 RCTs.
      The final version of the QRI uses a combination of standard and innovative
      qualitative research methods with some simple quantification to understand
      recruitment and identify sources of difficulties. RESULTS: The QRI has two major
      phases: understanding recruitment as it happens and then developing a plan of
      action to address identified difficulties and optimise informed consent in
      collaboration with the RCT chief investigator (CI) and the Clinical Trials Unit
      (CTU). The plan of action usually includes RCT-specific, as well as generic,
      aspects. The QRI can be used in two ways: it can be integrated into the
      feasibility/pilot or main phase of an RCT to prevent difficulties developing and
      optimise recruitment from the start, or it can be applied to an ongoing RCT
      experiencing recruitment shortfalls, with a view to rapidly improving recruitment
      and informed consent or gathering evidence to justify RCT closure. CONCLUSIONS:
      The QRI provides a flexible way of understanding recruitment difficulties and
      producing a plan to address them while ensuring engaged and well-informed
      decision making by patients. It can facilitate recruitment to the most
      controversial and important RCTs. QRIs are likely to be of interest to the CIs
      and CTUs developing proposals for 'difficult' RCTs or for RCTs with lower than
      expected recruitment and to the funding bodies wishing to promote efficient
      recruitment in pragmatic RCTs.

PMID- 27278131
TI  - Puerarin attenuates inflammation and oxidation in mice with collagen antibody
      induced arthritis via TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling.
AB  - Puerarin is an important active ingredient in the root of kudzu vine due to its
      pharmacological properties. The aim of the present study is to contribute to the
      existing knowledge of the effect of puerarin in the attenuation of inflammation
      and oxidation in mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis via toll-like
      receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling. Arthritis was
      induced using injection of anti-type II collagen antibodies. Treatment with
      puerarin was observed to significantly decrease clinical scoring of the collagen
      antibody-induced arthritis and suppress oxidative stress and the inflammatory
      response in mice. Furthermore, puerarin was demonstrated to inhibit mRNA
      expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and protein expression of TLR4 following
      collagen antibody-induced arthritis in mice. The effect of puerarin may be
      associated with the suppression of NF-kappaB activity in collagen antibody
      induced arthritis mice. Furthermore, upregulation of phosphorylated (p)-Janus
      kinase 2 and p-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 protein
      expression was suppressed by puerarin. The results of the present study indicate,
      for the first time, the effect of puerarin to attenuate inflammation and
      oxidation in mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis via TLR4/NF-kappaB
      signaling. 

PMID- 27278132
TI  - Stressful work characteristics, health indicators and work behavior: the case of
      machine operators.
AB  - This article shows the results of research on psychosocial risks for a group of
      machine and plant operators (n = 1014) from the construction, chemical, energy,
      mining, metal and food industries in Poland. The Psychosocial Risk Scale designed
      in Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) by Moscicka-Teske and Potocka
      was used to indicate the occurrence of general and specific occupational
      stressors and the level of their stressfulness. The results revealed that the
      studied machine and plant operators experience job context stress - related to
      working environment features concerning work organization - more frequently than
      job content stressors - related to the type of tasks they perform. Moreover, a
      correlation analysis between work features and the health and occupational
      functioning of the respondents revealed significant but weak relationships
      between the variables (from -0.08 to -0.23). Comparative analysis revealed the
      differences between the studied sectors. Such a comparison makes it possible to
      set goals for each sector and to attempt to improve the distinctive areas.

PMID- 27278133
TI  - Codon optimization of the adenoviral fiber negatively impacts structural protein
      expression and viral fitness.
AB  - Codon usage adaptation of lytic viruses to their hosts is determinant for viral
      fitness. In this work, we analyzed the codon usage of adenoviral proteins by
      principal component analysis and assessed their codon adaptation to the host. We
      observed a general clustering of adenoviral proteins according to their function.
      However, there was a significant variation in the codon preference between the
      host-interacting fiber protein and the rest of structural late phase proteins,
      with a non-optimal codon usage of the fiber. To understand the impact of codon
      bias in the fiber, we optimized the Adenovirus-5 fiber to the codon usage of the
      hexon structural protein. The optimized fiber displayed increased expression in a
      non-viral context. However, infection with adenoviruses containing the optimized
      fiber resulted in decreased expression of the fiber and of wild-type structural
      proteins. Consequently, this led to a drastic reduction in viral release. The
      insertion of an exogenous optimized protein as a late gene in the adenovirus with
      the optimized fiber further interfered with viral fitness. These results
      highlight the importance of balancing codon usage in viral proteins to adequately
      exploit cellular resources for efficient infection and open new opportunities to
      regulate viral fitness for virotherapy and vaccine development.

PMID- 27278134
TI  - Expert position paper on prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy in secondary
      prevention following myocardial infarction.
AB  - The protective effect of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following acute
      coronary syndrome is undisputed, but its duration is subject of debate. Several
      studies show that prolonged therapy provides a clinical benefit in patients
      following acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this position paper authored by
      Austrian experts is to outline the current evidence and provide an overview of
      recent studies. It is also intended to serve as a practical guide to identify
      those patients who may benefit from prolonged DAPT. 

PMID- 27278136
TI  - Powered robotic exoskeletons in post-stroke rehabilitation of gait: a scoping
      review.
AB  - Powered robotic exoskeletons are a potential intervention for gait rehabilitation
      in stroke to enable repetitive walking practice to maximize neural recovery. As
      this is a relatively new technology for stroke, a scoping review can help guide
      current research and propose recommendations for advancing the research
      development. The aim of this scoping review was to map the current literature
      surrounding the use of robotic exoskeletons for gait rehabilitation in adults
      post-stroke. Five databases (Pubmed, OVID MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane
      Central Register of Clinical Trials) were searched for articles from inception to
      October 2015. Reference lists of included articles were reviewed to identify
      additional studies. Articles were included if they utilized a robotic exoskeleton
      as a gait training intervention for adult stroke survivors and reported walking
      outcome measures. Of 441 records identified, 11 studies, all published within the
      last five years, involving 216 participants met the inclusion criteria. The study
      designs ranged from pre-post clinical studies (n = 7) to controlled trials (n =
      4); five of the studies utilized a robotic exoskeleton device unilaterally, while
      six used a bilateral design. Participants ranged from sub-acute (<7 weeks) to
      chronic (>6 months) stroke. Training periods ranged from single-session to 8-week
      interventions. Main walking outcome measures were gait speed, Timed Up and Go, 6
      min Walk Test, and the Functional Ambulation Category. Meaningful improvement
      with exoskeleton-based gait training was more apparent in sub-acute stroke
      compared to chronic stroke. Two of the four controlled trials showed no greater
      improvement in any walking outcomes compared to a control group in chronic
      stroke. In conclusion, clinical trials demonstrate that powered robotic
      exoskeletons can be used safely as a gait training intervention for stroke.
      Preliminary findings suggest that exoskeletal gait training is equivalent to
      traditional therapy for chronic stroke patients, while sub-acute patients may
      experience added benefit from exoskeletal gait training. Efforts should be
      invested in designing rigorous, appropriately powered controlled trials before
      powered exoskeletons can be translated into a clinical tool for gait
      rehabilitation post-stroke.

PMID- 27278138
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27278135
TI  - Hypertension and coronary artery disease: epidemiology, physiology, effects of
      treatment, and recommendations : A joint scientific statement from the Austrian
      Society of Cardiology and the Austrian Society of Hypertension.
AB  - High blood pressure is a major modifiable risk factor for all clinical
      manifestations of coronary artery disease (CAD). In people without known
      cardiovascular disease, the lowest systolic (down to 90-114 mmHg) and the lowest
      diastolic (down to 60-74 mmHg) pressures are associated with the lowest risk for
      developing CAD. Although diastolic blood pressure is the strongest predictor of
      CAD in younger and middle-aged people, this relationship becomes inverted and
      pulse pressure shows the strongest direct relationship with CAD in people above
      60 years of age.Pathophysiological mechanisms of blood pressure as a risk factor
      for CAD are complex and include the influence of blood pressure as a physical
      force on the development of the atherosclerotic plaque, and the relationship
      between pulsatile hemodynamics/arterial stiffness and coronary perfusion.
      Treatment of arterial hypertension has been proven to prevent coronary events in
      patients without clinical CAD. In patients with established CAD, the effect of
      blood pressure lowering per se is beneficial, probably more than specific drugs
      or drug classes. The important exceptions are beta blockers (BBs), which are
      superior to all other drug classes for use after a recent myocardial infarction.
      Blood pressure targets in patients with established CAD have created controversy
      in the light of the so-called J-curve phenomenon, which describes an increase in
      coronary events at lower diastolic blood pressures. One explanation for this
      observation is that perfusion of the left ventricle occurs predominantly during
      diastole, and that coronary autoregulation may be exhausted with low diastolic
      blood pressure in the setting of left ventricular hypertrophy and atherosclerotic
      narrowing of the epicardial coronaries. The worst situation is a high systolic
      blood pressure in the presence of a low diastolic blood pressure, both a hallmark
      of increased aortic stiffness. However, the lowering of systolic blood pressure
      is clearly beneficial in this setting, even at the price of further lowering
      diastolic pressure. Primary blood pressure goal in patients with established CAD
      is below 140/90 mmHg. Recent studies suggest that a lower systolic blood pressure
      may be appropriate, whereas caution is advised with diastolic blood pressure
      below 60 mmHg. 

PMID- 27278137
TI  - Value-based procurement: Canada's healthcare imperative.
AB  - Value-based healthcare models are being adopted globally to maximize value for
      patients. Given that procurement is at the heart of purchasing value, value-based
      procurement goes hand in hand with value-based healthcare. Shifting procurement's
      traditional focus on short-term cost savings to a more holistic objective that
      includes health system performance and patient outcomes, giving preference to
      longer-term cost efficiencies, and working with suppliers to identify
      opportunities to develop more innovative products and services, is proving
      successful in leading jurisdictions. This article presents an overview of value
      within healthcare systems and how healthcare value-based procurement is being
      implemented across various jurisdictions. 

PMID- 27278139
TI  - Precision medicine: Now, not when.
AB  - Precision medicine aims to fix what is wrong with today's healthcare: a lack of
      targeted interventions tailored to the person. It encompasses many aspects of
      health; chief among these is one's genetic profile. Researchers are making
      progress as gene-sequencing technologies get better and cheaper. Although there
      is cause for optimism, as several initiatives at Sunnybrook Research Institute
      show, scientific, systemic, and logistical challenges must be surmounted before
      advances can be integrated into the clinic. Despite these barriers, precision
      medicine is the only way forward. 

PMID- 27278158
TI  - Comparative analysis of hepatic miRNA levels in male marathon mice reveals a link
      between obesity and endurance exercise capacities.
AB  - Dummerstorf marathon mice (DUhTP) are characterized by increased accretion of
      peripheral body fat with fast mobilization in response to mild physical activity
      if running wheels were included in their home cages. The obese phenotype
      coincides with elevated hepatic lipogenesis if compared to unselected controls.
      We now asked, if microRNA (miRNA) species present in the liver may contribute to
      the obese phenotype of DUhTP mice and if miRNAs respond to mild physical activity
      in our mouse model. Total RNA was extracted from livers of sedentary or
      physically active marathon mice and controls and analyzed by array hybridization
      or real-time PCR using locked nucleic acid probes. Pathway analysis of altered
      miRNA concentrations identified fatty acid biosynthesis as the most important
      target for the effects of miRNAs in the liver. A miRNA signature consisting of
      miR-21, 27, 33, 122, and 143 was present at higher abundance (p < 0.01) in the
      liver of sedentary or active DUhTP mice indicating involvement of miRNAs with
      hepatic lipogenesis. Furthermore, in protein lysates from the liver of DUhTP
      mice, significantly reduced concentrations of total and phosphorylated AKT and
      lower levels of phosphorylated AMPK were found (p < 0.05). Our results indicate
      active involvement of miRNAs in the control of hepatic energy metabolism and
      discuss effects on signal transduction as a potentially direct effect of miR-143
      in the liver of DUhTP mice.

PMID- 27278159
TI  - MicroRNA-205 directly targets Kruppel-like factor 12 and is involved in invasion
      and apoptosis in basal-like breast carcinoma.
AB  - We investigated microRNAs (miRs) specific to its target gene and exerting
      distinct biological functions for basal-like breast carcinoma (BLBC). Total RNA
      was extracted and subjected to miR microarray and bioinformatics analysis. Based
      on the comprehensive analysis, expression of miRs including its target was
      analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT
      PCR), western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Further functional
      analyses were conducted including proliferation, invasion and apoptosis. miR-205
      was identified as downregulated (less than 0.5-fold) in BLBC relatively to normal
      control (NC). Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested miR-205 may directly targeted
      Kruppel-like factor 12 (KLF12; degree=4). Luciferase assay revealed miR-205
      directly targeted KLF12 through binding its 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR;
      p=0.0016). qRT-PCR and western blot analysis showed miR-205 expression was low in
      cells (p=0.007) and tumor tissues (n=6; p=0.0074), and KLF12 RNA/protein was
      observed at high levels in cells (p=0.0026; p=0.0079) and tumor tissues (n=9;
      p=0.0083); knock-up of miR-205 increased its expression (p=0.0021) but reduced
      KLF12 RNA/protein levels (p=0.0038; p=0.009) in cells. Modulation of miR-205
      expression by transfecting its mimics in cells, was involved in invasion
      (p=0.00175) and apoptosis (p=0.006). In conclusion, our results supported that
      miR-205 was a miR specific to BLBC which functioned as tumor suppressor gene
      through directly targeting and negatively regulating proto-oncogene KLF12. miR
      205 dysregulation was involved in invasion and apoptosis. miR-205 and KLF12
      provided a potential diagnosis biomarker and therapeutic approach for BLBC. 

PMID- 27278160
TI  - From the 76th Conference of the Japan Society of Ultrasound in Medicine.

PMID- 27278157
TI  - Comprehensive review of epidemiological and animal studies on the potential
      carcinogenic effects of nicotine per se.
AB  - The effects of long-term use of nicotine per se on cancer risk, in the absence of
      tobacco extract or smoke, are not clearly understood. This review evaluates the
      strength of published scientific evidence, in both epidemiological and animal
      studies, for the potential carcinogenic effects of nicotine per se; that is to
      act as a complete carcinogen or as a modulator of carcinogenesis. For human
      studies, there appears to be inadequate evidence for an association between
      nicotine exposure and the presence of or lack of a carcinogenic effect due to the
      limited information available. In animal studies, limited evidence suggests an
      association between long-term nicotine exposure and a lack of a complete
      carcinogenic effect. Conclusive studies using current bioassay guidelines,
      however, are missing. In studies using chemical/physical carcinogens or
      transgenic models, there appears to be inadequate evidence for an association
      between nicotine exposure and the presence of or lack of a modulating
      (stimulating) effect on carcinogenesis. This is primarily due to the large number
      of conflicting studies. In contrast, a majority of studies provides sufficient
      evidence for an association between nicotine exposure and enhanced carcinogenesis
      of cancer cells inoculated in mice. This modulating effect was especially
      prominent in immunocompromized mice. Overall, taking the human and animal studies
      into consideration, there appears to be inadequate evidence to conclude that
      nicotine per se does or does not cause or modulate carcinogenesis in humans. This
      conclusion is in agreement with the recent US Surgeon General's 2014 report on
      the health consequences of nicotine exposure.

PMID- 27278161
TI  - Echocardiographically evaluated site of attachment of atrial myxoma may predict
      recurrence.
AB  - We explore the association between the site of attachment of nonfamilial left
      atrial myxoma and it's recurrence. Forty-three (11 male and 32 female; mean age,
      55.9+/-13.6 years) of 49 consecutive patients with nonfamilial left atrial myxoma
      who had been evaluated with preoperative echocardiography, X were available for
      postoperative follow-up with transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal
      echocardiography, or both, for an average period of 85.2+/-54.2 months (range,
      6.5 to 215.5 months). We compared preoperative clinical and echocardiographic
      features of recurrent and nonrecurrent myxomas. Three (7%) of the 43 cases of
      atrial myxoma recurred at the same site after 24.1+/-7.6 months. Involvement of
      the mitral valve annulus or mitral valve leaflet (3 vs 0,p<0.001) was observed in
      the recurrent myxomas, but the two groups did not differ significantly in any
      other clinical features, laboratory data, or echocardiographic features of the
      recurrent and nonrecurrent myxoma. Preoperative echocardiographic observation of
      involvement of the mitral valve annulus or mitral valve leaflet may predict
      recurrence after surgery. Regular follow-up echocardiography was useful in the
      early detection of recurrence. 

PMID- 27278162
TI  - Contrast-enhanced agent detection imaging: Early experience in hepatocellular
      carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced Agent Detection
      Imaging in assessing intratumoral vasculature in hepatocellular carcinoma.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in 11 patients
      were studied with contrast-enhanced Agent Detection Imaging, a wide-band color
      Doppler imaging method, employing, Levovist((r)), a microbubble contrast agent.
      High acoustic power was used with contrast-enhanced Agent Detection Imaging.
      Intermittent transmission of Agent Detection Imaging was performed at intervals
      of 200, 500, and 350 milliseconds in the early arterial phase (10 to 40 seconds),
      late vascular phase (1 to 3 minutes) and postvascular phase (5 to 7 minutes),
      respectively. The results were compared with those of three-phase dynamic CT.
      RESULTS: Intratumoral blood vessels in the early arterial phase and tumor
      parenchymal stain in the late vascular phase were depicted in 12 (88%) of the 14
      hepatocellular carcinoma nodules, while all nodules were demonstrated as
      perfusion defect in the postvascular phase on contrast-enhanced Agent Detection
      Imaging. The results of Agent Detection Imaging, that were compared with those of
      dynamic CT, were all 100% : diagnostic sensitivity (12/12), specificity (2/2),
      and accurary (14/14). CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced Agent Detection Imaging is a
      promising method for depicting intratumoral vascularity in hepatocellular
      carcinoma.

PMID- 27278163
TI  - Value of new contrast harmonic technique for detecting tumor vascularity in
      hepatocellular carcinoma: Preliminary results.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the value of a new wide-band contrast harmonic imaging
      method in depicting intratumoral vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with 28 hepatocellular carcinoma
      nodules evaluated with Contrast Harmonic Echo, a new wide-band harmonic imaging
      method, using Levovist((r)) as a contrast-enhancing agent. Intermittent imaging
      was carried out in the early arterial phase for 10 to 40 seconds, in the late
      vascular phase for 1 to 2 minutes, and in the postvascular phase for 5 to 7
      minutes. Subtraction images were obtained using the multishot method during the
      late vascular phase. The ability of Contrast Harmonic Echo imaging to detect
      vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma was compared to that of unenhanced color
      Doppler imaging by analzing results obtained using dynamic CT as a gold standard.
      RESULTS: Contrast harmonic Echo imaging detected intratumoral vessels, tumor
      parenchymal stain, and perfusion defect in the early arterial phase, the late
      vascular phase, and the postvascular phase, respectively. In the late vascular
      phase, the subtraction image clearly delineated the tumor parenchymal strain.
      Intratumoral vascularity was detected in 25 (89%) of the hepatocellular carcinoma
      nodules by Contrast Harmonic Echo, compared with 15 (54%) when color Doppler
      imaging was used (p<0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy
      of Contrast Harmonic Echo were 96.1%, 100% and 96.4%, respectively, corresponding
      to results obtained using dynamic CT. CONCLUSION: Contrast Harmonic Echo imaging
      is superior to unenhanced color Doppler imaging in depicting intratumoral vessels
      and parenchymal stain, and agrees closely with results obtained with three-phase
      dynamic CT.

PMID- 27278164
TI  - Optimization of enhancement of therapeutic efficacy of ultrasound: Frequency
      dependent effects on iodine formation from KI-starch solutions and ultrasound
      induced killing of rat thymocytes.
AB  - We investigated liberation of iodine from solutions of KI-starch and cell lysis
      of rat thymocytes in argon-and nitrous oxide-saturated aqueous solutions induced
      by ultrasound at frequencies of 38 and 500 kHz and 1 and 2 MHz. Iodine was
      liberated in argon-saturated solutions exposed to ultrasound at 38 kHz, 500 kHz,
      and 1 MHz but not at 2 MHz. Lysis occurred in argon-saturated solutions at all
      four frequencies, but only at 38 kHz in nitrous oxide-saturated cell suspensions.
      No iodine was liberated in the other nitrous oxide-saturated samples. Relative
      ratio of the chemical effect versus 70-percent cell survival (an example of the
      physical effect) was, in order of frequency, 500 kHz>1.0 MHz>38 kHz>2.0 MHz.
      Partial protection was observed for cell lysis and cell viability after
      sonication with 500 kHz in argon-saturated solution containing cysteamine, a free
      radical scavenger. These results suggest that the chemical effects of ultrasound
      are prominent at specific frequencies, and that free radicals induced by
      ultrasonic cavitation partially affect lysis and the loss of viability of rat
      thymocytes. 

PMID- 27278165
TI  - Study of the automated breast tumor extraction using 3D ultrasound imaging: The
      usefulness of depth-width ratio and surface-volume index.
AB  - We applied quantitative parameters in three-dimensional ultrasonic images to
      distinguish benign from malignant breast tumors in 29 benign cases including 8
      cysts and 21 fibroadenomas, and 32 malignant cases including 23 ductal
      carcinomas, 2 special types of carcinoma, 1 malignant lymphoma and 6 others. This
      procedure involved simultaneously acquiring video data from real-time ultrasonic
      images and recording the original position and orientation of the probe. Both
      sets of data were fed directly into a desktop computer. Fuzzy reasoning and
      relaxation techniques were use to automatedly extract the shape of the tumor and
      render it in three dimensions. We then evaluated three parameters: 2D-D/W, the so
      called depth-width ratio measured in B-mode images: 3D-D/W; and the S/V index
      ([surface area](3)/36pi [volume](2)) calculated from the three-dimensional volume
      extracted with this system. All three parameters were significantly higher in the
      malignant group (averages: 0.81, 0.64, and 11.3, respectively) than in the benign
      group (averages: 0.62, 0.47, and 3.78, respectively). All three parameters were
      thus found to be useful in differentiating the two groups. 

PMID- 27278166
TI  - The efficacy of cibenzoline for reducing the left ventricular pressure gradient
      of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: A case report.
AB  - A 46 year-old man with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) was
      referred to this clinic complaining of shortness of breath. His symptoms remained
      even after he had been treated with bisoprolol, lisinopril, and verapamil. We
      started treating him with cibenzoline, instead of verapamil. Continuous-wave
      Doppler examination revealed a marked decrease from 95.9 mm Hg to 8.8 mmHg in the
      left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient after administration of
      cibenzoline, and the symptom disappeared. The electrical axis of the
      electrocardiogram deviated from +53 to +95 degrees, and the QRS interval was
      increased from 0.095 to 0.114 seconds. By the M-mode echocardiogram, the
      interventricular septum was observed moved paradoxically in the early, systolic
      phase. We suggest the possibility that cibenzoline modifies intraventricular
      conduction and causes asynchronous contraction of the left ventricle, resulting
      in decrease in the left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient. 

PMID- 27278167
TI  - Changes in the aortic and pulmonary diameters in a fetus with hypoplastic left
      heart syndrome.
AB  - We diagnosed hypoplastic left heart syndrome in a 26-week-old fetus using fetal
      echocardiography. Color Doppler ultrasonography was helpful for evaluating the
      structural abnormalities. The diameters of the aorta and the pulmonary artery
      were measured periodically from 26 to 38 weeks of gestation. Aortic diameter was
      below the normal range throughout gestation. The diameter of the pulmonary artery
      was normal at 26 weeks of gestation but gradually dilated and was abnormally
      dilated after the 36th week of gestation. Here we discuss the cause of enlarged
      pulmonary artery in fetal hypoplastic left heart syndrome. 

PMID- 27278168
TI  - Primary pancreatic lymphoma forming a giant mass in a short period: A case
      report.
AB  - A 69 year old man with chief complaints of vomiting and nausea was referred to
      our hospital. Ultrasonographic examination on 19 May 1998 showed a hypoechoic
      homogeneous mass 6 cm in diameter in the head of the pancreas. Degree of
      intravascular infiltration was angiographically mild despite its large size.
      Tumor-marker levels were normal. On 9 August 1998, however, ultrasonography
      showed the mass to have rapidly grown (10 cm in diameter) including a
      heterogeneous internal structure. The mass had a linear or branching signal
      pattern. 

PMID- 27278170
TI  - Analysis of Eight Isoflavones in Radix Puerariae by MEEKC: Comparison on Three
      Different Oil Phases.
AB  - In this study, three different oil phases include 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium
      bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (BMPy[NTf2]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium
      hexafluorophosphate (BMImPF6) and n-octane were compared for the MEEKC analysis
      (SDS as surfactant and n-butanol as co-surfactant) of eight isoflavones from
      pueraria. The investigated isoflavones can be well separated by all of those
      three microemulsion systems after careful optimization, and the MEEKC with n
      octane as the oil phase was the best choice (good symmetry and high resolutions
      of peaks with short analysis time) for the analysis. The optimum conditions of
      MEEKC method were as follows: 70 mM SDS, 0.7 M n-butanol and 0.5% (w/v) n-octane
      in 10 mM sodium tetraborate (STB) at pH 8.5, applied voltage was 23 kV and
      cassette temperature was set at 30 degrees C. And then the developed method was
      fully validated (limit of detection, limit of quantification, intraday precision,
      interday precision and recovery) and successfully applied to determine the eight
      analytes in three Radix Puerariae samples. In addition, although the MEEKC with
      classic oil phase (n-octane) showed better results for isoflavones analysis in
      this study, the MEEKC with ionic liquids (BMPy[NTf2] and BMImPF6) also showed
      great separation potential for analytes, which may be further applied in the
      analysis of other natural products.

PMID- 27278172
TI  - Changes in the medical system in Japan.

PMID- 27278171
TI  - Concurrent NP-HPTLC Determination of Shikonin and beta,beta-Dimethylacryl
      Shikonin in Arnebia benthamii.
AB  - Naphthoquinones are important class of molecules found as a natural red color
      pigments in roots of Arnebia benthamii (Wall. ex G. Don) L M. Johnston. The aim
      of present investigation is to develop and validates a simple, cost-effective and
      reliable method for quantification of these compounds. Therefore, a normal phase
      high performance thin-layer chromatography (NP-HPTLC) method for concurrent
      determination of shikonin and beta,beta-dimethylacryl shikonin in A. benthamii
      was established. Method development of naphthoquinones in the methanol extract
      was done using hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol (40:7.5:2.5, v/v/v) solvent system
      at 520 nm. The developed method showed good band separation for shikonin (Rf,
      0.37) and beta,beta-dimethylacryl shikonin (Rf, 0.58). The linearity ranged
      between 100 and 8,000 ng spot(-1) with an average recovery of >97% in both cases.
      The results showed reproducible intraday and interday precision (<2.0% RSD) in
      quantification of naphthoquinones. The limits of detection are 12.96 and 14.65 ng
      spot(-1) while the limits of quantification are 39.27 and 44.39 ng spot(-1) for
      shikonin and beta,beta-dimethylacryl shikonin, respectively. The developed method
      is reliable, fast, easy to follow and economic in concurrent assessment of
      shikonin and beta,beta-dimethylacryl shikonin in A. benthamii root samples. In
      addition, it seems to be first report for identification and quantification of
      beta,beta-dimethylacryl shikonin from the A. benthamii. 

PMID- 27278174
TI  - Monitoring of hepatic artery resistance index and optimal timing of liver
      transplantation for biliary atresia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Biliary atresia (BA) is diagnosed by ultrasound (US) examination of the
      hepatic artery and gallbladder. This study was designed to assess the usefulness
      of the hepatic artery resistance index (HRI) measured by Doppler ultrasonography
      (DUS) for prognostication of liver viability in children with BA. METHODS:
      Seventeen patients with non-correctable BA were examined by US and DUS before and
      after hepatoenterostomy to evaluate hepatic artery dynamics. RESULTS: Dilatation
      of the hepatic artery was demonstrated in all 17 patients. US of the gallbladder
      showed hypogenesis in seven patients. Preoperatively, all 17 BA patients had an
      HRI of <1.0. Six of the 17 patients underwent liver transplantation. Four of the
      six had an HRI of >0.9, and the HRI decreased after the procedure. All patients
      were alive at the time of writing. CONCLUSIONS: Regular US examinations are
      helpful for diagnosis of BA and for detecting patients at high risk. A
      prospective study is required to determine the optimal frequency of assessment.

PMID- 27278173
TI  - Use of accumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic
      grayscale ultrasonography to evaluate tumor vessels in focal nodular hyperplasia
      and other hepatic tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of accumulation images obtained by arterial
      phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography for examining tumor
      vessels in focal nodular hyperplasia and other hepatic lesions. METHODS: After
      injecting a galactose-palmitic acid contrast agent, we used conventional contrast
      enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography to scan 8 focal nodular hyperplasia
      lesions, 21 hepatocellular carcinomas, 2 cholangiocellular carcinomas, 12 hepatic
      metastases, 17 hemangiomas, and 2 angiomyolipomas. We then accumulated and
      superimposed consecutive conventional images (accumulation images) and compared
      them with corresponding conventional images to evaluate serial images of hepatic
      tumor vessels. RESULTS: Serial tumor vessel findings obtained from accumulation
      images were superior to those obtained from conventional images in 51 (77%) of
      the 66 various hepatic lesions examined. Evidence of the spoke-wheel artery
      pattern in 2 of the 8 focal nodular hyperplasia lesions was equivocal in the
      conventional images, but accumulation images clearly depicted serial images of
      spoke-wheel arteries, clearly indicating a diagnosis of focal nodular
      hyperplasia. Accumulation images allowed the diagnosis of two additional focal
      nodular hyperplasia lesions that had not been correctly diagnosed as focal
      nodular hyperplasia from conventional images. CONCLUSION: Accumulation images
      obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography
      are useful in evaluating hepatic tumor vessels, especially spoke-wheel arteries,
      which specifically indicate focal nodular hyperplasia.

PMID- 27278175
TI  - Three-dimensional sonographic volume measurement of the fetal cerebellum.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the growth of
      the fetal cerebellum in normal pregnancy by using three-dimensional ultrasound.
      METHODS: Three-dimensional sonographic examinations were performed for 13
      appropriate-for-gestational-age fetuses. Fetal cerebellar volume was measured
      every 2 to 3 weeks after 20 weeks of gestational age until delivery. The common
      multiplanar technique was used to calculate the fetal cerebellar volume. RESULTS:
      A curvilinear relationship was found between gestational age and cerebellar
      volume (R(2) = 78.6%, P < 0.0001), and normal ranges of cerebellar volume
      measurements for estimating the growth of the fetal cerebellum during normal
      pregnancy were generated. The data gathered in this study were fairly comparable
      with previous data obtained using three-dimensional ultrasound. However, the
      normal ranges of cerebellar volume that we determined were relatively wide
      throughout pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a standard curve for
      fetal cerebellar volume using three-dimensional ultrasound can play a role in the
      evaluation of normal cerebellar growth in the fetus. However, we do cast doubt on
      the reliability and reproducibility of cerebellar volume measurement using three
      dimensional ultrasound. Further studies involving a larger sample size and
      another technique (the rotational method with VOCAL) would be needed to confirm
      these findings.

PMID- 27278176
TI  - Improved imaging of the carotid artery in the short-axis plane by a mechanical
      scanning ultrasonic probe.
AB  - To image the intima-media complex of the carotid artery in a wider region, a
      method for measuring cross-sectional images in the arterial short-axis plane is
      presented. Using the proposed mechanical scanning system for an ultrasonic probe,
      cross-sectional images of a silicon rubber tube and a human carotid artery are
      measured in basic experiments and in in vivo experiments, respectively. These
      experiments show that this method successfully images the short-axis cross
      sections. Using the method proposed in this article, B-mode images in the short
      axis plane can be accurately measured in a wider region than is possible with
      conventional methods. 

PMID- 27278177
TI  - Evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function using color kinesis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Color kinesis (CK) is a real-time echocardiographic technique based on
      acoustic quantification that yields regional and global information by tracking
      and color-encoding endocardial motion. The aim of this study was to determine the
      feasibility and usefulness of diastolic CK images with ICK software to
      objectively assess global and regional left ventricular (LV) diastolic function.
      Accordingly, diastolic properties obtained from CK images were compared with
      conventional Doppler echocardiographic indices. METHODS: We studied 56 subjects
      who underwent echocardiographic evaluation in our laboratory for assessment of
      cardiac structure and function. Criteria for inclusion included the presence of
      normal sinus rhythm and adequate two-dimensional echocardiographic imaging.
      Exclusion criteria were (1) all types of arrhythmias, (2) pericardial effusion,
      (3) heart rates <55 or >90 beats/min, (4) abnormal interventricular septal motion
      caused by right ventricular pressure or volume overload, (5) moderate to severe
      mitral or aortic regurgitation, and (6) mitral valve stenosis. Using pulsed
      Doppler echocardiography, peak velocities during rapid filling (E) and atrial
      contraction (A) were measured, and the E/A ratio and deceleration time of the E
      wave velocity (DT) were calculated. The time-velocity integral (TVI) of the E
      wave (TVI-R), A wave (TVI-A), and rapid-filling fraction (TVI-R/TVI-R+TVI-A) was
      measured. The early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Ea) was measured by tissue
      Doppler. The 56 subjects were divided into the following three groups: (1) an
      impaired relaxation group consisting of 30 patients with normal ejection fraction
      and a mitral inflow pattern with a reduced E/A ratio (E/A < 1.0); (2) a
      pseudonormal group consisting of 18 patients with a mitral inflow pattern with an
      increased E/A ratio (E/A > 1.0), an increased E/Ea ratio (E/Ea 10), and no
      shortened DT (?140 ms) [patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n = 8),
      dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, n = 8), and aortic valve stenosis (n = 2) were
      included in this group); and (3) a restrictive group consisting of eight patients
      with a mitral inflow pattern with an increased E/A ratio (E/A >1.5), an increased
      E/Ea ratio (E/Ea ?10), and a shortened DT (<140 ms) [patients with DCM (n = 5)
      and HCM (n = 3) were included in this group]. As a control group, 20 normal
      subjects (30 +/- 18 years) were selected on the basis of having high-quality
      echocardiographic images. Diastolic CK images were obtained from the LV
      midpapillary short-axis view. The analysis of CK diastolic images was performed
      by using ICK software. The CK-diastolic index (CK-DI) was defined as the degree
      of LV segmental expansion during the first 30% of diastole, expressed as a
      percentage. The mean CK-DI was calculated from the average CK-DI of six LV
      segments. RESULTS: No relationship was observed between mean CK-DI and rapid
      filling fraction in any of the study subjects (r = -0.092, P > 0.2). Mean CK-DI
      was significantly lower in the restrictive group (34.2% +/- 4.3%) compared with
      the normal group (70.6% +/- 7.4%), the impaired relaxation group (50.5% +/-
      7.7%), and the pseudonormal group (42.3% +/- 7.5%). The reduction of mean CK-DI
      was found to be associated with the progression of LV diastolic dysfunction.
      CONCLUSION: We conclude that the analysis of diastolic CK by using ICK software
      is a useful technique that can be applied to quantitative evaluation of LV global
      diastolic function.

PMID- 27278178
TI  - Development of an automatic Doppler flow signal detection system: variability of
      pulmonary and aortic peak flow velocity.
AB  - PURPOSE: Automatic Doppler flow signal detection systems can provide beat-to-beat
      information for large blood vessels. We have developed new equipment for
      automatic measurement of Doppler flow signals. The reliability of the system was
      examined, and the variability of aortic and pulmonary peak flow velocity was
      determined. METHODS: We measured peak flow velocity using a newly developed
      system in healthy volunteers and patients with atrial fibrillation. Analysis of
      variability of peak flow velocity was performed with maximal entropy methods.
      RESULTS: In Bland-Altman plots, the mean and standard deviation (SD) of
      differences in aortic peak flow velocities between the automatic and manual
      measurements were 0.22 +/- 0.75 cm/s and 0.85 +/- 0.38 cm/s, respectively, in
      five normal volunteers. Moreover, less than 5% of the plotted points were beyond
      +/- 2 SD of the differences. Furthermore, good reproducibility was demonstrated
      using Bland-Altman plots and Pearson's correlation analysis. Identical
      reliability was obtained in patients with atrial fibrillation. The same results
      were obtained for pulmonary peak flow velocity. In five healthy subjects, aortic
      and pulmonary peak flow showed standard deviations of 7.2 +/- 2.4 and 3.8 +/- 0.6
      cm/s, respectively, and coefficients of variation of 6.1% +/- 1.0% and 5.1% +/-
      1.1%, respectively, in time-domain variability. Similarly, frequency-domain
      variability was obtained for both peak flow velocities. CONCLUSION: The present
      study demonstrated the reliability of a newly developed automatic Doppler flow
      signal detection system. Using this system, the present study demonstrated for
      the first time aortic and pulmonary peak flow velocity variability. The present
      analytical methods may have considerable potential for studying aortic and/or
      pulmonary flow variability in connection with cardiac performance and prognosis
      of cardiac disease.

PMID- 27278179
TI  - Hyalinizing trabecular tumor of the thyroid gland: characteristic features on
      ultrasonography.
AB  - We report a case of hyalinizing trabecular tumor of the thyroid gland and
      describe the characteristic ultrasonographic features of this tumor. This was a
      rare tumor of follicular cell origin with a trabecular pattern of growth and
      marked intratrabecular hyalinization. The tumor had an irregular shape, a
      delicately jagged border, and hypoechoic and heterogeneous internal echoes on B
      mode ultrasonography. Very rich intratumoral blood flow, the so-called "tumor
      inferno" was evident on power Doppler ultrasonography. In the clinical management
      of thyroid nodules, clinicians should be aware of this peculiar type of thyroid
      tumor and its characteristic ultrasonographic findings. 

PMID- 27278180
TI  - A case of solitary intraductal papilloma of the breast coexisting with ductal
      carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
AB  - A 54-year-old woman was referred to this institution because of spontaneous
      bloody discharge from the nipple of her left breast in July 2003. Physical
      examination revealed no mass, but minimal pressure on the mammary gland exuded a
      bloody discharge from the nipple. No lymph node swelling was recognized in the
      axillary or subclavicular regions. Mammography and magnetic resonance imaging
      revealed mastopathy. Ultrasonography on the immersion method demonstrated a
      dilated duct with an irregular, solid, hypoechoic mass immediately behind the
      nipple. Fine-needle aspiration cytology showed the mass to be an intraductal
      tumor. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration of the nipple discharge was
      400 ng/ml. Preoperatively, she was diagnosed as intraductal solitary papilloma,
      and endoscope-assisted microdochectomy was carried out under general anesthesia.
      The tumor was 10.5-10.6 mm in diameter and had developed from the posterior wall
      of the duct adjacent to the nipple. The tumor contained a small solid area in
      which a two-cell layer of epithelium was missing, and thus solitary papilloma
      coexisting with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was diagnosed. Solitary
      intraductal papilloma coexisting with carcinoma is rare; cases of DCIS are
      exceptionally rare. Follow-up for 3 years has revealed no evidence of recurrence.

PMID- 27278181
TI  - Hemodynamic changes in a patient with esophageal varices after endoscopic
      injection sclerotherapy evaluated by endoscopic color Doppler ultrasonography.
AB  - A 46-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis was admitted to our hospital for
      treatment of high-risk esophageal varices in February 2000. Images of the
      esophageal varices, paraesophageal veins and palisade veins were obtained by
      endoscopic color Doppler ultrasonography (ECDUS) before endoscopic injection
      sclerotherapy (EIS). Prophylactic EIS was performed six times per week for
      esophageal varices, and EIS was continued until the esophageal varices were
      completely eradicated. In July 2002, endoscopy revealed esophageal varices graded
      as Cb, F1, Lm, and RC(-), and color flow images of the palisade veins
      (hepatofugal flow), esophageal varices, and a developed paraesophageal vein were
      obtained with ECDUS. In April 2003, endoscopy showed esophageal varices graded as
      Cb, F1, Lm, and RC(-), and color flow images of the palisade veins and esophageal
      varices were obtained using ECDUS. The blood in the palisade veins flowed in an
      alternate direction on color flow images, and pulsatile waves were delineated at
      the gastroesophageal junction. In January 2004, endoscopy revealed esophageal
      varices graded as F0 and RC(-), and pulsatile waves were delineated in the lower
      esophagus with ECDUS. However, the esophageal varices and palisade veins had
      disappeared from color flow images. In conclusion, ECDUS was useful for
      evaluating hemodynamic changes after EIS. 

PMID- 27278182
TI  - Efficacy of color Doppler ultrasonography for the diagnosis of duodenal varices
      successfully treated with percutaneous transhepatic obliteration.
AB  - We treated a 74-year-old woman who complained of tarry stool. Neither endoscopic
      examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract nor colonoscopy revealed any
      finding indicative of bleeding, and (99m)Tc-HSA-D pool scintigraphic imaging
      showed no accumulation of blood in the digestive tract. Small tortuous collateral
      veins were observed on computed tomography (CT) in the distal third portion of
      the duodenum. Color Doppler ultrasonography obtained color flow images of varices
      in the distal third portion of the duodenum indicating turbulent flow, and color
      flow imaging showed the outflow vessel from duodenal varices. Duodenoscopy
      revealed tortuous varices, with erosions and blue in appearance, in the same
      area. Percutaneous transhepatic portography was carried out 18 days after the
      treatment of ascites, and hepatofugal blood flow was confirmed in the pancreatic
      duodenal vein originating near the junction between the splenic and inferior
      mesenteric veins with the passage of contrast medium into the duodenal varices,
      which drained into the left ovarian vein. We performed selective catheterization
      into the afferent vein of the varices, and injected 8 ml of a 5% solution of
      ethanolamine oleate containing iopamidol. Microcoil embolization using steel
      coils was added because the therapeutic effect resulting after the relatively
      rapid washout of sclerosant was insufficient. CT and color Doppler
      ultrasonography showed absence of blood flow in the varices 1 week after the
      therapy. This patient has had no episodes of rebleeding in the 24 months after
      therapy. Color Doppler ultrasonography was useful in diagnosing this case of
      duodenal varices and in evaluating therapeutic effect. 

PMID- 27278183
TI  - Hemodynamic evaluation of rectal varices by color Doppler ultrasonography: a case
      report.
AB  - A 69-year-old man with liver cirrhosis was admitted to our hospital with general
      fatigue. Colonoscopy revealed risky red color sign-positive enlarged tortuous
      rectal varices. Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) was performed three
      times weekly using 5% ethanolamine oleate with iopamidol; the total amount of
      sclerosant was 7 ml. Images of rectal varices and the outflowing vessel from
      rectal varices were obtained via color Doppler ultrasonography before EIS, and
      fast Fourier transform analysis showed a continuous flow with a frequency shift
      of 276.6 Hz. We successfully performed EIS for this patient, having effective
      varicealography. After EIS, colonoscopy revealed shrinkage of the varices in the
      rectum, and color Doppler indicated an extreme decrease of blood flow in the
      rectal varices. In conclusion, color Doppler is a useful noninvasive modality for
      detecting rectal varices and for evaluating the therapeutic effects of EIS. 

PMID- 27278184
TI  - Use of hand-held ultrasonography to confirm the correct placement of a central
      venous catheter tip.
AB  - To avoid severe complications resulting from malpositioning of a central venous
      catheter, removal and recannulation of the catheter may be necessary, thus
      wasting medical equipment and increasing stress on the patient. Therefore,
      central venous catheters should be inserted correctly the first time. We tested
      whether real-time hand-held ultrasound-guided confirmation of the location of the
      tip of a central venous catheter inserted from the femoral vein could reduce the
      rate of malpositioning. Catheters were inserted using conventional methods for 65
      patients, and using ultrasound guidance for 29 patients. For the latter group,
      when a central venous catheter was inserted, the ultrasound examiner first
      identified its tip located dorsal to the liver in the inferior vena cava and then
      fixed the catheter in position. We considered a central venous catheter to be
      malpositioned when its tip appeared in neither the inferior vena cava nor the
      right atrium-inferior vena cava junction in X-rays. Flexed or inverted catheters
      were also considered to be malpositioned. We compared the malpositioning rates
      for the ultrasound and conventional groups. Malpositioning was identified for two
      (6.9%) patients in the ultrasound group and 19 (29.2%) patients in the
      conventional group. The relative risk of ultrasound-guided versus conventional
      catheter insertion was 0.23 (95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.62). Our data
      suggest that real-time ultrasound monitoring is useful for avoiding
      malpositioning of central venous catheters inserted from the femoral vein. 

PMID- 27278185
TI  - Tissue structure of arterial wall revealed with elasticity imaging.

PMID- 27278186
TI  - Color Doppler determination of gastric content in a patient with gastric
      carcinoma accompanied by pyloric stenosis.

PMID- 27278188
TI  - Epoch-making sonographic images changed our world.

PMID- 27278187
TI  - A novel method to reduce noise in electroretinography using skin electrodes: a
      study of noise level, inter-session variability, and reproducibility.
AB  - To determine the feasibility of recording reproducible electroretinograms (ERGs)
      with skin electrodes using a new ERG system. Seventeen healthy volunteers were
      studied. The dark-adapted, bright-flash ERGs were recorded with a new ERG
      recording system (LE-4000, Tomey, Nagoya, Japan) in which the stimulus alternated
      between the eyes every 15 s, and each eye was stimulated eight times. The active
      skin electrode was placed on the lower eyelids of both eyes. The voltage changes
      of the non-stimulated eye were subtracted from that of the stimulated eye to try
      to increase the signal-to-noise ratio for eight stimulus cycles. The noise levels
      were measured from 12 subjects with and without the subtraction steps. ERGs were
      also recorded on five different days from five subjects, and the coefficient of
      variation (CV) and the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were
      calculated. The noise level without the subtraction step was 18.4 +/- 8.4 MUV,
      and it was significantly reduced to 13.8 +/- 4.0 MUV with the subtraction step (P
      = 0.001). Reproducible ERGs were obtained from each subject, and the average CV
      for the five subjects was 6.1 % for the a-wave amplitude, 7.7 % for the b-wave
      amplitude, and 7.7 % for the sum of the oscillatory potential (OP) amplitude. The
      ICC was 0.76 for the a-wave amplitude, 0.68 for the b-wave amplitude, and 0.72
      for the sum of the OPs amplitude. These findings indicate that our new ERG
      recording methods shows noise reduction and good reproducibility with low inter
      session variability even with skin electrodes.

PMID- 27278189
TI  - Proposal of a parametric imaging method for quantitative diagnosis of liver
      fibrosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Coming up with a quantitative diagnosis method for liver fibrosis using
      ultrasound would be highly significant. To permit tissue characterization using
      the characteristics of the echo signal such as power spectrum, texture
      parameters, local attenuation, and statistical characteristics, the relation
      between complicated scatterer structures and the echo signal must be understood.
      METHODS: In this study, we analyzed the property of the echo amplitude envelope
      using computer-simulated scatterer models. These models mimicked various liver
      conditions to evaluate our quantitative parametric imaging methods. Statistical
      echo characteristics changed with the density of the heterogeneous scatterer
      buried in a speckle. RESULTS: The new analysis method for a medium in which some
      tissues are embedded was proposed in consideration of analysis results from
      computer simulations. In the new method, it is possible to eliminate the
      influence of a cyst or veins and to detect the existence of fibers more clearly
      than in previous methods.

PMID- 27278190
TI  - Comparing enhancement and washout patterns of hepatic lesions between sonazoid
      enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare sonazoid-enhanced ultrasound (SEUS) and contrast-enhanced
      computed tomography (CECT) enhancement and washout patterns in hepatic lesions.
      METHODS: Enhancement and washout patterns on SEUS were compared with those on
      CECT for 61 lesions. There were 36 hepatocellular carcinomas, three intrahepatic
      cholangiocarcinomas, three metastatic lesions, eight focal nodular hyperplasias,
      two angiomyolipomas, and nine undetermined benign lesions. Diagnosis was based on
      histopathology, or CECT and tumor markers, or findings on 2-year follow-up.
      RESULTS: All 61 lesions (100%) showed arterial enhancement on both SEUS and CECT.
      The "washout/no washout" agreement between SEUS and CECT for the 61 lesions was
      93.4% (kappa coefficient: 0.816). Of the 42 malignant lesions, 38 lesions (90.5%)
      showed washout on both SEUS and CECT. The remaining four malignant lesions, of
      which three lesions contained fibrosis (two intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and
      one scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma), showed washout on SEUS but not on CECT.
      For the 19 benign lesions, agreement between SEUS and CECT was 100% (kappa
      coefficient: 1), with seven lesions showing washout with both methods and 12
      lesions showing no washout with both methods. CONCLUSION: The overall concordance
      rate between SEUS and CECT was good, but some differences were seen in the
      washout patterns of malignant lesions.

PMID- 27278191
TI  - Sonographic hemodynamic evaluation of spleno-renal shunt using the Valsalva
      maneuver.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the characteristic features of
      hemodynamic changes in portal venous hypertension with spleno-renal shunt on
      conventional B-mode and color Doppler imaging before and after the Valsalva
      maneuver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 11 patients with portal venous
      hypertension underwent conventional B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound during
      follow-up examinations. Sonographic imaging of the splenic vein and the left
      renal vein was performed before and after the Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: In the
      six patients with spleno-renal shunt formation, dilated left renal veins were
      depicted after the Valsalva maneuver. In the five patients without spleno-renal
      shunt, there was no apparent dilatation of the left renal vein either before or
      after the Valsalva maneuver. In all six patients with spleno-renal shunt, color
      flow mapping of the left renal veins was emphasized during the Valsalva maneuver.
      In the five patients without spleno-renal shunt formation, there were no apparent
      changes on color flow mapping of the left renal vein before or after the Valsalva
      maneuver. CONCLUSION: The sonographic findings of the splenic vein and the left
      renal vein on conventional B-mode and color Doppler imaging before and after the
      Valsalva maneuver are useful for diagnosis of spleno-renal shunt and for grading
      the hemodynamic changes caused by spleno-renal shunt.

PMID- 27278192
TI  - Breast mass classification on sonographic images on the basis of shape analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of novel shape features for classification of
      benign and malignant sonographic breast masses. METHODS: Mass regions were
      extracted from the region of interest (ROI) sub-image by applying a segmentation
      algorithm based on the level set method. Six features (difference area with five
      features of mass pixel number viewed at different angles) were then extracted for
      further classification. A multilayered perceptron neural network (MLP) classifier
      was used to classify breast mass. The leave-one-case-out procedure was used on a
      database of 81 pathologically proved breast sonographic images of patients (47
      benign cases and 34 malignant cases) to evaluate our method. RESULTS: The
      classification results showed overall accuracy was 93.83%, sensitivity 91.18%,
      specificity 95.74%, positive predictive value 93.94%, and negative predictive
      value 93.75%. CONCLUSION: The experimental results showed that this diagnostic
      system with the features proposed can improve the positive rate of biopsies,
      provide a second opinion for physicians, and be used as a useful tool for mass
      classification.

PMID- 27278194
TI  - Change in cervical length in cases resulting in threatened preterm labor.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the predisposing changes in cervical length (CL) and the
      critical range of CL in which significant uterine contractions emerge resulting
      in threatened preterm labor (TPL). METHODS: Sixty-eight uncomplicated singleton
      pregnancies where the CL was <25 mm before 31 weeks were divided into cases with
      TPL (n = 23) or without (n = 45). CL and uterine contractions were monitored
      sequentially starting between 16 and 20 weeks. The gestational ages when a CL of
      <25 or <15 mm was first observed, the interval between these two measurements,
      and the CL value at TPL diagnosis were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: (1) The
      gestational ages when a CL of <25 and <15 mm was first detected were lower in the
      TPL group (25 (median); 18-30 (range) and 28; 25-33 weeks, respectively) than in
      the non-TPL group (27; 20-30 and 33; 26-35 weeks; P = 0.030 and P < 0.001). (2)
      The interval between the two measurements was shorter in the TPL group (2.5; 0-15
      weeks) than in the non-TPL group (5.5; 0-13 weeks, P = 0.034). (3) The CL value
      at TPL diagnosis was 13 mm (median), ranging from 7 to 18 mm. CONCLUSION: Cases
      with early onset and subsequent rapid CL shortening before 31 weeks resulted in
      TPL when CL decreased below the range 7-18 mm.

PMID- 27278193
TI  - Evaluation of pelvic floor function by transabdominal ultrasound in postpartum
      women.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between displacement of the bladder base
      and genitohiatal distance during voluntary contractions of pelvic floor muscles
      in postpartum women. METHODS: Twenty women (age 34.7 +/- 4.4 years, BMI 21.1 +/-
      3.2 kg/m(2)) at about 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery were studied. Displacement
      of the bladder base and genitohiatal distance were measured by transabdominal and
      transperineal ultrasound, respectively. RESULTS: Displacement of the bladder base
      was significantly correlated with shortening of genitohiatal distance (r = 0.772,
      p < 0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient of the three measurements in
      each woman was 0.796 for displacement of the bladder base. There was no
      significant difference in terms of displacement of the bladder base between
      continent women and incontinent women. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a strong
      positive correlation between displacement of the bladder base and shortening of
      genitohiatal distance during voluntary contractions of pelvic floor muscles in
      postpartum women. Measurement of displacement of the bladder base by
      transabdominal ultrasound can be helpful for evaluating pelvic floor function in
      postpartum women.

PMID- 27278195
TI  - Establishment of reference ranges for ductus venosus waveform indices in the
      Japanese population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish reference ranges for ductus venosus waveform indices in
      the Japanese population. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study,
      791 singleton fetuses of healthy Japanese couples were examined from January 2004
      to January 2008. Reference ranges for ductus venosus waveform indices were
      constructed from cross-sectional data obtained at between 18 and 41 weeks of
      gestation. RESULTS: With a success rate of 84%, a total of 667 measurements in
      791 women were eligible for analysis. The median pulsatility index (PI) of fetal
      ductus venosus decreased from 0.54 at 18 weeks of gestation to 0.30 at 41 weeks
      of gestation. The median end-diastolic velocity/peak systolic velocity (a/S) of
      the ductus venosus increased from 0.56 at 18 weeks of gestation to 0.76 at 41
      weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we established reference ranges
      for the PI and a/S of the ductus venosus in the Japanese population, which
      differed slightly from other published reference data. The results will be useful
      for further studies to determine the validity of the clinical importance of the
      ductus venosus for at-risk fetuses.

PMID- 27278196
TI  - Placental multiple chorionic cysts in maternal scleroderma.
AB  - We present a case of a pregnant woman with scleroderma (Ssc) whose placenta
      showed multiple chorionic cysts and severe fibrotic changes and large infarcted
      areas at the maternal side. Fetal growth was appropriate for gestational age and
      amniotic fluid volume was normal, but fetal tachycardia, loss of variability, and
      late deceleration were detected by non-stress test at 29 weeks of gestation. She
      was diagnosed as having non-reassuring fetal status and delivered a female baby
      who weighed 1092 g (Apgar score 6/9) by Caesarean section. Placental surface
      cysts are rare findings and their effect on pregnancy is poorly understood, but
      an association with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) has been reported.
      This is the first report of a pregnant woman with scleroderma showing multiple
      placental cysts. 

PMID- 27278197
TI  - Large pseudocyst of the umbilical cord detected in the second trimester.
AB  - We present a case of a large umbilical cord cyst detected at 21 weeks of
      gestation. Serial ultrasonographic examination revealed a single umbilical artery
      and progression of the cystic mass. A 2,842-g male infant was delivered at 37
      weeks of gestation, and we confirmed that the umbilical cord cyst was a
      pseudocyst in our pathological examination. This case demonstrated an uneventful
      course of pregnancy despite the large umbilical cord pseudocyst. 

PMID- 27278198
TI  - Ultrasonographic findings for breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells.

PMID- 27278200
TI  - Editor's Note.

PMID- 27278199
TI  - Erratum to: Ultrasonographic findings for breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like
      giant cells.

PMID- 27278201
TI  - Laparoscopic Microwave Liver Ablation and Portal Vein Ligation: An Alternative
      Approach to the Conventional ALPPS Procedure in Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged
      hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a new procedure aimed at promoting the overgrowth of small
      future liver remnants (FLR). The role of ALPPS in hilar cholangiocarcinoma (h
      CCA) is currently considered marginal because liver split in the presence of bile
      duct obstruction increases postoperative morbidity and mortality (Schadde et al.
      in Ann Surg 260:829-836,2014; Nadalin et al. in Z Gastroenterol 52:35-42,2014).
      Virtual liver split (Gall et al. in Ann Surg 261:e45-e46,2015) could improve the
      outcome of ALPPS in h-CCA. METHODS: A 64-year-old woman with a type IIIA h-CCA
      without evidence of vascular involvement had a small FLR (FLR/body weight: 0.47
      cm3/kg). After bilateral percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD) and bilirubin
      normalization, the patient was planned for laparoscopic step 1 ALPPS using
      microwave ablation (MWA). Because of possible challenge in hilar dissection in
      this tumor type, robotic assistance was preferred to conventional laparoscopy for
      step 1. RESULTS: The patient recovered promptly from step 1, with a 68 % increase
      in the volume of FLR by postoperative day (POD) 10 (FLR/body weight of 0.79
      cm3/kg). On POD 15, the patient underwent open right hepatectomy with en bloc
      resection of the caudate lobe, bile duct bifurcation, and extrahepatic biliary
      duct (T2N1M0R0). Estimated blood loss was negligible during step 1 and 150 mL
      during step 2. The patient recovered well. Chemotherapy was started 6 weeks after
      ALPPS stage 2, and was well tolerated and full course. Twenty months after
      resection the patient is alive, well, and disease-free. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic
      ALPPS (Machado et al. in Ann Surg 256:e13,2012) and MWA on the intended split
      line (Gringeri and Boetto in Ann Surg 261:e42-e43,2015) have been recently
      described. The combination of these techniques with PBD allowed successful ALPPS
      in a patient with h-CCA.

PMID- 27278202
TI  - National Evaluation of Hospital Performance on the New Commission on Cancer
      Melanoma Quality Measures.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To increase adherence to cancer management guidelines, the
      Commission on Cancer (CoC) developed and approved five melanoma quality measures
      in 2015. Our objectives were to evaluate formally the national performance of
      these melanoma measures and to examine patient, tumor, and hospital
      characteristics associated with adherence. METHODS: From the National Cancer Data
      Base (2012), patients with invasive, nonmetastatic melanoma were identified.
      Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on the CoC definition for each
      measure. Patient-level and hospital-level adherence rates were calculated for the
      five measures. A hospital was deemed "compliant" if it met the CoC standard,
      which requires 80 % of patients to receive the measure-specific recommended care.
      Patient, tumor, and hospital characteristics potentially associated with higher
      likelihood of adherence at the patient-level were estimated using hierarchical
      random-effects logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 31,598 patients
      from 1343 hospitals were examined. Patient-level adherence rates varied from 31.6
      % (Measure 5: >=10 axillary lymph nodes removed/examined) to 72.6 % (Measure 1:
      sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) appropriateness measure). Hospital-level
      adherence rates, ranged from 19.3 % of hospitals (N = 538 hospitals for Measure
      5) to 44.8 % of hospitals (N = 1090 hospitals for Measure 3: completion lymph
      node dissection after positive SLNB). No hospital-level factors (e.g., teaching
      status) were consistently associated with better adherence. CONCLUSIONS: National
      adherence rates to the five new CoC melanoma quality metrics are low, and most
      hospitals would not meet the CoC requirement of 80 % adherence. Feedback for
      performance of these measures to hospitals, decisions support tools, and
      educational initiatives are needed to improve guideline adherence.

PMID- 27278203
TI  - Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation on Short-Term Outcomes for Esophageal
      Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients: A Meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) has emerged as a component of the
      standard treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The primary
      benefit of NCRT is an improvement in long-term survival; however, the impact of
      NCRT on short-term outcomes is unclear. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic
      literature search was performed via the MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and
      Google Scholar databases through November 2015 for the inclusion of randomized
      controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated short-term outcomes of patients
      administered NCRT followed by surgery compared with surgery alone for resectable
      esophageal SCC. The main outcome measures were postoperative mortality and
      morbidity. A meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to calculate
      odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Eight RCTs were
      included, for a total of 1058 patients. Meta-analysis of the overall
      postoperative mortality and cardiopulmonary complication rates showed that there
      was a significant increase for patients administered NCRT followed by surgery
      compared with surgery alone (OR 1.87, 95 % CI 1.07-3.28, p = 0.03, number of
      patients needed to harm = 33.3; and OR 2.12, 95 % CI 1.03-4.35, p = 0.04,
      respectively). Dropout before surgery was higher for patients in the NCRT
      followed by surgery group compared with patients in the surgery-alone group. NCRT
      has no statistically impact on anastomosis and other complications compared with
      surgery alone. CONCLUSIONS: NCRT for esophageal SCC significantly increases
      postoperative mortality and cardiopulmonary complications.

PMID- 27278204
TI  - Coexistent Loss of the Expressions of BRCA1 and p53 Predicts Poor Prognosis in
      Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the prognostic significance of altered breast cancer
      susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) and p53 expression in triple-negative breast cancer
      (TNBC). METHODS: Immunohistochemical expression of BRCA1 and p53 was examined in
      the tumor tissues of 465 TNBC cases and relations were sought with
      clinicopathological features and patient survival. RESULTS: Loss of BRCA1
      expression was found in 29.5% (137/465) of TNBCs. Positive expression of p53 was
      observed in 49.9% (232/465). Patients with loss of BRCA1 expression had a
      tendency to have higher rate of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.075). An association
      between p53 expression and high histological grade was observed (p = 0.039). TNBC
      patients with loss of BRCA1 expression had a tendency to have poorer overall
      survival (OS) than those positive for BRCA1 (p = 0.09). TNBC patients with
      positive p53 expression showed better OS than those with p53 negativity (p =
      0.001). In terms of combined expression patterns, significantly poorer overall
      survival (OS) was observed for BRCA1-negative/p53-negative TNBCs and best OS for
      BRCA1-positive/p53-positive TNBCs (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Combined expression
      patterns of BRCA1 and p53 could serve as useful prognostic markers in TNBC.

PMID- 27278205
TI  - Overweight causes left ventricular diastolic asynchrony and diastolic
      dysfunction: a study based on speckle tracking echocardiography in healthy
      subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is often observed in
      healthy subjects and can be a cause of heart failure with preserved ejection
      fraction (EF). We aimed to investigate the role of LV diastolic asynchrony as a
      cause of diastolic dysfunction in healthy subjects. METHODS: In 40 healthy
      subjects, two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2DSTI) was performed to
      measure the peak early diastolic longitudinal strain rates (Esr) of the apical,
      mid-ventricular, and basal segments of the septum and posterior wall. A mean
      value of the Esr of the 6 segments (mEsr) was calculated. The time from aortic
      valve closure to the Esr was measured for each segment, and the standard
      deviation (SDTEsr) was calculated. The peak global early diastolic strain rate
      (gEsr) was measured with a region of interest (ROI) on the whole LV myocardium.
      LV flow propagation velocity (FPV) was measured using conventional Doppler
      techniques. RESULTS: SDTEsr was not correlated with age, but was significantly
      correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.41, p < 0.01). Although no
      significant correlation was observed between mEsr and FPV, gEsr and SDTEsr
      significantly correlated with FPV (r = 0.41, p < 0.01; r = -0.54, p < 0.001). As
      a result of the multiple regression analysis, SDTEsr was the single determinant
      of FPV. CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic asynchrony, associated with overweight but not
      with aging, may contribute to diastolic dysfunction in healthy subjects.

PMID- 27278207
TI  - Long-term follow-up of a rare calcified cardiac tumor: a case report.
AB  - We describe a case of cardiac masses (high- and iso-echoic mass) which were
      detected by echocardiography in a 57-year-old man with cerebral infarction.
      Because he refused both biopsy and surgery, the patient was treated with an
      anticoagulant and antibiotic in our outpatient clinic. During 3-year follow-up,
      the iso-echoic mass disappeared and the high-echoic mass did not change. Thus, we
      considered the iso-echoic mass a thrombus and the high-echoic mass a benign
      tumor. Cardiac computed tomography revealed that the high-echoic mass had
      extensive calcifications like phleboliths, and magnetic resonance imaging pattern
      coincided with that of hemangiomas. We conclude that the benign tumor/high-echoic
      mass might be a vascular malformation. 

PMID- 27278206
TI  - Single-beat determination of global longitudinal speckle strain in patients with
      atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although global left ventricular (LV) systolic function is an
      important determinant of outcome, the assessment of global longitudinal speckle
      strain (GLS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unreliable because of
      beat-to-beat variation. Previous studies have confirmed that LV contractility of
      each irregular beat is predicted from the ratio of preceding R-R (RR1) to pre
      preceding R-R (RR2) intervals, and the value when the intervals are equal
      (RR1/RR2 = 1) estimates the average value of LV contractility. The aim of this
      study was to assess the clinical feasibility of an index that is obtained on the
      basis of the RR1/RR2 ratio for the estimation of GLS in patients with AF.
      METHODS: We evaluated the RR1/RR2 ratio for the measurement of GLS with apical 4
      chamber views in 20 patients with AF. We obtained the GLS for >=13 cardiac
      cycles, and the relationship between each GLS at a given cardiac beat and the
      RR1/RR2 ratio was evaluated by linear regression analysis. The value of GLS at
      RR1/RR2 = 1 was compared with the measured average value. RESULTS: The GLS showed
      a significant correlation with the RR1/RR2 ratio (r = -0.80). The calculated
      value of GLS at RR1/RR2 = 1 was quite similar to the average value (-10.17 +/-
      2.1 % vs. -10.06 +/- 2.1 %). The GLS of a single beat with identical RR1 and RR2
      intervals showed a significant correlation compared with the measured average
      value over all cardiac cycles (r = 0.94, y = 0.90x - 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: The GLS
      at RR1/RR2 = 1 allows the LV systolic parameter to be accurately evaluated during
      AF and obviates the less reliable process of averaging multiple irregular beats.

PMID- 27278208
TI  - The dramatic 3D IVUS imaging demonstrating a dislodged coronary stent.
AB  - A 78-year-old female underwent cardiac evaluation because she had presented with
      typical effort-induced chest pain. Coronary angiography revealed severe stenoses
      in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and ostium of the
      diagonal branch. Then, a stent was deployed in the LAD covering the takeoff of
      the branch. Next, we tried to deploy an additional stent in the branch, but the
      new stent was stripped off the balloon platform. We demonstrate here the dramatic
      3D intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images of a dislodged stent, indicating that
      3D IVUS imaging should allow the precise location and statement of lost stent. 

PMID- 27278209
TI  - Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of atrial
      septal aneurysm with patent foramen ovale in a patient with ventricular septal
      defect.
AB  - We present a case of a rare combination of ventricular septal defect and atrial
      septal aneurysm (ASA) with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a 57-year-old female.
      She was referred to our hospital for the treatment of irregular palpitation and
      exertional shortness of breath. Two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography
      (2D-TEE) with color Doppler imaging demonstrated an ASA with two lines of shunt
      flows. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) could clearly
      visualize the morphology of the PFO in the surgeon's view and demonstrated a
      crescent-shaped opening of the PFO. 3D-TEE appears to be a more accurate modality
      than 2D-TEE for the assessment of PFO. 

PMID- 27278210
TI  - Biventricular stress-induced (Tako-tsubo) cardiomyopathy complicated by right
      ventricular thrombus.
AB  - Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is a syndrome characterised by transient ventricular
      dysfunction most commonly involving the left ventricle. Complications include
      congestive heart failure, hypotension and intracardiac thrombus formation
      predisposing to thromboembolic events. Right ventricular involvement may also
      occur but is usually less marked, with complications of right ventricular
      dysfunction not commonly seen. 

PMID- 27278211
TI  - A case with double-chambered right ventricle and left ventricular-right atrial
      communication (Gerbode defect): potential pitfall for Eisenmenger syndrome.
AB  - The ventricular septal defect (VSD) can rarely be associated with other
      malformations such as double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) in which
      hypertrophied muscle bundles divide the right ventricle into two chambers causing
      progressive obstruction (Mao et al., Asia Pac J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 5:14-17,
      1996). Most VSDs close spontaneously by apposition of the tricuspid leaflets, but
      the process is rarely disrupted, resulting in communication between left
      ventricle and right atrium called Gerbode defect [Cho et al., J Cardiovasc
      Ultrasound 19(3):148-151, 2011]. Hence, the Gerbode defect involves potential
      misinterpretation of its high-velocity shunt as pulmonary hypertension. Here we
      present a case with DCRV and Gerbode defect initially misdiagnosed to have
      Eisenmenger syndrome. 

PMID- 27278212
TI  - Systolic left ventricular apical bulging after biventricular pacing mimicking
      takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Resolution of the issue of nonresponsiveness to cardiac resynchronization therapy
      (CRT) remains crucial to the successful treatment of conduction disturbances in
      heart failure. In this study, a patient with refractory heart failure including
      left bundle branch block was treated via surgical CRT. The epicardial left
      ventricular (LV) lead, implanted using thoracoscopic guidance, was unexpectedly
      located on the apical side. Echocardiographic findings of the LV motion mimicked
      takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The LV lead was successfully re-implanted along a
      lateral branch of the cardiac vein using an endovascular approach, resulting in
      restored contractility and reversal of the LV remodeling. 

PMID- 27278213
TI  - Congenital ductus arteriosus aneurysm.

PMID- 27278214
TI  - Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis associated with Trousseau's syndrome.

PMID- 27278215
TI  - Metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma to the heart.

PMID- 27278216
TI  - Expression of organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1): unique patterns of indirect
      regulation by nuclear receptors and hepatospecific gene regulation.
AB  - The organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) is the dominant carrier of organic
      cationic drugs and some positively charged endogenous compounds into hepatocytes.
      OCT1 has unique expression pattern. It has the highest expression among drug
      transporters in normal human hepatocytes with large interindividual variability,
      but it has negligible expression in other tissues or their tumors. Nowadays, it
      is clear that the regulation of SLC22A1 gene encoding OCT1 transporter is rather
      complex and that transactivation with hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha
      (HNF4alpha) and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein (C/EBPs) transcription factors as
      well as epigenetic regulation contribute to its unique hepatocyte-specific
      expression pattern. Unfortunately, species- and tissue-specific regulation of
      OCT1 and its orthologs as well as significant down-regulation in most
      immortalized cell lines hamper the study of SLC22A1 gene regulation. In the
      current review, we summarize our current understanding of human OCT1 transporter
      hepatic gene regulation and we propose potential post-transcriptional regulation
      by predicted miRNAs. We also discuss in detail recent findings on indirect
      regulation of the transporter via farnesoid X receptor (FXR), glucocorticoid
      receptor and pregnane X (PXR) receptor, which point out to potential novel
      mechanisms of xenobiotic-transporting and drug-metabolizing proteins regulation
      in the human liver as well as to potentially novel drug-drug interaction
      mechanisms. We also propose that comprehensive understanding of mechanisms of
      SLC22A1 gene regulation could direct research for other drug transporters and
      drug-metabolizing enzymes highly expressed in hepatocytes and controlled by
      HNF4alpha or other liver-enriched transcription factors.

PMID- 27278217
TI  - Daclatasvir for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C: A Critique of the Clinical
      and Economic Evidence.
AB  - The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) invited the
      manufacturer of daclatasvir (Bristol-Myers Squibb) to submit clinical and cost
      effectiveness evidence for daclatasvir in combination with other medicinal
      products within its licensed indication for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C,
      as part of the Institute's single technology appraisal process. The Centre for
      Reviews and Dissemination and Centre for Health Economics at the University of
      York were commissioned to act as the independent Evidence Review Group (ERG).
      This article presents the ERG's critical review of the evidence presented in the
      company submission in the context of a description of the company submission, and
      the resulting NICE guidance. The main clinical effectiveness data for daclatasvir
      in combination with sofosbuvir (daclatasvir + sofosbuvir) were derived from two
      uncontrolled open-label trials. Among patients with genotype 1 infection, 98-100
      % of patients had a sustained virologic response at week 12 (SVR12), overall.
      Among genotype 3 patients, between 85 and 100 % had SVR12 across patient
      populations and regimens. The main evidence for daclatasvir + pegylated
      interferon-alpha and ribavirin (PR) came from one randomised controlled trial
      comparing daclatasvir + PR with PR in patients with genotype 4. This found an
      SVR12 rate of 82 % in previously untreated patients. Serious adverse event rates
      associated with daclatasvir were low. The lack of comparative trial evidence for
      daclatasvir + sofosbuvir and many of the comparators defined in the NICE scope
      meant that established methods for comparing interventions either directly via
      head-to-head trial comparisons or via adjusted indirect comparisons were not
      feasible. Comparisons of SVR rates were therefore largely based on unadjusted
      estimates drawn from individual trial arms and subgroups of individual trial
      arms. The ERG concluded that, despite limited evidence, daclatasvir in
      combination with other treatments appeared to be associated with a high SVR rate.
      Daclatasvir + sofosbuvir was unlikely to be inferior to comparator treatments in
      genotype 1 patients; but, due to limited evidence, the relative efficacy of
      daclatasvir and other treatments in genotype 3 and 4 patients or patients with
      compensated cirrhosis was uncertain. The economic evaluation compared daclatasvir
      + sofosbuvir and daclatasvir + PR with a wide range of NICE-approved treatments
      for hepatitis C. The company submission focused on a series of subgroups defined
      by disease severity (METAVIR fibrosis stage F3, compensated cirrhosis), genotype
      and treatment history. In the cost-effectiveness analysis, daclatasvir-containing
      regimens were cost effective at a L20,000-L30,000 per QALY threshold in the
      following F3 populations: genotype 1 treatment naive (Incremental cost
      effectiveness ratio [ICER] = L19,739/QALY) and treatment experienced
      (L15,687/QALY) and genotypes 1, 3 and 4 interferon ineligible or intolerant
      (L5906-L9607/QALY depending on subgroup). In patients with cirrhosis, daclatasvir
      containing regimens were not cost effective. The ERG found the company's economic
      analyses to be highly uncertain and in places biased. However, the ERG found that
      daclatasvir-containing regimens were cost effective in certain populations with
      significant fibrosis, and following new analyses by the company after a price
      reduction, in certain populations with cirrhosis, including patients who were not
      eligible for or who were intolerant to interferon therapy. The NICE Appraisal
      Committee's preliminary recommendation was that daclatasvir + sofosbuvir should
      be available as an option in genotype 1 and 4 patients with significant fibrosis
      but without cirrhosis, who had either been treated previously or were ineligible
      or intolerant to interferon. In response to the preliminary recommendation, the
      manufacturer submitted additional information including comparator SVR rates and
      a revised confidential price. Following this, the Committee expanded its original
      recommendation in its Final Appraisal Determination. The recommendation was
      expanded to include daclatasvir + sofosbuvir as an option for patients with
      significant fibrosis but without cirrhosis (in previously untreated patients with
      genotype 1, and genotype 3 patients ineligible or intolerant to interferon) and
      genotype 1, 3 and 4 cirrhotic patients who were ineligible or intolerant to
      interferon. Daclatasvir + PR was also recommended as an option for genotype 4
      patients who had significant fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis.

PMID- 27278219
TI  - The Tensile Behavior of High-Strength Carbon Fibers.
AB  - Carbon fibers exhibit exceptional properties such as high stiffness and specific
      strength, making them excellent reinforcements for composite materials. However,
      it is difficult to directly measure their tensile properties and estimates are
      often obtained by tensioning fiber bundles or composites. While these macro scale
      tests are informative for composite design, their results differ from that of
      direct testing of individual fibers. Furthermore, carbon filament strength also
      depends on other variables, including the test length, actual fiber diameter, and
      material flaw distribution. Single fiber tensile testing was performed on high
      strength carbon fibers to determine the load and strain at failure. Scanning
      electron microscopy was also conducted to evaluate the fiber surface morphology
      and precisely measure each fiber's diameter. Fiber strength was found to depend
      on the test gage length and in an effort to better understand the overall
      expected performance of these fibers at various lengths, statistical weak link
      scaling was performed. In addition, the true Young's modulus was also determined
      by taking the system compliance into account. It was found that all properties
      (tensile strength, strain to failure, and Young's modulus) matched very well with
      the manufacturers' reported values at 20 mm gage lengths, but deviated
      significantly at other lengths.

PMID- 27278218
TI  - Label-free Chemical Imaging of Fungal Spore Walls by Raman Microscopy and
      Multivariate Curve Resolution Analysis.
AB  - Fungal cell walls are medically important since they represent a drug target site
      for antifungal medication. So far there is no method to directly visualize
      structurally similar cell wall components such as alpha-glucan, beta-glucan and
      mannan with high specificity, especially in a label-free manner. In this study,
      we have developed a Raman spectroscopy based molecular imaging method and
      combined multivariate curve resolution analysis to enable detection and
      visualization of multiple polysaccharide components simultaneously at the single
      cell level. Our results show that vegetative cell and ascus walls are made up of
      both alpha- and beta-glucans while spore wall is exclusively made of alpha
      glucan. Co-localization studies reveal the absence of mannans in ascus wall but
      are distributed primarily in spores. Such detailed picture is believed to further
      enhance our understanding of the dynamic spore wall architecture, eventually
      leading to advancements in drug discovery and development in the near future.

PMID- 27278220
TI  - Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using a novel intraperitoneal lightweight mesh
      coated with hyaluronic acid: 1-year follow-up from a case-control study using the
      Hernia-Club registry.
AB  - PURPOSE: A case-control study was performed to compare laparoscopic ventral
      hernia repair (LVHR) using the Ventralight STTM lightweight surgical mesh with
      LVHR using other types of mesh. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing
      intraperitoneal implantation of Ventralight STTM during LVHR (Ventralight STTM
      group; VG) over a 2-year period (2011-2013) were identified from the prospective
      French Hernia-Club registry. Patients undergoing elective LVHR using other types
      of intraperitoneal mesh in the first semester of 2013 formed the control group
      (CG). Patient, hernia and surgical characteristics, and postoperative outcomes
      after 8 days, 1 month, and 1 year were compared between the two groups. RESULTS:
      The VG comprised 90 LVHRs in 85 patients, and the CG 86 LVHRs in 81 patients.
      Patient, hernia and surgical characteristics were similar between the two groups,
      apart from the method of mesh fixation and the number of procedures involving
      fascial closure. A low rate of minor complications was observed in both groups at
      1 month [4.4 % (VG) and 2.3 % (CG)], and the level of postoperative pain was
      similar in the two groups at Day 8 and 1 month. After 1 year, no complications,
      recurrences or cases of chronic pain had occurred in either group, and Quality-of
      Life outcomes were similar. Patients rated their procedure as excellent or good
      in 96 % (VG) and 92 % (CG) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Ventralight STTM mesh is
      effective and well tolerated in LVHR, producing very low complication and
      recurrence rates in the short and medium term. The results are comparable to
      those achieved with other types of mesh.

PMID- 27278221
TI  - Pharmacologic Approaches to Electrolyte Abnormalities in Heart Failure.
AB  - Electrolyte abnormalities are common in heart failure and can arise from a
      variety of etiologies. Neurohormonal activation from ventricular dysfunction,
      renal dysfunction, and heart failure medications can perturb electrolyte
      homeostasis which impact both heart failure-related morbidity and mortality.
      These include disturbances in serum sodium, chloride, acid-base, and potassium
      homeostasis. Pharmacological treatments differ for each electrolyte abnormality
      and vary from older, established treatments like the vaptans or acetazolamide, to
      experimental or theoretical treatments like hypertonic saline or urea, or to
      newer, novel agents like the potassium binders: patiromer and zirconium
      cyclosilicate. Pharmacologic approaches range from limiting electrolyte intake or
      directly repleting the electrolyte, to blocking or promoting their resorption,
      and to neurohormonal antagonism. Because of the prevalence and clinical impact of
      electrolyte abnormalities, understanding both the older and newer therapeutic
      options is and will continue to be necessity for the management of heart failure.

PMID- 27278223
TI  - Erratum to: Traumatic brain injury and age at onset of cognitive impairment in
      older adults.

PMID- 27278222
TI  - Overt hepatic encephalopathy: development of a novel clinician reported outcome
      tool and electronic caregiver diary.
AB  - Clinical management and clinical trials of patients with overt hepatic
      encephalopathy (OHE) are compromised by lack of standardized and reproducible
      tools for its clinical diagnosis or for caregiver (CG) identification of OHE
      manifestations which merit medical evaluation. Using an iterative Delphi method,
      Steering Committee and international hepatologist panel, the West Haven (WH)
      scale was modified to develop and operationalize a clinician tool for OHE
      identification and grading (HE Grading Instrument, HEGITM). Major diagnostic
      criteria included disorientation to time, place, and person, asterixis, lethargy,
      and coma. Minimum HEGI requirements for OHE diagnosis included: (1)
      disorientation, or (2) presence of both lethargy and asterixis, or (3) coma.
      Inter- and intra-rater HEGI reproducibility were 97 % and 98 %, respectively.
      When applied to a phase II clinical trial population of 178 patients with 388 OHE
      episodes, HEGI demonstrated excellent concordance with investigator judgement.
      Additionally, a multi-stage study was conducted to develop a daily CG e-diary,
      based on OHE manifestations recognizable by CG including speech difficulties,
      unusual behavior, forgetfulness, confusion, disorientation and level of
      consciousness. The e-diary was designed for use on smart phone, laptop or
      desktop, utilized branching logic and skip patterns, incorporated automatic daily
      completion reminders and real time alerts to clinical sites to facilitate daily
      standardized CG input and was found to be user friendly and understandable. The
      HEGI and e-diary, which were developed using methodology accepted by regulatory
      authorities, are designed to facilitate the design and interpretation of clinical
      trials for OHE and improve outcomes for OHE patients in clinical practice.

PMID- 27278224
TI  - Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity of the leaves of Byrsonima
      verbascifolia.
AB  - An ethnopharmacological survey indicates that the genus Byrsonima has some
      medicinal species that are commonly found in the Brazilian Cerrado and has been
      used as an anti-inflammatory and for gastroduodenal disorders. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity along with
      qualitative chemical characterization of the methanolic extract of the leaves of
      Byrsonima verbascifolia (BvME) obtained by exhaustive percolation. The data from
      the chemical analyses by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry led to tentative
      identification of 42 compounds belonging to proanthocyanidins, galloyl quinic
      acid derivatives, flavonoids, and triterpene glycoside derivatives. BvME contain
      flavonoids and show an antioxidative activity. The methanolic extract
      administered intraperitoneally at doses of 50, 100, or 300 mg/kg showed a
      significant reduction in paw edema and modulated the neutrophil influx in a mouse
      model. Furthermore, the anti-edematogenic activity of the extract provided in
      smaller doses (12.5 and 25 mg/kg) was also demonstrated in a mouse paw edema
      model. The extract inhibited NO production by macrophages induced by
      lipopolysaccharide. We presume that the anti-inflammatory effects of BvME are due
      to a combination of compounds present in B. verbascifolia, including catechins
      (procyanidins), flavonoids, and triterpene glycosides and that these anti
      inflammatory actions should be mediated, at least partly, through the inhibition
      of NO production. This study supports and validates the ethnopharmacological uses
      of B. verbascifolia as an anti-inflammatory. 

PMID- 27278225
TI  - Aqueous extract of pomegranate seed attenuates glucocorticoid-induced bone loss
      and hypercalciuria in mice: A comparative study with alendronate.
AB  - The present study was performed in order to examine bone loss and calcium
      homeostasis in mice with glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis (GIOP)
      following treatment with the aqueous extract of pomegranate seed (AE-PS). In
      addition, a comparative study with alendronate was performed. Biomarkers in the
      serum and the urine were measured. The tibias, kidney and duodenum were removed
      in order to measure the levels of bone calcium, protein expression as well as to
      perform histomorphological analysis of the bone. GC treatment facilitated the
      induction of hypercalciuria in the mice, and the AE-PS-treated mice exhibited a
      greater increase in serum calcium and a decrease in urine calcium. The AE-PS
      reversed the deleterious effects on the trabecular bone induced by DXM and
      stimulated bone remodeling, including an increase in bone calcium and alkaline
      phosphatase-b (ALP-b) and a decrease in a the critical bone resorption markers C
      terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and tartrate-resistant acid
      phosphatase-5b (TRAP-5b). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining revealed the
      increased disconnections and separation between the growth plate and the
      trabecular bone network as well as the reduction in the trabecular bone mass of
      the primary and secondary spongiosa throughout the proximal metaphysis of the
      tibia in the DXM group. Moreover, the decreased protein expression of transient
      receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV)5, TRPV6 and calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k) was
      reversed by the AE-PS or alendronate supplementation in the kidneys and the
      duodenum as well as plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase1 (PMCA1) expression in the
      kidneys of mice with GIOP. There was no marked difference in pharmacological
      effectiveness between alendronate and the AE-PS. Taken together, these findings
      suggest that the AE-PS may be an alternative therapy suitable for use in the
      management of secondary osteoporosis. 

PMID- 27278226
TI  - Clinical significance of anterior mitral leaflet fibrillation in patients with
      nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: comparison with blood flow and wall motion of
      the left atrial appendage.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diastolic fibrillation of the anterior mitral leaflet
      (AML) is seen in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, its clinical
      significance has been unclear. On the other hand, reduced blood flow velocity in
      the left atrial appendage (LAA) may be associated with LA thrombus formation. In
      this study, we investigate the relationship between the flow velocity and the
      wall motion velocity of the LAA and diastolic fibrillation of the AML in patients
      with nonvalvular AF. METHODS: We performed transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)
      in 45 consecutive patients with chronic nonvalvular AF. The LAA flow velocity was
      measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography with the sample volume positioned at
      the center of the LAA. The LAA wall motion velocity was measured by pulsed
      Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) with the sample volume at the medial wall of the
      LAA. The AML fibrillation velocity was measured by pulsed DTI with the sample
      volume at the AML tip. RESULTS: The AML fibrillation velocity could be measured
      in 44 patients (97.8%), and the LAA flow and wall motion velocities were
      measurable in 35 (77.8%) and 42 (93.3%) patients, respectively. The AML
      fibrillation velocity had a range from 4 to 21 cm/s and showed significant
      positive correlation with the LAA flow velocity (r = 0.82, P < 0.001) and the
      wall motion velocity (r = 0.80, P < 0.001) of the LAA. An AML fibrillation
      velocity of <=7 cm/s predicted patients having a tendency to LA thrombus
      formation (LAA flow velocity <=20 cm/s) with high sensitivity (87.5%) and
      specificity (88.9%). CONCLUSION: The AML fibrillation velocity seems to be a
      viable substitute for the LAA flow velocity in the detection of flow stagnation
      in the LA.

PMID- 27278227
TI  - Right ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with left ventricular
      hypertrophy: analysis of right ventricular myocardial relaxation using two
      dimensional speckle tracking imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although several previous studies have suggested the presence of
      right ventricular (RV) diastolic dysfunction in patients with hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy (HCM) and those with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (HT
      LVH), the mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to clarify the
      relationship between the RV global diastolic dysfunction in these patients and
      the regional myocardial diastolic function, including synchronicity of the
      interventricular septum and RV free wall. METHODS: In 20 age-matched patients
      with HT-LVH, 20 patients with HCM and 22 control subjects without pulmonary
      hypertension, RV isovolumic relaxation time (IRTR) was measured using continuous
      wave Doppler echocardiography. The early diastolic peak strain rate (E SR) and
      time from QRS to E SR (T-E SR) were measured in the apical, mid-ventricular and
      basal segments of the interventricular septum and RV free wall using two
      dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2DST). RESULTS: IRTR was more prolonged
      both in HT-LVH and in HCM than in the controls. The averaged septal E SR was
      reduced both in HT-LVH and in HCM (P < 0.0001, respectively), but the averaged RV
      free wall E SR was decreased only in HCM (P = 0.0007). E SR averaged for six
      septal and RV free wall segments was correlated with IRTR (r = -0.46, P =
      0.0001). Neither intergroup difference nor correlation with IRTR was observed in
      a coefficient of variation of T-E SR for the six segments. CONCLUSIONS: RV global
      diastolic function is impaired in patients with HT-LVH and HCM due to relaxation
      abnormalities, not an asynchrony, of the myocardium surrounding the RV cavity.
      The detection of RV free wall relaxation abnormality using 2DST may be useful to
      differentiate HCM from HT-LVH.

PMID- 27278228
TI  - Inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy masking acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - We report a case of inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy masking acute myocardial
      infarction. In this case, echocardiography on admission showed left ventricular
      mid and basal akinesis and apical hyperkinesis compatible with an inverted
      Takotsubo contractile pattern. In the subacute phase, however, he was suspected
      of having acute myocardial infarction by serial changes of cardiac enzymes. After
      8 days of admission, echocardiography showed normalization of the left
      ventricular contraction, except the inferior wall which was compatible with
      inferior myocardial infarction. Subsequent myocardial scintigraphy confirmed the
      diagnosis. It is important to recognize that inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
      may mask acute myocardial infarction when they occur simultaneously. 

PMID- 27278229
TI  - Tornado-like appearance of spontaneous echo contrast assessed by real-time 3D
      transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - We report a case showing that real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography
      provides unique information about the dynamic nature of spontaneous echo contrast
      (SEC) in 3D space and has the potential to provide better understanding of SEC. 

PMID- 27278230
TI  - Large atrial septal defect visualized by real-time three-dimensional
      echocardiography.

PMID- 27278232
TI  - Association of alcohol consumption with the onset of natural menopause: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early onset of menopause is associated with long-term health risks,
      including cardiovascular disease and premature death. Although alcohol intake has
      been suggested to affect the age at which natural menopause occurs, results from
      observational studies are not consistent. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: In the view of
      the differing risks to the health of early menopause and the increasing trends in
      alcohol consumption in women, in this systematic review, we aimed to quantify the
      association between all levels of alcohol consumption and menopause onset. SEARCH
      METHODS: Six electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, Google
      Scholar and Web of Science) were systematically searched until 4 November 2015 to
      identify relevant studies assessing the association between alcohol consumption
      and onset of menopause. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and
      abstracts of all initially identified studies according to the selection
      criteria. Studies were sought if they (i) were observational cross-sectional,
      prospective and interventional studies, (ii) had reported on natural onset of
      menopause, (iii) had reported on alcohol consumption, (iv) had assessed the
      association between alcohol consumption and menopause onset, (v) were conducted
      in humans and (vi) were not conducted in patients with cancer. Data were
      extracted by two independent reviewers using a predesigned data-collection form.
      The primary exposure variable was the presence of active alcohol drinking at
      baseline compared with a reference group of non-drinkers. Pooled relative risks
      (RRs) were calculated. OUTCOMES: Of the 1193 references (all in English language)
      reviewed for eligibility, 22 articles based on 20 unique studies were included in
      the final analysis. A total of 41 339 and 63 868 non-overlapping women were
      included in the meta-analysis of cross-sectional and observational cohort
      studies, respectively. In cross-sectional studies, the pooled RR for earlier
      onset of menopause was 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.96) between
      drinkers versus non-drinkers. Analysis of the levels of alcohol consumed showed
      that low and moderate alcohol consumption (more than one drink per week (RR =
      0.60; 95% CI: 0.49-0.75) and three or fewer drinks per week (RR = 0.75; 95% CI:
      0.60-0.94)) were associated with later menopause onset, compared to non-drinkers.
      In prospective studies, RR for earlier menopause onset was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91
      0.98) when comparing women who reported drinking alcohol versus women who did
      not. Analysis of the dose of alcohol consumed showed that low-to-moderate alcohol
      intake (0-8 g/day (RR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98), and 16 g/day (RR = 0.89, 95%CI:
      0.86-0.92)) was associated with later menopause onset, compared to non-drinking.
      WIDER IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this review indicate that alcohol
      consumption, particularly low and moderate alcohol intake, might be associated
      with later onset of menopause although the magnitude of the association is low.
      Further studies are needed to corroborate these findings, clarify the level of
      alcohol intake at which menopause is delayed and identify the potential
      mechanisms behind this association.

PMID- 27278233
TI  - Discounting the duration of bolus exposure in impedance testing underestimates
      acid reflux.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combined impedance-pH testing (MII) allows for detection of reflux
      episodes regardless of pH. However impedance-based diagnosis of reflux may not
      routinely account for duration of the reflux episode. We hypothesize that
      impedance testing may be less sensitive than pH-testing in detecting acid reflux
      off therapy as a result of discounting duration of exposure. METHODS: Baseline
      characteristics and reflux parameters of MII studies performed off-anti-secretory
      medications were analyzed. Studies on acid suppressive medication and those with
      recording times less than 20 h or low baseline impedance were excluded. RESULTS:
      A total of 73 consecutive MII studies were analyzed of which 31 MII studies had
      elevated acid exposure while 16 were abnormal by impedance criteria. MII testing
      off-therapy was more likely to be abnormal by pH criteria (percent time pH < 4)
      than impedance criteria (total reflux):[42 vs 22 % (p =0.02)]. Acid exposure
      (percent time pH < 4) identified more studies as abnormal than MII-detected acid
      reflux episodes [42 vs 34 % (p < 0.01)]. Mean acid clearance time (pH-detected)
      was significantly longer than median bolus clearance time (impedance-detected) in
      the total [98.7 s vs 12.6 s (p < 0.01)], upright [58.6 s vs 13.1 s (p < 0.01)],
      and recumbent positions [136.7 s vs 14.2 s (p < 0.01)] with the greatest
      difference seen in the recumbent position. The mean ratio of mean acid clearance
      time (pH-detected) and the median bolus clearance time (impedance-detected) was
      significantly higher in the recumbent position compared to the upright position
      [11. vs 5.3 (p = 0.01)]. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory impedance testing underestimates
      acid reflux compared to esophageal acid exposure by discounting the prolonged
      period of mucosal contact with each acid reflux episode, particularly in the
      recumbent position.

PMID- 27278234
TI  - Comparison of (+)- and (-)-Naloxone on the Acute Psychomotor-Stimulating Effects
      of Heroin, 6-Acetylmorphine, and Morphine in Mice.
AB  - Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling is implied in opioid reinforcement, reward,
      and withdrawal. Here, we explored whether TLR4 signaling is involved in the acute
      psychomotor-stimulating effects of heroin, 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM), and morphine
      as well as whether there are differences between the three opioids regarding TLR4
      signaling. To address this, we examined how pretreatment with (+)-naloxone, a
      TLR4 active but opioid receptor (OR) inactive antagonist, affected the acute
      increase in locomotor activity induced by heroin, 6-AM, or morphine in mice. We
      also assessed the effect of pretreatment with (-)-naloxone, a TLR4 and OR active
      antagonist, as well as the pharmacokinetic profiles of (+) and (-)-naloxone in
      the blood and brain. We found that (-)-naloxone reduced acute opioid-induced
      locomotor activity in a dose-dependent manner. By contrast, (+)-naloxone,
      administered in doses assumed to antagonize TLR4 but not ORs, did not affect
      acute locomotor activity induced by heroin, 6-AM, or morphine. Both naloxone
      isomers exhibited similar concentration versus time profiles in the blood and
      brain, but the brain concentrations of (-)-naloxone reached higher levels than
      those of (+)-naloxone. However, the discrepancies in their pharmacokinetic
      properties did not explain the marked difference between the two isomers' ability
      to affect opioid-induced locomotor activity. Our results underpin the importance
      of OR activation and do not indicate an apparent role of TLR4 signaling in acute
      opioid-induced psychomotor stimulation in mice. Furthermore, there were no marked
      differences between heroin, 6-AM, and morphine regarding involvement of OR or
      TLR4 signaling.

PMID- 27278231
TI  - Gamete activation: basic knowledge and clinical applications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The first clues to the process of gamete activation date back to
      nearly 60 years ago. The mutual activation of gametes is a crucial event during
      fertilization. In the testis and ovaries, spermatozoa and oocytes are in a state
      of meiotic and metabolic quiescence and require reciprocal signals in order to
      undergo functional changes that lead to competence for fertilization. First, the
      oocyte activates sperm by triggering motility, chemoattraction, binding and the
      acrosome reaction, culminating with the fusion of the two plasma membranes. At
      the end of this cascade of events, collectively known as sperm capacitation,
      sperm-induced oocyte activation occurs, generating electrical, morphological and
      metabolic modifications in the oocyte. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: The aim of this
      review is to provide the current state of knowledge regarding the entire process
      of gamete activation in selected specific animal models that have contributed to
      our understanding of fertilization in mammals, including humans. Here we describe
      in detail the reciprocal induction of the two activation processes, the molecules
      involved and the mechanisms of cell interaction and signal transduction that
      ultimately result in successful embryo development and creation of a new
      individual. SEARCH METHODS: We carried out a literature survey with no
      restrictions on publication date (from the early 1950s to March 2016) using
      PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Web of Knowledge by utilizing common keywords
      applied in the field of fertilization and embryo development. We also screened
      the complete list of references published in the most recent research articles
      and relevant reviews published in English (both animal and human studies) on the
      topics investigated. OUTCOMES: Literature on the principal animal models
      demonstrates that gamete activation is a pre-requisite for successful
      fertilization, and is a process common to all species studied to date. We provide
      a detailed description of the dramatic changes in gamete morphology and behavior,
      the regulatory molecules triggering gamete activation and the intracellular ions
      and second messengers involved in active metabolic pathways in different species.
      Recent scientific advances suggest that artificial gamete activation may
      represent a novel technique to improve human IVF outcomes, but this approach
      requires caution. WIDER IMPLICATIONS: Although controversial, manipulation of
      gamete activation represents a promising tool for ameliorating the fertilization
      rate in assisted reproductive technologies. A better knowledge of mechanisms that
      transform the quiescent oocyte into a pluripotent cell may also provide new
      insights for the clinical use of stem cells.

PMID- 27278235
TI  - The Role of Presenilin-1 in the Excitotoxicity of Ethanol Withdrawal.
AB  - Presenilin-1 (PS1) is a core component of gamma-secretase that is involved in
      neurodegeneration. We have previously shown that PS1 interacts with a mitogen
      activated protein kinase [(MAPK) jun-NH2-terminal-kinase], and another MAPK (p38)
      is activated by ethanol withdrawal (EW), abrupt termination from chronic ethanol
      exposure. EW is excitotoxic in nature, induces glutamate upregulation, and
      provokes neuronal damage. Here, we explored a potential mechanistic pathway
      involving glutamate, p38 (p38alpha isozyme), and PS1 that may mediate EW-induced
      excitotoxic stress. We used the prefrontal cortex of male rats withdrawn from a
      chronic ethanol diet. Additionally, we used ethanol-withdrawn HT22 cells (mouse
      hippocampal) treated with the inhibitor of glutamate receptors [dizocilpine (MK
      801)], p38alpha (SB203580; 4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-1H
      imidazol-5-yl]pyridine), or gamma-secretase [N-[N- (3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l
      alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT)] during EW. Separately, ethanol-free
      HT22 cells were exposed to glutamate with or without SB203580 or DAPT. Protein
      levels, mRNA levels, and cell viability were assessed using immunoblotting,
      qualitative polymerase chain reaction, and calcein assay, respectively. The
      prefrontal cortex of ethanol-withdrawn rats or HT22 cells showed an increase in
      PS1 and p38alpha, which was attenuated by MK-801 and SB203580, but mimicked by
      glutamate treatment to ethanol-free HT22 cells. DAPT attenuated the toxic effect
      of EW or glutamate on HT22 cells. These results suggest that PS1 expression is
      triggered by glutamate through p38alpha, contributing to the excitotoxic stimulus
      of EW.

PMID- 27278237
TI  - Concomitant Scrofuloderma and Tuberculous Osteomyelitis of Mandible.

PMID- 27278236
TI  - Features of the Phosphatidylinositol Cycle and its Role in Signal Transduction.
AB  - The phosphatidylinositol cycle (PI-cycle) has a central role in cell signaling.
      It is the major pathway for the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol and its
      phosphorylated forms. In addition, some lipid intermediates of the PI-cycle,
      including diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid, are also important lipid
      signaling agents. The PI-cycle has some features that are important for the
      understanding of its role in the cell. As a cycle, the intermediates will be
      regenerated. The PI-cycle requires a large amount of metabolic energy. There are
      different steps of the cycle that occur in two different membranes, the plasma
      membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum. In order to complete the PI-cycle lipid
      must be transferred between the two membranes. The role of the Nir proteins in
      the process has recently been elucidated. The lipid intermediates of the PI-cycle
      are normally highly enriched with 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl molecular species in
      mammals. This enrichment will be retained as long as the intermediates are
      segregated from other lipids of the cell. However, there is a significant
      fraction (>15 %) of lipids in the PI-cycle of normal cells that have other acyl
      chains. Phosphatidylinositol largely devoid of arachidonoyl chains are found in
      cancer cells. Phosphatidylinositol species with less unsaturation will not be as
      readily converted to phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate, the lipid required
      for the activation of Akt with resulting effects on cell proliferation. Thus, the
      cyclical nature of the PI-cycle, its dependence on acyl chain composition and its
      requirement for lipid transfer between two membranes, explain many of the
      biological properties of this cycle.

PMID- 27278238
TI  - Recent Advances in Celiac Disease.
AB  - Recent diagnostic advances have demonstrated that celiac disease is relatively
      common although most patients have less florid symptoms than previously
      recognised. The mucosal lesion of this autoimmune disorder depends on both
      adaptive and innate immune responses. The characteristic antibodies to tissue
      transglutaminase-2 (tTG-2) and deamidated gliadin peptides may be produced in
      persons possessing the relevant HLA-DQ genotypes if intact gliadin peptides can
      penetrate the epithelial barrier to reach antigen presenting cells. Progression
      from celiac autoimmunity to overt disease may depend on innate immune mechanisms,
      not HLA-restricted, where IL-15 is generated within the epithelial compartment. A
      specific innate immune response previously thought restricted to invertebrates,
      the encapsulation reaction, may contribute to mucosal volume expansion through
      recruitment of syndecan-expressing leukocytes and stimulated matrix production.
      It is notable that tissue transglutaminase is critical in this reaction in
      insects, and that the very few insects that can predate wheat, possess specific
      salivary or intestinal enzymes that degrade gluten. Animal models in HLA-DQ
      transgenic mice suggest that the microbial flora of the intestine may play a role
      in host responses and modulate the evolution of the disease. This suggests that
      therapeutic modulation of the microbiome may contribute to management of celiac
      disease. In developing world countries, there is a potential difficulty in
      histological diagnosis because of the widespread incidence of environmental
      enteropathy amongst apparently healthy children. Thus, recognition of local
      patterns of enteropathy will be important for histopathologists, and high titre
      tTG-2 autoantibody titres may hold considerable diagnostic significance.

PMID- 27278239
TI  - Ascites in Children.
AB  - Ascites is an accumulation of serous fluid within the peritoneal cavity. It is
      the most common complication of liver cirrhosis. In children, hepatic, renal and
      cardiac disorders are the most common causes. Portal hypertension and sodium and
      fluid retention are key factors in the pathophysiology of ascites. Peripheral
      arterial vasodilatation hypothesis is the most accepted mechanism for
      inappropriate sodium retention and formation of ascites. Diagnostic paracentesis
      is indicated in children with newly diagnosed ascites and in children with
      suspected complications of ascites. Ascitic fluid is evaluated for cell count,
      protein level, and culture. The serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) is the best
      single test for classifying ascites into portal hypertensive (SAAG >1.1 g/dl) and
      non-portal hypertensive (SAAG <1.1 g/dl). A neutrophil count >=250 cells/mm3 is
      highly suggestive of bacterial peritonitis. The treatment of ascites due to non
      liver disease depends on the underlying condition. In liver disease, diuretics as
      monotherapy or dual therapy and salt restriction form the mainstay of treatment
      in children with mild to moderate ascites. Fluid restriction is helpful in
      children with hyponatremia. In non-responsive ascites or in children with large
      ascites, large volume paracentesis (LVP) with albumin infusion should be
      performed. In children with refractory ascites, LVP with albumin administration,
      transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS), peritoneo-venous shunting
      and liver transplantation are other therapeutic modalities that need to be
      considered.

PMID- 27278240
TI  - Ultra-low-dose CT Imaging of the Thorax: Decreasing the Radiation Dose by One
      Order of Magnitude.
AB  - Computed tomography (CT) is an indispensable tool for imaging of the thorax and
      there is virtually no alternative without associated radiation burden. The
      authors demonstrate ultra-low-dose CT of the thorax in three interesting cases.
      In an 18-y-old girl with rheumatoid arthritis, CT of the thorax identified
      alveolitis in the posterior costophrenic angles (radiation dose = 0.2 mSv). Its
      resolution was demonstrated on a follow-up scan (4.2 mSv) performed elsewhere. In
      an 11-y-old girl, CT (0.1 mSv) showed changes of the right collar bone consistent
      with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis. CT (0.1 mSv) of a 9-y-old girl
      with mucopolysaccharidosis revealed altogether three hamartomas, peribronchial
      infiltrate, and spine deformity. In some indications, the radiation dose from CT
      of the thorax can approach that of several plain radiographs. This may help the
      pediatrician in deciding whether "gentle" ultra-low-dose CT instead of
      observation or follow-up radiographs will alleviate the uncertainty of the
      diagnosis with little harm to the child.

PMID- 27278242
TI  - Synthesis of Discrete Alkyl-Silica Hybrid Nanowires and Their Assembly into
      Nanostructured Superhydrophobic Membranes.
AB  - We report the synthesis of highly flexible and mechanically robust hybrid silica
      nanowires (NWs) which can be used as novel building blocks to construct
      superhydrophobic functional materials with three-dimensional macroporous
      networks. The hybrid silica NWs, with an average diameter of 80 nm and tunable
      length of up to 12 MUm, are prepared by anisotropic deposition of the hydrolyzed
      tetraethylorthosilicate in water/n-pentanol emulsions. A mechanistic
      investigation reveals that the trimethoxy(octadecyl)silane introduced to the
      water-oil interface in the synthesis plays key roles in stabilizing the water
      droplets to sub-100 nm and also growing a layer of octadecyl groups on the NW
      surface. This work opens a solution-based route for the one-pot preparation of
      monodisperse, hydrophobic silica NWs and represents an important step toward the
      bottom-up construction of 3D superhydrophobic materials and macroporous
      membranes.

PMID- 27278241
TI  - Development of an ultra-high sensitive immunoassay with plasma biomarker for
      differentiating Parkinson disease dementia from Parkinson disease using antibody
      functionalized magnetic nanoparticles.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is difficult to discriminate healthy subjects and patients with
      Parkinson disease (PD) or Parkinson disease dementia (PDD) by assaying plasma
      alpha-synuclein because the concentrations of circulating alpha-synuclein in the
      blood are almost the same as the low-detection limit using current immunoassays,
      such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In this work, an ultra-sensitive
      immunoassay utilizing immunomagnetic reduction (IMR) is developed. The reagent
      for IMR consists of magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with antibodies against
      alpha-synuclein and dispersed in pH-7.2 phosphate-buffered saline. A high-Tc
      superconducting-quantum-interference-device (SQUID) alternative-current
      magnetosusceptometer is used to measure the IMR signal of the reagent due to the
      association between magnetic nanoparticles and alpha-synuclein molecules.
      RESULTS: According to the experimental alpha-synuclein concentration dependent
      IMR signal, the low-detection limit is 0.3 fg/ml and the dynamic range is 310
      pg/ml. The preliminary results show the plasma alpha-synuclein for PD patients
      distributes from 6 to 30 fg/ml. For PDD patients, the concentration of plasma
      alpha-synuclein varies from 0.1 to 100 pg/ml. Whereas the concentration of plasma
      alpha-synuclein for healthy subjects is significantly lower than that of PD
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: The ultra-sensitive IMR by utilizing antibody
      functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and high-Tc SQUID magnetometer is promising
      as a method to assay plasma alpha-synuclein, which is a potential biomarker for
      discriminating patients with PD or PDD.

PMID- 27278243
TI  - Osteoarthritic changes rather than age predict outcome following arthroscopic
      treatment of femoroacetabular impingement in middle-aged patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to evaluate outcome following arthroscopic treatment
      of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in middle-aged patients and to define risk
      factors for conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: This was a
      retrospective case series of 79 consecutive patients (40 to 65 years) undergoing
      arthroscopic treatment of FAI (follow-up >=12 months). Outcome at follow-up was
      assessed using Hip outcome score (HOS). Alpha angle, Kellgren Lawrence grade (K-L
      grade), joint space width (JS), lateral center edge (LCE) angle, caput-collum
      diaphysis (CCD) angle and acetabular index (AI) were analysed retrospectively.
      THA group and Non-THA group were compared. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (mean
      age 48.6 years, mean follow-up 32 months) were included. 18 patients (22.8 %)
      were converted to THA. Mean HOS score in the Non-THA group at time point of
      follow-up was 80.2. Non-THA group and THA group showed no significant differences
      for mean age (48.2 years vs. 49.9 years, p = 0.278), alpha angel (p = 0.541), LCE
      (p = 0.294), CCD (p = 0.101) and AI (p = 0.661) in contrast to differences for JS
      (p = <0.001) and K-L grade (p = <0.001). Risk of conversion to THA was higher for
      patients with K-L grade 3 (p = 0.003) or joint space less or equal 2 mm (p =
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One fifth of the middle-aged patients required early
      conversion to THA. Advanced JS narrowing and K-L grade rather than age alone can
      be considered as risk factor for conversion to THA.

PMID- 27278245
TI  - Potential diagnostic value of lncRNA SPRY4-IT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - The manifestation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involves a multi-factor,
      multi-step and complex process. Due to the lack of early prediction indices,
      numerous patients are diagnosed in their late stage. Recently, research in the
      field of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has changed the original idea that ncRNA genes
      are just noise. Cumulative evidence shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)
      among ncRNAs play an increasingly important role in epigenetics, pre
      transcription and post-transcription. In the present study, we focused on the
      expression pattern of lncRNA SPRY4 intronic transcript 1 (SPRY4-IT1) and its
      clinical significance in HCC diagnostics. We analyzed the expression, its
      association with clinical characteristics and the diagnostic value of SPRY4-IT1
      using HCC tissues, cell lines and plasma. The levels of SPRY4-IT1 were
      upregulated in HCC and were associated with tumor differentiation (r=0.249,
      p=0.039), tumor size (r=0.258, p=0.024) and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage
      (r=0.287, p=0.015). Meanwhile, the sensitive of SPRY4-IT1 was 87.3% in
      differentiating HCC patients from controls. Our data suggest that SPRY4-IT1 plays
      a critical role in HCC tumorigenesis and may be considered as a potential
      diagnostic indicator in HCC. 

PMID- 27278247
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27278248
TI  - Cuts in health prevention budgets will hit the NHS, says NHS England chief.

PMID- 27278244
TI  - Accuracy of novel diagnostic biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma: An update
      for clinicians (Review).
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy and a leading
      cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Accurate detection and differential
      diagnosis of early HCC can significantly improve patient survival. Currently,
      detection of HCC in clinical practice is performed by diagnostic imaging
      techniques and determination of serum biomarkers, most notably alpha-fetoprotein
      (AFP), fucosylated AFP and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin. However, these methods
      display limitations in sensitivity and specificity, especially with respect to
      early stages of HCC. Recently, high-throughput technologies have elucidated many
      new pathways involved in hepatocarcinogenesis and have led to the discovery of a
      plethora of novel, non-invasive serum biomarkers. In particular, the combination
      of AFP with these new candidate molecules has yielded promising results. In this
      review, we aimed at recapitulating the most recent (2013-2015) developments in
      HCC biomarker research. We compared promising novel diagnostic serum protein
      biomarkers, such as annexin A2, the soluble form of the receptor tyrosine kinase
      Axl and thioredoxin, as well as their combinations with AFP. High diagnostic
      performance (area under the curve >0.75) as shown by threshold-independent
      receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was a prerequisite for inclusion
      in this review. In addition, we discuss the role and potential of microRNAs in
      HCC diagnosis and associated methodological challenges. 

PMID- 27278246
TI  - Endophenotype Network Models: Common Core of Complex Diseases.
AB  - Historically, human diseases have been differentiated and categorized based on
      the organ system in which they primarily manifest. Recently, an alternative view
      is emerging that emphasizes that different diseases often have common underlying
      mechanisms and shared intermediate pathophenotypes, or endo(pheno)types. Within
      this framework, a specific disease's expression is a consequence of the interplay
      between the relevant endophenotypes and their local, organ-based environment.
      Important examples of such endophenotypes are inflammation, fibrosis, and
      thrombosis and their essential roles in many developing diseases. In this study,
      we construct endophenotype network models and explore their relation to different
      diseases in general and to cardiovascular diseases in particular. We identify the
      local neighborhoods (module) within the interconnected map of molecular
      components, i.e., the subnetworks of the human interactome that represent the
      inflammasome, thrombosome, and fibrosome. We find that these neighborhoods are
      highly overlapping and significantly enriched with disease-associated genes. In
      particular they are also enriched with differentially expressed genes linked to
      cardiovascular disease (risk). Finally, using proteomic data, we explore how
      macrophage activation contributes to our understanding of inflammatory processes
      and responses. The results of our analysis show that inflammatory responses
      initiate from within the cross-talk of the three identified endophenotypic
      modules.

PMID- 27278249
TI  - Oridonin enhances the anticancer activity of NVP-BEZ235 against neuroblastoma
      cells in vitro and in vivo through autophagy.
AB  - The aberrant activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway plays an important
      role in the oncogenesis, prognosis and chemotherapy resistance of neuroblastoma.
      However, NVP-BEZ235, a potent dual PI3K and mTOR inhibitor have not shown
      beneficial effects on neuroblastoma especially in terms of apoptosis induction as
      a single agent. We therefore attempted to explore an effective combination
      regimen to enhance the anticancer activity of NVP-BEZ235. Interestingly, we found
      that oridonin, a natural biologically active compound extracted from the Chinese
      medicinal herb Rabdosia rubescens, combined with NVP-BEZ235 markedly induced
      apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells. Notably, the synergistic activation of the
      apoptotic pathway was accompanied with enhanced autophagy as evidenced by
      significant decreased p62 expression as well as upregulated conversion of LC3-II.
      Suppression of the Beclin-1, a core component of the autophagy machinery, by
      means of shRNA resulted in diminished synergistic antitumor effect. Furthermore,
      the co-treatment with oridonin and NVP-BEZ235 was also much more effective than
      either agent alone in inhibiting the growth of neuroblastoma xenografts and in
      inducing tumor cells apoptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that the
      combination of NVP-BEZ235 and oridonin is a novel and potential strategy for
      neuroblastoma therapy. 

PMID- 27278251
TI  - Estuarization increases functional diversity of demersal fish assemblages in
      tropical coastal ecosystems.
AB  - This study assessed the influence of the seasonal fluctuation of abiotic
      conditions (wet v. dry season) on the functional diversity (FD) of tropical
      coastal fish assemblages. Sampling was carried out in three regions of north-east
      Brazil with contrasting coastlines (influenced by reef, lagoon and estuary). In
      each region, fishes were sampled from three depth strata (10, 20 and 30 m) and FD
      was estimated using an index based on key phenotypic and behavioural
      characteristics. All three regions had higher FD in the wet season at shallower
      depths, indicating the coexistence of species with low functional redundancy in
      sites subject to seasonal flushing of fresh water. Deeper sites had lower FD than
      shallower sites, although this difference was less pronounced for region 3, which
      is strongly affected by its proximity to the Sao Francisco estuary. The results
      broadly support the hypothesis that alterations in abiotic conditions in the wet
      season allow estuarine-adapted fishes with a different suite of functional traits
      to invade shallow coastal regions. 

PMID- 27278250
TI  - Mentalization-based treatment for psychotic disorder: protocol of a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many patients with a non-affective psychotic disorder suffer from
      impairments in social functioning and social cognition. To target these
      impairments, mentalization-based treatment for psychotic disorder, a
      psychodynamic treatment rooted in attachment theory, has been developed. It is
      expected to improve social cognition, and thereby to improve social functioning.
      The treatment is further expected to increase quality of life and the awareness
      of having a mental disorder, and to reduce substance abuse, social stress
      reactivity, positive symptoms, negative, anxious and depressive symptoms.
      METHODS/DESIGN: The study is a rater-blinded randomized controlled trial.
      Patients are offered 18 months of therapy and are randomly allocated to
      mentalization-based treatment for psychotic disorders or treatment as usual.
      Patients are recruited from outpatient departments of the Rivierduinen mental
      health institute, the Netherlands, and are aged 18 to 55 years and have been
      diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder. Social functioning, the
      primary outcome variable, is measured with the social functioning scale. The
      administration of all tests and questionnaires takes approximately 22 hours.
      Mentalization-based treatment for psychotic disorders adds a total of 60 hours of
      group therapy and 15 hours of individual therapy to treatment as usual. No known
      health risks are involved in the study, though it is known that group dynamics
      can have adverse effects on a psychiatric disorder. DISCUSSION: If Mentalization
      based treatment for psychotic disorders proves to be effective, it could be a
      useful addition to treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register. NTR4747 .
      Trial registration date 08-19-2014.

PMID- 27278253
TI  - Evaluation of VITEK matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight
      mass spectrometry for identification of anaerobes.
AB  - Rapid and adequate identification of anaerobic bacterial species still presents a
      challenge for most diagnostic laboratories, hindering the selection of
      appropriate therapy. In this study, the identification capacity of 16S rRNA
      sequence analysis, VITEK 2 (BioMerieux, Lyon, France) compact analysis and VITEK
      MS-mediated identification for anaerobic bacterial species was compared. Eighty
      five anaerobic bacterial isolates from 11 provinces in China belonging to 14
      genera were identified by these three methods. Differences in identification
      between these three methods were compared. Consistent identification results were
      obtained for 54 (54/85, 63.5%) isolates by all three methods, the most discordant
      results being concentrated in Clostridium XI (n = 8) and Bacteroides fragilis (n
      = 9) clusters. Using the VITEK MS system, 74 (74/90, 82.2%) isolates were
      identified as single species consistent with 16S rRNA sequence analysis, which
      was significantly better than the results obtained with VITEK 2 Compact (P <
      0.01). Misidentifications by the Vitek 2 Compact and Vitek MS systems were mainly
      observed in the Clostridium XI (n = 8)and B. fragilis clusters (n = 9). VITEK MS
      identified anaerobic bacteria even after they had been exposed to oxygen for a
      week. Identification by the Vitek MS system was more consistent with 16S rRNA
      sequence analysis than identification by Vitek 2 Compact. Continuous expansion of
      the VITEK MS database with rare described anaerobic species is warranted to
      improve both the efficiency and accuracy of VITEK MS identification in routine
      diagnostic microbiology. 

PMID- 27278252
TI  - Tuberin regulates reactive oxygen species in renal proximal cells, kidney from
      rodents, and kidney from patients with tuberous sclerosis complex.
AB  - Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an important endogenous source of DNA damage
      and oxidative stress in all cell types. Deficiency in tuberin resulted in
      increased oxidative DNA damage in renal cells. In this study, the role of tuberin
      in the regulating of ROS and NADPH oxidases was investigated. Formation of ROS
      and activity of NADPH oxidases were significantly higher in mouse embryonic
      fibroblasts and in primary culture of rat renal proximal tubular epithelial
      tuberin-deficient cells compared to wild-type cells. In addition, expression of
      NADPH oxidase (Nox)1, Nox2, and Nox4 (Nox isoforms) was higher in mouse embryonic
      fibroblasts and renal proximal tubular epithelial tuberin-deficient cells
      compared to wild-type cells. Furthermore, activity levels of NADPH oxidases and
      protein expression of all Nox isoforms were higher in the renal cortex of rat
      deficient in tuberin. However, treatment of tuberin-deficient cells with
      rapamycin showed significant decrease in protein expression of all Nox.
      Significant increase in protein kinase C betaII expression was detected in
      tuberin-deficient cells, whereas inhibition of protein kinase C betaII by
      bisindolylmaleimide I resulted in decreased protein expression of all Nox
      isoforms. In addition, treatment of mice deficient in tuberin with rapamycin
      resulted in significant decrease in all Nox protein expression. Moreover, protein
      and mRNA expression of all Nox were highly expressed in tumor kidney tissue of
      patients with tuberous sclerosis complex compared to control kidney tissue of
      normal subjects. These data provide the first evidence that tuberin plays a novel
      role in regulating ROS generation, NADPH oxidase activity, and Nox expression
      that may potentially be involved in development of kidney tumor in patients with
      tuberous sclerosis complex. 

PMID- 27278255
TI  - Measuring individual differences in responses to date-rape vignettes using latent
      variable models.
AB  - Vignette methodology can be a flexible and powerful way to examine individual
      differences in response to dangerous real-life scenarios. However, most studies
      underutilize the usefulness of such methodology by analyzing only one outcome,
      which limits the ability to track event-related changes (e.g., vacillation in
      risk perception). The current study was designed to illustrate the dynamic
      influence of risk perception on exit point from a date-rape vignette. Our primary
      goal was to provide an illustrative example of how to use latent variable models
      for vignette methodology, including latent growth curve modeling with piecewise
      slopes, as well as latent variable measurement models. Through the combination of
      a step-by-step exposition in this text and corresponding model syntax available
      electronically, we detail an alternative statistical "blueprint" to enhance
      future violence research efforts using vignette methodology. Aggr. Behav. 43:60
      73, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27278254
TI  - Myeloid cell leukaemia 1 has a vital role in retinoic acid-mediated protection of
      Toll-like receptor 9-stimulated B cells from spontaneous and DNA damage-induced
      apoptosis.
AB  - Vitamin A is an essential anti-infective agent with pleiotropic effects on cells
      of the immune system. The goal of the present study was to unravel the impact of
      the vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid (RA) on B-cell survival related both to
      normal B-cell homeostasis and to the detrimental effects imposed by DNA-damaging
      agents. By combining RA with Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) ligands, we show that RA
      prevents spontaneous, irradiation- and doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of human B
      cells in an RA receptor-dependent manner. RA-mediated survival involved up
      regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1) at the
      transcriptional level, and knock down of MCL1 by small interfering RNA partially
      reversed the effects of RA. To ensure that the combination of TLR9-ligands and RA
      would not promote the survival of malignant B cells, the combined effects of
      stimulation with RA and TLR9 ligands was assessed on cells from patients with B
      cell malignancies. In contrast to the effects on normal B cells, the combination
      of TLR9 stimulation and RA neither enhanced the MCL1 levels nor inhibited the
      death of malignant B cells challenged by DNA-damaging agents. Taken together, the
      present results reveal a vital role of MCL1 in RA-mediated survival of normal B
      cells. Moreover, the findings suggest that RA in combination with TLR9 ligands
      might be useful adjuvants in the treatment of B-cell malignancies by selectively
      protecting normal and not malignant B cells from DNA-damage-induced cell death.

PMID- 27278256
TI  - Differences in strength and speed demands between 4v4 and 8v8 small-sided
      football games.
AB  - The aims of this study were (i) to characterise the acceleration demands of two
      different formats of small-sided game (SSG), i.e., 4v4 + goalkeepers (4v4 + GK)
      and 8v8 + goalkeepers (8v8 + GK); (ii) to analyse the correlation between
      performance in power-based tests and acceleration-based physical loading during
      the two different SSG formats and (iii) to analyse the neuromuscular-induced
      fatigue. Eighteen adult male footballers participated in the study (20.7 +/- 1.0
      years, 178 +/- 5 cm and 71.4 +/- 2.1 kg). Baseline measurements were obtained
      from countermovement jumps, 15 s repeated jumps and 5 and 15 m sprints. A total
      of 36 min was analysed for each SSG (4v4 + GK: two sets of 3 * 6 min, and 8v8 +
      GK: 2 * 18 min). Heart rate, blood lactate, perceived exertion and movement
      pattern (GPS) were analysed. Distances covered by very-high-intensity activities
      and very-high-speed running were lower in 4v4 + GK than in 8v8 + GK (effect sizes
      (ES) = -0.69 +/- 0.67 and -1.04 +/- 0.67, respectively; very likely), while
      accelerations and decelerations were higher in 4v4 + GK than in 8v8 + GK (ES =
      1.13-1.52; almost certainly). Blood lactate concentrations were higher (ES = 1.40
      +/- 0.58; almost certainly) and players perceived themselves to be more tired (ES
      = 0.80-2.31; almost certainly) after 4v4 + GK than after 8v8 + GK. Sprint ability
      in 5 and 15 m tests decreased (ES = 0.87 +/- 0.58 and 0.89 +/- 0.58,
      respectively; almost certainly) only after 4v4 + GK. This SSG format appeared
      more demanding in relation to repetitions and fatigue development of muscle power
      based actions than 8v8 + GK. It may therefore be logical to use the former type
      of SSG to target development of power-related football actions.

PMID- 27278257
TI  - Fuse-binding protein 1 is a target of the EZH2 inhibitor GSK343, in osteosarcoma
      cells.
AB  - Osteosarcoma is the primary cancer of leaf tissue and is regarded as a
      differentiation disease caused by genetic and epigenetic changes which interrupt
      the osteoblast differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells. Because of its high
      malignancy degree and rapid development, the morbidity and mortality are high.
      The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a catalytic subunit of polycomb
      repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and has been demonstrated to be involved in a variety
      of biological processes, such as cell proliferation and program cell death. EZH2
      impairs gene expression by catalyzing the tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 27
      (H3K27me3) which controls gene transcription epigenetically. It is reported that
      EZH2 expression is higher in osteosarcoma than in osteoblastoma and the highest
      expression of EZH2 is found in osteosarcoma with metastasis. In the past few
      years, several potent inhibitors of EZH2 have been discovered, and GSK343 is one
      of them. In this study, we found that GSK343 inhibited osteosarcoma cell
      viability, restrained cell cycle transition and promoted programmed cell death.
      GSK343 not only inhibited the expression of EZH2 and its target, c-Myc and
      H3K27me3, but it also inhibited fuse binding protein 1 (FBP1) expression, another
      c-Myc regulator. Furthermore, we found that FBP1 physically interacts with EZH2.
      Based on these results, we believe that GSK343 is a potential molecule for
      osteosarcoma clinical treatment. Other than the inhibition on EZH2-c-Myc signal
      pathway, we postulate that the inhibition on FBP1-c-Myc signal pathway is another
      potential underlying mechanism with which GSK343 inhibits osteosarcoma cell
      viability. 

PMID- 27278258
TI  - Plexciton Dirac points and topological modes.
AB  - Plexcitons are polaritonic modes that result from the strong coupling between
      excitons and plasmons. Here, we consider plexcitons emerging from the interaction
      of excitons in an organic molecular layer with surface plasmons in a metallic
      film. We predict the emergence of Dirac cones in the two-dimensional band
      structure of plexcitons due to the inherent alignment of the excitonic
      transitions in the organic layer. An external magnetic field opens a gap between
      the Dirac cones if the plexciton system is interfaced with a magneto-optical
      layer. The resulting energy gap becomes populated with topologically protected
      one-way modes, which travel at the interface of this plexcitonic system. Our
      theoretical proposal suggests that plexcitons are a convenient and simple
      platform for the exploration of exotic phases of matter and for the control of
      energy flow at the nanoscale.

PMID- 27278259
TI  - Chemoenzymatic synthesis and pH-responsive properties of amphoteric block
      polysaccharides.
AB  - Here, we investigated the chemoenzymatic synthesis of alpha(1->4)-linked
      amphoteric block polysaccharides. Amylouronic acid as an acidic block was first
      synthesized by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl-mediated oxidation of a water
      soluble amylose (chemical reaction). A short maltooligosaccharide chain, serving
      as an initiating site for the following enzymatic polymerization, was then
      introduced at the nonreducing end of the product by thermostable alpha-glucan
      phosphorylase-catalyzed enzymatic oligomerization of alpha-d-glucose 1-phosphate.
      Finally, thermostable alpha-glucan phosphorylase-catalyzed enzymatic
      polymerization of alpha-d-glucosamine 1-phosphate from the produced primer
      provided a basic block at the nonreducing end, leading to the desired amphoteric
      block polysaccharides. The structures of the products at each step were
      determined by (1)H NMR analysis. Furthermore, amphoteric products exhibited
      specific inherent isoelectric points (pIs). When the pH-responsive properties in
      aqueous solutions were evaluated using a divalent acid and base, similar
      hierarchical assembling/disassembling processes were observed by shifting the pH
      values from the pI to both the acidic and basic pH. 

PMID- 27278260
TI  - Optimal Environmental Conditions and Anomalous Ecosystem Responses: Constraining
      Bottom-up Controls of Phytoplankton Biomass in the California Current System.
AB  - In Eastern Boundary Current systems, wind-driven upwelling drives nutrient-rich
      water to the ocean surface, making these regions among the most productive on
      Earth. Regulation of productivity by changing wind and/or nutrient conditions can
      dramatically impact ecosystem functioning, though the mechanisms are not well
      understood beyond broad-scale relationships. Here, we explore bottom-up controls
      during the California Current System (CCS) upwelling season by quantifying the
      dependence of phytoplankton biomass (as indicated by satellite chlorophyll
      estimates) on two key environmental parameters: subsurface nitrate concentration
      and surface wind stress. In general, moderate winds and high nitrate
      concentrations yield maximal biomass near shore, while offshore biomass is
      positively correlated with subsurface nitrate concentration. However, due to
      nonlinear interactions between the influences of wind and nitrate, bottom-up
      control of phytoplankton cannot be described by either one alone, nor by a
      combined metric such as nitrate flux. We quantify optimal environmental
      conditions for phytoplankton, defined as the wind/nitrate space that maximizes
      chlorophyll concentration, and present a framework for evaluating ecosystem
      change relative to environmental drivers. The utility of this framework is
      demonstrated by (i) elucidating anomalous CCS responses in 1998-1999, 2002, and
      2005, and (ii) providing a basis for assessing potential biological impacts of
      projected climate change.

PMID- 27278261
TI  - Availability and Accessibility of Student-Specific Weight Loss Programs and Other
      Risk Prevention Health Services on College Campuses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than one third of college students who are overweight or obese
      are in need of weight loss programs tailored to college students. However, the
      availability and accessibility of these programs is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim
      of this study is to examine the availability and ease of access to weight loss
      programs for students at 10 universities with the largest undergraduate
      enrollment. METHODS: The 10 public universities with the largest student bodies
      with a mean (SD) undergraduate enrollment of 41,122 (7657) students were
      examined. The websites of the universities were assessed to determine the
      availability of weight loss programs. Services for high-risk health needs common
      to university campuses (ie, alcohol and other drugs, victim services, sexual
      health, and eating disorders) were searched. RESULTS: Of the universities
      searched, 3 (30%, 3/10) offered weight loss programming, however, none met the
      predetermined criteria. Comparatively, all schools (100%, 10/10) offered no-cost
      and continual enrollment programming for the other high-risk health needs.
      CONCLUSIONS: There are limited weight loss services available to undergraduate
      students compared with other university services. Collaboration between existing
      college health service providers is suggested for the delivery of appropriate
      programming for overweight and obese undergraduates wanting to lose weight.

PMID- 27278262
TI  - An Epicardial Mass of Unlikely Etiology.

PMID- 27278263
TI  - Sleep biosignature of Type 2 diabetes: a case-control study.
AB  - AIM: To determine whether or not the sleep disturbances associated with Type 2
      diabetes affect the structure of sleep. METHODS: We designed a case-control study
      in 76 patients with Type 2 diabetes and 76 control subjects without Type 2
      diabetes, matched by age, gender, BMI and waist and neck circumferences. A
      subgroup of 32 patients with Type 2 diabetes was also matched with 64 control
      subjects without Type 2 diabetes according to apnoea-hypopnoea index score.
      Examination included an overnight full polysomnography. RESULTS: No differences
      in the percentage of time spent in either rapid eye movement or non-rapid eye
      movement sleep were observed between groups; however, patients with Type 2
      diabetes had more microarousal events during sleep than control subjects [41.4
      (total range 4.0-104.4) vs 20.7 (total range 1.3-94.5) events/h; P < 0.001].
      These differences were mainly observed during the non-rapid eye movement sleep
      [7.4 (total range 0-107.2) vs 0.2 (total range 0-65.2) events/h; P < 0.001]. In
      addition, sleep variables related to oxygen saturation measures, such as the
      percentage of time spent with oxygen saturation <=90%, were significantly greater
      during the rapid eye movement sleep in patients with Type 2 diabetes [20.3 (total
      range 0-99.2) vs. 10.5 (total range 0-94.0)%; P = 0.047]. This pattern was
      maintained in the subgroup of patients matched by apnoea-hypopnaea index.
      Finally, stepwise regression analyses showed that apnoea-hypopnoea index, the
      presence of Type 2 diabetes and fasting plasma glucose value were independently
      associated with the number of microarousals (R2 =0.667). CONCLUSIONS: Type 2
      diabetes is associated with an altered sleep structure, with different effects
      according to rapid eye movement (increase in nocturnal hypoxia) or non-rapid eye
      movement (increase in sleep fragmentation) sleep.

PMID- 27278265
TI  - Complete exon 2 sequence of the HLA-DPA1*03:01 allele by sequence-based typing.
AB  - Completion of the first 20 nucleotides of exon 2 of DPA1*03:01 allele.

PMID- 27278264
TI  - Lung Transplant Center Volume Ameliorates Adverse Influence of Prolonged Ischemic
      Time on Mortality.
AB  - The influence of prolonged ischemic time on outcomes after lung transplant is
      controversial, but no research has investigated ischemic time in the context of
      center volume. We used data from the United Network for Organ Sharing to estimate
      the influence of ischemic time on patient survival conditional on center volume
      in the post-lung allocation score era (2005-2015). The analytic sample included
      14 877 adult lung transplant recipients, of whom 12 447 were included in
      multivariable survival analysis. Patient survival was improved in high-volume
      centers compared with low-volume centers (log-rank test p = 0.001), although mean
      ischemic times were longer at high-volume centers (5.16 +/- 1.70 h vs. 4.83 +/-
      1.63 h, p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression stratified
      by transplant center found an adverse influence of longer ischemic time at low
      volume centers but not at high-volume centers. At centers performing 50
      transplants in the period 2005-2015, for example, 8 versus 6 h of ischemia were
      associated with an 18.9% (95% confidence interval 6.5-32.7%; p < 0.001) greater
      mortality hazard, whereas at centers performing 350 transplants in this period,
      no differences in survival by ischemic time were predicted. Despite longer mean
      ischemic time at high-volume transplant centers, these centers had favorable
      patient outcomes and no adverse survival implications of prolonged ischemia.

PMID- 27278266
TI  - Diagnostic reference levels for common paediatric fluoroscopic examinations
      performed at a dedicated paediatric Australian hospital.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic reference levels (DRL) of procedures involving ionising
      radiation are important tools for optimising radiation doses delivered to
      patients and to identify cases where the levels of dose are unusually high. This
      is particularly important for paediatric patients undergoing fluoroscopic
      examinations as these examinations can be associated with a high radiation dose.
      In this study, a large amount of paediatric fluoroscopic data has been analysed
      to: establish local DRL, identify the most significant factors determining
      radiation dose to patients, and modify fluoroscopic techniques to optimise the
      examination protocols. METHODS: Paediatric fluoroscopic studies performed at our
      institution from April 2010 to May 2015 have been retrospectively analysed to
      determine range, mean, 75th and 95th percentiles of Dose-Area Product (DAP) and
      fluoroscopic screening time for Micturating Cystourethrography (MCU), Airway,
      Airway and Swallow, Barium Swallow and Meal, Barium Follow Through and Barium
      Enema studies. RESULTS: Currently, no Australian paediatric fluoroscopic DRL data
      are available for comparison and thus our data can only be compared with
      international published data. No major changes to examination protocols or
      modification to fluoroscopic techniques were found necessary as our data compared
      well with the international published values. CONCLUSION: The dose delivered to
      patients depend on a number of factors particularly the experience of the
      operators. However, DRL are also important, as shown in this study, as they
      enable best practice by providing feedback to the operators on their performance
      and benchmarking the institution with other institutions.

PMID- 27278267
TI  - Prussian blue type nanoparticles for biomedical applications.
AB  - Prussian blue type nanoparticles are exciting nano-objects that combine the
      advantages of molecule-based materials and nanochemistry. Here we provide a short
      overview focalizing on the recent advances of these nano-objects designed for
      biomedical applications and give an outlook on the future research orientations
      in this domain.

PMID- 27278268
TI  - Kit receptor tyrosine kinase dysregulations in feline splenic mast cell tumours.
AB  - This study investigated Kit receptor dysregulations (cytoplasmic
      immunohistochemical expression and/or c-KIT mutations) in cats affected with
      splenic mast cell tumours. Twenty-two cats were included. Median survival time
      was 780 days (range: 1-1219). An exclusive splenic involvement was significantly
      (P = 0.042) associated with longer survival (807 versus 120 days). Eighteen
      tumours (85.7%) showed Kit cytoplasmic expression (Kit pattern 2, 3). Mutation
      analysis was successful in 20 cases. Fourteen missense mutations were detected in
      13 out of 20 tumours (65%). Eleven (78.6%) were located in exon 8, and three
      (21.6%) in exon 9. No mutations were detected in exons 11 and 17. Seven mutations
      corresponded to the same internal tandem duplication in exon 8 (c.1245_1256dup).
      Although the association between Kit cytoplasmic expression and mutations was
      significant, immunohistochemistry cannot be considered a surrogate marker for
      mutation analysis. No correlation was observed between c-Kit mutations and tumour
      differentiation, mitotic activity or survival.

PMID- 27278269
TI  - Serum copeptin in children exposed to maltreatment.
AB  - AIM: Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been related to a persistent reprograming of
      stress-response. Copeptin is a marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
      activation; however, few studies have examined copeptin levels in children
      exposed to CM. The aim of this study was to compare serum copeptin levels in
      children reporting child abuse and/or neglect and children with no history of CM.
      METHODS: This study included 65 children with a positive history of moderate to
      severe CM, as reported by themselves and their parent(s) during a clinical
      interview, and 71 children with no history of CM as a comparison group. CM was
      considered moderate to severe based on the child-reported frequency of being
      exposed to events related to sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse,
      emotional neglect, and/or physical neglect. Child psychopathology symptoms were
      assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). We measured serum copeptin
      concentration using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Children exposed
      to CM exhibited higher levels of serum copeptin compared to children without CM
      when controlling for sex, age, and psychiatric morbidity. The CBCL total score,
      including internalizing and externalizing symptoms, was higher in children with
      CM. We found no correlation between copeptin and CBCL scores for internalizing
      symptoms and externalizing symptoms. CONCLUSION: CM is associated with copeptin
      serum levels independently of age, sex, and symptom severity. Copeptin is a
      promising new biomarker for children with a history of abuse and/or neglect.

PMID- 27278270
TI  - Echocardiographic outcomes of self-expandable CoreValve versus balloon-expandable
      Edwards SAPIEN XT valves: the comparison of two bioprosthesis implanted in a
      single centre.
AB  - Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with self-expandable Medtronic
      CoreValve (MCV; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) or balloon-expandable Edwards SAPIEN
      XT valve (ESV; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) has been widely used for
      treatment of high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). There is
      limited data comparing the long-term hemodynamic performance of these two valves.
      Therefore, this study aimed to compare the short and long-term hemodynamic
      performance of TAVI with either MCV or ESV. A total of 78 patients who underwent
      TAVI in our center between June 01, 2012 and January 01, 2014 were enrolled in
      this retrospective study. For each of the patients we recorded the preprocedural
      echocardiographic data as well as the post-TAVI echocardiographic outcomes at day
      one, 6 months and 1 year. The MCV group had lower transaortic gradients than the
      ESV group, with respect to both maximum (13.4 +/- 5.8 vs 18.7 +/- 8.1 mmHg, p =
      0.001) and mean values (6.5 +/- 3.2 vs 9.4 +/- 4.3 mmHg, p < 0.001) at post-TAVI
      day one. These values continued to be significantly lower in the MCV group during
      post-TAVI 6 months (p < 0.001) and post-TAVI 1 year follow-up (p < 0.05). A
      paravalvular leak (PVL, grade >=2) was observed in 6.4 % of patients after TAVI;
      however, this value decreased over time, and there was no significant difference
      between the MVC and ESV groups (8.2 vs 3.4 %, p = 0.646). The MCV bioprosthesis
      was associated with lower transaortic gradients than those of the ESV throughout
      1 year of follow-up. The incidence of PVL grade >=2 in MCV and ESV was
      comparable.

PMID- 27278271
TI  - Qualitative assessment of information and decision support needs for managing
      menopausal symptoms after breast cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: For breast cancer (BrCa) survivors, premature menopause can result from
      conventional cancer treatment. Due to limited treatment options, survivors often
      turn to complementary therapies (CTs), but struggle to make informed decisions.
      In this study, we identified BrCa survivors' CT and general information and
      decision-making needs related to menopausal symptoms. METHODS: The needs
      assessment was informed by interpretive descriptive methodology. Focus groups
      with survivors (n = 22) and interviews with conventional (n = 12) and CT (n = 5)
      healthcare professionals (HCPs) were conducted at two Canadian urban cancer
      centers. Thematic, inductive analysis was conducted on the data. RESULTS:
      Menopausal symptoms have significant negative impact on BrCa survivors. Close to
      70 % of the sample were currently using CTs, including mind-body therapies (45.5
      %), natural health products (NHPs) and dietary therapies (31.8 %), and lifestyle
      interventions (36.4 %). However, BrCa survivors reported inadequate access to
      information on the safety and efficacy of CT options. Survivors also struggled in
      their efforts to discuss CT with HCPs, who had limited time and information to
      support women in their CT decisions. Concise and credible information about CTs
      was required by BrCa survivors to support them in making informed and safe
      decisions about using CTs for menopausal symptom management. CONCLUSIONS: High
      quality research is needed on the efficacy and safety of CTs in managing
      menopausal symptoms following BrCa treatment. Decision support strategies, such
      as patient decision aids (DAs), may help synthesize and translate evidence on CTs
      and promote shared decision-making between BrCa survivors and HCPs about the role
      of CTs in coping with menopause following cancer treatment.

PMID- 27278272
TI  - Relationship between severity and duration of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia
      and risk of infection among patients with nonmyeloid malignancies.
AB  - PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) may increase infection risk for
      cancer patients; however, there is limited understanding on the quantitative
      relationships between severity and duration of CIN and infection risk. METHODS:
      This study combined individual data from adult cancer patients receiving no
      granulocyte colony-stimulating factor during the first chemotherapy cycle in six
      trials. We used area over the curve (AOC) of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) time
      response curve (below different thresholds) to measure the combined effect of
      severity and duration of CIN. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models
      quantified the hazard of first infection associated with duration of grade 4 or
      grade 3/4 CIN and the hazard associated with AOC. RESULTS: We analyzed data from
      271 patients who had small cell lung cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, head and
      neck cancer, or breast cancer; 63.8 % of the patients had advanced cancer, and
      77.5 % received chemotherapy regimens with high risk of febrile neutropenia. In
      the first cycle, 18.8 % of the patients had infection-related hospitalizations.
      Each additional day patients had grade 3/4 or grade 4 CIN was associated with 28
      % (95 % CI 7, 51 %) and 30 % (95 % CI 10, 54 %) increased risk of infection
      related hospitalization, respectively. Each unit increase in AOC (day * 10(9)/L
      ANC), with threshold of ANC < 0.5 * 10(9)/L, was associated with a significantly
      increased risk of infection-related hospitalization (hazard ratio 1.98; 95 % CI
      1.35, 2.90). CONCLUSIONS: Infection risk increases dramatically with each
      additional day of grade 3 or 4 CIN. Interventions limiting CIN severity and
      duration are of critical importance to reduce infection risk in cancer patients
      receiving chemotherapy.

PMID- 27278274
TI  - Erratum to: Complex management of resistant oral herpes simplex virus infection
      following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: potential role of topical
      cidofovir.

PMID- 27278273
TI  - Gaps exist between patients' experience and clinicians' awareness of symptoms
      after chemotherapy: CINV and accompanying symptoms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Correlating patients' chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
      (CINV) experience with clinicians' understanding of the symptom severity and the
      patients' and clinicians' symptom management goals would aid in advancing symptom
      management. Identifying rankings of symptom severity after chemotherapy would
      help prioritizing symptom management. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      investigate and compare patients' CINV experience and clinicians' awareness of
      symptoms and symptom management goals. The study also aimed to identify and
      compare rankings of the severity of symptoms after chemotherapy by patients and
      clinicians. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted. Cancer
      patients starting the first adjuvant highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) or
      moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) (n = 313), and oncology clinicians at
      two university hospitals (n = 73) in Korea participated in the study. The
      Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Antiemesis Tool (MAT)
      items and 20-symptom list were used to generate a symptom diary and survey
      questions. Descriptive statistics with a 95 % confidence interval and the Mann
      Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: In general, clinicians
      overestimated the patients' CINV experience. Patients' symptom experiences and
      clinicians' estimates only corresponded for delayed nausea after the second cycle
      MEC. For symptom management goals, patients aimed for absolute vomiting control
      and avoiding significant nausea. Patients' symptom management goals exceeded the
      clinicians' goals for CINV control except for the goal for delayed nausea
      control. Clinicians rated chemotherapy-induced nausea as the most problematic
      symptom followed by vomiting; however, fatigue and loss of appetite were the top
      rated symptoms by patients. CONCLUSIONS: Gaps exist between patients' symptom
      experience and clinicians' symptom awareness. Clinicians overestimated the
      patients' CINV experience and set less stringent symptom control goals. Enhancing
      clinicians' understanding of patients' symptom experience and retargeting the
      CINV management goals are the next steps for advancing symptom management.
      Symptoms other than CINV require more attention to set symptom management
      priorities reflecting patient experience and clinical significance.

PMID- 27278275
TI  - Cognitive Limitations at Work Among Employed Breast Cancer Survivors in China.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether levels of distress (anxiety and
      depression) and cognitive symptoms at work are related to work productivity and
      quality of life (QOL) in Chinese breast cancer survivors (BCS), compared to a
      group of Chinese women without cancer but with different musculoskeletal pain
      related to work. DESIGN: This study used a cross-sectional study design. METHODS:
      Working BCS were recruited in a tumor hospital's outpatient department, and women
      with no history of cancer (noncancer comparison [NCC] group) were recruited from
      a rehabilitation center. FINDINGS: A total of 412 participants were included.
      Multiple regression analyses indicated that higher anxiety was associated with
      work limitations (B = .005, p = .014) and QOL (B = 2.417, p = .004) in the BCS
      group only. Cognitive limitations at work were associated with work limitations
      (B = .002, p = .001) and QOL (B = 1.022, p = .003) in the BCS group only.
      Depressive symptoms (B = .028, p = .017) were significantly associated with work
      limitations in the NCC group. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer survivors reported
      higher levels of cognitive limitations at work and anxiety, lower levels of work
      productivity, and QOL. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When remaining at work is a viable
      option for the cancer survivor with cognitive limitations at work, the
      rehabilitation nurse should consider approaches to best accommodate the specific
      cognitive limitations and work tasks, as well as help the patient manage
      associated anxiety when present.

PMID- 27278278
TI  - Proteomic analysis of mTOR inhibition-mediated phosphorylation changes in
      ribosomal proteins and eukaryotic translation initiation factors.

PMID- 27278277
TI  - Instrumental indices for upper limb function assessment in stroke patients: a
      validation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robotic exoskeletons are increasingly being used in objective and
      quantitative assessment of upper limb (UL) movements. A set of instrumental
      indices computed during robot-assisted reaching tasks with the Armeo(r)Spring has
      been proven to assess UL functionality. The aim of this study was to test the
      construct validity of this indices-based UL assessment when used with patients
      who have had a stroke. METHODS: Forty-four 45- to 79-year-old stroke patients
      with a Wolf Motor Function Test ability score (WMFT-FAS) ranging from 10 to 75
      and a Motricity Index (MI) ranging from 14 to 33 at shoulder and elbow were
      enrolled, thus covering a wide range of impairments. Residual UL function was
      assessed by both the WMFT-FAS and the WMFT-TIME, as well as by a set of 9
      numerical indices assessing movement accuracy, velocity and smoothness computed
      from a 3D endpoint trajectory obtained during the "Vertical Capture" task of the
      Armeo(r)Spring device. To explore which variables better represented motor
      control deficits, the Mann-Whitney U Test was used to compare patients' indices
      to those obtained from 25 healthy individuals. To explore the inner relationships
      between indices and construct validity in assessing accuracy, velocity and
      smoothness, a factor analysis was carried out. To verify the indices concurrent
      validity, they were compared to both WMFT-FAS and WMFT-TIME by the Spearman's
      correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Seven indices of stroke subjects were
      significantly different from those of healthy controls, with effect sizes in the
      range 0.35-0.74. Factor analysis confirmed that specific subsets of indices
      belonged to the domains of accuracy, velocity and smoothness (discriminant
      validity). One accuracy index, both velocity indices and two smoothness indices
      were significantly correlated with WMFT-FAS and WMFT-TIME (|rho| = 0.31-0.50)
      (concurrent validity). One index for each of the assessed movement domains was
      proven to have construct validity (discriminant and concurrent) and was selected.
      Moreover, the indices were able to detect differences in accuracy, velocity
      and/or smoothness in patients with the same WMFT level. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed
      index-based UL assessment can be used to integrate and support clinical
      evaluation of UL function in stroke patients.

PMID- 27278279
TI  - A capital Scot: microscopes and museums in Robert E. Grant's zoology (1815-1840).
AB  - Early nineteenth-century zoology in Britain has been characterized as determined
      by the ideological concerns of its proponents. Taking the zoologist Robert E.
      Grant as an exemplary figure in this regard, this article offers a differently
      nuanced account of the conditions under which natural-philosophical knowledge
      concerning animal life was established in post-Napoleonic Britain. Whilst
      acknowledging the ideological import of concepts such as force and law, it points
      to an additional set of concerns amongst natural philosophers - that of
      appropriate tool use in investigation. Grant's studies in his native Edinburgh
      relied heavily on the use of microscopes. On his arrival in London, however, he
      entered a culture in which a different set of objects - museum specimens - held
      greater persuasive power. This article relates changes in Grant's ideas and
      practices to the uneven emphases on microscopic and museological evidence amongst
      European, Scottish and English natural philosophers at this time. In so doing, it
      identifies the reliance of London-based natural philosophers on museology as
      constituting a limiting effect on the kinds of claim that Grant sought to make
      regarding the nature of life. 

PMID- 27278280
TI  - Fear of hypoglycemia, anxiety, and subjective well-being in parents of children
      and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
AB  - This study explored the association between parental fear of hypoglycemia,
      anxiety, and subjective well-being in parents of children and adolescents with
      type 1 diabetes. A total of 120 mothers and 79 fathers participated. Mothers' and
      fathers' fear of hypoglycemia was significantly associated with anxiety and
      negative affect as well as with worse glycemic control in child. Paired-samples t
      test showed that mothers were more involved in diabetes management and reported
      more fear and anxiety compared to fathers, but they did not differ in worries
      about hypoglycemia. The findings suggest screening for fear of hypoglycemia and
      subjective well-being in all parents regardless of whether their child
      experienced severe hypoglycemia.

PMID- 27278276
TI  - The influence of a home-based exercise intervention on human health indices in
      individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (HOMEX-SCI): study protocol for a
      randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) creates a complex pathology that can lead to
      an increase in sedentary behaviours and deleterious changes in body composition.
      Consequently, individuals with SCI are at increased risk of developing
      cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes mellitus. While the role of physical
      activity on the reduction of chronic disease risk is well documented in non
      disabled individuals the evidence is less conclusive for persons with SCI. The
      aim of this methodological paper is to outline the design of a study that will
      assess the role of a home-based exercise intervention on biomarkers of metabolic
      and cardiovascular health in persons with SCI: the HOMEX-SCI study.
      METHODS/DESIGN: Eligible participants will be inactive (physical activity level
      <=1.60) individuals, with a chronic (more than 1 year) spinal cord lesion between
      the second thoracic and the fifth lumbar vertebrae, and aged between 18 and 65
      years. Following baseline laboratory testing and lifestyle monitoring,
      participants will be randomly allocated to a control (CON) group or a 6-week home
      based exercise intervention (INT) group. The INT consists of 45 minutes of
      moderate-intensity (60-65 % peak oxygen uptake) arm-crank exercise four times per
      week. Participants assigned to the CON group will be asked to maintain their
      normal lifestyle. The main outcomes of this study (biomarkers of metabolic and
      cardiovascular health) are obtained from venous blood samples, collected in the
      fasted and postprandial state. Eight other measurement categories will be
      assessed: (1) body composition, (2) physical activity, (3) energy intake, (4)
      measures of health and wellbeing, (5) resting metabolic rate, heart rate and
      blood pressure, (6) aerobic capacity, (7) immune function, and (8) adipose tissue
      gene expression. DISCUSSION: This study will explore the feasibility of home
      based moderate-intensity exercise and ascertain its impact on metabolic and
      cardiovascular health in comparison to a lifestyle maintenance CON group.
      Findings from this study may help to inform new evidence-based physical activity
      guidelines and also help to elucidate the physiological mechanisms whereby
      exercise might exert beneficial effects in persons with chronic SCI. The results
      will also act as a scientific platform for further intervention studies in other
      diverse and at-risk populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard
      Randomised Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN57096451 . Registered on 11 July 2014.

PMID- 27278281
TI  - Excellent response to deep brain stimulation in a young girl with GNAO1-related
      progressive choreoathetosis.

PMID- 27278282
TI  - Complete absence of the roof of the third ventricle in a case of hydrocephalus:
      an endoscopic view.

PMID- 27278283
TI  - Outcome of ventriculoperitoneal shunt and predictors of shunt revision in infants
      with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.
AB  - OBJECT: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts in infants with posthemorrhagic
      hydrocephalus (PHH) are prone to failures, with some patients at risk for
      multiple revisions. The objective of our study is to observe long-term outcomes
      and identify factors leading to proximal and distal multiple failures. METHODS:
      We performed a retrospective review of infants with PHH that required VP shunt
      placement between 1982 and 2014. These patients were monitored clinically and
      radiographically after VP shunt placement. RESULTS: A total of 502 surgical
      procedures (initial shunt insertion and revisions) were performed, with 380 shunt
      revisions in 102 (84 %) patients. Median shunt survival time was 54 months (0.03
      220 months). Shunt survival was significantly affected by the following factors:
      intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH, grade II-III, 95 months vs. grade IV, 28
      months, p = 0.022), birth weight (<1.5 kg, 59 months vs. >1.5 kg, 22 months, p =
      0.005), gestational age (>27 weeks, 90 months vs. <27 weeks, 20 months, p <
      0.0001), distal vs. proximal revision (133 months vs. 48 months, p = 0.013),
      obstruction (yes, 78 months vs. no, 28 months, p = 0.007), and infection (no, 75
      months vs. yes, 39 months, p = 0.045). Regression analysis revealed that multiple
      gestation, head circumference (>27 cm), congenital anomalies, infection, and
      obstruction increased the proximal and distal shunt malfunction. CONCLUSION: Long
      term outcome of VP shunt placement in infants revealed a relatively high rate of
      complications requiring shunt revision as late as 30 years after initial
      placement. Infants with VP shunts should be monitored lifelong of these patients
      by neurosurgeons.

PMID- 27278284
TI  - Immunolocalization of MMP9 and MMP2 in osteolytic metastasis originating from MDA
      MB-231 human breast cancer cells.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of matrix
      metalloproteinase (MMP)9 and MMP2, and their potential roles in bone metastasis
      nests using a well-standardized model of breast cancer bone metastasis in nude
      mice. BALB/c nu/nu mice (5-week-old; n=10) were subjected to intracardiac
      injection of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. After 4 weeks, the mice
      exhibiting radiolucent lesions in tibiae were sacrificed, and the tibiae were
      removed for histochemical analysis. The gene expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in the
      tumor cells, metaphysis and diaphysis of normal BALB/c nu/nu mice were determined
      using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The metastatic
      tumor tissue occupied almost the entire bone marrow cavity. Numerous tartrate
      resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts were found in the metastasized
      lesions. The invaded tumor cells positive for mammaglobin 1 exhibited different
      proliferation activities and apoptosis between the metaphysis and diaphysis.
      Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was expressed at high levels in the
      metaphyseal area, whereas TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive
      cells were more evident in the diaphysis area. Of note, MMP9 was expressed
      predominantly in the proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive area, whereas
      the expression of MMP2 was observed predominantly in the diaphysis, which had
      more TUNEL-positive cells. Taken together, the results suggested that MMP9 and
      MMP2 may have their own importance in extracellular matrix degradation and
      trabecular bone damage in different zones of bone metastasis, including the
      metaphysis and diaphysis. 

PMID- 27278286
TI  - Remote Control Effect of Li(+), Na(+), K(+) Ions on the Super Energy Transfer
      Process in ZnMoO4:Eu(3+), Bi(3+) Phosphors.
AB  - Luminescent properties are affected by lattice environment of luminescence
      centers. The lattice environment of emission centers can be effectively changed
      due to the diversity of lattice environment in multiple site structure. But how
      precisely control the doped ions enter into different sites is still very
      difficult. Here we proposed an example to demonstrate how to control the doped
      ions into the target site for the first time. Alkali metal ions doped
      ZnMoO4:Bi(3+), Eu(3+) phosphors were prepared by the conventional high
      temperature solid state reaction method. The influence of alkali metal ions as
      charge compensators and remote control devices were respectively observed. Li(+)
      and K(+) ions occupy the Zn(2) sites, which impede Eu and Bi enter the adjacent
      Zn(2) sites. However, Na(+) ions lie in Zn(1) sites, which greatly promoted the
      Bi and Eu into the adjacent Zn(2) sites. The Bi(3+) and Eu(3+) ions which lie in
      the immediate vicinity Zn(2) sites set off intense exchange interaction due to
      their short relative distance. This mechanism provides a mode how to use remote
      control device to enhance the energy transfer efficiency which expected to be
      used to design efficient luminescent materials.

PMID- 27278285
TI  - Meta-analysis of the influence of TM6SF2 E167K variant on Plasma Concentration of
      Aminotransferases across different Populations and Diverse Liver Phenotypes.
AB  - A nonsynonymous E167K (rs58542926 C/T) variant in TM6SF2 gene was recently
      associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We explored the
      association between E167K and plasma concentrations of alanine (ALT) and
      aspartate (AST) aminotransferases through a meta-analysis. We also estimated the
      strength of the effect across diverse liver phenotypes, including NAFLD and
      chronic viral hepatitis; fourteen studies were included. We found that ALT (p =
      3.2 * 10(-6), n = 94,414) and AST (p = 0007, n = 93,809) levels were
      significantly associated with rs58542926 in NAFLD. By contrast, rs58542926 was
      not associated with either ALT (p = 0.24, n = 4187) or AST (p = 0.17, n = 2678)
      levels in four studies on chronic hepatitis. In conclusion, the results of the
      pooled estimates in patients with NAFLD showed that carriers of the T allele (EK
      + KK), when compared with homozygous subjects for the C allele (EE genotype) have
      increased levels of aminotransferases; however, this increase represents -2.5
      (9.8%) and 1.2 (5%) IU/L of ALT and AST respectively, which is fairly small
      compared with the large effect of PNPLA3- rs738409-G allele that is associated
      with a -28% increase in serum ALT.

PMID- 27278288
TI  - Editorial: The moral significance of antimicrobial resistance and the rise of
      'apocalyptic superbugs'.

PMID- 27278287
TI  - Histone deacetyltransferase inhibitors Trichostatin A and Mocetinostat
      differentially regulate MMP9, IL-18 and RECK expression, and attenuate
      Angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibroblast migration and proliferation.
AB  - Histone acetylation/deacetylation plays a key role in the epigenetic regulation
      of multiple pro-fibrotic genes. Here we investigated the effects of histone
      deacetyltransferase (HDAC) inhibition on angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced pro
      fibrotic changes in adult mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CF). CF express class I
      HDACs 1 and 2, and Ang-II induces their activation. Notably, silencing HDAC1 or
      HDAC2 attenuated Ang-II induced CF proliferation and migration. Under basal
      conditions, HDAC1 dimerizes with HDAC2 in CF and Ang-II reversed this
      interaction. Treatment with Trichostatin A (TSA), a broad-spectrum HDAC
      inhibitor, restored their physical association, and attenuated Ang-II-induced
      MMP9 expression, IL-18 induction, and extracellular matrix (collagen I, collagen
      III and fibronectin) production. Further, TSA inhibited Ang-II-induced MMP9 and
      Il18 transcription by blocking NF-kappaB and AP-1 binding to their respective
      promoter regions. By inhibiting Sp1 binding to RECK promoter, TSA reversed Ang-II
      induced RECK suppression, collagen and fibronectin expression, and CF migration
      and proliferation. The class I-specific HDAC inhibitor Mocetinostat (MGCD)
      recapitulated TSA effects on Ang-II-treated CF. Together, these results
      demonstrate that targeting HDACs attenuates the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic
      effects of Ang-II on CF.

PMID- 27278289
TI  - Correction: The Sec7 N-terminal regulatory domains facilitate membrane-proximal
      activation of the Arf1 GTPase.

PMID- 27278290
TI  - Debut of new contrast agent.

PMID- 27278291
TI  - Evaluation of malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma using the ultrasonic B-mode
      method: clinical significance of extracapsular invasion of hepatocellular
      carcinoma using ultrasonography.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the influence of capsule formation or presence of capsular
      invasion on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS:
      The patient group consisted of 70 patients with 74 HCC lesions who had been
      examined by US and undergone surgical tumor resection at our institution. For
      these patients, we conducted the following comparative studies: (a) comparison
      between halo findings on US and microscopic capsular results; (b) comparison
      between halo findings on US and tumor diameter, tumor histological
      differentiation, and serum value of each tumor marker; and (c) comparison between
      halo findings on US and tumor recurrence. RESULTS: (a) The corresponding value
      between sonographic halo and histological capsule was 90.1%, and that between
      presence of extracapsular invasion on US and that seen by histology was 88.0%.
      (b) There was no relation between US images and histological differentiation of
      tumors. (c) Presence of extracapsular invasion on US was a predisposing factor
      for the development of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: (1) Globally speaking,
      sonographic halo corresponded to the histological tumor capsule. (2) In patients
      with extracapsular invasion, tumor recurrence after treatment increased. Thus, a
      better understanding of sonographic halo findings helps determine diagnostic and
      therapeutic strategies in HCC patients.

PMID- 27278292
TI  - Preperitoneal fat thickness by ultrasonography and obesity-related disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine optimal cutoff values for preperitoneal fat thickness
      measured by ultrasonography as indicators for obesity-related disorders. METHODS:
      We studied 276 men aged 60 +/- 13 years and 307 women aged 64 +/- 11 years.
      Participants were consecutively enrolled from inpatients aged <=75 years.
      Demographic data were collected and maximal preperitoneal fat thickness (PFTmax)
      and carotid intima-media thickness were evaluated on B-mode ultrasonography.
      Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine
      optimal cutoff values for PFTmax. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis using one
      or more obesity-related disorders as an objective variable showed that the
      tertile on the basis of PFTmax was a significant independent contributing factor
      in both men and women. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis
      identified the cutoff points of 6.1 mm for PFTmax in men (sensitivity, 66.7%;
      specificity, 62.5%) and 8.7 mm for PFTmax in women (sensitivity, 56.6%;
      specificity, 63.6%) as discriminator values corresponding to the presence of one
      or more obesity-related disorders. Using the new criteria to diagnose visceral
      obesity, we found that adjusted carotid intima-media thickness was significantly
      higher in men and women with visceral obesity and two or more obesity-related
      disorders than in those without them. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that
      PFTmax measured on ultrasonography was useful in screening for indicators of
      cardiovascular risk factors.

PMID- 27278293
TI  - Clinical efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the diagnosis of
      ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the
      diagnosis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: CEUS and
      angiography were performed in ten cases of ruptured HCC. We evaluated whether
      this technique allowed us to determine the bleeding point by observing an
      extravasation of contrast media into the ascites. RESULTS: In four of the ten
      cases, CEUS demonstrated an extravasation of Levovist into ascites. Angiography
      showed an extravasation of contrast medium in three of these four cases. In three
      of the remaining six cases, in which CEUS did not show the presence of contrast
      medium in ascites, angiography demonstrated an extravasation. In eight cases, it
      yielded cessation of bleeding. In two cases, embolization was not successful. The
      bleeding point was not determined by CEUS or angiography in one case. CONCLUSION:
      CEUS allows us to differentiate active bleeding (presence of contrast medium in
      the ascites) from nonactive bleeding.

PMID- 27278295
TI  - Rupture of liver metastasis: report of a case with an emphasis on contrast
      enhanced US.
AB  - We present a case of liver metastasis from an uterine leiomyosarcoma in which
      contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) helped determine the bleeding point and
      prevented a delay in devising diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. CEUS allowed
      us to differentiate active from nonactive bleeding on the basis of presence or
      absence of contrast extravasation in the ascites. CEUS is the first examination
      performed when liver tumor rupture is suspected. Reference to the preangiographic
      CEUS results is expected to provide a road map for angiography. 

PMID- 27278294
TI  - Malignant triton tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1.
AB  - We report a case of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) complicated by a malignant
      triton tumor (MTT), with an emphasis on B-mode sonographic (US) and contrast
      enhanced US (CEUS) findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
      report describing CEUS findings of MTT. The mass was poorly demarcated and
      composed of an internal echogenic area and an outer hypoechoic zone. CEUS
      findings showed the outer zone to be strongly enhanced, and the internal area was
      very poor in blood flow because of necrotic tissues. 

PMID- 27278297
TI  - Examination guide for ultrasonic image presentation and measurement of the
      ophthalmic region.

PMID- 27278296
TI  - SMA invasion without SMV invasion in a pancreatic uncinate carcinoma.

PMID- 27278299
TI  - Modified Pulsatilla decoction attenuates oxazolone-induced colitis in mice
      through suppression of inflammation and epithelial barrier disruption.
AB  - Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal
      disorders caused by a dysregulated mucosal immune response and epithelial barrier
      disruption. Conventional treatment of IBD is currently limited to overcoming
      patient symptoms and is often associated with severe adverse effects from the
      drugs used. Modified Pulsatilla decoction has been used previously to treat
      ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinical practice in China, however, the underlying
      mechanism in the treatment of UC remains to be elucidated. In the present study,
      the efficiency and mechanisms of modified Pulsatilla decoction in the treatment
      of oxazolone-induced colitis were investigated. Assessment of clinical colitis
      and histological examination found that the administration of modified Pulsatilla
      decoction attenuated the severity of oxazolone-induced colitis in mice.
      Measurement of cytokine concentration, western blotting and reverse transcription
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated modified Pulsatilla decoction
      treatment significantly reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and
      restored alterations in tight junction proteins in the colon tissues. In
      addition, modified Pulsatilla decoction suppressed the activation of the nuclear
      factor-kappaB signaling pathway. Thus, the findings of the present study
      demonstrated that modified Pulsatilla decoction offers an effective therapeutic
      approach for the treatment of IBD and revealed the underlying mechanisms of
      action offered by modified Pulsatilla decoction. 

PMID- 27278300
TI  - Impact of macronutrient composition and palatability in wet diets on food
      selection in cats.
AB  - Cats are obligate carnivores adapted to high-protein diets, but are commonly fed
      diets rich in carbohydrate. The aim of this study was to examine the food intake
      choices of cats when diets with different protein and carbohydrate contents were
      offered. Thirty-nine cats participated in voluntary dietary intake studies. Four
      foods were formulated to provide between 24% and 53% of metabolizable energy as
      protein, between 43% and 11% as carbohydrate and holding dietary fat constant
      with a contribution of approximately 36%. Foods were offered either singly to
      evaluate voluntary food intake or in pairs to compare food intake between pairs
      of diets. Cats regulated their macronutrient intake to attain an overall diet
      composition that provided 53% of metabolizable energy as protein, 11% as
      carbohydrate and 36% as fat. The protein contribution corresponded to
      approximately 6 g of protein/kg body weight/day. High-protein/low-carbohydrate
      diets were always eaten preferentially over low-protein/high-carbohydrate foods.
      When low-protein/high-carbohydrate diets were offered, cats limited their food
      intake to limit daily carbohydrate intake to less than 3 g of carbohydrate/kg
      body weight. This carbohydrate ceiling may limit protein and even energy intake
      when only low-protein/high-carbohydrate diets were offered. The inclusion of
      palatability enhancer in the diets increased food intake but did not change
      protein or carbohydrate intake patterns, indicating that macronutrient intake can
      be regulated regardless of the use of palatability enhancers in cats. We conclude
      that cats can discriminate between diets based on macronutrient composition and
      regulate their intake to maintain maximal protein intake but limit carbohydrate
      intake.

PMID- 27278302
TI  - The arts and science of ultrasound.

PMID- 27278301
TI  - Strong modulation of plasmons in Graphene with the use of an Inverted pyramid
      array diffraction grating.
AB  - An optical device configuration allowing efficient electrical tuning of surface
      plasmon wavelength and absorption in a suspended/conformal graphene film is
      reported. An underlying 2-dimensional array of inverted rectangular pyramids
      greatly enhances optical coupling to the graphene film. In contrast to devices
      utilising 1D grating or Kretchman prism coupling configurations, both s and p
      polarization can excite plasmons due to symmetry of the grating structure.
      Additionally, the excited high frequency plasmon mode has a wavelength
      independent of incident photon angle allowing multidirectional coupling. By
      combining analytical methods with Rigorous Coupled-Wave Analysis, absorption of
      plasmons is mapped over near infrared spectral range as a function of chemical
      potential. Strong control over both plasmon wavelength and strength is provided
      by an ionic gel gate configuration. 0.04eV change in chemical potential increases
      plasmon energy by 0.05 eV shifting plasmon wavelength towards the visible, and
      providing enhancement in plasmon absorption. Most importantly, plasmon excitation
      can be dynamically switched off by lowering the chemical potential and moving
      from the intra-band to the inter-band transition region. Ability to electrically
      tune plasmon properties can be utilized in applications such as on-chip light
      modulation, photonic logic gates, optical interconnect and sensing applications.

PMID- 27278298
TI  - Environmentally induced epigenetic toxicity: potential public health concerns.
AB  - Throughout our lives, epigenetic processes shape our development and enable us to
      adapt to a constantly changing environment. Identifying and understanding
      environmentally induced epigenetic change(s) that may lead to adverse outcomes is
      vital for protecting public health. This review, therefore, examines the present
      understanding of epigenetic mechanisms involved in the mammalian life cycle,
      evaluates the current evidence for environmentally induced epigenetic toxicity in
      human cohorts and rodent models and highlights the research considerations and
      implications of this emerging knowledge for public health and regulatory
      toxicology. Many hundreds of studies have investigated such toxicity, yet
      relatively few have demonstrated a mechanistic association among specific
      environmental exposures, epigenetic changes and adverse health outcomes in human
      epidemiological cohorts and/or rodent models. While this small body of evidence
      is largely composed of exploratory in vivo high-dose range studies, it does set a
      precedent for the existence of environmentally induced epigenetic toxicity.
      Consequently, there is worldwide recognition of this phenomenon, and discussion
      on how to both guide further scientific research towards a greater mechanistic
      understanding of environmentally induced epigenetic toxicity in humans, and
      translate relevant research outcomes into appropriate regulatory policies for
      effective public health protection.

PMID- 27278303
TI  - Errors in measuring blood flow velocity behind hepatic mass lesions using color
      doppler sonography.
AB  - The authors designed microcomputer simulation models to investigate the combined
      effect of a distorted grayscale ultrasound image and an inaccurately measured
      Doppler angle on the accuracy of measurement of blood-flow velocity in vessels
      located behind mass lesions in the liver. Error decreased when flow was measured
      at the midpoint of the posttumoral segment of the vessel and increased with
      distance between the mass and the vessel, with inclination of the vessel, and
      with decrease in the diameter of the mass. Error was least with the sector probe,
      intermediate with the convex probe, and greatest with the linear probe. These
      findings suggest that the error can be minimized when measuring blood flow
      velocity in a vessel located behind a mass, if the Doppler images are acquired
      using a sector probe from the midpoint of the posttumoral segment of the vessel. 

PMID- 27278304
TI  - Detection of tumor vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma with contrast-enhanced
      Dynamic Flow imaging: Comparison with contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced Dynamic Flow imaging
      and contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging using Levovist((r)) as a microbubble
      contrast agent in evaluating intratumoral vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with 54 hepatocellular
      carcinoma nodules (before treatment, 31; after treatment, 23) were studied with
      both Dynamic Flow and power Doppler imaging with intravenous injection of
      Levovist((r)). Tumor vascularity was categorized as 0, no blood flow signals
      within the tumor; 1, dotlike blood flow signals within the tumor; 2, moderate
      blood flow signals within the tumor; and 3, abundant blood flow signals within
      the tumor. Detectability of intratumoral vascularity of hepatocellular carcinoma
      in three groups based on tumor depth, blooming and noise artifacts on contrast
      enhanced Dynamic Flow and contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging were also
      compared with results obtained using dynamic CT as a the gold standard. The
      effectiveness of contrast-enhanced Dynamic Flow and contrast-enhanced power
      Doppler imaging in assessing therapeutic effect were compared at the same time.
      RESULTS: The ability of contrast-enhanced Dynamic Flow Doppler imaging to detect
      tumor vascularity in the superficial and intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma
      groups was close to that of contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging (p>0.05).
      However, contrast-enhanced Dynamic Flow imaging demonstrated tumor parenchymal
      stain in 28 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (61%), which was not detected by
      contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging. Further, significantly fewer artifacts
      appeared in contrast-enhanced Dynamic Flow imaging than in contrast-enhanced
      power Doppler imaging (p<0.001). In assessing therapeutic response, the
      sensitivity of contrast-enhanced Dynamic Flow imaging was similar to that of
      dynamic CT. In deep areas, however, those more than 6 cm below the surface of the
      body, contrast-enhanced Dynamic Flow imaging was less sensitivity than contrast
      enhanced power Doppler imaging (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced Dynamic
      Flow imaging provides an effective approach to assessing intratumoral vascularity
      and therapeutic response in HCC lesions situated less than 6 cm from the surface
      of the body. It is superior to contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging in its
      ability to detect tumor parenchymal stain and production of fewer artifacts.

PMID- 27278305
TI  - The usefulness of mesenterium thickness as an index of visceral fat accumulation.
AB  - Visceral fat syndrome, which includes visceral fat accumulation, glucose
      intolerance, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, refers to a highly atherogenic
      state with a cluster of risk factors secondary to visceral fat accumulation.
      Although X-ray computed tomography (CT) is used commonly in diagnosis of visceral
      fat accumulation, it is expensive and exposes the patient to radiation. Some
      indices obtained using ultrasonography, which is fast and easy to use, have been
      reported. The ratio of the maximum thickness of preperitoneal fat (P) to the
      minimum thickness of subcutaneous fat (S), the abdominal wall fat index (P/S), is
      widely used in ultrasonographic diagnosis, however, this ratio tends to vary
      largely according to examiners. To establish a more reliable ultrasonographic
      index of visceral fat accumulation, we measured the thickness of the mesenterium,
      and tried to examine the relation between its thickness and maximum thickness of
      preperitoneal fat, minimum thickness of subcutaneous fat, and abdominal wall fat
      index, as well as body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and
      levels of serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total
      cholesterol, and blood sugar. The subjects were 131 individuals, 98 males and 33
      females, averaging 47.0+/-7.9 years, with a mean body mass index of 24.1+/-2.6.
      The mesenterium was measured with a 3.5 or 3.75 MHz convex probe by longitudinal
      scanning on the left side of the umbilicus of the patient in the supine position.
      The thickness of the mesenterium correlated positively with maximum thickness of
      the preperitoneal fat, abdominal wall fat index, body mass index, and levels of
      serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and blood sugar, and negatively with
      levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. When the subjects were divided
      into a high-M group and a normal-M group, body mass index, triglyceride level,
      and blood sugar levels in the high-M group were significantly higher and level of
      high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower than in the normal-M
      group. These results suggest that the thickness of mesenteium measured by
      ultrasonography may be useful in the diagnosis of accumulation of visceral fat. 

PMID- 27278306
TI  - Ultrasonographic diagnosis of advanced colorectal cancer.
AB  - We investigated the efficacy of transabdominal ultrasonography for the diagnosis
      of advanced colorectal cancer. Colonic examination by colonoscopy, barium study,
      or surgery was carried out in our institution on 1579 patients during the past 5
      years. This study focused on 1564 of these patients, 15 who has been diagnosed
      with colorectal cancer before ultrasound examination having been excluded. The
      results included 51 ultrasound-positive cases, 9 ultrasound-false-positive cases,
      1476 ultrasound-negative cases, and 28 ultrasound-false-negative cases.
      Sensitivity was 64.6 percent and specificity was 99.6 percent. Of the 28
      ultrasound-false-negative cases, the lesion was detected in the ascending colon
      in 2, in the transverse colon in 6, in the descending colon in 1, in the sigmoid
      colon in 3, and in the rectum in 16. Obstruction and dilatation suggested
      colorectal cancer in 3 cases, which were thus classified as ultrasound-negative
      when no tumors were detected. Sensitivity was investigated by site. Sensitivity
      was lowest at 30.4 percent in rectal cancer, but was 78.6 percent in colon
      cancer, exclusive of rectal cancer. Laboratory findings and clinical symptoms
      which were suggestive of colorectal cancer were used as information before
      ultrasound examination was performed. Sensitivity of examinations carried out on
      examinees on whom prior information was available and on those on whom there was
      no information did not differ significantly. Furthermore, ultrasound was thought
      to detect approximately 65 percent of advanced colorectal cancers when it was
      used aggressively to investigate the large intestine. Ultrasound was thus
      considered effective for detecting advanced colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 27278307
TI  - Comparison of sonographic triplet fetal growth measurements between Japanese and
      American populations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in several triplet fetal growth parameters
      associated with gestational age by means of a longitudinal study designed to
      compare ethnic differences in fetal growth in Japanese and American populations.
      SUBJECTS: Twenty-one Japanese triplet fetuses (7 triplet pregnancies) and 21
      American triplet fetuses (7 triplet pregnancies). The Japanese pregnancies were
      in middle-class Japanese women living in the Kagawa area; the American
      pregnancies, in middle-class white women living in the Houston area. METHODS:
      Head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated weight
      were measured every 2 to 3 weeks from 15 weeks of gestational age until delivery.
      Values for each parameter at each gestational age were measured in each fetal
      group, and the data of the groups were compared. RESULTS: Head circumference,
      abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated weight were significantly
      lower in the Japanese than in the American triplet fetuses after 20 weeks of
      gestation (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that triplet fetal growth
      in Japanese populations and American populations differs significantly in the
      second half of pregnancy.

PMID- 27278308
TI  - Measuring medium-sized muscular arteries using a novel broadband 15-MHz linear
      array probe.
AB  - We recently developed a wideband 15-MHz linear array probe (15 M) with a band
      width of 8 MHz (9-17 MHz). Both axial and lateral resolution of 15 M, evaluated
      using a phantom model, were better than those of the current 10-MHz linear probe.
      To compare interobserver variability in measurement of medium-sized muscular
      arteries acquired using a 7.5-MHz linear probe (7.5 M), a 10-MHz linear probe
      (10M) and 15 M, two observers independently acquired images of the brachial and
      radial arteries, and measured the diameter and intima-media thickness (IMT) of
      those arteries in 17 male volunteers. Intraobserver variability in determining
      percent flowmediated dilatation (%FMD) was assessed in the same subjects using 15
      M. Coefficients of variation (CV) in arteries measured using 7.5 M, 10 M, and 15
      M were 7.0%, 2.5%, and 1.5%, respectively, for the diameter of the brachial
      artery; 10.3%, 5.8%, and 3.2%, respectively, for the diameter of the radial
      artery; and 17.0%, 13.8%, and 8.5%, respectively, for IMT of the far wall of the
      brachial artery. The CV of measurement of %FMD was 4.6%. The new 15-MHz probe
      thus warrants use in evaluating morphology and function of muscular arteries of
      medium size. 

PMID- 27278309
TI  - Sonographic measurement of renal length in children: Variation associated with
      body position.
AB  - We ultrasonographically measured renal length in the major axis in children. Here
      we discuss the differences in measured lengths in the supine and prone positions.
      In study 1, which included 214 children, more than 60 percent of the kidneys
      measured longer in the supine than in the prone position. The difference (S-P:
      length in the supine position minus length in the prone position) was
      substantially greater in the left kidney. In study 2, we observed the relation
      between the kidney and the liver or spleen in 60 children prospectively to
      determine if artifacts had contributed to the observed differences. When the
      location of the liver or spleen was above the ki dney, which may induce velocity
      displacement and renal duplication artifacts, the kidney tended to measure
      longer. We conclude that kidneys tend to measure longer in the supine than in the
      prone position. Difference in renal length in different positions was greater in
      the left kidney than in the right kidney. Sonographic artifacts are presumed to
      contribute to differences in measured length. 

PMID- 27278310
TI  - A case of solitary necrotic nodule of the liver with acute liver dysfunction: The
      imaging appearance correlated with pathological findings.
AB  - A 22-year-old woman was admitted to this institution because of severe liver
      dysfunction that looked like acute hepatitis. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed
      a liver mass 20 mm in diameter that resembled the bull's-eye sign. Enhanced CT
      revealed a low-density mass. The mass was hypointense in T1-weighted MRI images
      and slightly hyperintense in T2-weighted MRI images. Needle biopsy of the liver
      under ultrasound guidance led to a diagnosis of solitary necrotic nodule of the
      liver. The tumor consisted of coagulation necrosis surrounded by fibrotic tissue.
      These pathologic features were consistent with the Imaging findings. 

PMID- 27278311
TI  - Pulsed Doppler echocardiographic detection of the origin of musical murmurs in a
      case of pacemaker implantation.
AB  - We report a case of systolic and diastolic musical murmurs that developed 4 years
      after DDD pacemaker implantation. Echocardiographic examination disclosed no
      evidence of serious pacemaker-related complications. Pulsed Doppler examination
      with a sample volume at the right ventricular portion of a pacemaker lead showed
      prominent harmonic signals. The timing of the signals was consistent with that of
      musical murmurs. We considered vibration of the pacemaker lead as a possible
      origin of the musical murmurs. Systolic and diastolic musical murmurs can develop
      without serious cause in a patient with a transvenous pacemaker. Pulsed Doppler
      examination was useful in detecting the origin of musical murmurs. 

PMID- 27278313
TI  - Executive Functions in Older Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Objective
      Performance and Subjective Complaints.
AB  - Although deficits in Executive Functioning (EF) are reported frequently in young
      individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), they remain relatively
      unexplored later in life (>50 years). We studied objective performance on EF
      measures (Tower of London, Zoo map, phonetic/semantic fluency) as well as
      subjective complaints (self- and proxy reported BRIEF) in 36 ASD and 36 typically
      developed individuals (n = 72). High functioning older adults with ASD reported
      EF-impairments in metacognition, but did not deviate in EF task performance,
      except for a longer execution time of the Tower of London. The need for
      additional time to complete daily tasks may contribute to impairments in daily
      life and may be correlated to a higher level of experienced EF-difficulties in
      ASD.

PMID- 27278328
TI  - 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside suppresses human colorectal
      cancer cell metastasis through inhibiting NF-kappaB activation.
AB  - 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (THSG), a major component of
      Polygonum multiflorum Thunb (He-Shou-Wu), has been reported to exhibit
      antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its anti-metastatic effect
      against colorectal cancer is still unclear. In this study, cell migration,
      invasion and adhesion abilities as well as metastasis-associated protein and NF
      kappaB pathway signaling factor expression were analyzed after treating HT-29
      cells with THSG. According to the results, the migration and invasiveness of HT
      29 cells were reduced after treatment with 5 or 10 mM THSG (p<0.05).
      Additionally, the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and phosphorylated
      VE-cadherin in HT-29 cells were reduced and the transepithelial electrical
      resistance (TEER) of EA.hy926 endothelial cell monolayers was increased after
      incubation in THSG for 24 h (p<0.05). Cell adhesion ability and the E-selectin
      and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein levels were reduced when
      EA.hy926 endothelial cells were treated with THSG (p<0.05). In addition, the
      cytoplasmic phosphorylation of IkappaB, the nuclear p65 level and the DNA-binding
      activity of NF-kappaB were reduced after treating HT-29 or EA.hy926 cells with 5
      or 10 mM THSG (p<0.05). These results suggest that THSG inhibits HT-29 cell
      metastasis by suppressing cell migration, invasion and adhesion. Furthermore,
      THSG inhibits metastasis-associated protein expression by suppressing NF-kappaB
      pathway activation. 

PMID- 27278330
TI  - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor delivered to the brain using poly (lactide-co
      glycolide) nanoparticles improves neurological and cognitive outcome in mice with
      traumatic brain injury.
AB  - Currently, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death or
      disabilities in young individuals worldwide. The multi-complexity of its
      pathogenesis as well as impermeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes the
      drug choice and delivery very challenging. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor
      (BDNF) regulates neuronal plasticity, neuronal cell growth, proliferation, cell
      survival and long-term memory. However, its short half-life and low BBB
      permeability are the main hurdles to be an effective therapeutic for TBI. Poly
      (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles coated by surfactant can enable
      the delivery of a variety of molecules across the BBB by receptor-mediated
      transcytosis. This study examines the ability of PLGA nanoparticles coated with
      poloxamer 188 (PX) to deliver BDNF into the brain and neuroprotective effects of
      BNDF in mice with TBI. C57bl/6 mice were subjected to weight-drop closed head
      injuries under anesthesia. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we
      demonstrated that the intravenous (IV) injection of nanoparticle-bound BDNF
      coated by PX (NP-BDNF-PX) significantly increased BDNF levels in the brain of
      sham-operated mice (p < 0.001) and in both ipsi- (p < 0.001) and contralateral (p
      < 0.001) parts of brain in TBI mice compared to controls. This study also showed
      using the passive avoidance (PA) test, that IV injection of NP-BDNF-PX 3 h post
      injury prolonged the latent time in mice with TBI thereby reversing cognitive
      deficits caused by brain trauma. Finally, neurological severity score test
      demonstrated that our compound efficiently reduced the scores at day 7 after the
      injury indicating the improvement of neurological deficit in animals with TBI.
      This study shows that PLGA nanoparticles coated with PX effectively delivered
      BDNF into the brain, and improved neurological and cognitive deficits in TBI
      mice, thereby providing a neuroprotective effect.

PMID- 27278331
TI  - Understanding biological systems using ultrasound: complex dynamical systems
      view.

PMID- 27278332
TI  - Contrast-enhanced 3D ultrasonography in minute hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: The study aimed to clarify whether contrast-enhanced (CE) three
      dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) can depict characteristic hyperstain and
      washout patterns in minute nodules <=10 mm of hepatocellular carcinoma (minute
      HCC), and whether it serves as a potent diagnostic modality. METHODS: CE 3D US
      was carried out to depict hyperstain and washout of a solitary nodule <=10 mm in
      patients with liver cirrhosis. When both patterns were depicted with success, CE
      computed tomography (CT) and CE magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were also
      carried out as part of a comparative study, and then a histological specimen was
      obtained by needle biopsy. The final diagnosis was based on the histopathological
      findings and a follow-up on the growth of nodules. RESULTS: All 12 minute nodules
      exhibiting hyperstain and washout showed evidence of HCC when examined by CE 3D
      US. The CE CT and CE MRI examinations could depict both of these patterns,
      characteristic of HCC, in most of the nodules but rather less successfully than
      CE 3D US. CONCLUSION: CE 3D US can depict hyperstain and washout patterns in
      minute HCC and serves as a potent modality for diagnosis.

PMID- 27278333
TI  - Integrated fibrosis scoring by ultrasonography predicts the occurrence of
      hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was performed to elucidate whether evaluating the liver
      surface, edge, and texture by high-resolution ultrasonography is useful for
      predicting the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with
      hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated chronic liver diseases (CLDs) METHODS: The
      integrated fibrosis stage (a comprehensive value of scores for liver edge,
      surface, and texture) of 337 patients with HCV-associated CLDs was evaluated, at
      entry, by ultrasonography (US), as a US score. The patients were followed up
      prospectively (mean observation period was 16.4 months; range 2.8-36.2 months)
      for the occurrence of HCC by US or helical CT at 3-month intervals. A total of
      140 patients received interferon therapy, and the occurrence of HCC was compared
      between those with and without interferon therapy RESULTS: The annual incidence
      of HCC was 1.1, 5.5, and 10.2% in low, middle, and high US score groups,
      respectively. Univariate analysis showed that age, serum levels of total
      bilirubin, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), platelet count, albumin, total cholesterol,
      and the US score were associated with HCC occurrence in the patients. A
      multivariate proportional hazard model revealed that only the middle and high US
      scores (p = 0.0922, hazard ratio 4.006, 95% CI 0.796-20.153 and p = 0.008, hazard
      ratio 7.991, 95% CI 1.721-37.10, respectively) and elevated AFP (p = 0.031,
      hazard ratio 2.774, CI 1.097-7.014) were independently associated with HCC
      occurrence. Our US scoring based on evaluation of the liver surface, edge, and
      texture was clearly and strongly associated with the occurrence of HCC in
      patients with HCV-associated CLDs, and with the higher occurrence rate of HCC in
      patients with higher US scores CONCLUSION: Thus, US is a good tool for evaluating
      the fibrosis stage of the liver, and may therefore be useful in designing an
      optimum follow-up interval for each patient with HCV-associated CLD.

PMID- 27278334
TI  - Attempt to quantify uterine involution using acoustic radiation force impulse
      before and after placental delivery.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether baseline
      stiffness of the uterine corpus and cervix accurately estimated by acoustic
      radiation force impulse (AFRI) elastography changed after placental delivery.
      METHODS: Eleven patients with normal vaginal delivery underwent ARFI elastography
      before, immediately after, and 1 and 2 h after placental delivery, and the shear
      wave velocity was measured to determine the stiffness. Each measurement was
      performed in triplicate to obtain a mean +/- SD. RESULTS: The shear wave velocity
      of the uterine corpus before, immediately after, and 1 and 2 h after placental
      delivery was 1.81 +/- 0.60, 3.04 +/- 0.76, 3.12 +/- 0.95, and 2.72 +/- 0.81 m/s,
      respectively, and the shear wave velocity of the uterine cervix was 1.35 +/-
      0.45, 1.87 +/- 0.57, 1.68 +/- 0.59, and 1.70 +/- 0.5 m/s, respectively. The
      stiffness of the uterine corpus significantly changed over time, although that of
      the uterine cervix was not significantly altered. The stiffness of the uterine
      corpus was significantly higher immediately after and 1 and 2 h after placental
      delivery as compared with that before placental delivery. The uterine corpus had
      a significantly higher stiffness than the uterine cervix at each of the four time
      points examined. CONCLUSION: ARFI elastography may be useful to assess uterine
      involution using the shear wave velocity.

PMID- 27278335
TI  - A sub-centimeter HCC with bright loop appearance diagnosed by contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography.
AB  - Detection of a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the early stage is critical, as
      clinical stage influences treatment selection and patient prognosis.
      Carcinogenetic development of an HCC is a multi-step process, and a differential
      diagnosis between a dysplastic nodule and a well-differentiated HCC is often
      difficult. A bright loop appearance is a significant finding that indicates
      disappearance of fatty deposition in the central area of the nodule during the
      progression toward HCC, however such a finding is rare in cases of sub-centimeter
      sized HCCs. We encountered a case of HCC that developed a bright loop appearance
      on ultrasound (US) without enlargement approximately 2 years after diagnosis as a
      dysplastic nodule. Moreover, the hypoechoic area in the center of the nodule
      showed an HCC pattern in contrast enhanced US with SonazoidTM. Vascularity in the
      nodule could not be observed on dynamic contrast-enhanced CT or Gd-EOB-DTPA
      enhanced MRI. When a change in the intranodular echo pattern is observed in sub
      centimeter-sized nodules, examination of intranodular vascularity by contrast
      enhanced US is important to evaluate borderline lesions. 

PMID- 27278336
TI  - A case of mediastinal lymphangioma: endosonographic appearance.
AB  - Mediastinal lymphangioma is a rare, benign disease characterized by an abnormal
      proliferation of lymphatic vessels. Although a definitive diagnosis can be best
      made by surgical resection, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) can be used as radiological methods to diagnose a pulmonary
      lymphangioma preoperatively. Endoscopic ultrasonography is a new method for
      visualizing pathological changes in the mediastum and may be used for
      preoperative diagnosis of a pulmonary lymphangioma, which is a rare example of a
      mediastinal disease. 

PMID- 27278337
TI  - A large meconium pseudocyst that developed into the generalized type during the
      antepartum period.
AB  - A fetal intraabdominal cystic mass, measuring 6 cm, was detected at 30 weeks of
      gestation in a 27-year-old gravida 2 para 1 woman. At 33 weeks of gestation, the
      cyst disappeared. Ultrasonography showed fetal bowel dilatation, polyhydramnios,
      and intraabdominal calcifications. Fetal meconium peritonitis was diagnosed
      prenatally. Because the fetal ileus became worse, a cesarean section was
      performed at 35 weeks of gestation; a female infant weighing 2,131 g with an
      Apgar score of 8 was delivered. Six hours after birth, the neonate received an
      ileostomy. The bowel was reanastomosed 42 days after the initial operation. On
      postoperative pathology, a meconium pseudocyst was diagnosed. To our knowledge,
      this is the first report of a large fetal meconium pseudocyst that developed into
      the generalized type in the uterus during the preterm antepartum period. 

PMID- 27278329
TI  - The function and regulation of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and the
      epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC): IUPHAR Review 19.
AB  - Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) are
      both members of the ENaC/degenerin family of amiloride-sensitive Na(+) channels.
      ASICs act as proton sensors in the nervous system where they contribute, besides
      other roles, to fear behaviour, learning and pain sensation. ENaC mediates Na(+)
      reabsorption across epithelia of the distal kidney and colon and of the airways.
      ENaC is a clinically used drug target in the context of hypertension and cystic
      fibrosis, while ASIC is an interesting potential target. Following a brief
      introduction, here we will review selected aspects of ASIC and ENaC function. We
      discuss the origin and nature of pH changes in the brain and the involvement of
      ASICs in synaptic signalling. We expose how in the peripheral nervous system,
      ASICs cover together with other ion channels a wide pH range as proton sensors.
      We introduce the mechanisms of aldosterone-dependent ENaC regulation and the
      evidence for an aldosterone-independent control of ENaC activity, such as
      regulation by dietary K(+) . We then provide an overview of the regulation of
      ENaC by proteases, a topic of increasing interest over the past few years. In
      spite of the profound differences in the physiological and pathological roles of
      ASICs and ENaC, these channels share many basic functional and structural
      properties. It is likely that further research will identify physiological
      contexts in which ASICs and ENaC have similar or overlapping roles.

PMID- 27278338
TI  - A case of vasa previa diagnosed prenatally, and review of the literature.
AB  - The perinatal mortality rate of vasa previa is high if it is not prenatally
      diagnosed. In this report, a case of vasa previa diagnosed prenatally is
      presented. Antepartum hemorrhage at 24 weeks of gestation prompted a close
      investigation of the uterine cervix, internal os, and placenta. We detected a low
      lying bilobed placenta with umbilical cord insertion in the lower uterine
      segment. Furthermore, one of the connecting vessels of the bilobed placenta
      passed directly above the internal os. Vasa previa was suspected and confirmed
      with color Doppler and MRI. The fetus was delivered uneventfully by planned
      Cesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation. It should be considered that placenta
      previa (including low-lying placenta), bilobed placenta, and umbilical cord
      insertion in the lower uterine segment are associated with high risk of vasa
      previa. Ultrasound screening for cord insertion and placenta around the internal
      os enables efficient and certain detection of vasa previa. 

PMID- 27278339
TI  - A case of perforated multiple gastric duplication cysts with five-layered
      appearance on ultrasonography.
AB  - A case of perforated multiple gastric duplication cysts is presented. One of the
      gastric duplication cysts without perforation was seen on ultrasonography (US)
      with the following specific findings of gastric duplication cysts: a five-layered
      appearance, fold-like structures in the wall, and blood supply from the
      gastroepiploic artery. Other cysts with perforation presented with irregular and
      thin walls with a lack of the "double-wall sign" on US. These characteristic
      findings may be specific to perforated multiple gastric duplication cysts. 

PMID- 27278340
TI  - Erratum to: A case of perforated multiple gastric duplication cysts with five
      layered appearance on ultrasonography.

PMID- 27278341
TI  - A case of quadricuspid aortic valve diagnosed by three-dimensional
      transesophageal echocardiography and multidetector computed tomography.

PMID- 27278342
TI  - Prenatal ultrasonographic findings of large pseudocysts and edema of the
      umbilical cord.

PMID- 27278343
TI  - Modelling of Brain Deformation After Decompressive Craniectomy.
AB  - Hyperelastic finite element models, with either an idealized cylindrical geometry
      or with realistic craniectomy geometries, were used to explore clinical issues
      relating to decompressive craniectomy. The potential damage in the brain tissue
      was estimated by calculating the volume of material exceeding a critical shear
      strain. Results from the idealized model showed how the potentially damaged
      volume of brain tissue increased with an increasing volume of brain tissue
      herniating from the skull cavity and with a reduction in craniectomy area. For a
      given herniated volume, there was a critical craniectomy diameter where the
      volume exceeding a critical shear strain fell to zero. The effects of details at
      the craniectomy edge, specifically a fillet radius and a chamfer on the bone
      margin, were found to be relatively slight, assuming that the dura is retained to
      provide effective protection. The location in the brain associated with volume
      expansion and details of the material modeling were found to have a relatively
      modest effect on the predicted damage volume. The volume of highly sheared
      material in the realistic models of the craniectomy varied roughly in line with
      differences in the craniectomy area.

PMID- 27278344
TI  - Reduced-Dimension Modeling Approach for Simulating Recruitment/De-recruitment
      Dynamics in the Lung.
AB  - Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a pulmonary disease that requires the use
      of mechanical ventilation for patient recovery. However, this can lead to
      development of ventilator-induced lung injury caused by the over-distension of
      alveolar tissue and by the repetitive closure (de-recruitment) and reopening
      (recruitment) of airways. In this study, we developed a multi-scale model of the
      lung from a reduced-dimension approach to investigate the dynamics of ventilation
      in the lung during airway collapse and reopening. The model consisted of an
      asymmetric network geometry with 16 generations of liquid-lined airways with
      airflow driven by a variable pleural pressure. During the respiratory cycle
      changes in airway radii and film thickness yield the formation of liquid plugs
      that propagate and rupture throughout the airway network. Simulations were
      conducted with constant surface tension values [Formula: see text] dyn/cm. It was
      observed that the time onset of plug creation and rupture depended on the surface
      tension, as well as the plug aggregation/splitting behavior at bifurcations.
      Additionally, the plug propagation behavior was significantly influenced by
      presence of plugs in adjacent airways (i.e. parent and daughters) that affected
      the driving pressure distribution locally at bifurcations and resulted in complex
      aggregation and splitting behavior. This model provides an approach that has the
      ability to simulate normal and pathophysiological lung conditions with the
      potential to be used in personalized clinical medicine.

PMID- 27278345
TI  - Genetic characterization and founder effect analysis of recently introduced
      Salers cattle breed population.
AB  - Salers are a native French breed used for beef and dairy production that has
      expanded to all the continents. The Salers breed was introduced to the north of
      Spain in 1985 with only 15 individuals from France and has successfully increased
      to over 20 000 animals. Although over time new animals have been imported from
      France for breeding, it is possible that the limiting number of founder animals
      could have resulted in a reduction of the genetic diversity found in Spanish
      Salers. Thus, the purpose of the present study has been to characterize the
      genetic diversity of Salers breed in Spain and evaluate a possible founder effect
      due to reduced number of the first reproducers. A total of 403 individuals from
      12 Salers herds were analyzed using 12 microsatellite markers and compared with
      phylogenetically and geographically close related Blonde d'Aquitaine, Limousin
      and Charolais French breeds but also other 16 European breeds. Microsatellites in
      Salers were polymorphic, with a mean allelic richness of 5.129 and an expected
      heterozygosity of 0.621 across loci (0.576 to 0.736 among all breeds). Average
      observed heterozygosity was 0.618. All the loci fit the Hardy-Weinberg (HW)
      equilibrium except TGLA227 locus due to a significant deficit of heterozygotes in
      only one of the herds, probably attributable to a sampling effect. When all loci
      were combined, Salers inbreeding coefficient did not differ statistically from 0
      (F IS=0.005), indicating not significant excess or deficit of heterozygotes
      (P=0.309). Based in allelic distribution, Salers revealed a frequency of 0.488 in
      BM2113-131 and 0.064 in BM2113-143 diagnostic alleles, which are specific to the
      African zebu. These zebu alleles are also found in some French breeds, supported
      by STR data previously postulated hypothesis of a migration route through
      Mediterranean route by which North African cattle may have left a genetic
      signature in southern Europe. Phylogenetic tree and population structure analyses
      could unambiguously differentiate Salers cattle from the other populations and
      10% of the total genetic variability could be attributed to differences among
      breeds (mean R ST=0.105; P<0.01). Mutation-drift equilibrium tests (sign test and
      Wilcoxon's sign rank test) were in correspondence to the absence of founder
      effect when Bonferroni was applied. Gene diversity previously reported in French
      Salers was comparable with the observed in our population. Thus, high genetic
      diversity in Spanish Salers highlights the resources of this population, which
      looks toward future breeding and selection programs.

PMID- 27278346
TI  - High E/e' disrupts the rapid lowering of blood glucose in response to exercise
      training.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No relationship between the ratio of peak early velocity of left
      ventricular inflow to peak systolic longitudinal velocity of the mitral annulus
      velocity (E/e') and insulin resistance has yet been shown in patients with
      cardiac disease. We hypothesized that patients with high E/e' values would tend
      not to show the rapid blood glucose-lowering in response to exercise training
      characteristic of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes mellitus (DM)
      patients. METHODS: The subjects were continuous IGT/DM patients (n = 27)
      participating in cardiac rehabilitation. All patients' E/e' values were measured
      by echocardiography. The patients' blood glucose levels (mg/dl) were measured
      just before (pre-BS) and after (post-BS) exercise training. Post-BS was
      subtracted from pre-BS to obtain DeltaBS, and the relationship between E/e' and
      DeltaBS was investigated. RESULTS: E/e' correlated negatively with DeltaBS.
      Moreover, E/e' was a significant predictor of DeltaBS and as such was independent
      of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), pre-BS, and presence of atrial fibrillation on
      multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with high E/e', indicating high left
      ventricular filling pressure, were unlikely to exhibit the rapid glucose-lowering
      response.

PMID- 27278347
TI  - Comparison of the effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist monotherapy and
      combination therapy with a diuretic on cardiac function in spontaneously
      hypertensive rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), has been reported
      to promote sodium excretion and show an enhanced antihypertensive effect when
      used in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). We investigated the effects
      of losartan monotherapy and combination therapy together with HCTZ on cardiac
      function in hypertensive rats using echocardiography. METHODS: Spontaneously
      hypertensive rats (n = 21) fed on high-salt diet (8 % NaCl) for 13 weeks were
      randomly assigned to rats without medication (HS, n = 7), those medicated with
      ARB (ARB, losartan 30 mg/kg/day, n = 8), and those with ARB and HCTZ (ARB + HCTZ,
      losartan 30 mg/kg/day + HCTZ 10 mg/kg/day, n = 6). Blood pressure measurements
      and echocardiography were performed at 13, 17, and 29 weeks of age. After the end
      of the protocol, the proportion of cardiac muscle fibrosis was measured
      histologically. RESULTS: In the HS group, blood pressure and left ventricular
      mass/body weight (LV mass/BW) increased, and % fractional shortening (%FS) and
      early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e') decreased significantly with age. In
      the ARB group, although blood pressure and %FS were maintained, LV mass/BW
      increased with age as in the HS group, and e' decreased. In the ARB + HCTZ group,
      blood pressure decreased and LV mass/BW, %FS, and e' were maintained. The
      progression of myocardial fibrosis was clearly prevented in rats treated with
      ARB. CONCLUSION: ARB was shown to inhibit systolic disorder and myocardial
      fibrosis in hypertensive rats. Combination therapy proved to be more effective
      than monotherapy and is also effective in inhibiting diastolic disorders.

PMID- 27278348
TI  - Multiple coronary artery fistulae with biventricular hypertrophy.
AB  - Here, we report a case of multiple coronary artery fistulae with biventricular
      hypertrophy. The initial diagnosis of multiple coronary artery fistulae, draining
      into the left as well as the right ventricle, was made by standard transthoracic
      2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. Later, multiple coronary fistulae
      communicating with the left ventricle through persistent sinusoids were diagnosed
      by coronary angiography. 

PMID- 27278349
TI  - Right- and left-sided carcinoid heart disease without intracardiac shunting.
AB  - We present a case of a 54-year-old man with carcinoid heart disease and mitral
      valve involvement. He had hepatic carcinoid with an extremely elevated urinary
      excretion of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and was referred to our division for
      shortness of breath and leg edema. Transthoracic echocardiography showed the
      thickened and retracted tricuspid valve leaflets and severe tricuspid
      regurgitation. Moderate mitral regurgitation was observed, with the involvement
      of mitral valve leaflets. A patent foramen ovale was not detected on
      transesophageal echocardiography. The extremely high concentration of circulating
      serotonin and/or other vasoactive substances may have contributed to left- as
      well as right-sided carcinoid heart disease. 

PMID- 27278350
TI  - A rare case of impending paradoxical embolism with a complex patent foramen
      ovale.
AB  - A 68-year-old woman, who presented with pulmonary embolism, was diagnosed as
      having an impending paradoxical thromboembolism by transthoracic and
      transesophageal echocardiography, which revealed an entrapped thrombus in the
      atrial septum. The patient underwent surgery for thromboembolectomy. A patent
      foramen ovale (PFO) appeared as a tunnel with three openings into the left
      atrium; one opening located close to the antero-superior left atrial wall and two
      small atrial septal defects of a septum primum. A thrombus was trapped at two
      small atrial septal defects. This was a rare case of impending paradoxical
      embolism with complex morphology of PFO. 

PMID- 27278351
TI  - Three-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of pacemaker lead
      perforation.
AB  - Recently, due to increases in the number of cardiac device implantations,
      especially implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization
      therapy, device complications have been experienced more frequently. Myocardial
      perforation of an implanted lead is one of the most severe complications. We
      report a case of ventricular lead perforation clearly visualized by 3-dimensional
      echocardiography, which was not identified by 2-dimensional echocardiography. 

PMID- 27278352
TI  - Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve and severe mitral regurgitation
      immediately after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
AB  - We report a high-risk patient with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who showed
      systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) and severe mitral
      regurgitation immediately after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
      The patient did not have either SAM or mitral regurgitation, but showed
      significant septal hypertrophy on preoperative transthoracic echocardiography
      which could be associated with the occurrence of SAM. Caution should be exercised
      in patients with significant interventricular septal hypertrophy before TAVR. 

PMID- 27278353
TI  - Double-chambered right ventricle presenting significant outflow tract obstruction
      only in the right decubitus position.
AB  - A 75-year-old man was referred to our echocardiography laboratory for presurgical
      evaluation. His past history included ventricular septal defect closure. He
      reported chest discomfort in the right decubitus position. Two-dimensional and
      Doppler echocardiography revealed an anomalous muscle bundle with accelerated
      blood flow in the right ventricle. The peak flow velocity of the flow increased
      from 1.4 m/s in the left decubitus position to 2.9 m/s in the right decubitus
      position. Double-chamber right ventricle with intermittent mid-ventricular
      obstruction during the right decubitus position was confirmed by transesophageal
      echocardiography. 

PMID- 27278354
TI  - A case of aortic bicuspid valve with thrombus formation without severe stenosis
      and calcification.
AB  - We encountered a patient with a history of juvenile cerebral infarction with an
      unknown cause in whom a mass adhering to the aortic valve (AV) surface was
      observed on echocardiography performed upon the development of heart failure.
      Mild AV stenosis (AS) with moderate regurgitation was noted, and valve repair was
      applied. It was found during surgery that the AV was a bicuspid valve (BAV)
      without calcification, and the mass was an organized thrombus. Thrombus formation
      on the AV with severe AS in BAV has been reported, but the organic lesion in the
      AV was mild in this patient. 

PMID- 27278355
TI  - Aortic regurgitation caused by fibrous strand rupture in a fenestrated aortic
      valve.
AB  - Fibrous strand rupture in a fenestrated aortic valve can cause acute severe
      aortic regurgitation. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with severe
      aortic regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiography showed an abnormal fibrous
      strand echo on the prolapsed left coronary cusp (LCC). The operative finding
      revealed one ruptured fibrous strand attached to the LCC at the commissure
      between the left and noncoronary cusps. Pathologic examination of the aortic
      valve revealed myxomatous degeneration. 

PMID- 27278356
TI  - Acute aortic dissection flap prolapsing into the left ventricle on transthoracic
      echocardiography.

PMID- 27278357
TI  - A rare case of cardiac myxoma from the left atrial appendage presenting with
      acute myocardial infarction.

PMID- 27278358
TI  - LTP-1, a novel antimitotic agent and Stat3 inhibitor, inhibits human pancreatic
      carcinomas in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide with a poor
      survival rate. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism of
      action of a novel antimitotic and Stat3 inhibitor, LTP-1, on human pancreatic
      cancer in vitro and in vivo. We found that LTP-1 inhibited pancreatic cancer cell
      growth and viability with significant G2/M arrest and disruption of microtubule
      dynamics. LTP-1 also caused G2/M arrest-independent Stat3 dephosphorylation along
      with ERK activation, which indicated the possible dual function of LTP-1. Long
      term treatment of LTP-1 also induced polyploidy, activated caspases, induced
      subG1 cell population, and therefore, triggered pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis.
      Finally, we used an in vivo xenograft model to demonstrate that LTP-1 suppressed
      the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In summary, our data suggest that LTP-1
      may alter microtubule dynamics, which ultimately causes polyploidy and apoptosis,
      thereby inhibiting pancreatic cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. This study
      provides evidence that LTP-1 could be a potential therapeutic agent for further
      development of pancreatic cancer treatment.

PMID- 27278359
TI  - Decision-making without a brain: how an amoeboid organism solves the two-armed
      bandit.
AB  - Several recent studies hint at shared patterns in decision-making between
      taxonomically distant organisms, yet few studies demonstrate and dissect
      mechanisms of decision-making in simpler organisms. We examine decision-making in
      the unicellular slime mould Physarum polycephalum using a classical decision
      problem adapted from human and animal decision-making studies: the two-armed
      bandit problem. This problem has previously only been used to study organisms
      with brains, yet here we demonstrate that a brainless unicellular organism
      compares the relative qualities of multiple options, integrates over repeated
      samplings to perform well in random environments, and combines information on
      reward frequency and magnitude in order to make correct and adaptive decisions.
      We extend our inquiry by using Bayesian model selection to determine the most
      likely algorithm used by the cell when making decisions. We deduce that this
      algorithm centres around a tendency to exploit environments in proportion to
      their reward experienced through past sampling. The algorithm is intermediate in
      computational complexity between simple, reactionary heuristics and calculation
      intensive optimal performance algorithms, yet it has very good relative
      performance. Our study provides insight into ancestral mechanisms of decision
      making and suggests that fundamental principles of decision-making, information
      processing and even cognition are shared among diverse biological systems.

PMID- 27278360
TI  - Effects of El Nino-driven changes in wind patterns on North Pacific albatrosses.
AB  - Changes to patterns of wind and ocean currents are tightly linked to climate
      change and have important implications for cost of travel and energy budgets in
      marine vertebrates. We evaluated how El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-driven
      wind patterns affected breeding Laysan and black-footed albatross across a decade
      of study. Owing to latitudinal variation in wind patterns, wind speed differed
      between habitat used during incubation and brooding; during La Nina conditions,
      wind speeds were lower in incubating Laysan (though not black-footed) albatross
      habitat, but higher in habitats used by brooding albatrosses. Incubating Laysan
      albatrosses benefited from increased wind speeds during El Nino conditions,
      showing increased travel speeds and mass gained during foraging trips. However,
      brooding albatrosses did not benefit from stronger winds during La Nina
      conditions, instead experiencing stronger cumulative headwinds and a smaller
      proportion of trips in tailwinds. Increased travel costs during brooding may
      contribute to the lower reproductive success observed in La Nina conditions.
      Furthermore, benefits of stronger winds in incubating habitat may explain the
      higher reproductive success of Laysan albatross during El Nino conditions. Our
      findings highlight the importance of considering habitat accessibility and cost
      of travel when evaluating the impacts of climate-driven habitat change on marine
      predators.

PMID- 27278362
TI  - Open water camouflage via 'leaky' light guides in the midwater squid Galiteuthis.
AB  - Galiteuthis, a midwater squid, has photophores on the ventral surfaces of its
      eyes. These photophores emit bioluminescence to counter-illuminate the shadows
      cast by the eyes in downwelling sunlight, thereby hiding the eyes from upward
      looking predators. The photophores consist of laminated fibre-like cells with
      semi-coaxial protein-dense layers around axial cytoplasm. These cells have been
      suggested to function as light guides: bioluminescence is an isotropic process
      used to hide in an anisotropic light environment, so any emission must be
      reshaped to be effective. We found a wide variation in cross-sectional geometries
      of photophore cells; some were more efficient at light guiding than others. We
      used a set of optical models to place these photophores in the context of the
      radiance where Galiteuthis lives and discovered a possible adaptive reason for
      this variation. In Galiteuthis's horizontal and vertical range, ocean radiance is
      also quite variable. For complete camouflage, photophores must reproduce this
      variation in radiance using an isotropic source. Our models show that variation
      in the geometry of the photophore light guides reproduces the predicted variation
      in ocean radiance experienced by this species. By selectively activating
      geometrically distinct populations of photophore cells, the animal may reproduce
      the angular distribution of light at all positions in its habitat.

PMID- 27278361
TI  - Control at stability's edge minimizes energetic costs: expert stick balancing.
AB  - Stick balancing on the fingertip is a complex voluntary motor task that requires
      the stabilization of an unstable system. For seated expert stick balancers, the
      time delay is 0.23 s, the shortest stick that can be balanced for 240 s is 0.32 m
      and there is a [Formula: see text] degrees  dead zone for the estimation of the
      vertical displacement angle in the saggital plane. These observations motivate a
      switching-type, pendulum-cart model for balance control which uses an internal
      model to compensate for the time delay by predicting the sensory consequences of
      the stick's movements. Numerical simulations using the semi-discretization method
      suggest that the feedback gains are tuned near the edge of stability. For these
      choices of the feedback gains, the cost function which takes into account the
      position of the fingertip and the corrective forces is minimized. Thus, expert
      stick balancers optimize control with a combination of quick manoeuvrability and
      minimum energy expenditures.

PMID- 27278363
TI  - Periodicity, synchronization and persistence in pre-vaccination measles.
AB  - We investigate the relationship between periodicity, synchronization and
      persistence of measles through simulations of geographical spread on the British
      Isles. We show that the establishment of areas of biennial periodicity depends on
      the interplay between human mobility and local population size and that locations
      undergoing biennial cycles tend to be, on average, synchronized in phase. We show
      however that occurrences of opposition of phase are actually quite common and
      correspond to stable dynamics. We also show that persistence is strictly related
      to circulation of the disease in the highly populated area of London and that
      this ensures survival of the disease even when human mobility drops to extremely
      low levels.

PMID- 27278365
TI  - Modelling the relation between income and commuting distance.
AB  - We discuss the distribution of commuting distances and its relation to income.
      Using data from Denmark, the UK and the USA, we show that the commuting distance
      is (i) broadly distributed with a slow decaying tail that can be fitted by a
      power law with exponent gamma ~ 3 and (ii) an average growing slowly as a power
      law with an exponent less than one that depends on the country considered. The
      classical theory for job search is based on the idea that workers evaluate the
      wage of potential jobs as they arrive sequentially through time, and extending
      this model with space, we obtain predictions that are strongly contradicted by
      our empirical findings. We propose an alternative model that is based on the idea
      that workers evaluate potential jobs based on a quality aspect and that workers
      search for jobs sequentially across space. We also assume that the density of
      potential jobs depends on the skills of the worker and decreases with the wage.
      The predicted distribution of commuting distances decays as 1/r(3) and is
      independent of the distribution of the quality of jobs. We find our alternative
      model to be in agreement with our data. This type of approach opens new
      perspectives for the modelling of mobility.

PMID- 27278364
TI  - Understanding the within-host dynamics of influenza A virus: from theory to
      clinical implications.
AB  - Mathematical models have provided important insights into acute viral dynamics
      within individual patients. In this paper, we study the simplest target cell
      limited models to investigate the within-host dynamics of influenza A virus
      infection in humans. Despite the biological simplicity of the models, we show how
      these can be used to understand the severity of the infection and the key
      attributes of possible immunotherapy and antiviral drugs for the treatment of
      infection at different times post infection. Through an analytic approach, we
      derive and estimate simple summary biological quantities that can provide novel
      insights into the infection dynamics and the definition of clinical endpoints. We
      focus on nine quantities, including the area under the viral load curve, peak
      viral load, the time to peak viral load and the level of cell death due to
      infection. Using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, we fitted the models to data
      collected from 12 untreated volunteers who participated in two clinical studies
      that tested the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. Based on the results,
      we also discuss various difficulties in deriving precise estimates of the
      parameters, even in the very simple models considered, when experimental data are
      limited to viral load measures and/or there is a limited number of viral load
      measurements post infection.

PMID- 27278366
TI  - Enhanced identification of synergistic and antagonistic emergent interactions
      among three or more drugs.
AB  - Interactions among drugs play a critical role in the killing efficacy of multi
      drug treatments. Recent advances in theory and experiment for three-drug
      interactions enable the search for emergent interactions-ones not predictable
      from pairwise interactions. Previous work has shown it is easier to detect
      synergies and antagonisms among pairwise interactions when a rescaling method is
      applied to the interaction metric. However, no study has carefully examined
      whether new types of normalization might be needed for emergence. Here, we
      propose several rescaling methods for enhancing the classification of the higher
      order drug interactions based on our conceptual framework. To choose the
      rescaling that best separates synergism, antagonism and additivity, we conducted
      bacterial growth experiments in the presence of single, pairwise and triple-drug
      combinations among 14 antibiotics. We found one of our rescaling methods is far
      better at distinguishing synergistic and antagonistic emergent interactions than
      any of the other methods. Using our new method, we find around 50% of emergent
      interactions are additive, much less than previous reports of greater than 90%
      additivity. We conclude that higher order emergent interactions are much more
      common than previously believed, and we argue these findings for drugs suggest
      that appropriate rescaling is crucial to infer higher order interactions.

PMID- 27278367
TI  - FGFR Family Members Protein Expression as Prognostic Markers in Oral Cavity and
      Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast growth factor receptor family member proteins (FGFR1-4)
      have been identified as promising novel therapeutic targets and prognostic
      markers in a wide spectrum of solid tumors. The present study investigates the
      expression and prognostic value of four FGFR family member proteins in a large
      multicenter oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) and oropharyngeal
      squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) cohort. METHODS: Protein expression of FGFR1-4
      was determined by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays containing 951
      formalin-fixed paraffin embedded OCSCC and OPSCC tissues from the University
      Medical Center Utrecht and University Medical Center Groningen. Protein
      expression was correlated to overall survival using Cox regression models, and
      bootstrapping was performed as internal validation. RESULTS: FGFR proteins were
      highly expressed in 39-64 % of OCSCC and 63-79 % of OPSCC. Seventy-three percent
      (299/412) of OCSCC and 85 % (305/357) of OPSCC highly co-expressed two or more
      FGFR family member proteins. FGFR1 protein was more frequently highly expressed
      in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative OPSCC than HPV-positive OPSCC (82 vs. 65
      %; p = 0.008). Furthermore, protein expression of FGFR family members was not
      related to overall survival in OCSCC or OPSCC (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: FGFR family
      members are frequently highly expressed in OCSCC and OPSCC. These FGFR family
      member proteins are therefore potential targets for novel therapies that are
      urgently required to improve survival of OCSCC and OPSCC patients.

PMID- 27278368
TI  - Categorization does not promote symmetry in Guinea baboons (Papio papio).
AB  - Humans have the capacity to use stimuli interchangeably by forming equivalence
      classes, and this ability seems to be supported by our language system. According
      to Sidman and Tailby (Conditional discrimination vs. matching to sample: an
      expansion of the testing paradigm. J Exp Anal Behav 37:5-22, 1982), the formation
      of equivalence classes require that three relations are derived among the class
      members, and past experiments have shown that one of these relations, i.e.,
      symmetry, corresponding to the ability to reverse a relation (if A -> B, then B 
      > A), is extremely difficult to obtain in non-human animals. Because language
      development and the ability to form equivalence classes both co-occur in children
      with an increased ability to form categories, the current study tested the idea
      that category learning might promote symmetry in a nonhuman primate species. In
      Experiment 1, twelve Guinea baboons (Papio papio) were trained to associate 60
      pictures of bears and 60 pictures of cars to two category labels, before being
      tested in symmetry trials. In Experiment 2, symmetry was trained and tested by
      reversing the association order between labels and pictures, using a new set of
      stimuli. In both experiments, the baboons successfully demonstrated category
      discrimination, but had only a weak (though significant) tendency to respond in
      accordance with symmetry during test trials. Altogether, our results confirm that
      symmetry is inherently difficult in non-human animals. We discuss possible
      explanations for such a limitation and give reasons for thinking that the effects
      of categorization on symmetry should be further investigated.

PMID- 27278371
TI  - Sustained release of isoniazid from polylactide microspheres prepared using
      solid/oil drug loading method for tuberculosis treatment.
AB  - Polylactide (PLA) microspheres were prepared using the solid-in-oil (S/O) spray
      drying method to achieve the sustained release of a hydrophilic drug for the
      treatment of tuberculosis, via intratracheal instillation. Isoniazid (IN), a low
      molecular-weight hydrophilic drug, was used as a model drug. The effects of
      various sizes of micronized IN powder, different drug/polymer ratios, spray
      drying process parameters, and drug-release characteristics were studied to
      optimize the manufacturing parameters. A high entrapment efficiency (87.3%) was
      obtained using this method; furthermore, the microspheres were spherical and
      smooth. They were individually and homogenously distributed, with a mean diameter
      of 5.6 MUm; furthermore, they showed a satisfactory extended sustained-release
      phase. After administration of the microspheres to rats, pulmonary drug
      concentrations were maintained at a relatively stable level for up to 4 weeks. 

PMID- 27278372
TI  - A single mutation in the PBC loop of VP2 is involved in the in vitro replication
      of infectious bursal disease virus.
AB  - To test whether amino acid mutations in the PBC and PHI loops of VP2 are involved
      in the replication and virulence of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), a
      pair of viruses, namely the moderately virulent IBDV (rGx-F9VP2) and the
      attenuated strain (rGt), were used. Residue mutations A222P (PBC) and S330R
      (PHI), selected by sequence comparison, were introduced individually into rGx
      F9VP2 by using a reverse genetics system. In addition, the reverse mutation of
      either P222A or R330S was introduced into rGt. The four modified viruses were
      then rescued and evaluated in vitro (CEF cells) and in vivo (SPF chickens).
      Results showed that A222P elevated the replication efficiency of rGx-F9VP2 while
      P222A reduced that of rGt in CEF cells. A mutation at residue 330 did not alter
      IBDV replication. In addition, animal experiments showed that a single mutation
      at either residue 222 or 330 did not significantly influence the virulence of
      IBDV. In conclusion, residue 222 in PBC of VP2 is involved in the replication
      efficiency of IBDV in vitro but does not affect its virulence in vivo, further
      facilitating our understanding of the gene-function of IBDV. 

PMID- 27278369
TI  - Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Hypertension: the Role of the Central Nervous
      System.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with both
      nocturnal and daytime hypertensions which increase cardiovascular morbidity and
      mortality. It is thought that the repeated episodes of hypoxia and hypercapnia
      during nocturnal airway obstructions that characterise OSA result in increased
      sympathetic drive that persists during wakefulness. Although the underlying
      mechanisms responsible for this hypertension remain to be elucidated, several
      neural and humoral mechanisms have been proposed and recent evidence suggesting
      changes in the central nervous system may play a significant role. The purpose of
      this review is to explore recent evidence of central changes associated with
      elevated sympathetic drive in individuals with OSA. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent human
      brain imaging investigations and, in particular, combined microneurography
      recording of resting sympathetic activity with high-resolution functional
      magnetic resonance imaging have provided some important insights into changes in
      brain function and anatomy associated with resting sympathetic activity.
      Functional and anatomical changes occur in OSA, including in regions of the
      brainstem circuitry known to be responsible for setting resting sympathetic
      activity. Furthermore, these changes are reversed following continuous positive
      airway treatment in concert with reductions in resting sympathetic drive. These
      resent findings suggest that the central changes may contribute significantly to
      the hypertension associated with OSA.

PMID- 27278373
TI  - Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment following intravitreal ocriplasmin.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients presenting with
      rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after ocriplasmin (OCP) injection.
      METHODS: Retrospective, multi-centre, observational case series with case note
      review. RESULTS: Eight patients with symptomatic vitreomacular traction (six with
      concomitant macular hole) were diagnosed with RRD after a median of 16 days
      (range 3-131 days) post-OCP injection. Presentation was within 3 weeks of the OCP
      injection in six of the cases. Five patients presented with symptoms post-OCP,
      and three were diagnosed asymptomatically on planned visits. Seven cases were
      phakic, one had high myopia (>8 dioptres), and two cases had lattice
      degeneration. Following RRD surgery, hole closure was achieved in 5/6 MH cases.
      The final median BCVA at 7 months was 20/80 (range 20/40-20/1200) similar to the
      baseline BCVA 20/80, with four patients gaining >=1 line of vision compared to
      baseline but three losing >=3 lines. CONCLUSIONS: RRD is a non-negligible risk
      associated with intravitreal OCP, and it should be used with caution in eyes with
      high myopia and peripheral retinal pathology predisposing to RRD. Detailed
      peripheral retinal examination is recommended pre- and postoperatively at all
      visits. Patients should be advised to seek attention if symptoms recur after
      initial presentation.

PMID- 27278374
TI  - Vision loss under silicone oil tamponade.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate frequency, time course and pathophysiology of
      vision loss in eyes with macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment operated
      with vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen eyes of
      15 patients who had been operated with 5,000 centistoke silicone oil between 2006
      and 2014 were included in a retrospective case series. Examinations included
      logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field testing (VF), spectral
      domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), electrophysiology, and fluorescein
      angiography. RESULTS: Vision loss was seen in eight (53 %) eyes of 15 patients
      with symptomatic central scotoma, which was confirmed by VF (5/6). Preoperative
      median BCVA of these patients was 0.15 (0.5 to 0), prior to oil removal 0.7 (1.0
      to 0.5), and 6 weeks post oil removal 1.0 (1.5 to 0.2). BCVA recovered in five
      patients to a median of 0.15 (0.5 to 0.1), and it remained 1.0 in three (20 %)
      out of 15 eyes. OCT revealed significant thinning of the foveal and parafoveal
      combined nerve fiber, ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers in affected eyes
      (mean 58.3 MUm +/-13, horizontal scan through fovea, 500 MUm radius) compared to
      their healthy fellow eyes (mean 84.5 MUm +/-12.3; p < 0.01, n = 6 patients, 12
      eyes) and compared to eyes with no vision loss under silicone oil. CONCLUSIONS:
      We find persisting vision loss in three out of 15 patients treated for macula-on
      rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with silicone oil tamponade. Thinning of inner
      retinal layers possibly evoked by silicone oil tamponade might be a
      pathophysiological explanation for vision loss in these patients.

PMID- 27278375
TI  - [Fifth symposium on renal cell cancer].

PMID- 27278376
TI  - Partial replacement of left hemidiaphragm in dogs by either cryopreserved or
      decellularized heterograft patch.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Large diaphragmatic defects are still a challenging issue for
      reconstruction using either synthetic prosthesis or bioprosthesis. To evaluate
      the possibility of using diaphragm allograft as a natural bioprosthesis in
      humans, we conducted a two-group study and compared cryopreserved and
      decellularized diaphragmatic heterograft patched in a canine model. METHODS: At
      the end of organ harvesting from a human donor, the left hemidiaphragm was taken
      to the laboratory in phosphate-buffered saline solution. The next step was
      freezing the grafts at -80 degrees C, and preserving them for up to 2 months in
      Group 1. It was subjected to a detergent-enzymatic method (containing sodium
      deoxycholate/DNase lavations) of decellularization for 25 cycles in Group 2.
      Through left thoracotomy in the eighth intercostal space, cryopreserved patches
      in six dogs and decellularized patches in five dogs replaced the diaphragm.
      During the follow-up, sonography was done in all animals, but three and two dogs
      in Group 1 and 2 underwent computed tomography (CT) scan, respectively. The
      animals were euthanized after 6 months. RESULTS: There was no mortality.
      Sonography showed only motion impairment of the patches in all cases. In Group 1,
      CT scan showed mild atelectasis and scattered infiltration in the left lower
      lobe, fibrotic bands and minimal fluid collection under the diaphragm. In Group
      2, CT scan showed scattered fibrotic bands and mild to moderate elevation of the
      left hemidiaphragm. There was no evidence of gross disruption and complete
      healing of the suture line. Necropsy in both groups showed patches were
      completely replaced with a dense fibrous tissue. In Group 1, focal calcification
      was noticeable in every case and foreign body-type granulomas were clearly seen
      all over the grafted tissue. Histology in Group 2 animals showed less
      inflammatory cell infiltration and scattered foreign body granulomas in
      comparison with the cryopreserved patch graft. CONCLUSIONS: The gross healing
      process in the decellularized heterograft is similar to the cryopreserved
      diaphragm but with fewer inflammatory cells and foreign body granulomas on
      histology. Both of them can be used instead of bioprostheses with regard to the
      fact that the decellularized patch technique is more complex and expensive. It is
      recommended to compare them with commercial bioprostheses.

PMID- 27278378
TI  - Expression of Membrane-Bound Mucins and p63 in Distinguishing Mucoepidermoid
      Carcinoma from Papillary Cystadenoma.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the immunoexpression of epithelial mucins
      (MUCs) in salivary duct cysts, papillary cystadenomas, and mucoepidermoid
      carcinomas and to evaluate if any of these markers could be useful for
      differentiating between mucoepidermoid carcinoma and papillary cystadenoma. We
      also sought to validate the p63 expression pattern found to differentiate between
      mucoepidermoid carcinoma and papillary cystadenoma. Immunoexpression of MUC1,
      MUC2, MUC4, MUC7, and p63 was studied and quantified in 22 mucoepidermoid
      carcinomas, 12 papillary cystadenomas, and 3 salivary duct cysts. The
      immunohistochemical evaluation was collectively performed by 3 oral pathologists.
      Scores and trends in proportions were assessed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon
      Mann-Whitney rank sum test. Mucoepidermoid carcinomas, papillary cystadenomas,
      and salivary duct cysts demonstrated variable MUC expression patterns. All tumors
      were positive for p63 immunoexpression with p63 labeling in salivary duct cysts
      and papillary cystadenomas (15/15) limited to the basal layers of the cystic
      spaces, whereas in mucoepidermoid carcinomas (22/22) the p63 labeling extended
      throughout the suprabasal layers (p < 0.001). This study adds more confirmatory
      data to validate that the reactivity pattern of p63 protein can be used in
      distinguishing between papillary cystadenoma and low-grade mucoepidermoid
      carcinoma. Although positive reactivity in a tumor with MUC1 and MUC4 was
      inconclusive, negative reactivity suggests the diagnosis of a benign PC or SDC.

PMID- 27278379
TI  - Sinus of Valsalva dilates disproportionately in aortic root aneurysm with
      moderate to severe aortic regurgitation: quantitative assessment by
      transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Geometric change of the aortic valve and root in patients with aortic
      root aneurysm has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to
      quantitatively assess the characteristics of aortic valve and root morphology in
      patients with aortic root aneurysm. METHODS: Ten aortic root aneurysm patients
      (eight males, group A) with moderate to severe aortic regurgitation and ten
      controls with normal aortic valves (seven males, group N) were examined by
      transesophageal echocardiography. We measured the diameter of the aortic annulus,
      sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction (STJ) and ascending aorta, and the length
      of the valve coaptation and annulus to the leaflet tip. We also measured the cusp
      projection area, STJ arc length, leaflet tip-Valsalva wall diameter and inter
      commissural diameter in each Valsalva sinus/cusp [left coronary cusp (LCC), right
      coronary cusp (RCC), non-coronary cusp (NCC)]. RESULT: The diameters of the sinus
      of Valsalva (P = 0.003), STJ (P = 0.005) and ascending aorta (P = 0.008) were
      more significantly enlarged in group A than in group N, and the valve coaptation
      length was significantly shorter in group A than in group N (3.1 +/- 1.1 vs. 4.9
      +/- 1.1 mm/m(2), P = 0.007). Moreover, the annulus to leaflet tip length was
      significantly longer in group A than in group N (P = 0.049). There was no
      significant difference in the size of the LCC, RCC and NCC in group N, although
      there was disproportion in the size of those cusps in group A, with the largest
      being in RCCs. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with aortic root aneurysm, Valsalva
      sinuses disproportionately dilate with different size, causing the loss of
      coaptation.

PMID- 27278377
TI  - Kinetic DTI of the cervical spine: diffusivity changes in healthy subjects.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The study aims to assess the influence of neck extension on water
      diffusivity within the cervical spinal cord. METHODS: IRB approved the study in
      22 healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent anatomical MR and diffusion tensor
      imaging (DTI) at 1.5 T. The cervical cord was imaged in neutral (standard)
      position and extension. Segmental vertebral rotations were analyzed on sagittal
      T2-weighted images using the SpineView(r) software. Spinal cord diffusivity was
      measured in cross-sectional regions of interests at multiple levels (C1-C5).
      RESULTS: As a result of non-adapted coil geometry for spinal extension, 10
      subjects had to be excluded. Image quality of the remaining 12 subjects was good
      without any deteriorating artifacts. Quantitative measurements of vertebral
      rotation angles and diffusion parameters showed good intra-rater reliability (ICC
      = 0.84-0.99). DTI during neck extension revealed significantly decreased
      fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) at the C3 level
      and increased apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) at the C3 and C4 levels (p <
      0.01 Bonferroni corrected). The C3/C4 level corresponded to the maximal absolute
      change in segmental vertebral rotation between the two positions. The increase in
      RD correlated positively with the degree of global extension, i.e., the summed
      vertebral rotation angle between C1 and C5 (R = 0.77, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Our
      preliminary results suggest that DTI can quantify changes in water diffusivity
      during cervical spine extension. The maximal differences in segmental vertebral
      rotation corresponded to the levels with significant changes in diffusivity
      (C3/C4). Consequently, kinetic DTI measurements may open new perspectives in the
      assessment of neural tissue under biomechanical constraints.

PMID- 27278380
TI  - Assessment of atrial septal defect size and residual rim using real-time 3D
      transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate preoperative determination of defect location and size is
      important for successful transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASD).
      Real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) has the potential to
      delineate the shape of ASD in 3D space. METHODS: Full volume and 3D zoom datasets
      by 3DTEE were acquired in 17 ASD patients. Using quantitative software,
      maximal/minimal diameter, defect area and residual rim length were measured and
      compared to the standard 2D measurements. RESULTS: Real-time 3DTEE allowed
      delineation of the en-face view of the ASDs. The defect typically had an oval
      shape, and its size changed dynamically, having its minimal size at end-diastole
      and maximal at end-systole. A good correlation was noted between the maximal
      defect area by 3DTEE and 2DTEE (r = 0.93, p < 0.001). Successful delineation of
      rim length to the specific cardiac structure was 100% by 3DTEE and 88% by 2DTEE.
      There was a fair correlation of residual rim length between 3DTEE and 2DTEE (r =
      0.69, p < 0.001). Eight patients underwent transcatheter closure of the ASD.
      Excellent correlation was noted between 3D-derived maximal defect diameter and
      device diameter (r = 0.97, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Real-time 3DTEE allows
      measurements of the temporal and spatial changes of ASD size and shape. This
      methodology provides detailed information on defect dynamics.

PMID- 27278381
TI  - A case of echocardiographic evaluation of ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the mitral
      aortic intervalvular fibrosa by infective endocarditis.
AB  - This report describes an unusual case of ruptured pseudoaneurysm (PSA) of mitral
      aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) caused by infective endocarditis. The PSA
      ruptured into the left sinus of Valsalva in addition to the left atrium,
      resulting in complicated shunting among the aorta, left ventricle and left
      atrium, leading to refractory heart failure. The transesophageal echocardiography
      provided the precise information concerning the anatomical detail of the PSA,
      which is crucial for the surgical repair. This is the first report describing a
      patient with PSA of MAIVF with two rupture sites. 

PMID- 27278382
TI  - Cor triatriatum sinister disclosed after diagnosis of acute myocardial
      infarction.
AB  - We present a case of cor triatriatum sinister diagnosed occasionally after acute
      anterior myocardial infarction. For management of the acute myocardial infarction
      (AMI), urgent reperfusion therapy was successfully performed through the left
      anterior descending coronary artery. Thereafter, no complication associated with
      AMI occurred. Cor triatriatum sinister was diagnosed and assessed later by means
      of several modalities. Finally, medical observation was indicated for this
      patient. This case illustrates the importance of awareness of this congenital
      disease in an adult when echocardiography shows an abnormal linear echo in the
      mid portion of the left atrium. 

PMID- 27278383
TI  - Serial images of thrombi traversing the interaterial septum through a patent
      foramen ovale.

PMID- 27278384
TI  - Multiwalled carbon nanotubes enter broccoli cells enhancing growth and water
      uptake of plants exposed to salinity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carbon nanotubes have been shown to improve the germination and
      growth of some plant species, extending the applicability of the emerging nano
      biotechnology field to crop science. RESULTS: In this work, exploitation of
      commercial multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in control and 100 mM NaCl
      treated broccoli was performed. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated
      that MWCNTs can enter the cells in adult plants with higher accumulation under
      salt stress. Positive effect of MWCNTs on growth in NaCl-treated plants was
      consequence of increased water uptake, promoted by more-favourable energetic
      forces driving this process, and enhanced net assimilation of CO2. MWCNTs induced
      changes in the lipid composition, rigidity and permeability of the root plasma
      membranes relative to salt-stressed plants. Also, enhanced aquaporin transduction
      occurred, which improved water uptake and transport, alleviating the negative
      effects of salt stress. CONCLUSION: Our work provides new evidences about the
      effect of MWCNTs on plasma membrane properties of the plant cell. The positive
      response to MWCNTs in broccoli plants opens novel perspectives for their
      technological uses in new agricultural practices, especially when 1plants are
      exposed to saline environments.

PMID- 27278386
TI  - Survey nonresponse among informal caregivers: effects on the presence and
      magnitude of associations with caregiver burden and satisfaction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Informal caregiving is becoming more relevant with current trends
      such as population ageing. However, little is known about nonconsent and
      nonresponse bias in caregiving research. We investigated nonconsent and
      nonresponse bias in a sample of informal caregivers who participated in the
      LifeLines Cohort Study, and were invited for participation in an additional
      caregiving study. METHODS: We compared socio-demographic characteristics,
      caregiver health, caregiving situation, and caregiver outcomes of nonconsent and
      consent caregivers, and nonresponse and response caregivers, on LifeLines data,
      by using Chi-square tests, Independent Sample T-tests, and Mann-Whitney tests.
      Furthermore, we examined the influence of nonconsent and nonresponse on the
      presence and magnitude of the associations between caregiver characteristics and
      two commonly used caregiving outcomes (caregiver burden and satisfaction). We
      conducted multinomial logistic regression analyses, including interaction terms
      with nonconsent and nonresponse. RESULTS: Within a subcohort of 8443 caregivers,
      aged >18 years, 5095 caregivers (60 %) gave consent for participation in the
      caregiving study. Within the subgroup of 2002 caregivers who received the
      questionnaire, 965 (48 %) responded. Caregivers who were highly involved in
      caregiving (i.e. high time investment, high caregiver burden), gave more commonly
      consent to participate, and responded more often to the questionnaire. Nonconsent
      and nonresponse influenced the associations between caregiver characteristics and
      caregiver burden for only a few characteristics, mainly indicating the level of
      caregiving involvement (e.g. time investment, caregiving duration). Especially
      for caregiver burden, these indicators were stronger for consent and response
      caregivers than for nonconsent and nonresponse caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings are important for caregiving research, as they emphasized that
      participation might not be evenly distributed among caregivers, and that the
      possibility of nonconsent and nonresponse bias should be considered.

PMID- 27278385
TI  - Direct effects of physical training on markers of bone metabolism and serum
      sclerostin concentrations in older adults with low bone mass.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both gravitational loading and the forces generated by muscle
      contraction have direct effects on serum markers of bone metabolism. The object
      of this study was to examine the direct effects of a single session of resistance
      exercise or walking on biochemical markers of bone metabolism in participants
      with low bone mass. METHODS: A total of 150 otherwise healthy female subjects
      (mean age = 59.1 +/- 7.1 years) diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia were
      randomly allocated to either a resistance exercise group (RG; n = 50), walking
      group (WG; n = 50), or control group (CG; n = 50). Changes in bone-specific
      alkaline phosphatase (BALP), carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I
      collagen (CTX), and serum sclerostin concentrations were measured before and
      immediately after a single exercise intervention. RESULTS: There was no
      significant change in BALP values in any of the groups. Sclerostin levels
      increased in the RG and WG, and there was significant difference between the WG
      and CG after the exercise intervention (P < 0.01). In contrast, the changes in
      CTX concentrations from baseline were significant in the RG (P < 0.01) but not in
      the WG (P = 0.11), and there was a significant difference between resistance
      exercise and walking (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In participants with low bone mass,
      resistance exercise influenced the serum concentrations of CTX, a marker of bone
      resorption, but walking did not. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials
      ISRCTN16329455 ; retrospectively registered on 05/05/2016.

PMID- 27278387
TI  - A new method for classifying different phenotypes of kidney transplantation.
AB  - For end-stage renal diseases, kidney transplantation is the most efficient
      treatment. However, the unexpected rejection caused by inflammation usually leads
      to allograft failure. Thus, a systems-level characterization of inflammation
      factors can provide potentially diagnostic biomarkers for predicting renal
      allograft rejection. Serum of kidney transplant patients with different immune
      status were collected and classified as transplant patients with stable renal
      function (ST), impaired renal function with negative biopsy pathology (UNST),
      acute rejection (AR), and chronic rejection (CR). The expression profiles of 40
      inflammatory proteins were measured by quantitative protein microarrays and
      reduced to a lower dimensional space by the partial least squares (PLS) model.
      The determined principal components (PCs) were then trained by the support vector
      machines (SVMs) algorithm for classifying different phenotypes of kidney
      transplantation. There were 30, 16, and 13 inflammation proteins that showed
      statistically significant differences between CR and ST, CR and AR, and CR and
      UNST patients. Further analysis revealed a protein-protein interaction (PPI)
      network among 33 inflammatory proteins and proposed a potential role of
      intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in CR. Based on the network analysis
      and protein expression information, two PCs were determined as the major
      contributors and trained by the PLS-SVMs method, with a promising accuracy of
      77.5 % for classification of chronic rejection after kidney transplantation. For
      convenience, we also developed software packages of GPS-CKT (Classification
      phenotype of Kidney Transplantation Predictor) for classifying phenotypes. By
      confirming a strong correlation between inflammation and kidney transplantation,
      our results suggested that the network biomarker but not single factors can
      potentially classify different phenotypes in kidney transplantation.

PMID- 27278390
TI  - Seven days in medicine: 1-7 June 2016.

PMID- 27278389
TI  - Multimodal imaging of the tricuspid valve: normal appearance and pathological
      entities.
AB  - The tricuspid valve, which is the atrioventricular valve attached to the
      morphological right ventricle, is affected by a wide range of pathological
      processes. Tricuspid valve diseases are now increasingly recognized as a
      significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Echocardiography is the most widely
      available and, hence, the first-line imaging modality used in the evaluation of
      tricuspid valve disorders; however, CT and MRI are also increasingly used for
      further evaluation and characterization of these entities. In this article, we
      first review the normal anatomy and embryology of the tricuspid valve, followed
      by a discussion of the role of multiple imaging modalities in the evaluation of
      tricuspid valve abnormalities. We then review and illustrate the imaging
      appearance of several congenital and acquired tricuspid valve abnormalities. Main
      Messages * Tricuspid valve diseases have a significant impact on morbidity and
      mortality. * CT and MRI are increasingly used in the evaluation of tricuspid
      disorders. * CT and MRI help in diagnosis, functional evaluation, pre-surgical
      planning and post-surgical follow-up. * The most common cause of tricuspid
      regurgitation is functional. 

PMID- 27278388
TI  - The 100 most cited articles investigating the radiological staging of oesophageal
      and junctional cancer: a bibliometric analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Accurate staging of oesophageal cancer (OC) is vital. Bibliometric
      analysis highlights key topics and publications that have shaped understanding of
      a subject. The 100 most cited articles investigating radiological staging of OC
      are identified. METHODS: The Thomas Reuters Web of Science database with search
      terms including "CT, PET, EUS, oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal junction
      cancer" was used to identify all English language, full-script articles. The 100
      most cited articles were further analysed by topic, journal, author, year and
      institution. RESULTS: A total of 5,500 eligible papers were returned. The most
      cited paper was Flamen et al. (n = 306), investigating the utility of positron
      emission tomography (PET) for the staging of patients with potentially operable
      OC. The most common research topic was accuracy of staging investigations (n =
      63). The article with the highest citation rate (38.00), defined as the number of
      citations divided by the number of complete years published, was Tixier et al.
      investigating PET texture analysis to predict treatment response to neo-adjuvant
      chemo-radiotherapy, cited 114 times since publication in 2011. CONCLUSION: This
      bibliometric analysis has identified key publications regarded as important in
      radiological OC staging. Articles with the highest citation rates all
      investigated PET imaging, suggesting this modality could be the focus of future
      research. MAIN MESSAGES: * This study identifies key articles that investigate
      radiological staging of oesophageal cancer. * The most common topic was accuracy
      of staging investigations. * The article with the highest citation rate
      investigated the use of texture analysis in PET images.

PMID- 27278391
TI  - The impact of developing a pectus center for chest wall deformities.
AB  - PURPOSE: In 2011, we established a dedicated center for patients with chest wall
      deformities. Here, we evaluate the center's effect on patient volume and
      management. METHODS: A retrospective review of 699 patients with chest wall
      anomalies was performed. Patients were compared, based on the date of initial
      consultation, before the pectus center opened (July 2009-June 2011, Group 1)
      versus after (July 2011-June 2013, Group 2). Analysis was performed utilizing Chi
      square and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: 320 patients were in Group 1 and 379 in
      Group 2, an 18.4 % increase in patient volume. Excavatum patients increased from
      172 (Group 1) to 189 (Group 2). Carinatum patients increased from 125 (Group 1)
      to 165 (Group 2). Patients undergoing operative repair of carinatum/mixed defects
      dropped significantly from 15 % (Group 1) to 1 % (Group 2) (p < 0.01), whereas
      those undergoing nonoperative bracing for carinatum/mixed defects rose
      significantly from 19 % (Group 1) to 63 % (Group 2) (p < 0.01). Patients traveled
      3-1249 miles for a single visit. CONCLUSION: Initiating a dedicated pectus center
      increased patient volume and provided an effective transition to nonoperative
      bracing for carinatum patients. The concentrated focus of medical staff dedicated
      to chest wall deformities has allowed us to treat patients on a local and
      regional level.

PMID- 27278393
TI  - Abstracts for SFCR-August 2016.

PMID- 27278395
TI  - Combined anterior screw fixation of an odontoid fracture and the atlanto-axial
      joints (C1/C2) in a geriatric patient.

PMID- 27278394
TI  - Reduced blood loss and operation time in lumbar posterolateral fusion using a
      bipolar sealer.
AB  - PURPOSE: A bipolar sealer using Transcollation(r) technology, a combination of
      radiofrequency energy and saline, can provide hemostasis at 100  degrees C, which
      is lower than that used in standard electrocautery. Previous studies of joint
      arthroplasty have shown that use of the bipolar sealer reduces blood loss and
      tissue damage during the operation. However, it is unknown whether a bipolar
      sealer reduces blood loss and tissue damage in lumbar posterolateral fusion (PLF)
      surgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of this device in
      limiting blood loss during exposure of the lumbar spine in the treatment of PLF
      and postoperative pain. METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent PLF were
      prospectively enrolled between October 2011 and March 2013. Twenty-five patients
      were randomized to the bipolar sealer group (BS group) and 25 patients to the
      standard electrocautery group (control group). Operative time and blood loss
      during exposure of posterior bony elements including the transverse process for
      PLF, visual analog scale (VAS) to quantify postoperative pain, and the interval
      from the surgery to hospital discharge were compared. RESULTS: Operative time and
      blood loss expressed per level of exposure were significantly lower in the BS
      group than in the control group. There was a tendency toward a lower VAS at
      postoperative week 1 in the BS group. The duration of hospitalization was 15 and
      26 days in the BS and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A large
      randomized control trial adjusted for the number of fusion levels and body mass
      index is required to confirm the novelty value of this new bipolar sealers.

PMID- 27278396
TI  - Diversification of the methodology for evaluating cardiac function.

PMID- 27278392
TI  - Multivariable modeling of factors associated with spinal pain in young
      adolescence.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the factors related to the 1-month period prevalence of
      low back pain (LBP), neck pain (NP) and thoracic spine pain (TSP) in young
      adolescents, thereby considering potential correlates from the physical,
      sociodemographic, lifestyle, psychosocial and comorbid pain domains. METHODS: In
      this cross-sectional baseline study, 69 factors potentially associated with
      spinal pain were assessed among 842 healthy adolescents before pubertal peak
      growth. With consideration for possible sex differences in associations,
      multivariable analysis was used to simultaneously evaluate contributions of all
      variables collected in the five domains. RESULTS: A significantly higher odds of
      LBP was shown for having high levels of psychosomatic complaints (odds ratio:
      4.4; 95 % confidence interval: 1.6-11.9), a high lumbar lordotic apex,
      retroversed pelvis, introverted personality, and high levels of negative over
      positive affect. Associations with a higher prevalence and odds of NP were found
      for psychosomatic complaints (7.8; 2.5-23.9), TSP in the last month (4.9; 2.2
      10.8), backward trunk lean, high levels of negative over positive affect and
      depressed mood. Having experienced LBP (2.7; 1.3-5.7) or NP (5.5; 2.6-11.8) in
      the preceding month was associated with a higher odds of TSP, as were low self
      esteem, excessive physical activity, sedentarism and not achieving the Fit-norm.
      CONCLUSIONS: Psychosomatic symptoms and pain comorbidities had the strongest
      association with 1-month period prevalence of spinal pain in young adolescents,
      followed by factors from the physical and psychosocial domains. The role that
      "physical factors" play in non-adult spinal pain may have been underestimated by
      previous studies.

PMID- 27278397
TI  - Spatially variant regularization for tissue strain measurement and shear modulus
      reconstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE: Regarding the regularization of the displacement vector measurement and
      shear modulus reconstruction, we propose to properly set the regularization
      parameters, i.e., to use spatially variant regularization parameters at each
      point in the region of interest, because the measurement accuracies of the
      displacements and strains vary spatially. METHOD: As the measurement accuracies
      of the strains can be evaluated using the correlation coefficient when using the
      cross-spectrum phase gradient method, preliminarily the regularization parameters
      were set proportional to the reciprocal of a power of the correlation
      coefficient. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Such a regularization scheme realizes the
      spatially uniform stabilities of the strain measurement and shear modulus
      reconstruction. The effectiveness of this method was verified by showing the
      regularized results of the axial strain measurement and of one-dimensional (1-D)
      shear modulus reconstruction obtained in vivo from a human liver carcinoma (that
      was treated by interstitial microwave coagulation therapy) as well as by a 1-D
      shear modulus reconstruction obtained using an agar phantom.

PMID- 27278398
TI  - High-resolution real-time three-dimensional acoustic imaging system with a
      reflector.
AB  - PURPOSE: We propose an acoustic real-time three-dimensional (3-D) diagnostic
      imaging system based on a hybrid array-reflector configuration that realizes high
      time and spatial resolutions with a modest computational load. METHODS: All the
      elements on a small dense array were excited with proper time delays to transmit
      a broad beam similar to that of a single transmitter element. The echo was
      gathered by a concave reflector and received by the dense array. The image of the
      target was reconstructed by numerical back projection from the defocused image
      distributed on the array. With this scheme, images of the whole measurement area
      can be reconstructed from a single transmit and receive event. RESULTS: The
      number of elements can be reduced to about 1/8.2 that of a dense 2-D array of a
      digital beamforming system having the same spatial resolution. By weighting
      individual elements, the sidelobe level could be suppressed to less than -21 dB.
      The maximum theoretical frame rate is 5000 3-D images/s. This method has a higher
      signal-to-noise ratio than that of defocused multi-element digital beamforming
      methods, overcoming conventional phased array performance. CONCLUSION: The
      proposed scheme is suited for purposes that require high time and spatial
      resolutions, such as cardiology.

PMID- 27278399
TI  - Characteristic ultrasonographic features of the encapsulated variant of papillary
      carcinoma of the thyroid.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic and
      clinical features of the encapsulated variant of papillary carcinoma of the
      thyroid. METHODS: Of a total of 2020 patients whose papillary carcinoma of the
      thyroid was treated surgically between 1998 and 2002, 56 patients had the
      encapsulated variant. Ultrasonographic features of the encapsulated variant of
      papillary thyroid carcinoma were classified into the following two types based on
      the shape and character of the border: papillary carcinoma (PC) and follicular
      tumor (FT). Ultrasonographic features of the PC type are a jagged border and an
      irregular tumor shape. Those of the FT type are a smooth border and a regular
      shape (spherical to oval). RESULTS: The PC type was seen in 36 patients and the
      FT type was found in 20 patients. Both types of encapsulated variant of papillary
      carcinoma showed cervical lymph node metastases. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic
      findings of the FT type have characteristic features that are similar to those of
      benign follicular tumors of the thyroid. We should remember that some patients do
      not show typical and classical features of papillary carcinoma on
      ultrasonography.

PMID- 27278400
TI  - Clinical usefulness of quantitative evaluation of visceral fat by
      ultrasonography.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to evaluate the usefulness of a proposed method
      for visceral fat volume assessment by ultrasonography (US) in identifying those
      at risk of metabolic syndrome, and also to establish the most suitable cutoff
      level of waist circumference for the diagnosis of visceral adiposity. METHODS:
      One hundred and fifty-two outpatients with metabolic diseases such as
      hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia were studied. The total visceral fat
      volume (total-VFA) was measured by computed tomography (CT), the visceral fat
      area at the level of the umbilicus was measured by CT (CT-VFA), and the visceral
      fat area was also measured by US (US-VFA), as we recently proposed. RESULTS:
      Significant correlation coefficients were found between total-VFA and CT-VFA, US
      VFA, and waist circumference in men but not in women. The correlation co
      efficient between US-VFA and waist circumference was significantly positive in
      men and weakly positive in women. According to receiver-operator characteristic
      curves, the cutoff value of waist circumference yielding the maximal sensitivity
      plus specificity for predicting more than 100 cm(2) of US-VFA was 85 cm in men
      and 84 cm in women. The change in US-VFA was significantly larger than that in
      waist circumference after a 6-month interval. CONCLUSION: The US-measured
      visceral fat area is more useful than waist circumference in a clinical setting.

PMID- 27278401
TI  - Segmental duodenitis: ultrasonographic findings.

PMID- 27278402
TI  - Common atrioventricular valvular regurgitation as a cause of hydrops fetalis in
      Down syndrome.

PMID- 27278403
TI  - A case of pelvic kidney: contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic findings.

PMID- 27278406
TI  - Behind discoveries, beyond discoveries.

PMID- 27278405
TI  - Polyphenol- and fibre-rich dried fruits with green tea attenuate starch-derived
      postprandial blood glucose and insulin: a randomised, controlled, single-blind,
      cross-over intervention.
AB  - Polyphenol- and fibre-rich foods (PFRF) have the potential to affect postprandial
      glycaemic responses by reducing glucose absorption, and thus decreasing the
      glycaemic response of foods when consumed together. A randomised, single-blind,
      cross-over study was conducted on sixteen healthy volunteers to test whether PFRF
      could attenuate postprandial blood glucose in healthy volunteers when added to a
      source of carbohydrate (starch in bread). This is the first study to examine the
      effects of a meal comprised of components to inhibit each stage of the
      biochemical pathway, leading up to the appearance of glucose in the blood. The
      volunteers were fasted and attended four visits: two control visits (bread,
      water, balancing sugars) and two test visits (single and double dose of PFRF)
      where they consumed bread, water and PFRF. Blood samples were collected at 0
      (fasted), 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after consumption. The PFRF
      components were tested for alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory
      potential in vitro. Plasma glucose was lower after consumption of both doses
      compared with controls: lower dose, change in mean incremental areas under the
      glucose curves (IAUC)=-27.4 (sd 7.5) %, P<0.001; higher dose, IAUC=-49.0 (sd
      15.3) %, P<0.001; insulin IAUC was also attenuated by-46.9 (sd 13.4) %, P<0.01.
      Consistent with this, the polyphenol components of the PFRF inhibited alpha
      amylase (green tea, strawberry, blackberry and blackcurrant) and alpha
      glucosidase (green tea) activities in vitro. The PFRF have a pronounced and
      significant lowering effect on postprandial blood glucose and insulin response in
      humans, due in part to inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, as well
      as glucose transport. 

PMID- 27278404
TI  - Serological evidence of rift valley fever virus among acute febrile patients in
      Southern Mozambique during and after the 2013 heavy rainfall and flooding:
      implication for the management of febrile illness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) remains heavily neglected in humans in
      Mozambique, even though recent outbreaks were reported in neighboring countries
      in humans and several cases of RVFV in cattle were reported in several districts
      in Mozambique. FINDINGS: We conducted a cross sectional study during and after
      severe flooding that occurred in 2013 in Mozambique. Paired acute and
      convalescent serum samples were tested from febrile patients attending a primary
      health care unit in a suburban area of Maputo city for the presence of IgG and
      IgM antibodies against Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) using enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seroconversion of IgG anti-RVFV was observed in 5 %
      (10/200) of convalescent patients and specific IgM anti-RVFV was detected in one
      acute patient (0.5 %; 1/200). All sera from acute patient tested negative by real
      time PCR. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results suggest that RVF represent an
      important but neglected cause of febrile illness following periods of flooding in
      southern Mozambique.

PMID- 27278407
TI  - Automatic virtual transducer locating system to assist in interpreting ultrasound
      imaging.
AB  - Bodymarkers are used to label the location and orientation of the transducer
      during ultrasound examination. We attempt to evaluate the usefulness of a new
      system that indicates transducer location over that of the conventional
      bodymarker. The proposed system uses an electromagnetic tracking device to track
      the three-dimensional (3-D) position and orientation of a small electromagnetic
      receiver attached to the ultrasound transducer relative to a transmitter placed
      under the bed. The new bodymarker is displayed as a 3-D graphic model. The
      physique of the examinee is calibrated by representing five locations on the body
      on the original bodymarker. To evaluate the accuracy of the system visually, we
      compared the transducer position indicated in the new bodymarker and the actual
      transducer position in four abdominal sections. Actual and displayed position and
      orientation closely agreed in all cases, and the transducer position indicator in
      the bodymarker display moved smoothly. Automatic transducer locator on the
      virtual 3-D bodymarker accurately indicated its position and orientation. This
      system is useful and convenient in clinical examinations. 

PMID- 27278409
TI  - Sonographic features of mucus-producing carcinoma of the gallbladder.
AB  - Few cases of mucus-producing carcinoma of the gallbladder have been reported;
      accordingly, sonographic features of this entity have not been well described. We
      discuss two cases of gallbladder carcinoma with marked secretion of mucus that we
      followed using ultrasound. Acute cholecystitis in these cases resulted from
      obstruction of the cystic duct by the copious secretion of mucus. Ultrasonography
      revealed debris-like echoes floating in the lumen of the gallbladder with buoyant
      migration. Mucus appeared as highly echoic smoke-like or cloud-like masses. Color
      flow imaging showed no vascularity. The mucus echoes disappeared spontaneously
      between attacks of cholecystitis. A surgical specimen showed a tumor associated
      with abundant mucous in the gallbladder. We conclude that mucus-producing
      carcinoma of the gallbladder should be considered when numerous smoke-like echoes
      appear in the gallbladder. An accurate diagnosis can be obtained by careful
      observation using ultrasonography. 

PMID- 27278408
TI  - Significance of acoustic field for the myocardial opacification by intravenous
      contrast echocardiography.
AB  - PURPOSE: Myocardial opacification is not always homogeneous even in a normal
      heart. The aim of this study is to clarify why myocardial opacification is faint
      at the lateral side of the field or at the part far from the focus point.
      METHODS: In canine study, videointensity of the opacification at septal and
      lateral walls of the short axis view was examined by using both electric and
      mechanical transducers. In in vitro study, acoustic pressure at several points
      away from the beam direction was measured using a hydrophone in a water tank. In
      particular, the effect of position of focus point was evaluated with an
      electronic transducer. RESULTS: In canine experiment, myocardial opacification of
      the lateral wall was faint with the electronic transducer, however the mechanical
      one obtained homogeneous opacification. In vitro, using the electronic type the
      acoustic pressure was low as the beam shifted, laterally, whereas it was almost
      uniform in the mechanical type. With the electronic type, moreover, the beam
      width at the near field was not sharp when the focus point was far, resulting in
      execessive acoustic pressure. CONCLUSION: To obtain homogeneous opacifiction, a
      homogeneous acoustic field is indispensable.

PMID- 27278410
TI  - Sonographic features of intra-abdominal abscess caused by spilled stones during
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - Spillage of stones into the abdominal cavity resulting from perforation of the
      gallbladder is one of the common complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
      Although many surgeons know that stones left in the abdominal cavity can cause
      late visceral abscess requiring surgical treatment, the sonographic features of
      such abscesses have not yet to be thoroughly investigated. We investigated the
      sonographic features of intra-abdominal abscesses caused by spilled stones after
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy using Hitachi Model EUB-525 (3.5 MHz) and Aloka
      Model SSD-5500 (3.75 MHz) ultrasound systems. Two thousand thirty-six
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures were carried out at this institution from
      1990 through 2001. During this period, we encountered seven cases of intra
      abdominal abscess. Three of these cases were symptomatic, but abscess,
      granulation, or both, were found incidentally by ultrasonography in the other
      four patients during routine annual health examinations. Laparotomy and open
      drainage of pus and gallstones from the intra-abdominal abscess were necessary in
      five cases. Ultrasonography revealed a mass in six of the seven patients. The
      abscesses were located in either the right subphrenic or subhepatic space on the
      surface of the liver and were sometimes difficult to distinguish from liver
      tumors. Ultrasound showed the abscesses as oval, low-echoic, solid masses with
      posterior enhancement. They ranged from 20 to 58 mm in diameter, had clear
      margins and highly echoic peripheral rims, and showed lateral shadowing. The
      lesions also contained several highly echoic spots with acoustic shadows that
      were thought to be the spilled stones. We conclude that visceral abscess should
      be considered after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and that careful observation
      using ultrasonography is required, especially when the gallbladder is perforated
      and bile and stones have spilled out. 

PMID- 27278411
TI  - Diagnosis of ischemic heart disease with exercise echocardiography: Comparison of
      images obtained at peak- and post-exercise.
AB  - Peak-and post-exercise stress echocardiography were compared with respect to
      ability to detect coronary artery disease in 138 consecutive patients undergoing
      supine bicycle stress echocardiography. Sixty of these patients had single-vessel
      disease; 37, double-vessel disease; and 19, triple-vessel disease. Exercise was
      performed in the 20- to 30-degree left decubitus position on an echo-bed with an
      ergometer. Exercise started at 50 watts and was increased in 25-watt every 3
      minutes and to a maximum of 150 watts. Two-dimensional echocardiographic images
      were digitized and assigned in a quad-screen format for nonbiased interpretation.
      Total wall motion score (TWMS) was the sum of the wall motion score, from
      normokinesis (0) to dyskinesis (4), of 16 segments. Image quality score index
      (IQSI) was the mean of the image quality scores in all views. All of the patients
      underwent coronary arteriography. Significant coronary stenosis was defined
      as?75% stenosis of the large coronary arteries. Two-dimensional echocardiographic
      studies were adequate for analysis in 133 patients during the peak-exercise stage
      (peak-exercise) and in 137 patients 30 to 60 seconds after the end of exercise
      (post-exercise). TWMS at peak-exercise was higher than at post-exercise, while
      IQSI at peak-exercise was lower than at post-exercise. Sensitivity at peak
      exercise versus that at post-exercise was 91% versus 79% (p<0.05); specificity,
      76% versus 85%; and diagnostic accuracy, 88% versus 80% (p<0.05), respectively.
      We conclude that despite poor image quality on exercise echocardiography, better
      diagnostic accuracy was attained by assessing wall motion changes at peak
      exercise than at post-exercise. 

PMID- 27278412
TI  - The influence of aging on renal blood flow in human beings.
AB  - OBJECT: We studied the relationship between age and renal blood flow parameters
      to determine the clinical significance of using Doppler color flow imaging (CFI)
      in their measurement. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-four healthy
      subjects with no renal or circulatory diseases took part in this study. All
      subjects were placed in the prone position and examined with CFI. The kidney was
      visualized in a longitudinal view, and blood flow in the interlobar arteries was
      studied. Peak systolic flow velocity (Vmax), end-diastolic flow velocity (Vmin),
      and resistive index (RI) were used as blood flow parameters. RESULTS: Age and
      Vmax were not significantly associated (p=0.03) in the interlobar artery. Vmin
      decreased significantly (p<0.01) with age, while RI increased significantly
      (p<0.01) with age. No statistically significant sex-related renal blood flow
      parameters were found. DISCUSSION: Ishimura et al have reported that RI was
      significantly correlated with age in diabetic patients. Here the same result was
      obtained in healthy subjects. The incidence of arteriosclerosis is known to
      increase with age. In general, RI is influenced by vascular resistance. Increase
      in RI with age in this study was explained by the effect of arteriosclerosis on
      age-related vascular resistance. These results suggest that age should be
      considered in the study of blood flow in the kidney.

PMID- 27278413
TI  - Highly mobile pedunculated left atrial appendage thrombus falling into the mitral
      valve orifice.
AB  - We treated two patients with atrial fibrillation and stringlike left atrial
      appendage thrombus: a 66 year-old man who had apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
      and a 86 year-old woman with no underlying heart disease. In the patient with
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, transesophageal echocardiography showed a highly
      mobile stringlike echo protruding from the left atrial appendage and sometimes
      falling into the mitral orifice. Pathologic examination after excision proved the
      stringlike echo to be a pedunculated structure composed of red and white thrombi.
      Excision of thrombus was also planned for the woman, who had a history of
      recurrent cerebral embolism. Because her cerebral CT showed infarction with
      bleeding, however, surgery was postponed. The stringlike mobile thrombus was not
      detected by transesophageal echocardiography 1 month later, when a new embolic
      episode affected a foot. Clinical outcomes of these two patients differed
      remarkably. The critical findings by transesophageal echocardiography which
      facilitated differential diagnosis from cardiac tumors were: spontaneous contrast
      echo accompanying mural thrombuslike echo, and low flow velocity in the left
      atrial appendage. However, the differential diagnosis may be quite difficult in
      cases of tumors associated with atrial fibrillation. 

PMID- 27278415
TI  - Assessment of acute scrotum by Doppler color flow imaging: A report of four
      cases.
AB  - We used an Aloka SSD-2000 ultrasound unit with a 5 MHz convex scanner to assess
      one case of torsion of the spermatic cord, one case of orchitis, and two cases of
      epididymitis. Color flow imaging showed absence of blood flow signals in the
      testis in the case of torsion of the spermatic cord, while blood flow signals in
      the scrotum were significantly increased in the cases of orchitis and
      epididymitis. Blood flow signals decreased after chemotherapy. Color flow imaging
      may thus prove useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with acute
      scrotum. 

PMID- 27278414
TI  - Rapidly enlarging hepatobiliary cystadenoma.
AB  - An unusual case of a hepatobiliary cystadenoma caused severe abdominal pain and
      obstructive jaundice by rapid enlargement in a woman aged 73 years. Magnetic
      resonance imaging revealed a 12 cm cystic lesion in the left medial segment of
      the liver and dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. The abdominal pain was
      worse 4 days later, when magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated enlargement of
      the cystic lesion, to 14 cm in diameter. Laboratory tests on admission revealed
      serum alkaline phosphatase, 1342 IU/L; gamma glutamic transpeptidase, 672 IU/L;
      total serum bilirubin, 7.4 mg/dL; direct bilirubin, 5.8 mg/dL; and carbohydrate
      antigen 19-9, 37U/mL. Serosanguineous fluid was obtained by emergency
      percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the cyst, which resolved the patient's
      abdominal pain. Culture and cytologic examination of the fluid were
      nondiagnostic. The discharged fluid through dramage tube turned brown, and the
      total serum bilirubin concentration gradually decreased. Cystography and
      endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated communication between the cyst
      and the intrahepatic bile ducts on the left side of the liver. The cyst was
      removed by left hepatectomy 14 days after it had been drained. Pathologic
      examination of the resected specimen confirmed the presence of a hepatobiliary
      cystadenoma. Although hepatobiliary cystadenoma is a rare benign cystic tumor of
      the liver, it can become malignant and should thus be excised. 

PMID- 27278417
TI  - Teratogenicity of Artemether-Clindamycin Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in Rats.
AB  - Currently, artemisinin-based combination therapy is considered the best option in
      the treatment of malaria. However, toxicity of artemisinins limits their use in
      pregnancy. In the absence of sufficient toxicity data, the World Health
      Organization recommends that artemisinins are not to be used in the first
      trimester of pregnancy and can be used only in second and third trimesters, when
      other treatments are not available. We have recently observed that drugs loaded
      in nanolipid carriers are selectively taken up in Plasmodium-infected
      erythrocytes with a concomitant reduction in the dose required to cure animals.
      Thus, 20% of the therapeutic dose of artemether-clindamycin (ARM-CP) loaded in
      nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs; mean particle size 55 +/- 10 nm) resulted in
      complete parasite clearance and 100% survival of infected mice. Here, we
      investigate the teratogenicity of this formulation in rodents (dosing on
      alternate days from 6th day to 18th day of gestation; 12-15 animals/group). The
      teratogenicity of drug-free NLCs and artesunate-clindamycin (ARS-CP) solution was
      also evaluated. We found that the therapeutic dose of ARS-CP caused fetal
      resorptions (87.5% resorptions in 8 litters), suggesting its unsuitability for
      use in pregnancy. Artesunate-clindamycin NLCs at therapeutic doses also resulted
      in ~90% fetal resorptions in 10 litters examined. However, postimplantation
      losses or fetal malformations were not observed at the dose of ARM-CP NLCs that
      was required for complete parasite clearance in preclinical trials (ie, 20% of
      the therapeutic dose). Our data suggest that the NLCs loaded with 20% of the
      therapeutic dose of ARM-CP may have potential in treating malaria during
      pregnancy.

PMID- 27278418
TI  - Clusters of suicides and suicide attempts: detection, proximity and correlates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A suicide cluster is defined as a higher number of observed cases
      occurring in space and/or time than would typically be expected. Previous
      research has largely focused on identifying clusters of suicides, while there has
      been comparatively limited research on clusters of suicide attempts. We sought to
      identify clusters of both types of behaviour, and having done that, identify the
      factors that distinguish suicide attempts inside a cluster from those that were
      outside a cluster. METHODS: We used data from Western Australia from 2000 to
      2011. We defined suicide attempts as admissions to hospital for deliberate self
      harm and suicides as deaths due to deliberate self-harm. Using an analytic
      strategy that accounted for the repetition of attempted suicide within a cluster,
      we performed spatial-temporal analysis using Poisson discrete scan statistics to
      detect clusters of suicide attempts and clusters of suicides. Logistic regression
      was then used to compare clustered attempts with non-clustered attempts to
      identify risk factors for an attempt being in a cluster. RESULTS: We detected 350
      (1%) suicide attempts occurring within seven spatial-temporal clusters and 12
      (0.6%) suicides occurring within two spatial-temporal clusters. Both of the
      suicide clusters were located within a larger but later suicide attempt cluster.
      In multivariate analysis, suicide attempts by individuals who lived in areas of
      low socioeconomic status had higher odds of being in a cluster than those living
      in areas of high socioeconomic status [odds ratio (OR) = 29.1, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) = 6.3-135.5]. A one percentage-point increase in the proportion of
      people who had changed address in the last year was associated with a 60%
      increase in the odds of the attempt being within a cluster (OR = 1.60, 95% CI =
      1.29-1.98) and a one percentage-point increase in the proportion of Indigenous
      people in the area was associated with a 7% increase in the suicide being within
      a cluster (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.00-1.13). Age, sex, marital status, employment
      status, method of harm, remoteness, percentage of people in rented accommodation
      and percentage of unmarried people were not associated with the odds of being in
      a suicide attempt cluster. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of and responding to
      suicide clusters may reduce the likelihood of subsequent clusters forming. The
      mechanisms, however, that underlie clusters forming is poorly understood.

PMID- 27278419
TI  - Versatile bonding and coordination modes of ditriazolylidene ligands in
      rhodium(iii) and iridium(iii) complexes.
AB  - Metalation of novel ditriazolium salts containing a trimethylene (-CH2CH2CH2-) or
      dimethylether linker (-CH2OCH2-) was probed with different rhodium(iii) and
      iridium(iii) precursors. When using [MCp*Cl2]2, a transmetalation protocol via a
      triazolylidene silver intermediate was effective, while base-assisted metalation
      with MCl3via sequential deprotonation of the triazolium salt with KOtBu and
      addition of the metal precursor afforded homoleptic complexes. The N-substituent
      on the triazole heterocycle directed the metalation process and led to
      Ctrz,Ctrz,CPh-tridentate chelating ditriazolylidene complexes for N-phenyl
      substituents. With ethyl substituents, only Ctrz,Ctrz-bidentate complexes were
      formed, while metalation with mesityl substituents was unsuccessful, presumably
      due to steric constraints. Through modification of the reaction conditions for
      the metalation step, an intermediate species was isolated that contains a
      Ctrz,CPh-bidentate chelate en route to the formation of the tridentate ligand
      system. Accordingly, Cphenyl-H bond activation occurs prior to formation of the
      second metal-triazolylidene bond. Stability studies with a Ctrz,Ctrz,CPh
      tridentate chelating ditriazolylidene iridium complex towards DCl showed
      deuterium incorporation at both N-phenyl groups and indicate that Cphenyl-H bond
      activation is reversible while the Ctrz-Ir bond is robust. The flexible linker
      between the two triazolylidene donor sites provides access to both facial and
      meridional coordination modes.

PMID- 27278420
TI  - Dreaming of fetal ICU.

PMID- 27278421
TI  - Differential cytotoxicity and sonosensitization by sanazole: effect of cell type
      and acoustic parameters.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although sanazole has been used as a hypoxic radiosensitizer, we
      recently reported on its ability to sensitize U937 cells to hyperthermia and X
      irradiation under aerobic conditions, enhancing apoptotic cell death following
      the combined treatment. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the effect
      of sanazole as a sonosensitizer under previously studied acoustic conditions of
      different pulse repetition frequencies, using two cell lines representative of
      solid tumours and haematopoietic cancers. METHODS: Cells were treated with
      different doses of sanazole. Flow-cytometric analysis and DNA fragmentation assay
      were carried out at different times, and morphological features were also
      inspected. For ultrasound treatment, cells were pre-incubated with a non
      cytotoxic dose of sanazole for 30 min before exposure. Evaluation of cell killing
      and a parallel examination of intracellular oxidative stress levels in both cell
      lines were performed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Sanazole alone displayed
      selective cytotoxic effects towards solid tumour-derived cancer cells, resulting
      in complete cell death after 24 h of treatment, and enhanced the ultrasound
      induced cell killing 6 h post-treatment. The enhancement seemed to be mediated by
      an additive increase in intracellular oxidative stress levels. CONCLUSION:
      Sanazole seems to be an efficient cytotoxic agent for the treatment of solid
      tumours and a promising sonosensitizer under aerobic conditions.

PMID- 27278422
TI  - Small calcification depiction in ultrasound B-mode images using decorrelation of
      echoes caused by forward scattered waves.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to propose a novel method to depict small
      calcifications in ultrasound B-mode images using decorrelation of forward
      scattered waves with no decrease in the frame rate. METHODS: Since the waveform
      of an ultrasound pulse changes when it passes through a calcification location,
      the echo waveform from regions behind the calcification is quite different from
      that without a calcification. This indicates that the existence of a
      calcification is predictable based upon the waveform difference between adjacent
      scan lines by calculating cross-correlation coefficients. In addition, a high
      intensity echo should return from the calcification itself. Therefore, the
      proposed method depicts the high-intensity echo positions with posterior low
      correlation coefficient regions. RESULTS: Eleven of 15 wires 0.2-0.4 mm in
      diameter were depicted using this method, yielding a sensitivity of 73.3% and a
      specificity of 100%, even though they might go undetected under clinical
      inspection of ultrasound B-mode images. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that an
      US device could perform well in terms of calcification detection.

PMID- 27278423
TI  - Extraction of instantaneous changes in arterial walls with sequential ultrasound
      images.
AB  - PURPOSE: Many structural and dynamic properties of the arterial wall, e.g., lumen
      diameter and wall thickness, can be measured with non-invasive ultrasound
      techniques. We present a new computerized analysis method for measurement of
      instantaneous changes in far and near arterial walls in sequential ultrasound
      images. METHODS: In this method, two algorithms, i.e., maximum gradient and
      dynamic programming, were composed and implemented. Reference points and cost
      function were based on dynamic programming and maximum gradient, respectively. To
      evaluate this method, B-mode abdominal aorta ultrasound examinations were
      obtained for ten New Zealand White rabbits. Approximately 70 sequential
      ultrasound images spanning three cardiac cycles were analyzed from each
      examination to detect instantaneous changes in the far and near walls and lumen
      diameter of rabbit abdominal aorta. The maximum, minimum, and mean diameters
      extracted by the automated method were compared with the same parameters measured
      by manual tracing. RESULTS: There was no significant differences between the
      manual and automated methods according to paired t test analysis (p > 0.05). In a
      verification study, the correlation between the two methods was calculated (R (2)
      = 0.98, p < 0.05). Agreement between the automated and manual methods as
      determined by the Bland-Altman approach was excellent. CONCLUSION: It is
      concluded that the new computerized analysis method is a reliable technique to
      assess instantaneous changes in the rabbit arterial wall in sequential B-mode
      images. The variability between different laboratories will be reduced if the
      same analysis program is used. By using this method, not only was variation in
      the results of manual tracing by several observers eliminated, but the duration
      of image processing was also considerably reduced.

PMID- 27278424
TI  - Distinctive ultrasonographic finding of complete uterine rupture in early mid
      trimester.
AB  - In many cases of uterine rupture, diagnosis is often impossible when
      characteristic clinical symptoms are absent. We encountered a case of suspected
      peritoneal pregnancy in which we were able to make a definitive diagnosis by
      ultrasonography of complete uterine rupture in early mid-trimester. The possibly
      distinctive finding is the high-echo area that extends from the endometrium to
      the uterine serosa. This contiguous, highly echogenic finding should be
      recognized as characteristic of complete rupture of the uterus. 

PMID- 27278425
TI  - Degradation of ultrasound probes caused by disinfection with alcohol.
AB  - The aim of this study was to clarify the degree of degradation of ultrasonic
      probes that results from their disinfection with alcohol. No defect in the
      ultrasound beams was found in any of the probes, but a significant decrease of
      the brightness was found after a certain period of use of the linear-type probe.
      Disinfection with alcohol may degrade ultrasound probes despite its high degree
      of effectiveness in preventing iatrogenic bacterial transmission. 

PMID- 27278426
TI  - Misleading image of mechanical valve leaflet by transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - Although bileaflet prosthetic valve function is commonly assessed by means of
      transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during surgery, the author reports that
      the leaflet image is not a real image but an artifact. As the depth of the
      transducer is altered, the leaflet image is gradually skewed in relation to the
      plane of the prosthetic valve ring. The leaflet-like image consistently overlaps
      the line that is drawn from the transducer position to the atrial side edge of
      the leaflet, indicating that this image is caused by reverberations. Three
      dimensional TEE shows that the leaflet image is not semilunar but is elongated
      towards the left ventricle and unusually tilted. As viewed from the ventricular
      side, the ring image is elongated and forms a cylinder-like image in the left
      ventricle, and the leaflets appear to be opening and closing at the bottom of
      this cylinder. Therefore, TEE assessment of leaflets in the open position can be
      misleading. 

PMID- 27278428
TI  - The day when the echocardiographist went mushrooming....
AB  - We report a case of partial congenital absence of the pericardium associated with
      severe aortic stenosis on a bicuspid valve in a 72-year-old man. Diagnosis was
      based on echocardiography and confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging, and the
      patient benefited from pericardioplasty and aortic valve replacement. 

PMID- 27278427
TI  - Early diastolic function during exertion influences exercise intolerance in
      patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients with preserved left
      ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) often develop dyspnea and exercise
      intolerance. Diastolic dysfunction may contribute to exercise intolerance in
      these patients. This study aimed to clarify our hypothesis as to whether
      diastolic function rather than systolic function would be associated with
      exercise intolerance in HCM using two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking
      echocardiography during exercise. METHODS: Thirty-three HCM patients (mean age
      59.3 +/- 15.7 years) underwent 2D speckle tracking echocardiography at rest and
      during submaximal semi-supine bicycle exercise. Global longitudinal strain (LS),
      LS rate during systole (LSRs), early diastole (LSRe), and late diastole (LSRa)
      were measured. The symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed
      using a cycle ergometer for measuring the peak oxygen consumption (peak [Formula:
      see text]). RESULTS: In the multivariate linear regression analysis, peak
      [Formula: see text] did not associate with strain or strain rate at rest.
      However, peak [Formula: see text] correlated with LS (beta = -0.403, p = 0.007),
      LSRe (beta = 6.041, p = 0.001), and LSRa (beta = 5.117, p = 0.021) during
      exercise after adjustment for age, gender, and heart rate. The first quartile
      peak [Formula: see text] (14.2 mL/min/kg) was assessed to predict exercise
      intolerance. The C-statistic of delta LSRe was 0.74, which was relatively greater
      than that of delta LS (0.70) and delta LSRa (0.58), indicating that early
      diastolic function rather than systolic and late diastolic function affects
      exercise intolerance. CONCLUSIONS: LSRe during exercise is closely associated
      with the peak [Formula: see text]. Early diastolic function during exercise is an
      important determinant of exercise capacity in patients with HCM.

PMID- 27278429
TI  - Assessment of mechanical dyssynchrony in fulminant myocarditis.
AB  - It is often difficult to assess ventricular synchrony in patients with fulminant
      myocarditis. We report a pediatric case of fulminant myocarditis where clinical
      course and changes in dyssynchrony were followed with speckle tracking
      echocardiography. Dyssynchrony of the left ventricle changed day by day. It was
      useful to assess the progression of ventricular damage and its recovery. 

PMID- 27278430
TI  - Obstruction of mechanical mitral valves by preserved posterior leaflet remnants.
AB  - We report two cases of mechanical prosthetic mitral valve obstruction caused by
      remnants of the mitral valve posterior leaflet tissue preserved from the previous
      surgery. Both patients had rheumatic mitral stenosis causing New York Heart
      Association class III symptoms prior to mitral valve replacement. 

PMID- 27278431
TI  - An elderly patient with severe aortic stenosis and myocardial infarction with a
      huge mobile thrombus as complication in the left ventricle.
AB  - An 86-year-old woman was admitted for emergency treatment of increasing dyspnea.
      Transthoracic echocardiography revealed decreased left ventricular systolic
      function with dyskinesis at the apex, and severe aortic stenosis. The apex of the
      left ventricle showed a huge mobile thrombus. Coronary angiography revealed total
      occlusion at the middle portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
      Emergency operation was successful, and a partially calcified thrombus was
      observed at the site of the old myocardial infarction area. In this case,
      myocardial infarction and elevated intraventricular pressure due to aortic
      stenosis likely contributed to the wall motion abnormality and thrombus
      formation. 

PMID- 27278432
TI  - Prothrombin fragment 1+2 as a sensitive marker of intraventricular thrombus
      formation in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy: comparison with
      echocardiography.
AB  - A 50-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy was admitted to our hospital due to
      heart failure symptoms. Although prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) was
      significantly elevated, there was no thrombus in the left ventricle by
      echocardiography. However, anticoagulation therapy was started because of a
      possibility of thrombus formation. On the 4th day, F1+2 was persistently elevated
      and echocardiography detected intraventricular thrombi. After surgical removal of
      thrombi, F1+2 level decreased rapidly. F1+2 elevation preceded echocardiographic
      detection of intraventricular thrombi. Therefore, when F1+2 is significantly
      elevated, echocardiography should be performed meticulously and repeatedly to
      detect a thrombus. 

PMID- 27278433
TI  - Early diastolic overinflation in diastolic mitral regurgitation.

PMID- 27278434
TI  - Multiple coronary artery-left ventricle microfistulae.

PMID- 27278435
TI  - Transient right-sided Serratia endocarditis after a percutaneous transhepatic
      procedure.

PMID- 27278436
TI  - Cardiac involvement of malignant lymphoma and its improvement after chemotherapy.

PMID- 27278437
TI  - Saint Wilgefortis: sudden hirsutism to prevent an unwanted marriage.

PMID- 27278438
TI  - The "Lost Caravaggio": a probable case of goiter in seventeenth-century Italy.

PMID- 27278440
TI  - If a joint is hot it's not the time: health professionals' views on developing an
      intervention to promote physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The study aimed to explore the views of health professionals on (i)
      physical activity in people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and (ii) the
      design of an intervention to promote physical activity in this population.
      METHOD: We used a qualitative methodology and conducted 14 interviews
      (rheumatologists n = 7, physiotherapist n = 4, clinical nurse specialists n = 3).
      Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.
      RESULTS: Three key themes were generated: "Personal opinions", "Supporting
      physical activity" and "An ideal world". Although health professionals viewed
      physical activity as important, recommending it to people who have RA was largely
      based on persons' disease status rather than empirical evidence. Resources were
      highlight as a key challenge to interventions in clinical practice. Supporting
      physical activity through provision of information, goal setting and monitoring
      was also discussed. CONCLUSION: Health professionals believe physical activity is
      important for people who have RA, although there is uncertainty regarding
      physical activity recommendations for this population. Thus, there is scope to
      increase health professionals' knowledge of recent evidence. Views varied on how
      an intervention to promote physical activity should be delivered, but
      consideration of barriers to delivery in clinical practice is important.
      Implications for Rehabilitation Physical activity is an important aspect of
      disease management for people who have rheumatoid arthritis. Health professionals
      need to acknowledge the "mixed messages" received by people who have RA about
      being physically active thus further education for health professionals is
      suggested to standardize physical activity advice in clinical practice. Health
      professionals may benefit from education about behavior change theory and
      techniques. When designing future physical activity interventions consideration
      of the practical challenges of implementing research in a clinical setting is
      necessary.

PMID- 27278439
TI  - Drug-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) rely on cell membrane properties to
      exert anticancer effects.
AB  - Pharmacological concentrations of small molecule natural products, such as
      ascorbic acid, have exhibited distinct cell killing outcomes between cancer and
      normal cells whereby cancer cells undergo apoptosis or necrosis while normal
      cells are not adversely affected. Here, we develop a mathematical model for
      ascorbic acid that can be utilized as a tool to understand the dynamics of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced cell death. We determine that not only do
      endogenous antioxidants such as catalase contribute to ROS-induced cell death,
      but also cell membrane properties play a critical role in the efficacy of ROS as
      a cytotoxic mechanism against cancer cells vs. normal cells. Using in vitro
      assays with breast cancer cells, we have confirmed that cell membrane properties
      are essential for ROS, in the form of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), to induce cell
      death. Interestingly, we did not observe any correlation between intracellular
      H2O2 and cell survival, suggesting that cell death by H2O2 is triggered by
      interaction with the cell membrane and not necessarily due to intracellular
      levels of H2O2. These findings provide a putative mechanistic explanation for the
      efficacy and selectivity of therapies such as ascorbic acid that rely on ROS
      induced cell death for their anti-tumor properties.

PMID- 27278441
TI  - Current Approaches to Neuromodulation in Primary Headaches: Focus on Vagal Nerve
      and Sphenopalatine Ganglion Stimulation.
AB  - Neuromodulation is a promising, novel approach for the treatment of primary
      headache disorders. Neuromodulation offers a new dimension in the treatment that
      is both easily reversible and tends to be very well tolerated. The autonomic
      nervous system is a logical target given the neurobiology of common primary
      headache disorders, such as migraine and the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
      (TACs). This article will review new encouraging results of studies from the most
      recent literature on neuromodulation as acute and preventive treatment in primary
      headache disorders, and cover some possible underlying mechanisms. We will
      especially focus on vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and sphenopalatine ganglion
      (SPG) since they have targeted autonomic pathways that are cranial and can
      modulate relevant pathophysiological mechanisms. The initial data suggests these
      approaches will find an important role in headache disorder management going
      forward. 

PMID- 27278442
TI  - Value of in situ ovarian volume measured during cesarean delivery to assess the
      potential of diminished ovarian reserve.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the value of mean ovarian volume (OV) determined
      by three-dimensional in situ measurement of ovaries during cesarean delivery (CD)
      to assess the potential of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) evaluated by hormonal
      and ultrasonographic parameters 3 months after the cesarean delivery. METHODS:
      Each ovary was measured underwent CD in three dimensions, and three months after
      CD, the mean OV, serum AMH, FSH, LH, and estradiol levels, and antral follicle
      count (AFC) values were recorded as well as other demographic and obstetric
      parameters. RESULTS: After categorizing the study subjects as having a potential
      of DOR by the criteria of serum AMH <1 pg/mL and AFC value <=6, in patients with
      a potential of DOR, the mean intra-operative and post-operative OVs were
      significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Considering the correlation coefficients
      obtained by the correlations of post-operative AMH level and AFC value with the
      mean intra-operative and post-operative OV values, the mean intra-operative OV
      provided significantly higher correlation coefficients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings, overall, support the diagnostic value of mean OV determined by
      the in situ measurement of three dimensions of left and right ovaries during
      cesarean delivery for the screening of potential for the DOR.

PMID- 27278443
TI  - Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 1,2,3-triazolyl beta-hydroxy
      alkyl/carbazole hybrid molecules.
AB  - The design, synthesis and biological study of several novel 1,2,3-triazolyl
      [Formula: see text]-hydroxy alkyl/carbazole hybrid molecules as a new type of
      antifungal agent has been described. In this synthesis, the N-alkylation reaction
      of carbazol-9-ide potassium salt with 3-bromoprop-1-yne afforded 9-(prop-2-ynyl)
      9H-carbazole. The 'Click' Huisgen cycloaddition reaction of 9-(prop-2-ynyl)-9H
      carbazole with diverse [Formula: see text]-azido alcohols in the presence of
      copper-doped silica cuprous sulphate led to target molecules in excellent yields.
      The in vitro antifungal and antibacterial activities of title compounds were
      screened against various pathogenic fungal strains, Gram-positive and/or Gram
      negative bacteria. In particular, 1-(4-((9H-carbazol-9-yl) methyl)-1H-1,2,3
      triazol-1-yl)-3-butoxypropan-2-ol (10e) proved to have potent antifungal activity
      against all fungal tests compared with fluconazole and clotrimazole as studied
      reference drugs. Our molecular docking analysis revealed an appropriate fitting
      and a potential powerful interaction between compound 10e and an active site of
      the Mycobacterium P450DM enzyme. The strong hydrogen bondings between [Formula:
      see text]-hydroxyl and ether groups in 10e were found to be the main factors that
      drive the molecule to fit in the active site of enzyme. The in silico
      pharmacokinetic studies were used for a better description of 10a-10n as
      potential lead antifungal agents for future investigations.

PMID- 27278445
TI  - Proceedings of the International Summit on Human Gene Editing: a global
      discussion-Washington, D.C., December 1-3, 2015.
AB  - The US Academies of Sciences and Medicine, the Royal Society, and the Chinese
      Academy of Sciences convened a summit of experts in biology, medicine, law,
      ethics, sociology, and journalism, in December 2015 to review the state of the
      art in gene editing technology and discuss the medical and social ramifications
      of the technologies. The summit concluded with the following consensus
      recommendations: (1) intensive basic and preclinical research in animal and human
      models should proceed with appropriate legal and ethical oversight; (2) clinical
      applications in somatic cells must be rigorously evaluated within existing and
      evolving regulatory frameworks for gene therapy; (3) it would be irresponsible to
      proceed with any clinical use of germline editing until relevant safety and
      efficacy issues have been resolved and there is broad societal consensus about
      such a use; and (4) the international community should strive to establish
      generally acceptable uses of human germline editing. 

PMID- 27278444
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel tamoxifen-1,2,4-triazole conjugates.
AB  - A new class of compounds, structurally related to the breast cancer drug
      tamoxifen, was designed and synthesized. The McMurry coupling reaction was used
      as the key synthetic step in the preparation of these analogs, and the structural
      assignments were made on the basis of [Formula: see text] NMR, [Formula: see
      text] NMR, and HRMS studies. The absolute stereochemistry of E and Z isomers was
      unambiguously confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Water was
      found to be an inexpensive nontoxic and effective medium for the C-N bond
      formation. Utilizing this protocol, various tamoxifen derivatives were
      synthesized in good yields. Environmental acceptability, low cost, and high
      yields are the important features of this protocol. These compounds were
      evaluated for their antiproliferative activity on five human tumor cell lines.
      Compound 4p ([Formula: see text]) showed improved antiproliferative activity
      against breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) compared to tamoxifen ([Formula: see
      text]), while the compound 4o ([Formula: see text]) exhibited similar activity
      against SiHa compared to the reference drug, tamoxifen ([Formula: see text]). In
      addition, these analogs were investigated for their antibacterial activity
      against six bacterial strains. Preliminary results indicate that some of the
      newly synthesized title compounds exhibited promising antibacterial activity
      compared with the standard drug, vancomycin. A new class of compounds were
      designed rationally by the replacement of a ethyl group in tamoxifen with a
      methylene (1H-1,2,4-triazole) group. The absolute stereochemistry of E and Z
      isomers were unambiguously confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction
      analysis. The title compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative and
      antibacterial activities. 

PMID- 27278447
TI  - A significant increase in cases of infectious syphilis in men who have sex with
      men since November 2013.

PMID- 27278446
TI  - Glu-tubulin is a marker for Schwann cells and can distinguish between schwannomas
      and neurofibromas.
AB  - Schwann cells generate myelin sheaths around the axons of the peripheral nervous
      system, thus facilitating efficient nerve impulse propagation. Two main tumor
      types can arise from peripheral nerves, schwannomas and neurofibromas, which are
      sometimes difficult to distinguish and may require the use of diagnostic
      biomarkers. Here, we characterize a new marker for Schwann cells and its
      potential use as a diagnostic marker for schwannomas. Immunohistochemistry for
      Glu-tubulin, a posttranslational modification of alpha-tubulin, was performed in
      mouse and human tissues. This technique labels Schwann cells but not
      oligodendrocytes. All peripheral nerves were immunoreactive for this antibody,
      including large nerve trunks, thin myelinated nerves, as well as the myenteric
      and submucous plexus of the digestive tract. In the mouse brain, many neurons
      were immunoreactive for Glu-tubulin but oligodendrocytes were negative. During
      embryo development, immunoreactive nerves were already found at E10. In Schwann
      cells, the staining is restricted to the myelin sheaths and is not present in the
      perinuclear cytoplasm or the Ranvier nodes. Primary cultures of fibroblasts and
      Schwann cells were established from mouse sciatic nerves, and Western blot
      analysis showed that Glu-tubulin immunoreactivity was found in the Schwann cells
      but not in the fibroblasts. Clinical specimens of schwannomas (n = 20) and
      neurofibromas (n = 20) were stained with anti-Glu-tubulin antibodies. Schwannomas
      presented a strong staining in all tumor cells, whereas neurofibromas had a light
      speckled staining pattern, easily distinguishable from the one found in
      schwannomas. In conclusion, Glu-tubulin can be used as a marker of Schwann cells
      and can help in diagnosing peripheral nerve tumors. 

PMID- 27278448
TI  - Pubic hair removal and molluscum contagiosum.

PMID- 27278449
TI  - QFT-IT for diagnosing and screening TB infection in HIV patients: CD4 cells count
      as an important influential factor.

PMID- 27278450
TI  - In response to 'Successful treatment of refractory Trichomonas vaginalis
      infection using intravenous metronidazole' by Hawkins et al.

PMID- 27278451
TI  - Onychomadesis in a male patient with secondary syphilis.

PMID- 27278452
TI  - [Incontinence after implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter].

PMID- 27278453
TI  - Soil-transmitted helminth infections and leprosy: a cross-sectional study of the
      association between two major neglected tropical diseases in Indonesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical spectrum of leprosy is dependent on the host immune
      response against Mycobacterium leprae or the newly discovered Mycobacterium
      lepromatosis antigen. Helminth infections have been shown to affect the
      development of several diseases through immune regulation and thus may play a
      role in the clinical manifestations of leprosy and leprosy reactions. The purpose
      of this study is to determine the proportion of helminth infections in leprosy
      and its association with the type of leprosy and type 2 leprosy reaction (T2R).
      METHODS: History or episode of T2R was obtained and direct smear, formalin-ether
      sedimentation technique, and Kato-Katz smear were performed on 20 paucibacillary
      (PB) and 61 multibacillary (MB) leprosy participants. RESULTS: There are more
      helminth-positive participants in MB leprosy compared to PB (11/61 versus 0/20, p
      = 0.034) and in T2R participants compared to non-T2R (8/31 versus 3/50, p =
      0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that soil-transmitted helminth
      infections may have a role in the progression to a more severe type of leprosy,
      as well as the occurrence of T2R. These findings could serve as a fundamental
      base for clinicians to perform parasitological feces examination in patients who
      have MB leprosy and severe recurrent reactions to rule out the possibility of
      helminth infection. Further secondary confirmation of findings are needed to
      support these conclusions.

PMID- 27278454
TI  - Neuroprotective effects of syringic acid against OGD/R-induced injury in cultured
      hippocampal neuronal cells.
AB  - Cerebral ischemic injury and treatment are important topics in neurological
      science. In the present study, an in vitro model of cerebral ischemia was
      established by subjecting primary cultures of hippocampal neuronal cells to
      oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by reperfusion (OGD/R), in order to evaluate
      the possible neuroprotective role of syringic acid (SA). The results of 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH) assays showed that pre-treatment with SA (0.1, 1, 10, and 20
      uM) attenuated OGD/R-induced neuronal injury in a dose-dependent manner, with
      evidence of increased cell viability and decreased LDH leakage. In addition,
      oxidative stress markers were evaluated using commercial kits, and the results
      demonstrated that OGD/R exposure induced distinct oxidative stress, accompanied
      by elevated levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and
      malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and reduced activity of the antioxidant enzyme
      superoxide dismutase (SOD), which were dose-dependently restored by pre-treatment
      with SA. In addition, the concentration of intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i and
      mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP or Deltapsim) were determined in order to
      evaluate the degree of neuronal damage by performing flow cytometric analysis and
      observing the cells under a fluorescence microscope, respectively. We
      demonstrated that pre-treatment with SA inhibited elevations in [Ca2+]i, whereas
      it increased the MMP dose-dependently following exposure to OGD/R. Western blot
      analysis revealed that OGD/R promoted cell apoptosis with concomitant increases
      in Bax and caspase-3 expression, and reduced Bcl-2 expression, which was reversed
      by pre-treatment with SA in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, these effects were
      mediated through the JNK and p38 pathways, as pre-treatment with SA inhibited the
      OGD/R-induced increase in phosphorylated (p-)JNK and p-p38 expression. Taken
      together, these results suggested that SA exerted strong neuroprotective effects
      in hippocampal neuronal cells, which may be attributed to the attenuation of
      OGD/R-induced cell injury through the JNK and p38 signaling pathways. 

PMID- 27278457
TI  - Competitive counterion complexation allows the true host : guest binding
      constants from a single titration by ionic receptors.
AB  - Counterion competitive complexation is a background process currently ignored by
      using ionic hosts. Consequently, guest binding constants are strongly affected by
      the design of the titration experiments in such a way that the results are
      dependent on the guest concentration and on the presence of added salts, usually
      buffers. In the present manuscript we show that these experimental difficulties
      can be overcome by just considering the counterion competitive complexation.
      Moreover a single titration allows us to obtain not only the true binding
      constants but also the stoichiometry of the complex showing the formation of 1 :
      1 : 1 (host : guest : counterion) complexes. The detection of high stoichiometry
      complexes is not restricted to a single titration experiment but also to a
      displacement assay where both competitive and competitive-cooperative
      complexation models are taken into consideration. 

PMID- 27278456
TI  - Erratum to: Development of a 68Ga-peptide tracer for PET GnRH1-imaging.

PMID- 27278455
TI  - Functional connectivity change of brain default mode network in breast cancer
      patients after chemotherapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Complaint about attention disorders is common among breast cancer
      patients who have undergone chemotherapy, which may be associated with the
      default mode network (DMN). To validate this hypothesis, we investigated the DMN
      functional connectivity (FC) change and its relationship with the attention
      function in breast cancer patients (BC) using resting-state functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: Twenty-two BC treated with chemotherapy and
      22 healthy controls (HC) were recruited into this study. The FC between the DMN's
      hubs and regions of the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dMPFC) and medial
      temporal lobe (MTL) subsystems was respectively calculated for each participant.
      RESULTS: The statistical result showed significantly lower connectivity in dMPFC
      and MTL subsystems in the BC group. In addition, the partial correlation analysis
      result indicated that the low connectivity of some brain regions in MTL subsystem
      was correlated with attention dysfunction following BC chemotherapy. CONCLUSION:
      These results suggest that the functional disconnection in MTL subsystem of the
      DMN may have association with attention function of BC after chemotherapy.

PMID- 27278458
TI  - Serological survey of viral diseases relating to reproductive failure among
      Artiodactyla in Ethiopian Camelus dromedarius.
AB  - Serological surveys were performed on Ethiopian camels with a history of abortion
      to investigate the presence of antibodies against viruses that infect animals
      classified in the order Artiodactyla. In 2013, 120 serum samples were collected
      from camels in various parts of Ethiopia. Several viruses related to abortion in
      ruminants were prevalent. In particular, antibodies against bluetongue virus,
      were detected at a high rate (76.7% of samples). Additionally, antibodies against
      Akabane virus and Japanese encephalitis virus were also detected in samples from
      more than 40% of the camels; however, their antibody titers were relatively low. 

PMID- 27278459
TI  - Peer-engagement and its role in reducing the risky behavior among crack and
      methamphetamine smokers of the Downtown Eastside community of Vancouver, Canada.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of peers (former or current drug users) in reducing risky
      behavior within methamphetamine and crack smokers has not been well described or
      researched. The current study not only explores the role of peers in reducing
      risk factors for morbidity within the illicit drug smoking population in the
      Downtown Eastside (DTES) community of Vancouver but it also investigates the
      changes in the nature of drug use after the closure of an unsanctioned smoking
      facility. METHODS: The data pertain to qualitative interviews with 10 peers and
      10 illicit drug smokers. The semi-structured interviews were conducted through
      community-based research, and the digital transcripts were analyzed via NVivo 10
      software. RESULTS: The results indicate that peers (former and current drug users
      who are employed as educators) are instrumental in transferring risk reduction
      knowledge within crack and methamphetamine smokers. For example, these peers have
      been able to teach users about the risk of sharing pipes, using brillo, and using
      public drug. Furthermore, the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users provides
      employment for crack and methamphetamine users in Vancouver who tend to have
      scarce sources of employment. However, since the closure of the unsanctioned
      inhalation facility, there has been significantly more public drug use and pipe
      sharing in the vicinity of the facility, placing drug smokers at significant risk
      of arrest, violence, and blood-borne infections. CONCLUSIONS: The current study
      recommends expanding the harm reduction peer network for people who smoke illicit
      drugs in the DTES community of Vancouver who have historically been underserved.

PMID- 27278460
TI  - Prognostic implications of left atrial dilation evaluated by echocardiographic
      volume in patients with normal left atrial antero-posterior dimensions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical characteristics
      and prognostic implications of left atrial (LA) dilation evaluated
      echocardiographic volume in patients with normal LA dimension (LAD). METHODS: A
      total of 140 consecutive patients (81 men, mean age: 57 +/- 18 years) with normal
      LAD (<39 mm for women and <41 mm for men) who underwent conventional
      echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging were enrolled. LA volume (LAV) >=29
      ml/m(2) was defined as abnormal LAV. Hospitalization for heart failure (HF) and
      cardiac death were defined as cardiac events. RESULTS: Eighty-seven (62%) of the
      patients had LA dilation, defined as a normal LAD but an abnormal LAV. Patients
      with LA dilation were significantly older and had a significantly higher left
      ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMI) and incidences of hypertension and HF than did
      patients with both normal LAD and normal LAV. Logistic regression analysis
      revealed that increased LVMI was an independent (p < 0.01) determinant of LA
      dilatation. During a follow-up period of 16 +/- 10 months, ten patients had
      cardiac events. Patients with cardiac events had a higher incidence of LA
      dilation than those without cardiac events (100 vs. 59%, p < 0.05). A Kaplan
      Meier survival curve showed that patients with LA dilation had a significantly
      lower survival rate than those with both normal LAD and normal LAV (log rank 6.1,
      p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: LV hypertrophy is an independent determinant of LA
      dilation in patients with normal LAD. Assessment of LA morphology using LAV can
      contribute to risk stratification in patients with normal LAD.

PMID- 27278461
TI  - Four characteristics of vascular echo suggesting arterial thromboembolism:
      differentiation from aggravation of atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) leading to acute arterial occlusion
      can involve life-threatening complications, including limb loss and death,
      without prompt thrombectomy. Several ATEs are hard to differentiate from acute
      aggravation of atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD). We determined
      four characteristics of vascular echos suggesting ATE for the differentiation
      from PAD and validated their use. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty patients (11 men
      and 9 women; mean age, 74 years) with ATE confirmed by therapeutic findings and
      19 patients with PAD including occlusive lesions (14 men and 5 women; mean age,
      78 years) were enrolled. Four hallmarks of vascular echo suggesting ATE were
      defined as the manifestation of the intima-media complex next to the adventitia
      (M1), mild to moderate echolucency of the intravascular structure (M2), mobility
      of the intravascular structure (M3), and the pulsatile movement of the arterial
      wall (M4) in occlusive arterial lesions. In the ATE group, 6 patients had three
      positive items, and 14 patients had four positive items. In the PAD group, ten
      patients had no positive items, and nine patients had one positive item. Using a
      cutoff score of more than 3 for ATE, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity
      was 100%, the positive predictive value was 100%, and the negative predictive
      value was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The presented characteristics of vascular echo
      suggesting ATE could be useful for making the differential diagnosis against PAD.

PMID- 27278462
TI  - Prediction of the response to beta-blocker therapy in patients with dilated
      cardiomyopathy: comparison of 123I-MIBG scintigraphy and low-dose dobutamine
      stress echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to compare low-dose dobutamine stress
      echocardiography (DSE) and iodine 123-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy
      for predicting the response to beta-blocker therapy in patients with dilated
      cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: MIBG imaging was performed in 10 patients with DCM
      (mean EF 28 +/- 8%), who were subsequently treated with beta-blocker therapy. The
      heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) MIBG uptake ratio was evaluated in initial and delayed
      images, and the percent washout ratio of myocardial MIBG was determined. DSE was
      also performed in all patients to measure left ventricular ejection fraction
      (LVEF) at rest and during dobutamine infusion (10 MUg/kg/min). LVEF at rest was
      also assessed by echocardiography before and after 6 months of beta-blocker
      therapy. RESULTS: LVEF was significantly improved after beta-blocker therapy (28
      +/- 8 to 41 +/- 11%, p < 0.001). The relative change in LVEF after beta-blocker
      therapy was significantly correlated with the relative change in LVEF during DSE
      (r = 0.68, p < 0.03). The H/M MIBG uptake ratio in both early and delayed imaging
      was not significantly correlated with the relative change in LVEF in response to
      beta-blockade therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The relative change in LVEF during DSE, but
      not MIBG imaging predicted the relative change in LVEF in response to beta
      blockade therapy in a limited number of DCM patients.

PMID- 27278463
TI  - Accessory mitral valve in an elderly man on maintenance hemodialysis.
AB  - This report describes a case of accessory mitral valve in an elderly patient on
      maintenance hemodialysis. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a mobile sac
      like structure with size of 12 * 10 mm(2), which attached to the left ventricular
      surface of base of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. Mobile stick-like structure
      with diameter of 21 mm was extending from this sac-like structure toward the left
      ventricular outflow tract and had a floating free edge. Peak pressure gradient
      across the left ventricular outflow tract was 32 mmHg. There were no other
      congenital cardiac anomalies. No clinical findings suggestive of bacterial or
      nonbacterial vegetation were seen. Also other possibilities of mobile thrombus or
      calcification were unlikely. These abnormal structures were diagnosed as
      accessory mitral valve with rudimentary chordae. 

PMID- 27278464
TI  - Band-like left ventricular echogenic artifact.

PMID- 27278465
TI  - A case of an isolated cleft in the posterior mitral leaflet.

PMID- 27278466
TI  - Echo findings in aortic dissection and car company symbols.

PMID- 27278467
TI  - An empirically derived short form of the Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey II.
AB  - AIMS: To develop an empirically derived short version of the Hypoglycaemia Fear
      Survey II that still accurately measures fear of hypoglycaemia. METHODS: Item
      response theory methods were used to generate an 11-item version of the
      Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey from a sample of 487 people with Type 1 or Type 2
      diabetes mellitus. Subsequently, this scale was tested on a sample of 2718 people
      with Type 1 or insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes taking part in DIALOG, a large
      observational prospective study of hypoglycaemia in France. RESULTS: The short
      form of the Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey II matched the factor structure of the long
      form for respondents with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, while maintaining
      adequate internal reliability on the total scale and all three subscales. The two
      forms were highly correlated on both the total scale and each subscale (Pearson's
      R > 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: The short form of the Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey II is an
      important first step in more efficiently measuring fear of hypoglycaemia. Future
      prospective studies are needed for further validity testing and exploring the
      survey's applicability to different populations.

PMID- 27278468
TI  - Enhanced function and quality of life following 5 months of exercise therapy for
      patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears - an intervention study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff rupture is associated with dysfunction, pain and
      muscular weakness related to the upper extremity. Some evidence exists to support
      the beneficial effect of exercises but there is lack of evidence of which
      exercises imply the best effect and how physiotherapy should be administered.
      Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a neuromuscular
      exercise program for patients with irreparable rotator cuff rupture. METHODS:
      Based on sample-size calculations thirty patients with chronic irreparable
      rotator cuff tears (of at least m. supraspinatus and m. infraspinatus) was
      consecutively included. Twenty-four patients completed the five months training
      to restore function with focus on centering the humeral head in the glenoid
      cavity trough strengthening m. deltoideus anterior and m. teres minor. The
      primary outcome measure was Oxford Shoulder Score which was completed at
      baseline, 3 and 5 months follow-up. One-way, repeated-measure ANOVA was used if
      data was normally distributed. Secondary outcome measures included EQ-5D, range
      of motion, strength and muscle activity. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks
      Test was used to the appropriate outcomes. RESULTS: Improvements was seen for
      both primary and secondary outcomes from baseline to follow-up. Oxford Shoulder
      Score improved from 25.6 (SD 8.1) at baseline to 33.8 (SD 8.7) at 3 months (p =
      0.004) and 37.2 (SD 8.2) at five months (p < 0.001). Range of motion in abduction
      significantly increased by 34.4 degrees  (95 % CI: 11.6-57.2). Strength measured
      in flexion 45, flexion 90 and abduction also significantly increased at 5 months
      by 10.2 (95 % CI: 0.8-19.6), 7.0 (95 % CI: 0.0-14.0) and 12.3 (95 % CI: 3.4-21.3)
      respectively. The remaining outcomes for range of motion and strengths only
      showed small and non-significant changes. Furthermore patients reported higher
      levels of quality of life and reduced level of pain after five months.
      CONCLUSION: Following a five months exercise protocol patients with irreparable
      rotator cuff tears showed increased function in their symptomatic shoulder,
      reduced pain and increased quality of life. This study therefore supports the use
      of exercise therapy in patients with irreparable rotator cuff rupture. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: This study is approved by The National Committee on Health Research
      Ethics (N-20120040) and registered retrospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov in April
      2016 ( NCT02740946 ).

PMID- 27278469
TI  - 'It is just the way it was in the past before I went to test': a qualitative
      study to explore responses to HIV prevention counselling in rural Tanzania.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV first evolved in
      Western settings, with one aim being to promote behaviours which lower the risk
      of onward transmission or acquisition of HIV. However, although quantitative
      studies have shown that the impact of VCT on sexual behaviour change has been
      limited in African settings, there is a lack of qualitative research exploring
      perceptions of HIV prevention counselling messages, particularly among clients
      testing HIV-negative. We conducted a qualitative study to explore healthcare
      worker, community and both HIV-negative and HIV-positive clients' perceptions of
      HIV prevention counselling messages in rural Tanzania. METHODS: This study was
      carried out within the context of an ongoing community HIV cohort study in
      Kisesa, northwest Tanzania. Nine group sessions incorporating participatory
      learning and action (PLA) activities were conducted in order to gain general
      community perspectives of HIV testing and counselling (HTC) services. Thirty in
      depth interviews (IDIs) with HIV-negative and HIV-positive service users explored
      individual perceptions of HIV prevention counselling messages, while five IDIs
      were carried out with nurses or counsellors offering HTC in order to explore
      provider perspectives. RESULTS: Two key themes revolving around socio-cultural
      and contextual factors emerged in understanding responses to HIV prevention
      counselling messages. The first included constraints to client-counsellor
      interactions, which were impeded as a result of difficulties discussing private
      sexual behaviours during counselling sessions, a hierarchical relationship
      between healthcare providers and clients, insufficient levels of training and
      support for counsellors, and client concerns about confidentiality. The second
      theme related to imbalanced gender-power dynamics, which constrained the extent
      to which women felt able to control their HIV-related risk. CONCLUSION: Within
      the broader social context of a rural African setting, HIV prevention counselling
      based on a Western model of individual-level agency seems unlikely to make a
      significant contribution to sexual behaviour change until there is greater
      recognition by counsellors of the ways in which power dynamics within many
      relationships influence behaviour change. More culturally relevant counselling
      strategies and messages and infrastructural improvements such as additional
      training for counsellors and counselling rooms which ensure privacy and
      confidentiality, may lead to better outcomes in terms of sexual risk reduction.

PMID- 27278470
TI  - The Editors' Medal 2016.

PMID- 27278472
TI  - Antecedents of Treatment Resistant Depression in Children Victimized by Peers.
AB  - Children victimized by peers are at increased risk of ongoing depression. This
      study investigates treatment resistant depression in children victimized by
      peers, following participation in a targeted cognitive behavioral family
      intervention. The sample comprised 39 children aged 6-12 years with elevated
      depression compared with a general sample, prior to the intervention. Six months
      after the intervention, 26 were no longer depressed and 13 were still depressed.
      This study investigated the differentiation of these two groups on the basis of
      parenting and child factors. Children with treatment resistant depression were
      discriminated from other children by lower levels of peer support and
      facilitative parenting immediately after the intervention. It was concluded that
      ongoing support from parents and peers is needed to reduce the risk of ongoing
      depression even if victimization has been reduced. Further research could develop
      a comprehensive profile of children at risk of depression following peer
      victimization.

PMID- 27278471
TI  - Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF): a novel trophoblast-derived factor
      limiting feto-placental angiogenesis in late pregnancy.
AB  - The rapidly expanding feto-placental vasculature needs tight control by paracrine
      and endocrine mechanisms. Here, we focused on paracrine influence by trophoblast,
      the placental epithelium. We aimed to identify differences in regulation of feto
      placental angiogenesis in early versus late pregnancy. To this end, the effect of
      conditioned media (CM) from early and late pregnancy human trophoblast was tested
      on network formation, migration and proliferation of human feto-placental
      endothelial cells. Only CM of late pregnancy trophoblast reduced network
      formation and migration. Screening of trophoblast transcriptome for anti
      angiogenic candidates identified pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) with
      higher expression and protein secretion in late pregnancy trophoblast. Addition
      of a PEDF-neutralizing antibody restored the anti-angiogenic effect of CM from
      late pregnancy trophoblast. Notably, human recombinant PEDF reduced network
      formation only in combination with VEGF. Also in the CAM assay, the combination
      of PEDF with VEGF reduced branching of vessels below control levels. Analysis of
      phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and FAK, two key players in VEGF-induced proliferation
      and migration, revealed that PEDF altered VEGF signaling, while PEDF alone did
      not affect phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and FAK. These data suggest that the
      trophoblast-derived anti-angiogenic molecule PEDF is involved in restricting
      growth and expansion of the feto-placental endothelium predominantly in late
      pregnancy and targets to modulate the intracellular effect of VEGF.

PMID- 27278473
TI  - Negative Bystander Behavior in Bullying Dynamics: Assessing the Impact of Social
      Capital Deprivation and Anti-social Capital.
AB  - Bystanders witness bullying, but are not directly involved as a bully or victim;
      however, they often engage in negative bystander behavior. This study examines
      how social capital deprivation and anti-social capital are associated with the
      likelihood of engaging in negative bystander behavior in a sample (N = 5752) of
      racially/ethnically diverse rural youth. Data were collected using an online,
      youth self-report; the current study uses cross sectional data. Following
      multiple imputation, a binary logistic regression with robust standard errors was
      run. Results partially supported the hypothesis and indicated that social capital
      deprivation in the form of peer pressure and verbal victimization and anti-social
      capital in the form of delinquent friends, bullying perpetration, verbal
      perpetration, and physical perpetration were significantly associated with an
      increased likelihood of engaging in negative bystander behavior. Findings
      highlight the importance of establishing sources of positive social support for
      disenfranchised youth.

PMID- 27278475
TI  - A mechatronics platform to study prosthetic hand control using EMG signals.
AB  - In this paper, a low-cost mechatronics platform for the design and development of
      robotic hands as well as a surface electromyogram (EMG) pattern recognition
      system is proposed. This paper also explores various EMG classification
      techniques using a low-cost electronics system in prosthetic hand applications.
      The proposed platform involves the development of a four channel EMG signal
      acquisition system; pattern recognition of acquired EMG signals; and development
      of a digital controller for a robotic hand. Four-channel surface EMG signals,
      acquired from ten healthy subjects for six different movements of the hand, were
      used to analyse pattern recognition in prosthetic hand control. Various time
      domain features were extracted and grouped into five ensembles to compare the
      influence of features in feature-selective classifiers (SLR) with widely
      considered non-feature-selective classifiers, such as neural networks (NN),
      linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machines (SVM) applied with
      different kernels. The results divulged that the average classification accuracy
      of the SVM, with a linear kernel function, outperforms other classifiers with
      feature ensembles, Hudgin's feature set and auto regression (AR) coefficients.
      However, the slight improvement in classification accuracy of SVM incurs more
      processing time and memory space in the low-level controller. The Kruskal-Wallis
      (KW) test also shows that there is no significant difference in the
      classification performance of SLR with Hudgin's feature set to that of SVM with
      Hudgin's features along with AR coefficients. In addition, the KW test shows that
      SLR was found to be better in respect to computation time and memory space, which
      is vital in a low-level controller. Similar to SVM, with a linear kernel
      function, other non-feature selective LDA and NN classifiers also show a slight
      improvement in performance using twice the features but with the drawback of
      increased memory space requirement and time. This prototype facilitated the study
      of various issues of pattern recognition and identified an efficient classifier,
      along with a feature ensemble, in the implementation of EMG controlled prosthetic
      hands in a laboratory setting at low-cost. This platform may help to motivate and
      facilitate prosthetic hand research in developing countries. 

PMID- 27278474
TI  - Recruitment of young adults for weight gain prevention: randomized comparison of
      direct mail strategies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recruiting young adults (ages 18-35 years) into weight gain
      prevention intervention studies is challenging and men are particularly difficult
      to reach. This paper describes two studies designed to improve recruitment for a
      randomized trial of weight gain prevention interventions. Study 1 used a quasi
      experimental design to test the effect of two types of direct mailings on their
      overall reach. Study 2 used a randomized design to test the effect of using
      targeted messages to increase recruitment of men into the trial. METHODS: For
      Study 1, 60,000 male and female young-adult households were randomly assigned to
      receive either a recruitment brochure or postcard. Visits to recruitment websites
      during each mailing period were used to assess response to each mailing. Study 2
      focused on postcard recruitment only. These households received either a targeted
      or generic recruitment postcard, where targeted postcards included the word "Men"
      in the headline text. Response rates to each type of card were categorized based
      on participant report of mailing received. RESULTS: The reach of the postcards
      and brochures were similar (421 and 386 website visits, respectively; P = 0.22).
      Individuals who received the brochure were more likely to initiate the online
      screener than those who received a postcard (P = 0.01). In Study 2, of those who
      completed the telephone screening, 60.9 % of men (n = 23) had received the
      targeted postcard as compared to the generic postcard (39.1 %, P = 0.30). The
      reverse was true for women (n = 62, 38.7 vs. 61.3 %, P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS:
      These studies suggest there was little difference in the reach of postcards
      versus brochures. However, recipients of brochures were more likely to continue
      to the next stage of study participation. As expected, men's response to the
      weight gain prevention messages was lower than women's response; but using
      targeted messages appears to have modestly increased the proportion of male
      respondents. These studies add to the limited experimental literature on
      recruitment messaging and provide further indication for using targeted messages
      to reach underrepresented populations while providing initial evidence on the
      effect of mailing type on message reach. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Study of Novel
      Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov
      (identifier: NCT01183689 ) on 13 August 2010.

PMID- 27278476
TI  - Influence of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on the anal sphincter: ultrastructural
      damage may be critical.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in addition to the curative
      surgery has been the first of treatment for local advanced rectal cancer because
      of its benefits in local recurrence and sphincter-saving. However, its side
      effects on anorectal function have been recognized. The histopathological changes
      on internal anal sphincter (IAS) have been reported, but ultrastructure changes
      of external anal sphincter (EAS) are unknown. The aim of this study is to detect
      the alterations on the gross morphology of IAS and ultrastructure of EAS after
      nCRT. METHODS: We collected 34 anal canal specimens of patients undergoing
      abdominoperineal resection (APR) prospectively. The length and thickness of IAS
      were measured with vernier caliper. The EAS was dissected for observation with
      transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: Ten patients received nCRT (nCRT
      group) before surgery and 24 underwent APR directly (control group). The length
      and thickness of IAS in nCRT group were 22.68 +/- 3.56 and 5.39 +/- 0.74 mm,
      respectively. These parameters were 21.28 +/- 3.62 and 5.35 +/- 1.12 mm in
      control group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the length
      and thickness of IAS between the two groups (P>0.05). In nCRT group, the
      sarcomere and myofibril were arranged disorderly and parts of them that were
      filled with collagenous fiber, triads, and mitochondria were destroyed severely
      and the glycogenosome also distributed disorderly. Such alterations of EAS did
      not occur in control group. CONCLUSIONS: The nCRT cannot change the gross
      morphology of IAS, while it induces serious damages to the ultrastructures of EAS
      which may adversely affect the anorectal function.

PMID- 27278478
TI  - The objectivity of ultrasonic diagnosis.

PMID- 27278477
TI  - Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) decreases advanced glycation end
      products and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with non-insulin-dependent
      type II diabetes mellitus for up to 6 months following treatment.
AB  - AIMS: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive, non
      pharmacologic intervention proven to increase nitric oxide bioavailability in
      patients with coronary artery disease. The purpose of the present study was to
      evaluate the potential clinical benefits of EECP on advanced glycation end
      products (AGEs) and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations in patients with a
      clinical diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Thirty subjects
      (60.7 +/- 1.9 years) with T2DM were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to receive
      either 35 1-h sessions of EECP (n = 20) or time-matched standard care (n = 10).
      AGEs, receptors for AGEs (RAGEs), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules-1
      (sVCAM-1), and 8-iso-prostaglandin 2alpha (8-iso-PGF2alpha) were evaluated before
      and at 48 h, 2 weeks, 3, and 6 months following EECP treatment or time-matched
      control. RESULTS: EECP significantly decreased AGEs and RAGEs at all follow-up
      measurement time points. AGEs and RAGEs were decreased at 48 h (-75 and -16 %), 2
      weeks (-87 and -28 %), 3 months (-89 and -29 %), and 6 months (-92 and -20 %)
      following EECP treatment, respectively. sVCAM-1 and 8-iso-PGF2alpha were
      significantly decreased at 48 h (-30 and -49 %) and 2 weeks (-22 and -27 %)
      following EECP, respectively. sVCAM-1 (-27 %) remained significantly reduced at 3
      months following EECP. Nitrite/nitrate (NOx) was significantly increased at 48 h
      (+48.4 %) and 2 weeks (+51.9 %) following EECP treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings provide novel evidence that EECP decreases AGE/RAGE concentrations,
      inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients with T2DM that persist for up to 6
      months following treatment.

PMID- 27278479
TI  - Shear modulus reconstruction by ultrasonically measured strain ratio.
AB  - PURPOSE: In addition to a description of our three previously developed one
      dimensional (1D) methods from the viewpoint of shear modulus reconstruction using
      the strain ratio, two new methods for stabilizing the 1D methods are described,
      together with their limitations. As confirmed using human in vivo breast tissues,
      method 1 for evaluating the strain ratio itself is useful when the measurement
      accuracy of the strain distribution is high. However, because tissues having high
      shear moduli, such as scirrhous carcinoma, often form singular points/regions,
      both methods 2 and 3 using the strain ratio (initial estimate) and a
      regularization method are effective for realizing a unique, stable, useful shear
      modulus reconstruction. Because method 3 carries out implicit integration only at
      singular points/regions, whereas method 2 carries out implicit integration
      throughout the region of interest (ROI), the smaller number of singular points
      enables more rapid shear modulus reconstruction by method 3 than by method 2.
      Like method 1, method 3 is also useful when the measurement accuracy of the
      strain distribution is high. However, when evaluating strain distribution in an
      ROI with a high spatial resolution to obtain a shear modulus reconstruction
      having a high spatial resolution, shear modulus reconstructions obtained by
      methods 1, 2, and 3 often become laterally unstable due to the instability and
      low accuracy of the strains in the reference regions (reference strains), i.e.,
      regularization in methods 2 and 3 cannot reduce the instability in the initial
      estimate. METHODS: To cope with this instability, (i) the reconstruction obtained
      by calculating the strain ratio should be low-pass filtered; for breast tissues,
      in particular, the reconstruction of the inverse shear modulus should be low-pass
      filtered, not the reconstruction of the shear modulus. (ii) Otherwise, when using
      homogeneous regions as a reference, such as a block of reference material, fatty
      tissue, or parenchyma, evaluation of the reference strains with a low spatial
      resolution is effective. RESULTS: Although such evaluation yields a stable
      reconstruction with a high spatial resolution compared with that obtained by the
      low-pass filtering of the strain ratio, we confirmed through simulations that,
      when reducing artifacts due to a 1D reconstruction of the shear modulus, the
      evaluation yields a low-accuracy reconstruction value of inhomogeneity. In
      contrast, in such a case the low-pass filtering of the strain ratio yields a more
      accurate reconstruction value. CONCLUSION: All the above-mentioned methods using
      the strain ratio realize real-time shear modulus reconstruction and should be
      selected appropriately in conventional ultrasonic imaging equipment by
      considering the application of the reconstruction (i.e., in accordance with the
      measurement accuracy of the strains and the occurrence of artifacts).

PMID- 27278480
TI  - Tissue characterization of uterine myometrium using the ultrasound gray-level
      histogram width.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the usefulness of the gray
      level histogram width for tissue characterization of the uterine myometrium.
      METHODS: Thirty-five patients with uterine fibroids, 5 patients with adenomyosis,
      and 9 patients with extensive myometrial invasion by endometrial carcinoma were
      studied. The gray-level histogram width was determined by transvaginal
      ultrasonography. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis.
      Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for use in tissue
      characterization. RESULTS: Significant differences in the gray-level histogram
      width were found between normal myometrium (54.2% +/- 4.2%) and carcinoma (58.2%
      +/- 3.9%), normal myometrium and fibroid (64.3% +/- 5.2%), and carcinoma and
      fibroid. However, it was difficult to identify adenomyosis. The cutoff values to
      distinguish normal myometrium from carcinoma, normal myometrium from fibroid, and
      carcinoma from fibroid are 56, 58, and 64, respectively. CONCLUSION: The gray
      level histogram width is useful for tissue characterization of the uterine
      myometrium.

PMID- 27278481
TI  - A case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast.
AB  - A 57-year-old woman was referred to our institution 4 months after she noticed a
      palpable, painless mass in her left breast. Physical examination revealed a
      mobile and elastic mass. An axillary or subclavicular lymph node was not
      palpable. Mammography revealed a lobulated mass with a partially ill-defined
      border. Ultrasonography depicted a 2.5 * 1.5 cm irregularly shaped mass with
      heterogeneous internal echo and posterior acoustic enhancement. The border of the
      mass was poorly defined at the anterior and lateral aspects of the mass. Results
      of ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology were strongly
      suggestive of a malignant tumor. Thus, the patient underwent breast-conserving
      surgery with axillary lymph node dissection. The gross resected specimen revealed
      a gray-to-white and well-demarcated solid tumor measuring 3 * 2 * 2.5 cm, with an
      irregular border and heterogeneous internal structure. Histological examination
      showed the characteristic patterns of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast.
      Immunohistochemical studies for both estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone
      receptors (PgR) were negative. The patient remains well and has no clinical
      recurrence of the disease after 5 years of follow-up without radiotherapy or
      adjuvant therapy. 

PMID- 27278483
TI  - Portal gas in a patient with acute obstructive cholangitis: report of a case with
      emphasis on US findings.
AB  - Portal gas is relatively rare, and its relationship to ischemic bowel diseases
      has been emphasized. We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with acute
      obstructive cholangitis in whom portal gas was detected by ultrasonography (US)
      but not by computed tomography (CT). The former showed multiple echo spots moving
      in the portal vein. Doppler signals confirmed them to be bidirectional and spiky,
      which immediately led to the diagnosis of portal gas. Immediate appropriate
      antibiotic treatment and biliary drainage yielded the disappearance of the portal
      gas. We stress the usefulness of US and Doppler US for detecting and diagnosing
      portal gas. Our observation suggests that when portal gas is detected by US, the
      possibility of cholangitis should be included in the differential diagnosis. 

PMID- 27278482
TI  - Quadricuspid aortic valve associated with aortic stenosis and regurgitation:
      report of a case and a review of the literature.
AB  - Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital heart valve disease, and
      more than half of QAV patients have severe aortic regurgitation (AR). We describe
      the case of a 66-year-old woman with QAV detected by transthoracic
      echocardiography during a medical checkup. Doppler echocardiographic examination
      showed mild aortic stenosis and mild AR. The patient has been under routine
      medical review without medication therapy. At follow-up echocardiographic
      examinations over a 4-year period, no significant changes in severity of aortic
      stenosis or AR were found. The clinical and functional characteristics of 192
      cases of QAV were reviewed. The functional status of the QAV was known in 144
      cases; of these, only 13 (9%) had both aortic stenosis and AR. 

PMID- 27278484
TI  - Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography with a microprobe in the diagnosis of
      aortoesophageal fistula.
AB  - Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is very rare and is associated with a high
      mortality rate. AEF manifests with massive gastrointestinal bleeding and is
      difficult to diagnose from endoscopic findings and clinical features. We
      encountered a patient with an AEF that was promptly diagnosed by endoscopic
      ultrasonography (EUS) using a microprobe. A 58-year-old man was admitted to our
      hospital because of hematemesis. Endoscopic examination revealed a submucosal
      tumor (SMT)-like lesion 2 cm in diameter 25 cm from the dental arch. EUS with a
      20-MHz microprobe revealed a blood vessel-like structure with hypoechoic flowing
      contents and a high echoic area suggestive of a thrombus protruding into the
      esophageal lumen. AEF resulting from a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm was
      suggested from the EUS findings and was definitely diagnosed by computed
      tomography. Graft replacement of the descending aorta was successfully performed.
      The patient is now in good health 6 years after the first admission. This is the
      first report of a case of AEF diagnosed by EUS with a microprobe. 

PMID- 27278485
TI  - Tissue elastography imaging of the uterine cervix during pregnancy.

PMID- 27278488
TI  - MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.

PMID- 27278486
TI  - Nucleotide composition of the Zika virus RNA genome and its codon usage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: RNA viruses have genomes with a distinct nucleotide composition and
      codon usage. We present the global characteristics of the RNA genome of Zika
      virus (ZIKV), an emerging pathogen within the Flavivirus genus. ZIKV was first
      isolated in 1947 in Uganda, caused a widespread epidemic in South and Central
      America and the Caribbean in 2015 and has recently been associated with
      microcephaly in newborns. METHODS: The nearly 11 kb positive-stranded RNA genome
      of ZIKV was analyzed for its nucleotide composition, also in the context of the
      folded RNA molecule. Nucleotide trends were investigated along the genome length
      by skew analyses and we analyzed the codons used for translation of the ZIKV
      proteins. RESULTS: ZIKV RNA has a biased nucleotide composition in being purine
      rich and pyrimidine-poor. This preference for purines is a general characteristic
      of the mosquito-borne and tick-borne flaviviruses. The virus-specific nucleotide
      bias is further enriched in the unpaired, single-stranded regions of the
      structured ZIKV RNA genome, thus further imposing this ZIKV-specific signature.
      The codons used for translation of the ZIKV proteins is also unusual, but we show
      that it is the underlying bias in nucleotide composition of the viral RNA that
      largely dictates these codon preferences. CONCLUSIONS: The ZIKV RNA genome has a
      biased nucleotide composition that dictates the codon usage of this flavivirus.
      We discuss the evolutionary scenarios and molecular mechanisms that may be
      responsible for these distinctive ZIKV RNA genome features.

PMID- 27278487
TI  - Recognition of a novel HLA-DRB1*09 variant, HLA-DRB1*09:25, in a Taiwanese
      hematopoietic stem cell donor.
AB  - One nucleotide replacement at codon 91of the HLA-DRB1*09:01:02 results in a novel
      allele, HLA-DRB1*09:25.

PMID- 27278489
TI  - EDITORIAL.

PMID- 27278490
TI  - Estimation of Doppler shift frequency using selected phase information for high
      frame rate color flow mapping.
AB  - PURPOSE: We describe a new approach to processing signals used to estimate the
      Doppler shift frequency in high frame-rate color flow mapping with fewer pulse
      transmissions. When an ultrasound pulse is transmitted to a large number of
      scatterers, the echoes from the scatterers overlap and interfere with one
      another. This interference causes the phase of the received echo signal to
      fluctuate, thus disturbing the estimated shift in Doppler frequency. The
      technique proposed here eliminates this disturbed phase information, leaving the
      remaining information for use in estimating the shift in Doppler frequency. The
      instantaneous frequency of the echo signal can serve as an index of the influence
      of interference. METHODS: To test this technique in vivo we used radio-frequency
      echo signals from the carotid artery for simulation and evaluated the error of
      the estimated Doppler shift frequency in several cases. CONCLUSION: Performance
      was enhanced when the number of pulses transmitted was limited and this technique
      was used.

PMID- 27278491
TI  - Texture analysis with a new method in which the region of interest is segmented
      into multiple layers for radiofrequency amplitude histogram analysis of fibrous
      rat livers.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate the severity of fibrosis without a
      biopsy. METHODS: The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), skewness, and kurtosis were
      measured using a 10-MHz transducer with the texture analysis in conjunction with
      an alternative method for evaluating fibrous rat livers. This method segments the
      region of interest (ROI) into multiple layers (sub-ROIs). In each sub-ROI of a
      homogeneous medium, the histogram of enveloped amplitude of radiofrequency (RF)
      backscattered echoes resembles a Rayleigh distribution. In theory, SNR, skewness,
      and kurtosis for Rayleigh statistics are constant and independent of the mean
      scattering intensity, which is enhanced by such undesirable effects as tissue
      attenuation, beam diffraction, and incident waveforms. Thus, these values, which
      are averages of the corresponding sub-ROI values, constitute an unbiased
      estimator. All fibrous liver specimens were induced using the dimethylnitrosamine
      method. Fiber content was estimated quantitatively as the fibrosis index by
      computer processing of pathological images obtained by light microscopy. RESULTS:
      The SNR, skewness and kurtosis, expressed as averages of corresponding values
      from each sub-ROI, correlated closely with the fibrosis index. CONCLUSION: These
      results make it possible to predict the severity of liver fibrosis from data
      obtained without resorting to biopsy. The data, obtained from our earlier study
      on rats, may be used to evaluate human hepatitis quantitatively by measuring
      these three values. The method may make it possible to estimate the degree of
      severity of chronic liver disease noninvasively.

PMID- 27278492
TI  - Diagnosis of acute cholecystitis in patients with liver cirrhosis: waveform
      analysis of the cystic artery by color Doppler imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of diagnosing
      acute cholecystitis in patients with liver cirrhosis using color Doppler imaging
      to demonstrate the hemodynamics. METHODS: Color Doppler imaging was used to
      analyze the waveform of the cystic artery in 28 cirrhotic subjects with thickened
      gallbladder walls and 56 normal controls. The cirrhotic group was further divided
      into the cholecystitis group, containing 6 cirrhotic patients with acute
      cholecystitis, and the liver cirrhosis group, containing 22 cirrhotic patients
      without acute cholecystitis. RESULTS: Maximum velocity (Vmax) was significantly
      higher in the cholecystitis group (31.6 +/- 23.0 cm/s) than in the normal
      controls (16.1 +/- 5.9 cm/s) (P < 0.01). The resistance index (RI) was higher in
      the liver cirrhosis group (0.84 +/- 0.04) than in either the normal controls
      (0.70 +/- 0.06) (P < 0.01) or the cholecystitis group (0.72 +/- 0.09) (P < 0.01).
      Sensitivity and specificity were 100% when the diagnostic criteria of acute
      cholecystitis were a maximum velocity of more than 40 cm/s, a resistance index of
      more than 0.75, or both. CONCLUSION: A pulsatile signal with a maximum velocity
      of more than 40 cm/s, a resistance index lower than 0.75, or both indicated the
      presence of acute cholecystitis in patients with liver cirrhosis and a thickened
      gallbladder wall.

PMID- 27278493
TI  - Analysis of clinical background in patients with vegetation-like echoes:
      importance of clinical information.
AB  - PURPOSE: Detection of vegetation is important for diagnosing infective
      endocarditis. METHODS: We analyzed clinical information from 58 patients with
      vegetation-like echoes on transthoracic echocardiography who had been referred to
      this institution for an echocardiographic examination during the past 5 years.
      Patients with healed vegetations were excluded. A vegetation-like echo was
      defined as a mass, a thread-like echo attached to the valve or endocardium, or
      both. Diagnosis of a vegetation-like echo required the concurrence of two
      cardiologists and one sonographer. Altogether, 44 patients were treated with
      antibiotics because their clinical courses were consistent with active infective
      endocarditis. RESULTS: Blood cultures were positive in 27 patients and negative
      in 17 patients. Follow-up data were available for 10 of the 14 patients who had
      no findings suggestive of active infective endocarditis. The size of the
      vegetation-like echo remained unchanged over a mean interval of 12.1 months, and
      no clinical signs or symptoms of active infective endocarditis appeared. In about
      one-fourth of the patients with a vegetation-like echo, it was not associated
      with infective endocarditis. CONCLUSION: Clinical information, in addition to
      detection of a vegetation-like echo, appears to be indispensable for diagnosing
      infective endocarditis.

PMID- 27278494
TI  - Ultrasonically induced cell damage and membrane lipid peroxidation by photofrin
      II: mechanism of sonodynamic activation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Ultrasonically induced cell damage and active oxygen generation with
      photofrin II were compared using the same in vitro insonation setup. METHODS:
      Sarcoma 180 cells suspended in an air-saturated phosphate-buffered saline
      solution were exposed to ultrasound at 2 MHz for not more than 60 s in the
      presence and absence of photofrin II. The trypan blue exclusion test was used to
      determine viability. Lipid peroxidation in cell membranes was estimated by
      measuring the quantity of reactive substance produced from thiobarbituric acid
      added immediately after the cells had been exposured to ultrasound. RESULTS:
      Significant enhancement of the rates of ultrasonically induced cell damage and
      lipid peroxidation was demonstrated with photofrin II (20-80 ug/ml), and the two
      rates were closely associated. Enhancement of both rates by photofrin II was
      suppressed by 10 mM of histidine. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that
      ultrasonically generated active oxygen is a primary factor in ultrasonically
      induced cell damage in the presence of photofrin II.

PMID- 27278495
TI  - Case of hemorrhagic pancreatic pseudocyst in which ultrasound imaging was useful.
AB  - A 50-year-old man was admitted to our institution for upper abdominal pain. The
      diagnosis was chronic pancreatitis. A pseudocyst 3 cm in diameter had been
      detected in the head of the pancreas by ultrasonography a year and a half
      earlier. At the current hospitalization, ultrasound examination showed a mass 5
      cm in diameter where the pseudocyst had been seen. This mass comprised an
      external hypoechoic lesion, a middle movable hyperechoic lesion, and an internal
      cystic lesion showing an arterial signal on Doppler ultrasound examination.
      Computed tomography showed a high-density area thought to be a hematoma in the
      head of the pancreas, and extravasation in the mass was demonstrated by rapid
      injection of a contrast medium. Our diagnosis was a bleeding pseudocyst. The
      patient suddenly vomited fresh blood and went into hypovolemic shock on the 11th
      hospital day. Emergency angiography and transcatheter embolization with steel
      coils was accomplished under a diagnosis of rupture of the bleeding pseudocyst
      into the duodenum. Ultrasonographic examination showed that the mass had
      decreased in size and the cystic lesion, showing an arterial signal, had
      disappeared after embolization. Although bleeding pseudocysts occur infrequently,
      they are a life-threatening complication of chronic pancreatitis. Early diagnosis
      and treatment are thus essential. Ultrasound examination with Doppler
      ultrasonography is strongly indicated when diagnosing bleeding pseudocysts and
      examining patients with chronic pancreatitis accompanied by abdominal pain,
      gastrointestinal bleeding, or both. Early treatment by transcatheter embolization
      should be used to avoid this potentially lethal complication. 

PMID- 27278497
TI  - What should each of us do now?

PMID- 27278496
TI  - Psychosocial interventions for infertile couples: a critical review.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This critical review aims to identify, summarize and
      critically appraise the current literature evaluating the effectiveness of
      psychosocial interventions to improve infertile couples' well-being. It also aims
      to identify the design implications of effective psychosocial interventions for
      the management of psychosocial distress in infertile couples, especially
      culturally specific interventions for Chinese infertile couples. Directions for
      future research are discussed. BACKGROUND: Infertility is a life crisis affecting
      15% of couples in most countries. The affected couples experience considerable
      psychological distress and impaired interpersonal relationships. Assisted
      reproductive technologies offer couples hope for pregnancy, but pose an
      unbearable psychological burden. Psychosocial interventions have been developed
      to offer support; however, their effectiveness has been inconsistent. DESIGN: A
      thorough analysis of the literatures on the topic of psychosocial interventions
      for infertile couples. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO,
      British Nursing Index and GoogleScholar from 2003-2015 was conducted to identify
      English language articles with the keywords 'psychosocial intervention' and
      'infertility'. Two authors assessed all of the identified articles independently
      for inclusion in the review. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in the review:
      seven were interventional studies and five were review studies. The findings
      indicated that the psychosocial interventions in general improved psychological
      outcomes, marital relationships and pregnancy rates among infertile couples.
      CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial interventions should be incorporated into routine
      practice for infertile couples to provide timely support and counselling.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The implications of the review findings for the
      effective design of psychosocial interventions, including the content, format,
      duration and intervener for clinical practice are discussed. In confirming the
      efficacy of such intervention design, randomized controlled trials are needed to
      compare the interventions and usual care at clinical setting. Longitudinal design
      is also needed to examine the long-term effects of psychosocial interventions in
      infertile couples' well-being.

PMID- 27278498
TI  - Usefulness of textural analysis as a tool for noninvasive liver fibrosis staging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Noninvasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis is a popular topic in the
      medical literature. Textural analysis on B-mode ultrasound is viewed as a
      noninvasive tool for fibrosis staging. A liver tissue model is proposed and used
      to simulate ultrasound images. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five patients with
      chronic hepatitis C were included in this study. Patients were investigated using
      B-mode ultrasound and liver biopsy (Metavir scoring). A texture analysis tool
      consisting of 12 algorithms and a logistic regression classifier was implemented
      and validated. Tissue model parameters were varied and ultrasound images were
      generated. RESULTS: Texture analysis can discriminate between stages F0 and F4
      using actual patient data (accuracy 69.5%) and synthetic images (accuracy 76.6%).
      A human expert is less sensitive than texture analysis in discriminating subtle
      changes in ultrasound images. High fibrosis detection accuracies are correlated
      with larger differences in portal space density (r (2) = 0.5). Accuracies
      measured when we varied only the fibrosis stage and kept the rest of the tissue
      parameters constant showed high detection rates only in a narrow parameter
      interval. CONCLUSION: The texture analysis system shows limited performance in
      staging fibrosis and it cannot be used for accurate monitoring of fibrosis
      evolution over time.

PMID- 27278499
TI  - Transmission of 100-MHz-range ultrasound through a fused quartz fiber.
AB  - PURPOSE: This paper describes an investigation into direct observation of
      microscopic images of tissue using a thin acoustic wave guide. METHODS: First,
      the characteristics of the ultrasonic wave propagated in a fused quartz fiber
      were measured using the reflection method in order to study the insertion loss
      and the frequency shift of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transducer.
      Next, a receiving transducer was placed close to the end of the fiber, and the
      characteristics of the ultrasonic waves propagated through the acoustic coupling
      medium were measured using the penetration method in order to study the insertion
      loss and the frequency-dependent attenuation of the penetrated waves. Finally, a
      C-mode image was obtained by optimizing the measuring conditions using the
      results of the above measurements and scanning the ultrasonic beams on a target
      (coin) in water. RESULTS: A reflected wave with a peak frequency of approximately
      220 MHz was obtained from the end of the fiber. The transmitted ultrasonic waves
      propagated through the acoustic coupling medium were detected with a frequency
      range of approximately 125-170 MHz, and the maximum detectable distance of the
      waves was approximately 1.2 mm within the 100-MHz frequency range. Finally, a
      high-frequency C-mode image of a coin in water was obtained using a tapered fused
      quartz fiber. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that it is necessary to improve the
      signal-to-noise ratio and reduce the insertion loss in the experimental system in
      order to make it possible to obtain microscopic images of tissue.

PMID- 27278500
TI  - High-frame-rate echocardiography using diverging transmit beams and parallel
      receive beamforming.
AB  - PURPOSE: Echocardiography is a widely used modality for diagnosis of the heart.
      It enables observation of the shape of the heart and estimation of global heart
      function based on B-mode and M-mode imaging. Subsequently, methods for estimating
      myocardial strain and strain rate have been developed to evaluate regional heart
      function. Furthermore, it has recently been shown that measurements of transmural
      transition of myocardial contraction/relaxation and propagation of vibration
      caused by closure of a heart valve would be useful for evaluation of myocardial
      function and viscoelasticity. However, such measurements require a frame rate
      much higher than that achieved by conventional ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
      In the present study, a method based on parallel receive beamforming was
      developed to achieve high-frame-rate (over 300 Hz) echocardiography. METHODS: To
      increase the frame rate, the number of transmits was reduced to 15 with angular
      intervals of 6 degrees , and 16 receiving beams were created for each
      transmission to obtain the same number and density of scan lines as realized by
      conventional sector scanning. In addition, several transmits were compounded to
      obtain each scan line to reduce the differences in transmit-receive sensitivities
      among scan lines. The number of transmits for compounding was determined by
      considering the width of the transmit beam. For transmission, plane waves and
      diverging waves were investigated. Diverging waves showed better performance than
      plane waves because the widths of plane waves did not increase with the range
      distance from the ultrasonic probe, whereas lateral intervals of scan lines
      increased with range distance. RESULTS: The spatial resolution of the proposed
      method was validated using fine nylon wires. Although the widths at half-maxima
      of the point spread functions obtained by diverging waves were slightly larger
      than those obtained by conventional beamforming and parallel beamforming with
      plane waves, point spread functions very similar to those obtained by
      conventional beamforming could be realized by parallel beamforming with diverging
      beams and compounding. However, there was an increase in the lateral sidelobe
      level in the case of parallel beamforming with plane and diverging waves.
      Furthermore, the heart of a 23-year-old healthy male was measured. CONCLUSION:
      Although the contrast of the B-mode image obtained by the proposed method was
      degraded due to the increased sidelobe level, a frame rate of 316 Hz, much higher
      than that realized by conventional sector scanning of several tens of Hertz, was
      realized with a full lateral field of view of 90 degrees .

PMID- 27278501
TI  - Experimental evaluation of portal venous pulsatile flow synchronized with
      heartbeat intervals.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze pulsatile flow in the portal vein,
      to clarify the origin of pulsatile flow, and to acquire new knowledge about the
      hepatic circulation. METHODS: Mini-pigs underwent general anesthesia. Pressure
      and flow in the portal vein, inferior vena cava, hepatic artery, and mesenteric
      artery were measured simultaneously. We (1) studied the relationship between
      changes in pressure and changes in flow and (2) measured heartbeat intervals and
      the onset times of pressure and flow waves. RESULTS: In the inferior vena cava,
      pressure and flow showed mirror-image changes. In the hepatic artery and the
      mesenteric artery, pressure and flow increased simultaneously. In the inferior
      vena cava, the longer the heartbeat interval, the more delayed were the onset
      times of pressure and flow waves. The onset time of pressure and flow waves in
      the hepatic artery and the mesenteric artery was only minimally affected by
      changes in heartbeat interval. The relationship between pressure and flow in the
      portal vein was closer to that in the hepatic artery and the mesenteric artery.
      However, the onset times of pressure and flow waves in the portal vein showed two
      different patterns: some showed a pattern similar to that of the inferior vena
      cava, whereas others showed a pattern similar to that of the hepatic artery and
      the mesenteric artery. CONCLUSIONS: Blood flow in the portal vein is pulsatile
      and influenced by both the inferior vena cava and the arterial system in a
      complex manner.

PMID- 27278502
TI  - Determinants of surgical repair of patent ductus arteriosus in low-birth-weight
      infants.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify risk factors related to the failure of indomethacin therapy
      and the need for surgical repair in patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely
      low-birth-weight (<1000 g) infants (ELBWI). METHODS: Study subjects were 36 ELBWI
      with PDA born at a single tertiary perinatal center. They were classified into
      those who required surgery due to failure of indomethacin treatment (surgical
      group, n = 21) and those with effective indomethacin treatment (non-surgical
      group, n = 15). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for
      the relationship between selected risk factors and surgical treatment of PDA were
      calculated. RESULTS: Gestational age of <28 weeks and diameter of PDA of 2 mm or
      more were independent and significant determinants of the need for surgical
      repair of PDA (adjusted ORs [95% CIs] = 9.91 [1.16-84.48] and 24.80 [2.72
      225.74], respectively). The need for surgical repair of PDA did not correlate
      with sex, birth weight, 1-min Apgar score, left atrium diameter/aortic diameter
      (LA/Ao), left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole, prophylaxes with
      indomethacin, and total dosage of indomethacin. CONCLUSIONS: Gestational age at
      birth of <28 weeks and diameter of PDA of 2 mm or more are determinants of
      failure of indomethacin treatment for PDA and the need for surgical repair.

PMID- 27278503
TI  - A case of mitochondrial disease with severe left ventricular hypertrophy.
AB  - A 35-year-old woman was admitted for progressive dyspnea with lower limb edema.
      Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)
      and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF). Electron microscopy
      of an endomyocardial biopsy sample revealed a high density of mitochondria of
      abnormal size and shape. We report a case of mitochondrial disease with severe
      LVH and HFPEF. 

PMID- 27278504
TI  - Secondary aortoduodenal fistula identified by ultrasonography.
AB  - A 73-year-old man underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, abdominal aortic
      aneurysm resection, and prosthetic implantation as a single procedure in 2002.
      His progress was favorable until April 2008, when he was admitted to our hospital
      with melena. B-mode ultrasonography revealed a 5-mm defect in the abdominal aorta
      at the graft anastomosis, and an umbilicated lesion was seen projecting between
      the posterior wall of the third part of the duodenum and the abdominal aorta. A
      color signal was noticed at this site on color Doppler ultrasonography, leading
      to the diagnosis of a secondary aortoduodenal fistula (ADF). We resected the
      inflammatory mass comprising the graft and the third part of the duodenum, and
      performed prosthetic re-implantation, omentopexy, and duodenojejunostomy. We
      could not find any previous reports of successful identification of secondary ADF
      using ultrasonography. When a patient with gastrointestinal hemorrhage following
      reconstructive aortic surgery is encountered in the emergency department,
      ultrasonography may be considered to be a useful modality in the diagnosis of
      secondary ADF. 

PMID- 27278505
TI  - Splenic artery aneurysm that gradually increased in size over 4 years until
      threatening rupture.
AB  - A 47-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to a splenic artery aneurysm.
      The course of the disease was monitored by ultrasound every 6 months. At each
      examination, the tumor was found to have increased in size by several
      millimeters, but the sonographer decided that the increase was within the range
      of error. After 4 years, the tumor showed a rapid increase in size. With a
      diagnosis of threatened rupture, the patient's life was saved by surgical
      intervention. In this case, the observations were only compared to the findings
      from the previous examination, and the slight increase in tumor size was
      considered within the range of error. It is important to compare the findings not
      only with those from the previous examination but also with earlier results. 

PMID- 27278506
TI  - Successful prenatal and perinatal management of a massive cervicofacial teratoma.
AB  - We report a fetus with a massive cervicofacial teratoma successfully managed in
      the prenatal and perinatal period. A 34-year-old woman was referred to our
      hospital at 16 weeks' gestation. Ultrasound examination revealed a left
      anterolateral fetal neck mass indicating typical findings of a teratoma. The
      tumor grew to tremendous size until occupying most of the uterine cavity causing
      severe discomfort for the patient. This necessitated ultrasound-guided removal of
      the intracystic fluid of the massive cervicofacial teratoma during pregnancy.
      Fetal MRI clearly demonstrated the mass extending from the orbit to the anterior
      chest wall without compression or deviation of the fetal airway. The entire mass
      increased to 18 cm in diameter at 37 weeks' gestation. Classical cesarean section
      was performed immediately after ultrasound-guided removal of the fluid from the
      cyst. A female infant weighing 3562 g was delivered. Resection of the tumor was
      accomplished on day 28 of life. The successful outcome in our case illustrates
      the value of accurate prenatal diagnosis of a giant cervicofacial teratoma using
      ultrasound and MRI, and careful management of the mother and fetus during the
      prenatal and perinatal period. It seems that ultrasound-guided removal of the
      intracystic fluid from the tumor during pregnancy should be considered to prevent
      preterm delivery. 

PMID- 27278507
TI  - Influence of general anaesthesia on slow waves of intracranial pressure.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Slow vasogenic intracranial pressure (ICP) waves are spontaneous ICP
      oscillations with a low frequency bandwidth of 0.3-4 cycles/min (B-waves). B
      waves reflect dynamic oscillations in cerebral blood volume associated with
      autoregulatory cerebral vasodilation and vasoconstriction. This study quantifies
      the effects of general anaesthesia (GA) on the magnitude of B-waves compared to
      natural sleep and conscious state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The magnitude of B
      waves was assessed in 4 groups of 30 patients each with clinical indications for
      ICP monitoring. Normal pressure hydrocephalus patients undergoing Cerebrospinal
      Fluid (CSF) infusion studies in the conscious state (GROUP A) and under GA (GROUP
      B), and hydrocephalus patients undergoing overnight ICP monitoring during
      physiological sleep (GROUP C) were compared to deeply sedated traumatic brain
      injury (TBI) patients with well-controlled ICP during the first night of
      Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay (GROUP D). RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were
      included. During CSF infusion studies, the magnitude of slow waves was higher in
      conscious patients ( GROUP A: 0.23+/-0.10 mm Hg) when compared to anaesthetised
      patients ( GROUP B: 0.15+/-0.10 mm Hg; p = 0.011). Overnight magnitude of slow
      waves was higher in patients during natural sleep (GROUP C: 0.20+/-0.13 mm Hg)
      when compared to TBI patients under deep sedation (GROUP D: 0.11+/- 0.09 mm Hg; p
      = 0.002). CONCLUSION: GA and deep sedation are associated with a reduced
      magnitude of B-waves. ICP monitoring carried out under GA is affected by
      iatrogenic suppression of slow vasogenic waves of ICP. Accounting for the effects
      of anaesthesia on vasogenic waves may prevent the misidentification of potential
      shunt-responders as non-responders.

PMID- 27278508
TI  - Needs, expectations and consequences for children growing up in a family where
      the parent has a mental illness.
AB  - The lack of pan-European guidelines for empowering children of parents with
      mental illness led to the EU project CAMILLE - Empowerment of Children and
      Adolescents of Mentally Ill Parents through Training of Professionals working
      with children and adolescents. The aim of this initial task in the project was to
      analyse needs, expectations and consequences for children with respect to living
      with a parent with mental illness from the perspective of professionals and
      family members. This qualitative research was conducted in England, Finland,
      Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland and Scotland with 96 professionals, parents with
      mental illness, adult children and partners of parents with mental illness. A
      framework analysis method was used. Results of the study highlighted that the
      main consequences described for children of parental mental illness were role
      reversal; emotional and behavioural problems; lack of parent's attention and
      stigma. The main needs of these children were described as emotional support,
      security and multidisciplinary help. Implications for practice are that
      professionals working with parents with mental illness should be aware of the
      specific consequences for the children and encourage parents in their parental
      role; multi-agency collaboration is necessary; schools should provide counselling
      and prevent stigma. 

PMID- 27278510
TI  - Coexisting cardiac diseases and pressure recovery phenomenon contribute to
      discrepancy between the echocardiographic severity of aortic stenosis and left
      ventricular hypertrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessing left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) is an important
      step in the echocardiographic diagnosis of aortic stenosis (AS). We aimed to
      investigate the causes of discrepancies between the degrees of AS and LVH.
      METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 149 consecutive patients with AS having
      aortic valve area <2.0 cm(2) (mean age 72.5 +/- 11.9 years, 67 men and 82 women).
      Coexisting cardiac diseases were determined based on echocardiographic findings
      and comprehensive clinical judgment. Echocardiographic measurements included LV
      mass index (LVMI), aortic valve area index (AVAI), transaortic mean pressure
      gradient (MPG), valvulo-arterial impedance (Zva), energy loss coefficient (ELCo),
      and energy loss index (ELI). RESULTS: LVMI was not significantly correlated with
      AVAI and Zva, and had a weak correlation with MPG (r = 0.305, p = 0.0001). There
      were 55 patients in group A (non-severe AS without significant LVH), 58 in group
      B (non-severe AS with significant LVH), 7 in group C (severe AS without
      significant LVH), and 29 in group D (severe AS with significant LVH). Coexisting
      cardiac diseases were more frequently observed (p = 0.0003) in group B (50 %)
      than in group A (18 %). In group C, ELCo and (ELI - AVAI)/ELI were significantly
      greater than in group D (p = 0.043 and 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION:
      Significant LVH seen in less than moderate AS is often due to coexisting cardiac
      diseases, and there may be an overestimation of AS severity due to pressure
      recovery among patients with apparently severe AS who do not have significant
      LVH.

PMID- 27278509
TI  - Concurrent Treatment of Substance Use and PTSD.
AB  - Substance use disorders (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are
      chronic, debilitating conditions that frequently co-occur. Individuals with co
      occurring SUD and PTSD suffer a more complicated course of treatment and less
      favorable treatment outcomes compared to individuals with either disorder alone.
      The development of effective psychosocial and pharmacological interventions for
      co-occurring SUD and PTSD is an active and critically important area of
      investigation. Several integrated psychosocial treatments for co-occurring SUD
      and PTSD have demonstrated promising outcomes. While recent studies examining
      medications to treat co-occurring SUD and PTSD have yielded encouraging findings,
      there remain substantial gaps in the evidence base regarding the treatment of co
      occurring SUD and PTSD. This review will summarize the findings from clinical
      trials targeting a reduction in SUD and PTSD symptoms simultaneously. These
      results may improve our knowledge base and subsequently enhance our ability to
      develop effective interventions for this complex comorbid condition.

PMID- 27278511
TI  - Post-exercise diastolic stunning detected by velocity vector imaging is a useful
      marker for induced ischemia in ischemic heart disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, post-exercise diastolic stunning (PES) has been reported as
      a new clinical marker of induced ischemia. Velocity vector imaging (VVI) has been
      developed to visualize regional wall motion abnormalities based on vectors
      detected by the tissue tracking technique, which has the potential to visualize
      PES. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of PES detection
      by VVI as an objective marker of ischemia compared to stress thallium-201 (Tl
      201) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). METHODS: We studied
      consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo exercise stress Tl-201 SPECT
      for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease. Transthoracic echocardiography was
      recorded digitally before and 20 min after exercise for Tl-201 SPECT, and the
      data were used subsequently for VVI analysis. We defined PES regions as those
      with new abnormal vectors observed during isovolumic relaxation. RESULTS: After
      excluding 14 patients with old myocardial infarction and/or atrial fibrillation,
      echocardiograms suitable for VVI analysis were obtained from 62 of 65 patients
      (feasibility, 95 %; 44 men; mean age, 64 +/- 11 years). SPECT revealed induced
      ischemia in 20 patients, whereas VVI identified PES in 18 patients. VVI detected
      inducible ischemia with 85 % sensitivity and 98 % specificity compared to SPECT.
      CONCLUSIONS: VVI detection of PES is a new clinical tool for induced ischemia.
      Regional diastolic wall motion abnormalities following induced ischemia can be
      noninvasively detected by VVI.

PMID- 27278512
TI  - Possible further reduction in coronary flow velocity reserve in angina pectoris
      patients after oral glucose loading.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested an increase in myocardial oxygen
      demand as a cause of postprandial angina. The purpose of this study was to assess
      coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in the left anterior descending coronary
      artery (LAD) before and after glucose ingestion in patients with known
      significant LAD stenosis. METHODS: Fourteen patients with significant LAD
      stenosis and 20 subjects without LAD stenosis were enrolled. Transthoracic
      Doppler echocardiography was performed to measure the average peak diastolic
      coronary flow velocity (APDV) in the LAD at rest and during adenosine infusion.
      CFVR was calculated as APDV during adenosine infusion (APDVATP) divided by APDV
      at rest (APDVrest). APDVrest, APDVATP, and CFVR were assessed during fasting and
      30, 60, and 120 min after a 75-g oral glucose loading. RESULTS: In patients with
      LAD stenosis, APDVrest at 30 min after glucose loading was the highest at any
      time point. However, significant differences were not found in the APDVATP among
      time points in the patients or controls. Consequently, the CFVR in the patients
      was the lowest at 30 min after glucose loading (fasting, 1.77 +/- 0.19; 30 min,
      1.48 +/- 0.16; 60 min, 1.69 +/- 0.17; and 120 min, 1.76 +/- 0.19; p < 0.01,
      ANOVA), as in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that the value
      of CFVR in the LAD was reduced after glucose loading. Myocardial risk area
      supplied by a stenosed coronary artery may be exposed to myocardial ischemia more
      frequently during oral glucose loading than during fasting in patients with
      significant coronary artery stenosis.

PMID- 27278513
TI  - Aortic arch thrombosis in the neonate.
AB  - Aortic arch thrombosis (AAT) of the neonate is rare but life-threatening by fatal
      compromise associated with thrombotic obstruction of the ascending aorta. We
      report a neonate with AAT who demonstrated a severe coarctation of the aorta and
      cerebral hypo-perfusion immediately after birth. Echocardiography confirmed the
      diagnosis of AAT on the findings of a large thrombus located on the transverse
      arch and blocking the cervical arterial branches. Low-molecular-weight heparin
      reduced the size of the thrombus and improved the hemodynamics of coarctation and
      cerebral perfusion. Echocardiography is a powerful tool to make a diagnosis and
      to monitor the size and regression of AAT. 

PMID- 27278515
TI  - Acute aortic regurgitation due to aortic dissection confined to the sinus of
      Valsalva.
AB  - A 34-year-old man with severe heart failure was diagnosed with acute aortic
      regurgitation (AR) by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). However, this
      differential diagnosis was incomplete. Only transesophageal echocardiography
      (TEE) revealed an intimal flap, leading to a diagnosis of Stanford type A aortic
      dissection. No abnormal findings were observed in the ascending aorta by contrast
      enhanced computed tomography (CT). Aortic dissection confined to the sinus of
      Valsalva has rarely been reported; however, TEE should still be considered for
      the differential diagnosis of acute AR, even if there is no evidence of
      dissection by TTE or contrast-enhanced CT. 

PMID- 27278514
TI  - Early abnormality detected by speckle-tracking echocardiography in a patient with
      suspected cardiac sarcoidosis.
AB  - A 56-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of respiratory
      symptoms. Her admission ECG showed normal sinus rhythm and standard
      echocardiographic evaluation showed no structural or functional abnormalities.
      She was diagnosed as having sarcoidosis by imaging modalities and mediastinum
      lymph node biopsy. In this case, 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography
      (STE) demonstrated abnormal regional myocardial function and delayed enhancement
      cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a high intensity area in the same
      segments. This case suggests that STE is potentially useful for the detection of
      cardiac sarcoidosis in the early phase. 

PMID- 27278516
TI  - Cor triatriatum dexter with atrial septal defect evaluated by real-time three
      dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

PMID- 27278517
TI  - Clinical utility of automated ablation lesion tagging based on catheter stability
      information (VisiTag Module of the CARTO 3 System) with contact force-time
      integral during pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical utility of an automated lesion tagging module based on
      catheter stability information (VisiTag) with the CARTO system during atrial
      fibrillation (AF) ablation remains to be established. We investigated whether
      VisiTag-guided extensive encircling pulmonary vein isolation (EEPVI) produces
      durable lesions. METHODS: The study involved 54 patients undergoing EEPVI for
      paroxysmal AF. We performed EEPVI guided by the module-generated ablation tags,
      i.e., "VisiTags," which are point-by-point ablation tags placed on 3D maps. The
      patients were divided into two groups: those treated under a moderate catheter
      stability VisiTag setting, i.e., a 3-mm distance limit for at least 5 s and a
      minimum contact force (CF) of 8 g over 25 % of the set time period with a target
      force-time integral (FTI) >=300 g*s (n = 27), and those treated under a strict
      catheter stability setting, i.e., a 3-mm distance limit for at least 10 s and a
      minimum CF of 10 g over 50 % of the set time period with a target FTI >=400 g*s
      (n = 27). RESULTS: After EEPVI, adenosine triphosphate-provoked dormant PV
      conduction was observed in six (22 %) patients in the moderate catheter stability
      group and in one (4 %) patient in the strict catheter stability group (p =
      0.1003); the 12.9-month success rate was 81 % in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The
      strict catheter stability setting for automated lesion tagging together with a
      target FTI of >400 g*s, vs. the moderate catheter stability setting with a target
      FTI of >300 g*s, produces less frequent ATP-provoked PV conduction and yields a
      comparably high mid-term success rate.

PMID- 27278518
TI  - Sequential vision loss in a patient with headache.

PMID- 27278519
TI  - Inhibition of pentraxin 3 in glioma cells impairs proliferation and invasion in
      vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an inflammatory molecule that is involved in immune
      responses, inflammation, and cancer. Recent evidence suggests that PTX3 plays a
      critical role in tumor progression; however, its impact on the biological
      function of gliomas remains unknown. In the present study, immunohistochemical
      staining showed that patients with high-grade gliomas exhibited increased
      expression levels of PTX3 compared to those with low-grade gliomas (P < 0.001).
      Furthermore, knockdown of PTX3 in GBM8401 cells inhibits proliferation, increases
      p21 protein levels, and decreases cyclin D1 protein levels, resulting in cell
      cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. In addition, knockdown of PTX3 significantly
      decreases GBM8401 cell migration and invasion through the downregulation of
      matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -2 (MMP-1 and MMP-2) expression. In a GBM8401
      xenograft animal model, PTX3 knockdown decreases tumor growth in vivo. In
      conclusion, PTX3 plays an important role in glioma cell proliferation and
      invasion, and may thus serve as a novel potential therapeutic target in the
      treatment of gliomas.

PMID- 27278520
TI  - CD4(+)CD25(+) T Cells in primary malignant hypertension related kidney injury.
AB  - CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells are critical for maintenance of immunologic self-tolerance.
      We measured the number of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells in the patients with primary
      malignant hypertension related kidney injury, to explore the molecular
      pathogenesis of this disease. We selected 30 patients with primary malignant
      hypertension related kidney injury and 30 healthy volunteers. Information on
      clinical characteristics and laboratory tests was obtained from each subject. The
      number of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells and glomerular injury were assessed by flow
      cytometry and histopathology, respectively. Both serum IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 and
      endothelial cell markers were analyzed by ELISA. ADAMTS13 antibody was detected
      by Western blotting. CD4(+)CD25(+) cells were significantly reduced in patients
      with primary malignant hypertension related kidney injury compared to controls (P
      < 0.05). The number of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells was negatively related to blood urea
      nitrogen, serum uric acid, proteinuria, and supernatant IL-4; whereas positively
      associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients. Gradually
      decreasing CD4(+)CD25(+) cells were also found as increasing renal injury.
      Additionally, patients exhibited increasing supernatant IL-4, serum IL-2 and IL
      6, endothelial cell markers, and anti-ADAMTS13 antibody compared with controls
      (all P < 0.05). CD4(+)CD25(+) cells may play a key role in the pathogenesis of
      primary malignant hypertension related kidney injury.

PMID- 27278521
TI  - Heart rate variability (HRV) in deep breathing tests and 5-min short-term
      recordings: agreement of ear photoplethysmography with ECG measurements, in 343
      subjects.
AB  - PURPOSE: We analyzed heart rate variability (HRV) taken by ECG and
      photoplethysmography (PPG) to assess their agreement. We also analyzed the
      sensitivity and specificity of PPG to identify subjects with low HRV as an
      example of its potential use for clinical applications. METHODS: The HRV
      parameters: mean heart rate (HR), amplitude, and ratio of heart rate oscillation
      (E-I difference, E/I ratio), RMSSD, SDNN, and Power LF, were measured during 1
      min deep breathing tests (DBT) in 343 individuals, followed by a 5-min short-term
      HRV (s-HRV), where the HRV parameters: HR, SD1, SD2, SDNN, Stress Index, Power
      HF, Power LF, Power VLF, and Total Power, were determined as well. Parameters
      were compared through correlation analysis and agreement analysis by Bland-Altman
      plots. RESULTS: PPG derived parameters HR and SD2 in s-HRV showed better
      agreement than SD1, Power HF, and stress index, whereas in DBT HR, E/I ratio and
      SDNN were superior to Power LF and RMSSD. DBT yielded stronger agreement than s
      HRV. A slight overestimation of PPG HRV over HCG HRV was found. HR, Total Power,
      and SD2 in the s-HRV, HR, Power LF, and SDNN in the DBT showed high sensitivity
      and specificity to detect individuals with poor HRV. Cutoff percentiles are given
      for the future development of PPG-based devices. CONCLUSION: HRV measured by PPG
      shows good agreement with ECG HRV when appropriate parameters are used, and PPG
      based devices can be employed as an easy screening tool to detect individuals
      with poor HRV, especially in the 1-min DBT test.

PMID- 27278522
TI  - Aortic augmentation index in endurance athletes: a role for cardiorespiratory
      fitness.
AB  - PURPOSE: Endurance exercise improves cardiovascular health and reduces mortality
      risk. Augmentation index (AIx) reflects adverse loading exerted on the heart and
      large arteries and predicts future cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this
      study was to establish whether endurance athletes possess lower AIx and aortic
      blood pressure compared to healthy controls, and to determine the association
      between AIx and cardiorespiratory fitness. METHODS: Forty-six endurance athletes
      and 43 healthy controls underwent central BP and AIx measurements by non-invasive
      applanation tonometry before a maximal exercise test. Peak oxygen uptake
      ([Formula: see text]) was assessed by pulmonary analysis. RESULTS: Relative to
      controls, athletes had significantly lower brachial diastolic blood pressure (BP,
      -4.8 mmHg, p < 0.01), central systolic BP (-3.5 mmHg, p = 0.07), and AIx at a
      heart rate of 75 beats min(-1) (AIx@75, -11.9 %, p < 0.001). No AIx@75
      differences were observed between athletes and controls when adjusted for age and
      [Formula: see text] [athletes vs controls mean (%) +/- SE: -6.9 +/- 2.2 vs -5.7
      +/- 2.3, p = 0.76]. Relative to men with low [Formula: see text], those with
      moderate and high [Formula: see text] had lower age-adjusted AIx@75 (p < 0.001).
      In women, those with high [Formula: see text] had lower AIx@75 than those with
      low and moderate [Formula: see text] (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The lower AIx@75 in
      endurance athletes is partly mediated by [Formula: see text]. While an inverse
      relationship between AIx@75 and [Formula: see text] was found in men, women with
      the highest [Formula: see text] possessed lowest AIx@75 compared to females with
      moderate or poor cardiorespiratory fitness. We recommend aerobic training aimed
      at achieving a minimum [Formula: see text] of 45 ml kg(-1) min(-1) to decrease
      the risk of future cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.

PMID- 27278523
TI  - The value of combined elevation of D-dimer and neopterin as a predictive
      parameter for early stage acute mesenteric ischemia: An experimental study.
AB  - Background The diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia is variable. Early
      diagnosis is important for reducing the mortality and morbidity rates. Aim This
      experimental study aims to investigate the diagnostic utility of D-dimer and
      neopterin as a marker for the early stage of acute mesenteric ischemia caused by
      occlusion of superior mesenteric artery. Methods The levels of D-dimer and
      neopterin were measured using an animal acute mesenteric ischemia model in 21
      male rabbits. Superior mesenteric artery occlusion (Group 1, n = 14) and control
      (Group 2, n = 7) groups were identified. Blood samples at different times are
      collected from each rabbits. Blood samples from superior mesenteric artery
      occlusion group were taken 30 min after anesthesia but before laparotomy, 1, 2,
      and 3 h after superior mesenteric artery ligation. Blood samples from control
      group were taken 1 h before, 1 and 3 h after anesthesia and laparotomy. The D
      dimer and neopterin levels of each blood sample were measured. Results The
      probability of acute mesenteric ischemia was found to be 36 times higher when the
      D-dimer level was over 0.125 ng/L, whereas the probability was 19.2 times higher
      when the neopterin level was over 1.25 nmol/L. Conclusions In this experimental
      study, the combined elevation of two significant markers, D-dimer and neopterin,
      may be helpful for the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia.

PMID- 27278524
TI  - Rare occurrence of metastasis from lung cancer to the anus: case report and
      review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anal metastases from lung cancer are infrequent, and there are only
      10 published cases. Life expectancy is no longer than 1 year after diagnosis
      because of the typically advanced stage of disease. Treatment, which is typically
      inefficient, is administered with the intent to cure or avoid local
      complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a patient with non-small
      cell lung cancer presenting with perianal metastasis mimicking an abscess.
      CONCLUSIONS: Because perianal masses may be misdiagnosed, patients with lung and
      other cancers should be evaluated for metastatic disease.

PMID- 27278525
TI  - Fluoxetine synergizes with temozolomide to induce the CHOP-dependent endoplasmic
      reticulum stress-related apoptosis pathway in glioma cells.
AB  - Although temozolomide (TMZ) is the most effective chemotherapy agent for glioma,
      chemotherapy resistance has limited its clinical use. Fluoxetine (FLT), which is
      widely used in cancer-related depression, has exhibited potent anticancer
      properties in different cancer cell types. The aim of this study was i) to
      evaluate the antitumor mechanism of FLT, and ii) to further evaluate the effects
      of a combination of FLT and TMZ on glioma cells. Glioma cell lines were exposed
      to FLT and/or TMZ. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by CCK-8 assay,
      flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay, respectively. The expression of
      endoplasmic reticulum-stress (ERS) apoptosis-related proteins was measured using
      real-time PCR and western blotting. Synergism between the two drugs was evaluated
      by the combination index (CI) through CompuSyn software. FLT significantly and
      dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of various glioma cell lines, and
      rat glioma C6 cells had a highly sensitive response to the addition of FLT. FLT
      treatment increased the early apoptosis rate, induced typical apoptotic
      morphology in the C6 cells and activated caspase-3 with no change in the
      mitochondrial membrane potential. Further study showed that FLT activated the ERS
      marker, CHOP. This induction was associated with activation of the PERK-eIF2alpha
      ATF4 and ATF6 cascade. Concomitantly, GADD34, a downstream molecule of CHOP, was
      also increased. Combined FLT and TMZ treatment showed a synergistic cytotoxic
      effect in the C6 glioma cells. Knockdown of CHOP expression abolished the
      synergistic effect of FLT and TMZ in the C6 cells, which suggests that FLT may
      sensitize glioma cells to TMZ through activation of the CHOP-dependent apoptosis
      pathway. These results revealed that FLT induced glioma cell apoptosis and
      sensitized glioma cells to TMZ through activation of the CHOP-dependent apoptosis
      pathway. The present study provides a primary basis for using the combination of
      these drugs in patients with advanced glioma. 

PMID- 27278527
TI  - Large Size Color-tunable Electroluminescence from Cationic Iridium Complexes
      based Light-emitting Electrochemical Cells.
AB  - Solution-processable light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with simple
      device architecture have become an attractive candidate for application in next
      generation lighting and flat-panel displays. Herein, single layer LECs employing
      two cationic Ir(III) complexes showing highly efficient blue-green and yellow
      electroluminescence with peak current efficiency of 31.6 cd A(-1) and 40.6 cd A(
      1), respectively, have been reported. By using both complexes in the device,
      color-tunable LECs with a single spectral peak in the wavelength range from 499
      to 570 nm were obtained by varying their rations. In addition, the fabrication of
      efficient LECs was demonstrated based on low cost doctor-blade coating technique,
      which was compatible with the roll to roll fabrication process for the large size
      production. In this work, for the first time, 4 inch LEC devices by doctor-blade
      coating were fabricated, which exhibit the efficiencies of 23.4 cd A(-1) and 25.4
      cd A(-1) for the blue-green and yellow emission, respectively. The exciting
      results indicated that highly efficient LECs with controllable color could be
      realized and find practical application in large size lighting and displays.

PMID- 27278526
TI  - High-resolution melting analysis for molecular detection of multidrug resistance
      tuberculosis in Peruvian isolates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains is a major health
      problem especially for countries with high TB incidence such as Peru. In this
      study, we evaluated High Resolution Melting (HRM) assay in Peruvian isolates for
      the detection of mutations within rpoB, katG genes and promoter region inhA to
      determine isoniazid and rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      (Mtb). METHODS: DNA samples extracted from a total of 167 clinical isolates of
      Mtb, 89 drug-sensitive and 78 multidrug-resistant, were blindly analyzed by HRM
      analysis and verified by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The HRM analysis generated
      patterns that were specific to distinguish between sensitive and resistance
      isolates. The sensitivity and specificity of the HRM assays in comparison with
      drug susceptibility testing (DST) for detection of rifampicin resistance were
      98.7 % and 97.5 %, and for isoniazid resistance were 98.7 % and 100 %.
      CONCLUSION: This study suggests that HRM Analysis could help with rapid diagnosis
      of MDR-TB cases in Peru.

PMID- 27278528
TI  - Management of adrenal incidentaloma: the role of adrenalectomy may be
      underestimated.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To demonstrate clinical characteristics of adrenal incidentaloma in
      South China and explore its comprehensive management. METHODS: The clinical data
      of patients with adrenal neoplasm from Jan 1998 to Dec 2012 were retrospectively
      analysed. Patients with suspicion of adrenal abnormalities or those in whom
      adrenal abnormalities were detected in the staging procedures of other cancers
      were excluded. Most patients with adrenal incidentaloma chose to have
      adrenalectomy, and some chose surveillance. The relationships between clinical
      features were analysed with a chi-square test and rank sum test. RESULTS: In
      total, 634 patients with adrenal incidentaloma were studied. Their age ranged
      from 17 to 85 years old with a median age of 50 years. Of 478 cases with
      pathological results, adenoma was the most common tumour (233/478), with 84 cases
      of pheochromocytoma and 36 cases of adrenocortical carcinoma were 84 and 36. When
      the tumour size was <=4 cm, >95 % were benign; when the tumour size was >6 cm, 33
      % were malignant. For patients with a tumour size <=4 cm, 249/376 cases had an
      adrenalectomy performed. Due to anxiety over a potential malignant transformation
      and enlargement, most patients (>80 %) under surveillance preferred to undergo
      adrenalectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Pheochromocytoma and adrenocortical carcinoma were
      not rare tumours of adrenal incidentaloma, and 4 cm is a good size cutoff to use
      in the diagnosis of an adrenal incidentaloma. Other than surveillance,
      laparoscopic adrenalectomy may become the method of choice for management of
      small adrenal incidentaloma.

PMID- 27278529
TI  - Hyperoxaluria-induced tubular ischemia: the effects of verapamil on the
      antioxidant capacity of the affected kidneys.
AB  - To evaluate the potential protective effects of a calcium channel blocker
      (Verapamil) on the oxidative stress related changes with an emphasis on the
      antioxidant capacity of the kidneys an experimental study in rats was performed.
      A total of 44 rats have been included. Hyperoxaluria was induced in Group 1 by
      continuous administration of ethylene glycol (EG). Animals in Group 2 received
      Verapamil in addition to EG. Animals in Group 3 constituted the control group. In
      addition to the evaluation of tissue and serum levels of three scavenging
      enzymes, NO, MDA and T-AOC; the presence and degree of crystal formation in renal
      parenchyma were evaluated in all animals after 7 and 28 days. Our data
      demonstrated that in addition to the lower level of all three scavenging enzymes
      (SOD, CAT and GSH) particularly during late phase evaluation (4 weeks); the total
      antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of these kidneys were also higher when compared with
      the animals receiving EG only. Tissue and serum levels of both NO and MDA
      indicated the preventive effect of Verapamil on the oxidative stress induced
      changes. Very limited or no crystallization in the kidneys treated with verapamil
      during early and late phase examination was observed when compared with
      considerable crystal formation in Group 2 animals. Verapamil treatment may
      preserve the oxidant capacity of the kidneys and subsequently limit the crystal
      deposition induced by hyperoxaluria. Verapamil could therefore be considered in
      the management of kidney stone formation particularly in cases with recurrent
      kidney stone disease.

PMID- 27278530
TI  - Proximal junctional kyphosis and failure-diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
AB  - Technical advancements have enabled the spinal deformity surgeon to correct
      severe spinal mal-alignment. However, proximal adjacent segment pathology (ASP)
      remains a significant issue. Examples include proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK)
      and proximal junctional failure (PJF). Agreement on the definition,
      classification, and pathophysiology of PJK and PJF remains incomplete, and an
      understanding of the risk factors, means of prevention, and treatment of this
      problem remains to be elucidated. In general, PJK is a relatively asymptomatic
      radiographic diagnosis managed with patient reassurance and monitoring. On the
      other hand, PJF is characterized by mechanical instability, pain, and more severe
      kyphosis, with potential for neurologic compromise. Patients who develop PJF more
      often require revision surgery than those with PJK. This chapter will review the
      current understanding of PJK and PJF. 

PMID- 27278531
TI  - Impact of spine surgery complications on costs associated with management of
      adult spinal deformity.
AB  - A better understanding of the consequences of spine surgery complications is
      warranted to optimize patient-reported outcomes and contain the rising health
      care costs associated with the management of adult spinal deformity (ASD). We
      systematically searched PubMed and Scopus databases using keywords "adult spinal
      deformity surgery," "complications," and "cost" for published studies on costs of
      complications associated with spinal surgery, with a particular emphasis on ASD
      and scoliosis. In the 17 articles reviewed, we identified 355,354 patients with
      11,148 reported complications. Infection was the most commonly reported
      complication, with an average treatment cost ranging from $15,817 to $38,701.
      Hospital costs for patients with deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary
      thromboembolism, and surgical site infection were 2.3 to 3.1 times greater than
      for patients without those complications. An effort to collect and characterize
      data on cost of complications is encouraged, which may help health care providers
      to identify potential resources to limit complications and overall costs. 

PMID- 27278532
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27278533
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27278534
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27278535
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27278536
TI  - A comparative study on the complications of conventional and end-to-side
      inserting pancreatojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pancreatico-digestive anastomosis is important in ensuring the safety of
      pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study compared the postoperative complications of a
      newly developed method of inserting end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy with the
      conventional pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: From
      April 2012 to December 2015, 108 consecutive patients underwent
      pancreaticoduodenectomy at Kumamoto University Hospital. A modified child's
      reconstruction was performed with the inserting or conventional
      pancreaticojejunostomy. The clinical course and the incidence of postoperative
      complications were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Five patients were
      excluded, four who underwent hepato-pancreatoduodenectomy and one who did not
      require pancreaticojejunostomy because of an atrophic pancreatic remnant. Of the
      103 patients that were included in the analysis, 41 and 62 underwent surgery with
      the inserting and conventional methods, respectively. The incidence of
      postoperative Clavien-Dindo grade > II complications was similar in the two
      groups [36.6 % (15/41) vs 27.4 % (17/62)]. However, the rates of grade C
      postoperative pancreatic fistula [7.3 % (3/41) vs 0 % (0/62) P = 0.030] and re
      operation for postoperative complications [14.6 % (6/41) vs 3.2 % (2/62), P =
      0.034] were significantly higher in the inserting group than in the conventional
      group. There were no in-hospital deaths in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The
      conventional pancreaticojejunostomy is safer than the end-to-side inserting
      pancreaticojejunostomy, as the latter is associated with a risk of severe
      complications. Improvements in pancreatico-digestive anastomosis techniques are
      required.

PMID- 27278537
TI  - Inhibition of DACH1 activity by short hairpin RNA represses cell proliferation
      and tumor invasion in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Cancer of the pancreas is one of the most lethal diseases worldwide. Better
      understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis is of great
      consequence to elevate the survival rate. Human Dachshund homologue 1 (DACH1)
      plays a controversial role in human malignancy progression with its expression
      being altered in a variety of cancers. Nevertheless, its functional roles and
      molecular mechanisms in pancreatic cancer remain unknown. The expression of DACH1
      in pancreatic cancer cell lines and the ductal epithelial cells were evaluated
      both at mRNA and protein levels. Three pairs of siRNA targeting the DACH1 gene
      were designed and synthesized, double-stranded short hairpin RNA (shRNA) were
      annealed and inserted into pGenesil-1 vector, which was confirmed by enzymatic
      digestion and sequencing analyses. The successfully constructed recombinant
      plasmids were transfected into Capan-1 cells and our data indicated that
      knockdown of DACH1 gene expression showed strong correlation with repressing
      tumorigenesis. The proliferation of Capan-1 cells was significantly repressed as
      evaluated by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Flow cymetry revealed that cell
      apoptosis was promoted in interference plasmid group compared with control groups
      (P<0.05), whereas cell cycle had no significant differences among the groups
      (P>0.05). Transwell assay validated the abilities of migration and invasion as
      being significantly reduced in pshRNA-DACH1 group. Furthermore, our study
      suggested that DACH1 expression regulates the pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis
      through interacting with Bcl-2 signaling axis, whereas it controls cell migration
      and invasion via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. 

PMID- 27278538
TI  - Imaging to guide transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
AB  - This review article summarizes the value of multi-modality imaging, including 3
      dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, for patient selection, procedural
      guidance, and follow-up of transcatheter aortic valve implantation. 

PMID- 27278539
TI  - Quantitative measurements of aortic valve coaptation by three-dimensional
      transesophageal echocardiography in patients with aortic regurgitation without
      primary leaflet disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aortic regurgitation (AR) without primary leaflet disease (functional
      AR) is known to occur as a result of loss of coaptation due to sinotubular
      junction (STJ) dilatation. However, the characteristics of change in the aortic
      valve coaptation length (AVCL) in 3 cusps in patients with functional AR are, as
      yet, unclear. The aim of this study was to measure the AVCL in 3 cusps in
      patients with functional AR by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiograph
      (3D TEE). METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen patients with functional AR with or
      without aortic dilatation (trivial to mild AR [group A] and moderate to severe AR
      [group B]) and 7 controls without AR (group N) were examined. We measured the
      AVCL between the left coronary cusp (LCC) and right coronary cusp (RCC), the LCC
      and non coronary cusp (NCC), the RCC and NCC, and we also measured the cusp
      projection area, STJ arc length, leaflet tip-Valsalva wall distance and inter
      commissural distance in each cusp by 3D TEE. The average AVCL was significantly
      shorter in group B than in groups N and A (P < 0.001). Particularly, in group B,
      there was a significant difference in AVCL in the 3 cusps (P = 0.043). Moreover,
      although there were no significant differences in the size of cusps in groups N
      and A, there was disproportion in the size of those cusps in group B with the
      largest in RCC. CONCLUSION: Cusp enlargement was not uniform and was greatest in
      the RCC, and the loss of coaptation between the 3 cusps was also not uniform,
      with predominant reduction in the coaptation between the RCC and the other 2
      cusps.

PMID- 27278541
TI  - Cardiac tamponade during transesophageal echocardiography in a patient with
      infective endocarditis.
AB  - An 81-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal
      disease was admitted because of infective endocarditis. During transesophageal
      echocardiography (TEE), pericardial effusion rapidly increased and led to cardiac
      tamponade. Despite intensive therapy, the patient did not recover. Autopsy showed
      hemopericardium, ruptured sinus of Valsalva, and vegetation on the aortic valve.
      Our case suggests that cardiac tamponade due to the rupture of a sinus of
      Valsalva can occur in patients with aortic valve endocarditis complicated by
      perivalvular abscess. Therefore, we must be aware of this devastating
      complication and take preventive measures when performing TEE in such patients. 

PMID- 27278540
TI  - Increased mid-left ventricular rotation in patients with Duchenne muscular
      dystrophy using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), cardiomyopathy
      initially occurs during adolescence. In routine echocardiographic examination, we
      often recognize increased rotational movement of the left ventricle in DMD
      patients even if their conventional echocardiographic finding is normal. Two
      dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography can assess left ventricular (LV)
      rotation. The aim of this study was to analyze the mid-LV rotation and to
      investigate the clinical implication of this abnormal movement. METHODS: Nineteen
      DMD patients (age 15.5 +/- 3.1 years) and 22 age-matched healthy subjects were
      recruited. The two-dimensional speckle tracking method was used to determine the
      mid-LV rotation at the papillary muscle level. The mid-LV rotation and rotational
      velocity were calculated and were compared with other echocardiographic data and
      indices of autonomic function. RESULTS: Total rotation was greater in the DMD
      group than in the normal group (7.3 +/- 1.4 degrees  versus 5.2 degrees  +/- 1.3
      degrees , p < 0.05). Both peak diastolic clockwise and counterclockwise
      rotational velocity were greater in the DMD group (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05,
      respectively). Time from the second heart sound to peak diastolic clockwise
      rotation (% diastolic duration) was greater in the DMD group (p < 0.005). Total
      rotation and percentage of adjacent normal R-R intervals more than 50 ms
      different showed a negative correlation (r = -0.72) in the DMD group. CONCLUSION:
      In DMD patients, cases diagnosed with normal LV fractional shortening showed an
      increase in mid-LV rotation that might be due to relative increase of sympathetic
      nervous function before global cardiac function decreases.

PMID- 27278542
TI  - Parachute mitral valve incidentally diagnosed in an adult patient with
      hypertension.
AB  - We describe a 52-year-old woman incidentally diagnosed as having parachute mitral
      valve (PMV). Echocardiography displayed a parachute-like deformity of the mitral
      valve characterized by a unifocal attachment of mitral valve chordae. PMV is a
      congenital cardiac malformation that causes stenosis of the mitral valve and is
      often found in combination with left-heart obstruction in the pediatric
      population. The incidence of PMV in adults is extremely low. This patient had no
      related cardiac complications, which accounts for the long asymptomatic period.
      Thus, rare forms of congenital heart disease in late adulthood need attention in
      echocardiographic study. 

PMID- 27278543
TI  - Inverted left atrial appendage presenting as a large left atrial mass.
AB  - Inverted left atrial appendage (ILAA) is a rare phenomenon. We describe a patient
      with mitral stenosis who presented with a homogenous mass in the left atrium,
      mimicking a large thrombus. The patient was sent to surgery and no thrombus was
      found; intraoperative examination by the surgeon revealed an ILAA. We briefly
      discuss the main features of this entity and also some aspects of the
      differential diagnosis. 

PMID- 27278544
TI  - Sustaining Chicago's Informal Caregivers: an Age-Friendly Approach.
AB  - The concept of age-friendliness has been globally coined by the World Health
      Organization (WHO) to give value to the physical, social, and environmental
      factors that can promote or hinder older residents' ability to age in place in
      cities. The initiative has been very successful in raising awareness among public
      health policy makers about the generic needs of older adults and urban features
      that promote active aging. However, the movement has been less focused on
      highlighting divergent needs of different older adult populations and their
      informal caregivers. The objective of this mixed method study is to analyze the
      ratings of 397 caregivers of urban age-friendly features relative to the ratings
      of 1737 noncaregivers collected as part of a baseline assessment of the age
      friendliness of the city of Chicago. Using the approved WHO Vancouver Protocol,
      the research team also conducted six mixed caregiver/noncaregiver focus groups (n
      = 84) and three caregiver-only focus groups (n = 21). Survey findings show that
      informal caregivers rate all eight age-friendly domains with less satisfaction
      than do noncaregivers. Discussion in focus groups highlighted some of the reasons
      for these less favorable ratings and foregrounded the domains and themes that
      mattered most to caregivers. In conclusion, while our study revealed few
      systematic differences between caregiver and noncaregiver survey satisfaction
      ratings, caregivers report significantly poorer health than do noncaregivers. In
      addition, caregiver-only focus groups foregrounded "missing" priority issues
      specific to caregivers such as respite and the quality of training and
      flexibility of home help care. Results suggest that one productive next step for
      researchers would be to widen the usual range of factors considered essential for
      maintaining the well-being of informal caregivers of community-dwelling older
      adults. The age-friendly domains provide a starting point for this. Another would
      be to develop integrated support and improve service responsiveness to particular
      caregiver/care recipient dyad's physical, psychological, and social needs.

PMID- 27278545
TI  - Breaking the Silence: Recognizing Sexual Violence in Criminal Justice Reform.

PMID- 27278546
TI  - Rapid and Sensitive Differentiating Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Strokes by Dried
      Blood Spot Based Direct Injection Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics Analysis.
AB  - Cerebral infarction (CI) and intracerebral hemorrhage are lethal cerebrovascular
      diseases, sometimes sharing similar clinical manifestations but with distinct
      therapeutic strategies. Delayed treatment usually resulted in poor prognosis. A
      timely diagnosis report is highly warranted especially in emergency. One hundred
      twenty-nine CI patients, 73 intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients, and 98
      controls were enrolled in this study. A direct injection mass spectrometry
      metabolomics approach was adopted using dried blood spot samples. This targeted
      metabolomics analysis focused on absolute quantitation of 23 amino acids, 26
      carnitine/carnitine esters, and 22 calculated ratios parameters. Compared to the
      normal control group, CI and ICH showed distinct metabolite changes,
      respectively. For stroke differentiation, Tyr, C5-OH/C0, Cit, Asn, Pro, Val,
      Arg/Orn, Leu, and Val/Phe were elevated in the CI group. On the contrary, C5:1,
      Phe/Tyr, (C0 + C2 + C3 + C16 + C18:1)/Cit, and Met/Leu were of lower levels in
      the CI group. Using regression model based on some of the above-mentioned
      parameters, 79.07% of stroke patients from a new set could be definitely
      confirmed. This study proved the targeted metabolomics analysis was a promising
      tool for rapid and timely stroke differentiation.

PMID- 27278547
TI  - Use of Western Neuropsychological Test Battery in Detecting HIV-Associated
      Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) in Zambia.
AB  - This is a study of neuroAIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, involving 266 Zambian adults
      infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), clade C. All HIV+
      participants were receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), and were
      administered a comprehensive neuropsychological (NP) test battery covering seven
      ability domains that are frequently affected by neuroAIDS. The battery was
      developed in the U.S. but has been validated in other international settings and
      has demographically-corrected normative standards based upon 324 healthy Zambian
      adults. Compared to the healthy Zambian controls, the HIV+ sample performed worse
      on the NP battery with a medium effect size (Cohen's d = 0.64). 34.6 % of the
      HIV+ individuals had global NP impairment and met criteria for HIV associated
      neurocognitive disorder (HAND). The results indicate that the Western-developed
      NP test battery is appropriate for use in Zambia and can serve as a viable HIV
      and AIDS management tool.

PMID- 27278548
TI  - A Self-Reported Adherence Measure to Screen for Elevated HIV Viral Load in
      Pregnant and Postpartum Women on Antiretroviral Therapy.
AB  - Maternal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a concern and monitoring
      adherence presents a significant challenge in low-resource settings. We
      investigated the association between self-reported adherence, measured using a
      simple three-item scale, and elevated viral load (VL) among HIV-infected pregnant
      and postpartum women on ART in Cape Town, South Africa. This is the first
      reported use of this scale in a non-English speaking setting and it achieved good
      psychometric characteristics (Cronbach alpha = 0.79). Among 452 women included in
      the analysis, only 12 % reported perfect adherence on the self-report scale,
      while 92 % had a VL <1000 copies/mL. Having a raised VL was consistently
      associated with lower median adherence scores and the area under the curve for
      the scale was 0.599, 0.656 and 0.642 using a VL cut-off of >=50, >=1000 and
      >=10000 copies/mL, respectively. This simple self-report adherence scale shows
      potential as a first-stage adherence screener in this setting. Maternal adherence
      monitoring in low resource settings requires attention in the era of universal
      ART, and the value of this simple adherence scale in routine ART care settings
      warrants further investigation.

PMID- 27278550
TI  - A case of BK virus nephropathy without hemorrhagic cystitis after hematopoietic
      stem cell transplantation.

PMID- 27278549
TI  - Factors Associated with Sexual Risk of HIV Transmission Among HIV-Positive Latino
      Men Who have Sex with Men on the U.S.-Mexico Border.
AB  - We present results from a cross-sectional, clinic-based survey of border-region
      Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and who also are living with HIV in the El
      Paso-Ciudad Juarez area. Among the 66 participants who reported serodiscordant
      anal or vaginal intercourse, we examined levels of psychological distress and
      substance use and the association of these variables with condomless sex.
      Bivariate analyses indicated that MSM who reported condomless sex with a
      serodiscordant partner were more likely to report higher scores on measures of
      anxiety, depression, and trauma. These men were also more likely to report more
      days of alcohol use to the point of intoxication. In multivariate logistic
      regression, no variables were independently associated with sexual risk behavior,
      but symptoms of anxiety trended toward statistical significance. Our study is one
      of few reports aimed at understanding the HIV epidemic among Latino MSM living
      with HIV in the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez border region. Although we found no
      evidence of a relation between our measures of psychological distress and
      substance use and sexual risk behavior in multivariate analyses, psychological
      distress and problematic alcohol use were common in the sample and are important
      targets for intervention in their own right.

PMID- 27278551
TI  - Colorectal surgery in Italy. Criteria to identify the hospital units and the
      tertiary referral centers entitled to perform it.
AB  - Improving the quality and effectiveness of care is a key priority of any health
      policy. The outcomes of health care can be considered as indicators of
      effectiveness or quality. The scientific literature that evaluates the
      association between the volume of activity and the outcome of health
      interventions has greatly developed over the past decade, but, for practical
      reasons, ethical and social issues, a few randomized controlled studies were made
      to evaluate this association, although there are numerous observational studies
      of outcome and systematic reviews of the studies themselves. The colorectal
      surgery is the most studied area and it represents the ideal testing ground to
      determine the effectiveness of the quality indicators because of the high
      incidence of the disease and the wide spread in the territory of the structures
      that aim to tackle these issues. Numerous studies have documented an association
      between the large number of colo-rectal surgical procedures and the quality of
      results. In particular, the volume of activity is one of the characteristics of
      measurable process that can have a significant impact on the outcome of health
      care. In conclusion, the ability to use volume thresholds as a proxy for quality
      is very tempting but it is only part of reality. Infact, the volume-outcome
      relationship strictly depends on the type of cancer (colon vs rectum) and it
      appears somehow stronger for the individual surgeon than for the hospital;
      especially for the 5-year overall survival, operative mortality and number of
      permanent stoma. 

PMID- 27278552
TI  - A genome wide analysis of alternative splicing events during the osteogenic
      differentiation of human cartilage endplate-derived stem cells.
AB  - Low back pain is a prevalent disease, which leads to suffering and disabilities
      in a vast number of individuals. Degenerative disc diseases are usually the
      underlying causes of low back pain. However, the pathogenesis of degenerative
      disc diseases is highly complex and difficult to determine. Current therapies for
      degenerative disc diseases are various. In particular, cell-based therapies have
      proven to be effective and promising. Our research group has previously isolated
      and identified the cartilage endplate-derived stem cells. In addition,
      alternative splicing is a sophisticated regulatory mechanism, which greatly
      increases cellular complexity and phenotypic diversity of eukaryotic organisms.
      The present study continued to investigate alternative splicing events in
      osteogenic differentiation of cartilage endplate-derived stem cells. An
      Affymetrix Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 was used to detect splicing changes
      between the control and differentiated samples. Additionally, molecular function
      and pathway analysis were also performed. Following rigorous bioinformatics
      analysis of the data, 3,802 alternatively spliced genes were identified, and 10
      of these were selected for validation by reverse transcription-polymerase chain
      reaction. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway
      analysis also revealed numerous enriched GO terms and signaling pathways. To the
      best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate alternative
      splicing mechanisms in osteogenic differentiation of stem cells on a genome-wide
      scale. The illumination of molecular mechanisms of stem cell osteogenic
      differentiation may assist the development novel bioengineered methods to treat
      degenerative disc diseases. 

PMID- 27278553
TI  - Influence of doxorubicin on apoptosis and oxidative stress in breast cancer cell
      lines.
AB  - Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide due
      to aggressive behavior, early metastasis, resistance to existing chemotherapeutic
      agent and high mortality rate. Doxorubicin (Dox) is a powerful antitumoral drug.
      It is one of the most active agents for treatment of breast cancer. The aim of
      the present study was to evaluate the influence of Dox in apoptosis and oxidative
      stress in the breast cancer cell lines MCF-10F, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. These
      studies showed that Dox decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression and
      affected oxidative stress by increasing hydrogen peroxide production and
      simultaneously decreasing NF-kappaB gene and protein expression in MCF-7, a
      tumorigenic triple-positive cell line. Results also indicated that Dox induced
      apoptosis by upregulating Bax, caspase-8 and caspase-3 and downregulation of Bcl
      2 protein expression. On the contrary, ROS damage decreased by increasing SOD2
      gene and protein expression and hydrogen peroxide production with parallel NF
      kappaB protein expression decrease in MDA-MB-231, a tumorigenic triple-negative
      breast cancer cell line. It can be concluded that Dox activated apoptosis by
      inducing proteolytic processing of Bcl-2 family, caspases and simultaneously
      decreased oxidative stress by influencing ROS damage in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell
      lines. 

PMID- 27278554
TI  - Effects of combining erlotinib and RNA-interfered downregulation of focal
      adhesion kinase expression on gastric cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the synergistic effects of combining erlotinib and RNA
      interference downregulation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression on the
      proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of the human gastric
      adenocarcinoma cell line AGS. METHODS: Cells were divided into five experimental
      groups: Group A, nontransfected control; Group B, transfected with empty vector;
      Group C, transfected with FAK-shRNA; Group D, erlotinib treatment; Group E,
      combination erlotinib treatment and transfected with FAK-shRNA. FAK protein
      levels were confirmed via Western blotting. Cell proliferation (CCK-8 assay,
      apoptosis (flow cytometry), cell invasion (transwell assay) and migration
      (scratch assay) were evaluated. RESULTS: RNA interference significantly decreased
      FAK protein levels. Cell proliferation, invasion and migration were significantly
      lower in Groups C, D and E compared with Group A, and significantly lower in
      Group E than in Groups C and D. CONCLUSIONS: RNA interference effectively
      silences FAK expression and inhibits malignant cell proliferation and invasion in
      gastric cancer cells. The effect of FAK inhibition is increased by co-treatment
      with erlotinib.

PMID- 27278555
TI  - Distance from Dura mater to spinal cord at the thoracic vertebral level: An
      introductory study on local subdural geometry for thoracic epidural block.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomical safety margins in relation to thoracic
      epidural block by analysing magnetic resonance (MR) images. METHODS: This
      retrospective study identified consecutive patients who underwent MR imaging of
      the thoracic vertebral spine. The distance from the dura mater to the spinal cord
      (DTC) was measured at different thoracic intervertebral levels using three
      different pathways as references: the 'U', 'L' and 'M' lines. RESULTS: A total of
      346 patients provided MR images for analysis. The vertical DTC was the longest at
      the T5/6 intervertebral level (mean +/- SD: 4.22 +/- 1.43 mm) and the shortest at
      the T11/12 intervertebral level (mean +/- SD: 2.51 +/- 0.87 mm). The DTC was the
      longest on the 'L' line at the T1/2 and T5/6 intervertebral levels and on the 'U'
      line at the T10/11 intervertebral level. The difference in DTC between the 'U'
      and 'L' lines was the greatest at the T5/6 intervertebral level. CONCLUSION:
      Differences in the DTC were observed among the thoracic intervertebral levels.
      The variability of the safety margin according to the angle of needle insertion
      was the largest at the T5/6 intervertebral level.

PMID- 27278557
TI  - Abdominal ultrasound in 2008.

PMID- 27278556
TI  - Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 levels and aortic valve
      calcification: A prospective, cross sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible association between plasma proprotein
      convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and the incidence and severity of
      calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). METHODS: This prospective, cross sectional
      study involved patients with and without (controls) aortic valve calcification
      diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and dual source computed tomography
      (DSCT) scan. Aortic valves calcification scores were calculated from DSCT scans
      and patients were graded: grade 1, no calcification; grade 2, mildly calcified;
      grade 3, moderately calcified; grade 4, heavily calcified. Plasma PCSK9 levels
      were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Forty patients
      were grade 1 (controls), 32 were grade 2, 48 were grade 3 and 32 were grade 4.
      Plasma levels of PCSK9 were significantly different between the four groups and
      the highest value was observed in the patients with grade 2 calcification. Only
      low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein (Lp)(a) were associated with
      the severity of CAVD. Regression analysis showed that age, Lp(a) and PCSK9 were
      independent predictors of CAVD. CONCLUSION: Data from this cross sectional study
      in a small sample of patients showed that plasma PCSK9 was correlated with the
      presence of CAVD but not its severity.

PMID- 27278558
TI  - Accelerating effects of ultrasonic thrombolysis with bubble liposomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: The accelerating effect on thrombolysis by combined use of 500-kHz low
      frequency ultrasound (US), recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), and
      bubble liposomes (BLs) was verified in vitro. METHODS: A fibrin clot was formed
      by adding thrombin to bovine plasma. It was enclosed in a pressurized container,
      the pressure and temperature of which were maintained at 150 mmHg and 37 degrees
      C, respectively. Ultrasonic conditions were set at a continuous wave, a frequency
      of 500 kHz, an intensity of 0.7 W/cm(2), and a sonication time of 60 s. We
      derived the rate of reduction in clot weight from the decreased clot weight and
      the weight before sonication. We compared the rate of reduction in groups
      combining physiological saline, rt-PA, BLs, and US. RESULTS: Only the rt-PA+US+BL
      group showed a significantly accelerated thrombolytic effect compared with any
      other group or with any combination of two factors in the 60-s period (0.001 < P
      < 0.027). CONCLUSION: BLs have great potential to accelerate the thrombolytic
      effect of rt-PA with low-frequency, 500-kHz, continuous-wave ultrasound.

PMID- 27278559
TI  - Preliminary study of contrast-enhanced harmonic endosonography with second
      generation contrast agents.
AB  - PURPOSE: We developed a novel echoendoscope that enables contrast harmonic
      imaging using ultrasound contrast agents and performed contrast-enhanced harmonic
      endosonography (EUS) both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: An experimental convex
      array echoendoscope equipped with a wideband transducer and a specific mode for
      contrast harmonic imaging was used. A Doppler phantom model was employed in in
      vitro experiments to determine the optimal mechanical indices for contrast
      harmonic imaging by the echoendoscope. In the in vivo experiments, the
      echoendoscope was inserted into the stomachs of dogs. The digestive organs were
      observed after intravenous infusion of a contrast agent, Definity, using contrast
      enhanced harmonic EUS. Two patients, one with pancreatic carcinoma and one with a
      gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), underwent contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS.
      RESULTS: In vitro experiments revealed that the optimal mechanical indices were
      0.35-0.40 for intermittent imaging and 0.30 or less for real-time imaging. In the
      in vivo experiments, branching vessels and subsequent homogeneous distribution of
      the signal in the pancreatic tissue were observed. During clinical application,
      typical vascular patterns were observed in pancreatic carcinoma and a GIST.
      CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS visualized parenchymal perfusion and
      the fine vascular structure in digestive organs and should be a useful and
      powerful method for clinical investigations.

PMID- 27278560
TI  - Hemodynamic evaluation by endoscopic ultrasonography of esophageal varices
      resistant to injection sclerotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Some esophageal variceal cases are resistant to endoscopic injection
      sclerotherapy (EIS) using 5% ethanolamine oleate (5% EO). We evaluated the
      hemodynamics of esophageal varices that were resistant to EIS using 5% EO.
      METHODS: Selected for this study were 290 consecutive patients who underwent
      hemodynamic evaluation using endoscopic color Doppler ultrasonography (ECDUS) and
      an ultrasonic microprobe (UMP) before EIS. EIS was performed using 5% EO with
      iopamidol (5% EOI) under fluoroscopy. We retrospectively evaluated the
      hemodynamic differences between patients resistant to and not resistant to EIS
      using 5% EOI. RESULTS: Nine patients were resistant to EIS using 5% EOI (group
      A). Various parameters were compared between the 281 patients who had been given
      EIS using 5% EOI for esophageal varices (group B) and the 9 patients in group A.
      The mean number of EIS treatments until shrinkage of esophageal varices was
      achieved in group A (6.8 +/- 3.4) was significantly greater than that in group B
      (4.4 +/- 2.1) (P < 0.01). The mean amount of 5% EOI used in group A (31.1 +/-
      17.4 ml) was significantly larger than that used in group B (14.9 +/- 8.8 ml) (P
      < 0.001). The mean frequency shift of esophageal varices in group A (452.9 +/-
      106.6 Hz) was significantly higher than that in group B (313.0 +/- 103.2 Hz) (P <
      0.001) as determined by ECDUS. The mean diameter of esophageal varices as found
      by UMP was 8.0 +/- 3.5 mm in group A and 4.6 +/- 2.4 mm in group B, with the
      difference being significant (P < 0.01). Perforating veins inflowing from
      extramural to intramural regions were recognized in 8 (88.9%) of the 9 patients
      in group A and in 67 (24.1 %) of the 281 patients in group B. The mean diameter
      of the perforating vein was 3.8 +/- 1.9 mm in group A and 2.1 +/- 0.5 mm in group
      B, as shown by UMP, a difference that was statistically significant (P < 0.01).
      CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic evaluation revealed that the esophageal varices were of a
      higher grade in group A than in group B. By using ECDUS and UMP, this study shed
      light on the hemodynamics of esophageal variceal cases resistant to EIS using 5%
      EOI.

PMID- 27278561
TI  - Ultrasonograms showing multiple myeloma in the skull.

PMID- 27278562
TI  - Congenital absence of the horizontal portion of the left portal vein.

PMID- 27278563
TI  - Intrarenal pseudoaneurysm with renal cell carcinoma.

PMID- 27278564
TI  - Criteria for ultrasound diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities.

PMID- 27278565
TI  - Three-Dimensional Imaging of Urethral Stricture Disease and Urethral Pathology
      for Operative Planning.
AB  - Diagnosing urethral pathology can prove difficult, as clinically, the
      presentation is often nonspecific and may be suggestive of multiple etiologies.
      Therefore, detailed and accurate urethral imaging in both males and females is
      critical. Since the early 1900s, conventional imaging studies including RUG and
      VCUG, with adjunct cystourethroscopy, have remained the gold standard diagnostic
      techniques to evaluate urethral pathology. However, limitations of conventional
      imaging have generated interest in finding alternative imaging modalities with
      comparable, if not superior, diagnostic accuracy, the goal being a more complete
      assessment of urethral pathology and anatomy that would allow for appropriate
      surgical planning. Imaging modalities with three-dimensional (3D) capabilities
      may provide more comprehensive information regarding urethral diseases through a
      more detailed illustration of periurethral soft tissue structures. Whether or not
      these imaging modalities will replace conventional studies is unclear, though
      there is an increasing body of literature that support their use. 

PMID- 27278566
TI  - Analysis of Internet Suicide Pacts Reported by the Media in Mainland China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In mainland China, frequent Internet suicide pacts in recent years
      have raised strong concerns from several social sectors and the influence of
      social networks on suicide is constantly growing. AIMS: To identify the
      epidemiological characteristics of media-reported Internet suicide pacts in
      mainland China. METHOD: Our study comprised 62 Internet suicide pacts involving
      159 victims in mainland China before June 1, 2015. Kendall's randomness test, a
      trend test, and a circular distribution test were applied to identify the rising
      or concentrated trends in the time of occurrence of Internet suicide pacts.
      RESULTS: The overall male-to-female ratio was 2.3:1. Suicide victims were mainly
      people in their 20s to 30s (84.1%). In all, 87.1% suicide victims completed
      suicide in sealed hotels or rental housing, and charcoal-burning suicide
      accounted for 80.6% of cases. CONCLUSION: People who complete suicide as part of
      an Internet suicide pact are more likely to be males, aged 20-30 years. Charcoal
      burning suicide in sealed hotels or rental housing was the commonest way of
      dying.

PMID- 27278567
TI  - Cluster Analysis of Characteristics of Persons Who Died by Suicide in the
      Montreal Metro Transit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suicides occur in metro systems worldwide and patterns vary in
      different urban transit networks. AIMS: This study presents an in-depth analysis
      of 117 suicides in the Montreal Metro from 2000 to 2008 based on data obtained
      from coroners' investigations. METHOD: Cluster analyses were performed to
      identify characteristics of groups of people who kill themselves in the Montreal
      Metro. We also compared changes in characteristics with data from 1986 to 1995.
      RESULTS: We identified five clusters of suicidal persons that describe patterns
      of characteristics of individuals who died by suicide in the metro that may be
      useful for prevention. Comparisons of suicides during 2000-2008 with data from a
      previous study of coroners' investigations of Montreal Metro suicides during 1986
      1995 indicate changes in age, isolation, types of problems, and geographic
      patterns. CONCLUSION: Characteristics of metro suicides may be specific to
      localities and can change over time. Their understanding may facilitate the
      development of prevention strategies tailored to these different profiles.

PMID- 27278568
TI  - Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidal Behaviors Among Pacific Youth in New
      Zealand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: New Zealand has the second highest youth suicide rate in the OECD and
      particularly among Pacific New Zealanders, who have a threefold higher risk of
      suicide attempt compared with the general population. AIMS: Protective and risk
      factors for suicide attempts among New Zealand Pacific adolescents were assessed
      using data from Youth'12, an adolescent health and well-being survey. METHOD:
      This randomly selected nationally representative sample of New Zealand secondary
      school students included 1,445 Pacific high school students aged 12-17 years.
      RESULTS: One in 10 (11.6%) Pacific adolescents reported attempting suicide. Risk
      factors for suicide included: being female, household food insecurity, low levels
      of family connections and family monitoring, life dissatisfaction, having a
      religious affiliation, and previous suicide by a family member or friend. Of
      those who had made a suicide attempt, 71% also experienced both suicide ideation
      and self-harm. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that given the high rates of
      suicide ideation and attempts among Pacific young people, targeted trials for new
      ways of support should be prioritized for this high-risk group. The Pacific
      family environment, which continues to be the critical space for intervening, and
      the school environment, as a provider of health services, were both protective of
      suicide attempt.

PMID- 27278569
TI  - Prevention of Suicidal Behavior in Prisons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Worldwide, prisoners are at high risk of suicide. Research on near
      lethal suicide attempts can provide important insights into risk and protective
      factors, and inform suicide prevention initiatives in prison. AIMS: To synthesize
      findings of research on near-lethal attempts in prisons, and consider their
      implications for suicide prevention policies and practice, in the context of
      other research in custody and other settings. METHOD: We searched two
      bibliographic indexes for studies in any language on near-lethal and severe self
      harm in prisoners, supplemented by targeted searches over the period 2000-2014.
      We extracted information on risk factors descriptively. Data were not meta
      analyzed owing to heterogeneity of samples and methods. RESULTS: We identified
      eight studies reporting associations between prisoner near-lethal attempts and
      specific factors. The latter included historical, prison-related, and clinical
      factors, including psychiatric morbidity and comorbidity, trauma, social
      isolation, and bullying. These factors were also identified as important in
      prisoners' own accounts of what may have contributed to their attempts (presented
      in four studies). CONCLUSION: Factors associated with prisoners' severe suicide
      attempts include a range of potentially modifiable clinical, psychosocial, and
      environmental factors. We make recommendations to address these factors in order
      to improve detection, management, and prevention of suicide risk in prisoners.

PMID- 27278570
TI  - A Pilot Study on the Efficacy of Volunteer Mentorship for Young Adults With Self
      Harm Behaviors Using a Quasi-Experimental Design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that postdischarge care for self-harm patients is
      effective in reducing repeated suicidal behaviors. Little is known about whether
      volunteer support can help reduce self-harm repetition and improve psychosocial
      well-being. AIM: This study investigated the efficacy of volunteer support in
      preventing repetition of self-harm. METHOD: This study used a quasi-experimental
      design by assigning self-harm patients admitted to the emergency departments to
      an intervention group with volunteer support and treatment as usual (TAU) for 9
      months and to a control group of TAU. Outcome measures include repetition of self
      harm, suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and level of depressive and anxiety
      symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 74 cases were recruited (38 participants; 36
      controls). There were no significant differences in age, gender, and clinical
      condition between the two groups at the baseline. The intervention group showed
      significant improvements in hopelessness and depressive symptoms. However, the
      number of cases of suicide ideation and of repetition of self-harm episodes was
      similar for both groups at the postintervention period. CONCLUSION: Postdischarge
      care provided by volunteers showed significant improvement in hopelessness and
      depression. Volunteers have been commonly involved in suicide prevention
      services. Further research using rigorous methods is recommended for improving
      service quality in the long term.

PMID- 27278572
TI  - Preventing Suicide and Self-Harm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Telephone helplines are considered to play an important role in
      preventing suicide and self-harm among callers in distress. However,
      inconsistency in the methods of evaluating such services has limited the firm
      conclusions that can be drawn. AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of a UK-based
      helpline from a service user and helpline worker perspective. METHOD: Callers
      were asked about their mental state at the beginning and end of the call with a
      short questionnaire. Helpline workers were surveyed about their experiences of
      using the questionnaire as part of routine service provision. RESULTS: The
      helpline was successful at reducing suicidal and self-harming ideation. The short
      questionnaire method was also successfully integrated into routine practice.
      CONCLUSION: Evaluating the efficacy of helplines can be successfully achieved
      using the short questionnaire method.

PMID- 27278573
TI  - Systems biology.

PMID- 27278571
TI  - Incidence Rates of Deliberate Self-Harm in Denmark 1994-2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The validity and reliability of suicide statistics have been
      questioned and few nationwide studies of deliberate self-harm have been
      presented. AIM: To calculate rates of deliberate self-harm in Denmark in order to
      investigate trends and assess the reliability of hospital records. METHOD: A
      register study based on all individuals recorded with an episode of deliberate
      self-harm or probable deliberate self-harm in nationwide registers during 1994
      2011. RESULTS: A substantial difference in the rates of deliberate self-harm and
      probable deliberate self-harm was noted for both genders. The average incidence
      rate of deliberate self-harm for women and men was 130.7 (95% CI = 129.6-131.8)
      per 100,000 and 86.9 (95% CI = 86.0-87.8) per 100,000, respectively. The rates of
      deliberate self-harm for women increased from 137.6 (95% CI = 132.9-142.3) per
      100,000 in 1994 to 152.7 (95% CI = 147.8-157.5) in 2011. For a subgroup of
      younger women aged 15-24 years, an almost threefold increase was observed, IRR =
      2.5 (95% CI = 2.4-2.7). The most frequently used method was self-poisoning.
      CONCLUSION: The rates of deliberate self-harm and probable deliberate self-harm
      differed significantly. An increased incidence of deliberate self-harm among
      young Danish women was observed, despite detection bias. An improved registration
      procedure of suicidal behavior is needed.

PMID- 27278574
TI  - Determination of peripheral color signal density using contrast-enhanced color
      Doppler ultrasonography in diffuse liver disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: The study aimed to quantify hepatic vascular changes that accompany the
      development of chronic liver disease using contrast-enhanced color Doppler
      ultrasonography and histopathological examination. METHODS: A series of 62
      patients with biopsy-proven chronic liver disease (31 chronic hepatitis, 31 liver
      cirrhosis) and 8 healthy controls were studied. Altogether, 22 livers (9 chronic
      hepatitis, 13 liver cirrhosis) obtained at surgery or autopsy were subjected to
      histopathological examination. Patients with cardiopulmonary disease or
      intrahepatic tumors were excluded. Intrahepatic color Doppler signals were
      scanned and counted at the liver surface in a 10 * 30 mm rectangle from liver
      segment V using color Doppler sonography (SSA 380 A) before and after contrast
      enhancement with SHU 508A (Levovist). Small arteries 30-1000 um in diameter were
      counted on the histopathlogical specimen by microscopy. RESULTS: The number of
      color Doppler signals increased significantly after contrast enhancement in both
      patients and controls. The number of color Doppler signals was elevated before
      and after contrast enhancement when chronic liver disease was present, especially
      in cases of Child-Pugh grade C liver cirrhosis. Histologically, more arteries 30
      125 um in diameter were present in patients with chronic hepatitis than in those
      with liver cirrhosis, whereas more arteries ? 125 um in diameter were present in
      patients with liver cirrhosis than in those with chronic hepatitis. CONCLUSION:
      Intrahepatic color Doppler signals are probably derived from peripheral arteries
      larger than 125 um in diameter, and the signal density in these arteries
      increases with progression of the chronic liver disease.

PMID- 27278575
TI  - Optimal number of image slices for reliable measurement of left ventricular
      volumes and ejection fraction by three-dimensional transesophageal
      echocardiography.
AB  - PURPOSE: Quantification of the left ventricular (LV) volume by three-dimensional
      echocardiography is accurate but time-consuming. To shorten the time required, we
      sought to determine the minimum number of image planes necessary to measure LV
      volume reliably. METHODS: We analyzed transesophageal three-dimensional
      echocardiographic LV data obtained by the rotational scanning method in 16
      patients: 11 had ischemic heart disease, and 5 had dilated cardiomyopathy. LV
      volumes were calculated from 6, 10, and 30 short-axis images using the disk
      summation method and from 2, 4, 6, 10, 20, and 30 longitudinal images using the
      new average rotation method. RESULTS: LV volume varied less with the average
      rotation method than with the disk-summation method. The 95% limit of agreement
      between the 30-image and 6-image methods was 0.3% +/- 3.7% for the average
      rotation method, whereas it was -2.0% +/- 6.9% for the disk-summation method. The
      time required for analysis decreased from 12.5 +/- 2.8 min with the 30-image
      method to only 3.3 +/- 0.5 min for the 6-image method. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement
      of six longitudinal images provided reliable LV volume data, even in patients
      with enlarged or deformed left ventricles. The short measurement time supports
      the use of three-dimensional echocardiographic LV volume measurement in the
      clinical setting.

PMID- 27278576
TI  - Enhancement of stents using interference of low-frequency ultrasonic echo
      signals.
AB  - PURPOSE: We set out to enhance the imaging of stents used for coronary
      coarctation surgery without imaging the reticulation of the stent. Because the
      stent is a reticulated structure, there is a relation between ultrasound
      wavelength and the interstice reticulation that produces the echo. METHODS: First
      we performed computer simulation by ultrasound frequency of transmitted signals
      to analyze this relation. Then, instead of controlling the transmitted wave, we
      processed the returned signals through a band-pass filter because of the
      difficulty of controlling the transmitted waves of diagnostic ultrasound
      equipment. Following this, we conducted experiments on an agar gel phantom
      containing a stent to verify the effectiveness of this method. RESULTS: The
      simulation confirmed that the stent was apparent when the ultrasonic wavelength
      equaled the product of an integer and twice the interval of the reticulation of
      the stent. Application of a band-pass filter of 0.8 to 1.5 MHz to the waveform
      returned from the agar gel phantom containing the stent. CONCLUSIONS: The
      effectiveness of this method in depicting the stent was confirmed.

PMID- 27278577
TI  - Ultrasonography and computed tomography of extracapsular invasion in cervical
      lymph nodes of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluates the efficacy of imaging for diagnosing
      extracapsular invasion by metastatic cervical lymph nodes. METHODS: The subjects
      were 47 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity examined by both
      ultrasonography and computed tomography. All subjects had undergone neck
      dissection, and histopathologic examination confirmed the presence of one or more
      metastatic cervical lymph nodes in each of them. RESULTS: Histopathologic
      examination confirmed extracapsular invasion in 25 of 48 metastatic nodes; in the
      remaining 23 nodes, the tumor was confined within the capsule. Average short-axis
      diameters of the lymph nodes of these groups differed significantly (17.4 +/-
      10.6 and 12.7 +/- 4.4 mm, respectively; P = 0.046). The diagnostic sensitivity,
      specificity, and accuracy of ultrasonography for detecting macroscopic
      extracapsular invasion were 80%, 74%, and 77%, respectively. The corresponding
      values for computed tomography were 85%, 83%, and 84%. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic
      images are effective for the preoperative diagnosis of extracapsular invasion of
      metastatic cervical nodes of carcinoma of the oral cavity.

PMID- 27278578
TI  - Evaluating the regional elastic modulus of a cylindrical shell with nonuniform
      wall thickness.
AB  - PURPOSE: For noninvasive diagnosis of atherosclerosis, we attempted to evaluate
      the elasticity of the arterial wall by measuring small changes in thickness
      caused by the heartbeat. The elasticity of the arterial wall has been evaluated
      noninvasively by measuring the change in diameter of the artery or the pulse-wave
      velocity; however, there is no method for noninvasively evaluating the elasticity
      of the arterial wall from changes in its thickness. METHODS: Employing the phased
      tracking method that we developed, changes in thickness of less than 100 um were
      measured in each regional area, which corresponded to the diameter of the
      ultrasonic beam. RESULTS: The elasticity of the arterial wall could be evaluated
      with better spatial resolution from the change in thickness than from the change
      in diameter of the artery or pulse-wave velocity. We therefore propose a method
      for evaluating the elastic modulus of an arterial wall of nonuniform wall
      thickness. CONCLUSIONS: In basic experiments employing silicone rubber tubes with
      nonuniform wall thickness as arterial models, the elastic moduli of silicone
      rubber tubes were evaluated by measuring changes in wall thickness. These results
      confirm the value of the proposed method.

PMID- 27278579
TI  - Clinical application of a new method that segments the region of interest into
      multiple layers for RF amplitude histogram analysis in the cirrhotic liver.
AB  - PURPOSE: We used texture analysis in conjunction with an alternative method of
      analyzing the amplitude histogram using a radiofrequency (RF) signal to
      differentiate ultrasonograms of normal and cirrhotic livers. This method segments
      the region of interest (ROI) into multiple layers (sub-ROIs). In each sub-ROI of
      a homogeneous medium, the histogram of enveloped-amplitude of RF backscattered
      echoes resembles a Rayleigh distribution. Theoretically, the values of the signal
      to-noise ratio (SNR), skewness, and kurtosis for Rayleigh statistics are constant
      and independent of the mean scattering intensity, which is contributed by such
      undesirable effects as tissue attenuation, beam diffraction, and incident
      waveforms. These values, which averaged overall sub-ROI, should provide an
      unbiased estimator. METHODS: We studied 36 normal livers and 28 cirrhotic livers,
      all confirmed by clinical findings including laboratory and pathology data; the
      SNR, skewness, and kurtosis values of the disease groups were compared. At the
      same time, these values were estimated using the conventional method, which did
      not segment the ROI into multiple sub-ROIs. The unpaired t-test was used to
      determine statistical significance. RESULTS: With the new method, all values
      obtained from cirrhotic livers differed significantly from those obtained from
      normal livers, and the standard deviation of these values was smaller than those
      obtained using the conventional method. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that
      the new method can be used to diagnose the cirrhotic liver objectively.

PMID- 27278581
TI  - The Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine amidst the information technology
      revolution.

PMID- 27278580
TI  - Bilayer oxidized regenerated cellulose/poly epsilon-caprolactone knitted fabric
      reinforced composite for use as an artificial dural substitute.
AB  - A novel bilayer knitted fabric-reinforced composite for potentially being used as
      a dural substitute was developed by solution infiltration of oxidized regenerated
      cellulose knitted fabric (ORC) with poly epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) solution at
      various concentrations ranging 10-40 g/100 mL. It was found that the density of
      all formulations did not differ significantly and was lower than that of the
      human dura. Microstructure of the samples typically comprised a bilayer structure
      having a nonporous PCL layer on one side and the ORC/PCL composite layer on
      another side. Tensile modulus and strength of the samples initially decreased
      with increasing PCL solution concentration for up to 20 g/100 mL and re-increased
      again with further increasing PCL solution concentration. Strain at break of all
      formulations were not significantly different. Watertight test revealed that all
      composites could prevent leakage at the pressure within the normal range of
      intracranial pressure. In vitro degradation study revealed that the weight loss
      percentage and change in tensile properties of all samples displayed biphasic
      profile comprising an initially rapid decrease and followed by a gradual decrease
      with incubation times afterward. Micro and macro porous channels were observed to
      be in situ generated in the composite layer by ORC dissolution and PCL resorption
      during degradation while nonporous layer remained relatively unchanged. The
      degradation rate was found to decrease with increasing PCL solution
      concentration. In vitro biocompatibility using alamar blue assay on selected
      samples showed that fibroblasts could attach and proliferate well at all
      incubation periods. 

PMID- 27278582
TI  - Aortic valve calcification and increased stiffness of the proximal thoracic
      ascending aorta: association with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and
      early chronic kidney disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the
      severity of aortic valve calcification (AVC) and stiffness of the proximal
      thoracic ascending aorta (TAA), and to examine their influence on left
      ventricular (LV) function and renal function. METHODS: A total of 138
      hypertensive patients including 32 with diabetes mellitus and 60 with
      dyslipidemia were divided into four groups based on the severity of AVC. We
      analyzed the elastic properties of the proximal TAA from the following strain
      rate indices based on tissue Doppler imaging: maximum strain rate [SR(+)],
      minimum SR [SR(-)], and the time between the QRS peak and the peak SR(-) of the
      proximal TAA (SRT). RESULTS: SR(+) and SRT were significantly greater in patients
      with moderate AVC than in patients with mild AVC. SRT and SR(-) were well
      correlated with age, peak velocity across AV, TAA wall thickness (IMC), LV
      diastolic function, and renal function. SRT was independently related to IMC,
      dyslipidemia, and LV diastolic function. CONCLUSION: The severity of AVC was
      correlated with the elastic properties of the proximal TAA. The SR indices are
      useful for assessing the relation of TAA stiffness to LV function and renal
      function in patients with AVC.

PMID- 27278583
TI  - Carotid and brachial artery intima-media thickness is related to coronary
      atherosclerotic burden and may also represent high cardiovascular risk in
      patients with normal coronary angiograms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carotid and brachial artery intima-media thicknesses (IMT) determined
      using B-mode ultrasonography are validated surrogate markers of the severity and
      extent of coronary artery disease (CAD). The markers may also reflect the general
      vascular atherosclerotic involvement and cardiovascular risk in patients with
      normal coronary arteries (NCA). We aimed to investigate the relationship of
      carotid artery IMT (CIMT) and brachial artery IMT (BIMT) with CAD simultaneously,
      and also examined whether both markers represent cardiovascular risk determined
      by cardiovascular risk factors in patients with NCA. METHODS: One hundred
      eligible patients who consecutively underwent coronary angiography under
      suspicion of CAD were included in this study. The patients were evaluated in
      terms of age, gender, and the risk factors for CAD, and their total
      cardiovascular risk was calculated. CIMT and BIMT measurements were performed by
      B-mode ultrasonography on all patients. The extent and severity of CAD were
      evaluated by the Gensini score, and the number of severely narrowed vessels was
      determined by coronary angiography. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (47 males, 16
      females) with a mean age of 62 +/- 10 years had CAD, and 37 patients (20 males,
      17 females) with a mean age of 51 +/- 11 years had NCA on coronary angiography.
      The mean age and male ratio of patients with CAD were significantly higher as
      compared with the patients with NCA (p < 0.001, p = 0.035, respectively). The
      mean number of diseased vessels was 2.2 +/- 0.9 (median 2.0), while the mean
      Gensini score was 25 +/- 31 (median 14.0). The CIMT and BIMT were higher in
      patients with CAD than in those with NCA (0.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.2 mm and 0.5
      +/- 0.1 vs. 0.4 +/- 0.1 mm, respectively; p < 0.001 for both). The cardiovascular
      risk score (CVRS) was also significantly higher in the CAD group (3.8 +/- 1.1 vs.
      2.9 +/- 1.4, p < 0.001). CIMT, BIMT, and CVRS were significantly correlated with
      the Gensini score and number of diseased vessels. For the sensitivity and the
      specificity of CIMT, BIMT, and CVRS to detect the presence of CAD, the areas
      under the ROC curve were 0.785 (95% CI 0.687-0.883, p = 0.000), 0.842 (95% CI
      0.764-0.920, p = 0.000), and 0.721 (95% CI 0.591-0.813, p = 0.001), respectively.
      When we compared the CVRSs between the groups, which were determined according to
      cutoff values for CIMT and BIMT (CIMT >=0.9 vs. <0.9 and BIMT >=0.4 vs. <0.4);
      among the patients with NCA, CVRSs were significantly different (3.5 +/- 0.5 vs.
      2.7 +/- 1.4, p = 0.035 and 3.7 +/- 1.1 and 2.7 +/- 1.3, p = 0.073; respectively).
      CONCLUSION: The increases in both brachial and carotid IMT are positively
      correlated with the extent of CAD and the number of involved vessels, and have
      more predictive value for CAD than the traditional CVRS. In addition, carotid IMT
      is also related to high CVRS in patients with NCA, and this finding may represent
      general vascular involvement without coronary lesions determined by coronary
      angiography.

PMID- 27278584
TI  - Application of pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound to exploration of the peripheral
      vasomotor response by gender and hand dominance.
AB  - PURPOSE: Laser Doppler flowmetry measures peripheral vasomotor response but fails
      to detect changes in vascular diameters, resistance, and heart rates. Because
      this response contributes to assessing sympathetic disorders and relies on the
      above variables to be correctly interpreted, we used pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD)
      ultrasound to evaluate the response and to determine whether it was affected by
      gender or hand dominance. METHODS: PWD was applied to bilateral deep palmar
      branches of the radial arteries of 22 men and 22 women, using post-inspiratory
      cough as the sympathetic stimulus. Pulsatility index (PI), arterial diameters,
      heart rates, flow velocity, and blood flow before and after sympathetic stimuli
      were analyzed for both groups. RESULTS: Women had a higher PI value of the radial
      arteries at rest; in contrast, that of men was higher after sympathetic stimuli.
      Blood flow velocity (V max, V max mean, and V mean) at rest was higher for men
      than for women. A significant difference was observed in V min after stimulus.
      Arterial diameters and blood flow before and after stimuli were higher for men
      than for women. Post-inspiratory cough caused significant diameter reduction in
      women but heart rate elevation in men. Hand dominance had no effect. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study demonstrated the suitability of PWD for detailing peripheral vasomotor
      response, which was affected by gender but not hand dominance. Our results
      suggest application of PWD to diseases with unilateral sympathetic impairment,
      but responses for different sexes should be treated with caution.

PMID- 27278585
TI  - Benefit of early abdominal ultrasonography in non-surgical patients admitted to
      the emergency department: a pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Ultrasonography plays a decisive role in emergency patients. The primary
      aim of this study is to assess whether early emergency ultrasonography alters the
      length of stay. METHODS: In a prospective study, patients admitted to the
      emergency department were divided into two groups. The first group underwent
      early abdominal ultrasonography (within 24 h after admission), and the second
      group underwent ultrasonography after more than 24 h. The two groups were
      compared in terms of length of stay, age, admission diagnosis, and number of
      further imaging techniques used. A subgroup analysis was carried out for
      admission diagnosis. One hundred and forty-five patients were included in the
      study. RESULTS: In terms of length of stay, no difference was seen between the
      first group (11.7 +/- 11.4 days) and the second group (13.6 +/- 11.0 days) (p =
      0.1196). In the subgroups "abdominal pain" (p = 0.0333) and "cardiopulmonary
      disorders" (p = 0.0207), a shorter length of stay was associated with early
      ultrasonography, while in the subgroup "infectious disease/fever," the early
      ultrasonography group was associated with a prolonged length of stay (p =
      0.0211). CONCLUSION: Early ultrasonography in our setting of emergency patients
      with a variety of different admission diagnoses did not shorten the length of
      stay, but the subgroups of patients with "abdominal pain" and "cardiopulmonary
      disorders" might have benefited from early ultrasonography.

PMID- 27278586
TI  - A case of solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm, focusing on contrast-enhanced
      endoscopic ultrasonography.
AB  - We used contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography (CE-EUS) to diagnose a case
      of solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) in an adult man. A 58-year-old man was
      referred to our hospital because of a pancreatic mass found by positron emission
      tomography (PET) using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) during a medical checkup in
      2009. Trans-abdominal ultrasonography revealed a 24-mm hypoechoic mass at the
      pancreatic tail with calcification inside. Multiphasic computed tomography (CT)
      showed a solid mass with delayed enhancement. EUS revealed a hypoechoic mass
      without lateral shadowing, and neither a septum nor cystic component was
      detected. CE-EUS using Sonazoid((r)) showed a hypovascular mass compared with the
      surrounding pancreatic parenchyma, and the inside of the mass was enhanced like
      an alveolus nest, suggesting pseudopapillary change. Diagnosis of a solid
      pseudopapillary neoplasm and a concomitant small neuroendocrine tumor was made by
      distal pancreatectomy. 

PMID- 27278587
TI  - Sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary: ultrasound elastography and MRI findings
      on preoperative diagnosis.
AB  - Sclerosing stromal tumor (SST) is a benign stromal tumor of the ovary.
      Preoperative diagnosis of this benign tumor mainly depends on imaging findings.
      Dynamic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show
      typical contrast enhancement of SST with peripheral enhancement in the early
      phase and centripetal progression in the delayed phases. We present the imaging
      findings of ultrasonography, ultrasound elastography, and dynamic MRI in the
      diagnosis of SST. Abdominal ultrasound elastography is a novel technique that
      depicts the stromal structure of SSTs by comparing the elasticity of the tumor
      and the myometrium using quantitative strain values. 

PMID- 27278588
TI  - Neonatal distal femoral epiphyseal dislocation: an ultrasound diagnosis.
AB  - Traumatic epiphyseal dislocation related to birth injury is uncommon. The authors
      report a case of slipped distal femoral epiphysis during a breech presentation in
      a twin pregnancy birthing process, diagnosed by ultrasonography. This type of
      separation could be difficult to detect in the newborn on plain radiographs
      because of the non-ossification of the epiphysis. Therefore, the use of
      sonography is helpful to make an early and accurate diagnosis in order to avoid
      malunion and deformities of the affected limb. Through this case report we will
      see the diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography in diagnosing newborn
      injuries of the limbs, and particularly in the diagnosis of radiographically
      occult epiphyseal separation. 

PMID- 27278590
TI  - Mucin-producing gallbladder carcinoma.

PMID- 27278589
TI  - Comparison of ultrasound speed in articular cartilage measured by different time
      of-flight methods.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate whether different time-of-flight
      (TOF) methods including amplitude-related methods, which determine tissue borders
      from the reflected wave itself, and the cross-correlation method, which requires
      reference signals to determine borders, influence speed of sound (SOS) values for
      articular cartilage. Left femoral condyle samples from a 6-month-old pig and a 3
      year-old pig were used. Radiofrequency signals from the cartilage surface and
      cartilage-bone interface were acquired using the ultrasound transducer for nine
      points in each sample. TOF was calculated by three amplitude-related methods
      (peak amplitude, peak envelope, signal phase) and a cross-correlation method.
      Cartilage thickness was measured microscopically, and SOS was calculated at each
      point. Mean (+/- standard deviation) SOSs in cartilage from the 9-point
      measurement by the four TOF methods were 1488 +/- 51, 1488 +/- 48, 1487 +/- 54,
      and 1466 +/- 51 m/s (for peak amplitude, peak envelope, signal phase, and cross
      correlation methods, respectively) for the 6-month-old pig, and 1709 +/- 107,
      1717 +/- 104, 1713 +/- 105, and 1695 +/- 138 m/s, respectively, for the 3-year
      old pig. Paired t testing identified no significant differences between the
      amplitude-related methods and the cross-correlation method, although SOS values
      yielded by the amplitude-related methods tended to be higher than those from the
      cross-correlation method. These results suggest that amplitude-related methods of
      TOF measurement and the cross-correlation method are equivalently applicable to
      articular cartilage SOS measurement when a wave is clearly reflected from
      cartilage. TOF methods should thus be considered in studies on SOS measurement. 

PMID- 27278591
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic image of gangrenous gallbladder.

PMID- 27278593
TI  - Editor's Note.

PMID- 27278592
TI  - Another "double bubble" sign or "double bladder" sign: fetal intra-abdominal
      umbilical vein varix.
AB  - Fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix increases the incidence of
      fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality. Its early diagnosis may be clinically
      important. For a case of this disorder, we have proposed the new name of "double
      bladder" sign; "another double bubble" sign may also illustrate this disorder. 

PMID- 27278594
TI  - Correction: From FOX-7 to H-FOX to insensitive energetic materials with
      hypergolic properties.
AB  - Correction for 'From FOX-7 to H-FOX to insensitive energetic materials with
      hypergolic properties' by Dharavath Srinivas et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52,
      7668-7671.

PMID- 27278596
TI  - Richard Fieldhouse: Sessional GP supporter.

PMID- 27278606
TI  - The expression of miR-21 and miR-143 is deregulated by the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein
      and 17beta-estradiol.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate their
      target mRNAs at a posttranscriptional level, thereby affecting crucial processes
      in cancer development. However, little is known about the molecular events that
      control expression of miRNAs in cervical cancer (CC). HPV16 E7 oncoprotein in
      conjunction with estrogen are sufficient to produce high grade cervical dysplasia
      and invasive cervical malignancies in a mouse model. In the present study, we
      determined the potential role that the E7 oncoprotein and 17beta-estradiol (E2)
      play in the deregulation of miR-21 and miR-143 expression levels by these two
      risk factors. We found that, while the expression of miR-21 was upregulated and
      the expression of miR-143 was downregulated by the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein in vivo,
      and in vitro and that E2 treatment is also implicated in the deregulation of
      these important miRNAs in vivo. Sustained upregulation of miR-21 resulted in
      suppression of PTEN expression, and repression of miR-143 increased the mRNA and
      protein levels from Bcl-2. These results suggested that HPV type 16 E7
      oncoprotein and E2 play an important role in regulating miR-21 and miR-143
      expression. We have observed similar results in CC patients containing HPV16
      sequences, suggesting that these miRNAs could serve as diagnostic biomarkers in
      CC. The present study highlights the roles of miRNAs in cervical tissue and
      implicates these important molecules in cervical carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 27278607
TI  - First report on spinal metastasis in childhood-onset craniopharyngioma.

PMID- 27278595
TI  - The legacy of the F344 rat as a cancer bioassay model (a retrospective summary of
      three common F344 rat neoplasms).
AB  - The Fischer 344 (F344) rat was used by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) for
      over 5 decades for toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. However, in 2006, the
      NTP decided to switch to a different rat stock due largely to high background
      control incidences of Leydig cell tumors (LCTs) and mononuclear cell leukemia
      (MNCL), also known as large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia. In the current
      review, we aim (1) to provide a summary of NTP bioassays with treatment
      associated effects involving MNCL and LCTs in addition to male F344-specific
      tunica vaginalis mesothelioma (TVM); (2) to describe important pathobiological
      differences between these F344 rat tumor responses and similar target tissue
      tumor response in humans; and (3) to present the NTP reasons for switching away
      from the F344 rat. We show that due to the highly variable background incidence
      of F344 MNCL, more reliance on historical control data than is usual for most
      tumor responses is warranted to evaluate potential effect of any chemical
      treatment in this rat strain. The high spontaneous incidence of LCTs in the
      testes of male F344 rats has made this tumor endpoint of little practical use in
      identifying potential testicular carcinogenic responses. TVM responses in F344
      rats have a biological plausible relationship to LCTs unlike TVM in humans. Given
      their high spontaneous background incidence and species-specific biology, we
      contend that MNCL and LCT, along with TVM responses, in F344 rat carcinogenicity
      studies are inappropriate tumor types for human health risk assessment and lack
      relevance in predicting human carcinogenicity.

PMID- 27278608
TI  - Comment on: Adjuvant chemotherapy in adult medulloblastoma: is it an option for
      average-risk patients?

PMID- 27278610
TI  - Journal of Echocardiography Award for the Year 2012.

PMID- 27278609
TI  - Beyond in-phase and anti-phase coordination in a model of joint action.
AB  - In 1985, Haken, Kelso and Bunz proposed a system of coupled nonlinear oscillators
      as a model of rhythmic movement patterns in human bimanual coordination. Since
      then, the Haken-Kelso-Bunz (HKB) model has become a modelling paradigm applied
      extensively in all areas of movement science, including interpersonal motor
      coordination. However, all previous studies have followed a line of analysis
      based on slowly varying amplitudes and rotating wave approximations. These
      approximations lead to a reduced system, consisting of a single differential
      equation representing the evolution of the relative phase of the two coupled
      oscillators: the HKB model of the relative phase. Here we take a different
      approach and systematically investigate the behaviour of the HKB model in the
      full four-dimensional state space and for general coupling strengths. We perform
      detailed numerical bifurcation analyses and reveal that the HKB model supports
      previously unreported dynamical regimes as well as bistability between a variety
      of coordination patterns. Furthermore, we identify the stability boundaries of
      distinct coordination regimes in the model and discuss the applicability of our
      findings to interpersonal coordination and other joint action tasks.

PMID- 27278611
TI  - Discrimination between fibroelastic deficiency and Barlow disease using
      parameters of mitral annulus derived from real-time three-dimensional
      echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Discrimination between fibroelastic deficiency (FED) and Barlow
      disease (BD) is crucial for decision making in mitral valve surgery as BD is a
      more complex lesion demanding high surgical skill and experience. In our study we
      focused on the differentiation of FED from BD using three-dimensional (3D)
      echocardiographic parameters of the mitral annulus assessed by the mitral valve
      quantification (MVQ) program. METHODS: We examined 90 patients (30 women) with
      FED and BD aged 37-76 years. The following parameters of the mitral annulus were
      assessed using the MVQ program: bicommissural and anteroposterior diameter of the
      mitral annulus, 3D annulus circumference, minimal surface spanning the annulus,
      and mitral annulus height. The study group was subdivided into 2 subgroups
      according to the intraoperative findings: the first subgroup comprised 60
      individuals (19 women) with FED and the second subgroup comprised 30 patients (11
      women) with BD. The discrimination between patients with BD and FED was carried
      out by univariate as well as multivariate statistical methods. RESULTS: BD and
      FED patients differed highly significantly in all parameters of the mitral
      annulus (t test), values of all parameters in BD being higher. In the
      classification tree modeling, the diagnoses were completely separated by a single
      parameter-mitral annulus height-with a cutoff value of 6.55 mm. This value and
      higher stands for BD. Multivariate analysis treating all the variables showed
      similar results, so the use of a single indicator variable is preferable.
      CONCLUSION: The only parameter-mitral annulus height-can be used for
      discrimination between Barlow disease and fibroelastic deficiency.

PMID- 27278612
TI  - Usefulness of right ventricular tissue Doppler imaging for diagnosis of right
      ventricular myocardial infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) is a complication of
      acute inferior myocardial infarction and sometimes causes severe hemodynamic
      disturbance. It is therefore important to promptly detect RVMI and assess the
      severity of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a
      useful method to assess left ventricular function and RV function. In this study,
      we investigated the possibility of diagnosing RVMI using tricuspid annular
      velocity determined by TDI. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with first acute
      inferior myocardial infarction were studied. The diagnosis of RVMI was based on
      an ST-segment elevation of at least 0.1 mV in lead V4R. The patients were
      classified into 12 patients with RVMI (the RVMI group) and 18 patients without
      RVMI (non-RVMI group). All patients underwent two-dimensional echocardiography,
      pulsed Doppler and TDI, and coronary angiography within 48 h after onset of
      myocardial infarction. Tricuspid inflow velocity was recorded by pulsed Doppler
      and early diastolic tricuspid inflow velocity (TVE) was measured. Peak early
      diastolic velocity of the tricuspid annulus (TVe') at the RV free wall was
      recorded using TDI. The ratio of TVE to TVe' (TVE/TVe') was calculated. RESULTS:
      TVe' was significantly lower in the RVMI group compared to that in the non-RVMI
      group (5.9 +/- 1.3 vs. 9.1 +/- 3.1; p = 0.0025). On the basis of a TVe' cutoff
      value of less than 8.3 cm/s, RVMI was diagnosed with 100 % sensitivity and 61 %
      specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The early diastolic tricuspid annular velocity
      determined by TDI is a noninvasive and sensitive index for diagnosing RVMI.

PMID- 27278613
TI  - Prosthetic tricuspid valve dysfunction assessed by three-dimensional
      transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - A 39-year-old male who had undergone tricuspid valve replacement for severe
      tricuspid regurgitation was admitted with palpitation and general edema. Two
      dimensional (2D) echocardiography showed tricuspid prosthetic valve dysfunction.
      Additional three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic and transesophageal
      echocardiography (TEE) could clearly demonstrate the disabilities of the
      mechanical tricuspid valve. Particularly, 3D TEE demonstrated a mass located on
      the right ventricular side of the tricuspid prosthesis, which may have caused the
      stuck disk. This observation was confirmed by intra-operative findings. 

PMID- 27278615
TI  - Heart failure induced by the restrictive left ventricle due to hiatus hernia.
AB  - A 76-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath and dyspnea after the
      intake of meals. Chest X-ray showed pulmonary congestion and pleural effusion.
      Computed tomography disclosed a hiatus hernia. Echocardiography demonstrated that
      the motion of the posterior wall in the left ventricle (LV) was paradoxically by
      the hiatus hernia, although LV ejection fraction was preserved. The restriction
      of LV by hiatus hernia could cause heart failure and open surgical repair of the
      hiatus hernia was performed. Dyspnea after the intake of meals disappeared and no
      recurrence of heart failure was observed in the subsequent period of several
      years. 

PMID- 27278614
TI  - Isolated accessory mitral valve tissue in an asymptomatic elderly patient.
AB  - Accessory mitral valve tissue is a membranous or tumor-like structure observed in
      the left ventricular outflow tract. This congenital anomaly has been reported in
      more than 100 cases since 1842; however, most of them were found in patients with
      complex cardiac malformations. We report a 72-year-old Asian woman with isolated
      accessory mitral valve tissue incidentally found during the evaluation of
      hypertension and arrhythmia. Her left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was
      mild. Because worsening of the left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was
      reported in patients without significant obstruction at the time of diagnosis,
      periodical echocardiographic follow-up is necessary. 

PMID- 27278616
TI  - A case of left ventricular aneurysm caused by localized myocardial infarction.
AB  - A 73-year-old man was hospitalized for unstable angina pectoris with no history
      of myocardial infarction. After undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention,
      left ventriculography incidentally revealed a cavity in the anterior wall, and
      echocardiography found the cavity wall to be dyskinetic. Myocardial contrast
      echocardiography revealed that the wall of the cavity was surrounded by
      myocardial tissue with low perfusion. Furthermore, radial strain in the wall of
      the cavity was low. Myocardial scintigraphy showed a localized defect on the
      anterior wall. The patient was finally diagnosed as true aneurysm after
      asymptomatic and localized myocardial infarction, and has since been followed up
      by echocardiography in the outpatient clinic. 

PMID- 27278617
TI  - An echogenic mass on the aortic valve.

PMID- 27278618
TI  - Giant pulmonary artery aneurysm due to pulmonary stenosis.

PMID- 27278619
TI  - Post myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect causing left ventricular
      intramyocardial dissecting hematoma: a very rare complication.

PMID- 27278621
TI  - Aortic redissection after glue repair: a rare echocardiographic finding.

PMID- 27278620
TI  - Patent foramen ovale with a riding vermicular thrombus arising from a pacemaker
      lead.

PMID- 27278622
TI  - A giant right atrial mass: intracavitary extension from hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 27278623
TI  - Increased heart murmur with standing in a case of pectus excavatum.

PMID- 27278625
TI  - Transport of fatty acids within plasma lipoproteins in lactating and non
      lactating cows fed on fish oil and hydrogenated palm oil.
AB  - The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of dietary fish oil (FO) and a
      blend of FO and hydrogenated palm oil (FOPO) on transport of fatty acids (FA)
      within plasma lipoproteins in lactating and non-lactating cows. Two trials were
      conducted (one with lactating and another with non-lactating dairy cows) in two 3
      * 3 Latin squares that included three periods of 21 days. Dietary treatments for
      lactating cows consisted of a basal diet (Control; no fat supplement), and fat
      supplemented diets containing FO (500 g/day/cow) and FOPO (250 FO + 250 g/day/cow
      hydrogenated palm oil). For non-lactating cows, dietary treatments consisted of a
      basal diet (Control; no fat supplement), and fat-supplemented diets containing FO
      (170 g/day/cow) and FOPO (85 FO + 85 hydrogenated palm oil g/day/cow). In
      lactating cows, compared with control and FOPO, FO increased C16:0, C18:3 cis-9,
      12, 15, C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 and total saturated and polyunsaturated FA in
      plasma and increased C16:0, C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, total polyunsaturated and
      total polyunsaturated n-6 in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), whereas in non
      lactating cows, compared with control and FOPO, FO increased C16:0, C18:1 trans
      11, C18:2 trans-9, 12, C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, C20:5 n-3 and total saturated and
      polyunsaturated FA in plasma; C16:0, C18:1 trans-11, C18:1 cis-9, C18:2 trans-9,
      12, C20:5 n-3 and total monounsaturated FA in HDL; and C18:1 trans-6-8, C18:1
      trans-9, C18:1 trans-10, C18:1 trans-11, C18:3 cis-9, 12, 15 and C20:5 n-3 in low
      density lipoprotein (LDL). FO increased C20:5 n-3 in plasma and lipoproteins in
      non-lactating cows and increased C18:3 cis-9, 12, 15 in plasma (in lactating
      cows) and LDL (in non-lactating cows). We concluded from results of this study
      that in bovine plasma, the LDL fraction appears to be the main lipoprotein
      transporting C18:1 trans isomers and is more responsive than other lipoprotein
      fractions to variation in supply of dietary lipids.

PMID- 27278624
TI  - Macrophages transfer antigens to dendritic cells by releasing exosomes containing
      dead-cell-associated antigens partially through a ceramide-dependent pathway to
      enhance CD4(+) T-cell responses.
AB  - Defects in rapid clearance of apoptotic cells lead to an accumulation of dead
      cells (late apoptotic or secondary necrotic cells), which results in an aberrant
      immune response. However, little is known about whether and how macrophages
      (Mphis) cooperate with dendritic cells (DCs) in the presentation of dead-cell
      associated antigens in this process. By transferring high numbers of dead cells
      to mimic a failure of apoptotic cell clearance in vivo, we found that Mphis and
      neutrophils were the predominant phagocytes in the uptake of dead cells in the
      spleen. Moreover, both Mphis and DCs were required for an optimal CD4(+) T-cell
      response triggered by dead-cell-associated antigens. Importantly, although Mphis
      alone had a poor capacity for antigen presentation, they could transfer
      phagocytosed antigens to DCs for potent antigen presentation to enhance T-cell
      responses. Finally, we found that exosomes released from Mphis acted as a
      transmitter to convey antigens to DCs partially in a ceramide-dependent manner,
      since treatment with the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor GW4869 and
      spiroepoxide resulted in a significant reduction of T-cell proliferation in vitro
      and in vivo. These findings point to a novel pathway of cross-talk between Mphis
      and DCs, which will be helpful to explain possible mechanisms for autoimmune
      diseases characterized by increased rates of apoptosis.

PMID- 27278627
TI  - Male-specific colon motility dysfunction in the TashT mouse line.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), the absence of myenteric neural
      ganglia in the distal bowel prevents motility and thereby causes functional
      intestinal obstruction. Although surgical resection of the aganglionic segment
      allows HSCR children to survive this condition, a number of patients still suffer
      from impaired motility despite having myenteric ganglia in their postoperative
      distal bowel. Such phenomenon is also observed in patients suffering from other
      enteric neuropathies and, in both cases, colonic dysmotility is believed to
      result from abnormalities of myenteric ganglia and/or associated interstitial
      cells of Cajal (ICC). To better understand this, we used a recently described
      HSCR mouse model called TashT. METHODS: Intestinal motility parameters were
      assessed and correlated with extent of aganglionosis and with neuronal density in
      ganglionated regions. The neural composition of the myenteric plexus and the
      status of ICC networks was also evaluated using immunofluorescence. KEY RESULTS:
      TashT(Tg/Tg) mice display a strong male bias in the severity of both colonic
      aganglionosis and hypoganglionosis, which are associated with male-specific
      reduced colonic motility. TashT(Tg/Tg) male mice also exhibit a specific increase
      in nNos(+) neurons that is restricted to the most distal ganglionated regions. In
      contrast, Calretinin(+) myenteric neurons, Sox10(+) myenteric glial cells, and
      cKit(+) ICC are not affected in TashT(Tg/Tg) mice. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES:
      Male-specific impairment of colonic motility in TashT(Tg/Tg) mice is associated
      with both severe hypoganglionosis and myenteric neuronal imbalance. Considering
      these parameters in the clinic might be important for the management of
      postoperative HSCR patients.

PMID- 27278626
TI  - Small RNA transcriptomes of mangroves evolve adaptively in extreme environments.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are key players
      in plant stress responses. Here, we present the sRNA transcriptomes of mangroves
      Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Kandelia candel. Comparative computational analyses and
      target predictions revealed that mangroves exhibit distinct sRNA regulatory
      networks that differ from those of glycophytes. A total of 32 known and three
      novel miRNA families were identified. Conserved and mangrove-specific miRNA
      targets were predicted; the latter were widely involved in stress responses. The
      known miRNAs showed differential expression between the mangroves and
      glycophytes, reminiscent of the adaptive stress-responsive changes in
      Arabidopsis. B. gymnorrhiza possessed highly abundant but less conserved TAS3
      trans-acting siRNAs (tasiRNAs) in addition to tasiR-ARFs, with expanded potential
      targets. Our results indicate that the evolutionary alteration of sRNA expression
      levels and the rewiring of sRNA-regulatory networks are important mechanisms
      underlying stress adaptation. We also identified sRNAs that are involved in salt
      and/or drought tolerance and nutrient homeostasis as possible contributors to
      mangrove success in stressful environments.

PMID- 27278628
TI  - Genetic divergence of enterovirus D68 in China and the United States.
AB  - The largest outbreak of human enterovirus 68 (EV-D68) infections associated with
      severe respiratory illness and neurological complications emerged from the United
      States in 2014. China reported the circulation of EV-D68 since 2006, but these
      cases were sporadic and did not display neurological symptoms. Yet viral
      determinants responsible for the difference in prevalence between China and the
      U.S. were not clear. We analyzed the genome of 64 reported Chinese EV-D68 strains
      and found that genogroup replacement has occurred in China since 2006. The six
      coding mutations (M291T, V341A, T860N, D927N, S1108G and R2005K) associated with
      neurovirulence reported in American strains were not found in Chinese strains.
      Moreover, 2014 Chinese strains had a unique R220A mutation in the puff region of
      VP2 while R220E mutation occurred in other strains. Like other enteroviruses, the
      loop sequences of the domain X and Y in the 3'-UTR of the Chinese strains are
      complementary. However, the X loop sequences of the 2014 American strains were
      not complementary but identical to Y loop sequences. These results indicate that
      different EV-D68 strains circulated in China and America and the mutations might
      be responsible for different prevalence. Our findings also provide new evidence
      for the sequence diversity of EV-D68.

PMID- 27278629
TI  - Surgical anatomy of the right hepatic artery in Rouviere's sulcus evaluated by
      preoperative multidetector-row CT images.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymph node dissection in Rouviere's sulcus (RS) is essential during
      left-sided hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
      However, the small segmental or subsegmental arteries (SA/SSA) are often
      encountered in RS and must be preserved to prevent critical complications, such
      as liver infarction or liver failure. The aim of this study is to elucidate the
      anatomy of SA/SSA around RS, which should be understood preoperatively. METHODS:
      Between January 2008 and April 2013 from a total of 124 consecutive patients with
      hilar cholangiocarcinoma, preoperative multidetector-row computed tomography
      (MDCT) images were obtained at our institution and evaluated. The bifurcation
      patterns of the SA/SSA, the courses of the posterior SA/SSA and the bifurcation
      site of the SA/SSA were investigated using MDCT images. RESULTS: The typical
      form, in which right hepatic artery (RHA) bifurcated into the anterior (Aant) and
      posterior (Apost) hepatic artery and thereafter, Aant/Apost bifurcated into the
      SA and SSA, was observed in 75 patients (60.5 %). On the other hand, the atypical
      forms, in which the SA/SSA were independently branched off from RHA before the
      main bifurcation of the Aant and Apost, were observed in 43 patients (34.7 %).
      The prior branched arteries supplied the whole or ventral area of segment VI (A6
      or A6a) in 11 patients (8.9 %), which was most commonly observed in the atypical
      form. 15 patients (34.9 %) of the 43 patients with atypical form had partially
      supraportal posterior branches, that showed early-bifurcated posterior SA/SAA
      following supraportal course, while the other posterior SA/SSA followed
      infraportal course. The SA/SSA were extrahepatically bifurcated in 82 patients
      (66.1 %), comprised of all 43 atypical form and 39 of typical form, while the
      SA/SSA were intrahepatically bifurcated in remaining 36 patients of typical forms
      (29.0 %). CONCLUSION: The extrahepatic bifurcation of the SA/SSA from RHA was
      relatively common. The early-bifurcated SA/SSA was often observed (34.7 % of
      total cohort) and, in 34.8 % of those atypical forms, posterior SA/SSA from RHA
      followed a supraportal course. The detailed preoperative knowledge of the
      anatomy, including SA/SSA, is crucial for left-sided hepatectomy for hilar
      cholangiocarcinoma.

PMID- 27278630
TI  - Screening for Congenital Heart Disease in Infants with Down Syndrome: Is
      Universal Echocardiography Necessary?
AB  - Current guidelines recommend that all neonates with Down syndrome (DS) be
      screened for congenital heart disease (CHD) with an echocardiogram. We sought to
      determine the effectiveness of a more accessible and less expensive screening
      strategy consisting of physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), and chest X
      ray. The Intermountain Healthcare Enterprise Data Warehouse was used to identify
      infants with a positive karyotype for DS who were born between January 1, 2000,
      and June 30, 2012. Infants with the results of an echocardiogram, physical
      examination, ECG, and chest X-ray documented at age <=6 months were included.
      Infants with an abnormality on physical examination, ECG, or chest X-ray were
      considered to have a positive screen. Echocardiography was the gold standard for
      calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for
      major CHD, defined as any heart defect that would typically require intervention
      during early childhood. Of 408 eligible infants, 240 (59 %) had major CHD, of
      whom 228 (95 %) had a positive screen. Screening missed eight infants with
      moderate/large patent ductus arteriosus and four infants with a moderate/large
      atrial septal defect. In 11 of these infants, the defect resolved spontaneously
      by age <=4 months. One infant had a moderate atrial septal defect persisting at 2
      year follow-up. Sensitivity and specificity of the screening for detecting CHD
      were 95 % (CI 92-98 %) and 41 % (CI 32-47 %); positive and negative predictive
      values were 69 % (CI 63-73 %) and 85 % (CI 75-92 %). Screening with physical
      examination, ECG, and chest X-ray is an effective method of identifying which
      infants with DS should have an echocardiogram. This method would have resulted in
      69 (17 %) fewer echocardiograms without missing infants with major CHD. 

PMID- 27278631
TI  - Initial Experience with the Nit-Occlud ASD-R: Short-Term Results.
AB  - We aim to assess the safety, feasibility and efficacy of the new Nit-Occlud ASD-R
      (NOASD-R) device. From 2014 to 2015, transcatheter closure of atrial septal
      defect (ASD) using the NOASD-R was performed in 30 consecutive patients. The
      standard deployment technique as the left upper pulmonary vein approach was used
      in 25 patients. Right upper pulmonary vein approach was required in five. The
      median age was 6 years (range 3.5-60 years), and median weight was 21.5 kg (14-79
      kg). Implantation was successful in all patients. The median size of devices was
      16 mm (12.0-26.0 mm). The mean device size/2D defect diameter ratio was 1.26 +/-
      0.09 (1.12-1.40). The mean device size/color flow diameter ratio was 1.07 +/-
      0.06 (range 1.0-1.22). Releasing problem was encountered in three patients. A
      device-related erosion on the day after the closure was observed in one patient.
      No further device-related complication (erosion, embolization or dislodgement of
      the device) was encountered in a median follow-up period of 10 months (range 2-14
      months). Complete occlusion has occurred in all at follow-up. NOASD-R is a
      feasible and effective device for use in the transcatheter occlusion of moderate
      to large secundum ASDs in selected patients. The occurrence of the erosion on the
      right atrial roof may be due to the high localization of the device and the
      larger size of the right disk. 

PMID- 27278632
TI  - Diagnostic Utility of Three-Dimensional Rotational Angiography in Congenital
      Cardiac Catheterization.
AB  - We evaluated the diagnostic utility of the three modalities of three-dimensional
      rotational angiography (3DRA): rotational angiography (RA), multiplanar reformat
      (MPR) and three-dimensional angiographic reconstruction (3D-R) in pediatric
      cardiac catheterization. The 3DRA studies were classified by anatomy of interest
      based on our injection protocol: pulmonary arteries (PA), aorta, cavopulmonary
      connection (CPC), and others. Retrospective review of 3DRA images by two
      reviewers for each modality was conducted with grading as inferior, similar, or
      superior in comparison with the diagnostic quality of fixed-plane angiography
      (FPA). The percentages of grades for each modality were averaged. Weighted kappa
      statistic was used to evaluate inter-rater reliability. In total, 114 3DRA
      studies were performed on 87 patients between August 2010 and March 2012. Median
      age was 2.7 years (1 day-48.4 years) and median weight 12.1 kg (3.6-106.5 kg).
      For RA: 79.4 % of the studies were of diagnostic quality and 52.2 % were
      superior; 3D-R: 82 % were of diagnostic quality and 65.8 % were superior; and
      MPR: 83.5 % were of diagnostic quality and 63 % were superior. Overall 3DRA
      technologies (RA, 3D-R, MPR) were of diagnostic quality or better in 111/114
      (97.4 %) studies and 103/114 (90.4 %) were judged superior. Most common reasons
      for inferior grading were limited opacification and metallic artifact. In
      pediatric cardiac catheterization, 3DRA imaging was of diagnostic quality and
      frequently provided additional clinically relevant data when compared to FPA. 

PMID- 27278633
TI  - Early Postoperative Albumin Administration Contributes to Morbidity After the
      Fontan Operation.
AB  - The Fontan operation has low mortality, but is associated with significant
      postoperative morbidity, including prolonged chest tube output (PCTO), which is
      associated with prolonged hospital length of stay (PLOS). We sought to identify
      variables present early in the clinical course that could predict patients at
      high risk for PCTO and PLOS. Retrospective data were collected on 84 Fontan
      (extracardiac conduit) operations from 1/2008 to 12/2013 at a single institution.
      PCTO was defined as >=8 days (>75th percentile); PLOS was defined as >=12 days
      postoperatively (>75th percentile). Multivariate regression was used to determine
      covariates associated with PCTO and PLOS. Median age was 3.5 years (IQR 3-5);
      weight was 14.5 kg (IQR 13-17). There was no mortality. LOS was 9 days (IQR 3
      11), and duration of chest tube drainage 6 days (IQR 5-8) at 15 ml/kg/day (IQR 9
      20). In univariate analysis, only systemic right ventricle, 24-h 5 % albumin
      administration, 24-h fluid balance, and 12-h inotrope score were associated with
      PCTO. In multivariate analysis, only 5 % albumin administration in first 24 h (p
      < 0.001) and PCTO were independently associated with PLOS. ROC curve analysis
      showed patients receiving >25 ml/kg of 5 % albumin in first 24-h predicted PLOS
      (94 % specificity, 93 % sensitivity, AUC = 0.95, p < 0.001). Increased colloid in
      the first 24-h post-CPB strongly predicts PCTO and PLOS after Fontan operation,
      potentially providing an early identification of a cohort with unfavorable Fontan
      physiology. A better understanding of the role of colloid resuscitation after
      Fontan is necessary, and efforts to reduce perioperative colloid administration
      could decrease hospital morbidity. 

PMID- 27278634
TI  - Consumers' Patient Portal Preferences and Health Literacy: A Survey Using
      Crowdsourcing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: eHealth apps have the potential to meet the information needs of
      patient populations and improve health literacy rates. However, little work has
      been done to document perceived usability of portals and health literacy of
      specific topics. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to establish a baseline of lung cancer
      health literacy and perceived portal usability. METHODS: A survey based on
      previously validated instruments was used to assess a baseline of patient portal
      usability and health literacy within the domain of lung cancer. The survey was
      distributed via Amazon's Mechanical Turk to 500 participants. RESULTS: Our
      results show differences in preferences and literacy by demographic cohorts, with
      a trend of chronically ill patients having a more positive reception of patient
      portals and a higher health literacy rate of lung cancer knowledge (P<.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: This article provides a baseline of usability needs and health
      literacy that suggests that chronically ill patients have a greater preference
      for patient portals and higher level of health literacy within the domain of lung
      cancer.

PMID- 27278635
TI  - Second denervation in a patient with resistant hypertension.

PMID- 27278637
TI  - Differential Toxicities of Nickel Salts to the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - This study focused on assessing whether nickel (Ni) toxicity to the nematode
      Caenorhabditis elegans was affected by the molecular structure of the Ni salt
      used. Nematodes were exposed to seven Ni salts [Ni sulfate hexahydrate
      (NiSO4.6H2O), Ni chloride hexahydrate (NiCl2.6H2O), Ni acetate tetrahydrate
      (Ni(OCOCH3)2.4H2O), Ni nitrate hexahydrate (N2NiO6.6H2O), anhydrous Ni iodide
      (NiI2), Ni sulfamate hydrate (Ni(SO3NH2)2.H2O), and Ni fluoride tetrahydrate
      (NiF2.4H2O)] in an aquatic medium for 24 h, and lethality curves were generated
      and analyzed. Ni fluoride, Ni iodide, and Ni chloride were most toxic to C.
      elegans, followed by Ni nitrate, Ni sulfamate, Ni acetate, and Ni sulfate. The
      LC50 values of the halogen-containing salts were statistically different from the
      corresponding value of the least toxic salt, Ni sulfate. This finding is
      consistent with the expected high bioavailability of free Ni ions in halide
      solutions. We recommend that the halide salts be used in future Ni testing
      involving aquatic invertebrates. 

PMID- 27278636
TI  - Chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation and papillary muscle infarction detected by
      late gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with ST
      segment elevation myocardial infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both papillary muscle infarction (PMI) and chronic ischemic mitral
      regurgitation (CIMR) are associated with reduced survival after myocardial
      infarction. The influence of PMI on CIMR and factors influencing both entities
      are incompletely understood. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the influence of
      PMI on CIMR after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment
      elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to define independent predictors of
      PMI and CIMR. METHODS: Between January 2011 and May 2013, 263 patients (mean age
      57.8 +/- 11.5 years) underwent late gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic
      resonance imaging and transthoracic echocardiography 4 months after PCI for
      STEMI. Infarct size, PMI, and mitral valve and left ventricular geometric and
      functional parameters were assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were
      performed to identify predictors of PMI and CIMR (>=grade 2+). RESULTS: PMI was
      present in 61 patients (23 %) and CIMR was present in 86 patients (33 %). In
      patients with PMI, 52 % had CIMR, and in patients without PMI, 27 % had CIMR (P <
      0.001). In multivariate analyses, infarct size [odds ratio (OR) 1.09 (95 %
      confidence interval 1.04-1.13), P < 0.001], inferior MI [OR 4.64 (1.04-20.62), P
      = 0.044], and circumflex infarct-related artery [OR 8.21 (3.80-17.74), P < 0.001]
      were independent predictors of PMI. Age [OR 1.08 (1.04-1.11), P < 0.001], infarct
      size [OR 1.09 (1.03-1.16), P = 0.003], tethering height [OR 19.30 (3.28-113.61),
      P = 0.001], and interpapillary muscle distance [OR 3.32 (1.31-8.42), P = 0.011]
      were independent predictors of CIMR. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of PMI is mainly
      associated with inferior infarction and infarction in the circumflex coronary
      artery. Although the prevalence of CIMR is almost doubled in the presence of PMI,
      PMI is not an independent predictor of CIMR. Tethering height and interpapillary
      muscle distance are the strongest independent predictors of CIMR.

PMID- 27278639
TI  - I see what you are saying.
AB  - The motor cortex in the brain tracks lip movements to help with speech
      perception. 

PMID- 27278638
TI  - PRDM8 internal promoter hyperhydroxymethylation correlates with increased
      expression of the corresponding transcript in Down syndrome.
AB  - Down syndrome (DS) is the most common form of intellectual disability associated
      with central nervous system abnormalities and results from an extra complete or
      partial copy of human chromosome 21. However, whether DNA hydroxymethylation is
      perturbed in a specific gene associated with DS phenotypes, or the alteration of
      DNA hydroxymethy-lation results in changes of gene expression in DS remains
      unidentified. The current study mapped 5-methylcytosine and 5
      hydroxymethylcytosine at CpG islands of the PR domain containing 8 (PRDM8) in the
      peripheral blood of 16 DS and 19 normal samples by oxidative bisulfite
      pyrosequencing. Furthermore, the association of the expression levels of the two
      transcripts and epigenetic modification in different genomic contexts of PRDM8
      was analyzed. The results demonstrated hypermethylation and
      hyperhydroxymethylation at the internal promoter of PRDM8 in DS, and
      significantly increased the expression of PRDM8 transcript variant 2 in the DS
      patients (median 3.9 vs. 2.04; P=0.016), accompanied by a positive correlation
      between the expression of two PRDM8 transcripts and hydroxymethylation at the
      corresponding external and internal promoters in patients, although not in the
      controls. A similar association was observed between the expression of transcript
      variant 1 and intragenic methylation of PRDM8. Taken together, the results of the
      present study suggest a critical role for DNA hydroxymethylation and methylation
      in regulating abnormal PRDM8 overexpression in DS. 

PMID- 27278640
TI  - Discriminative Stimulus Properties of Phytocannabinoids, Endocannabinoids, and
      Synthetic Cannabinoids.
AB  - Psychoactive cannabinoids from the marijuana plant (phytocannabinoids), from the
      body (endocannabinoids), and from the research lab (synthetic cannabinoids)
      produce their discriminative stimulus effects by stimulation of CB1 receptors in
      the brain. Early discrimination work with phytocannabinoids confirmed that Delta9
      tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) is the primary psychoactive constituent of the
      marijuana plant, with more recent work focusing on characterization of the
      contribution of the major endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol
      (2-AG), to Delta9-THC-like internal states. Collectively, these latter studies
      suggest that endogenous increases in both anandamide and 2-AG seem to be optimal
      for mimicking Delta9-THC's discriminative stimulus effects, although
      suprathreshold concentrations of anandamide also appear to be Delta9-THC-like in
      discrimination assays. Recently, increased abuse of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g.,
      "fake marijuana") has spurred discrimination studies to inform regulatory
      authorities by predicting which of the many synthetic compounds on the illicit
      market are most likely to share Delta9-THC's abuse liability. In the absence of a
      reliable model of cannabinoid self-administration (specifically, Delta9-THC self
      administration), cannabinoid discrimination represents the most validated and
      pharmacologically selective animal model of an abuse-related property of
      cannabinoids - i.e., marijuana's subjective effects. The influx of recent papers
      in which cannabinoid discrimination is highlighted attests to its continued
      relevance as a valuable method for scientific study of cannabinoid use and abuse.

PMID- 27278641
TI  - Mechanisms of Inflammation-Associated Depression: Immune Influences on Tryptophan
      and Phenylalanine Metabolisms.
AB  - Metabolic parameters have a direct role in the regulation of immune cell
      function. Thereby the inflammation-induced metabolism of aromatic amino acids,
      most importantly of tryptophan and phenylalanine, plays a central role. In
      addition, neuropsychiatric conditions that go along with disorders that are
      characterized by acute or chronic inflammation, such as the development of
      depression, decreased quality of life or cognitive impairments, are connected to
      disturbed amino acid and subsequent neurotransmitter metabolism.The bioanalytical
      procedures for the determination of concentrations of tryptophan and
      phenylalanine and their respective first stable intermediates kynurenine and
      tyrosine as well as some analytical finesses and potential sources of errors are
      discussed in this chapter. Monitoring of these immunometabolic parameters
      throughout therapies in addition to biomarkers of immune response and
      inflammation such as neopterin can be useful to determine disease progression but
      also to plan psychiatric interventions timely, thus to establish personalized
      treatments.

PMID- 27278642
TI  - The Promise and Limitations of Anti-Inflammatory Agents for the Treatment of
      Major Depressive Disorder.
AB  - This review provides a critical perspective on recent meta-analyses suggesting
      that several anti-inflammatory modalities, including nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), omega-3 fatty acids, and cytokine antagonist,
      possess generalizable antidepressant properties. By examining confounds and
      limitations in the available literature it is suggested that current data suggest
      that only a sub-group of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) have
      evidence of increased inflammatory biomarkers and it is in these individuals that
      anti-inflammatory agents show promise for reducing depressive symptoms. The
      treatment implications of this cautionary perspective are discussed.

PMID- 27278643
TI  - Author response: The essense of primum no nocere--striking a balance between
      benefit and harm.

PMID- 27278644
TI  - The use of a three-dimensional endoscope for different skull base tumors: results
      of a preliminary extended endonasal surgical series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The evolution of skull base surgery over the past decade has been
      influenced by advancement in visualization technology. Recently, as a result of
      such improvements, three-dimensional (3-D) scopes have been widely used during
      endoscopic endonasal approaches. In the present study, we describe the use of 3-D
      stereoscopic endoscope for the treatment of a variety of skull base lesions.
      METHODS: From January 2010 to June 2015, a 3-D endoscopic endonasal approach (4
      and 4.9 mm, 0 degrees , and 30 degrees  rigid endoscopes) was performed in 70
      patients with the following lesions: 42 large extrasellar pituitary
      macroadenomas, seven tuberculum sellae meningiomas, seven clivus chordomas, five
      craniopharyngiomas, three fibrous dysplasia of the clivus, three sinonasal
      malignancies, one orbital lymphangioma, one trigeminal neurinoma, one primary
      suprasellar lymphoma. RESULTS: Total tumor removal was obtained in 50 patients
      (71.4 %) while in 14 (20 %), subtotal removal was possible in six (8.6 %) only
      partial removal was achieved. Overall complications included diabetes insipidus
      in eight patients (11.4 %), hypopituitarism in seven patients (10 %), CSF leak in
      five patients (7.1 %), cranial nerve injury in two patients (2.8 %),
      panhypopituitarism in two patients (2.8 %), meningitis in one (1.4 %) and one
      postoperative central retinal artery occlusion (1.4 %). There was no mortality in
      the series. The mean follow-up time was 39 months (range, 6-72 months).
      CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the 3-D endoscope represents a critical
      development in visualization, thus enabling improved hand-eye coordination and
      depth perception, which are mandatory for the management of complex intradural
      neurovascular structures during tumor removal surgery.

PMID- 27278645
TI  - Evidence for cohesin sliding along budding yeast chromosomes.
AB  - The ring-shaped cohesin complex is thought to topologically hold sister
      chromatids together from their synthesis in S phase until chromosome segregation
      in mitosis. How cohesin stably binds to chromosomes for extended periods, without
      impeding other chromosomal processes that also require access to the DNA, is
      poorly understood. Budding yeast cohesin is loaded onto DNA by the Scc2-Scc4
      cohesin loader at centromeres and promoters of active genes, from where cohesin
      translocates to more permanent places of residence at transcription termination
      sites. Here we show that, at the GAL2 and MET17 loci, pre-existing cohesin is
      pushed downstream along the DNA in response to transcriptional gene activation,
      apparently without need for intermittent dissociation or reloading. We observe
      translocation intermediates and find that the distribution of most chromosomal
      cohesin is shaped by transcription. Our observations support a model in which
      cohesin is able to slide laterally along chromosomes while maintaining
      topological contact with DNA. In this way, stable cohesin binding to DNA and
      enduring sister chromatid cohesion become compatible with simultaneous underlying
      chromosomal activities, including but maybe not limited to transcription.

PMID- 27278646
TI  - The evolution of scale sensilla in the transition from land to sea in elapid
      snakes.
AB  - Scale sensilla are small tactile mechanosensory organs located on the head scales
      of many squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes). In sea snakes and sea kraits
      (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae), these scale organs are presumptive scale sensilla that
      purportedly function as both tactile mechanoreceptors and potentially as
      hydrodynamic receptors capable of sensing the displacement of water. We combined
      scanning electron microscopy, silicone casting of the skin and quadrate sampling
      with a phylogenetic analysis to assess morphological variation in sensilla on the
      postocular head scale(s) across four terrestrial, 13 fully aquatic and two semi
      aquatic species of elapids. Substantial variation exists in the overall coverage
      of sensilla (0.8-6.5%) among the species sampled and is broadly overlapping in
      aquatic and terrestrial lineages. However, two observations suggest a divergent,
      possibly hydrodynamic sensory role of sensilla in sea snake and sea krait
      species. First, scale sensilla are more protruding (dome-shaped) in aquatic
      species than in their terrestrial counterparts. Second, exceptionally high
      overall coverage of sensilla is found only in the fully aquatic sea snakes, and
      this attribute appears to have evolved multiple times within this group. Our
      quantification of coverage as a proxy for relative 'sensitivity' represents the
      first analysis of the evolution of sensilla in the transition from terrestrial to
      marine habitats. However, evidence from physiological and behavioural studies is
      needed to confirm the functional role of scale sensilla in sea snakes and sea
      kraits.

PMID- 27278648
TI  - The missing link: does tunnelling nanotube-based supercellularity provide a new
      understanding of chronic and lifestyle diseases?
AB  - Tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs) are increasingly recognized as central players in a
      multitude of cellular mechanisms and diseases. Although their existence and
      functions in animal organisms are still elusive, emerging evidence suggests that
      they are involved in developmental processes, tissue regeneration, viral
      infections or pathogen transfer, stem cell differentiation, immune responses as
      well as initiation and progression of neurodegenerative disorders and cancer (see
      Sisakhtnezhad & Khosravi 2015 Eur. J. Cell Biol. 94, 429-443.
      (doi:10.1016/j.ejcb.2015.06.010)). A broader field of vision, including their
      striking functional and structural resemblance with nanotube-mediated phenomena
      found throughout the phylogenetic tree, from plants down to bacteria, points to a
      universal, conserved and tightly regulated mechanism of cellular assemblies.
      Based on our initial definition of TNTs as open-ended channels mediating membrane
      continuity between connected cells (Rustom et al. 2004 Science 303, 1007-1010.
      (doi:10.1126/science.1093133)), it is suggested that animal tissues represent
      supercellular assemblies that-besides opening discrete communication pathways
      balance diverse stress factors caused by pathological changes or fluctuating
      physiological and environmental conditions, such as oxidative stress or nutrient
      shortage. By combining current knowledge about nanotube formation, intercellular
      transfer and communication phenomena as well as associated molecular pathways, a
      model evolves, predicting that the linkage between reactive oxygen species, TNT
      based supercellularity and the intercellular shuttling of materials will have
      significant impact on diverse body functions, such as cell survival,
      redox/metabolic homeostasis and mitochondrial heteroplasmy. It implies that TNTs
      are intimately linked to the physiological and pathological state of animal cells
      and represent a central joint element of diverse diseases, such as
      neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes or cancer.

PMID- 27278649
TI  - Connecting caddisworm silk structure and mechanical properties: combined infrared
      spectroscopy and mechanical analysis.
AB  - The underwater silk of an aquatic casemaking caddisfly larvae (Hesperophylax
      occidentalis) is viscoelastic, and displays distinct yield behaviour, large
      strain cycle hysteresis and near complete recovery of its initial strength and
      stiffness when unloaded. Yield followed by a stress plateau has been attributed
      to sequential rupture of serial Ca(2+)-cross-linked phosphoserine (pS) beta
      domains. Spontaneous recovery has been attributed to refolding of the Ca(2+)/pS
      domains powered by an elastic network. In this study, native Ca(2+) ions were
      exchanged with other metal ions, followed by combined mechanical and FTIR
      analysis to probe the contribution of pS/metal ion complexes to silk mechanical
      properties. After exchange of Ca(2+) with Na(+), the fibres are soft elastomers
      and the infrared spectra are consistent with Cv3 symmetry of the -[Formula: see
      text] groups. Multivalent metal ions decreased the -[Formula: see text] symmetry
      and the symmetric stretching modes (vs) split in a manner characteristic of
      ordered phosphate compounds, such as phosphate minerals and lamellar bilayers of
      phosphatidic acid lipids. Integrated intensities of the vs bands, indicative of
      the metal ion's effect on transition dipole moment of the P-O bonds, and thereby
      the strength of the phosphate metal complex, increased in the order: Na(+) <
      Mg(2+) < Sr(2+) < Ba(2+) < Ca(2+) < Eu(3+) < La(3+) < Zn(2+) < Fe(2+) With a
      subset of the metal ion series, the initial stiffness and yield stress of metal
      ion-exchanged fibres increased in the same order: [Formula: see text] [Formula:
      see text] establishing the link between phosphate transition dipole moments and
      silk fibre strength.

PMID- 27278647
TI  - Multidisciplinary approaches to understanding collective cell migration in
      developmental biology.
AB  - Mathematical models are becoming increasingly integrated with experimental
      efforts in the study of biological systems. Collective cell migration in
      developmental biology is a particularly fruitful application area for the
      development of theoretical models to predict the behaviour of complex
      multicellular systems with many interacting parts. In this context, mathematical
      models provide a tool to assess the consistency of experimental observations with
      testable mechanistic hypotheses. In this review, we showcase examples from recent
      years of multidisciplinary investigations of neural crest cell migration. The
      neural crest model system has been used to study how collective migration of cell
      populations is shaped by cell-cell interactions, cell-environmental interactions
      and heterogeneity between cells. The wide range of emergent behaviours exhibited
      by neural crest cells in different embryonal locations and in different organisms
      helps us chart out the spectrum of collective cell migration. At the same time,
      this diversity in migratory characteristics highlights the need to reconcile or
      unify the array of currently hypothesized mechanisms through the next generation
      of experimental data and generalized theoretical descriptions.

PMID- 27278650
TI  - Or47b plays a role in Drosophila males' preference for younger mates.
AB  - Reproductive behaviour is important for animals to keep their species existing on
      Earth. A key question is how to generate more and healthier progenies by choosing
      optimal mates. In Drosophila melanogaster, males use multiple sensory cues,
      including vision, olfaction and gustation, to achieve reproductive success. These
      sensory inputs are important, yet not all these different modalities are
      simultaneously required for courtship behaviour to occur. Moreover, the roles of
      these sensory inputs for male courtship choice remain largely unknown. Here, we
      demonstrate that males court younger females with greater preference and that
      olfactory inputs are indispensable for this male courtship choice. Specifically,
      the olfactory receptor Or47b is required for males to discriminate younger female
      mates from older ones. In combination with our previous work indicating that
      gustatory perception is necessary for this preference behaviour, our current
      study demonstrates the requirement of both olfaction and gustation in Drosophila
      males' courtship preference, thus providing new insights into the role of sensory
      cues in reproductive behaviour and success.

PMID- 27278651
TI  - Has the 'Fast-Track' referral system affected the route of presentation and/or
      clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine whether the 'Fast-Track'
      referral system has changed the route by which patients present with colorectal
      cancer (CRC) and whether the route of presentation has any effect on clinical
      outcome. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with CRC
      under the care of two consultant colorectal surgeons between April 2006 and
      December 2012. The route by which patients presented was categorised as Fast
      Track (FT), non-Fast-Track (non-FT) or acute. Outcome variables were operative
      intent, disease stage and 2- and 5-year survival. RESULTS: A total of 558
      patients were identified. One hundred ninety-seven patients (35.3 %) were
      referred as FT, 108 (19.4 %) presented acutely and 253 patients (45.3 %)
      presented via other routes (non-FT). Over the study period, the route of
      presentation did not change significantly (P = 0.135). There was no significant
      difference between FT and non-FT groups in terms of the proportion of patients
      undergoing potentially curative surgery (70.6 vs 74.3 %, P = 0.092) or with node
      negative disease (48.2 vs 52.2 %, P = 0.796) nor was there any difference in 2
      year or 5-year survival (74.1 vs 73.9 %, P = 0.837 and 52.3 vs 53.8 %, P = 0.889,
      respectively). Patients who presented acutely were less likely to undergo
      curative resection, had more advanced disease and had worse 2- and 5-year
      survival. CONCLUSIONS: The Fast-Track referral system has not affected the route
      by which patients present with CRC nor has it had any effect on clinical
      outcomes. Alternative strategies are required if the desired improvement in
      outcomes is to be achieved.

PMID- 27278652
TI  - The vascular laboratory.

PMID- 27278653
TI  - Conceptualizing Internet use disorders: Addiction or coping process?
AB  - This paper problematizes the tendency to study Internet use disorders from a
      perspective of addiction. It is argued that an addiction perspective, grounded in
      our understanding of substance use disorders, has not contributed much to an
      improved understanding of the antecedents and etiology of Internet use disorders.
      Despite this, researchers continue to frame Internet use disorders as an
      addiction, recently exemplified by the inclusion of Internet gaming disorder in
      the DSM-5 research appendix as a behavioral addiction. This paper claims that the
      decision to use an addiction framework to study Internet use disorders has
      consequences for the way in which results are interpreted, which impacts the
      potential for theoretical and etiological contributions negatively. The paper
      argues that a perspective of addiction may not be the most useful approach
      because it causes a mismatch between theory and findings in empirical work: it is
      not uncommon to find that a study is positioned as a study of addiction, but
      presents findings more illustrative of coping behaviors. The paper draws on two
      examples from the literature to illustrate this mismatch and discusses how this
      hinders theoretical and etiological development. The question that is asked going
      forward is what alternative explanations we might identify by not exclusively
      adhering to an addiction framework for purposes of research. Recommendations are
      given for how to usefully approach the study of Internet use disorders outside a
      framework of addiction. It also discusses how scholars who still prefer a
      framework of addiction might strengthen their conceptual position to ensure
      improved contributions to etiology and theoretical development.

PMID- 27278654
TI  - Enhanced loading regimen of teicoplanin is necessary to achieve therapeutic
      pharmacokinetics levels for the improvement of clinical outcomes in patients with
      renal dysfunction.
AB  - We evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of teicoplanin according to the
      pharmacokinetics (PK) therapeutic level achieved in patients with renal
      dysfunction. Target trough concentration (Cmin) was >=15-30 MUg/ml which has been
      recommended in patients with normal renal function. Adult patients (estimated
      glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) who were treated by
      teicoplanin were included in the study. We adopted two types of regimen for the
      initial 3 days: the conventional regimen, and the enhanced loading regimen (10
      mg/kg twice daily on the 1st day, followed by 6.7-10 mg/kg once daily for the 2nd
      and 3rd days]. Two hundred and eighty-eight patients were evaluated for safety,
      and 106 patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
      infections were evaluated for clinical efficacy. A significantly higher success
      rate was obtained in patients who achieved the target initial Cmin compared with
      those that did not (75.0 % vs 50.0 %, p = 0.008). In a multivariate analysis,
      initial Cmin >=15 MUg/ml was an independent factor for clinical success (adjusted
      odds ratio: 4.20, 95 % confidence interval: 1.34-13.15). In patients with 15-30
      MUg/ml of maximal Cmin during therapy, nephrotoxicity occurred in 13.1 %, and
      hepatotoxicity in 2.6 %, and these incidences were not significantly higher
      compared with those patients with <15 MUg/ml. In conclusion, achievement of Cmin
      of 15-30 MUg/ml without delay was necessary to improve clinical outcomes for the
      treatment by teicoplanin in patients with renal dysfunction. Further
      investigation is required regarding the optimal loading regimen to achieve the
      therapeutic levels in those patients. 

PMID- 27278655
TI  - A prospective longitudinal study of tuberculosis among household contacts of
      smear-positive tuberculosis cases in Lima, Peru.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Household contacts (HHCs) of TB cases are at increased risk for TB
      disease compared to the general population but the risk may be modified by
      individual or household factors. We conducted a study to determine incident TB
      among HHCs over two years after exposure and to identify individual and household
      level risk factors. METHODS: Adults newly diagnosed with a first episode of smear
      positive pulmonary TB (index cases) between March 2010 and December 2011 in
      eastern Lima, were interviewed to identify their HHC and household
      characteristics. TB registers were reviewed for up to two years after the index
      case diagnosis and house visits were made to ascertain TB cases among HHC. The TB
      incidence rate ratio among HHCs as a function of risk factors was determined
      using generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS: The 1178 index cases reported
      5466 HHCs. In 402/1178 (34.1 %) households, at least one HHC had experienced a TB
      episode ever. The TB incidence among HHCs was 1918 (95%CI 1669-2194) per 100,000
      person-years overall, and was 2392 (95%CI 2005-2833) and 1435 (95%CI 1139-1787)
      per 100,000 person-years in the first and second year, respectively. Incident TB
      occurred more than six months following the index case's TB diagnosis in 121/205
      (59.0 %) HHCs. In HHCs, bacillary load and time between symptoms and treatment
      initiation in the index case, as well as the relationship to the index case and
      the sex of the HHC all had a significant association with TB incidence in HHCs.
      CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of TB among HHCs was more than ten times higher than in
      the general population. Certain HHC and households were at higher risk of TB, we
      recommend studies to compare HHC investigation to households at highest risk
      versus current practice, in terms of efficiency.

PMID- 27278656
TI  - Immediate effects of alcohol marketing communications and media portrayals on
      consumption and cognition: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental
      studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Restricting marketing of alcoholic products is purported to be a cost
      effective intervention to reduce alcohol consumption. The strength of evidence
      supporting this claim is contested. This systematic review aimed to assess
      immediate effects of exposure to alcohol marketing on alcoholic beverage
      consumption and related cognitions. METHODS: Electronic searches of nine
      databases, supplemented with reference list searches and forward citation
      tracking, were used to identify randomised, experimental studies assessing
      immediate effects of exposure to alcohol marketing communications on objective
      alcohol consumption (primary outcome), explicit or implicit alcohol-related
      cognitions, or selection without purchasing (secondary outcomes). Study
      limitations were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Random and fixed
      effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate effect sizes. RESULTS: Twenty
      four studies met the eligibility criteria. A meta-analysis integrating seven
      studies (758 participants, all students) found that viewing alcohol
      advertisements increased immediate alcohol consumption relative to viewing non
      alcohol advertisements (SMD = 0.20, 95 % CI = 0.05, 0.34). A meta-analysis
      integrating six studies (631 participants, all students) did not find that
      viewing alcohol portrayals in television programmes or films increased
      consumption (SMD = 0.16, 95 % CI = -0.05, 0.37). Meta-analyses of secondary
      outcome data found that exposure to alcohol portrayals increased explicit alcohol
      related cognitions, but did not find that exposure to alcohol advertisements
      influenced explicit or implicit alcohol-related cognitions. Confidence in results
      is diminished by underpowered analyses and unclear risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS:
      Viewing alcohol advertisements (but not alcohol portrayals) may increase
      immediate alcohol consumption by small amounts, equivalent to between 0.39 and
      2.67 alcohol units for males and between 0.25 and 1.69 units for females. The
      generalizability of this finding beyond students and to other marketing channels
      remains to be established.

PMID- 27278657
TI  - JAK3-STAT pathway blocking benefits in experimental lupus nephritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a complex chronic autoimmune disease of
      unknown etiology characterized by loss of tolerance against several self
      antigens. Cytokines are known to be central players in LN pathogenesis. The Janus
      kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway is one
      important pathway that mediates signal transduction of several cytokines. In this
      study, we examined the pathogenic role of this pathway and how CP-690,550
      treatment influences LN outcome. METHODS: Six-month-old NZB/NZWF1 mice were
      divided into two different treatment groups: (1) control animals given vehicle
      treatment, cyclophosphamide, and mycophenolate mofetil treatment as positive
      controls of the therapy and (2) mice treated with CP-690,550, a JAK3 inhibitor.
      Mice were treated for 12 weeks. We evaluated renal function, anti-double-stranded
      DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody, renal histology changes, kidney complement and
      immunoglobulin G (IgG) deposits, T-cell and macrophage infiltration, kidney
      inflammatory gene expression, and circulating cytokine changes. RESULTS: CP
      690,550 treatment significantly reduced proteinuria and improved renal function
      and histological lesions of the kidney. Compared with vehicle-treated animals,
      those undergoing CP-690,550 treatment showed significantly diminished anti-dsDNA
      antibody and complement component C3 and IgG deposition in glomeruli. We also
      observed a significant reduction of T-cell and macrophage infiltration. Kidney
      gene expression revealed a reduction in inflammatory cytokines and complement and
      related macrophage-attracting genes. Circulating inflammatory cytokines were also
      reduced with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our results, we conclude
      that the JAK-STAT pathway is implicated in the progression of renal inflammation
      in NZB/WF1 mice and that targeting JAK3 with CP-690,550 is effective in slowing
      down the course of experimental LN. Thus, CP-690,550 could become a new
      therapeutic tool in LN and other autoimmune diseases.

PMID- 27278658
TI  - Heterogeneous contraction of the left ventricle demonstrated by 2-dimensional
      strain imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is useful in quantifying regional
      myocardial function, but has a significant limitation of Doppler angle
      dependency. The recently developed 2-dimensional strain imaging (2DS), based on
      speckle tracking imaging (STI) technology, enables us to evaluate myocardial
      function independent of ultrasound beam direction. The aim of this study was to
      assess the mode of contraction of the left ventricle. METHODS: Circumferential,
      radial and longitudinal strains were measured in 18 segments (anteroseptal,
      anterior, anterolateral, inferolateral, inferior and inferoseptal walls at the
      base, mid-ventricle and apex) from apical and short-axis views using 2DS in 24
      healthy subjects (mean age, 33 +/- 5 years). We divided the left ventricle into 2
      sites: septum (anterior, anteroseptal and inferoseptal walls) and free walls
      (anterolateral, inferolateral and inferior walls). We then compared the mode of
      contraction between the septum and free walls. RESULTS: At the base and mid
      ventricular levels, circumferential strain was larger in the septum (-22.6 +/-
      3.6 vs. -18.3 +/- 4.1% and -24.1 +/- 4.8 vs. -18.4 +/- 5.7%, respectively; p <
      0.0001 each), and radial strain was larger in the free walls (33.4 +/- 12.4 vs.
      38.7 +/- 14.5% and 37.8 +/- 12.6 vs. 43.0 +/- 11.6%, respectively; p < 0.001
      each) at the basal and mid-ventricular levels, whereas both were relatively
      homogeneous at the apex. The longitudinal strain did not differ among walls.
      CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneous contraction is seen in the left ventricle. The septum
      mainly contracts circumferentially, whereas the free walls contract radially. 2DS
      is helpful in understanding the mode of 3-dimensional myocardial contraction.

PMID- 27278659
TI  - Gender differences of pulsed and tissue Doppler indexes of left ventricular
      diastolic function in healthy subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine the normative Doppler
      values and gender differences in left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in
      healthy subjects at each decade of life. METHODS: Four hundred sixty-seven male
      and 455 female healthy subjects, aged 20-90 years, underwent standard
      echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. We divided the subjects into seven
      groups, based on the decade of their age (i.e., 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and
      80s), and measured standard echocardiographic parameters and Doppler indices.
      RESULTS: Females younger than 50 years had significantly higher mitral E
      velocity, and females older than 40 years had significantly higher mitral A
      velocity, compared with their male counterparts. There was no difference in
      mitral E to A velocity ratio (E/A) at any age. The tissue Doppler method showed
      significantly lower early diastole velocity of the mitral annulus (E a) in
      females-especially females older than 50 years-than in males (10.7 +/- 3.7 versus
      11.2 +/- 3.7 cm/s, p < 0.025). Mean E/E a ratio was higher in females than in
      males (6.9 +/- 2.4 versus 6.0 +/- 2.0, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our results
      indicate gender differences in Doppler indexes of LV diastolic function in
      healthy subjects. In clinical settings, assessment of LV diastolic function using
      the Doppler method should take into account patient gender.

PMID- 27278660
TI  - Diastolic flow velocity pattern of the left anterior descending coronary artery
      in hypertrophied heart, with special reference to the difference between
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of diastolic flow
      velocity pattern of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in
      patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and the difference in diastolic
      LAD flow velocity pattern between hypertensive LVH and hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy (HCM). METHODS: The flow velocity pattern was recorded at the mid
      portion of the LAD by high-frequency transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in 22
      patients with HCM, 10 hypertensive patients with LVH [LVH(+)HT], and 9
      hypertensive patients without LVH [LVH(-)HT]. The diastolic flow pattern was
      analyzed. Standard two-dimensional echocardiogram and apexcardiogram (ACG) were
      also recorded. RESULTS: The interventricular septal thickness (IVST) and the sum
      of the IVST and LV posterior wall thickness (PWT) (IVST + PWT) were greater in
      HCM than in HT (p < 0.01) patients. Early diastolic upstroke time (D-UT) of the
      LAD flow velocity wave was longest in HCM, and was longer in LVH(+)HT than in
      LVH(-)HT (p < 0.01) patients. Direct correlation was found between D-UT and IVST,
      IVST + PWT in patients with LVH(+)HT and LVH(-)HT (r = 0.80, 0.79, respectively;
      p < 0.01), but no correlation was found between these parameters in HCM. Late
      diastolic step (LDS) formation of the LAD flow velocity wave was observed in 68%
      of HCM, 20% of LVH(+)HT, but none of the LVH(-)HT patients. The A wave ratio of
      ACG was higher in patients with LDS than in those without (p < 0.01). The LDS
      occurred coincidently with the A wave of ACG. CONCLUSIONS: The diastolic LAD flow
      velocity pattern in hypertrophied heart is characterized by slow acceleration and
      LDS formation, reflecting impaired relaxation and increased stiffness of the LV,
      respectively. These abnormalities correlate with the degree of hypertrophy in
      hypertensive heart, but do not correlate with that in HCM.

PMID- 27278662
TI  - Prenatally diagnosed hypoplastic left heart syndrome with intact atrial septum
      and ventriculocoronary arterial fistula.
AB  - Intact atrial septum (IAS) and left ventriculocoronary arterial fistula (LVCAF)
      are the significant risk factors of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), and
      when they are present, prognosis is grim. We report a case of prenatally
      diagnosed HLHS with IAS and LVCAF that was treated with surgical atrial
      septostomy and bilateral pulmonary arterial banding (BPAB) immediately after
      birth. The Doppler flow pattern of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD)
      with dominant retrograde flow was normalized after atrial-septostomy with
      decompression of left atrial (LA) hypertension. This is the first report showing
      the influence of atrial-septostomy on coronary flow in HLHS patient with LVCAF. 

PMID- 27278661
TI  - End-systolic and end-diastolic left atrial volume assessment by two-dimensional
      echocardiography: a comparison study with magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The left atrial volume (LAV) is an important indicator of the
      severity of certain diseases, and measuring LAV through the cardiac cycle may
      enable the evaluation of various left atrium (LA) functional parameters. The
      results of two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic LAV measurement methods vary,
      and no technique is accepted as being optimal. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the
      accuracy of end-systolic and end-diastolic LAV measurements by 2D
      echocardiography with those obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
      METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients who underwent both echocardiography and MRI
      due to clinical reasons with nonselective cardiac disease were studied. LAVs by
      2D echocardiography were obtained with the prolate ellipsoid (PE), biplane area
      length (AL), and modified Simpson's (MS) methods. RESULTS: End-systolic and end
      diastolic LAVs calculated by each method correlated significantly with MRI
      results (P < 0.0001). The prolate ellipsoid method provided LAVs that most
      correlated with MRI results, and the biplane area-length and modified Simpson's
      methods provided LAVs with small mean differences (<5 ml) compared to MRI
      results. CONCLUSION: All three methods of 2D echocardiographic LAV measurement
      provide valuable LAV data, suggesting the possibility of evaluating various LA
      functional parameters.

PMID- 27278663
TI  - Rapidly progressing multiple cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma.

PMID- 27278664
TI  - Neural pathways in processing of sexual arousal: a dynamic causal modeling study.
AB  - Three decades of research have investigated brain processing of visual sexual
      stimuli with neuroimaging methods. These researchers have found that sexual
      arousal stimuli elicit activity in a broad neural network of cortical and
      subcortical brain areas that are known to be associated with cognitive,
      emotional, motivational and physiological components. However, it is not
      completely understood how these neural systems integrate and modulated incoming
      information. Therefore, we identify cerebral areas whose activations were
      correlated with sexual arousal using event-related functional magnetic resonance
      imaging and used the dynamic causal modeling method for searching the effective
      connectivity about the sexual arousal processing network. Thirteen heterosexual
      males were scanned while they passively viewed alternating short trials of erotic
      and neutral pictures on a monitor. We created a subset of seven models based on
      our results and previous studies and selected a dominant connectivity model.
      Consequently, we suggest a dynamic causal model of the brain processes mediating
      the cognitive, emotional, motivational and physiological factors of human male
      sexual arousal. These findings are significant implications for the
      neuropsychology of male sexuality. 

PMID- 27278665
TI  - Comorbid Depression and Other Predictors of PTSD Severity in Urban Public Transit
      Employees.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to determine whether post traumatic stress disorder
      (PTSD) with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) among urban public transit employees
      who were exposed to a workplace traumatic event is associated with greater PTSD
      severity over the 6-month follow-up period compared to PTSD without MDD, and also
      to identify predictors of PTSD severity among these employees. Information about
      Axis-I diagnosis and PTSD severity were collected from the SCID-I and the
      Modified PTSD Symptom Scale (MPSS) respectively. PTSD without MDD (N = 29) and
      PTSD with MDD (N = 37) groups were not significantly different in terms of PTSD
      severity. The severity of depression (p = 0.01), female (p = 0.01), non-Caucasian
      (p = 0.01), perceived high workplace related stress (p = 0.02), and history of
      lifetime trauma (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with greater PTSD
      severity after controlling other variables. This study highlights the importance
      of modifiable variables for reducing PTSD severity after a workplace traumatic
      event in transit employees.

PMID- 27278666
TI  - Bone marrow transplantation versus immunosuppressive therapy in patients with
      acquired severe aplastic anemia.
AB  - Standard front-line treatment for acquired aplastic anemia (AA) for patients is
      either immunosuppressive therapy (IST) or bone marrow transplantation (BMT),
      usually from an HLA identical sibling. Whereas long-term survival is comparable
      with either treatment, important differences remain: IST patients may have
      incomplete or no recovery, are exposed to late clonal disorders and relapse of
      the original disease. Transplantation is a curative treatment, but patients are
      exposed to transplant-related complications both acute and chronic, such as
      chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD). In the year 2000, a study by the
      European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), looked at failure
      free survival (FFS), in patients receiving first-line BMT from an HLA identical
      sibling, or the first-line IST. Young patients with low neutrophil counts
      benefited of the first-line BMT; the opposite was true for older patients with
      higher neutrophil counts; and a third intermediate group of patients had
      comparable survival irrespective of the first-line therapy. We have now studied a
      more recent cohort of patients to assess whether things have changed over the
      years. We have found similar results, although overall survival has improved, as
      a consequence of changes in the IST and BMT protocols. 

PMID- 27278667
TI  - Benefit of uridine triacetate (Vistogard) in rescuing severe 5-fluorouracil
      toxicity in patients with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) deficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), an analog of uracil, is one of the most
      commonly used chemotherapeutic agents and like other agents has a narrow
      therapeutic index limited by toxicity. Compared to previous attempts, uridine
      triacetate (Vistogard) has shown to increase the potential efficacy of 5-FU by
      allowing administering a higher dose and decreasing the toxicity. Recently,
      Vistogard received orphan drug designation from the FDA as an antidote in the
      treatment of 5-FU poisoning and from the European Medicines Agency as a treatment
      for 5-FU overdose. However, no data have been published to date in humans who
      were rescued by this agent following severe toxicity associated with 5-FU due to
      dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) deficiency, the enzyme which is
      responsible for the elimination of approximately 80 % of the administered dose of
      5-FU. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified two patients with advanced pancreatic
      cancer who were referred to us for testing of DPYD status following severe
      toxicity associated with 5-FU administered at a dose of 1400 mg/m(2) weekly bolus
      high-dose 5-FU followed by oral uridine triacetate as a part of a clinical trail.
      One patient developed grade 3 thrombocytopenia and grade 3 skin rash that
      resolved with discontinuation of 5-FU and supportive care, while second patient
      developed grade 4 thrombocytopenia, grade 3 coagulopathy and grade 3 neurological
      toxicity with a fatal outcome. DPYD status was evaluated as we have previously
      published. RESULTS: The first patient was found to have an abnormally low DPYD
      activity of 0.087-nmol/min/mg protein by radioisotopic assay (reference normal
      range 0.182-0.688 nmol/min/mg protein). Because of pancytopenia, DPYD enzyme
      activity could not be assessed in patient 2; genotypic analysis of DPYD during
      autopsy revealed the presence of the heterozygous mutation, IVS14+1 G>A, DPYD*2A,
      now recognized as the most common cause of DPYD deficiency. CONCLUSION: These two
      patients present the first two cases of DPYD deficiency that had either delay in
      severe toxicity or recovered from severe toxicity as they received oral Vistogard
      as a part of the conical trial. Toxicity was delayed in both patients by a mean
      of 3.5 weeks (range 3-4 weeks), indicating that Vistogard might be able to delay
      5-FU toxicity despite higher doses than standard bolus dose of 5-FU used in
      gastrointestinal malignancies and the appearance of a potentially less toxic
      adverse effect of 5-FU at an unusual site (cutaneous) in one patient. The role of
      uridine triacetate with 5-FU in DPYD-deficient patients needs further
      investigation.

PMID- 27278668
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and safety of vitamin E delta-tocotrienol after single and
      multiple doses in healthy subjects with measurement of vitamin E metabolites.
AB  - PURPOSE: Vitamin E delta-tocotrienol (VEDT) has demonstrated chemopreventive and
      antineoplastic activity in preclinical models. The aim of our study was to
      determine the safety and pharmacokinetics of VEDT and its metabolites after
      single- and multiple-dose administrations in healthy subjects. METHODS: Thirty
      six subjects received from 100 to 1600 mg of oral VEDT as a single dose or twice
      daily for 14 consecutive days. A 3 + 3 dose escalation design was utilized.
      Pharmacokinetic data were derived from high-performance liquid chromatography
      (HPLC) assays. Serial blood and urine samples were collected before and during
      VEDT administration, with serum and urine metabolites assessed using HPLC.
      RESULTS: No drug-related adverse events were observed. Pharmacokinetic parameters
      for single and multiple doses were, respectively, as follows (shown as range):
      time to maximum concentration of 4-9.3 and 4.7-7.3 h, maximum concentration of
      795.6-3742.6 and 493.3-3746 ng/mL, half-life of 1.7-5.9 and 2.3-6.9 h, and 0-12 h
      area under the curve of 4518.7-20,781.4 and 1987.7-22,171.2 ng h/mL. Plasma
      tocotrienols were significantly increased after VEDT administration, indicating
      oral bioavailability of VEDT in humans. Plasma and urine levels of metabolites,
      delta-carboxyethyl hydroxychroman, and delta-carboxymethylbutyl hydroxychroman
      were elevated after VEDT administration in a dose-dependent manner and were 30-60
      times significantly higher than delta-tocotrienol levels. VEDT can be safely
      administered at doses up to 1600 mg twice daily. Plasma VEDT concentrations were
      comparable to those obtained in VEDT-treated mice in which tumor growth was
      delayed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that VEDT can be safely consumed by
      healthy subjects and achieve bioactive levels, supporting the investigation of
      VEDT for chemoprevention.

PMID- 27278669
TI  - Genomic leftovers: identifying novel microsatellites, over-represented motifs and
      functional elements in the human genome.
AB  - The human genome is 99% complete. This study contributes to filling the 1% gap by
      enriching previously unknown repeat regions called microsatellites (MST). We
      devised a Global MST Enrichment (GME) kit to enrich and nextgen sequence 2
      colorectal cell lines and 16 normal human samples to illustrate its utility in
      identifying contigs from reads that do not map to the genome reference. The
      analysis of these samples yielded 790 novel extra-referential concordant contigs
      that are observed in more than one sample. We searched for evidence of functional
      elements in the concordant contigs in two ways: (1) BLAST-ing each contig against
      normal RNA-Seq samples, (2) Checking for predicted functional elements using
      GlimmerHMM. Of the 790 concordant contigs, 37 had an exact match to at least one
      RNA-Seq read; 15 aligned to more than 100 RNA-Seq reads. Of the 249 concordant
      contigs predicted by GlimmerHMM to have functional elements, 6 had at least one
      exact RNA-Seq match. BLAST-ing these novel contigs against all publically
      available sequences confirmed that they were found in human and chimpanzee BAC
      and FOSMID clones sequenced as part of the original human genome project. These
      extra-referential contigs predominantly contained pentameric repeats, especially
      two motifs: AATGG and GTGGA.

PMID- 27278670
TI  - Development and feasibility of the Help to Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE)
      self-management intervention for people living with multiple sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the development and feasibility of a self-management
      intervention called the Help to Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE: MS), aimed
      at improving the physical and psychological wellbeing of people living with
      Multiple Sclerosis (MS). METHOD: HOPE: MS is an innovative, 6-week group-based,
      manualised self-management intervention combining positive psychology theory and
      practice, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Participants (N = 21)
      recruited via a local East Midlands branch of the MS Society attended one of
      three HOPE: MS interventions and completed self-reported outcome measures in week
      1 and week 6. The following outcome measures were used: The Multiple Sclerosis
      Impact Scale; Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Severity Scale; The Multiple Sclerosis
      Self-Efficacy Scale; The Adult State Hope Scale; The Hospital Anxiety and
      Depression Scale; The Positive and Negative Affect Scale. RESULTS: Post
      intervention (6 weeks) mean scores decreased in the physical impact (baseline M =
      65.6, SD = 17.4; 6 weeks M = 55.1, SD = 17.9, 95% CI [-4.39, -16.47] and the
      psychological impact of MS (baseline M = 24.0, SD = 7.3; 6 weeks M = 18.9; SD =
      6.3, 95% CI [-2.54, -7.66]). There was also a decrease mean fatigue severity
      scores (baseline 49.4, SD = 13.3, 6 weeks M = 41.1, SD = 14.4, 95% CI [-2.65, 
      13.44]). There was a mean decrease in depression scores (baseline M = 6.9, SD =
      3.5; 6 weeks M = 4.2, SD = 2.8, 95% CI [-1.43, -4.00]). There were smaller mean
      decreases in anxiety (baseline M = 7.6, SD = 3.4; 6 weeks M = 6.7 (4.0), 95% CI
      [0.69, -2.50]) and negative affect (baseline M = 22.9, SD = 6.8; 6 weeks M = 20.8
      (8.1), 95% CI [0.69, -2.50]) refer Table 3 ). Mean MS self-efficacy scores
      (baseline 21.7, SD = 4.2; 6 weeks M = 24.1, SD = 4.7, 95% CI [0.23, 4.53]), mean
      total hope scores (baseline M = 23.3, SD = 10.7; 6 weeks M = 32.2 (10.6), 95% CI
      [4.91, 12.9]), hope agency scores (baseline M = 10.5, SD = 5.7; 6 weeks M = 15.7
      (6.2), 95% CI [2.37, 8.01]), hope pathways (baseline M = 12.9, SD = 6.0; 6 weeks
      M = 16.6 (4.9), 95% CI [2.00, 5.43]) and positive affect scores increased
      (baseline M = 27.3, SD = 7.1; 6 months M = 32.2, SD = 8.4, 95% CI [0.42, 9.39]).
      Participants positively rated the intervention quality and delivery. CONCLUSIONS:
      This feasibility study showed that the HOPE: MS was acceptable and useful to
      people living with MS. Further robust evaluations using a randomised controlled
      trial design with longer follow ups are needed to confirm early promising results
      of the HOPE: MS. Implications for rehabilitation Living with MS requires constant
      adjustments to cope with unpredictable symptoms. Self-management interventions
      have the potential to help people living with MS to improve their quality of
      life. A feasibility study of the HOPE: MS self-management group-based
      intervention showed that it was acceptable and useful to people living with MS.

PMID- 27278672
TI  - An integrative model of the impairments in insight in schizophrenia: emerging
      research on causal factors and treatments.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Poor insight, or unawareness of some major aspect of mental
      illness, is a major barrier to wellness when it interferes with persons seeking
      out treatment or forming their own understanding of the challenges they face. One
      barrier to addressing impaired insight is the absence of a comprehensive model of
      how poor insight develops. AREAS COVERED: To explore this issue we review how
      poor insight is the result of multiple phenomena which interfere with the
      construction of narrative accounts of psychiatric challenges, rather than a
      single social or biological cause. Expert commentary: We propose an integrative
      model of poor insight in schizophrenia which involves the interaction of
      symptoms, deficits in neurocognition, social cognition, metacognition, and
      stigma. Emerging treatments for poor insight including therapies which focus on
      the development of metacognition are discussed.

PMID- 27278673
TI  - Defect in ND2, COX2, ATP6 and COX3 mitochondrial genes as a risk factor for
      canine mammary tumour.
AB  - The aim of this study was to identify mutations in ND2, COX2, ATP6 and COX3
      mitochondrial genes in canine mammary tumour, determine their association with
      the process of neoplastic transformation, and phenotypic traits of dogs. In
      total, 93 biological samples, including blood, normal and neoplastic tissue
      samples from 31 dogs with diagnosed malignant canine mammary tumours were
      analysed. DNA sequencing of genes as well as bioinformatics and statistical
      analyses were performed. A total of 28 polymorphic loci and 11 mutations were
      identified. One of the mutations was blood heteroplasmy and two of the mutations
      caused an amino acid change in p.N117S and p.A184T. For the first time, mutations
      in mitochondrial genes were detected in dogs with mammary tumours. A
      statistically significant association between the presence of mutations and the
      size and age of dogs was demonstrated. Some of these changes may imply that these
      are the hotspot mutations of canine mammary tumour.

PMID- 27278671
TI  - Gender differences in murine pulmonary responses elicited by cellulose
      nanocrystals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cellulose-based materials have been used for centuries to manufacture
      different goods derived from forestry and agricultural sources. In the growing
      field of nanocellulose applications, its uniquely engineered properties are
      instrumental for inventive products coming to competitive markets. Due to their
      high aspect ratio and stiffness, it is speculated that cellulose nanocrystals
      (CNC) may cause similar pulmonary toxicity as carbon nanotubes and asbestos, thus
      posing a potential negative impact on public health and the environment. METHODS:
      The present study was undertaken to investigate the pulmonary outcomes induced by
      repeated exposure to respirable CNC. C57BL/6 female and male mice were exposed by
      pharyngeal aspiration to CNC (40 MUg/mouse) 2 times a week for 3 weeks. Several
      biochemical endpoints and pathophysiological outcomes along with gene expression
      changes were evaluated and compared in the lungs of male and female mice.
      RESULTS: Exposure to respirable CNC caused pulmonary inflammation and damage,
      induced oxidative stress, elevated TGF-beta and collagen levels in lung, and
      impaired pulmonary functions. Notably, these effects were markedly more
      pronounced in females compared to male mice. Moreover, sex differences in
      responses to pulmonary exposure to CNC were also detected at the level of global
      mRNA expression as well as in inflammatory cytokine/chemokine activity.
      CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results indicate that there are considerable
      differences in responses to respirable CNC based on gender with a higher
      pulmonary toxicity observed in female mice.

PMID- 27278674
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Does Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease Influence
      Femoroacetabular Flexion in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty?

PMID- 27278676
TI  - CORR Insights((r)): The ACS NSQIP Risk Calculator Is a Fair Predictor of Acute
      Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

PMID- 27278675
TI  - Disparities in TKA Outcomes: Census Tract Data Show Interactions Between Race and
      Poverty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Race is an important predictor of TKA outcomes in the United States;
      however, analyses of race can be confounded by socioeconomic factors, which can
      result in difficulty determining the root cause of disparate outcomes after TKA.
      QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked: (1) Are race and socioeconomic factors at the
      individual level associated with patient-reported pain and function 2 years after
      TKA? (2) What is the interaction between race and community poverty and patient
      reported pain and function 2 years after TKA? METHODS: We identified all patients
      undergoing TKA enrolled in a hospital-based registry between 2007 and 2011 who
      provided 2-year outcomes and lived in New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey. Of
      patients approached to participate in the registry, more than 82% consented and
      provided baseline data, and of these patients, 72% provided 2-year data.
      Proportions of patients with complete followup at 2 years were lower among blacks
      (57%) than whites (74%), among patients with Medicaid insurance (51%) compared
      with patients without Medicaid insurance (72%), and among patients without a
      college education (67%) compared with those with a college education (71%). Our
      final study cohort consisted of 4035 patients, 3841 (95%) of whom were white and
      194 (5%) of whom were black. Using geocoding, we linked individual-level registry
      data to US census tracts data through patient addresses. We constructed a
      multivariate linear mixed-effect model in multilevel frameworks to assess the
      interaction between race and census tract poverty on WOMAC pain and function
      scores 2 years after TKA. We defined a clinically important effect as 10 points
      on the WOMAC (which is scaled from 1 to 100 points, with higher scores being
      better). RESULTS: Race, education, patient expectations, and baseline WOMAC
      scores are all associated with 2-year WOMAC pain and function; however, the
      effect sizes were small, and below the threshold of clinical importance. Whites
      and blacks from census tracts with less than 10% poverty have similar levels of
      pain and function 2 years after TKA (WOMAC pain, 1.01 +/- 1.59 points lower for
      blacks than for whites, p = 0.53; WOMAC function, 2.32 +/- 1.56 lower for blacks
      than for whites, p = 0.14). WOMAC pain and function scores 2 years after TKA
      worsen with increasing levels of community poverty, but do so to a greater extent
      among blacks than whites. Disparities in pain and function between blacks and
      whites are evident only in the poorest communities; decreasing in a linear
      fashion as poverty increases. In census tracts with greater than 40% poverty,
      blacks score 6 +/- 3 points lower (worse) than whites for WOMAC pain (p = 0.03)
      and 7 +/- 3 points lower than whites for WOMAC function (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      Blacks and whites living in communities with little poverty have similar patient
      reported TKA outcomes, whereas in communities with high levels of poverty, there
      are important racial disparities. Efforts to improve TKA outcomes among blacks
      will need to address individual- and community-level socioeconomic factors. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

PMID- 27278677
TI  - Hips With Protrusio Acetabuli Are at Increased Risk for Failure After
      Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery: A 10-year Followup.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protrusio acetabuli is a rare anatomic pattern of the hip in which
      the femoral head protrudes into the true pelvis. The increased depth of the hip
      and the excessive size of the lunate surface typically lead to severe pincer-type
      femoroacetabular impingement (FAI); however, to our knowledge, there are no
      published mid- or long-term studies on results of circumferential acetabular rim
      trimming through a surgical hip dislocation for patients with this condition.
      QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What is the 10-year survivorship of the hips treated with
      circumferential rim trimming through a surgical hip dislocation compared with a
      control group of hips that underwent surgery for pincer FAI but that did not have
      protrusio acetabuli? (2) What are the factors that were associated with a
      decreased likelihood of survivorship in those hips with the following endpoints:
      total hip arthroplasty, Merle d'Aubigne score of less than 15, and/or
      radiographic progression of osteoarthritis (OA)? (3) Does the radiographic
      pattern of degeneration differ between the two groups? METHODS: We performed a
      case-control study comparing two groups: a protrusio group (32 patients [39
      hips]) and a control group (66 patients [86 hips]). The control group consisted
      of hips treated with a surgical hip dislocation for pincer FAI and did not
      include hips with a positive protrusio sign or a lateral center-edge angle > 39
      degrees . The study group did not differ from the control group regarding the
      preoperative Tonnis OA score, age, and body mass index. However, the study group
      had more women, decreased mean height and weight, and lower preoperative Merle
      d'Aubigne-Postel scores, which were inherent differences at the time of first
      presentation. During the period in question, the indication for performing these
      procedures was a painfully restricted range of motion in flexion and internal
      rotation (positive impingement sign). The mean followup of the protrusio group (9
      +/- 5 years [range, 2-18 years]) did not differ from the control group (11 +/- 1
      years [range, 10-13 years], p = 0.109). At the respective minimum followup
      intervals in the underlying database from which cases and control subjects were
      drawn, followup was 100% for patients with protrusion who underwent FAI surgery
      and 97% for patients with FAI who underwent surgery for other anatomic patterns
      (three of 86 hips). We assessed the Merle d'Aubigne-Postel score, Harris hip
      score, WOMAC, and UCLA activity score at latest followup. A Kaplan-Meier
      survivorship analysis of the hip was calculated if any of the following endpoints
      for both groups occurred: conversion to total hip arthroplasty, a Merle d'Aubigne
      Postel score < 15, and/or radiographic progression of OA. Differences in
      survivorship were analyzed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: At 10-year followup,
      we found a decreased survivorship of the hip for the protrusio group (51% [95%
      confidence interval {CI}, 34%-67%]) compared with the control group (83% [95% CI,
      75%-91%], p < 0.001) with one or more of the endpoints stated. We found four
      multivariate factors associated with a decreased likelihood of survival of the
      native hip according to the mentioned endpoints: body mass index > 25 kg/m(2)
      (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.4; 95% CI, 5.2-8.1; p = 0.009), a preoperative Tonnis
      OA score >= 1 (13.3; 95% CI, 11.8-14.9; p = 0.001), a postoperative lateral
      center-edge angle > 40 degrees  (4.2; 95% CI, 2.8-5.6; p = 0.042), and a
      postoperative posterior coverage > 56% (6.0; 95% CI, 4.3-7.6; p = 0.037).
      Preoperatively, joint space narrowing and osteophytes were more frequent
      posteroinferior (joint space narrowing 18% versus 2%, p = 0.008; osteophytes 21%
      versus 4%, p = 0.007), medial (joint space narrowing 33% versus 5%, p < 0.001)
      and  anterior (osteophytes 15% versus 1%, p = 0.004) in the protrusio compared
      with the control group. After correction in hips with protrusio, progression of
      joint space narrowing (from 6% to 45%, p = 0.001) and osteophyte formation (from
      15% to 52%, p = 0.002) was most pronounced laterally. CONCLUSIONS: At 10 years,
      in 51% of all hips undergoing open acetabular rim trimming for protrusio
      acetabuli, the hip can be preserved without further radiographic degeneration and
      a Merle d'Aubigne score > 15. Even with the lack of a control group with
      nonoperative treatment, isolated rim trimming may not entirely resolve the
      pathomorphology in protrusio hips given the clearly inferior results compared
      with surgical hip dislocation for FAI without severe overcoverage. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

PMID- 27278678
TI  - Your Best Life: Kindness is Its Own Reward.

PMID- 27278679
TI  - Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty With Metasul Bearings Provides Good Results in
      Active Young Patients: A Concise Followup.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A primary concern of younger, more active patients who have undergone
      total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the longevity of the implant. Cementless fixation
      and hard-on-hard bearings are recognized as options to enhance THA durability.
      Earlier, we published a series of 83 cementless primary THAs using 28-mm metal-on
      metal (MoM) bearings in patients aged 50 years or younger; here we provide
      concise followup on that same group after an additional 8-year survey period.
      QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What is the long-term survivorship of cementless primary
      THA using 28-mm MoM bearings in patients aged 50 years or younger? (2) What are
      the clinical and radiographic results of cementless THA in this active patient
      population? (3) Can any of the observed implant failures or adverse events be
      attributed to the metallic nature of the bearing couple? METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed 83 cementless THAs performed in three institutions over
      a decade (1995-2004) in 68 patients with 28-mm MoM articulation. All patients (15
      bilateral) had a median age of 42 years (range, 24-50 years) at the time of the
      index procedure and 56 of them (82% [70 hips]) had activity level graded Devane 4
      or 5 before significant hip pain. A 28-mm MetasulTM articulation was used with an
      Alloclassic-SLTM cementless stem in all cases paired with three different
      cementless titanium acetabular components (one threaded and two press-fit cups)
      from the same manufacturer. Survivorship analysis was calculated according to
      Dobbs life table, patient clinical results were evaluated with use of the Postel
      Merle d'Aubigne scoring system, radiographic analysis was performed by
      independent observers, and cobalt level was determined in whole blood. RESULTS:
      The 15-year survivorship (33 hips at risk) for revision for any reasons (four
      hips) and for aseptic loosening (one hip) was 96% (95% confidence interval [CI],
      81%-99%) and 99% (95% CI, 85%-99.9%), respectively. The median Merle d'Aubigne
      Postel score remained stable at 17 points (range, 10-18). Thus far, we have not
      observed pseudotumors or other adverse reactions to metallic debris. Eight hips
      have undergone reoperation: trochanteric suture removal (one), psoas tendon
      impingement (two), and five revisions for periprosthetic fracture (one), late
      infection (two), acetabular osteolysis (one, as a result of polyethylene backside
      wear), and one hydroxyapatite-coated cup for aseptic loosening. None of the
      complications, failures, or revisions observed so far could directly be related
      to the metallic nature of the 28-mm Metasul bearings used in this selected group
      of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The current survey at 13-year median followup has not
      yet indicated any long-term deleterious effects related to dissemination of
      metallic ions. Two senior authors continue to use 28- or 32-mm MetasulTM bearings
      with cementless THA components in young and active patient populations. Longer
      followup with a more sophisticated imaging study is necessary to confirm this so
      far positive report. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

PMID- 27278680
TI  - Anticancer activity and computational modeling of ternary copper (II) complexes
      with 3-indolecarboxylic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline.
AB  - Metal-containing compounds have been extensively studied for many years as potent
      proteasome inhibitors. The 20S proteasome, the main component of the ubiquitin
      proteasome pathway, is one of the excellent targets in anticancer drug
      development. We recently reported that several copper complexes were able to
      inhibit cancer-special proteasome and induce cell death in human cancer cells.
      However, the involved molecular mechanism is not known yet. We therefore
      synthesized three copper complexes and investigated their abilities on inhibiting
      proteasome activity and inducting apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.
      Furthermore, we employed molecular dockings to analyze the possible interaction
      between the synthetic copper complexes and the beta5 subunit of proteasome which
      only reflects the chymotrypsin-like activity. Our results demonstrate that three
      Cu(II) complexes possess potent proteasome inhibition capability in a dose
      dependent and time-dependent manner in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. They
      could bind to the beta5 subunit of the 20S proteasome, which consequently cause
      deactivation of the proteasome and tumor cell death. The present study is
      significant for providing important theoretical basis for design and synthesis of
      anticancer drugs with low toxicity, high efficiency and high selectivity. 

PMID- 27278682
TI  - A 2-year dyadic longitudinal study of mothers' and fathers' marital adjustment
      when caring for a child with cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Studies examining interrelationships within parental couples
      confronted with pediatric cancer are scarce. This study explored dyadic
      longitudinal associations between both partners' family functioning and mood at
      diagnosis, and marital adjustment 2 years later. METHOD: Parents of children (n =
      47 couples) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) completed the Family Well
      Being Assessment and Profile of Mood States-Bipolar Form at diagnosis, and the
      Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test 2 years post diagnosis. Multilevel linear
      models using the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) and controlling for
      baseline marital adjustment were conducted to evaluate within subject and dyadic
      longitudinal effects. RESULTS: For mothers, better marital adjustment 2 years
      post diagnosis was associated with perception of greater family support and less
      role conflict and role overload at diagnosis. For fathers, better marital
      adjustment 2 years post-diagnosis was associated with perception of less role
      conflict, greater role ambiguity, and being more tired at diagnosis, as well as
      their partner's perception of less role conflict at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings highlight the importance of considering both partners' perspectives in
      understanding marital adjustment across treatment phases in parents of children
      with ALL. Early interventions for couples should be tailored to meet each
      partner's needs in order to foster resilience within the couple.

PMID- 27278681
TI  - Opioid and cannabinoid synergy in a mouse neuropathic pain model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clinical studies have reported that pan-cannabinoid
      receptor agonists may have efficacy in neuropathic pain states and that this
      might be enhanced by co-administration with opioids. While cannabinoid-opioid
      analgesic synergy has been demonstrated in animal models of acute pain, it has
      not been examined in neuropathic pain models. We examined the effect of
      combination treatment with cannabinoid and opioid receptor agonists on allodynia
      and side effects in a nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain model. EXPERIMENTAL
      APPROACH: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the
      sciatic nerve. The effects of systemic administration of morphine and the pan
      cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55212, on allodynia and side effects were
      examined at 7-10 days post-CCI surgery. Isobolographic analysis was used to
      determine whether the effects of the combination were synergistic. KEY RESULTS:
      The opioid agonist morphine reduced CCI-induced mechanical and cold allodynia and
      produced motor incoordination, in a dose-dependent manner. WIN55212 reduced CCI
      induced allodynia and produced motor incoordination, catalepsy and sedation, in a
      dose-dependent manner, as we have observed previously. When administered
      together, WIN55212 and morphine reduced allodynia in a synergistic manner but had
      only an additive effect on motor incoordination. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:
      These findings indicate that administration of a combination of a non-selective
      opioid and cannabinoid receptor agonist synergistically reduces nerve injury
      induced allodynia, while producing side effects in an additive manner. This
      suggests that this combination treatment has an improved anti-allodynic potency
      and therapeutic index in a neuropathic pain model.

PMID- 27278683
TI  - Interaction of Citrus Juices with Cyclosporine: Systematic Review and Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant with narrow therapeutic
      window, metabolized mainly by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and minimally by
      cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5). Citrus juices such as grapefruit juice (GFJ),
      orange, lemon, pomelo and lime were known to interact with cyclosporine in
      several randomized controlled trials. The present review is a systematic
      compilation and quantitative synthesis on the changes of cyclosporine
      pharmacokinetics with concomitant citrus juice administration. METHODS:
      Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating
      the effect of any citrus juice on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine comparing
      with water or placebo in healthy volunteers using appropriate search strategies.
      Percent mean difference with standard error was used to assess the magnitude of
      difference in the following outcome measures: area under curve from time of drug
      administration to 24 h (AUC0-24), area under curve from time of drug
      administration to infinity (AUC0-infinity), maximum concentration (C max), time
      to achieve C max (T max), elimination half-life (T 1/2), clearance (CL), volume
      of distribution and frequency for adverse drug reactions following administration
      of cyclosporine. RevMan 5.3 software was used to assess heterogeneity (by I2
      statistics), use random-effects model and generate pooled results and Forest
      plot. RESULTS: A total of 57 studies were obtained with the search strategy, of
      which seven were found eligible to be included in the present review. The pooled
      percent mean difference [95 % CI] for GFJ in comparison to controls for AUC0-24,
      AUC0-infinity, C max and T max of cyclosporine was observed to be 53 [43, 64], 53
      [45, 62], 24 [12, 36] and 19 [12, 26], respectively. Similarly, pomelo juice was
      found to significantly increase both AUC0-infinity and C max with the pooled
      percent mean difference [95 % CI] as 23 [13, 32] and 25 [1, 50], respectively but
      decrease T 1/2 {-8 [-15, -1]} of cyclosporine. Orange juice did not alter any of
      the pharmacokinetic parameter of cyclosporine significantly. CONCLUSION: Citrus
      juices especially GFJ and pomelo juice were found to significantly increase the
      plasma exposure of cyclosporine while orange juice did not exhibit any
      significant interaction with cyclosporine.

PMID- 27278684
TI  - MicroRNA-17 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition consistent with the cancer
      stem cell phenotype by regulating CYP7B1 expression in colon cancer.
AB  - MicroRNA-17 (miRNA-17/miR-17) expression has been confirmed to be significantly
      higher in colorectal cancer tissues than in normal tissues. However, its exact
      role in colorectal cancer has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we
      found that miR-17 not only promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), but
      also promoted the formation of a stem cell-like population in colon cancer DLD1
      cells. We also wished to determine the role of cytochrome P450, family 7,
      subfamily B, polypeptide 1 (CYP7B1) in CRC. miR-17 was overexpressed using a
      recombinant plasmid and CYP7B1 was silenced by transfection with shRNA. Western
      blot analysis was used to determine protein expression in the DLD1 cells and in
      tumor tissues obtained from patients with colon cancer. Our results revealed that
      miR-17 overexpression led to the degradation of CYP7B1 mRNA expression in DLD1
      cells. In addition, we found that the silencing of CYB7B1 promoted EMT and the
      formation of a stem cell-like population in the cells. Thus, our findings
      demonstrate that miR-17 induces EMT consistent with the cancer stem cell
      phenotype by regulating CYP7B1 expression in colon cancer. 

PMID- 27278685
TI  - Validity of the Original and Short Versions of the Dynamic Gait Index in
      Predicting Falls in Stroke Survivors.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the validity of the original version and
      short version of the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI-8 and DGI-4) in predicting falls in
      stroke survivors. DESIGN: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. METHOD:
      This study collected data for 57 chronic stroke survivors and evaluated the
      validity of the DGI-8 and DGI-4. To test functional ability, the Sit-to-Stand
      Test, gait subscale of the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment, the 10-m
      Walk Test, the Fugl-Meyer assessment, and the Trunk Impairment Scale were used.
      FINDINGS: For the DGI-8, the cutoff value for the prediction of a fall was shown
      to be 16.5, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78. The cutoff value of the
      DGI-4 was shown to be 9.5, with an AUC of 0.77. CONCLUSIONS: The study results
      show that the DGI-8 and DGI-4 have discrimination in the prediction of fall in
      stroke survivors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: DGI-8 and DGI-4 can be useful for
      predicting falls of stroke patients, allowing better quality of care.

PMID- 27278686
TI  - Biomarker discovery using dry-lab technologies and high-throughput screening.

PMID- 27278687
TI  - The structure of slip-pulses and supershear ruptures driving slip in bimaterial
      friction.
AB  - The most general frictional motion in nature involves bimaterial interfaces, when
      contacting bodies possess different elastic properties. Frictional motion occurs
      when the contacts composing the interface separating these bodies detach via
      propagating rupture fronts. Coupling between slip and normal stress variations is
      unique to bimaterial interfaces. Here we use high speed simultaneous measurements
      of slip velocities, real contact area and stresses to explicitly reveal this
      bimaterial coupling and its role in determining different classes of rupture
      modes and their structures. We directly observe slip-pulses, highly localized
      slip accompanied by large local reduction of the normal stress near the rupture
      tip. These pulses propagate in the direction of motion of the softer material at
      a selected (maximal) velocity and continuously evolve while propagating. In the
      opposite direction bimaterial coupling favors crack-like 'supershear' fronts. The
      robustness of these structures shows the importance of bimaterial coupling to
      frictional motion and modes of frictional dissipation.

PMID- 27278689
TI  - Essential priorities of a good journal.

PMID- 27278688
TI  - Tree aboveground carbon storage correlates with environmental gradients and
      functional diversity in a tropical forest.
AB  - Tropical forests play a disproportionately important role in the global carbon
      (C) cycle, but it remains unclear how local environments and functional diversity
      regulate tree aboveground C storage. We examined how three components
      (environments, functional dominance and diversity) affected C storage in
      Dinghushan 20-ha plot in China. There was large fine-scale variation in C
      storage. The three components significantly contributed to regulate C storage,
      but dominance and diversity of traits were associated with C storage in different
      directions. Structural equation models (SEMs) of dominance and diversity
      explained 34% and 32% of variation in C storage. Environments explained 26-44% of
      variation in dominance and diversity. Similar proportions of variation in C
      storage were explained by dominance and diversity in regression models, they were
      improved after adding environments. Diversity of maximum diameter was the best
      predictor of C storage. Complementarity and selection effects contributed to C
      storage simultaneously, and had similar importance. The SEMs disengaged the
      complex relationships among the three components and C storage, and established a
      framework to show the direct and indirect effects (via dominance and diversity)
      of local environments on C storage. We concluded that local environments are
      important for regulating functional diversity and C storage.

PMID- 27278690
TI  - Autoimmune pancreatitis: with special reference to a localized variant.
AB  - In 2006, the Japan Pancreas Society revised the diagnostic criteria for
      autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) so as to more clearly define its morphological,
      pathological, and immunological features, as follows: (1) diffuse or segmental
      narrowing of the main pancreatic duct with an irregular wall and diffuse or
      localized enlargement of the pancreas recognized by imaging studies; (2) high
      serum gamma globulin, IgG, or IgG4 levels, or the presence of autoantibodies; and
      (3) marked interlobular fibrosis and prominent infiltration of lymphocytes and
      plasma cells in the periductal area, occasionally with lymphoid follicles in the
      pancreas. Establishing a diagnosis of AIP has become easier with knowledge of its
      immunological abnormalities, including serum IgG4 levels. However, the localized
      form of AIP sometimes mimics pancreatic cancer. The rate of focal mass formation
      in patients with AIP is reportedly 24%-43%; however, there have been few reports
      on the histological findings of localized AIP, in contrast to mass-forming
      pancreatitis (MFP). Our review of patients who had undergone resection due to a
      preoperative diagnosis of MFP with possible cancer revealed 72% to be patients
      with localized AIP. For the discrimination of these conditions, it is important
      to recognize the characteristic ultrasonographic findings of AIP, i.e., (1)
      diffuse or localized enlargement and hypoechogenicity of the pancreas; (2) rarity
      of calcification, cystic lesions, and peripancreatic fluid collection; (3)
      thickened layer structure of the bile duct wall; (4) iso/hypervascularity in the
      swollen portion of the pancreas; (5) attenuation of pancreatic swelling and bile
      duct wall thickening after steroid therapy; and (6) multiple hypoechoic masses in
      various organs, including the pancreas. Contrast-enhanced endoscopic
      ultrasonography is potentially a useful tool in the differential diagnosis and
      for assessment of the efficacy of steroid therapy by enabling evaluation of the
      vascularity of the lesions. Along with the presence of IgG4-positive plasma
      cells, verification of obliterative phlebitis is highly specific for the
      histological diagnosis of AIP. 

PMID- 27278691
TI  - Ultrasound follow-up of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) during
      conservative therapy: ultrasound findings as criteria for diagnosis and cure.
AB  - PURPOSE: During conservative therapy of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
      (IHPS) with atropine sulfate, there are many patients who do not achieve normal
      values of pyloric wall thickness and canal length even though they are clinically
      cured (vomiting has ceased); an objective criterion for cure has not yet been
      established. The aim of this study was to examine whether the appearance of
      pyloric wall stratification can be used as a criterion for cure. METHODS: Twenty
      infants with IHPS who were treated conservatively were enrolled. Two of them
      ultimately required surgery. Ultrasound examinations were done serially and the
      pyloric wall thickness and canal length were measured. The echogenicity of the
      pyloric wall and the presence of wall stratification were noted. RESULTS: On
      admission, all infants satisfied the ultrasound criteria for IHPS and had a
      heterogeneous pyloric wall without stratification. With conservative therapy,
      symptoms disappeared, the pyloric wall thickness and the canal length gradually
      decreased, the echogenicity gradually became homogeneous and hypoechoic, and wall
      stratification appeared (in most cases before the pyloric wall thickness and the
      canal length had normalized). The absence of wall stratification suggests that
      cellular interstitial changes, such as edema or inflammation, are present in the
      pyloric wall in the acute stage. CONCLUSION: Pyloric wall stratification was
      absent during the acute stage, but it appeared after initiation of treatment but
      before the pyloric wall thickness and the canal length had normalized. The
      presence of pyloric wall stratification can be used as a criterion for cure; the
      absence of wall stratification can be added to ultrasound diagnostic criteria for
      IHPS.

PMID- 27278692
TI  - Analysis of the intensity of radio-frequency signals in intracranial
      ultrasonography of preterm infants.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of analysis of
      the intensity of radio-frequency (RF) signals in intracranial ultrasonography of
      preterm infants. METHODS: Twenty neonatal infants admitted to the neonatal
      intensive care unit of our hospital were included in this study. Their
      gestational age was 33-35 weeks. The studies were performed with a System 5
      ultrasound system with 3.0-and 5.0-MHz transducers. The transducer was placed on
      the anterior fontanel to obtain images. Regions of interest were determined based
      on B-mode images and were positioned at the thalamus, caudate nucleus, cerebral
      white matter, cerebellum, brain stem, and lateral ventricle. The software used
      for analysis of the RF signals was EchoMAT (Vingmed Ultrasound). RESULTS: The RF
      signals of the ventricle and the choroid plexus showed the lowest and the highest
      intensities, respectively. The intensities of the brain stem and vermis signals
      were the same, and were higher than the intensity of the cerebellar hemisphere.
      The thalamus and caudate nucleus showed macroscopically identical brightness
      levels; however, the intensity of the thalamus was lower than that of the caudate
      nucleus. The intensity of subependymal hemorrhage was lower than that of the
      caudothalamic groove. The intensity of subependymal cyst was the same as that of
      the lateral ventricle. The RF signal frequencies and intensities were distinctive
      in each tissue. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that measurement of
      RF signal intensity may be useful to differentiate macroscopically similar
      lesions.

PMID- 27278693
TI  - Differential diagnosis of breast mass image-forming lesions based on changes in
      depth-width ratio and internal echo intensity by hand-held probe compression.
AB  - PURPOSE: Regarding mass image-forming lesions, the 2005 Guidelines for Ultrasonic
      Diagnosis of Breast Diseases, published by the Japan Society of Ultrasonics in
      Medicine (JSUM), includes the evaluation of tumor compressibility, which is
      visually assessed by the degree of deformation caused by applying external
      pressure to the tumor. However, this is only a subjective estimation under real
      time observation; consequently, quantitative evaluation of tumor deformation and
      the percentage change in internal echo intensity was attempted based on changes
      in the depth-width ratio and in the internal echo intensity on hand-held probe
      compression. We evaluated the usefulness of these measurements in the
      differential diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors. METHODS: The subjects were
      139 patients (89 benign and 50 malignant cases) who underwent breast
      ultrasonography with a 10-MHz (from 4-to 10-MHz) linear probe. The deformation
      index (D.I.) of the tumor was defined as: [1 - (depth-width ratio with 3.0 +/-
      0.6-kg-weighted compression)/(depth-width ratio without compression)] * 100 (%).
      The rate of change in internal echo intensity was defined as the echo intensity
      with compression divided by the echo intensity without compression * 100 (%).
      RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the D.I. between benign lesions
      (35.5% +/- 14.7%) and malignant lesions (15.4% +/- 6.2%) (P < 0.001). The cut-off
      ratio in differentiating benign from malignant lesions was approximately 25%. The
      rate of change in echo intensity of benign lesions (149.7% +/- 34.3%) was
      significantly higher than that of malignant lesions (122.9% +/- 19.9%) (P <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: Using an electronic linear probe, quantitative indexes
      including the D.I. and the rate of change in internal echo intensity could be
      obtained with the help of a weight meter, and could prove effective for the
      differential diagnosis of breast mass-image forming lesions.

PMID- 27278694
TI  - Antenatal screening for circumvallate placenta.
AB  - PURPOSE: Prenatal recognition of circumvallate placenta is important because the
      condition may lead to some serious perinatal complications. METHODS: The
      possibility of antenatal ultrasonographic screening for circumvallate placenta
      was examined by measuring the thickness of the placenta at the thickest point.
      The study group consisted of 722 unselected patients with uncomplicated singleton
      pregnancies seen for routine ultrasonographic examination between 18 and 21
      weeks' gestation. Data were collected from 11 deliveries complicated by
      completely circumvallate placenta and from 711 unaffected controls. RESULTS: The
      average thickness of the placenta was 2.22 +/- 0.36 cm in the control subjects,
      whereas it was 2.74 +/- 0.53 cm (P = 0.01 versus control) for circumvallate
      placentas. When a placental thickness greater than 3.0 cm was demonstrated, 19.4%
      (6/31) had a circumvallate placenta at delivery (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The
      current results suggest that measurement of placental thickness is useful for
      screening for circumvallate placenta.

PMID- 27278695
TI  - Gastrointestinal stromal tumor with a marked rotation.

PMID- 27278696
TI  - Portal gas in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

PMID- 27278697
TI  - The spell of ventricular systolic function.

PMID- 27278698
TI  - The stiffness parameter beta assessed by an ultrasonic phase-locked echo-tracking
      system is associated with plaque formation in the common carotid artery.
AB  - PURPOSE: Assessment of plaque formation in the common carotid artery (CCA) is
      important for stratification of the risk of subsequent stroke. The stiffness
      parameter beta, which can be assessed using an ultrasonic phase-locked echo
      tracking system, was developed to evaluate arterial stiffness. The purpose this
      study was to examine the relationship of the stiffness parameter beta to intima
      media thickness (IMT) and plaque formation. METHODS: The stiffness parameter beta
      and mean IMT were measured using an ultrasonic phase-locked echo-tracking system
      and an automatic IMT measurement system, respectively, and the presence of plaque
      was assessed by ultrasonography in 347 subjects who took part in a health check
      up program for community-dwelling people in Hokkaido. RESULTS: Values of the
      stiffness parameter beta were significantly higher in subjects with plaque
      formation than in those without plaque (10.60 +/- 0.45 vs. 8.88 +/- 0.23, P <
      0.005) in whom IMT was not thickened; however, it was not different in subjects
      with increased IMT (>1.0 mm). The percentage of plaque formation was
      significantly correlated with the value of the stiffness parameter beta.
      Furthermore, the stiffness parameter beta was significantly correlated with
      plaque formation after adjustment for several clinical variables (odds ratio
      1.113-1.178, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The stiffness parameter beta is associated
      with plaque formation in the CCA, especially in subjects with a normal IMT. This
      could potentially be used as a predictor for plaque formation.

PMID- 27278699
TI  - Evaluation of procedures for decontaminating ultrasound probes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine suitable procedures for decontaminating ultrasound probes.
      METHODS: We investigated bacterial transmission via ultrasound probes that were
      not wiped, wiped with a plain paper towel, or wiped with an ethanol-soaked paper
      towel. RESULTS: The unwiped probes transmitted large numbers of bacteria, which
      were markedly reduced by wiping the probes with a plain paper towel, and almost
      completely eliminated by wiping with an ethanol-soaked paper towel. CONCLUSION:
      Improperly decontaminated ultrasound probes can transmit bacteria among patients.
      Ultrasound probes should be decontaminated by wiping with a paper towel after
      examinations to prevent bacterial transmission. Plain or ethanol-soaked paper
      towels should be used depending on the situation.

PMID- 27278700
TI  - Quantification of tumor vascularity with contrast-enhanced ultrasound for early
      response of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular
      carcinoma: a report of three cases.
AB  - Many contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CE-US) studies have been conducted by
      qualitative analysis of blood flow, such as classification of enhancement
      pattern. We evaluated early response of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization
      (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by quantitative analysis of
      intratumoral vascularity with CE-US in three patients. Three patients (one man,
      two women) with HCCs were treated in July 2009. CE-US with perfluorocarbon
      microbubbles (Sonazoid) and CT were performed serially before and 5 days after
      TACE. Post-processing enhancement intensity on US was analyzed to determine mean
      transit time (s), time to peak (s), enhancement peak intensity (dB), and "A"
      (scaling factor) by ultrasound quantification software after the data were fitted
      to a gamma variate curve. Mean transit time was prolonged by TACE in all three
      patients. Mean transit time rates on CE-US were 64.3, 33.8, and 65.6%,
      respectively, whereas the avascular rates on CT were 59.07, 31.71, and 62.25%,
      respectively. Mean transit time rates on CE-US approximated avascular rates on
      CT. Mean transit time rate may quantitatively indicate the early response of HCC
      to TACE. 

PMID- 27278701
TI  - A rare case of coiling of the brachial artery: a description of the sonographic
      features.
AB  - We report the case of a patient with 360 degrees  coiling of the brachial artery
      that had been previously misdiagnosed as aneurysms of the right brachial artery
      on sonography performed at another institution. The previous misdiagnosis
      occurred due to sonographic pitfalls in gray-scale and color imaging, which led
      the operator to make a false interpretation. Knowledge of Doppler analysis and
      sonographic interpretation of arterial coiling may improve the diagnostic
      accuracy for this condition. 

PMID- 27278702
TI  - Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.
AB  - Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (cTGA) is an uncommon
      cardiac malformation characterized by discordant atrioventricular and
      ventriculoarterial connections. Most cases of cTGA are associated with cardiac
      anomalies. As the ventricular outflow tract may appear to arise correctly from
      the right and left ventricles, cases of cTGA with a mild associated anomaly are
      rarely detected prenatally. Parallel vessels are evident in cTGA, but this sign
      is also present in complete TGA. We report a case of cTGA diagnosed in utero at
      29 weeks' gestation. The fetus was diagnosed as TGA and referred to our hospital
      at 28 weeks' gestation. cTGA was found at 29 weeks' gestation in our hospital,
      and no additional cardiac anomalies were seen prenatally. After birth, patent
      ductus arteriosus with bidirectional flow was present. Careful examination of the
      four-chamber view suggested atrioventricular discordance. Identification of a
      parallel course of the great vessels, with the aorta anterior and to the left of
      the pulmonary trunk (l-transposition), may help accurate prenatal diagnosis of
      cTGA. 

PMID- 27278703
TI  - Sonographic findings of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule from ovarian cancer.
AB  - Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (SMJN), which is known as a malignant tumor
      metastasized to the umbilicus, is a rare condition. We report ultrasonic findings
      of SMJN secondary to ovarian cancer in a 66-year-old woman. The umbilical tumor
      was observed as a hypoechoic mass with punctate hyperechoic foci. A pathological
      specimen obtained by needle biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma with psammoma bodies.
      A comparison of the ultrasonographic findings with the pathological findings of
      the resected specimen suggested that the hyperechoic foci corresponded to
      psammoma bodies. When hyperechoic foci are observed inside SMJN by
      ultrasonography, adenocarcinoma from ovarian cancer should be included in the
      differential diagnosis. 

PMID- 27278704
TI  - Measurement of left atrial appendage size by transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the most common imaging method for
      evaluating left atrial morphology. Recent advances in 64-slice multidetector
      computed tomography (64-MDCT) allow accurate measurement of left atrial appendage
      (LAA) volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of LAA sizing by
      TEE in comparison with 64-MDCT in patients with atrial fibrillation.
      Electrocardiogram-gated 64-MDCT and TEE were performed within 2 days in 18
      consecutive patients (63 +/- 9 years old, 12 males, 5 paroxysmal atrial
      fibrillation) with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. LAA area and LAA volume were
      measured at end-systole by TEE and 64-MDCT, respectively. The largest LAA area
      was measured on TEE image. Five patients were in sinus rhythm during
      examinations. In all patients, LAA was clearly visualized; the largest area of
      LAA was 9.3 +/- 3.9 mm(2) and the LAA volume was 21.6 +/- 7.5 ml. A significant
      correlation between LAA area and LAA volume was observed (p = 0.0003, r = 0.75).
      TEE allows a detailed evaluation of the LAA structure by two-dimensional imaging.
      LAA size could be evaluated by TEE despite its morphological complexity, i.e.,
      sac-like or multilobed structure. 

PMID- 27278705
TI  - Processed skin surface images acquired by acoustic impedance difference imaging
      using the ultrasonic interference method: a pilot study.
AB  - To clarify the potential of a novel system using the acoustic impedance
      difference imaging (AIDI) method for diagnosis of skin disorders, we used it on a
      coin and swine skin. An ultrasound wave with a central frequency of 20 MHz,
      emitted from a fused quartz rod with a diameter of 1.25 mm, was focused on the
      surface of the coin and skin samples. The difference in acoustic impedance was
      determined by the reflection-type interference-based acoustic impedance
      measurement method. The processed data were produced as greyscale images on which
      the maximum measured amplitudes were mapped. We applied the method to a coin.
      Swine skin, burned and covered with an acrylic sheet with a thickness of 0.2 mm
      (a few times the half-wavelength) to eliminate the undulations of the skin
      surface, was employed to obtain processed images from which undulation data were
      excluded. All the processed images obtained corresponded almost exactly with the
      magnified optical ones. In the processed images of swine skin, a marked
      difference was found after the burning procedure. The processed images obtained
      using the AIDI method reflected not only the undulations but also other
      information such as elasticity. In conclusion, our system using AIDI has the
      potential to become a useful modality for the diagnosis of skin disorders. 

PMID- 27278706
TI  - Antenatal three-dimensional sonographic features of placental shelf.

PMID- 27278707
TI  - Inter-twin contact in a case of monochorionic diamniotic twins with acrania of
      one twin fetus at 10-13 weeks' gestation.

PMID- 27278708
TI  - Ultrasound diagnostic criteria for thyroid nodule.

PMID- 27278709
TI  - Elevated levels of chemerin, leptin, and interleukin-18 in gestational diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the levels of adipokine and their relation to
      gestational diabetic related clinical phenotypes and fetal growth parameters.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy
      Study criteria was used to classify gestational diabetic cases (n = 208) and
      euglycemic controls (n = 300). ELISA assays were performed for insulin, chemerin,
      leptin, and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square/Fisher exact
      test, multiple regression analyses, and ROC curves were applied with significant
      p values of <0.05. RESULTS: Levels of chemerin, IL-18, and leptin were seven-,
      four-, and five-folds higher in cases versus controls, respectively (p < 0.01).
      The adipokine showed strong positive correlation with fasting blood glucose,
      homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and fetal weight (p < 0.01).
      Odds of GDM association remained significant for chemerin (OR 1.522; 1.097-2.110)
      and leptin (OR 2.579; 1.503-4.425) while all associations were lost for IL-18 (p
      > 0.05) after multiple adjustments. Raised chemerin levels were identified in 96%
      cases (n = 201) employing the proposed cut off value >15.49 ng/ml. CONCLUSION:
      High chemerin and leptin levels are seen in GDM which may be associated with
      subclinical inflammation suggesting a role in development of insulin resistance.

PMID- 27278710
TI  - Host and ecology both play a role in shaping distribution of digenean parasites
      of New Zealand whelks (Gastropoda: Buccinidae: Cominella).
AB  - Digenean parasites infecting four Cominella whelk species (C. glandiformis, C.
      adspersa, C. maculosa and C. virgata), which inhabit New Zealand's intertidal
      zone, were analysed using molecular techniques. Mitochondrial 16S and cytochrome
      oxidase 1 (COI) and nuclear rDNA ITS1 sequences were used to infer phylogenetic
      relationships amongst digenea. Host species were parasitized by a diverse range
      of digenea (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda), representing seven families:
      Echinostomatidae, Opecoelidae, Microphallidae, Strigeidae and three, as yet,
      undetermined families A, B and C. Each parasite family infected between one and
      three host whelk species, and infection levels were typically low (average
      infection rates ranged from 1.4 to 3.6%). Host specificity ranged from highly
      species-specific amongst the echinostomes, which were only ever observed
      infecting C. glandiformis, to the more generalist opecoelids and strigeids, which
      were capable of infecting three out of four of the Cominella species analysed.
      Digeneans displayed a highly variable geographic range; for example, echinostomes
      had a large geographic range stretching the length of New Zealand, from Northland
      to Otago, whereas Family B parasites were restricted to fairly small areas of the
      North Island. Our results add to a growing body of research identifying wide
      ranges in both host specificity and geographic range amongst intertidal, multi
      host parasite systems.

PMID- 27278711
TI  - Novel p-wave superfluids of fermionic polar molecules.
AB  - Recently suggested subwavelength lattices offer remarkable prospects for the
      observation of novel superfluids of fermionic polar molecules. It becomes
      realistic to obtain a topological p-wave superfluid of microwave-dressed polar
      molecules in 2D lattices at temperatures of the order of tens of nanokelvins,
      which is promising for topologically protected quantum information processing.
      Another foreseen novel phase is an interlayer p-wave superfluid of polar
      molecules in a bilayer geometry.

PMID- 27278712
TI  - Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of the Drug-Drug Interaction
      Between Isavuconazole and Warfarin in Healthy Subjects.
AB  - This phase 1 trial evaluated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions
      between the novel triazole antifungal agent isavuconazole and warfarin in healthy
      adults. Multiple doses of isavuconazole were administered as the oral prodrug,
      isavuconazonium sulfate (372 mg 3 times a day for 2 days loading dose, then 372
      mg once daily thereafter; equivalent to isavuconazole 200 mg), in the presence
      and absence of single doses of oral warfarin sodium 20 mg. Coadministration with
      isavuconazole increased the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curves
      from time 0 to infinity of S- and R-warfarin by 11% and 20%, respectively, but
      decreased the mean maximum plasma concentrations of S- and R-warfarin by 12% and
      7%, respectively, relative to warfarin alone. Mean area under the international
      normalized ratio curve and maximum international normalized ratio were 4% lower
      in the presence vs absence of isavuconazole. Mean warfarin area under the
      prothrombin time curve and maximum prothrombin time were 3% lower in the presence
      vs absence of isavuconazole. There were no serious treatment-emergent adverse
      events (TEAEs), and no subjects discontinued the study due to TEAEs. All TEAEs
      were mild in intensity. These findings indicate that coadministration with
      isavuconazole has no clinically relevant effects on warfarin pharmacokinetics or
      pharmacodynamics.

PMID- 27278713
TI  - Multiple functions of volatiles in flowers and leaves of Elsholtzia rugulosa
      (Lamiaceae) from southwestern China.
AB  - Although the roles of volatile compounds have been examined separately in plant
      herbivore or plant-pollinator interactions, few studies have focused on how plant
      scents can attract effective pollinators, repel ineffective pollinators, and
      defend against attacks by insect herbivores. We explored the functional
      significance of volatile compounds that impart a strong odor to Elsholtzia
      rugulosa, a shrub species in southwestern China. We monitored the pollinating
      honey bee Apis cerana, as well as two occasional visitors - Vespa velutina and a
      Bombus sp. - and an herbivorous beetle Oxycetonia jocunda. Behavior experiments
      using Y-tubes showed that honey bees were attracted primarily by floral scent
      while hornets and bumble bees were repelled by both the flowers and leaves.
      Analysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that these tissue
      types differed in their compositions and relative amounts of volatile compounds.
      When the plants were damaged, the average relative amounts of Elsholtzia ketone
      rapidly increased in the flowers and leaves. Furthermore, herbivorous beetles
      were strongly repelled by damaged tissues, suggesting a potential defense
      signaling function by these compounds. Our findings again demonstrate that scents
      have multiple functions in the interactions among plants and insects.

PMID- 27278715
TI  - Disentangling functions of online aggression: The Cyber-Aggression Typology
      Questionnaire (CATQ).
AB  - Aggression in online contexts has received much attention over the last decade,
      yet there is a need for measures identifying the proximal psychological drivers
      of cyber-aggressive behavior. The purpose of this study was to present data on
      the newly developed Cyber-Aggression Typology Questionnaire (CATQ) designed to
      distinguish between four distinct types of cyber-aggression on dimensions of
      motivational valence and self-control. A sample 314 undergraduate students
      participated in the study. The results confirmed the predicted four-factor
      structure providing evidence for distinct and independent impulsive-aversive,
      controlled-aversive, impulsive-appetitive, and controlled-appetitive cyber
      aggression types. Further analyses with the Berlin Cyberbullying Questionnaire,
      Reactive Proactive Aggression Questionnaire, and the Behavior Inhibition and
      Activation Systems Scale provide support for convergent and divergent validity.
      Understanding the motivations facilitating cyber-aggressive behavior could aid
      researchers in the development of new prevention and intervention strategies that
      focus on individual differences in maladaptive proximal drivers of aggression.
      Aggr. Behav. 43:74-84, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27278714
TI  - A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effects of Oligosaccharides on
      Transfer of Passive Immunity in Neonatal Dairy Calves.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bacterial contamination of colostrum is common and can decrease IgG
      absorption in neonatal calves. Strategies that mitigate this situation without
      complicating colostrum management will benefit dairy calf health and survival.
      OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of supplementing colostrum with
      oligosaccharides (OS) on serum IgG concentration and apparent efficiency of
      absorption of IgG (AEA%) in calves fed unpasteurized colostrum and characterize
      these outcomes with respect to colostrum bacterial exposures. ANIMALS: One
      hundred twenty-three neonatal dairy calves. METHODS: Randomized, blinded,
      controlled clinical trial conducted at a commercial dairy operation. Calves were
      enrolled at birth in 1 of 4 treatment groups. Data were complete for 123 calves,
      which were distributed across the treatment groups as follows: mannan
      oligosaccharides (MOS), n = 33; Saccharomyces galacto-oligosaccharides (SGOS), n
      = 31; Bifidobacterium galacto-oligosaccharides (BGOS), n = 28; and lactose
      control (CON), n = 31. A commercial radial immunodiffusion kit was used to
      determine colostrum and serum IgG concentrations. Conventional microbiology
      methods were used to enumerate colostrum bacterial counts. RESULTS: Bacterial
      counts were not significantly different among treatment groups. Total bacterial
      plate counts (TPC) were relatively low for the majority of colostrum samples, but
      TPC had a significant negative effect on serum IgG concentration and AEA% in the
      lactose-supplemented control group but not the OS treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS
      AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results suggest that a complement of OS structures
      may mitigate adverse effects of bacteria on transfer of passive immunity (TPI).

PMID- 27278716
TI  - The Use of NS1 Rapid Diagnostic Test and qRT-PCR to Complement IgM ELISA for
      Improved Dengue Diagnosis from Single Specimen.
AB  - Timely and accurate dengue diagnosis is important for differential diagnosis and
      immediate implementation of appropriate disease control measures. In this study,
      we compared the usefulness and applicability of NS1 RDT (NS1 Ag Strip) and qRT
      PCR tests in complementing the IgM ELISA for dengue diagnosis on single serum
      specimen (n = 375). The NS1 Ag Strip and qRT-PCR showed a fair concordance (kappa
      = 0.207, p = 0.001). While the NS1 Ag Strip showed higher positivity than qRT-PCR
      for acute (97.8% vs. 84.8%) and post-acute samples (94.8% vs. 71.8%) of primary
      infection, qRT-PCR showed higher positivity for acute (58.1% vs. 48.4%) and post
      acute (50.0% vs.41.4%) samples in secondary infection. IgM ELISA showed higher
      positivity in samples from secondary dengue (74.2-94.8%) than in those from
      primary dengue (21.7-64.1%). More primary dengue samples showed positive with
      combined NS1 Ag Strip/IgM ELISA (99.0% vs. 92.8%) whereas more secondary samples
      showed positive with combined qRT-PCR/IgM ELISA (99.4% vs. 96.2%). Combined NS1
      Ag Strip/IgM ELISA is a suitable combination tests for timely and accurate dengue
      diagnosis on single serum specimen. If complemented with qRT-PCR, combined NS1 Ag
      Strip/IgM ELISA would improve detection of secondary dengue samples.

PMID- 27278717
TI  - Nursing in an imperfect world: Storytelling as preparation for mental health
      nursing practice.
AB  - Storytelling is a valuable adjunctive method of preparing undergraduate mental
      health nursing students for practice. To explore the possibilities of this method
      of teaching, 100 stories were collected from experienced nurses working in mental
      health and analysed using a case study methodology. The aim was to explore the
      purpose of clinical anecdotes told by experienced nurses working in mental health
      settings to undergraduates and new recruits, with an ancillary purpose of looking
      at the implications of these anecdotes for the exploration of contemporary mental
      health practice and education. A framework for student discussion of stories is
      provided. The insights gained illuminate not only the history of mental health
      nursing and the daily activities of nurses working in mental health, but also
      some of the deep-level skills developed and used by these nurses as they work in
      the complexity and ambiguity of an imperfect world where the job requires
      managing the unexpected every shift, and where there might not always be a
      textbook-perfect solution to clinical situations.

PMID- 27278718
TI  - Urinary cotinine levels of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users.
AB  - The popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is rapidly increasing in
      many countries. These devices are designed to imitate regular cigarettes,
      delivering nicotine via inhalation without combusting tobacco but currently,
      there is a lack of scientific evidence on the presence or absence of nicotine
      exposure. Such research relies on evidence from e-cigarette users urine samples.
      In this study, we aimed to determine the levels and compare the amount of
      nicotine to which e-cigarette users, cigarette smokers and passive smokers are
      exposed. Therefore, urine samples were collected from e-cigarette users,
      cigarette smokers, passive smokers, and healthy nonsmokers. The urinary cotinine
      levels of the subjects were determined using gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry. The mean (+/-SD) urinary cotinine levels were determined as 1755 +/
      1848 ng/g creatinine for 32 e-cigarette users, 1720 +/- 1335 ng/g creatinine for
      33 cigarette smokers and 81.42 +/- 97.90 ng/g creatinine for 33 passive smokers.
      A significant difference has been found between cotinine levels of e-cigarette
      users and passive smokers (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant
      differences between e-cigarette users and cigarette smokers (p > 0.05). This is a
      seminal study to demonstrate the e-cigarette users are exposed to nicotine as
      much as cigarette smokers. 

PMID- 27278719
TI  - Primary health care for people with an intellectual disability: an exploration of
      demographic characteristics and reasons for encounters from the BEACH programme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with an intellectual disability (ID) have complex and
      different patterns of healthcare needs. Poor participation in primary health care
      contributes to the high levels of undetected and unmanaged health issues and
      premature deaths of people with an ID. Limited research is available on the
      characteristics of people with an ID, their reasons for consulting general
      practitioners (GPs), and if these differ to people without an ID. Gaining such
      insights may provide an avenue to better understand patterns of primary care use
      and potential gaps in usage by people with an ID given their complex health
      profile compared with people without an ID. METHOD: A secondary analysis of data
      collected January 2003 to December 2012 from The Bettering the Evaluation and
      Care of Health programme was used. Participant characteristics and their reasons
      for encounter, pre- and post-age-sex standardisation, at all GP encounters with
      people identified in the encounter record as having an ID ('ID' encounters, n =
      690) were compared with those at 'non-ID' encounters (n = 970 641). Statistical
      significance was tested with chi-squared statistics or 95% confidence intervals
      as appropriate. RESULTS: This study identified significant differences in
      participant characteristics and their reasons for consulting GPs at ID encounters
      compared with non-ID encounters. Participants at ID encounters had a skewed
      demography, an over-representation of presentations for psychological, social and
      'general and unspecified' reasons, and an under-representation of presentations
      for core physical health and preventive health measures. Administrative rather
      than medically related reasons dominated presentations to general practice at ID
      encounters. CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in the characteristics
      of participants and their reasons for presentation to general practice in
      Australia for participants at ID encounters compared with non-ID encounters. This
      work suggests that there is a difference in service use patterns between these
      two groups. These findings may suggest that people with an ID experience barriers
      to participating in essential primary healthcare services.

PMID- 27278720
TI  - Emodin induces hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis through MAPK and PI3K/AKT
      signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Emodin is an active ingredient derived from root and rhizome of Rheum palmatum L
      and many studies have reported that it exhibits anticancer effects in a number of
      human tumors. However, there is little information demonstrating the possible
      effects of emodin on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC). In the present study, we show that emodin may inhibit the proliferation of
      SMMC-7721 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis of
      cells in a concentration-dependent manner after treatment for 24 h. Moreover, we
      further discovered that the possible molecular mechanisms involved may relate to
      the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase
      (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathways. Emodin may induce the phosphorylation of
      extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 while mildly suppressed the
      expression of p-c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (p-JNK). However, emodin did not affect
      the expression of the total (t)-ERK, t-p38 or t-JNK. Furthermore, emodin also
      suppressed the activation of p-AKT, but not the t-AKT. In vivo, we found that
      emodin suppressed tumor growth in experimental mice without an obvious change in
      body weight, which may work through the antiproliferation and apoptosis inducing
      effects. Moreover, emodin improves the liver and kidney function in mice,
      revealing that emodin may improve the life quality of the mice with implanted
      tumors. In conclusion, the above findings indicate that emodin may be a
      potentially effective and safe drug to induce apoptosis of HCC. 

PMID- 27278721
TI  - Prognostic value of gray matter to white matter ratio in hypoxic and non-hypoxic
      cardiac arrest with non-cardiac etiology.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluated the prognostic performance of the gray to white
      matter ratio (GWR) on brain computed tomography (CT) in out-of-hospital cardiac
      arrest (OHCA) survivors with a noncardiac etiology and compared the prognostic
      performance of GWR between hypoxic and nonhypoxic etiologies. METHODS: Using a
      multicenter retrospective registry of adult OHCA patients treated with targeted
      temperature management, we identified those with a noncardiac etiology who
      underwent brain CT within 24 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation.
      Attenuation of the gray matter and white matter (at the level of the basal
      ganglia, centrum semiovale, and high convexity) were measured and GWRs were
      calculated. The primary outcome was neurologic outcome. RESULTS: Of 164 patients,
      145 (88.4%) were discharged with a poor neurologic outcome. Lower GWR was
      associated with a poor neurologic outcome. The sensitivities of this marker were
      markedly low (9.7%-43.5%) at cutoff values, with 100% sensitivity. The cutoff
      values of the GWR for hypoxic arrest showed higher sensitivities than those for
      nonhypoxic arrest. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the GWR for the
      caudate nucleus/posterior limb of the internal capsule, putamen/corpus callosum,
      and basal ganglia were significant in the hypoxic group, whereas the AUC of the
      putamen/corpus callosum was the only significant GWR in the nonhypoxic group.
      CONCLUSION: A low GWR is associated with poor neurologic outcome in noncardiac
      etiology OHCA patients treated with targeted temperature management. Gray to
      white matter ratio can help to predict the neurologic outcome in a cardiac arrest
      with hypoxic etiology rather than a nonhypoxic etiology.

PMID- 27278722
TI  - Ultrasound-accelerated rheolytic thrombectomy for impending paradoxical embolism.

PMID- 27278723
TI  - Unexpected survival of sudden cardiac arrest patient with large multiple brain
      infarction after therapeutic hypothermia.

PMID- 27278724
TI  - Identification and characteristics of the testes-specific gene, Ccdc38, in mice.
AB  - Distinguishing the testes-specific genes in different species may disclose key
      genes associated with testes-specific functions and provide sufficient
      information for the study and treatment of male infertility. A testes-specific
      gene, coiled-coil domain containing 38 (Ccdc38), was identified by screening
      UniGene libraries. Systematic bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that the
      CCDC38 protein was conserved in various mammalian species. It was determined that
      CCDC38 was exclusively expressed in testes and its expression increased from 2-8
      weeks of age. Additional immunohistochemical analysis indicated that CCDC38 was
      mainly expressed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. It is of note that,
      immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that CCDC38
      interacted with ubiquitinated histone H2A in mouse testes. Therefore, these
      results suggest that Ccdc38 is a testes-specific gene, which may be important for
      mouse spermatogenesis. 

PMID- 27278725
TI  - Anti-HIV-1 potency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system insufficient to fully inhibit viral
      replication.
AB  - The range of genome-editing tools has recently been expanded. In particular, an
      RNA-guided genome-editing tool, the clustered regularly interspaced short
      palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated 9 (Cas9) system, has many applications for
      human diseases. In this study, guide RNA (gRNA) to target gag, pol and a long
      terminal repeat of HIV-1 was designed and used to generate gRNA-expressing
      lentiviral vectors. An HIV-1-specific gRNA and Cas9 were stably dually transduced
      into a highly HIV-1-susceptible human T-cell line and the inhibitory ability of
      the anti-HIV-1 CRISPR/Cas9 lentiviral vector assessed. Although clear inhibition
      of the early phase of HIV-1 infection was observed, as evaluated by a VSV-G
      pseudotyped HIV-1 reporter system, the anti-HIV-1 potency in multiple rounds of
      wild type (WT) viral replication was insufficient, either because of generation
      of resistant viruses or overcoming of the activity of the WT virus. Thus, there
      are potential difficulties that must be addressed when considering anti-HIV-1
      treatment with the CRISPR/Cas9 system alone. 

PMID- 27278736
TI  - Resveratrol inhibits hyperglycemia-driven ROS-induced invasion and migration of
      pancreatic cancer cells via suppression of the ERK and p38 MAPK signaling
      pathways.
AB  - Increasing evidence suggests that there is a strong relationship between diabetes
      mellitus (DM) and pancreatic cancer. Our previous study revealed that
      hyperglycemia could enhance the invasive and migratory activities of pancreatic
      cancer cells. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin, has many
      biological and pharmaceutical properties, including antioxidant and anti
      tumorigenic capabilities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether
      resveratrol affects hyperglycemia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      production as well as the invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer and its
      underlying mechanisms. Human pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cells were exposed to high
      glucose condition with or without resveratrol, N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a scavenger
      of free radicals), PD 98059 (an ERK inhibitor) or SB 203580 (a p38 MAPK
      inhibitor). The intracellular ROS and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were determined
      using 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorecein diacetate and H2O2 assay. MTT, wound healing
      assay and transwell matrigel invasion assay were used to detect the
      proliferation, migration and invasion potential of cancer cells. The expressions
      of uPA, E-cadherin and Glut-1 were examined using QT-PCR and western blot
      analysis at mRNA and protein levels. The activation of p-ERK, p-p38 and p-NF
      kappaB were measured by western blot analysis. The results of the present study
      showed that resveratrol could significantly decrease high glucose-induced
      production of ROS and H2O2 in Panc-1 cells. Resveratrol was also able to inhibit
      high glucose-induced proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer
      cells. High glucose-modulated expression of uPA, E-cadherin and Glut-1 were
      inhibited by resveratrol. In addition, high glucose-induced activation of ERK and
      p38 MAPK signaling pathways as well as the transcription factor NF-kappaB could
      also be suppressed by resveratrol. Furthermore, resveratrol was able to suppress
      H2O2-induced migration and invasion abilities of pancreatic cancer cells. Taken
      together, these data indicate that resveratrol plays an important role in
      suppressing hyperglycemia-driven ROS-induced pancreatic cancer progression by
      inhibiting the ERK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, providing evidence that
      resveratrol might be a potential candidate for chemoprevention of pancreatic
      cancer. 

PMID- 27278737
TI  - CREBRF is a potent tumor suppressor of glioblastoma by blocking hypoxia-induced
      autophagy via the CREB3/ATG5 pathway.
AB  - Hypoxia induces protective autophagy in advanced glioblastoma cells, and
      targeting this process may improve the outcome for glioblastoma patients. Recent
      studies have suggested that the autophagic process is upregulated in glioblastoma
      cells in response to extensive hypoxia. Here, we describe a novel tumor
      suppressor in glioblastoma cells, whereby hypoxia downregulated CREBRF expression
      and acts as a potent inhibitor of autophagy in glioblastoma cells via the
      CREB3/ATG5 pathway. Our results demonstrate that CREBRF expression negatively
      correlates with autophagic and HIF-1alpha levels in different grade gliomas.
      Given that CREBRF is a negative regulator of CREB3, CREB3 knockdown also
      repressed hypoxia-induced autophagy in glioblastoma cells in vitro. Collectively,
      our findings provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxia
      induced glioblastoma cell autophagy and indicate that the
      hypoxia/CREBRF/CREB3/ATG5 pathway plays a central role in malignant glioma
      progression. 

PMID- 27278738
TI  - Oscillatory Mechanics in Asthma: Emphasis on Airway Variability and
      Heterogeneity.
AB  - Spirometry is one of the most widely used tests in the assessment and monitoring
      of asthma. However, spirometry cannot be performed in very young children and
      some adult patients, and is poorly sensitive to small airways, which are
      primarily involved in the pathophysiology of asthma. The forced oscillation
      technique (FOT) has emerged as a powerful alternative technique that instead
      characterizes respiratory mechanics during normal breathing with no forced
      maneuver. In this review we highlight the current state of the art of the FOT and
      its utility in the assessment of lung function in asthma. First we briefly
      discuss the clinical features and characteristics of asthma. This is followed by
      a discussion of the assessment of airway obstruction and airway
      hyperresponsiveness using spirometry. We then review the basics of FOT and its
      application in respiratory diseases. FOT data are particularly amenable to
      modeling as an aide to physiological interpretation, and we review several common
      approaches. This is followed by an in-depth discussion of the assessment of
      airway variability and heterogeneity using FOT in asthma. Finally, we speculate
      on the potential clinical utility of FOT in asthma.

PMID- 27278740
TI  - Magnetic Resonance of Brown Adipose Tissue: A Review of Current Techniques.
AB  - This article reviews recent efforts in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and
      spectroscopy (MRS) of brown adipose tissues (BAT). The article does not
      differentiate classical BAT from more recently introduced beige/ brite
      adipocytes, as the unequivocal detection of these hybrid adipocytes with MRI and
      MRS remains an unmet need and unsolved challenge. BAT studies in both animals and
      humans have progressed rapidly during the past decade, spanning a broad spectrum
      of researchers from basic science laboratories to clinical investigators in
      primary care hospitals. While positron emission and computed tomography (PET/CT)
      is likely to remain as a reference modality in BAT imaging in the near future,
      approaches using MRI and MRS have emerged as viable alternatives. The specific
      signal contrasts that allow an MR system to assess BAT morphology and function
      are emphasized. Methods that measure tissue fat content, blood flow and
      perfusion, water diffusion, temperature, and substrate metabolism are explained
      and pertinent literature reports that utilize these approaches are highlighted.
      Finally, this article provides an outlook on research opportunities and future
      directions.

PMID- 27278741
TI  - Review of Texture Quantification of CT Images for Classification of Lung
      Diseases.
AB  - Computer-based identification of abnormal regions and classification of diseases
      using CT images of the lung has been a goal of many investigators. In this paper,
      we review research that has used texture analysis along with segmentation and
      fractal analysis. First, a review of texture methods is performed. Recent
      research on quantitative analysis of the lung using texture methods is
      categorized into six groups of computational methods: structural, statistical,
      model based, transform domain, texture-segmentation, and texture-fractal
      analysis. Finally, the applications of texture-based methods combined with either
      segmentation algorithms or fractal analysis is evaluated on lung CT images from
      patients with diseases such as emphysema, COPD, and cancer. We also discuss
      applications of artificial neural networks, support vector machine, k-nearest,
      and Bayesian methods to classify normal and diseased segments of CT images of the
      lung. A combination of these texture methods followed by classifiers could lead
      to efficient and accurate diagnosis of pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary
      fibrosis, emphysema, and cancer.

PMID- 27278739
TI  - Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Strategies: Electrically Stimulating Polymer Based
      Nerve Growth Conduits.
AB  - Treatment of large peripheral nerve damages ranges from the use of an autologous
      nerve graft to a synthetic nerve growth conduit. Biological grafts, in spite of
      many merits, show several limitations in terms of availability and donor site
      morbidity, and outcomes are suboptimal due to fascicle mismatch, scarring, and
      fibrosis. Tissue engineered nerve graft substitutes utilize polymeric conduits in
      conjunction with cues both chemical and physical, cells alone and or in
      combination. The chemical and physical cues delivered through polymeric conduits
      play an important role and drive tissue regeneration. Electrical stimulation (ES)
      has been applied toward the repair and regeneration of various tissues such as
      muscle, tendon, nerve, and articular tissue both in laboratory and clinical
      settings. The underlying mechanisms that regulate cellular activities such as
      cell adhesion, proliferation, cell migration, protein production, and tissue
      regeneration following ES is not fully understood. Polymeric constructs that can
      carry the electrical stimulation along the length of the scaffold have been
      developed and characterized for possible nerve regeneration applications. We
      discuss the use of electrically conductive polymers and associated cell
      interaction, biocompatibility, tissue regeneration, and recent basic research for
      nerve regeneration. In conclusion, a multifunctional combinatorial device
      comprised of biomaterial, structural, functional, cellular, and molecular aspects
      may be the best way forward for effective peripheral nerve regeneration.

PMID- 27278742
TI  - Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Attenuation Factors and Their
      Selection for Cancer Diagnosis and Monitoring.
AB  - Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is based on the detection of water molecule
      movement in interstitial and intracellular space, and that motion may be
      restricted in ischemia and in tumors. An early diagnosis and characterization of
      several cancer related diseases is possible with DWI. Diffusion-weighted images
      are therefore important for patient management. Knowledge of the technical
      requirements for DWI, including a suitable selection of b-values for
      differentiating between perfusion and true diffusion, as well as an understanding
      of the advantages and limitations of different b-values selections, is necessary
      to obtain reliable diagnostic results. The aim of this article is to review the
      fundamentals of the DWI technique, the common protocols used, b-value selection,
      and DWI's main contribution to neoplasm detection and staging.

PMID- 27278743
TI  - Etiology and Biomechanics of Midfoot (Lisfranc) Injuries in Athletes.
AB  - Tarsometatarsal (TMT) dislocations are an uncommon but debilitating athletic
      injury. When symptomatic midfoot instability persists, an injured athlete
      frequently requires surgical stabilization and rehabilitation for up to 9 months
      before returning to full athletic participation. Unfortunately, the limited
      biomechanical knowledge of this injury prevents prophylactic measures from being
      developed that could reduce an athlete's risk of injury. The goal of this article
      is to summarize the literature on TMT dislocations, with a particular emphasis on
      the relevant biomechanics, in an attempt to clarify the circumstances and
      mechanisms under which these injuries occur. Since athletic injuries represent
      only a small portion of all TMT dislocations, other categories of injuries are
      also considered for the insight they provide. This review first summarizes the
      anatomy of the TMT joint as well as the clinical details surrounding TMT
      dislocations. The various hypothesized injury mechanisms are then reviewed with
      particular attention given to cadaveric studies that investigate these
      mechanisms. Based on this critical review, gaps in the research related to
      epidemiologic data, full-scale and component testing, numerical modeling, and
      countermeasure development, are identified. Only by improving our understanding
      of the causes and biomechanics can steps be taken to protect athletes from these
      injuries.

PMID- 27278744
TI  - The present state of the Japanese Society of Echocardiography: looking back on
      the 15th Annual.

PMID- 27278745
TI  - Left atrial wall motion velocity measured by the velocity profile method with
      tissue Doppler echocardiography in normal subjects: its relation to aging.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to find a method for measuring left atrial
      wall velocity (LAWV) during atrial contraction using tissue Doppler
      echocardiography. METHODS: The velocity profile method was used to measure left
      atrial wall velocity at several sites in 64 healthy individuals aged 25-84 years.
      We attempted to find maximum left atrial wall velocity (LAWVmax) by mapping on
      four-chamber, two-chamber, short-axis, and long-axis views and studied the
      relations between maximum left atrial wall velocity, age, and peak velocity
      during atrial contraction in mitral or pulmonary venous flow. RESULTS: Left
      atrial wall velocity was varied by changing the position of the sampling volume.
      The velocity profile pattern was similar to the left ventricular wall velocity
      pattern near the mitral valve annulus in the left atrium. Left atrial wall
      velocity had a positive peak during atrial contraction when the sample volume was
      located in the cranial and dorsal area. Maximum left atrial wall velocity was
      obtained in 74% of cases with the two-chamber view. Maximum left atrial wall
      velocity in healthy subjects was 3.1 +/- 0.7 cm/s, and the duration of the atrial
      contraction was 112 +/- 12 ms. Maximum left atrial wall velocity increased
      slightly with age but was not significantly correlated with peak velocity during
      atrial contraction in mitral or pulmonary venous flow. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial
      wall velocity was measured by the velocity profile method in 64 healthy subjects
      aged 25-84 years. Maximum left atrial wall velocity increased slightly with age
      but was not significantly correlated with the peak velocity during atrial
      contraction in mitral or pulmonary venous flow.

PMID- 27278746
TI  - Classification of ultrasonographic images of small hepatocellular carcinoma using
      galactose-based contrast agent: relation between image patterns and histologic
      features.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish the relation between observed
      ultrasonographic (US) images produced with a galactose-based contrast agent and
      histologic characteristics of small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A total of 64 nodules in 64 patients, 22 well differentiated and 42
      moderately differentiated with a histologically proven HCC, smaller than 3.0 cm
      in diameter and who had undergone hepatectomy were consecutively examined by
      contrast-enhanced US using a galactose-based contrast agent. Perfusion images
      were acquired by intermittent high-intensity, harmonic power Doppler sonography
      using a high pulse-repetition frequency and high-pass filter setting. Perfusion
      images of the arterial and late phases were classified into several patterns and
      compared with the histologic findings obtained from resected specimens. RESULTS:
      Most of the well- and moderately differentiated resected HCCs showed hyperechoic
      change during the arterial phase. However, 13 (59%) of the well-differentiated
      HCCs showed isoechoic change and 27 (64%) of the moderately differentiated HCCs
      showed hypoechoic change during the late phase. The difference is statistically
      significant (P < 0.0001). In a comparison of microscopic portal invasion (vp) of
      HCCs using enhanced US patterns, both vp(-) and vp(+) groups showed a high
      incidence of the hypervascular pattern during the arterial phase; in contrast,
      during the late phase 11 (73%) of 15 vp(+) nodules showed hypoechoic change with
      spotty signals. This difference is statistically significant (P < 0.0001) when
      compared with a high incidence (52%) of signal defect in the vp(-) group. The
      existence of well-differentiated components associated with the periphery of
      moderately differentiated HCCs also correlated closely with patterns during the
      late phase (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Late-phase contrast-enhanced US images of
      small HCCs with a galactose-based contrast agent are useful for predicting
      specific histologic characteristics.

PMID- 27278747
TI  - Characterization of secondary ultrasonic waves radiated by two oscillating
      bubbles.
AB  - PURPOSE: A bubble oscillating under an ultrasonic wave produces an interference
      sound field with the incident ultrasonic wave, forming fringe patterns of trapped
      microbubbles. We discuss secondary ultrasonic waves radiated by two oscillating
      bubbles in the incident ultrasonic wave in terms of both theory and experimental
      conditions. METHODS: Two oscillating bubbles produce an inherent secondary wave
      field that varies with the distance between the two bubbles and the phases of
      these waves. Here we discuss the Bjerknes force derived for two bubbles and
      microbubble trapping around the bubbles. The experiments were carried out using
      microbubbles produced with an ultrasonic contrast agent (Levovist). RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSIONS: The microbubble-trapping pattern observed around the bubbles in the
      experiment closely agrees with the numerical simulation.

PMID- 27278748
TI  - Atypical focal spared area in fatty liver: evaluation by color Doppler
      ultrasonography.
AB  - Ultrasonography often detects focal spared areas in fatty livers. One etiology
      was attributed to aberrant venous drainage. On ultrasonography images the lesions
      usually appear wedge-shaped, irregularly shaped, or, less frequently, round. We
      report a rare case of an irregular, hourglass-shaped focal spared area in segment
      IV of the liver resulting from the coexistence of an aberrant right gastric vein
      and anastomoses between the aberrant vein and the portal branches as well as a
      portohepatic venous shunt. 

PMID- 27278749
TI  - Kinematic comparison of baseball batting off of a tee among various competition
      levels.
AB  - Determining and understanding baseball batting mechanics at various competition
      levels may help players and coaches identify key kinematics crucial to being a
      successful hitter. The purpose of this study was to compare batting kinematics
      across competition levels. Kinematic and temporal data were analysed for 170 male
      batters (youth n = 33; high school n = 69; college n = 22; professional n = 46)
      using 3D motion capture (480 Hz). The results showed differences in angular
      positions between competition levels during the five phases of the swing, with
      the greatest differences seen between the youth and professional batters. At the
      instant of ball contact, professional batters held the bat farther away from
      their body, with greater back shoulder abduction (35 degrees ) and less back
      elbow flexion (78 degrees ) compared to youth (27 degrees  and 89 degrees ,
      respectively). These differences were associated with greater back elbow
      extension velocity for professionals (1539 degrees /s) compared to youth (1174
      degrees /s). Additionally, higher level batters had higher bat angular and linear
      velocities compared to the youth batters. As batters progress through their
      career, they should focus on their back arm by keeping their elbow up and their
      arm extended in front of them. 

PMID- 27278750
TI  - MicroRNAs regulate T-cell production of interleukin-9 and identify hypoxia
      inducible factor-2alpha as an important regulator of T helper 9 and regulatory T
      cell differentiation.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many aspects of helper T cell (Th) development and
      function. Here we found that they are required for the suppression of interleukin
      9 (IL-9) expression in Th9 cells and other Th subsets. Two highly related miRNAs
      (miR-15b and miR-16) that we previously found to play an important role in
      regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation were capable of suppressing IL-9
      expression when they were over-expressed in Th9 cells. We used these miRNAs as
      tools to identify novel regulators of IL-9 expression and found that they could
      regulate the expression of Epas1, which encodes hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)
      2alpha. HIF proteins regulate metabolic pathway usage that is important in
      determining appropriate Th differentiation. The related protein, HIF-1alpha
      enhances Th17 differentiation and inhibits Treg cell differentiation. Here we
      found that HIF-2alpha was required for IL-9 expression in Th9 cells, but its
      expression was not sufficient in other Th subsets. Furthermore, HIF-2alpha
      suppressed Treg cell differentiation like HIF-1alpha, demonstrating both similar
      and distinct roles of the HIF proteins in Th differentiation and adding a further
      dimension to their function. Ironically, even though miR-15b and miR-16
      suppressed HIF-2alpha expression in Treg cells, inhibiting their function in Treg
      cells did not lead to an increase in IL-9 expression. Therefore, the
      physiologically relevant miRNAs that regulate IL-9 expression in Treg cells and
      other subsets remain unknown. Nevertheless, the analysis of miR-15b and miR-16
      function led to the discovery of the importance of HIF-2alpha so this work
      demonstrated the utility of studying miRNA function to identify novel regulatory
      pathways in helper T-cell development.

PMID- 27278751
TI  - Core-shell nanocarriers with high paclitaxel loading for passive and active
      targeting.
AB  - Rapid blood clearance and premature burst release are inherent drawbacks of
      conventional nanoparticles, resulting in poor tumor selectivity. iRGD peptide is
      widely recognized as an efficient cell membrane penetration peptide homing to
      alphaVbeta3 integrins. Herein, core-shell nanocapsules (NCs) and iRGD-modified
      NCs (iRGD-NCs) with high drug payload for paclitaxel (PTX) were prepared to
      enhance the antitumor activities of chemotherapy agents with poor water
      solubility. Improved in vitro and in vivo tumor targeting and penetration were
      observed with NCs and iRGD-NCs; the latter exhibited better antitumor activity
      because iRGD enhanced the accumulation and penetration of NCs in tumors. The NCs
      were cytocompatible, histocompatible, and non-toxic to other healthy tissues. The
      endocytosis of NCs was mediated by lipid rafts in an energy-dependent manner,
      leading to better cytotoxicity of PTX against cancer cells. In contrast with
      commercial product, PTX-loaded NCs (PTX-NCs) increased area under concentration
      time curve (AUC) by about 4-fold, prolonged mean resident time (MRT) by more than
      8-fold and reduced the elimination rate constant by greater than 68-fold. In
      conclusion, the present nanocarriers with high drug-loading capacity represent an
      efficient tumor-targeting drug delivery system with promising potential for
      cancer therapy.

PMID- 27278752
TI  - The "self" in pain: the role of psychological inflexibility in chronic pain
      adjustment.
AB  - Self-discrepancy occurs when a person feels the failure to fulfill one's hopes or
      responsibilities. Although self-discrepancy has been widely examined to elucidate
      patients' chronic pain adjustment, the underlying mechanism is unclear. The
      present study proposes that the effect of self-discrepancy on pain outcomes is
      accounted for by psychological inflexibility, which involves the psychological
      processes that guide behaviors in the pursuit of goals and values. One-hundred
      patients with chronic pain were recruited from a public hospital. They were
      invited to participate in a semi-structured interview regarding their self
      discrepancy and complete self-reported questionnaires regarding their
      psychological inflexibility and pain outcomes. The results confirmed that
      psychological inflexibility partly accounts for the variance observed between
      self-discrepancy and pain outcomes. The current study provides additional insight
      into the mechanism underpinning the impact of self-discrepancy on patients' pain
      adjustment and offers clinical implications regarding the use of acceptance
      commitment therapy for chronic pain management.

PMID- 27278753
TI  - Alternol inhibits the proliferation and induces the differentiation of the mouse
      melanoma B16F0 cell line.
AB  - High malignant potential and low susceptibility to treatment are characteristics
      of malignant melanoma. Alternol, a novel compound purified from microbial
      fermentation products obtained from the bark of the yew tree, exhibits a variety
      of antitumor activities. Based on these findings, the aim of the present study
      was to extend the knowledge on the antineoplastic effect of alternol in the mouse
      melanoma B16F0 cell line. Alternol significantly inhibited the proliferation and
      colony formation of B16F0 cells in a dose-dependent manner as detected by MTT and
      soft agar colony formation assays. NaOH alkaline lysis and oxidation of Dopa
      indicated that alternol enhanced the melanin content and tyrosinase activity of
      the B16F0 cells and results also showed a dose-response relationship. Morphologic
      changes accompanied by extended dendrites were discovered in the B16F0 cells
      after treatment with alternol. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of tyrosinase, Trp1
      and Trp2 were increased by alternol. Our results confirmed that alternol
      possesses marked antineoplastic properties against melanoma cells, indicating
      that this microbial fermentation product is a promising agent for the
      differentiation therapy of cancer. The inhibition of cell proliferation and
      colony formation by alternol was associated with both cytotoxicity and induction
      of differentiation. 

PMID- 27278754
TI  - Preparing non-government organization workers to conduct health checks for people
      with serious mental illness in regional Australia.
AB  - WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: People diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar
      disorder have a life expectancy 10-15 years less than the general population. In
      rural and remote Australia, there is a shortage of health care professionals to
      provide physical health care for people living with a serious mental illness
      (SMI). A large proportion of the care for people living with a SMI is provided by
      non-government organizations (NGOs), often employing workers without formal
      qualifications. There has been minimal research regarding the experiences of NGO
      workers who have been trained to complete health checks to help people living
      with SMI to access primary care services. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING
      KNOWLEDGE?: This is the first study to examine the experiences of preparing NGO
      workers to use the health improvement profile (HIP) to support the physical
      health of people with SMI. It builds on previous studies that examined the use of
      the HIP by trained/qualified staff. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This
      study highlights that NGO employees may have an important role in helping people
      with a SMI to address their physical health. Engaging lay workers to use the HIP
      increases their awareness of the importance of providing good physical health
      care for people with SMI. The use of a tool, such as the HIP, prepares NGO
      workers to support the physical health needs and enables them to describe
      meaningful improvements in the health of people with a SMI. ABSTRACT: Background
      The life expectancy of people living with a serious mental illness (SMI) is up to
      10-15 years less than the general population. They experience difficulties in
      accessing timely and appropriate physical health care. People with SMI living in
      regional Australia experience additional barriers to accessing services. This is
      in part due to the difficulties associated with recruiting and retaining health
      professionals in regional Australia. Aim To explore the regional non-government
      organization (NGO) workforce views of using a physical health care check list -
      the health improvement profile (HIP) - with people with a SMI. Gain insights into
      the workers' experiences of using the HIP. Understand which aspects of the HIP
      workers perceived as being most and least helpful. Learn how the HIP and the
      training program could be modified to better support its application in regional
      Australia. Method A focus group using a semi-structured interview was conducted
      with seven NGO employees who had been trained to use the HIP and subsequently
      used the HIP in their everyday work with patients. A mental health nurse (MHN)
      and a Psychology graduate working for the University of South Australia
      Department of Rural Health conducted the focus group. Results Using thematic
      analysis, the focus group discussion generated four main themes: taking control;
      accessing services; guiding my conversation; and working with others. The overall
      meta-theme was that lay workers can work effectively to address physical health
      problems in SMI patients. Conclusion Our observations highlight the important
      role lay workers in regional Australia have in helping people with SMI to address
      their physical health needs. They have an opportunity to extend their role in
      parts of the world where it is difficult to recruit MHNs.

PMID- 27278755
TI  - MPs question whether adults with personal care budgets get best care.

PMID- 27278756
TI  - Optimal Trend Tests for Genetic Association Studies of Heterogeneous Diseases.
AB  - The Cochran-Armitage trend test is a standard procedure in genetic association
      studies. It is a directed test with high power to detect genetic effects that
      follow the gene-dosage model. In this paper, the author proposes optimal trend
      tests for genetic association studies of heterogeneous diseases. Monte-Carlo
      simulations show that the power gain of the optimal trend tests over the
      conventional Cochran-Armitage trend test is striking when the genetic effects are
      heterogeneous. The easy-to-use R 3.1.2 software (R Foundation for Statistical
      Computing, Vienna, Austria) code is provided. The optimal trend tests are
      recommended for routine use.

PMID- 27278757
TI  - Endothelins Inhibit Osmotic Swelling of Rat Retinal Glial and Bipolar Cells by
      Activation of Growth Factor Signaling.
AB  - Water accumulation in retinal glial (Muller) and neuronal cells resulting in
      cellular swelling contributes to the development of retinal edema and
      neurodegeneration. Here, we show that endothelin-1 (ET-1) dose-dependently
      inhibits the hypoosmotic swelling of Muller cells in freshly isolated retinal
      slices of control and diabetic rats, with a maximal inhibition at 100 nM. Osmotic
      Muller cell swelling was also inhibited by ET-2. The effect of ET-1 was mediated
      by activation of ETA and ETB receptors resulting in transactivation of
      metabotropic glutamate receptors, purinergic P2Y1, and adenosine A1 receptors. ET
      1 (but not ET-2) also inhibited the osmotic swelling of bipolar cells in retinal
      slices, but failed to inhibit the swelling of freshly isolated bipolar cells. The
      inhibitory effect of ET-1 on the bipolar cell swelling in retinal slices was
      abrogated by inhibitors of the FGF receptor kinase (PD173074) and of TGF-beta1
      superfamily activin receptor-like kinase receptors (SB431542), respectively. Both
      Muller and bipolar cells displayed immunoreactivities of ETA and ETB receptor
      proteins. The data may suggest that neuroprotective effects of ETs in the retina
      are in part mediated by prevention of the cytotoxic swelling of retinal glial and
      bipolar cells. ET-1 acts directly on Muller cells, while the inhibitory effect of
      ET-1 on bipolar cell swelling is indirectly mediated, via stimulation of the
      release of growth factors like bFGF and TGF-beta1 from Muller cells.

PMID- 27278758
TI  - Experimental Evidence that 3-Methylglutaric Acid Disturbs Mitochondrial Function
      and Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Brain Synaptosomes: New Converging
      Mechanisms.
AB  - 3-Methylglutaric acid (3MGA) is an organic acid that accumulates in various
      organic acidemias whose patients present neurodegeneration events in children
      coursing with metabolic acidurias. Limited evidence describes the toxic
      mechanisms elicited by 3MGA in the brain. Herein, we explored the effects of 3MGA
      on different toxic endpoints in synaptosomal and mitochondrial-enriched fractions
      of adult rat brains to provide novel information on early mechanisms evoked by
      this metabolite. At 1 and 5 mM concentration, 3MGA increased lipid peroxidation,
      but decreased mitochondrial function only at 5 mM concentration. Despite less
      intense effects were obtained at 1 mM concentration, its co-administration with
      the kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolite and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr)
      agonist, quinolinic acid (QUIN, 50 and 100 uM), produced toxic synergism on
      markers of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. The toxicity of 3MGA per
      se (5 mM) was prevented by the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 and the
      NMDAr antagonist kynurenic acid (KYNA), suggesting cannabinoid and glutamatergic
      components in the 3MGA pattern of toxicity. The synergic model (3MGA + QUIN) was
      also sensitive to KYNA and the antioxidant S-allylcysteine, but not to the nitric
      oxide synthase inhibitor L-nitroarginine methyl ester. These findings suggest
      various underlying mechanisms involved in the neurotoxicity of 3MGA that may
      possibly contribute to the neurodegeneration observed in acidemias.

PMID- 27278759
TI  - The Protein Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Tyrphostin 23 Strongly Accelerates
      Glycolytic Lactate Production in Cultured Primary Astrocytes.
AB  - Tyrphostin 23 (T23) is a well-known inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases. To
      investigate potential acute effects of T23 on the viability and the glucose
      metabolism of brain cells, we exposed cultured primary rat astrocytes to T23 for
      up to 4 h. While the viability and the morphology of the cultured astrocytes were
      not acutely affected by the presence of T23 in concentrations of up to 300 uM,
      this compound caused a rapid, time- and concentration-dependent increase in
      glucose consumption and lactate release. Maximal effects on glycolytic flux were
      found for incubations with 100 uM T23 for 2 h which doubled both glucose
      consumption and lactate production. The stimulation of glycolytic flux by T23 was
      reversible, completely abolished upon removal of the compound and not found in
      presence of other known inhibitors of endocytosis. Structurally related compounds
      such as tyrphostin 25 and catechol or modulators of AMP kinase activity did
      neither affect the basal nor the T23-stimulated lactate production by astrocytes.
      In contrast, the presence of the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate completely
      abolished the stimulation by T23 of astrocytic lactate production in a
      concentration-dependent manner. These data suggest that T23-sensitive
      phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events are involved in the regulation of
      astrocytic glycolysis.

PMID- 27278762
TI  - Graded Exercise Therapy Guided Self-Help Trial for Patients with Chronic Fatigue
      Syndrome (GETSET): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial and Interview
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis
      (CFS/ME), is characterized by chronic disabling fatigue and other symptoms, which
      are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. Previous trials have suggested
      that graded exercise therapy (GET) is an effective and safe treatment. GET itself
      is therapist-intensive with limited availability. OBJECTIVE: While guided self
      help based on cognitive behavior therapy appears helpful to patients, Guided
      graded Exercise Self-help (GES) is yet to be tested. METHODS: This pragmatic
      randomized controlled trial is set within 2 specialist CFS/ME services in the
      South of England. Adults attending secondary care clinics with National Institute
      for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)-defined CFS/ME (N=218) will be randomly
      allocated to specialist medical care (SMC) or SMC plus GES while on a waiting
      list for therapist-delivered rehabilitation. GES will consist of a structured
      booklet describing a 6-step graded exercise program, supported by up to 4 face-to
      face/telephone/SkypeTM consultations with a GES-trained physiotherapist (no more
      than 90 minutes in total) over 8 weeks. The primary outcomes at 12-weeks after
      randomization will be physical function (SF-36 physical functioning subscale) and
      fatigue (Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire). Secondary outcomes will include
      healthcare costs, adverse outcomes, and self-rated global impression change
      scores. We will follow up all participants until 1 year after randomization. We
      will also undertake qualitative interviews of a sample of participants who
      received GES, looking at perceptions and experiences of those who improved and
      worsened. RESULTS: The project was funded in 2011 and enrolment was completed in
      December 2014, with follow-up completed in March 2016. Data analysis is currently
      underway and the first results are expected to be submitted soon. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study will indicate whether adding GES to SMC will benefit patients who
      often spend many months waiting for rehabilitative therapy with little or no
      improvement being made during that time. The study will indicate whether this
      type of guided self-management is cost-effective and safe. If this trial shows
      GES to be acceptable, safe, and comparatively effective, the GES booklet could be
      made available on the Internet as a practitioner and therapist resource for
      clinics to recommend, with the caveat that patients also be supported with
      guidance from a trained physiotherapist. The pragmatic approach in this trial
      means that GES findings will be generalizable to usual National Health Service
      (NHS) practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomized Controlled
      Trial Number (ISRTCTN): 22975026; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN22975026 (Archived
      by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6gBK00CUX).

PMID- 27278760
TI  - BDNF Overexpression Exhibited Bilateral Effect on Neural Behavior in SCT Mice
      Associated with AKT Signal Pathway.
AB  - Spinal cord injury (SCI), a severe health problem in worldwide, was commonly
      associated with functional disability and reduced quality of life. As the
      expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was substantial event in
      injured spinal cord, we hypothesized whether BDNF-overexpression could be in
      favor of the recovery of both sensory function and hindlimb function after SCI.
      By using BDNF-overexpression transgene mice [CMV-BDNF 26 (CB26) mice] we assessed
      the role of BDNF on the recovery of neurological behavior in spinal cord
      transection (SCT) model. BMS score and tail-flick test was performed to evaluate
      locomotor function and sensory function, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was
      employed to detect the location and the expression of BDNF, NeuN, 5-HT, GAP-43,
      GFAP as well as CGRP, and the level of p-AKT and AKT were examined through
      western blot analysis. BDNF overexpressing resulted in significant locomotor
      functional recovery from 21 to 28 days after SCT, compared with wild type
      (WT)+SCT group. Meanwhile, the NeuN, 5-HT and GAP-43 positive cells were markedly
      increased in ventral horn in BDNF overexpression animals, compared with WT mice
      with SCT. Moreover, the crucial molecular signal, p-AKT/AKT has been largely up
      regulated, which is consistent with the improvement of locomotor function.
      However, in this study, thermal hyperpathia encountered in sham (CB26) group and
      WT+SCT mice and further aggravated in CB26 mice after SCT. Also, following SCT,
      the significant augment of positive-GFAP astrocytes and CGRP fibers were found in
      WT+SCT mice, and further increase was seen in BDNF over-expression transgene
      mice. BDNF-overexpression may not only facilitate the recovery of locomotor
      function via AKT pathway, but also contributed simultaneously to thermal
      hyperalgesia after SCT.

PMID- 27278761
TI  - Exploring developmental gene toolkit and associated pathways in a potential new
      model crustacean using transcriptomic analysis.
AB  - The crustaceans are one of the largest, most diverse, and most successful groups
      of invertebrates. The diversity among the crustaceans is also reflected in
      embryonic development models. However, the molecular genetics that regulates
      embryonic development is not known in those crustaceans that have a short germ
      band development with superficial cleavage, such as Macrobrachium olfersi. This
      species is a freshwater decapod and has great potential to become a model for
      developmental biology, as well as for evolutionary and environmental studies. To
      obtain sequence data of M. olfersi from an embryonic developmental perspective,
      we performed de novo assembly and annotation of the embryonic transcriptome.
      Using a pooling strategy of total RNA, paired-end Illumina sequencing, and
      assembly with multiple k-mers, a total of 25,636,097 pair reads were generated.
      In total, 99,751 unigenes were identified, and 20,893 of these returned a Blastx
      hit. KEGG pathway analysis mapped a total of 6866 unigenes related to 129
      metabolic pathways. In general, 21,845 unigenes were assigned to gene ontology
      (GO) categories: molecular function (19,604), cellular components (10,254), and
      biological processes (13,841). Of these, 2142 unigenes were assigned to the
      developmental process category. More specifically, a total of 35 homologs of
      embryonic development toolkit genes were identified, which included maternal
      effect (one gene), gap (six), pair-rule (six), segment polarity (seven), Hox
      (four), Wnt (eight), and dorsoventral patterning genes (three). In addition,
      genes of developmental pathways were found, including TGF-beta, Wnt, Notch, MAPK,
      Hedgehog, Jak-STAT, VEGF, and ecdysteroid-inducible nuclear receptors. RT-PCR
      analysis of eight genes related to embryonic development from gastrulation to
      late morphogenesis/organogenesis confirmed the applicability of the transcriptome
      analysis.

PMID- 27278764
TI  - Type A: right atrial thrombus associated with a sub-massive pulmonary embolism.
AB  - The increased use of echocardiography in patients with pulmonary thrombo-embolic
      disease has led to the recognition of sub-massive pulmonary embolism (SMPE) and
      concurrent right-heart thrombus (RHT). When these findings coincide, they are
      associated with a poor prognosis, identifying a high-risk group that often
      requires a rapid management. Since echocardiographers become the "first
      responders" in this clinical scenario, it is important to raise awareness and
      familiarize the readers regarding the importance played by the echocardiography
      laboratory in the prompt diagnosis and management of this entity. We describe two
      patients presenting with SMPE with an associated simultaneous RHT and discuss
      their management. 

PMID- 27278763
TI  - Diastolic asynchrony and myocardial dysfunction in patients with univentricular
      heart after Fontan operation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the existence of myocardial dysfunction and intra
      univentricular diastolic asynchrony in patients after Fontan operation. METHODS:
      Twenty patients after Fontan procedure and 30 age-matched controls were included
      in the study. The global function of the univentricular heart was analyzed by the
      Tei index. Regional myocardial velocities and strain of the univentricular heart
      including the rudimentary right ventricle (RV) were quantified by tissue Doppler
      imaging. Intra-univentricular or intra left ventricular (LV) diastolic delay was
      measured from the difference of diastolic intervals (time to peak early diastolic
      velocity), measured at LV lateral wall and the rudimental RV wall in patients, or
      LV lateral wall and the ventricular septum in controls. RESULTS: Compared to the
      control group, patients after Fontan operation had significantly elevated Tei
      index (0.24 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.41 +/- 0.1, p < 0.001). On the other hand, the
      regional myocardial velocities and strains of the univentricular heart including
      the rudimentary RV were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Among patients, there
      was a significant correlation between the Tei index of the univentricular
      ventricle and rudimentary RV strain (r = -0.66, p = 0.01). The heart rate
      corrected intra-univentricular diastolic delay was significantly prolonged among
      patients when compared to the intra-LV diastolic delay in controls (0.01 +/- 0.9
      vs. 1 +/- 1.1, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial dysfunctions and intra
      univentricular diastolic asynchrony of the univentricular heart in patients after
      Fontan procedure are evident. The rudimentary RV in patients after Fontan
      procedure plays an important role in the determination of the global function of
      the univentricular heart.

PMID- 27278765
TI  - Systemic lupus erythematosus and small vessel coronary infarction: who's to
      blame?
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with or without accompanying antiphospholipid
      antibody syndrome (APLS) is known to cause myocardial ischemia via multiple
      mechanisms, including accelerated coronary atherosclerosis, impaired coronary
      vasomotor function, spontaneous intracoronary thrombus formation, or endothelial
      dysfunction in the context of cardiac syndrome X (CSX). We present the case of a
      young woman with SLE and APLS who presented with myocardial ischemia and peculiar
      echocardiographic evidence of multiple small septal perforator infarcts despite a
      normal coronary angiogram, a rare combination. 

PMID- 27278766
TI  - A case of carcinoid heart metastases.
AB  - Carcinoid tumor is an uncommon tumor that has often already developed metastases
      at the time of diagnosis. The primary site of tumors are the gastrointestinal
      tract, breast, and bronchus. The first manifestation of "carcinoid syndrome"
      occurs as a result of hormone production and cardiac involvement can be
      recognized in approximately half of the patients. The tricuspid or pulmonary
      valves are often affected, while, more rarely, the myocardial wall is of
      interest. A 51-year-old female patient affected by a primary pancreatic carcinoid
      showed interventricular septum carcinoid disease diagnosed by 2D
      echocardiography. 

PMID- 27278767
TI  - Spontaneous dissection of the arterial duct during continuous infusion of
      prostaglandin E1 in a neonate with aortic arch interruption.
AB  - We report a 3-day-old boy with double outlet of the right ventricle and
      interruption of the aortic arch who developed spontaneous dissection of the
      arterial duct (DA) despite use of continuous infusion of lipo-prostaglandin E1
      (PGE1). Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated the spontaneous dissecting
      aneurysm of DA, which was confirmed by histology at the modified Norwood
      procedure done at age of 18 days. This is the first report of spontaneous
      dissection of DA in a neonate receiving PGE1, suggesting a new closing mechanism
      of DA. 

PMID- 27278768
TI  - Patient with pseudo-retrograde coronary flow in the normal right coronary artery
      and left circumflex artery: pitfall of retrograde coronary flow to detect
      coronary artery occlusion.
AB  - A 75-year-old lady with hypertension and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent
      echocardiography to evaluate cardiac function. Transthoracic Doppler
      echocardiography revealed retrograde coronary flow in the right coronary artery
      (RCA) and left circumflex artery (LCX). Computed tomographic coronary angiography
      demonstrated normal but tortuous coronary arteries. This tortuosity of the
      coronary arteries was thought be a cause of pseudo-retrograde coronary flow in
      the RCA and LCX. The present case demonstrates a pitfall of retrograde coronary
      flow for the detection of coronary artery occlusion in daily practice. 

PMID- 27278769
TI  - Mid-diastolic mitral regurgitation in a patient with diastolic heart failure.

PMID- 27278770
TI  - Destructive acute infective endocarditis and purulent pericarditis.

PMID- 27278771
TI  - Deceased left ventricular compliance contributing to diastolic mitral
      regurgitation in a patient with atrioventricular block.

PMID- 27278772
TI  - Mid-diastolic mitral flow vectors in complete atrioventricular block.

PMID- 27278773
TI  - De novo sequencing and analysis of the transcriptome of Panax ginseng in the leaf
      expansion period.
AB  - Panax ginseng, a traditional Chinese medicine, is used worldwide for its variety
      of health benefits and its treatment efficacy. However, it is difficult to
      cultivate due to its vulnerability to environmental stresses. The present study
      provided the first report, to the best of our knowledge, of transcriptome
      analysis of ginseng at the leaf-expansion stage. Using the Illumina sequencing
      platform, >40,000,000 high-quality paired-end reads were obtained and assembled
      into 100,533 unique sequences. When the sequences were searched against the
      publicly available National Center for Biotechnology Information protein database
      using The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, 61,599 sequences exhibited
      similarity to known proteins. Functional annotation and classification, including
      use of the Gene Ontology, Clusters of Orthologous Groups, and Kyoto Encyclopedia
      of Genes and Genomes databases, revealed that the activated genes in ginseng were
      predominantly ribonuclease-like storage genes, environmental stress genes,
      pathogenesis-related genes and other antioxidant genes. A number of candidate
      genes in environmental stress-associated pathways were also identified. These
      novel data provide useful information on the growth and development stages of
      ginseng, and serve as an important public information platform for further
      understanding of the molecular mechanisms and functional genomics of ginseng. 

PMID- 27278774
TI  - Targeted, homology-driven gene insertion in stem cells by ZFN-loaded 'all-in-one'
      lentiviral vectors.
AB  - Biased integration remains a key challenge for gene therapy based on lentiviral
      vector technologies. Engineering of next-generation lentiviral vectors targeting
      safe genomic harbors for insertion is therefore of high relevance. In a previous
      paper (Cai et al., 2014a), we showed the use of integrase-defective lentiviral
      vectors (IDLVs) as carriers of complete gene repair kits consisting of zinc
      finger nuclease (ZFN) proteins and repair sequences, allowing gene correction by
      homologous recombination (HR). Here, we follow this strategy to engineer ZFN
      loaded IDLVs that insert transgenes by a homology-driven mechanism into safe
      loci. This insertion mechanism is driven by time-restricted exposure of treated
      cells to ZFNs. We show targeted gene integration in human stem cells, including
      CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitors and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
      Notably, targeted insertions are identified in 89% of transduced iPSCs. Our
      findings demonstrate the applicability of nuclease-loaded 'all-in-one' IDLVs for
      site-directed gene insertion in stem cell-based gene therapies.

PMID- 27278775
TI  - Global, quantitative and dynamic mapping of protein subcellular localization.
AB  - Subcellular localization critically influences protein function, and cells
      control protein localization to regulate biological processes. We have developed
      and applied Dynamic Organellar Maps, a proteomic method that allows global
      mapping of protein translocation events. We initially used maps statically to
      generate a database with localization and absolute copy number information for
      over 8700 proteins from HeLa cells, approaching comprehensive coverage. All major
      organelles were resolved, with exceptional prediction accuracy (estimated at
      >92%). Combining spatial and abundance information yielded an unprecedented
      quantitative view of HeLa cell anatomy and organellar composition, at the protein
      level. We subsequently demonstrated the dynamic capabilities of the approach by
      capturing translocation events following EGF stimulation, which we integrated
      into a quantitative model. Dynamic Organellar Maps enable the proteome-wide
      analysis of physiological protein movements, without requiring any reagents
      specific to the investigated process, and will thus be widely applicable in cell
      biology.

PMID- 27278776
TI  - Erosive potential of vitamin and vitamin+mineral effervescent tablets.
AB  - The extrinsic sources for erosion-causing acids are primarily acidic beverages
      and foodstuffs. Effervescent tablets also contain organic acids (e.g. citric,
      tartaric, malic) in order to form carbon dioxide by contact with water ? with the
      help of the carbonate salts of the tablets. To adequately inform patients about
      the possible erosive potential of effervescent tablets, this study was undertaken
      in order to investigate the erosive potential of effervescent tablets (ET),
      containing either a combination of vitamins and minerals or vitamins only,
      commercially available in Switzerland. One hundred and ninety-two bovine enamel
      samples were prepared and allocated to 16 groups (A?H and 1?8; n = 12/group).
      Samples were eroded (120 s/erosive cycle) in freshly prepared solutions (200
      ml/12 samples) comprised of tap water and a supplement as follows: none (control
      groups, A and 1); vitamin+mineral ET: Qualite and Prix (B), Optisana (C), Well
      and Active (D), Actilife All in One (E), Berocca (F), Isostar (G) and Qualite and
      Prix Mg + Vit C (H); vitamin ET: Actilife-Multivitamin (2), Sunlife Vitamin C
      (3), Optisana Vitamin C (4), Optisana Multivitamin (5), Well and Active
      Multivitamin (6), Kneipp Vitamin C+Zink (7) and Sunlife Multivitamin (8). Enamel
      loss was measured using profilometry after 10 and 20 erosive cycles. For the
      vitamin+mineral ET, no loss was observed in groups B?E. Significantly highest
      enamel loss (mean +/- SD) after 20 cycles was observed for Isostar (5.26 +/- 0.76
      um) and Qualite and Prix Mg + Vit C (5.12 +/- 0.67 um). All vitamine ET showed
      erosive enamel loss. Significantly highest loss was observed for Sunlife
      Multivitamin (8.45 +/- 1.08 um), while the lowest loss was observed for Actilife
      Multivitamin (5.61 +/- 1.08 um) after 20 cycles. Some of the tested effervescent
      tablets showed a considerable erosive potential and patients should be informed
      accordingly. 

PMID- 27278777
TI  - Association of early PSA decline and time to PSA progression in abiraterone
      acetate-treated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer; a post-hoc
      analysis of Japanese phase 2 trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between prostate
      specific antigen (PSA) kinetics and predictive value for treatment outcomes.
      Abiraterone acetate (AA) is a newly approved cytochrome-P450C17 inhibitor for
      treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), and few
      studies have evaluated PSA kinetics using AA so far. Results of a study
      evaluating PSA kinetics in the beginning of AA and enzalutamide responded
      chemotherapy-treated patients suggested different trends between the drugs. PSA
      kinetics of AA-treated patients has been reported using large datasets; however,
      no studies which have fully evaluated PSA kinetics in the beginning treatment.
      The present study aimed to assess the PSA kinetics and relationship between the
      PSA kinetics and PSA progression in chemotherapy-naive and chemotherapy-treated
      mCRPC patients receiving AA. METHODS: We used two Japanese phase II trial
      datasets: JPN-201, chemotherapy-naive mCRPC (n = 48) and JPN-202, chemotherapy
      treated mCRPC (n = 46). PSA kinetic parameters were calculated using actual PSA
      values measured every 4 weeks, and a subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate
      the influence of early PSA response on time to PSA progression (TTPP). In
      addition, we used a Cox proportional hazard model to investigate the influence of
      variables on TTPP. RESULTS: PSA declined from week 4 but took more time to
      achieve nadir. PSA kinetic parameters were different between the datasets, mean
      time to PSA nadir was 5.3 +/- 5.6 and 2.0 +/- 3.4 months, and TTPP was 9.5 +/-
      7.4 and 3.8 +/- 4.8 months in JPN-201 and JPN-202, respectively. In the subgroup
      analysis of week 4 PSA decline status, Kaplan-Meier curves for TTPP were similar
      between early responders and non-progression patients in JPN-201 (median, 9.2 vs.
      6.5 months, respectively) but separated in JPN-202 (median, 3.7 vs. 1.9 months,
      respectively). According to univariate Cox regression analysis, achievement of
      PSA response (>=50 %) at week 12 was associated with TTPP in the both trials, but
      the hazard ratio of PSA decline (>=30 %) at week 4 was not significant in JPN
      201. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PSA kinetics were not comparable and
      early PSA response showed different association to TTPP according to prior
      history of chemotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The original trials are registered
      at ClinicalTrials.gov. The identifiers are; JNJ-212082-JPN-201 , registered 20
      December 2012 and JNJ-212082-JPN-202 , registered 30January 2013.

PMID- 27278778
TI  - Composition of the Cutaneous Bacterial Community in Japanese Amphibians: Effects
      of Captivity, Host Species, and Body Region.
AB  - The cutaneous microbiota plays a significant role in the biology of their
      vertebrate hosts, and its composition is known to be influenced both by host and
      environment, with captive conditions often altering alpha diversity. Here, we
      compare the cutaneous bacterial communities of 61 amphibians (both wild and
      captive) from Hiroshima, Japan, using high-throughput amplicon sequencing of a
      segment of the 16S rRNA gene. The majority of these samples came from a captive
      breeding facility at Hiroshima University where specimens from six species are
      maintained under highly standardized conditions for several generations. This
      allowed to identify host effects on the bacterial communities under near
      identical environmental conditions in captivity. We found the structure of the
      cutaneous bacterial community significantly differing between wild and captive
      individuals of newts, Cynops pyrrhogaster, with a higher alpha diversity found in
      the wild individuals. Community structure also showed distinct patterns when
      comparing different species of amphibians kept under highly similar conditions,
      revealing an intrinsic host effect. Bacterial communities of dorsal vs. ventral
      skin surfaces did not significantly differ in most species, but a trend of higher
      alpha diversity on the ventral surface was found in Oriental fire-bellied toads,
      Bombina orientalis. This study confirms the cutaneous microbiota of amphibians as
      a highly dynamic system influenced by a complex interplay of numerous factors.

PMID- 27278779
TI  - Urinary MCP-1 as a biomarker for lupus nephritis: a meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether urinary monocyte chemoattractant
      protein-1 (MCP-1) could serve as a biomarker for lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS:
      We performed a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between urinary MCP-1
      level and LN in three comparisons: active LN versus inactive LN, active LN versus
      control, and inactive LN versus control. RESULTS: Eight studies of a total of 399
      patients with LN (204 with active LN, and 195 with inactive LN) and 130 controls
      were available for this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that the
      urinary MCP-1 level was significantly higher in the active-LN group than in the
      inactive-LN group (standard mean difference [SMD] = 1.883, 95 % confidence
      interval [CI] = 0.811-2.954, p = 0.001). The meta-analysis showed that the
      urinary MCP-1 level was significantly higher in the active-LN group than in the
      control group (SMD = 3.085, 95 % CI = 1.684-4.485, p = 1.6 * 10-5). Furthermore,
      stratification by ethnicity showed significantly elevated urinary MCP-1 levels in
      the active-LN group in Caucasian, Asian, and Egyptian populations (SMD = 2.408,
      95 % CI = 1.711-3.105, p < 1.0 * 10-8; SMD = 1.020, 95 % CI = 0.623-2.153, p =
      4.6 * 10-7; and SMD = 7.370, 95 % CI = 1.467-2.157, p = 5.9 * 10-5,
      respectively). The meta-analysis indicated that the urinary MCP-1 level was also
      significantly higher in the inactive-LN group than in the control group (SMD =
      1.812, 95 % CI = 0.628-2.996, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis
      demonstrated that urinary MCP-1 was significantly higher in patients with active
      LN than in those with inactive LN and control subjects, and the patients with
      inactive LN showed significantly higher urinary MCP-1 levels than the controls.

PMID- 27278780
TI  - [Treatment of chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis : Use of dynamic
      epiphyseal telescopic screws].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a multifactorial
      structural loosening in the area through the epiphyseal plate between the
      epiphysis and metaphysis accompanied by slippage of the femoral head in the mid
      dorsal-caudal direction without additional adequate trauma. In this retrospective
      study, all patients with chronic SCFE were assessed who had been treated by
      implanting a dynamic epiphyseal telescopic (DET) screw. METHODOLOGY: All patients
      who had been treated at our hospital with a DET screw implant between December
      2006 and November 2014 following diagnosis of chronic SCFE were included in the
      study. Clinical and radiological follow-up was carried out after 6 weeks, 12
      weeks, and then every 6 months. RESULTS: In all patients, the SCFE proved to have
      been firmly fixed and no further slippage was observed in any patient on the side
      affected. None of the prophylactically treated hips showed secondary SCFE either.
      In all patients, the DET screw led to partial remodeling of the slippage. The
      average slippage angle according to Southwick (epsilon angle) was about 30
      degrees  preoperatively and about 19 degrees  in the most recent radiological
      follow-up. The alpha angle according to Notzli was about 91 degrees 
      preoperatively and about 62 degrees  in the most recent radiological follow-up.
      Most of the patients showed none treatment-related dysfunction. CONCLUSION:
      Surgical treatment with a DET screw seems to be a safe procedure for both the
      affected hip and the hip to be treated prophylactically. This method is an
      adequate alternative to the widespread technique of pinning with K-wires.

PMID- 27278781
TI  - Nanoassemblies constructed from bimodal mesoporous silica nanoparticles and
      surface-coated multilayer pH-responsive polymer for controlled delivery of
      ibuprofen.
AB  - The pH-sensitive poly(D-A) grafted amine-functionalized bimodal mesoporous silica
      (D-A/BMMs) was prepared by a facile method used as a drug delivery vehicle. They
      exhibited superior properties such as good dispersion in aqueous medium, high
      drug loading efficiency, improved stability and high drug release rates.
      Meanwhile, its structural features and performances in a controlled delivery of
      ibuprofen (IBU) were systematically investigated by using XRD, N2 adsorption and
      desorption, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, elemental analysis and TG techniques. The results
      demonstrated that the obtained nanocomposite presented a flexible control over
      drug release by controlling the grafting amount of D-A onto the mesopores surface
      of aminated BMMs. The cumulative percent release of IBU from D-A/BMMs was found
      to be much higher at pH 7.4 than at pH 2.0. The release rate was very slow in an
      acidic medium but became faster in a neutral medium, owing to hydrogen bonding in
      an acidic medium and electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged carboxyl
      groups in an alkaline medium.

PMID- 27278782
TI  - Hydroxyapatite microporous bioceramics as vancomycin reservoir: Antibacterial
      efficiency and biocompatibility investigation.
AB  - AbstarctInfections after bone reconstructive surgery are a real therapeutic and
      economic issue for the modern health care system. As the pathogen (most often
      Staphylococcus aureus) is able to develop a biofilm inside the bone, local
      delivery of antibiotics is of interest since high drug concentrations would be
      delivered directly at the target place. In this context, this study evaluated a
      porous hydroxyapatite implant as biocompatible bone substitute and vancomycin
      delivery system to prevent post-operative infections. A simple method of
      impregnation with optimised conditions insured a high antibiotic loading (up to
      2.3 +/- 0.3 mg/m2), with a complete in vitro release obtained within 1-5 days.
      Additionally, the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects of vancomycin were
      retained after loading on hydroxyapatite, as demonstrated after challenge with a
      Staphylococcus aureus strain. Regarding the biocompatibility, a wound healing
      assay of pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to various concentrations of
      vancomycin revealed a dose-dependent reduction in cell migration for antibiotic
      concentrations higher than 1 mg/mL. Meanwhile, cells were able to proliferate
      normally on vancomycin-loaded scaffolds, although cell initial adhesion was
      seriously impaired for scaffolds loaded with 2.3 mg/m2 Loaded scaffolds could be
      stored up to three months at room temperature without any degradation of the
      antibiotic. Together, these results demonstrate the efficacy of these
      hydroxyapatite bone substitutes for local delivery of vancomycin in the context
      of bone infection.

PMID- 27278783
TI  - CNDP1 genotype and renal survival in pediatric nephropathies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The risk of developing type II diabetic nephropathy (DN) is lower in
      patients carrying the CNDP1 Mannheim polymorphism (homozygosity for the five
      leucine repeat), resulting in decreased activity of the histidine-dipeptide
      metabolizing enzyme carnosinase. The role of CNDP1 in other nephropathies is
      still unknown. METHODS: To evaluate the impact of the CNDP1 Mannheim allele on
      pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD), we prospectively followed the long-term
      clinical outcome of 272 children with non-diabetic kidney disease
      (glomerulopathies n=32, non-glomerular kidney disease n=240). RESULTS: Renal
      failure progression was independent of CNDP1 genotype in the total cohort of CKD
      children. However, in patients with glomerulopathies, only 39% of patients
      homozygous for the CNDP1 Mannheim polymorphism attained the primary renal
      endpoint as compared to 77% of patients with any other CNDP1 genotype (p=0.06).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings in pediatric CKD patients suggest that the
      nephroprotective effect of the CNDP1 Mannheim variant is not restricted to
      patients with diabetic nephropathy.

PMID- 27278784
TI  - Diagnostic interview study of the prevalence of depression among public employees
      engaged in long-term relief work in Fukushima.
AB  - AIM: The Great East Japan Earthquake and in particular, the Fukushima Daiichi
      Nuclear Power Plant accident, have had a serious psychological impact on not only
      residents, but also relief workers in Fukushima. Although public employees work
      in highly stressful situations and play a very important role in long-term
      relief, their psychiatric features have yet to be clarified. The two aims of this
      study were to identify the current prevalence rate of depression and post
      traumatic stress disorder among public employees working in the disaster area
      using diagnostic interviews, and to speculate on the psychosocial factors
      affecting their mental condition. METHODS: We conducted diagnostic interviews and
      self-administered questionnaires with 168 public employees working in two coastal
      towns in Fukushima. RESULTS: Results showed that the current prevalence of
      depression among public employees is as high as 17.9%, in contrast to the
      relatively low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (4.8%). Based on the
      results of self-administered questionnaires and interview contents, frequent
      exposure to strong complaints or anger from residents and role conflicts were
      considered the cause of the high prevalence of depression. CONCLUSION: The
      present study reveals the serious mental status of public employees working in
      Fukushima and sheds light on the urgent need to establish an efficient care
      network to provide adequate psychiatric intervention.

PMID- 27278786
TI  - A descriptive analysis of midwifery education, regulation and association in 73
      countries: the baseline for a post-2015 pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Education, regulation and association (ERA) are the supporting
      pillars of an enabling environment for midwives to provide quality care. This
      study explores these three pillars in the 73 low- and middle-income countries who
      participated in the State of the World's Midwifery (SoWMy) 2014 report. It also
      examines the progress made since the previous report in 2011. METHODS: A self
      completion questionnaire collected quantitative and qualitative data on ERA
      characteristics and organisation in the 73 countries. The countries were grouped
      according to World Health Organization (WHO) regions. A descriptive analysis was
      conducted. RESULTS: In 82% of the participating countries, the minimum education
      level requirement to start midwifery training was grade 12 or above. The average
      length of training was higher for direct-entry programmes at 3.1 years than for
      post-nursing/healthcare provider programmes at 1.9 years. The median number of
      supervised births that must be conducted before graduation was 33 (range 0 to
      240). Fewer than half of the countries had legislation recognising midwifery as
      an independent profession. This legislation was particularly lacking in the
      Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions. In most (90%) of the participating
      countries, governments were reported to have a regulatory role, but some reported
      challenges to the role being performed effectively. Professional associations
      were widely available to midwives in all regions although not all were exclusive
      to midwives. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the 2011 SoWMy report, there is evidence
      of increasing effort in low- and middle-income countries to improve midwifery
      education, to strengthen the profession and to follow international ERA standards
      and guidelines. However, not all elements are being implemented equally; some
      variability persists between and within regions. The education pillar showed more
      systematic improvement in the type of programme and length of training. The
      reinforcement of regulation through the development of legislation for midwifery,
      a recognised definition and the strengthening of midwives' associations would
      benefit the development of other ERA elements and the profession generally.

PMID- 27278787
TI  - Detecting multiple variants associated with disease based on sequencing data of
      case-parent trios.
AB  - With the advance of next-generation sequencing technology, the rare variants join
      the common ones in explaining more proportions of heritability. The coexistence
      of variants of common with rare, causal with neutral and deleterious with
      protective is a norm and should be appropriately addressed. Some existing methods
      suffer from low power when one or more forms of coexistence present, impeding
      their applications in practice. In this paper, for case-parent trios,
      pseudocontrols are constructed using the nontransmitted alleles of the parents.
      The Kullback-Leibler divergence is utilized to measure the difference between the
      distributions of variants in a genetic region for the affected children and
      pseudocontrols, and two nonparametric test statistics KLTT and cKLTT are
      proposed. Extensive simulations show that they are robust to the opposite
      directions of the causal variants and the amount of neutral variants, and have
      superiority over the existing methods when both rare and common variants are
      involved. Furthermore, their efficiency is demonstrated in the application to the
      data from Framingham Heart Study.

PMID- 27278788
TI  - Regulation of metastasis-promoting LOXL2 gene expression by antitumor microRNAs
      in prostate cancer.
AB  - Our recent studies of microRNA (miRNA) expression signatures of prostate cancer
      (PCa) showed that six miRNAs (specifically, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-29a, miR-29b,
      miR-29c and miR-218) were markedly reduced in cancer tissues. Moreover, ectopic
      expression of these miRNAs suppressed PCa cell aggressiveness, indicating that
      these miRNAs acted in concert to regulate genes that promoted metastasis. Genome
      wide gene expression analysis and in silico database analysis identified a total
      of 35 candidate genes that promoted metastasis and were targeted by these 6
      miRNAs. Using luciferase reporter assays, we showed that the lysyl oxidase-like 2
      (LOXL2) gene was directly controlled by these tumor-suppressive miRNAs in PCa
      cells. Overexpression of LOXL2 was confirmed in PCa tissues and knockdown of the
      LOXL2 gene markedly inhibited the migration and invasion of PCa cells. Aberrant
      expression of LOXL2 enhanced migration and invasion of PCa cells. Downregulation
      of antitumor miRNAs might disrupt the tightly controlled RNA networks found in
      normal cells. New insights into the novel molecular mechanisms of PCa
      pathogenesis was revealed by antitumor miRNA-regulated RNA networks.

PMID- 27278789
TI  - The roles of microRNAs in the progression of castration-resistant prostate
      cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in
      men. PCa is androgen-dependent, and androgen-deprivation therapy is effective for
      first-line hormonal treatment, but the androgen-independent phenotype of PCa
      eventually develops, which is difficult to treat and has no effective cure.
      Recently, microRNAs have been discovered to have important roles in the
      initiation and progression of PCa, suggesting their use in diagnosis, predicting
      prognosis and development of treatment for castration-resistant PCa (CRPC).
      Understanding the networks of microRNAs and their target genes is necessary to
      ascertain their roles and importance in the development and progression of PCa.
      This review summarizes the current knowledge about microRNAs regulating PCa
      progression and elucidates the mechanism of progression to CRPC.

PMID- 27278791
TI  - Outcome of microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm associated with the
      vertebral artery.
AB  - We retrospectively compared the outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) for
      hemifacial spasm (HFS) associated with the vertebral artery (VA) with that of MVD
      for HFS unrelated to the VA. Between April 2008 and April 2015, 22 patients with
      VA-associated HFS underwent MVD at our institution. The median follow-up period
      was 28 months (range, 12-90 months). Results were classified as excellent in 19
      patients (86 %), good in one (5 %), fair in one (5 %), and poor in one (5 %).
      Immediate complications developed in five patients (23 %), and one of these
      complications (5 %) was permanent. The surgical outcome of MVD for VA-associated
      HFS was similar to that of MVD for HFS unrelated to the VA; however, the
      incidence of complications was significantly more frequent in patients whose VA
      compressed the more proximal portion of the facial nerve root exit zone from the
      caudal side at the pontomedullary sulcus. We conclude that preoperative
      evaluation of VA compression patterns is important to predict the difficulty of
      the planned MVD procedure.

PMID- 27278792
TI  - Neural signals of vicarious extinction learning.
AB  - Social transmission of both threat and safety is ubiquitous, but little is known
      about the neural circuitry underlying vicarious safety learning. This is
      surprising given that these processes are critical to flexibly adapt to a
      changeable environment. To address how the expression of previously learned fears
      can be modified by the transmission of social information, two conditioned
      stimuli (CS + s) were paired with shock and the third was not. During extinction,
      we held constant the amount of direct, non-reinforced, exposure to the CSs (i.e.
      direct extinction), and critically varied whether another individual-acting as a
      demonstrator-experienced safety (CS + vic safety) or aversive reinforcement (CS +
      vic reinf). During extinction, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) responses
      to the CS + vic reinf increased but decreased to the CS + vic safety This pattern
      of vmPFC activity was reversed during a subsequent fear reinstatement test,
      suggesting a temporal shift in the involvement of the vmPFC. Moreover, only the
      CS + vic reinf association recovered. Our data suggest that vicarious extinction
      prevents the return of conditioned fear responses, and that this efficacy is
      reflected by diminished vmPFC involvement during extinction learning. The present
      findings may have important implications for understanding how social information
      influences the persistence of fear memories in individuals suffering from
      emotional disorders.

PMID- 27278790
TI  - Noncoding RNA and colorectal cancer: its epigenetic role.
AB  - The use of novel sequencing and high-throughput techniques has become widespread,
      and are now readily available to obtain the comprehensive transcription profile
      of the human genome. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are transcripts that have no
      apparent protein-coding capacity, but they have important roles in human
      physiology. Most research in this area has focused on micro-RNAs. However, the
      role of long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) as drivers of tumor suppression and oncogenic
      functions has recently been examined in numerous cancer types. Epigenetic
      alterations can reportedly deregulate the expression of any type of transcript.
      However, the exact mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of lncRNA are still
      unknown. In this review, the authors primarily focus on the epigenetic effects
      modulating ncRNA in colorectal cancer (CRC). The authors specifically discuss
      examples of oncogenic ncRNA in CRC pathobiology, as well as its extended
      diagnosis, prognosis and therapy.

PMID- 27278793
TI  - Impaired P2Y12 inhibition by clopidogrel in kidney transplant recipients: results
      from a cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular complications represent a major cause of morbidity and
      mortality for patients who received kidney transplantation (KT). However, the
      impact of KT and chronic immunosuppression on platelet response to clopidogrel in
      patients undergoing coronary or peripheral revascularization procedures remains
      unclear. This cohort study compares platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel as
      assessed byvasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation. METHODS:
      The study population was divided between chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients
      who underwent KT (n = 36) and non-transplanted CKD patients (control group, n =
      126). Patients were on maintenance antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel 75 mg
      daily for at least 8 days. The mean platelet reactivity index (PRI) VASP values
      and the prevalence of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR, defined as PRI
      VASP >=61 %) were compared. RESULTS: The mean PRI VASP value was significantly
      higher in the transplant group (60.1 +/- 3 vs 51.2 +/- 1.6 %; p=0.014). HPR was
      significantly more common in the transplant group on clopidogrel maintenance
      therapy (58 vs. 31 %; p = 0.011). KT was the only independent predictor of HPR
      (odds ratio: 2.6; 95 % confidence interval: 1.03-6.27, p = 0.03). The effect of
      treatment with calcineurin inhibitors on clopidogrel response could not be
      analyzed separately from the kidney transplant status. CONCLUSIONS: KT is
      associated with an increased prevalence of HPR. Our results suggest that
      plateletfunction tests may be clinically useful for the management of this
      specific population.

PMID- 27278794
TI  - Modelling estimates of age-specific influenza-related hospitalisation and
      mortality in the United Kingdom.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Influenza is rarely confirmed with laboratory testing and accurate
      assessment of the overall burden of influenza is difficult. We used statistical
      modelling methods to generate updated, granular estimates of the number/rate of
      influenza-attributable hospitalisations and deaths in the United Kingdom. Such
      data are needed on a continuing basis to inform on cost-benefit analyses of
      treatment interventions, including vaccination. METHODS: Weekly age specific data
      on hospital admissions (1997-2009) and on deaths (1997-2009) were obtained from
      national databases. Virology reports (1996-2009) of influenza and respiratory
      syncytial virus detections were provided by Public Health England. We used an
      expanded set of ICD-codes to estimate the burden of illness attributable to
      influenza which we refer to as 'respiratory disease broadly defined'. These codes
      were chosen to optimise the balance between sensitivity and specificity. A
      multiple linear regression model controlled for respiratory syncytial virus
      circulation, with stratification by age and the presence of comorbid risk status
      (conditions associated with severe influenza outcomes). RESULTS: In the United
      Kingdom there were 28,516 hospitalisations and 7163 deaths estimated to be
      attributable to influenza respiratory disease in a mean season, with marked
      variability between seasons. The highest incidence rates of influenza
      attributable hospitalisations and deaths were observed in adults aged 75+ years
      (252/100,000 and 131/100,000 population, respectively). Influenza B
      hospitalisations were highest among 5-17 year olds (12/100,000 population). Of
      all estimated influenza respiratory deaths in 75+ year olds, 50 % occurred out of
      hospital, and 25 % in 50-64 year olds. Rates of hospitalisations and death due to
      influenza-attributable respiratory disease were increased in adults identified as
      at-risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our study points to a substantial but highly variable
      seasonal influenza burden in all age groups, particularly affecting 75+ year
      olds. Effective influenza prevention or early intervention with anti-viral
      treatment in this age group may substantially impact the disease burden and
      associated healthcare costs. The high burden of influenza B hospitalisation among
      5-17 year olds supports current United Kingdom vaccine policy to extend
      quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccination to this age group. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT01520935.

PMID- 27278795
TI  - Highly selective and sensitive phosphate anion sensors based on AlGaN/GaN high
      electron mobility transistors functionalized by ion imprinted polymer.
AB  - A novel ion-imprinted electrochemical sensor based on AlGaN/GaN high electron
      mobility transistors (HEMTs) was developed to detect trace amounts of phosphate
      anion. This sensor combined the advantages of the ion sensitivity of AlGaN/GaN
      HEMTs and specific recognition of ion imprinted polymers. The current response
      showed that the fabricated sensor is highly sensitive and selective to phosphate
      anions. The current change exhibited approximate linear dependence for phosphate
      concentration from 0.02 mg L(-1) to 2 mg L(-1), the sensitivity and detection
      limit of the sensor is 3.191 MUA/mg L(-1) and 1.97 MUg L(-1), respectively. The
      results indicated that this AlGaN/GaN HEMT-based electrochemical sensor has the
      potential applications on phosphate anion detection.

PMID- 27278796
TI  - Reliability and validity of the Khmer version of the 10-item Connor-Davidson
      Resilience Scale (Kh-CD-RISC10) in Cambodian adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resilience has been characterized as a defensive factor against the
      refinement of mental health problems. This study adapted the Connor-Davidson
      Resilience Scale (Kh-CD-RISC10) for use in Khmer adolescents and subsequently
      investigates its psychometric properties. METHODS: Using stratified random
      sampling, this cross-sectional study sampled Cambodian adolescents from high
      schools selected randomly within three provinces (Phnom Penh, Battambang and
      Mondulkiri)-location (rural, urban) combinations. Parallel analysis was used to
      identify the number of component(s), and the structure of the single factor was
      subsequently explored using principal axis factoring. A confirmatory factor
      analysis was then performed to establish the fit of the Kh-CD-RISC10 to another
      sample. To assess convergent validity, the factor scores of the Khmer version of
      Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were categorized into three levels, and then the
      general negative affectivity (GNA) and physiological hyperarousal (PH) scales
      (derived from the DASS 21) were compared among the three resilience groups.
      RESULTS: Of the 798 participants who responded (responded rate = 82.26 %), 440
      (41.23 %) were female and the age ranged from 14 to 24 years old (mean = 17.36,
      SD = 1.325). The internal consistency of the Khmer 10-item CD-RISC was also shown
      to be high in Cambodian adolescents (Cronbach's alpha = 0. 82). Confirmatory
      factor analysis revealed the single factor model fit data adequately (chi(2) =
      100.103, df = 35, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.9484, RMSEA = 0.0384). We found that there
      were significant differences in both General Negative affectivity and
      Physiological Hyperarousal among the three resilience groups (FGNA = 12. 84, df =
      2, p < 0.001; FPH = 13. 01, df = 2, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results from the
      present study indicate that the Khmer version of CD-RISC shows good psychometric
      properties in Cambodian adolescents. Our result confirms that a single dimension
      underlay the 10 items on the CD-RISC scale of this population, and can be used to
      assess the resilience comparing to the level of PTSD symptoms in general Khmer
      adolescent.

PMID- 27278797
TI  - Diastology 2010: clinical approach to diastolic heart failure.
AB  - The role of echocardiography in the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic
      function is increasingly important in both systolic and diastolic heart failure.
      In routine clinical practice, the diastolic dysfunction associated with diastolic
      heart failure can mainly be evaluated by Doppler echocardiography. In order to
      use echocardiographic techniques for this purpose, one should recognize the
      definition, terminology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of diastolic
      dysfunction and diastolic heart failure. There are various echocardiographic
      parameters for this purpose, including transmitral flow velocity, pulmonary
      venous flow velocity, mitral annular velocity, flow propagation velocity, left
      atrial size, strain, strain rate, twist, and so on. However, no single Doppler
      echocardiographic index has yielded a robust criterion for diastolic dysfunction
      and elevated left ventricular filling pressure. Thus, multiple indices are
      required to increase the sensitivity of the diagnosis. Clinicians who take care
      of heart failure patients should continue to make critical use of a current
      Doppler echocardiographic evaluation and utilize this information to improve
      survival and quality of life in these patients. 

PMID- 27278798
TI  - Is the E/V p index useful for evaluating prognosis in chronic heart failure with
      atrial fibrillation? A pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ratio of transmitral peak E wave velocity to color flow
      propagation velocity (E/V p index) has proved to be a significant predictor of
      prognosis in cardiac diseases with sinus rhythm. However, its usefulness in
      patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure has not yet been
      established. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using the
      E/V p index for the prediction of mortality and heart failure hospitalization in
      this group. METHODS: We studied 66 ambulatory patients with stable congestive
      heart failure (CHF) functional class I-III and AF. Patients were divided into
      group A and B according to an E/V p index <1.5 and >=1.5, respectively. RESULTS:
      During follow-up (average 430 days) events were more common in group B (75 vs.
      17%, log rank test; hazard ratio (HR)  = 6.8). By means of multivariate logistic
      regression analysis, E/V p proved to be an independent predictor of events (p =
      0.0012). CONCLUSIONS: In our patients with stable CHF and AF the E/V p index is a
      significant predictor of clinical outcome.

PMID- 27278799
TI  - Relation between progression of aortic valve sclerosis and carotid intima-media
      thickening in asymptomatic subjects with cardiovascular risk factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is the early lesion of calcific aortic
      valve disease and may subsequently progress toward valvular stenosis.
      Histopathological and clinical evidence has suggested that AVS and
      atherosclerosis share similar mechanisms. However, little is known regarding the
      relation between the early AVS progression and the early atherosclerosis
      progression. The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) by carotid ultrasonography
      has been established as the surrogate marker of the early atherosclerosis. The
      aim of this study was to examine the association between progression of early AVS
      and increase of carotid IMT. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 127
      asymptomatic subjects (49 +/- 8 years, 114 men) with >=1 cardiovascular (CV) risk
      factors, without history of CV disease, who underwent echocardiographic and
      carotid ultrasonographic examinations twice >=6 months apart. We evaluated aortic
      valve morphology and function and carotid IMT at the baseline and at follow-up
      examinations. RESULTS: During a follow-up of 25 +/- 15 months, the number of
      subjects with AVS was significantly increased (34 vs. 47%, P < 0.0001) and the
      mean value of carotid IMT was significantly increased (1.16 +/- 0.33 vs. 1.29 +/-
      0.41 mm, P < 0.0001). The progression of AVS was observed in 26 subjects. By
      logistic regression analysis, the baseline carotid IMT value was an independent
      predictor of AVS progression (odds ratio = 4.07, P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: In
      asymptomatic subjects with CV risk factors, progression of AVS and increase of
      carotid IMT were observed during a mean follow-up period of 25 months.
      Progression of AVS in asymptomatic subjects with CV risk factors was associated
      with carotid intima-media thickening.

PMID- 27278800
TI  - Imaging of aortico-left ventricular tunnel by three-dimensional echocardiography.
AB  - Aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare congenital heart disease
      presenting as congestive heart failure in the neonatal or early infantile period
      due to severe aortic regurgitation (AR). We presented a 1-month-old boy with
      ALVT, originally diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography; however, the
      detailed anatomical features were not ascertained. Real-time three-dimensional
      echocardiography (RT3DE) could provide clear images of the three-dimensional
      structures of ALVT, just the same as those of surgical findings. ALVT originated
      from the left coronary cusp and ran an oblique path to the subvalvular orifice,
      having a narrow segment in the middle. RT3DE is a clinically useful diagnostic
      tool to clarify the detailed anatomy of ALVT. 

PMID- 27278801
TI  - Exercise echocardiography in the evaluation of severity of functional mitral
      regurgitation in patients with heart failure.
AB  - We present two cases with ischemic cardiomyopathy and similar functional mitral
      regurgitation (fMR) at rest, who represented different outcomes following mitral
      valve repair. In case 1, fMR was enhanced during exercise echocardiography, and
      his symptoms were improved following the repair and coronary artery bypass graft
      (CABG). In case 2, fMR did not change during exercise, and the improvement of his
      symptoms was small following the operation. Exercise echocardiography evidenced
      variability of the dynamic changes in fMR in patients with ischemic
      cardiomyopathy. The variability may be related to the outcome of the mitral valve
      repair. 

PMID- 27278802
TI  - Distal lower limb strength is reduced in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance
      and is related to elevated intramuscular fat level and vitamin D deficiency.
AB  - AIM: To quantify muscle strength and size in subjects with impaired glucose
      tolerance (IGT) in relation to intramuscular non-contractile tissue, the severity
      of neuropathy and vitamin D level. METHODS: A total of 20 subjects with impaired
      glucose tolerance and 20 control subjects underwent assessment of strength and
      size of knee extensor, flexor and ankle plantar and dorsi-flexor muscles, as well
      as quantification of intramuscular non-contractile tissue and detailed assessment
      of neuropathy and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels. RESULTS: In subjects with
      impaired glucose tolerance, proximal knee extensor strength (P = 0.17) and volume
      (P = 0.77), and knee flexor volume (P = 0.97) did not differ from those in
      control subjects. Ankle plantar flexor strength was significantly lower (P =
      0.04) in the subjects with impaired glucose tolerance, with no difference in
      ankle plantar flexor (P = 0.62) or dorsiflexor volume (P = 0.06) between groups.
      Intramuscular non-contractile tissue level was significantly higher in the ankle
      plantar flexors and dorsiflexors (P = 0.03) of subjects with impaired glucose
      tolerance compared with control subjects, and it correlated with the severity of
      neuropathy. Ankle plantar flexor muscle strength correlated significantly with
      corneal nerve fibre density (r = 0.53; P = 0.01), a sensitive measure of small
      fibre neuropathy, and was significantly lower in subjects with vitamin D
      deficiency (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: People with impaired glucose tolerance have a
      significant reduction in distal but not proximal leg muscle strength, which is
      not associated with muscle atrophy, but with increased distal intramuscular non
      contractile tissue, small fibre neuropathy and vitamin D deficiency.

PMID- 27278803
TI  - Post-exercise cold water immersion does not alter high intensity interval
      training-induced exercise performance and Hsp72 responses, but enhances
      mitochondrial markers.
AB  - This study aims to evaluate the effect of regular post-exercise cold water
      immersion (CWI) on intramuscular markers of cellular stress response and
      signaling molecules related to mitochondria biogenesis and exercise performance
      after 4 weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT). Seventeen healthy
      subjects were allocated into two groups: control (CON, n = 9) or CWI (n = 8).
      Each HIIT session consisted of 8-12 cycling exercise stimuli (90-110 % of peak
      power) for 60 s followed by 75 s of active recovery three times per week, for 4
      weeks (12 HIIT sessions). After each HIIT session, the CWI had their lower limbs
      immersed in cold water (10  degrees C) for 15 min and the CON recovered at room
      temperature. Exercise performance was evaluated before and after HIIT by a 15-km
      cycling time trial. Vastus lateralis biopsies were obtained pre and 72 h post
      training. Samples were analyzed for heat shock protein 72 kDa (Hsp72), adenosine
      monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and phosphorylated p38 mitogen
      activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK) assessed by western blot. In addition, the
      mRNA expression of heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), nuclear respiratory factor 1 and
      2 (NRF1 and 2), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), calcium calmodulin
      dependent protein kinase 2 (CaMK2) and enzymes citrate synthase (CS), carnitine
      palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK4) were
      assessed by real-time PCR. Time to complete the 15-km cycling time trial was
      reduced with training (p < 0.001), but was not different between groups (p =
      0.33). The Hsp72 (p = 0.01), p38 MAPK, and AMPK (p = 0.04) contents increased
      with training, but were not different between groups (p > 0.05). No differences
      were observed with training or condition for mRNA expression of PGC-1alpha (p =
      0.31), CPT1 (p = 0.14), CS (p = 0.44), and NRF-2 (p = 0.82). However, HFS-1 (p =
      0.007), PDK4 (p = 0.03), and Tfam (p = 0.03) mRNA were higher in CWI. NRF-1
      decrease in both groups after training (p = 0.006). CaMK2 decreased with HIIT (p
      = 0.003) but it was not affected by CWI (p = 0.99). Cold water immersion does not
      alter HIIT-induced Hsp72, AMPK, p38 MAPK, and exercise performance but was able
      to increase some markers of cellular stress response and signaling molecules
      related to mitochondria biogenesis.

PMID- 27278804
TI  - Effects of salinity acclimation and eyestalk ablation on Na(+), K(+), 2Cl(-)
      cotransporter gene expression in the gill of Portunus trituberculatus:a molecular
      correlate for salt-tolerant trait.
AB  - The Na(+), K(+), 2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC) is an important gene in ion
      transport. In order to elucidate its function, and regulatory mechanisms, in
      salinity acclimation, the complete cDNA sequence of NKCC (4218 bp) from Portunus
      trituberculatus (PtNKCC) was first cloned and characterized. It was found to
      encode 1055 amino acids containing conserved AA-permease and SLC12 motifs.
      Results show that PtNKCC is expressed to the greatest extent in gills. High
      salinity stress exposure led to significant increases (9.6-fold) of PtNKCC mRNA
      expression in the gills 12 h after treatment, declining to less than the levels
      seen in the control group between 48 and 72 h. During low salinity stress,
      expression levels of PtNKCC in gills were found to be upregulated at each
      sampling time, reaching their peak after 6 h (a 12.4-fold increase). Eyestalk
      ablation also triggered an 11.3-fold increase in PtNKCC mRNA, while re-injection
      with eyestalk homogenates significantly reduced the expression of PtNKCC mRNA.
      Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the PtNKCC open
      reading frame, and one SNP was associated with salt tolerance. Our results
      indicate that PtNKCC plays an important role in the salinity acclimation of P.
      trituberculatus, while there may be a compound present in the XOSG that inhibits
      the expression of PtNKCC.

PMID- 27278805
TI  - Photo Inactivation of Streptococcus mutans Biofilm by Violet-Blue light.
AB  - Among various preventive approaches, non-invasive phototherapy/photodynamic
      therapy is one of the methods used to control oral biofilm. Studies indicate that
      light at specific wavelengths has a potent antibacterial effect. The objective of
      this study was to determine the effectiveness of violet-blue light at 380-440 nm
      to inhibit biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans or kill S. mutans. S. mutans
      UA159 biofilm cells were grown for 12-16 h in 96-well flat-bottom microtiter
      plates using tryptic soy broth (TSB) or TSB with 1 % sucrose (TSBS). Biofilm was
      irradiated with violet-blue light for 5 min. After exposure, plates were re
      incubated at 37  degrees C for either 2 or 6 h to allow the bacteria to recover.
      A crystal violet biofilm assay was used to determine relative densities of the
      biofilm cells grown in TSB, but not in TSBS, exposed to violet-blue light. The
      results indicated a statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease compared to the
      non-treated groups after the 2 or 6 h recovery period. Growth rates of planktonic
      and biofilm cells indicated a significant reduction in the growth rate of the
      violet-blue light-treated groups grown in TSB and TSBS. Biofilm viability assays
      confirmed a statistically significant difference between violet-blue light
      treated and non-treated groups in TSB and TSBS. Visible violet-blue light of the
      electromagnetic spectrum has the ability to inhibit S. mutans growth and reduce
      the formation of S. mutans biofilm. This in vitro study demonstrated that violet
      blue light has the capacity to inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation. Potential
      clinical applications of light therapy in the future remain bright in preventing
      the development and progression of dental caries. 

PMID- 27278806
TI  - Differential Response of Extracellular Proteases of Trichoderma Harzianum Against
      Fungal Phytopathogens.
AB  - In the present study, production of extracellular proteases by Trichoderma
      harzianum was evaluated based on the relative gene expression and
      spectrophotometric assay. The fungal isolates were grown in Czapek Dox Broth
      medium supplemented with deactivated mycelium of plant fungal pathogens such as
      Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum capsici, Gloeocercospora sorghi, and
      Colletotrichum truncatum. The maximum protease activity was detected after 48 h
      of incubation against Colletotrichum spp. Similarly in qRT-PCR, the relative gene
      expression of four proteases varied from 48 to 96 h against host pathogens in a
      time-independent manner. Among proteases, statistically significant upregulation
      of asp, asp, and srp was observed against Colletotrichum spp., followed by F.
      oxysporum. But in the case of pepM22, maximum upregulation was observed against
      F. oxysporum. The variation in enzyme assay and qRT-PCR of proteases at different
      time intervals against various fungal phytopathogens could be due to the
      limitation of using casein as a substrate for all types of proteases or protease
      encoding transcripts selected for qRT-PCR, which may not be true representative
      of total protease activity. 

PMID- 27278807
TI  - Outcome in dogs with advanced (stage 3b) anal sac gland carcinoma treated with
      surgery or hypofractionated radiation therapy.
AB  - Stage 3b anal sac gland carcinoma (ASGC) can be life-threatening. A surgical
      approach is not always possible or may be declined. Dogs with stage 3b ASGC
      treated with surgery or conformal radiation therapy (RT) with 8 * 3.8 Gy (total
      dose 30.4 Gy, over 2.5 weeks) were retrospectively evaluated. Patient
      characteristics, median progression-free interval (PFI) and median survival time
      (MST) were compared. Twenty-eight dogs were included; 15 underwent surgery, 13
      underwent RT. At the time of presentation, 21% showed life-threatening
      obstipation and 25% showed hypercalcaemia. PFI and MST for surgery cases were 159
      days (95% CI: 135-184 days) and 182 days (95% CI: 146-218 days), both
      significantly lower than for RT cases with 347 days (95% CI: 240-454 days) and
      447 days (95% CI: 222-672 days), (P = 0.01, P = 0.019). Surgery as well as RT led
      to a fast relief of symptoms. PFI and survival of surgical patients were
      significantly inferior to that of a comparable patient group treated with
      conformal hypofractionated RT.

PMID- 27278809
TI  - Correction to "1-[5-(2-Fluorophenyl)-1-(pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-1H-pyrrol-3-yl]-N
      methylmethanamine Monofumarate (TAK-438), a Novel and Potent Potassium
      Competitive Acid Blocker for the Treatment of Acid-Related Diseases.".

PMID- 27278808
TI  - Atomic layer deposition coating of carbon nanotubes with zinc oxide causes acute
      phase immune responses in human monocytes in vitro and in mice after pulmonary
      exposure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a method for applying conformal
      nanoscale coatings on three-dimensional structures. We hypothesized that surface
      functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with polycrystalline
      ZnO by ALD would alter pro-inflammatory cytokine expression by human monocytes in
      vitro and modulate the lung and systemic immune response following oropharyngeal
      aspiration in mice. METHODS: Pristine (U-MWCNTs) were coated with alternating
      doses of diethyl zinc and water over increasing ALD cycles (10 to 100 ALD cycles)
      to yield conformal ZnO-coated MWCNTs (Z-MWCNTs). Human THP-1 monocytic cells were
      exposed to U-MWCNTs or Z-MWCNTs in vitro and cytokine mRNAs measured by Taqman
      real-time RT-PCR. Male C57BL6 mice were exposed to U- or Z-MWCNTs by
      oropharyngeal aspiration (OPA) and lung inflammation evaluated at one day post
      exposure by histopathology, cytokine expression and differential counting of
      cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells. Lung fibrosis was evaluated
      at 28 days. Cytokine mRNAs (IL-6, IL-1beta, CXCL10, TNF-alpha) in lung, heart,
      spleen, and liver were quantified at one and 28 days. DNA synthesis in lung
      tissue was measured by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake. RESULTS: ALD resulted in
      a conformal coating of MWCNTs with ZnO that increased proportionally to the
      number of coating cycles. Z-MWCNTs released Zn(+2) ions in media and increased IL
      6, IL-1beta, CXCL10, and TNF-alpha mRNAs in THP-1 cells in vitro. Mice exposed to
      Z-MWCNTs by OPA had exaggerated lung inflammation and a 3-fold increase in
      monocytes and neutrophils in BALF compared to U-MWCNTs. Z-MWCNTs, but not U
      MWCNTs, induced IL-6 and CXCL10 mRNA and protein in the lungs of mice and
      increased IL-6 mRNA in heart and liver. U-MWCNTs but not Z-MWCNTs stimulated
      airway epithelial DNA synthesis in vivo. Lung fibrosis at 28 days was not
      significantly different between mice treated with U-MWCNT or Z-MWCNT.
      CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary exposure to ZnO-coated MWCNTs produces a systemic acute
      phase response that involves the release of Zn(+2), lung epithelial growth
      arrest, and increased IL-6. ALD functionalization with ZnO generates MWCNTs that
      possess increased risk for human exposure.

PMID- 27278810
TI  - Pyrogallol induces the death of human pulmonary fibroblast cells through ROS
      increase and GSH depletion.
AB  - Pyrogallol (PG) inhibits the growth of various cells via stimulating O2*-
      mediated death. This study investigated the effects of PG on cell death in human
      pulmonary fibroblast (HPF) cells in relation to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and
      glutathione (GSH) levels. PG inhibited the growth of HPF cells with an IC50 of
      ~50-100 uM at 24 h. PG induced a G1 phase arrest of the cell cycle and also
      triggered cell death accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential
      (MMP; ?psim), Bcl-2 decrease, p53 increase and the activation of caspase-3. PG
      increased O2*- level in HPF cells and depleted GSH content in these cells. Z-VAD
      (a pan-caspase inhibitor) did not significantly change cell growth inhibition,
      death and MMP (?psim) loss in PG-treated HPF cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
      attenuated growth inhibition, death and MMP (?psim) loss in PG-treated HPF cells
      and it decreased O2*- level in these cells as well. However, L-buthionine
      sulfoximine (BSO) strongly increased ROS level in PG-treated HPF cells and it
      intensified growth inhibition, cell death, MMP (?psim) loss and GSH depletion in
      these cells. In conclusion, PG-induced HPF cell death was closely related to
      increases in ROS level and GSH depletion. 

PMID- 27278811
TI  - Taking a Third-Person Perspective Requires Inhibitory Control: Evidence From a
      Developmental Negative Priming Study.
AB  - To determine whether the growing ability to take a third-person perspective (3PP)
      is explained in part by the growing ability to inhibit a first-person perspective
      (1PP), 10-year-old children (n = 49) and 22-year-old adults (n = 52) performed a
      negative priming adaptation of the own body transformation task. Both children
      and adults were less efficient in adopting a 1PP after they adopted a 3PP-with a
      smaller amplitude of the negative priming effect with older age-and adults' and
      children's performances in the own body transformation task were predicted in
      part by their Stroop interference scores. These results suggest that the growing
      efficiency to adopt a 3PP is rooted in part in the growing efficiency to inhibit
      the 1PP.

PMID- 27278813
TI  - On the importance of tetrel bonding interactions in lead(ii) complexes with
      (iso)nicotinohydrazide based ligands and several anions.
AB  - Four Pb(ii) complexes of (iso)nicotinohydrazide-based ligands and different
      anionic coligands (azide, nitrate, acetate and iodide) have been synthesized and
      characterized by structural, analytical and spectroscopic methods. The mono
      deprotonated or neutral forms of the ligands coordinate in a tridentate fashion
      via two nitrogen and one oxygen donor atoms to the Pb. Single-crystal X-ray
      crystallography showed that the molecular complexes can aggregate into larger
      entities depending upon the anion coordinated to the metal centre. In all four
      complexes the lead center is hemidirectionally coordinated and, consequently, it
      is sterically ideal for establishing tetrel bonding interactions. In the crystal
      structures of all complexes, the lead atoms participate in short contacts with
      nitrogen atoms. These contacts are shorter than the sums of the van der Waals
      radii and larger than the sums of the covalent radii. The tetrel bonding
      interactions interconnect the covalently bonded units (monomers or dimers) into
      supramolecular assemblies (chains and 3D structures). We have analysed the
      interesting supramolecular assemblies observed in the solid state of all four
      complexes by means of DFT calculations. 

PMID- 27278812
TI  - New Disaccharide-Based Ether Lipids as SK3 Ion Channel Inhibitors.
AB  - The SK3 potassium channel is involved in the development of bone metastasis and
      in the settlement of cancer cells in Ca(2+) -rich environments. Ohmline, which is
      a lactose-based glycero-ether lipid, is a lead compound that decreases SK3
      channel activity and consequently limits the migration of SK3-expressing cells.
      Herein we report the synthesis of three new ohmline analogues in which the
      connection of the disaccharide moieties (1->6 versus 1->4) and the
      stereochemistry of the glycosyl linkage was studied. Compound 2 [3-(hexadecyloxy)
      2-methoxypropyl-6-O-alpha-d-glucopyranosyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside], which
      possesses an alpha-glucopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-galactopyranosyl moiety, was found
      to decrease SK3 current amplitude (70 % inhibition at 10 MUm), displace SK3
      protein outside caveolae, and decrease constitutive Ca(2+) entry (50 % inhibition
      at 300 nm) and SK3-dependent cell migration (30 % at 300 nm) at a level close to
      that of the benchmark compound ohmline. Compound 2, which decreases the activity
      of SK3 channel (but not SK2 channel), is a new drug candidate to reduce cancer
      cell migration and to prevent bone metastasis.

PMID- 27278814
TI  - Objective-subjective disparity in cancer-related cognitive impairment: does the
      use of change measures help reconcile the difference?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Studies to date have found little correlation between subjective and
      objective measures of cognitive function in cancer patients, making it difficult
      to interpret the significance of their cognitive complaints. The purpose of this
      study was to determine if a stronger correlation would be obtained using measures
      of cognitive change rather than static scores. METHODS: Sixty women with early
      stage breast cancer underwent repeated cognitive assessment over the course of
      chemotherapy with a neuropsychological test battery (objective measure) and with
      the FACT-Cog (subjective measure). Their results were compared to 60 healthy
      women matched on age and education and assessed at similar intervals. We used
      multilevel modeling, with FACT-Cog as the dependent measure and ordinary least
      squares slopes of a neuropsychological summary score as the independent variable,
      to evaluate the co-variation between the subjective and objective measures over
      time RESULTS: Measures of both objective and subjective cognitive function
      declined over the course of chemotherapy in the breast cancer patients but there
      was no significant relationship between them, even when using change measures.
      Change in objective cognitive function was not related to change in anxiety or
      fatigue scores but the decline in perceived cognitive function was associated
      with greater anxiety and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The discrepancy in objective and
      subjective measures of cognition in breast cancer patients cannot be accounted
      for in terms of a failure to use change measures. Although the results are
      negative, we contend that this is the more appropriate methodology for analyzing
      cancer-related changes in cognition.

PMID- 27278815
TI  - AuDis: an automatic CRF-enhanced disease normalization in biomedical text.
AB  - Diseases play central roles in many areas of biomedical research and healthcare.
      Consequently, aggregating the disease knowledge and treatment research reports
      becomes an extremely critical issue, especially in rapid-growth knowledge bases
      (e.g. PubMed). We therefore developed a system, AuDis, for disease mention
      recognition and normalization in biomedical texts. Our system utilizes an order
      two conditional random fields model. To optimize the results, we customize
      several post-processing steps, including abbreviation resolution, consistency
      improvement and stopwords filtering. As the official evaluation on the CDR task
      in BioCreative V, AuDis obtained the best performance (86.46% of F-score) among
      40 runs (16 unique teams) on disease normalization of the DNER sub task. These
      results suggest that AuDis is a high-performance recognition system for disease
      recognition and normalization from biomedical literature.Database URL:
      http://ikmlab.csie.ncku.edu.tw/CDR2015/AuDis.html. 

PMID- 27278816
TI  - SinEx DB: a database for single exon coding sequences in mammalian genomes.
AB  - Eukaryotic genes are typically interrupted by intragenic, noncoding sequences
      termed introns. However, some genes lack introns in their coding sequence (CDS)
      and are generally known as 'single exon genes' (SEGs). In this work, a SEG is
      defined as a nuclear, protein-coding gene that lacks introns in its CDS. Whereas,
      many public databases of Eukaryotic multi-exon genes are available, there are
      only two specialized databases for SEGs. The present work addresses the need for
      a more extensive and diverse database by creating SinEx DB, a publicly available,
      searchable database of predicted SEGs from 10 completely sequenced mammalian
      genomes including human. SinEx DB houses the DNA and protein sequence information
      of these SEGs and includes their functional predictions (KOG) and the relative
      distribution of these functions within species. The information is stored in a
      relational database built with My SQL Server 5.1.33 and the complete dataset of
      SEG sequences and their functional predictions are available for downloading.
      SinEx DB can be interrogated by: (i) a browsable phylogenetic schema, (ii)
      carrying out BLAST searches to the in-house SinEx DB of SEGs and (iii) via an
      advanced search mode in which the database can be searched by key words and any
      combination of searches by species and predicted functions. SinEx DB provides a
      rich source of information for advancing our understanding of the evolution and
      function of SEGs.Database URL: www.sinex.cl.

PMID- 27278817
TI  - Mining clinical attributes of genomic variants through assisted literature
      curation in Egas.
AB  - The veritable deluge of biological data over recent years has led to the
      establishment of a considerable number of knowledge resources that compile
      curated information extracted from the literature and store it in structured
      form, facilitating its use and exploitation. In this article, we focus on the
      curation of inherited genetic variants and associated clinical attributes, such
      as zygosity, penetrance or inheritance mode, and describe the use of Egas for
      this task. Egas is a web-based platform for text-mining assisted literature
      curation that focuses on usability through modern design solutions and simple
      user interactions. Egas offers a flexible and customizable tool that allows
      defining the concept types and relations of interest for a given annotation task,
      as well as the ontologies used for normalizing each concept type. Further,
      annotations may be performed on raw documents or on the results of automated
      concept identification and relation extraction tools. Users can inspect, correct
      or remove automatic text-mining results, manually add new annotations, and export
      the results to standard formats. Egas is compatible with the most recent versions
      of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari and is available
      for use at https://demo.bmd-software.com/egas/Database URL: https://demo.bmd
      software.com/egas/.

PMID- 27278818
TI  - The antineoplastic agent alpha-bisabolol promotes cell death by inducing pores in
      mitochondria and lysosomes.
AB  - The sesquiterpene alpha-bisabolol (alpha-BSB) has been shown to be an effective
      cytotoxic agent for a variety of human cancer cells in culture and animal models.
      However, much of its intracellular action remains elusive. We evaluated the
      cytotoxic action of alpha-BSB against CML-T1, Jurkat and HeLa cell lines, as
      preclinical models for myeloid, lymphoid and epithelial neoplasias. The approach
      included single cell analysis (flow cytometry, immunocytology) combined with
      cytotoxicity and proliferation assays to characterize organelle damage,
      autophagy, cytostatic effect, and apoptosis. The study focuses on the relevant
      steps in the cytotoxic cascade triggered by alpha-BSB: (1) the lipid rafts
      through which alpha-BSB enters the cells, (2) the opening of pores in the
      mitochondria and lysosomes, (3) the activation of both caspase-dependent and
      caspase-independent cell death pathways, (4) the induction of autophagy and (5)
      apoptosis. The effectiveness of alpha-BSB as an agent against tumor cells is
      grounded on its capability to act on different layers of cell regulation to
      elicit different concurrent death signals, thereby neutralizing a variety of
      aberrant survival mechanisms leading to treatment resistance in neoplastic cell.

PMID- 27278819
TI  - Enantioselective direct vinylogous aldol-cyclization cascade reaction between
      beta,gamma-unsaturated amides and o-quinones.
AB  - 1,2-Diketones are employed, for the first time, as electrophiles in the
      vinylogous aldol reaction. With 5 mol% of chiral tertiary amine-thiourea , a
      direct vinylogous aldol-cyclization cascade reaction between beta,gamma
      unsaturated amides and o-quinones has been achieved to produce spirocyclic
      dihydropyranones in 76-99% yield and 82-95% ee. 

PMID- 27278820
TI  - Quercetin inhibits the growth of human gastric cancer stem cells by inducing
      mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis through the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling.
AB  - Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have recently been linked to new treatment strategies
      for gastric cancer due to the critical role which they play as the 'heartbeat' of
      cancer. In the present study, we explored the effects of quercetin, an anti
      inflammatory and antiviral compound, on gastric CSCs (GCSCs). We noted that
      quercetin exerted pronounced inhibitory effects on GCSC survival. Moreover,
      quercetin induced cell apoptosis in a mitochondrial-dependent manner, as shown by
      the reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, the activation of caspase-3
      and -9, and the downregulation of Bcl-2, as well as the upregulation of Bax and
      cytochrome c (Cyt-c). Additionally, a marked decrease in Akt phosphorylation
      levels was observed following treatment with quercetin, whereas pre-treatment
      with fumonisin B1 (FB1, Akt activator) significantly attenuated the inhibitory
      effects of quercetin on cell growth and its promoting effects on mitochondrial
      dependent apoptosis. Notably, FB1 enhanced the expression of Bcl-2, which was
      inhibited by quercetin, and prevented the decrease in mitochondrial membrane
      potential induced by quercetin. However, the increase in the levels of caspases,
      Bax and Cyt-c induced by quercetin was also attenuated by the addition of FB1 to
      the GCSCs. Therefore, our results demonstrate that quercetin triggers
      mitochondrial apoptotic-dependent growth inhibition via the blockade of
      phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling in GCSCs, indicating a potential
      target for the treatment of gastric cancer. 

PMID- 27278821
TI  - Opinions of Nurses About the Evaluation of Risk of Falling Among Inpatients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient falls and fall-related injuries are an important problem for
      patients, relatives, caregivers, and the health system at large. AIMS: This study
      aims to identify opinions of nurses about the risk of falling among patients
      staying in hospitals. METHOD: This study uses a qualitative descriptive design
      and employs a semistructured interview method to identify the opinions and
      experiences of nurses about patient falls. This study evaluated the opinions of a
      total of 12 staff nurses. FINDINGS: It was found that nurses consider patients in
      the postoperative period to be most prone to falls. They think that most falls
      take place during transfers and that the medical diagnosis of the patient plays a
      crucial role in fall incidents. The most important problem associated with
      patient falls was symptoms of traumatic brain injury. According to the
      participating nurses, the risk of fall for every patient should be evaluated upon
      admission. Measures that the nurses take against patient falls include raising
      the bed's side rails and securing the bed brakes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of
      this research suggest that in-service training programs about the evaluation of
      the risk of falling should be organized for nurses. Guidelines should be
      developed for patients with different levels of risk of falling. It is suggested
      that nurses should be in charge of training patients who are conscious, their
      relatives, and caregiver personnel. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The training of nurses
      and caregivers helps to prevent the falls of inpatients.

PMID- 27278823
TI  - Potentially Extreme Population Displacement and Concentration in the Tropics
      Under Non-Extreme Warming.
AB  - Evidence increasingly suggests that as climate warms, some plant, animal, and
      human populations may move to preserve their environmental temperature. The
      distances they must travel to do this depends on how much cooler nearby surfaces
      temperatures are. Because large-scale atmospheric dynamics constrain surface
      temperatures to be nearly uniform near the equator, these displacements can grow
      to extreme distances in the tropics, even under relatively mild warming
      scenarios. Here we show that in order to preserve their annual mean temperatures,
      tropical populations would have to travel distances greater than 1000 km over
      less than a century if global mean temperature rises by 2  degrees C over the
      same period. The disproportionately rapid evacuation of the tropics under such a
      scenario would cause migrants to concentrate in tropical margins and the
      subtropics, where population densities would increase 300% or more. These results
      may have critical consequences for ecosystem and human wellbeing in tropical
      contexts where alternatives to geographic displacement are limited.

PMID- 27278822
TI  - The Parkinson's disease-associated genes ATP13A2 and SYT11 regulate autophagy via
      a common pathway.
AB  - Forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are associated with lysosomal and autophagic
      dysfunction. ATP13A2, which is mutated in some types of early-onset Parkinsonism,
      has been suggested as a regulator of the autophagy-lysosome pathway. However,
      little is known about the ATP13A2 effectors and how they regulate this pathway.
      Here we show that ATP13A2 depletion negatively regulates another PD-associated
      gene (SYT11) at both transcriptional and post-translational levels. Decreased
      SYT11 transcription is controlled by a mechanism dependent on MYCBP2-induced
      ubiquitination of TSC2, which leads to mTORC1 activation and decreased TFEB
      mediated transcription of SYT11, while increased protein turnover is regulated by
      SYT11 ubiquitination and degradation. Both mechanisms account for a decrease in
      the levels of SYT11, which, in turn, induces lysosomal dysfunction and impaired
      degradation of autophagosomes. Thus, we propose that ATP13A2 and SYT11 form a new
      functional network in the regulation of the autophagy-lysosome pathway, which is
      likely to contribute to forms of PD-associated neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27278825
TI  - Photo and Collision Induced Isomerization of a Cyclic Retinal Derivative: An Ion
      Mobility Study.
AB  - A cationic degradation product, formed in solution from retinal Schiff base
      (RSB), is examined in the gas phase using ion mobility spectrometry,
      photoisomerization action spectroscopy, and collision induced dissociation (CID).
      The degradation product is found to be N-n-butyl-2-(beta-ionylidene)-4
      methylpyridinium (BIP) produced through 6pi electrocyclization of RSB followed by
      protonation and loss of dihydrogen. Ion mobility measurements show that BIP
      exists as trans and cis isomers that can be interconverted through buffer gas
      collisions and by exposure to light, with a maximum response at lambda = 420
      nm.Graphical Abstract.

PMID- 27278824
TI  - Ground and Excited-Electronic-State Dissociations of Hydrogen-Rich and Hydrogen
      Deficient Tyrosine Peptide Cation Radicals.
AB  - We report a comprehensive study of collision-induced dissociation (CID) and near
      UV photodissociation (UVPD) of a series of tyrosine-containing peptide cation
      radicals of the hydrogen-rich and hydrogen-deficient types. Stable, long-lived,
      hydrogen-rich peptide cation radicals, such as [AAAYR + 2H](+?) and several of
      its sequence and homology variants, were generated by electron transfer
      dissociation (ETD) of peptide-crown-ether complexes, and their CID-MS(3)
      dissociations were found to be dramatically different from those upon ETD of the
      respective peptide dications. All of the hydrogen-rich peptide cation radicals
      contained major (77%-94%) fractions of species having radical chromophores
      created by ETD that underwent photodissociation at 355 nm. Analysis of the CID
      and UVPD spectra pointed to arginine guanidinium radicals as the major components
      of the hydrogen-rich peptide cation radical population. Hydrogen-deficient
      peptide cation radicals were generated by intramolecular electron transfer in
      Cu(II)(2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) complexes and shown to contain chromophores
      absorbing at 355 nm and undergoing photodissociation. The CID and UVPD spectra
      showed major differences in fragmentation for [AAAYR](+?) that diminished as the
      Tyr residue was moved along the peptide chain. UVPD was found to be superior to
      CID in localizing Calpha-radical positions in peptide cation radical
      intermediates. Graphical Abstract ?.

PMID- 27278826
TI  - Basic-targeted echocardiography for neonatologists: a trainee's perspective.
AB  - Targeted echocardiography has been promoted by neonatologists in recent years but
      some aspects of its efficacy remain unexplored. We carried out a survey among
      trainees of targeted echocardiography courses in order to describe their
      professional characteristics and abilities. Thirty-eight former trainees were
      included in the survey. Seventy-six percent were experienced neonatologists and
      84% practiced other bedside ultrasound diagnostics. Respondents practiced all
      major indications of targeted echocardiography, with a variable degree of
      interaction with available Cardiology services. For all but one indications, less
      than half of the participants use it independently of a pediatric cardiologist
      support, with percentages varied between 2% (for use of inhaled nitric oxide) and
      53% (to assess myocardial contractility). When planning a standard of education
      and evaluation of targeted echocardiography, a careful consideration of the
      profile of the final utilizer is an invaluable piece of information.

PMID- 27278827
TI  - Comparative pathogenesis of eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus
      mackerrasae and Angiostrongylus cantonensis in murine and guinea pig models of
      human infection.
AB  - This study investigated comparatively the pathogenicity of experimental infection
      of mice and guinea pigs, with Angiostrongylus mackerrasae and the closely related
      species A. cantonensis. Time course analyses showed that A. mackerrasae causes
      eosinophilic meningitis in these hosts, which suggests that the species has the
      potential to cause meningitis in humans and domestic animals. Both A. mackerrasae
      and the genetically similar A. cantonensis caused eosinophilic meningitis in mice
      at two time points of 14 and 21 days post infection (dpi). The brain lesions in
      mice infected with A. mackerrasae were more granulomatous in nature and the
      parasites were more likely to appear degenerate compared with lesions caused by
      A. cantonensis. This may indicate that the mouse immune system eliminates A.
      mackerrasae infection more effectively. The immunologic responses of mice
      infected with the two Angiostrongylus species was compared by assessing ex vivo
      stimulated spleen derived T cells and cytokines including interferon-gamma,
      interleukin 4 and interleukin 17 on 14 and 21 dpi. The results were similar for
      mice infected with A. cantonensis and A. mackerrasae. Serum from the infected
      animals with either A. cantonensis or A. mackerrasae recognized total soluble
      antigen of A. cantonensis female worms on Western blot.

PMID- 27278828
TI  - Free-Standing Organic Transistors and Circuits with Sub-Micron Thicknesses.
AB  - The realization of wearable electronic devices with extremely thin and flexible
      form factors has been a major technological challenge. While substrates typically
      limit the thickness of thin-film electronic devices, they are usually necessary
      for their fabrication and functionality. Here we report on ultra-thin organic
      transistors and integrated circuits using device components whose substrates that
      have been removed. The fabricated organic circuits with total device thicknesses
      down to 350 nm have electrical performance levels close to those fabricated on
      conventional flexible substrates. Moreover, they exhibit excellent mechanical
      robustness, whereby their static and dynamic electrical characteristics do not
      change even under 50% compressive strain. Tests using systematically applied
      compressive strains reveal that these free-standing organic transistors possess
      anisotropic mechanical stability, and a strain model for a multilayer stack can
      be used to describe the strain in this sort of ultra-thin device. These results
      show the feasibility of ultimate-thin organic electronic devices using free
      standing constructions.

PMID- 27278829
TI  - Are you loved by ultrasound?

PMID- 27278830
TI  - Ultrasonographic findings and natural history of intraductal papillary-mucinous
      neoplasms of the pancreas.
AB  - It is clear that the prevalence of malignancy is high in the main-duct type of
      intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Branch-duct IPMNs include several
      histologic conditions such as carcinoma, adenoma, and hyperplasia. Intraductal
      papillary adenocarcinoma and papillary adenoma are characterized by papillary
      protrusions and thick septum-like structures in dilated ducts as delineated by
      ultrasonography. A solid mass showing a mixedecho pattern in the pancreatic
      parenchyma is a characteristic finding of invasive types of IPMN. The
      international guidelines for the management of branch-duct IPMNs suggest that the
      appearance of symptoms attributable to the cyst, the presence of intramural
      nodules, a cyst size greater than 30 mm, and dilation of the main pancreatic duct
      (>6 mm) are indications for resection. Based on the relationship between the
      height of a papillary protrusion and the diameter of a cystic dilated branch as
      well as on histological findings, branch-duct IPMNs with papillary protrusions
      more than 10 mm in height as shown by imaging should be resected, and it is not
      adequate to differentiate carcinoma from other lesions based on the diameter of
      cystic branches alone. A follow-up study on branch-duct IPMNs revealed that most
      papillary protrusions showed a slow increase in size or development of lateral
      spread, and that there was no development of cancer with stromal invasion during
      an average follow-up of 46 months. Therefore, the presence of intramural nodules
      alone should not be an indication for surgery. Also, patients without papillary
      protrusions or thick septum-like structures are not immediate candidates for
      surgery. Invasive adenocarcinoma can develop at a pancreatic site different from
      the area of interest showing cystic changes, with such invasion possibly being
      multicentric. Therefore, in patients with branch-duct IPMNs, attention should be
      paid to the entire pancreas when performing follow-up examinations. 

PMID- 27278831
TI  - Investigation of ultrasound image processing to improve perceptibility of
      microcalcifications.
AB  - PURPOSE: This article describes an investigation of the detectability of breast
      microcalcifications by ultrasound imaging. METHODS: Two kinds of experiments were
      performed to evaluate the spatial and contrast resolution of microstructures in
      an agar graphite phantom and to analyze human perception of tiny spots. RESULTS:
      The results showed that most of the difficulties in finding microstructures were
      not only due to lower echo levels but also to obstructions in the surrounding
      texture of the image. Based on these results, a new image processing method was
      proposed to emphasize microcalcifications in mammary glands. This method utilized
      statistical analysis of the echo signals and also considered the structural
      pattern of the mammary gland. Processed images from some clinical cases showed
      adequate extraction of the microcalcifications with efficient cancellation of the
      mammary gland structure. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the perception of
      microcalcifications could be improved by the proposed method.

PMID- 27278832
TI  - Wall composition analysis of the human hepatic artery by intravascular
      ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the wall layer appearance of
      the human hepatic artery shown by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). METHODS: We
      evaluated the wall layer appearance of 57 human hepatic arteries from 36
      cadavers. The thickness of the inner high-echoic layer and the second low-echoic
      layer of the arteries was measured by IVUS, and it was compared with that of the
      arterial intima and media, respectively. RESULTS: The thickness of the inner high
      echoic layer was 0.2 +/- 0.1 mm and that of the second low-echoic layer was 0.4
      +/- 0.1 mm, on IVUS. However, the histological thickness of the intima was 120 +/
      45 MUm and that of the media was 258 +/- 71 MUm. The media of the hepatic artery
      correlated significantly with the second low-echoic layer on IVUS (r = 0.62, P <
      0.01). The diameter of the vessels measured on IVUS correlated significantly with
      that of the histological specimens (r = 0.89, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: From our
      results, the three layers of the hepatic artery detected with IVUS may correspond
      to the intima, media, and adventitia, respectively.

PMID- 27278833
TI  - Longitudinal fractional shortening and its relation to diastolic cardiac
      function.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although alterations in longitudinal systolic function have been
      considered the earliest sign of cardiac damage, the importance of longitudinal
      fractional shortening (LFS), which reflects left ventricular longitudinal
      contraction, has not been studied in detail. We introduce a new method of
      measuring LFS by echocardiography and evaluate its efficiency. METHODS: Our study
      population consisted of 120 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), 29 healthy
      volunteers, and 12 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). LFS was assessed
      echocardiographically. Patients with DM underwent conventional echocardiography,
      assessment of left ventricular diastolic function, and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler
      study. RESULTS: LFS was 0.07 +/- 0.02 in patients with CAD, 0.16 +/- 0.05 in
      patients with DM, and 0.26 +/- 0.04 in the normal controls. The three groups
      differed significantly with respect to the mean LFS values, which were
      significantly lower in patients with DM than in the normal controls. The ratio of
      peak diastolic velocities during early filling and atrial contraction (Em/Am)
      measured on pulsed-wave tissue Doppler images was significantly correlated with
      LFS (r = 0.37, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: LFS is correlated with diastolic cardiac
      function and is a useful and sensitive index for evaluating long-axis systolic
      function.

PMID- 27278834
TI  - Flaming portal vein as a new color Doppler sign of portal gas: report of two
      cases.
AB  - Portal gas is relatively rare, and the majority of reported cases have shown it
      to have a close relation to bowel diseases. At present, portal exploration
      usually begins with color Doppler sonography, and clinicians now possess a good
      understanding of color Doppler findings of a wide spectrum of portal
      abnormalities. However, the color Doppler sign we present in this article has not
      been reported before. We report two cases of ischemic bowel disease in which B
      mode ultrasound showed multiple hyperechoic spots moving in the portal vein; the
      color Doppler appearance was as if the portal vein was on fire (flaming portal
      vein sign). Knowledge of this simple color Doppler sign helps to improve the
      diagnostic strategies in patients with portal gas. 

PMID- 27278835
TI  - A symptomatic child with ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis.
AB  - A 5-year-old boy who had pneumonia was treated in a neighboring hospital.
      Ceftriaxone was administrated 2 g/day divided into two equal intravenous doses.
      After 1 week of ceftriaxone therapy, the patient developed abdominal pain. In our
      hospital, an abdominal sonogram showed a hyperechoic band with postacoustic
      shadow within the collapsed gallbladder. He was diagnosed with ceftriaxone
      associated biliary pseudolithiasis, and ceftriaxone therapy was ceased. On the
      8th our hospital day, he again complained of right abdominal pain after supper. A
      sonogram revealed high-amplitude echoes within the gallbladder neck and common
      bile duct. Furthermore, bile duct dilatation was observed. He was managed
      conservatively, after which the symptoms were resolved. On the 11th day, a
      sonogram showed only sludge within the gallbladder, and on the 13th day, he was
      discharged from our hospital. It is important for sonographers to recognize the
      possible occurrence of biliary pseudolithiasis in ceftriaxone-treated patients,
      especially when a high dose is used in children. 

PMID- 27278836
TI  - Left-sided hepatic hydrothorax diagnosed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
      with intraperitoneal injection of Levovist.
AB  - A 62-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea. Chest X
      ray revealed massive pleural effusion on the left side. Contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography using Levovist was performed to confirm the transdiaphragmatic
      passage of ascitic fluid into the pleural cavity. After injection of Levovist
      into the peritoneal cavity, an enhanced pulsative flow into the pleural cavity
      was detected. This is the first report of hepatic hydrothorax diagnosed by
      contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. This method is safe and useful for the
      diagnosis of hepatic hydrothorax, and it allows observation of the real-time
      movement of ascitic fluid from the peritoneal cavity to the pleural space and
      detection of the site of the peritoneopleural communication. 

PMID- 27278837
TI  - Hepatobiliary cystadenocarcinoma with rapid growth: report of a case.
AB  - We describe a case of histologically proven hepatobiliary cystadenocarcinoma with
      an emphasis on the longterm clinical course. The patient was a 75-year-old man
      who had been diagnosed as having a simple hepatic cyst at our hospital and had
      been followed up by abdominal sonography (US) for about 10 years. However, the
      lesion subsequently showed a sudden increase in size and a marked change in US
      findings, i.e., from a benign hepatic cyst to a complete solid lesion. Contrast
      enhanced US revealed the lesion to be filled with fine vessels. This rapid change
      led us to strongly suspect a hepatobiliary cystadenocarcinoma and, thus, left
      lateral segmentectomy was performed. The patient is doing well 6 months after the
      surgical treatment. 

PMID- 27278838
TI  - Budd-Chiari syndrome due to hepatic vein obstruction without inferior vena cava
      obstruction.

PMID- 27278839
TI  - Aneurysm of the left gastric vein in a patient with portal hypertension.

PMID- 27278840
TI  - Portal vein aneurysm.

PMID- 27278841
TI  - Concerns about the safety of patient examinations.

PMID- 27278842
TI  - Nanoporous Structures Similar to Those Reported from Squid Sucker Teeth are also
      Present in Egg Shells of a Terrestrial Flatworm (Platyhelminthes; Rhabditophora;
      Geoplanidae) from Hachijojima (Izu Islands, Japan).
AB  - Shells of the egg cocoon of a terrestrial planarian (Diversibipalium sp.) from
      Hachijojima were found to be composed of a lattice of parallel nanotubes of ca.
      120 nm diameter oriented perpendicular to the shell's surface. The arrangement of
      the porous proteinaceous tubes closely resembles that has recently been reported
      from the sucker teeth of squid and to date is the only other example of this kind
      of structure. Although the array of nanotubes undoubtedly contributes to the
      stiffness of the shell and helps protecting the embryo, questions such as to how
      the planary worm produces the array of nanotubes and what exactly their chemical
      and physical properties are versus those of the squid sucker tooth still remain
      to be answered. 

PMID- 27278843
TI  - Medical ultrasonics in urology.

PMID- 27278844
TI  - Contrast-enhanced US of ampullary carcinoma: correlations with pathological
      findings.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of contrast-enhanced transabdominal
      ultrasonography (CEUS) in the diagnosis of ampullary cancer (AC). METHODS: In 12
      patients with AC, the presence of tumor enhancement, histological type, amount of
      connective tissue in cancer, and tumor growth pattern were evaluated. The
      correlation between the tumor growth pattern and enhancement shape, that between
      the enhancement pattern and surrounding tissue, and the presence of pancreatic
      infiltration were evaluated. The depth of cancer invasion was mucosa in five
      patients, within Oddi's sphincter in four, beyond the duodenum but not to the
      pancreas in two, and pancreatic invasion less than 5 mm in one. RESULTS: The
      tumor was enhanced in 11 patients but not in the patient with much connective
      tissue in the tumor. Enhancement was observed in all patients with the
      intraluminal papillary or mixed type, but not in those with the periductal
      invasive type. The enhancement shape was predominantly round or irregular in the
      intraluminal papillary type and predominantly serrated in the mixed type. The
      enhancement shape differed among the growth patterns. The normal pancreatic
      parenchyma around the tumor was enhanced in all patients, and pancreatic
      infiltration was regarded as absent when there was a continuous unenhanced area
      between the tumor and pancreatic parenchyma. CONCLUSION: CEUS correlates with
      pathological findings of ampullary cancer.

PMID- 27278845
TI  - Sonographic characterization of 271 hepatic hemangiomas with typical appearance
      on CT imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hepatic hemangioma is the most frequent benign solid tumor that requires
      differentiation from hepatic malignancy on ultrasonography. Useful ultrasound
      findings are therefore required for diagnosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The
      following factors were investigated for 271 masses diagnosed as hepatic
      hemangioma by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in 188 patients: hepatic
      subsegment location, shape, maximum diameter, internal echo level, hyperechoic
      rim, posterior echoes, marginal hypoechoic band (halo), lateral shadow, blood
      flow signal in the central portion of the mass, and underlying liver disease.
      RESULTS: Hepatic masses were classified by internal echo pattern as homogeneous
      hyperechoic (35.0%), homogeneous hypoechoic (22.9%), isoechoic (5.2%), mixed
      hyperechoic (22.1%), or mixed hypoechoic (14.8%) masses. Twelve masses were
      isoechoic, and could be recognized by the hyperechoic rim. Posterior echo
      enhancement was present in 66 masses. There were no cases of posterior echo
      attenuation. A halo was present in six masses, with the underlying condition
      being fatty infiltrated liver in two masses; a hypoechoic region with a small
      amount of fat deposit was present around the mass, and this resembled a halo.
      This finding was termed a "pseudohalo." There were no masses in which a lateral
      shadow was observed. In terms of blood flow signals in the central portion of the
      mass, pulsatile flow was present in only one mass. CONCLUSIONS: Important
      ultrasonographic findings of hepatic hemangioma are characterized as the absence
      of lateral shadow (100%) and no attenuation of posterior echoes (100%), while the
      presence of a hyperechoic rim is useful for detecting isoechoic hemangioma.

PMID- 27278846
TI  - The value of dynamic imaging for standardization of abdominal ultrasonography.
AB  - PURPOSE: Digital video recording of dynamic images is a potential way to improve
      the reproducibility of abdominal ultrasonography (US). Static US and dynamic US
      were compared using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) as a reference
      standard, and the value of stored video images was verified. METHODS: The
      subjects were 120 individuals who had undergone CE-CT <=1 month before undergoing
      US. After static US, dynamic US was carried out according to the Scanning
      Procedure for Abdominal Ultrasonography described in this paper, and records of
      30 separate scans were saved on digital video discs (DVD) as individual video
      files for interpretation. The findings from static US and dynamic US were
      compared. RESULTS: With respect to the abdominal US signs covered in this
      evaluation, dynamic US achieved a detection rate equivalent to or better than
      that of static US. Detection rates were significantly more frequent on dynamic US
      for: enlarged hepatic hilum lymph nodes (P < 0.001); gallbladder wall thickness
      (P < 0.01); cystic lesions of the liver, bright liver, and splenomegaly (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Dynamic US is a valuable tool because it enables repeated
      evaluation of target organs with playback speed adjustment.

PMID- 27278847
TI  - Phase II clinical study of DD-723 (perflubutane): dose-response study in patients
      with breast tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: We compared the contrast effect of three doses of DD-723 in subjects
      with breast tumors to determine the recommended dose. We then evaluated
      differential diagnosis results using plain ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography (plain + enhanced), and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) compared to the pathological diagnosis. METHODS: To evaluate the
      contrast effect, contrast-enhanced ultrasonic images were independently evaluated
      in a randomized sequence by three blinded reviewers trained in the evaluation
      method beforehand. Multiple evaluation results from the three reviewers were used
      to assess the overall contrast effect. The differential diagnosis was evaluated
      independently by three blinded reviewers using contrast-enhanced ultrasonic
      images and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images in a randomized sequence;
      reviewers were also blinded to subject characteristics. Multiple evaluation
      results from the three reviewers were used to assess the overall differential
      diagnosis. RESULTS: The recommended dose of DD-723 is an intermediate dose of
      0.12 MUL MB/kg. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were improved more in the
      differential diagnosis by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography than in plain
      ultrasonography. Accuracy and specificity were better and sensitivity similar
      compared to contrast-enhanced MRI. CONCLUSIONS: An intermediate dose showed the
      highest efficacy in terms of overall contrast effect. Contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography is safe and useful when used in differential diagnosis.

PMID- 27278848
TI  - Left ventricular apical and atrial appendage thrombus with hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy in sinus rhythm: a case report.
AB  - A 47-year-old female with a history of untreated hypertension and diabetes
      mellitus was referred because of a left ventricular echocardiographic mass with
      congestive heart failure. At the time of admission, she had already had a cardio
      embolic stroke with loss of recent memory and slight paralysis of the right upper
      arm. It was difficult to distinguish between thrombus and tumor. However, her
      clinical condition required surgical resection as soon as possible. We performed
      cardiac CT to evaluate the coronary arteries and to scan the mass at the left
      ventricular apex. This CT evaluation revealed another mass at the left atrial
      appendage. Thus, these two masses were highly suggestive of thrombi. Subemergency
      surgical resection of the two masses and a part of the myocardium at the left
      ventricular apex was successfully performed. The pathological results showed that
      both the mass in the left ventricular apex and the mass in the left atrial
      appendage were thrombi, and the myocardial disarray confirmed the
      echocardiographic diagnosis as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. 

PMID- 27278849
TI  - A case of pyometra treated with endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage.
AB  - A 90-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a high-grade fever
      and appetite loss. On computed tomography scan, a huge cystic lesion about 10 cm
      in diameter was observed in the pelvic cavity, attached to the vagina and the
      neck of uterus. Pyometra was strongly suspected; however, a probe could not be
      inserted into the opening of the uterus because of atrophic changes. Therefore,
      we decided to perform endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of the pyometra
      using the transrectal route. Foul-smelling yellow-brown pus was aspirated. A
      guide-wire was inserted and a 7 Fr catheter was inserted into the pyometra
      through an external fistula. We thus completed the treatment of pyometra without
      surgical resection. 

PMID- 27278850
TI  - A case report of solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: ultrasound diagnostic
      features.
AB  - Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura is a rarely encountered clinical entity.
      Although the majority of these neoplasms have a benign course, the malignant form
      has also been reported. We describe the case of a 57-year-old male smoker with
      diabetes who was incidentally diagnosed on chest X-ray with a large solitary mass
      of the left hemithorax. The diagnostic tests included computed tomography,
      ultrasound, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Radical surgical resection was
      performed and histological examination confirmed a malignant solitary fibrous
      tumor of the pleura. The novelty of the case is the use of contrast-enhanced
      ultrasound in the diagnostic workup. 

PMID- 27278851
TI  - To-and-fro waveforms in the left gastric vein in portal hypertension.
AB  - Unusual to-and-fro waveforms were demonstrated in the left gastric vein on
      Doppler sonograms in four patients with liver cirrhosis. The patterns of the to
      and-fro waveforms were diverse in each of the patients: both hepatopetal and
      hepatofugal flow occurred in a single waveform in case 1, changes in the flow
      direction with flow interruption were noted in case 2, and changes in flow
      direction without observation of flow interruption and changes after meals were
      noted in cases 3 and 4, respectively. These waveforms may represent a
      transitional phase during the development of a portal systemic shunt in patients
      with portal hypertension. 

PMID- 27278852
TI  - A case of parathyroid carcinoma accompanied by a brown tumor.

PMID- 27278853
TI  - Lens-based wavefront sensorless adaptive optics swept source OCT.
AB  - Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has revolutionized modern ophthalmology,
      providing depth resolved images of the retinal layers in a system that is suited
      to a clinical environment. Although the axial resolution of OCT system, which is
      a function of the light source bandwidth, is sufficient to resolve retinal
      features at a micrometer scale, the lateral resolution is dependent on the
      delivery optics and is limited by ocular aberrations. Through the combination of
      wavefront sensorless adaptive optics and the use of dual deformable transmissive
      optical elements, we present a compact lens-based OCT system at an imaging
      wavelength of 1060 nm for high resolution retinal imaging. We utilized a
      commercially available variable focal length lens to correct for a wide range of
      defocus commonly found in patient's eyes, and a novel multi-actuator adaptive
      lens for aberration correction to achieve near diffraction limited imaging
      performance at the retina. With a parallel processing computational platform,
      high resolution cross-sectional and en face retinal image acquisition and display
      was performed in real time. In order to demonstrate the system functionality and
      clinical utility, we present images of the photoreceptor cone mosaic and other
      retinal layers acquired in vivo from research subjects.

PMID- 27278855
TI  - Bayesian coalescent inference reveals high evolutionary rates and diversification
      of Zika virus populations.
AB  - Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the family Flaviviridae. In 2015, ZIKV triggered
      an epidemic in Brazil and spread across Latin America. By May of 2016, the World
      Health Organization warns over spread of ZIKV beyond this region. Detailed
      studies on the mode of evolution of ZIKV strains are extremely important for our
      understanding of the emergence and spread of ZIKV populations. In order to gain
      insight into these matters, a Bayesian coalescent Markov Chain Monte Carlo
      analysis of complete genome sequences of recently isolated ZIKV strains was
      performed. The results of these studies revealed a mean rate of evolution of 1.20
      * 10(-3) nucleotide substitutions per site per year (s/s/y) for ZIKV strains
      enrolled in this study. Several variants isolated in China are grouped together
      with all strains isolated in Latin America. Another genetic group composed
      exclusively by Chinese strains were also observed, suggesting the co-circulation
      of different genetic lineages in China. These findings indicate a high level of
      diversification of ZIKV populations. Strains isolated from microcephaly cases do
      not share amino acid substitutions, suggesting that other factors besides viral
      genetic differences may play a role for the proposed pathogenesis caused by ZIKV
      infection. J. Med. Virol. 88:1672-1676, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27278854
TI  - Tracheobronchoscopic Assessment of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage and
      Airway Inflammation in Barrel Racing Horses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poor performance is often suspected to be associated with EIPH in
      barrel racing horses; however, there are no published reports of EIPH for this
      discipline. The prevalence of EIPH in barrel racing horses is also unknown.
      OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of EIPH and
      signs of airway inflammation in barrel racing horses under normal racing
      conditions in Alberta. ANIMALS: About 170 barrel racing horses. METHODS:
      Observational cross-sectional study. Tracheobronchoscopic examinations were
      performed at least 30 minutes postrace. Video recordings were scored off-site
      independently by two observers for EIPH and tracheal mucus accumulation (TMA).
      Horses with an EIPH score >=2 were not assessed for TMA. Interobserver agreement
      was calculated by weighted kappa statistics. Run times, environmental variables,
      and clinical information were also recorded for analysis. RESULTS: 77/170 (45.3%)
      of horses examined showed evidence of EIPH (grade >= 1). Interobserver agreement
      was 0.94. 140/141 (99.3%) of horses assessed for TMA showed evidence of tracheal
      mucus accumulation (grade >= 1) with 104/141 (73.8%) having a TMA score >= 2.
      Interobserver agreement was 0.73. A weak positive association was found between
      EIPH scores and average run speed, the presence of cough at rest reported by the
      riders, increased recovery time, exercise intolerance, and outdoor pattern.
      CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The high prevalence of EIPH observed in the
      sampled population indicates that barrel racing induces substantial stress on the
      lungs. The presence of EIPH did not impact negatively on performance. Factors
      such as environmental dust and frequent traveling might have contributed to the
      high prevalence of TMA observed.

PMID- 27278856
TI  - Reduced anticipation of negative emotional events in alexithymia.
AB  - Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in different domains of emotion
      processing, especially in relation to negative emotions. Nevertheless, its causal
      mechanisms remain elusive. Reduced anticipation of negative emotional events
      might be one such mechanism because it enables the individual to prepare to
      respond effectively to coming events. To test this, changes in skin conductance
      response (SCR) were recorded during classical fear conditioning in sixty
      participants with high (HA), medium (MA) and low (LA) levels of alexithymia. Two
      coloured squares were presented, one was reinforced with a mild electrical
      stimulation (CS+) while the other was never reinforced (CS-). Critically, despite
      all groups showing higher SCR to CS+ compared to CS-, SCR to CS+ was lower and
      extinguished earlier in HA compared to MA and LA. These differences appeared to
      be attributable neither to differences in the intensity of stimulation received,
      nor to SCR to the stimulation itself. Groups showed comparable SCR to CS- as
      well. Therefore, HA exhibited decreased anticipation of the occurrence of a
      negative emotional event. Disruption of this mechanism may then compromise
      effective emotion recognition, emotional response and response regulation, which
      characterise HA, and represent a unifying causal mechanism underlying the
      difficulties in emotion processing of this group.

PMID- 27278857
TI  - Environmental changes define ecological limits to species richness and reveal the
      mode of macroevolutionary competition.
AB  - Co-dependent geological and climatic changes obscure how species interact in deep
      time. The interplay between these environmental factors makes it hard to discern
      whether ecological competition exerts an upper limit on species richness. Here,
      using the exceptional fossil record of Cenozoic Era macroperforate planktonic
      foraminifera, we assess the evidence for alternative modes of macroevolutionary
      competition. Our models support an environmentally dependent macroevolutionary
      form of contest competition that yields finite upper bounds on species richness.
      Models of biotic competition assuming unchanging environmental conditions were
      overwhelmingly rejected. In the best-supported model, temperature affects the per
      lineage diversification rate, while both temperature and an environmental driver
      of sediment accumulation defines the upper limit. The support for contest
      competition implies that incumbency constrains species richness by restricting
      niche availability, and that the number of macroevolutionary niches varies as a
      function of environmental changes.

PMID- 27278859
TI  - Perceptions of dementia and use of services in minority ethnic communities: a
      scoping exercise.
AB  - Despite the rapidly ageing population and a predicted sevenfold increase in the
      prevalence of dementia in minority ethnic communities, people from these
      communities remain under-represented in specialist dementia services. Leventhal's
      Model of Self-Regulation suggests perceptions of illness facilitate help-seeking
      behaviours such as the use of services. This scoping exercise makes use of the
      model to explore perceptions of dementia in British Indian, African and
      Caribbean, and East and Central European communities in the United Kingdom.
      Between August 2013 and April 2014, culturally specific dementia awareness
      roadshows were attended by people living with dementia, carers and members of the
      public. During the roadshows, 62 British Indian, 50 African and Caribbean, and 63
      East and Central European attenders participated in discussion groups and a
      dementia knowledge quiz. Thematic and framework analysis were conducted on the
      discussion group data. Three main themes are presented: Perceptions of dementia,
      awareness of dementia in the wider family and community, and awareness and use of
      services. The findings suggest that although groups attributed a biological basis
      for memory loss, a number of misconceptions prevailed regarding the cause of
      dementia. Groups also made use of religion, as opposed to medical healthcare
      services, as a form of personal and treatment control. Seeking help from
      healthcare services was hindered by lack of awareness of services, and culturally
      specific barriers such as language. The findings have a number of implications
      for policy and practice including the development of public health interventions
      and the need to focus further on reducing barriers to accessing services.

PMID- 27278858
TI  - Probenecid, an organic anion transporter 1 and 3 inhibitor, increases plasma and
      brain exposure of N-acetylcysteine.
AB  - 1. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is being investigated as an antioxidant for several
      conditions including traumatic brain injury, but the mechanism by which it
      crosses membrane barriers is unknown. We have attempted to understand how the
      transporter inhibitor, probenecid, affects NAC pharmacokinetics and to evaluate
      the interaction of NAC with transporters. 2. Juvenile Sprague-Dawley rats were
      administered NAC alone or in combination with probenecid intraperitoneally.
      Plasma and brain samples were collected serially and NAC concentrations were
      measured. Transporter studies were conducted with human embryonic kidney-293
      cells that overexpress organic anion transporter (OAT)1 or OAT3 and with human
      multi-drug resistance-associated protein (MRP)1 or MRP4 membrane vesicles. 3. NAC
      area under the curve was increased in plasma (1.65-fold) and brain (2.41-fold) by
      probenecid. The apparent plasma clearance was decreased by 65%. Time- and
      concentration-dependent NAC uptake that was inhibitable by probenecid was
      observed with OAT1 and OAT3. No uptake of NAC was observed with MRP1 or MRP4. 4.
      Our results indicate for the first time that NAC is substrate for OAT1 and OAT3
      and that probenecid increases NAC plasma and brain exposure in vivo. These data
      provide insight regarding how NAC crosses biological barriers and suggest a
      promising therapeutic strategy to increase NAC exposure.

PMID- 27278860
TI  - Pseudoalteromonas gelatinilytica sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater.
AB  - Three Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacteria, designated strains NH153T, F-2-11
      and M-1-78, were isolated from surface seawater of the South China Sea and the
      East China Sea. The three isolates were able to grow at 15-45  degrees C (optimum
      28-37  degrees C), but no growth occurred at 4 or 50  degrees C. The pH range for
      growth was pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum pH 7.5-8.5). The isolates required sea salts for
      growth and growth occurred in the presence of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3-5 %);
      no growth occurred in the presence of 12.0, 15.0 or 20.0 % (w/v) NaCl. They were
      positive for hydrolysis of gelatin and Tween 80. The sole respiratory quinone was
      ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0, C18 :
      1omega7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1omega7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The major
      polar lipid components were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol,
      diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified
      phospholipid and one unidentified lipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain
      NH153T was 41.4 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolates were
      closely related to the type strain of Pseudoalteromonas shioyasakiensis (98.0
      98.6 % sequence similarity). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between the
      three isolates were 98.8-99.7 %. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that they formed
      a distinct lineage and clustered with P. shioyasakiensis and Pseudoalteromonas
      arabiensis. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness among the three isolates was 78.0
      85.5 %. Strain NH153T exhibited average nucleotide identity values of 93.4 and
      84.2 % with respect to P. shioyasakiensisJCM 18891T and P. arabiensisJCM 17292T,
      respectively. The genome-to-genome distance analysis revealed that strain NH153T
      shared 52.4 % DNA relatedness with P. shioyasakiensisJCM 18891T and 28.1 % with
      P. arabiensisJCM 17292T. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and
      chemotaxonomic characterizations, as well as phylogenetic inference obtained in
      this study, strains NH153T, F-2-11 and M-1-78 represent a novel species within
      the genus Pseudoalteromonas, for which the name Pseudoalteromonasgelatinilytica
      sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NH153T (=CGMCC 1.15370T=DSM 100951T),
      and F-2-11 (=CGMCC 1.15364=DSM 100953) and M-1-78 (=CGMCC 1.15365=DSM 100952),
      are additional strains of the species.

PMID- 27278861
TI  - Soft tissue sarcomas of the distal lower extremities: A single-institutional
      analysis of the prognostic significance of surgical margins in 120 patients.
AB  - Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) arising in the distal lower extremities pose a
      therapeutic challenge due to concerns of functional morbidity. The impact of
      surgical margins on local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival
      (OS) still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to identify
      prognostic indicators of survival and functional outcome in patients with STS of
      the distal lower extremities through a long-term follow-up. Between 1999 and
      2014, 120 patients with STS of the foot, ankle and lower leg were treated
      surgically at our institution. The median follow-up was 6.3 years. The results
      reveal that the 5-year estimate of the OS rate was 80.0% [95% confidence interval
      (CI): 69.6-87.1] for the entire series. Surgical margins attained at the
      resection of the primary tumor did not influence OS significantly [5-year OS: R0
      80.5% (69.7-87.9) vs. R1 74.1% (28.9-93.0); P=0.318]. Within the R0 subgroup,
      negative surgical margin widths <=1 and >1 mm led to similar outcomes, as well as
      <=5 and >5 mm, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, significant adverse
      prognostic features included male gender and age >60 years at the time point of
      primary diagnosis. In conclusion, the data from this study could not underscore
      the long-term benefit of negative margins achieved at the resection of the
      primary tumor. Surgical efforts should aim at function-sparing resections when
      feasible with negative margins. Here, close negative margins seem to be adequate.

PMID- 27278862
TI  - MAPK pathways are involved in the inhibitory effect of berberine hydrochloride on
      gastric cancer MGC 803 cell proliferation and IL-8 secretion in vitro and in
      vivo.
AB  - Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortality
      worldwide. This investigation aimed to identify whether the mitogen-activated
      protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are involved in the inhibitory effect of
      berberine hydrochloride (BER) on MGC 803 cells in vitro and in vivo. BER time-
      and dose-dependently inhibited proliferation of MGC 803 cells. It also suppressed
      tumorigenesis in nude mice xenografted with MGC 803 cells. Additionally, BER
      reduced interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion in vitro and in vivo. Further
      investigation demonstrated that inactivation of p38 MAPK, extracellular-signal
      regulated kinase 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase by BER contributed to the
      decreased proliferation and tumorigenesis, and the change in IL-8 expression
      levels. However, there was no significant synergistic inhibitory effect of
      combined BER and evodiamine (EVO) treatment on tumorigenesis, and BER reduced the
      upregulation of IL-8 induced by EVO in vivo. The results of the current study
      suggested that BER may be an effective and safe drug candidate for treating
      gastric cancer via modulation of the MAPK signaling pathways. 

PMID- 27278863
TI  - Specificity of Stress-Responsive Transcription Factors Nrf2, ATF4, and AP-1.
AB  - Cellular stress leads to an upregulation of gene transcription. We asked if there
      is a specificity in the activation of the stress-responsive transcription factors
      Nrf2, ATF4, and AP-1/c-Jun, or if activation of these proteins is a redundant
      cellular answer toward extracellular stressors. Here, we show that oxidative
      stress, induced by stimulation of the cells with the oxidant arsenite, strongly
      activated gene transcription via the stress-responsive element (StRE), while
      phorbol ester or tunicamycin, activators of AP-1/c-Jun or ATF4, respectively,
      activated AP-1 or nutrient-sensing response element-mediated transcription.
      Preincubation of the cells with N-acetyl-cysteine or overexpression of
      thioredoxin selectively attenuated arsenite-induced upregulation of StRE
      regulated transcription. Expression of either dominant-negative or constitutively
      active mutants of Nrf2, ATF4, or c-Jun confirmed that distinct transcription
      units are regulated by these transcription factors. Physiological stimuli
      involving the activation of either Galphaq-coupled designer receptors or the
      protein kinases c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase or p38 strongly stimulated
      transcription via AP-1/c-Jun, with minimal effects on Nrf2 or ATF4-responsive
      promoters. Thus, activation of transcription by extracellular signaling molecules
      shows specificity at the level of the chemical nature of the signaling molecule,
      at the level of the intracellular transduction process, and at the level of
      signal-responsive transcription factors. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 127-140, 2017.
      (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27278880
TI  - Generation of Lung and Airway Epithelial Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells In
      Vitro.
AB  - The epithelium covers the internal surface of the lung airways and is composed of
      numerous cell types that arise from the anterior foregut endoderm. The ability to
      generate pulmonary cells from embryonic stem cells will allow study of lung
      development, drug screening, regenerative medicine, and modeling of lung
      diseases. The aim of this review is to describe the methods used to produce lung
      cells in vitro, based on mechanisms of lung development in during embryology.

PMID- 27278879
TI  - Exosome-derived microRNAs contribute to prostate cancer chemoresistance.
AB  - Certain microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in cancer cell chemoresistance.
      However, the pleiotropic functions of exosome-derived miRNAs on developing
      chemoresistance remain unknown. In the present study, we aimed to construct
      potential networks of miRNAs, which derived from the exosome of chemoresistant
      prostate cancer (PCa) cells, with their known target genes using miRNA expression
      profiling and bioinformatic tools. Global miRNA expression profiles were measured
      by microarray. Twelve miRNAs were initially selected and validated by qRT-PCR.
      Known targets of deregulated miRNAs were utilized using DIANA-TarBase database
      v6.0. The incorporation of deregulated miRNAs and target genes into KEGG pathways
      were utilized using DIANA-mirPath software. To construct potential miRNA
      regulatory networks, the overlapping parts of miRNAs and their targer genes from
      the selected KEGG pathway 'PCa progression (hsa05215)' were visualized by
      Cytoscape software. We identified 29 deregulated miRNAs, including 19 upregulated
      and 10 downregulated, in exosome samples derived from two kinds of paclitaxel
      resistance PCa cells (PC3-TXR and DU145-TXR) compared with their parental cells
      (PC3 and DU145). The enrichment results of deregulated miRNAs and known target
      genes showed that a few pathways were correlated with several critical cell
      signaling pathways. We found that hub hsa-miR3176, -141-3p, -5004-5p, -16-5p, 
      3915, -488-3p, -23c, -3673 and -3654 were potential targets to hub gene androgen
      receptor (AR) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Hub gene T-cell
      factors/lymphoid enhancer-binding factors 4 (TCF4) target genes were mainly
      regulated by hub hsa-miR-32-5, -141-3p, -606, -381 and -429. These results may
      provide a linkage between PCa chemoresistance and exosome regulatory networks and
      thus lead us to propose that AR, PTEN and TCF4 genes may be the important genes
      which are regulated by exosome miRNAs in chemoresistance cancer cells. 

PMID- 27278881
TI  - Protein Delivery of Thymidylate Kinase Mediated by Tumor-Specific Antibody
      Precoated Microvesicles.
AB  - Molecular targeted therapy is an important, novel approach in the treatment of
      cancer because it interferes with certain molecules involved in carcinogenesis
      and tumor growth. Examples include monoclonal antibodies, microvesicles, and
      suicide genes. Several studies have focused on targeted therapies in prostate
      cancer, which is a serious cause of cancer death in men. We hypothesize that
      antibody-coated microvesicles can deliver thymidylate kinase, a suicide protein,
      to prostate cancer cells, potentiating them to death following azidothymidine
      (AZT) treatment.

PMID- 27278882
TI  - The Importance of Mutational Drivers in GBM.
AB  - Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor, providing few
      effective therapeutic options, given the tumor heterogeneity and the accumulation
      of different genetic abnormalities that cause treatment failure. The many
      different genetic and epigenetic alterations present in GBM lead to modification
      of several major signaling pathways resulting in brain tumor growth, progression,
      and therapeutic resistance. Many functionally important mutations have been
      discovered, known as neutral passengers. IDH1/2, EZH2, and DNMT3A are the best
      known epigenetic modifiers in cancer. These mutations are important in
      determining disease prognosis such that the status of the MGMT gene is a direct
      target of chemotherapy. For these reasons, newly developed technologies are
      necessary to determine new candidate targets for targeted-therapy development in
      GBM. The determination of mutations will aid in this and in the discovery of
      combinations of targeted and conventional therapies to improve GBM treatment.

PMID- 27278884
TI  - Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cancer Therapy.
AB  - Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have the ability to differentiate into
      several tissue types. Their use in cancer therapeutics or as therapeutic delivery
      vehicles has significant potential, particularly in their exosome/microvesicle
      mediated tissue regeneration abilities. In this review, the potential use of
      hMSCs in cancer therapy is discussed.

PMID- 27278883
TI  - The Route to HPV-Associated Neoplastic Transformation: A Review of the
      Literature.
AB  - Human papillomaviruses (HPVs)-small, nonenveloped viruses with double-stranded
      circular DNA-are believed to have a role in the progression of cancer. However,
      the exact mechanisms are not well established. The interference of HPV proteins,
      especially E6 and E7, in the cell cycle is considered to be the main pathway. It
      is still questioned whether the expression of these proteins or the viral load is
      more important in neoplastic transformation. Furthermore, HPV is believed to
      adapt mechanisms to evade the host cell immune system; persistent HPV infection
      may also play a role in oncogenic transformation by causing genomic instability
      and local immune suppression. These factors may cause accumulation of genomic
      alterations within the host cell and integration of the viral genome into the
      host genome. In recent years, epigenetic modifications, such as methylation, have
      also been considered to take part in neoplastic transformation. All of these
      alterations to the genome may be favorable to the development of cancer. This
      article highlights the association of HPV in neoplastic transformation and cancer
      progression.

PMID- 27278885
TI  - Dual Role of p21 in the Progression of Cancer and Its Treatment.
AB  - Cancer develops due to an imbalance between cell proliferation and cell death.
      Various mechanisms of carcinogenesis as well as of novel anticancer agents that
      could be targeted for the treatment of cancer have been proposed by different
      studies. Among these, p21 is recognized as a potent cyclin-dependent kinase
      inhibitor that facilitates cell-cycle arrest by interacting with different
      stimuli such as p53, DNA repair process, CDK, E2F1, MYC, PCNA, STAT3 AP4,
      proteasomes, K1F, CDX2, and ER-alpha. p21 acts both as a tumor-suppressor gene
      and an inhibitor of apoptosis by interacting with various molecules and
      transition factors. In this review, we discuss the complex role of p21 in the
      development of cancer and as a target in its treatment. We conclude that, in the
      future, the tumor-suppressor activity of p21 should be the focus of a novel
      treatment strategies, which may lead to the devolvement of new and selective anti
      cancer agents for the targeted therapy of cancers.

PMID- 27278886
TI  - Imaging of DNA and Protein-DNA Complexes with Atomic Force Microscopy.
AB  - This article reviews atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of DNA structure and
      dynamics and protein-DNA complexes, including recent advances in the
      visualization of protein-DNA complexes with the use of cutting-edge, high-speed
      AFM. Special emphasis is given to direct nanoscale visualization of dynamics of
      protein-DNA complexes. In the area of DNA structure and dynamics, structural
      studies of local non-B conformations of DNA and the interplay of local and global
      DNA conformations are reviewed. The application of time-lapse AFM nanoscale
      imaging of DNA dynamics is illustrated by studies of Holliday junction branch
      migration. Structure and dynamics of protein-DNA interactions include problems
      related to site-specific DNA recombination, DNA replication, and DNA mismatch
      repair. Studies involving the structure and dynamics of chromatin are also
      described.

PMID- 27278888
TI  - The Journal of Anatomy: origin and evolution.
AB  - The Journal of Anatomy was launched 150 years ago as the Journal of Anatomy and
      Physiology, in an age when anatomy and physiology were not regarded as separate
      disciplines. European science in general was advancing rapidly at the time (it
      was 7 years after publication of Darwin's Origin of Species), and the recent
      demise of the Natural History Review meant that there was no English language
      publication covering these subjects. The founding editors were George Murray
      Humphry of Cambridge and William Turner of Edinburgh, together with Alfred Newton
      of Cambridge and Edward Perceval Wright of Dublin (the last two served only for a
      year). The pivotal event leading to the Journal's foundation was the 1866 meeting
      of the British Association, at which Humphry delivered the 'Address in
      Physiology' (printed in the first issue). Turner, who was also present at the
      1866 British Association meeting, remained as a member of the editorial team for
      50 years and was a major contributor of Journal articles. The title was changed
      to Journal of Anatomy in October 1916, when it was taken under the wing, in terms
      of both management and ownership, by the Anatomical Society. This article reviews
      the early years of the Journal's publication in more detail than later years
      because of the historical interest of this less familiar material. The subject
      matter, which has remained surprisingly consistent over the years, is illustrated
      by examples from some notable contributions. The evolution of illustration
      techniques is surveyed from 1866 to the present day; the final section provides
      brief summaries of all of the chief editors.

PMID- 27278890
TI  - Functional bone histology of zebrafish reveals two types of endochondral
      ossification, different types of osteoblast clusters and a new bone type.
AB  - The zebrafish is as an important vertebrate animal model system for studying
      developmental processes, gene functions and signalling pathways. It is also used
      as a model system for the understanding of human developmental diseases including
      those related to the skeleton. However, surprisingly little is known about normal
      zebrafish skeletogenesis and osteogenesis. As in most vertebrates, it is commonly
      known that the bones of adult zebrafish are cellular unlike that of some other
      teleosts. After careful histological analyses of each zebrafish adult bone, we
      identified several acellular bones, with no entrapped osteocytes in addition to
      several cellular bones. We show that both cellular and acellular bones can even
      occur within the same skeletal element and transitions between these two cell
      types can be found. Furthermore, we describe two types of osteoblast clusters
      during skeletogenesis and two different types of endochondral ossification. The
      epiphyseal plate, for example, lacks a zone of calcification and a degradation
      zone with osteoblasts. A new bone type that we term tubular bone was also
      identified. This bone is completely filled with adipose tissue, unlike spongy
      bones. This study provides important insight on how osteogenesis takes place in
      zebrafish, and especially on the transition from cellular to acellular bones.
      Overall, this study leads to a deeper understanding of the functional
      histological composition of adult zebrafish bones.

PMID- 27278892
TI  - AFSUMB 2004: a group undertaking.

PMID- 27278889
TI  - A brief history of topographical anatomy.
AB  - This brief history of topographical anatomy begins with Egyptian medical papyri
      and the works known collectively as the Greco-Arabian canon, the time line then
      moves on to the excitement of discovery that characterised the Renaissance, the
      increasing regulatory and legislative frameworks introduced in the 18th and 19th
      centuries, and ends with a consideration of the impact of technology that
      epitomises the period from the late 19th century to the present day. This paper
      is based on a lecture I gave at the Winter Meeting of the Anatomical Society in
      Cambridge in December 2015, when I was awarded the Anatomical Society Medal.

PMID- 27278893
TI  - A novel treatment for early gastrointestinal carcinoma by ultrasonic endoscopic
      mucosal stripping.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clarify the indications for a new
      endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) technique that employs a cavitational
      ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA). Endoscopic mucosal resection has proved an
      effective technique for treating early mucosal gastrointestinal cancer. However,
      resecting a lesion larger than 2 cm en bloc requires special devices and a long
      processing time; and it engenders the risk of bleeding, perforation, and other
      complications. METHODS: We investigated application of the CUSA for detaching the
      mucosa from the muscularis propria of extracted porcine stomachs and then
      clarified the specification of an endoscopic ultrasonic scalpel for endoscopic
      mucosal resection by investigating characteristics of two original, handmade
      prototype cavitational ultrasonic surgical aspirators. RESULTS: Use of a
      cavitational ultrasonic surgical aspirator should improve the ease and safety of
      detaching the mucosa. A small, high-power ultrasonic cylindrical vibrator should
      be developed to make possible a probe-type scalpel with a piezoelectric vibrator
      mounted in the tip of a catheter. An ultrasonic transmission-type scalpel could
      lead to the development of a new endoscopic mucosal resection device for clinical
      use. CONCLUSIONS: The CUSA should enable us to develop a safer, simpler, time
      saving scalpel for endoscopic mucosal resection, although some resolvable
      technical problems remain. The CUSA might enable us to diagnose carcinoma
      invasion into the submucosa in aspirated specimens and then aspirate out the
      entire invading submucosal carcinoma.

PMID- 27278891
TI  - Reciprocal voltage sensor-to-pore coupling leads to potassium channel C-type
      inactivation.
AB  - Voltage-gated potassium channels open at depolarized membrane voltages. A
      prolonged depolarization causes a rearrangement of the selectivity filter which
      terminates the conduction of ions - a process called slow or C-type inactivation.
      How structural rearrangements in the voltage-sensor domain (VSD) cause alteration
      in the selectivity filter, and vice versa, are not fully understood. We show that
      pulling the pore domain of the Shaker potassium channel towards the VSD by a
      Cd(2+) bridge accelerates C-type inactivation. Molecular dynamics simulations
      show that such pulling widens the selectivity filter and disrupts the K(+)
      coordination, a hallmark for C-type inactivation. An engineered Cd(2+) bridge
      within the VSD also affect C-type inactivation. Conversely, a pore domain
      mutation affects VSD gating-charge movement. Finally, C-type inactivation is
      caused by the concerted action of distant amino acid residues in the pore domain.
      All together, these data suggest a reciprocal communication between the pore
      domain and the VSD in the extracellular portion of the channel.

PMID- 27278894
TI  - Questionnaire survey on the state of routine echocardiographic examinations in
      Japan: second report.
AB  - We mailed questionnaires to 748 registered medical sonographers [RMSs
      (cardiology)] to gather information for a large-scale survey of RMSs in May 2000.
      We wanted to evaluate the current state of routine echocardiography in Japan.
      Altogether, 530 (70.9%) of these sonographers responded; 18 respondents employed
      by equipment manufacturers were excluded from the start of the study, and 20
      others later found to be employed by equipment manufacturers were also excluded.
      Responses from all personnel at a single institution were treated as a single
      response; 436 institutions were thus included in the survey. Most or all
      examinations were carried out by sonographers at 77.3% of the responding
      institutions but were performed mainly by physicians at 11.1% of the
      institutions. At least 80% of sonographer or physician working hours were used
      for echocardiographic examination at 18.9% of the surveyed institutions, whereas
      up to half the working hours were devoted to echocardiographic examinations at
      67.0% of the institutions. The most frequently reported examination time was 30
      40 min [35.6% (n = 116) of the institutions], whereas 32.8% (n = 107) of the
      institutions indicated durations of 10-20 min per examination. Left ventricular
      (LV) dimensions and wall thickness were measured on M-mode images in all patients
      at 14.1% (n = 59) of the institutions and mainly on M-mode images but from two
      dimensional echocardiography in problematic patients at 74.2% (n = 311) of the
      institutions. The LV ejection fraction was calculated from LV dimensions at 55.7%
      (n = 205) of the institutions and from the LV cross-sectional area at 44.3% (n =
      163) of the institutions. The LV ejection fraction was estimated visually at
      57.0% of the institutions. Only 5.5% (n = 22) of the facilities always scored the
      wall motion. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography was used to assess LV inflow in all
      patients at 65.9% of the institutions; regurgitation and shunting were always
      assessed quantitatively at only 2% (n = 8). Comments concerning image quality
      were reported in all cases or in cases of poor image quality at 98% of the
      institutions, and the sonographer was also involved in writing the diagnostic
      report at 94% of institutions. Echocardiography is less expensive than other
      diagnostic imaging methods, and its importance is thus likely to continue to
      increase. Echocardiographic examinations should be carried out by skilled RMSs
      and physician echocardiographers; and an accurate, readily comprehensible report
      of the findings should be provided promptly to the referring physician. More such
      surveys are required to ensure that these practices are adopted. 

PMID- 27278895
TI  - Clinical course of acute hemorrhagic infarction of a thyroid nodule.
AB  - A 27-year-old woman patient with acute hemorrhagic infarction of a thyroid nodule
      had experienced abrupt painful swelling of the thyroid gland soon after being
      involved in an automobile accident. We diagnosed her thyroid mass, based on
      clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, as acute hemorrhagic infarction of a
      thyroid nodule. The mass diameter gradually decreased from 4.4 cm to 1.9 cm over
      the following 12 months but did not change thereafter. The serum thyroglobulin
      level rapidly decreased from 312.4 ng/ml to 14.2 ng/ml during the first 3 months
      and presented no change during the next 21 months. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
      was repeated during the 24th month, when preexistence of a benign neoplasm had
      become clear. The clinical course of acute hemorrhagic infarction of the thyroid
      nodule was made apparent by ultrasonography, which readily identified the thyroid
      mass and accurately measured its dimensions at any time. 

PMID- 27278896
TI  - The Seventh Congress of the Asian Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in
      Medicine and Biology and the 77th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan Society
      of Ultrasonics in Medicine.

PMID- 27278897
TI  - Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K is overexpressed and associated with
      poor prognosis in gastric cancer.
AB  - Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) is one of the major pre-mRNA
      binding proteins, that is involved in translational modifications. In our
      previous studies, we found that hnRNP K is associated with human gastric cancer.
      The protein levels of hnRNP K were detected in cell lines and tissue microarrays.
      The correlation between hnRNP K expression and patient survival rate was
      evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. In addition, we also detected hnRNP
      K expression in preoperative and postoperative serum samples from patients with
      gastric cancer, and serum samples from healthy volunteers. We found that hnRNP K
      was overexpressed in the gastric cancer cell lines. The levels of hnRNP K were
      significantly elevated in the gastric cancer tissues compared with that noted in
      the tumor-adjacent gastric mucosal and normal gastric mucosal sampes, and hnRNP K
      expression was found to correlate with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis.
      However, the level of serum hnRNP K did not differ significantly between gastric
      cancer patients and healthy volunteers. We also found that patients whose tumors
      showed elevated expression of hnRNP K had poor survival. The present study
      suggests that hnRNP K is a promising tissue biomarker for diagnosing gastric
      cancer and is a prognostic indicator for patients with gastric cancer. 

PMID- 27278898
TI  - Pharmacodynamics and differential activity of nitrofurantoin against ESBL
      positive pathogens involved in urinary tract infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although nitrofurantoin has been used for >60 years for the treatment
      of uncomplicated urinary tract infections, its pharmacodynamic properties are not
      fully explored. Use is increasing because of increasing resistance to other
      antimicrobials due to ESBLs. METHODS: We tested nine ESBL+ and two ESBL- strains
      in time-kill assays. Bactericidal activity and regrowth were assessed for all
      species and concentrations. Early-phase pharmacodynamics was analysed with a
      sigmoidal Emax model and the maximal killing rate, slope and EC50/MIC ratio were
      determined for each species. RESULTS: A bactericidal effect was found at >=2* MIC
      for Enterobacter cloacae after 4-8 h, for Klebsiella pneumoniae after 8-10 h and
      for Escherichia coli after 12-16 h. Overall, no killing was observed at low sub
      MIC concentrations, whereas regrowth was found at 0.5-1* MIC after a short
      decline in cfu. The lowest maximal killing rates were observed for E. coli (0.21
      +/- 0.05 h(-1)), followed by K. pneumoniae (0.37 +/- 0.09 h(-1)) and E. cloacae
      (0.87 +/- 0.01 h(-1)). Surprisingly, the Hill slopes for these three species were
      significantly different (10.45 +/- 9.37, 2.68 +/- 0.64 and 1.01 +/- 0.06,
      respectively), indicating a strong concentration-dependent early-phase
      antibacterial activity against E. cloacae. EC50/MIC ratios were significantly
      lower for E. coli (0.24 +/- 0.08 mg/L) and K. pneumoniae (0.27 +/- 0.03 mg/L) as
      compared with E. cloacae (0.77 +/- 0.18 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Nitrofurantoin was
      bactericidal against all species, demonstrating an unusual differential pattern
      of activity with concentration-dependent-type killing behaviour against E.
      cloacae and time-dependent killing behaviour against E. coli, which may have
      significant consequences on species-dependent dosing regimens. The results also
      demonstrate that the pharmacodynamic properties of some drugs cannot be
      generalized within a family, here the Enterobacteriaceae.

PMID- 27278899
TI  - Heterogeneous oxacillin-resistant phenotypes and production of PBP2A by oxacillin
      susceptible/mecA-positive MRSA strains from Africa.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Recent surveillance of MRSA colonizing patients and healthcare
      workers in two African countries (Angola and Sao Tome and Principe) reported the
      frequent recovery of oxacillin-susceptible MRSA (OS-MRSA): Staphylococcus aureus
      strains that gave positive results with the mecA DNA probe, but had low oxacillin
      MIC values characteristic of susceptible S. aureus. This apparent dissociation of
      the drug-resistant phenotype from mecA-the primary genetic determinant of
      resistance-prompted us to perform a more detailed analysis on nine of the African
      OS-MRSA strains. METHODS: Oxacillin MIC values were determined by Etest and
      population analysis profiles with and without induction of the stringent stress
      response by mupirocin. Biochemical profiling using SDS-PAGE followed by western
      blotting was used for the detection of PBP2A protein produced. RESULTS: Cultures
      of the African MRSA strains (ST88-IVa and ST8-V) showed heterogeneous oxacillin
      resistance in which the majority of cells exhibited low oxacillin MICs (<=0.75
      mg/L), but highly resistant subpopulations were also present with oxacillin MIC
      values up to several hundred mg/L and with frequencies of 10(-4) to 10(-6). The
      same strains after induction of the stringent stress response by mupirocin
      'converted' the heterogeneous phenotypes into a more homogeneous and higher level
      resistance. After induction by oxacillin and mupirocin, each of the nine African
      OS-MRSA strains produced PBP2A-the protein product of mecA. CONCLUSIONS: The
      resistant phenotype of OS-MRSA resembles the phenotypes of historically early
      MRSA clones. The nature of genetic determinants responsible for the heterogeneous
      phenotypes of OS-MRSA remains to be determined.

PMID- 27278900
TI  - Gram-negative prosthetic joint infections managed according to a
      multidisciplinary standardized approach: risk factors for failure and outcome
      with and without fluoroquinolones.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcome and risk factors for treatment failure of 76
      Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) managed with a
      curative intent according to a standardized protocol derived from published
      guidelines. METHODS: We analysed data from all the cases of GNB-PJI treated
      surgically over an 8 year period. Treatment failure was defined as persistence or
      recurrence of PJI signs during follow-up, resulting in additional surgery and/or
      antibiotic administration or death. RESULTS: Treatment failure within the follow
      up period (median = 2.6 years) was observed in 16 of 76 (21.1%) patients. The
      failure rate was similar whether the patients were treated with fluoroquinolones
      in the whole cohort (22.4% versus 16.7%, P = 0.75) and after stratification
      according to the surgical procedure. The low failure rate observed in patients
      not receiving fluoroquinolones might be explained by the standardized attitude of
      maintaining intravenous beta-lactams throughout treatment duration (median = 90
      days). In multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein level >=175 mg/L was
      significantly associated with treatment failure (adjusted HR = 7.75, 95% CI =
      2.66-22.59, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Management according to standardized
      procedures may improve the prognosis of GNB-PJI. Intravenous beta-lactams,
      continued for 3 months, should be considered an effective alternative to
      fluoroquinolones.

PMID- 27278901
TI  - Effect of Internal Electric Fields on Charge Carrier Dynamics in a Ferroelectric
      Material for Solar Energy Conversion.
AB  - Spontaneous polarization is shown to enhance the lifetimes of photogenerated
      species in BaTiO3 . This is attributed to polarization-induced surface band
      bending acting as a thermal barrier to electron/hole recombination. The study
      indicates that the efficiencies of solar cells and solar fuels devices can be
      enhanced by the use of ferroelectric materials. 

PMID- 27278902
TI  - Going smoke-free: attitudes of mental health professionals to policy change.
AB  - WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: While smoking rates within the general population
      in Australia are dropping, 32% of Australians with a mental illness smoke,
      increasing to 73% among those with severe or chronic mental illness. In Australia
      and elsewhere, smoking bans within mental health facilities have been
      implemented. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: We surveyed 98 mental
      health professionals in Australia to gather information on attitudes toward smoke
      free policies in mental health/psychiatric units within Australia. While previous
      research has sought information on agreement or disagreement with smoking-bans,
      very little research has been conducted focusing on attitudes held by mental
      health professionals towards smoke-free policies. This study utilized a mixed
      methods approach in which the qualitative data provides a rich source of
      information to assist in developing programmes or interventions to influence
      attitudes and therefore change behaviours of mental health professionals. WHAT
      ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This paper can be useful in providing a
      better understanding of the theories linking smoking and mental illness, and the
      common 'myths' which influence attitudes to smoking cessation in clinical
      populations. Results will influence the development of training and education
      resources for mental health practitioners, and particularly for nursing staff
      working within psychiatric facilities, in relation to smoking cessation.
      Importantly, this issue has implications in the areas of policy planning and
      development, education relating to smoking behaviour and smoking cessation
      programmes, together with holistic health care. ABSTRACT: Introduction Mental
      health units in Australia and internationally are increasingly implementing smoke
      free policies. Due to the high prevalence of smoking among clinical populations,
      this has become an important research area. Purpose of study This study explored
      the attitudes of mental health professionals toward smoke-free policies in mental
      health units within Australia. Method Using an online survey design, 98
      Australian mental health professionals participated in the study. Results Results
      indicated that only 25.5% agreed with a total smoking ban. Although supporting
      smoke-free initiatives within the wider community, participants commonly held
      attitudes that were unsupportive of smoking bans, and indicated beliefs
      inconsistent with a smoke-free policy for clinical populations. Discussion
      Results suggest the need for appropriate staff education and training regarding
      smoking behaviours and risks, and smoking cessation treatments for clinical
      populations if smoke-free policies are to be successfully implemented.
      Implications for practice Findings suggest important implications for holistic
      mental health care, staff education and training, as well as policy, planning and
      development, particularly in relation to this treatment group, who are likely to
      have entered a psychiatric unit in crisis.

PMID- 27278904
TI  - A new approach to analyze the dynamic strength of eggs.
AB  - The mechanical behavior of eggshell was determined in terms of average rupture
      force and corresponding deformation. For the experiment, we selected goose eggs
      (Anser anser f. domestica). Samples of eggs were compressed along their x-axis
      and z-axis. The effect of the loading orientation can be described in terms of
      the eggshell contour curvature. Two different experimental methods were used:
      compression between two plates (loading rates up to 5 mm/s) and the Hopkinson
      split pressure bar technique. This second method enables achieving loading rates
      up to about 17 m/s. The response of goose eggs to this high loading rate was
      characterized also by simultaneous measurement of the eggshell surface
      displacements using a laser vibrometer and by the measurement of both
      circumferential and meridian strains.

PMID- 27278903
TI  - Leptospiral outer membrane protein LipL32 induces inflammation and kidney injury
      in zebrafish larvae.
AB  - Leptospirosis is an often overlooked cause of acute kidney injury that can lead
      to multiple organ failure and even death. The principle protein that conserved in
      many pathogenic leptospires is the outer membrane protein LipL32. However, the
      role of LipL32 in the pathogenesis of renal injury in leptospirosis is not
      entirely clear. Here we studied the effects of LipL32 on the developing kidney in
      zebrafish larvae. Incubation of zebrafish larvae with Leptospira santarosai
      serovar Shermani induced acute tubular injury predominantly in the proximal
      pronephric ducts. Furthermore, microinjection of lipl32 mRNA or recombinant
      LipL32 protein into zebrafish larvae increased macrophage accumulation and
      disrupted the basolateral location of NA-K-ATPase in pronephric ducts. These
      changes led to substantial impairment of the pronephric kidney structure. We
      further demonstrated that morpholino knockdown of tlr2, but not tlr4, reduced the
      LipL32-induced leukocyte infiltration and kidney injury. These data demonstrate
      that LipL32 contributes to the renal pathology in leptospirosis and gives some
      clues to the potential virulence of LipL32. Our results support the use of
      zebrafish as a model organism for studying the disease mechanism of leptospiral
      infection. This model might permit the future exploration of the virulence and
      molecular pathways of different leptospiral outer membrane proteins.

PMID- 27278905
TI  - Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America: Use of Web-Based
      Methods for Follow-Up and Collection of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A key challenge for longitudinal cohort studies is follow-up and
      retention of study participants. Participant follow-up in longitudinal cohort
      studies is costly and time-consuming for research staff and participants.
      OBJECTIVE: This study determined the feasibility and costs of using Web-based
      technologies for follow-up and collection of patient-reported outcomes in the
      Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study.
      METHODS: The MASALA study is a community-based cohort of 906 South Asians in the
      United States. Since the baseline in-person visits (2010-2013), a yearly
      telephone follow-up survey was used to assess participants' health status and
      incidence of cardiovascular disease. A Web-based version of the follow-up survey
      was developed using the REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) Web app.
      Participants from the Chicago field center who were due for their annual follow
      up and who had a valid email address were sent an email link to a secure online
      portal where they could complete the survey. Telephone follow-up was used with
      nonresponders. RESULTS: A link to the Web survey was emailed to 285 participants
      (February to October 2014) and the overall completion rate was 47.7% (136/285).
      One-third of participants who were unresponsive (n=36) to annual telephone follow
      up completed the Web survey. Web responders were younger, more likely to be
      married, and to have higher education and income compared (P<.05) to telephone
      only responders. Web survey development involved 240 hours of research staff
      time. Since launching, the Web-based survey has required 3 hours per week of
      staff time. CONCLUSIONS: Although electronic follow-up will not be a panacea for
      cohort operations, it will serve as an adjunctive strategy to telephonic follow
      up for maximizing cohort retention with lower costs.

PMID- 27278906
TI  - Icariin promotes cell proliferation and regulates gene expression in human neural
      stem cells in vitro.
AB  - Icariin (ICA), which is an essential bioactive component extracted from the herb
      Epimedium, possesses neuroprotective properties. The aim of the present study was
      to investigate the regulatory roles of ICA in cell proliferation and gene
      expression in human neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro. Single cells were isolated
      from the corpus striatum of 16-20-week human fetuses obtained following
      spontaneous abortion. The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's
      medium/F12 complete medium and were characterized by immunostaining and cell
      differentiation assay. NSCs were treated with ICA, and cell proliferation was
      assessed using the Cell Counting kit-8 cell proliferation assay kit. In addition,
      neurosphere formation was comparatively studied between the ICA-treated and
      control cells. cDNA microarray analysis was performed to examine the effects of
      ICA on gene expression. Altered expression of genes important for regulating NSC
      proliferation was further analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction
      (qPCR). The results demonstrated that typical neurospheres appeared after 7-10
      days of culturing of individual cells isolated from the corpus striatum. These
      cells expressed nestin, an important NSC marker, and in the presence of
      differentiation medium they expressed beta-III-tubulin, a specific neuronal
      marker, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, an astrocyte marker. Treatment with
      ICA enhanced NSC proliferation and the formation of neurospheres. Microarray data
      and pathway analysis revealed that the genes regulated by ICA were involved in
      several signaling pathways, including the Wnt and basic fibroblast growth factor
      (bFGF) pathways, which are important for the regulation of NSC function.
      Upregulation of frizzled class receptor 7 and dishevelled segment polarity
      protein 3, which are key players in the Wnt pathway, and fibroblast growth factor
      receptor 1, which is the receptor for bFGF, and downregulation of glycogen
      synthase kinase-3beta, which is a Wnt pathway inhibitor, was further validated by
      qPCR. In conclusion, ICA promoted proliferation and regulated gene expression in
      human NSCs, thus suggesting that ICA may exert its neuroprotective effects by
      regulating NSC activity. 

PMID- 27278907
TI  - [Diagnosis of dental erosions].

PMID- 27278908
TI  - Evaluation of the GastroPlusTM Advanced Compartmental and Transit (ACAT) Model in
      Early Discovery.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral exposure predictions
      obtained early in drug discovery with a generic GastroPlus Advanced Compartmental
      And Transit (ACAT) model based on the in vivo intravenous blood concentration
      time profile, in silico properties (lipophilicity, pKa) and in vitro high
      throughput absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion (ADME) data (as
      determined by PAMPA, solubility, liver microsomal stability assays). METHODS: The
      model was applied to a total of 623 discovery molecules and their oral exposure
      was predicted in rats and/or dogs. The predictions of Cmax, AUClast and Tmax were
      compared against the observations. RESULTS: The generic model proved to make
      predictions of oral Cmax, AUClast and Tmax within 3-fold of the observations for
      rats in respectively 65%, 68% and 57% of the 537 cases. For dogs, it was
      respectively 77%, 79% and 85% of the 124 cases. Statistically, the model was most
      successful at predicting oral exposure of Biopharmaceutical Classification System
      (BCS) class 1 compounds compared to classes 2 and 3, and was worst at predicting
      class 4 compounds oral exposure. CONCLUSION: The generic GastroPlus ACAT model
      provided reasonable predictions especially for BCS class 1 compounds. For
      compounds of other classes, the model may be refined by obtaining more
      information on solubility and permeability in secondary assays. This increases
      confidence that such a model can be used in discovery projects to understand the
      parameters limiting absorption and extrapolate predictions across species. Also,
      when predictions disagree with the observations, the model can be updated to test
      hypotheses and understand oral absorption.

PMID- 27278909
TI  - A new report of Nocardiopsis valliformis strain OT1 from alkaline Lonar crater of
      India and its use in synthesis of silver nanoparticles with special reference to
      evaluation of antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity.
AB  - The authors report the biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by
      alkaliphilic actinobacterium Nocardiopsis valliformis OT1 strain isolated for the
      first time from Lonar crater, India. The primary detection of silver NPs
      formation was made by colour change from colourless to dark brown and confirmed
      by UV-Vis spectrum of AgNPs at 423 nm, specific for AgNPs. Further, AgNPs were
      characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, Zeta sizer, Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses.
      FTIR analysis showed the presence of proteins as capping agent. TEM analysis
      revealed the formation of spherical and polydispersed AgNPs within the size range
      of 5-50 nm. The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles against
      Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus
      aureus and Bacillus subtilis was evaluated. The AgNPs showed the maximum
      antibacterial activity against B. subtilis (Gram positive) and the minimum
      against E. coli (Gram negative). The minimal inhibitory concentration values of
      AgNPs for the tested bacteria were found to be in the range of 30-80 ug/mL. The
      AgNPs demonstrated higher antibacterial activity against all the bacteria tested
      as compared with the commercially available antibiotics. The cytotoxicity of
      biosynthesized AgNPs against in vitro human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa)
      demonstrated a dose-response activity. The IC50 value was found to be 100 ug/mL
      of AgNPs against cancer HeLa cell line. 

PMID- 27278910
TI  - Three-dimensional echocardiography: a new paradigm shift.
AB  - Significant advances in three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) have made this
      modality a powerful diagnostic tool in the cardiology clinic. It can provide
      accurate and reliable measurements of chamber size and function. In addition, 3DE
      offers novel views and comprehensive anatomic definition of valvular and
      congenital abnormalities by rendering 3D contoured images of the structures. It
      is also useful in monitoring the effectiveness of surgical or percutaneous
      transcatheter interventions. With demonstrations of efficacy in various clinical
      settings, 3DE has become a complementary part of the routine diagnostic
      armamentarium. However, 3DE is regarded as simply a tool for 3D volume or image
      rendering. If we confine the role of 3DE to this, it will remain a complementary
      tool to two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in the future. Three-dimensional
      echocardiography has roles beyond 3D volume or image rendering. Three-dimensional
      echocardiography can acquire a full volume dataset in a single shot, and with
      combined use of the multiplanar reconstructive mode, it can provide anatomically
      well-defined 2D planes from the full volume dataset. Hence, by omitting routine
      2DE work, 3DE may save time for image acquisition and allow more precise and
      reproducible review or measurement. Taking this perspective into account, 3DE can
      be a suitable modality for use as a substitute for 2DE in daily practice. With
      further advances of 3DE and development of a unified review system capable of
      display and geometrical assessment of 2D as well as 3D images, 3DE will represent
      a new paradigm shift in echocardiographic examination in the future. 

PMID- 27278911
TI  - Low-flow aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.
AB  - Valvular aortic stenosis (AS) is the most frequent valvular disease in developed
      countries. Treatment decisions in AS are mainly based upon the symptomatic status
      of the patient and the severity of AS. Doppler echocardiography represents the
      standard tool for detecting and assessing the severity of the disease. Under the
      same denomination of severe AS [aortic valve area (AVA) < 1 cm(2)], several
      entities might be identified that differ in terms of trans-valvular flow rates
      and pressure gradients development. From a clinical standpoint, severe AS (AVA <
      1 cm(2)) can be subdivided into 4 flow-gradient patterns: normal flow/low
      gradient (NF/LG), normal flow/high gradient (NF/HG), low flow/high gradient
      (LF/HG) and low flow/low gradient (LF/LG). The most commonly described entity is
      the paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient severe AS state, in which the stroke
      volume is unexpectedly reduced, despite preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection
      fraction. In daily practice, misdiagnosing this clinical condition might lead to
      an inappropriate timing of follow-up with an unnecessary delay of aortic valve
      replacement (AVR), which may, in turn, have a negative impact on patient outcome.

PMID- 27278912
TI  - Predictors of improvement in diastolic function after transcatheter aortic valve
      implantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis is associated with concentric left ventricle (LV)
      hypertrophy or remodeling resulting in impaired diastolic function and elevated
      left-sided filling pressure. We investigated the changes in LV geometry and LV
      filling hemodynamics, giving emphasis to parameters associated with changes in
      diastolic function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS:
      Comprehensive diastolic assessment was performed before and six months after TAVI
      in 70 patients with severe aortic stenosis. Patients with any degree of mitral
      stenosis or >mild left-sided valvular regurgitation were excluded. RESULTS: In
      the entire cohort six months after TAVI, LV end-diastolic diameter increased
      (44.1 +/- 6 versus 45 +/- 6 mm, P = 0.02), whereas LV mass and relative wall
      thickness (RWT) decreased (270.1 +/- 76 versus 245.1 +/- 75 g and 0.53 +/- 0.15
      versus 0.46 +/- 0.1, respectively; P < 0.0001 for both). Lateral e' increased
      (5.8 +/- 2 versus 6.6 +/- 3 cm/s, P = 0.03) and left atrium (LA) volume, E/e'
      ratio, and systolic pulmonary pressure decreased (88.1 +/- 30 versus 80 +/- 28
      cc, 18 +/- 7.8 versus 16.3 +/- 5.5, and 42.7 +/- 14.9 versus 38.7 +/- 12 mmHg,
      respectively; P < 0.05 for all), suggesting reduction in LA pressure. The
      improvement in LA volume and E/e' was almost exclusively seen in patients with LV
      hypertrophy before TAVI (P < 0.05 both), as opposed to patients with concentric
      remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: In our preliminary study, TAVI resulted in LV and LA
      reverse remodeling, and improved LV relaxation and LA filling pressure in
      patients with severe aortic stenosis and concentric hypertrophy. Patients with
      concentric remodeling at baseline seem to have limited improvement in LV
      diastolic function and filling pressure following TAVI, but larger clinical
      trials would be required to conclude if they have no improvement at all.

PMID- 27278913
TI  - Assessment of the aortic valve annular geometry by real-time three-dimensional
      transthoracic echocardiography: comparison with two-dimensional transthoracic
      echocardiography and multidetector computed tomography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE)
      has been developed and provides detailed 3D information, noninvasively. However,
      the accuracy and usefulness of 3DTTE in the evaluation of aortic root geometry
      are still not clear. METHODS: 2DTTE and 3DTTE were performed in 161 patients with
      various cardiac diseases. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) was performed
      in 35 of the 161 patients. The diameters and areas of the aortic annulus were
      evaluated by these three methods and compared. To evaluate the shape of the
      aortic annuli, eccentricity index (EI) (1 - minimum diameter/long-axis diameter)
      were calculated. RESULTS: Maximum dimensions of the aortic annulus measured by
      MDCT were significantly larger than those by 3DTTE and 2DTTE. The aortic annular
      areas measured by MDCT and 3DTTE were significantly larger than areas by 2DTTE. A
      good correlation (r = 0.85) was observed between the areas obtained by 3DTTE and
      MDCT; however, the correlation between the values by 2DTTE and MDCT was rough (r
      = 0.44). EI values in 46 % of the patients were greater than 0.1, i.e., the
      aortic annulus was elliptical. CONCLUSION: The images obtained by 3DTTE provided
      accurate values of the aortic annular area, which were equal to the values
      measured by MDCT. 3DTTE is a useful method to evaluate the aortic annular
      geometry.

PMID- 27278914
TI  - Echocardiography in the diagnosis of apical non-compaction associated with
      congenital heart diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Isolated left ventricular non-compaction has been reported
      extensively. However, apical non-compaction of both ventricles and the
      interventricular septum (IVS) is not often reported in the literature. The
      objective of our study is to evolve the echocardiographic diagnostic criteria and
      to assess the types and impact of the associated lesions in "apical non
      compaction". METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy consecutive cases that fulfilled
      standard echocardiographic criteria for non-compaction of the left ventricle and,
      in addition, N/C ratio of >3 for the right ventricle and apical IVS formed the
      material. The age of patients ranged from 3 days to 35 years, with 37 males and
      33 females. The associated lesions were present in all 70 cases: 62 had acyanotic
      (88.6 %) and 8 had cyanotic congenital heart diseases (11.4 %). Of the 70 cases,
      18 had pump failure (25.7 %): 8 cases had left ventricular dysfunction, 7 had
      right ventricular dysfunction, and 3 had biventricular dysfunction; 33 (47.1 %)
      had pulmonary hypertension, 2 (2.9 %) had thrombus, and 1 (1.4 %) had
      tachyarrhythmia. Pump failure was worsened by volume overload in 33.9 % and by
      pressure overload in 8.1 % of cases. Some very rare lesions were detected. All 70
      cases had Swiss cheese appearance of the apical half of the IVS, looking like the
      delta of a river. CONCLUSION: All of the apical non-compaction syndrome cases had
      associated lesions, mostly acyanotic congenital heart disease with volume
      overload, rather than obstructive lesions. Transthoracic echocardiography plays
      an important role in the diagnosis of apical non-compaction syndrome and
      associated lesions that worsen the pump failure.

PMID- 27278915
TI  - Double-orifice mitral valve.
AB  - We report the case of a rare congenital anomaly, a double-orifice mitral valve,
      in a 21-year-old woman who was asymptomatic and had no history of heart disease.
      Transthoracic echocardiography revealed two functionally normal orifices mitral
      valve of equal size. As the presentation in adulthood is rare, echocardiographers
      should be trained to make the appropriate diagnosis. 

PMID- 27278916
TI  - Hemodynamic influence of triphasic mitral inflow velocity: a case report.

PMID- 27278917
TI  - Loeffler endocarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy with biventricular apical
      thrombi.

PMID- 27278918
TI  - A case of biventricular involvement of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: 3D
      echocardiographic imaging.

PMID- 27278919
TI  - Erratum to: Low-flow aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection
      fraction.

PMID- 27278920
TI  - TV comedian writes off $15m in US medical debt.

PMID- 27278921
TI  - Ferric carboxymaltose vs. oral iron in the treatment of pregnant women with iron
      deficiency anemia: an international, open-label, randomized controlled trial (FER
      ASAP).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric
      carboxymaltose (FCM) with first-line oral ferrous sulfate (FS) in pregnant women
      with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant women (n=252;
      gestational weeks 16-33) with IDA were randomized 1:1 to FCM (1000-1500 mg iron)
      or FS (200 mg iron/day) for 12 weeks. The primary objective was to compare
      efficacy; secondary objectives included safety and quality of life. RESULTS:
      Hemoglobin (Hb) levels improved at comparable rates across both treatments;
      however, significantly more women achieved anemia correction with FCM vs. FS [Hb
      >=11.0 g/dL; 84% vs. 70%; odds ratio (OR): 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI):
      1.07, 3.97; P=0.031] and within a shorter time frame (median 3.4 vs. 4.3 weeks).
      FCM treatment significantly improved vitality (P=0.025) and social functioning
      (P=0.049) prior to delivery. Treatment-related adverse events were experienced by
      14 (FCM; 11%) and 19 (FS; 15%) women, with markedly higher rates of
      gastrointestinal disorders reported with FS (16 women) than with FCM (3 women).
      Newborn characteristics were similar across treatments. CONCLUSIONS: During late
      stage pregnancy, FCM may be a more appropriate option than first-line oral iron
      for rapid and effective anemia correction, with additional benefits for vitality
      and social functioning.

PMID- 27278922
TI  - Biphasic insulin Aspart 30 vs. NPH plus regular human insulin in type 2 diabetes
      patients; a cost-effectiveness study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, costs, and
      cost-effectiveness of biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) with NPH plus regular
      human insulin (NPH/Reg) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
      METHODS: It was a Single-center, parallel-group, randomized, clinical trial
      (Trial Registration: NCT01889095). One hundred and seventy four T2DM patients
      with poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c >= 8 % (63.9 mmol/mol)) were randomly
      assigned to trial arms (BIAsp 30 and NPH/Reg) and were followed up for 48 weeks.
      BIAsp 30 was started at an initial dose of 0.2-0.6 IU/Kg in two divided doses and
      was titrated according to the glycemic status of the patient. Similarly, NPH/Reg
      insulin was initiated at a dose of 0.2-0.6 IU/Kg with a 2:1 ratio and was
      subsequently titrated. Level of glycemic control, hypoglycemic events, direct and
      indirect costs, quality adjusted life year (QALY) and incremental cost
      effectiveness ratio have been assessed. RESULTS: HbA1c, Fasting plasma glucose
      (FPG), and two-hour post-prandial glucose (PPG) were improved in both groups
      during the study (P < 0.05 for all analyses). Lower frequencies of minor, major,
      and nocturnal hypoglycemic episodes were observed with BIAsp 30 (P < 0.05).
      Additionally, BIAsp 30 was associated with less weight gain and also higher QALYs
      (P < 0.05). Total medical and non-medical costs were significantly lower with
      BIAsp 30 as compared with NPH/Reg (930.55 +/- 81.43 USD vs. 1101.24 +/- 165.49
      USD, P = 0.004). Moreover, BIAsp 30 showed lower ICER as a dominant alternative.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite being more expensive, BIAsp 30 offers the same glycemic
      control as to NPH/Reg dose-dependently and also appears to cause fewer
      hypoglycemic events and to be more cost-effective in Iranian patients with type 2
      diabetes.

PMID- 27278923
TI  - Development of the Japanese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM
      Transplant Module.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome in
      pediatric solid organ transplantation. Considering the emerging problems after
      transplantation, an evaluation of transplant-specific aspects of HRQOL is
      essential, but no validated HRQOL measure is available in Japan. The aim of this
      study was therefore to develop the Japanese version of the Pediatric Quality of
      Life InventoryTM (PedsQL) Transplant Module Child Self-Report and to investigate
      its feasibility, reliability, and validity. METHODS: Based on the PedsQL
      linguistic validation process, the Japanese version of the PedsQL Transplant
      Module was developed through translation and cognitive interviews (patient
      testing). The scale's reliability and validity were investigated, using
      statistical analyses of field tests of the target population. RESULTS: Eighty
      seven pairs of pediatric liver-transplant recipients and their parents
      participated in the field test. The pediatric patients completed the measure in 3
      7 min, and the rate of missing items was low (0.27%). Excellent internal
      consistency and test-retest reliability were confirmed. Known-groups validity,
      concurrent validity, and convergent and discriminant validity also were
      confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent feasibility, reliability, and validity of this
      Japanese self-report version of the PedsQL Transplant Module Child Self-Report
      were verified. As a measure of transplant-specific aspects of HRQOL in Japanese
      pediatric patients who have undergone organ transplants, the Japanese version of
      the PedsQL Transplant Module is appropriate for use in clinical and research
      settings.

PMID- 27278924
TI  - A pH-dependent charge reversal peptide for cancer targeting.
AB  - Naturally occurring cationic antimicrobial peptides exhibit not only
      antimicrobial activity, but also anticancer activity and are expected to be new
      weapons in cancer treatment. The selectivity for cancer cells over normal cells
      is at least partly due to the more negative surface of cancer cells. A lower pH
      in tumor tissue (pH 6.2-6.9) than that in normal tissues (pH 7.3-7.4) has also
      been utilized to develop anticancer agents. However, cytotoxicity against normal
      cells at physiological pH is often an issue. Furthermore, acidic regions can be
      found in some normal tissues such as the kidneys. Therefore, existing approaches
      to cancer targeting are not fully satisfactory. In this study, we designed a
      peptide, HE (GIHHWLHSAHEFGEHFVHHIMNS-amide), with a charge that reverses from 
      1.5 at pH 7.4 to +6 at pH 5.5 for cancer targeting at low pH based on the
      antimicrobial peptide magainin 2 by introducing 6 His, an additional Glu, and an
      amidated terminal. HE interacted with cancer-mimicking negatively charged
      liposomes in a pH-dependent fashion with a midpoint with a pH of 6.5 just above
      the membrane surface. The peptide killed human renal adenocarcinoma ACHN cells at
      pH 6.0, but not at pH 7.4, and was nontoxic against human normal glomerular
      mesangial cells even at this low pH. Thus, the novel peptide may be a promising
      lead peptide for cancer therapy, although this derivatization resulted in
      weakened cytotoxicity.

PMID- 27278925
TI  - 1-Phenyl-3-(2-thiazolyl)-2-thiourea inhibits melanogenesis via a dual-action
      mechanism.
AB  - 1-Phenyl-3-(2-thiazolyl)-2-thiourea (PTTU) is a well-characterized dopamine beta
      hydroxylase inhibitor that prevents 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degenerative
      neuronal disease. However, the effect of PTTU on melanogenesis has not been
      reported. In this study, we examined the effect of PTTU on melanogenesis and
      studied its mechanism of action. We found that PTTU decreased melanin
      biosynthesis in a dose-dependent manner in normal human epidermal melanocytes
      (NHEMs). PTTU also inhibited tyrosinase catalytic activity in NHEMs. Moreover,
      PTTU treatment led to reduced protein levels of tyrosinase in NHEMs, while the
      protein levels of tyrosinase-related protein-1, tyrosinase-related protein-2, and
      microphthalmia-associated transcription factor were not affected. However, PTTU
      treatment did not affect the mRNA expression of tyrosinase. We found that PTTU
      accelerated tyrosinase degradation via the ubiquitin-dependent proteasome
      pathway. In summary, we found that PTTU decreased melanin biosynthesis by
      decreasing the enzymatic activity and stability of tyrosinase. Our results
      indicate that PTTU could be used as a depigmentation agent for hyperpigmentation
      disorder. 

PMID- 27278926
TI  - Improvement of hypertension, endothelial function and systemic inflammation
      following short-term supplementation with red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) juice: a
      randomized crossover pilot study.
AB  - Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has a
      prevalence of about one billion people worldwide. It has been shown that
      adherence to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps in decreasing blood
      pressure (BP). This study aimed to investigate the effect of raw beet juice (RBJ)
      and cooked beet (CB) on BP of hypertensive subjects. In this randomized crossover
      study, 24 hypertensive subjects aged 25-68 years old were divided into two
      groups. One group took RBJ for 2 weeks and the other group took CB. After 2 weeks
      of treatment, both groups had a washout for 2 weeks then switched to the
      alternate treatment. Each participant consumed 250 ml day(-1) of RBJ or 250 g
      day(-1) of CB each for a period of 2 weeks. Body weight, BP, flow-mediated
      dilation (FMD), lipid profile and inflammatory parameters were measured at
      baseline and after each period. According to the results, high-sensitivity C
      reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were
      significantly lower and FMD was significantly higher after treatment with RBJ
      compared with CB (P<0.05). FMD was significantly (P<0.05) increased, but systolic
      and diastolic BP, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular
      endothelial adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), hs-CRP, interleukin-6, E-selectin and
      TNF-alpha were significantly (P<0.05) decreased with RBJ or CB. Total antioxidant
      capacity was increased and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density
      lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) were decreased with RBJ but not with
      CB. Although both forms of beetroot were effective in improving BP, endothelial
      function and systemic inflammation, the raw beetroot juice had greater
      antihypertensive effects. Also more improvement was observed in endothelial
      function and systemic inflammation with RBJ compared with CB.

PMID- 27278928
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27278927
TI  - Usefulness of the renal resistive index to predict an increase in urinary albumin
      excretion in patients with essential hypertension.
AB  - Microalbuminuria is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and death in
      hypertensive patients. Patients who are expected to increase albuminuria need
      strict blood pressure control. In the present study, we assessed the association
      between the renal resistive index (RI) and future increases in albuminuria in
      patients with essential hypertension. Sixty-six patients with essential
      hypertension were included in the study. Univariate and multivariate logistic
      regression analyses were used to identify the factors, including renal RI, that
      were significant independent determinants of increased in urinary albumin
      excretion (UAE), defined as an increase of >50% in the urinary albumin-to
      creatinine ratio over 2 years. Receiver operator characteristics curve analysis
      was used to select the optimal cut-off point that predicted an increase in UAE.
      RI was the only significant variable that predicted the increase in UAE, with the
      optimal cut-off value of renal RI that predicted this increase being 0.71
      (sensitivity 52.4% and specificity 84.4%). Renal RI is associated with the future
      increase in albuminuria in patients with essential hypertension.

PMID- 27278930
TI  - Cnidoscolus mosaic leaf deformation virus: a novel begomovirus infecting
      euphorbiaceous plants in Brazil.
AB  - Begomoviruses have been detected infecting the weed Cnidoscolus urens (family
      Euphorbiaceae) since 2004, but the viral species to which these viruses belonged
      was not known. Here, we report for the first time the complete genome sequence of
      a bipartite begomovirus obtained from C. urens collected in the state of Alagoas,
      Brazil. This isolate met the criteria to be classified as a member of a new
      begomovirus species, and the tentative name cnidoscolus mosaic leaf deformation
      virus (CnMLDV) is proposed. Pairwise sequence comparisons and phylogenetic
      analysis showed that the DNA-A genomic component of CnMLDV is most closely
      related to that of passionfruit severe leaf distortion virus, with 86.3 %
      nucleotide sequence identity. 

PMID- 27278929
TI  - Lipid microbubbles as a vehicle for targeted drug delivery using focused
      ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening.
AB  - Focused ultrasound in conjunction with lipid microbubbles has fully demonstrated
      its ability to induce non-invasive, transient, and reversible blood-brain barrier
      opening. This study was aimed at testing the feasibility of our lipid-coated
      microbubbles as a vector for targeted drug delivery in the treatment of central
      nervous system diseases. These microbubbles were labeled with the fluorophore 5
      dodecanoylaminfluorescein. Focused ultrasound targeted mouse brains in vivo in
      the presence of these microbubbles for trans-blood-brain barrier delivery of 5
      dodecanoylaminfluorescein. This new approach, compared to previously studies of
      our group, where fluorescently labeled dextrans and microbubbles were co
      administered, represents an appreciable improvement in safety outcome and
      targeted drug delivery. This novel technique allows the delivery of 5
      dodecanoylaminfluorescein at the region of interest unlike the alternative of
      systemic exposure. 5-dodecanoylaminfluorescein delivery was assessed by ex vivo
      fluorescence imaging and by in vivo transcranial passive cavitation detection.
      Stable and inertial cavitation doses were quantified. The cavitation dose
      thresholds for estimating, a priori, successful targeted drug delivery were, for
      the first time, identified with inertial cavitation were concluded to be
      necessary for successful delivery. The findings presented herein indicate the
      feasibility and safety of the proposed microbubble-based targeted drug delivery
      and that, if successful, can be predicted by cavitation detection in vivo.

PMID- 27278931
TI  - Structure and function of chicken interleukin-1 beta mutants: uncoupling of
      receptor binding and in vivo biological activity.
AB  - Receptor-binding and subsequent signal-activation of interleukin-1 beta (IL
      1beta) are essential to immune and proinflammatory responses. We mutated 12
      residues to identify sites important for biological activity and/or receptor
      binding. Four of these mutants with mutations in loop 9 (T117A, E118K, E118A,
      E118R) displayed significantly reduced biological activity. Neither T117A nor
      E118K mutants substantially affected receptor binding, whereas both mutants lack
      the IL-1beta signaling in vitro but can antagonize wild-type (WT) IL-1beta.
      Crystal structures of T117A, E118A, and E118K revealed that the secondary
      structure or surface charge of loop 9 is dramatically altered compared with that
      of wild-type chicken IL-1beta. Molecular dynamics simulations of IL-1beta bound
      to its receptor (IL-1RI) and receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) revealed that
      loop 9 lies in a pocket that is formed at the IL-1RI/IL-1RAcP interface. This
      pocket is also observed in the human ternary structure. The conformations of
      above mutants in loop 9 may disrupt structural packing and therefore the
      stability in a chicken IL-1beta/IL-1RI/IL-1RAcP signaling complex. We identify
      the hot spots in IL-1beta that are essential to immune responses and elucidate a
      mechanism by which IL-1beta activity can be inhibited. These findings should aid
      in the development of new therapeutics that neutralize IL-1 activity.

PMID- 27278932
TI  - Double inhibition of cAMP and mTOR signalling may potentiate the reduction of
      cell growth in ADPKD cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: ADPKD is a renal pathology caused by mutations of PKD1 and PKD2
      genes, which encode for polycystin-1 (PC1) and polycystin-2 (PC2), respectively.
      PC1 plays an important role regulating several signal transducers, including cAMP
      and mTOR, which are involved in abnormal cell proliferation of ADPKD cells
      leading to the development and expansion of kidney cysts that are a typical
      hallmark of this disease. Therefore, the inhibition of both pathways could
      potentiate the reduction of cell proliferation enhancing benefits for ADPKD
      patients. METHODS: The inhibition of cAMP- and mTOR-related signalling was
      performed by Cl-IB-MECA, an agonist of A3 receptors, and rapamycin, respectively.
      Protein kinase activity was evaluated by immunoblot and cell growth was analyzed
      by direct cell counting. RESULTS: The activation of A3AR by the specific agonist
      Cl-IB-MECA causes a marked reduction of CREB, mTOR, and ERK phosphorylation in
      kidney tissues of Pkd1 flox/-: Ksp-Cre polycystic mice and reduces cell growth in
      ADPKD cell lines, but not affects the kidney weight. The combined sequential
      treatment with rapamycin and Cl-IB-MECA in ADPKD cells potentiates the reduction
      of cell proliferation compared with the individual compound by the inhibition of
      CREB, mTOR, and ERK kinase activity. Conversely, the simultaneous application of
      these drugs counteracts their effect on cell growth, because the inhibition of
      ERK kinase activity is lost. CONCLUSION: The double treatment with rapamycin and
      Cl-IB-MECA may have synergistic effects on the inhibition of cell proliferation
      in ADPKD cells suggesting that combined therapies could improve renal function in
      ADPKD patients.

PMID- 27278934
TI  - Mortality and illicit drug dependence among hemodialysis patients in the United
      States: a retrospective cohort analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Illicit drug use is common and known to cause and exacerbate a wide
      spectrum of kidney disease, often leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but
      little is known about its prevalence or associated mortality among incident
      hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort analysis
      using data obtained from the United States Renal Data System. We assembled a
      cohort of 511,821 incident hemodialysis patients age 20 years and older who
      initiated hemodialysis between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010. Illicit
      drug dependence was defined by comorbidity on the ESRD Medical Evidence Report
      (Form CMS-2728). We performed survival analysis to examine the association of
      drug dependence with overall mortality and mortality due to diagnoses that can be
      associated with intravenous drug use (drug-sensitive diagnoses) in the first year
      after initiating hemodialysis. RESULTS: Drug dependence was recorded for 1.5 % (n
      = 7,461). Drug dependence was independently associated with a 1.3-fold and 2.5
      fold higher hazard of overall mortality and mortality due to a potentially drug
      sensitive diagnosis [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.34 (1.27-1.41) and 2.54 (2.05
      3.14), p < 0.001, respectively]. This association varied significantly by age
      (pinteraction < 0.001), with a 9-fold higher hazard of mortality due to a
      potentially drug-sensitive diagnosis among the youngest patients with drug
      dependence [AHR 9.21 (5.15-16.44), p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Illicit drug
      dependence is a burden within the ESRD program and is strongly associated with
      premature mortality, particularly among younger patients. Targeted intervention
      is needed to help reduce this burden.

PMID- 27278933
TI  - A multicentre demonstration project to evaluate the effectiveness and
      acceptability of the web-based Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) programme
      with or without nurse support in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes.
AB  - AIMS: To test the hypothesis that delivery of integrated care augmented by a web
      based disease management programme and nurse coordinator would improve treatment
      target attainment and health-related behaviour. METHODS: The web-based Joint Asia
      Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) and Diabetes Monitoring Database (DIAMOND) portals
      contain identical built-in protocols to integrate structured assessment, risk
      stratification, personalized reporting and decision support. The JADE portal
      contains an additional module to facilitate structured follow-up visits. Between
      January 2009 and September 2010, 3586 Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes from
      six sites in China were randomized to DIAMOND (n = 1728) or JADE, plus nurse
      coordinated follow-up visits (n = 1858) with comprehensive assessments at
      baseline and 12 months. The primary outcome was proportion of patients achieving
      >= 2 treatment targets (HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (7%), blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg
      and LDL cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/l). RESULTS: Of 3586 participants enrolled (mean
      age 57 years, 54% men, median disease duration 5 years), 2559 returned for repeat
      assessment after a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 12.5 (4.6) months.
      The proportion of participants attaining >= 2 treatment targets increased in both
      groups (JADE 40.6 to 50.0%; DIAMOND 38.2 to 50.8%) and there were similar
      absolute reductions in HbA1c [DIAMOND -8 mmol/mol vs JADE -7 mmol/mol (-0.69 vs 
      0.62%)] and LDL cholesterol (DIAMOND -0.32 mmol/l vs JADE -0.28 mmol/l), with no
      between-group difference. The JADE group was more likely to self-monitor blood
      glucose (50.5 vs 44.2%; P = 0.005) and had fewer defaulters (25.6 vs 32.0%; P <
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Integrated care augmented by information technology improved
      cardiometabolic control, with additional nurse contacts reducing the default rate
      and enhancing self-care. (Clinical trials registry no.: NCT01274364).

PMID- 27278935
TI  - The way to a man's heart is through his stomach?: a mixed methods study on causal
      mechanisms through which cash and in-kind food transfers decreased intimate
      partner violence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is highly prevalent and has
      detrimental effects on the physical and mental health of women across the world.
      Despite emerging evidence on the impacts of cash transfers on intimate partner
      violence, the pathways through which reductions in violence occur remain under
      explored. A randomised controlled trial of a cash and in-kind food transfer
      programme on the northern border of Ecuador showed that transfers reduced
      physical or sexual violence by 30 %. This mixed methods study aimed to understand
      the pathways that led to this reduction. METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods
      study that combined secondary analysis from a randomised controlled trial
      relating to the impact of a transfer programme on IPV with in-depth interviews
      and focus group discussions with male and female beneficiaries. A sequential
      analysis strategy was followed, whereby qualitative results guided the choice of
      variables for the quantitative analysis and qualitative insights were used to
      help interpret the quantitative findings. RESULTS: We found qualitative and
      quantitative evidence that the intervention led to reductions in IPV through
      three pathways operating at the couple, household and individual level: i)
      reduced day-to-day conflict and stress in the couple; ii) improved household well
      being and happiness; and iii) increased women's decision making, self-confidence
      and freedom of movement. We found little evidence that any type of IPV increased
      as a result of the transfers. DISCUSSION: While cash and in-kind transfers can be
      important programmatic tools for decreasing IPV, the positive effects observed in
      this study seem to depend on circumstances that may not exist in all settings or
      programmes, such as the inclusion of a training component. Moreover, the
      programme built upon rather than challenged traditional gender roles by targeting
      women as transfer beneficiaries and framing the intervention under the umbrella
      of food security and nutrition - domains traditionally ascribed to women.
      CONCLUSIONS: Transfers destined for food consumption combined with nutrition
      training reduced IPV among marginalised households in northern Ecuador. Evidence
      suggests that these reductions were realised by decreasing stress and conflict,
      improving household well-being, and enhancing women's decision making, self
      confidence and freedom of movement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov
      NCT02526147 . Registered 24 August 2015.

PMID- 27278936
TI  - No filters, no fridges: a method for preservation of water samples for eDNA
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advancements in the detection of environmental DNA (eDNA) for
      detecting species of interest will likely allow for expanded use of these
      techniques in the field. One obstacle that continues to hinder applications in
      the field is the requirement of a cold chain of storage for water samples
      containing eDNA. While eDNA has been successfully preserved using Longmire's
      lysis buffer applied to filters, it has yet to be tried with freshwater samples
      collected for eDNA detection of an invasive species. We tested the utility of
      Longmire's solution (100 mM Tris, 100 mM EDTA, 10 mM NaCl, 0.5 % SDS, 0.2 %
      sodium azide) as an additive to freshwater samples for preservation of eDNA.
      RESULTS: Environmental DNA was effectively preserved in 15 mL water samples with
      Longmire's solution added; eDNA positive detection was comparable to freezing the
      samples at -80  degrees C and occurred out to 56 days at the highest
      concentration (5 mL Longmire's solution: 15 mL sample water). Medium and low
      concentrations of Longmire's solution added to 15 mL of sample water generally
      preserved eDNA out to 56 days but not as well as did freezing or application of
      the highest concentration of Longmire's lysis buffer. Treatment and degradation
      time had a significant effect on average DNA concentration of samples, although
      not the interaction of treatment and time. Perfect detection occurred out to 56
      days with the high Longmire's treatment group but DNA concentration was
      significantly lower at this time point compared to 28 days. CONCLUSION: We
      conclude that Longmire's lysis buffer is a viable alternative to cold chain
      storage that can simplify the collection of eDNA by eliminating the need for
      filtering and allow more time for sample collection when added at our highest
      concentration (1 part Longmire's:3 parts water sample), which could translate to
      an increase in the chances of detecting a rare or elusive species.

PMID- 27278937
TI  - Postmenopausal hyperandrogenism: the under-recognized value of inhibins.
AB  - We report a 70-year-old female presenting with increased libido and mild but
      rapid onset virilism. Investigations showed markedly elevated androstenedione and
      17 hydroxyprogesterone misdirecting to possible late-onset congenital adrenal
      hyperplasia. High serum testosterone and oestrogens with suppressed
      gonadotrophins, however, indicated an androgen-secreting tumour. A normal
      dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and elevated inhibins A and B indicated the
      tumour was ovarian in origin, which was confirmed on pelvic examination and
      imaging. At laparotomy, a right ovarian sertoliform endometrioid carcinoma was
      removed, following which the patient developed menopausal vasomotor symptoms and
      improvement of her virilism. Serum testosterone, oestradiol, inhibins A and B
      became undetectable, gonadotrophins appropriately increased and 17
      hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione normalized. We propose that inhibins may
      be of diagnostic value and should be included in investigative algorithms of
      females with virilization and hyperandrogenaemia, especially if postmenopausal.
      Androgen-secreting tumours must be excluded before raised 17 hydroxyprogesterone
      concentrations are used to diagnose late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia in
      females with new-onset virilization.

PMID- 27278938
TI  - Ultrasound inflammation imaging in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion:
      evaluation by non-specific targeted contrast microbubbles.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reports on ultrasound inflammation imaging with non-specific targeted
      microbubbles in the heart have been scarce. We investigated whether inflammation
      induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in rats could be evaluated by
      ultrasound inflammation imaging with non-specific targeted microbubbles. METHODS:
      Six rats subjected to 30 min of occlusion of the left anterior descending artery
      (LAD) followed by 4 h of reperfusion (ischemia group) and 4 rats subjected to the
      sham operation (sham group) were used. Ultrasound inflammation imaging was
      performed 4 h after reperfusion, and non-circulating signal intensity (SI), which
      reflects the signal derived from microbubbles phagocytosed by neutrophils in
      inflamed tissue, was calculated by the SI difference between the initial and
      subsequent imaging both in the LAD and non-LAD areas. The accumulation of
      neutrophils was confirmed by myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining. RESULTS: Non
      circulating SI in the LAD area was significantly greater for the ischemia group
      than the sham group [5.19 +/- 2.19 (ischemia) vs. 0.31 +/- 0.13 (sham) dB, p <
      0.01]. Non-circulating SI in the LAD area was significantly higher than that in
      the non-LAD area when compared in the same rat of the ischemia group [5.19 +/-
      2.19 (LAD) vs. 0.18 +/- 0.64 (non-LAD) dB, p < 0.01]. MPO-positive cells were
      confirmed in the LAD area of the ischemia group. CONCLUSION: Inflammation induced
      by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in rats could be quantitatively assessed by
      ultrasound inflammation imaging with non-specific targeted microbubbles.

PMID- 27278939
TI  - Reconsiderations of mitral stenosis: rheumatic mitral valve repair and the
      Wilkins score.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is a feasible treatment option in patients with
      rheumatic mitral valve disease, but it is not always successful. Mitral valve
      replacement is generally the surgical treatment of choice in such patients. We
      aimed to examine whether the Wilkins score can predict the feasibility of
      surgical repair in such patients. METHODS: Mitral valve surgery was performed on
      14 patients by the same surgeon (A.A.). Five patients underwent mitral valve
      repair (group I), and nine patients underwent mitral valve replacement (group
      II). The Wilkins scores were determined by assessing echocardiography findings.
      The selection of mitral valve repair or replacement was based on the
      intraoperative findings and the preferences of the same surgeon (A.A.). In group
      I, we performed chordal reconstruction, augmentation of the posterior leaflet,
      resection of chordae, decalcification of the commissure, commissurotomy, slicing
      of the anterior leaflet, division of the papillary muscle, and ring annuloplasty
      in various combinations. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between
      the two groups with regard to any component of the preoperative Wilkins score.
      There was no significant difference in the pre- and postoperative scores in group
      I; however, the mitral valve orifice area was significantly improved after the
      operation (pre- and postoperative mean values: 1.3 +/- 0.3 and 2.0 +/- 0.4, P <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Mitral valve repair is effective in treating rheumatic mitral
      stenosis. However, the Wilkins score may not be useful in predicting the
      feasibility of mitral repair.

PMID- 27278940
TI  - Left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction impairs early diastolic,
      but not systolic, function in the radial direction in the remote normal region.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is acknowledged that expansion of the remote normal region of the
      left ventricle causes remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the
      characteristics of that region have not been fully elucidated. METHODS: We
      studied 13 patients with atypical chest pain (controls) and 15 patients with a
      prior anterior MI who underwent cardiac catheterization. With Doppler strain
      imaging, we measured the peak radial myocardial systolic strain and peak radial
      early diastolic strain rate at the posterior wall of the left ventricle. None of
      the patients with atypical chest pain exhibited significant stenosis of the three
      major coronary arteries or left ventricular (LV) wall motion abnormality in
      cardiac catheterization. The patients with a prior anterior MI had single
      anterior descending artery disease without wall motion abnormality in the LV
      inferoposterior wall. LV ejection fraction and the LV relaxation time constant
      were also measured. RESULTS: The LV ejection fraction was significantly smaller
      in patients with a prior MI compared to controls. The peak radial systolic strain
      in the LV posterior wall was not significantly different between the patients
      with a prior MI and controls (125 +/- 49 vs. 122 +/- 29%). In contrast, the peak
      radial early diastolic strain rate in the same area was significantly lower in
      the patients with a prior MI than in controls (-7.4 +/- 2.7 vs. -13.2 +/- 4.0 s(
      1), p < 0.001). Peak early diastolic radial strain rate was significantly
      correlated with the LV relaxation time constant in all patients (r = 0.69, p <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: LV remodeling after an MI impairs local early diastolic
      myocardial function in the remote normal region and it is related to global LV
      diastolic dysfunction.

PMID- 27278941
TI  - Two cases of quadricuspid aortic valve.
AB  - Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital aortic valve anomaly. We
      present two cases of QAV diagnosed by using echocardiography including
      transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cardiac computed tomography (CT). The
      first case, QAV with four equal-sized cusps, was identified in a 58-year-old man.
      The second case, QAV with a small accessory cusp between the right coronary and
      non-coronary cusp, was identified in a 42-year-old man. TEE and cardiac CT could
      lead to accurate diagnosis of QAV. QAV in these two patients could be diagnosed
      before indication for surgery but it is necessary to continue careful follow-up. 

PMID- 27278942
TI  - Asymptomatic fistula from a giant aneurysmatic left anterior descending artery to
      the right ventricular outflow tract.
AB  - Coronary artery fistulas are unusual congenital or acquired coronary artery
      abnormalities in which blood is shunted into a cardiac chamber, great vessel or
      other structure, bypassing the myocardial capillary network (Jung et al. in
      Cardiovasc Ultrasound 5:10, 2007). We present a young adult patient with an
      asymptomatic fistula from a giant aneurysmatic left anterior descending artery to
      the right ventricular outflow tract, first diagnosed by echocardiography
      examination and further confirmed by 128-slice computed tomography coronary
      angiography. 

PMID- 27278943
TI  - Infective endocarditis mimicking left atrial myxoma.
AB  - Infective endocarditis (IE) is an inflammatory disease of the endocardium and can
      be seen with various clinical presentations such as large intracardiac
      vegetations. The differential diagnosis of intracardiac mass is important to
      guide the management. Echocardiography is of critical use in the diagnosis of
      intracardiac mass. Herein we present a rare case with left atrial IE and a giant
      vegetation mimicking left atrial myxoma. 

PMID- 27278944
TI  - Acute myocardial infarction in a young adult patient with simultaneous total
      occlusion of double coronary arteries.
AB  - We report an otherwise healthy 16-year-old male patient with simultaneous double
      vessel acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography (CAG) showed
      simultaneous total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the
      left circumflex artery (LCX). Emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
      was performed on the diseased lesions. After PCI, coronary artery aneurysms were
      found in both the LAD and LCX. The patient was discharged after a 56-day
      hospitalization. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification
      at discharge was II. Medical therapy became ineffective over time because of
      exacerbated ischemic mitral regurgitation; successful mitral annuloplasty was
      performed. The post-operative course was uneventful. 

PMID- 27278945
TI  - Left ventricular apical aneurysm due to unrecognized sarcoidosis.
AB  - A 47-year-old woman was hospitalized for syncope. An electrocardiogram showed
      complete right bundle branch block and T-wave inversion in leads III, aVF, and V2
      4. Cardiac catheterization was performed since the echocardiogram demonstrated
      the existence of a left ventricular apical aneurysm and apical thrombus. Coronary
      angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. An endomyocardial biopsied
      specimen from the right ventricular apical wall demonstrated typical noncaseating
      granulomas with giant cells. There was no evidence suggesting the involvement of
      other systemic organs. The patient was diagnosed as having cardiac sarcoidosis.
      Cardiac sarcoidosis should be considered within a spectrum of diseases that cause
      left ventricular apical aneurysm. 

PMID- 27278946
TI  - Isolated true parachute mitral valve in an asymptomatic elderly patient.
AB  - We report the extremely rare case of a 73-year-old asymptomatic patient who has
      an isolated true parachute mitral valve (PMV). In the echocardiographic
      examination, the parasternal long-axis view showed a single papillary muscle. The
      short-axis view revealed the presence of a symmetric mitral valve orifice with
      all chordae attaching to a large anterolateral papillary muscle. Because detailed
      examination did not reveal the presence of other complications, this patient was
      diagnosed as an isolated true PMV. 

PMID- 27278947
TI  - Giant coronary sinus and a review of the literature.
AB  - We report a case of persistent left superior caval vein whom presented with
      angina pectoris and exertional dyspnea. Echocardiography showed wall motion
      disturbances with an ejection fraction of 40% and a very large coronary sinus.
      Our case is a very rare case with a very large coronary sinus presented with
      angina pectoris. 

PMID- 27278948
TI  - Unusual biatrial thrombus in mitral stenosis.

PMID- 27278949
TI  - Tricuspid valvular dysplasia and its differentiation from Ebstein's anomaly.

PMID- 27278950
TI  - After-the-fact recognition of myocardial ischemic insult: significance of post
      systolic thickening evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography.

PMID- 27278951
TI  - A "ping-pong ball" in the left ventricle.

PMID- 27278952
TI  - Mechanism of tricuspid regurgitation in corrected transposition of great
      arteries.

PMID- 27278953
TI  - Floating and entangled long right atrial thrombus mimicking myxoma.

PMID- 27278954
TI  - A 78-year-old case of Bland-White-Garland syndrome with conservative therapy.

PMID- 27278955
TI  - Simultaneous examination of the aorta in echocardiography of patients with
      coronary artery disease.

PMID- 27278956
TI  - Colorectal Cancer in Young African Americans: Is It Time to Revisit Guidelines
      and Prevention?
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Previous studies have suggested an increase in the incidence
      of colorectal cancer (CRC) in young adults (younger than 50 years). Among older
      people, African Americans have disproportionally higher CRC incidence and
      mortality. We assessed whether this CRC disparity also applies to CRC diagnosed
      among young people. METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End
      Results cancer registries, a population-based cancer registry covering 25.6 % of
      the United States' African American population, we identified patients diagnosed
      with CRC between the years of 2000-2012. The age-adjusted rates for non-Hispanic
      whites (NHW), African Americans, and Asian-Pacific Islanders (API) were
      calculated for the age categories 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, and 40-44. RESULTS:
      CRC age-adjusted incidence is increasing among all three racial groups and was
      higher for African Americans compared to NHW and API across all years 2000-2012
      (P < 0.001). Stage IV CRC was higher in African Americans compared with NHW,
      while there was higher stage III CRC in API compared with NHWs. CONCLUSION: CRC
      incidence is increasing among the young in all racial groups under study. This
      increase in frequency of CRC is true among young African American adults who
      display highly advanced tumors in comparison with other races. While the present
      attention to screening seems to have decreased CRC prevalence in individuals
      older than 50, special attention needs to be addressed to young African American
      adults as well, to counter the observed trend, as they have the highest incidence
      of CRC among young population groups by race/ethnicity.

PMID- 27278958
TI  - The phenomenon of drop in output at larger field sizes for telecobalt units.
AB  - It is known that the output factors (OPFs) for external-beam radiotherapy units
      increase with field size due to increased scattered radiation from the collimator
      system. Saturation in the OPF value is generally reported beyond approximately 30
      * 30 cm(2). For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we report on a drop
      in OPF values, although marginal, measured for a telecobalt machine beyond the 38
      * 38 cm(2) field size. We believe that reporting and explaining the results will
      lead to a better understanding of the scatter composition of the radiation from
      telecobalt machines. This also has the potential to impact the estimation of low
      dose regions in patients, in addition to being a purely scientific inquiry. We
      used Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to validate the measured values. The MC data
      showed that the decrease in OPF was due to decreased scatter from the machine
      head. 

PMID- 27278957
TI  - A Comparative Study of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Following Use of Common
      Bowel Preparations Among a Colonoscopy Screening Population: Results from a Post
      Marketing Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy may be one of the most frequent elective procedures in
      older adults and is associated with a low occurrence of complications. However,
      reduction of risks attributable to the bowel preparation may be achieved with the
      use of effective and safer products. AIM: The aim of this study was to examine
      the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) associated with
      SUPREP((r)) [oral sulfate solution (OSS)] and other common prescription bowel
      preparations (non-OSS). METHODS: This real-world, observational study used de
      identified health insurance claims and laboratory results to identify TEAEs in
      the 3 months following screening colonoscopy in adults with a prescription for a
      bowel preparation in the prior 60 days. The unadjusted and adjusted (controlling
      for patient risk factors) cumulative incidences of TEAEs were estimated using
      Kaplan-Meier and Poisson regression, respectively. RESULTS: Among patients >=45
      years, the overall cumulative incidence was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in
      the OSS cohort than in the non-OSS cohort (unadjusted: 2.31 vs. 2.89 %; adjusted:
      1.61 vs. 1.95 %), with significantly lower acute cardiac conditions (1.56 vs.
      1.90 %; p < 0.001), renal failure/other serious renal diseases (OSS: 0.21 %, non
      OSS: 0.32 %; p < 0.001), and serum electrolyte abnormalities (OSS: 0.39 %, non
      OSS: 0.49 %; p = 0.017). There were no significant differences between cohorts in
      death, seizure disorders, aggravation of gout, and ischemic colitis. Results were
      similar in the adjusted cumulative incidences. CONCLUSIONS: In actual use, the
      overall cumulative incidence of TEAEs was significantly lower in the OSS cohort,
      demonstrating that OSS is as safe as, or possibly safer than, non-OSS
      prescription bowel preparations.

PMID- 27278959
TI  - Curcumin inhibits aerobic glycolysis in hepatic stellate cells associated with
      activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase.
AB  - Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is characterized by expression of
      extracellular matrix and loss of adipogenic phenotype during liver fibrogenesis.
      Emerging evidence suggests that HSCs adopt aerobic glycolysis during activation.
      The present work aimed at investigating whether the anti-fibrogenic effects of
      curcumin was associated with interfering with glycolysis in HSCs. Primary rat
      HSCs were cultured in vitro. We demonstrated that inhibition of glycolysis by 2
      deoxyglucose or galloflavin reduced the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin
      (alpha-SMA) and alpha1(I)procollagen at both mRNA and protein levels, and
      increased the intracellular lipid contents and upregulated the gene and protein
      expression of adipogenic transcription factors C/EBPalpha and PPAR-gamma in HSCs.
      Curcumin at 20 MUM produced similar effects. Moreover, curcumin decreased the
      expression of hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase-2 (PFK2), and glucose
      transporter 4 (glut4), three key glycolytic parameters, at both mRNA and protein
      levels. Curcumin also reduced lactate production concentration-dependently in
      HSCs. Furthermore, curcumin increased the phosphorylation of adenosine
      monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), but AMPK inhibitor BML-275
      significantly abolished the curcumin downregulation of HK, PFK2, and glut4. In
      addition, curcumin inhibition of alpha-SMA and alpha1(I)procollagen was rescued
      by BML-275, and curcumin upregulation of C/EBPalpha and PPAR-gamma was abrogated
      by BML-275. These results collectively indicated that curcumin inhibited
      glycolysis in an AMPK activation-dependent manner in HSCs. We revealed a novel
      mechanism for curcumin suppression of HSC activation implicated in antifibrotic
      therapy. (c) 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(7):589-596, 2016.

PMID- 27278960
TI  - A Nomogram to predict parotid gland overdose in head and neck IMRT.
AB  - PURPOSES: To generate a nomogram to predict parotid gland (PG) overdose and to
      quantify the dosimetric benefit of weekly replanning based on its findings, in
      the context of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for locally-advanced head
      and neck carcinoma (LAHNC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty LAHNC patients treated
      with radical IMRT underwent weekly computed tomography (CT) scans during IMRT.
      The cumulated PG dose was estimated by elastic registration. Early predictors of
      PG overdose (cumulated minus planned doses) were identified, enabling a nomogram
      to be generated from a linear regression model. Its performance was evaluated
      using a leave-one-out method. The benefit of weekly replanning was then estimated
      for the nomogram-identified PG overdose patients. RESULTS: Clinical target volume
      70 (CTV70) and the mean PG dose calculated from the planning and first weekly CTs
      were early predictors of PG overdose, enabling a nomogram to be generated. A mean
      PG overdose of 2.5Gy was calculated for 16 patients, 14 identified by the
      nomogram. All patients with PG overdoses >1.5Gy were identified. Compared to the
      cumulated delivered dose, weekly replanning of these 14 targeted patients enabled
      a 3.3Gy decrease in the mean PG dose. CONCLUSION: Based on the planning and first
      week CTs, our nomogram allowed the identification of all patients with PG
      overdoses >2.5Gy to be identified, who then benefitted from a final 4Gy decrease
      in mean PG overdose by means of weekly replanning.

PMID- 27278961
TI  - Biotransformation and Rearrangement of Laromustine.
AB  - This review highlights the recent research into the biotransformations and
      rearrangement of the sulfonylhydrazine-alkylating agent laromustine. Incubation
      of [(14)C]laromustine with rat, dog, monkey, and human liver microsomes produced
      eight radioactive components (C-1 to C-8). There was little difference in the
      metabolite profile among the species examined, partly because NADPH was not
      required for the formation of most components, which instead involved
      decomposition and/or hydrolysis. The exception was C-7, a hydroxylated
      metabolite, largely formed by CYP2B6 and CYP3A4/5. Liquid chromatography
      multistage mass spectrometry (LC-MS(n)) studies determined that collision-induced
      dissociation, and not biotransformation or enzyme catalysis, produced the unique
      mass spectral rearrangement. Accurate mass measurements performed with a Fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FTICR-MS) significantly
      aided determination of the elemental compositions of the fragments and in the
      case of laromustine revealed the possibility of rearrangement. Further, collision
      induced dissociation produced the loss of nitrogen (N2) and methylsulfonyl and
      methyl isocyanate moieties. The rearrangement, metabolite/decomposition products,
      and conjugation reactions were analyzed utilizing hydrogen-deuterium exchange,
      exact mass, (13)C-labeled laromustine, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
      (NMR), and LC-MS(n) experiments to assist with the assignments of these fragments
      and possible mechanistic rearrangement. Such techniques produced valuable
      insights into these functions: 1) Cytochrome P450 is involved in C-7 formation
      but plays little or no role in the conversion of [(14)C]laromustine to C-1
      through C-6 and C-8; 2) the relative abundance of individual
      degradation/metabolite products was not species-dependent; and 3) laromustine
      produces several reactive intermediates that may produce the toxicities seen in
      the clinical trials.

PMID- 27278962
TI  - Mercury Human Exposure in Populations Living Around Lake Tana (Ethiopia).
AB  - A survey carried out in Lake Tana in 2015 found that Hg levels in some fish
      species exceeded internationally accepted safe levels for fish consumption. The
      current study assesses human exposure to Hg through fish consumption around the
      Lake Tana. Of particular interest was that a dietary intake of fishes is
      currently a health risk for Bihar Dar residents and anglers. Hair samples were
      collected from three different groups: anglers, college students and teachers,
      and daily laborers. A questionary includes gender, age, weight, activity.
      Frequency of fish consumption and origin of the eaten fish were completed by each
      participant. Mercury concentrations in hair were significantly higher (P value
      <0.05) for anglers (mean +/- standard deviation 0.120 +/- 0.199 MUg/g) than
      college students (mean +/- standard deviation 0.018 +/- 0.039 MUg/g) or daily
      workers (mean +/- standard deviation 16 +/- 9.5 ng/g). Anglers consumed fish more
      often than daily workers and college group. Moreover, there was also a strong
      correlation (P value <0.05) between the logarithms of total mercury and age
      associated with mercury concentration in scalp hair. Mercury concentrations in
      the hair of men were on average twice the value of the women. Also, users of skin
      lightening soap on a daily basis had 2.5 times greater mercury in scalp hair than
      non-users. Despite the different sources of mercury exposure mentioned above, the
      mercury concentrations of the scalp hair of participants of this study were below
      levels deemed to pose a threat to health.

PMID- 27278963
TI  - Mapping Fifteen Trace Elements in Human Seminal Plasma and Sperm DNA.
AB  - Studies suggest a relationship between semen quality and the concentration of
      trace elements in serum or seminal plasma. However, trace elements may be linked
      to DNA and capable of altering the gene expression patterns. Thus, trace element
      interactions with DNA may contribute to the mechanisms for a trans-generational
      reproductive effect. We developed an analytical method to determine the amount of
      trace elements bound to the sperm DNA, and to estimate their affinity for the
      sperm DNA by the ratio: R = Log [metal concentration in the sperm DNA/metal
      concentration in seminal plasma]. We then analyzed the concentrations of 15 trace
      elements (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, Zn, As, Sb, and Se) in the
      seminal plasma and the sperm DNA in 64 normal and 30 abnormal semen specimens
      with Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This study showed all
      trace elements were detected in the seminal plasma and only metals were detected
      in the sperm DNA. There was no correlation between the metals' concentrations in
      the seminal plasma and the sperm DNA. Al had the highest affinity for DNA
      followed by Pb and Cd. This strong affinity is consistent with the known
      mutagenic effects of these metals. The lowest affinity was observed for Zn and
      Ti. We observed a significant increase of Al linked to the sperm DNA of patients
      with oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. Al's reproductive toxicity might be
      due to Al linked to DNA, by altering spermatogenesis and expression patterns of
      genes involved in the function of reproduction.

PMID- 27278964
TI  - Correlates of Forced Sex Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in Yangon and
      Monywa, Myanmar.
AB  - Forced sex at an early age is associated with a variety of negative factors
      including increased illness, high-risk sexual and substance-use behaviors, and
      mental and psychological stress. These sequelae may be compounded for men who
      have sex with men (MSM), especially young MSM and those with feminine gender
      identity and expression. This survey examined the prevalence and associations of
      forced sex among young MSM in two cities in Myanmar. In 2013-2014, surveys using
      respondent-driven sampling collected data on 200 young MSM in Yangon and 200 in
      Monywa. One quarter of young MSM in Yangon and 21 % in Monywa reported ever
      experiencing forced sex. In a multivariable model, having problems with family
      members and having any MSM friends with many partners had higher odds of
      experiencing forced sex. Having maternal acceptance of same-sex attraction
      (compared to acceptance by both parents) and becoming aware of their same-sex
      attraction at or above the age of 16 had lower odds of experiencing forced sex.
      Focused research is needed to understand the family and other social dynamics
      affecting vulnerability to forced sex, as well as specific sexual risks
      associated with forced sex among young MSM, including HIV acquisition and
      transmission risks.

PMID- 27278966
TI  - Beyond Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Homosexual: A Diversity in Sexual Identity
      Expression.

PMID- 27278965
TI  - Reasons for Non-Disclosure of Sexual Orientation Among Behaviorally Bisexual Men:
      Non-Disclosure as Stigma Management.
AB  - Although bisexual men are known to be less likely to disclose their sexual
      orientation to others than gay men, the reasons why bisexual men choose or feel
      unable to disclose have received minimal research attention. To examine the
      reasons behaviorally bisexual men offer for not disclosing to their friends,
      family, and female partners, in-depth interviews were conducted with an
      ethnically diverse sample of 203 men who had not disclosed their same-sex
      behavior to their female sexual partners in New York City. Men were recruited
      from multiple venues and online sources using a targeted sampling approach.
      Transcripts were thematically analyzed using Atlas.ti software. Contrary to the
      theory that non-disclosure is due to uncertainty about one's sexual identity, the
      reasons offered for non-disclosure revealed that it was largely a method to avoid
      stigmatizing reactions from others. Men reported a number of specific reasons for
      non-disclosure, including (1) anticipation of negative emotional reactions; (2)
      anticipation of negative changes in relationships; (3) belief that others held
      stigmatizing attitudes toward homosexuality; (4) prior experience with negative
      reactions to disclosure; (5) wanting to maintain others' perceptions of him; (6)
      fear that those told would disclose to additional people; and (7) fear of
      rejection due to culture or religion. These findings provide insights into the
      reasons why many behaviorally bisexual men choose not to disclose, potential
      reasons why bisexual and gay men differ in the extent to which they disclose, and
      potential reasons why some bisexual men report greater emotional distress than
      gay men. Further, they suggest that greater attention needs to be placed on
      addressing the stigmatizing contexts that confront bisexual men and providing
      them with strategies to manage stigma.

PMID- 27278967
TI  - General practitioners' approach to malingering in basic military training
      centres.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Malingering can be defined as the abuse of the right to benefit from
      the health services. In this study, the frequency of the malingering cases in
      Basic Military Training Centres (BMTCs) and the behaviours and the attitudes of
      the military physicians towards the recruits who are suspected malingerers were
      described. METHOD: A total of 17 general practitioners in nine different BMTCs in
      different regions of Turkey constitute the universe of this descriptive study. In
      the questionnaire, there were a total of 30 questions about the descriptive
      characteristics of the participants and their attitudes and behaviours towards
      malingering. Informed consent form and a questionnaire were applied through the
      intranet via participants' emails. In the study, 15 physicians were reached with
      a response rate of 88.2%. RESULTS: All of the physicians suspected malingering in
      some of the soldiers who were examined. A total of 80% of the physicians (n=12)
      suspected malingering in at least 10% of the patients they examined. Only 13.3%
      of the physicians (n=2) had officially diagnosed a case of malingering in the
      last training period. All of the participants stated that they did not report the
      official decision for every soldier suspected of malingering. Instead of
      reporting official decision for malingering, the military physicians apply
      alternative procedures for suspected malingerers. CONCLUSIONS: In countries where
      the military service is compulsory, prevalence of malingering is estimated to be
      higher (approximately 5-25%). The problem of malingering is often underestimated
      due to the fact it is usually overlooked. Malingering remains a problem for the
      entire military healthcare system, due to the difficulties in exact diagnosis.
      Therefore, it can be useful to take some practical administrative measures for
      the soldiers who are prone to malingering, in order to discourage the behaviour.

PMID- 27278969
TI  - Medicine and literature.

PMID- 27278968
TI  - Should early amputation impact initial fluid therapy algorithms in burns
      resuscitation? A retrospective analysis using 3D modelling.
AB  - AIMS: While the epidemiology of amputations in patients with burns has been
      investigated previously, the effect of an amputation on burn size and its impact
      on fluid management have not been considered in the literature. Fluid
      resuscitation volumes are based on the percentage of the total body surface area
      (%TBSA) burned calculated during the primary survey. There is currently no
      consensus as to whether the fluid volumes should be recalculated after an
      amputation to compensate for the new body surface area. The aim of this study was
      to model the impact of an amputation on burn size and predicted fluid
      requirement. METHODS: A retrospective search was performed of the database at the
      Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Regional Burns Centre to identify all
      patients who had required an early amputation as a result of their burn injury.
      The search identified 10 patients over a 3-year period. Burn injuries were then
      mapped using 3D modelling software. BurnCase3D is a computer program that allows
      accurate plotting of burn injuries on a digital mannequin adjusted for height and
      weight. Theoretical fluid requirements were then calculated using the Parkland
      formula for the first 24 h, and Herndon formula for the second 24 h, taking into
      consideration the effects of the amputation on residual burn size. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that amputation can have an unpredictable
      effect on burn size that results in a significant deviation from predicted fluid
      resuscitation volumes. This discrepancy in fluid estimation may cause iatrogenic
      complications due to over-resuscitation in burn-injured casualties. Combining a
      more accurate estimation of postamputation burn size with goal-directed fluid
      therapy during the resuscitation phase should enable burn care teams to optimise
      patient outcomes.

PMID- 27278970
TI  - Transmission electron microscopy study on the effects of the ultrasound contrast
      agent Levovist on hepatic cells.
AB  - PURPOSE: The Ultrasound Equipment and Safety Committee of The Japan Society of
      Ultrasonics in Medicine performed experiments to confirm whether contrast
      enhanced ultrasonography damages liver cells. METHODS: Rats were injected with
      0.1 ml of 300 mg/ml ultrasound contrast agent (UCA). Diagnostic ultrasound pulses
      with a center frequency of 6 MHz and a mechanical index of 1.9 were applied to
      rat livers with a water bag as a coupler to maintain a distance of 2-6 cm between
      the ultrasound probe surface and the liver. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was
      carried out for 10 s to visualize the entire liver. Then, specimens of liver
      tissue were fixed using two types of fixation: immersion and perfusion fixation.
      RESULTS: Although some variations were found in electron micrographs of liver
      tissue fixed using immersion fixation, none of three blinded readers found any
      significant differences between micrographs of liver tissue from rats receiving
      UCA with sonication and those from sham-treated control rats. Changes observed
      were not thought to be group-specific but instead due to differences between
      individual rats. When the livers were fixed using perfusion fixation and the
      hepatic vein was cut after injection of physiological saline for perfusion, a
      large number of vacuoles >=2 MUm in diameter were observed. This finding
      suggested that hepatic cell damage observed in this study was caused by high
      perfusion pressure during the liver fixation process rather than by sonication
      with UCA. CONCLUSION: Blinded readings of electron micrographs showed no clear
      evidence that the use of Levovist in ADI mode ultrasonography causes significant
      damage to liver tissue.

PMID- 27278971
TI  - Comparing the in vivo sonodynamic effects of dual- and single-frequency
      ultrasound in breast adenocarcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Dual-frequency ultrasound has recently been shown to extensively
      enhance the acoustic cavitation yield in water. METHODS: In this study, the in
      vivo antitumor effect of simultaneous, dual-frequency ultrasound at low-level
      intensity (I SATA = 2 W/cm(2) for 1 MHz and I SATA = 0.2 W/cm(2) for 150 kHz) in
      combination with an intravenous injection of 5 mg/kg hematoporphyrin (Hp) was
      investigated in a model of breast adenocarcinoma in Balb/c mice. Seventy-one
      tumor-bearing mice were divided into nine treatment groups: control, sham, Hp
      injection, and single- and dual-frequency sonication in the presence and absence
      of Hp. The tumor growth delay was then calculated based on the tumor volume at
      various times after treatment using the following parameters: relative volume
      percent, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] times (to reach five and two
      times the initial volume), percent of tumor growth inhibition ratio, and survival
      period. RESULTS: Our results showed no significant difference between the 150 kHz
      and 1 MHz single-frequency groups when compared with the sham group after 9 days
      of treatment (p > 0.05). However, treatment with dual-frequency ultrasound
      significantly delayed tumor growth when compared with the sham group (p < 0.05)
      after 9 days of treatment. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that combined
      dual-frequency sonication controlled tumor growth more effectively than single
      frequency sonication. Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of single- and dual
      frequency ultrasound in sonodynamic therapy revealed that treatment with the
      combination of dual-frequency ultrasound and Hp resulted in a significant
      reduction in the relative volume percent of tumors after 3 days of treatment (p <
      0.05) compared with the controls. Additionally, the T 5 time and the survival
      period in the group treated with the combination therapy was significantly longer
      than those in all the other groups (p < 0.05). These findings were further
      verified histopathologically. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results reveal that
      sonodynamic therapy using dual-frequency ultrasound is able to extend the
      survival time of animals compared with single-frequency sonication.

PMID- 27278972
TI  - Small calcification indicator in ultrasonography using correlation of echoes with
      a modified Wiener filter.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to improve the calcification depiction
      ability in ultrasonography using correlation of echoes with a modified Wiener
      filter. METHODS: The waveform of an ultrasound pulse changes when it passes
      through the location of a calcification. Since the change in echo waveform caused
      by a calcification decreases the correlation of waveforms in adjacent scan lines,
      we have proposed a calcification depiction method using the decorrelation of
      echoes. However, the low signal-to-noise ratio of echoes also decreases the
      correlation of the echoes. In this study, we employ the correlation of echoes
      with a modified Wiener filter to suppress the effect of noise, as an indicator of
      a calcification. RESULTS: The proposed calcification indicator depicted copper
      cylindrical rods 0.2 mm in size at a depth of 2 cm with a sensitivity of 80% and
      a positive predictive value of 80%, despite being hardly depicted at all on B
      mode ultrasound imaging. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the potential of the
      proposed method to improve the performance of calcification depiction by
      ultrasound devices.

PMID- 27278973
TI  - Experimental study on temperature rise of acoustic radiation force elastography.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acoustic radiation force (ARF) elastography is potentially useful
      for imaging the elasticity of human tissue. Because a "push wave" that is used to
      generate ARF is a long burst wave comparable to that used in regular clinical
      imaging, detailed investigation of its safety is required. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      We focus on the transient temperature rise in the far field, where the beam paths
      are overlapped. Soft tissue mimicking a phantom and bone samples were exposed to
      a 2-MHz plane wave for 20 s. The temperature rises in the far field were measured
      using a thermocouple. The temperature rises at 1 ms, the time required for the
      displacement measurement, were estimated by fitting the experimental results. The
      results showed that the thermosensitivity of the bone was 36 times higher than
      that of the phantom, and the use of a repeated push wave may have exceeded the
      allowable maximum temperature rise, 1 degrees C, on the bone surface. CONCLUSION:
      In conclusion, the imaging area, including the path of the push wave, should be
      carefully checked and the time interval for consecutive use should be adjusted to
      prevent thermal risk on the surface of the bone.

PMID- 27278974
TI  - Impact of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects on cardiac function.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of
      transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) on left ventricular
      function. METHODS: Conventional and three-dimensional echocardiographic methods
      (3D) were performed in 20 patients who underwent ASD closure. Diastolic and
      systolic volumes (LVVd and LVVs) and ejection fractions (EF) were determined by
      3D methods. Doppler and tissue Doppler indices were also measured before and 1
      day after the procedure. We determined the predictors of patients with a mitral
      early Doppler/tissue Doppler velocity ratio (E/E') >=8 after closure. RESULTS:
      Ejection fraction decreased (from 70 +/- 8 to 63 +/- 8%, p = 0.005) after the
      procedure because of an equivalent increase in LVVs and LVVd maintaining the same
      cardiac output. Among the echocardiographic variables before ASD closure that
      correlated with E/E' after closure, the receiver operating characteristic curve
      of E' gave the largest area under the curve with E' of 12.2 cm/s as the best
      predictor of patients with E/E' >=8 after ASD closure. CONCLUSION: Atrial septal
      defect closure decreased EF on the surface, thereby maintaining the same stroke
      volume and cardiac output. Patients with diastolic dysfunction before closure
      might have a higher risk of developing congestive heart failure after ASD
      closure.

PMID- 27278975
TI  - Primary echocardiographic results of the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the primary echocardiographic
      results of aortic valve replacement using 21- and 19-mm Carpentier-Edwards
      Perimount Magna bioprosthesis aortic xenografts in patients with small aortic
      annulus. METHODS: Twenty patients (mean body surface area 1.63 +/- 0.16 m(2))
      underwent aortic valve replacement between June 2008 and December 2009. Eight and
      12 patients received 21- and 19-mm Magna bioprostheses, respectively. After 12
      months, hemodynamic data were obtained by echocardiography to estimate the
      prosthesis-patient mismatch. RESULTS: At follow-up, significant decreases in peak
      and mean left ventricular aortic pressure gradients were observed in the 12
      patients with aortic stenosis (P < 0.05). Regression of the left ventricular mass
      was observed in all the patients (P < 0.05). The mean measured effective orifice
      area (EOA) and EOA index (EOAI) were 1.61 +/- 0.28 cm(2) and 0.99 +/- 0.16
      cm(2)/m(2), respectively. Prosthesis-patient mismatch (EOAI <=0.85) was
      documented in three patients. CONCLUSION: The primary echocardiographic findings
      suggested that the hemodynamic performance of the 19- and 21-mm Carpentier
      Edwards Perimount Magna bioprostheses was satisfactory in the patients with a
      small aortic annulus.

PMID- 27278977
TI  - Pseudoaneurysm with left-to-right shunt in a patient with myocardial infarction:
      evaluation by three-dimensional echocardiography.
AB  - It is often difficult to noninvasively differentiate a post-infarction left
      ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm from a post-infarction true aneurysm. A 66-year
      old woman with a past history of inferior acute myocardial infarction was
      admitted to our hospital because of acute decompensated heart failure. Two
      dimensional transthoracic echocardiography showed an aneurysm with a narrow
      orifice in the inferoposterior basal area. The pulmonary to systemic flow ratio
      (Q p/Q s) was 2.2:1, which corresponded to moderate left-right shunting. Three
      dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) showed the orifice in the
      perforated right ventricular basal area with a color jet through the orifice from
      the LV to the right ventricle. Collectively, based on the 3D-TEE findings, we
      diagnosed the case as inferoposterior pseudoaneurysm with a left-to-right shunt
      caused by myocardial infarction. 

PMID- 27278976
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with SonazoidTM for the evaluation of bowel
      ischemia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with
      the contrast agent SonazoidTM for the detection of bowel ischemia. METHODS: From
      March 2007 to February 2009, 65 patients (35 men and 30 women, mean age 70.4 +/-
      16.1 years) were enrolled. Fifty-three patients complained of acute abdominal
      pain with small bowel dilatation (n = 40) or reduced bowel peristalsis (n = 13).
      Twelve patients were clinically suspected of having bowel ischemia. After
      SonazoidTM injection, bowel segments were scanned using harmonic imaging, and the
      signal intensities were classified as normal or diminished. The definitive
      diagnosis was confirmed by surgery in 30 patients, autopsy in 6, endoscopy in 3,
      angiography in 1, and clinical follow-up in 25. RESULTS: All 50 patients with
      normal signal intensities were confirmed not to have bowel ischemia. In the 15
      patients with diminished signal intensities, 14 patients were confirmed to have
      bowel ischemia, resulting in an overall sensitivity of 100% [95% confidence
      interval (CI) 80.7-100%], a specificity of 98% [95% CI 89.5-99.9%], a positive
      predictive value of 93% (95% CI 68.1-99.8%), and a negative predictive value of
      100% (95% CI 94.1-100%). CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with
      SonazoidTM is a highly sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of bowel
      ischemia.

PMID- 27278978
TI  - Left atrial myxoma mimicking papillary fibroelastoma.
AB  - A 67-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of deep vein
      thrombosis due to surgery for left patellar fracture. Deep vein thrombosis
      resolved with thrombolytic therapy. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a
      mobile left atrial tumor. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a fragile tumor
      with multiple fronds, implying a papillary fibroelastoma. Because this patient
      had a history of cerebral embolism, urgent surgery was scheduled. The excised
      tumor showed a sea anemone-like appearance in saline, which was similar to that
      of a papillary fibroelastoma. However, histological examination revealed the
      features of a myxoma and not papillary fibroelastoma. Herein, we illustrate a
      very rare case of left atrial myxoma with papillary fibroelastoma-like features
      in terms of both echocardiographic and gross findings. 

PMID- 27278979
TI  - Abnormal first-trimester fetal nuchal translucency and amniotic band syndrome.
AB  - We report a case of amniotic band syndrome diagnosed prenatally by serial
      sonographic examinations. Our initial sonographic image showed a large fetal
      nuchal translucency (NT) at 12 weeks' gestation. Repeated fetal ultrasound images
      revealed an amniotic band and right upper limb anomaly. Fetal MRI at 19 weeks'
      gestation revealed right forearm hypoplasia and pseudosyndactyly. The fetus was
      prenatally diagnosed with amniotic band syndrome and was suspected of having
      severe functional impairment of the deformed limb. The parents decided to
      terminate the pregnancy at 21 weeks' gestation. In fetuses with aneuploidy and
      various structural and genetic abnormalities, the NT thickness is increased in
      the first trimester. As far as we are aware, this is the first case report of
      increased NT and limb anomaly associated with amniotic band syndrome. In
      chromosomally normal fetuses with increased NT, intensive sonographic follow-up
      should provide grounds for a precise antenatal diagnosis. 

PMID- 27278980
TI  - Neonatal periventricular leukomalacia without evidence of twin-to-twin
      transfusion syndrome following discordance in nuchal translucency: a case report.
AB  - We describe a case of neonatal periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) without
      evidence of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) following discordance in
      nuchal translucency (NT). A 34-year-old woman with monochorionic twins after in
      vitro fertilization and embryo transfer was referred to our hospital. At
      gestational week 11, fetus A showed increased NT (7.0 mm) and normal crown-rump
      length (CRL) (34.3 mm). Fetus B had normal values, with a NT of 1.3 mm and a CRL
      of 32.3 mm. Both twins maintained growth throughout pregnancy, with no evidence
      of TTTS. During the antepartum period, daily fetal heart rate monitoring showed a
      reassuring pattern. Cesarean delivery was performed in gestational week 32.
      Neonates A and B weighed 2,071 and 1,617 g, respectively (discordancy rate
      21.9%), each with an Apgar score of 8 at 1 min. Soon after birth, brain
      ultrasonography of neonate A revealed high-echoic periventricular lesions
      bilaterally, and brain magnetic resonance imaging on day 7 revealed PVL. Neonate
      B showed completely unremarkable results. 

PMID- 27278981
TI  - Enlarging amniotic fluid 'sludge' in preterm labor associated with severe course
      of sepsis and recurrent tension pneumothorax in the infant.
AB  - Amniotic fluid 'sludge' (AFS) is defined as the presence of dense aggregates of
      hyperechogenic material in close proximity to the internal cervical os. The
      presence of AFS is an independent risk factor for impending preterm delivery,
      histological chorioamnionitis, and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in
      patients with spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes, and preterm
      prelabor rupture of membranes. We describe a case showing enlarging AFS on
      transvaginal ultrasound in a patient with impending preterm labor, followed by
      chorioamnionitis and emergency cesarean section at 28 weeks of gestation,
      resulting in a severe course of sepsis and recurrent tension pneumothorax in the
      infant. Such a case has not been reported as far as we know. Based on our case,
      sonographic findings of enlarging AFS may be a predictor of severe neonatal
      outcomes in a case with preterm labor even though the maternal symptoms of
      inflammation are not obvious. 

PMID- 27278982
TI  - Isolated hepatic metastasis with hepatic venous invasion and tumor thrombus in
      right atrium.

PMID- 27278983
TI  - Sonographic diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene: a rare surgical emergency.
AB  - Early diagnosis of life-threatening Fournier's gangrene, a rare surgical
      emergency, is essential. Detection of gas within the swollen scrotal skin by
      ultrasonography (US) is of great help in patients with equivocal physical
      examination findings. 

PMID- 27278985
TI  - Inquiries and challenges bring joy and confidence.

PMID- 27278984
TI  - Ultrasonography findings in temporal arteritis.

PMID- 27278986
TI  - Therapeutic potential of low-intensity ultrasound (part 1): thermal and
      sonomechanical effects.
AB  - In this first part of the review, we will focus on and discuss various aspects of
      low-intensity ultrasound (US), with emphasis on mild thermal effects, apoptosis
      induction, and sonomechanical effects. Mild thermal effects of US have been
      commonly applied to physical therapy. Though US has clear beneficial effects, the
      advantage of using US over other heating modalities remains unclear. US has also
      been used in vivo and clinically in the treatment of wounds and fractures, with
      promising results. On the biomolecular level, studies have shown that US can
      induce apoptosis and that certain conditions can provide optimal apoptosis
      induction. As to potential therapeutic applications, in addition to the thermal
      and other physical effects, apoptosis induction by US may offer direct and rapid
      treatment of tumors or cancer tissues. Technological advances and rapidly
      accelerating research in this field are providing an ever-increasing array of
      therapeutic options for lowintensity US. 

PMID- 27278987
TI  - Therapeutic potential of low-intensity ultrasound (part 2): biomolecular effects,
      sonotransfection, and sonopermeabilization.
AB  - Part one of this review focused on the thermal and mechanical effects of low
      intensity ultrasound (US). In this second and final part of the review, we will
      focus on and discuss various aspects of low-intensity US, with emphasis on the
      biomolecular effects, US-mediated gene transfection (sonotransfection), and US
      mediated permeabilization (sonopermeabilization). Sonotransfection of different
      cell lines in vitro and target tissues in vivo have been reported. Optimization
      experiments have been done and different mechanisms investigated. It has also
      been found that several genes can be up-regulated or down-regulated by
      sonication. As to the potential therapeutic applications, systemic or local
      sonotransfection might also be a safe and effective gene therapy method in
      effecting the cure of local and systemic disorders. Gene regulation of target
      cells may be utilized in modifying cellular response to a treatment, such as
      increasing the sensitivity of diseased cells while making normal cells resistant
      to the side effects of a treatment. Advances in sonodynamic therapy and drug
      sonopermeabilization also offer an ever-increasing array of therapeutic options
      for low-intensity US. 

PMID- 27278988
TI  - Contributions of mechanical and sonochemical effects to cell membrane damage
      induced by single-shot pulsed ultrasound with adjacent microbubbles.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective was to investigate the contributions of mechanical effects
      due to kinetic force induced by the dynamic behavior of microbubbles and
      sonochemical effects due to free radicals produced by inertial cavitation to cell
      membrane damage under sonoporation conditions in which cells with adjacent
      microbubbles were irradiated with single-shot pulsed ultrasound. METHODS: The
      free radical scavenger cysteamine was used to control the occurrence of
      sonochemical effects, and the ratios of cells with membrane damage to intact
      cells were compared in the presence and absence of cysteamine. To determine the
      optimal dose of cysteamine, free radical production on exposure to burst pulse
      ultrasound was investigated using KI-starch solutions with different
      concentrations (0-5 mM) of cysteamine. High-speed observation of the dynamic
      behavior of Levovist microbubbles during ultrasound exposure was also carried out
      in the presence and absence of cysteamine, and the difference in the ratios of
      the maximum bubble diameter to the initial diameter was evaluated. Next, human
      prostate cancer cells with adjacent Levovist microbubbles were exposed to single
      shot pulsed ultrasound with a center frequency of 1 MHz, a peak negative pressure
      of 1.1 MPa, and a pulse width of 3 MUs, and the percentages of cells with
      membrane damage were evaluated by fluorescent microscopy using propidium iodide
      in the presence and absence of cysteamine. RESULTS: It was confirmed that
      cysteamine at a concentration of 5 mM completely suppressed sonochemical effects
      without causing a change in the dynamic response of microbubbles to pulsed
      ultrasound. The percentages of cells with membrane damage in the presence and
      absence of cysteamine (5 mM) were 10.3% +/- 4.1% (n = 13) and 8.7% +/- 3.9% (n =
      9), respectively. No significant difference was found (P = 0.36). CONCLUSION: The
      results indicate that cell membrane damage induced by single-shot pulsed
      ultrasound with adjacent microbubbles was due mainly to mechanical effects, not
      to sonochemical effects.

PMID- 27278989
TI  - Sequential changes in rat femoral artery blood flow and tissue degeneration after
      exposure to high-intensity focused ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the sequential changes in
      rat artery blood flow and tissue degeneration after exposure to high-intensity
      focused ultrasound (HIFU) in vivo. METHODS: HIFU was applied through the skin to
      the femoral artery of Sprague-Dawley rats. The peak intensities used were 530,
      1080, 2750, and 4300 W/cm(2). After exposure, we measured the peak systolic
      velocity (PSV) in the artery every 1 min until the velocity stabilized. The
      vessel was resected and examined histologically 7 days after exposure. RESULTS:
      PSV was not significantly affected by HIFU exposure at 530 W/cm(2). PSV increased
      immediately after HIFU exposure at intensities of 1080 and 2750 W/cm(2). PSV
      after HIFU exposure at 1080 W/cm(2) fell to the control level within minutes;
      however, PSV increased immediately after HIFU exposure at 2750 W/cm(2) and then
      decreased slowly but remained at a higher level than the control for 15 min. On
      HIFU exposure at 4300 W/cm(2), the target artery was completely occluded.
      Histological studies 7 days after HIFU exposure demonstrated that exposure at 530
      and 1080 W/cm(2) induced vacuolar degeneration in the tunica media of the femoral
      artery in rats; exposure to HIFU at 2750 and 4300 W/cm(2) resulted in strong
      necrotic degeneration in the tunica media. These histological changes were more
      marked than those found immediately after HIFU exposure. Organized thrombus
      formation was observed only for HIFU exposure at 4300 W/cm(2). CONCLUSION:
      Sequential changes in arterial blood flow after HIFU exposure vary with the
      intensity, and the histological changes in arterial tissue progress over time.
      These phenomena should be considered when HIFU is clinically applied to achieve
      arterial occlusion.

PMID- 27278990
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid for evaluation of renal
      microcirculation.
AB  - PURPOSE: The renal medullary microcirculation plays an important role in
      regulating sodium and water excretion, and its impairment is closely associated
      with various renal diseases. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using
      Sonazoid has not yet been reported as a method for evaluating the renal
      microcirculation; consequently, this study was carried out to reveal the
      characteristics of renal microcirculation using CEUS with Sonazoid. METHODS: CEUS
      was performed on three healthy volunteers after they had fasted for at least 6 h.
      A GE LOGIQ7 ultrasound unit was used with a 2.0- to 5.5-MHz convex probe. Within
      approximately 1 min of intravenous injection of 0.0050 ml/kg Sonazoid, contrast
      images of the right kidney were acquired using a coded phase-inversion mode. Time
      intensity curves were calculated for the cortex and medulla. RESULTS: Peak
      contrast intensity was significantly higher in the cortex (-56.4 +/- 1.9 dB) than
      in the medulla (-66.7 +/- 1.7 dB; P < 0.005). Peak times were significantly
      earlier in the cortex (17.4 +/- 3.7 ms) than in the medulla (28.8 +/- 6.3 ms; P <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: CEUS using Sonazoid enables differentiation between the
      cortical and medullary microcirculation and is useful in clarifying renal
      pathophysiology and pharmacology.

PMID- 27278991
TI  - Multiple anechoic hepatic nodules in a patient with malignant lymphoma: report of
      a case with an emphasis on B-mode sonograms.
AB  - We present a case of hepatic malignant lymphoma (ML) in which the hepatic ML
      nodules were imaged as round anechoic nodules with posterior echo enhancement,
      mimicking hepatic cysts on B-mode ultrasonography (US). However, the boundary
      echo between the nodules and the surrounding hepatic tissue seemed to be less
      distinct than that of a hepatic cyst. Contrast-enhanced US showed the nodules to
      be hypervascular, which ruled out the possibility of hepatic cysts. Our
      observation stresses the importance of boundary echo for the diagnosis of hepatic
      ML on B-mode US. We also offer a possible explanation for this phenomenon. 

PMID- 27278992
TI  - Three-dimensional sonographic features of a fetus with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
AB  - We present a case of fetal Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome diagnosed by conventional two
      dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography. Conventional two-dimensional
      ultrasonography revealed a diaphragmatic hernia, nuchal edema, and suspected
      hypospadias. Three-dimensional ultrasonography clearly showed a flattening of the
      face, a high forehead, a broad nasal bridge continuing to the forehead,
      exophthalmos, and micrognathia (resembling the appearance of a Greek warrior
      helmet), but conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography did not depict these
      findings. Prenatal chromosomal analysis confirmed the diagnosis of Wolf
      Hirschhorn syndrome [46XY, del(4)(p15.2)]. Here we demonstrate how three
      dimensional ultrasonography provided a novel visual depiction of the facial
      dysmorphism, which helped substantially in prenatal counseling. 

PMID- 27278993
TI  - A case of dual ectopic thyroid accompanied by positive antithyroid antibodies.
AB  - Ectopic thyroid tissue is an uncommon congenital aberration that is seldom
      present at two different sites simultaneously. The patient was a 32-year-old
      woman with dual ectopic thyroid accompanied by positive antithyroid antibodies.
      The simultaneous occurrence of dual ectopic thyroid and positive antithyroid
      antibodies has been documented in only two cases: the case discussed here and one
      previous case. The cervical ectopic thyroid was followed up by ultrasound, which
      showed an increase in the size of the lesion and an internal echo texture that
      became slightly heterogeneous after the patient had her second child. We
      speculated that these changes resulted from the changes in hormone demand brought
      on by pregnancy and parturition. 

PMID- 27278994
TI  - Primary small-cell carcinoma of the breast: a case report.
AB  - We report a case of small-cell carcinoma of the breast. The patient was a 54-year
      old Japanese woman with a left breast mass. Mammography revealed a 1.2-cm
      microlobulated mass with partially ill-defined borders. Ultrasonography disclosed
      a hypoechoic mass measuring 1.8 * 1.2 * 1.2 cm with heterogeneous internal echoes
      and partially ill-defined borders. The shape of the mass was round and taller
      than it was wide in the orthogonal section to the longest axis of the mass. These
      imaging findings suggested a malignant tumor. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of
      the tumor also suggested a ductal carcinoma. Breast-conserving surgery was
      performed with axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy. A diagnosis of small-cell
      carcinoma of the breast was made based on the histologic and immunohistochemical
      findings. This rare breast tumor has been reported to be aggressive and
      associated with a poor prognosis; however, our patient is currently well and has
      had no clinical recurrence of the disease after 5 years of follow-up without
      radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Therefore, the prognosis may be better if the tumor
      is detected early and there is an absence of lymph node metastasis. 

PMID- 27278995
TI  - Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive
      cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 27278996
TI  - Gastric carcinoma with portal tumor thrombus.

PMID- 27278999
TI  - Dual modification of biomolecules.
AB  - With the advent of novel bioorthogonal reactions and "click" chemistry, an
      increasing number of strategies for the single labelling of proteins and
      oligonucleotides have emerged. Whilst several methods exist for the site
      selective introduction of a single chemical moiety, site-selective and
      bioorthogonal dual modification of biomolecules remains a challenge. The
      introduction of multiple modules enables a plethora of permutations and
      combinations and can generate a variety of bioconjuguates with many potential
      applications. From de novo approaches on oligomers to the post-translational
      functionalisation of proteins, this review will highlight the main strategies to
      dually modify biomolecules. 

PMID- 27278998
TI  - Establishment and characterization of a highly immunogenic human renal carcinoma
      cell line.
AB  - Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common kidney cancer, and accounts for ~3%
      of all adult malignancies. RCC has proven refractory to conventional treatment
      modalities but appears to be the only histological form that shows any consistent
      response to immunotherapeutic approaches. The development of a clinically
      effective vaccine remains a major strategic target for devising active specific
      immunotherapy in RCC. We aimed to identify a highly immunogenic antigenic format
      for immunotherapeutic approaches, so as to boost immune responses in RCC
      patients. We established and cloned an immunogenic cell line, RCC85#21 named
      Elthem, which was derived from a non-aggressive and non-metastatic clear cell
      carcinoma. The cell line characterization was performed by genomics (real-time
      PCR, genome instability), proteomics (two dimensional electrophoresis, mass
      spectro-metry) and immunological analysis (mixed lymphocytes tumor cell
      cultures). Real-time PCR confirmed the RCC85#21 cell expression of tumor antigens
      and cytokine genes. No difference in microsatellite instability (MSI) in RCC85#21
      cell line was found as compared to control, loss of heterozygosity was observed
      in the RCC85#21 clone, but not in the renal cancer cell lines from which it was
      generated. The image analysis of RCC85#21 by two-dimensional gels showed 700+/-26
      spots and 119 spots were identified by mass spectrometry analysis. RCC85#21
      promoted a significant RCC-specific T cells activation by exhibiting a cytotoxic
      phenotype after mixed lymphocyte and tumor cell cultures. CD8+ T cells isolated
      from RCC patients displayed an elevated reactivity against RCC85#21 and
      efficiently lysed the RCC85#21 clone. The RCC85#21 immunogenic cell line will be
      suitable for immune stimulation. The identification of novel tumor associated
      antigens will allow the evaluation of the immune response in vitro and,
      subsequently, in vivo paving the way for new immunotherapeutic strategies in the
      RCC setting. 

PMID- 27279000
TI  - Elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis in Iran: past history and the current
      situation.
AB  - In recent years, through a national programme for schistosomiasis control, this
      infection has been eliminated from Iran. The aim of this study was to report the
      process of significant decrease of urogenital schistosomiasis in southwestern
      Iran. During national programme surveillance for urogenital schistosomiasis
      control which was implemented by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
      of Khuzestan province from 1975 to 2013, more than 1.3 million urine samples were
      taken from inhabitants of high risk foci. All urine samples were gathered between
      10:00 a.m and 02:00 p.m and, after centrifuging, specimens were tested under
      optical microscope in order to detect Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Data analysis
      was performed using SPSS 18 software. In this retrospective study significant
      reduction was seen in number of infections between 1975 and 2013. During the
      years 1975-1980, 1981-1990 and 1991-2000 there were 1582, 761 and 79 cases of S.
      haematobium, respectively. In 2001 only one case was reported from Ahvaz and
      indeed this was the last case of urogenital schistosomiasis in Khuzestan and of
      course, in Iran. Prevalence from 1.064% between 1975 and 1980 slumped to 0% in
      2012-2013. During several projects for surveillance of urogenital
      schistosomiasis, selective population chemotherapy, snail control, population
      education, environmental improvement, etc were carried out throughout the
      surveillance period. According to elimination of S. haematobium in Khuzestan
      province, the only endemic region of Iran, control of disease, especially the
      campaign with intermediate host snails should be continued. Iran can be a
      successful model for countries suffering from this disease.

PMID- 27279001
TI  - Perceptions of cancer treatment decision making among American Indians/Alaska
      Natives and their physicians.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients are significantly less
      likely than non-Hispanic whites to receive guideline-concordant cancer care. Our
      objective was to examine cancer treatment decision making among AI/AN patients
      and their providers. METHODS: From 2011 to 2014, AI/AN cancer patients and their
      surgeons were identified through a hospital registry in Washington State.
      Patients were invited to participate in a mailed survey that queried socio
      demographics, cultural affiliation, everyday perceived discrimination, and trust
      in providers. Both patients and surgeons were queried about decision-making
      quality (collaboration and satisfaction). The primary outcome was association
      between patient and provider assessments of decision-making quality. The
      secondary outcome was non-adherence to treatment. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients
      (62% response rate) and 14 surgeons (37% response rate) returned surveys. Half of
      patients had not completed high school; 41% were living in poverty. Half of
      patients reported a strong tribal affiliation and most reported experiencing some
      form of discrimination. Patients endorsed high trust in surgeons and a high
      quality decision-making process; and surgeons' rated decision-making quality even
      more highly than patients did in every domain. Non-adherence to treatment
      recommendations was common (26%) and was significantly associated with lower
      patient-reported collaboration and satisfaction with decision making.
      CONCLUSIONS: Given the importance of adherence to cancer treatment for survival,
      the many non-clinical reasons for non-adherence, and the currently demonstrated
      association between decision-making quality and adherence, it would be worthwhile
      to investigate how to increase AI/AN patient satisfaction with decision making
      and whether improving satisfaction yields improved adherence to the cancer
      treatment plan. Copyright (c) 2016 The Authors. Psycho-Oncology Published by John
      Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27279002
TI  - Thigh magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of disease activity in
      patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies followed in a single center.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as a useful tool for diagnosis and
      follow-up. It may identify muscle inflammation (edema) and fatty infiltration for
      evaluation of disease activity and damage. Little information is available on the
      role of MRI in assessment of large cohorts of adult patients with IIM. METHODS:
      Fifty-one patients underwent MRI of the thigh muscles, laboratory tests, and
      clinical evaluation, including Physician Global Assessment (PGA) of myositis
      activity and the Manual Muscle Test 8 (MMT8). RESULTS: Muscle edema correlated
      significantly with creatine kinase values (P = 0.017) and PGA (P < 0.001). A
      significant correlation between edema and MMT8 values (P = 0.025) was observed
      when patients with muscle fatty infiltration were excluded. With respect to
      clinical diagnosis, the sensitivity of MRI was 92.3%, and specificity was 83.3%.
      CONCLUSIONS: MRI appears to provide additional information that complements
      clinical and biochemical examinations. Muscle Nerve 54: 666-672, 2016.

PMID- 27279004
TI  - Factors associated with quality of life in Arab patients with heart failure.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the relationships of demographic
      characteristics, medical variables and perceived social support with quality of
      life (QOL) in Arab patients with heart failure. A cross-sectional study was
      conducted to identify factors associated with QOL in Arab patients with heart
      failure. Participants with heart failure (N = 99) were enrolled from a nonprofit
      hospital and an educational hospital. Data were collected on QOL using the Short
      Form-36 survey. Perceived social support was measured with the Medical Outcomes
      Study Social Support Survey. The majority of the patients reported significant
      impairment in QOL as evidenced by subscale scored. Left ventricular ejection
      fraction was the strongest correlate of most QOL domains. Tangible support was
      significantly associated with most QOL domains. Other social support dimensions
      were not significantly related to QOL domains. Most patients with heart failure
      had significant disrupting pain and limitations in performing activities which
      interfered with their usual role. Due to the importance of understanding QOL and
      its determinants within the context of culture, the outcomes of this study may
      provide valuable guidance to healthcare providers in Arabic countries as well as
      Western society in caring for these patients. Further studies are needed to
      explore the relationship between social support and QOL among patients with heart
      failure in the Arabic culture.

PMID- 27279003
TI  - Association between Body Condition Score and Cancer Prognosis in Dogs with
      Lymphoma and Osteosarcoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In humans and rodents obesity appears to promote some cancers by
      increasing incidence, tumor aggressiveness, recurrence, and fatality. However,
      the relationship between obesity and cancer in dogs has not been thoroughly
      evaluated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Whether body condition score (BCS) at the time
      of lymphoma (LSA) or osteosarcoma (OSA) diagnosis in dogs is predictive of
      survival time (ST) or progression-free interval (PFI). We hypothesized that an
      overweight body state at the time of cancer diagnosis would be associated with
      negative outcomes. ANIMALS: Dogs with LSA (n = 270) and OSA (n = 54) diagnosed
      and treated between 2000 and 2010. METHODS: Retrospective case review.
      Signalment, body weight, BCS, cancer diagnosis and treatment, relevant
      clinicopathologic values, and survival data were collected. Dogs were grouped by
      BCS (underweight, ideal, and overweight) and ST and PFI were compared. RESULTS:
      Overall, 5.5% of dogs were underweight, 54.0% were ideal weight, and 40.4% were
      overweight at diagnosis. Underweight dogs with LSA had shorter ST (P = .017) than
      ideal or overweight dogs. BCS was not associated with ST for OSA (P = .474).
      Progression-free interval did not differ among BCS categories for either cancer.
      CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Obesity was not associated with adverse
      outcomes among dogs with LSA or OSA in this retrospective study; however, being
      underweight at the time of diagnosis of LSA was associated with shorter survival.
      More research is needed to elucidate the relationship between excessive body
      weight and cancer development and progression in dogs.

PMID- 27279005
TI  - Directed percolation identified as equilibrium pre-transition towards non
      equilibrium arrested gel states.
AB  - The macroscopic properties of gels arise from their slow dynamics and load
      bearing network structure, which are exploited by nature and in numerous
      industrial products. However, a link between these structural and dynamical
      properties has remained elusive. Here we present confocal microscopy experiments
      and simulations of gel-forming colloid-polymer mixtures. They reveal that gel
      formation is preceded by continuous and directed percolation. Both transitions
      lead to system-spanning networks, but only directed percolation results in
      extremely slow dynamics, ageing and a shrinking of the gel that resembles
      synaeresis. Therefore, dynamical arrest in gels is found to be linked to a
      structural transition, namely directed percolation, which is quantitatively
      associated with the mean number of bonded neighbours. Directed percolation
      denotes a universality class of transitions. Our study hence connects gel
      formation to a well-developed theoretical framework, which now can be exploited
      to achieve a detailed understanding of arrested gels.

PMID- 27279006
TI  - Reovirus intermediate subviral particles constitute a strategy to infect
      intestinal epithelial cells by exploiting TGF-beta dependent pro-survival
      signaling.
AB  - Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) constitute the primary barrier that separates
      us from the outside environment. These cells, lining the surface of the
      intestinal tract, represent a major challenge that enteric pathogens have to
      face. How IECs respond to viral infection and whether enteric viruses have
      developed strategies to subvert IECs innate immune response remains poorly
      characterized. Using mammalian reovirus (MRV) as a model enteric virus, we found
      that the intermediate subviral particles (ISVPs), which are formed in the gut
      during the natural course of infection by proteolytic digestion of the reovirus
      virion, trigger reduced innate antiviral immune response in IECs. On the
      contrary, infection of IECs by virions induces a strong antiviral immune response
      that leads to cellular death. Additionally, we determined that virions can be
      sensed by both TLR and RLR pathways while ISVPs are sensed by RLR pathways only.
      Interestingly, we found that ISVP infected cells secrete TGF-beta acting as a pro
      survival factor that protects IECs against virion induced cellular death. We
      propose that ISVPs represent a reovirus strategy to initiate primary infection of
      the gut by subverting IECs innate immune system and by counteracting cellular
      death pathways.

PMID- 27279007
TI  - Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin
      aging in vivo.
AB  - Apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a flavone that has been reported to have
      anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. In this study,
      we investigated the protective effects of apigenin on skin and found that, in
      experiments using cells, apigenin restored the viability of normal human dermal
      fibroblasts (nHDFs), which had been decreased by exposure to ultraviolet (UV)
      radiation in the UVA range. Using a senescence-associated (SA)-beta-gal assay, we
      also demonstrate that apigenin protects against the UVA-induced senescence of
      nHDFs. Furthermore, we found that apigenin decreased the expression of the
      collagenase, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, in UVA-irradiated nHDFs. UVA,
      which has been previously identified as a photoaging-inducing factor, has been
      shown to induce MMP-1 expression. The elevated expression of MMP-1 impairs the
      collagen matrix, leading to the loss of elasticity and skin dryness. Therefore,
      we examined the clinical efficacy of apigenin on aged skin, using an apigenin
      containing cream for clinical application. Specifically, we measured dermal
      density, skin elasticity and the length of fine wrinkles in subjects treated with
      apigenin cream or the control cream without apigenin. Additionally, we
      investigated the effects of the apigenin-containing cream on skin texture,
      moisture and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). From these experiments, we found
      that the apigenin-containing cream increased dermal density and elasticity, and
      reduced fine wrinkle length. It also improved skin evenness, moisture content and
      TEWL. These results clearly demonstrate the biological effects of apigenin,
      demonstrating both its cellular and clinical efficacy, and suggest that this
      compound holds promise as an anti-aging cosmetic ingredient. 

PMID- 27279008
TI  - Docetaxel-loaded PEG-albumin nanoparticles with improved antitumor efficiency
      against non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - The aim of the present study was mainly to assess the advantage of docetaxel
      loaded PEG-albumin nanoparticles (PEG-DANPs) against non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) compared with the commercial product of docetaxel (Aisu(r)) and docetaxel
      albumin nanoparticles (DANPs). We made systematic assessments on these three
      drugs against NSCLC both in vitro and in vivo. Based on our experiments, PEG
      DANPs showed a dose- and time-dependent efficacy in the in vitro cytotoxicity
      studies; the tumors growth and the metastases in the livers of NSCLC-bearing nude
      mice in vivo were reduced dmarkedly by PEG-DANPs, and the PEG-DANP-treated mice
      had a minimum of weight loss; furthermore, the mice which were treated with PEG
      DANPs can survive longer than the other groups. In conclusion, the PEG-DANPs have
      the lowest side-effects, and the highest antitumor and metastases activity of the
      three drugs, and it may provide an alternative to patients with NSCLC. 

PMID- 27279009
TI  - Usefulness and Pitfalls in Sodium Intake Estimation: Comparison of Dietary
      Assessment and Urinary Excretion in Chilean Children and Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High sodium intake has been associated with various noncommunicable
      disease like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or stroke. To estimate
      accurately sodium intake is challenging in clinical practice. We investigate the
      usefulness and limitations of assessing sodium intake simultaneously by dietary
      assessment and urinary samples in both children and adults. METHODS: We used a
      cross-sectional study design inviting 298 Chilean subjects (74 children and 222
      adults) aged between 9 and 66 years of both genders. Sodium intake by dietary
      assessment was obtained from Chilean food composition data, based on FAO tables.
      Sodium and creatinine excretion were measured in 24-hour urine samples, in all
      participants. RESULTS: Adequate urinary collection was obtained in 81% of
      children (59/74) and 61% of adults (135/222). The mean sodium intake by dietary
      assessment was similar to the sodium excretion in 24 hours (3,121+/-1,153mg/d vs.
      3,114+/-1,353mg/24h, P = nonsignificant) in children but was significantly lower
      (3,208+/-1,284mg/d vs. 4,160+/-1,651mg/24h, P < 0.001) in adults. In both
      children and adults, sodium intake correlated with urinary sodium excretion (r =
      0.456, P < 0.003 and r = 0.390, P < 0.001, respectively). Secondary analyses also
      suggested that the dietary assessment was more inaccurate in overweight adult
      subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that average sodium intake was higher
      than recommended in both children and adults (WHO <=2,000mg/d). The sodium intake
      estimated by dietary assessment correlated with urinary excretion in all
      subjects, but in obese adults was more inaccurate than in children. Future
      studies to validate the appropriate test to assess sodium intake by age and
      nutritional status are warranted.

PMID- 27279010
TI  - [Formula: see text]Dorsal and ventral visual streams: Typical and atypical
      development.
AB  - The literature on visuospatial processing describes two distinct pathways within
      the brain: a dorsal route extending from the visual cortex into the parietal
      lobes that is critical for spatial processing and a ventral route extending from
      the visual cortex into the temporal lobes that is critical for form perception.
      These visual streams appear to differ in their developmental trajectories and
      their vulnerabilities to diverse neurodevelopmental conditions. The present work
      aims to investigate development and vulnerability in two aspects of dorsal and
      ventral visual-stream function, namely attention to location and attention to
      identity. In Study 1, we compare typically-developing (TD) youth aged 9 to 16
      years with young adults aged 18 to 22 years on computerized location and identity
      tasks. In Study 2, we compare children and adolescents who have congenital
      hypothyroidism (CH), a pediatric endocrine disorder, with age-matched TD controls
      on the same tasks. The results from Study 1 show that the youths were less
      accurate than the adults at judging identity, whereas both groups were equally
      accurate at judging location. The results from Study 2 show that the youths with
      CH were slower but not less accurate than the TD youths in making both identity
      and location judgments. The results are interpreted as signifying later
      development of ventral (identity) stream functions compared to dorsal (location)
      but equal vulnerability of both functions in CH.

PMID- 27279012
TI  - Placental vascularization and apoptosis in Type-1 and gestational DM.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyze the alteration in
      vascularization and apoptosis in the placentas of patients with Type 1 or
      gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Placental samples drawn from normal (n =
      6), GDM (n = 6), and Type 1 DM (n = 6) pregnancies were rinsed in PBS and fixed
      in 4% paraformaldehyde. The obtained sections were examined by both light and
      electron microscopy. Subsequently, immunohistochemical staining was performed to
      evaluate apoptosis and vascularization with caspase-9 and VEGF antibodies.
      RESULTS: Capillary structures in various sizes, both in free and in stem villi,
      were observed to be denser in the GDM group than in the control and Type-1 DM
      groups, utilizing electron microscopy. Similarly, when compared with Type-1 DM
      and controls, a decreased amount of microvilli with more irregularity and
      blunting on the villus surface was detected. GDM group showed increased
      immunoreactivity in capillaries of stem villi, free villi, and endothelial cells
      when compared with Type-1 DM and control groups. Regarding the
      immunohistochemical staining with VEGF, Type-1 DM, and GDM groups showed stronger
      immunoreactivity than the control group, especially in syncytiotrophoblastic cell
      nuclei and stromal cell nuclei. However, there was no significant difference
      between Type-1 DM and GDM groups. CONCLUSION: Type-1 DM and GDM placentas showed
      increased villous stromal capillarization, increased immunoreactivity with VEGF
      and caspase-9, and increased syncytial nodes, which may develop secondary to
      placental hypoxia-ischemia. However, more participants are needed to confirm
      these conclusions.

PMID- 27279013
TI  - Accuracy of currently available neonatal respiratory function monitors for
      neonatal resuscitation.
AB  - This study aimed to test the accuracy in volume measurements of three available
      respiratory function monitors (RFMs) for neonatal resuscitation and the effect of
      changing gas conditions. The Florian, New Life Box Neo-RSD (NLB Neo-RSD) and NICO
      RFM were tested on accuracy with volumes of 10 and 20 mL and on changes in volume
      measurements under changing gas conditions (oxygen level 21-100 % and from cold
      dry air (24 +/- 2  degrees C) to heated humidified air (37  degrees C). Volume
      differences >10 % were considered clinically relevant. We found that the mean
      (SD) volume difference was clinically acceptable for all devices (10, 20 mL):
      Florian (+8.4 (1.2)%, +8.4 (0.5)%); NLB Neo-RSD (+5.8 (1.1)%, +4.3 (1.4)%); and
      NICO (-8.2 (0.9)%, -8.7 (0.8)%). Changing from cold dry to heated humidified air
      increased the volume difference using the Florian (cold dry air, heated
      humidified air (+5.2 (1.2)%, +12.2 (0.9)%) but not NLB Neo-RSD (+2.0(1.6)%,
      +3.4(2.8)%) and NICO (-2.3 % (0.8), +0.1 (0.6)%). Similarly, when using heated
      humidified air, increasing oxygen enlarged increased the volume difference using
      the Florian (oxygen 21 %, 100 %: +12.2(1.0)%, +19.8(1.1)%), but not NLB Neo-RSD
      (+0.2(1.9)%, +1.1(2.8)%) and NICO (-5.6(0.9)%, -3.7(0.9)%). Clinically relevant
      changes occurred when changing both gas conditions (Florian +25.7(1.7)%; NLB Neo
      RSD +3.8(2.4)%; NICO -5.7(1.4)%). CONCLUSION: The available RFMs demonstrated
      clinically acceptable deviations in volume measurements, except for the Florian
      when changing gas conditions. WHAT IS KNOWN: *Respiratory function monitors
      (RFMs) are increasingly used for volume measurements during respiratory support
      of infants at birth. *During respiratory support at birth, gas conditions can
      change quickly, which can influence the volume measurements. What is new: *The
      available RFMs have clinically acceptable deviations when measuring the accuracy
      of volume measurements. *The RFM using a hot wire anemometer demonstrated
      clinically relevant deviations in volume measurements when changing the gas
      conditions. These deviations have to be taken into account when interpreting the
      volumes directly at birth.

PMID- 27279011
TI  - Challenges in the diagnosis and management of acromegaly: a focus on
      comorbidities.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acromegaly is a rare, insidious disease resulting from the
      overproduction of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1),
      and is associated with a range of comorbidities. The extent of associated
      complications and mortality risk is related to length of exposure to the excess
      GH and IGF-1, thus early diagnosis and treatment is imperative. Unfortunately,
      acromegaly is often diagnosed late, when patients already have a wide range of
      comorbidities. The presence of comorbid conditions contributes significantly to
      patient morbidity/mortality and impaired quality of life. METHODS: We conducted a
      retrospective literature review for information relating to the diagnosis of
      acromegaly, and its associated comorbidities using PubMed. The main aim of this
      review is to highlight the issues of comorbidities in acromegaly, and to
      reinforce the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. FINDINGS AND
      CONCLUSIONS: Successful management of acromegaly goes beyond treating the disease
      itself, since many patients are diagnosed late in disease evolution, they present
      with a range of comorbid conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
      hypertension, and sleep apnea. It is important that patients are screened
      carefully at diagnosis (and thereafter), for common associated complications, and
      that biochemical control does not become the only treatment goal. Mortality and
      morbidities in acromegaly can be reduced successfully if patients are treated
      using a multimodal approach with comprehensive comorbidity management.

PMID- 27279014
TI  - Congenital diaphragmatic hernia-influence of fetoscopic tracheal occlusion on
      outcomes and predictors of survival.
AB  - The morbidity of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) who had
      undergone foetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) to those who had not was
      compared and predictors of survival regardless of antenatal intervention were
      identified. FETO was undertaken on the basis of the lung to head ratio or the
      position of the liver. A retrospective review of the records of 78 CDH infants
      was undertaken to determine the lung-head ratio (LHR) at referral and prior to
      birth, maximum oxygen saturation in the labour suite and neonatal outcomes. The
      43 FETO infants were born earlier (mean 34 versus 38 weeks) (p < 0.001). They had
      a lower mean LHR at referral (0.65 versus 1.24) (p < 0.001) but not prior to
      birth and did not have a higher mortality than the 35 non-FETO infants. The FETO
      infants required significantly longer durations of ventilation (median: 15 versus
      6 days) and supplementary oxygen (28 versus 8 days) and hospital stay (29 versus
      16 days). Overall, the best predictor of survival was the OI in the first 24 h.
      CONCLUSION: The FETO group had increased morbidity, but not mortality. The lowest
      oxygenation index in the first 24 h was the best predictor of survival regardless
      of antenatal intervention. WHAT IS KNOWN: * Randomised controlled trials have
      demonstrated that foetal endotracheal occlusion (FETO) in high risk infants with
      congenital diaphragmatic hernia is associated with a higher survival rate. *
      Mortality is greater in foetuses who underwent FETO and delivered prior to 35
      weeks of gestation. What is New: * Infants who had undergone FETO compared to
      those who had not had significantly longer durations of mechanical ventilation,
      supplementary oxygen and hospital stay. * Regardless of antenatal intervention,
      the lowest oxygenation index in the first 24 h was the best predictor of
      survival.

PMID- 27279015
TI  - Morphometric and cytomorphologic characterization of EGFR-mutated cancer cells
      comparison between cultured lung cancer cell lines and lung adenocarcinoma
      clinical samples.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently molecular targeting therapies such as inhibition of enzyme
      activities associated with gene mutations responsible for lung carcinogenesis
      have been demonstrating promising outcomes, increasing the importance of gene
      analysis using clinical samples. Cytomorphologic findings with predictive value
      toward specific gene mutation such as EGFR mutation could be a useful tool to
      select appropriate gene analyses using limited clinical samples. METHODS:
      Morphometrical and cytomorphological evaluations were performed in 7 cultured
      lung cancer cell lines and 51 lung adenocarcinoma clinical samples to identify
      specific cytomorphologic characterization of EGFR-mutated cancer cells compared
      to the wild type. RESULTS: Morphometry demonstrated that the EGFR mutated cell
      lines had significantly smaller nuclear area and perimeter and more circular
      nuclei compared to the wild type. In contrast, EGFR-mutated clinical samples had
      significantly greater nuclear area and perimeter compared to the wild type EGFR
      samples. There were no clear differences in cytomorphologic parameters assessing
      nuclear atypicality between EGFR mutated cells and wild type EGFR cells in either
      cultured cell lines or clinical samples. CONCLUSION: Although our study suggested
      that EGFR mutation may have specific effects on nuclear morphology, no consistent
      characteristics of EGFR-mutated cells were identified in the clinical samples,
      probably due to various factors such as different pathologic stages and various
      incidences of lepidic growth. Further assessment of morphological
      characterization of EGFR-mutated cells in lung adenocarcinoma is warranted,
      increasing the number of samples and considering the effects of polyploidy, other
      gene mutations, pathology stage and tumor subtypes such as lepidic growth. Diagn.
      Cytopathol. 2016;44:717-724. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27279018
TI  - Manganese-catalyzed regiospecific sp(3) C-S bond formation through C-C bond
      cleavage of cyclobutanols.
AB  - A manganese-catalyzed regioselective sp(3) C-S bond formation through C-C bond
      cleavage of cyclobutanols is described. A variety of primary and secondary alkyl
      thioethers are efficiently prepared under mild reaction conditions. The
      mechanistic pathways involving radical-mediated tandem C-C bond cleavage and C-S
      bond formation are proposed. 

PMID- 27279016
TI  - Overexpression of HSPA1A enhances the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow
      mesenchymal stem cells via activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.
AB  - HSPA1A, which encodes cognate heat shock protein 70, plays important roles in
      various cellular metabolic pathways. To investigate its effects on osteogenic
      differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), its expression
      level was compared between undifferentiated and differentiated BMSCs. Rat HSPA1A
      overexpression in BMSCs increased osteoblast-specific gene expression, alkaline
      phosphatase activity, and mineral deposition in vitro. Moreover, it upregulated
      beta-catenin and downregulated DKK1 and SOST. The enhanced osteogenesis due to
      HSPA1A overexpression was partly rescued by a Wnt/beta-catenin inhibitor.
      Additionally, using a rat tibial fracture model, a sheet of HSPA1A-overexpressing
      BMSCs improved bone fracture healing, as determined by imaging and histological
      analysis. Taken together, these findings suggest that HSPA1A overexpression
      enhances osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, partly through Wnt/beta-catenin.

PMID- 27279017
TI  - Roscovitine ameliorates endotoxin-induced uveitis through neutrophil apoptosis.
AB  - Neutrophils have been recognized as critical response cells during the
      pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). Apoptosis of neutrophils induced
      by roscovitine has previously been demonstrated to ameliorate inflammation in
      several in vivo models. The present study aimed to assess whether roscovitine
      ameliorates EIU. EIU was induced in female C57BL/6 mice by a single intravitreal
      injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 250 ng). The mice were divided into three
      groups as follows: LPS alone, LPS plus vehicle, LPS plus roscovitine (50 mg/kg).
      The mice were euthanized 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after LPS-induced uveitis.
      Accumulation of inflammatory cells in the vitreous body was confirmed by
      immunohistochemistry, and quantified following hematoxylin and eosin staining.
      Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling was performed to
      detect of apoptotic cells. The mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines were
      analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and the
      changes in protein levels were analyzed by western blotting. Inflammatory cells
      accumulated in the vitreous near the optic nerve head and the quantity peaked at
      24 h after LPS injection. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the majority of the
      inflammatory cells were neutrophils. The number of infiltrating cells was similar
      in the LPS and LPS plus vehicle groups, while there were significantly less in
      the roscovitine group at 24 h. Apoptosis of neutrophils was observed between 12
      and 48 h after roscovitine injection, while no apoptosis was observed in the
      other groups. The mRNA expression levels of GMCSF, CINC-1 and ICAM-1 peaked at 12
      h after LPS injection, and decreased to normal levels at 72 h. This trend in mRNA
      expression was similar in the LPS and LPS plus vehicle groups; however, the
      expression levels decreased more quickly in the roscovitine group at 24 and 48 h.
      Following roscovitine administration, upregulated cleaved caspase 3 expression
      levels and downregulated Mcl-1 expression levels were observed. In conclusion,
      roscovitine ameliorates EIU by effecting neutrophil apoptosis. Timely apoptosis
      of neutrophils may be an effective process to promote the amelioration of EIU. 

PMID- 27279019
TI  - Resistance of novel mouse strains different in MHC class I and the NKC domain to
      the development of experimental tumors.
AB  - To elucidate the immunological mechanisms critical for tumor progression, we bred
      novel mouse strains, different in the NKC and H-2D domains. We used inbreeding to
      generate hybrids of Balb/c and C57BL/6 of stable H-2Db+d-NK1.1neg and H-2Db
      d+NK1.1high phenotypes. We analyzed the growth of three established MHC class I
      deficient tumor cell lines: TC-1/A9 tumor (HPV-associated) and B16F10 melanoma,
      both syngeneic to C57BL/6, and the MCB8 (3-methycholanthrene-induced tumor)
      syngeneic to Balb/c. Furthermore, we induced colorectal carcinoma by azoxymethane
      DSS treatment to test the susceptibility to chemically-induced primary cancer. We
      found that the novel strains spontaneously regressed the tumor transplants
      syngeneic to both Balb/c (MCB8) and C57BL/6 (B16F10 and TC-1/A9) mice. The H2
      Db+d-NK1.1neg, but not the H2-Db-d+NK1.1high strain was also highly resistant to
      chemically-induced colorectal cancer in comparison to the parental mice. The
      immune changes during TC-1/A9 cancer development involved an increase of the NK
      cell distribution in the peripheral blood and spleen along with higher expression
      of NKG2D activation antigen; this was in correlation with the time-dependent rise
      of cytotoxic activity in comparison to C57BL/6 mice. The TC-1/A9 cancer
      regression was accompanied by higher proportion of B cells in the spleen and
      B220+/CD86+ activated antigen-presenting B cells distributed in the lymphoid
      organs, as well as in the periphery. The changes in the T-cell population were
      represented mainly by the prevalence of T helper cells reflected by grown CD4/CD8
      ratio, most prominent in the b+d-NK1.1neg strain. The results of the present
      study imply usefulness of the two novel mouse strains as an experimental model
      for further studies of tumor resistance mechanisms. 

PMID- 27279020
TI  - Self-Heating and Failure in Scalable Graphene Devices.
AB  - Self-heating induced failure of graphene devices synthesized from both chemical
      vapor deposition (CVD) and epitaxial means is compared using a combination of
      infrared thermography and Raman imaging. Despite a larger thermal resistance, CVD
      devices dissipate >3x the amount of power before failure than their epitaxial
      counterparts. The discrepancy arises due to morphological irregularities implicit
      to the graphene synthesis method that induce localized heating. Morphology,
      rather than thermal resistance, therefore dictates power handling limits in
      graphene devices.

PMID- 27279021
TI  - Retraction notice to "Antinociceptive effects of endomorphin-2: Suppression of
      substance P release in the inflammatory pain model rat".

PMID- 27279022
TI  - Glyco-gold nanoparticle shapes enhance carbohydrate-protein interactions in
      mammalian cells.
AB  - Advances in shape-dependent nanoparticle (NP) research have prompted a close
      scrutiny of the behaviour of nanostructures in vitro and in vivo. Data pertaining
      to cellular uptake and site specific sequestration of different shapes of NPs
      will undoubtedly assist researchers to design better nano-probes for therapeutic
      and imaging purposes. Herein, we investigated the shape dependent uptake of glyco
      gold nanoparticles (G-AuNPs) in different cancer cell lines. Specifically, we
      have compared the behaviour of spherical, rod and star AuNPs with mannose and
      galactose conjugations. In vitro experiments showed that the rod-AuNPs exhibited
      the highest uptake over that of the star and spherical counterparts. Further, an
      investigation of the mechanism of the uptake clearly demonstrated clathrin
      mediated endocytosis of the specific G-AuNPs. These results reveal the benefits
      of different G-AuNP shapes in carbohydrate-mediated interactions. 

PMID- 27279023
TI  - Prognostic risk model development and prospective validation among patients with
      cervical cancer stage IB2 to IIB submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
AB  - This study was designed to develop a risk model for disease recurrence among
      cervical cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical
      surgery. Data for 853 patients were obtained from a retrospective study and used
      to train the model, and then data for 447 patients from a prospective cohort
      study were employed to validate the model. The Cox regression model was used for
      calculating the coefficients of the risk factors. According to risk scores,
      patients were classified into high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups. There
      were 49 (49/144, 34%) recurrences observed in the high-risk group (with a risk
      score >= 2.65), compared with 3 (3/142, 2%) recurrences in the low-risk group
      (with a risk score < 0.90). Disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly
      different (log-rank p < 0.001) among the three risk groups; the risk model also
      revealed a significant increase in the accuracy of predicting 5-year DFS with the
      area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.754 for risk model vs 0.679 for FIGO stage
      system); the risk model was also validated with data from the prospective study
      (log-rank p < 0.001, AUC = 0.766). Both high-risk and intermediate-risk patients
      can be more effectively identified by this risk model.

PMID- 27279024
TI  - Immunosuppression in the elderly renal allograft recipient: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Elderly are the fastest growing part of kidney transplant
      recipients. The best immunosuppressive strategy is unknown. METHODS: We performed
      a systematic search of randomized controlled trials and observational studies
      focused on safety and efficacy of different immunosuppression strategies in
      elderly kidney recipients. Data extraction and risk of bias evaluation were
      systematically performed. RESULTS: Ten studies were included: 2 randomized
      clinical trials and 8 observational. A marginal benefit was found for early renal
      function with delayed tacrolimus or complete tacrolimus avoidance using
      mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Observational cohort studies looked at different
      antibody induction strategies, calcineurin-inhibitors based maintenance
      immunosuppression, calcineurin-inhibitor-free sirolimus-based therapy and use of
      MMF versus azathioprine. Treatment with interleukin-2 receptor antibody
      induction, calcineurin-inhibitor minimization with MMF and steroid minimization
      is advisable in the low immunologic risk elderly recipient, considering the
      increased risk of toxicities, infection and malignancies. In the high immunologic
      risk elderly recipient, taking into account the morbid consequences of acute
      rejection in the elderly, observational studies support antibody induction with
      depletive antibodies, calcineurin-inhibitor, MMF and steroids; calcineurin
      inhibitor-minimization is not recommended. CONCLUSIONS: There is very limited
      evidence for the benefits and harms of different immunosuppression strategies in
      the elderly. Most of the published literature are observational studies, and
      randomized controlled trials are urgently needed.

PMID- 27279025
TI  - Adult vaccination against tetanus and diphtheria: the European perspective.
AB  - Besides immunizations against influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae and herpes
      zoster, which are recommended specifically for elderly people, regular booster
      vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria and in some cases pertussis and polio
      are recommended in many European countries for adults, including elderly people.
      Vaccination recommendations for adults differ greatly between individual
      countries and coverage data is scarce. Tetanus-specific antibody concentrations
      are generally higher than diphtheria-specific antibodies, and a substantial
      proportion of adults, and particularly of elderly people, do not have protective
      antibody concentrations against diphtheria. Antibody levels increase upon booster
      vaccination in all age groups, but diphtheria-specific antibody concentrations
      remain below protective levels in some older individuals, even immediately after
      vaccination and long-term protection is frequently not achieved. Future
      vaccination strategies should therefore include regular and well-documented
      booster shots, e.g. against tetanus and diphtheria, throughout life.

PMID- 27279026
TI  - Efficient production of acetoin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by disruption of 2,3
      butanediol dehydrogenase and expression of NADH oxidase.
AB  - Acetoin is widely used in food and cosmetic industry as taste and fragrance
      enhancer. For acetoin production in this study, Saccharomyces cerevisiae JHY605
      was used as a host strain, where the production of ethanol and glycerol was
      largely eliminated by deleting five alcohol dehydrogenase genes (ADH1, ADH2,
      ADH3, ADH4, and ADH5) and two glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes (GPD1 and
      GPD2). To improve acetoin production, acetoin biosynthetic genes from Bacillus
      subtilis encoding alpha-acetolactate synthase (AlsS) and alpha-acetolactate
      decarboxylase (AlsD) were overexpressed, and BDH1 encoding butanediol
      dehydrogenase, which converts acetoin to 2,3-butanediol, was deleted.
      Furthermore, by NAD(+) regeneration through overexpression of water-forming NADH
      oxidase (NoxE) from Lactococcus lactis, the cofactor imbalance generated during
      the acetoin production from glucose was successfully relieved. As a result, in
      fed-batch fermentation, the engineered strain JHY617-SDN produced 100.1 g/L
      acetoin with a yield of 0.44 g/g glucose.

PMID- 27279027
TI  - Transcript levels of plastin 3 and neuritin 1 modifier genes in spinal muscular
      atrophy siblings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In single gene disorders, patients with the same genotype may have
      variations in severity. One of the main factors affecting disease severity is
      modifier genes. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive
      neuromuscular disorder caused by degeneration of alpha motor neurons. Plastin 3
      (PLS3) is a phenotypic modifier of SMA, and neuritin 1 (NRN1) has also been
      suggested as a possible modifier gene. The aim of the present study was therefore
      to analyze PLS3 and NRN1 expression in SMA siblings in four families. METHODS:
      The study group consisted of four SMA families with seven with discordant
      phenotype and two affected siblings. Total RNA was isolated from whole blood.
      PLS3 and NRN1 expression was analyzed on quantitative real-time polymerase chain
      reaction. RESULTS: In family 1 only NRN1 expression was increased in the mildly
      affected sister. In family 2 only PLS3 had a modifier effect. Family 3, which had
      type III siblings with identical clinical phenotypes, had similar PLS3 expression
      between the siblings but no NRN1 expression. In family 4, neither PLS3 nor NRN1
      had any correlation with severity. CONCLUSION: On analysis of the expression of
      NRN1 in SMA patients for the first time, NRN1 could be a potential modifier gene.
      PLS3 expression does not always modify SMA phenotype. In patients with no
      modifier effect of known genes, genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis are
      promising for the identification of novel modifiers and understanding of SMA
      pathophysiology.

PMID- 27279028
TI  - Developmental origin of the clavicle, and its implications for the evolution of
      the neck and the paired appendages in vertebrates.
AB  - In fish, the pectoral appendage is adjacent to the head, but during vertebrate
      evolution a long neck region emerged via caudal relocation of the pectoral
      appendage. The pectoral appendage is comprised of endochondral portions, such as
      the humerus and the scapula, and a dermal portion, such as the clavicle, that
      contributes to the shoulder girdle. In the search for clues to the mechanism of
      the caudal relocation of the pectoral appendage, the cell lineage of the rostral
      lateral plate mesoderm was analyzed in chickens. It was found that, despite the
      long neck region in chickens, the origin of the clavicle attached to the head
      mesoderm ranged between 1 and 14 somite levels. Because the pectoral limb bud and
      the endochondral pectoral appendage developed on 15-20 and 15-24 somite levels,
      respectively, the clavicle-forming region corresponds to the embryonic neck,
      which suggests that the relocation would have been executed by the expansion of
      the source of the clavicle. The rostral portion of the clavicle-forming region
      overlaps the source of the cucullaris muscle, embraces the pharyngeal arches
      caudally, and can be experimentally replaced with the head mesoderm to form the
      cucullaris muscle, which implies that the mesodermal portion could have been the
      head mesoderm and that the clavicle would have developed at the head/trunk
      boundary. The link between the head mesoderm and the presumptive clavicle appears
      to have been the developmental constraint needed to create the evolutionarily
      conserved musculoskeletal connectivities characterizing the gnathostome neck. In
      this sense, the dermal girdle of the ganathostomes would represent the wall of
      the branchial chamber into which the endochondral pectoral appendage appears to
      have attached since its appearance in evolution.

PMID- 27279029
TI  - Homeostatic maintenance via degradation and repair of elastic fibers under
      tension.
AB  - Cellular maintenance of the extracellular matrix requires an effective regulation
      that balances enzymatic degradation with the repair of collagen fibrils and
      fibers. Here, we investigate the long-term maintenance of elastic fibers under
      tension combined with diffusion of general degradative and regenerative particles
      associated with digestion and repair processes. Computational results show that
      homeostatic fiber stiffness can be achieved by assuming that cells periodically
      probe fiber stiffness to adjust the production and release of degradative and
      regenerative particles. However, this mechanism is unable to maintain a
      homogeneous fiber. To account for axial homogeneity, we introduce a robust
      control mechanism that is locally governed by how the binding affinity of
      particles is modulated by mechanical forces applied to the ends of the fiber.
      This model predicts diameter variations along the fiber that are in agreement
      with the axial distribution of collagen fibril diameters obtained from scanning
      electron microscopic images of normal rat thoracic aorta. The model predictions
      match the experiments only when the applied force on the fiber is in the range
      where the variance of local stiffness along the fiber takes a minimum value. Our
      model thus predicts that the biophysical properties of the fibers play an
      important role in the long-term regulatory maintenance of these fibers.

PMID- 27279041
TI  - The Youth Daily Life Before Fulfilling Socio-educational Measures of Deprivation
      of Liberty in Brazil: Ordinary Experiences That Are Tangent to the Inclusion in
      Drug Trafficking.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to demonstrate some understanding of the daily lives of
      young people facing socio-educational measures of incarceration, especially
      regarding the predisposing factors that may explain their involvement in criminal
      occupations and activities (Although the socio-educational measures applicable to
      adolescents configures as a response to committing of an offence, it has a mostly
      educational and not punitive character.). This is an exploratory study with a
      qualitative approach. The data collection instrument used was semi-structured
      interviews with 22 young men aged between 12 and 17 years, on condition of
      deprivation of freedom in four youth centres in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais,
      Brazil. The results showed that these adolescents had a way of life associated
      with a scarcity of resources owned by households (including little control over
      them, despite the efforts of their mothers); low adherence to school; limited
      institutional access to activities in their free time; exposure to predisposing
      factors to crime, such as early contact with crime through neighbourhood and
      family relationships; and profiting from crime. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27279040
TI  - Nitidine chloride suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in osteosarcoma
      cell migration and invasion through Akt/GSK-3beta/Snail signaling pathway.
AB  - Metastasis is the main cause of death in osteosarcoma. Targeting the process of
      metastasis is a main strategy for osteosarcoma therapy. As a traditional Chinese
      medicine, Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb) has been applied to treat various diseases,
      including cancer. However, no evidence has been shown on the anti-metastasis
      effect of nitidine chloride (NC) that was extracted from Zanthoxylum nitidum
      (Roxb) on osteosarcoma cells, or its underling mechanisms. In the present study,
      we aimed to demonstrate the role of NC on the migration and invasion of
      osteosarcoma cells. Viability and proliferation of osteosarcoma cells were
      examined by MTT assay. Then, by appling scratch wound healing assay and Transwell
      assays, we evaluated migratory and invasive ability of the cells, respectively.
      Moreover, the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers
      were determined after treatment with NC. Furthermore, the expression of Akt, GSK
      3beta and Snail were detected by western blot analysis. In addition, the GSK
      3beta activity was examined by GSK-3beta kinase assay. Finally, an inhibitor of
      GSK-3beta, lithium chloride (LiCl) was applied to testify the effect of NC on the
      expression of EMT markers and Snail. We found that the proliferative, migratory
      and invasive ability of the U2OS osteosarcoma cells were all suppressed when
      treated with NC. NC increased the expression of E-cadherin and decreased the
      expression of N-cadherin, vimentin and fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner. NC
      also exerted its ability to suppress the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3beta so
      as to activate GSK-3beta. Then, by using an GSK-3beta inhibitor, LiCl, we
      revealed the effect of GSK-3beta in the expression of EMT markers. The expression
      of Snail was inhibited when treated with NC and LiCl also reversed the NC
      inhibited Snail expression. Taken together, these results revealed that NC
      suppressed EMT and decreased the invasive ability of osteosarcoma cells via the
      Akt/GSK-3beta/snail signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27279039
TI  - Global Tn-seq analysis of carbohydrate utilization and vertebrate infectivity of
      Borrelia burgdorferi.
AB  - Borrelia burgdorferi maintains a complex life cycle between tick and vertebrate
      hosts. Although some genes have been identified as contributing to bacterial
      adaptation in the different hosts, the list is incomplete. In this manuscript, we
      report the first use of transposon mutagenesis combined with high-throughput
      sequencing (Tn-seq) in B. burgdorferi. We utilize the technique to investigate
      mechanisms of carbohydrate utilization in B. burgdorferi and the role of
      carbohydrate metabolism during mouse infection. We performed genetic fitness
      analyses to identify genes encoding factors contributing to growth on glucose,
      maltose, mannose, trehalose and N-acetyl-glucosamine. We obtained insight into
      the potential functions of proteins predicted to be involved in carbohydrate
      utilization and identified additional factors previously unrecognized as
      contributing to the metabolism of the tested carbohydrates. Strong phenotypes
      were observed for the putative carbohydrate phosphotransferase transporters
      BB0408 and BBB29 as well as the response regulator Rrp1. We further validated Tn
      seq for use in mouse studies and were able to correctly identify known
      infectivity factors as well as additional transporters and genes on lp54 that may
      contribute to optimal mouse infection. As such, this study establishes Tn-seq as
      a powerful method for both in vitro and in vivo studies of B. burgdorferi.

PMID- 27279042
TI  - Mechanisms of Cytotoxic Lymphocyte-Mediated Apoptosis and Relationship with the
      Tumor Suppressor p53.
AB  - Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells are key effector cells in the
      immune response against intracellular infection and transformed cells. These
      killer cells induce multiple programs of cell death to achieve their function of
      eliminating their targets. In this review, we summarize our current understanding
      of the signaling pathways involved in target cells apoptosis triggered by the
      cytotoxic effector cells. We also discuss the role of an important player in the
      field of apoptosis, the well-known p53 tumor suppressor, in the modulation of
      cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated cell death.

PMID- 27279044
TI  - Identification of Antigen-Specific B-Cell Receptor Sequences from the Total B
      Cell Repertoire.
AB  - Advances in next-generation sequencing now allow characterization of the global B
      cell receptor (BCR) heavy-chain repertoire at a level that reflects its huge
      diversity. This technology has provided great insight into the structure of the
      BCR repertoire and how it responds to specific antigen stimuli. There are
      numerous potential clinical and research applications of BCR repertoire
      sequencing, but a major hurdle in the realization of these applications is the
      identification of the antigen-specific sequences of interest from within the
      total repertoire. To deconvolute the antigen-specific sequences from total
      repertoire, either a source of antigen-enriched sequence data is required with
      which to annotate the total repertoire, or de novo annotation methods must be
      used based on preconceptions of the features of antigen-specific sequences and
      their behavior following antigen-specific immune stimulation. We present a review
      of how these different methods can be applied to identify antigen-specific BCR
      sequences from the total BCR repertoire.

PMID- 27279043
TI  - Interleukin-33 and its Receptor in Pulmonary Inflammatory Diseases.
AB  - Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a member of the IL-1 cytokine family. It modulates
      immune responses and biological functions through binding to its membrane
      receptor, ST2L. ST2L is a member of the Toll-like/IL-1 (TIR)-receptor
      superfamily, and its isoform, soluble ST2 (sST2), functions as an inhibitor of
      the IL-33/ST2L pathway. Levels of IL-33 and sST2 in serum and bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluid (BAL) are known biomarkers for a variety of disorders such as heart
      failure, non-small-cell lung cancer, and pulmonary inflammatory diseases. IL-33
      also exists in the nuclei, and nuclear IL-33 seems to regulate cytokine gene
      expression. In this review, we focus on the role of IL-33/ST2 in the pathogenesis
      of pulmonary inflammatory diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung injury.

PMID- 27279045
TI  - Regulatory T-Cell Therapy in Transplantation and Severe Autoimmunity.
AB  - Current approaches to prevent or treat transplant rejection, graft-versus-host
      disease and severe autoimmunity rely on non-specific immunosuppressive drugs.
      Ongoing efforts aimed at harnessing regulatory T (Treg) cells hold promise for
      revolutionizing the current therapeutic options, reducing if not abandoning
      immune suppression in favor of immune tolerance. This paradigm shift carries the
      potential of dramatically enhancing efficacy, persistency, and specificity while
      reducing side effects. Here, we review the various strategies devised to
      manipulate Treg cells in vitro and in vivo, the clinical progress achieved to
      date, and critical issues that still need to be addressed.

PMID- 27279048
TI  - Erratum to: Impact of energy loss index on left ventricular mass regression after
      aortic valve replacement.

PMID- 27279047
TI  - Sirtuin 1 promotes the proliferation of C2C12 myoblast cells via the myostatin
      signaling pathway.
AB  - Accumulating evidence suggests that Sirtuin (Sirt)1 serves a significant role in
      proliferation and differentiation of myoblast cells; however the signaling
      mechanisms involved remain to be established. Myostatin (MSTN), a member of
      transforming growth factor-beta family, is an vital regulator of myoblast,
      fibroblast growth and differentiation. To determine if MSTN is involved in the
      regulation of myoblast cell proliferation by Sirt1, the present study
      administrated the Sirt1 activator resveratrol, inhibitor nicotinamide (NAM) and
      MSTN inhibitor SB431542 to C2C12 myoblast cells. It was demonstrated that the
      Sirt1 activator, resveratrol, repressed, whereas the Sirt1 inhibitor, NAM,
      enhanced C2C12 myoblast cells proliferation in a Sirt1-dependent manner. SB431542
      promoted the proliferation of C2C12 myoblast cells and reversed the inhibition
      effect of NAM on C2C12 myoblast cell proliferation. Additionally, resveratrol
      upregulated the mRNA expression of MyoD, but inhibited the expression of MSTN.
      Additionally, NAM significantly repressed the expression of MyoD and the
      phosphorylation of P107 (p-P107), but enhanced the expression of MSTN and the
      protein expression of P107. SB431542 significantly mitigated the effect of NAM on
      the expression of MyoD, P107 and p-P107. Taken together, these results indicated
      that Sirt1 promotes the proliferation of C2C12 myoblast cells via the MSTN
      signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27279049
TI  - Echocardiographic assessment of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from
      the pulmonary artery.
AB  - Transthoracic echocardiography of a 4-month-old boy with heart failure revealed
      poor left ventricular contractility with severe mitral regurgitation. Deformation
      analysis revealed significantly decreased circumferential strain in the anterior
      and anteroseptal segments. Furthermore, post-systolic shortening was evident in
      the anterior and lateral segments. The pulmonary arterial short-axis view showed
      that the left coronary artery originated from the pulmonary artery and color
      Doppler flow mapping showed retrograde flow in the left coronary artery. These
      findings were quite helpful for concluding the anomalous origin of the left
      coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. 

PMID- 27279046
TI  - Opportunities for Translation from the Bench: Therapeutic Intervention of the
      JAK/STAT Pathway in Neuroinflammatory Diseases.
AB  - Pathogenic CD4+ T cells and myeloid cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis
      of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE),
      an animal model of MS. These immune cells secrete aberrantly high levels of pro
      inflammatory cytokines that pathogenically bridge the innate and adaptive immune
      systems and damage neurons and oligodendrocytes. These cytokines include
      interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-12, IL-21, IL-23, granulocyte macrophage-colony
      stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). It is, therefore,
      not surprising that both the dysregulated expression of these cytokines and the
      subsequent activation of their downstream signaling cascades is a common feature
      in MS/EAE. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription
      (JAK/STAT) pathway is utilized by numerous cytokines for signal transduction and
      is essential for the development and regulation of immune responses. Unbridled
      activation of the JAK/STAT pathway by pro-inflammatory cytokines has been
      demonstrated to be critically involved in the pathogenesis of MS/EAE. In this
      review, we discuss recent advancements in our understanding of the involvement of
      the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of MS/EAE, with a particular
      focus on therapeutic approaches to target the JAK/STAT pathway.

PMID- 27279050
TI  - Right ventricular thrombosis in two patients with pulmonary atresia with intact
      ventricular septum.
AB  - Thrombosis was detected in the right ventricle 7 days after a bidirectional Glenn
      operation in a 1-year-old boy with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular
      septum (PAIVS) and immediately before pulmonary valvuloplasty in a 21-day-old boy
      with PAIVS. The risk of thrombosis and the blood clotting cascade should be
      assessed by blood tests, and surveillance echocardiography should be frequently
      applied in order to diagnose thrombosis early in such patients. 

PMID- 27279051
TI  - Unicuspid aortic valve in a middle-aged man: a rare case report.
AB  - Unicuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital anomaly. Two forms of unicuspid
      aortic valve exist: acommisural and unicommisural forms, both with a
      predisposition to aortic dilatation. Most patients with this congenital
      abnormality will eventually require therapeutic intervention for resulting severe
      aortic stenosis during infancy or childhood. In adults, the most common treatment
      applied is aortic valvular replacement associated with replacement of the aortic
      root and ascending aorta. We describe a 43-year-old man admitted to our hospital
      complaining of chest pain with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.
      Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography showed a unicommisural
      unicuspid aortic valve associated with an aneurysmally dilated ascending aorta.
      The patient underwent a Bentall operation and was discharged uneventfully. 

PMID- 27279052
TI  - Beta-blocker stress echocardiography in an aortic stenosis patient with
      associated left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
AB  - An 80-year-old man visited our hospital because of dyspnea on exertion from 6
      months ago. Echo Doppler study showed severe calcification in the aortic valve
      with restricted movement and the sigmoid septum causing obstruction at the LV
      outflow tract (LVOT). Considering the aortic valve area (AVA) might have been
      inaccurately estimated, we carried out beta-blocker stress echocardiography. The
      transaortic pressure gradient and AVA were respectively calculated as 52 mmHg and
      0.90 cm(2) before propranolol administration and as 64 mmHg and 0.86 cm(2) after
      propranolol administration. Thus, beta-blocker stress echocardiography may
      provide an accurate assessment of AS if the LVOT obstruction is concomitant. 

PMID- 27279053
TI  - Perforation of the hypopharynx after transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - A 65-year-old obese woman with an oversized neck and dysphagia underwent
      transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The procedure was complicated by
      difficulty in insertion from the pharynx to esophagus, and her head and neck
      gradually swelled. Computed tomography (CT) revealed extensive emphysema from the
      neck to superior mediastinum, which suggested pharyngeal perforation. A
      nasogastric tube was inserted, and the patient received antibiotics to prevent
      secondary mediastinitis. CT performed 1 week later showed improvement of
      emphysema and no evidence of mediastinitis. Perforation along the orogastric
      pathway during TEE is a rare but life-threatening complication to which
      physicians performing TEE should pay attention. 

PMID- 27279054
TI  - Early failure of quadricuspid aortic valve tricuspidization due to dehiscence of
      approximating coronary cusps.
AB  - A 48-year-old woman diagnosed with aortic regurgitation showing a quadricuspid
      aortic valve (QAV) underwent repair with tricuspidization. Two non-coronary cusps
      (NCC) with fenestrations were detected intraoperatively. Tricuspidization of QAV
      was performed by approximating the two NCCs via interrupted sutures. The aortic
      annulus was plicated by subcommissural annuloplasty. The residual aortic
      regurgitation was mild, with a vena contracta of 2.1 mm. On postoperative day 5,
      echocardiography demonstrated a new regurgitation from the middle of the neo-NCC,
      and increased central regurgitation. Intraoperative findings showed the
      dehiscence of approximating sutures of the neo-NCC. Mechanical valve replacement
      was performed uneventfully. 

PMID- 27279055
TI  - Mid-systolic flow reversal in a patient with mid-ventricular obstructive
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 27279056
TI  - Massive thrombus in the left ventricle: a case report.

PMID- 27279057
TI  - 'Aortic valve prolapse' in rheumatic heart disease.

PMID- 27279058
TI  - [Non-communicable disease and their significance for dental medicine].
AB  - Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic
      respiratory diseases, cancers, and diabetes mellitus, are responsible for most
      deaths worldwide. In view of the rising prevalence and the long-term consequences
      of NCDs, their prevention is a public health priority. Dentistry plays an
      important role in this endeavor. Since oral and general diseases share common
      risk factors (e.g., poor oral hygiene, unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse, tobacco
      consumption, distress), preventive measures may target both oral diseases (e.g.,
      dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral tumors) and medical NCDs. Consequently,
      dental medicine assumes an important medical and social role, which has been
      recognized by the World Health Organization and the General Assembly of the
      United Nations. To fulfill its mission successfully, consideration of the
      principles of evidence-based dentistry is a prerequisite. At the same time, the
      new development provides dentistry with the opportunity to critically reflect on
      its current and future orientation. 

PMID- 27279059
TI  - Epigenetic regulation of KLK7 gene expression in pancreatic and cervical cancer
      cells.
AB  - Kallikrein-related peptidase 7 (KLK7) is a serine protease encoded within the
      kallikrein gene cluster located on human chromosome region 19q13.3-13.4. KLK7 is
      overexpressed in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs), but not in
      normal pancreas. Examination of KLK7 mRNA levels in pancreatic cancer cell lines
      revealed that it is readily detected in MIA PaCa-2 and PK-1 cells, but not in
      Panc-1 cells. Treatment of Panc-1 cells with the histone deacetylase (HDAC)
      inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) significantly induced KLK7 mRNA expression.
      Similarly, KLK7 is highly expressed in cervical cancer cells, but its expression
      in the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa is only detected following TSA
      treatment. Promoter deletion analysis revealed that the proximal -238 promoter
      region, containing a putative Sp1-binding site, was sufficient for TSA activation
      of luciferase reporter activity, which was abrogated by the disruption of the Sp1
      binding sequence. Consistent with the notion that TSA induced KLK7 expression via
      Sp1, co-expression of Sp1 with the KLK7-promoter/luciferase construct produced a
      significant increase in reporter activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
      analysis revealed enriched Sp1 occupancy on the KLK7 promoter following TSA
      treatment. Similarly, ChIP analysis showed the histone active mark, H3K4Me3, in
      the KLK7 promoter region was significantly increased after exposure to TSA.

PMID- 27279060
TI  - Common therapeutic strategies for prion and Alzheimer's diseases.
AB  - A number of unexpected pathophysiological connections linking different
      neurodegenerative diseases have emerged over the past decade. An example is
      provided by prion and Alzheimer's diseases. Despite being distinct pathologies,
      these disorders share several neurotoxic mechanisms, including accumulation of
      misfolded protein isoforms, stress of the protein synthesis machinery, and
      activation of a neurotoxic signaling mediated by the cellular prion protein.
      Here, in addition to reviewing these mechanisms, we will discuss the potential
      therapeutic interventions for prion and Alzheimer's diseases that are arising
      from the comprehension of their common neurodegenerative pathways.

PMID- 27279061
TI  - Novel quinolines carrying pyridine, thienopyridine, isoquinoline, thiazolidine,
      thiazole and thiophene moieties as potential anticancer agents.
AB  - As a part of ongoing studies in developing new anticancer agents, novel 1,2
      dihydropyridine 4, thienopyridine 5, isoquinolines 6-20, acrylamide 21,
      thiazolidine 22, thiazoles 23-29 and thiophenes 33-35 bearing a biologically
      active quinoline nucleus were synthesized. The structure of newly synthesized
      compounds was confirmed on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral data. All
      the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity
      against the breast cancer cell line MCF7. 2,3-Dihydrothiazole-5-carboxamides 27,
      25, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene-3-carboxamide (34), 1,2
      dihydroisoquinoline-7-carbonitrile (7), 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H
      cyclohepta[b]thiophene-3-carboxamide (35), 1,2-dihydroisoquinoline-7-carbonitrile
      (6), 2-cyano-3-(dimethylamino)-N-(quinolin-3-yl)acrylamide (21), 1,2
      dihydroisoquinoline-7-carbonitriles (11) and (8) exhibited higher activity (IC50
      values of 27-45 MUmol L-1) compared to doxorubicin (IC50 47.9 MUmol L-1). LQ
      quinolin-3-yl)-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline-7-carbonitrile (12), 2-thioxo-2,3
      dihydrothiazole-5-carboxamide (28) and quinolin-3-yl)-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline-7
      carbonitrile (15) show activity comparable to doxorubicin, while (quinolin-3-yl)
      1,2-dihydroisoquinoline-7-carbonitrile (9), 2,3-dihydrothiazole-5-carboxamide
      (24), thieno [3,4-c] pyridine-4(5H)-one (5), cyclopenta[b]thiophene-3-carboxamide
      (33) and (quinolin-3-yl)-6-stryl-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline-7-carbonitrile (10)
      exhibited moderate activity, lower than doxorubicin. 

PMID- 27279062
TI  - Piecewise function parameters as responses of the design of experiment in the
      development of a pulsatile release chronopharmaceutical system.
AB  - The aim of this work was to develop a pulsatile release system with metoprolol
      for chronotherapeutical use by coating swellable mini-tablets with Eudragit RS.
      To study the influence of the formulation factors (amount of coating polymer,
      plasticizer percentage in film coating and swelling agent percentage in mini
      tablets), a Box-Behnken design of experiment (DoE) was used. To evaluate the
      influence of the studied factors on the sigmoid shape of the dissolution profile,
      piecewise function parameters were used as the responses of DoE. The results show
      that higher concentrations of coating polymer and higher concentrations of
      plasticizer polymer led to a thicker and more elastic polymeric film, which led
      to a delay in drug release. Using the parameters of the piecewise function as DoE
      responses, an optimum formulation with a sigmoid shape dissolution profile and a
      2.5-h lag time followed by rapid drug release were obtained. 

PMID- 27279063
TI  - Study of the effect of formulation variables on the characteristics of
      combination tablets containing enalapril maleate and indapamide as active
      substances using experimental design.
AB  - To evaluate the influence of different variables on tablet formulations
      containing enalapril maleate and indapamide as active substances, two separate
      experimental designs were employed: one for evaluating powder properties and the
      other for tablet characteristics. Because of the low active pharmaceutical
      ingredient content, it was hypothesized that both powder and tablet properties
      could be determined only by the characteristics of excipients. In order to test
      this assumption, both experimental designs were done with placebo mixtures. The
      optimized formulation was then evaluated both with and without APIs. Results
      indicated that filler and lubricant percentage, along with compression force,
      were the most important variables during the formulation study. The optimized
      formulation showed similar characteristics in both cases for all responses,
      except for angle of repose and friability where only minor differences were
      observed. The combination of the applied approaches (using placebo composition
      and fractional experimental design) proved to be efficient, cost effective and
      time saving. 

PMID- 27279064
TI  - The effect of excipients on the stability and aerosol performance of salmon
      calcitonin dry powder inhalers prepared via the spray freeze drying process.
AB  - Spray freeze drying was developed to produce dry powders suitable for
      applications such as inhalation delivery. In the current study, the spray freeze
      drying technique was employed to produce inhalable salmon calcitonin
      microparticles. Effects of the carrier type, concentration of hydroxyl propyl
      beta-cyclodextrin and the presence of Tween 80 on the chemical and structural
      stability, as well as on the aerosol performance of the particles were
      investigated. The results indicated that hydroxyl propyl-beta-cyclodextrin had
      the most important effect on the chemical stability of the powder and strongly
      increased its stability by increasing its concentration in the formulation.
      Chemically stable formulations (over 90 % recovery) were selected for further
      examinations. Fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism suggested that the
      formulations were structurally stable. Aerosol performance showed that the Tween
      free powders produced higher fine particle fraction values than the formulations
      containing Tween (53.7 vs. 41.92 % for trehalose content and 52.85 vs. 43.06 %
      for maltose content). 

PMID- 27279065
TI  - Synthesis of some benzimidazole derivatives endowed with 1,2,3-triazole as
      potential inhibitors of hepatitis C virus.
AB  - New derivatives of 2-thiobenzimidazole incorporating triazole moiety were
      synthesized, characterized and tested in vitro for antiviral activity against
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Their cytotoxicity was
      determined by the reduction in the number of viable cell. All of the synthesized
      compounds are inactive against HBV and some showed activity against HCV. In
      particular, two compounds showed significant activity, 2-{4-[(1
      benzoylbenzimidazol-2-ylthio)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}-N-(p-nitro-phenyl)
      acetamide (13) and 2-(4-{[1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-benzimidazol-2-ylthio)methyl]-1H
      1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}-N-(p-nitrophenyl)-acetamide (17). The results give an insight
      into the importance of the substituent at position 2 of benzimidazole for the
      inhibition of HCV. 

PMID- 27279066
TI  - Evaluation of the topical spray containing Centella asiatica extract and its
      efficacy on excision wounds in rats.
AB  - Centella asiatica was extracted by methanol. The assay content of triterpenes in
      the extract was 0.12 % asiatic acid, 0.54 % madecassic acid, 0.25 % asiaticoside
      and 1.02 % madecassoside. The extract was complexed with hydroxypropyl-beta
      cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) and formulated with Eudragit E100, glycerol, PEG 400,
      copovidone, ethanol and purified water. A clear yellowish solution (F1-F8) was
      obtained. The formulations had a pH of 5.5-6.0 with viscosity in the range of 20
      60 mPa s, surface tension 20.3-24.6 mN m-1 and contact angle less than 20 degrees
      . The amount of PEG 400 and copovidone affected the film and spreadability. The
      content of triterpenes in the spray formulation was close to 100 % compared to
      triterpenes in the extract. The skin irritation study indicated that the
      formulation was non-irritating in a rat model. An in vivo excision wound healing
      model showed that wound excision was completely healed after 14 days. 

PMID- 27279067
TI  - Development of an ANN optimized mucoadhesive buccal tablet containing
      flurbiprofen and lidocaine for dental pain.
AB  - A novel mucoadhesive buccal tablet containing flurbiprofen (FLB) and lidocaine
      HCl (LID) was prepared to relieve dental pain. Tablet formulations (F1-F9) were
      prepared using variable quantities of mucoadhesive agents, hydroxypropyl methyl
      cellulose (HPMC) and sodium alginate (SA). The formulations were evaluated for
      their physicochemical properties, mucoadhesive strength and mucoadhesion time,
      swellability index and in vitro release of active agents. Release of both drugs
      depended on the relative ratio of HPMC:SA. However, mucoadhesive strength and
      mucoadhesion time were better in formulations, containing higher proportions of
      HPMC compared to SA. An artificial neural network (ANN) approach was applied to
      optimise formulations based on known effective parameters (i.e., mucoadhesive
      strength, mucoadhesion time and drug release), which proved valuable. This study
      indicates that an effective buccal tablet formulation of flurbiprofen and
      lidocaine can be prepared via an optimized ANN approach. 

PMID- 27279068
TI  - Coated pellets with delayed-release glucose for prevention of hypoglycemic
      episodes.
AB  - Patients tend to prevent hypoglycemia by excessive saccharide intake leading to
      poorer glycemic control with potentially fatal consequences. This problem could
      be resolved by means of pellets with glucose release delayed by 120-360 min as a
      compensation of the antidiabetic drug peak effect. No glucose is released before;
      hence there is no risk of hyperglycemia and secondary complications. The pellets
      contain glucose in combination with an osmotically active ingredient and are
      coated with an ethylcellulose dispersion, which forms an insoluble semipermeable
      membrane and ensures delayed release. The release of glucose was assessed using
      dissolution and high-performance liquid chromatography. Dissolution profiles
      indicated the possibility of achieving the requested lag time using a combination
      of adequate compositions and coating concentrations. Lag times of 60, 240 and 360
      min were achieved. The sample containing carboxymethyl starch was found to be
      most suitable for the intent of this work. 

PMID- 27279069
TI  - Release of selected amino acids from zinc carriers.
AB  - The paper deals with the results of an investigation of the release of selected
      amino acids (histidine, tryptophan, tyrosine) from model suspensions prepared by
      co-precipitation with zinc chloride. It has been proven that the influence of the
      Zn(II)/amino acid molar ratio on dissolution profiles of the tested amino acids
      and dissolution half-life (t1/2) of histidine or tryptophan is significant. The
      amount of amino acid in the dispersed phase (supporting dose) is a determinant of
      the amino acid release profile. There is a minimal supporting dose (30.0 MUmol of
      histidine or 17.4 MUmol of tryptophan) that provides release of similar amounts
      of amino acid (4.1-4.6 MUmol of histidine or 8.7-9.9 MUmol of tryptophan) after
      the same time intervals. The tyrosine release profiles follow first order
      kinetics since the supporting dose (0.9-11.2 MUmol) is limited by the tyrosine
      low solubility in water. 

PMID- 27279070
TI  - Pharmacokinetic comparisons of S-oxiracetam and R-oxiracetam in beagle dogs.
AB  - A pharmacokinetic comparison and conformational stability study of S-oxiracetam
      (S-ORT) and R-oxiracetam (R-ORT) in beagle dogs was used to investigate the
      possible mechanism of different effects of two oxiracetam enantiomers through a
      random crossover design. After drug administration to beagle dogs, blood samples
      were collected at different time points for pharmacokinetic analysis using the
      UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method. Parts of plasma samples were used for conformation
      transformation studies using a normal phase high performance liquid
      chromatographic (NP HPLC) method. The study showed that oxiracetam enantiomers
      maintained their original conformation when administered orally to beagle dogs.
      Concentrations of S-ORT were significantly higher than R-ORT 1.5 and 2 h after
      administration; the AUC0-infinity of S-ORT after oral administration tended to be
      higher than that of R-ORT, which showed that the different effects between S-ORT
      and R-ORT may be partly associated with their distinctive absorption at least. 

PMID- 27279071
TI  - Optimized genotyping method for identification of bacterial contaminants in
      pharmaceutical industry.
AB  - Microbiological control is of crucial importance in the pharmaceutical industry
      regarding the possible bacterial contamination of the environment, water, raw
      materials and finished products. Molecular identification of bacterial
      contaminants based on DNA sequencing of the hypervariable 16SrRNA gene has been
      introduced recently. The aim of this study is to investigate the suitability of
      gene sequencing using our selection of PCR primers and conditions for rapid and
      accurate bacterial identification in pharmaceutical industry quality control. DNA
      was extracted from overnight incubated colonies from 10 bacterial ATCC strains,
      which are common contaminants in the pharmaceutical industry. A region of
      bacterial 16SrRNA gene was analyzed by bidirectional DNA sequencing. Bacterial
      identification based on partial sequencing of the 16SrRNA gene is the appropriate
      method that could be used in the pharmaceutical industry after adequate
      validations. We have successfully identified all tested bacteria with more than
      99 % similarity to the already published sequences. 

PMID- 27279072
TI  - Effect of rutin from tartary buckwheat sprout on serum glucose-lowering in animal
      model of type 2 diabetes.
AB  - This study investigates the anti-diabetic effects of rutin from tartary buckwheat
      sprout in type 2 diabetes mouse model. The rutin content in tartary buckwheat
      sprout (TBS) is five times higher than that found in common buckwheat sprout
      (CBS) as evident from high-performance liquid chromatography analysis.
      Administration of either rutin or TBS ethanolic extract to diabetes mice
      decreased the serum glucose level significantly. Rutin down-regulated the
      expression levels of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B; it is negative regulator of
      insulin pathway, both transcriptionally and translationally in myocyte C2C12 in a
      dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, rutin can play a critical role in down
      regulation of serum glucose level in type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 27279073
TI  - Protective effects of BMSCs in combination with erythropoietin in
      bronchopulmonary dysplasia-induced lung injury.
AB  - Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common type of chronic lung disease
      in infancy, for which no effective therapy is currently available. The aim of the
      present study was to investigate the effect of treatment with bone marrow
      mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in combination with recombinant human
      erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on BPD-induced mouse lung injury, and discuss the
      underlying mechanism. The BPD model was established by the exposure of neonatal
      mice to continuous high oxygen exposure for 14 days, following which 1x106 BMSCs
      and 5,000 U/kg rHuEPO were injected into the mice 1 h prior to and 7 days
      following exposure to hyperoxia. The animals received four treatments in total
      (n=10 in each group). After 14 days, the body weights, airway structure, and
      levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF) were detected using histological and immunohistochemical analyses.
      The effect on cell differentiation was observed by examining the presence of
      platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) and VEGF using
      immunofluorescence. Compared with the administration of BMSCs alone, the body
      weight, airway structure, and the levels of MMP-9 and VEGF were significantly
      improved in the BMSCs/rHuEPO group. The results of the present study demonstrated
      that the intravenous injection of BMSCs significantly improved lung damage in the
      hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mouse model. Furthermore, the injection of BMSCs in
      combination with intraperitoneal injection of rHuEPO had a more marked effect,
      compared with BMSCs alone, and the mechanism may be mediated by the promoting
      effects of BMSCs and EPO. The results of the present study provided information,
      which may assist in future clinical trials. 

PMID- 27279074
TI  - Insulin resistance increases loss of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen in
      nondiabetic healthy adults.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of insulin resistance on the
      persistence of a protective level of anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antigen) in a
      nondiabetic general population. A cohort study was designed comprising of 38 473
      Korean men and women with anti-HBs at concentrations >=10 mIU/mL, who underwent a
      health examination. Insulin resistance was assessed with a homoeostasis model
      assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). A decline in anti-HBs to <10 mIU/L
      during the follow-up was considered to be a loss of protective anti-HBs. Cox
      proportional hazard models were used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios and
      95% confidence intervals for anti-HBs loss across quintiles of HOMA-IR and
      insulin. We identified 20 826 incidents of loss of anti-HBs antibody during 180
      522 person-years of follow-up (incident rate 11.5 per 100 person-years).
      Increasing HOMA-IR was positively associated with incident loss of anti-HBs. The
      multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for incident loss
      of anti-HBs comparing quintiles 2-5 vs quintile 1 of HOMA-IR were 1.09 (1.04
      1.14), 1.14 (1.09-1.19), 1.14 (1.09-1.19) and 1.21 (1.16-1.27), respectively.
      These associations were stronger in younger individuals under the age of 35 than
      in people 35 years of age or older (P for interaction = 0.004). The association
      was also more evident in subjects with higher titres (>=100 mIU/mL) of anti-HBs
      than in those with low titres (P for interaction < 0.001). Insulin resistance was
      associated with an increased risk for loss of vaccine-acquired anti-HBs in a
      large sample of a nondiabetic, general population, indicating a possible role of
      insulin resistance in vaccine-induced immunity.

PMID- 27279076
TI  - Global Analysis of the Impact of Deleting Trigger Factor on the Transcriptome
      Profile of Escherichia coli.
AB  - Trigger factor (TF) is a key component of prokaryotic chaperone network, which is
      involved various basic cellular processes such as nascent peptide folding,
      protein trafficking, ribosome assembly. To better understanding the physiological
      roles of TF, global transcriptome profiles of a variety of TF deletion mutant
      strains of Escherichia coli were determined. We found that deletion of the tig
      gene, encoding TF, led to a dramatic alteration of transcriptome profile, not
      only affecting the gene expression of members of the chaperone network, but also
      changing the levels of quite a few RNAs related to metabolism and other cellular
      processes. Further studies showed that this alteration was only partially
      recovered by knockin of TF domain-deletion mutants into the endogenous tig locus,
      indicating that structural integrity is crucial for the biological function of
      TF. Finally, by combining the transcriptome and phenotype results, a
      physiological mechanism underlying the impact of TF deletion on the transcriptome
      profile was proposed. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 141-153, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27279075
TI  - Toll-like receptor 7 affects the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver
      disease.
AB  - Recently, a possible link between toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and liver disease
      was suggested, although it was limited to fibrosis. Based on this report, we
      investigated whether TLR7 has a pivotal role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
      (NAFLD). The TLR7 signaling pathway, which is activated by imiquimod (TLR7
      ligand) naturally, induced autophagy and released insulin-like growth factor 1
      (IGF-1) into medium from hepatocytes. Lipid accumulation induced by unsaturated
      fatty acid (UFA; arachidonic acid:oleic acid = 1:1) in hepatocytes, was
      attenuated in TLR7 and autophagy activation. Interestingly, TLR7 activation
      attenuated UFA-induced lipid peroxidation products, such as malondialdehyde (MDA)
      and 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal (4-HNE). To clarify a possible pathway between TLR7 and
      lipid peroxidation, we treated hepatocytes with MDA and 4-HNE. MDA and 4-HNE
      induced 2-folds lipid accumulation in UFA-treated hepatocytes via blockade of the
      TLR7 signaling pathway's IGF-1 release compared to only UFA-treated hepatocytes.
      In vivo experiments carried out with TLR7 knockout mice produced results
      consistent with in vitro experiments. In conclusion, TLR7 prevents progression of
      NAFLD via induced autophagy and released IGF-1 from liver. These findings suggest
      a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of NAFLD.

PMID- 27279077
TI  - "... he always slaps me on my ears": the health consequences of intimate partner
      violence among a group of patrilineal women in Ghana.
AB  - Intimate partner violence has implications for women's health globally.
      Patrilineal women have been shown to have increased risk of experiencing intimate
      partner violence, yet, the health consequences of intimate partner violence in
      patrilineal women have not been thoroughly explored or documented. This study
      used qualitative in-depth interviews to explore the health effects of intimate
      partner violence among 15 ever-partnered Ghanaian patrilineal women. Participants
      attributed violence to several factors including gendered domestic relations,
      cultural and marital rites and alcohol use, among other factors. Abused women
      reported health problems such as feelings of worthlessness, sleeplessness,
      suicidal ideation, eye injuries, bodily weakness, hypertension, genital sores and
      the premature termination of pregnancy. Policy makers should pay particular
      attention to intimate partner violence-related health consequences in designing
      health interventions for abused women.

PMID- 27279078
TI  - Accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin measurement in newborns after phototherapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We tested the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measure in
      newborns undergoing phototherapy. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective study of 150
      term Caucasian neonates, 255 measurements of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and TcB
      concentration were obtained 2 h after discontinuing phototherapy. TcB
      measurements obtained on the forehead, sternum, abdomen and covered lower abdomen
      were statistically compared with the corresponding TSB. RESULT: TcB consistently
      underestimated TSB levels significantly. The smallest but significant difference
      between TSB and TcB was found on the lower abdomen. The correlation between TSB
      and TcB was found to be moderately close (r=0.4 to 0.5). TcB measurements were
      inaccurate, regardless of phototherapy technique (Bilibed, conventional
      phototherapy). CONCLUSION: Phototherapy significantly interferes with the
      accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry. TcB measurements performed 2 h after
      stopping phototherapy were not reliable, even if they were carried out on the
      unexposed body area. TSB assessment remains necessary, if treatment of
      hyperbilirubinemia is being considered.

PMID- 27279079
TI  - Comparing automated vs manual leukocyte differential counts for quantifying the
      'left shift' in the blood of neonates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The neutrophil 'left shift' can be measured via the immature to total
      (I/T) neutrophil ratio or the absolute bands per MUl using a manual differential
      count. It can also be measured from an automated differential count by the
      immature granulocyte percentage (IG%) or the absolute IG per MUl. In neonates, it
      is unknown if the manual or automated differential count is superior. STUDY
      DESIGN: We directly compared complete blood counts (CBCs) with manual and
      automated differential counts from infants <90 days old, and documented whether
      or not each neonate was infected. We developed reference intervals for I/T ratio,
      bands per MUl, IG% and IG per MUl using values from non-infected neonates.
      RESULTS: The database had 10 714 CBCs. The upper reference interval for I/T ratio
      was 0.29 in the first 48 h and 0.31 thereafter; bands per MUl was 3710 MUl(-1) in
      the first 48 h and 1785 MUl(-1) thereafter. IG% was 6.2% then 4.2%; IG per MUl
      was 1460 MUl(-1) then 613 MUl(-1). Statistical performances of the four methods
      were equivalent for identifying infection. CONCLUSIONS: We developed reference
      intervals for four methods of quantifying a neonate's 'left shift'. The
      information from automated differentials is not inferior to that from manual
      differentials in identifying infections, but automated differentials have the
      advantages of a larger sample size, being less expensive, and faster performance
      times.

PMID- 27279081
TI  - GP who was struck off for lying to police is allowed back on medical register.

PMID- 27279080
TI  - Genetic diversity, seasonality and transmission network of human metapneumovirus:
      identification of a unique sub-lineage of the fusion and attachment genes.
AB  - Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important viral respiratory pathogen
      worldwide. Current knowledge regarding the genetic diversity, seasonality and
      transmission dynamics of HMPV among adults and children living in tropical
      climate remains limited. HMPV prevailed at 2.2% (n = 86/3,935) among individuals
      presented with acute respiratory tract infections in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
      between 2012 and 2014. Seasonal peaks were observed during the northeast monsoon
      season (November-April) and correlated with higher relative humidity and number
      of rainy days (P < 0.05). Phylogenetic analysis of the fusion and attachment
      genes identified the co-circulation of three known HMPV sub-lineages, A2b and B1
      (30.2% each, 26/86) and B2 (20.9%, 18/86), with genotype shift from sub-lineage
      B1 to A2b observed in 2013. Interestingly, a previously unrecognized sub-lineage
      of A2 was identified in 18.6% (16/86) of the population. Using a custom script
      for network construction based on the TN93 pairwise genetic distance, we
      identified up to nine HMPV transmission clusters circulating as multiple sub
      epidemics. Although no apparent major outbreak was observed, the increased
      frequency of transmission clusters (dyads) during seasonal peaks suggests the
      potential roles of transmission clusters in driving the spread of HMPV. Our
      findings provide essential information for therapeutic research, prevention
      strategies, and disease outbreak monitoring of HMPV.

PMID- 27279082
TI  - Effects of new urban motorway infrastructure on road traffic accidents in the
      local area: a retrospective longitudinal study in Scotland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The M74 motorway extension, Glasgow, opened in June 2011. One
      justification for construction was an expectation that it would reduce road
      traffic accidents (RTAs) on local non-motorway roads. This study evaluated the
      impact of the extension on the number of RTAs, stratifying by accident severity.
      METHODS: Data for the period 1997-2014 were extracted from a UK database of
      reported RTAs involving a personal injury. RTA severity was defined by the level
      of injury: minor, severe or fatal. RTAs were assigned to (1) the local area
      surrounding the motorway extension, (2) a comparator area surrounding an existing
      motorway or (3) a control area elsewhere in the conurbation. Interrupted time
      series regression with autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) errors
      was used to determine longitudinal between-area differences in change in the
      number of RTAs, which might indicate an intervention effect. RESULTS: Glasgow and
      surrounding local authorities saw a 50.6% reduction in annual RTAs (n: 5901 to
      2914) between 1997 and 2014. In the intervention area, the number of recorded
      RTAs decreased by 50.7% (n: 758 to 374), and that of fatal/severe RTAs by 57.4%
      (n: 129 to 55), with similar reductions in the comparator/control areas. The
      interrupted time-series analysis showed no significant between-area differences
      in temporal trends. The reduction of pedestrian casualties was attenuated in the
      intervention area relative to Glasgow and surrounding authorities. CONCLUSIONS:
      Reduction in RTAs was not associated with the motorway extension. Our findings
      suggest that in planning future investment, it should not be taken for granted
      that new road infrastructure alone will reduce RTAs in local areas. Urbanisation
      is proceeding rapidly worldwide, and evidence of infrastructure changes is
      lacking; this novel study provides important findings for future developments.

PMID- 27279083
TI  - Baseline characteristics of participants in the Kerala Diabetes Prevention
      Program: a cluster randomized controlled trial of lifestyle intervention in Asian
      Indians.
AB  - AIMS: To describe the baseline characteristics of participants in the Kerala
      Diabetes Prevention Program. METHODS: The Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program is a
      cluster randomized controlled trial of lifestyle intervention for prevention of
      Type 2 diabetes mellitus in India. Participants in the study were those aged 30
      60 years who had an Indian Diabetes Risk Score >= 60 and who were without Type 2
      diabetes on oral glucose tolerance test. Data on demographic, lifestyle, clinical
      and biochemical characteristics were collected using standardized tools. RESULTS:
      A total of 2586 individuals were screened with the Indian Diabetes Risk Score, of
      these 1529 people (59.1%) had a score >= 60, of whom 1209 (79.1%) underwent an
      oral glucose tolerance test. A total of 202 individuals (16.7%) had undiagnosed
      Type 2 diabetes and were excluded, and the remaining 1007 individuals were
      enrolled in the trial (control arm, n = 507; intervention arm, n = 500). The mean
      participant age was 46.0 +/- 7.5 years, and 47.2% were women. The mean Indian
      Diabetes Risk Score was 67.1 +/- 8.4. More than two-thirds (69.0%) had
      prediabetes and 31.0% had normal glucose tolerance. The prevalence of
      cardiometabolic risk factors was high, including current tobacco use (34.4% in
      men), current alcohol use (39.3% in men), no leisure time exercise (98.0%), no
      daily intake of fruit and vegetables (78.7%), family history of diabetes (47.9%),
      overweight or obesity (68.5%), hypertension (22.3%) and dyslipidemia (85.4%).
      CONCLUSIONS: The Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program recruited participants using
      a diabetes risk score. A large proportion of the participants had prediabetes and
      there were high rates of cardiometabolic risk factors. The trial will evaluate
      the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention in a population selected on the basis
      of a diabetes risk score.

PMID- 27279084
TI  - Mechanical Ventilation Outcomes in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension in the
      United States: A National Retrospective Cohort Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The outcome of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who
      undergo mechanical ventilation is not well known. METHODS: The Nationwide
      Inpatient Sample for 2006 to 2012 was used to isolate patients with a diagnosis
      of PAH who also underwent invasive (MV) and noninvasive (NIMV) mechanical
      ventilation. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The hospital
      records of 55 208 382 patients were studied, and there were 21 070 patients with
      PAH, of whom 1646 (7.8%) received MV and 834 (4.0%) received NIMV. Those
      receiving MV had higher mortality (39.1% vs 12.6%, P < .001) and longer hospital
      stays (11.9 days, interquartile range [IQR] 6.1-22.2 vs 6.7 days, IQR 3.4-11.9, P
      < .001) than those undergoing NIMV. Of the patients treated with MV, 4.4% also
      used home oxygen therapy and had similar overall mortality to those who did not
      use home oxygen (35.3% vs 39.1%, P = .46). Similarly, there was no relationship
      between home oxygen use and mortality in patients treated with NIMV (10.6% vs
      12.6%, P = .48). Notably, more patients treated with NIMV used home oxygen than
      those treated with MV (14.4% vs 4.4%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Patients with PAH
      who undergo invasive mechanical ventilation have an in-hospital mortality of
      39.1%. Future work may help identify the types of patients who benefit most from
      advanced respiratory support in a critical care setting.

PMID- 27279085
TI  - Studies on regeneration of central nervous system and social ability of the
      earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae.
AB  - Earthworms are segmented invertebrates that belong to the phylum Annelida. The
      segments can be divided into the anterior, clitellar and posterior parts. If the
      anterior part of the earthworm, which includes the brain, is amputated, the worm
      would essentially survive even in the absence of the brain. In these brain
      amputee-derived worms, the nerve cord serves as the primary control center for
      neurological function. In this current work, we studied changes in the expression
      levels of anti-acetylated tubulin and serotonin as the indicators of neuro
      regenerative processes. The data reveal that the blastemal tissues express the
      acetylated tubulin and serotonin from day four and that the worm amputated at the
      7th segment takes 30 days to complete the regeneration of brain. The ability of
      self-assemblage is one of the specific functions of the earthworm's brain. The
      brain amputee restored the ability of self-assemblage on the eighth day.

PMID- 27279087
TI  - Undetected lymph node metastases in presumed early stage NSCLC SABR patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT, also called stereotactic
      ablative body radiation SABR) is the treatment of choice for many patients with
      early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including those who are unfit for
      surgery or refuse surgery. AREAS COVERED: In an effort to develop optimal staging
      for the evaluation of SBRT candidates, we review the performance of available
      lymph node staging methods, as well as risk factors for lymph node involvement.
      Pubmed was searched to identify relevant literature. Current staging methods for
      NSCLC, including Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography(PET/CT) and
      endobronchial ultra sound (EBUS), have limited sensitivities. Expert commentary:
      There are several factors, including primary tumor location, tumor size, and
      histology that are possibly associated with the sensitivity of PET/CT to detect
      mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Small lymph node metastases typically remain
      undetected by PET/CT. Therefore invasive nodal staging procedures are indicated
      for most presumed early-stage NSCLC patients, but these also have limited
      sensitivity. Occult lymph node metastasis is associated with adverse outcome in
      NSCLC. Moreover, there is overwhelming evidence that certain patients who have
      lymph node metastases detected at the time of surgery derive an overall survival
      benefit from adjuvant therapies. It remains to be determined if improved
      detection of lymph node metastases in SABR candidates can indeed improve
      prognosis.

PMID- 27279086
TI  - How do the macrocyclic lactones kill filarial nematode larvae?
AB  - The macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are one of the few classes of drug used in the
      control of the human filarial infections, onchocerciasis and lymphatic
      filariasis, and the only one used to prevent heartworm disease in dogs and cats.
      Despite their importance in preventing filarial diseases, the way in which the
      MLs work against these parasites is unclear. In vitro measurements of nematode
      motility have revealed a large discrepancy between the maximum plasma
      concentrations achieved after drug administration and the amounts required to
      paralyze worms. Recent evidence has shed new light on the likely functions of the
      ML target, glutamate-gated chloride channels, in filarial nematodes and supports
      the hypothesis that the rapid clearance of microfilariae that follows treatment
      involves the host immune system.

PMID- 27279088
TI  - Doppler echocardiography in diastology: 35 years of Japanese contribution to its
      advancement and utility.
AB  - Echocardiography is one of the most important and clinically useful techniques in
      the assessment of diastolic function. Because of the prevalence of this
      technique, "diastology" and even the concept of diastolic heart failure have
      become familiar to researchers and physicians. We believe the first description
      by Kitabatake and his colleagues in 1982 of the use of Doppler technique to
      assess the transmitral flow velocity pattern in various cardiac diseases was the
      beginning of this development. Since then, a number of excellent works regarding
      echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function have emerged from Japan. Here,
      we review the Japanese contributions to the development of the use of Doppler
      echocardiography in diastology. 

PMID- 27279089
TI  - Heterogeneity of apex-to-base dispersion in diastolic lengthening is related to
      impaired global left ventricular relaxation in patients with hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The presence of apex-to-base disparity in diastolic left ventricle
      (LV) endocardial lengthening, based on an electromechanical activation sequence,
      has been recognized as an important determinant of LV diastolic properties.
      However, the behavior of LV apical and basal diastolic lengthening and its
      relationship to LV filling in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are unknown.
      METHODS: We obtained basal and apical LV short-axis views in 27 patients with non
      obstructive HCM and 25 healthy volunteers. The patients with HCM were subdivided
      into two groups; those with apical hypertrophy [APH(+)] or those without apical
      hypertrophy [APH(-)]. Eight equiangular points on the endo-myocardium at end
      diastole were placed in each view, and the movements of these points were
      automatically tracked using a two-dimensional echocardiographic tissue tracking
      system. Time-LV internal diameter curves were obtained and averaged. The time
      intervals from the aortic valve closure to the point of the first 40% of peak
      diastolic lengthening (T 40) were measured in each view. The standard deviation
      of the time to peak systolic circumferential shortening at the base and apex were
      calculated to assess the heterogeneity of LV contraction. RESULTS: The time
      difference in the T 40 between the apex and base (dt-T 40) in the HCM-APH(+) and
      HCM-APH(-) groups was greater than that in the control group. The heterogeneities
      in LV apical systolic shortening in the HCM groups were greater than those in the
      control group. There were good linear correlations between the dt-T 40 and the LV
      early diastolic echo-parameters and the LV mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed
      apical relaxation and filling in patients with HCM is related to LV diastolic
      dysfunction and systolic dyssynchronous contraction.

PMID- 27279090
TI  - Diastolic stress echocardiography in Japanese elderly patients: prevalence and
      features of patients with elevated left ventricular filling pressure after
      treadmill stress.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study attempted to evaluate the prevalence and features of elderly
      patients with elevated post-exercise left ventricular (LV) filling pressure in
      Japan. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have validated that LV filling pressure
      during exercise can be estimated non-invasively by the Doppler index of diastolic
      filling (E/E'), and diastolic stress echocardiography has been promoted. There is
      limited information about diastolic stress echocardiography in Japan. METHODS:
      Three hundred ten elderly patients aged >=60 years who underwent treadmill stress
      echocardiography were studied. Patients with ischemic response were excluded.
      Doppler measurements were made before and immediately after the treadmill stress,
      and patients were divided into two groups regarding post-exercise E/E' with
      cutoff values of 15. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were compared
      between the two groups. RESULTS: One-third (33.9%) of the patients presented
      elevated post-exercise LV filling pressure indicated by E/E' >=15. Patients with
      an elevated post-exercise E/E' were older (p = 0.0052), had a greater mean body
      mass index (p = 0.0459), were more likely to have an abnormal glucose tolerance
      (p = 0.0059), had a greater LV mass index (p = 0.0383), a greater left atrial
      volume index (p = 0.0042), and a higher E/E' value at rest (p < 0.0001).
      CONCLUSION: One-third of the Japanese elderly patients who were referred for
      treadmill stress echocardiography and not limited by ischemia presented elevated
      post-exercise LV filling pressure indicated by E/E' >=15. These patients are
      likely to have clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of heart failure
      with preserved ejection fraction.

PMID- 27279091
TI  - Location of flow axis line in the left ventricle and its interaction with local
      myocardial motion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The interaction between local myocardial motion and blood flow
      dynamics should be assessed to evaluate left ventricular pump function. METHODS:
      The contour map of the absolute value of blood flow velocity in the left
      ventricle (LV) was drawn. The ridgeline of the contour was defined as the "flow
      axis line". LV wall motion was assessed by the tracing endocardial border in
      consecutive B-mode images and by myocardial tissue velocity distribution obtained
      by the optical flow method. RESULTS: The location of the main flow axis line was
      affected by the local myocardial movement in the short axis direction. The flow
      axis line method is superior to the previous investigations on two-dimensional
      blood flow analysis because it considered three-dimensional blood flow.
      CONCLUSIONS: The flow axis line represents not only intracardiac blood flow
      structure but also its interaction with the cardiac wall motion.

PMID- 27279092
TI  - Left ventricular-right atrial communication by perforation of the
      atrioventricular portion of the membranous septum and severe aortic valve
      regurgitation caused by infective endocarditis.
AB  - We report the case of acquired left ventricle (LV) to right atrial (RA)
      communication through an aneurysm of the atrioventricular septum caused by
      infectious endocarditis. A severe aortic valve regurgitation and destruction of
      the aortic valve was detected by echocardiography. Transesophageal
      echocardiography revealed a flail aortic valve with vegetation and abnormal shunt
      flow from the LV to RA with ruptured aneurysm of the membranous septum. An
      abscess cavity of the aortic ring was introduced. Because of worsening congestive
      heart failure, the patient underwent emergency aortic valve replacement and patch
      closure of the communication of the membranous septum. The patient's
      postoperative course was uneventful. 

PMID- 27279093
TI  - Intermittent chest pain with marked ST depression after 13 years of aortic valve
      replacement.
AB  - An 80-year-old woman who underwent aortic valve replacement with a 19-mm
      Medtronic Hall prosthetic valve in 1993 was admitted because of intermittent
      chest pain. Electrocardiography on admission revealed non-specific changes, but
      electrocardiography during chest pain revealed significant ST depression.
      Coronary angiography revealed no significant stenosis. Echocardiography revealed
      intermittent severe aortic regurgitation and incomplete closure of the prosthetic
      valve in diastole. An urgent operation was performed, and abnormal pannus
      formation was observed at the left ventricular side of the prosthetic valve. In
      this case, intermittent diastolic valvular sticking caused severe aortic
      regurgitation and induced serious myocardial ischemia. 

PMID- 27279095
TI  - Octopus in a fisherman's heart.

PMID- 27279094
TI  - Clinical significance of coronary flow velocity measurement using transthoracic
      Doppler echocardiography for unstable angina: a two-case report.
AB  - Clinical significance of coronary flow velocity measurement by transthoracic
      Doppler echocardiography in 2 patients with unstable angina (UA) was reported. No
      significant abnormality was observed on electrocardiography. Coronary flow
      sequence of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was detected in
      diastole. Peak diastolic flow velocity was 11.1 cm/s in case 1 and 10.1 cm/s in
      case 2. On the basis of these data, emergency coronary angiography was performed
      in both cases. Severe stenosis was observed at the proximal portion of LAD;
      consequently, emergency coronary angioplasty was performed. Coronary flow
      velocity measurement is useful as a diagnostic strategy in UA. 

PMID- 27279096
TI  - Validated sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for determination of
      antihistaminic drug azelastine HCl in pure form and in pharmaceutical dosage
      forms: application to stability study.
AB  - A highly sensitive, simple and rapid spectrofluorimetric method was developed for
      the determination of azelastine HCl (AZL) in either its pure state or
      pharmaceutical dosage form. The proposed method was based on measuring the native
      fluorescence of the studied drug in 0.2 M H2 SO4 at lambdaem  = 364 nm after
      excitation at lambdaex  = 275 nm. Different experimental parameters were studied
      and optimized carefully to obtain the highest fluorescence intensity. The
      proposed method showed a linear dependence of the fluorescence intensity on drug
      concentration over a concentration range of 10-250 ng/mL, with a limit of
      detection of 1.52 ng/mL and limit of quantitation of 4.61 ng/mL. Moreover, the
      method was successfully applied to pharmaceutical preparations, with percent
      recovery values (+/- SD) of 99.96 (+/- 0.4) and 100.1 (+/- 0.52) for nasal spray
      and eye drops, respectively. The results were in good agreement with those
      obtained by the comparison method, as revealed by Student's t-test and the
      variance ratio F-test. The method was extended to study the stability of AZL
      under stress conditions, where the drug was exposed to neutral, acidic, alkaline,
      oxidative and photolytic degradation according to International Conference on
      Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27279097
TI  - Association Between Primary Care Visits and Colorectal Cancer Screening Outcomes
      in the Era of Population Health Outreach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Population outreach strategies are increasingly used to improve
      colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The influence of primary care on cancer
      screening in this context is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess associations between
      primary care provider (PCP) visits and receipt of CRC screening and colonoscopy
      after a positive fecal immunochemical (FIT) or fecal occult blood test (FOBT).
      DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 968,072 patients
      ages 50-74 years who were not up to date with CRC screening in 2011 in four
      integrated healthcare systems (three with screening outreach programs using FIT
      kits) in the Population-Based Research Optimizing Screening through Personalized
      Regimens (PROSPR) consortium. MEASURES: Demographic, clinical, PCP visit, and CRC
      screening data were obtained from electronic health records and administrative
      databases. We examined associations between PCP visits in 2011 and receipt of
      FIT/FOBT, screening colonoscopy, or flexible sigmoidoscopy (CRC screening) in
      2012 and follow-up colonoscopy within 3 months of a positive FIT/FOBT in 2012. We
      used multivariable logistic regression and propensity score models to adjust for
      confounding. RESULTS: Fifty-eight percent of eligible patients completed a CRC
      screening test in 2012, most by FIT. Those with a greater number of PCP visits
      had higher rates of CRC screening at all sites. Patients with >=1 PCP visit had
      nearly twice the adjusted-odds of CRC screening (OR = 1.88, 95 % CI: 1.86-1.89).
      Overall, 79.6 % of patients with a positive FIT/FOBT completed colonoscopy within
      3 months. Patients with >=1 PCP visit had 30 % higher adjusted odds of completing
      colonoscopy after positive FIT/FOBT (OR = 1.30; 95 % CI: 1.22-1.40). CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with a greater number of PCP visits had higher rates of both incident
      CRC screening and colonoscopy after positive FIT/FOBT, even in health systems
      with active population health outreach programs. In this era of virtual care and
      population outreach, primary care visits remain an important mechanism for
      engaging patients in cancer screening.

PMID- 27279098
TI  - Capsule Commentary on Gao, et al., Characteristics Associated with Patient
      Centered Medical Home Capability in Health Centers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

PMID- 27279099
TI  - Capsule commentary on Lo-Ciganic, et al., Trajectories of Diabetes Medication
      Adherence and Hospitalization Risk: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Large State
      Medicaid Program.

PMID- 27279100
TI  - Capsule Commentary on Kroll et al., Benzodiazepines Are Prescribed More
      Frequently to Patients Already at Risk for Benzodiazepine-Related Adverse Events
      in Primary Care.

PMID- 27279101
TI  - Analysis of Neural Stem Cells from Human Cortical Brain Structures In Vitro.
AB  - Comparative immunohistochemical analysis of the neocortex from human fetuses
      showed that neural stem and progenitor cells are present in the brain throughout
      the gestation period, at least from week 8 through 26. At the same time, neural
      stem cells from the first and second trimester fetuses differed by the
      distribution, morphology, growth, and quantity. Immunocytochemical analysis of
      neural stem cells derived from fetuses at different gestation terms and cultured
      under different conditions showed their differentiation capacity. Detailed
      analysis of neural stem cell populations derived from fetuses on gestation weeks
      8-9, 18-20, and 26 expressing Lex/SSEA1 was performed. 

PMID- 27279103
TI  - [Corrigendum] Downregulation of cytokeratin 18 is associated with paclitaxel
      resistance and tumor aggressiveness in prostate cancer.
AB  - After the publication of the article, the authors noted that they would like to
      add Dr Robert H. Getzenberg's name to the authors' list and as a co-corresponding
      author, upon the agreement of all the authors. The correct author list should be
      as follows: BO YIN1, MO ZHANG1, YU ZENG2,3*, YOUQIANG LI3, CHAO ZHANG1, ROBERT H.
      GETZENBERG3* and YONGSHENG SONG1* 1Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of
      China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004; 2Department of Urology, The
      First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R.
      China; 3James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins University
      School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21087, USA Correspondence should now be
      addressed to: Correspondence to: Dr Yongsheng Song, Department of Urology,
      Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang,
      Liaoning 110004, P.R. China E-mail: yinbowzf@163.com Dr Robert H. Getzenberg,
      James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of
      Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21087, USA E-mail: getzenberg@outlook.com *Contributed
      equally [the original article was published in the International Journal of
      Oncology 48: 1730-1736, 2016; DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3396]. 

PMID- 27279104
TI  - Epidemiology of hyperadrenocorticism among 210,824 dogs attending primary-care
      veterinary practices in the UK from 2009 to 2014.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate prevalence and risk factors for diagnosis with
      hyperadrenocorticism in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in the
      UK from 2009 to 2014. METHODS: Cases were identified by searching the de
      identified electronic patient records from UK primary-care veterinary practices
      participating in the VetCompass Programme. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence for
      hyperadrenocorticism diagnosis in dogs was 0.28% (95% confidence interval: 0.25
      to 0.31). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed four associated
      risk factors: breed, breed-relative bodyweight, age and insurance status. The
      bichon frise had 6.5 times the odds (95% CI: 3.5 to 12.1, P<0.001) of
      hyperadrenocorticism compared with crossbreds. Dogs weighing more than or equal
      to their breed mean had 1.7 times the odds (95% CI: 1.3 to 2.3, P<0.001) of
      hyperadrenocorticism compared with dogs weighing less than the breed mean. Dogs
      aged 12.0 years and above showed 5.7 times the odds (95% CI: 3.7 to 8.7, P<0.001)
      of hyperadrenocorticism compared with dogs aged 6.0 to 8.9 years. Insured dogs
      had 4.0 times the odds (95% CI: 2.8 to 5.6, P<0.001) of hyperadrenocorticism
      compared with non-insured dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first
      epidemiological report of a non-referral hospital population of dogs diagnosed
      with hyperadrenocorticism in the UK and describes important breed, age and
      bodyweight associations with this disorder which may improve diagnosis and
      enhance understanding of the underlying pathophysiology.

PMID- 27279105
TI  - Paradigm shift in medical ultrasonography.

PMID- 27279102
TI  - The genetic heterogeneity of colorectal cancer predisposition - guidelines for
      gene discovery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cumulative term applied to a clinically
      and genetically heterogeneous group of neoplasms that occur in the bowel. Based
      on twin studies, up to 45 % of the CRC cases may involve a heritable component.
      Yet, only in 5-10 % of these cases high-penetrant germline mutations are found
      (e.g. mutations in APC and DNA mismatch repair genes) that result in a familial
      aggregation and/or an early onset of the disease. Genome-wide association studies
      have revealed that another ~5 % of the CRC cases may be explained by a cumulative
      effect of low-penetrant risk factors. Recent attempts to identify novel genetic
      factors using whole exome and whole genome sequencing has proven to be difficult
      since the remaining, yet to be discovered, high penetrant CRC predisposing genes
      appear to be rare. In addition, most of the moderately penetrant candidate genes
      identified so far have not been confirmed in independent cohorts. Based on
      literature examples, we here discuss how careful patient and cohort selection,
      candidate gene and variant selection, and corroborative evidence may be employed
      to facilitate the discovery of novel CRC predisposing genes. CONCLUSIONS: The
      picture emerges that the genetic predisposition to CRC is heterogeneous,
      involving complex interplays between common and rare (inter)genic variants with
      different penetrances. It is anticipated, however, that the use of large
      clinically well-defined patient and control datasets, together with improved
      functional and technical possibilities, will yield enough power to unravel this
      complex interplay and to generate accurate individualized estimates for the risk
      to develop CRC.

PMID- 27279106
TI  - Ultrasound stimulation induces microRNA expression changes that could be involved
      in sonication-induced apoptosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the involvement of microRNAs
      (miRNAs) in sonication-induced apoptosis. METHODS: U937 cells derived from human
      leukemia were sonicated with 1-MHz ultrasound at 0.4 W/cm(2) and 10 % duty factor
      for 60 s, a condition inducing apoptosis. The total RNA was extracted from cells
      at various timings after sonication and subjected to microarray and real-time PCR
      for miRNA expression analyses. RESULTS: Expression of several miRNAs was
      significantly affected by sonication. For miR-424* and miR-720, whose expressions
      were eminently decreased by sonication, cell lines overexpressing these miRNAs
      were established. Conversely, for miR-663B and miR-663, whose expressions were
      eminently increased by sonication, cell lines inhibiting these miRNA functions
      were established. When these cell lines were sonicated, a cell line inhibiting
      miR-663B function significantly increased sonication-induced apoptosis,
      suggesting this may be involved in cellular responses to sonication. Two genes
      that could induce apoptosis, KSR2 and CREBZF, were identified as potential target
      genes of miR-663B since potential target sequences on their 3' UTR mediated to
      decrease expression of a reporter gene. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that
      miRNAs may be involved in cellular responses to ultrasound through their
      expression changes caused by sonication.

PMID- 27279107
TI  - Ultrasound findings in intersection syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to demonstrate the role of ultrasound as a
      first-line technique in the evaluation of intersection syndrome, reporting and
      illustrating its typical and atypical findings. METHODS: In a 2-year period, we
      reviewed nine patients who received an ultrasound examination for non-specific
      inflammatory signs in the distal forearm: four men (28-53 years old) and five
      women (34-57 years old), with a mean age of 44.1 years. RESULTS: The ultrasound
      examination revealed, in all patients, the presence of peritendinous oedema and a
      small amount of synovial fluid within the tendon sheaths at the crossing
      intersection point between the first and the second dorsal extensor tendon
      compartments, with loss of the hyperechoic cleavage plane between the two tendon
      groups. In two patients, we observed an irregularly thickened tendon sheath, with
      small hyperechoic nodules within the fluid, related to proliferation of the
      synovial membrane. In one case, we detected a relevant thickening of the extensor
      carpi radialis longus and brevis tendon. Only one patient showed moderate muscle
      oedema within the first extensor compartment muscles, while another one had
      significant subcutaneous oedema. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound is effective in the first
      level diagnosis of intersection syndrome.

PMID- 27279108
TI  - Monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension with sufficient tricuspid
      regurgitation in a rat model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is well known that monocrotaline (MCT) induces
      pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rats. This model is very useful for understanding
      the physiology of PH and developing treatments for PH. However, it is very
      difficult to estimate pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in this model. The purpose
      of this study is to establish a PH model with sufficient tricuspid regurgitation
      (TR) to evaluate PAP. METHOD: We studied 17 male rats that received 15 injections
      of 5 mg/kg/day of MCT (PH) or vehicle (control). Three weeks after the first MCT
      injection, we measured left and right ventricular dimensions, the ratio of
      acceleration to ejection time in pulmonary flow, and the development of TR using
      an echocardiograph (SONOS5500) with a s12 probe (frequency: 5-12 MHz, frame rate:
      120 Hz). RESULTS: The right ventricular end-diastolic area in the PH group was
      significantly larger than that in the control group. The acceleration
      time/ejection time ratio and velocity time integral of the pulmonary artery in
      the PH group were smaller than those in the control group. In 78 % of rats in the
      PH group, sufficient TR was observed and estimated PAP was 75.4 +/- 13.8 mmHg.
      There was a good correlation between PAP estimated by a Doppler method and
      directly measured right ventricular pressure (r = 0.94, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION:
      Fifteen injections of 5 mg/kg/day of MCT could induce PH with sufficient TR in
      rats. Transthoracic echocardiography could be used for monitoring the progress of
      PH in the rat model.

PMID- 27279109
TI  - Is there any relation between umbilical artery and vein diameter and estimated
      fetal weight in healthy pregnant women?
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between umbilical
      vessel diameter and estimated fetal weight (EFW) and other fetal biometric
      parameters, and to assess the role of umbilical vessel diameter in prediction of
      EFW. Umbilical vein/umbilical artery (UV/UA) ratio and its relation to EFW were
      also examined. METHODS: A prospective study was designed to assess the
      sonographic diameter of UA and UV in 720 low-risk pregnant women at 20-40 weeks'
      gestation. Fetal biometry, EFW, and umbilical vessel measurements were performed.
      RESULTS: There were strong correlations between umbilical vessel diameter versus
      gestational age and EFW. Umbilical vessel diameters increased linearly up to 34
      weeks, after which they plateaued. No relation was found between EFW versus UV/UA
      ratio and gestational age versus UV/UA. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it
      is not possible at present to recommend the use of umbilical vessel diameters for
      prediction of EFW after 34 weeks, but it may be helpful under 34 weeks. UV/UA
      ratio is not useful for prediction and management of complicated pregnancies.

PMID- 27279110
TI  - Four-year experience with prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects at a
      single referral center in Japan with focus on inaccurately diagnosed cases.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart
      defect at the referral level in our institution. METHODS: One hundred and thirty
      two cases were referred for prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defect (CHD).
      Cases having CHDs were divided into isolated and complex CHDs, and the prenatal
      and postnatal diagnoses were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases were diagnosed
      with CHDs. The remaining 93 cases were diagnosed as normal. Postnatal diagnosis
      confirmed that 39 cases had CHDs; there were 19 cases of isolated CHD and 20
      cases of complex CHD. Among the 19 cases of isolated CHD, all four cases with a
      false negative diagnosis had ventricular septal defects of an outlet or muscular
      type with a small defect. Cases with a false positive diagnosis had coarctation
      of the aorta (3 cases) or total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (1 case).
      Among the 20 cases of complex CHD, the prenatal diagnoses in two cases were not
      the same as the postnatal diagnosis and the prognosis was worse than expected. In
      one case with a single ventricle, pulmonary stenosis, and pulmonary venous
      atresia, the prenatal diagnosis was hypoplastic left heart syndrome with a
      suboptimal study at 38 weeks' gestation. In the other case, the diagnosis of
      corrected transposition of the great arteries had been missed because of
      misinterpretation of the anatomically right and left ventricles in utero.
      CONCLUSIONS: There were three possible causes of misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis of
      CHD: disease orientation, timing of diagnosis, and skill of the examiners. This
      information may be helpful for the improvement of diagnosis.

PMID- 27279111
TI  - Diagnosis of anal sphincter defects by three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound
      in women with anal incontinence.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the utility of transperineal three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound
      for diagnosing anal sphincter defects and evaluating the function of the anal
      canal in women with anal incontinence. METHODS: The study subjects were 13 women
      with anal incontinence. Symptoms of fecal incontinence were assessed by Wexner
      score. The anal canal of each woman was examined ultrasonically with both a
      convex transperineal 3D scanner and a radial transanal scanner to compare the
      accuracy of the two approaches for diagnosis of anal sphincter defects. The
      anorectal angle and the length of the anal canal were also measured by utilizing
      the functionality of the transperineal 3D ultrasound. RESULTS: The mean age was
      58.9 +/- 14.9 years (+/-SD), and the mean Wexner score was 8.4 +/- 5.6. In terms
      of ultrasound diagnosis of anal sphincter defects, the two methods showed
      consistent results in each woman. The length of the portion where both the
      internal and external anal sphincters were intact was significantly correlated
      with the Wexner score, whereas the total length of the anal canal was not.
      CONCLUSIONS: Less invasive transperineal 3D ultrasound provides accurate
      evaluation of the internal and external anal sphincters in women with anal
      incontinence, and the method is potentially useful for detection of anal
      sphincter abnormalities.

PMID- 27279112
TI  - Analysis of the predictable variables for placenta accreta without placenta
      previa.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To clarify the predictive variables for adherence of the placenta
      (AP) in cases without placenta previa. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was
      conducted between 2008 and 2010. Patients without placenta previa who delivered
      singleton babies after 36 weeks' gestation were enrolled. The maternal and
      ultrasonographic variables associated with AP were evaluated at the time of
      admission for delivery. RESULTS: A total of 2834 consecutive subjects were
      included. Placenta accreta without placenta previa was observed in six cases (0.2
      %). Two cases in which the placenta was located on the previous uterine scar had
      AP, but AP was found only in 0.1 % of cases in which the placenta was not on the
      previous scar (p < 0.001). AP was frequently observed in cases with a history of
      previous uterine surgery compared to cases without a history [(1.9 vs. 0.1 %) p <
      0.001]. AP was observed in 33 % of cases in which no retroplacental clear zone
      was detected, whereas AP was observed in only 0.1 % of cases with a clear zone (p
      < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A past history of uterine surgery, ultrasonographic
      findings of no retroplacental clear zone, and a placenta on the uterine scar were
      associated with AP in cases without placenta previa.

PMID- 27279113
TI  - Ultrasound diagnosis of fracture-separation of the distal humeral chondro
      epiphysis: a rare but important condition that a radiologist must not miss.
AB  - Fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis is a rare condition known to
      be associated with non-accidental injury. Ultrasound is useful in diagnosis of
      this important disease entity with the humeral epiphysis not yet ossified. 

PMID- 27279114
TI  - Neoadjuvant HIFU treatment for malignant fibrous histiocytoma: report of a case.
AB  - High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is an innovative, noninvasive,
      extracorporeal technique that induces coagulative necrosis of tumor tissue by
      thermal effects and cavitation. In published studies, HIFU has usually been used
      as an alternative to surgery, with or without other treatment modalities, to
      achieve curative tumor ablation or palliative tumor cytoreduction. Neoadjuvant
      HIFU treatment for primary inoperable malignant fibrous histiocytoma has never
      been reported, and neoadjuvant radiotherapy, chemoradiation, or chemotherapy is
      routinely under consideration. This is the first case in which HIFU ablation
      contributed as a neoadjuvant therapy to facilitate function-sparing resection,
      not as a replacement for surgery. It suggests that HIFU ablation may have some
      unique major advantages for treating inoperable huge soft-tissue sarcomas as a
      neoadjuvant local treatment modality, especially for patients for whom
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy is not indicated. 

PMID- 27279115
TI  - Serial evaluation of left ventricular contraction and relaxation in Takotsubo
      cardiomyopathy by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography.
AB  - A 78-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of general fatigue. The
      electrocardiogram showed ST elevation in the I, II, aVL, and V2-V6 leads.
      Echocardiography showed left ventricular apical akinesis. On emergent cardiac
      catheterization, left ventricular basal hyperkinesis and apical akinesis without
      coronary artery stenosis were found. The patient was diagnosed with Takotsubo
      cardiomyopathy. Two-dimensional myocardial speckle tracking echocardiography was
      performed on admission, the 8th hospital day, and the 15th hospital day. Gradual
      improvement in wall motion abnormality and longitudinal peak systolic strain,
      peak systolic strain rate, and early diastolic strain rate from the basal to
      apical region of the left ventricle were observed objectively, and she achieved
      remission. We herein report a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in which objective
      improvement in left ventricular contraction and relaxation was observed by 2D
      speckle tracking imaging and bull's eye mapping. 

PMID- 27279117
TI  - Aortopulmonary septal defect with interrupted aortic arch in a monochorionic
      diamniotic twin pregnancy.
AB  - We report a monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy with prenatal diagnosis of
      aortopulmonary septal defect combined with type B interrupted aortic arch in one
      of the fetuses. The mother was referred for fetal echocardiography at 24 weeks'
      gestation due to suspected congenital heart disease. Prenatal echocardiography
      revealed a defect of 2.8 mm between the main pulmonary artery and the ascending
      aorta. The course of the ascending aorta was straight to the neck and head, and
      there was no continuity of the aortic arch after the origin of innominate and
      left common carotid arteries. Thus, aortopulmonary septal defect with type B
      interrupted aortic arch was suspected. Postnatal echocardiography confirmed the
      diagnosis, and surgical repair was performed on the 10th day after birth. The
      combination of aortopulmonary septal defect with type B interrupted aortic arch
      is a very rare condition that can be diagnosed by fetal echocardiographic
      examination in the second trimester of gestation. Prenatal diagnosis is important
      for the prognosis, since early surgical intervention is needed to prevent
      development of severe heart failure in the neonate. 

PMID- 27279116
TI  - Extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm after orthotopic liver transplantation: a case
      with 9-year ultrasound observations.
AB  - We report a case of extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm (PVA) in the late
      postoperative period after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). A 46-year-old
      man underwent OLT in 2001 for treatment of hepatitis B virus-induced cirrhosis
      and received ultrasound follow-up for 9 years. The long-term ultrasound
      observations showed that the diameter of the main portal vein had progressively
      increased from 12 mm in 2001 to 34 mm in 2007, and then remained at 34 mm from
      2007 to 2010. The patient did not show any symptoms or complications that
      required surgical treatment during the clinical follow-up. Our case suggests that
      PVA after OLT can remain without a sign of deterioration for a long time, and
      careful observation by ultrasound may be one of the options in the clinical
      management. 

PMID- 27279118
TI  - Measurement of displacement and strain in biological tissue generated by
      ultrasonic dual acoustic radiation force.

PMID- 27279119
TI  - Gastric varices secondary to splenic vein occlusion: endoscopic color Doppler
      ultrasonography aids diagnosis.

PMID- 27279120
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis of Nager syndrome in the third trimester of pregnancy and
      anatomopathological correlation.
AB  - Nager syndrome or acrofacial dysostosis is a rare and complex malformation
      characterized by ear anomalies, micrognathia, radial limb hypoplasia, and absence
      of the thumb or other fingers. Since the original description of the syndrome in
      1948, there have only been four reports of prenatal diagnoses in the literature,
      all during the second trimester, and only two of them had anatomopathological
      correlations. We describe a case of Nager syndrome that was suspected in the
      third trimester of gestation and confirmed postnatally through pathology. The
      mother was white, 27 years old, and G5P2A2, with a family history of a brother
      with a harelip. She was referred to our service at 33 weeks of pregnancy with an
      ultrasound fetal diagnosis of musculoskeletal dysplasia associated with severe
      micrognathia and severe polyhydramnios. Birth was by means of cesarean section
      because of suspected fetal distress, which resulted in extraction of a live male
      fetus with Apgar 1/4, weight of 1,505 g, severe mandibular hypoplasia, low-set
      ears, severe upper-limb shortening, and absent left thumb. Death occurred 4 h
      after birth. Anatomopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of Nager
      syndrome. 

PMID- 27279121
TI  - Erratum to: Comparing the in vivo sonodynamic effects of dual- and single
      frequency ultrasound in breast adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 27279122
TI  - Editor's Notes.

PMID- 27279123
TI  - Efficacy of nobiletin, a citrus flavonoid, in the treatment of the cardiovascular
      dysfunction of diabetes in rats.
AB  - Hyperglycemia induced oxidative stress is a prime factor for cardiovascular
      dysfunction (CVD) in diabetic patients. In this process matrix metalloproteinase
      2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) play important roles. Nobiletin,
      a polymethoxy citrus flavone, has potent MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibitory activity in
      addition to antioxidant activity. We hypothesized that nobiletin due to its MMP-2
      & MMP-9 inhibitory and antioxidant effects may ameliorate the cardiovascular
      dysfunction of diabetes. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (50 mg kg(-1)
      i.p.) in male wistar rats. Four weeks after the induction of diabetes, the rats
      were treated with nobiletin (10 mg kg(-1), and 25 mg kg(-1)) for a period of the
      following four weeks. At the end of eight weeks, hemodynamic parameters were
      recorded, cardiac hypertrophy was measured, and antioxidant assays, and gelatin
      zymography for MMP-2 & MMP-9 analysis and histopathology were performed. The
      vascular reactivity of the aorta was measured by recording the contractile
      response to phenylephrine and relaxation responses to acetylcholine. Treatment
      with 25 mg kg(-1) nobiletin ameliorated the hemodynamic parameters, oxidative
      stress, collagen level, MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels, and vascular reactivity
      significantly compared with vehicle treated diabetic group. Thus, this study
      suggests that nobiletin ameliorates the CVD of diabetes by inhibiting oxidative
      stress, MMP-2 & MMP-9 and can be used as a potential therapeutic approach. 

PMID- 27279124
TI  - A diastereoselective Mannich-type reaction of alpha-fluorinated carboxylate
      esters: synthesis of beta-amino acids containing alpha-quaternary fluorinated
      carbon centers.
AB  - We report a diastereoselective Mannich-type reaction of alpha-alkyl, alpha-aryl,
      and alpha-vinyl fluoroacetates with N-tert-butylsulfinyl imines. This method
      provides a powerful means to access a broad range of highly functionalized beta
      amino acids containing alpha-fluorinated quaternary stereogenic carbon centers.
      We also show that the stereochemical outcome of the present reaction is highly
      dependent on the steric and electronic properties of the fluorocarbon
      nucleophiles. This protocol uses readily available starting materials, tolerates
      a variety of functional groups, and is operationally simple. 

PMID- 27279125
TI  - Genetic diversity of Bartonella genotypes found in the striped field mouse
      (Apodemus agrarius) in Central Europe.
AB  - We investigated the diversity of Bartonella in Apodemus agrarius, an important
      rodent of peri-domestic habitats, which has spread into Europe in the past 1000
      years. Spleen samples of 344 A. agrarius from Eastern Slovakia were screened for
      the presence of Bartonella spp. using 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer
      region and bacteria were detected in 9% of rodents. Based on sequencing of three
      housekeeping genes (gltA, rpoB and groEL) Bartonella genotypes were ascribed to
      the species typical for mice and voles: B. grahamii, B. taylorii and B.
      birtlesii. However, the study also confirmed presence of genotypes belonging to
      the B. clarridgeiae/B. rochalimae clade, and the B. elizabethae/B. tribocorum
      clade, which are not commonly found in woodland rodents. In addition, a potential
      recombination event between these two genotypes was noted, which highlights an
      important role of A. agrarius in shaping Bartonella diversity and evolution.

PMID- 27279126
TI  - Travel medicine physician adherence to guidelines for the emergency self
      treatment of malaria.
AB  - Few studies have examined emergency self treatment (EST) antimalarial prescribing
      patterns. 110 physician-members of the Travel Medicine Society of Ireland and
      British Global and Travel Health Association participated in this study. There
      was a trend towards the prescription of EST for travel to remote low-risk malaria
      areas; for long-term residents living in low-risk areas; and for frequent
      travellers to low-risk areas. This study provides insights into the use of EST in
      travellers' malaria. 

PMID- 27279127
TI  - Percutaneous coronary intervention under temporary peripheral veno-arterial
      extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
AB  - We describe the case of a 68-year old female presenting with subacute ST
      elevation myocardial infarction and severe depressed left ventricular ejection
      fraction (15%) in the presence of severe three-vessel coronary artery disease.
      The patient was haemodynamically stable. After heart team discussion, a
      percutaneous coronary intervention was performed under peripheral veno-arterial
      extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without complications.

PMID- 27279128
TI  - Prognostic implications of fluid balance in ST elevation myocardial infarction
      complicated by cardiogenic shock.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Positive fluid balance has been associated with adverse outcomes in
      patients admitted to general intensive care units. We analysed the relationship
      between a positive fluid balance and its persistence over time in terms of in
      hospital outcomes among ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients
      complicated by cardiogenic shock. METHODS: We retrospectively studied fluid
      intake and output for 96 hours following hospital admission in 48 consecutive
      adult patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock, all undergoing
      primary angioplasty. Daily and accumulated fluid balance was registered at up to
      96 hours following admission. The cohort was stratified into two groups based on
      the presence or absence of positive fluid balance on day 4. Patients' records
      were assessed for in-hospital adverse outcomes, as well as 30-day all-cause
      mortality. RESULTS: A positive fluid balance was present in 19/48 patients (40%).
      Patients with positive fluid balance were older and more likely to be treated by
      intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation and antibiotics. These patients were more
      likely to develop acute kidney injury and to need new intubation and were less
      likely to have renal function recovery as well as successful weaning from
      mechanical ventilation ( p < 0.05 for all). Patients with positive fluid balance
      had higher 30-day mortality (68% vs. 10%; p < 0.001). In a multivariate Cox
      regression model, for every 1-L increase in positive fluid balance, the adjusted
      risk for 30-day mortality increased by 24% (hazard ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence
      interval: 1.07-1.42; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: A positive fluid balance was
      strongly associated with higher 30-day mortality in STEMI complicated by
      cardiogenic shock.

PMID- 27279129
TI  - Splicing Defect in Mitochondrial Seryl-tRNA Synthetase Gene Causes Progressive
      Spastic Paresis Instead of HUPRA Syndrome.
AB  - Mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are an important group of disease genes
      typically underlying either a disorder affecting an isolated tissue or a distinct
      syndrome. Missense mutations in the mitochondrial seryl-tRNA synthetase gene,
      SARS2, have been identified in HUPRA syndrome (hyperuricemia, pulmonary
      hypertension, renal failure in infancy, and alkalosis). We report here a
      homozygous splicing mutation in SARS2 in a patient with progressive spastic
      paresis. We show that the mutation leads to diminished levels of the synthetase
      in patient's fibroblasts. This has a destabilizing effect on the tRNASer(AGY)
      isoacceptor, but to a lesser degree than in HUPRA syndrome patients. tRNASer(UCN)
      is largely unaffected in both phenotypes. In conclusion, the level of
      tRNASer(AGY) instability may be a factor in determining tissue manifestation in
      patients with SARS2 mutations. This finding exemplifies the sensitivity of the
      nervous system to partially reduced aminoacylation, which is sufficient in other
      tissues to maintain respiratory chain function.

PMID- 27279130
TI  - Flebogamma((r)) 5 % DIF Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Replacement Therapy in
      Children with Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases.
AB  - PURPOSE: The previous studies with Flebogamma((r)) 5 % DIF intravenous
      immunoglobulin (IVIG) contained insufficient numbers of pediatric subjects to
      fully warrant a pediatric indication by the FDA. The objective of this study was
      to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of Flebogamma(r) 5 % DIF
      for replacement therapy in children (age 2-16) with primary immunodeficiency
      diseases (PIDD). METHODS: IVIG was administered at eight clinical sites to 24
      subjects with well-defined PIDD at a dose of 300-800 mg/kg every 21-28 days for
      12 months. The pharmacokinetics endpoint in this study was the dose-adjusted
      increment of the serum IgG trough levels. RESULTS: The calculated serious
      bacterial infection rate was 0.05/subject/year. The incidence of adverse events
      considered potentially related to IVIG during or within 72 h after completing an
      infusion was within the FDA guidance threshold of <40 % at each time point. Dose
      adjusted incremental IgG levels remained approximately equal to or slightly
      greater than pre-study IgG levels (between 800 and 1000 mg/dL throughout) when
      the subjects were treated with IVIG therapy other than Flebogamma((r)) DIF 5 %
      indicating no evidence of a different pharmacokinetic profile in this pediatric
      population if compared to those profiles in previous Flebogamma studies in
      predominately adult populations. CONCLUSIONS: Flebogamma((r)) 5 % DIF is
      efficacious and safe, has adequate pharmacokinetic properties, is well-tolerated,
      and maintains the profile of Flebogamma((r)) 5 % for the treatment of children
      with primary humoral immunodeficiency diseases.

PMID- 27279131
TI  - Admission Serum Calcium Levels Improve the GRACE Risk Score Prediction of
      Hospital Mortality in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score has
      been extensively validated to predict risk during hospitalization in patients
      with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recently, serum calcium has been suggested as
      an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment
      elevation myocardial infarction; however, the relationship between the 2 has not
      been evaluated. HYPOTHESIS: The combination of GRACE risk score and serum calcium
      could provide better performance in risk prediction. METHODS: The study enrolled
      2229 consecutive patients with ACS. Independent predictors were identified by a
      multivariate logistic regression model. The incremental prognostic value added by
      serum calcium to the GRACE score was evaluated by receiver operating
      characteristic, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated
      discrimination improvement (IDI). RESULTS: Patients in the upper quartiles of
      serum calcium presented with lower in-hospital mortality (odds ratios for 3 upper
      quartiles vs lowest quartile, respectively: 0.443, 95% confidence interval [CI]:
      0.206-0.953; 0.243, 95% CI: 0.090-0.654; and 0.210, 95% CI: 0.082-0.538). Area
      under the curve increased significantly after adding serum calcium to the GRACE
      score (0.685 vs 0.746; Z = 2.617, P = 0.009). Furthermore, inclusion of serum
      calcium in the GRACE score enhanced NRI (0.524; P = 0.009) and IDI (0.011; P =
      0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Lower serum calcium level on admission is a possible
      indicator of increased risk of in-hospital mortality in ACS patients. Inclusion
      of serum calcium in the GRACE score may lead to a more accurate prediction of
      this risk. Large prospective studies are needed to confirm this finding.

PMID- 27279132
TI  - Treatment of MRI-Diagnosed Trigeminal Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors by
      Stereotactic Radiotherapy in Dogs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is an emerging technique for treating
      tumors in animals. OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcome of dogs with suspected
      intracranial trigeminal nerve peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST) treated with
      SRT. ANIMALS: Eight dogs with presumptive PNST. METHODS: This was a retrospective
      study of dogs identified by searching UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching
      Hospital medical records for dogs treated with SRT for a presumed PNST.
      Presumptive diagnosis was based on magnetic resonance imaging. SRT was delivered
      in 3 dose fractions of 8 Gray (Gy) on consecutive days or every other day to a
      total dose of 24 Gy. RESULTS: Median disease-specific survival was 745 days
      (range: 99-1375 days, n = 6). No signs of acute adverse effects of radiation
      treatment were recorded. Late radiation effects versus tumor progression could
      not be confirmed histopathologically because of few animals undergoing necropsy.
      CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study provides preliminary evidence
      that dogs with PNST benefit from SRT in terms of long-term survival. The
      treatment appears to be well tolerated and requires fewer anesthetic events for
      animals compared to full-course radiation.

PMID- 27279133
TI  - Syndecan-4 negatively regulates antiviral signalling by mediating RIG-I
      deubiquitination via CYLD.
AB  - Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) plays important roles in pathogen
      recognition and antiviral signalling transduction. Here we show that syndecan-4
      (SDC4) is a RIG-I-interacting partner identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen. We
      find that SDC4 negatively regulates the RIG-I-mediated antiviral signalling in a
      feedback-loop control manner. The genetic evidence obtained by using knockout
      mice further emphasizes this biological role of SDC4 in antiviral signalling.
      Mechanistically, we show that SDC4 interacts with both RIG-I and deubiquitinase
      CYLD via its carboxyl-terminal intracellular region. SDC4 likely promotes
      redistribution of RIG-I and CYLD in a perinuclear pattern post viral infection,
      and thus enhances the RIG-I-CYLD interaction and potentiates the K63-linked
      deubiquitination of RIG-I. Collectively, our findings uncover a mechanism by
      which SDC4 antagonizes the activation of RIG-I in a CYLD-mediated
      deubiquitination-dependent process, thereby balancing antiviral signalling to
      avoid deleterious effects on host cells.

PMID- 27279134
TI  - Syndecans promote mycobacterial internalization by lung epithelial cells.
AB  - Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne disease caused by the intracellular
      bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Alveolar epithelial cells
      and macrophages are the first point of contact for Mtb in the respiratory tract.
      However, the mechanisms of mycobacterial attachment to, and internalization by,
      nonprofessional phagocytes, such as epithelial cells, remain incompletely
      understood. We identified syndecan 4 (Sdc4) as mycobacterial attachment receptor
      on alveolar epithelial cells. Sdc4 mRNA expression was increased in human and
      mouse alveolar epithelial cells after mycobacterial infection. Sdc4 knockdown in
      alveolar epithelial cells or blocking with anti-Sdc4 antibody reduced
      mycobacterial attachment and internalization. At the molecular level,
      interactions between epithelial cells and mycobacteria involved host Sdc and the
      mycobacterial heparin-binding hemagglutinin adhesin. In vivo, Sdc1/Sdc4 double
      knockout mice were more resistant to Mtb colonization of the lung. Our work
      reveals a role for distinct Sdcs in promoting mycobacterial entry into alveolar
      epithelial cells with impact on outcome of TB disease.

PMID- 27279135
TI  - Heat shock protein 90 is involved in IL-17-mediated skin inflammation following
      thermal stimulation.
AB  - The pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases involves interactions between
      immune cells and keratinocytes, including the T helper 17 (Th17)-mediated immune
      response. Several chemokines [chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL5 and
      CXCL8] and antimicrobial peptides [beta-defensin 1 (BD1), LL-37, S100A8 and
      S100A9] were transcriptionally upregulated in the keratinocyte cell line HaCaT
      upon stimulation with interleukin (IL)-17. Balneotherapy, the treatment of
      disease by bathing, is an alternative therapy that has frequently been used for
      the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Immersion in pools of thermal
      mineral water is often considered to have chemical, thermal, mechanical and
      immunomodulatory benefits. We examined the effect of thermal treatment on IL-17
      mediated inflammation in a model of skin disease. As Act1 is required for IL-17
      signaling and is a client protein of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), we evaluated
      the effect of HSP90 inhibition on IL-17-mediated cytokine and antimicrobial
      peptide expression in keratinocytes following heat treatment. We found that after
      thermal stimulation, Act1 binding to HSP90alpha was significantly increased in
      the presence of IL-17 (100 ng/ml) and 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin
      (17-AAG, 1 uM). Antimicrobial peptide and chemokine expression generally
      increased after heat treatment; Act1 knockdown and 17-AAG reversed this effect.
      These observations demonstrate the possible immunomodulatory effect of heat on
      keratinocytes during the progression of IL-17-mediated inflammatory skin
      diseases. 

PMID- 27279136
TI  - MicroRNA-23a downregulates the expression of interferon regulatory factor-1 in
      hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
AB  - Interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) is a tumor-suppressor gene induced by
      interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) and plays an important role in the cell death of
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC tumors evade death in part by downregulating
      IRF-1 expression, yet the molecular mechanisms accounting for IRF-1 suppression
      in HCC have not yet been characterized. Previous studies have shown that microRNA
      23a (miR-23a) can suppress apoptosis by targeting IRF-1. Therefore, we
      hypothesized that miR-23a promotes HCC growth by downregulating IRF-1. For the in
      vivo studies, 7 cases of resected HCC and adjacent liver samples were analyzed.
      For the in vitro studies, IRF-1 mRNA and protein were examined in HepG2 and Huh-7
      HCC cells after IFNgamma stimulation by real-time PCR and western blotting,
      respectively. To determine the role of miR-23a in regulating IRF-1, HepG2 cells
      were transfected with an miR-23a mimic or inhibitor, and IRF-1 expression was
      examined. Binding of miR-23a was assessed by cloning the 528-bp human IRF-1 3'
      untranslated region (3'UTR) into luciferase reporter plasmid pMIR-IRF-1-3'UTR.
      The results showed that IRF-1 mRNA expression was downregulated in the human HCC
      tumor tissues compared to that in the adjacent background liver tissues. IFNgamma
      induced IRF-1 protein was less in the HepG2 tumor cells compared to that in the
      primary human hepatocytes. miR-23a expression was inversely correlated with IRF
      1, and addition of the miR-23a inhibitor increased basal IRF-1 mRNA and protein.
      Likewise, the miR-23a mimic downregulated IFNgamma-induced IRF-1 protein
      expression, while the miR-23a inhibitor increased IRF-1. Furthermore, the miR-23a
      mimic repressed IRF-1-3'UTR reporter activity, while the miR-23a inhibitor
      increased the reporter activity. These results demonstrated that IRF-1 expression
      is downregulated in human HCC tumors compared to that noted in the background
      liver. miR-23a downregulates the expression of IRF-1 in HCC cells, and the IRF-1
      3'UTR has an miR-23a binding site that binds miR-23a and decreases reporter
      activity. These findings suggest that the targeting of IRF-1 by miR-23a may be
      the molecular basis for IRF-1 downregulation in HCC and provide new insight into
      the regulation of HCC by miRNAs. 

PMID- 27279137
TI  - Identification of insulin gene variants in neonatal diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Permanent neonatal diabetes (PNDM) is caused by mutations in the
      genes responsible for the synthesis of different proteins that are important for
      the normal behavior of beta cells in the pancreas. Mutations in the insulin gene
      (INS) are considered as one of the causes of diabetes in neonates. This study
      aimed to investigate the genetic variations in the INS gene in a group of
      Egyptian infants diagnosed with PNDM. METHODS: We screened exons 2 and 3 with
      intronic boundaries of the INS gene by direct gene sequencing in 30 PNDM patients
      and 20 healthy controls. A detailed clinical phenotyping of the patients was
      carried out to specify the diabetes features in those found to carry an INS
      variant. RESULTS: We identified five variants (four SNPs and one synonymous
      variant), c(0).187 + 11T > C, c.-17-6T > A, c.*22A > C, c.*9C > T, and c.36G > A
      (p.A12A), with allelic frequencies of 96.7%, 80%, 75%, 5%, and 1.7%,
      respectively. All showed no statistically significance difference compared with
      the controls, with the exception of c.*22A > C. CONCLUSION: Genetic screening for
      the INS gene did not reveal an evident role in the diagnosis of PNDM.

PMID- 27279138
TI  - Ultrasonographic and cytopathological features of an inflammatory pseudonodule in
      the thyroid gland.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: No previous study has investigated the ultrasonography (US) and
      cytopathological features of an inflammatory pseudonodule (IFP) associated with
      underlying thyroiditis. This study aimed to evaluate and identify the
      characteristic US features of IFP in patients who underwent US-guided fine-needle
      aspiration (US-FNA). METHODS: From January 2012 to December 2014, 899 patients
      underwent US-FNA for a solid thyroid nodule that was >=5 mm in diameter, by a
      single radiologist. Among them, 49 nodules showed lymphocytic thyroiditis on
      cytological analysis. Based on cytohistopathological and follow-up US results, 28
      IFP cases were included. The same radiologist and a cytopathologist
      retrospectively analyzed all the US images and the cytology slides, respectively.
      RESULTS: The locations of 28 IFPs were from the right lobe (n = 13), left lobe (n
      = 13), and isthmus (n = 2). The echogenicity of 28 IFPs was hypoechoic (n = 5) or
      marked hypoechoic (n = 23). The common US features of IFP were marked
      hypoechogenicity, no calcification, smooth margin, ovoid shape, and the same
      vascularity as adjacent parenchyma. However, no IFP cases showed calcification,
      spiculated margin, taller-than-wide shape, and central or peripheral vascularity.
      The common cytopathological feature of IFP was lymphocyte infiltration, but the
      intensity of this was variable, with mild, moderate, and severe intensity
      observed in 8 (28.6%), 11 (39.2%), and 9 (32.1%) of cases, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: IFP rarely showed malignant US and cytopathological features, except
      for marked hypoechogenicity, and these findings may be helpful for US and
      cytopathological diagnoses. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:725-730. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27279140
TI  - Infant digestion physiology and the relevance of in vitro biochemical models to
      test infant formula lipid digestion.
AB  - Lipids play an important role in the diet of preterm and term infants providing a
      key energy source and essential lipid components for development. While a lot is
      known about adult lipid digestion, our understanding of infant digestion
      physiology is still incomplete, the greatest gap being on the biochemistry of the
      small intestine, particularly the activity and relative importance of the various
      lipases active in the intestine. The literature has been reviewed to identify the
      characteristics of lipid digestion of preterm and term infants, but also to
      better understand the physiology of the infant gastrointestinal tract compared to
      adults that impacts the absorption of lipids. The main differences are a higher
      gastric pH, submicellar bile salt concentration, a far more important role of
      gastric lipases as well as differences at the level of the intestinal barrier.
      Importantly, the consequences of improper in vitro replication of gastric
      digestions conditions (pH and lipase specificity) are demonstrated using examples
      from the most recent of studies. It is true that some animal models could be
      adapted to study infant lipid digestion physiology, however the ethical relevance
      of such models is questionable, hence the development of accurate in vitro models
      is a must. In vitro models that combine up to date knowledge of digestion
      biochemistry with intestinal cells in culture are the best choice to replicate
      digestion and absorption in infant population, this would allow the adaptation of
      infant formula for a better digestion and absorption of dietary lipids by preterm
      and term infants.

PMID- 27279139
TI  - Multiplex giant magnetoresistive biosensor microarrays identify interferon
      associated autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - High titer, class-switched autoantibodies are a hallmark of systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE). Dysregulation of the interferon (IFN) pathway is observed in
      individuals with active SLE, although the association of specific autoantibodies
      with chemokine score, a combined measurement of three IFN-regulated chemokines,
      is not known. To identify autoantibodies associated with chemokine score, we
      developed giant magnetoresistive (GMR) biosensor microarrays, which allow the
      parallel measurement of multiple serum antibodies to autoantigens and peptides.
      We used the microarrays to analyze serum samples from SLE patients and found
      individuals with high chemokine scores had significantly greater reactivity to 13
      autoantigens than individuals with low chemokine scores. Our findings demonstrate
      that multiple autoantibodies, including antibodies to U1-70K and modified histone
      H2B tails, are associated with IFN dysregulation in SLE. Further, they show the
      microarrays are capable of identifying autoantibodies associated with relevant
      clinical manifestations of SLE, with potential for use as biomarkers in clinical
      practice.

PMID- 27279142
TI  - Nanoscale mapping of intrinsic defects in single-layer graphene using tip
      enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
AB  - Non-gap mode tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is used for the first time to
      successfully map the intrinsic defects in single-layer graphene with 20 nm
      spatial resolution. The nanoscale Raman mapping is enabled by an unprecedented
      near-field to far-field signal contrast of 8.5 at the Ag-coated TERS tip-apex.
      These results demonstrate the potential of TERS for characterisation of defects
      in single-layer graphene-based devices at the nanometre length-scale. 

PMID- 27279141
TI  - Shikonin stimulates MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation via the BMP
      2/Smad5 signal transduction pathway.
AB  - Shikonin, the predominant naphthoquinone pigment isolated from the Chinese plant
      Lithospermum erythrorhizon, is anti-inflammatory, antiviral and exerts anticancer
      effects, amongst other biological activities. However, it is unknown whether
      shikonin affects bone formation. In the present study, the role of shikonin on
      cell proliferation was assessed via MTT assay, and shikonin was identified to
      markedly promote cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner in the MC3T3-E1
      cell line. In addition, flow cytometric analysis was performed to evaluate the
      effect of shikonin on the cell cycle, and it was observed that shikonin markedly
      increased the percentage of S-phase MC3T3-E1 cells to accelerate the G1/S
      transition. To investigate the potential molecular mechanism by which shikonin
      enhances bone formation, the changes in bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), SMAD
      family member 5 (Smad5), runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline
      phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) expression levels induced by shikonin were
      investigated using western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction. The results indicated that shikonin increased the BMP-2 and Smad5 mRNA
      levels, and upregulated Smad5 and Runx2 protein expression levels to promote
      osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, ALP staining was performed, and revealed
      that shikonin enhanced ALP activity. These results indicate that shikonin
      promotes cell proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells via the BMP
      2/Smad5 signaling pathway. 

PMID- 27279143
TI  - Continuation maintenance therapy with S-1 in chemotherapy-naive patients with
      advanced squamous cell lung cancer.
AB  - Objectives Maintenance therapy is a standard therapeutic strategy in non-squamous
      non-small-cell lung cancer. However, there is no consensus regarding the benefit
      of maintenance therapy for patients with squamous cell lung cancer. We assessed
      maintenance therapy with S-1, an oral fluoropyrimidine agent, following induction
      therapy with carboplatin and S-1 in patients with squamous cell lung cancer.
      Methods In this phase II trial, chemotherapy-naive patients with squamous cell
      lung cancer were enrolled to induction therapy with four cycles of carboplatin
      (at an area under the curve of 5 on day 1) and S-1 (80 mg/m(2)/day on days 1-14)
      in a 28-day cycle. Patients who achieved disease control after induction therapy
      received maintenance therapy with S-1 in a 21-day cycle until disease progression
      or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival
      after administration of maintenance therapy. Results Fifty-one patients were
      enrolled in the study. The median progression-free survival from the start of
      maintenance therapy was 3.0 months (95 % confidence interval, 2.5-3.5). The most
      common toxicities associated with maintenance therapy were anemia,
      thrombocytopenia, and fatigue, but they were not severe. Conclusion S-1
      maintenance therapy might be a feasible treatment option in patients with
      squamous cell lung cancer.

PMID- 27279144
TI  - Identification and characterization of two cleavage fragments from the
      Aquareovirus nonstructural protein NS80.
AB  - Aquareovirus species vary with respect to pathogenicity, and the nonstructural
      protein NS80 of aquareoviruses has been implicated in the regulation of viral
      replication and assembly, which can form viral inclusion bodies (VIBs) and
      recruit viral proteins to its VIBs in infected cells. NS80 consists of 742 amino
      acids with a molecular weight of approximately 80 kDa. Interestingly, a short
      specific fragment of NS80 has also been detected in infected cells. In this
      study, an approximately 58-kDa product of NS80 was confirmed in various infected
      and transfected cells by immunoblotting analyses using alpha-NS80C. Mutational
      analysis and time course expression assays indicated that the accumulation of the
      58-kDa fragment was related to time and infection dose, suggesting that the
      fragment is not a transient intermediate of protein degradation. Moreover,
      another smaller fragment with a molecular mass of approximately 22 kDa was
      observed in transfected and infected cells by immunoblotting with a specific anti
      FLAG monoclonal antibody or alpha-NS80N, indicating that the 58- kDa polypeptide
      is derived from a specific cleavage site near the amino terminus of NS80.
      Additionally, different subcellular localization patterns were observed for the
      22-kDa and 58-kDa fragments in an immunofluorescence analysis, implying that the
      two cleavage fragments of NS80 function differently in the viral life cycle.
      These results provide a basis for additional studies of the role of NS80 played
      in replication and particle assembly of the Aquareovirus. 

PMID- 27279145
TI  - Receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) promotes the progression of OSCC via
      the AKT/mTOR pathway.
AB  - Our previous study suggested that receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1)
      contribute to the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of
      this study is to elucidate the mechanism by which RACK1 regulates cell growth in
      OSCC using in vitro and in vivo models. The effects of RACK1 knockdown with
      lentivirus based shRNA in stable cell lines were evaluated by Q-PCR and western
      blot analysis. RACK1 silencing effects on the cell cycle in OSCC cells were
      detected by flow cytometry and western blot analysis. The effect of RACK1
      silencing on inhibiting the progression of OSCC was illustrated using a
      xenografted mouse model. RACK1 and relevant signaling pathways were investigated
      in tissues and cells using immunohistochemistry and/or western blot analysis.
      Stable silencing of the RACK1 gene resulted in a distinct G1 and G2 phase arrest
      by downregulating Cyclin B1 and Cyclin D1. Depleted RACK1 led to markedly
      decreased tumor volume and the expression of Ki67, CD34, and VEGF in vivo. The
      expression of RACK1 and p-AKT has a parallel pattern in different stages of oral
      carcinogenesis tissues. In addition, the protein level of RACK1 was positively
      correlated with p-AKT in OSCC tissue samples and cell lines. We found specific
      transient knockdown of RACK1 could downregulate the protein levels of p-AKT, p
      mTOR, and p-S6 in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrates that RACK1
      dependent OSCC growth and survival may be related to the increased activation of
      the AKT/mTOR/S6 pathway. 

PMID- 27279146
TI  - Microdevice for plasma separation from whole human blood using bio-physical and
      geometrical effects.
AB  - In this research work, we present a simple and efficient passive microfluidic
      device for plasma separation from pure blood. The microdevice has been fabricated
      using conventional photolithography technique on a single layer of
      polydimethylsiloxane, and has been extensively tested on whole blood and enhanced
      (upto 62%) hematocrit levels of human blood. The microdevice employs elevated
      dimensions of about 100 MUm; such elevated dimensions ensure clog-free operation
      of the microdevice and is relatively easy to fabricate. We show that our
      microdevice achieves almost 100% separation efficiency on undiluted blood in the
      flow rate range of 0.3 to 0.5 ml/min. Detailed biological characterization of the
      plasma obtained from the microdevice is carried out by testing: proteins by ultra
      violet spectrophotometric method, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone, and
      conducting random blood glucose test. Additionally, flow cytometry study has also
      been carried on the separated plasma. These tests attest to the high quality of
      plasma recovered. The microdevice developed in this work is an outcome of
      extensive experimental research on understanding the flow behavior and separation
      phenomenon of blood in microchannels. The microdevice is compact, economical and
      effective, and is particularly suited in continuous flow operations.

PMID- 27279147
TI  - Time-dependent loss of mitochondrial function precedes progressive histologic
      cartilage degeneration in a rabbit meniscal destabilization model.
AB  - The goals of this work were to characterize progression of osteoarthritic
      cartilage degeneration in a rabbit medial meniscus destabilization (MMD) model
      and then to use the model to identify pre-histologic disruptions in chondrocyte
      metabolism under chronically elevated joint contact stresses in vivo. To
      characterize PTOA progression, 24 rabbits received either MMD or sham surgery.
      Limb loading was analyzed preoperatively and at regular postoperative intervals
      using a Tekscan pressure-sensitive walkway. Animals were euthanized 8 (n = 8 MMD;
      n = 8 sham) or 26 weeks (n = 8 MMD) postoperatively for histological cartilage
      evaluation by an objective, semi-automated Mankin scoring routine. To examine pre
      histologic pathology, MMD was performed on an additional 20 rabbits, euthanized 1
      (n = 9) or 4 weeks (n = 10) postoperatively. Chondrocytes were harvested fresh
      for measurement of mitochondrial function, an intracellular indicator of
      pathology after mechanical injury. Both MMD and sham surgery caused slight
      decreases in limb loading which returned to preoperative levels after 2 weeks.
      Histologically apparent cartilage damage progressed from 8 to 26 weeks after MMD.
      Changes in chondrocyte respiration were variable at 1 week, but by 4 weeks
      postoperatively chondrocyte mitochondrial function was significantly reduced.
      Many human injuries that lead to PTOA are relatively mild, and the cell-level
      mechanisms leading to disease remain unclear. We have documented PTOA progression
      in an animal model of subtle joint injury under continued use, and demonstrated
      that this model provides a realistic environment for investigation of multi-stage
      cellular pathology that develops prior to overt tissue degeneration and which
      could be targeted for disease modifying treatments. (c) 2017 Orthopaedic Research
      Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:590-599, 2017.

PMID- 27279148
TI  - Mutational analysis of the Aspergillus ambient pH receptor PalH underscores its
      potential as a target for antifungal compounds.
AB  - The pal/RIM ambient pH signalling pathway is crucial for the ability of
      pathogenic fungi to infect hosts. The Aspergillus nidulans 7-TMD receptor PalH
      senses alkaline pH, subsequently facilitating ubiquitination of the arrestin
      PalF. Ubiquitinated PalF triggers downstream signalling events. The mechanism(s)
      by which PalH transduces the alkaline pH signal to PalF is poorly understood. We
      show that PalH is phosphorylated in a signal dependent manner, resembling
      mammalian GPCRs, although PalH phosphorylation, in contrast to mammalian GPCRs,
      is arrestin dependent. A genetic screen revealed that an ambient-exposed region
      comprising the extracellular loop connecting TM4-TM5 and ambient-proximal
      residues within TM5 is required for signalling. In contrast, substitution by
      alanines of four aromatic residues within TM6 and TM7 results in a weak
      'constitutive' activation of the pathway. Our data support the hypothesis that
      PalH mechanistically resembles mammalian GPCRs that signal via arrestins, such
      that the relative positions of individual helices within the heptahelical bundle
      determines the Pro316-dependent transition between inactive and active PalH
      conformations, governed by an ambient-exposed region including critical Tyr259
      that potentially represents an agonist binding site. These findings open the
      possibility of screening for agonist compounds stabilizing the inactive
      conformation of PalH, which might act as antifungal drugs against ascomycetes.

PMID- 27279149
TI  - Relationships between physical properties and sequence in silkworm silks.
AB  - Silk has attracted widespread attention due to its superlative material
      properties and promising applications. However, the determinants behind the
      variations in material properties among different types of silk are not well
      understood. We analysed the physical properties of silk samples from a variety of
      silkmoth cocoons, including domesticated Bombyx mori varieties and several
      species from Saturniidae. Tensile deformation tests, thermal analyses, and
      investigations on crystalline structure and orientation of the fibres were
      performed. The results showed that saturniid silks produce more highly-defined
      structural transitions compared to B. mori, as seen in the yielding and strain
      hardening events during tensile deformation and in the changes observed during
      thermal analyses. These observations were analysed in terms of the constituent
      fibroin sequences, which in B. mori are predicted to produce heterogeneous
      structures, whereas the strictly modular repeats of the saturniid sequences are
      hypothesized to produce structures that respond in a concerted manner. Within
      saturniid fibroins, thermal stability was found to correlate with the abundance
      of poly-alanine residues, whereas differences in fibre extensibility can be
      related to varying ratios of GGX motifs versus bulky hydrophobic residues in the
      amorphous phase.

PMID- 27279150
TI  - Microglia retard dengue virus-induced acute viral encephalitis.
AB  - Patients with dengue virus (DENV) infection may also present acute viral
      encephalitis through an unknown mechanism. Here, we report that encephalitic DENV
      infected mice exhibited progressive hunchback posture, limbic seizures, limbic
      weakness, paralysis, and lethality 7 days post-infection. These symptoms were
      accompanied by CNS inflammation, neurotoxicity, and blood-brain barrier
      destruction. Microglial cells surrounding the blood vessels and injured
      hippocampus regions were activated by DENV infection. Pharmacologically depleting
      microglia unexpectedly increased viral replication, neuropathy, and mortality in
      DENV-infected mice. In microglia-depleted mice, the DENV infection-mediated
      expression of antiviral cytokines and the infiltration of CD8-positive cytotoxic
      T lymphocytes (CTLs) was abolished. DENV infection prompted the antigen
      presenting cell-like differentiation of microglia, which in turn stimulated CTL
      proliferation and activation. These results suggest that microglial cells play a
      key role in facilitating antiviral immune responses against DENV infection and
      acute viral encephalitis.

PMID- 27279151
TI  - Expression of miR-199a-3p in human adipocytes is regulated by free fatty acids
      and adipokines.
AB  - Obesity is associated with a notable risk for disease, including risk of
      cardiovascular disorders, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension.
      Adipose tissue modulates the metabolism by releasing free fatty acids (FFAs) and
      adipokines, including leptin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)
      and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Altered secretion patterns of FFAs and adipokines have
      been demonstrated to result in obesity-associated insulin resistance (IR) and
      inflammatory responses. MicroRNA-199a-3p (miR)-199a-3p expression is
      significantly induced in differentiated human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem
      cells and indicates the association with T2DM. However, the association between
      miR-199a-3p levels in adipocytes and obesity-associated IR, as well as
      inflammatory responses remains to be elucidated. The present study observed an
      elevation of miR-199a-3p expression level in mature human adipocytes (visceral)
      compared with pre-adipocytes. In addition, miR-199a-3p expression was higher in
      visceral adipose deposits from obese subjects. FFA, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and leptin
      significantly induced miR-199a-3p expression in mature human adipocytes, while
      resistin had the opposite effect. miR-199a-3p may represent a factor in the
      modulation of obesity-associated IR and inflammatory responses. 

PMID- 27279152
TI  - Artesunate attenuates glioma proliferation, migration and invasion by affecting
      cellular mechanical properties.
AB  - Glioma is one of the most common malignant brain tumors. Current chemotherapy is
      far from providing satisfactory clinical outcomes for patients with glioma. More
      efficient drugs are urgently needed. Artesunate (ART) is clinically used as an
      anti-malarial agent and exhibits potent antiproliferative activity as a
      traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, ART has been shown to exert a profound
      cytotoxic effect on various tumor cell lines, presenting a novel candidate for
      cancer chemotherapy. However, its anticancer effect on glioma by altering cell
      biomechanical properties remains unclear. The present study aimed to identify the
      anticancer effects of ART on human glioma SHG44 cells by assessing cell
      proliferation, migration/invasion, the expression of claudin-1 and the
      biomechanical properties of ART-treated SHG44 cells. The proliferation of the
      SHG44 cells was assessed by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow
      cytometry. For cell migration and invasion assays, the Transwell was used. The
      expression of the gene claudin-1 was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The
      cell membrane and biomechanical properties, as targets of ART action, were
      investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). ART significantly inhibited the
      proliferation of SHG44 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After
      treatment with 30 mg/l ART, the level of cell apoptosis was significantly
      increased (from 6.88+/-0.062 to 23.7+/-4.16%). Furthermore, the cell migration
      and invasion abilities of the SHG44 cells were markedly inhibited after treatment
      with 30 mg/l ART. Compared with the control group (0 mg/l ART), the SHG44 cells
      treated with 30 mg/l ART exhibited upregulated expression of claudin-1, increased
      adhesive force (from 2,400+/-300 to 3,600+/-500 pN), increased high connection
      among SHG44 cells, increased cytomembrane roughness (from 0.118+/-0.011 to
      0.269+/-0.015 um) and reduced elasticity (from 23+/-8 to 3.5+/-1.1 MPa). The
      present study demonstrated that ART could alter the biomechanical properties of
      the glioma cells to inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion. 

PMID- 27279154
TI  - Impact of histopathological transformation and overall survival in patients with
      progressive anaplastic glioma.
AB  - Progression of anaplastic glioma (World Health Organization [WHO] grade III) is
      typically determined radiographically, and transformation to glioblastoma (GB)
      (WHO grade IV) is often presumed at that time. However, the frequency of actual
      histopathologic transformation of anaplastic glioma and the subsequent clinical
      impact is unclear. To determine these associations, we retrospectively reviewed
      all anaplastic glioma patients who underwent surgery at our center at first
      radiographic progression, and we examined the effects of histological diagnosis,
      clinical history, and molecular factors on transformation rate and survival. We
      identified 85 anaplastic glioma (39 astrocytoma, 24 oligodendroglioma, 22
      oligoastrocytoma), of which 38.8% transformed to GB. Transformation was
      associated with shorter overall survival (OS) from the time of diagnosis (3.4 vs.
      10.9years, p=0.0005) and second surgery (1.0 vs. 3.5years, p<0.0001). Original
      histologic subtype did not significantly impact the risk of transformation or OS.
      No other factors, including surgery, adjuvant therapy or molecular markers,
      significantly affected the risk of transformation. However, mutations in
      isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) was associated with longer time to progression
      (median 4.6 vs. 1.4years, p=0.008) and OS (median 10.0 vs. 4.2years, p=0.046). At
      radiographic progression, tissue diagnosis may be warranted as histologic grade
      may provide valuable prognostic information and affect therapeutic clinical trial
      selection criteria for this patient population. 

PMID- 27279155
TI  - Strong dominance of functional alleles over gene deletions in both intensely
      growing and deeply starved yeast cells.
AB  - Previous studies with diploid yeast have shown that the deletion of one allele at
      a single locus typically has little impact on fitness under conditions promoting
      fast growth. Here, we confirm and quantify this finding. The strong dominance of
      functional over nonfunctional alleles is predicted by the metabolic control
      theory which assumes that the cell is a system of metabolic fluxes and that the
      total metabolic rate is equivalent to fitness. To test whether these requirements
      are critical, we tested dominance under conditions of long-term starvation when
      metabolism is low and thus the metabolic activities of proteins are likely
      inadequate or imbalanced. More fundamentally, the central assumption of the
      model, that high metabolic rate translates into high fitness, appears
      implausible. Contrary to these conjectures, we found that the mean rate of
      survival of starving heterozygotes was affected only slightly more than was the
      mean rate of growth under good conditions. Under none of the two treatments the
      central prediction of the model, that fitness of heterozygous strains is higher
      for the enzymatic proteins than for nonenzymatic ones, was confirmed. Our data
      add to growing uncertainty whether the metabolic control theory is sufficient to
      explain the remarkable ubiquity of strong genetic dominance.

PMID- 27279153
TI  - The applications of the novel polymeric fluoropyrimidine F10 in cancer treatment:
      current evidence.
AB  - F10 is a novel polymeric fluoropyrimidine drug candidate with strong anticancer
      activity in multiple preclinical models. F10 has strong potential for impacting
      cancer treatment because it displays high cytotoxicity toward proliferating
      malignant cells with minimal systemic toxicities thus providing an improved
      therapeutic window relative to traditional fluoropyrimidine drugs, such as 5
      fluorouracil. F10 has a unique mechanism that involves dual targeting of
      thymidylate synthase and Top1. In this review, the authors provide an overview of
      the studies that revealed the novel aspects of F10's cytotoxic mechanism and
      summarize results obtained in preclinical models of acute myeloid leukemia, acute
      lymphocytic leukemia, glioblastoma and prostate cancer that demonstrate the
      strong potential of F10 to improve treatment outcomes. 

PMID- 27279156
TI  - Axial level-dependent molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the genesis of
      the embryonic neural plate.
AB  - The transcription factor gene Sox2, centrally involved in neural primordial
      regulation, is activated by many enhancers. During the early stages of embryonic
      development, Sox2 is regulated by the enhancers N2 and N1 in the anterior neural
      plate (ANP) and posterior neural plate (PNP), respectively. This differential use
      of the enhancers reflects distinct regulatory mechanisms underlying the genesis
      of ANP and PNP. The ANP develops directly from the epiblast, triggered by nodal
      signal inhibition, and via the combined action of TFs SOX2, OTX2, POU3F1, and
      ZIC2, which promotes the the ANP development and inhibits other cell lineages. In
      contrast, the PNP is derived from neuromesodermal bipotential axial stem cells
      that develop into the neural plate when Sox2 is activated by the N1 enhancer,
      whereas they develop into the paraxial mesoderm when the N1 enhancer is repressed
      by the action of TBX6. The axial stem cells are maintained by the activity of
      WNT3a and T (Brachyury). However, at axial levels more anterior to the 8th
      somites (cervical levels), the development of both the neural plate and somite
      proceeds in the absence of WNT3a, T, or TBX6. These observations indicate that
      distinct molecular and cellular mechanisms determine neural plate genesis based
      on the axial level, and contradict the classical concept of the term "neural
      induction," which assumes a pan-neural plate mechanism. 

PMID- 27279157
TI  - [Effects of Gut Microbiota on Stress Response and Behavioral Phenotype of the
      Host].
AB  - Gut microbiota are involved in host patho-physiological functions; however,
      little is known about whether or not they can affect brain function. Several
      recent works including ours have shown that gut microbiota play a critical role
      in the determination of stress response and behavioral phenotype of the host. We
      here review recent advances in this area, i.e. the interaction between gut
      microbiota and the brain-gut axis, based on our series of experimental data. 

PMID- 27279158
TI  - [Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Emotion Regulation, and Gut Microbiota].
AB  - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is defined as a representative functional
      gastrointestinal disorder which is characterized by chronic or recurrent
      abdominal pain and/or abdominal discomfort associated with abnormal bowel
      movement. Gut microbiota are related to the pathophysiology of IBS. In the field
      of IBS, post-infectious etiology, stress-induced alteration of microbiota,
      increased mucosal permeability, bacterial overgrowth, disease-specific
      microbiota, microbial products, and brain-gut interactions are being
      investigated. In some individuals, IBS develops after recovery from acute
      gastroenteritis known as post-infectious IBS. Gut microbiota in IBS patients
      differ from those in healthy individuals, and the profiles of gut microbiota in
      IBS patients also vary among IBS patients with constipation, diarrhea, and mixed
      subtypes. In Japan, gut microbiota in IBS patients also differ from those
      observed in healthy individuals, and organic acid by-products observed in the
      patients correlated with symptoms, quality of life, and alexithymia. Further
      research on gut microbiota in IBS patients is warranted. 

PMID- 27279159
TI  - [Multiple Sclerosis and Commensal Gut Flora].
AB  - Although a symbiotic relationship between commensal gut microbiota and host is
      widely appreciated, recent works have indicated that normal gut flora functions
      to prevent inflammatory bowel diseases and obesity in the host, indicating a more
      mutualistic relationship. Dysbiosis of the commensal flora may lead to
      development of these disorders. Studies using experimental auto immune
      encephalomyelitis (EAE), a rodent model for studying multiple sclerosis (MS),
      revealed that onset of MS may be triggered by dysbiosis in the gut. We recently
      revealed a significant reduction in certain clostridia strains, which probably
      function to induce regulatory T cells, in the gut microbiota of patients with MS.
      Results from this study should be consideved when designing strategies for the
      prevention and treatment of MS. 

PMID- 27279160
TI  - [Autism and Autism-associated Metabolites].
AB  - Gene-microbiota interactions are now proposed to be a special case of gene
      environmental interaction. Preclinical and clinical data summarized in this
      article reveal that a specific serum metabolite, associated with alterations in
      gut microbiome composition, might have an emerging role in the onset and
      pathogenesis of autism. Altered level of this specified metabolite may induce
      perturbations in the epigenome and modulate the expression of key disease
      susceptible genes in neurons and their associated cells during critical periods
      of neurodevelopment. The gut microbiota itself is now regarded as a reservoir for
      environmental epigenetic factors. 

PMID- 27279161
TI  - [The Importance of Vagus Nerve Afferent in the Formation of Emotions in Attention
      Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Model Rat].
AB  - It is of interest to know how environmental stimuli contribute to the formation
      of emotion during development. In a rat model of attention-deficit hyperactivity
      disorder, monosodium L- glutamate (MSG), a taste substance of umami, was
      administered for 5 weeks during developmental period, followed by emotional
      behavior tests such as open-field test and social interaction test in adulthood.
      Although no significant change was observed in anxiety-like behavior, MSG intake
      caused a reduction in aggressive behavior. Vagotomy under the level of diaphragm
      resulted in eliminating the MSG effect on aggression, indicating the importance
      of neuronal activity of the vagus nerve in this effect. Futher studies will focus
      on futher questions regarding the gut-brain axis such as the change of microbiota
      and the mechanism of the axis in the brain. 

PMID- 27279162
TI  - [Depressive Disorder and Gut-brain Interaction].
AB  - Depressive disorder is a stress-induced condition, which has been suggested to
      have bidirectional interactions with the gut microbiota. Probiotics such as
      Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus have been suggested to mitigate stress
      response. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a typical phenotype of psychological
      distress manifested in the gastrointestinal system, and often develops in
      patients with depressive disorder. The altered gut microbiota and resultant
      inflammation in the gut play an important role in at least a portion of IBS.
      Animal models of depression have shown abnormalities in the gut such as increased
      gut permeability, and the probiotics ameliorate their chronic depression-like
      behaviors and altered stress responses. There have been only a few studies that
      have directly investigated the gut microbiota in patients with depression. We
      reported results suggesting that individuals with lower bacterial counts for
      Bifidobacterium and/or Lactobacillus are more common in patients with major
      depressive disorder than in healthy controls. the collectively use of gut
      microbiota in the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorder seems to be a
      promising approach. 

PMID- 27279163
TI  - [The Bridge between Pediatric and Adult Neurology].
AB  - Pediatric and adult departments are differentiated based on a cutoff age of
      approximately 15-17 years. In clinical neurology, there are certain disorders and
      related problems that overlap these age-determined boundaries. In this review,
      the following three themes are discussed. (1) Manual dexterity: Considering motor
      skills through the developmental stages of a child and manual impairment due to
      localized brain damage in adults, manual dexterity has been reviewed extensively
      from the perspective of cortical association areas. (2) Hepatolenticular
      degeneration: Wilson's disease (children) and Westphal-Strumpell pseudosclerosis
      (adults) are compared and assessed based on the age of onset to identify
      differences in clinical symptoms and pathological findings. (3) Hirayama disease:
      This disease has been identified as an adult neurological disorder. Since the
      onset of Hirayama disease occurs around puberty in children and adolescents, it
      provides a connecting link between pediatric and adult neurology. 

PMID- 27279164
TI  - [Continued Use of Rotigotine Transdermal Patches for Parkinson Disease].
AB  - Transdermal patches containing rotigotine, a dopamine agonist (DA) for treatment
      of Parkinson disease, continuously exert stable effects when applied once daily.
      Therefore, they are expected to reduce the patient burdens due to complications
      such as wearing-off and dysphagia. However, dosing is occasionally reduced or
      discontinued after application because of several reasons such as skin reactions
      or unsatisfactory efficacy. To identify the risk factors involved in the reduced
      or discontinued use of rotigotine patches, a retrospective study was conducted
      with reference to the medical records of patients with Parkinson disease who
      received rotigotine patches in our hospital. 85 patients were involved in this
      study. Dosing of rotigotine was reduced or discontinued in 53 patients during the
      study period. The factors associated with charges in treatment included
      combination therapy with clonazepam and oral administration of another DA before
      the application of rotigotine. The reduction or discontinuation rate of
      rotigotine patches in patients who reduced the equivalent dose of DA on the
      introduction of rotigotine patches was 94.7%, showing a significantly higher rate
      compared with 61.3% in the increased dose group. To improve adherence to
      rotigotine patch therapy, physicians need to carefully consider concomitant drugs
      and total dose of DAs. (Received December 7, 2015; Accepted February 22, 2016;
      Published June 1, 2016). 

PMID- 27279165
TI  - [An Extremely Rare Case of Penetrating Head Injury Caused by a Nasal Implant Made
      of an Ivory Chip and a Review of the Literature].
AB  - Although penetrating head injuries are very rare in Japan, an extremely rare case
      is reported in which an ivory chip, embedded in the subcutaneous tissue by a
      cosmetic rhinoplasty, penetrated the cranium. A 69-year-old woman with a
      psychiatric disorder suddenly jumped down from a window and bruised her face. The
      ivory chip went into her left frontal lobe via the frontal sinus. At surgery, it
      was completely removed via the nasion. There were no postoperative complications
      after adequate frontal sinus repair and closure of dura mater with a piece of
      pericranium. The literature dealing with Japanese penetrating head injuries was
      also reviewed. (Received May 27, 2015; Accepted December 1, 2015; Published June
      1, 2016). 

PMID- 27279166
TI  - [A Case of Inspiration Stridor in Dementia with Lewy Bodies].

PMID- 27279167
TI  - Climate-driven vital rates do not always mean climate-driven population.
AB  - Current climatic changes have increased the need to forecast population responses
      to climate variability. A common approach to address this question is through
      models that project current population state using the functional relationship
      between demographic rates and climatic variables. We argue that this approach can
      lead to erroneous conclusions when interpopulation dispersal is not considered.
      We found that immigration can release the population from climate-driven
      trajectories even when local vital rates are climate dependent. We illustrated
      this using individual-based data on a trans-equatorial migratory seabird, the
      Scopoli's shearwater Calonectris diomedea, in which the variation of vital rates
      has been associated with large-scale climatic indices. We compared the population
      annual growth rate lambdai , estimated using local climate-driven parameters with
      rhoi , a population growth rate directly estimated from individual information
      and that accounts for immigration. While lambdai varied as a function of climatic
      variables, reflecting the climate-dependent parameters, rhoi did not, indicating
      that dispersal decouples the relationship between population growth and climate
      variables from that between climatic variables and vital rates. Our results
      suggest caution when assessing demographic effects of climatic variability
      especially in open populations for very mobile organisms such as fish, marine
      mammals, bats, or birds. When a population model cannot be validated or it is not
      detailed enough, ignoring immigration might lead to misleading climate-driven
      projections.

PMID- 27279168
TI  - (1)H-detected solid-state NMR of proteins entrapped in bioinspired silica: a new
      tool for biomaterials characterization.
AB  - Proton-detection in solid-state NMR, enabled by high magnetic fields (>18 T) and
      fast magic angle spinning (>50 kHz), allows for the acquisition of traditional
      (1)H-(15)N experiments on systems that are too big to be observed in solution.
      Among those, proteins entrapped in a bioinspired silica matrix are an attractive
      target that is receiving a large share of attention. We demonstrate that (1)H
      detected SSNMR provides a novel approach to the rapid assessment of structural
      integrity in proteins entrapped in bioinspired silica.

PMID- 27279169
TI  - Six Hours after Infection, the Metabolic Changes Induced by WSSV Neutralize the
      Host's Oxidative Stress Defenses.
AB  - Levels of intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) were significantly
      increased in hemocytes collected from WSSV-infected shrimp within the first 30
      120 min after infection. Measurement of the NADPH/NADP(+) and GSH/GSSG ratios
      revealed that after a significant imbalance toward the oxidized forms at 2 hpi,
      redox equilibrium was subsequently restored. Meanwhile, high levels of lactic
      acid production, elevated NADH/NAD(+) ratios, and metabolic changes in the
      glycolysis pathway show that the Warburg effect was triggered by the virus. The
      timing of these changes suggests that WSSV uses this metabolic shift into aerobic
      glycolysis to counteract the high levels of ROS produced in response to viral
      infection. We further show that if the Warburg effect is inhibited by chemical
      inhibition of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, or if the pentose phosphate
      pathway is chemically inhibited, then in both cases, the production of
      intracellular ROS is sustained. We conclude that WSSV uses the PI3K-Akt-mTOR
      regulated Warburg effect to restore host redox balance and to counter the ROS
      produced by the host in response to WSSV infection. We also found that pyruvate
      kinase activity was inhibited by WSSV. This inhibition is likely to increase the
      availability of the raw materials essential for WSSV gene expression and
      replication.

PMID- 27279171
TI  - Humanity's forgotten family.

PMID- 27279170
TI  - 3D-Microarchitectural patterns of Hyperostosis frontalis interna: a micro
      computed tomography study in aged women.
AB  - Although seen frequently during dissections and autopsies, Hyperostosis frontalis
      interna (HFI) - a morphological pattern of the frontal bone thickening - is often
      ignored and its nature and development are not yet understood sufficiently.
      Current macroscopic classification defines four grades/stages of HFI based on the
      morphological appearance and size of the affected area; however, it is unclear if
      these stages also depict the successive phases in the HFI development. Here we
      assessed 3D-microarchitecture of the frontal bone in women with various degrees
      of HFI expression and in an age- and sex-matched control group, hypothesizing
      that the bone microarchitecture bears imprints of the pathogenesis of HFI and may
      clarify the phases of its development. Frontal bone samples were collected during
      routine autopsies from 20 women with HFI (age: 69.9 +/- 11.1 years) and 14 women
      without HFI (age: 74.1 +/- 9.7 years). We classified the HFI samples into four
      groups, each group demonstrating different macroscopic type or stage of HFI. All
      samples were scanned by micro-computed tomography to evaluate 3D bone
      microarchitecture in the following regions of interest: total sample, outer
      table, diploe and inner table. Our results revealed that, compared to the control
      group, the women with HFI showed a significantly increased bone volume fraction
      in the region of diploe, along with significantly thicker and more plate-like
      shaped trabeculae and reduced trabecular separation and connectivity density.
      Moreover, the inner table of the frontal bone in women with HFI displayed
      significantly increased total porosity and mean pore diameter compared to
      controls. Microstructural reorganization of the frontal bone in women with HFI
      was also reflected in significantly higher porosity and lower bone volume
      fraction in the inner vs. outer table due to an increased number of pores larger
      than 100 MUm. The individual comparisons between the control group and different
      macroscopic stages of HFI revealed significant differences only between the
      control group and the morphologically most pronounced type of HFI. Our
      microarchitectural findings demonstrated clear differences between the HFI and
      the control group in the region of diploe and the inner table. Macroscopic grades
      of HFI could not be distinguished at the level of bone microarchitecture and
      their consecutive nature cannot be supported. Rather, our study suggests that
      only two different types of HFI (moderate and severe HFI) have microstructural
      justification and should be considered further. It is essential to record HFI
      systematically in human postmortem subjects to provide more data on the
      mechanisms of its development.

PMID- 27279172
TI  - Second chances.

PMID- 27279173
TI  - Energy hit.

PMID- 27279174
TI  - Gene editing can drive science to openness.

PMID- 27279186
TI  - Massive ocean-observing project launches - despite turmoil.

PMID- 27279187
TI  - Fairer way to distribute last-ditch drugs gets real-world trial.

PMID- 27279188
TI  - Peru's gold rush prompts public-health emergency.

PMID- 27279189
TI  - Plan to synthesize human genome triggers mixed response.

PMID- 27279190
TI  - UK government slammed for losing track of its own research.

PMID- 27279191
TI  - 'Hobbit' relatives found after ten-year hunt.

PMID- 27279192
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27279193
TI  - Can Delhi save itself from its toxic air?

PMID- 27279194
TI  - The man who can map the chemicals all over your body.

PMID- 27279195
TI  - Misconduct: Lessons from researcher rehab.

PMID- 27279199
TI  - Five-Year Plan: Supervise Chinese environment policy.

PMID- 27279200
TI  - China's primates: preserve wild species.

PMID- 27279201
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27279202
TI  - Elephant poaching: Track the impact of Kenya's ivory burn.

PMID- 27279203
TI  - Butterflies: Change of identity is not in the air.

PMID- 27279204
TI  - China's primates: EU can't have it all ways.

PMID- 27279205
TI  - Ilkka Hanski (1953-2016).

PMID- 27279206
TI  - Host-microbe interaction: Rules of the game for microbiota.

PMID- 27279207
TI  - Geochemistry: Hydrogen and oxygen in the deep Earth.

PMID- 27279208
TI  - Evolutionary biology: To mimicry and back again.

PMID- 27279209
TI  - Physiology: Microbial signals to the brain control weight.

PMID- 27279210
TI  - Chemistry: No turning back for motorized molecules.

PMID- 27279211
TI  - Palaeoanthropology: The dawn of Homo floresiensis.

PMID- 27279212
TI  - Accounting for reciprocal host-microbiome interactions in experimental science.
AB  - Mammals are defined by their metagenome, a combination of host and microbiome
      genes. This knowledge presents opportunities to further basic biology with
      translation to human diseases. However, the now-documented influence of the
      metagenome on experimental results and the reproducibility of in vivo mammalian
      models present new challenges. Here we provide the scientific basis for calling
      on all investigators, editors and funding agencies to embrace changes that will
      enhance reproducible and interpretable experiments by accounting for metagenomic
      effects. Implementation of new reporting and experimental design principles will
      improve experimental work, speed discovery and translation, and properly use
      substantial investments in biomedical research. 

PMID- 27279213
TI  - Midbrain circuits for defensive behaviour.
AB  - Survival in threatening situations depends on the selection and rapid execution
      of an appropriate active or passive defensive response, yet the underlying brain
      circuitry is not understood. Here we use circuit-based optogenetic, in vivo and
      in vitro electrophysiological, and neuroanatomical tracing methods to define
      midbrain periaqueductal grey circuits for specific defensive behaviours. We
      identify an inhibitory pathway from the central nucleus of the amygdala to the
      ventrolateral periaqueductal grey that produces freezing by disinhibition of
      ventrolateral periaqueductal grey excitatory outputs to pre-motor targets in the
      magnocellular nucleus of the medulla. In addition, we provide evidence for
      anatomical and functional interaction of this freezing pathway with long-range
      and local circuits mediating flight. Our data define the neuronal circuitry
      underlying the execution of freezing, an evolutionarily conserved defensive
      behaviour, which is expressed by many species including fish, rodents and
      primates. In humans, dysregulation of this 'survival circuit' has been implicated
      in anxiety-related disorders.

PMID- 27279214
TI  - Acetate mediates a microbiome-brain-beta-cell axis to promote metabolic syndrome.
AB  - Obesity, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome are associated with
      changes to the gut microbiota; however, the mechanism by which modifications to
      the gut microbiota might lead to these conditions is unknown. Here we show that
      increased production of acetate by an altered gut microbiota in rodents leads to
      activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which, in turn, promotes
      increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, increased ghrelin secretion,
      hyperphagia, obesity and related sequelae. Together, these findings identify
      increased acetate production resulting from a nutrient-gut microbiota interaction
      and subsequent parasympathetic activation as possible therapeutic targets for
      obesity. 

PMID- 27279215
TI  - Cold, clumpy accretion onto an active supermassive black hole.
AB  - Supermassive black holes in galaxy centres can grow by the accretion of gas,
      liberating energy that might regulate star formation on galaxy-wide scales. The
      nature of the gaseous fuel reservoirs that power black hole growth is
      nevertheless largely unconstrained by observations, and is instead routinely
      simplified as a smooth, spherical inflow of very hot gas. Recent theory and
      simulations instead predict that accretion can be dominated by a stochastic,
      clumpy distribution of very cold molecular clouds--a departure from the 'hot
      mode' accretion model--although unambiguous observational support for this
      prediction remains elusive. Here we report observations that reveal a cold,
      clumpy accretion flow towards a supermassive black hole fuel reservoir in the
      nucleus of the Abell 2597 Brightest Cluster Galaxy (BCG), a nearby (redshift z =
      0.0821) giant elliptical galaxy surrounded by a dense halo of hot plasma. Under
      the right conditions, thermal instabilities produce a rain of cold clouds that
      fall towards the galaxy's centre, sustaining star formation amid a kiloparsec
      scale molecular nebula that is found at its core. The observations show that
      these cold clouds also fuel black hole accretion, revealing 'shadows' cast by the
      molecular clouds as they move inward at about 300 kilometres per second towards
      the active supermassive black hole, which serves as a bright backlight.
      Corroborating evidence from prior observations of warmer atomic gas at extremely
      high spatial resolution, along with simple arguments based on geometry and
      probability, indicate that these clouds are within the innermost hundred parsecs
      of the black hole, and falling closer towards it.

PMID- 27279216
TI  - Digitized adiabatic quantum computing with a superconducting circuit.
AB  - Quantum mechanics can help to solve complex problems in physics and chemistry,
      provided they can be programmed in a physical device. In adiabatic quantum
      computing, a system is slowly evolved from the ground state of a simple initial
      Hamiltonian to a final Hamiltonian that encodes a computational problem. The
      appeal of this approach lies in the combination of simplicity and generality; in
      principle, any problem can be encoded. In practice, applications are restricted
      by limited connectivity, available interactions and noise. A complementary
      approach is digital quantum computing, which enables the construction of
      arbitrary interactions and is compatible with error correction, but uses quantum
      circuit algorithms that are problem-specific. Here we combine the advantages of
      both approaches by implementing digitized adiabatic quantum computing in a
      superconducting system. We tomographically probe the system during the digitized
      evolution and explore the scaling of errors with system size. We then let the
      full system find the solution to random instances of the one-dimensional Ising
      problem as well as problem Hamiltonians that involve more complex interactions.
      This digital quantum simulation of the adiabatic algorithm consists of up to nine
      qubits and up to 1,000 quantum logic gates. The demonstration of digitized
      adiabatic quantum computing in the solid state opens a path to synthesizing long
      range correlations and solving complex computational problems. When combined with
      fault-tolerance, our approach becomes a general-purpose algorithm that is
      scalable. 

PMID- 27279217
TI  - Metastable high-entropy dual-phase alloys overcome the strength-ductility trade
      off.
AB  - Metals have been mankind's most essential materials for thousands of years;
      however, their use is affected by ecological and economical concerns. Alloys with
      higher strength and ductility could alleviate some of these concerns by reducing
      weight and improving energy efficiency. However, most metallurgical mechanisms
      for increasing strength lead to ductility loss, an effect referred to as the
      strength-ductility trade-off. Here we present a metastability-engineering
      strategy in which we design nanostructured, bulk high-entropy alloys with
      multiple compositionally equivalent high-entropy phases. High-entropy alloys were
      originally proposed to benefit from phase stabilization through entropy
      maximization. Yet here, motivated by recent work that relaxes the strict
      restrictions on high-entropy alloy compositions by demonstrating the weakness of
      this connection, the concept is overturned. We decrease phase stability to
      achieve two key benefits: interface hardening due to a dual-phase microstructure
      (resulting from reduced thermal stability of the high-temperature phase); and
      transformation-induced hardening (resulting from the reduced mechanical stability
      of the room-temperature phase). This combines the best of two worlds: extensive
      hardening due to the decreased phase stability known from advanced steels and
      massive solid-solution strengthening of high-entropy alloys. In our
      transformation-induced plasticity-assisted, dual-phase high-entropy alloy (TRIP
      DP-HEA), these two contributions lead respectively to enhanced trans-grain and
      inter-grain slip resistance, and hence, increased strength. Moreover, the
      increased strain hardening capacity that is enabled by dislocation hardening of
      the stable phase and transformation-induced hardening of the metastable phase
      produces increased ductility. This combined increase in strength and ductility
      distinguishes the TRIP-DP-HEA alloy from other recently developed structural
      materials. This metastability-engineering strategy should thus usefully guide
      design in the near-infinite compositional space of high-entropy alloys.

PMID- 27279218
TI  - Strongly correlated perovskite fuel cells.
AB  - Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy with high
      efficiencies and environmental benefits, as compared with traditional heat
      engines. Yttria-stabilized zirconia is perhaps the material with the most
      potential as an electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), owing to its
      stability and near-unity ionic transference number. Although there exist
      materials with superior ionic conductivity, they are often limited by their
      ability to suppress electronic leakage when exposed to the reducing environment
      at the fuel interface. Such electronic leakage reduces fuel cell power output and
      the associated chemo-mechanical stresses can also lead to catastrophic fracture
      of electrolyte membranes. Here we depart from traditional electrolyte design that
      relies on cation substitution to sustain ionic conduction. Instead, we use a
      perovskite nickelate as an electrolyte with high initial ionic and electronic
      conductivity. Since many such oxides are also correlated electron systems, we can
      suppress the electronic conduction through a filling-controlled Mott transition
      induced by spontaneous hydrogen incorporation. Using such a nickelate as the
      electrolyte in free-standing membrane geometry, we demonstrate a low-temperature
      micro-fabricated SOFC with high performance. The ionic conductivity of the
      nickelate perovskite is comparable to the best-performing solid electrolytes in
      the same temperature range, with a very low activation energy. The results
      present a design strategy for high-performance materials exhibiting emergent
      properties arising from strong electron correlations.

PMID- 27279219
TI  - An autonomous chemically fuelled small-molecule motor.
AB  - Molecular machines are among the most complex of all functional molecules and lie
      at the heart of nearly every biological process. A number of synthetic small
      molecule machines have been developed, including molecular muscles, synthesizers,
      pumps, walkers, transporters and light-driven and electrically driven rotary
      motors. However, although biological molecular motors are powered by chemical
      gradients or the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), so far there are no
      synthetic small-molecule motors that can operate autonomously using chemical
      energy (that is, the components move with net directionality as long as a
      chemical fuel is present). Here we describe a system in which a small molecular
      ring (macrocycle) is continuously transported directionally around a cyclic
      molecular track when powered by irreversible reactions of a chemical fuel, 9
      fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride. Key to the design is that the rate of reaction
      of this fuel with reactive sites on the cyclic track is faster when the
      macrocycle is far from the reactive site than when it is near to it. We find that
      a bulky pyridine-based catalyst promotes carbonate-forming reactions that ratchet
      the displacement of the macrocycle away from the reactive sites on the track.
      Under reaction conditions where both attachment and cleavage of the 9
      fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl groups occur through different processes, and the
      cleavage reaction occurs at a rate independent of macrocycle location, net
      directional rotation of the molecular motor continues for as long as unreacted
      fuel remains. We anticipate that autonomous chemically fuelled molecular motors
      will find application as engines in molecular nanotechnology. 

PMID- 27279220
TI  - FeO2 and FeOOH under deep lower-mantle conditions and Earth's oxygen-hydrogen
      cycles.
AB  - The distribution, accumulation and circulation of oxygen and hydrogen in Earth's
      interior dictate the geochemical evolution of the hydrosphere, atmosphere and
      biosphere. The oxygen-rich atmosphere and iron-rich core represent two end
      members of the oxygen-iron (O-Fe) system, overlapping with the entire pressure
      temperature-composition range of the planet. The extreme pressure and temperature
      conditions of the deep interior alter the oxidation states, spin states and phase
      stabilities of iron oxides, creating new stoichiometries, such as Fe4O5 (ref. 5)
      and Fe5O6 (ref. 6). Such interactions between O and Fe dictate Earth's formation,
      the separation of the core and mantle, and the evolution of the atmosphere. Iron,
      in its multiple oxidation states, controls the oxygen fugacity and oxygen budget,
      with hydrogen having a key role in the reaction of Fe and O (causing iron to rust
      in humid air). Here we use first-principles calculations and experiments to
      identify a highly stable, pyrite-structured iron oxide (FeO2) at 76 gigapascals
      and 1,800 kelvin that holds an excessive amount of oxygen. We show that the
      mineral goethite, FeOOH, which exists ubiquitously as 'rust' and is concentrated
      in bog iron ore, decomposes under the deep lower-mantle conditions to form FeO2
      and release H2. The reaction could cause accumulation of the heavy FeO2-bearing
      patches in the deep lower mantle, upward migration of hydrogen, and separation of
      the oxygen and hydrogen cycles. This process provides an alternative
      interpretation for the origin of seismic and geochemical anomalies in the deep
      lower mantle, as well as a sporadic O2 source for the Great Oxidation Event over
      two billion years ago that created the present oxygen-rich atmosphere. 

PMID- 27279221
TI  - Homo floresiensis-like fossils from the early Middle Pleistocene of Flores.
AB  - The evolutionary origin of Homo floresiensis, a diminutive hominin species
      previously known only by skeletal remains from Liang Bua in western Flores,
      Indonesia, has been intensively debated. It is a matter of controversy whether
      this primitive form, dated to the Late Pleistocene, evolved from early Asian Homo
      erectus and represents a unique and striking case of evolutionary reversal in
      hominin body and brain size within an insular environment. The alternative
      hypothesis is that H. floresiensis derived from an older, smaller-brained member
      of our genus, such as Homo habilis, or perhaps even late Australopithecus,
      signalling a hitherto undocumented dispersal of hominins from Africa into eastern
      Asia by two million years ago (2 Ma). Here we describe hominin fossils excavated
      in 2014 from an early Middle Pleistocene site (Mata Menge) in the So'a Basin of
      central Flores. These specimens comprise a mandible fragment and six isolated
      teeth belonging to at least three small-jawed and small-toothed individuals.
      Dating to ~0.7 Ma, these fossils now constitute the oldest hominin remains from
      Flores. The Mata Menge mandible and teeth are similar in dimensions and
      morphological characteristics to those of H. floresiensis from Liang Bua. The
      exception is the mandibular first molar, which retains a more primitive
      condition. Notably, the Mata Menge mandible and molar are even smaller in size
      than those of the two existing H. floresiensis individuals from Liang Bua. The
      Mata Menge fossils are derived compared with Australopithecus and H. habilis, and
      so tend to support the view that H. floresiensis is a dwarfed descendent of early
      Asian H. erectus. Our findings suggest that hominins on Flores had acquired
      extremely small body size and other morphological traits specific to H.
      floresiensis at an unexpectedly early time. 

PMID- 27279222
TI  - Age and context of the oldest known hominin fossils from Flores.
AB  - Recent excavations at the early Middle Pleistocene site of Mata Menge in the So'a
      Basin of central Flores, Indonesia, have yielded hominin fossils attributed to a
      population ancestral to Late Pleistocene Homo floresiensis. Here we describe the
      age and context of the Mata Menge hominin specimens and associated archaeological
      findings. The fluvial sandstone layer from which the in situ fossils were
      excavated in 2014 was deposited in a small valley stream around 700 thousand
      years ago, as indicated by (40)Ar/(39)Ar and fission track dates on
      stratigraphically bracketing volcanic ash and pyroclastic density current
      deposits, in combination with coupled uranium-series and electron spin resonance
      dating of fossil teeth. Palaeoenvironmental data indicate a relatively dry
      climate in the So'a Basin during the early Middle Pleistocene, while various
      lines of evidence suggest the hominins inhabited a savannah-like open grassland
      habitat with a wetland component. The hominin fossils occur alongside the remains
      of an insular fauna and a simple stone technology that is markedly similar to
      that associated with Late Pleistocene H. floresiensis. 

PMID- 27279223
TI  - Environmental Breviatea harbour mutualistic Arcobacter epibionts.
AB  - Breviatea form a lineage of free living, unicellular protists, distantly related
      to animals and fungi. This lineage emerged almost one billion years ago, when the
      oceanic oxygen content was low, and extant Breviatea have evolved or retained an
      anaerobic lifestyle. Here we report the cultivation of Lenisia limosa, gen. et
      sp. nov., a newly discovered breviate colonized by relatives of animal-associated
      Arcobacter. Physiological experiments show that the association of L. limosa with
      Arcobacter is driven by the transfer of hydrogen and is mutualistic, providing
      benefits to both partners. With whole-genome sequencing and differential
      proteomics, we show that an experimentally observed fitness gain of L. limosa
      could be explained by the activity of a so far unknown type of NAD(P)H-accepting
      hydrogenase, which is expressed in the presence, but not in the absence, of
      Arcobacter. Differential proteomics further reveal that the presence of Lenisia
      stimulates expression of known 'virulence' factors by Arcobacter. These proteins
      typically enable colonization of animal cells during infection, but may in the
      present case act for mutual benefit. Finally, re-investigation of two currently
      available transcriptomic data sets of other Breviatea reveals the presence and
      activity of related hydrogen-consuming Arcobacter, indicating that mutualistic
      interaction between these two groups of microbes might be pervasive. Our results
      support the notion that molecular mechanisms involved in virulence can also
      support mutualism, as shown here for Arcobacter and Breviatea.

PMID- 27279224
TI  - Universality of human microbial dynamics.
AB  - Human-associated microbial communities have a crucial role in determining our
      health and well-being, and this has led to the continuing development of
      microbiome-based therapies such as faecal microbiota transplantation. These
      microbial communities are very complex, dynamic and highly personalized
      ecosystems, exhibiting a high degree of inter-individual variability in both
      species assemblages and abundance profiles. It is not known whether the
      underlying ecological dynamics of these communities, which can be parameterized
      by growth rates, and intra- and inter-species interactions in population dynamics
      models, are largely host-independent (that is, universal) or host-specific. If
      the inter-individual variability reflects host-specific dynamics due to
      differences in host lifestyle, physiology or genetics, then generic microbiome
      manipulations may have unintended consequences, rendering them ineffective or
      even detrimental. Alternatively, microbial ecosystems of different subjects may
      exhibit universal dynamics, with the inter-individual variability mainly
      originating from differences in the sets of colonizing species. Here we develop a
      new computational method to characterize human microbial dynamics. By applying
      this method to cross-sectional data from two large-scale metagenomic studies--the
      Human Microbiome Project and the Student Microbiome Project--we show that gut and
      mouth microbiomes display pronounced universal dynamics, whereas communities
      associated with certain skin sites are probably shaped by differences in the host
      environment. Notably, the universality of gut microbial dynamics is not observed
      in subjects with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection but is observed in the
      same set of subjects after faecal microbiota transplantation. These results
      fundamentally improve our understanding of the processes that shape human
      microbial ecosystems, and pave the way to designing general microbiome-based
      therapies.

PMID- 27279225
TI  - Development of the gut microbiota and mucosal IgA responses in twins and
      gnotobiotic mice.
AB  - Immunoglobulin A (IgA), the major class of antibody secreted by the gut mucosa,
      is an important contributor to gut barrier function. The repertoire of IgA bound
      to gut bacteria reflects both T-cell-dependent and -independent pathways, plus
      glycans present on the antibody's secretory component. Human gut bacterial taxa
      targeted by IgA in the setting of barrier dysfunction are capable of producing
      intestinal pathology when isolated and transferred to gnotobiotic mice. A complex
      reorientation of gut immunity occurs as infants transition from passively
      acquired IgA present in breast milk to host-derived IgA. How IgA responses co
      develop with assembly of the microbiota during this period remains poorly
      understood. Here, we (1) identify a set of age-discriminatory bacterial taxa
      whose representations define a program of microbiota assembly and maturation
      during the first 2 postnatal years that is shared across 40 healthy twin pairs in
      the USA; (2) describe a pattern of progression of gut mucosal IgA responses to
      bacterial members of the microbiota that is highly distinctive for family members
      (twin pairs) during the first several postnatal months then generalizes across
      pairs in the second year; and (3) assess the effects of zygosity, birth mode, and
      breast feeding. Age-associated differences in these IgA responses can be
      recapitulated in young germ-free mice, colonized with faecal microbiota obtained
      from two twin pairs at 6 and 18 months of age, and fed a sequence of human diets
      that simulate the transition from milk feeding to complementary foods. Most of
      these responses were robust to diet, suggesting that 'intrinsic' properties of
      community members play a dominant role in dictating IgA responses. The approach
      described can be used to define gut mucosal immune development in health and
      disease states and to help discover ways of repairing or preventing perturbations
      in this facet of host immunity.

PMID- 27279226
TI  - The Brazilian Zika virus strain causes birth defects in experimental models.
AB  - Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus belonging to the genus Flavivirus (family
      Flaviviridae) and was first described in 1947 in Uganda following blood analyses
      of sentinel Rhesus monkeys. Until the twentieth century, the African and Asian
      lineages of the virus did not cause meaningful infections in humans. However, in
      2007, vectored by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, ZIKV caused the first noteworthy
      epidemic on the Yap Island in Micronesia. Patients experienced fever, skin rash,
      arthralgia and conjunctivitis. From 2013 to 2015, the Asian lineage of the virus
      caused further massive outbreaks in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. In 2013,
      ZIKV reached Brazil, later spreading to other countries in South and Central
      America. In Brazil, the virus has been linked to congenital malformations,
      including microcephaly and other severe neurological diseases, such as Guillain
      Barre syndrome. Despite clinical evidence, direct experimental proof showing that
      the Brazilian ZIKV (ZIKV(BR)) strain causes birth defects remains absent. Here we
      demonstrate that ZIKV(BR) infects fetuses, causing intrauterine growth
      restriction, including signs of microcephaly, in mice. Moreover, the virus
      infects human cortical progenitor cells, leading to an increase in cell death. We
      also report that the infection of human brain organoids results in a reduction of
      proliferative zones and disrupted cortical layers. These results indicate that
      ZIKV(BR) crosses the placenta and causes microcephaly by targeting cortical
      progenitor cells, inducing cell death by apoptosis and autophagy, and impairing
      neurodevelopment. Our data reinforce the growing body of evidence linking the
      ZIKV(BR) outbreak to the alarming number of cases of congenital brain
      malformations. Our model can be used to determine the efficiency of therapeutic
      approaches to counteracting the harmful impact of ZIKV(BR) in human
      neurodevelopment.

PMID- 27279227
TI  - Overcoming mTOR resistance mutations with a new-generation mTOR inhibitor.
AB  - Precision medicines exert selective pressure on tumour cells that leads to the
      preferential growth of resistant subpopulations, necessitating the development of
      next-generation therapies to treat the evolving cancer. The PIK3CA-AKT-mTOR
      pathway is one of the most commonly activated pathways in human cancers, which
      has led to the development of small-molecule inhibitors that target various nodes
      in the pathway. Among these agents, first-generation mTOR inhibitors (rapalogs)
      have caused responses in 'N-of-1' cases, and second-generation mTOR kinase
      inhibitors (TORKi) are currently in clinical trials. Here we sought to delineate
      the likely resistance mechanisms to existing mTOR inhibitors in human cell lines,
      as a guide for next-generation therapies. The mechanism of resistance to the
      TORKi was unusual in that intrinsic kinase activity of mTOR was increased, rather
      than a direct active-site mutation interfering with drug binding. Indeed,
      identical drug-resistant mutations have been also identified in drug-naive
      patients, suggesting that tumours with activating MTOR mutations will be
      intrinsically resistant to second-generation mTOR inhibitors. We report the
      development of a new class of mTOR inhibitors that overcomes resistance to
      existing first- and second-generation inhibitors. The third-generation mTOR
      inhibitor exploits the unique juxtaposition of two drug-binding pockets to create
      a bivalent interaction that allows inhibition of these resistant mutants.

PMID- 27279228
TI  - Ribosome-dependent activation of stringent control.
AB  - In order to survive, bacteria continually sense, and respond to, environmental
      fluctuations. Stringent control represents a key bacterial stress response to
      nutrient starvation that leads to rapid and comprehensive reprogramming of
      metabolic and transcriptional patterns. In general, transcription of genes for
      growth and proliferation is downregulated, while those important for survival and
      virulence are upregulated. Amino acid starvation is sensed by depletion of the
      aminoacylated tRNA pools, and this results in accumulation of ribosomes stalled
      with non-aminoacylated (uncharged) tRNA in the ribosomal A site. RelA is
      recruited to stalled ribosomes and activated to synthesize a hyperphosphorylated
      guanosine analogue, (p)ppGpp, which acts as a pleiotropic secondary messenger.
      However, structural information about how RelA recognizes stalled ribosomes and
      discriminates against aminoacylated tRNAs is missing. Here we present the cryo
      electron microscopy structure of RelA bound to the bacterial ribosome stalled
      with uncharged tRNA. The structure reveals that RelA utilizes a distinct binding
      site compared to the translational factors, with a multi-domain architecture that
      wraps around a highly distorted A-site tRNA. The TGS (ThrRS, GTPase and SpoT)
      domain of RelA binds the CCA tail to orient the free 3' hydroxyl group of the
      terminal adenosine towards a beta-strand, such that an aminoacylated tRNA at this
      position would be sterically precluded. The structure supports a model in which
      association of RelA with the ribosome suppresses auto-inhibition to activate
      synthesis of (p)ppGpp and initiate the stringent response. Since stringent
      control is responsible for the survival of pathogenic bacteria under stress
      conditions, and contributes to chronic infections and antibiotic tolerance, RelA
      represents a good target for the development of novel antibacterial therapeutics.

PMID- 27279229
TI  - Charge-density analysis of an iron-sulfur protein at an ultra-high resolution of
      0.48 A.
AB  - The fine structures of proteins, such as the positions of hydrogen atoms,
      distributions of valence electrons and orientations of bound waters, are critical
      factors for determining the dynamic and chemical properties of proteins. Such
      information cannot be obtained by conventional protein X-ray analyses at 3.0-1.5
      A resolution, in which amino acids are fitted into atomically unresolved electron
      density maps and refinement calculations are performed under strong restraints.
      Therefore, we usually supplement the information on hydrogen atoms and valence
      electrons in proteins with pre-existing common knowledge obtained by chemistry in
      small molecules. However, even now, computational calculation of such information
      with quantum chemistry also tends to be difficult, especially for polynuclear
      metalloproteins. Here we report a charge-density analysis of the high-potential
      iron-sulfur protein from the thermophilic purple bacterium Thermochromatium
      tepidum using X-ray data at an ultra-high resolution of 0.48 A. Residual electron
      densities in the conventional refinement are assigned as valence electrons in the
      multipolar refinement. Iron 3d and sulfur 3p electron densities of the Fe4S4
      cluster are visualized around the atoms. Such information provides the most
      detailed view of the valence electrons of the metal complex in the protein. The
      asymmetry of the iron-sulfur cluster and the protein environment suggests the
      structural basis of charge storing on electron transfer. Our charge-density
      analysis reveals many fine features around the metal complex for the first time,
      and will enable further theoretical and experimental studies of metalloproteins.

PMID- 27279231
TI  - Micro ribonucleic acid-93 promotes oncogenesis of cervical cancer by targeting
      RAB11 family interacting protein 1.
AB  - AIM: Micro ribonucleic acid (RNA)-93 (miR-93) is a novel oncogenic miRNA
      dysregulated in many types of tumors. We aimed to further study the expression
      pattern and clinical significance of miR-93 and its target, the RAB11 family
      interacting protein 1 (RAB11FIP1) gene, in cervical cancer. METHODS: Mir-93 and
      RAB11FIP1 expression in cervical cancer (n = 168), cervical intraepithelial
      neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3 (n = 60) and normal cervical tissues (n = 48) was examined
      by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and
      immunohistochemical staining. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, flow cytometry,
      and Transwell chamber invasion assay were performed to investigate the function
      of miR-93 in the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of cervical cancer cell
      lines SiHa and CaSki. Luciferase activity assay was conducted to identify the
      target gene of miR-93. RESULTS: Mir-93 expression levels in cervical cancer and
      CIN tissues were significantly increased (P = 0.032), but the RAB11FIP1 protein
      was significantly decreased (P = 0.006) compared with normal tissues. Neither was
      associated with clinicopathological variables. Enforced miR-93 knockdown or
      RAB11FIP1 overexpression suppressed proliferation and promoted apoptosis, but did
      not influence invasion in cervical cancer cells. Luciferase activity indicated
      that RAB11FIP1 was a direct target for miR-93. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest
      that overexpression of miR-93 via targeting RAB11FIP1 as an early event plays an
      important role in oncogenesis of cervical cancer. MiR-93 and its target protein
      RAB11FIP1 may be potential therapeutic targets for cervical cancer and its
      precursors.

PMID- 27279232
TI  - Impact of aortocaval shunt flow on cardiac and renal function in unilateral
      nephrectomized rats.
AB  - We previously reported significantly enhanced cardiac remodeling post aortocaval
      fistula (AV) in unilateral nephrectomized (UNX) rats. However, the relationship
      between the size of the AV and the cardiorenal effects in UNX rats remains
      unknown. In the present study, AV was induced by 20, 18 and 16 gauge needles in
      UNX rats to see if larger shunt would definitely induce heavier cardiac and renal
      damage in UNX rats. Our results demonstrated that bigger shunt size is linked
      with proportional more significant cardiorenal remodeling and dysfunction in UNX
      rats. Expression of inflammatory biomarkers including CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL
      1beta, TGF-beta and MCP-1 in left kidney and heart was significantly increased in
      all UNX + AV groups compared to Sham rats. Inflammation might thus participate in
      the worsening cardiorenal functions and remodeling processes in this model.

PMID- 27279233
TI  - Clinical Trials in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Biomarker-Driven Treatment
      Allocation: Ready or Not, Here We Come.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality. Great advances in non-small
      cell lung cancer therapy have been seen in the last decade, beginning with the
      success in treating lung cancer harboring EGFR mutations and ALK-gene
      rearrangements. The potential of these biomarker-driven therapies has propelled
      research in biomarker targeted approaches to the forefront of lung cancer
      research. The successful development of immunotherapeutic agents targeting PD-L1
      and PD-1 with an associated non-genomic biomarker has opened a new front in the
      effort for targeted approaches. Although early-phase lung cancer studies have
      hinted at the potential to use biomarkers to select patients for allocation to
      treatment in the conduct of clinical trials, data from late-phase studies have
      tempered expectations. The data leave unclear the wisdom of routinely restricting
      enrollment on lung cancer clinical trials to biomarker restricted populations,
      particularly non-genomic biomarkers.

PMID- 27279234
TI  - Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers in Women and Men: Differences in Biology, Behavior,
      and Outcomes.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women, both because
      of its high incidence rates and poor prognosis without effective therapies.
      Environmental carcinogens, most predominantly tobacco smoke, play a significant
      role. There are continuously emerging data to suggest the biological process
      differs between lung cancers in men and women. Differences are seen in a variety
      of cellular pathways and responses to carcinogens and therapies. Particular note
      in this article is made of carcinogen processing by cytochrome P450s, estrogen
      receptor pathways, epidermal growth factor receptor mutations, and how these are
      not necessarily independent cellular processes. These topics are only very
      briefly summarized here and it was not possible to include many important
      references. The heterogeneity of lung cancers in men and women, as well as
      smokers and nonsmokers, are likely to become more apparent with further studies.
      Work previously done in our laboratory (EDRN, PIs David Chia & Lee Goodglick)
      served to further emphasize these differences. This report is dedicated to the
      memory of Lee Goodglick with whom I had the privilege to work for many years
      prior to his untimely death.

PMID- 27279235
TI  - Liquid Biopsies in the Screening of Oncogenic Mutations in NSCLC and its
      Application in Targeted Therapy.
AB  - Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still dominates cancer-related deaths in
      America. Despite this, new discoveries and advancements in technology are helping
      with the detection and treatment of NSCLC. The discovery of circulating tumor DNA
      in blood and other biofluids is essential for the creation of a DNA biomarker.
      Limitations in technology and sequencing have stunted assay development, but with
      recent advancements in the next-generation sequencing, droplet digital PCR, and
      EFIRM, the detection of mutations in biofluids has become possible with
      reasonable sensitivity and specificity. These methods have been applied to the
      detection of mutations in NSCLC by measuring the levels of circulating tumor DNA.
      ALK fusion genes along with mutations in EGFR and KRAS have been shown to
      correlate to tumor size and metastasis. These methods allow for noninvasive,
      affordable, and efficient diagnoses of oncogenic mutations that overcome the
      issues of traditional biopsies. These issues include tumor heterogeneity and
      early detection of cancers with asymptomatic early stages. Early detection and
      treatment remain the best way to ensure survival. This review aims to describe
      these new technologies along with their application in mutation detection in
      NSCLC in order to proactively utilize targeted anticancer therapy.

PMID- 27279236
TI  - Estrogen Receptor-beta and the Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis as Potential
      Therapeutic Targets for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
AB  - Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) lack estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha),
      progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)
      amplification and account for almost half of all breast cancer deaths. This
      breast cancer subtype largely affects women who are premenopausal, African
      American, or have BRCA1/2 mutations. Women with TNBC are plagued with higher
      rates of distant metastasis that significantly diminish their overall survival
      and quality of life. Due to their poor response to chemotherapy, patients with
      TNBC would significantly benefit from development of new targeted therapeutics.
      Research suggests that the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family and estrogen
      receptor beta-1 (ERbeta1), due to their roles in metabolism and cellular
      regulation, might be attractive targets to pursue for TNBC management. Here, we
      review the current state of the science addressing the roles of ERbeta1 and the
      IGF family in TNBC. Further, the potential benefit of metformin treatment in
      patients with TNBC as well as areas of therapeutic potential in the IGF-ERbeta1
      pathway are highlighted.

PMID- 27279237
TI  - Regulation of FAK Activity by Tetraspan Proteins: Potential Clinical Implications
      in Cancer.
AB  - Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates
      multiple cell signaling pathways in both physiological and pathological
      conditions. Overexpression and activation of FAK is associated with many advanced
      stage cancers through promoting cancer cell tumorigenicity and progression as
      well as by regulating the tumor microenvironment. FAK has multiple binding
      partners through which FAK exerts its functions including RhoGEF, Src family,
      talin, cortactin, and paxilin. Over the last few years, it has been proposed that
      a novel group of four transmembrane proteins can interact with FAK and regulate
      its activity. These include select tetraspanins such as CD151 and CD9 as well as
      the GAS3 family members epithelial membrane protein-2 (EMP2) and peripheral
      myelin protein-22 (PMP22). In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of
      the interaction between FAK and tetraspan proteins in physiological and
      pathological conditions, with an emphasis on the potential of tetraspan family
      members as therapeutic targets in cancer.

PMID- 27279238
TI  - Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Reversal of Paclitaxel Resistance in Prostate
      Cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common solid tumor in males and the second
      leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males in the United States. The current
      first line therapy for metastatic PCa is androgen deprivation therapy and is
      initially effective against the disease. However, castrate resistant prostate
      cancer (CRPC) develops in many men within 18-36 months, rendering this treatment
      ineffective. Chemotherapy, with a class of drugs known as taxanes is the standard
      of-care cytotoxic option in metastatic castrate resistant PCa (mCRPC). However,
      the overall survival advantage for chemotherapy in mCRPC is only 2.2 months and
      the cancer cells often become resistant to these drugs as well. Once patients
      fail chemotherapy the progression to death is inevitable. Extracellular vesicles
      (EVs) are involved in cell signaling and play a role in cancer progression.
      Previous work has demonstrated that EVs are involved in the development of drug
      resistance in cancer cells. We report the reversal of taxane resistance and
      tumorigenic phenotype in PCa cells after EVs treatment. This study suggests that
      EVs represent a potentially novel therapeutic treatment option for CRPC.

PMID- 27279239
TI  - Hypoxia-Induced Signaling Promotes Prostate Cancer Progression: Exosomes Role as
      Messenger of Hypoxic Response in Tumor Microenvironment.
AB  - Prostate cancer (PCA) is the leading malignancy in men and the second leading
      cause of cancer-related deaths. Hypoxia (low O2 condition) is considered an early
      event in prostate carcinogenesis associated with an aggressive phenotype. In
      fact, clinically, hypoxia and hypoxia-related biomarkers are associated with
      treatment failure and disease progression. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is
      the key factor that is activated under hypoxia, and mediates adaptation of cells
      to hypoxic conditions through regulating the expression of genes associated with
      angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, survival,
      proliferation, metabolism, sternness, hormone-refractory progression, and
      therapeutic resistance. Besides HIF-1, several other signaling pathways including
      PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NADPH oxidase (NOX), Wnt/b-catenin, and Hedgehog are activated in
      cancer cells under hypoxic conditions, and also contribute in hypoxia-induced
      biological effects in HIF-1-dependent and -independent manners. Hypoxic cancer
      cells cause extensive changes in the tumor microenvironment both local and
      distant, and recent studies have provided ample evidence supporting the crucial
      role of nanosized vesicles "exosomes" in mediating hypoxia-induced tumor
      microenvironment remodeling. Exosomes' role has been reported in hypoxia-induced
      angiogenesis, sternness, activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and
      EMT. Together, existing literature suggests that hypoxia plays a predominant role
      in PCA growth and progression, and PCA could be effectively prevented and treated
      via targeting hypoxia/hypoxia-related signaling pathways.

PMID- 27279241
TI  - Drug Development for Metastasis Prevention.
AB  - Metastatic disease is responsible for 90% of death from solid tumors. However,
      only a minority of metastasis-specific targets has been exploited
      therapeutically, and effective prevention and suppression of metastatic disease
      is still an elusive goal. In this review, we will first summarize the current
      state of knowledge about the molecular features of the disease, with particular
      focus on steps and targets potentially amenable to therapeutic intervention. We
      will then discuss the reasons underlying the paucity of metastatic drugs in the
      current oncological arsenal and potential ways to overcome this therapeutic gap.
      We reason that the discovery of novel promising targets, an increased
      understanding of the molecular features of the disease, the effect of disruptive
      technologies, and a shift in the current preclinical and clinical settings have
      the potential to create more successful drug development endeavors.

PMID- 27279240
TI  - Review of the GAS3 Family of Proteins and their Relevance to Cancer.
AB  - The GAS3 family of tetraspan proteins has recently been implicated in the
      progression of cancer. Currently, six members of the GAS3 family have been
      identified in humans and mice, and while their expressions in disease vary, data
      suggest that they play a role in epithelial cell structure and function. In this
      review, we highlight the studies implicating four of the members in disease
      pathogenesis as well as probe the structural similarities between the family
      members. Finally, the impact of targeting select members of the family such as
      PMP22 and EMP2 is discussed.

PMID- 27279243
TI  - Emerging Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Drug Targets: Implications for Antibody-Based
      Therapies for Oncology and Immunologic Disorders.
AB  - Protein kinases play a critical regulatory role in essentially every aspect of
      cell biology. Of the 518 known kinases, the most successful class for drug
      targeting is the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family consisting of 58 distinct
      and diverse members. RTKs regulate a broad range of cellular functions, including
      proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis and have been intensively
      studied in development and cancer. Targeting of RTKs has resulted in many
      marketed small molecule and antibody-based drugs in a number of different solid
      tumors and hematological malignancies, and more recently in inflammatory diseases
      such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In this review, we discuss some of the
      RTKs in cancer in which drugs targeting the ErbB family (EGFR, HER2, and ErbB3)
      and KIT have had meaningful clinical benefit to cancer patients, RTKs' emerging
      role in regulating innate immunity, and the potential to explore targeting RTKs
      outside of oncology.

PMID- 27279242
TI  - Dynamins and BAR Proteins-Safeguards against Cancer.
AB  - Dynamins and BAR proteins are crucial in a wide variety of cellular processes for
      their ability to mediate membrane remodeling, such as membrane curvature and
      membrane fission and fusion. In this review, we highlight dynamins and BAR
      proteins and the cellular mechanisms that are involved in the initiation and
      progression of cancer. We specifically discuss the roles of the seproteinsin
      endocytosis, endo-lysosomal trafficking, autophagy, and apoptosis as these
      processes are all tightly linked to membrane remodeling and cancer.

PMID- 27279244
TI  - Journey from Jumping Genes to Gene Therapy.
AB  - Gene therapy for cancer is a still evolving approach that resulted from a long
      history of studies into genetic modification of organisms. The fascination with
      manipulating gene products has spanned hundreds if not thousands of years,
      beginning with observations of the hereditary nature of traits in plants and
      culminating to date in the alteration of genetic makeup in humans via modern
      technology. From early discoveries noting the potential for natural mobility of
      genetic material to the culmination of clinical trials in a variety of disease,
      gene transfer has had an eventful and sometimes tumultuous course. Within the
      present review is a brief history of the biology of gene transfer, how it came to
      be applied to genetic diseases, and its early applications to cancer therapies.
      Some of the different types of methods used to modify cells, the theories behind
      the approaches, and some of the limitations encountered along the way are
      reviewed.

PMID- 27279245
TI  - Epigenetic/Genetic Mismatch: Using Transdifferentiation as a Potential Cancer
      Therapy to Exploit the Cell Type Specificity of Cancer.
AB  - Every cell type capable of proliferation can be malignantly transformed. However,
      there appears to be no naturally occurring universal set of genetic mutations
      capable of converting every cell type to a malignant state. Any specific cell
      type is generally resistant to transformation by the cancer mutations accumulated
      by cells of different lineages, presumably due to epigenetic differences.
      Evidence for this idea derives from experiments in which the developmental fates
      of cancer cells are altered to reduce malignancy. Reprogramming cancer cells to
      more primitive developmental states using pluripotency factors (IPS) or somatic
      nuclear transfer suppresses the malignant phenotype, as does subsequent directed
      differentiation to mature cells of lineages distinct from the originating cell.
      Direct transdifferentiation to an alternative cell fate also reduces
      tumorigenicity. In contrast, after reprogramming, cells induced to
      redifferentiate toward the original tumor cell type are tumorigenic. In these
      types of experiments an epigenetic/genetic mismatch often results in suppression
      of malignancy or cell death. Elucidating the specific transcription and cell
      signaling network incompatibilities will identify new targets for cancer therapy.
      Moreover, novel strategies to induce an incompatible transdifferentiated state,
      in which expression of thousands of genes are altered, will prove useful in
      controlling malignancies that otherwise easily evolve resistance to single target
      based therapeutics. Engineering small molecules, genetic vectors, cytokines,
      growth factors, targeted extracellular vesicles, and cell fusion will help
      realize transdifferentiation-based therapeutics for cancer.

PMID- 27279246
TI  - Overexpression of neuromedin U is correlated with regional metastasis of head and
      neck squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Regional metastasis is an important prognostic factor for patients with head and
      neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Neuromedin U (Nmu) is a secreted
      neuropeptide, named due to its potent uterine contraction-inducing activity. The
      aim of the present study was to analyze the significance of Nmu in the regional
      metastasis of HNSCC. The characteristics of 240 patients recruited from the
      Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan
      University (Wuhan, China) were summarized retrospectively. The positive rate of
      neck dissection was analyzed according to the material. The expression levels of
      Nmu in human tumor samples were analyzed using immunohistochemistry.
      Subsequently, the expression of Nmu was investigated using a tissue microassay to
      analyze the association between Nmu protein expression and Tumor Node Metastasis
      (TNM) status. The positive rate of neck dissection was 51.4% in the study sample.
      The expression levels of Nmu in primary tumors with regional metastasis were
      higher, compared with those without metastasis. There was increased protein
      expression of Nmu in the advanced tumor tissues. The data obtained in the present
      study demonstrated that the expression of Nmu was correlated with regional
      metastasis and TNM status. Overexpression of Nmu may be involved in the process
      of regional metastasis of HNSCC, and may serve as a novel and valuable biomarker
      for predicting regional metastasis in patients with HNSCC. 

PMID- 27279248
TI  - A single session of neuromuscular electrical stimulation does not augment
      postprandial muscle protein accretion.
AB  - The loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging, termed sarcopenia,
      has been (at least partly) attributed to an impaired muscle protein synthetic
      response to food intake. Previously, we showed that neuromuscular electrical
      stimulation (NMES) can stimulate fasting muscle protein synthesis rates and
      prevent muscle atrophy during disuse. We hypothesized that NMES prior to protein
      ingestion would increase postprandial muscle protein accretion. Eighteen healthy
      elderly (69 +/- 1 yr) males participated in this study. After a 70-min unilateral
      NMES protocol was performed, subjects ingested 20 g of intrinsically l-[1
      (13)C]phenylalanine-labeled casein. Plasma samples and muscle biopsies were
      collected to assess postprandial mixed muscle and myofibrillar protein accretion
      as well as associated myocellular signaling during a 4-h postprandial period in
      both the control (CON) and stimulated (NMES) leg. Protein ingestion resulted in
      rapid increases in both plasma phenylalanine concentrations and l-[1
      (13)C]phenylalanine enrichments, which remained elevated during the entire 4-h
      postprandial period (P < 0.05). Mixed-muscle protein-bound l-[1
      (13)C]phenylalanine enrichments increased significantly over time following
      protein ingestion, with no differences between the CON (0.0164 +/- 0.0019 MPE)
      and NMES (0.0164 +/- 0.0019 MPE) leg (P > 0.05). In agreement, no differences
      were observed in the postprandial rise in myofibrillar protein bound l-[1
      (13)C]phenylalanine enrichments between the CON and NMES legs (0.0115 +/- 0.0014
      vs. 0.0133 +/- 0.0013 MPE, respectively, P > 0.05). Significant increases in mTOR
      and P70S6K phosphorylation status were observed in the NMES-stimulated leg only
      (P < 0.05). We conclude that a single session of NMES prior to food intake does
      not augment postprandial muscle protein accretion in healthy older men. 

PMID- 27279247
TI  - Jejunal administration of glucose enhances acyl ghrelin suppression in obese
      humans.
AB  - Ghrelin is a gastric hormone that stimulates hunger and worsens glucose
      metabolism. Circulating ghrelin is decreased after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
      (RYGB) surgery; however, the mechanism(s) underlying this change is unknown. We
      tested the hypothesis that jejunal nutrient exposure plays a significant role in
      ghrelin suppression after RYGB. Feeding tubes were placed in the stomach or
      jejunum in 13 obese subjects to simulate pre-RYGB or post-RYGB glucose exposure
      to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, respectively, without the confounding effects
      of caloric restriction, weight loss, and surgical stress. On separate study days,
      the plasma glucose curves obtained with either gastric or jejunal administration
      of glucose were replicated with intravenous (iv) infusions of glucose. These
      "isoglycemic clamps" enabled us to determine the contribution of the GI tract and
      postabsorptive plasma glucose to acyl ghrelin suppression. Plasma acyl ghrelin
      levels were suppressed to a greater degree with jejunal glucose administration
      compared with gastric glucose administration (P < 0.05). Jejunal administration
      of glucose also resulted in a greater suppression of acyl ghrelin than the
      corresponding isoglycemic glucose infusion (P <= 0.01). However, gastric and
      isoglycemic iv glucose infusions resulted in similar degrees of acyl ghrelin
      suppression (P > 0.05). Direct exposure of the proximal jejunum to glucose
      increases acyl ghrelin suppression independent of circulating glucose levels. The
      enhanced suppression of acyl ghrelin after RYGB may be due to a nutrient
      initiated signal in the jejunum that regulates ghrelin secretion.

PMID- 27279249
TI  - Maternal obesity is associated with ovarian inflammation and upregulation of
      early growth response factor 1.
AB  - Obesity impairs reproductive functions through multiple mechanisms, possibly
      through disruption of ovarian function. We hypothesized that increased adiposity
      will lead to a proinflammatory gene signature and upregulation of Egr-1 protein
      in ovaries from obese (OB; n = 7) compared with lean (LN; n = 10) female Sprague
      Dawley rats during the peri-implantation period at 4.5 days postcoitus (dpc).
      Obesity was induced by overfeeding (40% excess calories for 28 days) via total
      enteral nutrition prior to mating. OB dams had higher body weight (P < 0.001),
      greater fat mass (P < 0.001), and reduced lean mass (P < 0.05) and developed
      metabolic dysfunction with elevated serum lipids, insulin, leptin, and CCL2 (P <
      0.05) compared with LN dams. Microarray analyses identified 284 differentially
      expressed genes between ovaries from LN vs. OB dams (+/-1.3 fold, P < 0.05). RT
      qPCR confirmed a decrease in expression of glucose transporters GLUT4 and GLUT9
      and elevation of proinflammatory genes, including CCL2, CXCL10, CXCL11, CCR2,
      CXCR1, and TNFalpha in ovaries from OB compared with LN (P < 0.05). Protein
      levels of PI3K and phosphorylated Akt were significantly decreased (P < 0.05),
      whereas nuclear levels of Egr-1 (P < 0.05) were increased in OB compared with LN
      ovaries. Moreover, Egr-1 was localized to granulosa cells, with the highest
      expression in cumulus cells of preovulatory follicles. mRNA expression of VCAN,
      AURKB, and PLAT (P < 0.05) correlated with %visceral fat weight (r = 0.51, -0.77,
      and -0.57, respectively, P <= 0.05), suggesting alterations in ovarian function
      with obesity. In summary, maternal obesity led to an upregulation of inflammatory
      genes and Egr-1 expression in peri-implantation ovarian tissue and a concurrent
      downregulation of GLUTs and Akt and PI3K protein levels.

PMID- 27279250
TI  - Identifying the independent effect of HbA1c variability on adverse health
      outcomes in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
AB  - AIMS: To characterize the relationship between HbA1c variability and adverse
      health outcomes among US military veterans with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This
      retrospective cohort study used Veterans Affairs and Medicare claims for veterans
      with Type 2 diabetes taking metformin who initiated a second diabetes medication
      (n = 50 861). The main exposure of interest was HbA1c variability during a 3-year
      baseline period. HbA1c variability, categorized into quartiles, was defined as
      standard deviation, coefficient of variation and adjusted standard deviation,
      which accounted for the number and mean number of days between HbA1c tests. Cox
      proportional hazard models predicted mortality, hospitalization for ambulatory
      care-sensitive conditions, and myocardial infarction or stroke and were
      controlled for mean HbA1c levels and the direction of change in HbA1c levels
      during the baseline period. RESULTS: Over a mean 3.3 years of follow-up, all
      HbA1c variability measures significantly predicted each outcome. Using the
      adjusted standard deviation measure for HbA1c variability, the hazard ratios for
      the third and fourth quartile predicting mortality were 1.14 (95% CI 1.04, 1.25)
      and 1.42 (95% CI 1.28, 1.58), for myocardial infarction and stroke they were 1.25
      (95% CI 1.10, 1.41) and 1.23 (95% CI 1.07, 1.42) and for ambulatory-care
      sensitive condition hospitalization they were 1.10 (95% CI 1.03, 1.18) and 1.11
      (95% CI 1.03, 1.20). Higher baseline HbA1c levels independently predicted the
      likelihood of each outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In veterans with Type 2 diabetes,
      greater HbA1c variability was associated with an increased risk of adverse long
      term outcomes, independently of HbA1c levels and direction of change. Limiting
      HbA1c fluctuations over time may reduce complications.

PMID- 27279251
TI  - beta-Blockers and Vascular Hemodynamics in Patients With Peripheral Arterial
      Disease.
AB  - Aortic augmentation index (AIx) is a marker of central aortic pressure burden and
      is modulated by antihypertensive drugs. In patients with peripheral arterial
      disease (PAD) undergoing antihypertensive treatment, aortic pressures parameters,
      heart rate-adjusted augmentation index (AIx75), and unadjusted AIx were
      determined. The (aortic) systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not differ
      between PAD patients who were taking beta-blockers (n=61) and those who were not
      taking beta-blockers (n=80). In patients taking beta-blockers, augmentation
      pressure and pulse pressure were higher than in patients who did not take beta
      blockers (augmentation pressure, P=.02; pulse pressure, P=.005). AIx75 was lower
      in PAD patients taking beta-blockers than in patients not taking beta-blockers
      (P=.04), while the AIx did not differ between PAD patients taking and not taking
      beta-blockers. The present study demonstrates that beta-blockers potentially
      affect markers of vascular hemodynamics in patients with PAD. Because these
      markers are surrogates of cardiovascular risk, further studies are warranted to
      clarify the impact of selective beta-blocker treatment on clinical outcome in
      patients with PAD.

PMID- 27279253
TI  - John Corbett McDonald.

PMID- 27279254
TI  - Gender and Conflict Resolution Strategies in Spanish Teen Couples: Their
      Relationship With Jealousy and Emotional Dependency.
AB  - Previous research has pointed to the need to address the study of violence in
      teen couples. However, research has not delved into the study of the variables
      related to the different types of violence employed by boys and girls. The
      purpose of this study was to test whether gender, jealousy, and dependency
      predict specific strategies for conflict resolution (psychological aggression and
      mild physical aggression). Another objective of the study was to test gender
      differences in the conflict resolution strategies used by Spanish teen couples
      and to test the association between these variables and jealousy and emotional
      dependency. A sample of 296 adolescent high school students between 14 and 19
      years of age of both genders from the south of Spain participated in this study.
      Hierarchical regression models were used to estimate the relationship between
      psychological aggression and mild physical aggression, and jealousy, and
      dependency. Results showed that jealousy correlated with psychological aggression
      and mild physical aggression in girls but not in boys. Psychological aggression
      and mild physical aggression were associated with dependency in boys. Girls
      scored higher in psychological aggression and jealousy than did boys. Finally,
      the interaction between jealousy and dependency predicted psychological
      aggression only in girls. These results highlight the need to address the role of
      the interaction between dependence and jealousy in the types of violence employed
      in teen dating. However, it is necessary to delve into the gender differences and
      similarities to develop appropriate prevention programs.

PMID- 27279255
TI  - Pre- and Postnatal Effects of Corticosterone on Fitness-Related Traits and the
      Timing of Endogenous Corticosterone Production in a Songbird.
AB  - Maternally derived corticosterone in the egg and corticosterone produced
      endogenously by altricial nestling birds play essential roles during development.
      Although persistently high corticosterone levels can be harmful, moderately
      elevated levels above baseline can lead to reallocation of resources between
      growth and maintenance to ensure immediate survival or to enhance the development
      of fitness-related traits. We tested two hypotheses concerning the fitness
      consequences of elevated corticosterone during prenatal and postnatal development
      in altricial house wrens: (1) elevated corticosterone shifts resources away from
      growth and immune function and (2) elevated corticosterone serves as a signal to
      allocate resources to fitness-related traits. We also explored the development of
      the stress response, hypothesizing that early-stage nestlings have little
      endogenously produced corticosterone, but that their baseline and stress-induced
      corticosterone levels increase with age. Nestlings hatching from corticosterone
      injected eggs were lighter at hatching, but through compensatory growth, ended up
      heavier than controls near the time of fledging, an important, fitness-related
      trait. Nestlings that hatched from corticosterone-injected eggs and those given
      oral doses of corticosterone did not differ from controls in three other fitness
      related traits: immunoresponsiveness, size, or haematocrit. Early- and late-stage
      nestlings had similar baseline corticosterone levels, and all nestlings increased
      their plasma corticosterone levels in response to a capture-and-restraint
      protocol, with older nestlings mounting a stronger stress-induced response than
      younger nestlings. These results suggest that prenatal exposure to corticosterone
      is important in shaping offspring phenotype and are consistent with the
      hypothesis that maternally derived corticosterone in the egg can have long-term,
      fitness-related effects on offspring phenotype. 

PMID- 27279257
TI  - Increased intramuscular fat induced by reduced dietary protein in finishing pigs:
      effects on the longissimus lumborum muscle proteome.
AB  - Due to genetic selection towards reduced subcutaneous fat, the amount of
      intramuscular fat (IMF) in commercial pigs has been reduced (<2.5%), compromising
      pork quality. The use of reduced protein diets (RPD) is a good strategy to
      increase IMF in pigs. We have previously shown that increased IMF promoted by RPD
      is mediated by lysine restriction. However, the molecular mechanisms involved
      remain unclear. Here we performed a proteomics study to quantify differentially
      regulated proteins in the longissimus lumborum muscle of pigs (n = 4) fed a
      normal protein diet (NPD) (16.0% CP) or a reduced protein diet (RPD) (13.0% CP).
      Both isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) and label
      free methods were used. Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, mitochondrion, contractile
      proteins, respiratory chain, and calcium signalling were significantly enriched
      in muscle samples. Thirty five proteins shown to be differentially expressed and
      were classified using gene ontology (GO) terms and functional annotation
      clustering, highlighting main relevant biological networks and proteins
      associated with muscle physiology and meat quality. Members of GO categories
      "muscle contraction" and "structural constituents of cytoskeleton", were the most
      significantly up-regulated proteins in muscle from pigs fed RPD. Conversely, in
      animals fed NPD most up-regulated proteins were enzymes involved in the
      regulation of energy metabolism. Our data revealed that RPD affects the amounts
      of proteins related to fibre type and structure, and energy metabolism. It is
      suggested that the increased IMF promoted by dietary protein reduction in growing
      finishing pigs is mediated by shifting the metabolic properties of fibres from
      glycolytic to oxidative.

PMID- 27279258
TI  - Experimental evidence of incomplete fluorescence quenching of pyrene bound to
      humic substances: implications for Koc measurements.
AB  - Fluorescence quenching (FQ) is extensively used for quantitative assessment of
      partition coefficients (KOC) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to
      natural organic materials - humic substances (HS). The presence of bound PAHs
      with incompletely quenched fluorescence would lead to underestimation of the KOC
      values measured by this technique. The goal of this work was to prove the
      validity of this assumption using an original experimental setup, which implied
      FQ measurements upon excitation into two distinct vibronically coupled electronic
      states. Pyrene was used as a fluorescent probe, and aquatic fulvic acid (SRFA)
      and leonardite humic acid (CHP) were used as the humic materials with low and
      high binding affinity for pyrene, respectively. Excitation of pyrene into the
      forbidden (S0-S1) and allowed (S0-S2) electronic states yielded two pairs of
      nonidentical FQ curves. This was indicative of incomplete quenching of the bound
      pyrene, and the divergence of the two FQ curves was much more pronounced for CHP
      as compared to SRFA. The two component model of fluorescence response formation
      was proposed to estimate the KOC values from the data obtained. The resulting
      pyrene KOC value for CHP (220 +/- 20) g L(-1) was a factor 3 higher compared to
      the KOC value determined with the use of the Stern-Volmer formalism (68 +/- 2) g
      L(-1). At the same time for aquatic FA the difference in FQ curves was almost
      negligible, which enables the use of the Stern-Volmer formalism for weakly
      interacting HS and PAHs.

PMID- 27279256
TI  - Combination treatment with flavonoid morin and telomerase inhibitor MST-312
      reduces cancer stem cell traits by targeting STAT3 and telomerase.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide.
      The malignant CRC that undergoes metastasis in the advanced stage is usually
      refractory to existing chemotherapy and shows a poor prognosis. However, to date,
      efficient targeted-therapy for metastatic CRC is ill-defined. We tested the
      hypothesis that combined treatment of flavonoid morin and telomerase inhibitor
      MST-312 may reduce the cancer stem cell (CSC) traits. To characterize CSC
      phenotype, we performed the CD133/CD44 subpopulation profiling, tumorsphere
      formation assay, cell invasion assay and wound healing assay. We have examined
      the augmenting effects of the combined treatment of morin and MST-312 for 5-FU (5
      fluorouracil) efficacy in human colorectal cancer. Morin and MST-312 combined
      treatment reduced CD133 (+) and CD44 (+) subpopulations in human colorectal and
      breast cancer cells, respectively. Tumorsphere formation and cell invasiveness
      were decreased with the morin and MST-312 combination treatment. Consistent with
      these data, morin and MST-312 treatment decreased the wound healing capacity of
      human breast cancer cells. Stress and apoptosis antibody arrays revealed that
      there were specific upregulated and downregulated proteins resulting from
      different treatments. Phosphorylation levels of BAD, p53 and Chk1 were enhanced
      upon morin/MST-312 treatments in HT-29 cells, whereas caspase-3 cleavage level
      and expression of IkappaBalpha were downregulated by combined morin/MST-312
      treatment in SW620 cells. Finally, morin and MST-312 co-treatment further
      augmented the 5-FU efficacy, chemosensitizing the 5-FU resistant human colorectal
      cancer cells. Taken together, our study suggests that novel targeted-therapy can
      be implemented by using flavonoid morin and telomerase inhibitor MST-312 for
      improved cancer prognosis. 

PMID- 27279259
TI  - Echinococcus multilocularis and other zoonotic parasites in red foxes in Estonia.
AB  - Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most widely distributed canid in the world and an
      important source of multiple zoonotic pathogens capable of causing life
      threatening diseases, such as rabies and alveolar echinococcosis. Informing
      general public of potential risks related to foxes is becoming more important
      since the fox densities have increased in many countries and the species is
      colonizing urban areas in Europe and around the world with increasing pace,
      bringing zoonotic pathogens to the immediate neighbourhood of humans and their
      companion animals. The aim of this study was to examine the parasite fauna of red
      foxes in Estonia. We found in Estonian foxes a total of 17 endoparasite taxa,
      including ten zoonotic species. All the analysed individuals were infected and
      the average parasite species richness was 6.37. However, the infection rates
      varied to a very large extent for different parasite species, ranging from 0.9 to
      91.5%. Of zoonotic species, the highest infection rate was observed for Alaria
      alata (90.7%), Eucoleus aerophilus (87.6%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (84.3%).
      The prevalence of tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, a causative agent for
      alveolar echinococcosis, was also relatively high (31.5%), presenting a potential
      risk to human health.

PMID- 27279260
TI  - Priming for destruction: septins at the crossroads of mitochondrial fission and
      bacterial autophagy.

PMID- 27279261
TI  - The SSV Evaluation System: A Tool to Prioritize Short Structural Variants for
      Studies of Possible Regulatory and Causal Variants.
AB  - Short structural variants (SSVs) are short genomic variants (<50 bp) other than
      SNPs. It has been suggested that SSVs contribute to many human complex traits.
      However, high-throughput analysis of SSVs presents numerous technical challenges.
      In order to facilitate the discovery and assessment of SSVs, we have developed a
      prototype bioinformatics tool, "SSV evaluation system," which is a searchable,
      annotated database of SSVs in the human genome, with associated customizable
      scoring software that is used to evaluate and prioritize SSVs that are most
      likely to have significant biological effects and impact on disease risk. This
      new bioinformatics tool is a component in a larger strategy that we have been
      using to discover potentially important SSVs within candidate genomic regions
      that have been identified in genome-wide association studies, with the goal to
      prioritize potential functional/causal SSVs and focus the follow-up experiments
      on a relatively small list of strong candidate SSVs. We describe our strategy and
      discuss how we have used the SSV evaluation system to discover candidate causal
      variants related to complex neurodegenerative diseases. We present the SSV
      evaluation system as a powerful tool to guide genetic investigations aiming to
      uncover SSVs that underlie human complex diseases including neurodegenerative
      diseases in aging.

PMID- 27279262
TI  - Novel Approach to the Detection of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Using Body Mass
      Index-Corrected Electrocardiographic Voltage Criteria in a Group of African
      Ancestry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic (ECG) QRS voltages used to generate criteria for
      left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) detection are considerably attenuated by
      obesity. This effect renders the utility of ECG criteria to detect LVH in obese
      individuals of African ancestry to be of limited value. HYPOTHESIS: A novel
      approach to correcting QRS voltages for the attenuating effect of body mass index
      (BMI) will improve the ability of ECG criteria to detect LVH in a group of
      African descent. METHODS: Left ventricular mass was determined from
      echocardiography in 661 randomly selected participants (43.0% obese) of black
      African ancestry in South Africa. RESULTS: As compared with Cornell and Sokolow
      Lyon voltage criteria, BMI best correlated with RaVL , Gubner-Ungerleider, and
      Lewis QRS complex voltages, but these relations were noted only in those with BMI
      <29 kg/m(2) . Correcting RaVL and Lewis voltages by the difference in the slope
      of BMI-voltage relations in those with BMI <29 kg/m(2) vs those with BMI >=29
      kg/m(2) showed the greatest performance for LVH detection (uncorrected RaVL :
      0.695 +/- 0.025, corrected RaVL : 0.733 +/- 0.022; P < 0.0001), and also
      increased the sensitivity (uncorrected RaVL : 30.6%, corrected RaVL : 42.4%; P <
      0.0005) with no significant change in specificity (uncorrected RaVL : 86.3%,
      corrected RaVL : 83.0%; P = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: We offer a novel approach to
      correcting ECG voltages for the attenuating effects of obesity in individuals of
      African ancestry, and this improves the performance and sensitivity for LVH
      detection.

PMID- 27279263
TI  - Clinicopathological Phenotype of Autosomal Recessive Cholesterol Deficiency in
      Holstein Cattle.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cholesterol deficiency (CD), a newly identified autosomal recessive
      genetic defect in Holstein cattle, is associated with clinical signs of diarrhea,
      failure to thrive, and hypocholesterolemia. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The objective
      is to describe the clinicopathological phenotype of affected Holstein cattle
      homozygous for the causative apolipoprotein B gene (APOB) mutation. ANIMALS: Six
      Holstein cattle, 5 calves with a clinical history of chronic diarrhea, and 1
      heifer with erosions in the buccal cavity and neurologic symptoms were admitted
      to the Clinic for Ruminants. METHODS: This case review included a full clinical
      examination, a complete blood count, blood chemistry, and measurements of
      cholesterol and triglycerides. The animals were euthanized and necropsied. A PCR
      based direct gene test was applied to determine the APOB genotype. RESULTS: All 6
      animals were inbred, could be traced back to the sire Maughlin Storm, and were
      confirmed homozygous for the APOB mutation. The clinical phenotype included poor
      development, underweight, and intermittent diarrhea in the calves, and neurologic
      signs in the heifer included hypermetria and pacing. Hypocholesterolemia and low
      triglycerides concentrations were present in all animals. The pathological
      phenotype of all animals was steatorrhea with enterocytes of the small intestine
      containing intracytoplasmic lipid vacuoles. The peripheral nervous system of the
      heifer displayed degenerative changes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:
      Suspicion of CD in Holstein cattle is based on the presence of chronic diarrhea
      with no evidence of primary infections. Confirmation of the associated APOB gene
      mutation is needed. Additionally, the heifer demonstrated primarily signs of
      neurologic disease providing an unexpected phenotype of CD.

PMID- 27279264
TI  - Peri-implant crevicular fluid biomarkers as discriminants of peri-implant health
      and disease.
AB  - AIM: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the potential of
      peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) analytes to discriminate between peri
      implant health and disease using a multi-biomarker approach. METHODS: We
      collected PICF samples from the mesio-buccal site of every implant (n = 145) from
      52 subjects with peri-implantitis and measured the levels of 20 biomarkers using
      Luminex. We grouped implants and subjects based on the clinical characteristic of
      the sampled sites and implants into: healthy sites from healthy implants (HH),
      diseased sites from diseased implants (DD) and healthy sites from diseased
      implants (HD). The significance of the differences between the HH and DD groups
      was determined using general linear models controlling for false discovery rate.
      We used logistic regression to determine the best multi-biomarker models that
      could distinguish HH from DD subjects and HH from HD subjects. RESULTS: There
      were statistically significant differences between HH and DD groups for 12/20
      biomarkers. Logistic regression resulted in a 6-biomarker model (Flt-3L, GM-CSF,
      IL-10, sCD40L, IL-17 and TNFalpha) that discriminated HH from DD subjects (AUC =
      0.93) and a 3-biomarker model (IL-17, IL-1ra and vascular endothelial growth
      factor) that distinguished HH from DD subjects (AUC = 0.90). CONCLUSION: PICF
      biomarkers might help discriminate peri-implant health from disease.

PMID- 27279265
TI  - Ambiphilic boron in 1,4,2,5-diazadiborinine.
AB  - Boranes have long been known as the archetypal Lewis acids owing to an empty p
      orbital on the boron centre. Meanwhile, Lewis basic tricoordinate boranes have
      been developed in recent years. Here we report the synthesis of an annulated
      1,4,2,5-diazadiborinine derivative featuring boron atoms that exhibit both Lewis
      acidic and basic properties. Experimental and computational studies confirmed
      that two boron atoms in this molecule are spectroscopically equivalent.
      Nevertheless, this molecule cleaves C-O, B-H, Si-H and P-H bonds heterolytically,
      and readily undergoes [4+2] cycloaddition reaction with non-activated unsaturated
      bonds such as C=O, C=C, C=C and C=N bonds. The result, thus, indicates that the
      indistinguishable boron atoms in 1,4,2,5-diazadiborinine act as both nucleophilic
      and electrophilic centres, demonstrating ambiphilic nature.

PMID- 27279266
TI  - Continuous glucose monitoring in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with
      glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist dulaglutide in combination with prandial
      insulin lispro: an AWARD-4 substudy.
AB  - AIM: To conduct a substudy, using 24-hour continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), of
      the AWARD-4 trial, which was designed to compare insulin + glucagon-like peptide
      1 receptor agonist treatment with an insulin-only regimen. METHODS: The AWARD-4
      trial randomized 884 conventional insulin regimen-treated patients to dulaglutide
      1.5 mg, dulaglutide 0.75 mg and glargine, all in combination with prandial
      insulin lispro. The CGM substudy included 144 patients inserted with a Medtronic
      CGMS iPro CGM device to enable 3-day glucose monitoring. CGM sessions were
      completed at weeks 0, 13, 26 and 52. CGM measures included mean 24-hour glucose,
      percentage time in target glucose ranges, hyper- and hypoglycaemia and glucose
      variability. The primary objective was treatment comparison for percentage time
      spent with CGM glucose values in the 3.9-7.8 mmol/L range after 26 weeks.
      RESULTS: At week 26, mean CGM values decreased in all treatment groups (change
      from baseline -2.8 +/- 0.3, -2.4 +/- 0.3 and -2.5 +/- 0.3 mmol/L for dulaglutide
      1.5 mg, dulaglutide 0.75 mg and glargine, respectively); between-group
      differences were not statistically significant. Treatment groups were similar for
      percentage time in the 3.9-7.8 mmol/L range. Percentage time in the 3.9-10.0
      mmol/L range was greater for dulaglutide 1.5 mg than for glargine (p < 0.05).
      Dulaglutide and glargine were associated with decreased glucose variability for
      all CGM variability indices. The overall within-patient standard deviation (s.d.)
      was significantly reduced with dulaglutide 1.5 mg versus glargine (p < 0.05). At
      week 52, there were no significant differences among the groups with regard to
      measures of normoglycaemia or near-normoglycaemia and for the overall within
      patient s.d. Treatment with glargine was associated with greater increases in
      percentage time spent with glucose values <=3.9 mmol/L, with statistically
      significant differences between the groups at 52 weeks (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      In combination with prandial lispro, treatment with dulaglutide and glargine
      resulted in similar proportions of glucose values in the normoglycaemic range,
      but dulaglutide provided an improved balance between the proportion of values
      within the near-normoglycaemia range and values within the hypoglycaemic range.

PMID- 27279267
TI  - CRM-1 knockdown inhibits extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tumor growth by blocking
      the nuclear export of p27Kip1.
AB  - Cholangiocarcinoma is a deadly disease which responds poorly to surgery and
      conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Early diagnosis is difficult due to
      the anatomical and biological characteristics of cholangiocarcinoma. Cyclin
      dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27Kip1) is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor
      and in the present study, we found that p27Kip1 expression was suppressed in the
      nucleus and increased in the cytoplasm in 53 samples of cholangiocarcinoma from
      patients with highly malignant tumors (poorly-differentiated and tumor-node
      metastsis (TNM) stage III-IV) compared with that in samples from 10 patients with
      chronic cholangitis. The expression of phosphorylated (p-)p27Kip1 (Ser10), one of
      the phosphorylated forms of p27Kip1, was increased in the patient samples with
      increasing malignancy and clinical stage. Coincidentally, chromosome region
      maintenance 1 (CRM-1; also referred to as exportin 1 or Xpo1), a critical protein
      responsible for protein translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, was also
      overexpressed in the tumor samples which were poorly differentiated and of a
      higher clinical stage. Through specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated
      knockdown of CRM-1 in the cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC939, we identified an
      elevation of cytoplasmic p27Kip1 and a decrease of nuclear p27Kip1. Furthermore,
      the viability and colony formation ability of QBC939 cells was largely reduced
      with G1 arrest. Consistent with the findings of the in vitro experiments, in a
      xenograft mouse model, the tumors formed in the CRM-1 knockdown group were
      markedly smaller and weighed less than those in the control group in vivo. Taken
      together, these findings demonstrated that the interplay between CRM-1 and
      p27Kip1 may provide potentially potent biomarkers and functional targets for the
      development of future cholangiocarcinoma treatments. 

PMID- 27279268
TI  - Radiation exposure in patients treated with endovascular aneurysm repair: what is
      the risk of cancer, and can we justify treating younger patients?
AB  - Background Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is becoming the mainstay treatment
      of abdominal aortic aneurisms (AAA). The postoperative follow-up regime includes
      a lifelong series of CT angiograms (CTAs) at different intervals in addition to
      EVAR, which will confer significant cumulative radiation exposure over time.
      Purpose To examine the impact of age and follow-up regime over time on cumulative
      radiation exposure and attributable cancer risk after EVAR. Material and Methods
      We calculated a mean effective dose (ED) for the EVAR procedure, CTA, and plain
      abdominal X-rays (PAX). Cumulative ED was calculated for standard, complex, and
      simplified surveillance over 5, 10, and 15 years for different age groups.
      Results For EVAR, the mean ED was 34 mSv (range, 12-75 mSv) per procedure. For
      PAX, the ED was 1.1 mSv (range, 0.3-4.4 mSv), and for CTA it was 8.0 mSv (range,
      2-20 mSv). For a 55-year-old man, an attributable cancer risk (ACR) in standard
      surveillance at 5 and 15 years of follow-up was 0.35% and 0.65%, respectively.
      The corresponding values were 0.22% and 0.37% for a 75-year-old man. When using a
      simplified follow-up, the ACRs for a 55-year-old at 5 and 15 years were 0.30% and
      0.37%, respectively. These values were 0.18% and 0.21% for a 75-year-old man. A
      complex follow-up with half-yearly CTA over similar age and time span doubled the
      ACR. Conclusion Treating younger patients with EVAR poses a low ACR of 0.65% (15
      year standard surveillance) compared to a lifetime cancer risk of 44%. A
      simplified surveillance should be used if treating younger patients, which will
      halve the ACR over 15 years.

PMID- 27279269
TI  - Leminorella sepsis in very low birth weight neonate as cause of neonatal
      mortality.
AB  - Leminorella is a member of Enterobacteriaceae family and was known previously as
      Enteric Group 57. Based upon genetic differences using DNA hybridization, it has
      three taxa: Leminorella grimontii, Leminorella richardii, and Leminorella sp.
      strain 3. The third one is similar biochemically to the L. grimontii strains. The
      generic name has been derived on the name of a French microbiologist, Leon Le
      Minor. The biochemical properties includes being facultative anaerobes, growth on
      sheep blood, TSI, and MacConkey agar; hydrogen sulfide producer, l-arabinose
      fermenter, and tyrosine hydrolyzer; and are negative for d-mannose fermentation,
      urea, and lipase. They usually infect in adulthood and result in urinary tract
      infection, surgical site infection, bacteremia, peritonitis, respiratory tract
      infection, and soft tissue infection. We report the first case of L. grimontii
      sepsis in a very low birth weight neonate that died because of neonatal sepsis.

PMID- 27279270
TI  - Columnar cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: A diagnostic dilemma in
      fine-needle aspiration cytology.
AB  - Columnar cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is an uncommon variant
      with an aggressive course as compared to classic papillary carcinoma. Cytologic
      diagnosis of these tumors is difficult due to absence of characteristic nuclear
      features of classic pattern of papillary carcinoma. We present a case of columnar
      cell variant in a young female misdiagnosed on aspiration cytology. A 21-year-old
      female presented with solitary nodule in the left aspect of thyroid. A diagnosis
      of medullary thyroid carcinoma was rendered. The resected thyoroidectomy specimen
      revealed a columnar cell variant of PTC which was further supported by
      immunohistochemical staining. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:816-819. (c) 2016 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 27279271
TI  - Assessing covalency in equatorial U-N bonds: density based measures of bonding in
      BTP and isoamethyrin complexes of uranyl.
AB  - Calculations performed at the density functional level of theory have been used
      to investigate complexes of uranyl with the expanded porphyrin isoamethyrin and
      the bis-triazinyl-pyridine (BTP) ligands, the latter of which is well-known to be
      effective in the separation of trivalent lanthanides and actinides. Analysis has
      been performed using a range of density-based techniques, including the Quantum
      Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), the Electron Localisation Function (ELF)
      and the reduced density gradient (RDG). The effects of peripheral alkyl
      substituents on UO2-isoamethyrin, known to be vital for proper replication of the
      experimental geometry, are considered. Evidence for comparable amounts of
      covalent character has been found in the largely ionic U-N bonds of UO2
      isoamethyrin and [UO2(BTP)2](2+) and examination of the variation in the
      electronic characteristics of the uranyl unit upon complexation in both of these
      cases reveal striking similarities in the nature of the U-N bonding and the
      effect of this bonding on the U-Oyl interaction, as well as evidence of donation
      into the U-N bonding region from the uranyl unit itself. 

PMID- 27279273
TI  - Clustering of cardiovascular behavioral risk factors and blood pressure among
      people diagnosed with hypertension: a nationally representative survey in China.
AB  - This study aimed to examine association between the number of behavioral risk
      factors and blood pressure (BP) level among a nationally representative sample of
      Chinese people diagnosed with hypertension. A total of 31,694 respondents aged
      18+ years with diagnosed hypertension were extracted from the 2013-2014 China
      Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance. BP of each respondent was
      classified into six levels according to criteria in 2007 Guidelines for the
      Management of Arterial Hypertension. Information for smoking, alcohol drinking,
      fruit and vegetables consumption, physical inactivity, and overweight and obesity
      were obtained. The average number of risk factors was determined by BP level to
      explore potential risk factor clustering. Ten generalized proportional odds
      models were used to examine association between clustering of behavioral risk
      factors and BP level. A clear gradient between the number of behavioral risk
      factors and BP level was observed for men and women (P < 0.05 for both genders).
      BP level for men and women was much likely to upgrade as number of risk factors
      accumulated (P < 0.01 for 10 models). Behavioral modifications may decrease BP,
      and combinations of two or more behavioral interventions could potentially result
      in even better BP management among people diagnosed with hypertension.

PMID- 27279272
TI  - Immunobiotic Lactobacillus strains reduce small intestinal injury induced by
      intraepithelial lymphocytes after Toll-like receptor 3 activation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) play critical roles in
      disrupting epithelial homeostasis after Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 activation
      with genomic rotavirus dsRNA or the synthetic dsRNA analog poly(I:C). The
      capacity of immunobiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 (Lr1505) or
      Lactobacillus plantarum CRL1506 (Lp1506) to beneficially modulate IELs response
      after TLR3 activation was investigated in vivo using a mice model. RESULTS:
      Intraperitoneal administration of poly(I:C) induced inflammatory-mediated
      intestinal tissue damage through the increase of inflammatory cells
      (CD3(+)NK1.1(+), CD3(+)CD8alphaalpha(+), CD8alphaalpha(+)NKG2D(+)) and pro
      inflammatory mediators (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, IL-15, RAE1, IL-8).
      Increased expression of intestinal TLR3, MDA5, and RIG-I was also observed after
      poly(I:C) challenge. Treatment with Lr1505 or Lp1506 prior to TLR3 activation
      significantly reduced the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-15, RAE1, and increased serum
      and intestinal IL-10. Moreover, CD3(+)NK1.1(+), CD3(+)CD8alphaalpha(+), and
      CD8alphaalpha(+)NKG2D(+) cells were lower in lactobacilli-treated mice when
      compared to controls. The immunomodulatory capacities of lactobacilli allowed a
      significant reduction of intestinal tissue damage. CONCLUSIONS: This work
      demonstrates the reduction of TLR3-mediated intestinal tissue injury by
      immunobiotic lactobacilli through the modulation of intraepithelial lymphocytes
      response. It is a step forward in the understanding of the cellular mechanisms
      involved in the antiviral capabilities of immunobiotic strains.

PMID- 27279274
TI  - Effects of n-3 fatty acid supplements on glycemic traits in Chinese type 2
      diabetic patients: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.
AB  - SCOPE: To investigate the effects of n-3 fatty acid supplements, both marine and
      plant-based, on glycemic traits in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients. METHOD AND
      RESULTS: In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 185 recruited Chinese
      type 2 diabetes patients were randomized to either fish oil (FO, n = 63),
      flaxseed oil (FSO, n = 61), or corn oil group (served as control group, n = 61)
      for 180 days. The patients were asked to take corresponding oil capsules (four
      capsules/day), which totally provided 2 g/day of eicosapentaenoic acid +
      docosahexaenoic acid in FO group and 2.5 g/day of alpha-linolenic acid in FSO
      group. No group * time interaction was observed for homeostatic model assessment
      of insulin resistance, fasting insulin, or glucose. Significant group * time
      interaction (P = 0.035) was observed for glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), with
      HbA1c decreased in FO group compared with corn oil group (P = 0.037). We also
      found significant group * time interactions for lipid traits, including LDL
      cholesterol (P = 0.043), total cholesterol (P = 0.021), total cholesterol/HDL
      cholesterol (P = 0.009), and triacylglycerol (P = 0.003), with the lipid profiles
      improved in FO group. No significant effects of FSO on glycemic traits or blood
      lipids were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Marine n-3 PUFA supplements may improve
      glycemic control and lipid profiles among Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.

PMID- 27279275
TI  - Ag85A/ESAT-6 chimeric DNA vaccine induces an adverse response in tuberculosis
      infected mice.
AB  - The Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) antigens encoded by the 6 kDa early
      secretory antigenic target (esat-6) and antigen 85A (ag85a) genes are known to
      exert protective effects against tuberculosis in animal models. In addition,
      these antigens represent vaccine components that were tested in early human
      clinical trials. In the present study, a chimeric DNA vaccine was constructed
      that contained two copies of the esat-6 gene inserted into the ag85a gene from M.
      tb. BALB/c mice were treated with this chimeric vaccine following infection with
      either M. tb H37Rv or a clinical multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis isolate.
      Treatment of both groups of mice with the chimeric vaccine resulted in
      accelerated mortality. These findings are in contrast with previous results,
      which indicated that DNA vaccines expressing the individual antigens were either
      beneficial or at least not harmful. The results of the present study suggested
      that the ESAT-6 antigen is not suitable for inclusion in therapeutic vaccines. 

PMID- 27279276
TI  - Genotypic variation in spike fertility traits and ovary size as determinants of
      floret and grain survival rate in wheat.
AB  - Spike fertility traits are critical attributes for grain yield in wheat (Triticum
      aestivum L.). Here, we examine the genotypic variation in three important traits:
      maximum number of floret primordia, number of fertile florets, and number of
      grains. We determine their relationship in determining spike fertility in 30
      genotypes grown under two contrasting conditions: field and greenhouse. The
      maximum number of floret primordia per spikelet (MFS), fertile florets per
      spikelet (FFS), and number of grains per spikelet (GS) not only exhibited large
      genotypic variation in both growth conditions and across all spikelet positions
      studied, but also displayed moderate levels of heritability. FFS was closely
      associated with floret survival and only weakly related to MFS. We also found
      that the post-anthesis process of grain set/abortion was important in determining
      genotypic variation in GS; an increase in GS was mainly associated with improved
      grain survival. Ovary size at anthesis was associated with both floret survival
      (pre-anthesis) and grain survival (post-anthesis), and was thus believed to
      'connect' the two traits. In this work, proximal florets (i.e. the first three
      florets from the base of a spikelet: F1, F2, and F3) produced fertile florets and
      set grains in most cases. The ovary size of more distal florets (F4 and beyond)
      seemed to act as a decisive factor for grain setting and effectively reflected
      pre-anthesis floret development. In both growth conditions, GS positively
      correlated with ovary size of florets in the distal position (F4), suggesting
      that assimilates allocated to distal florets may play a critical role in
      regulating grain set.

PMID- 27279277
TI  - Phytoplasma SAP11 alters 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine biosynthesis in Nicotiana
      benthamiana by suppressing NbOMT1.
AB  - Phytoplasmas are bacterial phytopathogens that release virulence effectors into
      sieve cells and act systemically to affect the physiological and morphological
      state of host plants to promote successful pathogenesis. We show here that
      transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana lines expressing the secreted effector SAP11
      from Candidatus Phytoplasma mali exhibit an altered aroma phenotype. This
      phenomenon is correlated with defects in the development of glandular trichomes
      and the biosynthesis of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP). IBMP is a volatile
      organic compound (VOC) synthesized by an O-methyltransferase, via a methylation
      step, from a non-volatile precursor, 3-isobutyl-2-hydroxypyrazine (IBHP). Based
      on comparative and functional genomics analyses, NbOMT1, which encodes an O
      methyltransferase, was found to be highly suppressed in SAP11-transgenic plants.
      We further silenced NbOMT1 through virus-induced gene silencing and demonstrated
      that this enzyme influenced the accumulation of IBMP in N. benthamiana In vitro
      biochemical analyses also showed that NbOMT1 can catalyse IBHP O-methylation in
      the presence of S-adenosyl-L-methionine. Our study suggests that the phytoplasma
      effector SAP11 has the ability to modulate host VOC emissions. In addition, we
      also demonstrated that SAP11 destabilized TCP transcription factors and
      suppressed jasmonic acid responses in N. benthamiana These findings provide
      valuable insights into understanding how phytoplasma effectors influence plant
      volatiles.

PMID- 27279278
TI  - The intergenic region of the maize defensin-like protein genes Def1 and Def2
      functions as an embryo-specific asymmetric bidirectional promoter.
AB  - Bidirectional promoters are identified in diverse organisms with widely varied
      genome sizes, including bacteria, yeast, mammals, and plants. However, little
      research has been done on any individual endogenous bidirectional promoter from
      plants. Here, we describe a promoter positioned in the intergenic region of two
      defensin-like protein genes, Def1 and Def2 in maize (Zea mays). We examined the
      expression profiles of Def1 and Def2 in 14 maize tissues by qRT-PCR, and the
      results showed that this gene pair was expressed abundantly and specifically in
      seeds. When fused to either green fluorescent protein (GFP) or beta-glucuronidase
      (GUS) reporter genes, P ZmBD1 , P ZmDef1 , and P ZmDef2 were active and
      reproduced the expression patterns of both Def1 and Def2 genes in transformed
      immature maize embryos, as well as in developing seeds of transgenic maize.
      Comparative analysis revealed that PZmBD1 shared most of the expression
      characteristics of the two polar promoters, but displayed more stringent embryo
      specificity, delayed expression initiation, and asymmetric promoter activity.
      Moreover, a truncated promoter study revealed that the core promoters only
      exhibit basic bidirectional activity, while interacting with necessary cis
      elements, which leads to polarity and different strengths. The sophisticated
      interaction or counteraction between the core promoter and cis-elements may
      potentially regulate bidirectional promoters.

PMID- 27279279
TI  - Hydrothermal synthesis of a 3D double-sided comb-like ZnO nanostructure and its
      growth mechanism analysis.
AB  - Self-assembly of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets and one-dimensional (1D)
      nanorods into three-dimensional (3D) double-sided comb-like ZnO nanostructures
      has been successfully performed via a simple one-step hydrothermal method on Si
      and ITO substrates. It is found that the thickness of the ZnO seeds plays a vital
      role in the formation of 3D double-sided comb-like ZnO. 

PMID- 27279280
TI  - Host genetics determine susceptibility to avian influenza infection and
      transmission dynamics.
AB  - Host-genetic control of influenza virus infection has been the object of little
      attention. In this study we determined that two inbred lines of chicken differing
      in their genetic background , Lines 0 and C-B12, were respectively relatively
      resistant and susceptible to infection with the low pathogenicity influenza virus
      A/Turkey/England/647/77 as defined by substantial differences in viral shedding
      trajectories. Resistant birds, although infected, were unable to transmit virus
      to contact birds, as ultimately only the presence of a sustained cloacal shedding
      (and not oropharyngeal shedding) was critical for transmission. Restriction of
      within-bird transmission of virus occurred in the resistant line, with intra
      nares or cloacal infection resulting in only local shedding and failing to
      transmit fully through the gastro-intestinal-pulmonary tract. Resistance to
      infection was independent of adaptive immune responses, including the expansion
      of specific IFNgamma secreting cells or production of influenza-specific
      antibody. Genetic resistance to a novel H9N2 virus was less robust, though
      significant differences between host genotypes were still clearly evident. The
      existence of host-genetic determination of the outcome of influenza infection
      offers tools for the further dissection of this regulation and also for
      understanding the mechanisms of influenza transmission within and between birds.

PMID- 27279281
TI  - Prevalence and associated survival of high-risk HPV-related adenoid cystic
      carcinoma of the salivary glands.
AB  - Adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) is a rare malignancy, but a frequent subtype in
      minor and major salivary glands. The molecular alterations or biomarkers that
      underlie its development and progression as well as therapy outcomes are poorly
      characterized. The main study goal was to investigate reliable biomarkers and
      patient-related factors that may have impact on recurrence and long-term survival
      of SACC. The prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in SACC was determined by
      HPV-DNA genotyping and p16 immunostaining. Epithelial growth factor receptor
      (EGFR), p53 and Ki-67 expression were also evaluated. Twenty-eight (42%) of 67
      patients were HPV-DNA positive. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that SACC
      patients with metastases (P=0.03) had a poor overall survival (OS) and a shorter
      recurrence-free survival (P<0.001). Positive resection margins significantly
      predicted shorter recurrence-free survival (P=0.01). In the multivariate
      analysis, non-metastatic disease (P=0.033) and p16 positivity (P=0.005) have
      shown their prediction value for OS while non-metastatic disease (P=0.002), HPV
      positivity (P=0.041) and negative resection margin predicted a better recurrence
      free survival. The present study documents for the first time the positivity for
      HPV infection and overexpression of certain markers (p16, Ki-67, EGFR and p53)
      used in diagnostics in SACC as well as characterizes clinical entities. These
      factors might be exploited in the future as biomarkers for its prognostic value.
      Using the clinical and pathological basis for predicting different outcomes could
      significantly facilitate SACC stratification and potentially directing treatment.

PMID- 27279282
TI  - Effect of crocin on aged rat kidney through inhibition of oxidative stress and
      proinflammatory state.
AB  - This study evaluated whether crocin, a bioactive component of saffron, has a
      protective effect on kidney through reducing the oxidative stress and
      inflammatory response in aged rats. In this study the changes in activities of
      antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) levels and the
      expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum and renal tissue were
      evaluated by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. The middle and aged rats were given
      intraperitoneal injections of crocin (10, 20, 30 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. After 4
      weeks, animals were anesthetized with diethyl ether. The kidney samples were
      taken for biochemical analysis. The results revealed the aging was associated
      with a significant decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and GSH
      content with increase in lipid peroxidation level in kidney of the aged rats (p <
      0.001). The increased levels of serum renal functional parameter, oxidative
      parameters (p < 0.01) and also pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were
      significantly reduced by crocin administration (p < 0.05). The aged rats
      exhibited a dysregulation of the oxidative stress, and inflammation in the
      kidneys, but crocin treatment significantly reduced the expression of the
      inflammatory genes. These results provide pivotal documentation that crocin has a
      renoprotective effects against the development of oxidative stress and
      inflammation in the kidney of old rats. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons,
      Ltd. 

PMID- 27279283
TI  - Rapamycin suppresses microglial activation and reduces the development of
      neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury.
AB  - Rapamycin is an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling
      pathway, plays an important role in multiple cellular functions. Our previous
      study showed rapamycin treatment in acute phase reduced the neural tissue damage
      and locomotor impairment after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, there has been
      no study to investigate the therapeutic effect of rapamycin on neuropathic pain
      after SCI. In this study, we examined whether rapamycin reduces neuropathic pain
      following SCI in mice. We used a mouse model of thoracic spinal cord contusion
      injury, and divided the mice into the rapamycin-treated and the vehicle-treated
      groups. The rapamycin-treated mice were intraperitoneally injected with rapamycin
      (1 mg/kg) 4 h after SCI. The rapamycin treatment suppressed phosphorylated-p70S6K
      in the injured spinal cord that indicated inhibition of mTOR. The rapamycin
      treatment significantly improved not only locomotor function, but also mechanical
      and thermal hypersensitivity in the hindpaws after SCI. In an immunohistochemical
      analysis, Iba-1-stained microglia in the lumbar spinal cord was significantly
      decreased in the rapamycin-treated mice. In addition, the activity of p38 MAPK in
      the lumbar spinal cord was significantly attenuated by rapamycin treatment.
      Furthermore, phosphorylated-p38 MAPK-positive microglia was relatively decreased
      in the rapamycin-treated mice. These results indicated rapamycin administration
      in acute phase to reduce secondary neural tissue damage can contribute to the
      suppression of the microglial activation in the lumbar spinal cord and attenuate
      the development of neuropathic pain after SCI. The present study first
      demonstrated that rapamycin has significant therapeutic potential to reduce the
      development of neuropathic pain following SCI. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research
      Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:93-103, 2017.

PMID- 27279284
TI  - Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Coupled with Multivariate Chemometrics for
      Variety Discrimination of Soil.
AB  - The aim of this work was to analyze the variety of soil by laser-induced
      breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with chemometrics methods. 6 certified
      reference materials (CRMs) of soil samples were selected and their LIBS spectra
      were captured. Characteristic emission lines of main elements were identified
      based on the LIBS curves and corresponding contents. From the identified emission
      lines, LIBS spectra in 7 lines with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were chosen
      for further analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out using
      the LIBS spectra at 7 selected lines and an obvious cluster of 6 soils was
      observed. Soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) and least-squares
      support vector machine (LS-SVM) were introduced to establish discriminant models
      for classifying the 6 types of soils, and they offered the correct discrimination
      rates of 90% and 100%, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
      curve was used to evaluate the performance of models and the results demonstrated
      that the LS-SVM model was promising. Lastly, 8 types of soils from different
      places were gathered to conduct the same experiments for verifying the selected 7
      emission lines and LS-SVM model. The research revealed that LIBS technology
      coupled with chemometrics could conduct the variety discrimination of soil.

PMID- 27279285
TI  - The transcriptional regulator GalR self-assembles to form highly regular tubular
      structures.
AB  - The Gal repressor regulates transport and metabolism of D-galactose in
      Escherichia coli and can mediate DNA loop formation by forming a bridge between
      adjacent or distant sites. GalR forms insoluble aggregates at lower salt
      concentrations in vitro, which can be solubilized at higher salt concentrations.
      Here, we investigate the assembly and disassembly of GalR aggregates. We find
      that a sharp transition from aggregates to soluble species occurs between 200 and
      400 mM NaCl, incompatible with a simple salting-in effect. The aggregates are
      highly ordered rod-like structures, highlighting a remarkable ability for
      organized self-assembly. Mutant studies reveal that aggregation is dependent on
      two separate interfaces of GalR. The highly ordered structures dissociate to
      smaller aggregates in the presence of D-galactose. We propose that these self
      assembled structures may constitute galactose-tolerant polymers for chromosome
      compaction in stationary phase cells, in effect linking self-assembly with
      regulatory function.

PMID- 27279287
TI  - 7-Difluoromethoxyl-5,4'-di-n-octyl genistein inhibits the stem-like
      characteristics of gastric cancer stem-like cells and reverses the phenotype of
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cells.
AB  - 7-Difluoromethoxyl-5,4'-di-n-octyl genistein (DFOG), a novel synthetic genistein
      analogue, exerts anticarcinogenic activity in several types of cancers, including
      gastric cancer. Accumulating evidence in recent years strongly indicates the
      existence of cancer stem cells in gastric cancer. The objective of the present
      study was to investigate whether DFOG inhibits the stemness and reverses the
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype of gastric cancer stem-like
      cells (GCSLCs) derived from human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells and to identify
      its potential mechanism. Sphere-forming cells (SFCs) from the SGC-7901 cells
      possessed the properties of GCSLCs. DFOG preferentially inhibited self-renewal,
      cell migration and cell invasion, and downregulated the expression of stem cell
      biomarkers in a dose-dependent manner. At the molecular level, these effects were
      accompanied by the downregulation of forkhead box M1 (FoxM1). Meanwhile, FoxM1
      siRNA transfection was able to synergize the inhibition of expression of FoxM1
      and Twist1 induced by DFOG in GCSLCs. In addition, we found that DFOG treatment
      decreased the expression of N-cadherin and increased the expression of E
      cadherin. More importantly, FoxM1 siRNA transfection cooperated with DFOG to
      suppress the self-renewal capacity, cell migration and cell invasion, and
      downregulated the expression of CD133, CD44, ALDH1, and also regulated the
      expression of N-cadherin and E-cadherin. These findings showed that DFOG
      inhibited the stem-like characteristics of GCSLCs and reversed the EMT phenotype
      by modulation of FoxM1 and further decreased Twist1 expression. Our results
      provide a further rationale and experimental basis for using DFOG to improve the
      efficacy of treatment for patients with gastric cancer. 

PMID- 27279286
TI  - Human GPR4 and the Notch signaling pathway in endothelial cell tube formation.
AB  - G protein-coupled receptor 4 (GPR4) is hypothesized to function as a pH sensor
      and is important in the regulation of proliferation, migration and angiogenesis
      of vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Furthermore, the Notch signaling pathway is
      significant in the regulation of the angiogenic behavior of ECs. However, whether
      GPR4 regulates angiogenesis via the Notch signaling pathway remains unclear. The
      present study evaluated the effect of Notch signaling in human GPR4-induced
      angiogenesis in HMEC-1 cells. The results revealed that GPR4 increased Notch1
      expression in a time-dependent manner. In addition, the inhibition of Notch1
      expression using small interfering RNA or the Notch receptor inhibitor, gamma
      secretase inhibitor I, significantly blocked GPR4-induced HMEC-1 tube formation
      and lymphocyte transendothelial migration. Furthermore, the inhibition of Notch1
      blocked GPR4-induced vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-inducible
      factor 1alpha expression. Thus, it was demonstrated that GPR4 affects ECs by
      regulating Notch1, a function that may be important for physiological and
      pathological angiogenesis. 

PMID- 27279288
TI  - A new phenolic glycoside from Saprosma merrillii.
AB  - A new phenolic glycoside derivative, saproglucoside (1), along with five known
      phenolic glycoside derivatives (2-6) were isolated from the stems of Saprosma
      merrillii. The structure of the new compound 1 was determined by 1D and 2D NMR as
      well as by HRESIMS and hydrolysis. The inhibitory activities of all compounds
      against seven pathogenic bacteria and two cancer cell lines were evaluated. 

PMID- 27279289
TI  - Brentuximab vedotin in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: An updated review of
      published data from the named patient program.
AB  - Brentuximab vedotin was available via named patient program (NPP) to patients
      with relapsed/refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) or systemic anaplastic large
      cell lymphoma in ~60 non-US/Canadian countries, before local approval. Published
      results were examined recently; through systematic literature review, we
      identified 12 new NPP publications. Most (10/12) publications included new NPP
      data describing 8 unique cohorts (N=480; all R/R HL) and new participating
      countries. Overall response rates were 58-80%, and complete remission rates were
      10-40%. With median follow-up of 9.5-26 months, median progression-free survival
      was 5-10.5 months and median overall survival (OS) had not been reached in most
      cohorts; 1- and 2-year OS was 67-76% and 58-67%, respectively. Tolerability was
      as expected from previous reports. Despite intrinsic bias and heterogeneous
      cohorts, this update supports previous findings showing comparable efficacy and
      tolerability of brentuximab vedotin between real-world practice and phase 2 trial
      results in R/R HL. 

PMID- 27279290
TI  - Genetic heritage of Croatians in the Southeastern European gene pool-Y chromosome
      analysis of the Croatian continental and Island population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The research objective of this study is to enlarge and deepen the Y
      chromosome research on the Croatian population and enable additional insights
      into the population diversity and historic events that shaped the current genetic
      landscape of Croatia and Southeastern Europe (SEE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A high
      resolution phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis of 66 biallelic (SNPs) and
      17 microsatellite (STRs) markers of the Y chromosome was performed using 720
      Croatian samples. The obtained results were placed in a wider European context by
      comparison with ~4450 samples from a number of other European populations.
      RESULTS: A high diversity of haplogroups was observed in the overall Croatian
      sample, and all typical European Y chromosome haplogroups with corresponding
      clinal patterns were observed. Three distinct genetic signals were identifiable
      in the Croatian paternal gene pool - I2a1b-M423, R1a1a1b1a*-M558, and E1b1b1a1b1a
      V13 haplogroups. DISCUSSION: The analyses of the dominant and autochthonous I2a1b
      M423 lineage (>30%) suggest that SEE had a significant role in the Upper
      Paleolithic, the R1a1a1b1a*-M558 lineage (19%) represents a signal from present
      day Slavic populations of Central Europe in the Croatian population, and the
      phylogeography of the E1b1b1a1b1a-V13 clade (around 9%) implies cultural
      diffusion of agriculture into Europe via the Balkan Peninsula. Am. J. Hum. Biol.,
      2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:837-845, 2016. (c)
      2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27279291
TI  - Maternal behavior influences development of a reflexive action pattern in the
      newborn rat.
AB  - This study examined the effect of maternal behavior on the expression and
      postnatal development of a reflexive behavior in rat pups. In neonatal rats, the
      leg extension response (LER) is a bilateral hyperextension of the hindlimbs in
      response to maternal anogenital licking (AGL). Past research has found that
      intranasal application of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4 ) to the dam induces hyponosmia,
      thereby reducing the incidence of AGL. In this study, pregnant dams received
      intranasal application of air (control), distilled water (control), or ZnSO4 on
      the day before birth and every other day thereafter until postnatal day 9 (P9).
      The LER was experimentally evoked in pups, using a vibrotactile device, at P1,
      P5, or P10. Pups born to ZnSO4 -treated dams showed significantly shorter
      bilateral LER durations and significantly smaller ankle angles than pups born to
      control dams. Reduction of overall maternal AGL approached significance, and
      afternoon AGL was significantly reduced. These data suggest that maternal
      behavior influenced development of the LER in rat pups, demonstrating the
      influence of maternal care on behavioral development during the perinatal period.

PMID- 27279292
TI  - Designing artificial two dimensional electron lattice on metal surface: a Kagome
      like lattice as an example.
AB  - Recently, a new kind of artificial two dimensional (2D) electron lattice on the
      nanoscale, i.e. molecular graphene, has drawn a lot of interest, where the metal
      surface electrons are transformed into a honeycomb lattice via absorbing a
      molecular lattice on the metal surface [Gomes et al., Nature, 2012, 438, 306;
      Wang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 2014, 113, 196803]. In this work, we theoretically
      demonstrate that this technique can be readily used to build other complex 2D
      electron lattices on a metal surface, which are of high interest in the field of
      condensed matter physics. The main challenge to build a complex 2D electron
      lattice is that this is a quantum antidot system, where the absorbed molecule
      normally exerts a repulsive potential on the surface electrons. Thus, there is no
      straightforward corresponding relation between the molecular lattice pattern and
      the desired 2D lattice of surface electrons. Here, we give an interesting example
      about the Kagome lattice, which has exotic correlated electronic states. We
      design a special molecular pattern and show that this molecular lattice can
      transform the surface electrons into a Kagome-like lattice. The numerical
      simulation is conducted using a Cu(111) surface and CO molecules. We first
      estimate the effective parameters of the Cu/CO system by fitting experimental
      data of the molecular graphene. Then, we calculate the corresponding energy bands
      and LDOS of the surface electrons in the presence of the proposed molecular
      lattice. Finally, we interpret the numerical results by the tight binding model
      of the Kagome lattice. We hope that our work can stimulate further theoretical
      and experimental interest in this novel artificial 2D electron lattice system. 

PMID- 27279293
TI  - Image quality for publication.

PMID- 27279294
TI  - Topical corticosteroids in dermatology.
AB  - Since their introduction, topical corticosteroids have become indispensable in
      the treatment of various dermatoses. Hydrocortisone was the first compound.
      Modifications in the basic structure generated in vivo activity and thus
      different topically active compounds were discovered. Apart from the Stoughton
      vasoconstrictor assay, various other methods are used for potency assessment of
      topical corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroides are classified based upon
      potency and action of these molecules. Mechanism of action at the cellular level
      and indications of topical corticosteroid use have been discussed. Various
      adverse effects often occur as an extension of their activity combined with
      inappropriate usage. Tachyphylaxis and contact allergy are potential problems in
      clinical practice. Newer compounds with improved risk-benefit ratio are
      available. 

PMID- 27279295
TI  - Anatomical segmentations in all forms of vitiligo: A new dimension to the
      etiopathogenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We have reported segmented lesions in acral vitiligo as well as in
      generalized vitiligo and thereby proposed somatic mosaicism as a predisposing
      feature in all forms of vitiligo. This study is a further attempt to characterize
      and understand such segmented lesions by screening a large series of patients.
      METHODS: We searched our electronic archives (from 2002 to 2014) and
      identified/reviewed the photos of 615 vitiligo patients inclusive of all clinical
      types. Over 3500 photographs were screened for patterns that were repeatedly seen
      in two or more patients and a composite picture of these were marked on a body
      map. RESULTS: Similar unilateral/bilateral segmented lesions were identified
      among all forms of vitiligo during relatively stable phases of the disease. These
      appeared to be related to small and large anatomical divisions of the body. In
      rapidly evolving disease on the trunk, the lesions conformed to Blaschkoid
      patterns. Several instances of stable mirror image lesions, symmetric incremental
      progressions and regressions were also recorded. LIMITATIONS: These are
      observations of a retrospective, single-center review which need to be
      substantiated further in larger prospective studies. CONCLUSION: Similar
      unilateral/bilateral segmented patterns delineating major/minor anatomical
      divisions of the body may indicate a preexisting developmental defect (such as
      mosaicism).

PMID- 27279296
TI  - Clinical efficacy of rituximab in the treatment of pemphigus: A retrospective
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulsed corticosteroids have been used successfully for the management
      of pemphigus. However, prolonged use of glucocorticoids may be associated with
      adverse effects and some patients show a poor response to conventional therapy.
      Biologics have shown a promising role in such cases; however, there is limited
      data from the Indian subcontinent. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to assess
      the efficacy and adverse effects of rituximab in pemphigus. The secondary
      objective was to measure the cumulative doses of corticosteroids required for
      these patients. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of records of 25
      pemphigus patients (pemphigus vulgaris: 21, pemphigus foliaceus: 4) who had
      received rituximab infusion (rheumatoid arthritis protocol in 21 patients,
      modified in 4). Oral prednisolone was administered in dosages up to 0.5 mg/kg of
      body weight and tapered over the next 3-4 months according to the disease
      activity. However, other immunosuppressive agents such as cyclophosphamide and
      azathioprine were continued for one year after clinical remission was achieved.
      RESULTS: Complete remission was observed in 22 (88%) patients. The mean time to
      disease control and complete remission was 1.10 and 4.36 months, respectively.
      Four (16%) patients experienced relapse after a mean duration of 11.75 months.
      The mean total dose of oral steroids administered was equivalent to 3535.64 mg of
      prednisolone. Exacerbation of disease was noted in two patients after the first
      dose of rituximab and infectious complications, pneumonia and cellulitis,
      developed in one patient each. LIMITATIONS: A small sample size, the
      retrospective nature of the study and unavailability of follow-up anti-desmoglein
      autoantibodies levels were limitations. CONCLUSION: Rituximab is an effective
      agent in the treatment of pemphigus. The use of rituximab enabled use of a lower
      initial dose of oral prednisolone in pemphigus and hence reduced its total
      cumulative dose. Severe side effects were rare.

PMID- 27279297
TI  - Keratoderma-like T cell dyscrasia: A report of 13 cases and its distinction from
      mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atypical epitheliotropic T cell lymphocytic infiltrates are commonly
      encountered in routine and consultative dermatopathology practices and typically
      do not represent mycosis fungoides. Other conditions can mimic certain light
      microscopic and phenotypic findings encountered in mycosis fungoides, comprising
      a diverse spectrum of conditions including the lymphomatoid drug reaction,
      collagen vascular disease, viral hypersensitivity reactions and cutaneous T cell
      dyscrasia. AIMS: To examine biopsies obtained from cutaneous T cell dyscrasia
      localized to the palms and soles and to evaluate whether it exhibits a
      morphologic and pathogenetic continuum with mycosis fungoides plantaris et
      palmaris. METHODS: We examined 13 biopsies showing an epidermotropic superficial
      lymphocytic infiltrate from thirteen patients who presented with a palmar and/or
      plantar keratoderma without other sites of cutaneous involvement. Conventional
      light microscopy, immunophenotyping and clonality studies were carried out. The
      clinical features were recorded. RESULTS: Biopsies showed a variably dense,
      superficial, angiocentric CD4 or CD8 dominant lymphocytic infiltrate accompanied
      by a non-destructive pattern of epidermotropism. Low-grade cerebriform atypia
      along with variable diminution in the expression of CD7 and CD62L was noted. In
      three cases, statins were suspected to be the cause. Due to lack of familiarity
      with the entity, treatment interventions were inconsistent and not aggressively
      pursued. There was no evidence of disease progression to mycosis fungoides in any
      case. LIMITATIONS: The limitations of this study include the lack of long-term
      follow up and information on the nature of the therapeutic interventions and
      responses to treatment. CONCLUSION: The spectrum of cutaneous lymphoid dyscrasias
      should be expanded to include cases manifesting as palmo-plantar keratoderma.
      These cases are to be distinguished from mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris.
      As with other forms of cutaneous lymphoid dyscrasia, the lesions tend to be
      persistent. The course however, is indolent in most cases.

PMID- 27279298
TI  - Metabolic syndrome in androgenic alopecia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Androgenic alopecia has been associated with an increased risk of
      coronary heart disease in various studies. The relationship between androgenic
      alopecia and metabolic syndrome, a known risk factor for atherosclerotic
      cardiovascular disease, is still poorly understood. AIM: To study the association
      between metabolic syndrome and early-onset androgenic alopecia. METHODS: A
      hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was done on men in the age group
      of 18-55 years. Eighty five clinically diagnosed cases with early-onset (<35
      years) androgenic alopecia of Norwood grade III or above, and 85 controls without
      androgenic alopecia were included. Data collected included anthropometric
      measurements, arterial blood pressure and history of chronic diseases. Fasting
      blood and lipid profile were determined. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed as per
      the new International Diabetes Federation criteria. Chi-square and Student's t
      test were used for statistical analysis using Statistical Package for the Social
      Sciences (SPSS) version 17.00. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was seen in 19 (22.4%)
      patients with androgenic alopecia and 8 (9.4%) controls (P = 0.021). Abdominal
      obesity, hypertension and lowered high-density lipoprotein were significantly
      higher in patients with androgenic alopecia versus their respective controls.
      LIMITATIONS: The limitations of our study include small sample size in subgroups
      and the lack of evidence of a temporal relationship between metabolic syndrome
      and androgenic alopecia. CONCLUSION: A higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome is
      seen in men with early-onset androgenic alopecia. Early screening for metabolic
      syndrome and its components is beneficial in patients with early-onset androgenic
      alopecia.

PMID- 27279299
TI  - Imatinib induced melasma-like pigmentation: Report of five cases and review of
      literature.
AB  - Imatinib mesylate is a cytotoxic agent that targets tyrosine kinase. Common side
      effects of this drug include nausea, edema and maculopapular rash.
      Hypopigmentation is a commonly reported side effect of this drug while
      hyperpigmentation has rarely been described. We describe five cases of melasma
      like pigmentation induced by this anti-cancer drug. Four of the patients were
      diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumor while one had chronic myeloid
      leukemia. Patients received imatinib mesylate in a dose of 400 mg daily. Over an
      average period of 3 months, well defined hyperpigmented macules appeared over the
      convexities of the face. One of the patients also developed similar pigmentation
      on the forearm. Other causes of hyperpigmentation were excluded in each patient.

PMID- 27279300
TI  - Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with arterial ectasia and arteriovenous malformation:
      Response to intra-arterial embolization.
AB  - Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia is a rare disease characterized by
      vascular proliferation of unknown origin. The lesions are mostly seen in the head
      and neck region and are characterized by papules or nodules. A 20-year-old man
      presented with a 1 year history of reddish papulo-nodular lesions overlying a
      pulsatile swelling on the left auricular area. Histopathology was suggestive of
      angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia. B-mode ultrasonography, color
      Doppler and angiography revealed arterial ectasia and arteriovenous malformation
      of the left auricular artery. Such malformations have been reported previously,
      in association with angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia. The cutaneous
      lesions responded well to transarterial embolization of the nidus.

PMID- 27279301
TI  - Post-traumatic ectopic nail.

PMID- 27279302
TI  - Immunotherapy or not? The mystery deepens.

PMID- 27279303
TI  - Authors' reply.

PMID- 27279304
TI  - Intralesional immunotherapy with tuberculin purified protein derivative for
      verruca: A study from a teaching hospital in South India.

PMID- 27279305
TI  - Total contact casting in the treatment of nonhealing plantar ulcers in anesthetic
      foot.

PMID- 27279306
TI  - Multifocal tuberculous gummas and bilateral scrofuloderma followed by
      papulonecrotic tuberculids developing during anti-tubercular therapy.

PMID- 27279307
TI  - Uncommon presentations of lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei.

PMID- 27279308
TI  - A novel missense mutation of the ATP2C1 gene in a Chinese patient with papular
      acantholytic dermatosis of the anogenital area.

PMID- 27279309
TI  - Spontaneous sublingual hematoma due to warfarin: An emergency presenting to the
      dermatologist.

PMID- 27279310
TI  - Sebaceous cell carcinoma developing in epidermodysplasia verruciformis.

PMID- 27279311
TI  - Down-regulation of peroxin synthesis by silencing RNA (siRNA): A novel hypothesis
      for treatment of leishmaniasis.

PMID- 27279312
TI  - Lionfish envenomation: Relapses controlled by intralesional triamcinolone.

PMID- 27279314
TI  - Multiple glomeruloid hemangiomas without POEMS syndrome.

PMID- 27279313
TI  - Juvenile IgA pemphigus: A case report and review of literature.

PMID- 27279315
TI  - Congenital absence of skin and an absent twin.

PMID- 27279316
TI  - An asymptomatic inguinal swelling: Lymphatic filariasis.

PMID- 27279317
TI  - Painful calcifying aponeurotic fibroma.

PMID- 27279318
TI  - Two cases of D-penicillamine-induced elastosis perforans serpiginosa.

PMID- 27279319
TI  - Two cases of axillary chromoblastomycosis.

PMID- 27279320
TI  - Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia treated with surgical excision and
      electrocoagulation forceps.

PMID- 27279321
TI  - Severe recalcitrant psoriasis treated with itolizumab, a novel anti-CD6
      monoclonal antibody.

PMID- 27279322
TI  - Reticulate pigmentation in non-bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma.

PMID- 27279323
TI  - Yellowish-white papules in a cobblestone pattern on the neck.

PMID- 27279324
TI  - Annular lichenoid dermatitis of youth in a 15-year-old boy: Topical tacrolimus as
      a treatment option.

PMID- 27279325
TI  - Localized contact dermatitis from Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin essential
      oil, a traditional topical preparation for stomach ache and flatulence.

PMID- 27279326
TI  - Viva questions from the IJDVL.

PMID- 27279327
TI  - Near-future pH conditions severely impact calcification, metabolism and the
      nervous system in the pteropod Heliconoides inflatus.
AB  - Shelled pteropods play key roles in the global carbon cycle and food webs of
      various ecosystems. Their thin external shell is sensitive to small changes in
      pH, and shell dissolution has already been observed in areas where aragonite
      saturation state is ~1. A decline in pteropod abundance has the potential to
      disrupt trophic networks and directly impact commercial fisheries. Therefore, it
      is crucial to understand how pteropods will be affected by global environmental
      change, particularly ocean acidification. In this study, physiological and
      molecular approaches were used to investigate the response of the Mediterranean
      pteropod, Heliconoides inflatus, to pH values projected for 2100 under a moderate
      emissions trajectory (RCP6.0). Pteropods were subjected to pHT 7.9 for 3 days,
      and gene expression levels, calcification and respiration rates were measured
      relative to pHT 8.1 controls. Gross calcification decreased markedly under low pH
      conditions, while genes potentially involved in calcification were up-regulated,
      reflecting the inability of pteropods to maintain calcification rates. Gene
      expression data imply that under low pH conditions, both metabolic processes and
      protein synthesis may be compromised, while genes involved in acid-base
      regulation were up-regulated. A large number of genes related to nervous system
      structure and function were also up-regulated in the low pH treatment, including
      a GABAA receptor subunit. This observation is particularly interesting because
      GABAA receptor disturbances, leading to altered behavior, have been documented in
      several other marine animals after exposure to elevated CO2 . The up-regulation
      of many genes involved in nervous system function suggests that exposure to low
      pH could have major effects on pteropod behavior. This study illustrates the
      power of combining physiological and molecular approaches. It also reveals the
      importance of behavioral analyses in studies aimed at understanding the impacts
      of low pH on marine animals.

PMID- 27279329
TI  - Aqueous Two Phase System Assisted Self-Assembled PLGA Microparticles.
AB  - Here, we produce poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) based microparticles with
      varying morphologies, and temperature responsive properties utilizing a Pluronic
      F127/dextran aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) assisted self-assembly. The PLGA
      polymer, when emulsified in Pluronic F127/dextran ATPS, forms unique
      microparticle structures due to ATPS guided-self assembly. Depending on the PLGA
      concentration, the particles either formed a core-shell or a composite
      microparticle structure. The microparticles facilitate the simultaneous
      incorporation of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules, due to their
      amphiphilic macromolecule composition. Further, due to the lower critical
      solution temperature (LCST) properties of Pluronic F127, the particles exhibit
      temperature responsiveness. The ATPS based microparticle formation demonstrated
      in this study, serves as a novel platform for PLGA/polymer based tunable
      micro/nano particle and polymersome development. The unique properties may be
      useful in applications such as theranostics, synthesis of complex structure
      particles, bioreaction/mineralization at the two-phase interface, and
      bioseparations.

PMID- 27279328
TI  - Effects of LDL Receptor Modulation on Lymphatic Function.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is driven by the accumulation of immune cells and cholesterol in
      the arterial wall. Although recent studies have shown that lymphatic vessels play
      an important role in macrophage reverse cholesterol transport, the specific
      underlying mechanisms of this physiological feature remain unknown. In the
      current report, we sought to better characterize the lymphatic dysfunction that
      is associated with atherosclerosis by studying the physiological and temporal
      origins of this impairment. First, we assessed that athero-protected Pcsk9(-/-)
      mice exhibited improved collecting lymphatic vessel function throughout age when
      compared to WT mice for up to six months, while displaying enhanced expression of
      LDLR on lymphatic endothelial cells. Lymphatic dysfunction was present before the
      atherosclerotic lesion formation in a mouse model that is predisposed to develop
      atherosclerosis (Ldlr(-/-); hApoB100(+/+)). This dysfunction was presumably
      associated with a defect in the collecting lymphatic vessels in a non-specific
      cholesterol- but LDLR-dependent manner. Treatment with a selective VEGFR-3
      agonist rescued this impairment observed early in the onset of this arterial
      disease. We suggest that LDLR modulation is associated with early atherosclerosis
      related lymphatic dysfunction, and bring forth a pleiotropic role for PCSK9 in
      lymphatic function. Our study unveils new potential therapeutic targets for the
      prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

PMID- 27279330
TI  - Enhancement of anaerobic degradation of azo dye with riboflavin and nicotinamide
      adenine dinucleotide harvested by osmotic lysis of wasted fermentation yeasts.
AB  - The study presented here aims at identifying the source of redox mediators
      (riboflavin), electron carriers nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and
      carbon to perform decolorization of azo dye under anaerobic conditions after
      osmotic shock pretreatment of residual yeast from industrial fermentation.
      Pretreatment conditions were optimized by Doehlert experiment, varying NaCl
      concentration, temperature, yeast density and time. After the optimization, the
      riboflavin concentration in the residual yeast lysate (RYL) was 46% higher than
      the one present in commercial yeast extract. Moreover, similar NAD concentration
      was observed in both extracts. Subsequently, two decolorization experiments were
      performed, that is, a batch experiment (48 h) and a kinetic experiment (102 h).
      The results of the batch experiment showed that the use of the RYL produced by
      the optimized method increased decolorization rates and led to color removal
      efficiencies similar to those found when using the commercial extract (~80%) and
      from 23% to 50% higher when compared to the control (without redox mediators).
      Kinetics analysis showed that methane production was also higher in the presence
      of yeast extract and RYL, and biogas was mostly generated after stabilization of
      color removal. In all kinetics experiments the azo dye degradation followed the
      pseudo-second-order model, which suggested that there was a concomitant
      adsorption/degradation of the dye on the biomass cell surface. Therefore, results
      showed the possibility of applying the pretreated residual yeast to improve color
      removal under anaerobic conditions, which is a sustainable process.

PMID- 27279331
TI  - A bird's eye view of a deleterious recessive allele.
AB  - In the endangered Scottish chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) population, a lethal
      blindness syndrome is found to be caused by a deleterious recessive allele.
      Photo: Gordon Yates. In Focus: Trask, A.E., Bignal, E.M., McCracken, D.I.,
      Monaghan, P., Piertney, S.B. & Reid, J.M. (2016) Evidence of the phenotypic
      expression of a lethal recessive allele under inbreeding in a wild population of
      conservation concern. Journal of Animal Ecology, 85, 879-891. In this issue of
      Journal of Animal Ecology, Trask et al. () report on a strange, lethal, blindness
      that regularly affects chicks of an endangered bird population. The authors show
      that the inheritance mode of this blindness disease precisely matches the
      expectations of a recessive deleterious mutation. Intriguingly, there is also an
      indication that the disease-causing variant might be maintained in the population
      by balancing selection, due to a selective advantage for heterozygotes. Could
      this finding have consequences for conservation actions implemented for the
      population?

PMID- 27279332
TI  - Colonization history and clonal richness of asexual Daphnia in periglacial
      habitats of contrasting age in West Greenland.
AB  - Due to climate change, Arctic ice sheets are retreating. This leads to the
      formation of numerous new periglacial ponds and lakes, which are being colonized
      by planktonic organisms such as the water flea Daphnia. This system provides
      unique opportunities to test genotype colonization dynamics and the genetic
      assemblage of populations. Here, we studied clonal richness of the Daphnia pulex
      species complex in novel periglacial habitats created by glacial retreat in the
      Jakobshavn Isbrae area of western Greenland. Along a 10 km transect, we surveyed
      73 periglacial habitats out of which 61 were colonized by Daphnia pulex. Hence,
      for our analysis, we used 21 ponds and 40 lakes in two clusters of habitats
      differing in age (estimated <50 years vs. >150 years). We tested the expectation
      that genetic diversity would be low in recently formed (i.e. young), small
      habitats, but would increase with increasing age and size. We identified a total
      of 42 genetically distinct clones belonging to two obligately asexual species of
      the D. pulex species complex: D. middendorffiana and the much more abundant D.
      pulicaria. While regional clonal richness was high, most clones were rare: 16
      clones were restricted to a single habitat and the five most widespread clones
      accounted for 68% of all individuals sampled. On average, 3.2 clones (range: 1
      12) coexisted in a given pond or lake. There was no relationship between clonal
      richness and habitat size when we controlled for habitat age. Whereas clonal
      richness was statistically higher in the cluster of older habitats when compared
      with the cluster of younger ponds and lakes, most young habitats were colonized
      by multiple genotypes. Our data suggest that newly formed (periglacial) ponds and
      lakes are colonized within decades by multiple genotypes via multiple
      colonization events, even in the smallest of our study systems (4 m(2) ).

PMID- 27279333
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27279335
TI  - Long-term patient satisfaction after retropubic and transobturator mid-urethral
      slings for female stress urinary incontinence.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to report long-term patient outcomes after
      retropubic and transobturator mid-urethral slings for female stress urinary
      incontinence. METHODS: Women who underwent mid-urethral sling for stress urinary
      incontinence between 2000 and 2010 were invited to participate in a survey
      regarding their overall improvement. Patients' outcomes were assessed using the
      International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form and the
      Global Response Assessment Scale. RESULTS: The questionnaires were completed by
      330 patients. Their median age at the time of surgery was 54.8 years (+/-12.9)
      and the median follow-up period was 11.9 years (+/-6.4). Retropubic and
      transobturator approaches were performed in 128 (38.8%) and 202 (61.2%) patients,
      respectively. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire -
      Short Form score dropped from an average of 14 (+/-4.1) to 6.4 (+/-6) with no
      significant difference between the two groups. The Global Response Assessment
      Scale showed an 9% greater improvement in the retropubic (66.4%) over the
      transobturator (57.4%) approach. De novo overactive bladder was the commonest
      long-term reported adverse event, affecting 18/330 patients (5.5%). Voiding
      dysfunction that required surgical correction following the retropubic approach
      occurred in three patients (2.3%). CONCLUSION: Mid-urethral slings for the
      management of female stress urinary incontinence had good and durable long-term
      effects. Although the retropubic approach gave better results, they were not
      significantly different than those of the transobturator approach.

PMID- 27279334
TI  - SURVIV for survival analysis of mRNA isoform variation.
AB  - The rapid accumulation of clinical RNA-seq data sets has provided the opportunity
      to associate mRNA isoform variations to clinical outcomes. Here we report a
      statistical method SURVIV (Survival analysis of mRNA Isoform Variation), designed
      for identifying mRNA isoform variation associated with patient survival time. A
      unique feature and major strength of SURVIV is that it models the measurement
      uncertainty of mRNA isoform ratio in RNA-seq data. Simulation studies suggest
      that SURVIV outperforms the conventional Cox regression survival analysis,
      especially for data sets with modest sequencing depth. We applied SURVIV to TCGA
      RNA-seq data of invasive ductal carcinoma as well as five additional cancer
      types. Alternative splicing-based survival predictors consistently outperform
      gene expression-based survival predictors, and the integration of clinical, gene
      expression and alternative splicing profiles leads to the best survival
      prediction. We anticipate that SURVIV will have broad utilities for analysing
      diverse types of mRNA isoform variation in large-scale clinical RNA-seq projects.

PMID- 27279337
TI  - Current Trends in Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SEDDSs) to Enhance the
      Bioavailability of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs.
AB  - The main object of the self-emulsifying drug-delivery system (SEDDS) is oral
      bioavailability (BA) enhancement of a poorly water-soluble drug. Low aqueous
      solubility and low oral BA are major concerns for formulation scientists. As many
      drugs are lipophilic in nature, their lower solubility and dissolution are major
      drawbacks for their successful formulation into oral dosage forms. More than 60%
      of drugs have a lipophilic nature and exhibit poor aqueous solubility. Various
      strategies are reported in the literature to improve the solubility and enhance
      BA of lipophilic drugs, including the formation of a cyclodextrin complex, solid
      dispersions, and micronization. SEDDSs are ideally isotropic mixtures of drug,
      oil, surfactant, and/or cosurfactant. SEDDSs have gained increasing attention for
      enhancing oral BA and reducing drug dose. SEDDSs also provide an effective and
      excellent solution to the various issues related to the formulation of
      hydrophobic drugs that have limited solubility in gastrointestinal fluid. Our
      major focus of this review is to highlight the importance of SEDDSs in oral BA
      enhancement of poorly water-soluble drugs. 

PMID- 27279336
TI  - Identification and tissue expression profile of genes from three chemoreceptor
      families in an urban pest, Periplaneta americana.
AB  - Periplaneta americana is a notorious urban pest prevalent in human habitats; very
      little is known about its chemosensory mechanism. Employing the advanced next
      generation sequencing technique, in the present study, we conducted transcriptome
      sequencing and analysis of the antennae of the adult males and females as well as
      their mouthparts using an Illumina platform. This resulted in the discovery of a
      huge number of the members of all major known chemosensory receptor families in
      P. americana, including 96 odorant receptors (ORs), 53 ionotropic receptors
      (IRs), and 33 gustatory receptors (GRs). Tissue expression profiles showed most
      of them mainly expressed in antennae and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the
      expansion in the clade distinguishing them from other functionally well-known
      Lepidoptera species. A high percentage of chemosensory receptor genes (ORs in
      particular) showing female antenna bias in mRNA expression was observed. Our
      results provide a basis for further investigations on how P. americana
      coordinates its chemosensory receptor genes in chemical communication with
      environments, and for development of novel pest management approaches.

PMID- 27279338
TI  - The Effective Role of Hydroxyapatite Based Composites in Anticancer Drug Delivery
      Systems.
AB  - Tumors consist of a heterogeneous population of cancer cells carrying multiple
      genetic mutations. During the past few decades, efforts have focused on curing
      cancer using various methods. However, traditional cancer therapies still carry
      some drawbacks, such as limited application for only a few cancer types, killing
      of normal cells, poor specificity, and associated toxicity. To overcome these
      disadvantages, drug-delivery methods that emphasize biomaterials have been
      developed and applied to optimize cancer treatments. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is a
      biocompatible inorganic material that can be applied in biomedical drug-delivery
      applications. This review discusses the features and properties of HAP that make
      it an effective biomaterial and provides a comprehensive summary of recent
      studies in which HAP and composites containing HAP were applied as anticancer
      drug carriers. We believe that HAP-based composites show great promise for cancer
      treatment using controlled release of therapeutic agents, leading to enhanced
      efficiency, selective release of drugs, and prohibition of cancer cell
      proliferation. 

PMID- 27279339
TI  - Microsponges: A Pioneering Tool for Biomedical Applications.
AB  - Microparticulate drug delivery systems have been explored across the globe due to
      their various advantages. In 1987, Won developed microsponge systems (Micsys),
      also known as solid-phase porous microspheres, having numerous interconnected
      voids, which serve as non-collapsible residence for bioactive compounds. A Micsys
      particle ranges from 5 to 300 MUm in size and shows a wide range of entrapment
      efficiency with desired release rates. This topical drug delivery system bestows
      a controlled release of bioactive compounds into the skin with reduced systemic
      side effects. Currently, the application fields of this promising system include
      oral, ocular, pulmonary, and parenteral delivery of bioactive compounds. In the
      present review, we summarize the updated biomedical application potential of
      Micsys as an effective drug-delivery vector, including an in-depth explanation of
      the drug-release kinetic models and drug-release mechanisms. We also discuss
      different techniques used to prepare a Micsys, along with their advantages and
      disadvantages. Moreover, in this review, we report a plethora of Micsys details,
      such as drug candidates and polymers, exploited in this field, along with
      marketed formulations, characterization methods, clinical perspectives, and
      patents received. This assembly of detailed literature summaries will contribute
      to future advances in the development of porous carriers. 

PMID- 27279340
TI  - Histone acetylation is involved in TCDD-induced cleft palate formation in fetal
      mice.
AB  - The aim of the present was to evaluate the effects of DNA methylation and histone
      acetylation on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced cleft palate in
      fetal mice. Pregnant mice (n=10) were randomly divided into two groups: i) TCDD
      group, mice were treated with 28 ug/kg TCDD on gestation day (GD) 10 by oral
      gavage; ii) control group, mice were treated with an equal volume of corn oil. On
      GD 16.5, the fetal mice were evaluated for the presence of a cleft palate. An
      additional 36 pregnant mice were divided into the control and TCDD groups, and
      palate samples were collected on GD 13.5, GD 14.5 and GD 15.5, respectively.
      Transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-beta3) mRNA expression, TGF-beta3 promoter
      methylation, histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity and histone H3 (H3)
      acetylation in the palates were evaluated in the two groups. The incidence of a
      cleft palate in the TCDD group was 93.55%, and no cases of cleft palate were
      identified in the control group. On GD 13.5 and GD 14.5, TGF-beta3 mRNA
      expression, HAT activity and acetylated H3 levels were significantly increased in
      the TCDD group compared with the control. Methylated bands were not observed in
      the TCDD or control groups. In conclusion, at the critical period of palate
      fusion (GD 13.5-14.5), TCDD significantly increased TGF-beta3 gene expression,
      HAT activity and H3 acetylation. Therefore, histone acetylation may be involved
      in TCDD-induced cleft palate formation in fetal mice. 

PMID- 27279341
TI  - Drug safety evaluation of roflumilast for the treatment of COPD: a meta-analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Roflumilast is the only phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor approved for
      the treatment of COPD patients with chronic cough and sputum, and a history of
      exacerbations, but the compliance to treatment is reduced by poorly tolerated
      adverse events (AEs). AREAS COVERED: The synthesis of clinical evidences
      indicates that roflumilast 500MUg once-daily increased the risk of AEs, with no
      impact on the risk of serious AEs (SAEs), compared with placebo. Gastrointestinal
      AEs were common in patients treated with roflumilast, that may also induce
      headache, backpain and insomnia. Roflumilast protects against COPD related AEs.
      The frequency of very SAEs was rare but greater in patients treated with
      roflumilast than placebo, although factors other than the study drug were related
      with these SAEs. EXPERT OPINION: The safety profile of roflumilast administered
      in combination with further drugs for the treatment of COPD should be
      investigated through specifically designed RCTs, and the post-marketing
      surveillance might help to characterize the real risk of very SAEs. Roflumilast
      may provide more benefit than harm in patients at high risk of severe
      exacerbations, and the therapy discontinuation may be reduced by a correct
      education of patients on the generally transient and mild-to-moderate nature of
      gastrointestinal AEs induced by this drug.

PMID- 27279342
TI  - IgG/IgM antiphospholipid antibodies present in the classification criteria for
      the antiphospholipid syndrome: a critical review of their association with
      thrombosis.
AB  - Essentials The clinical value of IgM antibodies in thrombotic antiphospholipid
      syndrome (APS) is debated. By review of literature, we reconsidered the clinical
      value of IgM antibodies in thrombotic APS. More significant correlations with
      thrombosis were found for the IgG compared to IgM isotype. Unavailability of
      paired IgG/IgM results hampers evaluating the added value of IgM positivity.
      Click to hear Dr de Groot's perspective on antiphospholipid syndrome SUMMARY:
      Background Despite the update of the classification criteria for the
      antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), difficulties persist in the identification of
      patients at risk for thrombosis. Current guidelines include assays detecting
      IgG/IgM anti-beta2 -glycoprotein I and anti-cardiolipin antibodies, although the
      relevance of IgM antibodies has been debated. Objectives Through a review of the
      literature from 2001 to 2014, we aimed to formally establish the thrombotic risk
      stratification potential of IgM as compared with IgG anti-phospholipid antibodies
      (aPLs). Patients/methods One thousand two hundred and twenty-eight articles were
      selected by a computer-assisted search of the literature. Of the 177 studies that
      met our inclusion criteria, the clinical value of IgG/IgM aPLs was established
      through analysis of odds ratios for thrombosis or percentage of positives in the
      thrombotic population. Results/conclusions We clearly found more significant
      correlations with thrombosis for the IgG than for the IgM isotype. Nonetheless,
      in a minority of studies, significant associations with thrombosis were found for
      IgM but not IgG antibodies. The unavailability of paired results of IgG and IgM
      for each separate patient hampers evaluation of the added value of isolated IgM
      positivity. To fully take advantage of results obtained by future studies, we
      strongly encourage scientists to provide all studied information per patient. We
      planned a large multicenter study to investigate clinical associations of
      isolated/combined positivity for criteria/non-criteria aPLs. Importantly, because
      of the presence of non-pathogenic aPLs, quantitative assays are characterized by
      a high false-positivity rate. Optimization of functional assays, such as thrombin
      generation measuring the whole scheme of coagulation, may help to reduce APS
      related morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 27279343
TI  - Barriers to and motivators for physical activity among people with Type 2
      diabetes: patients' perspectives.
AB  - AIM: To explore barriers to and motivators for physical activity in a group of
      overweight and obese individuals with dysregulated Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Data
      were collected from the Steno Diabetes Center's outpatient clinic in Denmark.
      Four focus groups were conducted including 28 individuals with Type 2 diabetes
      aged 39-71 years. The facilitators used open-ended questions and probes such as
      images, statements and quotations about physical activity to foster active
      participation and interaction among participants. Focus groups were recorded on
      video and the discussions were transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS: We
      identified four main themes: 1) the body as a barrier to physical activity
      because of functional limitations; 2) logistical challenges, including lack of
      time and awareness of where to exercise in the local area; 3) being physically
      active with others, providing a sense of mutual commitment and enjoyment; and 4)
      goal-setting and self-tracking, which was seen as an opportunity to track
      physical improvement over time. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that, once
      people are active, a high level of social interaction may help maintain their
      activity levels. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of
      combining individually tailored exercise plans with the establishment of
      customized and locally based exercise communities that offer enjoyment and
      support. Additionally, it is relevant to explore experiences of using self
      tracking technologies to review short- and long-term goals.

PMID- 27279344
TI  - Societal costs of fetal alcohol syndrome in Sweden.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the annual societal cost of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
      in Sweden, focusing on the secondary disabilities thought feasible to limit via
      early interventions. METHODS: Prevalence-based cost-of-illness analysis of FAS in
      Sweden for 2014. Direct costs (societal support, special education, psychiatric
      disorders and alcohol/drug abuse) and indirect costs (reduced working capacity
      and informal caring), were included. The calculations were based on published
      Swedish studies, including a register-based follow-up study of adults with FAS,
      reports and databases, and experts. RESULTS: The annual total societal cost of
      FAS was estimated at ?76,000 per child (0-17 years) and ?110,000 per adult (18-74
      years), corresponding to ?1.6 billion per year in the Swedish population using a
      prevalence of FAS of 0.2 %. The annual additional cost of FAS (difference between
      the FAS group and a comparison group) was estimated at ?1.4 billion using a
      prevalence of 0.2 %. The major cost driver was the cost of societal support.
      CONCLUSIONS: The cost burden of FAS on the society is extensive, but likely to be
      underestimated. A reduction in the societal costs of FAS, both preventive and
      targeted interventions to children with FAS, should be prioritized. That is, the
      cost of early interventions such as placement in family homes or other forms of
      housing, and special education, represent unavoidable costs. However, these types
      of interventions are highly relevant to improve the individual's quality of life
      and future prospects, and also, within a long-term perspective, to limit the
      societal costs and personal suffering.

PMID- 27279345
TI  - Repression of Smad4 by miR-205 moderates TGF-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition in A549 cell lines.
AB  - The TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway plays important roles in cancer cell
      proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, angiogenesis and epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is the key event in the early stages of
      cancer metastasis and enhances the capability of cell migration and invasion.
      Smad4 acts as the only Co-Smad of TGF/Smad signaling pathway and plays the key
      role in TGF-beta-mediated EMT. Nevertheless, the mRNA regulation mechanisms of
      Smad4 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains largely unclear.
      Computational algorithms predicted that the 3'-UTR of Smad4 is a target of miR
      205. Here, we validated that miR-205 could directly bind to 3'-UTR of Smad4 by
      luciferase assays. Moreover, we investigated the functional roles of miR-205 and
      its molecular link to Smad4 in lung cancer cells. In this study, we confirmed
      that overexpression of miR-205 suppressed the expression of Smad4, in turn,
      weakened the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway and inhibited TGF-beta/Smad4-induced
      EMT, invasion and migration ultimately. Furthermore, this study shows that miR
      205 can serve as a promising therapeutic target of highly aggressive NSCLC. 

PMID- 27279346
TI  - Cardiovascular screening to reduce the burden from cardiovascular disease:
      microsimulation study to quantify policy options.
AB  - OBJECTIVES:  To estimate the potential impact of universal screening for primary
      prevention of cardiovascular disease (National Health Service Health Checks) on
      disease burden and socioeconomic inequalities in health in England, and to
      compare universal screening with alternative feasible strategies. DESIGN: 
      Microsimulation study of a close-to-reality synthetic population. Five scenarios
      were considered: baseline scenario, assuming that current trends in risk factors
      will continue in the future; universal screening; screening concentrated only in
      the most deprived areas; structural population-wide intervention; and combination
      of population-wide intervention and concentrated screening. SETTING:  Synthetic
      population with similar characteristics to the community dwelling population of
      England. PARTICIPANTS:  Synthetic people with traits informed by the health
      survey for England. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:  Cardiovascular disease cases and
      deaths prevented or postponed by 2030, stratified by fifths of socioeconomic
      status using the index of multiple deprivation. RESULTS:  Compared with the
      baseline scenario, universal screening may prevent or postpone approximately 19
      000 cases (interquartile range 11 000-28 000) and 3000 deaths (-1000-6000);
      concentrated screening 17 000 cases (9000-26 000) and 2000 deaths (-1000-5000);
      population-wide intervention 67 000 cases (57 000-77 000) and 8000 deaths (4000
      11 000); and the combination of the population-wide intervention and concentrated
      screening 82 000 cases (73 000-93 000) and 9000 deaths (6000-13 000). The most
      equitable strategy would be the combination of the population-wide intervention
      and concentrated screening, followed by concentrated screening alone and the
      population-wide intervention. Universal screening had the least apparent impact
      on socioeconomic inequalities in health. CONCLUSIONS:  When primary prevention
      strategies for reducing cardiovascular disease burden and inequalities are
      compared, universal screening seems less effective than alternative strategies,
      which incorporate population-wide approaches. Further research is needed to
      identify the best mix of population-wide and risk targeted CVD strategies to
      maximise cost effectiveness and minimise inequalities.

PMID- 27279347
TI  - A systems biology and proteomics-based approach identifies SRC and VEGFA as
      biomarkers in risk factor mediated coronary heart disease.
AB  - Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of death worldwide. The
      burden of CHD increases with risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, obesity
      and diabetes. Several studies have demonstrated the association of these
      classical risk factors with CHD. However, the mechanisms of these associations
      remain largely unclear due to the complexity of disease pathophysiology and the
      lack of an integrative approach that fails to provide a definite understanding of
      molecular linkage. To overcome these problems, we propose a novel systems biology
      approach that relates causative genes, interactomes and pathways to elucidate the
      risk factors mediating the molecular mechanisms and biomarkers for feasible
      diagnosis. The literature was mined to retrieve the causative genes of each risk
      factor and CHD to construct protein interactomes. The interactomes were examined
      to identify 298 common molecular signatures. The common signatures were mapped to
      the tissue network to synthesize a sub-network consisting of 82 proteins.
      Further, the dissection of the sub-network provides functional modules
      representing a diverse range of molecular functions, including the AKT/p13k, MAPK
      and wnt pathways. Also, the prioritization of functional modules identifies SRC,
      VEGFA and HIF1A as potential candidate markers. Further, we validate these
      candidates with the existing markers CRP, NOS3 and VCAM1 in the serum of 63
      individuals, 33 with CHD and 30 controls, using ELISA. SRC, VEGFA, H1F1A, CRP and
      NOS3 were significantly altered in patients compared to controls. These results
      support the utility of these candidate markers for the diagnosis of CHD. Overall,
      our molecular observations indicate the influence of risk factors in the
      pathophysiology of CHD and identify serum markers for diagnosis.

PMID- 27279348
TI  - A model for pattern deposition from an evaporating solution subject to contact
      angle hysteresis and finite solubility.
AB  - We propose a model for the pattern deposition of the solute from an evaporating
      drop of a dilute solution on a horizontal substrate. In the model we take into
      account the three-phase contact angle hysteresis and the deposition of the solute
      whenever its concentration exceeds the solubility limit. The evaporating drop is
      governed by a film equation. We show that unless for a very small three-phase
      contact angle or a very rapid evaporation rate the film adopts a quasi-steady
      geometry, satisfying the Young-Laplace equation to leading order. The
      concentration profile is assumed to satisfy an advection diffusion equation
      subject to the standard Fick's law for the diffusive flux. We further use an
      integral boundary condition to describe the dynamics of the concentration in the
      vicinity of the three-phase contact line; we replace an exact geometric
      description of the vicinity of the contact line, which is usually assumed such
      that mathematical singularities are avoided, with general insights about the
      concentration and its flux. We use our model to explore the relationships between
      a variety of deposition patterns and the governing parameters, show that the
      model repeats previous findings, and suggest further insights. 

PMID- 27279349
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Postpartum psychosis and pre-eclamptic toxaemia.

PMID- 27279350
TI  - The Inference-Based Approach (IBA) to the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive
      Disorder: An Open Trial Across Symptom Subtypes and Treatment-Resistant Cases.
AB  - : The current open trial evaluated an inference-based approach (IBA) to the
      treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) across symptom subtypes and
      treatment-resistant cases. Following formal diagnosis through semi-structured
      interview by an independent evaluator, a total of 125 OCD participants across
      five major symptom subtypes entered a program of 24 sessions of treatment based
      on the IBA. An additional group of 22 participants acted as a natural wait-list
      control group. Participants were administered the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive
      Scale before and after treatment as the principal outcome measure, as well as
      measures of negative mood states, inferential confusion and obsessive beliefs.
      Level of overvalued ideation was assessed clinically at pre-treatment using the
      Overvalued Ideation Scale. After 24 weeks of treatment, 102 treatment completers
      across all major subtypes of OCD showed significant reductions on the Yale-Brown
      Obsessive-Compulsive Scale with effect sizes ranging from 1.49 to 2.53 with a
      clinically significant improvement in 59.8% of participants. No improvement was
      observed in a natural wait-list comparison group. In addition, IBA was effective
      for those with high levels of overvalued ideation. Change in inferential
      confusion and beliefs about threat and responsibility were uniquely associated
      with treatment outcome. The study is the first large-scale open trial showing IBA
      to be effective across symptom subtypes and treatment-resistant cases. The
      treatment may be particularly valuable for those who have previously shown an
      attenuated response to other treatments. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons,
      Ltd. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: Psychological treatment based on the inference
      based approach is an effective treatment for all major subtypes of obsessive
      compulsive disorder. The treatment is equally effective for those with high and
      low levels of overvalued ideation. Treatment based on the inference-based
      approach may be particularly valuable for those who have shown an attenuated
      response to cognitive-behaviour therapy as usual.

PMID- 27279351
TI  - Determination of iohexol and iothalamate in serum and urine by capillary
      electrophoresis.
AB  - Estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is essential to assess kidney
      function. Iodine-containing contrast agents detection by HPLC has been proposed
      as a safe alternative for inulin or radioactive compounds. However, HPLC is a
      time-consuming and labor-intensive method. The aim of this study was to develop
      an assay for iohexol and iothalamate using capillary electrophoresis. Iohexol and
      iothalamate were directly analyzed by CE in serum and urine, using photometric
      detection (246 nm). Serum peak height was proportional to iohexol and iothalamate
      concentrations. Detection limits for iohexol and iothalamate were 10 and 5 mg/L.
      Limits of quantification were 13.0 and 15.0 mg/L. Within-run CVs were 4.9 and
      6.5%; between-run CVs 3.1-9.9% and 3.8-13.7%. A good correlation was observed
      between CE and HPLC: y = 1.1703x + 5.017 (iohexol) and y = 0.7807x + 11.01
      (iothalamate; (y = concentration obtained by CE [mg/L], x = concentration
      obtained by HPLC [mg/L]). In addition, CE allowed to determine urinary iohexol
      concentration. Although the detection limit for CE was higher than for HPLC, CE
      can still be used for eGFR determination. Advantages of this high-throughput
      method are the absence of sample pretreatment and a minimal sample volume
      requirement.

PMID- 27279353
TI  - Thirty-year stability after regeneration of a deep intrabony defect: a case
      report.
AB  - AIMS: Report clinical improvements and 30-year stability of clinical outcomes of
      an intrabony defect treated with non-resorbable barriers and mucogingival
      surgery. METHODS: A 18-year-old male presenting with a very severe intrabony
      defect at the upper right central incisor was treated with periodontal
      regeneration with non-resorbable barriers and a fibrin-fibronectin glue. The
      barriers were removed after 3 months. At 6 months, a free gingival graft (FGG)
      was positioned to improve mucogingival conditions. The patient was enrolled into
      a 6-month supportive periodontal care programme (SPC) for 30 years. RESULTS:
      Clinical attachment level (CAL) of 16 mm was associated with a 12 mm osseous
      defect and a pocket (PD) 14 mm deep. At 1 year, a CAL of 5 mm was associated with
      a PD of 2 mm. The 5 mm gingival recession measured at 6 months and treated with
      FGG was reduced to 3 mm. Measurements taken at 10, 20 and 30 years showed a
      consistent creeping of the gingival margin. At 30-year examination, CAL gain was
      12 mm associated with a 2 mm PD and a minimal gingival recession. CONCLUSIONS:
      This case demonstrates that it is possible to treat a very severe infrabony
      pocket applying regeneration and mucogingival surgery and to maintain the
      clinical outcomes for 30 years.

PMID- 27279352
TI  - Influence of Breed Size, Age, Fecal Quality, and Enteropathogen Shedding on Fecal
      Calprotectin and Immunoglobulin A Concentrations in Puppies During the Weaning
      Period.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fecal calprotectin and immunoglobulin A (IgA) are markers of
      intestinal inflammation and immunity in adult dogs. HYPOTHESIS: Fecal
      calprotectin and IgA concentrations in puppies are not influenced by fecal
      moisture in puppies but by enteropathogen shedding. ANIMALS: Three hundred and
      twenty-four puppies. METHODS: Fecal consistency was assessed by gross
      examination. Fecal moisture was evaluated before and after lyophilization. Canine
      parvovirus and coronavirus were detected in feces by qPCR and qRT-PCR
      respectively. Giardia intestinalis antigen was quantified by ELISA. The standard
      McMaster flotation technique was used to detect eggs and oocysts in feces. Fecal
      calprotectin and IgA concentrations were quantified by in-house
      radioimmunoassays. RESULTS: For each marker (IgA and calprotectin), a strong
      positive correlation was observed between concentration in fresh feces and
      concentration in fecal dry matter. 75.6% of the puppies were found to be infected
      by at >=1 of the enteropathogens evaluated. Fecal calprotectin concentration was
      significantly influenced by age (P = .001), with higher concentrations in younger
      puppies, but not by viral (P = .863) or parasitic infection (P = .791). Fecal IgA
      concentration was significantly influenced by enteropathogen shedding (P = .01),
      with a lower fecal IgA concentration in puppies shedding at >=1 enteropathogen
      compared to puppies without any enteropathogen shedding, but not by age.
      CONCLUSIONS: Fecal calprotectin and IgA are of no diagnostic value to detect
      presence of enteropathogens in clinically healthy puppies or puppies with
      abnormal feces, but could help to better understand the maturation of digestive
      tract.

PMID- 27279354
TI  - GP utilisation by education level among adults with COPD or asthma: a cross
      sectional register-based study.
AB  - There is a marked socioeconomic gradient in the prevalence of chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, but a large proportion of patients remain
      undiagnosed. It is a challenge for general practitioners (GPs) to both identify
      patients and contribute to equity and high quality in services delivered. The aim
      of this study was to identify patients with COPD and asthma diagnoses recorded by
      GPs and explore their utilisation of GP services by education level. This was a
      cross-sectional, national, register-based study from Norwegian general practice
      in the period 2009-2011. Based on claims from GPs, the number of patients aged
      ?40 years with a diagnosis of COPD or asthma and their GP services utilisation
      were estimated and linked to the national education database. Multivariate
      Poisson and logistic regression models were used to explore the variations in GP
      utilisation. In the population aged ?40 years, 2.8% had COPD and 3.8% had asthma
      according to GPs' diagnoses. COPD was four times more prevalent in patients with
      basic education than higher education; this increase was ?80% for asthma.
      Consultation rates were 12% higher (P<0.001) for COPD and 25% higher (P<0.001)
      for asthma in patients with low versus high education in the age group of 40-59
      years after adjusting for comorbidity, and patient and GP characteristics.
      Approximately 25% of COPD patients and 20% of asthma patients had ?1 spirometry
      test in general practice in 2011, with no significant education differences in
      adjusted models. The higher consultation rate in lower-education groups indicates
      that GPs contribute to fair distribution of healthcare.

PMID- 27279355
TI  - The cost-effectiveness of treating triple coinfection with HIV, tuberculosis and
      hepatitis C virus.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of
      treating patients infected with HIV and simultaneously coinfected with
      tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: A mathematical model for
      HIV coinfection with TB and HCV is introduced. The model was designed to
      incorporate parameters of control for the coverage of care, which makes it useful
      for performing cost-effectiveness analysis of public policies. A cost
      effectiveness analysis of early medical care of patients with TB and HCV
      coinfection, with coverage of 0 (basal), 25, 50, 75 and 100%, was performed for
      the whole cohort of patients and a special analysis was performed in a selected
      population with triple infection. RESULTS: The cost per resolved infection and
      the cost per year of life gained were found to be very cost-effective for the
      population with triple infection, for all different coverages. CONCLUSIONS: It is
      known that treating patients with HIV who are coinfected with TB or HCV implies
      high cost and low efficacy, but it is possible that the population with triple
      infections could achieve important benefits in terms of years of life gained.

PMID- 27279356
TI  - Increased RANKL expression in peripheral T cells is associated with decreased
      bone mineral density in patients with COPD.
AB  - Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-expressing adaptive T
      cells contribute to bone damage in autoimmune arthritis, although their role in
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-associated osteoporosis is unknown.
      In the present study, the functional expression of RANKL in CD4+/CD8+ T cells and
      Th17 cells, and the potential role of these cells in COPD-associated bone loss
      was investigated. A total of 36 non-smokers, 38 smokers with normal lung function
      and 57 patients with COPD were enrolled. Femoral and vertebral bone mineral
      density (BMD) was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RANKL expression
      in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and Th17 cells was evaluated by flow
      cytometry. For in vitro experiments, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from 17 non-smokers
      were evaluated for RANKL expression following dose-dependent culture with
      cigarette smoke extract (CSE) for 5 days. The frequencies of RANKL-positive CD4+
      and CD8+ T cells were higher in the patients with COPD than in the non-smokers
      (P=0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). The proportion of CD4+ T cells positive for
      both RANKL and interleukin-17 (IL-17) was higher in the patients with COPD than
      in the non-smokers (P=0.010). However, the frequency of RANKL-expressing Th17
      cells was similar among all groups (P=0.508). The frequency of RANKL+CD4+ T cells
      inversely correlated with BMD of the lumbar vertebrae (P=0.01, r=-0.229), and
      that of the femoral neck (P<0.001, r=-0.350). The results of our in vitro
      experiments revealed that CSE increased RANKL expression in CD4+ T cells only.
      The percentages of RANKL-positive CD4+ T cells and RANKL- and IL-17 double
      positive CD4+ T cells were increased in the peripheral blood of patients with
      COPD, and the former were associated with BMD. These observations suggest that
      RANKL+CD4+ T cells may be mechanistically linked to diseases of the lung and bone
      in patients with COPD. 

PMID- 27279358
TI  - Does maternal obesity impact pregnancy-related deaths? Michigan experience.
AB  - Obesity is a multifactorial non-communicable condition that has become a public
      health epidemic worldwide. The Fifth Millennium Development Goal established the
      goal of a 75% reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) between 1990 and
      2015. Maternal mortality has been difficult to track over time. Obesity affects
      pregnancy in more than 50% of women of reproductive age in the state of Michigan;
      the potential impact of maternal obesity and pregnancy-related deaths (PRDs) has
      not been studied in Michigan. We conducted a secondary analysis of maternal death
      cases originally reviewed by the Michigan Maternal Mortality Review Committee
      from 2004 to 2006 seeking to evaluate the impact of maternal obesity on PRD. Two
      hundred and five maternal deaths occurred during the period of the study, 61 were
      classified as PRD. The observed occurrence of PRDs in the obese population was 36
      cases while in the non-obese was 25 cases. The study showed a 3.7* risk of PRD in
      the obese parturient.

PMID- 27279359
TI  - Saccharide-induced modulation of photoluminescence lifetime in microgels.
AB  - Sugar-responsive microgels were prepared by the covalent grafting of a poly(N
      isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) matrix with phenylboronic acid (PBA) as a
      saccharide sensing unit and a [Ru(bpy)3](2+) derivative (2,2'-bipyridine) as a
      luminescent reporter. Time-resolved emission studies reveal that the ruthenium
      complex has an unusually long lifetime (1.6 MUs) and high quantum yield (~0.17)
      in the PBA-microgel environment. In the presence of sugars, the microgels swell
      due to the formation of a sugar-boronate ester, leading to a more hydrophilic
      polymer chain. The swelling is accompanied by a decrease of the lifetime and the
      photoluminescence quantum yield, which cannot be explained solely by the swelling
      of the hydrogel. The emission properties of the ruthenium complex in PBA
      functionalized microgels are compared to those in pNIPAM microgels lacking PBA
      moieties in various swelling states. The presence of PBA in the vicinity of
      [Ru(bpy)3](2+) is shown to have a predominant impact on its luminescence
      properties, mainly through a decrease of the polarity. Sugar-induced triggering
      of the boronate state thus leads to strong variations of the polarity and the
      luminescence characteristics. 

PMID- 27279357
TI  - Assessing the criterion validity of four highly abbreviated measures from the
      Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent in multiple sclerosis. As self
      reported cognitive functioning is unreliable, brief objective screening measures
      are needed. Utilizing widely used full-length neuropsychological tests, this
      study aimed to establish the criterion validity of highly abbreviated versions of
      the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised (BVMT-R), Symbol Digit Modalities
      Test (SDMT), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Sorting Test, and
      Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) in order to begin developing an MS
      specific screening battery. METHOD: Participants from Holy Name Medical Center
      and the Kessler Foundation were administered one or more of these four measures.
      Using test-specific criterion to identify impairment at both -1.5 and -2.0 SD,
      receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analyses of BVMT-R Trial 1, Trial 2, and
      Trial 1 + 2 raw data (N = 286) were run to calculate the classification accuracy
      of the abbreviated version, as well as the sensitivity and specificity. The same
      methods were used for SDMT 30-s and 60-s (N = 321), D-KEFS Sorting Free Card Sort
      1 (N = 120), and COWAT letters F and A (N = 298). RESULTS: Using these
      definitions of impairment, each analysis yielded high classification accuracy
      (89.3 to 94.3%). CONCLUSIONS: BVMT-R Trial 1, SDMT 30-s, D-KEFS Free Card Sort 1,
      and COWAT F possess good criterion validity in detecting impairment on their
      respective overall measure, capturing much of the same information as the full
      version. Along with the first two trials of the California Verbal Learning Test -
      Second Edition (CVLT-II), these five highly abbreviated measures may be used to
      develop a brief screening battery.

PMID- 27279360
TI  - ICRP Publication 132: Radiological Protection from Cosmic Radiation in Aviation.
AB  - Abstract -: In this publication, the International Commission on
      RadiologicalProtection (ICRP) provides updated guidance on radiological
      protection fromcosmic radiation in aviation, taking into account the current ICRP
      system of radiologicalprotection, the latest available data on exposures in
      aviation, and experiencegained worldwide in the management of exposures in
      aviation. The publicationdescribes the origins of cosmic radiation, how it
      exposes passengers and aircraftcrew, the basic radiological protection principles
      that apply to this existing exposuresituation, and the available protective
      actions. For implementation of the optimisationprinciple, the Commission
      recommends a graded approach proportionate to thelevel of exposure that may be
      received by individuals. The objective is to keep theexposure of the most exposed
      individuals to a reasonable level. The Commission alsorecommends that information
      be disseminated to raise awareness about cosmic radiation,and to support informed
      decisions among concerned stakeholders.

PMID- 27279361
TI  - The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is regulated by oncoviruses in
      cancer.
AB  - The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), defined as transdifferentiation of
      epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells, is critical for embryonic development,
      wound healing, tissue regeneration, organ fibrosis, and cancer progression.
      Recently, the role of EMT in carcinogenesis has attracted much attention.
      Oncoviruses, including human papillomaviruses (HPVs), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),
      and hepatitis B and C viruses (HBVs, HCVs), are known to be involved in the
      etiology of cancer and have been found to play important roles in cancer
      metastasis, especially in the EMT process. The HPV encoded oncoproteins E6 and E7
      (E6/E7), EBV latent membrane protein-1 and -2A, EBV nuclear antigen, HBV-encoded
      X antigen, and nonstructural HCV protein 5A are all involved in the regulation of
      EMT. This review primarily focuses on the role of oncoviruses and their encoded
      proteins or signaling pathways in the EMT process. Understanding their roles will
      help us in the development of effective strategies for prevention and treatment
      of virus-related cancers.-Chen, X., Bode, A. M., Dong, Z., Cao, Y. The epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) is regulated by oncoviruses in cancer.

PMID- 27279362
TI  - Epigenetic regulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) beta1 in breast cancer
      cells.
AB  - Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is a heterodimer composed of alpha and beta
      subunits. The loss of sGCbeta1 has been implicated in several vascular and
      nonvascular diseases. Our analysis showed that higher levels of sGCbeta1 in
      breast cancer tissues are correlated with greater survival probability than lower
      sGCbeta1 levels. However, there is no information on sGC regulation by epigenetic
      mechanisms. We examined the role of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in
      regulating sGCalpha1 and -beta1 expression in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and
      MDA-MB-468 cell lines. The class I HDAC inhibitors increased the expression of
      sGCbeta1 more than sGCalpha1. Transient overexpression of HDAC3, but not HDAC1 or
      HDAC2, significantly reduced sGCbeta1 mRNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay
      confirmed an enhanced binding of HDAC3 to the sGCbeta1 proximal promoter, which
      could be reversed by panobinostat (LBH-589) treatment. Mutations at the CCAAT
      binding sequence, a major element regulating sGCbeta1 expression, markedly
      reduced the efficacy of LBH-589 in augmenting sGCbeta1 promoter activity. LBH-589
      markedly enhanced the binding of nuclear transcription factor Y, subunit alpha,
      to the sGCbeta1 promoter (CCAAT binding sequence). In summary, HDAC3 is an
      endogenous antagonist of sGCbeta1 expression. Inhibition of HDAC3 with targeted
      therapy could benefit treatment of the diseases associated with sGCbeta1 down
      regulation and/or deficiency such as cancer and several vascular-related
      diseases.-Sotolongo, A., Monica, F. Z., Kots, A., Xiao, H., Liu, J., Seto, E.,
      Bian, K., Murad, F. Epigenetic regulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)
      beta1 in breast cancer cells.

PMID- 27279364
TI  - High-efficiency sample preparation approach to determine acrylamide levels in
      high-fat foods.
AB  - An improved sample preparation method was developed to enhance acrylamide
      recovery in high-fat foods. Prior to concentration, distilled deionized water was
      added to protect acrylamide from degradation, resulting in a higher acrylamide
      recovery rate from fried potato chips. A Chrome-Matrix C18 column (2.6 MUm, 2.1 *
      100 mm) was used for the first time to analyze acrylamide levels using ultra high
      performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem
      mass spectrometry, displaying good separation of acrylamide from interference. A
      solid-phase extraction procedure was avoided, and an average recovery of >89.00%
      was achieved from different food matrices for three different acrylamide spiking
      levels. Good reproducibility was observed, with an intraday relative standard
      deviation of 0.04-2.38%, and an interday relative standard deviation of 2.34
      3.26%. Thus, combining the improved sample preparation method for acrylamide
      analysis with the separation on a Chrome-Matrix C18 column (2.6 MUm, 2.1 * 100
      mm) using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray
      ionization tandem mass spectrometry is highly useful for analyzing acrylamide
      levels in complex food matrices. 

PMID- 27279363
TI  - Cytochrome bd Displays Significant Quinol Peroxidase Activity.
AB  - Cytochrome bd is a prokaryotic terminal oxidase that catalyses the electrogenic
      reduction of oxygen to water using ubiquinol as electron donor. Cytochrome bd is
      a tri-haem integral membrane enzyme carrying a low-spin haem b558, and two high
      spin haems: b595 and d. Here we show that besides its oxidase activity,
      cytochrome bd from Escherichia coli is a genuine quinol peroxidase (QPO) that
      reduces hydrogen peroxide to water. The highly active and pure enzyme preparation
      used in this study did not display the catalase activity recently reported for E.
      coli cytochrome bd. To our knowledge, cytochrome bd is the first membrane-bound
      quinol peroxidase detected in E. coli. The observation that cytochrome bd is a
      quinol peroxidase, can provide a biochemical basis for its role in detoxification
      of hydrogen peroxide and may explain the frequent findings reported in the
      literature that indicate increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide and decreased
      virulence in mutants that lack the enzyme.

PMID- 27279365
TI  - Research of combined adsorption-coagulation process in treating petroleum
      refinery effluent.
AB  - The petroleum refinery industry generates a significant amount of wastewater that
      contains a high level of organic matter, which calls for effective and costly
      treatments. In this research, the effectiveness of the petroleum refinery
      effluent (PRE) treatment with physicochemical process of combined adsorption and
      coagulation was evaluated. The effects of initial pH, hydraulic condition , and
      combined sequence of treatment process, different treating reagent types and
      dosages on the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were investigated.
      Additionally, the elimination efficiency of pollutant wastewater was monitored by
      gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and Fourier transformed infrared
      (FT-IR) spectrophotometer was adopted to describe the structure of the
      wastewater. Wooden activated carbon was chosen as adsorbent at the dosage of 10
      g/L as a primary treatment, and 1500 mg/L polymeric magnesium ferric sulfate was
      used in coagulation. Results showed that adsorption and subsequent coagulation
      displayed the best performance when initial pH was 9 at shear rates (G) of G1 =
      65 s-1 and G2 = 20 s-1, which reached maximal removal rate of COD and total
      organic carbon GC-MS testing result revealed that adsorption was effective in
      phenols and iso-alkanes removal, whereas coagulation was good at removing esters
      and n-alkanes.

PMID- 27279367
TI  - Interdisciplinary and innovative : Invitation to the annual conference of the
      German Society of Neuroradiology and the annual conference of the Austrian
      Society of Neuroradiology.

PMID- 27279366
TI  - Establishing Virulence Associated Polyphosphate Kinase 2 as a drug target for
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - Inorganic polyphosphate (PolyP) plays an essential role in microbial stress
      adaptation, virulence and drug tolerance. The genome of Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis encodes for two polyphosphate kinases (PPK-1, Rv2984 and PPK-2,
      Rv3232c) and polyphosphatases (ppx-1, Rv0496 and ppx-2, Rv1026) for maintenance
      of intracellular PolyP levels. Microbial polyphosphate kinases constitute a
      molecular mechanism, whereby microorganisms utilize PolyP as phosphate donor for
      synthesis of ATP. In the present study we have constructed ppk-2 mutant strain of
      M. tuberculosis and demonstrate that PPK-2 enzyme contributes to its ability to
      cause disease in guinea pigs. We observed that ppk-2 mutant strain infected
      guinea pigs had significantly reduced bacterial loads and tissue pathology in
      comparison to wild type infected guinea pigs at later stages of infection. We
      also report that in comparison to the wild type strain, ppk-2 mutant strain was
      more tolerant to isoniazid and impaired for survival in THP-1 macrophages. In the
      present study we have standardized a luciferase based assay system to identify
      chemical scaffolds that are non-cytotoxic and inhibit M. tuberculosis PPK-2
      enzyme. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study demonstrating
      feasibility of high throughput screening to obtain small molecule PPK-2
      inhibitors.

PMID- 27279368
TI  - Logistical challenges and design considerations for studies using acute anterior
      cruciate ligament injury as a potential model for early posttraumatic
      osteoarthritis.
AB  - Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common and lead to posttraumatic
      osteoarthritis (PTOA) in a high percentage of patients. Research has been
      ineffective in identifying successful treatment options for people suffering from
      symptomatic PTOA resulting in a shift of focus toward the young, ACL injured
      patients at risk of developing PTOA. Randomized clinical trials examining the
      very early phase after ACL injury are ideal to study this population; however,
      these trials face significant challenges regarding recruitment as well as
      reproducibility of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and inflammatory and/or
      chondrodegenerative biomarkers associated with early PTOA. The aim of this work
      was to develop an approach to allow for early recruitment into an RCT for early
      treatment following ACL injury and to analyze the variability of commonly used
      measures and biomarkers at various time points after injury. This paper reports
      the study design and data related to the first month of treatment for the placebo
      group of an ongoing 2-year clinical trial to evaluate the effect of an early
      intra-articular intervention after ACL injury. The results of this study suggest
      that acute ACL injury results in early changes of both inflammatory and
      chondrodegenerative biomarkers. These results also provide vital information for
      researchers to consider when developing future protocols, both related to the
      logistics of early patient enrollment as well as the appropriate timing of
      biomarker and patient-reported outcome collection. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research
      Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:641-650, 2017.

PMID- 27279369
TI  - Contribution of the Twin Arginine Translocation system to the exoproteome of
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses secretion systems to
      deliver exoproteins into the environment. These exoproteins contribute to
      bacterial survival, adaptation, and virulence. The Twin arginine translocation
      (Tat) export system enables the export of folded proteins into the periplasm,
      some of which can then be further secreted outside the cell. However, the full
      range of proteins that are conveyed by Tat is unknown, despite the importance of
      Tat for the adaptability and full virulence of P. aeruginosa. In this work, we
      explored the P. aeruginosa Tat-dependent exoproteome under phosphate starvation
      by two-dimensional gel analysis. We identified the major secreted proteins and
      new Tat-dependent exoproteins. These exoproteins were further analyzed by a
      combination of in silico analysis, regulation studies, and protein localization.
      Altogether we reveal that the absence of the Tat system significantly affects the
      composition of the exoproteome by impairing protein export and affecting gene
      expression. Notably we discovered three new Tat exoproteins and one novel type II
      secretion substrate. Our data also allowed the identification of two new start
      codons highlighting the importance of protein annotation for subcellular
      predictions. The new exoproteins that we identify may play a significant role in
      P. aeruginosa pathogenesis, host interaction and niche adaptation.

PMID- 27279370
TI  - HDAC3 Is Required for the Downregulation of RORgammat during Thymocyte Positive
      Selection.
AB  - To generate functional peripheral T cells, proper gene regulation during T cell
      development is critical. In this study, we found that histone deacetylase (HDAC)
      3 is required for T cell development. T cell development in CD2-icre HDAC3
      conditional knockout (cKO) mice (HDAC3-cKO) was blocked at positive selection,
      resulting in few CD4 and CD8 T cells, and it could not be rescued by a TCR
      transgene. These single-positive thymocytes failed to upregulate Bcl-2, leading
      to increased apoptosis. HDAC3-cKO mice failed to downregulate retinoic acid
      related orphan receptor (ROR) gammat during positive selection, similar to the
      block in positive selection in RORgammat transgenic mice. In the absence of
      HDAC3, the RORC promoter was hyperacetylated. In the periphery, the few CD4 T
      cells present were skewed toward RORgammat(+) IL-17-producing Th17 cells, leading
      to inflammatory bowel disease. Positive selection of CD8 single-positive
      thymocytes was restored in RORgammat-KO Bcl-xL transgenic HDAC3-cKO mice,
      demonstrating that HDAC3 is required at positive selection to downregulate
      RORgammat.

PMID- 27279371
TI  - Involvement of PARK2-Mediated Mitophagy in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
      Pathogenesis.
AB  - Fibroblastic foci, known to be the leading edge of fibrosis development in
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), are composed of fibrogenic myofibroblasts.
      Autophagy has been implicated in the regulation of myofibroblast differentiation.
      Insufficient mitophagy, the mitochondria-selective autophagy, results in
      increased reactive oxygen species, which may modulate cell signaling pathways for
      myofibroblast differentiation. Therefore, we sought to investigate the regulatory
      role of mitophagy in myofibroblast differentiation as a part of IPF pathogenesis.
      Lung fibroblasts were used in in vitro experiments. Immunohistochemical
      evaluation in IPF lung tissues was performed. PARK2 was examined as a target
      molecule for mitophagy regulation, and a PARK2 knockout mouse was employed in a
      bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model. We demonstrated that PARK2 knockdown
      mediated mitophagy inhibition was involved in the mechanism for activation of the
      platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
      accompanied by enhanced myofibroblast differentiation and proliferation, which
      were clearly inhibited by treatment with both antioxidants and AG1296, a PDGFR
      inhibitor. Mitophagy inhibition-mediated activation of PDGFR signaling was
      responsible for further autophagy suppression, suggesting the existence of a self
      amplifying loop of mitophagy inhibition and PDGFR activation. IPF lung
      demonstrated reduced PARK2 with concomitantly increased PDGFR phosphorylation.
      Furthermore, bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis was enhanced in PARK2 knockout mice
      and subsequently inhibited by AG1296. These findings suggest that insufficient
      mitophagy-mediated PDGFR/PI3K/AKT activation, which is mainly attributed to
      reduced PARK2 expression, is a potent underlying mechanism for myofibroblast
      differentiation and proliferation in fibroblastic foci formation during IPF
      pathogenesis.

PMID- 27279373
TI  - FHR3 Blocks C3d-Mediated Coactivation of Human B Cells.
AB  - The autoimmune renal disease deficient for complement factor H-related (CFHR)
      genes and autoantibody-positive form of hemolytic uremic syndrome is
      characterized by the presence of autoantibodies specific for the central
      complement regulator, factor H, combined with a homozygous deficiency, mostly in
      CFHR3 and CFHR1 Because FHR3 and FHR1 bind to C3d and inactivated C3b, which are
      ligands for complement receptor type 2 (CR2/CD21), the aim of the current study
      was to examine whether FHR3-C3d or FHR1-C3d complexes modulate B cell activation.
      Laser-scanning microscopy and automated image-based analysis showed that FHR3,
      but not FHR1 or factor H, blocked B cell activation by the BCR coreceptor complex
      (CD19/CD21/CD81). FHR3 bound to C3d, thereby inhibiting the interaction between
      C3d and CD21 and preventing colocalization of the coreceptor complex with the
      BCR. FHR3 neutralized the adjuvant effect of C3d on B cells, as shown by
      inhibited intracellular CD19 and Akt phosphorylation in Raji cells, as well as
      Ca(2+) release in peripheral B cells. In cases of CFHR3/CFHR1 deficiency, the
      FHR3 binding sites on C3d are occupied by factor H, which lacks B cell-inhibitory
      functions. These data provide evidence that FHR3, which is absent in patients
      with the autoimmune form of hemolytic uremic syndrome, is involved in B cell
      regulation.

PMID- 27279372
TI  - Autoantibody-Mediated Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis in Rasgrp1-Deficient Mice.
AB  - Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung syndrome caused by the
      accumulation of surfactants in the alveoli. The most prevalent clinical form of
      PAP is autoimmune PAP (aPAP) whereby IgG autoantibodies neutralize GM-CSF. GM-CSF
      is a pleiotropic cytokine that promotes the differentiation, survival, and
      activation of alveolar macrophages, the cells responsible for surfactant
      degradation. IgG-mediated neutralization of GM-CSF thereby inhibits alveolar
      macrophage homeostasis and function, leading to surfactant accumulation and
      innate immunodeficiency. Importantly, there are no rodent models for this
      disease; therefore, underlying immune mechanisms regulating GM-CSF-specific IgG
      in aPAP are not well understood. In this article, we identify that autoimmune
      prone Rasgrp1-deficient mice develop aPAP: 1) Rasgrp1-deficient mice exhibit
      reduced pulmonary compliance and lung histopathology characteristic of PAP; 2)
      alveolar macrophages from Rasgrp1-deficient mice are enlarged and exhibit reduced
      surfactant degradation; 3) the concentration of GM-CSF-specific IgG is elevated
      in both serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from Rasgrp1-deficient mice; 4) GM
      CSF-specific IgG is capable of neutralizing GM-CSF bioactivity; and 5) Rasgrp1
      deficient mice also lacking CD275/ICOSL, a molecule necessary for conventional T
      cell-dependent Ab production, have reduced GM-CSF-specific autoantibody and do
      not develop PAP. Collectively, these studies reveal that Rasgrp1-deficient mice,
      to our knowledge, represent the first rodent model for aPAP.

PMID- 27279375
TI  - Improvement in the biological standard of living in 20th century Korea: Evidence
      from age at menarche.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We used age at menarche to understand improvement in the biological
      standard of living in South Korea during the 20th century. METHODS: The main
      dataset, the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, provided a
      consistent source of nationally representative data with a large number of
      observations over a long period of time. We calculated mean ages at menarche by
      birth year and estimated the rate of decrease in age at menarche, while avoiding
      survival bias. RESULTS: The mean age at menarche decreased from 16.64 for the
      birth year 1941 to 12.68 for the birth year 1992, decreasing 0.78 (or 0.81 in a
      regression) years per decade for the period. Comparisons with other populations
      demonstrate that this is the fastest rate of decline ever known. In contrast to
      other developed countries, the decreasing rate in Korea does not appear to slow.
      We also compared the trend in age at menarche to that of height and found that
      the rate of increase in height is also the fastest in history. CONCLUSIONS: Age
      at menarche is an appropriate index of change in the general standard of living
      in South Korea over the 20th century. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 29:e22882, 2017. (c) 2016
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27279374
TI  - A Novel R848-Conjugated Inactivated Influenza Virus Vaccine Is Efficacious and
      Safe in a Neonate Nonhuman Primate Model.
AB  - Influenza virus infection of neonates poses a major health concern, often
      resulting in severe disease and hospitalization. At present, vaccines for this at
      risk population are lacking. Thus, development of an effective vaccine is an
      urgent need. In this study, we have used an innovative nonhuman primate neonate
      challenge model to test the efficacy of a novel TLR 7/8 agonist R848-conjugated
      influenza virus vaccine. The use of the intact virus represents a step forward in
      conjugate vaccine design because it provides multiple antigenic targets allowing
      for elicitation of a broad immune response. Our results show that this vaccine
      induces high-level virus-specific Ab- and cell-mediated responses in neonates
      that result in increased virus clearance and reduced lung pathology postchallenge
      compared with the nonadjuvanted virus vaccine. Surprisingly, the addition of a
      second TLR agonist (flagellin) did not enhance vaccine protection, suggesting
      that combinations of TLR that provide increased efficacy must be determined
      empirically. These data support further exploration of this new conjugate
      influenza vaccine approach as a platform for use in the at-risk neonate
      population.

PMID- 27279376
TI  - High-efficiency and air-stable P3HT-based polymer solar cells with a new non
      fullerene acceptor.
AB  - Solution-processed organic photovoltaics (OPV) offer the attractive prospect of
      low-cost, light-weight and environmentally benign solar energy production. The
      highest efficiency OPV at present use low-bandgap donor polymers, many of which
      suffer from problems with stability and synthetic scalability. They also rely on
      fullerene-based acceptors, which themselves have issues with cost, stability and
      limited spectral absorption. Here we present a new non-fullerene acceptor that
      has been specifically designed to give improved performance alongside the wide
      bandgap donor poly(3-hexylthiophene), a polymer with significantly better
      prospects for commercial OPV due to its relative scalability and stability.
      Thanks to the well-matched optoelectronic and morphological properties of these
      materials, efficiencies of 6.4% are achieved which is the highest reported for
      fullerene-free P3HT devices. In addition, dramatically improved air stability is
      demonstrated relative to other high-efficiency OPV, showing the excellent
      potential of this new material combination for future technological applications.

PMID- 27279377
TI  - [A man who was sick of being sick].

PMID- 27279378
TI  - [Assessment of microcirculation in critically ill patients].
AB  - Adequate organ supply of oxygen and of nutrients depends on microcirculation.
      Impaired microcirculation may result in temporary or irreversible loss of
      function. Therefore, critically ill patients require early diagnosis and therapy
      of microcirculatory disorders. Besides surrogate parameters of microcirculation
      like urine production or serum lactate levels, direct visualization became
      possible with sidestream darkfield intravital microscopy. This technique has been
      evaluated in clinical studies focusing on early diagnosis and therapy in
      cardiogenic shock like vasopressors, nitrates, or circulatory assist devices.
      Further studies evaluating measurements of microcirculation are necessary before
      a general recommendation for its routine use can be made.

PMID- 27279379
TI  - [Hemodynamic monitoring in intensive care and emergency medicine : Integration of
      clinical signs and ultrasound findings].
AB  - Hemodynamic monitoring is required in critically ill patients presenting with
      circulatory shock. Besides the clinical evaluation, noninvasive technologies can
      be used. Guidelines on volume resuscitation and cardiogenic shock already
      recommend bedside ultrasound as a diagnostic tool. To differentiate the cause of
      circulatory shock and monitor the effects of therapies, hemodynamic monitoring is
      necessary. This review discusses possibilities of the different invasive and
      noninvasive monitoring tools with a focus on the integration of clinical and
      sonographic parameters.

PMID- 27279381
TI  - [Corrigendum] Leptin stimulates ovarian cancer cell growth and inhibits apoptosis
      by increasing cyclin D1 and Mcl-1 expression via the activation of the MEK/ERK1/2
      and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.
AB  - Following the publication of this article, an interested reader drew to our
      attention an anomaly associated with the presentation of Figs. 5 and 8;
      essentially, the beta-actin control bands in Fig. 8 appeared to be a mirror image
      of the same control bands shown in Fig. 5A. After having re-examined the data,
      Fig. 5 was correctly presented as shown in the paper, although the beta-actin
      blot in Fig. 8 had been inadvertently misplaced as a mirror image of the control
      data from Fig. 5. Two similar experiments were performed at that time, yielding
      similar results, and the error with the control data did not affect the second of
      the experiments. Therefore, we present a corrected version of Fig. 8 containing
      the alternative data. The findings and conclusions of this paper are still
      supported by our experimental data, and were not affected by this error. We
      sincerely apologize for this mistake, and thank the reader of our article who
      drew this matter to our attention. Furthermore, we regret any inconvenience this
      mistake has caused. [the original article was published in the International
      Journal of Oncology 42: 1113-1119, 2013; DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.1789]. 

PMID- 27279382
TI  - Watch out for a revival of peginesatide in sports.
AB  - The erythropoietin-mimetic peptide (EMP) peginesatide belongs to the group of
      erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) that are prohibited when misused in
      sports. Peginesatide is a synthetic pegylated homodimer of two cyclic 21-amino
      acid chains. It was approved for the treatment of anaemic patients with chronic
      kidney disease in the USA in 2012, but recalled in 2013 due to prevalent cases of
      acute severe anaphylactoid reactions and associated fatalities (0.02%). The drug
      was considered obsolete for athletes and part of the anti-doping scene lost sight
      of it. However, recent research indicates that the adverse events were not caused
      by the drug substance, but by the drug product formulated in multi-use vials.
      These vials contained comparably high levels of subvisible particles. Phenol was
      identified as a critical component of the drug formulation, which caused the
      release of histamine from mast cells. Tricky athletes might consider peginesatide
      a pharmacologically safe ESA in an appropriate formulation. In addition, other
      EMPs may get a second wind for therapy including misuse in sports. Therefore, it
      is very important to proceed in developing electrophoretic, immunological, and
      mass spectroscopic methods for detecting peginesatide and other EMPs in human
      urine and blood samples. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27279380
TI  - Effectiveness of intensification therapies in Danes with Type 2 diabetes who use
      basal insulin: a population-based study.
AB  - AIMS: To examine the usage and real-life effectiveness of intensification
      therapies in people with Type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin. METHODS: We
      used population-based healthcare databases in Denmark during 2000-2012 to
      identify all individuals with a first basal insulin prescription (with or without
      oral drugs), and evaluated subsequent intensification therapy with bolus insulin,
      premixed insulin or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Poisson
      regression was used to compute the adjusted relative risks of reaching glycaemic
      control targets. RESULTS: We included 7034 initiators of basal insulin (median
      age 64 years, diabetes duration 5.3 years, 84% with oral co-medication and median
      (interquartile range) pre-insulin HbA1c level 77 (65-92) mmol/mol [9.2% (8.1
      10.6%)]. Of these, 3076 (43.7%) received intensification therapy after a median
      of 11 months: 58.5% with premixed insulin, 29.0% with bolus insulin, 10.6% with
      GLP-1 receptor agonists, and 1.9% with more than one add-on. Overall, 22% had
      attained an HbA1c level of < 53 mmol/mol (< 7%) by 3-6 months after
      intensification, while 38% attained an HbA1c < 58 mmol/mol (< 7.5%). Compared
      with premixed insulin intensification, attainment of HbA1c < 53 and < 58 mmol/mol
      was similar with bolus insulin add-on [adjusted relative risk 1.03 (95% CI 0.86
      1.24) and 1.02 (95% CI 0.91-1.15), and higher for GLP-1 receptor agonist add-on
      [adjusted relative risk 1.56 (95% CI 1.27-1.92) and 1.27 (1.10-1.47)].
      CONCLUSIONS: Among people with Type 2 diabetes, 22 and 38% reached a target HbA1c
      < 53 mmol/mol (< 7%) or < 58 mmol/mol (< 7.5%), respectively, after
      intensification of their basal insulin therapy. Compared with premixed insulin,
      target attainment was similar with bolus insulin and higher with GLP-1 receptor
      agonists.

PMID- 27279383
TI  - Retention of eyeblink conditioning in periweanling and adult rats.
AB  - Eyeblink conditioning is a well-established model for studying the developmental
      neurobiology of associative learning and memory, though nothing is known
      regarding developmental differences in retention between periweanling and adult
      rats. The present study examined retention of eyeblink conditioning in
      periweanling (postnatal day 24 at the start of training) and adult rats 1, 7, or
      28 days after acquisition. Retention was assessed by (1) a conditional stimulus
      (CS)-alone test session followed by (2) CS-unconditional stimulus (US)
      reacquisition tests. Conditional response (CR) levels at acquisition were
      comparable in most respects between ages, and robust CR levels were present at
      the start of retention tests for both ages in the 1 day group, with CR
      percentages at block 1 of reacquisition higher in periweanlings relative to
      adults. At the 7 day retention test there was a trend toward significance for
      higher CR percentages at the CS-alone test in adults relative to periweanlings,
      though there were no age differences at reacquisition testing. When testing
      occurred 28 days after acquisition, however, periweanlings showed fewer CRs
      relative to adults during reacquisition despite low CR levels in both ages
      throughout the CS-alone test. Furthermore, periweanlings in the 28 day group
      required more trials at reacquisition than all other groups to exceed CR levels
      from their first acquisition session. These findings are consistent with rapid
      forgetting in the young commonly referred to as "infantile amnesia." The well
      characterized eyeblink preparation may be useful for future studies investigating
      neural mechanisms responsible for rapid forgetting in developing animals.

PMID- 27279384
TI  - Reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the Children's Sleep Habits
      Questionnaire (CSHQ-SP) in school-age children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders in schoolchildren are a common problem worldwide, and
      when are not adequately diagnosed and treated, their negative impact on daytime
      functioning may be significant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
      psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Children's Sleep Habits
      Questionnaire (CSHQ). METHODS: Participants were 286 school-aged children from a
      community-based sample, aged 4 to 7 years. The sleep behaviour was evaluated
      using the CSHQ and actigraphy (ActiSleep monitor). The CSHQ was adapted to the
      Spanish language. The internal consistency of the questionnaire and the test
      retest reliability between scores at baseline and three-weeks-later were
      estimated. Associations between CSHQ items and accelerometer sleep quality
      indicators were used as indicators of concurrent validity. RESULTS: Cronbach's
      alpha coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.60 to 0.81, and 0.81 for the
      full scale; the intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.56 to 0.81. A
      moderate correlation was observed in sleep latency and awakenings measurements
      using both parents' reported sleep habits (CSHQ-SP) and sleep quality indicators
      (ActiSleep). CONCLUSIONS: The CSHQ-SP has demonstrated adequate psychometric
      properties, and it serves as a useful instrument for clinical and research
      setting.

PMID- 27279385
TI  - Nd:YAG laser radiation (1.064 nm) accelerates differentiation of osteoblasts to
      osteocytes on smooth and rough titanium surfaces in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of studies revealed beneficial effects of low-level laser
      therapy (LLLT) regarding cell proliferation and differentiation. AIM: To
      investigate the effect of Nd:YAG (1.064 nm) laser radiation in the proliferation
      and differentiation potential of MG-63 osteoblast-like cells. Additionally, the
      effects of the surface configurations were to be evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      MG-63 osteoblast cells were cultured on different surfaces: plastic tissue
      culture, smooth (polished) titanium-PT and rough titanium-SLA. The effects of
      both titanium surfaces and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on cell adhesion were
      evaluated by the gene expression of molecules involved in cell proliferation and
      differentiation. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and MTT
      proliferation assays were used to examine cell morphology and proliferation,
      respectively. RESULTS: Compared to smooth (PT) surfaces, SLA surfaces favoured MG
      63 cell differentiation. Following the application of Nd:YAG laser irradiation,
      cells yielded statistically significantly improved differentiation on both smooth
      and SLA surfaces compared with non-irradiated surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      of this present study suggest that both surface morphology and Nd:YAG laser
      irradiation influence the proliferation and differentiation potential of MG-63
      cells.

PMID- 27279386
TI  - An evaluation of toy quality for increasing self-control in typically developing
      preschool children.
AB  - Children often make impulsive choices, and previous research has shown that
      access to activities during the delay may enhance self-control (e.g., Newquist,
      Dozier, & Neidert, 2012). The purpose of the current study was to extend the
      results of Newquist et al. (2012) by comparing the effects of access to low
      preference, moderate-preference, and high-preference toys during delays. Results
      showed that (a) all toys increased self-control for 2 participants when toys were
      available for all choice options and (b) high-preference toys (and sometimes
      moderate-preference toys) increased self-control for 3 participants when the toys
      were available only for large delayed choices.

PMID- 27279387
TI  - Intensive Interaction Training for Paid Carers: 'Looking, Looking and Find Out
      When They Want to Relate to You'.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intensive interaction (II) is a communication approach useful for
      working with people with severe intellectual disabilities. Health and social care
      providers offer II training courses to paid carers working in local services with
      the goal of improving social communication for their clients. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Eight paid carers who had been trained in II were interviewed 2-3 years
      after training, to explore how their practice had changed, and whether any
      changes were sustainable. Interviews were analysed using interpretative
      phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Analysis revealed a master theme of emotional
      and practical endurance, with empowerment, better understanding and perceived
      barriers to implementation comprising subthemes. CONCLUSIONS: Despite actual and
      perceived barriers to the enduring use of II, all participants spoke positively
      of the approach and were continuing to use II in practice.

PMID- 27279388
TI  - Dystrophin Threshold Level Necessary for Normalization of Neuronal Nitric Oxide
      Synthase, Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase, and Ryanodine Receptor-Calcium Release
      Channel Type 1 Nitrosylation in Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy
      Dystrophinopathy.
AB  - At present, the clinically most advanced strategy to treat Duchenne muscular
      dystrophy (DMD) is the exon-skipping strategy. Whereas antisense oligonucleotide
      based clinical trials are underway for DMD, it is essential to determine the
      dystrophin restoration threshold needed to ensure improvement of muscle
      physiology at the molecular level. A preclinical trial has been conducted in
      golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs treated in a forelimb by
      locoregional delivery of rAAV8-U7snRNA to promote exon skipping on the canine
      dystrophin messenger. Here, we exploited rAAV8-U7snRNA-transduced GRMD muscle
      samples, well characterized for their percentage of dystrophin-positive fibers,
      with the aim of defining the threshold of dystrophin rescue necessary for
      normalization of the status of neuronal nitric oxide synthase mu (nNOSMU),
      inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and ryanodine receptor-calcium release
      channel type 1 (RyR1), crucial actors for efficient contractile function. Results
      showed that restoration of dystrophin in 40% of muscle fibers is needed to
      decrease abnormal cytosolic nNOSMU expression and to reduce overexpression of
      iNOS, these two parameters leading to a reduction in the NO level in the muscle
      fibers. Furthermore, the same percentage of dystrophin-positive fibers of 40% was
      associated with the normalization of RyR1 nitrosylation status and with
      stabilization of the RyR1-calstabin1 complex that is required to facilitate
      coupled gating. We concluded that a minimal threshold of 40% of dystrophin
      positive fibers is necessary for the reinstatement of central proteins needed for
      proper muscle contractile function, and thus identified a rate of dystrophin
      expression significantly improving, at the molecular level, the dystrophic muscle
      physiology.

PMID- 27279389
TI  - Oncologic value of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric
      cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The oncologic validity of laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy
      (LADG) in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) remains controversial.
      This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available evidence.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed between 2008 and 2014
      to identify comparative studies evaluating morbidity/mortality, oncologic surgery
      related outcomes, recurrence and survival rates. Data synthesis and statistical
      analysis were carried out using RevMan 5.2 software. RESULTS: Eight studies with
      a total of 1456 patients were included in this analysis. The complication rate
      was lower in LADG [odds ratio (OR) 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.42
      0.83; P < 0.002]. The in-hospital mortality rate was comparable (OR 1.22; 95% CI
      = 0.28-5-29, P = 0.79). There was no significant difference in the number of
      harvested lymph nodes, resection margins, cancer recurrence rate, cancer-related
      mortality or overall and disease-free survival (OS and DFS, respectively) rates
      between the laparoscopic and the open groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current
      study supports the view that LADG for AGC is a feasible, safe and effective
      procedure in selected patients. Adequate lymphadenectomy, resection margins,
      recurrence, cancer-related mortality and long-term outcomes appear equivalent to
      open distal gastrectomy (ODG).

PMID- 27279390
TI  - Fast-track rehabilitation following video-assisted pulmonary sublobar wedge
      resection: A prospective randomized study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative morbidity and inhospital length of stay are considered
      major determinants of total health care expenditure associated with thoracic
      operations. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the role of video
      assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) compared to mini-muscle-sparing thoracotomy in
      facilitating early recovery and hospital discharge after pulmonary sublobar wedge
      resections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total number of 120 patients undergoing
      elective pulmonary sublobar wedge resection were randomly assigned to VATS (n =
      60) or mini-muscle-sparing thoracotomy (n = 60). The primary endpoint was time to
      hospital discharge. Postoperative complications, cardiopulmonary morbidity and 30
      day mortality served as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Patients' baseline
      demographic and clinical data did not differ among study arms as well as the
      number of pulmonary segments resected and the morphology of the nodular lesions.
      Total hospital stay was significantly shorter in patients assigned to the
      thoracoscopic technique as opposed to those who were operated using the mini
      muscle-sparing thoracotomy approach (4 +/- 0.6 versus 4.4 +/- 0.6 days
      respectively, P = 0.006). Multivariate analysis revealed that VATS approach was
      inversely associated with longer inhospital stay whereas the number of resected
      segments was positively associated with an increased duration of hospitalization.
      Patients in the VATS group were less likely to develop atelectasis (>=1 lobe)
      compared to those who underwent thoracotomy (0% versus 6.7% respectively, P =
      0.042). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed similar 30-day mortality rates in both
      study arms (Log-rank P = 0.560). CONCLUSION: VATS was associated with shorter
      duration of hospitalization positively affecting the patients' quality of life
      and satisfaction. Significant suppression of the total cost of recovery after
      thoracoscopic pulmonary resections is expected.

PMID- 27279391
TI  - Evaluation of hands-on seminar for reduced port surgery using fresh porcine
      cadaver model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of various biological and non-biological simulators is
      playing an important role in training modern surgeons with laparoscopic skills.
      However, there have been few reports of the use of a fresh porcine cadaver model
      for training in laparoscopic surgical skills. The purpose of this study was to
      report on a surgical training seminar on reduced port surgery using a fresh
      cadaver porcine model and to assess its feasibility and efficacy. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The hands-on seminar had 10 fresh porcine cadaver models and two dry
      boxes. Each table was provided with a unique access port and devices used in
      reduced port surgery. Each group of 2 surgeons spent 30 min at each station,
      performing different tasks assisted by the instructor. The questionnaire survey
      was done immediately after the seminar and 8 months after the seminar. RESULTS:
      All the tasks were completed as planned. Both instructors and participants were
      highly satisfied with the seminar. There was a concern about the time allocated
      for the seminar. In the post-seminar survey, the participants felt that the
      number of reduced port surgeries performed by them had increased. CONCLUSION: The
      fresh cadaver porcine model requires no special animal facility and can be used
      for training in laparoscopic procedures.

PMID- 27279392
TI  - Comparison of weight loss outcomes 1 year after sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y
      gastric bypass in patients aged above 50 years.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Safe, effective weight loss with resolution of comorbidities has
      been convincingly demonstrated with bariatric surgery in the aged obese. They,
      however, lose less weight than younger individuals. It is not known if degree of
      weight loss is influenced by the choice of bariatric procedure. The aim of this
      study was to compare the degree of weight loss between laparoscopic sleeve
      gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in patients
      above the age of 50 years at 1 year after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      retrospective analysis was performed of all patients more than 50 years of age
      who underwent LSG or LRYGB between February 2012 and July 2013 with at least 1
      year of follow-up. Data evaluated at 1 year included age, sex, weight, body mass
      index (BMI), mean operative time, percentage of weight loss and excess weight
      loss, resolution/remission of diabetes, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Of a
      total of 86 patients, 54 underwent LSG and 32 underwent LRYGB. The mean
      percentage of excess weight loss at the end of 1 year was 60.19 +/- 17.45 % after
      LSG and 82.76 +/- 34.26 % after LRYGB (P = 0.021). One patient developed a sleeve
      leak after LSG, and 2 developed iron deficiency anaemia after LRYGB. The
      remission/improvement in diabetes mellitus and biochemistry was similar.
      CONCLUSION: LRYGB may offer better results than LSG in terms of weight loss in
      patients over 50 years of age.

PMID- 27279393
TI  - Usage of a self-adhesive mesh in TAPP hernia repair: A prospective study based on
      Herniamed Register.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed
      surgical procedures worldwide in general surgery. The transabdominal laparoscopic
      (TAPP) approach in the therapy of inguinal hernia seems to be a suitable
      alternative to classical open inguinal hernia repair mainly in the hands of an
      experienced surgeon. TAPP repair offers the possibility of gentle dissection with
      implantation of the mesh and the possibility of non-invasive fixation of the
      implanted mesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data analysis encompassed all patients who
      underwent inguinal hernia surgery at our Surgical Department within the period
      from July 1, 2012 to September 30, 2014 and who fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
      The standard surgical technique was used. Data were entered and subsequently
      analysed on the Herniamed platform. Herniamed is an Internet-based register in
      German and English, and includes all data of outpatient and hospitalised patients
      who underwent surgery for some type of hernia. All relevant patient data are
      collected via Internet. RESULTS: There were 241 patients enrolled in the group
      and there were 396 inguinal hernias repaired in total. Standard long-term follow
      up after 12 months was evaluated in 205 patients (85.06%), and in the rest of the
      patients during the closing of the study, but at least 6 months after operation.
      The mean follow-up was at 19.69 months. At the 1-year assessment, mild discomfort
      was reported in the groin in 10 patients (4.88%) [1-3 on the visual analogue
      scale (VAS)]. Post-operative pain lasting over 12 months in the groin of moderate
      degree (4-6 VAS) was reported in two cases (0.97%). There was no recurrence and
      no chronic post-operative pain of severe degree reported. CONCLUSION: Our study
      demonstrates that laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using the TAPP technique
      with the implantation of a self-fixation mesh is fast, effective, reliable and
      economically advantageous method in experienced hands and, according to our
      results, reduces the occurrence of post-herniorrhaphy inguinal pain (CPIP) and
      has a low recurrence rate.

PMID- 27279394
TI  - Single-incision laparoscopic resection of small bowel tumours: Making it easier
      for patient and surgeon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with small bowel tumours frequently require surgical
      intervention. Minimally invasive techniques require advanced skills and may not
      be offered to many patients. We present a laparoscopic single-incision technique
      that is minimally invasive without requiring intracorporeal anastomosis.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cases of all patients with laparoscopic small bowel
      resections performed by one surgeon from 2008 to 2012 were reviewed. A single
      port technique was introduced after it became available at our institution in
      2009. Before that, conventional laparoscopy (LAP) was performed with extension of
      the periumbilical incision to allow externalisation of the bowel. RESULTS:
      Totally, 10 patients were identified who underwent laparoscopic resection of
      small bowel tumours: 9 in the small bowel and 1 in the terminal ileum near the
      cecum. Three tumours were resected before 2009 using LAP, and 7 were resected
      using the single-port technique. Median length of stay was 3 days, median follow
      up was 16.5 months, and no patients had a recurrence. Operative time, post
      operative complications, hospital length of stay, and narcotic utilisation were
      similar between the single-port and traditional laparoscopic groups. CONCLUSION:
      Laparoscopic removal of small bowel tumours with a small, periumbilical trocar
      incision is both effective and feasible without advanced technical skill.

PMID- 27279395
TI  - Feasibility of thoracoscopic approach for retrosternal goitre (posterior
      mediastinal goitre): Personal experiences of 11 cases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Posterior mediastinal goitres constitute of a unique surgical
      thyroid disorder that requires expert management. Occasionally, they require
      thoracic approach for the completion of thyroidectomy. In this paper, we describe
      the feasibility and utility of a novel thoracoscopic approach for such goitres.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care
      endocrine surgery department in South India over a period of 5 years from January
      2010 to December 2014. We developed a novel thoracoscopic technique for posterior
      mediastinal goitres instead of a more morbid thoracotomy or sternotomy. All the
      clinical, investigative, operative, pathological and follow-up data were
      collected from our prospectively filled database. Statistical analysis was done
      with SPSS 15.0 version. Descriptive analysis was done. Operative Technique of
      Thoracoscopic Thyroidectomy: Single lumen endotracheal tube (SLETT) was used of
      anaesthetic intubation and general inhalational anaesthesia. Operative decubitus
      was supine with extension and abduction of the ipsilateral arm. Access to
      mediastinum was obtained by two working ports in the third and fifth intercostal
      spaces. Mediastinal extension was dissected thoracoscopically and delivered
      cervically. RESULTS: Out of 1,446 surgical goitres operated during the study
      period, 72 (5%) had retrosternal goitre. Also, 27/72 (37.5%) cases had posterior
      mediastinal extension (PME), out of which 11 cases required thoracic approach. We
      utilised thoracoscopic technique for these 11 cases. The post-operative course
      was uneventful with no major morbidity. There was one case of recurrent laryngeal
      nerve (RLN) injury and hoarseness of voice in the third case. Histopathologies in
      10 cases were benign, out of which two had subclinical hyperthyroidism. One case
      had multifocal papillary microcarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: We opine that novel
      thoracoscopic technique is a feasibly optimal approach for posterior mediastinal
      goitre, especially for benign and non-invasive malignant goitres.

PMID- 27279396
TI  - Experience of single-incision laparoscopy in children.
AB  - CONTEXT: Laparoscopic surgery is commonly used for the treatment of many
      pediatric surgical diseases at our department. Single-incision laparoscopic
      surgery (SILS) is well-known for its cosmetic benefit. We, hereby, present our
      experience of SILS and evaluate its efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July
      2012 to June 2014, 78 patients aged less than 18 years who underwent SILS were
      retrospectively evaluated. There were 44 males and 34 females, with a mean age of
      10.3 years. The procedures included appendectomy (n = 64), reduction of
      intussusception (n = 8), removal of an intestinal foreign body (n = 3), and
      Meckel's diverticulectomy (n = 3). We compared the patients who underwent SILS
      with those who underwent conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS), regarding these
      procedures. The parameters for analysis included the patient's demographic data,
      surgical indication, complications, operative time, and length of hospital stay.
      CONCLUSION: SILS is comparable to CLS regarding two major procedures, namely,
      appendectomy and reduction of intussusception. There were no significant
      differences between the two groups regarding the patients' demographic data,
      complications, and length of hospital stay. According to our experience of SILS,
      it could be a feasible and safe procedure for the treatment of various pediatric
      surgical diseases. However, large prospective randomized studies are needed to
      identify the differences between SIL and CLS.

PMID- 27279397
TI  - Use of a multi-instrument access device in abdominoperineal resections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery results in less post-operative pain,
      faster recovery, shorter length of stay and reduced morbidity compared with open
      procedures. Less or minimally invasive techniques have been developed to further
      minimise surgical trauma and to decrease the size and number of incisions. This
      study describes the safety and feasibility of using an umbilical multi-instrument
      access (MIA) port (Olympus TriPort+) device with the placement of just one 12-mm
      suprapubic trocar in laparoscopic (double-port) abdominoperineal resections
      (APRs) in rectal cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 20
      patients undergoing double-port APRs for rectal cancer between June 2011 and
      August 2013. Preoperative data were gathered in a prospective database, and post
      operative data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: The 20 patients (30%
      female) had a median age of 67 years (range 46-80 years), and their median body
      mass index (BMI) was 26 kg/m2 (range 20-31 kg/m2). An additional third trocar was
      placed in 2 patients. No laparoscopic procedures were converted to an open
      procedure. Median operating time was 195 min (range 115-306 min). A radical
      resection (R0 resection) was achieved in all patients, with a median of 14 lymph
      nodes harvested. Median length of stay was 8 days (range 5-43 days). CONCLUSION:
      Laparoscopic APR using a MIA trocar is a feasible and safe procedure. A MIA port
      might be of benefit as an extra option in the toolbox of the laparoscopic surgeon
      to further minimise surgical trauma.

PMID- 27279398
TI  - Gut barrier function and systemic endotoxemia after laparotomy or laparoscopic
      resection for colon cancer: A prospective randomized study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The gut barrier is altered in certain pathologic conditions (shock,
      trauma, or surgical stress), resulting in bacterial and/or endotoxin
      translocation from the gut lumen into the systemic circulation. In this
      prospective randomized study, we investigated the effect of surgery on intestinal
      permeability (IP) and endotoxemia in patients undergoing elective colectomy for
      colon cancer by comparing the laparoscopic with the open approach. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A hundred twenty-three consecutive patients underwent colectomy for
      colon cancer: 61 cases were open resection (OR) and 62 cases were laparoscopic
      resection (LR). IP was measured preoperatively and at days 1 and 3 after surgery.
      Serial venous blood sample were taken at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min, and at
      12, 24, and 48 h after surgery for endotoxin measurement. RESULTS: IP was
      significantly increased in the open and closed group at day 1 compared with the
      preoperative level (P < 0.05), but no difference was found between laparoscopic
      and open surgery group. The concentration endotoxin systemic increased
      significantly in the both groups during the course of surgery and returned to
      baseline levels at the second day. No difference was found between laparoscopic
      and open surgery. A significant correlation was observed between the maximum
      systemic endotoxin concentration and IP measured at day 1 in the open group and
      in the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSION: An increase in IP, and systemic
      endotoxemia were observed during the open and laparoscopic resection for colon
      cancer, without significant statistically difference between the two groups.

PMID- 27279399
TI  - Comparative study of postoperative analgesic effect of intraperitoneal
      instillation of dexmedetomidine with bupivacaine and bupivacaine alone after
      laparoscopic surgery.
AB  - AIMS: This prospective double-blinded study was designed with the aim of
      comparing the analgesic effect of intraperitoneal instillation of dexmedetomidine
      with bupivacaine with that with bupivacaine alone in patients undergoing
      laparoscopic surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients of either
      sex undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into two
      groups containing 50 patients in each group. Group B received intraperitoneal
      instillation with 50 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% (125 mg) and groups B + D received
      50 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% (125 mg) + 1 MUg/kg of dexmedetomidine. Pain was
      assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) at 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 24 h
      after the surgery. The requirement of rescue analgesics were recorded. RESULT:
      Duration of analgesia was longer in group B+D (14.5 hr) compared to group B
      (13.06 hr). The requirement of rescue analgesic in 24 hours was less in group B+D
      (1.76) compared to group B (2.56) which were statistically significant (P <
      0.05). The mean number of total rescue analgesia given in 24 h was less in group
      B+D was 1.76 whereas in group B was 2.56 that were statistically significant.
      CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal instillation of dexmedetomidine with bupivacaine
      prolongs the duration of postoperative analgesia as compared to that with
      bupivacaine alone. And also there is less number of rescue analgesics that are
      required postoperatively when dexmedetomidine is supplemented as an adjuvant to
      bupivacaine.

PMID- 27279400
TI  - Laparoscopic surgery and polycystic liver disease: Clinicopathological features
      and new trends in management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polycystic liver disease (PLD) has a low frequency overall in the
      worldwide population. As the patient's symptoms are produced by the expansion of
      hepatic volume, the different therapeutic alternatives are focused on reducing
      it. Surgery is still considered the most effective treatment for symptomatic PLD.
      The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic
      surgery for PLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 14 patients who were
      diagnosed with symptomatic PLD and underwent surgery by a laparoscopic approach
      between 2004 and 2012. It involved collecting data on the characteristics of
      those patients and their liver disease, surgical procedures, intra- and
      postoperative complications, and the long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Twelve
      laparoscopic multiple-cyst fenestrations and two segmentary liver resections
      associated with remaining-cyst fenestration were performed. One procedure
      required conversion to laparotomy and the other was complicated by anhepatic
      severe bleeding. The rest of the procedures were uneventful. One patient
      developed persistent self-limited ascites in the immediate postoperative period.
      Symptoms disappeared after surgical intervention in all patients. During a median
      follow-up of 62 months (range 14-113 months), there were two clinical recurrences
      and one asymptomatic radiological recurrence. One patient required further
      surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cystic fenestration and laparoscopic liver
      resection are safe and long-term, effective procedures for the treatment of
      symptomatic PLD. Severity and morphological characteristics of the hepatic
      disease will determine the surgical indication and the optimal approach for each
      patient.

PMID- 27279401
TI  - Early assessment of bilateral inguinal hernia repair: A comparison between the
      laparoscopic total extraperitoneal and Stoppa approaches.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The present clinical trial was designed to compare the results of
      bilateral inguinal hernia repair between patients who underwent the conventional
      Stoppa technique and laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair (LTE) with a
      single mesh and without staple fixation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This controlled,
      randomised clinical trial was conducted at General Surgery and Trauma of the
      Clinics Hospital, Medical School, the University of Sao Paulo between September
      2010 and February 2011. Totally, 50 male patients, with a bilateral inguinal
      hernia, older than 25 years were considered eligible for the study. The following
      parameters were analysed during the early post-operative period: (1) The
      intensity of surgical trauma, operation time, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels,
      white blood cell count, bleeding and pain intensity; (2) quality of life
      assessment; and (3) post-operative complications. RESULTS: LTE procedure was
      longer than the Stoppa procedure (134.6 min +/- 38.3 vs. 90.6 min +/- 41.3; P <
      0.05). The levels of CRP were higher in the Stoppa group (P < 0.05) but the
      number of leucocytes, haematocrit, and haemoglobin were similar between the
      groups (P > 0.05). There was no difference in pain during the 1st and 7th post
      operative, physical functioning, physical limitation, the impact of pain on daily
      activities, and the Carolinas Comfort Scale during the 7th and 15th post
      operative (P > 0.05). Complications occurred in 88% of Stoppa group (22 patients)
      and 64% in LTE group (16 patients) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The comparative study
      between the Stoppa and LTE approaches for the bilateral inguinal hernia repair
      demonstrated that: (1) The LTE approach showed less surgical trauma despite the
      longer operation time; (2) Quality of life during the early post-operative period
      were similar; and (3) Complication rates were higher in the Stoppa group.

PMID- 27279402
TI  - Laparoscopic management of recurrent pheochromocytoma: A case report.
AB  - Recurrence of pheochromocytoma after a total adrenalectomy is uncommon. Such
      recurrent tumours are mostly managed by the open technique, with very few studies
      reporting laparoscopic management. We hereby report a case of successful
      laparoscopic management of a recurrent pheochromocytoma after total adrenalectomy
      for left adrenal pheochromocytoma. 

PMID- 27279403
TI  - Congenital absence of the common bile duct: A rare anomaly of extrahepatic
      biliary tract.
AB  - Congenital absence of the common bile duct (CBD) is an extremely rare
      developmental anomaly with right and left hepatic ducts draining directly into
      the gallbladder (GB). Other synonyms for this clinical condition are
      "cholecystohepatic ducts", "transverse lie of the GB" or "interposition of the
      GB". The potential for iatrogenic injury is high, because of either inadvertent
      division or ligation of the ducts. Diagnosis is mostly made intraoperatively, and
      needs some form of biliary reconstruction. Herein, we are reporting a case of
      congenital absence of the CBD in a 36-year-old lady that was detected
      intraoperatively. 

PMID- 27279404
TI  - Laparoscopic excision of large lower rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumour
      (GIST): A case report.
AB  - Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) involving rectum is rare. No definite
      method of treatment has been established because of a small number of cases being
      reported. It is usually managed with invasive or ablative surgery, such as
      abdominoperineal resection (APR). The acceptance of minimally invasive
      (laparoscopic) surgery in colorectal disease plays a pivotal role in improving
      the postoperative quality of life. We report a case of a large lower rectal GIST
      who underwent laparoscopic excision of tumour through a subserosal approach
      whilst preserving the anal sphincter and without any rectal resection. 

PMID- 27279405
TI  - Epidermoid cyst at a rare location, as a content of inguinal hernia: A case
      report with a review of the literature.
AB  - Epidermoid cysts can occur in a variety of locations including the face, trunk,
      neck, extremities, and scalp. No case of epidermoid cyst as content of inguinal
      hernia has been reported so far; however, cases with dermoid, teratoma, lipoma,
      lymphangioma and leiomyoma as content of inguinal canal have been reported. A 29
      year-old female presented with a lump in the left inguinal region that was
      clinically diagnosed as left inguinal hernia. The patient was planned for
      laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair after routine investigation.
      Intraoperatively, a cystic mass was found to be attached to the left round
      ligament that was excised completely. Histopathological report was consistent
      with epidermal inclusion cyst. Inguinal epidermoid cyst mimicking inguinal hernia
      is a rare entity. If such a cyst is encountered during operation, it should be
      completely excised. 

PMID- 27279406
TI  - Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) approach for large juxta-anal
      gastrointestinal stromal tumour.
AB  - Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are rarely found in the rectum. Large
      rectal GISTs in the narrow pelvis sometimes require extended abdominal surgery to
      obtain free resection margins, and it is a challenge to preserve sufficient anal
      sphincter and urogenital function. Here we present a 56-year-old male with a
      locally advanced juxta-anal non-metastatic GIST of approximately 10 cm in
      diameter. Therapy with imatinib reduced the tumour size and allowed partial
      intersphincteric resection (pISR). The patient underwent an electrophysiology
      controlled nerve-sparing hybrid of laparoscopic and transanal minimally invasive
      surgery (TAMIS) in a multimodal setting. The down-to-up approach provided
      sufficient dissection plane visualisation and allowed the confirmed nerve
      sparing. Lateroterminal coloanal anastomosis was performed. Follow-up showed
      preserved urogenital function and good anorectal function, and the patient
      remains disease-free under adjuvant chemotherapy as of 12 months after surgery.
      This report suggests that the TAMIS approach enables extraluminal high-quality
      oncological and function-preserving excision of high-risk GISTs. 

PMID- 27279407
TI  - Laparoscopic repair in children with traumatic bladder perforation.
AB  - Here, we report two patients with a traumatic intraperitoneal bladder dome
      rupture repaired by laparoscopic intracorporeal sutures. The first patient was a
      3-year old boy was admitted with a history of road accident. He had a traumatic
      lesion on his lower abdomen and a pelvic fracture. Computed tomography (CT) scan
      revealed free intraabdominal fluid. The urethragram showed spreading contrast
      material into the abdominal cavity. Laparoscopic exploration revealed a 3-cm
      length perforation at the top of the bladder. The injury was repaired in a two
      fold fashion. Post-operative follow-up was uneventful. The second case was a 3
      year-old boy fell from the second floor of his house on the ground. He had
      traumatic lesion on his lower abdomen and a pelvic fracture. Due to bloody urine
      drainage, a cystography was performed and an extravasation from the dome of the
      bladder into the peritoneum was detected. On laparoscopy, a 3-cm long vertical
      perforation at the dome of the bladder was found. The perforation was repaired in
      two layers with intracorporeal suture technique. The post-operative course was
      uneventful. Laparoscopic repair of traumatic perforation of the bladder dome is a
      safe, effective and minimally invasive method. The cosmetic outcome is superior. 

PMID- 27279408
TI  - Retrograde intra-vesical reconstructive surgery (RIVRS): A novel technique.
AB  - Management of distal ureter by en block resection during radical nephrectomy for
      upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is considered as standard
      of care. In this report, we describe our technique for management of lower ureter
      which utilizes both the endoscopic and laparoscopic approach. The nephrectomy
      including the dissection of the lower ureter was completed laproscopically. The
      ureteral orifice was scored using a hook passed through a 24 Fr nephroscope and
      secured .Transurethral suturing of the defect with SewRight SR5 device passed
      through the working channel of the 24 Fr nephroscope was done. Our report
      highlights the fact that management of lower ureter in TCC pelvis can be done
      endoscopically/laproscopically without compromising the oncological principles.
      Our novel technique demonstrates feasibility of intra mural resection of the
      ureter and primary closure of the bladder endoscopically. 

PMID- 27279409
TI  - Why have we embraced minimally invasive surgery and ignored enhanced recovery
      after surgery?
AB  - There has been a lot of enthusiasm about minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the
      surgical community in recent times. Some of the main reasons for this are an
      unmatched appeal to patients, doctors and healthcare systems alike. Push from the
      industry also serves as an important reason for its popularity. 'Enhanced
      recovery after surgery' (ERAS) is a programme of implementing multimodal
      interventions in the perioperative period to promote faster recovery. Even though
      MIS is an important component of ERAS protocols, the latter has not seen the
      reception the former has received. In this article, the authors present their
      personal viewpoint on the matter. The authors intend to highlight issues
      surrounding an increasing emphasis on MIS and to caution against the MIS
      operative technique superseding comprehensive perioperative care. 

PMID- 27279410
TI  - Minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery: Are we talking about apples and
      oranges?

PMID- 27279411
TI  - Serum markers of pre-eclampsia identified on proteomics.
AB  - AIM: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a disorder of pregnancy associated with maternal and
      fetal mortality and morbidity. The aim of the present study was to use proteomics
      to identify biomarkers of, and elucidate the pathogenesis of, PE. METHODS: Serum
      samples were analyzed using peptide ligand library beads (PLLB) on liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Retinol-binding protein 4
      (RBP4) was used as the target protein for further validation on enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain
      reaction. Transwell invasion assay was used to evaluate whether RBP4 affects the
      invasive ability of trophoblast tumor cells. RESULTS: Twenty upregulated and 17
      downregulated proteins were differentially expressed between severe PE patients
      and healthy pregnant women. Those proteins were further classified according to
      molecular function and biological process according to the gene ontology terms.
      RBP4 concentration was significantly lower in women with severe PE than in those
      with healthy pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: RBP4 is able to function as biomarker to
      distinguish severe PE from normal pregnancy. More importantly, these results may
      shed light on the role of RPB4 in the pathogenesis in PE. Further studies are
      required to validate these results, and determine the precise role of RBP4 in the
      pathogenesis of PE.

PMID- 27279412
TI  - Evaluating the role of embolization and carotid artery sacrifice and
      reconstruction in the management of carotid body tumors.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To review the surgical management of carotid body tumors
      (CBT), outcomes of carotid artery reconstruction, as well as utility of
      preoperative embolization. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: A
      single-surgeon case series with chart review was performed of all cases between
      1997 and 2014 at a single institution. Tumor classification, major neurovascular
      resection, requirement for in-line carotid artery reconstruction, intraoperative
      blood loss, and operative time, and postoperative neurovascular complications
      were determined. RESULTS: In all, 96 patients with 101 CBTs underwent definitive
      resection disease. Vascular sacrifice was 2.9% (three) for the internal jugular
      vein, 8.9% (nine) for the external carotid artery, and 13.8% (14) for the
      internal carotid artery (ICA). ICA sacrifices were performed with immediate in
      line arterial bypass grafting with vascular surgery. Permanent cranial
      neuropathies occurred in 4.9% (five) of patients, without cerebrovascular events.
      CONCLUSIONS: We recommend surgical resection as the primary approach to the
      management of these CBTs. In lesions involving the ICA, we recommend vein bypass
      grafting. We found no differences or advantages to preoperative embolization.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 126:2282-2287, 2016.

PMID- 27279414
TI  - Tiotropium for the treatment of asthma: a drug safety evaluation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tiotropium, a once-daily long-acting anticholinergic
      bronchodilator, has recently been approved for use in the treatment of asthma in
      a number of countries, including the EU and the USA, and was incorporated into
      the 2015 update of the Global Initiative for Asthma treatment guidelines. Here we
      review safety data from published clinical trials to help inform the use of
      tiotropium in the treatment of patients with asthma. AREAS COVERED: Safety data
      from recently published clinical trials, which compared tiotropium with placebo
      or an active control, were reviewed. Trials included children, adolescents, and
      adults across severities of symptomatic asthma, and assessed tiotropium delivered
      via the Respimat and HandiHaler devices. EXPERT OPINION: Based on the reviewed
      scientific evidence, tiotropium is a safe and well-tolerated long-acting
      anticholinergic bronchodilator for use in the treatment of asthma. In the trials
      assessed, the safety of tiotropium was found to be comparable with that of
      placebo and alternative therapeutic options, including a doubling in the dose of
      inhaled corticosteroids and the long-acting beta2-agonist salmeterol.

PMID- 27279413
TI  - Two endoplasmic reticulum proteins (calnexin and calreticulin) are involved in
      innate immunity in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis).
AB  - Calnexin (Cnx) and calreticulin (Crt), which are important chaperones in the
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER), participate in the folding and quality control of
      client proteins. Cnx and Crt identified from Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir
      sinensis) are designated as EsCnx and EsCrt, respectively. EsCnx and EsCrt are
      expressed in the hemocyte, hepatopancrea, gill, and intestine at the mRNA and
      protein level. Immunofluorescence analysis indicated that EsCnx and EsCRT are
      located in the ER. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of EsCnx and
      EsCrt were altered by challenge with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), peptidoglycans
      (PGN), Staphyloccocus aureus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Recombinant EsCnx and
      EsCrt (rEsCnx and rEsCrt, respectively) proteins can bind to various Gram
      positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as to different polysaccharides (LPS
      and PGN). rEsCnx and rEsCrt assisted in the clearance of V. parahaemolyticus in
      vivo, and the clearance efficiency was impaired after silencing of EsCnx and
      EsCrt. Our results suggest that the two ER proteins are involved in anti
      bacterial immunity in E. sinensis.

PMID- 27279415
TI  - Streptomyces as a plant's best friend?
AB  - Here we discuss the advantages of the majority of this versatile and diverse
      group of microorganisms for plant health and growth as demonstrated by their
      contribution to disease-suppressive soils, their antifungal and antibacterial
      activities, their ability to produce volatile compounds and their capacity to
      enhance plant biomass. Although much is still to be discovered about the
      colonization strategies and molecular interactions between plant roots and these
      microorganisms, they are destined to become important players in the field of
      plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for agriculture.

PMID- 27279416
TI  - Widespread green algae Chlorella and Stichococcus exhibit polar-temperate and
      tropical-temperate biogeography.
AB  - Chlorella and Stichococcus are morphologically simple airborne microalgae,
      omnipresent in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The minute cell size and
      resistance against environmental stress facilitate their long-distance dispersal.
      However, the actual distribution of Chlorella- and Stichococcus-like species has
      so far been inferred only from ambiguous morphology-based evidence. Here we
      contribute a phylogenetic analysis of an expanded SSU and ITS2 rDNA sequence
      dataset representing Chlorella- and Stichococcus-like species from terrestrial
      habitats of polar, temperate and tropical regions. We aim to uncover
      biogeographical patterns at low taxonomic levels. We found that psychrotolerant
      strains of Chlorella and Stichococcus are closely related with strains
      originating from the temperate zone. Species closely related to Chlorella
      vulgaris and Muriella terrestris, and recovered from extreme terrestrial
      environments of polar regions and hot deserts, are particularly widespread.
      Stichococcus strains from the temperate zone, with their closest relatives in the
      tropics, differ from strains with the closest relatives being from the polar
      regions. Our data suggest that terrestrial Chlorella and Stichococcus might be
      capable of intercontinental dispersal; however, their actual distributions
      exhibit biogeographical patterns.

PMID- 27279417
TI  - Monitoring the impact of bioaugmentation with a PAH-degrading strain on different
      soil microbiomes using pyrosequencing.
AB  - The effect of bioaugmentation with Sphingobium sp. AM strain on different soils
      microbiomes, pristine soil (PS), chronically contaminated soil (IPK) and recently
      contaminated soil (Phe) and their implications in bioremediation efficiency was
      studied by focusing on the ecology that drives bacterial communities in response
      to inoculation. AM strain draft genome codifies genes for metabolism of aromatic
      and aliphatic hydrocarbons. In Phe, the inoculation improved the elimination of
      phenanthrene during the whole treatment, whereas in IPK no improvement of
      degradation of any PAH was observed. Through the pyrosequencing analysis, we
      observed that inoculation managed to increase the richness and diversity in both
      contaminated microbiomes, therefore, independently of PAH degradation
      improvement, we observed clues of inoculant establishment, suggesting it may use
      other resources to survive. On the other hand, the inoculation did not influence
      the bacterial community of PS. On both contaminated microbiomes, incubation
      conditions produced a sharp increase on Actinomycetales and Sphingomonadales
      orders, while inoculation caused a relative decline of Actinomycetales.
      Inoculation of most diverse microbiomes, PS and Phe, produced a coupled increase
      of Sphingomonadales, Burkholderiales and Rhizobiales orders, although it may
      exist a synergy between those genera; our results suggest that this would not be
      directly related to PAH degradation.

PMID- 27279418
TI  - Effects of 17-AAG on the cell cycle and apoptosis of H446 cells and the
      associated mechanisms.
AB  - As a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17
      AAG) has been studied in numerous types of cancer, however the effects of 17-AAG
      on apoptosis and the cell cycle of H446 cells remain unclear. In the current
      study, the MTT method was used to evaluate the inhibitory effects of different
      durations and doses of 17-AAG treatment on the proliferation of H446 cells. The
      cells were stained with Annexin-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide and
      measured by flow cytometry, and the gene and protein expression levels of signal
      transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), survivin, cyclin D1, cyt-C,
      caspase 9 and caspase 3 were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The results indicated that
      with treatment with 1.25-20 mg/l 17-AAG for 24 and 48 h, significant inhibition
      of H446 cell proliferation was observed in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
      With treatment of 3.125, 6.25 and 12.5 mg/l 17-AAG for 48 h, significant
      apoptosis and cell cycle arrest was observed. The results indicated that the gene
      and protein expression levels of STAT3, survivin and cyclin D1 were
      downregulated, and cyt-C, caspase 9 and caspase 3 were upregulated by 17-AAG in a
      dose-dependent manner when the cells were treated with 3.125 and 6.25 mg/l 17-AAG
      for 48 h. The results indicated that 17-AAG is able to inhibit the cell
      proliferation, induce apoptosis and G2/M arrest and downregulate the gene and
      protein expression levels of STAT3, survivin and cyclin D1, and upregulate gene
      and protein expression of cyt-C, caspase 9, caspase 3. 

PMID- 27279419
TI  - Iloprost supports early development of in vitro-produced porcine embryos through
      activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT signalling pathway.
AB  - Despite evidence of the presence of prostaglandin (PG) I2 in mammalian oviducts,
      its role in early development of in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos is largely
      unknown. Thus, in the present study we examined the effects of iloprost, a PGI2
      analogue, on the in vitro developmental competence of early porcine embryos and
      the underlying mechanism(s). To examine the effects of iloprost on the
      development rate of IVF embryos, iloprost was added to the in vitro culture (IVC)
      medium and cultured for 6 days. Supplementation of the IVC medium with iloprost
      significantly improved developmental parameters, such as blastocyst formation
      rate, the trophectoderm:inner cell mass ratio and cell survival in IVF and
      parthenogenetically activated (PA) embryos. In addition, post-blastulation
      development into the expanded blastocyst stage was improved in iloprost-treated
      groups compared with controls. Interestingly, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
      (PI3K)/AKT signalling pathway was significantly activated by iloprost
      supplementation in a concentration-dependent manner (10-1000nM), and the
      beneficial effects of iloprost on the early development of porcine IVF and PA
      embryos was completely ablated by treatment with 2.5MUM wortmannin, a PI3K/AKT
      signalling inhibitor. Importantly, expression of the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway
      was significantly reduced in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) compared with
      IVF embryos, and iloprost supported the early development of SCNT embryos, as was
      the case for IVF and PA embryos, suggesting a consistent effect of iloprost on
      the IVC of IVP porcine embryos. Together, these results indicate that iloprost
      can be a useful IVC supplement for production of IVP early porcine embryos with
      high developmental competence.

PMID- 27279420
TI  - Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor promotes differentiation and
      mineralization of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts on a titanium surface.
AB  - Mineralized bone matrix constituted with collagenous and non-collagenous proteins
      was synthesized by osteoblasts differentiated from mesenchymal stem cells.
      Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a serine protease inhibitor,
      promotes cell migration and proliferation, and suppresses the inflammatory
      response. Recent studies reported that SLPI regulates the formation of dentin and
      mineralization by odontoblasts and increases the adhesion and viability of
      preosteoblasts on a titanium (Ti) surface. Ti and its alloys are widely used
      implant materials in artificial joints and dental implants owing to their
      biocompatibility with bone. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether SLPI
      can be an effective molecule in promoting differentiation and mineralization of
      osteoblasts on a Ti surface. In order to investigate the effects of SLPI on
      osteoblasts, an MTT assay, PCR, western blotting and Alizarin Red S staining were
      performed. The results demonstrated that SLPI increased the viability of
      osteoblasts during differentiation on Ti discs compared with that of the control.
      The expression levels of SLPI mRNA and protein were higher than that of the
      control after treatment of osteoblasts with SLPI on Ti discs during
      differentiation. SLPI increased the formation of mineralized nodules and mRNA
      expression of alkaline phosphatase, dentin sialophosphoprotein, dentin matrix
      protein 1, bone sialoprotein, and collagen I in osteoblasts on Ti discs compared
      with that of the control. In conclusion, SLPI increases the viability and
      promotes the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts on Ti surfaces,
      suggesting that SLPI is an effective molecule for achieving successful
      osseointegration between osteoblasts and a Ti surface. 

PMID- 27279421
TI  - A Pharmacological Review of Bioactive Constituents of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas
      and Paeonia veitchii Lynch.
AB  - The roots of two peony species, Paeonia lactiflora Pallas and Paeonia veitchii
      Lynch are routinely referred to as either chishao () or baishao (). This paper
      reviews the botanical origins and traditional medicinal usage of each species, as
      well as pharmacological like activity of their constituents. A search of herbal
      pharmacological encyclopaedia, PubChem and PubMed databases identified their
      known constituents. The biological data for these constituents were evaluated and
      classified according to pharmacological-like activity, with emphasis on compounds
      of greatest concentration and bioavailability. It was found that P. lactiflora
      and P. veitchii have some common compounds; however, their phytochemical
      bioavailability varies. Furthermore, a larger number of compounds have been
      identified in P. lactiflora. These have greater potential for antiinflammatory,
      antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant therapeutic activity compared with P.
      veitchii. However, evidence indicates both species are similarly indicated for
      antiviral and glycaemic activity. Major compounds of each are classified as
      flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins (polyphenols) and monoterpene glycosides. The
      evidence suggests both species, when administered in entire botanical form, have
      an excellent safety profile; however, constituent toxicity risk evidence is
      limited, requiring further investigation. Although experiments show many
      compounds have biological activity, further investigation of their therapeutic
      potential is needed. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27279423
TI  - Mixed-scale channel networks including Kingfisher-beak-shaped 3D microfunnels for
      efficient single particle entrapment.
AB  - Reproducible research results for nanofluidics and their applications require
      viable fabrication technologies to produce nanochannels integrated with
      microchannels that can guide fluid flow and analytes into/out of the
      nanochannels. We present the simple fabrication of mixed-scale
      polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channel networks consisting of nanochannels and
      microchannels via a single molding process using a monolithic mixed-scale carbon
      mold. The monolithic carbon mold is fabricated by pyrolyzing a polymer mold
      patterned by photolithography. During pyrolysis, the polymer mold shrinks by
      ~90%, which enables nanosized carbon molds to be produced without a complex
      nanofabrication process. Because of the good adhesion between the polymer mold
      and the Si substrate, non-uniform volume reduction occurs during pyrolysis
      resulting in the formation of curved carbon mold side walls. These curved side
      walls and the relatively low surface energy of the mold provide efficient
      demolding of the PDMS channel networks. In addition, the trigonal prismatic shape
      of the polymer is converted into to a Kingfisher-beak-shaped carbon structure due
      to the non-uniform volume reduction. The transformation of this mold architecture
      produces a PDMS Kingfisher-beak-shaped 3D microfunnel that connects the
      microchannel and the nanochannel smoothly. The smooth reduction in the cross
      sectional area of the 3D microfunnels enables efficient single microparticle
      trapping at the nanochannel entrance; this is beneficial for studies of cell
      transfection. 

PMID- 27279422
TI  - TGF-beta in jaw tumor fluids induces RANKL expression in stromal fibroblasts.
AB  - Odontogenic tumors and cysts, arising in the jawbones, grow by resorption and
      destruction of the jawbones. However, mechanisms underlying bone resorption by
      odontogenic tumors/cysts remain unclear. Odontogenic tumors/cysts comprise
      odontogenic epithelial cells and stromal fibroblasts, which originate from the
      developing tooth germ. It has been demonstrated that odontogenic epithelial cells
      of the developing tooth germ induce osteoclastogenesis to prevent the tooth germ
      from invading the developing bone to maintain its structure in developing bones.
      Thus, we hypothesized that odontogenic epithelial cells of odontogenic
      tumors/cysts induce osteoclast formation, which plays potential roles in
      tumor/cyst outgrowth into the jawbone. The purpose of this study was to examine
      osteoclastogenesis by cytokines, focusing on transforming growth factor-beta (TGF
      beta), produced by odontogenic epithelial cells. We observed two pathways for
      receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) induction by keratocystic
      odontogenic tumor fluid: the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
      pathway through interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) signaling and non-COX-2/PGE2
      pathway through TGF-beta receptor signaling. TGF-beta1 and IL-1alpha produced by
      odontogenic tumors/cysts induced osteoclastogenesis directly in the osteoclast
      precursor cells and indirectly via increased RANKL induction in the stroma. 

PMID- 27279424
TI  - Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Induces Apoptosis in Cultured Neonatal Rat
      Cardiomyocytes by Modulating the TLR4/NF-kappaB Pathway.
AB  - This study was designed to investigate the apoptosis induced by oxidized low
      density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and explore
      the possible mechanisms. We evaluated whether ox-LDL-induced apoptosis depended
      in part on the activation of toll-like receptor-4(TLR4)/Nuclear factor kappaB (NF
      kappaB) signaling pathway. Cells were cultivated with and without ox-LDL. Cell
      apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence, western blot
      analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were
      conducted to assess protein or mRNA expressions. Resatorvid (TAK-242), an
      exogenous synthetic antagonist for TLR4, was used to inhibit TLR4 signal
      transduction. Dose- and time-dependent apoptotic index of cardiomyocytes occurred
      after ox-LDL treatment. Incubation of cardiomyocytes with ox-LDL (50 MUg/mL) for
      24 hours increased TLR4 and NF-kappaB expressions significantly. Decrease of Bcl
      2/Bax protein ratio, activation of caspase-3 and 9 were also detected. Ox-LDL
      induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, TLR4 and NF-kappaB expressions were attenuated
      by pretreatment with TAK-242. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the
      apoptosis induced by ox-LDL in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes at least in
      part by modulating the TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling pathway.

PMID- 27279425
TI  - Fermentation based carbon nanotube multifunctional bionic composites.
AB  - The exploitation of the processes used by microorganisms to digest nutrients for
      their growth can be a viable method for the formation of a wide range of so
      called biogenic materials that have unique properties that are not produced by
      abiotic processes. Here we produced living hybrid materials by giving to
      unicellular organisms the nutrient to grow. Based on bread fermentation, a bionic
      composite made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and a single-cell fungi, the
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast extract, was prepared by fermentation of such
      microorganisms at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy analysis
      suggests that the CNTs were internalized by the cell after fermentation bridging
      the cells. Tensile tests on dried composite films have been rationalized in terms
      of a CNT cell bridging mechanism where the strongly enhanced strength of the
      composite is governed by the adhesion energy between the bridging carbon
      nanotubes and the matrix. The addition of CNTs also significantly improved the
      electrical conductivity along with a higher photoconductive activity. The
      proposed process could lead to the development of more complex and interactive
      structures programmed to self-assemble into specific patterns, such as those on
      strain or light sensors that could sense damage or convert light stimulus in an
      electrical signal.

PMID- 27279426
TI  - High-responsivity vertical-illumination Si/Ge uni-traveling-carrier photodiodes
      based on silicon-on-insulator substrate.
AB  - Si/Ge uni-traveling carrier photodiodes exhibit higher output current when space
      charge effect is overcome and the thermal effects is suppressed. High current is
      beneficial for increasing the dynamic range of various microwave photonic systems
      and simplifying high-bit-rate digital receivers in many applications. From the
      point of view of packaging, detectors with vertical-illumination configuration
      can be easily handled by pick-and-place tools and are a popular choice for making
      photo-receiver modules. However, vertical-illumination Si/Ge uni-traveling
      carrier (UTC) devices suffer from inter-constraint between high speed and high
      responsivity. Here, we report a high responsivity vertical-illumination Si/Ge UTC
      photodiode based on a silicon-on-insulator substrate. When the transmission of
      the monolayer anti-reflection coating was maximum, the maximum absorption
      efficiency of the devices was 1.45 times greater than the silicon substrate owing
      to constructive interference. The Si/Ge UTC photodiode had a dominant
      responsivity at 1550 nm of 0.18 A/W, a 50% improvement even with a 25% thinner Ge
      absorption layer.

PMID- 27279427
TI  - MPQ-cytometry: a magnetism-based method for quantification of nanoparticle-cell
      interactions.
AB  - Precise quantification of interactions between nanoparticles and living cells is
      among the imperative tasks for research in nanobiotechnology, nanotoxicology and
      biomedicine. To meet the challenge, a rapid method called MPQ-cytometry is
      developed, which measures the integral non-linear response produced by
      magnetically labeled nanoparticles in a cell sample with an original magnetic
      particle quantification (MPQ) technique. MPQ-cytometry provides a sensitivity
      limit 0.33 ng of nanoparticles and is devoid of a background signal present in
      many label-based assays. Each measurement takes only a few seconds, and no
      complicated sample preparation or data processing is required. The capabilities
      of the method have been demonstrated by quantification of interactions of iron
      oxide nanoparticles with eukaryotic cells. The total amount of targeted
      nanoparticles that specifically recognized the HER2/neu oncomarker on the human
      cancer cell surface was successfully measured, the specificity of interaction
      permitting the detection of HER2/neu positive cells in a cell mixture. Moreover,
      it has been shown that MPQ-cytometry analysis of a HER2/neu-specific iron oxide
      nanoparticle interaction with six cell lines of different tissue origins
      quantitatively reflects the HER2/neu status of the cells. High correlation of MPQ
      cytometry data with those obtained by three other commonly used in molecular and
      cell biology methods supports consideration of this method as a prospective
      alternative for both quantifying cell-bound nanoparticles and estimating the
      expression level of cell surface antigens. The proposed method does not require
      expensive sophisticated equipment or highly skilled personnel and it can be
      easily applied for rapid diagnostics, especially under field conditions. 

PMID- 27279428
TI  - Genomic expression profiling and bioinformatics analysis on diabetic nephrology
      with ginsenoside Rg3.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a common diabetes-related complication, is the leading
      cause of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease.
      Despite the rapid development in the treatment of DN, currently available
      therapies used in early DN cannot prevent progressive CKD. The exact pathogenic
      mechanisms and the molecular events underlying DN development remain unclear.
      Ginsenoside Rg3 is a herbal medicine with numerous pharmacological effects. To
      gain a greater understanding of the molecular mechanism and signaling pathway
      underlying the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 in DN therapy, an RNA sequencing
      approach was performed to screen differential gene expression in a rat model of
      DN treated with ginsenoside Rg3. A combined bioinformatics analysis was then
      conducted to obtain insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of the
      disease development, in order to identify potential novel targets for the
      treatment of DN. Six Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 3
      groups: Normal control group, DN group and ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group, with
      two rats in each group. RNA sequencing was adopted for transcriptome profiling of
      cells from the renal cortex of DN rat model. Differentially expressed genes were
      screened out. Cluster analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of
      Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were used to analyze the
      differentially expressed genes. In total, 78 differentially expressed genes in
      the DN control group were identified when compared with the normal control group,
      of which 52 genes were upregulated and 26 genes were downregulated. Differential
      expression of 43 genes was observed in the ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group when
      compared with the DN control group, consisting of 10 upregulated genes and 33
      downregulated genes. Notably, 21 that were downregulated in the DN control group
      compared with the control were then shown to be upregulated in the ginsenoside
      Rg3 treatment group compared with the DN control group. In addition, 7
      upregulated genes in the DN control group compared with the control were then
      shown to be downregulated in the ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group compared with
      the DN control group. Cluster analysis based on differentially expressed genes
      indicated that the transcriptomes are quite different among the samples. Distinct
      GO terms associated with these groups of genes were shown to be enriched. KEGG
      pathway analysis demonstrated that differentially expressed genes were
      predominantly involved in the fatty acid metabolism pathway and peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. To the best of our
      knowledge, this study was the first to present whole genome expression profiling
      in DN with ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment by RNA-Seq. A set of differentially
      expressed genes and pathways were identified. These data provided an insight into
      understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of ginsenoside-Rg3
      treatment of DN. 

PMID- 27279430
TI  - Is resistance futile? The role of activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis
      inhibitor resistance in bleeding in factor XI deficiency.

PMID- 27279429
TI  - Magnetic resonance elastography identifies fibrosis in adults with alpha-1
      antitrypsin deficiency liver disease: a prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the clinical presentation and non-invasive
      detection of liver fibrosis in adults with homozygous Z genotype alpha-1
      antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. AIMS: To compare demographic, biochemical,
      histological and imaging data of AAT deficient patients to normal-control and
      biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, and to assess
      the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in detecting
      fibrosis in AAT deficiency. METHODS: Study includes 33 participants, 11 per
      group, who underwent clinical research evaluation, liver biopsy (AAT and NAFLD
      groups), and MRE. Histological fibrosis was quantified using a modified Ishak 6
      point scale and liver stiffness by MRE. Diagnostic performance of MRE in
      detecting fibrosis was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
      analysis. RESULTS: Mean (+/-s.d.) of age and BMI of normal-control, AAT and NAFLD
      groups was 57 (+/-19), 57 (+/-18), and 57 (+/-13) years, and 22.7 (+/-2.5), 24.8
      (+/-4.0) and 31.0 (+/-5.1) kg/m(2) respectively. Serum ALT [mean +/- s.d.] was
      similar within normal-control [16.4 +/- 4.0] and AAT groups [23.5 +/- 10.8], but
      was significantly lower in AAT than NAFLD even after adjustment for stage of
      fibrosis (P < 0.05, P = 0.0172). For fibrosis detection, MRE-estimated stiffness
      had an area under the ROC curve of 0.90 (P < 0.0001); an MRE threshold of >=3.0
      kPa provided 88.9% accuracy, with 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity to detect
      presence of any fibrosis (stage >=1). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot prospective study
      suggests magnetic resonance elastography may be accurate for identifying fibrosis
      in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Larger validation studies are
      warranted.

PMID- 27279431
TI  - A new approach for two-terminal electronic memory devices - Storing information
      on silicon nanowires.
AB  - The work described in this paper focuses on the utilisation of silicon nanowires
      as the information storage element in flash-type memory devices. Silicon
      nanostructures have attracted attention due to interesting electrical and optical
      properties, and their potential integration into electronic devices. A detailed
      investigation of the suitability of silicon nanowires as the charge storage
      medium in two-terminal non-volatile memory devices are presented in this report.
      The deposition of the silicon nanostructures was carried out at low temperatures
      (less than 400  degrees C) using a previously developed a novel method within our
      research group. Two-terminal non-volatile (2TNV) memory devices and metal
      insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures containing the silicon nanowires were
      fabricated and an in-depth study of their characteristics was carried out using
      current-voltage and capacitance techniques.

PMID- 27279432
TI  - Photoisomerization of azobenzenes isolated in cryogenic matrices.
AB  - 2,2'-Dihydroxyazobenzene (DAB), 2,2'-azotoluene (AT) and azobenzene (AB) were
      isolated in argon and xenon matrices and their molecular structures and
      photochemical transformations were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and
      theoretical calculations. All these compounds can adopt the E and Z isomeric
      forms around the central CNNC moiety, which can be enriched by several
      conformational and tautomeric modifications for DAB and AT. A number of DAB and
      AT isomeric forms were identified for the first time. For DAB, the E azo-enol
      isomer with two intramolecular six-membered quasi-rings formed via OHN hydrogen
      bonds was found after deposition. Irradiation with UV light generated a different
      E azo-enol form with two intramolecular H-bonded five-membered quasi-rings.
      Phototransformation was shown to be reversible and the forms could be
      interconverted by irradiation at different wavelengths. The isomerization between
      these two forms constitutes a direct experimental observation of an E -> E
      isomerization in azobenzene-type molecules. Further irradiation generated a
      form(s) bearing both OH and NH groups. For AT, two E isomers with the CH3 groups
      forming five-membered and five/six-membered quasi-rings with the azo group were
      observed in the as-deposited matrices. Irradiation of AT with UV light generated
      a Z form that can be converted back to the E form at different irradiation
      wavelengths. E-AB was deposited in a xenon matrix and both E -> Z and Z -> E
      phototransformations were observed (contrary to what was previously reported in
      an argon matrix where only the Z -> E conversion occurred). AB photoisomerization
      becomes more pronounced at elevated temperatures, thus indicating that the matrix
      effects responsible for hindering the AB photoisomerization are essentially due
      to steric restrictions. The different photoisomerization channels observed for
      these compounds are discussed in terms of a small-amplitude pedal motion. 

PMID- 27279433
TI  - Multiple-stable anisotropic magnetoresistance memory in antiferromagnetic MnTe.
AB  - Commercial magnetic memories rely on the bistability of ordered spins in
      ferromagnetic materials. Recently, experimental bistable memories have been
      realized using fully compensated antiferromagnetic metals. Here we demonstrate a
      multiple-stable memory device in epitaxial MnTe, an antiferromagnetic counterpart
      of common II-VI semiconductors. Favourable micromagnetic characteristics of MnTe
      allow us to demonstrate a smoothly varying zero-field antiferromagnetic
      anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) with a harmonic angular dependence on the
      writing magnetic field angle, analogous to ferromagnets. The continuously varying
      AMR provides means for the electrical read-out of multiple-stable
      antiferromagnetic memory states, which we set by heat-assisted magneto-recording
      and by changing the writing field direction. The multiple stability in our memory
      is ascribed to different distributions of domains with the Neel vector aligned
      along one of the three magnetic easy axes. The robustness against strong magnetic
      field perturbations combined with the multiple stability of the magnetic memory
      states are unique properties of antiferromagnets.

PMID- 27279434
TI  - Sedimentation stacking diagrams of binary mixtures of thick and thin hard rods.
AB  - We use Onsager theory and the local density approximation to study sedimentation
      diffusion equilibrium density profiles of binary mixtures of thick and thin hard
      rods. We construct stacking diagrams for three diameter ratios, and find that
      even a simple spindle-shaped phase diagram with only isotropic-nematic demixing
      can lead to counter-intuitive stacking sequences such as an isotropic phase
      sandwiched between two nematic phases. For the most complex phase diagram
      considered here, we find sixteen distinct stacking sequences, including several
      with five sedimented layers. By adding sedimentation paths to composition
      pressure and density-density phase diagrams and calculating density and
      composition profiles, we show that conclusions about bulk phase diagrams of
      binary mixtures on the basis of sedimentation-diffusion equilibria should be
      drawn warily. 

PMID- 27279435
TI  - Electromechanical probe and automated indentation maps are sensitive techniques
      in assessing early degenerated human articular cartilage.
AB  - Recent advances in the development of new drugs to halt or even reverse the
      progression of Osteoarthritis at an early-stage requires new tools to detect
      early degeneration of articular cartilage. We investigated the ability of an
      electromechanical probe and an automated indentation technique to characterize
      entire human articular surfaces for rapid non-destructive discrimination between
      early degenerated and healthy articular cartilage. Human cadaveric asymptomatic
      articular surfaces (four pairs of distal femurs and four pairs of tibial
      plateaus) were used. They were assessed ex vivo: macroscopically,
      electromechanically, (maps of the electromechanical quantitative parameter, QP,
      reflecting streaming potentials), mechanically (maps of the instantaneous
      modulus, IM), and through cartilage thickness. Osteochondral cores were also
      harvested from healthy and degenerated regions for histological assessment,
      biochemical analyses, and unconfined compression tests. The macroscopic visual
      assessment delimited three distinct regions on each articular surface: Region I
      was macroscopically degenerated, region II was macroscopically normal but
      adjacent to regions I and III was the remaining normal articular surface. Thus,
      each extracted core was assigned to one of the three regions. A mixed effect
      model revealed that only the QP (p < 0.0001) and IM (p < 0.0001) were able to
      statistically discriminate the three regions. Effect size was higher for QP and
      IM than other assessments, indicating greater sensitivity to distinguish early
      degeneration of cartilage. When considering the mapping feature of the QP and IM
      techniques, it also revealed bilateral symmetry in a moderately similar
      distribution pattern between bilateral joints. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research
      Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:858-867, 2017.

PMID- 27279436
TI  - Normative data for phonemic and semantic verbal fluency test in the adult French
      Quebec population and validation study in Alzheimer's disease and depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Verbal fluency tasks are principally used to assess lexical access and
      have shown usefulness for differential diagnosis. The purpose of Study 1 was to
      provide normative data in the adult French-Quebec population (Canada) for
      semantic verbal fluency (animals), for two sets of phonemic verbal fluency (TNP
      and PFL), and for letter P alone (60 seconds per category/letter). The objectives
      of Study 2 were to establish the diagnostic and predictive validity of the
      present tasks and normative data in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and major depressive
      episode (MDE). METHOD: The normative sample consisted of 932 participants aged 19
      91 years. Based on multiple linear regressions, equations to calculate Z-scores
      were provided. To assess validity, performance of 62 healthy participants was
      compared to 62 participants with AD and 41 with MDE aged over 50. RESULTS: Age
      and education, but not gender, predicted performance on each verbal fluency task.
      Healthy adults aged 50 and younger had a better performance on semantic than
      phonemic verbal fluency. In comparison to MDE, AD participants had lower
      performance on animals and TNP, but not on letter P. Ninety percent of people
      with a Z-score <= -1.50 on semantic verbal fluency had AD and the global accuracy
      was 76.6%. Test-retest reliability over one year was high for both animals (r =
      .711) and TNP (r = .790) in healthy older participants, but dropped for animals
      in people with AD (r = .493). CONCLUSIONS: These data will strengthen accurate
      detection of verbal fluency deficits in French-Quebec adults.

PMID- 27279437
TI  - Psychophysiological Manifestations Associated With Stress in Students of a Public
      University in Mexico.
AB  - PROBLEM: Academic stress is defined as a physiological, emotional, cognitive, and
      behavioral activation reaction to stimuli. This stress can impact students'
      ability to cope with the school environment. OBJECTIVE: To identify the
      psychophysiological manifestations associated with high-level academic stress in
      public university students in Mexico. METHODS: A representative random sampling
      of 527 students was evaluated during 2012. The Academic Stress Symptom Inventory
      and the Rossi classification were used; data were analyzed with a binary logistic
      regression analysis to estimate association between psychophysiological
      manifestations and the high level of academic stress in public university
      students. FINDINGS: Results indicated a meaningful association between high
      levels of academic stress situations and psychophysiological manifestations such
      as concentration and memory problems, mental blocks and chronic fatigue,
      drowsiness, and despair. CONCLUSION: Identifying academic stress situations and
      students' maladaptive responses may help promote timely attention to
      psychophysiological manifestations before they exacerbate and become harmful to
      college students' health.

PMID- 27279438
TI  - The role of MAPK signaling pathway in the Her-2-positive meningiomas.
AB  - Meningiomas are common types of adult nerve system tumors. Although most cases
      are considered benign, due to its high rate of recurrence and easy malignant
      progression to anaplastic meningioma they present a puzzle for the current
      treatment. The HER-2 oncogene has important value for meningioma cells
      development and progression. So far, little is known about the effect on the
      exact underlying signal pathway and molecular mechanisms of HER-2-positive
      meningioma cells. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of
      HER-2 gene and possible involvement of MAPK signal pathway in human malignant
      meningioma. We applied q-PCR analysis, immunofluorescence (IF) staining, western
      blot analysis, animal model, MAPK inhibition, MTT assay and cell invasion
      analysis for the investigation. The results demonstrated that the downregulation
      of the expression of HER-2 significantly inhibited cell motility and
      proliferation of human meningioma cells in vivo. Accordingly, in the HER-2
      overexpression meningioma cells with the inhibition of ERK1/2, ERK5, JNK, in the
      cells with the ERK1/2, ERK5 inhibition, protein expression was markedly
      suppressed as well as the cell proliferation resistance. No difference was
      observed in the HER-2-overexpression meningioma cells with the inhibition of JNK.
      These findings suggest that HER-2 gene can affect the proliferation ability of
      human meningioma cells in vivo and MAPK signal pathway may contribute to the
      carcinogenesis and development of human meningiomas combinating with HER-2. 

PMID- 27279439
TI  - Effect of the Medicinal Mushroom, Grifola gargal (Agaricomycetes), on Bone
      Turnover Markers and Serum Lipids in Middle-Aged and Elderly Japanese Women.
AB  - A clinical study was performed to examine the effect of the edible mushroom,
      Grifola gargal, on bone turnover markers and serum lipids in middle-aged and
      elderly Japanese women. Postmenopausal women aged 51-73 years (mean age, 61
      years) received daily oral administration of 5 g G. gargal fruiting bodies (hot
      air-dried and powdered; G. gargal powder [GGP]). Serum levels of bone alkaline
      phosphatase (BAP) and lipids and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) levels were
      measured before and 2 weeks after the start of GGP treatment. As a result,
      urinary DPD bone resorption marker levels in women treated with GGP decreased
      significantly. Serum levels of the BAP bone formation marker also tended to
      increase, but the difference was not significant. By contrast, the atherogenic
      index decreased and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio increased
      significantly. However, there were no statistically significant differences in
      serum lipids of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol. In addition, this study demonstrated for the first time that G.
      gargal is safe for human consumption. 

PMID- 27279440
TI  - Medicinal Mushrooms in Guatemala.
AB  - Guatemala, located in Central America, has a long and rich history in the
      traditional use of edible, medicinal, and hallucinogenic mushrooms. This article
      describes the use of these mushrooms and presents studies on the scientific
      validation of native and foreign species. 

PMID- 27279441
TI  - Development and Validation of an LC-MS/MS Method for the Quantification of
      Agaritine in Mushrooms.
AB  - Agaritine, an aromatic hydrazine, is found as a secondary metabolite in mushroom
      species. It is among others suspected to exhibit genotoxic activity. This
      publication describes the validation of a method for the quantification of
      agaritine in mushrooms (i.e., extraction and purification by solid phase
      extraction) and measurement by liquid chromatography with tandem mass
      spectrometry detection in positive ionization mode. The results show this method
      to be selective, accurate, and precise. This method could be used for the quality
      control of pharmaceutical preparations containing mushrooms. 

PMID- 27279442
TI  - Lentinoid and Polyporoid Fungi, Two Generic Conglomerates Containing Important
      Medicinal Mushrooms in Molecular Perspective.
AB  - Polyporoid and lentinoid fungi contain the important producers of substances
      having immunomodulatory, antitumoral, antiviral, and antihyperlipidemic effects.
      The discovery of several phylogenetic lines within the lentinoid-polyporoid
      continuum will help with target metabolomic analysis of species still not studied
      in pharmacological respects. The purpose of the present work was to increase a
      resolution in the lentinoid-polyporoid phylogenetic zone by means of selection of
      both the main representatives of Lentinus-related genera and poorly
      known/intermediate taxa such as Lentinus suavissimus, Neofavolus spp., and the
      resupinate part of Polyporus (genera Perenniporia and Pachykytospora) in the
      context of the basic structure of the Polyporales tree. The molecular phylogeny
      of highlighting all the polyporoid and lentinoid nodes was reconstructed using
      nLSU ITS rDNA and TEF datasets. The data obtained from ITS, TEF, and LSU coincide
      in support of core Polyporaceae of 10 clades corresponded to the generic level
      and 7 of these (Cerioporus, Cladomeris, Favolus, Lentinus, Neofavolus, Picipes,
      and Polyporus s.str.) contain generic units characterized by polyporoid or
      lentinoid morphotypes. The other 2 clades containing lentinoid taxa are outside
      the core Polyporaceae, namely Panus (Meruliaceae, Polyporales) and Neolentinus
      (Gloeophyllaceae, Gloeophyllales). A new genus, Picipes, is described and 25 new
      combinations are proposed. 

PMID- 27279443
TI  - Protective Effects of Black Hoof Medicinal Mushroom from Korea, Phellinus linteus
      (Higher Basidiomycetes), on Osteoporosis In Vitro and In Vivo.
AB  - The protective effect of Phellinus linteus (ethanol extract) against osteoporosis
      was investigated using the Saos-2 human osteoblast-like cell line and
      osteoclasts. A nontoxic concentration of Ph. linteus (10-2 to 10-8 mg mL-1)
      increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (EC 3.1.3.1) activity to a larger extent
      than soy did. Ph. linteus also attenuated the number and the activity of tartrate
      resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated osteoclasts. These results
      indicate that Ph. linteus likely regulated both osteoblasts and osteoclasts,
      contributing to the protection against osteoporosis. The protective effect of Ph.
      linteus was examined in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Histological analysis
      indicates that Ph. linteus improved trabecular bone mass and reduced osteoclast
      frequency without affecting lipid droplet accumulation in the femur of OVX rats.
      A Ph. linteus supplementation for 12 weeks also significantly increased serum ALP
      activity and reduced urinary deoxypyridinoline level in OVX rats. Ultimately, we
      found that 12-week Ph. linteus supplementation increased the bone accumulation of
      minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Collectively, Ph. linteus
      protected against osteoporosis by balancing the number of osteoblasts and
      osteoclasts, which was particularly associated with increased ALP activity in
      vitro and in vivo and mineral accumulation in bone. 

PMID- 27279444
TI  - Activity of Extracts from Submerged Cultured Mycelium of Winter Mushroom,
      Flammulina velutipes (Agaricomycetes), on the Immune System In Vitro.
AB  - Extracts from submerged cultured mycelium of two strains of Flammulina velutipes,
      a popular culinary mushroom, were obtained by ultrasound and tested in vitro to
      determine their activity in innate immunity (monocytes/ macrophages). In
      addition, polyclonal antibodies against the extracts were produced. Both extracts
      have similar glycoproteins that contain mannose and glucose but have different
      glycoproteins with galactoseamine units. Two novel immunogenic glycoproteins with
      molecular weights of 32 and 25 kDa have been revealed. It is thought that these
      proteins are produced only by submerged cultured mycelium. Both extracts show
      immune-enhancing activity based on the significant modification of various
      parameters such as cytokine production, phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species
      production. 

PMID- 27279445
TI  - Taxonomic Identity, Geographic Distribution, and Commercial Exploitation of the
      Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Pleurotus nebrodensis (Basidiomycetes).
AB  - An updated overview of the outcome of studies conducted on the culinary-medicinal
      mushroom Pleurotus nebrodensis is presented by placing emphasis on the
      clarification of the taxonomic identity of P. nebrodensis and other related taxa
      possessing entirely white to cream basidiomes, which grow in association with
      different plants of the family Apiaceae. Cultivation techniques, quality of the
      product sold and sales price, as well as nutritional and medicinal aspects are
      discussed. Taking also into consideration the high economic importance of P.
      nebrodensis, it is essential to proceed with the verification of the commercial
      strains currently available in the international market under the name of "P.
      nebrodensis" since it is very probable that many (or most) of them do not
      represent the real P. nebrodensis. TO confirm this hypothesis, an in silico
      analysis was conducted on a large of number of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA sequences
      deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database under the
      name P. nebrodensis. Results demonstrated that all "P nebrodensis" material
      examined from China (plus several sequences of no reported origin) corresponded
      to P. eryngii subsp. tuoliensis, with only 2 exceptions, which were grouped
      within P. eryngii sensu stricto. The real P. nebrodensis biological material from
      Italy and Greece is certified and is available upon request by the authors at the
      University of Palermo and the Agricultural University of Athens. 

PMID- 27279446
TI  - A Lectin Purified from Blood Red Bracket Mushroom, Pycnoporus sanguineus
      (Agaricomycetidae), Mycelium Displayed Affinity Toward Bovine Transferrin.
AB  - Fungal lectins constitute excellent ligands for development of affinity
      adsorbents useful in affinity chromatography. In this work, a lectin was purified
      from Pycnoporus sanguineus (PSL) mycelium using 3 procedures: by affinity
      chromatography, using magnetic galactosyl-nanoparticles or galactose coupled to
      Sepharose, and by ionic exchange chromatography (IEC). The highest lectin yield
      was achieved by IEC (55%); SDS-PAGE of PSL showed 2 bands with molecular mass of
      68.7 and 55.2 kDa and IEC displayed 2 bands at pi 5.5 and 5.2. The lectin
      agglutinates rat erythrocytes, exhibiting broad specificity toward several
      monosaccharides, including galactose. The agglutination was also inhibited by the
      glycoproteins fetal calf fetuin, bovine lactoferrin, bovine transferrin, and
      horseradish peroxidase. The lectin was then used to synthesize an affinity
      adsorbent (PSL-Sepharose) and the interaction with glycoproteins was evaluated by
      analyzing their chromatographic behaviors. The strongest interaction with the PSL
      derivative was observed with transferrin, although lower interactions were also
      displayed toward fetuin and lactoferrin. These results indicate that the purified
      PSL constitutes an interesting ligand for the design of affinity adsorbents to be
      used (i.e., in glycoprotein purification). 

PMID- 27279447
TI  - Cytological Characterization of Anamorphic Fungus Lecanicillium pui and Its
      Relationship with Chinese Caterpillar Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sinensis
      (Ascomycetes).
AB  - Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis), one of the most valuable
      medicinal mushrooms, has great economic importance on the Tibetan Plateau. We
      isolated an anamorphic fungus Lecanicillium pui from natural O. sinensis
      specimens and found that the optimal temperature for its culture on potato
      dextrose agar media was 25 degrees C. Cell ultrastructure in L. pui hyphae and
      spores was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, and it was observed
      that some primary organelles showed the typical fungal features. Five chemical
      elements were determined in this fungus and niobium was discovered for the first
      time even with trace amounts. A species-specific method, nested polymerase chain
      reaction, was established to investigate the colonization of this fungus. Thus,
      the extensive distribution of L. pui on O. sinensis, in the shape of hyphae or
      mycelia, suggested that it may have subtle and chronic effects on the growth of
      the O. sinensis teleomorphic stage. These findings provide a potential reference,
      in the view of microbial ecology, for the study on the occurrence and mechanism
      of development of O. sinensis. 

PMID- 27279448
TI  - Wild Edible Mushrooms from Turkey as Possible Anticancer Agents on HepG2 Cells
      Together with Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties.
AB  - This study was designed to reveal cell growth inhibitory potential of six
      different edible mushrooms: Ramaria flava, Agrocybe molesta, Volvopluteus
      gloiocephalus, Lactarius deliciosus, Bovista plumbea, and Tricholoma terreum on
      HepG2 cells together with their antioxidant and antibacterial power. Methanolic
      extracts of V gloiocephalus and aqueous extracts of R. flava had the most
      potential cytotoxic effects over HepG2 cells. The best results for 2,2-diphenyl-1
      picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities were obtained from both aqueous and
      methanolic extracts of R. flava. Methanolic extracts of T. terreum (IC50 = 1.62
      mg/mL) and aqueous extracts of B. plumbea (IC50 = 0.49 mg/mL) showed maximum
      metal chelating activity. The highest reducing capacities were observed among the
      methanolic extracts of R. flava (EC50 = 1.65 mg/mL) and aqueous extracts of B.
      plumbea (EC50 = 1.71 mg/ mL). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis
      revealed the presence of many phenolic compounds in macrofungi; gallic acid and p
      coumaric acid were the two main phenolics identified in all extracts.
      Antibacterial studies indicated that all six tested mushrooms showed
      antibacterial activity on at least three microorganisms. These results indicate
      that different extracts of the investigated mushrooms have considerable
      cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties and may be utilized as a
      promising source of therapeutics. 

PMID- 27279449
TI  - p-CREB-1 promotes hepatic fibrosis through the transactivation of transforming
      growth factor-beta1 expression in rats.
AB  - Phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element binding protein-1 (p-CREB-1) is an
      important transcription factor which has been reported to be implicated in
      fibrogenesis. However, the association between p-CREB-1 and transforming growth
      factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1)-mediated liver fibrogenesis remains poorly understood.
      In the present study, exogenous TGF-beta1 recombinant protein was used to
      activate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and we established a rat model of
      tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. Loss- and gain-of-function
      studies were performed to examine the role of p-CREB-1 in liver fibrogenesis, and
      the detailed mechanism responsible for these effects was further explored using
      chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter gene assays. We found that
      p-CREB-1 expression was significantly upregulated in a rat model of hepatic
      fibrosis. We also demonstrated that p-CREB-1 increased TGF-beta1 expression and
      auto-induction in HSCs, through directly binding to the CRE site within the TGF
      beta1 promoter in order to enhance its transcriptional activity. Moreover,
      lentivirus-mediated CREB-1 overexpression promoted hepatic fibrogenesis in rats.
      These findings suggest that p-CREB-1 may function as a potent profibrogenic
      factor through the transactivation of TGF-beta1 expression in liver fibrosis. 

PMID- 27279450
TI  - Overcoming the bottlenecks of anaerobic digestion of olive mill solid waste by
      two-stage fermentation.
AB  - Two-stage anaerobic digestion (AD) of two-phase olive mill solid waste (OMSW) was
      applied for reducing the inhibiting factors by optimizing the acidification
      stage. Single-stage AD and co-fermentation with chicken manure were conducted
      coinstantaneous for direct comparison. Degradation of the polyphenols up to 61%
      was observed during the methanogenic stage. Nevertheless the concentration of
      phenolic substances was still high; the two-stage fermentation remained stable at
      OLR 1.5 kgVS/m3day. The buffer capacity of the system was twice as high, compared
      to the one-stage fermentation, without additives. The two-stage AD was a combined
      process - thermophilic first stage and mesophilic second stage, which pointed out
      to be the most profitable for AD of OMSW for the reduced hydraulic retention time
      (HRT) from 230 to 150 days, and three times faster than the single-stage and the
      co-fermentation start-up of the fermentation. The optimal HRT and incubation
      temperature for the first stage were determined to four days and 55 degrees C.
      The performance of the two-stage AD concerning the stability of the process was
      followed by the co-digestion of OMSW with chicken manure as a nitrogen-rich co
      substrate, which makes them viable options for waste disposal with concomitant
      energy recovery.

PMID- 27279451
TI  - Health-related quality of life in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple
      sclerosis treated with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in Iran.
AB  - PURPOSE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) requires long-term therapy and can affect many
      aspects of a patient's life, including quality of life. MS patients score lower
      on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures. The efficacy of subcutaneous
      interferon (IFN) beta-1a has been extensively evaluated by using objective
      measures but its impact on HRQoL is currently unclear. In this observational
      study, we evaluated HRQoL of Iranian patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
      treated with IFN beta-1a by using short-form 36 (SF-36) and multiple sclerosis
      international quality of life (MusiQoL) questionnaires. METHODS: Four hundred
      recruited RRMS patients were treated with human serum album free IFN beta-1a for
      1 year. Patients were required to fill in SF-36 and MusiQoL questionnaires at the
      first visit and at each follow-up visit. Expanded disability status scale (EDSS)
      evaluation was performed at baseline and at each visit. Comparisons in HRQoL
      between visits were calculated using Cohen's d effect size. The relationship
      between change in EDSS score and the score of each questionnaire was calculated
      using Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Three-hundred and eighty three
      completed the study. Two-hundred and thirty nine were female. Mean (SD) age was
      28.75 (+/-5.49). After 1 year, overall MusiQoL Index score effect size was -0.16
      and SF-36 physical component and mental component showed overall effect sizes of 
      0.28 and -0.53, respectively. Mean (range) EDSS change was 1 (1-4). Three-hundred
      and seventy four were clinically stable with mean (range) EDSS change of 0.1 (-2
      0.5). Increase in EDSS was linked to a decrease in both MusiQoL and SF-36.
      CONCLUSION: We found that, HRQoL did not change significantly over the first year
      of therapy. Furthermore, decreases in HRQoL were inversely correlated with
      increases in EDSS score.

PMID- 27279452
TI  - Mass spectrometry analysis and transcriptome sequencing reveal glowing squid
      crystal proteins are in the same superfamily as firefly luciferase.
AB  - The Japanese firefly squid Hotaru-ika (Watasenia scintillans) produces intense
      blue light from photophores at the tips of two arms. These photophores are
      densely packed with protein microcrystals that catalyse the bioluminescent
      reaction using ATP and the substrate coelenterazine disulfate. The squid is the
      only organism known to produce light using protein crystals. We extracted
      microcrystals from arm tip photophores and identified the constituent proteins
      using mass spectrometry and transcriptome libraries prepared from arm tip tissue.
      The crystals contain three proteins, wsluc1-3, all members of the ANL superfamily
      of adenylating enzymes. They share 19 to 21% sequence identity with firefly
      luciferases, which produce light using ATP and the unrelated firefly luciferin
      substrate. We propose that wsluc1-3 form a complex that crystallises inside the
      squid photophores, and that in the crystal one or more of the proteins catalyses
      the production of light using coelenterazine disulfate and ATP. These results
      suggest that ANL superfamily enzymes have independently evolved in distant
      species to produce light using unrelated substrates.

PMID- 27279455
TI  - Social media patient testimonials in implant dentistry: information or
      misinformation?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the educational value of YouTube patient
      testimonial videos in implant dentistry and qualitatively analyse the themes
      mentioned. METHODS: Videos were sampled consecutively on YouTube, using the
      keywords "dental implant patients' testimonials experience," sorted "by
      relevance." Patient testimonials on dental implant treatment were examined.
      Inaudible or non-English videos were excluded. Four calibrated investigators
      scored the videos for educational content, using a matrix derived from the
      European Association for Osseointegration information booklet, and demographic
      details were recorded. Data were analysed qualitatively through inductive
      thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 202 videos were analysed (48 exclusions).
      Inter-examiner reliability was fair to moderate for informative statements and
      poor to substantial for misleading statements. A mean of 1.8 informative
      statements were made per video, compared with misleading, 0.5. Many topics were
      rarely mentioned, with 19/30 themes appearing fewer than 5% of videos. Patients
      often informed that implants could improve aesthetics and function, but were
      misleading on aspects of pain control. Some statements may heighten expectations
      or imply permanency of treatment. CONCLUSION: Balanced presentation in YouTube
      testimonials may be limited by bias of clinician-uploaded content. Greater
      magnitude and breadth of information would improve educational value. Many
      important parameters of implant therapy were overlooked, whilst information was
      often potentially misleading.

PMID- 27279453
TI  - Reductions in all-cause and cause-specific mortality among HIV-infected
      individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy in British Columbia, Canada: 2001
      2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Since 2006, the British Columbia HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Program
      (DTP) has expanded enrolment and dramatically increased its number of
      participants. We examined the effect this expansion has had on the underlying
      cause of death in HIV-infected individuals. METHODS: We analysed data from
      participants aged 18 years and older in the DTP to measure 2-year mortality rates
      and causes of death from 2001 to 2012. We conducted tests of trend for all-cause
      and cause-specific mortality, and compared demographics and characteristics of
      individuals. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the risk of
      death. RESULTS: A total of 8185 participants received antiretroviral therapy
      (ART) during the study period. Mortality declined from 3.88 per 100 person-years
      (PY) in 2001-2002 to 2.15 per 100 PY in 2011-2012 (P = 0.02). There were
      significant decreases in HIV-related deaths (2.34 to 0.56 per 100 PY; P = 0.02)
      and deaths attributable to chronic liver disease (0.20 to 0.09 per 100 PY; P =
      0.01), cardiovascular disease (0.24 to 0.05 per 100 PY; P = 0.03) and suicides
      (0.47 to 0 per 100 PY; P = 0.003). Multivariate models, adjusted for age, gender,
      history of injecting drug use, AIDS diagnoses and baseline CD4 cell counts,
      demonstrated that initiation of ART in all time periods after 2001-2002 was
      independently associated with reduced mortality (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We
      observed declines in HIV-related mortality and certain non-HIV-related causes of
      death among participants in the BC DTP from 2001 to 2012. These findings suggest
      that there may be broader benefits to the increasingly liberal HIV treatment
      guidelines, including reductions in death caused by cardiovascular disease and
      chronic liver disease.

PMID- 27279454
TI  - Improved Gate Dielectric Deposition and Enhanced Electrical Stability for Single
      Layer MoS2 MOSFET with an AlN Interfacial Layer.
AB  - Transistors based on MoS2 and other TMDs have been widely studied. The dangling
      bond free surface of MoS2 has made the deposition of high-quality high-k
      dielectrics on MoS2 a challenge. The resulted transistors often suffer from the
      threshold voltage instability induced by the high density traps near
      MoS2/dielectric interface or inside the gate dielectric, which is detrimental for
      the practical applications of MoS2 metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect
      transistor (MOSFET). In this work, by using AlN deposited by plasma enhanced
      atomic layer deposition (PEALD) as an interfacial layer, top-gate dielectrics as
      thin as 6 nm for single-layer MoS2 transistors are demonstrated. The AlN
      interfacial layer not only promotes the conformal deposition of high-quality
      Al2O3 on the dangling-bond free MoS2, but also greatly enhances the electrical
      stability of the MoS2 transistors. Very small hysteresis (DeltaVth) is observed
      even at large gate biases and high temperatures. The transistor also exhibits a
      low level of flicker noise, which clearly originates from the Hooge mobility
      fluctuation instead of the carrier number fluctuation. The observed superior
      electrical stability of MoS2 transistor is attributed to the low border trap
      density of the AlN interfacial layer, as well as the small gate leakage and high
      dielectric strength of AlN/Al2O3 dielectric stack.

PMID- 27279456
TI  - Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry enantioseparation of pomalidomide on
      cyclodextrin-bonded chiral stationary phases and the elucidation of the chiral
      recognition mechanisms by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling.
AB  - A sensitive and validated liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method was
      developed for the enantioseparation of the racemic mixture of pomalidomide, a
      novel, second-generation immunomodulatory drug, using beta-cyclodextrin-bonded
      stationary phases. Four cyclodextrin columns (beta-, hydroxypropyl-beta-,
      carboxymethyl-beta-, and sulfobutyl-beta-cyclodextrin) were screened and the
      effects of eluent composition, flow rate, temperature, and organic modifier on
      enantioseparation were studied. Optimized parameters, offering baseline
      separation (resolution = 2.70 +/- 0.02) were the following: beta-cyclodextrin
      stationary phase, thermostatted at 15 degrees C, and mobile phase consisting of
      methanol/0.1% acetic acid 10:90 v/v, delivered with 0.8 mL/min flow rate. For the
      optimized parameter at multiple reaction monitoring mode 274.1-201.0 transition
      with 20 eV collision energy and 100 V fragmentor voltage the limit of detection
      and limit of quantitation were 0.75 and 2.00 ng/mL, respectively. Since
      enantiopure standards were not available, elution order was determined upon
      comparison of the circular dichroism signals of the separated pomalidomide
      enantiomers with that of enantiopure thalidomide. The mechanisms underlying the
      chiral discrimination between the enantiomers were also investigated.
      Pomalidomide-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was characterized using nuclear
      magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The thermodynamic aspects
      of chiral separation were also studied. 

PMID- 27279457
TI  - Glutamate protects against Ca(2+) paradox-induced injury and inhibits calpain
      activity in isolated rat hearts.
AB  - This study determined the effects of glutamate on the Ca(2+) paradoxical heart,
      which is a model for Ca(2+) overload-induced injury during myocardial ischaemia
      and reperfusion, and evaluated its effect on a known mediator of injury, calpain.
      An isolated rat heart was retrogradely perfused in a Langendorff apparatus.
      Ca(2+) paradox was elicited via perfusion with a Ca(2+) -free Krebs-Henseleit
      (KH) solution for 3 minutes followed by Ca(2+) -containing normal KH solution for
      30 minutes. The Ca(2+) paradoxical heart exhibited almost no viable tissue on
      triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and markedly increased LDH release,
      caspase-3 activity, cytosolic cytochrome c content, and apoptotic index. These
      hearts also displayed significantly increased LVEDP and a disappearance of LVDP.
      Glutamate (5 and 20 mmol/L) significantly alleviated Ca(2+) paradox-induced
      injury. In contrast, 20 mmol/L mannitol had no effect on Ca(2+) paradox. Ca(2+)
      paradox significantly increased the extent of the translocation of MU-calpain to
      the sarcolemmal membrane and the proteolysis of alpha-fodrin, which suggests
      calpain activation. Glutamate also blocked these effects. A non-selective
      inhibitor of glutamate transporters, dl-TBOA (10 MUmol/L), had no effect on
      control hearts, but it reversed glutamate-induced cardioprotection and reduction
      in calpain activity. Glutamate treatment significantly increased intracellular
      glutamate content in the Ca(2+) paradoxical heart, which was also blocked by dl
      TBOA. We conclude that glutamate protects the heart against Ca(2+) overload
      induced injury via glutamate transporters, and the inhibition of calpain activity
      is involved in this process.

PMID- 27279459
TI  - Teaching foundational perspective-taking skills to children with autism using the
      PEAK-T curriculum: single-reversal "I-You" deictic frames.
AB  - We taught basic perspective-taking tasks to 3 children with autism and evaluated
      their ability to derive mutually entailed single-reversal deictic relations of
      those newly established perspective-taking skills. Furthermore, we examined the
      possibility of transfers of perspective-taking function to novel untrained
      stimuli. The methods were taken from the PEAK-T training curriculum, and results
      yielded positive gains for all 3 children to learn basic perspective taking as
      well as for 2 of the 3 to derive untrained single-reversal I relations following
      direct training of single-reversal You relations. All participants demonstrated a
      transfer of stimulus function to untrained stimuli after the single-reversal
      deictic relations had been mastered.

PMID- 27279458
TI  - Tanshinone I induces human colorectal cancer cell apoptosis: The potential roles
      of Aurora A-p53 and survivin-mediated signaling pathways.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and a
      leading cause of cancer death. Despite decades of intensive investigations,
      effective interventional options are still limited and patient prognosis remains
      poor. Tanshinone I, an active compound from traditional Chinese herbal medicine
      Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has been shown to inhibit cell growth of leukemia,
      lung, and breast cancers. However, whether and how Tanshinone I exerts similar
      effects on CRC needs to be elucidated. Tanshinone I induced CRC cell apoptosis
      was characterized and the roles of Aurora A-p53 and survivin-mediated pathways
      were analyzed in different CRC cell lines. Tanshinone I markedly inhibited CRC
      cell growth and induced apoptosis in CRC cells with functional p53 protein.
      Interestingly, Tanshinone I did not exert as much inhibitory effect on normal
      colon epithelial cells or CRC cells with mutant p53, indicating relative
      selectivity toward colorectal cancer cells with full presence of p53. In tse
      cells with wild-type p53, data showed that Tanshinone I mediated Aurora A
      inhibition results in p53 upregulation, which is required for cell apoptosis. In
      CRC cells with mutant p53 protein (not able to localize to the nucleus), however,
      Aurora A knockdown failed to induce CRC cell apoptosis. Instead, data showed that
      protein level of survivin decreased following Tanshinone I treatment. These
      observations were further substantiated by the pivotal role of survivin in
      Tanshinone I mediated apoptosis in CRC cells with p53 mutant. Tanshinone I, a
      novel natural compound, exerts significant inhibitory effect on CRC cell growth
      via a mechanism involving either Aurora A-p53 axis or survivin-involving
      mechanism depending on different intrinsic characteristics of tumor cells. 

PMID- 27279460
TI  - Spontaneous subdural haemorrhage from an arachnoid cyst: a case report and
      literature review.
AB  - We discuss a spontaneous subdural haematoma (SDH) arising from an arachnoid cyst
      in a healthy adult male, presenting with headache and vomiting. Imaging revealed
      a large SDH communicating with an arachnoid cyst and intracystic haemorrhage. The
      patient fully recovered with surgical evacuation. We also discuss the causes of
      spontaneous SDH, and specific risk factors for bleeding in arachnoid cysts, as
      well as review the literature on spontaneous SDH from arachnoid cysts - a rare
      but serious complication.

PMID- 27279461
TI  - The versatility of the serratus anterior free flap in head and neck
      reconstruction.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Review the literature on the use of the serratus anterior
      free flap in the head and neck reconstruction and describe new applications of
      the serratus anterior free flap. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with retrospective
      chart review and literature review. METHODS: A PubMed literature review was
      performed using the search terms "serratus free flap," "serratus skull base,"
      "serratus scalp," and "serratus free tissue transfer." One hundred and seventy
      six articles were identified, 22 of which included at least one head and neck
      reconstructive case utilizing the serratus free flap. Twenty-two articles were
      identified since 1982 that discussed the use of the serratus anterior free flap
      for reconstruction in the head and neck. However, most of these were harvested in
      conjunction with latissimus muscle. RESULTS: We present a case series of 15
      patients in whom the serratus anterior muscle free flap was used alone for head
      and neck reconstruction. In seven of these patients, we used the serratus for
      coverage of the newly created pharynx after total laryngectomy, which has not
      previously been reported. CONCLUSION: The serratus anterior free muscle flap has
      great versatility in reconstruction of the head and neck. Because of its low
      donor site morbidity, thinness, and pliability, as well as its ease of harvest,
      it is ideal for reconstruction of the skull base and scalp. We have also found
      that it is ideal for muscle coverage of the newly reconstructed pharynx after
      total laryngectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 127:568-573, 2017.

PMID- 27279462
TI  - Evaluating the Performance Improvement Preferences of Disability Service
      Managers: An Exploratory Study Using Gilbert's Behavior Engineering Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Front-line managers play an important role in managing the
      performance of staff working in services for people with intellectual disability,
      but little is known about the practices they prefer to use to improve staff
      performance and whether these align with what research has shown to be effective.
      METHOD: This study comprised two phases. First, the present authors tested the
      validity and reliability of a short questionnaire designed to evaluate managers'
      preferences for performance improvement practices. Then, the present authors
      collected and analysed responses from 175 managers working in disability services
      in Queensland, Australia. RESULTS: The questionnaire demonstrated good content
      validity, concurrent validity and test-retest reliability. The participants
      believed strategies related to changing employee individual characteristics to be
      more effective than strategies aimed at improving environmental factors.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study provides important considerations regarding the
      professional development needs of front-line managers working in organizations
      that provide services to people with intellectual disability.

PMID- 27279463
TI  - Analysis of antenatal-onset cerebral palsy secondary to transient ischemia in
      utero using a national database in Japan.
AB  - AIM: We conducted a retrospective analysis of summary medical reports of children
      diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) to identify clinical features of antenatal
      onset of CP secondary to transient ischemia in utero. METHODS: The 658 brief
      summary reports available in the Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral
      Palsy were screened, and we identified cases of singleton pregnancy, delivered at
      gestational age >= 33 weeks and those with cord blood gas pH >= 7.20. Of the 137
      cases identified, 84 were excluded for the following reasons: no evidence of
      ischemic brain lesion, clear post-natal causative factor of CP, presence of a
      congenital condition, and sentinel hypoxic event, such as uterine rupture. The
      demographic profiles of the 53 cases included in our analysis were compared to
      identify those with and without an abnormal variability in fetal heart rate.
      RESULTS: Between-group comparison identified an association between abnormal
      heart rate variability and a lower Apgar score at 1 min (2 vs 6; P < 0.001) and 5
      min (5.5 vs 8; P = 0.002), and more frequent episodes of fetal movement loss (41%
      vs 10%; P = 0.027). An hypoxic event <= 1 week before delivery was more likely to
      be associated with abnormal heart rate variability (89%) and low Apgar score
      (82%), while events at > 1 week were associated with development of
      polyhydramnios (44%). CONCLUSION: In utero transient ischemic events can
      contribute to term or near-term CP. Careful follow-up is recommended for fetuses
      with a history of fetal movement loss, abnormal variability in heart rate, and
      polyhydramnios of unknown causes.

PMID- 27279464
TI  - Analyzing the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test using item response theory.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) is a widely applied
      patient-reported outcome instrument used to assess the severity of symptoms
      associated with chronic rhinosinusitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate
      the measurement performance of the SNOT-22 instrument on an item-level basis, in
      a sample of patients awaiting elective surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis.
      METHODS: This study involved secondary analysis of SNOT-22 data that was
      prospectively collected from patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis and
      awaiting endoscopic sinus surgery in Vancouver, Canada. This study used classic
      test theory and a 2-parameter graded-response model to evaluate the SNOT-22
      items' abilities to measure the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis in terms of
      patients' self-reported symptoms. This approach models each item's
      discriminability and difficulty, which provides insight into how well they
      respectively measure symptoms related to chronic rhinosinusitis. RESULTS: Factor
      analyses indicated that there are 5 domains of measurement in the SNOT-22. The
      majority of items demonstrated strong discriminability between symptom
      severities. Likewise, most of the items demonstrated strong difficulty measuring
      the symptoms across their range of levels. The exception was those items related
      to psychological symptoms. Differential item functioning demonstrated that very
      few of the SNOT-22 items were answered significantly differently by gender or age
      subgroups. CONCLUSION: This item-level analysis demonstrates that, in general,
      the SNOT-22 is a strong instrument. Items related to psychological symptoms
      require further investigation and warrant a supplemental patient-reported outcome
      instrument.

PMID- 27279466
TI  - Comparison of cytologic preparation methods in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine
      needle aspiration for diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are few studies about the diagnostic yield of cytologic
      preparation method of pancreatic samples obtained by Endoscopic ultrasound-guided
      fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The aim of this study was to compare the
      accuracy of ThinPrep((r)) and smear method in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
      METHODS: A total of 125 EUS-FNA procedures were performed between July 2010 and
      June 2015. Patients in group I (n = 36; July 2010 to June 2014) had cytology
      slides prepared by consecutive allocation of samples. Patients in group II (n =
      12; July 2014 to June 2015) had cytology slides prepared by alternately
      allocation of samples. RESULTS: There were 24 men and 24 women (median age: 67
      years; range 39-84). The median size of lesions was 3.9 cm (range; 1.4-7.2 cm).
      The locations of the pancreatic cancer were 10 in head (20.8%), 21 in body
      (43.8%), and 17 in tail (35.4%). The ThinPrep((r)) method confirmed malignancy in
      35 of 48 cases (72.9%). On the other hand, the smear method confirmed malignancy
      in 44 of 48 cases (91.7%). The diagnostic yield of smear method was statistically
      higher than liquid method (P = 0.012). Also, smear method is superior to liquid
      method in both consecutive and alternative allocation method. ThinPrep((r))
      provided a correct diagnosis in one case where the smear method was incorrect.
      CONCLUSIONS: Smear method was a superior preparation method to liquid method in
      diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, even if splitting method was not used and
      variable allocation method was used.

PMID- 27279467
TI  - Feasibility and effect of in-home physical exercise training delivered via
      telehealth before bariatric surgery.
AB  - Optimal physical activity (PA) interventions are needed to increase PA in
      individuals with severe obesity, and optimize the results of bariatric surgery
      (BS). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effect of Pre
      Surgical Exercise Training (PreSET) delivered in-home via telehealth (TelePreSET)
      in subjects awaiting BS. Six women following the TelePreSET were compared to the
      women from a previous study (12 performing the PreSET in a gymnasium and 11
      receiving usual care). In-home TelePreSET (12-weeks of endurance and strength
      training) was supervised twice weekly using videoconferencing. Physical fitness,
      quality of life, exercise beliefs, anthropometric measures and telehealth
      perception were assessed before and after 12-weeks. Satisfaction was evaluated
      with questionnaires at the end of the intervention. The TelePreSET participants
      attended 96% of the exercise sessions, and were very satisfied by the TelePreSET.
      The baseline telehealth perception score was high, and increased significantly
      after the intervention. The TelePreSET group significantly increased their
      physical fitness compared to the usual care group. No significant change was
      noted in other outcomes. The TelePreSET is feasible and seems effective to
      improve the physical fitness of women awaiting BS. Further studies are needed to
      confirm beneficial effects of this innovative mode of delivery.

PMID- 27279465
TI  - Higher Plasma S100B Concentrations in Schizophrenia Patients, and Dependently
      Associated with Inflammatory Markers.
AB  - Glial damage and immune dysfunction are involved in pathogenesis of
      schizophrenia. However, interaction between glial damage and immune dysfunction
      in schizophrenia is undefined. This study aims to compare plasma S100 calcium
      binding protein (S100B) levels between schizophrenia patients and healthy
      participants, and to determine if immune markers are independently related with
      concentration of S100B in schizophrenia patients. Forty-one schizophrenia
      patients and thirty-three healthy volunteers were enrolled. Enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the concentrations of plasma S100B
      and inflammatory markers. We found that concentrations of S100B were elevated in
      schizophrenia patients than healthy participants (p < 0.05), and were negatively
      related with the severity of symptoms (p = 0.046). Receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that different S100B levels between
      schizophrenia and healthy participants can be used as a clinical diagnostic
      factor (predictive value: 0.666, p = 0.015). Multiple linear regression analysis
      found that length of illness (Beta = -0.161), plasma levels of inflammatory
      regulation factors (including TGF-beta1, logIL-23 and logIL-10) (Beta = 0.119,
      0.475, 0.514) were independently associated with concentrations of S100B
      (Adjusted R(2) = 0.897, p < 0.001). Therefore, our results suggest the possible
      function of S100B in pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and implicate the important
      role of autoimmune response and balance to glial dysfunction in patients with
      schizophrenia.

PMID- 27279468
TI  - DTC teledermatology: Access to the specialists' specialist - meeting an unmet
      need.

PMID- 27279469
TI  - EDTITRATE (Emergency Department Telemedicine Initiative to Rapidly Accommodate in
      Times of Emergency).
AB  - Objective Emergency Department (ED) patient volumes are unpredictable, which can
      result in service delays and patients leaving without care. We initiated a
      programme of emergency physician (EP) telepresence in the ED with the objectives
      of assessing feasibility, safety, patient and provider acceptance, and throughput
      time. Methods This was a prospective convenience study. Patients presenting to
      the ED during operation of the study who were planned for placement in the
      waiting room were considered for enrolment. A faculty EP conducted patient
      evaluations via telepresence with confirmatory evaluation by the onsite faculty
      EP prior to disposition. Patient care was either taken to completion by the
      telemedicine EP or initiated and handed off to the onsite team. Measures included
      patient demographics, triage class (ESI 1-5), throughput time and a single
      question satisfaction survey (rating 1-5, 5 most favourable) completed by
      patients, registered nurses and EPs. Patients were called within 3 days and the
      electronic health record reviewed at 7 days looking for unscheduled visits and
      adverse events. Results In total, 130 patients were enrolled. Mean triage class
      was 3.9 with a median throughput of 150 minutes (IQR = 116.5, 206). Non
      telemedicine patients during the same time period with similar triage classes had
      a median throughput of 287 minutes (IQR = 199, 408). Mean satisfaction scores
      were: patient 4.91, nurse 4.75, onsite EP 4.47 and telemedicine EP 4.79. There
      was one potential misdiagnosis and no adverse events. Conclusion Patient
      evaluation by EP via telepresence is feasible, safe, readily accepted by patients
      and providers and associated with reduced throughput time.

PMID- 27279470
TI  - Latent cytomegalovirus infection exacerbates experimental pulmonary fibrosis by
      activating TGF-beta1.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypotheses that
      cytomegalovirus (CMV) may trigger idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in a
      susceptible host and/or that the presence of CMV may alter IPF in response to a
      well-defined trigger of pulmonary fibrosis. A mouse model of murine CMV (MCMV)
      infection was established, and the mice were divided into a control group,
      bleomycin group and an MCMV+bleomycin group. Changes in the weights of the mice
      were determined in the three groups. Pulmonary fibrosis was detected using a
      histopathological method. The activity of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1
      was measured, and the levels of E-cadherin, Vimentin and phosphorylated (phospho)
      small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD)2 were determined using western blot
      analysis. MCMV was found to invade the lungs, however, it did not cause pulmonary
      fibrosis. The progression of fibrosis in the mice treated with MCMV+bleomycin was
      more rapid, compared with that in the control mice. The protein levels of
      Vimentin and phospho-SMAD2 were upregulated, whereas the level of E-cadherin was
      downregulated in the MCMV+bleomycin group,. The results suggested that latent
      MCMV infection aggravated pulmonary fibrosis in the mouse model, possibly through
      the activation of TGF-beta1. 

PMID- 27279471
TI  - Effect of Rubus Occidentalis Extract on Metabolic Parameters in Subjects with
      Prediabetes: A Proof-of-concept, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled
      Clinical Trial.
AB  - Rubus occidentalis (RO) has beneficial effects on glucose and lipid profiles in
      vitro. The aim of the study was to investigate RO extract effect on metabolic
      parameters in prediabetic patients, adopting a 12-week, randomized, double-blind,
      placebo-controlled trial. Forty-four patients (age 59.0 +/- 8.2 years, 70.5%
      females, HbA1c 5.8 +/- 0.4%) were divided into placebo (n = 13), low-dose RO
      extract (LRE; n = 14), or high-dose RO extract (HRE; n = 17) groups. Either 900
      or 1800 mg per day of RO extract was administered orally. Area under the curve
      for glucose obtained 2 h after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was
      significantly decreased in the HRE group, compared with the placebo group (-28.1
      +/- 42.4 vs. +13.4 +/- 52.6 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Homoeostasis model assessment-B was
      increased (+17.11 +/- 10.69, +5.24 +/- 4.10, and +0.86 +/- 6.01 in HRE, LRE, and
      placebo, respectively, p < 0.05). Serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant
      protein-1 and oxidized low-density lipoprotein were significantly decreased by
      treatment in a dose-dependent manner (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1: -35.0
      +/- 21.2, +8.4 +/- 18.1, and +24.2 +/- 14.5; oxidized low-density lipoprotein: 
      19.7 +/- 8.5, -13.1 +/- 7.2, and -2.2 +/- 11.0 in the HRE, LRE, and placebo,
      respectively, p < 0.05). The results support the beneficial effects of RO extract
      on the control of glycemia and vascular inflammation in prediabetic patients.
      (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01964703). Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27279472
TI  - Stem cell factor promotes in vitro ovarian follicle development in the domestic
      cat by upregulating c-kit mRNA expression and stimulating the
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway.
AB  - In the present study we examined the effects of stem cell factor (SCF; 50 vs
      100ngmL-1) alone or in combination with epidermal growth factor (EGF; 100ngmL-1)
      on: (1) the in vitro viability and growth of cat follicles within ovarian
      cortices; (2) phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and mitogen-activated
      protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation; and (3) c-kit and FSH receptor (FSHr) mRNA
      expression. At 100ngmL-1, SCF increased (P<=0.05) the percentage and size of
      secondary follicles after 14 days of in vitro culture and sustained AKT
      phosphorylation after 3 days incubation. EGF suppressed this beneficial effect
      and reduced (P<=0.05) the percentage of structurally normal follicles and FSHr
      expression when combined with 100ngmL-1 SCF. Expression of c-kit mRNA was higher
      (P<=0.05) in the presence of 100ngmL-1 SCF compared with fresh follicles and
      cohorts cultured under other conditions. A c-kit inhibitor suppressed follicle
      growth and reduced AKT phosphorylation. Collectively, the results demonstrate
      that SCF promotes cat follicle development by upregulating c-kit mRNA expression
      and AKT phosphorylation. EGF suppresses the stimulating effect of SCF, leading to
      downregulation of FSHr expression.

PMID- 27279473
TI  - Dietary flavonoid intake and the risk of stroke: a dose-response meta-analysis of
      prospective cohort studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To clarify and quantify the potential association between intake of
      flavonoids and risk of stroke. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of prospective cohort
      studies. DATA SOURCE: Studies published before January 2016 identified through
      electronic searches using PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. ELIGIBILITY
      CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Prospective cohort studies with relative risks
      and 95% CIs for stroke according to intake of flavonoids (assessed as dietary
      intake). RESULTS: The meta-analysis yielded 11 prospective cohort studies
      involving 356 627 participants and more than 5154 stroke cases. The pooled
      estimate of the multivariate relative risk of stroke for the highest compared
      with the lowest dietary flavonoid intake was 0.89 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.97; p=0.006).
      Dose-response analysis indicated that the summary relative risk of stroke for an
      increase of 100 mg flavonoids consumed per day was 0.91 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.08)
      without heterogeneity among studies (I(2)=0%). Stratifying by follow-up duration,
      the relative risk of stroke for flavonoid intake was 0.89 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.99)
      in studies with more than 10 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this
      meta-analysis suggest that higher dietary flavonoid intake may moderately lower
      the risk of stroke.

PMID- 27279474
TI  - Does employee participation in workplace health promotion depend on the working
      environment? A cross-sectional study of Danish workers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate if participation in workplace health promotion (WHP)
      depends on the work environment. METHODS: Questionnaire data on participation in
      WHP activities (smoking cessation, healthy diet, exercise facilities, weekly
      exercise classes, contact with health professionals, health screenings) and the
      work environment (social support, fatiguing work, physical, quantitative and
      emotional demands, job control and WHP availability setting) were collected cross
      sectionally in 2010 in a representative sample (n=10 605) of Danish workers.
      Binary regression analyses of the association between work environment
      characteristics and participation in WHP were conducted and adjusted for age,
      gender and industry. RESULTS: WHP offered during leisure time was associated with
      lower participation in all measured activities compared with when offered during
      working hours. Low social support and fatiguing work were associated with low
      participation in WHP. No associations with participation in WHPs were observed
      for physical work or quantitative demands, work pace or job strain. However, high
      physical demands/low job control and high emotional demands/low job control were
      associated with low participation. CONCLUSIONS: Lower participation in WHP was
      associated with programmes during leisure, low social support, very fatiguing
      work and high physical or emotional demands with low job control. This suggests
      that to obtain proper effect of health promotion in a workplace setting, a good
      work environment is essential.

PMID- 27279475
TI  - Factors associated with prolonged length of stay following cardiac surgery in a
      major referral hospital in Oman: a retrospective observational study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Two objectives were set for this study. The first was to identify
      factors influencing prolonged postoperative length of stay (LOS) following
      cardiac surgery. The second was to devise a predictive model for prolonged LOS in
      the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) based on preoperative factors available at
      admission and to compare it against two existing cardiac stratification systems.
      DESIGN: Observational retrospective study. SETTINGS: A tertiary hospital in Oman.
      PARTICIPANTS: All adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery at a major
      referral hospital in Oman between 2009 and 2013. RESULTS: 30.5% of the patients
      had prolonged LOS (>=11 days) after surgery, while 17% experienced prolonged ICU
      LOS (>=5 days). Factors that were identified to prolong CICU LOS were non
      elective surgery, current congestive heart failure (CHF), renal failure, combined
      coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and valve surgery, and other non-isolated
      valve or CABG surgery. Patients were divided into three groups based on their
      scores. The probabilities of prolonged CICU LOS were 11%, 26% and 28% for group
      1, 2 and 3, respectively. The predictive model had an area under the curve of
      0.75. Factors associated with prolonged overall postoperative LOS included the
      body mass index, the type of surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass machine use, packed
      red blood cells use, non-elective surgery and number of complications. The latter
      was the most important determinant of postoperative LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Patient
      management can be tailored for individual patient based on their treatments and
      personal attributes to optimise resource allocation. Moreover, a simple
      predictive score system to enable identification of patients at risk of prolonged
      CICU stay can be developed using data that are routinely collected by most
      hospitals.

PMID- 27279476
TI  - Consumer concerns about paracetamol: a retrospective analysis of a medicines call
      centre.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify consumer information needs about paracetamol, the most
      commonly used analgesic and antipyretic worldwide. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis
      of medicines questions from the public. SETTING: Australian consumer medicines
      call centre. PARTICIPANTS: Callers to National Prescribing Service Medicines Line
      between September 2002 and June 2010 (n=123 217). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Enquiry
      profile: demographics, enquiry type and concurrent medicines included in
      paracetamol calls; question themes derived from subset of call narratives.
      RESULTS: Paracetamol comprised part of the enquiry in 5.2% of calls (n=6367). The
      caller age distribution for paracetamol calls was skewed towards a younger
      cohort, with 45.2% made by those aged 25-44 vs 37.5% in 'rest of calls'.
      Significantly more paracetamol-related calls were made for a child (23.7%)
      compared with 'rest of calls' (12.7%, p<0.001). The most frequent concurrently
      asked about medicines were codeine (11%, n=1521) and ibuprofen (6.4%, n=884).
      Questions underpinned by paracetamol risk (interaction, use in
      pregnancy/lactation or other safety concerns) predominated (55.8%). When
      individual paracetamol enquiry types were compared with 'rest of calls', efficacy
      was most frequent (24.9% vs 22.8%); however, interaction (21.5% vs 14.8%),
      administration (15.5% vs 11%) and pregnancy/lactation (13.8% vs 8.3%) categories
      were more prevalent for paracetamol calls (all p<0.001). Enquiry type frequency
      also varied by patient age group, with questions about administration more common
      in younger groups and efficacy dominating in those over 45. Narrative analysis of
      over-represented paracetamol enquiry types showed specific concerns relevant to
      life stages: young children, those of reproductive age and the elderly.
      CONCLUSIONS: Consumers have many concerns about the use of paracetamol that may
      be under-recognised by healthcare providers, with the nature of enquiries
      differing across life stages. These concerns are not adequately addressed by
      available consumer information. Improving access to targeted information about
      paracetamol would promote the safe and effective use of this common medicine.

PMID- 27279477
TI  - Trends of CT utilisation in an emergency department in Taiwan: a 5-year
      retrospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between the trends of CT utilisation
      in an emergency department (ED) and changes in clinical imaging practice and
      patients' disposition. SETTING: A hospital-based retrospective observational
      study of a public 1520-bed referral medical centre in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: Adult
      ED visits (aged >=18 years) during 2009-2013, with or without receiving CT, were
      enrolled as the study participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For all enrolled ED
      visits, we retrospectively analysed: (1) demographic characteristics, (2) triage
      categories, (3) whether CT was performed and the type of CT scan, (4) further ED
      disposition, (5) ED cost and (6) ED length of stay. RESULTS: In all, 269 239
      adult ED visits (148 613 male patients and 120 626 female patients) were
      collected during the 5-year study period, comprising 38 609 CT scans. CT
      utilisation increased from 11.10% in 2009 to 17.70% in 2013 (trend test,
      p<0.001). Four in 5 types of CT scan (head, chest, abdomen and miscellaneous)
      were increasingly utilised during the study period. Also, CT was increasingly
      ordered annually in all age groups. Although ED CT utilisation rates increased
      markedly, the annual ED visits did not actually increase. Moreover, the
      subsequent admission rate, after receiving ED CT, declined (59.9% in 2009 to
      48.2% in 2013). CONCLUSIONS: ED CT utilisation rates increased significantly
      during 2009-2013. Emergency physicians may be using CT for non-emergent studies
      in the ED. Further investigation is needed to determine whether increasing CT
      utilisation is efficient and cost-effective.

PMID- 27279479
TI  - Anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal
      formulation Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san in a rat model of chronic stress.
AB  - Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san is a Traditional Chinese Medicinal formulation widely used
      for the treatment of neuropsychological disorders. The present study examined the
      anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects of Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san in a rat model of
      chronic stress. The results of an elevated plus maze test showed that Dan-zhi
      xiao-yao-san significantly attenuated the levels of anxiety-induced stress as
      evidenced by increases in the time spent in the open arm region, as well as the
      percentage of entries into this area. In addition, Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san
      alleviated stress-induced neuronal death, as indicated by histological
      examination. Furthermore, mechanistic studies suggested that the anxiolytic and
      neuroprotective effects of Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san may be mediated via attenuation
      of chronic stress-induced upregulation of alpha-synuclein and corticosterone, and
      downregulation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in the hippocampal region of the
      brain at the mRNA and protein level. In addition, Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san decreased
      the serum levels of stress-induced corticosterone in the model animals. In
      conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san exerted
      anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects in a rat model of chronic stress via
      attenuation of stress-induced upregulation of alpha-synuclein and corticosterone,
      and downregulation of PP2A in the hippocampus. 

PMID- 27279478
TI  - Older, vulnerable patient view: a pilot and feasibility study of the patient
      measure of safety (PMOS) with patients in Australia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The UK-developed patient measure of safety (PMOS) is a validated tool
      which captures patient perceptions of safety in hospitals. We aimed (1) to
      investigate the extent to which the PMOS is appropriate for use with stroke,
      acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and hip fracture patients in Australian
      hospitals and (2) to pilot the PMOS for use in a large-scale, national study
      'Deepening our Understanding of Quality in Australia' (DUQuA). PARTICIPANTS:
      Stroke, AMI and hip fracture patients (n=34) receiving care in 3 wards in 1 large
      hospital. METHODS: 2 phases were conducted. First, a 'think aloud' study was used
      to determine the validity of PMOS with this population in an international
      setting, and to make amendments based on patient feedback. The second phase
      tested the revised measure to establish the internal consistency reliability of
      the revised subscales, and piloted the recruitment and administration processes
      to ensure feasibility of the PMOS for use in DUQuA. RESULTS: Of the 43 questions
      in the PMOS, 13 (30%) were amended based on issues patients highlighted for
      improvement in phase 1. In phase 2, a total of 34 patients were approached and 29
      included, with a mean age of 71.3 years (SD=16.39). Internal consistency
      reliability was established using interitem correlation and Cronbach's alpha for
      all but 1 subscale. The most and least favourably rated aspects of safety
      differed between the 3 wards. A study log was categorised into 10 key feasibility
      factors, including liaising with wards to understand operational procedures and
      identify patterns of patient discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Capturing patient
      perceptions of care is crucial in improving patient safety. The revised PMOS is
      appropriate for use with vulnerable older adult groups. The findings from this
      study have informed key decisions made for the deployment of this measure as part
      of the DUQuA study.

PMID- 27279480
TI  - Silencing FAT10 inhibits metastasis of osteosarcoma.
AB  - Metastasis is the main challenge of osteosarcoma treatment. Herein, we first
      reveal the oncogenic role of FAT10 in metastasis of osteosarcoma. FAT10 was
      upregulated in osteosarcoma, especially in metastatic osteosarcoma. High level of
      FAT10 was associated with poorer prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. Moreover,
      Transwell and Matrigel assays revealed that silencing FAT10 significantly
      inhibited the invasive and migratory abilities of osteosarcoma cells. Metastasis
      assay in vivo showed that silencing FAT10 decreased the number of mice with
      distant metastasis. We also found that FAT10 may act its oncogenic functions
      through regulating HOXB9. Collectively, the results suggested that FAT10 may be a
      novel therapeutic target for osteosarcoma patients. 

PMID- 27279481
TI  - Integrating landfill bioreactors, partial nitritation and anammox process for
      methane recovery and nitrogen removal from leachate.
AB  - A new process consisting of a landfill bioreactor, partial-nitritation (PN) and
      the anammox process has been developed for landfill leachate treatment. In this
      study, the landfill bioreactor exhibited excellent performance in methane-rich
      biogas recovery, with a specific biogas yield of 0.47 L gas g(-1) COD and methane
      percentages of 53-76%. PN was achieved in the aerobic reactor by high free
      ammonia (101 +/- 83 mg NH3 L(-1)) inhibition for nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, and
      the desired PN effluent composition (effluent nitrite: ammonium ratio of 1.1 +/-
      0.3) was controlled by adjusting the alkalinity concentration per unit of
      ammonium oxidized to approximately 14.3 mg CaCO3 mg(-1) N in the influent. The
      startup of anammox process was successfully achieved with a membrane bioreactor
      in 160 d, and a maximum nitrogen removal rate of 216 mg N L(-1) d(-1) was
      attained for real landfill leachate treatment. The quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction results confirmed that the cell-specific anammox activity was
      approximately 68-95 fmol N cell(-1) d(-1), which finally led to the stable
      operation of the system.

PMID- 27279482
TI  - Inhibition of herpes simplex virus 1 gene expression and replication by RNase P
      associated external guide sequences.
AB  - An external guide sequence (EGS) is a RNA sequence which can interact with a
      target mRNA to form a tertiary structure like a pre-tRNA and recruit
      intracellular ribonuclease P (RNase P), a tRNA processing enzyme, to degrade
      target mRNA. Previously, an in vitro selection procedure has been used by us to
      engineer new EGSs that are more robust in inducing human RNase P to cleave their
      targeted mRNAs. In this study, we constructed EGSs from a variant to target the
      mRNA encoding herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) major transcription regulator ICP4,
      which is essential for the expression of viral early and late genes and viral
      growth. The EGS variant induced human RNase P cleavage of ICP4 mRNA sequence 60
      times better than the EGS generated from a natural pre-tRNA. A decrease of about
      97% and 75% in the level of ICP4 gene expression and an inhibition of about 7,000
      and 500-fold in viral growth were observed in HSV infected cells expressing the
      variant and the pre-tRNA-derived EGS, respectively. This study shows that
      engineered EGSs can inhibit HSV-1 gene expression and viral growth. Furthermore,
      these results demonstrate the potential for engineered EGS RNAs to be developed
      and used as anti-HSV therapeutics.

PMID- 27279483
TI  - Gene set enrichment analysis and ingenuity pathway analysis of metastatic clear
      cell renal cell carcinoma cell line.
AB  - In recent years, genome-wide RNA expression analysis has become a routine tool
      that offers a great opportunity to study and understand the key role of genes
      that contribute to carcinogenesis. Various microarray platforms and statistical
      approaches can be used to identify genes that might serve as prognostic
      biomarkers and be developed as antitumor therapies in the future. Metastatic
      renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is a serious, life-threatening disease, and there are
      few treatment options for patients. In this study, we performed one-color
      microarray gene expression (4*44K) analysis of the mRCC cell line Caki-1 and the
      healthy kidney cell line ASE-5063. A total of 1,921 genes were differentially
      expressed in the Caki-1 cell line (1,023 upregulated and 898 downregulated). Gene
      Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) approaches
      were used to analyze the differential-expression data. The objective of this
      research was to identify complex biological changes that occur during metastatic
      development using Caki-1 as a model mRCC cell line. Our data suggest that there
      are multiple deregulated pathways associated with metastatic clear cell renal
      cell carcinoma (mccRCC), including integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling,
      leukocyte extravasation signaling, IGF-I signaling, CXCR4 signaling, and
      phosphoinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. The IPA
      upstream analysis predicted top transcriptional regulators that are either
      activated or inhibited, such as estrogen receptors, TP53, KDM5B, SPDEF, and
      CDKN1A. The GSEA approach was used to further confirm enriched pathway data
      following IPA.

PMID- 27279484
TI  - Role of Nox4 and p67phox subunit of Nox2 in ROS production in response to
      increased tubular flow in the mTAL of Dahl salt-sensitive rats.
AB  - Nox4 and Nox2 are the most abundant NADPH oxidases (Nox) in the kidney and have
      been shown to contribute to hypertension, renal oxidative stress, and injury in
      Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) hypertensive rats. The present study focused on the role
      of Nox4 and p67phox/Nox2 in the generation of H2O2 and O2 (.-) in the renal
      medullary thick ascending limb of Henle (mTAL) of SS rats in response to
      increasing luminal flow (from 5 to 20 nl/min). Nox4 and p67phox/Nox2 genes were
      found to be expressed in the mTAL of SS rats. Responses of SS rats were compared
      with those of SS rats with knockout of Nox4 (SS(Nox4-/-)) or functional mutation
      of p67phox (SS(p67phox-/-)). Nox4 was the dominant source of increased
      intracellular H2O2 production in response to increased luminal flow as determined
      using the fluorescent dye peroxyfluor 6-AM (PF6-AM). The rate of mitochondrial
      H2O2 production [as determined by mitochondria peroxy yellow 1 (mitoPY1)] was
      also significantly reduced in SS(Nox4-/-) compared with SS rats, but not in
      SS(p67phox-/-) rats. In contrast, intracellular superoxide (O2 (.-)) production
      (the ratio of ethidium to dihydroethidium) in the mTAL of SS(Nox4-/-) rats was
      nearly identical to that of SS rats in response to luminal flow, indicating that
      Nox4 made no measurable contribution. mTAL O2 (.-) production was reduced in
      SS(p67phox-/-) compared with SS rats at the lower luminal flow of 5 nl/min and
      progressively increased when perfusion was changed to 20 nl/min. We conclude that
      increased mTAL luminal flow results in increases in intracellular and
      mitochondrial H2O2, which are dependent on the presence of Nox4, and that
      p67phox/Nox2 accounts solely for increases in O2 (.-) production.

PMID- 27279485
TI  - Secretin, at the hub of water-salt homeostasis.
AB  - Water and salt metabolism are tightly regulated processes. Maintaining this
      milieu interieur within narrow limits is critical for normal physiological
      processes to take place. Disturbances to this balance can result in disease and
      even death. Some of the better-characterized regulators of water and salt
      homeostasis include angiotensin II, aldosterone, arginine vasopressin, and
      oxytocin. Although secretin (SCT) was first described >100 years ago, little is
      known about the role of this classic gastrointestinal hormone in the maintenance
      of water-salt homeostasis. In recent years, increasing body of evidence suggested
      that SCT and its receptor play important roles in the central nervous system and
      kidney to ensure that the mammalian extracellular fluid osmolarity is kept within
      a healthy range. In this review, we focus on recent advances in our understanding
      of the molecular, cellular, and network mechanisms by which SCT and its receptor
      mediate the control of osmotic homeostasis. Implications of hormonal cross talk
      and receptor-receptor interaction are highlighted.

PMID- 27279486
TI  - Osmotically inactive sodium and potassium storage: lessons learned from the
      Edelman and Boling data.
AB  - Because changes in the plasma water sodium concentration ([Na(+)]pw) are
      clinically due to changes in the mass balance of Na(+), K(+), and H2O, the
      analysis and treatment of the dysnatremias are dependent on the validity of the
      Edelman equation in defining the quantitative interrelationship between the
      [Na(+)]pw and the total exchangeable sodium (Nae), total exchangeable potassium
      (Ke), and total body water (TBW) (Edelman IS, Leibman J, O'Meara MP, Birkenfeld
      LW. J Clin Invest 37: 1236-1256, 1958): [Na(+)]pw = 1.11(Nae + Ke)/TBW - 25.6.
      The interrelationship between [Na(+)]pw and Nae, Ke, and TBW in the Edelman
      equation is empirically determined by accounting for measurement errors in all of
      these variables. In contrast, linear regression analysis of the same data set
      using [Na(+)]pw as the dependent variable yields the following equation:
      [Na(+)]pw = 0.93(Nae + Ke)/TBW + 1.37. Moreover, based on the study by Boling et
      al. (Boling EA, Lipkind JB. 18: 943-949, 1963), the [Na(+)]pw is related to the
      Nae, Ke, and TBW by the following linear regression equation: [Na(+)]pw =
      0.487(Nae + Ke)/TBW + 71.54. The disparities between the slope and y-intercept of
      these three equations are unknown. In this mathematical analysis, we demonstrate
      that the disparities between the slope and y-intercept in these three equations
      can be explained by how the osmotically inactive Na(+) and K(+) storage pool is
      quantitatively accounted for. Our analysis also indicates that the osmotically
      inactive Na(+) and K(+) storage pool is dynamically regulated and that changes in
      the [Na(+)]pw can be predicted based on changes in the Nae, Ke, and TBW despite
      dynamic changes in the osmotically inactive Na(+) and K(+) storage pool.

PMID- 27279488
TI  - BIG: a large-scale data integration tool for renal physiology.
AB  - Due to recent advances in high-throughput techniques, we and others have
      generated multiple proteomic and transcriptomic databases to describe and
      quantify gene expression, protein abundance, or cellular signaling on the scale
      of the whole genome/proteome in kidney cells. The existence of so much data from
      diverse sources raises the following question: "How can researchers find
      information efficiently for a given gene product over all of these data sets
      without searching each data set individually?" This is the type of problem that
      has motivated the "Big-Data" revolution in Data Science, which has driven
      progress in fields such as marketing. Here we present an online Big-Data tool
      called BIG (Biological Information Gatherer) that allows users to submit a single
      online query to obtain all relevant information from all indexed databases. BIG
      is accessible at http://big.nhlbi.nih.gov/.

PMID- 27279487
TI  - The NHERF1 PDZ1 domain and IRBIT interact and mediate the activation of Na+/H+
      exchanger 3 by ANG II.
AB  - Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE)3, a major Na(+) transporter in the luminal membrane of
      the proximal tubule, is subject to ANG II regulation in renal Na(+)/fluid
      absorption and blood pressure control. We have previously shown that inositol
      1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-binding protein released with inositol 1,4,5
      trisphosphate (IRBIT) mediates ANG II-induced exocytosis of NHE3 in cultured
      proximal tubule epithelial cells. In searching for scaffold protein(s) that
      coordinates with IRBIT in NHE3 trafficking, we found that NHE regulatory factor
      (NHERF)1, NHE3, and IRBIT proteins were coexpressed in the same macrocomplexes
      and that loss of ANG II type 1 receptors decreased their expression in the renal
      brush-border membrane. We found that NHERF1 was required for ANG II-mediated
      forward trafficking and activation of NHE3 in cultured cells. ANG II induced a
      concomitant increase of NHERF1 interactions with NHE3 and IRBIT, which were
      abolished when the NHERF1 PDZ1 domain was removed. Overexpression of a yellow
      fluorescent protein-NHERF1 construct that lacks PDZ1, but not PDZ2, failed to
      exaggerate the ANG II-dependent increase of NHE3 expression in the apical
      membrane. Moreover, exogenous expression of PDZ1 exerted a dominant negative
      effect on NHE3 activation by ANG II. We further demonstrated that IRBIT was
      indispensable for the ANG II-provoked increase in NHERF1-NHE3 interactions and
      that phosphorylation of IRBIT at Ser(68) was necessary for the assembly of the
      NHEF1-IRBIT-NHE3 complex. Taken together, our findings suggest that NHERF1
      mediates ANG II-induced activation of renal NHE3, which requires coordination
      between IRBIT and the NHERF1 PDZ1 domain in binding and transporting NHE3.

PMID- 27279489
TI  - Wnt6: another player in the yin and yang of renal Wnt signaling.

PMID- 27279490
TI  - Prediction of renal crystalline size distributions in space using a PBE analytic
      model. 1. Effect of microgravity-induced biochemical alterations.
AB  - An analytical Population Balance Equation model is developed and used to assess
      the risk of critical renal stone formation for astronauts during future space
      missions. The model uses the renal biochemical profile of the subject as input
      and predicts the steady-state size distribution of the nucleating, growing, and
      agglomerating calcium oxalate crystals during their transit through the kidney.
      The model is verified through comparison with published results of several
      crystallization experiments. Numerical results indicate that the model is
      successful in clearly distinguishing between 1-G normal and 1-G recurrent stone
      former subjects based solely on their published 24-h urine biochemical profiles.
      Numerical case studies further show that the predicted renal calculi size
      distribution for a microgravity astronaut is closer to that of a recurrent stone
      former on Earth rather than to a normal subject in 1 G. This interestingly
      implies that the increase in renal stone risk level in microgravity is relatively
      more significant for a normal person than a stone former. However, numerical
      predictions still underscore that the stone-former subject carries by far the
      highest absolute risk of critical stone formation during space travel.

PMID- 27279491
TI  - Prediction of renal crystalline size distributions in space using a PBE analytic
      model. 2. Effect of dietary countermeasures.
AB  - An analytic Population Balance Equation model is used to assess the efficacy of
      citrate, pyrophosphate, and augmented fluid intake as dietary countermeasures
      aimed at reducing the risk of renal stone formation for astronauts. The model
      uses the measured biochemical profile of the astronauts as input and predicts the
      steady-state size distribution of the nucleating, growing, and agglomerating
      renal calculi subject to biochemical changes brought about by administration of
      these dietary countermeasures. Numerical predictions indicate that an increase in
      citrate levels beyond its average normal ground-based urinary values is
      beneficial but only to a limited extent. Unfortunately, results also indicate
      that any decline in the citrate levels during space travel below its normal
      urinary values on Earth can easily move the astronaut into the stone-forming risk
      category. Pyrophosphate is found to be an effective inhibitor since numerical
      predictions indicate that even at quite small urinary concentrations, it has the
      potential of shifting the maximum crystal aggregate size to a much smaller and
      plausibly safer range. Finally, our numerical results predict a decline in
      urinary volume below 1.5 liters/day can act as a dangerous promoter of renal
      stone development in microgravity while urinary volume levels of 2.5-3 liters/day
      can serve as effective space countermeasures.

PMID- 27279493
TI  - Magnetically recyclable Bi/Fe-based hierarchical nanostructures via self-assembly
      for environmental decontamination.
AB  - Pristine bismuth ferrite usually possesses weak magnetic properties (e.g.,
      saturation magnetization Ms < 3 emu g(-1)) for practical magnetic separation
      applications. Herein, a superparamagnetic bismuth ferrite with coral-like
      hierarchical morphology (BFO-M) was fabricated through methanol solvothermal
      treatment of the as-prepared Bi2Fe4O9 nanoclusters (P-BFO). The BFO-M shows a
      higher Ms of ~31 emu g(-1) compared to that of P-BFO treated in water (BFO-A), in
      ethanol (BFO-E) and in ethylene glycol (BFO-G). Compared to single-crystalline
      Bi2Fe4O9 (PS) and Bi2Fe4O9 clusters (NSP), BFO-M shows an excellent organic
      pollutant removal rate by virtue of its high adsorption capacity and catalytic
      activity when methyl orange (MO) is used as the model organic pollutant. BFO-M
      also exhibits good visible light photo-Fenton oxidation rates for pharmaceuticals
      and pesticides. Even at a low catalyst loading of 0.12 g L(-1), the removal rate
      of organic pollutants (e.g., 5-fluorouracil, isoproturon) can be ~99% in 100 min
      under visible light irradiation. Besides, BFO-M is also a good adsorbent for
      different kinds of heavy metal ions (Pb(ii), Cr(iii), Cu(ii), As(v), etc.). For
      example, its maximal adsorption capacity for Pb(ii) is 214.5 mg g(-1). The used
      BFO-M can be recovered via magnetic separation. The outstanding performances of
      BFO-M can be ascribed to its coral-like hierarchical morphology which consists of
      the self-assembly of 1D nanowires (~6 nm in diameter) and 2D ultrathin nanoflakes
      (~4.5 nm in thickness). A schematic illustration of its morphology formation is
      proposed. 

PMID- 27279492
TI  - Interleukin-6 inhibition attenuates hypertension and associated renal damage in
      Dahl salt-sensitive rats.
AB  - Immune cells in the kidney are implicated in the development of hypertension and
      renal damage in the Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat. Interestingly, interleukin 6
      (IL-6) mRNA is 54-fold higher in T-lymphocytes isolated from the kidney compared
      with circulating T-lymphocytes. The present experiments assessed the role of IL-6
      in the development of SS hypertension by treating rats (n = 13-14/group) with an
      IL-6 neutralizing antibody or normal IgG during an 11-day period of high-salt
      (4.0% NaCl chow) intake. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and urine albumin
      excretion rates (Ualb) were not different between the groups fed low salt (0.4%
      NaCl). Following 11 days of drug treatment and high salt, however, the rats
      receiving anti-IL-6 demonstrated a 47% reduction of IL-6 in the renal medulla
      compared with control SS. Moreover, the increase in MAP following 11 days of high
      NaCl intake was significantly attenuated in SS administered anti-IL-6 compared
      with the control group (138 +/- 3 vs. 149 +/- 3 mmHg) as was the salt-induced
      increase in Ualb and glomerular and tubular damage. To investigate potential
      mechanisms of action, a flow cytometric analysis of immune cells in the kidney (n
      = 8-9/group) demonstrated that the total number of monocytes and macrophages was
      significantly lower in the treatment vs. the control group. The total number of T
      and B-lymphocytes in the kidneys was not different between groups. These studies
      indicate that IL-6 production may participate in the development of SS
      hypertension and end-organ damage by mediating increased infiltration or
      proliferation of macrophages into the kidney.

PMID- 27279494
TI  - Molecular docking studies of Traditional Chinese Medicinal compounds against
      known protein targets to treat non-small cell lung carcinomas.
AB  - In silico drug design using virtual screening, absorption, distribution,
      metabolism and excretion (ADME)/Tox data analysis, automated docking and
      molecular dynamics simulations for the determination of lead compounds for
      further in vitro analysis is a cost effective strategy. The present study used
      this strategy to discover novel lead compounds from an in-house database of
      Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) compounds against epithelial growth factor
      receptor (EGFR) protein for targeting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). After
      virtual screening of an initial dataset of 2,242 TCM compounds, leads were
      identified based on binding energy and ADME/Tox data and subjected to automated
      docking followed by molecular dynamics simulation. Triptolide, a top compound
      identified by this vigorous in silico screening, was then tested in vitro on the
      H2347 cell line carrying wild-type EGFR, revealing an anti-proliferative potency
      similar to that of known drugs against NSCLC. 

PMID- 27279495
TI  - Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Excision of Ureteral and Ureteropelvic Junction
      Fibroepithelial Polyps in Children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Fibroepithelial polyps of the ureter are a rare cause of
      asymptomatic and symptomatic upper urinary tract obstruction in children. While
      these lesions can often be managed endoscopically, large or multifocal polyps may
      preclude such an approach. OBJECTIVE: We aim to describe our institutional
      experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic treatment of ureteral polyps and show
      that a robotic approach is an effective alternative for large or multifocal
      polyps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four children were identified with ureteral polyps
      over a 5-year period and underwent transperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic
      excision. Patients presented with flank pain and/or worsening hydronephrosis. All
      patients were evaluated preoperatively with ultrasound and Tc99m
      mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) diuretic renogram or MR urogram. Retrograde
      pyelography corroborated the diagnosis of ureteral polyps. We reviewed the charts
      of these patients and compared the specific robotic approach for each patient,
      length of hospitalization, surgical complications, need for additional
      procedures, and resolution of symptoms and hydronephrosis. RESULTS: In one
      patient, more than 20 polyps were identified over a long ureteral segment and all
      were excised; for the remaining three patients, 1 to 2 polyps were found. Mean
      postoperative length of stay was 1.5 days. One patient developed a ureteral
      stricture requiring repeat ureteroureterostomy, and another patient required
      repeat retrograde pyelography for gross hematuria that occurred several months
      after surgery. No polyps or obstruction was observed on retrograde pyelography in
      these patients. Mean duration of follow-up was 29 months (9-62 months). Symptoms
      and degree of hydronephrosis have improved in the three patients who have been
      followed for at least 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted laparoscopy is a
      safe and feasible alternative to endoscopic treatment of fibroepithelial ureteral
      polyps. The robotic platform may be preferred in cases of multifocal or large
      ureteral polyps, or in cases in which a concomitant ureteropelvic junction
      narrowing may be present.

PMID- 27279496
TI  - Long-term outcomes of lung transplant recipients with hepatitis C infection: a
      retrospective study of the U.S. transplant registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C patients in need of a lung transplant are often
      considered ineligible due to their infection. AIM: To assess the association of
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with long-term outcomes of lung transplants.
      METHODS: From the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (1995-2011), we
      selected all adults with and without HCV infection who underwent lung
      transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 17 762 lung transplant recipients were
      included (55.5% bilateral). Of those, 319 (1.83%) had positive HCV serology. The
      HCV-positive recipients were 1.6 years younger, less Caucasian and more African
      American, and had a significantly higher rate of co-infection with hepatitis B
      virus (all P < 0.001). Post-transplant patients were discharged alive at similar
      rates regardless of HCV status: 88.4% in HCV+ vs. 90.3% in HCV- (P = 0.25). The
      mortality rates were also similar at 1 and 2 years after transplantation (20.7%
      in HCV+ vs. 19.2% in HCV- and 31.6% in HCV+ vs. 28.9% in HCV-, respectively; both
      P > 0.05), but at post-transplant year 3 year, mortality rate in HCV+ became
      significantly higher (42.5% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.04) and remained higher for the
      duration of the follow-up (mean 9.1 years, max 18.4 years). In multivariate
      survival analysis, after adjustment for confounders, being HCV+ was associated
      with higher mortality: adjusted hazard ratio 1.24 (1.04-1.46), P = 0.01. No
      association of HCV infection with time to graft loss was found (P = 0.92).
      CONCLUSIONS: Chronic HCV infection is associated with a moderate increase in post
      lung transplant mortality. Treatment of HCV in lung transplant recipients may,
      therefore, result in improvement of post-transplant outcomes.

PMID- 27279497
TI  - Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of two nanobodies that inhibit thrombin
      activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor activation and activated thrombin-activatable
      fibrinolysis inhibitor activity.
AB  - Essentials Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a risk factor
      for cardiovascular disorders. TAFI inhibitory nanobodies represent a promising
      step in developing profibrinolytic therapeutics. We have solved three crystal
      structures of TAFI in complex with inhibitory nanobodies. Nanobodies inhibit TAFI
      through distinct mechanisms and represent novel profibrinolytic leads. SUMMARY:
      Background Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is converted to
      activated TAFI (TAFIa) by thrombin, plasmin, or the thrombin-thrombomodulin
      complex (T/TM). TAFIa is antifibrinolytic, and high levels of TAFIa are
      associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders. TAFI-inhibitory
      nanobodies represent a promising approach for developing profibrinolytic
      therapeutics. Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of inhibition of
      TAFI activation and TAFIa activity by nanobodies with the use of X-ray
      crystallography and biochemical characterization. Methods and results We selected
      two nanobodies for cocrystallization with TAFI. VHH-a204 interferes with all TAFI
      activation modes, whereas VHH-i83 interferes with T/TM-mediated activation and
      also inhibits TAFIa activity. The 3.05-A-resolution crystal structure of TAFI-VHH
      a204 reveals that the VHH-a204 epitope is localized to the catalytic moiety (CM)
      in close proximity to the TAFI activation site at Arg92, indicating that VHH-a204
      inhibits TAFI activation by steric hindrance. The 2.85-A-resolution crystal
      structure of TAFI-VHH-i83 reveals that the VHH-i83 epitope is located close to
      the presumptive thrombomodulin-binding site in the activation peptide (AP). The
      structure and supporting biochemical assays suggest that VHH-i83 inhibits TAFIa
      by bridging the AP to the CM following TAFI activation. In addition, the 3.00-A
      resolution crystal structure of the triple TAFI-VHH-a204-VHH-i83 complex
      demonstrates that the two nanobodies can simultaneously bind to TAFI. Conclusions
      This study provides detailed insights into the molecular mechanisms of TAFI
      inhibition, and reveals a novel mode of TAFIa inhibition. VHH-a204 and VHH-i83
      merit further evaluation as potential profibrinolytic therapeutics.

PMID- 27279499
TI  - Thermomechanical coupling in coarse grained cholesteric liquid crystal model
      systems with pitches of realistic length.
AB  - Thermomechanical coupling in cholesteric liquid crystals, i.e. when a temperature
      gradient parallel to the cholesteric axis rotates the director, has been studied
      in a model system of soft ellipsoids where the interaction potential has been
      augmented by a chiral potential. More specifically, the cross coupling
      coefficient between the temperature gradient and the director angular velocity,
      or Leslie coefficient, has been obtained as a function of the pitch by evaluating
      the corresponding Green-Kubo relation by molecular dynamics simulation. The
      product of the Leslie coefficient and the pitch has been found to be constant
      within the statistical uncertainty. This is in accordance with a symmetry
      condition originally proposed by de Gennes and it means that the Leslie
      coefficient of systems with longer pitches can be obtained from systems with
      shorter pitches. Since the pitches of realistic systems are usually very long, it
      becomes possible to study thermomechanical coupling in these systems which
      otherwise would have required prohibitively long simulations. Since we also have
      obtained rather accurate data on the cross correlation function between the
      director angular velocity and the heat current density, it becomes possible to
      analyse the mechanism of thermomechanical coupling to some extent. 

PMID- 27279498
TI  - Cross-talk between AMPK and EGFR dependent Signaling in Non-Small Cell Lung
      Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancers globally account for 12% of new cancer cases, 85% of these being Non
      Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Therapies like erlotinib target the key player
      EGFR, which is mutated in about 10% of lung adenocarcinoma. However, drug
      insensitivity and resistance caused by second mutations in the EGFR or aberrant
      bypass signaling have evolved as a major challenge in controlling these tumors.
      Recently, AMPK activation was proposed to sensitize NSCLC cells against erlotinib
      treatment. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. In this work we
      aim to unravel the interplay between 20 proteins that were previously associated
      with EGFR signaling and erlotinib drug sensitivity. The inferred network shows a
      high level of agreement with protein-protein interactions reported in STRING and
      HIPPIE databases. It is further experimentally validated with protein
      measurements. Moreover, predictions derived from our network model fairly agree
      with somatic mutations and gene expression data from primary lung adenocarcinoma.
      Altogether our results support the role of AMPK in EGFR signaling and drug
      sensitivity.

PMID- 27279500
TI  - Using Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Predict the Mechanical
      Properties of Thermally Modified Southern Pine Wood.
AB  - This study seeks to estimate the mechanical properties of thermally modified wood
      (TMW) by using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to measure 80 samples in three
      point bending tests. Near-infrared spectra collected from the transverse, radial,
      and tangential sections of wood, coupled with chemometric techniques, were used
      to predict the mechanical properties of southern pine wood, from which NIR models
      were constructed based on partial least squares and corresponding cross
      validation. The coefficient of determination between NIR transverse section
      spectra, as well as two mechanical properties of wood samples, modulus of rupture
      (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE), were above 0.92 and greater than values
      for other sections. Spectral data from the transverse sections were richer than
      data from other sections, and thus, a model based on transverse sections better
      predicts the mechanical properties of wood. A close relationship between the
      values for mechanical properties (MOE and MOR) and the NIR spectra of thermally
      modified southern pine wood can be demonstrated, which provides the potential to
      predict the mechanical properties of untreated and thermally modified wood.

PMID- 27279501
TI  - Corrigendum.
AB  - Mr. Richard J. George was misidentified as "Richard G. George" as the co-author
      of the work entitled, "Characterization of Archaeological Sediments Using Fourier
      Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF): An Application
      to Formative Period Pyro-Industrial Sites in Pacific Coastal Southern Chiapas,
      Mexico", by Hector Neff, Scott J. Bigney, Sachiko Sakai, Paul R. Burger, Timothy
      Garfin, Richard J. George, Brendan J. Culleton, and Douglas J. Kennett, [Applied
      Spectroscopy, January 2016, vol. 70(01): 110-127. doi: 10.1177/0003702815617124].
      We apologize for the error.

PMID- 27279502
TI  - High Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Amplification Factor Obtained with
      Silver Printed Circuit Boards and the Influence of Phenolic Resins for the
      Characterization of the Pesticide Thiram.
AB  - In this work, low-cost substrates with rough silver surfaces were prepared from
      commercial copper foil-covered phenolic board (CPB) and an aqueous solution of
      AgNO3, and were used for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface
      enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) measurements. A maximum SERS
      amplification factor of 1.2 * 10(7) was obtained for Rhodamine 6G (R6G), and use
      of the CPB resulted in a detection limit for Thiram pesticide of 0.5 umol L(-1)
      The minimum detection level was limited by residual traces of phenolic groups
      that originated from the substrate resin, which became solubilized in the aqueous
      Ag(+) solution. It was found that the bands corresponding to the impurities had
      less influence in the Thiram analysis, which could be explained by the high
      affinity of sulfur for Ag surfaces. The influence of impurities in the SERS
      analyses therefore depended on the linkage between the rough silver surface and
      the analyte. The findings demonstrated the ease and effectiveness of using CPB to
      prepare a nanostructured surface for SERS.

PMID- 27279503
TI  - Raman Gas Analyzer (RGA): Natural Gas Measurements.
AB  - In the present work, an improved model of the Raman gas analyzer (RGA) of natural
      gas (NG) developed by us is described together with its operating principle. The
      sensitivity has been improved and the number of measurable gases has been
      expanded. Results of its approbation on a real NG sample are presented for
      different measurement times. A comparison of the data obtained with the results
      of chromatographic analysis demonstrates their good agreement. The time stability
      of the results obtained using this model is analyzed. It is experimentally
      established that the given RGA can reliably determine the content of all
      molecular NG components whose content exceeds 0.005% for 100 s; moreover, in this
      case the limiting sensitivity for some NG components is equal to 0.002%.

PMID- 27279504
TI  - Micro-Raman Spectroscopy for the Determination of Local Temperature Increases in
      TiO2 Thin Films due to the Effect of Radiation.
AB  - This study applied a classic method involving Raman spectroscopy and the use of
      Stokes and anti-Stokes peaks to measure the temperature of TiO2 thin films found
      in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In addition, three mathematical formulae
      were used and analyzed to estimate the increase in temperature generated solely
      by the effect of the radiation. The tests and calculations performed showed an
      increase in the temperature of the TiO2 film. That is, the films were heated by
      the radiation they were exposed to. A temperature increase of up to 30 K was
      detected for the sample with a single layer of TiO2, and over 40 K for the sample
      with three layers for the highest radiation powers used, and greater increases in
      temperature were observed in the thicker films.

PMID- 27279505
TI  - The potential role of microbes in oncogenesis with particular emphasis on oral
      cancer.
AB  - For over a century, non-virus microorganisms, notably bacteria have been
      implicated as causal agents of cancers, a relatively small number of researchers
      have provided evidence to support the so-called "cancer germ" hypothesis. With
      the exception of the link between Helicobacter pylori and stomach cancer, other
      supposed links have been ignored. A wide range of bacteria and other non-virus
      microbes, including fungi, have been implicated over the years in oncogenesis, as
      well as the ability to induce inflammation, which may cause cancer. It seems that
      there is no single "cancer germ," as most bacteria can apparently induce cancer.
      Here, the role of bacteria and other non-virus microorganisms and oral cancers
      will be discussed. By ignoring bacteria as a causal agent of cancer, we set back
      our understanding of this crucially important disease and, as a result, have
      hindered the development of potential cures. 

PMID- 27279506
TI  - Comparison of medial versus lateral meniscus allograft transplantation.
      Literature review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To perform a literature review and meta-analysis evaluating the
      effectiveness of medial and lateral meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT).
      METHODS: The literature review and meta-analysis were conducted between August
      and October 2015 in the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yi
      Chang, China. A systematic search was performed in the Medline and EMBASE
      databases, and the Cochrane Library for relevant literature published through
      October 2015. The outcomes of the included studies were analyzed in terms of the
      Lysholm Score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Score, Knee
      Injury And Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Tegner
      Activity Score,  MRI results, and failure rates. An adapted version of the
      Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for the methodological quality assessment in the
      meta-analyses. RESULTS: The literature review identified 12 observational
      studies, including 7 retrospective studies, 4 prospective studies, and the nature
      of one study was not reported. Significant differences in the outcomes of the
      lateral MAT group and the medial MAT group were observed in the IKDC scores, KOOS
      pain values, KOOS activities of daily living (ADL) values, and the absolute and
      relative extrusions observed on MRI, which suggested that the lateral MAT
      patients experienced superior clinical benefits compared with the medial MAT
      patients. However, significant differences between the lateral MAT group and the
      medial MAT group were not observed with regards to the Lysholm Scores, KOOS
      symptom values, KOOS sports and recreations values, KOOS quality of life (QOL)
      values, Tegner Activity Scores, VAS for pain values, and failure rates.
      CONCLUSION: The analysis results indicated that lateral MAT provides superior
      clinical outcomes compared with medial MAT according to the KOOS and IKDC scores.
      In addition, greater graft extrusion was observed in the medial group on MRI.
      Although significant differences were not detected between the 2 groups, the
      medial MAT patients were more prone to failure compared with the lateral MAT
      patients.

PMID- 27279507
TI  - Association of XRCC1 Trp194 allele with risk of breast cancer, and Ki67 protein
      status in breast tumor tissues.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of this polymorphism as a risk factor for breast
      cancer in Kurdish patients and to investigate the possible association between
      Arg194Trp x-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) gene polymorphisms
      with clinical and histopathological outcomes of patients with breast cancer.
      METHODS: A total of 100 breast cancer patients and 200 cancer-free controls in
      Kurdish population of Kurdistan state admitted to Tohid Hospital, Sanandaj,
      Kurdistan, Iran between January 2012 and May 2015 were enrolled in this cross
      sectional study. Tissue expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesteron
      receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2/neu), and Ki67 were
      evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The Arg194Trp genotypes were determined
      by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism method. 
      RESULTS: Our data showed that the risk for breast cancer increased significantly
      among the Trp variant of XRCC1. Statistically significant association was found
      between codon 194 polymorphisms and tissue expression of Ki67. CONCLUSION: The
      Trp allele of codon 194 XRCC1 is a potential risk factor for breast cancer in
      Kurdish ethnicity. Furthermore, effect of this polymorphism on clinical and
      histological features of breast cancer was significant.

PMID- 27279508
TI  - Lung dose analysis in loco-regional hypofractionated radiotherapy of breast
      cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To report the ipsilateral lung dosimetry data of breast cancer (BC)
      patients treated with loco-regional hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT). 
      METHODS: Treatment plans of 150 patients treated in the Radiotherapy Unit, King
      Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January
      2012 and March 2015 by HFRT for BC were retrospectively reviewed. All patients
      received 42.4 Gy in 16 fractions by tangential and supra-clavicular fields with 6
      MV, 18 MV, or mixed energies. Ipsilateral lung dosimetric data V20Gy and mean
      lung dose (MLD) were recorded. Correlations between lung dose, patient
      characteristics, and treatment delivery parameters were assessed by a logistic
      regression test. RESULTS: The mean ipsilateral lung V20Gy was 24.6% and mean MLD
      was 11.9 Gy. A weak, but statistically significant correlation was found between
      lung dose and lung volume (p=0.043). The lung dose was significantly decreasing
      with patient separation and depth of axillary lymph node (ALN) and supra
      claviculary lymph nodes (SCLN) (p less than 0.0001), and increasing with ALN
      (p=0.001) and SCLN (p=0.003) dose coverage. Lung dose significantly decreased
      with beam energy (p less than 0.0001): mean V20Gy was 27.8%, 25.4% for 6 MV,
      mixed energy, and 21.2% for 18 MV. The use of a low breast-board angle correlates
      with low lung dose. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the use of high energy
      photon beams and low breast-board angulation can reduce the lung dose.

PMID- 27279509
TI  - Costly coagulation profile tests prior to performing breast biopsies. Do we
      really need it?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To reassess the need for routine coagulation profile testing in
      patients undergoing image-guided breast biopsies.  METHODS: This is a
      retrospective cross-sectional study. Data was collected from the logbook of
      patients that underwent image-guided biopsies in the breast unit at the
      Department of Radiology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi
      Arabia. Patients' electronic records between November 2013 and October 2014 were
      included in the study. Exclusion criteria were those on anticoagulants, or
      platelet aggregation inhibitors, and patients with known primary, or secondary
      bleeding diathesis. The study was analyzed using the IBM Statistical Packages for
      Social Sciences Version 22 (IBMCorp, Armonk, NY, USA).   RESULTS: A total of 136
      patients were included in our study. Neither partial thromboplastin time (PTT),
      or thrombocytopenia was related to bleeding with p-values of 0.536 PTT and 0.997
      thrombocytopenia. Needle gauge was found to be significantly related to bleeding
      episodes with a p=0.020.  CONCLUSION: We advise against the routine use of
      coagulation profiles to predict bleeding risk. A thorough bleeding assessment is
      more advantageous. Laboratory tests should be tailored according to the patient's
      history and examination findings.

PMID- 27279510
TI  - Effects of hemodialysis on macular and retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses in
      non-diabetic patients with end stage renal failure.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the thicknesses of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and
      macula by fourier-domain (FD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) in non-diabetic
      patients with end-stage-renal-failure (ESRF) undergoing hemodialysis (HD).
      METHODS: This is a prospective and observational study. Both eyes of 20 patients
      receiving HD (group 1) and 34 control patients (group 2) were evaluated by FD
      OCT. Macular and RNFL thicknesses were compared between groups and their
      correlation with age, duration of HD, and gender were examined. In group 1,
      macular and RNFL thicknesses were evaluated before and shortly after HD in the
      first day, first and sixth months.   RESULTS: In group 1, pre-HD temporal,
      inferior, average RNFL thicknesses were thinner than group 2. This thinning did
      not correlate with duration of HD, age and gender. Pre-HD macular thicknesses
      were thinner than group 2. These thinnings did not correlate with age, but the
      thinnings at superior, nasal and average thickness correlated negatively with
      duration of HD. Nasal, temporal, and average macular thicknesses were thinner in
      female patients. The thickenings of RNFL and macula that were observed in the
      after HD first day and first month did not showed consistency in the sixth month
      except superior quadrant RNFL. CONCLUSION: Macular and RNFL thicknesses of
      patients receiving HD were less than the normal population. Age has no effect on
      these thinnings. The duration of HD affects more than gender. Hemodialysis 
      session  causes a consistent increase in superior quadrant RNFL.

PMID- 27279511
TI  - The analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block on
      postoperative pain and morphine consumption in varicocelectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the analgesic effect of transversus abdominis plane (TAP)
      block administered before varicocele surgery. METHODS: This study was completed
      at the Faculty of Medicine, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey,
      between January 2011 and April 2013. In a prospective, double blind, randomized,
      placebo controlled clinical study, 40 male patients scheduled for elective
      varicocele operations were randomized to group T (treatment group) or group C
      (controls). After receiving general anesthesia, group T received a TAP block
      using 20 mL 0.25% bupivacaine on the operation side, whereas group C received a
      control block using 20 mL 0.9% Sodium chloride. During the first 24 hours after
      surgery, the patient pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at
      rest and while coughing. Postoperative patient controlled analgesia morphine
      consumption, VAS scores, and side effects were recorded. RESULTS: Of 34 patients,
      Group T (n=18) had significantly lower VAS pain scores than Group C (n=16) both
      at rest and while coughing. The total morphine consumed was  lower (7.7 +/- 4.0)
      versus 21.6 +/- 12.4 mg, p less than 0.001) in the 24 hours after surgery.
      CONCLUSION: As part of a multimodal analgesic regime after varicocelectomy
      surgery, morphine consumption and VAS pain scores were significantly lower among
      those receiving 20 mL 0.25% bupivacaine administered for a TAP block than among
      controls.

PMID- 27279512
TI  - Severe subtype of alopecia areata is highly associated with thyroid autoimmunity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the significance of thyroid autoimmune screening in
      alopecia areata (AA) patients in Saudi population, and to determine whether there
      is a difference in thyroid autoimmune susceptibility between mild and severe AA.
      METHODS: In a prospective case-control study, we included 50 alopecia totalis
      (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU) patients, 50 age- and gender-matched patients
      with localized AA, and 50 age- and gender- matched healthy subjects between March
      2015 and August 2015. Patients with AA were consecutively recruited from the hair
      disorders out-patient clinic of King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom
      of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Thyroid autoantibodies (TAAs) were positive in AT/AU
      (40%), mild AA (14%), and healthy subjects (4%). The frequency of TAAs was
      significantly higher in patients with AT/AU than in mild AA (p=0.001) and healthy
      controls (p less than 0.001). The frequency of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO
      Abs) was significantly higher in patients with AT/AU than in mild AA and healthy
      controls (p less than 0.001 for both). The frequency of TG-Abs was significantly
      higher in patients with AT/AU (p=0.003) and mild AA (p=0.043) than in healthy
      controls. Serum TSH level was significantly higher in AT/AU patients than in mild
      AA patients (p=0.006) and healthy controls (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Severe subtype
      of AA is associated with a high risk of autoimmune thyroid disease. This
      highlights the significance of screening for thyroid abnormalities and TAAs in
      patients with AT/AU.

PMID- 27279513
TI  - Suicide attempts and clinical features of bipolar patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical predictors of suicide attempts in patients with
      bipolar disorder. METHODS: This study included bipolar patients who were treated
      in the Psychiatry Department, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul,
      Turkey, between 2013 and 2014; an informed consent was obtained from the
      participants. Two  hundred and eighteen bipolar patients were assessed by using
      the structured clinical interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
      Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) Axis-I (SCID-I) in order to detect all possible
      psychiatric comorbid diagnoses. Clinical predictors of suicide attempts were
      examined in attempters and non-attempters. The study design was retrospective.
      RESULTS: The lifetime suicide attempt rate for the entire sample was 19.2%.
      Suicide attempters with bipolar disorder had more lifetime comorbidity of eating
      disorder. Female gender and family history of mood disorder were significant
      predictors for suicide attempts. There was no difference between groups in terms
      of bipolar disorder subtype, onset age of bipolar disorder, total number of
      episodes, first and predominant episode type, suicide history in first degree
      relatives, severity of episodes, and hospitalization and being psychotic.
      CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that female gender, family history of mood
      disorder, and eating disorder are more frequent in bipolar patients with at least
      one suicide attempt.

PMID- 27279514
TI  - Validity and reliability of an Arabic version of the state-trait anxiety
      inventory in a Saudi dental setting.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To test the psychometric properties of an adapted Arabic version of
      the state trait anxiety-form Y (STAI-Y) in Saudi adult dental patients.  METHODS:
      In this cross-sectional study, the published Arabic version of the STAI-Y was
      evaluated by 2 experienced bilingual professionals for its compatibility with
      Saudi culture and revised prior to testing. Three hundred and eighty-seven
      patients attending dental clinics for treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry
      Hospital, King Abdullah University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, participated
      in the study. The Arabic version of the modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS) and
      visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings of anxiety were used to assess the concurrent
      criterion validity. RESULTS: The Arabic version of the STAI-Y had high internal
      consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.989) for state and trait subscales.
      Factor analysis indicated unidimensionality of the scale. Correlations between
      STAI-Y scores and both MDAS and VAS scores indicated strong concurrent criterion
      validity. Discriminant validity was supported by the findings that higher anxiety
      levels were present among females as opposed to males, younger individuals as
      compared to older individuals, and patients who do not visit the dentist unless
      they have a need as opposed to more frequent visitors to the dental office.
      CONCLUSION: The Arabic version of the STAI-Y has an adequate internal consistency
      reliability, generally similar to that reported in the international literature,
      suggesting it is appropriate for assessing dental anxiety in Arabic speaking
      populations.

PMID- 27279515
TI  - Smartphone addiction among university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and correlates of smartphone addiction
      among university students in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study
      was conducted in King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between
      September 2014 and March 2015. An electronic self administered questionnaire and
      the problematic use of mobile phones (PUMP) Scale were used.  RESULTS: Out of
      2367 study subjects, 27.2% stated that they spent more than 8 hours per day using
      their smartphones. Seventy-five percent used at least 4 applications per day,
      primarily for social networking and watching news. As a consequence of using the
      smartphones, at least 43% had decrease sleeping hours, and experienced a lack of
      energy the next day, 30% had a more unhealthy lifestyle  (ate more fast food,
      gained weight, and exercised less), and 25% reported that their academic
      achievement been adversely affected. There are statistically significant positive
      relationships among the 4 study variables, consequences of smartphone use
      (negative lifestyle, poor academic achievement), number of hours per day spent
      using smartphones, years of study, and number of applications used, and the
      outcome variable score on the PUMP. The mean values of the PUMP scale were 60.8
      with a median of 60.  CONCLUSION: University students in Saudi Arabia are at risk
      of addiction to smartphones; a phenomenon that is associated with negative
      effects on sleep, levels of energy, eating habits, weight, exercise, and academic
      performance.

PMID- 27279516
TI  - Alveolar bone density and its clinical implication in the placement of dental
      implants and orthodontic mini-implants.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the bone density in maxilla and mandible in dentate and
      edentulous patients in Saudi population. METHODS: This study involved a
      retrospective analysis of cone beam CT images of 100 patients (50 male and 50
      female) who have come to College of Dentistry, University of Dammam, Dammam,
      Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January 2014 and 2015. Using the bone density
      option in the Simplant software, the Hounsfield unit (HU) was calculated at the
      edentulous sites. While for dentate sites, a region of interest was selected
      coronally at 3-5 mm to the root apex using I-CAT vision software. The densities
      of the buccal bone and cancellous bone were measured at interradicular areas of a
      specific teeth.  RESULTS: The highest bone density at the edentulous sites was at
      the mandibular anterior region (776.5 +/- 65.7 HU), followed by the mandibular
      posterior region (502.2 +/- 224.2 HU). Regarding the dentate sites, the highest
      bone density was at the buccal cortical plate of the lower incisor teeth (937.56
      +/- 176.92 HU) and the lowest bone density was at the cancellous bone around the
      posterior maxillary teeth (247.12 +/- 46.75 HU).  CONCLUSION: The alveolar bone
      density at dentate and edentulous sites in our population is generally lower than
      the norm reference density of other populations, which dictates the need for
      quantitative assessment of bone density before implants and mini-implants
      placement.

PMID- 27279517
TI  - An eosinophilic variant granulomatosis with polyangiitis involving the dura,
      bilateral orbits, and mastoids.
AB  - Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) formerly called Wegener's granulomatosis
      is a chronic necrotizing granulomatous inflammatory disease with systemic
      vasculitis involving the upper and lower respiratory tract, and kidneys. The
      typical histopathology is that of necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with
      palisading histiocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. We report a case of a 57
      year-old lady presenting with left eye swelling, left ear pain and discharge, but
      with no pulmonary or renal symptoms. Investigations revealed positive cytoplasmic
      antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies  and proteinase 3 antibodies. The CT and
      MRI showed meningeal thickening and bilateral structural changes of the orbits
      and mastoids. Lacrimal gland biopsy showed non necrotizing granulation with an
      eosinophilic infiltration. She was diagnosed with eosinophilic variant of GPA of
      the eyes and mastoid bones bilaterally extending to dura and sparing the lungs
      and kidneys. She responded to corticosteroids and rituximab. 

PMID- 27279518
TI  - Spontaneous ileostomy closure.
AB  - Iatrogenic ileostomies are routinely placed during colorectal surgery for the
      diversion of intestinal contents to permit healing of the distal anastomosis
      prior to elective reversal. We present an interesting case of spontaneous closure
      of a diverting ileostomy without any adverse effects to the patient. A 65-year
      old woman, positive for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer type-I, with
      locally invasive cancer of the distal colon underwent en-bloc total colectomy,
      hysterectomy, and bilateral salpingoophorectomy with creation of a proximal loop
      ileostomy. The ostomy temporarily closed without reoperation at 10 weeks, after
      spontaneously reopening, it definitively closed, again without surgical
      intervention at 18 weeks following the original surgery. This rare phenomenon has
      occurred following variable colorectal pathology and is poorly understood,
      particularly in patients with aggressive disease and adjunct perioperative
      interventions. 

PMID- 27279519
TI  - Adequate iodine levels in healthy pregnant women. A cross-sectional survey of
      dietary intake in Turkey.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess current iodine levels and related factors among healthy
      pregnant women.  METHODS: In this cross-sectional, hospital-based study, healthy
      pregnant women (n=135) were scanned for thyroid volume, provided urine samples
      for urinary iodine concentration and completed a questionnaire including
      sociodemographic characteristics and dietary habits targeted for iodine
      consumption at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of
      Medicine,Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey, between August 2014 and
      February 2015. Sociodemographic data were analyzed by simple descriptive
      statistics. RESULTS: Median urinary iodine concentration was 222.0 MUg/L,
      indicating adequate iodine intake during pregnancy. According to World Health
      Organization (WHO) criteria, 28.1% of subjects had iodine deficiency, 34.1% had
      adequate iodine intake, 34.8% had more than adequate iodine intake, and 3.0% had
      excessive iodine intake during pregnancy. Education level, higher monthly income,
      current employment, consuming iodized salt, and adding salt to food during, or
      after cooking were associated with higher urinary iodine concentration.  
      CONCLUSION: Iodine status of healthy pregnant women was adequate, although the
      percentage of women with more than adequate iodine intake was higher than the
      reported literature.

PMID- 27279520
TI  - Investigation of parasitic and viral pathogens in mussels (Mytilus
      galloprovincialis) in the Gulf of Izmir, Turkey.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate Microsporidia spp. parasite, hepatitis A virus (HAV),
      and norovirus (NoV) contamination in mussels collected from 8 stations in the
      inner, middle, and outer regions of the Gulf of Izmir. METHODS: In this cross
      sectional study carried out between August 2009 and September 2010 in the Gulf of
      Izmir, Turkey, 15 mussels collected from each of the stations each season were
      pooled and homogenized to create a single representative sample. Thirty
      representative samples were available for analysis. Direct polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR), RT-nested PCR, and RT-booster PCR were used to investigate the
      pathogens.  RESULTS: The mussels were negative for Microsporidia spp., but 8
      (26.7%) samples analyzed were positive for HAV and 9 (30%) were positive for NoV.
      Excluding Foca and Gediz, viral contamination was detected in all of the stations
      sampled.  CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that viral contamination is present in
      mussels in the Gulf of Izmir and may pose a potential threat to human health in
      the region. Necessary measures should be taken to prevent future illness due to
      these pathogens.

PMID- 27279521
TI  - Student research in Arab world. What is the current state?
AB  - [No Abstract Available]. 

PMID- 27279522
TI  - A huge mass of the right adrenal in an elderly man.
AB  - [No Abstract Available]. 

PMID- 27279523
TI  - Growth assessment and risk factors of malnutrition in children with cystic
      fibrosis.
AB  - [No Abstract Available].

PMID- 27279524
TI  - Out of hospital adult cardiac arrests in a university hospital in Central Saudi
      Arabia.
AB  - [No Abstract available]. 

PMID- 27279525
TI  - Ebola Virus Stability Under Hospital and Environmental Conditions.
AB  - The West African outbreak of Ebola virus (EBOV) is largely contained, but
      sporadic new cases continue to emerge. To assess the potential contribution of
      fomites to human infections with EBOV, we tested EBOV stability in human blood
      spotted onto Sierra Leonean banknotes and in syringe needles under hospital and
      environmental conditions. Under some of these conditions, EBOV remained
      infectious for >30 days, indicating that EBOV-contaminated items may pose a
      serious risk to humans.

PMID- 27279526
TI  - Sporozoite Route of Infection Influences In Vitro var Gene Transcription of
      Plasmodium falciparum Parasites From Controlled Human Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antigenic variation in Plasmodium falciparum is mediated by the
      multicopy var gene family. Each parasite possesses about 60 var genes, and
      switching between active var loci results in antigenic variation. In the current
      study, the effect of mosquito and host passage on in vitro var gene transcription
      was investigated. METHODS: Thirty malaria-naive individuals were inoculated by
      intradermal or intravenous injection with cryopreserved, isogenic NF54 P.
      falciparum sporozoites (PfSPZ) generated from 1 premosquito culture. Microscopic
      parasitemia developed in 22 individuals, and 21 in vitro cultures were
      established. The var gene transcript levels were determined in early and late
      postpatient cultures and in the premosquito culture. RESULTS: At the early time
      point, all cultures preferentially transcribed 8 subtelomeric var genes.
      Intradermal infections had higher var gene transcript levels than intravenous
      infections and a significantly longer intrahost replication time (P = .03). At
      the late time point, 9 subtelomeric and 8 central var genes were transcribed at
      the same levels in almost all cultures. Premosquito and late postpatient cultures
      transcribed the same subtelomeric and central var genes, except for var2csa
      CONCLUSIONS: The duration of intrahost replication influences in vitro var gene
      transcript patterns. Differences between premosquito and postpatient cultures
      decrease with prolonged in vitro growth.

PMID- 27279527
TI  - Biomechanical consequences of adding plantar fascia release to metatarsal
      osteotomies: Changes in forefoot plantar pressures.
AB  - Destruction of the normal metatarsal arch by a long metatarsal is often a cause
      for metatarsalgia. When surgery is warranted, distal oblique, or proximal
      dorsiflexion osteotomies of the long metatarsal bones are commonly used. The
      plantar fascia has anatomical connection to all metatarsal heads. There is
      controversial scientific evidence on the effect of plantar fascia release on
      forefoot biomechanics. In this cadaveric biomechanical study, we hypothesized
      that plantar fascia release would augment the plantar metatarsal pressure
      decreasing effects of two common second metatarsal osteotomy techniques. Six
      matched pairs of foot and ankle specimens were mounted on a pressure mat loading
      platform. Two randomly assigned surgery groups, which had received either distal
      oblique, or proximal dorsiflexion osteotomy of the second metatarsal, were
      evaluated before and after plantar fasciectomy. Specimens were loaded up to a
      ground reaction force of 400 N at varying Achilles tendon forces. Average
      pressures, peak pressures, and contact areas were analyzed. Supporting our
      hypothesis, average pressures under the second metatarsal during 600 N Achilles
      load were decreased by plantar fascia release following proximal osteotomy (p <
      0.05). However contrary to our hypothesis, peak pressures under the second
      metatarsal were significantly increased by plantar fascia release following
      modified distal osteotomy, under multiple Achilles loading conditions (p < 0.05).
      Plantar fasciotomy should not be added to distal metatarsal osteotomy in the
      treatment of metatarsalgia. If proximal dorsiflexion osteotomy would be
      preferred, plantar fasciotomy should be approached cautiously not to disturb the
      forefoot biomechanics. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:800-804, 2017.

PMID- 27279528
TI  - The association between ruminative thinking and negative interpretation bias in
      social anxiety.
AB  - Cognitive models propose that both, negative interpretations of ambiguous social
      situations and ruminative thoughts about social events contribute to the
      maintenance of social anxiety disorder. It has further been postulated that
      ruminative thoughts fuel biased negative interpretations, however, evidence is
      rare. The present study used a multi-method approach to assess ruminative
      processing following a social interaction (post-event processing by self-report
      questionnaire and social rumination by experience sampling method) and negative
      interpretation bias (via two separate tasks) in a student sample (n = 51)
      screened for high (HSA) and low social anxiety (LSA). Results support the
      hypothesis that group differences in negative interpretations of ambiguous social
      situations in HSAs vs. LSAs are mediated by higher levels of post-event
      processing assessed in the questionnaire. Exploratory analyses highlight the
      potential role of comorbid depressive symptoms. The current findings help to
      advance the understanding of the association between two cognitive processes
      involved in social anxiety and stress the importance of ruminative post-event
      processing.

PMID- 27279529
TI  - An Introduction to the Psychopharmacology of Children and Adolescents With Autism
      Spectrum Disorder.
AB  - TOPIC: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder
      that requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Psychopharmacology can
      play an important role within an array of services to help children and
      adolescents with ASD. PURPOSE: This article reviews the current evidence
      supporting the use of various psychiatric medications to treat common symptoms
      that often compromise functioning: severe irritability, interfering repetitive
      behaviors, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and sleep dysregulation. Based on the
      accumulating research, the article also offers practice recommendations. SOURCES:
      The article primarily draws on the science generated by investigators from the
      Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network. This body of work
      consists of randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, open trials, and review
      articles. CONCLUSIONS: There are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat
      the core symptoms of ASD. Consequently, all medications, besides risperidone and
      aripiprazole for severe irritability, are considered off-label. Additionally, due
      to reduced levels of effectiveness and higher rates of side effects, more typical
      medications such as antidepressants and stimulants should be used with caution.
      However, the evidence indicates that the thoughtful use of psychiatric medication
      in conjunction with other interventions may be beneficial in helping children and
      adolescents with ASD thrive at school and home.

PMID- 27279530
TI  - Downregulation of tetrahydrobiopterin inhibits tumor angiogenesis in BALB/c-nu
      mice with hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascular tumor, and treatment options
      for patients of advanced-stage are limited. Nitric oxide (NO), which is derived
      from endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), provides crucial signals for
      angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an
      essential cofactor eNOS and represents a critical determinant of NO production.
      To examine whether treatment of 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (DAHP) inhibits
      angiogenesis of HCC, BALB/c-nu mice were injected with HepG-2 cells with DAHP.
      Supplemental DAHP treatment decreased K-ras mRNA transcripts, inhibition of
      phosphorylation of eNOS and Akt, inhibition of guanosine triphosphate
      cyclohydrolase (GTPCH), and decreased significantly NO synthesis, and then
      inhibited angiogenesis, compared with the results observed in the saline group.
      Histopathology demonstrated angiogenesis and tumor formation were significantly
      inhibited in HCC. DAHP downregulates GTPCH protein expression, corresponding to
      decreased levels of BH4 and the contents of NO. In addition, DAHP downregulates
      eNOS and Akt protein expression, corresponding to decreased eNOS phosphorylation
      at Ser1177 and Akt phosphorylation, compared with the saline control. We suggest
      that DAHP, recognized as a specific competitive inhibitor of GTPCH, can decrease
      tumor BH4 and NO by the inhibition of the wild-type Ras-PI3K/Akt pathway, and
      then inhibiting angiogenesis, and may provide a novel and promising way to target
      BH4 synthetic pathways to inhibit angiogenesis and to control potential
      progression of HCC. Whether DAHP has a therapeutic potential will require more
      direct testing in humans. 

PMID- 27279531
TI  - Poor prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion for pT1 urothelial carcinoma
      with squamous differentiation in bladder cancer.
AB  - Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is the primary and essential step in the systemic
      dissemination of cancer cells. The aim of our study was to assess the independent
      prognostic role of LVI for pT1 urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation
      in bladder cancer. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological
      information of 206 patients diagnosed pT1 urothelial carcinoma with squamous
      differentiation. Of the 206 patients, LVI was detected in 57 (27.6%) patients.
      The 5 year cancer specific survival (CSS) rates were 87.2% in LVI (-) and 52.4%
      in LVI (+) (p < 0.001). According to univariate analysis, tumor multiplicity,
      tumor size, recurrence and LVI were the prognostic factors associated with CSS.
      Additionally, tumor size and LVI significantly influenced the CSS in multivariate
      analysis. TURBT had shorter median CSS than RC in recurred patients with LVI (+).
      Our study suggested that LVI is an important predictor for survival of pT1
      urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation. LVI positive status and tumor
      size >=3 cm led to a higher risk of death. RC should be routinely performed in
      recurred LVI (+) bladder cancer patients of pT1 urothelial carcinoma with
      squamous differentiation.

PMID- 27279532
TI  - Bioactive Compounds, Chemical Composition, and Medicinal Value of the Giant
      Puffball, Calvatia gigantea (Higher Basidiomycetes), from Turkey.
AB  - In this study, the compositions of Calvatia gigantea were first analyzed in order
      to elucidate its chemical basis for development as a health-enhancing food or
      medicine. This study investigates the chemical composition (nutritional value;
      phenolic, sugar and fatty acid content; aroma compounds) and antioxidant
      properties (radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and inhibition of lipid
      peroxidation) of C. gigantea. The results showed that C. gigantea contains
      phenolic compounds and sugars and is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids
      (67.93%), proteins (34.37%), and carbohydrates (51.97%). The most abundant
      compounds were gentisic acid (23.26 ug/g; as a phenolic compound), trehalose
      (9.78 g/100g; as a sugar), and hexanal (34.71%; as an aroma compound). These
      findings suggest that C. gigantea might be a promising source of medicine and has
      the potential to be a health food and food supplementary product. 

PMID- 27279533
TI  - Protective Effect of Antioxidant Extracts from Grey Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus
      pulmonarius (Agaricomycetes), Against Human Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation and
      Aortic Endothelial Cell Damage.
AB  - This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant capacities of extracts from
      Pleurotus pulmonarius via Folin-Ciocalteu, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free
      radical scavenging, metal chelating, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity,
      and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. Extract compositions were determined by
      phenol-sulfuric acid; Coomassie Plus (Bradford) protein; Spectroquant zinc,
      copper, and manganese test assays; and liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
      Methanol-dichloromethane extract, water fraction, hot water, aqueous extract and
      hexane fraction exhibited the most potent extracts in the antioxidant activities.
      LC/MS/MS and GC/MS showed that the extracts contained ergothioneine, ergosterol,
      flavonoid, and phenolic compounds. The selected potent extracts were evaluated
      for their inhibitory effect against oxidation of human low-density lipoproteins
      and protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxic injury in
      human aortic endothelial cells. The crude aqueous extract was deemed most potent
      for the prevention of human low-density lipoprotein oxidation and endothelial
      membrane damage. Ergothioneine might be the compound responsible for the
      activities, as supported by previous reports. Thus, P. pulmonarius may be a
      valuable antioxidant ingredient in functional foods or nutraceuticals. 

PMID- 27279534
TI  - Royal Sun Medicinal Mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis (Agaricomycetidae), Derived
      Polysaccharides Exert Immunomodulatory Activities In Vitro and In Vivo.
AB  - The royal sun mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis is a widely consumed mushroom
      around the world. In this study, the immunoregulatory potential of A.
      brasiliensis polysaccharides was investigated in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, the
      polysaccharides remarkably increased the spleen and thymus indexes in mice, and
      this effect was influenced significantly by age (the adult and the juvenile). The
      spleen index increased by 27.28% in adult mice treated with the polysaccharides,
      whereas the increase in juvenile mice was just 12.59% at the dose of 150 mg.kg
      1.d-1. Moreover, the effect of the polysaccharides on the thymus and spleen
      indexes in adult mice was obvious both in males and females. The carbon clearance
      ability (phagocytic index) was improved with increasing doses, (32.81% at 120
      mg.kg-1.d-1, and 38.34% at 150 mg.kg-1.d-1) in mice treated with the
      polysaccharides. In vitro, the polysaccharides increased the RAW264.7 cell
      proliferation with 34.78% at 25 ug/mL and 26.78% at 50 ug/mL. Furthermore, the
      polysaccharides also promoted mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta,
      cyclooxygenase-2, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation 88
      (MYD88), and TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-beta (TRIF) in the
      cells, indicating that the polysaccharides induce the secretion of inflammatory
      cytokines by stimulating TLR4/MyD88 and TLR4/TRIF pathways. In conclusion, these
      results suggest that A. brasiliensis polysaccharides induce a very promising
      immunostimulation effect in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, it should be explored
      as a novel natural functional food additive. 

PMID- 27279535
TI  - Antioxidant Potential of the Giant Mushroom, Macrocybe gigantea (Agaricomycetes),
      from India in Different Drying Methods.
AB  - Free radicals are responsible for several diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis,
      gastric ulcers, and several others. Studies have shown that mushrooms possess
      antioxidant activity and Macrocybe gigantea was recently added to the list of
      mushrooms under cultivation in India. The methanolic extracts were prepared from
      lyophilized and oven-dried samples of MA1 and MA2 strains of M. gigantea and
      their antioxidant properties were studied. MA2 showed comparatively higher total
      antioxidant activity (111.88 ug/mg) than MA1 (97.00 ug/mg). The scavenging
      activity on 2,2'-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl free radical (74.41%), ferrous
      chelating (83.74%), reducing power (0.371), and superoxide anion radical (72.05%)
      was significantly higher in freeze-dried MA2 than MA1 at 200 ug/mL.
      Correspondingly, the EC50 values were lower in freeze-dried states (96.03 ug/mL,
      95.00 ug/mL, and 68.12 ug/mL in MA2 and 105.12 ug/mL, 109.8 ug/mL, and 74.60
      ug/mL in MA1) than in oven-dried states (97.97 ug/mL, 120.2 ug/mL, and 125.33
      ug/mL in MA2 and 108.3 ug/mL, 131.2 ug/mL, and 147.5 ug/mL in MA1, respectively).
      In addition, total phenolic, total flavonoid, and ortho-dihydroxy phenol content
      was examined and their values were comparatively higher in freeze-dried MA2
      (18.00 mg/g of gallic acid equivalents, 1.67 mg/g of quercetin equivalents, and
      1.10 mg/g of catechol equivalents, respectively) than in MA1 and oven-dried
      states in both strains. Further, MA2 showed lower EC50 values in freeze-dried
      samples than MA1 and oven-dried states in both strains. These results suggested
      that MA2 contains higher antioxidant potential than MA1 and freeze-drying by
      lyophilization retains higher antioxidants than heat drying by a hot air oven in
      both the strains; thus, they can be a good source of nutraceuticals. 

PMID- 27279537
TI  - Determination of Zinc(II) Ions Released into Artificial Digestive Juices from
      Culinary-Medicinal Button Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Agaricomycetidae), Biomass
      of In Vitro Cultures Using an Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Method.
AB  - Zinc is one of those microelements that are essential for the proper functioning
      of the human body and must be supplemented in our food at a daily dose of 15 mg.
      It is well known that mushrooms accumulate elements; thus, in order to determine
      the extent of accumulation and the level of zinc released from mushrooms, in
      vitro cultures of Agaricus bisporus were established. The cultures were run on a
      modified Oddoux medium (a control culture) as well as on the same medium with the
      addition of zinc hydroaspartate (100 and 200 mg/L) and zinc sulfate (87.23 and
      174.47 mg/L). These compounds were chosen to help estimate which form, organic or
      inorganic, results in a better assimilation of zinc(II) ions by biomass. As the
      next step, the level of zinc(II) ions released from the lyophilized biomass of in
      vitro cultures to the digestive juices, under thermal conditions of the human
      body (37 degrees C), was determined. For this purpose, artificial digestive
      juices, imitating the composition of human digestive juices, were used. For
      determination of zinc(II) ions in the digestive tract, an anodic stripping
      voltammetry method was employed. The amount of zinc released into artificial
      saliva over 1 minute varied from 0.15 mg/100 g d.w. in the control culture to
      2.35 mg/100 g d.w. in the biomass in the medium to which 200 mg/L zinc
      hydroaspartate had been added. Values were higher in gastric juice and depended
      on incubation time (2.66 to 30.63 mg/100 g d.w.). In intestinal juice, the
      highest value of the released zinc grew to 24.20 mg/100 g d.w. (biomass of A.
      bisporus in vitro cultures in medium with the addition of 200 mg/L zinc
      hydroaspartate). Total average amount of zinc released into artificial digestive
      juices was the highest (56.26 mg/100 g d.w.) from A. bisporus biomass of in vitro
      cultures in the medium to which 200 mg/L zinc hydroaspartate had been added. 

PMID- 27279536
TI  - Fractionation and Biological Activities of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from
      Sclerotium of Tiger Milk Medicinal Mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerotis
      (Agaricomycetes).
AB  - This study investigated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and the
      direct cytotoxic effect of Lignosus rhinocerotis fractions, especially the
      polysaccharide fraction, on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. L. rhinocerotis crude
      extract was obtained through hot water extraction. The precipitate saturated with
      30% ammonium sulfate was purified with ion-exchanged chromatography. Gel
      permeation chromatography multiangle laser light scattering analysis equipped
      with light scattering and UV signals revealed two district groups of polymers. A
      total of four peaks were observed in the total carbohydrate test. Fraction C,
      which was the second region of the second peak eluted with 0.3 M NaOH, showed the
      highest integrated molecular weight, whereas fraction E had the lowest integrated
      molecular weight of 19,790 Da. Fraction A contained the highest beta-D-glucan
      content. Enzymatic analysis showed that most of the polysaccharide fractions
      contained beta-1-3 and beta-1-6 skeletal backbones. The peak eluted with 0.6 M
      NaOH was separated in fraction D (flask 89-92) and fraction E (93-96). The
      results showed that fraction E expressed higher antioxidant activities than
      fraction D whereas fraction D expressed higher chelating activity than fraction
      E. The extract saturated with 30% ammonium sulfate exhibited higher reducing
      power than the extract saturated with 100% ammonium sulfate. Fractions D and E
      significantly inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in
      lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner.
      There was no apparent difference in the viability of cells exposed or unexposed
      to L. rhinocerotis fractions. 

PMID- 27279538
TI  - Selection and Validation of Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase
      Chain Reaction Studies in Mossy Maze Polypore, Cerrena unicolor (Higher
      Basidiomycetes).
AB  - With its ability to produce ligninolytic enzymes such as laccases, white-rot
      basidiomycete Cerrena unicolor, a medicinal mushroom, has great potential in
      biotechnology. Elucidation of the expression profiles of genes encoding
      ligninolytic enzymes are important for increasing their production. Quantitative
      real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is a powerful tool to study
      transcriptional regulation of genes of interest. To ensure accuracy and
      reliability of qPCR analysis of C. unicolor, expression levels of seven candidate
      reference genes were studied at different growth phases, under various induction
      conditions, and with a range of carbon/nitrogen ratios and carbon and nitrogen
      sources. The stability of the genes were analyzed with five statistical
      approaches, namely geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, the DeltaCt method, and
      RefFinder. Our results indicated that the selection of reference genes varied
      with sample sets. A combination of four reference genes (Cyt-c, ATP6, TEF1, and
      beta-tubulin) were recommended for normalizing gene expression at different
      growth phases. GAPDH and Cyt-c were the appropriate reference genes under
      different induction conditions. ATP6 and TEF1 were most stable in fermentation
      media with various carbon/nitrogen ratios. In the fermentation media with various
      carbon or nitrogen sources, 18S rRNA and GAPDH were the references of choice. The
      present study represents the first validation analysis of reference genes in C.
      unicolor and serves as a foundation for its qPCR analysis. 

PMID- 27279539
TI  - Screening of Indian Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum
      (Agaricomycetes): A UPC2-SQD-MS Approach.
AB  - Oriental medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum has been widely used for the
      promotion of health and longevity owing to its various bioactive constituents.
      Therefore, comprehending metabolomics of different G. lucidum parts could be of
      paramount importance for investigating their pharmacological properties. Ultra
      performance convergence chromatography (UPC2) along with mass spectrometry (MS)
      is an emerging technique that has not yet been applied for metabolite profiling
      of G. lucidum. This study has been undertaken to establish metabolomics of the
      aqueous extracts of mycelium (GLM), fruiting body (GLF), and their mixture (GLMF)
      using ultra-performance convergence chromatography single quadrupole mass
      spectrometry (UPC2-SQD-MS). Aqueous extracts of G. lucidum prepared using an
      accelerated solvent extraction technique have been characterized for their
      mycochemical activities in terms of total flavonoid content, 1,1-diphenyl-2
      picryl-hydrazyl scavenging activity, and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power.
      The UPC2-SQD-MS technique has been used for the first time for metabolite
      profiling of G. lucidum on a Princeton Diol column (4.6 * 250 mm; 5 um) using
      supercritical CO2 (solvent) and 20 mM ammonium acetate in methanol (co-solvent).
      In the present study, UPC2-SQD-MS was found to be a rapid, efficient, and high
      throughput analytical technique, whose coupling to principal component analysis
      (PCA) and phytochemical evaluation could be used as a powerful tool for
      elucidating metabolite diversity between mycelium and fruiting body of G.
      lucidum. PCA showed a clear distinction in the metabolite compositions of the
      samples. Mycochemical studies revealed that overall GLF possessed better
      antioxidant properties among the aqueous extracts of G. lucidum. 

PMID- 27279540
TI  - Active dynamics of colloidal particles in time-varying laser speckle patterns.
AB  - Colloidal particles immersed in a dynamic speckle pattern experience an optical
      force that fluctuates both in space and time. The resulting dynamics presents
      many interesting analogies with a broad class of non-equilibrium systems like:
      active colloids, self propelled microorganisms, transport in dynamical
      intracellular environments. Here we show that the use of a spatial light
      modulator allows to generate light fields that fluctuate with controllable space
      and time correlations and a prescribed average intensity profile. In particular
      we generate ring-shaped random patterns that can confine a colloidal particle
      over a quasi one-dimensional random energy landscape. We find a mean square
      displacement that is diffusive at both short and long times, while a
      superdiffusive or subdiffusive behavior is observed at intermediate times
      depending on the value of the speckles correlation time. We propose two
      alternative models for the mean square displacement in the two limiting cases of
      a short or long speckles correlation time. A simple interpolation formula is
      shown to account for the full phenomenology observed in the mean square
      displacement across the entire range from fast to slow fluctuating speckles.

PMID- 27279542
TI  - "Pigmentary incontinence" in the skin of the nasal plane from normal dogs?

PMID- 27279541
TI  - MicroRNA-320a promotes 5-FU resistance in human pancreatic cancer cells.
AB  - The drug-resistance of pancreatic cancer cells results in poor therapeutic
      effect. To predict the therapeutic effect of the chemotherapy drugs to specific
      patients and to reverse the resistance of pancreatic cancer cells are critical
      for chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to
      play important roles in the genesis of drug-resistance of various cancer types.
      There are also many advantages of miRNAs in diagnosis and therapy of disease.
      Although several miRNAs regulating 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance in human
      pancreatic cancer have been reported, the detailed molecular mechanism remains to
      be determined. In this study, we found that miR-320a was significantly up
      regulated in 5-FU resistant pancreatic cancer cells. Over-expression of miR-320a
      strongly contributed to pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, which was represented
      by the increased proliferation, invasion, metastasis, drug-resistance
      characteristics and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, we
      demonstrated that miR-320a was able to bind to 3'UTR of PDCD4 mRNA, and mediated
      its down-regulation in 5-FU resistance of human pancreatic cancer cells. Whereas
      restoration of PDCD4 expression could partially attenuate the function of miR
      320a in pancreatic cancer. Taken together, our study demonstrated that miR-320a
      played important role in regulating 5-FU resistance by targeting PDCD4 and might
      be developed as new therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 27279543
TI  - New options in treatment of advanced renal cancer.

PMID- 27279545
TI  - Mn(2+) transport by Ca(2+) -ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum.
AB  - Ca(2+) -ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum is known to pump Mn(2+) in addition to
      Ca(2+) , but whether its transport mechanism is identical to that of Ca(2+) is
      ambiguous. To clarify, we examined, by atomic absorption spectroscopy,
      competition between Mn(2+) and Ca(2+) in active transport using vesicles of
      sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Here, we demonstrate that Ca(2+) -ATPase transports
      Ca(2+) and Mn(2+) concomitantly but has a much lower affinity for Mn(2+)
      (apparent Kd ~ 0.5 mm). Stoichiometries of transported ions per ATP hydrolysed,
      Vmax values and activation energies are very similar. Altogether, Ca(2+) -ATPase
      appears to use the same mechanism for transporting Mn(2+) as that for Ca(2+) .

PMID- 27279544
TI  - Cabozantinib versus everolimus in advanced renal cell carcinoma (METEOR): final
      results from a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cabozantinib is an oral inhibitor of tyrosine kinases including MET,
      VEGFR, and AXL. The randomised phase 3 METEOR trial compared the efficacy and
      safety of cabozantinib versus the mTOR inhibitor everolimus in patients with
      advanced renal cell carcinoma who progressed after previous VEGFR tyrosine-kinase
      inhibitor treatment. Here, we report the final overall survival results from this
      study based on an unplanned second interim analysis. METHODS: In this open-label,
      randomised phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged 18 years and
      older with advanced or metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, measurable
      disease, and previous treatment with one or more VEGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors
      to receive 60 mg cabozantinib once a day or 10 mg everolimus once a day.
      Randomisation was done with an interactive voice and web response system.
      Stratification factors were Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center risk group and
      the number of previous treatments with VEGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors. The
      primary endpoint was progression-free survival as assessed by an independent
      radiology review committee in the first 375 randomly assigned patients and has
      been previously reported. Secondary endpoints were overall survival and objective
      response in all randomly assigned patients assessed by intention-to-treat. Safety
      was assessed per protocol in all patients who received at least one dose of study
      drug. The study is closed for enrolment but treatment and follow-up of patients
      is ongoing for long-term safety evaluation. This trial is registered with
      ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01865747. FINDINGS: Between Aug 8, 2013, and Nov
      24, 2014, 658 patients were randomly assigned to receive cabozantinib (n=330) or
      everolimus (n=328). The median duration of follow-up for overall survival and
      safety was 18.7 months (IQR 16.1-21.1) in the cabozantinib group and 18.8 months
      (16.0-21.2) in the everolimus group. Median overall survival was 21.4 months (95%
      CI 18.7-not estimable) with cabozantinib and 16.5 months (14.7-18.8) with
      everolimus (hazard ratio [HR] 0.66 [95% CI 0.53-0.83]; p=0.00026). Cabozantinib
      treatment also resulted in improved progression-free survival (HR 0.51 [95% CI
      0.41-0.62]; p<0.0001) and objective response (17% [13-22] with cabozantinib vs 3%
      [2-6] with everolimus; p<0.0001) per independent radiology review among all
      randomised patients. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were
      hypertension (49 [15%] in the cabozantinib group vs 12 [4%] in the everolimus
      group), diarrhoea (43 [13%] vs 7 [2%]), fatigue (36 [11%] vs 24 [7%]), palmar
      plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (27 [8%] vs 3 [1%]), anaemia (19 [6%] vs 53
      [17%]), hyperglycaemia (3 [1%] vs 16 [5%]), and hypomagnesaemia (16 [5%] vs
      none). Serious adverse events grade 3 or worse occurred in 130 (39%) patients in
      the cabozantinib group and in 129 (40%) in the everolimus group. One treatment
      related death occurred in the cabozantinib group (death; not otherwise specified)
      and two occurred in the everolimus group (one aspergillus infection and one
      pneumonia aspiration). INTERPRETATION: Treatment with cabozantinib increased
      overall survival, delayed disease progression, and improved the objective
      response compared with everolimus. Based on these results, cabozantinib should be
      considered as a new standard-of-care treatment option for previously treated
      patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Patients should be monitored for
      adverse events that might require dose modifications. FUNDING: Exelixis Inc.

PMID- 27279546
TI  - Carbon nanotubes affect the toxicity of CuO nanoparticles to denitrification in
      marine sediments by altering cellular internalization of nanoparticle.
AB  - Denitrification is an important pathway for nitrate transformation in marine
      sediments, and this process has been observed to be negatively affected by
      engineered nanomaterials. However, previous studies only focused on the potential
      effect of a certain type of nanomaterial on microbial denitrification. Here we
      show that the toxicity of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) to denitrification in marine
      sediments is highly affected by the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). It was
      found that the removal efficiency of total NOX(-)-N (NO3(-)-N and NO2(-)-N) in
      the presence of CuO NPs was only 62.3%, but it increased to 81.1% when CNTs
      appeared in this circumstance. Our data revealed that CuO NPs were more easily
      attached to CNTs rather than cell surface because of the lower energy barrier
      (3.5 versus 36.2 kT). Further studies confirmed that the presence of CNTs caused
      the formation of large, incompact, non-uniform dispersed, and more negatively
      charged CuO-CNTs heteroaggregates, and thus reduced the nanoparticle
      internalization by cells, leading to less toxicity to metabolism of carbon
      source, generation of reduction equivalent, and activities of nitrate reductase
      and nitrite reductase. These results indicate that assessing nanomaterial-induced
      risks in real circumstances needs to consider the "mixed" effects of
      nanomaterials.

PMID- 27279547
TI  - Autogenous demineralized dentin matrix from extracted tooth for the augmentation
      of alveolar bone defect: a prospective randomized clinical trial in comparison
      with anorganic bovine bone.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical
      efficacy and histological outcome of the autogenous tooth graft material (AutoBT)
      compared to that of anorganic bovine bone (Bio-Oss(r) , Geistlich, Switzerland)
      in post-extraction alveolar bone augmentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of
      33 graft sites in 24 patients were included in this study. AutoBT was used in 21
      sites of 15 patients and Bio-Oss(r) was used in 12 sites of 9 patients for
      alveolar bone augmentation 2-4 weeks after dental extraction. Vertical dimension
      of grafted bone was measured both at the time of graft placement and at implant
      fixture placement after 6 months. Trephine cores were harvested for the
      histomorphometric evaluations during implant placement when feasible. The primary
      stability of implant fixture was also measured. RESULTS: Infection of graft
      material or graft bed was not observed and graft sites healed without any notable
      complications in both groups. The vertical dimensions of alveolar bone increased
      by 5.38 +/- 2.65 mm in AutoBT group and 6.56 +/- 3.54 mm in Bio-Oss(r) group at 6
      months post-extraction. Histomorphometrically, new bone formation of AutoBT
      grafted site was 31.24 +/- 13.87% while that of Bio-Oss(r) was 35.00 +/- 19.33%.
      The implant stability quotient (ISQ) of implants placed in AutoBT-grafted sites
      measured 72.80 +/- 10.81 while those placed in Bio-Oss(r) -grafted sites measured
      70.0 +/- 12.86. There were no statistically significant differences between
      measurements of the two groups. CONCLUSION: Autogenous demineralized dentin
      matrix from extracted tooth grafted to extraction sockets for the augmentation of
      vertical dimension was as effective as augmentation using anorganic bovine bone.
      Both groups showed favorable wound healing, similar amount of implant stability,
      and histologically confirmed new bone formation. Thus, the results of this study
      suggest that autogenous tooth graft material is a viable option for alveolar bone
      augmentation following dental extraction.

PMID- 27279548
TI  - Omission of Hemostatic Agents During Robotic Partial Nephrectomy Does Not
      Increase Postoperative Bleeding Risk.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The use of hemostatic agents (HA) during robotic partial
      nephrectomy (RPN) is largely empiric. We sought to assess the impact of HA on
      postoperative bleeding after RPN in a contemporary cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Using our institutional RPN database, we identified consecutive patients treated
      between 2010 and 2015. HA were routinely placed in the nephrectomy bed at the
      time of renorrhaphy until 2014 when their use was phased out to reduce cost. We
      compared postoperative bleeding outcomes (blood transfusion and hemoglobin
      decline) between patients who did and did not receive HA, after excluding
      patients with preoperative anemia (hemoglobin <11 g/dL) or high estimated blood
      loss (>=175 mL). The total inflation-adjusted costs (for 2015) of HA were
      calculated. RESULTS: Of 544 cases, HA were used in 240 (44.1%). The mean number
      of agents per case was 1.4 +/- 0.73, including 77 (14.2%), 52 (9.6%), and 39
      (7.2%) cases in which cellulose, fibrin, or gelatin-based agents were used alone,
      respectively, and 72 (13.2%) cases in which multiple agents were used. The mean
      cost of HA per case was $488 +/- 421. Nearly 90% of cases were performed by
      surgeons who were beyond their learning curves. Overall, 13 (2.4%) patients were
      transfused, and the median hemoglobin decline was 2.2 g/dL (IQR, 1.4-3.0 g/dL).
      On univariate analysis, HA use and type of HA were not significantly associated
      with blood transfusion (p = 0.20 and p = 0.29, respectively), but were associated
      with hemoglobin decline (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). After adjusting
      for covariates, HA use was no longer significantly associated with postoperative
      hemoglobin decline. CONCLUSIONS: In nonanemic patients with minimal
      intraoperative bleeding, HA use does not alter postoperative bleeding outcomes
      after RPN, suggesting that their routine use in this setting merits
      reconsideration. Further research is needed to determine if HA may be useful in
      certain high-risk situations.

PMID- 27279549
TI  - Presbynasalis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As with all systems in the body, the nose and paranasal sinuses
      change in time as we age. Some of these changes have been individually studied,
      but a unified description of current research has not been published since 1996.
      Since that time, a great deal has changed in our understanding of the aging nose.
      METHODS: The English language literature was examined using a combination of
      PubMed and Google Scholar search inquiries. The focus was on articles published
      since 1996 that described sinonasal changes or disease processes within the
      advanced-age population. RESULTS: Publications since 1996 were prioritized for
      discussion. Of the 50 articles selected, manuscripts were grouped into categories
      of allergy and cellular-level change, rhinorrhea, mechanical and airflow change,
      olfactory change, and sinusitis. CONCLUSION: Understanding the normal aging
      process is essential for otolaryngologists for patient education. We propose use
      of the term presbynasalis for description of the aging nose, paranasal sinuses,
      and olfactory system. Several points are consistent across the literature. The
      immune system becomes less responsive with age, a process known as
      immunosenescence. The incidence of rhinorrhea increases as the population ages.
      Though nasal volumes increase with age, other age-related changes may result in
      the perception of increasing nasal obstruction with age. There is a trend toward
      diminished olfaction in the elderly, and in some patients, this may be an early
      manifestation of neurodegenerative conditions. Sinusitis treatment should be
      similar in the elderly population, and the data demonstrates the safety of
      surgery when needed.

PMID- 27279550
TI  - Quality measures for anticoagulation care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically identify and assess current quality measures for
      anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation (AF), venous thromboembolism (VTE)
      treatment and surgical VTE prophylaxis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifteen
      quality measure websites were searched as were bibliographic databases (January
      2000-February 2016). Quality measures were included if developed in the United
      States and incorporating an aspect of anticoagulation for the aforementioned
      indications or if applicable but not indication specific (non-disease specific
      measure). Two reviewers independently extracted data regarding the
      characteristics of each quality measure. RESULTS: Thirty-five measures were
      identified, mostly in VTE treatment (48.6%), followed by non-disease specific
      measures (25.7%), AF (17.6%) and surgical VTE prophylaxis (8.8%). Process
      measures predominated (82.9%). A majority of quality measures (65.7%) were
      focused on parenteral anticoagulants or warfarin and not applicable to novel oral
      anticoagulants (NOACs). Ten (28.6%) measures are used by the Centers for Medicare
      and Medicaid Services or as a core measure of The Joint Commission. Limitations
      include the inability to statistically pool data and possible publication bias
      given the nature of databases for quality measures. CONCLUSIONS: Quality measures
      are recognized in anticoagulation care. Areas for improvement include expanding
      beyond process measures and capturing adverse events and the advantages offered
      by NOACs.

PMID- 27279552
TI  - Stakeholders' Perspectives towards the Use of the Comprehensive Health Assessment
      Program (CHAP) for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Manitoba.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No standardized tool is used in Canada for comprehensive health
      assessments of adults with intellectual disabilities. This study was conducted to
      determine the feasibility of implementing the Comprehensive Health Assessment
      Program (CHAP) in Manitoba, Canada. METHOD: This was a qualitative study using a
      purposive sample of physicians, nurse practitioners, support workers and
      families. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus groups and
      were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Use of the CHAP was perceived as
      beneficial for persons with intellectual disabilities. Improved continuity of
      care was of the reported benefits. Six barriers for the future implementation of
      the CHAP were identified including the time required to complete the CHAP, and
      the perceived lack of physicians' willingness to do comprehensive assessments.
      CONCLUSION: The future implementation of the CHAP was strongly supported. For its
      successful implementation, training of healthcare professionals and support staff
      and change in regulations and policies were recommended.

PMID- 27279551
TI  - Intraspecific phytochemical variation shapes community and population structure
      for specialist caterpillars.
AB  - Chemically mediated plant-herbivore interactions contribute to the diversity of
      terrestrial communities and the diversification of plants and insects. While our
      understanding of the processes affecting community structure and evolutionary
      diversification has grown, few studies have investigated how trait variation
      shapes genetic and species diversity simultaneously in a tropical ecosystem. We
      investigated secondary metabolite variation among subpopulations of a single
      plant species, Piper kelleyi (Piperaceae), using high-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC), to understand associations between plant phytochemistry
      and host-specialized caterpillars in the genus Eois (Geometridae: Larentiinae)
      and associated parasitoid wasps and flies. In addition, we used a genotyping-by
      sequencing approach to examine the genetic structure of one abundant caterpillar
      species, Eois encina, in relation to host phytochemical variation. We found
      substantive concentration differences among three major secondary metabolites,
      and these differences in chemistry predicted caterpillar and parasitoid community
      structure among host plant populations. Furthermore, E. encina populations
      located at high elevations were genetically different from other populations.
      They fed on plants containing high concentrations of prenylated benzoic acid.
      Thus, phytochemistry potentially shapes caterpillar and wasp community
      composition and geographic variation in species interactions, both of which can
      contribute to diversification of plants and insects.

PMID- 27279553
TI  - Molecular detection of Wolbachia pipientis in natural populations of mosquito
      vectors of Dirofilaria immitis from continental Portugal: first detection in
      Culex theileri.
AB  - Wolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) protects mosquitoes from
      infections with arboviruses and parasites. However, the effect of its co
      infection on vector competence for Dirofilaria immitis (Spirurida: Onchocercidae)
      in the wild has not been investigated. This study aimed to screen vectors of D.
      immitis for wPip, to characterize these, and to investigate a possible
      association between the occurrence of W. pipientis and that of the nematode. The
      presence of W. pipientis was assessed in the five mosquito potential vectors of
      D. immitis in Portugal. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were sequenced,
      and wPip haplotypes were determined by PCR-restricted fragment length
      polymorphism (RFLP). Results showed that wPip was detected in 61.5% of Culex
      pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) pools and 6.3% of Culex theileri pools. wPip 16s
      rRNA sequences found in Cx. theileri exactly match those from Cx. pipiens,
      confirming a mosquito origin, rather than a nematode origin, as some specimens
      were infected with D. immitis. Only wPip haplotype I was found. No association
      was found between the presence of wPip and D. immitis in mosquitoes and hence a
      role for this endosymbiont in influencing vectorial competence is yet to be
      identified. This study contributes to understanding of wPip distribution in
      mosquito populations and, to the best of the authors' knowledge, is the first
      report of natural infections by wPip in Cx. theileri.

PMID- 27279554
TI  - Do patients with intake of drugs labelled as sleep disturbing really sleep worse?
      A population based assessment from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study.
AB  - AIM: The sleep disturbing effect of many drugs is derived from clinical trials
      with highly selected patient collectives. However, the generalizability of such
      findings to the general population is questionable. Our aim was to assess the
      association between intake of drugs labelled as sleep disturbing and self
      reported nocturnal sleep disturbances in a population-based study. METHODS: We
      used data of 4221 participants (50.0% male) aged 45 to 75 years from the baseline
      examination of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study in Germany. The interview provided
      information on difficulties falling asleep, difficulties maintaining sleep and
      early morning arousal. We used the summary of product characteristics (SPC) for
      each drug taken and assigned the probability of sleep disturbances. Thereafter,
      we calculated cumulative probabilities of sleep disturbances per subject to
      account for polypharmacy. We estimated prevalence ratios (PR) using log Poisson
      regression models with robust variance. RESULTS: The adjusted PRs of any regular
      nocturnal sleep disorder per additional sleep disturbing drug were 1.01 (95%
      confidence interval (CI) 0.97, 1.06) and 1.03 (95% CI 1.00, 1.07) for men and
      women, respectively. Estimates for each regular nocturnal sleep disturbance were
      similarly close to 1. PRs for regular nocturnal sleep disturbances did not
      increase with rising cumulative probability for drug-related sleep disturbances.
      CONCLUSIONS: SPC-based probabilities of drug-related sleep disturbances showed
      barely any association with self-reported regular nocturnal sleep disturbances.
      We conclude that SPC-based probability information may lack generalizability to
      the general population or may be of limited data quality.

PMID- 27279555
TI  - TGF-beta1, in association with the increased expression of connective tissue
      growth factor, induce the hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum through the p38
      MAPK pathway.
AB  - Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum (LF) is one of the key pathomechanisms of
      lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is
      abundantly expressed in hypertrophied degenerative LF tissues from LSS. However,
      the molecular mechanisms underling the association between TGF-beta1 and LF
      hypertrophy have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated
      the important role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the
      pathogenesis of LSS by analyzing the expression of connective tissue growth
      factor (CTGF) and extracellular matrix (ECM) components (collagen I and collagen
      III) in TGF-beta1-treated LF cells. Cell growth assay revealed that TGF-beta1, in
      association with CTGF, enhanced the the proliferation of LF cells, and we found
      that TGF-beta1 also elevated CTGF expression and subsequently enhanced the mRNA
      expression of collagen I and collagen III. The increased mRNA expression levels
      of CTGF, collagen I and collagen III were abolished by p38 inhibitors. Both
      immunofluorescence imaging and western blot analysis of p38 and p-p38 revealed
      the increased expression and phosphorylation of p38. Silencing the expression of
      p38 by siRNA in LF cells decreased the protein expression of p38, p-p38 and CTGF,
      as well as the mRNA expression of CTGF, collagen I and collagen III. Taken
      together, our findings indicate that TGF-beta1, in association with the increased
      expression of CTGF, contribute to the homeostasis of the ECM and to the
      hypertrophy of LF through the p38 MAPK pathway. 

PMID- 27279556
TI  - Induction of adipose-derived stem cells into Schwann-like cells and observation
      of Schwann-like cell proliferation.
AB  - The peripheral nervous system has the potential for full regeneration following
      injury and recovery, predominantly controlled by Schwann cells (SCs). Therefore,
      obtaining a sufficient number of SCs in a short duration is crucial. In the
      present study, rat adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were isolated and cultured,
      following which characterization of the ADSCs was performed using flow cytometry.
      The results showed that the cells were positive for the CD29 and CD44 markers,
      and negative for the CD31, CD45, CD49 and CD106 markers. The multilineage
      differentiation potential of the ADSCs was assayed by determining the ability of
      the cells to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. Following this, the
      ADSCs were treated with a specific medium and differentiated into Schwann-like
      cells. Immunofluorescence, western blot and reverse transcription-quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that ~95% of the differentiated cells
      expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein, S100 and p75. In addition, the present
      study found that a substantial number of SCs can be produced in a short duration
      via the mitotic feature of Schwann-like cells. These data indicated that Schwann
      like cells derived from ADSCs can undergo mitotic proliferation, which may be
      beneficial for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in the future. 

PMID- 27279557
TI  - Monitoring the quality consistency of Fufang Danshen Pills using micellar
      electrokinetic chromatography fingerprint coupled with prediction of antioxidant
      activity and chemometrics.
AB  - A fast micellar electrokinetic chromatography fingerprint method combined with
      quantification was developed and validated to evaluate the quality of Fufang
      Danshen Pills, a traditional Chinese Medicine, which has been used in the
      treatment of cardiovascular system diseases, in which the tetrahedron
      optimization method was first used to optimize the background electrolyte
      solution. Subsequently, the index of the fingerprint information amount of I was
      performed as an excellent objective indictor to investigate the experimental
      conditions. In addition, a systematical quantified fingerprint method was
      constructed for evaluating the quality consistency of 20 batches of test samples
      obtained from the same drug manufacturer. The fingerprint analysis combined with
      quantitative determination of two components showed that the quality consistency
      of the test samples was quite good within the same commercial brand. Furthermore,
      the partial least squares model analysis was used to explore the fingerprint
      efficacy relationship between active components and antioxidant activity in
      vitro, which can be applied for the assessment of anti-oxidant activity of Fufang
      Danshen pills and provide valuable medicinal information for quality control. The
      result illustrated that the present study provided a reliable and reasonable
      method for monitoring the quality consistency of Fufang Danshen pills. 

PMID- 27279558
TI  - Motivations for Deceased Organ Donation Among Volunteers in China: A Qualitative
      Research Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND To align with guiding principles on human organ and tissue
      transplantation published by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Red Cross
      Society of China (RCSC) launched a new nationwide organ donation program in 2010
      to recruit organ donation volunteers. Despite severe shortage of donated organs,
      there is a very low rate of volunteering for organ donation among the Chinese
      population (only 0.03 donors per million population) in the national program.
      Motivating organ donation is the key to the success of organ transplantation in
      China. MATERIAL AND METHODS Semi-structured 45- to 60-min interviews were
      conducted among 34 volunteers. Data analysis was performed with Nvivo 8.0
      software. RESULTS Six motivations for organ donation were identified: helping
      others/altruism, fulfilling long-cherished wishes, reducing the burdens, making
      the best use of everything, giving back to society, and life extension. Factors
      affecting the motivation of organ donation among volunteers in China included
      traditional values, personal experiences, role model effect, family support, and
      problems in the donation system. Possible strategies to improve organ donation
      included fostering a scientific concept of the body and death, focusing donation
      promotion efforts on certain groups, and simplifying the process of organ
      donation. CONCLUSIONS There are multiple reasons for Chinese people to register
      for organ donation, with helping others as the central motivation. 

PMID- 27279559
TI  - Visual analysis of data in a multielement design.
AB  - Ninety Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and 19 editorial board members
      evaluated hypothetical data presented in a multielement design. We manipulated
      the variability, trend, and mean shift of the data and asked the participants to
      determine if the data demonstrated experimental control. The results showed that
      variability, trend, and mean shift interacted to affect the participants' ratings
      of experimental control. The level of agreement between participants was
      variable, but was generally lower than in previous research.

PMID- 27279560
TI  - Kinesin family members KIF11 and KIF23 as potential therapeutic targets in
      malignant pleural mesothelioma.
AB  - Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive form of cancer
      commonly associated with asbestos exposure that stems from the thoracic
      mesothelium with high mortality rate. Currently, treatment options for MPM are
      limited, and new molecular targets for treatments are urgently needed. Using
      quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and an RNA
      interference-based screening, we screened two kinesin family members as potential
      therapeutic targets for MPM. Following in vitro investigation of the target
      silencing effects on MPM cells, a total of 53 MPMs were analyzed
      immunohistochemically with tissue microarray. KIF11 and KIF23 transcripts were
      found to be overexpressed in the majority of clinical MPM samples as well as
      human MPM cell lines as determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Gene knockdown in MPM
      cell lines identified growth inhibition following knockdown of KIF11 and KIF23.
      High expression of KIF11 (KIF11-H) and KIF23 (KIF23-H) were found in 43.4 and
      50.9% of all the MPM cases, respectively. Patients who received curative
      resection with tumors displaying KIF23-H showed shorter overall survival
      (P=0.0194). These results provide that inhibition of KIF11 and KIF23 may hold
      promise for treatment of MPMs, raising the possibility that kinesin-based drug
      targets may be developed in the future. 

PMID- 27279561
TI  - Low Intensity Epicardial Pacing During the Absolute Refractory Period Augments
      Left Ventricular Function Mediated by Local Catecholamine Release.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biventricular epicardial (Epi) pacing can augment left ventricular
      (LV) function in heart failure. We postulated that these effects might involve
      catecholamine release from local autonomic nerve activation. To evaluate this
      hypothesis we applied low intensity Epi electrical stimuli during the absolute
      refractory period (ARP), thus avoiding altered activation sequence. METHODS:
      Anesthetized pigs (n = 6) were instrumented with an LV pressure (LVP) transducer,
      left atrial (LA) and LV Epi pacing electrodes, and sonomicrometer segment length
      (SL) gauges placed proximal and remote to the LV stimulation site. A catheter was
      placed into the great cardiac vein adjacent to the LV pacing site for
      norepinephrine (NE) analysis. During LA pacing at constant rate, 3 pulses (0.8
      milliseconds, 2-3x threshold) were applied to the LV Epi electrodes during the
      ARP. An experimental run consisted of baseline, stimulation (10 minutes), and
      recovery (5 minutes), repeated 3 times before and after beta1 - receptor blockade
      (BB, metoprolol). RESULTS: ARP stimulation produced significant increases in
      cardiac function reflected by elevated LVP, LV, dP/dtmax , and reduced time to LV
      dP/dtmax . This was accompanied by increased coronary NE levels and increases in
      LVP versus SL loop area in the remote myocardial segment. In contrast, the
      proximal segment exhibited early shortening and decreased loop area. BB abolished
      the changes in SL and LV function despite continued NE release. CONCLUSION: These
      results demonstrate that ARP EPI stimulation induces NE release mediating
      augmented global LV function. This effect may contribute to the beneficial effect
      of biventricular Epi pacing in heart failure in some patients.

PMID- 27279562
TI  - Application effect of sterile normal saline ice for post-partum hemorrhage at the
      time of cesarean delivery: A retrospective review.
AB  - AIM: Post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) is a common complication of cesarean sections
      (CS) and affects maternal and newborn health. We used a new method to control
      bleeding and compared its efficacy with conventional methods. METHODS: Eighty-six
      women who experienced PPH with volume of bleeding over 1000 mL in CS between
      January 2008 and January 2012 were chosen as samples. Thirty-three underwent the
      new method in which normal saline ice blocks are placed in the uterus, and 53
      underwent the conventional method. We evaluated blood loss, volume of transfusion
      and complications. RESULTS: Patients who were treated with ice blocks had better
      hemostatic efficacy than those who underwent the conventional method (1450 +/-
      251.9 mL vs 1800 +/- 278.9 mL; P < 0.001); they also had less blood transfusion
      (806.1 +/- 242.3 mL vs 1222.6 +/- 308.0 mL; P < 0.001), lower rate of
      hysterectomy and infection (3.03% vs 5.66%; P = 0.971; 0% vs 7.55%; P = 0.276),
      and shorter duration of hospital stay (5.3 +/- 0.5 days vs 7.6 +/- 3.0 days; P <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: PPH in CS can be treated with peeled sterile normal saline
      ice blocks, a simple and reliable method for stopping bleeding. Nonetheless,
      there needs to be a large randomized control trial for confirmation.

PMID- 27279563
TI  - The application of crystallization in the presence of additives to enable drug-in
      capsule technology.
AB  - Crystallization in the presence of additives such as surfactants, polymers or
      impurities has been widely investigated in the pharmaceutical and chemical
      industries in order to change the crystal habit or to obtain a more desirable
      polymorph, affect crystal growth and influence dissolution. However, in this
      study, we investigated the concept of crystallization in the presence of
      surfactants in order to incorporate into the crystal lattice, a small amount
      (less than 1% w/w) of surfactant, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The resulting
      crystals were further compared to crystals coated with SLS using a washing
      procedure; in order to assess whether either procedure generates improvements in
      the apparent solubility and dissolution of a poorly soluble drug so it can be
      filled directly into a capsule without the need of a complex formulation process.

PMID- 27279564
TI  - Foci of cyclin A2 interact with actin and RhoA in mitosis.
AB  - Cyclin A2 is a key player in the regulation of the cell cycle. Its degradation in
      mid-mitosis depends primarily on the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), while
      autophagy also contributes. However, a fraction of cyclin A2 persists beyond
      metaphase. In this work, we focus on cyclin A2-rich foci detected in mitosis by
      high resolution imaging and analyse their movements. We demonstrate that cyclin
      A2 interacts with actin and RhoA during mitosis, and that cyclin A2 depletion
      induces a dramatic decrease in active RhoA in mitosis. Our data suggest cyclin A2
      participation in RhoA activation in late mitosis.

PMID- 27279565
TI  - Optical control of filamentation-induced damage to DNA by intense, ultrashort,
      near-infrared laser pulses.
AB  - We report on damage to DNA in an aqueous medium induced by ultrashort pulses of
      intense laser light of 800 nm wavelength. Focusing of such pulses, using lenses
      of various focal lengths, induces plasma formation within the aqueous medium.
      Such plasma can have a spatial extent that is far in excess of the Rayleigh
      range. In the case of water, the resulting ionization and dissociation gives rise
      to in situ generation of low-energy electrons and OH-radicals. Interactions of
      these with plasmid DNA produce nicks in the DNA backbone: single strand breaks
      (SSBs) are induced as are, at higher laser intensities, double strand breaks
      (DSBs). Under physiological conditions, the latter are not readily amenable to
      repair. Systematic quantification of SSBs and DSBs at different values of
      incident laser energy and under different external focusing conditions reveals
      that damage occurs in two distinct regimes. Numerical aperture is the
      experimental handle that delineates the two regimes, permitting simple optical
      control over the extent of DNA damage.

PMID- 27279566
TI  - Identification and association of RAC1 gene polymorphisms with mRNA and protein
      expression levels of Rac1 in solid organ (kidney, liver, heart) transplant
      recipients.
AB  - The activation of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) is critical
      in the renal, hepatic and cardiac diseases that lead to the requirement for
      transplantation, however, no investigations have been performed in Chinese
      populations to determine the association between RAC1 genotypes and the
      activation of Rac1. In the present study, 304 solid organ transplant recipients
      (SOTRs), consisting of 164 renal transplantations, 85 hepatic transplantations
      and 55 cardiac transplantations, and 332 Chinese healthy control subjects were
      recruited to investigate whether differences existed in the mRNA and protein
      expression levels of Rac1 in the different groups. Furthermore, the present study
      identified and investigated associations of the RAC1 (rs702482, rs10951982,
      rs702483 and rs6954996) genotypes with the mRNA expression levels of RAC1, and
      the protein expression levels of total Rac1 and active Rac1-guanosine
      triphosphatase (GTP). It was identified that the healthy population had
      significantly higher levels of Rac1 and Rac1-GTP, compared with the kidney, liver
      and heart transplantation populations (P<0.001 for all comparisons). Significant
      associations (P<0.05) were observed between the RAC1 genotypes and the expression
      levels of mRNA, Rac1 and Rac1-GTP. However, the changes in the mRNA expression
      levels of RAC1 with genotypes were different from those of the proteins. The
      results of the present study represent the first, to the best of our knowledge,
      to report that Rac1 and Rac1-GTP proteins can be downregulated in SOTRs, and that
      RAC1 genetic polymorphisms can potentially affect the mRNA expression of RAC1,
      and the protein expression of Rac1 and Rac1-GTP. These results provide a
      foundation for further functional investigations to determine the biological and
      molecular functions of the RAC1 gene in SOTRs. 

PMID- 27279567
TI  - The halotolerant Debaryomyces hansenii, the Cinderella of non-conventional
      yeasts.
AB  - Debaryomyces hansenii is a halotolerant yeast with a high biotechnological
      potential, particularly in the food industry. However, research in this yeast is
      limited by its molecular peculiarities. In this review we summarize the state of
      the art of research in this microorganisms, describing both pros and cons. We
      discuss (i) its halotolerance, (ii) the molecular factors involved in saline and
      osmotic stress, (iii) its high gene density and ambiguous CUG decoding, and (iv)
      its biotechnological and medical interests. We trust that all the bottlenecks in
      its study will soon be overcome and D. hansenii will become a fundamental
      organism for food biotechnological processes. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27279568
TI  - Clinical events in a large prospective cohort of children with sickle cell
      disease in Nagpur, India: evidence against a milder clinical phenotype in India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical phenotype of sickle cell disease (SCD) has been reported
      to be milder in India than in the United States. The objective of this large
      single-center study was to examine the rate of complications to define the
      phenotype of SCD in India. METHODS: The rate of complications per 100 person
      years in 833 pediatric SCD patients for 1954 person-years in Nagpur, India
      including those diagnosed on newborn screen (NBS) and those presenting later in
      childhood (non-NBS) was compared to those reported in the cooperative study of
      sickle cell disease (CSSCD). Event rates were also compared between patients
      belonging to scheduled castes (SCs), scheduled tribes (STs), and other backward
      classes (OBC). RESULTS: Comparison of CSSCD versus Nagpur NBS versus Nagpur non
      NBS for rates of pain (32.4 vs. 85.2 vs. 62.4), severe anemia (7.1 vs. 27 vs.
      6.6), stroke (0.7 vs. 0.8 vs. 1.4), splenic sequestration (3.4 vs. 6.7 vs. 1.6),
      acute chest syndrome (24.5 vs. 23.6 vs. 1.0), and meningitis (0.8 vs. 0 vs. 0.1)
      revealed more frequent complications in Nagpur compared to CSSCD. Comparison of
      ST, SC, and OBC for rates of pain (84.6 vs. 71.9 vs. 63.5), acute chest syndrome
      (3.6 vs. 2.8 vs. 2.2), severe anemia (5.4 vs. 9.5 vs. 11.4), stroke (1.2 vs. 0.4
      vs. 0.3), splenic sequestration (0.6 vs. 2.4 vs. 1.9), and meningitis (0.8 vs. 0
      vs. 0.1) revealed significantly more frequent complications among ST.
      CONCLUSIONS: SCD-related complications are more frequent in Indian children than
      that observed in CSSCD. Further study is indicated to define SCD phenotype in
      India.

PMID- 27279569
TI  - Paeoniflorin ameliorates acute necrotizing pancreatitis and pancreatitis-induced
      acute renal injury.
AB  - Acute renal injury caused by acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) is a common
      complication that is associated with a high rate of mortality. Paeoniflorin is
      the active ingredient of paeonia radix and exhibits a number of pharmacological
      effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic and immunomodulatory
      effects. The present study detected the potential treatment effects of
      paeoniflorin on acute renal injury induced by ANP in a rat model. The optimal
      dose of paeoniflorin for preventing acute renal injury induced by ANP was
      determined. Then, the possible protective mechanism of paeoniflorin was
      investigated. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin
      (IL)-1beta and IL-6 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.
      Renal inflammation and apoptosis were measured by immunohistochemistry and
      terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. The
      expression of nitric oxide in kidney tissues was also evaluated. The p38 mitogen
      activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were measured by western blotting. The results
      shown that paeoniflorin may ameliorate acute renal injury following ANP in rats
      by inhibiting inflammatory responses and renal cell apoptosis. These effects may
      be associated with the p38MAPK and nuclear factor-kappaB signal pathway. 

PMID- 27279570
TI  - Rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic, inhibits the release of pro-angiogenic
      mediators in colon cancer cells through a pregnane X receptor-dependent pathway.
AB  - Activation of intestinal human pregnane X receptor (PXR) has recently been
      proposed as a promising strategy for the chemoprevention of inflammation-induced
      colon cancer. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effect of rifaximin,
      a non-absorbable antibiotic, in inhibiting angiogenesis in a model of human
      colorectal epithelium and investigating the role of PXR in its mechanism of
      action. Caco-2 cells were treated with rifaximin (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 uM) in the
      presence or absence of ketoconazole (10 uM) and assessed for cell proliferation,
      migration and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The
      release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO),
      expression of Akt, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), p38 mitogen activated
      protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and metalloproteinase-2
      and -9 (MMP-2 and -9) were also evaluated. Treatment with rifaximin 0.1, 1.0 and
      10.0 uM caused significant and concentration-dependent reduction of cell
      proliferation, cell migration and PCNA expression in the Caco-2 cells vs.
      untreated cells. Treatment downregulated VEGF secretion, NO release, VEGFR-2
      expression, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression vs. untreated cells. Rifaximin treatment
      also resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in the phosphorylation of
      Akt, mTOR, p38MAPK and inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF
      1alpha), p70S6K and NF-kappaB. Ketoconazole (PXR antagonist) treatment inhibited
      these effects. These findings demonstrated that rifaximin causes PXR-mediated
      inhibition of angiogenic factors in Caco-2 cell line and may be a promising
      anticancer tool. 

PMID- 27279571
TI  - Week 96 efficacy and safety of darunavir/ritonavir monotherapy vs.
      darunavir/ritonavir with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in the
      PROTEA trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: PROTEA is a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and
      safety of darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) monotherapy as an alternative to triple
      therapy. METHODS: Patients fully suppressed on first-line antiretrovirals (viral
      load < 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) were switched to DRV/r 800/100 mg once daily,
      either as monotherapy (n = 137) or with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase
      inhibitors (NRTIs) (n = 136). Treatment failure was HIV-1 RNA level >= 50
      copies/mL at week 96 or discontinuation of study treatment [Food and Drug
      Administration (FDA) snapshot algorithm]. RESULTS: Patients were mainly male and
      white, with mean age 44 years. In the primary efficacy analysis, the percentage
      of patients with HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL by week 96 [intent to treat (ITT)] was
      lower in the DRV/r monotherapy arm (103 of 137 patients; 75%) than in the triple
      therapy arm (116 of 136 patients; 85%) [difference -10.1%; 95% confidence
      interval (CI) -19.5, -0.7%]. In the switch-included analysis, monotherapy was
      noninferior to triple therapy. In a post hoc analysis, for patients with nadir
      CD4 count >= 200 cells/MUL, rates of HIV-1 RNA suppression were 82 of 96 patients
      (85%) in the DRV/r monotherapy arm and 88 of 106 patients (83%) in the triple
      therapy arm. No treatment-emergent primary protease inhibitor mutations were
      detected in either arm. The frequency of adverse events was similar in the two
      arms; however, one patient in the monotherapy arm was hospitalized with HIV
      encephalitis and elevated cerebrospinal fluid HIV-1 RNA. CONCLUSIONS: In this
      study, in patients with HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL at baseline, switching to DRV/r
      monotherapy showed lower efficacy vs. triple therapy at week 96 in the primary
      ITT switch-equals-failure analysis, particularly in patients with CD4 counts <
      200 cells/MUL.

PMID- 27279572
TI  - Nanoparticles-cell association predicted by protein corona fingerprints.
AB  - In a physiological environment (e.g., blood and interstitial fluids)
      nanoparticles (NPs) will bind proteins shaping a "protein corona" layer. The long
      lived protein layer tightly bound to the NP surface is referred to as the hard
      corona (HC) and encodes information that controls NP bioactivity (e.g. cellular
      association, cellular signaling pathways, biodistribution, and toxicity).
      Decrypting this complex code has become a priority to predict the NP biological
      outcomes. Here, we use a library of 16 lipid NPs of varying size (O~ 100-250 nm)
      and surface chemistry (unmodified and PEGylated) to investigate the relationships
      between NP physicochemical properties (nanoparticle size, aggregation state and
      surface charge), protein corona fingerprints (PCFs), and NP-cell association. We
      found out that none of the NPs' physicochemical properties alone was exclusively
      able to account for association with human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). For
      the entire library of NPs, a total of 436 distinct serum proteins were detected.
      We developed a predictive-validation modeling that provides a means of assessing
      the relative significance of the identified corona proteins. Interestingly, a
      minor fraction of the HC, which consists of only 8 PCFs were identified as main
      promoters of NP association with HeLa cells. Remarkably, identified PCFs have
      several receptors with high level of expression on the plasma membrane of HeLa
      cells. 

PMID- 27279573
TI  - L-homoarginine administration reduces neointimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured
      rat carotids.

PMID- 27279574
TI  - Quantitative and textural analysis of magnetization transfer and diffusion images
      in the early detection of brain metastases.
AB  - PURPOSE: The sensitivity of the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and apparent
      diffusion coefficient (ADC) for early detection of brain metastases was
      investigated in mice and humans. METHODS: Mice underwent MRI twice weekly for up
      to 31 d following intracardiac injection of the brain-homing breast cancer cell
      line MDA-MB231-BR. Patients with small cell lung cancer underwent quarterly MRI
      for 1 year. MTR and ADC were measured in regions of metastasis and matched
      contralateral tissue at the final time point and in registered regions at earlier
      time points. Texture analysis and linear discriminant analysis were performed to
      detect metastasis-containing slices. RESULTS: Compared with contralateral tissue,
      mouse metastases had significantly lower MTR and higher ADC at the final time
      point. Some lesions were visible at earlier time points on the MTR and ADC maps:
      24% of these were not visible on corresponding T2 -weighted images. Texture
      analysis using the MTR maps showed 100% specificity and 98% sensitivity for
      metastasis at the final time point, with 77% sensitivity 2-4 d earlier and 46% 5
      8 d earlier. Only 2 of 16 patients developed metastases, and their penultimate
      scans were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Some brain metastases may be detected earlier on
      MTR than conventional T2 ; however, the small gain is unlikely to justify
      "predictive" MRI. Magn Reson Med 77:1987-1995, 2017. (c) 2016 The Authors
      Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of
      International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access
      article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
      permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original
      work is properly cited.

PMID- 27279575
TI  - A novel Brassica-rhizotron system to unravel the dynamic changes in root system
      architecture of oilseed rape under phosphorus deficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: An important adaptation of plants to phosphorus (P)
      deficiency is to alter root system architecture (RSA) to increase P acquisition
      from the soil, but soil-based observations of RSA are technically challenging,
      especially in mature plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the root
      development and RSA of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) under low and high soil P
      conditions during an entire growth cycle. METHODS: A new large Brassica-rhizotron
      system (approx. 118-litre volume) was developed to study the RSA dynamics of B.
      napus 'Zhongshuang11' in soils, using top-soils supplemented with low P (LP) or
      high P (HP) for a full plant growth period. Total root length (TRL), root tip
      number (RTN), root length density (RLD), biomass and seed yield traits were
      measured. KEY RESULTS: TRL and RTN increased more rapidly in HP than LP plants
      from seedling to flowering stages. Both traits declined from flowering to silique
      stages, and then increased slightly in HP plants; in contrast, root senescence
      was observed in LP plants. RSA parameters measured from the polycarbonate plates
      were empirically consistent with analyses of excavated roots. Seed yield and
      shoot dry weights were closely associated positively with root dry weights, TRL,
      RLD and RTN at both HP and LP. CONCLUSIONS: The Brassica-rhizotron system is an
      effective method for soil-based root phenotyping across an entire growth cycle.
      Given that root senescence is likely to occur earlier under low P conditions,
      crop P deficiency is likely to affect late water and nitrogen uptake, which is
      critical for efficient resource use and optimal crop yields.

PMID- 27279577
TI  - A Comparison of Cost and Reward Procedures With Interdependent Group
      Contingencies.
AB  - The present study evaluated the effectiveness of two variations of a token
      economy for reducing disruptive behavior within a general education classroom.
      One variation involved a group contingency in which tokens were removed
      contingent on disruptive behavior (response cost), and the other variation
      involved a group contingency in which tokens were gained according to a
      differential reinforcement of other behavior schedule. Two elementary school
      teachers and their students participated. Results indicated that both procedures
      were effective in reducing the overall number of students disrupting; however,
      both teachers and students indicated a greater preference for the response cost
      condition. Implications for the use of these behavior management strategies in
      the classroom are discussed in terms of effectiveness and ease of implementation.

PMID- 27279576
TI  - Simulation of carbon allocation and organ growth variability in apple tree by
      connecting architectural and source-sink models.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Plant growth depends on carbon availability and allocation
      among organs. QualiTree has been designed to simulate carbon allocation and
      partitioning in the peach tree (Prunus persica), whereas MappleT is dedicated to
      the simulation of apple tree (Malus * domestica) architecture. The objective of
      this study was to couple both models and adapt QualiTree to apple trees to
      simulate organ growth traits and their within-tree variability. METHODS: MappleT
      was used to generate architectures corresponding to the 'Fuji' cultivar,
      accounting for the variability within and among individuals. These architectures
      were input into QualiTree to simulate shoot and fruit growth during a growth
      cycle. We modified QualiTree to account for the observed shoot polymorphism in
      apple trees, i.e. different classes (long, medium and short) that were
      characterized by different growth function parameters. Model outputs were
      compared with observed 3D tree geometries, considering shoot and final fruit size
      and growth dynamics. KEY RESULTS: The modelling approach connecting MappleT and
      QualiTree was appropriate to the simulation of growth and architectural
      characteristics at the tree scale (plant leaf area, shoot number and types, fruit
      weight at harvest). At the shoot scale, mean fruit weight and its variability
      within trees was accurately simulated, whereas the model tended to overestimate
      individual shoot leaf area and underestimate its variability for each shoot type.
      Varying the parameter related to the intensity of carbon exchange between shoots
      revealed that behaviour intermediate between shoot autonomy and a common
      assimilate pool was required to properly simulate within-tree fruit growth
      variability. Moreover, the model correctly dealt with the crop load effect on
      organ growth. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides understanding of the integration
      of shoot ontogenetic properties, carbon supply and transport between entities for
      simulating organ growth in trees. Further improvements regarding the integration
      of retroaction loops between carbon allocation and the resulting plant
      architecture are expected to allow multi-year simulations.

PMID- 27279578
TI  - Chronic Mastitis in Egypt and Morocco: Differentiating between Idiopathic
      Granulomatous Mastitis and IgG4-Related Disease.
AB  - Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a benign, frequently severe chronic
      inflammatory lesion of the breast. Its etiology remains unknown and reported
      cases vary in their presentation and histologic findings with an optimal
      treatment algorithm yet to be described owing mainly to the disease's
      heterogeneity. IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly recognized systemic
      fibroinflammatory condition characterized by a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate
      with many IgG4-positive plasma cells, storiform fibrosis, and obliterative
      phlebitis. Immunosuppressive therapy is considered to be an effective first-line
      therapy for IgG4-RD. We sought to clarify and classify chronic mastitis according
      to the histologic findings of IgG4-RD mastitis with respect to IGM and to develop
      a robust diagnostic framework to help select patients for optimal treatment
      strategies. Using the largest collection to date (43 cases from Egypt and
      Morocco), we show that despite sharing many features, IGM and IgG4-RD mastitis
      are separate diseases. To diagnostically separate the diseases, we created a
      classification schema-termed the Michigan Classification-based upon our large
      series of cases, the consensus statement on IgG4-RD, and the histologic
      description of IGM in the literature. Using our classification, we discerned 17
      cases of IgG4-RD and 8 cases of IGM among the 43 chronic mastitis cases, with 18
      indeterminate cases. Thus, our Michigan Classification can form the basis of
      rational stratification of chronic mastitis patients between these two clinically
      and histopathologically heterogeneous diseases. 

PMID- 27279580
TI  - Therapeutic Potential of the Medicinal Plant Aegle Marmelos (Linn.) Correa:
      Insight.
AB  - Various plant species are used globally for therapeutic purposes and have been
      authenticated by the World Health Organization. Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr., one of
      only three species in the genus Aegle, is a subtropical, fruit-bearing, deciduous
      tree that grows throughout the hills and plains of sub-Himalayan countries.
      Plants with medicinal importance have been used in almost every culture since
      ancient times. Various studies are underway to understand more about the
      qualities and components of medicinal plants, including drug preparation,
      phytochemical analysis, cultivation, toxicology, and pharmacology. According to
      the Indian conventional system of medicine, A. marmelos can successfully treat
      many diseases and conditions; for example, its extracts have been found to reduce
      the intensities of hepatic lipid peroxidation and augment the levels of hepatic
      antioxidants such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione. The
      essential oils present in the foliage (leaves), fruits, and bark of A. marmelos
      provide strong antifungal action. A. marmelos is thus cytoprotective, works
      against ulcers and diarhea, promotes skin and bone healing, and acts as a
      hypoglycemic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, analgesic,
      antiinflammatory, antipyretic, and anticancer agent. Such qualities have been
      well documented with scientific evidence. 

PMID- 27279579
TI  - Regulation of tumorigenesis in oral epithelial cells by defined reprogramming
      factors Oct4 and Sox2.
AB  - Oct4 and Sox2 are pluripotent stem cell factors but the interplay between them in
      tumorigenesis is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the
      roles of Oct4 and Sox2 in the reprogramming of oral cancer stem cells. One or
      both Oct4 and Sox2 were overexpressed in immortalized oral epithelial (hTERT+
      OME) cells by lentivirus transduction. In addition, Oct4 and Sox2 proteins in two
      oral squamous cell carcinoma cell (OSCC) lines (Cal27 and primary cultured OSCC
      from a T2N2M0 patient) were individually or combinedly knocked down by shRNA. The
      results showed that the doubly transduced (Oct4+Sox2+) cells could trigger
      neoplasms in immunodeficient mice after lentivirus transduction, but single
      transduced (Oct4+ or Sox2+) cells had no tumor formation ability. The knockdown
      Sox2low and knockdown Oct4lowSox2low cells resulted in decreased tumor size in
      the immunodeficient mice but the single knockdown Oct4low cancer cells acquired
      more aggressive xenografts. Our findings suggest that Oct4+Sox2+ cells may be
      reprogrammed cancer stem cells inducing oral carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 27279581
TI  - Photoprotective Effect of Carpomitra costata Extract against Ultraviolet B
      Induced Oxidative Damage in Human Keratinocytes.
AB  - Natural marine products show various biological properties such as
      antiphotoaging, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammation. This study
      evaluated the protective effects of the brown alga Carpomitra costata
      (Stackhouse) Batters (Sporochnaceae) against ultraviolet B (UVB)-provoked damage
      in human HaCaT keratinocytes. C. costata extract (CCE) effectively reduced
      superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and UVB-stimulated intracellular reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) levels. CCE also restored the expression and activity of UVB
      suppressed antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, CCE decreased UVB-triggered
      oxidative damage to cellular components including DNA, protein, and lipid and
      defended the cells against mitochondrial membrane depolarization-medicated
      apoptosis. The results of this study indicate that CCE can safeguard human
      keratinocytes against UVB-induced cellular damage via a potent antioxidant
      mechanism. CCE may find utility as part of a therapeutic arsenal against the
      damaging effects of UVB radiation on the skin. 

PMID- 27279582
TI  - Hepatoprotective and Immunosuppressive Effect of Synedrella nodiflora L. on
      Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)-Intoxicated Rats.
AB  - Synedrella nodiflora is a medicinal plant that is used by the natives of Sabah,
      Malaysia to treat rheumatism and several other ailments. This study aims to
      evaluate the ability of the crude aqueous extract of S. nodiflora leaves to
      protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-mediated hepatic injury in rats. S.
      nodiflora aqueous extract was orally administered to adult Sprague Dawley rats
      once daily for 14 days (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight [b.w.]) before CCl4 oral
      treatment (1.0 mL/kg b.w.) on the 13th and 14th days. Serum alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic
      antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated.
      Immunohistochemistry was performed for oxidative stress markers (4-hydroxynonenal
      [HNE], 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG]) and proinflammatory markers (tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2). Biochemical,
      immunohistochemical, histological, and ultrastructural findings were in agreement
      to support the hepatoprotective effect of S. nodiflora against CCl4-mediated
      oxidative hepatic damage. Hepatoprotective effects of S. nodiflora might be
      attributable to the presence of phenolic antioxidants and their free radical
      scavenging property. 

PMID- 27279583
TI  - Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: A Special Focus on Phthalates and Bisphenol A.
AB  - Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process during which epithelial
      cells lose their polarity and ability to adhere. Instead, they gain properties to
      move, migrate through the extracellular matrix, become invasive, and finally
      become mesenchymal stem cells. This trans-differentiation is critical for embryo
      development, wound healing, and stem cell behavior. However, this same phenomenon
      is also observed in cancer progression. Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are
      endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are linked to complex human diseases.
      These chemicals are suggested to disrupt normal hormonal balance (usually by
      existing estrogenic/antiandrogenic properties) and stimulate the development of
      reproductive tumors and steroid hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer.
      Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), the most abundant phthalate, was shown to
      induce DNA damage in human cells via multiple molecular signals that include
      altered apoptosis and mitotic rate, increased cell proliferation, tumor mobility,
      and invasiveness of tumor cells. DEHP was also shown to inhibit gap junction
      intercellular communication and tight junctions and promote EMT. Phthalates may
      also cause the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells and tumor progression
      via up-regulating histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). Phthalates can activate
      peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) that may eventually lead to
      high proliferation of cancer cells. However, in ovarian cells the expression of
      Snail, Slug, and vimentin was enhanced by the treatment of BPA, whereas E
      cadherin was decreased. Mechanistic studies are needed to show the underlying
      mechanisms of EMT caused by different EDCs. 

PMID- 27279584
TI  - Therapeutic Efficacy of Nigella Sativa Linn. against Antituberculosis Drug
      Induced Hepatic Injury in Wistar Rats.
AB  - Antituberculosis drug (ATD)-induced hepatotoxicity is a major impediment for the
      effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). All first-line anti-TB medications have
      adverse effects that interrupt the successful completion of TB treatment. This
      investigation focuses on the evaluation of the protective role of Nigella sativa
      (NS) against liver injury caused by ATDs. Female rats were treated with ATDs for
      8 weeks (3 d/wk) followed by NS for 8 weeks (3 d/wk). The antioxidant activity of
      NS was estimated with a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by
      analyzing total phenolic contents. Qualitative characterization of active
      compounds of the plant was done by high-performance liquid chromotography (HPLC).
      ATD-induced adverse effects were associated with sharp elevation in levels of
      serum transaminases, albumin, cholesterol, urea, uric acid, creatinine, and blood
      urea nitrogen (BUN). ATDs significantly increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and
      decreased enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT],
      adenosine triphosphatase [ATPase], and glucose-6-phosphatase [G6Pase]) in liver,
      indicating oxidative stress. Conjoint treatment with NS could reverse the
      serological biochemistry and inhibit oxidative stress by suppressing LPO and
      augmenting antioxidant enzyme activity toward that of the control. Histological
      studies support the above biochemical findings. Results indicate that NS exerts
      excellent hepatoprotective abilities and can be used as a supplement to improve
      patient adherence and reduce interruptions in treatment due to ATD-related liver
      injury. 

PMID- 27279585
TI  - Resveratrol Alleviates Cadmium-Induced Damage and Overexpression of Epidermal
      Growth Factor Receptor and its Downstream Signaling Proteins in the Reproductive
      System of Male Swiss Albino Mice.
AB  - Nowadays, exposure to heavy metals and their detrimental effects in humans are
      grave health concerns. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of
      resveratrol (RES) against CdCl2 (cadmium chloride)-induced impairment of
      spermatogenesis, histopathological alterations, and the up-regulation of
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling cascade in Swiss albino mice.
      Two different doses of CdCl2 were injected intraperitoneally into two groups of
      mice, and in the third group RES was administered orally before injecting CdCl2
      (3 times/wk) for 14 days. Sperm motility, count, vitality, and morphology were
      analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and
      western blot analyses were performed on testis tissue. In CdCl2-administered
      animals, significant perturbations of spermatogenesis and histoarchitecture of
      seminiferous tubules were observed. p-EGFR, p-AKT, AKT1/2/3, NF-kappabeta (p50),
      and COX-2 of the EGFR cascade were up-regulated. Although there was significant
      negative correlation between percentage of motile cells and protein expression,
      we found positive correlation between morphologically abnormal cells and
      overexpression of proteins in CdCl2-only treated groups. Marked improvement of
      sperm parameters and histopathological damages as well as down-regulation of the
      EGFR signaling cascade were observed in the RES-pretreated mice. Hence, the
      present study elucidates that RES protects against CdCl2-induced perturbation of
      spermatogenesis and overexpression of EGFR and its downstream signaling proteins.

PMID- 27279586
TI  - Comparing the Effects of Light- or Sonic-Activated Drug Delivery:
      Photochemical/Sonochemical Internalization.
AB  - Photochemical internalization (PCI) is a technique that uses the photochemical
      properties of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the enhanced delivery of
      endolysosomal-trapped macromolecules into the cell cytoplasm. The released agent
      can therefore exert its full biological activity, in contrast to being degraded
      by lysosomal hydrolases. Activation of photosensitizers via ultrasound (US),
      called sonodynamic therapy (SDT), has been proposed as an alternative to light
      activated PDT for the treatment of cancerous tumors. The use of focused US (FUS)
      to activate photosensitizers allows treatment at tumor sites buried deep within
      tissues, overcoming one of the main limitations of PDT/PCI. We have examined
      ultrasonic activation of photosensitizers together with the anticancer agent
      bleomycin (BLM) using sonochemical internalization (SCI), as an alternative to
      light-activated PCI. Our results indicate that, compared to drug or US treatment
      alone, US activation of the photosensitizer AlPcS2a together with BLM
      significantly inhibits the ability of treated glioma cells to form clonogenic
      colonies. 

PMID- 27279588
TI  - Multiple sclerosis should be treated using a step-down strategy rather than a
      step-up strategy-YES.

PMID- 27279587
TI  - Radiation-Induced Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Is Associated with Improved
      Overall Survival but Not Thyroid Cancer-Specific Mortality or Disease-Free
      Survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiation is a well-described risk factor for differentiated thyroid
      carcinoma (DTC). Although the natural history of DTC following nuclear disasters
      and in healthcare workers with chronic radiation exposure (RE) has been
      described, little is known about DTC following short-term exposure to therapeutic
      medical radiation for benign disease. This study compares DTC morphology and
      outcomes in patients with and without a prior history of therapeutic external RE.
      METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients with DTC treated at The
      University of Chicago between 1951 and 1987, with a median follow-up of 27 years
      (range 0.3-60 years). Patients were classified as either having (RE+) or not
      having (RE-) a history of therapeutic RE. Variables examined included sex, age at
      RE, dose of RE, indication for RE, DTC histology, and outcome. Morphology was
      determined by blinded retrospective review of all available histologic slides.
      Outcomes were assessed using Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier
      curves. RESULTS: Of 257 DTC patients, 165 (64%) were RE- and 92 (36%) were RE+,
      with males comprising a greater proportion of the RE+ group (43.5% vs. 27.3%; p =
      0.01). A total of 94.2% of DTC cases were classic papillary cancers; histology
      did not differ between RE+ and RE- cohorts (p = 0.73). RE was associated with an
      increased median overall survival (OS; 43 years vs. 38 years; hazard ratio [HR] =
      0.55 [confidence interval (CI) 0.34-0.89]; p = 0.01). Survival for males in the
      RE- group was significantly worse than it was for RE- females (HR = 1.78 [CI 1.05
      3.03]; p = 0.03) or RE+ males (HR = 2.98 [CI 1.39-6.38]; p = 0.01). Recurrence
      did not differ between the RE+ and RE- groups (HR = 0.85 [CI 0.52-1.41]; p =
      0.54), nor did DTC-specific mortality (HR = 0.54 [CI 0.21-1.37]; p = 0.20).
      CONCLUSIONS: While DTC following RE has historically been considered a more
      aggressive variant than DTC in the absence of RE, the present data indicate that
      RE+ DTC is associated with better OS than RE- DTC, especially for males.
      Additionally, recent reports are confirmed of equivalent rates of thyroid cancer
      recurrence. These results warrant further investigation into the factors
      underlying this unexpected finding.

PMID- 27279589
TI  - Multiple sclerosis should be treated using a step-down strategy rather than a
      step-up strategy-Commentary.

PMID- 27279590
TI  - Multiple sclerosis should be treated using a step-down strategy rather than a
      step-up strategy-NO.

PMID- 27279592
TI  - Pigmentary incontinence in the skin of the planum nasale from normal dogs.

PMID- 27279593
TI  - Transcriptome activity of isochores during preimplantation process in human and
      mouse.
AB  - This work investigates the role of isochores during preimplantation process.
      Using RNA-seq data from human and mouse preimplantation stages, we created the
      spatio-temporal transcriptional profiles of the isochores during preimplantation.
      We found that from early to late stages, GC-rich isochores increase their
      expression while GC-poor ones decrease it. Network analysis revealed that modules
      with few coexpressed isochores are GC-poorer than medium-large ones,
      characterized by an opposite expression as preimplantation advances, decreasing
      and increasing respectively. Our results reveal a functional contribution of the
      isochores, supporting the presence of structural-functional interactions during
      maturation and early-embryonic development.

PMID- 27279591
TI  - Preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump improves the clinical outcomes of off-pump
      coronary artery bypass grafting in left ventricular dysfunction patients.
AB  - Severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction patients undergoing off-pump coronary
      artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) are often associated with a higher mortality. The
      efficacy and safety of the preoperative prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump
      (IABP) insertion is not well established. 416 consecutive patients with severe LV
      dysfunction (ejection fraction <=35%) undergoing isolated OPCAB were enrolled in
      a retrospective observational study. 191 patients was enrolled in the IABP group;
      the remaining 225 patients was in control group. A total of 129 pairs of patients
      were propensity-score matched. No significant differences in demographic and
      preoperative risk factors were found between the two groups. The postoperative 30
      day mortality occurred more frequently in the control group compared with the
      IABP group (8.5% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.02). There was a significant reduction of low
      cardiac output syndrome in the IABP group compared with the control group (14%
      vs. 6.2%, p = 0.04). Prolonged mechanical ventilation (>=48 h) occurred more
      frequently in the control group (34.9% vs. 20.9%, p = 0.02). IABP also decreased
      the postoperative length of stay. Preoperative IABP was associated with a lower
      30-day mortality, suggesting that it is effective in patients with severe LV
      dysfunction undergoing OPCAB.

PMID- 27279594
TI  - Tracking airborne CO2 mitigation and low cost transformation into valuable carbon
      nanotubes.
AB  - Primary evidence of the direct uptake of atmospheric CO2 and direct
      transformation into carbon nanotubes, CNTs, is demonstrated through isotopic
      labeling, and provides a new high yield route to mitigate this greenhouse gas.
      CO2 is converted directly to CNTs and does not require pre-concentration of the
      airbone CO2. This C2CNT (CO2 to carbon nanotube) synthesis transforms CO2-gas
      dissolved in a 750  degrees C molten Li2CO3, by electrolysis, into O2-gas at a
      nickel electrode, and at a steel cathode into CNTs or carbon or nanofibers, CNFs.
      CNTs are synthesized at a 100-fold price reduction compared to conventional
      chemical vapour deposition, CVD, synthesis. The low cost conversion to a stable,
      value-added commodity incentivizes CO2 removal to mitigate climate change. The
      synthesis allows morphology control at the liquid/solid interface that is not
      available through conventional CVD synthesis at the gas/solid interface. Natural
      abundance (12)CO2 forms hollow CNTs, while equivalent synthetic conditions with
      heavier (13)CO2 favours closed core CNFs, as characterized by Raman, SEM and TEM.
      Production ease is demonstrated by the first synthesis of a pure (13)C
      multiwalled carbon nanofiber.

PMID- 27279595
TI  - Risk-Mitigating Policies and Adversarial Behavior: Case of Backlash.
AB  - A probabilistic game-theoretic model is developed within both a static and a
      dynamic framework to capture adversary-defender conflict in the presence of
      backlash. I find that not accounting for backlash in counteradversary policies
      may be costly to the target government. But to minimize adversarial backlash
      requires understanding how backlash emerges and if, and how, adversaries
      strategize to goad target governments into policies that induce backlash. The
      dynamic version of the model shows that when backlash occurs with a time lag, an
      escalation of the conflict is likely to occur.

PMID- 27279596
TI  - Evaluating a Research Training Programme for People with Intellectual
      Disabilities Participating in Inclusive Research: The Views of Participants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This article presents the results of evaluating a research training
      programme aimed at developing the skills of people with intellectual disabilities
      to actively participate in inclusive research. METHODS: The present authors opted
      for a responsive approach to evaluation, using a combination of interviews,
      questionnaires and focus groups to gather information on the views of students,
      trainers and members of the research team regarding how the programme progressed,
      the learning achieved and participants' satisfaction with the programme. RESULTS:
      The evaluation showed that most of the participants were satisfied with the
      programme and provided guidelines for planning contents and materials,
      demonstrating the usefulness of these types of programme in constructing the
      research group and empowering people with intellectual disabilities to
      participate in research. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation revealed that the programme
      had been a positive social experience that fostered interest in lifelong learning
      for people with intellectual disabilities.

PMID- 27279598
TI  - Astragalus polysaccharide induces the apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma
      cells by decreasing the expression of Notch1.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer death
      worldwide. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), the primary active component
      extracted from a traditional Chinese medicinal herb Astragalus membranaceus, has
      been proved to exert a marked inhibitory effect on a number of types of human
      solid tumors. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effects of APS on the
      survival of the HCC cell line H22 and to elucidate the underlying regulatory
      mechanisms responsible for these effects. Our results revealed that the mRNA and
      protein expression of Notch1 was significantly upregulated in the HCC tissues
      compared with that in the normal tissues. APS decreased cell viability and
      induced the apoptosis of HCC cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which
      were evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometric
      analysis, respectively. Furthermore, APS regulated the expression of apoptosis
      related genes (Bcl-2 and BAX) and proteases (caspase-3 and -8). Mechanically,
      Notch1 expression was found to be suppressed in HCC cells, and further analysis
      indicated that Notch1 knockdown by siRNA significantly reduced cell viability,
      suppressed the metastatic capacity and enhanced the apoptosis of HCC cells. Taken
      together, these findings suggest that Notch1 may be a potential therapeutic
      target for the treatment of HCC. 

PMID- 27279597
TI  - Performance of trigger tools in identifying adverse drug events in emergency
      department patients: a validation study.
AB  - AIMS: Trigger tools are retrospective surveillance methods that can be used to
      identify adverse drug events (ADEs), unintended and harmful effects of
      medications, in medical records. Trigger tools are used in quality improvement,
      public health surveillance and research activities. The objective of the study
      was to evaluate the performance of trigger tools in identifying ADEs. METHODS:
      This study was a sub-study of a prospective cohort study which enrolled adults
      presenting to one tertiary care emergency department. Clinical pharmacists
      evaluated patients for ADEs at the point-of-care. Twelve months after the
      prospective study's completion, the patients' medical records were reviewed using
      eight different trigger tools. ADEs identified using each trigger tool were
      compared with events identified at the point-of-care. The primary outcome was the
      sensitivity of each trigger tool for ADEs. RESULTS: Among 1151 patients, 152
      (13.2%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 11.4, 15.3%) were diagnosed with one or
      more ADEs at the point-of-care. The sensitivity of the trigger tools for
      detecting ADEs ranged from 2.6% (95% CI 0.7, 6.6%) to 15.8% (95% CI 10.6, 22.8%).
      Their specificity varied from 99.3% (95% CI 98.6, 99.7) to 100% (95% CI 99.6,
      100%). CONCLUSION: The trigger tools examined had poor sensitivity for
      identifying ADEs in emergency department patients, when applied manually and in
      retrospect. Reliance on these methods to detect ADEs for quality improvement,
      surveillance, and research activities is likely to underestimate their
      occurrence, and may lead to biased estimates.

PMID- 27279599
TI  - Simultaneous extraction and preconcentration of aniline, phenol, and naphthalene
      using magnetite-graphene oxide composites before gas chromatography
      determination.
AB  - The coextraction of acidic and basic compounds from different mediums is a
      significant concept in sample preparation. In this work, simultaneous extraction
      of acidic, basic, and neutral analytes in a single step was carried out for the
      first time. This procedure employed the dispersive solid-phase microextraction of
      analytes with magnetic graphene oxide (graphene oxide/Fe3 O4 ) sorbent followed
      by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. After the adsorption of
      analytes by vortexing and decantation of the supernatant with a magnet, the
      sorbent was eluted with acetonitrile/methanol (2:1) mixture. The parameters
      affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized and obtained as follows:
      sorbent amount 60 mg, desorption time 1 min, extraction time 5 min, pH of the
      sample 7, sample volume 20 mL, and elution solvent volume 0.3 mL. Under the
      optimum conditions, linear dynamic ranges were achieved in the range of 0.5-4,
      0.25-4, and 0.25-2 MUg/mL and limits of detection were 0.341, 0.110, and 0.167
      MUg/mL for aniline, phenol, and naphthalene, respectively. The relative standard
      deviations were in the range of 3.3-5.7% in eight repeated extractions. Finally,
      the applicability of the method was evaluated by the extraction and determination
      of analytes in stream water and drinking water samples and satisfactory results
      were obtained. 

PMID- 27279600
TI  - Incidental Finding and Management of Mesenteric Fibromatosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mesenteric fibromatosis, also known as mesenteric desmoids, is part
      of the clinical-pathologic spectrum of deep fibromatosis, which encompasses a
      group of benign fibro-proliferative processes that are locally aggressive and
      have the capacity to infiltrate or recur without metastasis. CASE REPORT: Case of
      a 45-year-old man, with a history of hypertension and lung fibrosis, presenting
      for a left abdominal mass, which was found incidentally during his lung fibrosis
      imaging. He complained of constipation due to pressure upon his bowel leading to
      difficulty in defecation. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are many overlapping
      criteria between gastrointestinal stromal tumors and mesenteric fibromatosis,
      making it difficult to discriminate between the two, there are differences that
      are unique to mesenteric fibromatosis that should be noticed during the
      diagnosis. In this case, mesenteric fibromatosis was unusual as it is not
      associated with Gardner's syndrome, desmoid tumors, nor familial adenomatous
      polyposis, but was an incidental finding.

PMID- 27279601
TI  - Browning of White Fat: Novel Insight Into Factors, Mechanisms, and Therapeutics.
AB  - What is more interesting about brown adipose tissue (BAT) is its ability to
      provide thermogenesis, protection against obesity by clearing triglycerides,
      releasing batokines, and mitigating insulin resistance. White adipose tissue
      (WAT) on the other hand stores excess energy and secretes some endocrine factors
      like leptin for regulating satiety. For the last decade there has been an
      increasing interest in the browning of fat keeping in view its beneficial effects
      on metabolic disorders and protection in the form of perivascular fat. Obesity is
      one such metabolic disorder that leads to significant morbidity and mortality
      from obesity-related disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and
      cardiovascular disease risk. Browning of white fat paves the way to restrict
      obesity and obesity related disorders. Although exercise has been the most common
      factor for fat browning; however, there are other factors that involve: (1) beta
      aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA); (2) gamma amino butyric acid (GABA); (3) PPARgamma
      agonists; (4) JAK inhibition; and (5) IRISIN. In this review, we propose two
      novel factors musclin and TFAM for fat browning. Musclin a myokine released from
      muscles during exercise activates PPARgamma which induces browning of WAT that
      has beneficial metabolic and cardiac effects. TFAM is a transcription factor that
      induces mitochondrial biogenesis. Since BAT is rich in mitochondria, higher
      expression of TFAM in WAT or TFAM treatment in WAT cells can induce browning of
      WAT. We propose that fat browning can be used as a therapeutic tool for metabolic
      disorders and cardiovascular diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 61-68, 2017. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27279602
TI  - Naltrexone at low doses upregulates a unique gene expression not seen with normal
      doses: Implications for its use in cancer therapy.
AB  - It has been reported that lower doses of the opioid antagonist naltrexone are
      able to reduce tumour growth by interfering with cell signalling as well as by
      modifying the immune system. We have evaluated the gene expression profile of a
      cancer cell line after treatment with low-dose naltrexone (LDN), and assessed the
      effect that adapting treatment schedules with LDN may have on enhancing efficacy.
      LDN had a selective impact on genes involved with cell cycle regulation and
      immune modulation. Similarly, the pro-apoptotic genes BAD and BIK1 were increased
      only after LDN. Continuous treatment with LDN had little effect on growth in
      different cell lines; however, altering the treatment schedule to include a phase
      of culture in the absence of drug following an initial round of LDN treatment,
      resulted in enhanced cell killing. Furthermore, cells pre-treated with LDN were
      more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of a number of common chemotherapy
      agents. For example, priming HCT116 with LDN before treatment with oxaliplatin
      significantly increased cell killing to 49+/-7.0 vs. 14+/-2.4% in cultures where
      priming was not used. Interestingly, priming with NTX before oxaliplatin resulted
      in just 32+/-1.8% cell killing. Our data support further the idea that LDN
      possesses anticancer activity, which can be improved by modifying the treatment
      schedule. 

PMID- 27279603
TI  - Is There a Role for Genetics in the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death?
AB  - The identification of patients at risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) is
      fundamental for both acquired cardiovascular diseases (such as coronary artery
      diseases, CAD) and inherited arrhythmia syndromes (such as the long-QT syndrome,
      LQTS). Genetics may play a role in both situations, although the potential to
      exploit this information to reduce the burden of SCD varies among these two
      groups. Concerning acquired cardiovascular diseases, which affect most of the
      general population, preliminary data suggest an association between genetics and
      the risk of dying suddenly. The maximal utility, instead, is reached in inherited
      arrhythmia syndromes, where the discovery of monogenic diseases such as LQTS
      tracked the way for the first genotype-phenotype correlations. The aim of this
      review is to provide a general overview focusing on the current genetic knowledge
      and on the present and future applicability for prevention in these two
      populations at risk for SCD.

PMID- 27279604
TI  - Effectiveness of medical self-experience counseling in pregnant women after
      echocardiographic detection of a suspected fetal heart anomaly: A longitudinal
      study.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this longitudinal study was to assess maternal psychological
      responses after echocardiographic detection of a suspected fetal heart anomaly
      and to evaluate a medical self-experience counseling intervention in improving
      psychological responses. METHODS: A total of 751 women were referred to Shandong
      Provincial Hospital, Jinan during May 2014 and April 2015. To analyze the
      psychological impact on the mothers, the groups were divided into mild,
      intermediate and severe, according to heart defect severity. State-Trait Anxiety
      Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) questionnaires were
      distributed in three steps: first evaluation, after the diagnostic examination;
      second evaluation, two weeks after step one, both study and control groups
      underwent routine psychological counseling; third evaluation, two weeks after
      step two, study groups underwent self-experience counseling and controls
      underwent routine counseling. Anxiety and depression scores and above clinical
      cut-off percentages in the subgroups were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The
      severity of anxiety and depression was not significantly relieved with the
      alleviative type of suspicious heart abnormality. State-STAI and BDI-II scores
      and above clinical cut-off percentages were statistically different between steps
      2 and 3 in intermediate and mild mothers. Women in control groups did not exhibit
      obvious relief of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: Women pregnant with fetuses
      with mild or intermediate fetal heart abnormalities presented heightened levels
      of depression and anxiety when compared with mothers pregnant with fetuses with
      severe heart disease. Medical self-experience counseling played an important role
      in relieving anxiety and depression in these mothers.

PMID- 27279605
TI  - P3N-PIPO, a Frameshift Product from the P3 Gene, Pleiotropically Determines the
      Virulence of Clover Yellow Vein Virus in both Resistant and Susceptible Peas.
AB  - Peas carrying the cyv1 recessive resistance gene are resistant to clover yellow
      vein virus (ClYVV) isolates No.30 (Cl-No.30) and 90-1 (Cl-90-1) but can be
      infected by a derivative of Cl-90-1 (Cl-90-1 Br2). The main determinant for the
      breaking of cyv1 resistance by Cl-90-1 Br2 is P3N-PIPO produced from the P3 gene
      via transcriptional slippage, and the higher level of P3N-PIPO produced by Cl-90
      1 Br2 than by Cl-No.30 contributes to the breaking of resistance. Here we show
      that P3N-PIPO is also a major virulence determinant in susceptible peas that
      possess another resistance gene, Cyn1, which does not inhibit systemic infection
      with ClYVV but causes hypersensitive reaction-like lethal systemic cell death. We
      previously assumed that the susceptible pea cultivar PI 226564 has a weak allele
      of Cyn1 Cl-No.30 did not induce cell death, but Cl-90-1 Br2 killed the plants.
      Our results suggest that P3N-PIPO is recognized by Cyn1 and induces cell death.
      Unexpectedly, heterologously strongly expressed P3N-PIPO of Cl-No.30 appears to
      be recognized by Cyn1 in PI 226564. The level of P3N-PIPO accumulation from the
      P3 gene of Cl-No.30 was significantly lower than that of Cl-90-1 Br2 in a
      Nicotiana benthamiana transient assay. Therefore, Cyn1-mediated cell death also
      appears to be determined by the level of P3N-PIPO. The more efficiently a ClYVV
      isolate broke cyv1 resistance, the more it induced cell death systemically
      (resulting in a loss of the environment for virus accumulation) in susceptible
      peas carrying Cyn1, suggesting that antagonistic pleiotropy of P3N-PIPO controls
      the resistance breaking of ClYVV. IMPORTANCE: Control of plant viral disease has
      relied on the use of resistant cultivars; however, emerging mutant viruses have
      broken many types of resistance. Recently, we revealed that Cl-90-1 Br2 breaks
      the recessive resistance conferred by cyv1, mainly by accumulating a higher level
      of P3N-PIPO than that of the nonbreaking isolate Cl-No.30. Here we show that a
      susceptible pea line recognized the increased amount of P3N-PIPO produced by Cl
      90-1 Br2 and activated the salicylic acid-mediated defense pathway, inducing
      lethal systemic cell death. We found a gradation of virulence among ClYVV
      isolates in a cyv1-carrying pea line and two susceptible pea lines. This study
      suggests a trade-off between breaking of recessive resistance (cyv1) and host
      viability; the latter is presumably regulated by the dominant Cyn1 gene, which
      may impose evolutionary constraints upon P3N-PIPO for overcoming resistance. We
      propose a working model of the host strategy to sustain the durability of
      resistance and control fast-evolving viruses.

PMID- 27279606
TI  - Complex Interplay between HIV-1 Capsid and MX2-Independent Alpha Interferon
      Induced Antiviral Factors.
AB  - Type I interferons (IFNs), including IFN-alpha, upregulate an array of IFN
      stimulated genes (ISGs) and potently suppress Human immunodeficiency virus type 1
      (HIV-1) infectivity in CD4(+) T cells, monocyte-derived macrophages, and
      dendritic cells. Recently, we and others identified ISG myxovirus resistance 2
      (MX2) as an inhibitor of HIV-1 nuclear entry. However, additional antiviral
      blocks exist upstream of nuclear import, but the ISGs that suppress infection,
      e.g., prior to (or during) reverse transcription, remain to be defined. We show
      here that the HIV-1 CA mutations N74D and A105T, both of which allow escape from
      inhibition by MX2 and the truncated version of cleavage and polyadenylation
      specific factor 6 (CPSF6), as well as the cyclophilin A (CypA)-binding loop
      mutation P90A, all increase sensitivity to IFN-alpha-mediated inhibition. Using
      clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9
      technology, we demonstrate that the IFN-alpha hypersensitivity of these mutants
      in THP-1 cells is independent of MX2 or CPSF6. As expected, CypA depletion had no
      additional effect on the behavior of the P90A mutant but modestly increased the
      IFN-alpha sensitivity of wild-type virus. Interestingly, the infectivity of wild
      type or P90A virus could be rescued from the MX2-independent IFN-alpha-induced
      blocks in THP-1 cells by treatment with cyclosporine (Cs) or its
      nonimmunosuppressive analogue SDZ-NIM811, indicating that Cs-sensitive host cell
      cyclophilins other than CypA contribute to the activity of IFN-alpha-induced
      blocks. We propose that cellular interactions with incoming HIV-1 capsids help
      shield the virus from recognition by antiviral effector mechanisms. Thus, the CA
      protein is a fulcrum for the dynamic interplay between cell-encoded functions
      that inhibit or promote HIV-1 infection. IMPORTANCE: HIV-1 is the causative agent
      of AIDS. During acute HIV-1 infection, numerous proinflammatory cytokines are
      produced, including type I interferons (IFNs). IFNs can limit HIV-1 replication
      by inducing the expression of a set of antiviral genes that inhibit HIV-1 at
      multiple steps in its life cycle, including the postentry steps of reverse
      transcription and nuclear import. This is observed in cultured cell systems, as
      well as in clinical trials in HIV-1-infected patients. The identities of the
      cellular antiviral factors, their viral targets, and the underpinning mechanisms
      are largely unknown. We show here that the HIV-1 Capsid protein plays a central
      role in protecting the virus from IFN-induced inhibitors that block early
      postentry steps of infection. We further show that host cell cyclophilins play an
      important role in regulating these processes, thus highlighting the complex
      interplay between antiviral effector mechanisms and viral survival.

PMID- 27279607
TI  - Role of Conserved E2 Residue W420 in Receptor Binding and Hepatitis C Virus
      Infection.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) enters cells via interactions with several host factors,
      a key one being that between the viral E2 envelope glycoprotein and the CD81
      receptor. We previously identified E2 tryptophan residue 420 (W420) as an
      essential CD81-binding residue. However, the importance of W420 in the context of
      the native virion is unknown, as those previous studies predate the infectious
      HCV cell culture (cell culture-derived HCV [HCVcc]) system. Here, we introduced
      four separate mutations (F, Y, A, or R) at position 420 within the infectious
      HCVcc JFH-1 genome and characterized their effects on the viral life cycle. While
      all mutations reduced E2-CD81 binding, only two (W420A and W420R) reduced HCVcc
      infectivity. Further analyses of mutants with hydrophobic residues (F or Y) found
      that interactions with the receptors SR-BI and CD81 were modulated, which in turn
      determined the viral uptake route. Both mutant viruses were significantly less
      dependent on SR-BI, and its lipid transfer activity, for virus entry.
      Furthermore, these viruses were resistant to the drug erlotinib, which targets
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (a host cofactor for HCV entry) and also
      blocks SR-BI-dependent high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-mediated enhancement of
      virus entry. Together, our data indicate a model where an alteration at position
      420 causes a subtle change in the E2 conformation that prevents interaction with
      SR-BI and increases accessibility to the CD81-binding site, in turn favoring a
      particular internalization route. These results further show that a hydrophobic
      residue with a strong preference for tryptophan at position 420 is important,
      both functionally and structurally, to provide an additional hydrophobic anchor
      to stabilize the E2-CD81 interaction. IMPORTANCE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a
      leading cause of liver disease, causing up to 500,000 deaths annually. The first
      step in the viral life cycle is the entry process. This study investigates the
      role of a highly conserved residue, tryptophan residue 420, of the viral
      glycoprotein E2 in this process. We analyzed the effect of changing this residue
      in the virus and confirmed that this region is important for binding to the CD81
      receptor. Furthermore, alteration of this residue modulated interactions with the
      SR-BI receptor, and changes to these key interactions were found to affect the
      virus internalization route involving the host cofactor EGFR. Our results also
      show that the nature of the amino acid at this position is important functionally
      and structurally to provide an anchor point to stabilize the E2-CD81 interaction.

PMID- 27279608
TI  - Homology-Based Identification of a Mutation in the Coronavirus RNA-Dependent RNA
      Polymerase That Confers Resistance to Multiple Mutagens.
AB  - Positive-sense RNA viruses encode RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) essential
      for genomic replication. With the exception of the large nidoviruses, such as
      coronaviruses (CoVs), RNA viruses lack proofreading and thus are dependent on
      RdRps to control nucleotide selectivity and fidelity. CoVs encode a proofreading
      exonuclease in nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14-ExoN), which confers a greater
      than-10-fold increase in fidelity compared to other RNA viruses. It is unknown to
      what extent the CoV polymerase (nsp12-RdRp) participates in replication fidelity.
      We sought to determine whether homology modeling could identify putative
      determinants of nucleotide selectivity and fidelity in CoV RdRps. We modeled the
      CoV murine hepatitis virus (MHV) nsp12-RdRp structure and superimposed it on
      solved picornaviral RdRp structures. Fidelity-altering mutations previously
      identified in coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) were mapped onto the nsp12-RdRp model
      structure and then engineered into the MHV genome with [nsp14-ExoN(+)] or without
      [nsp14-ExoN(-)] ExoN activity. Using this method, we identified two mutations
      conferring resistance to the mutagen 5-fluorouracil (5-FU): nsp12-M611F and nsp12
      V553I. For nsp12-V553I, we also demonstrate resistance to the mutagen 5
      azacytidine (5-AZC) and decreased accumulation of mutations. Resistance to 5-FU,
      and a decreased number of genomic mutations, was effectively masked by nsp14-ExoN
      proofreading activity. These results indicate that nsp12-RdRp likely functions in
      fidelity regulation and that, despite low sequence conservation, some
      determinants of RdRp nucleotide selectivity are conserved across RNA viruses. The
      results also indicate that, with regard to nucleotide selectivity, nsp14-ExoN is
      epistatic to nsp12-RdRp, consistent with its proposed role in a multiprotein
      replicase-proofreading complex. IMPORTANCE: RNA viruses have evolutionarily fine
      tuned replication fidelity to balance requirements for genetic stability and
      diversity. Responsibility for replication fidelity in RNA viruses has been
      attributed to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, with mutations in RdRps for
      multiple RNA viruses shown to alter fidelity and attenuate virus replication and
      virulence. Coronaviruses (CoVs) are the only known RNA viruses to encode a
      proofreading exonuclease (nsp14-ExoN), as well as other replicase proteins
      involved in regulation of fidelity. This report shows that the CoV RdRp (nsp12)
      likely functions in replication fidelity; that residue determinants of CoV RdRp
      nucleotide selectivity map to similar structural regions of other, unrelated RNA
      viral polymerases; and that for CoVs, the proofreading activity of the nsp14-ExoN
      is epistatic to the function of the RdRp in fidelity.

PMID- 27279609
TI  - Assembly of Replication-Incompetent African Horse Sickness Virus Particles:
      Rational Design of Vaccines for All Serotypes.
AB  - African horse sickness virus (AHSV), an orbivirus in the Reoviridae family with
      nine different serotypes, causes devastating disease in equids. The virion
      particle is composed of seven proteins organized in three concentric layers, an
      outer layer made of VP2 and VP5, a middle layer made of VP7, and inner layer made
      of VP3 that encloses a replicase complex of VP1, VP4, and VP6 and a genome of 10
      double-stranded RNA segments. In this study, we sought to develop highly
      efficacious candidate vaccines against all AHSV serotypes, taking into account
      not only immunogenic and safety properties but also virus productivity and
      stability parameters, which are essential criteria for vaccine candidates. To
      achieve this goal, we first established a highly efficient reverse genetics (RG)
      system for AHSV serotype 1 (AHSV1) and, subsequently, a VP6-defective AHSV1
      strain in combination with in trans complementation of VP6. This was then used to
      generate defective particles of all nine serotypes, which required the exchange
      of two to five RNA segments to achieve equivalent titers of particles. All
      reassortant-defective viruses could be amplified and propagated to high titers in
      cells complemented with VP6 but were totally incompetent in any other cells.
      Furthermore, these replication-incompetent AHSV particles were demonstrated to be
      highly protective against homologous virulent virus challenges in type I
      interferon receptor (IFNAR)-knockout mice. Thus, these defective viruses have the
      potential to be used for the development of safe and stable vaccine candidates.
      The RG system also provides a powerful tool for the study of the role of
      individual AHSV proteins in virus assembly, morphogenesis, and pathogenesis.
      IMPORTANCE: African horse sickness virus is transmitted by biting midges and
      causes African horse sickness in equids, with mortality reaching up to 95% in
      naive horses. Therefore, the development of efficient vaccines is extremely
      important due to major economic losses in the equine industry. Through the
      establishment of a highly efficient RG system, replication-deficient viruses of
      all nine AHSV serotypes were generated. These defective viruses achieved high
      titers in a cell line complemented with VP6 but failed to propagate in wild-type
      mammalian or insect cells. Importantly, these candidate vaccine strains showed
      strong protective efficacy against AHSV infection in an IFNAR(-/-) mouse model.

PMID- 27279610
TI  - Virion Structure of Iflavirus Slow Bee Paralysis Virus at 2.6-Angstrom
      Resolution.
AB  - The western honeybee (Apis mellifera) is the most important commercial insect
      pollinator. However, bees are under pressure from habitat loss, environmental
      stress, and pathogens, including viruses that can cause lethal epidemics. Slow
      bee paralysis virus (SBPV) belongs to the Iflaviridae family of nonenveloped
      single-stranded RNA viruses. Here we present the structure of the SBPV virion
      determined from two crystal forms to resolutions of 3.4 A and 2.6 A. The overall
      structure of the virion resembles that of picornaviruses, with the three major
      capsid proteins VP1 to 3 organized into a pseudo-T3 icosahedral capsid. However,
      the SBPV capsid protein VP3 contains a C-terminal globular domain that has not
      been observed in other viruses from the order Picornavirales The protruding (P)
      domains form "crowns" on the virion surface around each 5-fold axis in one of the
      crystal forms. However, the P domains are shifted 36 A toward the 3-fold axis in
      the other crystal form. Furthermore, the P domain contains the Ser-His-Asp triad
      within a surface patch of eight conserved residues that constitutes a putative
      catalytic or receptor-binding site. The movements of the domain might be required
      for efficient substrate cleavage or receptor binding during virus cell entry. In
      addition, capsid protein VP2 contains an RGD sequence that is exposed on the
      virion surface, indicating that integrins might be cellular receptors of SBPV.
      IMPORTANCE: Pollination by honeybees is needed to sustain agricultural
      productivity as well as the biodiversity of wild flora. However, honeybee
      populations in Europe and North America have been declining since the 1950s.
      Honeybee viruses from the Iflaviridae family are among the major causes of
      honeybee colony mortality. We determined the virion structure of an Iflavirus,
      slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV). SBPV exhibits unique structural features not
      observed in other picorna-like viruses. The SBPV capsid protein VP3 has a large C
      terminal domain, five of which form highly prominent protruding "crowns" on the
      virion surface. However, the domains can change their positions depending on the
      conditions of the environment. The domain includes a putative catalytic or
      receptor binding site that might be important for SBPV cell entry.

PMID- 27279611
TI  - Arabidopsis RNA Polymerases IV and V Are Required To Establish H3K9 Methylation,
      but Not Cytosine Methylation, on Geminivirus Chromatin.
AB  - In plants, RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) employs small RNAs to target
      enzymes that methylate cytosine residues. Cytosine methylation and dimethylation
      of histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2) are often linked. Together they condition an
      epigenetic defense that results in chromatin compaction and transcriptional
      silencing of transposons and viral chromatin. Canonical RdDM (Pol IV-RdDM),
      involving RNA polymerases IV and V (Pol IV and Pol V), was believed to be
      necessary to establish cytosine methylation, which in turn could recruit H3K9
      methyltransferases. However, recent studies have revealed that a pathway
      involving Pol II and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 6 (RDR6) (RDR6-RdDM) is likely
      responsible for establishing cytosine methylation at naive loci, while Pol IV
      RdDM acts to reinforce and maintain it. We used the geminivirus Beet curly top
      virus (BCTV) as a model to examine the roles of Pol IV and Pol V in establishing
      repressive viral chromatin methylation. As geminivirus chromatin is formed de
      novo in infected cells, these viruses are unique models for processes involved in
      the establishment of epigenetic marks. We confirm that Pol IV and Pol V are not
      needed to establish viral DNA methylation but are essential for its
      amplification. Remarkably, however, both Pol IV and Pol V are required for
      deposition of H3K9me2 on viral chromatin. Our findings suggest that cytosine
      methylation alone is not sufficient to trigger de novo deposition of H3K9me2 and
      further that Pol IV-RdDM is responsible for recruiting H3K9 methyltransferases to
      viral chromatin. IMPORTANCE: In plants, RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) uses
      small RNAs to target cytosine methylation, which is often linked to H3K9me2.
      These epigenetic marks silence transposable elements and DNA virus genomes, but
      how they are established is not well understood. Canonical RdDM, involving Pol IV
      and Pol V, was thought to establish cytosine methylation that in turn could
      recruit H3K9 methyltransferases, but recent studies compel a reevaluation of this
      view. We used BCTV to investigate the roles of Pol IV and Pol V in chromatin
      methylation. We found that both are needed to amplify, but not to establish, DNA
      methylation. However, both are required for deposition of H3K9me2. Our findings
      suggest that cytosine methylation is not sufficient to recruit H3K9
      methyltransferases to naive viral chromatin and further that Pol IV-RdDM is
      responsible.

PMID- 27279612
TI  - A Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Candidate Attenuated by a Low
      Fusion F Protein Is Immunogenic and Protective against Challenge in Cotton Rats.
AB  - Although respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower
      respiratory tract infections in infants, a safe and effective vaccine is not yet
      available. Live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) are the most advanced vaccine
      candidates in RSV-naive infants. However, designing an LAV with appropriate
      attenuation yet sufficient immunogenicity has proven challenging. In this study,
      we implemented reverse genetics to address these obstacles with a multifaceted
      LAV design that combined the codon deoptimization of genes for nonstructural
      proteins NS1 and NS2 (dNS), deletion of the small hydrophobic protein (DeltaSH)
      gene, and replacement of the wild-type fusion (F) protein gene with a low-fusion
      RSV subgroup B F consensus sequence of the Buenos Aires clade (BAF). This vaccine
      candidate, RSV-A2-dNS-DeltaSH-BAF (DB1), was attenuated in two models of primary
      human airway epithelial cells and in the upper and lower airways of cotton rats.
      DB1 was also highly immunogenic in cotton rats and elicited broadly neutralizing
      antibodies against a diverse panel of recombinant RSV strains. When vaccinated
      cotton rats were challenged with wild-type RSV A, DB1 reduced viral titers in the
      upper and lower airways by 3.8 log10 total PFU and 2.7 log10 PFU/g of tissue,
      respectively, compared to those in unvaccinated animals (P < 0.0001). DB1 was
      thus attenuated, highly immunogenic, and protective against RSV challenge in
      cotton rats. DB1 is the first RSV LAV to incorporate a low-fusion F protein as a
      strategy to attenuate viral replication and preserve immunogenicity. IMPORTANCE:
      RSV is a leading cause of infant hospitalizations and deaths. The development of
      an effective vaccine for this high-risk population is therefore a public health
      priority. Although live-attenuated vaccines have been safely administered to RSV
      naive infants, strategies to balance vaccine attenuation with immunogenicity have
      been elusive. In this study, we introduced a novel strategy to attenuate a
      recombinant RSV vaccine by incorporating a low-fusion, subgroup B F protein in
      the genetic background of codon-deoptimized nonstructural protein genes and a
      deleted small hydrophobic protein gene. The resultant vaccine candidate, DB1, was
      attenuated, highly immunogenic, and protective against RSV challenge in cotton
      rats.

PMID- 27279613
TI  - 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolomics of Plasma Unveils Liver Dysfunction in
      Dengue Patients.
AB  - Dengue, due to its global burden, is the most important arthropod-borne
      flavivirus disease, and early detection lowers fatality rates to below 1%. Since
      the metabolic resources crucial for viral replication are provided by host cells,
      detection of changes in the metabolic profile associated with disease
      pathogenesis could help with the identification of markers of prognostic and
      diagnostic importance. We applied (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance exploratory
      metabolomics to study longitudinal changes in plasma metabolites in a cohort in
      Recife, Brazil. To gain statistical power, we used innovative paired multivariate
      analyses to discriminate individuals with primary and secondary infection
      presenting as dengue fever (DF; mild) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF; severe)
      and subjects with a nonspecific nondengue (ND) illness (ND subjects). Our results
      showed that a decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low
      density lipoprotein (VLDL) discriminated dengue virus (DENV)-infected subjects
      from ND subjects, and also, subjects with severe infection even presented a
      decrease in lipoprotein concentrations compared to the concentrations in subjects
      with mild infection. These results add to the ongoing discussion that the
      manipulation of lipid metabolism is crucial for DENV replication and infection.
      In addition, a decrease in plasma glutamine content was characteristic of DENV
      infection and disease severity, and an increase in plasma acetate levels
      discriminated subjects with DF and DHF from ND subjects. Several other
      metabolites shown to be altered in DENV infection and the implications of these
      alterations are discussed. We hypothesize that these changes in the plasma
      metabolome are suggestive of liver dysfunction, could provide insights into the
      underlying molecular mechanisms of dengue virus pathogenesis, and could help to
      discriminate individuals at risk of the development of severe infection and
      predict disease outcome. IMPORTANCE: Dengue, due to its global burden, is the
      most important mosquito-borne viral disease. There is no specific treatment for
      dengue disease, and early detection lowers fatality rates to below 1%. In this
      study, we observed the effects of dengue virus infection on the profile of small
      molecules in the blood of patients with mild and severe infection. Variations in
      the profiles of these small molecules reflected the replication of dengue virus
      in different tissues and the extent of tissue damage during infection. The
      results of this study showed that the molecules that changed the most were VLDL,
      LDL, and amino acids. We propose that these changes reflect liver dysfunction and
      also that they can be used to discriminate subjects with mild dengue from those
      with severe dengue.

PMID- 27279614
TI  - Antiretroviral Therapy in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Sooty Mangabeys:
      Implications for AIDS Pathogenesis.
AB  - Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected sooty mangabeys (SMs) do not develop
      AIDS despite high levels of viremia. Key factors involved in the benign course of
      SIV infection in SMs are the absence of chronic immune activation and low levels
      of infection of CD4(+) central memory (TCM) and stem cell memory (TSCM) T cells.
      To better understand the role of virus replication in determining the main
      features of SIV infection in SMs, we treated 12 SMs with a potent antiretroviral
      therapy (ART) regimen for 2 to 12 months. We observed that ART suppressed viremia
      to <60 copies/ml of plasma in 10 of 12 animals and induced a variable decrease in
      the level of cell-associated SIV DNA in peripheral blood (average changes of 0.9
      , 1.1-, 1.5-, and 3.7-fold for CD4(+) transitional memory [TTM], TCM, effector
      memory [TEM], and TSCM cells, respectively). ART-treated SIV-infected SMs showed
      (i) increased percentages of circulating CD4(+) TCM cells, (ii) increased levels
      of CD4(+) T cells in the rectal mucosa, and (iii) significant declines in the
      frequencies of HLA-DR(+) CD8(+) T cells in the blood and rectal mucosa. In
      addition, we observed that ART interruption resulted in rapid viral rebound in
      all SIV-infected SMs, indicating that the virus reservoir persists for at least a
      year under ART despite lower infection levels of CD4(+) TCM and TSCM cells than
      those seen in pathogenic SIV infections of macaques. Overall, these data indicate
      that ART induces specific immunological changes in SIV-infected SMs, thus
      suggesting that virus replication affects immune function even in the context of
      this clinically benign infection. IMPORTANCE: Studies of natural, nonpathogenic
      simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of African monkeys have provided
      important insights into the mechanisms responsible for the progression to AIDS
      during pathogenic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of humans and SIV
      infection of Asian macaques. In this study, for the first time, we treated SIV
      infected sooty mangabeys, a natural host for the infection, with a potent
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen for periods ranging from 2 to 12 months and
      monitored in detail how suppression of virus replication affected the main
      virological and immunological features of this nonpathogenic infection. The
      observed findings provide novel information on both the pathogenesis of residual
      immunological disease under ART during pathogenic infection and the mechanisms
      involved in virus persistence during primate lentiviral infections.

PMID- 27279615
TI  - RNA Binding of Ebola Virus VP30 Is Essential for Activating Viral Transcription.
AB  - The template for Ebola virus (EBOV) transcription and replication is the helical
      viral nucleocapsid composed of the viral negative-sense (-) RNA genome, which is
      complexed by the nucleoprotein (NP), VP35, polymerase L, VP24, and VP30. While
      viral replication is exerted by polymerase L and its cofactor VP35, EBOV mRNA
      synthesis is regulated by the viral nucleocapsid protein VP30, an essential EBOV
      specific transcription factor. VP30 is a homohexameric phosphoprotein containing
      a nonconventional zinc finger. The transcriptional support activity of VP30 is
      strongly influenced by its phosphorylation state. We studied here how RNA binding
      contributed to VP30's function in transcriptional activation. Using a novel
      mobility shift assay and the 3'-terminal 154 nucleotides of the EBOV genome as a
      standard RNA substrate, we detected that RNA binding of VP30 was severely
      impaired by VP30 mutations that (i) destroy the protein's capability to form
      homohexamers, (ii) disrupt the integrity of its zinc finger domain, (iii) mimic
      its fully phosphorylated state, or (iv) alter the putative RNA binding region.
      RNA binding of the mutant VP30 proteins correlated strongly with their
      transcriptional support activity. Furthermore, we showed that the interaction
      between VP30 and the polymerase cofactor VP35 is RNA dependent, while formation
      of VP30 homohexamers and VP35 homotetramers is not. Our data indicate that RNA
      binding of VP30 is essential for its transcriptional support activity and
      stabilizes complexes of VP35/L polymerase with the (-) RNA template to favor
      productive transcriptional initiation in the presence of termination-active RNA
      secondary structures. IMPORTANCE: Ebola virus causes severe fevers with unusually
      high case fatality rates. The recent outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa
      claimed more than 11,000 lives and threatened to destabilize a whole region
      because of its dramatic effects on the public health systems. It is currently not
      completely understood how Ebola virus manages to balance viral transcription and
      replication in the infected cells. This study shows that transcriptional support
      activity of the Ebola virus transcription factor VP30 is highly correlated with
      its ability to bind viral RNA. The interaction between VP30 and VP35, the Ebola
      virus polymerase cofactor, is dependent on the presence of RNA as well. Our data
      contribute to the understanding of the dynamic interplay between nucleocapsid
      proteins and the viral RNA template in order to promote viral RNA synthesis.

PMID- 27279616
TI  - Coinfection with Human Cytomegalovirus Genetic Variants in Transplant Recipients
      and Its Impact on Antiviral T Cell Immune Reconstitution.
AB  - Reconstitution of T cell immunity is absolutely critical for the effective
      control of virus-associated infectious complications in hematopoietic stem cell
      transplant (HSCT) recipients. Coinfection with genetic variants of human
      cytomegalovirus (CMV) in transplant recipients has been linked to clinical
      disease manifestation; however, how these genetic variants impact T cell immune
      reconstitution remains poorly understood. In this study, we have evaluated
      dynamic changes in the emergence of genetic variants of CMV in HSCT recipients
      and correlated these changes with reconstitution of antiviral T cell responses.
      In an analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms within sequences encoding HLA
      class I-restricted CMV epitopes from the immediate early 1 gene of CMV,
      coinfection with genetically distinct variants of CMV was detected in 52% of
      patients. However, in spite of exposure to multiple viral variants, the T cell
      responses in these patients were preferentially directed to a limited repertoire
      of HLA class I-restricted CMV epitopes, either conserved, variant, or cross
      reactive. More importantly, we also demonstrate that long-term control of CMV
      infection after HSCT is primarily mediated through the efficient induction of
      stable antiviral T cell immunity irrespective of the nature of the antigenic
      target. These observations provide important insights for the future design of
      antiviral T cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies for transplant recipients,
      emphasizing the critical impact of robust immune reconstitution on efficient
      control of viral infection. IMPORTANCE: Infection and disease caused by human
      cytomegalovirus (CMV) remain a significant burden in patients undergoing
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The establishment of efficient
      immunological control, primarily mediated by cytotoxic T cells, plays a critical
      role in preventing CMV-associated disease in transplant recipients. Recent
      studies have also begun to investigate the impact genetic variation in CMV has
      upon disease outcome in transplant recipients. In this study, we sought to
      investigate the role T cell immunity plays in recognizing and controlling genetic
      variants of CMV. We demonstrate that while a significant proportion of HSCT
      recipients may be exposed to multiple genetic variants of CMV, this does not
      necessarily lead to immune control mediated via recognition of this genetic
      variation. Rather, immune control is associated with the efficient establishment
      of a stable immune response predominantly directed against immunodominant
      conserved T cell epitopes.

PMID- 27279617
TI  - Changes in HIV-1 Capsid Stability Induced by Common Cytotoxic-T-Lymphocyte-Driven
      Viral Sequence Mutations.
AB  - HIV-1-infected individuals with protective HLA class I alleles exhibit better
      control of viremia and slower disease progression. Virus control in these
      individuals has been associated with strong and potent HIV-1-specific cytotoxic-T
      lymphocyte (CTL) responses restricted by protective HLA alleles, but control of
      viremia also occurs in the presence of selected CTL escape mutations. CTL escape
      mutations restricted by protective HLA class I molecules are frequently located
      in the conserved p24 Gag sequence of HIV-1 that encodes the conical capsid core
      and have been suggested to reduce viral replication capacity. In this study, the
      consequences of well-described CTL-associated p24 Gag sequence mutations for HIV
      1 capsid stability were assessed using a cyclosporine (CsA) washout assay. The
      frequently occurring HLA-B57- and HLA-B27-associated CTL escape mutations T242N
      and R264K resulted in delayed capsid uncoating, suggesting modulation of capsid
      stability. The described compensatory mutations L268M and S173A observed in R264K
      viruses reconstituted the capsid-uncoating half-time. Interestingly, capsid
      stability was correlated with infectivity. Taken together, these data demonstrate
      that CTL-driven escape mutations within p24 Gag restricted by protective HLA
      class I alleles have a significant impact on capsid stability that might
      contribute to the persistent control of viral replication observed despite viral
      escape from CTL responses. IMPORTANCE: Sequence mutations within p24 Gag selected
      by CTL responses restricted by protective HLA class I alleles have been
      associated with reduced viral fitness. However, the precise mechanisms underlying
      the reduced viral replication capacity and lower viral loads associated with
      these mutations remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that dominant HLA-B27
      associated CTL escape mutations within HIV-1 capsid lead to enhanced capsid
      rigidity, providing a possible mechanism for the reduced viral fitness of these
      variants.

PMID- 27279618
TI  - Infectious Bronchitis Coronavirus Limits Interferon Production by Inducing a Host
      Shutoff That Requires Accessory Protein 5b.
AB  - During infection of their host cells, viruses often inhibit the production of
      host proteins, a process that is referred to as host shutoff. By doing this,
      viruses limit the production of antiviral proteins and increase production
      capacity for viral proteins. Coronaviruses from the genera Alphacoronavirus and
      Betacoronavirus, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS
      CoV), establish host shutoff via their nonstructural protein 1 (nsp1). The
      Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus genomes, however, do not encode nsp1, and
      it has been suggested that these viruses do not induce host shutoff. Here, we
      show that the Gammacoronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) does induce host
      shutoff, and we find that its accessory protein 5b is indispensable for this
      function. Importantly, we found that 5b-null viruses, unlike wild-type viruses,
      induce production of high concentrations of type I interferon protein in vitro,
      indicating that host shutoff by IBV plays an important role in antagonizing the
      host's innate immune response. Altogether, we demonstrate that 5b is a functional
      equivalent of nsp1, thereby answering the longstanding question of whether lack
      of nsp1 in gammacoronaviruses is compensated for by another viral protein. As
      such, our study is a significant step forward in the understanding of coronavirus
      biology and closes a gap in the understanding of some IBV virulence strategies.
      IMPORTANCE: Many viruses inhibit protein synthesis by their host cell to enhance
      virus replication and to antagonize antiviral defense mechanisms. This process is
      referred to as host shutoff. We studied gene expression and protein synthesis in
      chicken cells infected with the important poultry pathogen infectious bronchitis
      virus (IBV). We show that IBV inhibits synthesis of host proteins, including that
      of type I interferon, a key component of the antiviral response. The IBV-induced
      host shutoff, however, does not require degradation of host RNA. Furthermore, we
      demonstrate that accessory protein 5b of IBV plays a crucial role in the onset of
      host shutoff. Our findings suggest that inhibition of host protein synthesis is a
      common feature of coronaviruses and primarily serves to inhibit the antiviral
      response of the host.

PMID- 27279619
TI  - Pandemic Seasonal H1N1 Reassortants Recovered from Patient Material Display a
      Phenotype Similar to That of the Seasonal Parent.
AB  - We have previously shown that 11 patients became naturally coinfected with
      seasonal H1N1 (A/H1N1) and pandemic H1N1 (pdm/H1N1) during the Southern
      hemisphere winter of 2009 in New Zealand. Reassortment of influenza A viruses is
      readily observed during coinfection of host animals and in vitro; however,
      reports of reassortment occurring naturally in humans are rare. Using clinical
      specimen material, we show reassortment between the two coinfecting viruses
      occurred with high likelihood directly in one of the previously identified
      patients. Despite the lack of spread of these reassortants in the community, we
      did not find them to be attenuated in several model systems for viral replication
      and virus transmission: multistep growth curves in differentiated human bronchial
      epithelial cells revealed no growth deficiency in six recovered reassortants
      compared to A/H1N1 and pdm/H1N1 isolates. Two reassortant viruses were assessed
      in ferrets and showed transmission to aerosol contacts. This study demonstrates
      that influenza virus reassortants can arise in naturally coinfected patients.
      IMPORTANCE: Reassortment of influenza A viruses is an important driver of virus
      evolution, but little has been done to address humans as hosts for the generation
      of novel influenza viruses. We show here that multiple reassortant viruses were
      generated during natural coinfection of a patient with pandemic H1N1 (2009) and
      seasonal H1N1 influenza A viruses. Though apparently fit in model systems, these
      reassortants did not become established in the wider population, presumably due
      to herd immunity against their seasonal H1 antigen.

PMID- 27279620
TI  - Role for the alphaV Integrin Subunit in Varicella-Zoster Virus-Mediated Fusion
      and Infection.
AB  - Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is an alphaherpesvirus that causes varicella and
      herpes zoster. Membrane fusion is essential for VZV entry and the distinctive
      syncytium formation in VZV-infected skin and neuronal tissue. Herpesvirus fusion
      is mediated by a complex of glycoproteins gB and gH-gL, which are necessary and
      sufficient for VZV to induce membrane fusion. However, the cellular requirements
      of fusion are poorly understood. Integrins have been implicated to facilitate
      entry of several human herpesviruses, but their role in VZV entry has not yet
      been explored. To determine the involvement of integrins in VZV fusion, a
      quantitative cell-cell fusion assay was developed using a VZV-permissive melanoma
      cell line. The cells constitutively expressed a reporter protein and short
      hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) to knock down the expression of integrin subunits shown to
      be expressed in these cells by RNA sequencing. The alphaV integrin subunit was
      identified as mediating VZV gB/gH-gL fusion, as its knockdown by shRNAs reduced
      fusion levels to 60% of that of control cells. A comparable reduction in fusion
      levels was observed when an anti-alphaV antibody specific to its extracellular
      domain was tested in the fusion assay, confirming that the domain was important
      for VZV fusion. In addition, reduced spread was observed in alphaV knockdown
      cells infected with the VZV pOka strain relative to that of the control cells.
      This was demonstrated by reductions in plaque size, replication kinetics, and
      virion entry in the alphaV subunit knockdown cells. Thus, the alphaV integrin
      subunit is important for VZV gB/gH-gL fusion and infection. IMPORTANCE: Varicella
      zoster virus (VZV) is a highly infectious pathogen that causes chickenpox and
      shingles. A common complication of shingles is the excruciating condition called
      postherpetic neuralgia, which has proven difficult to treat. While a vaccine is
      now available, it is not recommended for immunocompromised individuals and its
      efficacy decreases with the recipient's age. These limitations highlight the need
      for new therapies. This study examines the role of integrins in membrane fusion
      mediated by VZV glycoproteins gB and gH-gL, a required process for VZV infection.
      This knowledge will further the understanding of VZV entry and provide insight
      into the development of better therapies.

PMID- 27279621
TI  - Spatial-Temporal Patterns of Viral Amplification and Interference Initiated by a
      Single Infected Cell.
AB  - When viruses infect their host cells, they can make defective virus-like
      particles along with intact virus. Cells coinfected with virus and defective
      particles often exhibit interference with virus growth caused by the competition
      for resources by defective genomes. Recent reports of the coexistence and
      cotransmission of such defective interfering particles (DIPs) in vivo, across
      epidemiological length and time scales, suggest a role in viral pathogenesis, but
      it is not known how DIPs impact infection spread, even under controlled culture
      conditions. Using fluorescence microscopy, we quantified coinfections of
      vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing a fluorescent reporter protein and
      its DIPs on BHK-21 host cell monolayers. We found that viral gene expression was
      more delayed, infections spread more slowly, and patterns of spread became more
      "patchy" with higher DIP inputs to the initial cell. To examine how infection
      spread might depend on the behavior of the initial coinfected cell, we built a
      computational model, adapting a cellular automaton (CA) approach to incorporate
      kinetic data on virus growth for the first time. Specifically, changes in
      observed patterns of infection spread could be directly linked to previous high
      throughput single-cell measures of virus-DIP coinfection. The CA model also
      provided testable hypotheses on the spatial-temporal distribution of the DIPs,
      which remain governed by their predator-prey interaction. More generally, this
      work offers a data-driven computational modeling approach for better
      understanding of how single infected cells impact the multiround spread of virus
      infections across cell populations. IMPORTANCE: Defective interfering particles
      (DIPs) compete with intact virus, depleting host cell resources that are
      essential for virus growth and infection spread. However, it is not known how
      such competition, strong or weak, ultimately affects the way in which infections
      spread and cause disease. In this study, we address this unmet need by developing
      an integrated experimental-computational approach, which sheds new light on how
      infections spread. We anticipate that our approach will also be useful in the
      development of DIPs as therapeutic agents to manage the spread of viral
      infections.

PMID- 27279622
TI  - Mapping of Ebolavirus Neutralization by Monoclonal Antibodies in the ZMapp
      Cocktail Using Cryo-Electron Tomography and Studies of Cellular Entry.
AB  - ZMapp, a cocktail of three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs; c2G4, c4G7, and c13C6)
      against the ebolavirus (EBOV) glycoprotein (GP), shows promise for combatting
      outbreaks of EBOV, as occurred in West Africa in 2014. Prior studies showed that
      Fabs from these MAbs bind a soluble EBOV GP ectodomain and that MAbs c2G4 and
      c4G7, but not c13C6, neutralize infections in cell cultures. Using cryo-electron
      tomography, we extended these findings by characterizing the structures of c2G4,
      c4G7, and c13C6 IgGs bound to native, full-length GP from the West African 2014
      isolate embedded in filamentous viruslike particles (VLPs). As with the isolated
      ectodomain, c13C6 bound to the glycan cap, whereas c2G4 and c4G7 bound to the
      base region of membrane-bound GP. The tomographic data suggest that all three
      MAbs bind with high occupancy and that the base-binding antibodies can
      potentially bridge neighboring GP spikes. Functional studies indicated that c2G4
      and c4G7, but not c13C6, competitively inhibit entry of VLPs bearing EBOV GP into
      the host cell cytoplasm, without blocking trafficking of VLPs to NPC1(+)
      endolysosomes, where EBOV fuses. Moreover, c2G4 and c4G7 bind to and can block
      entry mediated by the primed (19-kDa) form of GP without impeding binding of the
      C-loop of NPC1, the endolysosomal receptor for EBOV. The most likely mode of
      action of c2G4 and c4G7 is therefore by inhibiting conformational changes in
      primed, NPC1-bound GP that initiate fusion between the viral and target
      membranes, similar to the action of certain broadly neutralizing antibodies
      against influenza hemagglutinin and HIV Env. IMPORTANCE: The recent West African
      outbreak of ebolavirus caused the deaths of more than 11,000 individuals. Hence,
      there is an urgent need to be prepared with vaccines and therapeutics for similar
      future disasters. ZMapp, a cocktail of three MAbs directed against the ebolavirus
      glycoprotein, is a promising anti-ebolavirus therapeutic. Using cryo-electron
      tomography, we provide structural information on how each of the MAbs in this
      cocktail binds to the ebolavirus glycoprotein as it is displayed-embedded in the
      membrane and present at high density-on filamentous viruslike particles that
      recapitulate the surface structure and entry functions of ebolavirus. Moreover,
      after confirming that two of the MAbs bind to the same region in the base of the
      glycoprotein, we show that they competitively block the entry function of the
      glycoprotein and that they can do so after the glycoprotein is proteolytically
      primed and bound to its intracellular receptor, Niemann-Pick C1. These findings
      should inform future developments of ebolavirus therapeutics.

PMID- 27279623
TI  - Evidence that Receptor Destruction by the Sendai Virus Hemagglutinin
      Neuraminidase Protein Is Responsible for Homologous Interference.
AB  - Receptor destruction has been considered one of the mechanisms of homologous
      Sendai virus (SeV) interference. However, direct evidence of receptor destruction
      upon virus infection and its relevance to interference is missing. To investigate
      a precise mechanism of homologous interference, we established SeV persistently
      infected cells. The persistently infected cells inhibited superinfection by
      homologous SeV but supported replication of human parainfluenza virus 2 (hPIV2)
      and influenza A virus (IAV). We confirmed that SeV particles could not attach to
      or penetrate the infected cells and that the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN)
      protein of SeV was involved in the interference. Lectin blot assays showed that
      the alpha2,3-linked sialic acids were specifically reduced in the SeV-infected
      cells, but the level of alpha2,6-linked sialic acids had not changed. As
      infection with IAV removed both alpha2,3- and alpha2,6-linked sialic acids,
      especially alpha2,3-linked sialic acids, IAV-infected cells inhibited
      superinfection of SeV. These results provide concrete evidence that destruction
      of the specific SeV receptor, alpha2,3-linked sialic acids, is relevant to
      homologous interference by SeV. IMPORTANCE: Viral interference is a classically
      observed phenomenon, but the precise mechanism is not clear. Using SeV
      interference, we provide concrete evidence that reduction of the alpha2,3-linked
      sialic acid receptor by the HN of SeV is closely related with viral interference.
      Since SeV infection resulted in decrease of only alpha2,3-linked sialic acids,
      IAV, which also utilized alpha2,6-linked sialic acids to initiate infection,
      superinfected the SeV-infected cells. In contrast, SeV could not superinfect the
      IAV-infected cells because both alpha2,3- and alpha2,6-linked sialic acids were
      removed. These results indicate that receptor destruction critically contributes
      to viral interference.

PMID- 27279625
TI  - Heavy metal resistance in halophilic Bacteria and Archaea.
AB  - Heavy metals are dense chemicals with dual biological role as micronutrients and
      intoxicants. A few hypersaline environmental systems are naturally enriched with
      heavy metals, while most metal-contaminated sites are a consequence of human
      activities. Numerous halotolerant and moderately halophilic Bacteria possess
      metal tolerance, whereas a few archaeal counterparts share similar features. The
      main mechanisms underlying heavy metal resistance in halophilic Bacteria and
      Archaea include extracellular metal sequestration by biopolymers, metal efflux
      mediated by specific transporters and enzymatic detoxification. Biotransformation
      of metals by halophiles has implications both for trace metal turnover in natural
      saline ecosystems and for development of novel bioremediation strategies.

PMID- 27279624
TI  - Structure and Genome Release Mechanism of the Human Cardiovirus Saffold Virus 3.
AB  - In order to initiate an infection, viruses need to deliver their genomes into
      cells. This involves uncoating the genome and transporting it to the cytoplasm.
      The process of genome delivery is not well understood for nonenveloped viruses.
      We address this gap in our current knowledge by studying the uncoating of the
      nonenveloped human cardiovirus Saffold virus 3 (SAFV-3) of the family
      Picornaviridae SAFVs cause diseases ranging from gastrointestinal disorders to
      meningitis. We present a structure of a native SAFV-3 virion determined to 2.5 A
      by X-ray crystallography and an 11-A-resolution cryo-electron microscopy
      reconstruction of an "altered" particle that is primed for genome release. The
      altered particles are expanded relative to the native virus and contain pores in
      the capsid that might serve as channels for the release of VP4 subunits, N
      termini of VP1, and the RNA genome. Unlike in the related enteroviruses, pores in
      SAFV-3 are located roughly between the icosahedral 3- and 5-fold axes at an
      interface formed by two VP1 and one VP3 subunit. Furthermore, in native
      conditions many cardioviruses contain a disulfide bond formed by cysteines that
      are separated by just one residue. The disulfide bond is located in a surface
      loop of VP3. We determined the structure of the SAFV-3 virion in which the
      disulfide bonds are reduced. Disruption of the bond had minimal effect on the
      structure of the loop, but it increased the stability and decreased the
      infectivity of the virus. Therefore, compounds specifically disrupting or binding
      to the disulfide bond might limit SAFV infection. IMPORTANCE: A capsid assembled
      from viral proteins protects the virus genome during transmission from one cell
      to another. However, when a virus enters a cell the virus genome has to be
      released from the capsid in order to initiate infection. This process is not well
      understood for nonenveloped viruses. We address this gap in our current knowledge
      by studying the genome release of Human Saffold virus 3 Saffold viruses cause
      diseases ranging from gastrointestinal disorders to meningitis. We show that
      before the genome is released, the Saffold virus 3 particle expands, and holes
      form in the previously compact capsid. These holes serve as channels for the
      release of the genome and small capsid proteins VP4 that in related enteroviruses
      facilitate subsequent transport of the virus genome into the cell cytoplasm.

PMID- 27279626
TI  - Millimeter scale electron conduction through exoelectrogenic mixed species
      biofilms.
AB  - The functioning of many natural and engineered environments is dependent on long
      distance electron transfer mediated through electrical currents. These currents
      have been observed in exoelectrogenic biofilms and it has been proposed that
      microbial biofilms can mediate electron transfer via electrical currents on the
      centimeter scale. However, direct evidence to confirm this hypothesis has not
      been demonstrated and the longest known electrical transfer distance for single
      species exoelectrogenic biofilms is limited to 100 MUm. In the present study,
      biofilms were developed on electrodes with electrically non-conductive gaps from
      50 MUm to 1 mm and the in situ conductance of biofilms was evaluated over time.
      Results demonstrated that the exoelectrogenic mixed species biofilms in the
      present study possess the ability to transfer electrons through electrical
      currents over a distance of up to 1 mm, 10 times further than previously
      observed. Results indicate the possibility of interspecies interactions playing
      an important role in the spatial development of exoelectrogenic biofilms,
      suggesting that these biological networks might remain conductive even at longer
      distance. These findings have significant implications in regards to future
      optimization of microbial electrochemical systems.

PMID- 27279627
TI  - Auranofin and N-heterocyclic carbene gold-analogs are potent inhibitors of the
      bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
AB  - Auranofin is an FDA-approved gold-containing compound used for the treatment of
      rheumatoid arthritis. Recent reports of antimicrobial activity against protozoa
      and bacteria indicate that auranofin targets the reductive enzyme thioredoxin
      reductase (TrxR). We evaluated auranofin as well as five auranofin analogs
      containing N-heterocyclic carbenes (instead of the triethylphosphane present in
      auranofin) and five gold-carbene controls for their ability to inhibit or kill
      Helicobacter pylori in vitro Auranofin completely inhibited bacterial growth at
      1.2 MUM. Purified H. pylori TrxR was inhibited by auranofin in a cell-free assay
      (IC50 ~88 nM). The most active gold(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene compounds exhibited
      MICs comparable to auranofin against H. pylori (2 MUM), while also exhibiting
      lower toxicities for human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293T cells). Median toxic
      concentrations (TC50) were 13-20-fold higher compared to auranofin indicating
      that they were less cytotoxic. The N-heterocyclic carbene analogs maybe well
      tolerated, but further evaluation is needed in vivo Finally, auranofin was
      synergistic with the antibiotic amoxicillin, suggesting that targeting both the
      reductive enzyme TrxR and cell wall synthesis may be effective against H. pylori
      infections.

PMID- 27279628
TI  - Endosymbiotic bacteria in honey bees: Arsenophonus spp. are not transmitted
      transovarially.
AB  - Intracellular endosymbiotic bacteria are common and can play a crucial role for
      insect pathology. Therefore, such bacteria could be a potential key to our
      understanding of major losses of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) colonies.
      However, the transmission and potential effects of endosymbiotic bacteria in A.
      mellifera and other Apis spp. are poorly understood. Here, we explore the
      prevalence and transmission of the genera Arsenophonus, Wolbachia, Spiroplasma
      and Rickettsia in Apis spp. Colonies of A. mellifera (N = 33, with 20 eggs from
      worker brood cells and 100 adult workers each) as well as mated honey bee queens
      of A. cerana, A. dorsata and A. florea (N = 12 each) were screened using PCR.
      While Wolbachia, Spiroplasma and Rickettsia were not detected, Arsenophonus spp.
      were found in 24.2% of A. mellifera colonies and respective queens as well as in
      queens of A. dorsata (8.3%) and A. florea (8.3%), but not in A. cerana The
      absence of Arsenophonus spp. from reproductive organs of A. mellifera queens and
      surface-sterilized eggs does not support transovarial vertical transmission.
      Instead, horizontal transmission is most likely.

PMID- 27279630
TI  - Differential profile of letrozole and exemestane on bone turnover markers in
      vinylcyclohexene diepoxide treated ovotoxic female mice.
AB  - The third generation aromatase inhibitors are currently the drugs of choice for
      the treatment of early and advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. One of
      the significant limiting factor during therapy is their negative impact on bone
      health. In this study, we compared the effects of a nonsteroidal (letrozole) and
      a steroidal aromatase inhibitor (exemestane) on bone mineral density and markers
      of bone turnover including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid
      phosphatase (TRAP), hydroxyproline (HxP), receptor activator of nuclear factor
      kappa B ligand (RANKL), sclerostin, and dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) in vinylcyclohexene
      diepoxide (VCD)-induced ovotoxic female mice. VCD administration for 15 days
      mimicked a postmenopausal state with reduced serum estradiol levels. Ovotoxicity
      was accompanied by reduced ALP, HxP and enhanced TRAP, sclerostin and DKK-1
      activity in femoral epiphysis and lumbar vertebrae of mice. While letrozole (1
      mg/kg) administration for 1 month enhanced bone turnover in ovotoxic mice,
      exemestane (3.25 mg/kg) was devoid of such effects in both normal and ovotoxic
      mice. The latter, however, reduced ALP in femoral epiphysis of ovotoxic mice.
      Letrozole depleted estradiol levels in ovotoxic mice and enhanced RANKL activity
      while exemestane neither affected estradiol nor RANKL in both normal and ovotoxic
      mice, and enhanced sclerostin and DKK-1 in femoral epiphysis only. The study
      indicates that the two aromatase inhibitors possesses differential profile in
      terms of their effects on bone and that exemestane could be a better option for
      the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women at least in terms of its
      effects on bone. 

PMID- 27279629
TI  - Oestrogen and parathyroid hormone alleviate lumbar intervertebral disc
      degeneration in ovariectomized rats and enhance Wnt/beta-catenin pathway
      activity.
AB  - To investigate the mitigation effect and mechanism of oestrogen and PTH on disc
      degeneration in rats after ovariectomy, as well as on Wnt/beta-catenin pathway
      activity, thirty 3-month-old rats were ovariectomized and divided into three
      groups. Ten additional rats were used as controls. Eight weeks later, the rats
      were administered oestrogen or PTH for 12 weeks, and then discs were collected
      for tests. Results showed that nucleus pulposus cells in the Sham group were
      mostly notochord cells, while in the OVX group, cells gradually developed into
      chondrocyte-like cells. Oestrogen or PTH could partly recover the notochord cell
      number. After ovariectomy, the endplate roughened and endplate porosity
      decreased. After oestrogen or PTH treatment, the smoothness and porosity of
      endplate recovered. Compared with the Sham group, Aggrecan, Col2a and Wnt/beta
      catenin pathway expression in OVX group decreased, and either oestrogen or PTH
      treatment improved their expression. The biomechanical properties of
      intervertebral disc significantly changed after ovariectomy, and oestrogen or PTH
      treatment partly recovered them. Disc degeneration occurred with low oestrogen,
      and the underlying mechanisms involve nutrition supply disorders, cell type
      changes and decreased Wnt/beta-catenin pathway activity. Oestrogen and PTH can
      retard disc degeneration in OVX rats and enhance Wnt/beta-catenin pathway
      activity in nucleus pulposus.

PMID- 27279631
TI  - Enhanced osteoprogenitor elongated collagen fiber matrix formation by bioactive
      glass ionic silicon dependent on Sp7 (osterix) transcription.
AB  - Bioactive glasses release ions, those enhance osteoblast collagen matrix
      synthesis and osteogenic marker expression during bone healing. Collagen matrix
      density and osteogenic marker expression depend on osteogenic transcription
      factors, (e.g., Osterix (OSX)). We hypothesize that enhanced expression and
      formation of collagen by Si(4+) depends on enhanced expression of OSX
      transcription. Experimental bioactive glass (6P53-b) and commercial Bioglass(TM)
      (45S5) were dissolved in basal medium to make glass conditioned medium (GCM). ICP
      MS analysis was used to measure bioactive glass ion release rates. MC3T3-E1 cells
      were cultured for 20 days, and gene expression and extracellular matrix collagen
      formation was analyzed. In a separate study, siRNA was used to determine the
      effect of OSX knockdown on impacting the effect of Si(4+) on osteogenic markers
      and matrix collagen formation. Each bioactive glass exhibited similar ion release
      rates for all ions, except Mg(2+) released by 6P53-b. Gene expression results
      showed that GCM markedly enhanced many osteogenic markers, and 45S5 GCM showed
      higher levels of expression and collagen matrix fiber bundle density than 6P53-b
      GCM. Upon knockdown of OSX transcription, collagen type 5, alkaline phosphatase,
      and matrix density were not enhanced as compared to wild type cells. This study
      illustrates that the enhancement of elongated collagen fiber matrix formation by
      Si(+/-) depends on OSX transcription. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed
      Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2604-2615, 2016.

PMID- 27279632
TI  - Characterization of ApB73, a virulence factor important for colonization of Zea
      mays by the smut Ustilago maydis.
AB  - The biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis, the causal agent of corn smut disease,
      uses numerous small secreted effector proteins to suppress plant defence
      responses and reshape the host metabolism. However, the role of specific
      effectors remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the identification of
      ApB73 (Apathogenic in B73), an as yet uncharacterized protein essential for the
      successful colonization of maize by U. maydis. We show that apB73 is
      transcriptionally induced during the biotrophic stages of the fungal life cycle.
      The deletion of the apB73 gene results in cultivar-specific loss of gall
      formation in the host. The ApB73 protein is conserved among closely related smut
      fungi. However, using virulence assays, we show that only the orthologue of the
      maize-infecting head smut Sporisorium reilianum can complement the mutant
      phenotype of U. maydis. Although microscopy shows that ApB73 is secreted into the
      biotrophic interface, it seems to remain associated with fungal cell wall
      components or the fungal plasma membrane. Taken together, the results show that
      ApB73 is a conserved and important virulence factor of U. maydis that localizes
      to the interface between the pathogen and its host Zea mays.

PMID- 27279633
TI  - Aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 is robustly upregulated in gastric cancer stem-like
      cells and associated with tumorigenesis.
AB  - Enhanced aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity has been shown to serve as a
      hallmark for cancer stem cells (CSCs). Recent evidence suggests that its role as
      a stem cell-related marker has come down to the specific isoform. However, little
      is known about the specific ALDH isoform contributing to aldefluor activity in
      gastric cancer. In this study, we isolated ALDHbright cells from 2 human gastric
      cancer cell lines MKN-45 and SGC-7901 by using an Aldefluor assay and found
      elevated self-renewal, differentiation and tumorigenicity, as demonstration of
      stemness characteristics. We also found that ALDHbright cells expressed decreased
      levels of E-cadherin but increased levels of Snail and Vimentin, indication of an
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype which may be responsible for
      the enhanced metastatic potential. Since further research and prognostic
      application based on ALDH prevalence require the quantification of the specific
      ALDH isoform, we characterized the expression of all 19 ALDH isoforms in the
      sorted gastric cancer cell lines by quantitative real-time polymerase chain
      reaction (qRT-PCR). Compared with the non-stem counterparts, robust upregulation
      of ALDH-3A1 was observed in these gastric cancer stem-like cells. Furthermore, we
      performed immunohistological analysis on 93 fixed patient gastric tumor samples
      and found that ALDH-3A1 expression correlated well with gastric cancer dysplasia
      and grades, differentiation, lymph node metastasis and cancer stage. Our data,
      therefore, provide strong evidence that ALDH-3A1 is a novel gastric cancer stem
      cell related marker with potential prognostic values and demonstrate a clear
      association between ALDH-3A1 prevalence and gastric cancer progression. 

PMID- 27279634
TI  - Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast: Report of a Case.
AB  - We present the case of a 73-year-old woman with pure squamous cell carcinoma in
      situ of the left breast. This non-invasive malignancy exhibited pure squamous
      type of architectural and cytologic features without any evidence of glandular
      differentiation either in the initial needle core biopsy or in the subsequently
      performed excisional biopsy and simple mastectomy. The tumor spanned 1.6 cm,
      involved numerous ducts and terminal ducts and extended into lobules, and was
      characterized by keratinizing squamous cells with intermediate-grade nuclei.
      Intercellular bridges extended between the malignant squamous cells. Keratinous
      debris with "pearl" formation was evident in most involved glands. No invasive
      carcinoma was identified. There was no evidence of metastatic disease in the
      ipsilateral sentinel lymph nodes. Thus far, only three cases of squamous cell
      carcinoma in situ of the breast have been reported in one series-none of which
      showed any evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease at last follow-up. In our
      case, treated exclusively by surgery, there was no evidence of disease 11 years
      after diagnosis. 

PMID- 27279635
TI  - miR-375 exhibits a more effective tumor-suppressor function in laryngeal squamous
      carcinoma cells by regulating KLF4 expression compared with simple co
      transfection of miR-375 and miR-206.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to be important regulators of cancer-related
      processes, and function either as oncogenes or as tumor-suppressor genes. It was
      found that miR-375 was downregulated in samples of laryngeal squamous cell
      carcinomas (LSCCs) as compared to the level noted in adjacent non-tumor tissues,
      and it was inversely correlated with T grade, lymph node metastases and clinical
      tumor stage. Overexpression of miR-375 led to a decreased protein level of
      Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and marked suppression of the proliferation and
      invasion, and induced apoptosis of LSCC cell line Hep-2 using Cell Counting Kit
      8, Transwell chamber and cell cycle assays. In addition, we examined the
      influence of the upregulation of miR-206 alone and upregulation of both miR-375
      and miR-206 on the expression of KLF4 and Hep-2 cell behavior. The results showed
      that compared with the function of miR-375 in tumor suppression by regulating
      KLF4, co-transfection of miR-375 and miR-206 exhibited a less effective
      inhibitory effect not only on tumor cell proliferation and invasion, but also on
      tumor cell apoptosis. Taken together, miR-375 is possibly a tumor suppressor in
      LSCC by regulating KLF4. In addition, simple overexpression of several miRNAs did
      not entail higher efficacy than a single miRNA, similar to co-transfecions of miR
      375 and miR-206. 

PMID- 27279636
TI  - Levels of Occupational Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Vancouver,
      Canada.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Outdoor workers are at high risk of exposure to solar ultraviolet
      radiation (UVR), a known human carcinogen. In Canada, no objective measures of
      UVR exposure are available for occupational settings. METHODS: The Outdoor
      Workers Project collected UVR exposure data among outdoor workers in Vancouver,
      Canada during the summer of 2013. Objective measures of exposure were taken for
      one week using calibrated electronic UVR dosimeters. Additional data was
      collected from workers on skin cancer risk factors, family history of skin
      cancer, and job type; as well as meteorological data for sampling days. Marginal
      models were constructed to examine the worker, job and meteorological
      determinants of UVR exposure levels, as measured in standard erythemal dose
      (SED). RESULTS: Seventy-eight workers were recruited, of which 73 had at least 1
      day of measured UVR exposure for this analysis. Participants were mostly male,
      young and Caucasian. Mean exposure (corrected for repeated measures) was 1.08
      SED. Exposure measures were highly variable even in the same workplace, ranging
      from 0.01 SED to 19.2 SED. Younger age, working in land-based construction, and
      sunnier weather forecasts led to higher levels of UVR exposure. CONCLUSIONS:
      Exposure levels capable of causing sunburn were common in this study of outdoor
      workers, in a location not typically associated with high sun exposure.

PMID- 27279637
TI  - Identification of 2 Novel Polymorphisms and rs3138521 in 5' Untranslated Region
      of SERPINC1 Gene in North Indian Population With Deep Vein Thrombosis.
AB  - Antithrombin III (AT) is the most important endogenous anticoagulant, and genetic
      variability in SERPINC1, gene encoding AT, is low. Mutations leading to AT
      deficiency and increased thrombotic risk are well known; however, only 2 studies
      have reported mutations in regulatory region of SERPINC1 gene till date. Aim of
      the present study was to identify genetic variations in SERPINC1 5' untranslated
      region (UTR) in Indian patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) having AT
      deficiency. DNA sequencing was used to identify underlying genetic defects in
      SERPINC1 regulatory region. In silico tools TFBIND and PROMO were used to
      identify transcription factor binding sites in the promoter region. We have
      identified 2 novel polymorphisms, g.25G>A and g.-1A>T, and 2 known g.67G>A and
      rs3138521 5' UTR polymorphisms in SERPINC1 regulatory region in Indian patients
      with DVT for the first time. In present study, allele frequencies of rs3138521
      (S: 0.37 and F: 0.63) were similar to that reported in Western population and
      were not associated with low plasma AT levels ( P value .5). This is the first
      report of regulatory region polymorphisms in SERPINC1 gene in Indian population.
      Our results strongly suggest that similar studies should be included when ever no
      mutation is detected in protein-coding region of AT gene.

PMID- 27279638
TI  - Simultaneous determination of five common additives in insulating mineral oils by
      high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and coulometric
      detection.
AB  - Dielectric mineral oils are used to impregnate power transformers and large
      electrical apparatus, acting as both liquid insulation and heat dissipation
      media. Antioxidants and passivators are frequently added to mineral oils to
      enhance oxidation stability and reduce the electrostatic charging tendency,
      respectively. Since existing standard test methods only allow analysis of
      individual additives, new approaches are needed for the detection of mixtures.
      For the first time we investigate and discuss the performance of analytical
      methods, which require or do not require extraction as sample pretreatment, for
      the simultaneous reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography
      determination of passivators (benzotriazole, Irgamet((r)) 39) and antioxidants (N
      phenyl-1-naphtylamine, 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol),
      chosen for their presence in marketed oils. Quick easy, cheap, effective, rugged
      and safe and solid phase extractions were evaluated as sample pretreatments.
      Direct sample-injection was also studied. Ultraviolet spectrophotometry and
      direct-current coulometry detection were explored. As less prone to additive
      concentrations variability, the direct-injection high-performance liquid
      chromatography with ultraviolet and coulometric detection method was validated
      through comparison with Standard Method IEC 60666 and through an ASTM
      interlaboratory proficiency test. Obtained detection limits are (mg kg(-1) ):
      benzotriazole (2.8), Irgamet((r)) 39 (13.8), N-phenyl-1-naphtylamine (11.9), 2,6
      di-tert-butylphenol (13.1), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol (10.2). Simultaneous
      determination of selected additives was possible both in unused and used oils,
      with good precision and accuracy. 

PMID- 27279640
TI  - Non-ketotic hyperglycaemia presenting as epilepsia partialis continua.
AB  - Epilepsia partialis continua is a rare epileptic syndrome observed in patients
      with brain structural lesions and metabolic disorders. We report a patient with
      non-ketotic hyperglycaemia presenting as epilepsia partialis continua with
      reversible focal brain lesions. An 83-year-old woman visited our hospital due to
      sudden and repetitive left facial twitching lasting for two days. Initial
      laboratory data revealed serum glucose, osmolality, and sodium levels of 631
      mg/dl, 310 mOsm/l, and 130 mEq/l, respectively. EEG was normal. Brain MRI showed
      low signal changes in the right frontal subcortical area and high signal changes
      in the surrounding right frontal cortical areas on T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated
      inversion recovery, and diffusion-weighted images. No seizures recurred after
      correcting blood glucose levels, hydrating the patient, and infusing valproate
      (900 mg/day). Follow-up MRI, six months later, showed complete resolution of the
      signal changes in the right frontal cortical and subcortical areas and no
      clinical seizures. When considering non-ketotic hyperglycaemia with epilepsia
      partialis continua in an elderly patient, early diagnosis and administration of
      the appropriate therapy is very important in order to decrease morbidity. 

PMID- 27279639
TI  - Targeted Silencing of S100A8 Gene by miR-24 to Increase Chemotherapy Sensitivity
      of Endometrial Carcinoma Cells to Paclitaxel.
AB  - BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to determine whether miR-24 can
      regulate malignant proliferation and chemotherapy sensitivity of EC cells by
      targeted silencing of the S100 Calcium Binding Protein A8 (S100A8) gene. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS The expression of miR-24 in EC tissues was detected by quantitative
      real-time PCR. The proliferation ability and chemotherapy sensitivity were
      analyzed by MTT assay. Bioinformatics software was used to predict some potential
      target genes of miR-24. Luciferase activity assay was used to verify the
      relationship between target genes and miR-24. S100A8 protein expression was
      detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS The low expression of miR-24 in EC
      tissues compared with normal control tissues suggests miR-24 might play a role in
      tumorigenesis of EC. EC HEC-1A cells were transfected with miR-24 agonist (agomiR
      24) to up-regulate the expression of miR-24. Up-regulation of miR-24 inhibited
      the cell proliferation and advanced the chemotherapy sensitivity to paclitaxel in
      HEC-1A cells significantly. We used several types of bioinformatic software to
      predict that miR-24 could specifically combine with the 3' untranslated region
      (3'UTR) of the S100A8 gene, and this prediction was verified by Western blot and
      luciferase activities assay. The regulation effects of miR-24 enhancement on cell
      proliferation and chemotherapy sensitivity were largely reversed by S100A8 up
      regulation. CONCLUSIONS miR-24 acts as a tumor-suppressing gene to inhibit
      malignant proliferation and advance chemotherapy sensitivity to paclitaxel in EC
      by targeted silencing of the S100A8 gene. 

PMID- 27279641
TI  - Diet and disease: transgressing boundaries between science and society
      understanding neglected diseases through the lens of cultural studies and
      anthropology.

PMID- 27279642
TI  - Impact of genomics on the understanding of microbial evolution and
      classification: the importance of Darwin's views on classification.
AB  - Analyses of genome sequences, by some approaches, suggest that the widespread
      occurrence of horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) in prokaryotes disguises their
      evolutionary relationships and have led to questioning of the Darwinian model of
      evolution for prokaryotes. These inferences are critically examined in the light
      of comparative genome analysis, characteristic synapomorphies, phylogenetic trees
      and Darwin's views on examining evolutionary relationships. Genome sequences are
      enabling discovery of numerous molecular markers (synapomorphies) such as
      conserved signature indels (CSIs) and conserved signature proteins (CSPs), which
      are distinctive characteristics of different prokaryotic taxa. Based on these
      molecular markers, exhibiting high degree of specificity and predictive ability,
      numerous prokaryotic taxa of different ranks, currently identified based on the
      16S rRNA gene trees, can now be reliably demarcated in molecular terms. Within
      all studied groups, multiple CSIs and CSPs have been identified for successive
      nested clades providing reliable information regarding their hierarchical
      relationships and these inferences are not affected by HGTs. These results
      strongly support Darwin's views on evolution and classification and supplement
      the current phylogenetic framework based on 16S rRNA in important respects. The
      identified molecular markers provide important means for developing novel
      diagnostics, therapeutics and for functional studies providing important insights
      regarding prokaryotic taxa.

PMID- 27279643
TI  - Multistability and dynamic transitions of intracellular Min protein patterns.
AB  - Cells owe their internal organization to self-organized protein patterns, which
      originate and adapt to growth and external stimuli via a process that is as
      complex as it is little understood. Here, we study the emergence, stability, and
      state transitions of multistable Min protein oscillation patterns in live
      Escherichia coli bacteria during growth up to defined large dimensions. De novo
      formation of patterns from homogenous starting conditions is observed and studied
      both experimentally and in simulations. A new theoretical approach is developed
      for probing pattern stability under perturbations. Quantitative experiments and
      simulations show that, once established, Min oscillations tolerate a large degree
      of intracellular heterogeneity, allowing distinctly different patterns to persist
      in different cells with the same geometry. Min patterns maintain their axes for
      hours in experiments, despite imperfections, expansion, and changes in cell shape
      during continuous cell growth. Transitions between multistable Min patterns are
      found to be rare events induced by strong intracellular perturbations. The
      instances of multistability studied here are the combined outcome of boundary
      growth and strongly nonlinear kinetics, which are characteristic of the reaction
      diffusion patterns that pervade biology at many scales.

PMID- 27279644
TI  - Recurrence and survival rates of inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal
      cancer following postoperative chemotherapy: a comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an
      increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Studies have shown tumorigenetic and
      histomorphological differences between IBD-associated CRC and non-IBD CRC,
      suggesting differences in tumor behavior and response to treatment. We aimed to
      compare tumor recurrence and survival rates following postoperative chemotherapy
      in CRC patients with and without IBD. METHODS: Search of the Cleveland Clinic's
      CRC database revealed 65 patients who had IBD-associated CRC and received
      postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy between 1994 and 2010. Twenty-one patients
      were excluded due to incomplete clinical data. Propensity score-matching based on
      age, surgery intent, CRC site, tumor grade, American Joint Committee on Cancer
      (AJCC) stage and T stage was used to match IBD and non-IBD patients (1:4).
      Competing risk and Cox regression models were used to analyze differences in
      disease-free survival and overall survival, respectively. RESULTS: Forty-four
      patients with IBD-associated CRC were matched to 176 patients with non-IBD CRC.
      Among IBD patients, 29 (66%) had ulcerative colitis, 14 (32%) had Crohn's
      disease, and one (2%) had indeterminate colitis. Mean IBD diagnosis age was 28.1
      +/- 14.5 years, and mean IBD duration at time of CRC treatment was 21.5 +/- 12.6
      years. Ten (23%) IBD patients had tumor recurrence compared with 34 (19%) non-IBD
      patients (P = .074). There was no significant difference in disease-free survival
      (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.35-1.05; P = 0.074) or overall survival (HR
      = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.54-1.4; P = 0.58) between IBD and non-IBD patients. CONCLUSION:
      Patients with IBD-associated CRC have comparable rates of tumor recurrence and
      survival following postoperative chemotherapy as CRC patients without IBD.
      Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and guide therapeutic
      decisions.

PMID- 27279645
TI  - Natural Treatments for Fissure in Ano Used by Traditional Persian Scholars, Razi
      (Rhazes) and Ibn Sina (Avicenna).
AB  - Most cases of chronic fissure do not respond to medical treatment. Razi and Ibn
      Sina were 2 of the best-known scientists of ancient Persia. The purpose of this
      study was to find out new scientific evidence in modern medicine about their
      recommendations, in order to find certain clues to conduct useful researches in
      the future. First, treatments of anal fissure mentioned by Razi and Ibn Sina were
      reviewed. Then, literature search was made in electronic databases including
      PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Management of anal fissure according to
      Razi's and Ibn Sina's practices is done based on 3 interventions: lifestyle
      modifications, drug treatments, and manual procedures. Almost all remedies
      suggested by Razi and Ibn Sina have shown their effects on fissure in ano via
      several mechanisms of action in many in vitro and in vivo studies; Still there is
      lack of human studies on the subject.

PMID- 27279646
TI  - Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the MYB Transcription Factor
      Superfamily in Solanum lycopersicum.
AB  - MYB proteins constitute one of the largest transcription factor families in the
      plant kingdom, members of which perform a variety of functions in plant
      biological processes. However, there are only very limited reports on the
      characterization of MYB transcription factors in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).
      In our study, a total of 127 MYB genes have been identified in the tomato genome.
      A complete overview of these MYB genes is presented, including the phylogeny,
      gene structures, protein motifs, chromosome locations and expression patterns.
      The 127 SlMYB proteins could be classified into 18 subgroups based on domain
      similarity and phylogenetic topology. Phylogenetic analysis of SlMYBs along with
      MYBs from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa) indicated 14
      subfamilies. Conserved motifs outside the MYB domain may reflect their functional
      conservation. The identified tomato MYB genes were distributed on 12 chromosomes
      at various densities but mainly in chromosomes 6 and 10 (12.6% and 11.8%,
      respectively). Genome-wide segmental and tandem duplications were also found,
      which may contribute to the expansion of SlMYB genes. RNA-sequencing and
      microarray data revealed tissue-specific and stress-responsive expression
      patterns of SlMYB genes. The expression profiles of SlMYB genes in response to
      salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid methyl ester (MeJA) were also investigated
      by real-time PCR. Moreover, ethylene-responsive element-binding factor-associated
      amphiphilic repression (EAR) motifs were found in 24 SlMYB proteins.
      Collectively, our comprehensive analysis of SlMYB genes will facilitate future
      functional studies of the tomato MYB gene family and probably other Solanaceae
      plants. 

PMID- 27279648
TI  - Supplemental Security Income Benefits for Mental Disorders.
AB  - The Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) provides financial support to low
      income households with children and youth with severe disabilities. The program
      included children when it began in the early 1970s. The numbers of children
      receiving SSI benefits increased substantially in the early 1990s, in part
      through an expansion of the listings of mental health conditions with which
      children could become eligible. Over the past 20 years, larger numbers of
      children have received SSI benefits for mental disorders, and these increases
      have led to questions from the press and Congress regarding these numbers. Do
      they indicate more of an increase in mental disorders among SSI children than in
      the general population? The National Academy of Medicine (NAM; formerly the
      Institute of Medicine) convened a study panel to examine what is known about
      mental disorders among the child SSI population and how that compares with
      evidence about mental disorders in children in general. The NAM report provides
      detailed information about how SSI works, about the changing numbers of children
      receiving SSI for mental disorders, and some comparisons with other evidence
      about rising rates of mental disorders in the general population and especially
      among children living in poverty. The report indicates that increasing numbers of
      children with mental disorders in SSI mirror similar increases in the population
      in general. This article summarizes key evidence from the NAM report and suggests
      the implications for pediatricians.

PMID- 27279647
TI  - Comparison of Clinical, Maternal, and Self Pubertal Assessments: Implications for
      Health Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most epidemiologic studies of puberty have only 1 source of pubertal
      development information (maternal, self or clinical). Interpretation of results
      across studies requires data on reliability and validity across sources. METHODS:
      The LEGACY Girls Study, a 5-site prospective study of girls aged 6 to 13 years (n
      = 1040) collected information on breast and pubic hair development from mothers
      (for all daughters) and daughters (if >=10 years) according to Tanner stage (T1
      5) drawings. At 2 LEGACY sites, girls (n = 282) were also examined in the clinic
      by trained professionals. We assessed agreement (kappa) and validity (sensitivity
      and specificity) with the clinical assessment (gold standard) for both the
      mothers' and daughters' assessment in the subcohort of 282. In the entire cohort,
      we examined the agreement between mothers and daughters. RESULTS: Compared with
      clinical assessment, sensitivity of maternal assessment for breast development
      was 77.2 and specificity was 94.3. In girls aged >=11 years, self-assessment had
      higher sensitivity and specificity than maternal report. Specificity for both
      mothers and self, but not sensitivity, was significantly lower for overweight
      girls. In the overall cohort, maternal and daughter agreement for breast
      development and pubic hair development (T2+ vs T1) were similar (0.66, [95%
      confidence interval 0.58-0.75] and 0.69 [95% confidence interval 0.61-0.77],
      respectively), but declined with age. Mothers were more likely to report a lower
      Tanner stage for both breast and pubic hair compared with self-assessments.
      CONCLUSIONS: These differences in validity should be considered in studies
      measuring pubertal changes longitudinally when they do not have access to
      clinical assessments.

PMID- 27279649
TI  - Patient and Parent-Reported Signs and Symptoms for Group A Streptococcal
      Pharyngitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Identifying symptomatic patients who are at low risk
      for group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis could reduce unnecessary visits and
      antibiotic use. The accuracy with which patients and parents report signs and
      symptoms of GAS has not been studied. Our objectives were to measure agreement
      between patient or parent and physician-reported signs and symptoms of GAS and to
      evaluate the performance of a modified Centor score, based on patient or parent
      and physician reports, for identifying patients at low risk for GAS pharyngitis.
      METHODS: Children 3 to 21 years old presenting to a single tertiary care
      emergency department between October 2013 and January 2015 were included if they
      complained of a sore throat and were tested for GAS. Patients or parents and
      physicians completed surveys assessing signs and symptoms to determine a modified
      age-adjusted Centor score for GAS. We evaluated the overall agreement and kappa
      between patient or parent and physician-reported signs and symptoms and compared
      the performance of the scores based on assessments by patients or parents and
      physicians and the risk of GAS. RESULTS: Of 320 patients enrolled, 107 (33%)
      tested GAS positive. Agreement was higher for symptoms (fever [agreement = 82%,
      kappa = 0.64] and cough [72%, 0.45]) than for signs (exudate [80%, 0.41] and
      tender cervical nodes [73%, 0.18]). Agreement was highest when no signs and
      symptoms contained in the Centor score were present (94%, kappa = 0.61). The
      proportion of patients testing GAS positive rose as the modified Centor score
      increased. CONCLUSIONS: For identifying GAS pharyngitis, patients or parents and
      physicians showed moderate to substantial agreement for 3 of 4 key pharyngitis
      signs and symptoms.

PMID- 27279651
TI  - Interdomain regulation of the ATPase activity of the ABC transporter haemolysin B
      from Escherichia coli.
AB  - Type 1 secretion systems (T1SS) transport a wide range of substrates across both
      membranes of Gram-negative bacteria and are composed of an outer membrane
      protein, a membrane fusion protein and an ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter.
      The ABC transporter HlyB (haemolysin B) is part of a T1SS catalysing the export
      of the toxin HlyA in E. coli HlyB consists of the canonical transmembrane and
      nucleotide-binding domains. Additionally, HlyB contains an N-terminal CLD (C39
      peptidase-like domain) that interacts with the transport substrate, but its
      functional relevance is still not precisely defined. In the present paper, we
      describe the purification and biochemical characterization of detergent
      solubilized HlyB in the presence of its transport substrate. Our results exhibit
      a positive co-operativity in ATP hydrolysis. We characterized further the
      influence of the CLD on kinetic parameters by using an HlyB variant lacking the
      CLD (HlyB?CLD). The biochemical parameters of HlyB?CLD revealed an increased
      basal maximum velocity but no change in substrate-binding affinity in comparison
      with full-length HlyB. We also assigned a distinct interaction of the CLD and a
      transport substrate (HlyA1), leading to an inhibition of HlyB hydrolytic activity
      at low HlyA1 concentrations. At higher HlyA1 concentrations, we observed a
      stimulation of the hydrolytic activities of both HlyB and HlyB?CLD, which was
      completely independent of the interaction of HlyA1 with the CLD. Notably, all
      observed effects on ATPase activity, which were also analysed in detail by mass
      spectrometry, were independent of the HlyA1 secretion signal. These results
      assign an interdomain regulatory role for the CLD modulating the hydrolytic
      activity of HlyB.

PMID- 27279654
TI  - High spatial resolution imaging of SO and H2CO in AB Auriga: The first SO image
      in a transitional disk.
AB  - CONTEXT: Transitional disks are structures of dust and gas around young stars
      with large inner cavities in which planet formation may occur. Lopsided dust
      distributions are observed in the dust continuum emission at millimeter
      wavelengths. These asymmetrical structures can be explained as being the result
      of an enhanced gas density vortex where the dust is trapped, potentially
      promoting the rapid growth to the planetesimal scale. AIMS: AB Aur hosts a
      transitional disk with a clear horseshoe morphology which strongly suggests the
      presence of a dust trap. Our goal is to investigate its formation and the
      possible effects on the gas chemistry. METHODS: We used the NOEMA (NOrthern
      Extended Millimeter Array) interferometer to image the 1mm continuum dust
      emission and the 13CO J=2 ->1, C18OJ=2 ->1, SO J=56 ->45, and H2CO J=303 ->202
      rotational lines. RESULTS: Line integrated intensity ratio images are built to
      investigate the chemical changes within the disk. The I(H2CO J=303 ->202)/I(C18O
      J=2->1) ratio is fairly constant along the disk with values of ~0.15+/-0.05. On
      the contrary, the I(SO J=56 ->45)/I(C18O J=2 ->1) and I(SO J=56 ->45)/I(H2CO
      J=303 ->202) ratios present a clear northeast-southwest gradient (a factor of 3
      6) with the minimum towards the dust trap. This gradient cannot be explained by a
      local change in the excitation conditions but by a decrease in the SO abundance.
      Gas densities up to ~109 cm-3 are expected in the disk midplane and two-three
      times larger in the high pressure vortex. We have used a single point (n,T)
      chemical model to investigate the lifetime of gaseous CO, H2CO, and SO in the
      dust trap. Our model shows that for densities >107 cm-3, the SO molecules are
      depleted (directly frozen, or converted into SO2 and then frozen out) in less
      than 0.1 Myr. The lower SO abundance towards the dust trap could indicate that a
      larger fraction of the gas is in a high density environment. CONCLUSIONS: Gas
      dynamics, grain growth and gas chemistry are coupled in the planet formation
      process. We detect a chemical signature of the presence of a dust trap in a
      transitional disk. Because of the strong dependence of SO abundance on the gas
      density, the sulfur chemistry can be used as a chemical diagnostic to detect the
      birthsites of future planets. However, the large uncertainties inherent to
      chemical models and the limited knowledge of the disk's physical structure and
      initial conditions are important drawbacks.

PMID- 27279653
TI  - The effect of subarachnoid erythrocyte lysate on brain injury: a preliminary
      study.
AB  - Abundant erythrocytes remain and lyse partially in the subarachnoid space after
      severe subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). But the effect of subarachnoid erythrocyte
      lysate on brain injury is still not completely clear. In this study, autologous
      erythrocytes (the non-lysate group) and their lysate (the lysate group) were
      injected separately into the cistern magna of rabbits to induce a model of
      experimental SAH, although the control group received isotonic sodium chloride
      solution instead of erythrocyte solution. Results showed that vasospasm of the
      basilar artery was observed at 72 h after experimental SAH, but there was no
      significant difference between the non-lysate group and the lysate group. Brain
      injury was more severe in the lysate group than in the non-lysate group.
      Meanwhile, the levels of peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2), IL-6 and TNF-alpha in brain
      cortex and in CSF were significantly higher in the lysate group than those in the
      non-lysate group. These results demonstrated that brain injury was more likely to
      be caused by erythrocyte lysate than by intact erythrocytes in subarachnoid
      space, and inflammation response positively correlated with Prx2 expression might
      be involved in mechanism of brain injury after SAH.

PMID- 27279655
TI  - Reactivity of OH and CH3OH Between 22 and 64 K: Modelling the Gas Phase
      Production of CH3O in Barnard 1B.
AB  - In the last years, ultra-low temperature chemical kinetic experiments have
      demonstrated that some gas-phase reactions are much faster than previously
      thought. One example is the reaction between OH and CH3OH, which has been
      recently found to be accelerated at low temperatures yielding CH3O as main
      product. This finding opened the question of whether the CH3O observed in the
      dense core Barnard 1b could be formed by the gas-phase reaction of CH3OH and OH.
      Several chemical models including this reaction and grain-surface processes have
      been developed to explain the observed abundance of CH3O with little success.
      Here we report for the first time rate coefficients for the gas-phase reaction of
      OH and CH3OH down to a temperature of 22 K, very close to those in cold
      interstellar clouds. Two independent experimental set-ups based on the supersonic
      gas expansion technique coupled to the pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced
      fluorescence technique were used to determine rate coefficients in the
      temperature range 22-64 K. The temperature dependence obtained in this work can
      be expressed as k(22-64 K) = (3.6 +/- 0.1) * 10-12(T/300 K)-(1.0+/-0.2) cm3
      molecule-1 s-1. Implementing this expression in a chemical model of a cold dense
      cloud results in CH3O/CH3OH abundance ratios similar or slightly lower than the
      value of ~ 3 * 10-3 observed in Barnard 1b. This finding confirms that the gas
      phase reaction between OH and CH3OH is an important contributor to the formation
      of interstellar CH3O. The role of grain-surface processes in the formation of
      CH3O, although it cannot be fully neglected, remains controversial.

PMID- 27279656
TI  - Maximum likelihood estimation for semiparametric transformation models with
      interval-censored data.
AB  - Interval censoring arises frequently in clinical, epidemiological, financial and
      sociological studies, where the event or failure of interest is known only to
      occur within an interval induced by periodic monitoring. We formulate the effects
      of potentially time-dependent covariates on the interval-censored failure time
      through a broad class of semiparametric transformation models that encompasses
      proportional hazards and proportional odds models. We consider nonparametric
      maximum likelihood estimation for this class of models with an arbitrary number
      of monitoring times for each subject. We devise an EM-type algorithm that
      converges stably, even in the presence of time-dependent covariates, and show
      that the estimators for the regression parameters are consistent, asymptotically
      normal, and asymptotically efficient with an easily estimated covariance matrix.
      Finally, we demonstrate the performance of our procedures through simulation
      studies and application to an HIV/AIDS study conducted in Thailand.

PMID- 27279657
TI  - Nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation for the multisample Wicksell
      corpuscle problem.
AB  - We study nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation for the distribution of
      spherical radii using samples containing a mixture of one-dimensional, two
      dimensional biased and three-dimensional unbiased observations. Since direct
      maximization of the likelihood function is intractable, we propose an expectation
      maximization algorithm for implementing the estimator, which handles an indirect
      measurement problem and a sampling bias problem separately in the E- and M-steps,
      and circumvents the need to solve an Abel-type integral equation, which creates
      numerical instability in the one-sample problem. Extensions to ellipsoids are
      studied and connections to multiplicative censoring are discussed.

PMID- 27279658
TI  - Regression analysis of networked data.
AB  - This paper concerns regression methodology for assessing relationships between
      multi-dimensional response variables and covariates that are correlated within a
      network. To address analytical challenges associated with the integration of
      network topology into the regression analysis, we propose a hybrid quadratic
      inference method that uses both prior and data-driven correlations among network
      nodes. A Godambe information-based tuning strategy is developed to allocate
      weights between the prior and data-driven network structures, so the estimator is
      efficient. The proposed method is conceptually simple and computationally fast,
      and has appealing large-sample properties. It is evaluated by simulation, and its
      application is illustrated using neuroimaging data from an association study of
      the effects of iron deficiency on auditory recognition memory in infants.

PMID- 27279652
TI  - RANK-RANKL signalling in cancer.
AB  - Oncogenic events combined with a favourable environment are the two main factors
      in the oncological process. The tumour microenvironment is composed of a complex,
      interconnected network of protagonists, including soluble factors such as
      cytokines, extracellular matrix components, interacting with fibroblasts,
      endothelial cells, immune cells and various specific cell types depending on the
      location of the cancer cells (e.g. pulmonary epithelium, osteoblasts). This
      diversity defines specific "niches" (e.g. vascular, immune, bone niches) involved
      in tumour growth and the metastatic process. These actors communicate together by
      direct intercellular communications and/or in an autocrine/paracrine/endocrine
      manner involving cytokines and growth factors. Among these glycoproteins, RANKL
      (receptor activator nuclear factor-kappaB ligand) and its receptor RANK (receptor
      activator nuclear factor), members of the TNF and TNFR superfamilies, have
      stimulated the interest of the scientific community. RANK is frequently expressed
      by cancer cells in contrast with RANKL which is frequently detected in the tumour
      microenvironment and together they participate in every step in cancer
      development. Their activities are markedly regulated by osteoprotegerin (OPG, a
      soluble decoy receptor) and its ligands, and by LGR4, a membrane receptor able to
      bind RANKL. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of the
      functional implication of the RANK/RANKL system in cancer development, and to
      underline the most recent clinical studies.

PMID- 27279659
TI  - Exact simulation of max-stable processes.
AB  - Max-stable processes play an important role as models for spatial extreme events.
      Their complex structure as the pointwise maximum over an infinite number of
      random functions makes their simulation difficult. Algorithms based on finite
      approximations are often inexact and computationally inefficient. We present a
      new algorithm for exact simulation of a max-stable process at a finite number of
      locations. It relies on the idea of simulating only the extremal functions, that
      is, those functions in the construction of a max-stable process that effectively
      contribute to the pointwise maximum. We further generalize the algorithm by
      Dieker & Mikosch (2015) for Brown-Resnick processes and use it for exact
      simulation via the spectral measure. We study the complexity of both algorithms,
      prove that our new approach via extremal functions is always more efficient, and
      provide closed-form expressions for their implementation that cover most popular
      models for max-stable processes and multivariate extreme value distributions. For
      simulation on dense grids, an adaptive design of the extremal function algorithm
      is proposed.

PMID- 27279660
TI  - Data augmentation for models based on rejection sampling.
AB  - We present a data augmentation scheme to perform Markov chain Monte Carlo
      inference for models where data generation involves a rejection sampling
      algorithm. Our idea is a simple scheme to instantiate the rejected proposals
      preceding each data point. The resulting joint probability over observed and
      rejected variables can be much simpler than the marginal distribution over the
      observed variables, which often involves intractable integrals. We consider three
      problems: modelling flow-cytometry measurements subject to truncation; the
      Bayesian analysis of the matrix Langevin distribution on the Stiefel manifold;
      and Bayesian inference for a nonparametric Gaussian process density model. The
      latter two are instances of doubly-intractable Markov chain Monte Carlo problems,
      where evaluating the likelihood is intractable. Our experiments demonstrate
      superior performance over state-of-the-art sampling algorithms for such problems.

PMID- 27279661
TI  - Exponential tilting in Bayesian asymptotics.
AB  - We use exponential tilting to obtain versions of asymptotic formulae for Bayesian
      computation that do not involve conditional maxima of the likelihood function,
      yielding a more stable computational procedure and significantly reducing
      computational time. In particular we present an alternative version of the
      Laplace approximation for a marginal posterior density. Implementation of the
      asymptotic formulae and a modified signed root based importance sampler are
      illustrated with an example.

PMID- 27279662
TI  - Partial least squares for dependent data.
AB  - We consider the partial least squares algorithm for dependent data and study the
      consequences of ignoring the dependence both theoretically and numerically.
      Ignoring nonstationary dependence structures can lead to inconsistent estimation,
      but a simple modification yields consistent estimation. A protein dynamics
      example illustrates the superior predictive power of the proposed method.

PMID- 27279650
TI  - Vagal Afferent Innervation of the Airways in Health and Disease.
AB  - Vagal sensory neurons constitute the major afferent supply to the airways and
      lungs. Subsets of afferents are defined by their embryological origin, molecular
      profile, neurochemistry, functionality, and anatomical organization, and
      collectively these nerves are essential for the regulation of respiratory
      physiology and pulmonary defense through local responses and centrally mediated
      neural pathways. Mechanical and chemical activation of airway afferents depends
      on a myriad of ionic and receptor-mediated signaling, much of which has yet to be
      fully explored. Alterations in the sensitivity and neurochemical phenotype of
      vagal afferent nerves and/or the neural pathways that they innervate occur in a
      wide variety of pulmonary diseases, and as such, understanding the mechanisms of
      vagal sensory function and dysfunction may reveal novel therapeutic targets. In
      this comprehensive review we discuss historical and state-of-the-art concepts in
      airway sensory neurobiology and explore mechanisms underlying how vagal sensory
      pathways become dysfunctional in pathological conditions.

PMID- 27279663
TI  - Skew-normal antedependence models for skewed longitudinal data.
AB  - Antedependence models, also known as transition models, have proven to be useful
      for longitudinal data exhibiting serial correlation, especially when the
      variances and/or same-lag correlations are time-varying. Statistical inference
      procedures associated with normal antedependence models are well-developed and
      have many nice properties, but they are not appropriate for longitudinal data
      that exhibit considerable skewness. We propose two direct extensions of normal
      antedependence models to skew-normal antedependence models. The first is obtained
      by imposing antedependence on a multivariate skew-normal distribution, and the
      second is a sequential autoregressive model with skew-normal innovations. For
      both models, necessary and sufficient conditions for [Formula: see text]th-order
      antedependence are established, and likelihood-based estimation and testing
      procedures for models satisfying those conditions are developed. The procedures
      are applied to simulated data and to real data from a study of cattle growth.

PMID- 27279664
TI  - A pairwise interaction model for multivariate functional and longitudinal data.
AB  - Functional data vectors consisting of samples of multivariate data where each
      component is a random function are encountered increasingly often but have not
      yet been comprehensively investigated. We introduce a simple pairwise interaction
      model that leads to an interpretable and straightforward decomposition of
      multivariate functional data and of their variation into component-specific
      processes and pairwise interaction processes. The latter quantify the degree of
      pairwise interactions between the components of the functional data vectors,
      while the component-specific processes reflect the functional variation of a
      particular functional vector component that cannot be explained by the other
      components. Thus the proposed model provides an extension of the usual notion of
      a covariance or correlation matrix for multivariate vector data to functional
      data vectors and generates an interpretable functional interaction map. The
      decomposition provided by the model can also serve as a basis for subsequent
      analysis, such as study of the network structure of functional data vectors. The
      decomposition of the total variance into componentwise and interaction
      contributions can be quantified by an [Formula: see text]-like decomposition. We
      provide consistency results for the proposed methods and illustrate the model by
      applying it to sparsely sampled longitudinal data from the Baltimore Longitudinal
      Study of Aging, examining the relationships between body mass index and blood
      fats.

PMID- 27279665
TI  - On exchangeable multinomial distributions.
AB  - We derive an expression for the joint distribution of exchangeable multinomial
      random variables, which generalizes the multinomial distribution based on
      independent trials while retaining some of its important properties. Unlike de
      Finneti's representation theorem for a binary sequence, the exchangeable
      multinomial distribution derived here does not require that the finite set of
      random variables under consideration be a subset of an infinite sequence. Using
      expressions for higher moments and correlations, we show that the covariance
      matrix for exchangeable multinomial data has a different form from that usually
      assumed in the literature, and we analyse data from developmental toxicology
      studies. The proposed analyses have been implemented in R and are available on
      CRAN in the CorrBin package.

PMID- 27279666
TI  - A pairwise likelihood-based approach for changepoint detection in multivariate
      time series models.
AB  - This paper develops a composite likelihood-based approach for multiple
      changepoint estimation in multivariate time series. We derive a criterion based
      on pairwise likelihood and minimum description length for estimating the number
      and locations of changepoints and for performing model selection in each segment.
      The number and locations of the changepoints can be consistently estimated under
      mild conditions and the computation can be conducted efficiently with a pruned
      dynamic programming algorithm. Simulation studies and real data examples
      demonstrate the statistical and computational efficiency of the proposed method.

PMID- 27279667
TI  - Nonparametric identification and maximum likelihood estimation for hidden Markov
      models.
AB  - Nonparametric identification and maximum likelihood estimation for finite-state
      hidden Markov models are investigated. We obtain identification of the parameters
      as well as the order of the Markov chain if the transition probability matrices
      have full-rank and are ergodic, and if the state-dependent distributions are all
      distinct, but not necessarily linearly independent. Based on this identification
      result, we develop a nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation theory. First,
      we show that the asymptotic contrast, the Kullback-Leibler divergence of the
      hidden Markov model, also identifies the true parameter vector nonparametrically.
      Second, for classes of state-dependent densities which are arbitrary mixtures of
      a parametric family, we establish the consistency of the nonparametric maximum
      likelihood estimator. Here, identification of the mixing distributions need not
      be assumed. Numerical properties of the estimates and of nonparametric goodness
      of fit tests are investigated in a simulation study.

PMID- 27279668
TI  - Quantile-based classifiers.
AB  - Classification with small samples of high-dimensional data is important in many
      application areas. Quantile classifiers are distance-based classifiers that
      require a single parameter, regardless of the dimension, and classify
      observations according to a sum of weighted componentwise distances of the
      components of an observation to the within-class quantiles. An optimal percentage
      for the quantiles can be chosen by minimizing the misclassification error in the
      training sample. It is shown that this choice is consistent for the
      classification rule with the asymptotically optimal quantile and that under some
      assumptions, as the number of variables goes to infinity, the probability of
      correct classification converges to unity. The effect of skewness of the
      distributions of the predictor variables is discussed. The optimal quantile
      classifier gives low misclassification rates in a comprehensive simulation study
      and in a real-data application.

PMID- 27279669
TI  - Modelling complex survey data with population level information: an empirical
      likelihood approach.
AB  - Survey data are often collected with unequal probabilities from a stratified
      population. In many modelling situations, the parameter of interest is a subset
      of a set of parameters, with the others treated as nuisance parameters. We show
      that in this situation the empirical likelihood ratio statistic follows a chi
      squared distribution asymptotically, under stratified single and multi-stage
      unequal probability sampling, with negligible sampling fractions. Simulation
      studies show that the empirical likelihood confidence interval may achieve better
      coverages and has more balanced tail error rates than standard approaches
      involving variance estimation, linearization or resampling.

PMID- 27279670
TI  - Calibrated propensity score method for survey nonresponse in cluster sampling.
AB  - Weighting adjustment is commonly used in survey sampling to correct for unit
      nonresponse. In cluster sampling, the missingness indicators are often correlated
      within clusters and the response mechanism is subject to cluster-specific
      nonignorable missingness. Based on a parametric working model for the response
      mechanism that incorporates cluster-specific nonignorable missingness, we propose
      a method of weighting adjustment. We provide a consistent estimator of the mean
      or totals in cases where the study variable follows a generalized linear mixed
      effects model. The proposed method is robust in the sense that the consistency of
      the estimator does not require correct specification of the functional forms of
      the response and outcome models. A consistent variance estimator based on Taylor
      linearization is also proposed. Numerical results, including a simulation and a
      real-data application, are presented.

PMID- 27279671
TI  - On varieties of doubly robust estimators under missingness not at random with a
      shadow variable.
AB  - Suppose we are interested in the mean of an outcome variable missing not at
      random. Suppose however that one has available a fully observed shadow variable,
      which is associated with the outcome but independent of the missingness process
      conditional on covariates and the possibly unobserved outcome. Such a variable
      may be a proxy or a mismeasured version of the outcome and is available for all
      individuals. We have previously established necessary and sufficient conditions
      for identification of the full data law in such a setting, and have described
      semiparametric estimators including a doubly robust estimator of the outcome
      mean. Here, we propose two alternative estimators, which may be viewed as
      extensions of analogous methods under missingness at random, but enjoy different
      properties. We assess the correctness of the required working models via
      straightforward goodness-of-fit tests.

PMID- 27279672
TI  - Sharp sensitivity bounds for mediation under unmeasured mediator-outcome
      confounding.
AB  - It is often of interest to decompose the total effect of an exposure into a
      component that acts on the outcome through some mediator and a component that
      acts independently through other pathways. Said another way, we are interested in
      the direct and indirect effects of the exposure on the outcome. Even if the
      exposure is randomly assigned, it is often infeasible to randomize the mediator,
      leaving the mediator-outcome confounding not fully controlled. We develop a
      sensitivity analysis technique that can bound the direct and indirect effects
      without parametric assumptions about the unmeasured mediator-outcome confounding.

PMID- 27279673
TI  - Adsorption and Coupling of 4-aminophenol on Pt(111) surfaces.
AB  - We have deposited 4-aminophenol on Pt(111) surfaces in ultra-high vacuum and
      studied the strength of its adsorption through a combination of STM, LEED, XPS
      and ab initio calculations. Although an ordered (2?3*2?3)R30 degrees  phase
      appears, we have observed that molecule-substrate interaction dominates the
      adsorption geometry and properties of the system. At RT the high catalytic
      activity of Pt induces aminophenol to lose the H atom from the hydroxyl group,
      and a proportion of the molecules lose the complete hydroxyl group. After
      annealing above 420K, all deposited aminophenol molecules have lost the OH moiety
      and some hydrogen atoms from the amino groups. At this temperature, short single
      molecule oligomer chains can be observed. These chains are the product of a new
      reaction that proceeds via the coupling of radical species that is favoured by
      surface diffusion.

PMID- 27279674
TI  - The Single-Case Reporting Guideline In BEhavioural Interventions (SCRIBE) 2016
      Statement.
AB  - We developed a reporting guideline to provide authors with guidance about what
      should be reported when writing a paper for publication in a scientific journal
      using a particular type of research design: the single-case experimental design.
      This report describes the methods used to develop the Single-Case Reporting
      guideline In BEhavioural interventions (SCRIBE) 2016. As a result of 2 online
      surveys and a 2-day meeting of experts, the SCRIBE 2016 checklist was developed,
      which is a set of 26 items that authors need to address when writing about single
      case research. This article complements the more detailed SCRIBE 2016 Explanation
      and Elaboration article (Tate et al., 2016) that provides a rationale for each of
      the items and examples of adequate reporting from the literature. Both these
      resources will assist authors to prepare reports of single-case research with
      clarity, completeness, accuracy, and transparency. They will also provide journal
      reviewers and editors with a practical checklist against which such reports may
      be critically evaluated. We recommend that the SCRIBE 2016 is used by authors
      preparing manuscripts describing single-case research for publication, as well as
      journal reviewers and editors who are evaluating such manuscripts.

PMID- 27279675
TI  - Discriminatory power of common genetic variants in personalized breast cancer
      diagnosis.
AB  - Technology advances in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has engendered
      optimism that we have entered a new age of precision medicine, in which the risk
      of breast cancer can be predicted on the basis of a person's genetic variants.
      The goal of this study is to evaluate the discriminatory power of common genetic
      variants in breast cancer risk estimation. We conducted a retrospective case
      control study drawing from an existing personalized medicine data repository. We
      collected variables that predict breast cancer risk: 153 high-frequency/low
      penetrance genetic variants, reflecting the state-of-the-art GWAS on breast
      cancer, mammography descriptors and BI-RADS assessment categories in the Breast
      Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon. We trained and tested naive
      Bayes models by using these predictive variables. We generated ROC curves and
      used the area under the ROC curve (AUC) to quantify predictive performance. We
      found that genetic variants achieved comparable predictive performance to BI-RADS
      assessment categories in terms of AUC (0.650 vs. 0.659, p-value = 0.742), but
      significantly lower predictive performance than the combination of BI-RADS
      assessment categories and mammography descriptors (0.650 vs. 0.751, p-value <
      0.001). A better understanding of relative predictive capability of genetic
      variants and mammography data may benefit clinicians and patients to make
      appropriate decisions about breast cancer screening, prevention, and treatment in
      the era of precision medicine.

PMID- 27279676
TI  - Single-pixel phase-corrected fiber bundle endomicroscopy with lensless focussing
      capability.
AB  - In this paper a novel single-pixel method for coherent imaging through an
      endoscopic fiber bundle is presented. The use of a single-pixel detector allows
      greater sensitivity over a wider range of wavelengths, which could have
      significant applications in endoscopic fluorescence microscopy. First, the
      principle of lensless focussing at the distal end of a coherent fiber bundle is
      simulated to examine the impact of pixelation at microscopic scales. Next, an
      experimental optical correlator system using spatial light modulators (SLMs) is
      presented. A simple contrast imaging method of characterizing and compensating
      phase aberrations introduced by fiber bundles is described. Experimental results
      are then presented showing that our phase compensation method enables
      characterization of the optical phase profile of individual fiberlets. After
      applying this correction, early results demonstrating the ability of the system
      to electronically adjust the focal plane at the distal end of the fiber bundle
      are presented. The structural similarity index (SSIM) between the simulated image
      and the experimental focus-adjusted image increases noticeably when the phase
      correction is applied and the retrieved image is visually recognizable.
      Strategies to improve image quality are discussed.

PMID- 27279677
TI  - Assessing the Need for a New Household Panel Study: Health Insurance and Health
      Care.
AB  - This paper considers the availability of data for addressing questions related to
      health insurance and health care and the potential contribution of a new
      household panel study. The paper begins by outlining some of the major questions
      related to policy and concludes that survey data on health insurance, access to
      care, health spending, and overall economic well-being will likely be needed to
      answer them. The paper considers the strengths and weaknesses of existing sources
      of survey data for answering these questions. The paper concludes that either a
      new national panel study, an expansion in the age range of subjects in existing
      panel studies, or a set of smaller changes to existing panel and cross-sectional
      surveys, would significantly enhance our understanding of the dynamics of health
      insurance, access to health care, and economic well-being.

PMID- 27279678
TI  - Effects of Parent and Child Pre-Intervention Characteristics on Child Skill
      Acquisition during a School Readiness Intervention.
AB  - 200 preschool children in Head Start (55% girls; 20% Hispanic, 25% African
      American, 55% European American; M age = 4.80 years old) participated in a
      randomized-controlled trial of a home visiting intervention designed to promote
      their emergent literacy skills (the Research-based Developmentally Informed
      parent [REDI-P] program). This study explored concurrent changes in levels of
      parent support and child literacy skills that occurred over the course of the
      intervention, and examined the impact of pre-intervention parent support and
      child literacy skills as potential moderators of parent and child outcomes. Cross
      lagged structural equation models and follow-up analyses indicated that
      intervention had the strongest impact on child literacy skills when parents were
      high on support at the pre-intervention assessment. Conversely, the REDI-Parent
      program promoted the greatest gains in parent support when parents entered the
      program with low levels. These findings suggest that families may benefit from
      home visit school readiness interventions in different ways: child skill
      acquisition may be greatest when parents are initially high in support, whereas
      parenting may improve most when parents are initially low in support.

PMID- 27279679
TI  - Digital image classification with the help of artificial neural network by simple
      histogram.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Visual image classification is a great challenge to the
      cytopathologist in routine day-to-day work. Artificial neural network (ANN) may
      be helpful in this matter. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we have tried to
      classify digital images of malignant and benign cells in effusion cytology smear
      with the help of simple histogram data and ANN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of
      404 digital images consisting of 168 benign cells and 236 malignant cells were
      selected for this study. The simple histogram data was extracted from these
      digital images and an ANN was constructed with the help of Neurointelligence
      software [Alyuda Neurointelligence 2.2 (577), Cupertino, California, USA]. The
      network architecture was 6-3-1. The images were classified as training set (281),
      validation set (63), and test set (60). The on-line backpropagation training
      algorithm was used for this study. RESULT: A total of 10,000 iterations were done
      to train the ANN system with the speed of 609.81/s. After the adequate training
      of this ANN model, the system was able to identify all 34 malignant cell images
      and 24 out of 26 benign cells. CONCLUSION: The ANN model can be used for the
      identification of the individual malignant cells with the help of simple
      histogram data. This study will be helpful in the future to identify malignant
      cells in unknown situations.

PMID- 27279680
TI  - Etiological study of lymphadenopathy in HIV-infected patients in a tertiary care
      hospital.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has become a global
      pandemic. Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) is very common
      manifestation of HIV infection. Moreover, different opportunistic infections such
      as tuberculosis (TB) and malignancies may present with lymphadenopathy.
      Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is most common with cluster of
      differentiation (CD)4+ count <=50 cells/MUL. Fine-needle aspiration cytology
      (FNAC) offers a simple and effective modality for obtaining a representative
      sample of the material from lymph nodes, permitting cytological evaluation and
      other investigations. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to find out
      the different etiologies of lymphadenopathy in HIV-infected patients and to
      establish a possible correlation with CD4+ count. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total
      of 100 HIV-infected patients having significant (>1 cm) extrainguinal
      lymphadenopathy were studied in 1 year at the Department of Pathology by FNAC and
      the stains used were Leishman-Giemsa, Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), Papanicoloau, and Gram
      stains. For tubercular culture, Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium was used. CD4+count
      was done by flow cytometer. RESULT: The present study revealed four types of
      cytomorphological variants in lymphadenopathy cases by FNAC, which include:
      Reactive hyperplasia and caseation necrosis; caseation necrosis and ill-formed
      granuloma; well-formed granuloma without any necrosis; and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
      (NHL). The highest acid-fast bacilli (AFB) positivity was among the patients
      showing caseation necrosis. Tubercular culture in LJ media turned out as a more
      sensitive method for diagnosis than routine ZN staining. The 2 cases that showed
      well-formed epithelioid granuloma without any necrosis turned out to be
      histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, respectively. In this study, we found 2 cases
      of NHL. The study also revealed that caseation necrosis and AFB positivity along
      with opportunistic infections increases with decreased CD4+ count.

PMID- 27279681
TI  - Utility of immunochemistry in cytology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role played by cytology in primary diagnosis is undeniable. With
      improved management protocols and targeted therapy, the need for accurate
      diagnosis has become mandatory. Immunochemistry and molecular techniques are
      increasingly being used on limited tissue samples. AIMS: This study was conducted
      to find out the impact of immunocytochemistry (ICC) on cytology material in
      cytology practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunochemistry was done on alcohol
      fixed smears and cell-block preparations. It was done with i6000 BioGenex
      autostainer using BioGenex reagents. RESULTS: A total of 148 cases occurring over
      a period of 3 years (September 2010-June 2013) were analyzed. Staining was done
      on cytology smears in 77 cases and on cell-block sections in 71 cases. ICC helped
      in diagnosis in 8 cases, confirmed the diagnosis in 26 cases, helped in subtyping
      in 60 cases, and helped in prognostication in 6 cases. ICC has altered the
      diagnosis in two cases. It was noncontributory in 43 cases, and the material was
      inadequate in three cases. CONCLUSION: In 102 cases (69%), ICC proved to be a
      useful adjunct in the diagnosis and prognostication; hence, its use is
      recommended in practice to aid in cytology services.

PMID- 27279682
TI  - Fine needle aspiration cytology of atypical (C3) and suspicious (C4) categories
      in the breast and its histopathologic correlation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 1996, National Cancer Institute (NCI) proposed five categories for
      the diagnosis of breast cytology in order to bring a degree of uniformity to the
      diagnostic reporting. Of these, categories 3 and 4 were sparsely studied. AIMS:
      The present study was undertaken for the evaluation of the fine needle aspiration
      cytology (FNAC) categories of C3 and C4 in the breast lump and its
      histopathological correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the retrospective study,
      a total number of 728 FNACs were categorized according to the NCI; of these, 28
      cases of category C3 and 65 cases of category C4 were compared with
      histopathological diagnoses. RESULTS: On histopathological examination of
      category C3, 18 (64.3%) cases showed benign lesions and 10 (35.7%) cases showed
      malignancy and among the C4 category, benign lesions found in nine (13.8%) and
      malignancy found in 56 (86.2%) cases. There was a significant statistical
      difference between the number of benign and malignant diagnoses for cytological
      categories of C3 (64.3%) and C4 (86.2%) (P < 0.001). The sensitivity,
      specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of C4
      category in the diagnoses of malignancy were 84.8%, 66.7%, 86.2%, and 64.3%,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: FNAC of the breasts is a simple, cost-effective,
      accurate, quick, and relatively less painful procedure, and it continues to play
      an integral part in the management of breast lesions. Our study concluded that
      there was a statistically significant difference between the number of benign and
      malignant diagnoses for categories of C3 and C4.

PMID- 27279683
TI  - A comparative analysis of conventional and SurePath liquid-based cervicovaginal
      cytology: A study of 140 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of Papanicolaou (Pap) test in cervical cancer screening need
      not be overemphasized. While most Western countries have adopted the liquid-based
      cytology (LBC), which is considered superior, many developing countries are still
      using the conventional Pap smear (CPS) technique. OBJECTIVE: To compare the
      staining and cytomorphological features on conventional versus liquid-based
      cervicovaginal smears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty
      cervicovaginal smears prepared by the standard conventional and LBC techniques
      were interpreted as per the Bethesda system of reporting cervicovaginal smears.
      Twelve parameters were studied, compared, and statistically analyzed. A P value
      <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: 129/140 (92%) of
      CPSs and 130/140 (93%) LBC smears were satisfactory. LBC had a significantly
      shorter screening time (2.0 +/- 0.08 vs 4.0 +/- 0.65) and better representative
      material than that of CPS (50% vs 42%). Neutrophils were significantly more in
      CPS than LBC (96% vs 92%) with a P value <0.05 while hemorrhagic background and
      red blood cells (RBCs) were more prominent in CPS. LBC showed significant
      artifactual changes in squamous epithelial cells. Epithelial abnormalities
      ranging from atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) to high
      grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) were seen in 3% (4) and 2% (2) of
      CPSs and LBCs, respectively. Organisms were better picked up in CPS (99% in CPS
      vs 73% LBC) with a value of P = 0.0001. CONCLUSION: Although a shorter screening
      time and cleaner background are the major advantages of LBC, CPS is not inferior
      to LBC. Considering the high cost, rather than the advantages associated with
      LBC, we feel that CPS is a better option for developing countries.

PMID- 27279684
TI  - Effusion cytomorphology of small round cell tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Small round cell tumors (SRCTs) are a group of tumors composed of
      small, round, and uniform cells with high nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) ratios. The
      appearance of SRCT neoplastic cells in the effusion fluid is very rare. We
      reported the cytomorphological findings of SRCTs in effusion cytology, and
      performed statistical and mathematical analyses for a purpose to distinguish
      SRCTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the cytologic findings of effusion
      samples from 40 SRCT cases and measured the lengths of the nuclei, cytoplasms,
      and the cell cluster areas. The SRCT cases included 14 Ewing sarcoma
      (EWS)/primitive neuroectodermal tumor cases, 5 synovial sarcoma cases, 6
      rhabdomyosarcoma cases, 9 small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cases, and 6 diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) cases. RESULTS: Morphologically, there were no
      significant differences in the nuclear and cytoplasmic lengths in cases of EWS,
      synovial sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. The cytoplasmic lengths in cases of SCLC
      and DLBL were smaller than those of EWS, synovial sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma.
      The nuclear density of the cluster in SCLC was higher than that in other SRCTs,
      and cases of DLBL showed a lack of anisokaryosis and anisocytosis. CONCLUSION: We
      believe that it might be possible to diagnose DLBL and SCLC from cytologic
      analysis of effusion samples but it is very difficult to use this method to
      distinguish EWS, synovial sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. Statistical and
      mathematical analyses indicated that nuclear density and dispersion of nuclear
      and cytoplasmic sizes are useful adjuncts to conventional cytologic diagnostic
      criteria, which are acquired from experience.

PMID- 27279685
TI  - Errors, limitations, and pitfalls in the diagnosis of central and peripheral
      nervous system lesions in intraoperative cytology and frozen sections.
AB  - CONTEXT: Intraoperative cytology and frozen section play an important role in the
      diagnosis of neurosurgical specimens. There are limitations in both these
      procedures but understanding the errors and pitfalls may help in increasing the
      diagnostic yield. AIMS: To find the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative
      cytology and frozen section for central and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
      lesions and analyze the errors, pitfalls, and limitations in these procedures.
      SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Eighty cases were included in this prospective study in a
      span of 1.5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crush preparations and the frozen
      sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin method. The diagnosis of crush
      smears and the frozen sections were compared with the diagnosis in the paraffin
      section, which was considered as the gold standard. STATISTICAL ANALYSES USED:
      Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: The diagnostic
      accuracy of crush smears was 91.25% with a sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity
      of 100%. In the frozen sections, the overall diagnostic accuracy was 95%,
      sensitivity was 96.8%, and specificity was 100%. The categories of pitfalls noted
      in this study were categorization of spindle cell lesions, differentiation of
      oligodendroglioma from astrocytoma in frozen sections, differentiation of
      coagulative tumor necrosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) from the caseous
      necrosis of tuberculosis, grading of gliomas in frozen section, and
      differentiation of the normal granular cells of the cerebellum from the
      lymphocytes in cytological smears. CONCLUSIONS: Crush smear and frozen section
      are complimentary procedures. When both are used together, the diagnostic yield
      is substantially increased.

PMID- 27279686
TI  - Diagnostic pitfall in a case of ductal carcinoma-in situ with microinvasion.
AB  - We report a case of microinvasive carcinoma of the breast cytologically diagnosed
      as ductal carcinoma - in situ in an 80-year-old lady with a breast lump.
      Extensive sampling of mastectomy specimen showed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
      Many ducts showed stromal reaction - periductal sclerosis and lymphocytic
      infiltration-features suggestive of microinvasion. However, no definite invasion
      was noted histologically. Immunohistochemical study highlighted the microinvasive
      foci. 

PMID- 27279687
TI  - Cytologic aspects of an interesting case of medullary thyroid carcinoma
      coexisting with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
AB  - Among primary thyroid neoplasms, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and primary
      thyroid lymphoma (PTL) are known to coexist and are pathogenetically linked with
      Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). However, HT occurring in association with medullary
      thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is rarely documented. We report here an interesting case.
      A 34-year-old female with a solitary thyroid nodule underwent fine needle
      aspiration cytology (FNAC) that was interpreted as "MTC with admixed reactive
      lymphoid cells, derived possibly from a pretracheal lymph node." Total
      thyroidectomy specimen showed "MTC with coexisting HT." At a later stage, a
      follow-up FNAC from the recurrent thyroid swelling showed features consistent
      with HT. As an academic exercise, the initial smears on which a diagnosis of MTC
      was offered were reviewed to look for evidence of coexisting HT that showed
      scanty and patchy aggregates of reactive lymphoid cells without Hurthle cells.
      Our case highlights an unusual instance of MTC in concurrence with HT that can
      create a tricky situation for cytopathologists. 

PMID- 27279688
TI  - Emphasizing the pivotal role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in a case of
      recurrent malignant chondroid syringoma.
AB  - Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) features of malignant chondroid syringoma
      (MCS) are rarely documented. Here, we report a case of recurrent MCS,
      highlighting its interesting clinicopathologic features. Initially, we received
      cytology and histopathology slides (for review) of a 57-year-old woman who had
      undergone resection for an occipital MCS and later presented with recurrence. On
      reviewing the slides, cytology was consistent with recurrent MCS. However, tissue
      sections showed features of a malignant epithelial tumor with comedonecrosis and
      sebaceous differentiation owing to which a diagnosis of metastatic
      adenocarcinoma/malignant adnexal tumor was suggested. Due to an ambiguous
      histology, a repeat FNA was performed to perform immunocytochemistry (ICC) and
      oil-red O stains, which confirmed the diagnosis of MCS with sebaceous
      differentiation. Thus, in a situation where histology was inconclusive due to
      lack of representative sections, FNAC played a major role in resolving the
      diagnostic dilemma and facilitating an appropriate clinical management. 

PMID- 27279689
TI  - Giant cell tumor of soft tissues of low malignant potential: A rare diagnosis on
      fine needle aspiration cytology.
AB  - Primary giant cell tumors of soft tissues (GCT-ST) are extremely rare soft tissue
      tumors, located in both superficial and deep soft tissues. They resemble osseous
      giant cell tumors morphologically and immunohistochemically. The tumor exhibits
      strong positive immunoreactivity for cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68) within
      multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells and focal staining of mononuclear
      cells. Case reports describing the cytohistological features of this entity are
      very few. We report a case of GCT-ST of low malignant potential diagnosed on fine
      needle aspiration (FNA) and confirmed on histological and immunohistochemical
      studies. 

PMID- 27279690
TI  - A rare cytological diagnosis of primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the parotid
      gland.
AB  - Primary lymphoma of the parotid gland is relatively rare and constitutes about 4
      5% of extranodal lymphomas. The majority of them is non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
      and is B cell in nature. We report a case of primary diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma (DLBCL) of the parotid gland in an elderly male. The case was diagnosed
      on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the right parotid gland as high
      grade B-cell NHL and confirmed on histopathology as DLBCL. In correlation with
      the clinicoradiological findings, the case was diagnosed as primary parotid
      DLBCL. The case highlights the role of FNAC as a timely and useful diagnostic
      tool. 

PMID- 27279691
TI  - Lingual schwannoma: A cytological diagnosis.

PMID- 27279692
TI  - Erratum: Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in nonsmall cell lung
      carcinoma patients in Kuwait.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 1 in vol. 33, PMID: 27011433.]. 

PMID- 27279693
TI  - In vitro Metabolism of Sodium 9-dehydro-17-hydro-andrographolide-19-yl Sulfate in
      Rat Liver S9 by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Method.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sodium 9-dehydro-17-hydro-andrographolide-19-yl sulfate (DHAS) is the
      active ingredient of Xiyanping injection, a traditional Chinese medicine in
      clinical use. However, there has been no report about the metabolic rate and
      metabolites of DHAS in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this article, DHAS was
      incubated with rat liver S9, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS)
      was used for the metabolism study. The residual concentrations of substrate were
      determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray
      ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method for the metabolic rate study of DHAS
      in liver S9. Metabolites were identified by the (UPLC-TOF-MS(E)) Ultra
      performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry
      method. RESULTS: The calibration curves of DHAS were linear over the
      concentration range from 0.75 MUM to 75.22 MUM with correlation coefficients
      >0.99. The lower limit of quantification was 0.150 MUM for DHAS. The
      determination recoveries of DHAS were in the range of 84.9-90.6%. The t1/2 and
      CLint of DHAS in rat liver S9 were 98.6 +/- 2.1 min and 3.5 +/- 0.1 mL/min/g,
      respectively. Five metabolites were preliminarily identified based on the high
      resolution mass spectrum data in comparison with related references. These
      metabolites were mainly the products of dehydration and hydrogenation of DHAS.
      CONCLUSION: The present in vitro metabolic study of DHAS provided valuable
      information about the metabolic rate and potential metabolites of DHAS, which are
      important for future in vivo metabolism studies of DHAS and the discovery of more
      active andrographolide derivatives. SUMMARY: In this paper, sodium 9-dehydro-17
      hydro-andrographolide-19-yl sulfate (DHAS) metabolism in vitro has been
      investigated with rat liver S9 using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC
      MS). The result of quantitative analysis showed that DHAS had a long t1/2, which
      indicated its high metabolic stability. Five metabolites of DHAS were identified
      in the incubation system based on the high resolution mass spectrum data in
      comparison with related references, particularly dehydrated and hydrogenated
      products. The results would provide certain references to screen out more active
      andrographolide derivative for pre-clinically. Abbreviations used: MRM: Multiple
      reaction monitoring, DHAS: Sodium 9-dehydro-17-hydro-andrographolide-19-yl
      sulfate, IS: Internal standard.

PMID- 27279694
TI  - Effect of Procyanidin-rich Extract from Natural Cocoa Powder on Cellular
      Viability, Cell Cycle Progression, and Chemoresistance in Human Epithelial
      Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the last 400 years, cocoa and chocolate have been described as
      having potential medicinal value, being consumed as a beverage or eaten as food.
      Concentration-dependant, antiproliferation, and cytotoxic effects of some of
      their polyphenolic constituents have been demonstrated against various cancers.
      Such an effect remains to be demonstrated in ovarian cancer. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate the effect of cocoa procyanidins against ovarian cancer in vitro
      using OAW42 and OVCAR3 cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cocoa procyanidins were
      extracted and enriched from non alkalized cocoa powder. The polyphenolic content
      and antioxidant activity were determined. Effect on cell viability was determined
      after the treatment with <=1000 MUg/mL cocoa procyanidin-rich extract on OAW42
      and OVCAR3 and normal human dermal fibroblasts. Similarly, chemosensitization
      effect was determined by pretreating cancer cell lines with extract followed by
      doxorubicin hydrochloride treatment. The effect of treatment on cell cycle and P
      glycoprotein (P-gp) expression was determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The
      cocoa extract showed high polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity.
      Treatment with extract caused cytotoxicity and chemosensitization in OAW42 and
      OVCAR3 cell lines. Normal dermal fibroblasts showed an increase in cell viability
      post treatment with extract. Treatment with extract affected the cell cycle and
      an increasing percentage of cells in hypodiploid sub-G1/G0 phase was observed.
      Treatment of OVCAR3 with the extract caused reduction of P-gp expression.
      CONCLUSION: Cocoa procyanidins were found to be selectively cytotoxic against
      epithelial ovarian cancer, interfered with the normal cell cycle and sensitized
      cells to subsequent chemotherapeutic treatment. Chemosensitization was found to
      be associated with P-gp reduction in OVCAR3 cells. SUMMARY: Among the naturally
      occurring flavonoids, procyanidins have been shown to be effective against
      cancersNon alkalized cocoa powder is one of the richest sources of
      procyanidinsCocoa procyanidin-rich extract (CPRE) caused cytotoxicity and
      chemosensitization in ovarian carcinoma cell lines OAW42 and OVCAR3CPRE affected
      normal cell cycle progressionCPRE also downregulated P-glycoprotein, which
      mediates chemoresistance in multidrug-resistant OVCAR3 cell line. Abbreviations
      used: P-gp: P-glycoprotein, CPRE: Cocoa procyanidin rich extract, DMAC: 4
      dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde, DPPH: Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, ABTS: 2,2';-azinobis
      (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), PI: Propidium iodide, FITC: Fluorescein
      isothiocyanate, MTT: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
      bromide, TLC: Thin layer chromatography, HPTLC: High-performance thin layer
      chromatography.

PMID- 27279695
TI  - Kinetics of Inhibition of Monoamine Oxidase Using Curcumin and Ellagic Acid.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Curcumin and ellagic are the natural polyphenols having a wide range
      of pharmacological actions. They have been reported to have their use in various
      neurological disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of
      curcumin and ellagic acid on the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO), the enzyme
      responsible for metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters which are pivotal for
      neuronal development and function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro effects of
      these selected polyphenols on MAO activities in mitochondria isolated from rat
      brains were examined. Brain mitochondria were assayed for MAO type-B (MAO-B)
      using benzylamine as substrates. Rat brain mitochondrial MAO preparation was used
      to study the kinetics of enzyme inhibition using double reciprocal Lineweaver
      Burk plot. RESULTS: MAO activity was inhibited by curcumin and ellagic acid;
      however, higher half maximal inhibitory concentrations of curcumin (500.46 nM)
      and ellagic acid (412.24 nM) were required compared to the known MAO-B inhibitor
      selegiline. It is observed that the curcumin and ellagic acid inhibit the MAO
      activity with both the competitive and noncompetitive type of inhibitions.
      CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin and ellagic acid can be considered a possible source of MAO
      inhibitor used in the treatment of Parkinson's and other neurological disorders.
      SUMMARY: Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is involved in a variety of neurological
      disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD)Curcumin and ellagic acid inhibit the
      monoamine oxidase activityEllagic acid revealed more potent MAO type-B (MAO-B)
      inhibitory activity than curcuminKinetic studies of MAO inhibition using
      different concentrations of curcumin and ellagic acid were plotted as double
      reciprocal Lineweaver-Burk plotThe mode of inhibition of both compounds toward
      MAO-B is mixed (competitive and uncompetitive) type of inhibition with both the
      competitive and noncompetitive type of inhibitions. Abbreviations used: MAO:
      Monoamine oxidase, IC50: Higher half maximal inhibitory concentrations, PD:
      Parkinson's disease, LB: Lewy bodies, SNpc: Substantia nigra pars compacta, ROS:
      Reactive oxygen species, SG: Selegiline, DMC: demethoxycurcumin, BDMC:
      Bisdemethoxycurcumin.

PMID- 27279696
TI  - Effect of Withinia Somnifera and Shilajit on Alcohol Addiction in Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol addiction is a social problem leading to both loss of health
      and economic prosperity among addicted individuals. Common properties of anti
      addictive compounds include anti-anxiety, anticonvulsants, anti-depressant, and
      nootropic actions primarily through modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
      and serotonergic systems. OBJECTIVE: Here, we screen ashwagandha and shilajit
      known ethnopharmacologically as nervine tonic and adaptogenic herbs for possible
      anti-addictive potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effect of ashwagandha churna and
      shilajit was measured on ethanol withdrawal anxiety using elevated plus maze.
      Role of ashwagandha and shilajit on chronic ethanol consumption (21 days) was
      measured using two bottle choice protocol of voluntary drinking. We also measured
      the effect of the above herbs on corticohippocampal GABA, dopamine, and serotonin
      levels. RESULTS: Both ashwagandha and shilajit were found to reduce alcohol
      withdrawal anxiety in a dose-dependent manner. These herbs alone or in
      combination also decreased ethanol intake and increased water intake
      significantly after 21 days of chronic administration. Chronic administration of
      ashwagandha was found to significantly increase GABA and serotonin levels whereas
      shilajit altered cortico-hippocampal dopamine in mice. CONCLUSION: These central
      nervous system active herbs alone or in combination reduced both alcohol
      dependence and withdrawal thus showing promising anti-addictive potential.
      SUMMARY: Withinia Somnifera alone and in combination with Shilajeet prevented
      ethanol withdrawal and alcohol addiction Abbreviations used: GABA: Gama
      aminobutyric acid, CNS: Central Nervous System, CPP:Condition place preference,
      DA: Dopamine, 5-HT: 5-hydroxytryptamine, NMDA:N-methyl-D-aspartate.

PMID- 27279697
TI  - Flavonoids Derived from Abelmoschus esculentus Attenuates UV-B Induced Cell
      Damage in Human Dermal Fibroblasts Through Nrf2-ARE Pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is a smaller fraction of the total
      radiation reaching the Earth but leads to extensive damage to the
      deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and other biomolecules through formation of free
      radicals altering redox homeostasis of the cell. Abelmoschus esculentus (okra)
      has been known in Ayurveda as antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, demulscent,
      antispasmodic, diuretic, purgative, etc. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to
      evaluate the protective effect of flavonoids from A. esculentus against UV-B
      induced cell damage in human dermal fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: UV-B
      protective activity of ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of okra was studied against UV
      B-induced cytotoxicity, antioxidant regulation, oxidative DNA damage,
      intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptotic morphological
      changes, and regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene through nuclear factor E2
      related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway. RESULTS:
      Flavonoid-rich EA fraction depicted a significant antioxidant potential also
      showing presence of rutin. Pretreatment of cells with EA fraction (10-30 MUg/ml)
      prevented UV-B-induced cytotoxicity, depletion of endogenous enzymatic
      antioxidants, oxidative DNA damage, intracellular ROS production, apoptotic
      changes, and overexpression of Nrf2 and HO-1. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated
      for the 1(st) time that EA fraction of okra may reduce oxidative stress through
      Nrf2-ARE pathway as well as through endogenous enzymatic antioxidant system.
      These results suggested that flavonoids from okra may be considered as potential
      UV-B protective agents and may also be formulated into herbal sunscreen for
      topical application. SUMMARY: Flavonoid-enriched ethyl acetate (EA) fraction from
      A. esculentus protected against ultraviolet-B (UV-B)-induced oxidative DNA
      damageEA fraction prevented UV-B-induced cytotoxicity, depletion of endogenous
      enzymatic antioxidants, and intracellular reactive oxygen species productionEA
      fraction could reduce oxidative stress through the Nrf2-ARE PathwayEA fraction
      was found to be nongenotoxic and prevented apoptotic changes. HIGHLIGHTS:
      Flavonoids from Abelmoschus esculentus protected from ultraviolet-B-induced
      damageThey were capable of reducing oxidative stress through Nrf2-ARE PathwayThey
      are nongenotoxic and do not possess mutagenic potentialFlavonoids from A.
      esculentus can be studied and explored further for its topical application as
      sunscreen. Abbreviations used: ABTS: 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline -6
      sulphonic acid), AO: Acridine orange, ANOVA: Analysis of variance, ARE:
      Antioxidant response elements, BSA: Bovine serum albumin, CAPE: Caffeic acid
      phenethyl ester, CAT: Catalase, DCFH-DA: 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate,
      DMEM: Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium, DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide, DNA:
      Deoxyribonucleic acid, DPBS: Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline, DPPH: 2,2
      diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl, ECL: Enhanced chemiluminescence, EDTA:
      Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, EtBr:
      Ethidium bromide, FBS: Fetal bovine serum, FE Fraction: Flavonoid-enriched
      fraction, FRAP: Ferric reducing antioxidant power, GPx: Glutathione peroxidase,
      GR: Glutathione reductase, GST: Glutathione-S-transferase, GSH: Reduced
      glutathione, GSSG: Oxidized glutathione, HDF: Human dermal fibroblast adult
      cells, HEPES: 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulphonic acid, HRP:
      Horseradish peroxidase, HO-1: Heme oxygenase-1, HPTLC: High-performance thin
      layer chromatography, Keap-1: Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1, MTT: 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, NaCl: sodium chloride,
      NFDM: nonfat dry milk, Nrf2: Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, NQO1: NAD (P) H:
      Quinine oxidoreductase 1, OH: Hydroxyl ions, PBST: Phosphate-buffered saline with
      0.1% tween 20, PCR: Polymerase chain reaction, PMSF: Phenylmethanesulfonyl
      fluoride, Rf: Retention factor, ROS: Reactive oxygen species, rRNA: Ribosomal
      ribonucleic acid, SDS: Sodium dodecyl sulfate, SOD: Superoxide dismutase, TLC:
      Thin layer chromatography, TLC-DPPH: Thin layer chromatography-2,2-diphenyl-1
      picryl hydrazyl, UV: Ultraviolet, UV-A: Ultraviolet-A, UV-B: Ultraviolet-B, UV-C:
      Ultraviolet-C, qPCR: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

PMID- 27279698
TI  - Epicatechin Plus Treadmill Exercise are Neuroprotective Against Moderate-stage
      Amyloid Precursor Protein/Presenilin 1 Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence suggests that exercise and dietary
      polyphenols are beneficial in reducing Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In the present study, 8 months old amyloid precursor
      protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) mice (a moderate pathology phase) were given the
      green tea catechin (-)-epicatechin delivered orally in the drinking water (50
      mg/kg daily), along with treadmill exercise for 4 months, in order to investigate
      whether the combination can ameliorate the cognitive loss and delay the
      progression of AD in APP/PS1 transgenic (Tg) mice. RESULTS: At termination,
      untreated-Tg mice showed elevated soluble amyloid-beta (Abeta1-40) and Abeta1-42
      levels and deficits in spatial learning and memory, compared with their wild-type
      littermates. The combined intervention protected against cognitive deficits in
      the Morris water maze, lowered soluble Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42 levels in the
      hippocampus as well as reducing brain oxidative stress. In addition, brain
      derived neurotrophic factor proteins wee elevated and Akt/GSK-3/cAMP response
      element-binding protein signaling was activated in the combination group.
      CONCLUSIONS: Dietary polyphenol plus exercise may exert beneficial effects on
      brain health and slow the progression of moderate- or mid-stages of AD. SUMMARY:
      Amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 transgenic mice showed elevated soluble
      amyloid-beta (Abeta1-40) and Abeta1-42 levels and deficits in spatial learning
      and memory, compared with their wild-type littermatesOral administration of
      epicatechin, combined with treadmill exercise for 4 months, could protect against
      cognitive deficits, and lowered soluble Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42 levels as well as
      reducing brain oxidative stressBrain-derived neurotrophic factor proteins were
      elevated, and Akt/GSK-3/cAMP response element binding protein signaling was
      activated in the combination groupDietary polyphenol plus exercise might exert
      beneficial effects on brain health and slow the progression of moderate- or mid
      stages of Alzheimer's disease. Abbreviations used: AD: Alzheimer's disease, Tg:
      APP/PS1 transgenic, BDNF: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Abeta: Amyloid-beta,
      APP: Amyloid precursor protein, PS1: Presenilin 1, nTg: Wild-type littermates,
      IACUC: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, GSSG: Glutathione oxidized
      form, GSH: Glutathione reductase, SOD: Superoxide dismutase, CAT: Catalase, LPO:
      Lipoperoxidation, CREB: cAMP response element binding protein.

PMID- 27279699
TI  - Protective Effect of High Molecular Weight Protein Sub-fraction of Calotropis
      procera Latex in Monoarthritic Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Proteins present in the latex of Calotropis procera have been shown
      to produce anti-inflammatory effect and to afford protection in various disease
      models. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of high molecular weight protein
      sub-fraction (LPPI) of latex of C. procera in ameliorating joint inflammation and
      hyperalgesia in a preclinical model of arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Monoarthritis was induced in rats by intra-articular injection of Freund's
      complete adjuvant (FCA) and the effect of two doses of LPPI (5 and 25 mg/kg) and
      diclofenac (5 mg/kg) was evaluated on joint swelling, stair climbing ability,
      motility, and dorsal flexion pain on day 3. The rats were sacrificed on day 3 to
      measure tissue levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances (TBARS). Evaluation of joint histology was also made.
      RESULTS: Intra-articular injection of FCA produced joint swelling and difficulty
      in stair climbing ability, motility, and pain on flexion of the joint as revealed
      by scores obtained for these functional parameters. LPPI produced a dose
      dependent decrease in joint swelling and improved joint functions. Arthritic rats
      also revealed altered oxidative homeostasis where joint tissue GSH levels were
      decreased and TBARS levels were increased as compared to normal rats. The levels
      of these oxidative stress markers were near normal in arthritic rats treated with
      LPPI. Moreover, treatment with LPPI also maintained the structural integrity of
      the joint. The protective effect of LPPI was comparable to the standard anti
      inflammatory drug, diclofenac. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study show
      that LPPI fraction comprising high molecular weight proteins could be used for
      the alleviation of arthritic symptoms. SUMMARY: High molecular weight protein sub
      fraction of latex of Calotropis procera (LPPI) reduced joint swelling and
      hyperalgesia in arthritic ratsLPPI produced a significant improvement in stair
      climbing ability and motility in arthritic ratsLPPI normalized the levels of
      oxidative stress markers in the arthritic jointsTreatment with LPPI reduced
      neutrophil influx and edema in the arthritic joints Abbreviations used: FCA:
      Freund's complete adjuvant, GSH: Glutathione, TBARS: Thiobarbituric acid reactive
      substances, TBA: Thiobarbituric acid, MDA: Malondialdehyde, LPPI: Latex protein
      fraction PI.

PMID- 27279700
TI  - Pharmacognostic Screening of Piper trichostachyon Fruits and its Comparative
      Analysis with Piper nigrum Using Chromatographic Techniques.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Piper trichostachyon is a wild, endemic Piper species from Western
      Ghats of India. The folklore healers of Belagavi region use this plant, similar
      to Piper nigrum. AIMS: The present study investigates the comparison between P.
      nigrum and P. trichostachyon using pharmacognostic parameters. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Pharmacognostic evaluation was carried out in terms of morphological,
      microscopic characters, and phytochemical analysis using standard methods.
      Comparative physicochemical analysis between P. trichostachyon and P. nigrum was
      also carried out through estimation of micro-macro nutrients, high-performance
      thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) investigation and using piperine as a marker
      compound for reversed phase-ultra flow liquid chromatographic (RP-UFLC)
      technique. RESULTS: P. trichostachyon grows in the forests, and the fruits are
      morphologically similar to P. nigrum fruits, so the name in Kannada "Kaadu Kalu
      menasu" (wild/forest black pepper). The microscopy revealed the presence of stone
      cells, starch grains, oil cells and globules, beaker cells, and yellowish brown
      pigment layer, parenchymatous cells. The presence of alkaloids, oil, and tannins
      were observed in P. trichostachyon fruits. The HPTLC studies visibly indicated
      differences among two species with 12 peaks and varied banding pattern. RP-UFLC
      results showed less amount of piperine in P. trichostachyon (0.05 +/- 0.002 mg/g)
      than in P. nigrum (16.14 +/- 0.807 mg/g). CONCLUSION: The study reports on
      pharmacognostic parameters of P. trichostachyon for the 1(st) time and will be
      useful for the identification and authentication. The comparative HPTLC and RP
      UFLC studies resolve the differentiation impasse among two species. However,
      further biological efficacy studies are required to establish its use in
      traditional medicine. SUMMARY: Piper trichostachyon grows in the forests, and the
      fruits are morphologically similar to Piper nigrum fruitsThe microscopy of P.
      trichostachyon revealed the presence of stone cells, starch grains, oil cells and
      globules, beaker cells and yellowish brown pigment layer, parenchymatous cellsThe
      high-performance thin layer chromatography studies visibly indicated differences
      among two species with varied banding patternReversed phase-ultra flow liquid
      chromatographic results showed less amount of piperine in P. trichostachyon than
      in P. nigrum. Abbreviation used: HPTLC: High Performance Thin Layer
      Chromatography, RP-UFLC: Reversed phase-ultra flow liquid chromatographic
      analysis, DST: Length of line, Maj: Length of large half axis for ellipse RDS -
      radius for circle, Rf: Retention Factor, TS: Transverse Section, TLC: Thin Layer
      Chromatography.

PMID- 27279701
TI  - Reversed Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Ultra-violet (Photo Diode
      Array) Quantification of Oleanolic Acid and its Isomer Ursolic Acid for
      Phytochemical Comparison and Pharmacological Evaluation of Four Leucas Species
      Used in Ayurveda.
AB  - CONTENT: Different Leucas species are well known as "Dronpushpi," a well-known
      herb of Ayurveda, used in the treatment of various ailments. OBJECTIVE:
      Evaluation of four industrially important Leucas species for their in vitro
      antidiabetic potential and radical scavenging effect along with high-performance
      liquid chromatographic quantification of the bioactive triterpenes. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The quantification of triterpenes was carried out on C-18 column with
      acetonitrile and water (90:10) as the solvent system at a detection wavelength of
      210 nm. In vitro antidiabetic activity was evaluated by alpha-amylase inhibition
      assay based on starch-iodine and 3,5 dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method.
      Antioxidant activity was calculated by five different models, namely total
      phenolic and total flavonoid content, free radical scavenging activity by 1-1
      diphenyl-2-pic-rylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing power assay, and the total
      antioxidant capacity. RESULTS: Maximum concentration of oleanolic acid was found
      in Leucas cristata, followed by Leucas mollissima, Leucas Aspera, and Leucas
      biflora. Ursolic acid was highest in L. mollissima and then in L. biflora, L.
      cristata, and L. aspera, respectively. In in vitro antidiabetic activity, IC50 of
      L. aspera (1.56 +/- 0.01 mg/ml) and L. mollissima (0.75 +/- 0.005 mg/ml) were
      found to be highest in DNS and iodine starch assay. IC50 in DPPH assay ranges
      from 0.6 +/- 0.011 to 1.68 +/- 0.011 mg/ml. Antioxidant capacity follows the
      order; L. aspera > L. mollissima > L. biflora > L. cristata. CONCLUSION:
      Promising activities were observed in targeted species, thus L. mollissima, L.
      biflora, and L. cristata can be used alternatively as a substitute to L. aspera.
      SUMMARY: Physicochemical parameters are within the limit as per the Ayurvedic
      Pharmacopoeia of IndiaMaximum concentration of oleanolic acid was found in Leucas
      cristata; however, ursolic acid was highest in Leucas mollissima In vitro
      antidiabetic activity of Leucas aspera and L. mollissima was found to be heighest
      as compared to other species. However, antioxidant capacity is almost similar in
      targeted species.Promising activities were observed in all the species, thus L.
      mollissima, Leucas biflora, and L. cristata can be used alternatively as a
      substitute to L. aspera.

PMID- 27279702
TI  - DNA Barcoding Identification of Kadsurae Caulis and Spatholobi Caulis Based on
      Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 Region and Secondary Structure Prediction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Kadsurae Caulis and Spatholobi Caulis have very similar Chinese
      names. Their commodities were hard to distinguish because their stems were very
      alike after dried and processed. These two herbal drugs were often mixed in
      clinical use. OBJECTIVE: Authenticity assurance is crucial for quality control of
      herbal drugs. Therefore, it is essential to establish a method for identifying
      the two herbs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this paper, we used the DNA barcoding
      technology, based on the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions, to
      differentiate Kadsurae Caulis and Spatholobi Caulis. RESULTS: The ITS2 of these
      two herbs were very different. They were successfully differentiated using the
      DNA barcoding technique. CONCLUSIONS: DNA barcoding was a promising and reliable
      tool for the identification of medicinal plants. It can be a powerful
      complementary method for traditional authentication. SUMMARY: The internal
      transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions between Kadsurae Caulis and Spatholobi Caulis
      varied considerably, totally 139 variable sitesSample 1 was not Kadsurae Caulis
      as it labeled, but it should be Spatholobi Caulis in fact based on ITS2 regionThe
      secondary structure can also separate Kadsurae Caulis and Spatholobi Caulis
      effectivelyDNA barcoding provided an accurate and strong prove to identify these
      two herbs. Abbreviations used: CTAB: hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, DNA:
      deoxyribonucleic acid, ITS2:internal transcribed spacer 2, PCR: polymerase chain
      reaction.

PMID- 27279703
TI  - Cardioprotective and Antioxidant Influence of Aqueous Extracts from Sesamum
      indicum Seeds on Oxidative Stress Induced by Cadmium in Wistar Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several
      acute and chronic diseases of the heart as a result of indiscriminate exposure to
      cardiotoxic heavy metals. The study reported here was designed to evaluate the
      possible ameliorative effect of aqueous extracts from Sesamum indicum (SI) seeds
      on oxidative stress induced by cadmium (Cd) in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Daily administration of Cd (200 mg/L Cd as CdCl2) in the animals' main
      drinking water for 21 days led to oxidative stress. Thereafter, the ameliorative
      effects were assessed by measuring biochemical parameters such as extent of lipid
      peroxidation (LPO), lipid profile, and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants,
      as well as serum aminotransferase activities. RESULTS: Treatment with SI extract
      elicited notable reduction in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as concomitant increase in high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol. SI extract also reversed the elevations
      witnessed in serum aminotransferase activities, LPO level, and ameliorated
      enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant status in the heart of Cd-exposed rats.
      CONCLUSION: Thus, SI appears to be an attractive candidate with potential for the
      novel treatment of cardiotoxicity and management of oxidative stress arising from
      Cd exposure. SUMMARY: Cadmium (200 mg/L) exposure in drinking water caused
      pronounced oxidative stress and cardiac tissue damage in animal modelAqueous
      extract of Sesamum indicum (SI) seeds at a dose of 200 or 400 mg/kg body weight
      exhibited a significant reversal effect in all biochemical parameters measured
      such as extent of lipid peroxidation, lipid profile, and enzymatic and
      nonenzymatic antioxidants, as well as serum aminotransferase activitiesAqueous
      extract of SI seeds possess antioxidant and cardioprotective potential in a dose
      dependent manner, thus conferring protection against oxidative stress induced by
      cadmium. Abbreviation used: SI: Sesamum indicum, Cd: Cadmium, CdCl2: Cadmium
      chloride, LPO: Lipid peroxidation, TBA: Thiobarbituric acid, ALT: Alanine
      aminotransferase, AST: Aspartate aminotransferase, ALP: Alkaline phosphatise, TC:
      Total cholesterol, TG: Triglyceride, HDL-C: Highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol,
      LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, SD: Standard deviation, GSH:
      Glutathione, SOD: Superoxide dismutase, CAT: Catalase, GST: Glutathione-S
      transferase, GPx: Glutathione peroxidise.

PMID- 27279704
TI  - Minimization of the Risk of Diabetic Microangiopathy in Rats by Nigella sativa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microangiopathy is a chronic diabetic complication resulting from
      metabolic derangements, oxidative stress, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine
      production. Nigella sativa Linn. is used as an herbal medicine that exerts
      hypoglycemic, antilipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.
      OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of N. sativa extract on cutaneous microvascular
      changes in diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were
      randomly assigned into the following four groups: Untreated and N. sativa-treated
      normal controls and untreated and N. sativa-treated rats with streptozotocin
      induced diabetes. A cold-pressed N. sativa extract was then orally administered
      (1000 mg/kg/day). After 8 weeks of treatment, the glucose, glycosylated
      hemoglobin (HbA1c), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), insulin levels, and
      lipid profile were determined in cardiac blood. Dermal capillary wall thickness
      was measured in tail skin sections stained with periodic acid-Schiff. Endothelial
      apoptosis was morphologically evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining.
      RESULTS: Diabetes significantly reduced the circulating insulin and low-density
      lipoprotein levels and caused elevations in the glucose, HbA1c, and triglyceride
      levels, accompanied by a slight increase in total cholesterol levels and no
      change in the high-density lipoprotein and TNF-alpha levels. Capillary basement
      membrane thickening and a decreased capillary luminal diameter despite no
      evidence of endothelial cell apoptosis were also observed. N. sativa treatment of
      diabetic rats reduced the mean HbA1c concentration by 1.4%, enlarged the
      capillary lumens, and tended to attenuate dermal capillary basement membrane
      thickening without affecting the lipid profile or TNF-alpha level. CONCLUSION:
      Our results indicate that N. sativa may be used to minimize the risk of diabetic
      microangiopathy, potentially due in part to its glycemic control activity.
      SUMMARY: Diabetes causes dermal capillary basement membrane thickening and a
      decreased capillary luminal diameterNigella sativa treatment of diabetic rats
      enlarged the capillary lumens and tended to attenuate dermal capillary basement
      membrane thickeningN. sativa treatment of diabetic rats reduced the mean
      glycosylated hemoglobin concentration by 1.4%, which exceeds the necessary
      reduction previously described to decrease the risk of diabetic microangiopathy,
      without affecting the lipid profile or tumor necrosis factor-alpha levelN. sativa
      improves rat diabetic microangiopathy, potentially due in part to its glycemic
      control activity. Abbreviations used: H and E: Hematoxylin and eosin, HbA1c:
      Glycosylated hemoglobin, HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C: Low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol, PAS: Periodic acid-Schiff, STZ: Streptozotocin.

PMID- 27279705
TI  - High Performance Liquid Chromatography-mass Spectrometry Analysis of High
      Antioxidant Australian Fruits with Antiproliferative Activity Against Cancer
      Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High antioxidant capacities have been linked to the treatment and
      prevention of several cancers. Recent reports have identified several native
      Australian fruits with high antioxidant capacities. Despite this, several of
      these species are yet to be tested for anticancer activity. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Solvent extracts prepared from high antioxidant native Australian fruits
      were analyzed for antioxidant capacity by the di (phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)
      iminoazanium free radical scavenging assay. Antiproliferative activities against
      CaCo2 and HeLa cancer cells were determined by a multicellular tumor spheroid
      based cell proliferation assay. Toxicity was determined by Artemia franciscana
      bioassay. RESULTS: Methanolic extracts of all plant species displayed high
      antioxidant contents (equivalent to approximately 7-16 mg of vitamin C per gram
      of fruit extracted). Most aqueous extracts also contained relatively high
      antioxidant capacities. In contrast, the ethyl acetate, chloroform, and hexane
      extracts of most species (except lemon aspen and bush tomato) had lower
      antioxidant contents (below 1.5 mg of vitamin C equivalents per gram of plant
      material extracted). The antioxidant contents correlated with the ability of the
      extracts to inhibit proliferation of CaCo2 and HeLa cancer cell lines. The high
      antioxidant methanolic extracts of all species were potent inhibitors of cell
      proliferation. The methanolic lemon aspen extract was particularly effective,
      with IC50 values of 480 and 769 MUg/mL against HeLa and CaCo2 cells,
      respectively. In contrast, the lower antioxidant ethyl acetate and hexane
      extracts (except the lemon aspen ethyl acetate extract) generally did not inhibit
      cancer cell proliferation or inhibited to only a minor degree. Indeed, most of
      the ethyl acetate and hexane extracts induced potent cell proliferation. The
      native tamarind ethyl acetate extract displayed low-moderate toxicity in the A.
      franciscana bioassay (LC50 values below 1000 MUg/mL). All other extracts were
      nontoxic. A total of 145 unique mass signals were detected in the lemon aspen
      methanolic and aqueous extracts by nonbiased high-performance liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Of these, 20 compounds were identified
      as being of particular interest due to their reported antioxidant and/or
      anticancer activities. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of toxicity and antiproliferative
      activity of the high antioxidant plant extracts against HeLa and CaCo2 cancer
      cell lines indicates their potential in the treatment and prevention of some
      cancers. SUMMARY: Australian fruit extracts with high antioxidant contents were
      potent inhibitors of CaCo2 and HeLa carcinoma cell proliferationMethanolic lemon
      aspen extract was particularly potent, with IC50 values of 480 MUg/mL (HeLa) and
      769 MUg/mL (CaCo2)High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
      quadrupole time-of-flight analysis highlighted and putatively identified 20
      compounds in the antiproliferative lemon aspen extractsIn contrast, lower
      antioxidant content extracts stimulated carcinoma cell proliferationAll extracts
      with antiproliferative activity were nontoxic in the Artemia nauplii assay.
      Abbreviations used: DPPH: di (phenyl)- (2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) iminoazanium, HPLC:
      High-performance liquid chromatography, IC50: The concentration required to
      inhibit by 50%, LC50: The concentration required to achieve 50% mortality, MS:
      Mass spectrometry.

PMID- 27279706
TI  - The Anticholinesterase Properties of Plants from the Northeast of Brazil Selected
      by an Ethnopharmacological Study for Disorders Relating to the Nervous System.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Various factors may trigger Alzheimer's disease and the cholinergic
      hypothesis, which is one of the most widely accepted, argues damage to the brain
      nuclei, may reduce the production of the choline acetyltransferase enzyme, and
      cause a decline in the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh). Studies have thus
      focused on discovering molecules that are capable of inhibiting the action of
      cholinesterase enzymes that degrade ACh, thereby preventing the evolution of the
      disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to assess the
      anticholinesterase properties of extracts of medicinal plants in a semi-arid
      region of Northeast of Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The species were selected
      by way of an ethnobotanical study and were collected if there were some
      indications that they are related to the nervous system. The plant samples were
      extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Anticholinesterase activity
      in vitro was assessed by way of bioautography in thin layer chromatography and
      microassays in 96-well plates. RESULTS: Twenty-three species of plant were
      collected, and 75 extracts were analyzed. The bioautography revealed that 26.7%
      of the samples showed inhibitory activity against the acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
      enzyme. After the test for false positives, 8% of the samples were found to
      inhibit AChE. Thirty samples were analyzed by microassay (500 MUg/mL), on which
      86.7% showed moderate to powerful anticholinesterase activity. CONCLUSION: Of the
      extracts tested, Citrus limonum, Ricinus communis, and Senna occidentalis stand
      out as was the most promising in terms of anticholinesterase activity and may
      serve as a guide for the discovery and development of new substances for the
      treatment of AD. SUMMARY: The bioautography revealed that 26.7% of the samples
      showed inhibitory activity against the acetylcholinesterase enzymeSamples were
      analyzed by microassay (500 MUg/mL), upon which 86.7% showed moderate to powerful
      anticholinesterase activityCitrus limonum, Ricinus communis, and Senna
      occidentalis stand out as being the most promising in terms of anticholinesterase
      activityC. limonum, R. communis, and S. occidentalis may serve as a guide for the
      discovery and development of new substances for the treatment of Alzheimer's
      disease. Abbreviations used: AChE: Acetilcolinesterase.

PMID- 27279707
TI  - Intrathecal Injection of Resveratrol Attenuates Burn Injury Pain by Activating
      Spinal Sirtuin 1.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study sought to detect spinal sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and
      acetylation of histone H3 (Ac-H3) expression in rats with burn injury pain (BIP
      model). PROCEDURES AND RESULTS: A BIP model was first established. BIP rats
      showed lower paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) from day 1, which persisted for 21
      days following the burn injury. Spinal SIRT1/Ac-H3 expression increased following
      burn injury. The intrathecal use of resveratrol increased PWT and SIRT1
      expression but induced down-regulation of Ac-H3 expression. We first demonstrated
      that the inhibition of SIRT1 significantly induced mechanical allodynia in naive
      rats. The preinjection of SIRT1 inhibitor partly antagonized the analgesic
      effects of resveratrol in BIP rats. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of SIRT1 produces pain
      facilitation in the naive rats. The expression of spinal SIRT1 increased after
      burn injury in the BIP model. The activation of spinal SIRT1 might mediate the
      resveratrol-induced analgesic effects. SUMMARY: Burn injury resulted in pain
      facilitationResveratrol attenuates pain facilitation induced by burn
      injuryIntrathecal injection of resveratrol attenuates burn injury pain by
      increasing spinal sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expressionInhibition of SIRT1 by selisistat,
      an SIRT1 inhibitor attenuated analgesic effects of resveratrol Abbreviations
      used: SIRT1: Sirtuin 1, Ac-H3: Acetylation of histone H3, SD: Sprague-Dawley,
      EX527: Selisistat, an SIRT1 inhibitor, BIP: Burn injury pain, DMSO: Dimethyl
      sulfoxide, PWTs: Paw withdrawal thresholds.

PMID- 27279708
TI  - Evaluation of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Potential and In vivo Hypouricemic
      Activity of Dimocarpus longan Lour. Extracts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Longan is a fruit tree known to contain many phenolic components,
      which are capable of protecting people from oxidative damage through an anti
      inflammatory mechanism. It may be also worthwhile to study the effect on lowering
      uric acid activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study investigates the lowering
      of uric acid using longan extracts, including flowers, pericarps, seeds, leaves,
      and twigs, on potassium-oxonate-induced hyperuricemia mice and its inhibitory
      actions against xanthine oxidase (XO) activities. RESULTS: The findings revealed
      that ethyl acetate fraction of longan extracts exhibited strong XO-inhibitory
      activity, and the flower extracts (IC50 = 115.8 MUg/mL) revealed more potent XO
      inhibitory activity to those of pericarps (118.9 MUg/mL), twigs (125.3 MUg/mL),
      seeds (262.5 MUg/mL), and leaves (331.1 MUg/mL) in vitro. In addition, different
      dosages of longan extract (50-100 mg/kg) were administered to hyperuricemic mice.
      The lowering effect of longan extracts on uric acid at 75 mg/kg markedly reduced
      plasma uric acid levels in decreasing order: Flowers (80%) > seeds (72%) >
      pericarps (64%) > twigs (59%) > leaves (41%), compared with allopurinol (89%).
      Finally, 10 isolated phytochemicals from longan flowers were then examined in
      vitro. The results indicated that proanthocyanidin A2 and acetonylgeraniin A
      significantly inhibited XO activity in vitro. This is the first report providing
      new insights into the urate-reducing effect of phenolic dimer and hydrolyzable
      tannin, which can be developed to potential hypouricemic agents. SUMMARY: Longan
      flower extracts possess more potent XO-inhibitory activity than pericarps, twigs,
      seeds, and leaves in vitroThe lowering effect of longan flowers and seeds
      extracts markedly reduced plasma uric acid levels as compared to allopurinol in
      vivoThe extract proanthocyanidin A2 and acetonylgeraniin A were demonstrated
      potent XO inhibitory activity in vitro Abbreviations used: PO: Potassium-oxonate,
      XO: xanthine oxidase, HE: n-hexane, EA: ethyl acetate, i.p.: intraperitoneal,
      PBS: phosphate-buffered saline, AP: allopurinol, PUA: plasma uric acid.

PMID- 27279709
TI  - Ketosteroid Standardized Cissus quadrangularis L. Extract and its Anabolic
      Activity: Time to Look Beyond Ketosteroid?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) L. reported to contain 3-ketosteroids and
      have bone health benefits. AIM: This study aimed at establishing the relationship
      between the ketosteroid content and anabolic as well as bone health-promoting
      activities of various Cissus extracts in well-established orchidectomized (ORX)
      rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Supercritical carbon dioxide, ethyl acetate,
      and aqueous extracts (AE) of CQ L. were prepared and standardized for ketosteroid
      content by two methods used in commerce. Moreover, ketosteroid standardized
      extracts of this plant were evaluated for anabolic activity in rats in well
      established ORX rat model. RESULTS: The increase in the absolute weight was
      appreciable in the CQ-AE treated group. Similarly, with respect to bone
      parameters, a similar trend was seen. The mean bone density, strength, and
      calcium content were found to be highest in the group treated with CQ-AE compared
      to groups treated with other extracts. This study reveals for the first time that
      3-ketosteroids are not linked to the beneficial activities on bone and highlights
      the need for extensive characterization of biological active principles from CQ
      L. CONCLUSION: In light of the above estimation studies, we believe that current
      standardization of Cissus extraction "3-ketosteroids" is incorrect. We also did
      not find any report suggesting the presence of androgenic steroids in this plant
      and hence the characterization based on "3-ketosteroids" is scientifically
      incorrect. This study highlights the insufficient understanding of biological
      active principles from CQ L. and underlines the need for extensive bioactivity
      guided studies. SUMMARY: Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) L. reported to contain
      3.ketosteroids and have bone health benefitsWe did not find correlation between
      ketosteroid content obtained by conventional methods and its biological
      effectStudies indicate that claims of ketosteroid content need not necessarily
      correlate to biological effects and hence warrants extensive phytochemical
      characterization of biological active principles from CQ L. Abbreviations used:
      CQ: Cissus quadrangularis, ORX: Orchidectomized, AE: Aqueous extract, EE: Ethyl
      acetate extract, SFE: Supercritical fluid extract.

PMID- 27279710
TI  - Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers Crude Extract and Fractions: Prevention of
      Dental Biofilm Formation and Immunomodulatory Capacity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Caries and periodontal diseases remain as important diseases in the
      Brazilian population. One important pathogen associated with this situation is
      Streptococcus mutans and other important factor is this pathogen's ability to
      adhere firmly to the tooth surface leading to dental biofilm formation and caries
      development. OBJECTIVES: Determine the antibacterial and other biological
      activities of P. venusta related to its potential to be used in the treatment of
      caries and periodontal disease. METHODS: The growth inhibition by P. venusta of
      Streptococcus mutans, S. mitis, S. oralis and Candida albicans was determined
      using the broth microdilution method. In addition, the effect of the samples in
      adherence and reducing production of acids by S. mutans, and germ-tube formation
      of C. albicans was analysed. The Nitric Oxide (NO) production and cytotoxicity of
      P. venusta to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and RAW 264.7 Cell Line
      Murine Macrophage from Blood were assessed. RESULTS: The crude extract (CE) and
      ethyl-acetate (AF) and n-butanol (BF) fractions showed antibacterial activity.
      The ethyl-acetate (AF) fraction showed the highest inhibition percentage against
      the adherence of S. mutans and C. albicans cells without budding, beyond NO
      production inhibition. There was not any cytotoxicity in the murine macrophages
      RAW 264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that P. venusta presents
      potential to be used as a preliminary source of compounds that can provide
      helpful activity when used in prophylaxis or treatment of caries or periodontal
      disease. SUMMARY: Biological activities of Pyrostegia venusta and its potential
      for use in formulations for the prevention of oral diseases. Abbreviations used:
      NO: Nitric oxide, PBMC: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, CE: Crude extract,
      AF: Ethyl-acetate fraction, BF: n-butanol fraction, HF: Hexane fraction, WF:
      Water fraction, MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration, MBC: Minimum bactericidal
      concentration, ATCC: American Type Culture Collection, CFU: Colony-forming units,
      BHI: Brain heart infusion, RPMI: Roswell Park Memorial Institute, MOPS: 3-(N
      morpholino)propanesulfonic acid, DMEM: Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, LPS:
      Lipopolysacharide, MTT: 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium
      Bromide, OD: Optical density, AC: Acteoside.

PMID- 27279711
TI  - Phytochemicals from Tradescantia albiflora Kunth Extracts Reduce Serum Uric Acid
      Levels in Oxonate-induced Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tradescantia albiflora (TA) Kunth (Commelinaceae) has been used for
      treating gout and hyperuricemia as folklore remedies in Taiwan. Therefore, it is
      worthwhile to study the effect of TA extracts on lowering uric acid activity. The
      hypouricemic effects of TA extracts on potassium oxonate (PO)-induced acute
      hyperuricemia were investigated for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All
      treatments at the same volume (1 ml) were orally administered to the abdominal
      cavity of PO-induced hyperuricemic rats. One milliliter of TA extract in n-hexane
      (HE), ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol (BuOH), and water fractions has 0.28, 0.21,
      0.28, and 1.03 mg TA, respectively; and the plasma uric acid (PUA) level was
      measured for a consecutive 4 h after administration. RESULTS: All four fractions'
      extracts derived from TA were observed to significantly reduce PUA compared with
      the PO group. The EA-soluble fraction (TA-EA) exhibited the best xanthine oxidase
      (XO) inhibitory activity. Following column chromatography, 12 phytochemicals were
      isolated and identified from the EA fraction. The IC50 values of isolated
      phytochemicals indicated that bracteanolide A (AR11) showed the remarkable XO
      inhibitory effect (IC50 value of 76.4 MUg/ml). These findings showed that the in
      vivo hypouricemic effect in hyperuricemic rats was consistent with in vitro XO
      inhibitory activity, indicating that TA extracts and derived phytochemicals could
      be potential candidates as hypouricemic agents. SUMMARY: Tradescantia albiflora
      extracts possess in vivo hypouricemic action in hyperuricemic ratsT. albiflora
      extracts exhibited strong inhibitory activity against xanthine oxidase
      (XO)Butenolide may play an important role in XO inhibitionThe extract
      bracteanolide A was demonstrated potent XO inhibitory activity in vitro.
      Abbreviations used: TA: Tradescantia albiflora, PO: potassium oxonate, HE: n
      hexane, EA: ethyl acetate, BuOH: n-butanol, PUA: plasma uric acid, XO: xanthine
      oxidase, MeOH: methanol, IP: intraperitoneal.

PMID- 27279712
TI  - Life Span and Motility Effects of Ethanolic Extracts from Sophora moorcroftiana
      Seeds on Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sophora moorcroftiana is an endemic shrub species with a great value
      in folk medicine in Tibet, China. In this study, relatively little is known about
      whether S. moorcroftiana is beneficial in animals' nervous system and life span
      or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To address this question, under survival normal
      temperature (25 degrees C), S. moorcroftiana seeds were extracted with 95%
      ethanol, and Caenorhabditis elegans were exposed to three different extract
      concentrations (100 mg/L, 200 mg/L, and 400 mg/mL) from S. moorcroftiana seeds.
      RESULTS: The 95% ethanolic extracts from S. moorcroftiana seeds could increase
      life span and slow aging-related increase in C. elegans and could not obviously
      influence the motility of C. elegans. CONCLUSION: Given these results by our
      experiment for life span and motility with 95% ethanolic extracts from S.
      moorcroftiana seeds in C. elegans, the question whether S. moorcroftiana acts as
      an anti-aging substance in vivo arises. SUMMARY: The 95% ethanolic extracts from
      S. moorcroftiana seeds have no effect on the life span in C. elegans when extract
      concentrations from S. moorcroftiana seeds <400 mg/LThe 400 mg/L 95% ethanolic
      extracts from S. moorcroftiana seeds could increase life span in C. elegansThe
      95% ethanolic extracts from S. moorcroftiana seeds could not obviously influence
      the motility in C. elegans. Abbreviation used: S. moorcroftiana: Sophora
      moorcroftiana; C. elegan: Caenorhabditis elegan; E. coli OP50: Escherichia coli
      OP50; DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide.

PMID- 27279713
TI  - Chemopreventive Agents from Physalis minima Function as Michael Reaction
      Acceptors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The fruits of some varieties of genus Physalis have been used as
      delicious fruits and functional food in the Northeast of China. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: To reveal the functional material basis, we performed bioactivity-guided
      phytochemical research and chemopreventive effect assay of the constituents from
      Physalis minima. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the ethyl acetate extract of
      P. minima L. (EEPM) had potential quinone reductase (QR) inducing activity with
      induction ratio (IR, QR induction activity) value of 1.47 +/- 0.24, and
      glutathione binding property as potential Michael reaction acceptors (with an
      alpha, beta-unsaturated ketone moiety). Furthermore, bioactivity-guided
      phytochemical research led eight compounds (1-8), which were elucidated as 3
      isopropyl-5-acetoxycyclohexene-2-one-1 (1), isophysalin B (2), physalin G (3),
      physalin D (4), physalin I (5), physordinose B (6), stigmasterol-3-O-beta-D
      glucopyranoside (7) and 5alpha-6beta-dihydroxyphysalin R (8) on the basis of
      nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analyses and HRESIMS. Then, isophysalin B
      (2) and physordinose B (6) showed significant QR inducing activity with IR value
      of 2.80 +/- 0.19 and 2.38 +/- 0.46, respectively. SUMMARY: An ultra-performance
      liquid chromatographic method with glutathione as the substrate was used to
      detect the Michael reaction acceptors in extracts of Physalis minima (EPM)We
      investigated the chemical constituents of EPM guided by biological activity
      methodIsophysalin B (1) and physordinose B (6) showed strong quinone reductase
      inducing activity with induction ratio values of 2.80 +/- 0.19 and 2.38 +/-
      0.46This study generated useful information for consumers and many encourage
      researchers to utilize edible fruits from Physalis as a source of phytochemicals
      Abbreviations used: EPM: Extracts of Physalis minima, EEPM: Ethyl acetate extract
      of Physalis minima L., GSH: Glutathione, MRAs: Michael reaction acceptors, QR:
      Quinone reductase.

PMID- 27279714
TI  - Quercetin Suppresses the Migration and Invasion in Human Colon Cancer Caco-2
      Cells Through Regulating Toll-like Receptor 4/Nuclear Factor-kappa B Pathway.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The migration and invasion features, which were associated with
      inflammatory response, acted as vital roles in the development of colon cancer.
      Quercetin, a bioflavonoid compound, was widely spread in vegetables and fruits.
      Although quercetin exerts antioxidant and anticancer activities, the molecular
      signaling pathways in human colon cancer cells remain unclear. Hence, the present
      study was conducted to investigate the suppression of quercetin on migratory and
      invasive activity of colon cancer and the underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The effect of quercetin on cell viability, migration, and invasion of
      Caco-2 cells was analyzed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, wound-healing assay, and transwell chambers
      assay, respectively. The protein expressions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4),
      nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65, mitochondrial membrane potential-2 (MMP
      2), and MMP-9 were detected by Western blot assay. The inflammatory factors, such
      as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), and
      interleukin-6 (IL-6), in cell supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The concentration of quercetin <20 MUM was chosen
      for further experiments. Quercetin (5 MUM) could remarkably suppress the
      migratory and invasive capacity of Caco-2 cells. The expressions of metastasis
      related proteins of MMP-2, MMP-9 were decreased, whereas the expression of E
      cadherin protein was increased by quercetin in a dose-dependent manner.
      Interestingly, the anti-TLR4 (2 MUg) antibody or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate
      (PDTC; 1 MUM) could affect the inhibition of quercetin on cell migration and
      invasion, as well as the protein expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin, TLR4,
      and NF-kappaB p65. In addition, quercetin could reduce the inflammation factors
      production of TNF-alpha, Cox-2, and IL-6. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested for
      the 1(st) time that quercetin might exert its anticolon cancer activity via the
      TLR4- and/or NF-kappaB-mediated signaling pathway. SUMMARY: Quercetin could
      remarkably suppress the migratory and invasive capacity of Caco-2 cellsThe
      expressions of metastasis-related proteins of mitochondrial membrane potential-2
      (MMP-2), MMP-9 were decreased, whereas the expression of E-cadherin protein was
      increased by quercetin in a dose-dependent mannerThe anti-toll-like receptor 4
      (TLR4) antibody or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate affected the inhibition of
      quercetin on cell migration and invasion, as well as the protein expressions of
      MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin, TLR4, and nuclear factor-kappa B p65Quercetin could
      reduce the inflammation factors production of tumor necrosis factors-alpha,
      cyclooxygenase-2, and interleukin-6. Abbreviations used: MTT: 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphen yltetrazolium bromide, TLR4: Toll-like receptor
      4, NF-kappaB: Nuclear factor-kappa B, MMP-2: Mitochondrial membrane potential-2,
      MMP-9: Mitochondrial membrane potential-9, TNF-alpha: Tumor necrosis factor
      alpha, Cox-2: Cyclooxygenase-2, IL-6: Interleukin-6, ELISA: Enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay, PDTC: Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, ROS: Reactive oxygen
      species, DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide, FBS: Fetal bovine serum, DMEM: Dulbecco
      modified Eagle medium, OD: Optical density, IPP: Image Pro-plus, PBS: Phosphate
      buffered saline, SD: Standard deviation, ANOVA: One-way analysis of variance,
      SPSS: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, ECM: Extracellular matrix,
      TLRs: Toll-like receptors, LPS: Lipopolysaccharide.

PMID- 27279715
TI  - Preparation and Evaluation of Andrographolide Solid Dispersion Vectored by
      Silicon Dioxide.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Andrographolide (Andro) is a "natural antibiotic" as well as a
      typical insoluble drug. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
      feasibility of commercially available silica (SiO2) as a carrier of solid
      dispersion to enhance the dissolution of Andro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      solvent evaporation method was adopted, and a series of process parameters were
      studied to prepare a solid dispersion. Andro, SiO2, physical mixture, and solid
      dispersion were characterized with respect to particle size distribution, special
      surface area, pore volume, and scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction studies. RESULTS: Single factor test
      suggested the best preparation of solid dispersion was the drug and carrier
      (SiO2B) ratio of 1:8, with tetrahydrofuran as the solvent, and a recovery
      temperature of 50 degrees C. Compared to crude drug and mixture, solid dispersion
      was found to form a unique structure to disperse the drug and displayed superior
      performance in rapid dissolution. CONCLUSION: The present study signifies the
      commercially available SiO2 is an excellent but cheap carrier to improve the
      dissolution of Andro. Our results provide a highly operability approach for
      improving the dissolution of insoluble natural products and are beneficial for
      the clinical effects improvement. SUMMARY: The potential of commercially
      available silica as a carrier for enhancing the insoluble drug dissolution was
      investigatedFactors affecting the dissolution of solid dispersion were
      investigatedSolid dispersion formed a unique structure to disperse the drug and
      release drug rapidlyCommercially available silica is an excellent but cheap
      carrier to improve the dissolution of Andro. Abbreviation used: Andro:
      Andrographolide, BCS: Biopharmaceutics Classification System, SDS:
      Tetrahydrofuran and Sodium dodecyl sulfate, HPLC: High Performance Liquid
      Chromatography, SEM: Scanning Electron Microscope, BET: Brumauer-Emmett-Teller,
      FTIR: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, XRD: X-ray Diffraction.

PMID- 27279716
TI  - Total Alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides Inhibit Growth and Induce Apoptosis in
      Human Cervical Tumor HeLa Cells In vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uygur females of Xinjiang have the higher incidence of cervical tumor
      in the country. Alkaloids are the major active ingredients in Sophora
      alopecuroides, and its antitumor effect was recognized by the medical profession.
      Xinjiang is the main site of S. alopecuroides production in China so these plants
      are abundant in the region. Studies on the antitumor properties of total
      alkaloids of S. alopecuroides (TASA) can take full use of the traditional folk
      medicine in antitumor unique utility. OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of TASA
      on proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical tumor HeLa cells in vitro.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: TASA was extracted, purified, and each monomer component
      was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The effect of TASA at
      different concentrations on the survival of HeLa cells was determined after 24 h
      using the Cell Counting Kit-8. In addition, cells were photographed using an
      inverted microscope to document morphological changes. The effect of TASA on
      apoptotic rate of HeLa cells was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Monomers of
      TASA were found to be sophoridine, matrine, and sophocarpine. On treatment with
      8.75 mg/ml of TASA, more than 50% of HeLa cells died, and cell death rate
      increased further with longer incubation. The apoptotic rates of HeLa cells in
      the experimental groups were 16.0% and 33.3% at concentrations of 6.25 mg/ml and
      12.50 mg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: TASA can induce apoptosis in cervical
      tumor HeLa cells, and it has obvious inhibitory effects on cell growth. SUMMARY:
      Total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides (TASA) exhibits anti-human cervical
      tumor propertiesMonomer component of TASA was analyzed by high-performance liquid
      chromatography, and its main effect component are sophoridine, matrine, and
      sophocarpineTASA inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in HeLa cells.
      Abbreviations used: TASA: Total alkaloids of S. alopecuroides, CCK-8: Cell
      Counting Kit-8, FBS: Fetal bovine serum, PBS: Phosphate buffered saline, DMEM:
      Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium.

PMID- 27279717
TI  - The Inhibitory Effect of Rhein on Proliferation of High Glucose-induced Mesangial
      Cell Through Cell Cycle Regulation and Induction of Cell Apoptosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Increased mesangial cell proliferation and accumulation of
      extracellular matrix (ECM) are the major pathological features of early-stage
      diabetic nephropathy. This study was sought to investigate the inhibitory effects
      of rhein (RH) on high glucose (HG)-cultured mesangial cells. Specially, we focus
      on the analysis of proliferation rate, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and the
      expression of collagen IV and laminin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The established rat
      renal mesangial cell (RMC) line was cultured in medium with different
      concentrations of glucose (5.6 mM or 25 mM) and RH (40 MUM, 20 MUM, and 10 MUM).
      Pro-treated cells were collected at 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h for cell proliferation
      analysis and after 24 h for the experiments of flow cytometry, transmission
      electron microscope, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting.
      RESULTS: Our data shows HG can promote the proliferation of RMCs and RH has an
      inhibitory effect on HG-induced RMC proliferation and expression of ECM. Based on
      our data, we hypothesize this inhibitory effect might be a result of cell cycle
      regulation and the induction of cellular apoptosis. CONCLUSION: RH can inhibit
      cellular proliferation and downregulate the expression of ECM under the
      circumstance of HG. The mechanism of growth suppression may be due to cell cycle
      arrest at G1 phase, induction of cell apoptosis, and upregulation of apoptotic
      mediators bax and caspase-3. SUMMARY: Rhein (RH) has an inhibitory effect on high
      glucose.induced rat mesangial cells proliferationRH has an inhibitory effect on
      the expression of extracellular matrixRH has a growth.suppression effectRH can
      upregulate the expression of apoptotic mediators bax and caspase-3All above shows
      RH is one of the main active ingredient in Shenkang injection. Abbreviations
      used: RH: Rhein, ECM: Extracellular matrix, DN: Diabetic nephropathy, RMC: Renal
      mesangial cell, SKI: Shenkang injection, MTT: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide.

PMID- 27279718
TI  - Simultaneous Determination of Eight Bioactive Compounds in Dianthus superbus by
      High-performance Liquid Chromatography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dianthus superbus, one of traditional herbal medicine, is widely used
      to treat urethritis, carbuncles and carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: A simultaneous
      determination method was established for controlling the quality of D. superbus
      using the eight compounds, (E)-methyl-4-hydroxy-4-(8a-methyl-3
      oxodecahydronaphthalen-4a-yl) (1), diosmetin-7-O(2'',6''-di-O-alpha-L
      rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), vanillic acid (3), 4-hydroxyphenyl
      acetic acid (4), 4-methoxyphenyl acetic acid (5), (E)-4-methoxycinnamic acid (6),
      3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethanol (7), and methyl hydroferulate (8) isolated from
      D. superbus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analysis method was developed using high
      performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector with a
      Shishedo C18 column at a column temperature of 3 degrees C. The mobile phase was
      composed of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water and acetonitrile. The flow rate
      was 1 ml/min and detection wavelength was set at 205 nm and 280 nm. Validation
      was performed in order to demonstrate selectivity, accuracy and precision of the
      method. RESULTS: The calibration curves showed good linearity (R (2) > 0.99). The
      limits of detection and limits of quantification were within the ranges 0.0159
      0.6205 MUg/ml and 0.3210-1.8802 MUg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the relative
      standard deviations of intra- and inter-day precision were both <2.98%. The
      overall recoveries were in the range of 96.23-109.87%. Quantitative analysis of
      eight compounds in 12 D. superbus samples (D-1-D-12) from various regions were
      analyzed and compared by developed method. CONCLUSION: As a result, this
      established method was accurate and sensitive for the quality evaluation of eight
      compounds isolated from D. superbus and may provide a new basis for quality
      control of D. superbus. SUMMARY: A simultaneous determination method of eight
      compounds in Dianthus superbus was established by high performance liquid
      chromatography-diode array detectorDeveloped analysis method is validated with
      linearity, precious and accuracyThe newly established method was successfully
      evaluated contents of eight compounds in 12 D. superbus samples (D.1.D.12) from
      various regions and compared. Abbreviations used: HPLC: High performance liquid
      chromatography, LOD: Limits of detection, LOQ: Limits of quantification, RSD:
      Relative standard deviation.

PMID- 27279719
TI  - Quantitative Analysis and Comparison of Four Major Flavonol Glycosides in the
      Leaves of Toona sinensis (A. Juss.) Roemer (Chinese Toon) from Various Origins by
      High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector and Hierarchical
      Clustering Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Toona sinensis (A. Juss.) Roemer is an endemic species of Toona genus
      native to Asian area. Its dried leaves are applied in the treatment of many
      diseases; however, few investigations have been reported for the quantitative
      analysis and comparison of major bioactive flavonol glycosides in the leaves
      harvested from various origins. OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively analyze four major
      flavonol glycosides including rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside,
      quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside, and kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside in the
      leaves from different production sites and classify them according to the content
      of these glycosides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A high-performance liquid
      chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method for their simultaneous
      determination was developed and validated for linearity, precision, accuracy,
      stability, and repeatability. Moreover, the method established was then employed
      to explore the difference in the content of these four glycosides in raw
      materials. Finally, a hierarchical clustering analysis was performed to classify
      11 voucher specimens. RESULTS: The separation was performed on a Waters XBridge
      Shield RP18 column (150 mm * 4.6 mm, 3.5 MUm) kept at 35 degrees C, and
      acetonitrile and H2O containing 0.30% trifluoroacetic acid as mobile phase was
      driven at 1.0 mL/min during the analysis. Ten microliters of solution were
      injected and 254 nm was selected to monitor the separation. A strong linear
      relationship between the peak area and concentration of four analytes was
      observed. And, the method was also validated to be repeatable, stable, precise,
      and accurate. CONCLUSION: An efficient and reliable HPLC-DAD method was
      established and applied in the assays for the samples from 11 origins
      successfully. Moreover, the content of those flavonol glycosides varied much
      among different batches, and the flavonoids could be considered as biomarkers to
      control the quality of Chinese Toon. SUMMARY: Four major flavonol glycosides in
      the leaves of Toona sinensis were determined by HPLC-DAD and their contents were
      compared among various origins by HCA. Abbreviations used: HPLC-DAD: High
      performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector, HCA: Hierarchical
      clustering analysis, MS: Mass spectrometry, RSD: Relative standard deviation.

PMID- 27279720
TI  - Optimization Extraction Process of Polysaccharides from Suillus granulatus and
      Their Antioxidant and Immunological Activities In vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suillus granulatus is an edible and medicinal fungus in China. S.
      granulatus polysaccharide (SGP) was considered as the main bioactivity compounds
      in S. granulatus. Therefore, the extraction of SGP and their antioxidant
      activities were studied in this work. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fruiting bodies of
      S. granulatus were purchased from a local market (Fushun, China). Response
      surface methodology was adopted to optimize the extraction conditions of SGP. The
      antioxidant and immunological activities in vitro were also assayed. RESULTS: The
      extraction of SGP was optimized by a Box-Behnken design. The optimal conditions
      for the extraction of polysaccharides were as follows: Pre-extraction time, 2 h;
      extraction temperature, 94 degrees C; ratio of water to raw material, 25; and
      extraction frequency, 2. Under these conditions, the experimental yield of
      polysaccharides was 5.38% +/-0.15%, which agreed with the predicted yield. The
      antioxidant assay in vitro showed that SGPs had relatively high scavenging
      ability for hydroxyl radicals and higher scavenging ability for 1,1-diphenyl-2
      picrylhydrazyl radical. However, the scavenging ability of SGPs for superoxide
      anion radical and reducing power was relatively low. The polysaccharides also
      significantly increased splenocyte proliferation in vitro. CONCLUSION: SGP
      possessed good antioxidant and immunological activities in vitro and explored as
      a novel natural antioxidant or functional food. SUMMARY: The predictive model of
      Suillus granulatus polysaccharide (SGP) extraction is adequate for the extraction
      processSGP possessed a good antioxidant activity in vitroLymphocyte proliferation
      in vitro was significantly increased by SGPPictorial abstract (in MS Powerpoint
      Format) is submitted as a separated file in the online submission system.
      Abbreviation used: SGP: Suillus granulatus polysaccharides, RSM: Response surface
      methodology, BBD: Box-Behnken design, Vc: Ascorbic acid, DPPH: 1,1-diphenyl-2
      picrylhydrazyl, MTT: 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
      bromide, ConA: Concanavalin A, LPS: lipopolysaccharide, RPMI-1640: Roswell Park
      Memorial Institute-1640.

PMID- 27279721
TI  - Chromatographic and Spectrophotometric Analysis of Phenolic Compounds from Fruits
      of Libidibia ferrea Martius.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L.P. Queiroz (Fabaceae) is a tree
      which is native to Brazil, widely known as "Juca," where its herbal derivatives
      are used in folk medicine with several therapeutic properties. The constituents,
      which have already been described in the fruit, are mainly hydrolysable tannins
      (gallic acid [GA] and ellagic acid [EA]). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to
      investigate the phenolic variability in the fruit of L. ferrea by
      ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS) and chromatographic methods (high-performance liquid
      chromatography [HPLC]/high-performance thin layer chromatography [HPTLC]).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several samples were collected from different regions of
      Brazil and the qualitative (fingerprints by HPTLC and HPLC) and quantitative
      analysis (UV/VIS and HPLC) of polyphenols were performed. RESULTS: The HPTLC and
      HPLC profiles allowed separation and identification of both major analytical
      markers: EA and GA. The chemical profiles were similar in a number of spots or
      peaks for the samples, but some differences could be observed in the intensity or
      area of the analytical markers for HPTLC or HPLC, respectively. Regarding the
      quantitative analysis, the polyphenolic content by UV/VIS ranged from 13.99 to
      37.86 g% expressed as GA or from 10.75 to 29.09 g% expressed as EA. The contents
      of EA and GA by liquid chromatography-reversed phase (LC-RP) method ranged from
      0.57 to 2.68 g% and from 0.54 to 3.23 g%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The chemical
      profiles obtained by HPTLC or HPLC, as well as the quantitative analysis by
      spectrophotometry or LC-RP method, were suitable for discrimination of each
      herbal sample and can be used as tools for the comparative analysis of the fruits
      from L. ferrea. SUMMARY: The polyphenols of fruits of Libidibia ferrea can be
      quantified by UV/VIS and HPLCThe HPLC method was able to detect the gallic and
      ellagic acids in several samples of fruits of Libidibia ferreaThe phenolic
      profiles of fruits from Libidibia ferrea by HPTLC and HPLC were reproductible.
      Abbreviations used: HPTLC: high performance thin layer chromatography, HPLC: high
      performance liquid chromatography, UV-Vis: spectrophotometry.

PMID- 27279722
TI  - Carcinoma Gallbladder- an Indian Problem.

PMID- 27279724
TI  - Rapidly Mixing Gibbs Sampling for a Class of Factor Graphs Using Hierarchy Width.
AB  - Gibbs sampling on factor graphs is a widely used inference technique, which often
      produces good empirical results. Theoretical guarantees for its performance are
      weak: even for tree structured graphs, the mixing time of Gibbs may be
      exponential in the number of variables. To help understand the behavior of Gibbs
      sampling, we introduce a new (hyper)graph property, called hierarchy width. We
      show that under suitable conditions on the weights, bounded hierarchy width
      ensures polynomial mixing time. Our study of hierarchy width is in part motivated
      by a class of factor graph templates, hierarchical templates, which have bounded
      hierarchy width-regardless of the data used to instantiate them. We demonstrate a
      rich application from natural language processing in which Gibbs sampling
      provably mixes rapidly and achieves accuracy that exceeds human volunteers.

PMID- 27279725
TI  - Using Public-Private Partnerships to Mitigate Disparities in Access to Genetic
      Services: Lessons from Wisconsin.
AB  - PURPOSE: This mixed-methods study reports on an outreach clinics program designed
      to deliver genetic services to medically underserved communities in Wisconsin.
      METHODOLOGY: We show the geographic distribution, funding patterns, and
      utilization trends for outreach clinics over a 20-year period. Interviews with
      program planners and outreach clinic staff show how external and internal
      constraints limited the program's capacity. We compare clinic operations to the
      conceptual models guiding program design. FINDINGS: Our findings show that state
      health officials had to scale back financial support for outreach clinic
      activities while healthcare providers faced increasing pressure from
      administrators to reduce investments in charity care. These external and internal
      constraints led to a decline in the overall number of patients served. We also
      find that redistribution of clinics to the Milwaukee area increased utilization
      among Hispanics but not among African-Americans. Our interviews suggest that
      these patterns may be a function of shortcomings embedded in the planning models.
      IMPLICATIONS: Planning models have three shortcomings. First, they do not
      identify the mitigation of health disparities as a specific goal. Second, they
      fail to acknowledge that partners face escalating profit-seeking mandates that
      may limit their capacity to provide charity services. Finally, they
      underemphasize the importance of seeking trusted partners, especially in working
      with communities that have been historically marginalized. CONTRIBUTION: There
      has been little discussion about equitably leveraging genetic advances that
      improve healthcare quality and efficacy. The role of State Health Agencies in
      mitigating disparities in access to genetic services has been largely ignored in
      the sociological literature.

PMID- 27279726
TI  - Measuring the "Sandwich": Care for Children and Adults in the American Time Use
      Survey 2003-2012.
AB  - While the economic burden of simultaneously caring for young and old family
      members is widely recognized, it has yet to be accurately measured. Yet, such
      assessments are relevant both to public policies providing support to family
      caregivers and to private insurance markets for long-term care. This descriptive
      study presents a new method to address this problem: the construction of a
      crosswalk between time-use diaries and other types of surveys using lists of
      activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living
      (IADLs) for which assistance is required. Analysis of pooled data from American
      time use survey 2003-2012 provides some quantitative indicators, but understates
      the temporal burden of care and fails to distinguish types of care that involve
      personal interaction from those that do not. A crosswalk of time-use survey
      categories with the list-based approach typically applied in public health
      surveys clearly demonstrates the importance of clear definitions and also offers
      more precise measures. Depending on how sandwich caregiving was defined, the
      temporal burden for caregiving ranged from 11.2 to 60 h per week, clustering at
      around 20 h per week for most cases. This result demonstrates the magnitude of
      sandwich care demands and also underscores the need for improved care survey
      design. As shown in this study, such efforts should take into account the
      implications of disaggregating data by gender and age, and definitional
      variations that characterize existing datasets.

PMID- 27279727
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of aging mouse meibomian glands.
AB  - PURPOSE: Dry eye disease is a common condition associated with age-related
      meibomian gland dysfunction (ARMGD). We have previously shown that ARMGD occurs
      in old mice, similar to that observed in human patients with MGD. To begin to
      understand the mechanism underlying ARMGD, we generated transcriptome profiles of
      eyelids excised from young and old mice of both sexes. METHODS: Male and female
      C57BL/6 mice were euthanized at ages of 3 months or 2 years and their lower
      eyelids removed, the conjunctival epithelium scrapped off, and the tarsal plate,
      containing the meibomian glands, dissected from the overlying muscle and lid
      epidermis. RNA was isolated, enriched, and transcribed into cDNA and processed to
      generate four non-stranded libraries with distinct bar codes on each adaptor. The
      libraries were then sequenced and mapped to the mm10 reference genome, and
      expression results were gathered as reads per length of transcript in kilobases
      per million mapped reads (RPKM) values. Differential gene expression analyses
      were performed using CyberT. RESULTS: Approximately 55 million reads were
      generated from each library. Expression data indicated that about 15,000 genes
      were expressed in these tissues. Of the genes that showed more than twofold
      significant differences in either young or old tissue, 698 were identified as
      differentially expressed. According to the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, the
      cellular, developmental, and metabolic processes were found to be highly
      represented with Wnt function noted to be altered in the aging mouse.
      CONCLUSIONS: The RNA sequencing data identified several signaling pathways,
      including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt that were altered in the
      meibomian glands of aging mice.

PMID- 27279729
TI  - Bipartite Graphs for Visualization Analysis of Microbiome Data.
AB  - Visualization analysis plays an important role in metagenomics research. Proper
      and clear visualization can help researchers get their first insights into data
      and by selecting different features, also revealing and highlighting hidden
      relationships and drawing conclusions. To prevent the resulting presentations
      from becoming chaotic, visualization techniques have to properly tackle the high
      dimensionality of microbiome data. Although a number of different methods based
      on dimensionality reduction, correlations, Venn diagrams, and network
      representations have already been published, there is still room for further
      improvement, especially in the techniques that allow visual comparison of several
      environments or developmental stages in one environment. In this article, we
      represent microbiome data by bipartite graphs, where one partition stands for
      taxa and the other stands for samples. We demonstrated that community detection
      is independent of taxonomical level. Moreover, focusing on higher taxonomical
      levels and the appropriate merging of samples greatly helps improving graph
      organization and makes our presentations clearer than other graph and network
      visualizations. Capturing labels in the vertices also brings the possibility of
      clearly comparing two or more microbial communities by showing their common and
      unique parts. 

PMID- 27279728
TI  - The Simple Chordate Ciona intestinalis Has a Reduced Complement of Genes
      Associated with Fanconi Anemia.
AB  - Fanconi anemia (FA) is a human genetic disease characterized by congenital
      defects, bone marrow failure, and increased cancer risk. FA is associated with
      mutation in one of 24 genes. The protein products of these genes function
      cooperatively in the FA pathway to orchestrate the repair of DNA interstrand
      cross-links. Few model organisms exist for the study of FA. Seeking a model
      organism with a simpler version of the FA pathway, we searched the genome of the
      simple chordate Ciona intestinalis for homologs of the human FA-associated
      proteins. BLAST searches, sequence alignments, hydropathy comparisons, maximum
      likelihood phylogenetic analysis, and structural modeling were used to infer the
      likelihood of homology between C. intestinalis and human FA proteins. Our
      analysis indicates that C. intestinalis indeed has a simpler and potentially
      functional FA pathway. The C. intestinalis genome was searched for candidates for
      homology to 24 human FA and FA-associated proteins. Support was found for the
      existence of homologs for 13 of these 24 human genes in C. intestinalis. Members
      of each of the three commonly recognized FA gene functional groups were found. In
      group I, we identified homologs of FANCE, FANCL, FANCM, and UBE2T/FANCT. Both
      members of group II, FANCD2 and FANCI, have homologs in C. intestinalis. In group
      III, we found evidence for homologs of FANCJ, FANCO, FANCQ/ERCC4, FANCR/RAD51,
      and FANCS/BRCA1, as well as the FA-associated proteins ERCC1 and FAN1. Evidence
      was very weak for the existence of homologs in C. intestinalis for any other
      recognized FA genes. This work supports the notion that C. intestinalis, as a
      close relative of vertebrates, but having a much reduced complement of FA genes,
      offers a means of studying the function of certain FA proteins in a simpler
      pathway than that of vertebrate cells. 

PMID- 27279730
TI  - A Bayesian Nonparametric Approach for Functional Data Classification with
      Application to Hepatic Tissue Characterization.
AB  - Computed tomography perfusion (CTp) is an emerging functional imaging technology
      that provides a quantitative assessment of the passage of fluid through blood
      vessels. Tissue perfusion plays a critical role in oncology due to the
      proliferation of networks of new blood vessels typical of cancer angiogenesis,
      which triggers modifications to the vasculature of the surrounding host tissue.
      In this article, we consider a Bayesian semiparametric model for the analysis of
      functional data. This method is applied to a study of four interdependent hepatic
      perfusion CT characteristics that were acquired under the administration of
      contrast using a sequence of repeated scans over a period of 590 seconds. More
      specifically, our modeling framework facilitates borrowing of information across
      patients and tissues. Additionally, the approach enables flexible estimation of
      temporal correlation structures exhibited by mappings of the correlated perfusion
      biomarkers and thus accounts for the heteroskedasticity typically observed in
      those measurements, by incorporating change-points in the covariance estimation.
      This method is applied to measurements obtained from regions of liver surrounding
      malignant and benign tissues, for each perfusion biomarker. We demonstrate how to
      cluster the liver regions on the basis of their CTp profiles, which can be used
      in a prediction context to classify regions of interest provided by future
      patients, and thereby assist in discriminating malignant from healthy tissue
      regions in diagnostic settings. 

PMID- 27279731
TI  - Rational Design of Peptide Vaccines Against Multiple Types of Human
      Papillomavirus.
AB  - Human papillomavirus (HPV) occurs in many types, some of which cause cervical,
      genital, and other cancers. While vaccination is available against the major
      cancer-causing HPV types, many others are not covered by these preventive
      measures. Herein, we present a bioinformatics study for the designing of
      multivalent peptide vaccines against multiple HPV types as an alternative
      strategy to the virus-like particle vaccines being used now. Our technique of
      rational design of peptide vaccines is expected to ensure stability of the
      vaccine against many cycles of mutational changes, elicit immune response, and
      negate autoimmune possibilities. Using the L1 capsid protein sequences, we
      identified several peptides for potential vaccine design for HPV 16, 18, 33, 35,
      45, and 11 types. Although there are concerns about the epitope-binding
      affinities for the peptides identified in this process, the technique indicates
      possibilities of multivalent, adjuvanted, peptide vaccines against a wider range
      of HPV types, and tailor-made different combinations of the peptides to address
      frequency variations of types over different population groups as required for
      prophylaxis and at lower cost than are in use at the present time. 

PMID- 27279732
TI  - A Novel Approach to Predict Core Residues on Cancer-Related DNA-Binding Domains.
AB  - Protein-DNA interactions are involved in different cancer pathways. In
      particular, the DNA-binding domains of proteins can determine where and how gene
      regulatory regions are bound in different cell lines at different stages.
      Therefore, it is essential to develop a method to predict and locate the core
      residues on cancer-related DNA-binding domains. In this study, we propose a
      computational method to predict and locate core residues on DNA-binding domains.
      In particular, we have selected the cancer-related DNA-binding domains for in
      depth studies, namely, winged Helix Turn Helix family, homeodomain family, and
      basic Helix-Loop-Helix family. The results demonstrate that the proposed method
      can predict the core residues involved in protein-DNA interactions, as verified
      by the existing structural data. Given its good performance, various aspects of
      the method are discussed and explored: for instance, different uses of prediction
      algorithm, different protein domains, and hotspot threshold setting. 

PMID- 27279733
TI  - On the Conflicting Estimations of Pigment Site Energies in Photosynthetic
      Complexes: A Case Study of the CP47 Complex.
AB  - We focus on problems with elucidation of site energies [Formula: see text] for
      photosynthetic complexes (PSCs) in order to raise some genuine concern regarding
      the conflicting estimations propagating in the literature. As an example, we
      provide a stern assessment of the site energies extracted from fits to optical
      spectra of the widely studied CP47 antenna complex of photosystem II from
      spinach, though many general comments apply to other PSCs as well. Correct values
      of [Formula: see text] for chlorophyll (Chl) a in CP47 are essential for
      understanding its excitonic structure, population dynamics, and excitation energy
      pathway(s). To demonstrate this, we present a case study where simultaneous fits
      of multiple spectra (absorption, emission, circular dichroism, and nonresonant
      hole-burned spectra) show that several sets of parameters can fit the spectra
      very well. Importantly, we show that variable emission maxima (690-695 nm) and
      sample-dependent bleaching in nonresonant hole-burning spectra reported in
      literature could be explained, assuming that many previously studied CP47 samples
      were a mixture of intact and destabilized proteins. It appears that the
      destabilized subpopulation of CP47 complexes could feature a weakened hydrogen
      bond between the 13(1)-keto group of Chl29 and the PsbH protein subunit, though
      other possibilities cannot be entirely excluded, as discussed in this work.
      Possible implications of our findings are briefly discussed. 

PMID- 27279734
TI  - Gentamicin-Impregnated Collagen Sponge: Effectiveness in Preventing Sternal Wound
      Infection in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - Sternal wound infections represent one of the most frequent complications after
      cardiac surgery and are associated with high postoperative mortality. Several
      preventive methods have been introduced, and recently, gentamicin-impregnated
      collagen sponges (GICSs) have shown a promising effect in reducing the incidence
      of this type of complications. Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that
      has been widely used to treat infections caused by multiresistant bacteria;
      despite its effectiveness, its systemic use carries a risk of toxicity. GICSs
      appear to overcome this side effect, topically delivering high antibiotic
      concentrations to the wound and thus reducing the toxic-related events. Although
      several retrospective analyses and randomized controlled trials have studied the
      use of GICSs in cardiac surgery, conclusions regarding their efficacy in
      preventing sternal wound infection are inconsistent. We have reviewed the current
      literature focusing on high-risk patients. 

PMID- 27279735
TI  - Medication adherence in patients in treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and
      systemic lupus erythematosus in a university hospital in Brazil.
AB  - Medication adherence is essential for the control of symptoms and progression of
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the
      study was to investigate medication adherence in outpatients in treatment for RA
      and SLE in a university hospital in Brazil. This was a quantitative, cross
      sectional analytical study. A total of 92 patients (55 RA patients and 37 SLE
      patients) were included in the study. A structured questionnaire for patients'
      interview and a form for collecting data from medical records were used for data
      collection. Adherence to drug treatment was assessed by the Morisky scale
      questionnaire. Data storage and analysis were performed using Epi Info 3.5.4 and
      statistical analysis by Stata/SE 12.0. The Pearson's chi-squared test and
      Fisher's exact test were applied for statistical and bivariate analyses. For
      multivariate data analysis the Poisson regression and the Wald test were used.
      The prevalence of adherence to drug treatment was 16.4% in RA patients and 45.9%
      in SLE patients. The final model of the multivariate analysis demonstrated
      associations between medication adherence and the following covariates for both
      RA and SLE groups: duration of therapy for rheumatic disease at the institution
      greater than 15 years and presence of more than six chronic comorbidities. The
      parameter "acquisition of medication at the high-cost pharmacy" was differently
      associated with medication adherence by group, and for the SLE group, living
      outside the city of Goiania was a protective factor associated with adherence.
      This study demonstrated a low prevalence of medication adherence in patients in
      treatment for RA and SLE treated at this institution. These findings will serve
      as a base for future studies to elucidate what factors may positively or
      negatively affect medication adherence in this population. In addition,
      multidisciplinary approaches are needed to enhance adherence to drug treatment in
      patients in treatment for rheumatic disease. 

PMID- 27279736
TI  - Genome Data Exploration Using Correspondence Analysis.
AB  - Recent developments of sequencing technologies that allow the production of
      massive amounts of genomic and genotyping data have highlighted the need for
      synthetic data representation and pattern recognition methods that can mine and
      help discovering biologically meaningful knowledge included in such large data
      sets. Correspondence analysis (CA) is an exploratory descriptive method designed
      to analyze two-way data tables, including some measure of association between
      rows and columns. It constructs linear combinations of variables, known as
      factors. CA has been used for decades to study high-dimensional data, and
      remarkable inferences from large data tables were obtained by reducing the
      dimensionality to a few orthogonal factors that correspond to the largest amount
      of variability in the data. Herein, I review CA and highlight its use by
      considering examples in handling high-dimensional data that can be constructed
      from genomic and genetic studies. Examples in amino acid compositions of large
      sets of species (viruses, phages, yeast, and fungi) as well as an example related
      to pairwise shared orthologs in a set of yeast and fungal species, as obtained
      from their proteome comparisons, are considered. For the first time, results show
      striking segregations between yeasts and fungi as well as between viruses and
      phages. Distributions obtained from shared orthologs show clusters of yeast and
      fungal species corresponding to their phylogenetic relationships. A direct
      comparison with the principal component analysis method is discussed using a
      recently published example of genotyping data related to newly discovered traces
      of an ancient hominid that was compared to modern human populations in the search
      for ancestral similarities. CA offers more detailed results highlighting links
      between modern humans and the ancient hominid and their characterizations.
      Compared to the popular principal component analysis method, CA allows easier and
      more effective interpretation of results, particularly by the ability of relating
      individual patterns with their corresponding characteristic variables. 

PMID- 27279738
TI  - Quality Assessment of Domesticated Animal Genome Assemblies.
AB  - The era of high-throughput sequencing has made it relatively simple to sequence
      genomes and transcriptomes of individuals from many species. In order to analyze
      the resulting sequencing data, high-quality reference genome assemblies are
      required. However, this is still a major challenge, and many domesticated animal
      genomes still need to be sequenced deeper in order to produce high-quality
      assemblies. In the meanwhile, ironically, the extent to which RNAseq and other
      next-generation data is produced frequently far exceeds that of the genomic
      sequence. Furthermore, basic comparative analysis is often affected by the lack
      of genomic sequence. Herein, we quantify the quality of the genome assemblies of
      20 domesticated animals and related species by assessing a range of measurable
      parameters, and we show that there is a positive correlation between the fraction
      of mappable reads from RNAseq data and genome assembly quality. We rank the
      genomes by their assembly quality and discuss the implications for genotype
      analyses. 

PMID- 27279737
TI  - Unmasking Upstream Gene Expression Regulators with miRNA-corrected mRNA Data.
AB  - Expressed micro-RNA (miRNA) affects messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance, hindering the
      accuracy of upstream regulator analysis. Our objective was to provide an
      algorithm to correct such bias. Large mRNA and miRNA analyses were performed on
      RNA extracted from bovine liver and mammary tissue. Using four levels of target
      scores from TargetScan (all miRNA:mRNA target gene pairs or only the top 25%,
      50%, or 75%). Using four levels of target scores from TargetScan (all miRNA:mRNA
      target gene pairs or only the top 25%, 50%, or 75%) and four levels of the
      magnitude of miRNA effect (ME) on mRNA expression (30%, 50%, 75%, and 83% mRNA
      reduction), we generated 17 different datasets (including the original dataset).
      For each dataset, we performed upstream regulator analysis using two
      bioinformatics tools. We detected an increased effect on the upstream regulator
      analysis with larger miRNA:mRNA pair bins and higher ME. The miRNA correction
      allowed identification of several upstream regulators not present in the analysis
      of the original dataset. Thus, the proposed algorithm improved the prediction of
      upstream regulators. 

PMID- 27279739
TI  - Oral supplementation with a nutraceutical formulation containing omega-3 fatty
      acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in a large series of patients with
      dry eye symptoms: results of a prospective study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the benefits and tolerability of a dietary supplement based on
      omega-3 fatty acids to relieve dry eye symptoms. METHODS: A total of 1,419
      patients (74.3% women, mean age 58.9 years) with dry eye syndrome using
      artificial tears participated in a 12-week prospective study. Patients were
      instructed to take 3 capsules/day of the nutraceutical formulation (Brudysec((r))
      1.5 g). Study variables were dry eye symptoms (scratchy and stinging sensation,
      eye redness, grittiness, painful and tired eyes, grating sensation, and blurry
      vision), conjunctival hyperemia, tear breakup time (TBUT), Schrimer I test, and
      Oxford grading scheme. RESULTS: At 12 weeks, each dry eye symptom improved
      significantly (P<0.001), and the use of artificial tears decreased significantly
      from 3.77 (standard deviation [SD] =2.08) at baseline to 3.45 (SD =1.72)
      (P<0.01). In addition, the Schirmer test scores and the TBUT increased
      significantly, and there was an increase in patients grading 0-I in the Oxford
      scale and a decrease of those grading IV-V. Significant differences in
      improvements of dry eye symptoms were also found in compliant versus noncompliant
      patients as well as in those with moderate/severe versus none/mild conjunctival
      hyperemia. CONCLUSION: Oral omega-3 fatty acids supplementation was an effective
      treatment for dry eye symptoms.

PMID- 27279740
TI  - Association between abdominal aortic plaque and coronary artery disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Currently, the association between abdominal aortic plaques and
      coronary artery disease (CAD) has not yet been clarified clearly. The purpose of
      this study was to determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques by
      ultrasound imaging and to explore its association with CAD in patients undergoing
      coronary angiography. METHODS: Between October 2014 and June 2015, a prospective
      study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology at Guangdong General
      Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. Ultrasound scanning of the
      abdominal aortas was performed in 1,667 consecutive patients undergoing coronary
      angiography. Clinical characteristics and coronary profile were collected from
      the patients. RESULTS: Of the 1,667 study patients (male, 68.9%; mean age, 63+/
      11 years) undergoing coronary angiography, 1,268 had CAD. Compared with 399
      patients without CAD, 1,268 patients with CAD had higher prevalence of abdominal
      aortic plaques (37.3% vs 17%, P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, abdominal
      aortic plaques served as independent factors associated with the presence of CAD
      (odds ratio =2.08; 95% confidence interval =1.50-2.90; P<0.001). Of the 1,268
      patients with CAD, the prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques was 27.0% (98/363)
      in patients with one-vessel disease, 35.0% (107/306) in patients with two-vessel
      disease, and 44.7% (268/599) in patients with three-vessel disease. Stepwise
      increases in the prevalence of abdominal aortic plaque was found depending on the
      number of stenotic coronary vessels (P<0.001; P-value for trend <0.001). In an
      ordinal logistic regression model, abdominal aortic plaques served as independent
      factors associated with the severity of CAD according to the number of stenotic
      coronary vessels (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of abdominal aortic
      plaques was higher in patients with CAD than in those without CAD. Abdominal
      aortic plaque was an independent factor associated with the presence and severity
      of CAD.

PMID- 27279741
TI  - Factors associated with postoperative complications and 1-year mortality after
      surgery for colorectal cancer in octogenarians and nonagenarians.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify the factors affecting 30-day postoperative complications and
      1-year mortality after surgery for colorectal cancer in octogenarians and
      nonagenarians. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2014, a total of 204 consecutive
      patients aged >=80 years who underwent major colorectal surgery were included.
      RESULTS: One hundred patients were male (49%) and 52 patients had American
      Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >=3 (25%). Combined surgery was
      performed in 32 patients (16%). Postoperative complications within 30 days after
      surgery occurred in 54 patients (26%) and 30-day mortality occurred in five
      patients (2%). Independent risk factors affecting 30-day postoperative
      complications were older age (>=90 years, hazard ratio [HR] with 95% confidence
      interval [CI] =4.95 [1.69-14.47], P=0.004), an ASA score >=3 (HR with 95% CI
      =4.19 [1.8-9.74], P=0.001), performance of combined surgery (HR with 95% CI =3.1
      [1.13-8.46], P=0.028), lower hemoglobin level (<10 g/dL, HR with 95% CI =7.56
      [3.07-18.63], P<0.001), and lower albumin level (<3.4 g/dL, HR with 95% CI =3.72
      [1.43-9.69], P=0.007). An ASA score >=3 (HR with 95% CI =2.72 [1.15-6.46],
      P=0.023), tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage IV (HR with 95% CI =3.47 [1.44-8.39],
      P=0.006), and occurrence of postoperative complications (HR with 95% CI =4.42
      [1.39-14.09], P=0.012) were significant prognostic factors for 1-year mortality.
      CONCLUSION: Patient-related factors (older age, higher ASA score, presence of
      anemia, and lower serum albumin) and procedure-related factors (performance of
      combined surgical procedure) increased postoperative complications. Avoidance of
      30-day postoperative complications may decrease 1-year mortality.

PMID- 27279742
TI  - Low-dose aripiprazole for refractory burning mouth syndrome.
AB  - We report a case of refractory burning mouth syndrome (BMS) ameliorated with low
      dose of aripiprazole. The patient was a 66-year-old female who had suffered from
      chronic burning pain in her tongue for 13 months. No abnormality associated with
      the burning sensation was detected in the laboratory tests and the oral findings.
      Considering the clinical feature and the history together, we diagnosed the
      burning sensation as BMS. The BMS pain was decreased by aripiprazole (powder) 1.0
      mg/d, though no other antidepressants had satisfying pain relief. It could be
      supposed that the efficacy of aripiprazole is caused by dopamine stabilization in
      this case, and BMS might have a subtype that is reactive to aripiprazole. Further
      studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of aripiprazole for BMS. 

PMID- 27279743
TI  - Effect of Jian-Pi-Zhi-Dong Decoction on striatal glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric
      acid levels detected using microdialysis in a rat model of Tourette syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Jian-Pi-Zhi-Dong Decoction (JPZDD) is a dedicated treatment of
      Tourette syndrome (TS). The balance of neurotransmitters in the cortico-striato
      pallido-thalamo-cortical network is crucial to the occurrence of TS and related
      to its severity. This study evaluated the effect of JPZDD on glutamate (Glu) and
      gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and their receptors in a TS rat model. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups (n=12 each). TS was induced in
      three of the groups by injecting them with 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile for 7
      consecutive days. Two model groups were treated with tiapride (Tia) or JPZDD,
      while the control and the remaining model group were gavaged with saline.
      Behavior was assessed by stereotypic score and autonomic activity. Striatal Glu
      and GABA contents were detected using microdialysis. Expressions of N-methyl-D
      aspartate receptor 1 and GABAA receptor (GABAAR) were observed using Western blot
      and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Tia and JPZDD groups had
      decreased stereotypy compared with model rats; however, the JPZDD group showed a
      larger decrease in stereotypy than the Tia group at a 4-week time point. In a
      spontaneous activity test, the total distance of the JPZDD and Tia groups was
      significantly decreased compared with the model group. The Glu levels of the
      model group were higher than the control group and decreased with Tia or JPZDD
      treatment. The GABA level was higher in the model group than the control group.
      Expressions of GABAAR protein in the model group were higher than in the control
      group. Treatment with Tia or JPZDD reduced the expression of GABAAR protein. In
      the case of the mRNA expression, only Tia reduced the expression of N-methyl-D
      aspartate receptor 1, compared with the model group. CONCLUSION: JPZDD could
      alleviate impairments in behavior and dysfunctional signaling by downregulating
      GABAAR in the striatum. We suggest that this acts to maintain the balance of Glu
      and GABA.

PMID- 27279744
TI  - Critical evaluation of ceftolozane-tazobactam for complicated urinary tract and
      intra-abdominal infections.
AB  - The rise in resistant Gram-negative pathogens continues to challenge clinicians
      treating infections. These resistant infections have inspired the development of
      new antimicrobial agents, including ceftolozane-tazobactam, a novel beta
      lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination approved by the US Food and Drug
      Administration for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs)
      and complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) in combination with
      metronidazole. Ceftolozane exhibits bactericidal activity by inhibiting
      penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), with high affinity for PBP1b, PBP1c, and
      PBP3. The addition of tazobactam protects ceftolozane from hydrolysis by
      irreversibly binding to some beta-lactamase enzymes. Ceftolozane-tazobactam is
      active against a wide range of Gram-negative pathogens, including extended
      spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae and multidrug
      resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, several streptococcal species, and
      Bacteroides fragilis. When anaerobic coverage is needed, it should be used in
      combination with metronidazole. Ceftolozane demonstrates linear pharmacokinetics,
      low protein binding, and minimal accumulation with repeated dosing. The major
      pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic index for ceftolozane is the percentage of the
      dosing interval in which the plasma free drug concentration remains higher than
      the minimum inhibitory concentration (%T.MIC). Phase III clinical trials for the
      treatment of cUTIs and cIAIs have been completed, showing that it is an effective
      and safe alternative for the treatment of these infections. The approved dose for
      cUTIs and cIAIs is 1.5 g (1 g ceftolozane and 500 mg tazobactam) infused over 1
      hour every 8 hours. A higher 3 g dose is currently in Phase III trials for the
      treatment of ventilated nosocomial pneumonia. Dosage adjustments are necessary
      for patients with moderate-to-severe renal impairment. Current data suggest that
      ceftolozane-tazobactam is a promising carbapenem-sparing alternative agent for
      the treatment of cUTIs and cIAIs, including those caused by ESBL-producing
      Enterobacteriaceae and MDR P. aeruginosa. 

PMID- 27279745
TI  - The potential utilizations of hydrogen as a promising therapeutic strategy
      against ocular diseases.
AB  - Hydrogen, one of the most well-known natural molecules, has been used in numerous
      medical applications owing to its ability to selectively neutralize cytotoxic
      reactive oxygen species and ameliorate hazardous inflammations. Hydrogen can
      exert protective effects on various reactive oxygen species-related diseases,
      including the transplantation-induced intestinal graft injury, chronic
      inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, and so on. Especially in the eye,
      hydrogen has been used to counteract multiple ocular pathologies in the
      ophthalmological models. Herein, the ophthalmological utilizations of hydrogen
      are systematically reviewed and the underlying mechanisms of hydrogen-induced
      beneficial effects are discussed. It is our hope that the protective effects of
      hydrogen, as evidenced by these pioneering studies, would enrich our
      pharmacological knowledge about this natural element and cast light into the
      discovery of a novel therapeutic strategy against ocular diseases. 

PMID- 27279746
TI  - Heads in the Cloud: A Primer on Neuroimaging Applications of High Performance
      Computing.
AB  - With larger data sets and more sophisticated analyses, it is becoming
      increasingly common for neuroimaging researchers to push (or exceed) the
      limitations of standalone computer workstations. Nonetheless, although high
      performance computing platforms such as clusters, grids and clouds are already in
      routine use by a small handful of neuroimaging researchers to increase their
      storage and/or computational power, the adoption of such resources by the broader
      neuroimaging community remains relatively uncommon. Therefore, the goal of the
      current manuscript is to: 1) inform prospective users about the similarities and
      differences between computing clusters, grids and clouds; 2) highlight their main
      advantages; 3) discuss when it may (and may not) be advisable to use them; 4)
      review some of their potential problems and barriers to access; and finally 5)
      give a few practical suggestions for how interested new users can start analyzing
      their neuroimaging data using cloud resources. Although the aim of cloud
      computing is to hide most of the complexity of the infrastructure management from
      end-users, we recognize that this can still be an intimidating area for cognitive
      neuroscientists, psychologists, neurologists, radiologists, and other
      neuroimaging researchers lacking a strong computational background. Therefore,
      with this in mind, we have aimed to provide a basic introduction to cloud
      computing in general (including some of the basic terminology, computer
      architectures, infrastructure and service models, etc.), a practical overview of
      the benefits and drawbacks, and a specific focus on how cloud resources can be
      used for various neuroimaging applications. 

PMID- 27279747
TI  - Age-Related Differences in White Matter Integrity in Healthy Human Brain:
      Evidence from Structural MRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging.
AB  - The aim is to investigate the relationship between microstructural white matter
      (WM) diffusivity indices and macrostructural WM volume (WMV) among healthy
      individuals (20-85 years). Whole-brain diffusion measures were calculated from
      diffusion tensor imaging using FMRIB software library while WMV was estimated
      through voxel-based morphometry, and voxel-based analysis was carried out using
      tract-based spatial statistics. Our results revealed that mean diffusivity, axial
      diffusivity, and radial diffusivity had shown good correlation with WMV but not
      for fractional anisotropy (FA). Voxel-wise tract-based spatial statistics
      analysis for FA showed a significant decrease in four regions for middle-aged
      group compared to young-aged group, in 22 regions for old-aged group compared to
      middle-aged group, and in 26 regions for old-aged group compared to young-aged
      group (P < 0.05). We found significantly lower WMV, FA, and mean diffusivity
      values in females than males and inverted-U trend for FA in males. We conclude
      differential age- and gender-related changes for structural WMV and WM diffusion
      indices. 

PMID- 27279749
TI  - Discussion of causes and consequences of sleepiness among college students, 2014.

PMID- 27279748
TI  - Epidemiological characteristics of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic
      encephalomyelitis in Australian patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No epidemiological investigations have previously been conducted in
      Australia according to the current clinical definitions of chronic fatigue
      syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). The aim of this study was to
      describe sociodemographic and illness characteristics of Australian patients with
      CFS/ME. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey on the medical history of patients
      enrolled in an Australian CFS/ME research database between April 2013 and April
      2015. Participants were classified according to Fukuda criteria and International
      Consensus Criteria. RESULTS: A total of 535 patients diagnosed with CFS/ME by a
      primary care physician were identified. The mean age of all patients was 46.4
      years (standard deviation 12.0); the majority were female (78.61%), Caucasian,
      and highly educated. Of these, 30.28% met Fukuda criteria. A further 31.96% met
      both Fukuda criteria and International Consensus Criteria. There were 14.58%
      reporting chronic fatigue but did not meet criteria for CFS/ME and 23.18% were
      considered noncases due to exclusionary conditions. Within those meeting CFS/ME
      criteria, the most common events prior to illness included cold or flu,
      gastrointestinal illness, and periods of undue stress. Of the 60 symptoms
      surveyed, fatigue, cognitive, and short-term memory symptoms, headaches, muscle
      and joint pain, unrefreshed sleep, sensory disturbances, muscle weakness, and
      intolerance to extremes of temperature were the most commonly occurring symptoms
      (reported by more than two-thirds of patients). Significant differences in
      symptom occurrence between Fukuda- and International Consensus Criteria-defined
      cases were also identified. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to summarize
      sociodemographic and illness characteristics of a cohort of Australian CFS/ME
      patients. This is vital for identifying potential risk factors and predictors
      associated with CFS/ME and for guiding decisions regarding health care provision,
      diagnosis, and management.

PMID- 27279750
TI  - A STAT6 Intronic Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism is Associated with Clinical
      Malaria in Ghanaian Children.
AB  - Malaria pathogenesis may be influenced by IgE responses and cytokine cross
      regulation. Several mutations in the IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway can alter
      cytokine cross-regulation and IgE responses during a Plasmodium falciparum
      malarial infection. This study investigated the relationship between a STAT6
      intronic single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs3024974), total IgE, cytokines, and
      malaria severity in 238 Ghanaian children aged between 0.5 and 13 years. Total
      IgE and cytokine levels were measured by ELISA, while genotyping was done by
      polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).
      Compared with healthy controls, heterozygosity protected against clinical
      malaria: uncomplicated malaria (odds ratios [OR] = 0.13, P < 0.001), severe
      malarial anemia (OR = 0.18, P < 0.001), and cerebral malaria (OR = 0.39, P =
      0.022). Levels of total IgE significantly differed among malaria phenotypes (P =
      0.044) and rs3024974 genotypes (P = 0.037). Neither cytokine levels nor IL-6/IL
      10 ratios were associated with malaria phenotypes or rs3024974 genotypes. This
      study suggests a role for rs3024974 in malaria pathogenesis and offers further
      insights into an IL-4/STAT6 pathway mutation in malaria pathogenesis. 

PMID- 27279751
TI  - Predicting Clinical Outcomes Using Molecular Biomarkers.
AB  - Over the past 20 years, there has been an exponential increase in the number of
      biomarkers. At the last count, there were 768,259 papers indexed in PubMed.gov
      directly related to biomarkers. Although many of these papers claim to report
      clinically useful molecular biomarkers, embarrassingly few are currently in
      clinical use. It is suggested that a failure to properly understand, clinically
      assess, and utilize molecular biomarkers has prevented their widespread adoption
      in treatment, in comparative benefit analyses, and their integration into
      individualized patient outcome predictions for clinical decision-making and
      therapy. A straightforward, general approach to understanding how to predict
      clinical outcomes using risk, diagnostic, and prognostic molecular biomarkers is
      presented. In the future, molecular biomarkers will drive advances in risk,
      diagnosis, and prognosis, they will be the targets of powerful molecular
      therapies, and they will individualize and optimize therapy. Furthermore,
      clinical predictions based on molecular biomarkers will be displayed on the
      clinician's screen during the physician-patient interaction, they will be an
      integral part of physician-patient-shared decision-making, and they will improve
      clinical care and patient outcomes. 

PMID- 27279752
TI  - Toxicity of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae) Leaf Fractions Against Immature
      Stages of Anopheles gambiae (Giles) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera:
      Culicidae).
AB  - Mosquitoes are vectors of several human pathogens, and great attention has
      recently been placed on insecticides from plant-derived products, in search for
      mosquito control agents. This study, thus, investigated the potency of Boswellia
      dalzielii methanol leaf extract and its four fractions as mosquito ovicide,
      larvicide, and pupicide against Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus. The
      plant products were tested at the following concentrations: 125, 250, 500, 1000,
      and 2000 ppm on eggs and 312.5, 625, 1250, and 2500 ppm on the larvae and pupae
      of the mosquitoes. For results, hatchability of A. gambiae eggs was reduced to 5%
      with n-hexane fraction at 2000 ppm. Among the plant products tested, n-hexane
      fraction was most toxic against A. gambiae (LC50 = 385.9 ppm) and C.
      quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 3394.9 ppm). The n-hexane fraction of B. dalzielii might
      be used as a mosquitocidal agent in the breeding sites of A. gambiae and C.
      quinquefasciatus. 

PMID- 27279753
TI  - Case Study: Giant Cell Arteritis with Vertebral Artery Stenosis.
AB  - In giant cell arteritis (GCA), involvement of the vertebral arteries is rare with
      reported rates of 3%-4% for ischemic events secondary to vertebral artery
      stenosis or occlusion for those patients with GCA. This case study describes a
      patient who initially presented with acute onset of vertigo but was also found to
      have transient, side-alternating upper limb neurological findings. While initial
      imaging showed no vascular abnormalities, it was not until GCA was eventually
      confirmed with a temporal artery biopsy that the initial scans were shown to have
      bilateral narrowing of the vertebral arteries. While rare, vertebral artery
      involvement is an important complication to consider in the setting of GCA due to
      the high rate of associated mortality, despite immunosuppressive therapy. 

PMID- 27279756
TI  - Double Trouble in a Patient with Coronary Ectasia, Bradycardia with Angina:
      Epiphenomenal or Mechanistic Association.
AB  - Coronary artery ectasia is a rare angiographical finding, and it accounts for
      less than 5% of all coronary angiograms. We report a case of a 55-year-old male
      patient who presented with fatigue and exertional chest pain. Paraclinical tests
      revealed cardiac ischemia and sinus node dysfunction, as well as coronary artery
      ectasia without significant coronary stenosis. Factors involved in cardiac
      ischemia in this context comprise slow flow, poor collateral circulation,
      microcirculatory dysfunction, lack of adequate exertional coronary
      vasodilatation, and endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, poor collaterals with
      rudimentary sinus node artery may explain sinus node dysfunction. Discussion is
      made in light of the relevant medical literature. 

PMID- 27279755
TI  - Inflammation and Inflammatory Cells in Myocardial Infarction and Reperfusion
      Injury: A Double-Edged Sword.
AB  - Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most common cause of cardiac injury, and
      subsequent reperfusion further enhances the activation of innate and adaptive
      immune responses and cell death programs. Therefore, inflammation and
      inflammatory cell infiltration are the hallmarks of MI and reperfusion injury.
      Ischemic cardiac injury activates the innate immune response via toll-like
      receptors and upregulates chemokine and cytokine expressions in the infarcted
      heart. The recruitment of inflammatory cells is a dynamic and superbly
      orchestrated process. Sequential infiltration of the injured myocardium with
      neutrophils, monocytes and their descendant macrophages, dendritic cells, and
      lymphocytes contributes to the initiation and resolution of inflammation, infarct
      healing, angiogenesis, and ventricular remodeling. Both detrimental effects and a
      beneficial role in the pathophysiology of MI and reperfusion injury may be
      attributed to the subset heterogeneity and functional diversity of these
      inflammatory cells. 

PMID- 27279754
TI  - Differences Regarding Branded HA in Italy, Part 2: Data from Clinical Studies on
      Knee, Hip, Shoulder, Ankle, Temporomandibular Joint, Vertebral Facets, and
      Carpometacarpal Joint.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study is to collect scientific data on all
      branded hyaluronic acid (HA) products in Italy that are in use for intra
      articular (IA) injection in osteoarthritis (OA) compared with that reported in
      the leaflet. METHODS: An extensive literature research was performed for all
      articles reporting data on the IA use of HA in OA. Selected studies were taken
      into consideration only if they are related to products based on HAs that are
      currently marketed in Italy with the specific joint indication for IA use in
      patients affected by OA. RESULTS: Sixty-two HA products are marketed in Italy: 30
      products are indicated for the knee but only 8 were proved with some efficacy; 9
      products were effective for the hip but only 6 had hip indication; 7 products
      proved to be effective for the shoulder but only 3 had the indication; 5 products
      proved effective for the ankle but only one had the indication; 6 products were
      effective for the temporomandibular joint but only 2 had the indication; only 2
      proved effective for vertebral facet joints but only 1 had the indication; and 5
      products proved effective for the carpometacarpal joint but only 2 had the
      indication. CONCLUSIONS: There are only a few products with some evidences, while
      the majority of products remain without proof. Clinicians and regulators should
      request postmarketing studies from pharmaceuticals to corroborate with that
      reported in the leaflet and to gather more data, allowing the clinicians to
      choose the adequate product for the patient.

PMID- 27279757
TI  - Up-to-Date Information on Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung
      Disease.
AB  - Pulmonary involvement is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and affects all the
      components of the lung. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most predominant
      pulmonary manifestation and has been identified as the main cause of morbidity
      and mortality in RA. Clinically significant RA-ILD occurs in approximately 10% of
      RA patients. Several risk factors, such as old age, male gender, and smoking,
      have been reported to date. Histologically, the proportion of the usual
      interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern is higher in RA-ILD than in ILD associated
      with other connective tissue diseases, and RA-ILD also shows nonspecific
      interstitial pneumonia and organizing pneumonia patterns. High-resolution
      computed tomography scans are highly predictive of the histological UIP pattern
      with a specificity of 96%-100%. Acute exacerbation, which is the acute
      deterioration of the respiratory status characterized by newly developed
      bilateral infiltrates with unknown etiologies, has been reported in RA-ILD.
      Although acute exacerbation of RA-ILD has high mortality, similar to that of
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, its incidence is lower in RA-ILD than in
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A consensus treatment has not yet been
      established. Current therapeutic regimens typically include corticosteroids with
      or without cytotoxic agents. Recent large longitudinal studies reported that the
      prognosis of RA-ILD was poor with a median survival of 2.6-3.0 years.
      Furthermore, histological and/or radiological patterns, such as UIP or non-UIP,
      have significant prognostic implications. RA-ILD patients with histological or
      radiological UIP patterns have poorer prognoses than those with non-UIP patterns.
      This review assessed the characteristics of RA-ILD by overviewing recent studies
      in the field and focused on the clinical significance of histological and/or
      radiological patterns in RA-ILD. 

PMID- 27279758
TI  - Palliation of Dysphagia in Carcinoma Esophagus.
AB  - Esophageal carcinoma has a special place in gastrointestinal carcinomas because
      it contains two main types, namely, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
      Carcinoma esophagus patients require some form of palliation because of locally
      advanced stage or distant metastasis, where it cannot be subjected to curable
      treatment with surgery and chemoradiation. Many modalities of palliation of
      dysphagia are available, but the procedure with least morbidity, mortality, and
      long-term palliation of dysphagia needs to be chosen for the patient. This study
      aims to discuss the recent trends in palliation of dysphagia with promising
      results and the most suitable therapy for palliation of dysphagia in a given
      patient. A total of 64 articles that were published between years 2005 and 2015
      on various modes of palliation of dysphagia in carcinoma esophagus were studied,
      which were mainly randomized and prospective studies. Through this study, we
      conclude that stents are the first choice of therapy for palliation, which is
      safe and cost-effective, and they can be combined with either radiotherapy or
      chemotherapy for long-term palliation of dysphagia with good quality of life.
      Radiotherapy can be used as a second-line treatment modality. 

PMID- 27279759
TI  - Universal Pulse Oximetry Screening for Early Detection of Critical Congenital
      Heart Disease.
AB  - Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a major cause of infant death and
      morbidity worldwide. An early diagnosis and timely intervention can significantly
      reduce the likelihood of an adverse outcome. However, studies from the United
      States and other developed countries have shown that as many as 30%-50% of
      infants with CCHD are discharged after birth without being identified. This
      diagnostic gap is likely to be even higher in low-resource countries. Several
      large randomized trials have shown that the use of universal pulse-oximetry
      screening (POS) at the time of discharge from birth hospital can help in early
      diagnosis of these infants. The objective of this review is to share data to show
      that the use of POS for early detection of CCHD meets the criteria necessary for
      inclusion to the universal newborn screening panel and could be adopted
      worldwide. 

PMID- 27279760
TI  - Body Composition, Fitness Status, and Health Behaviors Upon Entering College: An
      Examination of Female College Students From Diverse Populations.
AB  - Although poor health-related behaviors that impact development of chronic
      diseases begin much earlier than when actual disease is evident, few studies have
      examined health behaviors in college students, who may be at an important
      transitional period where early intervention could prevent development of chronic
      diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine health-related factors in
      female college students (N = 61) by race/ethnicity and weight status. We found
      significant differences in health profiles between non-Hispanic White (White) and
      African American students, including greater physical fitness and healthier diets
      among White students. Overweight/obese students had worse health profiles than
      healthy BMI students. Furthermore, weight status was significantly associated
      with cardiovascular fitness. This supports a focus on PA promotion for
      interventions in the period of emerging adulthood, alongside the other healthy
      behaviors, to elicit improvements in weight status and potential reduction of
      chronic disease risks. 

PMID- 27279762
TI  - Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - Platygastroidea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A revised checklist of the British and Irish Platygastroidea
      (Platygastridae) substantially updates the previous comprehensive checklist,
      dating from 1978. Distribution data (i.e. occurrence in England, Scotland, Wales,
      Ireland and the Isle of Man) is reported where known. NEW INFORMATION: A total of
      381 British and Irish Platygastroidea represents a 47% increase on the number of
      British and Irish species reported in 1978.

PMID- 27279761
TI  - Psychosocial Clusters and their Associations with Well-Being and Health: An
      Empirical Strategy for Identifying Psychosocial Predictors Most Relevant to
      Racially/Ethnically Diverse Women's Health.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Strategies for identifying the most relevant psychosocial predictors
      in studies of racial/ethnic minority women's health are limited because they
      largely exclude cultural influences and they assume that psychosocial predictors
      are independent. This paper proposes and tests an empirical solution. METHODS:
      Hierarchical cluster analysis, conducted with data from 140,652 Women's Health
      Initiative participants, identified clusters among individual psychosocial
      predictors. Multivariable analyses tested associations between clusters and
      health outcomes. RESULTS: A Social Cluster and a Stress Cluster were identified.
      The Social Cluster was positively associated with well-being and inversely
      associated with chronic disease index, and the Stress Cluster was inversely
      associated with well-being and positively associated with chronic disease index.
      As hypothesized, the magnitude of association between clusters and outcomes
      differed by race/ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: By identifying psychosocial clusters and
      their associations with health, we have taken an important step toward
      understanding how individual psychosocial predictors interrelate and how
      empirically formed Stress and Social clusters relate to health outcomes. This
      study has also demonstrated important insight about differences in associations
      between these psychosocial clusters and health among racial/ethnic minorities.
      These differences could signal the best pathways for intervention modification
      and tailoring.

PMID- 27279763
TI  - Generic stabilizability for time-delayed feedback control.
AB  - Time-delayed feedback control is one of the most successful methods to discover
      dynamically unstable features of a dynamical system in an experiment. This
      approach feeds back only terms that depend on the difference between the current
      output and the output from a fixed time T ago. Thus, any periodic orbit of period
      T in the feedback-controlled system is also a periodic orbit of the uncontrolled
      system, independent of any modelling assumptions. It has been an open problem
      whether this approach can be successful in general, that is, under genericity
      conditions similar to those in linear control theory (controllability), or if
      there are fundamental restrictions to time-delayed feedback control. We show
      that, in principle, there are no restrictions. This paper proves the following:
      for every periodic orbit satisfying a genericity condition slightly stronger than
      classical linear controllability, one can find control gains that stabilize this
      orbit with extended time-delayed feedback control. While the paper's techniques
      are based on linear stability analysis, they exploit the specific properties of
      linearizations near autonomous periodic orbits in nonlinear systems, and are,
      thus, mostly relevant for the analysis of nonlinear experiments.

PMID- 27279764
TI  - Hamiltonian approach to Ehrenfest expectation values and Gaussian quantum states.
AB  - The dynamics of quantum expectation values is considered in a geometric setting.
      First, expectation values of the canonical observables are shown to be
      equivariant momentum maps for the action of the Heisenberg group on quantum
      states. Then, the Hamiltonian structure of Ehrenfest's theorem is shown to be Lie
      Poisson for a semidirect-product Lie group, named the Ehrenfest group. The
      underlying Poisson structure produces classical and quantum mechanics as special
      limit cases. In addition, quantum dynamics is expressed in the frame of the
      expectation values, in which the latter undergo canonical Hamiltonian motion. In
      the case of Gaussian states, expectation values dynamics couples to second-order
      moments, which also enjoy a momentum map structure. Eventually, Gaussian states
      are shown to possess a Lie-Poisson structure associated with another semidirect
      product group, which is called the Jacobi group. This structure produces the
      energy-conserving variant of a class of Gaussian moment models that have
      previously appeared in the chemical physics literature.

PMID- 27279765
TI  - Crack nucleation using combined crystal plasticity modelling, high-resolution
      digital image correlation and high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction in
      a superalloy containing non-metallic inclusions under fatigue.
AB  - A crystal plasticity finite-element model, which explicitly and directly
      represents the complex microstructures of a non-metallic agglomerate inclusion
      within polycrystal nickel alloy, has been developed to study the mechanistic
      basis of fatigue crack nucleation. The methodology is to use the crystal
      plasticity model in conjunction with direct measurement at the microscale using
      high (angular) resolution-electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD) and high
      (spatial) resolution-digital image correlation (HR-DIC) strain measurement
      techniques. Experimentally, this sample has been subjected to heat treatment
      leading to the establishment of residual (elastic) strains local to the
      agglomerate and subsequently loaded under conditions of low cyclic fatigue. The
      full thermal and mechanical loading history was reproduced within the model. HR
      EBSD and HR-DIC elastic and total strain measurements demonstrate qualitative and
      quantitative agreement with crystal plasticity results. Crack nucleation by
      interfacial decohesion at the nickel matrix/agglomerate inclusion boundaries is
      observed experimentally, and systematic modelling studies enable the mechanistic
      basis of the nucleation to be established. A number of fatigue crack nucleation
      indicators are also assessed against the experimental results. Decohesion was
      found to be driven by interface tensile normal stress alone, and the interfacial
      strength was determined to be in the range of 1270-1480 MPa.

PMID- 27279766
TI  - Topology optimization for three-dimensional electromagnetic waves using an edge
      element-based finite-element method.
AB  - This paper develops a topology optimization procedure for three-dimensional
      electromagnetic waves with an edge element-based finite-element method. In
      contrast to the two-dimensional case, three-dimensional electromagnetic waves
      must include an additional divergence-free condition for the field variables. The
      edge element-based finite-element method is used to both discretize the wave
      equations and enforce the divergence-free condition. For wave propagation
      described in terms of the magnetic field in the widely used class of non-magnetic
      materials, the divergence-free condition is imposed on the magnetic field. This
      naturally leads to a nodal topology optimization method. When wave propagation is
      described using the electric field, the divergence-free condition must be imposed
      on the electric displacement. In this case, the material in the design domain is
      assumed to be piecewise homogeneous to impose the divergence-free condition on
      the electric field. This results in an element-wise topology optimization
      algorithm. The topology optimization problems are regularized using a Helmholtz
      filter and a threshold projection method and are analysed using a continuous
      adjoint method. In order to ensure the applicability of the filter in the element
      wise topology optimization version, a regularization method is presented to
      project the nodal into an element-wise physical density variable.

PMID- 27279767
TI  - Surface tension and the Mori-Tanaka theory of non-dilute soft composite solids.
AB  - Eshelby's theory is the foundation of composite mechanics, allowing calculation
      of the effective elastic moduli of composites from a knowledge of their
      microstructure. However, it ignores interfacial stress and only applies to very
      dilute composites-i.e. where any inclusions are widely spaced apart. Here, within
      the framework of the Mori-Tanaka multiphase approximation scheme, we extend
      Eshelby's theory to treat a composite with interfacial stress in the non-dilute
      limit. In particular, we calculate the elastic moduli of composites comprised of
      a compliant, elastic solid hosting a non-dilute distribution of identical liquid
      droplets. The composite stiffness depends strongly on the ratio of the droplet
      size, R, to an elastocapillary lengthscale, L. Interfacial tension substantially
      impacts the effective elastic moduli of the composite when [Formula: see text].
      When R<3L/2 (R=3L/2) liquid inclusions stiffen (cloak the far-field signature of)
      the solid.

PMID- 27279768
TI  - A geostatistical extreme-value framework for fast simulation of natural hazard
      events.
AB  - We develop a statistical framework for simulating natural hazard events that
      combines extreme value theory and geostatistics. Robust generalized additive
      model forms represent generalized Pareto marginal distribution parameters while a
      Student's t-process captures spatial dependence and gives a continuous-space
      framework for natural hazard event simulations. Efficiency of the simulation
      method allows many years of data (typically over 10 000) to be obtained at
      relatively little computational cost. This makes the model viable for forming the
      hazard module of a catastrophe model. We illustrate the framework by simulating
      maximum wind gusts for European windstorms, which are found to have realistic
      marginal and spatial properties, and validate well against wind gust
      measurements.

PMID- 27279769
TI  - The criterion of subscale sufficiency and its application to the relationship
      between static capillary pressure, saturation and interfacial areas.
AB  - Modern imaging techniques, increased simulation capabilities and extended
      theoretical frameworks, naturally drive the development of multiscale modelling
      by the question: which new information should be considered? Given the need for
      concise constitutive relationships and efficient data evaluation; however, one
      important question is often neglected: which information is sufficient? For this
      reason, this work introduces the formalized criterion of subscale sufficiency.
      This criterion states whether a chosen constitutive relationship transfers all
      necessary information from micro to macroscale within a multiscale framework. It
      further provides a scheme to improve constitutive relationships. Direct
      application to static capillary pressure demonstrates usefulness and conditions
      for subscale sufficiency of saturation and interfacial areas.

PMID- 27279770
TI  - Adhesion in hydrogel contacts.
AB  - A generalized thermomechanical model for adhesion was developed to elucidate the
      mechanisms of dissipation within the viscoelastic bulk of a hyperelastic
      hydrogel. Results show that in addition to the expected energy release rate of
      interface formation, as well as the viscous flow dissipation, the bulk
      composition exhibits dissipation due to phase inhomogeneity morphological
      changes. The mixing thermodynamics of the matrix and solvent determines the
      dynamics of the phase inhomogeneities, which can enhance or disrupt adhesion. The
      model also accounts for the time-dependent behaviour. A parameter is proposed to
      discern the dominant dissipation mechanism in hydrogel contact detachment.

PMID- 27279771
TI  - Extended non-local games and monogamy-of-entanglement games.
AB  - We study a generalization of non-local games-which we call extended non-local
      games-in which the players, Alice and Bob, initially share a tripartite quantum
      state with the referee. In such games, the winning conditions for Alice and Bob
      may depend on the outcomes of measurements made by the referee, on its part of
      the shared quantum state, in addition to Alice and Bob's answers to randomly
      selected questions. Our study of this class of games was inspired by the monogamy
      of-entanglement games introduced by Tomamichel, Fehr, Kaniewski and Wehner, which
      they also generalize. We prove that a natural extension of the Navascues-Pironio
      Acin hierarchy of semidefinite programmes converges to the optimal commuting
      measurement value of extended non-local games, and we prove two extensions of
      results of Tomamichel et al. concerning monogamy-of-entanglement games.

PMID- 27279772
TI  - Nonlinear stability analysis of Darcy's flow with viscous heating.
AB  - The nonlinear stability of a rectangular porous channel saturated by a fluid is
      here investigated. The aspect ratio of the channel is assumed to be variable. The
      channel walls are considered impermeable and adiabatic except for the horizontal
      top which is assumed to be isothermal. The viscous dissipation is acting inside
      the channel as internal heat generator. A basic throughflow is imposed, and the
      nonlinear convective stability is investigated by means of the generalized
      integral transform technique. The neutral stability curve is compared with the
      one obtained by the linear stability analysis already present in the literature.
      The growth rate analysis of different unstable modes is performed. The Nusselt
      number is investigated for several supercritical configurations in order to
      better understand how the system behaves when conditions far away from neutral
      stability are considered. The patterns of the neutrally stable convective cells
      are also reported. Nonlinear simulations support the results obtained by means of
      the linear stability analysis, confirming that viscous dissipation alone is
      indeed capable of inducing mixed convection. Low Gebhart or high Peclet numbers
      lead to a transient overheating of the originally motionless fluid before it
      settles in its convective steady state.

PMID- 27279773
TI  - The pulsating orb: solving the wave equation outside a ball.
AB  - Transient acoustic waves are generated by the oscillations of an object or are
      scattered by the object. This leads to initial-boundary value problems (IBVPs)
      for the wave equation. Basic properties of this equation are reviewed, with
      emphasis on characteristics, wavefronts and compatibility conditions. IBVPs are
      formulated and their properties reviewed, with emphasis on weak solutions and the
      constraints imposed by the underlying continuum mechanics. The use of the Laplace
      transform to treat the IBVPs is also reviewed, with emphasis on situations where
      the solution is discontinuous across wavefronts. All these notions are made
      explicit by solving simple IBVPs for a sphere in some detail.

PMID- 27279774
TI  - Half conformally flat gradient Ricci almost solitons.
AB  - The local structure of half conformally flat gradient Ricci almost solitons is
      investigated, showing that they are locally conformally flat in a neighbourhood
      of any point where the gradient of the potential function is non-null. In
      opposition, if the gradient of the potential function is null, then the soliton
      is a steady traceless kappa-Einstein soliton and is realized on the cotangent
      bundle of an affine surface.

PMID- 27279775
TI  - Homogenized boundary conditions and resonance effects in Faraday cages.
AB  - We present a mathematical study of two-dimensional electrostatic and
      electromagnetic shielding by a cage of conducting wires (the so-called 'Faraday
      cage effect'). Taking the limit as the number of wires in the cage tends to
      infinity, we use the asymptotic method of multiple scales to derive continuum
      models for the shielding, involving homogenized boundary conditions on an
      effective cage boundary. We show how the resulting models depend on key cage
      parameters such as the size and shape of the wires, and, in the electromagnetic
      case, on the frequency and polarization of the incident field. In the
      electromagnetic case, there are resonance effects, whereby at frequencies close
      to the natural frequencies of the equivalent solid shell, the presence of the
      cage actually amplifies the incident field, rather than shielding it. By
      appropriately modifying the continuum model, we calculate the modified resonant
      frequencies, and their associated peak amplitudes. We discuss applications to
      radiation containment in microwave ovens and acoustic scattering by perforated
      shells.

PMID- 27279776
TI  - Proteins as templates for complex synthetic metalloclusters: towards biologically
      programmed heterogeneous catalysis.
AB  - Despite nature's prevalent use of metals as prosthetics to adapt or enhance the
      behaviour of proteins, our ability to programme such architectural organization
      remains underdeveloped. Multi-metal clusters buried in proteins underpin the most
      remarkable chemical transformations in nature, but we are not yet in a position
      to fully mimic or exploit such systems. With the advent of copious, relevant
      structural information, judicious mechanistic studies and the use of accessible
      computational methods in protein design coupled with new synthetic methods for
      building biomacromolecules, we can envisage a 'new dawn' that will allow us to
      build de novo metalloenzymes that move beyond mono-metal centres. In particular,
      we highlight the need for systems that approach the multi-centred clusters that
      have evolved to couple electron shuttling with catalysis. Such hybrids may be
      viewed as exciting mid-points between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts
      which also exploit the primary benefits of biocatalysis.

PMID- 27279777
TI  - Encoding Gaussian curvature in glassy and elastomeric liquid crystal solids.
AB  - We describe shape transitions of thin, solid nematic sheets with smooth,
      preprogrammed, in-plane director fields patterned across the surface causing
      spatially inhomogeneous local deformations. A metric description of the local
      deformations is used to study the intrinsic geometry of the resulting surfaces
      upon exposure to stimuli such as light and heat. We highlight specific patterns
      that encode constant Gaussian curvature of prescribed sign and magnitude. We
      present the first experimental results for such programmed solids, and they
      qualitatively support theory for both positive and negative Gaussian curvature
      morphing from flat sheets on stimulation by light or heat. We review logarithmic
      spiral patterns that generate cone/anti-cone surfaces, and introduce spiral
      director fields that encode non-localized positive and negative Gaussian
      curvature on punctured discs, including spherical caps and spherical spindles.
      Conditions are derived where these cap-like, photomechanically responsive regions
      can be anchored in inert substrates by designing solutions that ensure
      compatibility with the geometric constraints imposed by the surrounding media.
      This integration of such materials is a precondition for their exploitation in
      new devices. Finally, we consider the radial extension of such director fields to
      larger sheets using nematic textures defined on annular domains.

PMID- 27279778
TI  - Submesoscale currents in the ocean.
AB  - This article is a perspective on the recently discovered realm of submesoscale
      currents in the ocean. They are intermediate-scale flow structures in the form of
      density fronts and filaments, topographic wakes and persistent coherent vortices
      at the surface and throughout the interior. They are created from mesoscale
      eddies and strong currents, and they provide a dynamical conduit for energy
      transfer towards microscale dissipation and diapycnal mixing. Consideration is
      given to their generation mechanisms, instabilities, life cycles, disruption of
      approximately diagnostic force balance (e.g. geostrophy), turbulent cascades,
      internal-wave interactions, and transport and dispersion of materials. At a
      fundamental level, more questions remain than answers, implicating a programme
      for further research.

PMID- 27279779
TI  - Efficient molecular dynamics using geodesic integration and solvent-solute
      splitting.
AB  - We present an approach to Langevin dynamics in the presence of holonomic
      constraints based on decomposition of the system into components representing
      geodesic flow, constrained impulse and constrained diffusion. We show that a
      particular ordering of the components results in an integrator that is an order
      of magnitude more accurate for configurational averages than existing
      alternatives. Moreover, by combining the geodesic integration method with a
      solvent-solute force splitting, we demonstrate that stepsizes of at least 8 fs
      can be used for solvated biomolecules with high sampling accuracy and without
      substantially altering diffusion rates, approximately increasing by a factor of
      two the efficiency of molecular dynamics sampling for such systems. The methods
      described in this article are easily implemented using the standard apparatus of
      modern simulation codes.

PMID- 27279780
TI  - Expansion shock waves in regularized shallow-water theory.
AB  - We identify a new type of shock wave by constructing a stationary expansion shock
      solution of a class of regularized shallow-water equations that include the
      Benjamin-Bona-Mahony and Boussinesq equations. An expansion shock exhibits
      divergent characteristics, thereby contravening the classical Lax entropy
      condition. The persistence of the expansion shock in initial value problems is
      analysed and justified using matched asymptotic expansions and numerical
      simulations. The expansion shock's existence is traced to the presence of a non
      local dispersive term in the governing equation. We establish the algebraic decay
      of the shock as it is gradually eroded by a simple wave on either side. More
      generally, we observe a robustness of the expansion shock in the presence of weak
      dissipation and in simulations of asymmetric initial conditions where a train of
      solitary waves is shed from one side of the shock.

PMID- 27279781
TI  - Modelling accretion disc and stellar wind interactions: the case of Sgr A.
AB  - Sgr A* is an ideal target to study low-luminosity accreting systems. It has been
      recently proposed that properties of the accretion flow around Sgr A* can be
      probed through its interactions with the stellar wind of nearby massive stars
      belonging to the S-cluster. When a star intercepts the accretion disc, the ram
      and thermal pressures of the disc terminate the stellar wind leading to the
      formation of a bow shock structure. Here, a semi-analytical model is constructed
      which describes the geometry of the termination shock formed in the wind. With
      the employment of numerical hydrodynamic simulations, this model is both verified
      and extended to a region prone to Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities. Because the
      characteristic wind and stellar velocities are in ~108 cm s-1 range, the shocked
      wind may produce detectable X-rays via thermal bremsstrahlung emission. The
      application of this model to the pericentre passage of S2, the brightest member
      of the S-cluster, shows that the shocked wind produces roughly a month long X-ray
      flare with a peak luminosity of L ~ 4 * 1033 erg s-1 for a stellar mass-loss
      rate, disc number density, and thermal pressure strength of [Formula: see text],
      nd = 105 cm-3, and alpha = 0.1, respectively. This peak luminosity is comparable
      to the quiescent X-ray emission detected from Sgr A* and is within the detection
      capabilities of current X-ray observatories. Its detection could constrain the
      density and thickness of the disc at a distance of ~3000 gravitational radii from
      the supermassive black hole.

PMID- 27279783
TI  - The minimum mass of detectable planets in protoplanetary discs and the derivation
      of planetary masses from high-resolution observations.
AB  - We investigate the minimum planet mass that produces observable signatures in
      infrared scattered light and submillimetre (submm) continuum images and
      demonstrate how these images can be used to measure planet masses to within a
      factor of about 2. To this end, we perform multi-fluid gas and dust simulations
      of discs containing low-mass planets, generating simulated observations at 1.65,
      10 and 850 MUm. We show that the minimum planet mass that produces a detectable
      signature is ~15 M?: this value is strongly dependent on disc temperature and
      changes slightly with wavelength (favouring the submm). We also confirm previous
      results that there is a minimum planet mass of ~20 M? that produces a pressure
      maximum in the disc: only planets above this threshold mass generate a dust trap
      that can eventually create a hole in the submm dust. Below this mass, planets
      produce annular enhancements in dust outwards of the planet and a reduction in
      the vicinity of the planet. These features are in steady state and can be
      understood in terms of variations in the dust radial velocity, imposed by the
      perturbed gas pressure radial profile, analogous to a traffic jam. We also show
      how planet masses can be derived from structure in scattered light and submm
      images. We emphasize that simulations with dust need to be run over thousands of
      planetary orbits so as to allow the gas profile to achieve a steady state and
      caution against the estimation of planet masses using gas-only simulations.

PMID- 27279782
TI  - Low-radio-frequency eclipses of the redback pulsar J2215+5135 observed in the
      image plane with LOFAR.
AB  - The eclipses of certain types of binary millisecond pulsars (i.e. 'black widows'
      and 'redbacks') are often studied using high-time-resolution, 'beamformed' radio
      observations. However, they may also be detected in images generated from
      interferometric data. As part of a larger imaging project to characterize the
      variable and transient sky at radio frequencies <200 MHz, we have blindly
      detected the redback system PSR J2215+5135 as a variable source of interest with
      the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR). Using observations with cadences of two weeks -
      six months, we find preliminary evidence that the eclipse duration is frequency
      dependent (?nu-0.4), such that the pulsar is eclipsed for longer at lower
      frequencies, in broad agreement with beamformed studies of other similar sources.
      Furthermore, the detection of the eclipses in imaging data suggests an eclipsing
      medium that absorbs the pulsed emission, rather than scattering it. Our study is
      also a demonstration of the prospects of finding pulsars in wide-field imaging
      surveys with the current generation of low-frequency radio telescopes.

PMID- 27279784
TI  - Modelling galaxy clustering: halo occupation distribution versus subhalo
      matching.
AB  - We model the luminosity-dependent projected and redshift-space two-point
      correlation functions (2PCFs) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release
      7 Main galaxy sample, using the halo occupation distribution (HOD) model and the
      subhalo abundance matching (SHAM) model and its extension. All the models are
      built on the same high-resolution N-body simulations. We find that the HOD model
      generally provides the best performance in reproducing the clustering
      measurements in both projected and redshift spaces. The SHAM model with the same
      halo-galaxy relation for central and satellite galaxies (or distinct haloes and
      subhaloes), when including scatters, has a best-fitting chi2/dof around 2-3. We
      therefore extend the SHAM model to the subhalo clustering and abundance matching
      (SCAM) by allowing the central and satellite galaxies to have different galaxy
      halo relations. We infer the corresponding halo/subhalo parameters by jointly
      fitting the galaxy 2PCFs and abundances and consider subhaloes selected based on
      three properties, the mass Macc at the time of accretion, the maximum circular
      velocity Vacc at the time of accretion, and the peak maximum circular velocity
      Vpeak over the history of the subhaloes. The three subhalo models work well for
      luminous galaxy samples (with luminosity above L*). For low-luminosity samples,
      the Vacc model stands out in reproducing the data, with the Vpeak model slightly
      worse, while the Macc model fails to fit the data. We discuss the implications of
      the modelling results.

PMID- 27279786
TI  - Direct collapse to supermassive black hole seeds: comparing the AMR and SPH
      approaches.
AB  - We provide detailed comparison between the adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) code
      enzo-2.4 and the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH)/N-body code gadget-3 in
      the context of isolated or cosmological direct baryonic collapse within dark
      matter (DM) haloes to form supermassive black holes. Gas flow is examined by
      following evolution of basic parameters of accretion flows. Both codes show an
      overall agreement in the general features of the collapse; however, many subtle
      differences exist. For isolated models, the codes increase their spatial and mass
      resolutions at different pace, which leads to substantially earlier collapse in
      SPH than in AMR cases due to higher gravitational resolution in gadget-3. In
      cosmological runs, the AMR develops a slightly higher baryonic resolution than
      SPH during halo growth via cold accretion permeated by mergers. Still, both codes
      agree in the build-up of DM and baryonic structures. However, with the onset of
      collapse, this difference in mass and spatial resolution is amplified, so
      evolution of SPH models begins to lag behind. Such a delay can have effect on
      formation/destruction rate of H2 due to UV background, and on basic properties of
      host haloes. Finally, isolated non-cosmological models in spinning haloes, with
      spin parameter lambda ~ 0.01-0.07, show delayed collapse for greater lambda, but
      pace of this increase is faster for AMR. Within our simulation set-up, gadget-3
      requires significantly larger computational resources than enzo-2.4 during
      collapse, and needs similar resources, during the pre-collapse, cosmological
      structure formation phase. Yet it benefits from substantially higher
      gravitational force and hydrodynamic resolutions, except at the end of collapse.

PMID- 27279785
TI  - New methods to constrain the radio transient rate: results from a survey of four
      fields with LOFAR.
AB  - We report on the results of a search for radio transients between 115 and 190 MHz
      with the LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR). Four fields have been monitored with
      cadences between 15 min and several months. A total of 151 images were obtained,
      giving a total survey area of 2275 deg2. We analysed our data using standard
      LOFAR tools and searched for radio transients using the LOFAR Transients
      Pipeline. No credible radio transient candidate has been detected; however, we
      are able to set upper limits on the surface density of radio transient sources at
      low radio frequencies. We also show that low-frequency radio surveys are more
      sensitive to steep-spectrum coherent transient sources than GHz radio surveys. We
      used two new statistical methods to determine the upper limits on the transient
      surface density. One is free of assumptions on the flux distribution of the
      sources, while the other assumes a power-law distribution in flux and sets more
      stringent constraints on the transient surface density. Both of these methods
      provide better constraints than the approach used in previous works. The best
      value for the upper limit we can set for the transient surface density, using the
      method assuming a power-law flux distribution, is 1.3 * 10-3 deg-2 for transients
      brighter than 0.3 Jy with a time-scale of 15 min, at a frequency of 150 MHz. We
      also calculated for the first time upper limits for the transient surface density
      for transients of different time-scales. We find that the results can differ by
      orders of magnitude from previously reported, simplified estimates.

PMID- 27279787
TI  - Forming supermassive black hole seeds under the influence of a nearby anisotropic
      multifrequency source.
AB  - The photodissociation of H2 by a nearby anisotropic source of radiation is seen
      as a critical component in creating an environment in which a direct collapse
      black hole may form. Employing radiative transfer we model the effect of
      multifrequency (0.76-60 eV) radiation on a collapsing halo at high redshift. We
      vary both the shape of the spectrum which emits the radiation and the distance to
      the emitting galaxy. We use blackbody spectra with temperatures of T = 104 K and
      105 K and a realistic stellar spectrum. We find that an optimal zone exists
      between 1 and 4 kpc from the emitting galaxy. If the halo resides too close to
      the emitting galaxy the photoionizing radiation creates a large H ii region which
      effectively disrupts the collapsing halo, too far from the source and the
      radiation flux drops below the level of the expected background and the H2
      fraction remains too high. When the emitting galaxy is initially placed between 1
      and 2 kpc from the collapsing halo, with a spectral shape consistent with a star
      forming high-redshift galaxy, then a large central core forms. The mass of the
      central core is between 5000 and 10 000 M? at a temperature of approximately 1000
      K. This core is however surrounded by a reservoir of hotter gas at approximately
      8000 K, which leads to mass inflow rates of the order of ~0.1 M? yr-1.

PMID- 27279788
TI  - ECG-Guided Surveillance Technique in Cryoballoon Ablation for Paroxysmal and
      Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Strategy to Prevent From Phrenic Nerve Palsy.
AB  - AIMS: Phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) is still a cause for concern in Cryoballoon
      ablation (CBA) procedures. New surveillance techniques, such as invasive
      registration of the compound motor action potential (CMAP), have been thought to
      prevent the occurrence of PNP. The present study investigates the impact of CMAP
      surveillance via an alternative and non-invasive ECG-conduction technique during
      CBA. METHODS: PVI with CBA was performed in 166 patients suffering from AF.
      Diaphragmal contraction was monitored by abdominal hands-on observation in
      Observation Group I; Observation Group II was treated using additional ECG
      conduction, as a means of modified CMAP surveillance method. During the ablation
      of the right superior and inferior pulmonary veins, the upper extremities lead I
      was newly adjusted between the inferior sternum and the right chest, thereby
      recording the maximum CMAP. The CMAP in the above-mentioned ECG leads was
      continuously observed in a semi-quantitative manner. RESULTS: PNP was observed in
      10 (6%) patients in total. In Observation Group I, 6 out of 61 (9.8%)
      demonstrated PNP. In Observation Group II a significant decrease of PNP could be
      demonstrated (p <0,001) and occurred in 4 out of 105 patients (3.8%). While three
      patients from Observation Group I left the EP lap with an ongoing PNP, none of
      the patients in Observation Group II had persistent PNP outside of the EP lab.
      CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that additional ECG-conduction, used
      as modified CMAP surveillance, is an easy, effective and helpful additional
      safety measure to prevent PNP in CBA.

PMID- 27279789
TI  - The Expression of Gli3 and Teashirt3 in the Stenotic Tissue of Congenital Pelvi
      Ureteric Junction Obstruction in Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the expression pattern of Gli3
      and Teashirt3 in stenotic segments in children with congenital hydronephrosis due
      to pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) versus in normal control subjects.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 patients and 10 controls were included in this study.
      Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real-time PCR were used to investigate
      into the expression of Gli3 and Teashirt3. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry
      identified that Gli3 and Teashirt3 located in the cytoplasm of smooth muscle in
      normal ureter. However, the expression of Gli3 and Teashirt3 was negative in the
      PUJO group. Gli3 and Teashirt3 protein and mRNA expression was significantly
      decreased in PUJO group compared with control group on Western blot and real time
      PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of protein and mRNA of Gli3 and Teashirt3 was
      significantly decreased in the PUJO group. Gli3 and Teashirt3 protein was mainly
      located in the cytoplasm of smooth muscle in normal ureter. Gli3 and Teashirt3
      might play an important role in the normal development of the ureter. The down
      regulated Gli3 and Teashirt3 perhaps participated in the pathogenesis of the
      congenital hydronephrosis due to PUJO.

PMID- 27279790
TI  - Daclatasvir plus Asunaprevir Treatment for Real-World HCV Genotype 1-Infected
      Patients in Japan.
AB  - Background. All-oral combination of direct-acting antivirals could lead to higher
      sustained virologic response (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients.
      In the present study, we examined the efficacy and safety of the dual oral
      treatment with HCV nonstructural protein (NS) 5A inhibitor daclatasvir (DCV) plus
      HCV NS3/4A inhibitor asunaprevir (ASV) for 24 weeks in real-world HCV genotype 1
      infected Japanese individuals. Methods. After screening for HCV NS5A resistance
      associated variants (RAVs) by PCR invader assay, a total of 54 Japanese patients
      infected with HCV genotype 1 treated with DCV plus ASV were retrospectively
      analyzed. SVR12 was used for evaluation of the virologic response. Results. Of
      the total 54 patients, 46 patients (85.2%) were treated with DCV plus ASV for 24
      weeks and achieved SVR12. The other 8 patients (14.8%) discontinued this
      treatment before 24 weeks due to adverse events. Of these 8 patients, 5 and 3
      patients did and did not achieve SVR12, respectively. Finally, 51 of 54 (94.4%)
      patients achieved SVR12. Conclusion. Treatment with DCV and ASV after screening
      for HCV NS5A RAVs by PCR invader assay is effective and safe in the treatment of
      real-world HCV genotype 1-infected patients in Japan. 

PMID- 27279791
TI  - Detection of Human Papillomavirus 16-Specific IgG and IgM Antibodies in Patient
      Sera: A Potential Indicator of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk Factor.
AB  - The association between human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) and oral cancer has
      been widely reported. However, detecting anti-HPV antibodies in patient sera to
      determine risk for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been well studied.
      In the present investigation, a total of 206 OSCC serum samples from the
      Malaysian Oral Cancer Database & Tissue Bank System, with 134 control serum
      samples, were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) to detect
      HPV16-specific IgG and IgM antibodies. In addition, nested PCR analysis using
      comprehensive consensus primers (PGMY09/11 and GP5(+)/6(+)) was used to confirm
      the presence of HPV. Furthermore, we have evaluated the association of various
      additional causal factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption, and betel quid
      chewing) in HPV-infected OSCC patients. Statistical analysis of the Malaysian
      population indicated that OSCC was more prevalent in female Indian patients that
      practices betel quid chewing. ELISA revealed that HPV16 IgG, which demonstrates
      past exposure, could be detected in 197 (95.6%) OSCC patients and HPV16-specific
      IgM was found in a total of 42 (20.4%) OSCC patients, indicating current
      exposure. Taken together, our study suggest that HPV infection may play a
      significant role in OSCC (OR: 13.6; 95% CI: 3.89-47.51) and HPV16-specific IgG
      and IgM antibodies could represent a significant indicator of risk factors in
      OSCC patients. 

PMID- 27279792
TI  - Study and Therapeutic Progress on Intracranial Serpentine Aneurysms.
AB  - An intracranial serpentine aneurysm (SA) is a clinically rare entity, and very
      few multi-case studies on SA have been published. The present study reviewed the
      relevant literature available on PubMed. The studied information included the
      formation mechanism and natural history of SA as well as its clinical
      manifestation, imaging characteristics, and current treatments. After reviewing
      the literature, we conclude that intracranial SA can be managed surgically and by
      endovascular embolization, but the degree of blood flow in normal brain tissue
      distal to the SA must be evaluated. A balloon occlusion test (BOT) or cross
      compression test is recommended for this evaluation. If the collateral
      circulation is sufficiently compensatory, direct excision or embolization can be
      performed. However, if the compensatory collateral circulation is poor, a bypass
      surgery is necessary. Satisfactory results can be achieved in the majority of SA
      patients after treatment. However, the size of the aneurysm may increase in some
      patients after endovascular treatment. Special attention should be paid to cases
      exhibiting a significant mass effect to avoid subsequent SA excision due to an
      intolerable mass effect. Satisfactory results can be achieved with careful
      treatment of SA. 

PMID- 27279793
TI  - Gender Related Survival Differences in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
      Patients Treated with Primary PCI.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data about gender as an independent risk factor for death in ST
      elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients is still contrasting. Aim was to
      assess how gender influences in-hospital and long-term all-cause mortality in
      STEMI patients with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in our
      region. METHODS: We analysed data from 2069 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI
      in our institution from January 2009-December 2014, of whom 28.9% were women. In
      hospital and long-term mortality were observed in women and men. The effect of
      gender on in-hospital mortality was assessed by binary logistic regression
      modelling and by Cox regression analysis for long-term mortality. RESULTS: Women
      were older (68.3+/-61.8 vs 61.8+/-12.0 years; p<0.0001), with a higher prevalence
      of diabetes (13.7% vs 9.9%; p=0.013) and tend to be more frequently admitted in
      cardiogenic shock (8.4% vs 6.3%; p =0.085). They were less frequently treated
      with bivalirudin (15.9% vs 20.3%; p=0.022). In-hospital mortality was higher
      among women (14.2% vs 7.8%; p<0.0001). After adjustment, age (adjusted OR: 1.05;
      95% CI: 1.03 to 1.08; p < 0.001) and cardiogenic shock at admission (adjusted OR:
      24.56; 95% CI: 11.98 to 50.35; p < 0.001), but not sex (adjusted OR: 1.47; 95%
      CI: 0.80 to 2.71) were identified as prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality.
      During the median follow-up of 27 months (25th, 75th percentile: 9, 48) the
      mortality rate (23.6% vs 15.1%; p<0.0001) was significantly higher in women. The
      multivariate adjusted Cox regression model identified age (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.04
      1.07; p<0.0001), cardiogenic shock at admission (HR 6.09; 95% CI 3.78-9.81;
      p<0.0001), hypertension (HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.02-2.18; p<0.046), but not sex (HR
      1.04; 95% CI 0.74-1.47) as independent prognostic factors of follow-up mortality.
      CONCLUSION: Older age and worse clinical presentation rather than gender may
      explain the higher mortality rate in women with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

PMID- 27279794
TI  - Longitudinal Associations between Triglycerides and Metabolic Syndrome Components
      in a Beijing Adult Population, 2007-2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Longitudinal associations between triglycerides (TG) and other
      metabolic syndrome (MetS) components have rarely been reported. The purpose was
      to investigate the longitudinal association between TG and other MetS components
      with time. METHODS: The longitudinal study was established in 2007 on individuals
      who attended health check-ups at Beijing Tongren Hospital and Beijing
      Xiaotangshan Hospital. Data used in this study was based on 7489 participants who
      had at least three health check-ups over a period of 5-year follow up. Joint
      model was used to explore longitudinal associations between TG and other MetS
      components after adjusted for age. RESULTS: There were positive correlations
      between TG and other MetS components except for high density lipoprotein (HDL),
      and the correlations increased with time. A negative correlation was displayed
      between TG and HDL, and the correlation also increased with time. Among all five
      pairs of TG and other MetS components, the marginal correlation between TG and
      body mass index (BMI) was the largest for both men and women. The marginal
      correlation between TG and fasting plasma glucose was the smallest for men, while
      the marginal correlation between TG and diastolic blood pressure was the smallest
      for women. CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal association between TG and other MetS
      components increased with time. Among five pairs of TG and other MetS components,
      the longitudinal correlation between TG and BMI was the largest. It is important
      to closely monitor subjects with high levels of TG and BMI in health check-up
      population especially for women, because these two components are closely
      associated with development of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and
      other metabolic diseases.

PMID- 27279795
TI  - The Association of -429T>C and -374T>A Polymorphisms in the RAGE Gene with
      Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
AB  - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder characterized by
      hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. In addition, a number of females with
      PCOS have ovaries with multiple cysts, an irregular or no menstrual cycle, and an
      imbalance of female hormones compared to those of normal controls. A variety of
      genetic factors have been involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Among these
      genetic factors, the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) that is
      associated with diabetes and involved in the complications of PCOS, was selected.
      We aimed to assess the relationship between -429T>C and -374T>A single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) of RAGE gene with the susceptibility to PCOS.128 controls
      and 265 PCOS patients were used for -374T>A polymorphism and 141 controls and 290
      PCOS patients were used for -429T>C polymorphism, respectively. Genotyping of two
      polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment
      length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay and statistical analysis was performed. P
      values for both alleles were higher than 0.05. Frequencies of genotype and allele
      of two polymorphisms in RAGE gene showed no significant differences between
      controls and PCOS patients. The initial study on the correlation between RAGE
      gene and PCOS indicates that the two polymorphisms of RAGE are not associated
      with the pathogenesis of PCOS. However, further studies regarding the association
      between RAGE gene and PCOS patients in different ethnic groups are required. 

PMID- 27279797
TI  - Efficacy of Honeycomb TCP-induced Microenvironment on Bone Tissue Regeneration in
      Craniofacial Area.
AB  - Artificial bone materials that exhibit high biocompatibility have been developed
      and are being widely used for bone tissue regeneration. However, there are no
      biomaterials that are minimally invasive and safe. In a previous study, we
      succeeded in developing honeycomb beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) which has
      through-and-through holes and is able to mimic the bone microenvironment for bone
      tissue regeneration. In the present study, we investigated how the difference in
      hole-diameter of honeycomb beta-TCP (hole-diameter: 75, 300, 500, and 1600 MUm)
      influences bone tissue regeneration histologically. Its osteoconductivity was
      also evaluated by implantation into zygomatic bone defects in rats. The results
      showed that the maximum bone formation was observed on the beta-TCP with hole
      diameter 300MUm, included bone marrow-like tissue and the pattern of bone tissue
      formation similar to host bone. Therefore, the results indicated that we could
      control bone tissue formation by creating a bone microenvironment provided by
      beta-TCP. Also, in zygomatic bone defect model with honeycomb beta-TCP, the
      result showed there was osseous union and the continuity was reproduced between
      the both edges of resected bone and beta-TCP, which indicated the zygomatic bone
      reproduction fully succeeded. It is thus thought that honeycomb beta-TCP may
      serve as an excellent biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration in the head, neck
      and face regions, expected in clinical applications. 

PMID- 27279796
TI  - Differential microRNA Profiles Predict Diabetic Nephropathy Progression in
      Taiwan.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major leading cause of kidney failure.
      Recent studies showed that serological microRNAs (miRs) could be utilized as
      biomarkers to identify disease pathogenesis; the DN-related miRs, however,
      remained to be explored. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was conducted.
      The clinical significance of five potential miRs (miR-21, miR-29a, miR-29b, miR
      29c and miR192) in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients who have existing
      diabetic retinopathy with differential Albumin:Creatinine Ratio (ACR) and
      estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) was performed using quantitative RT
      PCR analysis. The subjects with diabetic retinopathy enrolled in Taipei City
      Hospital, Taiwan, were classified into groups of normal albuminuria (ACR<30mg/g;
      N=12); microalbuminuria (30mg/g<ACR<300mg/g; N=17) and overt proteinuria
      (ACR>300mg/g; N=21) as well as 18 low-eGFR (eGFR<60ml/min) and 32 high-eGFR
      (eGFR>60ml/min). The level of serum miRs was statistically correlated with age,
      Glucose AC, ACR, eGFR and DN progression. RESULTS: The levels of miR-21, miR-29a
      and miR-192 were significantly enriched in the overt proteinuria group compared
      with microalbuminuria and/or overt proteinuria groups. It was shown that only miR
      21 level was significantly up-regulated in low-eGFR group compared with high-eGFR
      patients. Interestingly, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated
      that DN progressors showed significantly greater levels of miR-21, miR-29a, miR
      29b and miR-29c in comparison with non-progressors implying the clinical
      potential of DN associated miRs in monitoring and preventing disease advancement.
      CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that miR-21, miR-29a/b/c and miR-192 could
      reflect DN pathogenesis and serve as biomarkers during DN progression.

PMID- 27279798
TI  - 5-type HPV mRNA versus 14-type HPV DNA test: test performance, over-diagnosis and
      overtreatment in triage of women with minor cervical lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Repeat cytology and HPV testing is used in triage of women with minor
      cytological lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate 14-type HPV DNA
      and 5-type HPV mRNA testing in delayed triage of women with ASC-US/LSIL. METHODS:
      We compared a DNA test (Roche Cobas 4800) and an 5-type mRNA test (PreTect HPV
      Proofer). In total 564 women were included in the study. RESULTS: The sensitivity
      among solved cases for CIN3+ were 100 % (15/15) for both tests. The sensitivity
      for CIN2+ of the HPV DNA test was 100 % (38/38) relative to 79 % (30/38) for the
      5-type HPV mRNA test. The corresponding estimates of specificity for CIN2+ among
      solved cases were 84 % (393/466; 95 % CI: 81-88) and 91 % (451/498; 95 % CI: 88
      93). The positive predictive values for CIN3+ were 13.5 % (15/111) for DNA+ and
      19.5 % (15/77) for 5-type mRNA+. Significantly more women screened with 5-type
      mRNA than DNA returned to screening (81 % vs 71 %, p < 0.01). Subsequently,
      significantly fewer women were referred for colposcopy/biopsies/treatment (19 %
      (105/564) vs 29 % (165/564), p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: 5-type HPV mRNA is more
      specific than 14-type HPV DNA in delayed triage of women with ASC-US/LSIL. The
      referral rate for colposcopy was 57 % higher for DNA+ relative to mRNA+ cases
      (165 vs 105), with the same detection rate of CIN3+, but the 5-type mRNA test had
      lower sensitivity for CIN2+. It is important to consider the trade-off between
      sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic test when designing screening
      algorithms.

PMID- 27279799
TI  - Parotid gland, an exceptional localization of sebaceous carcinoma: case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a rare malignancy, occurring
      predominantly in eyelids. Till date, only 25 cases of sebaceous carcinoma (SC) of
      the parotid gland have been reported in world literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33
      year-old male presented with left sided laterocervical mass. Clinical examination
      showed enlargement of the left parotid gland, with cervical lymphadenopathy. No
      skin lesions were found. A resection of the gland was performed. Pathological
      findings were consistent with primary sebaceous carcinoma of the parotid gland.
      CONCLUSION: Sebaceous carcinoma of the parotid gland is extremely uncommon.
      Clinical and radiological features are not specific. The aim of this report, is
      to describe histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings of this rare
      entity, and discuss differential diagnosis.

PMID- 27279800
TI  - Comprehensive characterization of the patient-derived xenograft and the
      paralleled primary hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive cancer with high
      mortality and morbidity worldwide. The limited clinically relevant model has
      impeded the development of effective HCC treatment strategy. Patient-derived
      xenograft (PDX) models retain most of the characteristics of original tumors and
      were shown to be highly predictive for clinical outcomes. Notably, primary cell
      line models allow in-depth molecular characterization and high-throughput
      analysis. Combined usage of the two models would provide an excellent tool for
      systematic study of therapeutic strategies. Here, we comprehensively
      characterized the novel PDX and the paralleled primary HCC cell line model.
      METHODS: Tumor tissues were collected from HCC surgical specimens. HCC cells were
      sorted for in vivo PDX and in vitro cell line establishment by the expression of
      hepatic cancer stem cell marker to enhance cell viability and the rate of success
      on subsequent culture. The PDX and its matching primary cell line were
      authenticated and characterized in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Among the
      successful cases for generating PDXs and primary cells, HCC40 is capable for both
      PDX and primary cell line establishment, which were then further characterized.
      The novel HCC40-PDX and HCC40-CL exhibited consistent phenotypic characteristics
      as the original tumor in terms of HBV protein and AFP expressions. In common with
      HCC40-PDX, HCC40-CL was tumorigenic in immunocompromised mice. The migration
      ability in vitro and metastatic properties in vivo echoed the clinical feature of
      venous infiltration. Genetic profiling by short tandem repeat analysis and p53
      mutation pattern consolidated that both the HCC40-PDX and HCC40-CL models were
      derived from the HCC40 clinical specimen. CONCLUSIONS: The paralleled
      establishment of PDX and primary cell line would serve as useful models in
      comprehensive studies for HCC pathogenesis and therapeutics development for
      personalized treatment.

PMID- 27279801
TI  - Implementation of a procalcitonin-guided algorithm for antibiotic therapy in the
      burn intensive care unit.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that an algorithm based
      on serial measurements of procalcitonin (PCT) allows reduction in the duration of
      antibiotic therapy compared with empirical rules, and does not result in more
      adverse outcomes in burn patients with infectious complications. All burn
      patients requiring antibiotic therapy based on confirmed or highly suspected
      bacterial infections were eligible. Patients were assigned to either a
      procalcitonin-guided (study group) or a standard (control group) antibiotic
      regimen. The following variables were analyzed and compared in both groups:
      duration of antibiotic treatment, mortality rate, percentage of patients with
      relapse or superinfection, maximum SOFA score (days 1-28), length of ICU and
      hospital stay. A total of 46 Burn ICU patients receiving antibiotic therapy were
      enrolled in this study. In 24 patients antibiotic therapy was guided by daily
      procalcitonin and clinical assessment. PCT guidance resulted in a smaller
      antibiotic exposure (10.1+/-4 vs. 15.3+/-8 days, p=0.034) without negative
      effects on clinical outcome characteristics such as mortality rate, percentage of
      patients with relapse or superinfection, maximum SOFA score, length of ICU and
      hospital stay. The findings thus show that use of a procalcitonin-guided
      algorithm for antibiotic therapy in the burn intensive care unit may contribute
      to the reduction of antibiotic exposure without compromising clinical outcome
      parameters. 

PMID- 27279802
TI  - Prevalence of beta lactamase producing species of pseudomonas and acinetobacter
      in pediatric burn patients.
AB  - Burn wound infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in burn victims.
      Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species are among the most common organisms
      complicating burn wounds. Presence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and
      metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) genes plays an important role in spreading beta
      lactam resistant strains of these organisms and is a serious condition in the
      treatment of the affected patients. As a result, we aimed to determine the
      prevalence of SHV, TEM, PER and VIM beta-lactamases in Pseudomonas and
      Acinetobacter species isolates from burn wound swabs of children with burn
      injury. In this descriptive observational study, 107 Pseudomonas and
      Acinetobacter isolates collected from burn patients were subjected to PCR assay.
      Using PCR method and DNA sequencing, the existence of SHV-, TEM-, PER- and VIM
      type beta-lactamase encoding genes were determined. Out of the 107 Pseudomonas
      and Acinetobacter isolates, 66 (77.6%) were ESBL positive, 26.2% were positive
      for SHV gene, 37.4% were positive for TEM gene, 14% were positive for PER gene
      and 15.9% of them harbored VIM gene. More than half of the Pseudomonas and
      Acinetobacter strains in our pediatric burn unit harbor beta-lactamase encoding
      genes that make them resistant to a wide range of beta-lactam antibiotics.
      Consequently, it is suggested to choose an appropriate antibiotic regimen based
      on the antibiogram pattern of the strains. 

PMID- 27279803
TI  - Blood transfusion trigger in burns: a four-year retrospective analysis of blood
      transfusions in eleven burn centers in Ukraine.
AB  - One focus of improvement of burn care in Ukraine was the management of blood loss
      and blood transfusions in burn patients. The aim of this project was to analyze
      blood transfusion triggers in burn patients and outcomes at eleven major burn
      centers in Ukraine. This multicenter retrospective study reviewed four years of
      data on blood-transfused burn patients admitted to eleven major burn centers in
      Ukraine. Data analyzed included: demographics, characteristics of the burns,
      complications of burn injury, triggers for blood transfusions and outcomes. A
      total of 928 burn patients who received 2,693 blood transfusions from 11 major
      burn centers over a four-year period, were studied. Regardless of the total body
      surface area (TBSA) that was burned, blood transfusions were administered with a
      hemoglobin (Hb) trigger value of around 9 g/dL. Roughly one third (30.5%) of all
      transfusions were given in patients with a TBSA <= 10%. We demonstrated that
      Ukrainian doctors were using the same Hb trigger for blood transfusions for all
      Ukrainian burn patients, which suggested a need to change blood transfusion
      policy. 

PMID- 27279804
TI  - Improved survival with an innovative approach to the treatment of severely burned
      patients: development of a burn treatment manual.
AB  - The management of severely burned patients remains a major issue worldwide as
      indicated by the high incidence of permanent debilitating complications and poor
      survival rates. In April 2012, the Advanced Emergency & Critical Care Medical
      Center of the Okayama University Hospital began implementing guidelines for
      severely burned patients, distributed as a standard burn treatment manual. The
      protocol, developed in-house, was validated by comparing the outcomes of patients
      with severe extensive burns (SEB) treated before and after implementation of
      these new guidelines at this institution. The patients included in this study had
      a burn index (BI) >=30 or a prognostic burn index (PBI = BI + patient's age)
      >=100. The survival rate of the patients with BI >=30 was 65.2% with the
      traditional treatment and 100% with the new guidelines. Likewise, the survival
      rate of the patients with PBI >=100 was 61.1% with the traditional treatment
      compared to 100% with the new guidelines. Together, these data demonstrate that
      the new treatment guidelines dramatically improved the treatment outcome and
      survival of SEB patients. 

PMID- 27279805
TI  - Response of keloid fibroblasts to Vitamin D3 and quercetin treatment - in vitro
      study.
AB  - Keloid scars continue to pose a challenge to clinicians as the treatment
      armamentarium lacks a formidable agent to tackle them. We have undertaken an in
      vitro study based on the mechanism of action of Vitamin D3 and quercetin on
      isolated keloid fibroblasts. Dose-dependent action on the reduction of cellular
      proliferation, collagen synthesis and induction of apoptosis by Vitamin D3 and
      quercetin are analyzed and probable mechanism of action is elaborated. This study
      thus opens up newer avenues in tackling keloid scars effectively. 

PMID- 27279806
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - Use of local/regional anesthesia in burn patients is limited by many factors. It
      is considered as marginal in the multimodal treatment of nociceptive pain. We
      conducted a retrospective study on regional anesthesia used for analgesia over a
      period of three years. Given the lack of available literature on this subject,
      the results obtained from this study will enable suggestions to be made for
      possible uses of this technique. We identified 634 uses of regional anesthesia of
      which 96% were in adults. Most cases involved the lower limbs (76%). Spinal
      anesthesia was performed on 32 patients, including four children. Incidents were
      infrequent (3%) and had no morbid consequence. Regional anesthesia may be a
      useful option in a multimodal strategy of analgesia, allowing early passive
      rehabilitation and recovery after surgical skin grafts. It should be assessed in
      outpatients, since 95% of burns patients are not hospitalized. Use of regional
      anesthesia in burn patients should generate more interest to allow the
      establishment of protocols in multidisciplinary reflection. 

PMID- 27279807
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - The early management of pediatric hand burns includes surgical treatment, medical
      follow up and prevention of abnormal scarring by splits and/or pressure garment
      therapy. The aim of this review was to find the best available evidence in the
      literature on the surgical part of this management. This review started with a
      search in the PubMed database for the keywords, hand AND/OR child AND/OR burn.
      Only the articles published between January 1(st), 2005 and January 1(st), 2011
      were selected. The data were compared to French and American textbooks.
      Contradictory findings were reported on the timing of the excision and graft,
      with only two comparative studies reported, with a lot of biases. The state of
      the art on the initial management of hand burns in children is not totally
      conclusive due to the lack of statistic power in these studies, but many expert
      opinions help to define options for good therapeutic paradigms. It is important
      to include these patients in prospective protocols with both early and long-term
      follow-up in order to increase the amount of evidence at our disposal. 

PMID- 27279808
TI  - Surgical treatment of burns sequelae. our experience in the Department of Plastic
      and Reconstructive Surgery, Pristina, Kosovo.
AB  - Burn injuries are very frequent in Kosovo, leading to long-lasting physical,
      functional, aesthetic, psychological and social consequences directly
      proportional to the time of healing; the longer it takes for the burn wound to
      heal, the more serious are the sequelae. The objectives of the present study are
      to review the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of burn patients
      presenting with post-burn sequelae and treated at the Department of Plastic and
      Reconstructive Surgery, Pristina, Kosovo, from January 2005 until December 2011.
      This study included 188 patients with burns sequelae. The following variables
      were considered: age, sex, anatomical location, pathological types, and surgical
      procedure. There were 82 men (43.6%) and 106 women (56.4%), ranging in age from 0
      to 67 years (mean age 33.5 years), most of the patients were children (139 =
      73.9%). Burn contractures were observed in 135 (71.8%) patients, hypertrophic
      scars in 32 (17%), keloids in 10 (5.3%), alopecia in 6 (3.2%), syndactyly in 12
      (6.4%), ectropion in 4 (2.1%) and ear deformity in 1 (0.53%) cases. To correct
      the deformities the most common choice was the Z-plasty technique, used in 31.4%
      of cases, followed by Z-plasty+full thickness skin grafts in 21.8%, full
      thickness skin grafts in 18.1%, tissue expansion in 8%, Z-plasty+local flaps in
      4.8%, flaps (local, fascio-cutaneous, radial forearm) in 6.9% and direct closure
      in 6.4%. Timely wound closure and the development of an individual programme for
      surgical treatment of burns sequelae are crucial for optimal outcomes in patients
      with burns. 

PMID- 27279809
TI  - Tissue expanders in post-burn alopecia: with or without galeotomies?
AB  - The tissue expansion technique is part of the reconstructive surgeon's
      armamentarium. It provides donor skin that is an optimal match in terms of skin
      colour, texture, sensation and hair-bearing characteristics. Tissue expansion of
      the scalp is one of the methods used for the management of alopecia. This method
      allows the expansion of normal hair-bearing scalp to cover the area of alopecia.
      Unfortunately, the tough galeal layer prevents easy and fast expansion of the
      scalp and increases the rate of expander extrusion. A prospective and
      retrospective comparative analysis of the use of subgaleal expanders with or
      without galeotomies to manage post-burn alopecia was conducted in the Burn Unit
      of the Menofia University Hospital, in the period from September 2010 to November
      2014. Thirty expanders in 30 patients with alopecia were included in the study.
      These constitute the experience of a single surgeon. Twenty expanders were
      applied to the subgaleal plane without galeotomies and 10 were applied with
      galeotomies. Indications for scalp expansion were mainly post-burn alopecia and
      scarring. Complications and failures were recorded. Adding galeotomies to
      subgaleal tissue expander placement for scalp alopecia decreases the time of
      expansion, allows a larger amount of fluid to be injected each time without
      inducing pain, and decreases the rate of expander extrusion. Adding galeotomies
      to subgaleal tissue expander placement for post-burn alopecia ensures
      preservation of galeal blood supply for easier and faster expansion of the scalp
      and fewer expander extrusion complications. 

PMID- 27279810
TI  - The cost of post-burn scarring.
AB  - Deep burns lead to scarring and contractures for which there is little or no
      published data on treatment costs. The purpose of this study was to fill this gap
      by analysing treatment costs for burn sequelae. To do this, German-DRG for in
      patient treatment was collected from the Burn Centre Lower Saxony. DRG-related
      T95.-coding served as a tool for burn-associated sequelae. Data on scar
      occurrence, plastic-reconstructive surgery and sick leave were collected by a
      questionnaire. The findings showed that 44.6% patients reported post-burn
      scarring and 31% needed surgical intervention. The expected risk for readmission
      was significantly higher (p=0.0002) with scars compared to without. Significantly
      higher costs for pressure garments were noted for scarred patients (p=0.04). No
      differences were found for ointments, silicone dressings or pain medication.
      Treatment costs for patients with scars were 5.6 times higher compared with no
      scar assessed by G-DRG. No differences were stated subsuming multiple
      readmissions for post-burn treatment per individual. Significantly higher costs
      (p=0.03) were noted for patients with burn sequelae other than scars with regard
      to individual readmissions. It has been revealed that treatment of scars causes
      higher costs than for other burn sequelae because of multiple surgical
      interventions. To reduce post-burn scarring and costs, specialized burn centres
      provide optimal and state-of-the-art treatment. As well as this, more emphasis
      should be laid on promoting research for the development of novel anti-scarring
      therapies. 

PMID- 27279811
TI  - Is a self-inflicted burn part of a repeated self-harm pattern?
AB  - Self-inflicted burns (SIB) consistently account for a small proportion of burn
      injuries. There is a wide spectrum of SIB, from minor burns through to major life
      threatening burn injuries in suicidal patients who have committed self
      immolation. Non-fatal deliberate self-harm (DSH) is a common reason for
      presenting to hospital. This occurs in many forms including wounding, burning and
      poisoning to name a few. Such behaviours are commonly repeated, sometimes with
      increasing severity. DSH is a major risk factor for subsequent suicide. We had
      observed patterns of repeated self harm behaviours in patients presenting to our
      centre with SIB. Patterns of repeated DSH in those presenting with self-inflicted
      burns have not previously been described in the literature. In a five-year period
      (2008 to 2012) 84 patients presented to our burns centre with SIB. Within this
      population, 39 patients (46%) were identified on a national database as having
      been admitted to an acute National Health Service (NHS) trust somewhere in the UK
      with sequelae of deliberate self-harm. There had been a total of 128 additional
      hospital admissions. In the majority of cases (85%) another admission preceded
      the presentation to our service with SIB. Only four out of the 17 SIB patients
      (24%) who died of their injuries had previous hospital admissions with DSH. This
      lends weight to the need for thorough holistic assessment of any patient admitted
      to hospital with sequelae of deliberate self-harm in order to try and provide
      appropriate support and interventions for these vulnerable individuals to prevent
      recurrent self-harm or suicide. 

PMID- 27279813
TI  - Fires in history: the cathar heresy, the inquisition and brulology.

PMID- 27279812
TI  - How fast can a naturopathic medicine cause skin burn? a case report of garlic
      burn.
AB  - This paper presents a case in which a chemical burn resulted from the use of
      garlic as a naturopathic medicine for knee pain. 

PMID- 27279814
TI  - The EVER genes - the genetic etiology of carcinogenesis in epidermodysplasia
      verruciformis and a possible role in non-epidermodysplasia verruciformis
      patients.
AB  - In recent years, the two adjacent novel EVER1 and EVER2 genes have been
      identified, whose mutations are responsible for the development of
      epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is a rare,
      autosomal recessive genodermatosis associated with increased risk of skin
      carcinoma. Up to now 7 mutations in the EVER1 gene and 5 mutations in the EVER2
      gene have been identified only in EV. It was also determined that the EVER genes
      belong to a novel gene family, the transmembrane channel-like (TMC) family, and
      are responsible for properly functioning zinc homeostasis. These observations
      have given new insights into EV pathogenesis. 

PMID- 27279815
TI  - Significance of diet in treated and untreated acne vulgaris.
AB  - The relationship between diet and acne is highly controversial. Several studies
      during the last decade have led dermatologists to reflect on a potential link
      between diet and acne. This article presents the latest findings on a potential
      impact that diet can have on pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. The association
      between diet and acne can no longer be dismissed. Compelling evidence shows that
      high glycemic load diets may exacerbate acne. Dairy ingestion appears to be
      weakly associated with acne and the roles of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber,
      antioxidants, vitamin A, zinc and iodine remain to be elucidated. The question of
      what the impact of diet is on the course of acne vulgaris still remains unclear. 

PMID- 27279816
TI  - Diagnostic significance of nitric oxide concentrations in exhaled air from the
      airways in allergic rhinitis patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the human body is very important
      due its physiological regulation of the following functions of airways:
      modulation of ciliary movement and maintenance of sterility in sinuses. AIM: To
      evaluate the diagnostic significance of NO concentrations in exhaled air from the
      upper and lower airways in patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis (AR).
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects included in the study were a group of 30
      people diagnosed with sensitivity to environmental allergens and a control group
      consisting of 30 healthy subjects. The measurement of NO in the air exhaled from
      the lower and upper airways was performed using an on-line method by means of
      Restricted Exhaled Breath (REB), as well as using the measurement procedure
      (chemiluminescence) set out in the guidelines prepared in 2005 by the American
      Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society. RESULTS: In the late phase
      of the allergic reaction, higher values of the level of exhaled NO concentration
      from the lower airways were observed in the groups of subjects up to the
      threshold values of 25.17 ppb in the group of subjects with year-round allergic
      rhinitis and 21.78 ppb in the group with diagnosed seasonal allergic rhinitis.
      The difference in the concentration of NO exhaled from the lungs between the test
      group and the control group in the 4(th) h of the test was statistically
      significant (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Exhaled NO should be considered as a marker
      of airway inflammation. It plays an important role in the differential diagnosis
      of allergy.

PMID- 27279817
TI  - Selected CC and CXC chemokines in children with atopic asthma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There are only limited data on CC and CXC chemokines regulation in
      children with asthma. AIM: We compared the serum profile of selected CC and CXC
      chemokines in patients with atopic asthma and healthy children. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Serum concentration of CC chemokines RANTES, MCP-1, and CXC chemokines
      IP-10, MIG, IL-8, RANTES was measured using cytometric bead array in 44 children
      with atopic asthma and 17 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The concentration of RANTES
      was significantly higher and the MIG level was lower in all children with asthma
      as compared to their control counterparts. We observed increased RANTES and
      decreased MIG levels also in patients with stable asthma when compared with
      children in the control group. The IP-10 concentration was similar between the
      whole asthma group and healthy controls, while significantly increased levels of
      this chemokine in acute asthma have been observed when compared to stable asthma.
      For MCP-1 and IL-8, the serum concentration was similar in all compared groups.
      The MIG concentration correlated positively with IP-10, IL-8, and CRP levels and
      negatively with the eosinophil count. A negative correlation between the IP-10
      and eosinophil count and a negative correlation between FEV1 and IP-10 were
      found. CONCLUSIONS: An increased serum RANTES level in children with asthma may
      result in enhancement of Th2 lymphocyte recruitment into the airway. A decreased
      expression of Th1 chemokine MIG in children with stable asthma may contribute to
      a diminished antagonizing effect on Th2 cytokine production and hence intensify
      Th2 predominance. An increased IP-10 level in children during an asthma attack
      suggest that this chemokine is a serological marker of disease exacerbation.

PMID- 27279818
TI  - Quality of life and severity of skin changes in the dynamics of psoriasis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease with periods of recurrence and
      remission. The skin changes which are typical of this disease can have a
      considerable effect on the patient's psychological state, self-esteem and body
      image. It can also affect the patient's functioning in all areas of life and
      quality of life. AIM: The present study characterized the patient needs to
      improve the quality of life in specified areas in patients depending on the
      severity of psoriatic changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in
      two stages on 100 patients aged from 18 to 66. A dermatological examination was
      conducted in stage one. Patients' dermatological condition was assessed with the
      Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Clinical and socio-economic information
      was collected in stage two using a questionnaire, a medical interview and a
      standardized questionnaire measuring quality of life, the WHOQOL-BREF. RESULTS:
      The following factors had the greatest effect on the general quality of life and
      quality of health ratings in the studied sample: severity of psoriatic changes,
      duration of the most recent recurrence and sex. Severity of psoriatic changes had
      a negative effect on the patient's somatic, psychological, environmental and
      social functioning. Duration of the most recent recurrence had a negative effect
      on social functioning. Practical implications of this study allow dermatologists
      to determine the appropriate therapeutic intervention which improves the quality
      of life of these patients on the one hand, and will increase patient's
      involvement in the process of treatment on the other hand. CONCLUSIONS: Quality
      of life is more impaired by more severe chronic skin disease.

PMID- 27279819
TI  - Food allergy is associated with recurrent respiratory tract infections during
      childhood.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To find out whether children with food allergy have an increased
      risk of recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections and of asthma.
      AIM: To describe the clinical profile of children diagnosed with food allergy
      referred to the Allergy Clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a
      retrospective study to assess the patients' demographic, anthropometric and
      clinical data. The analysis included data of all children by the age of 10 years
      (registered with the Allergy Clinic between 2012 and 2013) in whom IgE mediated
      food allergy had been diagnosed during 18 months of observation. RESULTS: We
      included 280 children into the analysis. Recurrent respiratory tract infections
      (rRTI), asthma and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were observed in 153 (54.6%),
      96 (34.3%), 39 (13.9%), respectively, with a significant increasing trend across
      age-subgroups. In children from 1 to 2 years old, sensitization to beta
      lactoglobulin increased the risk of rRTI (OR = 3.91; 95% CI: 1.03-14.87). In
      older children sensitization to allergens other than milk or egg decreases the
      risk of rRTI (OR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.10-0.62); sensitization to egg decreased the
      risk of asthma diagnosis (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01-0.75). We did not identify food
      allergens which change the risk of GI symptoms in children. This finding was
      consistent throughout all age-subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitization to beta
      lactoglobulin increased the risk of rRTI in children under 2 years of age nearly
      four times. The presence of sensitization to food allergens above 3 years of age
      did not increase the risk of developing clinical presentation of food allergy
      other than atopic dermatitis.

PMID- 27279820
TI  - Presence of selected metabolic syndrome components in patients with psoriasis
      vulgaris.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have suggested a strong association between
      psoriasis and obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, resistance to insulin and
      metabolic syndrome. AIM: To assess the prevalence of selected metabolic syndrome
      components in patients with psoriasis and the effect of the abnormalities on the
      disease activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-six patients
      diagnosed with psoriasis and 75 healthy individuals as controls were included in
      the study. Psoriasis activity was evaluated by the Psoriasis Area and Severity
      Index (PASI). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in
      triglyceride concentration between psoriasis patients and controls (p = 0.00001),
      which was not found for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration. Mean values
      of serum glucose level in patients with psoriasis were significantly higher than
      in controls (p = 0.046). Further statistical analysis of the obtained results
      showed significantly higher systolic blood pressure in the psoriasis patients
      than in the controls (p = 0.0001), but there was no statistically significant
      difference in diastolic blood pressure between the investigated groups (p >
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome components was
      observed in patients with psoriasis than in the general population.

PMID- 27279821
TI  - Differentiating of cross-reactions in patients with latex allergy with the use of
      ISAC test.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Differentiating between cross-reactivity and double sensitization
      is still a challenging issue in allergology. AIM: To differentiate cross
      reactions accompanying latex allergy with the use of the ISAC test. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Thirty-nine patients reporting immediate allergic reactions to latex
      were enrolled into the study (group A). The control group was comprised of 41
      patients with allergic diseases not associated with latex (group B) and 20
      healthy individuals (group C). Their history was recorded and skin prick tests
      were performed with latex, airborne and food allergens. Specific IgE against food
      allergens, latex (k82) and recombined latex allergens were determined. ImmunoCAP
      ISAC test was performed with 103 molecules. RESULTS: Sensitization to latex was
      found by means of skin tests in 16 cases and sIgE against latex was revealed in
      12 cases (including 10 positive in both SPT and sIgE). In the ISAC test
      antibodies against recombined latex allergens were found in 8 patients with rHev
      b 6 as the most common. All the patients positive for rHev b 1, 5, 6, 8 had
      allergy or asymptomatic sensitization to food allergens cross-reacting with
      latex. Some reactions could not have been differentiated due to the lack of
      allergens in the ISAC test. Others, not related to latex-fruits syndrome were
      explained by cross-reactivity with other profilins or PR-10 proteins.
      CONCLUSIONS: ImmunoCAP ISAC test could be useful in differentiating between cross
      reactions and double sensitizations. However, in the case of latex its advantages
      are limited due to a small panel of allergens.

PMID- 27279822
TI  - The prevalence of mutations in the gene encoding filaggrin in the population of
      Polish patients with atopic dermatitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The genetic background of atopic dermatitis (AD) is complex,
      involves many genes and their participation varies in varied populations, and
      depends on the intensity and course of a disease. Changes in the nucleotide
      sequence of the FLG gene and a reduced number or a deficit of the functional
      product of processed profilaggrin can be one of risk factors for atopic
      dermatitis. AIM: To determine the prevalence of R501X and 2282del4 mutations of
      the FLG gene in patients with AD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studied group
      included 60 patients with clinically diagnosed AD, and the control group included
      61 healthy volunteers. The study protocol included collection of biological
      material for tests, DNA isolation and evaluation of its quality and quantity, and
      PCR amplification of the isolated genetic material. RESULTS: In the studied
      group, both changes in the nucleotide sequence of the FLG gene were detected and
      in the control group no tested mutations were detected. In 18 (30%) patients with
      AD, 22 mutations (4 heterozygous and 1 homozygous ones of R501X and 10
      heterozygous and 7 homozygous ones of 2282del4) were detected. CONCLUSIONS: A
      high rate of mutations of the FLG gene in patients with clinically diagnosed AD
      and pathologically dry skin was observed in the studied population. The 2282del4
      mutation occurred more often than R501X.

PMID- 27279823
TI  - Analysis of the quality of life of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis
      after immunotherapy.
AB  - AIM: To assess the quality of life of Polish patients with asthma and/or allergic
      rhinitis before the implementation and after 30-36 months of immunotherapy.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred patients have been involved in the study: 101
      with allergic asthma and 99 with pollinosis. In order to collect research
      material, the Polish versions of AQLQ (Asthma Quality of Life) and RQLQ
      (Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life) questionnaires have been used. The self
      administered questionnaires concerned such data as age, sex and the patients'
      subjective evaluation of their quality of life. RESULTS: The average increase in
      quality of life of patients with asthma was 0.84 and of patients with allergic
      rhinitis - 1.50. A hypothesis was made that changes of quality of life in each
      examined group differed significantly. A test for two fractions showed that for
      patients with asthma it was 7.74 and for patients with allergic rhinitis - 10.38.
      A statistical analysis showed no such relation in the group of patients with
      asthma (coefficient of correlation = 0.08) and a slight correlation in the group
      of patients with allergic rhinitis (coefficient of correlation = 0.20). Applied
      tests did not show any significant differences, which means that an average
      increase in quality of life does not depend on sex and age of both examined
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the research conducted among patients before
      and after a 3-year period of immunotherapy, the following conclusions have been
      drawn: 1) immunotherapy significantly improves the objective quality of life in
      both groups; 2) a slight correlation has been identified between the objective
      and subjective dimension of quality of life amongst patients with asthma, what
      contributes to a better quality of life; 3) in both study groups, no significant
      relationship between gender or age and improvement in quality of life has been
      noted; 4) immunotherapy, from the point of view of the improvement of quality of
      life, is a valuable therapeutic tool in patients with atopic bronchial asthma and
      allergic rhinitis.

PMID- 27279824
TI  - Carcinoma en cuirasse as an initial manifestation of inflammatory breast cancer.

PMID- 27279825
TI  - Bowenoid papulosis in a linear distribution.

PMID- 27279827
TI  - Subcutaneous fat necrosis in neonates after therapeutic hypothermia - report of
      two cases.

PMID- 27279826
TI  - Iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma following therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

PMID- 27279828
TI  - A case of lipoatrophic panniculitis in a 2-year-old boy.

PMID- 27279829
TI  - Paths to the discovery of antivenom serotherapy in France.
AB  - The current study presents a descriptive chronological survey of the articles
      published by Cesaire Auguste Phisalix and Albert Calmette on snake poison, with
      the aim of shedding a light on the areas of research and reasoning followed by
      these scientists, leading up to their simultaneous discovery of antivenom
      serotherapy in 1894. The path taken by Phisalix is revealed in 15 articles that
      demonstrate the motivation of a naturalist and the way he confronted the puzzle
      of immunity against snake venom. In the case of Calmette, two articles preceded
      the discovery; microbiology was his theoretical base and the Pasteurian spirit of
      solving health problems his driving force. These two researchers followed
      distinct paths, mobilized by different motivations, but produced one single
      result. It is incontestable that the discovery of antivenom serotherapy was the
      work of two groups of researchers who deserve equal recognition, but who, in
      fact, did not receive it. Following the discovery both Calmette and Phisalix
      returned to their previous motivations. Calmette put the discovery into practice
      and began to produce antivenom serum in Lille. He came to be generally considered
      as the sole discoverer of antivenom serotherapy and was the recipient of a number
      of prestigious prizes. Phisalix, on the other hand, received little recognition
      and returned to his original interests, devoting himself to research on natural
      immunity. In Brazil, the discovery of antivenom serum therapy had a profound
      impact on the work of Vital Brazil Mineiro da Campanha, a researcher known
      worldwide for his scientific discoveries and for the evidence of the specificity
      of antivenom serums. 

PMID- 27279830
TI  - Stata Modules for Calculating Novel Predictive Performance Indices for Logistic
      Models.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prediction is a fundamental part of prevention of cardiovascular
      diseases (CVD). The development of prediction algorithms based on the
      multivariate regression models loomed several decades ago. Parallel with
      predictive models development, biomarker researches emerged in an impressively
      great scale. The key question is how best to assess and quantify the improvement
      in risk prediction offered by new biomarkers or more basically how to assess the
      performance of a risk prediction model. Discrimination, calibration, and added
      predictive value have been recently suggested to be used while comparing the
      predictive performances of the predictive models' with and without novel
      biomarkers. OBJECTIVES: Lack of user-friendly statistical software has restricted
      implementation of novel model assessment methods while examining novel
      biomarkers. We intended, thus, to develop a user-friendly software that could be
      used by researchers with few programming skills. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have
      written a Stata command that is intended to help researchers obtain cut point
      free and cut point-based net reclassification improvement index and (NRI) and
      relative and absolute Integrated discriminatory improvement index (IDI) for
      logistic-based regression analyses.We applied the commands to a real data on
      women participating the Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS) to examine if
      information of a family history of premature CVD, waist circumference, and
      fasting plasma glucose can improve predictive performance of the Framingham's
      "general CVD risk" algorithm. RESULTS: The command is addpred for logistic
      regression models. CONCLUSIONS: The Stata package provided herein can encourage
      the use of novel methods in examining predictive capacity of ever-emerging
      plethora of novel biomarkers.

PMID- 27279831
TI  - Ramadan Fasting Decreases Body Fat but Not Protein Mass.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown various results regarding the effects of
      Ramadan fasting on weight and body composition in healthy individuals.
      OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on body
      composition in healthy Indonesian medical staff. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we
      examined the influence of Ramadan fasting on body composition in healthy medical
      staff. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The longitudinal study was performed during and
      after Ramadan fasting in 2013 (August to October). Fourty-three medical staff
      members (physicians, nurses and nutritionists) at the Internal Medicine Ward of
      the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital were measured to compare their
      calorie intake, weight, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and body
      composition, including body fat, protein, minerals and water, on the first and
      28(th) days of Ramadan and also 4-5 weeks after Ramadan fasting. Measurements
      were obtained for all 43 subjects on the 28(th) day of Ramadan, but they were
      obtained for only 25 subjects 4 - 5 weeks after Ramadan. RESULTS: By the 28(th)
      day of Ramadan, it was found that the body weight, BMI, body fat, water and
      mineral measures had decreased significantly (-0.874 +/- 0.859 kg, P < 0.001; 
      0.36 +/- 0.371 kg/m(2), P < 0.001; -0.484 +/- 0.597 kg, P < 0.001; -0.293 +/-
      0.486 kg, P = 0.001; -0.054 +/- 0.059 kg, P < 0.001, respectively). Protein body
      mass and calorie intake did not significantly change (-0.049 +/- 0.170 kg, P =
      0.561; 12.94 +/- 760.608 Kcal, P = 0.082 respectively). By 4 - 5 weeks after
      Ramadan, body weight and composition had returned to the same levels as on the
      first day of Ramadan. CONCLUSIONS: Ramadan fasting resulted in weight loss even
      it was only a temporary effect, as the weight was quickly regained within one
      month after fasting. The catabolism catabolic state, which is related to protein
      loss, was not triggered during Ramadan fasting. Further research is needed to
      evaluate the effects of weight loss during Ramadan fasting in healthy
      individuals.

PMID- 27279832
TI  - Leptin Resistance: A Possible Interface Between Obesity and Pulmonary-Related
      Disorders.
AB  - CONTEXT: Under normal physiological conditions, leptin regulates body weight by
      creating a balance between food intake and energy expenditure. However, in
      obesity, serum leptin levels increase and become defective to retain energy
      balance. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Elevated serum leptin levels are regarded as an
      established marker of obesity. It is also reported that obese asthmatic patients
      have maximum serum leptin levels compared to other groups such as non-obese
      asthmatics, and normal obese and non obese subjects without asthma. In addition
      to having an appetite suppressing effect, leptin also regulates certain acute
      phase protein expressions including alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) in the liver.
      RESULTS: A1AT is a protease inhibitor that counterbalances the activity of the
      neutrophil elastase (NE) enzyme. A1AT reductions in obese-leptin resistant
      subjects lead to increased NE activity. The overactivity of NE degrades lung
      tissue proteins, which may lead to pulmonary disorders including asthma.
      CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of prior studies, it could be hypothesized that, in
      obese asthmatic patients, the highest degree of leptin failure/resistance might
      lead to the creation of an imbalance between NE and its inhibitor A1AT. To
      ascertain this, large scale prospective studies are warranted to assess the
      comparative serum leptin and A1AT levels and NE activity in asthmatic non-obese
      and obese patients, simultaneously. Such studies might help to devise novel
      interventional therapies for the treatment of pulmonary-related problems
      including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and other lung
      defects in susceptible obese subjects in the future.

PMID- 27279833
TI  - Thyroid and Pregnancy in Tehran, Iran: Objectives and Study Protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thyroid dysfunction is the second most common endocrine disease in
      females of reproductive age. There are controversial data on the adverse effect
      of subclinical thyroid dysfunctions on adverse feto-maternal outcomes.
      OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to identify the prevalence of thyroid
      dysfunction during pregnancy and to assess the effectiveness of treatment with
      levothyroxine on pregnancy outcomes of females with thyroid autoimmunity with or
      without subclinical thyroid dysfunction in Tehran, Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      The study encompassed two phases: 1) a population based cross sectional study
      using a cluster sampling method that screened first trimester pregnant females
      for thyroid disorders, 2) a double-blind randomized clinical trial to determine
      the effectiveness of levothyroxine on adverse pregnancy outcomes in females with
      thyroid autoimmunity with or without subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Pregnant
      females were assessed at their first prenatal visit for serum TSH, T4, T-uptake,
      TPOAb and urinary iodine following which they were classified as: 1) normal, 2)
      subclinical TPOAb negative and 3) subclinical/euthyroid TPOAb positive. Females
      in groups two and three were randomly divided into two groups: group A was
      treated with levothyroxine (LT4), and group B did not receive any treatment.
      There was a follow-up program for participants and rates of adverse pregnancy
      outcomes in the treated and untreated groups were measured. RESULTS: Results of
      the study provided reliable information regarding the prevalence of thyroid
      dysfunction among females in Tehran using universal thyroid screening, along with
      identification of the iodine status of their community. The study aimed to
      determine whether LT4 treatment exerts beneficial effects in females without
      overt thyroid dysfunction.

PMID- 27279834
TI  - Effects of Concentrated Pomegranate Juice on Subclinical Inflammation and
      Cardiometabolic Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes: A Quasi-Experimental Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The health benefits of pomegranate juice have been reported in
      several studies. However, limited clinical trials have examined the effects of
      concentrated pomegranate juice (CPJ) on inflammatory factors. OBJECTIVES: This
      study aimed to investigate the effects of CPJ on metabolic risk factors,
      including inflammatory biomarkers, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a quasi-experiment trial, 40 type 2 diabetic patients
      were asked to consume 50 g of CPJ daily for 4 weeks. Anthropometric indices,
      dietary intake, blood pressure measurements, and fasting blood samples were
      conducted at baseline and 4 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: The intake of
      CPJ produced a significant increase in both total and high-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol (HDL-C) (4.7% and 3.9%, respectively) from baseline (P < 0.05).
      However, changes that were observed in serum triglyceride (TG), low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure were
      not statistically significant. Administration of CPJ caused significant reduction
      in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P < 0.05), but tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF
      alpha) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) remained unchanged during
      the study. The mean value of serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was
      substantially increased (~ 75%) from 381.88 +/- 114.4 at baseline to 1501 +/- 817
      after 4 weeks of CPJ consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of CPJ (50 g/day)
      appears to have favorable effects on some markers of subclinical inflammation,
      and to increase plasma concentrations of antioxidants in patients with type 2
      diabetes.

PMID- 27279835
TI  - Effect of JYTK on Antioxidant Status and Inflammation in Patients With Type 2
      Diabetes: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by oxidative stress and
      inflammation. JianYuTangKang (JYTK), as a potential Chinese integrative medicine,
      is an antioxidant used in Chinese medicine with potential anti-inflammatory
      properties. OBJECTIVES: The present randomized clinical trial was carried out to
      evaluate the effects of JYTK on oxidative stress and inflammation in patients
      with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The parallel,
      randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial included 150 newly
      diagnosed T2DM patients receiving metformin treatment (1.5 g/day), some of whom
      also received JYTK (4.5 g/day) in tablet form. The control group received 4.5
      g/day placebo plus 1.5 g/day metformin. Body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma
      glucose, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and complete blood count as well as
      antioxidant and inflammation indices such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha,
      interleukin (IL)-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione
      peroxidase (GPX), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were
      assessed at baseline and at different time points during the treatment. RESULTS:
      All 112 patients, including 59 in the treatment group (JYTK + metformin) and 52
      controls (metformin only) completed the 26-week clinical trial. JYKT plus
      metformin treatment increased IL-6 (36.4 +/- 11.5 ng/L; P < 0.05), TNF-alpha
      (17.5 +/- 11.3 vs. 22.5 +/- 12.9 ng/L; P < 0.05), and MDA (1.9 +/- 0.9; P < 0.05)
      levels compared to the control (2.2 +/- 0.6 mM/mL), whereas total SOD level
      decreased (98.1 +/- 30.4 vs. 78.5 +/- 29.3 U/mL; P < 0.05). There were no changes
      in GPX and hs-CRP levels. There were no adverse effects associated with JYTK
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: JYTK combined with metformin improves some antioxidant
      indices (SOD and MDA), and decreases inflammation in patients with T2DM,
      suggesting that it can reduce the risk of diabetic complications.

PMID- 27279836
TI  - miR-630 functions as a tumor oncogene in renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate multiple cell
      processes during cancer progression. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignancy
      with a poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of miR
      630 in RCC progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Expression of miR-630 was evaluated
      by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in four renal
      cancer cell lines (786-O, ACHN, Caki-1, and Caki-2) and one normal human proximal
      tubule epithelial cell line (HK-2). Next, miR-630 inhibitor was used to inhibit
      miR-630 expression in 786-O cells. Finally, its effects on cell proliferation,
      apoptosis, migration, and invasion were evaluated. RESULTS: The expression level
      of miR-630 was higher in renal cancer cell lines 786-O, ACHN, Caki-1, and Caki-2
      than that in the normal renal cell line HK-2 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a
      proliferation assay, apoptosis assay, migration assay and invasion assay were
      performed, and the results showed that down-regulation of miR-630 expression by
      miR-630 inhibitor significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and
      invasion, which meanwhile induced cell apoptosis of the renal cancer cell line
      786-O. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that miR-630 expression has been shown
      to be associated with renal cancer progression, and down-regulation of miR-630
      can inhibit tumor progression, which provides a potential therapeutic target for
      renal cancer treatment.

PMID- 27279837
TI  - Analysis of possible genetic risk factors contributing to development of
      childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the Latvian population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a complex disease
      caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure.
      Previous genome-wide association studies have reported several single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the incidence of ALL. Several variations in
      genes encoding enzymes involved in carcinogenesis are suggested as being
      associated with an increased risk of ALL development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We
      enrolled 77 paediatric ALL patients and 122 healthy controls, and in addition
      parental DNA was also available for 45 probands. SNPs rs10821936 (ARID5B),
      rs4132601 (IKZF1), rs2239633 (CEBPE), rs3731217 (CDKN2A) and rs1800566 (NQO1) and
      the presence of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null variants were detected. For statistical
      analysis the hybrid method of two designs 'Haplin' was used as well as linkage
      disequilibrium for family-based association studies. RESULTS: We identified the
      SNP rs10821936 in the ARID5B gene as being statistically significantly associated
      with childhood ALL, especially if the C allele is in a homozygous state, relative
      risk (RR) 4.65, 95% CI: 2.03-10.6, p = 0.0006. Statistically significant
      differences were not found in other SNPs. We found risk combinations including
      all five variations, the strongest association being found in a combination where
      all five genetic variants are in a homozygous state, CCTTTTTTCC, p = 0.032.
      CONCLUSIONS: The identified SNP rs10821936 could serve as a potential risk marker
      for childhood ALL development. Further studies in an independent population are
      needed for verification.

PMID- 27279838
TI  - Protective effect of hesperidin on oxidative and histological liver damage
      following carbon tetrachloride administration in Wistar rats.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In the current study, the protective effect of hesperidin (HP) on
      carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats was investigated.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were divided equally into four groups.
      The first group was kept as a control and given only vehicle. In the second, rats
      were orally administered 50 mg/kg/day HP for 10 days. Carbon tetrachloride was
      given in a single intraperitoneal injection at the dose of 2 ml/kg in the third
      group. In the fourth group, the rats were treated with equal doses of CCl4 and
      HP. RESULTS: It was found that CCl4 induced oxidative stress via a significant
      increase in the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and
      caused a significant decline in the levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT)
      and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rats. In contrast, HP blocked these toxic
      effects induced by CCl4, causing an increase in GSH, CAT and SOD levels and
      decreased formation of TBARS (p < 0.01). In addition, histopathological damage
      increased with CCl4 treatment. In contrast, HP treatment eliminated the effects
      of CCl4 and stimulated anti-apoptotic events, as characterized by reduced caspase
      3 activation. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that CCl4-induced
      hepatotoxicity can be prevented with HP treatment. Thus, co-administration of HP
      with CCl4 may be useful for attenuating the negative effects of CCl4 on the
      liver.

PMID- 27279839
TI  - Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 suspended in fibrin glue enhances
      bone formation during distraction osteogenesis in rabbits.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) has high potential for bone
      formation, but its in vivo effects are unpredictable due to the short life time.
      This study was designed to evaluate the effects of recombinant human (rh) BMP-2
      suspended in fibrin on bone formation during distraction osteogenesis (DO) in
      rabbits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The in vitro release kinetics of rhBMP-2 suspended
      in fibrin was tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Unilateral
      tibial lengthening for 10 mm was achieved in 48 rabbits. At the completion of
      osteodistraction, vehicle, fibrin, rhBMP-2 or rhBMP-2 suspended in fibrin (rhBMP
      2 + fibrin) was injected into the center of the lengthened gap, with 12 animals
      in each group. Eight weeks later, the distracted callus was examined by
      histology, micro-CT and biomechanical testing. Radiographs of the distracted
      tibiae were taken at both 4 and 8 weeks after drug treatment. RESULTS: It was
      found that fibrin prolonged the life span of rhBMP-2 in vitro with sustained
      release during 17 days. The rhBMP-2 + fibrin treated animals showed the best
      results in bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, cortical bone thickness by
      micro-CT evaluation and mechanical properties by the three-point bending test
      when compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). In histological images, rhBMP-2 +
      fibrin treatment showed increased callus formation and better gap bridging
      compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that
      fibrin holds promise to be a good carrier of rhBMP-2, and rhBMP-2 suspended in
      fibrin showed a stronger promoting effect on bone formation during DO in rabbits.

PMID- 27279840
TI  - Regulation of expression level of fms-like tyrosine kinase-4 is related to
      osteoclast differentiation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to determine whether regulation of the
      expression level of fms-like tyrosine kinase-4 (Flt-4) is related to osteoclast
      differentiation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Osteoclast formation and differentiation
      of mouse bone marrow cells and RAW264.7 cells were performed. To induce
      osteoclast differentiation, RANKL (50 ng/ml) with or without vascular endothelial
      growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) was
      added to mouse bone marrow cells and RAW264.7 cells. Then cells were examined
      under a microscope. TRAP-positive cells with 3 nuclei or more were considered as
      osteoclasts and counted. The Flt-4 gene was knocked down by transfection of
      siRNAs against Flt-4. Immunoblot analyses were performed. RESULTS: The osteoclast
      formation assay indicated that VEGF-C resulted in 500 or 450 vs. 100 (p < 0.05)
      of osteoclasts in mouse bone marrow cells and RAW264.7 cells, respectively.
      Vascular endothelial growth factor-D resulted in about 600 or 630 vs. 100 (p <
      0.05) of osteoclasts for both mouse bone marrow cells and RAW264.7 cells. The
      knock-down of Flt-4 expression abolished the induction by VEGF-C or VEGF-D,
      resulting in induction similar to that of the negative control PBS. CONCLUSIONS:
      Both VEGF-C and VEGF-D can induce osteoclast differentiation in the presence of
      the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand. Down-regulation of
      expression level of Flt-4 protein abolishes osteoclast differentiation induced by
      VEGF-C or VEGF-D.

PMID- 27279841
TI  - Lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects of omega 3 ethyl esters and krill
      oil: a randomized, cross-over, clinical trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derived from different sources
      could have different lipid-lowering effects in humans. The main aim of our study
      was to compare the short-term triglyceride-lowering efficacy of krill oil and
      purified omega 3 ethyl ester PUFAs in mildly overweight hypertriglyceridemic
      subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial was
      carried out in 25 moderately hypertriglyceridemic subjects (TG = 150-500 mg/dl).
      After a 4-week run-in, participants were allocated to treatment with similar
      pills containing omega 3 ethyl ester PUFAs 1000 mg twice a day vs. krill oil 500
      mg twice a day. After 4 weeks of treatment, participants were asked to observe a
      4-week wash-out period, and they were then assigned to the alternative treatment
      for a further period of 4 weeks. RESULTS: Although both PUFA sources were able to
      improve TG plasma levels, esterified omega 3 PUFAs were more efficacious than
      krill oil (p < 0.05). Nonetheless, only krill oil treatment was able to
      significantly improve high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI
      levels, compared to both baseline (p < 0.05) and end of treatment with esterified
      omega 3 PUFAs (p < 0.05) values. Both treatments were able to significantly
      reduce high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels from the baseline (p <
      0.05), but krill oil improved it more efficaciously than esterified omega 3 PUFAs
      (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Krill oil has lipid-lowering effects comparable with
      those obtained through a 4-fold higher dose of purified omega 3 ethyl ester PUFAs
      in mildly overweight hypertriglyceridemic subjects, while more efficaciously
      reducing hs-CRP.

PMID- 27279842
TI  - Adding carotid total plaque area to the Framingham risk score improves
      cardiovascular risk classification.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular events (CE) due to atherosclerosis are preventable.
      Identification of high-risk patients helps to focus resources on those most
      likely to benefit from expensive therapy. Atherosclerosis is not considered for
      patient risk categorization, even though a fraction of CE are predicted by
      Framingham risk factors. Our objective was to assess the incremental value of
      combining total plaque area (TPA) with the Framingham risk score (FramSc) using
      post-test probability (Ptp) in order to categorize risk in patients without CE
      and identify those at high risk and requiring intensive treatment. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the primary care
      setting in an Argentine population aged 22-90 years without CE. Both FramSc based
      on body mass index and Ptp-TPA were employed in 2035 patients for risk
      stratification and the resulting reclassification was compared. Total plaque area
      was measured with a high-resolution duplex ultrasound scanner. RESULTS: 57% male,
      35% hypertensive, 27% hypercholesterolemia, 14% diabetes. 20.1% were low, 28.5%
      moderate, and 51.5% high risk. When patients were reclassified, 36% of them
      changed status; 24.1% migrated to a higher and 13.6% to a lower risk level (kappa
      index = 0.360, SE kappa = 0.16, p < 0.05, FramSc vs. Ptp-TPA). With this
      reclassification, 19.3% were low, 18.9% moderate and 61.8% high risk.
      CONCLUSIONS: Quantification of Ptp-TPA leads to higher risk estimation than
      FramSc, suggesting that Ptp-TPA may be more sensitive than FramSc as a screening
      tool. If our observation is confirmed with a prospective study, this
      reclassification would improve the long-term benefits related to CE prevention.

PMID- 27279844
TI  - Platelet microparticle number is associated with the extent of myocardial damage
      in acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Activated platelets generate microparticles. Increased platelet
      microparticles occur in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and contribute to
      intracoronary thrombosis and subsequent myocardial injury. This study aimed to
      investigate the impact of platelet microparticles on intracoronary thrombosis by
      assessing the relationship between platelet microparticles and the extent of
      myocardial damage in AMI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study.
      The subjects were patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Forty-one
      consecutive subjects with ACS admitted to intensive cardiovascular care unit were
      enrolled. The clinical spectrum of ACS comprised AMI (n = 26), both ST-elevation
      AMI (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation AMI (NSTEMI), and unstable angina (n = 15).
      Platelet microparticles were isolated from peripheral venous blood and detected
      with anti-CD42b-PE by the flow cytometry method. The extent of myocardial damage
      was determined by measuring the peak level of serial cardiac enzymes within 24 h
      of admission. RESULTS: Subjects with AMI had a significantly higher number of
      platelet microparticles than those with unstable angina (4855 +/-4509/ul vs. 2181
      +/-1923/ul respectively; p = 0.036). Subjects with STEMI had the highest number
      of platelet microparticles, but no significant difference was detected as
      compared to those with NSTEMI (5775 +/-5680/ul vs. 3601 +/-1632/ul). The number
      of platelet microparticles in AMI was positively associated with the extent of
      myocardial damage (peak CK-MB: r = 0.408, p = 0.019 and peak GOT: r = 0.384, p =
      0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The number of platelet microparticles was increased in AMI
      as compared to unstable angina and associated with the extent of myocardial
      damage.

PMID- 27279843
TI  - Association of free testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin with metabolic
      syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis but not blood pressure in hypertensive
      perimenopausal women.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Data on the role of androgens as potential mediators of increasing
      cardiovascular risk in women at midlife are controversial. The aim of the study
      was to analyze the relationship of free testosterone (FT) and sex hormone binding
      globulin (SHBG) with blood pressure and subclinical organ damage and metabolic
      syndrome (MS) in middle aged hypertensive women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One
      hundred and fifty-two women with newly diagnosed arterial hypertension were
      included in the study. In all subjects blood pressure measurements were performed
      as well as echocardiographic examination with left ventricular structure and
      function assessment (GE Vivid 7.0), carotid ultrasound with measurement of intima
      media thickness (IMT), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement
      (Sphygmocor). A fasting blood sample was taken to measure glucose and lipid
      concentrations. Serum testosterone and SHBG were measured. Free testosterone was
      calculated according to the Vermeulen formula. Metabolic syndrome was defined
      following the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) recommendations. RESULTS:
      Free testosterone was significantly higher and SHBG lower in women with MS
      independently of menopausal status. The odds ratio of MS per quartile increment
      in FT after adjustment for covariates was 2.06 (95% CI: 1.16-3.65). There was no
      correlation between FT, SHBG and blood pressure. Free testosterone was associated
      with decreased left ventricular diastolic function (E/A ratio beta = -0.19, p =
      0.05) and subclinical atherosclerosis (IMT beta = 0.34, p = 0.009), but not
      arterial stiffness. CONCLUSIONS: Free testosterone and SHBG independently of
      menopause status are related to MS. Free testosterone is associated with worse
      metabolic profile, subclinical atherosclerosis and impaired diastolic function of
      the left ventricle.

PMID- 27279846
TI  - Increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and
      lactic acid in stroke patients with internal carotid artery occlusion.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) causes high annual rates
      of mortality and morbidity. It has been established that atherosclerosis is the
      normal cause of ICAO. As the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis may involve blood
      lipids, inflammatory factors and other biomarkers, the aim of this study was to
      assess the changes in these biomarkers and investigate the relationship between
      these biomarkers and the development of ICAO in stroke patients. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: A total of 89 ischaemic stroke inpatients with ICAO (ICAO group) and 89
      without ICAO (control group) were studied, retrospectively. The serum was
      collected from each patient on the 3(rd) day of admission, to measure the lipid
      parameters and biomarkers, e.g. high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),
      erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and lactic acid (LA). Histories were taken
      including age, gender, smoking history, and disease history. Additional analysis
      was carried out to compare between the genders and evaluate the association
      between certain biomarkers and ICAO. RESULTS: Among the 89 ICAO cases in this
      study, the serum levels of hs-CRP, ESR and LA were significantly higher than
      those in the control group (p <= 0.001). No significant differences were found in
      the mean levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL cholesterol or
      glucose, or the known risk factors. Gender also had no influence on these
      biomarkers. Logistic regression analysis indicated that hs-CRP, ESR and LA were
      significantly associated with ICAO (p <= 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results
      suggest that hs-CRP, ESR and LA are associated with ICAO in ischaemic stroke
      patients, but gender has no effect. Therefore, Hs-CRP, ESR and LA may be useful
      in the early detection of patients with ICAO.

PMID- 27279845
TI  - Clinical factors associated with early readmission among acutely decompensated
      heart failure patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common cause of hospital
      readmission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at Harlem
      Hospital in New York City. Data were collected for 685 consecutive adult patients
      admitted for decompensated CHF from March, 2009 to December, 2012. Variables
      including patient demographics, comorbidities, laboratory studies, and medical
      therapy were compared between CHF patient admissions resulting in early CHF
      readmission and not resulting in early CHF readmission. RESULTS: Clinical factors
      found to be independently significant for early CHF readmission included chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio (OR) = 6.4), HIV infection (OR = 3.4),
      African-American ethnicity (OR = 2.2), systolic heart failure (OR = 1.9), atrial
      fibrillation (OR = 2.3), renal disease with glomerular filtration rate < 30
      ml/min (OR = 2.7), evidence of substance abuse (OR = 1.7), and absence of
      angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy
      after discharge (OR = 1.8). The ORs were used to develop a scoring system
      regarding the risk for early readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying patients with
      clinical factors associated with early CHF readmission after an index
      hospitalization for CHF using the proposed scoring system would allow for an
      early CHF readmission risk stratification protocol to target particularly high
      risk patients.

PMID- 27279847
TI  - Improvement of survival in Polish stroke patients is related to reduced stroke
      severity and better control of risk factors: the Krakow Stroke Database.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In the last decade, the stroke mortality rate in Poland
      significantly decreased. We hypothesised that stroke severity, the major
      determinant of outcome, is lowered in Polish stroke patients. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: We compared the stroke severity in two cohorts of first-ever ischaemic
      stroke patients admitted within 24 h after stroke onset to the Department of
      Neurology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow in the years 1994-2000 and 2008-2012.
      To assess stroke severity we used the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale
      (NIHSS). We defined mild stroke as an NIHSS score <= 4. RESULTS: We included 816
      patients hospitalised in the years 1994-2000 and 569 patients hospitalised in the
      years 2008-2012. NIHSS score on admission was higher in the former (mean: 12.0 +/
      7.0 vs. 8.0 +/-6.0, p < 0.01), and the frequency of mild stroke was higher in the
      latter (12.7% vs. 41.8%, p < 0.01). Although the frequency of hypertension (67.3%
      vs. 81.2%, p < 0.01), diabetes mellitus (20.8% vs. 26.4%, p = 0.02) and atrial
      fibrillation (20.7% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.02) was higher in patients hospitalised in
      the years 2008-2012, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values and the
      frequency of fasting hyperglycaemia were lower in this cohort. This cohort also
      less frequently suffered from hypercholesterolaemia (25.4% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Reduced stroke severity is associated with better recognition and
      control of risk factors and explains the improvement of survival in Polish stroke
      patients.

PMID- 27279848
TI  - Cardiovascular diseases in patients 65 years and younger with non-cardiogenic
      stroke.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Approximately 10-15% of patients with stroke are under 65 years of
      age. The aim of the study was to determine types of stroke In people below 65. We
      analysed the incidence and types of associated cardiovascular diseases in
      patients with non-cardiogenic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective
      study patients (aged <= 65) with stroke underwent physical examination, computed
      tomography of the head, blood tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and
      transcranial and carotid artery ultrasound. Classification of stroke was
      performed according to the ASCOD scale. Analysis considered the incidence of
      heart diseases in patients with non-cardiogenic stroke and the incidence of heart
      diseases recognised as a cause of cerebral embolism in patients with cardiogenic
      stroke. RESULTS: The study included 611 patients with stroke at the age of 27-65
      (mean: 57.2 +/-6.7; M/F 380/231). Stroke of heterogeneous aetiology was observed
      in 321 patients, cardiogenic stroke in 78, and stroke caused by small vessel and
      carotid artery disease in 73 and 72 patients, respectively. The most common heart
      diseases in non-cardiogenic stroke patients included persistent foramen ovale,
      coronary heart disease and past myocardial infarction. The most common causes of
      cardiogenic embolism were cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and interatrial
      septal defect. CONCLUSIONS: Aetiologically heterogeneous stroke and cardiogenic
      stroke are the most commonly observed among young stroke patients. Cardiomyopathy
      and atrial fibrillation are the most common sources of cerebral embolism in young
      patients with cardiogenic stroke. Nearly 1/5 of patients with a non-cardiogenic
      stroke have congenital or acquired structural changes in the heart.

PMID- 27279849
TI  - Clinical evaluation of the AutoPulse automated chest compression device for out
      of-hospital cardiac arrest in the northern district of Shanghai, China.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Whether the AutoPulse automated chest compression device is worthy
      of clinical use for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains controversial.
      A prospective controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effect of AutoPulse
      versus manual chest compression for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of OHCA
      patients in the northern district of Shanghai, China. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A
      total of 133 patients with OHCA who were treated at the Emergency Medical Center
      of the Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University between March
      2011 and March 2012 were included. The patients were randomly assigned to the
      Manual CPR (n = 64) and AutoPulse CPR groups (n = 69) in accordance with the
      approach of chest compression received. The primary outcome measure was return of
      spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and the secondary outcome measures included 24-h
      survival rate, hospital discharge rate, and neurological prognosis at hospital
      discharge. RESULTS: The ROSC rate of patients with OHCA was significantly higher
      in the AutoPulse CPR group than in the Manual CPR group (44.9% vs. 23.4%; p =
      0.009). The 24-h survival rate of OHCA patients was significantly higher in the
      AutoPulse CPR group than in the Manual CPR group (39.1% vs. 21.9%; p = 0.03). The
      hospital discharge rate of the patients with OHCA was significantly higher in the
      AutoPulse CPR group than in the Manual CPR group (18.8% vs. 6.3%; p = 0.03). The
      proportion of patients with OHCA and a cerebral performance category score of 1
      or 2 points at hospital discharge was higher in the AutoPulse CPR group than in
      the Manual CPR group, but the difference was not statistically significant (16.2%
      vs. 13.4%, p = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the AutoPulse increases CPR success and
      survival rates in patients with OHCA, but its ability to improve cerebral
      performance requires further evaluation.

PMID- 27279850
TI  - The relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and albuminuria in type 2
      diabetic patients: a pilot study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a global economic burden due to
      treatment costs and attendant complications. Albuminuria is the precursor of end
      stage renal failure and is an inflammatory process. In the recent past, it has
      been reported that the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is a cost
      effective and accessible marker, may be a favorable indicator of the inflammatory
      status. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the
      neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and the presence and level of diabetic nephropathy
      (DN). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 112 patients with type-2 DM who were
      followed by our internal medicine and nephrology clinics between February 2013
      and June 2014 were included in this pilot study and were retrospectively
      evaluated. All participants had a 24-hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE) record.
      Demographic parameters, biochemical parameters and albuminuria levels were
      recorded. Patients were divided into three groups according to their level of
      albuminuria. RESULTS: Significant differences were detected between the groups in
      terms of NLR (p < 0.001). There was a linear increase in NLR in parallel to the
      increase in 24-hour UAE mean values (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was
      detected between NLR and C-reactive protein, urea, creatinine, and red cell
      distribution width. However, 24-hour UAE was negatively correlated with
      lymphocyte count (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A high degree of correlation was
      determined among albuminuria, glomerular filtration rate and NLR levels. These
      results may suggest the notion that diabetic nephropathy involves an inflammatory
      process.

PMID- 27279851
TI  - Three-dimensional reconstruction and morphological characterization of pituitary
      macroadenomas.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim was to investigate the relationship between the tumor
      (clinicopathologic and radiological) characteristics and the morphological
      parameters of pituitary macroadenoma or giant adenoma patients using a three
      dimensional (3D) reconstructed model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Magnetic resoanance
      imaging (MRI) was performed preoperatively; tumor grade was determined by the
      Knosp-Steiner classification and tumor morphology by the SIPAP classification.
      Pituitary adenomas and adjacent structures were reconstructed three-dimensionally
      by volume rendering. RESULTS: Fifty-two and 6 patients underwent surgery via the
      transnasal transsphenoidal or pterional approach, respectively. Knosp-Steiner
      grades I to IV adenomas were observed in 5.2%, 25.9%, 22.4% and 46.6% of the
      patients, respectively. The 3D model was reconstructed in all cases with superb
      delineation of tumor morphology and the spatial relationship between the tumor
      and adjacent tissues. Pituitary adenomas were categorized into intrasellar
      (13.8%), suprasellar (20.7%), infrasellar (17.2%), and lobulated adenomas
      (48.3%). Suprasellar adenomas had the smallest (2.27 +/-3.22 cm(3)) and lobulated
      adenomas the largest volume (24.61 +/-30.50 cm(3)). Intrasellar adenomas were all
      functioning, while 75%, 60% and 60.7%, respectively, of suprasellar, infrasellar
      and lobulated adenomas were nonfunctioning, with a significant association
      between tumor morphology and secretory function (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Three
      dimensional reconstruction of pituitary macroadenomas offers a simplified
      morphological classification of pituitary adenomas and may be helpful for
      neurosurgeons to categorize and characterize pituitary adenomas.

PMID- 27279852
TI  - The safety of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in men with hepatitis B.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety of using different
      sources of sperm when male partners were infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV).
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 338 couples receiving their first
      intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle at the Department of Reproduction,
      Ren Ji Hospital, between 2007 and 2012 were enrolled if the female partner tested
      negative for HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb. Couples were divided into
      HBV active infection (group B), convalescent infection (group C) and controls
      (group A). Subgroups were divided by source of sperm: ejaculated sperm and
      testicular sperm aspiration/percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (TESA/PESA)
      sperm. RESULTS: When using ejaculated sperm for ICSI, two pronuclear (2PN)
      fertilization rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnant rate, early miscarriage
      rate and live birth rate showed no significant difference between the three
      groups. However, in the three TESA/PESA groups, the early miscarriage rate was
      highest in men with active HBV infection (B2) (23.1%, p = 0.035). The 2PN
      fertilization rate and CPR were also lower in the active infection group (76.7%,
      26.3%) than the convalescent infection (82.9%, 36.2%) and control group (78.2%,
      50%), but the difference was not statistically significant. No malformed infant
      was found in any of these groups. CONCLUSIONS: When men have an active HBV
      infection, using TESA/PESA sperm may cause lower fertilization, a high
      miscarriage rate and a lower live birth rate, which indicates that HBV active
      infection may cause adverse effects on ICSI reproductive performance when using
      testicular or epididymal aspirated sperm.

PMID- 27279853
TI  - The effect of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth on minimal hepatic
      encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to investigate the significance of factors
      associated with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in cirrhotic patients.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2012 and August 2013, 60 cirrhotic
      patients, including MHE and non-MHE (NMHE) patients, were included in the study.
      Associated factors and clinical factors were analyzed to see if they were
      significantly different between MHE and non-MHE patients. Upon identifying the
      factors showing differences, we applied multivariate regression analysis to
      further decide which were the most significant ones to differentiate MHE from
      NMHE patients. RESULTS: There were 26 patients diagnosed with MHE and 34 with
      NMHE. Our results demonstrated that the prevalence rate of small intestinal
      bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) was highly associated with patients with MHE (65.4%,
      17 out of 26), in contrast to the rate in NMHE patients (8.8%, 3 out of 34). We
      also found that factors including age, education level, intelligent test results,
      plasma albumin level and plasma ammonia levels were significantly different
      between MHE and NMHE patients. Ultimately, with logistic regression analysis, we
      found that SIBO was the most significant factor differentiating MHE patients from
      NMHE patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In cirrhotic patients, SIBO was highly
      associated with MHE. This may further our understanding of the mechanisms of MHE
      and help to develop potential therapeutic interventions to treat cirrhotic
      patients with MHE.

PMID- 27279854
TI  - Endometrial study in patients with postmenopausal metrorrhagia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to devise a strategy to diagnose malign
      endometrial pathologies (adenocarcinoma or atypical hyperplasia) that minimizes
      the number of invasive tests done (hysteroscopy, aspiration biopsy or curettage)
      with no loss of its detection efficiency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively studied the clinical histories of 779 postmenopausal women at the
      University Hospital Complex of Albacete, for whom an endometrial study had been
      done (hysteroscopy, aspiration biopsy or curettage) with a 1-year follow-up
      between 1 March 2006 and 31 March 2008. RESULTS: There were 77 cases of a
      malignant pathology (66 adenocarcinomas and 11 hyperplasias with atypia); 96.1%
      had metrorrhagia, and there were only 3 cases of asymptomatic patients (all 3
      presented endometrial thickness of > 5 mm: 10, 12 and 15 mm). The sensitivity and
      specificity of the transvaginal ultrasound, with a 5 mm cut-off point to diagnose
      a malignant pathology, were 98.4% and 30.1%, respectively; 89.1% and 99.6%,
      respectively, for aspiration biopsy; 83.9% and 99.1%, respectively, for
      hysteroscopy without biopsy; and both were 100% for biopsy. Statistical
      significance was considered at p < 0.05 and confidence intervals were calculated
      at 95%. CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal women with metrorrhagia, the first action
      to take is to do a transvaginal ultrasound, followed by en endometrial study, but
      only if the endometrium is irregular or endometrial thickness is >= 5 mm; in
      asymptomatic women, the cut-off point should be set at 10 mm. The immediate
      method of choice is an ambulatory biopsy.

PMID- 27279855
TI  - Empirical use of antibiotic therapy in the prevention of early onset sepsis in
      neonates: a pilot study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To identify and assess the characteristics, risk and outcome of
      neonates treated with empiric antibiotics for suspected early onset sepsis (EOS).
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted at a Malaysian
      government hospital. Records of neonatal patients admitted within 72 h of life
      and prescribed with empirical antibiotic therapy for suspected EOS were reviewed.
      RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty-three cases met the inclusion criteria and were
      divided into gestational age (premature < 36 weeks; term >= 37 weeks) and birth
      weight (low birth weight (LBW) < 2.5 kg; normal body weight (NBW) >= 2.5 kg)
      groups. Premature (n = 197) and LBW (n = 194) neonates required significantly
      longer hospital stay, a higher degree of ventilator support and more surfactant
      (p = 0.001). More than 90.0% of premature and LBW neonates were diagnosed with
      respiratory distress syndrome, congenital pneumonia and presumed sepsis. Term (n
      = 123) and NBW (n = 129) neonates had greater maternal risk factors, especially
      meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and perinatal asphyxia. The incidence of
      demonstrated EOS was 3.1%. Crystalline penicillin plus gentamicin was the
      standard therapy for all groups and was started within 24 h of life, with a mean
      treatment duration of ~4 days. The treatment success rate was 89.0%, and only LBW
      neonates showed a higher risk of overall treatment failure (OR = 3.75; 95% CI:
      1.22-11.53). Seventy-four percent of term and NBW neonates discharged well, while
      42.0% of premature and LBW neonates required referral. CONCLUSIONS: Crystalline
      penicillin plus gentamicin prescribed within 24 h of life is effective in the
      prevention of EOS. However, low birth weight neonates have a higher risk of
      treatment failure.

PMID- 27279856
TI  - The effectiveness of rotavirus vaccine in preventing acute gastroenteritis during
      rotavirus seasons among Polish children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Rotavirus is the main etiological cause of intestinal infections in
      children. Voluntary rotavirus vaccines were included in the Polish vaccination
      schedule in 2007. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a
      completed rotavirus vaccination course in preventing acute gastroenteritis in
      Polish infants during their first five years of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This
      was a retrospective cohort study conducted in Lesser Poland (Malopolska
      Province). The sample population included a group of 303 children who received
      the completed rotavirus vaccination course and 303 children not vaccinated
      against rotavirus. The date of the child's acute gastroenteritis diagnosis and
      his or her vaccination history were extracted from the physicians' records. Each
      kind of diagnosed acute gastroenteritis during winter-spring rotavirus seasons
      was treated as the endpoint. The relative risk of having gastrointestinal
      infection was assessed using the hazard ratio from the Cox proportional hazards
      regression model. RESULTS: In the examined group, 96 (15.8%) children had winter
      spring gastrointestinal infections. In the non-vaccinated children, the
      cumulative incidence of these infections in the first 5 years of life was 20.8%,
      whereas in the children vaccinated with Rotarix it was only 10.9%. Those who were
      vaccinated with Rotarix had a 44% reduction in the risk of a winter-spring acute
      gastroenteritis infection compared to those not vaccinated with Rotarix (p =
      0.005). Birth weight less than 2500 g increased the risk of the infection twofold
      and also reached statistical significance (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The results
      showed that Rotarix is effective in preventing acute gastroenteritis in Polish
      children during rotavirus seasons.

PMID- 27279857
TI  - Color Doppler dynamic tissue perfusion measurement: a novel tool in the
      assessment of renal parenchymal perfusion in children with vesicoureteral reflux.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) occurs in 20-50% of children suffering
      from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and is associated with an
      increased risk of renal scarring and impaired renal function. Early detection of
      renal perfusion deterioration would allow for the implementation of more
      aggressive treatment and potentially prevent further damage to the renal
      parenchyma. The aim of the study was to assess renal parenchymal perfusions in
      children with recurrent UTIs with and without coexisting VUR, and compare the
      findings with the results of healthy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Color
      Doppler sonographic dynamic renal parenchymal perfusion measurements were
      performed with PixelFlux (Chameleon-Software, Germany) software in 77 children
      with recurrent UTIs and coexisting VUR and in 30 children with UTIs without VUR.
      The findings were compared with the results of 53 healthy children. RESULTS:
      Cortical parenchymal perfusion of children suffering from UTIs and VUR was
      significantly reduced when compared to the control group. Statistically
      significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in all perfusion parameters (i.e.
      mean velocity (v mix ), mean perfused area (A mix ), mean perfusion intensity (I
      mix ), tissue pulsatility index (TPI), and tissue resistance index (TRI)) between
      the control group and children suffering from UTIs and VUR, particularly VUR
      grades III and IV. There were no significant differences between the UTI group
      and the control group. No differences were found between the controls and VUR
      grade II. CONCLUSIONS: Renal parenchymal perfusion decreases significantly with
      higher grades of VUR.

PMID- 27279858
TI  - Active hospital-based surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease and clinical
      pneumonia in infants and young children in two Polish counties.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence, serotype
      distribution, and antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae were
      estimated in children aged 28 days to < 60 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-year
      prospective, hospital-based surveillance was conducted starting on February 15,
      2008, at two children's hospitals serving the city and surrounding county of
      Poznan and Poznanski, Poland. Eligible children had fever >= 39.0 degrees C or
      physician-suspected IPD. Blood cultures were obtained from all children,
      cerebrospinal fluid in suspected meningitis cases, and chest radiographs (CXRs)
      in suspected pneumonia cases. RESULTS: Seven of 1,581 eligible children had
      confirmed IPD. Estimated IPD incidence per 100,000 children was 11.89 (95% CI:
      4.78-24.50) overall and 20.1 (95% CI: 6.52-46.84) in subjects aged 28 days to <
      24 months. One S. pneumoniae isolate of each of the following serotypes was
      obtained: 6B, 14, 23A, 23F, and 33F. Two isolates were resistant to both
      trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and erythromycin. Clinical pneumonia incidence
      among children aged 28 days to < 24 months and 24 months to < 60 months was
      3,151.3 (95% CI: 2934.7-3379.7) and 962.7 (95% CI: 861.2-10,072.9) per 100,000
      children, respectively. CXR-confirmed pneumonia rates in the same groups were
      1,035.7 (95% CI: 913.2-1,170.1) and 379.8 (95% CI: 317.1-451.3) per 100,000
      children, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IPD is an important cause of morbidity in
      Poznan and Poznanski county, Poland. Among participants aged < 5 years with fever
      or suspected IPD, pneumonia was the most common diagnosis and was highest in
      children aged < 24 months.

PMID- 27279859
TI  - Colonization of multidrug resistant pathogens in a hybrid pediatric cardiac
      surgery center.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The incidence of multidrug resistant microorganisms worldwide is
      increasing. The aim of the study was to present institutional experience with the
      multidrug resistant microorganism colonization patterns observed in children with
      congenital heart diseases hospitalized in a hybrid pediatric cardiac surgery
      center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Microbiological samples were routinely collected in
      all children admitted to our department. All microbiological samples were
      analyzed with regard to multidrug resistant microorganisms: methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Gram
      negative rods producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), multidrug
      resistant Gram-negative rods (MDR-GNRs), carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella
      pneumoniae (KPC), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). RESULTS: In 30 (9%) swabs 'alert' pathogens from
      the above group of listed microorganisms were found. All positive swabs were
      isolated in 19 (16.1%) children. Multidrug resistant pathogen colonization was
      statistically significantly more often observed in children admitted from other
      medical facilities than in children admitted from home (38% vs. 10%, p = 0.0089).
      In the group of children younger than 6 months 'alert' pathogen were more often
      observed than in older children (34.1% vs. 5.4%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Preoperative multidrug resistant pathogen screening in children admitted and
      referred for congenital heart disease procedures may be of great importance since
      many of these patients are colonized with resistant bacteria. Knowledge of the
      patient's microbiome is important in local epidemiological control along with
      tailoring the most effective preoperative prophylactic antibiotic for each
      patient. The impact of preoperative screening on postoperative infections and
      other complications requires further analysis.

PMID- 27279861
TI  - Medulloblastoma: molecular pathways and histopathological classification.
AB  - Malignant brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death among pediatric
      patients, and medulloblastoma constitutes 20% of them. Currently, the treatment
      is risk-adapted. Maximum surgical resection is recommended, always followed by
      chemotherapy and neuroaxis radiotherapy. In spite of the improving survival rate,
      survivors succumb to treatment-induced side effects. To reduce toxic effects,
      molecular-targeted treatment is proposed. Medulloblastoma research is very
      robust, and new articles on the subject are published daily. In the current
      review we have tried to bring together molecular pathophysiology of the neoplasm
      and current pathological classification, thus making an effort to relate tumor
      biology and the histological picture. 

PMID- 27279860
TI  - Molecular mechanisms of statin intolerance.
AB  - Statins reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in primary and secondary
      prevention. Despite their efficacy, many persons are unable to tolerate statins
      due to adverse events such as hepatotoxicity and myalgia/myopathy. In the case of
      most patients, it seems that mild-to-moderate abnormalities in liver and muscle
      enzymes are not serious adverse effects and do not outweigh the benefits of
      coronary heart disease risk reduction. The risk for mortality or permanent organ
      damage ascribed to statin use is very small and limited to cases of myopathy and
      rhabdomyolysis. Statin-induced muscle-related adverse events comprise a highly
      heterogeneous clinical disorder with numerous, complex etiologies and a variety
      of genetic backgrounds. Every patient who presents with statin-related side
      effects cannot undergo the type of exhaustive molecular characterization that
      would include all of these mechanisms. Frequently the only solution is to either
      discontinue statin therapy/reduce the dose or attempt intermittent dosing
      strategies at a low dose. 

PMID- 27279863
TI  - Successful combination treatment of a bifocal secretory germinoma with brain stem
      compression in a 17-year-old girl.

PMID- 27279862
TI  - Undescended testis - current trends and guidelines: a review of the literature.
AB  - The best mode of undescended testis (UDT) treatment remains controversial.
      However, knowledge gained from randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses
      allowed different groups of researchers to set out guidelines on management of
      patients with UDT. The authors reviewed recent literature and came to the
      following conclusions: (1) Hormonal treatment is not recommended, considering
      both the immediate results (only 15-20% of retained testes descend) and the
      possible long-term adverse effects on spermatogenesis. (2) Surgery is the
      treatment of choice; orchiopexy is successful in about 95% of UDT, with a low
      rate of complications (about 1%). (3) Orchiopexy should be performed between 12
      and 18 months of age, or at first contact if diagnosed later. 

PMID- 27279864
TI  - Primary adrenal schwannoma with catecholamine hypersecretion.

PMID- 27279865
TI  - Erythema multiforme syndrome associated with acute acquired cytomegalovirus
      infection.

PMID- 27279866
TI  - Diagnostic one-stop-shop in suspected coronary artery disease gets closer.
      Coronary computed tomography angiography based fractional flow reserve.

PMID- 27279867
TI  - Which parameters are important before attempting chronic total occlusions
      recanalization?

PMID- 27279868
TI  - Fetal cardiac interventions: clinical and experimental research.
AB  - Fetal cardiac interventions for congenital heart diseases may alleviate heart
      dysfunction, prevent them evolving into hypoplastic left heart syndrome, achieve
      biventricular outcome and improve fetal survival. Candidates for clinical fetal
      cardiac interventions are now restricted to cases of critical aortic valve
      stenosis with evolving hypoplastic left heart syndrome, pulmonary atresia with an
      intact ventricular septum and evolving hypoplastic right heart syndrome, and
      hypoplastic left heart syndrome with an intact or highly restrictive atrial
      septum as well as fetal heart block. The therapeutic options are advocated as
      prenatal aortic valvuloplasty, pulmonary valvuloplasty, creation of interatrial
      communication and fetal cardiac pacing. Experimental research on fetal cardiac
      intervention involves technical modifications of catheter-based cardiac clinical
      interventions and open fetal cardiac bypass that cannot be applied in human
      fetuses for the time being. Clinical fetal cardiac interventions are plausible
      for midgestation fetuses with the above-mentioned congenital heart defects. The
      technical success, biventricular outcome and fetal survival are continuously
      being improved in the conditions of the sophisticated multidisciplinary team,
      equipment, techniques and postnatal care. Experimental research is laying the
      foundations and may open new fields for catheter-based clinical techniques. In
      the present article, the clinical therapeutic options and experimental fetal
      cardiac interventions are described. 

PMID- 27279869
TI  - Twelve months clinical outcome after bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation
      in patients with stable angina and acute coronary syndrome. Data from the Polish
      National Registry.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There are limited data describing bioresorbable vascular scaffold
      (BVS) implantation in complex lesions. Only short-term clinical outcomes are
      available for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). AIM: To evaluate 12
      month clinical outcome, safety and effectiveness of BVS implantation in complex
      lesions and in stable angina (SA) or ACS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five hundred
      ninety-one patients with SA/ACS were enrolled between October 2012 and November
      2013 in 30 invasive cardiology centres in Poland. At least one BVS implantation
      during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was the only inclusion criteria.
      The clinical endpoint was the occurrence of a major adverse cardiovascular event
      (MACE) (all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), clinically driven target
      lesion revascularisation (TLR) with urgent PCI or target vessel revascularisation
      (TVR) with urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)) and device-oriented
      composite endpoint (DOCE) (cardiac death, urgent target vessel revascularisation
      with PCI/CABG, target vessel MI) during 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: After 12
      months TLR with urgent PCI was significantly more often reported in patients with
      diagnosed UA (4.59%; p < 0.02) in comparison with other PCI indications. No
      significant differences were found in terms of composite MACE endpoint,
      cumulative MACE (p = 0.09), stent thrombosis (p = 0.2) or restenosis (p = 0.2).
      There were no significant differences in cumulative MACE and composite MACE
      endpoint between patients with no/mild versus moderate/severe tortuosity and
      no/mild versus moderate/severe calcification of the target vessel. No significant
      difference was found between groups of patients with or without bifurcation of
      the target vessel. Device-oriented composite endpoint was significantly more
      often reported in the ACS group (3.2% vs. 0.47%; p < 0.03), most frequently in
      patients with diagnosed UA (5.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Bioresorbable vascular scaffold
      can be successfully and safely used for ACS treatment and in lesions of higher
      complexity.

PMID- 27279870
TI  - Stent sizing strategies in renal artery stenting: the comparison of conventional
      invasive renal angiography with renal computed tomographic angiography.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Randomized trials comparing invasive treatment of renal artery
      stenosis with standard pharmacotherapy did not show substantial benefit from
      revascularization. One of the potential reasons for that may be suboptimal
      procedure technique. AIM: To compare renal stent sizing using two modalities:
      three-dimensional renal computed tomography angiography (CTA) versus conventional
      angiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients (41 renal arteries), aged 65.1
      +/-8.5 years, who underwent renal artery stenting with preprocedural CTA
      performed within 6 months, were retrospectively analyzed. In CTA analysis,
      reference diameter (CTA-D) and lesion length (CTA_LL) were measured and proposed
      stent diameter and length were recorded. Similarly, angiographic reference
      diameter (ANGIO_D) and lesion length (ANGIO_LL) as well as proposed stent
      dimensions were obtained by visual estimation. RESULTS: The median CTA_D was 0.5
      mm larger than the median ANGIO_D (p < 0.001). Also, the proposed stent diameter
      in CTA evaluation was 0.5 mm larger than that in angiography (p < 0.0001). The
      median CTA_LL was 1 mm longer than the ANGIO_LL (p = NS), with significant
      correlation of these variables (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001). The median proposed stent
      length with CTA was equal to that proposed with angiography. The median diameter
      of the implanted stent was 0.5 mm smaller than that proposed in CTA (p < 0.0005)
      and identical to that proposed in angiography. The median length of the actual
      stent was longer than that proposed in angiography (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Renal CTA has potential advantages as a tool adjunctive to angiography in
      appropriate stent sizing. Careful evaluation of the available CTA scans may be
      beneficial and should be considered prior to the planned procedure.

PMID- 27279871
TI  - Early- and mid-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Data
      from a single-center registry.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive
      treatment option for elderly, high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic
      stenosis (AS) than aortic valve replacement. More importantly, TAVI improves
      survival and quality of life as compared to medical treatment in inoperable
      patients. AIM: To assess early- and mid-term clinical outcomes after TAVI.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: All consecutive high-risk patients with severe symptomatic
      AS undergoing TAVI from November 2008 to August 2014 were enrolled. The clinical
      and procedural characteristics, as well as clinical outcomes including mortality
      during 12-month follow-up, were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 101 consecutive
      patients underwent TAVI for native aortic valve stenosis (100%). Patients were
      elderly, with a median age of 81.0 (76.0-84.0) years, 60.4% were female and 83.2%
      presented with NYHA III/IV. Median baseline EuroSCORE I and STS scores were 14.0
      (10.0-22.5)% and 12.0 (5.0-24.0)%, respectively. The main periprocedural and in
      hospital complications were minor vascular complications, bleeding requiring
      blood transfusions, and the need for a permanent pacemaker. In-hospital, 30-day,
      6-month and 12-month mortality rates were 6.9%, 10.9%, 15.8% and 17.8%,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A mortality rate of < 20% after 12 months seems
      acceptable given the high-risk population enrolled.

PMID- 27279872
TI  - Transcatheter closure of paravalvular leaks using a paravalvular leak device - a
      prospective Polish registry.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter paravalvular leak closure (TPVLC) has become an
      established treatment option but is mostly performed with off-label use of
      different non-dedicated occluders. The first one specifically designed for TPVLC
      is the paravalvular leak device (PLD - Occlutech). AIM: We present initial short
      term results of a prospective registry intended to assess the safety and efficacy
      of TPVLC with PLD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We screened patients with paravalvular
      leak (PVL) after surgical valve replacement (SVR). Heart failure symptoms and/or
      hemolytic anemia were indications for TPVLC. Patients were selected according to
      PVL anatomy by RT 3D TEE. Only those considered appropriate for closure with a
      single PLD were enrolled. The procedures were performed via transvascular or
      transapical access using type W (waist) PLDs only. RESULTS: Thirty patients with
      34 PVLs (18 aortic, 16 mitral) were included. We implanted 35 PLDs with a total
      device success rate of 94.3% (100% for aortic, 88.2% for mitral). The procedural
      success rate, encompassing device success without in-hospital complications, was
      94.1% (100% for aortic, 93.8% for mitral). During the follow-up period we
      recorded an increase of hemoglobin concentration (3.9 to 4.1 g/dl), red blood
      count (11.6 to 12.2 M/mm(3)) and functional improvement by NYHA class.
      CONCLUSIONS: Paravalvular leak device type W is a promising TPVLC device, but
      meticulous preselection of patients based on imaging of PVL anatomy is a
      prerequisite. A PLD should only be chosen for channels shorter than 5 mm. Size of
      the device should match the PVL cross-sectional area without any oversizing. Such
      an approach facilitates high device and procedural success rates.

PMID- 27279873
TI  - Pulmonary artery rupture as a complication of Swan-Ganz catheter application.
      Diagnosis and endovascular treatment: a single centre's experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The placement of a Swan-Ganz catheter into the pulmonary artery may
      lead to a number of complications (2-17%). In less than 0.2% of cases Swan-Ganz
      catheterization results in serious vascular damage - pulmonary artery rupture
      (PAR). This paper presents two distinct forms of iatrogenic PAR treated
      endovascularly using different vascular devices. AIM: To evaluate the
      effectiveness of endovascular treatment and the application of different types of
      vascular devices in the management of pulmonary artery rupture caused by Swan
      Ganz catheterization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study we
      evaluated 2 patients in whom Swan-Ganz catheter application was used for
      perioperative monitoring and resulted in pulmonary artery rupture. This
      complication was treated endovascularly by means of interventional cardiology.
      RESULTS: We report the cases of 2 patients with a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm
      formed in the perioperative period. In case 1, a single, 4-loop, 3 mm diameter
      coil was implanted. In case 2, a 5 mm Amplatzer Vascular Plug IV was applied. In
      both cases, the endovascular approach resulted in total occlusion of the feeding
      artery and reduced further extravasation of the blood. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its
      extremely low incidence, iatrogenic PAR is a serious, life-threatening
      complication of Swan-Ganz catheterization that requires urgent attention. Among
      available methods of treatment, percutaneous embolization is a relatively quick,
      safe, accurate and highly effective alternative to traumatizing surgery.

PMID- 27279874
TI  - Percutaneous retrieval of centrally embolized fragments of central venous access
      devices or knotted Swan-Ganz catheters. Clinical report of 14 retrievals with
      detailed angiographic analysis and review of procedural aspects.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Totally implantable venous access systems (TIVAS), Swan-Ganz (SG)
      and central venous catheters (CVC) allow easy and repetitive entry to the central
      cardiovascular system. Fragments of them may be released inadvertently into the
      cardiovascular system during their insertion or as a result of mechanical
      complications encountered during long-term utilization. AIM: To present results
      of percutaneous retrieval of embolized fragments of central venous devices or
      knotted SG and review the procedural aspects with a series of detailed
      angiographies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2012 there
      were 14 (~0.025%) successful retrievals in 13 patients (44 +/-16 years, 15%
      females) of embolized fragments of TIVAS (n = 10) or CVC (n = 1) or of dislodged
      guide-wires (n = 2) or knotted SG (n = 1). RESULTS: Foreign bodies with the
      forward end located in the right ventricle (RV), as well as those found in the
      pulmonary artery (PA), often required repositioning with a pigtail catheter as
      compared to those catheter fragments which were located in the right atrium (RA)
      and/or great vein and possessed an accessible free end allowing their direct
      ensnarement with the loop snare (57.0% (4/7) vs. 66.7% (2/3) vs. 0.0% (0/3); p =
      0.074 respectively). Procedure duration was 2-3 times longer among catheters
      retrieved from the PA than among those with the forward edge located in the RV or
      RA (30 (18-68) vs. 13.5 (11-37) vs. 8 min (8-13); p = 0.054 respectively). The SG
      catheter knotted in the vena cava superior (VCS) was encircled with the loop
      snare introduced transfemorally, subsequently cut at its skin entrance and then
      pulled down inside the 14 Fr vascular sheath. CONCLUSIONS: By using the pigtail
      catheter and the loop snare, it is feasible to retrieve centrally embolized
      fragments or knotted central venous access devices.

PMID- 27279876
TI  - A case of percutaneous modified Blalock-Taussig shunt downsize with multiple
      stent-in-graft technique.

PMID- 27279875
TI  - Do preoperative C-reactive protein and mean platelet volume levels predict
      development of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing isolated
      coronary artery bypass grafting?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting
      (CABG) operation is associated with increased risk of prolonged hospitalisation,
      health expenses and adverse clinical outcomes. AIM: To investigate the
      relationship of atrial fibrillation after an isolated coronary artery bypass
      operation with levels of mean platelet volume and C-reactive protein. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Among 1240 patients who underwent operations for isolated coronary
      artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass between January 2007 and May
      2014, 1138 (91.8%) patients with preoperative normal sinusal rhythm were enrolled
      in the study. Patients were assigned to group 1 (n = 294) comprising patients who
      developed atrial fibrillation in the first 72 postoperative hours or group 2 (n =
      844) comprising patients who remained in normal sinusal rhythm in the
      postoperative period. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation
      was 25.8%. The preoperative mean platelet volume (fl) and C-reactive protein
      (mg/dl) values in group 1 were 9.1 +/-0.5 and 1.1 +/-0.9 respectively, while
      these values were 8.3 +/-0.6 and 0.5 +/-0.3 respectively in group 2, which was
      statistically significant (p = 0.0001). Length of stay in the hospital (p =
      0.0001) was higher in group 1. The values of mean platelet volume (fl) and mean C
      reactive protein (mg/dl) were 9.9 +/-0.9 and 30.9 +/-3.4 respectively in group 1,
      while the values of mean platelet volume (fl) and mean C-reactive protein (mg/dl)
      were 8.8 +/-0.6 and 24.9 +/-4.8 respectively in group 2 (p = 0.0001 for mean
      platelet volume, p = 0.0001 for C-reactive protein). The difference between the
      groups was statistically significant in terms of postoperative neurologic events
      (p = 0.0001) and hospital mortality (p = 0.001). Increased C-reactive protein and
      mean platelet volume levels were found to be independent predictors of
      postoperative atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, elevated
      preoperative mean platelet volume and C-reactive protein levels were associated
      with development of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

PMID- 27279877
TI  - The successful retrieval of a broken guide wire from the diagonal branch of the
      left anterior descending coronary artery complicated by partial stent rolling.

PMID- 27279878
TI  - New endovascular techniques for treatment of life-threatening Takayasu arteritis.

PMID- 27279879
TI  - Successful percutaneous coronary intervention after transcatheter aortic valve
      implantation with CoreValve bioprosthesis.

PMID- 27279880
TI  - Retrograde transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect with Amplatzer Duct
      Occluder II.

PMID- 27279881
TI  - Diffuse coronary artery aneurysms involving three major vessels in a patient with
      Behcet's disease.

PMID- 27279882
TI  - Very, very late stent thrombosis triggered by in-stent neoatherosclerosis:
      optical coherence tomography findings.

PMID- 27279883
TI  - Percutaneous right atrial pacemaker lead repositioning using a regular
      deflectable ablation catheter.

PMID- 27279885
TI  - Clinical features and prognostic factors in drowning children: a regional
      experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features of children who have
      survived a water submersion incident, and to identify risk factors for prognosis.
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who
      experienced submersion between January 2005 and December 2014. The patients were
      classified into 2 groups, according to complications, and prognostic factors were
      evaluated. RESULTS: During the study period, 29 children experienced submersion
      (20 boys and 9 girls; mean age, 83.8+/-46.4 months). Submersion occurred most
      commonly in the summer, with the peak incidence in August. The most frequent
      Szpilman clinical score was grade 5 (13 patients; 44.8%), followed by grade 6 (7
      patients; 24.1%), and grades 1 or 2 (3 patients; 10.3%). Five children (17.2%) in
      the poor prognosis group died or had hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and the
      overall mortality rate was 6.9%. Poor prognosis after submersion was associated
      with lower consciousness levels (P=0.003), higher Szpilman scores (P=0.007),
      greater need for intubation and mechanical ventilator support (P=0.001), and
      longer duration of oxygen therapy (P=0.015). Poor prognosis was also associated
      with lower bicarbonate levels (P=0.038), as well as higher sodium, aspartate
      transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (P=0.034, P=0.006, and
      P=0.005, respectively). Szpilman clinical scores were positively correlated with
      consciousness levels (r=0.489, P=0.002) and serum liver enzyme levels (AST and
      ALT; r=0.521, P=0.004). CONCLUSION: We characterized the prognostic factors
      associated with submersion outcomes, using the Szpilman clinical score, which is
      comparable to consciousness level for predicting mortality.

PMID- 27279884
TI  - Pathogenesis of minimal change nephrotic syndrome: an immunological concept.
AB  - Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) in children is characterized by massive
      proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia. Minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is the
      most common form of INS in children. The pathogenesis of MCNS still remains
      unclear, however, several hypotheses have been recently proposed. For several
      decades, MCNS has been considered a T-cell disorder, which causes the impairment
      of the glomerular filtration barrier with the release of different circulating
      factors. Increased levels of several cytokines are also suggested. Recently, a
      "two-hit" theory was proposed that included the induction of CD80 (B7-1) and
      regulatory T-cell (Treg) dysfunction, with or without impaired autoregulatory
      functions of the podocyte. In contrast to the well-established involvement of T
      cells, the role of B cells has not been clearly identified. However, B-cell
      biology has recently gained more attention, because rituximab (a monoclonal
      antibody directed against CD20-bearing cells) demonstrated a very good
      therapeutic response in the treatment of childhood and adult MCNS. Here, we
      discuss recent insights into the pathogenesis of MCNS in children. 

PMID- 27279886
TI  - The relationships among birth season, sunlight exposure during infancy, and
      allergic disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: The recent increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases is
      hypothetically attributed to immune dysregulation in turn caused by a reduction
      in exposure to sunlight. We explored relationships between birth season, sunlight
      exposure, exercise duration, and an allergic disease. METHODS: We performed a
      questionnaire-based survey on allergic diseases among elementary school students.
      Birth time was categorized according to the season (summer and winter). RESULTS:
      The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) "symptoms ever" was higher in the
      children born in winter than in those born in summer (adjusted odds ratio [aOR],
      1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.49; P=0.024). Birth in winter was
      associated with an increase in the "symptoms in the past 12 months" prevalence of
      food allergy (FA) (aOR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.09-2.24; P=0.015). The lifetime
      prevalence of allergic diseases except FA was higher in the children whose
      parents considered their sunlight exposure prior to 24 months of ageas inadequate
      than those who considered their exposure as adequate ("diagnosis ever" asthma:
      aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.17-1.67; P<0.001; allergic rhinitis [AR]: aOR, 1.4; 95% CI,
      1.17-1.67; P<0.001; AD: aOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.06-1.51; P=0.01). Neither recent
      sunlight exposure nor exercise duration was associated with the prevalence of an
      allergic disease. CONCLUSION: Birth in winter may be associated with development
      of AD and FA. Inadequate sunlight exposure before the age of 24 months might
      possibly increase the risks of development of asthma, AR, and AD.

PMID- 27279887
TI  - Efficacy of proton pump inhibitors and H2 blocker in the treatment of symptomatic
      gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants.
AB  - PURPOSE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs in pediatric patients when
      reflux of gastric contents presents with troublesome symptoms. The present study
      compared the effects of omeprazole and ranitidine for the treatment of
      symptomatic GERD in infants of 2-12 months. METHODS: This study was a clinical
      randomized double-blind trial and parallel-group comparison of omeprazole and
      ranitidine performed at Children Training Hospital in Tabriz, Iran. Patients
      received a standard treatment for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the patients with
      persistent symptoms were enrolled in this randomized study. RESULTS: We enrolled
      76 patients in the present study and excluded 16 patients. Thirty patients each
      were included in group A (ranitidine) and in group B (omeprazole). GERD symptom
      score for groups A and B was 47.17+/-5.62 and 51.93+/-5.42, respectively, with a
      P value of 0.54, before the treatment and 2.47+/-0.58 and 2.43+/-1.15,
      respectively, after the treatment (P=0.98). No statistically significant
      differences were found between ranitidine and omeprazole in their efficacy for
      the treatment of GERD. CONCLUSION: The safety and efficacy of ranitidine and
      omeprazole have been demonstrated in infants. Both groups of infants showed a
      statistically significant decrease in the score of clinical variables after the
      treatment.

PMID- 27279888
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein plasma levels as a biomarker of obesity
      related insulin resistance in adolescents.
AB  - PURPOSE: Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is a 65-kDa acute phase
      protein, derived from the liver, which is present in high concentrations in
      plasma. Data regarding the association between circulating plasma LBP levels and
      obesity-related biomarkers in the pediatric population are scarce. We aimed to
      determine whether there was a difference in plasma LBP levels between
      overweight/obese and normal-weight adolescents and to assess the correlation of
      circulating LBP levels with anthropometric measures and obesity-related
      biomarkers, including insulin resistance, liver enzyme levels, and lipid
      profiles. METHODS: The study included 87 adolescents aged 12-13 years; 44 were
      overweight/obese and 43 were of normal-weight. We assessed anthropometric and
      laboratory measures, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, insulin
      resistance, liver enzyme levels, and lipid profiles. Plasma LBP levels were
      measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The mean age of the
      participants was 12.9+/-0.3 years. Circulating plasma LBP levels were
      significantly increased in overweight/obese participants compared with those in
      normal-weight participants (7.8+/-1.9 ug/mL vs. 6.0+/-1.6 ug/mL, P<0.001). LBP
      levels were significantly and positively associated with BMI, systolic blood
      pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total
      cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting glucose and insulin,
      and insulin resistance as indicated by the homeostatic model assessment of
      insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (all P<0.05). In multivariate linear regression
      analysis, BMI and HOMA-IR were independently and positively associated with
      plasma LBP levels. CONCLUSION: LBP is an inflammatory biomarker associated with
      BMI and obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents. The positive
      correlation between these parameters suggests a potentially relevant
      pathophysiological mechanism linking LBP to obesity-related insulin resistance in
      adolescents.

PMID- 27279889
TI  - A giant choledochal cyst in infancy: a case report.
AB  - Choledochal cyst is a dilation that encloses the intrahepatic or both extra- and
      intrahepatic portions of the biliary ducts. Postnatally, ultrasonography is the
      initial diagnostic modality of choice, allowing for precise measurements of intra
      or extrahepatic duct dilatation and identification of stones and sludge.
      Symptoms depend on the age at presentation. Common bile duct malformations should
      be considered as a differential diagnosis of a cystic mass regardless of the
      cyst's size or patient's age, especially in children presenting with abdominal
      pain, jaundice, and palpable mass. To the best of our knowledge, we report the
      largest choledochal cyst in infancy. 

PMID- 27279890
TI  - Bilateral iliac and popliteal arterial thrombosis in a child with focal segmental
      glomerulosclerosis.
AB  - Thromboembolic complications (TECs) are clinically important sequelae of
      nephrotic syndrome (NS). The incidence of TECs in children is approximately 2%
      5%. The veins are the most commonly affected sites, particularly the deep veins
      in the legs, the inferior vena cava, the superior vena cava, and the renal veins.
      Arterial thrombosis, which is less common, typically occurs in the cerebral,
      pulmonary, and femoral arteries, and is associated with the use of steroids and
      diuretics. Popliteal artery thrombosis in children has been described in cases of
      traumatic dissection, osteochondroma, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, and
      fibromuscular dysplasia. We report of a 33-month-old girl with bilateral iliac
      and popliteal arterial thrombosis associated with steroid-resistant NS due to
      focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Her treatment involved thrombectomy and
      intravenous heparinization, followed by oral warfarin for 8 months. Herein, we
      report a rare case of spontaneous iliac and popliteal arterial thrombosis in a
      young child with NS. 

PMID- 27279891
TI  - A distributional approach to obtain adjusted comparisons of proportions of a
      population at risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dichotomisation of continuous data has statistical drawbacks such as
      loss of power but may be useful in epidemiological research to define high risk
      individuals. METHODS: We extend a methodology for the presentation of comparison
      of proportions derived from a comparison of means for a continuous outcome to
      reflect the relationship between a continuous outcome and covariates in a linear
      (mixed) model without losing statistical power. The so called "distributional
      method" is described and using perinatal data for illustration, results from the
      distributional method are compared to those of logistic regression and to
      quantile regression for three different outcomes. RESULTS: Estimates obtained
      using the distributional method for the comparison of proportions are
      consistently more precise than those obtained using logistic regression. For one
      of the three outcomes the estimates obtained from the distributional method and
      from logistic regression disagreed highlighting that the relationships between
      outcome and covariate differ conceptually between the two models. CONCLUSION:
      When an outcome follows the required condition of distribution shift between
      exposure groups, the results of a linear regression model can be followed by the
      corresponding comparison of proportions at risk. This dual approach provides more
      precise estimates than logistic regression thus avoiding the drawback of the
      usual dichotomisation of continuous outcomes.

PMID- 27279893
TI  - Increased arterial stiffness parameters in panic disorder patients in long term
      treatment period.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between mental stress and cardiovascular disease has
      been shown in several studies. Panic disorder (PD) is also associated with
      cardiovascular disease due to increased risk of myocardial infarction. The aim of
      this study is to evaluate the association between arterial stiffness parameters
      and depression/anxiety scores in patients with PD. METHODS: The study population
      consisted of 25 patients with PD and 25 age-sex-matched healthy controls.
      Depression and anxiety levels were evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
      and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. Determination of arterial
      stiffness parameters was conducted using a Mobil-O-Graph arteriograph system that
      detected signals from the brachial artery. RESULTS: While baseline
      characteristics were similar between two groups, BDI and BAI scores were
      significantly higher in patients with PD (p < 0.005). The pulse wave velocity
      (PWV) and Augmentation Index (AIx) were also significantly higher in patients
      with PD (p = 0.001, p = 0.006). There was a moderate correlation between PWV and
      AIx with BAI scores (r = 0.442, p = 0.001, r = 0.441, p = 0.001). AIx was also
      positively correlated with BDI scores (r = 0.415, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: We
      demonstrated a significant relationship between arterial stiffness parameters and
      anxiety/depression scores in patients with PD who receive antidepressant
      treatment.

PMID- 27279892
TI  - Sea shell diversity and rapidly evolving secretomes: insights into the evolution
      of biomineralization.
AB  - An external skeleton is an essential part of the body plan of many animals and is
      thought to be one of the key factors that enabled the great expansion in animal
      diversity and disparity during the Cambrian explosion. Molluscs are considered
      ideal to study the evolution of biomineralization because of their diversity of
      highly complex, robust and patterned shells. The molluscan shell forms externally
      at the interface of animal and environment, and involves controlled deposition of
      calcium carbonate within a framework of macromolecules that are secreted from the
      dorsal mantle epithelium. Despite its deep conservation within Mollusca, the
      mantle is capable of producing an incredible diversity of shell patterns, and
      macro- and micro-architectures. Here we review recent developments within the
      field of molluscan biomineralization, focusing on the genes expressed in the
      mantle that encode secreted proteins. The so-called mantle secretome appears to
      regulate shell deposition and patterning and in some cases becomes part of the
      shell matrix. Recent transcriptomic and proteomic studies have revealed marked
      differences in the mantle secretomes of even closely-related molluscs; these
      typically exceed expected differences based on characteristics of the external
      shell. All mantle secretomes surveyed to date include novel genes encoding
      lineage-restricted proteins and unique combinations of co-opted ancient genes. A
      surprisingly large proportion of both ancient and novel secreted proteins
      containing simple repetitive motifs or domains that are often modular in
      construction. These repetitive low complexity domains (RLCDs) appear to further
      promote the evolvability of the mantle secretome, resulting in domain shuffling,
      expansion and loss. RLCD families further evolve via slippage and other
      mechanisms associated with repetitive sequences. As analogous types of secreted
      proteins are expressed in biomineralizing tissues in other animals, insights into
      the evolution of the genes underlying molluscan shell formation may be applied
      more broadly to understanding the evolution of metazoan biomineralization. 

PMID- 27279894
TI  - Using IFN-gamma release assay to confirm tuberculin skin test improves the
      screening of latent tuberculosis infection in Italian healthcare workers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) represent a tuberculosis (TB) risk group
      for a wide range of tasks in healthcare, even in countries with low TB incidence,
      like Italy. Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) screening programs are an
      important tool for TB prevention in these setting. METHODS: A retrospective study
      under a LTBI screening program among HCWs at the Siena University Hospital
      (Italy), was conducted between September 2011 and July 2015. Tuberculin Skin Test
      (TST) was used as a first level examination; all TST-positive cases were tested
      with QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test, together with a group of TST
      negative subjects. RESULTS: Among the 2136 HCWs screened, 144 (6.7 %) were TST
      positive and therefore tested with QFT-GIT, confirming a positive result in 36
      cases (25 %). Agreement between two tests was poor (k = 0.092; 95 %, Confidence
      Interval [CI]- 0.048-0.136, p = 0.002). Among TST-positive cases, discordant
      results occurred more frequently in BCG vaccinated than unvaccinated HCWs (86.3
      %, p < 0.001). The probability of a QFT-GIT-positive result increased according
      to the TST diameter (p = 0.001). No putative risk factor was associated with LTBI
      occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The use of QFT-GIT test as a second step in TST-positive
      cases offers an appropriate tool for LTBI detection, especially among BCG
      vaccinated HCWs.

PMID- 27279895
TI  - RhizoTubes as a new tool for high throughput imaging of plant root development
      and architecture: test, comparison with pot grown plants and validation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to maintain high yields while saving water and preserving
      non-renewable resources and thus limiting the use of chemical fertilizer, it is
      crucial to select plants with more efficient root systems. This could be achieved
      through an optimization of both root architecture and root uptake ability and/or
      through the improvement of positive plant interactions with microorganisms in the
      rhizosphere. The development of devices suitable for high-throughput phenotyping
      of root structures remains a major bottleneck. RESULTS: Rhizotrons suitable for
      plant growth in controlled conditions and non-invasive image acquisition of plant
      shoot and root systems (RhizoTubes) are described. These RhizoTubes allow growing
      one to six plants simultaneously, having a maximum height of 1.1 m, up to 8
      weeks, depending on plant species. Both shoot and root compartment can be imaged
      automatically and non-destructively throughout the experiment thanks to an
      imaging cabin (RhizoCab). RhizoCab contains robots and imaging equipment for
      obtaining high-resolution pictures of plant roots. Using this versatile
      experimental setup, we illustrate how some morphometric root traits can be
      determined for various species including model (Medicago truncatula), crops
      (Pisum sativum, Brassica napus, Vitis vinifera, Triticum aestivum) and weed
      (Vulpia myuros) species grown under non-limiting conditions or submitted to
      various abiotic and biotic constraints. The measurement of the root phenotypic
      traits using this system was compared to that obtained using "classic" growth
      conditions in pots. CONCLUSIONS: This integrated system, to include 1200
      Rhizotubes, will allow high-throughput phenotyping of plant shoots and roots
      under various abiotic and biotic environmental conditions. Our system allows an
      easy visualization or extraction of roots and measurement of root traits for high
      throughput or kinetic analyses. The utility of this system for studying root
      system architecture will greatly facilitate the identification of genetic and
      environmental determinants of key root traits involved in crop responses to
      stresses, including interactions with soil microorganisms.

PMID- 27279897
TI  - Systematic change in global patterns of streamflow following volcanic eruptions.
AB  - Following large explosive volcanic eruptions precipitation decreases over much of
      the globe1-6, particularly in climatologically wet regions4,5. Stratospheric
      volcanic aerosols reflect sunlight, which reduces evaporation, whilst surface
      cooling stabilises the atmosphere and reduces its water-holding capacity7.
      Circulation changes modulate this global precipitation reduction on regional
      scales1,8-10. Despite the importance of rivers to people, it has been unclear
      whether volcanism causes detectable changes in streamflow given large natural
      variability. Here we analyse observational records of streamflow volume for fifty
      large rivers from around the world which cover between two and 6 major volcanic
      eruptions in the 20th and late 19th century. We find statistically significant
      reductions in flow following eruptions for the Amazon, Congo, Nile, Orange, Ob,
      Yenisey and Kolyma amongst others. When data from neighbouring rivers are
      combined - based on the areas where climate models simulate either an increase or
      a decrease in precipitation following eruptions - a significant (p<0.1) decrease
      in streamflow following eruptions is detected in northern South American, central
      African and high-latitude Asian rivers, and on average across wet tropical and
      subtropical regions. We also detect a significant increase in southern South
      American and SW North American rivers. This suggests that future volcanic
      eruptions could substantially affect global water availability.

PMID- 27279896
TI  - Wells criteria for DVT is a reliable clinical tool to assess the risk of deep
      venous thrombosis in trauma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in trauma
      patients. Venous duplex surveillance is used widely for the diagnosis of DVT,
      however, there is controversy concerning its appropriate use. The Wells criterion
      is a clinically validated scoring system in an outpatient setting, but its use in
      trauma patients has not been studied. This study evaluated the application of the
      Wells scoring system in trauma population. METHODS: Wells scores were calculated
      retrospectively for all patients who were admitted to the trauma service and
      underwent Venous Duplex Scanning (VDS) at the author's institution between 2012
      and 2013. Correlation of Wells score with DVT and its efficacy in risk
      stratifying the patients after trauma was analyzed using linear correlation and
      receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Sensitivity and specificity of
      Wells score in ruling out or ruling in DVT were calculated in various risk
      groups. RESULTS: Of 298 patients evaluated, 18 (6 %) patients were positive for
      DVT. A linear correlation was present between Wells score and DVT with R (2)  =
      0.88 (p = 0.0016). Median Wells score of patients without DVT was 1 (1-3)
      compared to a median score of 2 (1-5) in those with DVT (p < 0.0001). In low risk
      patients (scores <1), Wells scoring was able to rule out the possibility of DVT
      with a sensitivity of 100 % and NPV of 100 %, while in moderate-high risk
      patients (scores >=2), it was able to predict DVT with a specificity of 90 %.
      Area under ROC curve was 0.859 (p < 0.0001) demonstrating the accuracy of Wells
      scoring system for DVT risk stratification in post trauma patients. CONCLUSIONS:
      A Wells score of <1 can reliably rule out the possibility of DVT in the trauma
      patients. Risk of developing DVT correlates linearly with Wells score,
      establishing it as a valid pretest tool for risk stratification.

PMID- 27279898
TI  - Prospective associations between adolescent mental health problems and positive
      mental wellbeing in early old age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mental health problems in adolescence are predictive of future mental
      distress and psychopathology; however, few studies investigated adolescent mental
      health problems in relation to future mental wellbeing and none with follow-up to
      older age. AIMS: To test prospective associations between adolescent mental
      health problems and mental wellbeing and life satisfaction in early old age.
      METHODS: A total of 1561 men and women were drawn from the Medical Research
      Council National Survey of Health and Development (the British 1946 birth
      cohort). Teachers had previously completed rating scales to assess emotional
      adjustment and behaviours, which allowed us to extract factors of mental health
      problems measuring self-organisation, behavioural problems, and emotional
      problems during adolescence. Between the ages of 60-64 years, mental wellbeing
      was assessed using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) and
      life satisfaction was self-reported using the Satisfaction with Life Scale
      (SWLS). RESULTS: After controlling for gender, social class of origin, childhood
      cognitive ability, and educational attainment, adolescent emotional problems were
      independently inversely associated with mental wellbeing and with life
      satisfaction. Symptoms of anxiety/depression at 60-64 years explained the
      association with life satisfaction but not with mental wellbeing. Associations
      between adolescent self-organisation and conduct problems and mental wellbeing
      and life satisfaction were of negligible magnitude, but higher childhood
      cognitive ability significantly predicted poor life satisfaction in early old
      age. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent self-organisation and conduct problems may not be
      predictive of future mental wellbeing and life satisfaction. Adolescent emotional
      problems may be inversely associated with future wellbeing, and may be associated
      with lower levels of future life satisfaction through symptoms of
      anxiety/depression in early old age. Initiatives to prevent and treat emotional
      problems in adolescence may have long-term benefits which extend into older age.

PMID- 27279899
TI  - Anaerobic detoxification of acetic acid in a thermophilic ethanologen.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The liberation of acetate from hemicellulose negatively impacts
      fermentations of cellulosic biomass, limiting the concentrations of substrate
      that can be effectively processed. Solvent-producing bacteria have the capacity
      to convert acetate to the less toxic product acetone, but to the best of our
      knowledge, this trait has not been transferred to an organism that produces
      ethanol at high yield. RESULTS: We have engineered a five-step metabolic pathway
      to convert acetic acid to acetone in the thermophilic anaerobe
      Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum. The first steps of the pathway, a
      reversible conversion of acetate to acetyl-CoA, are catalyzed by the native T.
      saccharolyticum enzymes acetate kinase and phosphotransacetylase. ack and pta
      normally divert 30% of catabolic carbon flux to acetic acid; however, their re
      introduction in evolved ethanologen strains resulted in virtually no acetic acid
      production. Conversion between acetic acid and acetyl-CoA remained active, as
      evidenced by rapid (13)C label transfer from exogenous acetate to ethanol.
      Genomic re-sequencing of six independently evolved ethanologen strains showed
      convergent mutations in the hfs hydrogenase gene cluster, which when transferred
      to wildtype T. saccharolyticum conferred a low acid production phenotype. Thus,
      the mutated hfs genes effectively separate acetic acid production and consumption
      from central metabolism, despite their intersecting at the common intermediate
      acetyl-CoA. To drive acetic acid conversion to a less inhibitory product, the
      enzymes thiolase, acetoacetate:acetate CoA-transferase, and acetoacetate
      decarboxylase were assembled in T. saccharolyticum with genes from thermophilic
      donor organisms that do not natively produce acetone. The resultant strain
      converted acetic acid to acetone and ethanol while maintaining a metabolic yield
      of 0.50 g ethanol per gram carbohydrate. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion of acetic acid
      to acetone results in improved ethanol productivity and titer and is an
      attractive low-cost solution to acetic acid inhibition.

PMID- 27279900
TI  - Deep metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses of microbial communities
      affiliated with an industrial biogas fermenter, a cow rumen, and elephant feces
      reveal major differences in carbohydrate hydrolysis strategies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diverse microbial communities in agricultural biogas fermenters
      are assumed to be well adapted for the anaerobic transformation of plant biomass
      to methane. Compared to natural systems, biogas reactors are limited in their
      hydrolytic potential. The reasons for this are not understood. RESULTS: In this
      paper, we show that a typical industrial biogas reactor fed with maize silage,
      cow manure, and chicken manure has relatively lower hydrolysis rates compared to
      feces samples from herbivores. We provide evidence that on average, 2.5 genes
      encoding cellulolytic GHs/Mbp were identified in the biogas fermenter compared to
      3.8 in the elephant feces and 3.2 in the cow rumen data sets. The ratio of genes
      coding for cellulolytic GH enzymes affiliated with the Firmicutes versus the
      Bacteroidetes was 2.8:1 in the biogas fermenter compared to 1:1 in the elephant
      feces and 1.4:1 in the cow rumen sample. Furthermore, RNA-Seq data indicated that
      highly transcribed cellulases in the biogas fermenter were four times more often
      affiliated with the Firmicutes compared to the Bacteroidetes, while an equal
      distribution of these enzymes was observed in the elephant feces sample.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that a relatively lower abundance of bacteria
      affiliated with the phylum of Bacteroidetes and, to some extent, Fibrobacteres is
      associated with a decreased richness of predicted lignocellulolytic enzymes in
      biogas fermenters. This difference can be attributed to a partial lack of genes
      coding for cellulolytic GH enzymes derived from bacteria which are affiliated
      with the Fibrobacteres and, especially, the Bacteroidetes. The partial deficiency
      of these genes implies a potentially important limitation in the biogas fermenter
      with regard to the initial hydrolysis of biomass. Based on these findings, we
      speculate that increasing the members of Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres in
      biogas fermenters will most likely result in an increased hydrolytic performance.

PMID- 27279901
TI  - Genome-wide redistribution of MeCP2 in dorsal root ganglia after peripheral nerve
      injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a protein with affinity for
      methylated cytosines, is crucial for neuronal development and function. MeCP2
      regulates gene expression through activation, repression and chromatin
      remodeling. Mutations in MeCP2 cause Rett syndrome, and these patients display
      impaired nociception. We observed an increase in MeCP2 expression in mouse dorsal
      root ganglia (DRG) after peripheral nerve injury. The functional implication of
      increased MeCP2 is largely unknown. To identify regions of the genome bound by
      MeCP2 in the DRG and the changes induced by nerve injury, a chromatin
      immunoprecipitation of MeCP2 followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed 4
      weeks after spared nerve injury (SNI). RESULTS: While the number of binding sites
      across the genome remained similar in the SNI model and sham control, SNI induced
      the redistribution of MeCP2 to transcriptionally relevant regions. To determine
      how differential binding of MeCP2 can affect gene expression in the DRG, we
      investigated mmu-miR-126, a microRNA locus that had enriched MeCP2 binding in the
      SNI model. Enriched MeCP2 binding to miR-126 locus after nerve injury repressed
      miR-126 expression, and this was not mediated by alterations in methylation
      pattern at the miR-126 locus. Downregulation of miR-126 resulted in the
      upregulation of its two target genes Dnmt1 and Vegfa in Neuro 2A cells and in SNI
      model compared to control. These target genes were significantly downregulated in
      Mecp2-null mice compared to wild-type littermates, indicating a regulatory role
      for MeCP2 in activating Dnmt1 and Vegfa expression. Intrathecal delivery of miR
      126 was not sufficient to reverse nerve injury-induced mechanical and thermal
      hypersensitivity, but decreased Dnmt1 and Vegfa expression in the DRG.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a regulatory role for MeCP2 in that changes in
      global redistribution can result in direct and indirect modulation of gene
      expression in the DRG. Alterations in genome-wide binding of MeCP2 therefore
      provide a molecular basis for a better understanding of epigenetic regulation
      induced molecular changes underlying nerve injury.

PMID- 27279902
TI  - High Precision Imaging of Microscopic Spread of Glioblastoma with a Targeted
      Ultrasensitive SERRS Molecular Imaging Probe.
AB  - The dismal prognosis of patients with malignant brain tumors such as glioblastoma
      multiforme (GBM) is attributed mostly to their diffuse growth pattern and early
      microscopic tumor spread to distant regions of the brain. Because the microscopic
      tumor foci cannot be visualized with current imaging modalities, it remains
      impossible to direct treatments optimally. Here we explored the ability of
      integrin-targeted surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS)
      nanoparticles to depict the true tumor extent in a GBM mouse model that closely
      mimics the pathology in humans. The recently developed SERRS-nanoparticles have a
      sensitivity of detection in the femtomolar range. An RGD-peptide-conjugated
      version for integrin-targeting (RGD-SERRS) was compared directly to its non
      targeted RAD-SERRS control in the same mice via Raman multiplexing. Pre-blocking
      with RGD peptide before injection of RGD-SERRS nanoparticles was used to verify
      the specificity of integrin-targeting. In contrast to the current belief that the
      enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect results in a baseline uptake of
      nanoparticles regardless of their surface chemistry, integrin-targeting was shown
      to be highly specific, with markedly lower accumulation after pre-blocking. While
      the non-targeted SERRS particles enabled delineation of the main tumor, the RGD
      SERRS nanoparticles afforded a major improvement in visualization of the true
      extent and the diffuse margins of the main tumor. This included the detection of
      unexpected tumor areas distant to the main tumor, tracks of migrating cells of 2
      3 cells in diameter, and even isolated distant tumor cell clusters of less than 5
      cells. This Raman spectroscopy-based nanoparticle-imaging technology holds
      promise to allow high precision visualization of the true extent of malignant
      brain tumors.

PMID- 27279903
TI  - Design of Internalizing PSMA-specific Glu-ureido-based Radiotherapeuticals.
AB  - Despite the progress in diagnosis and treatment, prostate cancer (PCa) is one of
      the main causes for cancer-associated deaths among men. Recently, prostate
      specific membrane antigen (PSMA) binding tracers have revolutionized the
      molecular imaging of this disease. The translation of these tracers into
      therapeutic applications is challenging because of high PSMA-associated kidney
      uptake. While both the tumor uptake and the uptake in the kidneys are PSMA
      specific, the kidneys show a more rapid clearance than tumor lesions.
      Consequently, the potential of endoradiotherapeutic drugs targeting PSMA is
      highly dependent on a sustained retention in the tumor - ideally achieved by
      predominant internalization of the respective tracer. Previously, we were able to
      show that the pharmacokinetics of the tracers containing the Glu-urea-based
      binding motif can be further enhanced with a specifically designed linker. Here,
      we evaluate an eventual influence of the chelator moiety on the pharmacokinetics,
      including the tumor internalization. A series of tracers modified by different
      chelators were synthesized using solid phase chemistry. The conjugates were
      radiolabeled to evaluate the influence on the receptor binding affinity, the
      ligand-induced internalization and the biodistribution behavior. Competitive
      binding and internalization assays were performed on PSMA positive LNCaP cells
      and the biodistribution of the most promising compound was evaluated by positron
      emission tomography (PET) in LNCaP-tumor-bearing mice. Interestingly, conjugation
      of the different chelators did not cause significant differences: all compounds
      showed nanomolar binding affinities with only minor differences. PET imaging of
      the (68)Ga-labeled CHX-A''-DTPA conjugate revealed that the chelator moiety does
      not impair the specificity of tumor uptake when compared to the gold standard
      PSMA-617. However, strong differences of the internalization ratios caused by the
      chelator moiety were observed: differences in internalization between 15% and 65%
      were observed, with the CHX-A''-DTPA conjugate displaying the highest
      internalization ratio. A first-in-man PET/CT study proved the high tumor uptake
      of this (68)Ga-labeled PSMA-targeting compound. These data indicate that
      hydrophobic entities at the chelator mediate the internalization efficacy. Based
      on its specific tumor uptake in combination with its very high internalization
      ratio, the clinical performance of the chelator-conjugated Glu-urea-based PSMA
      inhibitors will be further elucidated.

PMID- 27279904
TI  - Fabrication of Graphene and AuNP Core Polyaniline Shell Nanocomposites as
      Multifunctional Theranostic Platforms for SERS Real-time Monitoring and Chemo
      photothermal Therapy.
AB  - In this work, novel theranostic platforms based on graphene oxide and AuNP core
      polyaniline shell (GO-Au@PANI) nanocomposites are fabricated for simultaneous
      SERS imaging and chemo-photothermal therapy. PANI, a new NIR photothermal therapy
      agent with strong NIR absorption, outstanding stability and low cytotoxicity is
      decorated on AuNPs by one-pot oxidative polymerization, then the Au@PANI core
      shell nanoparticles are attached to the graphene oxide (GO) sheet via pi-pi
      stacking and electrostatic interaction. The obtained GO-Au@PANI nanohybirds
      exhibit excellent NIR photothermal transduction efficiency and ultrahigh drug
      loading capacity. The nanocomposites can also serve as novel NIR SERS probes
      utilizing the intense SERS signals of PANI. Rapid SERS imaging of cancer cells is
      achieved using this ultrasensitive nanoprobe. GO-Au@PANI also reveals good
      capability of drug delivery with the DOX-loading efficiency of 189.2% and
      sensitive NIR/pH-responsive DOX release. The intracellular real-time drug release
      dynamics from the nanocomposites is monitored by SERS-fluorescence dual mode
      imaging. Finally, chemo-photothermal ablation of cancer cells is carried out in
      vitro and in vivo using GO-Au@PANI as high-performance chemo-photothermal
      therapeutic nanoagent. The theranostic applications of GO-Au@PANI endow it with
      great potential for personalized and precise cancer medicine.

PMID- 27279905
TI  - MiR675-5p Acts on HIF-1alpha to Sustain Hypoxic Responses: A New Therapeutic
      Strategy for Glioma.
AB  - Hypoxia is a common feature in solid tumours. In glioma, it is considered the
      major driving force for tumour angiogenesis and correlates with enhanced
      resistance to conventional therapies, increased invasiveness and a poor prognosis
      for patients. Here we describe, for the first time, that miR675-5p, embedded in
      hypoxia-induced long non-coding RNA H19, plays a mandatory role in establishing a
      hypoxic response and in promoting hypoxia-mediated angiogenesis. We demonstrated,
      in vitro and in vivo, that miR675-5p over expression in normoxia is sufficient to
      induce a hypoxic moreover, miR675-5p depletion in low oxygen conditions,
      drastically abolishes hypoxic responses including angiogenesis. In addition, our
      data indicate an interaction of miR675-5p, HIF-1alpha mRNA and the RNA Binding
      Protein HuR in hypoxia-induced responses. We suggest the modulation of miR675-5p
      as a new therapeutic option to promote or abolish hypoxia induced angiogenesis.

PMID- 27279906
TI  - Recapitulating the Size and Cargo of Tumor Exosomes in a Tissue-Engineered Model.
AB  - There is a growing interest in the pivotal role of exosomes in cancer and in
      their use as biomarkers. However, despite the importance of the microenvironment
      for cancer initiation and progression, monolayer cultures of tumor cells still
      represent the main in vitro source of exosomes. As a result, their environmental
      regulation remains largely unknown. Here, we report a three-dimensional tumor
      model for studying exosomes, using Ewing's sarcoma type 1 as a clinically
      relevant example. The bioengineered model was designed based on the hypothesis
      that the 3-dimensionality, composition and stiffness of the tumor matrix are the
      critical determinants of the size and cargo of exosomes released by the cancer
      cells. We analyzed the effects of the tumor microenvironment on exosomes, and the
      effects of exosomes on the non-cancer cells from the bone niche. Exosomes from
      the tissue-engineered tumor had similar size distribution as those in the
      patients' plasma, and were markedly smaller than those in monolayer cultures.
      Bioengineered tumors and the patients' plasma contained high levels of the
      Polycomb histone methyltransferase EZH2 mRNA relatively to their monolayer
      counterparts. Notably, EZH2 mRNA, a potential tumor biomarker detectable in blood
      plasma, could be transferred to the surrounding mesenchymal stem cells. This
      study provides the first evidence that an in vitro culture environment can
      recapitulate some properties of tumor exosomes.

PMID- 27279907
TI  - Photodynamic Therapy Induced Enhancement of Tumor Vasculature Permeability Using
      an Upconversion Nanoconstruct for Improved Intratumoral Nanoparticle Delivery in
      Deep Tissues.
AB  - Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has recently emerged as an approach to enhance
      intratumoral accumulation of nanoparticles. However, conventional PDT is greatly
      limited by the inability of the excitation light to sufficiently penetrate
      tissue, rendering PDT ineffective in the relatively deep tumors. To address this
      limitation, we developed a novel PDT platform and reported for the first time the
      effect of deep-tissue PDT on nanoparticle uptake in tumors. This platform
      employed c(RGDyK)-conjugated upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), which facilitate
      active targeting of the nanoconstruct to tumor vasculature and achieve the deep
      tissue photosensitizer activation by NIR light irradiation. Results indicated
      that our PDT system efficiently enhanced intratumoral uptake of different
      nanoparticles in a deep-seated tumor model. The optimal light dose for deep
      tissue PDT (34 mW/cm(2)) was determined and the most robust permeability
      enhancement was achieved by administering the nanoparticles within 15 minutes
      following PDT treatment. Further, a two-step treatment strategy was developed and
      validated featuring the capability of improving the therapeutic efficacy of Doxil
      while simultaneously reducing its cardiotoxicity. This two-step treatment
      resulted in a tumor inhibition rate of 79% compared with 56% after Doxil
      treatment alone. These findings provide evidence in support of the clinical
      application of deep-tissue PDT for enhanced nano-drug delivery.

PMID- 27279909
TI  - Redox Regulation of Stem-like Cells Though the CD44v-xCT Axis in Colorectal
      Cancer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common neoplastic disease and a frequent cause of
      death. Drug resistance is a major challenge to CRC treatment and stem-like side
      population (SP) cells may play a key role in this resistance. Although it has
      been recognized that cancer stem cells may be affected by redox status, the
      underlying mechanisms for this effect and the roles of celllular redox adaptation
      and antioxidant capacity in CRC remain elusive. Our study shows that CRC SP cells
      are highly dependent on cellular GSH to maintain ROS levels below those of non-SP
      cells. Exposing CRC cells to H2O2 produced a significant decrease in the
      percentage of SP cells, which was rescued by adding N-acetylcysteine.
      Mechanistically, CD44v interacts with and stabilizes xCT and thereby promotes the
      uptake of cysteine for GSH synthesis and stimulates SP cell enrichment.
      Additionally, miR-1297 levels were inversely correlated with the expression of
      xCT; thus, reduced miR-1297 contributes to SP cell enrichment in CRC tumors,
      which results in tumor aggressiveness and poor clinical outcomes. Importantly,
      redox modification by PEITC significantly reduces CRC SP cells in vitro and
      impairs tumors growth in vivo. The combination of 5FU and PEITC led to
      synergistic cytotoxic effects against CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Taken
      together, our data suggest that a GSH-mediated reduction in cellular ROS levels
      is an essential regulator of CRC SP cells mediated by the CD44v-xCT axis, and
      disrupting the redox status may eliminate the chemotherapy-resistant CRC SP cells
      with potentially significant benefits for cancer treatment.

PMID- 27279908
TI  - Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of Sulfonamido-based [(11)C-Carbonyl]
      Carbamates and Ureas for Imaging Monoacylglycerol Lipase.
AB  - Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a 33 kDa member of the serine hydrolase
      superfamily that preferentially degrades 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) to
      arachidonic acid in the endocannabinoid system. Inhibition of MAGL is not only of
      interest for probing the cannabinoid pathway but also as a therapeutic and
      diagnostic target for neuroinflammation. Limited attempts have been made to image
      MAGL in vivo and a suitable PET ligand for this target has yet to be identified
      and is urgently sought to guide small molecule drug development in this pathway.
      Herein we synthesized and evaluated the physiochemical properties of an array of
      eleven sulfonamido-based carbamates and ureas with a series of terminal aryl
      moieties, linkers and leaving groups. The most potent compounds were a novel MAGL
      inhibitor, N-((1-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-carbonyl)piperidin-4-yl) methyl)-4
      chlorobenzenesulfonamide (TZPU; IC50 = 35.9 nM), and the known inhibitor
      1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl 4-(((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonamido)
      methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (SAR127303; IC50 = 39.3 nM), which were also
      shown to be selective for MAGL over fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and
      cannabinoid receptors (CB1 & CB2). Both of these compounds were radiolabeled with
      carbon-11 via [(11)C]COCl2, followed by comprehensive ex vivo biodistribution and
      in vivo PET imaging studies in normal rats to determine their brain permeability,
      specificity, clearance and metabolism. Whereas TZPU did not show adequate
      specificity to warrant further evaluation, [(11)C]SAR127303 was advanced for
      preliminary PET neuroimaging studies in nonhuman primate. The tracer showed good
      brain permeability (ca. 1 SUV) and heterogeneous regional brain distribution
      which is consistent with the distribution of MAGL.

PMID- 27279910
TI  - Polymer-DNA Nanoparticle-Induced CXCR4 Overexpression Improves Stem Cell
      Engraftment and Tissue Regeneration in a Mouse Hindlimb Ischemia Model.
AB  - Peripheral arterial disease affects nearly 202 million individuals worldwide,
      sometimes leading to non-healing ulcers or limb amputations in severe cases.
      Genetically modified stem cells offer potential advantages for therapeutically
      inducing angiogenesis via augmented paracrine release mechanisms and tuned
      dynamic responses to environmental stimuli at disease sites. Here, we report the
      application of nanoparticle-induced CXCR4-overexpressing stem cells in a mouse
      hindlimb ischemia model. We found that CXCR4 overexpression improved stem cell
      survival, modulated inflammation in situ, and accelerated blood reperfusion.
      These effects, unexpectedly, led to complete limb salvage and skeletal muscle
      repair, markedly outperforming the efficacy of the conventional angiogenic factor
      control, VEGF. Importantly, assessment of CXCR4-overexpressing stem cells in
      vitro revealed that CXCR4 overexpression induced changes in paracrine signaling
      of stem cells, promoting a therapeutically desirable pro-angiogenic and anti
      inflammatory phenotype. These results suggest that nanoparticle-induced CXCR4
      overexpression may promote favorable phenotypic changes and therapeutic efficacy
      of stem cells in response to the ischemic environment.

PMID- 27279911
TI  - Improvement of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis by Detecting PSA Glycosylation-Specific
      Changes.
AB  - New markers based on PSA isoforms have recently been developed to improve
      prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. However, novel approaches are still required to
      differentiate aggressive from non-aggressive PCa to improve decision making for
      patients. PSA glycoforms have been shown to be differentially expressed in PCa.
      In particular, changes in the extent of core fucosylation and sialylation of PSA
      N-glycans in PCa patients compared to healthy controls or BPH patients have been
      reported. The objective of this study was to determine these specific glycan
      structures in serum PSA to analyze their potential value as markers for
      discriminating between BPH and PCa of different aggressiveness. In the present
      work, we have established two methodologies to analyze the core fucosylation and
      the sialic acid linkage of PSA N-glycans in serum samples from BPH (29) and PCa
      (44) patients with different degrees of aggressiveness. We detected a significant
      decrease in the core fucose and an increase in the alpha2,3-sialic acid
      percentage of PSA in high-risk PCa that differentiated BPH and low-risk PCa from
      high-risk PCa patients. In particular, a cut-off value of 0.86 of the PSA core
      fucose ratio, could distinguish high-risk PCa patients from BPH with 90%
      sensitivity and 95% specificity, with an AUC of 0.94. In the case of the alpha2,3
      sialic acid percentage of PSA, the cut-off value of 30% discriminated between
      high-risk PCa and the group of BPH, low-, and intermediate-risk PCa with a
      sensitivity and specificity of 85.7% and 95.5%, respectively, with an AUC of
      0.97. The latter marker exhibited high performance in differentiating between
      aggressive and non-aggressive PCa and has the potential for translational
      application in the clinic.

PMID- 27279912
TI  - Gas6/Axl Axis Contributes to Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Breast Cancer
      through Akt/GSK-3beta/beta-catenin Signaling.
AB  - Chemoresistance in breast cancer has been of great interest in past studies.
      However, the development of rational therapeutic strategies targeting
      chemoresistant cells is still a challenge in clinical oncology. By integrating
      data from global differences of gene expression and phospho-receptor tyrosine
      kinases between sensitive parental cells (MCF-7) and doxorubicin-resistant cells
      (MCF-7/ADR), we identified Axl as a potential target for chemoresistance and
      metastasis in multidrug resistant breast cancer cells. We analyzed Axl expression
      in 57 breast cancer cell lines and detected a dramatic increase in its expression
      level in mesenchymal breast cancer cell lines. Axl silencing suppressed invasive
      and metastatic potentials of chemoresistant breast cancer cells as well as
      increased elimination of cancer cells when combined with doxorubicin.
      Furthermore, in preclinical assays, an Axl inhibitor R428 showed increased cell
      death upon doxorubicin treatment. Additionally, using phospho-kinase array based
      proteomic analysis, we identified that Akt/GSK-3beta/beta-catenin cascade was
      responsible for Axl-induced cell invasion. Nuclear translocation of beta-catenin
      then induced transcriptional upregulation of ZEB1, which in turn regulated DNA
      damage repair and doxorubicin-resistance in breast cancer cells. Most
      importantly, Axl was correlated with its downstream targets in tumor samples and
      was associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. These results
      demonstrate that Gas6/Axl axis confers aggressiveness in breast cancer and may
      represent a therapeutic target for chemoresistance and metastasis.

PMID- 27279913
TI  - (18)F-DPA-714 PET Imaging for Detecting Neuroinflammation in Rats with Chronic
      Hepatic Encephalopathy.
AB  - Neuroinflammation is considered to be the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy
      (HE), and imaging neuroinflammation is implicated in HE management. (11)C
      PK11195, a typical translocator protein (TSPO) radiotracer, is used for imaging
      neuroinflammation. However, it has inherent limitations, such as short half-life
      and limited availability. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the
      efficiency of new generation TSPO radiotracer, (18)F-DPA-714, in detecting and
      monitoring neuroinflammation of chronic HE. This study was divided into two
      parts. The first part compared (18)F-DPA-714 and (11)C-PK11195 radiotracers in
      ten HE induced rats [bile duct ligation (BDL) and fed hyperammonemic diet (HD)]
      and 6 control rats. The animal subjects underwent dynamic positron emission
      tomography (PET) during 2-day intervals. The (11)C-PK11195 PET study showed no
      differences in whole brain average percent injected dose per gram (%ID/g) values
      at all time points (all P>0.05), while the (18)F-DPA-714 PET study showed higher
      whole brain average %ID/g values in HE rats compared to control group rats at 900
      s to 3300 s after injecting radiotracer (all P<0.05). The second part of the
      study evaluated the effectiveness of ibuprofen (IBU) treatment to chronic HE.
      Forty rats were classified into six groups, including Sham+normal saline (NS),
      Sham+IBU, BDL+NS, BDL+HD+NS, BDL+IBU, and BDL+HD+IBU groups. (18)F-DPA-714 PET
      was used to image neuroinflammation. Whole and regional brain average %ID/g
      values, neurological features, inflammatory factors and activated microglia
      showed better in the IBU groups than in the NS groups (all P<0.05) and no
      difference was seen in the Sham groups compared to IBU groups (all P>0.05). In
      conclusion, this study demonstrated that (18)F-DPA-714 is an ideal TPSO
      radiotracer for imaging neuroinflammation and monitoring anti-neuroinflammation
      treatment efficacy of chronic HE.

PMID- 27279914
TI  - Adaptive and Acquired Resistance to EGFR Inhibitors Converge on the MAPK Pathway.
AB  - Both adaptive and acquired resistance significantly limits the efficacy of the
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors. However, the distinct
      or common mechanisms of adaptive and acquired resistance have not been fully
      characterized. Here, through systematic modeling of erlotinib resistance in lung
      cancer, we found that feedback reactivation of MAPK signaling following erlotinib
      treatment, which was dependent on the MET receptor, contributed to the adaptive
      resistance of EGFR inhibitors. Interestingly, acquired resistance to erlotinib
      was also associated with the MAPK pathway activation as a result of CRAF or NRAS
      amplification. Consequently, combined inhibition of EGFR and MAPK impeded the
      development of both adaptive and acquired resistance. These observations
      demonstrate that adaptive and acquired resistance to EGFR inhibitors can converge
      on the same pathway and credential cotargeting EGFR and MAPK as a promising
      therapeutic approach in EGFR mutant tumors.

PMID- 27279915
TI  - Mitochondrial Transplantation Attenuates Airway Hyperresponsiveness by Inhibition
      of Cholinergic Hyperactivity.
AB  - Increased cholinergic activity has been highlighted in the pathogenesis of airway
      hyperresponsiveness, and alternations of mitochondrial structure and function
      appear to be involved in many lung diseases including airway hyperresponsiveness.
      It is crucial to clarify the cause-effect association between mitochondrial
      dysfunction and cholinergic hyperactivity in the pathogenesis of airway
      hyperresponsiveness. Male SD rats and cultured airway epithelial cells were
      exposed to cigarette smoke plus lipopolysaccharide administration; mitochondria
      isolated from airway epithelium were delivered into epithelial cells in vitro and
      in vivo. Both the cigarette smoke plus lipopolysaccharide-induced cholinergic
      hyperactivity in vitro and the airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine in
      vivo were reversed by the transplantation of exogenous mitochondria. The rescue
      effects of exogenous mitochondria were imitated by the elimination of excessive
      reactive oxygen species or blockage of muscarinic M3 receptor, but inhibited by M
      receptor enhancer. Mitochondrial transplantation effectively attenuates cigarette
      smoke plus lipopolysaccharide-stimulated airway hyperresponsiveness through the
      inhibition of ROS-enhanced epithelial cholinergic hyperactivity.

PMID- 27279917
TI  - Coming full circle - introducing the Multinational Time Use Study Simple File.

PMID- 27279916
TI  - HER2 Targeting Peptides Screening and Applications in Tumor Imaging and Drug
      Delivery.
AB  - Herein, computational-aided one-bead-one-compound (OBOC) peptide library design
      combined with in situ single-bead sequencing microarray methods were successfully
      applied in screening peptides targeting at human epidermal growth factor receptor
      2 (HER2), a biomarker of human breast cancer. As a result, 72 novel peptides
      clustered into three sequence motifs which are PYL***NP, YYL***NP and PPL***NP
      were acquired. Particularly one of the peptides, P51, has nanomolar affinity and
      high specificity for HER2 in ex vivo and in vivo tests. Moreover, doxorubicin
      (DOX)-loaded liposome nanoparticles were modified with peptide P51 or P25 and
      demonstrated to improve the targeted delivery against HER2 positive cells. Our
      study provides an efficient peptide screening method with a combination of
      techniques and the novel screened peptides with a clear binding site on HER2 can
      be used as probes for tumor imaging and targeted drug delivery.

PMID- 27279921
TI  - Peripheral blood methylation profiling of female Crohn's disease patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder belonging to
      the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). CD affects distinct parts of the
      gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms including diarrhea, fever, abdominal
      pain, weight loss, and anemia. The aim of this study was to assess whether the
      DNA methylome of peripheral blood cells can be associated with CD in women.
      METHODS: Samples were obtained from 18 female patients with histologically
      confirmed ileal or ileocolic CD and 25 healthy age- and gender-matched controls
      (mean age and standard deviation: 30.5 +/- 6.5 years for both groups). Genome
      wide DNA methylation was determined using the Illumina HumanMethylation 450k
      BeadChip. RESULTS: Our analysis implicated 4287 differentially methylated
      positions (DMPs; corrected p < 0.05) that are associated to 2715 unique genes.
      Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment of our DMPs in
      immune response processes and inflammatory pathways. Of the 4287 DMPs, 32 DMPs
      were located on chromosome X with several hits for MIR223 and PABPC5. Comparison
      with previously performed (epi)genome-wide studies revealed that we replicated 33
      IBD-associated genes. In addition to DMPs, we found eight differentially
      methylated regions (DMRs). CONCLUSIONS: CD patients display a characteristic DNA
      methylation landscape, with the differentially methylated genes being implicated
      in immune response. Additionally, DMPs were found on chromosome X suggesting X
      linked manifestations of CD that could be associated with female-specific
      symptoms.

PMID- 27279922
TI  - Validity and Reliability of the Attachment Insecurity Screening Inventory (AISI)
      2-5 Years.
AB  - The Attachment Insecurity Screening Inventory (AISI) 2-5 years is a parent-report
      questionnaire for assessing attachment insecurity in preschoolers. Validity and
      reliability of the AISI 2-5 years were examined in a general sample (n = 429) and
      in a clinical sample (n = 71). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed a
      three-factor model of avoidant, ambivalent/resistant and disorganized attachment,
      and one higher-order factor of total attachment insecurity. Multi-group CFA
      indicated measurement invariance across mothers and fathers, and across the
      general and clinical population sample. Reliability coefficients were generally
      found to be good. We found partial support for convergent validity in
      associations between AISI-scores and observed attachment (AQS). Concurrent
      validity was supported by associations between AISI-scores and observed parental
      sensitivity (MBQS) and parent-reported psychopathology (SDQ). Finally, the AISI
      discriminated well between children from the general and from the clinical
      sample. We argue that both research and practice could benefit from the AISI as
      there is now a prospect of quickly, reliably and validly screening for attachment
      insecurity in pre-school aged children. Based on this information, help can be
      offered timely and, subsequently, the prevention of attachment related problems
      of children can be strengthened.

PMID- 27279923
TI  - Identification of eight novel SDHB, SDHC, SDHD germline variants in Danish
      pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Germline mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase complex genes SDHB,
      SDHC, and SDHD predispose to pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. Here, we
      examine the SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD mutation spectrum in the Danish population by
      screening of 143 Danish pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma patients. METHODS:
      Mutational screening was performed by Sanger sequencing or next-generation
      sequencing. The frequencies of variants of unknown clinical significance, e.g.
      intronic, missense, and synonymous variants, were determined using the Exome
      Aggregation Consortium database, while the significance of missense mutations was
      predicted by in silico and loss of heterozygosity analysis when possible.
      RESULTS: We report 18 germline variants; nine in SDHB, six in SDHC, and three in
      SDHD. Of these 18 variants, eight are novel. We classify 12 variants as likely
      pathogenic/pathogenic, one as likely benign, and five as variants of unknown
      clinical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying and classifying SDHB, SDHC, and
      SDHD variants present in the Danish population will augment the growing knowledge
      on variants in these genes and may support future clinical risk assessments.

PMID- 27279924
TI  - Myxomatous Mitral Valve with Prolapse and Flail Scallop.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myxomatous mitral valve with prolapse are classically seen with
      abnormal leaflet apposition during contraction of the heart. Hemodynamic
      disorders can result from eccentric mitral regurgitation usually caused by
      chordae tendinae rupture or papillary muscle dysfunction. Echocardiography is the
      gold standard for evaluation of leaflet flail and prolapse due to high
      sensitivity and specificity. Though most mitral valve prolapse are asymptomatic
      those that cause severe regurgitation need emergent surgical intervention to
      prevent disease progression. CASE REPORT: We report a 54 year old Hispanic male
      who presented with progressively worsening dyspnea and palpitations. Initial
      evaluation was significant for atrial fibrillation on electrocardiogram with
      subsequent echocardiography revealing myxomatous mitral valve with prolapse.
      Following surgical repair of the mitral valve, the dyspnea and palpitations
      resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve prolapse is a common valvular abnormality but
      the pathogenic cause of myxomatous valves has not been elucidated. Several
      theories describe multiple superfamilies of proteins to be involved in the
      process. Proper identification of these severe mitral regurgitation due to these
      disease valves will help relieve symptomatic mitral valve prolapse patients.

PMID- 27279925
TI  - Contrast Intravasation During Hysterosalpingography.
AB  - Hysterosalpingography is an imaging method to evaluate the endometrial and
      uterine morphology and fallopian tube patency. Contrast intravasation implies
      backflow of injected contrast into the adjoining vessels mostly the veins and may
      be related to factors altering endometrial vascularity and permeability.
      Radiologists and gynaecologists should be well acquainted with the technique of
      hysterosalpingography, its interpretation, and intravasation of contrast agents
      for safer procedure and to minimize the associated complications. 

PMID- 27279926
TI  - Use of Ultrasound Elastography in the Assessment of the Musculoskeletal System.
AB  - This article presents possible applications of ultrasound elastography in
      musculoskeletal imaging based on the available literature, as well as the
      possibility of extending indications for the use of elastography in the future.
      Ultrasound elastography (EUS) is a new method that shows structural changes in
      tissues following application of physical stress. Elastography techniques have
      been widely used to assess muscles and tendons in vitro since the early parts of
      the twentieth century. Only recently with the advent of new technology and
      creation of highly specialized ultrasound devices, has elastography gained
      widespread use in numerous applications. The authors performed a search of the
      Medline/PubMed databases for original research and reviewed publications on the
      application of ultrasound elastography for musculoskeletal imaging. All
      publications demonstrate possible uses of ultrasound elastography in examinations
      of the musculoskeletal system. The most widely studied areas include the muscles,
      tendons and rheumatic diseases. There are also reports on the employment in
      vessel imaging. The main limitation of elastography as a technique is above all
      the variability of applied pressure during imaging, which is operator-dependent.
      It would therefore be reasonable to provide clear guidelines on the technique
      applied, as well as clear indications for performing the test. It is important to
      develop methods for creating artifact-free, closed-loop, compression
      decompression cycles. The main advantages include cost-effectiveness, short
      duration of the study, non-invasive nature of the procedure, as well as a
      potentially broader clinical availability. There are no clear guidelines with
      regard to indications as well as examination techniques. Ultrasound elastography
      is a new and still poorly researched method. We conclude, however, that it can be
      widely used in the examinations of musculoskeletal system. Therefore, it is
      necessary to conduct large, multi-center studies to determine the methodology,
      indications and technique of examination. 

PMID- 27279927
TI  - Hyperdense Middle Cerebral Artery Sign Together with Pulmonary Thromboembolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign is an appearance of the middle
      cerebral artery on non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Embolic occlusion
      of the pulmonary arterial system is referred to as pulmonary embolism. When
      pulmonary embolism coexists with a patent foramen ovale, increased pressure in
      the right atrium may result in widening of the foramen and consequently, cause
      serious conditions due to paradoxical embolus. Coexistence of hyperdense middle
      cerebral artery sign and pulmonary thromboembolism is very rare in the
      literature. CASE REPORT: We presented a 60-year-old female patient who had both
      hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign and pulmonary thromboembolism.
      CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, togetherness of hyperdense MCA sign and pulmonary
      thromboembolism is extremely rare in the literature. In our case, we found both
      pulmonary embolism due to DVT and paradoxical embolism due to existing patent
      foramen ovale.

PMID- 27279928
TI  - Skin Testing for Allergic Rhinitis: A Health Technology Assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is the most common type of allergy worldwide. The
      accuracy of skin testing for allergic rhinitis is still debated. This health
      technology assessment had two objectives: to determine the diagnostic accuracy of
      skin-prick and intradermal testing in patients with suspected allergic rhinitis
      and to estimate the costs to the Ontario health system of skin testing for
      allergic rhinitis. METHODS: We searched All Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane
      Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, CRD
      Health Technology Assessment Database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
      Trials, and NHS Economic Evaluation Database for studies that evaluated the
      diagnostic accuracy of skin-prick and intradermal testing for allergic rhinitis
      using nasal provocation as the reference standard. For the clinical evidence
      review, data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the QUADAS-2
      tool. We used the bivariate random-effects model for meta-analysis. For the
      economic evidence review, we assessed studies using a modified checklist
      developed by the (United Kingdom) National Institute for Health and Care
      Excellence. We estimated the annual cost of skin testing for allergic rhinitis in
      Ontario for 2015 to 2017 using provincial data on testing volumes and costs.
      RESULTS: We meta-analyzed seven studies with a total of 430 patients that
      assessed the accuracy of skin-prick testing. The pooled pair of sensitivity and
      specificity for skin-prick testing was 85% and 77%, respectively. We did not
      perform a meta-analysis for the diagnostic accuracy of intradermal testing due to
      the small number of studies (n = 4). Of these, two evaluated the accuracy of
      intradermal testing in confirming negative skin-prick testing results, with
      sensitivity ranging from 27% to 50% and specificity ranging from 60% to 100%. The
      other two studies evaluated the accuracy of intradermal testing as a stand-alone
      tool for diagnosing allergic rhinitis, with sensitivity ranging from 60% to 79%
      and specificity ranging from 68% to 69%. We estimated the budget impact of
      continuing to publicly fund skin testing for allergic rhinitis in Ontario to be
      between $2.5 million and $3.0 million per year. CONCLUSIONS: Skin-prick testing
      is moderately accurate in identifying subjects with or without allergic rhinitis.
      The diagnostic accuracy of intradermal testing could not be well established from
      this review. Our best estimate is that publicly funding skin testing for allergic
      rhinitis costs the Ontario government approximately $2.5 million to $3.0 million
      per year.

PMID- 27279930
TI  - Tunable in-situ electro-polymerization of hydrogel films for microchip-based
      bioanalysis.
AB  - Electro-polymerization phenomena have been previously investigated at the
      macroscale in the context of producing polymeric coatings over extended surface
      areas. But electrical actuation also offers exquisite local control of the
      polymerized films' position, morphology, and thickness, suggesting compelling
      advantages in microfluidic-based analysis systems. Here, we introduce a
      microfabricated platform incorporating arrays of individually addressable on-chip
      electrodes capable of generating discretely positioned electro-polymerized
      hydrogel films inside microchannels in timescales of ~5 min. Sequential actuation
      of specific electrode pairs initiates localized propagation of anchored
      polyacrylamide gel films and permits directed control of their size, shape, and
      growth rate. In addition to precise positioning of hydrogel films, obstacles, and
      barriers within microchannel networks, our approach makes it possible to
      encapsulate macromolecules within the films during polymerization, suggesting
      utility in a host of areas including separations, sample purification, and
      immunoassays. 

PMID- 27279929
TI  - A modified random walk door-to-door recruitment strategy for collecting social
      and biological data relating to mental health, substance use, addiction, and
      violence problems in a Canadian community.
AB  - AIMS: To describe a modified "random walk" door-to-door recruitment strategy used
      to obtain a random community sample for participation in a study relating to
      mental health, substance use, addiction, and violence (MSAV) problems and
      involving the collection of both self-report and biological (hair and saliva)
      data. This paper describes study protocols, response rates for the study and for
      the provision of biological data, and possible further applications for this data
      collection method. DESIGN: A two-stage cluster sample was derived from the 2006
      Canadian census sampling frame for a small Ontario community, based on the random
      selection of city blocks as the primary sampling units and households as the
      secondary sampling units. SETTING: A small city in Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS:
      A general population sample of 92 participants selected randomly from households
      using Kish tables. MEASURES: A computerized questionnaire was administered to
      obtain self-report data on MSAV problems. Saliva was collected to study genetic
      vulnerabilities to MSAV problems, and hair was collected to examine stress levels
      (via the hormone cortisol) as they relate to MSAV problems. FINDINGS: The study
      showed a response rate of 50% and a high rate of provision of biological samples
      (over 95%). CONCLUSIONS: Modified random walk methodologies involving face-to
      face recruitment may represent a useful approach for obtaining general population
      samples for studies of MSAV problems, particularly those involving the collection
      of biological samples. Further studies are needed to assess whether this approach
      leads to better response rates and improved estimates compared to other survey
      methods used in research on substance use.

PMID- 27279931
TI  - Microfluidics made easy: A robust low-cost constant pressure flow controller for
      engineers and cell biologists.
AB  - Over the last decade, microfluidics has become increasingly popular in biology
      and bioengineering. While lab-on-a-chip fabrication costs have continued to
      decrease, the hardware required for delivering controllable fluid flows to the
      microfluidic devices themselves remains expensive and often cost prohibitive for
      researchers interested in starting a microfluidics project. Typically,
      microfluidic experiments require precise and tunable flow rates from a system
      that is simple to operate. While many labs use commercial platforms or syringe
      pumps, these solutions can cost thousands of dollars and can be cost prohibitive.
      Here, we present an inexpensive and easy-to-use constant pressure system for
      delivering flows to microfluidic devices. The controller costs less than half the
      price of a single syringe pump but can independently switch and deliver fluid
      through up to four separate fluidic inlets at known flow rates with significantly
      faster fluid response times. It is constructed of readily available pressure
      regulators, gauges, plastic connectors and adapters, and tubing. Flow rate is
      easily predicted and calibrated using hydraulic circuit analysis and capillary
      tubing resistors. Finally, we demonstrate the capabilities of the flow system by
      performing well-known microfluidic experiments for chemical gradient generation
      and emulsion droplet production. 

PMID- 27279932
TI  - Humidity assay for studying plant-pathogen interactions in miniature controlled
      discrete humidity environments with good throughput.
AB  - This paper reports a highly economical and accessible approach to generate
      different discrete relative humidity conditions in spatially separated wells of a
      modified multi-well plate for humidity assay of plant-pathogen interactions with
      good throughput. We demonstrated that a discrete humidity gradient could be
      formed within a few minutes and maintained over a period of a few days inside the
      device. The device consisted of a freeway channel in the top layer, multiple
      compartmented wells in the bottom layer, a water source, and a drying agent
      source. The combinational effects of evaporation, diffusion, and convection were
      synergized to establish the stable discrete humidity gradient. The device was
      employed to study visible and molecular disease phenotypes of soybean in
      responses to infection by Phytophthora sojae, an oomycete pathogen, under a set
      of humidity conditions, with two near-isogenic soybean lines, Williams and
      Williams 82, that differ for a Phytophthora resistance gene (Rps1-k). Our result
      showed that at 63% relative humidity, the transcript level of the defense gene
      GmPR1 was at minimum in the susceptible soybean line Williams and at maximal
      level in the resistant line Williams 82 following P. sojae CC5C infection. In
      addition, we investigated the effects of environmental temperature, dimensional
      and geometrical parameters, and other configurational factors on the ability of
      the device to generate miniature humidity environments. This work represents an
      exploratory effort to economically and efficiently manipulate humidity
      environments in a space-limited device and shows a great potential to facilitate
      humidity assay of plant seed germination and development, pathogen growth, and
      plant-pathogen interactions. Since the proposed device can be easily made,
      modified, and operated, it is believed that this present humidity manipulation
      technology will benefit many laboratories in the area of seed science, plant
      pathology, and plant-microbe biology, where humidity is an important factor that
      influences plant disease infection, establishment, and development. 

PMID- 27279933
TI  - Micro electrical impedance spectroscopy on a needle for ex vivo discrimination
      between human normal and cancer renal tissues.
AB  - The ex-vivo discrimination between human normal and cancer renal tissues was
      confirmed using MUEoN (micro electrical impedance spectroscopy-on-a-needle) by
      measuring and comparing the electrical impedances in the frequency domain. To
      quantify the extent of discrimination between dissimilar tissues and to determine
      the optimal frequency at which the discrimination capability is at a maximum,
      discrimination index (DI) was employed for both magnitude and phase. The highest
      values of DI for the magnitude and phase were 5.15 at 1 MHz and 3.57 at 1 kHz,
      respectively. The mean magnitude and phase measured at the optimal frequency for
      normal tissues were 5013.40 +/- 94.39 Omega and -68.54 +/- 0.72 degrees ,
      respectively; those for cancer tissues were 4165.19 +/- 70.32 Omega and -64.10 +/
      0.52 degrees , respectively. A statistically significant difference (p< 0.05)
      between the two tissues was observed at all the investigated frequencies. To
      extract the electrical properties (resistance and capacitance) of these bio
      tissues through curve fitting with experimental results, an equivalent circuit
      was proposed based on the MUEoN structure on the condition that the MUEoN was
      immersed in the bio-tissues. The average and standard deviation of the extracted
      resistance and capacitance for the normal tissues were 6.22 +/- 0.24 kOmega and
      280.21 +/- 32.25 pF, respectively, and those for the cancer tissues were 5.45 +/-
      0.22 kOmega and 376.32 +/- 34.14 pF, respectively. The electrical impedance was
      higher in the normal tissues compared with the cancer tissues. The MUEoN could
      clearly discriminate between normal and cancer tissues by comparing the results
      at the optimal frequency (magnitude and phase) and those of the curve fitting
      (extracted resistance and capacitance). 

PMID- 27279934
TI  - Enhancement of continuous-flow separation of viable/nonviable yeast cells using a
      nonuniform alternating current electric field with complex spatial distribution.
AB  - The variability in cell response to AC electric fields is selective enough to
      separate not only the cell types but also the activation states of similar cells.
      In this work, we use dielectrophoresis (DEP), which exploits the differences in
      the dielectric properties of cells, to separate nonviable and viable cells. A
      parallel-plate DEP device consisting of a bottom face with an array of micro
      fabricated interdigitated electrodes and a top face with a plane electrode was
      proposed to facilitate the separation of cells by creating a nonuniform electric
      field throughout the flow channel. The operation and performance of the device
      were evaluated using live and dead yeast cells as model biological particles.
      Further, numerical simulations were conducted for the cell suspensions flowing in
      a channel with a nonuniform AC electric field, modeled on the basis of the
      equation of motion of particles, to characterize the separation efficiency by
      changing the frequency of applied AC voltage. Results demonstrated that dead
      cells traveling through the channel were focused onto a site around the minimum
      electric field gradient in the middle of the flow stream, while live cells were
      trapped on the bottom face. Cells were thus successfully separated under the
      appropriately tuned frequency of 1 MHz. Predictions showed good agreement with
      the observation. The proposed DEP device provides a new approach to, for
      instance, hematological analysis or the separation of different cancer cells for
      application in circulating tumor cell identification. 

PMID- 27279935
TI  - A dual-core double emulsion platform for osmolarity-controlled microreactor
      triggered by coalescence of encapsulated droplets.
AB  - Droplet-based microfluidics has provided a means to generate multi-core double
      emulsions, which are versatile platforms for microreactors in materials science,
      synthetic biology, and chemical engineering. To provide new opportunities for
      double emulsion platforms, here, we report a glass capillary microfluidic
      approach to first fabricate osmolarity-responsive Water-in-Oil-in-Water (W/O/W)
      double emulsion containing two different inner droplets/cores and to then trigger
      the coalescence between the encapsulated droplets precisely. To achieve this, we
      independently control the swelling speed and size of each droplet in the dual
      core double emulsion by controlling the osmotic pressure between the inner
      droplets and the collection solutions. When the inner two droplets in one W/O/W
      double emulsion swell to the same size and reach the instability of the oil film
      interface between the inner droplets, core-coalescence happens and this
      coalescence process can be controlled precisely. This microfluidic methodology
      enables the generation of highly monodisperse dual-core double emulsions and the
      osmolarity-controlled swelling behavior provides new stimuli to trigger the
      coalescence between the encapsulated droplets. Such swelling-caused core
      coalescence behavior in dual-core double emulsion establishes a novel
      microreactor for nanoliter-scale reactions, which can protect reaction materials
      and products from being contaminated or released. 

PMID- 27279936
TI  - DNA hydrogel microspheres and their potential applications for protein delivery
      and live cell monitoring.
AB  - Microfluidic devices have been extensively developed as methods for microscale
      materials fabrication. It has also been adopted for polymeric microsphere
      fabrication and in situ drug encapsulation. Here, we employed multi-inlet
      microfluidic channels for DNA hydrogel microsphere formation and in situ protein
      encapsulation. The release of encapsulated proteins from DNA hydrogels showed
      different profiles accordingly with the size of microspheres. 

PMID- 27279937
TI  - [Giant cell tumor of the proximal femur treated with total hip arthroplasty].

PMID- 27279938
TI  - [Trochanteric tuberculosis, an often difficult diagnosis].
AB  - Trochanteric tuberculosis is a rare disease (<2% of osteoarticular tuberculosis),
      even in high-endemic countries. It is characterized by insidious symptoms. For
      this reason, diagnosis is often delayed. The authors report a series of 9 cases,
      the diagnosis was made by bacteriological and histological examinations after
      imaging assessment (ultrasound, MRI, CT scan). The treatment of this disease is
      medical (anti-tuberculous antibiotic). Surgical treatment is usually reserved for
      complications and improves disease progression. 

PMID- 27279939
TI  - [Predictors of malignancy in the management of parotid tumors: about 76 cases].
AB  - Salivary gland tumor pathology is complex and poses a diagnostic and therapeutic
      problem. A good analysis of predictive factors for malignancy in parotid tumors
      seems currently necessary for better therapeutic planning. The aim of this study
      was to investigate the predictive factors for malignancy in parotid tumors
      through a retrospective study of 76 cases of parotid tumor treated in a service
      of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico Facial Surgery of Avicenne military hospital
      of Marrakech between January 2000 and December 2012. The study involved 40 women
      and 36 men. The average age was 44 years for benign tumours whereas it was 50
      years for malignant tumours. The median of consultation time was 24 months for
      benign tumors and 16 month for malignant tumours. Swelling in the area of the
      parotid was always a patient detecting sign. Malignancy is clinically suspected
      based on pain, facial paralysis, surface structure and deeper structure fixity
      and on the presence of adenopathy. MRI has become the methodology of choice for
      evaluating parotid tumors due to its good diagnostic value in the assessment of
      benignity and malignancy. Fine needle aspiration biopsy has no value unless it is
      positive. Explorative parotidectomy with extemporaneous anatomopathological
      examination remains the key to positive diagnosis. Parotid benign tumors
      represent the most frequent entity (80%) and pleomorphic adenoma remains the
      predominant histologic type (61%). With regard to malignant tumors, they are
      rare, mainly dominated by mucoepidermoid carcinomas (6,5%). Surgical treatment is
      the first choice and it is often associated with lymph node dissection and
      radiation therapy for malignant tumors. Facial paralysis is the most common
      complication of parotid surgery. 

PMID- 27279941
TI  - [Frequency and Maternals risk factors of foetal intra uterin death at Kamina,
      Democratic Republic of Congo].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Fetal intrauterine death constitutes a frequent problem in
      obstetric practice. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency
      and to identify risk factors of fetal death at Reference General Hospital of
      Kamina. METHODS: The study was done in two times. First, a cross-sectional
      descriptive study of 379 deliveries which allowed to determine the frequency of
      fetal death. Then, the determination of risk factors was made using a case
      control study in which the characteristics of 53 fetal deaths were compared to
      106 controls constituted of live births. RESULTS: The fetal intrauterine death's
      frequency at Reference General Hospital of Kamina was at 13,98%. After
      adjustment, maternal age over 35 years (OR = 6,23; IC= (1,30-29,80)), antecedent
      of fetal intrauterine death (OR = 3,13; IC= (1,06-9,27)) and diseases during
      pregnancy (OR = 31,6, IC= [7,66-130,71]) have been identified as factors
      significantly associated with increased occurrence fetal death. The high maternal
      education (OR = 0,11; IC= (0,03-0,42)) and Kamina's residency (OR = 0,23; IC=
      (0,08-0,62)) decreased this risk. CONCLUSION: The frequency of fetal death was
      13,9%. The advanced maternal age, the history of fetal death and disease during
      pregnancy was associated with fetal intra uterin death but the high maternal
      instruction and the Kamina residence reduced the risk. The monitoring of at-risk
      pregnant, screening and the treatment of diseases during pregnancy are necessary
      in view of reducing prevalence of fetal death in our midst.

PMID- 27279940
TI  - Determination of dichlorvos residue levels in vegetables sold in Lusaka, Zambia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Small scale and large scale farmers around Lusaka, the capital city
      of Zambia grow vegetables using intensive agriculture methods to satisfy the ever
      increasing demand. To ensure maximum yield they apply various types of pesticides
      to control pests and diseases that attack these vegetables. Organophosphate
      pesticides are widely used in agriculture for the control of various insect pests
      mainly in developing countries. The purpose of the study was to determine the
      residual levels of the most commonly used organophosphate, 2, 2-Dichlorovinyl
      dimethyl phosphate, in three commonestvegetables supplied at various markets
      around Lusaka. METHODS: Samples of 9 bunches of rape, 14 bunches lettuce and 15
      rolls cabbage were randomly picked from several study sites around Lusaka. The
      vegetables were chopped into small pieces which were chemically treated to get
      methanol extracts. The extracts were then dissolved in an appropriate solvent and
      using Shimadzu High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Ultra-violet detector (HPLC
      UV) levels of 2, 2-Dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate were determined. RESULTS: The
      analysis showed that the average levels of dichlorvos were significantly above
      the maximum accepted limit as set by Zambian Food and Drugs Act on vegetables.
      CONCLUSION: Locally grown vegetables from around Lusaka have higher than maximum
      acceptable limits. This may have implications on human health as the cumulative
      effect of organophosphates in human body has potential to cause long term health
      problems.

PMID- 27279942
TI  - The first cardioverter defibrillator implanted in Central Africa.
AB  - Sudden cardiac deaths, which account for approximately 350 000 deaths each year,
      is a major health care problem. Antiarrhythmic drugs have not been reliable in
      preventing sudden cardiac death. Although beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting
      enzyme inhibitors, and revascularization play a role in prevention of sudden
      cardiac death, the development and subsequent refinement of the implantable
      cardioverter-defibrillator has made the most important contribution to its
      management. We report the first documented implantation of a cardioverter
      defibrillator in central, eastern and western Africa. 

PMID- 27279943
TI  - Analysis of Culex and Aedes mosquitoes in southwestern Nigeria revealed no West
      Nile virus activity.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Amplification and transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) by
      mosquitoes are driven by presence and number of viraemic/susceptible avian hosts.
      METHODS: In order to predict risk of WNV infection to humans, we collected
      mosquitoes from horse stables in Lagos and Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. The
      mosquitoes were sorted and tested in pools with real-time RT-PCR to detect WNV
      (or flavivirus) RNA using WNV-specific primers and probes, as well as, pan
      flavivirus-specific primers in two-step real-time RT-PCR. Minimum infection rate
      (MIR) was used to estimate mosquito infection rate. RESULTS: Only two genera of
      mosquitoes were caught (Culex, 98.9% and Aedes, 1.0%) totalling 4,112 females.
      None of the 424 mosquito pools tested was positive for WNV RNA; consequently the
      MIR was zero. Sequencing and BLAST analysis of amplicons detected in pan
      flavivirus primer-mediated RT-PCR gave a consensus sequence of 28S rRNA of Culex
      quinquefasciatus suggesting integration of flaviviral RNA into mosquito genome.
      CONCLUSION: While the latter finding requires further investigation, we conclude
      there was little or no risk of human infection with WNV in the study areas during
      sampling. There was predominance of Culex mosquito, a competent WNV vector,
      around horse stables in the study areas. However, mosquito surveillance needs to
      continue for prompt detection of WNV activity in mosquitoes.

PMID- 27279944
TI  - A rare case of dermatomyositis revealed during pregnancy with good outcome.
AB  - There are only few case reports in the literature documenting outcome of
      pregnancy in patients with DM in contrast with those of other connective tissue
      diseases especially when dermatomyositis is revealed during pregnancy, most of
      the publications reported a poor prognosis for both the mother and the fetus,
      yet, in our case we confirmed the results of the rare recent cases that have
      tended to show a good outcome, after the treatment with glucocorticoid and
      immunosuppressant therapy. 

PMID- 27279945
TI  - Condom use and associated factors among men who have sex with men in Togo, West
      Africa.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In 2011, the prevalence of HIV among men who have sex with men
      (MSM) in Togo was estimated at 19.6% compared to 3.4% in the general population.
      This study aimed to describe condom use and associated factors among MSM in Togo.
      METHODS: In 2011, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using the snowball
      sampling method among MSM in Togo. This study enrolled MSM aged 18 years and
      above who reported having sexual contact with other men within the last 30 days.
      A standardized survey form was used for data collection, and multivariate
      analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 724 MSM were included in this study.
      The median age was 25 years [22-28], 90.3% had at least a secondary school level.
      The sexual practices during the last sexual encounter with another man included:
      insertive anal sex (62.2%), receptive anal sex (56.6%), oral sex (33.8%) and oral
      anal sex (8.6%). A condom was used during the last insertive and receptive anal
      encounters in 78.4% and 81.2% of the time, respectively. In multivariate
      analysis, condom use was positively associated with previous participation in
      HIV/STD prevention activities (aOR=1.72; 95% CI=[1.09-2.71]), with the
      consideration of the last sexual partner as a casual one (aOR=1.87; 95% CI=[1.24
      2.82]) and with having at least a secondary school level (aOR=2.40; 95% CI=[1.22
      4.69]). CONCLUSION: One out of five MSM did not use a condom during the last anal
      encounter with another man. HIV prevention programs in Africa should develop
      specific interventions targeting MSM to reduce the incidence of HIV in this
      hidden population.

PMID- 27279946
TI  - A case of bilateral visual loss after spinal cord surgery.
AB  - Visual loss is a rare but potentially devastating postoperative complication of
      prone spinal surgery with a reported incidence of 0.017 to 0.1 percent. We
      present a case of post-operative bilateral visual loss in a patient who had a
      laminectomy in prone position under general anesthesia. A 17-year-old male
      patient with large syringomyelia extending from C2 - T2 level had a surgical
      procedure done under general anesthesia (GA) in prone position that lasted four
      hours. After the surgical procedure, the patient presented to the Ophthalmology
      Clinic of Princess Marina Hospital, with a complaint of visual loss of the right
      eye followed by left, of one week duration. The patient never had a visual
      impairment in the past. Physical examination, fundal examination and CT scan
      revealed no primary cause for the visual loss. In this patient the absence of any
      finding in the optic disc and the retina and the normal CT scan, suggests that
      the most likely diagnosis is posterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The patient was
      treated with prednisolone tablet daily and showed mild improvement in vision. 

PMID- 27279947
TI  - Cerebral venous thrombosis revealing an ulcerative colitis.
AB  - Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has been reported as an uncommon and devastating
      complication of ulcerative colitis (UC), with an annual incidence varying between
      0,5 to 6,7%. It is suspected to be a consequence of the hypercoagulable state
      occurring during disease relapse. We report a case of 22-year-old female patient
      presenting with CVT revealing an UC. Our case raises the awareness among health
      professionals about the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) as a rare etiology of
      CVT, and signifies the importance of considering antithrombotic prophylaxis in
      all hospitalised IBD patients, especially those with active disease. 

PMID- 27279948
TI  - End of the Ebola virus outbreak: time to reinforce the African health system and
      improve preparedness capacity.

PMID- 27279949
TI  - [An original revealing mode of sarcoidosis: Sweet's syndrome].
AB  - Sweet's syndrome is a neutrophilic dermatosis which usually presents as an
      idiopathic disorder. The combination of Sweet's syndrome and sarcoidosis is rare.
      We report the clinical case of a Sweet's syndrome revealing sarcoidosis. 

PMID- 27279950
TI  - [Postoperative necrotizing fasciitis: a rare and fatal complication].
AB  - Postoperative parietal complications can be exceptionally severe and serious
      threatening vital prognosis. Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare infection of the
      skin and deep subcutaneous tissues, spreading along fascia and adipose tissue. It
      is mainly caused by group A streptococcus (streptococcus pyogenes) but also by
      other bacteria such as Vibrio vulnificus, Clostridium perfringens or Bacteroides
      fragilis. Necrotizing fasciitis is a real surgical and medical emergency. We
      report, in this study, a very rare case of abdominal parietal gangrene occurring
      in a 75-year-old woman on the fifth day after surgery for an ovarian cyst.
      Evolution was marked by occurrence of a refractory septic shock with a rapidly
      fatal course on the third day of management. 

PMID- 27279951
TI  - [Post-traumatic rupture of a liver hydatid cyst into the peritoneal cavity].

PMID- 27279952
TI  - Perceptions and uptake of health insurance for maternal care in rural Kenya: a
      cross sectional study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In Kenya, maternal and child health accounts for a large proportion
      of the expenditures made towards healthcare. It is estimated that one in every
      five Kenyans has some form of health insurance. Availability of health insurance
      may protect families from catastrophic spending on health. The study intended to
      determine the factors affecting the uptake of health insurance among pregnant
      women in a rural Kenyan district. METHODS: This was cross-sectional study that
      sampled 139 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at a level 5 hospital
      in a Kenyan district. The information was collected through a pretested interview
      schedule. RESULTS: The median age of the study participants was 28 years. Out of
      the 139 respondents, 86(62%) planned to pay for their deliveries through
      insurance. There was a significant relationship between insurance uptake and
      marital status Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 6.4(1.4-28.8). Those with tertiary
      education were more likely to take up insurance AOR 5.1 (1.3-19.2). Knowing the
      benefits of insurance and the limits the insurance would settle in claims was
      associated with an increase in the uptake of insurance AOR 7.6(2.3-25.1), AOR
      6.4(1.5-28.3) respectively. Monthly income and number of children did not affect
      insurance uptake. RESULTS: Being married, tertiary education and having some
      knowledge on how insurance premiums are paid are associated with uptake of
      medical insurance. Information generated from this study if utilized will bring a
      better understanding as to why insurance coverage may be low and may provide a
      basis for policy changes among the insurance companies to increase the uptake.

PMID- 27279953
TI  - [Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in children: about two cases].
AB  - Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in children is a severe form of tuberculosis,
      which remains a major health problem especially in developing countries. We
      report the case of two children treated, during our training, for multidrug
      resistant tuberculosis and put on second-line regimen. 

PMID- 27279954
TI  - [Knee chondromatosis complicated by secondary genu valgum with common peroneal
      nerve compression].

PMID- 27279955
TI  - The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Nigerian children prior to
      vaccine introduction into the National Programme on Immunization schedule.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major global health problem of
      public health importance. In a bid to control the infection, the Nigerian
      government in 2004 introduced hepatitis B vaccine into the National Program on
      Immunization. There are no studies on the prevalence of hepatitis B in adolescent
      prior to 2004. The study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence and
      predictors of viral Hepatitis B in Nigerian children aged 11-19 years. METHODS: A
      cross sectional analytical study was conducted in July 2014. Multi-staged
      sampling technique was used to select 749 children from six secondary schools in
      Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Ethical clearance was obtained from the
      Cross River State Medical Ethical Committee. A validated structured interviewer
      administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from participants
      following parental consent. Blood samples were obtained for qualitative detection
      of HBsAg using rapid chromatographic immunoassays with test kits from ABON
      (China) having sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of >99%, 97% and 98.5%
      respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.2. RESULTS: Nine of the749
      students screened were positive for HBsAg giving an overall prevalence of 1.2%.
      The sex specific prevalence was 0.8% for males and 1.8% for females. After
      multivariate analysis, age was the predictor of hepatitis B infection (OR 3.92;
      95% CI 1.22-12.63; p-value 0.02). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBV infection was
      low. Despite the low prevalence, the introduction of the vaccine is justifiable
      in view of the public health importance of the infection.

PMID- 27279956
TI  - [Iodine concentration in cooking salt consumed in Lubumbashi and the iodine
      status of vulnerable people: case study of pregnant women living in
      underprivileged areas].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Consumption of low iodine salt can cause different types of
      disorders associated with iodine deficiency. This study aims to determine iodine
      content in table salt consumed in Lubumbashi and iodine status of pregnant women
      who are the main target of iodine deficiency. METHODS: aAdescriptive cross
      sectional study was devoted to an iodometric iodine analysis of 739 salt samples
      collected from the households and the markets of Lubumbashi in 2014. Previously,
      urinary iodine concentrations were determined in 225 pregnant women received for
      consultation from 15 March 2009 to 25 April 2011 by mineralization technique
      using ammonium persulphate. RESULTS: Our survey found that 47.5% of the cooking
      salt samples were adequately iodized (from 15 to 40 ppm), 36,9% of the samples
      had low iodine levels, 7,4% of the samples had too much iodine and 8,1% of the
      samples were not iodized. Iodine concentration in the analyzed cooking salt
      reached an overall average of 54,9%, being clearly below the WHO Standards (90%).
      By measuring urinary iodine concentration of pregnant women, iodine deficiency
      (urinary iodine <150 ug/l) was observed in 52%. CONCLUSION: The low availability
      of iodine from consumed salt in Lubumbashi could be responsible for a large
      proportion of the observed iodine deficiency in pregnant women, exposing them to
      the major risks for disorders associated with iodine deficiency.

PMID- 27279957
TI  - [Small cell bronchial carcinoma and pregnancy: about a case with review of the
      literature].
AB  - Bronchopulmonary cancer (CBP) in pregnant woman is a rare entity with a poor
      outcome. This situation is becoming increasingly common, due to the increase in
      smoking among women. Transplacental transmission of tumor associated with fetal
      damage is described especially among untreated women. Treatment is
      multidisciplinary and it is not well codified. We report the case of a 23 year
      old patient with small cell bronchial carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy. She
      had received chemotherapy during pregnancy and it was well tolerated.
      Radiological evaluation objectified a stabilization of the pulmonary process. The
      treatment was completed with concomitant radiochemotherapy after delivery. 

PMID- 27279958
TI  - [Postcoital bleeding: 68 case-reports and review of the literature].
AB  - Consensual or imposed sexual act can cause traumas. Post coital bleeding is a
      common gynecological symptom. It can reveal serious problems. The aim of our
      study is to analyze the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic profile as
      well as preventive measures in case of post coital tear. This is a prospective
      study, over two years, conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
      at the Center Hospital University Mohammad VI (CHU) in Marrakech. We collected 68
      patients. The average age was 27 years. Most of the patients were nulliparous
      (89.7% of the cases). Half of the patients had traditional wedding. Sexual
      intercourse was consensual in 74% of the cases. Vaginal bleeding was the most
      frequent reason for consultation (98% of the cases). Hymenal lesions were found
      in 39% of the cases and the lesion involved the posterior fornix of the vagina in
      35% of the cases. Therapeutic management consisted of a surgical suture in 97% of
      the cases, associated with blood transfusion in two patients and sexual
      abstinence of all patients for at least two weeks. The social context as well as
      the lack of sex education were often highlighted, hence the importance of
      psychological support to prevent both the impact of traumas on sexuality and the
      recurrences. 

PMID- 27279959
TI  - Avulsion of the tuberosity of the calcaneus, an unusual injurie: case report.

PMID- 27279960
TI  - [A rare mode of revelation of Wegener's granulomatosis: myocarditis associated
      with a fibroblastic endocarditis].
AB  - We report, through this observation, a rare case of Wegener's disease revealed by
      myocarditis associated with fibroblastic endocarditis. The patient was initially
      admitted to hospital with global heart failure. The ECG showed atrial flutter
      rhythm disorder. Echocardiographic examination revealed non-dilated left
      ventricle with severe dysfunction and positive troponin dosage. Severe renal
      failure was discovered fortuitously and required hemodialysis. It was associated
      with an inflammatory anaemia confirmed by serum ferritin and myelogram. c-ANCA
      dosage was strongly positive, confirming the diagnosis. Chest CT scanning
      objectified right basal pneumonia. After starting appropriate treatment,
      including corticotherapy and immunosuppressive treatment, evolution was favorable
      with the normalization of left ventricular systolic function. Although obvious
      clinical cardiac events are rare, cardiac involvement in Wegener's disease is
      described, requiring rapid diagnostic orientation and rigorous knowledge of this
      serious disease. 

PMID- 27279961
TI  - Trend in mortality from a recent measles outbreak in Cameroon: a retrospective
      analysis of 223 measles cases in the Benakuma Health District.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Measles is a highly contagious viral infection with high mortality
      in poorly vaccinated regions. We sought to establish the trend in mortality and
      the factors that favoured the recent measles outbreak that occurred in Benakuma,
      in the North west region of Cameroon from the 21/06/2015 to 26/09/2015. METHODS:
      We carried out a retrospective register analysis of 223 measles cases. Time
      trends were established using the Mann-Kendall test while survival was assessed
      using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log rank test for comparisons.
      RESULTS: We had a case fatality of 8.5% and the mortality decreased significantly
      (p = 0.01) after the following public health interventions were instituted:
      community sensitisation and education; outbreak response immunisation and the use
      of a clinician in controlling the outbreak. Furthermore, the number of cases (p <
      0.01) and the duration from onset of illness to consultation at a health facility
      (p < 0.01) decreased significantly after the institution of the aforementioned
      interventions. Also, survival during the outbreak was better in females (p =
      0.02) and in those treated in health facilities (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The poor
      vaccination status in Benakuma coupled with negative cultural beliefs; poor
      socioeconomic and environmental factors and inadequate public health policies
      predisposed the region to a measles outbreak and favoured the spread of the
      virus. Public health policies should be revisited, modified and intensified to
      scale up vaccination coverage in measles endemic zones in Cameroon to help
      eliminate the disease and facilitate the overall attainment of the Sustainable
      Development Goals.

PMID- 27279962
TI  - [Factors associated with cephalic load carriage in children in Benin: cross
      sectional study].

PMID- 27279963
TI  - [Trans-scapholunate dislocation associated with a vertical fracture-dislocation
      of the pyramid: a very rare case].

PMID- 27279964
TI  - [Infectious profile and mortality of children aged 0-5 years admitted with severe
      acute malnutrition: a retrospective cohort study conducted in the Therapeutic
      Nutritional Center in Bukavu, Republic of Congo].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition is a backdrop on which several infections are grafted.
      The aim of this study is to determine the most lethal infections, the median
      length of stay and the median daily weight gain of malnourished children. METHOD:
      A retrospective cohort study of malnutrition in children aged 0-59 months
      hospitalized in the Therapeutic Nutritional Center in Bukavu from 1 January 2011
      to 31 December 2013. The evaluation of the risk of deaths related to infectious
      complication was made measuring the relative risk. Mann-Whitney test was used for
      comparing the medians. Adjusted odd ratios using logistic regression and 95%
      confidence interval for the risk of mortality were given for each infectious
      cause. RESULTS: A total of 574 children were included in the study. Five hundred
      twenty-one (90.8%) children were cured, 10 (1.7%) had discontinued treatment and
      43 (7.5%) had died. The median length of stay was 19 (13-26) days and the median
      daily weight gain was 7 (3-13) g/kg/j. There was a statistically significant
      association between mortality and sepsis/septic shock (p = 0.0004), meningitis (p
      = 0.00001) and HIV infection (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: A better management of acute
      malnutrition in our region should be based on the establishment of specialized
      and well equipped units for the treatment of malnutrition associated with severe
      infections.

PMID- 27279965
TI  - Trend of invasive pneumococal disease (IPD) in a South Western, Nigerian
      hospital.
AB  - The recent introduction of the Heptavalent-pneumococcal vaccine (PCV-7) by
      private pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria, has generated interest in invasive
      bacterial diseases particularly IPD. Our objective in this study is to
      investigate the trend and occurrence rate of IPD in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Suspected
      IPD cases were assessed from Jan 2010 to Dec 2010 for demographic and
      Microbiological characteristics. Bacterial isolations and antibiotics
      susceptibility testing followed standard bacteriological procedure. Overall 471
      cases of probable IPD was assessed, with 21(4.5%) cases of suspected pneumonia,
      109(23.1%) cases of suspected meningitis, and 341(72.4%) cases of suspected
      septicaemia. Confirmed IPD cases were 9 with 2 cases of meningitis, 3 cases of
      septicaemia and 4 cases of pneumonia. Age range distribution showed, high
      distribution of IPD cases among children >1 with 5(55.6%) there was a
      statistically significant difference in gender p< 0.05 (X2 test) with females
      recording a higher occurrence than males. We conclude by advocating for better
      detection methods against IPD meningitis cases, and continuous surveillance into
      the serotypes of streptococcus pneumonia as well inclusion of the PCV vaccine
      into our childhood immunization program. 

PMID- 27279966
TI  - [A retrospective study on the incidence of chronic renal failure in the
      Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology at University Hospital of
      Antananarivo (the capital city of Madagascar)].
AB  - Chronic renal failure is a global public health problem. In developed countries,
      this disease occurs mainly in the elderly, but in Africa it rather affects active
      young subjects. This disease need for expensive treatments in a low income
      country, because of its costs. Our aim is to describe the epidemiology of new
      cases of chronic renal failure in Madagascar. This is a retrospective,
      descriptive study of 239 patients with chronic renal failure over a 3 year
      period, starting from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2009, in the Department of
      Internal Medicine and Nephrology at University Hospital of Antananarivo. The
      incidence was 8.51% among patients hospitalized in the Department. The average
      age of patients was 45.4 years with extremes of 16 and 82 years and a sex ratio
      1,46. The main antecedent was arterial hypertension (59.8%). Chronic renal
      failure was terminal in 75.31% of the cases (n=180). The causes of chronic renal
      failure were dominated by chronic glomerulonephritis (40.1%),
      nephroangiosclerosis (35.5%). Hemodialysis was performed in 3 patients (1.26%),
      no patient was scheduled for a renal transplantation. Mortality rate in the
      Department was 28.87%. Chronic renal failure is a debilitating disease with a
      dreadful prognosis which affects young patients in Madagascar. Its treatment
      remains inaccessible to the majority of patients. The focus must be mainly on
      prevention, especially on early effective management of infections, arterial
      hypertension and diabetes to reduce its negative impacts on the community and
      public health. The project on renal transplantation: living donor, effective and
      less expensive treatment compared to hemodialysis could also be a good solution
      for these Malagasy young subjects. 

PMID- 27279967
TI  - [Synchronous bilateral breast cancer and pregnancy: about 3 cases at Joliot Curie
      institute of Dakar (Senegal)].
AB  - To describe our diagnostic and therapeutic strategy against synchronous,
      bilateral breast cancer during the pregnancy. Gestational age at diagnosis of
      cancer was 7; 21 and 25 weeks respectively. Patients had stage IV and IIIA of
      breast cancer in two and one case respectively. They all received chemotherapy,
      two cases during pregnancy (6TEC and 3AC) and one case after delivery. Bilateral
      mastectomy was performed in one case. One patient died. The others were alive but
      all metastatic. Fetal growth restriction was noted in one case. This association
      leads to delayed diagnosis of cancer. Surgery is feasible and the type of
      intervention is only determined by the cancer stage. Chemotherapy is feasible and
      is associated with less foetal complications in the last two quarters of
      pregnancy. 

PMID- 27279968
TI  - An unusual etiology of posttraumatic Collet-Sicard Syndrome: a case report.
AB  - Posttraumatic Unilateral paralysis of the last four cranial nerves (IX-XI), known
      as collet-Sicard syndrome, is rare following closed head injury. A 21-year-old
      man presented with slurred speech, hoarseness voice and difficulty swallowing his
      saliva following closed head trauma. The cranial nerve examination revealed left
      sided severe dysfunction of cranial nerves VII, IX, X, XI, and XII. A CT-Scan of
      the neck was performed demonstrating a fracture of the left styloid process at
      the base of the skull. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed unusually well seen
      lower cranial nerves due to nerve edema. The patient was managed conservatively
      with steroids and regular sessions of neuromuscular and orthophonic
      rehabilitation. The nutrition had to be administered by gastrostomy since he was
      unable to swallow. Six months after the injury a total neurological recovery was
      noted. We present the exceptional case of Collet-Sicard Syndrome caused by
      styloid process fracture. 

PMID- 27279969
TI  - [Radiotherapy for endometrial cancer: experience of the national institute of
      oncology with 52 cases].
AB  - Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer in the Western world.
      It affects mainly postmenopausal women. The aim of our study is to report the
      experience of the radiotherapy department of the National Oncology Institute
      (INO) in the treatment of endometrial cancer. We retrospectively analyzed 52
      cases of endometrial cancer treated in the INO radiotherapy department between
      2007-2009. Data obtained from the patient medical records were related to the
      epidemiologic, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of this cancer. The
      median age of the patients was 57 years, 87% were postmenopausal. The median of
      consultation time was six months. The main symptom was metrorrhagia (51
      patients). Histological diagnosis was based on biopsic curettage of uterine
      endometrium in 51% of the cases. Anatomo-pathological examination showed an
      endometrioid adenocarcinoma in 92% of the cases. After the assessment, 27% of the
      patients were stage I, 30% stage II, 20% stage III and 1% stage IVA, according to
      the International Federation of Gynecological and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage
      classification. After surgery, 51% of the patients received postoperative
      external radiotherapy. The delivered dose was 46 Gray (Gy). All patients received
      internal vaginal brachytherapy. From an evolutionary perspective, 83% of the
      patients had no recurrences during the follow-up period, 8% of patients had a
      local recurrence and 4% of patients had distant metastases. Therefore, surgery is
      the main treatment for endometrial cancer. Radiotherapy is the primary adjuvant
      treatment. 

PMID- 27279970
TI  - Evaluation of water, sanitation and hygiene program outcomes shows knowledge
      behavior gaps in Coast Province, Kenya.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Water related diseases constitute a significant proportion of the
      burden of disease in Kenya. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs are in
      operation nation-wide to address these challenges. This study evaluated the
      impact of the Sombeza Water and Sanitation Improvement Program (SWASIP) in Coast
      Province, Kenya. METHODS: This study is a cluster randomized, follow-up
      evaluation that compared baseline (2007) to follow-up (2013) indicators from 250
      households. Twenty-five villages were selected with probability proportional to
      size sampling, and ten households were selected randomly from each village.
      Follow-up data were collected by in-person interviews using pre-tested
      questionnaires, and analyzed to compare indicators collected at baseline. Cross
      sectional results from the follow-up data were also reported. RESULTS:
      Statistically significant improvements from baseline were observed in the
      proportions of respondents with latrine access at home, who washed their hands
      after defecation, who treated their household drinking water and the average time
      to collect water in the dry season. However, this study also observed significant
      decreases in the proportion of respondents who washed their hands before
      preparing their food, or feeding their children, and after attending to a child
      who has defecated. The analysis also revealed a knowledge-behavior gap in WASH
      behaviors. CONCLUSION: SWASIP contributed to improvements from baseline, but
      further progress still needs to be seen. The findings challenge the assumption
      that providing infrastructure and knowledge will result in behavior change.
      Further understanding of specific, non-knowledge predictors of WASH related
      behavior is needed.

PMID- 27279971
TI  - Inpatient healthcare provider bypassing by women and their children in urban Bo,
      Sierra Leone.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bypassing refers to a person's decision to seek care at a
      healthcare facility that is not the nearest one of its type to the person's home.
      METHODS: This study examined inpatient care facility bypassing in urban Bo,
      Sierra Leone using data from 1,980 women with children 15 years of age and
      younger who were interviewed in 2010-2011. The locations of residential
      structures and hospitals were identified using a geographic information system
      (GIS), and the road distances from participating households to the nearest and
      preferred inpatient care facilities were measured. RESULTS: Nine inpatient care
      facilities serve Bo residents, but more than 70% of the participating women
      reported that the city's main public hospital (Bo Government Hospital), located
      in the city center, was their preferred inpatient care provider. Participants
      resided within a median distance of 0.9 km (Interquartile range (IQR): 0.6, 1.8)
      from their closest inpatient facility, but they would travel a median distance of
      2.4 km (IQR: 1.0, 3.3) to reach their preferred providers. About 87% of the women
      would bypass their nearest inpatient care facility to access care at a preferred
      provider. Bypassing rates were similar for various demographic and socioeconomic
      groups, but higher for women living farther from the city center. CONCLUSION:
      Although Bo has a diverse healthcare marketplace, access to affordable advanced
      care options is limited. Most women in Bo would choose to bypass facilities
      nearer to their homes to seek the low-cost and comprehensive care offered by Bo
      Government Hospital.

PMID- 27279972
TI  - Local treatment of burns by honey is not appropriate.

PMID- 27279973
TI  - [A rare case of suppurative mesenteric adenitis associated with intussusception
      in a child: a clinical case].
AB  - Some cases of suppurative mesenteric adenitis have already been described in the
      literature but not associated with intussusception. We describe the case of a 3
      year-old boy presenting to the department of surgery at the University Hospital
      of Lubumbashi with bowel obstruction. He was visited elsewhere, in the previous
      12 days, for diarrhea, vomiting, fever, coma and treated for cerebral malaria and
      blackwater fever. Surgery revealed an ileal intussusception and a suppurative
      mesenteric adenitis whose pyoculture revealed the presence of Enterobacter
      cloacae, sensitive to norfloxacin. We performed desinvagination, sucked the pus
      out into a syringe and excized completely the site of suppurative adenitis. The
      evolution of patient was good. The clinician must know that the association
      between suppurative mesenteric adenitis and intussusceptions exists. The
      diagnosis is not easy and there is the risk of developing acute peritonitis due
      to its fistulation in the abdominal cavity. 

PMID- 27279974
TI  - [Panniculitis in patient undergoing treatment for dermatomyositis with
      methotrexate].
AB  - Panniculitis is a rare cutaneous manifestation of dermatomyositis (DM). The
      appearance of panniculitis during treatment with methotrexate (MTX) is
      exceptional and has only been described in 3 cases. We report a case of a 50-year
      old woman suffering from DM since 1997 who was treated with corticosteroids
      showing favorable clinical and biological evolution. When a relapse occurred 2
      years later, she was treated with higher-dose of corticosteroids in combination
      with a 7,5 mg weekly dose of methotrexate. The evolution was rapidly favorable.
      Eighteen months later, the patient had multiple subcutaneous nodules on limbs and
      buttocks. Anatomopathological examination showed panniculitis. There was no
      evidence supporting progression in DM. Prednisone dose was increased to 0.5
      mg/kg/day, always in combination with MTX, without any clear signs of
      improvement. MTX treatment was stopped and the cutaneous lesions completely
      disappeared in 2 months without any relapse. This objective response lasted for
      42 months. Our observation is particular given the occurrence of panniculitis in
      a patient undergoing treatment for dermatomyositis with methotrexate and
      illustrates the difficulties in the diagnosis. This entity must be known despite
      its exceptional nature since cutting off MTX treatment generally induces the
      disappearance of subcutaneous nodules. 

PMID- 27279975
TI  - [Unusual evolution of a complex bile duct injury after a laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy].
AB  - Since the advent of laparoscopic surgery of cholelithiasis the incidence rate of
      bile duct injuries has increased significantly in the literature in relation to
      the operators' learning curve. Unknown injuries can have dramatic, immediate
      consequences and progress to bile peritonitis. Moreover surgical repair of
      external biliary fistula at the stage of bile duct dilatation requires
      biliodigestive anastomosis or liver resections "reglees". 

PMID- 27279976
TI  - Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay among coagulation factor genes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Haemostasis prevents blood loss following vascular injury. It depends
      on the unique concert of events involving platelets and specific blood proteins,
      known as coagulation factors. The clotting system requires precise regulation and
      coordinated reactions to maintain the integrity of the vasculature. Clotting
      insufficiency mostly occurs due to genetically inherited coagulation factor
      deficiencies such as hemophilia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A relevant literature
      search of PubMed was performed using the keywords coagulation factors, Nonsense
      mediated mRNA decay and premature translation termination codons. Search
      limitations included English language and human-based studies. RESULTS: Mutations
      that cause premature translation termination codons probably account for one
      third of genetically inherited diseases. Transcripts bearing aberrant termination
      codons are selectively identified and eliminated by an evolutionarily conserved
      posttranscriptional pathway known as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). There
      are many pieces of evidence of decay among coagulation factor genes. However, the
      hemophilia gene (F8) does not seem to be subjected to NMD. Since the F8 gene is
      located on the X-chromosome, a connection between X-linked traits and mRNA decay
      could be assumed. CONCLUSION: Considering that not all genes go through decay,
      this review focuses on the basics of the mechanism in coagulation genes. It is
      interesting to determine whether this translation-coupled surveillance system
      represents a general rule for the genes encoding components of the same
      physiological cascade.

PMID- 27279977
TI  - Tracheal overexpression of IL-1beta, IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 mRNA in obese-asthmatic
      male Wistar rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Human and animal studies have shown a close relationship between
      obesity and asthma severity. Here, we examined the effects of diet-induced
      obesity (DIO) on the expression levels of IL-1beta, IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 mRNA in
      male Wistar rats tracheal after sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Twenty male Wistar rats divided to four groups, included, control group
      with normal diet (C+ND), OVA-sensitized group with normal diet (S+ND), control
      group with high-fat diet (C+HFD), and OVA-sensitized group with high-fat diet
      (S+HFD). All animals fed for 8 weeks with standard pelts or high-fat diet, and
      then were sensitized and challenged with OVA or saline for another 4 weeks with
      designed regimens. At the end of study, trachea isolated and examined for
      expression levels of IL-1beta, IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 mRNA with RT-PCR method.
      RESULTS: Diet-induced obesity groups developed increased weight, obesity indexes
      and lipid profiles (P<0.05 to P<0.001). The expression levels of IL-1beta mRNA in
      OVA-sensitization groups (S+ND and S+HFD) showed a significantly increased when
      compared with control group. Also in S+HFD group, expression level of TRAF-6 mRNA
      was higher than other groups (P<0.001). IRAK-1 expression level was high in S+HFD
      compared with control group.IL-1beta and TRAF-6 mRNA correlated positively with
      obesity indexes. CONCLUSION: The results showed that DIO causes overexpression of
      IL-1beta, IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 mRNA in an experimental model of asthma. Our results
      suggested that in obese-asthmatic conditions locally production and activation of
      pro-inflammatory agents can be increased. These findings showed that possible
      mechanism for obesity-asthma relationships.

PMID- 27279978
TI  - Apoptosis inducing capacity of Holothuria arenicola in CT26 colon carcinoma cells
      in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sea cucumber is one of the classes of echinoderms, which is
      considered as a health marine product and possess various biological
      characteristics with therapeutic application. The present investigation attempted
      to evaluate the potential of anti-cancer Persian Gulf sea cucumber species
      Holothuria arenicola (H. arenicola) aqueous extract on mice colon carcinoma cells
      in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT26 carcinoma cells were
      treated with various concentrations of extract in 24 and 48 hr, and then its anti
      proliferative effect was measured by MTT assay and morphological observations.
      The apoptotic effect was examined by fluorescence microscopy (DNA fragmentation
      assay), Flow cytometry, caspase-3 and -9 colorimetric assays. The in vivo anti
      tumor efficacy of sea cucumber extract on CT26 tumor cells transplanted in BALB/c
      mice was also investigated. RESULTS: The results showed that the water extract of
      sea cucumber revealed remarkable anti-proliferative effect on CT26 tumor cells
      with IC50= 31 ug/ml with recruitment of intrinsic apoptotic pathway in vitro. In
      addition, the colon tumor volume in treated groups remarkably reduced in
      homozygous mice. Histopathological examination elucidated that sea cucumber
      extract attenuated tumor size and volume along with apoptosis characteristics.
      Moreover, RT-PCR analysis revealed that sea cucumber extract induced intrinsic
      apoptosis in vivo through suppression of Bcl-2 expression. CONCLUSION: Our data
      confirmed this notion that sea cucumber administrates anti-cancer effect that can
      be used as complementary in preclinical experiments, so further characterization
      are recommended for detection sea cucumber metabolites and clinical application.

PMID- 27279979
TI  - Parental cigarette smoking, transforming growth factor-alpha gene variant and the
      risk of orofacial cleft in Iranian infants.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated the influence of genetic variation of the
      transforming growth-factor alpha (TGFA) locus on the relationship between smoking
      and oral clefts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 105 Iranian infants with
      non-syndromic cleft lip/palate and 218 controls with non-cleft birth defects were
      examined to test for associations among maternal exposures, genetic markers, and
      oral clefts. Maternal and parental smoking histories during pregnancy were
      obtained through questionnaire. DNA was extracted from newborn screening blood
      samples, and genotyping of the BamHI polymorphism in the TGFA gene was performed
      by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism
      (RFLP) methods. A number of factors including gender of the newborns, type of
      oral cleft, consanguinity of the parents, as well as the mother's age and
      education were evaluated as potential confounders and effect modifiers. RESULTS:
      Maternal smoking, in the absence of paternal smoking, was associated with an
      increased risk for CL/P (OR = 19.2, 95% CI = [(6.2-59.5)]) and cleft palate only
      (OR =48.7, 95% CI = [(8-29.3)]). If both parents smoked, risks were generally
      greater (OR = 55.6, 95% CI = [12-20.25]). Analyses for the risk of clefting from
      maternal smoking, stratified by the presence or absence of the TGFA/BamH1variant,
      revealed that the risk of clefting among the infants with the TGFA/BamH1 variant
      when their mothers smoked cigarettes was much greater than the infants who had
      non-smoker mothers (P=0.001, OR=10.4,95% CI=[3.2,33.6]). CONCLUSION: The results
      of this study indicate that first-trimester maternal smoking and infant TGFA
      locus mutations are both associated with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate
      (CL/P).

PMID- 27279980
TI  - Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on IL-17/IL-23 axis, IFN-gamma and IL-4
      expression in systemic lupus erythematosus induced mice model.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-factorial autoimmune
      disease which may be characterized by T lymphocytes dysfunctions. Th17 cells have
      been identified as new effector cells, which play an important role in the
      pathogenesis. In recent years, immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D3 has been
      noticed. In the present experiment, the effect of vitamin D3 on the expression of
      IL-17, IL-23, IL-4 and IFN-gamma were assessed in activated chromatin-induced
      mouse model for SLE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five groups of mice were included in
      this study; Group one received active chromatin +CFA + PBS; Group 2 received
      vitamin D3 starting 2 weeks before disease induction; Group 3 received vitamin D3
      (50 ng/day) starting with the disease establishment; Group 4 received non active
      chromatin +CFA + PBS; Group 5 received CFA + PBS. On day 56 splenocytes were
      isolated and gene expression of interleukin IL-17, IL-23, IL-4 and IFN-gamma were
      analyzed by Real-Time PCR method. Proteinuria and serum anti-dsDNA and Th17
      levels were measured using commercial kits. RESULTS: The results showed that IL
      17, IL-23, and IFN-gamma mRNA expression, and IL-17 titers were decreased
      remarkably and that of IL-4 increased in mice which received vitamin D3 before
      SLE induction. Administration of vitamin D3 after the establishment of SLE failed
      to affect the IL-17 or IL-23 mRNA levels. Lastly, pre-treatment of mice with
      vitamin D3 decreased the anti-ds DNA antibody titer. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      showed that vitamin D3 supplementation in lupus induced mice through modulating
      the expression rate of some inflammatory cytokines diminished the inflammatory
      conditions in SLE.

PMID- 27279981
TI  - Expression of the Mir-133 and Bcl-2 could be affected by swimming training in the
      heart of ovariectomized rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The beneficial and more potent role of exercise to prevent heart
      apoptosis in ovariectomized rats has been known. The aim of this study was to
      examine the effects of swimming training on cardiac expression of Bcl-2, and Mir
      133 levels and glycogen changes in the myocyte. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty
      animals were separated into four groups as control, sham, ovariectomy (OVX) and
      ovariectomized group with 8 weeks swimming training (OVX.E). Training effects
      were evaluated by measuring lipid profiles, Bcl-2 and Mir-133 expression levels
      in the cardiac tissue. Grafts were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase
      chain reaction for Bcl-2 mRNA and Mir-133 and by Western blot for Bcl-2 protein.
      RESULTS: Ovariectomy down-regulated Bcl-2 and Mir-133 expression levels in the
      cardiac tissue, and swimming training up-regulated their expression significantly
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that regular exercise as a physical
      replacement therapy could prevent and improve the effects of estrogen deficiency
      in the cardia.

PMID- 27279982
TI  - Assessment of oxidative stress parameters of brain-derived neurotrophic factor
      heterozygous mice in acute stress model.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Exposing to stress may be associated with increased production of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, high level of oxidative stress may
      eventually give rise to accumulation of oxidative damage and development of
      numerous neurodegenerative diseases. It has been presented that brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports neurons against various neurodegenerative
      conditions. Lately, there has been growing evidence that changes in the cerebral
      neurotrophic support and especially in the BDNF expression and its engagement
      with ROS might be important in various disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
      Hence, we aimed to investigate protective effects of BDNF against stress-induced
      oxidative damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five- to six-month-old male wild-type
      and BDNF knock-down mice were used in this study. Activities of catalase (CAT)
      and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, and the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA)
      were assessed in the cerebral homogenates of studied groups in response to acute
      restraint stress. RESULTS: Exposing to acute physiological stress led to
      significant elevation in the markers of oxidative stress in the cerebral cortexes
      of experimental groups. CONCLUSION: As BDNF-deficient mice were observed to be
      more susceptible to stress-induced oxidative damage, it can be suggested that
      there is a direct interplay between oxidative stress indicators and BDNF levels
      in the brain.

PMID- 27279983
TI  - The effect of spinally administered WIN 55,212-2, a cannabinoid agonist, on
      thermal pain sensitivity in diabetic rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes that
      leads to allodynia, impaired nerve conduction, and progressive sensory loss. The
      aim of this study was to observe the effect of a high-affinity cannabinoid
      receptors agonist, WIN 55,212-2, on thermal hyperalgesia, nerve conduction
      velocity and sciatic nerve histopathology in diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats using a single dose of streptozotocin (45
      mg/kg IP). RESULTS: Intrathecal (IT) administration of WIN55, 212-2 (1, 10, 100
      ug/10 ul, IT), produced antinociceptive effects in the hot plate test and also
      improved nerve conduction velocity (100 ug/10 ul, IT) and sciatic nerve
      histology. CONCLUSION: These data show that cannabinoids have potent
      antinociceptive effects through direct actions in the spinal dorsal horn of
      nociceptive pathway. This suggests that intrathecally administered cannabinoids
      may offer hopeful strategies for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain.

PMID- 27279984
TI  - Effect of carvacrol on various cytokines genes expression in splenocytes of
      asthmatic mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: With regard to pharmacological effects of carvacrol on the
      respiratory system, its effect on cytokines genes expression in splenocytes of
      asthmatic mice was examined in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Splenocytes
      were isolated from non-sensitized (control group), sensitized mice to ovalbumin
      (OVA) (group S), and S animals treated with dexamethasone, and three
      concentrations of carvacrol. IL-4, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta, FOXP3, and IL-17 genes
      expression were carried out in cultured splenocytes using the real-time PCR
      method. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, IFN-gamma and FOXP3 genes
      expression were significantly decreased (P<0.001 for both cases), but IL-4 and IL
      17 genes expression were significantly increased in the S group (P<0.001 and
      P<0.05, respectively). IL-4 gene expression due to treatment of all
      concentrations of carvacrol, TGF-beta gene expression due to its two higher
      concentrations, and IL-17 gene expression due to its high concentration were
      significantly decreased compared to group S (P<0.01 to P<0.001). IFN-gamma gene
      expression was significantly increased due to last carvacrol concentration (300
      ug/ml, P<0.01), and FOXP3 due to its two last concentrations (150 and 300 ug/ml,
      P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively) in treated S splenocytes. Dexamethasone
      treatment of sensitized splenocytes only showed significant inhibitory effect on
      IL-4 and TGF-beta genes expression (P<0.001 for both cases). CONCLUSION: These
      results showed the immunomodulatory effect of carvacrol indicating increased IFN
      gamma and FOXP3 but decreased IL-4, TGF-beta, and IL-17 genes expression, which
      was more selective than the effect of dexamethasone in sensitized mice
      splenocytes, which indicates its possible therapeutic value in allergy,
      autoimmunity, and infectious diseases.

PMID- 27279985
TI  - Quinazoline derivative compound (11d) as a novel angiogenesis inhibitor
      inhibiting VEGFR2 and blocking VEGFR2-mediated Akt/mTOR /p70s6k signaling
      pathway.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We previously reported a series of quinazoline derivatives as
      vascular-targeting anticancer agents. In this study, we investigated the
      mechanism underlying the anti-angiogenic activity of the quinazoline derivative
      compound 11d. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the effects of quinazoline
      derivative 11d: on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2)
      activation via VEGFR2-specific activation assay. Reverse transcription and
      immunohistochemistry were used to detect vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF), VEGFR2, and the VEGFR2-mediated Akt/mTOR/p70s6k signaling pathway in
      human umbilical vascular endothelial cells and hepatocellular carcinoma cells
      (HepG-2) after treatment with various concentrations of 11d: (0, 6.25, 12.5, and
      25 MUM) for 24 hr. RESULTS: The compound 11d: exhibited potent inhibitory
      activity against VEGFR2 with an IC50 of 5.49 MUM. This compound significantly
      downregulated VEGF, VEGFR2, and the VEGFR2-mediated Akt/mTOR/p70s6k signaling
      pathway in vitro. CONCLUSION: The mechanism underlying the anti-angiogenic
      activity of the quinazoline derivative 11d: possibly involves the inhibition of
      VEGFR2 and the downregulation of VEGF, VEGFR2, and the VEGFR2-mediated
      Akt/mTOR/p70s6k signaling pathway. Overall, the findings indicate that the
      studied class of compounds is a source of potential antiproliferative and anti
      angiogenic agents, which must be further investigated.

PMID- 27279986
TI  - Naringin ameliorates cognitive deficits in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Previous research demonstrated that diabetes is one of the leading
      causes of learning and memory deficits. Naringin, a bioflavonoid isolated from
      grapefruits and oranges, has potent protective effects on streptozotocin (STZ)
      induced diabetic rats. Recently, the effects of naringin on learning and memory
      performances were monitored in many animal models of cognitive impairment.
      However, to date, no studies have investigated the ameliorative effects of
      naringin on diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD). In this study, we
      investigated the effects of naringin, using a STZ-injected rat model and explored
      its potential mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetic rats were treated with
      naringin (100 mg/kg/d) for 7 days. The learning and memory function were assessed
      by Morris water maze test. The oxidative stress indicators [superoxide dismutase
      (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)] and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-1beta, and
      IL-6) were measured in hippocampus using corresponding commercial kits. The mRNA
      and protein levels of PPARgamma were evaluated by real time (RT)-PCR and Western
      blot analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that supplementation of naringin
      improved learning and memory performances compared with the STZ group. Moreover,
      naringin supplement dramatically increased SOD levels, reduced MDA levels, and
      alleviated TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 compared with the STZ group in the
      hippocampus. The pretreatment with naringin also significantly increased
      PPARgamma expression. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that naringin may be a
      promising therapeutic agent for improving cognitive decline in DACD.

PMID- 27279987
TI  - Inhibitory effect of clemastine on P-glycoprotein expression and function: an in
      vitro and in situ study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Transporters have an important role in pharmacokinetics of drugs.
      Inhibition or induction of drug transporters activity can affect drug absorption,
      safety, and efficacy. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is the most important membrane
      transporter that is responsible for active efflux of drugs. It is important to
      understand which drugs are substrates, inhibitors, or inducers of P-gp to
      minimize or avoid unwanted interactions. The aim of this study was to investigate
      the effects of clemastine on the expression and function of P-gp. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The effect of clemastine on P-gp function and expression was evaluated
      in vitro byrhodamine-123 (Rho123) efflux assay in Caco-2 cells and Western blot
      analysis. Rat in situ single pass intestinal permeability model was used to
      investigate the clemastine effect on digoxin Peff, as a known P-gp substrate.
      Digoxin levels in intestinal perfusates were assayed by high performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) method. RESULTS: The Caco-2 intracellular accumulation of
      Rho123 in clemastine and verapamil treated cells was 90.8 +/- 9.8 and 420.6+/
      25.4 pg/mg protein, respectively which was significantly higher than that in
      control cells (50.2+/-6.0; P<0.05). Immunoblotting results indicated that
      clemastine decreased expression of P-gp in Caco-2 cells in vitro. More over
      effective intestinal permeability (Peff) of digoxin in the presence of
      clemastine, was significantly increased compare to control group. CONCLUSION:
      Findings of our study suggested dose dependent P-gp inhibition activity for
      clemastine in vitro and in situ. Therefore co-administration of clemastine with P
      gp substrates may result in unwanted interactions and side effects.

PMID- 27279988
TI  - Evaluation of antioxidant and cytoprotective activities of Artemisia ciniformis
      extracts on PC12 cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In the current study antioxidant capacities of five different
      extracts of Artemisia ciniformis aerial parts were evaluated by cell-free
      methods. Then seven fractions of the potent extract were selected and their
      antioxidant capacity was assayed by cell free and cell based methods. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Antioxidant ability was measured using the: 2, 2-diphenyl-1
      picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test, beta-carotene bleaching (BCB)
      method and ferrous ion chelating (FIC) assay. Total phenolic contents (TPC) of
      all the samples also were determined. The cytoprotective effect of fractions was
      evaluated by measuring the viability of cells after exposure to doxorubicin
      (DOX). The mechanism of action was studied by investigating caspase-3,
      mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), the level of super-oxide dismutase (SOD)
      and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). RESULTS: Hydroethanolic extract
      exhibited a notably higher antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Among the
      fractions (A to G) of hydroethanolic extract, the highest antioxidant capacity
      was observed in the Fraction E. Moreover, 24 hr pretreatment of PC12 cells with
      fractions B, C and D decreased DOX-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, pre
      treatment of cells with fraction B resulted in significant decrease in generation
      of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase in the activity of SOD. We were
      able to demonstrate remarkable reduction in the activity of caspase-3 and
      increase in MMP in PC12 cells following pretreatment with fraction B. CONCLUSION:
      Our observations indicated that the fraction B of A. ciniformis hydroetanolic
      extract possessed protective effect on oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by
      DOX in PC12 cells.

PMID- 27279989
TI  - Brain-derived neurotrophic and immunologic factors: beneficial effects of
      riboflavin on motor disability in murine model of multiple sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In the present study, C57BL/6 female mice (n=56) were used to explore
      the neuroprotective effects of riboflavin in motor disability of experimental
      autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model of multiple sclerosis. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: The animals were assigned into 7 groups: sham-operated 1 (SO1),
      healthy mice receiving PBS (phosphate buffer saline); sham-operated 2 (SO2),
      healthy mice receiving PBS and riboflavin; sham treatment 1 (ST1), EAE mice
      receiving water; sham treatment 2 (ST2), EAE mice receiving sodium acetate
      buffer; treatment 1 (T1), EAE mice receiving interferon beta-1a (INFbeta-1a);
      treatment 2 (T2), EAE mice receiving riboflavin; treatment 3 (T3), EAE mice
      receiving INFbeta-1a and riboflavin. After EAE induction, scoring was performed
      based on clinical signs. Upon detecting score 0.5, riboflavin at 10 mg/kg of body
      weight and/or INFbeta-1a at 150 IU/g of body weight administration was started
      for two weeks. The brain and spinal cord levels of brain-derived neurotrophic
      factor (BDNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) were studied
      using real-time PCR and ELISA methods. RESULTS: BDNF expression and protein
      levels were increased in the brain and spinal cord of the T3 group compared with
      the other groups (P<0.01). IL-6 and IL-17A expressions were increased in the
      brains of the T3 and T1 groups, respectively, compared to the other groups
      (P<0.01). The daily clinical score was reduced significantly by riboflavin in
      both effector and chronic phases of the disease compared with that of the
      controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that riboflavin is capable of
      suppressing the neurological disability mediated by BDNF and IL-6.

PMID- 27279990
TI  - Design of cocktail peptide vaccine against Cytomegalovirus infection.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains a major morbidity and mortality
      cause in immuno suppressed patients. Therefore, significant effort has been made
      towards the development of a vaccine. In this study, the expression of the pp65
      and gB fusion peptides and Fc domain of mouse IgG2a as a novel delivery system
      for selective uptake of antigens by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in Pichia
      pastoris yeast system were studied. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this study, four
      immune dominant sequences in pp65 protein and 3 immuno dominant sequences in gB
      protein were selected according to literature review. Peptide linker -GGGGS- was
      used for construction of fusion peptide. This fusion peptide was cloned in the
      pPICZalphaA expression vector and transfected into P. pastoris host cells.
      RESULTS: Dot blot and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
      (SDS-PAGE) techniques showed that a high level of pp65-gB-Fc fusion peptide was
      expressed. CONCLUSION: This CMV pp65-gB-Fc fusion peptide could be a promising
      candidate for the development of a novel peptide vaccine.

PMID- 27279991
TI  - Differences in the Biodiversity of the Fecal Microbiota of Infants With Rotaviral
      Diarrhea and Healthy Infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rotaviral diarrhea (RD) has been associated with the biodiversity of
      the fecal microbiota in infants; however, the differences in the biodiversity of
      the fecal microbiota between infants with RD and healthy (H) infants have not
      been clearly elucidated. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to reveal the changes in
      the biodiversity of the fecal microbiota of infants with RD. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: For this study, 30 fecal samples from 15 RD infants and 15 H infants
      were collected. The biodiversity of the fecal microbiota from the two groups was
      compared via polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
      (PCR-DGGE) and gene sequencing. RESULTS: The Shannon-Weaver index showed that the
      biodiversity of the fecal microbiota from the RD infants was significantly lower
      (P < 0.05) than that from the H infants. All fifteen RD infants were grouped into
      one cluster and were separated from the H infants by the un weighted-pair group
      method, with the arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering algorithm. In addition,
      when compared with the healthy infants, the communities of the dominant microbes,
      Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, in the fecal microbiota from the RD infants
      have obviously changed. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to improving the understanding
      of the differences in the biodiversity of the fecal microbiota between RD infants
      and H infants, the findings of this study can provide a possible basis to reveal
      the relationship between RD and intestinal microbiota.

PMID- 27279992
TI  - The Association of High Risk Human Papillomaviruses in Patients With Cervical
      Cancer: An Evidence Based Study on Patients With Squamous Cell Dysplasia or
      Carcinoma for Evaluation of 23 Human Papilloma Virus Genotypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death
      in females. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the major risk factor of cervical
      cancer. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to explore the frequency and
      role of 23 different HPVs in patients with cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Overall, 117 formalin-fix and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from
      cervical cancer patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or dysplasia were
      collected from Mirza-Kochakkhan-Jangali hospital, Tehran, Iran during year 2013,
      to investigate the presence of HPV- HPV- 67, 68, 6, 11, 13, 16, 17, 30, 69, 39,
      40, 42, 64, 66 and 51 to 59 genotypes. RESULTS: The Pap smear report illustrated
      the presence of malignancy in 71 cases, while 11 cases had no evidence of
      malignancy. Among the patients, 26 cases had sexually transmitted disease with
      relative frequency of 0.58. Infection with papilloma virus was observed in 83.6%
      of SCC patients and 45% of the dysplasia group. The most prevalent HPV genotypes
      were 18 with 31.62% and 16 with 27.35% of cases. Moreover the relative
      frequencies of HPV-33, -6, -58, -52, -35 and -51, genotypes were 15.38, 7.69,
      5.98, 5.12 and 3.41%, respectively. Among the different genotypes of HPV, 31 had
      the lowest and 16 had the highest relative frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      demonstrate that HPV-16 and -18 have a higher prevalence in our population than
      31 and 51. Further investigations are required to evaluate the role of these
      genotypes in a larger multicenter setting for establishing their values for early
      detection of patients, which is useful for screening and vaccination programs of
      cancerous and precancerous lesions of cervical cancer.

PMID- 27279993
TI  - Strategies to develop and promote public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the
      provision of hospital services in Iran: a qualitative study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been constructively
      considered in recent years to reform health sectors in many countries. This study
      aimed at explaining the strategies to develop and promote PPPs in the provision
      of hospital services in Iran. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted in
      2015. The study population consisted of experts and professionals of the health
      system and individuals familiar with PPPs and roles in the development of such
      models in hospital services in Iran that were selected through purposeful
      sampling, and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. To this
      end, 18 experts and professionals of the health system and individuals familiar
      with PPPs and roles in the development of such models in hospital services in
      Iran were selected. The data were analyzed and classified using MAXQDA10 software
      and content analysis, respectively. RESULTS: According to the results of this
      study, four main themes and 20 subthemes in terms of strategies to develop and
      promote PPPs in the provision of hospital services in Iran were identified,
      including changes in policies and laws, socio-cultural changes, improvement of
      mechanisms and current processes, and financial and capital capacity building.
      CONCLUSION: To develop and promote PPPs in the provision of hospital services,
      there is a need to consider prerequisites and measures to help such partnerships
      to be effective and produce valuable results.

PMID- 27279994
TI  - Nasopharyngeal polyp causing sensory disturbances: a case report.
AB  - Nasopharyngeal polyps are benign abnormal mucosal protrusions associated with
      nasal and pharyngeal mucosa. They are commonly found in all age groups with
      various symptoms. This paper presents a case of a 52-year-old male who presented
      with constant numbness over the dental midline and extending along the right side
      of the maxilla for the past few weeks. The patient also reported difficulty in
      breathing, especially lying down. After a comprehensive head and neck
      examination, including muscle palpation and temporomandibular joint examination,
      all within normal limits, a CNS lesion was suspected. A cranial nerve screening
      examination disclosed hyposensitivity in the area of teeth # 7 to 10. A panoramic
      radiograph demonstrated right sinus abnormality. We determined the need for
      additional diagnostic testing, including cone beam computed tomography, which
      showed a thickened sinus membrane with a polypoid structure (extending posterior
      from the right inferior concha into the oropharynx). The patient was referred to
      an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluation. The ENT
      diagnosis was a nasal polyp, and the patient was prescribed a steroid spray to be
      used three times daily. On follow-up, the patient's symptoms were reduced from
      constant numbness to intermittent "fading sensation" with no breathing
      difficulties lying down. Ancillary diagnostic testing, such as Cone Beam CT, is
      useful and may be required for the diagnosis of sensory disturbances in the
      Orofacial region. 

PMID- 27279995
TI  - Phacoemulsification combined with deep sclerectomy augmented with mitomycin and
      amniotic membrane implantation in chronic primary open angle glaucoma with
      cataract.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of
      combined phacoemulsification plus Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with deep
      sclerectomy augmented with mitomycin C (MMC) and sub-flap implantation of
      amniotic membrane for the management of uncontrolled, chronic, primary open-angle
      glaucoma patients. METHODS: This prospective study included 41 patients with
      chronic, primary, open-angle glaucoma and cataract uncontrolled with medical
      treatment who underwent combined phacoemulsification augmented with mitomycin C
      (MMC) application and amniotic membrane implantation under the scleral flap.
      Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, glaucoma medications, stabilization of
      visual field, complications, and viability of the success rate were assessed a 36
      month follow-up period. RESULTS: The mean age of cases was 54.8 +/- 5.3 years.
      Sixty-one percent of cases were males, and 39% were females. The mean IOP
      decreased from 23.8 +/- 1.8 mmHg preoperatively to 16.8 +/- 2.3 mmHg
      postoperatively. The overall success rate was 97.5, 95, and 92.7% in the first,
      second, and third year, respectively. The overall success rate was 90% in the
      first year, but that decreased to 85.3 and 78% in the second and third year,
      respectively. Qualified success was 7.5, 10, and 14.7% in the first, second, and
      third year, respectively. Failure was recorded as 2.5, 5, and 7.3% in the first,
      second, and third year, respectively. IOP reduction was sustained through the
      follow-up period. Visual acuity improved from 0.13 +/- 0.06 to 0.9 +/- 0.07 (p <
      0.001). The visual field improved significantly in the first assessment, from
      14.0 +/- 2.7 preoperatively to 12.6 +/- 2.6 at three months postoperatively (p <
      0.001), after which it became stable for the remainder of the follow-up period.
      One hundred percent of cases were on three anti-glaucoma drugs preoperatively,
      while postoperatively, 12.2% were on three drugs, 4.2% were on two drugs, and
      82.9% were controlled without anti-glaucoma treatment. There were minor
      postoperative complications all of which were minor, such as a spike in the post
      operative IOP and the formation of fibrinous material in the anterior chamber,
      both of which were treated medically without any adverse effects on the final
      results. CONCLUSION: Amniotic membrane implantation in conjunction with MMC
      application may be an effective alternative to expensive implants in deep
      sclerectomy combined with phacoemulsification, and this approach can be used
      safely in advanced cases.

PMID- 27279996
TI  - Clinico-laboratory profile of breath-holding spells in children in Sohag
      University Hospital, Upper Egypt.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Breath-holding spells (BHSs) are involuntary pauses of breathing,
      sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness. They usually occur in response to
      an upsetting or surprising situation. Breath-holding spells are usually caused by
      either a change in the usual breathing pattern or a slowing of the heart rate. In
      some children, BHSs may be related to iron deficiency anemia. The aim of the work
      was to study the clinical and laboratory profile of BPHs in children presented to
      the Neuropediatric Clinic at Sohag University Hospital. METHODS: An observational
      prospective study was done at Sohag University Hospital over a period of one year
      on children diagnosed as having BHSs by clinical history and laboratory
      evaluation, including complete blood count (CBC), serum iron, serum ferritin,
      total iron binding capacity, and Electroencephalography (EEG). RESULTS: During
      the period of study (one year), we reviewed data of 32 children who had been
      diagnosed as having BHSs. We found that cyanotic spells (71.88%) predominated
      over pallid spells. There were positive family histories (31.25%) and
      consanguinity (53.135) in the studied patients. We found a high incidence of iron
      deficiency anemia (62.5%) in association with BHS. Abnormal EEGs were found in
      (65.63%) of studied children. CONCLUSION: BHS is a common, important problem
      associated with iron deficiency anemia, which is, in turn, a common nutritional
      problem in our country.

PMID- 27279997
TI  - The efficacy of training of stress-coping strategies on marital satisfaction of
      spouses of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Marital satisfaction is an important factor in people's quality of
      life. It has become increasingly crucial in healthcare and health research and is
      dependent on coping styles of people exposed to traumatic events. The aim of this
      study was to assess the effectiveness of coping-style training on increasing the
      marital satisfaction of wives of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder
      (PTSD). METHODS: In this experimental study, 60 subjects were selected from the
      spouses of veterans with PTSD. The veterans were chosen from the Veterans
      Foundation of Northern Khorasan Province (Iran) in 2014. In this study, we used
      the Enrich questionnaire to determine the marital satisfaction of the
      aforementioned spouses. Subjects were assigned randomly to study and control
      groups. We used the training package of a Practical Guide for Stress Management
      according to cognitive behavioral approaches. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy
      was administered in 90-minute sessions over a 12-week period. We used the paired
      samples t-test and ANCOVA to determine the effect of Cognitive Behavior Therapy
      (CBT) between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean and the standard deviation of age
      in the study and control groups were 36.8 +/- 4.33 years and 35.3 +/- 4.7 years,
      respectively. According to p < 0.005, a significant difference was observed
      between the subjects in the two groups. Therefore, treatment with cognitive
      behavioral group therapy showed evidence of clinical improvements in marital
      satisfaction of the study group. CONCLUSION: The results of our study showed that
      methods of coping with stress based on CBT are effective in increasing the
      marital satisfaction of wives of veterans with PTSD.

PMID- 27279998
TI  - Subungual Ewing sarcoma/PNET tumor family of the great toe: a case report.
AB  - Ewing's sarcoma is seen mainly in patients less than 18. This aggressive tumor
      generally affects the axial skeleton and only rarely involves the acral regions.
      Ewing's sarcoma in the foot is inordinately scarce. Clinical features are
      uncertain and can imitate other common diseases. This paper presents a case of 62
      year-old malewith complaints of pain and swelling of the subungual area of his
      right great toe. The lesion was excised, and histopathological diagnosis of
      Ewing's sarcoma was made. Histopathological examination, supported by
      immunochemical methods, remains the mainstay of diagnosis. Surgical ablation
      along with chemotherapy is the therapy of choice. To our knowledge, this is the
      first report of Ewing's sarcoma involving the nail bed of the great toe without
      bone erosion. The key messages of this case report is "Subungual Ewing sarcoma is
      a rare case, and Ewing's sarcoma must be kept in mind for acral lesions,
      especially in the adult population." 

PMID- 27279999
TI  - The Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treating Obsessive
      Compulsive Disorder in Women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A randomized double
      blind controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most prevalent
      psychiatric disorders and can cause problems for individuals in all aspects of
      life, including social and personal dimensions. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of
      group cognitive-behavioral therapy on the reduction of OCD symptoms in female
      participants with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: This double-blind randomized
      control trial was conducted from May 2012 to December 2014. The participants
      included 75 patients with MS who suffered from OCD and were referred to the
      Loghman Hakim and Imam Khomeini hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Thirty participants
      had been diagnosed through Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms (Y-BOCS). The
      participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a
      control group (n=15). Eleven sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy were
      provided for the experimental group. Patients in the control group continued with
      their normal living. Hypotheses were tested using an analysis of covariance
      (ANCOVA). RESULTS: A significant reduction was found in the experimental group's
      obsessive-compulsive symptoms after cognitive-behavioral therapy (p<0.001). In
      addition, mean scores for participants in the experimental group were
      significantly lower than for those in the control group (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: It
      can be inferred that cognitive-behavioral therapy could considerably reduce OCD
      symptoms in women with MS. The application of this method by therapists,
      especially Iranian clinicians, is recommended.

PMID- 27280000
TI  - Determinants of job motivation among frontline employees at hospitals in Tehran.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Human resources are the most strategic resource and the most
      significant input for health systems. Their behavior and motivation can strongly
      affect the overall performance of the health systems. The aim of this study was
      to determine the factors that affect motivation in frontline employees at
      teaching hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
      (SBMU) in Tehran, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in
      2015. The participants (nurses, physiotherapists, radiology and laboratory
      technicians, operating room and pharmacy staff) were 300 employees selected by
      the stratified random sampling method from two general and teaching hospitals.
      The data collection instrument was a questionnaire that consisted of 42 questions
      in the 7 domains of motivational factors. Data analysis was performed using
      descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test by SPSS software, version
      23. RESULTS: The findings indicated that working relationships (mean of 3.95)
      were the main determinant of job motivation of frontline employees. Job content
      (3.76) career development (3.75), social respect (3.75), and autonomy (3.30) were
      the next four affective factors. Recognition and remuneration had the least
      influence on the job motivation of frontline employees. The results of the
      Friedman test indicated that the difference between the mean scores of different
      dimensions was significant (chi(2) (6) = 607.00, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A
      hospital that seeks to engender increased motivation of its frontline employees
      should have in place a human resources strategy that includes facilitating
      communication between personnel and management, supporting employees in the
      community, and promoting social respect for health professions, providing
      educational opportunities and career development, development of appropriate
      promotional policies, employee participation in goal setting, facilitating a good
      working environment and job security, job enrichment, and delegation.

PMID- 27280001
TI  - Diagnostic value of lumbar puncture among infants and children presenting with
      fever and convulsions.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Central nervous system (CNS) infections can be categorized
      according to the nature of the infectious pathogen into viral, bacterial,
      protozoan, or fungal. The diagnosis of diffuse CNS infections depends on
      examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained by lumbar puncture (LP). The
      aim of this work was to determine the diagnostic value of CSF analysis in infants
      and children presenting with fever and convulsions. METHODS: Detailed clinical
      data of infants and children included in this study were collected with special
      reference to the course and duration of the illness, description of the
      convulsions, consciousness level, signs of increased intracranial pressure, and
      signs of meningeal irritation. Lumbar puncture and chemical and bacteriological
      analyses of the obtained cerebrospinal fluid were done for all of the children.
      RESULTS: The total number of children included in the study was 85, they had a
      median age 19 months, and 88% of them had generalized convulsions. CSF
      examination revealed that 20% had abnormal physical findings, while 23.5% had
      abnormal white blood cell count (WBC) (CSF Pleocytosis). CSF cultures were done
      in three cases with the highest White blood cells (WBCs), and streptococcus
      pneumoniae was present in all three cases. CONCLUSION: This study found that CNS
      infections are not uncommon in infants and children presenting with fever and
      convulsions in our locality, and acute bacterial meningitis cannot be excluded.
      However, its presence in the absence of clinical symptoms and signs of meningeal
      irritation is a remote possibility, but it should always be considered.

PMID- 27280002
TI  - The association between job satisfaction and general health among employees of
      Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Job satisfaction is one of the most challenging organizational
      concepts, and it is the basis of management policies to increase productivity and
      efficiency of the organization. The general health rate may affect job
      satisfaction in several ways. This study aimed to determine the association
      between job satisfaction and general health among employees of Golestan Hospital
      in Ahvaz, Iran. METHODS: The study population of this cross-sectional research
      included 100 employees of Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. The data collection
      instruments were the General Health Questionnaire (28-GHQ) and the Job
      Descriptive Index (JDI) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Pearson's
      product-moment correlation coefficient, independent samples t-test, and ANOVA
      statistical tests in SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean general health was
      calculated as 26.19 +/- 11.04, which indicated a positive psychiatric condition.
      Job satisfaction with a mean score of 89.67 +/- 23.3 was deemed to be relatively
      dissatisfied. A medium negative and significant association was observed between
      job satisfaction and general health and its subscales (physical health, anxiety,
      social, and depression). CONCLUSIONS: General health subscales and job
      satisfaction are associated. Some actions must be planned to cope with the
      negative factors in general health in order to increase employees' satisfaction
      in university educational hospitals.

PMID- 27280003
TI  - Study of the Vitamin D Levels in Patients Referred to Clinical Laboratories in
      Mashhad in 2015 and their Relationship with the Patients' Lipid Profiles.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that has a significant role in the
      metabolism of minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus; it also is a major
      determinant of the strength of bones. This hormone has a significant effect on
      three major health issues that people worldwide encounter, i.e., high blood
      pressure, cancer, and diabetes. Considering the limited and dispersed studies on
      the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Iran and the relationship of vitamin D
      with lipid profiles in different people, this study was conducted to determine
      the vitamin D levels in patients and its relationship with their lipid profiles.
      METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 on 1,110
      patients who were referred to the two laboratories at Jihad Daneshgahi and to
      eight specialist laboratories in Mashhad through random sampling of patients for
      whom serum vitamin D and serum lipid tests were prescribed. The data that were
      obtained were entered into SPSS 13 software. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of the
      patients in the study were deficient in vitamin D. The vitamin D levels in males
      were significantly lower than those in females (p < 0.05). The relationship
      between age and vitamin D deficiency was significant as well (p < 0.05). A
      positive and significant relationship was observed between age and vitamin D
      deficiency (p = 0.000, r = 0.187), i.e., vitamin D deficiency was more apparent
      in patients whose ages were in the range of 40-59. The relationship between the
      levels of vitamin D and serum lipids was significant and positive (p = 0.05),
      with the exception of LDL. CONCLUSION: About two-thirds of the population that
      was studied had a vitamin D deficiency. There was a positive and significant
      relationship between serum vitamin D and serum lipids and serum calcium. The
      results of this study showed the necessity for more research and the
      implementation of preventive measures related to vitamin D deficiency. It is
      recommended that vitamin D enrichment programs be planned and implemented.

PMID- 27280004
TI  - Health-related variables and predictors of Health-promoting Lifestyle in
      cardiovascular disease patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The principal cause for death in the world is cardiovascular
      disease. Poor lifestyle is a contributing element in this regard. The objective
      of this study was to estimate the effects of health-related variables and
      lifestyle variables on the results of exercise stress tests in patients with
      cardiovascular disease in Iran. METHODS: The study population in this case
      control study was 220 patients who were candidates for exercise stress tests in
      Mazandaran Province (Iran) in 2015. The patients were divided randomly into two
      groups based on the results of their exercise stress tests, i.e., positive (110
      patients) and negative (110 patients). The data collection tool was a standard
      questionnaire entitled "Health promotion lifestyle profile-II." The data were
      analyzed using mean, standard deviation, the chi-squared test, and logistic
      regression by SPSS version 22 software. RESULTS: The risk of a positive exercise
      stress test increases with age. The age group above 65 was 1.049 times more at
      risk of a positive exercise stress test than the age group of less than 45. The
      people with dyslipidemia had 1.635 times greater risk of positive exercise stress
      tests than the group without dyslipidemia. In addition, patients with
      hypertension had 1.579 times greater risk of positive exercise stress tests than
      the group without hypertension. The lack of individual health responsibility
      (Odds ratio (OR): 1.622), stress management (OR: 1.592), and physical activity
      (OR: 1.245) contributed more to positive exercise tests than the other risk
      factors. CONCLUSION: Educational interventions can improve the responsibility for
      health, physical activity, and stress management among people with the risk of
      cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 27280005
TI  - A Survey of the quantity and type of biological aerosols in selected wards of a
      teaching hospital in Ghazvin.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bioaerosols are agents that can cause infection, allergy or induce
      other toxic effects in the human body. If the person exposed to such particles is
      not capable of their destruction or elimination from the body, the established
      chemical and physiological disorders can result in disease or death. The aim of
      this study was to assess the concentrations of bioaerosols in several wards of a
      teaching hospital. METHODS: Given that gas air-conditioners (split and window
      types) were used for ventilation in the eye operating room, internal intensive
      care unit, and the respiratory isolation room, these wards were selected for
      passive sampling. Sterile plates containing culture medium were exposed for two
      hours to the wards' indoor ambient air. After this time, they were transferred to
      a lab to undergo incubation, colony count, and identification of the
      microorganisms. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 18, and the
      significance level of less than 0.05 was used. RESULTS: Based on our findings,
      the highest colony-forming bacterial unit was observed 22 cfu/plate/h in the eye
      operating room and, the highest colony-forming fungal unit was observed 4
      cfu/plate/h in the internal intensive care unit. Based on the results of the
      differential tests, the most prevalent bacteria identified were Staphylococcus
      epidermidis (75%) in the air of eye operating room and Staphylococcus
      saprophyticus (52%) in the internal intensive care unit and isolation room. The
      most prevalent identified fungi in the air of selected wards were related to
      Alternaria alternata (43%), Aspergillus flavus (24%), Penicillium (36%) and
      Curvularia (21%) types. Based on Spearman's correlation test, no significant
      relationship was observed between the factor of temperature and the number of
      fungal and bacterial colonies (r = 0.201, p = 0.42; r = -0.197, p = 0.41).
      Moreover, a meaningful relationship was observed only between the number of
      individuals and the bacterial colonies present in the air (r = 0.749, p =
      0.0001). CONCLUSION: Comparing the number of diagnosed colonies by 25 cfu/plate/h
      value showed that the numbers of colonies in all samples were lower than the
      mentioned values. So, the air-conditioning systems' performance in reducing the
      number of bioaerosols in the studied wards was satisfactory. However, since the
      remaining bacterial and fungal contamination can cause serious infections in
      patients, it is highly necessary that the cleaning intervals and replacement time
      points of such filters be programmed based on the number of individuals present
      in the wards and their active surgical hours.

PMID- 27280006
TI  - Epidemiological aspect of scorpion sting in Bandar Abbas, Iran, during 2009-2011.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: People in tropical and semi-tropical areas are in danger of
      scorpion sting, and this can be a serious problem for them. Mortality due to
      scorpion sting in the tropical and semi-tropical areas of Iran is about 75%, and
      this makes scorpion sting in these areas a serious medical problem. Because of
      this problem, our aim was to assess the epidemiological aspects of scorpion sting
      in Bandar Abbas, Iran, during 2009-2011. METHODS: In this cross-sectional
      retrospective study, epidemiologic data of 698 scorpion sting cases, who were
      referred to the Shahid Mohamadi Hospital of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan Province
      collected from 2009 until 2011. The data included demographic and individual
      information, such as age, gender, geographic location, bite site, when the
      incident occurred, and anti-venom consumption. The required data were extracted
      from the patients' recorded information in the Hospital, and we recorded data in
      a special checklist and imported the data into the computer for statistical
      analysis using of SPSS software, version 21.0. Descriptive statistics, including
      mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage, were used for data analysis.
      RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-one (37.4%) of the cases were urban and 437(62.6%)
      were rural. Males comprised 50.1% of the cases, and women comprised 49.9% (p
      >0.05). Twenty-five point two percent of scorpion sting cases occurred among
      people in the 21 to 30 age group, and there were very few cases among people in
      the 51 to 60 age range (p<0.05). Most of cases were recorded in April and
      October, and the fewest cases were recorded in July and January (p<0.05); also
      32.2% of scorpion sting cases occurred after midnight and in the early morning
      hours. CONCLUSION: Our survey showed that there was a high incidence of scorpion
      stings in rural areas, among 21-30 age group, among housekeepers, and among
      students. These results indicate the need for public education programs and
      better sanitation services in the rural areas around Bandar Abbas city.
      Prospective studies can help to health and medicine organization for prevention
      and treatment of scorpion sting.

PMID- 27280007
TI  - Molecular typing of uropathogenic E. coli strains by the ERIC-PCR method.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common cause of urinary
      infections in hospitals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ERIC-PCR
      method for molecular typing of uropathogenic E. coli strains isolated from
      hospitalized patients. METHODS: In a cross sectional study, 98 E. coli samples
      were collected from urine samples taken from patients admitted to Baqiyatallah
      Hospital from June 2014 to January 2015. The disk agar diffusion method was used
      to determine antibiotic sensitivity. DNA proliferation based on repetitive
      intergenic consensus was used to classify the E. coli strains. The products of
      proliferation were electrophoresed on 1.5% agarose gel, and their dendrograms
      were drawn. The data were analyzed by online Insillico software. RESULTS: The
      method used in this research proliferated numerous bands (4-17 bands), ranging
      from 100 to 3000 base pairs. The detected strains were classified into six
      clusters (E1-E6) with 70% similarity between them. CONCLUSION: In this study,
      uropathogenic E. coli strains belonged to different genotypic clusters. It was
      found that ERIC-PCR had good differentiation power for molecular typing of
      uropathogenic E. coli strains isolated from the patients in the study.

PMID- 27280008
TI  - Microarray-based long oligonucleotides probe designed for Brucella Spp. detection
      and identification of antibiotic susceptibility pattern.
AB  - Brucella spp. is a common zoonotic infection referred to as Brucellosis, and it
      is a serious public health problem around the world. There are currently six
      classical species (pathogenic species in both animals and humans) within the
      genus Brucella. The ability and practicality facilitated by a microarray
      experiment help us to recognize Brucella spp. and its antibiotic resistant gene.
      Rapid phenotypic determination of antibiotic resistance is not possible by disk
      diffusion methods. Thus, evaluating antibiotics pattern and Brucella detection
      appear necessary technique by molecular methods in brucellosis. So, the aim of
      this study was to design a microarray long oligonucleotides probe and primer for
      the complete diagnosis of Brucella spp. and obtaining genetic profiles for
      antibiotic resistance in bacteria at the same time. In this study, we designed 16
      antibiotic-resistant gene solid-phase primers with similar melting temperatures
      of 60  degrees C and 16 long oligonucleotide probes. These primers and probes can
      identify tetracycline-, chloramphenicol-, and aminoglycoside-resistant genes,
      respectively. The design of microarray probes is a versatile process that be done
      in a wide range of selections. Since the long oligo microarray probes are the
      best choices for specific diagnosis and definite treatment, this group of probes
      was designed in the present survey. 

PMID- 27280009
TI  - Treating anal fistula with the anal fistula plug: case series report of 12
      patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recurrent and complex high fistulas remain a surgical challenge.
      This paper reports our experience with the anal fistula plug in patients with
      complex fistulas. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively and analyzed from
      consecutive patients undergoing insertion of a fistula plug from January 2011
      through April 2014 at Hazrat-e-Rasoul Hospital in Tehran. We ensured that sepsis
      had been eradicated in all patients prior to placement of the plug. During
      surgery, a conical shaped collagen plug was pulled through the fistula tract.
      RESULTS: Twelve patients were included in this case study. All patients had
      previously undergone failed surgical therapy to cure their fistula and had
      previously-placed Setons. There were eight males and four females with an average
      age of 44 who were treated for complex fistulas. At a median time of follow-up of
      22.7 months, 10 of the 12 patients had healed (83.3%). One patient developed an
      abscess that was noted on the sixth postoperative day, and there was one
      recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Fistula plugs are effective for the
      long-term closure of complex anal fistulas. Success of treatment with the fistula
      plug depends on the eradication of sepsis prior to plug placement.

PMID- 27280010
TI  - Validity and Reliability of Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II in the Iranian
      Elderly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With increasing age, the prevalence of chronic diseases increases.
      Since health-promoting behaviors (HPB) are considered a basic way of preventing
      diseases, especially chronic diseases, it is important to assess HPB. This study
      examines the validity and reliability of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile
      II (HPLP-II). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study which is conducted on 502
      elderly individuals aged 60 and over in Tehran, Iran. In order to determine the
      validity, content and construct validity were used. The content validity index
      (CVI) was used to assess the content validity and to assess construct validity,
      confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and item-total correlations were employed.
      For reliability, test-retest analysis was used, and the internal consistency of
      the HPLP-II was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha. For data analysis, SPSS-18 and
      Amos-7 software was used. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 66.3 +/- 5.3
      years. The CVI for the revised HPLP-II and all its subscales was higher than
      0.82. The CFA confirmed a six-factor model aligned with the original HPLP-II.
      Pearson correlation coefficients between the revised HPLP-II and their items were
      in range of 0.27-0.65. Cronbach's alpha of the revised HPLP-II was obtained as
      0.78 and for their subscales were in the range of 0.67-0.84. Intraclass
      correlation coefficient was obtained 0.79 (95% confidence interval: 0.59-0.86, P
      < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Iranian HPLP-II scale is an appropriate tool for
      assessing HPBs of the Iranian elderly.

PMID- 27280011
TI  - High Fasting Plasma Glucose Mortality Effect: A Comparative Risk Assessment in 25
      64 Years Old Iranian Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is one of the main leading risk
      factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and chronic kidney diseases
      (CKDs). We estimated population attributable fraction (PAF) and attributed death
      of these fatal outcomes of high FPG at national and subnational levels in 25-64
      years old Iranian adult. METHODS: We used national and subnational data of the
      Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance Survey for exposure to risk factors in 2005
      and 2011 among Iranian adults of 25-64 years old. For estimating the attributed
      death, using the death registration system data of Iran, we multiply the cause
      specific PAFs by the number of outcome-specific deaths. RESULTS: In Iran, high
      FPG was responsible for about 31% of attributed total deaths of IHD, stroke, and
      CKD in 2011. The related attributed deaths had increased from 2005 to 2011. In
      females, the PAFs for the effect of high FPG on IHD, stroke, and CKD were higher
      in 2011 than 2005 in all age groups. In males, this increase has occurred in over
      45 years old. The highest PAFs of high FPG outcomes mostly related to central
      provinces of Iran. The central region of Iran had the highest and the southeast
      of the country had the lowest levels of attributed deaths. CONCLUSIONS:
      Considering the global 25 * 25 targets for noncommunicable disease mortality
      reduction, high FPG as a leading risk factor of fatal outcomes should be more
      targeted through the dietary, behavioral, and pharmacological interventions in
      Iran.

PMID- 27280012
TI  - Cancer Events After Acute or Chronic Exposure to Sulfur Mustard: A Review of the
      Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sulfur mustard (SM) has been considered as a carcinogen in the
      laboratory studies. However, its carcinogenic effects on human beings were not
      well discussed. The main purpose of our study is to assess carcinogenesis of SM
      following acute and/or chronic exposures in human beings. METHODS: The valid
      scientific English and Persian databases including PubMed, Web of Science,
      Scopus, IranMedex, and Irandoc were searched and the collected papers reviewed.
      The used keywords were in two languages: English and Persian. The inclusion
      criteria were the published original articles indexed in above-mentioned
      databases. Eleven full-texts out of 296 articles were found relevant and then
      assessed. RESULTS: Studies on the workers of the SM factories during the World
      Wars showed that the long-term chronic exposure to mustards can cause a variety
      of cancers in the organs such as oral cavity, larynx, lung, and skin. Respiratory
      system was the most important affected system. Acute single exposure to SM was
      assumed as the carcinogenic inducer in the lung and blood and for few cancers
      including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: SM is a
      proven carcinogen in chronic situations although data are not enough to strongly
      conclude in acute exposure.

PMID- 27280013
TI  - Effects of Omega-3 Supplement in the Treatment of Patients with Bipolar I
      Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fatty acids play various physiological roles in the organism; they
      are crucial for the structure of cell membranes, metabolic processes,
      transmission of nerve impulses and brain functions. In recent years, particular
      attention has been paid to the rich sources of omega-3 for the treatment of many
      diseases, especially mental illnesses. The present study aimed to investigate the
      effects of omega-3 supplement in the treatment of patients with bipolar I
      disorder (BID). METHODS: In this double-blind clinical trial, 100 patients
      suffering from BIDs were randomly divided into two, i.e. control (n = 50) and
      experimental (n = 50) groups. In addition to the other standard treatments, 1000
      mg of omega-3 supplement was given to the experimental group on daily basis for 3
      months and placebo was given to the control group. The Young Mania Rating Scale
      was completed for both groups before and after the intervention. Afterward, data
      were analyzed using paired t-test, independent t-test, and Chi-square test.
      RESULTS: Before intervention, mean severity of mania in the experimental group
      (23.50 +/- 7.02) and control group (23.70 +/- 8.09) was not significant (P <=
      0.89). The difference after the intervention in the experimental group (10.64 +/-
      3.3) and control group (20.12 +/- 6.78) was significant (P < 0.01). The mean
      intensity of mania before (23.50 +/- 7.02) and after (10.64 +/- 3.3) intervention
      reported to be significant at P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Since omega-3 supplement was
      effective for the treatment of BID, it is suggested to use omega-3 supplements as
      an adjuvant therapy along with the other pharmacotherapies.

PMID- 27280014
TI  - Expanding clinical roles for nurses to realign the global health workforce with
      population needs: a commentary.
AB  - Many countries, including Israel, face health workforce challenges to meet the
      needs of their citizens, as chronic conditions increase. Provider shortages and
      geographical maldistribution are common. Increasing the contribution of nurse
      practitioners and other advanced practice nursing roles through task-shifting and
      expansion of scope-of-practice can improve access to care and result in greater
      workforce efficiency. Israel and many other countries are introducing reforms to
      expand nurses' scope-of-practice. Recent international research offers three
      policy lessons for how countries just beginning to implement reforms could bypass
      policy barriers to implementation. First, there is substantial evidence on the
      equivalence in quality of care, patient safety and high consumer acceptance which
      should move policy debates from if to how to effectively implement new roles in
      practice. Second, regulatory and finance policies as well as accessible advanced
      education are essential to facilitate realignment of roles. Third, country
      experience suggests that advanced practice roles for nurses improve the
      attractiveness of nursing as a career thus contributing to solving nursing
      shortages rather than exacerbating them. Designing enabling policy environments
      and removing barriers will gain in relevance in the future as the demand for high
      quality, patient-centered care is increasing. 

PMID- 27280015
TI  - Perceptions of the quality of the therapeutic alliance in chiropractic care in
      The Netherlands: a cross-sectional survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research in various medical fields demonstrates a consistent and
      positive association between clinical outcomes and the quality of the therapeutic
      alliance between the patient and clinician. The aim of this study was to explore
      how well chiropractors and their patients in The Netherlands perceive the quality
      of their working relationship. METHODS: A nationwide survey of chiropractors and
      their patients was conducted in The Netherlands, using a validated Dutch
      translation of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAV-12). Data were collected over
      a 5-week period in September-October 2014. Both patients and chiropractors were
      requested to reflect on 12 statements about to how well they perceived their
      collaboration in reaching consensus on treatment goals and treatment strategies,
      and how well they perceived the existence of an affective bond in their working
      relationship. A 5-point Likert scale was used to answer each question. Higher
      ratings reflected a more positive perception of the therapeutic alliance.
      Furthermore, levels of agreement between patients' and chiropractors' perceptions
      of the quality of their therapeutic alliance were determined. RESULTS: In total,
      207 working relationships between patients and their chiropractor were analysed.
      The quality of the therapeutic alliance was perceived as being very positive for
      both patients (n = 183, mean 49.14 +/- 7.12) and chiropractors (n = 202, mean
      50.48 +/- 4.97). There was no difference in patients' perceptions whether treated
      by a male or female chiropractor, nor in relation to the chiropractor's years of
      experience. Nevertheless, poor agreement was found between perceptions of
      patients and chiropractors in the same relationship (ICC = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS:
      Both patients and chiropractors perceived the quality of the therapeutic alliance
      as being very positive. Despite these positive results, patient and chiropractor
      pairs perceived the level of collaboration in order to reach agreement on
      treatment goals and strategies and the quality of their affective bond very
      differently. Clinically, these results suggest that chiropractors should, during
      the course of treatment, continue to collaborate with their patient and
      frequently verify whether their patient continues to agree with the treatment
      goals and treatment plan applied to further develop, improve and maintain a
      positive therapeutic alliance.

PMID- 27280017
TI  - Perioperative bridging anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation-the first
      randomised controlled trial.
AB  - ABSTRACT: Patients who have atrial fibrillation (AF) have increased
      thromboembolic risk. This risk is mitigated through use of anticoagulants,
      traditionally with vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin, and more recently with
      drugs such as Xa and thrombin inhibitors. Since anticoagulants increase the risk
      of bleeding, uncertainty exists regarding their use in the perioperative period.
      The risk of thromboembolism for each patient must be balanced against risk of
      bleeding; anticoagulation medication may be continued, replaced with a short
      acting alternative or withheld entirely. Until recently, evidence on best
      management relied on expert opinion and observational studies. The recent
      publication of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (BRIDGE) has
      added important information to the knowledge base. TRIAL REGISTRATION: BRIDGE
      ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00786474.

PMID- 27280016
TI  - Dose-response of spinal manipulation for cervicogenic headache: study protocol
      for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervicogenic headache is a prevalent and costly pain condition
      commonly treated by chiropractors. There is evidence to support the effectiveness
      for spinal manipulation, but the dose of treatment required to achieve maximal
      relief remains unknown. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodology
      for a randomized controlled trial evaluating the dose-response of spinal
      manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache in an adult population.
      METHODS/DESIGN: This is a mixed-methods, two-site, prospective, parallel groups,
      observer-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted at university-affiliated
      research clinics in the Portland, OR and Minneapolis, MN areas. The primary
      outcome is patient reported headache frequency. Other outcomes include self
      reported headache intensity, disability, quality of life, improvement, neck pain
      intensity and frequency, satisfaction, medication use, outside care, cervical
      motion, pain pressure thresholds, health care utilization, health care costs, and
      lost productivity. Qualitative interviews are also conducted to evaluate
      patients' expectations of treatment. DISCUSSION: With growing concerns regarding
      the costs and side effects of commonly used conventional treatments, greater
      numbers of headache sufferers are seeking other approaches to care. This is the
      first full-scale randomized controlled trial assessing the dose-response of
      spinal manipulation therapy on outcomes for cervicogenic headache. The results of
      this study will provide important evidence for the management of cervicogenic
      headache in adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier:
      NCT01530321).

PMID- 27280018
TI  - PredicT-ML: a tool for automating machine learning model building with big
      clinical data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Predictive modeling is fundamental to transforming large clinical
      data sets, or "big clinical data," into actionable knowledge for various
      healthcare applications. Machine learning is a major predictive modeling
      approach, but two barriers make its use in healthcare challenging. First, a
      machine learning tool user must choose an algorithm and assign one or more model
      parameters called hyper-parameters before model training. The algorithm and hyper
      parameter values used typically impact model accuracy by over 40 %, but their
      selection requires many labor-intensive manual iterations that can be difficult
      even for computer scientists. Second, many clinical attributes are repeatedly
      recorded over time, requiring temporal aggregation before predictive modeling can
      be performed. Many labor-intensive manual iterations are required to identify a
      good pair of aggregation period and operator for each clinical attribute. Both
      barriers result in time and human resource bottlenecks, and preclude healthcare
      administrators and researchers from asking a series of what-if questions when
      probing opportunities to use predictive models to improve outcomes and reduce
      costs. METHODS: This paper describes our design of and vision for PredicT-ML
      (prediction tool using machine learning), a software system that aims to overcome
      these barriers and automate machine learning model building with big clinical
      data. RESULTS: The paper presents the detailed design of PredicT-ML. CONCLUSIONS:
      PredicT-ML will open the use of big clinical data to thousands of healthcare
      administrators and researchers and increase the ability to advance clinical
      research and improve healthcare.

PMID- 27280019
TI  - Low frequency of asymptomatic carriage of toxigenic Clostridium difficile in an
      acute care geriatric hospital: prospective cohort study in Switzerland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic Clostridium difficile
      (TCD) in nosocomial cross-transmission remains debatable. Moreover, its relevance
      in the elderly has been sparsely studied. OBJECTIVES: To assess asymptomatic TCD
      carriage in an acute care geriatric population. METHODS: We performed a
      prospective cohort study at the 296-bed geriatric hospital of the Geneva
      University Hospitals. We consecutively recruited all patients admitted to two 15
      bed acute-care wards. Patients with C. difficile infection (CDI) or diarrhoea at
      admission were excluded. First bowel movement after admission and every two weeks
      thereafter were sampled. C. difficile toxin B gene was identified using real-time
      polymerase chain-reaction (BD MAX(TM)Cdiff). Asymptomatic TCD carriage was
      defined by the presence of the C. difficile toxin B gene without diarrhoea.
      RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were admitted between March and June 2015. Two
      patients were excluded. Among the 100 patients included in the study, 63 were
      hospitalized and 1 had CDI in the previous year, and 36 were exposed to systemic
      antibiotics within 90 days prior to admission. Overall, 199 stool samples were
      collected (median 2 per patient, IQR 1-3). Asymptomatic TCD carriage was
      identified in two patients (2 %). CONCLUSIONS: We found a low prevalence of
      asymptomatic TCD carriage in a geriatric population frequently exposed to
      antibiotics and healthcare. Our findings suggest that asymptomatic TCD carriage
      might contribute only marginally to nosocomial TCD cross-transmission in our and
      similar healthcare settings.

PMID- 27280020
TI  - The geographic pattern of Belgian mortality: can socio-economic characteristics
      explain area differences?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Country averages for health outcomes hide important within-country
      variations. This paper probes into the geographic Belgian pattern of all-cause
      mortality and wishes to investigate the contribution of individual and area socio
      economic characteristics to geographic mortality differences in men aged 45-64
      during the period 2001-2011. METHODS: Data originate from a linkage between the
      Belgian census of 2001 and register data on mortality and emigration during the
      period 2001-2011. Mortality rate ratios (MRRs) are estimated for districts and
      sub-districts compared to the Belgian average mortality level using Poisson
      regression modelling. Individual socio-economic position (SEP) indicators are
      added to examine the impact of these characteristics on the observed geographic
      pattern. In order to scrutinize the contribution of area-level socio-economic
      characteristics, random intercepts Poisson modelling is performed with predictors
      at the individual and the sub-district level. Random intercepts and slopes models
      are fitted to explore variability of individual-level SEP effects. RESULTS: All
      cause MRRs for middle-aged Belgian men are higher in the geographic areas of the
      Walloon region and the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR) compared to those in the
      Flemish region. The highest MRRs are observed in the inner city of the BCR and in
      several Walloon cities. Their disadvantage can partially be explained by the
      lower individual SEP of men living in these areas. Similarly, the relatively low
      MRRs observed in the districts of Halle-Vilvoorde, Arlon and Virton can be
      related to the higher individual SEP. Among the area-level characteristics, both
      the percentage of men employed and the percentage of labourers in a sub-district
      have a protective effect on the individual MRR, regardless of individual SEP.
      Variability in individual-level SEP effects is limited. CONCLUSIONS: Individual
      SEP partly explains the observed mortality gap in Belgium for some areas. The
      percentage of men employed and the percentage of labourers in a sub-district have
      an additional effect on the individual MRR aside from that of individual SEP.
      However, these socio-economic factors cannot explain all of the observed
      differences. Other mechanisms such as public health policy, cultural habits and
      environmental influences contribute to the observed geographic pattern in all
      cause mortality among middle-aged men.

PMID- 27280021
TI  - Need of education for dry powder inhaler storage and retention - a patient
      reported survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are the most commonly used devices in
      asthma treatment in the Nordic countries. As new DPIs become available, patients
      are likely to be exposed to more than one type of device, with variable optimal
      handling. The aim was to examine real life storage and retention of multidose
      DPIs in patients with asthma. METHODS: This patient-reported survey on real life
      storage and retention of DPIs included asthma patients using multidose DPIs.
      Basic patient characteristics, information on inhaler use and storage, check of
      expiry date, and concurrent inhaler use was examined using an on line
      questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 738 patients were included with a median age
      of 41 years, out of which 83 % were women. Sixty-three per cent reported storage
      conditions pre-defined as risk locations for their maintenance inhaler and 38 %
      of the responding patients had more than one maintenance inhaler in use at the
      same time. Two thirds of the study population checked inhaler expiry date less
      than monthly or not at all. Use after expiry date was frequently reported. Two
      thirds of the patients had not received information on DPI storage, either from
      their doctor and/or nurse or at the pharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: This patient reported
      survey indicates that two thirds of the patients store their inhaler devices in
      suboptimal conditions, and only a minority had received instruction regarding
      inhaler handling. Non awareness of inhalers' expiry dates and use of more than
      one maintenance inhaler simultaneously was common. As inhaler mishandling may
      impact device functionality, improved communication and patient education is
      needed.

PMID- 27280022
TI  - Right heart in septic shock: prospective observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The right heart often receives less attention during
      echocardiography. The situation is no different in septic shock. We prospectively
      investigated the echocardiographic indices of the right heart in septic shock
      adult patients. METHODS: Septic shock ICU patients within 24 h of admission were
      subjected to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as per the 2005 guidelines from
      the American Society of Echocardiography. RESULTS: Eighty-eight septic shock
      patients (M:F = 52:36) underwent TTE. Thirty-six patients survived. Significant
      differences in demographic and biochemical (laboratory and metabolic) parameters,
      severity scores, life-support therapies (vasopressors, ventilation), and length
      of ICU stay were observed between survivors and non-survivors. Right heart
      abnormalities of chamber dimension and systolic and diastolic function existed in
      79, 25, and 86 % of patients, respectively. Right ventricle subcostal wall
      thickness (91 %), pulse Doppler myocardial performance index (73 %), and E/E' (63
      %) were the predominant abnormalities in chamber dimension, systolic function,
      and diastolic function of the right heart, respectively. However, the presence of
      these abnormalities did not signify poor survival in our study. CONCLUSIONS:
      Right heart dimensional and functional abnormalities exist in high proportions in
      septic shock. However, their predictability of poor outcomes remains
      questionable.

PMID- 27280023
TI  - A systematic review of using and reporting survival analyses in acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia literature.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: Survival analysis is commonly used to determine the treatment effect
      among acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients who undergo allogeneic stem
      cell transplantation (allo-SCT) or other treatments. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the use and reporting of survival analyses in these articles. METHODS:
      We performed a systematic review by searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane
      library databases from inception to April 2015. Clinical trials of patients with
      ALL comparing allo-SCT compared to another treatment were included. We included
      only studies that used survival analysis as a part of the statistical methods.
      RESULTS: There were 14 studies included in the review. Sample size estimation was
      described in 4 (29 %) studies. Only 4 (29 %) studies reported the list of
      covariates assessed in the Cox regression and 6 (43 %) studies provided a
      description of censorship. All studies reported survival curves using the Kaplan
      Meier method. The comparisons between groups were investigated using the log-rank
      test and Wilcoxon test. Crossing survival curves were observed in 11(79 %)
      studies. The Cox regression model was incorporated in 10 (71 %) studies. None of
      the studies assessed the Cox proportional hazards assumption or goodness-of-fit.
      CONCLUSIONS: The use and reporting of survival analysis in adult ALL patients
      undergoing allo-SCT have significant limitations. Notably, the finding of
      crossing survival curves was common and none of the studies assessed for the
      proportional hazards assumption. We encourage authors, reviewers and editors to
      improve the quality of the use and reporting of survival analysis in the
      hematology literature.

PMID- 27280024
TI  - 'Better medicines for children' within the Integrated Management of Childhood
      Illness framework: a qualitative inquiry in Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses is the main approach
      for treating children in more than 100 low income countries worldwide. In 2007,
      the World Health Assembly urged countries to integrate 'better medicines for
      children' into their essential medicines lists and treatment guidelines. WHO
      regularly provides generic algorithms for IMCI and publishes the Model Essential
      Medicines List with child-friendly medicines based on new evidence for member
      countries to adopt. However, the status of 'better medicines for children' within
      the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses approach in Uganda has not been
      studied. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with: two officials from
      the ministry of health; two district health officials and, 22 health workers from
      public health facilities. Interview transcripts were manually analyzed for
      manifest and latent content. RESULTS: Child-appropriate dosage formulations were
      not included in the package for the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses
      and ministry officials attributed this to resource constraints and lack of
      initial guidance from the World Health Organization. Underfunding reportedly
      undercut efforts to: orient health workers; do support supervision and update
      treatment guidelines to reflect 'better medicines for children'. Health workers
      reported difficulties in administering tablets and capsules to under-five
      children and that's why they preferred liquid oral dosage formulations,
      suppositories and injections. CONCLUSIONS: The IMCI strategy in Uganda was not
      revised to reflect child-appropriate dosage formulations - a missed opportunity
      for improving the quality of management of childhood illnesses. Funding was an
      obstacle to the integration of child-appropriate dosage formulations. Ministry of
      health should prioritize funding for the Integrated Management of Childhood
      Illnesses and revising the Essential Medicines and Health Supplies List of
      Uganda, the Uganda Clinical Guidelines and, the Treatment Charts for the
      Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses to reflect child-appropriate dosage
      formulations.

PMID- 27280025
TI  - The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary
      practices in England.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Canine patellar luxation is one of the most common orthopaedic
      disorders of dogs and is a potential welfare concern because it can lead to
      lameness, osteoarthritis and pain. However, there are limited epidemiological
      data on the disorder relating to the general population of dogs in England. This
      study aimed to investigate the VetCompass Programme database of dogs attending
      primary-care veterinary practices in England to report on the prevalence, risk
      factors and clinical management of diagnosed patellar luxation cases. RESULTS:
      The study included all dogs with at least one electronic patient record in the
      VetCompass database from September 1(st), 2009 to August 31(st), 2014. Candidate
      patellar luxation cases were identified using free-text word searching of the
      clinical notes and VeNom diagnosis term fields. Univariable and multivariable
      binary logistic regression modelling was used for risk factor analysis. The
      overall dataset comprised 210,824 dogs attending 119 clinics in England. The
      prevalence of patellar luxation diagnosis in dogs was 1.30 % (95 % confidence
      interval (CI) 1.21-1.39). Of the 751 incident cases, 293 (39.0 %) received
      medical management, 99 (13.2 %) received surgical intervention and 28 (3.7 %)
      were referred for further management. Multivariable modelling documented 11
      breeds with increased odds of patellar luxation compared with crossbred dogs,
      including the Pomeranian (odds ratio [OR]: 6.5, 95 % CI 4.0-10.7, P < 0.001),
      Chihuahua (OR: 5.9, 95 % CI 4.4-7.9, P < 0.001), Yorkshire Terrier (OR: 5.5, 95 %
      CI 4.3-7.1, P < 0.001) and French Bulldog (OR: 5.4, 95 % CI 3.1-9.3, P < 0.001).
      Dogs with bodyweight below their mean for breed and sex had a 1.4 times odds of
      diagnosis (95 % CI 1.2-1.6, P < 0.001). Dogs aged >= 12.0 years showed 0.4 times
      the odds (95 % CI 0.3-0.5, P < 0.001) compared with dogs aged < 3.0 years.
      Females had 1.3 times the odds (95 % CI 1.1-1.5, P < 0.001), neutered dogs had
      2.4 times the odds (95 % CI 1.8-3.2, P < 0.001) and insured dogs had 1.9 times
      the odds (95 % CI 1.6-2.3, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patellar luxation warrants
      inclusion as a welfare priority in dogs and control strategies that include this
      disorder should be considered as worthwhile breeding goals, especially in
      predisposed breeds.

PMID- 27280026
TI  - Development of a laser capture microscope-based single-cell-type proteomics tool
      for studying proteomes of individual cell layers of plant roots.
AB  - Single-cell-type proteomics provides the capability to revealing the genomic and
      proteomics information at cell-level resolution. However, the methodology for
      this type of research has not been well-developed. This paper reports developing
      a workflow of laser capture microdissection (LCM) followed by gel-liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GeLC-MS/MS)-based proteomics analysis
      for the identification of proteomes contained in individual cell layers of tomato
      roots. Thin-sections (~10-MUm thick, 10 sections per root tip) were prepared for
      root tips of tomato germinating seedlings. Epidermal and cortical cells (5000
      7000 cells per tissue type) were isolated under a LCM microscope. Proteins were
      isolated and then separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by
      in-gel-tryptic digestion. The MS and MS/MS spectra generated using nanoLC-MS/MS
      analysis of the tryptic peptides were searched against ITAG2.4 tomato protein
      database to identify proteins contained in each single-cell-type sample. Based on
      the biological functions, proteins with proven functions in root hair development
      were identified in epidermal cells but not in the cortical cells. Several of
      these proteins were found in Al-treated roots only. The results demonstrated that
      the cell-type-specific proteome is relevant for tissue-specific functions in
      tomato roots. Increasing the coverage of proteomes and reducing the inevitable
      cross-contamination from adjacent cell layers, in both vertical and cross
      directions when cells are isolated from slides prepared using intact root tips,
      are the major challenges using the technology in proteomics analysis of plant
      roots. 

PMID- 27280027
TI  - Cerebellar involvement in Parkinson's disease resting tremor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There exists a lack of consensus regarding how cerebellar over
      activity might influence tremor in Parkinson's disease (PD). Specifically, it is
      unclear whether resting or postural tremor are differentially affected by
      cerebellar dysfunction. It is important to note that previous studies have only
      evaluated the influence of inhibitory stimulation on the lateral cerebellum, and
      have not considered the medial cerebellum. The aim of the current study was to
      compare the effects of a low-frequency rTMS protocol applied to the medial versus
      lateral cerebellum to localize the effects of cerebellar over-activity. METHODS:
      Fifty PD participants were randomly assigned to receive stimulation over the
      medial cerebellum (n = 20), lateral cerebellum (n = 20) or sham stimulation (n =
      10). 900 pulses were delivered at 1Hz at 120 % resting motor threshold of the
      first dorsal interosseous muscle. Tremor was assessed quantitatively (before and
      after stimulation) using the Kinesia Homeview system which utilizes a wireless
      finger accelerometer to record tremor. RESULTS: The main finding was that resting
      tremor severity was reduced in tremor-dominant individuals, regardless of whether
      stimulation was applied over the medial (p = 0.024) or lateral (p = 0.033)
      cerebellum, but not in the sham group. CONCLUSION: Given that the cerebellum is
      overactive in PD, the improvements in resting tremor following an inhibitory
      stimulation protocol suggest that over-activity in cerebellar nuclei may be
      involved in the generation of resting tremor in PD. Low-frequency rTMS over the
      medial or lateral cerebellum provides promise of an alternative treatment for
      tremor in PD, a symptom that is poorly responsive to dopaminergic replacement.

PMID- 27280028
TI  - Treatment provision for gambling disorder in Britain: call for an integrated
      addictions treatment and commissioning model.
AB  - Treatment provision for individuals with gambling problems in Britain is at best
      inadequate. Here we call for gambling treatment provision to be integrated into
      mainstream drug and alcohol services, and for its commissioning responsibilities
      to fall under local public health departments. 

PMID- 27280029
TI  - Little evidence for community treatment orders - a battle fought with heavy
      weapons.
AB  - This editorial discusses the pros and cons of community treatment orders (CTOs)
      from the perspective of community general adult psychiatry. There is little
      scientific evidence supporting the application of CTOs. Preconditions of a CTO to
      work are likely to be met by few patients. The time for the application of a CTO
      may be better spent for patient-centred care until there is sufficient new and
      robust evidence that identifies the patients that might profit. 

PMID- 27280030
TI  - Community treatment orders in the UK 5 years on: a repeat national survey of
      psychiatrists.
AB  - Aims and method Community treatment orders (CTOs) are increasingly embedded into
      UK practice and their use continues to rise. However, they remain highly
      controversial. We surveyed psychiatrists to establish their experiences and
      current opinions of using CTOs and to compare findings with our previous survey
      conducted in 2010. Results The opinions of psychiatrists in the UK have not
      changed since 2010 in spite of recent evidence questioning the effectiveness of
      CTOs. Clinical factors (the need for engagement and treatment adherence, and the
      achievement of adherence and improved insight) remain the most important
      considerations in initiating and discharging a CTO. Clinical implications Given
      the accumulating evidence from research and clinical practice that CTOs do not
      improve outcomes, it is concerning that psychiatrists' opinions have not altered
      in response, particularly given the implications for patient care. 

PMID- 27280031
TI  - Community treatment orders and reduced time in hospital: a nationwide study, 2007
      2012.
AB  - Aims and method Community treatment orders (CTOs) were introduced in Scotland in
      2005, but are controversial owing to a lack of supportive randomised evidence.
      The non-randomised studies provide mixed results on their efficacy and utility.
      We aimed to examine hospital bed day usage across Scotland both before and after
      CTOs were initiated in a national cohort of patients, spanning 5 years. Results
      In total, 1558 individuals who were subject to a CTO between 2007 and 2012, of
      whom 63% were male, were included. After CTO initiation the number of hospital
      bed days fell, on average, from 66 to 39 per annum per patient. Those with a
      longer psychiatric history appeared to benefit more from a CTO, in terms of
      reduced time in hospital. Clinical implications Our data offer cautious support
      for the use of CTOs in routine practice, in terms of reducing time spent in
      psychiatric hospital. This finding is balanced by the more rigorous randomised
      studies which do not find any benefit to CTOs. 

PMID- 27280032
TI  - Body mass index and blood glucose in psychiatric and general practice
      populations.
AB  - Aims and method Using a retrospective observational approach, we aimed to discern
      whether there was a difference in metabolic parameters between psychiatric and
      general practice populations in the same locality. Second, we aimed to establish
      differences in metabolic parameters of patients taking olanzapine, clozapine or
      aripiprazole. Results Patients with psychiatric illness had a body mass index
      (BMI) comparable to that of the general practice population (28.7 v. 29.7
      kg/m(2)), but blood glucose was significantly lower in the general practice
      population (4.8 v. 6.1 mmol/L). Olanzapine was associated with the lowest BMI
      (26.1 kg/m(2)) and aripiprazole the highest (32.2 kg/m(2)), with no difference in
      blood glucose between antipsychotics. Clinical implications Awareness of
      environmental factors and how they affect individuals is important and
      medications are not the only cause of metabolic effects. There may be a
      channelling bias present, meaning practitioners are cognisant of potential
      metabolic effects prior to prescribing. Overall monitoring of physical health is
      important regardless of potential cause. 

PMID- 27280033
TI  - Cost and carbon burden of long-acting injections: a sustainable evaluation.
AB  - Aims and method This study explores the economic cost and carbon footprint
      associated with current patterns of prescribing long-term flupentixol decanoate
      long-acting injections. We conducted an analysis of prescription data from a
      mental health trust followed by economic and carbon cost projections using local
      and national data. Results A reduction of L300 000 could be achieved across
      England by improving prescribing behaviour, which equates to L250 per patient per
      year and 170 000 kg CO2e. These savings are unlikely to be released as cash from
      the service, but will lead to higher-value service provision at the same or lower
      cost. Most of these carbon emissions are attributable to the carbon footprint of
      the appointment - 88 000 kg CO2e (including energy use and materials used) and
      the overprescribing of medication - 66 000 kg CO2e. Clinical implications
      Psychiatrists need to review their prescribing practice of long-acting injections
      to reduce their impact on the National Health Service financial budget and the
      environment. 

PMID- 27280034
TI  - Changes in risk factors for young male suicide in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1961-2009.
AB  - Aims and method To ascertain differences in patterns of suicide in young men over
      three decades (1960s, 1990s and 2000s) and discuss implications for suicide
      prevention. Data on suicides and open verdicts in men aged 15-34 were obtained
      from coroner's records in Newcastle upon Tyne and analysed using SPSS software.
      Results An increase in suicide rates from the first to the second decade was
      followed by a fall in the third decade. This was associated with an increasing
      proportion of single men, those living alone, unemployment, consumption of
      alcohol, use of hanging, previous suicide attempt and history of treatment for
      mental illness. Clinical implications This study highlights the need for more
      interventions and focus to be given to young males in the suicide prevention area
      and is of high importance in the field of public health. Areas that could be
      tackled include reducing access to means of suicide, reducing alcohol use,
      support for relationship difficulties, engagement with mental health services and
      management of chronic illness. 

PMID- 27280035
TI  - Mind how you cross the gap! Outcomes for young people who failed to make the
      transition from child to adult services: the TRACK study.
AB  - Aims and method The Transitions of Care from Child and Adolescent Mental Health
      Services to Adult Mental Health Services (TRACK) study was a multistage,
      multicentre study of adolescents' transitions between child and adult mental
      health services undertaken in England. We conducted a secondary analysis of the
      TRACK study data to investigate healthcare provision for young people (n = 64)
      with ongoing mental health needs, who were not transferred from child and
      adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adult mental health services mental
      health services (AMHS). Results The most common outcomes were discharge to a
      general practitioner (GP; n = 29) and ongoing care with CAMHS (n = 13), with
      little indication of use of third-sector organisations. Most of these young
      people had emotional/neurotic disorders (n = 31, 48.4%) and neurodevelopmental
      disorders (n = 15, 23.4%). Clinical implications GPs and CAMHS are left with the
      responsibility for the continuing care of young people for whom no adult mental
      health service could be identified. GPs may not be able to offer the skilled
      ongoing care that these young people need. Equally, the inability to move them
      decreases the capacity of CAMHS to respond to new referrals and may leave some
      young people with only minimal support. 

PMID- 27280036
TI  - End-of-life care in a psychiatric hospital.
AB  - Since the Liverpool Care Pathway has been withdrawn in the UK, clinicians
      supporting the palliative needs of patients have faced further challenges,
      particularly for patients with dementia who are unable to go to a hospice owing
      to challenging behaviours. It is becoming more important for different services
      to provide long-term palliative care for patients with dementia. Mental health
      trusts should construct end-of-life care policies and train staff members
      accordingly. Through collaborative working, dying patients may be kept where they
      are best suited. We present the case study of a patient who received end-of-life
      care at a psychiatric hospital in the UK. We aim to demonstrate how effective end
      of-life care might be provided in a psychiatric hospital, in accordance with
      recent new palliative care guidelines, and highlight potential barriers. 

PMID- 27280037
TI  - Prescribing clozapine and rifampicin: clinical impact of their interaction.
AB  - The predictable pharmacokinetic drug interaction between clozapine and rifampicin
      is listed in most standard reference texts but little detail is given or emphasis
      on its clinical significance. The interaction is based on theoretical knowledge
      of both drugs; to date just two case reports have been published. This article
      describes a third case demonstrating the significance of this interaction. This
      was potentially devastating for the patient who required an extended psychiatric
      admission. The enzyme induction was so potent that the dose of clozapine had to
      be increased approximately sixfold. Careful management of this significant
      interaction is essential for effective patient care. 

PMID- 27280038
TI  - Services for people with complex psychosis: towards a new understanding.
AB  - This paper describes the need for commissioners and service providers to consider
      the development of a whole-system approach to providing rehabilitation services
      for patients with complex psychosis, in the context of the current economic
      pressures and emergence of a competitive market in this area of mental health.
      The practical and organisational arrangements for the management of risk with
      such services are described, taking into account the varying provision of
      rehabilitation services across the UK and considering how these can be developed
      against the care clustering system and interfaces with other mental health
      services. 

PMID- 27280039
TI  - Protesting loudly about Prevent is popular but is it informed and sensible?

PMID- 27280040
TI  - Author's reply.

PMID- 27280041
TI  - Secure services for patients should be needs based and locally available.

PMID- 27280042
TI  - Predictive value of ex vivo biodynamic imaging in determining response to
      chemotherapy in dogs with spontaneous non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: a preliminary
      study.
AB  - Biodynamic imaging (BDI) is a novel phenotypic cancer profiling technology which
      optically characterizes changes in subcellular motion within living tumor tissue
      samples in response to ex vivo treatment with cancer chemotherapy drugs. The
      purpose of this preliminary study was to assess the ability of ex vivo BDI to
      predict in vivo clinical response to chemotherapy in ten dogs with naturally
      occurring non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Pre-treatment tumor biopsy samples were
      obtained from all dogs and treated ex vivo with doxorubicin (10 MUM). BDI
      measured six dynamic biomarkers of subcellular motion from all biopsy samples at
      baseline and at regular intervals for 9 h following drug application. All dogs
      subsequently received doxorubicin to treat their lymphomas. Best overall response
      to and progression-free survival time following chemotherapy were recorded for
      all dogs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine
      accuracy and identify possible cut-off values for the BDI-measured biomarkers
      which could accurately predict those dogs' cancers that would and would not
      respond to doxorubicin chemotherapy. One biomarker (designated 'MEM') showed 100%
      discriminative capability for predicting clinical response to doxorubicin (area
      under the ROC curve = 1.00, 95% CI 0.692-1.000), while other biomarkers also
      showed promising predictive capability. These preliminary findings suggest that
      ex vivo BDI can accurately predict treatment outcome following doxorubicin
      chemotherapy in a spontaneous animal cancer model, and is worthy of further
      investigation as a technology for personalized cancer medicine.

PMID- 27280043
TI  - Enigmatic Inv(9): A Case Report on Rare Findings in Hematological Malignancies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inversion of chromosome 9 had been widely discussed among
      geneticists and evolutionary biologists because of its significant impact on
      various hereditary disorders and in the evolution of man. The role of such
      inversions in human disease evolution is an area hitherto unclear. CASE
      PRESENTATION: We present the case of a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patient who
      showed intermittent relapse on treatment, with a rare appearance of clones with
      dual inversion (9) breakpoints [inv(9)(p22q34); inv(9)(p11q21)]. We also present
      the first report of inv(9)(p11,q13) as the sole abnormality in a patient with
      chronic myeloproliferative disorder(CMPD). Both the patients registered in 2012
      and were from Kerala, India. CONCLUSIONS: Both the cases discussed in our study
      have inv(9) as the sole abnormality and are found to confer a relatively poor
      prognosis.

PMID- 27280045
TI  - Historical Medical Value of Donguibogam.
AB  - Oriental medicine, since its origin in China, has had a long history extending
      over 2000 years. Today, it comprises several types of medicine predominately
      practiced in East Asia, including traditional Chinese, traditional Korean, and
      Kampo medicine. The distinctive medical system of traditional Korean medicine was
      established shortly after the publication of Donguibogam by Dr. Heo Jun in 1613.
      Donguibogam is highly acclaimed across East Asia; in 2009, in light of its
      historical medical value, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
      Cultural Organization registered the book on its cultural heritage list. Here, we
      review the historical medical value of Donguibogam. The findings confirm that
      Donguibogam developed a unique and independent form of traditional Korean
      medicine and innovatively reformed the disease classification system. Moreover,
      Donguibogam emphasized the importance of disease prevention and medical
      pragmatism. This book also accelerated the development of folk medicine. Owing to
      its historical medical value, Donguibogam is now considered the 'bible' of
      Oriental medicine. Its wide acceptance has contributed to the expansion of Korean
      medicine utilization among the general public. Donguibogam has also played an
      important role in the establishment of traditional Korean medicine as a
      universally valid and original form of medicine, independent of traditional
      Chinese medicine. 

PMID- 27280044
TI  - Anti-malarial Drug Design by Targeting Apicoplasts: New Perspectives.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Malaria has been a major global health problem in recent times with
      increasing mortality. Current treatment methods include parasiticidal drugs and
      vaccinations. However, resistance among malarial parasites to the existing drugs
      has emerged as a significant area of concern in anti-malarial drug design.
      Researchers are now desperately looking for new targets to develop anti-malarials
      drug which is more target specific. Malarial parasites harbor a plastid-like
      organelle known as the 'apicoplast', which is thought to provide an exciting new
      outlook for the development of drugs to be used against the parasite. This review
      elaborates on the current state of development of novel compounds targeted
      againstemerging malaria parasites. METHODS: The apicoplast, originates by an
      endosymbiotic process, contains a range of metabolic pathways and housekeeping
      processes that differ from the host body and thereby presents ideal strategies
      for anti-malarial drug therapy. Drugs are designed by targeting the unique
      mechanism of the apicoplasts genetic machinery. Several anabolic and catabolic
      processes, like fatty acid, isopenetyl diphosphate and heme synthess in this
      organelle, have also been targeted by drugs. RESULTS: Apicoplasts offer exciting
      opportunities for the development of malarial treatment specific drugs have been
      found to act by disrupting this organelle's function, which wouldimpede the
      survival of the parasite. CONCLUSION: Recent advanced drugs, their modes of
      action, and their advantages in the treatment of malaria by using apicoplasts as
      a target are discussed in this review which thought to be very useful in
      desigining anti-malarial drugs. Targetting the genetic machinery of apicoplast
      shows a great advantange regarding anti-malarial drug design. Critical knowledge
      of these new drugs would give a healthier understanding for deciphering the
      mechanism of action of anti-malarial drugs when targeting apicoplasts to overcome
      drug resistance.

PMID- 27280046
TI  - IM-133N - A Useful Herbal Combination for Eradicating Disease-triggering
      Pathogens in Mice via Immunotherapeutic Mechanisms.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the immunomodulatory
      (IM) activity of IM-133N, a herbal combination in various immunotherapeutic
      experimental models. METHODS: The IM activity of IM-133N was evaluated against
      three experimental models namely, effect of IM- 133N against Escherichia coli (E.
      coli)-induced abdominal sepsis in mice, and carbon clearance test was performed
      in Wistar albino rats to evaluated the phagocytic potential of IM-133N, in
      addition IM-133N was evaluated for its immunoglobulin enhancing potential in
      rats, where the immunoglobulin levels were measured by zinc sulphate turbity
      (ZST) test. Further, IM-133N was subjected for detailed liquid chromatography
      mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS analysis to identify the probable active
      constituents present in it. RESULTS: The findings of the present study has
      demonstrated very promising IM property of IM-133N in all the experimental
      models. Briefly, pretreatment with IM-133N at 125, 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg, p.o.
      doses had protected the mice against E. coli-induced abdominal sepsis and
      mortality, further the effect of IM- 133N was found to be significant and dose
      dependent. In support of this, in another study administration of IM-133N showed
      a significant and dose-dependent increase in serum immunoglobulin levels,
      estimated by ZST test. In line with the above findings, in the carbon clearance
      test the low doses (125 and 250 mg/ kg, p.o.) of IM-133N increased the rate of
      carbon clearance, whereas the higher doses (500 and 1,000 mg/kg, p.o.) did not
      sustain the response, and saturation effect was considered as one of the possible
      reason for futility of higher doses for IM-133N. In addition, A detailed LC-MS/MS
      analysis of IM-133N showed 17 bioactive phytochemical constituents: namely,
      apigenin, chaulmoogric acid, mesquitol, quercetin, symphoxanthone, salireposide,
      beta-sitosterol, nonaeicosanol, beta-amyrin, betulic acid, oleanolic acid,
      symplososide, symponoside, symploveroside, symplocomoside, symconoside A and
      locoracemoside B. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that IM-133N possesses
      significant IM activity and, hence, could be useful for eradicating opportunistic
      disease-triggering pathogens via immunotherapeutic mechanisms. The findings also
      suggest IM-133N may also useful in other immunity disorders.

PMID- 27280047
TI  - The Place of Complementary Medicine in the Treatment of Autistic Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to achieve a vision for autistic
      children and their parents aimed at generating interest in ideas such as "Sanitas
      Per Aquam" (SPA), massage and music therapy, which has begun to have widespread
      use and to attract attention. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive study
      was carried out with autistic children and their parents from February to April
      2015 in Mugla, Turkey. The study was began by interviewing experts in the field
      and by developing a suitable assessment questionnaire. In order to direct the
      flow of conversation between the researchers and the autisitc children and their
      parents, the researchers conducted semi-structured face to face interviews in a
      form that had been determined by using reports in the literature and the opinions
      of experts in the field. RESULTS: Forty two boys (84%) and eight girls (16%) with
      autism participated in our study. Children in the 0 ? 7 age group spent long time
      in the bathroom (P = 0.001). Boys liked to be hugged more than girls (P = 0.01).
      Children ages 0 ? 7 years liked bright lighting while those 15 years of age and
      older liked gloomy lighting (P = 0.009). Except for these statistically
      significant sex- and age-related differences, no other statistically significant
      differences were noted in the parameters of this study. Although the result was
      not statistically significant, more children with mild autism disorder obeyed
      commands like inhale or exhale (P = 0.051). CONCLUSION: Treatment for autism
      spectrum disorders is not yet fully possible, so many studies are being done to
      alleviate some symptoms and to improve the quality of life for individuals with
      autism and their families. As a result of our study, whether touching the areas
      the children want touched and listening to their favorite music are required to
      stimulate the brain remain as questions in our minds.

PMID- 27280048
TI  - Nanopharmaceutical Approach for Enhanced Anti-cancer Activity of Betulinic Acid
      in Lung-cancer Treatment via Activation of PARP: Interaction with DNA as a
      Target: -Anti-cancer Potential of Nano-betulinic Acid in Lung Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relative efficacies of a derivative of
      betulinic acid (dBA) and its poly (lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA) nano
      encapsulated form in A549 lung cancer cells in vivo and in co-mutagen [sodium
      arsenite (SA) + benzo]undefined[a]pyrene (BaP)]-induced lung cancer in mice in
      vivo. METHODS: dBA was loaded with PLGA nanoparticles by using the standard
      solvent displacement method. The sizes and morphologies of nano-dBA (NdBA) were
      determined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their
      intracellular localization was verified by using confocal microscopy. The binding
      and interaction of NdBA with calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (CT-DNA) as a
      target were analyzed by using conventional circular dichroism (CD) and melting
      temperature (Tm) profile data. Apoptotic signalling cascades in vitro and in vivo
      were studied by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the ability
      of NdBA to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was also examined. The stage of
      cell cycle arrest was confirmed by using a fluorescence-activated cell-sorting
      (FACS) data analysis. RESULTS: The average size of the nanoparticles was ~ 110
      nm. Confocal microscopy images confirmed the presence of NdBA in the cellular
      cytoplasm. The bio-physical properties of dBA and NdBA ascertained from the CD
      and the Tm profiles revealed that NdBA had greater interaction with the target
      DNA than dBA did. Both dBA and NdBA arrested cell proliferation at G0/G1, NdBA
      showing the greater effect. NdBA also induced a greater degree of cytotoxicity in
      A549 cells, but it had an insignificant cytotoxic effect in normal L6 cells. The
      results of flow cytometric, cytogenetial and histopathological studies in mice
      revealed that NdBA caused less nuclear condensation and DNA damage than dBA did.
      TEM images showed the presence of NdBA in brain samples of NdBA fed mice,
      indicating its ability to cross the BBB. CONCLUSION: Thus, compared to dBA, NdBA
      appears to have greater chemoprotective potential against lung cancer.

PMID- 27280049
TI  - Antifungal Activity of Bee Venom and Sweet Bee Venom against Clinically Isolated
      Candida albicans.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antifungal effect of
      bee venom (BV) and sweet bee venom (SBV) against Candida albicans (C. albicans)
      clinical isolates. METHODS: In this study, BV and SBV were examined for
      antifungal activities against the Korean Collection for Type Cultures (KCTC)
      strain and 10 clinical isolates of C. albicans. The disk diffusion method was
      used to measure the antifungal activity and minimum inhibitory concentration
      (MIC) assays were performed by using a broth microdilution method. Also, a
      killing curve assay was conducted to investigate the kinetics of the anti- fungal
      action. RESULTS: BV and SBV showed antifungal activity against 10 clinical
      isolates of C. albicans that were cultured from blood and the vagina by using
      disk diffusion method. The MIC values obtained for clinical isolates by using the
      broth microdilution method varied from 62.5 MUg/ mL to 125 MUg/mL for BV and from
      15.63 MUg/mL to 62.5 MUg/mL for SBV. In the killing-curve assay, SBV behaved as
      amphotericin B, which was used as positive control, did. The antifungal efficacy
      of SBV was much higher than that of BV. CONCLUSION: BV and SBV showed antifungal
      activity against C. albicans clinical strains that were isolated from blood and
      the vagina. Especially, SBV might be a candidate for a new antifungal agent
      against C. albicans clinical isolates.

PMID- 27280050
TI  - Ethanol Extract of Oldenlandia diffusa - an Effective Chemotherapeutic for the
      Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Humans: -Anti-Cancer Effects of Oldenlandia
      diffusa.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Oldenlandia diffusa is traditionally used to relieve the symptoms of
      and to treat various diseases, but its anti-cancer activity has not been well
      studied. In the present study, the authors investigated the anti-cancer effects
      of an ethanol extract of Oldenlandia diffusa (EOD) on HT-29 human adenocarcinoma
      cells. METHODS: Cells were treated with different concentrations of an EOD, and
      cell death was assessed by using a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Analyses of the sub G1 peak, the caspase
      3 and -9 activities, and the mitochondrial membrane depolarizations were
      conducted to confirm cell death by apoptosis. Also, intracellular reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) generation was determined using carboxy-H2DCFDA (5-(and-6)-carboxy
      20,70-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate). RESULTS: EOD inhibited the
      proliferation of HT-29 cells for 24 hours by 78.6% +/- 8.1% at 50 MUg/mL, 74.4%
      +/- 4.6% at 100 MUg/mL, 65.9% +/- 5.2% at 200 MUg/mL, 51.4% +/- 6.2% at 300
      MUg/mL, and by 41.7% +/- 8.9% at 400 MUg/mL, and treatment for 72 hours reduced
      the proliferation at the corresponding concentrations by 43.3% +/- 8.8%, 24.3 +/-
      5.1 mV, 13.5 +/- 3.2 mV, 6.5 +/- 2.3 mV, and by 2.6 +/- 2.3 mV. EOD increased the
      number of cells in the sub-G1 peak in a dose-dependent manner. The mitochondrial
      membrane depolarization was elevated by EOD. Also, caspase activities were dose
      dependently elevated in the presence of EOD, and these activities were repressed
      by a pan-caspase inhibitor (zVAD-fmk). The ROS generation was significantly
      increased by EOD and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC; a ROS scavenger) remarkably
      abolished EOD-induced cell death. In addition, a combination of sub-optimal doses
      of EOD and chemotherapeutic agents noticeably suppressed the growth of HT-29
      cancer cells. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that EOD might be an effective
      chemotherapeutic for the treatment of human colorectal cancer.

PMID- 27280051
TI  - Ethanol Extract of Ganoderma lucidum Augments Cellular Anti-oxidant Defense
      through Activation of Nrf2/HO-1.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The mushroom Ganoderma lucidum has been widely used as a traditional
      herbal medicine for many years. Although several studies have focused on the anti
      oxidative activity of this mushroom, the molecular mechanisms underlying its
      activity have not yet been clearly established. The present study investigated
      the cytoprotective effect of ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum (EGL) against
      oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) and elucidated the underlying
      mechanisms in a C2C12 myoblast cell line. METHODS: Oxidative stress markers were
      determined by using the comet assay to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      generation and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage. Cell viability and Western
      blotting analyses were employed to evaluate the cellular response to EGL and H2O2
      in C2C12 cells. Transfection with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2
      (Nrf2)-specific small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) was conducted to
      understand the relationship between Nrf2 expression and H2O2-induced growth
      inhibition. RESULTS: The results showed that EGL effectively inhibited H2O2
      induced growth and the generation of ROS. EGL markedly suppressed H2O2-induced
      comet-like DNA formation and phosphorylation of histone H2AX at serine 139 (p
      gammaH2AX), a widely used marker of DNA damage, suggesting that EGL prevented
      H2O2-induced DNA damage. Furthermore, the EGL treatment effectively induced the
      expression of Nrf2, as well as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), with parallel
      phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in the C2C12 myoblasts.
      However, zinc protoporphyrin IX, a HO-1 inhibitor, significantly abolished the
      protective effects of EGL against H2O2-induced accumulation of ROS and reduced
      cell growth. Notably, transient transfection with Nrf2-specific siRNA attenuated
      the cytoprotective effects and HO-1 induction by EGL, indicating that EGL induced
      the expression of HO-1 in an Nrf2-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Collectively,
      these results demonstrate that EGL augments the cellular anti-oxidant defense
      capacity through activation of Nrf2/HO-1, thereby protecting C2C12 myoblasts from
      H2O2-induced oxidative cytotoxicity.

PMID- 27280052
TI  - Ethanol Extracts of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum Low Anti
      Toxoplasma Activity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine the lethal and the inhibitory
      effects of ethanol extracts of Achillea millefolium (A. millefolium) and
      Hypericum perforatum (H. perforatum) on Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) RH strain
      tachyzoites in vitro. METHODS: The tachyzoites were treated with concentrations
      of 10, 50, and 100 mg/mL of A. millefolium and H. perforatum extracts within 10,
      30, and 45 minutes in the wells. The mortality rates of tachyzoites treated with
      extracts were determined by using alkaline methylene blue staining. Also, the
      tachyzoites in cell cultures were treated with concentrations of 50, 100, and 200
      mg/mL of these extracts. The cell viability, inhibition concentration (IC50), and
      selectivity were determined from MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays. RESULTS: In the cell-free in vitro study,
      all of tachyzoites were killed at concentrations of 100 mg/mL of both extracts
      while at concentration 10 mg/mL, the mortality was 4.53% - 5.31%. In the cell
      culture study, the values of the effective concentration (EC50) were 215 and 153
      MUg/mL and the selectivities were 0.73 and 0.69 for the A. millefolium and the H.
      perforatum extracts, respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that neither extracts
      has any significant effect on the tachyzoites of T. gondii in cell cultures.

PMID- 27280053
TI  - Erratum: Are there a guidelines for implantable spinal cord stimulator therapy in
      patients using chronic anticoagulation therapy? - A review of decision-making in
      the high-risk patient.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 33 in vol. 7, PMID: 27127698.]. 

PMID- 27280054
TI  - Erratum: A rare intracranial tumor consisting of malignant anaplastic and
      papillary meningioma subtypes.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 21 in vol. 7, PMID: 26981322.]. 

PMID- 27280056
TI  - I slew the beast!

PMID- 27280055
TI  - Spontaneous shrinkage of vestibular schwannoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: "Watch, wait, and rescan" (WWR) has an established place as a
      successful management option for a significant proportion of vestibular
      schwannomas (VS) as an alternative to microsurgical removal or stereotactic
      radiotherapy. VS may grow slowly and continuously, followed by stagnation or even
      shrinkage. We present two case reports of spontaneous shrinkage of VS along with
      a review of the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 29-year-old female presented with
      a progressive history of visual blurring and intermittent diplopia over 2 months.
      A 29 mm of maximum intracranial diameter (ICD) VS with secondary obstructive
      hydrocephalus was diagnosed. The patient underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt
      with resolution of her symptoms and opted for initial WWR management. Interval
      scanning between 2007 and 2014 showed progressive reduction in the maximum ICD
      together with reduction in the degree of central tumor enhancement. Maximum ICD
      at most recent follow up was 22 mm. A 28-year-old female was referred with right
      sensorineural deafness. A right VS of maximum ICD of 27 mm was diagnosed. Initial
      WWR management was planned after discussion. Serial imaging showed an initial
      increase in the size of the tumor followed by progressive reduction in size. The
      most recent follow up showed a maximum ICD of 20 mm. CONCLUSION: Early WWR
      management can be associated with spontaneous shrinkage of VS over time.
      Prospective clinical study of larger numbers of such cases using the UK VS
      database may help to identify predictive factors for the spontaneous regression
      of VS.

PMID- 27280057
TI  - An aggressive multidisciplinary approach reduces mortality in rhinocerebral
      mucormycosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rhinocerebral mucormycosis occurs in immunocompromised hosts with
      uncontrolled diabetes, solid organ transplants, and hematologic malignancies.
      Primary disease is in the paranasal sinuses but often progresses intracranially,
      via direct extension or angioinvasion. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is rapidly
      fatal with a mortality rate of 85%, even when maximally treated with surgical
      debridement, antifungal therapy, and correction of underlying processes. METHODS:
      We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with rhinocerebral
      mucormycosis from 2011 to 2014. These patients were analyzed for symptoms,
      surgical and medical management, and outcome. We found four patients who were
      diagnosed with rhinocerebral mucormycosis. All patients underwent rapid
      aggressive surgical debridement and were started on antifungal therapy on the day
      of diagnosis. Overall, we observed a mortality rate of 50%. RESULTS: An early
      aggressive multidisciplinary approach with surgical debridement, antifungal
      therapy, and correction of underlying disease have been shown to improve
      survivability in rhinocerebral mucormycosis. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary
      approach to rhinocerebral mucormycosis with otolaryngology, neurosurgery, and
      ophthalmology, infectious disease and medical intensivists can help reduce
      mortality in an otherwise largely fatal disease. Even despite these measures,
      outcomes remain poor, and a high index of suspicion must be maintained in at-risk
      populations, in order to rapidly execute a multifaceted approach.

PMID- 27280058
TI  - Role of Biosensing Technology for NeuroAIDS Management.

PMID- 27280059
TI  - Comparison of an Atomic Model and Its Cryo-EM Image at the Central Axis of a
      Helix.
AB  - Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is an important biophysical technique that
      produces three-dimensional (3D) density maps at different resolutions. Because
      more and more models are being produced from cryo-EM density maps, validation of
      the models is becoming important. We propose a method for measuring local
      agreement between a model and the density map using the central axis of the
      helix. This method was tested using 19 helices from cryo-EM density maps between
      5.5 A and 7.2 A resolution and 94 helices from simulated density maps. This
      method distinguished most of the well-fitting helices, although challenges exist
      for shorter helices.

PMID- 27280060
TI  - Fluorescent property of indocyanine green (ICG) rubber ring using LED and laser
      light sources.
AB  - Fluorescent properties of ICG depends on solvent. Fluorescent characteristics of
      ICG rubber rings and optimized detection system condition were identified. The
      fluorescent rubber rings are produced by drying mixture of ICG solution and
      liquid rubber. LED and laser light sources were used to test differences between
      them. Other variables are ICG molar concentration (100, 80, 60, 40, 20, 10MUM),
      excitation light spectrum (740, 760, 785nm) and angle of view (0~80 degrees ). We
      observed that ICG ring emitted fluorescence at longer wavelength than in blood
      and aqueous state. Observation angle between 0 and 50 provided similar brightness
      of images, while others are significantly less luminous. Excitation light between
      740~760nm ensured non-overlapping spectrums of excitation light and fluorescence
      emission. 

PMID- 27280061
TI  - Zika Virus, Elevation, and Transmission Risk.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Zika virus has appeared in the Americas in the form of a major
      outbreak, and is now known to cause birth defects when pregnant women are
      infected. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued
      travel guidelines, in the form of an elevational risk definition: destinations
      below 2000m are considered as at-risk. METHODS: We explored the distribution of
      known Zika virus vector mosquito species in relation to climatic conditions,
      elevation, latitude, and air traffic connections to the United States. RESULTS:
      In view of the tropical and subtropical nature of the mosquito species that are
      the primary Zika virus vectors, we point out that climate varies rather
      dramatically with respect to elevation and latitude, such that a single
      elevational criterion will be a poor predictor of potential for transmission.
      DISCUSSION: We suggest an initial adjustment would consider latitude in addition
      to elevation; a more definitive, quantitative analysis of risk would consider
      variables of ecology, climate, human condition, and connectivity of areas.

PMID- 27280062
TI  - Right Ventricular Myocardial Ischemia with Arrhythmia in an Asphyxiated Newborn.
AB  - Background Infant and neonatal myocardial infarction (MI) has been described in
      association with congenital heart disease, coronary artery abnormalities,
      myocarditis, and tumors. MI in the perinatal period in a structurally normal
      heart and with ventricular arrhythmia as a presenting feature has not been
      thoroughly described. Published case reports describe treatment methods
      extrapolated from adult MI. However, due to the rare occurrence, the most
      appropriate acute treatment for both MI and ventricular arrhythmia in newborn
      infants remains unknown. Case A male term infant with perinatal asphyxia and need
      for extensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation at birth had ventricular
      tachyarrhythmia and ST-elevations on electrocardiogram. Four hours after birth,
      he died from cardiogenic failure. A thrombus at the right coronary artery was
      found on autopsy. Conclusion MI in the perinatal period in a structurally normal
      heart is very rare and mortality is high. Although acute treatments extrapolated
      from adult MI has been described to result in favorable outcomes in newborn
      infants, guidelines are lacking on how to manage acute MI and associated
      ventricular arrhythmia. 

PMID- 27280063
TI  - The Effect of a Universal Cervical Length Screening Program on Antepartum
      Management and Birth Outcomes.
AB  - Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a universal
      cervical length screening program on the incidence of antepartum interventions.
      Study Design This retrospective cohort study included women delivering >= 20
      weeks of gestation with singleton pregnancies before and after implementing
      universal cervical length screening. Antepartum interventions included admission
      for threatened preterm birth, >= 2 cervical length measurements, cervical
      cerclage, neonatology consultation, betamethasone, antibiotic administration for
      preterm premature rupture of membranes, and tocolysis. Results There were 1,131
      women-506 before the screening program (unexposed) and 625 afterward (exposed).
      The screening program resulted in significantly more women screened (3.0 vs.
      69.9%, p < 0.0001). The exposed group was more likely to undergo >= 1
      intervention (20.0 vs. 9.5%, p < 0.0001); specifically, admission for threatened
      preterm birth (3.8 vs. 1.8%, p = 0.04) and >= 2 cervical measurements (11.2 vs.
      2.0%, p < 0.001). Other interventions were similar between groups (all p >=
      0.06). Median gestation length was significantly longer in the exposed (39.6
      weeks [interquartile, IQR: 38.6-40.4] vs. 39.0 weeks [IQR: 38.0-40.0, p <
      0.001]); however, preterm delivery incidence was unaffected (9.4 vs. 10.9%, p =
      0.43). Remaining neonatal outcomes were similar (all p >= 0.14). Conclusion
      Implementing universal cervical length screening significantly increased the
      proportion of women undergoing >= 1 antepartum intervention. With the exception
      of a modestly prolonged gestation, other outcomes were unaffected. 

PMID- 27280064
TI  - A Narrative Review of Pharmacologic and Non-pharmacologic Interventions for
      Disorders of Consciousness Following Brain Injury in the Pediatric Population.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of long-term disability in
      the United States. A significant proportion of children who experience a TBI will
      have moderate or severe injuries, which includes a period of decreased
      responsiveness. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities are used
      for treating disorders of consciousness after TBI in children. However, the
      evidence supporting the use of potential therapies is relatively scant, even in
      adults, and overall, there is a paucity of study in pediatrics. The goal of this
      review is to describe the state of the science for use of pharmacologic and non
      pharmacologic interventions for disorders of consciousness in the pediatric
      population.

PMID- 27280066
TI  - Potential problems of removing one invasive species at a time: a meta-analysis of
      the interactions between invasive vertebrates and unexpected effects of removal
      programs.
AB  - Although the co-occurrence of nonnative vertebrates is a ubiquitous global
      phenomenon, the study of interactions between invaders is poorly represented in
      the literature. Limited understanding of the interactions between co-occurring
      vertebrates can be problematic for predicting how the removal of only one
      invasive-a common management scenario-will affect native communities. We suggest
      a trophic food web framework for predicting the effects of single-species
      management on native biodiversity. We used a literature search and meta-analysis
      to assess current understanding of how the removal of one invasive vertebrate
      affects native biodiversity relative to when two invasives are present. The
      majority of studies focused on the removal of carnivores, mainly within aquatic
      systems, which highlights a critical knowledge gap in our understanding of co
      occurring invasive vertebrates. We found that removal of one invasive vertebrate
      caused a significant negative effect on native species compared to when two
      invasive vertebrates were present. These unexpected results could arise because
      of the positioning and hierarchy of the co-occurring invasives in the food web
      (e.g., carnivore-carnivore or carnivore-herbivore). We consider that there are
      important knowledge gaps to determinate the effects of multiple co-existing
      invaders on native ecosystems, and this information could be precious for
      management. 

PMID- 27280065
TI  - Association of potential salivary biomarkers with diabetic retinopathy and its
      severity in type-2 diabetes mellitus: a proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry.
AB  - AIM/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of our study was to characterize the human salivary
      proteome and determine the changes in protein expression in two different stages
      of diabetic retinopathy with type-2 diabetes mellitus: (1) with non-proliferative
      diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and (2) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy
      (PDR). Type-2 diabetes mellitus without diabetic retinopathy (XDR) was designated
      as control. METHOD: In this study, 45 saliva samples were collected (15 samples
      from XDR control group, 15 samples from NPDR disease group and 15 samples from
      PDR disease group). Salivary proteins were extracted, reduced, alkylated, trypsin
      digested and labeled with an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation
      (iTRAQ) before being analyzed by an Orbitrap fusion tribrid mass spectrometer.
      Protein annotation, fold change calculation and statistical analysis were
      interrogated by Proteome Discoverer. Biological pathway analysis was performed by
      Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with
      identifiers PXD003723-PX003725. RESULTS: A total of 315 proteins were identified
      from the salivary proteome and 119 proteins were found to be differentially
      expressed. The differentially expressed proteins from the NPDR disease group and
      the PDR disease group were assigned to respective canonical pathways indicating
      increased Liver X receptor/Retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR) activation, Farnesoid X
      receptor/Retinoid X receptor (FXR/RXR) activation, acute phase response
      signaling, sucrose degradation V and regulation of actin-based motility by Rho in
      the PDR disease group compared to the NPDR disease group.
      CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Progression from non-proliferative to proliferative
      retinopathy in type-2 diabetic patients is a complex multi-mechanism and systemic
      process. Furthermore, saliva was shown to be a feasible alternative sample source
      for diabetic retinopathy biomarkers.

PMID- 27280067
TI  - Living to the range limit: consumer isotopic variation increases with
      environmental stress.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Theoretically, each species' ecological niche is phylogenetically
      determined and expressed spatially as the species' range. However, environmental
      stress gradients may directly or indirectly decrease individual performance, such
      that the precise process delimiting a species range may not be revealed simply by
      studying abundance patterns. In the intertidal habitat the vertical ranges of
      marine species may be constrained by their abilities to tolerate thermal and
      desiccation stress, which may act directly or indirectly, the latter by limiting
      the availability of preferred trophic resources. Therefore, we expected
      individuals at greater shore heights to show greater variation in diet alongside
      lower indices of physiological condition. METHODS: We sampled the grazing
      gastropod Echinolittorina peruviana from the desert coastline of northern Chile
      at three shore heights, across eighteen regionally-representative shores. Stable
      isotope values (delta13C and delta15N) were extracted from E. peruviana and its
      putative food resources to estimate Bayesian ellipse area, carbon and nitrogen
      ranges and diet. Individual physiological condition was tracked by muscle % C and
      % N. RESULTS: There was an increase in isotopic variation at high shore levels,
      where E. peruviana's preferred resource, tide-deposited particulate organic
      matter (POM), appeared to decrease in dietary contribution, and was expected to
      be less abundant. Both muscle % C and % N of individuals decreased with height on
      the shore. DISCUSSION: Individuals at higher stress levels appear to be less
      discriminating in diet, likely because of abiotic forcing, which decreases both
      consumer mobility and the availability of a preferred resource. Abiotic stress
      might be expected to increase trophic variation in other selective dietary
      generalist species. Where this coincides with a lower physiological condition may
      be a direct factor in setting their range limit.

PMID- 27280068
TI  - Assessing Illumina technology for the high-throughput sequencing of bacteriophage
      genomes.
AB  - Bacteriophages are the most abundant biological entities on the planet, playing
      crucial roles in the shaping of bacterial populations. Phages have smaller
      genomes than their bacterial hosts, yet there are currently fewer fully sequenced
      phage than bacterial genomes. We assessed the suitability of Illumina technology
      for high-throughput sequencing and subsequent assembly of phage genomes. In
      silico datasets reveal that 30* coverage is sufficient to correctly assemble the
      complete genome of ~98.5% of known phages, with experimental data confirming that
      the majority of phage genomes can be assembled at 30* coverage. Furthermore, in
      silico data demonstrate it is possible to co-sequence multiple phages from
      different hosts, without introducing assembly errors. 

PMID- 27280069
TI  - Long-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy versus open
      nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review and
      meta-analysis.
AB  - Background. Several factors have been validated as predictors of disease
      recurrence in upper tract urothelial carcinoma. However, the oncological outcomes
      between different surgical approaches (open nephroureterectomy versus
      laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, ONU vs LNU) remain controversial. Therefore, we
      performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the oncological outcomes associated with
      different surgical approaches. Methods. We conducted an electronic search of the
      PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge and Cochrane Library electronic databases
      through November 2015, screened the retrieved references, collected and evaluated
      the relevant information. We extracted and synthesized the corresponding hazard
      ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using Stata 13. Results.
      Twenty-one observational studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta
      analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed no differences in the
      intravesical recurrence-free survival (IRFS), unspecified recurrence-free
      survival (UnRFS) and overall survival (OS) between LNUandONU. However,
      improvements in the extravesical recurrence free survival (ExRFS) and cancer
      specific survival (CSS) were observed inLNU. The pooled hazard ratios were 1.05
      (95% CI [0.92-1.18]) for IRFS, 0.80 (95% CI [0.64-0.96]) for ExRFS, 1.10 (95% CI
      [0.93-1.28]) for UnRFS, 0.91 (95% CI [0.66-1.17]) for OS and 0.79 (95% CI [0.68
      0.91]) for CSS. Conclusion. Based on current evidence, LNU could provide
      equivalent prognostic effects for upper tract urothelial carcinoma, and had
      better oncological control of ExRFS and CSS compared to ONU. However, considering
      all eligible studies with the intrinsic bias of retrospective study design, the
      results should be interpreted with caution. Prospective randomized trials are
      needed to verify these results. 

PMID- 27280070
TI  - Microfungal oasis in an oligotrophic desert: diversity patterns and community
      structure in three freshwater systems of Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico.
AB  - The Cuatro Cienegas Basin (CCB) comprises several oligotrophic aquatic ecosystems
      limited by phosphorus. These aquatic systems are dominated by a high prokaryotic
      diversity, shaped by the stress of low nutrient supplies and interspecific
      competition. Although fungi constitute a diverse and important component of
      microbial diversity, the microfungal diversity in the CCB remains to be unveiled.
      With the aim to explore microfungal diversity and ecological patterns in this
      area, we present the first investigation analyzing cultivable taxa from sediment
      and water, as well as lignocellulolytic taxa obtained from incubated submerged
      plant debris, and wood panels in three contrasting freshwater systems in the CCB:
      Churince, Becerra and Pozas Rojas. We chose a culture-based approach to analyze
      sediment and water samples in order to obtain fungal cultures, providing
      opportunities for a posteriori studies, and the possibility of ex situ
      preservation of the diversity. We evaluated sequence data from the nuclear
      ribosomal internal transcribed spacer including the 5.8 rDNA region for 126
      isolates, revealing 37 OTUs. These OTUs were phylogenetically affiliated to
      several genera in the fungal phyla: Zygomycota, Basidiomycota, and Ascomycota. We
      recorded two OTUs with saline affinity, agreeing with previous findings on the
      prokaryotic communities with ancestral marine resemblances. All the studied
      systems showed moderate diversity levels, however discrepancies among the
      diversity indexes were observed, due to the occurrence of abundant taxa in the
      samples. Our results indicated that lignocellulolytic microfungal communities are
      dominated by transient fungal taxa, as resident species were not recorded perhaps
      as a result of the long-term strong competition with the highly adapted
      prokaryotic community. Moreover, the obtained microfungal taxa occurred mostly on
      the resident plant debris, rather than submerged wood panels, perhaps as a result
      of the high adaptation to specific environmental conditions. In conclusion, the
      CCB possess a moderate taxonomical diversity compared to other arid environments,
      probably as a result of high selective pressures. Nonetheless, due to high
      spatial and temporal heterogeneity, the functional fungal diversity was
      considerable as predicted by the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Decisively,
      the assessment of microfungal diversity freshwater systems is relevant, since
      this ecological group of microorganisms represents an important indicator of
      trophic complexity and biotic interactions among microbial communities, having
      important implications for understanding eukaryotic survival at the oligotrophic
      limit for life. 

PMID- 27280071
TI  - Snapshot fecal survey of domestic animals in rural Ghana for Mycobacterium
      ulcerans.
AB  - Identifying the source reservoirs of Mycobacterium ulcerans is key to
      understanding the mode of transmission of this pathogen and controlling the
      spread of Buruli ulcer (BU). In Australia, the native possum can harbor M.
      ulcerans in its gastrointestinal tract and shed high concentrations of the
      bacteria in its feces. To date, an analogous animal reservoir in Africa has not
      been identified. Here we tested the hypothesis that common domestic animals in BU
      endemic villages of Ghana are reservoir species analogous to the Australian
      possum. Using linear-transects at 10-meter intervals, we performed systematic
      fecal surveys across four BU endemic villages and one non-endemic village in the
      Asante Akim North District of Ghana. One hundred and eighty fecal specimens from
      a single survey event were collected and analyzed by qPCR for the M. ulcerans
      diagnostic DNA targets IS2404 and KR-B. Positive and negative controls performed
      as expected but all 180 test samples were negative. This structured snapshot
      survey suggests that common domestic animals living in and around humans do not
      shed M. ulcerans in their feces. We conclude that, unlike the Australian native
      possum, domestic animals in rural Ghana are unlikely to be major reservoirs of M.
      ulcerans. 

PMID- 27280072
TI  - European adults' physical activity socio-demographic correlates: a cross
      sectional study from the European Social Survey.
AB  - Background. From a public health perspective, the study of socio-demographic
      factors related to physical activity is important in order to identify subgroups
      for intervention programs. Objective. This study aimed to identify the prevalence
      of, and the socio-demographic correlates related to, the achievement of
      recommended physical activity levels. Methods. Using data from the European
      Social Survey round 6, physical activity and socio-demographic characteristics
      were collected, in 2012, from 39,278 European adults (18,272 men, 21,006 women),
      aged 18-65 years, from 28 countries. The question of meeting physical activity
      guidelines was assessed using World Health Organization criteria. Results. A
      total of 64.50% (63.36% men, 66.49% women) attained physical activity recommended
      levels. The likelihood of attaining physical activity recommendations was higher
      in the 55-64 years age group (men: OR = 1.22, p < 0.05; women: OR = 1.66, p <
      0.001), among those who had secondary education (men: OR = 1.28, p < 0.01; women:
      OR = 1.26, p < 0.05), among those who lived in rural areas (men: OR = 1.20, p <
      0.001; women: OR = 1.10, p < 0.05), and among those who had three or more people
      living at home (men: OR = 1.40, p < 0.001; women: OR = 1.43, p < 0.001). On the
      other hand, attaining physical activity recommendations was negatively associated
      with being unemployed (men: OR = 0.70, p < 0.001; women: OR = 0.87, p < 0.05),
      being a student (OR = 0.56, p < 0.001; women: OR = 0.64, p < 0.01), being a
      retired person (men: OR = 0.86, p < 0.05) and with having a higher household
      income (OR = 0.80, p < 0.001; women: OR = 0.81, p < 0.01). Conclusions. This
      research helped clarify that, as the promotion of physical activity is critical
      to sustain health and prevent disease, socio-demographic factors are important to
      consider when planning the increase of physical activity. 

PMID- 27280073
TI  - A closer look at four-dot masking of a foveated target.
AB  - Four-dot masking with a common onset mask was recently demonstrated in a fully
      attended and foveated target (Filmer, Mattingley & Dux, 2015). Here, we replicate
      and extend this finding by directly comparing a four-dot mask with an annulus
      mask while probing masking as a function of mask duration, and target-mask
      separation. Our results suggest that while an annulus mask operates via spatially
      local contour interactions, a four-dot mask operates through spatially global
      mechanisms. We also measure how the visual system's representation of an oriented
      bar is impacted by a four-dot mask, and find that masking here does not degrade
      the precision of perceived targets, but instead appears to be driven exclusively
      by rendering the target completely invisible. 

PMID- 27280074
TI  - Experimental warming decreases arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization in
      prairie plants along a Mediterranean climate gradient.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provide numerous services to their
      plant symbionts. Understanding climate change effects on AMF, and the resulting
      plant responses, is crucial for predicting ecosystem responses at regional and
      global scales. We investigated how the effects of climate change on AMF-plant
      symbioses are mediated by soil water availability, soil nutrient availability,
      and vegetation dynamics. METHODS: We used a combination of a greenhouse
      experiment and a manipulative climate change experiment embedded within a
      Mediterranean climate gradient in the Pacific Northwest, USA to examine this
      question. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to determine the direct and
      indirect effects of experimental warming on AMF colonization. RESULTS: Warming
      directly decreased AMF colonization across plant species and across the climate
      gradient of the study region. Other positive and negative indirect effects of
      warming, mediated by soil water availability, soil nutrient availability, and
      vegetation dynamics, canceled each other out. DISCUSSION: A warming-induced
      decrease in AMF colonization would likely have substantial consequences for plant
      communities and ecosystem function. Moreover, predicted increases in more intense
      droughts and heavier rains for this region could shift the balance among indirect
      causal pathways, and either exacerbate or mitigate the negative, direct effect of
      increased temperature on AMF colonization.

PMID- 27280075
TI  - Rapidly increasing macroalgal cover not related to herbivorous fishes on
      Mesoamerican reefs.
AB  - Long-term phase shifts from coral to macroalgal dominated reef systems are well
      documented in the Caribbean. Although the impact of coral diseases, climate
      change and other factors is acknowledged, major herbivore loss through disease
      and overfishing is often assigned a primary role. However, direct evidence for
      the link between herbivore abundance, macroalgal and coral cover is sparse,
      particularly over broad spatial scales. In this study we use a database of coral
      reef surveys performed at 85 sites along the Mesoamerican Reef of Mexico, Belize,
      Guatemala and Honduras, to examine potential ecological links by tracking site
      trajectories over the period 2005-2014. Despite the long-term reduction of
      herbivory capacity reported across the Caribbean, the Mesoamerican Reef region
      displayed relatively low macroalgal cover at the onset of the study.
      Subsequently, increasing fleshy macroalgal cover was pervasive. Herbivorous fish
      populations were not responsible for this trend as fleshy macroalgal cover change
      was not correlated with initial herbivorous fish biomass or change, and the
      majority of sites experienced increases in macroalgae browser biomass. This
      contrasts the coral reef top-down herbivore control paradigm and suggests the
      role of external factors in making environmental conditions more favourable for
      algae. Increasing macroalgal cover typically suppresses ecosystem services and
      leads to degraded reef systems. Consequently, policy makers and local coral reef
      managers should reassess the focus on herbivorous fish protection and consider
      complementary measures such as watershed management in order to arrest this
      trend. 

PMID- 27280076
TI  - Are mountain habitats becoming more suitable for generalist than cold-adapted
      lizards thermoregulation?
AB  - Mountain lizards are highly vulnerable to climate change, and the continuous
      warming of their habitats could be seriously threatening their survival. We aim
      to compare the thermal ecology and microhabitat selection of a mountain lizard,
      Iberolacerta galani, and a widely distributed lizard, Podarcis bocagei, in a
      montane area. Both species are currently in close syntopy in the study area, at
      1,400 m above the sea level. We determined the precision, accuracy and
      effectiveness of thermoregulation, and the thermal quality of habitat for both
      species. We also compared the selection of thermal microhabitats between both
      species. Results show that I. galani is a cold-adapted thermal specialist with a
      preferred temperature range of 27.9-29.7  degrees C, while P. bocagei would be a
      thermal generalist, with a broader and higher preferred temperature range (30.1
      34.5  degrees C). In addition, I. galani selects rocky substrates while P.
      bocagei selects warmer soil and leaf litter substrates. The thermal quality of
      the habitat is higher for P. bocagei than for I. galani. Finally, P. bocagei
      achieves a significantly higher effectiveness of thermoregulation (0.87) than I.
      galani (0.80). Therefore, these mountain habitat conditions seem currently more
      suitable for performance of thermophilic generalist lizards than for cold
      specialist lizards. 

PMID- 27280077
TI  - Emotional competence relating to perceived stress and burnout in Spanish
      teachers: a mediator model.
AB  - This study examined direct associations between emotional competence, perceived
      stress and burnout in 489 Spanish teachers. In addition, a model in which
      perceived stress mediated pathways linking emotional competence to teacher
      burnout symptoms was also examined. Results showed that emotional competence and
      stress were significantly correlated with teacher burnout symptoms in the
      expected direction. Moreover, mediational analysis indicated that perceived
      stress partly mediated the relationship between emotional competence and the
      three dimensions of burnout even when controlling for salient background
      characteristics. These findings suggest an underlying process by which high
      emotional competence may increase the capacity to cope with symptoms of burnout,
      by reducing the experience of stress. Implications of these findings for future
      research and for working with teachers to prevent burnout are discussed. 

PMID- 27280078
TI  - An explicit-solvent conformation search method using open software.
AB  - Computer modeling is a popular tool to identify the most-probable conformers of a
      molecule. Although the solvent can have a large effect on the stability of a
      conformation, many popular conformational search methods are only capable of
      describing molecules in the gas phase or with an implicit solvent model. We have
      developed a work-flow for performing a conformation search on explicitly-solvated
      molecules using open source software. This method uses replica exchange molecular
      dynamics (REMD) to sample the conformational states of the molecule efficiently.
      Cluster analysis is used to identify the most probable conformations from the
      simulated trajectory. This work-flow was tested on drug molecules alpha-amanitin
      and cabergoline to illustrate its capabilities and effectiveness. The preferred
      conformations of these molecules in gas phase, implicit solvent, and explicit
      solvent are significantly different. 

PMID- 27280079
TI  - Uropygial gland and bib colouration in the house sparrow.
AB  - Birds frequently signal different qualities by plumage colouration, mainly during
      mating. However, plumage colouration is determined during the moult, and
      therefore it would indicate the quality of individual birds during the moult, not
      its current quality. Recent studies, however, suggest that birds could modify
      plumage colouration by using cosmetic preen oil produced by the uropygial gland.
      In this study, I show that bib colouration is related to uropygial gland size and
      body condition in male house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Moreover, I conducted
      an experiment in which a group of sparrows were inoculated with an antigen,
      mimicking an illness. In control birds, short-term changes in bib colouration
      were related to both body condition and change in uropygial gland size.
      Therefore, birds that reduced uropygial gland size showed a greater colouration
      change. However, bib colouration did not change with the change in uropygial
      gland size in experimental birds inoculated with the antigen. Given that the
      experiment did not affect preen oil production or consumption, this finding
      tentatively suggests that the immune challenge provoked a change in the
      composition of preen oil, affecting its cosmetic properties. In short, the
      results of this study suggest that (1) male house sparrows produce cosmetic preen
      oil that alters the colouration of their bibs; (2) the more change in uropygial
      gland size, the more change in bib colouration; and (3) in this way, bib
      colouration has the potential to signal current health status, since less healthy
      birds showed less capacity to change bib colouration. 

PMID- 27280080
TI  - Early Graft Dysfunction in Living Donor Liver Transplantation and the Small for
      Size Syndrome.
AB  - LDLT has arisen as a viable means to reduce waitlist mortality. However, its
      widespread embrace by the liver transplant community has been met with
      frustration centered on donor morbidity and small-for-size-syndrome. Focusing on
      the later entity, we describe the initial recognition of this early graft
      dysfunction, the theorized pathophysiology and solutions to remedy its emergence.

PMID- 27280081
TI  - Nutrient-Deprived Retinal Progenitors Proliferate in Response to Hypoxia:
      Interaction of the HIF-1 and mTOR Pathway.
AB  - At a cellular level, nutrients are sensed by the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin
      (mTOR). The response of cells to hypoxia is regulated via action of the oxygen
      sensor Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1). During development, injury and
      disease, tissues might face conditions of both low nutrient supply and low
      oxygen, yet it is not clear how cells adapt to both nutrient restriction and
      hypoxia, or how mTOR and HIF-1 interact in such conditions. Here we explore this
      question in vivo with respect to cell proliferation using the ciliary marginal
      zone (CMZ) of Xenopus. We found that both nutrient-deprivation and hypoxia cause
      retinal progenitors to decrease their proliferation, yet when nutrient-deprived
      progenitors are exposed to hypoxia there is an unexpected rise in cell
      proliferation. This increase, mediated by HIF-1 signalling, is dependent on
      glutaminolysis and reactivation of the mTOR pathway. We discuss how these
      findings in non-transformed tissue may also shed light on the ability of cancer
      cells in poorly vascularised solid tumours to proliferate.

PMID- 27280082
TI  - Demographic and angiographic profile in premature cases of acute coronary
      syndrome: analysis of 820 young patients from South India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prevalence of acute coronary syndrome in young individuals is
      increasing progressively. Previous studies have focused on the analysis of risk
      factors and to some extent coronary angiographic profile in young vs. old
      patients with acute coronary syndrome, but no study compared the angiographic
      profile in young patients based on the type of acute coronary syndrome. So, this
      study was conducted to determine the differences in demographic and coronary
      angiographic profile of young patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction
      (STEMI) vs. those with non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable
      angina (UA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed young patients (age <40 years)
      with acute coronary syndrome who underwent coronary angiography at Sri Jayadeva
      Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, India between April
      2010 and March 2011. Coronary risk factor profile and angiographic features were
      compared between STEMI and NSTEMI/UA patients. RESULTS: Of 8,268 patients who
      underwent coronary angiography during the study period, 820 (~10%) were <=40 year
      age. Of them, 611 exhibited STEMI and 209 exhibited NSTEMI/UA. Angiographic
      analysis revealed that single-vessel disease was significantly more common in the
      STEMI group (56.6% vs. 36.6% respectively; P<0.001) whereas triple-vessel disease
      was significantly more common in the NSTEMI/UA group (3.6% vs. 10.5%
      respectively; P<0.001). Conversely, left anterior descending coronary artery was
      more commonly involved in the STEMI group (55.3% vs. 40.2% respectively;
      P<0.001), whereas left circumflex coronary artery was more commonly involved in
      the NSTEMI/UA group (11.8 vs. 23.4% respectively; P<0.001). Of note,
      smoking/tobacco consumption was the most significant coronary risk factor with
      prevalence as high as 65% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study,
      significant differences were observed in coronary risk factor profile and
      angiographic features between young patients with STEMI and NSTEMI/UA. Larger
      studies will be required to establish specific associations between presentation
      of acute coronary syndromes and angiographic profiles in young patients.

PMID- 27280083
TI  - Therapeutic hypothermia impacts leukocyte kinetics after cardiac arrest.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients admitted to the hospital after primarily successful
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are at a very high risk for neurologic
      deficits and death. Targeted temperature management (TTM) for mild therapeutic
      hypothermia has been shown to improve survival compared to standard treatment.
      Acute cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction (MI), are a major
      cause for cardiac arrest (CA) in patients who undergo CPR. Recent findings have
      demonstrated the importance and impact of the leukocyte response following acute
      MI. METHODS: In this retrospective, single center study we enrolled 169 patients
      with CA due to non-traumatic causes and primarily successful CPR. A total of 111
      subjects (66%) underwent TTM aiming for a target temperature of 32-34  degrees C.
      RESULTS: Analysis of 30 day follow up showed a significantly improved survival of
      all patients who received TTM compared to patients without hypothermia
      (P=0.0001). Furthermore TTM was an independent variable of good neurological
      outcome after 6 months (P=0.0030). Therapeutic hypothermia was found to be
      beneficial independent of differences in age and sex between both groups. While a
      higher rate of pneumonia was observed with TTM, this diagnosis had no additional
      impact on survival or neurological outcome. The beneficial effect on mortality
      remained significant in patients with the diagnosis of an acute cardiac event
      (P=0.0145). Next, we evaluated the kinetics of leukocytes in this group over the
      course of 7 days after CA. At presentation, patients showed a mean level of
      16.5+/-6.7 of leukocytes per microliter. While this level stayed stable in the
      group of patients without hypothermia, patients who received TTM showed a
      significant decline of leukocyte levels resulting in significantly lower numbers
      of leukocytes on days 3 and 5 after CPR. Interestingly, these differences in
      leukocyte counts remained beyond the time period of TTM while C-reactive protein
      (CRP) levels were suppressed only during ongoing cooling, but differences between
      the groups were diminished after TTM was terminated (from day 3 on, P>0.2).
      Finally, patients who received TTM and showed a leukocyte count of less than
      12.7/uL on day 3 had an improved survival (P=0.0214) and neurological outcome
      (P=0.0049) compared to patients above that level. CONCLUSIONS: Our data underline
      the beneficial effects of TTM and demonstrate an impact of hypothermia on
      leukocyte counts after CA.

PMID- 27280084
TI  - Numerical analysis of the effect of turbulence transition on the hemodynamic
      parameters in human coronary arteries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Local hemodynamics plays an important role in atherogenesis and the
      progression of coronary atherosclerosis disease (CAD). The primary biological
      effect due to blood turbulence is the change in wall shear stress (WSS) on the
      endothelial cell membrane, while the local oscillatory nature of the blood flow
      affects the physiological changes in the coronary artery. In coronary arteries,
      the blood flow Reynolds number ranges from few tens to several hundreds and hence
      it is generally assumed to be laminar while calculating the WSS calculations.
      However, the pulsatile blood flow through coronary arteries under stenotic
      condition could result in transition from laminar to turbulent flow condition.
      METHODS: In the present work, the onset of turbulent transition during pulsatile
      flow through coronary arteries for varying degree of stenosis (i.e., 0%, 30%, 50%
      and 70%) is quantitatively analyzed by calculating the turbulent parameters
      distal to the stenosis. Also, the effect of turbulence transition on hemodynamic
      parameters such as WSS and oscillatory shear index (OSI) for varying degree of
      stenosis is quantified. The validated transitional shear stress transport (SST) k
      omega model used in the present investigation is the best suited Reynolds
      averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence model to capture the turbulent transition. The
      arterial wall is assumed to be rigid and the dynamic curvature effect due to
      myocardial contraction on the blood flow has been neglected. RESULTS: Our
      observations shows that for stenosis 50% and above, the WSSavg, WSSmax and OSI
      calculated using turbulence model deviates from laminar by more than 10% and the
      flow disturbances seems to significantly increase only after 70% stenosis. Our
      model shows reliability and completely validated. CONCLUSIONS: Blood flow through
      stenosed coronary arteries seems to be turbulent in nature for area stenosis
      above 70% and the transition to turbulent flow begins from 50% stenosis.

PMID- 27280085
TI  - Multimarker assessment for the prediction of renal function improvement after
      percutaneous revascularization for renal artery stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Identifying patients likely to have improved renal function after
      percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty and stenting (PTRA) for renal artery
      stenosis (RAS) is challenging. The purpose of this study was to use a
      comprehensive multimarker assessment to identify those patients who would benefit
      most from correction of RAS. METHODS: In 127 patients with RAS and decreased
      renal function and/or hypertension referred for PTRA, quantification of
      hemodynamic cardiac stress using B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), renal function
      using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), parenchymal renal damage using
      resistance index (RI), and systemic inflammation using C-reactive protein (CRP)
      were performed before intervention. RESULTS: Predefined renal function
      improvement (increase in eGFR >=10%) at 6 months occurred in 37% of patients.
      Prognostic accuracy as quantified by the area under the receiver-operating
      characteristics curve for the ability of BNP, eGFR, RI and CRP to predict renal
      function improvement were 0.59 (95% CI, 0.48-0.70), 0.71 (95% CI, 0.61-0.81),
      0.52 (95% CI, 0.41-0.65), and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.44-0.68), respectively. None of the
      possible combinations increased the accuracy provided by eGFR (lower eGFR
      indicated a higher likelihood for eGFR improvement after PTRA, P=ns for all). In
      the subgroup of 56 patients with pre-interventional eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2),
      similar findings were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Quantification of renal function,
      but not any other pathophysiologic signal, provides at least moderate accuracy in
      the identification of patients with RAS in whom PTRA will improve renal function.

PMID- 27280086
TI  - Utility of brain natriuretic peptide assay as a predictor of short term outcomes
      in patients presenting with syncope to the emergency department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Syncope is a common condition that accounts for 3% of emergency
      department (ED) visits and 1-6% of hospital admissions. Current admissions
      practices result in marginal diagnostic and therapeutic benefit and consume
      healthcare resources. METHODS: This prospective cohort study examined the use of
      brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test as a predictor of short term serious outcome
      in 159 patients who presented to ED with syncope between August 2012 and August
      2013 in two tertiary teaching medical centers. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients
      (36%) had serious outcomes within 1 month, 21 of them were in the low BNP group
      and 20 were in the high BNP group. There was a significantly higher incidence of
      serious outcomes, myocardial infarction (MI), and life-threatening arrhythmias in
      the high BNP group. Patients with BNP >250 has an 8.844 fold increase risk of
      serious outcomes [odds ratio (OR) 8.844, 95% CI: (3.281 to 23.8), P<0.001], a
      14.8-fold increase risk of MI [OR =14.8, 95% CI: (1.57 to 139), P=0.011], and a
      4.46-fold increase risk life threatening arrhythmia [OR =4.46, 95% CI: (1.15
      18.8), P=0.034]. However, there was no statistically significant difference
      between the two groups in one month mortality, major bleeding, major cardiac
      procedures or stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results further validates the ROSE
      rule and the utility of BNP in risk stratification of syncope patients. This
      study showed that measuring BNP and adding ROSE rule to the standard evaluation
      of syncope can sufficiently predict short-term serious outcomes for patients
      presenting to ED with syncope.

PMID- 27280087
TI  - Transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in intermediate risk
      patients: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been approved in
      patients with high or prohibited surgical risk for surgery for treatment of
      severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Prospective studies examining the benefits of
      TAVR in intermediate risk patients are ongoing. Other smaller studies including
      lower risk patients have been conducted, but further meta-analysis of these
      studies is required to draw more broad comparisons. METHODS: A Medline search was
      conducted using standard methodology to search for clinical trials and
      observational studies including intermediate risk patients. We limited our meta
      analysis to studies matching patient populations by propensity scores or
      randomization and examined clinical outcomes between TAVR and surgical aortic
      valve replacement (SAVR). RESULTS: Analysis of the TAVR and SAVR cohorts revealed
      no significant differences in the outcomes of 30-day [OR (95% CI): 0.85 (0.57,
      1.26)] or 1-year mortality [OR (95% CI): 0.96 (0.75, 1.23)]. A trend towards
      benefit with TAVR was noted in terms of neurological events and myocardial
      infarction (MI) without statistical significance. A statistically significant
      decrease in risk of post-procedural acute renal failure in the TAVR group [OR
      (95% CI): 0.52 (0.27, 0.99)] was observed, but so was a significantly higher rate
      of pacemaker implantations for the TAVR group [OR (95% CI): 6.51 (3.23, 13.12)].
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in intermediate risk patients undergoing aortic
      valve replacement, the risk of mortality, neurological outcomes, and MI do not
      appear to be significantly different between TAVR and SAVR. However, there
      appears to be a significant reduction in risk of acute renal failure at the
      expense of an increased risk of requiring a permanent pacemaker in low and
      intermediate risk patients undergoing TAVR compared to SAVR.

PMID- 27280089
TI  - Implications and limitations of the PREPIC2 study-the interventionist's
      perspective.

PMID- 27280090
TI  - Conus artery occlusion causing isolated right ventricular outflow tract
      infarction: novel application of cardiac magnetic resonance in anterior STEMI.
AB  - Acute ST elevation in the anterior precordial leads typically suggests an
      anteroseptal infarction due to left anterior descending coronary artery
      obstruction, but the differential can be broad. Conus branch artery occlusion is
      a potentially overlooked cause of anteroseptal ST elevation myocardial
      infraction. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is an emerging technology
      which can differentiate the etiology of anterior ST elevation in patients with no
      apparent coronary abnormalities on coronary angiography and normal
      echocardiography. 

PMID- 27280088
TI  - Progression of coronary artery calcification at the crossroads: sign of
      progression or stabilization of coronary atherosclerosis?
AB  - Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been strongly established as an
      independent predictor of adverse events, with a significant incremental
      prognostic value over traditional risk stratification algorithms. CAC progression
      has been associated with a higher rate of events. In parallel, several randomized
      studies and meta-analysis have shown the effectiveness of statins to slow
      progression and even promote plaque regression. However, evidence regarding the
      effect of routine medical therapy on CAC has yielded conflicting results, with
      initial studies showing significant CAC regression, and contemporaneous data
      showing rather the opposite. Accordingly, there is currently a great controversy
      on whether progression of CAC is a sign of progression or stabilization of
      coronary artery disease (CAD). The finding of inexorable CAC progression despite
      the implementation of intensive contemporaneous medical therapy suggests that
      further understanding of this phenomenon should be undertaken before the
      implementation of CAC as a surrogate endpoint for longitudinal studies, or for
      prospective follow-up of patients under routine medical treatment. 

PMID- 27280091
TI  - Emergent percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in
      patients with mirror dextrocardia: case reports and brief review.
AB  - Mirror-image dextrocardia is a rare congenital abnormality with a life expectancy
      and risk of myocardial infarction similar to the normal population. Although
      there have been few case reports of emergent percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in mirror-image dextrocardia,
      physicians, especially general and interventional cardiologists encounter
      problems in the diagnosis and treatment of AMI in these patients. In this paper,
      we report our experience with two cases of emergent transradial PCI for AMI in
      patients with the mirror-image dextrocardia. Subsequently, we summarize clinical
      features, electrocardiograph characteristic, approach to emergent PCI based on a
      review of the literature. 

PMID- 27280092
TI  - Ruptured aneurysm of major aortopulmonary collateral artery: management using
      amplatzer vascular plug.
AB  - Aneurysm of a major aortopulmonary collateral artery (MAPCA) is quite rare.
      Aneurysmally dilated MAPCA may be complicated with rupture and massive hemoptysis
      leading to sudden death. Possible pathophysiology for aneurysm formation is
      persistent high pressure state in collateral circulation. High index of suspicion
      is necessary to avoid catastrophic complications as the amount of hemoptysis does
      not correlate with disease severity and etiology. We present a case of large
      ruptured aneurysm of a MAPCA presenting with massive haemoptysis in a patient of
      cyanotic congenital heart disease which was salvaged by endovascular deployment
      of vascular plug. 

PMID- 27280093
TI  - Prof. Koffi Herve Yangni-Angate: open heart surgery in Africa.

PMID- 27280094
TI  - Comparison of Titanium vs. Polycel Total Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Even though modern technology progresses so rapidly, annals of
      otology are replete with so many challenging article, which often compare various
      types of prosthesis. Since there has not been a prospective randomized clinical
      trial study which compares the hearing result of total ossicular replacement
      prosthesis made of Titanium with omega connector and Polycel in the literature,
      we decided to perform a study encompassing this issue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 105
      patients, who were in the 2nd stage of their operation and who needed total
      ossicular replacement prosthesis, were included in this prospective single blind
      randomized clinical trial study. Patients were classified in two groups: titanium
      Kurz (TTPTM -Vario system, Kurz GmbH, Dusslingen, Germany) with omega connector
      and Polycel (Sheehy Plastipore Polycel, Medtronic Xomed Inc). The duration of the
      follow up was 6-12 months. In order to evaluate hearing results, pure tone
      audiometric in 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were checked. In addition, speech reception
      threshold was recorded. A successful surgery was defined as having a
      postoperative air-bone gap within 20 dB. RESULTS: We accomplished successful
      hearing in 64.4% of patients with titanium and 65% of patients with a Polycel
      prosthesis.Improvement in speech reception threshold was 11.5 dB in the titanium
      group and 13 dB in the Polycel group. In other words, there was no significant
      difference between the two groups. In addition, air-bone gap improvement after
      ossiculoplasty was 11.2 dB in the patients with a titanium prosthesis and 12.4 dB
      in the Polycel group. In fact, the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: We
      found that both the titanium and the Polycel prosthesis improve speech reception
      threshold and air-bone gap closure in a similar manner.

PMID- 27280095
TI  - Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Surgical Outcome in Tympanoplasty.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tympanoplasty is a standard procedure to repair tympanic membrane
      perforation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of tympanoplasty
      (hearing improvement and tympanic membrane closure rate) in patients suffering
      from chronic perforation of the tympanic membrane by considering the prognostic
      factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, based on the results of
      tympanoplasty with temporal graft fascia in 60 patients in the ENT department of
      the Medical Science University of Tabriz, we evaluated prognostic factors, such
      as age, sex, smoking, size, and site of perforation, for the outcome of this
      surgery. RESULTS: The rate of surgical success- integration of the graft- was
      93.3%. Improvement of hearing, as demonstrated through audiometry, occurred in
      93% of cases. We did not find any factors to be statistically significant to
      affect surgical outcome. CONCLUSION: Even by considering the influence of
      different factors on the results of a tympanoplasty operation, according to the
      statistical results of this study, there is not a significant difference in the
      results of the operation, neither in the health of the tympanic membrane after
      surgery nor in hearing development.

PMID- 27280096
TI  - Frequency of Congenital Heart Diseases in Prelingual Sensory-Neural Deaf
      Children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hearing impairment is the most frequent sensorial congenital defect
      in newborns and has increased to 2-4 cases per 1,000 live births. Sensory-neural
      hearing loss (SNHL) accounts for more than 90% of all hearing loss. This disorder
      is associated with other congenital disorders such as renal, skeletal, ocular,
      and cardiac disorders. Given that congenital heart diseases are life-threatening,
      we decided to study the frequency of congenital heart diseases in children with
      congenital sensory-neural deafness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All children who had
      undergone cochlear implantation surgery due to SNHL and who had attended our
      hospital for speech therapy during 2008-2011 were evaluated by Doppler
      echocardiography. RESULTS: Thirty-one children (15 boys and 16 girls) with a mean
      age of 55.70 months were examined, and underwent electrocardiography (ECG) and
      echocardiography. None of the children had any signs of heart problems in their
      medical records. Most of their heart examinations were normal, one patient had
      expiratory wheeze, four (12%) had mid-systolic click, and four (12%) had an
      intensified S1 sound. In echocardiography, 15 children (46%) had mitral valve
      prolapse (MVP) and two (6%) had minimal mitral regurgitation (MR). Mean ejection
      fraction (EF) was 69% and the mean fractional shortening (FS) was 38%.
      CONCLUSION: This study indicates the need for echocardiography and heart
      examinations in children with SNHL.

PMID- 27280097
TI  - Development and Validation of a Persian Version of Dichotic Emotional Word Test.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Emotional words in comparison with neutral words have different
      hemispheric specialization. It is assumed that the right hemisphere has a role in
      processing every kind of emotional word. The objective of the present study was
      the development of a Persian version of the dichotic emotional word test and
      evaluate its validation among adult Persian speakers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      present study was done on 60 adults, with the age ranging from 18-30 years for
      both genders, who had no history of neurological disorders with normal hearing.
      The developed test included eight main lists; each had several dichotic
      emotional/ neutral pairs of words. Participants were asked to recall as many
      words in each list as they could after they listened to them. A content validity
      index was used to analyze the validity of the test. RESULTS: The mean content
      validity index score was 0.94. The findings showed that in the left ear,
      emotional words were remembered more than neutral ones (P=0.007). While in the
      right ear, neutral words were remembered more (P=0.009). There were no
      significant differences in male and female scores. CONCLUSION: Dichotic emotional
      word test has a high content validity. The ability to remember emotional words
      better in the left ear supports the dominant role of the right hemisphere in
      emotional word perception.

PMID- 27280098
TI  - Integrated Internal Stabilization for Saddle Nose Surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Correction of Saddle nose deformity is one of the most challenging
      issues in facial plastic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a single
      structure in the form of L-strut was attempted to be created by using one 0.035"
      Kirschner wire and an autologous costal graft out of the 10th and 11th ribs. This
      study involved 13 cases, most of whom were traumatic. The corrective surgical
      techniques used in this study will be described in detail. RESULTS: There was no
      warping, no rejection, and no infection in the created L-strut and patients'
      satisfaction was very good during the follow up period. CONCLUSION: Surgical
      correction of a saddle-shaped nose using the described technique seems to be an
      acceptable and uncomplicated technique, and the cosmetic result is totally
      acceptable.

PMID- 27280100
TI  - Prevalence of Associated Anomalies in Cleft Lip and/or Palate Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Orofacial clefts are among the most common congenital anomalies.
      Patients presenting with orofacial clefts often require surgery or other complex
      procedures. A cleft lip or palate can be a single anomaly or a part of multiple
      congenital anomalies. The reported prevalence of cleft disease and associated
      anomalies varies widely across the literature, and is dependent on the diagnostic
      procedure used. In this study we determined the prevalence of associated
      anomalies in patients with a cleft lip and/or palate, with a specific focus on
      cardiac anomalies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 526
      patients with a cleft lip and /or palate admitted to the children's referral
      hospital between 2006 and 2011 were evaluated. All associated anomalies were
      detected and recorded. Patient information collected included age, gender, type
      and side of cleft, craniofacial anomalies and presence of other anomalies,
      including cardiac anomalies. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. RESULTS:
      Of the 526 patients enrolled in the study, 58% (305) were male and 42% (221) were
      female. In total, 75% of patients (396) were aged between 4 and 8 years and 25%
      (130) were aged less than 4 years. The most common cleft type in our study was
      bilateral cleft palate. The most commonly associated anomaly among cleft
      patients, in 12% of cleft patients, was a cardiac anomaly. The most common
      cardiac anomaly was atrial septal defect (ASD). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of
      associated anomalies among orofacial cleft patients is high. The most common
      associated anomaly is cardiac anomaly, with ASD being the most common cardiac
      anomaly. There are no significant relationships between type of cleft and
      associated cardiac anomalies.

PMID- 27280099
TI  - Smell Decline as a good Predictor of Sinonasal Polyposis Recurrence after
      Endoscopic Surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the most sensitive symptom to predict early recurrence
      of nasal polyposis. Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Tertiary university
      referral center with accredited otorhinolaryngology residency programs. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In this prospective study, we evaluated 62 patients with diffuse
      nasal polyposis. All patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The
      author-devised questionnaire relating to the four major symptoms of chronic
      rhinosinusitis were answered by patients at the pre-operative visit and at 1, 3,
      6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Patients were followed up with serial
      endoscopic examinations, and a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed if
      indicated. RESULTS: All 62 patients (37 male, 25 female) completed the study. The
      mean age was 41.24 +/- 12.47 years. All major symptoms showed significant
      improvement after surgery (P=0.000); however, the severity of symptoms gradually
      increased in patients with a recurrence of polyposis, but at different points in
      time (P= 0.008). Sense of smell was the first symptom to deteriorate in patients
      with relapse (mean, 6 months) followed by nasal secretion (12 months),
      obstruction and pain(24 months). Patients with asthma, Samter's triad, allergic
      fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) and allergic rhinitis showed symptoms of recurrence
      sooner than other patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The most sensitive symptom for
      the early detection of recurrence of nasal polyposis is a decrease in the sense
      of smell. Nasal obstruction and facial pain were observed in the late stage of
      relapse when frank polyposis formation was established.

PMID- 27280101
TI  - Evaluation of Post Laryngectomy Pharyngocutaneous Fistula risk Factors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is the most common complication
      after total laryngectomy. Its incidence is extremely variable, with values
      ranging from 3% and 65%. The management of this problem considerably increases
      the length and the cost of hospitalization. The aim of this study is to analyze
      the incidence, predisposing factors, and outcome of PCF in patients undergoing
      total laryngectomy in a Moroccan teaching hospital in Rabat, Morocco. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective study including 136 patients who
      underwent total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx in our
      institution, between January 2006 and December 2013. Socio-demographical,
      biological, surgical, and outcome data were included. Risk factors were analyzed
      for association with PCF formation. RESULTS: The overall PCF rate was 27.8%. The
      mean age was 58 (32-82 years). Univariate analysis showed age (P= 0,028),
      hemoglobin (P=0,026), and previous tracheotomy (P=0,028) to be associated with
      the onset of PCF. However, multivariate analysis revealed that previous
      tracheotomy (P=0,028) and low level of preoperative hemoglobin (P=0,026) were
      highly associated with the occurrence of PCF. CONCLUSION: This is an original
      work performed in an African country with a large serie. Our findings suggest
      that age, previous tracheotomy, and low level of haemoglobin are risk factors for
      PCF onset after total laryngectomy in T4 squamous cell carcinoma.

PMID- 27280102
TI  - A Case of Undiagnosed Sleep Disorder with Hearing Difficulty and Dizziness.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this case report was to investigate the relationship
      between sleep disorders and audio vestibular symptoms. CASE REPORT: A case of
      undiagnosed sleep disorder, presenting as a temporary auditory processing
      difficulty, is presented. The disorder was initially treated as sudden deafness
      with dizziness. A 23-year-old male patient complained of acute hearing
      disturbance despite normal results on pure tone audiometry. The patient was
      initially administered a steroid injection in the hospital. After treatment, his
      hearing symptoms improved only slightly and he reported balance difficulty with
      rightward spontaneous nystagmus. Vestibular rehabilitation was performed. We also
      suspected that his hearing symptom was due to an auditory processing difficulty.
      Despite steroid treatment and vestibular rehabilitation, neither of his symptoms
      improved. We subsequently identified the presence of insomnia. He was prescribed
      zolpidem 5 mg, which slightly improved his symptoms, and referred to a sleep
      specialist for further examination. Polysomnography was performed, which
      identified restless leg syndrome and sleep disturbance with delayed sleep phase
      syndrome. After pharmacological treatment, his sleep disturbance, hearing
      difficulty, and balance disorder completely resolved. CONCLUSION: Sleep disorders
      may provoke reversible auditory processing difficulties. We should carefully
      evaluate patients for a potentially undiagnosed sleep disorder, even in patients
      chiefly complaining of intractable sensory dysfunction such as hearing or balance
      disturbance.

PMID- 27280103
TI  - Congenital Pleomorphic Adenoma in a SubmandibularGland of a Newborn- A Case
      Report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pleomorphic adenoma is a rare benign salivary gland neoplasm in
      children, which can be treated by simple excision. This tumor is rarely included
      in the differential diagnosis of solid submandibular masses in children. In the
      neonates, congenital pleomorphic adenoma usually presents in the nasopharynx.
      Surgical excision is the treatment of choice and recurrence is not expected. We
      report what appears to be the first case of congenital pleomorphic adenoma in the
      submandibular region in a one-day-old newborn. CASE REPORT: The case of a one-day
      old term baby is presented with a 5x2 cm left submandibualr mass with extension
      to the oral cavity. The mass was hard and non-mobile. During Ultrasonography and
      Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) scan, the mass was solid with a
      heterogeneous internal structure. The tumor was completely excised and proved to
      be a pleomorphic adenoma during histopathological examination. CONCLUSION:
      Congenital pleomorphic adenoma rarely occurs in the nasopharynx and is treated by
      surgical excision. Our case is unique because the congenital pleomorphic adenoma
      is located in the submandibular gland of a newborn.

PMID- 27280104
TI  - Autologous Cricoid Cartilage as a Graft for Airway Reconstruction in an Emergent
      Technique - A Case Report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Laryngotracheal stenosis can be caused after traumatic injuries to
      the neck from the subglottic larynx to the trachea. Patients with laryngotracheal
      stenosis often need a tracheotomy and occasionally may become tracheotomy
      dependent. Different procedures have been described for the management of these
      lesions. Management options include techniques of endoscopic dilation, laser
      resection, laryngo-fissure, and an innovative array of plastic reconstructions
      with or without the use of stents. CASE REPORT: This paper presents airway
      reconstruction in a young patient with severe subglottic stenosis due to a blunt
      trauma to the neck, who was treated using particles of an autologous fractured
      cricoid cartilage as the source for airway augmentation. An incision was made in
      the anterior midline of the cricoid lamina and deepened through the scar tissue
      to the posterior cricoid lamina. Then two lateral incisions (right & left) were
      made in the cricoid lamina and fractured cartilage particles and the scar tissue
      were removed via these two lateral incisions. The mucosal lining at the right and
      left of the midline incision, after debulking, were sutured to a lateral
      position. Thereafter three cartilage particles were used to reconstruct the
      anterior cricoid lamina and augment the lumen. CONCLUSION: It is worth to mention
      that an autologus cartilage graft can be used for certain cases with traumatic
      airway stenosis. Further follow up and more patients are needed to approve this
      method of reconstructive surgery in emergent situations.

PMID- 27280105
TI  - Ortner's Syndrome-A Rare Cause of Hoarseness: Its Importance to an
      Otorhinolaryngologist.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cardiovocal hoarseness (Ortner's syndrome) is hoarseness of voice
      due to recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement secondary to cardiovascular disease.
      Recurrent laryngeal nerve in its course (especially the left side) follows a path
      that brings it in close proximity to numerous structures. These structures
      interfere with its function by pressure or by disruption of the nerve caused by
      disease invading the nerve. However painless asymptomatic intramural hematoma of
      the aortic arch, causing hoarseness as the only symptom, is a rare presentation
      as in this case. CASE REPORT: We report a case of silent aortic intramural
      hematoma which manifested as hoarseness as the only presenting symptom. A
      detailed history and thorough clinical examination could not reveal the pathology
      of hoarseness. The cause of hoarseness was diagnosed as aortic intramural
      hematoma on contrast computed tomography. Thus the patient was diagnosed as case
      of cardiovocal hoarseness (Ortner's syndrome) secondary to aortic intramural
      hematoma. CONCLUSION: A silent aortic intramural hematoma with hoarseness as the
      only presenting symptom is very rare. This particular case report holds lot of
      significance to an otolaryngologist as he should be aware of this entity and
      should always consider it in the differential diagnosis of hoarseness.

PMID- 27280106
TI  - Management of Large Tongue Schwannoma - A Short Report.

PMID- 27280107
TI  - Clinical Challenges to Current Molecularly Targeted Therapies in Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is difficult to treat with a poor prognosis and a five year survival
      of 15%. Current molecularly targeted therapies are initially effective in non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients; however, they are plagued with
      difficulties including induced resistance and small therapeutically responsive
      populations. This mini review describes the mechanism of resistance to several
      molecularly targeted therapies which are currently being used to treat NSCLC. The
      major targets discussed are c-Met, EGFR, HER2, ALK, VEGFR, and BRAF. The first
      generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) resulted in resistance; however,
      second and third generation TKIs are being developed, which are generally more
      efficacious and have potential to treat NSCLC patients with resistance to first
      generation TKIs. Combination therapies could also be effective in preventing TKI
      resistance in NSCLC patients.

PMID- 27280108
TI  - Anticoagulation and population risk of stroke and death in incident atrial
      fibrillation: a population-based cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke and death.
      Anticoagulation therapy is an effective treatment for stroke prevention, but
      remains underused in the community. We sought to determine the effectiveness and
      safety of anticoagulation therapy in an inception cohort with new-onset atrial
      fibrillation in the province of Alberta, Canada. METHODS: We conducted a
      population-based cohort study of atrial fibrillation using an administrative
      database from Alberta's publicly funded and universally available health care
      system. All new-onset atrial fibrillation patients from Jan. 1, 2009, to Dec. 31,
      2010, were included in the cohort and followed through Dec. 31, 2013. We assessed
      anticoagulation status as a predictor of stroke and death using time-to-event
      analysis and adjusted for sex and CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension,
      age >= 75 yr, diabetes mellitus and prior stroke or transient ischemic attack)
      score using Cox proportional hazards modelling. RESULTS: We identified 10 745
      patients, 7358 (68.5%) of whom received anticoagulation therapy, principally with
      warfarin (n = 6997, 95.1%). Anticoagulation therapy was associated with
      significantly decreased risk of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 0.69, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 0.58-0.82), all stroke (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65-0.91), all
      stroke and death (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.62-0.72) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.67,
      95% CI 0.62-0.72), despite an association with increased risk of hemorrhagic
      stroke (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.17-3.16). There was a neutral association with subdural
      (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.53-1.93) and gastrointestinal (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.70-1.31)
      hemorrhage. INTERPRETATION: Anticoagulation therapy is effective and safe for
      stroke prevention and decreases mortality in patients with incident atrial
      fibrillation. These population data support an aggressive approach to screening
      for atrial fibrillation and treatment with anticoagulant medicines to prevent
      stroke and death.

PMID- 27280109
TI  - Breastfeeding difficulties and supports and risk of postpartum depression in a
      cohort of womenwho have given birth in Calgary: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A link exists between breastfeeding difficulties and postpartum
      depression, and evidence shows that some breastfeeding promotion initiatives may
      increase maternal stress and contribute to risk of the condition. We conducted a
      prospective cohort study to determine whether breastfeeding difficulties affect
      the risk of postpartum depression and whether breastfeeding support modifies the
      relationship between breastfeeding difficulties and postpartum depression.
      METHODS: Between June and October 2010, we recruited 442 women who intended to
      breastfeed from all maternity hospitals in Calgary within 72 hours of giving
      birth to full-term, singleton infants. We administered questionnaires at birth
      and 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum, measuring breastfeeding difficulties,
      exposure to breastfeeding supports and postpartum depression. We used qualitative
      inquiry to measure breastfeeding support experiences. Postpartum depression was
      defined as a score of 10 or greater on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
      or a self-reported diagnosis of depression in the first 6 months postpartum.
      RESULTS: A total of 386 women (87.3%) reported moderate to severe breastfeeding
      difficulties and 437 (98.9%) received some form of breastfeeding advice, help or
      support. Among women with breastfeeding difficulties, those who did not report a
      negative breastfeeding support experience were at decreased risk of postpartum
      depression (risk ratio 0.36). In the final regression model a negative
      breastfeeding support experience was a significant effect modifier of the
      relationship between breastfeeding difficulties and postpartum depression.
      INTERPRETATION: The quality of breastfeeding support is important not only for
      breastfeeding promotion but also for maternal mental health. Educating front-line
      caregivers to ensure that support experiences of breastfeeding women are positive
      can reduce the risk of postpartum depression.

PMID- 27280110
TI  - Sex differences in the outcomes of peripheral arterial disease: a population
      based cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of sex in the outcomes of patients with peripheral arterial
      disease (PAD) has been poorly studied. We sought to investigate differences in
      the long-term adverse cardiovascular and limb outcomes between men and women with
      PAD. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study with up to 7 years of
      follow-up using linked administrative databases in Ontario, Canada. Patients aged
      40 years or older who visited a vascular surgeon between Apr. 1, 2004, and Mar.
      31, 2007 (index date), and carried a diagnosis of PAD comprised the study cohort.
      The primary outcome was a composite of death or hospital admission for stroke or
      myocardial infarction. Secondary outcomes included lower limb amputation or
      revascularization. We used Cox proportional hazards modelling to compute
      unadjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and HRs adjusted for baseline covariates. RESULTS:
      A total of 6915 patients were studied, of whom 2461 (35.6%) were women. No
      significant differences in the risk of the primary outcome were observed between
      men and women (adjusted HR 0.99 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-1.05]). Women
      were less likely than men to undergo minor amputation (adjusted HR 0.73 [95% CI
      0.62-0.85]) and arterial bypass surgery (adjusted HR 0.82 [95% CI 0.71-0.94]) but
      were more likely to be admitted to hospital for acute myocardial infarction
      (adjusted HR 1.15 [95% CI 1.00-1.31]). There were no sex differences in the rates
      of major amputation or transluminal percutaneous angioplasty. INTERPRETATION: We
      identified no significant differences in the composite risk of major adverse
      cardiovascular events between women and men with PAD, although our findings
      suggest men may be at increased risk for adverse limb events compared with women.
      Cardiovascular health campaigns should focus on both women and men to promote
      early diagnosis and management of PAD.

PMID- 27280111
TI  - Postpartum domperidone use in British Columbia: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Domperidone is commonly used off-label to stimulate milk production
      in mothers who have low milk supply. The aim of this study was to describe
      trends, patterns and determinants of postpartum domperidone use. METHODS: This is
      a retrospective, population-based study involving all women with a live birth
      between Jan. 1, 2002, and Dec. 31, 2011, in the province of British Columbia. We
      examined administrative data sets containing person-specific information on
      filled prescriptions and use of medical services, and we used logistic regression
      to examine associations between domperidone use and maternal characteristics.
      RESULTS: The study population consisted of 225 532 women with 320 351 live
      births. The prevalence of postpartum domperidone use more than doubled between
      2002 and 2011. In 2011, 1 in 3 women with a preterm birth and 1 in 5 women with a
      full-term birth were prescribed domperidone in the first 6 months postpartum.
      Women who were older, had a higher body mass index, had a chronic disease, were
      first-time mothers, delivered more than 1 baby (multiple pregnancy), had a
      preterm birth or had a cesarian delivery were more likely to fill a postpartum
      domperidone prescription. INTERPRETATION: We found an increase in postpartum
      domperidone use over a 10-year period. More research is needed on maternal and
      infant health outcomes.

PMID- 27280112
TI  - Temporal trends in ankyloglossia and frenotomy in British Columbia, Canada, 2004
      2013: a population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Routine surveillance of congenital anomalies has shown recent
      increases in ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) in British Columbia, Canada. We examined
      the temporal trends in ankyloglossia and its surgical treatment (frenotomy).
      METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study involving all live births
      in British Columbia from Apr. 1, 2004, to Mar. 31, 2014, with data obtained from
      the province's Perinatal Data Registry. Spatiotemporal trends in ankyloglossia
      and frenotomy, and associations with maternal and infant characteristics, were
      quantified using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: There were 459 445 live
      births and 3022 cases of ankyloglossia between 2004 and 2013. The population
      incidence of ankyloglossia increased by 70% (rate ratio 1.70, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 1.44-2.01), from 5.0 per 1000 live births in 2004 to 8.4 per 1000
      in 2013. During the same period, the population rate of frenotomy increased by
      89% (95% CI 52%-134%), from 2.8 per 1000 live births in 2004 to 5.3 per 1000 in
      2013. The 2 regional health authorities with the lowest population rates of
      frenotomy (1.5 and 1.8 per 1000 live births) had the lowest rates of
      ankyloglossia and the lowest rates of frenotomy among cases with ankyloglossia,
      whereas the 2 regional health authorities with the highest population rates of
      frenotomy (5.2 and 5.3 per 1000 live births) had high rates of ankyloglossia and
      the highest rates of frenotomy among cases of ankyloglossia. Nulliparity,
      multiple birth, male infant sex, birth weight and year were independently
      associated with ankyloglossia. INTERPRETATION: Large temporal increases and
      substantial spatial variations in ankyloglossia and frenotomy rates were observed
      that may indicate a diagnostic suspicion bias and increasing use of a potentially
      unnecessary surgical procedure among infants.

PMID- 27280113
TI  - Profile of tobacco users identified in primary care practice and predictors of
      readiness to quit: a cross-sectional survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to document the prevalence of tobacco use
      and describe the characteristics of tobacco users identified in primary care
      practices. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 49 primary care
      practices in the province of Ontario. Consecutive patients were screened for
      smoking status at the time of their clinic appointment. Patients reporting
      current tobacco use completed a survey, which documented sociodemographic and
      smoking-related characteristics. Multilevel modelling was used to examine
      predictors of readiness to quit smoking and the presence of anxiety and/or
      depression. RESULTS: A total of 56 592 patients were screened, and 5245 tobacco
      users participated in the survey. Prevalence of tobacco use was 18.2% and varied
      significantly across practices (range 12.4%-36.1%). Of the respondents, 46.3%
      reported current anxiety and/or depression, and 61.3% reported smoking within the
      first 30 minutes of waking. A total of 41.1% of respondents reported they were
      ready to quit smoking in the next 6 months, and 30.1% reported readiness to quit
      in the next 30 days. Readiness to quit was positively associated with higher self
      efficacy, male sex, presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and more
      years of tobacco use. The presence of anxiety and/or depression was associated
      with lower cessation self-efficacy and time to first cigarette within 30 minutes
      of waking, but did not predict readiness to quit. INTERPRETATION: Tobacco users
      identified in primary care practices reported high rates of nicotine dependence
      and anxiety and/or depression, but also high rates of readiness to quit. Study
      findings support the need to tailor interventions to address the needs of tobacco
      users identified in primary care settings.

PMID- 27280114
TI  - Assessment of the effect of cold and hot temperatures on mortality in Ontario,
      Canada: a population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ambient high temperature is associated with death; however, heat
      related risk of death has not been quantified systematically in Ontario, the most
      populous province in Canada. Less is known about cold-related risk in this
      population. Our objective was to quantify the health impact from cold and hot
      temperatures in Ontario. METHODS: The study population consisted of all residents
      of Ontario who died between Jan. 1, 1996, and Dec. 31, 2010, from any
      nonaccidental cause. A case-crossover analysis was applied to assess the relation
      between daily temperature fluctuation and deaths from nonaccidental and selected
      causes in cold (December-February) and warm (June-August) seasons, respectively,
      adjusting for various potential confounders. Risk estimates were obtained for
      each census division, then pooled across Ontario. We examined potential effect
      modification for selected comorbidities and sociodemographic characteristics.
      RESULTS: In warm seasons, each 5 degrees C increase in daily mean temperature was
      associated with a 2.5% increase in nonaccidental deaths (95% confidence interval
      [CI] = 1.3% to 3.8%) on the day of exposure (lag 0). In cold seasons, each 5
      degrees C decrease in daily temperature was associated with a 3.0% (95% CI 1.8%
      to 4.2%) increase in nonaccidental deaths, which persisted over 7 days (lag 0-6).
      The cold-related effects (lag 0-6) were stronger for cardiovascular-related
      deaths (any cardiovascular death: 4.1%, 95% CI 2.3% to 5.9%; ischemic heart
      disease: 5.8%, 95% CI 3.6% to 8.1%), especially among people less than 65 years
      of age (8.0%, 95% CI 3.0% to 13.0%). Conversely, heat most strongly increased
      respiratory-related deaths during admission to hospital (26.0%, 95% CI 0% to
      61.4%). Across Ontario, each 5 degrees C change in daily temperature was
      estimated to induce 7 excess deaths per day in cold seasons and 4 excess deaths
      in warm seasons. INTERPRETATION: Heat contributed to excess deaths in Ontario,
      although the effect of cold weather appeared to be greater. Further work is
      required to better define high-risk subgroups, which might include the homeless
      and people with inadequately heated housing.

PMID- 27280115
TI  - Impact of Canadian tobacco packaging policy on use of a toll-free quit-smoking
      line: an interrupted time-series analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A policy for new pictorial health warning labels on tobacco packaging
      was introduced by Health Canada in 2012. The labels included, for the first time,
      a prominently displayed toll-free number for a quit-smoking line. We used data
      from the Ontario provincial quitline to investigate the call volume and number of
      new callers receiving treatment in the months before and after the new policy was
      introduced. METHODS: We used an interrupted time-series analysis to examine
      trends in the overall call volume and number of new callers receiving treatment
      (>= 1 telephone counselling session) through Ontario's quitline (Smokers'
      Helpline) between January 2010 and December 2013. We analyzed data using Box
      Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving-average models; we adjusted the models
      for a major campaign promoting the quitline, a seasonality (January) effect and
      tobacco pricing. RESULTS: We found a relative increase of 160% in the average
      monthly call volume during the 7 months after the introduction of the new labels
      (870 calls per month at baseline and 1391 additional calls per month on average
      after the policy change; standard error [SE] 108.94, p < 0.001), and a sustained
      increase of 43% in subsequent months. We observed a relative increase of 174% in
      the number of new callers receiving treatment (153 new callers per month at
      baseline and 267 additional new callers per month after the policy change; SE
      40.03, p < 0.001) and a sustained increase of 80% in subsequent months. The
      effect was significant even after controlling for a major promotion campaign and
      the January effect. INTERPRETATION: We found a significant increase in the
      monthly overall call volume and number of new callers receiving treatment per
      month after the introduction of the new tobacco health warning labels, with a
      sustained increase in overall calls and new callers beyond the first 7 months.
      Our findings add to the body of evidence on the benefit of including a toll-free
      quitline number on tobacco packaging.

PMID- 27280116
TI  - Association of hospital and physician case volumes with cardiac monitoring and
      cardiotoxicity during adjuvant trastuzumab treatment for breast cancer: a
      retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adjuvant trastuzumab is the standard of care for patients with HER2
      overexpressing breast cancer, but use of trastuzumab may lead to cardiotoxicity.
      Our goal was to evaluate the relationship between hospital and physician case
      volume and cardiac outcomes in this population. METHODS: In this retrospective
      cohort study, we identified all female patients in Ontario with a breast cancer
      diagnosis in 2003-2009 who underwent treatment with trastuzumab through a
      provincial drug-funding program and linked these patients to administrative
      databases to ascertain patient demographics, treating hospital and physician
      characteristics, admissions to hospital, cardiac risk factors, cardiac imaging
      and comorbidities. Insufficient cardiac monitoring was defined as per the
      Canadian Trastuzumab Working Group guideline. Cardiotoxicity was defined as
      receiving fewer than 16 of 18 doses of trastuzumab because of heart failure
      admission, heart failure diagnosis or discontinuation of the drug after cardiac
      imaging. We constructed hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models to
      evaluate the effect of annual hospital volume, cumulative physician volume and
      treatment period on cardiac monitoring and cardiotoxicity. RESULTS: Of 3777 women
      treated by 214 oncologists at 68 hospitals, 918 (24.3%) had insufficient cardiac
      monitoring and cardiotoxicity developed in 640 (16.9%). Cardiotoxicity occurred
      in 389 (42.4%) and 251 (8.8%) patients in the insufficient- and sufficient
      monitoring groups, respectively. Higher annual hospital and cumulative physician
      volumes, and more recent calendar period, were all independent predictors for
      decreased cardiotoxicity. Adjustment for rates of cardiac monitoring annulled the
      relationships between case volume and cardiotoxicity. INTERPRETATION: Greater
      hospital and physician case volumes are associated with reduced rates of
      trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity, most likely because of better cardiac
      monitoring at higher volume centres.

PMID- 27280117
TI  - Trends in prostate cancer incidence and mortality in Canada during the era of
      prostate-specific antigen screening.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Widespread use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to screen for
      prostate cancer began in the early 1990s. Advocates for screening assert that
      this has caused a decrease in prostate cancer mortality. We sought to describe
      secular changes in prostate cancer incidence and mortality in Canada in relation
      to the onset of PSA screening. METHODS: Age-standardized and age-specific
      prostate cancer incidence (1969-2007) and mortality (1969-2009) from Public
      Health Agency of Canada databases were analyzed by joinpoint regression. Changes
      in incidence and mortality were related to introduction of PSA screening.
      RESULTS: Prior to PSA screening, prostate cancer incidence increased from 54.2 to
      99.8 per 100 000 between 1969 and 1990. Thereafter, incidence increased sharply
      (12.8% per year) to peak at 140.8/100 000 in 1993. After decreasing in all age
      groups between 1993 and 1996, incidence continued to increase for men aged less
      than 70 years, but decreased for older men. Age-standardized mortality was stable
      from 1969 to 1977, increased 1.4% per year to peak in 1995 and subsequently
      decreased at 3.3% per year; the decline started from 1987 in younger men (age <
      60 yr). INTERPRETATION: Incidence was increasing before PSA screening occurred,
      but rose further after it was introduced. Reductions in prostate cancer mortality
      began before PSA screening was widely used and were larger than could be
      anticipated from screening alone. These findings suggest that screening caused
      artifactual increase in incidence, but no more than a part of reductions in
      prostate cancer mortality. The reduction may be due to changing treatment or
      certification of death.

PMID- 27280118
TI  - Relation between primary care physician supply and diabetes care and outcomes: a
      cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Higher primary care physician supply is associated with lower
      mortality due to heart disease, cancer and stroke, but its relation to diabetes
      care and outcomes is unknown. We examined the association between primary care
      physician supply and evidence-based testing and hospital visits for people with
      diabetes in naturally occurring multispecialty physician networks in Ontario,
      Canada. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis between Apr. 1, 2009,
      and Mar. 31, 2011, using linked administrative data. We included all Ontario
      residents over 40 years of age with a diagnosis of diabetes before Apr. 1, 2007,
      who were alive on Apr. 1, 2009 (N = 712 681). We tested the association between
      physician supply and outcomes at the network level using separate Poisson
      regression models for urban and nonurban physician networks. We accounted for
      clustering at the physician and network level and adjusted for patient
      characteristics. RESULTS: Patients in physician networks with a high supply of
      primary care physicians were more likely to receive the optimal number of
      evidence-based tests for diabetes than patients in networks with low primary care
      physician supply (urban relative risk [RR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]
      1.04-1.07; nonurban RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.14-1.21) but were no different regarding
      emergency department visits (urban RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.94-1.17; nonurban RR 0.96,
      95% CI 0.85-1.08) or hospital admissions for diabetes complications (urban RR
      1.01, 95% CI 0.89-1.14; nonurban RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.77-1.07). INTERPRETATION:
      Having more primary care physicians per capita is associated with better diabetes
      care but not with reduced hospital visits in this setting. Further research to
      understand this relation and how it varies by setting is important for resource
      planning.

PMID- 27280119
TI  - Performance of residents using digital images versus glass slides on
      certification examination in anatomical pathology: a mixed methods pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is anticipated that many licensing examination centres for
      pathology will begin fully digitizing the certification examinations. The
      objective of our study was to test the feasibility of a fully digital examination
      and to assess the needs, concerns and expectations of pathology residents in
      moving from a glass slide-based examination to a fully digital examination.
      METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods study that compared, after randomization,
      the performance of senior residents (postgraduate years 4 and 5) in 7 accredited
      anatomical pathology training programs across Canada on a pathology examination
      using either glass slides or digital whole-slide scanned images of the slides.
      The pilot examination was followed by a post-test survey. In addition, pathology
      residents from all levels of training were invited to participate in an online
      survey. RESULTS: A total of 100 residents participated in the pilot examination;
      49 were given glass slides instead of digital images. We found no significant
      difference in examination results between the 2 groups of residents (estimated
      marginal mean 8.23/12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.72-8.87, for glass slides;
      7.84/12, 95% CI 7.28-8.41, for digital slides). In the post-test survey, most of
      the respondents expressed concerns with the digital examination, including slowly
      functioning software, blurring and poor detail of images, particularly nuclear
      features. All of the respondents of the general survey (n = 179) agreed that
      additional training was required if the examination were to become fully digital.
      INTERPRETATION: Although the performance of residents completing pathology
      examinations with glass slides was comparable to that of residents using digital
      images, our study showed that residents were not comfortable with the digital
      technology, especially given their current level of exposure to it. Additional
      training may be needed before implementing a fully digital examination, with
      consideration for a gradual transition.

PMID- 27280120
TI  - Diabetic retinopathy screening with pharmacy-based teleophthalmology in a
      semiurban setting: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetic eye complications are the leading cause of visual loss among
      working-aged people. Pharmacy-based teleophthalmology has emerged as a possible
      alternative to in-person examination that may facilitate compliance with evidence
      based recommendations and reduce barriers to specialized eye care. The objective
      of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of mobile teleophthalmology
      screening compared with in-person examination (primary care) for the diabetic
      population residing in semiurban areas of southwestern Ontario. METHODS: A
      decision tree was constructed to compare in-person examination (comparator
      program) versus pharmacy-based teleophthalmology (intervention program). The
      economic model was designed to identify patients with more than minimal diabetic
      retinopathy, manifested by at least 1 microaneurysm at examination (modified
      Airlie House classification grade of >= 20). Cost-effectiveness was assessed as
      cost per case detected (true-positive result) and cost per case correctly
      diagnosed (including true-positive and true-negative results). RESULTS: The cost
      per case detected was $510 with in-person examination and $478 with
      teleophthalmology, and the cost per case correctly diagnosed was $107 and $102
      respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $314 per additional
      case detected and $73 per additional case correctly diagnosed. Use of
      pharmacologic dilation and health care specialists' fees were the most important
      cost drivers. INTERPRETATION: The study showed that a compound teleophthalmology
      program in a semiurban community would be more effective but more costly than in
      person examination. The findings raise the question of whether the benefits of
      pharmacy-based teleophthalmology in semiurban areas, where in-person examination
      is still available, are equivalent to those observed in remote communities.
      Further study is needed to investigate the impact of this program on the
      prevention of severe vision loss and quality of life in a semiurban setting.

PMID- 27280121
TI  - In Vivo GFP Knockdown by Cationic Nanogel-siRNA Polyplexes.
AB  - RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to treat diseases and elucidate target
      gene function. Prior to clinical implementation, however, challenges including
      the safe, efficient and targeted delivery of siRNA must be addressed. Here, we
      report cationic nanogel nanostructured polymers (NSPs) prepared by atom transfer
      radical polymerization (ATRP) for in vitro and in vivo siRNA delivery in
      mammalian models. Outcomes from siRNA protection studies suggested that nanogel
      NSPs reduce enzymatic degradation of siRNA within polyplexes. Further, the
      methylation of siRNA may enhance nuclease resistance without compromising gene
      knockdown potency. NSP-mediated RNAi treatments against Gapdh significantly
      reduced GAPDH enzyme activity in mammalian cell culture models supplemented with
      10% serum. Moreover, nanogel NSP-mediated siRNA delivery significantly inhibited
      in vivo GFP expression in a mouse model. GFP knockdown was siRNA sequence
      dependent and facilitated by nanogel NSP carriers. Continued testing of NSP/siRNA
      compositions in disease models may produce important new therapeutic options for
      patient care.

PMID- 27280122
TI  - Generation of Mouse iNKT Cell Lines.
AB  - Natural killer T (NKT) cells bridge the innate and adaptive arms of the immune
      system, and manipulating their effector functions can have therapeutic
      significances in the treatment of autoimmunity, transplant biology, infectious
      disease and cancer. This important lymphocyte subset regulates the immune system
      through their potent cytokine production following the recognition of lipid
      antigen present in the context of the MHC class I-like CD1d molecule, in addition
      their ability to directly mediate cytotoxicity. Here, we describe a method of
      expanding mouse invariant NKT (iNKT) cell lines from mononuclear cells isolated
      from the thymus, spleen, or liver using bone marrow derived dendritic cells.
      These iNKT cell lines can be used study their co-signaling requirements, cytokine
      profiles and cytotoxic functions which will greatly enhance our knowledge of iNKT
      cell biology.

PMID- 27280124
TI  - Compressed Sensing in On-Grid MIMO Radar.
AB  - The accurate detection of targets is a significant problem in multiple-input
      multiple-output (MIMO) radar. Recent advances of Compressive Sensing offer a
      means of efficiently accomplishing this task. The sparsity constraints needed to
      apply the techniques of Compressive Sensing to problems in radar systems have led
      to discretizations of the target scene in various domains, such as azimuth, time
      delay, and Doppler. Building upon recent work, we investigate the feasibility of
      on-grid Compressive Sensing-based MIMO radar via a threefold azimuth-delay
      Doppler discretization for target detection and parameter estimation. We utilize
      a colocated random sensor array and transmit distinct linear chirps to a small
      scene with few, slowly moving targets. Relying upon standard far-field and
      narrowband assumptions, we analyze the efficacy of various recovery algorithms in
      determining the parameters of the scene through numerical simulations, with
      particular focus on the l 1-squared Nonnegative Regularization method. 

PMID- 27280123
TI  - Hippocampal place cell and inhibitory neuron activity in Disrupted-in
      schizophrenia-1 mutant mice: implications for working memory deficits.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of working memory deficits in schizophrenia,
      the neuronal mechanisms mediating these deficits are not fully understood1-3.
      Importantly, deficits in spatial working memory are identified in numerous mouse
      models that exhibit schizophrenia-like endophenotypes4-7. The hippocampus is one
      of the major brain regions that actively encodes spatial location, possessing
      pyramidal neurons, commonly referred to as 'place cells', that fire in a location
      specific manner8. This study tests the hypothesis that mice with a schizophrenia
      like endophenotype exhibit impaired encoding of spatial location in the
      hippocampus. METHODS: We recorded CA1 place cell activity in 6 control mice and 6
      mice that carry a point mutation in the Disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 gene (Disc1
      L100P) and have previously been shown to exhibit deficits in spatial working
      memory4. RESULTS: The spatial specificity and stability of Disc1-L100P place
      cells were similar to wild-type place cells. Importantly, however, Disc1-L100P
      place cells exhibited a higher propensity to increase their firing rate in a
      single, large location of the environment, rather than multiple smaller
      locations, indicating a generalization in their spatial selectivity. Alterations
      in the signaling and numbers of CA1 putative inhibitory interneurons and
      decreased hippocampal theta (5-12Hz) power were also identified in the Disc1
      L100P mice. CONCLUSIONS: The generalized spatial selectivity of Disc1-L100P place
      cells suggests a simplification of the ensemble place codes that encode
      individual locations and subserve spatial working memory. Moreover, these results
      suggest that deficient working memory in schizophrenia results from an impaired
      ability to uniquely code the individual components of a memory sequence.

PMID- 27280125
TI  - Students' Perceptions on an Interprofessional Ward Round Training - A Qualitative
      Pilot Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Ward rounds are an essential activity for interprofessional teams
      in hospital settings and represent complex tasks requiring not only medical
      knowledge but also communication skills, clinical technical skills, patient
      management skills and team-work skills. The present study aimed to analyse final
      year students', nurses' as well as physiotherapists' views on a simulation-based
      interprofessional ward round training. METHODS: In two successive passes a total
      number of 29 final year students, nursing students and physiotherapy students (16
      in the first run, 13 in the second) volunteered to participate in two
      standardized patient ward round scenarios: (1) patient with myocardial
      infarction, and (2) patient with poorly controlled diabetes. Views on the
      interprofessional ward round training were assessed using focus groups. RESULTS:
      Focus group based feedback contained two main categories (A) ward round training
      benefits and (B) difficulties. Positive aspects enfolded course preparation,
      setting of the training, the involvement of the participants during training and
      the positive learning atmosphere. Difficulties were seen in the flawed atmosphere
      and realization of ward rounds in the daily clinical setting with respect to
      inter-professional aspects, and course benefit for the different professional
      groups. CONCLUSION: The presented inter-professional ward round training
      represents a well received and valuable model of interprofessional learning.
      Further research should assess its effectiveness, processes of interprofessional
      interplay and transfer into clinical practice.

PMID- 27280126
TI  - Interprofessional education as part of becoming a doctor or physiotherapist in a
      competency-based curriculum.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Interprofessional learning is a critical pre-requisite for future
      interprofessional work. Structural adaptations in education offer possibilities
      to introduce new concepts. Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) are both
      prevented and treated by physicians and physiotherapists but the development of
      interprofessional roles is seldom part of curricula. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A
      complex, longitudinal interprofessional educational approach for future doctors
      and physiotherapists was designed and implanted at various stages (anatomy,
      physical examination, pathology, therapy). Most segments of the RMD curriculum
      are now based on interprofessional classes. Student satisfaction with learning is
      continually and comparatively evaluated. Learning success is assessed with
      practical and written exams. RESULTS: Interprofessional teaching was first
      introduced in 2013 for 420 first-year and 360 fourth-year medical students, along
      with 40 first- and third-year physiotherapy majors. The satisfaction with
      teaching and learning is high and distinctly above average for all teaching areas
      (satisfaction RMD rated as 2.4; average for all is 3.3). The percentage of those
      who pass the final exam is 94%. 100% of the students surveyed support the
      continuation of this interprofessional unit. CONCLUSION: Interprofessional
      teaching of RMD can be successfully implemented for future physicians and
      physiotherapists at different learning levels.

PMID- 27280127
TI  - Interprofessional teaching and learning in the health care professions: A
      qualitative evaluation of the Robert Bosch Foundation's grant program "Operation
      Team".
AB  - AIM: Interprofessional teaching and learning is gaining significance in the
      health professions. At the same time, the development and implementation of such
      educational courses is demanding. Focusing on factors critical to success, the
      aim of this paper is to evaluate the experience gathered by eight grant projects
      in which interprofessional courses were designed. Emphasis is placed on the level
      of cooperation between the participating educational institutions, course
      content, the operative implementation of the course units and their permanent
      integration into curricula. METHOD: Data was collected in semi-structured,
      guideline-based interviews with project leaders and team members (n=43).
      University and vocational students who had attended the evaluated courses were
      also included in the survey (n=7) as a means to triangulate data. Analysis was
      carried out based on qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: A participatory,
      dialogue-centered model of cooperation appears to be most suited for developing
      and implementing courses. Belonging to the factors critical to success are the
      time when courses are offered, the conditions for attendance, the different
      teaching and learning cultures of the professions involved, preparation and
      deployment of instructors, and the role played by project coordination.
      Permanently integrating interprofessional units into medical curricula revealed
      itself to be difficult. CONCLUSION: While the development and realization of
      interprofessional courses can be achieved easily enough in projects, curricular
      integration of the new course units is challenging. In respect to the latter, not
      only a large amount of staffing resources and time are required, but also the
      creation of the necessary system-level structures, not just within the
      educational institutions (organizational development) but also in the frameworks
      governing the professions.

PMID- 27280128
TI  - Self-perceived attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration and
      interprofessional education among different health care professionals in
      pediatrics.
AB  - Interprofessional education (IPE) is the basis for interprofessional
      collaboration (IPC) in health care systems. It has beneficial effects for both
      patients and health care professionals. IPC is paramount for adequate care of
      patients and their families, especially in pediatrics. To determine the attitudes
      of medical doctors (n=121), nurses (n=15), psychologists (n=14), and social
      workers (n=19) toward IPE and IPC in a tertiary pediatric university teaching
      hospital, as well as the inpatient and outpatient settings in pediatrics, we
      developed a questionnaire with 21 items in four categories based on established
      questionnaires. All participants worked as part of interprofessional teams, and
      the overwhelming majority valued IPC highly. Most competencies important for IPC
      were acquired on the job. There was a substantial lack of interprofessional
      education, especially for medical doctors and psychologists. IPE still needs to
      be established as part of the undergraduate curriculum at German universities.

PMID- 27280129
TI  - Interprofessional education in Erlangen: A needs analysis and the conceptual work
      of a student working group.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Interprofessional education (IPE) is receiving growing significance
      both nationally and internationally. Despite this, organizational and curricular
      changes are posing challenges. The level of need for IPE and how changes can be
      made to curricula and infrastructure were investigated at the University of
      Erlangen in Germany. METHOD: The student working group for interprofessional
      teaching (AGIL) has turned its attention to these issues. This group is composed
      of students from medicine, dentistry, molecular medicine, medical technology and
      speech therapy. In June, 2015, a needs analysis was carried out among the
      students in the study programs represented in the working group to assess the
      actual and target situation concerning IPE (n=1,105). In the search for answers
      and to better measure any needs, contact was sought with instructors. RESULTS:
      The majority of students feel that they are insufficiently educated in terms of
      interprofessional skills. A large proportion of the students wish to see
      expansion of the IPE offerings. Students also expressed a desire for additional
      spaces and welcomed the idea of an interprofessional learning center. AGIL began
      establishing interprofessional electives in October 2015. A concept for an
      interprofessional learning center was developed. DISCUSSION: Based on the survey
      results, a need for improvements to curricula and infrastructure can be seen;
      however, the results are limited to the student point of view. AGIL would like to
      establish more interprofessional electives. These courses would then facilitate
      curricular implementation. Modern ideas about study environments could be applied
      to IPE, in particular to promote informal forms of learning. Contact with
      instructors was crucial for the project work and should be expanded. Realizing
      and financing the learning center in Erlangen are now the future goals of AGIL.
      The aim is to create a foundation for this purpose.

PMID- 27280130
TI  - Simulating a patient's fall as a means to improve routine communication: Joint
      training for nursing and fifth-year medical students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physicians and nursing staff interact as a team on a daily basis in
      hospital settings. However, both educational paths offer few opportunities to
      establish contact with the other professional group. Neither professional group
      can practice its later role with the other group in a "safe" learning
      environment. Routine interprofessional collaboration is described as being in
      need of great improvement and carries with it the potential for conflict. To
      improve interprofessional communication and task management, a simulation-based
      emergency training session for nursing students and fifth-year medical students
      was developed at the KRH Klinikum Nordstadt in Hanover, Germany. As a pilot
      project, the course was held twice in the form of a one-day session with ten
      nursing and four medical students. PROJECT: Using the example of a patient's
      fall, course participants were able to observe and actively treat multiple
      simulated patients. Following each simulation the trainer conducted a
      comprehensive debriefing. The course was then evaluated using a questionnaire.
      RESULTS: The evaluation of the team training showed a high level of acceptance
      among the two participating professional groups. On a scale of 1 (hardly
      applicable) to 5 (strongly applicable), the course was given a 4 by both
      professional groups for its relevance to daily work. In the open-ended written
      responses praise was specifically given for the opportunity to learn how to
      switch perspectives as a result of the simulation exercises. CONCLUSION: A common
      emergency on the hospital ward offers a good opportunity to establish and
      practice interprofessional team skills. With the knowledge gained about
      communication and the ability to change viewpoints, participants are able to
      improve their team skills. Participants demonstrated a high degree of acceptance
      for the training program.

PMID- 27280131
TI  - First Contact: interprofessional education based on medical students' experiences
      from their nursing internship.
AB  - GOAL: The aim of the course "interprofessional communication and nursing" is to
      reflect medical students' experiences from the nursing internship. The content of
      the course focuses on barriers and support of interprofessional communication as
      a foundation for teamwork between nursing professionals and physicians. The
      nursing internship is for most medical students the first contact with nursing
      professionals and can lead to perceptions about the other group that might hinder
      interprofessional teamwork and consequently harm patients. To meet the
      demographic challenges ahead it is important to emphasize interprofessional
      education in the study of medicine and better prepare future physicians for
      interprofessional collaboration. METHOD: The design of the course includes an
      assessment of a change in the students' perceptions about nursing and
      interprofessional communication. The first class meeting presents the starting
      point of the assessment and visualizes students' perceptions of nursing and
      medicine. The content of the following class meetings serve to enhance the
      students' knowledge about nursing as a profession with its own theories, science
      and scholarship. In addition, all students have to write a research paper that
      entails to interview one nursing professional and one physician about their ideas
      of interprofessional communication and to compare the interviews with their own
      experiences from the nursing internship. To access what students learned during
      the course a reflective discussion takes place at the last meeting combined with
      an analysis of the students' research papers. RESULTS: The assessment of the
      students' perceptions about the nursing profession and the importance of
      successful interprofessional communication showed a new and deeper understanding
      of the topic. They were able to identify barriers and support measures of
      interprofessional communication and their own responsibilities as part of a team.
      CONCLUSION: Interprofessional education is an important part of medical education
      and should be a topic from the beginning. The assessment of the course shows that
      it is possible and important to integrate the topic early in the curriculum.

PMID- 27280132
TI  - The Conversion of a Peer Teaching Course in the Puncture of Peripheral Veins for
      Medical Students into an Interprofessional Course.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is a great interest on both a national and international level
      in promoting cooperation between different occupational groups within the
      healthcare professions through interprofessional education (IPE) [1], [2], [3].
      Within this project, a peer teaching course on the puncture of peripheral veins
      was therefore converted from a course for medical students into an IPE learning
      unit. Students from different occupational groups were to learn within the
      context of this course, according to the definition from the World Health
      Organisation (WHO), with and from each other [1]. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This
      course constituted a small group class in the peer teaching format. The didactic
      principle was based on the idea that the students were to practice the respective
      practical skills in pairs and give each other reciprocal feedback. Together with
      the Department for Health at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BUAS) and
      the Bern Center of Higher Education of Nusing (BCHEN), the course, which was
      conducted by the Institute of Medical Education at the University of Bern (IME),
      was converted into a voluntary IPE pilot project. Students from all three
      institutions were represented in terms of participants as well as tutors.
      RESULTS: The course was evaluated very positively by participants, peer tutors
      and the participating institutions. By means of an OSCE, it could be proven that
      the course content had been successfully imparted. On the basis of these results,
      it was determined that the course should be compulsory in the future for students
      at all three institutions. DISCUSSION: The evaluation results show the successful
      conversion of the course into an IPE format within the context of the pilot
      project. The interactive format of the course created the prerequisite that the
      students from different professional groups learned with and from each other in
      actuality, and did not just study the same objectives at the same time as with
      multiprofessional learning. Cooperation between the three institutions is a
      cornerstone for the development of a research structure which may examine the
      effect of IPE in the future.

PMID- 27280133
TI  - Evaluation of interprofessional education: lessons learned through the
      development and implementation of an interprofessional seminar on team
      communication for undergraduate health care students in Heidelberg - a project
      report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This project report describes the development, "piloting" and
      evaluation of an interprofessional seminar on team communication bringing
      together medical students and Interprofessional Health Care B.Sc. students at the
      Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University, Germany. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A five
      member interprofessional team collaborated together on this project. Kolb's
      experiential learning concept formed the theoretical foundation for the seminar,
      which explored three interprofessional competency areas: team work, communication
      and values/ethics. Evaluation for the purposes of quality assurance and future
      curricula development was conducted using two quantitative measures: descriptive
      analysis of a standardized course evaluation tool (EvaSys) ANOVA analysis of the
      German translation of the University of the West of England Interprofessional
      Questionnaire (UWE-IP-D). RESULTS: The key finding from the standardized course
      evaluation was that the interprofessional seminars were rated more positively
      [M=2.11 (1 most positive and 5 most negative), SD=1, n=27] than the
      monoprofessional seminars [M=2.55, SD=0.98, n=90]. The key finding from the UWE
      IP-D survey, comparing pre and post scores of the interprofessional (IP) (n=40)
      and monoprofessional (MP) groups (n=34), was that significant positive changes in
      mean scores for both groups towards communication, teamwork and interprofessional
      learning occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Lessons learnt included: a) recognising the
      benefit of being pragmatic when introducing interprofessional education
      initiatives, which enabled various logistical and attitudinal barriers to be
      overcome; b) quantitative evaluation of learning outcomes alone could not explain
      positive responses or potential influences of interprofessional aspects, which
      highlighted the need for a mixed methods approach, including qualitative methods,
      to enrich judgment formation on interprofessional educational outcomes.

PMID- 27280134
TI  - Communication in Health Professions: A European consensus on inter- and multi
      professional learning objectives in German.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Communication is object of increasing attention in the health
      professions. Teaching communication competencies should already begin in
      undergraduate education or pre-registration training. The aim of this project was
      to translate the Health Professions Core Communication Curriculum (HPCCC), an
      English catalogue of learning objectives, into German to make its content widely
      accessible in the German-speaking countries. This catalogue lists 61 educational
      objectives and was agreed on by 121 international communication experts. A
      European reference framework for inter- and multi-professional curriculum
      development for communication in the health professions in German-speaking
      countries should be provided. METHOD: The German version of the HPCCC was drafted
      by six academics and went through multiple revisions until consensus was reached.
      The learning objectives were paired with appropriate teaching and assessment
      tools drawn from the database of the teaching Committee of the European
      Association for Communication Health Care (tEACH). RESULTS: The HPCCC learning
      objectives are now available in German and can be applied for curriculum planning
      and development in the different German-speaking health professions, the
      educational objectives can also be used for inter-professional purposes. Examples
      for teaching methods and assessment tools are given for using and implementing
      the objectives. CONCLUSION: The German version of the HPCCC with learning
      objectives for communication in health professions can contribute significantly
      to inter- and multi-professional curriculum development in the health care
      professions in the German-speaking countries. Examples for teaching methods and
      assessment tools from the materials compiled by tEACH supplement the curricular
      content and provide suggestions for practical implementation of the learning
      objectives in teaching and assessment. The relevance of the German HPCCC to the
      processes of curriculum development for the various health professions and inter
      professional approaches should be the subject of further evaluation.

PMID- 27280135
TI  - Design and evaluation of an IPE module at the beginning of professional training
      in medicine, nursing, and physiotherapy.
AB  - AIM: Interprofessional education (IPE) is a central feature of modern education
      in the health care professions. Despite this, empirically founded and
      systematically structured IPE courses are absent from many curricula. To answer
      the WHO's call for improved interprofessional collaboration in the health care
      system, a seminar was designed, implemented and evaluated. The target group
      consisted of students beginning nursing and medical studies (first and second
      semesters) and physiotherapy students (first year of training). The aim was to
      develop a basic IPE module focusing not only on the demands placed by academia
      and politics, but also the interests of the target group. This module was
      evaluated on the basis of the modified four-level Kirkpatrick approach. METHOD:
      Based on focus group interviews analyzed qualitatively using Mayring's content
      analysis, it was possible to define five learning objectives and develop four
      practice-oriented modules. The seminar was then implemented and evaluated using
      written pre- and post-seminar evaluations and group discussions. RESULTS:
      Analysis confirmed the success of the IPE concept in that the seminar was
      positively rated by attendees not only in terms of their immediate reactions, but
      also attitude, knowledge and skills according to Kirkpatrick. CONCLUSION: In the
      future, it is intended to offer the IPE module on a permanent basis and assess
      the competencies acquired in the seminar using observation. Courses to ensure
      sustained learning outcomes would also be desirable.

PMID- 27280136
TI  - The subjective experience of collaboration in interprofessional tutor teams: A
      qualitative study.
AB  - AIM: The Center for Interprofessional Training in Medicine at the Faculty of
      Medicine Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universitat Dresden, Germany, has
      offered courses covering interprofessional material since the winter semester
      2014/15. The unusual feature of these courses is that they are co-taught by peer
      tutors from medicine and nursing. This study investigates the subjective
      experiences of these tutors during the collaborative preparation and teaching of
      these tutorials with the aim of identifying the effects of equal participation in
      the perceptions and assessments of the other professional group. METHOD: Semi
      structured, guideline-based interviews were held with six randomly selected
      tutors. The interviews were analyzed using structuring content analysis. RESULTS:
      The results show that collaborative work led to reflection, mostly by the
      university student tutors, on the attitudes held. However, the co-tutors from
      each professional group were perceived to different degrees as being
      representative of those in their profession. Asked to master a shared assignment
      in a non-clinical context, the members of the different professional groups met
      on equal footing, even if the medical students had already gathered more teaching
      experience and thus mostly assumed a mentoring role over the course of working on
      and realizing the teaching units. The nursing tutors were primarily focused on
      their role as tutor. Both professional groups emphasized that prior to the
      collaboration they had an insufficient or no idea about the theoretical knowledge
      or practical skills of the other professional group. Overall, the project was
      rated as beneficial, and interprofessional education was endorsed. CONCLUSION: In
      the discussion, recommendations based on the insights are made for joint tutor
      training of both professional groups. According to these recommendations,
      harmonizing the teaching abilities of all tutors is essential to ensure equality
      during cooperation. Ideally, training programs should be attended together by
      medical and nursing students to emphasize their shared identity as "tutor".

PMID- 27280137
TI  - Properties, promotive and obstructive conditions of multi-professional teaching
      and learning of health professions and non-health professions: an explorative
      survey from the perspective of teachers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Care for people with dementia is considered a multi-professional
      challenge that requires a collaborative approach between health professionals and
      non-health professionals. Didactic strategies to ensure the same qualifications
      across these occupational groups are lacking. This article presents the joint
      learning of selected properties and promotive and obstructive conditions, using
      the example of a multi-professional Master's programme. It subsequently draws
      conclusions for didactic concepts. METHODOLOGY: The perceptions of 12 teachers on
      this Master's programme, all representing different professions, were determined
      by using a qualitative exploratory survey on the three stated dimensions. With
      the aid of a summarising content analysis, their statements were condensed and
      abstracted so as to deduce appropriate requirements for methodical and didactic
      learning scenarios. RESULTS: In view of the fact that the students have very
      varied previous knowledge, the main challenge is finding a balance between
      expertise and tediousness. Establishing essential and common expertise, as well
      as sensitivity for different perspectives, is made particularly difficult by the
      fact that health and non-health professions differ greatly in terms of methods
      and approaches. For a successful outcome, the content focal points and didactic
      and methodical concepts for a learning group need to take into account the
      composition of that specific group. Recourse to didactic standard concepts is
      only possible to a limited extent. CONCLUSIONS: The aim of joint teaching and
      learning of health and non-health professionals is to enhance the understanding
      of a profession: This is done by making individuals aware of their role in the
      chain of care, so they can recognise and organise the mutual conditionality of
      their own and external professional contributions.

PMID- 27280138
TI  - Communicative positioning of one's own profession in interprofessional settings.
AB  - AIM: Interprofessional education (IPE) is taking on increasing importance in our
      complex healthcare system and receiving ever greater attention in the teaching of
      health science. The majority of concepts and methods employed in this area are
      based on normative ideas about interprofessional cooperation and only seldom
      based on empirical research. This paper is an initial attempt to augment this
      deductive approach with an inductive perspective for the purpose of subsequently
      providing empirical support for IPE teaching methods. METHOD: Drawing on the
      qualitative approach to linguistic conversation analysis, language-based
      professional markers are identified on the basis of recorded classroom
      simulations with nursing and midwifery students; it is assumed that these markers
      are significant in relevant interprofessional communication processes and, as a
      result, influence actual collaboration between the health professions. These
      markers are classified and commented on, and their importance to teaching and
      practical implementation in interprofessional interaction is emphasized. RESULTS:
      Students routinely use various professional markers in simulations. However,
      these occur much less frequently than initially expected, except when marking
      difference in relation to physicians. At the same time, all the interactions are
      shaped by pronounced self-presentation among the students, and this comprises a
      large aspect of the interactions observed here. Profession-specific communication
      and differentiation processes also appear to be slow in establishing themselves
      in terms of students delegating tasks or voicing expectations. In addition, the
      role of "student" has a function that should not be underestimated in these
      interactions. CONCLUSION: Professional markers are an essential component of
      interprofessional communication and are based on numerous, observable linguistic
      phenomena, of which only a few are presented here. This empirical approach has
      not yet appeared in the discourse surrounding IPE; however, it is, in the
      authors' opinion, not only necessary to compare interprofessional interactions
      with lived reality, but also to be in a position to operationalize
      interprofessional practice and ultimately assign it to competency areas. For this
      reason, further empirical observations and analyses are needed to tighten the
      still unclear definition of interprofessional communication and to develop
      empirically founded, measurable criteria for teaching and testing.

PMID- 27280139
TI  - Fostering interprofessional communication through case discussions and simulated
      ward rounds in nursing and medical education: A pilot project.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poor communication between physicians and nursing staff could result
      in inadequate interprofessional collaboration with negative effects on patient
      health. In order to ensure optimal health care for patients, it is important to
      strengthen interprofessional communication and collaboration between physicians
      and nurses during their education. AIM: The aim of this project is to foster
      communication for medical and nursing students through interprofessional case
      discussions and simulated ward rounds as a form of training. METHOD: In 2013-15 a
      total of 39 nursing students and 22 medical students participated in eight
      seminars, each covering case discussions and simulated ward rounds. The seminar
      was evaluated based on student assessment of the educational objectives. RESULTS:
      Students who voluntarily signed up for the seminar profited from the
      interprofessional interaction and gathered positive experiences working in a
      team. CONCLUSION: Through practicing case discussions and ward rounds as a group,
      interprofessional communication could be fostered between medical and nursing
      students. Students took advantage of the opportunity to ask those from other
      profession questions and realized that interprofessional interaction can lead to
      improved health care.

PMID- 27280140
TI  - Interprofessional practice in health care: an educational project with four
      learning sequences for students from six study programs.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In response to demographic changes and the growing complexity of
      healthcare demands, national and international organizations are requiring
      greater cooperation among the health professions. Implementation of
      interprofessional learning programs within study programs in medicine, midwifery,
      nursing, and therapy is still rare. The first projects are currently underway in
      Germany. This paper presents the experience gathered by the organizers as
      interprofessional courses for six study programs were implemented. PROJECT
      DESCRIPTION: As part of the collaborative project "Interprofessional Practice in
      Health Care" between the Medical School at the Ruhr University in Bochum and the
      Department for Applied Health Sciences at the Hochschule fur Gesundheit,
      interprofessional curricular units were developed, taught and evaluated with the
      aim of establishing permanent and joint curricular structures at the two German
      universities. Imparting communication skills, knowledge of and appreciation for
      the work performed by the other health professions, as well as having students
      reflect on their own professional roles and responsibilities, were the focus of
      four curricular units. Students worked together in small interprofessional
      groups. RESULTS: A total of 220 students enrolled in occupational therapy,
      midwifery, speech therapy, medicine, nursing, and physiotherapy participated in
      small-group seminars. When conducting and implementing the seminars,
      administrative and methodological challenges became apparent, and this should be
      taken into consideration in regard to any future development of interprofessional
      courses. Integration into existing curricula, along with finding time in the
      various schedules and appropriate classroom space for small groups, were among
      the challenges faced. For over 86% of the students it was important that students
      from all six of the degree programs involved participated in the project. A
      detailed analysis of the content and evaluation will follow. CONCLUSION: The
      value of the project's aim to include as many study programs in the health
      professions and medicine as possible was confirmed by the participating students.
      However, accomplishing this requires a substantial amount of organizational
      effort in terms of scheduling, finding classroom space and integration into
      existing curricula. Careful attention must be given specifically to the
      coordination of monoprofessional and interprofessional teaching units.

PMID- 27280141
TI  - Interprofessional peer-assisted learning as a low-threshold course for joint
      learning: Evaluation results of the interTUT Project.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The delivery of needs-based health care services
      requires a team-based and collaborative approach of different health
      professionals, which is not yet sufficienctliy implemented on a day to day basis.
      Interprofessional learning activities aim to respond to this in future. The cross
      university pilot project interTUT used peer-assisted learning approaches and
      extracurricular tutorials in order address this issue. METHODOLOGY: During the
      pilot phase, eight students and trainees have been acquired. Together, they
      prepared and led four extracurricular tutorials on core topics of
      interprofessional cooperation and documented them in procedure manuals. The
      course was evaluated using a standardized participant survey (n=72) and two focus
      groups (n=3, n=5) in which participants were asked to reflect on their individual
      learning experiences. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey data
      and the focus group material was interpreted using qualitative content analysis.
      RESULTS: The results indicated a high level of satisfaction, acceptance of and
      further demand for peer-supported learning activities. The students and trainees
      reported changed attitudes and subjective knowledge growth regarding the other
      professional groups. The constructive learning atmosphere as well as having
      access to a forum for interprofessional exchange were equally valued.
      CONCLUSIONS: Extracurricular tutorials offer a low-threshold and very promising
      point of contact for the facilitation of interprofessional teaching and learning.
      However, this should be viewed against the background that, as part of the pilot
      project, only a small number of students and trainees who were already interested
      in the topic could be reached by this optional course. A comprehensive, long-term
      trial of this teaching and learning format, its linkage to curricular courses,
      and further research on its education-specific and practice-related effects are,
      therefore, necessary.

PMID- 27280142
TI  - Comprehension through cooperation: Medical students and physiotherapy apprentices
      learn in teams - Introducing interprofessional learning at the University Medical
      Centre Mannheim, Germany.
AB  - AIM: In order to better prepare future health care professionals for
      interprofessional cooperation, interprofessional learning sessions for medical
      students and physiotherapy apprentices were developed at the University Medical
      Centre Mannheim, Germany. The experience gained from designing, implementing and
      evaluating these learning sessions is presented and discussed. METHOD: A total of
      265 medical students and 43 physiotherapy apprentices attended five
      interprofessional learning sessions. Of these, 87-100% responded to closed and
      open-ended questions on a self-developed questionnaire (24 items). The responses
      regarding self-reported learning gains, benefit, motivation and satisfaction with
      the sessions were analyzed separately by professions. RESULTS: The learning
      sessions were well received by both groups. More than 75% of all participants
      were of the opinion that they could not have learned the new material in a better
      way. Significant differences between the medical students and the physiotherapy
      apprentices were mainly found with regard to perceived learning gains, which
      physiotherapy apprentices reported as being lower. Positive aspects of
      interprofessionalism were most often emphasized in the responses to the open
      ended questions. Most frequently criticized were organizational aspects and a
      lack of perceived learning gains. CONCLUSION: The introduction of
      interprofessional learning entails great effort in terms of organizational and
      administrative challenges. However, the project is considered worthwhile because
      the interprofessional aspects of the learning sessions were indeed valued by the
      participants. Permanently including and expanding interprofessional learning in
      the curricula of both professions longitudinally is therefore something to strive
      for.

PMID- 27280143
TI  - Interprofessional Learning - Development and Implementation of Joint Medical
      Emergency Team Trainings for Medical and Nursing Students at Universitatsmedizin
      Greifswald.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Interprofessional collaboration is of great importance in clinical
      practice, particularly in the field of emergency medicine. The professions
      involved in providing emergency care must work hand in hand, and tasks and
      routines must be coordinated effectively. However, medical and nursing students
      have only few opportunities to experience interprofessional cooperation during
      their formal training. Addressing this situation, the Department of
      Anesthesiology and the Vocational School of Greifswald University Medical School
      initiated a project to increase patient safety by integrating interprofessional
      human factor training into the curriculum of both health professions. This
      manuscript addresses how an interprofessional course module focusing on clinical
      emergency medicine can be taught with an emphasis on competency and problem
      solving. In addition, it was important to identify suitable instruments for
      systematic quality development and assurance of this teaching and learning
      format. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The aim of the project, which took place from
      October 2013 to September 2015, was the development, implementation and
      evaluation of a simulation-based, interprofessional course module on clinical
      emergency medicine. Target groups were medical and nursing students. Modern
      pedagogical models and methods were applied to the design and teaching of the
      course content. The project was carried out in separate phases: definition,
      planning, practical implementation, evaluation and documentation. The project was
      accompanied by systematic quality development. Established guidelines for quality
      centered school development were applied to quality development, assurance and
      evaluation. RESULTS: Over two years, a 16 credit-hour course module was developed
      and then taught and evaluated during the 2014 and 2015 summer semesters. A total
      of 120 medical students and 120 nursing students participated in the course
      module. Eighteen teachers from medicine and nursing were trained as instructors
      and assisted by 12 student tutors. Regular evaluations focused on different
      aspects of the project, using instruments for empirical educational research.
      Excellent ratings given to the course by the attendees indicate a high degree of
      satisfaction in both participating professions regarding course design and
      content, as well as the quality of teaching. DISCUSSION: In a position paper, the
      GMA committee on Interprofessional Education in Health Professions issued
      recommendations for interprofessional education. The recommendations given for
      teaching and quality assurance are drawn upon here, and relevant examples from
      the course concept presented. CONCLUSION: The design of the course corresponds to
      the recommendations of the GMA committee on Interprofessional Education in the
      Health Professions. Based on these, and considering the satisfactory evaluations,
      both continuation and further development of this interprofessional teaching
      format are justified.

PMID- 27280144
TI  - Recommendations to enhance constructivist-based learning in Interprofessional
      Education using video-based self-assessment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Interprofessional collaboration is crucial to the optimization of
      patient care. AIM: This paper aims to provide recommendations for implementing an
      innovative constructivist educational concept with the core element of video
      based self-assessment. METHODOLOGY: A course for students in medicine,
      physiotherapy, and nursing was developed through interprofessional, cross
      institutional collaboration. The course consisted of drawing on prior knowledge
      about the work done by each professional group in regard to a specific clinical
      scenario and an interprofessional treatment situation, filming a role play of
      this treatment situation, and a structured self-assessment of the role play. We
      evaluated the preparation and implementation of the three courses conducted thus
      far. Concrete recommendations for implementation were made based on evaluation
      sheets (students), open discussions (tutors, instructors, institutions) and
      recorded meeting minutes (project managers, project participants). RESULTS: Basic
      recommendations for implementation include: selecting appropriate criteria for
      self-assessment and a simulated situation that offers members of each
      professional group an equal opportunity to act in the role play. In terms of
      administrative implementation we recommend early coordination among the
      professions and educational institutions regarding the target groups, scheduling
      and attendance policy to ensure participant recruitment across all professions.
      Procedural planning should include developing teaching materials, such as the
      case vignette and treatment scenario, and providing technical equipment that can
      be operated intuitively in order to ensure efficient recording. CONCLUSION: These
      recommendations serve as an aid for implementing an innovative constructivist
      educational concept with video-based self-assessment at its core.

PMID- 27280145
TI  - Berlin in Motion: Interprofessional teaching and learning for students in the
      fields of medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and nursing (INTER-M-E-P
      P).
AB  - AIM: The Berlin project "Interprofessional teaching and learning in medicine,
      occupational therapy, physiotherapy and nursing" (INTER-M-E-P-P) pursues the goal
      of developing and testing interprofessional courses in an exemplary manner, and
      then implement these into their regular study programs. METHOD: Under the
      direction of a steering committee of the participating institutions, professions
      and status groups, interprofessional courses were designed, carried out and
      evaluated. Specific to this project are the participation of students in the
      steering committee, and the accompanying of external supervision. The evaluation
      integrates the perspectives of all project participants, and combines
      quantitative and qualitative methods. RESULTS: INTER-M-E-P-P established
      cooperative structures between the participating universities and programs. Three
      courses were designed, taught and evaluated in an interprofessional manner. The
      various curricula, organizational patterns and locations of the study paths led
      to a great need for resources in regard to planning and implementation. This
      process can be made difficult by any stereotypes or preconceptions inherent to
      those doing the planning; however, under external supervision, the individual
      professional viewpoints can still be broadened and enriched. CONCLUSION: A
      sustainable implementation of interprofessional education into the curricula of
      health science study programs is currently complicated by barriers such as
      different geographical locations and differing university regulations concerning
      study and testing. Implementation will require long-term support at the
      university as well as at political levels.

PMID- 27280146
TI  - Improving competencies in evidence-based dementia care: Results from a pilot
      study on a novel inter-professional training course (the KOMPIDEM project).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In order to address well-known challenges in dementia care, an inter
      professional course was developed to improve medical students' and nursing
      students' competencies in the provision of evidence-based care for people with
      dementia. The course comprises lectures, problem-based learning (PbL) tutorials
      and visitations to care facilities. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the
      acceptance and feasibility of the inter-professional course. METHODOLOGY:
      Alongside preliminary implementation of the newly developed course, a pre-post
      survey was carried out involving all participating students. The questionnaire
      contained standardized and open-ended questions on participants' views regarding
      the quality and relevance of several course components and characteristics. The
      data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. RESULTS: When the course
      was offered the first time, multiple barriers became evident, leading to
      premature course termination and subsequent revision of the curriculum. When the
      revised course was offered, 10 medical students and 8 nursing students
      participated. The course proved feasible, and the median overall quality was
      rated as "2" (IQR 2-3) at a rating scale ranging from 1 (very good) to 6
      (inadequate). Following aspects were most frequently judged positively: the
      course's inter-professional scope, the visitations to care facilities and the PbL
      tutorials. Potential for improvement was particularly noted with regard to a more
      distinct focus on well-defined, mainly practical learning outcomes. There were no
      indications of systematic between-group differences in the medical and nursing
      students' perceptions of the course program. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed
      the feasibility of the inter-professional course on dementia care and the
      relevance of its inter-professional scope. However, to ensure sustainable course
      implementation in the long term, further program adaptations based on current
      findings and further evaluation studies focusing on objective parameters of the
      process and outcome quality are required.

PMID- 27280147
TI  - More terminological clarity in the interprofessional field - a call for
      reflection on the use of terminologies, in both practice and research, on a
      national and international level.
AB  - The terminology which has been used up until now within interprofessional
      healthcare has been characterised by a certain definitional weakness, which,
      among other factors, has been caused by an uncritical adoption of language
      conventions and a lack of theoretical reflection. However, as terminological
      clarity plays a significant role in the development and profiling of a
      discipline, the clarification and definition of commonly-used terminology has
      manifested itself as a considerable objective for the interprofessional research
      community. One of the most important journals for research in the area of
      interprofessional education and care, the Journal of Interprofessional Care, has
      expanded its author guidelines relating to terminology, modeled after the
      conceptual considerations of the research group around Barr et. al and Reeves et
      al. A German translation of the suggested terms therein has been presented in
      this contribution, and discussed in light of the challenges to a possible
      adaptation for the German-speaking world. The objective is to assist
      communication in practice and research in becoming clearer, while promoting an
      increasing awareness to and the transparency of determined definitions and
      terminologies.

PMID- 27280148
TI  - Collaboration, cooperation, communication, contact and competencies.

PMID- 27280149
TI  - Special edition booklet: Interprofessional Training - Published by the Robert
      Bosch Stiftung and the Gesellschaft fur Medizinische Ausbildung.

PMID- 27280150
TI  - Triclosan antimicrobial polymers.
AB  - Triclosan antimicrobial molecular fluctuating energies of nonbonding electron
      pairs for the oxygen atom by ether bond rotations are reviewed with
      conformational computational chemistry analyses. Subsequent understanding of
      triclosan alternating ether bond rotations is able to help explain several
      material properties in Polymer Science. Unique bond rotation entanglements
      between triclosan and the polymer chains increase both the mechanical properties
      of polymer toughness and strength that are enhanced even better through secondary
      bonding relationships. Further, polymer blend compatibilization is considered due
      to similar molecular relationships and polarities. With compatibilization of
      triclosan in polymers a more uniform stability for nonpolar triclosan in the
      polymer solid state is retained by the antimicrobial for extremely low release
      with minimum solubility into aqueous solution. As a result, triclosan is
      projected for long extended lifetimes as an antimicrobial polymer additive.
      Further, triclosan rapid alternating ether bond rotations disrupt secondary
      bonding between chain monomers in the resin state to reduce viscosity and enhance
      polymer blending. Thus, triclosan is considered for a polymer additive with
      multiple properties to be an antimicrobial with additional benefits as a nonpolar
      toughening agent and a hydrophobic wetting agent. The triclosan material
      relationships with alternating ether bond rotations are described through a
      complete different form of medium by comparisons with known antimicrobial
      properties that upset bacterial cell membranes through rapid fluctuating
      mechanomolecular energies. Also, triclosan bond entanglements with secondary
      bonding can produce structural defects in weak bacterial lipid membranes
      requiring pliability that can then interfere with cell division. Regarding
      applications with polymers, triclosan can be incorporated by mixing into a resin
      system before cure, melt mixed with thermoplastic polymers that set on cooling
      into a solid or alternatively applied as a coating through several different
      methods with dissolving into an organic solvent and dried on by evaporation as a
      common means.

PMID- 27280151
TI  - Visuomotor Learning Generalizes Around the Intended Movement.
AB  - Human motor learning is useful if it generalizes beyond the trained task. Here,
      we introduce a new idea about how human visuomotor learning generalizes. We show
      that learned reaching movements generalize around where a person intends to move
      (i.e., aiming direction) as opposed to where they actually move. We used a visual
      rotation paradigm that allowed us to disentangle whether generalization is
      centered on where people aim to move, where they actually move, or where visual
      feedback indicates they moved. Participants reached to a visual target with their
      arm occluded from view. The cursor feedback was rotated relative to the position
      of their unseen hand to induce learning. Participants verbally reported their
      aiming direction, reached, and then were shown the outcome. We periodically
      introduced single catch trials with no feedback to measure learning. Results
      showed that learning was maximal at the participants' aiming location, and not at
      the actual hand position or where the cursor was displayed. This demonstrates
      that visuomotor learning generalizes around where we intend to move rather than
      where we actually move, and thus introduces a new role for cognitive processes
      beyond simply reducing movement error. 

PMID- 27280152
TI  - The Presence of Real Food Usurps Hypothetical Health Value Judgment in Overweight
      People.
AB  - To develop more ecologically valid models of the neurobiology of obesity, it is
      critical to determine how the neural processes involved in food-related decision
      making translate into real-world eating behaviors. We examined the relationship
      between goal-directed valuations of food images in the MRI scanner and food
      consumption at a subsequent ad libitum buffet meal. We observed that 23 lean and
      40 overweight human participants showed similar patterns of value-based neural
      responses to health and taste attributes of foods. In both groups, these value
      based responses in the ventromedial PFC were predictive of subsequent consumption
      at the buffet. However, overweight participants consumed a greater proportion of
      unhealthy foods. This was not predicted by in-scanner choices or neural response.
      Moreover, in overweight participants alone, impulsivity scores predicted greater
      consumption of unhealthy foods. Overall, our findings suggest that, while the
      hypothetical valuation of the health of foods is predictive of eating behavior in
      both lean and overweight people, it is only the real-world food choices that
      clearly distinguish them. 

PMID- 27280153
TI  - Topographical Organization of Attentional, Social, and Memory Processes in the
      Human Temporoparietal Cortex.
AB  - The temporoparietal junction (TPJ) is activated in association with a large range
      of functions, including social cognition, episodic memory retrieval, and
      attentional reorienting. An ongoing debate is whether the TPJ performs an
      overarching, domain-general computation, or whether functions reside in domain
      specific subdivisions. We scanned subjects with fMRI during five tasks known to
      activate the TPJ, probing social, attentional, and memory functions, and used
      data-driven parcellation (independent component analysis) to isolate task-related
      functional processes in the bilateral TPJ. We found that one dorsal component in
      the right TPJ, which was connected with the frontoparietal control network, was
      activated in all of the tasks. Other TPJ subregions were specific for attentional
      reorienting, oddball target detection, or social attribution of belief. The TPJ
      components that participated in attentional reorienting and oddball target
      detection appeared spatially separated, but both were connected with the ventral
      attention network. The TPJ component that participated in the theory-of-mind task
      was part of the default-mode network. Further, we found that the BOLD response in
      the domain-general dorsal component had a longer latency than responses in the
      domain-specific components, suggesting an involvement in distinct, perhaps
      postperceptual, computations. These findings suggest that the TPJ performs both
      domain-general and domain-specific computations that reside within spatially
      distinct functional components. 

PMID- 27280154
TI  - Somatosensory Representations Link the Perception of Emotional Expressions and
      Sensory Experience.
AB  - Studies of human emotion perception have linked a distributed set of brain
      regions to the recognition of emotion in facial, vocal, and body expressions. In
      particular, lesions to somatosensory cortex in the right hemisphere have been
      shown to impair recognition of facial and vocal expressions of emotion. Although
      these findings suggest that somatosensory cortex represents body states
      associated with distinct emotions, such as a furrowed brow or gaping jaw,
      functional evidence directly linking somatosensory activity and subjective
      experience during emotion perception is critically lacking. Using functional
      magnetic resonance imaging and multivariate decoding techniques, we show that
      perceiving vocal and facial expressions of emotion yields hemodynamic activity in
      right somatosensory cortex that discriminates among emotion categories, exhibits
      somatotopic organization, and tracks self-reported sensory experience. The
      findings both support embodied accounts of emotion and provide mechanistic
      insight into how emotional expressions are capable of biasing subjective
      experience in those who perceive them. 

PMID- 27280155
TI  - Excitability and Burst Generation of AVPV Kisspeptin Neurons Are Regulated by the
      Estrous Cycle Via Multiple Conductances Modulated by Estradiol Action.
AB  - The preovulatory secretory surge of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is
      crucial for fertility and is regulated by a switch of estradiol feedback action
      from negative to positive. GnRH neurons likely receive estradiol feedback signals
      via ERalpha-expressing afferents. Kisspeptin neurons in anteroventral
      periventricular nucleus (AVPV) are thought to be critical for estradiol-positive
      feedback induction of the GnRH surge. We examined the electrophysiological
      properties of GFP-identified AVPV kisspeptin neurons in brain slices from mice on
      the afternoon of diestrus (negative feedback) and proestrus (positive feedback,
      time of surge). Extracellular recordings revealed increased firing frequency and
      action potential bursts on proestrus versus diestrus. Whole-cell recordings were
      used to study the intrinsic mechanisms of bursting. Upon depolarization, AVPV
      kisspeptin neurons exhibited tonic firing or depolarization-induced bursts (DIB).
      Both tonic and DIB cells exhibited bursts induced by rebound from
      hyperpolarization. DIB occurred similarly on both cycle stages, but rebound
      bursts were observed more often on proestrus. DIB and rebound bursts were both
      sensitive to Ni(2+), suggesting that T-type Ca(2+) currents (I Ts) are involved.
      I T current density was greater on proestrus versus diestrus. In addition to I T,
      persistent sodium current (I NaP) facilitated rebound bursting. On diestrus, 4
      aminopyridine-sensitive potassium currents contributed to reduced rebound bursts
      in both tonic and DIB cells. Manipulation of specific sex steroids suggests that
      estradiol induces the changes that enhance AVPV kisspeptin neuron excitability on
      proestrus. These observations indicate cycle-driven changes in circulating
      estradiol increased overall action potential generation and burst firing in AVPV
      kisspeptin neurons on proestrus versus diestrus by regulating multiple intrinsic
      currents.

PMID- 27280157
TI  - Tropism of CPMV to Professional Antigen Presenting Cells Enables a Platform to
      Eliminate Chronic Infections.
AB  - Chronic viral infections (e.g., HIV, HBV, HCV) represent a significant source of
      morbidity and mortality with over 500 million people infected worldwide.
      Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages are key cell types for productive viral
      replication and persistent systemic infection. We demonstrate that the plant
      virus cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) displays tropism for such antigen presenting
      cells in both mice and humans, thus making it an ideal candidate for targeted
      drug delivery toward viral infections. Furthermore, we show inhibition of a key
      host protein for viral infection, site-1 protease (S1P), using the small molecule
      PF-429242 in the model pathogen arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
      (LCMV) limits viral growth. By packaging PF-429242 in CPMV, we are able to
      control drug release and efficiently deliver the drug. This sets the groundwork
      for utilizing the natural tropism of CPMV for a therapeutic approach that
      specifically targets cell types most commonly subverted by chronic viruses.

PMID- 27280156
TI  - Alteration of AMPA Receptor-Mediated Synaptic Transmission by Alexa Fluor 488 and
      594 in Cerebellar Stellate Cells.
AB  - The fluorescent dyes, Alexa Fluor 488 and 594 are commonly used to visualize
      dendritic structures and the localization of synapses, both of which are critical
      for the spatial and temporal integration of synaptic inputs. However, the effect
      of the dyes on synaptic transmission is not known. Here we investigated whether
      Alexa Fluor dyes alter the properties of synaptic currents mediated by two
      subtypes of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) at cerebellar stellate cell synapses. In
      naive mice, GluA2-lacking AMPAR-mediated synaptic currents displayed an inwardly
      rectifying current-voltage (I-V) relationship due to blockade by cytoplasmic
      spermine at depolarized potentials. We found that the inclusion of 100 um Alexa
      Fluor dye, but not 10 um, in the pipette solution led to a gradual increase in
      the amplitude of EPSCs at +40 mV and a change in the I-V relationship from
      inwardly rectifying to more linear. In mice exposed to an acute stress, AMPARs
      switched to GluA2-containing receptors, and 100 um Alexa Fluor 594 did not alter
      the I-V relationship of synaptic currents. Therefore, a high concentration of
      Alexa Fluor dye changed the I-V relationship of EPSCs at GluA2-lacking AMPAR
      synapses.

PMID- 27280159
TI  - A Conversation with Makoto Fujita.

PMID- 27280158
TI  - A Triple Crown of Sustainable Synthesis.

PMID- 27280160
TI  - Taming Toxic Algae Blooms.

PMID- 27280161
TI  - Mysteries in a Minimal Genome.

PMID- 27280162
TI  - Mind the Gap.

PMID- 27280163
TI  - Photoredox Catalysis Unlocks Single-Electron Elementary Steps in Transition Metal
      Catalyzed Cross-Coupling.
AB  - Since initial reports, cross-coupling technologies employing photoredox catalysts
      to access novel reactivity have developed with increasing pace. In this Outlook,
      prominent examples from the recent literature are organized on the basis of the
      elementary transformation enabled by photoredox catalysis and are discussed in
      the context of relevant historical precedent in stoichiometric organometallic
      chemistry. This treatment allows mechanistic similarities inherent to odd
      electron transition metal reactivity to be generalized to a set of lessons for
      future reaction development. 

PMID- 27280165
TI  - The Optical Signature of Charges in Conjugated Polymers.
AB  - Electrical charge flowing through organic semiconductors drives many of today's
      mobile phone displays and television screens, suggesting an internally consistent
      model of charge-carrier properties in these materials to have manifested. In
      conjugated polymers, charges give rise to additional absorption of light at
      wavelengths longer than those absorbed by the electrically neutral species. These
      characteristic absorption bands are universally being related to the emergence of
      localized energy levels shifted into the forbidden gap of organic semiconductors
      due to local relaxation of the molecular geometry. However, the traditional view
      on these energy levels and their occupation is incompatible with expected changes
      in electron removal and addition energies upon charging molecules. Here, I
      demonstrate that local Coulomb repulsion, as captured by nonempirically optimized
      electronic-structure calculations, restores compatibility and suggests a
      different origin of the charge-induced optical transitions. These results
      challenge a widely accepted and long-established picture, but an improved
      understanding of charge carriers in molecular materials promises a more targeted
      development of organic and hybrid organic/inorganic (opto-)electronic devices. 

PMID- 27280164
TI  - Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry: An Enabling and Innately Sustainable Method.
AB  - While preparative electrolysis of organic molecules has been an active area of
      research over the past century, modern synthetic chemists have generally been
      reluctant to adopt this technology. In fact, electrochemical methods possess many
      benefits over traditional reagent-based transformations, such as high functional
      group tolerance, mild conditions, and innate scalability and sustainability. In
      this Outlook we highlight illustrative examples of electrochemical reactions in
      the context of the synthesis of complex molecules, showcasing the intrinsic
      benefits of electrochemical reactions versus traditional reagent-based
      approaches. Our hope is that this field will soon see widespread adoption in the
      synthetic community. 

PMID- 27280166
TI  - A Direct Mechanism of Ultrafast Intramolecular Singlet Fission in Pentacene
      Dimers.
AB  - Interest in materials that undergo singlet fission (SF) has been catalyzed by the
      potential to exceed the Shockley-Queisser limit of solar power conversion
      efficiency. In conventional materials, the mechanism of SF is an intermolecular
      process (xSF), which is mediated by charge transfer (CT) states and depends
      sensitively on crystal packing or molecular collisions. In contrast, recently
      reported covalently coupled pentacenes yield ~2 triplets per photon absorbed in
      individual molecules: the hallmark of intramolecular singlet fission (iSF).
      However, the mechanism of iSF is unclear. Here, using multireference electronic
      structure calculations and transient absorption spectroscopy, we establish that
      iSF can occur via a direct coupling mechanism that is independent of CT states.
      We show that a near-degeneracy in electronic state energies induced by vibronic
      coupling to intramolecular modes of the covalent dimer allows for strong mixing
      between the correlated triplet pair state and the local excitonic state, despite
      weak direct coupling. 

PMID- 27280167
TI  - Bioorthogonal Chemical Activation of Kinases in Living Systems.
AB  - Selective manipulation of protein kinases under living conditions is highly
      desirable yet extremely challenging, particularly in a gain-of-function fashion.
      Here we employ our recently developed bioorthogonal cleavage reaction as a
      general strategy for intracellular activation of individual kinases. Site
      specific incorporation of trans-cyclooctene-caged lysine in place of the
      conserved catalytic lysine, in conjunction with the cleavage partner dimethyl
      tetrazine, allowed efficient lysine decaging with the kinase activity chemically
      rescued in living systems. 

PMID- 27280168
TI  - Expedited Selection of NMR Chiral Solvating Agents for Determination of
      Enantiopurity.
AB  - The use of NMR chiral solvating agents (CSAs) for the analysis of enantiopurity
      has been known for decades, but has been supplanted in recent years by
      chromatographic enantioseparation technology. While chromatographic methods for
      the analysis of enantiopurity are now commonplace and easy to implement, there
      are still individual compounds and entire classes of analytes where
      enantioseparation can prove extremely difficult, notably, compounds that are
      chiral by virtue of very subtle differences such as isotopic substitution or
      small differences in alkyl chain length. NMR analysis using CSAs can often be
      useful for such problems, but the traditional approach to selection of an
      appropriate CSA and the development of an NMR-based analysis method often
      involves a trial-and-error approach that can be relatively slow and tedious. In
      this study we describe a high-throughput experimentation approach to the
      selection of NMR CSAs that employs automation-enabled screening of prepared
      libraries of CSAs in a systematic fashion. This approach affords excellent
      results for a standard set of enantioenriched compounds, providing a valuable
      comparative data set for the effectiveness of CSAs for different classes of
      compounds. In addition, the technique has been successfully applied to
      challenging pharmaceutical development problems that are not amenable to
      chromatographic solutions. Overall, this methodology provides a rapid and
      powerful approach for investigating enantiopurity that compliments and augments
      conventional chromatographic approaches. 

PMID- 27280169
TI  - Isolation and Reactivity of Trifluoromethyl Iodonium Salts.
AB  - The strategic incorporation of the trifluoromethyl (CF3) functionality within
      therapeutic or agrochemical agents is a proven strategy for altering their
      associated physicochemical properties (e.g., metabolic stability, lipophilicity,
      and bioavailability). Electrophilic trifluoromethylation has emerged as an
      important methodology for installing the CF3 moiety onto an array of molecular
      architectures, and, in particular, CF3 lambda(3)-iodanes have garnered
      significant interest because of their unique reactivity and ease of handling.
      Trifluoromethylations mediated by these hypervalent iodine reagents often require
      activation through an exogenous Lewis or Bronsted acid; thus, putative
      intermediates invoked in these transformations are cationic CF3 iodoniums. These
      iodoniums have, thus far, eluded isolation and investigation of their innate
      reactivity (which has encouraged speculation that such species cannot be
      accessed). A more complete understanding of the mechanistic relevance of CF3
      iodoniums is paramount for the development of new trifluoromethylative strategies
      involving lambda(3)-iodanes. Here, we demonstrate that CF3 iodonium salts are
      readily prepared from common lambda(3)-iodane precursors and exhibit remarkable
      persistence under ambient conditions. These reagents are competent electrophiles
      for a variety of trifluoromethylation reactions, and their reactivity is
      reminiscent of that observed when CF3 iodanes are activated using Lewis acids. As
      such, our results suggest the mechanistic relevance of CF3 iodonium intermediates
      in trifluoromethylative processes mediated by lambda(3)-iodanes. The isolation of
      CF3 iodonium salts also presents the unique opportunity to employ them more
      generally as mechanistic probes. 

PMID- 27280170
TI  - Detection of Active Mammalian GH31 alpha-Glucosidases in Health and Disease Using
      In-Class, Broad-Spectrum Activity-Based Probes.
AB  - The development of small molecule activity-based probes (ABPs) is an evolving and
      powerful area of chemistry. There is a major need for synthetically accessible
      and specific ABPs to advance our understanding of enzymes in health and disease.
      alpha-Glucosidases are involved in diverse physiological processes including
      carbohydrate assimilation in the gastrointestinal tract, glycoprotein processing
      in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and intralysosomal glycogen catabolism.
      Inherited deficiency of the lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) causes the
      lysosomal glycogen storage disorder, Pompe disease. Here, we design a synthetic
      route for fluorescent and biotin-modified ABPs for in vitro and in situ
      monitoring of alpha-glucosidases. We show, through mass spectrometry, gel
      electrophoresis, and X-ray crystallography, that alpha-glucopyranose configured
      cyclophellitol aziridines label distinct retaining alpha-glucosidases including
      GAA and ER alpha-glucosidase II, and that this labeling can be tuned by pH. We
      illustrate a direct diagnostic application in Pompe disease patient cells, and
      discuss how the probes may be further exploited for diverse applications. 

PMID- 27280171
TI  - Defining the spectrum of frontotemporal dementias associated with TARDBP
      mutations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We describe the largest series of patients with TARDBP mutations
      presenting with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and review the cases in the
      literature to precisely characterize FTD diseases associated with this genotype.
      METHODS: The phenotypic characteristics of 29 TARDBP patients, including 10 new
      French and Dutch cases and 19 reviewed from the literature, were evaluated.
      RESULTS: The most frequent phenotype was a behavioral variant frontotemporal
      dementia (bvFTD), but a significant proportion (40%) of our patients had semantic
      (svFTD) or nonfluent variants (nfvFTD) at onset; and svFTD was significantly more
      frequent in TARDBP carriers than in other FTD genotypes (p < 0.001). Remarkably,
      only a minority (40%) of our patients secondarily developed amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis (ALS). Two patients carried a homozygous mutation but strikingly
      different phenotypes (bvFTD and ALS) indicating that homozygosity does not result
      in a specific phenotype. Earlier age at onset in children than parent's
      generations, mimicking an apparent "anticipation" (21.8 +/- 9.3 years, p =
      0.001), and possible reduced penetrance were present in most families.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study enlarges the phenotypic spectrum of TARDBP and will have
      important clinical implications: (1) FTD can be the only clinical manifestation
      of TARDBP mutations; (2) Initial language or semantic disorders might be
      indicative of a specific genotype; (3) Mutations should be searched in all FTD
      phenotypes after exclusion of major genes, even in the absence of ALS in the
      proband or in family history; (4) reduced penetrance and clinical variability
      should be considered to deliver appropriate genetic counseling.

PMID- 27280172
TI  - An Organocobalt-Carbon Nanotube Chemiresistive Carbon Monoxide Detector.
AB  - A chemiresistive detector for carbon monoxide was created from single-walled
      carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by noncovalent modification with diiodo(eta5: eta1-1-[2
      (N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl]-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)-cobalt(III)
      ([Cp^CoI2]), an organocobalt complex with an intramolecular amino ligand
      coordinated to the metal center that is displaced upon CO binding. The unbound
      amino group can subsequently be transduced chemiresistively by the SWCNT network.
      The resulting device was shown to have a ppm-level limit of detection and
      unprecedented selectivity for CO gas among CNT-based chemiresistors. This work,
      the first molecular-level mechanistic elucidation for a CNT-based chemiresistive
      detector for CO, demonstrates the efficacy of using an analyte's reactivity to
      produce another chemical moiety that is readily transduced as a strategy for the
      rational design of chemiresistive CNT-based detectors.

PMID- 27280174
TI  - Fast, sensitive point of care electrochemical molecular system for point mutation
      and select agent detection.
AB  - Point of care molecular diagnostics benefits from a portable battery-operated
      device capable of performing a fast turnaround using reliable inexpensive
      cartridges. We describe a prototype device for performing a molecular diagnostics
      test for clinical and biodefense samples in 16 minutes using a prototype capable
      of an 8 minute PCR reaction, followed by hybridization and detection on an
      electrochemical microarray based on the i-STAT(r) system. We used human buccal
      swabs for hemochromatosis testing including in-device DNA extraction. Additional
      clinical and biodefense samples included influenza A and bacterial select agents
      Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis.

PMID- 27280173
TI  - Quantitative podocyte parameters predict human native kidney and allograft half
      lives.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Kidney function decreases with age. A potential mechanistic
      explanation for kidney and allograft half-life has evolved through the
      realization that linear reduction in glomerular podocyte density could drive
      progressive glomerulosclerosis to impact both native kidney and allograft half
      lives. METHODS: Predictions from podometrics (quantitation of podocyte
      parameters) were tested using independent pathologic, functional, and outcome
      data for native kidneys and allografts derived from published reports and large
      registries. RESULTS: With age, native kidneys exponentially develop
      glomerulosclerosis, reduced renal function, and end-stage kidney disease,
      projecting a finite average kidney life span. The slope of allograft failure rate
      versus age parallels that of reduction in podocyte density versus age.
      Quantitative modeling projects allograft half-life at any donor age, and rate of
      podocyte detachment parallels the observed allograft loss rate. CONCLUSION:
      Native kidneys are designed to have a limited average life span of about 100-140
      years. Allografts undergo an accelerated aging-like process that accounts for
      their unexpectedly short half-life (about 15 years), the observation that older
      donor age is associated with shorter allograft half-life, and the fact that long
      term allograft survival has not substantially improved. Podometrics provides
      potential readouts for these processes, thereby offering new approaches for
      monitoring and intervention. FUNDING: National Institutes of Health.

PMID- 27280175
TI  - Nanocrystals in compression: unexpected structural phase transition and
      amorphization due to surface impurities.
AB  - We report an unprecedented surface doping-driven anomaly in the compression
      behaviors of nanocrystals demonstrating that the change of surface chemistry can
      lead to an interior bulk structure change in nanoparticles. In the synchrotron
      based X-ray diffraction experiments, titania nanocrystals with low concentration
      yttrium dopants at the surface are found to be less compressible than undoped
      titania nanocrystals. More surprisingly, an unexpected TiO2(ii) phase (alpha-PbO2
      type) is induced and obvious anisotropy is observed in the compression of yttrium
      doped TiO2, in sharp contrast to the compression behavior of undoped TiO2. In
      addition, the undoped brookite nanocrystals remain with the same structure up to
      30 GPa, whereas the yttrium-doped brookite amorphizes above 20 GPa. The abnormal
      structural evolution observed in yttrium-doped TiO2 does not agree with the
      reported phase stability of nano titania polymorphs, thus suggesting that the
      physical properties of the interior of nanocrystals can be controlled by the
      surface, providing an unconventional and new degree of freedom in search for
      nanocrystals with novel tunable properties that can trigger applications in
      multiple areas of industry and provoke more related basic science research. 

PMID- 27280176
TI  - Molecular properties of aqueous solutions: a focus on the collective dynamics of
      hydration water.
AB  - When a solute is dissolved in water, their mutual interactions determine the
      molecular properties of the solute on one hand, and the structure and dynamics of
      the surrounding water particles (the so-called hydration water) on the other. The
      very existence of soft matter and its peculiar properties are largely due to the
      wide variety of possible water-solute interactions. In this context, water is not
      an inert medium but rather an active component, and hydration water plays a
      crucial role in determining the structure, stability, dynamics, and function of
      matter. This review focuses on the collective dynamics of hydration water in
      terms of retardation with respect to the bulk, and of the number of molecules
      whose dynamics is perturbed. Since water environments are in a dynamic
      equilibrium, with molecules continuously exchanging from around the solute
      towards the bulk and vice versa, we examine the ability of different techniques
      to measure the water dynamics on the basis of the explored time scales and
      exchange rates. Special emphasis is given to the collective dynamics probed by
      extended depolarized light scattering and we discuss whether and to what extent
      the results obtained in aqueous solutions of small molecules can be extrapolated
      to the case of large biomacromolecules. In fact, recent experiments performed on
      solutions of increasing complexity clearly indicate that a reductionist approach
      is not adequate to describe their collective dynamics. We conclude this review by
      presenting current ideas that are being developed to describe the dynamics of
      water interacting with macromolecules. 

PMID- 27280177
TI  - Nanoporous gold leaf as a signal amplification agent for the detection of VOCs
      with a quartz crystal microbalance.
AB  - In this work, a novel sensing framework coupling nanoporous gold leaf (NPGL) and
      sensitive materials on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor was developed
      for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A bi-layer structure was
      established through a two-step modification process, where NPGL served as a
      loading platform to anchor more sensitive materials and provide a larger surface
      area. Sensitive materials for different target analytes (ethanol, benzene and n
      heptane) were optimized, as well as the selection of the most suitable NPGL. The
      morphology of the bi-layer was characterized and the sensing performance,
      including the detection range, response time, reversibility, stability, etc., was
      investigated. The thermodynamics and kinetics of the gas adsorption process were
      studied by employing several classical models. It was found that the adsorption
      of the tested VOCs was more accurately represented using the Freundlich isotherm
      and the adsorption kinetics of these VOCs fitted well with pseudo second-order
      kinetics. The results of on-line monitoring demonstrated admirable sensing
      properties, fully indicating that the QCM sensor modified with a composite layer
      of sensitive material/NPGL has promising application prospects for real-time
      detection. 

PMID- 27280178
TI  - Retraction notice to: Pink tooth phenomenon: An enigma? [J Forensic Leg Med 20(7)
      (October 2013) 912-914].

PMID- 27280179
TI  - Spironolactone is the Most Effective "add-on" Medication For Resistant
      Hypertension.

PMID- 27280180
TI  - Poor Choices of Antihypertensive Drugs.

PMID- 27280181
TI  - Home Monitoring in the US: Its About Time.

PMID- 27280182
TI  - Physical health passports for patients with severe and enduring   mental illness.

PMID- 27280183
TI  - Robert Spitzer: the most influential psychiatrist of his time.

PMID- 27280184
TI  - In memory. Dr. Norman McSwain Jr.

PMID- 27280185
TI  - Special talk: an interview. MSG Harold "Monty" Montgomery on a career as a
      special operations forces medic.

PMID- 27280186
TI  - TCCC updates. Tactic combat casualty care guidelines for medical personnel: 3
      June 2015.

PMID- 27280187
TI  - TacMed updates. The Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care: fall update.

PMID- 27280188
TI  - Effects of Hexane in Supercritical Fluid Chromatography for the Separation of
      Enantiomers.
AB  - Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), operated in conventional mode, is
      normally recognized as normal phase chromatography, and uses a solvent
      combination of supercritical CO2 and alcohols to separate compounds. Hexane, a
      commonly used solvent in normal phase liquid chromatography (NP-LC), is rarely
      used in SFC and, in some cases, is added to the organic modifiers to increase
      liquid content in order to achieve better efficiency in preparative SFC for
      poorly retained compounds. Although hexane is believed to have similar solvent
      strength to that of supercritical CO2, its effects on the enantioseparation in
      SFC is largely unknown. To understand the chromatographic effects of an apolar
      solvent, such as hexane in SFC, we compared the chromatographic behaviors of 35
      chiral compounds using a parallel SFC method under traditional SFC mode of only
      "pure" alcohol-CO2 to that of hexane-assisted SFC (HA-SFC), which uses mixtures
      of alcohol and hexane (as cosolvents) and CO2. We observed that, in some cases,
      hexane behaves just like supercritical CO2, where replacement of a portion of CO2
      with hexane does not significantly change retention times or resolution of the
      peaks. In many cases, however, addition of hexane in mobile phases does affect
      chromatographic behavior of one or both enantiomers. Such effects might provide
      opportunities for separation of some enantiomers.

PMID- 27280189
TI  - Wait Time for Biosimilar Regs Drags On.

PMID- 27280190
TI  - Muscular Dystrophy Drug Could Pave Way for RNA Medications.

PMID- 27280191
TI  - SECURITY STARTS AT ENCRYPTION. Organizations step up data defense efforts.

PMID- 27280192
TI  - CAN EHRs KEEP PACE? New demands lead to system innovations.

PMID- 27280193
TI  - Intense pharma lobbying in the EU.

PMID- 27280197
TI  - COMMON STEM--setron.

PMID- 27280198
TI  - Drug-induced hair loss.
AB  - Hair loss can have major psychological consequences. It can be due to a wide
      variety of causes, including hormonal disorders, dietary factors, infections,
      inflammation, trauma, emotional factors, and cancer. Drugs can also induce hair
      loss, by interacting with the hair growth cycle. Drug-induced hair loss may be
      immediate or delayed, sudden or gradual, and diffuse or localised. It is usually
      reversible after drug discontinuation. The drugs most often implicated in hair
      loss are anticancer agents, interferon, azole antifungals, lithium,
      immunosuppressants, and many other drugs belonging to a variety of
      pharmacological classes.

PMID- 27280199
TI  - Ondansetron and pregnancy: possible congenital heart defects.
AB  - Two cohort studies, including more than 2500 pregnant women exposed to
      ondansetron in early pregnancy, have raised concerns over an increased risk of
      congenital heart defects.

PMID- 27280200
TI  - Olmesartan: sprue-like enteropathy.
AB  - A cohort study conducted in 2014, using data from France's mandatory health
      insurance system, has shown a 10-fold increased risk of hospitalisation for
      enteropathy with olmesartan in comparison with other ARBs (sartans) or ACE
      inhibitors. The increased incidence of enteropathy with olmesartan compared with
      other ARBs or ACE inhibitors is well documented. The French drug regulatory
      agency, ANSM, informed healthcare professionals of these risks in 2014. Yet
      prescription rates for olmesartan remain high, and new cases of olmesartan
      associated enteropathy continue to be reported. Patients would be better served
      if health professionals stopped using olmesartan and regulators withdrew this
      drug from the market.

PMID- 27280205
TI  - Aphrodite and her sisters.

PMID- 27280206
TI  - Nordic Noir: Fact, fiction, fetish, fantasy.

PMID- 27280207
TI  - Early, Funny - Stardust Memories.

PMID- 27280208
TI  - What difference should International Nurses Day make?

PMID- 27280209
TI  - Sexual expression in nursing  homes: a neglected nursing  ethics issue.

PMID- 27280210
TI  - Contrasting Schwartz Rounds  with clinical ethics: three  perspectives on their
      potential  to impact on end-of-life care.

PMID- 27280211
TI  - Testing of Junctional Tourniquets by Military Medics to Control Simulated Groin
      Hemorrhage.

PMID- 27280213
TI  - From the SEMA.

PMID- 27280212
TI  - Author Reply.

PMID- 27280214
TI  - From the SOMA PRESIDENT.

PMID- 27280215
TI  - Steve Rush on US Air Force Pararescue and Pararesuemen today.

PMID- 27280216
TI  - From the PUBLISHER.

PMID- 27280217
TI  - Providers face challenges maintaining deployment-ready skills at Garrison
      hospitals.

PMID- 27280218
TI  - "Rationale for use of intravenous acetaminophen in Special Operations medicine.".

PMID- 27280219
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 27280220
TI  - Frank Butler on serving the operational medicine community.

PMID- 27280221
TI  - Stop the bleed. Strategies to enhance survival in active shooter and intentional
      mass casualty events. The Hartford Consensus. A major step forward in translating
      battlefield trauma care advances to the civilian sector.

PMID- 27280222
TI  - The Hartford Consensus III. Implementation of bleeding control.

PMID- 27280223
TI  - The continuing threat of active shooter and intentional mass casualty events.
      Local and law enforcement and hemorrhage control.

PMID- 27280224
TI  - Building community resilience to dynamic mass casualty incidents: a multiagency
      white paper in support of the first care provider.

PMID- 27280225
TI  - Train to failure. MSG Dennis Lyons of USASOC on medical training and learning.

PMID- 27280226
TI  - Summaries for Patients. Acupuncture for Treatment of Menopausal Hot Flashes.

PMID- 27280227
TI  - Animal extremists' threats to neurologic research continue: Neuroreality II.

PMID- 27280228
TI  - Animal extremists' threats to neurologic research continue: Neuroreality II.

PMID- 27280229
TI  - Author Response.

PMID- 27280230
TI  - A "Red Flag" in Patients with Sickle cell anaemia.

PMID- 27280231
TI  - Liver aminotransferases in under-five HIV-positive children on HAART.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Higher mortality rates were reported in developing countries during
      early months of HAART initiation than in developed countries. The study aimed at
      assessing the effect of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on liver
      function of under-fives. METHOD: Two hundred and thirty-eight under-fives
      children were enrolled from five hospitals in Southern Nigeria. Ethical
      permission and written consent were obtained. Group A involved 91 seropositive
      children on HAART regimen while Group B1 involved 24 seronegative-infants who
      received nevirapine from birth till age 6-week. Group B2 (18) and B3 (48)
      involved seronegative-children who received co-trimoxazole and were 6-month and
      18-month old respectively. Group C involved 11 seropositive-children who received
      co-trimoxazole only. Group D involved 46 seronegative-children who served as the
      control group. A 2ml blood sample was obtained from each participant during first
      phase of the study and was analysed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and
      aspartate aminotransferase (AST) using kits manufactured by Randox. Group A
      children returned for second and third phases of the study after 3-month and 6
      month respectively. Data were analysed by using ANOVA. RESULTS: The results
      showed that ALT was highest in group A (12.8 +/- 11.0 IU/L) suggesting
      hepatotoxicity while AST was highest in group B2 (35.4 +/- 53.1 IU/L). Second
      phase, ALT and AST of group A were significantly reduced by 39.3% (p < 0.05),
      29.9% (p < 0.05) respectively suggesting resolved hepatotoxicity. Third phase,
      ALT and AST were significantly reduced by .50.6% (p < 0.05) and 32.2% (p < 0.05)
      respectively suggesting resolved hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Hepatotoxicity
      observed among HIV-infected children on HAART was resolved after 6-month of
      monitoring.

PMID- 27280232
TI  - Perception and attitude towards Ebola Virus Disease among traditional healers in
      Ibadan, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nigeria experienced her first outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
      in the second-half of 2014. Since its first occurrence in Zaire and Sudan in
      1976, most studies on EVD were clinically based and were carried out using
      biomedical approaches. No empirical social science/behavioural-oriented study
      exists on the deadly EVD in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the
      traditional healers' perception and attitude towards Ebola virus disease in
      Ibadan metropolis. STUDY DESIGN: Purposive sampling method was used to select a
      total of 23 traditional healers who specialized in different areas of traditional
      medicine (such as herbs selling, faith healing, divination, and general
      practice). In-depth interview (IDI) method was employed in the study. RESULTS:
      The study found some misconceptions about the disease while the dominant attitude
      among the healers was that of avoidance and caution on safety. CONCLUSION: The
      healers' interpretations of the disease rested on the culture and individual
      experiences. There is thus a need to take the local cultural perceptions of the
      Ebola Virus Disease into consideration when controlling the disease in the
      future.

PMID- 27280233
TI  - Non cholinergic dependent mechanism of Ocimum gratissimum induced
      neurobehavioural alterations in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study investigated the mechanism of Ocimum gratissimum induced
      neurobehavioural alterations in mice. The plant is widely consumed in most parts
      of the world including Nigeria where it is used as a spice and phytomedicine by
      alternate medical practitioners. METHODS: The animals were divided into three
      groups of six mice each. Control and Ocimum gratissum treated mice were subjected
      to the hole-board, light/dark box, elevated plus maze and open field tests. The
      third group had an intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of the cholinergic receptor
      antagonist, atropine (3 mg/kg) forty-five minutes prior to oral Ocimum
      gratissimum administration before the neurobehavioural assay one hour later.
      RESULTS: The results showed that Ocimum gratissimum administration significantly
      reduced the number of head dips in the hole board test (p < 0.01), so also were
      the frequencies of locomotion (p < 0.001), rearing (p < 0.05) and grooming (p <
      0.01) compared with control. In the light/dark board test, the time spent in the
      light arena and the number of entries were significantly (p < 0.001) reduced
      compared with the control, while in the elevated plus maize test, the time spent
      in the closed arm increased significantly (p < 0.01) when compared with control
      values. The values obtained when the animals were pre-treated with atropine (3
      mg/kg) before the administration of Ocimum gratissimum showed no significant
      difference from those observed without the cholinergic blocker in all the four
      neurobehavioural tests. CONCLUSION: These results ruled out any significant
      participation of the cholinergic system in Ocimum gratissimum induced
      neurobehavioural alterations in mice.

PMID- 27280234
TI  - Microwave disinfection of maxillary and mandibular denture bases contaminated
      with Candida Albican.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral environment is not sterile, and dentures worn by the patients
      can be infected and therefore needs disinfection. Solution disinfectants such as
      sodium hypochlorite and glutaraldehyde can be used but they have side effects.
      Microwave disinfection method is more recent, however, there are conflicting
      reports at the moment on the appropriate power and time regimen for disinfection
      of denture. OBJECTIVE: To determine the power and time regimen at which the
      disinfection of dentures can be achieved using microwave. METHOD: Forty-five
      acrylic denture bases were fabricated for each of the jaws and infected with
      solution of a stock Candida albicans and 30 infected bases were employed as
      control. These were placed in normal saline and then subjected to different
      microwave power and time regimen. Aliquots from these post-microwave solution
      were titrated against sabauraud agar which was subsequently incubated at 37
      degrees C for 48 hours. The agar were examined for candida growth. RESULT: The
      denture bases subjected to microwave disinfection at 350W showed Candida growth
      after microwave treatment irrespective of the time employed. Conversely, those
      microwaved at 650W and 690W for four and six minutes showed no microbial growth.
      CONCLUSION: The microwave regimen of 650W at 4 and 6 minutes completely
      disinfected the denture bases. Disinfection at higher microwave energy should be
      done with caution as distortion of the denture may occur.

PMID- 27280236
TI  - Refractive Amblyopia among children in Ibadan: the need for amblyopia screening
      programmes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence and burden of amblyopia in developing countries is
      probably underestimated, and little is known about the pattern of amblyopia in
      West Africa. AIM: To determine the relative frequency and types of amblyopia
      among children with refractive errors seen in the eye clinic of a tertiary
      hospital over a 2 year period. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted at the
      eye clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between January
      2012 and December 2013. Case notes of children with refractive errors seen during
      this period were retrieved and information including socio-demographic data,
      presenting visual acuity and visual acuity with correction were recorded.
      Amblyopia was defined as best corrected visual acuity worse than 6/9 or a
      difference of >= 2 Snellen chart lines between both eyes in the absence of any
      ocular pathology that could explain the visual impairment. RESULTS: A total of
      250 eligible patients who had refractive errors were included in the study.
      Visual acuity was corrected to 6/9 or better in 224 (89.6%) children while 26
      (10.4%) of them had amblyopia. Among the 26 children with amblyopia, 21 (80.8%)
      children had amblyopia in both eyes and majority (65.4%) had iso-ametropic
      amblyopia. Of the 47 amblyopic eyes, 36 (76.6%) eyes had moderate amblyopia while
      11 (23.4%) eyes had severe amblyopia. CONCLUSION: There is a high relative
      frequency of amblyopia in this study and we recommend preschool eye examinations
      for all children to ensure early detection and management of amblyopia, thereby
      reducing the burden of amblyopia in our populace.

PMID- 27280235
TI  - Effect of taurine and caffeine on plasma c-reactive protein and calcium in Wistar
      rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Caffeine is a component of several beverages such as coffee and tea.
      It has been shown to possess psychoactive properties because it increases
      alertness, energy and ability to concentrate at moderate doses. Taurine on the
      other hand, is an amino acid which has the capacity to promote neural
      development, osmoregulation and neuroprotection. There is paucity of information
      on the effect of the combined administration of taurine and caffeine on C
      reactive protein (CRP)--a marker of inflammation and plasma calcium level in
      rats. AIM: The present study was designed to investigate the effects of combined
      taurine and caffeine on the plasma level of CRP, Ca2+ as well as the effect of
      nifedipine on calcium level. METHOD: Fifty four rats weighing 120-140 g were used
      for these studies. The animals were divided into nine groups consisting of six
      animals each. Group 1 was treated with 10 m/kg of normal saline, Groups 2 and 3
      were given 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of taurine respectively, groups 4 and 5
      received 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg of caffeine respectively while group 6 was
      administered taurine (200 mg/kg) and caffeine (15 mg/kg), groups 7 and 8 were
      treated with taurine (200 mg/kg) plus nifedipine (10 mg/kg) and taurine (200
      mg/kg)plus furosemide (20 mg/kg) respectively while group 9 was given taurine plu
      caffeine plus nifdipine plus furosemide. Treatment was done once daily for 21
      days and blood was finally collected via cardiac puncture for the assay of CRP
      and calcium while the animals were under anaesthesia. RESULTS: The results showed
      that CRP was significantly decreased in five of the treated groups compared with
      the control with the exception of the group treated with taurine alone (Group 2),
      and that treated with combined taurine and caffeine (Group 6). The Ca2+ level of
      groups treated with caffeine (11.70 +/- 0.29 mg/dL) and taurine with caffeine
      (11.64 +/- 0.15 mg/dL) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared with the
      control (10.70 +/- 0.29 mg/dL). However, treatment with taurine and nifedipine
      (Group 7) led to significant (p < 0.05) reduction in plasma Ca2+ level.
      CONCLUSION: The results have shown that combined caffeine and taurine can boost
      plasma calcium level and decrease plasma CRP level. Moreover, taurine combined
      with nifedipine but not furosemide can act synergistically to lower both plasma
      Ca2+ and CRP levels, a result which may have implication for the treatment of
      hypertension.

PMID- 27280237
TI  - Predictors of hypoxaemia during steady-state among children with Sickle Cell
      Anaemia in North-Western Nigeria.
AB  - Abstract BACKGROUND: Haemoglobin desaturation, which presents as hypoxaemia, is a
      known phenomenon in the cycle of red blood cells sickling in sickle cell anaemia
      (SCA). Thus, early and accurate recognition of hypoxaemia is important in order
      to ameliorate its adverse effects on vital organs. This study was carried out to
      investigate clinical and laboratory features that predict hypoxaemia in children
      with SCA during steady-state. METHODS: We prospectively measured percutaneous
      haemoglobin saturation of 208 children with SCA in room air during steady-state
      at a secondary health facility in the north-west of Nigeria. Demographic,
      clinical and laboratory features and anthropometry were recorded. Hypoxaemia was
      defined as haemoglobin saturation < 90%. Chi square test and logistic regression
      were used to assess the associations of selected factors with hypoxaemia.
      RESULTS: Participants comprised 132 males and 76 females and their age ranged
      from 9 to 168 months. Prevalence of hypoxaemia was 17.3%. Though hypoxaemia was
      significantly associated with age, time of first symptom to presentation, body
      mass index (BMI), weight-for-height z-score < 2.0, tachycardia, chest retraction
      and palpable spleen, age (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.62, 0.96), time of first symptom
      to presentation (OR = 1.28; 95% = 1.03, 1.59), BMI (OR = 0.87; 95% = 0.76, 0.92)
      and palpable spleen (OR = 2.87; 95% CI = 1.43, 16.65) remained independent
      predictors in the logistic regression model. CONCLUSION: Careful consideration
      should be given to time of first symptom to presentation, body mass index and
      palpable spleen when evaluating children with sickle cell anaemia for hypoxaemia
      in resource limited settings.

PMID- 27280238
TI  - Evaluation of anti-ulcerogenic and ulcer-healing activities of nevirapine in
      rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nevirapine is a very potent antiretroviral drug frequently used in
      the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Opportunistic pathologies
      in HIV/AIDS patients include gastric ulcer and gastrointestinal haemorrhage.
      Hence, the impact of nevirapine on induced gastric ulcer was studied using Wistar
      rats. METHODS: Anti-ulcer activity of nevirapine was evaluated using cold
      restraint stress-induced, ethanol-induced and pylorus ligation-induced gastric
      ulcer models for acute ulceration; and acetic acid-induced ulcer model for the
      chronic ulceration in Wistar rats. RESULTS: Nevirapine (9 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg and 36
      mg/kg) showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in ulcer severity score and ulcer
      index as compared to the control in the models,.with corresponding increase in
      percentage inhibition. Histopathological studies showed that nevirapine has a
      positive effect on the healing of gastric ulcer in the groups treated with the
      nevirapine compared with the control. The induced ulcers healed up in all the
      groups administered with nevirapine compared to what was found in the omeprazole
      group where manifestations of ulcer like inflammatory cells infiltration is still
      present. CONCLUSION: Nevirapine may possess highly therapeutic effect in the
      treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal complications that might come with
      the presence of HIV virus in patients.

PMID- 27280239
TI  - Effect of methanol extract of musa sapientum leaves on protein glycation and
      erythrocyte antioxidant status in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased generation of free radicals from protein glycation has been
      associated with compromised integrity of erythrocytes in diabetes. Musa sapientum
      has been reported to possess anti-diabetic properties and this study investigated
      the effect of methanol extract of Musa sapientum on protein glycation and
      erythrocyte integrity. METHODS: Forty-two male Wistar rats (180-200g) were
      randomly grouped into seven: 1 (control), 2 (diabetic untreated), 3 (normal
      extract-treated (250 mg/kg)), 4 (normal metformin-treated (150 mg/kg)), 5
      (diabetic extract-treated (250 mg/kg)), 6 (diabetic metformin-treated (150
      mg/kg)), 7 (diabetic insulin-treated (1 IU/kg)). Diabetes was induced with single
      intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg alloxan. Animals were treated for 14 days
      and blood (3 mls) was collected from retro-orbital plexus to determine serum
      fructosamine level, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione
      peroxidase (GPx) activities. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) level was estimated
      using a conversion formula. Animals were sacrificed thereafter by cervical
      dislocation and pancreatic tissues were excised and stained with haematoxylin and
      eosin for histological study. Statistical significance at P < 0.05 was analyzed
      by one-way ANOVA and Newman-Keuls' post-hoc test. RESULTS: Diabetic rats treated
      with extract, metformin and insulin had significant reduction in serum
      fructosamine level by 62.64%, 74.63% and 56.05% respectively while HbA(1c) level
      reduced by 45.06%, 50.62% and 40.57% respectively. Activities of erythrocyte SOD
      and GPx were increased in the extract-treated group. Histological studies showed
      regeneration of islet cells in the diabetic extract-treated rat which was
      comparable to normal. CONCLUSION: The extract inhibited protein glycation,
      regenerated the islet cells and improved erythrocyte antioxidant status in
      diabetic rats.

PMID- 27280240
TI  - Pharmaceutical equivalent studies of some commercially available brands of
      Loratadine hydrochloride tablets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken with the objective of evaluating the
      pharmaceutical and chemical equivalence of some commercially available loratadine
      tablets, and offers a possible explanation for the therapeutic failure of the
      drug products. METHOD: The equivalence of eight brands of loratadine
      hydrochloride tablets labelled A to H was assessed and compared with the
      Innovator brand labelled I. Visual observation and uniformity of weight tests
      were carried out on the tablets, mechanical properties were assessed using
      friability and crushing strength tests as parameters. Release properties of the
      tablets were assessed by disintegration and dissolution tests. Assay was based on
      non-aqueous titration procedure using crystal violet solution indicator. RESULT:
      All the brands studied were white in colour with different shapes and lustre, and
      complied with the official specification for uniformity of tablet weight.
      Friability tests showed that only brand G lost more than 1% of its initial
      weight, while brands A and E failed the crushing strength test. Brand C did not
      undergo complete disintegration within 15 minutes, while brands A, B, F and G had
      less than 70% of the active drug content still in solution after 45 minutes. Two
      of the brands had active drug content between officially specified range of 98.5%
      and 101.5% for loratadine tablets. CONCLUSION: There was a large variation in the
      pharmaceutical properties of the commercially available loratadine hydrochloride
      tablets that were selected for this study. Six of the brands evaluated exhibited
      poor pharmaceutical properties. Generally, only two of the brands were
      pharmaceutically equivalent with the innovator brand.

PMID- 27280241
TI  - Non-operative treatment of neglected bilateral posterior four-part fracture-
      dislocation of the shoulders--a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bilateral posterior dislocation of the shoulders is rare and may
      result from a seizure. A 48 year-old HIV-positive man who presented eight weeks
      after bilateral posterior shoulder dislocation and bilateral fractures of the
      surgical necks of both humeri is reviewed. He was treated with an algesics and
      physiotherapy and was able to return to work after 9 months. CONCLUSION: The
      rarity of this lesion, its late presentation, the importance of a high index of
      suspicion in making the diagnosis and the fair outcome of non-operative treatment
      informed this report.

PMID- 27280242
TI  - Modulation of Dendritic Cells by Nanotechnology-Based Immunotherapeutic
      Strategies.
AB  - In preceding decades, different mechanisms have been proposed to "instruct"
      dendritic cells (DCs) to induce immune responses against tumor antigens (TAs),
      thus breaking immune tolerance. Immunotherapy has been, for the last two decades,
      an attractive and promising therapeutic approach to fight cancer. This review
      will approach the nature of the immune response during cancer development and its
      correlation with DC function, as well as cancer vaccine principles and
      limitations. An overview of several delivery strategies used for in vivo
      modulation of DCs and direct activation of T cells will be provided, highlighting
      their advantages, limitations, and optimization strategies. This manuscript also
      presents a critical and systematic review of recent clinical trials that are
      investigating the therapeutic effect of these approaches, discussing prognostic
      outcomes of combined-treatment modalities.

PMID- 27280243
TI  - Chemotherapeutic Evaluation of Guar Gum Coated Chitosan Nanoparticle Against
      Experimental Tuberculosis.
AB  - The major goal of the current research was to develop and evaluate the
      therapeutic potential of anti-tubercular drugs (ATDs) loaded natural
      polysaccharide comprising of galacto mannan subunit in experimental tuberculosis
      (TB). Experimental formulations were prepared by ionotropic gelation technique
      followed by spray drying. Morphological analysis suggested that optimized
      nanoparticles were found to be discrete and spherical in nature with a particle
      size distribution range from 230 +/- 4.5 nm to 310 +/- 6.2 nm. The in-vitro drug
      release behavior indicated the biphasic pattern comprising of initial burst
      followed by a sustained release pattern. Guar gum coated chitosan nanoparticles
      (CGNPs) among the leading formulation exhibited the highest cell uptake potential
      confirmed by FACS analysis. Challenge study also supports the in-vivo bio
      distribution illustrated by the significant reduction in CFU count in
      experimental TB in mice. Histopathology study demonstrated that none of the
      treated group shows any evidence of lung tissue abnormality. Hence, the study
      marked the fact that CGNPs could be a promising carrier for selective delivery of
      ATDs to alveolar macrophages for efficient management of TB with the interception
      of minimal side effects.

PMID- 27280244
TI  - Quantitative 3D Determination of Radiosensitization by Bismuth-Based
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - The nanoparticle-induced dose enhancement effect has been shown to improve the
      therapeutic efficacy of ionizing radiation in external beam radiotherapy. Whereas
      previous studies have focused on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), no quantitative
      studies have been conducted to investigate the potential superiority of other
      high atomic number (Z) nanomaterials such as bismuth-based nanoparticles. The
      aims of this study were to experimentally validate and quantify the dose
      enhancement properties of commercially available bismuth-based nanoparticles
      (bismuth oxide (Bi2O3-NPs) and bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3-NPs)), and investigate
      their potential superiority over AuNPs in terms of radiation dose enhancement.
      Phantom cuvettes doped with and without nanoparticles where employed for
      measuring radiation dose enhancement produced from the interaction of radiation
      with metal nanoparticles. Novel 3D phantoms were employed to investigate the 3D
      spatial distribution of ionising radiation dose deposition. The phantoms were
      irradiated with kilovoltage and megavoltage X-ray beams and optical absorption
      changes were measured using a spectrophotometer and optical CT scanner. The
      radiation dose enhancement factors (DEFs) obtained for 50 nm diameter Bi2O3-NPs
      and AuNPs were 1.90 and 1.77, respectively, for 100 kV energy and a nanoparticle
      concentration of 0.5 mM. In addition, the DEFs of 5 nm diameter Bi2S3-NPs and
      AuNPs were determined to be 1.38 and 1.51, respectively, for 150 kV energy and a
      nanoparticle concentration of 0.25 mM. The results demonstrate that both bismuth
      based nanoparticles can enhance the effects of radiation. For 6 MV energy the
      DEFs for all the investigated nanoparticles were lower (< 15%) than with
      kilovoltage energy.

PMID- 27280245
TI  - Estimation of Biocompatibility of Nano-Sized Ceramic Particles with Osteoblasts,
      Osteosarcomas and Hepatocytes by Static and Time-Lapse Observation.
AB  - We assessed the biocompatibility of nano-sized ceramic particles with several
      cells types. Though these particles have less than 100 nm in diameter, they act
      as submicron-sized particles in saline by aggregation that was estimated using
      laser diffraction particle size analysis (LDS). they act as submicro-sized
      particles in saline by aggregation based on laser diffraction particle size
      analysis (LDS). Several types of cells (osteoblasts, osteosarcoma and hepatocyte
      cells) were exposed to these particles and their cytocompatibility was estimated.
      Not only the cytotoxic assay but also their static and dynamic morphology under
      nanoparticles exposure were investigated. The intercellular uptake of particles
      was determined using a confocal fluorescence microscope. The particles used in
      this study did not inhibit cellular activity or growth even when their
      concentrations were high. Only copper oxide particles caused acute cytotoxicity
      depending on the particle size. The cytotoxicity assay, dynamic behavior of the
      nanoparticle-exposed cells and their examination under a confocal fluorescence
      microscope suggests that the irritative reaction was induced by contact between
      the cells and particles, whereas eluted copper ions are not dominant factor.
      These results indicate that nano-sized particles used in this study have
      excellent biocompatibility except copper oxide ones.

PMID- 27280246
TI  - Application of Gold Nanorods for Photothermal Therapy in Ex Vivo Human
      Oesophagogastric Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Gold nanoparticles are chemically fabricated and tuned to strongly absorb near
      infrared (NIR) light, enabling deep optical penetration and therapy within human
      tissues, where sufficient heating induces tumour necrosis. In our studies we aim
      to establish the optimal gold nanorod (GNR) concentration and laser power for
      inducing hyperthermic effects in tissues and test this photothermal effect on ex
      vivo human oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma. The ideal GNR concentration and NIR
      laser power that would elicit sufficient hyperthermia for tumour necrosis was pre
      determined on porcine oesophageal tissues. Human ex vivo oesophageal and gastric
      adenocarcinoma tissues were incubated with GNR solutions and a GNR-free control
      solution with corresponding healthy tissues for comparison, then irradiated with
      NIR light for 10 minutes. Temperature rise was found to vary linearly with both
      the concentration of GNRs and the laser power. Human ex vivo oesophageal and
      gastric tissues consistently demonstrated a significant temperature rise when
      incubated in an optimally concentrated GNR solution (3 x 10(10) GNRs/ml) prior to
      NIR irradiation delivered at an optimal power (2 W/cm2). A mean temperature rise
      of 27 degrees C was observed in tissues incubated with GNRs, whereas only a
      modest 2 degrees C rise in tissues not exposed to any GNRs. This study evaluates
      the photothermal effects of GNRs on oesophagogastric tissue examines their
      application in the minimally invasive therapeutics of oesophageal and gastric
      adenocarcinomas. This could potentially be an effective method of clinically
      inducing irreversible oesophagogastric tumour photodestruction, with minimal
      collateral damage expected in (healthy) tissues free from GNRs.

PMID- 27280247
TI  - Infra Red Dye and Endostar Loaded Poly Lactic Acid Nano Particles as a Novel
      Theranostic Nanomedicine for Breast Cancer.
AB  - Endostar, a novel recombinant human endostatin, has been proven to inhibit tumor
      angiogenesis and is utilized as an anticancer drug. While free drugs can display
      limited efficacy, nanoscaled anticancer drugs have been fabricated and proven to
      possess superior therapeutic effects. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a FDA-approved
      biomaterial displaying excellent biocompatibility and low toxicity. In this
      study, Endostar-loaded PLA nanoparticles (EPNPs) were first prepared, and a near
      infrared (NIR) dye, IRDye 800CW, was conjugated to the surface for detecting
      nanoparticle biodistribution through fluorescence molecular imaging (FMI) using
      an orthotopic breast tumor mouse model. The antitumor efficacy of EPNPs was
      examined using bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and immunohistology. To further
      improve the antitumor effects, we combined EPNPs with zoledronic acid monohydrate
      (ZA), which is known to decrease the tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and
      inhibit tumor progression. We found that EPNPs decreased human umbilical vein
      endothelial cell (HUVEC) viability by inhibiting tumor growth gene expression
      more significantly than free Endostar in vitro. In vivo, EPNPs displayed better
      tumor growth inhibitory effects compared with free Endostar, and the combination
      of EPNPs with ZA exhibited more significant antitumor effects. As confirmed by
      CD31 and CD11b immunohistochemistry, the combination of EPNPs and ZA showed
      synergistic effects in reducing tumor angiogenesis and TAM accumulation in tumor
      regions. Taken together, this study presents a novel and effective form of
      nanoscaled Endostar for the treatment of breast cancer that displays synergistic
      antitumor effects in combination with ZA.

PMID- 27280248
TI  - Glutathione-Responsive Multilayer Coated Gold Nanoparticles for Targeted Gene
      Delivery.
AB  - Efficient gene release after intracellular uptake is very important for non-viral
      gene delivery systems. To construct a glutathione-responsive gene delivery
      system, we developed gold-cysteamine (AuCM)/plasmid DNA (pDNA)/poly TAT
      (pTAT)/hyaluronic acid (HA) nanocomplexes (AuCM/pDNA/pTAT/HA) in this study. The
      AuCM/pDNA/pTAT/HA nanocomplexes possessed a small size less than 200 nm and
      negative zeta potential of -17 +/- 4 mV. The multilayer structure was verified by
      UV-Vis spectra, surface charges, dynamic light scattering. Morphology was
      observed by transmission electron microscope. The AuCM/pDNA/pTAT/HA nanocomplexes
      could completely protect pDNA against enzymatic degradation. These nanocomplexes
      showed effective cellular uptake in CD44 receptors over-expressed HepG 2 cells in
      a HA/CD44 interaction dependent manner. Moreover, transfection efficacy was
      significantly enhanced in AuCM/pDNA/pTAT/HA treated HepG 2 cells compared with
      AuCM/pDNA/pTAT, and was further enhanced in the presence of GSH, indicating that
      AuCM/pDNA/pTAT/HA was glutathione-responsive. Biodistribution revealed that
      AuCM/pDNA/pTAT/HA nanocomplexes mainly accumulated in liver. In conclusion,
      AuCM/pDNA/pTAT/HA nanocomplexes may serve as glutathione-responsive gene carriers
      for actively targeting gene delivery to CD44 receptors over-expressed liver
      cancers.

PMID- 27280249
TI  - A Novel Microbubble Capable of Ultrasound-Triggered Release of Drug-Loaded
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Drug-loaded microbubbles have shown attractive potential in disease treatment
      applications. The present work presents a unique ultrasound (US)-triggered system
      in which drug-loaded nanoparticles and perfluorocarbon gas are encapsulated
      within the internal space of microbubbles. The prepared curcumin-loaded albumin
      nanoparticle payload microbubbles (CcmANP-MB) exhibited a mean diameter of 4895.1
      nm +/- 421.2 nm and a drug-loading efficiency of 2.23% +/- 0.08% (297% increase
      compared with the drug loading of common drug-loaded microbubbles). US allowed
      the release of the internal payload. In vitro US-triggered drug release
      experiments showed that the drug release of CcmANP-MB was delayed by lipid
      membranes and significantly increased after sonication. In vitro and in vivo US
      imaging experiments demonstrated that CcmANP-MB evidently enhances US imaging,
      which indicates that the microbubbles possess good acoustic properties even after
      encapsulation of nanoparticles. Tumor bearing mice were administered with CcmANP
      MB through the tail vein and were then exposed to ultrasound, which resulted in
      an enhanced drug accumulation in tumor tissues and a significant increase in
      tumor growth inhibition rate (57.1%) compared with CcmANP-MB alone (28.8%) as
      well as curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticle (26.2%). Therefore, the combination
      of lecithin microbubbles and albumin nanoparticles provides a platform for
      targeted drug delivery in clinical therapy and disease diagnosis.

PMID- 27280250
TI  - In Vitro Effect of 30 nm Silver Nanoparticles on Adipogenic Differentiation of
      Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
AB  - With the combined use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and human bone marrow
      derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in bone tissue engineering, more knowledge
      of the effects of Ag NPs on hMSCs is required. Up to date, researches mainly
      focused on the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Ag NPs, only few studies
      discussed their influence on the differentiation of stem cells, especially
      adipogenic differentiation. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro
      uptake of 30 nm PVP-coated Ag NPs in hMSCs and their effects on cell viability,
      cell morphology and adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs. HMSCs were exposed to Ag
      NPs at concentrations of 25 and 50 MUg/mL for 24 hours and at concentrations of 5
      and 10 MUg/mL throughout the whole differentiation period. Results of cell
      viability showed that Ag NPs caused time- and dose-dependent toxicity in hMSCs.
      Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the uptake of Ag NPs into
      cytoplasm of hMSCs. No influence on cell morphology was observed. The 30 nm sized
      Ag NPs had no effects on adiponectin secretion, lipid droplet formation and the
      expression of adipogenic marker genes. It is concluded that under our
      experimental conditions, 30 nm PVP-coated Ag NPs do not influence the adipogenic
      differentiation of hMSCs in vitro. The present results provide a reference for
      the usage of 30 nm Ag NPs in the presence of hMSCs in bone tissue engineering.

PMID- 27280251
TI  - Size-Dependent Cellular Uptake of Trans-Activator of Transcription Functionalized
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - We investigated the cellular uptake efficiencies of differently-sized silica
      nanoparticles in the presence and the absence of trans-activator of transcription
      (TAT) peptide. Silica nanoparticles incorporating fluorescent dye molecules with
      diameters of 30 to 800 nm were synthesized, and the surfaces of the silica
      nanoparticles were functionalized with TAT peptides or 3
      aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were
      used to determine the cellular locations and the uptake efficiencies of
      positively-charged silica nanoparticles (APTES- and TAT-) of various sizes from
      30 to 800 nm. The cellular uptake efficiencies of all the differently-sized
      particles were significantly increased in the presence of TAT peptides. On the
      basis of an efficient TAT-mediated delivery system, we were able to show that TAT
      peptides could be used as effective cellular-uptake reagents, particularly for
      large particles.

PMID- 27280252
TI  - Nanolithography of Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleavage with beta-Secretase by
      Atomic Force Microscopy.
AB  - Cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by secretases is critical in
      neural cell processes including the pathway for neural cell proliferation and
      that underlying the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Understanding the
      mechanism of APP cleavage and development of a convenient tool for the accurate
      evaluation of APP cleavage intensity by secretases are very important in the
      development of new AD therapeutic targets. In this study, we developed a
      sophisticated technology to evaluate the APP cleavage mechanism at the nano
      molecular level by atomic force microscopic (AFM) nanolithography. APP was
      modified on a glass substrate; nanolithography of APP cleavage by beta-secretase
      modified AFM probe scanning was achieved. APP cleavage was verified by the AFM
      imaging and the fluorescent immunostaining. The present method will be very
      useful in understanding the molecular level of the APP cleavage mechanism by beta
      secretase in vitro; this method will facilitate inhibitor screening for the
      therapeutic target of AD.

PMID- 27280254
TI  - Guidance of Magnetic Nanocontainers for Treating Alzheimer's Disease Using an
      Electromagnetic, Targeted Drug-Delivery Actuator.
AB  - The "impermeability" of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has hindered effective
      treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as Alzheimer's disease
      (AD), which is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. A drug can be
      delivered to a targeted disease site effectively by applying a strong
      electromagnetic force to the conjugate of a drug and magnetic nanocontainers.
      This study developed a novel nanotechnology-based strategy to deliver therapeutic
      agents to the brain via the BBB as a possible therapeutic approach for AD. First,
      a novel approach for an electromagnetic actuator for guiding nanocontainers is
      introduced. Then, we analyzed the in vivo uptake in mice experimentally to
      evaluate the capacity of the nanocontainers. In the mouse model, we demonstrated
      that magnetic particles can cross the normal BBB when subjected to external
      electromagnetic fields of 28 mT (0.43 T/m) and 79.8 mT (1.39 T/m). Our study also
      assessed the differential effects of pulsed (0.25, 0.5, and 1 Hz) and constant
      magnetic fields on the transport of particles across the BBB in mice injected
      with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) via a tail vein. The applied magnetic field
      was either kept constant or pulsed on and off. Relative to a constant magnetic
      field, the rate of MNP uptake and transport across the BBB was enhanced
      significantly by a pulsed magnetic field. Localization inside the brain was
      established using fluorescent MNPs. These results using 770-nm fluorescent
      carboxyl magnetic nanocontainers demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed
      electromagnetic targeted drug delivery actuator. These results establish an
      effective strategy for regulating the biodistribution of MNPs in the brain
      through the application of an external electromagnetic field. This might be a
      valuable targeting system for AD diagnosis and therapy.

PMID- 27280253
TI  - Targeted Delivery of MicroRNA125a-5p by Engineered Lipid Nanoparticles for the
      Treatment of HER2 Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous regulators of gene expression that play a
      pivotal role in biological processes spanning from global homeostasis to disease
      onset and progression. The ability to manipulate and induce cellular
      reequilibrium of deregulated miRNA expression profiles by inhibition of oncogenic
      miRNA or overexpression of tumor suppressor miRNA is a promising cancer strategy,
      but is currently hindered in application by the lack of nonviral delivery
      systems. Here we present a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform surface coated with
      Hyaluronic Acid (HA) for the delivery of mature tumor suppressor MicroRNA125a-5p
      to treat HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. The delivery platform actively
      targets patient-derived metastatic breast cancer cells (21MT-1) isolated from the
      metastatic pleural effusion over normal breast tissue via an intrinsic HA-CD44
      mediated endocytosis event, and has the ability to escape from the intracellular
      endolysosomal pathway for potent gene silencing. Knockdown of the HER2 proto
      oncogene at the level of transcription and translation was achieved following HA
      LNP mediated transfection with MicroRNA125a-5p. In addition, the PI3K/AKT and
      MAPK hyperactivated signaling pathways, cellular proliferation, and migration
      potential were also potently suppressed. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of
      MicroRNA125a-5p by the HA-LNP platform was demonstrated to be significantly
      improved as compared to a commercial transfection reagent. This study highlights
      the therapeutic potential of MicroRNA125a-5p as a standalone treatment of HER2+
      metastatic breast cancer via a translational nonviral delivery platform. These
      findings have major implications on future gene therapy regimens for breast
      cancer.

PMID- 27280255
TI  - Cell Adhesion and Growth on the Anodized Aluminum Oxide Membrane.
AB  - Nanotopological cues are popular tools for in vivo investigation of the
      extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular microenvironments. The ECM is composed of
      multiple components and generates a complex microenvironment. The development of
      accurate in vivo methods for the investigation of ECM are important for disease
      diagnosis and therapy, as well as for studies on cell behavior. Here, we
      fabricated anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes using sulfuric and oxalic acid
      under controlled voltage and temperature. The membranes were designed to possess
      three different pore and interpore sizes, AAO-1, AAO-2, and AAO-3 membranes,
      respectively. These membranes were used as tools to investigate nanotopology
      signal induced cell behavior. Cancerous cells, specifically, the OVCAR-8 cell
      line, were cultured on porous AAO membranes and the effects of these membranes on
      cell shape, proliferation, and viability were studied. AAO-1 membranes bearing
      small sized pores were found to maintain the spreading shape of the cultured
      cells. Cells cultured on AAO-2 and AAO-3 membranes, bearing large pore-sized AAO
      membranes, changed shape from spreading to rounding. Furthermore, cellular area
      decreased when cells were cultured on all three AAO membranes that confirmed
      decreased levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Additionally, OVCAR-8 cells
      exhibited increased proliferation on AAO membranes possessing various pore sizes,
      indicating the importance of the nanosurface structure in regulating cell
      behaviors, such as cell proliferation. Our results suggest that porous-AAO
      membranes induced nanosurface regulated cell behavior as focal adhesion altered
      the intracellular organization of the cytoskeleton. Our results may find
      potential applications as tools in in vivo cancer research studies.

PMID- 27280257
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27280256
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27280258
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27280259
TI  - Commentary on Tarkiainen et al. (2016): Adding another piece to the puzzle of
      what explains socio-economic differences in alcohol-related mortality.

PMID- 27280260
TI  - Commentary on Lipperman-Kreda et al. (2016): Robust methods with a weak outcome
      measure still lead to consistent conclusions--even so, it may be time for
      recommendations to move from traditional tobacco control strategies to a relevant
      endgame strategy.

PMID- 27280261
TI  - From the PUBLISHER and EDITOR.

PMID- 27280263
TI  - From the SOMA PRESIDENT.

PMID- 27280262
TI  - James Thomas (Tom) Scott 1926-2015.

PMID- 27280264
TI  - From the NATO SOF Surgeon.

PMID- 27280265
TI  - Special Talk: An Interview With Dr. Richard Carmona.

PMID- 27280266
TI  - Spring Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC)Update.

PMID- 27280267
TI  - Feature: Chimpanzees, our cultured cousins.

PMID- 27280268
TI  - Q & A: Liam Dolan.

PMID- 27280269
TI  - Retraction notice to "Predictive and prognostic value of ER-alpha36 expression in
      breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy" [Steroids 84 (2014) 11-16].

PMID- 27280270
TI  - Derivation of hybrid ES cell lines from two different strains of mice.
AB  - Parental origin-dependent expression of the imprinted genes is essential for
      mammalian development. Zfp57 maintains genomic imprinting in mouse embryos and ES
      cells. To examine the allelic expression patterns of the imprinted genes in ES
      cells, we obtained multiple hybrid ES clones that were directly derived from the
      blastocysts generated from the cross between mice on two different genetic
      backgrounds. The blastocyst-derived ES clones displayed largely intact DNA
      methylation imprint at the tested imprinted regions. These hybrid ES clones will
      be useful for future studies to examine the allelic expression of the imprinted
      genes in ES cells and their differentiated progeny.

PMID- 27280271
TI  - [The immortal cell].

PMID- 27280272
TI  - [The prematures].

PMID- 27280273
TI  - Eliminating Vaccine-  Preventable Diseases  Around The World.

PMID- 27280274
TI  - Tribute to Patrick J. Mulrow, MD.

PMID- 27280281
TI  - Protein Carbonyl as a Biomarker of Oxidative Stress in Severe Leptospirosis, and
      Its Usefulness in Differentiating Leptospirosis from Dengue Infections.
AB  - Pathogenesis of disease severity in leptospirosis is not clearly understood
      whether it is due to direct damage by pathogen or by adverse immune responses.
      Knowledge on biomarkers of oxidative stress which could be used in identifying
      patients with severe illness has shown to be of great value in disease
      management. Thus, the main aim of this study was to assess the damage to serum
      proteins and lipids, and their significance as biomarkers of oxidative stress in
      severe leptospirosis. In regions endemic for both leptospirosis and dengue,
      leptospirosis cases are often misdiagnosed as dengue during dengue epidemics.
      Therefore, the second aim was to assess the potential of the oxidative stress
      markers in differentiating severe leptospirosis from critical phase dengue. We
      measured serum antioxidants (uric acid and bilirubin), total antioxidant capacity
      (AOC), protein carbonyl (PC) and lipid hydroperoxide (LP) in patients with severe
      leptospirosis (n = 60), mild leptospirosis (n = 50), dengue during the critical
      phase (n = 30) and in healthy subjects (n = 30). All patient groups had similar
      total antioxidant capacity levels. However, the presence of significantly high
      uric acid and total bilirubin levels may reflect the degree of renal and hepatic
      involvement seen in severe leptospirosis patients (p<0.02). Serum PC and LP
      levels were significantly higher in leptospirosis patients compared to critical
      phase dengue infections (p<0.005). Moreover, high serum PC levels appear to
      differentiate SL from DC [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.96; p<0.001]. Serum PC
      may be a reliable biomarker of oxidative damage to serum proteins to identify
      severe leptospirosis patients (AUC = 0.99) and also to differentiate severe
      leptospirosis from mild cases (AUC = 0.78; p<0.005) indicating its contribution
      to pathogenesis. Use of serum PC as an indicator of leptospirosis severity and as
      an oxidative stress biomarker in differentiating leptospirosis from dengue would
      provide the opportunity to save lives via prompt patient management. 

PMID- 27280282
TI  - Non-Uptake of HIV Testing in Children at Risk in Two Urban and Rural Settings in
      Zambia: A Mixed-Methods Study.
AB  - This article investigates reasons why children who were considered at risk of HIV
      were not taken for HIV testing by their caregivers. Qualitative and quantitative
      data collected in Zambia from 2010-11 revealed that twelve percent of caregivers
      who stated that they had been suspecting an HIV infection in a child in their
      custody had not had the child tested. Fears of negative reactions from the family
      were the most often stated reason for not testing a child. Experience of pre
      existing conflicts between the couple or within the family (aOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.00
      1.82) and observed stigmatisation of seropositive children in one's own
      neighbourhood (aOR 1.69, 95% CI1.20-2.39) showed significant associations for not
      testing a child perceived at risk of HIV. Although services for HIV testing and
      treatment of children have been made available through national policies and
      programmes, some women and children were denied access leading to delayed
      diagnosis and treatment-not on the side of the health system, but on the
      household level. Social norms, such as assigning the male household head the
      power to decide over the use of healthcare services by his wife and children,
      jeopardize women's bargaining power to claim their rights to healthcare,
      especially in a conflict-affected relationship. Social norms and customary and
      statutory regulations that disadvantage women and their children must be
      addressed at every level-including the community and household-in order to
      effectively decrease barriers to HIV related care. 

PMID- 27280283
TI  - Preclinical Studies of Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Administration in Chronic
      Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the last two decades, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been pre
      clinically utilized in the treatment of a variety of kinds of diseases including
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the current study was to
      systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis on the published pre-clinical
      studies of MSC administration in the treatment of COPD in animal models. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: A systematic search of electronic databases was performed.
      Statistical analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software
      (Version 3). The pooled Hedges's g with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) was
      adopted to assess the effect size. Random effect model was used due to the
      heterogeneity between the studies. A total of 20 eligible studies were included
      in the current systematic review. The overall meta-analysis showed that MSC
      administration was significantly in favor of attenuating acute lung injury
      (Hedges's g = -2.325 +/- 0.145 with 95% CI: -2.609 ~ -2.040, P < 0.001 for mean
      linear intercept, MLI; Hedges's g = -3.488 +/- 0.504 with 95% CI: -4.476 ~ 
      2.501, P < 0.001 for TUNEL staining), stimulating lung tissue repair (Hedges's g
      = 3.249 +/- 0.586 with 95% CI: 2.103~ 4.394, P < 0.001) and improving lung
      function (Hedges's g = 2.053 +/- 0.408 with 95% CI: 1.253 ~ 2.854, P< 0.001). The
      mechanism of MSC therapy in COPD is through ameliorating airway inflammation
      (Hedges's g = -2.956 +/- 0.371 with 95% CI: -3.683 ~ -2.229, P< 0.001) and
      stimulating cytokine synthesis that involves lung tissue repair (Hedges's g =
      3.103 +/- 0.734 with 95% CI: 1.664 ~ 4.541, P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: This
      systematic review and meta-analysis suggest a promising role for MSCs in COPD
      treatment. Although the COPD models may not truly mimic COPD patients, these pre
      clinical studies demonstrate that MSC hold promise in the treatment of chronic
      lung diseases including COPD. The mechanisms of MSCs role in preclinical COPD
      treatment may be associated with attenuating airway inflammation as well as
      stimulating lung tissue repair.

PMID- 27280285
TI  - Correction: Antiphospholipid Antibody and Risk of Retinal Vein Occlusion: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122814.].

PMID- 27280284
TI  - The Race against Protease Activation Defines the Role of ESCRTs in HIV Budding.
AB  - HIV virions assemble on the plasma membrane and bud out of infected cells using
      interactions with endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRTs).
      HIV protease activation is essential for maturation and infectivity of progeny
      virions, however, the precise timing of protease activation and its relationship
      to budding has not been well defined. We show that compromised interactions with
      ESCRTs result in delayed budding of virions from host cells. Specifically, we
      show that Gag mutants with compromised interactions with ALIX and Tsg101, two
      early ESCRT factors, have an average budding delay of ~75 minutes and ~10 hours,
      respectively. Virions with inactive proteases incorporated the full Gag-Pol and
      had ~60 minutes delay in budding. We demonstrate that during budding delay,
      activated proteases release critical HIV enzymes back to host cytosol leading to
      production of non-infectious progeny virions. To explain the molecular mechanism
      of the observed budding delay, we modulated the Pol size artificially and show
      that virion release delays are size-dependent and also show size-dependency in
      requirements for Tsg101 and ALIX. We highlight the sensitivity of HIV to budding
      "on-time" and suggest that budding delay is a potent mechanism for inhibition of
      infectious retroviral release.

PMID- 27280287
TI  - 2000 Years of Grazing History and the Making of the Cretan Mountain Landscape,
      Greece.
AB  - Understanding the processes that led to the recent evolution of Mediterranean
      landscapes is a challenging question that can be addressed with paleoecological
      data. Located in the White Mountains of Crete, Asi Gonia peat bog constitutes an
      exceptional 2000-years-long sedimentary archive of environmental change. In this
      study, we document the making of the White Mountains landscape and assess human
      impact on ecosystem trajectories. The paleoenvironmental reconstruction is based
      on high-resolution analyses of sediment, pollen, dung fungal spores and charcoal
      obtained from a 6-m core collected from the bog. Multiproxy analyses and a robust
      chronological control have shed light on anthropogenic and natural processes that
      have driven ecological changes, giving rise to the present-day Mediterranean
      ecosystem. Our results suggest that sediment accumulation began during the
      transition from the Hellenistic to the Roman period, likely due to watershed
      management. The evolution of the peat bog as well as vegetation dynamics in the
      surrounding area were linked to past climate changes but were driven by human
      activities, among which breeding was of great importance. Charcoal analysis
      reveals that fire was largely used for the construction and maintenance of sylvo
      agropastoral areas. Pollen data allow the identification of three main vegetation
      assemblages: 1) evergreen oak forest (before ca. 850 AD), 2) heather maquis (ca.
      850 to 1870 AD), 3) phrygana/steppe landscape. Rapid changes between phases in
      vegetation development are associated with tipping-points in ecosystem dynamics
      resulting from anthropogenic impact. The modern ecosystem did not get established
      until the 20th century, and it is characterized by biodiversity loss along with a
      dramatic drying of the peat bog. 

PMID- 27280286
TI  - Dihydrostreptomycin Directly Binds to, Modulates, and Passes through the MscL
      Channel Pore.
AB  - The primary mechanism of action of the antibiotic dihydrostreptomycin is binding
      to and modifying the function of the bacterial ribosome, thus leading to
      decreased and aberrant translation of proteins; however, the routes by which it
      enters the bacterial cell are largely unknown. The mechanosensitive channel of
      large conductance, MscL, is found in the vast majority of bacterial species,
      where it serves as an emergency release valve rescuing the cell from sudden
      decreases in external osmolarity. While it is known that MscL expression
      increases the potency of dihydrostreptomycin, it has remained unclear if this
      effect is due to a direct interaction. Here, we use a combination of genetic
      screening, MD simulations, and biochemical and mutational approaches to determine
      if dihydrostreptomycin directly interacts with MscL. Our data strongly suggest
      that dihydrostreptomycin binds to a specific site on MscL and modifies its
      conformation, thus allowing the passage of K+ and glutamate out of, and
      dihydrostreptomycin into, the cell.

PMID- 27280288
TI  - Insights into Sexual Precocity of Female Oriental River Prawn Macrobrachium
      nipponense through Transcriptome Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) is the most
      prevalent aquaculture species in China. The sexual precocity in this species has
      received considerable attention in recent years because more and more individuals
      matured at a small size, which devalues the commercial production. In this study,
      we developed deep-coverage transcriptomic sequencing data for the ovaries of
      sexually precocious and normal sexually mature M. nipponense using next
      generation RNA sequencing technology and attempted to provide the first insight
      into the molecular regulatory mechanism of sexual precocity in this species.
      RESULTS: A total of 63,336 unigenes were produced from the ovarian cDNA libraries
      of sexually precocious and normal sexually mature M. nipponense using Illumina
      HiSeq 2500 platform. Through BLASTX searches against the NR, STRING, Pfam,
      Swissprot and KEGG databases, 15,134 unigenes were annotated, accounting for
      23.89% of the total unigenes. 5,195 and 3,227 matched unigenes were categorized
      by GO and COG analysis respectively. 15,908 unigenes were consequently mapped
      into 332 KEGG pathways, and many reproduction-related pathways and genes were
      identified. Moreover, 26,008 SSRs were identified from 18,133 unigenes. 80,529
      and 80,516 SNPs were yielded from ovarian libraries of sexually precocious and
      normal sexually mature prawn, respectively, and 29,851 potential SNPs between
      these two groups were also predicted. After comparing the ovarian libraries of
      sexually precocious and normal sexually mature prawn, 549 differentially
      expressed genes (DEGs) and 9 key DEGs that may be related to sexual precocity of
      M. nipponense were identified. 20 DEGs were selected for validation by
      quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) and 19 DEGs show consistent expression between
      QPCR and RNAseq-based differential expression analysis datasets. CONCLUSION: This
      is the first report on the large-scale RNA sequencing of ovaries of sexually
      precocious and normal sexually mature M. nipponense. The annotated transcriptome
      data will provide fundamental support for future research into the reproduction
      biology of M. nipponense. The large number of candidate SNPs and SSRs detected in
      this study could be used as genetic markers for population genetics and
      functional genomics in this species. More importantly, many DEGs, especially nine
      key DEGs between sexually precocious and normal sexually mature prawns were
      identified, which will dramatically improve understanding of molecular regulatory
      mechanism of sexual precocity of this species.

PMID- 27280289
TI  - MACC-1 Promotes Endothelium-Dependent Angiogenesis in Gastric Cancer by
      Activating TWIST1/VEGF-A Signal Pathway.
AB  - Endothelium-dependent angiogenesis is thought to be a crucial step in cancer
      progression. We previously reported that metastasis-associated in colon cancer-1
      (MACC1) contributed to the vasculogenic mimicry in gastric cancer (GC), but it
      remains unknown whether MACC1 promotes endothelium-dependent angiogenesis of GC
      and whether TWIST1 is involved in this process. In the present study, we detected
      MACC1 expression and microvessel density (MVD) by immunohistochemistry in 159
      patients with stage I-III GC, and investigated the role of TWIST1 and vascular
      endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in MACC1-induced endothelium-dependent
      angiogenesis using nude mice with GC xenografts, and human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells (HUVECs) that were co-cultured with conditioned media from
      overexpression and interference MACC1 GC cells. We found that MACC1 expression
      was positively correlated with an increased MVD and tumor recurrence in GC
      patients. In GC xenograft models, MACC1 elevated MVD and upregulated the
      expression of VEGF-A as well as accelerated tumor growth. In addition, MACC1
      obviously increased the expression of TWIST1 and induced tube-like formation of
      HUVECs, whereas attenuation of TWIST1 suppressed the protein expression of VEGF-A
      and repealed the effect of MACC1 on tube formation. Our findings shed light on
      the function of MACC1 in endothelium-dependent angiogenesis of GC and suggest
      potential prognostic and therapeutic value. 

PMID- 27280290
TI  - Genetic Links between Recombination and Speciation.

PMID- 27280291
TI  - Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Analysis on Inflammation Rat Model after Oral
      Administration of Huang Lian Jie Du Decoction.
AB  - Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction (HLJDD) is a classical Traditional Chinese Medicine
      (TCM) formula with heat-dissipating and detoxifying effects. It is used to treat
      inflammation-associated diseases. However, no systematic pharmacokinetic (PK) and
      pharmacodynamic (PD) data concerning the activity of HLJDD under inflammatory
      conditions is available to date. In the present study, the concentration-time
      profiles and the hepatic clearance rates (HCR) of 41 major components in rat
      plasma in response to the oral administration of a clinical dose of HLJDD were
      investigated by LC-QqQ-MS using a dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM)
      method. Additionally, the levels of 7 cytokines (CKs) in the plasma and the body
      temperature of rats were analyzed. Furthermore, a PK-PD model was established to
      describe the time course of the hemodynamic and anti-inflammatory effects of
      HLJDD. As one of the three major active constituents in HLJDD, iridoids were
      absorbed and eliminated more easily and quickly than alkaloids and flavonoids.
      Compared with the normal controls, the flavonoids, alkaloids and iridoids in
      inflamed rats exhibited consistently changing trends of PK behaviors, such as
      higher bioavailability, slower elimination, delays in reaching the maximum
      concentration (Tmax) and longer substantivity. The HCR of iridoids was different
      from that of alkaloids and flavonoids in inflamed rats. Furthermore, excellent
      pharmacodynamic effects of HLJDD were observed in inflamed rats. The levels of
      tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta, IL-10,
      and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and body temperature significantly
      decreased after the administration of HLJDD. Based on PK-PD modeling with the
      three-phase synchronous characterization of time-concentration-effect, flavonoids
      exhibited one mechanism of action in the anti-inflammatory process, while
      iridoids and alkaloids showed another mechanism of action. Taken together, the
      results demonstrated that HLJDD may restrain inflammation synergistically via its
      major constituents (alkaloids, flavonoids and iridoids). A correlation between
      the exposure concentration of different types of compounds and their anti
      inflammatory effects in the body was shown. This study provides a comprehensive
      understanding of the anti-inflammatory activity of HLJDD. 

PMID- 27280292
TI  - Sleep Quality and Factors Influencing Self-Reported Sleep Duration and Quality in
      the General Internal Medicine Inpatient Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sleep quality in hospitalized Canadian General Internal Medicine
      patients is not well characterized. Our goals were to characterize hospital sleep
      quality in this population and identify potentially modifiable barriers to good
      sleep. METHODS: GIM inpatients at a quaternary centre in Edmonton, Canada
      completed a survey, including the Verran-Snyder Halpern (VSH) questionnaire, to
      characterize the previous night's sleep within 48 hours prior to discharge. A
      chart review was also completed to assess comorbidities, discharge diagnoses, and
      pharmaceutical sleep aid use. RESULTS: Patients reported significantly worse
      nighttime sleep duration in hospital compared with home (mean 5.5 versus 7.0
      hours per night, p < 0.0001). Sleep quality was poor, as measured by the VSH
      disturbance (mean 371), effectiveness (190), and supplementation (115) subscales.
      Variables independently associated with poorer sleep duration in multivariable
      regression include prior diagnosis of sleep disorder and multi-patient occupancy
      rooms. Age, sex, admitting diagnosis, length of stay, frequency of vital checks,
      and use of sleep pharmaceuticals during the index hospitalization were not
      associated with sleep duration. The most frequently reported reasons for poor
      sleep included noise (59%), nursing interruptions (30%), uncomfortable beds
      (18%), bright lights (16%), unfamiliar surroundings (14%), and pain (9%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Sleep quality for GIM inpatients is significantly worse in hospital
      than at home. There is a need to test non-pharmacologic interventions to address
      the most frequently identified factors causing poor sleep hygiene for GIM
      inpatients.

PMID- 27280293
TI  - Spatio-Temporal History of HIV-1 CRF35_AD in Afghanistan and Iran.
AB  - HIV-1 Circulating Recombinant Form 35_AD (CRF35_AD) has an important position in
      the epidemiological profile of Afghanistan and Iran. Despite the presence of this
      clade in Afghanistan and Iran for over a decade, our understanding of its origin
      and dissemination patterns is limited. In this study, we performed a Bayesian
      phylogeographic analysis to reconstruct the spatio-temporal dispersion pattern of
      this clade using eligible CRF35_AD gag and pol sequences available in the Los
      Alamos HIV database (432 sequences available from Iran, 16 sequences available
      from Afghanistan, and a single CRF35_AD-like pol sequence available from USA).
      Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm was implemented in BEAST v1.8.1.
      Between-country dispersion rates were tested with Bayesian stochastic search
      variable selection method and were considered significant where Bayes factor
      values were greater than three. The findings suggested that CRF35_AD sequences
      were genetically similar to parental sequences from Kenya and Uganda, and to a
      set of subtype A1 sequences available from Afghan refugees living in Pakistan.
      Our results also showed that across all phylogenies, Afghan and Iranian CRF35_AD
      sequences formed a monophyletic cluster (posterior clade credibility> 0.7). The
      divergence date of this cluster was estimated to be between 1990 and 1992. Within
      this cluster, a bidirectional dispersion of the virus was observed across
      Afghanistan and Iran. We could not clearly identify if Afghanistan or Iran first
      established or received this epidemic, as the root location of this cluster could
      not be robustly estimated. Three CRF35_AD sequences from Afghan refugees living
      in Pakistan nested among Afghan and Iranian CRF35_AD branches. However, the
      CRF35_AD-like sequence available from USA diverged independently from Kenyan
      subtype A1 sequences, suggesting it not to be a true CRF35_AD lineage. Potential
      factors contributing to viral exchange between Afghanistan and Iran could be
      injection drug networks and mass migration of Afghan refugees and labours to
      Iran, which calls for extensive preventive efforts. 

PMID- 27280295
TI  - The Development of Quality Control Genotyping Approaches: A Case Study Using
      Elite Maize Lines.
AB  - Quality control (QC) of germplasm identity and purity is a critical component of
      breeding and conservation activities. SNP genotyping technologies and increased
      availability of markers provide the opportunity to employ genotyping as a low
      cost and robust component of this QC. In the public sector available low-cost SNP
      QC genotyping methods have been developed from a very limited panel of markers of
      1,000 to 1,500 markers without broad selection of the most informative SNPs.
      Selection of optimal SNPs and definition of appropriate germplasm sampling in
      addition to platform section impact on logistical and resource-use considerations
      for breeding and conservation applications when mainstreaming QC. In order to
      address these issues, we evaluated the selection and use of SNPs for QC
      applications from large DArTSeq data sets generated from CIMMYT maize inbred
      lines (CMLs). Two QC genotyping strategies were developed, the first is a "rapid
      QC", employing a small number of SNPs to identify potential mislabeling of seed
      packages or plots, the second is a "broad QC", employing a larger number of SNP,
      used to identify each germplasm entry and to measure heterogeneity. The optimal
      marker selection strategies combined the selection of markers with high minor
      allele frequency, sampling of clustered SNP in proportion to marker cluster
      distance and selecting markers that maintain a uniform genomic distribution. The
      rapid and broad QC SNP panels selected using this approach were further validated
      using blind test assessments of related re-generation samples. The influence of
      sampling within each line was evaluated. Sampling 192 individuals would result in
      close to 100% possibility of detecting a 5% contamination in the entry, and
      approximately a 98% probability to detect a 2% contamination of the line. These
      results provide a framework for the establishment of QC genotyping. A comparison
      of financial and time costs for use of these approaches across different
      platforms is discussed providing a framework for institutions involved in maize
      conservation and breeding to assess the resource use effectiveness of QC
      genotyping. Application of these research findings, in combination with existing
      QC approaches, will ensure the regeneration, distribution and use in breeding of
      true to type inbred germplasm. These findings also provide an effective approach
      to optimize SNP selection for QC genotyping in other species. 

PMID- 27280296
TI  - Capacitacion-accion participativa: una experiencia de 24 anos en las comunidades
      rurales de Oaxaca, Mexico.
AB  - Resumen: En este articulo presentamos el proyecto de capacitacion llevado a cabo
      en comunidades de la sierra y costa de Oaxaca, Mexico, desde 1991, por el Centro
      de Capacitacion Integral para Promotores Comunitarios (CECIPROC). La decision de
      hacer este trabajo en Oaxaca responde a que ese estado ocupa uno de los primeros
      lugares de marginacion y de desnutricion en menores de 5 anos. El objetivo es
      describir un modelo de capacitacion y compartir parte de las experiencias
      derivadas, tanto del modelo como del trabajo realizado en las distintas areas
      (nutricion y alimentacion, salud comunitaria, ecologia y etnobotanica, y
      educacion y organizacion), por promotores mujeres y hombres en sus comunidades.
      La experiencia obtenida en 24 anos muestra la factibilidad tecnica y social del
      proyecto en el ambito de la salud, el reconocimiento social del proyecto del
      CECIPROC como un organismo civil que ha aportado alternativas como solucion a la
      problematica de salud, el hacer suyo el proyecto por algunos promotores y los
      diferentes obstaculos a los que se ha enfrentado. Enfatizamos el hecho de que la
      situacion socioeconomica y politica prevaleciente en el estado de Oaxaca es una
      limitante para el buen desarrollo de los programas colectivos de salud, e
      insistimos en la necesidad de compartir nuestras experiencias para que puedan ser
      utilizadas en la planificacion y ejecucion de otros proyectos.

PMID- 27280294
TI  - Distinct Roles for Intracellular and Extracellular Lipids in Hepatitis C Virus
      Infection.
AB  - Hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease that contributes to progressive metabolic
      dysfunction. Infection of hepatocytes by hepatitis C virus (HCV) results in
      reprogramming of hepatic and serum lipids. However, the specific contribution of
      these distinct pools of lipids to HCV infection remains ill defined. In this
      study, we investigated the role of hepatic lipogenesis in HCV infection by
      targeting the rate-limiting step in this pathway, which is catalyzed by the
      acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) enzymes. Using two structurally unrelated ACC
      inhibitors, we determined that blockade of lipogenesis resulted in reduced viral
      replication, assembly, and release. Supplementing exogenous lipids to cells
      treated with ACC inhibitors rescued HCV assembly with no effect on viral
      replication and release. Intriguingly, loss of viral RNA was not recapitulated at
      the protein level and addition of 2-bromopalmitate, a competitive inhibitor of
      protein palmitoylation, mirrored the effects of ACC inhibitors on reduced viral
      RNA without a concurrent loss in protein expression. These correlative results
      suggest that newly synthesized lipids may have a role in protein palmitoylation
      during HCV infection. 

PMID- 27280298
TI  - Is honey an effective treatment for acute cough in children?
AB  - Cough represents one of the most common reasons for pediatrician consultations.
      There are many available treatments for symptomatic relief, including honey.
      Despite its wide availability, there is little knowledge about its benefits.
      Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30
      databases, we identified three systematic reviews including three randomized
      trials. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of
      findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded the use of honey
      probably decreases the severity and frequency of cough, improves the quality of
      parent's and patient's sleep, and does not have side effects. 

PMID- 27280297
TI  - Intranasal Immunization of Mice to Avoid Interference of Maternal Antibody
      against H5N1 Infection.
AB  - Maternally-derived antibodies (MDAs) can protect offspring against influenza
      virus infection but may also inhibit active immune responses. To overcome MDA-
      mediated inhibition, active immunization of offspring with an inactivated H5N1
      whole-virion vaccine under the influence of MDAs was explored in mice. Female
      mice were vaccinated twice via the intraperitoneal (IP) or intranasal (IN) route
      with the vaccine prior to mating. One week after birth, the offspring were
      immunized twice via the IP or IN route with the same vaccine and then challenged
      with a lethal dose of a highly homologous virus strain. The results showed that,
      no matter which immunization route (IP or IN) was used for mothers, the presence
      of MDAs severely interfered with the active immune response of the offspring when
      the offspring were immunized via the IP route. Only via the IN immunization route
      did the offspring overcome the MDA interference. These results suggest that
      intranasal immunization could be a suitable inoculation route for offspring to
      overcome MDA interference in the defense against highly pathogenic H5N1 virus
      infection. This study may provide references for human and animal vaccination to
      overcome MDA-induced inhibition. 

PMID- 27280300
TI  - Effects of Adjacent Vehicles on Judgments of a Lead Car During Car Following.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Two experiments were conducted to determine whether detection of the
      onset of a lead car's deceleration and judgments of its time to contact (TTC)
      were affected by the presence of vehicles in lanes adjacent to the lead car.
      BACKGROUND: In a previous study, TTC judgments of an approaching object by a
      stationary observer were influenced by an adjacent task-irrelevant approaching
      object. The implication is that vehicles in lanes adjacent to a lead car could
      influence a driver's ability to detect the lead car's deceleration and to make
      judgments of its TTC. METHOD: Displays simulated car-following scenes in which
      two vehicles in adjacent lanes were either present or absent. Participants were
      instructed to respond as soon as the lead car decelerated (Experiment 1) or when
      they thought their car would hit the decelerating lead car (Experiment 2).
      RESULTS: The presence of adjacent vehicles did not affect response time to detect
      deceleration of a lead car but did affect the signal detection theory measure of
      sensitivity d' and the number of missed deceleration events. Judgments of the
      lead car's TTC were shorter when adjacent vehicles were present and decelerated
      early than when adjacent vehicles were absent. CONCLUSION: The presence of
      vehicles in nearby lanes can affect a driver's ability to detect a lead car's
      deceleration and to make subsequent judgments of its TTC. APPLICATION: Results
      suggest that nearby traffic can affect a driver's ability to accurately judge a
      lead car's motion in situations that pose risk for rear-end collisions.

PMID- 27280301
TI  - Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Failure: Challenges and Solutions.
AB  - Increasing numbers of older patients with type 2 diabetes, and their improved
      survival from cardiovascular events is seeing a massive increase in patients with
      both diabetes and heart failure. Already, at least a third of all patients with
      heart failure have diabetes. This close association is partly because all the
      major risk factors for heart failure also cluster in patients with type 2
      diabetes, including obesity, hypertension, advanced age, sleep apnoea,
      dyslipidaemia, anaemia, chronic kidney disease, and coronary heart disease.
      However, diabetes may also cause cardiac dysfunction in the absence of overt
      macrovascular disease, as well as complicate the response to therapy. Current
      management is focused on targeting modifiable risk factors for heart failure
      including hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, obesity and anemia. But
      although these are important risk markers, none of these interventions
      substantially prevents heart failure or improves its outcomes. Much more needs to
      be done to focus on this issue, including the inclusion of hospital admission for
      heart failure as a pre-specified component of the primary composite
      cardiovascular outcomes and new trials in heart failure management specifically
      in the context of diabetes. 

PMID- 27280302
TI  - Chronic Heart Failure and Comorbid Renal Dysfunction - A Focus on Type 2
      Cardiorenal Syndrome.
AB  - The most important advancements in the Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) are its
      definition and subsequent classifications. When the predominant pathology and
      pathophysiology is the heart, i.e. chronic heart failure (CHF), and where any
      renal impairment (RI) subsequent to this is secondary, the classification is type
      2 CRS. There are unique differences in the pathophysiology and progression of
      individual subclasses. It is important to understand the evolution of CHF and
      consequences of subsequent RI as they are becoming increasingly prevalent,
      aggravate morbidity and mortality and limit many therapeutic options. In this
      paper we discuss the significance of the type 2 CRS patients in the context of
      the thematic series. 

PMID- 27280303
TI  - Phase 4 Studies in Heart Failure - What is Done and What is Needed?
AB  - Congestive heart failure (CHF) therapeutics is generated through a well-described
      evidence generating process. Phases 1 - 3 of this process are required prior to
      approval and widespread clinical use. Phase 3 in almost all cases is a
      methodologically sound randomized controlled trial (RCT). After this phase it is
      generally accepted that the treatment has a significant, independent and
      prognostically beneficial effect on the pathophysiological process. A major
      criticism of RCTs is the population to whom the result is applicable. When this
      population is significantly different from the trial cohort the external validity
      comes into question. Should the continuation of the evidence generating process
      continue these problems might be identified. Post marketing surveillance through
      phase 4 and comparative effectiveness studies through phase 5 trials are often
      underperformed in comparison to the RCT. These processes can help identify remote
      adverse events and define new hypotheses for community level benefits. This
      review is aimed at exploring the post-marketing scene for CHF therapeutics from
      an Australian health system perspective. We explore the phases of clinical
      trials, the level of evidence currently available and options for ensuring
      greater accountability for community level CHF clinical outcomes. 

PMID- 27280305
TI  - Towards Optimal Heart Failure Care: Couples-Oriented Strategies to Improve
      Patient Adherence and Health Outcomes.
AB  - Psychosocial factors play an important role in the development and progression of
      cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as chronic heart failure (CHF). In
      particular, psycho-cognitive disturbance is common in CHF, which presents
      additional challenges to secondary prevention and management strategies. This
      review provides a summary of the contemporary psycho-cardiology literature,
      including coverage of common mood and cognitive symptoms, and explores some of
      the pathophysiologic evidence linking psycho-cognition to CHF, with particular
      emphasis on sympathetic nervous system activation and neuroendocrine functioning.
      Social support is identified as a strategy by which to reduce depressive
      symptoms, manage cognitive impairment and to, potentially, improve health
      outcomes through improved patient self care and adherence. Recent research
      outcomes suggest that the integration of family caregivers into CHF psycho
      educational disease management programs, as providers and recipients of support,
      may achieve best outcomes. In this regard, couples-oriented strategies that
      promote communication, emotional attachment and support may enhance
      healthpromoting behaviours in patients and their partners. 

PMID- 27280304
TI  - Cellular Therapy for Heart Failure.
AB  - The pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF) is underpinned by
      complex changes at subcellular, cellular and extracellular levels in the
      ventricular myocardium. For all of the gains that conventional treatments for HF
      have brought to mortality and morbidity, they do not adequately address the loss
      of cardiomyocyte numbers in the remodeling ventricle. Originally conceived to
      address this problem, cellular transplantation for HF has already gone through
      several stages of evolution over the past two decades. Various cell types and
      delivery routes have been implemented to positive effect in preclinical models of
      ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy, with pleiotropic benefits observed in
      terms of myocardial remodeling, systolic and diastolic performance, perfusion,
      fibrosis, inflammation, metabolism and electrophysiology. To a large extent,
      these salubrious effects are now attributed to the indirect, paracrine capacity
      of transplanted stem cells to facilitate endogenous cardiac repair processes.
      Promising results have also followed in early phase human studies, although these
      have been relatively modest and somewhat inconsistent. This review details the
      preclinical and clinical evidence currently available regarding the use of
      pluripotent stem cells and adult-derived progenitor cells for cardiomyopathy and
      HF. It outlines the important lessons that have been learned to this point in
      time, and balances the promise of this exciting field against the key challenges
      and questions that still need to be addressed at all levels of research, to
      ensure that cell therapy realizes its full potential by adding to the
      armamentarium of HF management. 

PMID- 27280308
TI  - Induced radioactivity of a GSO scintillator by secondary fragments in carbon ion
      therapy and its effects on in-beam OpenPET imaging.
AB  - The accumulation of induced radioactivity within in-beam PET scanner
      scintillators is of concern for its long-term clinical usage in particle therapy.
      To estimate the effects on OpenPET which we are developing for in-beam PET based
      on GSOZ (Zi doped Gd2SiO5), we measured the induced radioactivity of GSO
      activated by secondary fragments in a water phantom irradiation by a (12)C beam
      with an energy of 290 MeV u(-1). Radioisotopes of Na, Ce, Eu, Gd, Nd, Pm and Tb
      including positron emitters were observed in the gamma ray spectra of the
      activated GSO with a high purity Ge detector and their absolute radioactivities
      were calculated. We used the Monte Carlo simulation platform, Geant4 in which the
      observed radioactivity was assigned to the scintillators of a precisely
      reproduced OpenPET and the single and coincidence rates immediately after one
      treatment and after one-year usage were estimated for the most severe conditions.
      Comparing the highest coincidence rate originating from the activated
      scintillators (background) and the expected coincidence rate from an imaging
      object (signal), we determined the expected signal-to-noise ratio to be more than
      7 within 3 min and more than 10 within 1 min from the scan start time. We
      concluded the effects of scintillator activation and their accumulation on the
      OpenPET imaging were small and clinical long-term usage of the OpenPET was
      feasible.

PMID- 27280306
TI  - Contextualizing Genetics for Regional Heart Failure Care.
AB  - Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic and often devastating cardiovascular
      disorder with no cure. There has been much advancement in the last two decades
      that has seen improvements in morbidity and mortality. Clinicians have also noted
      variations in the responses to therapies. More detailed observations also point
      to clusters of diseases, phenotypic groupings, unusual severity and the rates at
      which CHF occurs. Medical genetics is playing an increasingly important role in
      answering some of these observations. This developing field in many respects
      provides more information than is currently clinically applicable. This includes
      making sense of the established single gene mutations or uncommon private
      mutations. In this thematic series which discusses the many factors that could be
      relevant for CHF care, once established treatments are available in the
      communities; this section addresses a contextual role for medical genetics. 

PMID- 27280309
TI  - Depression, help-seeking perceptions, and perceived family functioning among
      Spanish-Dominant Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Guided by Beck's (1967) cognitive theory of depression, we assessed
      whether perceived family functioning (PFF) mediated the relationship between
      depressive symptomatology and help-seeking inclinations. METHODS: Study 1
      included 130 Spanish-Dominant Hispanics and Study 2 included 124 Non-Hispanic
      Whites obtained using online crowd sourcing. Participants completed measures of
      depressive symptomatology, PFF, and several scales measuring aspects of help
      seeking inclinations and self-stigma. Study 2 also included an experiment. With
      an eye toward potential future interventions, we assessed the malleability of
      PFF. Specifically, participants were randomly assigned to recall positive or
      negative family experiences and then PFF was measures for a second time. RESULTS:
      Both studies found PFF mediates the relationship between depressive
      symptomatology and the help seeking scales. Among non-depressed people, the
      positive manipulation improved PFF; however, among participants with elevated
      depressive symptomatology, writing about a positive family experience worsened
      PFF. LIMITATION: With the exception of the experiment, most of the data were
      cross-sectional. For the experiment, it is possible that different manipulations
      or primes could have different effects. CONCLUSION: Whether investigating
      responses from Spanish-Dominant Hispanics or Non-Hispanic Whites, PFF mediates
      the negative relationship between heightened depressive symptomatology and
      familial help-seeking beliefs, as well as self-stigma. However, even though the
      mediation analysis offers preliminary support that increasing PFF can potentially
      increase help-seeking behaviors of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White people with
      depression, the results of the interaction analysis, specifically the negative
      impact of writing about positive family memories on people with elevated
      depression, illustrates the challenges of persuading people with depression.

PMID- 27280310
TI  - Cardiovascular Monitoring With Trastuzumab Therapy: How Frequent Is Too Frequent?

PMID- 27280311
TI  - Managing comorbid obesity and depression through clinical pharmacotherapies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Obesity and mood disorders co-occur more often than expected by
      chance alone. As no randomized, controlled pharmacotherapy trials have been
      conducted in obese patients with an active mood disorder, it is unclear how to
      use medication to treat this patient group. AREAS COVERED: We briefly overview
      the relationship between obesity and mood disorders; the effects of psychotropic
      medications commonly used in mood disorders on body weight; the psychiatric
      effects of available anti-obesity medications; and highlight the few treatment
      studies of medications in obese patients with mood disorders or depressive
      symptoms. As binge eating and psychotropic-induced weight gain are common
      correlates of obese patients with mood disorders, we also provide brief overviews
      of the pharmacotherapy of these conditions. EXPERT OPINION: When treating a
      patient with a mood disorder and obesity, both conditions need to be a focus of
      clinical attention. Psychotropic medications that have minimal weight gain
      effects should be used if possible. Weight-loss agents can probably be used in
      some mood disorder patients, but must be done so cautiously and with a full
      understanding of their potential psychiatric effects and interactions with
      psychotropic medications. Knowledge of the pharmacotherapy of binge eating and
      psychotropic-induced weight gain is also crucial.

PMID- 27280307
TI  - Heart Failure in Minority Populations - Impediments to Optimal Treatment in
      Australian Aborigines.
AB  - Chronic heart failure (CHF) among Aboriginal/Indigenous Australians is endemic.
      There are also grave concerns for outcomes once acquired. This point is
      compounded by a lack of prospective and objective studies to plan care. To
      capture the essence of the presented topic it is essential to broadly understand
      Indigenous health. Key words such as 'worsening', 'gaps', 'need to do more',
      'poorly studied', or 'future studies should inform' occur frequently in contrast
      to CHF research for almost all other groups. This narrative styled opinion piece
      attempts to discuss future directions for CHF care for Indigenous Australians. We
      provide a synopsis of the problem, highlight the treatment gaps, and define the
      impediments that present hurdles in optimising CHF care for Indigenous
      Australians. 

PMID- 27280312
TI  - Extent of altered white matter in unilateral and bilateral periventricular white
      matter lesions in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the extent of white matter damage in children with
      unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) caused by periventricular white matter lesions
      comparing between unilateral and bilateral lesions; and to investigate a
      relationship between white matter microstructure and hand function. METHODS AND
      PROCEDURES: Diffusion MRI images from 46 children with UCP and 18 children with
      typical development (CTD) were included. Subjects were grouped by side of
      hemiparesis and unilateral or bilateral lesions. A voxel-wise white matter
      analysis was performed to identify regions where fractional anisotropy (FA) was
      significantly different between UCP groups and CTD; and where FA correlated with
      either dominant or impaired hand function (using Jebsen Taylor Hand Function
      Test). OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Children with unilateral lesions had reduced FA in
      the corticospinal tract of the affected hemisphere. Children with bilateral
      lesions had widespread reduced FA extending into all lobes. In children with left
      hemiparesis, impaired hand function correlated with FA in the contralateral
      corticospinal tract. Dominant hand function correlated with FA in the posterior
      thalamic radiations as well as multiple other regions in both left and right
      hemiparesis groups. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Periventricular white matter
      lesions consist of focal and diffuse components. Focal lesions may cause direct
      motor fibre insult resulting in motor impairment. Diffuse white matter injury is
      heterogeneous, and may contribute to more global dysfunction.

PMID- 27280313
TI  - Spectroscopic Line Shapes of Vibrational Quanta in the Presence of Molecular
      Resonances.
AB  - Line shapes of molecular vibrational quanta in inelastic electron tunneling
      spectroscopy may indicate the strength of electron-vibration coupling, the
      hybridization of the molecule with its environment, and the degree of vibrational
      damping by electron-hole pair excitation. Bare as well as C60-terminated Pb tips
      of a scanning tunneling microscope and clean as well as C60-covered Pb(111)
      surfaces were used in low-temperature experiments. Depending on the overlap of
      orbital and vibrational spectral ranges different spectroscopic line shapes of
      molecular vibrational quanta were observed. The energy range covered by the
      molecular resonance was altered by modifying the adsorption configuration of the
      molecule terminating the tip apex. Concomitantly, the line shapes of different
      vibrational modes were affected. The reported observations represent an
      experimental proof to theoretical predictions on the contribution from resonant
      processes to inelastic electron tunneling. 

PMID- 27280314
TI  - Pharmaceutical studies during the Second Empire in the Gaceta Medica de Mexico.
AB  - Pharmaceutical activities during the Second Empire have been neglected by
      historians of science in recent decades, even though pharmacy was an important
      discipline in Mexico City. This is shown by analyzing 12 papers published in the
      Gaceta Medica de Mexico, the journal of the Sociedad Medica de Mexico.
      Examination of these papers helps us understand the interests, practices and
      pharmaceutical activities of some of this group's physicians and pharmacists, as
      well as detailing scientific endorsement of the therapeutic use of Mexican flora.
      This allows us to trace a historical continuity in the activities of pharmacists
      in the capital city throughout the nineteenth century. Abstract Pharmaceutical
      activities during the Second Empire have been neglected by historians of science
      in recent decades, even though pharmacy was an important discipline in Mexico
      City. This is shown by analyzing 12 papers published in the Gaceta Medica de
      Mexico, the journal of the Sociedad Medica de Mexico. Examination of these papers
      helps us understand the interests, practices and pharmaceutical activities of
      some of this group's physicians and pharmacists, as well as detailing scientific
      endorsement of the therapeutic use of Mexican flora. This allows us to trace a
      historical continuity in the activities of pharmacists in the capital city
      throughout the nineteenth century.

PMID- 27280315
TI  - International cooperation in health: the case of Fiocruz.

PMID- 27280316
TI  - The inclusion of international migrants in Brazilian healthcare system policies:
      the case of Haitians in the state of Amazonas.

PMID- 27280317
TI  - Training in epidemiology and health surveillance: Tripartite Cooperation between
      Brazil, Cuba, and Haiti.

PMID- 27280318
TI  - Difunctionalization of Styrenes with Perfluoroalkyl and tert-Butylperoxy
      Radicals: Room Temperature Synthesis of (1-(tert-Butylperoxy)-2-perfluoroalkyl)
      ethylbenzene.
AB  - A novel strategy for the difunctionalization of styrenes was developed. This
      synthesis includes the use of electrophilic perfluoroalkyl and tert-butylperoxy
      radicals and produces (1-(tert-butylperoxy)-2-perfluoroalkyl)ethylbenzene at room
      temperature, which has been traditionally difficult to synthesize. With at least
      four radical species included in the transformation, its high chemoselectivity
      was extraordinary; the results were further elucidated using computational
      studies. The methodology also holds a good potential for application as a result
      of its mild reaction conditions, ease of further modification, and insensitivity
      to moisture and air.

PMID- 27280319
TI  - Velocity of Visual Field Progression Implicated in Falls.

PMID- 27280322
TI  - Erratum: Vol. 65, No. 20.
AB  - In the MMWR report, "Possible Zika Virus Infection Among Pregnant Women - United
      States and Territories, May 2016," the following persons should be included in
      the Zika and Pregnancy Working Group: "Nina Ahmad, New York State Department of
      Health; Jennifer White, New York State Department of Health." 

PMID- 27280320
TI  - Spirituality, emotional distress, and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer
      survivors and their partners: an actor-partner interdependence modeling approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association between spirituality and emotional health has been
      well documented in healthy individuals. A small literature has shown that
      spirituality plays a role in well-being for some breast cancer (BC) survivors;
      however, this link is virtually unexplored in partners/spouses of survivors. The
      current study aimed to assess the relationship between spirituality, emotional
      distress, and post-traumatic growth for BC survivors and their partners using a
      dyadic analyses approach. METHODS: A total of 498 couples who were 3-8 years post
      BC diagnosis were recruited from the Eastern Oncology Group database. RESULTS:
      For BC survivors and their partners, greater levels of spirituality were
      associated with increases in their own post-traumatic growth. There was no
      relation between BC and partner spirituality and their own emotional distress,
      but partner's spirituality was associated with reduced occurrence of intrusive
      thoughts in the BC survivor. In contrast, BC survivors' spirituality was found to
      be wholly unrelated to partner's mental health and adjustment. CONCLUSIONS:
      Following diagnosis and treatment, spirituality appears to associate with
      positive growth in BC survivors and their partners. However, BC survivor and
      partner spirituality seem to be ineffective at impacting the other's post
      traumatic growth or emotional distress, with the exception of intrusive thoughts.
      Dyadic analysis takes into account the reciprocal influence of close
      relationships on health and is an important and under-utilized methodology in
      behavioral oncology research and clinical practice. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley
      & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27280321
TI  - Phosphorylation of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel occurs
      independently of PKCepsilon in turtle brain.
AB  - Neurons from the western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) are remarkably
      resilient to anoxia. This is partly due to a reduction in the permeability of
      excitatory glutamatergic ion channels, initiated by mitochondrial ATP-sensitive
      K(+) (mK(+)ATP) channel activation. The aim of this study was to determine if: 1)
      PKCepsilon, a kinase associated with hypoxic stress tolerance, is more highly
      expressed in turtle brain than the anoxia-intolerant rat brain; 2) PKCepsilon
      translocates to the mitochondrial membrane during anoxia; 3) PKCepsilon modulates
      mK(+)ATP channels at the Thr-224 phosphorylation site on the Kir6.2 subunit; and
      4) Thr-224 phosphorylation sensitises mK(+)ATP channels to anoxia. Soluble and
      mitochondrial-rich particulate fractions of turtle and rat cerebral cortex were
      isolated and PKCepsilon expression was determined by Western blot, which revealed
      that turtle cortical PKCepsilon expression was half that of the rat. Following
      the transition to anoxia, no changes in PKCepsilon expression in either the
      soluble or particulate fraction of the turtle cortex were observed. Furthermore,
      incubation of tissue with tat-conjugated activator or inhibitor peptides had no
      effect on the amount of PKCepsilon in either fraction. However, we observed a 2
      fold increase in Thr-224 phosphorylation following 1h of anoxia. The increased
      Thr-224 phosphorylation was blocked by the general kinase inhibitor staurosporine
      but this did not affect the latency or magnitude of mK(+)ATP channel-mediated
      mitochondrial depolarization following anoxia, as indicated by rhodamine-123. We
      conclude that PKCepsilon does not play a role in the onset of mitochondrial
      depolarization and therefore glutamatergic channel arrest in turtle cerebral
      cortex. 

PMID- 27280323
TI  - Structural and material properties of human foot tendons.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: The aim of this study was to assess the mechanical properties of the
      main balance tendons of the human foot in vitro reporting mechanical structural
      properties and mechanical material properties separately. Tendon structural
      properties are relevant for clinical applications, for example in orthopedic
      surgery to elect suitable replacements. Tendon material properties are important
      for engineering applications such as the development of refined constitutive
      models for computational simulation or in the design of synthetic materials.
      METHODS: One hundred uniaxial tensile tests were performed to obtain the
      mechanical response of the main intrinsic and extrinsic human foot tendons. The
      specimens were harvested from five frozen cadaver feet including: Extensor and
      Flexor tendons of all toes, Tibialis Anterior and Posterior tendons and Peroneus
      Brevis and Longus tendons. FINDINGS: Cross-sectional area, load and strain
      failure, Young's modulus and ultimate tensile stress are reported as a reference
      of foot tendon mechanical properties. Two different behaviors could be
      differentiated. Tibialis and Peroneus tendons exhibited higher values of strain
      failure compared to Flexor and Extensor tendons which had higher Young's modulus
      and ultimate tensile stress. Stress-strain tendon curves exhibited
      proportionality between regions. The initial strain, the toe region and the yield
      point corresponded to the 15, 30 and 70% of the strain failure respectively.
      INTERPRETATION: Mechanical properties of the lesser-studied human foot tendons
      are presented under the same test protocol for different engineering and clinical
      applications. The tendons that work at the inversion/eversion plane are more
      deformable at the same stress and strain rate than those that work at the
      flexion/extension plane.

PMID- 27280324
TI  - Influence of a knee brace intervention on perceived pain and patellofemoral
      loading in recreational athletes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current investigation aimed to investigate the effects of an
      intervention using knee bracing on pain symptoms and patellofemoral loading in
      male and female recreational athletes. METHODS: Twenty participants (11 males & 9
      females) with patellofemoral pain were provided with a knee brace which they wore
      for a period of 2weeks. Lower extremity kinematics and patellofemoral loading
      were obtained during three sport specific tasks, jog, cut and single leg hop. In
      addition their self-reported knee pain scores were examined using the Knee injury
      and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Data were collected before and after wearing
      the knee brace for 2weeks. FINDINGS: Significant reductions were found in the run
      and cut movements for peak patellofemoral force/pressure and in all movements for
      the peak knee abduction moment when wearing the brace. Significant improvements
      were also shown for Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscale
      symptoms (pre: male=70.27, female=73.22 & post: male=85.64, female=82.44), pain
      (pre: male=72.36, female=78.89 & post: male=85.73, female=84.20), sport (pre:
      male=60.18, female=59.33 & post: male=80.91, female=79.11), function and daily
      living (pre: male=82.18, female=86.00 & post: male=88.91, female=90.00) and
      quality of life (pre: male=51.27, female=54.89 & post: male=69.36, female=66.89).
      INTERPRETATION: Male and female recreational athletes who suffer from
      patellofemoral pain can be advised to utilise knee bracing as a conservative
      method to reduce pain symptoms.

PMID- 27280325
TI  - The influence of passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthosis bending axis location on
      gait performance in individuals with lower-limb impairments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthoses are commonly prescribed to
      augment impaired ankle muscle function, however their design and prescription are
      largely qualitative. One design includes a footplate and cuff, and flexible strut
      connecting the two. During gait, deflection occurs along the strut, with the
      greatest deflection at a central bending axis. The vertical location of the axis
      can affect lower extremity biomechanics. The goal of this study was to
      investigate the influence of bending axis location on gait performance. METHODS:
      For thirteen participants with unilateral ankle muscle weakness, an additive
      manufacturing framework was used to fabricate passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthosis
      struts with central and off-center bending axes. Participants walked overground
      while electromyographic, kinetic and kinematic data were collected for three
      different bending axes: proximal (high), central (middle) and distal (low), and
      the participants indicated their order of bending axis preference after testing.
      Gait measures and preference effect sizes were examined during six regions of the
      gait cycle. FINDINGS: A few differences between bending axes were observed: in
      the first double-leg support peak plantarflexion angle, peak dorsiflexion moment
      and positive hip work, in the early single-leg support peak knee extension moment
      and positive ankle and knee work, and in the late single-leg support
      gastrocnemius activity and vertical ground reaction force impulse. In addition,
      preference was strongly related to various gait measures. INTERPRETATION: Despite
      the observed statistical differences, altering bending axis location did not
      produce large and consistent changes in gait performance. Thus, individual
      preference and comfort may be more important factors guiding prescription.

PMID- 27280326
TI  - Dynamical Observation and Detailed Description of Catalysts under Strong Metal
      Support Interaction.
AB  - Understanding the structures of catalysts under realistic conditions with atomic
      precision is crucial to design better materials for challenging transformations.
      Under reducing conditions, certain reducible supports migrate onto supported
      metallic particles and create strong metal-support states that drastically change
      the reactivity of the systems. The details of this process are still unclear and
      preclude its thorough exploitation. Here, we report an atomic description of a
      palladium/titania (Pd/TiO2) system by combining state-of-the-art in situ
      transmission electron microscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations
      with structurally defined materials, in which we visualize the formation of the
      overlayers at the atomic scale under atmospheric pressure and high temperature.
      We show that an amorphous reduced titania layer is formed at low temperatures,
      and that crystallization of the layer into either mono- or bilayer structures is
      dictated by the reaction environment and predicted by theory. Furthermore, it
      occurs in combination with a dramatic reshaping of the metallic surface facets.

PMID- 27280327
TI  - Determination of rifampicin in human plasma by high-performance liquid
      chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection after automatized solid-liquid
      extraction.
AB  - A precise and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
      quantification method of rifampicin in human plasma was developed and validated
      using ultraviolet detection after an automatized solid-phase extraction. The
      method was validated with respect to selectivity, extraction recovery, linearity,
      intra- and inter-day precision, accuracy, lower limit of quantification and
      stability. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Chromolith RP8 column
      using a mixture of 0.05 m acetate buffer pH 5.7-acetonitrile (35:65, v/v) as
      mobile phase. The compounds were detected at a wavelength of 335 nm with a lower
      limit of quantification of 0.05 mg/L in human plasma. Retention times for
      rifampicin and 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-di(2-pyridyl) quinoxaline used as internal
      standard were respectively 3.77 and 4.81 min. This robust and exact method was
      successfully applied in routine for therapeutic drug monitoring in patients
      treated with rifampicin.

PMID- 27280329
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 27280328
TI  - Pediatric-Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (Peds-CHOIR): a
      learning health system to guide pediatric pain research and treatment.
AB  - The pediatric adaptation of the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information
      Registry (Peds-CHOIR) is a free, open-source, flexible learning health care
      system (LHS) that meets the call by the Institute of Medicine for the development
      of national registries to guide research and precision pain medicine. This report
      is a technical account of the first application of Peds-CHOIR with 3 aims: (1) to
      describe the design and implementation process of the LHS; (2) to highlight how
      the clinical system concurrently cultivates a research platform rich in breadth
      (eg, clinic characteristics) and depth (eg, unique patient- and caregiver
      reporting patterns); and (3) to demonstrate the utility of capturing patient
      caregiver dyad data in real time, with dynamic outcomes tracking that informs
      clinical decisions and delivery of treatments. Technical, financial, and systems
      based considerations of Peds-CHOIR are discussed. Cross-sectional retrospective
      data from patients with chronic pain (N = 352; range, 8-17 years; mean, 13.9
      years) and their caregivers are reported, including National Institutes of Health
      Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) domains
      (mobility, pain interference, fatigue, peer relations, anxiety, and depression)
      and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Consistent with the literature, analyses of
      initial visits revealed impairments across physical, psychological, and social
      domains. Patients and caregivers evidenced agreement in observable variables
      (mobility); however, caregivers consistently endorsed greater impairment
      regarding internal experiences (pain interference, fatigue, peer relations,
      anxiety, and depression) than patients' self-report. A platform like Peds-CHOIR
      highlights predictors of chronic pain outcomes on a group level and facilitates
      individually tailored treatment(s). Challenges of implementation and future
      directions are discussed.

PMID- 27280330
TI  - Commentary: Mediation Analyses in the Real World.

PMID- 27280331
TI  - Comparing Alternative Effect Decomposition Methods: The Role of Literacy in
      Mediating Educational Effects on Mortality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inverse odds ratio weighting, a newly proposed tool to evaluate
      mediation in exposure-disease associations, may be valuable for a host of
      research questions, but little is known about its performance in real data. We
      compare this approach to a more conventional Baron and Kenny type of
      decomposition on an additive hazards scale to estimate total, direct, and
      indirect effects using the example of the role of literacy in mediating the
      effects of education on mortality. METHODS: Health and Retirement Study
      participants born in the United States between 1900 and 1947 were interviewed
      biennially for up to 12 years (N = 17,054). Literacy was measured with a brief
      vocabulary assessment. Decomposition estimates were derived based on Aalen
      additive hazards models. RESULTS: A 1 standard deviation difference in
      educational attainment (3 years) was associated with 6.7 fewer deaths per 1000
      person-years (beta = -6.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -7.9, -5.4). Of this
      decrease, 1.3 fewer deaths (beta = -1.3, 95% CI: -4.0, 1.2) were attributed to
      the literacy pathway (natural indirect), representing 19% of the total effect.
      Baron and Kenny estimates were consistent with inverse odds ratio weighting
      estimates but were less variable (natural indirect effect: -1.2 [95% CI: -1.7, 
      0.69], representing 18% of total effect). CONCLUSION: In a cohort of older
      Americans, literacy partially mediated the effect of education on mortality. See
      Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/EDE/B78.

PMID- 27280332
TI  - The influence of infant characteristics and attention to social cues on early
      vocabulary.
AB  - Individual differences in early language development are related to a number of
      infant characteristics and skills, including temperament traits, cognitive
      ability, and social cognition. The current study aimed to assess the complex
      mechanisms underlying these relations by evaluating the ability to use social
      cues in a word-learning context along with temperament, cognitive ability, and
      expressive vocabulary in 71 18-month-old infants. A moderated mediation analysis
      indicated that infants' nonverbal cognitive ability affects their early
      vocabulary through its effect on their ability to use social cues, but only in
      infants with low nonverbal cognitive ability. Implications for both typical and
      atypical development are discussed.

PMID- 27280333
TI  - Development of a promoter shutoff system in Aspergillus oryzae using a sorbitol
      sensitive promoter.
AB  - Promoter shutoff is a general method for analyzing essential genes, but in the
      fungus Aspergillus oryzae, no tightly repressed promoters have been reported. To
      overcome the current limitations of conditional promoters, we examined sorbitol-
      and galactose-responsive genes using microarrays to identify regulatable genes
      with only minor physiological and genetic effects. We identified two sorbitol
      induced genes (designated as sorA and sorB), cloned their promoters, and built a
      regulated egfp and brlA expression system. Growth medium-dependent enhanced green
      fluorescence protein (EGFP) fluorescence and conidiation were confirmed for egfp
      and brlA under the control of their respective promoters. We also used this
      shutoff system to regulate the essential rhoA, which demonstrated the expected
      growth inhibition under repressed growth conditions. Our new sorbitol promoter
      shutoff system developed can serve as a valuable new tool for essential gene
      analyses of filamentous fungi. 

PMID- 27280335
TI  - Hydrogen Sulfide Triggered Charge-Reversal Micelles for Cancer-Targeted Drug
      Delivery and Imaging.
AB  - Currently, the development of polymeric micelles combining diagnosis and targeted
      therapy is theoretically and practically significant in cancer treatment. In
      addition, it has been reported that cancer cells can produce large amounts of
      hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and their survival depends on the content of H2S. In this
      study, a series of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-azide-1,8-naphthalimide ended amphiphilic
      diblock copolymer poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(methyl
      methacrylate) (N3-Nap-PHEMA-b-PMMA-N3) micelles were prepared. Around cancer
      tissues, the N3-Nap-PHEMA45-b-PMMA42-N3 micelles exhibited dual characteristics
      of monitoring H2S and H2S triggered charge reversal with the reduction of the
      azido group. The surface charge of N3-Nap-PHEMA45-b-PMMA42-N3 micelles reversed
      from negative to positive after monitoring H2S. With H2S triggered charge
      reversal, the cellular uptake of DOX-loaded N3-Nap-PHEMA45-b-PMMA42-N3 micelles
      was effectively enhanced through electrostatic attraction mediated targeting, and
      a fast doxorubicin (DOX) release rate was observed. The MTT assay demonstrated
      that N3-Nap-PHEMA45-b-PMMA42-N3 micelles were biocompatible to HeLa cells, and
      DOX-loaded N3-Nap-PHEMA45-b-PMMA42-N3 micelles showed enhanced cytotoxicity in
      HeLa cells in the presence of H2S. Furthermore, in vivo fluorescence imaging and
      biodistribution experiments revealed that DOX-loaded N3-Nap-PHEMA45-b-PMMA42-N3
      micelles could provide good tumor imaging and accumulate in tumor tissue.
      Therefore, N3-Nap-PHEMA45-b-PMMA42-N3 micelles can be used as a promising
      platform for tumor diagnosis and therapy. 

PMID- 27280334
TI  - Association of a type 2 diabetes genetic risk score with insulin secretion
      modulated by insulin sensitivity among Chinese Hans.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin
      secretion. The present study aimed to identify the influence of insulin
      sensitivity on the genetic risk of impaired insulin secretion among a Chinese Han
      population. For 3229 controls and 1994 treatment-naive T2D, single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) from 24 T2D-related genomic loci were genotyped and a
      genetic risk score (GRS) was constructed. Results showed that GRS was associated
      with insulin secretion and disposition indices in both controls and treatment
      naive T2Ds. Upon stratifying the participants into tertiles by the Matsuda index,
      we observed an inhibitory relationship between the GRS and insulin secretion in
      low insulin sensitive but not in high insulin sensitive controls and treatment
      naive T2Ds. Moreover, low insulin sensitive individuals exhibited more severe
      impairment in insulin secretion and beta cell response to insulin sensitivity
      with an increase in risk alleles. Our findings identified that the association of
      GRS with insulin secretion was strongly modulated by insulin sensitivity in both
      controls and T2Ds of Chinese Han. It indicates that insulin sensitization should
      be emphasized in prevention and treatment of T2D for beta cell protection.

PMID- 27280336
TI  - Dihydrooxazine N-Oxide Intermediates as Resting States in Organocatalytic Kinetic
      Resolution of Functionalized Nitroallylic Amines with Aldehydes.
AB  - Kinetic resolution of nitroallylic amines was established using chiral
      alpha,alpha-l-diphenylprolinol silyl ether auxiliary through isolation of the
      dihydrooxazine N-oxide intermediates. Further hydrolyzing the resting states
      provided tetrahydropyridines in high chemical yields and high to excellent
      stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and 98% ee). A detailed mechanistic
      explanation for stereoselective protonation in the dihydrooxazine was probed
      computationally. In addition, the probable intermediates in alpha-halogenation of
      aldehydes (masked with enamines) were isolated to provide crystallographic
      evidence.

PMID- 27280337
TI  - Clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients with CMV DNA
      detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can cause severe pulmonary disease
      in immunocompromised patients. There are no standard diagnostic criteria for CMV
      pulmonary disease beyond histopathology findings on lung tissue, which is
      challenging to obtain in pediatric patients. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
      is easier to obtain. Since CMV remains latent after primary infection and can
      potentially reactivate due to any inflammatory response, CMV detection in BAL
      specimen may not indicate acute CMV pulmonary disease. Thus, we describe the
      clinical manifestations and outcomes of pediatric patients with CMV detection in
      BAL fluid. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical, radiologic, and laboratory data of
      patients <19 years old with a BAL specimen positive for CMV during a 5-year
      period. RESULTS: Thirty-four encounters in 29 patients were found with CMV
      detected in their BAL specimen. Half (17/34) of the encounters were in
      immunocompromised patients. CMV, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was the most
      common positive test. Forty-seven percent of the patients had other infections
      detected in BAL specimens. The majority of patients were never treated for CMV
      and resolved their acute respiratory illness. Only one patient had probable CMV
      pulmonary disease. DISCUSSION: CMV is frequently recovered from BAL specimens but
      does not usually indicate acute CMV pulmonary disease. We would suggest that
      other diagnoses be considered first, even if CMV is recovered. Pediatr Pulmonol.
      2017;52:112-118. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27280338
TI  - Effect of warming and flow rate conditions of blood warmers on red blood cell
      integrity.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fluid warmers are routinely used to reduce the risk of
      hypothermia and cardiac complications associated with the infusion of cold blood
      products. However, warming blood products could generate haemolysis. This study
      was undertaken to compare the impact of temperature of blood warmers on the per
      cent haemolysis of packed red blood cells (RBCs) heated at different flow rates
      as well as non-flow conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infusion warmers used were
      calibrated at 41.5 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C and 37.5 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees
      C. Cold RBC units stored at 4 degrees C in AS-3 (n = 30), aged 30-39 days old,
      were divided into half units before being allocated under two different scenarios
      (i.e. infusion pump or syringe). RESULTS: Blood warmers were effective to warm
      cold RBCs to 37.5 degrees C or 41.5 degrees C when used in conjunction with an
      infusion pump at flow rate up to 600 ml/h. However, when the warmed blood was
      held in a syringe for various periods of time, such as may occur in neonatal
      transfusions, the final temperature was below the expected requirements with
      measurement as low as 33.1 degrees C. Increasing the flow with an infusion pump
      increased haemolysis in RBCs from 0.2% to up to 2.1% at a flow rate of 600 ml/h
      regardless of the warming device used (P < 0.05). No relevant increase of
      haemolysis was observed using a syringe. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a blood warmer
      adjusted to 41.5 degrees C is probably the best choice for reducing the risk of
      hypothermia for the patient without generating haemolysis. However, we should be
      cautious with the use of an infusion pump for RBC transfusion, particularly at
      high flow rates.

PMID- 27280339
TI  - Triphenylphosphonium Decorated Liposomes and Dendritic Polymers: Prospective
      Second Generation Drug Delivery Systems for Targeting Mitochondria.
AB  - Targeting specific intracellular organelles has been a biological process of
      significant interest. Specifically, for mitochondrial targeting, conventional
      liposomal and dendritic polymer nanoparticles were selected to be presented in
      this miniperspective. Both types of nanoparticles were decorated on their
      external surface with triphenylphosphonium cation (TPP), a well-known and
      effective mitochondrial targeting moiety. Due to their advantageous specificity
      toward mitochondria, these nanoparticles may be considered as prospective second
      generation drug delivery systems (DDSs). Functionalized liposomal and dendritic
      nanoparticles are conveniently prepared, and although they encounter several
      hurdles on their route from the extracellular environment to the interior of
      mitochondria, they manage to be accumulated inside them in experiments in vitro.
      Therefore, the TPP-functionalized nanoparticles presented in this miniperspective
      can prove effective DDSs and efforts should be continued to obtain results that
      will trigger further studies including clinical studies, hopefully leading to
      effective drugs for mitochondrial diseases. In fact, since these DDSs enter and
      act at the site where the dysfunction exists, a new medicine subspecialty is
      emerging, the so-called mitochondrial medicine.

PMID- 27280340
TI  - A Multimedia Fate Model to Support Chemical Management in China: A Case Study for
      Selected Trace Organics.
AB  - SESAMe v3.3, a spatially explicit multimedia fate model for China, is a tool
      suggested to support quantitative risk assessment for national scale chemical
      management. The key advantage over the previous version SESAMe v3.0 is
      consideration of spatially varied environmental pH. We evaluate the model
      performance using estimates of emission from total industry usage of three UV
      filters (benzophenone-3, octocrylene, and octyl methoxycinnamate) and three
      antimicrobials (triclosan, triclocarban, and climbazole). The model generally
      performs well for the six case study chemicals as shown by the comparison between
      predictions and measurements. The importance of accounting for chemical
      ionization is demonstrated with the fate and partitioning of both triclosan and
      climbazole sensitivity to environmental pH. The model predicts ionizable
      chemicals (triclosan, climbazole, benzophenone-3) to primarily partition into
      soils at steady state, despite hypothetically only being released to freshwaters,
      as a result of agricultural irrigation by freshwater. However, further model
      calibration is needed when more field data becomes available for soils and
      sediments and for larger areas of water. As an example, accounting for the effect
      of pH in the environmental risk assessment of triclosan, limited freshwater areas
      (0.03% or ca. 55 km(2)) in mainland China are modeled to exceed its conservative
      environmental no-effect threshold. SESAMe v3.3 can be used to support the
      development of chemical risk assessment methodologies with the spatial aspects of
      the model providing a guide to the identification regions of interest in which to
      focus monitoring campaigns or develop a refined risk assessment.

PMID- 27280341
TI  - Comparison of planned menus and centre characteristics with foods and beverages
      served in New York City child-care centres.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the extent to which child-care centre
      menus prepared in advance correspond with food and beverage items served to
      children. The authors identified centre and staff characteristics that were
      associated with matches between menus and what was served. DESIGN: Menus were
      collected from ninety-five centres in New York City (NYC). Direct observation of
      foods and beverages served to children were conducted during 524 meal and snack
      times at these centres between April and June 2010, as part of a larger study
      designed to determine compliance of child-care centres with city health
      department regulations for nutrition. SETTING: Child-care centres were located in
      low-income neighbourhoods in NYC. RESULTS: Overall, 87 % of the foods and
      beverages listed on the menus or allowed as substitutions were served. Menu items
      matched with foods and beverages served for all major food groups by >60 %.
      Sweets and water had lower match percentages (40 and 32 %, respectively), but
      water was served 68 % of the time when it was not listed on the menu. The staff
      person making the food and purchasing decisions predicted the match between the
      planned or substituted items on the menus and the foods and beverages served.
      CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, child-care centre menus included most foods
      and beverages served to children. Menus planned in advance have potential to be
      used to inform parents about which child-care centre to send their child or what
      foods and beverages their enrolled children will be offered throughout the day.

PMID- 27280342
TI  - ACTINOMYCES NEUII ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL
      GROWTH FACTOR INJECTION.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe a case of acute endophthalmitis caused by Actinomyces neuii
      after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection. METHODS:
      Observational case report, review of published literature. RESULTS: A 67-year-old
      white man with wet age-related macular degeneration developed endophthalmitis
      secondary to A. neuii on the 10th day after intravitreal anti-vascular
      endothelial growth factor injection. Both anterior chamber and vitreous cultures
      were positive for A. neuii. He was treated successfully with intravitreal
      injection of vancomycin and ceftazidime. CONCLUSION: This is the first published
      report of culture-positive endophthalmitis caused by A. neuii after intravitreal
      injection.

PMID- 27280344
TI  - Erratum to: Effects of mands on instructional control: A laboratory simulation.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s40616-014-0015-x.]. 

PMID- 27280345
TI  - A Simple Modification to the Mosquito Homogenization Protocol Safely Inactivates
      West Nile Virus and Allows Virus Detection by the Rapid Analyte Measurement
      Platform (RAMP(r)) ASSAY.
AB  - We evaluated the ability of the Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP((r)))
      mosquito-grinding buffer to inactivate West Nile virus (WNV) by subjecting WNV
      positive samples ground in RAMP buffer to incubation intervals ranging from 5 min
      to 60 min. At each time point an aliquot was removed and serially diluted in
      bovine albumin (BA)-1 cell culture media to stop the inactivation process by RAMP
      buffer. Each BA-1 sample was tested for viable virus using Vero 6-well cell
      culture plaque assay and observed for plaques. We observed very limited
      inactivation of WNV (1-2 log10 plaque-forming units/ml) by RAMP buffer. Concerned
      for RAMP operators who may be using this assay in low-level biocontainment
      facilities, we developed an alternate sample homogenization protocol using Triton
      X-100 detergent that ensures complete WNV inactivation without compromising the
      performance of the RAMP assay. 

PMID- 27280346
TI  - Mosquitoes in Moose Country: A Mosquito Survey of Northern Minnesota.
AB  - An adult mosquito survey was conducted at 12 sites using carbon dioxide traps in
      northern Minnesota throughout the summer of 2012. Specimens were counted,
      identified to species, sorted into pools, and tested for eastern equine
      encephalitis (EEEV) and West Nile virus (WNV). Our findings extend the known
      range of Culiseta melanura, Anopheles barberi, and An. quadrimaculatus and
      document the presence and abundance of 27 other mosquito taxa in the region. None
      of the pools tested positive for EEEV or WNV. 

PMID- 27280347
TI  - Large-Volume Gravid Traps Enhance Collection of Culex Vectors.
AB  - Gravid mosquito collections were compared among several large-volume (infusion
      volume >=35 liters) gravid trap designs and the small-volume (infusion volume  = 
      6 liters) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gravid trap used
      routinely by vector control districts for vector and pathogen surveillance. The
      numbers of gravid Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. tarsalis, and Cx. stigmatosoma
      collected by large gravid traps were greater than by the CDC gravid trap during
      nearly all overnight trials. Large-volume gravid traps collected on average 6.6
      fold more adult female Culex mosquitoes compared to small-volume CDC gravid traps
      across 3 seasons during the 3 years of the studies. The differences in gravid
      mosquito collections between large-versus small-volume gravid traps were greatest
      during spring, when 8- to 56-fold more Culex individuals were collected using
      large-volume gravid traps. The proportion of gravid females in collections did
      not differ appreciably among the more effective trap designs tested. Important
      determinants of gravid trap performance were infusion container size and type as
      well as infusion volume, which determined the distance between the suction trap
      and the infusion surface. Of lesser importance for gravid trap performance were
      the number of suction traps, method of suction trap mounting, and infusion
      concentration. Fermentation of infusions between 1 and 4 wk weakly affected total
      mosquito collections, with Cx. stigmatosoma collections moderately enhanced by
      comparatively young and organically enriched infusions. A suction trap mounted
      above 100 liters of organic infusion housed in a 121-liter black plastic
      container collected the most gravid mosquitoes over the greatest range of
      experimental conditions, and a 35-liter infusion with side-mounted suction traps
      was a promising lesser-volume alternative design. 

PMID- 27280348
TI  - Comparative Field Evaluation of Different Traps for Collecting Adult Phlebotomine
      Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an Endemic Area of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
      in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
AB  - Phlebotominae are the vectors of Leishmania parasites. It is important to have
      available surveillance and collection methods for the sand fly vectors. The
      objectives of the present study were to evaluate and compare traps for the
      collection of sand fly species and to analyze trap catches along months and
      transects. Field evaluations over a year were conducted in an endemic area of
      leishmaniasis in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. A randomized-block design was
      implemented in study area with tropical rainforest vegetation. The study design
      utilized 4 transects with 11 trap types: 1) Centers for Disease Control and
      Prevention (CDC) light trap with incandescent bulb (CDC-I), 2) CDC light trap
      with blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (CDC-B), 3) CDC light trap with white LEDs
      (CDC-W), 4) CDC light trap with red LEDs (CDC-R), 5) CDC light trap with green
      LEDs (CDC-G), 6) Disney trap, 7) Disney trap with white LEDs, 8) sticky panels,
      9) sticky panels with white LEDs, 10) delta-like trap, and 11) delta-like trap
      with white LEDs. A total of 1,014 specimens of 13 species and 2 genera (Lutzomyia
      and Brumptomyia) were collected. There were significant differences in the mean
      number of sand flies caught with the 11 traps; CDC-I was (P  =  0.0000) more
      effective than the other traps. Other traps exhibited the following results: CDC
      W (17.46%), CDC-B (15.68%), CDC-G (14.89%), and CDC-R (14.30%). The relative
      abundance of different species varied according to trap types used, and the CDC-I
      trap attracted more specimens of the known vectors of Leishmania spp., such as
      like Lutzomyia cruciata, Lu. shannoni, and Lu. ovallesi. Disney trap captured
      more specimens of Lu. olmeca olmeca. Based on abundance and number of species,
      CDC light traps and Disney traps appeared to be good candidates for use in vector
      surveillance programs in this endemic area of Mexico. 

PMID- 27280349
TI  - New Candidates for Plant-Based Repellents Against Aedes aegypti.
AB  - Based on an ethnobotanical study on use for plant species against mosquito bites
      in the Kota Tinggi District, Johor State, Malaysia, 3 plants selected for study,
      Citrus aurantifolia (leaves), Citrus grandis (fruit peel), and Alpinia galanga
      (rhizome), were extracted using hydrodistillation to produce essential oils.
      These essential oils were then formulated as a lotion using a microencapsulation
      process and then tested for their repellent effect against Aedes aegypti. N,N
      diethyl-m-toluamide (deet) was also prepared in the same formulation and tested
      for repellency as controls. Four commercial plant-based repellent (KAPS((r)),
      MozAway((r)), BioZ Natural((r)), and Mosiquard((r))) also were incorporated in
      the bioassay for comparison purposes. Bioassays revealed that at 20%
      concentration all repellent formulations demonstrated complete protection for 2 h
      and >90% for 4 h post-application. The A. galanga-based formulation provided the
      greatest level of protection (98.91%), which extended for 4 h post-application
      and was not significantly different from deet at similar concentration. When
      compared with commercial plant-based repellents (KAPS((r)), MozAway((r)), and
      BioZ Natural((r))), the 3 lotion formulations showed significantly better
      protection against Ae. aegypti bites, providing >90% protection for 4 h. In
      conclusion, our 3 plant-based lotion formulations provided acceptable levels of
      protection against host-seeking Ae. aegypti and should be developed. 

PMID- 27280350
TI  - Evaluation of Endod (Phytolacca dodecandra: Phytolaccaceae) as a Larvicide
      Against Anopheles arabiensis, the Principal Vector of Malaria in Ethiopia.
AB  - Malaria control methods rely mostly on adult mosquito control using insecticide
      treated nets and indoor residual spraying with insecticides. Plants such as endod
      (Phytolacca dodecandra) can potentially be used for the control of mosquito
      larvae as a supplement to adult control methods. Following the discovery of
      endod, a molluscicide plant, more than 5 decades ago in Ethiopia, subsequent
      studies have shown that its potency can further be increased by simple procedures
      such as aging endod berry powder in water. This study was conducted to evaluate
      the killing effect of fresh and aged endod solution against 4th-stage larvae of
      Anopheles arabiensis. Laboratory-reared An. arabiensis larvae exposed to
      different concentrations of endod preparation using distilled or spring water had
      50% lethal concentration (LC(50))  =  49.6 ppm and 90% lethal concentration
      (LC(90))  =  234 ppm for fresh and LC(50)  =  36.4 ppm and LC(90)  =  115.7 ppm
      for the aged endod solution in distilled water against the laboratory population.
      Against field-collected larvae of the same species, aged preparations in habitat
      water resulted in higher LC(50) (472.7 ppm) and LC(90) (691 ppm) values, with
      only a slight improvement over fresh preparations in habitat water (LC(50)  = 
      456.2 ppm; LC(90)  =  896.1 ppm). In general, although aged preparations of endod
      required lower concentrations than fresh to kill at least 90% of the larvae,
      these concentrations were much higher (12-70*) than that required for schistosome
      transmitting snails.

PMID- 27280351
TI  - Semi-Field Evaluation of Metofluthrin-Impregnated Nets on Host-Seeking Aedes
      aegypti and Anopheles dirus.
AB  - The efficacy of a metofluthrin-impregnated net (MIN) known as the "Mushikonazu"
      on the house entry behavior of female Aedes aegypti and Anopheles dirus
      mosquitoes was evaluated using a semi-field 50-m tunnel setup. While the MIN is
      labeled for the control of chironomids and moth flies, this study determined the
      feasibility of using the device, given its current construction and metofluthrin
      formulation, as a spatial repellent against mosquitoes. Sentinel and cone
      bioassays were used to determine the insecticidal effect of the MIN. A spatial
      activity index (SAI) was calculated to evaluate responses of the mosquitoes. For
      the spatial repellent evaluation against Ae. aegypti, the overall mean of SAI was
      slightly less than 0 at wk 1 after the MIN application and then decreased for the
      last 4 wk showing a preference to treatment tent. For An. dirus, the mean SAI at
      wk 1 was positive, indicating a presumed repellent effect of the MIN against An.
      dirus. For the subsequent 4 wk, the SAI was negative, indicating a preference for
      the MIN. Results suggested that the MIN may not be a promising approach to repel
      Ae. aegypti and An. dirus under field conditions in Thailand. However, it remains
      probable that the MIN may be effective as a spatial repellent if modifications
      are made to the metofluthrin concentration or formulation and/or the construction
      of the device. 

PMID- 27280352
TI  - Evaluation of Alternative Methods for Testing the Bioefficacy of Household
      Ambient Insecticide Products Against Aedes albopictus.
AB  - Ambient insecticides are receiving increasing attention in many developed
      countries because of their value in reducing mosquito nuisance. As required by
      the European Union Biocidal Products Regulation 528/2012, these devices require
      appropriate testing of their efficacy, which is based on estimating the knockdown
      and mortality rates of free-flying (free) mosquitoes in a test room. However,
      evaluations using free mosquitoes present many complexities. The performances of
      6 alternative methods with mosquitoes held in 2 different cage designs (steel
      wire and gauze/plastic) with and without an operating fan for air circulation
      were monitored in a test room through a closed-circuit television system and were
      compared with the currently recommended method using free mosquitoes. Results for
      caged mosquitoes without a fan showed a clearly delayed knockdown effect, whereas
      outcomes for caged mosquitoes with a fan recorded higher mortality at 24 h,
      compared to free mosquitoes. Among the 6 methods, cages made of gauze and plastic
      operating with fan wind speed at 2.5-2.8 m/sec was the only method without a
      significant difference in results for free mosquitoes, and therefore appears as
      the best alternative to assess knockdown by ambient insecticides accurately. 

PMID- 27280353
TI  - Multiple-Insecticide Resistance and Classic Gene Mutations to Japanese
      Encephalitis Vector Culex tritaeniorhynchus from China.
AB  - Widespread resistance of insect pests to insecticides has been widely reported in
      China and there is consequently an urgent need to adjust pest management
      strategies appropriately. This requires detailed information on the extent and
      causes of resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate levels of
      resistance to 5 insecticides among 12 strains of Culex tritaeniorhynchus, a major
      vector of Japanese encephalitis in China. Resistance to deltamethrin, beta
      cypermethrin, permethrin, dichlorvos, and propoxur were measured using larval
      bioassays. The allelic frequency of knockdown resistance (kdr) and
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) mutations were determined in all strains. Larval
      bioassay results indicated that the field strains collected from different sites
      were resistant to deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin, permethrin, dichlorvos, and
      propoxur, with resistance ratio values ranging from 1.70- to 71.98-fold, 7.83- to
      43.07-fold, 3.54- to 40.03-fold, 291.85- to 530.89-fold, and 51.32- to 108.83
      fold, respectively. A polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific alleles
      method for individual was developed to detect genotypes of the AChE gene mutation
      F455W in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. The frequency of the AChE gene mutation F455W was
      100.00% in all strains, making this mutation of no value as a marker of
      resistance to organophosphorous and carbamate pesticides in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus
      in China. The kdr allele was present in all strains at frequencies of 10.00
      29.55%. Regression analysis indicated a significant correlation between kdr
      allele frequencies and levels of resistance to deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin,
      and permethrin. These results highlight the need to monitor and map insecticide
      resistance in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and to adjust pesticide use to minimize the
      development of resistance in these mosquitoes. 

PMID- 27280354
TI  - Updated Bionomics of Toxorhynchites aurifluus and Toxorhynchites manicatus in
      Taiwan.
AB  - The larvae of the genus Toxorhynchites are typically found in sylvatic habitat
      environments. They have been proposed as potential biocontrol agents against
      disease vectors such as Aedes, specifically the larvae of Ae. aegypti and Ae.
      albopictus. The only 2 species of Toxorhynchites identified in Taiwan are Tx.
      aurifluus and Tx. manicatus, but there have been no published records of either
      species since 1984. In January 2014, we identified 2 4th-stage Tx. aurifluus
      larvae and 2 4th-stage Tx. manicatus larvae in artificial habitats close to
      dwellings in Guichong village, Pingtung County, Taiwan. Here we update the
      bionomics of the larvae of both species, including coexisting aquatic fauna, the
      physicochemical parameters of the larval habitats, and developmental time. We
      further compare the findings with past records. 

PMID- 27280355
TI  - Oviposition Activity Patterns of Culex pipiens and Culex restuans in
      Pennsylvania.
AB  - Culex pipiens and Cx. restuans are the main vectors of West Nile virus and the
      primary target species of surveillance and control programs in Pennsylvania.
      Performing adult control, specifically ultra-low volume (ULV) applications, at
      night during peak oviposition activity time(s) is necessary to control these
      species. In July and August of 2009, collections were made at 15-min intervals
      starting at sunset and continuing until 3 h after sunset to establish a more
      accurate timeline of Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans oviposition flight activity.
      The highest numbers of Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans were collected during the 15
      30, 30-45, and 45-60 min postsunset time intervals (P < 0.05). Oviposition
      activity began to decrease after 60 min postsunset. These observations have
      identified a smaller oviposition activity period for Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans
      than noted from other studies, thus potentially improving the timing of ULV
      operations to control these 2 vector species. 

PMID- 27280356
TI  - Evaluation of DeltaGard(r) Ground Application Against Aedes albopictus in a
      Residential Area in St. Augustine, Florida.
AB  - Aedes albopictus is an invasive species that poses a health threat in many
      residential neighborhoods throughout Florida. Aedes albopictus is a high priority
      for mosquito control efforts in the state. The efficacy of DeltaGard((r)) (AI 2%
      deltamethrin) application against Ae. albopictus was evaluated in a residential
      area in St. Augustine, FL. DeltaGard was applied using a truck-mounted ultra-low
      volume aerosol generator along 3 streets in a residential neighborhood. Caged
      mosquito mortality and droplet density data were recorded. Leaf clippings from
      houses on treated streets were bioassayed against laboratory-reared Ae.
      albopictus. Overall, the DeltaGard application was found to be more effective in
      the front yard of the houses, resulting in 78.3% mortality in caged mosquitoes,
      42 % mortality in leaf bioassays, and 50.5 nl/cc in spray density. Based on the
      amount of vegetation and residential barriers around the houses, the application
      caused only 46.3% mortality in caged mosquitoes, 7.5% mortality in leaf
      bioassays, and 5.4 nl/cc in spray density in the back yard sites.

PMID- 27280357
TI  - Evaluation of Three Commercial Handheld Ultra-Low-Volume Foggers with Aqualure(r)
      20-20 Against Adult Aedes albopictus.
AB  - The Anastasia Mosquito Control District (AMCD) tests all equipment before field
      use to determine if machines are suitable for the needs of the district. Three
      handheld ultra-low-volume (ULV) foggers--the American LongRay (ULV) Fogger Model
      3600B with rechargeable lithium battery (DC model), American LongRay ULV Fogger
      Model 3600E with 110V or 220V AC power (AC model), and Boston Fog Battery
      Motorized Fogger (Boston Fogger)--were compared to determine which fogger would
      be most suitable for use by AMCD. Mortality of caged Aedes albopictus was
      analyzed after 24 h to determine the success of a single application. All 3
      foggers resulted in 100% mortality after 24 h using the insecticide Aqualuer 20
      20 (active ingredients permethrin 20.6% and piperonyl butoxide 20.6%) 1:5
      dilution with reverse osmosis water. Based on operator safety, robustness, and
      operational performance, the American LongRay DC model was found to be the most
      suitable at administering Aqualuer 20-20 against caged adult Ae. albopictus.

PMID- 27280358
TI  - Evaluation of a New Thermal Fog Machine for Control of Adult Aedes albopictus in
      a Large Enclosed Space.
AB  - Testing of the PSO BASDKA-AC1200 multifunction ultrafine particle atomization
      machine, a thermal fog machine, with Aqualuer 20-20((r)) (permethrin 20.6%,
      piperonyl butoxide 20.6%) was conducted against Aedes albopictus. The machine was
      set at a 40 sec maximum burst interval dispersing 36 ml of chemical with an
      average droplet volume of 50%. Female adult Ae. albopictus were placed into
      cylindrical paper cages and adhered to poles at 5, 8, 10, 15, and 25 m from the
      center point of the machine. Control cages consisted of 1 cage placed at 5, 10,
      and 25 m. Control and treatment groups were left in the experiment area for 15
      min. Initial knockdown after 15 min and 24 h mortality were documented. At 15 min
      post-treatment, Ae. albopictus displayed less than 50% knockdown. After 24 h, all
      treatment cages displayed greater than 90% mortality. Further bottle bioassays
      were conducted to determine the lowest chemical dose possible to achieve a lethal
      dose of 90%. A 1% dilution (10 ml Aqualuer 20-20 to 1,000 ml of polyether) of
      Aqualuer showed high mortality in the laboratory. However, after running 3
      repetitions of a 1% dilution, there was no significant difference between the
      mortality of the mosquitoes at any of the distances 24 h post-treatment. This
      study indicates that the test machine would be an applicable and suitable machine
      for control of Ae. albopictus in enclosed spaces. 

PMID- 27280360
TI  - Dependability of data derived from time sampling methods with multiple
      observation targets.
AB  - In this study, generalizability theory was used to examine the extent to which
      (a) time-sampling methodology, (b) number of simultaneous behavior targets, and
      (c) individual raters influenced variance in ratings of academic engagement for
      an elementary-aged student. Ten graduate-student raters, with an average of 7.20
      hr of previous training in systematic direct observation and 58.20 hr of previous
      direct observation experience, scored 6 videos of student behavior using 12
      different time-sampling protocols. Five videos were submitted for analysis, and
      results for observations using momentary time-sampling and whole-interval
      recording suggested that the majority of variance was attributable to the rating
      occasion, although results for partial-interval recording generally demonstrated
      large residual components comparable with those seen in prior research.
      Dependability coefficients were above .80 when averaging across 1 to 2 raters
      using momentary time-sampling, and 2 to 3 raters using whole-interval recording.
      Ratings derived from partial-interval recording needed to be averaged over 3 to 7
      raters to demonstrate dependability coefficients above .80. (PsycINFO Database
      Record

PMID- 27280362
TI  - Reconstruction of Fingertip Defects With Great Toe Pulp Grafts: Reply.

PMID- 27280361
TI  - Spin Crossover in Fe(II) Complexes with N4S2 Coordination.
AB  - Reactions of Fe(II) precursors with the tetradentate ligand S,S'-bis(2
      pyridylmethyl)-1,2-thioethane (bpte) and monodentate NCE(-) coligands afforded
      mononuclear complexes [Fe(bpte)(NCE)2] (1, E = S; 2, E = Se; 3, E = BH3) that
      exhibit temperature-induced spin crossover (SCO). As the ligand field strength
      increases from NCS(-) to NCSe(-) to NCBH3(-), the SCO shifts to higher
      temperatures. Complex 1 exhibits only a partial (15%) conversion from the high
      spin (HS) to the low-spin (LS) state, with an onset around 100 K. Complex 3
      exhibits a complete SCO with T1/2 = 243 K. While the gamma-2 polymorph also shows
      the complete SCO with T1/2 = 192 K, the alpha-2 polymorph exhibits a two-step SCO
      with the first step leading to a 50% HS -> LS conversion with T1/2 = 120 K and
      the second step proceeding incompletely in the 80-50 K range. The amount of
      residual HS fraction of alpha-2 that remains below 60 K depends on the cooling
      rate. Fast flash-cooling allows trapping of as much as 45% of the HS fraction,
      while slow cooling leads to a 14% residual HS fraction. The slowly cooled sample
      of alpha-2 was subjected to irradiation in the magnetometer cavity resulting in a
      light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) effect. As demonstrated by
      Mossbauer spectroscopy, an HS fraction of up to 85% could be achieved by
      irradiation at 4.2 K. 

PMID- 27280363
TI  - Comparative Experimental and Computational Study of Monoalkyl Chain
      Phosphatidylcholine-Containing Thermoresponsive Liposomes.
AB  - Liposomes containing lysophospholipids are intensively studied as drug delivery
      systems that are stable at normal body temperature but exhibit fast release of
      their drug load at slightly elevated temperatures. In this study, the stability
      and release properties of dipalmitoylglycerophosphocholine (DPPC)-based liposomes
      incorporating the commonly used lysophosphatidylocholine (lyso-PC), and a series
      of monoalkyl chain ether-linked phosphatidylcholine, i.e., the biologically
      relevant monoalkyl chain platelet activating factor (PAF) and its derivatives
      lyso-PAF and methyl-PAF, were investigated. To this end a series of PEGylated
      small unilamellar liposomes with DPPC:monoalkyl lipid compositions of 5% and 10%
      molar ratio were prepared and compared with regard to stability (37  degrees C)
      and release properties at elevated temperatures (38-43  degrees C). All systems
      were characterized with respect to size distribution, zeta-potential, and phase
      transition characteristics. The presence of ether-lipids endows liposomes with
      superior (~10% increase) release properties at 5% incorporation compared to lyso
      PC, while at 10% molar ratio the formulations do not differ significantly, the
      release being close to 90%. The findings are supported by atomistic molecular
      dynamics simulations that suggest a correlation between the enhanced permeability
      and increased penetration of water molecules within the bilayers with density
      fluctuations resulting from the increased area-per-lipid and the disorder of the
      lysolipids alkyl chains.

PMID- 27280364
TI  - Implications of supportive and unsupportive behavior for couples with newly
      diagnosed diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between daily diary reports of diabetes
      specific social interactions to patient and partner mood and patient self-care
      behaviors, and whether relations are moderated by unmitigated communion. METHOD:
      Participants were 70 couples in which 1 person had been diagnosed with Type 2
      diabetes in the past 3 years. They were interviewed in-person at baseline and
      completed daily diary reports on an iPad. Daily diary questionnaires measured
      support, mood, and self-care behavior (patients only). Unmitigated communion, a
      personality trait characterized by an overinvolvement in others to the exclusion
      of the self, was measured at baseline. RESULTS: Multilevel statistical modeling
      revealed that daily fluctuations in partner emotional support were related to
      daily fluctuations in happy mood, more exercise, and dietary compliance. Partner
      controlling behavior was related to poor mood but was unrelated to self-care.
      Relations of support and controlling behavior to mood were strongest for
      individuals high (vs. low) in unmitigated communion. CONCLUSION: Patients newly
      diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes who felt understood and cared for by partners
      reported a better mood and were more likely to take care of themselves on a daily
      basis, whereas patients whose partners were controlling on a daily basis reported
      poorer mood. Patients characterized by unmitigated communion were most affected
      by partner supportive and unsupportive behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280365
TI  - The impact of changing attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy on health-related
      intentions and behavior: A meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Several health behavior theories converge on the hypothesis that
      attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy are important determinants of intentions and
      behavior. However, inferences regarding the relation between these cognitions and
      intention or behavior rest largely on correlational data that preclude causal
      inferences. To determine whether changing attitudes, norms, or self-efficacy
      leads to changes in intentions and behavior, investigators need to randomly
      assign participants to a treatment that significantly increases the respective
      cognition relative to a control condition, and test for differences in subsequent
      intentions or behavior. The present review analyzed findings from 204
      experimental tests that met these criteria. METHOD: Studies were located using
      computerized searches and informal sources and meta-analyzed using STATA Version
      11. RESULTS: Experimentally induced changes in attitudes, norms, and self
      efficacy all led to medium-sized changes in intention (d+ = .48, .49, and .51,
      respectively), and engendered small to medium-sized changes in behavior
      (attitudes-d+ = .38, norms-d+ = .36, self-efficacy-d+ = .47). These effect sizes
      generally were not qualified by the moderator variables examined (e.g., study
      quality, theoretical basis of the intervention, methodological characteristics,
      and features of the targeted behavior), although effects were larger for
      interventions designed to increase (vs. decrease) behavioral performance.
      CONCLUSION: The present review lends novel, experimental support for key
      predictions from health behavior theories, and demonstrates that interventions
      that modify attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy are effective in promoting health
      behavior change. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280366
TI  - Religious participation predicts diurnal cortisol profiles 10 years later via
      lower levels of religious struggle.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Multiple aspects of religion have been linked with a variety of
      physical health outcomes; however, rarely have investigators attempted to
      empirically test the mechanisms through which religiosity impacts health. The
      links between religious participation, religious coping, and diurnal cortisol
      patterns over a 10-year period in a national sample of adults in the United
      States were investigated. METHOD: Participants included 1,470 respondents from
      the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study who provided reports on religious
      participation, religious coping, and diurnal cortisol. RESULTS: Religious
      participation predicted steeper ("healthier") cortisol slopes at the 10-year
      follow-up, controlling for potential confounds. Further, religious struggle
      (religious coping marked by tension and strain about religious and spiritual
      issues) mediated the prospective association between religious participation and
      cortisol slope, such that greater religious attendance predicted lower levels of
      religious struggle 10 years later, which in turn was linked with a steeper
      cortisol slope; this effect remained strong when controlling for general
      emotional coping and social support. Positive religious coping was unrelated to
      diurnal cortisol patterns. CONCLUSION: These findings identify religious struggle
      as a mechanism through which religious participation impacts diurnal cortisol
      levels and suggest that diurnal cortisol is a plausible pathway through which
      aspects of religion influence long-term physical health. (PsycINFO Database
      Record

PMID- 27280367
TI  - Enhancing the effectiveness of alcohol warning labels with a self-affirming
      implementation intention.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Excess alcohol consumption extorts significant social and economic
      costs that are increasing despite the presence of mandatory warning labels on
      packaged alcoholic beverages. We used a novel approach by adding a brief
      statement based on self-affirmation theory to alcohol warning labels. METHOD: In
      two studies (N = 85 and N = 58), we randomized regular wine drinkers recruited
      from university campuses to complete a wine-pouring task with bottles that had
      standard labeling or bottles that added a self-affirming implementation intention
      to the standard labeling. Alcohol consumption, behavioral intention, and self
      efficacy were measured premanipulation; message acceptance was measured
      postmanipulation; and alcohol consumption, behavioral intention, and self
      efficacy were measured again at follow-up. RESULTS: In both studies, the self
      affirming implementation intention significantly reduced subsequent alcohol
      consumption (ds = 0.70 and 0.91, respectively). However, message acceptance,
      behavioral intention, and self-efficacy did not significantly mediate the
      observed effects. CONCLUSIONS: Self-affirming implementation intentions augmented
      the effect of alcohol warning labels to reduce subsequent alcohol consumption,
      but-consistent with the broader self-affirmation literature-it was not clear what
      mediated the effects. Further research is required to examine the effects of self
      affirming implementation intentions on other kinds of public health-related
      labeling. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280368
TI  - Socioeconomic status, psychological resources, and inflammatory markers: Results
      from the MIDUS study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate interactions of psychological
      resources and socioeconomic status (SES)-as well as potential gender differences
      and the explanatory role of childhood and adult stress exposures, health
      behaviors, and negative and positive affect-in predicting markers of systemic
      inflammation. METHOD: We utilized a sample of adults from the Midlife Development
      in the U.S. (MIDUS) study who provided biomarker data (N = 1,152). SES was
      operationalized as a composite of education, income, and occupational prestige,
      and the psychological resources construct was operationalized as a latent factor
      measured with optimism, perceived control, and self-esteem. Linear regression
      models examined these 2 factors and their interaction in predicting interleukin-6
      (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) measured on average 2 years later, as well as
      3-way interactions involving gender and the impact of covariate adjustment.
      RESULTS: Psychological resources interacted with SES in men (for IL-6: p < .001;
      for CRP: p = .04) but not in women. In men, greater psychological resources was
      associated with lower concentrations of IL-6 at lower levels of SES but higher
      concentrations of both markers at higher levels of SES. The inverse association
      between resources and IL-6 at low SES was moderately attenuated upon adjustment
      for negative affect. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic status might modulate the linkage
      between psychological resources and systemic inflammation in men. At lower levels
      of SES, resources may be related to lower inflammation in part through lower
      negative affect. Associations with higher inflammation at higher SES add to
      growing evidence suggesting that adaptive psychological characteristics may be
      associated with markers of poorer physiological function under certain
      conditions. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280369
TI  - Posttraumatic stress symptomatology and appearance distress following burn
      injury: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although many traumatic incidents result in changes to appearance,
      little research has examined the experience of individuals distressed by such
      changes in connection with psychological processes involved in posttraumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to examine how PTSD and appearance
      concern associated with burn injury are experienced when both difficulties co
      occur. METHOD: The qualitative method of interpretative phenomenological analysis
      (IPA) was used to provide a framework for building nuanced accounts of individual
      experience. In-depth analysis was conducted with interview data obtained from 8
      women, who were purposively selected on the basis of being distressed in relation
      to burn scarring, and having symptoms of PTSD. RESULTS: Participants described
      how changes in appearance were experienced as maintaining a sense of threat
      through social stigma, and acting as a trigger for re-experiencing the traumatic
      incident that had caused the burn injury. As such, appearance concern and PTSD
      symptomatology appeared intertwined within the participants' accounts of their
      postburn injury recovery. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to consider some
      of the processes through which PTSD and appearance concern might be mutually
      maintained. The results suggest that psychosocial interventions need to be
      tailored to simultaneously address processes related to concerns about change in
      appearance and also with traumatic re-experiencing. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280370
TI  - The impact of negative family-work spillover on diurnal cortisol.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Both dimensions of the work-family interface, work-to-family and
      family-to-work spillover, have important implications for health and well-being.
      Despite the importance of these associations, very little is known about the
      physiological mechanisms through which the interplay between family and work
      experiences are translated into long-lasting consequences for health. METHOD:
      This study investigated both positive and negative aspects of each spillover
      dimension on diurnal cortisol secretion patterns in a large panel study of
      working adults between the ages of 33 and 80. RESULTS: Greater negative family-to
      work (NFW) spillover predicted lower wake-up cortisol values and a flatter (less
      "healthy") diurnal cortisol slope. This effect was evident even after controlling
      for the effects of the other spillover dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings
      indicate that not all aspects of the work-family interface might impact stress
      physiology to the same extent and suggest that diurnal cortisol may be an
      important pathway through which negative aspects of the work-family interface
      leave their mark on health. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280371
TI  - Major flood related strains and pregnancy outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of experiencing a major flood during pregnancy on
      fetal growth and length of gestation, and to consider how flood-related strains
      might contribute to these effects. METHOD: The Red River Pregnancy Project was a
      prospective study carried out for 3 months immediately after the historic 2009
      crest of the Red River in Fargo, North Dakota. Pregnant community residents who
      were at least 18 years old with a singleton, intrauterine pregnancy participated
      in the study (N = 169). Analyses examined if birth weight and length of gestation
      were associated with residential distance from flooding and gestational age at
      time of the flood crest. RESULTS: For pregnancies earlier in gestation during the
      crest (-1 SD = 12 weeks), birth weight decreased as distance from flooding
      decreased (-42.29 g/mi, p < .01). For pregnancies later in gestation at crest (+1
      SD = 26 weeks), distance was not associated with birth weight (p > .10).
      Biparietal growth trajectories showed a decrease in growth after the crest of the
      flood but only for women early in pregnancy. However, various measures of flood
      related and general stress or strain did not explain these effects. Length of
      gestation was not associated with distance from or the timing of the flood.
      CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women in the first trimester who experience a major flood
      near their homes are at risk of having lower birth weight neonates due to a
      reduction in fetal growth. The mechanisms of this effect deserve further
      attention in rapidly mounted investigations after disaster. (PsycINFO Database
      Record

PMID- 27280372
TI  - Anticipated regret and organ donor registration: A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test whether simply asking people to rate the extent to which they
      anticipate feeling regret for not registering as an organ donor after death
      increases subsequent verified organ donor registration. METHOD: There were 14,509
      members of the general public (both registered and nonregistered donors) randomly
      allocated to 1 of 4 arms, each receiving different questionnaires. The no
      questionnaire control (NQC) arm received a survey measuring demographics and
      whether or not they were registered organ donors. The questionnaire control (QC)
      arm completed the NQC questions plus questions regarding affective attitudes and
      intention to register as an organ donor. The theory of planned behavior (TPB)
      questionnaire arm received the QC questionnaire, plus additional items measuring
      TPB variables. The anticipated regret (AR) arm received the TPB questionnaire,
      plus 2 additional items measuring anticipated regret. The main outcome measures
      were number of nondonor participants who subsequently registered 6 months later,
      as verified by the United Kingdom national transplant register. RESULTS:
      Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis in nonregistered donors (N = 9,139) revealed
      the NQC arm were more likely to register as an organ donor (6.39%) compared with
      the AR (4.51%) arm. CONCLUSIONS: A brief anticipated regret intervention led to a
      decrease in registration. A potential reason is discussed in terms of
      questionnaire item content "priming" negative perceptions of organ donation. This
      is a methodological concern that needs to be addressed in studies that use
      similar interventions. Current controlled trials: www.controlled-trials.com
      number: ISRCTN922048897. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280373
TI  - ENDOCRINOLOGY IN PREGNANCY: Pregnancy and the incidence, diagnosing and therapy
      of Graves' disease.
AB  - Thyroid hormones are essential developmental factors, and Graves' disease (GD)
      may severely complicate a pregnancy. This review describes how pregnancy changes
      the risk of developing GD, how early pregnancy by several mechanisms leads to
      considerable changes in the results of the thyroid function tests used to
      diagnose hyperthyroidism, and how these changes may complicate the diagnosing of
      GD. Standard therapy of GD in pregnancy is anti-thyroid drugs. However, new
      studies have shown considerable risk of birth defects if these drugs are used in
      specific weeks of early pregnancy, and this should be taken into consideration
      when planning therapy and control of women who may in the future become pregnant.
      Early pregnancy is a period of major focus in GD, where pregnancy should be
      diagnosed as soon as possible, and where important and instant change in therapy
      may be warranted. Such change may be an immediate stop of anti-thyroid drug
      therapy in patients with a low risk of rapid relapse of hyperthyroidism, or it
      may be an immediate shift from methimazole/carbimazole (with risk of severe birth
      defects) to propylthiouracil (with less risk), or maybe to other types of therapy
      where no risk of birth defects have been observed. In the second half of
      pregnancy, an important concern is that not only the mother with GD but also her
      foetus should have normal thyroid function. 

PMID- 27280374
TI  - Acromegaly incidence, prevalence, complications and long-term prognosis: a
      nationwide cohort study.
AB  - DESIGN: Valid data on acromegaly incidence, complications and mortality are
      scarce. The Danish Health Care System enables nationwide studies with complete
      follow-up and linkage among health-related databases to assess acromegaly
      incidence, prevalence, complications and mortality in a population-based cohort
      study. METHOD: All incident cases of acromegaly in Denmark (1991-2010) were
      identified from health registries and validated by chart review. We estimated the
      annual incidence rate of acromegaly per 10(6) person-years (py) with 95%
      confidence intervals (95% CIs). For every patient, 10 persons were sampled from
      the general population as a comparison cohort. Cox regression and hazard ratios
      (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used. RESULTS: Mean age at
      diagnosis (48.7 years (CI: 95%: 47.2-50.1)) and annual incidence rate (3.8
      cases/10(6) persons (95% CI: 3.6-4.1)) among the 405 cases remained stable. The
      prevalence in 2010 was 85 cases/10(6) persons. The patients were at increased
      risk of diabetes mellitus (HR: 4.0 (95% CI: 2.7-5.8)), heart failure (HR: 2.5
      (95% CI: 1.4-4.5)), venous thromboembolism (HR: 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1-5.0)), sleep
      apnoea (HR: 11.7 (95% CI: 7.0-19.4)) and arthropathy (HR: 2.1 (95% CI: 1.6-2.6)).
      The complication risk was also increased before the diagnosis of acromegaly.
      Overall mortality risk was elevated (HR: 1.3 (95% CI: 1.0-1.7)) but uninfluenced
      by treatment modality. CONCLUSION: (i) The incidence rate and age at diagnosis of
      acromegaly have been stable over decades, and the prevalence is higher than
      previously reported. (ii) The risk of complications is very high even before the
      diagnosis. (iii) Mortality risk remains elevated but uninfluenced by mode of
      treatment.

PMID- 27280375
TI  - Dissociative Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Morphological Changes on Cu(100) and
      Cu(111) at Ambient Pressures.
AB  - Ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) and high-pressure
      scanning tunneling microscopy (HPSTM) were used to study the structure and
      chemistry of model Cu(100) and Cu(111) catalyst surfaces in the adsorption and
      dissociation of CO2. It was found that the (100) face is more active in
      dissociating CO2 than the (111) face. Atomic oxygen formed after the dissociation
      of CO2 poisons the surface by blocking further adsorption of CO2. This "self
      poisoning" mechanism explains the need to mix CO into the industrial feed for
      methanol production from CO2, as it scavenges the chemisorbed O. The HPSTM images
      show that the (100) surface breaks up into nanoclusters in the presence of CO2 at
      20 Torr and above, producing active kink and step sites. If the surface is
      precovered with atomic oxygen, no such nanoclustering occurs.

PMID- 27280378
TI  - On the determination of the thermal comfort conditions of a metropolitan city
      underground railway.
AB  - Although the indoor thermal comfort concept has received increasing research
      attention, the vast majority of published work has been focused on the building
      environment, such as offices, residential and non-residential buildings. The
      present study aims to investigate the thermal comfort conditions in the unique
      and complex underground railway environment. Field measurements of air
      temperature, air humidity, air velocity, globe temperature and the number of
      passengers were conducted in the modern underground railway of Athens, Greece.
      Environmental monitoring was performed in the interior of two types of trains
      (air-conditioned and forced air ventilation cabins) and on selected platforms
      during the summer period. The thermal comfort was estimated using the PMV
      (predicted mean vote) and the PPD (predicted percentage dissatisfied) scales. The
      results reveal that the recommended thermal comfort requirements, although at
      relatively low percentages are met only in air-conditioned cabins. It is found
      that only 33% of the PPD values in air-conditioned cabins can be classified in
      the less restrictive comfort class C, as proposed by ISO-7730. The thermal
      environment is "slightly warm" in air-conditioned cabins and "warm" in forced air
      ventilation cabins. In addition, differences of the thermal comfort conditions on
      the platforms are shown to be associated with the depth and the design
      characteristics of the stations. The average PMV at the station with small depth
      is 0.9 scale points higher than that of the station with great depth. The number
      of passengers who are waiting at the platforms during daytime reveals a U-shaped
      pattern for a deep level station and an inverted course of PMV for a small depth
      station. Further, preliminary observations are made on the distribution of air
      velocity on the platforms and on the impact of air velocity on the thermal
      comfort conditions. 

PMID- 27280379
TI  - Predicting environmental mitigation requirements for hydropower projects through
      the integration of biophysical and socio-political geographies.
AB  - Uncertainty about environmental mitigation needs at existing and proposed
      hydropower projects makes it difficult for stakeholders to minimize environmental
      impacts. Hydropower developers and operators desire tools to better anticipate
      mitigation requirements, while natural resource managers and regulators need
      tools to evaluate different mitigation scenarios and order effective mitigation.
      Here we sought to examine the feasibility of using a suite of multi-faceted
      explanatory variables within a spatially explicit modeling framework to fit
      predictive models for future environmental mitigation requirements at hydropower
      projects across the conterminous U.S. Using a database comprised of mitigation
      requirements from more than 300 hydropower project licenses, we were able to
      successfully fit models for nearly 50 types of environmental mitigation and to
      apply the predictive models to a set of more than 500 non-powered dams identified
      as having hydropower potential. The results demonstrate that mitigation
      requirements are functions of a range of factors, from biophysical to socio
      political. Project developers can use these models to inform cost projections and
      design considerations, while regulators can use the models to more quickly
      identify likely environmental issues and potential solutions, hopefully resulting
      in more timely and more effective decisions on environmental mitigation. 

PMID- 27280380
TI  - Gramine Derivatives Targeting Ca(2+) Channels and Ser/Thr Phosphatases: A New
      Dual Strategy for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases.
AB  - We describe the synthesis of gramine derivatives and their pharmacological
      evaluation as multipotent drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. An
      innovative multitarget approach is presented, targeting both voltage-gated Ca(2+)
      channels, classically studied for neurodegenerative diseases, and Ser/Thr
      phosphatases, which have been marginally aimed, even despite their key role in
      protein tau dephosphorylation. Twenty-five compounds were synthesized, and mostly
      their neuroprotective profile exceeded that offered by the head compound gramine.
      In general, these compounds reduced the entry of Ca(2+) through VGCC, as measured
      by Fluo-4/AM and patch clamp techniques, and protected in Ca(2+) overload-induced
      models of neurotoxicity, like glutamate or veratridine exposures. Furthermore, we
      hypothesize that these compounds decrease tau hyperphosphorylation based on the
      maintenance of the Ser/Thr phosphatase activity and their neuroprotection against
      the damage caused by okadaic acid. Hence, we propose this multitarget approach as
      a new and promising strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID- 27280381
TI  - Zinc intake, microRNA dysregulation, and esophageal cancer.

PMID- 27280382
TI  - On the Minimum Error Correction Problem for Haplotype Assembly in Diploid and
      Polyploid Genomes.
AB  - In diploid genomes, haplotype assembly is the computational problem of
      reconstructing the two parental copies, called haplotypes, of each chromosome
      starting from sequencing reads, called fragments, possibly affected by sequencing
      errors. Minimum error correction (MEC) is a prominent computational problem for
      haplotype assembly and, given a set of fragments, aims at reconstructing the two
      haplotypes by applying the minimum number of base corrections. MEC is
      computationally hard to solve, but some approximation-based or fixed-parameter
      approaches have been proved capable of obtaining accurate results on real data.
      In this work, we expand the current characterization of the computational
      complexity of MEC from the approximation and the fixed-parameter tractability
      point of view. In particular, we show that MEC is not approximable within a
      constant factor, whereas it is approximable within a logarithmic factor in the
      size of the input. Furthermore, we answer open questions on the fixed-parameter
      tractability for parameters of classical or practical interest: the total number
      of corrections and the fragment length. In addition, we present a direct 2
      approximation algorithm for a variant of the problem that has also been applied
      in the framework of clustering data. Finally, since polyploid genomes, such as
      those of plants and fishes, are composed of more than two copies of the
      chromosomes, we introduce a novel formulation of MEC, namely the k-ploid MEC
      problem, that extends the traditional problem to deal with polyploid genomes. We
      show that the novel formulation is still both computationally hard and hard to
      approximate. Nonetheless, from the parameterized point of view, we prove that the
      problem is tractable for parameters of practical interest such as the number of
      haplotypes and the coverage, or the number of haplotypes and the fragment length.

PMID- 27280383
TI  - Flavivirus modulation of cellular metabolism.
AB  - Over the last decade, we have begun to appreciate how flaviviruses manipulate
      cellular metabolism to establish an optimal environment for their replication.
      These metabolic changes include the stimulation of glycolysis, in addition to
      lipid anabolic and catabolic pathways. These processes are thought to promote an
      energetically favorable state, in addition to modifying membrane lipid
      composition for viral replication and virion envelopment. Importantly, many of
      these processes can be pharmacologically inhibited as successful antiviral
      strategies, at least in cell culture. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms
      by which flaviviruses alter cellular metabolism, remaining questions, and
      opportunities for therapeutic development.

PMID- 27280384
TI  - A multicenter prospective study of the real-time use of narrow-band imaging in
      the diagnosis of premalignant gastric conditions and lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Some studies suggest that narrow-band imaging (NBI) can be
      more accurate at diagnosing gastric intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia than
      white-light endoscopy (WLE) alone. We aimed to assess the real-time diagnostic
      validity of high resolution endoscopy with and without NBI in the diagnosis of
      gastric premalignant conditions and to derive a classification for endoscopic
      grading of gastric intestinal metaplasia (EGGIM). METHODS: A multicenter
      prospective study (five centers: Portugal, Italy, Romania, UK, USA) was performed
      involving the systematic use of high resolution gastroscopes with image registry
      with and without NBI in a centralized informatics platform (available online).
      All users used the same NBI classification. Histologic result was considered the
      diagnostic gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 238 patients and 1123 endoscopic
      biopsies were included. NBI globally increased diagnostic accuracy by 11
      percentage points (NBI 94 % vs. WLE 83 %; P < 0.001) with no difference in the
      identification of Helicobacter pylori gastritis (73 % vs. 74 %). NBI increased
      sensitivity for the diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia significantly (87 % vs. 53
      %; P < 0.001) and for the diagnosis of dysplasia (92 % vs. 74 %). The added
      benefit of NBI in terms of diagnostic accuracy was greater in OLGIM III/IV than
      in OLGIM I/II (25 percentage points vs. 15 percentage points, respectively; P <
      0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic
      (ROC) curve for EGGIM in the identification of extensive metaplasia was 0.98.
      CONCLUSIONS: In a real-time scenario, NBI demonstrates a high concordance with
      gastric histology, superior to WLE. Diagnostic accuracy higher than 90 % suggests
      that routine use of NBI allows targeted instead of random biopsy samples. EGGIM
      also permits immediate grading of intestinal metaplasia without biopsies and
      merits further investigation.

PMID- 27280385
TI  - Asynchronous learning: student utilization out of sync with their preference.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asynchronous learning is gaining popularity. Data are limited
      regarding this learning method in medical students rotating in emergency medicine
      (EM). In EM, faculty time is limited to give in-person lectures. The authors
      sought to create an online curriculum that students could utilize as an
      additional learning modality. OBJECTIVE: The goal was to evaluate effectiveness,
      participation, and preference for this mode of learning. METHODS: We developed
      five online, narrated PowerPoint presentations. After orientation, access to the
      online curriculum was provided to the students, which they could review at their
      leisure. RESULTS: One hundred and seven fourth-year medical students
      participated. They reported the curriculum to be of high quality. Pretest scores
      were similar for those that viewed all lectures - compliant group (CG) (9.5 [CI
      4.8-14.1]) and those that did not view any - non-compliant group (NCG) (9.6 [CI
      5.9-13.4]). There was no statistical significant difference in posttest scores
      between the groups although there was improvement overall: CG 14.6 (CI 6.9-22.1);
      NCG 11.4 (CI 5.7-17.1). A majority (69.2%) favored inclusion of asynchronous
      learning, but less than a quarter (22.4%) reported viewing all five modules and
      more than a third (36.4%) viewed none. CONCLUSION: Despite student-expressed
      preference for an online curriculum, they used the online resource less than
      expected. This should give pause to educators looking to convert core EM topics
      to an online format. However, when high-quality online lectures are utilized as a
      learning tool, this study demonstrates that they had neither a positive nor a
      negative impact on test scores.

PMID- 27280386
TI  - Yeast Vps13 promotes mitochondrial function and is localized at membrane contact
      sites.
AB  - The Vps13 protein family is highly conserved in eukaryotic cells. Mutations in
      human VPS13 genes result in a variety of diseases, such as chorea acanthocytosis
      (ChAc), but the cellular functions of Vps13 proteins are not well defined. In
      yeast, there is a single VPS13 orthologue, which is required for at least two
      different processes: protein sorting to the vacuole and sporulation. This study
      demonstrates that VPS13 is also important for mitochondrial integrity. In
      addition to preventing transfer of DNA from the mitochondrion to the nucleus,
      VPS13 suppresses mitophagy and functions in parallel with the endoplasmic
      reticulum-mitochondrion encounter structure (ERMES). In different growth
      conditions, Vps13 localizes to endosome-mitochondrion contacts and to the nuclear
      vacuole junctions, indicating that Vps13 may function at membrane contact sites.
      The ability of VPS13 to compensate for the absence of ERMES correlates with its
      intracellular distribution. We propose that Vps13 is present at multiple membrane
      contact sites and that separation-of-function mutants are due to loss of Vps13 at
      specific junctions. Introduction of VPS13A mutations identified in ChAc patients
      at cognate sites in yeast VPS13 are specifically defective in compensating for
      the lack of ERMES, suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction might be the basis
      for ChAc.

PMID- 27280387
TI  - Hyperactivation of ATM upon DNA-PKcs inhibition modulates p53 dynamics and cell
      fate in response to DNA damage.
AB  - A functional DNA damage response is essential for maintaining genome integrity in
      the presence of DNA double-strand breaks. It is mainly coordinated by the kinases
      ATM, ATR, and DNA-PKcs, which control the repair of broken DNA strands and relay
      the damage signal to the tumor suppressor p53 to induce cell cycle arrest,
      apoptosis, or senescence. Although many functions of the individual kinases have
      been identified, it remains unclear how they act in concert to ensure faithful
      processing of the damage signal. Using specific inhibitors and quantitative
      analysis at the single-cell level, we systematically characterize the
      contribution of each kinase for regulating p53 activity. Our results reveal a new
      regulatory interplay in which loss of DNA-PKcs function leads to hyperactivation
      of ATM and amplification of the p53 response, sensitizing cells for damage
      induced senescence. This interplay determines the outcome of treatment regimens
      combining irradiation with DNA-PKcs inhibitors in a p53-dependent manner.

PMID- 27280389
TI  - Is preemptive antifungal therapy a good alternative to empirical treatment in
      prolonged febrile neutropenia?
AB  - Patients with prolonged febrile neutropenia are at high risk of invasive fungal
      infection, so it has been standard practice to initiate empirical antifungal
      therapy in these cases. However, this strategy is associated with important
      toxicity, so diagnostic test-guided preemptive antifungal therapy has been
      proposed as an alternative. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is
      maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified three systematic reviews
      including twelve studies overall. Four randomized controlled trials addressed the
      question of this article. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and
      generated a summary of findings following the GRADE approach. We concluded it is
      not clear whether preemptive strategy affects mortality because the certainty of
      the evidence is very low, but it might slightly decrease the use of antifungal
      agents in patients with prolonged febrile neutropenia. 

PMID- 27280388
TI  - Phosphorylation of the RNA-binding protein Dazl by MAPKAP kinase 2 regulates
      spermatogenesis.
AB  - Developing male germ cells are exquisitely sensitive to environmental insults
      such as heat and oxidative stress. An additional characteristic of these cells is
      their unique dependence on RNA-binding proteins for regulating
      posttranscriptional gene expression and translational control. Here we provide a
      mechanistic link unifying these two features. We show that the germ cell-specific
      RNA-binding protein deleted in azoospermia-like (Dazl) is phosphorylated by
      MAPKAP kinase 2 (MK2), a stress-induced protein kinase activated downstream of
      p38 MAPK. We demonstrate that phosphorylation of Dazl by MK2 on an evolutionarily
      conserved serine residue inhibits its interaction with poly(A)-binding protein,
      resulting in reduced translation of Dazl-regulated target RNAs. We further show
      that transgenic expression of wild-type human Dazl but not a phosphomimetic form
      in the Drosophila male germline can restore fertility to flies deficient in
      boule, the Drosophila orthologue of human Dazl. These results illuminate a novel
      role for MK2 in spermatogenesis, expand the repertoire of RNA-binding proteins
      phosphorylated by this kinase, and suggest that signaling by the p38-MK2 pathway
      is a negative regulator of spermatogenesis via phosphorylation of Dazl.

PMID- 27280390
TI  - The Interaction Between Gender and Diabetes Mellitus in the Coronary Heart
      Disease Risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) despite the advances in medical
      management keeps on as the primary cause of morbidity and mortality for both
      genders in Western societies. Sex differences though modify the clinical picture
      as well as the effectiveness of treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this
      literature review article we searched publications in Englishlanguage on MEDLINE
      and the Cochrane Database from the beginning of the databases to January 2016.
      Among the specific key words and phrases we used were Diabetes Mellitus; Gender;
      Coronary artery disease; Stroke and Cardiovascular disease. Various studies have
      found that diabetic women have increased risk of coronary heart disease than
      their male counterparts; however, further research into this field has questioned
      this finding and there is much controversy among many researchers. Women have a
      different risk factor profile, are usually treated less effectively than men, and
      have a variance in the levels of sex hormones throughout their life which
      complicate the study and understanding of the mechanisms involved in insulin
      resistance, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk profile. CONCLUSION: The
      connection between diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease is variable
      according to gender and further studies are needed to elucidate the lenient
      differentiations in gender specific hormones, risk factor profile, and
      therapeutic implications between genders.

PMID- 27280391
TI  - Identification and Characterization of Follistatin-Related Protein-1 Involved in
      the Regulation of Chinese Perch Skeletal Muscle Hyperplasia.
AB  - Follistatin-related protein (FSRP), which belongs to a member of the follistatin
      family, has been postulated to be a new negative regulator of myostatin (MSTN)
      and is involved in muscle development. In this study, we cloned the complete cDNA
      sequence of FSRP-1 from Chinese perch muscle. FSRP-1 mRNA was highly expressed in
      the fast muscle and brain tissue of adult fish. The expression of FSRP-1 rapidly
      increased at 90 days post hatching (dph) in the fast muscle of Chinese perch.
      Furthermore, to investigate the roles of FSRP-1 in muscle growth, we constructed
      a FSRP- 1 expression vector and isolated FSRP-1 fusion protein. The purified FSRP
      1 fusion protein was injected into the muscle tissues of the Chinese perch (90
      dph). The results showed that the number of muscle fibers and the satellite cell
      activation frequency were increased in the FSRP-1 treatment group. In addition,
      the myostatin (MSTN) expression was significantly decreased upon the FSRP-1
      treatment. Collectively, the results suggest a possible mechanism of the FSRP-1
      for inhibiting MSTN activity and enhancing muscle growth and renewal in vivo, and
      it may provide an applicable implication for the defected muscle repairing and
      regeneration.

PMID- 27280392
TI  - Nose to Brain Delivery of Nanoformulations for Neurotherapeutics in Parkinson's
      disease: Defining the Preclinical, Clinical and toxicity issues.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is depicted as the most prevailed
      neurodegenerative disease being secondary to the alzheimer's disease. PD is
      featured by severe dropping of dopamine related neurons present in substantia
      nigra as well as cytoplasmic inclusions. A number of therapeutic agents are
      available to treat initial as well as later complications of PD. However,
      transport of neurotherapeutics into the brain has been a consistent challenge for
      researchers, because of the existence of blood-brain barrier (BBB). In some last
      decades, nasal delivery pathway has gained extensive deliberations. Intranasal
      administration as a way to target neurotherapeutics to the central nervous system
      bypassing blood brain barrier, exhibit several advantages for treating
      neurodegenerative disorders. This route for transport of neurotherapeutics offers
      the merits of convenience of administration, avoidance of pre-systemic hepatic
      metabolism, and non- invasiveness. OBJECTIVE: The present review explores the
      novel nano sized formulations of various actives researched for intranasal drug
      transport to be used in PD therapy. Feasibility of various nano-carriers systems
      such as nano-emulsions, lipid nanoparticles and polymeric micelles has been
      elaborated. The write up traces the pre-clinical and pharmacokinetic aspects of
      the nano-formulations. The neuroprotection and neurotoxicity aspects have also
      been furnished. CONCLUSION: Nano-formulations are the rising formulations in PD
      treatment as they offer targeted drug delivery, enhanced therapeutic efficacy and
      decreased systemic side effects of neurotherapeutics. These formulations provide
      effective intranasal transport by encapsulating drug, protecting it from
      biological/chemical degradation and extracellular transport through P
      glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux thus, and enhancing CNS availability for drugs.

PMID- 27280394
TI  - PHGDH Expression Is Required for Mitochondrial Redox Homeostasis, Breast Cancer
      Stem Cell Maintenance, and Lung Metastasis.
AB  - Intratumoral hypoxia stimulates enrichment of breast cancer stem cells (BCSC),
      which are critical for metastasis and patient mortality. Here we report a
      metabolic adaptation that is required for hypoxia-induced BCSC enrichment and
      metastasis. Hypoxia-inducible factors coordinately regulate expression of genes
      encoding phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) and five downstream enzymes in
      the serine synthesis pathway and mitochondrial one-carbon (folate) cycle. RNAi
      mediated silencing of PHGDH expression in both estrogen receptor-positive and
      negative breast cancer cells led to decreased NADPH levels, disturbed
      mitochondrial redox homeostasis, and increased apoptosis, which abrogated BCSC
      enrichment under hypoxic conditions. PHGDH-deficient cells exhibited increased
      oxidant levels and apoptosis, as well as loss of BCSC enrichment, in response to
      treatment with carboplatin or doxorubicin. PHGDH-deficient cells were relatively
      weakly tumorigenic and tumors that did form were deficient in BCSCs, abolishing
      metastatic capacity. Our findings highlight a role for PHGDH in the formation of
      secondary (recurrent or metastatic) tumors, with potential implications for
      therapeutic targeting of advanced cancers. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4430-42. (c)2016
      AACR.

PMID- 27280393
TI  - Reduced Expression of Histone Methyltransferases KMT2C and KMT2D Correlates with
      Improved Outcome in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Genes encoding the histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferases KMT2C and KMT2D are
      subject to deletion and mutation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC),
      where these lesions identify a group of patients with a more favorable prognosis.
      In this study, we demonstrate that low KMT2C and KMT2D expression in biopsies
      also defines better outcome groups, with median survivals of 15.9 versus 9.2
      months (P = 0.029) and 19.9 versus 11.8 months (P = 0.001), respectively.
      Experiments with eight human pancreatic cell lines showed attenuated cell
      proliferation when these methyltransferases were depleted, suggesting that this
      improved outcome may reflect a cell-cycle block with diminished progression from
      G0-G1 RNA-seq analysis of PDAC cell lines following KMT2C or KMT2D knockdown
      identified 31 and 124 differentially expressed genes, respectively, with 19 genes
      in common. Gene-set enrichment analysis revealed significant downregulation of
      genes related to cell-cycle and growth. These data were corroborated
      independently by examining KMT2C/D signatures extracted from the International
      Cancer Genome Consortium and The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets. Furthermore, these
      experiments highlighted a potential role for NCAPD3, a condensin II complex
      subunit, as an outcome predictor in PDAC using existing gene expression series.
      Kmt2d depletion in KC/KPC cell lines also led to an increased response to the
      nucleoside analogue 5-fluorouracil, suggesting that lower levels of this
      methyltransferase may mediate the sensitivity of PDAC to particular treatments.
      Therefore, it may also be therapeutically beneficial to target these
      methyltransferases in PDAC, especially in those patients demonstrating higher
      KTM2C/D expression. Cancer Res; 76(16); 4861-71. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27280395
TI  - Nucleolin Promotes Heat Shock-Associated Translation of VEGF-D to Promote Tumor
      Lymphangiogenesis.
AB  - The vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-D promotes metastasis by inducing
      lymphangiogenesis and dilatation of the lymphatic vasculature, facilitating tumor
      cell extravasion. Here we report a novel level of control for VEGF-D expression
      at the level of protein translation. In human tumor cells, VEGF-D colocalized
      with eIF4GI and 4E-BP1, which can program increased initiation at IRES motifs on
      mRNA by the translational initiation complex. In murine tumors, the steady-state
      level of VEGF-D protein was increased despite the overexpression and
      dephosphorylation of 4E-BP1, which downregulates protein synthesis, suggesting
      the presence of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in the 5' UTR of VEGF-D
      mRNA. We found that nucleolin, a nucleolar protein involved in ribosomal
      maturation, bound directly to the 5'UTR of VEGF-D mRNA, thereby improving its
      translation following heat shock stress via IRES activation. Nucleolin blockade
      by RNAi-mediated silencing or pharmacologic inhibition reduced VEGF-D translation
      along with a subsequent constriction of lymphatic vessels in tumors. Our results
      identify nucleolin as a key regulator of VEGF-D expression, deepening
      understanding of lymphangiogenesis control during tumor formation. Cancer Res;
      76(15); 4394-405. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27280396
TI  - Eradication of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with FLT3 Ligand-Targeted miR-150
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common and fatal form of hematopoietic
      malignancy. Overexpression and/or mutations of FLT3 have been shown to occur in
      the majority of cases of AML. Our analysis of a large-scale AML patient cohort (N
      = 562) indicates that FLT3 is particularly highly expressed in some subtypes of
      AML, such as AML with t(11q23)/MLL-rearrangements or FLT3-ITD. Such AML subtypes
      are known to be associated with unfavorable prognosis. To treat FLT3
      overexpressing AML, we developed a novel targeted nanoparticle system: FLT3
      ligand (FLT3L)-conjugated G7 poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) nanosized dendriplex
      encapsulating miR-150, a pivotal tumor suppressor and negative regulator of FLT3
      We show that the FLT3L-guided miR-150 nanoparticles selectively and efficiently
      target FLT3-overexpressing AML cells and significantly inhibit viability/growth
      and promote apoptosis of the AML cells. Our proof-of-concept animal model studies
      demonstrate that the FLT3L-guided miR-150 nanoparticles tend to concentrate in
      bone marrow, and significantly inhibit progression of FLT3-overexpressing AML in
      vivo, while exhibiting no obvious side effects on normal hematopoiesis.
      Collectively, we have developed a novel targeted therapeutic strategy, using
      FLT3L-guided miR-150-based nanoparticles, to treat FLT3-overexpressing AML with
      high efficacy and minimal side effects. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4470-80. (c)2016
      AACR.

PMID- 27280398
TI  - Evaluation of the Effects of Pasireotide LAR Administration on Lymphocele
      Prevention after Axillary Node Dissection for Breast Cancer: Results of a
      Randomized Non-Comparative Phase 2 Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy (response rate
      centered on 80%) of a somatostatin analog with high affinity for 4 somatostatin
      receptors in reducing the postoperative incidence of symptomatic lymphocele
      formation following total mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection.
      SETTING: This prospective, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2
      trial was conducted in two secondary care centres. PARTICIPANTS: All female
      patients for whom mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection were indicated
      were eligible for the study, including patients who had received neo-adjuvant
      chemotherapy. Main exclusion criteria were related to diabetes, cardiac
      insufficiency, disorder of cardiac conduction or hepatic failure. INTERVENTIONS:
      Patients were randomised to receive one injection of either prolonged-release
      pasireotide 60 mg or placebo (physiological serum), which were administered
      intramuscularly 7 to 10 days before the scheduled surgery. The study was
      conducted in a double-blind manner. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The
      primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients who did not develop post
      operative axillary symptomatic lymphoceles during the 2 postoperative months.
      Secondary endpoints were the total quantity of lymph drained, duration and daily
      volume of drainage and aspirated volumes of lymph. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients
      were randomised. Ninety patients were evaluable: 42 patients received
      pasireotide, and 48 patients received placebo. The mean estimated response rate
      were 62.4% (95% Credibility Interval [CrI]: 48.6%-75.3%) in the treatment group
      and 50.2% (95% CrI: 37.6%-62.8%) in the placebo group. Overall safety was
      comparable across groups, and one serious adverse event occurred. In the
      treatment group, one patient with known insulin-depe*ndent diabetes required
      hospitalization for hyperglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: With this phase 2 preliminary
      study, even if our results indicate a trend towards a reduction in symptomatic
      lymphocele, pre-operative injection of pasireotide failed to achieve a response
      rate centered on 80%. Pharmacokinetics analysis suggests that effect of
      pasireotide could be optimised. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov
      NCT01356862.

PMID- 27280400
TI  - Correction: Decoding Sensorimotor Rhythms during Robotic-Assisted Treadmill
      Walking for Brain Computer Interface (BCI) Applications.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137910.].

PMID- 27280399
TI  - Dectin-3 Deficiency Promotes Colitis Development due to Impaired Antifungal
      Innate Immune Responses in the Gut.
AB  - Interactions between commensal fungi and gut immune system are critical for
      establishing colonic homeostasis. Here we found that mice deficient in Dectin-3
      (Clec4d-/-), a C-type lectin receptor that senses fungal infection, were more
      susceptible to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis compared with wild
      type mice. The specific fungal burden of Candida (C.) tropicalis was markedly
      increased in the gut after DSS treatment in Clec4d-/- mice, and supplementation
      with C. tropicalis aggravated colitis only in Clec4d-/- mice, but not in wild
      type controls. Mechanistically, Dectin-3 deficiency impairs phagocytic and
      fungicidal abilities of macrophages, and C. tropicalis-induced NF-kappaB
      activation and cytokine production. The conditioned media derived from Dectin-3
      deficient macrophages were defective in promoting tissue repairing in colonic
      epithelial cells. Finally, anti-fungal therapy was effective in treating colitis
      in Clec4d-/- mice. These studies identified the role of Dectin-3 and its
      functional interaction with commensal fungi in intestinal immune system and
      regulation of colonic homeostasis.

PMID- 27280401
TI  - Membrane Tension Acts Through PLD2 and mTORC2 to Limit Actin Network Assembly
      During Neutrophil Migration.
AB  - For efficient polarity and migration, cells need to regulate the magnitude and
      spatial distribution of actin assembly. This process is coordinated by reciprocal
      interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and mechanical forces. Actin
      polymerization-based protrusion increases tension in the plasma membrane, which
      in turn acts as a long-range inhibitor of actin assembly. These interactions form
      a negative feedback circuit that limits the magnitude of membrane tension in
      neutrophils and prevents expansion of the existing front and the formation of
      secondary fronts. It has been suggested that the plasma membrane directly
      inhibits actin assembly by serving as a physical barrier that opposes protrusion.
      Here we show that efficient control of actin polymerization-based protrusion
      requires an additional mechanosensory feedback cascade that indirectly links
      membrane tension with actin assembly. Specifically, elevated membrane tension
      acts through phospholipase D2 (PLD2) and the mammalian target of rapamycin
      complex 2 (mTORC2) to limit actin nucleation. In the absence of this pathway,
      neutrophils exhibit larger leading edges, higher membrane tension, and profoundly
      defective chemotaxis. Mathematical modeling suggests roles for both the direct
      (mechanical) and indirect (biochemical via PLD2 and mTORC2) feedback loops in
      organizing cell polarity and motility-the indirect loop is better suited to
      enable competition between fronts, whereas the direct loop helps spatially
      organize actin nucleation for efficient leading edge formation and cell movement.
      This circuit is essential for polarity, motility, and the control of membrane
      tension.

PMID- 27280402
TI  - FLCN Maintains the Leucine Level in Lysosome to Stimulate mTORC1.
AB  - The intracellular amino acid pool within lysosome is a signal that stimulates the
      nutrient-sensing mTORC1 signalling pathway. The signal transduction cascade has
      garnered much attention, but little is known about the sequestration of the
      signalling molecules within the lysosome. Using human HEK293 cells as a model, we
      found that suppression of the BHD syndrome gene FLCN reduced the leucine level in
      lysosome, which correlated with decreased mTORC1 activity. Both consequences
      could be reversed by supplementation with high levels of leucine, but not other
      tested amino acids. Conversely, overexpressed FLCN could sequester lysosomal
      leucine and stimulate mTORC1 in an amino acid limitation environment. These
      results identify a novel function of FLCN: it controls mTORC1 by modulating the
      leucine signal in lysosome. Furthermore, we provided evidence that FLCN exerted
      this role by inhibiting the accumulation of the amino acid transporter PAT1 on
      the lysosome surface, thereby maintaining the signal level within the organelle. 

PMID- 27280403
TI  - Exposure of Human CD4 T Cells to IL-12 Results in Enhanced TCR-Induced Cytokine
      Production, Altered TCR Signaling, and Increased Oxidative Metabolism.
AB  - Human CD4 T cells are constantly exposed to IL-12 during infections and certain
      autoimmune disorders. The current paradigm is that IL-12 promotes the
      differentiation of naive CD4 T cells into Th1 cells, but recent studies suggest
      IL-12 may play a more complex role in T cell biology. We examined if exposure to
      IL-12 alters human CD4 T cell responses to subsequent TCR stimulation. We found
      that IL-12 pretreatment increased TCR-induced IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-13, IL-4
      and IL-10 production. This suggests that prior exposure to IL-12 potentiates the
      TCR-induced release of a range of cytokines. We observed that IL-12 mediated its
      effects through both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. IL-12
      pretreatment increased the phosphorylation of AKT, p38 and LCK following TCR
      stimulation without altering other TCR signaling molecules, potentially mediating
      the increase in transcription of cytokines. In addition, the IL-12-mediated
      enhancement of cytokines that are not transcriptionally regulated was partially
      driven by increased oxidative metabolism. Our data uncover a novel function of IL
      12 in human CD4 T cells; specifically, it enhances the release of a range of
      cytokines potentially by altering TCR signaling pathways and by enhancing
      oxidative metabolism. 

PMID- 27280404
TI  - Retention of HIV-Infected Children in the First 12 Months of Anti-Retroviral
      Therapy and Predictors of Attrition in Resource Limited Settings: A Systematic
      Review.
AB  - Current UNAIDS goals aimed to end the AIDS epidemic set out to ensure that 90% of
      all people living with HIV know their status, 90% initiate and continue life-long
      anti-retroviral therapy (ART), and 90% achieve viral load suppression. In 2014
      there were an estimated 2.6 million children under 15 years of age living with
      HIV, of which only one-third were receiving ART. Little literature exists
      describing retention of HIV-infected children in the first year on ART. We
      conducted a systematic search for English language publications reporting on
      retention of children with median age at ART initiation less than ten years in
      resource limited settings. The proportion of children retained in care on ART and
      predictors of attrition were identified. Twelve studies documented retention at
      one year ranging from 71-95% amongst 31877 African children. Among the 5558
      children not retained, 4082 (73%) were reported as lost to follow up (LFU) and
      1476 (27%) were confirmed to have died. No studies confirmed the outcomes of
      children LFU. Predictors of attrition included younger age, shorter duration of
      time on ART, and severe immunosuppression. In conclusion, significant attrition
      occurs in children in the first 12 months after ART initiation, the majority
      attributed to LFU, although true outcomes of children labeled as LFU are unknown.
      Focused efforts to ensure retention and minimize early mortality are needed as
      universal ART for children is scaled up. 

PMID- 27280405
TI  - Identification of Multiple Loci Associated with Social Parasitism in Honeybees.
AB  - In colonies of the honeybee Apis mellifera, the queen is usually the only
      reproductive female, which produces new females (queens and workers) by laying
      fertilized eggs. However, in one subspecies of A. mellifera, known as the Cape
      bee (A. m. capensis), worker bees reproduce asexually by thelytoky, an abnormal
      form of meiosis where two daughter nucleii fuse to form single diploid eggs,
      which develop into females without being fertilized. The Cape bee also exhibits a
      suite of phenotypes that facilitate social parasitism whereby workers lay such
      eggs in foreign colonies so their offspring can exploit their resources. The
      genetic basis of this switch to social parasitism in the Cape bee is unknown. To
      address this, we compared genome variation in a sample of Cape bees with other
      African populations. We find genetic divergence between these populations to be
      very low on average but identify several regions of the genome with extreme
      differentiation. The regions are strongly enriched for signals of selection in
      Cape bees, indicating that increased levels of positive selection have produced
      the unique set of derived phenotypic traits in this subspecies. Genetic variation
      within these regions allows unambiguous genetic identification of Cape bees and
      likely underlies the genetic basis of social parasitism. The candidate loci
      include genes involved in ecdysteroid signaling and juvenile hormone and dopamine
      biosynthesis, which may regulate worker ovary activation and others whose
      products localize at the centrosome and are implicated in chromosomal segregation
      during meiosis. Functional analysis of these loci will yield insights into the
      processes of reproduction and chemical signaling in both parasitic and non
      parasitic populations and advance understanding of the process of normal and
      atypical meiosis.

PMID- 27280406
TI  - Histidine Prevents Cu-Induced Oxidative Stress and the Associated Decreases in
      mRNA from Encoding Tight Junction Proteins in the Intestine of Grass Carp
      (Ctenopharyngodon idella).
AB  - Copper (Cu) is a common heavy metal pollutant in aquatic environments that
      originates from natural as well as anthropogenic sources. The present study
      investigated whether Cu causes oxidative damage and induces changes in the
      expression of genes that encode tight junction (TJ) proteins, cytokines and
      antioxidant-related genes in the intestine of the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon
      idella). We demonstrated that Cu decreases the survival rate of fish and
      increases oxidative damage as measured by increases in malondialdehyde and
      protein carbonyl contents. Cu exposure significantly decreased the expression of
      genes that encode the tight junction proteins, namely, claudin (CLDN)-c, -3 and 
      15 as well as occludin and zonula occludens-1, in the intestine of fish. In
      addition, Cu exposure increases the mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory
      cytokines, specifically, IL-8, TNF-alpha and its related signalling factor
      (nuclear factor kappa B, NF-kappaB), which was partly correlated to the decreased
      mRNA levels of NF-kappaB inhibitor protein (IkappaB). These changes were
      associated with Cu-induced oxidative stress detected by corresponding decreases
      in glutathione (GSH) content, as well as decreases in the copper, zinc-superoxide
      dismutase (SOD1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and mRNA levels,
      which were associated with the down-regulated antioxidant signalling factor NF-E2
      related factor-2 (Nrf2) mRNA levels, and the Kelch-like-ECH-associated protein1
      (Keap1) mRNA levels in the intestine of fish. Histidine supplementation in diets
      (3.7 up to 12.2 g/kg) blocked Cu-induced changes. These results indicated that Cu
      induced decreases in intestinal TJ proteins and cytokine mRNA levels might be
      partially mediated by oxidative stress and are prevented by histidine
      supplementation in fish diet. 

PMID- 27280407
TI  - Diagnostic Performance of Indocyanine Green-Guided Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in
      Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnostic performance of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence
      guided sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for the presence of metastases in breast
      cancer remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We performed a meta-analysis to investigate
      the diagnostic performance of ICG-guided SLNB. METHODS: Eligible studies were
      identified from searches of the databases PubMed and EMBASE up to September 2015.
      Studies that reported the detection rate of ICG fluorescence-guided SLNB with
      full axillary lymph node dissection and histological or immunohistochemical
      examinations were included. A meta-analysis was performed to generate pooled
      detection rate, sensitivity, specificity, false negative rate, diagnostic odds
      ratio (DOR) and a summary receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC). RESULTS:
      Nineteen published studies were included to generate a pooled detection rate,
      comprising 2594 patients. The pooled detection rate was 0.98 (95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.96-0.99). Six studies finally met the criteria for meta
      analysis, which yielded a pooled sensitivity of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.85-0.96),
      specificity 1 (95% CI, 0.97-1), and DOR 311.47 (95% CI, 84.11-1153.39). The area
      under the SROC was 0.9758. No publication bias was found. CONCLUSION: ICG
      fluorescence-guided SLNB is viable for detection of lymph node metastases in
      breast cancer. Large-scale randomized multi-center trials are necessary to
      confirm our results.

PMID- 27280408
TI  - Secondary Education and Health Outcomes in Young People from the Cape Area Panel
      Study (CAPS).
AB  - AIM: Education is one of the strongest social determinants of health, yet
      previous literature has focused on primary education. We examined whether there
      are additional benefits to completing upper secondary compared to lower secondary
      education in a middle-income country. METHODS: We performed a longitudinal
      analysis of the Cape Area Panel Study, a survey of adolescents living in South
      Africa. We undertook causal modeling using structural marginal models to examine
      the association between level of education and various health outcomes, using
      inverse probability weighting to control for sex, age, ethnicity, home language,
      income, whether employed in past year, region of birth, maternal educational
      status, marital status, whether currently pregnant and cognitive ability.
      Educational attainment was defined as primary (grades 1-7), lower secondary
      (grades 8-9) or upper secondary (grades 10-12). RESULTS: Of 3,432 participants,
      165 (4.8%) had completed primary education, 646 (18.8%) lower secondary and 2,621
      (76.3%) upper secondary. Compared to those completing lower secondary, males
      completing upper secondary education were less likely to have a health problem
      (OR 0.49; 95%CI 0.27-0.88; p = 0.02); describe their health as poor (0.52; 0.29
      0.95; p = 0.03) or report that health interferes with daily life (0.54; 0.29
      0.99; p = 0.047). Females were less likely to have been pregnant (0.45; 0.33
      0.61; p<0.001) or pregnant under 18 (0.32; 0.22-0.46; p<0.001); and having had
      sex under 16 was also less likely (males 0.63; 0.44-0.91; p = 0.01; females 0.39;
      0.26-0.58; p<0.001). Cigarette smoking was less likely (males 0.52; 0.38-0.70; p
      = <0.001; females 0.56; 0.41-0.76; p<0.001), as was taking illicit drugs in males
      (0.6; 0.38-0.96; p = 0.03). No associations were found between education and
      alcohol use, psychological distress, obesity, increased waist circumference or
      hypertension. CONCLUSION: Completing upper secondary education was associated
      with improved health outcomes compared with lower secondary education. Expanding
      upper secondary education offers middle-income countries an effective way of
      improving adolescent health.

PMID- 27280409
TI  - Convergent evolution of pregnancy-specific glycoproteins in human and horse.
AB  - Pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSGs) are members of the carcinoembryonic
      antigen cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM) family that are secreted by trophoblast
      cells. PSGs may modulate immune, angiogenic and platelet responses during
      pregnancy. Until now, PSGs are only found in species that have a highly invasive
      (hemochorial) placentation including humans, mice and rats. Surprisingly,
      analyzing the CEACAM gene family of the horse, which has a non-invasive
      epitheliochorial placenta, with the exception of the transient endometrial cups,
      we identified equine CEACAM family members that seem to be related to PSGs of
      rodents and primates. We identified seven genes that encode secreted PSG-like
      CEACAMs Phylogenetic analyses indicate that they evolved independently from an
      equine CEACAM1-like ancestor rather than from a common PSG-like ancestor with
      rodents and primates. Significantly, expression of PSG-like genes (CEACAM44,
      CEACAM48, CEACAM49 and CEACAM55) was found in non-invasive as well as invasive
      trophoblast cells such as purified chorionic girdle cells and endometrial cup
      cells. Chorionic girdle cells are highly invasive trophoblast cells that invade
      the endometrium of the mare where they form endometrial cups and are in close
      contact with maternal immune cells. Therefore, the microenvironment of invasive
      equine trophoblast cells has striking similarities to the microenvironment of
      trophoblast cells in hemochorial placentas, suggesting that equine PSG-like
      CEACAMs and rodent and primate PSGs have undergone convergent evolution. This is
      supported by our finding that equine PSG-like CEACAM49 exhibits similar activity
      to certain rodent and human PSGs in a functional assay of platelet-fibrinogen
      binding. Our results have implications for understanding the evolution of PSGs
      and their functions in maternal-fetal interactions.

PMID- 27280410
TI  - Different Growth Responses of an Invasive Weed and a Native Crop to Nitrogen
      Pulse and Competition.
AB  - Resource pulses are a common event in agro-ecosystems. A pot experiment was
      conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) pulses and competition on the
      growth of an invasive weed, Amaranthus retroflexus, and a native crop, Glycine
      max. A. retroflexus and G. max were planted in pure culture with two individuals
      of one species in each pot and in mixed culture with one A. retroflexus and one
      G. max individual and subjected to three N pulse treatments. The N treatments
      included a no-peak treatment (NP) with N applied stably across the growing
      period, a single-peak treatment (SP) with only one N addition on the planting
      date, and a double-peak treatment (DP) with two N additions, one on the planting
      date and the other on the flowering date. N pulse significantly impacted biomass
      and height of the two species across the whole growing season. However, only the
      relative growth rate (RGR) of A. retroflexus was significantly affected by N
      pulse. A. retroflexus had the greatest biomass and height in the SP treatment at
      the first harvest, and in the DP treatment at the last three harvests. Pure
      culture G. max produced the greatest biomass in the DP treatment. In mixed
      culture, G. max produced the greatest biomass in the NP treatment. Biomass
      production of both species was significantly influenced by species combination,
      with higher biomass in mixed culture than in pure culture at most growth stages.
      Relative yield total (RYT) values were all greater than 1.0 at the last three
      harvests across the three N treatments, suggesting partial resource
      complementarity occurred when A. retroflexus is grown with G. max. These results
      indicate that A. retroflexus has a strong adaptive capacity to reduce
      interspecific competition, likely leading to its invasion of G. max cropland in
      China. 

PMID- 27280411
TI  - Lay and professional stakeholder involvement in scoping palliative care issues:
      Methods used in seven European countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stakeholders are people with an interest in a topic. Internationally,
      stakeholder involvement in palliative care research and health technology
      assessment requires development. Stakeholder involvement adds value throughout
      research (from prioritising topics to disseminating findings). Philosophies and
      understandings about the best ways to involve stakeholders in research differ
      internationally. Stakeholder involvement took place in seven countries (England,
      Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland). Findings informed
      a project that developed concepts and methods for health technology assessment
      and applied these to evaluate models of palliative care service delivery. AIMS:
      To report on stakeholder involvement in the INTEGRATE-HTA project and how issues
      identified informed project development. DESIGN: Using stakeholder consultation
      or a qualitative research design, as appropriate locally, stakeholders in seven
      countries acted as 'advisors' to aid researchers' decision making. Thematic
      analysis was used to identify key issues across countries. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS:
      A total of 132 stakeholders (82 professionals and 50 'lay' people) aged ?18
      participated in individual face-to-face or telephone interviews, consultation
      meetings or focus groups. RESULTS: Different stakeholder involvement methods were
      used successfully to identify key issues in palliative care. A total of 23 issues
      common to three or more countries informed decisions about the intervention and
      comparator of interest, sub questions and specific assessments within the health
      technology assessment. CONCLUSION: Stakeholders, including patients and families
      undergoing palliative care, can inform project decision making using various
      involvement methods according to the local context. Researchers should consider
      local understandings about stakeholder involvement as views of appropriate and
      feasible methods vary. Methods for stakeholder involvement, especially
      consultation, need further development.

PMID- 27280412
TI  - Hyaluronic acid: Perspectives in dentistry. A systematic review.
AB  - To date, topical therapies guarantee a better delivery of high concentrations of
      pharmacologic agents to the soft periodontal tissue, gingiva, and periodontal
      ligament as well as to the hard tissue such as alveolar bone and cementum.
      Topical hyaluronic acid (HA) has recently been recognized as an adjuvant
      treatment for chronic inflammatory disease in addition to its use to improve
      healing after dental procedures. The aim of our work was to systematically review
      the published literature about potential effects of HA as an adjuvant treatment
      for chronic inflammatory disease, in addition to its use to improve healing after
      common dental procedures. Relevant published studies were found in PubMed, Google
      Scholar, and Ovid using a combined keyword search or medical subject headings. At
      the end of our study selection process, 25 relevant publications were included,
      three of them regarding gingivitis, 13 of them relating to chronic periodontitis,
      seven of them relating to dental surgery, including implant and sinus lift
      procedures, and the remaining three articles describing oral ulcers. Not only
      does topical administration of HA play a pivotal key role in the postoperative
      care of patients undergoing dental procedures, but positive results were also
      generally observed in all patients with chronic inflammatory gingival and
      periodontal disease and in patients with oral ulcers.

PMID- 27280413
TI  - Expression of Molecular Differentiation Markers Does Not Correlate with
      Histological Differentiation Grade in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - The differentiation status of tumor cells, defined by histomorphological
      criteria, is a prognostic factor for survival of patients affected with
      intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). To strengthen the value of morphological
      differentiation criteria, we wished to correlate histopathological
      differentiation grade with expression of molecular biliary differentiation
      markers and of microRNAs previously shown to be dysregulated in ICC. We analysed
      a series of tumors that were histologically classified as well, moderately or
      poorly differentiated, and investigated the expression of cytokeratin 7, 19 and
      903 (CK7, CK19, CK903), SRY-related HMG box transcription factors 4 and 9 (SOX4,
      SOX9), osteopontin (OPN), Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1 beta (HNF1beta), Yes
      associated protein (YAP), Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM), Mucin 1
      (MUC1) and N-cadherin (NCAD) by qRT-PCR and immunostaining, and of miR-31, miR
      135b, miR-132, miR-200c, miR-221 and miR-222. Unexpectedly, except for
      subcellular location of SOX9 and OPN, no correlation was found between the
      expression levels of these molecular markers and histopathological
      differentiation grade. Therefore, our data point toward necessary caution when
      investigating the evolution and prognosis of ICC on the basis of cell
      differentiation criteria. 

PMID- 27280414
TI  - Inherent Variability of Growth Media Impacts the Ability of Salmonella
      Typhimurium to Interact with Host Cells.
AB  - Efficient invasion of non-phagocytic cells, such as intestinal epithelial cells,
      by Salmonella Typhimurium is dependent on the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1
      (SPI-1)-encoded Type Three Secretion System. The environmental cues involved in
      SPI-1 induction are not well understood. In vitro, various conditions are used to
      induce SPI-1 and the invasive phenotype. Although lysogeny broth (LB) is widely
      used, multiple formulations exist, and variation can arise due to intrinsic
      differences in complex components. Minimal media are also susceptible to
      variation. Still, the impact of these inconsistencies on Salmonella virulence
      gene expression has not been well studied. The goal of this project is to
      identify growth conditions in LB and minimal medium that affect SPI-1 induction
      in vitro using both whole population and single cell analysis. Here we show,
      using a fluorescent reporter of the SPI-1 gene prgH, that growth of Salmonella in
      LB yields variable induction. Deliberate modification of media components can
      influence the invasive profile. Finally, we demonstrate that changes in SPI-1
      inducing conditions can affect the ability of Salmonella to replicate
      intracellularly. These data indicate that the specific media growth conditions
      impact how the bacteria interact with host cells. 

PMID- 27280415
TI  - Sharing Responsibilities within the General Practice Team - A Cross-Sectional
      Study of Task Delegation in Germany.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Expected growth in the demand for health services has generated
      interest in the more effective deployment of health care assistants. Programs
      encouraging German general practitioners (GPs) to share responsibility for care
      with specially qualified health care assistants in the family practice (VERAHs)
      have existed for several years. But no studies have been conducted on the tasks
      German GPs are willing to rely on specially qualified personnel to perform, what
      they are prepared to delegate to all non-physician practice staff and what they
      prefer to do themselves. METHODS: As part of an evaluation study on the
      deployment of VERAHs in GP-centered health care, we used a questionnaire to ask
      about task delegation within the practice team. From a list of tasks that VERAHs
      are specifically trained to carry out, GPs were asked to indicate which they
      actually delegate. We also asked GPs why they had employed a VERAH in their
      practice and for their opinions on the benefits and limitations of assigning
      tasks to VERAHs. The aim of the study was to find out which tasks GPs delegate to
      their specially qualified personnel, which they permit all HCAs to carry out, and
      which tasks they do not delegate at all. RESULTS: The survey was filled in and
      returned by 245 GPs (83%). Some tasks were exclusively delegated to VERAHs (e.g.
      home visits), while others were delegated to all HCAs (e.g. vaccinations). About
      half the GPs rated the assessment of mental health, as part of the comprehensive
      assessment of a patient's condition, as the sole responsibility of a GP. The
      possibility to delegate more complex tasks was the main reason given for
      employing a VERAH. Doctors said the delegation of home visits provided them with
      the greatest relief. CONCLUSIONS: In Germany, where GPs are solely accountable
      for the health care provided in their practices, experience with the transfer of
      responsibility to other non-physician health care personnel is still very
      limited. When HCAs have undergone special training, GPs seem to be prepared to
      delegate tasks that demand a substantial degree of know-how, such as home visits
      and case management. This "new" role allocation within the practice may signal a
      shift in the provision of health care by family practice teams in Germany.

PMID- 27280416
TI  - Reproductive Seasonality in Nesticus (Araneae: Nesticidae) Cave Spiders.
AB  - Spiders of the family Nesticidae are members of cave communities around the world
      with cave-obligate (troglobiotic) species known from North America, Europe, Asia
      and the Indo-Pacific. A radiation of Nesticus (Araneae: Nesticidae) in the
      southern Appalachians includes ten troglobiotic species. Many of these species
      are of conservation interest due to their small ranges, with four species being
      single-cave endemics. Despite conservation concerns and their important role as
      predators in cave communities, we know little about reproduction and feeding in
      this group. We addressed this knowledge gap by examining populations of two
      species on a monthly basis for one year. We made further observations on several
      other species and populations, totaling 671 individual spider observations. This
      more than doubled the reported observations of reproduction and feeding in
      troglobiotic Nesticus. Female Nesticus carry egg sacs, facilitating the
      determination of the timing and frequency of reproduction. We found that Nesticus
      exhibit reproductive seasonality. Females carried egg sacs from May through
      October, with a peak in frequency in June. These spiders were rarely observed
      with prey; only 3.3% (22/671) of individuals were observed with prey items. The
      frequency at which prey items were observed did not vary by season. Common prey
      items were flies, beetles and millipedes. Troglobiotic species constituted
      approximately half of all prey items observed. This result represents a greater
      proportion of troglobiotic prey than has been reported for various troglophilic
      spiders. Although our findings shed light on the life history of troglobiotic
      Nesticus and on their role in cave ecosystems, further work is necessary to
      support effective conservation planning for many of these rare species. 

PMID- 27280417
TI  - Biographical Feature: Patrick R. Murray, Ph.D.

PMID- 27280418
TI  - Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Spot Assay but Not CMV
      QuantiFERON Assay Is a Novel Biomarker To Determine Risk of Congenital CMV
      Infection in Pregnant Women.
AB  - Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) and CMV
      QuantiFERON assays were examined as potential biomarkers predictive of congenital
      CMV (cCMV) transmission. Fifty-seven pregnant women with primary CMV infection
      and 23 with nonprimary CMV infection were recruited in the study. Maternal age,
      CMV IgG avidity, viremia, and viruria were also included among the potential
      predictors. Spearman's statistical correlation analysis revealed a positive
      correlation between the CMV ELISPOT and CMV QuantiFERON assay results (P <
      0.001), but only the CMV ELISPOT assay correlated with cCMV (P < 0.001). cCMV was
      positively correlated with maternal viremia and viruria (P < 0.05) and negatively
      correlated with CMV IgG avidity (P < 0.01). Maternal age and CMV QuantiFERON
      assay results were not statistically associated with cCMV. CMV-specific cell
      mediated immunity detected by the CMV ELISPOT assay plays a critical role in
      cCMV.

PMID- 27280419
TI  - Performance of Etest for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Abiotrophia
      defectiva and Granulicatella Species.
AB  - The Etest on chocolate Mueller-Hinton agar was compared to broth microdilution
      (BMD) for 125 isolates of nutritionally variant streptococci. Vancomycin Etests
      yielded 31.1% essential agreement (EA) and 20.0% categorical agreement (CA).
      Penicillin Etests yielded 86.0% EA and 85.6% CA, whereas ceftriaxone Etests
      yielded 73.6% EA and 68.0% CA.

PMID- 27280420
TI  - Evaluation of an Optimal Epidemiological Typing Scheme for Legionella pneumophila
      with Whole-Genome Sequence Data Using Validation Guidelines.
AB  - Sequence-based typing (SBT), analogous to multilocus sequence typing (MLST), is
      the current "gold standard" typing method for investigation of legionellosis
      outbreaks caused by Legionella pneumophila However, as common sequence types
      (STs) cause many infections, some investigations remain unresolved. In this
      study, various whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based methods were evaluated
      according to published guidelines, including (i) a single nucleotide polymorphism
      (SNP)-based method, (ii) extended MLST using different numbers of genes, (iii)
      determination of gene presence or absence, and (iv) a kmer-based method. L.
      pneumophila serogroup 1 isolates (n = 106) from the standard "typing panel,"
      previously used by the European Society for Clinical Microbiology Study Group on
      Legionella Infections (ESGLI), were tested together with another 229 isolates.
      Over 98% of isolates were considered typeable using the SNP- and kmer-based
      methods. Percentages of isolates with complete extended MLST profiles ranged from
      99.1% (50 genes) to 86.8% (1,455 genes), while only 41.5% produced a full profile
      with the gene presence/absence scheme. Replicates demonstrated that all methods
      offer 100% reproducibility. Indices of discrimination range from 0.972 (ribosomal
      MLST) to 0.999 (SNP based), and all values were higher than that achieved with
      SBT (0.940). Epidemiological concordance is generally inversely related to
      discriminatory power. We propose that an extended MLST scheme with ~50 genes
      provides optimal epidemiological concordance while substantially improving the
      discrimination offered by SBT and can be used as part of a hierarchical typing
      scheme that should maintain backwards compatibility and increase discrimination
      where necessary. This analysis will be useful for the ESGLI to design a scheme
      that has the potential to become the new gold standard typing method for L.
      pneumophila.

PMID- 27280421
TI  - Laboratory Diagnosis of Infections in Cancer Patients: Challenges and
      Opportunities.
AB  - Infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer
      patients. The differential diagnosis for these patients is often wide, and the
      timely selection of the right clinical tests can have a significant impact on
      their survival. However, laboratory findings with current methodologies are often
      negative, challenging clinicians and laboratorians to continue the search for the
      responsible pathogen. Novel methodologies are providing increased sensitivity and
      rapid turnaround time to results but also challenging our interpretation of what
      is a clinically significant pathogen in cancer patients. This minireview provides
      an overview of the most common infections in cancer patients and discusses some
      of the challenges and opportunities for the clinical microbiologist supporting
      the care of cancer patients.

PMID- 27280422
TI  - Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility of Penicillium-Like Fungi from
      Clinical Samples in the United States.
AB  - Penicillium species are some of the most common fungi observed worldwide and have
      an important economic impact as well as being occasional agents of human and
      animal mycoses. A total of 118 isolates thought to belong to the genus
      Penicillium based on morphological features were obtained from the Fungus Testing
      Laboratory at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio
      (United States). The isolates were studied phenotypically using standard growth
      conditions. Molecular identification was made using two genetic markers, the
      internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and a fragment of the beta-tubulin gene. In
      order to assess phylogenetic relationships, maximum likelihood and Bayesian
      inference assessments were used. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed
      according to CLSI document M38-A2 for nine antifungal drugs. The isolates were
      identified within three genera, i.e., Penicillium, Talaromyces, and Rasamsonia
      The most frequent species in our study were Penicillium rubens, P. citrinum, and
      Talaromyces amestolkiae The potent in vitro activity of amphotericin B (AMB) and
      terbinafine (TRB) and of the echinocandins against Penicillium and Talaromyces
      species might offer a good therapeutic alternative for the treatment of
      infections caused by these fungi.

PMID- 27280423
TI  - Single-Step Multiplex PCR Assay for Determining 92 Pneumococcal Serotypes.
AB  - For pneumococcal disease surveillance, simple and cost-effective methods capable
      of determining all serotypes are needed. Combining a single-tube multiplex PCR
      with fluorescently labeled primers followed by amplicon analysis using automated
      fluorescent capillary electrophoresis, each serotype of 92 reference isolates and
      297 recently collected clinical isolates was successfully determined.

PMID- 27280424
TI  - QuickStats: Smoking Cessation* During Pregnancy - 46 States and the District of
      Columbia, 2014.
AB  - In 2014, 20.6% of pregnant women who smoked cigarettes during the first or second
      trimester, in a reporting area of 46 states and the District of Columbia, stopped
      smoking during pregnancy. Women in three states, South Dakota (31.3%), California
      (31.2%) and New Mexico (30.2%), as well as the District of Columbia (41.5%),
      reported the highest cessation rates during pregnancy. Kentucky (11.4%) and Maine
      (11.6%) reported the lowest cessation rates; cessation rates were generally lower
      for states in the Southeast. The reporting area included 3,819,113 births and
      represented 95% of all U.S. births in 2014. 

PMID- 27280425
TI  - Man or machine? An experimental study of prehospital emergency amputation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Prehospital emergency amputation is a rare procedure, which may be
      necessary to free a time-critical patient from entrapment. This study aimed to
      evaluate four techniques of cadaveric lower limb prehospital emergency
      amputation. METHOD: A guillotine amputation of the distal femur was undertaken in
      fresh frozen self-donated cadavers. A prehospital doctor conducted a surgical
      amputation with Gigli saw or hacksaw for bone cuts and firefighters carried out
      the procedure using the reciprocating saw and Holmatro device. The primary
      outcome measures were time to full amputation and the number of attempts
      required. The secondary outcomes were observed quality of skin cut, soft tissue
      cut and CT assessment of the proximal bone. Observers also noted the potential
      risks to the rescuer or patient during the procedure. RESULTS: All techniques
      completed amputation within 91 s. The reciprocating saw was the quickest
      technique (22 s) but there was significant blood spattering and continuation of
      the cut to the surface under the leg. The Holmatro device took less than a
      minute. The quality of the proximal femur was acceptable with all methods, but 5
      cm more proximal soft tissue damage was made by the Holmatro device. CONCLUSIONS:
      Emergency prehospital guillotine amputation of the distal femur can effectively
      be performed using scalpel and paramedic shears with bone cuts by the Gigli saw
      or fire service hacksaw. The reciprocating saw could be used to cut bone if no
      other equipment was available but carried some risks. The Holmatro cutting device
      is a viable option for a life-threatening entrapment where only firefighters can
      safely access the patient, but would not be a recommended primary technique for
      medical staff.

PMID- 27280426
TI  - High salt induces autocrine actions of ET-1 on inner medullary collecting duct NO
      production via upregulated ETB receptor expression.
AB  - The collecting duct endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin B (ETB) receptor, and nitric
      oxide synthase-1 (NOS1) pathways are critical for regulation of fluid-electrolyte
      balance and blood pressure control during high-salt feeding. ET-1, ETB receptor,
      and NOS1 are highly expressed in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) and
      vasa recta, suggesting that there may be cross talk or paracrine signaling
      between the vasa recta and IMCD. The purpose of this study was to test the
      hypothesis that endothelial cell-derived ET-1 (paracrine) and collecting duct
      derived ET-1 (autocrine) promote IMCD nitric oxide (NO) production through
      activation of the ETB receptor during high-salt feeding. We determined that after
      7 days of a high-salt diet (HS7), there was a shift to 100% ETB expression in
      IMCDs, as well as a twofold increase in nitrite production (a metabolite of NO),
      and this increase could be prevented by acute inhibition of the ETB receptor. ETB
      receptor blockade or NOS1 inhibition also prevented the ET-1-dependent decrease
      in ion transport from primary IMCDs, as determined by transepithelial resistance.
      IMCD were also isolated from vascular endothelial ET-1 knockout mice (VEETKO),
      collecting duct ET-1 KO (CDET-1KO), and flox controls. Nitrite production by IMCD
      from VEETKO and flox mice was similarly increased twofold with HS7. However, IMCD
      NO production from CDET-1KO mice was significantly blunted with HS7 compared with
      flox control. Taken together, these data indicate that during high-salt feeding,
      the autocrine actions of ET-1 via upregulation of the ETB receptor are critical
      for IMCD NO production, facilitating inhibition of ion reabsorption.

PMID- 27280427
TI  - Exaggerated sympathoexcitatory reflexes develop with changes in the rostral
      ventrolateral medulla in obese Zucker rats.
AB  - Obesity leads to altered autonomic reflexes that reduce stability of mean
      arterial pressure (MAP). Sympathoinhibitory reflexes such as baroreflexes are
      impaired, but reflexes that raise MAP appear to be augmented. In obese Zucker
      rats (OZR) sciatic nerve stimulation evokes larger increases in MAP by unknown
      mechanisms. We sought to determine the autonomic underpinnings of this enhanced
      somatic pressor reflex and whether other sympathoexcitatory reflexes are
      augmented. We also determined whether their final common pathway, glutamatergic
      activation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), was enhanced in male OZR
      compared with lean Zucker rats (LZR). Sciatic nerve stimulation or activation of
      the nasopharyngeal reflex evoked larger rises in splanchnic sympathetic nerve
      activity (SNA) (79% and 45% larger in OZR, respectively; P < 0.05) and MAP in
      urethane-anesthetized, ventilated, paralyzed adult OZR compared with LZR. After
      elimination of baroreflex feedback by pharmacological prevention of changes in
      MAP and heart rate, these two sympathoexcitatory reflexes were still exaggerated
      in OZR (167% and 69% larger, respectively, P < 0.05). In adult OZR
      microinjections of glutamate, AMPA, or NMDA into the RVLM produced larger rises
      in SNA (~61% larger in OZR, P < 0.05 for each drug) and MAP, but stimulation of
      axonal fibers in the upper thoracic spinal cord yielded equivalent responses in
      OZR and LZR. In juvenile OZR and LZR, sympathoexcitatory reflexes and
      physiological responses to RVLM activation were comparable. These data suggest
      that the ability of glutamate to activate the RVLM becomes enhanced in adult OZR
      and may contribute to the development of exaggerated sympathoexcitatory responses
      independent of impaired baroreflexes.

PMID- 27280430
TI  - "You are what you drink!" Focus on "Rehydration with soft drink-like beverages
      exacerbates dehydration and worsens dehydration-associated renal injury".

PMID- 27280428
TI  - Restoring placental growth factor-soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 balance
      reverses vascular hyper-reactivity and hypertension in pregnancy.
AB  - Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder (HTN-Preg) with
      unclear mechanism. An imbalance between antiangiogenic soluble fms-like tyrosine
      kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and angiogenic placental growth factor (PlGF) has been observed
      in PE, but the vascular targets and signaling pathways involved are unclear. We
      assessed the extent of sFlt-1/PlGF imbalance and vascular dysfunction in a rat
      model of HTN-Preg produced by reduction of uteroplacental perfusion pressure
      (RUPP), and tested whether inducing a comparable sFlt-1/PlGF imbalance by
      infusing sFlt-1 (10 MUg.kg(-1).day(-1)) in day 14 pregnant (Preg) rats cause
      similar increases in blood pressure (BP) and vascular reactivity. Using these
      guiding measurements, we then tested whether restoring sFlt-1/PlGF balance by
      infusing PIGF (20 MUg.kg(-1).day(-1)) in RUPP rats would improve BP and vascular
      function. On gestational day 19, BP was in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP > Preg, and in
      RUPP+PlGF < RUPP rats. Plasma sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was increased in Preg+sFlt-1, and
      RUPP and was reduced in RUPP+PlGF rats. In isolated endothelium-intact aorta,
      carotid, mesenteric, and renal artery, phenylephrine (Phe)- and high KCl-induced
      contraction was in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP > Preg, and in RUPP+PlGF < RUPP. The
      differences in vascular reactivity to Phe and KCl between groups were less
      apparent in vessels treated with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor l-NAME
      or guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ)
      or endothelium-denuded, suggesting changes in endothelial NO-cGMP pathway. In Phe
      precontracted vessels, ACh-induced relaxation was in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP < Preg,
      and in RUPP+PlGF > RUPP, and was blocked by N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl
      ester (l-NAME) or ODQ treatment or endothelium removal. Western blots revealed
      that aortic total endothelial NOS (eNOS) and activated phosphorylated-eNOS were
      in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP < Preg and in RUPP+PlGF > RUPP. ACh-induced vascular
      nitrate/nitrite production was in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP < Preg, and in RUPP+PlGF >
      RUPP. Vascular relaxation to the exogenous NO donor sodium nitroprusside was not
      different among groups. Thus, a tilt in the angiogenic balance toward anti
      angiogenic sFlt-1 is associated with decreased vascular relaxation and increased
      vasoconstriction and BP. Restoring the angiogenic/antiangiogenic balance using
      PlGF enhances endothelial NO-cGMP vascular relaxation and decreases
      vasoconstriction and BP in HTN-Preg rats and could offer a new approach in the
      management of PE.

PMID- 27280429
TI  - Components of the cannabinoid system in the dorsal periaqueductal gray are
      related to resting heart rate.
AB  - The present study was undertaken to examine whether variations in endocannabinoid
      signaling in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) are associated with baseline
      autonomic nerve activity, heart rate, and blood pressure. Blood pressure was
      recorded telemetrically in rats, and heart rate and power spectral analysis of
      heart rate variability were determined. Natural variations from animal to animal
      provided a range of baseline values for analysis. Transcript levels of
      endocannabinoid signaling components in the dPAG were analyzed, and
      endocannabinoid content and catabolic enzyme activity were measured. Higher
      baseline heart rate was associated with increased anandamide content and with
      decreased activity of the anandamide-hydrolyzing enzyme, fatty acid amide
      hydrolase (FAAH), and it was negatively correlated with transcript levels of both
      FAAH and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), a catabolic enzyme for 2
      arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Autonomic tone and heart rate, but not blood
      pressure, were correlated to levels of FAAH mRNA. In accordance with these data,
      exogenous anandamide in the dPAG of anesthetized rats increased heart rate. These
      data indicate that in the dPAG, anandamide, a FAAH-regulated lipid, contributes
      to regulation of baseline heart rate through influences on autonomic outflow.

PMID- 27280431
TI  - Differential glucose metabolism in mice and humans affected by McArdle disease.
AB  - McArdle disease (muscle glycogenosis type V) is a disease caused by
      myophosphorylase deficiency leading to "blocked" glycogen breakdown. A
      significant but varying glycogen accumulation in especially distal hind limb
      muscles of mice affected by McArdle disease has recently been demonstrated. In
      this study, we investigated how myophosphorylase deficiency affects glucose
      metabolism in hind limb muscle of 20-wk-old McArdle mice and vastus lateralis
      muscles from patients with McArdle disease. Western blot analysis and activity
      assay demonstrated that glycogen synthase was inhibited in glycolytic muscle from
      McArdle mice. The level and activation of proteins involved in contraction
      induced glucose transport (AMPK, GLUT4) and glycogen synthase inhibition were
      increased in quadriceps muscle of McArdle mice. In addition, pCaMKII in
      quadriceps was reduced, suggesting lower insulin-induced glucose uptake, which
      could lead to lower glycogen accumulation. In comparison, tibialis anterior,
      extensor digitorum longus, and soleus had massive glycogen accumulation, but few,
      if any, changes or adaptations in glucose metabolism compared with wild-type
      mice. The findings suggest plasticity in glycogen metabolism in the McArdle mouse
      that is related to myosin heavy chain type IIB content in muscles. In patients,
      the level of GLUT4 was vastly increased, as were hexokinase II and
      phosphofructokinase, and glycogen synthase was more inhibited, suggesting that
      patients adapt by increasing capture of glucose for direct metabolism, thereby
      significantly reducing glycogen buildup compared with the mouse model. Hence, the
      McArdle mouse may be a useful tool for further comparative studies of disease
      mechanism caused by myophosphorylase deficiency and basic studies of metabolic
      adaptation in muscle.

PMID- 27280433
TI  - Cardiac oxygen limitation during an acute thermal challenge in the European
      perch: effects of chronic environmental warming and experimental hyperoxia.
AB  - Oxygen supply to the heart has been hypothesized to limit cardiac performance and
      whole animal acute thermal tolerance (CTmax) in fish. We tested these hypotheses
      by continuously measuring venous oxygen tension (Pvo2) and cardiovascular
      variables in vivo during acute warming in European perch (Perca fluviatilis) from
      a reference area during summer (18 degrees C) and a chronically heated area
      (Biotest enclosure) that receives warm effluent water from a nuclear power plant
      and is normally 5-10 degrees C above ambient (24 degrees C at the time of
      experiments). While CTmax was 2.2 degrees C higher in Biotest compared with
      reference perch, the peaks in cardiac output and heart rate prior to CTmax
      occurred at statistically similar Pvo2 values (2.3-4.0 kPa), suggesting that
      cardiac failure occurred at a common critical Pvo2 threshold. Environmental
      hyperoxia (200% air saturation) increased Pvo2 across temperatures in reference
      fish, but heart rate still declined at a similar temperature. CTmax of reference
      fish increased slightly (by 0.9 degrees C) in hyperoxia, but remained
      significantly lower than in Biotest fish despite an improved cardiac output due
      to an elevated stroke volume. Thus, while cardiac oxygen supply appears critical
      to elevate stroke volume at high temperatures, oxygen limitation may not explain
      the bradycardia and arrhythmia that occur prior to CTmax Acute thermal tolerance
      and its thermal plasticity can, therefore, only be partially attributed to
      cardiac failure from myocardial oxygen limitations, and likely involves limiting
      factors on multiple organizational levels.

PMID- 27280434
TI  - Shear wave dispersion behaviors of soft, vascularized tissues from the
      microchannel flow model.
AB  - The frequency dependent behavior of tissue stiffness and the dispersion of shear
      waves in tissue can be measured in a number of ways, using integrated imaging
      systems. The microchannel flow model, which considers the effects of fluid flow
      in the branching vasculature and microchannels of soft tissues, makes specific
      predictions about the nature of dispersion. In this paper we introduce a more
      general form of the 4 parameter equation for stress relaxation based on the
      microchannel flow model, and then derive the general frequency domain equation
      for the complex modulus. Dispersion measurements in liver (ex vivo) and whole
      perfused placenta (post-delivery) correspond to the predictions from theory,
      guided by independent stress relaxation measurements and consideration of the
      vascular tree structure.

PMID- 27280435
TI  - Degradation products of mangiferin by gamma irradiation with inhibitory effects
      on NO production.
AB  - The xanthone glucoside mangiferin (1) was converted by gamma-irradiation into
      three new compounds, mangiferdiol (2), mangiferinol (3), and isomangiferinol (4).
      The new compound 2 containing two hydroxymethyl groups instead of a ketone moiety
      exhibited significantly improved inhibitory activity against nitric oxide
      production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with IC50 value 47.1
      +/- 1.7 MUM, compared to the mother mangiferin. 

PMID- 27280432
TI  - Independent effects of early-life experience and trait aggression on
      cardiovascular function.
AB  - Early-life experience (ELE) can significantly affect life-long health and
      disease, including cardiovascular function. Specific dimensions of emotionality
      also modify risk of disease, and aggressive traits along with social inhibition
      have been established as independent vulnerability factors for the progression of
      cardiovascular disease. Yet, the biological mechanisms mediating these
      associations remain poorly understood. The present study utilized the inherently
      stress-susceptible and socially inhibited Wistar-Kyoto rats to determine the
      potential influences of ELE and trait aggression (TA) on cardiovascular
      parameters throughout the lifespan. Pups were exposed to maternal separation
      (MS), consisting of daily 3-h separations of the entire litter from postnatal day
      (P)1 to P14. The rats were weaned at P21, and as adults were instrumented for
      chronic radiotelemetry recordings of blood pressure and heart rate (HR). Adult
      aggressive behavior was assessed using the resident-intruder test, which
      demonstrated that TA was independent of MS exposure. MS-exposed animals
      (irrespective of TA) had significantly lower resting HR accompanied by increases
      in HR variability. No effects of MS on resting blood pressure were detected. In
      contrast, TA correlated with increased resting mean, systolic, and diastolic
      arterial pressures but had no effect on HR. TA rats (relative to nonaggressive
      animals) also manifested increased wall-to-lumen ratio in the thoracic aorta,
      increased sensitivity to phenylephrine-induced vascular contractility, and
      increased norepinephrine content in the heart. Together these data suggest that
      ELE and TA are independent factors that impact baseline cardiovascular function.

PMID- 27280436
TI  - Optimization of Cyclic Plasmin Inhibitors: From Benzamidines to Benzylamines.
AB  - New macrocyclic plasmin inhibitors based on our previously optimized P2-P3 core
      segment have been developed. In the first series, the P4 residue was modified,
      whereas the 4-amidinobenzylamide in P1 position was maintained. The originally
      used P4 benzylsulfonyl residue could be replaced by various sulfonyl- or urethane
      like protecting groups. In the second series, the P1 benzamidine was modified and
      a strong potency and excellent selectivity was retained by incorporation of p
      xylenediamine. Several analogues inhibit plasmin in the subnanomolar range, and
      their potency against related trypsin-like serine proteases including trypsin
      itself could be further reduced. Selected derivatives have been tested in a
      plasma fibrinolysis assay and are more effective than the reference inhibitor
      aprotinin. The crystal structure of one inhibitor was determined in complex with
      trypsin. The binding mode reveals a sterical clash of the inhibitor's linker
      segment with the 99-hairpin loop of trypsin, which is absent in plasmin.

PMID- 27280437
TI  - Cancer Stem Cells - Are Surface Markers Alone Sufficient?
AB  - The identification of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) in leukemia has opened a new field
      in cancer research. This has led to the identification of similar cells in other
      types of cancer. CSCs express distinct surface markers and functional properties
      which distinguish them from the rest of the cells within a tumor. Due to
      variability in identification of CSCs in a particular type of cancer (except
      brain, breast and leukemia), surface markers alone may not be sufficient. It is
      critical to identify and isolate this small population of cells from the
      heterogeneous tumors to understand their pathogenesis. Identification of surface
      markers together with intrinsic properties of CSCs like colony formation, Hoechst
      exclusion or ALDEFLUOR assay may be useful in isolating more primitive and highly
      pure CSCs from a heterogeneous population of malignant cells. This review
      critically analyses various techniques and methods along with their advantages
      and disadvantages that are employed in identifying CSCs from different types of
      cancers.

PMID- 27280438
TI  - Isolation and Characterization of an Atypical Metschnikowia sp. Strain from the
      Skin Scraping of a Dermatitis Patient.
AB  - A yeast-like organism was isolated from the skin scraping sample of a stasis
      dermatitis patient in the Mycology Unit Department of Medical Microbiology,
      University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The isolate
      produced no pigment and was not identifiable using chromogenic agar and API 20C
      AUX. The fungus was identified as Metschnikowia sp. strain UM 1034, which is
      close to that of Metschnikowia drosophilae based on ITS- and D1/D2 domain-based
      phylogenetic analysis. However, the physiology of the strain was not associated
      to M. drosophilae. This pathogen exhibited low sensitivity to all tested azoles,
      echinocandins, 5-flucytosine and amphotericin B. This study provided insight into
      Metschnikowia sp. strain UM 1034 phenotype profiles using a Biolog phenotypic
      microarray (PM). The isolate utilized 373 nutrients of 760 nutrient sources and
      could adapt to a broad range of osmotic and pH environments. To our knowledge,
      this is the first report of the isolation of Metschnikowia non-pulcherrima sp.
      from skin scraping, revealing this rare yeast species as a potential human
      pathogen that may be misidentified as Candida sp. using conventional methods.
      Metschnikowia sp. strain UM 1034 can survive in flexible and diverse environments
      with a generalist lifestyle. 

PMID- 27280439
TI  - Influence of Tumor Microenvironment on the Distribution and Elimination of Nano
      formulations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To give an in-depth overview about the tumor and its surrounding
      microenvironment influencing distribution and elimination of nanoformulations.
      Mehtods: This up-to-date review will summarize the microenvironmental components
      and their influence on the various factors related to nanoformulations and tumor
      which affect the penetration, distribution, regulation and clearance of
      nanoformulations from the tumor cells. Results of recent advances in
      miroenvironmental tuning with nanoformulations will be evaluated mechanistically.
      In addition, those natures of tumors involving enhanced cancer therapy will be
      discussed. Finally, strategies of nanoparticulate design and decoration to
      achieve efficient drug delivery are presented. RESULTS: Development of tumor is
      facilitated by its surrounding microenvironment and is regulated by different
      extra and intracellular components. Drug-loaded nanoformulations are mainly
      administered via oral and parenteral routes which reach tumor cells via different
      mechanisms. Chemotherapeutics get diffused from circulation into the surrounding
      microenvironment which latter get internalized into the cellular interstial area
      by passive diffusion mechanism due to virtue of size, charge, and pegylation
      effects, or by ligands and receptor mediated, or through enhanced permeability
      and retention effects through leaky apertures. Due to mildly acidic environment
      and hypoxic interstial environment, the influx of nanoformulations is hindered.
      The metabolites of the nanoformulations get diffused out from the tumor cells as
      a results of high interstial fluid pressure and get cleared either via liver or
      via renal execration. CONCLUSION: Well-understanding tumoral microenvironments
      which significantly affect distribution and elimination of nanoformulations is
      essential for engineering delivery systems with superior anti-tumoral effect.

PMID- 27280440
TI  - The DEAD-box Protein Rok1 Orchestrates 40S and 60S Ribosome Assembly by Promoting
      the Release of Rrp5 from Pre-40S Ribosomes to Allow for 60S Maturation.
AB  - DEAD-box proteins are ubiquitous regulators of RNA biology. While commonly dubbed
      "helicases," their activities also include duplex annealing, adenosine
      triphosphate (ATP)-dependent RNA binding, and RNA-protein complex remodeling.
      Rok1, an essential DEAD-box protein, and its cofactor Rrp5 are required for
      ribosome assembly. Here, we use in vivo and in vitro biochemical analyses to
      demonstrate that ATP-bound Rok1, but not adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-bound Rok1,
      stabilizes Rrp5 binding to 40S ribosomes. Interconversion between these two forms
      by ATP hydrolysis is required for release of Rrp5 from pre-40S ribosomes in vivo,
      thereby allowing Rrp5 to carry out its role in 60S subunit assembly. Furthermore,
      our data also strongly suggest that the previously described accumulation of
      snR30 upon Rok1 inactivation arises because Rrp5 release is blocked and implicate
      a previously undescribed interaction between Rrp5 and the DEAD-box protein Has1
      in mediating snR30 accumulation when Rrp5 release from pre-40S subunits is
      blocked.

PMID- 27280441
TI  - Molecular Evolution and Phylodynamics of Acute Hepatitis B Virus in Japan.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is prevalent worldwide and causes liver diseases,
      including acute and chronic hepatitis. Ten HBV genotypes (A-J) with distinct
      geographic distributions have been reported. Cases of acute HBV infection with
      genotype A have increased in Japan nationwide since the 1990s, mainly through
      sexual transmission. To investigate the molecular evolution and phylodynamics of
      HBV genotypes, we collected acute HBV isolates acquired in Japan from 1992-2002.
      Full genomes were obtained for comprehensive phylogenetic and phylodynamic
      analysis, with other Japanese HBV sequences from GenBank that were isolated
      during 1991-2010. HBV genotypes were classified using the maximum-likelihood and
      Bayesian methods. The GMRF Bayesian Skyride was used to estimate the evolution
      and population dynamics of HBV. Four HBV genotypes (A, B, C, and H) were
      identified, of which C was the major genotype. The phylodynamic results indicated
      an exponential growth between the 1960s and early 1990s; this was followed by a
      population bottleneck after 1995, possibly linked with successful implementation
      of a nationwide vaccination program. However, HBV/A increased from 1990 to 2003
      2004, and then started to decrease. The prevalence of genotype A has increased
      over the past 10 years. Phylodynamic inference clearly demonstrates a steady
      population growth compatible with an ongoing subepidemic; this might be due to
      the loss of immunity to HBV in adolescents and people being born before the
      vaccination program. This is the first phylodynamic study of HBV infection in
      Japan and will facilitate understanding the molecular epidemiology and long-term
      evolutionary dynamics of this virus in Japan. 

PMID- 27280442
TI  - Differential Incorporation of Carbon Substrates among Microbial Populations
      Identified by Field-Based, DNA Stable-Isotope Probing in South China Sea.
AB  - To determine the adapted microbial populations to variant dissolved organic
      carbon (DOC) sources in the marine environment and improve the understanding of
      the interaction between microorganisms and marine DOC pool, field-based
      incubation experiments were carried out using supplemental 13C-labeled typical
      substrates D-glucose and D-glucosamine (D-Glc and D-GlcN, respectively), which
      are two important components in marine DOC pool in the South China Sea. 13C- and
      12C-DNA were then fractionated by ultracentrifugation and the microbial community
      was analyzed by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism and 454
      pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene. 12C-DNA-based communities showed relatively high
      similarities with their corresponding in situ communities, and their bacterial
      diversities were generally higher than 13C-DNA-based counterparts. Distinct
      differences in community composition were found between 13C- and 12C-DNA-based
      communities and between two substrate-supplemented 13C-DNA-based communities;
      these differences distinctly varied with depth and site. In most cases, there
      were more genera with relative abundances of >0.1% in D-Glc-incorporating
      communities than in D-GlcN-incorporating communities. The Roseobacter clade was
      one of the prominent actively substrate-incorporating bacterial populations in
      all 13C-DNA-based communities. Vibrio was another prominent actively D-GlcN
      incorporating bacterial population in most incubations. However notably,
      different OTUs dominated this clade or genus in different treatments at different
      depths. Altogether, these results suggested that there were taxa-specific
      differences in DOC assimilations and, moreover, their differences varied among
      the typical water masses, which could have been caused by the variant
      compositions of original bacterial communities from different hydrological
      environments. This implies that ecologically, the levels of labile or
      recalcitrance of DOC can be maintained only in a specific environmental context
      with specific bacterial community composition. 

PMID- 27280444
TI  - HCV-Mediated Apoptosis of Hepatocytes in Culture and Viral Pathogenesis.
AB  - Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is associated with progressive liver
      injury and subsequent development of fibrosis and cirrhosis. The death of
      hepatocytes results in the release of cytokines that induce inflammatory and
      fibrotic responses. The mechanism of liver damage is still under investigation
      but both apoptosis and immune-mediated processes may play roles. By observing the
      changes in gene expression patterns in HCV-infected cells, both markers and the
      causes of HCV-associated liver injury may be elucidated. HCV genotype 1b virus
      from persistently infected VeroE6 cells induced a strong cytopathic effect when
      used to infect Huh7.5 hepatoma cells. To determine if this cytopathic effect was
      a result of apoptosis, ultrastructural changes were observed by electron
      microscopy and markers of programmed cell death were surveyed. Screening of a
      human PCR array demonstrated a gene expression profile that contained upregulated
      markers of apoptosis, including tumor necrosis factor, caspases and caspase
      activators, Fas, Bcl2-interacting killer (BIK) and tumor suppressor protein, p53,
      as a result of HCV genotype 1b infection. The genes identified in this study
      should provide new insights into understanding viral pathogenesis in liver cells
      and may possibly help to identify novel antiviral and antifibrotic targets. 

PMID- 27280443
TI  - The Drosophila ETV5 Homologue Ets96B: Molecular Link between Obesity and Bipolar
      Disorder.
AB  - Several reports suggest obesity and bipolar disorder (BD) share some
      physiological and behavioural similarities. For instance, obese individuals are
      more impulsive and have heightened reward responsiveness, phenotypes associated
      with BD, while bipolar patients become obese at a higher rate and earlier age
      than people without BD; however, the molecular mechanisms of such an association
      remain obscure. Here we demonstrate, using whole transcriptome analysis, that
      Drosophila Ets96B, homologue of obesity-linked gene ETV5, regulates cellular
      systems associated with obesity and BD. Consistent with a role in obesity and BD,
      loss of nervous system Ets96B during development increases triacylglyceride
      concentration, while inducing a heightened startle-response, as well as
      increasing hyperactivity and reducing sleep. Of notable interest, mouse Etv5 and
      Drosophila Ets96B are expressed in dopaminergic-rich regions, and loss of Ets96B
      specifically in dopaminergic neurons recapitulates the metabolic and behavioural
      phenotypes. Moreover, our data indicate Ets96B inhibits dopaminergic-specific
      neuroprotective systems. Additionally, we reveal that multiple SNPs in human ETV5
      link to body mass index (BMI) and BD, providing further evidence for ETV5 as an
      important and novel molecular intermediate between obesity and BD. We identify a
      novel molecular link between obesity and bipolar disorder. The Drosophila ETV5
      homologue Ets96B regulates the expression of cellular systems with links to
      obesity and behaviour, including the expression of a conserved endoplasmic
      reticulum molecular chaperone complex known to be neuroprotective. Finally, a
      connection between the obesity-linked gene ETV5 and bipolar disorder emphasizes a
      functional relationship between obesity and BD at the molecular level.

PMID- 27280445
TI  - Molecular and Morpho-Agronomical Characterization of Root Architecture at
      Seedling and Reproductive Stages for Drought Tolerance in Wheat.
AB  - Water availability is a major limiting factor for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
      production in rain-fed agricultural systems worldwide. Root architecture is
      important for water and nutrition acquisition for all crops, including wheat. A
      set of 158 diverse wheat genotypes of Australian (72) and Indian (86) origin were
      studied for morpho-agronomical traits in field under irrigated and drought stress
      conditions during 2010-11 and 2011-12.Out of these 31 Indian wheat genotypes
      comprising 28 hexaploid (Triticum aestivum L.) and 3 tetraploid (T. durum) were
      characterized for root traits at reproductive stage in polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
      pipes. Roots of drought tolerant genotypes grew upto137cm (C306) as compared to
      sensitive one of 63cm with a mean value of 94.8cm. Root architecture traits of
      four drought tolerant (C306, HW2004, HD2888 and NI5439) and drought sensitive
      (HD2877, HD2012, HD2851 and MACS2496) genotypes were also observed at 6 and 9
      days old seedling stage. The genotypes did not show any significant variation for
      root traits except for longer coleoptiles and shoot and higher absorptive surface
      area in drought tolerant genotypes. The visible evaluation of root images using
      WinRhizo Tron root scanner of drought tolerant genotype HW2004 indicated compact
      root system with longer depth while drought sensitive genotype HD2877 exhibited
      higher horizontal root spread and less depth at reproductive stage. Thirty SSR
      markers were used to study genetic variation which ranged from 0.12 to 0.77 with
      an average value of 0.57. The genotypes were categorized into three subgroups as
      highly tolerant, sensitive, moderately sensitive and tolerant as intermediate
      group based on UPGMA cluster, STRUCTURE and principal coordinate analyses. The
      genotypic clustering was positively correlated to grouping based on root and
      morpho-agronomical traits. The genetic variability identified in current study
      demonstrated these traits can be used to improve drought tolerance and
      association mapping. 

PMID- 27280447
TI  - Biologic Data of Cynomolgus Monkeys Maintained under Laboratory Conditions.
AB  - The cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) is a well-known non-human primate
      species commonly used in non-clinical research. It is important to know basal
      clinical pathology parameters in order to have a reference for evaluating any
      potential treatment-induced effects, maintaining health status among animals and,
      if needed, evaluating correct substantiative therapies. In this study, data from
      238 untreated cynomolgus monkeys (119 males and 119 females of juvenile age, 2.5
      to 3.5 years) kept under laboratory conditions were used to build up a reference
      database of clinical pathology parameters. Twenty-two hematology markers, 24
      clinical chemistry markers and two blood coagulation parameters were analyzed.
      Gender-related differences were evaluated using statistical analyses. To assess
      the possible effects of stress induced by housing or handling involved in
      treatment procedures, 78 animals (35 males and 35 females out of 238 juvenile
      monkeys and four adult males and four adult females) were used to evaluate
      cortisol, corticosterone and behavioral assessment over time. Data were analyzed
      using a non-parametric statistical test and machine learning approaches.
      Reference clinical pathology data obtained from untreated animals may be
      extremely useful for investigators employing cynomolgus monkeys as a test system
      for non-clinical safety studies. 

PMID- 27280448
TI  - Bayesian analysis of factorial designs.
AB  - This article provides a Bayes factor approach to multiway analysis of variance
      (ANOVA) that allows researchers to state graded evidence for effects or
      invariances as determined by the data. ANOVA is conceptualized as a hierarchical
      model where levels are clustered within factors. The development is comprehensive
      in that it includes Bayes factors for fixed and random effects and for within
      subjects, between-subjects, and mixed designs. Different model construction and
      comparison strategies are discussed, and an example is provided. We show how
      Bayes factors may be computed with BayesFactor package in R and with the JASP
      statistical package. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280446
TI  - Replication and Characterization of Association between ABO SNPs and Red Blood
      Cell Traits by Meta-Analysis in Europeans.
AB  - Red blood cell (RBC) traits are routinely measured in clinical practice as
      important markers of health. Deviations from the physiological ranges are usually
      a sign of disease, although variation between healthy individuals also occurs, at
      least partly due to genetic factors. Recent large scale genetic studies
      identified loci associated with one or more of these traits; further
      characterization of known loci and identification of new loci is necessary to
      better understand their role in health and disease and to identify potential
      molecular mechanisms. We performed meta-analysis of Metabochip association
      results for six RBC traits-hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean
      corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC),
      mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red blood cell count (RCC)-in 11 093 Europeans
      from seven studies of the UCL-LSHTM-Edinburgh-Bristol (UCLEB) Consortium. We
      identified 394 non-overlapping SNPs in five loci at genome-wide significance:
      6p22.1-6p21.33 (with HFE among others), 6q23.2 (with HBS1L among others), 6q23.3
      (contains no genes), 9q34.3 (only ABO gene) and 22q13.1 (with TMPRSS6 among
      others), replicating previous findings of association with RBC traits at these
      loci and extending them by imputation to 1000 Genomes. We further characterized
      associations between ABO SNPs and three traits: hemoglobin, hematocrit and red
      blood cell count, replicating them in an independent cohort. Conditional analyses
      indicated the independent association of each of these traits with ABO SNPs and a
      role for blood group O in mediating the association. The 15 most significant RBC
      associated ABO SNPs were also associated with five cardiometabolic traits, with
      discordance in the direction of effect between groups of traits, suggesting that
      ABO may act through more than one mechanism to influence cardiometabolic risk. 

PMID- 27280449
TI  - The association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and suicide attempts
      in a population-based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To further our understanding of the relationship between Adverse
      Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and suicidal behaviour, this study investigates the
      association between three types of ACEs and lifetime suicide attempts, while
      considering potential gender-specific and mediating effects. METHODS: Data were
      obtained from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health (CCHS-MH),
      a cross-sectional, population-based survey comprised of respondents aged 18 or
      older who provided self-reported data on past experiences of suicide attempts, as
      well as childhood sexual abuse (CSA), childhood physical abuse (CPA) and parental
      domestic violence (PDV) (n = 22 559). After testing for ACE by gender
      interactions, we estimated the odds of lifetime suicide attempts for each ACE and
      then investigated whether depression, anxiety, substance abuse and chronic pain
      acted as mediators of the relationship. RESULTS: The odds of suicide attempts are
      significantly higher among those with a history of CPA (OR = 3.29; 99.9% CI 2.33
      4.64), CSA (OR = 4.42; 99.9% CI 3.14-6.23) or PDV (OR = 2.52; 99.9% CI 1.69
      3.76), when ACEs are mutually adjusted. There is little evidence that gender acts
      as a moderator; however, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and chronic pain
      appear to partially mediate the associations. Depression alone accounts for about
      a quarter of the associations with CSA and CPA. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health
      factors and chronic pain appear only to partially mediate relationships between
      ACEs and lifetime suicide attempts. Future research should look at other pathways
      with the goal of developing multi-level interventions.

PMID- 27280450
TI  - Exploring the Measurement of Markedness and Its Relationship with Other
      Linguistic Variables.
AB  - Antonym pair members can be differentiated by each word's markedness-that
      distinction attributable to the presence or absence of features at morphological
      or semantic levels. Morphologically marked words incorporate their unmarked
      counterpart with additional morphs (e.g., "unlucky" vs. "lucky"); properties used
      to determine semantically marked words (e.g., "short" vs. "long") are less
      clearly defined. Despite extensive theoretical scrutiny, the lexical properties
      of markedness have received scant empirical study. The current paper employs an
      antonym sequencing approach to measure markedness: establishing markedness
      probabilities for individual words and evaluating their relationship with other
      lexical properties (e.g., length, frequency, valence). Regression analyses reveal
      that markedness probability is, as predicted, related to affixation and also
      strongly related to valence. Our results support the suggestion that antonym
      sequence is reflected in discourse, and further analysis demonstrates that
      markedness probabilities, derived from the antonym sequencing task, reflect the
      ordering of antonyms within natural language. In line with the Pollyanna
      Hypothesis, we argue that markedness is closely related to valence; language
      users demonstrate a tendency to present words evaluated positively ahead of those
      evaluated negatively if given the choice. Future research should consider the
      relationship of markedness and valence, and the influence of contextual
      information in determining which member of an antonym pair is marked or unmarked
      within discourse. 

PMID- 27280451
TI  - Association between Molar Incisor Hypomineralization in Schoolchildren and Both
      Prenatal and Postnatal Factors: A Population-Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although studies throughout the world have investigated potential
      factors involved in the occurrence of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), the
      findings are varied and inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was
      to evaluate the prevalence of MIH and identify associated prenatal, perinatal and
      postnatal factors among Brazilian schoolchildren aged 8 and 9 years. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study was conducted with a randomly selected population-based
      sample of 1181 schoolchildren. Information on demographic and socioeconomic
      characteristics as well as prenatal, perinatal and postnatal aspects was obtained
      through questionnaires. The clinical examination included the investigation of
      MIH based on the criteria of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. Dental
      caries in the permanent dentition and developmental defects of enamel (DDE) on
      the primary second molars were also recorded. Data analysis involved descriptive
      statistics, bivariate tests and Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS:
      The prevalence of MIH was 20.4%. MIH was more frequent among children with dental
      caries in the permanent dentition (PR: 2.67; 95% CI: 1.98-3.61), those with DDE
      on the primary second molars (PR: 2.54; 95% CI: 1.87-3.45) and those who
      experienced asthma/bronchitis in the first four years of life (PR: 1.93; 95% CI:
      1.45-2.56). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MIH was high and was associated with
      dental caries, the presence of DDE on primary second molars and the experience of
      asthma/bronchitis in early life. These findings could be useful in the
      identification of children in need of shorter recall intervals to prevent the
      consequences of MIH, such as enamel breakdown dental caries.

PMID- 27280453
TI  - The Psychometric Properties of a Modified Sit-to-Stand Test With Use of the Upper
      Extremities in Institutionalized Older Adults.
AB  - Current sit-to-stand protocols do not permit use of upper extremities, limiting
      the protocols' utility for institutionalized older adults with diminished
      physical function. The objective of this study was to modify a 30-s sit-to-stand
      protocol to allow for arm use and to examine test-retest reliability and
      convergent validity; 54 institutionalized older adult men (age = 91 +/- 3 year)
      performed the 30-s sit-to-stand twice within a span of 3 to 7 days. Results
      suggest good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .84)
      and convergent validity with the Timed Up and Go Test (r = -.62). This modified
      30-s sit-to-stand can be used to assess physical function performance in
      institutionalized older adults and will ensure that individuals with lower
      physical function capacity can complete the test, thus eliminating the floor
      effect demonstrated with other sit-to-stand protocols. 

PMID- 27280454
TI  - Next-Generation Mitogenomics: A Comparison of Approaches Applied to Caecilian
      Amphibian Phylogeny.
AB  - Mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences are being generated with increasing
      speed due to the advances of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology and
      associated analytical tools. However, detailed comparisons to explore the utility
      of alternative NGS approaches applied to the same taxa have not been undertaken.
      We compared a 'traditional' Sanger sequencing method with two NGS approaches
      (shotgun sequencing and non-indexed, multiplex amplicon sequencing) on four
      different sequencing platforms (Illumina's HiSeq and MiSeq, Roche's 454 GS FLX,
      and Life Technologies' Ion Torrent) to produce seven (near-) complete mitogenomes
      from six species that form a small radiation of caecilian amphibians from the
      Seychelles. The fastest, most accurate method of obtaining mitogenome sequences
      that we tested was direct sequencing of genomic DNA (shotgun sequencing) using
      the MiSeq platform. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses using
      seven different partitioning strategies were unable to resolve compellingly all
      phylogenetic relationships among the Seychelles caecilian species, indicating the
      need for additional data in this case. 

PMID- 27280452
TI  - Auditory Hallucinations and the Brain's Resting-State Networks: Findings and
      Methodological Observations.
AB  - In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the potential for
      alterations to the brain's resting-state networks (RSNs) to explain various kinds
      of psychopathology. RSNs provide an intriguing new explanatory framework for
      hallucinations, which can occur in different modalities and population groups,
      but which remain poorly understood. This collaboration from the International
      Consortium on Hallucination Research (ICHR) reports on the evidence linking
      resting-state alterations to auditory hallucinations (AH) and provides a critical
      appraisal of the methodological approaches used in this area. In the report, we
      describe findings from resting connectivity fMRI in AH (in schizophrenia and
      nonclinical individuals) and compare them with findings from neurophysiological
      research, structural MRI, and research on visual hallucinations (VH). In AH,
      various studies show resting connectivity differences in left-hemisphere auditory
      and language regions, as well as atypical interaction of the default mode network
      and RSNs linked to cognitive control and salience. As the latter are also evident
      in studies of VH, this points to a domain-general mechanism for hallucinations
      alongside modality-specific changes to RSNs in different sensory regions.
      However, we also observed high methodological heterogeneity in the current
      literature, affecting the ability to make clear comparisons between studies. To
      address this, we provide some methodological recommendations and options for
      future research on the resting state and hallucinations.

PMID- 27280456
TI  - Rapid processing of PET list-mode data for efficient uncertainty estimation and
      data analysis.
AB  - In this technical note we propose a rapid and scalable software solution for the
      processing of PET list-mode data, which allows the efficient integration of list
      mode data processing into the workflow of image reconstruction and analysis. All
      processing is performed on the graphics processing unit (GPU), making use of
      streamed and concurrent kernel execution together with data transfers between
      disk and CPU memory as well as CPU and GPU memory. This approach leads to fast
      generation of multiple bootstrap realisations, and when combined with fast image
      reconstruction and analysis, it enables assessment of uncertainties of any image
      statistic and of any component of the image generation process (e.g. random
      correction, image processing) within reasonable time frames (e.g. within five
      minutes per realisation). This is of particular value when handling complex
      chains of image generation and processing. The software outputs the following:
      (1) estimate of expected random event data for noise reduction; (2) dynamic
      prompt and random sinograms of span-1 and span-11 and (3) variance estimates
      based on multiple bootstrap realisations of (1) and (2) assuming reasonable count
      levels for acceptable accuracy. In addition, the software produces statistics and
      visualisations for immediate quality control and crude motion detection, such as:
      (1) count rate curves; (2) centre of mass plots of the radiodistribution for
      motion detection; (3) video of dynamic projection views for fast visual list-mode
      skimming and inspection; (4) full normalisation factor sinograms. To demonstrate
      the software, we present an example of the above processing for fast uncertainty
      estimation of regional SUVR (standard uptake value ratio) calculation for a
      single PET scan of (18)F-florbetapir using the Siemens Biograph mMR scanner.

PMID- 27280455
TI  - Potassium Measures and Their Associations with Glucose and Diabetes Risk: The
      Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have found low-normal potassium (K) to be associated
      with increased diabetes risk. We sought to verify these associations in a multi
      ethnic US cohort; and to determine if these associations extend to US Hispanics
      and Asian-Americans. METHODS: We analyzed data from Multi-Ethnic Study of
      Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants who were free-of-diabetes at baseline. We
      examined cross-sectional associations between measures of K-serum, dietary, and
      urine-with fasting glucose and HOMA-IR. We examined longitudinal associations
      between K and diabetes risk over 8 years. FINDINGS: In multivariable models,
      compared to those with higher serum K (>=4.5mmol/L), those with lower serum K
      (<4.0mmol/L) had significantly higher fasting glucose [1.3 mg/dL (95%CI 0.2,
      2.4), P-value = 0.03]. Incident diabetes developed in 1281 of 5415 at-risk
      participants. In minimally-adjusted models, we found inverse associations between
      serum and dietary K and diabetes risk. Compared to those with higher serum K,
      those with lower serum K had an HR (95% CI) of incident diabetes of 1.23 (1.04,
      1.47), P-value = 0.02. However, these associations were attenuated in fully
      adjusted models. We found no significant interaction between potassium and
      ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-ethnic cohort, we found a significant
      inverse association between serum K and fasting glucose but no significant
      association with longer-term diabetes risk. This inverse association between
      potassium and glucose must be studied further to understand the physiology and
      its potential impact on chronic health.

PMID- 27280463
TI  - A Method for Quantifying, Visualising, and Analysing Gastropod Shell Form.
AB  - Quantitative analysis of organismal form is an important component for almost
      every branch of biology. Although generally considered an easily-measurable
      structure, the quantification of gastropod shell form is still a challenge
      because many shells lack homologous structures and have a spiral form that is
      difficult to capture with linear measurements. In view of this, we adopt the idea
      of theoretical modelling of shell form, in which the shell form is the product of
      aperture ontogeny profiles in terms of aperture growth trajectory that is
      quantified as curvature and torsion, and of aperture form that is represented by
      size and shape. We develop a workflow for the analysis of shell forms based on
      the aperture ontogeny profile, starting from the procedure of data preparation
      (retopologising the shell model), via data acquisition (calculation of aperture
      growth trajectory, aperture form and ontogeny axis), and data presentation
      (qualitative comparison between shell forms) and ending with data analysis
      (quantitative comparison between shell forms). We evaluate our methods on
      representative shells of the genera Opisthostoma and Plectostoma, which exhibit
      great variability in shell form. The outcome suggests that our method is a
      robust, reproducible, and versatile approach for the analysis of shell form.
      Finally, we propose several potential applications of our methods in functional
      morphology, theoretical modelling, taxonomy, and evolutionary biology. 

PMID- 27280465
TI  - Synthetic and Medicinal Prospective of Structurally Modified Curcumins.
AB  - Curcumin, a natural yellow phenolic compound, is present in various types of
      herbs, particularly in Turmeric, Curcuma longa Linn. (Zingiberaceae family)
      rhizomes. Curcumin is a polyphenolic natural compound with diverse and attractive
      biological activities. In the last decade curcumine and its various synthetic
      analogues have been prepared and evaluated for various pharmacological activities
      that prove it as a lead molecule against several biological targets. It is a
      natural antioxidant and exhibited many pharmacological activities such as anti
      inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticancer, anti-Alzheimer in both preclinical and
      clinical studies. Moreover, Curcumin and its analogues have anti-tubercular,
      cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective,
      nephroprotective, antirheumatic and anti-viral activities. The substitutions of
      1,6-heptadiene linkage moiety via carbonyl group sustituion and addition of
      heterocyclic linker; isoxazole, 1H-pyrazole, cyclopentanone, piperidin-4-one, N
      methylpiperidin-4-one enhance biological activities. The structure activity
      relationship of various curcumin analogues is studied for medicinal purposes and
      it reveals that monocarbonyl linkage analogues have anticancer properties. The
      current review gives an insight of the history, chemistry, analogues and most
      interesting in vitro and in vivo studies on the biological effects of Curcumin
      and its analogues.

PMID- 27280464
TI  - Regulation of Smoothened Phosphorylation and High-Level Hedgehog Signaling
      Activity by a Plasma Membrane Associated Kinase.
AB  - Hedgehog (Hh) signaling controls embryonic development and adult tissue
      homeostasis through the G protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-family protein
      Smoothened (Smo). Upon stimulation, Smo accumulates on the cell surface in
      Drosophila or primary cilia in vertebrates, which is thought to be essential for
      its activation and function, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly
      understood. Here we show that Hh stimulates the binding of Smo to a plasma
      membrane-associated kinase Gilgamesh (Gish)/CK1gamma and that Gish fine-tunes Hh
      pathway activity by phosphorylating a Ser/Thr cluster (CL-II) in the
      juxtamembrane region of Smo carboxyl-terminal intracellular tail (C-tail). We
      find that CL-II phosphorylation is promoted by protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated
      phosphorylation of Smo C-tail and depends on cell surface localization of both
      Gish and Smo. Consistent with CL-II being critical for high-threshold Hh target
      gene expression, its phosphorylation appears to require higher levels of Hh or
      longer exposure to the same level of Hh than PKA-site phosphorylation on Smo.
      Furthermore, we find that vertebrate CK1gamma is localized at the primary cilium
      to promote Smo phosphorylation and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway activation. Our
      study reveals a conserved mechanism whereby Hh induces a change in Smo
      subcellular localization to promote its association with and activation by a
      plasma membrane localized kinase, and provides new insight into how Hh morphogen
      progressively activates Smo.

PMID- 27280466
TI  - Mapping the spatiotemporal dynamics of processing task-relevant and task
      irrelevant sound feature changes using concurrent EEG-fMRI.
AB  - The cortical processing of changes in auditory input involves auditory sensory
      regions as well as different frontoparietal brain networks. The spatiotemporal
      dynamics of the activation spread across these networks has, however, not been
      investigated in detail so far. We here approached this issue using concurrent
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG),
      providing us with simultaneous information on both the spatial and temporal
      patterns of change-related activity. We applied an auditory stimulus
      categorization task with switching categorization rules, allowing to analyze
      change-related responses as a function of the changing sound feature (pitch or
      duration) and the task relevance of the change. Our data show the successive
      progression of change-related activity from regions involved in early change
      detection to the ventral and dorsal attention networks, and finally the central
      executive network. While early change detection was found to recruit feature
      specific networks involving auditory sensory but also frontal and parietal brain
      regions, the later spread of activity across the frontoparietal attention and
      executive networks was largely independent of the changing sound feature,
      suggesting the existence of a general feature-independent processing pathway of
      change-related information. Task relevance did not modulate early auditory
      sensory processing, but was mainly found to affect processing in frontal brain
      regions. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3400-3416, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27280467
TI  - The Effect of Strict Segregation on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Cystic Fibrosis
      Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Segregation of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) was implemented
      to prevent chronic infection with epidemic Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with
      presumed detrimental clinical effects, but its effectiveness has not been
      carefully evaluated. METHODS: The effect of strict segregation on the incidence
      of P. aeruginosa infection in CF patients was investigated through longitudinal
      protocolized follow-up of respiratory tract infection before and after
      segregation. In two nested cross-sectional studies in 2007 and 2011 the P.
      aeruginosa population structure was investigated and clinical parameters were
      determined in patients with and without infection with the Dutch epidemic P.
      aeruginosa clone (ST406). RESULTS: Of 784 included patients 315 and 382 were at
      risk for acquiring chronic P. aeruginosa infection before and after segregation.
      Acquisition rates were, respectively, 0.14 and 0.05 per 1,000 days at risk (HR:
      0.66, 95% CI [0.2548-1.541]; p = 0.28). An exploratory subgroup analysis
      indicated lower acquisition after segregation in children < 15 years of age (HR:
      0.43, 95% CI[0.21-0.95]; p = 0.04). P. aeruginosa population structure did not
      change after segregation and ST406 was not associated with lung function decline,
      death or lung transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Strict segregation was not associated
      with a statistically significant lower acquisition of chronic P. aeruginosa
      infection and ST406 was not associated with adverse clinical outcome. After
      segregation there were no new acquisitions of ST406. In an unplanned exploratory
      analysis chronic acquisition of P. aeruginosa was lower after implementation of
      segregation in patients under 15 years of age.

PMID- 27280469
TI  - Two variations of congenital epulis.

PMID- 27280468
TI  - Targeted Delivery of Deoxycytidine Kinase to Her2-Positive Cells Enhances the
      Efficacy of the Nucleoside Analog Fludarabine.
AB  - Cytotoxic drugs, such as nucleoside analogs and toxins, commonly suffer from off
      target effects. One approach to mitigate this problem is to deliver the cytotoxic
      drug selectively to the intended site. While for toxins this can be achieved by
      conjugating the cell-killing moiety to a targeting moiety, it is not an option
      for nucleoside analogs, which rely on intracellular enzymes to convert them to
      their active triphosphorylated form. To overcome this limitation, and achieve
      site-targeted activation of nucleoside analogs, we fused the coding region of a
      prodrug-activating enzyme, deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), to affinity reagents that
      bind to the Her2 cell surface protein. We evaluated dCK fusions to an anti-Her2
      affibody and Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) for their ability to kill
      cancer cells by promoting the activation of the nucleoside analog fludarabine.
      Cell staining and flow cytometry experiments with three Her2 positive cancer cell
      lines (BT-474-JB, JIMT-1 and SK-OV-3) indicate dCK fusions binding and cellular
      internalization. In contrast, these reagents bind only weakly to the Her2
      negative cell line, MCF-7. Cell proliferation assays indicate that SK-OV-3 and BT
      474-JB cell lines exhibit significantly reduced proliferation rates when treated
      with targeting-module fused dCK and fludarabine, compared to fludarabine alone.
      These findings demonstrate that we have succeeded in delivering active dCK into
      the Her2-positive cells, thereby increasing the activation of fludarabine, which
      ultimately reduces the dose of nucleoside analog needed for cell killing. This
      strategy may help establish the therapeutic index required to differentiate
      between healthy tissues and cancer cells. 

PMID- 27280470
TI  - Recent Developments of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Theranostics of Brain Tumor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma multiforme, one of the most aggressive brain tumors, has
      a very poor clinical outcome. Despite the introduction of the alkylating reagent
      temozolomide (TMZ) to surgery and radiotherapy, the survival of patients could
      only be modestly increased up to less than 15 months. Therefore, innovative
      treatment strategies are urgently needed to improve survival of glioma patients.
      OBJECTIVE: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have attracted a
      lot of attention due to their widespread diagnostic and therapeutic applications
      in neuro-oncology. In this review article we discuss the possible application of
      the SPIONs for the diagnostic and theraputic approaches in brain cancer.
      Additionally we report on recent pre-clinical and clinical developments on the
      generation of heat in the tumors through the application of SPIONs subjected to
      an alternating magnetic field (AMF). METHODS: A comprehensive review of the
      literature on the current status of using targeted SPIONs in brain tumor
      detection and therapy and also the potential hurdles to overcome was performed.
      RESULTS: Functionalized nanoparticles carrying tumor-specific agents, such as
      antibodies or proteins might further improve their tumor targeting capacity.
      Furthermore, multifunctional, theranostic SPIONs can be used for simultaneous in
      vivo tumor imaging and targeted drug deliery. Application of the ultrasound and
      external magnetic field technologies significantly improves accumulation of
      nanoparticles in brain tumors. Hyperthermic treatment using AMF has a therapeutic
      potential in management of brain tumors. CONCLUSION: Superparamagnetic
      nanoparticle-based imaging, drug delivery and hyperthermic treatment can
      potentially be a powerful tool for precise diagnosis and treatment of brain
      tumors.

PMID- 27280471
TI  - New parameters for childhood ventilator associated pneumonia diagnosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our aim is to determine whether the presence of soluble triggering
      receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (s-TREM-1) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
      (BALF), serum procalcitonin levels (PCT), and Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score
      (CPIS) have diagnostic value in children with VAP. METHODS: All children followed
      in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who were mechanically ventilated at least
      for 48 hr between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled into our study.
      BALF sample was obtained via non-bronchoscopic method from the children with VAP
      suspicion (case group) and s-TREM-1 levels were measured. Furthermore we
      calculated CPIS and measured serum PCT levels. Same procedures were applied to
      the control group who were admitted to PICU without infectious problems and who
      were not under antimicrobial therapy. First we compared the case group with the
      control group and then we compared the quantitative culture confirmed and non
      confirmed VAP cases among themselves. RESULTS: Case group (n:58) had significant
      higher PCT and s-TREM-1 levels compared to control group (n:58). The VAP
      confirmed cases had higher s-TREM-1, PCT ve CPIS levels compared to non-confirmed
      VAP cases. s-TREM-1, PCT ve CPIS variables were found to be independent risk
      factors for VAP. The cutoff values for s-TREM-1, CPIS, and PCT, are 281 pg/ml, 6,
      and 1.9 ng/ml, respectively. The patients whose s-TREM-1, CPIS, and PCT values
      above the cutoff levels were found to have higher cumulative VAP rate.
      CONCLUSIONS: s-TREM-1 of BALF, serum PCT levels, and CPIS are useful predictors
      for ventilator-associated pneumonia diagnosis in children. Pediatr Pulmonol.
      2017;52:119-128. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27280472
TI  - Mutations Affecting Potassium Import Restore the Viability of the Escherichia
      coli DNA Polymerase III holD Mutant.
AB  - Mutants lacking the psi (HolD) subunit of the Escherichia coli DNA Polymerase III
      holoenzyme (Pol III HE) have poor viability, but a residual growth allows the
      isolation of spontaneous suppressor mutations that restore DeltaholD mutant
      viability. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of two suppressor
      mutations in the trkA and trkE genes, involved in the main E. coli potassium
      import system. Viability of DeltaholD trk mutants is abolished on media with low
      or high K+ concentrations, where alternative K+ import systems are activated, and
      is restored on low K+ concentrations by the inactivation of the alternative Kdp
      system. These findings show that the DeltaholD mutant is rescued by a decrease in
      K+ import. The effect of trk inactivation is additive with the previously
      identified DeltaholD suppressor mutation lexAind that blocks the SOS response
      indicating an SOS-independent mechanism of suppression. Accordingly, although
      lagging-strand synthesis is still perturbed in holD trkA mutants, the trkA
      mutation allows HolD-less Pol III HE to resist increased levels of the SOS
      induced bypass polymerase DinB. trk inactivation is also partially additive with
      an ssb gene duplication, proposed to stabilize HolD-less Pol III HE by a
      modification of the single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) binding mode. We
      propose that lowering the intracellular K+ concentration stabilizes HolD-less Pol
      III HE on DNA by increasing electrostatic interactions between Pol III HE
      subunits, or between Pol III and DNA, directly or through a modification of the
      SSB binding mode; these three modes of action are not exclusive and could be
      additive. To our knowledge, the holD mutant provides the first example of an
      essential protein-DNA interaction that strongly depends on K+ import in vivo.

PMID- 27280473
TI  - Do Low Molecular Weight Agents Cause More Severe Asthma than High Molecular
      Weight Agents?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyse whether patients with
      occupational asthma (OA) caused by low molecular weight (LMW) agents differed
      from patients with OA caused by high molecular weight (HMW) with regard to risk
      factors, asthma presentation and severity, and response to various diagnostic
      tests. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with OA diagnosed by positive specific
      inhalation challenge (SIC) were included. Anthropometric characteristics, atopic
      status, occupation, latency periods, asthma severity according to the Global
      Initiative for Asthma (GINA) control classification, lung function tests and SIC
      results were analysed. RESULTS: OA was induced by an HMW agent in 23 patients
      (29%) and by an LMW agent in 55 (71%). A logistic regression analysis confirmed
      that patients with OA caused by LMW agents had a significantly higher risk of
      severity according to the GINA classification after adjusting for potential
      confounders (OR = 3.579, 95% CI 1.136-11.280; p = 0.029). During the SIC, most
      patients with OA caused by HMW agents presented an early reaction (82%), while in
      patients with OA caused by LMW agents the response was mainly late (73%) (p =
      0.0001). Similarly, patients with OA caused by LMW agents experienced a greater
      degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness, measured as the difference in the
      methacholine dose-response ratio (DRR) before and after SIC (1.77, range 0-16),
      compared with patients with OA caused by HMW agents (0.87, range 0-72), (p =
      0.024). CONCLUSIONS: OA caused by LMW agents may be more severe than that caused
      by HMW agents. The severity of the condition may be determined by the different
      mechanisms of action of these agents.

PMID- 27280474
TI  - Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance - United States, 2015.
AB  - PROBLEM: Priority health-risk behaviors contribute to the leading causes of
      morbidity and mortality among youth and adults. Population-based data on these
      behaviors at the national, state, and local levels can help monitor the
      effectiveness of public health interventions designed to protect and promote the
      health of youth nationwide. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: September 2014-December
      2015. DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
      (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health behaviors among youth and
      young adults: 1) behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and
      violence; 2) tobacco use; 3) alcohol and other drug use; 4) sexual behaviors
      related to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
      including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; 5) unhealthy dietary
      behaviors; and 6) physical inactivity. In addition, YRBSS monitors the prevalence
      of obesity and asthma and other priority health behaviors. YRBSS includes a
      national school-based Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted by CDC and
      state and large urban school district school-based YRBSs conducted by state and
      local education and health agencies. This report summarizes results for 118
      health behaviors plus obesity, overweight, and asthma from the 2015 national
      survey, 37 state surveys, and 19 large urban school district surveys conducted
      among students in grades 9-12. RESULTS: Results from the 2015 national YRBS
      indicated that many high school students are engaged in priority health-risk
      behaviors associated with the leading causes of death among persons aged 10-24
      years in the United States. During the 30 days before the survey, 41.5% of high
      school students nationwide among the 61.3% who drove a car or other vehicle
      during the 30 days before the survey had texted or e-mailed while driving, 32.8%
      had drunk alcohol, and 21.7% had used marijuana. During the 12 months before the
      survey, 15.5% had been electronically bullied, 20.2% had been bullied on school
      property, and 8.6% had attempted suicide. Many high school students are engaged
      in sexual risk behaviors that relate to unintended pregnancies and STIs,
      including HIV infection. Nationwide, 41.2% of students had ever had sexual
      intercourse, 30.1% had had sexual intercourse during the 3 months before the
      survey (i.e., currently sexually active), and 11.5% had had sexual intercourse
      with four or more persons during their life. Among currently sexually active
      students, 56.9% had used a condom during their last sexual intercourse. Results
      from the 2015 national YRBS also indicated many high school students are engaged
      in behaviors associated with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease,
      cancer, and diabetes. During the 30 days before the survey, 10.8% of high school
      students had smoked cigarettes and 7.3% had used smokeless tobacco. During the 7
      days before the survey, 5.2% of high school students had not eaten fruit or drunk
      100% fruit juices and 6.7% had not eaten vegetables. More than one third (41.7%)
      had played video or computer games or used a computer for something that was not
      school work for 3 or more hours per day on an average school day and 14.3% had
      not participated in at least 60 minutes of any kind of physical activity that
      increased their heart rate and made them breathe hard on at least 1 day during
      the 7 days before the survey. Further, 13.9% had obesity and 16.0% were
      overweight. INTERPRETATION: Many high school students engage in behaviors that
      place them at risk for the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The
      prevalence of most health behaviors varies by sex, race/ethnicity, and grade and
      across states and large urban school districts. Long-term temporal changes also
      have occurred. Since the earliest year of data collection, the prevalence of most
      health-risk behaviors has decreased (e.g., riding with a driver who had been
      drinking alcohol, physical fighting, current cigarette use, current alcohol use,
      and current sexual activity), but the prevalence of other behaviors and health
      outcomes has not changed (e.g., suicide attempts treated by a doctor or nurse,
      smokeless tobacco use, having ever used marijuana, and attending physical
      education classes) or has increased (e.g., having not gone to school because of
      safety concerns, obesity, overweight, not eating vegetables, and not drinking
      milk). Monitoring emerging risk behaviors (e.g., texting and driving, bullying,
      and electronic vapor product use) is important to understand how they might vary
      over time. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: YRBSS data are used widely to compare the
      prevalence of health behaviors among subpopulations of students; assess trends in
      health behaviors over time; monitor progress toward achieving 21 national health
      objectives for Healthy People 2020 and one of the 26 leading health indicators;
      provide comparable state and large urban school district data; and help develop
      and evaluate school and community policies, programs, and practices designed to
      decrease health-risk behaviors and improve health outcomes among youth.

PMID- 27280475
TI  - Inhibitory effects of caffeine on gustatory plasticity in the nematode
      Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - The effects of caffeine on salt chemotaxis learning were investigated using the
      nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. To estimate the degree of salt chemotaxis
      learning, nematodes were placed in a mixed solution of NaCl and caffeine, and
      then the chemotaxis index of NaCl was obtained from the nematodes placed on agar
      medium after pre-exposure to caffeine concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0%.
      Locomotor activity and preference behavior for caffeine were also estimated under
      these caffeine conditions. Nematodes pre-exposed to 0.3% caffeine showed
      inhibition of salt chemotaxis learning. Additional experiments indicated that
      nematodes showed a preference response to the middle concentration of caffeine
      (0.1%), with preference behavior declining in the 0.3% caffeine condition. Stable
      locomotor activity was observed under 0.01-0.3% caffeine conditions. These
      results suggest that salt chemotaxis learning with 0.3% caffeine is useful for
      investigating the effects of caffeine on learning in nematodes. 

PMID- 27280476
TI  - Two-Dimensional Magnesium Phosphate Nanosheets Form Highly Thixotropic Gels That
      Up-Regulate Bone Formation.
AB  - Hydrogels composed of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have become an important
      alternative to replace traditional inorganic scaffolds for tissue engineering.
      Here, we describe a novel nanocrystalline material with 2D morphology that was
      synthesized by tuning the crystallization of the sodium-magnesium-phosphate
      system. We discovered that the sodium ion can regulate the precipitation of
      magnesium phosphate by interacting with the crystal's surface causing a
      preferential crystal growth that results in 2D morphology. The 2D nanomaterial
      gave rise to a physical hydrogel that presented extreme thixotropy,
      injectability, biocompatibility, bioresorption, and long-term stability. The
      nanocrystalline material was characterized in vitro and in vivo and we discovered
      that it presented unique biological properties. Magnesium phosphate nanosheets
      accelerated bone healing and osseointegration by enhancing collagen formation,
      osteoblasts differentiation, and osteoclasts proliferation through up-regulation
      of COL1A1, RunX2, ALP, OCN, and OPN. In summary, the 2D magnesium phosphate
      nanosheets could bring a paradigm shift in the field of minimally invasive
      orthopedic and craniofacial interventions because it is the only material
      available that can be injected through high gauge needles into bone defects in
      order to accelerate bone healing and osseointegration.

PMID- 27280477
TI  - Hypertension and Diabetic Nephropathy.

PMID- 27280481
TI  - Welcome letter from Jose Villadangos, President of the 16(th) International
      Congress of Immunology, Melbourne.

PMID- 27280482
TI  - TIL 2.0: More effective and predictive T-cell products by enrichment for defined
      antigen specificities.
AB  - Adoptive transfer of in vitro-expanded T cells derived from tumor-infiltrating
      lymphocytes (TILs) in melanoma patients started the era of tumor immunotherapy
      three decades ago. The approach has demonstrated remarkable clinical responses in
      several studies since. Reinfusion of TIL-derived T cells represents a highly
      personalized form of immunotherapy, taking into account the enormous
      interindividual tumor heterogeneity. However, despite its successes, TIL therapy
      does not lead to objective clinical responses in all cases. It is thus crucial to
      find out which tumor antigens are particularly valuable targets and to develop
      strategies to enhance the reactivity of T-cell products toward them. In this
      issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Kelderman et al. [Eur. J. Immunol.
      2016. 46: 1351-1360] present a platform for the generation of antigen-specific
      TIL therapy. Combining recently developed technologies for clinical
      identification and enrichment of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells, such as MHC
      Streptamers and UV-mediated peptide exchange, the authors could enrich T-cell
      populations with defined antigen specificities from melanoma-derived TILs. This T
      cell product showed higher reactivity against autologous tumor cell lines than
      bulk TIL-derived T cells. The novel platform might enable the generation of more
      effective and predictable TIL-derived T-cell products for future clinical
      applications.

PMID- 27280485
TI  - Hepatitis E virus in donor plasma collected in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human hepatitis E virus (HEV) is prevalent worldwide.
      Iatrogenic HEV has recently been identified based on the reports of transfusion
      transmitted cases. The detection rate of HEV-RNA and seroprevalence of HEV
      IgG/IgM have been regionally evaluated in Japan, and donor plasma collected in
      Hokkaido is currently screened by nucleic acid amplification testing. However,
      the detection rate of HEV-RNA in blood donors in Japan outside of Hokkaido has
      not been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 620 140 qualified donor
      plasma samples from Japanese regions excluding Hokkaido were tested for HEV-RNA
      (pools of 50 or 500) between 2004 and 2014. HEV-RNA-positive plasma bags were
      identified, and the HEV viral load, genotype and anti-HEV immunoglobulin
      (Ig)G/IgM were evaluated. RESULTS: The detection rate of HEV-RNA (pools of 50)
      was 1/15 075 and higher in eastern than in western Japan. All 36 HEV-RNA-positive
      samples were genotype 3 with viral load ranging from <1.69 to 7.22 log10
      copies/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Our detection rate of HEV-RNA in donor populations in
      Japan outside Hokkaido (1/15 075 donations) is generally lower than reported in
      Europe and lower than previously reported for Hokkaido (1/8173 donations). As
      methods varied, we cannot exclude that these differences are reflective of
      differing RNA detection limits. In contrast to Hokkaido where genotype 4 has been
      reported among blood donations, all our positive donations were genotype 3, which
      is less pathogenic.

PMID- 27280487
TI  - Alteration of classical and hematopoiesis specific p53 pathway in the bone marrow
      hematopoietic stem/progenitor compartment facilitates leukemia progression in
      experimental mice.
AB  - Downregulation of p53 is associated with most of the neoplasms, however it claims
      additional significance for hematopoietic malignancy due to its supplementary
      role during hematopoiesis. Apart from the classical role as tumor suppressor, p53
      during steady state hematopoiesis is associated with the maintenance of quiescent
      cell population in bone marrow by upregulating necdin (Ndn) and Gfi-1. We felt,
      it is necessary to delineate its attribution towards malignant conversion of
      hematopoietic system during leukemogenesis from all the possible angles. The
      present study deals with the characterization of N-N' Ethylnitrosourea (ENU)
      induced mouse model of leukemia by peripheral blood hemogram, bone marrow
      cytology, histology, cytochemical staining (MPO) and scanning electron
      microscopic study. We further investigated the alteration of conventional and
      hematopoiesis specific p53 pathways by flowcytometric expressional analysis of
      ATM, Chk-2, p53, p21, Ndn, Gfi-1 and Tie-2. The disruption of classical p53
      pathway was observed in leukemic hematopoietic stem/progenitor population which
      involved downregulation of ATM, Chk-2, p53 and p21. Moreover, the expressional
      decline of Ndn and Gfi-1 hinted towards the mechanism of hindrance of
      hematopoietic quiescency in leukemic bone marrow. Increased expression of Tie-2
      due to reverse correlation with p53 was found to be responsible for pathological
      angiogenesis in bone marrow together with increased blast burden in bone marrow
      during leukemia. The study presents the mechanistic scenario of the alteration of
      both classical as well as hematopoiesis specific p53 pathways in HSPC compartment
      triggering leukemic pathophysiology.

PMID- 27280488
TI  - High Sensitivity, Wearable, Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors Based on Irregular
      Microhump Structures and Its Applications in Body Motion Sensing.
AB  - A pressure sensor based on irregular microhump patterns has been proposed and
      developed. The devices show high sensitivity and broad operating pressure regime
      while comparing with regular micropattern devices. Finite element analysis (FEA)
      is utilized to confirm the sensing mechanism and predict the performance of the
      pressure sensor based on the microhump structures. Silicon carbide sandpaper is
      employed as the mold to develop polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microhump patterns
      with various sizes. The active layer of the piezoresistive pressure sensor is
      developed by spin coating PEDOT: PSS on top of the patterned PDMS. The devices
      show an averaged sensitivity as high as 851 kPa(-1) , broad operating pressure
      range (20 kPa), low operating power (100 nW), and fast response speed (6.7 kHz).
      Owing to their flexible properties, the devices are applied to human body motion
      sensing and radial artery pulse. These flexible high sensitivity devices show
      great potential in the next generation of smart sensors for robotics, real-time
      health monitoring, and biomedical applications.

PMID- 27280486
TI  - A Method for Automated Classification of Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis Using an
      Ensemble Average Propagator Template Brain Map Estimated from Diffusion MRI.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common and debilitating neurodegenerative disorder
      that affects patients in all countries and of all nationalities. Magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) is currently one of the most widely used diagnostic
      imaging techniques utilized for detection of neurologic diseases. Changes in
      structural biomarkers will likely play an important future role in assessing
      progression of many neurological diseases inclusive of PD. In this paper, we
      derived structural biomarkers from diffusion MRI (dMRI), a structural modality
      that allows for non-invasive inference of neuronal fiber connectivity patterns.
      The structural biomarker we use is the ensemble average propagator (EAP), a
      probability density function fully characterizing the diffusion locally at a
      voxel level. To assess changes with respect to a normal anatomy, we construct an
      unbiased template brain map from the EAP fields of a control population. Use of
      an EAP captures both orientation and shape information of the diffusion process
      at each voxel in the dMRI data, and this feature can be a powerful representation
      to achieve enhanced PD brain mapping. This template brain map construction method
      is applicable to small animal models as well as to human brains. The differences
      between the control template brain map and novel patient data can then be
      assessed via a nonrigid warping algorithm that transforms the novel data into
      correspondence with the template brain map, thereby capturing the amount of
      elastic deformation needed to achieve this correspondence. We present the use of
      a manifold-valued feature called the Cauchy deformation tensor (CDT), which
      facilitates morphometric analysis and automated classification of a PD versus a
      control population. Finally, we present preliminary results of automated
      discrimination between a group of 22 controls and 46 PD patients using CDT. This
      method may be possibly applied to larger population sizes and other parkinsonian
      syndromes in the near future. 

PMID- 27280489
TI  - Unusual Bandgap Oscillations in Template-Directed pi-Conjugated Porphyrin
      Nanotubes.
AB  - Using large-scale DFT calculations (up to 1476 atoms and 18 432 orbitals), we
      present the first detailed analysis on the unusual electronic properties of
      recently synthesized porphyrin nanotubes. We surprisingly observe extremely large
      oscillations in the bandgap of these nanostructures as a function of size, in
      contradiction to typical quantum confinement effects (i.e., the bandgap increases
      with size in several of these nanotubes). In particular, we find that these
      intriguing electronic oscillations arise from a size-dependent alternation of
      aromatic/nonaromatic characteristics in these porphyrin nanotubes. Our analyses
      of band structures and orbital diagrams indicate that the electronic transitions
      in these nanostructures are direct-bandgap, optically active "bright" states that
      can be readily observed in photoelectron spectroscopic experiments. Most
      importantly due to their unusual bandgap oscillations, we find that both type I
      and type II donor-acceptor p-n heterojunctions are possible in these template
      directed, "bottom-up synthesized" porphyrin nanotubes-a unique property that is
      not present in conventional carbon nanotubes. 

PMID- 27280490
TI  - Experiments and Modeling of Boric Acid Permeation through Double-Skinned Forward
      Osmosis Membranes.
AB  - Boron removal is one of the great challenges in modern wastewater treatment,
      owing to the unique small size and fast diffusion rate of neutral boric acid
      molecules. As forward osmosis (FO) membranes with a single selective layer are
      insufficient to reject boron, double-skinned FO membranes with boron rejection up
      to 83.9% were specially designed for boron permeation studies. The superior boron
      rejection properties of double-skinned FO membranes were demonstrated by
      theoretical calculations, and verified by experiments. The double-skinned FO
      membrane was fabricated using a sulfonated polyphenylenesulfone (sPPSU) polymer
      as the hydrophilic substrate and polyamide as the selective layer material via
      interfacial polymerization on top and bottom surfaces. A strong agreement between
      experimental data and modeling results validates the membrane design and confirms
      the success of model prediction. The effects of key parameters on boron
      rejection, such as boron permeability of both selective layers and structure
      parameter, were also investigated in-depth with the mathematical modeling. This
      study may provide insights not only for boron removal from wastewater, but also
      open up the design of next generation FO membranes to eliminate low-rejection
      molecules in wider applications.

PMID- 27280491
TI  - Theranostic Fibers for Simultaneous Imaging and Drug Delivery.
AB  - New methods for creating theranostic systems with simultaneous encapsulation of
      therapeutic, diagnostic, and targeting agents are much sought after. This work
      reports for the first time the use of coaxial electrospinning to prepare such
      systems in the form of core-shell fibers. Eudragit S100 was used to form the
      shell of the fibers, while the core comprised poly(ethylene oxide) loaded with
      the magnetic resonance contrast agent Gd(DTPA) (Gd(III)
      diethylenetriaminepentaacetate hydrate) and indomethacin as a model therapeutic
      agent. The fibers had linear cylindrical morphologies with clear core-shell
      structures, as demonstrated by electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and
      differential scanning calorimetry proved that both indomethacin and Gd(DTPA) were
      present in the fibers in the amorphous physical form. This is thought to be a
      result of intermolecular interactions between the different components, the
      presence of which was suggested by infrared spectroscopy. In vitro dissolution
      tests indicated that the fibers could provide targeted release of the active
      ingredients through a combined mechanism of erosion and diffusion. The proton
      relaxivities for Gd(DTPA) released from the fibers into tris buffer increased (r1
      = 4.79-9.75 s(-1) mM(-1); r2 = 7.98-14.22 s(-1) mM(-1)) compared with fresh
      Gd(DTPA) (r1 = 4.13 s(-1) mM(-1) and r2 = 4.40 s(-1) mM(-1)), which proved that
      electrospinning has not diminished the contrast properties of the complex. The
      new systems reported herein thus offer a new platform for delivering therapeutic
      and imaging agents simultaneously to the colon.

PMID- 27280492
TI  - Leiomyomatosis Peritonealis Disseminata (LPD) ten years after laparoscopic
      myomectomy associated with ascites and lymph nodes enlargement: a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We report a case of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD)
      arising 10 years after a laparoscopic myomectomy that was associated with ascites
      and lymph nodes enlargement. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient presented with
      small uterine fibroids with a dominant posterior intramural fibroid measuring 9cm
      in diameter and normal Doppler. Laparotomy revealed a uterus enlarged with
      fibroids, which was densely adhering to the urinary bladder, greater omentum, and
      sigmoid colon. Multiple tumors of different size were found attached to the
      peritoneum, omentum and bowel. The histopathologic examination was consistent
      with leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata. DISCUSSION: Pieces of smooth muscle
      cell lost in the abdominal cavity during electrical morcellation after
      laparoscopic myomectomy may progress to leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata
      even after many years (ten in our case) and it can be associated with ascites and
      lymph nodes enlargement. CONCLUSION: This is the first case reported in
      literature of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata with these particular
      features (time of clinical presentation, ascites, lymph nodes enlargement).

PMID- 27280493
TI  - Self-Arranged Misfit Dislocation Network Formation upon Strain Release in
      La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/LaAlO3(100) Epitaxial Films under Compressive Strain.
AB  - Lattice-mismatched epitaxial films of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) on LaAlO3 (001)
      substrates develop a crossed pattern of misfit dislocations above a critical
      thickness of 2.5 nm. Upon film thickness increases, the dislocation density
      progressively increases, and the dislocation spacing distribution becomes
      narrower. At a film thickness of 7.0 nm, the misfit dislocation density is close
      to the saturation for full relaxation. The misfit dislocation arrangement
      produces a 2D lateral periodic structure modulation (Lambda ~ 16 nm) alternating
      two differentiated phases: one phase fully coherent with the substrate and a
      fully relaxed phase. This modulation is confined to the interface region between
      film and substrate. This phase separation is clearly identified by X-ray
      diffraction and further proven in the macroscopic resistivity measurements as a
      combination of two transition temperatures (with low and high Tc). Films thicker
      than 7.0 nm show progressive relaxation, and their macroscopic resistivity
      becomes similar than that of the bulk material. Therefore, this study identifies
      the growth conditions and thickness ranges that facilitate the formation of
      laterally modulated nanocomposites with functional properties notably different
      from those of fully coherent or fully relaxed material. 

PMID- 27280494
TI  - Small RNAs Play Big Roles: MicroRNAs in Diabetic Wound Healing.
AB  - Skin and corneal wounds in diabetics are a major healthcare burden. MicroRNAs are
      small, non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of
      protein-coding genes. Studies have identified microRNAs involved in all phases of
      wound healing. The dysregulation of microRNAs can contribute to impaired or
      delayed skin and corneal wound healing in diabetics. Here, we present a
      comprehensive review of the literature involving microRNAs in diabetic skin and
      corneal wound healing as well as those serving as potential biomarkers for
      diabetic wound healing.

PMID- 27280495
TI  - Subpopulations of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exhibit Differential Effects
      in Delaying Retinal Degeneration.
AB  - Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have a therapeutic role in retinal
      degeneration (RD). However, heterogeneity of BMSCs may be associated with
      differential therapeutic effects in RD. In order to confirm this hypothesis, two
      subsets of rat BMSCs, termed rBMSC1 and rBMSC2, were obtained, characterized and
      functionally evaluated in the treatment of RD of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS)
      rats. Both subpopulations expressed mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) markers CD29 and
      CD90, but were negative for hemacyte antigen CD11b and CD45 expression. In
      comparison with rBMSC2, rBMSC1 showed higher rate of proliferation, stronger
      colony formation, and increased adipogenic potential, whereas rBMSC2 exhibited
      higher osteogenic potential. Microarray analysis showed differential gene
      expression patterns between rBMSC1 and rBMSC2, including functions related to
      proliferation, differentiation, immunoregulation, stem cell maintenance and
      division, survival and antiapoptosis. After subretinal transplantation in RCS
      rats, rBMSC1 showed stronger rescue effect than rBMSC2, including increased b
      wave amplitude, restored retinal nuclear layer thickness, and decreased number of
      apoptotic photoreceptors, whereas the rescue function of rBMSC2 was essentially
      not better than the control. Histological analysis also demonstrated that rBMSC1
      possessed a higher survival rate than rBMSC2 in subretinal space. In addition,
      treatment of basic fibroblast growth factor, an accompanying event in subretinal
      injection, triggered more robust increase in secretion of growth factors by
      rBMSC1 as compared to rBMSC2. Taken together, these results have suggested that
      the different therapeutic functions of BMSC subpopulations are attributed to
      their distinct survival capabilities and paracrine functions. The underlying
      mechanisms responsible for the different functions of BMSC subpopulation may lead
      to a new strategy for the treatment of RD.

PMID- 27280496
TI  - Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Delay Retinal Degeneration in Royal College of
      Surgeons Rats Through Anti-Apoptotic and VEGF-Mediated Neuroprotective Effects.
AB  - Stem cell therapy is a promising therapeutic approach for retinal degeneration
      (RD). Our study investigated the effects of human adipose derived stem cell
      (hADSCs) on Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats. METHODS: Green fluorescent
      protein (GFP)-labeled hADSCs were transplanted subretinally into RCS rats at
      postnatal (PN) 21 days to explore potential therapeutic effects, while adeno
      associated viral vector (AAV2)-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and
      siVEGF-hADSCs were used to aid the mechanistic dissections. Visual function was
      evaluated by Electroretinogram (ERG) recording. Potential transdifferentiations
      were examined by Immunofluorescence (IF) and gene expressions were analyzed by
      quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Apoptotic
      retinal cells were detected by Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase dUTP Nick
      End Labeling (TUNEL) assay and the cytokines secreted by hADSCs were measured by
      Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The visual function of RCS
      rats began to decrease one week after their eyes opened at PN week 3 and almost
      lost in PN 5 weeks, accompanied by the loss of retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL).
      Subretinal transplantation of hADSCs significantly improved the visual function 2
      weeks after the transplantation and such therapeutic effect persisted up to 8
      weeks after the treatment (PN 11 weeks), with 3-4 rows of photoreceptors remained
      in the ONL and reduced apoptosis. Consistent with these phenotypic changes, the
      gene expression of rod photoreceptor markers Rhodopsin (Rho), Crx and Opsin
      (Opn1) in RCS rats showed obvious decreasing trends over time after PN 3 weeks,
      but were elevated with hADSC treatment. hADSC transplantation also repressed the
      expressions of Bax, Bak and Caspase 3, but not the expression of anti-apoptotic
      genes, including Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL. Finally, substantial VEGF, hepatocyte growth
      factor (HGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) secretions from hADSCs
      were detected, while endogenous Vegf expression level decreased over time in RCS
      rats. The treatment of AAV2-VEGF showed comparable therapeutic effects as hADSCs
      but siRNA knockdown of VEGF in hADSCs essentially abolished the therapeutic
      effects. CONCLUSIONS: Subretinal transplantation of hADSCs in RCS rats
      effectively delayed the retinal degeneration, enhanced the retinal cell survival
      and improved the visual function. Mechanistically this was mainly due to hADSC
      dependent anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects through its secretion of
      growth and neurotrophic factors including VEGF. Clinical application of hADSCs
      merits further investigation.

PMID- 27280498
TI  - Prostate-Specific G-Protein Coupled Receptor, an Emerging Biomarker Regulating
      Inflammation and Prostate Cancer Invasion.
AB  - Prostate cancer is highly prevalent among men in developed countries, but a
      significant proportion of detected cancers remain indolent, never progressing
      into aggressive carcinomas. This highlights the need to develop refined
      biomarkers that can distinguish between indolent and potentially dangerous cases.
      The prostate-specific G-protein coupled receptor (PSGR, or OR51E2) is an
      olfactory receptor family member with highly specific expression in human
      prostate epithelium that is highly overexpressed in PIN and prostate cancer. PSGR
      has been functionally implicated in prostate cancer cell invasiveness, suggesting
      a potential role in the transition to metastatic PCa. Recently, transgenic mice
      overexpressing PSGR in the prostate were reported to develop an acute
      inflammatory response followed by emergence of low grade PIN, whereas mice with
      compound PSGR overexpression and loss of PTEN exhibited accelerated formation of
      invasive prostate adenocarcinoma. This article will review recent PSGR findings
      with a focus on its role as a potential prostate cancer biomarker and regulator
      of prostate cancer invasion and inflammation.

PMID- 27280497
TI  - LASS5 Interacts with SDHB and Synergistically Represses p53 and p21 Activity.
AB  - Longevity Assurance 5 (LASS5), a member of the LASS/Ceramide Synthases family,
      synthesizes C16-ceramide and is implicated in tumor biology. However, its precise
      role is not yet well understood. A yeast two-hybrid screen was performed using a
      human cDNA library to identify potential LASS5- interaction partners. One
      identified clone encodes succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB). Mammalian two
      hybrid assays showed that LASS5 interacts with SDHB, and the result was also
      confirmed by GST pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation assays. The C-terminal
      fragment of SDHB was required for the interaction. LASS5 and SDHB were co
      localized in COS-7 cells. LASS5 and SDHB expressions were found to be up
      regulated in neuroglioma tissue. Transfection assays showed that LASS5 or SDHB
      expression repressed p53 or p21 reporter activity, respectively. Simultaneous
      LASS5 and SDHB expression resulted in stronger repression of p53 and p21 reporter
      activity, suggesting that LASS5 and SDHB interaction may synergistically affect
      transcriptional regulation of p53 and p21. Our data provide new molecular
      insights into potential roles of LASS5 and SDHB in tumor biology.

PMID- 27280499
TI  - Design, Synthesis, and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of an (18)F-Labeled
      Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor 1 (S1P1) PET Tracer.
AB  - Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) plays a pivotal signaling role in
      inflammatory response; because S1P1 modulation has been identified as a
      therapeutic target for various diseases, a PET tracer for S1P1 would be a useful
      tool. Fourteen fluorine-containing analogues of S1P ligands were synthesized and
      their in vitro binding potency measured; four had high potency and selectivity
      for S1P1 (S1P1 IC50 < 10 nM, >100-fold selectivity for S1P1 over S1P2 and S1P3).
      The most potent ligand, 28c (IC50 = 2.63 nM for S1P1) was (18)F-labeled and
      evaluated in a mouse model of LPS-induced acute liver injury to determine its
      S1P1-binding specificity. The results from biodistribution, autoradiography, and
      microPET imaging showed higher [(18)F]28c accumulation in the liver of LPS
      treated mice than controls. Increased expression of S1P1 in the LPS model was
      confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis (IHC). These data suggest that
      [(18)F]28c is a S1P1 PET tracer with high potential for imaging S1P1 in vivo.

PMID- 27280500
TI  - Amelioration of Clostridium difficile Infection in Mice by Dietary
      Supplementation With Indole-3-carbinol.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effects of dietary supplementation on
      Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). BACKGROUND: With limited treatment
      options, the rise of C. difficile-associated disease has spurred on the search
      for novel therapies. Recent data define a role for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor
      (AHR) and diet-derived AHR ligands in mucosal immunity. We investigated the
      efficacy of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a dietary supplement, and AHR precursor
      ligand in a murine model of CDI. METHODS: C57BL/6 (B6), AHR, and AHR mice were
      placed on either grain-based or semipurified diets with or without I3C before and
      during CDI. Mice were followed clinically for a minimum of 6 days or euthanized
      between days 0 and 4 of inoculation for analysis of the inflammatory response and
      microbiota. RESULTS: B6 mice fed an AHR ligand-deficient, semipurified diet have
      significantly increased disease severity (P<0.001) and mortality (P < 0.001)
      compared with mice fed on diet containing I3C. The addition of I3C to the diet of
      AHR null mice had less of an impact than in AHR heterozygous littermates,
      although some protection was seen. Mice on semipurified I3C-diet had increased
      cecal Tregs, ILC3s, and gammadelta T cells and an increased neutrophilic response
      without increased inflammation or bacterial translocation compared with controls.
      CONCLUSIONS: I3C is a powerful treatment to reduce impact of CDI in mice. The
      findings indicate I3C may be acting through both AHR-dependent and -independent
      mechanisms in this model. Dietary supplementation with I3C is a potential new
      therapy for prevention and amelioration of C. difficile disease.

PMID- 27280501
TI  - Three-year Results of a Pilot Program in Early Liver Transplantation for Severe
      Alcoholic Hepatitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine our pilot to transplant selected patients with acute
      alcoholic hepatitis, initiated in October 2012. BACKGROUND: Six months of alcohol
      abstinence is typically required before liver transplant. A Franco-Belgian
      protocol showed that early transplant in severe alcoholic hepatitis could improve
      survival with low incidence of alcohol relapse. Application of this controversial
      indication is growing despite unclear generalizability. METHODS: Data was
      collected on all patients with alcohol-related liver disease since initiation of
      the pilot through June 2015. Patients were stratified into two groups: severe
      alcoholic hepatitis as first liver decompensation (Group 1), alcoholic cirrhosis
      with >=6 months abstinence (Group 2). Alcohol relapse was defined as any evidence
      of alcohol consumption after transplant, which was assessed for harmful patterns
      of binge or frequent drinking. RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent liver
      transplant, including 17 patients in Group 1. Six-month survival was 100% versus
      89% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.27). Alcohol relapse was similar in
      Group 1 versus Group 2: 23.5% versus 29.2% (P > 0.99). Harmful drinking was
      higher in Group 1 versus Group 2, despite lack of statistical significance: 23.5%
      versus 11.5% (P = 0.42). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot with carefully selected
      patients, early liver transplant provided excellent short-term survival, and
      similar rates of alcohol relapse compared with patients with 6 months of
      abstinence. Harmful patterns of relapse remain challenging in this population,
      highlighting the need for validated models to predict alcohol relapse, and need
      for extreme caution in selecting patients for this exceptional indication. Larger
      prospective studies and longer follow up are necessary.

PMID- 27280502
TI  - Multicenter, Prospective Trial of Selective Drain Management for
      Pancreatoduodenectomy Using Risk Stratification.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This multicenter study sought to prospectively evaluate a drain
      management protocol for pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). BACKGROUND: Recent evidence
      suggests value for both selective drain placement and early drain removal for PD.
      Both strategies have been associated with reduced rates of clinically relevant
      pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF)-the most common and morbid complication after PD.
      METHODS: The protocol was applied to 260 consecutive PDs performed at two
      institutions over 17 months. Risk for ISGPF CR-POPF was determined
      intraoperatively using the Fistula Risk Score (FRS); drains were omitted in
      negligible/low risk patients and drain fluid amylase (DFA) was measured on
      postoperative day 1 (POD 1) for moderate/high risk patients. Drains were removed
      early (POD 3) in patients with POD 1 DFA <=5,000 U/L, whereas patients with POD 1
      DFA >5,000 U/L were managed by clinical discretion. Outcomes were compared with a
      historical cohort (N = 557; 2011-2014). RESULTS: Fistula risk did not differ
      between cohorts (median FRS: 4 vs 4; P = 0.933). No CR-POPFs developed in the 70
      (26.9%) negligible/low risk patients. Overall CR-POPF rates were significantly
      lower after protocol implementation (11.2 vs 20.6%, P = 0.001). The protocol
      cohort also demonstrated lower rates of severe complication, any complication,
      reoperation, and percutaneous drainage (all P < 0.05). These patients also
      experienced reduced hospital stay (median: 8 days vs 9 days, P = 0.001). There
      were no differences between cohorts in the frequency of bile or chyle leaks.
      CONCLUSIONS: Drains can be safely omitted for one-quarter of PDs. Drain amylase
      analysis identifies which moderate/high risk patients benefit from early drain
      removal. This data-driven, risk-stratified approach significantly decreases the
      occurrence of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula.

PMID- 27280503
TI  - The Hidden Consequences of the Volume Pledge: "No Patient Left Behind"?

PMID- 27280504
TI  - The Impact of Adjuvant Postoperative Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy on
      Survival After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the impact on overall
      survival (OS) from the addition of postoperative radiation with or without
      chemotherapy after esophagectomy, using a large, hospital-based dataset.
      BACKGROUND: Previous retrospective studies have suggested an OS advantage for
      postoperative chemoradiation over surgery alone, although prospective data are
      lacking. METHODS: The National Cancer Data Base was queried to select patients
      diagnosed with stage pT3-4Nx-0M0 or pT1-4N1-3M0 esophageal carcinoma (squamous
      cell or adenocarcinoma) from 1998 to 2011 treated with definitive esophagectomy
      +/- postoperative radiation and/or chemotherapy. OS was analyzed using the Kaplan
      Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression
      analysis was used to identify covariates associated with OS. RESULTS: There were
      4893 patients selected, of whom 1153 (23.6%) received postoperative radiation.
      Most patients receiving radiation also received sequential/concomitant
      chemotherapy (89.9%). For the entire cohort, postoperative radiation was
      associated with a statistically significant but modest absolute improvement in
      survival (hazard ratio 0.77; 95% CI, 0.71-0.83; P < 0.001). On subgroup analysis,
      postoperative radiation was associated with improved OS for patients with node
      positive disease (3-yr OS 34.3 % vs 27.8%, P < 0.001) or positive margins (3-yr
      OS 36.4% vs 18.0%, P < 0.001). When chemotherapy usage was incorporated,
      sequential chemotherapy was associated with the best survival (P < 0.001).
      Multivariate analysis revealed that the addition of chemotherapy to radiation
      therapy, whether sequentially or concurrently, was a strong prognostic factor for
      OS. CONCLUSIONS: In this hospital-based study, the addition of postoperative
      chemoradiation (either sequentially or concomitantly) after esophagectomy was
      associated with improved OS for patients with node-positive disease or positive
      margins.

PMID- 27280505
TI  - Abdominal Wall Reconstruction for Incisional Hernia Optimizes Truncal Function
      and Quality of Life: A Prospective Controlled Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine abdominal wall function in
      patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) for incisional hernia.
      BACKGROUND: The literature on abdominal wall function in patients with incisional
      hernia is sparse. It has been suggested that AWR leads to improvement in
      function, but it is unknown whether this is specific to the abdominal wall or due
      to an improvement in overall physical fitness. METHODS: We performed a
      prospective case-control study of 18 consecutive patients with large incisional
      hernia undergoing AWR with linea alba restoration. Truncal flexion and extension
      strength, hand grip strength, leg extension power, and quality of life (SF-36 and
      Carolinas Comfort Scale) were assessed preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively.
      Patients were compared with a control group of patients with an intact abdominal
      wall undergoing colorectal resection (n = 18). The study was registered at
      ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02011048). RESULTS: Compared with preoperative
      measurements, 1-year follow-up after AWR demonstrated an increase of both truncal
      flexion strength (from mean 505.6 N to 572.3 N, P < 0.001) and truncal extension
      strength (from 556.7 to 606.0 N, P = 0.005). There was no significant change of
      either hand grip strength or leg extension power. After AWR, the physical
      component of overall quality of life improved, whereas the mental component score
      remained unchanged. In the control group, surgery resulted in a decrease in both
      truncal flexion and truncal extension. CONCLUSIONS: AWR for incisional hernia
      specifically improved long-term abdominal wall muscular function and quality of
      life.

PMID- 27280507
TI  - How Far Are Patients Willing to Travel for Gastrectomy?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine travel patterns for patients undergoing gastrectomy for
      cancer and to identify factors associated with patient decision. BACKGROUND:
      Support for regionalization of complex surgery grows; however, little is known
      about the willingness of patients to travel for care. Furthermore, utilization of
      outcomes data in patients' hospital selection processes is not well understood.
      METHODS: Analysis of the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and
      Development database from 1996 to 2009. Outcome measures included total distance
      traveled and rate of bypassing the nearest gastrectomy-performing hospitals.
      Multivariate analyses to identify predictors of bypassing local hospitals were
      performed. RESULTS: Total study population was 10,022. Majority (67.1%) of
      patients underwent gastrectomy at the nearest providing hospitals. Distance
      traveled to destination hospitals in California averaged 17.04 miles. Bypassing
      patients traveled approximately 16 miles beyond the nearest hospitals to receive
      care, selecting lower volume destination hospitals in 27.9% of cases. Annual
      gastrectomy volumes for nearest and for destination hospitals averaged 4.4 and
      6.8 cases, respectively, and inhospital mortality rates were 5.9% and 4.8%,
      respectively. A few patients (19.2%) sought care at teaching hospitals. Rural
      county residence significantly reduced the likelihood of bypass (P < 0.001). High
      volume (>7 cases) and teaching status of destination hospitals (both P < 0.001)
      were predictive of hospital bypass, though no significant association between
      mortality rate and bypass was identified. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of gastric
      cancer patients underwent gastrectomy at providing hospitals nearest to home,
      reflecting little regionalization of gastrectomy in California. Patients'
      hospital selection appears not to be driven by outcomes data.

PMID- 27280506
TI  - Trauma Recidivism Predicts Long-term Mortality: Missed Opportunities for
      Prevention (Retrospective Cohort Study).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the association
      between recurrent trauma admissions (recidivism) and subsequent long-term
      mortality, and to identify those in most need for preventive interventions.
      BACKGROUND: Patients with a single intentional injury have been shown to have a
      higher risk of future injury mortality than those with unintentional injury with
      5-year mortality rates as high as 20% being reported for recurrent penetrating
      trauma. Trauma recidivism identifies a high-risk population, but its association
      with long-term mortality is largely unknown. METHODS: Patients with 1 or more
      previous admissions to an urban trauma center (recidivists) were identified and
      compared with those with single admissions (nonrecidivists) from 1997 to 2008.
      The trauma registry was linked to the National Death Index to determine both the
      cause and time to death after hospital discharge. Statistical analysis included
      chi-square tests, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and Cox proportional-hazards
      models. RESULTS: Trauma recidivists were 7% of the total trauma population from
      1997 to 2008, representing 3147 patients. Recidivists were more likely to be male
      (P < 0.0001), Black (P < 0.0001), have a blood alcohol content above 80 mg/dL (P
      < 0.0001), and suffer a penetrating injury (P < 0.0001) compared with
      nonrecidivists. Recidivists with both initial blunt and penetrating injuries had
      higher rates of long-term mortality after discharge. Recidivists were more likely
      to die of any cause based on Cox proportional-hazard ratios [hazard ratio (HR)
      1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-2.01], injury death (HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.66
      2.47), and disease death (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.41-1.92) than nonrecidivists.
      CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, Black race, and elevated blood alcohol content and
      penetrating injury are associated with trauma recidivism which leads to a higher
      risk of death. There is a critical public health need to develop interventions to
      reduce trauma recidivism and preventable death.

PMID- 27280508
TI  - Randomized Controlled Trial of the Intraportal Chemotherapy Combined With
      Adjuvant Chemotherapy (mFOLFOX6) for Stage II and III Colon Cancer.

PMID- 27280509
TI  - Prognostic Impact of Postoperative Morbidity After Esophagectomy for Esophageal
      Cancer: Exploratory Analysis of JCOG9907.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of infectious complications on the
      outcome of current standard preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery for
      clinical stage II/III esophageal cancer. BACKGROUND: The impact of postoperative
      infectious complications on survival after transthoracic esophagectomy remains
      controversial. METHODS: Data from a randomized controlled trial (JCOG9907) were
      used. Infectious complications were classified into three groups: pneumonia,
      anastomotic leakage, and others. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the
      Cox proportional hazard model were performed. RESULTS: Among the 152 analyzed
      patients, the incidence of pneumonia, leakage, and overall infectious
      complication were 22 (14%), 21 (14%), and 54 (36%). Overall survival (OS) of
      patients with any infectious complication was shorter than that of patients
      without infectious complication [hazard ratio, HR 1.66, 95% confidence interval,
      CI, (1.02-2.71)] and progression-free survival (PFS) also tended to be shorter in
      patients with any infectious complication [HR 1.44, (0.92-2.24)]. The OS of
      patients with pneumonia was shorter than that of patients without pneumonia [HR
      1.82, (1.01-3.29)], and PFS also tended to be shorter in patients with pneumonia
      [HR 1.50, (0.85-2.62)]. The OS of patients with anastomotic leakage (n = 21) was
      nearly identical to that for patients without leakage [HR 1.06, (0.52-2.13)] and
      PFS showed the same tendency [HR 1.28, (0.71-2.32)]. Multivariate analysis
      revealed that pneumonia tended to compromise OS and PFS [HR 1.66, (0.87-3.17) and
      HR 1.37, (0.75-2.51)]. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that postoperative
      infectious complications may worsen patient prognosis after esophagectomy.
      Performing esophagectomy without postoperative complications, especially
      pneumonia, may be beneficial for improving survival outcomes.

PMID- 27280510
TI  - The "Ultimate Jazz": Finding the Silver Lining Among Clinical Experience,
      Guidelines, and Legislation.

PMID- 27280511
TI  - Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate Splenectomy in Total Gastrectomy for
      Proximal Gastric Carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of splenectomy in total gastrectomy for proximal
      gastric cancer. BACKGROUNDS: Splenectomy in total gastrectomy is associated with
      increased operative morbidity and mortality, but its survival benefit is unclear.
      Previous randomized controlled trials were underpowered and inconclusive.
      METHODS: We conducted a multiinstitutional randomized controlled trial. Proximal
      gastric adenocarcinoma of T2-4/N0-2/M0 not invading the greater curvature was
      eligible. During the operation, surgeons confirmed that R0 resection was possible
      with negative lavage cytology, and patients were randomly assigned to either
      splenectomy or spleen preservation. The primary endpoint was overall survival
      (OS) and the secondary endpoints were relapse-free survival, operative morbidity,
      operation time, and blood loss. The trial was designed to confirm noninferiority
      of spleen preservation to splenectomy in OS with a noninferiority margin of the
      hazard ratio as 1.21 and 1-sided alpha of 5%. RESULTS: Between June 2002 and
      March 2009, 505 patients (254 splenectomy, 251 spleen preservation) were enrolled
      from 36 institutions. Splenectomy was associated with higher morbidity and larger
      blood loss, but the operation time was similar. The 5-year survivals were 75.1%
      and 76.4% in the splenectomy and spleen preservation groups, respectively. The
      hazard ratio was 0.88 (90.7%, confidence interval 0.67-1.16) (<1.21); thus, the
      noninferiority of spleen preservation was confirmed (P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: In
      total gastrectomy for proximal gastric cancer that does not invade the greater
      curvature, splenectomy should be avoided as it increases operative morbidity
      without improving survival.

PMID- 27280512
TI  - Impact of Intraoperative Re-resection to Achieve R0 Status on Survival in
      Patients With Pancreatic Cancer: A Single-center Experience With 483 Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that intraoperative
      frozen section (FS) and re-resection results to achieve R0 status are associated
      with different long-term outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients. BACKGROUND:
      Recent data have challenged the survival benefit of additional resection in
      patients with pancreatic cancer in case of positive FS to achieve clear
      pathological section (PS). METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for exocrine
      pancreatic malignancy with curative intent were identified from a prospective
      database. Data were stratified by resection margin (group I: FS-R0 -> PS-R0;
      group II: FS-R1 -> PS-R0; group III: FS-R1 -> PS-R1). Associations with survival
      were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 483
      patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 61 patients were excluded due to
      R2 or Rx status. Three hundred seventeen (75%) patients were allocated to margin
      group I, 32 (8%) to group II, and 73 (17%) to group III. Median overall survival
      in group I, II, and III was 29, 36, and 12 months (P < 0.001). There was no
      significant difference in survival between patients in Group I and II (P =
      0.849), whereas patients in group III had significantly poorer outcome than group
      I (P < 0.001) and II (P = 0.039). The prognostic value of margin group status was
      confirmed on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio = 1.694, 95% confidence interval
      1.175-2.442). CONCLUSIONS: FS analysis with intraoperative re-resection should be
      performed routinely in patients undergoing pancreatic cancer surgery with the aim
      to achieve a R0 resection.

PMID- 27280513
TI  - Reply to Letter: Alvimopan Is Associated With Improved Outcomes and Cost Savings
      in Enhanced Recovery Colorectal Surgery Protocols.

PMID- 27280514
TI  - Future Supply of Pediatric Surgeons: Analytical Study of the Current and
      Projected Supply of Pediatric Surgeons in the Context of a Rapidly Changing
      Process for Specialty and Subspecialty Training.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the future supply and demand for pediatric surgeons using
      a physician supply model to determine what the future supply of pediatric
      surgeons will be over the next decade and a half and to compare that projected
      supply with potential indicators of demand and the growth of other
      subspecialties. BACKGROUND: Anticipating the supply of physicians and surgeons in
      the future has met with varying levels of success. However, there remains a need
      to anticipate supply given the rapid growth of specialty and subspecialty
      fellowships. This analysis is intended to support decision making on the size of
      future fellowships in pediatric surgery. METHODS: The model used in the study is
      an adaptation of the FutureDocs physician supply and need tool developed to
      anticipate future supply and need for all physician specialties. Data from
      national inventories of physicians by specialty, age, sex, activity, and location
      are combined with data from residency and fellowship programs and accrediting
      bodies in an agent-based or microsimulation projection model that considers
      movement into and among specialties. Exits from practice and the geographic
      distribution of physician and the patient population are also included in the
      model. Three scenarios for the annual entry into pediatric surgery fellowships
      (28, 34, and 56) are modeled and their effects on supply through 2030 are
      presented. RESULTS: The FutureDocs model predicts a very rapid growth of the
      supply of surgeons who treat pediatric patients-including general pediatric
      surgeon and focused subspecialties. The supply of all pediatric surgeons will
      grow relatively rapidly through 2030 under current conditions. That growth is
      much faster than the rate of growth of the pediatric population. The volume of
      complex surgical cases will likely match this population growth rate meaning
      there will be many more surgeons trained for those procedures. The current entry
      rate into pediatric surgery fellowships (34 per year) will result in a slowing of
      growth after 2025, a rate of 56 will generate a continued growth through 2030
      with a likely plateau after 2035. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of entry into pediatric
      surgery will continue to exceed population growth through 2030 under two likely
      scenarios. The very rapid anticipated growth in focused pediatric subspecialties
      will likely prove challenging to surgeons wishing to maintain their skills with
      complex cases as a larger and more diverse group of surgeons will also seek to
      care for many of the conditions and patients which the general pediatric surgeons
      and general surgeons now see. This means controlling the numbers of pediatric
      surgery fellowships in a way that recognizes problems with distribution, the
      volume of cases available to maintain proficiency, and the dynamics of retirement
      and shifts into other specialty practice.

PMID- 27280515
TI  - Surgical Outcomes for Mastectomy Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A
      Propensity-Matched Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for surgical
      morbidity after mastectomy with or without reconstruction using 1:1 matching.
      BACKGROUND: Postoperative surgical complications remain a potentially preventable
      event for breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      is among variables identified as contributory to risk, but it has not been
      rigorously evaluated as a principal causal influence. METHODS: Data from American
      College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2006-2012)
      were used to identify females with invasive breast cancer undergoing planned
      mastectomy. Surgical cases categorized as clean and undergoing no secondary
      procedures unrelated to mastectomy were included. A 1:1 matched propensity
      analysis was performed using neoadjuvant chemotherapy within 30 days of surgery
      as treatment. A total of 12 preoperative variables were used with additional
      procedure matching: bilateral mastectomy, nodal surgery, tissue, and/or implant.
      Outcomes examined were 4 wound occurrences, sepsis, and unplanned return to the
      operating room. RESULTS: We identified 31,130 patient procedures with 2488 (7.5%)
      receiving chemotherapy. We matched 2411 cases, with probability of treatment
      being 0.005 to 0.470 in both cohorts. Superficial wound complication was the most
      common wound event, 2.24% in neoadjuvant-treated versus 2.45% in those that were
      not (P = 0.627). The rate of return to the operating room was 5.7% in the
      neoadjuvant group versus 5.2% in those that were not (P = 0.445). The rate of
      sepsis was 0.37% in the neoadjuvant group versus 0.46% in those that were not (P
      = 0.654). CONCLUSIONS: This large, matched cohort study, controlled for
      preoperative risk factors and most importantly for the surgical procedure
      performed, demonstrates that breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy have no increased risk for surgical morbidity.

PMID- 27280516
TI  - Mastery of Care-toward Communitarian Regulation.

PMID- 27280517
TI  - Adhesion Prevention: Safety Before Cost.

PMID- 27280518
TI  - Along Came the Patient (Evidence Killed the Surgical Star).

PMID- 27280519
TI  - Phase-Variance Optical Coherence Tomographic Angiography Imaging of Choroidal
      Perfusion Changes Associated With Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment
      Epitheliopathy.

PMID- 27280520
TI  - Emergency Preparedness and Role Clarity among Rescue Workers during the Terror
      Attacks in Norway July 22, 2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies address preparedness and role clarity in rescue workers
      after a disaster. On July 22, 2011, Norway was struck by two terror attacks; 77
      people were killed and many injured. Healthcare providers, police officers and
      firefighters worked under demanding conditions. The aims of this study were to
      examine the level of preparedness, exposure and role clarity. In addition, the
      relationship between demographic variables, preparedness and exposure and a) role
      clarity during the rescue operations and; b) achieved mastering for future
      disaster operations. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, healthcare providers
      (n = 859), police officers (n = 252) and firefighters (n = 102) returned a
      questionnaire approximately 10 months after the terror attacks. RESULTS: The
      rescue personnel were trained and experienced, and the majority knew their
      professional role (healthcare providers M = 4.1 vs. police officers: M = 3.9 vs.
      firefighters: M = 4.2, p < .001, [scale 1-5]). The police officers reported
      significantly more lack of control (p < .001). In the multivariable analysis,
      being female (OR 1.4, p < .05), having more years of work experience (OR 2.3, p =
      < .001), previous training (OR 1.6, p < .05) and the experience of an event with
      > 5 fatalities (OR 1.6, p < .05) were all associated with role clarity, together
      with a feeling of control, not being obstructed in work and perceiving the rescue
      work as a success. Moreover, independent predictors of being more prepared for
      future operations were arousal during the operation (OR 2.0, p < .001) and
      perceiving the rescue work as a success (OR 1.5, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Most of
      the rescue workers were experienced and knew their professional role. Training
      and everyday-work-experience must be a focal point when preparing rescue workers
      for disaster.

PMID- 27280521
TI  - Parenting stress among parents of children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
AB  - In recent years, studies have shown that parents of children with
      Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) experience more parenting stress than parents
      of typically developing children, but the relation between the type of disorders
      and parenting stress is far from clear. The purpose of this study was to compare
      the parenting stress experienced by parents of 239 children with Specific
      Learning Disorders (SpLD), Language Disorders (LD), Autism Spectrum Disorder
      (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and typical development
      (TD). Parents of children with NDDs experience more parenting stress than those
      of children who have TD. Although, parents of children with ASD or ADHD report
      the most high scores of parenting stress, also the parents of children with SpLD
      or LD report higher parental stress compared with parent of children without
      NDDs. Another interesting finding was that IQ level or emotional and behavioral
      problems are associated with the higher levels of parenting stress. This study
      suggest that parent, both mothers and fathers, of children with different type of
      NDDs should be provided with interventions and resources to empower them with the
      knowledge and skills to reduce their stress and to enhance their quality of life.

PMID- 27280523
TI  - Efficacy and feasibility of the Integrated Psychological Therapy for outpatients
      with schizophrenia in Greece: Final results of a RCT.
AB  - The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the feasibility of
      cognitive remediation group therapy in patients with schizophrenia in Greece. For
      this purpose, the cognitive part of the Integrated Psychological Therapy (IPT),
      focusing on neuro- and social cognition, was compared in a randomized controlled
      trial (RCT) with treatment as usual (TAU). 48 outpatients took part in the study.
      IPT groups received 20 biweekly 1-h-therapy sessions. A test-battery was assessed
      at baseline, after therapy, and at a 3-month follow-up. Regarding cognitive
      functioning, significant effects favouring IPT were found in working memory and
      social perception during therapy and at follow-up. No effects could be found in
      verbal memory and vigilance. Significant effects favoring IPT were found in
      negative symptoms, in insight and in general symptoms during therapy and at
      follow-up using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). No effects were
      evident in positive symptoms and in psychosocial functioning. Significant effects
      favoring TAU were found in the quality of life assessment at follow-up. The study
      supports evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of IPT in psychiatric care in
      Greece and it hopefully will initiate the broader use of evidenced-based
      treatments like IPT in Greek Psychiatry.

PMID- 27280522
TI  - Cortisol levels at baseline and under stress in adolescent males with attention
      deficit hyperactivity disorder, with or without comorbid conduct disorder.
AB  - Reported findings on cortisol reactivity to stress in young people with ADHD are
      very variable. This inconsistency may be explained by high rates of comorbidity
      with Conduct Disorder (CD). The present study examined cortisol responses to a
      psychosocial stressor in a large sample of adolescent males with ADHD (n=202),
      with or without a comorbid diagnosis of Conduct Disorder (CD). Associations
      between stress reactivity and callous-unemotional traits and internalizing
      symptoms were also assessed. The ADHD only (n=95) and ADHD+CD (n=107) groups did
      not differ in baseline cortisol, but the ADHD+CD group showed significantly
      reduced cortisol stress reactivity relative to the ADHD only group. Regression
      analyses indicated that ADHD symptom severity predicted reduced baseline
      cortisol, whereas CD symptom severity predicted increased baseline cortisol (ADHD
      beta=-0.24, CD beta=0.16, R=0.26) and reduced cortisol stress reactivity (beta=
      0.17, R=0.17). Callous-unemotional traits and internalizing symptoms were not
      significantly related to baseline or stress-induced cortisol. Impaired cortisol
      reactivity is hypothesised to reflect fearlessness and is associated with
      deficient emotion regulation and inhibition of aggressive and antisocial
      behaviour. Consequently, it may partly explain the greater severity of problems
      seen in those with comorbid ADHD and CD.

PMID- 27280524
TI  - Premorbid, clinical and cognitive correlates of primary negative symptoms in
      first-episode psychosis.
AB  - Negative symptoms are a core psychopathological dimension of psychotic disorders.
      Previous research on primary negative symptoms (PNS) mostly focused on chronic
      samples. Data regarding premorbid, clinical and cognitive correlates of PNS in
      the early illness course are limited and inconsistent. In this study, we assessed
      355 Hong Kong Chinese adult patients presenting with first-episode psychosis
      (FEP) to early intervention service with an aim to examine the prevalence of PNS
      and its relationships with premorbid adjustment, clinical and cognitive profiles.
      PNS was defined as the presence of clinically significant negative symptoms
      excluding depression, positive symptoms and extrapyramidal signs. Results showed
      that 14.6% of patients exhibited PNS at service entry. PNS group had poorer
      premorbid social functioning, lower level of insight, and worse performance in
      Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting and digit symbol tests than non-PNS group.
      Logistic regression analysis showed that premorbid social functioning and digit
      symbol test score were independently associated with PNS. Our findings thus
      indicate that PNS are frequently observed in FEP patients. Deficits in proceeding
      speed, alongside impaired premorbid social functioning, might be specifically
      related to PNS in the early illness stage.

PMID- 27280525
TI  - Social cognition in schizophrenia: Factor structure of emotion processing and
      theory of mind.
AB  - Factor analytic studies examining social cognition in schizophrenia have yielded
      inconsistent results most likely due to the varying number and quality of
      measures. With the recent conclusion of Phase 3 of the Social Cognition
      Psychometric Evaluation (SCOPE) Study, the most psychometrically sound measures
      of social cognition have been identified. Therefore, the aims of the present
      study were to: 1) examine the factor structure of social cognition in
      schizophrenia through the utilization of psychometrically sound measures, 2)
      examine the stability of the factor structure across two study visits, 3) compare
      the factor structure of social cognition in schizophrenia to that in healthy
      controls, and 4) examine the relationship between the factors and relevant
      outcome measures including social functioning and symptoms. Results supported a
      one-factor model for the patient and healthy control samples at both visits. This
      single factor was significantly associated with negative symptoms in the
      schizophrenia sample and with social functioning in both groups at both study
      visits.

PMID- 27280526
TI  - Influence of cognition, premorbid adjustment and psychotic symptoms on psycho
      social functioning in first-episode psychosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between psycho
      social functioning and symptoms, cognitive function, and premorbid adjustment, in
      patients with a first-episode psychosis. METHOD: Clinical data were obtained from
      90 patients, who were assessed with the Disability Assessment Scale (DAS-sv), the
      Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS
      S) and with a battery of cognitive tests including Trail Making Tests A and B
      (TMTA- B), Continous Performance Test (CPT), some subscales of the Wechler Adult
      Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and the Verbal Learning Test Espana-Complutense
      (TAVEC). RESULTS: The results of the study suggest that psycho-social functioning
      in first-episode psychosis is significantly related to: positive, negative,
      excitative, affective and disorganized symptoms, social premorbid adjustment,
      cognitive flexibility, working memory, short term and long term memory. Of these,
      those which best explained psycho-social functioning are the positive and
      excitative symptoms, premorbid adjustment, flexibility and memory. CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings highlight the importance early intervention on cognitive and
      clinical variables to help provide a better psycho-social functioning in people
      with a first-episode of psychosis.

PMID- 27280527
TI  - Fear the serpent: A psychometric study of snake phobia.
AB  - Millions of people worldwide suffer from specific phobias. Almost any stimulus
      may trigger a phobic reaction, but snakes are among the most feared objects. Half
      of the population feel anxious about snakes and 2-3% meet the diagnostic criteria
      for snake phobia. Despite such a high ratio, only one instrument is commonly
      used, the Snake Questionnaire (SNAQ). The aim of this study was to develop a
      standardized Czech translation, describe its psychometric properties and analyze
      the distribution of snake fears. In a counter-balanced design 755 respondents
      were asked to complete the English and Czech SNAQ (first or last) with a 2-3
      month delay; 300 of them completed both instruments. We found excellent test
      retest reliability (0.94), although the total scores differed significantly when
      the English version was administered first. The mean score was 5.80 and
      Generalized Linear Models revealed significant effects of sex and field of study
      (women and people with no biology education scored higher than men and
      biologists). A cut-off point for snake phobia as derived from a previous study
      identified 2.6% of the subjects as phobic. Finally, the score distribution was
      similar to other countries supporting the view that fear of snakes is universal.

PMID- 27280528
TI  - Preventing Mitochondrial DNA Diseases: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.

PMID- 27280529
TI  - Factors Influencing the Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among Malay Elderly
      Residing in a Rural Community: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mental health problems are common in old age, but
      frequently remain undetected and untreated. Mental health problems in the elderly
      are the result of a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological
      factors. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of mental health
      problems (depression, anxiety, and emotional stress) and their associated factors
      among the Malay elderly in a rural community of Perak, Malaysia. METHODS: It was
      a cross-sectional study. The Malay elderly aged 60 years and above were selected
      through convenient sampling to give a total of 230 respondents. The Depression,
      Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the symptoms of
      depression, anxiety, and stress. Bivariate analyses were performed using chi
      square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to
      determine the association between the factors and each of the mental health
      statuses assessed. RESULTS: The results showed that the prevalence of depression,
      anxiety, and stress among the elderly respondents was 27.8%, 22.6%, and 8.7%,
      respectively. The significant factors for depression were single elderly
      (Adjusted OR = 3.27, 95%CI 1.66, 6.44), living with family (Adjusted OR = 4.98,
      95%CI 2.05, 12.10), and poor general health status (Adjusted OR = 2.28, 95%CI
      1.20, 4.36). Living with family was the only significant factor for anxiety
      (Adjusted OR = 2.68, 95%CI 1.09, 6.57). There was no significant factor for
      stress. CONCLUSIONS: Depression and anxiety among the Malay elderly in the rural
      community were very worrying. More equity in health should be created or
      strengthened in order to intensify the opportunity to identify, diagnose, and
      treat those with mental health problems. Living arrangement in the rural
      community was an important factor that had influenced depression and anxiety.
      Therefore, further research is recommended for more comprehensive information, as
      a result of which appropriate intervention can be made.

PMID- 27280530
TI  - Correction: Low-Dose Irradiation Affects Expression of Inflammatory Markers in
      the Heart of ApoE -/- Mice.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119661.].

PMID- 27280531
TI  - The Benefits of Self-Set Goals: Is Ego Depletion Really a Result of Self-Control
      Failure?
AB  - Research on ego depletion aims at explaining self-control failures in daily life.
      Both resource models and motivational accounts have been proposed for
      explanation. The aim of the present research was to test the different
      assumptions in two dual-task experiments where we operationalized ego depletion
      as a performance deviation from a self-set goal. In two experiments, we found
      evidence for this deviation contradicting motivational accounts of ego depletion:
      Participants experiencing ego depletion set themselves a stricter instead of a
      more lenient goal than controls, in that they chose to eat less cookies or wanted
      to perform better. Moreover, only participants without an initial self-control
      task could adhere to their self-set goal, whereas participants in the ego
      depletion condition in both experiments could not follow through with their more
      ambitious intentions. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the importance of
      goals in ego depletion research. 

PMID- 27280532
TI  - Effects of chronic exposure to benzalkonium chloride in Oncorhynchus mykiss:
      cholinergic neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, peroxidative damage and
      genotoxicity.
AB  - Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is one of the most used conservatives in
      pharmaceutical preparations. However, its use is limited to a small set of
      external use formulations, due to its high toxicity. Benzalkonium chloride
      effects are related to the potential exertion of deleterious effects, mediated
      via oxidative stress and through interaction with membrane enzymes, leading to
      cellular damage. To address the ecotoxicity of this specific compound rainbow
      trouts were chronically exposed to BAC at environmental relevant concentrations
      (ranging from 0.100 to 1.050mg/L), and the biological response of cholinergic
      neurotoxicity, modulation of the antioxidant defense, phase II metabolism, lipid
      peroxidation and genotoxicity was studied. The obtained results showed a dual
      pattern of antioxidant response, with significant alterations in catalase
      activity (starting at 0.180mg/L), and lipid peroxidation, for intermediate (0.180
      and 0.324mg/L) concentrations. No significant alterations occurred for
      glutathione-S-transferases activity. An unexpected increased of the
      acetylcholinesterase activity was also recorded for the individuals exposed to
      higher concentrations of BAC (starting at 0.180mg/L). Furthermore, exposure to
      BAC resulted in the establishment of genotoxic alterations, observable (for the
      specific case of the comet assay results) for all tested BAC concentrations.
      However, and considering that the oxidative response was not devisable, other
      mechanisms may be involved in the genotoxic effects reported here. 

PMID- 27280533
TI  - Early exposure to violence, relationship violence, and relationship satisfaction
      in adolescents and emerging adults: The role of romantic attachment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Violence in romantic relationships is highly prevalent in adolescence
      and early adulthood and is related to a wide array of negative outcomes. Although
      the scientific literature increasingly highlights potential risk factors for the
      perpetration of violence toward a romantic partner, integrative models of these
      predictors remain scarce. Using an attachment framework, the current study
      examines the associations between early exposure to violence, perpetration of
      relationship violence, and relationship satisfaction. We hypothesized that
      exposure to family violence fosters the development of attachment anxiety and
      avoidance, which in turn are related to relationship violence and low
      relationship satisfaction. METHOD: At Time 1, a sample of 1,252 (72.3% women)
      adolescents and emerging adults were recruited from high schools and colleges.
      Participants completed measures of exposure to family violence, attachment,
      perpetrated relationship violence and relationship adjustment. Three years later
      (Time 2), 234 of these participants agreed to participate in a follow-up
      assessment. Structural equation modeling was used to test cross-sectional and
      longitudinal models. RESULTS: The findings suggest that exposure to family
      violence predicts relationship violence both directly and indirectly through
      attachment anxiety, whereas attachment avoidance and relationship violence are
      predictors of relationship satisfaction. Longitudinal analyses also show that
      changes in romantic attachment are associated with changes in relationship
      violence and satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Romantic attachment is a significant
      target for the prevention and treatment of violence in intimate relationships
      involving adolescents or emerging adults. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280534
TI  - Preparation and formation mechanism of BiOCl0.75I0.25 nanospheres by
      precipitation method in alcohol-water mixed solvents.
AB  - BiOCl0.75I0.25 crystals with irregular three-dimensional (3D) flower-like and
      hierarchical nanosphere-like structures were successfully synthesized in
      different alcohol-water mixed solvents by precipitation method. The primary
      formation mechanism of BiOCl0.75I0.25 nanospheres was investigated by taking
      water, monohydric alcohols (ethanol and isopropanol), and polyhydric alcohols
      (ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and glycerol) as solvents in the synthesis
      process. The obtained BiOCl0.75I0.25 samples were characterized by powder X-ray
      diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and
      nitrogen adsorption. Results showed that the alcohol solvents with different
      physical and chemical properties used in the synthesis process performed
      significant functions in directing the morphology and surface pore structure of
      BiOCl0.75I0.25 crystals. Meanwhile, BiOCl0.75I0.25 synthesized in various
      solvents exhibited morphology-dependent adsorption and photocatalytic degradation
      abilities in removing p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (p-HPA), which was used as a
      model pollutant, in aqueous solutions under simulated solar light (lambda?290nm).
      In addition, the fabrication process of the crystal products was proposed through
      a series of time-dependent experiments. 

PMID- 27280535
TI  - Comparison study of Cu-Fe-Ti and Co-Fe-Ti oxide catalysts for selective catalytic
      reduction of NO with NH3 at low temperature.
AB  - In this paper, a series of Cu-Fe-Ti and Co-Fe-Ti oxide catalysts were prepared by
      sol gel method. Cu-Fe-Ti and Co-Fe-Ti oxide catalysts showed the moderate
      catalytic activity for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3 at low
      temperature. The catalysts with the molar ratio as 4:1:10 (M:Fe:Ti) were selected
      as the representatives for comparison of reaction properties and H2O resistance,
      which were denoted as Cu-Fe/TiO2 and Co-Fe/TiO2 respectively. The
      characterization results manifested Co-Fe/TiO2 owned more adsorption capacity of
      the reactants and Cu-Fe/TiO2 had better redox ability. The in situ DRIFTS
      experiments indicated that adsorbed NH3 species and nitrate species both
      exhibited reaction activity for Co-Fe/TiO2, while nitric oxide was only be
      reduced by adsorbed NH3 species through Eley-Rideal mechanism for Cu-Fe/TiO2 at
      150 degrees C. Co-Fe/TiO2 exhibited the better resistance to H2O and its
      temperature window shifted towards the higher temperature in presence of 10vol%
      H2O, while the SCR activity of Cu-Fe/TiO2 was inhibited significantly in the
      whole temperature range investigated. The suppression of adsorption and
      activation for NH3 and NOx might be the reasons for the reversible inactivation,
      which was confirmed by the inhibitation of catalytic activities for separation
      NH3 and NO oxidation under the wet condition. We speculated that different
      thermal stability of adsorbed species and redox capacity of catalysts leaded to
      the different SCR behavior in absence and presence of H2O. 

PMID- 27280536
TI  - Synthesis and enhanced NO2 gas sensing properties of ZnO nanorods/TiO2
      nanoparticles heterojunction composites.
AB  - ZnO nanorods/TiO2 nanoparticles composites were synthesized and the effects of
      TiO2 concentrations on the NO2 sensing properties were studied in detail. The as
      prepared composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, PL, I-V and gas sensing
      measurements. The gas sensing results demonstrated that all the sensors based on
      ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposites exhibited much higher response than that of sensors based
      on pure ZnO nanorods. At the optimum operating temperature of 180 degrees C, the
      response values of the sensors based on ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposites decorated with
      TiO2 concentrations of 0, 3, 5, 8 and 10wt% were 50, 140, 310, 350 and 258,
      respectively. The PL and I-V results indicated that the increased charge transfer
      between the ZnO nanorods mediated by TiO2 nanoparticles enhanced the conductivity
      of the ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposites. The gas sensing mechanism was also carefully
      analyzed. The attachment of TiO2 nanoparticles onto ZnO nanorods induced more
      active sites for the adsorption of oxygen molecules (O(2)) and O(2) which can be
      more easily adsorbed on the surface of ZnO nanorods. Furthermore, the conduction
      channel of ZnO/TiO2 was much narrower as a result of the formation of
      heterojunction which may further contribute to the enhanced NO2 sensing
      properties. 

PMID- 27280537
TI  - Insights into the morphology of human serum albumin and sodium dodecyl sulfate
      complex: A spectroscopic and microscopic approach.
AB  - Exploring and understanding the fundamental interaction between protein and
      surfactant is utmost important for various pharmaceutical and biomedical
      applications. However, very less is known about the arrangement of individual
      negatively charged sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) molecules on the human serum
      albumin (HSA). Here, we have investigated the morphology and mechanistic insights
      of complexation between HSA and SDS by means of photoluminescence (PL)
      spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) and PL microscopy using amine
      functionalized silicon quantum dot (Si QD) as an external luminescent marker. The
      present study is based on a unique and dynamic SDS-Si QD system. The synthesized
      allylamine-functionalized Si QDs show a distinct PL band centered at 455nm upon
      excitation at 375nm. At neutral pH, these Si QDs form ordered aggregates in the
      presence of 1mM SDS due to the hydrogen bonding interaction with the sulfate head
      groups of surfactants, which is manifested in the appearance of a large Stokes
      shifted luminescence band centered at 610nm. It has been observed that the PL
      intensity of SDS-Si QD aggregates at 610nm decreases gradually with concomitant
      increase in the PL intensity of monomeric Si QDs at 455nm upon increasing the
      concentration of HSA from 1 to 10MUM. These observations combined with PL
      lifetime, PL microscopy and CD results reveal that SDS forms micelle-like
      aggregates on the partially unfolded HSA mainly via electrostatic interaction
      between negatively charged sulfate head groups and positively charged residues of
      partially unfolded HSA. For the present HSA-SDS system, our results fit a model
      with type I "necklace and bead"-like structures, where micelle-like SDS
      aggregates wrap around by the partially unfolded HSA backbone. 

PMID- 27280538
TI  - Graphene-based porous materials with tunable surface area and CO2 adsorption
      properties synthesized by fluorine displacement reaction with various diamines.
AB  - A mild, operationally simple and controllable protocol for preparing graphene
      based porous materials is essential to achieve a good pore-design development. In
      this paper, graphene-based porous materials with tunable surface area were
      constructed by the intercalation of fluorinated graphene (FG) based on the
      reaction of reactive CF bonds attached to graphene sheets with various amine
      terminated molecules. In the porous materials, graphene sheets are like building
      blocks, and the diamines covalently grafted onto graphene framework act as
      pillars. Various diamines are successfully grafted onto graphene sheets, but the
      grafting ratio of diamines and reduction degree of FG differ greatly and depend
      on the chemical reactivity of diamines. Pillared diamine molecules chemically
      anchor at one end and are capable of undergoing a different reaction on the other
      end, resulting in three different conformations of graphene derivatives. Nitrogen
      sorption isotherms revealed that the surface area and pore distribution of the
      obtained porous materials depend heavily on the size and structure of diamine
      pillars. CO2 uptake capacity characterization showed that ethylenediamine
      intercalated FG achieved a high CO2 uptake density of 18.0 CO2 molecules per
      nm(2) at 0 degrees C and 1.1bars, and high adsorption heat, up to 46.1kJmol(-1)
      at zero coverage. 

PMID- 27280539
TI  - Food intake diet and sperm characteristics in a blue zone: a Loma Linda Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study examined the effect the life-long vegetarian diet on male
      fertility and focused on vegetarians living in the Loma Linda blue zone, a
      demographic area known for life longevity. The objective was to compare sperm
      characteristics of vegetarian with non-vegetarian males. STUDY DESIGN: The cross
      sectional observational study was based on semen analyses of 474 males from 2009
      to 2013. Patients categorized themselves as either life-long lacto-ovo
      vegetarians (N=26; vegetable diet with dairy and egg products), vegans (N=5;
      strictly vegetables with no animal products) or non-vegetarians (N=443; no diet
      restrictions). Sperm quality was assessed using a computer-aided sperm analyzer
      and strict morphology and chromatin integrity were manually evaluated. RESULTS:
      Lacto-ovo vegetarians had lower sperm concentration (50.7+/-7.4M/mL versus non
      vegetarians 69.6+/-3.2M/mL, mean+/-S.E.M.). Total motility was lower in the lacto
      ovo and vegan groups (33.2+/-3.8% and 51.8+/-13.4% respectively) versus non
      vegetarians (58.2+/-1.0%). Vegans had lowest hyperactive motility (0.8+/-0.7%
      versus lacto-ovo 5.2+/-1.2 and non-vegetarians 4.8+/-0.3%). Sperm strict
      morphologies were similar for the 3 groups. There were no differences in rapid
      progression and chromatin integrity. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that the
      vegetables-based food intake decreased sperm quality. In particular, a reduction
      in sperm quality in male factor patients would be clinically significant and
      would require review. Furthermore, inadequate sperm hyperactivation in vegans
      suggested compromised membrane calcium selective channels. However, the study
      results are cautiously interpreted and more corroborative studies are needed.

PMID- 27280540
TI  - Accuracy of antenatal ultrasound signs in predicting the risk for bowel atresia
      in patients with gastroschisis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evaluate accuracy of prenatal ultrasound findings in predicting the
      risk of bowel atresia in patients with gastroschisis. METHODS: A retrospective
      study was conducted on 18 fetuses with a prenatal diagnostic of gastroschisis
      treated at University hospital of Saint Etienne France between 2002 and 2012.
      Ultrasound abnormalities were used to classify them into three groups: no
      ultrasound abnormality (n=4), oligohydramnios (n=9), intra-abdominal bowel
      dilatation >=20.5mm (n=5). Postnatal outcomes were compared between groups. The
      threshold value of 20.5mm for the prediction of atresia was determined through
      the receiver operator characteristics curve. RESULTS: In the group with
      oligohydramnios, intra uterine growth restriction were significantly more
      frequent (p=0.015) and three newborns had serositis including two with secondary
      complications after the initial surgery. In the group with major intra-abdominal
      bowel dilatation, all had a narrow defect <10mm significantly more than other
      fetuses (p=0.002). Intra-abdominal bowel dilatation reaching 20.5mm started at a
      mean gestational age significantly lower than that of the other fetuses (23.3
      versus 29.7 weeks p=0.02). On the five fetuses presented intra-abdominal bowel
      dilatation >=20.5mm, four showed atresia and no other newborn has this
      complication (p=0.0016). The threshold value of 20.5mm has a sensitivity of 100%
      and a specificity of 92.9%. The area under the curve was equal to 96.4%.
      CONCLUSION: Intra-abdominal bowel dilatation >=20.5mm seems to be associated with
      the risk of postnatal atresia. MRI could help to clarify a complicated or
      uncertain ultrasound aspect.

PMID- 27280541
TI  - Outcome of pregnancies with spontaneous PPROM before 24+0 weeks' gestation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the contemporary outcome in women with rupture of membranes
      (PPROM) before 24+0 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of
      women with spontaneous PPROM before 24+0 weeks that were treated at the
      University of Tuebingen/Germany. The search of the database included common
      maternal and pregnancy characteristics as well as the neonatal outcomes. RESULTS:
      One hundred and one pregnancies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 32 (31.7%)
      women opted for termination of pregnancy, which were excluded from further
      analysis. The gestational age at PPROM in the 69 women with an expectant
      management was 21.3 (IQR 19.1-22.6) weeks. 40 (58.0%) pregnancies carried on
      beyond 24+0 weeks. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the time of PPROM
      and the absence of oligo-/anhydramnios were associated with a prolongation beyond
      24+0 weeks. In the 40 pregnancies that remained intact beyond 24+0 weeks'
      gestation, the fetuses were born at 27.7 (IQR 25.3-30.9) weeks. Survival without
      major complications was observed in 22 (55.0%) fetuses. Multiple regression
      analysis indicated that only the gestational age at the time of delivery was
      significantly associated with such an intact survival. CONCLUSION: In cases with
      PPROM there is a 60% chance of a prolongation beyond 24+0 weeks. About half of
      these fetuses will be discharged alive without major complications.

PMID- 27280542
TI  - Quantitative fetal fibronectin predicts preterm birth in women with bulging fetal
      membranes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of quantitative fetal fibronectin (fFN)
      concentration in cervicovaginal fluid for spontaneous preterm birth in women with
      bulging fetal membranes. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective observational study
      from five UK tertiary centres of a cohort of women with singleton pregnancy and
      bulging fetal membranes presenting between 18 and 32 weeks of gestation (n=62),
      in the period 2010-2014. fFN concentrations in cervicovaginal fluid were measured
      both quantitatively and qualitatively at presentation in all women. Predictive
      statistics and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for
      both tests to predict spontaneous preterm birth within 14 days from testing and
      before 34 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: 62 eligible women with bulging fetal
      membranes were recruited from screening of 2571 women at high risk of preterm
      birth. The median gestational age was 24(+0) (LQ-UQ, 21(+2)-25(+3)) at
      presentation and 34(+4) (25(+2)-39(+0)) at delivery, with a median time from
      testing to delivery of 58 days (17-110). Concentration of quantitative fFN at
      presentation correlated negatively with time to delivery (Spearman's rs=-0.615,
      p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for quantitative fFN testing was 0.81 (95%
      CI 0.69-0.94) for prediction of spontaneous preterm birth within 14 days, and
      0.84 (0.73-0.95) before 34 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: Quantitative fFN has a
      role in predicting spontaneous preterm birth even in women with bulging fetal
      membranes, suggesting that fFN leakage could potentially be an active process.
      This may aid the clinical management of this high-risk group in the future.

PMID- 27280543
TI  - Cavernous sinus invasion by pituitary adenomas: role of endoscopic endonasal
      surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cavernous sinus (CS) invasion is one of the most unfavorable features
      of pituitary adenomas. The most widely used classification was proposed by Knosp
      in 1993 and revised in 2015. The aim of this study is to extend our previous
      experience by comparing the pre-operative neuroradiological assessment with the
      intra-operative endoscopic endonasal inspection in order to evaluate the real
      rate of CS invasion and analyze its correlation with the surgical outcome.
      METHODS: Consecutive patients, who have undergone endoscopic endonasal surgery
      for a pituitary adenoma with Knosp grade greater than 1, have been included in
      this study. The intra-operative CS invasion was assesses basing on surgical
      reports. The surgical outcome has been evaluated with MRI, endocrinological,
      visual and neurological evaluation have been performed 3 months after surgery and
      then annually. RESULTS: The series included 402 patients. Male-female ratio was
      1:1 and median age was 56 years (range 15-85). We observed that 43% of cases with
      Knosp grade greater than 1 presented no CS invasion on surgical inspection. Knosp
      grade 4 was the only one corresponding in all cases to a real CS invasion.
      Radical tumor removal was achieved in 60%. while endocrinological remission was
      obtained in 37% of functioning adenomas. Better results were observed for lower
      Knosp grades. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic endonasal inspection is the most
      effective technique to detect CS invasion. Indeed, it can provide a direct
      visualization of the medial wall, permitting the assessment of its invasion and
      the management of those cases with diffuse involvement. We confirm that the
      revision to the Knosp classification has improved its prognostic role.

PMID- 27280544
TI  - Endonasal endoscopic transsphenoidal excision of tuberculum sellae meningiomas: a
      systematic review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) for the resection of
      tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) has, more recently, been advocated as an
      alternative approach to deal with this challenging tumor. The aim of this study
      was to conduct a systematic review of publications of TSMs excised through the
      transsphenoidal route in the past 10 years and review data on the extent of
      excision, visual outcomes and complication rates. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We
      performed a thorough systematic review of the medical literature following the
      PRISMA guidelines. A medical librarian retrieved a list of 3443 articles
      published from 2006-2015 from the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central databases.
      Two of the authors independently screened for titles and abstracts and excluded
      3340 of them. We reviewed the full text of the remaining 103 articles and
      included in our analysis 12 that met the following inclusion criteria: 1) 5 or
      more cases reported; 2) the extent of resection, visual outcomes and complication
      rates that were specifically documented for TSMs excised through the
      transsphenoidal route. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Twelve studies that included 150
      patients were analyzed. The mean age was 55 years. The mean tumor volume,
      reported in 2 studies, was 6.6 cc and mean maximum diameter, reported in 11
      studies, was 25 mm. The gross total resection rate was 77.2%. Vision improved in
      79.5% of cases and deteriorated in 7.3%. CSF leak postoperatively occurred in
      15.3% of patients. In the 11 studies that reported hormonal outcomes, there was a
      9.4% transient hyponatremia or diabetes insipidus and 2.2% of patients developed
      a new permanent endocrine dysfunction. A symptomatic vascular injury was reported
      in 2.6% of patients. There was one mortality (0.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The endonasal
      endoscopic transsphenoidal excision of TSMs is a feasible, safe and effective
      surgical option with a low morbidity and mortality. The use of this approach has
      evolved in the last 10 years and in some centers has replaced the transcranial
      route for selected cases. Given the limited availability and heterogeneity of
      comparative observational studies, a direct comparison with transcranial
      approaches was not performed for the purpose of this review analysis. Likewise,
      from an epidemiological and statistical perspective a meta-analysis was deemed
      inappropriate.

PMID- 27280545
TI  - Endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery for petroclival and clival meningiomas.
AB  - Petroclival meningiomas are challenging lesions to manage independently of the
      selected surgical approach and are unique tumors in the type of pathological
      displacement of the surrounding anatomy. They also represent one of the most
      controversial entities with regard to approach selection, especially when
      deciding between an open versus endonasal route. When choosing an approach to the
      intradural portion of the petroclival region, the location of critical
      neurovascular structures relative to the lesion must be anticipated, including
      the abducens and trigeminal nerves. The role of the expanded endoscopic endonasal
      approach (EEA) in the management of ventral posterior fossa meningiomas is still
      restricted due to limited surgical indications in selected cases. It is a safe
      alternative for the rare cases of meningiomas with most part of its dural base at
      the midline clival region, and it may be used as solely or combination of other
      approaches. Thus, appropriate case selection may optimize the advantages of the
      approach and reduce morbidity of this complex pathology. We discuss in this
      review article the main advantages and limitations of the EEA for clival and
      petroclival meningiomas. 

PMID- 27280546
TI  - Transorbital endoscopic approaches to the skull base: current concepts and future
      perspectives.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Transorbital endoscopic surgery is one of the most recent fields of
      skull base surgery. This paper presents the emerging applications of transorbital
      endoscopic approaches to the skull base and their current results on the
      treatment of selected extradural and intradural lesions, based on a review of
      meta-analysis and recent clinical series. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A PubMed,
      Cochrane and Ovid search for articles published from 2000 to 2015 was performed
      using the search terms "endoscopic skull base surgery", "transorbital endoscopic
      approach", and "transorbital neuroendoscopic surgery". No anatomical or
      preclinical studies were included in the present review. Among the clinical case
      series available, only those describing transorbital approaches to the skull base
      have been considered, excluding from the analysis the studies addressing the
      orbit and orbital pathologies. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Although performed in
      extremely selected cases, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that
      this technique may be effective for the treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leaks,
      for the drainage of epidural abscess or hematoma, and for the removal of several
      skull base tumors such as spheno-orbital meningioma. For the treatment of
      intradural pathologies there is only anecdotal evidence suggesting effectiveness
      and safety. Factors that may contribute to the enhanced efficacy compared to
      traditional external approaches were the acceptable complication rates, the
      reduced hospitalization time and limited morbidity for the patients, avoiding the
      need for large external craniotomies and brain retraction. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally
      invasive endoscopic skull base surgery has substantially evolved in the last
      decades through the collaboration of different teams around the world. The
      transorbital endoscopic approaches directed to the anterior and middle cranial
      base may represent safe and feasible techniques with great potential for new
      applications in the nearby future.

PMID- 27280547
TI  - Hydroxyl-Assisted Carbonylation of Alkenyltin Derivatives: Development and
      Application to a Formal Synthesis of Tubelactomicin A.
AB  - Alkenyltin derivatives flanked by a hydroxyl group are subject to
      methoxycarbonylation when treated with catalytic amounts of Pd(OAc)2 and Ph3As in
      MeOH under a CO atmosphere; key to success is the use of 1,4-benzoquinone as a
      stoichiometric oxidant in combination with trifluoroacetic acid as a cocatalyst.
      The acid lowers the LUMO of the quinone and likely marshals the critical assembly
      of the substrates. Under the optimized conditions, competing proto-destannation
      is marginal; the method proved compatible with various (acid sensitive)
      functional groups and was applied to a short formal total synthesis of the
      antibiotic tubelactomicin A.

PMID- 27280549
TI  - Using only behaviours to assess infant pain: a painful compromise?

PMID- 27280548
TI  - Sequential Dysfunction and Progressive Depletion of Candida albicans-Specific CD4
      T Cell Response in HIV-1 Infection.
AB  - Loss of immune control over opportunistic infections can occur at different
      stages of HIV-1 (HIV) disease, among which mucosal candidiasis caused by the
      fungal pathogen Candida albicans (C. albicans) is one of the early and common
      manifestations in HIV-infected human subjects. The underlying immunological basis
      is not well defined. We have previously shown that compared to cytomegalovirus
      (CMV)-specific CD4 cells, C. albicans-specific CD4 T cells are highly permissive
      to HIV in vitro. Here, based on an antiretroviral treatment (ART) naive HIV
      infection cohort (RV21), we investigated longitudinally the impact of HIV on C.
      albicans- and CMV-specific CD4 T-cell immunity in vivo. We found a sequential
      dysfunction and preferential depletion for C. albicans-specific CD4 T cell
      response during progressive HIV infection. Compared to Th1 (IFN-gamma, MIP-1beta)
      functional subsets, the Th17 functional subsets (IL-17, IL-22) of C. albicans
      specific CD4 T cells were more permissive to HIV in vitro and impaired earlier in
      HIV-infected subjects. Infection history analysis showed that C. albicans
      specific CD4 T cells were more susceptible to HIV in vivo, harboring modestly but
      significantly higher levels of HIV DNA, than CMV-specific CD4 T cells.
      Longitudinal analysis of HIV-infected individuals with ongoing CD4 depletion
      demonstrated that C. albicans-specific CD4 T-cell response was preferentially and
      progressively depleted. Taken together, these data suggest a potential mechanism
      for earlier loss of immune control over mucosal candidiasis in HIV-infected
      patients and provide new insights into pathogen-specific immune failure in AIDS
      pathogenesis.

PMID- 27280550
TI  - Identification of Potential Pharmacoperones Capable of Rescuing the Functionality
      of Misfolded Vasopressin 2 Receptor Involved in Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus.
AB  - Pharmacoperones correct the folding of otherwise misfolded protein mutants,
      restoring function (i.e., providing "rescue") by correcting their trafficking.
      Currently, most pharmacoperones possess intrinsic antagonist activity because
      they were identified using methods initially aimed at discovering such functions.
      Here, we describe an ultra-high-throughput homogeneous cell-based assay with a
      cAMP detection system, a method specifically designed to identify pharmacoperones
      of the vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R), a GPCR that, when mutated, is
      associated with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Previously developed methods to
      identify compounds capable of altering cellular trafficking of V2R were modified
      and used to screen a 645,000 compound collection by measuring the ability of
      library compounds to rescue a mutant hV2R [L83Q], using a cell-based luminescent
      detection system. The campaign initially identified 3734 positive modulators of
      cAMP. The confirmation and counterscreen identified only 147 of the active
      compounds with an EC50 of <=5 uM. Of these, 83 were reconfirmed as active through
      independently obtained pure samples and were also inactive in a relevant
      counterscreen. Active and tractable compounds within this set can be categorized
      into three predominant structural clusters, described here, in the first report
      detailing the results of a large-scale pharmacoperone high-throughput screening
      campaign. 

PMID- 27280551
TI  - Flow Cytometric Method for the Detection of Flavonoids in Cell Lines.
AB  - Here, we describe an easy-to-use flow cytometric method using diphenylboric acid
      2-amino ethyl ester (DPBA) stain for the detection of flavonoids in cells from
      human/animal origin. Flavonoid bioavailability and bioactivity depend on
      structure, conjugation and the cell type to which they are presented. We have
      studied cellular uptake of five flavonoids with different structures and
      conjugation forms. First, parameters including fixation method, technical and
      batch variability, and concentration were optimized. Second, uptake of two
      aglycones-quercetin and hesperetin-and their corresponding glycosides-rutin and
      hesperidin-in Caco-2 cells was compared. Third, the aglycone quercetin, glycoside
      rutin, and glucuronide baicalin were added to the Caco-2, HepG2, and CHO-K1 cell
      lines at 1, 10, and 20 uM concentrations and cellular uptake was measured after
      1, 4, and 7 h. We conclude that quercetin was taken up by cells in a dose
      dependent way, and that HepG2 cells had the highest uptake factors, followed by
      CHO-K1 and Caco-2 cells. Confocal microscopy showed cell type-dependent
      localization of quercetin in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. No uptake of
      flavonoid glycosides was detected. This flow cytometric method can be used for
      future research unravelling mechanisms behind flavonoid bioactivity in health and
      disease at the cellular level. 

PMID- 27280552
TI  - Comparison of children's food and beverage intakes with national recommendations
      in New York City child-care centres.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study compared foods and beverages provided to and
      consumed by children at child-care centres in New York City (NYC) with national
      nutrition recommendations. DESIGN: The study used survey, observational and
      centre record data collected from child-care centres. Food and beverage intakes
      from two days of observation and amounts of energy and nutrients were estimated
      using the US National Cancer Institute's Automated Self-Administered 24 h Recall
      system. SETTING: Meal and snack time at 108 child-care centres in low-income
      communities in NYC. SUBJECTS: Children aged 3-4 years old in classrooms selected
      by the directors of the participating child-care centres. RESULTS: Foods and
      beverages provided to and consumed by children (n 630) met >50 % of the Dietary
      Reference Intake (DRI) for most nutrients. Intakes of fibre and vitamins D and E
      were 50 % of the recommended average daily intake amounts for total grains,
      fruits and fruit juices, and dairy, but <50 % of the recommended amounts for
      whole grains, protein foods and vegetables. Intake of oils was below the
      allowance for energy levels, but foods and beverages with solid fats and added
      sugars exceeded the limits by 68 %. CONCLUSIONS: Providing more whole grains,
      vegetables and low-fat dairy and fewer foods with solid fats and added sugars may
      improve children's diet quality when at child-care centres. Centre staff may need
      training, resources and strategies in order to meet the nutrition
      recommendations.

PMID- 27280553
TI  - Anticholinergic effect on cognition (AEC) of drugs commonly used in older people.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Use of anticholinergic drugs in older people is associated with
      increased risk of cognitive decline and of dementia and death. METHOD: We
      identified drugs widely used in older people and attempted to classify their
      anticholinergic effect on cognition (AEC) according to our three-point scale
      which scored AEC according to in vitro anticholinergic potency, capacity to cross
      the blood-brain barrier and statements made in standard texts. RESULTS: In total,
      165 drugs were examined. We identified 21 drugs with an AEC score of 3, 18 with a
      score of 2, 21 with a score of 1 and 62 with a score of 0. Owing to insufficient
      information, we were unable to classify 43 drugs. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of
      drugs commonly used in older people are likely to be associated with cognitive
      impairment. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27280554
TI  - Spatial Ecology of the American Crocodile in a Tropical Pacific Island in Central
      America.
AB  - Conservation of large predators has long been a challenge for biologists due to
      the limited information we have about their ecology, generally low numbers in the
      wild, large home ranges and the continuous expansion of human settlements. The
      American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a typical apex predator, that has
      suffered from all of these characteristic problems, especially the latter one.
      Humans have had a major impact on the recovery of this species throughout its
      range, even though most of the countries it inhabits have banned hunting. The
      last decade has made it clear that in order to implement sound conservation and
      management programs, we must increase our understanding of crocodile spatial
      ecology. However, in only two countries where American crocodiles have telemetry
      studies even been published. Herein we have characterized the spatial ecology of
      C. acutus on Coiba Island, Panama, by radio-tracking (VHF transmitters) 24
      individuals between 2010 and 2013, to determine movement patterns, home range,
      and habitat use. We have then compared our findings with those of previous
      studies to develop the most comprehensive assessment of American crocodile
      spatial ecology to date. Females showed a higher average movement distance (AMD)
      than males; similarly, adults showed a higher AMD than sub-adults and juveniles.
      However, males exhibited larger home ranges than females, and concomitantly sub
      adults had larger home ranges than juveniles, hatchlings, and adults. There was
      an obvious relationship between seasonal precipitation and AMD, with increased
      AMD in the dry and "low-wet" seasons, and reduced AMD during the "true" wet
      season. We found disaggregate distributions according to age groups throughout
      the 9 habitat types in the study area; adults and hatchlings inhabited fewer
      habitat types than juveniles and sub-adults. These sex- and age-group
      discrepancies in movement and habitat choice are likely due to the influences of
      reproductive biology and Coiba's precipitation cycle. Juveniles also showed
      distinct movement patterns and home ranges; however, with sexual maturation and
      development, these behaviors became more characteristic of adults and sub-adults.
      Ours is one of a very small number of studies that will allow future management
      and conservation planning to be based on the comprehensive integration of the
      spatial ecology of a Neotropical crocodylian apex predator. 

PMID- 27280555
TI  - Nurses from the Mobile Emergency Service: profile and developed activities.

PMID- 27280556
TI  - Hospital discharge of premature newborns: the father's experience.

PMID- 27280557
TI  - Epidemiological characteristics and causes of deaths in hospitalized patients
      under intensive care.

PMID- 27280558
TI  - Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Brazilian version of Treatment
      Spirituality/Religiosity Scale.

PMID- 27280559
TI  - Quality of life assessment for health promotion groups.

PMID- 27280560
TI  - Pressure ulcer healing with Plenusdermax(r) Calendula officinalis L. extract.

PMID- 27280561
TI  - Overweight in young adult students: the vulnerability of a distorted self
      perception of body image.

PMID- 27280562
TI  - Attitudes and pleasure/suffering in mental health work.

PMID- 27280564
TI  - Humanization knowledge of undergraduate nursing students.

PMID- 27280563
TI  - Prevention of vertical mother-to-child transmission of HIV: care and adhesion
      provided by couples.

PMID- 27280565
TI  - Direct cost of dressings for pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients.

PMID- 27280566
TI  - Social network of adolescents under probation from the perspective of public
      health.

PMID- 27280567
TI  - Nursing diagnoses in intensive care: cross-mapping and NANDA-I taxonomy.

PMID- 27280568
TI  - Nursing instrument to attend mothers who recently gave birth in primary health
      care.

PMID- 27280569
TI  - Family farming and human and environmental health conservation.

PMID- 27280570
TI  - Prevalence of medication therapy adherence in the elderly and related factors.

PMID- 27280571
TI  - Social representations of nursing students about hospital assistance and primary
      health care.

PMID- 27280572
TI  - Stress and cardiovascular risk: multi-professional intervention in health
      education.

PMID- 27280573
TI  - Influence of the Sao Paulo State innovative models on Brazil's mental health
      policy.

PMID- 27280574
TI  - Teaching airway management with laryngeal mask: randomized controlled trial.

PMID- 27280575
TI  - Characterization of undergraduate nursing courses according to the National
      Student Performance Exam.

PMID- 27280576
TI  - Prevalence and factors associated with traffic accidents involving motorcycle
      taxis.

PMID- 27280577
TI  - Suicidal behavior among drug addicts.

PMID- 27280578
TI  - Anxiety in the preoperative period of heart surgery.

PMID- 27280579
TI  - Interventions that facilitate adherence to Pap smear exam: integrative review.

PMID- 27280581
TI  - Aligning for accountable care: Strategic practices for change in accountable care
      organizations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alignment within accountable care organizations (ACOs) is crucial if
      these new entities are to achieve their lofty goals. However, the concept of
      alignment remains underexamined, and we know little about the work entailed in
      creating alignment. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop the concept of
      aligning by identifying and describing the strategic practices administrators use
      to align the structures, processes, and behaviors of their organizations and
      individual providers in pursuit of accountable care. APPROACH: We conducted 2
      year qualitative case studies of four ACOs that have assumed full risk for the
      costs and quality of care for defined populations. FINDINGS: Five strategic
      aligning practices were used by all four ACOs. Informing both aligns providers'
      understandings with the goals and value proposition of the ACO and aligns the
      providers' attention with the drivers of performance. Involving both aligns ACO
      leaders' understandings with the realities facing providers and aligns the
      policies of the ACO with the needs of providers. Enhancing both aligns the
      operations of individual provider practices with the operations of the ACO and
      aligns the trust of providers with the ACO. Motivating aligns what providers
      value with the goals of the ACO. Finally, evolving is a metapractice of learning
      and adapting that guides the execution of the other four practices. PRACTICE
      IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest that there are second-order cognitive (e.g.,
      understandings and attention) and cultural (e.g., trust and values) levels of
      alignment, as well as a first-order operational level (organizational structures,
      processes, and incentives). A well-aligned organization may require ongoing
      repositioning at each of these levels, as well as attention to both cooperative
      and coordinative dimensions of alignment. Implications for research and practice
      are discussed.

PMID- 27280580
TI  - Nonlinear associations between plasma cholesterol levels and neuropsychological
      function.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although both high and low levels of total and low-density lipoprotein
      (LDL) cholesterol have been associated with poor neuropsychological function,
      little research has examined nonlinear effects. We examined quadratic relations
      of cholesterol to performance on a comprehensive neuropsychological battery.
      METHOD: Participants were 190 older adults (53% men, ages 54-83) free of major
      medical, neurologic, and psychiatric disease. Measures of fasting plasma total
      and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were assayed, and LDL cholesterol
      was calculated. Participants completed neuropsychological measures of attention,
      executive function, memory, visuospatial judgment, and manual speed and
      dexterity. Multiple regression analyses examined cholesterol levels as quadratic
      predictors of each measure of cognitive performance, with age (dichotomized as
      <70 vs. 70+) as an effect modifier. RESULTS: A significant quadratic effect of
      Total Cholesterol2 * Age was identified for Logical Memory II (b = -.0013, p =
      .039), such that the 70+ group performed best at high and low levels of total
      cholesterol than at midrange total cholesterol (U-shaped) and the <70 group
      performed worse at high and low levels of total cholesterol than at midrange
      total cholesterol (inverted U shape). Similarly, significant U- and J-shaped
      effects of LDL Cholesterol2 * Age were identified for Visual Reproduction II (b =
      -.0020, p = .026) and log of the Trail Making Test, Part B (b = .0001, p = .044).
      Quadratic associations between HDL cholesterol and cognitive performance were
      nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate differential associations between
      cholesterol and neuropsychological function across different ages and domains of
      function. High and low total and LDL cholesterol may confer both risk and benefit
      for suboptimal cognitive function at different ages. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280582
TI  - Nursing Home Administrator Quality Improvement Self-Efficacy Scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nursing home (NH) quality improvement (QI) is challenging. The
      critical role of NH leaders in successful QI is well established; however,
      current options for assessing the QI capabilities of leaders such as the licensed
      NH administrator are limited. PURPOSE: This article presents the development and
      preliminary validation of an instrument to measure NH administrator self-efficacy
      in QI. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: We used a mixed-methods cross-sectional design to
      develop and test the measure. For item generation, 39 NH leaders participated in
      qualitative interviews. Item reduction and content validity were established with
      a sample of eight subject matter experts. A random sample of 211 administrators
      from NHs with the lowest and highest Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
      Five-Star Quality ratings completed the measure. We conducted exploratory and
      confirmatory factor analyses and tested the measure for internal reliability and
      convergent, discriminant, and known group validity. FINDINGS: The final measure
      included five subscales and 32 items. Confirmatory factor analysis reaffirmed the
      factorial structure with good fit indices. The new measure's subscales correlated
      with valid measures of self-efficacy and locus of control, supporting the
      measure's convergent and discriminant validity. Significant differences in most
      of the subscales were found between the objective (Centers for Medicare and
      Medicaid Services Five-Star Quality rating) and subjective (Self-Rated Facility
      QI Index) quality outcomes, supporting the measure's known group validity.
      PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The instrument has usefulness to both NH organizations and
      individual NH administrators as a diagnostic tool to identify administrators with
      higher/lower chances of successfully implementing QI. Organizations and
      individuals can use this diagnostic to identify the administrator's professional
      development needs for QI, in general, and specific to the instrument's five
      subscales, informing directions for in-house training, mentoring, and outside
      professional development. Attending to NH administrators' QI professional
      development needs prior to implementing QI holds promise to enhance the chances
      for successful implementation of QI, which is urgently needed in many NHs.

PMID- 27280583
TI  - Insider versus outsider executive succession: The relationship to hospital
      efficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between Chief Executive Officer (CEO) succession and
      hospitals' competitive performance is an area of interest for health services
      researchers. Of particular interest is the impact on overall strategic direction
      and health system performance that results from selecting a CEO from inside the
      firm as opposed to seeking outside leadership. Empirical work-to-date has yielded
      mixed results. Much of this variability has been attributed to design flaws;
      however, in the absence of a clear message from the evidence, the preference for
      hiring "outsiders" continues to grow. PURPOSE: This paper investigates on the
      extent to which insider CEO succession versus outsider succession impacts
      hospitals' competitive advantage vis-a-vis a sample of organizations that compete
      in the same sector. METHODS: A hospital matching protocol based on propensity
      scores is used to control for endogeneity and makes comparisons of productivity
      across organizations through the use of stochastic frontier estimation. FINDINGS:
      Succession negatively impacts hospitals' productivity, and firms with outsider
      CEO succession events closed the gap toward the competitive advantage frontier
      faster than comparable firms with insider successions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:
      More research needs to be done on succession planning and its impact on CEO
      turnover.

PMID- 27280584
TI  - Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease in
      Northern Tanzania: A Community-Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of death among
      adults in sub-Saharan Africa, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing
      public health threat. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices
      associated with NCDs is vital to informing optimal policy and public health
      responses in the region, but few community-based assessments have been performed
      for CKD. To address this gap, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of adults in
      northern Tanzania using a validated instrument. METHODS: Between January and June
      2014, we administered a structured survey to a random sample of adults from urban
      and rural communities. The validated instrument consisted of 25 items designed to
      measure knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with kidney disease.
      Participants were also screened for CKD, diabetes, hypertension, and human
      immunodeficiency virus. RESULTS: We enrolled 606 participants from 431 urban and
      rural households. Knowledge of the etiologies, symptoms, and treatments for
      kidney disease was low (mean score 3.28 out of 10; 95% CI 2.94, 3.63). There were
      no significant differences by CKD status. Living in an urban setting and level of
      education had the strongest independent associations with knowledge score.
      Attitudes were characterized by frequent concern about the health (27.3%; 20.2,
      36.0%), economic (73.1%; 68.2, 77.5%), and social impact (25.4%; 18.6, 33.6%) of
      kidney disease. Practices included the use of traditional healers (15.2%; 9.1,
      24.5%) and traditional medicines (33.8%; 25.0, 43.9%) for treatment of kidney
      disease as well as a willingness to engage with mobile-phone technology in CKD
      care (94.3%; 90.1, 96.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Community-based adults in northern
      Tanzania have limited knowledge of kidney disease. However, there is a modest
      knowledge base upon which to build public health programs to expand awareness and
      understanding of CKD, but these programs must also consider the variety of means
      by which adults in this population meet their healthcare needs. Finally, our
      assessment of local attitudes suggested that such public health efforts would be
      well-received.

PMID- 27280586
TI  - Flaxseed extract exhibits mucosal protective effect in acetic acid induced
      colitis in mice by modulating cytokines, antioxidant and antiinflammatory
      mechanisms.
AB  - New treatments for inflammatory bowel disease are of interest due to high rate of
      remission failure. Natural products have been effective in IBD therapeutics as
      they have multiple constituents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the
      effect of Flaxseed extract (Fs.Cr) on ulcerative colitis and identify the
      possible mechanisms involved. Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration
      of 6% AA in BALB/c mice. Colonic mucosal damage was assessed after 24h by
      calculating disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic and histological damage
      scores, biochemical measurement of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA),
      superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and
      total glutathione activities. Since cytokines are involved in exacerbating
      inflammatory cascade with emerging role of innate immune cytokines in IBD
      therapeutics, we hence assessed the effect on the levels of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma
      and IL-17, at 6, 12 and 24h by ELISA. Fs.Cr ameliorated the severity of AA
      colitis as evident by improved DAI, macroscopic damage and the histopathological
      scores along with restoration of goblet cells. Fs.Cr decreased MDA and MPO
      activities and enhanced antioxidant activity compared to the AA group. Finally,
      Fs.Cr in doses (300 and 500mg/kg) decreased TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels at all
      time points with simultaneous increase in IL-17 levels at 24h as compared to the
      AA group. These results suggest that Fs.Cr ameliorates the severity of AA colitis
      by reducing goblet cell depletion, scavenging oxygen-derived free radicals,
      reduce neutrophil infiltration that may be attributed due to decreasing IFN-gamma
      and TNF-alpha and increasing IL-17 levels. 

PMID- 27280588
TI  - Reshaping the global health agenda: female genital cutting.

PMID- 27280587
TI  - Knockdown of placental growth factor (PLGF) mitigates hyperoxia-induced acute
      lung injury in neonatal rats: Suppressive effects on NFkappaB signaling pathway.
AB  - Although supplemental high-level oxygen treatment can promote the survival of
      premature infants, hyperoxia may adversely induce acute lung injury (ALI) in
      newborns. Our prior work illustrated that hyperoxic exposure could enhance the
      release of placental growth factor (PLGF) in the lungs of neonatal rats. We
      therefore postulated that PLGF contributed to hyperoxic ALI in newborns and
      evaluated the anti-PLGF treatment mediated by systematic delivery of lentivirus
      in hyperoxic ALI in this study. Lentivirus particles containing PLGF specific
      shRNA were injected into neonatal rats prior to hyperoxic exposure (90% oxygen
      for 72h) to inhibit PLGF expression. Hyperoxia induced oxidative damages in lung
      tissues as evidenced by the increased malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase, and
      the decreased antioxidant superoxide dismutase. Also, hyperoxia caused excessive
      infiltration of inflammatory cells and overproduction of proinflammatory
      cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6) in
      rat lung tissue. These pathological alterations were partly reversed by PLGF
      shRNA delivery. The expression levels and activities of metalloproteinase (MMP)-2
      and MMP9 were up-regulated in response to hyperoxia, whereas down-regulated when
      PLGF was inhibited. Moreover, PLGF shRNA inhibited nuclear factor kappa B
      (NFkappaB) signaling delivery in hyperoxic rat lungs. Additionally, exogenous
      PLGF-induced activation of MMPs in rat RLE-6TN alveolar epithelial cells was
      suppressed by NFkappaB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. These results
      suggest that therapy targeting PLGF may be beneficial for infants with hyperoxic
      ALI. 

PMID- 27280585
TI  - Novel Hydrogenosomes in the Microaerophilic Jakobid Stygiella incarcerata.
AB  - Mitochondrion-related organelles (MROs) have arisen independently in a wide range
      of anaerobic protist lineages. Only a few of these organelles and their functions
      have been investigated in detail, and most of what is known about MROs comes from
      studies of parasitic organisms such as the parabasalid Trichomonas vaginalis
      Here, we describe the MRO of a free-living anaerobic jakobid excavate, Stygiella
      incarcerata We report an RNAseq-based reconstruction of S. incarcerata's MRO
      proteome, with an associated biochemical map of the pathways predicted to be
      present in this organelle. The pyruvate metabolism and oxidative stress response
      pathways are strikingly similar to those found in the MROs of other anaerobic
      protists, such as Pygsuia and Trichomonas This elegant example of convergent
      evolution is suggestive of an anaerobic biochemical 'module' of prokaryotic
      origins that has been laterally transferred among eukaryotes, enabling them to
      adapt rapidly to anaerobiosis. We also identified genes corresponding to a
      variety of mitochondrial processes not found in Trichomonas, including
      intermembrane space components of the mitochondrial protein import apparatus, and
      enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism and cardiolipin biosynthesis. In this
      respect, the MROs of S. incarcerata more closely resemble those of the much more
      distantly related free-living organisms Pygsuia biforma and Cantina marsupialis,
      likely reflecting these organisms' shared lifestyle as free-living anaerobes.

PMID- 27280590
TI  - Three New Escherichia coli Phages from the Human Gut Show Promising Potential for
      Phage Therapy.
AB  - With the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria the use of bacteriophages
      (phages) is gaining renewed interest as promising anti-microbial agents. The aim
      of this study was to isolate and characterize phages from human fecal samples.
      Three new coliphages, phiAPCEc01, phiAPCEc02 and phiAPCEc03, were isolated. Their
      phenotypic and genomic characteristics, and lytic activity against biofilm, and
      in combination with ciprofloxacin, were investigated. All three phages reduced
      the growth of E. coli strain DPC6051 at multiplicity of infection (MOI) between
      10-3 and 105. A cocktail of all three phages completely inhibited the growth of
      E. coli. The phage cocktail also reduced biofilm formation and prevented the
      emergence of phage-resistant mutants which occurred with single phage. When
      combined with ciprofloxacin, phage alone or in cocktail inhibited the growth of
      E. coli and prevented the emergence of resistant mutants. These three new phages
      are promising biocontrol agents for E. coli infections. 

PMID- 27280592
TI  - Comparative accuracy of fitness tracking modalities in quantifying energy
      expenditure.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy of wrist-worn, consumer
      grade pedometers and earbud sensor technology in quantifying energy expenditure.
      Nineteen participants (24.6 +/- 3.1 years) performed 5 min exercise stages on a
      treadmill (80.5 m/min, 107.3 m/min, 134.1 m/min and 160.9 m/min) while measuring
      energy expenditure via the Fitbit Charge pedometer and Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless
      Earbuds, comparing with indirect calorimetry. Paired samples t-tests were used to
      calculate differences and Pearson correlations to examine associations between
      kcals measured from the Fitbit and Jabra earbuds from indirect calorimetry.
      Results indicate significant underestimations of kcals for both devices at all
      speeds except one (Jabra earbuds at 107.3 m/min). Moderate correlations were
      observed for the Fitbit at 107.3 m/min and 107.3 m/min, and 134.1 m/min for the
      Jabra earbuds. Both devices considerably underestimated kcals, suggesting that
      caution be used when incorporating such data into fitness/health goals. 

PMID- 27280591
TI  - Short Stature: Comparison of WHO and National Growth Standards/References for
      Height.
AB  - The use of appropriate growth standards/references is of significant clinical
      importance in assessing the height of children with short stature as it may
      determine eligibility for appropriate therapy. The aim of this study was to
      determine the impact of using World Health Organization (WHO) instead of national
      growth standards/references on height assessment in short children. Data were
      collected from routine clinical practice (1998-2014) from nine European countries
      that have available national growth references and were enrolled in NordiNet(r)
      International Outcome Study (IOS) (NCT00960128), a large-scale, non
      interventional, multinational study. The patient cohort consisted of 5996 short
      pediatric patients diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), Turner
      syndrome (TS) or born small for gestational age (SGA). The proportions of
      children with baseline height standard deviation score (SDS) below clinical cut
      off values (-2 SDS for GHD and TS; -2.5 SDS for SGA) based on national growth
      references and WHO growth standards/references were compared for children aged <5
      years and children aged >=5 years. In seven of the countries evaluated,
      significantly fewer children aged >=5 years with GHD (22%; P<0.0001), TS (21%;
      P<0.0001) or born SGA (32%; P<0.0001) had height below clinical cut-off values
      using WHO growth references vs. national references. Likewise, among children
      aged <5 years in the pooled analysis of the same seven countries, a significantly
      lower proportion of children with GHD (8%; P<0.0001), TS (12%; P = 0.0003) or
      born SGA (12%; P<0.0001) had height below clinical cut-off values using WHO
      growth standards vs. national references. In conclusion, in NordiNet(r) IOS the
      number of patients misclassified using WHO growth standards/references was
      significantly higher than with national references. This study highlights that,
      although no growth reference has 100% sensitivity for identifying growth
      disorders, the most recent national or regional growth charts may offer the most
      appropriate tool for monitoring childhood growth in Europe. 

PMID- 27280597
TI  - Correction: Comparative Developmental Transcriptomics Reveals Rewiring of a
      Highly Conserved Gene Regulatory Network during a Major Life History Switch in
      the Sea Urchin Genus Heliocidaris.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002391.].

PMID- 27280593
TI  - Improving Image Quality of On-Board Cone-Beam CT in Radiation Therapy Using Image
      Information Provided by Planning Multi-Detector CT: A Phantom Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to improve the image quality of cone-beam
      computed tomography (CBCT) mounted on the gantry of a linear accelerator used in
      radiation therapy based on the image information provided by planning multi
      detector CT (MDCT). METHODS: MDCT-based shading correction for CBCT and virtual
      monochromatic CT (VMCT) synthesized using the dual-energy method were performed.
      In VMCT, the high-energy data were obtained from CBCT, while the low-energy data
      were obtained from MDCT. An electron density phantom was used to investigate the
      efficacy of shading correction and VMCT on improving the target detectability,
      Hounsfield unit (HU) accuracy and variation, which were quantified by calculating
      the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), the percent difference (%Diff) and the
      standard deviation of the CT numbers for tissue equivalent background material,
      respectively. Treatment plan studies for a chest phantom were conducted to
      investigate the effects of image quality improvement on dose planning. RESULTS:
      For the electron density phantom, the mean value of CNR was 17.84, 26.78 and
      34.31 in CBCT, shading-corrected CBCT and VMCT, respectively. The mean value of
      %Diff was 152.67%, 11.93% and 7.66% in CBCT, shading-corrected CBCT and VMCT,
      respectively. The standard deviation within a uniform background of CBCT, shading
      corrected CBCT and VMCT was 85, 23 and 15 HU, respectively. With regards to the
      chest phantom, the monitor unit (MU) difference between the treatment plan
      calculated using MDCT and those based on CBCT, shading corrected CBCT and VMCT
      was 6.32%, 1.05% and 0.94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancement of image
      quality in on-board CBCT can contribute to daily patient setup and adaptive dose
      delivery, thus enabling higher confidence in patient treatment accuracy in
      radiation therapy. Based on our results, VMCT has the highest image quality,
      followed by the shading corrected CBCT and the original CBCT. The research
      results presented in this study should be able to provide a route to reach a high
      level of image quality for CBCT imaging in radiation oncology.

PMID- 27280598
TI  - An Investigation of Sodium Fusidate and Recombinant Cytochrome P450 Enzymes
      Inhibition In-Vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sodium fusidate (fusidic acid) is an antimicrobial agent that is used
      in the treatment of staphylococcal and streptococcal infections. Several case
      reports have noted a drug interaction between sodium fusidate and CYP3A4
      metabolised statins, leading to statin toxicity. It is unclear whether sodium
      fusidate has the potential to cause interactions with other cytochrome P450
      enzymes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sodium fusidate on recombinant
      cytochrome P450 enzymes (1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4) in-vitro. METHODS: A range
      of sodium fusidate concentrations (0.1uM, 1uM, 10uM, 100uM, 300uM, 1000uM and
      10000uM) were tested to examine its activity on rCYP1A2, rCYP2C9, rCYP2C19,
      rCYP2D6 and rCYP3A4 using a luminescent assay with a luciferin substrate.
      RESULTS: Sodium fusidate inhibited all enzymes at tested concentrations which are
      relevant to those likely to be achieved in clinical practice. Further, sodium
      fusidate was found to be a time-dependent inhibitor of all the tested isoenzymes,
      with the exception of rCYP2C9. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there is a
      potential for sodium fusidate to cause drug interactions when used with other
      agents that are substrates for rCYP1A2, rCYP2C9, rCYP2C19, rCYP2D6 or rCYP3A4.
      Understanding the basis of this potential drug interaction will assist in safer
      use of sodium fusidate in clinical practice.

PMID- 27280599
TI  - Effect of Cardiovascular Injury on Catabolism of Adenosine and Adenosine 5
      'Triphosphate in Systemic Blood in a Freely Moving Rat Model In Vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that catabolism of adenosine 5'
      triphosphate (ATP) in red blood cell (RBC) may be a key factor for cardiovascular
      protection and maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate
      the effect of cardiovascular injury on adenosine and ATP catabolism in systemic
      blood using a freely moving rat model in vivo. METHOD: After acclimatized to the
      experimental environment, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were each given either
      isoproterenol (30 mg/kg) or saline (1 mL/kg) by subcutaneous (sc) injection.
      Blood samples were collected sequentially for up to 6 hours for measurement of
      red blood cell (RBC) concentrations of adenine nucleotides and plasma
      concentrations of adenosine and its oxypurine metabolites. RESULTS: We have found
      isoproterenol induced 50% mortality under the experimental condition. Plasma
      concentrations of adenosine (ADO) and uric acid (UA) and red blood cell (RBC)
      concentrations of adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine 5'-monophosphate
      (AMP) in RBC were significantly higher in the isoproterenol treated rats (p <
      0.05 for all the comparison). On the other hand, plasma concentrations of
      hypoxanthine (HYP) were higher in the control group (p < 0.05), but there was no
      statistically significant changes in ATP concentrations in the RBC (p > 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular injury induced by isoproterenol resulted in breakdown
      of ATP to ADP and AMP in the RBC and also breakdown of ADO to UA in plasma and
      other tissues.

PMID- 27280600
TI  - Genomic and transcriptomic profiles and in vitro resistance to mitoxantrone and
      idarubicin in pediatric acute leukemias.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A major problem in the treatment of leukemia is the development of
      drug resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS: To determine the ex vivo
      drug resistance profile to anthracyclines, an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay was performed on mononuclear
      cells obtained from 155 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute
      myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Gene expression profiles (for 51 patients with ALL
      and 16 with AML) were prepared on the basis of cRNA hybridization to
      oligonucleotide arrays of the human genome (Affymetrix). Hierarchical clustering,
      assignment location and biological function were investigated during the
      correlation analysis for identified probe sets. Comparative genomic hybridization
      (CGH) array profiles (34 patients with ALL and 12 with AML) were prepared on the
      basis of DNA hybridization to oligonucleotide arrays of the human genome
      (Agilent). The validation of the array results was performed by a quantitative
      reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The collected
      expression and CGH microarray experiment results indicate that the ITGB2, SCL6A7,
      CASP1 and DUSP genes may comprise a resistance marker for acute leukemia cells
      correlated with anthracyclines. Moreover, there were also identified chromosome
      rearrangements associated with drug resistance, such as del5q32-35.3 and amp8p12
      p11.21. Precise genes, as well as genome aberrations, might be classified as
      targets in therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In AML, the resistance of blasts to idarubicin
      and mitoxantrone may reflect an impaired integrin pathway. In ALL, the
      development of resistance is caused by the inhibition of B and T cell activation.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27280602
TI  - Correction: Accelerating Influenza Research: Vaccines, Antivirals,
      Immunomodulators and Monoclonal Antibodies. The Manufacture of a New Wild-Type
      H3N2 Virus for the Human Viral Challenge Model.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145902.].

PMID- 27280601
TI  - Socioeconomic Inequalities in Psychological Distress among Urban Adults: The
      Moderating Role of Neighborhood Social Cohesion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Various studies have reported socioeconomic inequalities in mental
      health among urban residents. This study aimed at investigating whether
      neighborhood social cohesion influences the associations between socio-economic
      factors and psychological distress. METHODS: Cross-sectional questionnaire study
      on a random sample of 18,173 residents aged 16 years and older from 211
      neighborhoods in the four largest cities in the Netherlands. Psychological
      distress was the dependent variable (scale range 10-50). Neighborhood social
      cohesion was measured by five statements and aggregated to the neighborhood level
      using ecometrics methodology. Multilevel linear regression analyses were used to
      investigate cross-level interactions, adjusted for neighborhood deprivation,
      between individual characteristics and social cohesion with psychological
      distress. RESULTS: The mean level of psychological distress among urban residents
      was 17.2. Recipients of disability, social assistance or unemployment benefits
      reported higher psychological distress (beta = 5.6, 95%CI 5.2 to 5.9) than those
      in paid employment. Persons with some or great financial difficulties reported
      higher psychological distress (beta = 3.4, 95%CI 3.2 to 3.6) than those with
      little or no financial problems. Socio-demographic factors were also associated
      with psychological distress, albeit with much lower influence. Living in a
      neighborhood with high social cohesion instead of low social cohesion was
      associated with a lower psychological distress of 22% among recipients of
      disability, social assistance or unemployment benefits and of 13% among citizens
      with financial difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: Residing in socially cohesive
      neighborhoods may reduce the influence of lack of paid employment and financial
      difficulties on psychological distress among urban adults. Urban policies aimed
      at improving neighborhood social cohesion may contribute to decreasing socio
      economic inequalities in mental health.

PMID- 27280603
TI  - Standardised survey method for identifying catchment risks to water quality.
AB  - This paper describes the development and application of a systematic methodology
      to identify and quantify risks in drinking water and recreational catchments. The
      methodology assesses microbial and chemical contaminants from both diffuse and
      point sources within a catchment using Escherichia coli, protozoan pathogens and
      chemicals (including fuel and pesticides) as index contaminants. Hazard source
      information is gathered by a defined sanitary survey process involving use of a
      software tool which groups hazards into six types: sewage infrastructure, on-site
      sewage systems, industrial, stormwater, agriculture and recreational sites. The
      survey estimates the likelihood of the site affecting catchment water quality,
      and the potential consequences, enabling the calculation of risk for individual
      sites. These risks are integrated to calculate a cumulative risk for each sub
      catchment and the whole catchment. The cumulative risks process accounts for the
      proportion of potential input sources surveyed and for transfer of contaminants
      from upstream to downstream sub-catchments. The output risk matrices show the
      relative risk sources for each of the index contaminants, highlighting those with
      the greatest impact on water quality at a sub-catchment and catchment level.
      Verification of the sanitary survey assessments and prioritisation is achieved by
      comparison with water quality data and microbial source tracking. 

PMID- 27280604
TI  - Removal of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. from water supply with high
      turbidity: analytical challenges and perspectives.
AB  - Giardia and Cryptosporidium species are a serious problem if present in water
      supplies. The removal of these protozoans and the adaptation of existing
      protocols are essential for supplying drinking water to developing countries.
      Considering this, the aim of this study is to evaluate, on a bench level, the
      removal of Giardia spp. cysts and of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts from water with
      high turbidity, using polyaluminium chloride as a coagulant. Filtration using
      mixed cellulose ester membranes, followed, or not, by purification through
      immunomagnetic separation (IMS) was used for detecting protozoans. By evaluating
      the adopted protocol, without using IMS, retrievals of 80% of cysts and 5% of
      oocysts were obtained, whereas by using IMS, recoveries of 31.5% of cysts and
      5.75% of oocysts were reached. When analyzing the coagulant performance, a dosage
      of 65 mg L(-1) showed contamination from protozoans in all the samples of
      filtered water. A dosage of 25 mg L(-1) presented protozoans in 50% of the
      filtered water samples. The results showed an improved performance for the 25 mg
      L(-1) dosage; therefore, the control of coagulation and adaptation of detection
      protocols must be evaluated according to the features of raw water and
      availability of local resources. 

PMID- 27280605
TI  - Reduction of microbial risk associated with greywater by disinfection processes
      for irrigation.
AB  - Greywater is one of the most important alternative sources for irrigation in arid
      and semi-arid countries. However, the health risk associated with the microbial
      contents of these waters limits their utilization. Many techniques have been
      developed and used to generate a high microbiological quality of greywater. The
      main problem in the treatment of greywater lies in the nature of pathogenic
      bacteria in terms of their ability to survive during/after the treatment process.
      The present review focused on the health risk associated with the presence of
      pathogenic bacteria in greywater and the treatment technologies used for the
      disinfection processes. 

PMID- 27280606
TI  - Application of horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass reactor for
      bioremediation of acid mine drainage.
AB  - The production of low-pH effluent with sulfate and metals is one of the biggest
      environmental concerns in the mining industry. The biological process for sulfate
      reduction has the potential to become a low-cost solution that enables the
      recovery of interesting compounds. The present study analyzed such a process in a
      horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor, employing ethanol
      as the carbon and energy source. Results showed that a maximal efficiency in the
      removal of sulfate and ethanol could only be obtained by reducing the applied
      sulfate load (225.1 +/- 38 g m(-3) d(-1)). This strategy led to over 75% of
      chemical oxygen demand (COD) and sulfate removal. Among the COD/SO4(2-) studied
      ratios, 0.67 showed the most promising performance. The effluent's pH has
      naturally remained between 6.8 and 7.0 and the complete oxidation of the organic
      matter has been observed. Corrections of the influent pH or effluent
      recirculation did not show any significant effect on the COD and sulfate removal
      efficiency. Species closely related to strains of Clostridium sp. and species of
      Acidaminobacter hydrogenomorfans and Fusibacter paucivorans that can be related
      to the process of sulfate reduction were found in the HAIB reactors when the
      initial pH was 5 and the COD/SO4(2-) ratio increased to 1.0. 

PMID- 27280608
TI  - Disinfection of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by copper in water.
AB  - When households lack access to continuous piped water, water storage in the home
      creates opportunities for contamination. Storage in copper vessels has been shown
      to reduce microbes, but inactivation kinetics of enteric bacteria in water by
      copper alone needs to be understood. This work characterized inactivation
      kinetics of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by dissolved ionic copper
      in water. Reductions of E. coli and P. aeruginosa increase with increasing dose.
      At 0.3 mg/L, there was a 2.5 log10 reduction of E. coli within 6 hours. At 1 and
      3 mg/L, the detection limit was reached between 3 and 6 hours; maximum reduction
      measured was 8.5 log10. For P. aeruginosa, at 6 hours there was 1 log10 reduction
      at 0.3 mg/L, 3.0 log10 at 1 mg/L, and 3.6 log10 at 3 mg/L. There was no
      significant decline in copper concentration. Copper inactivates bacteria under
      controlled conditions at doses between 0.3 and 1 mg/L. E. coli was inactivated
      more rapidly than P. aeruginosa. Copper at 1 mg/L can achieve 99.9% inactivation
      of P. aeruginosa and 99.9999997% inactivation of E. coli over 6 hours, making it
      a candidate treatment for stored household water. 

PMID- 27280609
TI  - Early warning of changing drinking water quality by trend analysis.
AB  - Monitoring and control of water treatment plants play an essential role in
      ensuring high quality drinking water and avoiding health-related problems or
      economic losses. The most common quality variables, which can be used also for
      assessing the efficiency of the water treatment process, are turbidity and
      residual levels of coagulation and disinfection chemicals. In the present study,
      the trend indices are developed from scaled measurements to detect warning signs
      of changes in the quality variables of drinking water and some operating
      condition variables that strongly affect water quality. The scaling is based on
      monotonically increasing nonlinear functions, which are generated with
      generalized norms and moments. Triangular episodes are classified with the trend
      index and its derivative. Deviation indices are used to assess the severity of
      situations. The study shows the potential of the described trend analysis as a
      predictive monitoring tool, as it provides an advantage over the traditional
      manual inspection of variables by detecting changes in water quality and giving
      early warnings. 

PMID- 27280607
TI  - Human infective potential of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and
      Enterocytozoon bieneusi in urban wastewater treatment plant effluents.
AB  - Cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and microsporidiosis are important waterborne
      diseases. In the standard for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents in
      China and other countries, the fecal coliform count is the only microbial
      indicator, raising concerns about the potential for pathogen transmission through
      WWTP effluent reuse. In this study, we collected 50 effluent samples (30
      L/sample) from three municipal WWTPs in Shanghai, China, and analyzed for
      Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi by
      microscopy and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Moreover, propidium monoazide
      (PMA)-PCR was used to assess the viability of oocysts/cysts. The microscopy and
      PCR-positive rates for Cryptosporidium spp. were 62% and 40%, respectively. The
      occurrence rates of G. duodenalis were 96% by microscopy and 92-100% by PCR
      analysis of three genetic loci. Furthermore, E. bieneusi was detected in 70%
      (35/50) of samples by PCR. Altogether, 10 Cryptosporidium species or genotypes,
      two G. duodenalis genotypes, and 11 E. bieneusi genotypes were found, most of
      which were human-pathogenic. The chlorine dioxide disinfection employed in WWTP1
      and WWTP3 failed to inactivate the residual pathogens; 93% of the samples from
      WWTP1 and 83% from WWTP3 did not meet the national standard on fecal coliform
      levels. Thus, urban WWTP effluents often contain residual waterborne human
      pathogens. 

PMID- 27280610
TI  - Rainfall-induced release of microbes from manure: model development, parameter
      estimation, and uncertainty evaluation on small plots.
AB  - A series of simulated rainfall-runoff experiments with applications of different
      manure types (cattle solid pats, poultry dry litter, swine slurry) was conducted
      across four seasons on a field containing 36 plots (0.75 * 2 m each), resulting
      in 144 rainfall-runoff events. Simulating time-varying release of Escherichia
      coli, enterococci, and fecal coliforms from manures applied at typical agronomic
      rates evaluated the efficacy of the Bradford-Schijven model modified by adding
      terms for release efficiency and transportation loss. Two complementary, parallel
      approaches were used to calibrate the model and estimate microbial release
      parameters. The first was a four-step sequential procedure using the inverse
      model PEST, which provides appropriate initial parameter values. The second
      utilized a PEST/bootstrap procedure to estimate average parameters across plots,
      manure age, and microbe, and to provide parameter distributions. The experiment
      determined that manure age, microbe, and season had no clear relationship to the
      release curve. Cattle solid pats released microbes at a different, slower rate
      than did poultry dry litter or swine slurry, which had very similar release
      patterns. These findings were consistent with other published results for both
      bench- and field-scale, suggesting the modified Bradford-Schijven model can be
      applied to microbial release from manure. 

PMID- 27280611
TI  - The South Australian Safe Drinking Water Act: summary of the first year of
      operation.
AB  - The Safe Drinking Water Act 2011 was introduced in South Australia to provide
      clear direction to drinking water providers on how to achieve water safety. The
      Act requires drinking water providers to register with SA Health and develop a
      risk management plan (RMP) for their water supply that includes operational and
      verification monitoring plans and an incident notification and communication
      protocol. During the first year of operation, 212 drinking water providers
      registered under the Act, including one major water utility and a range of small
      to medium sized providers in regional and remote areas of the State. Information
      was captured on water source(s) used and water treatment. Rainwater was the most
      frequently reported drinking water source (66%), followed by bore water (13%), on
      supply or carting of mains water (13%), mixed source (rainwater with bore water
      backup) (6%) and surface water (3%). The majority of providers (91%) treated the
      water supply, 87% used disinfection. During the first year of operation, 16 water
      quality incidents were formally reported to SA Health. These included both
      microbial and chemical incidents. Case studies presented highlight how the RMPs
      are assisting drinking water providers to identify incidents of potential health
      concern and implement corrective actions. 

PMID- 27280612
TI  - Evaluation of potential human health risk and investigation of drinking water
      quality in Isparta city center (Turkey).
AB  - Isparta city center is selected as a work area in this study because the public
      believes that the tap water is dirty and harmful. In this study, the city's
      drinking water in the distribution system and other spring waters which are used
      as drinking water in this region were investigated from the point of water
      quality and health risk assessment. Water samples were collected from major
      drinking water springs, tap waters, treatment plants and dam pond in the Isparta
      province center. Ca-Mg-HCO3, Mg-Ca-HCO3, Ca-Na-HCO3, Ca-HCO3, Ca-HCO3-SO4 and Ca
      Mg-HCO3-SO4 are dominant water types. When compared to drinking water guidelines
      established by World Health Organization and Turkey, much greater attention
      should be paid to As, Br, Fe, F, NH4, PO4 through varied chemicals above the
      critical values. The increases of As, Fe, F, NH4 and PO4 are related to water
      rock interaction. In tap waters, the increases of As and Fe are due to corrosion
      of pipes in drinking water distribution systems. The major toxic and carcinogenic
      chemicals within drinking water are As and Br for both tap water and spring
      water. Also, F is the non-carcinogenic chemical for only spring waters in the
      study area. 

PMID- 27280613
TI  - Effects of plumbing systems on human exposure to disinfection byproducts in
      water: a case study.
AB  - Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in water distribution systems (WDS) are monitored
      for regulatory compliance, while populations are exposed to DBPs in tap water
      that may be different due to stagnation of water in plumbing pipes (PP) and
      heating in hot water tanks (HWT). This study investigated the effects of water
      stagnation in PP and HWT on exposure and risk of DBPs to humans. Trihalomethanes
      (THMs) in PP and HWT were observed to be 1.1-2.4 and 1.6-3.0 times, respectively,
      to THMs in the WDS, while haloacetic acids (HAAs) were 0.9-1.8 and 1.2-1.9 times,
      respectively, to HAAs in the WDS. The chronic daily intakes of DBPs from PP and
      HWT were 0.6-1.8 and 0.5-2.3 times the intakes from WDS. The cancer risks from PP
      and HWT were 1.46 (0.40-4.3) and 1.68 (0.35-5.1) times the cancer risks from WDS.
      The findings may assist in regulating DBPs exposure concentrations. 

PMID- 27280614
TI  - Measuring the willingness to pay for drinking water quality improvements: results
      of a contingent valuation survey in Songzi, China.
AB  - The aim of this study is to elicit local residents' willingness to pay (WTP), by
      applying the contingent valuation method as a surcharge on their water bill, for
      a given improvement in the drinking water quality and the supply reliability. The
      mean WTP for the drinking water quality improvement program was estimated to be
      16.71 yuan (0.3% of total household income). The results note that more educated
      respondents and households with higher income and with fewer household members
      are, on average, willing to pay more. This study also demonstrates that
      respondents' concerns regarding drinking water quality and perceptions of the
      health risk of drinking water quality can have significant positive impacts on
      people's WTP. The research results can help decision-makers understand the local
      population's demand for improved drinking water quality and undertake an
      environmental cost-benefit analysis. 

PMID- 27280615
TI  - Improved water and household water purification practices among orphans and
      vulnerable children in a multi-sectoral empowerment program in Eastern province,
      Kenya.
AB  - Water quality is an important determinant of diarrheal illnesses, especially
      affecting children in sub-Saharan Africa. Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)
      in sub-Saharan Africa are at increased risk of poor quality drinking water, and
      therefore of diarrheal illness. The present study assesses primary drinking water
      source and typical household water purification among OVC households involved in
      a multi-sectoral empowerment program in semi-rural Kenya. Findings show water
      purification practices, but not water source, significantly increase with more
      time in the program. Other factors associated with safer water include household
      income, orphan type, food consumption and security, school completion,
      psychological resilience, engaging in sexual intercourse with more than one
      partner in the past 12 months, and previous year's financial status.
      Incorporating water quality improvements in a community-based empowerment program
      such as the one described may be one method of improving water quality and
      decreasing diarrheal illnesses among OVCs in sub-Saharan Africa. 

PMID- 27280616
TI  - Blending as the best compliance option for the management of radioactivity in
      drinking water supplied from the deep sandstone aquifer in Southern Jordan.
AB  - This paper describes management options and interventions taken by the Government
      of Jordan to ensure that the quality of drinking water supplied to consumers via
      the Disi Water Conveyance Project (DWCP) meets Jordanian drinking water standards
      and WHO guidelines for drinking water quality in respect of their radiological
      composition. Results from an initial survey of radioactivity present in water
      abstracted from each of the 55 wells (which comprise the operational well field)
      indicated an average radiological dose of 0.8 milliSieverts per year (mSv/y)
      would be accrued by members of the population if consuming water directly from
      the well head. During full scale operation, the estimated accrued dose from the
      well field as a whole decreased to an average of 0.7 mSv/y which was still
      approximately 1.4 times the Jordanian reference radiological limit for drinking
      water (0.5 mSv/y). Following assessment of treatment options by relevant health
      and water authorities, blending prior to distribution into the consumer network
      was identified as the most practicable remedial option. Results from monthly
      sampling undertaken after inline blending support the adoption of this approach,
      and indicate a reduction in the committed effective dose to 0.4 mSv/y, which is
      compliant with Jordanian standards. 

PMID- 27280617
TI  - Results of heavy metals and other water quality levels in tap water from Can
      sourced from Agi Dagi (Mt. Agi) (Canakkale, Turkey).
AB  - In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, Fe, Mn and
      Cr were determined using an inductively coupled plasma and optical emission
      spectrophotometer (ICP-OES), and water quality parameters pH, temperature, and
      conductivity were measured using the YSI 556 MPS water probe. The water samples
      were collected monthly from five different street tap water points sourced from
      Mt. Agi (Agi Dagi in Turkish) spring waters between May 2012 and February 2013 in
      Can (Canakkale, Turkey). All results were compared with the drinking water
      standards of the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE 266), World Health
      Organization, European Union and US Environmental Protection Agency. While
      concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were within limit values, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr
      were at undetectable limits. The highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn
      were 0.010 ppm, 0.018 ppm, 0.058 ppm, and 0.014 ppm, respectively. The findings
      revealed that although there was no public health risk in view of heavy metal
      concentrations, there was an acidity problem due to lower pH levels correlated
      with some heavy metals such as Cu (R = 0.419), Fe (R = -0.421) and Mn (R = 
      0.687). 

PMID- 27280618
TI  - Neighborhood diversity of potentially pathogenic bacteria in drinking water from
      the city of Maroua, Cameroon.
AB  - This study examined the spatial variation of potential gastrointestinal pathogens
      within drinking water sources and home storage containers in four neighborhoods
      in Maroua, Cameroon. Samples were collected from source (n = 28) and home
      containers (n = 60) in each study neighborhood. Pathogen contamination was
      assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, targeting Campylobacter
      spp., Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (virulence genes, stx1 and stx2),
      and Salmonella spp. Microbial source tracking (MST) targeted three different host
      specific markers: HF183 (human), Rum2Bac (ruminant) and GFD (poultry) to identify
      contamination sources. Staphylococcus aureus and the tetracycline-resistance gene
      (tetQ) were assessed to measure human hand contact and presence of antibiotic
      resistant bacteria. Pathogen/MST levels were compared statistically and
      spatially, and neighborhood variation was compared with previously collected
      demographic information. All the test fecal markers and pathogens (except
      Arcobacter) were detected in home and source samples. Two neighborhoods tested
      positive for most pathogens/MST while the others only tested positive for one or
      two. Spatial variation of pathogens/MST existed between sources, storage
      containers, and neighborhoods. Differing population density and ethno-economic
      characteristics could potentially explain variation. Future research should
      explore the influence of demographic and ethno-economic factors on water quality
      during microbial risk assessments in urban Africa. 

PMID- 27280619
TI  - Immune Responses in U.S. Military Personnel Who Received Meningococcal Conjugate
      Vaccine (MenACWY) Concomitantly with Other Vaccines Were Higher than in Personnel
      Who Received MenACWY Alone.
AB  - Immunological responses to vaccination can differ depending on whether the
      vaccine is given alone or with other vaccines. This study was a retrospective
      evaluation of the immunogenicity of a tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine
      for serogroups A, C, W, and Y (MenACWY) administered alone (n = 41) or
      concomitantly with other vaccines (n = 279) to U.S. military personnel (mean age,
      21.6 years) entering the military between 2006 and 2008. Concomitant vaccines
      included tetanus/diphtheria (Td), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), hepatitis
      vaccines, and various influenza vaccines, among others; two vaccine groups
      excluded Tdap and IPV. Immune responses were evaluated in baseline and
      postvaccination sera for Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y 1 to 12 months
      (mean, 4.96 months) following vaccination. Functional antibodies were measured by
      using a serum bactericidal antibody assay with rabbit complement (rSBA) and by
      measurement of serogroup-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. The
      percentage of vaccinees reaching threshold levels (IgG concentration in serum,
      >=2 MUg/ml; rSBA titer, >=8) corresponding to an immunologic response was higher
      postvaccination than at baseline (P < 0.001). Administration of MenACWY along
      with other vaccines was associated with higher geometric means of IgG
      concentrations and rSBA titers than those measured 4.60 months after a single
      dose of MenACWY. In addition, higher percentages of vaccinees reached the
      immunological threshold (range of odds ratios [ORs], 1.5 to 21.7) and more of
      them seroconverted (OR range, 1.8 to 4.8) when MenACWY was administered with any
      other vaccine than when administered alone. Additional prospective randomized
      clinical trials are needed to confirm the observed differences among groups in
      the immune response to MenACWY when given concomitantly with other vaccines to
      U.S. military personnel.

PMID- 27280621
TI  - Comparison of Enzyme Immunoassays for Detection of Antibodies to Hepatitis D
      Virus in Serum.
AB  - Serology remains critical for diagnosing hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection, which
      affects 15 to 20 million people worldwide, but the literature on characterizing
      commercial enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) dates back to 15 years ago. We evaluated 2
      commercial EIAs currently available for detecting anti-HDV antibodies. The
      DiaSorin assay demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity. Using a modified
      cutoff value, the Cusabio assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 81.3% and
      specificity of 90.9%. Our data show that recently developed EIAs are reliable for
      anti-HDV antibody detection. 

PMID- 27280620
TI  - Unique Inflammatory Mediators and Specific IgE Levels Distinguish Local from
      Systemic Reactions after Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed Vaccination.
AB  - Although the U.S. National Academy of Sciences concluded that anthrax vaccine
      adsorbed (AVA) has an adverse event (AE) profile similar to those of other adult
      vaccines, 30 to 70% of queried AVA vaccinees report AEs. AEs appear to be
      correlated with certain demographic factors, but the underlying immunologic
      pathways are poorly understood. We evaluated a cohort of 2,421 AVA vaccinees and
      found 153 (6.3%) reported an AE. Females were more likely to experience AEs (odds
      ratio [OR] = 6.0 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 4.2 to 8.7]; P < 0.0001).
      Individuals 18 to 29 years of age were less likely to report an AE than
      individuals aged 30 years or older (OR = 0.31 [95% CI = 0.22 to 0.43]; P <
      0.0001). No significant effects were observed for African, European, Hispanic,
      American Indian, or Asian ancestry after correcting for age and sex.
      Additionally, 103 AEs were large local reactions (LLRs), whereas 53 AEs were
      systemic reactions (SRs). In a subset of our cohort vaccinated 2 to 12 months
      prior to plasma sample collection (n = 75), individuals with LLRs (n = 33) had
      higher protective-antigen (PA)-specific IgE levels than matched, unaffected
      vaccinated individuals (n = 50; P < 0.01). Anti-PA IgE was not associated with
      total plasma IgE, hepatitis B-specific IgE, or anti-PA IgG in individuals who
      reported an AE or in matched, unaffected AVA-vaccinated individuals. IP-10 was
      also elevated in sera of individuals who developed LLRs (P < 0.05). Individuals
      reporting SRs had higher levels of systemic inflammation as measured from C
      reactive protein (P < 0.01). Thus, LLRs and SRs are mediated by distinct
      pathways. LLRs are associated with a vaccine-specific IgE response and IP-10,
      whereas SRs demonstrate increased systemic inflammation without a skewed cytokine
      profile.

PMID- 27280622
TI  - Monoclonal Antibodies to Shigella Lipopolysaccharide Are Useful for Vaccine
      Production.
AB  - There is a significant need for an effective multivalent Shigella vaccine that
      targets the most prevalent serotypes. Most Shigella vaccines under development
      utilize serotype-specific lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) as a major component based
      on protection and epidemiological data. As vaccine formulations advance from
      monovalent to multivalent, assays and reagents need to be developed to accurately
      and reproducibly quantitate the amount of LPSs from multiple serotypes in the
      final product. To facilitate this effort, we produced 36 hybridomas that secrete
      monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the O antigen on the LPS from Shigella
      flexneri 2a, Shigella flexneri 3a, and Shigella sonnei We used six of these
      monoclonal antibodies for an inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      (iELISA), measuring LPSs with high sensitivity and specificity. It was also
      demonstrated that the Shigella serotype-specific MAbs were useful for bacterial
      surface staining detected by flow cytometry. These MAbs are also useful for
      standardizing the serum bactericidal assay (SBA) for Shigella Functional assays,
      such as the in vitro bactericidal assay, are necessary for vaccine evaluation and
      may serve as immunological correlates of immunity. An S. flexneri 2a-specific
      monoclonal antibody killed S. flexneri 2b isolates, suggesting that S. flexneri
      2a LPS may induce cross-protection against S. flexneri 2b. Overall, the Shigella
      LPS-specific MAbs described have potential utility to the vaccine development
      community for assessing multivalent vaccine composition and as a reliable control
      for multiple immunoassays used to assess vaccine potency.

PMID- 27280624
TI  - Management of Snapping Scapula Syndrome.
AB  - Snapping scapula syndrome is a rare condition caused by the disruption of the
      gliding articulation between the anterior scapula and the posterior chest wall.
      The etiology of snapping scapula syndrome is multifactorial, and contributing
      factors include scapular dyskinesis, bursitis from repetitive use or trauma, and
      periscapular lesions. Although the majority of cases are initially treated with
      nonoperative modalities, recalcitrant snapping scapula syndrome can warrant
      surgical management. This report describes a 34-year-old amateur weight lifter
      with a 1-year history of increasing pain and fullness over his posterior shoulder
      region. He reported full shoulder motion associated with an audible, palpable,
      and painful crepitus, exacerbated with overhead movement and wall pushups.
      Previous periscapular stabilization exercises and corticosteroid injection
      yielded minimal resolution of his symptoms. Prior to being referred to the
      authors' clinic, the patient was evaluated at an outside facility and deemed a
      suboptimal candidate for arthroscopic bursectomy because of the large size and
      location of this lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large polylobulated
      fluid collection causing scapulothoracic distention. There was no evidence of
      osseous abnormalities originating from the scapular body. Computed tomography
      guided placement of methylene blue and contrast dye was used to facilitate
      localization and, in an effort to minimize recurrence, ensure the complete
      removal of bursal tissue. During 8 weeks, this patient recovered unremarkably and
      returned to full-duty activities with resolution of symptoms. The authors present
      the management of chronic and recalcitrant snapping scapula syndrome, and report
      the open excision of the largest scapulothoracic bursal lesion described, to
      their knowledge, in the English literature. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e783
      e786.]. 

PMID- 27280623
TI  - Primary Osteomyelitis of the Clavicle in Children.
AB  - Osteomyelitis of the clavicle is a rare entity with a broad differential
      diagnosis and high potential for complications if not diagnosed promptly and
      treated appropriately. The threshold for surgical intervention should be low to
      prevent osteonecrosis and bony resorption. In addition, although rare, life
      threatening complications have been reported. This report describes primary
      osteomyelitis of the clavicle that was diagnosed in a 22-month-old girl on her
      third clinical evaluation after 4 days of symptoms. She presented to a children's
      tertiary care emergency department with fever and acute pain and swelling of her
      right shoulder and arm. The diagnosis was confirmed through clinical, laboratory,
      and imaging studies including ultrasound; these revealed subperiosteal abscess
      formation, which may have developed in part as the result of a delayed diagnosis
      from the 2 prior emergency department visits. The patient was treated initially
      with intravenous antibiotics and underwent therapeutic as well as diagnostic
      needle-guided tissue aspiration under ultrasound guidance. This ruled out
      malignancy but was not curative, and the subperiosteal abscess recurred within 24
      hours, prompting formal operative irrigation and debridement. The patient was
      seen for 12-month follow-up and has had no complications or evidence of
      recurrence. This case emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion to
      prevent diagnostic delays as well as the importance of a low threshold for
      surgical debridement to minimize the potential for complications that could
      prolong the treatment course. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e760-e763.]. 

PMID- 27280625
TI  - Internal Versus External Fixation of Charcot Midfoot Deformity Realignment.
AB  - Internal and external fixation techniques have been described for realignment and
      arthrodesis of Charcot midfoot deformity. There currently is no consensus on the
      optimal method of surgical reconstruction. This systematic review compared the
      clinical results of surgical realignment with internal and external fixation,
      specifically in regard to return to functional ambulation, ulcer occurrence,
      nonunion, extremity amputation, unplanned further surgery, deep infection, wound
      healing problems, peri- or intraoperative fractures, and total cases with any
      complication. A search of multiple databases for all relevant articles published
      from January 1, 1990, to March 22, 2014, was performed. A logistic regression
      model evaluated each of the outcomes and its association with the type of
      fixation method. The odds of returning to functional ambulation were 25% higher
      for internal fixation (odds ratio [OR], 1.259). Internal fixation had a 42%
      reduced rate of ulcer occurrence (OR, 0.578). External fixation was 8 times more
      likely to develop radiographic nonunion than internal fixation (OR, 8.2).
      Internal fixation resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in extremity amputation (OR,
      1.488), a 2-fold increase in deep infection (OR, 2.068), a 3.4-fold increase in
      wound healing complications (OR, 3.405), and a 1.5-fold increase in the total
      number of cases experiencing any complication (OR, 1.525). This was associated
      with a 20% increase in the need for unplanned further surgery with internal
      fixation (OR, 1.221). Although internal fixation may decrease the risk of
      nonunion and increase return to functional ambulation, it had a higher rate of
      overall complications than external fixation for realignment and arthrodesis of
      Charcot midfoot deformity. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e595-e601.]. 

PMID- 27280626
TI  - Minimally Traumatic Spinopelvic Dissociation With Prolonged Bisphosphonate Use.
AB  - Bisphosphonates have become the first-line treatment for diseases involving
      excessive osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. However, evidence suggests that
      elevated doses or prolonged treatment may impair normal skeletal mineralization
      and may be associated with fractures. The majority of these fractures are located
      in the subtrochanteric region. This article presents the first described case of
      atraumatic spinopelvic dissociation related to a combination of osteoporosis and
      prolonged bisphosphonate use. The current literature also is reviewed, and
      putative mechanisms and management options are discussed. [Orthopedics. 2016;
      39(4):e753-e755.]. 

PMID- 27280627
TI  - Atypical Pectoralis Major Muscle Wasting in a Recreational Weight Lifter.
AB  - Pectoralis major injuries are relatively uncommon and can pose a diagnostic
      challenge. Deformity and weakness of this muscle in weight lifters is typically
      due to traumatic tendon rupture and often requires surgical repair. However,
      there are other less common etiologies that can mimic the clinical presentation
      of pectoralis major wasting and weakness that require different treatment
      approaches. This article describes a case of a 48-year-old recreational weight
      lifter who presented with severe pectoralis major wasting and weakness secondary
      to isolated mononeuropathy of the lateral pectoral nerve possibly due to
      Parsonage Turner syndrome. The patient was treated nonoperatively and achieved
      full recovery 18 months after onset. Parsonage Turner syndrome should be included
      in the differential diagnosis of patients with atraumatic weakness and wasting of
      the pectoralis major muscle and dysfunction. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e756
      e759.]. 

PMID- 27280628
TI  - Excision and Reimplantation of the Proximal Humerus After Fracture-Dislocation.
AB  - Fractures of the proximal humerus are common and the treatment for both displaced
      and comminuted variants remains controversial. Treatment options initially
      consisted of closed reduction, traction, casting, and abduction splints. In the
      early 1930s, operative treatment for displaced fractures gained popularity, which
      continued in the 1940s and 1950s. Humeral head replacement for severely displaced
      fractures of the proximal humerus was introduced in the 1950s. In the 1970s, the
      Association for Osteosynthesis/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation
      popularized plates and screws for fracture fixation, and humeral head prostheses
      were redesigned. The traditional management of severely displaced proximal
      humerus fractures has been with arthroplasty because of the significant risk of
      osteonecrosis of the humeral head following open reduction and internal fixation.
      The authors present a case of a 51-year-old right-hand-dominant man who sustained
      a seizure along with a posteriorly displaced proximal humerus fracture
      dislocation of the right upper extremity. This was treated with surgical
      extrusion of the entire humeral head and subsequent open reduction and internal
      fixation. During the surgical procedure, the patient's humeral head was
      completely extruded from the body through a posterior incision and then reduced
      back to the proximal humerus through the standard anterior deltopectoral
      approach. After 4 years of follow-up, the patient remains pain free, has
      functional range of motion, and is without signs of osteonecrosis on plain
      radiographs. This case illustrates that even with complete disruption of the
      vascular supply to the humeral head, revascularization after osteosynthesis is
      possible. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e779-e782.]. 

PMID- 27280629
TI  - Resilience of Key Biological Parameters of the Senegalese Flat Sardinella to
      Overfishing and Climate Change.
AB  - The stock of the Senegalese flat sardinella, Sardinella maderensis, is highly
      exploited in Senegal, West Africa. Its growth and reproduction parameters are key
      biological indicators for improving fisheries management. This study reviewed
      these parameters using landing data from small-scale fisheries in Senegal and
      literature information dated back more than 25 years. Age was estimated using
      length-frequency data to calculate growth parameters and assess the growth
      performance index. With global climate change there has been an increase in the
      average sea surface temperature along the Senegalese coast but the length-weight
      parameters, sex ratio, size at first sexual maturity, period of reproduction and
      condition factor of S. maderensis have not changed significantly. The above
      parameters of S. maderensis have hardly changed, despite high exploitation and
      fluctuations in environmental conditions that affect the early development phases
      of small pelagic fish in West Africa. This lack of plasticity of the species
      regarding of the biological parameters studied should be considered when planning
      relevant fishery management plans. 

PMID- 27280630
TI  - Statin use and all-cancer survival: prospective results from the Women's Health
      Initiative.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the association between statin use and
      all-cancer survival in a prospective cohort of postmenopausal women, using data
      from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS) and Clinical
      Trial (WHI-CT). METHODS: The WHI study enrolled women aged 50-79 years from 1993
      to 1998 at 40 US clinical centres. Among 146 326 participants with median 14.6
      follow-up years, 23 067 incident cancers and 3152 cancer deaths were observed.
      Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate
      the relationship between statin use and cancer survival. RESULTS: Compared with
      never-users, current statin use was associated with significantly lower risk of
      cancer death (hazard ratio (HR), 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71-0.86,
      P<0.001) and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.74-0.88). Use of other
      lipid-lowering medications was also associated with increased cancer survival (P
      interaction (int)=0.57). The lower risk of cancer death was not dependent on
      statin potency (P-int=0.22), lipophilicity/hydrophilicity (P-int=0.43), type (P
      int=0.34) or duration (P-int=0.33). However, past statin users were not at lower
      risk of cancer death compared with never-users (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.85-1.33); in
      addition, statin use was not associated with a reduction of overall cancer
      incidence despite its effect on survival (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-1.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of postmenopausal women, regular use of statins or other
      lipid-lowering medications was associated with decreased cancer death, regardless
      of the type, duration, or potency of statin medications used.

PMID- 27280631
TI  - The fraction of breast cancer attributable to smoking: The Norwegian women and
      cancer study 1991-2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Results from several recent cohort studies on smoking and breast
      cancer incidence and mortality suggest that the burden of smoking on society is
      underestimated. We estimated the fraction of breast cancer attributable to
      smoking in the Norwegian Women and Cancer Study, a nationally representative
      prospective cohort study. METHODS: We followed 130 053 women, aged 34-70 years,
      who completed a baseline questionnaire between 1991 and 2007, through linkages to
      national registries through December 2012. We used Cox proportional hazards
      models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), while
      adjusting for confounders. Never smokers, excluding passive smokers, were used as
      the reference group in all main analyses. We estimated attributable fractions
      (AFs) % in smokers and in the population (PAFs) % with 95% CIs. RESULTS:
      Altogether, 4293 women developed invasive breast cancer, confirmed by histology.
      Compared with never active, never passive smokers, ever (former and current)
      smokers had an overall risk of breast cancer that was 21% higher (HR=1.21; 95%
      CI=1.08-1.34). For ever smokers, the AF was 17.3% (95% CI =7.4-25.4) and for the
      population the PAF of breast cancer was 11.9% (95% CI=5.3-18.1). For passive
      smokers, the PAF of breast cancer was 3.2% (95% CI=1.0-5.4). When we applied PAF
      estimates for ever smoking on the 2907 new breast cancer cases among Norwegian
      women aged 35+ at diagnosis in 2012, this yielded 345 (95% CI=154-526) breast
      cancer cases that could have been avoided in the absence of active smoking that
      year. CONCLUSIONS: In smokers, one in six and in the population, one in nine
      breast cancer cases could have been avoided in the absence of active smoking. Our
      findings support the notion that the global cancer burden due to smoking is
      substantially underestimated.

PMID- 27280632
TI  - Prognostic value of circulating tumour DNA in patients undergoing curative
      resection for pancreatic cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is frequently diagnosed at an
      advanced stage, leading to a poor prognosis. Therefore, interest in the
      development of non-invasive biomarkers for prognostic prediction has grown
      rapidly. Here, we assessed the clinical implications of v-Ki-ras2 kirsten rat
      sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-mutated circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a
      useful surrogate biomarker in patients with resectable PDAC. METHODS: We used
      droplet digital polymerase chain reaction to detect rare mutant tumour-derived
      KRAS genes in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as ctDNA. Samples were collected from
      105 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for PDAC at a single
      institution. Overall survival (OS) was analysed according to the presence of
      ctDNA. RESULTS: Among the 105 cases, ctDNA was detected in 33 (31%) plasma
      samples. The median OS durations were 13.6 months for patients with ctDNA
      (ctDNA+) and 27.6 months for patients without ctDNA. Patients who were ctDNA+ had
      a significantly poorer prognosis with respect to OS (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings suggested that the presence of ctDNA in plasma samples could be an
      important and powerful predictor of poor survival in patients with PDAC.
      Accordingly, ctDNA detection might be a promising approach with respect to PDAC
      treatment.

PMID- 27280633
TI  - LEM domain containing 1 promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma invasion and
      endothelial transmigration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinomas have high potential for locoregional
      invasion and nodal metastasis. Thus, early detection and elucidation of detailed
      molecular mechanisms of OSCCs are important. Roles of LEM domain containing 1
      (LEMD1), a novel cancer-testis antigen, in OSCCs are unclear. METHODS: We
      performed immunohistochemical analysis of LEMD1 in 289 OSCC patients and examined
      functions of LEMD1 in these carcinomas. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis
      showed that 101 patients were positive for LEMD1. LEM domain containing 1
      expression levels in OSCCs significantly correlated with tumour progression (T
      factor and clinical stage), nodal metastasis, and poor prognosis. LEM domain
      containing 1 expression was an independent predictor of disease-free survival in
      OSCC patients. In OSCCs, LEMD1 knockdown suppressed cancer cell invasion.
      Moreover, downregulation of LEMD1 expression inhibited adhesion and
      transmigration of OSCCs and vascular or lymphatic vascular endothelial cells.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that LEMD1 is a novel tumour progressive factor
      and may be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic target in OSCCs.

PMID- 27280634
TI  - The impact of hepatic fibrosis on the incidence of liver metastasis from
      colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify the influence of hepatic
      fibrosis on metachronous liver-specific recurrence in colorectal cancer (CRC)
      patients who underwent colorectal surgery with curative intent. Non-alcoholic
      steatohepatitis (NASH) is closely associated with hepatic fibrosis (HF). The
      number of patients who suffer from NASH is increasing because of the consumption
      of high-calorie diets. It remains unclear how much of an impact NASH and HF have
      on the development of liver metastasis in CRC. METHODS: Patients who underwent
      curative surgical resection for CRC between 2000 and 2011 were included in this
      study. We evaluated the progression of HF by the non-alcoholic fatty liver
      disease fibrosis score (NFS) based on preoperative blood test results, age, body
      mass index, and diabetes mellitus. Patients were grouped according to high
      (fibrotic liver; FL) or low (normal liver; NL) NFS. The influence of HF on
      hepatic recurrence was assessed by survival analyses. RESULTS: A total of 953 CRC
      patients were enrolled, comprising 293 in stage I, 327 in stage II, and 333 in
      stage III. The patients included were categorised as FL (77) or NL (876). The
      hepatic recurrence rates were 5.3% in the NL group and 10.4% in the FL group
      (P=0.02), whereas the overall recurrence rates were 16.0% in the NL group and
      20.7% in the FL group (P=0.03). The 5-year liver-specific recurrence-free
      survival rate in the FL group was significantly poorer than that in the NL group
      (FL 89.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 78.4-94.7 vs NL 96.0%, 95% CI 94.3-97.2,
      log-rank test P<0.01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that HF significantly
      promoted liver-specific recurrence compared with NL (HR=2.98, 95% CI 1.23-7.21;
      P=0.02). CONCLUSION: HF is a valuable prognostic factor for hepatic recurrence
      after curative surgical resection of CRC.

PMID- 27280635
TI  - Impacts of smoking on endocrine treatment response in a prospective breast cancer
      cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association between smoking and breast cancer prognosis remains
      unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preoperative
      smoking was associated with prognosis in different treatment groups. METHODS:
      This population-based cohort consisted of 1065 breast cancer patients without
      preoperative treatment included between 2002 and 2012 in Lund, Sweden. Smoking
      status was examined in relation to patient and tumour characteristics, and
      prognosis in different treatment groups. RESULTS: At the preoperative visit,
      21.0% smoked. Median follow-up time was 5.1 years. Overall, in the 1016 patients
      included in the survival analyses, there was no significant association between
      smoking and risk of breast cancer events (adjusted hazard ratio (adjHR): 1.45;
      95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95-2.20). For the 309 aromatase inhibitor (AI)
      treated patients ?50 years with oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) tumours,
      smoking was associated with risk of breast cancer events (adjHR: 2.97; 95% CI:
      1.44-6.13), distant metastasis (adjHR: 4.19; 95% CI: 1.81-9.72), and death
      (adjHR: 3.52; 95% CI: 1.59-7.81). Smoking was not associated with breast cancer
      events or distant metastasis in other treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative
      smoking was only associated with an increased risk for breast cancer events and
      distant metastasis in AI-treated patients. If confirmed, smoking status should be
      taken into consideration when selecting an endocrine therapy.

PMID- 27280636
TI  - Expression of phosphorylated eIF4E-binding protein 1, but not of eIF4E itself,
      predicts survival in male breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Male breast cancer is rare and treatment is based on data from
      females. High expression/activity of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)
      denotes a poor prognosis in female breast cancer, and the eIF4E pathway has been
      targeted therapeutically. Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E activity in female
      breast cancer is deregulated by eIF4E overexpression and by phosphorylation of
      its binding protein, 4E-BP1, which relieves inhibitory association between eIF4E
      and 4E-BP1. The relevance of the eIF4E pathway in male breast cancer is unknown.
      METHODS: We have assessed expression levels of eIF4E, 4E-BP1, 4E-BP2 and
      phosphorylated 4E-BP1 (p4E-BP1) using immunohistochemistry in a large cohort of
      male breast cancers (n=337) and have examined correlations with prognostic
      factors and survival. RESULTS: Neither eIF4E expression nor estimated eIF4E
      activity were associated with prognosis. However, a highly significant
      correlation was found between p4E-BP1 expression and disease-free survival (DFS),
      linking any detectable p4E-BP1 with poor survival (univariate log rank P=0.001;
      multivariate HR 8.8, P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide no support for
      direct therapeutic targeting of eIF4E in male breast cancer, unlike in females.
      However, as p4E-BP1 gives powerful prognostic insights that are unrelated to
      eIF4E function, p4E-BP1 may identify male breast cancers potentially suitable for
      therapies directed at the upstream kinase, mTOR.

PMID- 27280637
TI  - Nut consumption and prostate cancer risk and mortality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known of the association between nut consumption, and
      prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and survivorship. METHODS: We conducted an
      incidence analysis and a case-only survival analysis in the Health Professionals
      Follow-up Study on the associations of nut consumption (updated every 4 years)
      with PCa diagnosis, and PCa-specific and overall mortality. RESULTS: In 26 years,
      6810 incident PCa cases were identified from 47 299 men. There was no association
      between nut consumption and being diagnosed with PCa or PCa-specific mortality.
      However, patients who consumed nuts five or more times per week after diagnosis
      had a significant 34% lower rate of overall mortality than those who consumed
      nuts less than once per month (HR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.52-0.83, P-trend=0.0005).
      CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant associations between nut
      consumption, and PCa incidence or PCa-specific mortality. Frequent nut
      consumption after diagnosis was associated with significantly reduced overall
      mortality.

PMID- 27280638
TI  - Ethnic differences in cancer symptom awareness and barriers to seeking medical
      help in England.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ethnic differences in cancer symptom awareness and barriers to
      seeking medical help in the English population are not fully understood. We aimed
      to quantify these differences, to help develop more effective health campaigns,
      tailored to the needs of different ethnic groups. METHODS: Using a large national
      data set (n=38 492) of cross-sectional surveys that used the Cancer Research UK
      Cancer Awareness Measure, we examined how cancer symptom awareness and barriers
      varied by ethnicity, controlling for socio-economic position, age and gender.
      Data were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Awareness of
      cancer symptoms was lower in minority ethnic groups than White participants, with
      the lowest awareness observed among Bangladeshis and Black Africans. Ethnic
      minorities were more likely than White British to report barriers to help
      seeking. South Asians reported the highest emotional barriers, such as lack of
      confidence to talk to the doctor, and practical barriers, such as worry about
      many other things. The Irish were more likely than the White British to report
      practical barriers, such as being too busy to visit a doctor. White British
      participants were more likely than any other ethnic group to report that they
      would feel worried about wasting the doctor's time. Overall, Black Africans had
      the lowest barriers. All differences were statistically significant (P<0.01
      level), after controlling for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the
      need for culturally sensitive and targeted health campaigns, focused on improving
      recognition of cancer symptoms among ethnic minorities. Campaigns should tackle
      the specific barriers prevalent in each ethnic group.

PMID- 27280640
TI  - Relating minimum toe clearance to prospective, self-reported, trip-related
      stumbles in the community.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Individuals with transtibial amputation are at increase risk of
      falling. The absence of an ankle joint and the associated musculature in these
      individuals can reduce clearance between the prosthetic foot and ground during
      the swing phase of gait, which may increase the risk of stumbling and in turn
      falling. OBJECTIVES: To associate minimum toe clearance during gait in the
      laboratory with community-based, trip-related stumbles by individuals with
      transtibial amputation using conventional feet. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort
      design; following quantitative gait analysis, participants completed electronic
      surveys to prospectively report stumbles and falls for 1 year thereafter.
      METHODS: General community with gait analysis conducted within a motion analysis
      laboratory and prospective tracking of stumbles occurring in the community. A
      volunteer sample of eight unilateral, transtibial amputees that were K3 or K4
      level ambulators and current patients at a local prosthetic clinic. All
      participants completed the entire 1-year follow-up study. Prosthetic-side minimum
      toe clearance while walking on a level treadmill at self-selected speed and self
      reported trip-related stumbles in the community. Minimum toe clearance was
      defined as a local minimum of the vertical displacement of the toe from toe-off
      to heelstrike relative to its position during midstance. RESULTS: Prosthetic-side
      minimum toe clearance was more than 50% lower for participants who reported one
      or more trip-related stumbles on that side compared with participants who
      reported zero trip-related stumbles on the prosthetic side (minimum toe clearance
      = 12.3 +/- 0.8 mm vs 25.6 +/- 5.4 mm, respectively; p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: This
      is the first study relating laboratory-based measures to prospective stumbles by
      prosthesis users. The results suggest that prosthesis users with low minimum toe
      clearance may be at increased risk of experiencing a trip-related stumble in the
      community. Given that frequent stumbling increases the risk of falling, future
      work is warranted on the effectiveness of interventions focused on minimum toe
      clearance on reducing fall risk. Clinical relevance Interventions to increase
      minimum toes clearance, which could include prescription of active dorsiflexing
      prostheses or gait training, may help reduce the risk of trip-related falls for
      individuals who report a history of trip-related stumbles.

PMID- 27280639
TI  - Full-Length Venom Protein cDNA Sequences from Venom-Derived mRNA: Exploring
      Compositional Variation and Adaptive Multigene Evolution.
AB  - Envenomation of humans by snakes is a complex and continuously evolving medical
      emergency, and treatment is made that much more difficult by the diverse
      biochemical composition of many venoms. Venomous snakes and their venoms also
      provide models for the study of molecular evolutionary processes leading to
      adaptation and genotype-phenotype relationships. To compare venom complexity and
      protein sequences, venom gland transcriptomes are assembled, which usually
      requires the sacrifice of snakes for tissue. However, toxin transcripts are also
      present in venoms, offering the possibility of obtaining cDNA sequences directly
      from venom. This study provides evidence that unknown full-length venom protein
      transcripts can be obtained from the venoms of multiple species from all major
      venomous snake families. These unknown venom protein cDNAs are obtained by the
      use of primers designed from conserved signal peptide sequences within each venom
      protein superfamily. This technique was used to assemble a partial venom gland
      transcriptome for the Middle American Rattlesnake (Crotalus simus tzabcan) by
      amplifying sequences for phospholipases A2, serine proteases, C-lectins, and
      metalloproteinases from within venom. Phospholipase A2 sequences were also
      recovered from the venoms of several rattlesnakes and an elapid snake (Pseudechis
      porphyriacus), and three-finger toxin sequences were recovered from multiple rear
      fanged snake species, demonstrating that the three major clades of advanced
      snakes (Elapidae, Viperidae, Colubridae) have stable mRNA present in their
      venoms. These cDNA sequences from venom were then used to explore potential
      activities derived from protein sequence similarities and evolutionary histories
      within these large multigene superfamilies. Venom-derived sequences can also be
      used to aid in characterizing venoms that lack proteomic profiles and identify
      sequence characteristics indicating specific envenomation profiles. This
      approach, requiring only venom, provides access to cDNA sequences in the absence
      of living specimens, even from commercial venom sources, to evaluate important
      regional differences in venom composition and to study snake venom protein
      evolution.

PMID- 27280641
TI  - Communication techniques for improved acceptance and adherence with therapeutic
      footwear.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Clients' acceptance and adherence with orthoses can be
      influenced by a clinician's communication skills. In this clinical note, we
      describe two communication techniques, in the context of therapeutic footwear.
      TECHNIQUE: Person-centred communication involves engaging with and listening to
      the attitudes of the client towards their condition, as well as discussing
      acceptance and expectations, in a structured consultation. Building a
      relationship is crucial and requires clients to feel heard and understood. An
      important influence on the acceptance and adherence is that a client makes a
      conscious decision to receive their device. This active receipt can be
      facilitated through shared decision making, wherein clinicians give clear,
      relevant and meaningful examples, based on clinical evidence, and ensure this is
      understood. DISCUSSION: Two communication techniques for clinicians providing
      therapeutic footwear are described. These can be adapted for use with provision
      of other assistive technologies to improve client acceptance and adherence.
      Clinical relevance Small changes in how clinicians communicate to their clients
      in daily practice can have a big influence on the subsequent acceptance and
      adherence with therapeutic footwear and indeed other prescribed assistive
      technologies.

PMID- 27280642
TI  - Photonic Torque Microscopy of the Nonconservative Force Field for Optically
      Trapped Silicon Nanowires.
AB  - We measure, by photonic torque microscopy, the nonconservative rotational motion
      arising from the transverse components of the radiation pressure on optically
      trapped, ultrathin silicon nanowires. Unlike spherical particles, we find that
      nonconservative effects have a significant influence on the nanowire dynamics in
      the trap. We show that the extreme shape of the trapped nanowires yields a
      transverse component of the radiation pressure that results in an orbital
      rotation of the nanowire about the trap axis. We study the resulting motion as a
      function of optical power and nanowire length, discussing its size-scaling
      behavior. These shape-dependent nonconservative effects have implications for
      optical force calibration and optomechanics with levitated nonspherical
      particles.

PMID- 27280643
TI  - Life Cycle of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Plant in Vitro.
AB  - Alteration of generations in peanut plants was examined by the culturing of
      seeds. Flowers were induced in more than 50% of the seed cultures in vitro.
      Benzyl aminopurine stimulated the rate of flower induction most among the factors
      examined. Development of pegs was stimulated by gibberellic acid given after
      flowering. Dark culture allowed the development of ovaries in pegs to immature
      seeds and then to mature seeds; with this, the life cycle of the peanut plant was
      complete. Mature seeds excised from the original cultures germinated normally in
      vitro, and the cotyledonary nodes proliferated multiple shoots on shoot-forming
      medium. Alteration of generations and the in vitro omission of certain steps of
      the life cycle in plants are discussed. 

PMID- 27280644
TI  - Purification and Properties of Acid Stable Xylanases from Aspergillus kawachii.
AB  - Five extracellular endo-xylanases were recognized in the culture broth of shochu
      koji mold (Aspergillus kawachii, IFO 4308), and three major xylanases (XylA,
      XylB, and XylC) were purified and characterized. The molecular masses of XylA,
      XylB, and XylC were 35,000, 26,000, and 29,000, and isoelectric points were pH
      6.7, 4.4, and 3.5, respectively. Amino acid compositions and other properties
      were studied and these three xylanases were found to be greatly different in
      their properties. These three xylanases, XylA, XylB, and XylC, were stable
      between pH 3-10, 3-10, and 1-9 and the optimum pHs were 5.5, 4.5, and 2.0,
      respectively. Consequently, these xylanases were acid stable xylanases,
      especially XylC was an acidophilic xylanase (acid xylanase). These xylanases
      produced various xylooligosaccharides including xylose from xylan and the main
      product was xylobiose in all xylanases. The production of acid xylanase (XylC)
      was enhanced with a low initial pH of the medium. 

PMID- 27280645
TI  - Beneficial Effect of Dietary Fiber on the Upper Gastrointestinal Transit Time in
      Rats Suffering from a Toxic Dose of Amaranth.
AB  - Gobo dietary fiber (GDF) obtained from the roots of edible burdock (Arctium lappa
      L.) was examined for its protective role against amaranth (Food Red No. 2, Am)
      toxicity in the upper gastrointestinal tract (from the mouth to the ileal end) of
      rats. Ileorectostomized rats were examined for their growth response to feeding
      with a purified basal diet containing 4% Am with or without 7.5% GDF. The transit
      half-time (TT50) through the upper gastrointestinal tract was also examined with
      ileostomized rats by recovering the small intestinal contents from the ileal end,
      using Cr-EDTA as a nonabsorbable water-soluble marker. Although feeding Am to the
      ileorectostomized rats resulted in a 50% mortality, concurrent feeding of Am and
      GDF not only protected the rats from death but also significantly promoted their
      growth rate when compared to the effect on the survivors fed only with the Am
      containing diet. The results of TT50 measurements on ileostomized rats showed
      that the TT50 was decreased by half in the presence of Am, but was restored to
      the value for the control without Am when the Am-containing diet was supplemented
      with GDF. These and previous rsults imply that Am toxicity develops mainly in the
      upper gastrointestinal tract as a result of decreased availability of nutrients
      that is produced by the rapid transit and inhibitory effect of Am on the
      digestion-absorption process. The beneficial effect of GDF appears to be in
      normalizing the rapid transit through the upper gastrointestinal tract of chyme
      containing Am and not in the cecum or colon. 

PMID- 27280646
TI  - Oxidative Stability of Sardine Oil Embedded in Spray-dried Egg White Powder and
      Its Use for n-3 Unsaturated Fatty Acid Fortification of Cookies.
AB  - Fine droplets of sardine oil either embedded in or covered with egg white powder,
      which had been prepared from an oil-in-water emulsion containing 10% protein-oil
      (9:1) mixture by spray-drying and freeze-drying, were examined for their
      oxidative stability during storage under moderate conditions (RH = 45-55%, 40
      degrees C). The antioxidative effect was estimated by measuring the peroxide
      value as well as the residual unsaturated fatty acid (mainly eicosapentaenoic and
      docosahexaenoic acids). Microencapsulation of the oil droplets with albumen by
      freeze-drying was not so effective in stabilizing against oxidation as that by
      spray-drying, probably because of the porosity of a protein coating on oil or
      leakage of oil through crevices. As a practical application of powdered sardine
      oil (i.e., entrapped in spray-dried albumen particles), plain cookies and those
      enriched with the oil were baked, and any difference in taste between them was
      evaluated by a paired preference test assessed by 32 amateur panelists. Sardine
      oil fortification of the cookies was judged not to affect their quality from the
      results of the sensory test. Spray-dried egg white powder inclusive of sardine
      oil was stable during prolonged storage, so that its use would be favorable for
      supplying an n-3 series of polyunsaturated fatty acids. 

PMID- 27280647
TI  - Identification of a Novel Gibberellin (GA85) in Very Young Seedlings of Brassica
      campestris cv. Tobin.
AB  - A new gibberellin (GA) was identified from extracts of cotyledons of 7 day-old
      canola seedlings (Brassica campestris cv. Tobin). This GA is 12alpha-hydroxy-GA1
      and has been assigned the trivial name of GA85. Isolation was monitored by the
      Tan-ginbozu dwarf rice micro-drop assay after each high-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) step. Identification was based on Kovats retention index
      (KRI) and the mass spectrum of the methyl ester, trimethylsilyl ether (MeTMSi)
      derivative after analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in
      comparison with an authentic sample of 12alpha-hydroxy-GA1. Based on quantitation
      by the dwarf rice micro-drop assay, GA85 is one of the major biologically active
      GAs in cotyledons of young canola seedlings. 

PMID- 27280648
TI  - Functional Casein-Poly saccharide Conjugates Prepared by Controlled Dry Heating.
AB  - Casein was conjugated with dextran and galactomannan in a controlled dry state at
      a relative humidity of 79% and at 60 degrees C for 24 hr. The covalent attachment
      of polysaccharides to casein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and HPLC. The emulsifying
      activity of the casein-dextran and casein-galactomannan conjugates was 1.5 times
      higher than that of casein. The emulsion stability of the casein-dextran and
      casein-galactomannan conjugates was 10 times higher than that of casein. The
      improvement in these emulsifying properties reached a steady state when the
      conjugation of casein with polysaccharide was done for 24 hr in a controlled dry
      state, suggesting the rapid formation of conjugates through a Maillard reaction
      in the case of casein. Compared to commercial emulsifiers, the casein
      polysaccharide conjugates showed better emulsifying properties in acidic and high
      salt concentration systems. 

PMID- 27280649
TI  - Identification and Characteristics of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Sour
      Dough Sponges.
AB  - Lactic acid bacteria in four samples of sour dough sponges were studied
      quantitatively and qualitatively. In each sponge, there were one or two species
      of the genus Lactobacillus: L. reuteri and L. curvatus in San Francisco sour
      dough sponge, L. brevis and L. hilgardii in panettone sour dough sponge produced
      in Italy, L. sanfrancisco from a rye sour dough sponge produced in Germany, and
      L. casei and L. curvatus from a rye sour dough sponge produced in Switzerland.
      For all isolates except the L. reuteri strains oleic acid, a component of the
      Tween 80 added to the medium, was essential for growth. It was of interest that
      lactobacilli requiring oleic acid were the predominant flora of lactic acid
      bacteria in the microbial environment of sour dough sponges. 

PMID- 27280650
TI  - Short-term Effects of Ethanol Intoxication on Ascorbic Acid and Lipid Metabolism
      and on Drug-metabolizing Enzymes in Liver of Rats.
AB  - The effects of one-time ethanol intoxication on ascorbic acid and lipid
      metabolism and on drug-metabolizing enzymes in liver of rats were investigated.
      Male Donryu rats that had been fed semi-purified feed were given 5 g/kg ethanol
      solution (25%, w/v) via a stomach tube and killed 16 h after intubation. The
      amount of ascorbic acid excreted in the urine after ethanol administration
      increased, but renal and adrenal concentrations of ascorbic acid decreased. The
      serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol,
      triglycerides, phospholipids, and non-esterified fatty acids were elevated in
      rats given ethanol, but hepatic level of total lipids, cholesterol,
      triglycerides, phospholipids were not. The hepatic concentrations of cytochrome P
      450 and cytochrome b5 did not increase, but this large dose of ethanol increased
      the activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase and cytochrome c reductase. These
      results indicated that the single dose of ethanol affected the ascorbic acid and
      lipid metabolism of rats, and induced drug-metabolizing enzymes in their liver. 

PMID- 27280651
TI  - Enzymatic Synthesis of 5-Methyluridine from Adenosine and Thymine with High
      Efficiency.
AB  - 5-Methyluridine (5MU) was synthesized efficiently from adenosine, thymine, and
      phosphate by a combination of adenosine deaminase (ADA), purine nucleoside
      phosphorylase (PUNP), pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase (PYNP), and xanthine
      oxidase (XOD). Adenosine was converted into inosine first by ADA. 5MU and
      hypoxanthine were synthesized from inosine and thymine by PUNP and PYNP. The
      hypoxanthine formed was converted into urate via xanthine by XOD. After inosine
      was completely consumed, an equilibrium state, in which 5MU, thymine, ribose-1
      phosphate, and phosphate were involved, was achieved. At the equilibrium state,
      the maximum yield of 5MU was obtained. The yield of 5MU was 74%, when the initial
      concentrations of adenosine, thymine, and phosphate were 5 mM each. On the other
      hand, in the absence of ADA or XOD the yield of 5MU was 1.8%. Several kinds of
      nucleosides were also synthesized with high yield by the same method. 

PMID- 27280652
TI  - In Vivo Effects of Tea Polyphenol Intake on Human Intestinal Microflora and
      Metabolism.
AB  - Effects of tea polyphenol intake (0.4 g/volunteer, 3 times per day, for four
      weeks) on fecal microflora, bacterial metabolites, and pH were investigated using
      eight healthy human volunteers. Counts for Clostridium perfringens and other
      Clostridium spp. were significantly decreased during the tea polyphenol intake
      periods. Percentage of volunteers having C. perfringens in their feces decreased
      significantly, but not for other Clostridium spp. Percentage of Bifidobacterium
      spp. (the acid forming bacteria) in total counts and the content of volatile
      fatty acids including acetic and propionic acids increased significantly, which
      might have reduced the fecal pH. However, the tea polyphenols had no effect on
      fecal enzyme activities, ammonia, or putrefactive products. Two weeks after
      discontinuing the intake, the microflora counts and their biological parameters
      appeared to have returned to normal. 

PMID- 27280653
TI  - Preventive Effect of Green Tea Polyphenols against Dental Caries in Conventional
      Rats.
AB  - The effects of green tea polyphenols, inhibitors of various biological activities
      of cariogenic bacteria in vitro, on caries development were examined using
      conventional rats. A total of 96 male rats were divided into 8 groups and the
      rats in the test groups were given tea polyphenols ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% in
      their cariogenic diet or drinking water for 40 days. Total fissure caries lesions
      was significantly reduced by the addition of tea polyphenols to the diet or in
      the drinking water. Diet containing 0.1% tea polyphenols demonstrated about 40%
      reduction of total fissure caries lesions. No toxic effect of tea polyphenols on
      rats were observed under these experimental conditions. 

PMID- 27280654
TI  - Effects of Potassium Chloride and Sodium Chloride on the Thermal Properties of
      Gellan Gum Gels.
AB  - The exothermic and endothermic peaks in cooling and heating curves of
      differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for gellan gum gels without and with
      potassium chloride and sodium chloride were analyzed. The gelling and melting
      temperatures shifted to higher temperatures with increasing gellan and salt
      concentration in the concentration range of gellan from 0.3 to 2.0% (w/w). The
      exothermic and endothermic enthalpy increased with increasing gellan and salt
      concentrations. Cooling DSC curves showed one exothermic peak for samples with
      salts and at low gellan concentration. Heating DSC curves showed many peaks for
      all samples except 0.3% (w/w) gellan gum gels. The sol-gel transition of samples
      was examined numerically by using a zipper model approach. The introduction of
      cations increases the number of junction zones or zippers and decreases the
      rotational freedom of parallel links. This makes the structure of junction zones
      more heat resistant, and increases the elastic modulus of the gel. 

PMID- 27280655
TI  - A Simple Fluorometry of Hydroperoxides in Oils and Foods.
AB  - A fluorometry of hydroperoxides in oil and food samples was developed using
      diphenyl-1-pyrenylphosphine (DPPP) with a sample size of less than 20 mg by a
      batch method. The sensitivity was more than 10,000 times that of the conventional
      iodometry. A good accordance was obtained between peroxide values (POV) measured
      this way and by iodometry (r = 0.9995, n = 41, POV = 0.04-240). 

PMID- 27280657
TI  - Photochemical Reaction of Perillaldehyde under Various Conditions.
AB  - (-)-PeriIlaldehyde (1) was photoirradiated by a 400 W high-pressure mercury lamp
      under various conditions. In MeOH, 1 was degraded to give two new MeOH adducts (2
      and 3) and a new methyl ether (4) under an N2 stream, while 1 was converted to a
      dimethyl acetal (5) and oxidation product (6) in addition to 2 and 3 under an 02
      stream. In EtOAc, 1 disappeared to afford two new dimers (7 and 8) under an N2
      stream, while 1 was changed to two oxygenated products (9 and 10) including a new
      compound under an O2 stream. In the presence of rose bengal (RB), 1 was converted
      to 5 by visible light in MeOH under an N2 stream. Photosensitization of RB was
      observed under an O2 stream, and two new oxygenated products (11 and 12) were
      formed. Perillaldehyde was relatively stable in n-hexane under an N2 stream or in
      the presence of RB under an O2 stream. 

PMID- 27280656
TI  - Purification and Some Properties of a New Levanase from Bacillus sp. No. 71.
AB  - A levanase from Bacillus sp. was purified to a homogeneous state. The enzyme had
      a molecular weight of 135,000 and an isoelectric point of pH 4.7. The enzyme was
      most active at pH 6.0 and 40 degrees C, stable from pH 6.0 to 10.0 for 20 hr of
      incubation at 4 degrees C and up to 30 degrees C for 30 min of incubation at pH
      6.0. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Ag (+), Hg(2 +), Cu(2 +), Fe(3 +),
      Pb(2+), and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid. The enzyme hydrolyzed levan and phlein
      endowise to produce levanheptaose as a main product. The limit of hydrolysis of
      levan and phlein were 71% and 96%, respectively. 

PMID- 27280658
TI  - New Selective Grass Herbicides and Their Hydrolytic Properties as Pro-herbicides.
AB  - New derivatives of pyridinyloxyphenoxypropionic acid were synthesizd, which have
      a keto group in their ester-alkyl structures. Some acylmethyl esters, e.g.,
      acetylmethyl ester, hydroxyacetylmethyl ester and diazoacetylmethyl ester, were
      found to show outstanding herbicidal activity against grass weeds. A study of the
      hydrolysis rate of esters with regard to their pro-herbicide action is also
      discussed. 

PMID- 27280659
TI  - Synthesis of New Abscisic Acid (ABA) Analogs Possessing a Geometrically Rigid
      Cyclized Side Chain.
AB  - In a solution, cis-abscisic acid (ABA) isomerizes into the trans-isomer which is
      physiologically inactive, and this structural instability is regarded as a reason
      for insuitability of ABA in agricultural applications. The side chain of ABA, the
      2-cis-4-trans-3-methyl-2,4-pentadienoic acid moiety, was replaced with various
      substituted phenyl groups to examine biological effects of the inflexibility of
      the part. Construction of the phenyl moiety was achieved by cyclizing the ionone
      derivatives and subsequent aromatization. Some of those new compounds showed ABA
      like activity in both seed germination and transpiration assays. 

PMID- 27280660
TI  - Syntheses of 2-Substituted 6/7-Methoxy-l,4-benzodioxan-7/6-carbaldehydes.
AB  - Five 2-substituted 6/7-methoxy-l,4-benzodioxan-7/6-carbaldehydes and 6-methoxy
      l,4-benzodioxan-7-carbaldehyde available for the syntheses of insecticidal
      neolignan analogs were prepared from 4/3-benzyloxy-3/4-hydroxybenzaldehydes and
      l,4-benzodioxan-6-carbaldehyde, respectively. 

PMID- 27280661
TI  - Properties of a Highly Viscous Polysaccharide Produced by a Bacillus Strain
      Isolated from Soil.
AB  - Chemical and Theological properties of a highly viscous and acidic polysaccharide
      produced by a soil bacterium identified as Bacillus circulans are described. The
      molecular weight of the native polysaccharide was about 116 * 10(4) by gel
      filtration with HPLC. The molar ratio of D-galactose, n-mannose, and L-rhamnose
      contained in the polysaccharide as neutral sugar components was 1.3:1:2. The
      viscosity of 1% solution of the polysaccharide was about 5000 cp, which was
      higher than that of guar gum, a seed polysaccharide, used as a reference
      standard. The viscosity was affected by the pH of the polysaccharide solution, a
      maximum viscosity being observed at pH 5.5 for native and decationized
      polysaccharide solution. The viscosity of 0.3% solution was decreased to about
      70% by heating at 100 degrees C and 22% at 120 degrees C for 30 min as compared
      to the viscosity before heating. The addition of sugars, especially sucrose and
      glucose, at 10-30% concentration brought about a 130-180% increase of the
      viscosity. The addition of CaCl2 at a low concentration markedly increased the
      viscosity, and a maximum viscosity was attained at 2% concentration of the salt. 

PMID- 27280662
TI  - Role of Glutathione in the Accumulation of Potassium Ions in Escherichia coli
      under Osmotic Stress.
AB  - When Escherichia coli cells were stressed by NaCl, cellular levels of glutathione
      (GSH) increased, and potassium ions (K(+)) accumulated. To identify the role of
      the stress-induced synthesis of GSH in the accumulation of K(+), a GSH-deficient
      mutant of E. coli was used. The mutant grew even in a medium with a low
      concentration of K(+) after a lag of about 32 hr. In such cells grown under
      osmotic stress in this medium, K(+) did not accumulate in the lag phase. In the
      logarithmic phase, however, intracellular levels of K(+) increased in spite of
      the lack of intracellular GSH. In a medium with the usual K(+) concentration,
      K(+) accumulated in a pattern similar to that of the parent strain in both
      phases. These results showed that GSH participates in the accumulation of K(+) in
      cells under osmotic stress only in the lag phase in medium with little K(+). 

PMID- 27280663
TI  - Metabolic Fate of beta-Aspartyl-(14)C-glycine in Normal Young Rats.
AB  - The metabolic fate of alpha- and beta-L-aspartyl-[U-(14)C]glycine was
      investigated in normal young rats in vivo and in vitro. The radioactive
      dipeptides were synthesized from L-aspartic acid and [U-(14)C]glycine in our
      laboratory. When labeled beta-aspartylglycine was given intraperitoneally, about
      66% of the dose was excreted in the urine and 8% was recovered in the expired
      carbon dioxide over a 24-hr period. More than 90% of the urinary radioactivity
      was present in the beta-aspartylglycine fraction of the urine. When the labeled
      alpha-aspartylglycine was given, 3% and 22% of the dose were recovered,
      respectively, in the urine and expired carbon dioxide. In slice experiments with
      kidney, liver and small intestine from normal rats, alpha-aspartylglycine was
      rapidly and almost completely hydrolyzed, and a large amount of free (14)C
      glycine was released. In contrast, beta-aspartylglycine was hardly hydrolyzed to
      the corresponding amino acids in liver and small intestine, and only slightly in
      kidney. These results suggest that in normal young rats most beta
      aspartylglycine, which may originate from endogenous tissue proteins, is hardly
      hydrolyzed and rapidly excreted into the urine. 

PMID- 27280664
TI  - Plasmid-associated Bacteriocin Production by and Immunity of Lactobacillus
      acidophilus TK8912.
AB  - Lactobacillus acidophilus TK8912 produces an antibacterial substance, designated
      acidocin 8912, which is active against strains of Lactobacillus and Lactococcus.
      Of all conditions tested, the production of acidocin 8912 was maximum at 30
      degrees C in MRS broth. Acidocin 8912 was stable to heat treatment (120 degrees C
      for 20min), but completely inactivated by protease treatment. Curing a plasmid
      pLA103 resulted in the loss of both acidocin 8912 production (Acd(+)) and host
      immunity (Acd(r)). A plasmid-cured strain, TK1-4 (Acd(-) Acd(8)), was transformed
      to Acd(+)Acd(r) with the pLA103 plasmid. These results provided the first direct
      evidence in lactobacilli for involvement of this plasmid in bacteriocin
      production and immunity. 

PMID- 27280665
TI  - Phosphorolytic Reaction of Cellvibrio gilvus Cellobiose Phosphorylase.
AB  - Cellobiose phosphorylase was purified from Cellvibrio gilvus cells by the method
      reported previously with some modifications, and its kinetic properties were
      studied in detail. The initial velocity of the synthetic reaction was 1.4 times
      as fast as that of the phosphorolytic one. The equilibrium constant of the
      phosphorolysis was 0.32 at 37 degrees C and pH 7.0. No D-[U-(14)C]glucose
      exchange reaction was observed in the absence of Pi. Kinetic studies on the
      phosphorolytic reaction showed that the reaction follows an ordered bi bi
      mechanism. These results make a sharp contrast to those of sucrose phosphorylase,
      which catalyzes fructose exchange reaction and follows a ping pong bi bi
      mechanism. Kinetic parameters were calculated as KmA = 2.6 mM, KmB = 0.61mM, and
      KiA = 6.8 mw (A, D-cellobiose; B, Pi). 

PMID- 27280666
TI  - Lipid Accumulation in the Liver of Rats Fed a Soy Protein Isolate Diet with
      Excess Cystine, and its Prevention by Methionine or Choline.
AB  - The effects on liver and serum lipids of rats of excess cystine added to their
      casein or soy protein isolate diets were studied. When excess cystine was added
      to the casein diet, liver lipids were not changed. Using soy protein isolate as a
      protein source, both food consumption and body weight gain were depressed with
      increasing levels of dietary cystine. Liver total lipids, cholesterol,
      triacylglycerols, and phospholipids were increased in rats with 2.5% or 3.5%
      cystine diets. Serum cholesterol of rats on the 3.5% cystine diet was
      significantly higher than those of the other groups, which yielded similar
      values. Serum triacylglycerols were increased by the addition of 0.5% or 1.5%
      cystine, and decreased by the addition of 2.5% or 3.5% cystine to the diet. Serum
      free fatty acids increased or tended to increase when liver lipid accumulation
      was observed. The addition of either methionine or choline to the cystine-excess
      diet containing soy protein isolate prevented the accumulation of
      triacylglycerols and phospholipids in the liver although serum triacylglycerols
      did not return to the levels of rats on the diet without cystine, and serum free
      fatty acid levels were not changed. Thus, it is surmised that this fatty liver
      might be due to the choline deficiency induced by the excess cystine. 

PMID- 27280667
TI  - Purification and Some Characteristics of Extracellular Lipase from Fusarium
      oxysporum f. sp. lini.
AB  - An extracellular lipase was isolated from a culture filtrate of Fusarium
      oxysporum f. sp. lini SUF 402 by hydrophobic chromatography. Purity of the
      preparation was 38-fold and recovery yield was 32%. The molecular mass of the
      isolated enzyme was 30 kDa. The lipase had a sugar chain, and the N-terminal
      amino acid was modified. The optimun pH at 37 degrees C was 7.0. The enzyme had
      higher activity toward p-nitrophenyl esters with long and middle chain fatty
      acids (C8-C18) than with a short chain fatty acid (C4). The enzyme was not
      inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride or 2-mercaptoethanol. In the case of
      the lipase, both the hydrolysis rate of tristearin and final concentration of
      fatty acid content were higher than those of triolein. The lipase was examined
      with respect to its ability of concentrating the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid
      (n-3 PUFA) content of partially hydrolyzed glycerides (TG and DG) obtained from
      two kinds of fish oil (cod liver oil and refined sardine oil). The lipase gave
      increases in n-3 PUFA contents as the hydrolysis progressed. The lipase
      concentrated only docosahexaenoic acid with little increase in icosapentaenoic
      acid. Maximal total n-3 PUFA contents were about 30% in both fish oils. 

PMID- 27280668
TI  - Difference in Tryptophan-nicotinamide Conversion According to Dietary Nitrogen
      Sources; Casein, Casein Hydrolysate, and Mixtures of Amino Acids.
AB  - We investigated whether the fate of tryptophan (Trp) to nicotinamide (Nam) is
      changeable according to nitrogen sources or not. Male rats were fed with a
      nicotinic acid-free diet (Trp content was arranged at about 234mg/100g of diet)
      containing casein, casein hydrolysates, or mixtures of amino acids (simulating
      the amino acid pattern of casein) for 12 days. From the urinary excretion of Nam
      and its metabolites, the conversion ratio was calculated. The conversion ratio
      was lower in the groups fed with the casein hydrolysate diets than in the groups
      fed with the casein and amino acid diets. In order to find the reason, the
      urinary excretion of kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid, anthranilic acid, and 3
      hydroxyanthranilic acid from the upper part of the Trp-Nam conversion pathway,
      the contents of free Trp in whole blood, and eight kinds of enzyme activities
      involved in the Trp-Nam pathway were measured. From these results, it is
      considered that the reason why the conversion ratio was lower in the casein
      hydrolysate group is due to the lower concentration of free Trp in whole blood
      and the higher activity of aminocarboxymuconate-semialdehyde decarboxylase. As is
      known that this enzyme activity is induced by adrenal cortical hormone, it was
      suggested that the release of this hormone is stimulated by feeding the casein
      hydrolysate diet. 

PMID- 27280669
TI  - Sterol Composition in the Pollens of Citrus unshiu Marcov. and Citrus sinensis
      Osbeck.

PMID- 27280670
TI  - Preservability and Utilization of Powdered alpha-Linolenic Acid with Egg White.

PMID- 27280671
TI  - Purification and Characterization of beta-Galactosidase from Enterobactev cloacae
      GAO.

PMID- 27280672
TI  - Effect of Cholesterol-loading on Plasma and Tissue Taurine Levels in Rats.

PMID- 27280673
TI  - Production and Use of Monoclonal Antibodies against Rice Embryo Lipoxygenase-3.

PMID- 27280674
TI  - Purification and Some Properties of Chitinase B1 from Bacillus circulans WL-12.

PMID- 27280675
TI  - Facile and Large-Scale Synthesis of L-Theanine.

PMID- 27280676
TI  - Accumulation of Isoflavones in Lupin Seedings Treated with Copper Chloride.

PMID- 27280677
TI  - Mendelian Inheritance of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Toxin in the Marine
      Dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella.
AB  - To analyze the genetic system of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin
      production in the dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella, we examined toxin
      compositions and mating type of Fl progenies from crosses between algal strains
      having different toxin compositions. In all strains used, the mole percentage of
      their toxin composition did not significantly change in any growth phase,
      although total toxin levels increased rapidly in the early to middle exponential
      growth phase and then decreased by 95% in the stationary phase. One parental
      strain produced gonyautoxin (GTX) 4, and C4, while the other produced
      neosaxitoxin (neoSTX) and saxitoxin (STX) during all growth phases. Fl progenies
      showed one parental toxin composition and segregated independently with the
      mating type. These data suggest that A. catenella is a toxin producer and that
      Mendelian inheritance of toxin profiles occurs in the heterothallic
      dinoflagellate A. catenella. 

PMID- 27280678
TI  - Distinct Profiles of ADP- and UDP-Specific Sucrose Synthases in Developing Rice
      Grains.

PMID- 27280680
TI  - [What do General Practitioners and Dentists Report about their Cooperation? A
      Qualitative Exploration].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Against the background of well-described associations between oral and
      general health, the cooperation between general practitioners (GPs) and dentists
      is crucial. Besides treatment, this includes prevention. Administrative referral
      between these two professions is not provided by statute. Thus, the study
      addresses the question: How do dentists and GPs integrate the associations
      between oral and systemic health in daily routine? METHODS: A total of 28 semi
      structured interviews were conducted with GPs and dentists from 3 structurally
      different regions in the Federal State of Baden-Wurttemberg. Participants were
      visited in their office. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed
      by 2 dentists and sociologists using Mayrings' qualitative content analysis.
      RESULTS: Associations between general and oral health are partially known to both
      practitioners. However, contact between them is limited. GPs send patients
      directly to dentists, without contacting them - mainly due to a desolate dental
      status, rarely due to therapy-resistant headache or facial pain. Dentists contact
      GPs to clarify mainly medication or anticoagulation medications taken by patients
      prior to invasive procedures. Preventive aspects play a minor part. Consultation
      essentially depends on acquaintanceship. CONCLUSION: Separation by statute
      determines the cooperation. Oral cavity in daily care is demarcated. Holistic
      patient care is hindered by a lack of knowledge and daily routines.

PMID- 27280679
TI  - Low Density Lipoprotein-Receptor Related Protein 1 Is Differentially Expressed by
      Neuronal and Glial Populations in the Developing and Mature Mouse Central Nervous
      System.
AB  - The low density lipoprotein-receptor related protein 1 (LRP1) is a large
      endocytic cell surface receptor that is known to interact with a variety of
      ligands, intracellular adaptor proteins and other cell surface receptors to
      regulate cellular behaviours ranging from proliferation to cell fate
      specification, migration, axon guidance, and lipid metabolism. A number of
      studies have demonstrated that LRP1 is expressed in the brain, yet it is unclear
      which central nervous system cell types express LRP1 during development and in
      adulthood. Herein we undertake a detailed study of LRP1 expression within the
      mouse brain and spinal cord, examining a number of developmental stages ranging
      from embryonic day 13.5 to postnatal day 60. We report that LRP1 expression in
      the brain peaks during postnatal development. On a cellular level, LRP1 is
      expressed by radial glia, neuroblasts, microglia, oligodendrocyte progenitor
      cells (OPCs), astrocytes and neurons, with the exception of parvalbumin+
      interneurons in the cortex. Most cell populations exhibit stable expression of
      LRP1 throughout development; however, the proportion of OPCs that express LRP1
      increases significantly from ~69% at E15.5 to ~99% in adulthood. We also report
      that LRP1 expression is rapidly lost as OPCs differentiate, and is absent from
      all oligodendrocytes, including newborn oligodendrocytes. While LRP1 function has
      been primarily examined in mature neurons, these expression data suggest it plays
      a more critical role in glial cell regulation-where expression levels are much
      higher. 

PMID- 27280681
TI  - [Influence of Teamwork on Wellbeing And Emotional Exhaustion of Staff in German
      Rehabilitation Clinics].
AB  - AIM: In the context of high prevalence rates of mental and psychosomatic
      disorders in the medical staff, emotional exhaustion and wellbeing are often
      considered as important indicators. Teamwork can have a positive influence on
      wellbeing of staff members. In the sector of rehabilitation, however, this is not
      sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate aspects of
      teamwork as predictors of wellbeing and emotional exhaustion in staff at
      rehabilitation clinics in Germany. METHODS: Data was collected in 10
      rehabilitation clinics, 9 of them could be included in the data analysis (n=306,
      70% female, 68% age 40-59). Data was analyzed with multiple linear regression
      analyses. RESULTS: Staff reported moderate rates of emotional exhaustion and good
      rates of overall wellbeing. Results of the regression analysis show that cohesion
      (beta=0.27, p<0,001), team organization (beta=0.19, p<0,01) and age (beta=0.13,
      p<0,05) could predict wellbeing (F[3, 244]=19.38, p<0,05). Emotional exhaustion
      was predicted by cohesion (beta=- 0.37, p<0,001, F[1, 244]=39.19). CONCLUSION:
      Consequences of interpersonal andstructural aspects of teamwork are discussed as
      well as the potential relevance of interventions to improve teamwork, in order to
      enhance wellbeing and counteract emotional exhaustion of staff members.

PMID- 27280682
TI  - Arsenic Metabolism and Toxicity Influenced by Ferric Iron in Simulated
      Gastrointestinal Tract and the Roles of Gut Microbiota.
AB  - Iron (Fe) is a common trace element in drinking water. However, little is known
      about how environmental concentrations of Fe affect the metabolism and toxicity
      of arsenic (As) in drinking water. In this study, influence of Fe at drinking
      water-related concentrations (0.1, 0.3, and 3 mg Fe (total)/L) on As metabolism
      and toxicity, and the roles of gut microbiota during this process were
      investigated by using in vitro Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial
      Ecosystem (SHIME). Results showed that Fe had ability to decrease bioaccessible
      As by coflocculation in small intestine. 0.1 and 0.3 mg/L Fe significantly
      increased As methylation in simulated transverse and descending colon. Gut
      microbiota played an important role in alteration of As species, and Fe could
      affect As metabolism by changing the gut microbiota. Bacteroides, Clostridium,
      Alistipes, and Bilophila had As resistance and potential ability to methylate As.
      Cytotoxicity assays of effluents from simulated colons showed that the low levels
      of Fe decreased As toxicity on human hepatoma cell line HepG2, which might be due
      to the increase of methylated As. When assessing the health risk of As in
      drinking water, the residual Fe should be considered.

PMID- 27280683
TI  - In Vivo Site-Specific Protein Tagging with Diverse Amines Using an Engineered
      Sortase Variant.
AB  - Chemoenzymatic modification of proteins is an attractive option to create highly
      specific conjugates for therapeutics, diagnostics, or materials under gentle
      biological conditions. However, these methods often suffer from expensive
      specialized substrates, bulky fusion tags, low yields, and extra purification
      steps to achieve the desired conjugate. Staphylococcus aureus sortase A and its
      engineered variants are used to attach oligoglycine derivatives to the C-terminus
      of proteins expressed with a minimal LPXTG tag. This strategy has been used
      extensively for bioconjugation in vitro and for protein-protein conjugation in
      living cells. Here we show that an enzyme variant recently engineered for higher
      activity on oligoglycine has promiscuous activity that allows proteins to be
      tagged using a diverse array of small, commercially available amines, including
      several bioorthogonal functional groups. This technique can also be carried out
      in living Escherichia coli, enabling simple, inexpensive production of chemically
      functionalized proteins with no additional purification steps.

PMID- 27280684
TI  - Distilling complexity to advance cardiac tissue engineering.
AB  - The promise of cardiac tissue engineering is in the ability to recapitulate in
      vitro the functional aspects of a healthy heart and disease pathology as well as
      to design replacement muscle for clinical therapy. Parts of this promise have
      been realized; others have not. In a meeting of scientists in this field, five
      central challenges or "big questions" were articulated that, if addressed, could
      substantially advance the current state of the art in modeling heart disease and
      realizing heart repair.

PMID- 27280685
TI  - alpha-Synuclein binds to TOM20 and inhibits mitochondrial protein import in
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - alpha-Synuclein accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction have both been
      strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), and the two
      appear to be related. Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to accumulation and
      oligomerization of alpha-synuclein, and increased levels of alpha-synuclein cause
      mitochondrial impairment, but the basis for this bidirectional interaction
      remains obscure. We now report that certain posttranslationally modified species
      of alpha-synuclein bind with high affinity to the TOM20 (translocase of the outer
      membrane 20) presequence receptor of the mitochondrial protein import machinery.
      This binding prevented the interaction of TOM20 with its co-receptor, TOM22, and
      impaired mitochondrial protein import. Consequently, there were deficient
      mitochondrial respiration, enhanced production of reactive oxygen species, and
      loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Examination of postmortem brain tissue
      from PD patients revealed an aberrant alpha-synuclein-TOM20 interaction in
      nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons that was associated with loss of imported
      mitochondrial proteins, thereby confirming this pathogenic process in the human
      disease. Modest knockdown of endogenous alpha-synuclein was sufficient to
      maintain mitochondrial protein import in an in vivo model of PD. Furthermore, in
      in vitro systems, overexpression of TOM20 or a mitochondrial targeting signal
      peptide had beneficial effects and preserved mitochondrial protein import. This
      study characterizes a pathogenic mechanism in PD, identifies toxic species of
      wild-type alpha-synuclein, and reveals potential new therapeutic strategies for
      neuroprotection.

PMID- 27280686
TI  - A universal system to select gene-modified hepatocytes in vivo.
AB  - Many genetic and acquired liver disorders are amenable to gene and/or cell
      therapy. However, the efficiencies of cell engraftment and stable genetic
      modification are low and often subtherapeutic. In particular, targeted gene
      modifications from homologous recombination are rare events. These obstacles
      could be overcome if hepatocytes that have undergone genetic modification were to
      be selectively amplified or expanded. We describe a universally applicable system
      for in vivo selection and expansion of gene-modified hepatocytes in any genetic
      background. In this system, the therapeutic transgene is coexpressed with a short
      hairpin RNA (shRNA) that confers modified hepatocytes with resistance to drug
      induced toxicity. An shRNA against the tyrosine catabolic enzyme 4-OH
      phenylpyruvate dioxygenase protected hepatocytes from 4-[(2-carboxyethyl)
      hydroxyphosphinyl]-3-oxobutyrate, a small-molecule inhibitor of
      fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase. To select for specific gene targeting events, the
      protective shRNA was embedded in a microRNA and inserted into a recombinant adeno
      associated viral vector designed to integrate site-specifically into the highly
      active albumin locus. After selection of the gene-targeted cells, transgene
      expression increased 10- to 1000-fold, reaching supraphysiological levels of
      human factor 9 protein (50,000 ng/ml) in mice. This drug resistance system can be
      used to achieve therapeutically relevant transgene levels in hepatocytes in any
      setting.

PMID- 27280688
TI  - Curcumin: A new candidate for melanoma therapy?
AB  - Melanoma remains among the most lethal cancers and, in spite of great attempts
      that have been made to increase the life span of patients with metastatic
      disease, durable and complete remissions are rare. Plants and plant extracts have
      long been used to treat a variety of human conditions; however, in many cases,
      effective doses of herbal remedies are associated with serious adverse effects.
      Curcumin is a natural polyphenol that shows a variety of pharmacological
      activities including anti-cancer effects, and only minimal adverse effects have
      been reported for this phytochemical. The anti-cancer effects of curcumin are the
      result of its anti-angiogenic, pro-apoptotic and immunomodulatory properties. At
      the molecular and cellular level, curcumin can blunt epithelial-to-mesenchymal
      transition and affect many targets that are involved in melanoma initiation and
      progression (e.g., BCl2, MAPKS, p21 and some microRNAs). However, curcumin has a
      low oral bioavailability that may limit its maximal benefits. The emergence of
      tailored formulations of curcumin and new delivery systems such as nanoparticles,
      liposomes, micelles and phospholipid complexes has led to the enhancement of
      curcumin bioavailability. Although in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated
      that curcumin and its analogues can be used as novel therapeutic agents in
      melanoma, curcumin has not yet been tested against melanoma in clinical practice.
      In this review, we summarized reported anti-melanoma effects of curcumin as well
      as studies on new curcumin formulations and delivery systems that show increased
      bioavailability. Such tailored delivery systems could pave the way for
      enhancement of the anti-melanoma effects of curcumin.

PMID- 27280687
TI  - RNAi targeting multiple cell adhesion molecules reduces immune cell recruitment
      and vascular inflammation after myocardial infarction.
AB  - Myocardial infarction (MI) leads to a systemic surge of vascular inflammation in
      mice and humans, resulting in secondary ischemic complications and high
      mortality. We show that, in ApoE(-/-) mice with coronary ligation, increased
      sympathetic tone up-regulates not only hematopoietic leukocyte production but
      also plaque endothelial expression of adhesion molecules. To counteract the
      resulting arterial leukocyte recruitment, we developed nanoparticle-based RNA
      interference (RNAi) that effectively silences five key adhesion molecules.
      Simultaneously encapsulating small interfering RNA (siRNA)-targeting
      intercellular cell adhesion molecules 1 and 2 (Icam1 and Icam2), vascular cell
      adhesion molecule 1 (Vcam1), and E- and P-selectins (Sele and Selp) into
      polymeric endothelial-avid nanoparticles reduced post-MI neutrophil and monocyte
      recruitment into atherosclerotic lesions and decreased matrix-degrading plaque
      protease activity. Five-gene combination RNAi also curtailed leukocyte
      recruitment to ischemic myocardium. Therefore, targeted multigene silencing may
      prevent complications after acute MI.

PMID- 27280689
TI  - Multifunctional Surface Manipulation Using Orthogonal Click Chemistry.
AB  - Polymer brushes are excellent substrates for the covalent immobilization of a
      wide variety of molecules due to their unique physicochemical properties and high
      functional group density. By using reactive microcapillary printing,
      poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) brushes with rapid kinetic rates toward
      aminolysis can be partially patterned with other click functionalities such as
      strained cyclooctyne derivatives and sulfonyl fluorides. This trireactive surface
      can then react locally and selectively in a one pot reaction via three orthogonal
      chemistries at room temperature: activated ester aminolysis, strain promoted
      azide-alkyne cycloaddition, and sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange, all of which are
      tolerant of ambient moisture and oxygen. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these
      reactions can also be used to create areas of morphologically distinct surface
      features on the nanoscale, by inducing buckling instabilities in the films and
      the grafting of nanoparticles. This approach is modular, and allows for the
      development of highly complex surface motifs patterned with different chemistry
      and morphology.

PMID- 27280690
TI  - Systematic Genetic Screen for Transcriptional Regulators of the Candida albicans
      White-Opaque Switch.
AB  - The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans can reversibly switch between two cell
      types named "white" and "opaque," each of which is stable through many cell
      divisions. These two cell types differ in their ability to mate, their metabolic
      preferences and their interactions with the mammalian innate immune system. A
      highly interconnected network of eight transcriptional regulators has been shown
      to control switching between these two cell types. To identify additional
      regulators of the switch, we systematically and quantitatively measured white
      opaque switching rates of 196 strains, each deleted for a specific
      transcriptional regulator. We identified 19 new regulators with at least a 10
      fold effect on switching rates and an additional 14 new regulators with more
      subtle effects. To investigate how these regulators affect switching rates, we
      examined several criteria, including the binding of the eight known regulators of
      switching to the control region of each new regulatory gene, differential
      expression of the newly found genes between cell types, and the growth rate of
      each mutant strain. This study highlights the complexity of the transcriptional
      network that regulates the white-opaque switch and the extent to which switching
      is linked to a variety of metabolic processes, including respiration and carbon
      utilization. In addition to revealing specific insights, the information reported
      here provides a foundation to understand the highly complex coupling of white
      opaque switching to cellular physiology.

PMID- 27280691
TI  - The Chromatin Remodeling Component Arid1a Is a Suppressor of Spontaneous Mammary
      Tumors in Mice.
AB  - Human cancer genome studies have identified the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling
      complex member ARID1A as one of the most frequently altered genes in several
      tumor types. Its role as an ovarian tumor suppressor has been supported in
      compound knockout mice. Here, we provide genetic and functional evidence that
      Arid1a is a bona fide mammary tumor suppressor, using the Chromosome aberrations
      occurring spontaneously 3 (Chaos3) mouse model of sporadic breast cancer. About
      70% of mammary tumors that formed in these mice contained a spontaneous deletion
      removing all or part of one Arid1a allele. Restoration of Arid1a expression in a
      Chaos3 mammary tumor line with low Arid1a levels greatly impaired its ability to
      form tumors following injection into cleared mammary glands, indicating that
      ARID1A insufficiency is crucial for maintenance of these Trp53-proficient tumors.
      Transcriptome analysis of tumor cells before and after reintroduction of Arid1a
      expression revealed alterations in growth signaling and cell-cycle checkpoint
      pathways, in particular the activation of the TRP53 pathway. Consistent with the
      latter, Arid1a reexpression in tumor cells led to increased p21 (Cdkn1a)
      expression and dramatic accumulation of cells in G2 phase of the cell cycle.
      These results not only provide in vivo evidence for a tumor suppressive and/or
      maintenance role in breast cancer, but also indicate a potential opportunity for
      therapeutic intervention in ARID1A-deficient human breast cancer subtypes that
      retain one intact copy of the gene and also maintain wild-type TRP53 activity.

PMID- 27280693
TI  - Synthesis and Investigation of Tetrahydro-beta-carboline Derivatives as
      Inhibitors of the Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (ABCG2).
AB  - The breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2) transports chemotherapeutic drugs
      out of cells, which makes it a major player in mediating multidrug resistance
      (MDR) of cancer cells. To overcome this mechanism, inhibitors of ABCG2 can be
      used. Only a few potent and selective ABCG2 inhibitors have been discovered,
      i.e., fumitremorgin C (FTC), Ko143, and the alkaloid harmine, which contain a
      tetrahydro-beta-carboline or beta-carboline backbone, respectively. However,
      toxicity and or instability prevent their use in vivo. Therefore, there is a need
      for further potent inhibitors. We synthesized and pharmacologically investigated
      37 tetrahydro-beta-carboline derivatives. The inhibitory activity of two
      compounds (51, 52) is comparable to that of Ko143, and they are selective for
      ABCG2 over ABCB1. Furthermore, they are able to reverse the ABCG2-mediated
      resistance toward SN-38 and inhibit the ATPase activity. The cytotoxicity data
      show that their inhibitory effect is substantially higher than their toxicity.

PMID- 27280692
TI  - Plasticity in the Meiotic Epigenetic Landscape of Sex Chromosomes in
      Caenorhabditis Species.
AB  - During meiosis in the heterogametic sex in some species, sex chromosomes undergo
      meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), which results in acquisition of
      repressive chromatin and transcriptional silencing. In Caenorhabditis elegans,
      MSCI is mediated by MET-2 methyltransferase deposition of histone H3 lysine 9
      dimethylation. Here we examined the meiotic chromatin landscape in germ lines of
      four Caenorhabditis species; C. remanei and C. brenneri represent ancestral
      gonochorism, while C. briggsae and C. elegans are two lineages that independently
      evolved hermaphroditism. While MSCI is conserved across all four species,
      repressive chromatin modifications are distinct and do not correlate with
      reproductive mode. In contrast to C. elegans and C. remanei germ cells where X
      chromosomes are enriched for histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation, X chromosomes in
      C. briggsae and C. brenneri germ cells are enriched for histone H3 lysine 9
      trimethylation. Inactivation of C. briggsae MET-2 resulted in germ-line X
      chromosome transcription and checkpoint activation. Further, both histone H3
      lysine 9 di- and trimethylation were reduced in Cbr-met-2 mutant germ lines,
      suggesting that in contrast to C. elegans, H3 lysine 9 di- and trimethylation are
      interdependent. C. briggsae H3 lysine 9 trimethylation was redistributed in the
      presence of asynapsed chromosomes in a sex-specific manner in the related process
      of meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin. However, these repressive marks did
      not influence X chromosome replication timing. Examination of additional
      Caenorhabditis species revealed diverse H3 lysine 9 methylation patterns on the
      X, suggesting that the sex chromosome epigenome evolves rapidly.

PMID- 27280695
TI  - All-Solution-Processed Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Photostable Photo
      cross-linkable Fluorescent Small Molecules.
AB  - We demonstrate herein the fabrication of small molecule-based OLEDs where four
      organic layers from the hole- to the electron-transporting layers have
      successively been deposited by using an all-solution process. The key feature of
      the device relies on a novel photopolymerizable red-emitting material, made of
      small fluorophores substituted with two acrylate units, and displaying high
      quality film-forming properties as well as high emission quantum yield as
      nondoped thin films. Insoluble emissive layers were obtained upon UV irradiation
      using low illumination doses, with no further need of postcuring. Very low
      photodegradation was noticed, giving rise to bright layers with a remarkable
      surface quality, characterized by a mean RMS roughness as low as 0.7 nm after
      development. Comparative experiments between solution-processed OLEDs and vacuum
      processed OLEDs made of fluorophores with close architectures show external
      quantum efficiencies in the same range while displaying distinct behaviors in
      terms of current and power efficiencies. They validate the proof of concept of
      nondoped solution-processable emissive layers exclusively made of
      photopolymerized fluorophores, thereby reducing the amount of components and
      opening the way toward cost-effective fabrication of solution-processed OLED
      multilayer architectures. 

PMID- 27280694
TI  - ImmunoPET Imaging of CD146 Expression in Malignant Brain Tumors.
AB  - Recently, the overexpression of CD146 and its potential as a therapeutic target
      in high-grade gliomas, the most lethal type of brain cancer, was uncovered. In
      this study, we describe the generation of (89)Zr-Df-YY146, a novel (89)Zr-labeled
      monoclonal antibody (mAb) for the targeting and quantification of CD146
      expression in a mouse model of glioblastoma, using noninvasive immunoPET imaging.
      YY146, a high affinity anti-CD146 mAb, was conjugated to deferoxamine (Df) for
      labeling with the long-lived positron emitter (89)Zr (t1/2: 78.4 h). In vitro
      assays, including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and Western
      blot, were performed with two glioblastoma cell lines, U87MG and U251, to
      determine their CD146 expression levels. Also, YY146 and Df-YY146's CD146-binding
      affinities were compared using flow cytometry. In vivo CD146-targeting of (89)Zr
      Df-YY146 was evaluated by sequential PET imaging, in athymic nude mice bearing
      subcutaneously implanted U87MG or U251 tumors. CD146 blocking, ex vivo
      biodistribution, and histological studies were carried out to confirm (89)Zr-Df
      YY146 specificity, as well as the accuracy of PET data. In vitro studies exposed
      elevated CD146 expression levels in U87MG cells, but negligible levels in U251
      cells. Flow cytometry revealed no differences in affinity between YY146 and Df
      YY146. (89)Zr labeling of Df-YY146 proceeded with excellent yield (~80%),
      radiochemical purity (>95%), and specific activity (~44 GBq/MUmol). Longitudinal
      PET revealed prominent and persistent (89)Zr-Df-YY146 uptake in mice bearing
      U87MG tumors that peaked at 14.00 +/- 3.28%ID/g (n = 4), 48 h post injection of
      the tracer. Conversely, uptake was significantly lower in CD146-negative U251
      tumors (5.15 +/- 0.99%ID/g, at 48 h p.i.; n = 4; P < 0.05). Uptake in U87MG
      tumors was effectively blocked in a competitive inhibition experiment,
      corroborating the CD146 specificity of (89)Zr-Df-YY146. Finally, ex vivo
      biodistribution validated the accuracy of PET data and histological examination
      successfully correlated tracer uptake with in situ CD146 expression. Prominent,
      persistent, and specific uptake of (89)Zr-Df-YY146 was observed in brain tumors,
      demonstrating the potential of this radiotracer for noninvasive PET imaging of
      CD146 expression. In a future clinical scenario, (89)Zr-Df-YY146 may serve as a
      tool to guide intervention and assess response to CD146-targeted therapies.

PMID- 27280696
TI  - Applications of CRISPR-Cas in its natural habitat.
AB  - Key components of CRISPR-Cas systems have been adapted into a powerful genome
      editing tool that has caught the headlines and the attention of the public.
      Canonically, a customized RNA serves to guide an endonuclease (e.g. Cas9) to its
      DNA target, resulting in precise genomic lesions that can be repaired in a
      personalized fashion by cellular machinery. Here, we turn to the microbes that
      are the source of this system to explore many of its other notable applications.
      These include mining the CRISPR 'memory' arrays for functional genomic data,
      generation of customized virus-resistant or plasmid-refractory bacterial cells,
      editing of previously intractable viral genomes, and exploiting the unique
      properties of a catalytically inactive Cas9, dCas9, to serve as a highly
      customizable anti-nucleic acid 'antibody'.

PMID- 27280697
TI  - Deletion of the N- or C-Terminal Helix of Apolipophorin III To Create a Four
      Helix Bundle Protein.
AB  - Apolipophorin III (apoLp-III) is an exchangeable apolipoprotein found in insects
      and plays an important function in lipid transport. The protein has an unusual
      five-helix bundle architecture, deviating from the common four-helix bundle
      motif. To understand the role of the additional helix in apoLp-III, the N
      terminal or C-terminal helix was deleted to create a putative four-helix bundle
      protein. While the protein lacking helix-1 could be expressed in bacteria albeit
      at reduced yields, apoLp-III lacking helix-5 could not be produced. Mutational
      analysis by truncating helix-5 showed that a minimum segment of approximately one
      third of the C-terminal helix is required for protein expression. The variant
      lacking helix-5 was produced by inserting a methionine residue between helix-4
      and -5; subsequent cyanogenbromide cleavage generated the four-helix variant.
      Both N- and C-terminal helix deletion variants displayed significantly reduced
      helical content, protein stability, and tertiary structure. Despite the
      significantly altered structure, the variants were still fully functional. The
      rate of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicle solubilization was enhanced 4-5
      fold compared to the wild-type protein, and the deletion variants were effective
      in binding to lipolyzed low density lipoprotein thereby preventing lipoprotein
      aggregation. These results show that the additional helix of apoLp-III is not
      essential for lipid binding but is required for proper folding to keep the
      protein into a stable conformation.

PMID- 27280698
TI  - Alternating or Metronome Pisa Syndrome in Patients Under Drugs Acting on
      Dopaminergic Pathways.

PMID- 27280699
TI  - Paroxysmal Nonkinesigenic Dyskinesias Responsive to Carbamazepine in Fahr
      Syndrome: A Case Report.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report the case of a patient with paroxysmal
      nonkinesigenic dyskinesias and Fahr syndrome who had a marked response to
      carbamazepine. METHODS: We present the case of a 57-year-old female patient with
      episodes of paroxysmal choreoathetoid dyskinesias in the oromandibular region and
      distal region of upper and lower extremities, with fluctuating dystonic postures
      in the same distribution; duration was variable ranging from 30 minutes to 3
      hours. Laboratory studies were consistent with primary hyperparathyroidism with
      bilateral brain calcifications. RESULTS: Treatment with low doses of
      carbamazepine was successful.

PMID- 27280701
TI  - Rapid and sensitive detection of fipronil and its metabolites in edible oils by
      solid-phase extraction based on humic acid bonded silica combined with gas
      chromatography with electron capture detection.
AB  - Solid-phase extraction based on humic acid bonded silica followed by gas
      chromatography with electron capture detection was developed to determine
      fipronil and its metabolites in edible oil. To achieve the best extraction
      performance, we systematically investigated a series of solid-phase extraction
      parameters. Under the optimized conditions, the method was validated according to
      linearity, recovery, and precision. Good linearities were obtained with R(2) more
      than 0.9996 for all analytes. The limits of detection were between 0.3 and 0.5
      ng/g, and the recoveries ranged from 83.1 to 104.0% at three spiked
      concentrations with intra- and interday relative standard deviation values less
      than 8.7%. Finally, the proposed method was applied to determine fipronil and its
      metabolites in 11 edible oil samples taken from Wuhan markets. Fipronil was
      detectable in four samples with concentrations ranging from 3.0 to 5.2 ng/g. In
      China, the maximum residue limits of fipronil in some vegetables and maize are 20
      and 100 ng/g (GB/T 2763-2014), respectively. The residues of fipronil and its
      metabolites in commercial edible oils might exhibit some potential threat to
      human health as a result of high consumption of edible oil as part of daily
      intake. 

PMID- 27280700
TI  - Molecular Portrait of Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Shown by Integrative
      Meta-Analysis of Expression Profiles with Validations.
AB  - Oral Tongue Squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), the most frequently affected oral
      cancer sub-site, is associated with a poor therapeutic outcome and survival
      despite aggressive multi- modality management. Till date, there are no
      established biomarkers to indicate prognosis and outcome in patients presenting
      with tongue cancer. There is an urgent need for reliable molecular prognostic
      factors to enable identification of patients with high risk of recurrence and
      treatment failure in OTSCC management. In the current study, we present the meta
      analysis of OTSCC microarray based gene expression profiles, deriving a
      comprehensive molecular portrait of tongue cancer biology, showing the relevant
      genes and pathways which can be pursued further to derive novel, tailored
      therapeutics as well as for prognostication. We have studied 5 gene expression
      profiling data sets available on exclusively oral tongue subsite comprising of
      sample size; n = 190, consisting of 111 tumors and 79 normals. The meta- analysis
      results showed 2405 genes differentially regulated comparing OTSCC tumor and
      normal. The top up regulated genes were found to be involved in Extracellular
      matrix degradation (ECM) and Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathways.
      The top down regulated genes were found to be involved in detoxication pathways.
      We validated the results in clinical samples (n = 206), comprising of
      histologically normals (n = 10), prospective (n = 29) and retrospective (n = 167)
      OTSCC by evaluating MMP9 and E-cadherin gene expression by qPCR and
      immunohistochemistry. Consistent with meta-analysis results, MMP9 mRNA expression
      was significantly up regulated in OTSCC primary tumors compared to normals. MMP9
      protein over expression was found to be a significant predictor of poor
      prognosis, disease recurrence and poor Disease Free Survival (DFS) in OTSCC
      patients. Analysis by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model
      showed patients with loss of E-cadherin expression in OTSCC tumors having a
      poorer DFS (HR = 1.566; P value = 0.045) and poorer Overall Survival (OS) (HR =
      1.224; P value = 0.003) respectively. Combined over-expression of MMP9 and loss
      of E-cadherin membrane positivity in the invasive tumor front (ITF) of OTSCC had
      a significant association with poorer DFS (Log Rank = 16.040; P value = 0.001).
      These results suggest that along with known clinical indicators of prognosis like
      occult node positivity, assessment of MMP9 and E-cadherin expression at ITF can
      be useful to identify patients at high risk and requiring a more intensive
      treatment strategy for OTSCC. Meta-analysis study of gene expression profiles
      indicates that OTSCC is a disease of ECM degradation leading to activated EMT
      processes implying the aggressive nature of the disease. The triggers for these
      processes should be studied further. Newer clinical application with agents that
      can inhibit the mediators of ECM degradation may be a key to achieving clinical
      control of invasion and metastasis of OTSCC. 

PMID- 27280702
TI  - Role of Sub-Nanometer Dielectric Roughness on Microstructure and Charge Carrier
      Transport in alpha,omega-Dihexylsexithiophene Field-Effect Transistors.
AB  - The effect of dielectric roughness on the microstructure evolution of thermally
      evaporated alpha,omega-dihexylsexithiophene (alpha,omega-DH6T) thin films from a
      single molecular layer to tens of monolayers (ML) is studied. Thereby, the
      surface roughness of dielectrics is controlled within a sub-nanometer range. It
      is found that the grain size of an alpha,omega-DH6T ML is affected by dielectric
      roughness, especially for 1.5 ML, whereby the transistor performance is barely
      influenced. This can be attributed to a domain interconnection in the second
      layer over a long-range formed on the rough surface. With deposition of more
      layers, both microstructure and charge carrier transport exhibit a roughness
      independent behavior. The structural characterization of alpha,omega-DH6T 10 ML
      by grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering reveals that the interlayer
      distance is slightly decreased from 3.30 to 3.15 nm due to a higher roughness,
      while an unchanged pi-stacking distance is in excellent agreement with the
      roughness-independent hole mobility. This study excludes the influence of
      molecular-solvent interaction and preaggregation taking place during solution
      deposition, and provides further evidence that the microstructure of the
      interfacial layer of organic semiconductors has only minor impact on the bulk
      charge carrier transport in thicker films. 

PMID- 27280703
TI  - Association of Fast Visual Field Loss With Risk of Falling in Patients With
      Glaucoma.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Patients with glaucoma and a history of fast visual field loss might
      be at an increased risk for falls compared with those with a history of slow
      visual field loss, but, to date, this association has not been previously
      investigated in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between
      self-reported falls and past rate of visual field loss in a cohort of patients
      with glaucoma followed up over time. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This
      observational cohort study included patients diagnosed as having glaucoma who had
      been followed up at the Visual Performance Laboratory, University of California,
      San Diego, at 6-month intervals for a mean (SD) of 7.5 (2.6) years from January
      1, 2005, through December 31, 2015. Self-reported number of falls during the past
      year was obtained at the last follow-up visit. Integrated binocular fields were
      estimated from the monocular fields. Linear mixed models were used to calculate
      rates of change in binocular mean sensitivity over time. Poisson models were used
      to evaluate the association between the self-reported number of falls and rates
      of visual field loss. The models adjusted for the current level of visual field
      damage and other confounding variables. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Association
      between rates of binocular visual field loss and self-reported number of falls.
      RESULTS: The study included 116 patients with glaucoma with a mean (SD) age of
      73.1 (10.7) years (55 women [47.4%], 84 white individuals [72.4%], and 32 black
      individuals [27.6%]). Of the 116 patients, 29 (25.0%) reported at least 1 fall in
      the previous year. The mean rate of change in binocular mean sensitivity was
      faster for patients who reported a history of falls vs those who did not (-0.36
      vs -0.17 dB/y; mean difference, 0.20 dB/y; 95% CI, 0.09-0.31 dB/y; P < .001).
      History of fast visual field loss was significantly associated with falls (rate
      ratio, 2.28 per 0.5 dB/y faster; 95% CI, 1.15-4.52 db/y; P = .02), even after
      adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The rate of visual
      field loss was associated with a self-reported history of falls in the past year
      even after taking into account the magnitude of visual field defect. However,
      although a positive association was found, further studies are necessary to
      establish whether a cause-and-effect relationship exists between rate of visual
      field loss and self-reported history of falls.

PMID- 27280704
TI  - Risk of Thromboembolic Events in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation
      After Dabigatran or Rivaroxaban Discontinuation - Data from the Ljubljana
      Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Interruption of anticoagulant treatment with warfarin or non
      vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) represents a vulnerable period
      with an increased risk of thromboembolic events. What is the incidence of
      thromboembolic events in real-life patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
      treated with NOAC who had a discontinuation or cessation of treatment in
      comparison to patients on continuous treatment? PATIENTS AND METHODS: Registry
      data from 866 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, aged 74.3 (SD 9.8)
      years, with an average CHADS2 score of 2.1 (SD 1.2), who were started on
      dabigatran or rivaroxaban, were analysed for thromboembolic events and survival.
      Patients who had temporary or permanent discontinuation of NOAC were compared to
      patients on continuous NOAC treatment. RESULTS: Among 866 patients started on
      NOAC, 705 were treated without interruption, 84 patients had temporary
      interruption (69 because of planned invasive procedures, 10 due to bleeding, 5
      for other causes) and 77 had permanent cessation of NOAC treatment. In patients
      without interruptions, the incidence of thromboembolic events was 1.0 (95% CI 0.4
      2.1) per 100 patient-years, while in patients with interruption/cessation the
      rate of thromboembolic events was 21.6 (95% CI 10.3-45.2) per 100 patient-years,
      p < 0.001. There was a distinct clustering of thromboembolic events in the first
      weeks of NOAC discontinuation with the median occurring on day 14 (range 1-37
      days) after discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Dabigatran and rivaroxaban offered good
      protection against thromboembolic events during treatment, but interruption of
      NOAC treatment increased the short-term thromboembolic risk more than 20-fold.

PMID- 27280705
TI  - Correction: The Holstein Friesian Lethal Haplotype 5 (HH5) Results from a
      Complete Deletion of TBF1M and Cholesterol Deficiency (CDH) from an ERV-(LTR)
      Insertion into the Coding Region of APOB.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154602.].

PMID- 27280706
TI  - Environmental Impacts of the U.S. Health Care System and Effects on Public
      Health.
AB  - The U.S. health care sector is highly interconnected with industrial activities
      that emit much of the nation's pollution to air, water, and soils. We estimate
      emissions directly and indirectly attributable to the health care sector, and
      potential harmful effects on public health. Negative environmental and public
      health outcomes were estimated through economic input-output life cycle
      assessment (EIOLCA) modeling using National Health Expenditures (NHE) for the
      decade 2003-2013 and compared to national totals. In 2013, the health care sector
      was also responsible for significant fractions of national air pollution
      emissions and impacts, including acid rain (12%), greenhouse gas emissions (10%),
      smog formation (10%) criteria air pollutants (9%), stratospheric ozone depletion
      (1%), and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic air toxics (1-2%). The largest
      contributors to impacts are discussed from both the supply side (EIOLCA economic
      sectors) and demand side (NHE categories), as are trends over the study period.
      Health damages from these pollutants are estimated at 470,000 DALYs lost from
      pollution-related disease, or 405,000 DALYs when adjusted for recent shifts in
      power generation sector emissions. These indirect health burdens are commensurate
      with the 44,000-98,000 people who die in hospitals each year in the U.S. as a
      result of preventable medical errors, but are currently not attributed to our
      health system. Concerted efforts to improve environmental performance of health
      care could reduce expenditures directly through waste reduction and energy
      savings, and indirectly through reducing pollution burden on public health, and
      ought to be included in efforts to improve health care quality and safety. 

PMID- 27280707
TI  - Leishmania amazonensis Engages CD36 to Drive Parasitophorous Vacuole Maturation.
AB  - Leishmania amastigotes manipulate the activity of macrophages to favor their own
      success. However, very little is known about the role of innate recognition and
      signaling triggered by amastigotes in this host-parasite interaction. In this
      work we developed a new infection model in adult Drosophila to take advantage of
      its superior genetic resources to identify novel host factors limiting Leishmania
      amazonensis infection. The model is based on the capacity of macrophage-like
      cells, plasmatocytes, to phagocytose and control the proliferation of parasites
      injected into adult flies. Using this model, we screened a collection of RNAi
      expressing flies for anti-Leishmania defense factors. Notably, we found three
      CD36-like scavenger receptors that were important for defending against
      Leishmania infection. Mechanistic studies in mouse macrophages showed that CD36
      accumulates specifically at sites where the parasite contacts the parasitophorous
      vacuole membrane. Furthermore, CD36-deficient macrophages were defective in the
      formation of the large parasitophorous vacuole typical of L. amazonensis
      infection, a phenotype caused by inefficient fusion with late endosomes and/or
      lysosomes. These data identify an unprecedented role for CD36 in the biogenesis
      of the parasitophorous vacuole and further highlight the utility of Drosophila as
      a model system for dissecting innate immune responses to infection.

PMID- 27280709
TI  - Evidence for dual mechanisms of action prediction dependent on acquired visual
      motor experiences.
AB  - To test mechanisms underpinning action prediction, we directly controlled
      experience in a dart-throwing training study. A motor-visual group physically
      practiced throwing darts and a perceptual training group learned to associate
      dart throw actions (occluded video clips) with landing outcomes. A final control
      group did not practice. Accuracy was assessed on related prediction tests before
      and after practice (involving temporally occluded video clips). These tests were
      performed while additionally performing simple, action-incongruent secondary
      motor tasks with either the right (observed throwing arm) or left effector, in
      addition to an attention control task. Motor proficiency tests were also
      performed. Although both trained groups improved their prediction accuracy after
      training, only the motor-visual group showed interference associated with the
      right-arm secondary motor task after practice. No interference was shown for the
      left-arm motor task. These effects were evidenced regardless of whether
      predictions were made in response to video stimuli or static clips. Moreover,
      improvements on the motor proficiency test were only shown for the motor-visual
      group. These results show evidence in support of motor simulation processes
      during action prediction among observers with motor experience. Prediction
      accuracy can be achieved via nonmotor processes (for the perceptual group), but
      there was no evidence that physically experienced performers could effectively
      switch processes to maintain prediction accuracy. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280708
TI  - IFI16 Preferentially Binds to DNA with Quadruplex Structure and Enhances DNA
      Quadruplex Formation.
AB  - Interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) is a member of the HIN-200 protein
      family, containing two HIN domains and one PYRIN domain. IFI16 acts as a sensor
      of viral and bacterial DNA and is important for innate immune responses. IFI16
      binds DNA and binding has been described to be DNA length-dependent, but a
      preference for supercoiled DNA has also been demonstrated. Here we report a
      specific preference of IFI16 for binding to quadruplex DNA compared to other DNA
      structures. IFI16 binds to quadruplex DNA with significantly higher affinity than
      to the same sequence in double stranded DNA. By circular dichroism (CD)
      spectroscopy we also demonstrated the ability of IFI16 to stabilize quadruplex
      structures with quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides derived from human telomere
      (HTEL) sequences and the MYC promotor. A novel H/D exchange mass spectrometry
      approach was developed to assess protein interactions with quadruplex DNA.
      Quadruplex DNA changed the IFI16 deuteration profile in parts of the PYRIN domain
      (aa 0-80) and in structurally identical parts of both HIN domains (aa 271-302 and
      aa 586-617) compared to single stranded or double stranded DNAs, supporting the
      preferential affinity of IFI16 for structured DNA. Our results reveal the
      importance of quadruplex DNA structure in IFI16 binding and improve our
      understanding of how IFI16 senses DNA. IFI16 selectivity for quadruplex structure
      provides a mechanistic framework for IFI16 in immunity and cellular processes
      including DNA damage responses and cell proliferation. 

PMID- 27280710
TI  - Perceiving a continuous visual world across voluntary eye blinks.
AB  - People blink their eyes every few seconds, but the changes in retinal
      illumination that accompany eyeblinks are hardly noticed. Furthermore, despite
      the loss of visual input, visual experience remains continuous across eyeblinks.
      Two hypotheses were investigated to account for these phenomena. The first
      proposes that perceptual information is maintained across a blink whereas the
      second proposes that perceptual information is not maintained but rather
      postblink perceptual experience is antedated to the beginning of the blink. Two
      experiments found no evidence for temporal antedating of a stimulus presented
      during a voluntary eyeblink. In a third experiment subjects judged the temporal
      duration of a stimulus that was interrupted by a voluntary eyeblink with that of
      a stimulus presented while the eyes were open. The duration of stimuli that were
      interrupted by eyeblinks was judged to be 117 ms shorter than that of stimuli
      presented while the eyes remained open, indicating that blink duration was not
      accounted for in the perception of stimulus duration. This suggests that
      perceptual experience is neither maintained nor antedated across eyeblinks, but
      rather is ignored, perhaps in response to the extraretinal signal that
      accompanies the eyeblink. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280711
TI  - Acting and anticipating: Impact of outcome-compatible distractor depends on
      response selection efficiency.
AB  - Action selection is thought to involve selection of the action's sensory
      outcomes. This notion is supported when encountering a distractor that resembles
      a learned response-outcome biases response selection. Some evidence, however,
      suggests that a larger contribution of stimulus-based response selection leaves
      little role for outcome-based selection, especially in forced-choice tasks with
      easily identifiable target stimuli. In the present study, we asked whether the
      contribution of outcome-based selection depends on the ease and efficiency of
      stimulus-based selection. If so, then efficient stimulus-based response selection
      should reduce the impact of an irrelevant distractor that resemble a response
      outcome. We manipulated efficiency of stimulus-based selection by varying the
      spatial relationship between stimulus and response (Experiment 1) and by varying
      stimulus discriminability (Experiments 2). We hypothesized that with efficient
      stimulus-based selection, outcome-based processes will play a weaker role in
      response selection, and performance will be less susceptible to outcome
      compatible or -incompatible distractors. By contrast, when stimulus-based
      selection is relatively inefficient, outcome-based processes will play a stronger
      role in response selection, and performance should be more susceptible to outcome
      compatible or -incompatible distractors. Confirming our predictions, our results
      showed stronger impact of the distractors when stimulus-based response selection
      was relatively inefficient. Finally, results of a control experiment (Experiment
      3) suggested that learning the consistent response-outcome mapping is necessary
      for obtaining the effect of these distractors. We conclude that outcome-based
      processes do contribute to response selection in forced-choice tasks, and that
      this contribution varies with the efficiency of stimulus-based response
      selection. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280713
TI  - Downregulation of the Deiminase PADI2 Is an Early Event in Colorectal
      Carcinogenesis and Indicates Poor Prognosis.
AB  - Peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADI) are a family of enzymes that catalyze the
      poorly understood posttranslational modification converting arginine residues
      into citrullines. In this study, the role of PADIs in the pathogenesis of
      colorectal cancer was investigated. Specifically, RNA expression was analyzed and
      its association with survival in a cohort of 98 colorectal cancer patient
      specimens with matched adjacent mucosa and 50 controls from donors without
      cancer. Key results were validated in an independent collection of tumors with
      matched adjacent mucosa and by mining of a publicly available expression data
      set. Protein expression was analyzed by immunoblotting for cell lines or IHC for
      patient specimens that further included 24 cases of adenocarcinoma with adjacent
      dysplasia and 11 cases of active ulcerative colitis. The data indicate that PADI2
      is the dominantly expressed PADI enzyme in colon mucosa and is upregulated during
      differentiation. PADI2 expression is low or absent in colorectal cancer.
      Frequently, this occurs already at the stage of low-grade dysplasia. Mucosal
      PADI2 expression is also low in ulcerative colitis. The expression level of PADI2
      in tumor and adjacent mucosa correlates with differential survival: low levels
      associate with poor prognosis. IMPLICATIONS: Downregulation of PADI2 is an early
      event in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer associated with poor prognosis and
      points toward a possible role of citrullination in modulating tumor cells and
      their microenvironment. Mol Cancer Res; 14(9); 841-8. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27280712
TI  - Anti-EBOV GP IgGs Lacking alpha1-3-Galactose and Neu5Gc Prolong Survival and
      Decrease Blood Viral Load in EBOV-Infected Guinea Pigs.
AB  - Polyclonal xenogenic IgGs, although having been used in the prevention and cure
      of severe infectious diseases, are highly immunogenic, which may restrict their
      usage in new applications such as Ebola hemorrhagic fever. IgG glycans display
      powerful xenogeneic antigens in humans, for example alpha1-3 Galactose and the
      glycolyl form of neuraminic acid Neu5Gc, and IgGs deprived of these key sugar
      epitopes may represent an advantage for passive immunotherapy. In this paper, we
      explored whether low immunogenicity IgGs had a protective effect on a guinea pig
      model of Ebola virus (EBOV) infection. For this purpose, a double knock-out pig
      lacking alpha1-3 Galactose and Neu5Gc was immunized against virus-like particles
      displaying surface EBOV glycoprotein GP. Following purification from serum, hyper
      immune polyclonal IgGs were obtained, exhibiting an anti-EBOV GP titer of
      1:100,000 and a virus neutralizing titer of 1:100. Guinea pigs were injected
      intramuscularly with purified IgGs on day 0 and day 3 post-EBOV infection.
      Compared to control animals treated with IgGs from non-immunized double KO pigs,
      the anti-EBOV IgGs-treated animals exhibited a significantly prolonged survival
      and a decreased virus load in blood on day 3. The data obtained indicated that
      IgGs lacking alpha1-3 Galactose and Neu5Gc, two highly immunogenic epitopes in
      humans, have a protective effect upon EBOV infection. 

PMID- 27280715
TI  - Correction: Honey Bee Inhibitory Signaling Is Tuned to Threat Severity and Can
      Act as a Colony Alarm Signal.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002423.].

PMID- 27280714
TI  - Sleep and Mental Health in Undergraduate Students with Generally Healthy Sleep
      Habits.
AB  - Whereas previous research has indicated that sleep problems tend to co-occur with
      increased mental health issues in university students, relatively little is known
      about relations between sleep quality and mental health in university students
      with generally healthy sleep habits. Understanding relations between sleep and
      mental health in individuals with generally healthy sleep habits is important
      because (a) student sleep habits tend to worsen over time and (b) even time
      limited experience of sleep problems may have significant implications for the
      onset of mental health problems. In the present research, 69 university students
      with generally healthy sleep habits completed questionnaires about sleep quality
      and mental health. Although participants did not report clinically concerning
      mental health issues as a group, global sleep quality was associated with mental
      health. Regression analyses revealed that nighttime sleep duration and the
      frequency of nighttime sleep disruptions were differentially related to total
      problems and clinically-relevant symptoms of psychological distress. These
      results indicate that understanding relations between sleep and mental health in
      university students with generally healthy sleep habits is important not only due
      to the large number of undergraduates who experience sleep problems and mental
      health issues over time but also due to the potential to intervene and improve
      mental health outcomes before they become clinically concerning. 

PMID- 27280716
TI  - Cleavage of the C(O)-S Bond of Thioesters by Palladium/Norbornene/Copper
      Cooperative Catalysis: An Efficient Synthesis of 2-(Arylthio)aryl Ketones.
AB  - A Pd/norbornene/Cu cooperative catalysis for the efficient synthesis of 2
      (arylthio)aryl ketones from aryl halides and thioesters has been developed. The
      first example of cooperative catalysis by palladium, norbornene, and copper,
      wherein the C(O)-S bond of thioesters is cleaved by a Pd(II) palladacycle with
      the assistance of CuI, has been observed.

PMID- 27280717
TI  - The Effect of Maternal Death on the Health of the Husband and Children in a Rural
      Area of China: A Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of maternal death on the health of the index
      child, the health and educational attainment of the older children, and the
      mental health and quality of life of the surviving husband. METHODS: A cohort
      study including 183 households that experienced a maternal death matched to 346
      households that experienced childbirth but not a maternal death was conducted
      prospectively between June 2009 and October 2011 in rural China. Data on
      household sociodemographic characteristics, physical and mental health were
      collected using a quantitative questionnaire and medical examination at baseline
      and follow-up surveys. Multivariate linear regression, logistic regression models
      and difference-in-difference (DID) were used to compare differences of outcomes
      between two groups. FINDINGS: The index children who experienced the loss of a
      mother had a significantly higher likelihood of dying, abandonment and
      malnutrition compared to children whose mothers survived at the follow-up survey.
      The risk of not attending school on time and dropping out of school among older
      children in the affected group was higher than those in the control group during
      the follow-up. Husbands whose wife died had significantly lower EQ-5D index and
      EQ-VAS both at baseline and at follow-up surveys compared to those without
      experiencing a wife's death, suggesting an immediate and sustained poorer mental
      health quality of life among the surviving husbands. Also the prevalence of
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was 72.6% at baseline and 56.2% at follow-up
      among husbands whose wife died. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal death has multifaceted and
      spillover effects on the physical and mental health of family members that are
      sustained over time. Programmes that reduce maternal mortality will mitigate
      repercussions on surviving family members are critical and needed.

PMID- 27280718
TI  - Extratumoral Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) Expressing Macrophages Likely Promote
      Primary and Metastatic Prostate Tumor Growth.
AB  - Aggressive tumors induce tumor-supporting changes in the benign parts of the
      prostate. One factor that has increased expression outside prostate tumors is
      hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1). To investigate HO-1 expression in more detail, we analyzed
      samples of tumor tissue and peritumoral normal prostate tissue from rats carrying
      cancers with different metastatic capacity, and human prostate cancer tissue
      samples from primary tumors and bone metastases. In rat prostate tumor samples,
      immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR showed that the main site of HO-1
      synthesis was HO-1+ macrophages that accumulated in the tumor-bearing organ, and
      at the tumor-invasive front. Small metastatic tumors were considerably more
      effective in attracting HO-1+ macrophages than larger non-metastatic ones. In
      clinical samples, accumulation of HO-1+ macrophages was seen at the tumor
      invasive front, almost exclusively in high-grade tumors, and it correlated with
      the presence of bone metastases. HO-1+ macrophages, located at the tumor invasive
      front, were more abundant in bone metastases than in primary tumors. HO-1
      expression in bone metastases was variable, and positively correlated with the
      expression of macrophage markers but negatively correlated with androgen receptor
      expression, suggesting that elevated HO-1 could be a marker for a subgroup of
      bone metastases. Together with another recent observation showing that selective
      knockout of HO-1 in macrophages reduced prostate tumor growth and metastatic
      capacity in animals, the results of this study suggest that extratumoral HO-1+
      macrophages may have an important role in prostate cancer. 

PMID- 27280720
TI  - Floor of Mouth Swelling.

PMID- 27280721
TI  - Effects of Mindfulness on Diabetes Mellitus: Rationale and Overview.
AB  - : Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an emerging global healthcare problem and its
      prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate. Despite improvements in both
      medical and pharmacological therapies, a complex medical condition may demand a
      diversified approach, such as: drug therapy, healthy diet and exercises, diabetes
      education programs, adherence to medical treatment and active participation of
      the patients in their lifestyle changes, such as stress management. The concept
      of mindfulness is here defined as the awareness that unfolds from the intention
      to attentively observe the current experience in a non-judgmental and non
      evaluative way. This state of awareness can be enhanced through the use of
      mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), which have been associated to many
      physical and psychological health indicators. The aim of this overview is to
      offer the rationale and potential benefits of mindfulness in the control of DM
      and its complications. METHODS: a narrative review of the current and updated
      literature available on online database and which came up using the terms
      "mindfulness" and "diabetes mellitus". Mindfulness-based Interventions (MBIs) can
      be seen as preventive and complementary interventions in DM, particularly for the
      relief of symptoms related to depression and anxiety in diabetic patients and
      also in the management of other factors, including mindful eating, physical
      exercises and treatment adherence. Although many studies only present research
      protocols, mindfulness seems to have beneficial effects on all aspects of
      diabetes, including incidence, control and complications. Furthermore, longer
      term and more carefully controlled trials are necessary in order to draw
      consistent conclusions on the beneficial role of MBIs on DM.

PMID- 27280722
TI  - Color Vision Deficiency and Functional Disorders Among Israeli Male Adolescents
      Between 2007 and 2013.
AB  - Color vision deficiency has been associated with educational difficulties among
      male children, as well as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We
      examined the association of color vision deficiency with functional conditions,
      including ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, enuresis and somatoform disorders, in a
      large population of male adolescents. We included all Israeli male adolescents
      that underwent medical and cognitive examinations during conscription between the
      years 2007 and 2013. The prevalence of ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, enuresis,
      and somatoform disorders among color vision deficiency patients was compared to a
      control group. The study included 305 964 males aging 17 +/- 0.6, of which 7584
      (2.5%) had color vision deficiency. Using a multivariable analysis, the
      probability for irritable bowel syndrome, enuresis, and somatoform disorders
      among color vision deficiency patients was increased by 1.41, 1.94, and 3.87,
      respectively (P < .05). No significant association was found between ADHD and
      color vision deficiency. Color vision abnormalities are associated with
      functional disorders in male adolescents, including irritable bowel syndrome,
      enuresis, and somatoform disorders.

PMID- 27280719
TI  - Connexin43 Forms Supramolecular Complexes through Non-Overlapping Binding Sites
      for Drebrin, Tubulin, and ZO-1.
AB  - Gap junctions are membrane specialization domains identified in most tissue types
      where cells abut each other. The connexin channels found in these membrane
      domains are conduits for direct cell-to-cell transfer of ions and molecules.
      Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most ubiquitous connexin, with critical roles in heart,
      skin, and brain. Several studies described the interaction between Cx43 and the
      cytoskeleton involving the actin binding proteins Zonula occludens (ZO-1) and
      drebrin, as well as with tubulin. However, a direct interaction has not been
      identified between drebrin and Cx43. In this study, co-IP and NMR experiments
      were used to demonstrate that the Cx43-CT directly interacts with the highly
      conserved N-terminus region of drebrin. Three Cx43-CT areas were found to be
      involved in drebrin binding, with residues 264-275 being critical for the
      interaction. Mimicking Src phosphorylation within this region (Y265)
      significantly disrupted the interaction between the Cx43-CT and drebrin.
      Immunofluorescence showed colocalization of Cx43, drebrin, and F-actin in
      astrocytes and Vero cells membrane, indicating that Cx43 forms a submembrane
      protein complex with cytoskeletal and scaffolding proteins. The co-IP data
      suggest that Cx43 indirectly interacts with F-actin through drebrin. Along with
      the known interaction of the Cx43-CT with ZO-1 and tubulin, the data presented
      here for drebrin indicate non-overlapping and separated binding sites for all
      three proteins for which simultaneous binding could be important in regulating
      cytoskeleton rearrangements, especially for neuronal migration during brain
      development. 

PMID- 27280723
TI  - Epidemiology of Pediatric Convulsive Status Epilepticus With Fever in the
      Emergency Department: A Cohort Study of 381 Consecutive Cases.
AB  - Pediatric convulsive status epilepticus with fever is common in the emergency
      setting but leads to severe neurological sequelae in some patients. To explore
      the epidemiology of convulsive status epilepticus with fever, a retrospective
      cohort covering all convulsive status epilepticus cases with fever seen in the
      emergency department of a tertiary care children's hospital were consecutively
      collected. Of the 381 consecutive cases gathered, 81.6% were due to prolonged
      febrile seizure, 6.6% to encephalopathy/encephalitis, 0.8% to meningitis, and
      7.6% to epilepsy. In addition, seizures were significantly longer in
      encephalopathy/encephalitis cases than in prolonged febrile seizure cases (log
      rank test, P < .001). These results provide for the first time the pretest
      probability of final diagnoses in children with convulsive status epilepticus
      with fever in the emergency setting, and will help optimize the management of
      pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department with convulsive status
      epilepticus with fever.

PMID- 27280724
TI  - Determinants of Grip Strength in Tunisian Nurses: A Bicentric Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Grip muscle force has always been used to assess functional
      limitations in elderly. Its use as a tool to assess work capacity has never been
      described in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To describe the patent determinants of
      grip strength and the usefulness of its measurement in assessing workability
      index in the healthcare sector. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study
      conducted in a sample of 293 healthcare workers representative of 1181 based on a
      comprehensive questionnaire about socio-professional characteristics and on an 8
      item work capacity evaluation (WAI). Besides, Body mass index was measured and
      muscle strength was assessed by JAMAR hydraulic dynamometer. RESULTS: Handgrip
      Strength was stronger in male nurses (p < 0.001), with low perceived physical
      load (p = 0.0001) and working on a night shift (p = 0.001). It decreased with a
      greater duration of household work (p < 0.0001) and increased with a greater BMI
      (p = 0.015) and a better workability index (p < 0.0001). After removal of all the
      variables that were not independently associated with the muscle strength force,
      factors accounting for 52.6% of the variance in nurses handgrip strength were
      gender (p < 0.001), workability index (p < 0.001), duration of household work (p
      = 0.021), BMI (p = 0.002), perceived physical load (p < 0.001) and work schedule
      (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Grip Strength Test is a useful tool to assess strength
      and functional capacity at work in healthcare workers. Further longitudinal
      studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.

PMID- 27280725
TI  - Correction: Influence of Obesity and Metabolic Disease on Carotid Atherosclerosis
      in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CordioPrev Study).
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153096.].

PMID- 27280727
TI  - Bayesian Evidence Synthesis Can Reconcile Seemingly Inconsistent Results: The
      Case of Hotel Towel Reuse.

PMID- 27280726
TI  - Coexpression Network Analysis of Benign and Malignant Phenotypes of SIV-Infected
      Sooty Mangabey and Rhesus Macaque.
AB  - To explore the differences between the extreme SIV infection phenotypes,
      nonprogression (BEN: benign) to AIDS in sooty mangabeys (SMs) and progression to
      AIDS (MAL: malignant) in rhesus macaques (RMs), we performed an integrated dual
      positive-negative connectivity (DPNC) analysis of gene coexpression networks
      (GCN) based on publicly available big data sets in the GEO database of NCBI. The
      microarray-based gene expression data sets were generated, respectively, from the
      peripheral blood of SMs and RMs at several time points of SIV infection.
      Significant differences of GCN changes in DPNC values were observed in SIV
      infected SMs and RMs. There are three groups of enriched genes or pathways (EGPs)
      that are associated with three SIV infection phenotypes (BEN+, MAL+ and mixed
      BEN+/MAL+). The MAL+ phenotype in SIV-infected RMs is specifically associated
      with eight EGPs, including the protein ubiquitin proteasome system, p53, granzyme
      A, gramzyme B, polo-like kinase, Glucocorticoid receptor, oxidative
      phosyphorylation and mitochondrial signaling. Mitochondrial (endosymbiotic)
      dysfunction is solely present in RMs. Specific BEN+ pattern changes in four EGPs
      are identified in SIV-infected SMs, including the pathways contributing to
      interferon signaling, BRCA1/DNA damage response, PKR/INF induction and LGALS8.
      There are three enriched pathways (PRR-activated IRF signaling, RIG1-like
      receptor and PRR pathway) contributing to the mixed (BEN+/MAL+) phenotypes of SIV
      infections in RMs and SMs, suggesting that these pathways play a dual role in the
      host defense against viral infections. Further analysis of Hub genes in these
      GCNs revealed that the genes LGALS8 and IL-17RA, which positively regulate the
      barrier function of the gut mucosa and the immune homeostasis with the gut
      microbiota (exosymbiosis), were significantly differentially expressed in RMs and
      SMs. Our data suggest that there exists an exo- (dysbiosis of the gut microbiota)
      and endo- (mitochondrial dysfunction) symbiotic imbalance (EESI) in HIV/SIV
      infections. Dissecting the mechanisms of the exo-endo symbiotic balance (EESB)
      that maintains immune homeostasis and the EESI problems in HIV/SIV infections may
      lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of AIDS and the development of
      novel interventions for the rational control of this disease. 

PMID- 27280728
TI  - A Small Molecule Inhibitor Selectively Induces Apoptosis in Cells Transformed by
      High Risk Human Papilloma Viruses.
AB  - A phenotypic high-throughput cell culture screen was performed to identify
      compounds that prevented proliferation of the human Papilloma virus type 16 (HPV
      16) transformed cell line Ca Ski. A series of quinoxaline compounds exemplified
      by Compound 1 was identified. Testing against a panel of cell lines demonstrated
      that Compound 1 selectively inhibited replication of all HPV-16, HPV-18, and HPV
      31 transformed cell lines tested with 50% Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) values
      of 2 to 8 MUM relative to IC50 values of 28 to 73 MUM in HPV-negative cell lines.
      Treatment with Compound 1 resulted in a cascade of multiple apoptotic events,
      including selective activation of effector caspases 3 and 7, fragmentation of
      cellular DNA, and PARP (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase) cleavage in HPV-positive
      cells relative to HPV-negative cells. Unregulated proliferation of HPV
      transformed cells is dependent on the viral oncogenes, E6 and E7. Treatment with
      Compound 1 resulted in a decrease in HPV E7 protein in Ca Ski cells. However, the
      timing of this reduction relative to other effects of compound treatment suggests
      that this was a consequence, rather than a cause, of the apoptotic cascade.
      Likewise, compound treatment resulted in no obvious effects on the E6- and E7-
      mediated down regulation of p53 and Rb, or their downstream effectors, p21 or
      PCNA. Further investigation of apoptotic signals induced by Compound 1 revealed
      cleavage of Caspase-8 in HPV-positive cells as early as 2 hours post-treatment,
      suggesting the compound initiates apoptosis through the extrinsic, death receptor
      mediated, pathway of cell death. These studies provide proof of concept that
      cells transformed by oncogenic Papillomaviruses can be selectively induced to
      undergo apoptosis by compound treatment. 

PMID- 27280730
TI  - Vibrationally high-resolved electronic spectra of MCl2 (M=C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) and
      photoelectron spectra of MCl2(.).
AB  - We systematically studied the vibrational-resolved electronic spectra of group IV
      dichlorides using the Franck-Condon approximation combined with the Duschinsky
      and Herzberg-Teller effects in harmonic and anharmonic frameworks (only the
      simulation of absorption spectra includes the anharmonicity). Calculated results
      showed that the band shapes of simulated spectra are in accordance with those of
      the corresponding experimental or theoretical ones. We found that the symmetric
      bend mode in progression of absorption is the most active one, whereas the main
      contributor in photoelectron spectra is the symmetric stretching mode. Moreover,
      the Duschinsky and anharmonic effects exert weak influence on the absorption
      spectra, except for PbCl2 molecule. The theoretical insights presented in this
      work are significant in understanding the photophysical properties of MCl2 (M=C,
      Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) and studying the Herzberg-Teller and the anharmonic effects on
      the absorption spectra of new dichlorides of this main group.

PMID- 27280729
TI  - Stabilising the Integrity of Snake Venom mRNA Stored under Tropical Field
      Conditions Expands Research Horizons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Snake venoms contain many proteinaceous toxins that can cause severe
      pathology and mortality in snakebite victims. Interestingly, mRNA encoding such
      toxins can be recovered directly from venom, although yields are low and quality
      is unknown. It also remains unclear whether such RNA contains information about
      toxin isoforms and whether it is representative of mRNA recovered from
      conventional sources, such as the venom gland. Answering these questions will
      address the feasibility of using venom-derived RNA for future research relevant
      to biomedical and antivenom applications. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Venom
      was extracted from several species of snake, including both members of the
      Viperidae and Elapidae, and either lyophilized or immediately added to TRIzol
      reagent. TRIzol-treated venom was incubated at a range of temperatures (4-37
      degrees C) for a range of durations (0-48 hours), followed by subsequent RNA
      isolation and assessments of RNA quantity and quality. Subsequently, full-length
      toxin transcripts were targeted for PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing.
      TRIzol-treated venom yielded total RNA of greater quantity and quality than
      lyophilized venom, and with quality comparable to venom gland-derived RNA. Full
      length sequences from multiple Viperidae and Elapidae toxin families were
      successfully PCR amplified from TRIzol-treated venom RNA. We demonstrated that
      venom can be stored in TRIzol for 48 hours at 4-19 degrees C, and 8 hours at 37
      degrees C, at minimal cost to RNA quality, and found that venom RNA encoded
      multiple toxin isoforms that seemed homologous (98-99% identity) to those found
      in the venom gland. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The non-invasive experimental
      modifications we propose will facilitate the future investigation of venom
      composition by using venom as an alternative source to venom gland tissue for RNA
      based studies, thus obviating the undesirable need to sacrifice snakes for such
      research purposes. In addition, they expand research horizons to rare, endangered
      or protected snake species and provide more flexibility to performing fieldwork
      on venomous snakes in tropical conditions.

PMID- 27280731
TI  - Story Goodness in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and in Optimal
      Outcomes From ASD.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study examined narrative quality of adolescents with autism
      spectrum disorder (ASD) using a well-studied "story goodness" coding system.
      METHOD: Narrative samples were analyzed for distinct aspects of story goodness
      and rated by naive readers on dimensions of story goodness, accuracy,
      cohesiveness, and oddness. Adolescents with high-functioning ASD were compared
      with adolescents with typical development (TD; n = 15 per group). A second study
      compared narratives from adolescents across three groups: ASD, TD, and youths
      with "optimal outcomes," who were diagnosed with ASD early in development but no
      longer meet criteria for ASD and have typical behavioral functioning. RESULTS: In
      both studies, the ASD group's narratives had lower composite quality scores
      compared with peers with typical development. In Study 2, narratives from the
      optimal outcomes group were intermediate in scores and did not differ
      significantly from those of either other group. However, naive raters were able
      to detect qualitative narrative differences across groups. CONCLUSIONS: Findings
      indicate that pragmatic deficits in ASD are salient and could have clinical
      relevance. Furthermore, results indicate subtle differences in pragmatic language
      skills for individuals with optimal outcomes despite otherwise typical language
      skills in other domains. These results highlight the need for clinical
      interventions tailored to the specific deficits of these populations.

PMID- 27280732
TI  - Monitoring Vasculitis with 18F-FDG PET.
AB  - Whereas in the past the term "vasculitis" was most frequently used in context
      with systemic vasculitides, such as the large vessel vasculitides (LVV) Takayasa
      arteritis and giant cell arteritis, characterized by inflammation of blood vessel
      walls, it nowadays comprises also inflammatory changes of the vessel wall as a
      substantial part of the atherosclerotic disease process. Implementing non
      invasive imaging techniques, such as computed tomography angiography (CTA),
      magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) as well as positron emission tomography
      (PET) in the diagnostic algorithm of atherosclerosis and LVV, depicts a promising
      step towards an earlier detection with a, consecutively, improved therapeutic
      approach and potentially prognostic benefit in patients suffering from
      vasculitis. Mainly molecular imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET seems
      to be promising in offering an early and sensitive identification of inflammatory
      changes in both, atherosclerosis and LVV. This review will therefore provide an
      overview on the diagnostic performance and clinical relevance of FDG-PET in
      monitoring vasculitis in atherosclerosis and LVV, with a focus on LVV. 

PMID- 27280733
TI  - New molecular probes of vascular inflammation.
AB  - New molecular imaging approaches featuring the assessment of inflammatory
      processes in the vascular wall on top of existing anatomic and functional vessel
      imaging procedures could emerge as decisive tools for the understanding and
      prevention of cardiovascular events. In this respect imaging approaches
      addressing specific molecular and cellular targets in atherosclerosis are of high
      interest. This review summarizes the rationale and current status of nuclear
      imaging probes which possess high translational potential. 

PMID- 27280735
TI  - Enabling the Discovery and Virtual Screening of Potent and Safe Antimicrobial
      Peptides. Simultaneous Prediction of Antibacterial Activity and Cytotoxicity.
AB  - Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent promising alternatives to fight against
      bacterial pathogens. However, cellular toxicity remains one of the main concerns
      in the early development of peptide-based drugs. This work introduces the first
      multitasking (mtk) computational model focused on performing simultaneous
      predictions of antibacterial activities, and cytotoxicities of peptides. The
      model was created from a data set containing 3592 cases, and it displayed
      accuracy higher than 96% for classifying/predicting peptides in both training and
      prediction (test) sets. The technique known as alanine scanning was
      computationally applied to illustrate the calculation of the quantitative
      contributions of the amino acids (in their respective positions of the sequence)
      to the biological effects of a defined peptide. A small library formed by 10
      peptides was generated, where peptides were designed by considering the
      interpretations of the different descriptors in the mtk-computational model. All
      the peptides were predicted to exhibit high antibacterial activities against
      multiple bacterial strains, and low cytotoxicity against various cell types. The
      present mtk-computational model can be considered a very useful tool to support
      high throughput research for the discovery of potent and safe AMPs.

PMID- 27280736
TI  - Stress Distribution in All-Ceramic Posterior 4-Unit Fixed Dental Prostheses
      Supported in Different Ways: Finite Element Analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this finite element analysis (FEA) was to complement
      results of previously published studies that investigated the influence of
      abutment resilience on the load-bearing capacity of zirconia posterior 4-unit
      fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) with static load tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Duplicates of 3 different physical specimens were modeled for FEA. The first
      virtual specimen was supported by teeth with periodontal resilience, the second
      by the combination of tooth and implant, and the third by implants only. The
      center of the FDP was loaded, vertically to the occlusal plane. The highest
      maximum principal stresses (MPSs) were computed. DISCUSSION: The highest MPS in
      each model occurred in the basal region of the middle framework connector.
      Comparison between the 3 models showed that the tensile stresses were lower when
      the support of the FDP was more rigid. Numerically determined highest MPSs in the
      FDPs correlated well with experimentally observed load-bearing capacities.
      CONCLUSION: The FEA is well suited to confirm the in vitro study mentioned and
      complement the results with stress distributions in all-ceramic posterior 4-unit
      FDP.

PMID- 27280734
TI  - Effect of detergent binding on cytochrome P450 2B4 structure as analyzed by X-ray
      crystallography and deuterium-exchange mass spectrometry.
AB  - Multiple crystal structures of CYP2B4 have demonstrated the binding of the
      detergent 5-cyclohexyl-1-pentyl-beta-D-maltoside (CYMAL-5) in a peripheral pocket
      located adjacent to the active site. To explore the consequences of detergent
      binding, X-ray crystal structures of the peripheral pocket mutant CYP2B4 F202W
      were solved in the presence of hexaethylene glycol monooctyl ether (C8E6) and
      CYMAL-5. The structure in the presence of CYMAL-5 illustrated a closed
      conformation indistinguishable from the previously solved wild-type. In contrast,
      the F202W structure in the presence of C8E6 revealed a detergent molecule that
      coordinated the heme-iron and extended to the protein surface through the
      substrate access channel 2f. Despite the overall structural similarity of these
      detergent complexes, remarkable differences were observed in the A, A', and H
      helices, the F-G cassette, the C-D and beta4 loop region. Hydrogen-deuterium
      exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS) was employed to probe these differences and to
      test the effect of detergents in solution. The presence of either detergent
      increased the H/D exchange rate across the plastic regions, and the results
      obtained by DXMS in solution were consistent in general with the relevant
      structural snapshots. The study provides insight into effect of detergent binding
      and the interpretation of associated conformational dynamics of CYP2B4.

PMID- 27280737
TI  - A Non-Invasive and Accurate Measurement of Gingival Thickness Using Cone-Beam
      Computerized Imaging for the Assessment of Planning Immediate Implant in the
      Esthetic Zone-A Pig Jaw Model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study is to compare the accuracy of the
      measurement of gingival thickness using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT)
      with direct clinical measurement on a pig jaw model, aiming to provide an
      alternate and precise method to aid assessment of the gingival biotype before
      immediate implant placement at the esthetic zone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four pig
      mandibles were categorized separately into 14 different zones with each prominent
      tooth cusp as one. A high-resolution CBCT image was taken. Measurement of
      gingival thickness was performed using computer software and was compared with
      direct clinical measurements. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient between
      clinical and CBCT measurements were 0.995 (pig 1), 0.945 (pig 2), 0.966 (pig 3),
      and 0.932 (pig 4), which indicated a good match between 2 measuring methods.
      Independent t test showed no significant difference between 2 independent
      investigators in all aspect of measurements (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Measuring
      gingival thickness using CBCT is a predictable and accurate method to assess the
      gingival biotype of a patient, so as to predict the suitability of immediate
      implantation.

PMID- 27280740
TI  - pi-Hydrogen Bonding of Aromatics on the Surface of Aerosols: Insights from Ab
      Initio and Molecular Dynamics Simulation.
AB  - Molecular level insight into the interaction between volatile organic compounds
      (VOCs) and aerosols is crucial for improvement of atmospheric chemistry models.
      In this paper, the interaction between adsorbed toluene, one of the most
      significant VOCs in the urban atmosphere, and the aqueous surface of aerosols was
      studied by means of combined molecular dynamics simulations and ab initio quantum
      chemistry calculations. It is revealed that toluene can be stably adsorbed on the
      surface of aqueous droplets via hydroxyl-pi hydrogen bonding between the H atoms
      of the water molecules and the C atoms in the aromatic ring. Further, significant
      modifications on the electrostatic potential map and frontier molecular orbital
      are induced by the solvation effect of surface water molecules, which would
      affect the reactivity and pathway of the atmospheric photooxidation of toluene.
      This study demonstrates that the surface interactions should be taken into
      consideration in the atmospheric chemical models on oxidation of aromatics.

PMID- 27280738
TI  - Fracture Resistance of Internal Conical and External Hexagon: Regular and Narrow
      Implant-Abutment Assemblies.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the maximum load on the elastic
      limit of internal conical (IC) implants with regular external hexagon (REH) and
      narrow external hexagon (NEH) implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty cylindrical
      implants were divided in 3 groups (n = 10): REH (3.75 mm); NEH (3.3 mm); IC (3.5
      mm). The implants were evaluated by means of cantilever bending loads using a
      mechanical testing machine. A strain qualitative analysis and the corresponding
      angles were analyzed. Using single factor analysis of variance with Tukey Test
      and Friedman Test (P < 0.05) the statistical analysis for data were performed.
      RESULTS: REH (294.37 N) and IC (294.37 N) groups presented statistically greater
      Fle than NEH (189.16 N). Regarding to the strain, there were no significant
      differences among groups. However, there were a greater number of fissures and
      more fractures present on NEH group. CONCLUSION: The IC implant with smaller
      diameter did not result in reduction of elastic limit when compared with the REH
      implants. Nevertheless, the reduction of 0.45 mm of the hexagonal connection
      implant's diameter has significantly diminished the elastic limit.

PMID- 27280741
TI  - A cross-sectional study on clinical correlates of anxiety disorders in 613
      community living older adults in Hong Kong.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported that the prevalence of late life
      anxiety disorders varies between 3.2% and 15.3%. Despite its high prevalence,
      anxiety disorders are still under-recognized in old age. This study evaluated the
      association among health, psychosocial factors, lifestyle choices, cognitive
      function and anxiety disorders in the older population in Hong Kong. METHODS: Six
      hundred and thirteen volunteer participants aged 60 years or above were
      interviewed for their socio-demographic background, physical and mental health
      statuses, social network, cognitive function and their activity engagement style.
      Ascertainment of diagnosis of anxiety disorders was based on the use of ICD-10
      diagnostic criteria generated by the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R)
      algorithms. RESULTS: According to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria generated by the
      CIS-R algorithms, 4.4% (N = 27) had mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, 2.5%
      (N = 15) had generalized anxiety disorders and 0.2% (N = 1) had other anxiety
      disorders (Phobia). Individuals with anxiety disorders had more gastrointestinal
      conditions (OR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.48-4.76) and genitourinary problems (OR = 1.96,
      95% CI 1.05-3.65), poor 10-min delayed recall (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.56-0.83),
      worse abstract thinking (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.85) and poor social networking
      in confidante relationship (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.79-0.98). Lifestyle activity
      engagement was not associated with the presence of anxiety disorders.
      CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with anxiety disorders appeared to have greater medical
      comorbidity and lower cognitive function. While anxiety may affect memory
      performance, future studies are needed to explore if anxiety symptom may reflect
      early neurodegeneration that easily escapes clinical attention. Copyright (c)
      2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27280742
TI  - Exploratory and hierarchical factor analysis of the WJ-IV Cognitive at school
      age.
AB  - Exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic studies were not reported in the
      Technical Manual for the Woodcock-Johnson, 4th ed. Cognitive (WJ IV Cognitive;
      Schrank, McGrew, & Mather, 2014b) Instead, the internal structure of the WJ IV
      Cognitive was extrapolated from analyses based on the full WJ IV test battery
      (Schrank, McGrew, & Mather, 2014b). Even if the veracity of extrapolating from
      the WJ IV full battery were accepted, there were shortcomings in the choices of
      analyses used and only limited information regarding those analyses was presented
      in the WJ IV Technical Manual (McGrew, Laforte, & Shrank, 2014). The present
      study examined the structure of the WJ IV Cognitive using exploratory factor
      analysis procedures (principal axis factoring with oblique [promax] rotation
      followed by application of the Schmid-Leiman, 1957, procedure) applied to
      standardization sample correlation matrices for 2 school age groups (ages 9-13;
      14-19). Four factors emerged for both the 9-13 and 14-19 age groups in contrast
      to the publisher's proposed 7 factors. Results of these analyses indicated a
      robust manifestation of general intelligence (g) that exceeded the variance
      attributed to the lower-order factors. Model-based reliability estimates
      supported interpretation of the higher-order factor (i.e., g). Additional
      analyses were conducted by forcing extraction of the 7 theoretically posited
      factors; however, the resulting solution was only partially aligned (i.e., Gs,
      Gwm) with the theoretical structure promoted in the Technical Manual and
      suggested the preeminence of the higher-order factor. Results challenge the
      hypothesized structure of the WJ IV Cognitive and raise concerns about its
      alignment with Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280743
TI  - Using item response theory (IRT) to reduce patient burden when assessing desire
      for hastened death.
AB  - Desire for hastened death (DHD) represents a wish to die sooner than might occur
      by natural disease progression. Efficient and accurate assessment of DHD is vital
      for clinicians providing care to terminally ill patients. The Schedule of
      Attitudes Toward Hastened Death (SAHD) is a commonly used self-report measure of
      DHD. The goal of this study was to use methods grounded in item response theory
      (IRT) to analyze the psychometric properties of the SAHD and identify an
      abbreviated version of the scale. Data were drawn from 4 studies of psychological
      distress at the end of life. Participants were 1,076 patients diagnosed with
      either advanced cancer or AIDS. The sample was divided into 2 subsamples for
      scale analysis and development of the shortened form. IRT was used to estimate
      item parameters. A 6-item version of the SAHD (SAHD-A) was identified through
      examination of item parameter estimations. The SAHD-A demonstrated adequate
      convergent validity. Receiver operating characteristic analyses indicated
      comparable cut scores to identify patients with high levels of DHD. These
      analyses support the utility of the SAHD-A, which can be more easily integrated
      into research studies and clinical assessments of DHD. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280745
TI  - Individuals at high risk for suicide are categorically distinct from those at low
      risk.
AB  - Although suicide risk is often thought of as existing on a graded continuum, its
      latent structure (i.e., whether it is categorical or dimensional) has not been
      empirically determined. Knowledge about the latent structure of suicide risk
      holds implications for suicide risk assessments, targeted suicide interventions,
      and suicide research. Our objectives were to determine whether suicide risk can
      best be understood as a categorical (i.e., taxonic) or dimensional entity, and to
      validate the nature of any obtained taxon. We conducted taxometric analyses of
      cross-sectional, baseline data from 16 independent studies funded by the Military
      Suicide Research Consortium. Participants (N = 1,773) primarily consisted of
      military personnel, and most had a history of suicidal behavior. The Comparison
      Curve Fit Index values for MAMBAC (.85), MAXEIG (.77), and L-Mode (.62) all
      strongly supported categorical (i.e., taxonic) structure for suicide risk. Follow
      up analyses comparing the taxon and complement groups revealed substantially
      larger effect sizes for the variables most conceptually similar to suicide risk
      compared with variables indicating general distress. Pending replication and
      establishment of the predictive validity of the taxon, our results suggest the
      need for a fundamental shift in suicide risk assessment, treatment, and research.
      Specifically, suicide risk assessments could be shortened without sacrificing
      validity, the most potent suicide interventions could be allocated to individuals
      in the high-risk group, and research should generally be conducted on individuals
      in the high-risk group. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280744
TI  - Factor structure of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS) across English and
      Spanish language responders in the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study.
AB  - Despite widespread use, psychometric investigation of the original English and
      translated Spanish versions of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; Cohen,
      Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983) has been limited among the U.S. Hispanic/Latino
      population. The present study examined the factor structure, factorial
      invariance, and reliability and validity of PSS scores from English and Spanish
      versions using data from 5,176 Hispanics/Latinos who participated in the Hispanic
      Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study. The total
      sample and language multigroup confirmatory factor analyses supported a bifactor
      model with all 10 PSS items loading on a general perceived stress factor, and the
      4 reverse-worded items also loading on a reverse-worded factor. Internal
      consistency ranged from .68 to .78, and it was indicated that reliable variance
      exists beyond the general perceived stress factor. The model displayed
      configural, metric, scalar, and residual invariance across language groups.
      Convergent validity analyses indicated that both the general perceived stress
      factor and the reverse-worded factor were related to scores of depression,
      anxiety, and anger in the expected directions. The reverse-worded factor added to
      the validity of the PSS beyond the general perceived stress factor. The total
      computed score of the PSS can be recommended for use with Hispanics/Latinos in
      the United States that complete the measure in English or Spanish and the reverse
      worded factor can enhance prediction. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280746
TI  - Rasch analysis of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale with African Americans.
AB  - Effectively diagnosing African Americans' self-esteem has posed an unresolved
      challenge. To address this assessment issue, we conducted exploratory factor
      analysis and Rasch analysis to assess the psychometric characteristics of the
      Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES, Rosenberg, 1965) for African American college
      students. The dimensional structure of the RSES was first identified with the
      first subsample (i.e., calibration subsample) and then held up under cross
      validation with a second subsample (i.e., validation subsample). Exploratory
      factor analysis and Rasch analysis both supported unidimensionality of the
      measure, with that finding replicated for a random split of the sample. Response
      scale use was generally appropriate, items were endorsed at a high level
      reflecting high levels of self-esteem, and person separation and reliability of
      person separation were adequate, and reflected results similar to those found in
      prior research. However, as some categories were infrequently used, we also
      collapsed scale points and found a slight improvement in scale and item indices.
      No differential item functioning was found by sex or having received professional
      assistance versus not; there were no mean score differences by age group, marital
      status, or year in college. Two items were seen as problematic. Implications for
      theory and research on multicultural mental health are discussed. (PsycINFO
      Database Record

PMID- 27280747
TI  - Systematic Review: Early Infant Feeding and the Risk of Type 1 Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In addition to genetic background, a number of environmental factors
      have been claimed to influence the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D),
      including infant diet. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to systematically
      update evidence on the possible relation between early feeding practices and the
      risk of T1D. METHODS: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and
      CINAHL were searched for studies of any design up to July 2015. MEDLINE and
      EMBASE were additionally searched in March 2016. The primary outcome measures
      were the development of T1D or T1D-associated autoimmunity (T1DA). RESULTS: Nine
      publications were identified. Breastfeeding at the time of gluten introduction,
      as compared to gluten introduction after weaning, did not reduce the risk of
      developing T1DA or T1D. In children at high risk of developing T1D, except for
      gluten introduction at 3 months or younger age compared with gluten introduction
      at older than 3 months, which increased the risk of T1DA, the age of gluten
      introduction in infants had no effect on the risk of developing T1DA.
      CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence, mainly from observational studies, does not
      support the claim that early infant feeding practices, such as breastfeeding at
      gluten introduction or the age of the infant at the time of gluten introduction,
      may decrease the risk of developing T1D. More robust data are needed from
      randomized controlled trials.

PMID- 27280749
TI  - HLA-B*44 May Be a Marker for Orofacial Granulomatosis.

PMID- 27280750
TI  - Correction to Stochastic On-Chip Detection of Subpicomolar Concentrations of
      Silver Nanoparticles.

PMID- 27280748
TI  - Are Expectations Too High for Transitioning Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel
      Disease? Examining Adult Medication Knowledge and Self-Management Skills.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Transition readiness assessment has focused attention on adolescent
      knowledge and skills, but data-driven benchmarks have not been established.
      METHODS: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ages 25 to 50 years,
      attending an outpatient gastroenterology clinic, were recruited to complete a
      voluntary, confidential survey asking patients to recall medications and
      potential side effects, and to rate their degree of independence performing
      health maintenance tasks. RESULTS: The 141 respondents (48% response rate) had
      mean age of 36 years with median disease duration of 11 years. They were 60%
      female, 54% had Crohn disease, and 23% were diagnosed before age 18. Nearly all
      patients were fully independent answering doctor's questions during the visit
      (93%) and scheduling office visits (92%). Excluding pharmacy pick up, full
      independence seen in only 57%, whereas 16% significantly delegated tasks. No
      differences by sex, disease type, medication class, age at disease onset, or
      disease duration were found across levels of self-management. Almost all (97%)
      respondents could recall medication name, whereas fewer were able to recall dose
      (63%) or frequency (65%). Side effect knowledge was poor; among 81 patients on a
      biologic or immunomodulator, only 17 (21%) cited cancer and 22 (27%) cited
      infection. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent IBD transition programs now have empirical
      data from the present study about adult benchmarks for independence in self
      management skills. Further research can establish which skills correlate with
      medication adherence and active collaboration with the medical team. The present
      study also exposes important gaps in medication risk knowledge and may allow
      improved patient education for subgroups of adult patients with IBD.

PMID- 27280752
TI  - A Novel Surgical Approach to Coracoid-based Eosinophilic Granuloma and the
      Technical Trick.
AB  - The coracoid base is a very rare location for tumors. It is difficult to diagnose
      and approach, but easy to dismiss. In this case, the tumor (eosinophilic
      granuloma of the scapula) was located at the base of the coracoid, and the
      posterior cortex was eroded by the tumor. Accessing this lesion through the
      deltopectoral approach with coracoid osteotomy without penetrating the supposed
      tumor extending posterior soft tissue will be discussed. This approach gives a
      wider and safer access to the surgeon than the posterior approach. This report
      presents a customized solution with the deltopectoral approach, and the chevron
      type osteotomy to access the coracoid base and tension band wiring to fix the
      osteotomy side. 

PMID- 27280751
TI  - Adequacy of Mental Health Services for HIV-Positive Patients with Depression:
      Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major depression can profoundly impact clinical and quality-of-life
      outcomes of people living with HIV, and this disease is underdiagnosed and
      undertreated in many HIV-positive individuals. Here, we describe the prevalence
      of publicly funded primary and secondary mental health service use and
      antidepressant use, as well as mental health care for depression in accordance
      with existing Canadian guidelines for HIV-positive patients with depression in
      Ontario, Canada. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study linking data
      from the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study with administrative health
      databases in the province of Ontario, Canada. Current depression was assessed
      using the Center for Epidemiologic Depression Scale or the Kessler Psychological
      Distress Scale. Multivariable regressions were used to characterize prevalence
      outcomes. RESULTS: Of 990 HIV-positive patients with depression, 493 (50%)
      patients used mental health services; 182 (18%) used primary services (general
      practitioners); 176 (18%) used secondary services (psychiatrists); and 135 (14%)
      used both. Antidepressants were used by 407 (39%) patients. Patients who
      identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, as having low income or educational
      attainment, or as non-native English speakers or immigrants to Canada were less
      likely to obtain care. Of 493 patients using mental health services, 250 (51%)
      received mental health care for depression in accordance with existing Canadian
      guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed gaps in delivering publicly funded
      mental health services to depressed HIV-positive patients and identified unequal
      access to these services, particularly among vulnerable groups. More effective
      mental health policies and better access to mental health services are required
      to address HIV-positive patient needs and reduce depression's impact on their
      lives.

PMID- 27280753
TI  - Osteochondral Autograft Transfer for Treatment of Metacarpophalangeal and
      Interphalangeal Cartilage Defects.
AB  - There is no general consensus regarding the optimal surgical treatment for
      cartilage defects of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints in active
      patients who wish to preserve motion and functionality. We describe our technique
      of arthroscopically harvested femoral osteochondral autograft for treatment of
      metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal cartilage defects. 

PMID- 27280754
TI  - A Novel Technique for Correcting Extensor Lag in Vascularized Toe PIP Joint
      Transfers.
AB  - The use of the vascularized second-toe proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) for
      vascularized joint transfers (VJTs) allows for restoration of powerful
      pinch/grasp and range of movement of a PIPJ in the hand. However, because of the
      lack of central slip formation in the majority of toes, the reconstructed PIPJ
      often results in extension lag. Extension lag associated with poor central slip
      formation in the lesser toes can be corrected using central slip reconstruction
      methods such as the Stack method. However, such methods are often cumbersome and
      involve extensive dissection and soft tissue manipulation. We present a novel,
      reproducible, simple yet effective technique in recreating the insertion point of
      the extensor tendon in the reconstructed finger, hence correcting the issue of
      extensor lag in vascularized toe joint transfers. The crux of this technique
      empowers the surgeon with the ability to correct inherent extensor lag of toes in
      VTJs. This will hence nullify "toe PIPJ angles" as a preselection criteria in
      determining patients suitable for VJT, thus enabling more patients to benefit
      from VJTs. 

PMID- 27280755
TI  - Nanoshell Assembly for Magnet-Responsive Oil-Degrading Bacteria.
AB  - The modified polyelectrolyte-magnetite nanocoating was applied to functionalize
      the cell walls of oil decomposing bacteria Alcanivorax borkumensis. Cationic
      coacervate of poly(allylamine) and 20 nm iron oxide nanoparticles allowed for a
      rapid single-step encapsulation process exploiting electrostatic interaction with
      bacteria surfaces. The bacteria were covered with rough 70-100-nm-thick shells of
      magnetite loosely bound to the surface through polycations. This encapsulation
      allowed for external manipulations of A. borkumensis with magnetic field, as
      demonstrated by magnetically facilitated cell displacement on the agar substrate.
      Magnetic coating was naturally removed after multiple cell proliferations
      providing next generations of the cell in the native nonmagnetic form. The
      discharged biosurfactant vesicles indicating the bacterial functionality (150 +/-
      50 nm lipid micelles) were visualized with atomic force microscopy in the
      bacterial biofilms.

PMID- 27280756
TI  - Sphenoid Wing Dysplasia with Pulsatile Exophthalmos in Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

PMID- 27280764
TI  - The Impact of Glyphosate, Its Metabolites and Impurities on Viability, ATP Level
      and Morphological changes in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.
AB  - The toxicity of herbicides to animals and human is an issue of worldwide concern.
      The present study has been undertaken to assess toxic effect of widely used
      pesticide-glyphosate, its metabolites: aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and
      methylphosphonic acid and its impurities: N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid
      (PMIDA), N-methylglyphosate, hydroxymethylphosphonic acid and bis
      (phosphonomethyl)amine on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We
      have evaluated the effect of those compounds on viability, ATP level, size (FSC-A
      parameter) and granulation (SSC-A parameter) of the cells studied. Human
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells were exposed to different concentrations of
      glyphosate, its metabolites and impurities (0.01-10 mM) for 4 and 24 h. It was
      found that investigated compounds caused statistically significant decrease in
      viability and ATP level of PBMCs. The strongest changes in cell viability and ATP
      level were observed after 24 h incubation of PBMCs with bis
      (phosphonomethyl)amine, and particularly PMIDA. Moreover, all studied compounds
      changed cell granularity, while PMIDA and bis-(phosphonomethyl)amine altered
      PBMCs size. It may be concluded that bis-(phosphonomethyl)amine, and PMIDA caused
      a slightly stronger damage to PBMCs than did glyphosate. Changes in the
      parameters studied in PBMCs were observed only at high concentrations of the
      compounds examined, which clearly shows that they may occur in this cell type
      only as a result of acute poisoning of human organism with these substances. 

PMID- 27280769
TI  - Unlocking the Origin of Superior Performance of a Si-Ge Core-Shell Nanowire
      Quantum Dot Field Effect Transistor.
AB  - The sustained advancement in semiconducting core-shell nanowire technology has
      unlocked a tantalizing route for making next generation field effect transistor
      (FET). Understanding how to control carrier mobility of these nanowire channels
      by applying a gate field is the key to developing a high performance FET. Herein,
      we have identified the switching mechanism responsible for the superior
      performance of a Si-Ge core-shell nanowire quantum dot FET over its homogeneous
      Si counterpart. A quantum transport approach is used to investigate the gate
      field modulated switching behavior in electronic current for ultranarrow Si and
      Si-Ge core-shell nanowire quantum dot FETs. Our calculations reveal that for the
      ON state, the gate-field induced transverse localization of the wave function
      restricts the carrier transport to the outer (shell) layer with the pz orbitals
      providing the pathway for tunneling of electrons in the channels. The higher ON
      state current in the Si-Ge core-shell nanowire FET is attributed to the pz
      orbitals that are distributed over the entire channel; in the case of Si
      nanowire, the participating pz orbital is restricted to a few Si atoms in the
      channel resulting in a smaller tunneling current. Within the gate bias range
      considered here, the transconductance is found to be substantially higher in the
      case of a Si-Ge core-shell nanowire FET than in a Si nanowire FET, which suggests
      a much higher mobility in the Si-Ge nanowire device.

PMID- 27280768
TI  - Leishmania major Promastigotes Evade LC3-Associated Phagocytosis through the
      Action of GP63.
AB  - The protozoan Leishmania parasitizes macrophages and evades the microbicidal
      consequences of phagocytosis through the inhibition of phagolysosome biogenesis.
      In this study, we investigated the impact of this parasite on LC3-associated
      phagocytosis, a non-canonical autophagic process that enhances phagosome
      maturation and functions. We show that whereas internalization of L. major
      promastigotes by macrophages promoted LC3 lipidation, recruitment of LC3 to
      phagosomes was inhibited through the action of the parasite surface
      metalloprotease GP63. Reactive oxygen species generated by the NOX2 NADPH oxidase
      are necessary for LC3-associated phagocytosis. We found that L. major
      promastigotes prevented, in a GP63-dependent manner, the recruitment of NOX2 to
      phagosomes through a mechanism that does not involve NOX2 cleavage. Moreover, we
      found that the SNARE protein VAMP8, which regulates phagosomal assembly of the
      NADPH oxidase NOX2, was down-modulated by GP63. In the absence of VAMP8,
      recruitment of LC3 to phagosomes containing GP63-deficient parasites was
      inhibited, indicating that VAMP8 is involved in the phagosomal recruitment of
      LC3. These findings reveal a role for VAMP8 in LC3-associated phagocytosis and
      highlight a novel mechanism exploited by L. major promastigotes to interfere with
      the host antimicrobial machinery.

PMID- 27280770
TI  - Erratum: Vesicular Galectin-3 levels decrease with donor age and contribute to
      the reduced osteo-inductive potential of human plasma derived extracellular
      vesicles.

PMID- 27280771
TI  - Alpha 5 Integrin Mediates Osteoarthritic Changes in Mouse Knee Joints.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of most common skeletal disorders and can affect
      synovial joints such as knee and ankle joints. alpha5 integrin, a major
      fibronectin receptor, is expressed in articular cartilage and has been
      demonstrated to play roles in synovial joint development and in the regulation of
      chondrocyte survival and matrix degradation in articular cartilage. We
      hypothesized that alpha5 integrin signaling is involved in pathogenesis of OA. To
      test this, we generated compound mice that conditionally ablate alpha5 integrin
      in the synovial joints using the Gdf5Cre system. The compound mice were born
      normally and had an overall appearance similar to the control mice. However, when
      the mutant mice received the OA surgery, they showed stronger resistance to
      osteoarthritic changes than the control. Specifically the mutant knee joints
      presented lower levels of cartilage matrix and structure loss and synovial
      changes and showed stronger biomechanical properties than the control knee
      joints. These findings indicate that alpha5 integrin may not be essential for
      synovial joint development but play a causative role in induction of
      osteoarthritic changes. 

PMID- 27280772
TI  - Transfer and Decontamination of S. aureus in Transmission Routes Regarding Hands
      and Contact Surfaces.
AB  - Hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection are pre-requirements for hygiene
      management in hospital settings and the food industry. In order to facilitate
      risk management, different contamination scenarios and interventions need to be
      evaluated. In the present study data on transfer rates and reductions of
      Staphylococcus aureus were provided in an experimental set-up using artificial
      skin. Using this methodology, test persons were not exposed with pathogenic
      bacteria. An exposure assessment model was developed and applied to evaluate
      different contamination routes and hygiene interventions. The transfer rates of
      S. aureus from inoculated VITRO-SKIN(r) to fomites were calculated from blotting
      series. The VITRO-SKIN(r) was more prone to spread bacteria than fomites. When
      different surfaces were cleaned, the reduction of S. aureus varied between <1 and
      7 log CFU. It could not be concluded that a certain coupon material, cleaning
      agent, cleaning wipe, soiling or humidity consistently resulted in a high or low
      reduction of S. aureus. The reduction of S. aureus and E. coli during hand
      washing was evaluated on artificial skin, VITRO-SKIN(r). The reduction of E. coli
      on VITRO-SKIN(r) was similar to the log reduction obtained when washing human
      hands. The S. aureus count on a human hand was both calculated in different
      scenarios describing different contamination routes starting from a contaminated
      hand using the exposure assessment model, and measured on an experimental setup
      using VITRO-SKIN(r) for validation. A linear relationship was obtained between
      the analysed level of S. aureus and the calculated level. However, the calculated
      levels of S. aureus on the VITRO-SKIN(r) in the scenarios were 1-1.5 log lower
      than the analysed level. One of the scenarios was used to study the effect of
      interventions like hand washing and cleaning of surfaces. 

PMID- 27280773
TI  - Correction: Characterization of the Antiglioma Effect of the Oncolytic Adenovirus
      VCN-01.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147211.].

PMID- 27280774
TI  - Correction: Dredging in the Spratly Islands: Gaining Land but Losing Reefs.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002422.].

PMID- 27280775
TI  - Who Shall Not Be Treated: Public Attitudes on Setting Health Care Priorities by
      Person-Based Criteria in 28 Nations.
AB  - The principle of distributing health care according to medical need is being
      challenged by increasing costs. As a result, many countries have initiated a
      debate on the introduction of explicit priority regulations based on medical,
      economic and person-based criteria, or have already established such regulations.
      Previous research on individual attitudes towards setting health care priorities
      based on medical and economic criteria has revealed consistent results, whereas
      studies on the use of person-based criteria have generated controversial
      findings. This paper examines citizens' attitudes towards three person-based
      priority criteria, patients' smoking habits, age and being the parent of a young
      child. Using data from the ISSP Health Module (2011) in 28 countries, logistic
      regression analysis demonstrates that self-interest as well as socio-demographic
      predictors significantly influence respondents' attitudes towards the use of
      person-based criteria for health care prioritization. This study contributes to
      resolving the controversial findings on person-based criteria by using a larger
      country sample and by controlling for country-level differences with fixed
      effects models. 

PMID- 27280776
TI  - Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Alimentary Tract Development in Manduca sexta.
AB  - Non-invasive 3D magnetic resonance imaging techniques were used to investigate
      metamorphosis of the alimentary tract of Manduca sexta from the larval to the
      adult stage. The larval midgut contracts in volume immediately following
      cessation of feeding and then greatly enlarges during the late pharate pupal
      period. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the foregut and hindgut of the
      pharate pupa undergo ecdysis considerably earlier than the external exoskeleton.
      Expansion of air sacs in the early pupa and development of flight muscles several
      days later appear to orient the midgut into its adult position in the abdomen.
      The crop, an adult auxiliary storage organ, begins development as a dorsal
      outgrowth of the foregut. This coincides with a reported increase in pupal
      ecdysteroid titers. An outgrowth of the hindgut, the rectal sac, appears several
      days later and continues to expand until it nearly fills the dorsal half of the
      abdominal cavity. This development correlates with a second rise in pupal
      ecdysteroid titers. In the pharate pupa, the presence of paramagnetic species
      renders the silk glands hyperintense. 

PMID- 27280777
TI  - Amphipathic beta2,2-Amino Acid Derivatives Suppress Infectivity and Disrupt the
      Intracellular Replication Cycle of Chlamydia pneumoniae.
AB  - We demonstrate in the current work that small cationic antimicrobial beta2,2
      amino acid derivatives (Mw < 500 Da) are highly potent against Chlamydia
      pneumoniae at clinical relevant concentrations (< 5 MUM, i.e. < 3.4 MUg/mL). C.
      pneumoniae is an atypical respiratory pathogen associated with frequent treatment
      failures and persistent infections. This gram-negative bacterium has a biphasic
      life cycle as infectious elementary bodies and proliferating reticulate bodies,
      and efficient treatment is challenging because of its long and obligate
      intracellular replication cycle within specialized inclusion vacuoles.
      Chlamydicidal effect of the beta2,2-amino acid derivatives in infected human
      epithelial cells was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Images of
      infected host cells treated with our lead derivative A2 revealed affected
      chlamydial inclusion vacuoles 24 hours post infection. Only remnants of
      elementary and reticulate bodies were detected at later time points. Neither the
      EM studies nor resazurin-based cell viability assays showed toxic effects on
      uninfected host cells or cell organelles after A2 treatment. Besides the effects
      on early intracellular inclusion vacuoles, the ability of these beta2,2-amino
      acid derivatives to suppress Chlamydia pneumoniae infectivity upon treatment of
      elementary bodies suggested also a direct interaction with bacterial membranes.
      Synthetic beta2,2-amino acid derivatives that target C. pneumoniae represent
      promising lead molecules for development of antimicrobial agents against this
      hard-to-treat intracellular pathogen. 

PMID- 27280779
TI  - Researchers Are Curious Creatures: Message From the President.

PMID- 27280778
TI  - Mechanism of Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A Attenuation of CpG-Induced
      Antibody Production.
AB  - Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) had previously been shown to act as a
      damage associated molecular pattern with the ability to enhance CpG-A
      phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN)-mediated stimulation of IFNalpha
      production from human plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Examination of the mechanism
      by which TFAM might influence CpG ODN mediated innate immune responses revealed
      that TFAM binds directly, tightly and selectively to the structurally related CpG
      A, -B, and -C ODN. TFAM also modulated the ability of the CpG-B or -C to
      stimulate the production of antibodies from human B cells. TFAM showed a dose
      dependent modulation of CpG-B, and -C -induced antibody production from human B
      cells in vitro, with enhancement of high dose and inhibition of low doses of CpG
      stimulation. This effect was linked to the ability of TFAM to directly inhibit
      the binding of CpG ODNs to B cells, in a manner consistent with the relative
      binding affinities of TFAM for the ODNs. These data suggest that TFAM alters the
      free concentration of the CpG available to stimulate B cells by sequestering this
      ODN in a TFAM-CpG complex. Thus, TFAM has the potential to decrease the
      pathogenic consequences of exposure to natural CpG-like hypomethylated DNA in
      vivo, as well as such as that found in traumatic injury, infection, autoimmune
      disease and during pregnancy. 

PMID- 27280780
TI  - Improving motorcycle conspicuity through innovative headlight configurations.
AB  - Most motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle that violated the motorcycle's
      right-of-way at an intersection. Two kinds of perceptual failures of other road
      users are often the cause of such accidents: motorcycle-detection failures and
      motion-perception errors. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of
      different headlight configurations on motorcycle detectability when the
      motorcycle is in visual competition with cars. Three innovative headlight
      configurations were tested: (1) standard yellow (central yellow headlight), (2)
      vertical white (one white light on the motorcyclist's helmet and two white lights
      on the fork in addition to the central white headlight), and (3) vertical yellow
      (same configuration as (2) with yellow lights instead of white). These three
      headlight configurations were evaluated in comparison to the standard
      configuration (central white headlight) in three environments containing visual
      distractors formed by car lights: (1) daytime running lights (DRLs), (2) low
      beams, or (3) DRLs and low beams. Video clips of computer-generated traffic
      situations were displayed briefly (250ms) to 57 drivers. The results revealed a
      beneficial effect of standard yellow configuration and the vertical yellow
      configuration on motorcycle detectability. However, this effect was modulated by
      the car-DRL environment. Findings and practical recommendations are discussed
      with regard to possible applications for motorcycles. 

PMID- 27280781
TI  - Patterns of recurrence and treatment in male breast cancer: A clue to prognosis?
AB  - Male breast cancer (MBC) patients seem to have inferior survival compared to
      female (FBC) ones, which is not fully explained by usual prognostic factors.
      Recurrence analysis could show differences in relapse patterns and/or in
      patients' approaches that justify these outcomes. Retrospective analysis of MBC
      patients treated in a cancer center between 1990 and 2014, looking for relapse.
      For each patient, three matched FBC patients were selected by: diagnosis' year,
      age (within 5 years), stage and tumors' type (only luminal-like were considered).
      Differences between cohorts were assessed by chi(2) test and hierarchical
      clustering was performed to define subgroups according to relapse local. Survival
      curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier and compared using log-rank test.
      Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Groups were balanced according
      to age, histological grade, stage, expression of hormonal receptors and adjuvant
      treatments. Median time to recurrence was equivalent, p = 0.72, with the majority
      of patients presented with distant metastases, p = 0.69, with more lung
      involvement in male, p = 0.003. Male patients were more often proposed to
      symptomatic treatment (21.1% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.02). Overall and from recurrence
      survivals were poorer for male, median: 5 years [95% confidence interval (CI):
      4.1-5.9 years] and 1 year (95% CI: 0-2.1 years) vs. 10 years (95% CI: 7.8-12.2
      years) and 2 years (95% CI: 1.6-2.4 years), p < 0.001 and p = 0.004,
      respectively, and this tendency remained in the five cluster subgroups, that
      identified five patterns of relapse, p = 0.003. MBC patients had the worst
      survival, even after controlling important factors, namely the local of relapse.
      Palliative systemic treatment had favorable impact in prognosis and its
      frequently avoidance in male could justify the outcomes differences.

PMID- 27280782
TI  - Predicting Postoperative Morbidity and Readmission for Revision Posterior Lumbar
      Fusion.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this
      study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for 30-day adverse events
      after revision posterior lumbar fusion. The secondary aim was to determine the
      incidence and risk factors for 30-day readmission after revision posterior lumbar
      fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The need for revision of a lumbar fusion is
      an unfortunate occurrence, and there is little known about specific risk factors
      for morbidity and readmission after this procedure. The purpose of this study is
      to use a large, national sample to identify patient and operative factors that
      may contribute to the development of these adverse outcomes. METHODS: The
      American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS
      NSQIP) database was used to identify patients undergoing revision posterior
      lumbar fusion from 2005 to 2013. Patient characteristics were tested for
      association with any adverse event (AAE), severe adverse events (SAEs), minor
      adverse events (MAEs), and readmission within 30 days postoperatively using
      multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1287 patients identified, 8.2% had an AAE,
      5.6% had an SAE, and 3.2% had an MAE. AAE was independently associated with
      American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification >=3 and operative time
      >=310 minutes (P<0.05 for each). SAEs were associated with only ASA
      classification >=3 (P=0.047). MAEs were associated with insulin-dependent
      diabetes, operative time >=310 minutes, and 3 or more levels of fusion (P<0.05
      for all).Sixty-five patients (5.6%) were readmitted. On multivariate analysis,
      body mass index (BMI) 25-30, BMI 30-35, BMI>=35, ASA classification >=3, insulin
      dependent diabetes, a 2-level fusion, and 3 or more levels of fusion were
      associated with readmission (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: In general, longer,
      more extensive procedures on sicker patients were associated with increased risk
      of postoperative complications and readmission.

PMID- 27280783
TI  - Patterns of Neurological Recovery After Anterior Decompression With Fusion and
      Posterior Decompression With Laminoplasty for the Treatment of Multilevel
      Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: The pattern of neurological recovery in the overall modified
      Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, upper limb function score, and lower limb
      function score after surgical decompression for patients suffering from
      multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were analyzed in this
      independent retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this
      retrospective study was to compare the upper and lower limb function changes
      after anterior decompression with fusion versus posterior decompression with
      laminoplasty for patients suffering from multilevel CSM. An additional objective
      was to describe the neural recovery speed. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Few
      comparative studies have been conducted to evaluate the outcome of anterior
      versus posterior surgery in multilevel CSM. However, these assessments tend to be
      of a more global perspective, looking at a composite score for upper limb, lower
      limb, and bladder function. No reports have separately analyzed the upper and
      lower limb function changes after anterior and posterior decompression for
      multilevel CSM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 132 patients were classified
      into anterior and posterior decompression groups based on the different surgical
      approach they underwent. The pattern of neurological recovery in the overall
      modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, upper limb function score, and
      lower limb function score after surgical decompression were documented and
      analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the overall
      neurological recovery between anterior and posterior decompression groups. But in
      terms of the upper or lower limb function changes after operation, it appeared
      that the upper limbs recovered better with anterior decompression. The surgical
      approach did not significantly alter lower extremity recovery potential. In
      addition, most of the neurological recovery occurred in the first 9 months after
      surgical decompression. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend a individualized approach when
      it is difficult to determine an anterior or posterior surgery for multilevel CSM.
      Rehabilitation training should be carried out as early as possible.

PMID- 27280784
TI  - Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Spinal Cord Herniation.
AB  - Thoracic spinal cord herniation (TSCH) is an unusual condition characterized by
      central displacement of the spinal cord through a dural defect, resulting in
      neurological impairment due to compression and vascular compromise. Different
      surgical techniques have been described to treat symptomatic patients with TSCH
      such as closure of the defect by primary sutures after reducing the spinal cord,
      widening the dural defect to prevent cord strangulation, or reducing the spinal
      cord and using a dural patch. Through a case presentation of a 62-year-old woman
      with TSCH, we describe step-by-step, a surgical technique for repair by reducing
      the spinal cord and using a dural patch. In our experience surgical reduction of
      the hernia will frequently improve the patient's symptoms and signs even in
      patients with longstanding deficits. The final objective of this surgical
      technique is to prevent recurrent herniation and progressive deficit.

PMID- 27280785
TI  - Fluorescence Probe Based on Hybrid Mesoporous Silica/Quantum Dot/Molecularly
      Imprinted Polymer for Detection of Tetracycline.
AB  - A newly designed fluorescence probe made from a hybrid quantum dot/mesoporous
      silica/molecularly imprinted polymer (QD/MS/MIP) was successfully created, and
      the probe was used for the detection of tetracycline (TC) in serum sample.
      QD/MS/MIP was characterized by transmission electron microscope, Fourier
      transform infrared spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction,
      nitrogen adsorption-desorption experiment and fluorescence spectroscopy.
      Tetracycline, which is a type of broad-spectrum antibiotic, was selected as the
      template. The monomer and the template were combined by covalent bonds. After the
      template was removed to form a binding site, a hydrogen bonding interaction
      formed between the hole and the target molecule. Moreover, when rebinding TC, a
      new complex was produced between the amino group of QD/MS/MIP and the hydroxyl
      group of TC. After that, the energy of the QDs could transfer to the complex,
      which explains the fluorescence quenching phenomenon. The fluorescent intensity
      of QD/MS/MIP decreased in 10 min, and an excellent linearity from 50 to 1000 ng
      mL(-1) was correspondingly obtained. This composite material has a high
      selectivity with an imprinting factor of 6.71. In addition, the confirmed probe
      strategy was successfully applied to serum sample analyses, and the recoveries
      were 90.2%-97.2% with relative standard deviations of 2.2%-5.7%. This current
      work offers a novel and suitable method to synthesize QD/MS/MIP with a highly
      selective recognition ability. This composite material will be valuable for use
      in fluorescence probe applications. 

PMID- 27280786
TI  - Identification of Functional Domains in the Cohesin Loader Subunit Scc4 by a
      Random Insertion/Dominant Negative Screen.
AB  - Cohesin is a multi-subunit complex that plays an essential role in genome
      stability. Initial association of cohesin with chromosomes requires the loader-a
      heterodimer composed of Scc4 and Scc2 However, very little is known about the
      loader's mechanism of action. In this study, we performed a genetic screen to
      identify functional domains in the Scc4 subunit of the loader. We isolated scc4
      mutant alleles that, when overexpressed, have a dominant negative effect on cell
      viability. We defined a small region in the N terminus of Scc4 that is dominant
      negative when overexpressed, and on which Scc2/Scc4 activity depends. When the
      mutant alleles are expressed as a single copy, they are recessive and do not
      support cell viability, cohesion, cohesin loading or Scc4 chromatin binding. In
      addition, we show that the mutants investigated reduce, but do not eliminate, the
      interaction of Scc4 with either Scc2 or cohesin. However, we show that Scc4
      cannot bind cohesin in the absence of Scc2 Our results provide new insight into
      the roles of Scc4 in cohesin loading, and contribute to deciphering the loading
      mechanism.

PMID- 27280787
TI  - A Combination of CRISPR/Cas9 and Standardized RNAi as a Versatile Platform for
      the Characterization of Gene Function.
AB  - Traditional loss-of-function studies in Drosophila suffer from a number of
      shortcomings, including off-target effects in the case of RNA interference (RNAi)
      or the stochastic nature of mosaic clonal analysis. Here, we describe minimal in
      vivo GFP interference (miGFPi) as a versatile strategy to characterize gene
      function and to conduct highly stringent, cell type-specific loss-of-function
      experiments in Drosophila miGFPi combines CRISPR/Cas9-mediated tagging of genes
      at their endogenous locus with an immunotag and an exogenous 21 nucleotide RNAi
      effector sequence with the use of a single reagent, highly validated RNAi line
      targeting this sequence. We demonstrate the utility and time effectiveness of
      this method by characterizing the function of the Polymerase I (Pol I)-associated
      transcription factor Tif-1a, and the previously uncharacterized gene MESR4, in
      the Drosophila female germline stem cell lineage. In addition, we show that
      miGFPi serves as a powerful technique to functionally characterize individual
      isoforms of a gene. We exemplify this aspect of miGFPi by studying isoform
      specific loss-of-function phenotypes of the longitudinals lacking (lola) gene in
      neural stem cells. Altogether, the miGFPi strategy constitutes a generalized loss
      of-function approach that is amenable to the study of the function of all genes
      in the genome in a stringent and highly time effective manner.

PMID- 27280789
TI  - Diagnostic-driven antifungal therapy in neutropenic patients using the D-index
      and serial serum galactomannan testing.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Invasive mold disease is an important complication of patients with
      hematologic malignancies, and is associated with high mortality. A diagnostic
      driven approach has been an alternative to the classical empiric antifungal
      therapy. In the present study we tested an algorithm that incorporated risk
      stratification using the D-index, serial serum galactomannan and computed
      tomographic-scan to guide the decision to start antifungal therapy in neutropenic
      patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2010 and August 2012, patients with
      acute leukemia in induction remission were prospectively monitored from day 1 of
      chemotherapy until discharge or death with the D-index and galactomannan.
      Patients were stratified in low, intermediate and high risk according to the D
      index and an extensive workup for invasive mold disease was performed in case of
      positive galactomannan (>=0.5), persistent fever, or the appearance of clinical
      manifestations suggestive of invasive mold disease. RESULTS: Among 29 patients, 6
      (21%), 11 (38%), and 12 (41%) were classified as high, intermediate, and low
      risk, respectively. Workup for invasive mold disease was undertaken in 67%, 73%
      and 58% (p=0.77) of patients in each risk category, respectively, and antifungal
      therapy was given to 67%, 54.5%, and 17% (p=0.07). Proven or probable invasive
      mold disease was diagnosed in 67%, 45.5%, and in none (p=0.007) of high,
      intermediate, and low risk patients, respectively. All patients survived.
      CONCLUSION: A risk stratification using D-index was a useful instrument to be
      incorporated in invasive mold disease diagnostic approach, resulting in a more
      comprehensive antifungal treatment strategy, and to guide an earlier start of
      treatment in afebrile patients under very high risk.

PMID- 27280790
TI  - Characteristics of gonorrhea and syphilis cases among the Roma ethnic group in
      Belgrade, Serbia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Roma ethnic group is the largest and most marginalized minority
      in Europe, believed to be vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections. AIM: The
      purpose of the study was to investigate frequency and characteristics of
      gonorrhea and syphilis among the Roma population in Belgrade. METHODS: Data from
      the City Institute for Skin and Venereal Diseases to which all gonorrhea and
      syphilis cases are referred were analyzed. RESULTS: During the period of 2010
      2014 sexually transmitted infections were more frequent among Roma than in rest
      of Belgrade population. Average percentages of Roma among all reported subjects
      with syphilis and those with gonorrhea were 9.6% and 13.5%, respectively, while
      the percentage of Roma in the total Belgrade population was about 1.6%. Roma with
      syphilis and gonorrhea were more frequently men (75%), most frequently aged 20-29
      years (43.4%), never married (64.5%), with elementary school or less (59.2%),
      unemployed (80.3%), and heterosexual (89.5%). Among Roma 10.5% were sex workers
      and 68.4% did not know the source of their infection. Significant differences
      between Roma cases and other cases in Belgrade in all characteristics observed
      were in agreement with differences between Roma population and the total
      population of Serbia. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed the vulnerability
      of the Roma population to sexually transmitted infections.

PMID- 27280788
TI  - Synthetic Physical Interactions Map Kinetochore-Checkpoint Activation Regions.
AB  - The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a key mechanism to regulate the timing
      of mitosis and ensure that chromosomes are correctly segregated to daughter
      cells. The recruitment of the Mad1 and Mad2 proteins to the kinetochore is
      normally necessary for SAC activation. This recruitment is coordinated by the SAC
      kinase Mps1, which phosphorylates residues at the kinetochore to facilitate
      binding of Bub1, Bub3, Mad1, and Mad2. There is evidence that the essential
      function of Mps1 is to direct recruitment of Mad1/2. To test this model, we have
      systematically recruited Mad1, Mad2, and Mps1 to most proteins in the yeast
      kinetochore, and find that, while Mps1 is sufficient for checkpoint activation,
      recruitment of either Mad1 or Mad2 is not. These data indicate an important role
      for Mps1 phosphorylation in SAC activation, beyond the direct recruitment of Mad1
      and Mad2.

PMID- 27280791
TI  - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from surfaces and personnel
      at a hospital laundry facility.
AB  - AIM: Examine a clinical laundry facility for the presence of methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on environmental surfaces and among
      personnel. METHODS: Nasal and face samples along with surface samples were
      collected four times in 2015. MRSA isolates were confirmed using standardized
      biochemical assays and molecular characterization. RESULTS: MRSA was identified
      in 33/120 (28%) samples from the dirty and 3/120 (3%) samples from the clean
      environmental areas. MRSA isolates included: (dirty) ST5 SCCmec type II, ST8
      SCCmec type IV, ST231 SCCmec type II, ST239 SCCmec type III, ST239 SCCmec type
      IV, ST256 SCCmec type IV and (clean) ST5 SCCmec type II and ST8 SCCmec type IV.
      Five different employees were MRSA positive, 4/8 (50%) from the dirty: and 1/15
      (6.7%) from the clean, but there was a 10-fold higher MRSA carriage 6/22 (27%)
      dirty vs 1/38 (2.6%) clean when all 50 human samples were combined. CONCLUSION:
      MRSA prevalence was significantly higher (28 vs 3%) in dirty vs clean areas
      within the laundry facility suggesting a greater risk for personnel on the dirty
      side. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of isolation
      and characterization of MRSA from surfaces and personnel from a clinical laundry
      facility.

PMID- 27280793
TI  - Withdrawn: Current approach for the diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia.
AB  - Withdrawn by the publisher.

PMID- 27280792
TI  - Uncomplicated Clinical Malaria Features, the Efficacy of Artesunate-Amodiaquine
      and Their Relation with Multiplicity of Infection in the Democratic Republic of
      Congo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) is
      the first-line medication recommended for uncomplicated malaria treatment. We
      conducted a study in Kinshasa to describe the clinical features of the disease
      and assess the efficacy of ASAQ and its impact on the multiplicity of infection
      in children with uncomplicated malaria. METHODS: Children aged 12 to 59 months
      with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were treated with ASAQ and followed up
      passively for 42 days. To distinguish new infections from recrudescent parasites,
      samples were genotyped using a stepwise strategy with three molecular markers
      (GLURP, MSP2 and MSP1). We then assessed PCR-corrected and -uncorrected day-42
      cure rates and multiplicity of infection (MOI). RESULTS: In total, 2,796 patients
      were screened and 865 enrolled in the study. Clinical features were characterized
      by history of fever (100%), coryza (59.9%) and weakness (59.4%). The crude and
      PCR-corrected efficacies of ASAQ were 55.3% (95%CI: 51.8-58.8) and 92.8% (95%CI:
      91.0-94.6) respectively, as 83.6% (95%CI: 79.1-87.2) of the recurrences were new
      infections. Compared to monoclonal infections, polyclonal infections were more
      frequent at enrollment (88.1%) and in recurrences (80.1%; p = 0.005; OR: 1.8,
      95%CI: 1.20-2.8). The median MOI at enrollment (MOI = 3.7; IQR: 0.7-6.7)
      decreased to 3 (IQR: 1-5) in the recurrent samples (p<0.001). Patients infected
      with a single haplotype on day 0 had no recrudescence; the risk of recrudescence
      increased by 28% with each additional haplotype (HR: 1.3, 95%CI: 1.24-1.44).
      CONCLUSION: The PCR-corrected efficacy of ASAQ at day 42 was 92.8%, but crude
      efficacy was relatively poor due to high reinfection rates. Treatment outcomes
      were positively correlated with MOI. Continued monitoring of the efficacy of ACTs
      ASAQ, in this case-is paramount. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov
      NCT01374581.

PMID- 27280794
TI  - Evolving Treatment Algorithms in Crohn's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, disabling and destructive
      condition. Half of patients will develop some bowel damage (stricture, fistula
      and/or abscess). Current therapeutic strategies failed to alter its natural
      history. OBJECTIVE: We explore in a review article the evolution of CD treatment
      over a quarter of a century from a linear sequence of treatment intensification
      to a complex algorithm focused on individualized patient care by looking beyond
      symptoms. Specifically we focus on evolving concepts in assessing disease
      severity, selecting rigorous treatment end-targets, initiating an effective
      therapeutic therapy, and managing secondary loss of response. RESULTS: A tight
      monitoring of objective signs of inflammation and a treat-to-target approach are
      probably the only way to change patients' life and disease course. We now seek to
      optimize our therapeutic tools according to patient profile, disease phenotype
      and the unique pharmacodynamics that ensues. CONCLUSION: Standardizing the
      clinical practice of gastroenteroogists with the most current treatment algorithm
      may minimize disease related complications while favouring patient's quality of
      life.

PMID- 27280795
TI  - Non Coding RNAs: A New Avenue for the Self-Tailoring of Blood Cancer Treatment.
AB  - Hematological malignancies, accounting for about 10% of all deaths for cancer,
      include various forms of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. At present,
      hematological malignancies are analyzed and classified on the basis of
      morphologic characteristics, cell surface markers, cytogenetic aberrations and
      molecular markers. Unfortunately, in most cases, standard criteria are not
      sufficient for both an early diagnosis and a complete classification. The latter
      issue hampers an optimal therapeutic choice for these patients that often display
      heterogeneous clinical outcomes or responses to therapy. This heterogeneity has
      determined a need for improved methods of analysis and novel markers for
      diagnosis and classification of these malignancies. Non coding RNAs act as master
      regulators of numerous biological processes including epigenetic response,
      apoptosis and cell cycle. The recent advances in cancer research have led to a
      spreading out in the clinical use of genomic information; in fact, several
      studies are investigating the prominent role of both miRNAs and lncRNAs in
      hematopoietic differentiation and proliferation, as well as in the development of
      various hematological malignancies. These investigations are mainly aimed at
      researching new therapeutic opportunities that could boost a reduced risk of
      adverse events in normal tissues. Moreover, not less important, there is also a
      growing interest in determining how ncRNAs are associated with clinical features.
      In this review we focus on the aberrant ncRNAs expression in the most common
      forms of blood cancers, each of which exhibits a unique signature in comparison
      to normal counterparts. In addition to their regulatory role and in virtue of the
      well known ncRNAs&#039; capacity of modulating signal and pathway networks,
      herein we discuss both miRNAs&#039; and lncRNAs&#039; potential as new powerful
      biomarkers for efficient diagnosis and prediction of response for patients with
      hematological malignancies.

PMID- 27280796
TI  - Multifaceted Therapeutic Benefits of Factors Derived From Dental Pulp Stem Cells
      for Mouse Liver Fibrosis.
AB  - : : Chronic liver injury from various causes often results in liver fibrosis
      (LF). Although the liver possesses endogenous tissue-repairing activities, these
      can be overcome by sustained inflammation and excessive fibrotic scar formation.
      Advanced LF leads to irreversible cirrhosis and subsequent liver failure and/or
      hepatic cancer. Here, using the mouse carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced LF
      model, we showed that a single intravenous administration of stem cells derived
      from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) or of SHED-derived serum-free
      conditioned medium (SHED-CM) resulted in fibrotic scar resolution. SHED-CM
      suppressed the gene expression of proinflammatory mediators, such as TNF-alpha,
      IL-1beta, and iNOS, and eliminated activated hepatic stellate cells by inducing
      their apoptosis, but protected parenchymal hepatocytes from undergoing apoptosis.
      In addition, SHED-CM induced tissue-repairing macrophages that expressed high
      levels of the profibrinolytic factor, matrix metalloproteinase 13. Furthermore,
      SHED-CM suppressed the CCl4-induced apoptosis of primary cultured hepatocytes.
      SHED-CM contained a high level of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Notably, HGF
      depleted SHED-CM (dHGF-CM) did not suppress the proinflammatory response or
      resolve fibrotic scarring. Furthermore, SHED-CM, but not dHGF-CM, inhibited CCl4
      induced hepatocyte apoptosis. These results suggest that HGF plays a central role
      in the SHED-CM-mediated resolution of LF. Taken together, our findings suggest
      that SHED-CM provides multifaceted therapeutic benefits for the treatment of LF.
      SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrated that a single intravenous administration of
      stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) or of the serum-free
      conditioned medium (CM) derived from SHEDs markedly improved mouse liver fibrosis
      (LF). SHED-CM suppressed chronic inflammation, eliminated activated hepatic
      stellate cells by inducing their apoptosis, protected hepatocytes from undergoing
      apoptosis, and induced differentiation of tissue-repairing macrophages expressing
      high levels of the profibrinolytic factor matrix metalloproteinase 13.
      Furthermore, hepatocyte growth factor played a central role in the SHED-CM
      mediated resolution of LF. This is the first report demonstrating the
      multifaceted therapeutic benefits of secreted factors derived from SHEDs for LF.

PMID- 27280797
TI  - Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Engineered Cartilage Ameliorates
      Polyglycolic Acid/Polylactic Acid Scaffold-Induced Inflammation Through M2
      Polarization of Macrophages in a Pig Model.
AB  - : The regeneration of tissue-engineered cartilage in an immunocompetent
      environment usually fails due to severe inflammation induced by the scaffold and
      their degradation products. In the present study, we compared the tissue
      remodeling and the inflammatory responses of engineered cartilage constructed
      with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), chondrocytes, or both and
      scaffold group in pigs. The cartilage-forming capacity of the constructs in vitro
      and in vivo was evaluated by histological, biochemical, and biomechanical
      analyses, and the inflammatory response was investigated by quantitative analysis
      of foreign body giant cells and macrophages. Our data revealed that BMSC-based
      engineered cartilage suppressed in vivo inflammation through the alteration of
      macrophage phenotype, resulting in better tissue survival compared with those
      regenerated with chondrocytes alone or in combination with BMSCs. To further
      confirm the macrophage phenotype, an in vitro coculture system established by
      engineered cartilage and macrophages was studied using immunofluorescence, enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay, and gene expression analysis. The results
      demonstrated that BMSC-based engineered cartilage promoted M2 polarization of
      macrophages with anti-inflammatory phenotypes including the upregulation of
      CD206, increased IL-10 synthesis, decreased IL-1beta secretion, and alterations
      in gene expression indicative of M1 to M2 transition. It was suggested that BMSC
      seeded constructs have the potential to ameliorate scaffold-induced inflammation
      and improve cartilaginous tissue regeneration through M2 polarization of
      macrophages. SIGNIFICANCE: Finding a strategy that can prevent scaffold-induced
      inflammation is of utmost importance for the regeneration of tissue-engineered
      cartilage in an immunocompetent environment. This study demonstrated that bone
      marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-based engineered cartilage could suppress
      inflammation by increasing M2 polarization of macrophages, resulting in better
      tissue survival in a pig model. Additionally, the effect of BMSC-based cartilage
      on the phenotype conversion of macrophages was further studied through an in
      vitro coculture system. This study could provide further support for the
      regeneration of cartilage engineering in immunocompetent animal models and
      provide new insight into the interaction of tissue-engineered cartilage and
      macrophages.

PMID- 27280798
TI  - Stepwise Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Augments Tendon-Like Tissue
      Formation and Defect Repair In Vivo.
AB  - : Tendon injuries are common and present a clinical challenge, as they often
      respond poorly to treatment and result in long-term functional impairment.
      Inferior tendon healing responses are mainly attributed to insufficient or failed
      tenogenesis. The main objective of this study was to establish an efficient
      approach to induce tenogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells
      (BMSCs), which are the most common seed cells in tendon tissue engineering.
      First, representative reported tenogenic growth factors were used as media
      supplementation to induce BMSC differentiation, and the expression of teno
      lineage transcription factors and matrix proteins was compared. We found that
      transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 significantly induced teno-lineage
      specific gene scleraxis expression and collagen production. TGF-beta1 combined
      with connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) elevated tenomodulin and Egr1
      expression at day 7. Hence, a stepwise tenogenic differentiation approach was
      established by first using TGF-beta1 stimulation, followed by combination with
      CTGF for another 7 days. Gene expression analysis showed that this stepwise
      protocol initiated and maintained highly efficient tenogenesis of BMSCs. Finally,
      regarding in situ rat patellar tendon repair, tendons treated with induced
      tenogenic BMSCs had better structural and mechanical properties than those of the
      control group, as evidenced by histological scoring, collagen I and tenomodulin
      immunohistochemical staining, and tendon mechanical testing. Collectively, these
      findings demonstrate a reliable and practical strategy of inducing tenogenesis of
      BMSCs for tendon regeneration and may enhance the effectiveness of cell therapy
      in treating tendon disorders. SIGNIFICANCE: The present study investigated the
      efficiency of representative tenogenic factors on mesenchymal stem cells'
      tenogenic differentiation and established an optimized stepwise tenogenic
      differentiation approach to commit tendon lineage differentiation for functional
      tissue regeneration. The reliable tenogenic differentiation approach for stem
      cells not only serves as a platform for further studies of underlying molecular
      mechanisms but also can be used to enhance cell therapy outcome in treating
      tendon disorders and develop novel therapeutics for tendon injury.

PMID- 27280800
TI  - Seasonal Changes in Socio-Spatial Structure in a Group of Free-Living Spider
      Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi).
AB  - Ecological and social factors influence individual movement and group membership
      decisions, which ultimately determine how animal groups adjust their behavior in
      spatially and temporally heterogeneous environments. The mechanisms behind these
      behavioral adjustments can be better understood by studying the relationship
      between association and space use patterns of groups and how these change over
      time. We examined the socio-spatial patterns of adult individuals in a free
      ranging group of spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), a species with high fission
      fusion dynamics. Data comprised 4916 subgroup scans collected during 325 days
      throughout a 20-month period and was used to evaluate changes from fruit-scarce
      to fruit-abundant periods in individual core-area size, subgroup size and two
      types of association measures: spatial (core-area overlap) and spatio-temporal
      (occurrence in the same subgroup) associations. We developed a 3-level analysis
      framework to distinguish passive associations, where individuals are mostly
      brought together by resources of common interest, from active association, where
      individuals actively seek or avoid certain others. Results indicated a more
      concentrated use of space, increased individual gregariousness and higher spatio
      temporal association rates in the fruit-abundant seasons, as is compatible with
      an increase in passive associations. Nevertheless, results also suggested active
      associations in all the periods analyzed, although associations differed across
      seasons. In particular, females seem to actively avoid males, perhaps prompted by
      an increased probability of random encounters among individuals, resulting from
      the contraction of individual core areas. Our framework proved useful in
      investigating the interplay between ecological and social constraints and how
      these constraints can influence individual ranging and grouping decisions in
      spider monkeys, and possibly other species with high fission-fusion dynamics. 

PMID- 27280799
TI  - Treatment With Human Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuates
      Sepsis-Induced Kidney Injury, Liver Injury, and Endothelial Dysfunction.
AB  - : The pathophysiology of sepsis involves complex cytokine and inflammatory
      mediator networks. Downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase
      contributes to sepsis-induced endothelial dysfunction. Human Wharton's jelly
      derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are known to reduce expression of
      proinflammatory cytokines and markers of apoptosis. We hypothesized that
      treatment with WJ-MSCs would protect renal, hepatic, and endothelial function in
      a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis in rats. Rats were randomly
      divided into three groups: sham-operated rats; rats submitted to CLP and left
      untreated; and rats submitted to CLP and intraperitoneally injected, 6 hours
      later, with 1 * 10(6) WJ-MSCs. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured
      at 6 and 24 hours after CLP or sham surgery. All other studies were conducted at
      24 hours after CLP or sham surgery. By 6 hours, GFR had decreased in the CLP
      rats. At 24 hours, Klotho renal expression significantly decreased. Treatment
      with WJ-MSCs improved the GFR; improved tubular function; decreased the CD68
      positive cell count; decreased the fractional interstitial area; decreased
      expression of nuclear factor kappaB and of cytokines; increased expression of
      eNOS, vascular endothelial growth factor, and Klotho; attenuated renal apoptosis;
      ameliorated hepatic function; increased glycogen deposition in the liver; and
      improved survival. Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury is a state of Klotho
      deficiency, which WJ-MSCs can attenuate. Klotho protein expression was higher in
      WJ-MSCs than in human adipose-derived MSCs. Because WJ-MSCs preserve renal and
      hepatic function, they might play a protective role in sepsis. SIGNIFICANCE:
      Sepsis is the leading cause of death in intensive care units. Although many
      different treatments for sepsis have been tested, sepsis-related mortality rates
      remain high. It was hypothesized in this study that treatment with human
      Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) would protect renal,
      hepatic, and endothelial function in a model of sepsis in rats. Treatment with WJ
      MSCs improved the glomerular filtration rate, improved tubular function,
      decreased expression of nuclear factor kappaB and of cytokines, increased
      expression of eNOS and of Klotho, attenuated renal apoptosis, and improved
      survival. Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury is a state of Klotho deficiency,
      which WJ-MSCs can attenuate.

PMID- 27280801
TI  - Enhanced Expression of miR-199b-5p Promotes Proliferation of Pancreatic beta
      Cells by Down-Regulation of MLK3.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The initiation of beta-cell proliferation to recover reduced beta
      cell mass is considered as one of the attractive therapeutic approaches for type
      1 and 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigated the involvement of miRNAs in
      beta-cell proliferation. METHODS: Global miRNA array analysis of pancreas tissue
      was carried out using a 60% partial pancreatectomy (PPx) rodent model, which is a
      well-characterized model for pancreatic regeneration with accelerated
      proliferation of beta-cells. To explore miRNAs with mitogenic activity on beta
      cells, precursors and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) for miRNAs were
      transfected into a primary islet monolayer cell cultures isolated from adult rats
      in order to modify their expression and proliferation of beta-cells. RESULTS: We
      found that miR-199b-5p, which was up-regulated 2.6 times in the pancreas of the
      PPx treated group, significantly enhanced the proliferation of beta-cells when
      its precursor was over-expressed. Target genes of miR-199b-5p were investigated
      and Mixed lineage kinase-3 (MLK3) was identified as one of the candidates since
      its expression was down-regulated through an interaction with miR-199b-5p and
      siRNA treatment for MLK3 enhanced the proliferation of beta-cells. CONCLUSION:
      Our data suggest that the up-regulation of miR-199b-5p enhances proliferation of
      beta-cells at least in part through down-regulation of MLK3.

PMID- 27280802
TI  - Three-Year Outcomes With the Multilayer Flow Modulator for Repair of
      Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms: A Follow-up Report From the STRATO Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate midterm outcomes of endovascular repair of types II and III
      thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) using the Multilayer Flow Modulator
      (MFM) in patients unsuitable for open surgery or fenestrated stent-grafts.
      METHODS: In the prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized STRATO trial (EudraCT
      registration: 2009-013678-42; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01756911), 23
      patients (mean age 75.8 years; 19 men) with Crawford type II and III TAAA (mean
      diameter 6.5 cm) were implanted between April 2010 and February 2011. Outcomes
      included all-cause mortality and stable aneurysm thrombosis with associated
      branch vessel patency. RESULTS: Through 36 months, there were 7 deaths (none
      confirmed as aneurysm-related), and no cases of spinal cord injury, device
      migration or fracture, or respiratory, renal, or peripheral complications. Three
      patients were lost to follow-up and 2 devices were explanted. The device was
      patent in the 11 remaining patients at 3 years. Stable aneurysm thrombosis was
      achieved for 15 of 20 patients at 12 months, 12 of 13 at 24 months, and 10 of 11
      at 36 months. The rate of branch patency was 96% at 12 months (primary patency),
      100% at 24 months, and 97% at 36 months. Nine patients suffered from endoleaks
      (attachment site or device overlap); 9 patients underwent 11 reinterventions (3
      surgical). Maximum aneurysm diameter was stable for 18 of 20 patients at 12
      months, 11 of 13 at 24 months, and 9 of 11 at 36 months. For 10 patients with
      computed tomography at 36 months, the mean ratio of aneurysm flow volume to total
      volume had decreased by 83%; the mean ratio of thrombus volume to total volume
      increased by 159%. CONCLUSION: Through 3 years, endovascular repair with the MFM
      appears to be safe and effective while successfully maintaining branch vessel
      patency.

PMID- 27280803
TI  - Dengue Vaccine: Considerations before Rollout in Colombia.

PMID- 27280804
TI  - Surface Chemistry of Nanoscale Mineralized Collagen Regulates Periodontal
      Ligament Stem Cell Fate.
AB  - The interplay between stem cells and their extracellular microenvironment is of
      critical importance to the stem cell-based therapeutics in regenerative medicine.
      Mineralized collagen is the main component of bone extracellular matrix, but the
      effect of interfacial properties of mineralized collagen on subsequent cellular
      behaviors is unclear. This study examined the role of surface chemistry of
      nanoscale mineralized collagen on human periodontal ligament stem cell (hPDLSC)
      fate decisions. The intrafibrillarly mineralized collagen (IMC), fabricated by a
      biomimetic bottom-up approach, showed a bonelike hierarchy with
      nanohydroxyapatites (HAs) periodically embedded within fibrils. The infrared
      spectrum of the IMC showed the presence of phosphate, carbonate, amide I and II
      bands; and infrared mapping displayed uniform and higher spatial distribution of
      mineralization in the IMC. However, the distribution of the phosphate group
      differed far from that of the amide I group in the extrafibrillarly mineralized
      collagen (EMC), in which flowerlike HA clusters randomly depositing around the
      surface of the fibrils. Moreover, a large quantity of extrafibrillar HAs covered
      up the C?O stretch and N-H in-plane bend, resulting in substantial reduction of
      amide I and II bands. Cell experiments demonstrated that the hPDLSCs seeded on
      the IMC exhibited a highly branched, osteoblast-like polygonal shape with
      extended pseudopodia and thick stress fiber formation; while cells on the EMC
      displayed a spindle shape with less branch points and thin actin fibril
      formation. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of EMC was much lower than that of
      IMC. Interestingly, even without osteogenic induction, mRNA levels of major
      osteogenic differentiation genes were highly expressed in the IMC during
      cultivation time. These data suggest that the IMC with a similar nanotopography
      and surface chemistry to natural mineralized collagen directs hPDLSCs toward
      osteoblast differentiation, providing a promising scaffold in bone tissue
      regeneration. 

PMID- 27280806
TI  - Isolation and Purification of Ascorbate Oxidase from Acremonium sp. HI-25.
AB  - A screening test was undertaken to isolate microorganisms that produced ascorbate
      oxidase. The enzyme activity was found in a culture filtrate of a fungal strain
      (HI-25), newly isolated from a soil sample. Based on the morphological
      characteristics, this isolate was identified as Acremonium sp. From the
      examinations of cultural conditions, optimum conditions for enzyme production
      were found; strain HI-25 was aerobically cultured by a jar fermenter at 25
      degrees C in a medium containing 5% glycerol, 2% defatted soybeans, 0.1%
      monosodium L-glutamate, 0.1% KH2PO4, 0.02% MgSO4 .7H2O, and 0.01% KCl, pH 6.0.
      After cultivation, an ascorbate oxidase was purified from the culture filtrate by
      an ammonium sulfate fractionation, column chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose and
      Butyl-Toyopearl, and gel filtration twice on Sephadex G-100. The purification was
      850-fold with an activity yield of 8.8%. The purified enzyme gave a single band
      on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and had a molecular weight of 80,000
      by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 76,000 by native gel filtration.
      This enzyme was most active at pH 4.0, 45 degrees C, and was most stable between
      pH 6.0-10.0 and at temperatures below 60 degrees C. 

PMID- 27280805
TI  - Clinicopathological Study of Primary Intraosseous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the
      Jaw and a Review of the Literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma (PIOSCC) is a rare
      malignant odontogenic tumor that originates from odontogenic epithelial remnants.
      It is often difficult to diagnose PIOSCC definitively; hence, extraction or
      surgical treatment is performed before the initial diagnosis in most cases. The
      present study examined new insights into and prognostic factors of patients with
      PIOSCC admitted to the authors' department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive
      record review was conducted of patients who underwent radical surgery for PIOSCC
      from January 2001 through December 2014. RESULTS: Of all cases of OSCC, the
      frequency of PIOSCC was 1.45%. The 2-year relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall
      survival (OS) rates were 50.0 and 41.6% in all cases, respectively. Three
      patients underwent surgery or tooth extraction before the initial diagnosis; in
      fact, intervention before initial diagnosis was found to be an important poor
      prognostic factor for RFS and OS. In contrast, patients who were not treated
      before the initial diagnosis was made did not exhibit any locoregional
      recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of PIOSCC should be similar to that for
      oral cancer with at least clinical stage T3N0 in the National Comprehensive
      Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines. In addition, cases of PIOSCC that
      are not treated before the initial diagnosis are more likely to obtain a good
      prognosis.

PMID- 27280807
TI  - Production of a Novel Extracellular Polysaccharide by a Bacillus Strain Isolated
      from Soil.
AB  - A bacterium that was isolated from soil and identified as Bacillus circulans was
      found to produce a highly viscous extracellular polysaccharide when it was grown
      aerobically in a medium containing glucose as a sole source of carbon. The
      product was characterized by TLC and GC analyses as a novel heteropolysaccharide
      consisted of rhamnose, mannose, galactose, and mannuronic acid as sugar
      components. A maximal yield of polysaccharide reached about 2 g/liter by jar
      fermentor culture at 30 degrees C for 48 hr with a medium containing 1% glucose,
      0.05% asparagine, 0.005% yeast extract, and small amounts of inorganic salts.
      Some culture conditions for the production of polysaccharide were investigated
      with flask culture; an optimal production was attained with a medium containing
      0.1-1 % glucose and 0.01-0.05% asparagine, pH 7-8, at 30 degrees C under aerobic
      conditions. 

PMID- 27280808
TI  - Dependence on the Preparation Procedure of the Polymorphism and Crystallinity of
      Chitosan Membranes.
AB  - Differences in the polymorphism and crystallinity of chitosan were found in
      membranes prepared by different procedures when examined by X-ray diffraction
      measurements for four samples of chitosan differing in the degree of
      polymerization. When an acetic acid solution of chitosan was dried in air and
      then soaked in an alkaline solution (method A), both hydrated and anhydrous
      polymorphs of chitosan were present in the resulting membranes; the latter
      polymorph made chitosan insoluble in common solvents of chitosan, and its
      crystallinity increased with decreasing chitosan molecular weight. When a highly
      concentrated chitosan solution in aqueous acetic acid was neutralized with an
      alkaline solution (method B), no anhydrous polymorphs were detected in the
      membrane because of incomplete drying. When aqueous formic acid was used as the
      solvent, behavior basically similar to that in aqueous acetic acid was observed.
      In contrast, even with method A, aqueous hydrochloric acid gave a chitosan
      membrane having very little anhydrous crystallinity. The crystalline polymorph
      called "1-2", which has been proposed to be one of four chitosan polymorphs, is
      considered to be a mixture of hydrated and anhydrous crystals. 

PMID- 27280809
TI  - Change in the Contents of Arginine, Ornithine, and Urea in the Muscle of Marine
      Invertebrates Stored in Ice.
AB  - To investigate the usefulness of ornithine and urea as freshness indices for
      marine invertebrates, the muscle tissue from freshly caught samples was stored in
      ice for 15 days and the free amino acid concentration was measured. The total
      amount of free amino acids decreased slightly after 1 day in most of the samples.
      The arginine concentration also decreased in most of the samples, especially in
      kuro shrimp during ice storage, while the ornithine and urea levels increased
      markedly in arrow squid and kuro shrimp, and increased considerably in kuruma
      prawn. Based on these results, it is proposed to use urea and ornithine as
      freshness indices for kuro shrimp and arrow squid, while only urea is proposed
      for kuruma prawn. 

PMID- 27280810
TI  - Effect of Tannins in Green Tea on the Urinary Methylguanidine Excretion in Rats
      Indicating a Possible Radical Scavenging Action.
AB  - The hydroxyl radical scavenging action of green tea tannin given orally to rats
      with experimental renal failure was examined by using the urinary methylguanidine
      excretion as an index. In rats given 2 mg of a green tea tannin mixture, the
      urinary methylguanidine excretion was significantly decreased or had a tendency
      to decrease. (-)-Epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, the predominant component of the
      green tea tannin mixture, effected a decrease in the urinary methylguanidine
      excretion in rats at a dose as low as 0.25 mg, suggesting a hydroxyl radical
      scavenging action. 

PMID- 27280811
TI  - Enzymatic Properties of Two Calcium-stimulated ATPases in the Neutral and Acidic
      pH Regions Found in the Membrane Fraction of Human Milk.
AB  - Two calcium-stimulated ATPases at optimal pH values of 5.0 and 7.0, which are
      designated as acid and neutral Ca(2+) -ATPase, respectively, were found in the
      membrane fraction of human milk, and their enzymatic properties were studied. For
      maximal activity, neutral Ca(2+)-ATPase required 0.45 mM Ca ion, while acid
      Ca(2+) -ATPase required 207 mM Ca ion. Neutral Ca(2+) -ATPase activity was not
      enhanced by adding the Mg ion at more than 0.1 mM. Among the nucleotides, neutral
      Ca(2+) -ATPase showed a higher substrate specificity to GTP, CTP, ITP, and UTP
      than to ATP, while ATP was the best substrate for acid Ca(2+) -ATPase. Neutral
      and acid Ca(2+) -ATPases had apparent Km values of 0.361 and 0.192 mM, and Vmax
      of 186 and 178 MUmol ATP hydrolyzed/mg of protein per min, respectively. Both
      Ca(2+) -ATPases were potently inhibited by fluoride, lanthanide, vanadate, and p
      chloromercuribenzoate, and inactivated by EDTA, EGTA, and CDTA, but were
      unaffected by N-ethylmaleimide, NaN3, ouabain, oxidized glutathione, or
      oligomycin, and were inactivated by heating at 60 degrees C for 10 min. These
      enzymes were concentrated in the membrane fraction of the cream and skim milk
      membrane. 

PMID- 27280812
TI  - Nutritional Requirements in Multiple Auxotrophic Lactic Acid Bacteria: Genetic
      Lesions Affecting Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways in Lactococcus lactis,
      Enterococcus faecium, and Pediococcus acidilactici.
AB  - In a study of genetic lesions responsible for amino acid requirements in multiple
      auxotrophic lactic acid bacteria, a systematic attempt was made to isolate
      mutants that could synthesize each of the amino acids required by the parental
      strains of Lactococcus lactis, Enterococcus faecium, and Pediococcus
      acidilactici. After treatment with appropriate mutagens or, in some cases,
      spontaneously, such mutants could indeed be obtained with respect to many but not
      all essential amino acids. Successful isolation of mutants for a given amino acid
      means that a minor genetic lesion reparable by single-step mutations affects its
      biosynthesis; a failure to isolate mutants suggests the involvement of more
      extensive lesions. Analysis of the results obtained showed certain regularities:
      some of the biosynthetic pathways for individual amino acids were virtually
      unaffected or affected by minor lesions in all the strains tested, while others
      were affected to varying extents among the different strains. Further studies
      showed that the ability to synthesize a number of amino acids had been acquired
      simultaneously in several of the amino acid-synthesizing mutants obtained after a
      single-step mutagenesis in E. faecium and P. acidilactici. Some detailed analysis
      with one of such mutants from E. faecium showed that a structural alteration of
      RNA polymerase caused by a single-step mutation is to some extent associated with
      simultaneous acquisition of the synthetic ability for a number of amino acids. 

PMID- 27280813
TI  - Effects of Phenolic Respiration Inhibitors on Cytochrome bc1 Complex of Rat-liver
      Mitochondria.
AB  - The respiration inhibitory effects of the inhibitory uncouplers, 2,6-diiodo-4
      (2,2-dicyanovinyl)phenol and 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(2,2-dicyanovinyl)phenol, the
      binding site of which is cytochrome bc1 (cyt. bc1) complex, were studied with rat
      liver mitochondria. The inhibitory potency of 2,6-diiodo-4-(2,2
      dicyanovinyl)phenol and of 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(2,2-dicyanovinyl)phenol was increased
      and decreased, respectively, by steep dissipation of the transmembrane electrical
      potential after adding the potent uncoupler, fluazinam, the uncoupling activity
      of which disappears with time. Changes in the inhibitory potency may have been
      due to variation of the binding affinity of these compounds to cyt. bc1 complex.
      Furthermore, the enhancement to the binding affinity of 2,6-diiodo-4-(2,2
      dicyanovinyl)phenol was governed by the degree of reduction in the transmembrane
      electrical potential. These results suggest that the extent of conformational
      changes of cyt. bc1 complex, which resulted in an enhanced interaction between
      2,6-diiodo-4-(2,2-dicyanovinyl)phenol and its binding niche, increased with
      decreasing transmembrane electrical potential. From examinations of the reduction
      of cyt. b, it is suggested that the action site of 2,6-diiodo-4-(2,2
      dicyanovinyl)phenol may be close to or partially overlapping that of antimycin A.

PMID- 27280814
TI  - Effects of Organic Solvents on Streptomyces griseus Protease I with Transfer
      Action.
AB  - The protease I from Streptomyces griseus var. alcalophilus strongly catalyzed the
      transfer reaction forming hydroxamic acids of various amino acids, especially
      aromatic and hydrophobic amino acids. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 1,4-butane diol,
      and glycerol protected this enzyme from heat denaturation. Moreover, only DMSO
      strongly activated the transfer action of protease I and the velocity of reaction
      was accelerated three times in the presence of 50% DMSO. The yield of transfer
      product strongly depended on reaction time and the concentrations of enzyme and
      substrates in the presence of DMSO. The velocity of the transfer reaction was
      faster than that of the hydrolysis reaction under the conditions of 0.1 M Phe
      OEt, 0.75 M NH2OH, and 50% DMSO. 

PMID- 27280815
TI  - Scavenging of Active Oxygen Species by Glycated Proteins.
AB  - Scavenging of active oxygen species by glycated proteins was investigated.
      Glycated proteins were prepared from bovine serum albumin (BSA), insulin, and
      lysozyme incubated with glucose. Glycated BSA at concentration of 0.5% scavenged
      34% of hydroxyl radicals by ESR experiments using DMPO as a spin-trapping
      reagent. The ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals by glycated BSA was higher
      than that by BSA. Hydrogen peroxides also were largely scavenged with an increase
      in the concentration of glycated proteins. However, the ability to scavenge
      superoxides by glycated BSA was lower than that by BSA because glycated proteins
      produced superoxides. Experiments using model compounds such as Amadori compound
      and caproyl pyrraline suggested that the scavenging ability of glycated proteins
      against hydroxyl radicals depends on Maillard reaction products in the advanced
      stage, while the ability against hydrogen peroxides is dependent upon Maillard
      reaction products in the early stage and brown pigments. 

PMID- 27280816
TI  - Spinnability of Starch Pastes.
AB  - We have developed apparatus to assess spinnability that uses an impedance to
      prevent of electrolysis. The spinning distance and the stress confirmed by
      measurement of dial gauge. A total of 10 starch pastes was prepared from corn,
      sago, katakuri, sweet potato, kuzu, edible canna, cassava, Indian lotus root,
      bracken, and potato, at 2% and 4% concentrations. The spinning distance of each
      starch paste showed a dependence on the concentration and the tensile velocity.
      The strain at the point of maximum stress increased in all samples with increases
      in the tensile velocity. The spinning energy increased with increase in the
      tensile velocity, with a particularly large dependence on the tensile velocity of
      potato. Cluster analysis was done using the spinning property values of 4% starch
      pastes as the parameters, which showed a division at a distance of 20, yielding
      four clusters, with each cluster showing a distinctive spinning pattern. 

PMID- 27280817
TI  - Metabolism of (13)C-Isomaltooligosaccharides in Healthy Men.
AB  - Isomaltooligosaccharides (IMO), sweeteners derived from corn-starch, selectively
      promote the growth of bifidobacteria in the human intestine. The metabolic fate
      of IMO in healthy men was investigated. The expiration rates of excess (13)CO2
      and hydrogen of six men were measured while sedentary and while taking physical
      exercise after the (13)C-labeled IMO intakes. The breath H2 excretion kept at a
      constant state after IMO ingestion in the sedentary test and increased in the
      exercise test. The serum glucose and serum insulin increased 30 min after IMO
      ingestion. The (13)CO2 recoveries were 28.7% in the sedentary test and 60.9% in
      the exercise test. These recoveries were 70-80% compared those of maltose. These
      results indicated that a part of IMO was digested and the residual IMO was
      fermented by intestinal flora. The energy value of IMO might be about 75% of that
      of maltose. 

PMID- 27280818
TI  - Purification and Some Properties of an Erythrose Reductase from an Aureobasidium
      sp. Mutant.
AB  - An erythrose reductase was obtained from the cells of an Aureobasidium sp. mutant
      having high erythritol-producing activity. This enzyme was purified 600-fold over
      the cell-free extract by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange
      chromatography, affinity chromatography, and hydrophobic chromatography. It gave
      a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and had a molecular weight
      of 37,000 and an isoelectric point of 4.8. This enzyme had maximum reductive
      activity at 45 degrees C and pH 6.5. The optimum pH of the oxidative reaction was
      9.5. It was stable at pH 6.0-8.0 and below 40 degrees C. The enzyme showed the
      maximum activity to D-erythrose. D-Glyceraldehyde was reduced at a rate 66% of
      that for D-erythrose. p-Nitrobenzaldehyde, L-erythrulose, dihydroxyacetone, and D
      glucuronate were also reduced, although at slower rates. The oxidative activity
      was less than 0.1% of the reductive one. 

PMID- 27280819
TI  - An Alternate Synthesis of the Capsaicinoids.
AB  - Five capsaicinoids, the pungent ingredients of hot peppers, have been efficiently
      synthesized by a method involving the Wittig reaction between isobutyl
      triphenylphosphorane and the appropriate lactols (3), followed by the nitrous
      acid-induced isomerization of the resultant (Z)-olefins (4) to (E)-olefins (5). 

PMID- 27280820
TI  - Formation of Ent-isophleichrome by Cladosporium herbarum Isolated from Sugar
      Beet.
AB  - An isolate of Cladosporium herbarum obtained from leaves of sugar beet produced a
      phytotoxic red pigment which was identified as ent-isophleichrome (1). Production
      of the pigment was dependent on composition of the culture medium. The toxicity
      of ent-isophleichrome to sugar beet was strongly influenced by light. The
      polyketide biosynthetic origin of ent-isophleichrome in C. herbarum was
      demonstrated by (13)C acetate labelling/(13)C NMR studies. 

PMID- 27280821
TI  - Freezing and Ice Structure Formed in Protein Gels.
AB  - Ice structure was photographically analyzed for frozen soy protein curd and egg
      albumin gel frozen under various conditions. Dendritic ice structure was observed
      growing from the cooling plate parallel to the direction of the heat flux. The
      change in the ice structure size was analyzed at different locations from the
      cooling plate in the plane perpendicular to the direction of heat flux. In
      accordance with the theoretical relationship proposed by us before, the mean ice
      structure size was inversely proportional to the moving speed of the freezing
      front and the proportionality constant was not very much different from the
      diffusion coefficient of water, showing the important role of the molcular
      diffusion mechanism in the process of ice crystal growth. For the freezing
      accompanied with supercooling, the ice structure became very small, reflecting
      the very rapid moving speed of the freezing front when supercooling ceased. The
      theoretical model by us had advantages over the models proposed in the literature
      for its simple theoretical basis and wider applicability. 

PMID- 27280822
TI  - Asymmetric Reduction of Acetophenone by Aspergillus Species and Their Possible
      Contribution to Katsuobushi Flavor.
AB  - Eight strains of Aspergillus species isolated from katsuobushi (dried bonito)
      were grown in a liquid medium containing acetophenone, to examine the possibility
      of asymmetric reduction of acetophenone during the molding process in katsuobushi
      production. Seven strains produced predominantly the R-stereoisomer of alpha
      phenethylalcohol. However, one strain gave the S-isomer predominantly. 

PMID- 27280823
TI  - Changes of Dolichol and Dolichyl Fatty Ester Contents during Development of
      Soybean Seedlings.

PMID- 27280824
TI  - Cysteine-conjugate beta-Lyase from Mucor javanicus.

PMID- 27280825
TI  - Inhibition by Bovine Lactoferrin of Adhesion of L929 Cells Cultured in Serum-free
      GIT Medium.

PMID- 27280826
TI  - Development of Analytical Method for Selective Detection of Cardenolides by High
      Performance Liquid Chromatography.

PMID- 27280827
TI  - Carrageenan(lambda); Inhibitor of the Dephosphorylation of Casein Phosphopeptides
      (CPPs) by Alkaline Phosphatase.

PMID- 27280828
TI  - Purification and Some Properties of a Carboxymethyl Cellulase from Coriolus
      versicolor.

PMID- 27280829
TI  - Purification and Properties of a Chitosanase from Pseudomonas sp. H-14.

PMID- 27280830
TI  - Simultaneous High-performance Liquid Chromatographic Measurement of Xanthurenic
      Acid and 3-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid in Urine.

PMID- 27280831
TI  - Isolation and Characterization of an Allergy Inhibitor from the Jelutong, Dyera
      costulata Hook. f.

PMID- 27280832
TI  - Identification of a Soybean Protein Producing IgE Antibodies in BALB/c Mice.

PMID- 27280833
TI  - Effect of Dietary Lysine on Endogenous Hyperlipidemia in Nephrotic Rats.

PMID- 27280834
TI  - Effects of Calmodulin and Calmodulin Antagonists on Neutral Ca(2+)-ATPase in the
      Membrane Fraction of Human Milk.

PMID- 27280835
TI  - Heavy Metal Uptake by Swollen Chitosan Beads.

PMID- 27280836
TI  - Isolation and Identification of 6-(3',3'-Dimethylallyloxy)-4-methoxy-5
      methylphthalide from Alternaria porri.

PMID- 27280837
TI  - A Novel Laccase Inhibitor, N-Hydroxyglycine, Produced by Penicillium citrinum YH
      31.

PMID- 27280838
TI  - Partial Benzoylation of Methyl beta-L-Arabinopyranoside.

PMID- 27280839
TI  - Preparation of Congou Black Tea from Stale Green Tea.

PMID- 27280840
TI  - The Cell Surface Glycoprotein of Haloarcula japonica TR-1.

PMID- 27280841
TI  - Synthesis of Both the Enantiomers of (E)-1-Ethyl-5-methyl-4-heptenyl Acetate
      (Quadrilure), the Aggregation Pheromone of Cathartus quadricollis, by Enzyme
      catalyzed Hydrolysis in an Acetone-Water Solvent System with Lipase.

PMID- 27280842
TI  - Simple Synthesis of a Diastereomeric Mixture of 2-(3',4'-Epoxy-4'
      methylcyclohexyl)-6-methyl-2,5-heptadiene, the Pheromone of the Green Stink Bug.

PMID- 27280843
TI  - Oryzalexin S, a Novel Stemarane-type Diterpene Rice Phytoalexin.

PMID- 27280844
TI  - (E)-2-Hexenyl Hexanoate, the Alarm Pheromone of the Bean Bug Riptortus clavatus
      (Heteroptera: Alydidae).

PMID- 27280846
TI  - Isolation of a thiol-dependent serine protease in peanut and investigation of its
      role in the complement and the allergic reaction.
AB  - A serine protease activity was detected in aqueous peanuts seeds extracts,
      partially purified and characterized as a thiol-dependent serine protease. The
      potential role of this proteolytic activity on allergic reaction to peanuts was
      prospected through complement activation studies in human plasma and serum, and
      MDCK cells to investigate a possible occludin degradation in tight junctions. The
      peanut protease activity induced the production of anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a,
      and of the terminal membrane attack complex SC5b-9 whatever the complement
      activation pathway. The protease activity was also involved in the partial
      digestion of occludin within tight junctions, with for result, an increase of the
      epithelial permeability to antigen absorption.

PMID- 27280845
TI  - Differential contribution of complement receptor C5aR in myeloid and non-myeloid
      cells in chronic ethanol-induced liver injury in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Complement is implicated in the development of alcoholic liver
      disease. C3 and C5 contribute to ethanol-induced liver injury; however, the role
      of C5a receptor (C5aR) on myeloid and non-myeloid cells to progression of injury
      is not known. METHODS: C57BL/6 (WT), global C5aR-/-, myeloid-specific C5aR-/-,
      and non-myeloid-specific C5aR-/- mice were fed a Lieber-DeCarli diet (32%kcal
      EtOH) for 25 days. Cultured hepatocytes were challenged with ethanol, TNFalpha,
      and C5a. RESULTS: Chronic ethanol feeding increased expression of pro
      inflammatory mediators in livers of WT mice; this response was completely blunted
      in C5aR-/- mice. However, C5aR-/- mice were not protected from other measures of
      hepatocellular damage, including ethanol-induced increases in hepatic
      triglycerides, plasma alanine aminotransferase and hepatocyte apoptosis. CYP2E1
      and 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts were induced in WT and C5aR-/- mice. Myeloid
      specific C5aR-/- mice were protected from ethanol-induced increases in hepatic
      TNFalpha, whereas non-myeloid-specific C5aR-/- displayed increased hepatocyte
      apoptosis and inflammation after chronic ethanol feeding. In cultured
      hepatocytes, cytotoxicity induced by challenge with ethanol and TNFalpha was
      completely eliminated by treatment with C5a in cells from WT, but not C5aR-/-
      mice. Further, treatment with C5a enhanced activation of pro-survival signal AKT
      in hepatocytes challenged with ethanol and TNFalpha. CONCLUSION: Taken together,
      these data reveal a differential role for C5aR during ethanol-induced liver
      inflammation and injury, with C5aR on myeloid cells contributing to ethanol
      induced inflammatory cytokine expression, while non-myeloid C5aR protects
      hepatocytes from death after chronic ethanol feeding.

PMID- 27280847
TI  - Low-Temperature Processable Block Copolymers That Preserve the Function of
      Blended Proteins.
AB  - Low-temperature processable polymers have attracted increasing interest as
      ecological materials because of their reduced energy consumption during
      processing and suitability for making composites with heat-sensitive biomolecules
      at ambient temperature. In the current study, low-temperature processable
      biodegradable block copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of
      l-lactide (LLA) using polyphosphoester as a macroinitiator. The polymer films
      could be processed under a hydraulic pressure of 35 MPa. The block copolymer
      films swelled in water because the polyphosphoester block was partially hydrated.
      Interestingly, the swelling ratio of the films changed with temperature. The
      pressure-induced order-to-disorder transition of the block copolymers was
      characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering; a crystallinity reduction in the
      block copolymers was observed after application of pressure. The crystallinity of
      the block copolymers was recovered after removing the applied pressure. The
      Young's modulus of the block copolymer films increased as the LLA unit content
      increased. Moreover, the modulus did not change after multiple processing cycles
      and the recyclability of the block copolymers was also confirmed. Finally,
      polymer films with embedded proteinase K as a model protein were prepared. The
      activity of catalase loaded into the polymer films was evaluated after processing
      at different temperatures. The activity of catalase was preserved when the
      polymer films were processed at room temperature but was significantly reduced
      after high-temperature processing. The suitability of low-temperature processable
      biodegradable polymers for making biofunctional composites without reducing
      protein activity was clarified. These materials will be useful for biomedical and
      therapeutic applications.

PMID- 27280848
TI  - National Variation in Caesarean Section Rates: A Cross Sectional Study in
      Ireland.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Internationally, caesarean section (CS) rates are rising. However,
      mean rates of CS across providers obscure extremes of CS provision. We aimed to
      quantify variation between all maternity units in Ireland. METHODS: Two national
      databases, the National Perinatal Reporting System and the Hospital Inpatient
      Enquiry Scheme, were used to analyse data for all women delivering singleton
      births weighing >=500g. We used multilevel models to examine variation between
      hospitals in Ireland for elective and emergency CS, adjusted for individual level
      sociodemographic, clinical and organisational variables. Analyses were
      subsequently stratified for nullipara and multipara with and without prior CS.
      RESULTS: The national CS rate was 25.6% (range 18.2% ? 35.1%). This was highest
      in multipara with prior CS at 86.1% (range 6.9% ? 100%). The proportion of
      variation in CS that was attributable to the hospital of birth was 11.1% (95% CI,
      6.0 ? 19.4) for elective CS and 2.9% (95% CI, 1.4 ? 5.6) for emergency CS, after
      adjustment. Stratifying across parity group, variation between hospitals was
      greatest for multipara with prior CS. Both types of CS were predicted by
      increasing age, prior history of miscarriage or stillbirth, prior CS, antenatal
      complications and private model of care. CONCLUSION: The proportion of variation
      attributable to the hospital was higher for elective CS than emergency CS
      suggesting that variation is more likely influenced by antenatal decision making
      than intrapartum decision making. Multipara with prior CS were particularly
      subject to variability, highlighting a need for consensus on appropriate care in
      this group.

PMID- 27280851
TI  - Dissecting endophytic lifestyle along the parasitism/mutualism continuum in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - Mutualistic interactions between plants and fungi often occur in the rhizosphere,
      although examples exist where shoot-endophytes support host growth and increase
      resistance to pathogens and herbivores. Fungal endophytes which colonize their
      hosts without any visible disease symptoms have been recognized to be fundamental
      components of various ecosystems. Initial efforts have been taken to decipher the
      genetic basis of beneficial plant-fungus interactions and of lifestyle
      transitions. This review gives a short overview on well established experimental
      systems amenable to genetic manipulation and of known genome sequence for
      dissecting plant-fungal endophyte interactions with a special focus on
      Arabidopsis thaliana associations.

PMID- 27280849
TI  - Oxidative Stress Mediates the Antiproliferative Effects of Nelfinavir in Breast
      Cancer Cells.
AB  - The discovery of the anti-proliferative activity of nelfinavir in HIV-free models
      has encouraged its investigation as anticancer drug. Although the molecular
      mechanism by which nelfinavir exerts antitumor activity is still unknown, its
      effects have been related to Akt inhibition. Here we tested the effects of
      nelfinavir on cell proliferation, viability and death in two human breast cancer
      cell lines and in human normal primary breast cells. To identify the mechanism of
      action of nelfinavir in breast cancer, we evaluated the involvement of the Akt
      pathway as well as the effects of nelfinavir on reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      production and ROS-related enzymes activities. Nelfinavir reduced breast cancer
      cell viability by inducing apoptosis and necrosis, without affecting primary
      normal breast cells. The antitumor activity of nelfinavir was related to
      alterations of the cell redox state, coupled with an increase of intracellular
      ROS production limited to cancer cells. Nelfinavir treated tumor cells also
      displayed a downregulation of the Akt pathway due to disruption of the Akt-HSP90
      complex, and subsequent degradation of Akt. These effects resulted to be ROS
      dependent, suggesting that ROS production is the primary step of nelfinavir
      anticancer activity. The analysis of ROS-producers and ROS-detoxifying enzymes
      revealed that nelfinavir-mediated ROS production was strictly linked to
      flavoenzymes activation. We demonstrated that ROS enhancement represents the main
      molecular mechanism required to induce cell death by nelfinavir in breast cancer
      cells, thus supporting the development of new and more potent oxidizing molecules
      for breast cancer therapy. 

PMID- 27280852
TI  - Proinsulin-Transferrin Fusion Protein Exhibits a Prolonged and Selective Effect
      on the Control of Hepatic Glucose Production in an Experimental Model of Type 1
      Diabetes.
AB  - An ideal basal insulin (INS) replacement therapy requires the distribution or
      action of exogenous INS to more closely mimic physiological INS in terms of its
      preferential hepatic action. In this paper, we introduce a novel strategy to
      exert liver-specific INS action by hepatic activation of INS's precursor,
      proinsulin (ProINS). We demonstrated the conversion of human ProINS-transferrin
      (Tf) fusion protein, ProINS-Tf, into an active and immuno-reactive form of INS-Tf
      in the liver via the slow Tf receptor mediated recycling pathway. ProINS-Tf
      displayed prolonged basal blood glucose lowering effects for up to 40 h in
      streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice following a single subcutaneous
      injection. The effect of ProINS-Tf on blood glucose levels was observed
      predominantly under fasting conditions, with little effect under free-feeding
      conditions. In addition, both the pyruvate tolerance assay in normal mice and the
      Akt-phosphorylation assay in H-4-II-E hepatoma cells indicated that the hepatic
      activated ProINS-Tf possessed a much longer effect on the control of hepatic
      glucose production than INS. These results indicated that ProINS-Tf may serve as
      an effective and safe hepatoselective INS analog to reduce the frequency of INS
      injections as well as avert severe hypoglycemia episodes and other side effects
      frequently encountered with long-acting INS therapeutics due to their peripheral
      action.

PMID- 27280850
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of Aflibercept, Bevacizumab, and Ranibizumab for Diabetic
      Macular Edema Treatment: Analysis From the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research
      Network Comparative Effectiveness Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medicines have
      revolutionized diabetic macular edema (DME) treatment. A recent randomized
      clinical trial comparing anti-VEGF agents for patients with decreased vision from
      DME found that at 1 year aflibercept (2.0 mg) achieved better visual outcomes
      than repackaged (compounded) bevacizumab (1.25 mg) or ranibizumab (0.3 mg); the
      worse the starting vision, the greater the treatment benefit with aflibercept.
      However, aflibercept and ranibizumab, respectively, are approximately 31 and 20
      times more expensive than bevacizumab. OBJECTIVE: To examine the incremental cost
      effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab for the
      treatment of DME. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Post hoc analysis of
      efficacy, safety, and resource utilization data at 1-year follow-up from the
      Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network Comparative Effectiveness Trial.
      Patients were enrolled from August 22, 2012, through August 28, 2013, and
      analysis was performed from August 21, 2014, through November 7, 2015. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The ICERs for all trial participants and subgroups with
      baseline vision of approximate Snellen equivalent 20/32 to 20/40 (better vision)
      and baseline vision of approximate Snellen equivalent 20/50 or worse (worse
      vision). One-year trial data were used to calculate cost-effectiveness for 1 year
      for the 3 anti-VEGF agents; mathematical modeling was then used to project 10
      year cost-effectiveness results. RESULTS: The study included 624 participants
      (mean [SD] age, 60.6 [10.5] years; 45.7% female; 65.5% white), 209 in the
      aflibercept group, 207 in the bevacizumab group, and 208 in the ranibizumab
      group. For all participants, during 1 year, the ICERs of aflibercept and
      ranibizumab compared with bevacizumab were $1 110 000 per quality-adjusted life
      year (QALY) and $1 730 000 per QALY, respectively. During 10 years, they were
      $349 000 per QALY and $603 000 per QALY, respectively. Compared with ranibizumab,
      aflibercept's ICER was $648 000 per QALY at 1 year and $203 000 per QALY at 10
      years. For the subgroup with worse baseline vision, the 10-year ICERs of
      aflibercept and ranibizumab compared with bevacizumab were $287 000 per QALY and
      $817 000 per QALY, respectively. In eyes with decreased vision from DME,
      treatment costs of aflibercept and ranibizumab would need to decrease by 69% and
      80%, respectively, to reach a cost-effectiveness threshold of $100 000 per QALY
      compared with bevacizumab during a 10-year horizon; for the subgroup with worse
      baseline vision, the costs would need to decrease by 62% and 84%, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Aflibercept (2.0 mg) and ranibizumab (0.3 mg) are not
      cost-effective relative to bevacizumab for treatment of DME unless their prices
      decrease substantially. These results highlight the challenges that physicians,
      patients, and policymakers face when safety and efficacy results are at odds with
      cost-effectiveness results.

PMID- 27280853
TI  - Metamemory in a familiar place: The effects of environmental context on feeling
      of knowing.
AB  - Feeling-of-knowing (FOK) judgments are judgments of future recognizability of
      currently inaccessible information. They are known to depend both on the access
      to partial information about a target of retrieval and on the familiarity of the
      cue that is used as a memory probe. In the present study we assessed whether FOK
      judgments could also be shaped by incidental environmental context in which these
      judgments are made. To this end, we investigated 2 phenomena previously
      documented in studies on recognition memory-a context familiarity effect and a
      context reinstatement effect-in the procedure used to investigate FOK judgments.
      In 2 experiments, we found that FOK judgments increase in the presence of a
      familiar environmental context. The results of both experiments further revealed
      still higher FOK judgments when made in the presence of environmental context
      matching the encoding context of both cue and its associated target. The effect
      of context familiarity on FOK judgment was paralleled by an effect on the
      latencies of an unsuccessful memory search, but the effect of context
      reinstatement was not. Importantly, the elevated feeling of knowing in reinstated
      and familiar contexts was not accompanied by an increase in the accuracy of those
      judgments. Together, these results demonstrate that metacognitive processes are
      shaped by the overall volume of memory information accessed at retrieval,
      independently of whether this memory information is related to a cue, a target,
      or a context in which remembering takes place. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280854
TI  - Effect of filtration flux on the development and operation of a dynamic membrane
      for anaerobic wastewater treatment.
AB  - Dynamic membrane represents a cost effective alternative to conventional
      membranes by employing fouling as a means of solid-liquid separation. This study
      evaluated the effects of initial flux on both development rate of dynamic
      membrane and bioreactor performance during two consecutive experiments. The
      dynamic membrane was developed over a 200 MUm mesh and the reactor was operated
      under anaerobic conditions. It was found that the effect of an initial higher
      applied flux on dynamic membrane development was more pronounced than mixed
      liquor suspended solid concentration inside the bioreactor. The development of
      the dynamic membrane was therefore positively associated with the applied flux.
      The rapid development of the dynamic membrane during the second experimental run
      at high initial fluxes and lower MLSS concentrations also affected the
      performance of the bioreactor in terms of more efficient COD removal and biogas
      production. A major shortcoming of applying higher initial applied flux was the
      formation of a denser and robust dynamic membrane layer that was resistant to
      applied hydraulic shear to control desired permeability and thus represented an
      obstacle in maintaining a long term operation with sustainable flux at lower
      transmembrane pressure (TMP). 

PMID- 27280855
TI  - From ignorance to evidence? The use of programme evaluation in conservation:
      Evidence from a Delphi survey of conservation experts.
AB  - Persistent gaps in the evidence base regarding the performance of conservation
      policies has put pressure on the conservation policy field to adopt 'best
      practice' programme evaluation methods. These are methods that account for the
      counterfactual and are able to attribute causality between a conservation policy
      and specific observable environmental and social impacts. Despite this pressure,
      use of such methods continues to be rare. This paper uses the Delphi technique to
      provide the first systematic assessment of the reasons behind the apparent
      hesitation of conservation practitioners to adopt rigorous policy impact
      evaluation methods. The Delphi study consisted of two online questionnaires
      conducted on conservation policy experts. The results presented confirm that the
      use of rigorous impact evaluation methods in conservation is still very limited
      but this, crucially, is not because conservationists are ignorant of these
      methods or their advantages. In fact, considerable effort is being made to
      develop and improve evidence standards but these efforts have largely been
      thwarted by large financial and time related constraints that mean even
      elementary evaluations are hard to achieve. The results from this Delphi study
      allow us to provide more realistic recommendations on how impact evaluation
      studies can be more widely embraced and implemented in conservation practice. 

PMID- 27280856
TI  - Removal of diethyl phthalate from water by ozone microbubbles in a pilot plant.
AB  - Ozone microbubbles (OMBs) were used to remove diethyl phthalate (DEP) from water
      in a pilot plant. The removal of DEP and the mineralization efficiency were
      investigated under various reaction conditions. The removal of DEP by OMBs was
      very effective at the high pH and high ozone generation rates. Almost complete
      mineralization of DEP could be achieved at the high pH. The contribution of OH
      was computed by using a hydroxyl radical scavenger (i.e. t-BuOH). In neutral and
      alkaline media, the reaction of DEP with OH dominated over its direct reaction
      with ozone. The overall oxidation reaction fitted a second-order kinetic model.
      The overall rate constant and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient of ozone
      slightly increased with increasing pH. The results indicate that the OMBs were
      efficient in terms of the reduction of concentration of DEP and its complete
      mineralization. 

PMID- 27280857
TI  - Modelling mercury accumulation in minerogenic peat combining FTIR-ATR
      spectroscopy and partial least squares (PLS).

PMID- 27280858
TI  - Quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence induced by silver nanoparticles.
AB  - The interaction between chlorophyll (Chl) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was
      evaluated by analyzing the optical behavior of Chl molecules surrounded by
      different concentrations of AgNPs (10, 60, and 100nm of diameter). UV-Vis
      absorption, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements were
      performed for Chl in the presence and absence of these nanoparticles. AgNPs
      strongly suppressed the Chl fluorescence intensity at 678nm. The Stern-Volmer
      constant (KSV) showed that fluorescence suppression is driven by the dynamic
      quenching process. In particular, KSV was nanoparticle size-dependent with an
      exponential decrease as a function of the nanoparticle diameter. Finally, changes
      in the Chl fluorescence lifetime in the presence of nanoparticles demonstrated
      that the fluorescence quenching may be induced by the excited electron transfer
      from the Chl molecules to the metal nanoparticles. 

PMID- 27280859
TI  - Assessment of gamma radiation exposure of beach sands in highly touristic areas
      associated with plutonic rocks of the Atticocycladic zone (Greece).
AB  - This study aims to evaluate the activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th,
      228Th and 40K along beaches close to the plutonic rocks of the Atticocycladic
      zone that ranged from 15 to 628, 12-2292, 16-10,143, 14-9953 and 191-1192 Bq/kg
      respectively. A sample from island of Mykonos contained the highest 232Th content
      measured in sediments of Greece. The heavy magnetic fraction and the heavy non
      magnetic fraction as well as the total heavy fraction, were correlated with the
      concentrations of the measured radionuclides in the bulk samples. The heavy
      fractions seem to control the activity concentrations of 238U and 232Th of all
      the samples, showing some local differences in the main 238U and 232Th mineral
      carrier. Similar correlations have been found between 238U, 232Th content and
      rare earth elements concentrations. The measured radionuclides in the beach sands
      were normalized to the respective values measured in the granitic rocks, which at
      least in most cases are their most probable parental rocks, so as to provide data
      upon their enrichment or depletion. Since the Greek beaches are among the most
      popular worldwide the annual effective dose equivalent received due to sand
      exposure has been estimated and found to vary between 0.002 and 0.379 mSv y-1 for
      tourists and from 0.018 to 3.164 mSv y-1 for local people working on the beach.
      The values corresponding to ordinary sand samples are orders of magnitude lower
      than the limit of 1 mSv y-1, only in the case of heavy minerals-rich sands the
      dose could reach or exceed the recommended maximum limit.

PMID- 27280860
TI  - Cytocompatible, Photoreversible, and Self-Healing Hydrogels for Regulating Bone
      Marrow Stromal Cell Differentiation.
AB  - Photo-crosslinking and self-healing have received considerable attention for the
      design of intelligent materials. A novel photostimulated, self-healing, and
      cytocompatible hydrogel system is reported. A coumarin methacrylate crosslinker
      is synthesized to modify the polyacrylamide-based hydrogels. With the [2+2] cyclo
      addition of coumarin moieties, the hydrogels exhibit excellent self-healing
      capacity when they are exposed to light with wavelengths at 280 and 365 nm,
      respectively. To enhance cell compatibility, a poly (amidoamine) crosslinker is
      also synthesized. Variations in light exposure times and irradiation wavelengths
      are found to alter the self-healing property of the hydrogels. The hydrogels are
      shown to induce a regular cellular pattern. The hydrogels are used to regulate
      bone marrow stromal cells differentiation. The relative mRNA expressions are
      recorded to monitor the osteogenic differentiation of the cells.

PMID- 27280861
TI  - Regiocontrolled Oxidative C-C Coupling of Dienol Ethers and 1,3-Dicarbonyl
      Compounds.
AB  - A strategy for synthesis of gamma-alkylated enones through oxidative coupling of
      siloxydienes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds is reported. This method is an
      interrupted form of our formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition method reported previously.
      The present work excels in generating all-carbon quaternary centers via C-C bond
      formation at the remote gamma-site which is traditionally challenging to
      functionalize. Stereoselectivity and functional group tolerance are examined in
      complex systems. Double alkylation reactions are also described.

PMID- 27280865
TI  - Nonadiabatic Tunneling in Photodissociation of Phenol.
AB  - Using recently developed full-dimensional coupled quasi-diabatic ab initio
      potential energy surfaces including four electronic ((1)pipi, (1)pipi*,
      1(1)pisigma*, and 2(1)pisigma*) states, the tunneling dynamics of phenol
      photodissociation via its first excited singlet state (S1 <- S0) is investigated
      quantum mechanically using a three-dimensional model. The lifetimes of several
      low-lying vibrational states are examined and compared with experiment. The
      deuteration of the phenoxyl hydrogen is found to dramatically increase the
      lifetime, attesting to the tunneling nature of the nonadiabatic dissociation.
      Importantly, it is shown that owing to the conical intersection topography
      tunneling in this system cannot be described in the standard adiabatic
      approximation, which eschews the geometric phase effect since the
      nonadiabatically computed lifetimes, validated by comparison with experiment,
      differ significantly from those obtained in that limit.

PMID- 27280866
TI  - De novo mutations in autosomal recessive congenital malformations.

PMID- 27280867
TI  - A knowledge base for tracking the impact of genomics on population health.
AB  - PURPOSE: We created an online knowledge base (the Public Health Genomics
      Knowledge Base (PHGKB)) to provide systematically curated and updated information
      that bridges population-based research on genomics with clinical and public
      health applications. METHODS: Weekly horizon scanning of a wide variety of online
      resources is used to retrieve relevant scientific publications, guidelines, and
      commentaries. After curation by domain experts, links are deposited into Web
      based databases. RESULTS: PHGKB currently consists of nine component databases.
      Users can search the entire knowledge base or search one or more component
      databases directly and choose options for customizing the display of their search
      results. CONCLUSION: PHGKB offers researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and
      the general public a way to find information they need to understand the
      complicated landscape of genomics and population health.Genet Med 18 12, 1312
      1314.

PMID- 27280868
TI  - Reflux and Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

PMID- 27280869
TI  - Timing of percutaneous cholecystostomy tube removal: systematic review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an effective procedure to
      treat moderate or severe acute cholecystitis (AC) in high-risk patients. The
      ideal timing of the drainage removal is argued. The aim of this study is to
      analyze our experience and perform a systematic review about the ideal timing of
      a percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) tube removal. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A web
      based literature search was performed and studies reporting the length of the
      catheter maintenance were analyzed. A regression analysis between the timing of
      tube removal and morbidity, mortality and disease recurrence was performed.
      Patients who underwent PC as definitive treatment of moderate or severe acute
      cholecystitis at our institution between 2011 to 2015 were analyzed. Clinical and
      technical success, morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates were retrospectively
      retrieved from a perspective database. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The systematic review
      yield to analyze 50 studies. None of them focused exclusively on outcome measures
      in relation to PC tube duration. The timing of the drain removal varied from 2 to
      193 days. Regression analyses showed no correlation between length of tube
      maintenance and the considered outcomes. We studied 35 patients. The median age
      was 78 (range 52-94) and 88.5% had an ASA score >=3. P-POSSUM estimated morbidity
      was 68.7% (range 34.3-99.0) and mortality was 15.8% (range 1.9-80.2). Clinical
      success was 97.1%. Procedure-related morbidity was 34.3%: 2 abscess, 1 bleeding,
      1 biloma and 8 tube dislodgment. Biliary leakage was not observed. The observed
      30-day overall mortality was 11.4%. The median follow-up was 16 months.
      Recurrence rate was 12.1%. CONCLUSIONS: PC is an effective procedure in high-risk
      patients with moderate or severe AC. At the moment there is no evidence whether
      the duration of PC tube may affect outcome.

PMID- 27280870
TI  - Robotic hepatectomies: advances and perspectives.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Over recent years, minimally invasive hepatic resections have
      increasingly been reported in the literature. Even though hepatic surgery is
      still considered a challenge for surgeons due to its technical difficulties and
      high morbidity, the development and spread of robotic surgery has highlighted a
      new interest, which has induced a rapid dissemination of robotic approaches for
      hepatic pathologies. This article presents a systematic review of the literature
      regarding robotic hepatectomy in order to assess the safety and feasibility of
      robotic hepatic surgery. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: All eligible studies in robotic
      liver surgery which were published between January 2001 and January 2016 were
      reviewed systematically. Only series of ten patients and more were chosen in
      order to consider the experience of high-volume centers. In case of multiple
      articles on the same centers, the study including the largest number of patients
      was considered for the study. Overall, 18 studies, involving a total of 572
      robotic liver resection (RLR) were finally analyzed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: All
      articles in this review demonstrate that robotic liver surgery must be performed
      by surgeons trained in open liver surgery and skilled in minimally invasive
      techniques. CONCLUSIONS: RLR and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) were
      comparable in terms of safety, feasibility, and outcome for hepatectomies.
      However, RLR is more expensive than LLR. Further studies are required before any
      final conclusion can be drawn.

PMID- 27280871
TI  - Bariatric surgery and vitamin D: key messages for surgeons and clinicians before
      and after bariatric surgery.
AB  - Obesity is the most widespread nutritional problem globally. Bariatric surgery is
      the preeminent long-term obesity treatment. Bariatric procedures manipulate the
      intestines to produces malabsorption and/or restrict the size of the stomach. The
      most enduring bariatric procedure is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, which utilizes
      both restriction (small stomach pouch) and malabsorption (duodenum bypass). The
      in-vogue procedure is the vertical sleeve gastrectomy - resection of the greater
      curvature of the stomach (predominantly restrictive). Malabsorptive procedures
      function by decreasing nutrient absorption, primarily fat and fat-soluble
      nutrients (vitamins A, D, E, and K). Most studies of vitamin D status in
      bariatric surgery candidates reported a prevalence of over 50% vitamin D
      deficiency (<50 nmol/L), enduring post-operatively with one study reporting 65%
      deficient at 10 years post-bariatric surgery. Obesity is associated with chronic
      inflammation, which may contribute to adverse surgical outcomes, e.g. poor
      healing and infection. Since vitamin D deficiency is also associated with chronic
      inflammation, obese individuals with vitamin D deficiency have extraordinary risk
      of adverse surgical outcomes, particularly delayed wound healing and infection
      due to the role of vitamin D in re-epithelialization and innate immunity. When
      the risk of adverse surgical outcomes in obesity is combined with that of vitamin
      D deficiency, there is likely an additive or potentially a synergistic effect.
      Furthermore, deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin D, is considered
      a metabolic complication of bariatric surgery. Thus, determining the vitamin D
      status of bariatric surgery candidates and amending it preoperatively may prove
      greatly beneficial acutely and lifelong. 

PMID- 27280872
TI  - Elevation, Not Deforestation, Promotes Genetic Differentiation in a Pioneer
      Tropical Tree.
AB  - The regeneration of disturbed forest is an essential part of tropical forest
      ecology, both with respect to natural disturbance regimes and large-scale human
      mediated logging, grazing, and agriculture. Pioneer tree species are critical for
      facilitating the transition from deforested land to secondary forest because they
      stabilize terrain and enhance connectivity between forest fragments by increasing
      matrix permeability and initiating disperser community assembly. Despite the
      ecological importance of early successional species, little is known about their
      ability to maintain gene flow across deforested landscapes. Utilizing highly
      polymorphic microsatellite markers, we examined patterns of genetic diversity and
      differentiation for the pioneer understory tree Miconia affinis across the
      Isthmus of Panama. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of geographic
      distance, forest cover, and elevation on genetic differentiation among
      populations using circuit theory and regression modeling within a landscape
      genetics framework. We report marked differences in historical and contemporary
      migration rates and moderately high levels of genetic differentiation in M.
      affinis populations across the Isthmus of Panama. Genetic differentiation
      increased significantly with elevation and geographic distance among populations;
      however, we did not find that forest cover enhanced or reduced genetic
      differentiation in the study region. Overall, our results reveal strong dispersal
      for M. affinis across human-altered landscapes, highlighting the potential use of
      this species for reforestation in tropical regions. Additionally, this study
      demonstrates the importance of considering topography when designing programs
      aimed at conserving genetic diversity within degraded tropical landscapes. 

PMID- 27280873
TI  - Seeing the Talker's Face Improves Free Recall of Speech for Young Adults With
      Normal Hearing but Not Older Adults With Hearing Loss.
AB  - PURPOSE: Seeing the talker's face improves speech understanding in noise,
      possibly releasing resources for cognitive processing. We investigated whether it
      improves free recall of spoken two-digit numbers. METHOD: Twenty younger adults
      with normal hearing and 24 older adults with hearing loss listened to and
      subsequently recalled lists of 13 two-digit numbers, with alternating male and
      female talkers. Lists were presented in quiet as well as in stationary and speech
      like noise at a signal-to-noise ratio giving approximately 90% intelligibility.
      Amplification compensated for loss of audibility. RESULTS: Seeing the talker's
      face improved free recall performance for the younger but not the older group.
      Poorer performance in background noise was contingent on individual differences
      in working memory capacity. The effect of seeing the talker's face did not differ
      in quiet and noise. CONCLUSIONS: We have argued that the absence of an effect of
      seeing the talker's face for older adults with hearing loss may be due to
      modulation of audiovisual integration mechanisms caused by an interaction between
      task demands and participant characteristics. In particular, we suggest that
      executive task demands and interindividual executive skills may play a key role
      in determining the benefit of seeing the talker's face during a speech-based
      cognitive task.

PMID- 27280874
TI  - Impact of the introduction of Non-invasive prenatal genetic testing on invasive
      tests: A single-center study in Japan.

PMID- 27280877
TI  - Message From the President.

PMID- 27280876
TI  - Message From the Editor.

PMID- 27280878
TI  - Schedule-at-a-Glance.

PMID- 27280879
TI  - Inundation and Fire Shape the Structure of Riparian Forests in the Pantanal,
      Brazil.
AB  - Inundation and fire can affect the structure of riparian vegetation in wetlands.
      Our aim was to verify if there are differences in richness, abundance, basal
      area, composition and topographic preference of woody species in riparian forests
      related to the fire history, flooding duration, or the interaction between both.
      The study was conducted in the riparian forests of the Paraguay River some of
      which were burned three times between 2001 and 2011. We sampled trees with a
      girth of at least 5 cm at breast height in 150 5 * 10 m plots (79 burned and 71
      unburned). We also measured height of the flood mark and estimated the flooding
      duration of each plot. We performed Generalized Linear Mixed Models to verify
      differences in richness, basal area, and abundance of individuals associated to
      interaction of fire and inundation. We used an analysis of similarity (ANOSIM)
      and indicator species analysis to identify differences in composition of species
      and the association with burned and unburned area according to different levels
      of inundation. Finally, we used a hierarchical set of Generalized Linear Models
      (GLM), the so-called HOF models, to analyse each species' specific response to
      inundation based on topography and to determine their preferred optimal
      topographic position for both burned as well as unburned areas. Richness was
      positively associated with elevation only in burned areas while abundance was
      negatively influenced by inundation only in burned areas. Basal area was
      negatively associated with time of inundation independent of fire history. There
      were 15 species which were significant indicators for at least one combination of
      the studied factors. We found nine species in burned areas and 15 in unburned
      areas, with response curves in HOF models along the inundation gradient. From
      these, five species shifted their optimal position along the inundation gradient
      in burned areas. The interaction of fire and inundation did not appear to affect
      the basal area, but it did affect the richness, number of individuals, success of
      some species, and seemed to shape the boundary of these forests as shown by the
      difference in the positioning of these species along the inundation gradient. 

PMID- 27280880
TI  - Correction: Inhibition of the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway in Regulatory T Cells
      Reveals a Very Dynamic Regulation of Foxp3 Expression.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153682.].

PMID- 27280881
TI  - The Evolutionary Origins of Hierarchy.
AB  - Hierarchical organization-the recursive composition of sub-modules-is ubiquitous
      in biological networks, including neural, metabolic, ecological, and genetic
      regulatory networks, and in human-made systems, such as large organizations and
      the Internet. To date, most research on hierarchy in networks has been limited to
      quantifying this property. However, an open, important question in evolutionary
      biology is why hierarchical organization evolves in the first place. It has
      recently been shown that modularity evolves because of the presence of a cost for
      network connections. Here we investigate whether such connection costs also tend
      to cause a hierarchical organization of such modules. In computational
      simulations, we find that networks without a connection cost do not evolve to be
      hierarchical, even when the task has a hierarchical structure. However, with a
      connection cost, networks evolve to be both modular and hierarchical, and these
      networks exhibit higher overall performance and evolvability (i.e. faster
      adaptation to new environments). Additional analyses confirm that hierarchy
      independently improves adaptability after controlling for modularity. Overall,
      our results suggest that the same force-the cost of connections-promotes the
      evolution of both hierarchy and modularity, and that these properties are
      important drivers of network performance and adaptability. In addition to
      shedding light on the emergence of hierarchy across the many domains in which it
      appears, these findings will also accelerate future research into evolving more
      complex, intelligent computational brains in the fields of artificial
      intelligence and robotics.

PMID- 27280883
TI  - Magnetohydrodynamic Flow by a Stretching Cylinder with Newtonian Heating and
      Homogeneous-Heterogeneous Reactions.
AB  - This article examines the effects of homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions and
      Newtonian heating in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of Powell-Eyring fluid by a
      stretching cylinder. The nonlinear partial differential equations of momentum,
      energy and concentration are reduced to the nonlinear ordinary differential
      equations. Convergent solutions of momentum, energy and reaction equations are
      developed by using homotopy analysis method (HAM). This method is very efficient
      for development of series solutions of highly nonlinear differential equations.
      It does not depend on any small or large parameter like the other methods i. e.,
      perturbation method, delta-perturbation expansion method etc. We get more
      accurate result as we increase the order of approximations. Effects of different
      parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentration distributions are
      sketched and discussed. Comparison of present study with the previous published
      work is also made in the limiting sense. Numerical values of skin friction
      coefficient and Nusselt number are also computed and analyzed. It is noticed that
      the flow accelerates for large values of Powell-Eyring fluid parameter. Further
      temperature profile decreases and concentration profile increases when Powell
      Eyring fluid parameter enhances. Concentration distribution is decreasing
      function of homogeneous reaction parameter while opposite influence of
      heterogeneous reaction parameter appears. 

PMID- 27280882
TI  - Prevalence, Predictors, and Same Day Treatment of Positive VIA Enhanced by
      Digital Cervicography and Histopathology Results in a Cervical Cancer Prevention
      Program in Cameroon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2007, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS)
      implemented a screen-and-treat cervical cancer prevention program using visual
      inspection with acetic acid enhanced by digital cervicography (VIA-DC). METHODS:
      We retrospectively analyzed 46,048 medical records of women who received care
      through the CBCHS Women's Health Program from 2007 through 2014 to determine the
      prevalence and predictors of positive VIA-DC, rates of same day treatment, and
      cohort prevalence of invasive cervical cancer (ICC). RESULTS: Of the 44,979 women
      who were screened for cervical cancer, 9.0% were VIA-DC-positive, 66.8% were VIA
      DC-negative, 22.0% were VIA-DC-inadequate (normal ectocervix, but portions of the
      transformation zone were obscured), and 2.2% were VIA-DC-uncertain (cervical
      abnormalities confounding VIA-DC interpretation). Risk factors significantly
      associated with VIA-DC-positive screen were HIV-positivity, young age at sexual
      debut, higher lifetime number of sexual partners, low education status and higher
      gravidity. In 2014, 31.1% of women eligible for cryotherapy underwent same day
      treatment. Among the 32,788 women screened from 2007 through 2013, 201 cases of
      ICC were identified corresponding to a cohort prevalence of 613 per 100,000.
      CONCLUSIONS: High rate of VIA-DC-positive screens suggests a significant burden
      of potential cervical cancer cases and highlights the need for expansion of
      cervical cancer screening and prevention throughout the 10 regions of Cameroon.
      VIA-DC-inadequate rates were also high, especially in older women, and additional
      screening methods are needed to confirm whether these results are truly negative.
      In comparison to similar screening programs in sub-Saharan Africa there was low
      utilization of same day cryotherapy treatment. Further studies are required to
      characterize possible program specific barriers to treatment, for example
      cultural demands, health system challenges and cost of procedure. The prevalence
      of ICC among women who presented for screening was high and requires further
      investigation.

PMID- 27280884
TI  - Impact of Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination on Prevalence, Infection-Associated
      Morbidity and Mortality, and Circulation of Immune Escape Variants in Russia.
AB  - METHODS: 6,217 sera samples collected from volunteers in six epidemiologically
      different regions of Russia were tested for serological and molecular markers of
      HBV infection. A mathematical model developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention was used to estimate the effect of vaccination and birth
      dose coverage on the incidence of HB and adverse outcomes of infection. RESULTS:
      Prevalence of HBsAg in the study population varied from 1.2% to 8.2%; anti-HBc
      detection rates were 13.0-46.2%. HBsAg detection rates in epidemiologically
      significant cohorts were 0.6-10.5% in women of childbearing age; 0-2.4% in
      children <=5 years old; 1.9-8.1% in adults >=30 years old. Mathematical modeling
      demonstrated that the current 96.1-99.6% level of birth dose coverage increased
      the effectiveness of vaccination 10-21 times compared to 50% and 0% birth dose
      coverage scenarios. HBV DNA was detected in 63 sera samples. The frequency of
      amino acid substitutions in HBsAg was 38% (24/63). Only in 3% (2/63) the
      mutations were within the a-determinant of HBsAg (M133T and G145S, one case
      each). None of the identified mutations eluded HBsAg detection, since all these
      samples tested positive for HBsAg by commercial ELISA. CONCLUSION: Despite a
      significant decline in acute HB incidence after the introduction of universal
      vaccination, many undiagnosed potential sources of infection remain. Low
      prevalence of HBV immune escape variants is a favorable predictor of vaccine
      effectiveness in the future.

PMID- 27280885
TI  - The ESX-5 System of Pathogenic Mycobacteria Is Involved In Capsule Integrity and
      Virulence through Its Substrate PPE10.
AB  - Mycobacteria produce a capsule layer, which consists of glycan-like
      polysaccharides and a number of specific proteins. In this study, we show that,
      in slow-growing mycobacteria, the type VII secretion system ESX-5 plays a major
      role in the integrity and stability of the capsule. We have identified PPE10 as
      the ESX-5 substrate responsible for this effect. Mutants in esx-5 and ppe10 both
      have impaired capsule integrity as well as reduced surface hydrophobicity.
      Electron microscopy, immunoblot and flow cytometry analyses demonstrated reduced
      amounts of surface localized proteins and glycolipids, and morphological
      differences in the capsular layer. Since capsular proteins secreted by the ESX-1
      system are important virulence factors, we tested the effect of the mutations
      that cause capsular defects on virulence mechanisms. Both esx-5 and ppe10 mutants
      of Mycobacterium marinum were shown to be impaired in ESX-1-dependent hemolysis.
      In agreement with this, the ppe10 and esx5 mutants showed reduced recruitment of
      ubiquitin in early macrophage infection and intermediate attenuation in zebrafish
      embryos. These results provide a pivotal role for the ESX-5 secretion system and
      its substrate PPE10, in the capsular integrity of pathogenic mycobacteria. These
      findings open up new roads for research on the mycobacterial capsule and its role
      in virulence and immune modulation.

PMID- 27280886
TI  - Age, Gender and Load-Related Influences on Left Ventricular Geometric Remodeling,
      Systolic Mid-Wall Function, and NT-ProBNP in Asymptomatic Asian Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advanced age is associated with left ventricle (LV) remodeling and
      impaired cardiac function that may increase the risk of heart failure. Even so,
      studies regarding age-related cardiac remodeling in a large, asymptomatic Asian
      population remain limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 8,410 asymptomatic
      participants (49.7 +/-11.7 y, 38.9% women) in a health evaluation cohort (2004
      2012) at a tertiary center in Northern Taiwan. We analyzed age-related
      alterations for all echocardiography-derived cardiac structures/functions and the
      associations with circulating N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide
      (NT-proBNP). We also explored sex-related differences in these measures. RESULTS:
      In our cohort of 8,410 participants, advanced age was associated with greater LV
      wall thickness, larger LV total mass (+5.08 g/decade), and greater LV mass index
      (4.41 g/m2/decade), as well as increased serum NT-proBNP level (+18.89
      pg/mL/decade). An accompanying reduction of stress-corrected midwall fractional
      shortening (-0.1%/decade) with aging was apparent in women after multi-variate
      adjustment (-0.09%/decade, p = 0.001). Furthermore, women demonstrated greater
      overall increase in LV wall thickness, LV mass index, and NT-proBNP compared to
      men (p for interaction: <0.001). All blood pressure components, including
      systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressures were independently associated with
      greater wall thickness and LV mass index after adjustment for confounders (all p
      <0.001). The associations between age and cardiac remodeling or mid-wall
      functions were further confirmed in a subset of study subjects with repeated
      follow up by GEE model. CONCLUSIONS: Significant associations of unfavorable LV
      remodeling and advanced age in our asymptomatic Asian population were observed,
      along with sex differences. These data may help explain the incidence of some
      diverse gender-related cardiovascular diseases, especially heart failure.

PMID- 27280887
TI  - SARTools: A DESeq2- and EdgeR-Based R Pipeline for Comprehensive Differential
      Analysis of RNA-Seq Data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several R packages exist for the detection of differentially
      expressed genes from RNA-Seq data. The analysis process includes three main
      steps, namely normalization, dispersion estimation and test for differential
      expression. Quality control steps along this process are recommended but not
      mandatory, and failing to check the characteristics of the dataset may lead to
      spurious results. In addition, normalization methods and statistical models are
      not exchangeable across the packages without adequate transformations the users
      are often not aware of. Thus, dedicated analysis pipelines are needed to include
      systematic quality control steps and prevent errors from misusing the proposed
      methods. RESULTS: SARTools is an R pipeline for differential analysis of RNA-Seq
      count data. It can handle designs involving two or more conditions of a single
      biological factor with or without a blocking factor (such as a batch effect or a
      sample pairing). It is based on DESeq2 and edgeR and is composed of an R package
      and two R script templates (for DESeq2 and edgeR respectively). Tuning a small
      number of parameters and executing one of the R scripts, users have access to the
      full results of the analysis, including lists of differentially expressed genes
      and a HTML report that (i) displays diagnostic plots for quality control and
      model hypotheses checking and (ii) keeps track of the whole analysis process,
      parameter values and versions of the R packages used. CONCLUSIONS: SARTools
      provides systematic quality controls of the dataset as well as diagnostic plots
      that help to tune the model parameters. It gives access to the main parameters of
      DESeq2 and edgeR and prevents untrained users from misusing some functionalities
      of both packages. By keeping track of all the parameters of the analysis process
      it fits the requirements of reproducible research.

PMID- 27280888
TI  - On Dipole Moments and Hydrogen Bond Identification in Water Clusters.
AB  - It is demonstrated that the localized orbitals calculated for a water cluster
      have small delocalization tails along the hydrogen bonds, that are crucial in
      determining the resulting dipole moments of the system. (By cutting them, one
      gets much smaller dipole moments for the individual monomers-close to the values
      one obtains by using a Bader-type analysis.) This means that the individual water
      monomers can be delimited only in a quite fuzzy manner, and the electronic charge
      density in a given point cannot be assigned completely to that or another
      molecule. Thus, one arrives to the brink of breaking the concept of a water
      cluster consisting of individual molecules. The analysis of the tails of the
      localized orbitals can also be used to identify the pairs of water molecules
      actually forming hydrogen bonds. 

PMID- 27280889
TI  - Efficient Assessment of Developmental, Surgical and Pathological
      Lymphangiogenesis Using a Lymphatic Reporter Mouse and Its Embryonic Stem Cells.
AB  - Several lymphatic reporter mouse lines have recently been developed to
      significantly improve imaging of lymphatic vessels. Nonetheless, the usage of
      direct visualization of lymphatic vessels has not been fully explored and
      documented. Here, we characterized a new Prox1-tdTomato transgenic lymphatic
      reporter mouse line, and demonstrated how this animal tool enables the
      researchers to efficiently assess developmental, surgical and pathological
      lymphangiogenesis by direct visualization of lymphatic vessels. Moreover, we have
      derived embryonic stem cells from this reporter line, and successfully
      differentiated them into lymphatic vessels in vivo. In conclusion, these
      experimental tools and techniques will help advance lymphatic research. 

PMID- 27280890
TI  - Trust, but Verify II: A Practical Guide to Chemogenomics Data Curation.
AB  - There is a growing public concern about the lack of reproducibility of
      experimental data published in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Herein, we
      review the most recent alerts regarding experimental data quality and discuss
      initiatives taken thus far to address this problem, especially in the area of
      chemical genomics. Going beyond just acknowledging the issue, we propose a
      chemical and biological data curation workflow that relies on existing
      cheminformatics approaches to flag, and when appropriate, correct possibly
      erroneous entries in large chemogenomics data sets. We posit that the adherence
      to the best practices for data curation is important for both experimental
      scientists who generate primary data and deposit them in chemical genomics
      databases and computational researchers who rely on these data for model
      development.

PMID- 27280891
TI  - Phonological memory in young children who stutter.
AB  - This study investigated phonological memory in 5- and 6-year old children who
      stutter. Participants were 11 children who stutter matched on general language
      abilities, maternal education level, and sex to 11 typically fluent children.
      Participants completed norm-referenced nonword repetition and digit span tasks,
      as well as measures of expressive and receptive vocabulary and articulation. The
      nonword repetition task included stimuli that ranged from 1 to 7 syllables, while
      the digit naming task contained number strings containing 2-10 digits.
      Standardized tests of vocabulary and articulation abilities were tested as well.
      Groups were comparable on measures expressive vocabulary, receptive vocabulary,
      and articulation. Despite the fact that the majority of participants scored
      within typical limits, young children who stutter still performed significantly
      less well than children who do not stutter on the nonword repetition task. No
      between-group differences were revealed in the digit naming task. Typically
      fluent children demonstrated strong correlations between phonological memory
      tasks and language measures, while children who stutter did not. These findings
      indicate that young children who stutter may have sub-clinical differences in
      nonword repetition.

PMID- 27280892
TI  - Three-Dimensional Analysis of Hemimetameric Segmental Shift in Congenital
      Scoliosis.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. BACKGROUND: Hemimetameric
      segmental shift (HMMS) is defined as a hemivertebral deformation in which 2 or
      more hemivertebrae exist on both sides of the spine and are separated by at least
      1 normal vertebra. Reports of HMMS are rare and based on simple anterior x-ray
      images. No reports have used 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) to analyze
      both the anterior and posterior elements. The objective of this study was to
      analyze the morphology and clinical features of HMMS 3 dimensionally. METHODS:
      HMMS was confirmed in 32 (6.6%, 16 males and 16 females) of 483 patients
      diagnosed with congenital scoliosis at the study institution between 1998 and
      2013. The average age at the first visit was 6 years and 3 months. 3D-CT imaging
      was performed for 30 patients older than 2 years (average age: 9 y and 8 mo) and
      used to classify cases according to posterior elements. RESULTS: With regard to
      the number of hemivertebrae present, 21 patients had 2 hemivertebrae, 7 patients
      had 3 hemivertebrae, and 2 patients had 4 hemivertebrae. Patients with 2
      hemivertebrae predominantly had hemivertebrae in the thoracolumbar spine.
      Patients were classified into 2 categories: malformation existing at an equal
      level in anterior and posterior sides (unison HMMS) and malformation existing at
      nonequal levels (discordant HMMS). Nine patients had unison HMMS and all of them
      had 2 hemivertebrae (average: 4.6 vertebrae). Twenty-one patients had discordant
      HMMS, with 12 having 2 hemivertebrae, 7 having 3 hemivertebrae, and 2 having 4
      hemivertebrae. CONCLUSIONS: Through 3D-CT analysis, HMMS was categorized as
      unison or discordant. Discordant HMMS was observed in 21 of 30 (70%) patients and
      in all patients with >3 hemivertebrae. Diagnosing HMMS, whether unison or
      discordant, is clinically important and should be done with careful analysis of
      bone models and/or radiologic images to determine the correct spinal levels.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-diagnostic study.

PMID- 27280893
TI  - The Recognition, Incidence, and Management of Spinal Cord Monitoring Alerts in
      Early-onset Scoliosis Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of the research was to study the relevance of
      intraoperative neuromonitoring throughout all stages of surgical management in
      patients with progressive early-onset scoliosis (EOS).The routine monitoring of
      spinal cord potentials has gradually become standard of practice among spinal
      surgeons. However, there is not a consensus that the added expense of this
      technique necessitates monitoring in all stages of surgical management. METHODS:
      A retrospective review of 180 surgical cases of 30 patients with EOS from July
      2003 to July 2012 was performed. All monitoring alerts as judged by the
      neuromonitoring team were identified. Both somatosensory-evoked potentials and
      transcranial electric motor-evoked potentials were studied and no limiting
      thresholds for reporting electrophysiological changes were deemed appropriate.
      RESULTS: Of 150 monitored cases there were 18 (12%) monitoring alerts. This
      represented 40% of the patient cohort over the 9-year study period. CONCLUSIONS:
      Index versus routine lengthening rate of alerts showed no significant difference
      in incidence of monitoring alerts. Conversely, several patients whose primary
      implantation surgeries were uneventful had monitoring alerts later in their
      treatment course. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is warranted throughout all
      stages of surgical management of EOS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. This study is
      a retrospective review of surgical cases of 30 patients with EOS.

PMID- 27280894
TI  - Radiation Exposure During Operative Fixation of Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus
      Fractures: Is Lead Shielding Necessary?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Factors that impact radiation exposure during operative fixation of
      pediatric supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures have been investigated; however,
      no studies have measured the equivalent dose at the patient's radiosensitive
      organs. Our hypothesis was that intraoperative fluoroscopy exposes pediatric
      patients to a significant radiation load and lead shielding of radiosensitive
      organs is important. The goal of the study was to quantify the patient's
      radiation exposure during the procedure by measuring the radiation load at the
      thyroid and gonads. METHODS: A prospective quality improvement project of
      radiation exposure during percutaneous fixation of isolated SCH fractures was
      performed over a 4-week period. The c-arm image intensifier was used as the
      operating table and radiation dosimeters were positioned over the thyroid and
      gonadal lead shields. Fluoroscopy times were recorded, doses were calculated, and
      the dosimeters were analyzed. To assure that the prospective cohort was
      representative of a larger population of SCH fractures, demographics and
      fluoroscopy time of the prospective cohort were compared with a 12-month
      retrospective cohort in which dosimetry was not performed. RESULTS: Prospective
      cohort-18 patients with type 2 (8) and type 3 (10) fractures were prospectively
      studied with intraoperative measurement of thyroid and gonadal radiation
      equivalent doses. Mean age was 4.9 years (1.9 to 9.5 y) and mean weight was 21.4
      kg (13.1 to 33.5 kg). Mean fluoroscopy time was 65.0 seconds (25.3 to 168.4 s),
      and absorbed skin dose at the elbow was 0.47 mGy (0.18 to 1.21 mGy). The
      radiation dosimeters overlying the thyroid and gonads measured minimal radiation
      indicating equivalent doses of <0.01 mSv for all patients in the prospective
      cohort.Retrospective cohort-163 patients with type 2 (60) and type 3 (103)
      fractures were retrospectively studied. The mean age was 5.5 years (0.02 to 13.7
      y) and weight was 21.6 kg (2.0 to 71.9 kg). Mean fluoroscopy time was 74.1
      seconds (10.2 to 288.9 s), and absorbed skin dose at the elbow was 0.53 mGy (0.07
      to 2.07 mGy).There were no statistically significant differences between the
      cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The smaller prospective cohort had fluoroscopy times and
      radiation doses that were not statistically different from the larger
      retrospective cohort, suggesting that the dosimeter measurements are
      representative of intraoperative radiation exposure during fixation of pediatric
      SCH fractures. The equivalent dose to the thyroid and gonads was minimal and
      approximates daily background radiation. Shielding of radiosensitive organs is
      appropriate when practical to minimize cumulative lifetime radiation exposure,
      particularly in smaller patients and when longer fluoroscopy times are
      anticipated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.

PMID- 27280895
TI  - Results of Ponseti Brasil Program: Multicentric Study in 1621 Feet: Preliminary
      Results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Ponseti method has been shown to be the most effective treatment
      for congenital clubfoot. The current challenge is to establish sustainable
      national clubfoot treatment programs that utilize the Ponseti method and
      integrate it within a nation's governmental health system. The Brazilian Ponseti
      Program (Programa Ponseti Brasil) has increased awareness of the utility of the
      Ponseti method and has trained >500 Brazilian orthopaedic surgeons in it.
      METHODS: A group of 18 of those surgeons had been able to reproduce the Ponseti
      clubfoot treatment, and compiled their initial results through structured
      spreadsheet. RESULTS: The study compiled 1040 patients for a total of 1621 feet.
      The average follow-up time was 2.3 years with an average correction time of
      approximately 3 months. Patients required an average of 6.40 casts to achieve
      correction. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that good initial correction
      rates are reproducible after training; from 1040 patients only 1.4% required a
      posteromedial release. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

PMID- 27280897
TI  - Deep Surgical Site Infections Following Pediatric Cervical Spine Surgery.
AB  - OF BACKGROUND DATA: This is the first reported series looking specifically at
      factors associated with deep surgical site infections (SSI) following pediatric
      cervical spine surgery. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors present in pediatric
      patients who are at risk for SSI following cervical spine surgery. DESIGN: Level
      of evidence: level IV-retrospective case series. INTRODUCTION: To date there are
      no studies regarding SSI in pediatric cervical spine surgery and thus no
      benchmark data or risk factors have been identified. METHODS: Patients with acute
      deep SSIs occurring within 90 days of the index operation were identified.
      Patient and surgical characteristics were analyzed for possible predictors of SSI
      outcome using penalized likelihood logistic regression analysis. Characteristics
      analyzed included: age, diagnosis, comorbidity, levels fused, approach, implants
      used, allograft, halo, body mass index, revision, antibiotic dosing, and
      occipital plating. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients were included in the study at
      a mean age of 12.5 years (2 to 18 y). Comorbidities were present in 51 (46%)
      patients, 15 patients had a documented connective tissue disorder (CTD). The mean
      number of levels fused was 3.7 (2 to 7) and mean number of screws was 4.4 (2 to
      11). Allograft was used alone in 48 patients, occipital plating in 28 patients,
      and a halo in 39 patients. Deep SSI occurred in 3 patients: two of which had a
      CTD (1 Trisomy 21, 1 Ehlers-Danlos) and 1 patient with postradiation cervical
      kyphosis. All were gram-positive infections requiring return to operating room
      with prolonged IV antibiotics. All patients recovered and fused with spinal
      implant retention. The incidence of deep SSI was 2.7%. It was determined that a
      CTD was the only significant predictor of SSI. Subjects with a CTD had 12 times
      the odds of SSI [odds ratio=12 (1.5, 137.0); P=0.02]. CONCLUSIONS: In our series
      of pediatric patients the incidence of a deep SSI was 2.7%. The only predictor of
      SSI was the presence of a CTD.

PMID- 27280896
TI  - Compliance With a Comprehensive Antibiotic Protocol Improves Infection Incidence
      in Pediatric Spine Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A multidisciplinary task force, designated Target Zero, has developed
      protocols for prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) for spine surgery at
      our institution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how compliance with an
      antibiotic bundle impacts infection incidences in pediatric spine surgery.
      METHODS: After institutional review board approval, a consecutive series of 511
      patients (517 procedures) who underwent primary spine procedures from 2008 to
      2012 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who developed SSI.
      Patients were followed for a minimum of 90 days postoperatively. Compliance data
      were collected prospectively in 511 consecutive patients and a total of 517
      procedures. Three criteria were required for antibiotic bundle compliance:
      appropriate antibiotics completely administered within 1 hour before incision,
      antibiotics appropriately redosed intraoperatively for blood loss and time, and
      antibiotics discontinued within 24 hours postoperatively. A multivariable
      logistic regression analysis was used to test the association between compliance
      and the development of an infection. RESULTS: Overall antibiotic bundle
      compliance rate was 85%. After adjusting for risk category, estimated blood loss,
      and study year, the likelihood of an infection was increased in the noncompliant
      group compared with the compliant group (adjusted odds ratio: 3.0, 95% CI, 0.96
      9.47, P=0.0587). When expressed as the number needed to treat, strict adherence
      to antibiotic bundle compliance prevented 1 SSI within 90 days of surgery for
      every 26 patients treated with the antibiotic bundle. Reasons for noncompliance
      included failure to infuse preoperative antibiotics 1 hour before incision
      (10.3%), failure to redose antibiotics intraoperatively based on time or blood
      loss (5.5%), and failure to discontinue antibiotics within 24 hours
      postoperatively (1.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with a comprehensive antibiotic
      protocol can lead to meaningful reductions in SSI incidences in pediatric spine
      surgery. Institutions should focus on improving compliance with prophylactic
      antibiotic protocols to decrease SSI in pediatric spine surgery. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective cohort study.

PMID- 27280898
TI  - Outcomes of Isolated Varus Derotational Osteotomy in Children With Cerebral Palsy
      Hip Dysplasia and Predictors of Resubluxation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The appropriate intervention for hip subluxation or dislocation in
      children affected by cerebral palsy (CP) remains controversial. The purpose of
      this retrospective study was to report radiographic and clinical outcomes
      following isolated femoral varus derotational osteotomy (VDRO) in children with
      CP hip dysplasia. Risk factors for resubluxation and avascular necrosis (AVN)
      were also examined. METHODS: A cohort of 100 patients (199 hips) with CP treated
      with isolated VDRO between 2003 and 2009 was reviewed. All but 1 patient received
      bilateral surgery. Patients were followed for an average of 5.4 years (range,
      1.03 to 10.20 y). Anteroposterior pelvic radiographs were used to assess
      migration percentage (MP), Shenton's line, and presence of AVN. Resubluxation was
      defined as a postoperative break in Shenton's line. Radiographic outcomes and
      risk analysis was performed in the 91 subjects (179 hips) with radiographic
      follow-up >1 year. RESULTS: Significant improvement was observed in MP, and all
      hips had a reconstituted Shenton's line following surgery. Over the course of
      follow-up, 16% of hips were noted to have a repeat break in Shenton's line.
      Univariate risk analysis showed preoperative MP, Gross Motor Function
      Classification System (GMFCS) level, and age at surgery were risk factors for a
      recurrent line break. Preoperative MP and GMFCS level were found to be predictors
      of resubluxation in multivariate analysis. AVN was detected in 10 hips (5.7%).
      GMFCS level V patients were more at risk for resubluxation, but less at risk for
      AVN when compared with ambulatory (GMFCS I/II/II) patients and GMFCS level IV
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: Performing a VDRO without additional procedures provided a
      stable and concentrically reduced hip joint in this population of children with
      CP. Attention should be paid to initial ambulatory status during the
      postoperative period. Concomitant procedures such as pelvic osteotomy should be
      considered for patients of GMFCS level IV and V, as these patients were more at
      risk for recurrent subluxation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective
      comparative study.

PMID- 27280899
TI  - Ulna Growth Patterns After Soft Tissue Release With Bilobed Flap in Radial
      Longitudinal Deficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Centralization is commonly utilized for treating the severely
      deviated wrist in radial longitudinal deficiency (RLD). Individuals with RLD have
      congenital shortening of the ulna and previous studies have shown that
      traditional centralization, in particular with notching of the carpus, results in
      additional ulnar growth retardation. At our institution, we use a technique of
      soft tissue release with bilobed flap. We examined if this technique preserves
      the growth potential of the distal ulna, therefore, avoiding an additionally
      shortened forearm. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed serial radiographs of 16
      patients with 18 wrists who had at least 3 years of follow-up after a soft tissue
      release with bilobed flap. Radiographic lengths were measured using the method
      described by Heikel. Percentage of normal growth was calculated using normative
      data published by Maresh. Comparisons were made with preoperative, postoperative,
      and final follow-up studies. RESULTS: The average length of follow-up was 9.2
      years (range, 3 to 16.3 y) with an average age of 11.6 years (range, 5.2 to 17.5
      y). The average age at the time of surgery was 27 months (range, 14 to 48 mo). A
      minimum of 3 radiographic studies were available for each subject. The average
      ulna length preoperatively was 63.9% of age-matched normal length (51.4% to
      75.3%). The average ulna length at final follow-up was 61.9% of age-matched
      normal length (48.5% to 70.3%). The difference was not statistically significant.
      In addition, there were no distal ulnar physeal arrests. CONCLUSIONS: Soft tissue
      release with bilobed flap does not affect ulna growth like traditional
      centralization procedures can. This procedure has previously been shown to retain
      motion and have similar recurrence rates to formal centralizations. Therefore, we
      advocate that it be considered more widely for use in patients with RLD and
      significant wrist deviation to maximize growth and improve hand position. Soft
      tissue release with bilobed flap can be safely used on young children and
      preserve ulnar growth. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic.

PMID- 27280900
TI  - Botulinum Toxin Injection for Internal Rotation Contractures in Brachial Plexus
      Birth Palsy. A Minimum 5-Year Prospective Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus birth palsy is frequently associated with internal
      rotation contractures of the shoulder as a result of muscle imbalance. The
      purpose of this study is to assess the effect of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A)
      injection in the subscapular (SC) muscle on external rotation and the need for
      tendon transfer for external rotation of the shoulder. METHODS: A prospective
      comparative study was performed including 15 consecutive patients treated with
      BTX-A and a historic control group of 67 patients with mean age 30 months (SD
      10). The BTX-A injection (2 IU/kg body weight) was performed immediately
      following MRI under general anesthesia in the SC muscle. Passive external
      rotation, the need for tendon transfer surgery, glenohumeral deformity, and
      muscle degeneration were evaluated. The hazard ratio for no relapse of internal
      rotation contracture after BTX-A injection compared with no BTX-A injection was
      calculated. RESULTS: In the BTX-A group, the passive external rotation in
      adduction increased from -1 degree (95% CI, -10 to 8) to 32 degrees (95% CI, 17
      46) at 3 months and 6 patients were indicated for surgery compared with a decline
      from -2 degrees (95% CI, -7 to 3) to -11 degrees (95% CI, -17 to -6) in the
      control group with 66 indications for surgery. At 5 years of follow-up, 10
      patients in the BTX-A group were indicated for surgery with a hazard ratio of 4.0
      (95% CI, 1.9 to 8.4). CONCLUSIONS: BTX-A injection in the SC muscle of brachial
      plexus birth palsy patients can reduce internal rotation contractures and
      subsequently the need for tendon transfer surgery. At 5 years of follow-up a
      relapse was seen in 67% of the patients treated with BTX-A. Because at MRI less
      SC degeneration was found in the good responders on BTX-A treatment, this group
      seems to be the best target group. Further research is needed on patient
      selection for BTX-A injection including glenohumeral deformity, SC degeneration,
      as well as doses of BTX-A to be used. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II-prospective
      comparative study.

PMID- 27280901
TI  - Blood Transfusion Incidence, Risk Factors, and Associated Complications in
      Surgical Treatment of Hip Dysplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perioperative bleeding requiring blood transfusion is a known
      complication of hip dysplasia (HD) surgery. Here we examine rates of, risk
      factors for, and postoperative complications associated with transfusion during
      HD surgery. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)
      Pediatric database was queried for patients treated by an orthopaedist from 2012
      to 2013. HD cases were categorized by Current Procedural Terminology codes into
      femoral osteotomies, acetabular osteotomies, combined femoral/acetabular
      osteotomies, and open reductions. Patients were grouped by comorbidities:
      neuromuscular (NM) disease (eg, cerebral palsy) group, non-NM with other
      comorbidity (Other) group, and no known comorbidity (NL) group. Patients were
      stratified by weight-normalized transfusion volume. Multivariate regression
      analysis of transfusion association with procedures, demographics, comorbidities,
      preoperative laboratory values, and 30-day complications was performed. RESULTS:
      A total of 1184 HD cases were included. Transfusion rates for the NL, Other, and
      NM groups, respectively, were 44/451 (9.8%), 61/216 (28.2%), and 161/517 (31.1%).
      Transfusion volumes (mean+/-SD) for the NL, Other, and NM groups, respectively,
      were 8.4+/-5.4, 13.9+/-8.8, and 15.5+/-10.0 mL/kg (P<0.001). Combined osteotomies
      had the highest transfusion rates in the NM and Other groups (35.7% and 45.8%,
      respectively), whereas acetabular osteotomies had the highest rate in the NL
      group (15.8%). Open reductions had the lowest transfusion rate (all groups).
      Longer operations were independently associated with transfusion (all groups, per
      hour increase, OR>1.5, P<0.001). Independent patient risk factors included
      preoperative hematocrit <31% (NM group, OR=18.42, P=0.013), female sex (NL group,
      OR=3.55, P=0.008), developmental delay (NM group, OR=2.37, P=0.004), pulmonary
      comorbidity (NM group, OR=1.73, P=0.032), and older age (NL group, per year
      increase: OR=1.29, P<0.001). In all groups, transfusion was associated with
      longer hospitalization (P<0.001). We observed a volume-dependent increase in
      overall complication rate within the Other group for transfusion volumes >15
      mL/kg (25.0% vs. 5.4% for <15 mL/kg, P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: We identified several
      risk factors for transfusion in HD surgery. The incidence of transfusion in HD
      surgery and its association with adverse outcomes warrants development of
      appropriate patient management guidelines. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III
      prognostic.

PMID- 27280902
TI  - Primary Liver Carcinosarcoma and 18F-FDG PET/CT.
AB  - Primary liver carcinosarcoma is a very rare, malignant neoplasm that is
      concomitantly composed of a mixture of sarcomatous and carcinomatous elements. In
      the present study, an initial staging FDG PET/CT showed intense FDG uptake in a
      patient with liver carcinosarcoma composed of hepatocellular carcinoma and
      rhabdomyosarcoma. Two months after surgical resection, a restaging PET/CT showed
      rapid progression of the disease with abdominal and lung metastases, indicating
      aggressive feature of the disease. The case shows the importance to repeat a
      restaging PET/CT at early time after surgery for a patient with liver
      carcinosarcoma to monitor disease progression. 

PMID- 27280903
TI  - Quality and Safety in Health Care, Part XIV: The External Environment and
      Research for Diagnostic Processes.
AB  - The work system in which diagnosis takes place is affected by the external
      environment, which includes requirements such as certification, accreditation,
      and regulations. How errors are reported, malpractice, and the system for payment
      are some other aspects of the external environment. Improving the external
      environment is expected to decrease errors in diagnosis. More research on
      improving the diagnostic process is needed. 

PMID- 27280904
TI  - Early Assessment of Treatment Response in Takayasu Arteritis: An 18FDG PET
      Procedure.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe a procedure allowing early assessment of treatment response
      in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients by averaging the standard uptake value
      obtained from N hottest voxels irrespective of their location within the F-FDG
      positive vessel walls (SUVmax-N). METHODS: The procedure is illustrated in a
      score-V TA patient before and after 1 and 3 months of glucocorticoid treatment
      (scans 0-1-3, respectively). Comparison between scans was made by using SUVmax-N
      repeatability percentages with 95-99-99.9% reliability. RESULTS: No significant
      difference in SUVmax (ie, N = 1) was found between scan 0 and 1, and between scan
      1 and 3, with 95% reliability. A significant difference in SUVmax-N was found
      with 99.9% reliability for each scan pair by averaging N = 4100-515 hottest
      voxels (total hottest volume of 100.0-12.6 mL), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The
      proposed SUVmax-N procedure may be an efficient tool to early assess treatment
      response in TA patients. Further studies involving series of patients with large
      vessel vasculitis are warranted to investigate its usefulness in their
      management.

PMID- 27280905
TI  - A Solitary Metastasis for a Malignant Schwannoma in the Gallbladder Detected by
      18F-FDG PET/CT.
AB  - A 63-year-old woman with a history of malignant schwannoma in the left shoulder
      (pT1aNxMx) was treated with surgical resection in 2012. During follow-up, patient
      developed a metastasis in the right lung treated by further surgical
      intervention. For a suspicion on persistent disease in the lung, patient was sent
      to FDG PET/CT examination, which showed a focal uptake in the gallbladder. The
      patient underwent cholecystectomy, and a solitary metastasis from schwannoma was
      diagnosed by pathology. This case highlights that, in patients with a malignant
      schwannoma, a careful differential diagnosis should be made in case of a
      significant FDG uptake in the gallbladder. 

PMID- 27280906
TI  - Coincidental Observation of Global Hypometabolism in the Brain on PET/CT of an
      AIDS Patient With High-Grade Pulmonary Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
AB  - AIDS-related dementia complex is the most severe form of cognitive dysfunction in
      a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus. The use of FDG PET/CT to
      diagnose AIDS-related dementia complex has been studied previously and shows
      various specific metabolic patterns from striatal hypermetabolism in early
      asymptomatic stage to global hypometabolism in advanced stages. We present a case
      of a 49-year-old patient with long-standing human immunodeficiency virus
      infection, where global brain hypometabolism was noted coincidentally on FDG
      PET/CT done for initial staging of primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

PMID- 27280907
TI  - Sarcoid Pericarditis and Large Vessel Vasculitis Detected on FDG PET/CT.
AB  - A 65-year-old woman with history of sarcoidosis, hypertension, and peripheral
      vascular disease presented with lower extremity claudication and low left
      ventricular ejection fraction of 45% on echocardiogram. Further FDG PET/CT
      revealed hypermetabolic bilateral chest lymphadenopathy and pulmonary nodules in
      a butterfly-shaped distribution pattern, which was typically seen in patients
      with sarcoidosis. In addition, abnormal increased radiotracer uptake was present
      in pericardium, and along the walls of inferior vena cava, aorta, and pulmonary
      artery, which correlated with delayed enhancement on further cardiac MRI. These
      findings were suggestive of sarcoid-related pericarditis and great vessel
      vasculitis. 

PMID- 27280908
TI  - Increased Background Activity in DMSA Scintigraphy of a Nonazotemic Patient With
      beta-Thalassemia Major.
AB  - Renal DMSA uptake provides an index for evaluation of the functional tubular
      mass, which depends on the renal blood flow, proximal tubular cell membrane
      function, and urinary acid-base balance. We present a case of a nonazotemic 48
      year-old adult with beta-thalassemia major under regular blood transfusions and
      iron chelation therapy that underwent DMSA scan showing minor cortical
      abnormalities and high background activity, featuring prominent cardiac blood
      pool and liver uptake. This case highlights the pitfall of high background
      activity during DMSA study in patients with beta-thalassemia major due to tubular
      disorders. 

PMID- 27280930
TI  - Testing relationships between DSM-5 Section III maladaptive traits and measures
      of self and interpersonal impairment in Italian community dwelling adults.
AB  - In order to study the relationships between DSM-5 Section III maladaptive
      personality traits and personality dysfunction, 312 Italian community dwelling
      adults completed the Italian translations of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5
      (PID-5) and the Measure of Disordered Personality Functioning Scale (MDPF);
      participants were also administered the Iowa Personality Disorder Screen (IPDS).
      Consistent with previous findings, 22 (88.0%) PID-5 maladaptive trait scales
      showed moderate and significant correlations with MDPF Non Coping (median r value
      = .32), and Non Cooperativeness, (median r value = .24) scales. Regression
      analyses showed that PID-5 trait scales explained roughly 59% and 35% of the
      variance in MDPF Non Coping and Non Cooperativeness scales, respectively. PID-5
      traits were significantly associated also with the IPDS total score, adjusted R2
      = .45, p < .001. As a whole, our data seemed to indicate that the wide majority
      of the PID-5 scales showed significant relationships of at least moderate size
      with a self-report measure of personality dysfunction, lending further support to
      the criterion validity of the PID-5. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27280931
TI  - Biological Activity of Polynesian Calophyllum inophyllum Oil Extract on Human
      Skin Cells.
AB  - Oil from the nuts of Calophyllum inophyllum, locally called "Tamanu oil" in
      French Polynesia, was traditionally used for wound healing and to cure various
      skin problems and ailments. The skin-active effect of "Tamanu oil emulsion" was
      investigated on human skin cells (keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts) and
      showed cell proliferation, glycosaminoglycan and collagen production, and wound
      healing activity. Transcriptomic analysis of the treated cells revealed gene
      expression modulation including genes involved in the metabolic process implied
      in O-glycan biosynthesis, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation. The presence of
      neoflavonoids as bioactive constituents in Tamanu oil emulsion may contribute to
      these biological activities. Altogether, consistent data related to targeted
      histological and cellular functions brought new highlights on the mechanisms
      involved in these biological processes induced by Tamanu oil effects in skin
      cells. 

PMID- 27280932
TI  - Labdane Diterpenoids from Salvia leriifolia: Absolute Configuration,
      Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities.
AB  - Fractionation of an n-hexane extract of the aerial parts of Salvia leriifolia led
      to the isolation of two new (1, 2) and two known (3, 4) labdane diterpenoids,
      together with three other known compounds. The structures were established by a
      combination of 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS. The structures of 1 and 3 were
      confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The absolute configuration of 1-4 was
      established by electronic circular dichroism spectroscopy. Compounds 1-4 were
      evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.
      Labdanes 3 and 4 were additionally tested against MDA-MB231 human breast cancer
      and DU-145 human prostate cancer cell lines. Compound 4 showed IC50 values of 25,
      50, and 50 uM against MCF-7, MDA-MB231, and DU-145 cells, respectively. Compounds
      1-4 were tested for activity against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and
      gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Compound 3 showed an MIC of 213 uM
      against methicillin-resistant S. aureus. 

PMID- 27280933
TI  - A Simple and Rapid HPLC-PDA MS Method for the Profiling of Citrus Peels and
      Traditional Italian Liquors.
AB  - A chromatographic method for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of
      peels and preparations based on different species of Citrus was developed in
      order to obtain a complete profile of the constituents, including flavonoids and
      protoalkaloids. Commercial peels of sweet orange, lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit
      were analyzed. Seventeen constituents including flavanones, flavones,
      polymethoxyflavones, and protoalkaloids were identified by HPLC-PDA, HPLC-MS, and
      HPLC-MS/MS using a comparison of retention times and UV-Vis and MS spectra with
      reference standards and literature data. The total amount of flavanones
      [neoeriocitrin (5), naringin (8) and hesperidin (9)] and polymethoxflavones
      [sinensetin (12), nobiletin (14), 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone (15), and
      tangeretin (16)] was determined and expressed as naringin (8) or hesperidin (9),
      and sinensetin (12), respectively. The protoalkaloid synephrine was detected in
      all samples, except in grapefruit, but its content was lower than the limit of
      quantification. Qualitative and quantitative chemical profiles of three different
      Italian aromatic liquors ("Limoncello", "Arancello", and "Mandarinetto"),
      prepared according to traditional recipes, were also analyzed. 

PMID- 27280934
TI  - A Novel Self-Microemulsifying System for the Simultaneous Delivery and Enhanced
      Oral Absorption of Curcumin and Resveratrol.
AB  - The use of curcumin and resveratrol in combination has now become increasingly of
      interest because of their synergistic effects as therapeutic agents for various
      diseases, especially cancer. To overcome the poor oral bioavailability of both
      compounds and improve patient compliance, a novel self-microemulsifying
      formulation containing curcumin together with resveratrol was developed. Capryol
      90, Cremophor EL, and Labrasol were selected as the oil, surfactant, and co
      surfactant in the formulation, respectively, based on the solubility study of
      both compounds. More than 70 % and 80 % of curcumin and resveratrol,
      respectively, were released in 20 min. The formulation formed a fine oil in water
      microemulsion with droplet sizes in aqueous media of 15-20 nm. In addition, the
      formulation containing curcumin and resveratrol showed greater antioxidant
      activity than that of the formulations with individual compounds, while the
      cytotoxic activity against HT-29 of the co-formulation (IC50 = 18.25 uM; curcumin
      and resveratrol in the ratio 1 : 1) was less than the formulation with only
      curcumin (IC50 = 30.1 uM) and only resveratrol (IC50 = 25.4 uM). After oral
      administration to rabbits, the self-microemulsifying formulation containing
      curcumin together with resveratrol increased the total plasma concentrations of
      curcumin and resveratrol by 10-fold and 6-fold, respectively, compared to the
      unformulated combination. This study clearly demonstrated the potential use of
      the self-microemulsifying formulation for co-delivery, and enhanced oral
      absorption of poorly water-soluble natural compounds. In addition, the
      combination was found to produce synergistic antioxidant activity and
      cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells.

PMID- 27280935
TI  - Effects of a Hot-Water Extract of Allium hookeri Roots on Bone Formation in Human
      Osteoblast-Like MG-63 Cells In Vitro and in Rats In Vivo.
AB  - Allium hookeri is a wild herb found mainly in the Himalayas, growing at altitudes
      of 1400-4200 m. A. hookeri is widely consumed as a vegetable and herbal medicine
      in Asia, but its effects on bone health have not been reported previously. This
      study investigated the effects of a hot-water extract of A. hookeri roots on bone
      formation. The hot-water extract significantly increased the proliferation of in
      vitro human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells and the stimulatory effects on osteoblast
      differentiation were noticeably greater for the hot-water extract than for
      daidzein (a positive control), as reflected by alkaline phosphatase activity,
      collagen content, and mineral deposition. Expression of the bone-remodeling
      marker osteocalcin production and bone microstructural parameters were
      significantly improved in Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo after oral treatment with
      the hot-water extract compared with their control (saline-administered)
      counterparts. The chemical compounds of the hot-water extract were characterized
      by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and alliin, sinapic acid, and ferulic
      acid, which exert beneficial effects on bone health, were identified. These
      findings indicate that A. hookeri can be used as a natural resource for
      increasing bone formation. This is the first report of the anabolic effects of A.
      hookeri extracts on bone formation in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 27280936
TI  - Isolation of Bioactive Rotenoids and Isoflavonoids from the Fruits of Millettia
      caerulea.
AB  - Three new rotenoids (1-3), two new isoflavonoids (4 and 5), and six known
      analogues (6-11) were isolated from an n-hexane partition of a methanol extract
      of the fruits of Millettia caerulea, with the structures of the new compounds
      elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data. The relative configurations
      of the rotenoids were determined by interpretation of their NMR spectroscopic
      data, and their absolute configurations were established using electronic
      circular dichroism spectra and specific rotation values. All compounds isolated
      were evaluated for their cell growth inhibitory activity against the HT-29 human
      colon cancer cell line, and the known compounds, (-)-3-hydroxyrotenone (6) and (
      )-rotenone (7), were found to be potently active. When tested in an NF-kappaB
      inhibition assay, compound 6 showed activity. This compound, along with the new
      compound, (-)-caeruleanone D (1), and the known compound, ichthynone (8),
      exhibited K-Ras inhibitory potency. Further bioactivity studies showed that the
      new compounds, (-)-3-deoxycaeruleanone D (2) and (-)-3-hydroxycaeruleanone A (3),
      and the known compounds 8 and 11 induced quinone reductase in murine Hepa 1c1c7
      cells. 

PMID- 27280937
TI  - Astagalus Polysaccharide Attenuates Murine Colitis through Inhibiton of the NLRP3
      Inflammasome.
AB  - Astragalus polysaccharide is an important bioactive component of Astragalus
      membranaceus, an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating
      inflammatory bowel disease. The NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome plays an
      important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. However, little
      is known about the role of NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome in Astragalus
      polysaccharide-treated mice with experimental colitis. For this study, we
      investigated the molecular mechanisms that underlie the treatment of inflammatory
      bowel disease by Astragalus polysaccharide. We show that Astragalus
      polysaccharide treatment reduces the disease activity index and histological
      injury scores compared to the colitis model group. Astragalus polysaccharide also
      effectively inhibited the expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3, apoptotic
      speck protein containing a c-terminal caspase recruitment domain, caspase-1,
      interleukin-18, and interleukin-1beta, as shown by quantificational RT-PCR or the
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, Astragalus polysaccharide
      treatments produced significant dose-dependent improvements in dextran sulfate
      sodium-induced experimental colitis. Our data provide the reliable evidence that
      Astragalus polysaccharide is able to exert a therapeutic effect in dextran
      sulfate sodium-induced colitis by inhibiting the activation of the NOD-like
      receptor protein 3 inflammasome, which acts to decrease the production of
      inflammatory factors such as interleukin-18 and interleukin-1beta.

PMID- 27280939
TI  - Sex differences in mortality following isolated traumatic brain injury among
      older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Older adults have the highest rates of hospitalization and mortality
      from traumatic brain injury (TBI), yet outcomes in this population are not well
      studied. In particular, contradictory reports on the protective effect of female
      sex on mortality following TBI may have been related to age differences in TBI
      and other injury severity and mechanism. The objective of this study was to
      determine if there are sex differences in mortality following isolated TBI among
      older adults and compare with findings using all TBI. A secondary objective was
      to characterize TBI severity and mechanism by sex in this population. METHODS:
      This was a retrospective cohort study conducted among adults aged 65 and older
      treated for TBI at a single large Level I trauma center from 1996 to 2012 (n =
      4,854). Individuals treated for TBI were identified using International
      Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM)
      codes. Isolated TBI was defined as an Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 0 for
      other body regions. Our primary outcome was mortality at discharge. RESULTS:
      Among those with isolated TBI (n = 1,320), women (45% of sample) were older (mean
      [SD], 78.9 [7.7] years) than men (76.8 [7.5] years) (p < 0.001). Women were more
      likely to have been injured in a fall (91% vs. 84%; p < 0.001). Adjusting for
      multiple injury severity measures, female sex was not significantly associated
      with decreased odds of mortality following isolated TBI (odds ratio, 1.01; 95%
      confidence interval, 0.66-1.54). Using all TBI cases, adjusted analysis found
      that female sex was significantly associated with decreased odd of mortality
      (odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.89). CONCLUSION: We found no
      sex differences in mortality following isolated TBI among older adults, in
      contrast with other studies and our own analyses using all TBI cases. Researchers
      should consider isolated TBI in outcome studies to prevent residual confounding
      by severity of other injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/epidemiologic study,
      level IV.

PMID- 27280940
TI  - Low-volume resuscitation using polyethylene glycol-20k in a preclinical porcine
      model of hemorrhagic shock.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Polyethylene glycol-20k (PEG-20k) is highly effective for low
      volume resuscitation (LVR) by increasing tolerance to the low-volume state. In
      our rodent shock model, PEG-20k increased survival and expanded the "golden hour"
      16-fold compared to saline. The molecular mechanism is largely attributed to
      normalizations in cell and tissue fluid shifts after low-flow ischemia resulting
      in efficient microvascular exchange. The objective of this study was to evaluate
      PEG-20k as an LVR solution for hemorrhagic shock in a preclinical model. METHODS:
      Anesthetized male Yorkshire pigs (30-40 kg) were hemorrhaged to a mean arterial
      pressure (MAP) of 35 to 40 mm Hg. Once lactate reached 7 mmol/L, either saline (n
      = 5) or 10% PEG-20k (n = 5) was rapidly infused at 10% calculated blood volume.
      The primary outcome was LVR time, defined by the time from LVR administration to
      the time when lactate again reached 7 mmol/L. Other outcomes measured included
      MAP, heart rate, cardiac output, mixed venous oxygen saturation, splanchnic blood
      flow, and hemoglobin. RESULTS: Relative to saline, PEG-20k given after controlled
      hemorrhage increased LVR time by 16-fold, a conservative estimate given that the
      lactate never rose after LVR in the PEG-20k group. Survival was 80% for PEG-20k
      LVR compared to 0% for the saline controls (p < 0.05). Polyethylene glycol-20k
      also significantly decreased heart rate after hemorrhage and increased cardiac
      output, MAP, splanchnic flow, and mixed venous oxygen saturation. Falling
      hemoglobin concentrations suggested sizable hemodilution from fluid shifts into
      the intravascular compartment. CONCLUSIONS: In a preclinical model of controlled
      hemorrhagic shock, PEG-20k-based LVR solution increased tolerance to the shock
      state 16-fold compared to saline. Polyethylene glycol-20k is a superior
      crystalloid for LVR that may increase safe transport times in the prehospital
      setting and find use in hospital emergency departments and operating rooms for
      patients awaiting volume replacement or normalization of cell, tissue, and
      compartment fluid volumes.

PMID- 27280941
TI  - Availability of on-site acute vascular interventional radiology techniques
      performed by trained acute care specialists: A single-emergency center
      experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Comprehensive treatment of a patient in acute medicine and surgery
      requires the use of both surgical techniques and other treatment methods.
      Recently, acute vascular interventional radiology techniques (AVIRTs) have become
      increasingly popular, enabling adequately trained in-house experts to improve the
      quality of on-site care. METHODS: After obtaining approval from our institutional
      ethics committee, we conducted a retrospective study of AVIRT procedures
      performed by acute care specialists trained in acute medicine and surgery over a
      1-year period, including those conducted out of hours. Trained acute care
      specialists were required to be certified by the Japanese Association of Acute
      Medicine and to have completed at least 1 year of training as a member of the
      endovascular team in the radiology department of another university hospital. The
      study was designed to ensure that at least one of the physicians was available to
      perform AVIRT within 1 h of a request at any time. Femoral sheath insertion was
      usually performed by the resident physicians under the guidance of trained acute
      care specialists. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 77 endovascular procedures
      for therapeutic AVIRT (trauma, n = 29, and nontrauma, n = 48) among 62 patients
      (mean age, 64 years; range, 9-88 years), of which 55% were male. Of the
      procedures, 47% were performed out of hours (trauma, 52%; and nontrauma, 44%).
      Three patients underwent resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the
      aorta in the emergency room. No major device-related complications were
      encountered, and the overall mortality rate within 60 days was 8%. The recorded
      causes of death included exsanguination (n = 2), pneumonia (n = 2), sepsis (n =
      1), and brain death (n = 1). CONCLUSION: When performed by trained acute care
      specialists, AVIRT seems to be advantageous for acute on-site care and provides
      good technical success. Therefore, a standard training program should be
      established for acute care specialists or trauma surgeons to make these
      techniques a part of the standard regimen. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy/care
      management study, level V.

PMID- 27280942
TI  - Does sex matter? Effects on venous thromboembolism risk in screened trauma
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sex is associated with disparate risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)
      in nontrauma patients, with increased risk seen during pregnancy and in women on
      hormone-containing medications. Sex effects on VTE after trauma are unclear. Some
      studies have demonstrated no effect whereas others have instead shown a higher
      incidence of VTE among men. We hypothesized that male sex would increase the risk
      of VTE across all age groups in trauma patients undergoing standardized duplex
      screening. METHODS: All admissions to a Level I academic trauma center 2000 to
      2014 were reviewed. We excluded patients for age <18 years, pregnancy, pre
      admission anticoagulant use, and hospital length of stay (LOS) <72 hours. A
      strict venous duplex screening protocol was followed. Female patients were
      subcategorized into pre- and post-menopausal groups based on age (18-44 vs. >= 55
      years). Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to identify
      variables correlating with VTE risk. RESULTS: A total of 8,726 patients met
      inclusion criteria. The overall VTE rate was 5.3%. Bivariate analysis did not
      find a difference in VTE risk by sex (5.1% women vs. 5.4% men, p = 0.565), or
      between women and men within age-defined menopausal categories (pre-menopausal
      women 3.9% vs. men 4.7%, p = 0.293; post-menopausal women 5.9% vs. men 7.0%, p =
      0.22). Logistic regression (see figure) did identify other risk factors for VTE
      including age >=55 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.0), increasing ISS (AOR 1.5-2.1),
      penetrating mechanism of injury (AOR 2.2), lower extremity injury (AOR 1.7), need
      for mechanical ventilation (AOR 2.1), and increasing hospital length of stay (LOS
      7-28 days, AOR 3.8; LOS > 28 days, AOR 9.1). CONCLUSION: There was no difference
      in VTE rates based on patient sex, even after controlling for menopausal status.
      Aggressive VTE screening of over 8,700 patients did identify several other
      patient populations at increased risk of developing VTE. More intensive VTE
      prophylaxis may be appropriate in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Epidemiologic study, level III; therapeutic study, level V.

PMID- 27280943
TI  - Do lactate levels in the emergency department predict outcome in adult trauma
      patients? A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serum lactate may be associated with clinical outcomes in trauma,
      even in the absence of physiological abnormality. Sensitive markers of injury and
      outcomes are needed to guide triage and management of trauma patients within the
      Emergency Department. We completed a systematic review to determine if lactate
      levels in adult trauma patients presenting to the Emergency Department were
      associated with clinical outcomes including mortality. METHODS: A systematic
      literature search was conducted in August 2014, updated in March 2016, using
      MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL. Abstracts and full texts were screened for inclusion
      by two independent reviewers using predetermined inclusion and exclusion
      criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment was performed by each reviewer
      using a standardized form. A total of 998 studies were screened; 28 studies were
      included and reviewed. RESULTS: The 28 studies recruited 44,154 adults in eight
      countries between 1997 and 2016. Twenty-one studies found a significant
      association between elevated Emergency Department lactate and risk of mortality.
      Three studies looked at lactate clearance; two showed poor clearance was an
      additional determinant of mortality, but the other found no association. Ten
      studies also found an association between elevated lactate and other clinical
      outcomes. These included injury severity, Intensive Care Unit admission, length
      of hospital stay, organ failure, respiratory complications, blood loss, blood
      product requirement, catecholamine support, or emergency operation. Two studies
      concluded that lactate levels do not affect management. CONCLUSIONS: This review
      shows that elevated Emergency Department lactate levels are associated with
      mortality and may be associated with other clinical outcomes in adult trauma
      patients. We conclude that lactate is a useful marker of outcome in trauma, in
      addition to current markers of severity. The potential roles of serial lactate
      measurement and lactate clearance require further research. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Systematic review, level III.

PMID- 27280944
TI  - Increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene transcript in relation to IL-6
      promoter hypomethylation in gingival tissue from patients with chronic
      periodontitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: DNA methylation of the cytokine genes may play a role in the
      pathogenesis of periodontitis. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the
      alteration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene promoter methylation in the gingival
      tissue (GT) and peripheral blood (PB) is unique to chronic periodontitis (CP).
      DESIGN: DNA isolated from the GT and PB of 25 patients with (CP) and 20 healthy
      controls (H) was modified with sodium bisulfite and analyzed for IL-6 promoter
      methylation with direct sequencing. The levels of IL-6 mRNA and serum IL-6
      protein were evaluated by a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain
      reaction and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The CP group showed
      that the overall methylation rates of IL-6 promoter that contained 19 cytosine
      guanine dinucleotide (CpG) motifs were significantly decreased in GT in
      comparison to PB (p<0.001), which was significantly negatively correlated with
      the probing depth (p=0.003). The GT and PB of the H group displayed similar
      overall methylation rates. No significant difference was observed in the
      methylation rates at each CpG in GT in comparison to the PB in both groups. The
      levels of IL-6 mRNA in the GT and PB and serum IL-6 of the two groups were
      comparable. The ratio of IL-6 mRNA in the GT relative to the PB was significantly
      higher in the CP group than in the H group (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The increased
      expression of IL-6 gene transcription may be related to IL-6 promoter
      hypomethylation in the GT from CP patients.

PMID- 27280945
TI  - Fluoride induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and calcium overload in
      ameloblasts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the involvement of endoplasmic
      reticulum stress and intracellular calcium overload on the development of dental
      fluorosis. METHODS: We cultured and exposed rat ameloblast HAT-7 cells to various
      concentrations of fluoride and measured apoptosis with flow cytometry and
      intracellular Ca2+ changes using confocal microscopy, investigated the protein
      levels of GRP78, calreticulin, XBP1 and CHOP by western blotting, and their
      transcriptional levels with RT-PCR. We also created an in vivo model of dental
      fluorosis by exposing animals to various concentrations of fluoride.
      Subsequently, thin dental tissue slices were analyzed with H&E staining,
      immunohistochemical staining, and transmission electron microscopy, TUNEL assay
      was also performed on dental tissue slices for assessment of apoptosis. RESULT:
      High fluoride concentration was associated with decreased ameloblast
      proliferation, elevated ameloblast apoptosis, and increased intracellular Ca2+ in
      vitro. The translation and transcription of the proteins associated with
      endoplasmic reticulum stress were significantly elevated with high concentrations
      of fluoride. Based on immunohistochemical staining, these proteins were also
      highly expressed in animals exposed to high fluoride concentrations.
      Histologically, we found significant fluorosis-like changes in tissues from
      animals exposed to high fluoride concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy
      cytology indicated significant apoptotic changes in tissues exposed to high
      concentrations of fluoride. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that exposure to
      high levels of fluoride led to endoplasmic reticulum stress which induced
      apoptosis in cultured ameloblasts and in vivo rat model, suggesting an important
      role of calcium overload and endoplasmic reticulum stress triggered by high
      concentrations of fluoride in the development of dental fluorosis.

PMID- 27280946
TI  - Interactions of a Tetrazine Derivative with Biomembrane Constituents: A Langmuir
      Monolayer Study.
AB  - Tetrazine (Tz) is expected to be used for bioimaging and as an analytical
      reagent. It is known to react very fast with trans-cyclooctene under water in
      organic chemistry. Here, to understand the interaction between Tz and biomembrane
      constituents, we first investigated the interfacial behavior of a newly
      synthesized Tz derivative comprising a C18-saturated hydrocarbon chain (rTz-C18)
      using a Langmuir monolayer spread at the air-water interface. Surface pressure
      (pi)-molecular area (A) and surface potential (DeltaV)-A isotherms were measured
      for monolayers of rTz-C18 and biomembrane constituents such as
      dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG),
      dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE), palmitoyl sphingomyelin (PSM), and
      cholesterol (Ch). The lateral interaction between rTz-C18 and the lipids was
      thermodynamically elucidated from the excess Gibbs free energy of mixing and two
      dimensional phase diagram. The binary monolayers except for the Ch system
      indicated high miscibility or affinity. In particular, rTz-C18 was found to
      interact more strongly with DPPE, which is a major constituent of the inner
      surface of cell membranes. The phase behavior and morphology upon monolayer
      compression were investigated by using Brewster angle microscopy (BAM),
      fluorescence microscopy (FM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The BAM and FM
      images of the DPPC/rTz-C18, DPPG/rTz-C18, and PSM/rTz-C18 systems exhibited a
      coexistence state of two different liquid-condensed domains derived mainly from
      monolayers of phospholipids and phospholipids-rTz-C18. From these morphological
      observations, it is worthy to note that rTz-C18 is possible to interact with a
      limited amount of the lipids except for DPPE.

PMID- 27280947
TI  - Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-C/C-N Coupling of Imidates with alpha-Diazo Imidamide:
      Synthesis of Isoquinoline-Fused Indoles.
AB  - Imidate esters and diazo compounds have been established as bifunctional
      substrates for the construction of biologically active fused heterocycles via
      rhodium-catalyzed C-H activation and C-C/C-N coupling. This reaction occurs under
      mild conditions with high efficiency, step economy, and low catalyst loading.

PMID- 27280953
TI  - Immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharide compounds in macrophages revealed by
      high resolution AFM.
AB  - Polysaccharide compounds (PCs), which composed of different kinds of
      polysaccharides always isolated from different kinds of traditional Chinese
      medicine, are now attracting more and more attentions due to their strong
      immunomodulatory activities beyond the corresponding one-component
      polysaccharides. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that PCs-1 and
      PCs-2 had strong immunomodulatory effects on macrophages both in in vitro and in
      vivo models by atomic force microscopy (AFM). By high resolution AFM imaging, PCs
      1 and PCs-2 were found to inhibit LPS induced cell surface particle size and
      roughness increase in RAW264.7 macrophages, demonstrating the anti-inflammatory
      effects of PCs-1 and PCs-2 on macrophages. PCs-1 and PCs-2 were also proved to
      increase the particle size and roughness of resting RAW264.7 macrophages, which
      suggested that PCs could activate resting RAW264.7 macrophages. And additionally,
      PCs-1 and PCs-2 were also found to reverse the surface particle size and
      roughness decrease of peritoneal macrophages isolated from cyclophosphamide
      induced immunosuppressive mice, suggesting the activation effects of PCs-1 and
      PCs-2 on immunosuppressive macrophages. These results further enhanced our
      understanding of macrophage activations by direct imaging of cell surface
      ultrastructure and also highlighted AFM as a novel nanotool for macrophage
      detections. And most importantly, these results also indicated the outstanding
      immunomodulatory effects of PCs on macrophages, which therefore suggested that
      PCs could be served as a kind of novel immunomodulatory agents that would benefit
      human health. SCANNING 38:792-801, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27280954
TI  - Atomic-Scale Molecular Dynamics Simulations of DNA-Polycation Complexes: Two
      Distinct Binding Patterns.
AB  - Synthetic cationic polymers represent a promising class of delivery vectors for
      gene therapy. Here, we employ atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to gain
      insight into the structure and properties of complexes of DNA with four linear
      polycations: polyethylenimine (PEI), poly-l-lysine (PLL), polyvinylamine (PVA),
      and polyallylamine (PAA). These polycations differ in their polymer geometries,
      protonation states, and hydrophobicities of their backbone chains. Overall, our
      results demonstrate for the first time the existence of two distinct patterns of
      binding of DNA with polycations. For PEI, PLL, and PAA, the complex is stabilized
      by the electrostatic attraction between protonated amine groups of the polycation
      and phosphate groups of DNA. In contrast, PVA demonstrates an alternative binding
      pattern as it gets embedded into the DNA major groove. It is likely that both the
      polymer topology and affinity of the backbone chain of PVA to the DNA groove are
      responsible for such behavior. The differences in binding patterns can have
      important biomedical implications: embedding PVA into a DNA groove makes it less
      sensitive to changes in the aqueous environment (pH level, ionic strength, etc.)
      and could therefore hinder the intracellular release of genetic material from a
      delivery vector, leading to lower transfection activity.

PMID- 27280955
TI  - A Simple Dual-pH Responsive Prodrug-Based Polymeric Micelles for Drug Delivery.
AB  - To precisely deliver drug molecules at a targeted site and in a controllable
      manner, there has been great interest in designing a synergistical drug delivery
      system that can achieve both surface charge-conversion and controlled release of
      a drug in response to different stimuli. Here we outline a simple method to
      construct an intelligent drug carrier, which can respond to two different pH
      values, therefore achieving charge conversion and chemical-bond-cleavage-induced
      drug release in a stepwise fashion. This drug carrier comes from the self
      assembly of a block copolymer-DOX conjugate synthesized through a Schiff base
      reaction between poly(2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate-b-poly(4
      formylphenyl methacrylate-co-polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate)
      (PDPA-b-P(FPMA-co-OEGMA)) and DOX. The surface charge of the BCP-DOX micelles
      reversed from negative to positive when encountering a weakly acidic environment
      due to the protonation of PDPA segments. In vitro cellular uptake measurement
      shows that the cellular uptake and internalization of the BCP-DOX micelles can be
      significantly enhanced at pH ~ 6.5. Moreover, this drug carrier exhibits a pH
      dependent drug release owing to the cleavage of the imine bond at pH < 5.5. With
      this dual-pH responsive feature, these micelles may have the ability to precisely
      deliver DOX to the cancer cells. 

PMID- 27280956
TI  - Risk for congenital anomalies in offspring of childhood, adolescent and young
      adult cancer survivors.
AB  - Offspring of cancer survivors (CS) may be at risk for congenital anomalies due to
      the mutagenic therapies received by their parents. Our population-based cohort
      study aimed to investigate the risk for congenital anomalies in offspring of CS
      compared to offspring of their siblings. Using the Finnish Cancer Registry,
      Central Population Register, and Hospital Discharge Register, we identified
      hospital contacts due to congenital anomalies in 6,862 offspring of CS (early
      onset cancer between 1953 and 2004) and 35,690 offspring of siblings.
      Associations between congenital anomalies and cancer were evaluated using
      generalized linear regression modelling. The ratio of congenital anomalies in
      offspring of CS (3.2%) was slightly, but non-significantly, elevated compared to
      that in offspring of siblings (2.7%) [prevalence ratio (PR) 1.07, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 0.91-1.25]. When offspring of childhood and adolescent survivors (0
      19 years at cancer diagnosis) were compared to siblings' offspring, the risk for
      congenital anomalies was non-significantly increased (PR 1.17, 95% CI 0.92-1.49).
      No such increase existed for offspring of young adult survivors (20-34 years at
      cancer diagnosis) (PR 1.01, 95% CI 0.83-1.23). The risks for congenital anomalies
      were elevated among offspring of CS diagnosed with cancer in the earlier decades
      (1955-1964: PR 2.77, 95% C I 1.26-6.11; and 1965-1974: PR 1.55, 95% C I 0.94
      2.56). In our study, we did not detect an overall elevated risk for congenital
      anomalies in offspring of survivors diagnosed in young adulthood. An association
      between cancer exposure of the parent and congenital anomalies in the offspring
      appeared only for those CS who were diagnosed in the earlier decades.

PMID- 27280957
TI  - Novel antimicrobial peptides with promising activity against multidrug resistant
      Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis and its stress response mechanism.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of novel antimicrobial peptides
      (AMPs) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis
      (Salm. Choleraesuis) and to delineate the AMP-responsive mechanisms of wild-type
      (WT) and MDR strains. METHODS AND RESULTS: Proteomic approaches were performed
      based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography
      electrospray ionization-quadrupole- time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry to
      analyse the protein profiles of these two strains upon exposure to AMP GW-Q6.
      Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA expression level
      of the target genes. Furthermore, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) competition analysis
      was used to verify whether LPS may serve as the potential binding target when AMP
      approach and adhere to the bacterial surface. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal inhibitory
      concentration assay revealed that our AMPs were even more effective against the
      MDR strains (4-32 MUg ml(-1) ), compared with those for the WT (8-64 MUg ml(-1)
      ). LPS dose-dependently suppressed the GW-Q6 antimicrobial activity. Clusters of
      orthologous groups analysis showed that the majority of the AMP-responsive
      proteins were involved in cell envelope biogenesis and outer membrane,
      translation and chaperones. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results
      indicated that the novel AMP GW-Q6 serves as a potential candidate for
      antimicrobial drug development against MDR strains. These findings will also be
      helpful for expanding our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of AMP-microbe
      interaction and the pathogenicity of salmonellosis caused by MDR strains of Salm.
      Choleraesuis.

PMID- 27280958
TI  - Pregnancy Outcomes Based on Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index in Japanese Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To verify whether body mass index (BMI) classification proposed by the
      Institute of Medicine (IOM) is valid in Japanese women. METHOD: A study was
      conducted in 97,157 women with singleton pregnancies registered in the Japan
      Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) Successive Pregnancy Birth Registry
      System between January 2013 and December 2013, to examine pregnancy outcomes in
      four groups stratified by pre-pregnancy BMI category according to the 2009
      criteria recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The groups comprised
      17,724 underweight women with BMI <18.5, 69,126 normal weight women with BMI 18.5
      24.9, 7,502 overweight women with BMI 25-29.9, and 2,805 obese women with BMI
      >=30. The pregnancy outcomes were also compared among subgroups stratified by a
      gestational weight gain below, within, and above the optimal weight gain.
      RESULTS: The higher the pre-pregnancy BMI, the higher the incidences of pregnancy
      induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, macrosomia, cesarean
      delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and post-term birth, but the lower the incidence
      of small for gestational age (SGA). In all pre-pregnancy BMI category groups,
      excess gestational weight gain was associated with a higher frequency of large
      for gestational age and macrosomia; poor weight gain correlated with a higher
      frequency of SGA, preterm birth, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and
      spontaneous preterm birth; and optimal weight gain within the recommended range
      was associated with a better outcome. CONCLUSION: The BMI classification by the
      IOM was demonstrated to be valid in Japanese women.

PMID- 27280959
TI  - Asymmetric Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Mono- and Binuclear
      Bis(cyclometalated) Iridium(III) Complexes.
AB  - Chiral precursors Lambda-[Ir(ppy)2(l-pro)] (Lambda-L, where ppy is 2
      phenylpyridine; pro is proline), Lambda-[Ir(ppy)2(MeCN)2](PF6) (Lambda-1), Delta
      [Ir(ppy)2(d-pro)] (Delta-D), and Delta-[Ir(ppy)2(MeCN)2](PF6) (Delta-1) were
      synthesized from rac-[(Ir(ppy)2)2Cl2] and l-pro or d-pro by means of the
      auxiliary ligand strategy with 99% de values. The enantiopure mono complexes
      Lambda/Delta-[Ir(ppy)2(L)](PF6) (L is 2,2'-bipyridine, Lambda/Delta-2; L is 2,2'
      dipyrimidine (dpm), Lambda/Delta-3; L is 2,2'-bibenzimidazole (H2bbim),
      Lambda/Delta-4) with 99% ee values and binuclear complexes
      LambdaLambda/DeltaDelta-[(Ir(ppy)2)2(dpm)](PF6)2 (LambdaLambda-5 and DeltaDelta
      5) and LambdaLambda/DeltaDelta-[(Ir(ppy)2)2(bbim)] (LambdaLambda-6 and DeltaDelta
      6) with 99% de values were synthesized in one step using the corresponding chiral
      precursors. The absolute configurations at Ir(III) centers of precursor Delta-1,
      mononuclear Lambda-3, and binuclear DeltaDelta-6 were confirmed by single-crystal
      structural analysis and characterized by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy.
      The correlation between the absolute configuration at Ir(III) center and CD
      spectra was established. The configurations at Ir(III) centers are stable during
      the reactions, and the chiral precursors can be used for the asymmetric synthesis
      of enantiomerically pure mono- and polynuclear Ir(III) complexes. Moreover, meso
      LambdaDelta-[(Ir(ppy)2)2(dpm)](PF6)2 (meso-5) and LambdaDelta-[(Ir(ppy)2)2(bbim)]
      (meso-6) were also synthesized using these precursors. 

PMID- 27280960
TI  - Effects of web-based stress and depression literacy intervention on improving
      symptoms and knowledge of depression among workers: A randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The present randomized controlled trial aimed to examine whether a
      newly developed psychoeducational information website on stress and depression
      was effective in improving depressive symptoms at one- and four-month follow-ups
      among workers in Japan. METHODS: Participants were recruited from registered
      members of a web survey site in Japan. Participants who fulfilled the eligibility
      criteria were randomly allocated to intervention or control groups. Immediately
      after the baseline survey, the intervention group was invited to access a
      psychoeducational website named the "UTSMed" within 4 months after the baseline
      survey. Depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory II; BDI-II) were assessed
      as a primary outcome, at baseline, and one- and four-month follow-ups for both
      intervention and control groups. The analyses were conducted separately by the
      three subgroups (high-risk, moderate-risk, and low-risk). RESULTS: A total of
      1236 workers completed the baseline survey. Participants were randomly allocated
      to an intervention or control group (N=618 for each), with the subgroups of high
      risk (7-8%), moderate-risk (47%) and low-risk (45-46%) in each group. A
      significant intervention effect on improving depressive symptoms (t=-2.35, P
      =0.02, d=-0.57) was observed at 1-month follow-up only in the high-risk subgroup.
      LIMITATIONS: The present study did not use a stratified permuted-block
      randomization. CONCLUSIONS: A web-based psychoeducation approach may not be
      effective enough in improving depressive symptoms in a general population of
      workers, while it may be effective for workers who had recently sought help for
      mental health.

PMID- 27280961
TI  - Influences of the Big Five personality traits on the treatment response and
      longitudinal course of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A
      randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Influences of the Big Five personality traits on the treatment
      response and longitudinal course of depression in patients with acute coronary
      syndrome: A randomised controlled trial. METHODS: This naturalistic observational
      study initially recruited 1152 ACS patients; 685 patients completed personality
      assessments at baseline, of whom 630 were followed-up one year later. Of the 294
      patients with depression, 207 participated in a 24-week double blind trial of
      escitalopram or placebo. The remaining 87 patients who received medical treatment
      only and the 391 who had not depression were also followed in a one year
      naturalistic observational study. The Big five personality traits were assessed
      using the Big Five Inventory. The influences of personality on the Hamilton
      Depression Rating Scale score changes were analysed using a mixed-model repeated
      measures analysis of covariance. RESULTS: A Cluster analysis identified two
      personality types: resilient and vulnerable. The vulnerable personality type was
      characterized by lower extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness - but
      higher neuroticism - than the resilient type. This personality type was
      independently associated with a poorer outcome of depression in ACS patients
      during the 24-week treatment period and the one year longitudinal follow-up
      period compared to the resilient personality type, irrespective of treatment
      allocation. LIMITATIONS: Recruitment from a single institution may limit
      generalisability. Personality traits were investigated 12-weeks after ACS; thus,
      the responses may have been influenced by the prior receipt of escitalopram.
      CONCLUSIONS: Personality types influences the treatment outcome and longitudinal
      course of depression in ACS patients independent of antidepressant treatment.

PMID- 27280963
TI  - The effects of desvenlafaxine on neurocognitive and work functioning in employed
      outpatients with major depressive disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with staggering
      personal and economic costs, a major proportion of which stem from impaired
      psychosocial and occupational functioning. Few studies have examined the impact
      of depression-related cognitive dysfunction on work functioning. We examined the
      association between neurocognitive and work functioning in employed patients with
      MDD. METHODS: Employed adult outpatients (n=36) with MDD of at least moderate
      severity (>=23 on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, MADRS) and
      subjective cognitive complaints completed neurocognitive tests (CNS Vital Signs
      computerized battery) and validated self-reports of their work functioning
      (LEAPS, HPQ) before and after 8 weeks of open-label treatment with flexibly-dosed
      desvenlafaxine 50-100mg/day. Relationships between neurocognitive tests and
      functional measures were examined using bivariate correlational and multiple
      regression analyses, as appropriate. An ANCOVA model examined whether significant
      change in neurocognitive performance, defined as improvement of >=1SD in the
      Neurocognition Index (NCI) from baseline to post-treatment, was associated with
      improved outcomes. RESULTS: Patients showed significant improvements in
      depressive symptom, neurocognitive, and work functioning measures following
      treatment with desvenlafaxine (e.g., MADRS response=77% and MADRS remission=49%).
      There were no significant correlations between changes in NCI or cognitive domain
      subscales and changes in MADRS, LEAPS, or HPQ scores. However, patients
      demonstrating significant improvement in NCI scores (n=11, 29%) had significantly
      greater improvement in clinical and work functioning outcomes compared to those
      without NCI improvement. LIMITATIONS: The limitations of this study include small
      sample size, lack of a placebo control group, and lack of a healthy comparison
      group. Our sample also had more years of education and higher premorbid
      intelligence than the general population. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant
      correlations between changes in neurocognitive and work functioning measures in
      this study. However, meaningful improvement in neurocognitive functioning with
      desvenlafaxine was associated with greater improvement in both mood and
      occupational outcomes. This suggests that addressing cognitive dysfunction may
      improve clinical and occupational outcomes in employed patients with MDD.
      However, the relationship between neurocognitive and work functioning in MDD is
      complex and requires further study.

PMID- 27280962
TI  - Reversal-learning deficits in childhood-onset bipolar disorder across the
      transition from childhood to young adulthood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness that can have high
      costs for youths (<18 years old) and adults. Relative to healthy controls (HC),
      individuals with BD often show impaired attention, working memory, executive
      function, and cognitive flexibility (the ability to adapt to changing
      reward/punishment contingencies). In our study of youths and young adults with
      BD, we investigated 1) how cognitive flexibility varies developmentally in BD,
      and 2) whether it is independent of other executive function deficits associated
      with BD. METHODS: We measured errors on a reversal-learning task, as well as
      spatial working memory and other executive function, among participants with BD
      (N=75) and HC (N=130), 7-27 years old. Regression analyses focused on the effects
      of diagnosis on reversal-learning errors, controlling for age, gender, IQ,
      spatial span, and executive function. Similar analyses examined non-reversal
      errors to rule out general task impairment. RESULTS: Participants with BD,
      regardless of age, gender, or cognitive ability, showed more errors than HC on
      the response reversal stages of the cognitive flexibility task. However,
      participants with BD did not show more errors on non-reversal stages, even when
      controlling for other variables. LIMITATIONS: Study limitations include the cross
      sectional, rather than longitudinal, design; inability to measure non-linear age
      effects; and inclusion of medicated participants and those with psychiatric
      comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with BD show a specific impairment in
      reversing a previously rewarded response, which persists across the transition
      from childhood to young adulthood. Tailored interventions targeting this deficit
      may be effective throughout this developmentally turbulent time.

PMID- 27280964
TI  - Developmental trajectories of pregnant and postpartum depression in an
      epidemiologic survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and determinants for the peripartum
      depression. METHODS: Data were extracted from the 2 waves of the National
      Epidemiologic Study of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a representative
      sample of the US population corresponding to 34,653 participants. All women
      pregnant during the year before the second assessment were included. Peripartum
      depression was evaluated according a semi-structured interview at Wave 2. Risk
      factors covering life from childhood through adulthood, and including sexual
      abuse, family history of depression and psychiatric disorder lifetime were
      evaluated at wave 1. Stressful life event and obstetric factors were evaluated
      for the period of 12 months preceding the second interview. RESULTS: In the
      sample of 1085 participants pregnant at wave 2, the prevalence of peripartum
      depression was 10.8%. Women with a peripartum depression reported higher rates of
      sexual abuse in childhood (OR=3.07), family history of depression (OR=3.27). A
      history of mental disorder was associated with a higher rate of peripartum
      depression (OR=3.43) Four disorders were specifically associated with higher rate
      of peripartum depression including depression (OR=4.91), substance use disorder
      (OR=2.37), bipolar disorder (OR=2.39) and history of suicide attempt (OR=3.79).
      Peripartum depression was associated with stressful life event in the last year
      (OR=3.03), and complications during pregnancy (OR=2.10). LIMITATIONS: Not
      distinguish between depressed women during pregnancy from postpartum depressed
      women. CONCLUSION: Depression affects more than one in 10 women during
      peripartum. The factors associated with peripartum depression are traumatic,
      personal or family history of mental disorder, in a timeframe covering life from
      childhood through adulthood.

PMID- 27280965
TI  - Alterations in regional homogeneity of resting-state brain activity in patients
      with major depressive disorder screening positive on the 32-item hypomania
      checklist (HCL-32).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder (BD) is difficult to diagnose in the early stages of
      the illness, with the most frequent misdiagnosis being major depressive disorder
      (MDD). We aimed to use a regional homogeneity (ReHo) approach with resting-state
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to investigate the features of
      spontaneous brain activity in MDD patients screening positive on the 32-item
      Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32). METHODS: Nineteen MDD patients screening positive
      (HCL-32(+); 9 males; 24.9+/-5.7 years) and 18 patients screening negative (HCL
      32(-); 9 males; 27.1+/-6.7 years), together with 24 healthy controls (HC; 11
      males; 26.4+/-3.9 years) were studied. ReHo maps were compared and an receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to confirm the utility of
      the identified ReHo differences in classifying the patients. RESULTS: The MDD
      versus HC showed different ReHo in many brain areas, especially in the frontal
      and parietal cortex. The HCL-32(+) versus HCL-32(-) showed significant increase
      of ReHo in the right medial superior frontal cortex, left inferior parietal
      cortex and middle/inferior temporal cortex, and decrease of ReHo in the left
      postcentral cortex and cerebellum. ROC analysis showed good sensitivity and
      specificity for distinguishing these two subgroups of MDD. LIMITATIONS: Recruited
      patients were all on antidepressants and standard mania rating scales were not
      performed to assess their hypomanic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The rs-fMRI
      measurement of ReHo in distributed brain regions may be putative biomarkers which
      could differentiate subthreshold BD from MDD.

PMID- 27280967
TI  - The aetiology and maintenance of social anxiety disorder: A synthesis of
      complimentary theoretical models and formulation of a new integrated model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Within maintenance models of social anxiety disorder (SAD), a number
      of cognitive and behavioural factors that drive the persistence of SAD have been
      proposed. However, these maintenance models do not address how SAD develops, or
      the origins of the proposed maintaining factors. There are also models of the
      development of SAD that have been proposed independently from maintenance models.
      These models highlight multiple factors that contribute risk to the onset of SAD,
      but do not address how these aetiological factors may lead to the development of
      the maintaining factors associated with SAD. METHODS: A systematic review of the
      literature was conducted to identify aetiological and maintenance models of SAD.
      We then united key factors identified in these models and formulated an
      integrated aetiological and maintenance (IAM) model of SAD. A systematic review
      of the literature was then conducted on the components of the IAM model. RESULTS:
      A number of aetiological and maintaining factors were identified in models of
      SAD. These factors could be drawn together into the IAM model. On balance, there
      is empirical evidence for the association of each of the factors in the IAM model
      with social anxiety or SAD, providing preliminary support for the model.
      LIMITATIONS: There are relationships between components of the IAM model that
      require empirical attention. Future research will need to continue to test the
      IAM model. CONCLUSIONS: The IAM model provides a framework for future
      investigations into the development and persistence of SAD.

PMID- 27280966
TI  - Functional domains as correlates of suicidality among psychiatric inpatients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suicide remains poorly understood and unpredictable. Addressing this
      challenge, this study examined the independent contributions of several research
      domain criteria (RDoC) constructs in relation to suicidality in patients
      hospitalized for acute suicide risk. Specifically, we examined anhedonia,
      anxiety/entrapment, and attachment disturbances, reflecting disturbances in
      reward processes, negative valence systems, and social processes, respectively.
      METHODS: Anhedonia, anxiety, entrapment, and fearful attachment, were assessed
      quantitatively in 135 adults hospitalized for suicidality. Current suicidality
      and suicidal history were assessed with the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating
      Scale. Bivariate analyses (with significance threshold of p<.01 to account for
      multiple comparisons) and multivariate models examined relationships between
      symptom dimensions and severity of suicidal ideation (SI). We also assessed
      differences between patients with a history of suicide attempt and those who
      exhibited only suicidal ideations. RESULTS: Using bivariate analyses all symptoms
      except for fearful attachment correlated robustly with SI (r =.37-0.50, p<.001).
      However, when using multivariate analyses, only anhedonia (beta=.28, p=.01) and
      entrapment (beta=.19, p=.03) were independently associated with SI across the
      entire sample. No functional domain measures differed between patients with
      history of suicide attempt versus ideation only. LIMITATIONS: The reliance on
      self-report data and a cross-sectional design. CONCLUSIONS: Disturbances in
      reward and threat processing may represent independent factors in the development
      of suicidal ideation in this high suicide risk cohort. Future studies should
      assess their role as risk factors.

PMID- 27280968
TI  - Polycyclic Polyprenylated Acylphloroglucinol Congeners from Hypericum scabrum.
AB  - Twenty polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs), including the new
      compounds hyperscabrones A-I (1-9), were isolated from the air-dried aerial parts
      of Hypericum scabrum. These compounds comprise seven different structural types.
      All structures were determined by NMR spectroscopic methods and both experimental
      and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The evaluation of
      their neuroprotective effects on glutamate-induced toxicity in SK-N-SH cells
      showed that compounds 4-7 exhibited significant neuroprotection at 10 MUM.
      Additionally, compounds 3, 4, 7, and 9 showed moderate hepatoprotective
      activities against paracetamol-induced HepG2 cell damage at 10 MUM.

PMID- 27280969
TI  - Photoinduced Charge Separation within Metallo-supramolecular Wires Built around a
      [Ru(bpy)3](2+)-Bisterpyridine Linear Entity.
AB  - A [Ru(bpy)3](2+)-like complex (L1) bearing two free terpyridine groups at the 5
      and 5' positions of the same bipyridine, linked by the rigid and linear 2,5
      dimethyl phenylene bridges has been synthesized to open access to two classes of
      linear molecular wires with photosensitive properties: a bimetallic coordination
      polymer and an inorganic triad. In this Research Article, we report on the
      synthesis and characterization of the resulting [{Ru(II_)Fe(II)}n](4n+)
      alternated bimetallic polymer and the [Co(III_)Ru(II_)Fe(II)](7+) triad based on
      the building block L1. The [{Ru(II_)Fe(II)}n](4n+) polymer is fully characterized
      in solution. Cyclic voltammetry and emission lifetime measurements show that the
      bridging ligand allows interaction between the metal centers in the excited state
      despite the lack of interactions in the ground state. Under visible irradiation,
      the polymer can be fully oxidized in the presence of a sacrificial electron
      acceptor in solution. Thin robust films of the polymer are easily obtained on ITO
      by a simple electrochemical procedure based on an electroreduction adsorption
      process. The ITO/[{Ru(II_)Fe(II)}n](4n+)-modified electrode behaves as a
      photocathode under irradiation in the presence of ArN2(+). The magnitude of the
      photocurrent is dependent on the film thickness, probably limited by the
      diffusion of charge in thicker film. On the other hand L1 is also used to
      construct a well-ordered triad in association with Co(III) and Fe(II) metallic
      centers as electron acceptor and donor, respectively. The metallic triad is
      anchored on ITO or on a SiO2 wafer, starting from a terpyridine phosphonate
      modified surface. AFM images prove the presence of the triad in a linear upward
      orientation. Irradiation of the ITO/[Co(III_)Ru(II_)Fe(II)](7+) modified surface
      in the presence of triethanolamine in CH3CN induces the generation of an anodic
      photocurrent of around 30 MUA.cm(-2). The photocurrent density generated by the
      ITO/[Co(III_)Ru(II_)Fe(II)](7+) electrode, appears to be more stable than in the
      case of ITO/[{Ru(II_)Fe(II)}n](4n+) because of the presence of the anchoring
      group. Moreover, this photocurrent magnitude represents an enhancement of 30%
      compared to our previous triad ( Dalton Trans. 2014 , 43 , 12156 - 12159 ),
      proving the advantage of a linear and rigid spacer for the construction of such
      molecular assemblies with photoinduced charge transfer abilities. 

PMID- 27280970
TI  - Trafficking Dynamics of PCSK9-Induced LDLR Degradation: Focus on Human PCSK9
      Mutations and C-Terminal Domain.
AB  - PCSK9 is a secreted ligand and negative post-translational regulator of low
      density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in hepatocytes. Gain-of-function (GOF) or
      loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in PCSK9 are directly correlated with high or
      low plasma LDL-cholesterol levels, respectively. Therefore, PCSK9 is a prevailing
      lipid-lowering target to prevent coronary heart diseases and stroke. Herein, we
      fused monomeric fluorescent proteins to PCSK9 and LDLR to visualize their intra-
      and extracellular trafficking dynamics by live confocal microscopy. Fluorescence
      recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) showed that PCSK9 LOF R46L mutant and GOF
      mutations S127R and D129G, but not the LDLR high-affinity mutant D374Y,
      significantly accelerate PCSK9 exit from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
      Quantitative analysis of inverse FRAP revealed that only R46L presented a much
      slower trafficking from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the plasma membrane and
      a lower mobile fraction likely suggesting accumulation or delayed exit at the TGN
      as an underlying mechanism. While not primarily involved in LDLR binding, PCSK9 C
      terminal domain (CTD) was found to be essential to induce LDLR degradation both
      upon its overexpression in cells or via the extracellular pathway. Our data
      revealed that PCSK9 CTD is required for the localization of PCSK9 at the TGN and
      increases its LDLR-mediated endocytosis. Interestingly, intracellular lysosomal
      targeting of PCSK9-DeltaCTD was able to rescue its capacity to induce LDLR
      degradation emphasizing a role of the CTD in the sorting of PCSK9-LDLR complex
      towards late endocytic compartments. Finally, we validated our dual fluorescence
      system as a cell based-assay by preventing PCSK9 internalization using a PCSK9
      LDLR blocking antibody, which may be expended to identify protein, peptide or
      small molecule inhibitors of PCSK9. 

PMID- 27280971
TI  - AAV Vectorization of DSB-mediated Gene Editing Technologies.
AB  - Recent work both at the bench and the bedside demonstrate zinc-finger nucleases
      (ZFNs), CRISPR/Cas9, and other programmable site-specific endonuclease
      technologies are being successfully utilized within and alongside AAV vectors to
      induce therapeutically relevant levels of directed gene editing within the human
      chromosome. Studies from past decades acknowledge that AAV vector genomes are
      enhanced substrates for homology-directed repair in the presence or absence of
      targeted DNA damage within the host genome. Additionally, AAV vectors are
      currently the most efficient format for in vivo gene delivery with no vector
      related complications in >100 clinical trials for diverse diseases. At the same
      time, advancements in the design of custom-engineered site-specific endonucleases
      and the utilization of elucidated endonuclease formats have resulted in efficient
      and facile genetic engineering for basic science and for clinical therapies. AAV
      vectors and gene editing technologies are an obvious marriage, using AAV for the
      delivery of repair substrate and/or a gene encoding a designer endonuclease;
      however, while efficient delivery and enhanced gene targeting by vector genomes
      are advantageous, other attributes of AAV vectors are less desirable for gene
      editing technologies. This review summarizes the various roles that AAV vectors
      play in gene editing technologies and provides insight into its trending
      applications for the treatment of genetic diseases.

PMID- 27280972
TI  - Gender-based violence against female sex workers in Cameroon: prevalence and
      associations with sexual HIV risk and access to health services and justice.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at risk for HIV and physical
      and sexual gender-based violence (GBV). We describe the prevalence of lifetime
      GBV and its associations with HIV risk behaviour, access to health services and
      barriers in accessing justice among FSWs in Cameroon. METHODS: FSWs (n=1817) were
      recruited for a cross-sectional study through snowball sampling in seven cities
      in Cameroon. We examined associations of lifetime GBV with key outcomes via
      adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: Overall, 60% (1098/1817) had
      experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. GBV was associated
      with inconsistent condom use with clients (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.49, 95% CI 1.18 to
      1.87), being offered more money for condomless sex (AOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.56 to
      2.79), having had a condom slip or break (AOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.87) and
      difficulty suggesting condoms with non-paying partners (AOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.16 to
      1.87). Violence was also associated with fear of health services (AOR 2.25, 95%
      CI 1.61 to 3.16) and mistreatment in a health centre (AOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.01 to
      2.73). Access to justice was constrained for FSWs with a GBV history,
      specifically feeling that police did not protect them (AOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.12 to
      1.78). DISCUSSION: Among FSWs in Cameroon, violence is prevalent and undermines
      HIV prevention and access to healthcare and justice. Violence is highly relevant
      to FSWs' ability to successfully negotiate condom use and engage in healthcare.
      In this setting of criminalised sex work, an integrated, multisectoral GBV-HIV
      strategy that attends to structural risk is needed to enhance safety, HIV
      prevention and access to care and justice.

PMID- 27280973
TI  - Persuading People to Drink Less Alcohol: The Role of Message Framing, Temporal
      Focus and Autonomy.
AB  - AIMS: Health information can be used to try to persuade people to follow safe
      drinking recommendations. However, both the framing of information and the
      dispositional characteristics of message recipients need to be considered. An
      online study was conducted to examine how level of autonomy moderated the effect
      on drinking behaviour of gain- and loss-framed messages about the short- vs. long
      term consequences of alcohol use. METHODS: At Time 1, participants (N = 335)
      provided demographic information and completed a measure of autonomy. At Time 2,
      participants reported baseline alcohol use and read a gain-framed or loss-framed
      health message that highlighted either short- or long-term outcomes of alcohol
      consumption. Alcohol consumption was reported 7 days later. RESULTS: The results
      showed a significant three-way interaction between message framing (loss vs.
      gain), temporal focus (short-term vs. long-term) and autonomy. For low-autonomy
      (but not high-autonomy) individuals, the loss-framed health message was
      associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption than was the gain-framed
      message but only if the short-term outcomes were conveyed. CONCLUSION: This
      research provides evidence that the interaction between message framing and
      temporal focus may depend on a person's level of autonomy, which has implications
      for health promotion and the construction of effective health communication
      messages. SHORT SUMMARY: We examined how autonomy moderated the effect on
      drinking behaviour of gain- and loss-framed messages about the short- vs. long
      term consequences of alcohol use. For low-autonomy individuals, the loss-framed
      health message was associated with lower alcohol consumption than was the gain
      framed message but only if the short-term outcomes were conveyed.

PMID- 27280974
TI  - Principles of start codon recognition in eukaryotic translation initiation.
AB  - Selection of the correct start codon during initiation of translation on the
      ribosome is a key event in protein synthesis. In eukaryotic initiation, several
      factors have to function in concert to ensure that the initiator tRNA finds the
      cognate AUG start codon during mRNA scanning. The two initiation factors eIF1 and
      eIF1A are known to provide important functions for the initiation process and
      codon selection. Here, we have used molecular dynamics free energy calculations
      to evaluate the energetics of initiator tRNA binding to different near-cognate
      codons on the yeast 40S ribosomal subunit, in the presence and absence of these
      two initiation factors. The results show that eIF1 and eIF1A together cause a
      relatively uniform and high discrimination against near-cognate codons. This
      works such that eIF1 boosts the discrimination against a first position near
      cognate G-U mismatch, and also against a second position A-A base pair, while
      eIF1A mainly acts on third codon position. The computer simulations further
      reveal the structural basis of the increased discriminatory effect caused by
      binding of eIF1 and eIF1A to the 40S ribosomal subunit.

PMID- 27280975
TI  - Integration of TP53, DREAM, MMB-FOXM1 and RB-E2F target gene analyses identifies
      cell cycle gene regulatory networks.
AB  - Cell cycle (CC) and TP53 regulatory networks are frequently deregulated in
      cancer. While numerous genome-wide studies of TP53 and CC-regulated genes have
      been performed, significant variation between studies has made it difficult to
      assess regulation of any given gene of interest. To overcome the limitation of
      individual studies, we developed a meta-analysis approach to identify high
      confidence target genes that reflect their frequency of identification in
      independent datasets. Gene regulatory networks were generated by comparing
      differential expression of TP53 and CC-regulated genes with chromatin
      immunoprecipitation studies for TP53, RB1, E2F, DREAM, B-MYB, FOXM1 and MuvB. RNA
      seq data from p21-null cells revealed that gene downregulation by TP53 generally
      requires p21 (CDKN1A). Genes downregulated by TP53 were also identified as CC
      genes bound by the DREAM complex. The transcription factors RB, E2F1 and E2F7
      bind to a subset of DREAM target genes that function in G1/S of the CC while B
      MYB, FOXM1 and MuvB control G2/M gene expression. Our approach yields high
      confidence ranked target gene maps for TP53, DREAM, MMB-FOXM1 and RB-E2F and
      enables prediction and distinction of CC regulation. A web-based atlas at
      www.targetgenereg.org enables assessing the regulation of any human gene of
      interest. 

PMID- 27280976
TI  - Imaging HIV-1 RNA dimerization in cells by multicolor super-resolution and
      fluctuation microscopies.
AB  - Dimerization is a unique and vital characteristic of retroviral genomes. It is
      commonly accepted that genomic RNA (gRNA) must be dimeric at the plasma membrane
      of the infected cells to be packaged during virus assembly. However, where, when
      and how HIV-1 gRNA find each other and dimerize in the cell are long-standing
      questions that cannot be answered using conventional approaches. Here, we combine
      two state-of-the-art, multicolor RNA labeling strategies with two single-molecule
      microscopy technologies to address these questions. We used 3D-super-resolution
      structured illumination microscopy to analyze and quantify the spatial gRNA
      association throughout the cell and monitored the dynamics of RNA-RNA complexes
      in living-cells by cross-correlation fluctuation analysis. These sensitive and
      complementary approaches, combined with trans-complementation experiments, reveal
      for the first time the presence of interacting gRNA in the cytosol, a challenging
      observation due to the low frequency of these events and their dilution among the
      bulk of other RNAs, and allow the determination of the subcellular orchestration
      of the HIV-1 dimerization process.

PMID- 27280977
TI  - Probing the impact of chromatin conformation on genome editing tools.
AB  - Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and RNA-guided nucleases
      derived from clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)
      Cas9 systems have become ubiquitous genome editing tools. Despite this, the
      impact that distinct high-order chromatin conformations have on these sequence
      specific designer nucleases is, presently, ill-defined. The same applies to the
      relative performance of TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases at isogenic target
      sequences subjected to different epigenetic modifications. Here, to address these
      gaps in our knowledge, we have implemented quantitative cellular systems based on
      genetic reporters in which the euchromatic and heterochromatic statuses of
      designer nuclease target sites are stringently controlled by small-molecule drug
      availability. By using these systems, we demonstrate that TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9
      nucleases are both significantly affected by the high-order epigenetic context of
      their target sequences. In addition, this outcome could also be ascertained for
      S. pyogenes CRISPR/Cas9 complexes harbouring Cas9 variants whose DNA cleaving
      specificities are superior to that of the wild-type Cas9 protein. Thus, the
      herein investigated cellular models will serve as valuable functional readouts
      for screening and assessing the role of chromatin on designer nucleases based on
      different platforms or with different architectures or compositions.

PMID- 27280978
TI  - Explaining the disease phenotype of intergenic SNP through predicted long range
      regulation.
AB  - Thousands of disease-associated SNPs (daSNPs) are located in intergenic regions
      (IGR), making it difficult to understand their association with disease
      phenotypes. Recent analysis found that non-coding daSNPs were frequently located
      in or approximate to regulatory elements, inspiring us to try to explain the
      disease phenotypes of IGR daSNPs through nearby regulatory sequences. Hence,
      after locating the nearest distal regulatory element (DRE) to a given IGR daSNP,
      we applied a computational method named INTREPID to predict the target genes
      regulated by the DRE, and then investigated their functional relevance to the IGR
      daSNP's disease phenotypes. 36.8% of all IGR daSNP-disease phenotype associations
      investigated were possibly explainable through the predicted target genes, which
      were enriched with, were functionally relevant to, or consisted of the
      corresponding disease genes. This proportion could be further increased to 60.5%
      if the LD SNPs of daSNPs were also considered. Furthermore, the predicted SNP
      target gene pairs were enriched with known eQTL/mQTL SNP-gene relationships.
      Overall, it's likely that IGR daSNPs may contribute to disease phenotypes by
      interfering with the regulatory function of their nearby DREs and causing
      abnormal expression of disease genes.

PMID- 27280979
TI  - Moving National Breastfeeding Policies into Practice: A Plea to Integrate
      Lactation Education and Training into Nutrition and Dietetics Programs in the
      United States.
AB  - In 2011, the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding called on
      all health professional organizations, medical schools, and credentialing boards
      to establish and incorporate minimum lactation education and training
      requirements into their credentialing, licensing, and certification processes and
      to include breastfeeding education in undergraduate and graduate education and
      training programs. Given the commonalities between the fields of nutrition and
      breastfeeding, it has been proposed that nutrition professionals are an
      underutilized resource in the field of lactation management. Considering the lack
      of breastfeeding knowledge and skills among health professionals, nutrition
      professionals should be afforded opportunities to learn lactation management
      during their studies. The United States Breastfeeding Committee published Core
      Competencies in Breastfeeding Care and Services for All Health Professionals in
      2010. However, professional nutrition and lactation credentialing boards should
      cooperate to integrate mandatory minimum standards of lactation education for
      nutrition professionals. Undergraduate and graduate programs in nutrition and
      dietetics should incorporate lactation content into their core curricula to
      comply with such standards. In addition, dietetics programs should offer optional
      clinical lactation experiences for students who aspire to become an International
      Board Certified Lactation Consultant. 

PMID- 27280980
TI  - Tackling Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Current Trends and Approaches.
AB  - Tuberculosis is very much rampant in our society and accounts for a large number
      of deaths annually. In spite of consistent efforts being made, the disease has
      not been curtailed yet. The emergence of MDR and XDR strains in the society along
      with an increase in the number of HIV cases and that of latent TB, have further
      aggravated the problem making the disease very much persistent. The current
      situation clearly manifests the need to discover and develop new potent
      molecules/approaches that could help to tackle drug resistance. Various
      molecules, such as derivatives of fluoroquinolones (e.g. gatifloxacin,
      moxifloxacin and DC-159a), rifamycins (rifapentine), oxazolidinones (linezolid,
      sutezolid/PNU-100480), diarylquinolines (TMC207/bedaquiline), antifungal azoles,
      pyrrole (LL3858), nitroimidazopyran (PA824), nitroimidazole (OPC67683, TBA-354),
      diamine (SQ109) and benzothiazinone (BTZ043) are being developed in an attempt to
      combat the disease. This review presents a general introduction to the current
      status of the disease, the biology of the pathogen as well as the state of drug
      development against tuberculosis (TB) with emphasis on the major problems and
      bottlenecks associated with the same. Starting from the first drug against TB,
      the review discusses the entire history and the course of development of the
      drugs which are available today in the market as well as those which are under
      various phases of clinical and pre-clinical trials along with their mechanism of
      action. It also talks about the possible role of nanosciences in combating TB.

PMID- 27280982
TI  - Canonical Discriminant Analysis Applied to the Headspace GC Profiles of Coffee
      Cultivars.
AB  - Chemometric methods were applied for analyzing the relationship between the
      classification of coffee cultivars and their volatile components. Six typical
      cultivars were selected from Coffea arabica L., and their headspace profiles were
      analyzed by GC and GC/MS. A canonical discriminant analysis, with GC peaks as the
      variables, suggested the existence of a relationship between the sensory
      characteristics and canonical variables. The six coffee cultivars were divided
      into three groups, respectively having a roasted note, sweet aroma and fermented
      odor. It is suggested that Brazil and Mandheling varieties had a roasted note
      derived from methylpyrazine, while Mocha coffee had a fermented odor derived from
      2,3-butanedione. 

PMID- 27280981
TI  - Redefining the Australian Anthrax Belt: Modeling the Ecological Niche and
      Predicting the Geographic Distribution of Bacillus anthracis.
AB  - The ecology and distribution of B. anthracis in Australia is not well understood,
      despite the continued occurrence of anthrax outbreaks in the eastern states of
      the country. Efforts to estimate the spatial extent of the risk of disease have
      been limited to a qualitative definition of an anthrax belt extending from
      southeast Queensland through the centre of New South Wales and into northern
      Victoria. This definition of the anthrax belt does not consider the role of
      environmental conditions in the distribution of B. anthracis. Here, we used the
      genetic algorithm for rule-set prediction model system (GARP), historical anthrax
      outbreaks and environmental data to model the ecological niche of B. anthracis
      and predict its potential geographic distribution in Australia. Our models reveal
      the niche of B. anthracis in Australia is characterized by a narrow range of
      ecological conditions concentrated in two disjunct corridors. The most dominant
      corridor, used to redefine a new anthrax belt, parallels the Eastern Highlands
      and runs from north Victoria to central east Queensland through the centre of New
      South Wales. This study has redefined the anthrax belt in eastern Australia and
      provides insights about the ecological factors that limit the distribution of B.
      anthracis at the continental scale for Australia. The geographic distributions
      identified can help inform anthrax surveillance strategies by public and
      veterinary health agencies.

PMID- 27280983
TI  - Storage of Shredded Cabbage under a Dynamically Controlled Atmosphere of High O2
      and High CO2.
AB  - Shredded cabbage (Brassica oleracea L., Capitata group) was stored under a
      dynamically controlled atmosphere (DCA) and modified atmosphere (MA) at 5 degrees
      C. Quality factors were measured every 2 days. Browning was suppressed as the CO2
      concentration was increased (0% to 15%), with no influence from O2 concentration
      (2.5% to 10%). The development of an off-odor was markedly delayed with an
      increase in O2 concentration, such an odor being detected after 6 days at 2.5%
      O2,8 to 10 days at 5% to 7.5% O2, and not at all above 10 days at 10% O2, while
      the off-odor development was little affected by CO2 concentration (5% to 15%).
      Total sugar, polyphenolics, total ascorbate, and total microbial count were
      little influenced by O2 and CO2. These results show that shredded cabbage can be
      kept in good condition with a combined high O2 and high CO2 atmosphere. These
      findings are largely different from those for MA storage. 

PMID- 27280984
TI  - Sulfated N-Myristoyl Chitosan as a Surface Modifier of Liposomes.
AB  - Sulfated N-myristoyl chitosan (S-M-chitosan), which is strongly electrolytic and
      water soluble as well as partly hydrophobic due to long alkyl chains, was
      synthesized to be used as a liposome-surface modifier. The effects of the
      treatment with an aqueous S-M-chitosan solution on the stability of the liposome
      suspension prepared from hydrogenated egg yolk lecithin were examined on several
      points. A suspension of large liposomes prepared by the Bangham method was
      precipitated by standing for a day, but the precipitation was restrained when the
      sample was treated with S-M-chitosan solution. The turbidity of a small liposome
      suspension was changed greatly after the suspension was freeze-thawed, but the
      change was small in the treated sample. A similar result was obtained when the
      suspension was freeze-dried following the addition of water. These results come
      from the facts that the surface of the liposome was coated with S-M-chitosan and
      negatively charged as ascertained by the measurement of zeta potential and the
      electron microscopic observation. The repulsive force between charges was
      considered to be the origin of the stabilization. It was also shown from an ESR
      experiment that the treatment suppressed the elution rate of the material
      incorporated into the liposomes. 

PMID- 27280985
TI  - Mn(2+) in D-Glucosaminate Dehydratase from Pseudomonas fluorescens.
AB  - D-Glucosaminate (D-GlcNA) dehydratase from Pseudomonas fluorescens was inhibited
      stoichiometrically by metal-chelating agents (EDTA, 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic
      acid, alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl and o-phenan-throline). The activity of EDTA-treated
      enzyme was restored by incubation with Mn(2+) (0.4mM) or Ca(2+) (2mM) in the
      presence of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP, 0.2mM) in veronal buffer (VB, 40 mM, pH
      8) at 37 degrees C for 30 min. The atomic absorption spectrum of the native
      enzyme showed that the enzyme contained 1 mol of Mn(2+) per mole of enzyme.
      Although the EDTA-treated enzyme was unstable at 4 degrees C, addition of Mn(2+)
      and PLP to the solution of the EDTA-treated enzyme prevented the inactivation.
      The Km of the restored enzyme for D-GlcNA was somewhat lower than that of the
      original enzyme. However, the Km for PLP increased 14-fold. These results suggest
      that D-GlcNA dehydratase contains Mn(2+) near the PLP-binding site, and the metal
      ion appears to stabilize the structure of the active site. 

PMID- 27280986
TI  - Purification of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex from an Extreme Thermophile,
      Bacillus caldolyticus, and Its Thermal Stability.
AB  - Pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex was purified from Bacillus
      caldolyticus. The complex was composed of four polypeptides with molecular masses
      of 39.8, 41.7, 53.7, and 57.5kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE and they were presumed to
      be pyruvate decarboxylase (E1, dimeric), lipoate acetyltransferase (E2), and
      lipoamide dehydrogenase (E3) on the analogy of those from Bacillus
      stearothermophilus. E1 and E3 were stable at pH 5.7-10.2 and 4.5-11.3,
      respectively. Halves of E1 and E3 activity were abolished by incubation for 30min
      at 65 degrees C and 85 degrees C, respectively. Loss of overall activity was
      principally due to inactivation of E1. Structural changes in the complex
      incubated at high temperature were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The
      results suggested that the thermal denaturation of the complex proceeded through
      at least two different steps: inactivations of E1 and E3, and the former process
      is accompanied by a reduction of the complex size. 

PMID- 27280988
TI  - Measurement of the Thermal Conductivity of Unfrozen and Frozen Food Materials by
      a Steady State Method with Coaxial Dual-cylinder Apparatus.
AB  - Coaxial dual-cylinder apparatus was used to measure the effective thermal
      conductivity of aqueous solutions of glucose, sucrose, gelatin and egg albumin
      over a temperature range from -20 degrees  to 20 degrees C by the steady state
      method. The accuracy of the apparatus was confirmed by testing with water and
      ice. The effective thermal conductivity decreased with an increase in the total
      solid content in both the frozen and unfrozen states. In the unfrozen state, the
      effective thermal conductivity was slightly dependent on temperature. In the
      frozen state, however, the effective thermal conductivity was strongly dependent
      on temperature; lower temperatures gave higher effective thermal conductivity,
      reflecting the increase in the ice fration. For the unfrozen samples, the
      intrinsic thermal conductivity of each solid component was calculated by heat
      transfer models. All the models tested, series, parallel and Maxwell-Eucken, were
      equally applicable to describe the heat conduction in the unfrozen state. In the
      frozen state, however, the strong temperature dependency of the effective thermal
      conductivity suggests that the effect of the temperature dependency of the ice
      fraction should be incorporated into theoretical models. 

PMID- 27280987
TI  - Purification of Chymotrypsin Inhibitors from Larval Hemolymph of the Silkworm,
      Bombyx mori.
AB  - Chymotrypsin inhibitors were purified from larval hemolymph of Bombyx mori. The
      purification steps involved ammonium sulfate fractionation (30-70%) and liquid
      chromatography on Butyl-Toyopearl 650M, Sephadex G-75, concanavalin A-Sepharose,
      Mono-Q, and Mono-S columns. Fourteen isoforms of chymotrypsin inhibitor were
      resolved in hybrid crosses: ten isoforms from c60 * n511, eight from k03 * FJl,
      and nine from i10 * p50. Chromatographic and electrophoretic studies on the
      inhibitors suggested that they were expressed co-dominantly and could be
      classified into three molecular-size groups: 8-13 kDa, 40 kDa, and 42kDa. CI-b4,
      CI-13a, CI-13b, and CI-13c in the first group, CI-3 in the second group, and CI-8
      in the third group were present in all of the hybrids. Inhibitors in the third
      size group had an affinity for concanavalin A-Sepharose. It was found that CI-13
      was composed of three different inhibitors. 

PMID- 27280989
TI  - Nitrate Reduction in Bacillus licheniformis in the Presence of Ammonium Salt by
      Shaking Culture.
AB  - A nitrate-reducing bacterium was isolated from a hot spring and identified as
      Bacillus licheniformis. This strain was found to accumulate NO2(-) in the medium
      even in the presence of NH4(+) by shaking culture when FeSO4 was added to the
      medium. The NO2(-) accumulation was due to nitrate reductase activity, and the
      same accumulation was also recognized in some other bacteria. Since the nitrate
      reduction had no marked effect on the cell growth, it is possible that this
      nitrate reduction may not be involved in either an assimilatory or a
      dissimilatory one like those hitherto reported. 

PMID- 27280990
TI  - Relationship between the Thermal Denaturation and Gelling Properties of Legumin
      from Broad Beans.
AB  - The effects of NaCl and heating temperature on the gel-forming ability of legumin
      were studied. The addition of NaCl progressively increased the denaturation
      temperature of legumin. Heating to around the denaturation point, i.e., below the
      onset temperature (zone 1), between the onset and maximal temperatures (zone 2),
      between the maximal and final temperatures (zone 3), and above the final
      temperature (zone 4), affected both the gel-forming ability and gel properties.
      No gel was formed in zone 1, while the gel was harder in zone 3 than in zones 2
      and 4. The gel hardness gradually decreased with increasing temperature in zone
      4. Differences in the viscoelastic and microstructural properties between gels
      heated at various temperatures around the denaturation point were observed. 

PMID- 27280991
TI  - High-pressure Sterilization of Ice Nucleation-active Xanthomonas campestris and
      Its Application to Egg Processing.
AB  - Xanthomonas campestris INXC-1 is able to freeze water at a subzero temperature
      higher than -5 degrees C. High-pressure treatment at 300 MPa and 5 degrees C for
      5 min killed the cells without affecting their ice-nucleation activity. Egg white
      containing the pressurized cells began to freeze with a slight degree of
      supercooling. Ice crystals with a dendritic structure were formed when the egg
      white froze in the presence of the killed bacterial cells. The frozen egg white
      thawed more quickly than egg white frozen without the cells. 

PMID- 27280992
TI  - Formation of Flower Fragrance Compounds from Their Precursors by Enzymic Action
      during Flower Opening.
AB  - Flower fragrance compounds were found to be produced from the precursor solution
      obtained from flower buds by crude enzyme prepared from the flowers at the
      opening stage. GC and GC-MS analyses showed the formation of volatile aroma
      constituents from the precursor solution of Jasminum polyanthum F, Jasminum
      sambac Ait, and Gardenia jasminoides E, but none in the case of Osmanthus
      fragrans L. The aroma-producing enzyme activity of G. jasminoides rapidly
      increased to reach the maximum at flower opening stage (stage 4) and decreased
      within 24 h after flower opening (stage 5). Fragrance precursors of G.
      jasminoides were suggested not to be mainly beta-glucosides of linalool, eugenol,
      borneol, and isoeugenol based on the results after beta-glucosidase and
      naringinase treatment of the precursor solution. The activity of hydrolytic
      enzyme(s) such as glycosidase was found to elevate during flower opening to
      result in the aroma formation. 

PMID- 27280993
TI  - Substrate Specificity of Rat Plasma Lecithin-cholesterol Acyltransferase towards
      a Molecular Species of Phosphatidylcholine.
AB  - The substrate specificity and the affinity of rat purified lecithin-cholesterol
      acyltransferase towards the molecular species of phosphatidylcholine (PC) were
      studied in comparison with the human enzyme. The substrate vesicles were prepared
      with 40% of a test PC, 60% of egg yolk PC, and tritium cholesterol. Both human
      and rat enzymes showed similar high reactivity to the substrates containing three
      major PCs (16: 0-18: 1 PC, 16: 0-18: 2 PC, and 18: 0-18: 1 PC) of egg yolk
      compared with the vesicles of egg yolk PC alone. In the case of 18: 0-20: 4 PC,
      the rat enzyme had the highest activity among all the test PCs, but the human
      enzyme only had a moderate activity. Even when the substrate consisted of 18: 0
      20: 4 PC alone, the rat enzyme had a high activity, but the activity of the human
      enzyme was not detected. Symmetrical diacyl-PCs (18: 2-18: 2 PC, 18: 1-18: 1 PC,
      18: 0-18: 0 PC) were not a preferable substrate for either enzyme. The transfer
      of both the human and rat enzymes from the vesicles containing 18: 0-20: 4 PC to
      the egg yolk PC vesicles was on a higher level than that from the vesicles
      containing 18: 2-18: 2 PC. This suggests that the activity of the LCA T can be
      easily influenced by the kinds of PC molecular species and its relative content
      in the substrate and that the substrate may provide the extent of the enzyme
      transfer between the substrate particles. 

PMID- 27280994
TI  - Measurement of Intracellular Ionized Calcium in a Free-living Soil Nematode,
      Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - A calcium chelating fluorescence indicator, fura-2, was used to measure
      intracellular ionized calcium in Caenorhabditis elegans. The indicator loading
      process was harmless to the nematode, and completed within 2-3 h. Fura-2 was
      loaded mainly at its intestinal tract. The effects of DOPA on locomotion and the
      level of intracellular calcium were investigated and measured by using a
      microfluorometer. The addition of DOPA temporarily increased [Ca(2+)]i for
      several minutes. 

PMID- 27280995
TI  - A Highly Denaturant-durable Alginate Lyase from a Marine Bacterium: Purification
      and Properties.
AB  - Poly(alpha-L-guluronate)lyase, which depolymerizes polyguluronate of alginate,
      was purified from the culture medium of a marine bacterium isolated from the
      intestine contents of a red sea bream, Pagrus major. The enzyme was homogeneous
      as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of
      SDS and the molecular weight of 42,000 and 40,000 on SDS gel electrophoresis and
      on a Sephacryl S200HR column chromatography, respectively. The activity of the
      enzyme was higher at around pH 8.5 and stable from pH 6-10. The active form of
      the enzyme, which has been thought to be once lost upon incubation of the enzyme
      at higher temperatures up to 80 degrees C could be restored on cooling the
      enzyme. The residual activity was 45% even at 100 degrees C. By treatment with
      other denaturants, the activity was maintained in 3% SDS and was 70% in 6M GHCI
      and 60% in 4M urea on incubation at 25 degrees C for 30 min. In addition, several
      chemical. reagents were tested for the relationship between the functional amino
      acid residue and the active form of the enzyme. 

PMID- 27280996
TI  - Purification and Characterization of Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Synthase from
      Methanobacterium thermoformicicum SF-4.
AB  - Geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) synthase [EC 2.5.1.29] was purified to
      homogeneity from Methanobacterium thermoformicicum SF-4. The enzyme was a dimeric
      protein consisting of two identical subunits (Mr = 39,000) and catalyzed prenyl
      transfer reactions using isopentenyl diphosphate (Km = 30.8 MUM) and either
      dimethylallyl diphosphate (Km=16.8 MUM), geranyl diphosphate (Km=12.6 MUM), or
      farnesyl diphosphate (Km=14.7 MUM) as allylic partners. During a sequential
      elongation, C5->C10->C15->C20' intermediates were accumulated with various ratios
      to the final product GGPP. In the presence of 0.8 M KCl, GGPP synthease activity
      was greatly enhanced, stabilized to heat treatment at 65 degrees C for 30 min,
      and protected from inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid. No other
      prenyltransferase synthesizing C20 or shorter prenyl diphosphate was observed in
      M. thermoformicicum SF-4. These suggest that GGPP synthase alone is important in
      the biosynthetic pathways to squalene and membrane polar lipids at a chain
      elongation stage in this strain. 

PMID- 27280997
TI  - Liver-specific Induction of NADPH-generating Enzymes by Polychlorinated Biphenyls
      in Rats.
AB  - The induction of NADPH-generating enzymes by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in
      rats was investigated. The administration of PCB to rats for 3 and 14 days
      increased the activities of malic enzyme (ME, EC 1.1.1.40), glucose-6-phosphate
      dehydrogenase (G6PD, EC 1.1.1.49), and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD, EC
      1.1.1.44) about 2-fold above the control level in the liver. Hepatic mRNA levels
      of ME, G6PD, and 6PGD, except for G6PD mRNA of the 14-day group, were also
      elevated to the same degree as the enzyme activities in PCB-treated rats. In rats
      fed a PCB-containing diet for 1 day, the hepatic mRNA levels of ME and G6PD were
      elevated prior to the induction of enzyme activity. In the kidney, lung, spleen,
      heart, and testis, the mRNA levels of ME, G6PD, and 6PGD were not affected by
      PCB. The induction of hepatic NADPH-generating enzymes would imply an increased
      demand of NADPH in the liver of rats fed with a PCB-containing diet. 

PMID- 27280998
TI  - Synthesis of (+)-Turmeronol A, an Inhibitor of Soybean Lipoxygenase, and (+)-ar
      Turmerone.
AB  - Syntheses of optically pure turmeronol A and turmerone were achieved in a simple
      manner starting from ethyl (R)-3-hydroxybutanoate (4) of 100% e.e. The key step
      was the displacement of the chiral tosylate (6) with an organocopper reagent. 

PMID- 27280999
TI  - Characteristic and Localization of the Monitor Peptide Receptor.
AB  - The monitor peptide receptor in the small intestine was investigated. The
      receptor is on the intestinal mucosal cells [Biochem. J., in press]. The specific
      binding of the (125)I labeled monitor peptide to dispersed rat small intestinal
      cells was inhibited by treatment with p-toluensulfonyl-L-lysine chloromethyl
      ketone (TLCK), an affinity labeling reagent for trypsin. Soybean trypsin
      inhibitor (SBTI) did not inhibit the binding. Analysis with reduced SDS
      electrophoresis-autoradiography indicated that an affinity-cross-linked complex
      of the (125)I labeled monitor peptide and the receptor was abolished by the TLCK
      treatment but was not affected by the presence of SBTI. Histochemical studies
      found a predominatnt binding of (125)I labeled monitor peptide on cholecystokinin
      (CCK)-immunoreactive cells in tissue sections of the rat upper intestine. The
      result suggests that the monitor peptide receptor is on the surface of CCK
      producing cells. 

PMID- 27281000
TI  - Studies on Cellular Response of Escherichia coli to UDP-Galactose Accumulation.
AB  - Cellular responses to intracellular accumulation of UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal) were
      investigated for D-galactose-induced lysis of an Escherichia coli galE mutant.
      The mutant, ara-207, showed dramatic lysis in a nutrient broth supplemented with
      D-galactose after 3h of cultivation when transformation of normal rod cells into
      bulged- and spheroplast-like cells was clearly observed under electron
      microscope. UDP-Gal had been already detected with the optimal level at 2 h of
      cultivation, followed by a drastic decrease in its level as well as a significant
      increase in the level of active (inhibitor-free) UDP-sugar hydrolase (USH)
      together with the bacterial lysis. Significant loss of UTP, UDP, and UDP-N
      acetylglucosamine agreed with the in vivo activity of USH thus produced. Addition
      of D-sorbitol did not restrict UDP-Gal accumulation but did mostly protect ara
      207 against the above morphological changes of the cells in which overproduction
      of USH was repressed over 3 to 4 h of cultivation. These results suggested that
      accumulation of UDP-Gal could have some growth inhibitory effect on E. coli cells
      but the compound was not directly involved with the following lytic process via
      spheroplast formation. A possibility was taken into account, that the
      accumulation of UDP-Gal caused overproduction of USH, which may provoke
      inhibition of bacterial peptidoglycan synthesis. 

PMID- 27281001
TI  - Characterization and Thermostability of a Membrane-bound Hydrogenase from a
      Thermophilic Hydrogen Oxidizing Bacterium, Bacillus schlegelii.

PMID- 27281002
TI  - A New Method for Precipitation of Various Glucosides with Cyclodextrin
      Glucanotransferase.

PMID- 27281003
TI  - Suppression of Plasma Cholesterol Elevation by Okara Tempe in Rats.
AB  - Okara Tempe (OT), an Indonesian fermented traditional food, which is the
      fermented okara (insoluble residues of homogenized soybean, OC) by Rhizopus
      oligosporus, and which is interested in as a new high fiber and low energy
      soybean foodstuff. In this study, the effects of protein and dietary fiber (DF)
      of OT on sterol metabolism in rats were investigated. When rats were fed by OT or
      casein as protein source, the cholesterol and bile acid levels in plasma was
      significantly lower in OT fed group than in casein fed group. When rats were fed
      by OT or OC as DF source, in OT fed group, the cholesterol and bile acid levels
      in plasma was similar to them in OC fed group, but the cholesterol level in liver
      was lower than it in OC fed group, and the excretion of cholesterol and bile acid
      in feces was larger than in OC fed group. These results suggest that the
      cholesterol lowering action of OT in plasma would arise from the complementary
      action of protein and water soluble DF in OT. 

PMID- 27281004
TI  - HPLC Measurement of the Uronate and Neutral Sugar Contents in Corn Hemicellulose.

PMID- 27281005
TI  - Assignment of the Absolute Configuration of Partially Methylated Galactoses by
      Combined Gas-liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

PMID- 27281006
TI  - Binding of an Engineered 130-kDa Insecticidal Protein of Bacillus thuringiensis
      var. israelensis to Insect Cell Lines.

PMID- 27281007
TI  - Peroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity of Caffeic Acid and Its Related Phenolic
      Compounds in Solution.

PMID- 27281008
TI  - Production of Phenolic Compounds by Aspergillus S-4 in Sake Cake Medium and
      Identification of Terrein.
AB  - High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the culture filtrate of
      an isolated mold, Aspergillus terreus S-4, showed a larger peak of a terrein-like
      substance than those of gallic acid and protocatechuic acid. The chemical
      structure of this substance was investigated and identified as terrein, 4,5
      dihydroxy-3-propenyl- 2-cyclopenten-1-one. We also examined some culture
      conditions for the production of terrein using a sake cake medium for strain S-4.

PMID- 27281009
TI  - Enzymatic Preparation of Aromatic Ethylamines from Aromatic L-Amino Acids.

PMID- 27281010
TI  - Production of Poly(gamma-glutamic acid) by Bacillus subtilis F-2-01.

PMID- 27281011
TI  - Structures of Antafumicins A and B, Novel Antifungal Substances Produced by the
      Fungus Aspergillus niger NH-401.
AB  - Novel antifungal substances, antafumicins A and B, were isolated from a culture
      of Aspergillus niger NH-401 and determined to be trans- and cis-4-(3-acetyl-2,6
      dihydroxyphenyl)-2-methoxy-4- butanolide, respectively, by spectroscopic and
      single crystal X-ray analyses. 

PMID- 27281012
TI  - Novel Cyclic Dextrins, Cycloisomaltooligosaccharides, from Bacillus sp. T-3040
      Culture.
AB  - Three kinds of novel cyclic isomaltooligosaccharides were isolated from the
      culture broth of a strain of Bacillus sp. T-3040, which had been isolated from
      soil. They were identified as cycloisomalto-heptaose, -octaose, and -nonaose,
      respectively, on the basis of their mass spectra, proton nuclear magnetic
      resonance spectra, carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, infrared spectra,
      reducing power, and results of enzymatic analysis using endo-dextranase and exo
      dextranase. They also showed features similar to cyclodextrins upon high-pressure
      liquid chromatography analysis using an ODS column. 

PMID- 27281013
TI  - Expanding Roles and Broader Goals for Global Surgery.

PMID- 27281014
TI  - Feline Mammary Cancer.
AB  - Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) is similar to human breast cancer in the late age
      of onset, incidence, histopathologic features, biological behavior, and pattern
      of metastasis. Therefore, FMC has been proposed as a relevant model for
      aggressive human breast cancer. The goals of this study were to develop a nude
      mouse model of FMC tumor growth and metastasis and to measure the expression of
      genes responsible for lymphangiogenesis, angiogenesis, tumor progression, and
      lymph node metastasis in FMC tissues and cell lines. Two primary FMC tissues were
      injected subcutaneously, and 6 FMC cell lines were injected into 3 sites
      (subcutaneous, intratibial, and intracardiac) in nude mice. Tumors and metastases
      were monitored using bioluminescent imaging and characterized by gross necropsy,
      radiology, and histopathology. Molecular characterization of invasion and
      metastasis genes in FMC was conducted using quantitative real-time reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction in 6 primary FMC tissues, 2 subcutaneous
      FMC xenografts, and 6 FMC cell lines. The histologic appearance of the
      subcutaneous xenografts resembled the primary tumors. No metastasis was evident
      following subcutaneous injection of tumor tissues and cell lines, whereas lung,
      brain, liver, kidney, eye, and bone metastases were confirmed following
      intratibial and intracardiac injection of FMC cell lines. Finally, 15 genes were
      differentially expressed in the FMC tissues and cell lines. The highly expressed
      genes in all samples were PDGFA, PDGFB, PDGFC, FGF2, EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB3, VEGFD,
      VEGFR3, and MYOF. Three genes ( PDGFD, ANGPT2, and VEGFC) were confirmed to be of
      stromal origin. This investigation demonstrated the usefulness of nude mouse
      models of experimental FMC and identified molecular targets of FMC progression
      and metastasis.

PMID- 27281015
TI  - The Rise of Forensic Pathology in Human Medicine: Lessons for Veterinary Forensic
      Pathology.
AB  - The rise of forensic pathology in human medicine has greatly contributed to the
      administration of justice, public safety and security, and medical knowledge.
      However, the evolution of human forensic pathology has been challenging.
      Veterinary forensic pathologists can learn from some of the lessons that have
      informed the growth and development of human forensic pathology. Three main
      observations have emerged in the past decade. First, wrongful convictions tell us
      to use a truth-seeking stance rather than an a priori "think dirty" stance when
      investigating obscure death. Second, missed homicides and concealed homicides
      tell us that training and certification are the beginning of reliable forensic
      pathology. Third, failure of a sustainable institutional arrangement that fosters
      a combination of service, research, and teaching will lead to stagnation of
      knowledge. Forensic pathology of humans and animals will flourish, help protect
      society, and support justice if we embrace a modern biomedical scientific model
      for our practice. We must build training programs, contribute to the published
      literature, and forge strong collaborative institutions.

PMID- 27281016
TI  - Schistosomus Reflexus Syndrome in Olive Ridley Sea Turtles ( Lepidochelys
      olivacea).
AB  - The olive ridley sea turtle ( Lepidochelys olivacea), considered the most
      abundant sea turtle species, is listed as vulnerable on the International Union
      for Conservation of Nature Red List. The most important nesting areas are located
      in the Eastern Pacific, and congenital malformations have been previously
      reported in this species. The present study was conducted in a single population
      at El Verde beach, one of the most important nesting beaches for the species in
      the northwestern Mexican Pacific. The study was based on embryos that had been
      incubated in a controlled environment. Schistosomus reflexus syndrome (SRS) was
      observed in 124 of 20 257 olive ridley embryos (0.6%), comprising 124 of 400
      (31%) cases of congenital malformations over a 7-month period. Affected embryos
      had malformations of the carapace, bridge, or plastron, resulting in exposure of
      the abdominal or thoracic viscera, as well as spinal malformation and abnormal
      positioning of limbs adjacent to the head with subsequent ankylosis. SRS
      phenotypes (although lethal) varied from mild to severe, although most cases were
      severe. SRS was mostly associated with congenital malformations in the neck
      (short neck, 80%), tail (anury, 38%), and flippers (different types of dysmelias,
      53%). In most cases of severe SRS, ankyloses were present. Documenting these
      findings could be important to identify the cause of the developmental defects,
      and identification of the cause of the defects may be of significance to the
      population and to our efforts to manage this and other populations at risk.

PMID- 27281018
TI  - In Memoriam.

PMID- 27281017
TI  - Decidualization of Endometriosis in Macaques.
AB  - The decidua is the superficial portion of endometrium that transforms, or
      decidualizes, under the influence of progesterone to nourish the early embryo
      during pregnancy. Deciduae outside the uterus are found in nearly 100% of human
      pregnancies. This condition, known as deciduosis, may mimic malignancy, resulting
      in additional diagnostic procedures that place the mother, baby, or both at risk.
      Deciduosis has been described in both Old World and New World nonhuman primates
      in conjunction with pregnancy and after treatment with exogenous progestins. Here
      the authors present 6 cases of deciduosis associated with endometriotic lesions
      in female rhesus and cynomolgus macaques (Macaca mulatta and Macaca
      fascicularis). Full diagnostic necropsies with histologic analyses were performed
      on all animals. Deciduae were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and by
      immunohistochemistry for vimentin, CD10, progesterone receptor, estrogen
      receptor, desmin, cytokeratin, kermix P8, chorionic gonadotropin, human placental
      lactogen, and calretinin. The most common clinical signs were abdominal pain (4
      of 6) and anorexia (2 of 6). At necropsy, macaque uteri were often enlarged or
      disfigured (4 of 6) with abundant fibrous adhesions (5 of 6). Affected tissue
      consisted of epithelial-lined cysts and decidualized stroma with scattered
      gamma/delta T cells. Decidualized stromal cells were large and polyhedral with
      abundant cytoplasm and round vesicular nuclei. They stained positive for
      vimentin, CD10, progesterone, and estrogen. In summary, these cases illustrate
      deciduosis in 6 nonhuman primates with endometriosis. Understanding
      decidualization in nonhuman primates will aid in elucidating the pathophysiology
      of deciduosis during pregnancy or endometriosis and potentially lead to new
      interventions.

PMID- 27281019
TI  - Remodeling of B-Cell Subsets in Blood during Pegylated IFNalpha-2a Therapy in
      Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection.
AB  - The ultimate goal of pegylated interferon-alfa-2a (Peg-IFN-alpha) therapy in
      chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is HBsAg seroconversion. Even though B cells
      are major mediators of a positive clinical outcome, their modulation during Peg
      IFN-alpha therapy has not yet been described. We investigated here the effects of
      Peg-IFN-alpha on eight circulating B-cell subsets thanks to an original multi
      gating approach based on CD19, CD27, IgD, CD10, and CD38 markers in patients with
      CHB treated with nucleos(t)ide analog alone or in combination with Peg-IFN-alpha.
      These dynamic changes were analyzed during the 48-weeks of Peg-IFN-alpha therapy
      and up to 2 years after the cessation of treatment. The CD19+CD27
      IgD+CD10+CD38high transitional B cells and the CD19+CD27+IgD-CD10-CD38high
      plasmablasts continuously increased, whereas the CD19+CD27-IgD+CD10-CD38low
      naive, CD19+CD27+IgD+ natural memory, and CD19+CD27+IgD-CD10-CD38low post
      germinal center B cells decreased during the course of Peg-IFNalpha treatment.
      Such modulations correlated with a sustained increase in sCD30 levels and the
      decrease in plasma HBsAg. However, no seroconversion occurred and all parameters
      returned to baseline after the stop of the treatment. Peg-IFN-alpha therapy
      mediates a remodeling of B-cell compartmentalization, without clinical relevance.
      Our study provides new insights into the immunomodulatory effects of Peg-IFN
      alpha on circulating B-cells, and questioned the benefit of the add-on Peg-IFN
      alpha treatment in CHB. 

PMID- 27281020
TI  - Assessing Commitment and Reporting Fidelity to a Text Message-Based Participatory
      Surveillance in Rural Western Uganda.
AB  - Syndromic surveillance, the collection of symptom data from individuals prior to
      or in the absence of diagnosis, is used throughout the developed world to provide
      rapid indications of outbreaks and unusual patterns of disease. However, the low
      cost of syndromic surveillance also makes it highly attractive for the developing
      world. We present a case study of electronic participatory syndromic
      surveillance, using participant-mobile phones in a rural region of Western
      Uganda, which has a high infectious disease burden, and frequent local and
      regional outbreaks. Our platform uses text messages to encode a suite of
      symptoms, their associated durations, and household disease burden, and we
      explore the ability of participants to correctly encode their symptoms, with an
      average of 75.2% of symptom reports correctly formatted between the second and
      11th reporting timeslots. Concomitantly we identify divisions between
      participants able to rapidly adjust to this unusually participatory style of data
      collection, and those few for whom the study proved more challenging. We then
      perform analyses of the resulting syndromic time series, examining the clustering
      of symptoms by time and household to identify patterns such as a tendency towards
      the within-household sharing of respiratory illness. 

PMID- 27281022
TI  - Formation mechanism of ultra porous framework materials.
AB  - Understanding the formation mechanism of ultra porous framework materials may
      lead to insights into strategies for the design and synthesis of novel ultra
      porous materials or for the increased surface area of known materials. Several
      potential formation mechanisms have been proposed based on experimental evidence.
      Here, we assess, via simulation of the network generation process, these
      mechanisms and have identified key processes by which network interpenetration is
      minimised and hence surface area is maximised. 

PMID- 27281021
TI  - Role of Brain NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the Stress-induced Modulation of
      Gastrointestinal Functions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nucleobindin2 (NUCB2)/nesfatin-1 plays a well-established role in
      homeostatic functions associated with food intake and stress integration. AIM:
      This review focusses on NUCB2/nesfatin-1's central effects on gastrointestinal
      functions and will summarize the effects on food intake, motility and secretion
      with focus on the upper gastrointestinal tract. RESULTS: We will highlight the
      stressors that influence brain NUCB2/nesfatin-1 expression and discuss functional
      implications. In addition to traditional acute psychological and physical
      stressors such as restraint stress and abdominal surgery we will look at
      immunological, visceral and metabolic stressors as well as a chronic combination
      stress model that have been shown to affect NUCB2/nesfatin-1 signaling and
      describe associated functional consequences.

PMID- 27281023
TI  - Correction: Interactive Effects of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs and Cattle on Shrub
      Encroachment in a Desert Grassland Ecosystem.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154748.].

PMID- 27281025
TI  - Continuing Education Workshops in Bioinformatics Positively Impact Research and
      Careers.
AB  - Bioinformatics.ca has been hosting continuing education programs in introductory
      and advanced bioinformatics topics in Canada since 1999 and has trained more than
      2,000 participants to date. These workshops have been adapted over the years to
      keep pace with advances in both science and technology as well as the changing
      landscape in available learning modalities and the bioinformatics training needs
      of our audience. Post-workshop surveys have been a mandatory component of each
      workshop and are used to ensure appropriate adjustments are made to workshops to
      maximize learning. However, neither bioinformatics.ca nor others offering similar
      training programs have explored the long-term impact of bioinformatics continuing
      education training. Bioinformatics.ca recently initiated a look back on the
      impact its workshops have had on the career trajectories, research outcomes,
      publications, and collaborations of its participants. Using an anonymous online
      survey, bioinformatics.ca analyzed responses from those surveyed and discovered
      its workshops have had a positive impact on collaborations, research,
      publications, and career progression.

PMID- 27281024
TI  - Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 Channels Modulate Inflammatory Response in
      Respiratory Cells from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, prominent inflammation with massive
      expression of the neutrophil chemokine IL-8, and luminal infiltrates of
      neutrophils are hallmarks of chronic lung disease in patients with cystic
      fibrosis (CF). The nociceptive transient receptor potential ankyrin (TRPA) 1
      calcium channels have been recently found to be involved in nonneurogenic
      inflammation. Here, we investigate the role of TRPA1 in CF respiratory
      inflammatory models in vitro. Expression of TRPA1 was evaluated in CF lung tissue
      sections and cells by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Epithelial
      cell lines (A549, IB3-1, CuFi-1, CFBE41o-) and primary cells from patients with
      CF were used to: (1) check TRPA1 function modulation, by Fura-2 calcium imaging;
      (2) down-modulate TRPA1 function and expression, by pharmacological inhibitors
      (HC-030031 and A-967079) and small interfering RNA silencing; and (3) assess the
      effect of TRPA1 down-modulation on expression and release of cytokines upon
      exposure to proinflammatory challenges, by quantitative RT-PCR and 27-protein
      Bioplex assay. TRPA1 channels are expressed in the CF pseudostratified columnar
      epithelium facing the bronchial lumina exposed to bacteria, where IL-8 is
      coexpressed. Inhibition of TRPA1 expression results in a relevant reduction of
      release of several cytokines, including IL-8 and the proinflammatory cytokines IL
      1beta and TNF-alpha, in CF primary bronchial epithelial cells exposed to P.
      aeruginosa and to the supernatant of mucopurulent material derived from the
      chronically infected airways of patients with CF. In conclusion, TRPA1 channels
      are involved in regulating the extent of airway inflammation driven by CF
      bronchial epithelial cells.

PMID- 27281026
TI  - Association between High Serum Homocysteine Levels and Biochemical
      Characteristics in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Systematic Review
      and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated homocysteine levels have been observed in previous studies
      of PCOS; however, the nature of the associations between high homocysteine levels
      and the biochemical characteristics of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)-such as
      obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and androgen levels-is still uncertain.
      METHODS: A systematic search was conducted electronically up to December 28, 2015
      using specific eligibility criteria. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and the
      corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used as a measure of effect
      size. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies (with 1,718 cases and 1,399 controls) of
      homocysteine levels in PCOS were pooled in this meta-analysis. Significantly
      lower homocysteine levels were found in controls than in PCOS patients (SMD =
      0.895, 95% CI = 0.643-1.146, P<0.001; I2 = 90.4% and P<0.001 for heterogeneity),
      regardless of the degree of obesity, IR, or androgen levels. Homocysteine levels
      in non-IR PCOS patients were significantly lower than those of PCOS patients with
      IR (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.37-1.01, P<0.01; I2 = 0% and P = 0.50 for
      heterogeneity). However, metformin treatment did not appear to cause any
      significant change in the homocysteine levels of PCOS patients (SMD = -0.17, 95%
      CI = -1.10-0.75, P = 0.71; I2 = 92% and P<0.01 for heterogeneity). CONCLUSIONS:
      High homocysteine levels in women with PCOS are not related to degree of obesity,
      IR, or androgen levels. Metformin treatment cannot decrease the homocysteine
      levels in PCOS patients.

PMID- 27281027
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Plastic Wrap for Prevention of Hypothermia after Birth and
      during NICU in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of
      plastic wrap applied after birth and during NICU in preterm infants for
      prevention of heat loss in preterm infants. STUDY METHODS: The Medline (1950 to
      August 2015), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue
      7, 2015), CINAHL (1982 to August 2015) and the Embase (1974 to August 2015)
      databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs
      with main outcomes related to the core temperature (baseline temperature and/or
      post-stabilization temperature), hypothermia, mortality rate and hyperthermia.
      RESULT: The included studies were of low to moderate quality. Compared with
      unwrapped infants, plastic wrap was associated with a significantly higher
      baseline temperature and post-stabilization temperature both in infants < 28
      weeks of gestation (mean difference [MD] = 0.62, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.85; MD = 0.41,
      95% CI 0.33 to 0.50, respectively), and in infants between 28 to 34 weeks of
      gestation (MD = 0.54, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.87; MD = 0.64, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.82,
      respectively). Use of plastic wrap was associated with lower incidence of
      hypothermia (relative risk [RR] = 0.70, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.78). However, use of
      plastic wrap in preterm infants was not associated with decrease in mortality
      (RR: 0.88, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.12, P = 0.31). Incidence of hyperthermia was
      significantly higher in the plastic wrap group as compared to that in the control
      group (RR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.56 to 4.15, P = 0.0002). Hyperthermia in the plastic
      wrap group was resolved within one or two hours after unwrapping the babies.
      CONCLUSION: Plastic wrap can be considered an effective and safe additional
      intervention to prevent hypothermia in preterm infants. However, its cost
      effectiveness and long-term effect on mortality needs to be ascertained by
      conducting well-designed studies with longer follow-up period.

PMID- 27281028
TI  - Individual and Household Level Risk Factors Associated with Malaria in Nchelenge
      District, a Region with Perennial Transmission: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study
      from 2012 to 2015.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The scale-up of malaria control interventions has resulted in
      substantial declines in transmission in some but not all regions of sub-Saharan
      Africa. Understanding factors associated with persistent malaria transmission
      despite control efforts may guide targeted interventions to high-risk areas and
      populations. METHODS: Household malaria surveys were conducted in Nchelenge
      District, Luapula Province, in northern Zambia. Structures that appeared to be
      households were enumerated from a high-resolution satellite image and randomly
      sampled for enrollment. Households were enrolled into cross-sectional (single
      visit) or longitudinal (visits every other month) cohorts but analyses were
      restricted to cross-sectional visits and the first visit to longitudinal
      households. During study visits, a questionnaire was administered to adults and
      caretakers of children and a blood sample was collected for a malaria rapid
      diagnostic test (RDT) from all household residents. Characteristics associated
      with RDT positivity were analyzed using multi-level models. RESULTS: A total of
      2,486 individuals residing within 742 households were enrolled between April 2012
      and July 2015. Over this period, 51% of participants were RDT positive. Forty
      three percent of all RDT positive individuals were between the ages of 5 and 17
      years although this age group comprised only 30% of study participants. In a
      multivariable model, the odds being RDT positive were highest in 5-17 year olds
      and did not vary by season. Children 5-17 years of age had 8.83 higher odds of
      being RDT positive compared with those >18 years of age (95% CI: 6.13, 12.71);
      there was an interaction between age and report of symptoms, with an almost 50%
      increased odds of report of symptoms with decreasing age category (OR = 1.49; 95%
      CI 1.11, 2.00). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and
      17 were at the highest risk of malaria infection throughout the year. School
      based programs may be effective at targeting this high-risk group.

PMID- 27281029
TI  - Optimizing Timing of Immunotherapy Improves Control of Tumors by Hypofractionated
      Radiation Therapy.
AB  - The anecdotal reports of promising results seen with immunotherapy and radiation
      in advanced malignancies have prompted several trials combining immunotherapy and
      radiation. However, the ideal timing of immunotherapy with radiation has not been
      clarified. Tumor bearing mice were treated with 20Gy radiation delivered only to
      the tumor combined with either anti-CTLA4 antibody or anti-OX40 agonist antibody.
      Immunotherapy was delivered at a single timepoint around radiation. Surprisingly,
      the optimal timing of these therapies varied. Anti-CTLA4 was most effective when
      given prior to radiation therapy, in part due to regulatory T cell depletion.
      Administration of anti-OX40 agonist antibody was optimal when delivered one day
      following radiation during the post-radiation window of increased antigen
      presentation. Combination treatment of anti-CTLA4, radiation, and anti-OX40 using
      the ideal timing in a transplanted spontaneous mammary tumor model demonstrated
      tumor cures. These data demonstrate that the combination of immunotherapy and
      radiation results in improved therapeutic efficacy, and that the ideal timing of
      administration with radiation is dependent on the mechanism of action of the
      immunotherapy utilized. 

PMID- 27281031
TI  - Correction: Viruses Utilize Cellular Cues in Distinct Combination to Undergo
      Systematic Priming and Uncoating.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005467.].

PMID- 27281032
TI  - Forecast Modelling via Variations in Binary Image-Encoded Information Exploited
      by Deep Learning Neural Networks.
AB  - Traditional forecasting models fit a function approximation from dependent
      invariables to independent variables. However, they usually get into trouble when
      date are presented in various formats, such as text, voice and image. This study
      proposes a novel image-encoded forecasting method that input and output binary
      digital two-dimensional (2D) images are transformed from decimal data. Omitting
      any data analysis or cleansing steps for simplicity, all raw variables were
      selected and converted to binary digital images as the input of a deep learning
      model, convolutional neural network (CNN). Using shared weights, pooling and
      multiple-layer back-propagation techniques, the CNN was adopted to locate the
      nexus among variations in local binary digital images. Due to the computing
      capability that was originally developed for binary digital bitmap manipulation,
      this model has significant potential for forecasting with vast volume of data.
      The model was validated by a power loads predicting dataset from the Global
      Energy Forecasting Competition 2012. 

PMID- 27281030
TI  - Critical Evaluation of P2X7 Receptor Antagonists in Selected Seizure Models.
AB  - The ATP-gated P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is a non-selective cation channel which
      senses high extracellular ATP concentrations and has been suggested as a target
      for the treatment of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. The use of
      P2X7R antagonists may therefore be a viable approach for treating CNS
      pathologies, including epileptic disorders. Recent studies showed anticonvulsant
      potential of P2X7R antagonists in certain animal models. To extend this work, we
      tested three CNS-permeable P2X7R blocker (Brilliant Blue G, AFC-5128, JNJ
      47965567) and a natural compound derivative (tanshinone IIA sulfonate) in four
      well-characterized animal seizure models. In the maximal electroshock seizure
      threshold test and the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) seizure threshold test in mice,
      none of the four compounds demonstrated anticonvulsant effects when given alone.
      Notably, in combination with carbamazepine, both AFC-5128 and JNJ-47965567
      increased the threshold in the maximal electroshock seizure test. In the PTZ
      kindling model in rats, useful for testing antiepileptogenic activities,
      Brilliant Blue G and tanshinone exhibited a moderate retarding effect, whereas
      the potent P2X7R blocker AFC-5128 and JNJ-47965567 showed a significant and long
      lasting delay in kindling development. In fully kindled rats, the investigated
      compounds revealed modest effects to reduce the mean seizure stage. Furthermore,
      AFC-5128- and JNJ-47965567-treated animals displayed strongly reduced Iba 1 and
      GFAP immunoreactivity in the hippocampal CA3 region. In summary, our results show
      that P2X7R antagonists possess no remarkable anticonvulsant effects in the used
      acute screening tests, but can attenuate chemically-induced kindling. Further
      studies would be of interest to support the concept that P2X7R signalling plays a
      crucial role in the pathogenesis of epileptic disorders. 

PMID- 27281033
TI  - The Role of Age in Change in Unmet Supportive Care Needs in Hepatocellular
      Carcinoma Patients During Transition From Hospital to Home.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Age might affect the change in care needs in patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment during their transition process from
      hospital to home. However, there have been no studies that focus on this.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine changes in unmet supportive care
      needs in young (<65 years old) and elderly (>=65 years old) groups of patients
      with hepatocellular carcinoma from before discharge to 2 months after discharge.
      METHODS: A longitudinal prospective study design was used with recruited
      participants at a teaching hospital in Taiwan. Data were collected 3 times:
      within 3 days before discharge and at 1 and 2 months after discharge. A set of
      questionnaires was used to assess participants' levels of supportive care needs,
      symptom distress, anxiety, and depression. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients
      completed the data collection process. Supportive care needs decreased monthly
      after discharge, with health system and information being the domain with the
      highest level of unmet needs in the 2 groups. The young group had a higher level
      of overall unmet needs before discharge, but they had a lower level of overall
      needs compared with the elderly group after 2 months of discharge. CONCLUSIONS:
      Age could be a significant potential factor to affect change in unmet needs
      during transition. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Comprehensive assessment in care
      needs especially in the health system and information and physical and daily
      living domains before discharge is recommended to design personalized education
      programs before discharge.

PMID- 27281034
TI  - Exploring Chinese Women's Perception of Cervical Cancer Risk as It Impacts
      Screening Behavior: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chinese women rarely undergo regular cervical screening. Women's
      decisions about cervical screening may be influenced by their perception of the
      risk of cervical cancer. Therefore, understanding how women perceive the risk of
      cervical cancer, how personal risk factors are interpreted, and the influence of
      cultural issues on cervical screening behavior is important. OBJECTIVE: The aim
      of this study is to understand cervical cancer risk perception and the role of
      personal risk factors as they influence screening behavior among Chinese women.
      METHOD: An exploratory qualitative research design was used. We conducted
      semistructured, in-depth interviews of 27 women in Changsha, a medium-size city
      in Hunan province, China. RESULTS: Participants identified that cervical cancer
      had serious consequences, but they distanced themselves psychologically from the
      disease because they felt that "cervical cancer is a shameful and deadly
      disease." Although women identified some of the risk factors for the disease,
      they had little specific knowledge of human papillomavirus infection, its
      association with cervical cancer, and the importance of cervical screening.
      CONCLUSION: This study contributes new knowledge to the understanding of cervical
      screening behavior within a specific social and cultural context. Better efforts
      should be made to educate Chinese women on the risk of cervical cancer and
      emphasize that effective cancer treatments are available and that there is a good
      chance of survival. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses working with Chinese women
      should ensure that the information they provide is culturally sensitive,
      particularly by acknowledging the normative beliefs of this population group.

PMID- 27281035
TI  - Bis-corannulenoanthracene: An Angularly Fused Pentacene as a Precursor for
      Barrelene-Tethered Receptors for Fullerenes.
AB  - Bis-corannulenoanthracene (C50H22, 5) was prepared by the Diels-Alder double
      cycloaddition of isocorannulenofuran with "bis-benzyne", followed by
      deoxygenation of the adducts. Despite the presence of a pentacene core, 5 is
      stable enough to be isolated and stored. A cycloaddition reaction of 5 with
      maleic anhydride produces 10 which exhibits strong affinity toward C60, as
      evidenced by (1)H NMR titration experiment. Synthesis of 10 demonstrates the
      synthetic utility of hydrocarbon 5 in the preparation of the barrelene-based
      molecular clips with two benzocorannulene pincers adorned with polar substituents
      on their tethers, which will allow for immobilization of the receptors on solid
      supports.

PMID- 27281036
TI  - Loss of epithelial FAM20A in mice causes amelogenesis imperfecta, tooth eruption
      delay and gingival overgrowth.
AB  - FAM20A has been studied to a very limited extent. Mutations in human FAM20A cause
      amelogenesis imperfecta, gingival fibromatosis and kidney problems. It would be
      desirable to systemically analyse the expression of FAM20A in dental tissues and
      to assess the pathological changes when this molecule is specifically nullified
      in individual tissues. Recently, we generated mice with a Fam20A-floxed allele
      containing the beta-galactosidase reporter gene. We analysed FAM20A expression in
      dental tissues using X-Gal staining, immunohistochemistry and in situ
      hybridization, which showed that the ameloblasts in the mouse mandibular first
      molar began to express FAM20A at 1 day after birth, and the reduced enamel
      epithelium in erupting molars expressed a significant level of FAM20A. By
      breeding K14-Cre mice with Fam20A(flox/flox) mice, we created K14
      Cre;Fam20A(flox/flox) (conditional knock out, cKO) mice, in which Fam20A was
      inactivated in the epithelium. We analysed the dental tissues of cKO mice using X
      ray radiography, histology and immunohistochemistry. The molar enamel matrix in
      cKO mice was much thinner than normal and was often separated from the
      dentinoenamel junction. The Fam20A-deficient ameloblasts were non-polarized and
      disorganized and were detached from the enamel matrix. The enamel abnormality in
      cKO mice was consistent with the diagnosis of amelogenesis imperfecta. The levels
      of enamelin and matrix metalloproteinase 20 were lower in the ameloblasts and
      enamel of cKO mice than the normal mice. The cKO mice had remarkable delays in
      the eruption of molars and hyperplasia of the gingival epithelium. The findings
      emphasize the essential roles of FAM20A in the development of dental and oral
      tissues.

PMID- 27281037
TI  - One-year water-ageing of calcium phosphate composite containing nano-silver and
      quaternary ammonium to inhibit biofilms.
AB  - Dental composites are commonly used restorative materials; however, secondary
      caries due to biofilm acids remains a major problem. The objectives of this study
      were (1) to develop a composite containing quaternary ammonium dimethacrylate
      (QADM), nanoparticles of silver (NAg), and nanoparticles of amorphous calcium
      phosphate (NACP), and (2) to conduct the first investigation of the mechanical
      properties, biofilm response and acid production vs water-ageing time from 1 day
      to 12 months. A 4 * 5 design was utilized, with four composites (NACP-QADM
      composite, NACP-NAg composite, NACP-QADM-NAg composite, and a commercial control
      composite), and five water-ageing time periods (1 day, and 3, 6, 9, and 12
      months). After each water-ageing period, the mechanical properties of the resins
      were measured in a three-point flexure, and antibacterial properties were tested
      via a dental plaque biofilm model using human saliva as an inoculum. After 12
      months of water-ageing, NACP-QADM-NAg had a flexural strength and elastic modulus
      matching those of the commercial control (P>0.1). Incorporation of QADM or NAg
      into the NACP composite greatly reduced biofilm viability, metabolic activity and
      acid production. A composite containing both QADM and NAg possessed a stronger
      antibacterial capability than one with QADM or NAg alone (P<0.05). The anti
      biofilm activity was maintained after 12 months of water-ageing and showed no
      significant decrease with increasing time (P>0.1). In conclusion, the NACP-QADM
      NAg composite decreased biofilm viability and lactic acid production, while
      matching the load-bearing capability of a commercial composite. There was no
      decrease in its antibacterial properties after 1 year of water-ageing. The
      durable antibacterial and mechanical properties indicate that NACP-QADM-NAg
      composites may be useful in dental restorations to combat caries.

PMID- 27281038
TI  - Heterogeneity of T-Tubules in Pig Hearts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: T-tubules are invaginations of the sarcolemma that play a key role in
      excitation-contraction coupling in mammalian cardiac myocytes. Although t-tubules
      were generally considered to be effectively absent in atrial myocytes, recent
      studies on atrial cells from larger mammals suggest that t-tubules may be more
      numerous than previously supposed. However, the degree of heterogeneity between
      cardiomyocytes in the extent of the t-tubule network remains unclear. The aim of
      the present study was to investigate the t-tubule network of pig atrial myocytes
      in comparison with ventricular tissue. METHODS: Cardiac tissue was obtained from
      young female Landrace White pigs (45-75 kg, 5-6 months old). Cardiomyocytes were
      isolated by arterial perfusion with a collagenase-containing solution. Ca2+
      transients were examined in field-stimulated isolated cells loaded with fluo-4
      AM. Membranes of isolated cells were visualized using di-8-ANEPPS. T-tubules were
      visualized in fixed-frozen tissue sections stained with Alexa-Fluor 488
      conjugated WGA. Binary images were obtained by application of a threshold and t
      tubule density (TTD) calculated. A distance mapping approach was used to
      calculate half-distance to nearest t-tubule (HDTT). RESULTS & CONCLUSION: The
      spatio-temporal properties of the Ca2+ transient appeared to be consistent with
      the absence of functional t-tubules in isolated atrial myocytes. However, t
      tubules could be identified in a sub-population of atrial cells in frozen
      sections. While all ventricular myocytes had TTD >3% (mean TTD = 6.94+/-0.395%, n
      = 24), this was true of just 5/22 atrial cells. Mean atrial TTD (2.35+/-0.457%, n
      = 22) was lower than ventricular TTD (P<0.0001). TTD correlated with cell-width
      (r = 0.7756, n = 46, P<0.0001). HDTT was significantly greater in the atrial
      cells with TTD <=3% (2.29+/-0.16 MUm, n = 17) than in either ventricular cells
      (1.33+/-0.05 MUm, n = 24, P<0.0001) or in atrial cells with TTD >3% (1.65+/-0.06
      MUm, n = 5, P<0.05). These data demonstrate considerable heterogeneity between
      pig cardiomyocytes in the extent of t-tubule network, which correlated with cell
      size.

PMID- 27281039
TI  - Tuning the Surface of Nanoparticles: Impact of Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) on
      Protein Adsorption in Serum and Cellular Uptake.
AB  - Due to the adsorption of biomolecules, the control of the biodistribution of
      nanoparticles is still one of the major challenges of nanomedicine. Poly(2-ethyl
      2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) for surface modification of nanoparticles is applied and
      both protein adsorption and cellular uptake of PEtOxylated nanoparticles versus
      nanoparticles coated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and non-coated positively
      and negatively charged nanoparticles are compared. Therefore, fluorescent
      poly(organosiloxane) nanoparticles of 15 nm radius are synthesized, which are
      used as a scaffold for surface modification in a grafting onto approach. With
      multi-angle dynamic light scattering, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation,
      gel electrophoresis, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, it is
      demonstrated that protein adsorption on PEtOxylated nanoparticles is extremely
      low, similar as on PEGylated nanoparticles. Moreover, quantitative microscopy
      reveals that PEtOxylation significantly reduces the non-specific cellular uptake,
      particularly by macrophage-like cells. Collectively, studies demonstrate that
      PEtOx is a very effective alternative to PEG for stealth modification of the
      surface of nanoparticles.

PMID- 27281041
TI  - Why can't we fund supported employment?
AB  - Work is one of the most valued social rules in modern society, contributing to a
      person's sense of economic well-being, self-esteem, personal identity, and social
      status. Conversely, the inability to work or sustain employment due to a
      psychiatric condition is the primary factor in determining eligibility for
      disability benefits, such as Social Security Disability Income or Social Security
      Supplemental Income. Just as work is valued strongly by society, it is also
      important to people with serious mental illness. In this editorial, we
      contemplate why we cannot "do the right thing" and fully fund supported
      employment for persons with serious mental illness. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281040
TI  - Understanding Social Situations (USS): A proof-of-concept social-cognitive
      intervention targeting theory of mind and attributional bias in individuals with
      psychosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In this proof-of-concept trial, we examined the feasibility and
      preliminary efficacy of Understanding Social Situations (USS), a new social
      cognitive intervention that targets higher level social-cognitive skills using
      methods common to neurocognitive remediation, including drill and practice and
      hierarchically structured training, which may compensate for the negative effects
      of cognitive impairment on learning. METHOD: Thirty-eight individuals with
      schizophrenia spectrum disorders completed the same baseline assessment of
      cognitive and social-cognitive functioning twice over a 1-month period to
      minimize later practice effects, then received 7-10 sessions of USS training, and
      then completed the same assessment again at posttreatment. RESULTS: USS training
      was well tolerated and received high treatment satisfaction ratings. Large
      improvements on the USS Skills Test, which contained items similar to but not
      identical to training stimuli, suggest that we were effective in teaching
      specific training content. Content gains generalized to improvements on some of
      the social-cognitive tasks, including select measures of attributional bias and
      theory of mind. Importantly, baseline neurocognition did not impact the amount of
      learning during USS (as indexed by the USS Skills Test) or the amount of
      improvement on social-cognitive measures. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR
      PRACTICE: USS shows promise as a treatment for higher level social-cognitive
      skills. Given the lack of relationship between baseline cognition and treatment
      effects, it may be particularly appropriate for individuals with lower range
      cognitive function. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281042
TI  - In-vivo job development training among peer providers of homeless veterans
      supported employment programs.
AB  - TOPIC: This column describes a goal-oriented, time-limited in vivo
      coaching/training approach for skills building among peer veterans vocational
      rehabilitation specialists of the Homeless Veteran Supported Employment Program
      (HVSEP). PURPOSE: Planning, implementing, and evaluating the training approach
      for peer providers was intended, ultimately, to support veterans in their goal of
      returning to community competitive employment. SOURCES USED: The description
      draws from the training experience that aimed to improve the ability of peer
      providers to increase both rates of employment and wages of the homeless veterans
      using their services. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Training peers
      using an in vivo training approach provided a unique opportunity for the veterans
      to improve their job development skills with a focus to support employment
      outcomes for the service users. Peers who received training also expressed that
      learning skills through an in vivo training approach was more engaging than
      typical classroom trainings. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281043
TI  - Conjugation-Driven "Reverse Mars-van Krevelen"-Type Radical Mechanism for Low
      Temperature C-O Bond Activation.
AB  - C-O bond activation on monofunctional catalysts (metals, carbides, and oxides) is
      challenging due to activity constraints imposed by energy scaling relationships.
      Yet, contrary to predictions, recently discovered multifunctional metal/metal
      oxide catalysts (e.g., Rh/ReOx, Rh/MoOx, Ir/VOx) demonstrate unusually high C-O
      scission activity at moderate temperatures. Herein, we use extensive density
      functional theory calculations, first-principles microkinetic modeling, and
      electronic structure analysis to elucidate the metal/metal oxide synergy in the
      Ru/RuO2 catalyst, which enables up to 76% yield of the C-O scission product (2
      methyl furan) in catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of furfural at low
      temperatures. Our key mechanistic finding is a facile radical-mediated C-O bond
      activation on RuO2 oxygen vacancies, which directly leads to a weakly bound final
      product. This is the first time the radical reduction mechanism is reported in
      heterogeneous catalysis at temperatures <200  degrees C. We attribute the unique
      catalytic properties to the formation of a conjugation-stabilized furfuryl
      radical upon C-O bond scission, the strong hydroxyl affinity of oxygen vacancies
      due to the metallic character of RuO2, and the acid-base heterogeneity of the
      oxide surface. The conjugation-driven radical-assisted C-O bond scission applies
      to any catalytic surface that preserves the pi-electron system of the reactant
      and leads to C-O selectivity enhancement, with notable examples including Cu, H
      covered Pd, self-assembled monolayers on Pd, and oxygen-covered Mo2C.
      Furthermore, we reveal the cooperativity of active sites in multifunctional
      catalysts. The mechanism is fully consistent with kinetic studies and isotopic
      labeling experiments, and the insights gained might prove useful more broadly in
      overcoming activity constraints induced by energy scaling relationships.

PMID- 27281044
TI  - Nanocarbon Paper: Flexible, High Temperature, Planar Lighting with Large Scale
      Printable Nanocarbon Paper (Adv. Mater. 23/2016).
AB  - On page 4684, C. Dames, L. Hu and co-workers report highly efficient, broadband
      lighting from printed hybrid nanocarbon structures with carbon nanotubes and
      reduced graphene oxides. The fast response and excellent stability of the
      flexible lighting can find applications in a range of emerging applications where
      the shape and format, as well as being lightweight, are important. 

PMID- 27281046
TI  - Blue Oleds: High-Efficiency Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Thermally
      Activated Delayed Fluorescence from Phenoxaphosphine and Phenoxathiin Derivatives
      (Adv. Mater. 23/2016).
AB  - High-performance blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters
      containing a phenoxaphosphine oxide or phenoxathiin dioxide acceptor unit coupled
      with a dimethylacridan donor unit are developed by T. Yasuda and co-workers, as
      desribed on page 4626. These emitters can allow efficient up-conversion of
      triplet excitons into singlet excitons, leading to both photoluminescence and
      internal electroluminescence quantum efficiencies of up to nearly 100%. 

PMID- 27281047
TI  - Li-Ion Battery Cathodes: Enhancing Interfacial Bonding between Anisotropically
      Oriented Grains Using a Glue-Nanofiller for Advanced Li-Ion Battery Cathode (Adv.
      Mater. 23/2016).
AB  - The formation of a spinel Lix CoO2 layer in a Ni-rich secondary particle for
      lithium-ion batteries is reported by S. K. Kwak, J. Cho, and co-workers on page
      4705, who find that the spinel-like Lix CoO2 layer, between layered primary
      particles, can enhance the mechanical strength of secondary particles by
      enhancing the interfacial binding energy among the grains. Moreover, the layer
      can effectively protect the unstable surface of the primary particles and offers
      a fast electron-ion pathway, resulting in overall enhancements of stability and
      kinetics in battery performance. 

PMID- 27281048
TI  - Graphene Quantum Dots: Molecularly Designed, Nitrogen-Functionalized Graphene
      Quantum Dots for Optoelectronic Devices (Adv. Mater. 23/2016).
AB  - H. Tetsuka and co-workers develop a versatile technique to tune the energy levels
      and energy gaps of nitrogen-functionalized graphene quantum dots (NGQDs)
      continuously through molecular structure design, as described on page 4632. The
      incorporation of layers of NGQDs into the structures markedly improves the
      performance of optoelectronic devices. 

PMID- 27281049
TI  - Metasurfaces: Continuous-Gradient Plasmonic Nanostructures Fabricated by
      Evaporation on a Partially Exposed Rotating Substrate (Adv. Mater. 23/2016).
AB  - A continuous-gradient approach of material evaporation is employed by L. Shao, M.
      Kall, and co-workers to fabricate nanostructures with varying geometric
      parameters such as thickness, lateral positioning, and orientation on a single
      substrate. This method for mask lithography, described on page 4658, allows
      continuous tuning of the physical properties of a sample. The technique is highly
      valuable in simplifying the overall optimization process for constructing
      metasurfaces. 

PMID- 27281052
TI  - An investigation into the concurrent collection of human scent and epithelial
      skin cells using a non-contact sampling device.
AB  - In criminal investigations, the collection of human scent often employs a non
      contact, dynamic airflow device, known as the Scent Transfer Unit 100 (STU-100),
      to transfer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from an object/person onto a
      collection material that is subsequently presented to human scent discriminating
      canines. Human scent is theorized to be linked to epithelial skin cells that are
      shed at a relatively constant rate allowing both scent and cellular material to
      be deposited into the environment and/or onto objects. Simultaneous collection of
      cellular material, with adequate levels of nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (nDNA),
      and human scent using a non-invasive methodology would facilitate criminal
      investigations. This study evaluated the STU-100 for the concurrent collection of
      human scent and epithelial skin cells from a porous (paper) and non-porous
      (stainless steel bar) object that was held for a specified period of time in the
      dominant hand of twenty subjects (10 females and 10 males). Human scent analysis
      was performed using headspace static solid-phase microextraction with gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). A polycarbonate filter was used
      to trap epithelial skin cells which, upon extraction, were subsequently analyzed,
      inter-laboratory, using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The
      STU-100 proved to be inadequate for collecting the minimum number of epithelial
      skin cells required to obtain nuclear DNA concentrations above the limit of
      detection for the qPCR kit. With regard to its use for human scent collection, a
      reduction in the number and mass of compounds was observed when compared to
      samples that were directly collected. However, when the indirect collection of
      human scent from the two different objects was compared, a greater number and
      mass of compounds was observed from the non-porous object than from the porous
      object. This outcome suggests that the matrix composition of the scent source
      could affect the efficacy of the human scent collected when using a non-contact,
      dynamic airflow sampling device. The findings from this study are of importance
      because although the STU-100 proved to not be suitable for collecting epithelial
      skin cells for DNA analysis, its non-contact capability allows for the
      possibility of other potential forensic evidence, like that of human scent, to be
      obtained. 

PMID- 27281051
TI  - Seasonal Pacing - Match Importance Affects Activity in Professional Soccer.
AB  - This research explores the influence of match importance on player activity in
      professional soccer. Therefore, we used an observational approach and analyzed
      1,211 matches of German Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga. The importance measurement
      employed is based on post season consequences of teams involved in a match. This
      means, if a match result could potentially influence the final rank, and this
      rank would lead to different consequences for a team, such as qualification for
      Champions League opposed to qualification for Europe League, then this match is
      classified as important; otherwise not. Activity was quantified by TOTAL DISTANCE
      COVERED, SPRINTS, FAST RUNS, DUELS, FOULS and ATTEMPTS. Running parameters were
      recorded using a semi-automatic optical tracking system, while technical
      variables were collected by professional data loggers. Based on our importance
      classification, low important matches occurred at the beginning of round 29. A
      two-way ANOVA indicates significantly increased FAST RUNS (+4%, d = 0.3), DUELS
      (+16%, d = 1.0) and FOULS (+36%, d = 1.2) in important matches compared to low
      important ones. For FAST RUNS and FOULS, this effect only exists in Bundesliga. A
      comparison of the two leagues show that TOTAL DISTANCE COVERED (+3%, d = 0.9),
      SPRINTS (+25%, d = 1.4) and FAST RUNS (+15%, d = 1.4) are higher compared to 2nd
      Bundesliga, whilst FOULS is less in Bundesliga (-7%, d = 0.3). No difference in
      player activity was found between matches at the beginning of a season (round 1
      6) and at the end of a season (round 29-34). We conclude that match importance
      influences player activity in German professional soccer. The most reasonable
      explanation is a conscious or unconscious pacing strategy, motivated by
      preserving abilities or preventing injury. Since this tendency mainly exists in
      Bundesliga, this may suggest that more skilled players show a higher awareness
      for the need of pacing. 

PMID- 27281053
TI  - Ultrasound characteristics of bruises and their correlation to cutaneous
      appearance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to compare the cutaneous size
      of a bruise on gross exam to the subcutaneous depth and height of the hematoma
      ascertained by ultrasound. The hypothesis was that there would be little
      correlation between the area of the bruise on cutaneous exam and the height when
      measured with ultrasound. METHODS: Adult and pediatric patients with bruising
      were prospectively identified in the emergency department. Photographs and
      ultrasound images were collected of the bruises and epidemiologic information
      collected from the patients. The cutaneous area of the bruise was compared with
      the sonographic characteristics. RESULTS: The subcutaneous depth and height of
      the hematomas defined by ultrasound did not correlate with the cutaneous area.
      CONCLUSIONS: The cutaneous appearance of a bruise gives little indication of the
      depth and size of the subcutaneous bruise. Ultrasound can add information
      regarding these parameters.

PMID- 27281054
TI  - Educational Preparation, Roles, and Competencies to Guide Career Development for
      Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation is one of the most widely recommended
      strategies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. The multicomponent
      nature of cardiac rehabilitation programs requires a multidisciplinary team of
      healthcare professionals including nurses who are equipped with extensive
      knowledge and skills. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive, explicit
      career pathway that contains academic and clinical development to prepare nurses
      to become cardiac rehabilitation specialists. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is
      to identify the 3 essential components for cardiac rehabilitation professionals:
      (1) educational preparation, (2) role/responsibility, and (3) competency to
      inform the framework of career development for cardiac rehabilitation nurses.
      METHODS: Through scoping review, 4 stages from the methodological framework of
      scoping review by Arksey and O'Malley (Int J Soc Methodol. 2005;8:19-32) were
      used. RESULTS: Some attempts have been made in developing frameworks of career
      development for cardiac rehabilitation professionals with these 3 components
      through guidelines/standards and core curriculum development worldwide, among
      which the United States is the only country with a well-established system
      including guidelines for cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs, a
      position statement in terms of competencies, and certification examination for
      cardiac rehabilitation professionals. Nevertheless, further development and
      integration of these efforts, specifically for cardiac rehabilitation nurses, are
      required. CONCLUSIONS: It is vital to raise the awareness of the significant
      contribution that appropriately educated and trained nurses make in reducing the
      global burden of cardiovascular disease through cardiac rehabilitation.
      Therefore, action on establishing a system of comprehensive, clearly defined
      career development pathway for cardiac rehabilitation nurses worldwide is of
      immediate priority.

PMID- 27281055
TI  - Symptoms Suggestive of Acute Coronary Syndrome: When Is Sex Important?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have identified sex differences in symptoms of acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS); however, retrospective designs, abstraction of symptoms from
      medical records, and variations in assessment forms make it difficult to
      determine the clinical significance of sex differences. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
      this study is to determine the influence of sex on the occurrence and distress of
      13 symptoms for patients presenting to the emergency department for symptoms
      suggestive of ACS. METHODS: A total of 1064 patients admitted to 5 emergency
      departments with symptoms triggering a cardiac evaluation were enrolled.
      Demographic and clinical variables, symptoms, comorbid conditions, and functional
      status were measured. RESULTS: The sample was predominantly male (n = 664,
      62.4%), white (n = 739, 69.5%), and married (n = 497, 46.9%). Women were
      significantly older than men (61.3 +/- 14.6 vs 59.5 +/- 13.6 years). Most
      patients were discharged with a non-ACS diagnosis (n = 590, 55.5%). Women with
      ACS were less likely to report chest pain as their chief complaint and to report
      more nausea (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; confidence interval [CI], 1.00-2.42),
      shoulder pain (OR, 1.76; CI, 1.13-2.73), and upper back pain (OR, 2.92; CI, 1.81
      4.70). Women with ACS experienced more symptoms (6.1 vs 5.5; P = .026) compared
      with men. Men without ACS had less symptom distress compared with women.
      CONCLUSIONS: Women and men evaluated for ACS reported similar rates of chest pain
      but differed on other classic symptoms. These findings suggest that women and men
      should be counseled that ACS is not always accompanied by chest pain and multiple
      symptoms may occur simultaneously.

PMID- 27281056
TI  - Influence of Socioeconomic Status and Perceived Barriers on Physical Activity
      Among Taiwanese Middle-Aged and Older Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is associated with cardiovascular health in
      general populations, particularly in women. Middle-aged and older women are at
      high risk of less engagement in PA for unknown and complicated reasons.
      OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether PA was positively
      associated with socioeconomic status and psychosocial correlates of PA (self
      efficacy and perceived benefits) but inversely correlated with perceived barriers
      in women (age >40 years). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 326 community
      dwelling women was conducted. Data on socioeconomic status, PA, and its
      psychosocial correlates (ie, perceived benefits/barriers and self-efficacy) were
      collected using self-report questionnaires. Analyses were performed by multiple
      linear regressions. RESULTS: Monthly income (beta = .35, P = .015), employment
      status (beta = .32, P < .001), and perceived barriers to PA (beta = -.19, P =
      .008) were significantly associated with PA. More highly educated women
      participated in more (beta = .13, P = .033) vigorous PA, women with fewer
      perceived barriers participated in more (beta = -.14, P = .047) moderate
      intensity PA, and employed women participated in more (beta = .35, P < .001)
      walking. Significantly higher scores of perceived barriers, including "no
      trainer," "feeling exhausted," "lack of motivation," and "lack of guidance," were
      identified in women with low PA compared with those with moderate PA. CONCLUSION:
      Socioeconomic status and perceived barriers are associated with PA and its
      intensity level. Some specific barriers provide insights into the key factors
      that contribute to low PA in middle-aged and older women. These findings can be
      considered in future interventions to design PA promotion programs for this
      population to protect against cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 27281057
TI  - Testing a Model to Reveal the Predictive Mechanism of Care-Seeking Decisions
      Among Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extensive research has been conducted to examine the factors
      affecting care-seeking decisions in patients with acute myocardial infarction
      (AMI). Such a decision-making process is multifactorial, and its underlying
      mechanism is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to test a
      theoretically integrated model to identify the mechanisms underlying patients'
      care-seeking decisions in the context of AMI. METHODS: On the basis of both
      empirical and theoretical evidence, we proposed that patients' care-seeking
      decisions are driven by 2 sequential perceptual-cognitive processes concerned
      with illness labeling and interpretation, as well as the contextual influences of
      perceived barriers to care seeking and cues from others. A sample of 301 patients
      was recruited to test this model using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: The
      model testing revealed good fit with the data (chi = 38.48, df = 30, P = .72;
      root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.03, normed fit index = 0.96,
      nonnormed fit index = 0.98, and comparative fit index = 0.99) and explained 46%
      of the variance in AMI care-seeking delay. Successful action relied on whether
      patients could correctly attribute the symptom experience to AMI, were aware of
      their own susceptibility to the condition, and had a good understanding of how
      the disease manifested itself. Lowering perceived barriers and positive cues from
      others in advising care seeking played favorable roles to promote care-seeking
      behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: This integrative theoretical model is shown to be valid
      in explaining care-seeking delay among AMI patients and can guide the development
      of interventions to promote appropriate care-seeking behaviors among high-risk
      individuals.

PMID- 27281058
TI  - Electronic Cigarette Use Among Working Adults - United States, 2014.
AB  - Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that deliver a
      heated aerosol, which typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and other
      additives, to the user. The e-cigarette marketplace is rapidly evolving, but the
      long-term health effects of these products are not known. Carcinogens and toxins
      such as diacetyl, acetaldehyde, and other harmful chemicals have been documented
      in the aerosol from some e-cigarettes (1-3). On May 5, 2016, the Food and Drug
      Administration (FDA) finalized a rule extending its authority to all tobacco
      products, including e-cigarettes.* The prevalence of e-cigarette use among U.S.
      adults has increased in recent years, particularly among current and former
      conventional cigarette smokers (4); in 2014, 3.7% of all U.S. adults, including
      15.9% of current cigarette smokers, and 22.0% of former cigarette smokers, used e
      cigarettes every day or some days (5). The extent of current e-cigarette use
      among U.S. working adults has not been assessed. Therefore, CDC analyzed 2014
      National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data for adults aged >=18 years who were
      working during the week before the interview, to provide national estimates of
      current e-cigarette use among U.S. working adults by industry and occupation.
      Among the estimated 146 million working adults, 3.8% (5.5 million) were current
      (every day or some days) e-cigarette users; the highest prevalences were among
      males, non-Hispanic whites, persons aged 18-24 years, persons with annual
      household income <$35,000, persons with no health insurance, cigarette smokers,
      other combustible tobacco users, and smokeless tobacco users. By industry and
      occupation, workers in the accommodation and food services industry and in the
      food preparation and serving-related occupations had the highest prevalence of
      current e-cigarette use. Higher prevalences of e-cigarette use among specific
      groups and the effect of e-cigarette use on patterns of conventional tobacco use
      underscore the importance of continued surveillance of e-cigarette use among U.S.
      working adults to inform public health policy, planning, and practice. 

PMID- 27281059
TI  - Polymorphisms in the CD14 and TLR4 genes independently predict CD4+ T-cell
      recovery in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic HIV infection leads to marked depletion of CD4 T cells in the
      gastrointestinal tract and increased microbial translocation measured by an
      increase in circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. Here, we hypothesized
      that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding the Toll-like
      receptor 4 (TLR4) and CD14, the principal receptors for LPS, were associated with
      CD4 T-cell recovery postantiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS: Prospective study
      of predominantly white HIV-infected participants receiving suppressive ART for at
      least 12 months. We analysed the CD14 SNPs C-260T and the TLR4 SNPs A+896G,
      C+1196T. We also determined the levels of LPS and soluble CD14 in plasma samples
      collected pre-ART and post-ART initiation. CD4 T-cell recovery was assessed by
      linear mixed models. RESULTS: Following ART, individuals with a TT genotype
      compared with a CT or CC genotype for CD14 C-260T SNP showed higher levels of
      soluble CD14 (P = 0.008 and 0.003, respectively). The CC genotype for the CD14 C
      260T SNP, compared with CT or TT, and the TLR4 SNP (AC/GT), compared with the
      homozygous genotype (AA/CC), were both independently associated with enhanced
      long-term CD4 T-cell recovery (>3 months; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms
      in CD14 and TLR4 are independently associated with long-term CD4 T-cell recovery
      in HIV-infected individuals post-ART.

PMID- 27281060
TI  - Dysfunctions in the migratory phenotype and properties of circulating immature
      transitional B cells during HIV-1 infection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The frequency of immature transitional B cells is increased in blood
      of HIV-1-infected individuals. We investigated whether HIV-1 infection affects
      expression and function of chemokine receptors important for egress of immature
      transitional B cells from bone marrow and migration to lymphoid organs. DESIGN:
      This is a cross-sectional study analysing the migratory phenotype and function of
      immature transitional B cells in HIV-1-infected individuals, in relation to
      antiretroviral treatment and age. METHODS: Frequency of blood immature
      transitional B cells and their phenotypic characteristics, including chemokine
      receptors and a maturation marker, were determined by immunostainings. Migratory
      capacities were studied in a migration assay. RESULTS: The increased frequency of
      immature transitional B cells in untreated HIV-1 infection was normalized in
      patients receiving antiretroviral treatment; in our cohorts, age did not have an
      impact on the frequency of circulating immature transitional B cells. Immature
      transitional B cells from nontreated patients expressed low levels of CD21
      molecule. We found an elevated frequency of CXCR3 and CXCR4 expressing immature
      transitional B cells in treated and nontreated patients. CXCR4 receptor was
      unresponsive to CXCL12 ligand in in-vitro migration and internalization assays.
      In addition, CXCR5 expression was downregulated on immature transitional B cells
      from infected patients, and these cells migrated poorly in response to CXCR5
      ligand. CONCLUSION: Circulating immature transitional B cells from HIV-1-infected
      patients are not fully mature, probably due to premature egress from bone marrow;
      these cells showed a phenotype which could impair entry into secondary lymphoid
      organs. Changes in migratory capacity of immature transitional B cells may affect
      B-cell maturation during HIV-1 infection.

PMID- 27281062
TI  - NMR Study on Ion Dynamics and Phase Behavior of a Piperidinium-Based Room
      Temperature Ionic Liquid: 1-Butyl-1-methylpiperidinium Bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide.
AB  - By use of pulse NMR methods, the temperature dependences of the longitudinal and
      transverse relaxation times for (1)H and (19)F were measured for the three phases
      of 1-butyl-1-methylpiperidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide ([Pip1,4][FSA]), i.e.,
      liquid or supercooled liquid, Cryst-alpha, and Cryst-beta, to investigate the ion
      dynamics and phase behavior related to the dynamics. Since the cations and anions
      in the room-temperature ionic liquid have (1)H and (19)F nuclei, respectively,
      the dynamics of the [Pip1,4] cation and [FSA] anion can be independently observed
      and the relation between them can be evaluated. The relevant local motions of the
      ions are fluctuational motion around the chair form of the piperidinium ring,
      libration or rotation of the alkyl groups, and libration or rotation of the SO2F
      groups around the N-S axes. Each phase preferentially exhibits these motions. In
      the Cryst-beta phase, it is thought that O atoms in the SO2F groups form strong
      hydrogen bonds with the H atoms in the piperidinium ring. As a result, the
      motions of the SO2F groups and the piperidinium ring are restricted. In the
      liquid or supercooled liquid states and Cryst-alpha phase, the motion of the
      anion is more significant than that of the cation and the former works as a
      trigger for phase changes. Particularly, the motion of the SO2F groups in the
      Cryst-alpha phase becomes very significant with rising temperature and is
      directly related to the melting phase transition.

PMID- 27281061
TI  - Differential CD4+ cell count increase and CD4+ :  CD8+ ratio normalization with
      maraviroc compared with tenofovir.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Studies exploring the immunologic effects of maraviroc (MVC) have
      produced mixed results; hence, it remains unclear whether MVC has unique
      immunologic effects in comparison with other antiretroviral drugs. We sought to
      determine whether MVC has differential effects compared with tenofovir disoproxil
      fumarate (TDF) during initial antiretroviral therapy. DESIGN: Prospective study
      in AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5303, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (N
      = 262) of MVC vs. TDF, each combined with boosted darunavir and emtricitabine.
      METHODS: A total of 31 cellular and soluble biomarkers were assayed at weeks 0
      and 48. Polychromatic flow cytometry was performed on cryopreserved peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells. Soluble markers were assayed in plasma using ELISA kits.
      Analyses were as treated. RESULTS: Analyses included 230 participants (119 in MVC
      arm and 111 in TDF arm). Over 48 weeks of treatment, no significant differences
      were detected in declines in markers of inflammation and activation with MVC vs.
      TDF. A greater CD4 T-cell count increase (median +234 vs. +188 cells/MUl, P =
      0.036), a smaller CD8 T-cell count decrease (-6 vs. -109 cells/MUl, P = 0.008),
      and a smaller CD4 : CD8 ratio increase (0.26 vs. 0.39, P = 0.003) occurred with
      MVC. Among participants with a baseline CD4 : CD8 ratio less than 1, a smaller
      proportion of MVC group normalized to a ratio greater than 1 at week 48 (15 and
      36%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MVC resulted in less improvement in the CD4 : CD8
      ratio driven by greater increase in CD4 cell count but smaller decline in CD8
      cell count. Changes in soluble or cellular biomarkers of inflammation and immune
      activation were not different between MVC and TDF.

PMID- 27281063
TI  - ACA-Pro: calibration protocol for quantitative diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.
      Validation on contact and noncontact probe- and CCD-based systems.
AB  - We have developed an adaptive calibration algorithm and protocol (ACA-Pro) that
      corrects from the instrumental response of various spatially resolved diffuse
      reflectance spectroscopy (DRSsr) systems to enable the quantification of
      absorption and scattering properties based on a Monte Carlo-based look-up-table
      approach. The protocol involves the use of a calibration reference base built
      with measurements of a range of different diffusive intralipid phantoms.
      Moreover, an advanced strategy was established to take into account the
      experimental variations with an additional measurement of a common solid
      material, allowing the use of a single calibration reference base for all
      experiments. The ACA-Pro is validated in contact and noncontact probe-based DRSsr
      systems. Furthermore, the first results of a setup replacing the probe with a CCD
      detector are shown to confirm the robustness of the approach.

PMID- 27281064
TI  - Superior performance with sCMOS over EMCCD in super-resolution optical
      fluctuation imaging.
AB  - Super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI) is a fast and low-cost live
      cell optical nanoscopy for extracting subdiffraction information from the
      statistics of fluorescence intensity fluctuation. As SOFI is based on the
      fluctuation statistics, rather than the detection of single molecules, it poses
      unique requirements for imaging detectors, which still lack a systematic
      evaluation. Here, we analyze the influences of pixel sizes, frame rates, noise
      levels, and different gains in SOFI with simulations and experimental tests. Our
      analysis shows that the smaller pixel size and faster readout speed of scientific
      grade complementary metal oxide semiconductor (sCMOS) enables SOFI to achieve
      high spatiotemporal resolution with a large field-of-view, which is especially
      beneficial for live-cell super-resolution imaging. Overall, as the performance of
      SOFI is relatively insensitive to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the gain in
      pixel size and readout speed exceeds the loss in SNR, indicating sCMOS is
      superior to electron multiplying charge coupled device in context to SOFI in many
      cases. Super-resolution imaging of cellular microtubule structures with high
      order SOFI is experimentally demonstrated at large field-of-view, taking
      advantage of the large pixel number and fast frame rate of sCMOS cameras.

PMID- 27281065
TI  - A Response Surface Model Exploration of Dosing Strategies in Gastrointestinal
      Endoscopies Using Midazolam and Opioids.
AB  - Classical midazolam-opioid combination for gastrointestinal endoscopy sedation
      has been adopted for decades. Dosing regimens have been studied but most require
      fixed dosing intervals. We intend to use a sophisticated pharmacodynamic tool,
      response surface model (RSM), to simulate sedation using different regimens. RSM
      can predict patient's response during different phases of the examination and
      predict patient's wake-up time with precision and without the need for fixed
      dosing intervals. We believe it will aid physicians in guiding their dosing
      strategy and timing.The study is divided into 2 parts. The first part is the full
      Greco RSMs development for 3 distinct phases: esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD),
      colonoscopy, and intersession (the time lapse between procedures). Observer's
      Assessment of Alertness Score (OAA/S) is used to assess patient response. The
      second part simulates 6 regimens with different characteristics using the RSMs:
      midazolam only, balanced midazolam and opioids, high-dose opioids and midazolam,
      low-dose midazolam with high-dose opioids, high-dose midazolam and low-dose
      opioids, and finally midazolam with continuous opioid infusion. Loss of response
      at 95% probability for adequate anesthesia during examination and return of
      consciousness at 50% probability during intersession was selected for simulation
      purposes.The average age of the patient population is 49.3 years. Mean BMI is
      21.9 +/- 2.3 kg/m. About 56.7% were females and none received prior abdominal
      surgery. The cecal intubation rate was 100%. Only 1 patient (3%) developed
      temporary hypoxemia, which was promptly managed with simple measures. The RSMs
      for each phase showed significant synergy between midazolam and alfentanil. The
      balanced midazolam and alfentanil combination provided adequate anesthesia and
      most rapid return of consciousness. The awakening time from the final drug bolus
      was 7.4 minutes during EGD and colonoscopy stimulation, and 9.1 minutes during
      EGD simulation.Simulation of regimens with different characteristics gives
      insights on dosing strategies. A balanced midazolam-alfentanil regimen is
      adequate in providing good anesthetic depth and most rapid return of
      consciousness. We believe with the aid of our RSM, clinicians can perform
      sedation with more flexibility and precision. 

PMID- 27281066
TI  - Efficacy of Anti-TNFalpha in Severe and Refractory Neuro-Behcet Disease: An
      Observational Study.
AB  - To report the safety and efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)
      therapy in severe and refractory neuro-Behcet disease (NBD)
      patients.Observational, multicenter study including 17 BD patients (70.6% of
      male, with a median age of 39.3 [24-60] years), with symptomatic parenchymal NBD,
      refractory to previous immunosuppressant and treated with anti-TNFalpha
      (infliximab 5 mg/kg [n = 13] or adalimumab [n = 4]). Complete remission was
      defined by the disappearance of all neurological symptoms and by the improvement
      of radiological abnormalities at 12 months.Overall improvement following anti-TNF
      was evidenced in 16/17 (94.1%) patients including 6 (35.3%) complete response and
      10 (58.8%) partial response. The median time to achieve remission was 3 months (1
      6). The median Rankin score was 2 (1-4) at the initiation of anti-TNFalpha versus
      1 (0-4) at the time of remission (P = 0.01). Corticosteroids have been stopped in
      4 (23.5%) patients, and reduced by more than 50% as compared with the dosage at
      baseline in 10 (58.8%) patients. Side effects occurred in 23.5% of patients and
      required treatment discontinuation in 17% of cases.TNF blockade represents an
      effective therapeutic approach for patients with severe and refractory NBD, a
      difficult to treat population. 

PMID- 27281067
TI  - Laminoplasty versus laminectomy and fusion for multilevel cervical compressive
      myelopathy: A meta-analysis.
AB  - This is a meta-analysis to compare the results between laminoplasty and
      laminectomy followed by fusion for the patients with multilevel cervical
      compressive myelopathy. An extensive search of literature was performed in
      MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane library, CNKI, and WANFANG. The following outcome
      measures were extracted: the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores,
      cervical curvature index (CCI), visual analog scale (VAS), cervical lordosis (C2
      7), complications, blood loss, and operation time. Data analysis was conducted
      with RevMan 5.3 and STATA 12.0. A total of 23 studies comprising 774 and 743
      patients treated with laminoplasty and laminectomy followed by fusion,
      respectively, were included in the final analysis. The pooled analysis showed
      that there was no significant difference in preoperative JOA scores [P = 0.89],
      postoperative JOA scores [P = 0.13], JOA scores improvement rate [P = 0.27],
      preoperative CCI [P = 0.15], postoperative CCI [P = 0.14], preoperative VAS [P =
      0.41], postoperative VAS [P = 0.52], preoperative cervical lordosis (C2-7) [P =
      0.46], postoperative cervical lordosis (C2-7) [P = 0.67], total complications [P
      = 0.07], axial pain [P = 0.94], and blood loss [P = 0.51]. However, there were
      significant difference in operation time (WMD = -19.57 [-32.11, -7.02], P =
      0.002) and C5 palsy (OR = 0.26 [0.15, 0.44], P < 0.001). As compared with
      laminectomy followed by fusion, expansive laminoplasty showed no significant
      differences in JOA scores, CCI, ROM, VAS, cervical lordosis (C2-7), axial pain,
      total complications, and blood loss, but shorter operation time and fewer C5
      palsy. 

PMID- 27281068
TI  - HER-2 expression in biopsy and surgical specimen on prognosis of osteosarcoma: A
      systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies.
AB  - Numerous original clinical studies have attempted to investigate the prognostic
      value of HER-2 overexpression in osteosarcoma, but the results of these studies
      are not consistent. This meta-analysis and systematic review was performed to
      further assess the correlation between HER-2 expression and prognosis in patients
      with osteosarcoma. A detailed search of relevant publications was conducted using
      7 electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, the Wanfang
      database, the China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) database, the Chinese VIP
      database, and the Chinese Biological Medical (CBM) Database for publications
      through August 1, 2015, using the following keywords (HER-2 OR ErbB-2 OR C-erbB-2
      OR neu) AND (osteosarcoma OR osteogenic tumor). The bibliographies of potentially
      relevant articles and identified articles were then searched by hand. Eligible
      studies were those that enrolled participants with osteosarcoma and provided
      survival outcome in HER-2 positive and negative groups. The hazard ratio (HR) and
      95% confidence interval (CI) for each individual study was calculated and pooled
      to obtain integrated estimates, using random effects modeling. Sixteen studies
      involving 934 participants with osteosarcoma met our inclusion criteria. HER-2
      overexpression was documented in 42.2% of patients with osteosarcoma. Compared
      with patients without HER-2 overexpression, those overexpressing HER-2 had
      decreased overall survival (HR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.36-3.03, P < 0.001). Statistical
      associations between HER-2 overexpression and unfavorable overall survival (OS)
      were observed for both biopsy and surgical removal specimens (HR = 2.07, 95%CI:
      1.16-3.72, P = 0.014; and HR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.10-3.71, P = 0.024). Results for
      disease-free survival (DFS) were similar. Overexpression of HER-2 is
      significantly associated with poor outcome for patients with osteosarcoma and
      should be assessed at diagnosis and after surgery as a prognostic factor.
      However, larger-scale multicenter clinical studies are needed to further support
      these findings. 

PMID- 27281069
TI  - Hypersensitivity to fluoroquinolones: The expression of basophil activation
      markers depends on the clinical entity and the culprit fluoroquinolone.
AB  - Although fluoroquinolones (FQs) are generally well-tolerated antibiotics,
      increasing numbers of hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. These can be
      evaluated in vitro by basophil activation tests (BATs); however, sensitivity is
      not optimal. Many factors could influence sensitivity such as basophil activation
      markers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of 2 different
      activations markers, CD63 and CD203c, on the sensitivity of BAT to FQ. We studied
      17 patients with immediate allergic reactions to FQ. BAT was performed with
      moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin using CD193 (CCR3) for basophil selection and
      CD203c or CD63 as activation markers. Stimulation with ciprofloxacin induced a
      significantly higher expression of CD63 in ciprofloxacin-allergic patients
      compared to moxifloxacin-allergic patients (P = 0.002). In patients allergic to
      moxifloxacin with anaphylactic shock, we have observed an increase in the
      percentage of cells that upregulate CD203c, whereas patients with anaphylaxis
      preferentially upregulate CD63. The best sensitivity-specificity was obtained
      using a cutoff of 3 and the culprit FQ, using CD203c for moxifloxacin-allergic
      patients (sensitivity = 36.4%; specificity = 94.4%), and CD63 for ciprofloxacin
      allergic patients (sensitivity = 83.3%; specificity = 88.9%). A negative
      correlation was found between the upregulation of CD63 and CD203c and the time
      interval between the reaction occurrence and the performance of the test
      (Spearman r = -0.446; P < 0.001 for CD63 and Spearman r = -0.386; P < 0.001 for
      CD203c). The performance of BAT for FQ allergy must be optimized for each drug,
      taking into account possible differences in the stimulation mechanism that leads
      to the upregulation of different activation markers. 

PMID- 27281070
TI  - Efficacy of rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin for steroid-resistant acute rejection
      after liver transplantation.
AB  - Acute cellular rejection after liver transplantation (LT) can be treated with
      steroid pulse therapy, but there is no ideal treatment for steroid-resistant
      acute rejection (SRAR). We aimed to determine the feasibility and potential
      complications of rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) application to treat SRAR
      in liver transplant recipients. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of
      429 recipients who underwent LT at Severance Hospital between January 2010 and
      March 2015. We compared clinical features and graft survival between patients
      with steroid-sensitive acute rejection (SSAR; n = 23) and SRAR (n = 11). We also
      analyzed complications and changes in laboratory findings after 2.5 mg/kg rATG
      treatment in patients with SRAR for 6 to 10 days. There were no significant
      differences in gender, age, model for end-stage liver disease score, Child
      Turcotte-Pugh score, or original liver diseases between patients with SSAR and
      SRAR, although deceased donors were more frequently associated with the SRAR
      group (P = 0.004). All SRAR patients responded positively to rATG treatment;
      after treatment, the patients' median AST levels decreased from 138 to 63 IU/L,
      and their median ALT levels dropped from 327 to 70 IU/L 1 day after rATG
      treatment (P = 0.022 and 0.017, respectively). Median aspartate aminotransferase
      (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin levels significantly
      decreased 1 month post-treatment (P = 0.038, 0.004, and 0.041, respectively).
      Median survival after LT was 23 months, and median survival after rATG was 22
      months in patients with SRAR. Adverse effects included hepatitis C virus (HCV)
      reactivation, fungemia, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Nine SRAR patients
      survived with healthy liver function, 1 died from a traffic accident during
      follow-up, and 1 died from graft-versus-host disease and fungemia. Administration
      of rATG is an effective therapeutic option for SRAR with acceptable complications
      in liver transplant recipients. However, the occurrence of HCV reactivation and
      CMV infection in LT patients should be monitored after rATG treatment in these
      patients. 

PMID- 27281071
TI  - Dysfunctional phenotypes of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are comparable in patients
      initiating ART during early or chronic HIV-1 infection.
AB  - Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is becoming a common clinical
      practice according to current guidelines recommending treatment to all HIV-1
      infected patients. However, it is not known whether ART initiated during the
      early phase of infection prevents the establishment of abnormal phenotypic
      features previously reported in CD4+ and CD8+T cells during chronic HIV-1
      infection. In this cross-sectional study, blood specimens were obtained from 17
      HIV-1-infected patients who began ART treatment shortly after infection (early
      ART [EA]), 17 age-matched HIV-1-infected patients who started ART during chronic
      phase of infection (late ART [LA]), and 25 age-matched non-HIV-1-infected
      controls. At collection of specimens, patients in EA and LA groups had received
      ART for comparable periods of time. Total HIV-1 DNA was measured in white blood
      cells by quantitative PCR. The concentration of 9 inflammatory parameters and 1
      marker of fibrosis, including sCD14 and beta-2 microglobulin, was measured in
      plasma. Furthermore, expression of markers of abnormal immune activation (human
      leukocyte antigen - antigen D related [HLA-DR] and CD38), exhaustion (programmed
      death 1, CD28, CD57) and terminal differentiation (CD127) was measured on CD4+
      and CD8+T cells. T-cell proliferation was measured through Ki67 expression. The
      copies of total HIV-1 DNA in blood were significantly lower (P = 0.009) in EA
      compared with that in LA group. Only the expression of HLA-DR on naive CD4+ T
      cells distinguished EA from LA, whereas expression of 3 surface markers
      distinguished T-cell populations of HIV-1-infected patients from controls. These
      included HLA-DR distinguishing CD4+ T cells from EA compared with controls, and
      also CD38 and CD127 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, respectively, distinguishing both
      groups of patients from controls. The sCD14 levels were significantly higher in
      EA patients, and beta-2 microglobulin levels were higher in LA group compared
      with that in controls. Our results demonstrate an equivalent abnormal expression
      of activation (HLA-DR and CD38 on CD4+ T cells) and terminal differentiation
      (CD127 on CD8+ T cells) markers in T cells from both EA and LA patients. The size
      of total HIV-1 DNA copies in blood of EA was lower compared with LA patients.
      These findings suggest that some abnormalities taking place in the T-cell
      compartment during primary HIV-1 infection may not be corrected by early ART. 

PMID- 27281072
TI  - High Serum Irisin Level as an Independent Predictor of Diabetes Mellitus: A
      Longitudinal Population-Based Study.
AB  - Irisin, a novel exercise-induced myokine, has been suggested to regulate energy
      homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. However, it remains unclear whether
      circulating irisin plays a role in the development of DM in human. We
      investigated the possible association between circulating irisin levels and
      incident DM in a 2.6-year longitudinal study of a population-based cohort
      comprised of rural Korean subjects.We conducted a longitudinal study within the
      Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study on Atherosclerosis Risk of Rural Areas in
      the Korean General Population (KoGES-ARIRANG) study from November 2005 to January
      2008. Cases (n=85) were patients with incident DM during the follow-up period and
      controls (n = 85) were matched to incident DM cases based on sex and age at
      baseline. The relative risk of serum irisin/adiponectin level for incident DM was
      analyzed using conditional logistic regression analysis.Baseline irisin_ENREF_1
      levels were significantly higher in subjects who developed DM than in subjects
      who did not. The serum irisin level was positively associated with glycated
      hemoglobin (HbA1c) and postprandial glucose. Irisin was negatively associated
      with adiponectin (R = -0.189, P = 0.014). After adjustment for potential
      confounders, including body mass index, the odds ratios [95% confidence
      intervals] for incident DM increased in a graded manner as the serum irisin level
      increased (Quartile 1 vs Quartile 2 vs Quartile 3 vs Quartile 4 = 1 vs 0.80 [0.28
      2.35] vs 3.33 [1.11-10.00] vs 4.10 [1.35-12.44], respectively), whereas the odds
      ratios for incident DM decreased in a graded manner as the serum adiponectin
      level increased.High serum irisin was independently associated with the
      development of DM, indicating that irisin may be a useful predictor of DM in
      Korean adults. 

PMID- 27281073
TI  - Five-Year Long-Term Prognosis of Epileptic Children After Hemispheric Surgery: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - To estimate children's long-term seizure outcomes after hemispheric surgery and
      the associated predictors.A systematic review of 4 databases and a meta-analysis
      were performed from January 1, 1995 to August 31, 2015. The databases included
      PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, and Web of Science; patients were classified into
      the Engel Class I group and the Engel Class II to IV group, according to their
      seizure outcomes. Nine potential predictors were then stratified across the
      groups and estimated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables
      and the Chi-squared test for categorical variables.The search yielded 15
      retrospective studies, with a total sample size of 380. Five years after surgery,
      268 (0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64-0.78) children were seizure free;
      the seizure onset age in the Engel Class I group was significantly higher than
      that of the Engel Class II to IV group (standardized mean difference [SMD] =
      0.26, 95% CI: 0.03-0.49, P = 0.028); specifically, when predicting the positive
      long-term outcomes, the odds ratio for late onset age (>=3.6 months, median value
      of the Engel Class II-IV group) versus early onset age was 2.65 (95% CI: 1.454
      4.836, z = 3.18, P = 0.001). The abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      findings were more predictive for positive seizure outcomes than the normal
      findings (odds ratio [OR] = 4.60, 95% CI: 1.27-16.62, P = 0.02).Following
      hemispheric surgery, the long-term prognosis of children with epilepsy was good.
      Late seizure onset (age >= 3.6 months) and abnormal MRI findings were positive
      predictors for long-term seizure control in children. 

PMID- 27281074
TI  - Use of Traditional and Complementary Medicine as Self-Care Strategies in
      Community Health Centers: Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Pearl River Delta Region
      of China.
AB  - In China, Community Health Centers (CHCs) are major providers of primary care
      services, but their potential in empowering patients' self-management capacity
      has not been assessed. This study aims to describe self-care practice patterns
      amongst CHC attendees in urban China.In this cross-sectional quantitative study,
      3360 CHC patients from 6 cities within the Pearl Delta Region were sampled using
      multistage cluster sampling.Thirty-seven per cent had used with over-the-counter
      Chinese herbal medicines (OTC CHMs) in the past year and majority of respondents
      found OTC CHMs effective. OTC CHMs were more popular amongst those who needed to
      pay out of pocket for CHC services. Less than 10% used vitamins and minerals, and
      those with a lower socioeconomic background have a higher propensity to consume.
      Although doubts on their usefulness are expressed, their use by the vulnerable
      population may reflect barriers to access to conventional health care, cultural
      affinity, or a defense against negative consequences of illnesses. About 25%
      performed physical exercise, but the prevalence is lower amongst women and older
      people. Taiji seems to be an alternative for these populations with promising
      effectiveness, but overall only 6% of CHC attendees participated.These results
      suggest that CHCs should start initiatives in fostering appropriate use of OTC
      CHM, vitamins, and minerals. Engaging community pharmacists in guiding safe and
      effective use of OTC CHM amongst the uninsured is essential given their low
      accessibility to CHC services. Prescription of Taiji instead of physical
      exercises to women and older people could be more culturally appropriate, and the
      possibility of including this as part of the CHC services worth further
      exploration. 

PMID- 27281075
TI  - Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as a Novel Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Variation in clinical evidence has prevented the adoption of fecal microbiota
      transplantation (FMT) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to
      conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and
      safety of FMT in UC.A systematic literature search was performed in 5 electronic
      databases from inception through September 2015. Inclusion criteria were reports
      of FMT in patients with UC. Studies were excluded if they did not report clinical
      outcomes or included patients with infections. Clinical remission (CR) was
      defined as the primary outcome.Eleven studies (2 randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs), 1 open-label case-control study, and 8 cohort studies) with a total of
      133 UC patients were included in the analysis. In 11 studies (including 8
      noncontrol cohort studies and the treatment arms of 3 clinical control trials),
      the pooled proportion of patients who achieved CR was 30.4% (95% CI 22.6-39.4%),
      with a low risk of heterogeneity (Cochran Q test, P = 0.139; I = 33%). A subgroup
      analysis suggested that no difference in CR was detected between upper
      gastrointestinal delivery versus lower gastrointestinal delivery. Furthermore,
      subgroup analysis revealed that there was no difference in CR between single
      infusion versus multiple infusions (>1) of FMT. All studies reported mild adverse
      events.FMT is potentially useful in UC disease management but better-designed
      RCTs are still required to confirm our findings before wide adoption of FMT is
      suggested. Additionally, basic guidelines are needed imminently to identify the
      right patient population and to standardize the process of FMT. 

PMID- 27281076
TI  - Multiorgan resection with inferior vena cava reconstruction for hepatic alveolar
      echinococcosis: A case report and literature review.
AB  - Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a life-threatening parasitic disease
      characterized by its tumor-like growth. Radical operation is deemed the curable
      method for AE treatment if R0-resection is achievable. We present a 26-year-old
      AE patient with AE lesions invading the right lobe of the liver, the inferior
      vena cava, inferior lobe of right lung, the right hemidiaphragm, and the right
      kidney. On the basis of precise preoperative and intraoperative evaluations, a
      radical surgery that removed the huge lesion en bloc was performed successfully
      with skillful surgical techniques. This patient had an uneventful postoperative
      recovery and a good prognosis. Multiorgan resection is justified and unavoidable
      in selected patients when AE lesions invade different organs and the main
      vascular structures. 

PMID- 27281077
TI  - The Correlation of Serum IL-12B Expression With Disease Activity in Patients With
      Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - Genetic variants in IL12B, encoding the p40 subunit common in interleukin-12 (IL
      12) and interleukin-23, were identified as the susceptibility loci for
      inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to identify the correlation of
      serum IL-12B expression with disease activity in patients with IBD and evaluate
      the possibility of IL-12B as a biomarker for assessing inflammatory status in
      IBD.A total of 102 patients with IBD, including 38, 32, and 32 patients with
      Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and intestinal Behcet's disease
      (intestinal BD), respectively, were included. The clinical and laboratory data
      from the patients were collected at the time of serum IL-12B measurement. Serum
      IL-12B levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The median
      IL-12B levels in patients with CD, UC, and intestinal BD were significantly
      higher than those in controls (1.87, 2.74, and 2.73 pg/mL, respectively, vs. 1.42
      pg/mL, all P <0.05). IL-12B concentrations were associated with disease activity
      in patients with UC and intestinal BD but not in those with CD. IL-12B levels
      were increased with increasing disease activity in patients with UC (P <0.001).
      Likewise, patients with active intestinal BD had higher IL-12B levels than those
      without active disease (P = 0.008). IL-12B levels were correlated with the
      endoscopic disease activity of UC (P = 0.002) and intestinal BD (P = 0.001) but
      not that of CD.Serum IL-12B levels were significantly correlated with clinical
      and endoscopic disease activity in patients with UC and intestinal BD, suggesting
      its potential use as a biomarker for assessing disease activity in these
      patients. 

PMID- 27281078
TI  - Up-regulation of Plasma Hexosylceramide (d18: 1/18: 1) Contributes to Genotype 2
      Virus Replication in Chronic Hepatitis C: A 20-Year Cohort Study.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between plasma
      sphingolipids and hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in chronic hepatitis C
      (CHC) patients.A cohort of 120 treatment-naive CHC patients was included. Liver
      biopsies and the Scheuer scoring system were used to assess hepatic inflammatory
      activity. Blood biochemical indicators, HCV-RNA load, and immunological markers
      were also measured. Forty-four plasma sphingolipids were identified and
      quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry.The hexosylceramide (HexCer) (d18:1/18:1) level was significantly
      different between patients with a low HCV load (<10 IU/mL) and a high HCV load
      (>=10 IU/mL), and it was positively correlated with the HCV-RNA load (r = 0.337,
      P = 0.001) in CHC patients. Additionally, the plasma HexCer (d18:1/18:1) level
      (odds ratio 1.302, 95% confidence interval 1.129-1.502) was an independent factor
      for a high HCV-RNA load. For patients with hepatic inflammation grade <=2 or HCV
      genotype 2, HexCer (d18:1/18:1) was independently related to a high HCV-RNA
      load.Plasma HexCer (d18:1/18:1) might be involved in the high viral replication
      level in chronic HCV infection, especially for CHC patients with genotype 2. 

PMID- 27281079
TI  - Diagnosis and rehabilitation of deep wound infection and internal fixation
      rejection in elbow: A case report.
AB  - This study aims at diagnosis and rehabilitation of a rare case of deep wound
      infection and internal fixation rejection in elbow. The patient sustained a
      distal fracture in the humerus 1 year ago, which was internal fixed. The wound
      always effused and the elbow had pain and swelling; joint motion was limited.
      Blood sedimentation rate and C reactive protein level increased, bacterial
      culture suggested deep wound infection, and ultrasound indicated inflammation.
      The main diagnoses were deep wound infection and internal fixation rejection.
      Therapeutics interventions were antibiotic agents, physical therapy, operative
      debridement, incision, drainage, and exercise and physical therapy. One year
      later, the internal fixation was taken out. His elbow was fully mobilized and the
      fracture healed. He got back to his former job. When encountered deep wound
      infection again and again after internal fixation, rejection should be
      considered. Except for anti-infection treatment, rehabilitation cannot be
      neglected, or the healing process may be delayed. 

PMID- 27281080
TI  - The association between normal-range admission potassium levels in Israeli
      patients with acute coronary syndrome and early and late outcomes.
AB  - Abnormal serum potassium levels are associated with an increased risk of
      ventricular arrhythmias and mortality in patients with acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether different
      levels of serum potassium, within the normal range, are associated with worse
      outcomes. The present study comprised 1277 patients with AMI and normal-range
      admission potassium levels (3.5-5.2 mEq/L), who were enrolled and prospectively
      followed up in the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey between 2010 and 2013.
      Patients were divided into 4 quartiles based on admission potassium levels;
      "normal-low" (K >= 3.5 and K <= 3.9), "normal-moderate" (K > 3.9 and K <= 4.18),
      "normal-high" (K > 4.18 and K <= 4.45), and "normal-very high" (K > 4.45 and K <=
      5.2). We analyzed the association between admission serum potassium levels and 7
      days in-hospital complication rates, and 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality
      rates. Patients with "normal-very high" potassium displayed increased frequency
      of baseline clinical risk factors and experienced a higher rate of acute kidney
      injury during hospitalization compared with the "normal-low" group (7.7% vs 2.4%;
      P = 0.002). However, the rate of in-hospital ventricular arrhythmias was similar
      across the range of admission potassium levels (overall P = 0.26), Multivariate
      analysis showed that compared with "low-normal" potassium values, patients with
      "normal-very high" potassium levels experienced increased risk for 30-days
      (adjusted hazard ratio 2.88, 95% confidence interval 1.05-7.87, P = 0.039) and 1
      year all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.98, 95% confidence interval
      1.05-3.75, P = 0.034). In patients admitted with AMI, admission serum potassium
      levels of 4.45 to 5.2 mEq/L are not associated with in-hospital ventricular
      arrhythmias, but are associated with increased short and long-term mortality. 

PMID- 27281081
TI  - National trends in off-label use of atypical antipsychotics in children and
      adolescents in the United States.
AB  - The objectives of the study were as follows: to examine the national trend of
      pediatric atypical antipsychotic (AAP) use in the United States; to identify
      primary mental disorders associated with AAPs; to estimate the strength of
      independent associations between patient/provider characteristics and AAP use.
      Data are from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National
      Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. First, average AAP prescription rates
      among 4 and 18-year-old patients between 1993 and 2010 were estimated. Second,
      data from 2007 to 2010 were combined and analyzed to identify primary mental
      disorders related to AAP prescription. Third, a multivariate logistic regression
      model was developed having the presence of AAP prescription as the dependent
      variable and patient/provider characteristics as explanatory variables. Adjusted
      odds ratios (AORs) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated.
      Outpatient visits including an AAP prescription among 4 to 18-year-old patients
      significantly increased between 1993 and 2010 in the United States, and over 65%
      of those visits did not have diagnoses for US Food and Drug Administration
      approved AAP indications. During 2007 to 2010, the most common mental disorder
      was attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, accounting for 24% of total
      pediatric AAP visits. Among visits with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
      diagnosis, those with Medicaid as payer (AOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.01-2.75), comorbid
      mental disorders (e.g., psychoses AOR 3.34, 95% CI 1.35-8.26), and multiple
      prescriptions (4 or more prescriptions AOR 4.48, 95% CI 2.08-9.64) were more
      likely to have an AAP prescription. The off-label use of AAPs in children and
      adolescents is prevalent in the United States. Our study raises questions about
      the potential misuse of AAPs in the population. 

PMID- 27281083
TI  - Treatment of necrotizing acute pancreatitis with peritoneal lavage and dialysis
      by a new simplified technique insert catheters: One retrospective study.
AB  - Peritoneal lavage and dialysis is an approach to treat necrotizing acute
      pancreatitis as it removes dialyzable toxins and reduces severe metabolic
      disturbances. Successful catheter implantation is important for delivering
      adequate peritoneal lavage and dialysis. The aim of the present study was to
      describe a new modified percutaneous technique for the placement of peritoneal
      dialysis catheters and assess the effectiveness and safety of peritoneal lavage
      and dialysis used for treatment of necrotizing acute pancreatitis. We conducted a
      retrospective data review of 35 patients of necrotizing acute pancreatitis from
      January 2010 to December 2014 in Jilin City Central Hospital and The First
      Affiliated Hospital of ZheJiang University. In total, 18 patients underwent
      peritoneal lavage and dialysis after inserting catheters by our new technique
      (group A), whereas 17 patients underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter
      drainage (group B). By analyzing the patients' data, the drainage days and mean
      number of hours between the debut of the symptoms and the hospital admission were
      lower in group A (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). The complication rate of 5.6
      and 17.6%, respectively (P = 0.261), and a mortality rate of 16.7 and 5.9% for
      each group, respectively (P = 0.316). Likewise, hospitalization time was similar
      for the group A: 31 +/- 25.3 days compared with 42.8 +/- 29.4 days in the group B
      (P = 0.211). Peritoneal lavage and dialysis can be used in necrotizing acute
      pancreatitis, and our new modified percutaneous technique offers the same
      complication and mortality rate as ultrasound-guided drainage but with a shorter
      drainage days. 

PMID- 27281082
TI  - Antibiotic prescribing of village doctors for children under 15 years with upper
      respiratory tract infections in rural China: A qualitative study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of
      village doctors regarding the prescribing of antibiotics for children under 15
      years with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in rural China. Twelve
      focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in Xianning, a prefecture-level
      city in rural China, during December 2014. We conducted 6 FGDs with 35 village
      doctors, 3 with 13 primary caregivers (11 parents), and 3 with 17 directors of
      township hospitals, county-level health bureaus, county-level Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention, or county-level Chinese Food and Drug Administration
      offices. Audio records of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed
      using the thematic analysis approach. Participants believed that unnecessary
      antibiotic prescribing for children under 15 years with The occurrence of URTIs
      was a problem in village clinics in rural China. The discussions revealed that
      most of the village doctors had inadequate knowledge and misconceptions about
      antibiotic use, which was an important factor in the unnecessary prescribing.
      Village doctors and directors reported that the doctors' fear of complications,
      the primary caregivers' pressure for antibiotic treatment, and the financial
      considerations of patient retention were the main factors influencing the
      decision to prescribe antibiotics. Most of the primary caregivers insisted on
      antibiotics, even when the village doctors were reluctant to prescribe them, and
      they preferred to go to see those village doctors who prescribed antibiotics. The
      interviewees also gave their opinions on what would be the most effective
      measures for optimizing antibiotic prescriptions; these included
      educational/training campaigns, strict regulations on antibiotic prescription,
      and improved supervision. Findings emphasized the need to improve the
      dissemination of information and training/education, and implement legislation on
      the rational use of antibiotics. And it also provided helpful information to
      guide the design of more effective interventions to promote prudent antibiotic
      use and good antimicrobial stewardship. 

PMID- 27281084
TI  - Which is your choice for prolonging the analgesic duration of single-shot
      interscalene brachial blocks for arthroscopic shoulder surgery? intravenous
      dexamethasone 5 mg vs. perineural dexamethasone 5 mg randomized, controlled,
      clinical trial.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the effect of intravenous (I.V.)
      dexamethasone with that of perineural dexamethasone on the prolongation of
      analgesic duration of single-shot interscalene brachial plexus blocks (SISB) in
      patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. We performed a prospective,
      randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients undergoing elective
      arthroscopic shoulder surgery with ultrasound-guided SISB were enrolled and
      randomized into 2 groups. A total volume of 12 mL of the study drug was prepared
      with a final concentration of 0.5% ropivacaine. In the I.V. group, patients
      received SISB using ropivacaine 5 mg mL with normal saline (control) with
      dexamethasone 5 mg I.V. injection. In the perineural group, patients received
      SISB using ropivacaine 5 mg mL with dexamethasone 5 mg, with normal saline 1 mL
      I.V. injection. The primary outcome was the time to the first analgesic request,
      defined as the time between the end of the operation and the first request of
      analgesics by the patient. The secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction
      scores, side effects, and neurological symptoms. Patients were randomly assigned
      to 1 of the 2 groups using a computer-generated randomization table. An
      anesthesiologist blinded to the group assignments prepared the solutions for
      injection. The patients and the investigator participating in the study were also
      blinded to the group assignments. One hundred patients were randomized. Data were
      analyzed for 99 patients. One case in the I.V. group was converted to open
      surgery and was therefore not included in the study. Perineural dexamethasone
      significantly prolonged analgesic duration (median, standard error: 1080 minutes,
      117.5 minutes) compared with I.V. dexamethasone (810 minutes, 48.1 minutes) (P =
      0.02). There were no significant differences in side effects, neurological
      symptoms, or changes in blood glucose values between the 2 groups. Our results
      show that perineural dexamethasone 5 mg is more effective than I.V. dexamethasone
      5 mg with regard to analgesic duration of SISB for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

PMID- 27281085
TI  - Elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts mortality in medical inpatients
      with multiple chronic conditions.
AB  - Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easy measurable laboratory marker used
      to evaluate systemic inflammation. Elevated NLR is associated with poor survival
      and increased morbidity in cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, the
      usefulness of NLR to predict morbidity and mortality in a hospital setting for
      patients with multiple chronic conditions has not been previously examined. In
      this study, we investigate the association between NLR and mortality in
      multimorbid medical inpatients. Two hundred thirty medical in-patients with
      chronic conditions were selected from a single academic medical center in Taiwan.
      Retrospective NLRs were calculated from routine full blood counts previously
      obtained during the initial hospital admission and at the time of discharge. Self
      rated health (using a single-item question), medical disorders, depressive
      symptoms, and medical service utilization over a 1-year period were included in
      the analyses. Mortality outcomes were ascertained by reviewing electronic medical
      records and follow-up. The mortality rate at 2-year follow-up was 23%. Depression
      (odds ratio [OR] 1.9 [95% CI 1.0-3.7]), poor self-rated health (OR 2.1 [95% CI
      1.1-3.9]), being hospitalized 2 or more times in the previous year (OR 2.3 [95%
      CI 1.2-4.6]), metastatic cancer (OR 4.7 [95% CI 2.3-9.7]), and chronic liver
      disease (OR 4.3 [95% CI 1.5-12.1]) were associated with 2-year mortality. The
      median (interquartile range) NLR at admission and discharge were 4.47 (2.4-8.7)
      and 3.65 (2.1-6.5), respectively. Two-year mortality rates were higher in
      patients with an elevated NLR at admission (NLR <3 = 15.5%, NLR >3 = 27.6%) and
      discharge (NLR < 3 = 14.7%, NLR >3 = 29.1%). Multivariate logistic regression
      demonstrated that an elevated NLR >3.0 at admission (OR 2.3 [95% CI 1.0-5.2]) and
      discharge (OR 2.3 [95% CI 1.1-5.0]) were associated with mortality independent of
      baseline age, sex, education, metastatic cancer, liver disease, depression, and
      previous hospitalization. Increased NLR is associated with mortality among
      medical inpatients with multiple chronic conditions. NLR may provide added value
      to predict both risk of mortality for the inpatients with chronic conditions, in
      addition to allowing predictions of likely hospital service needs such as re
      admissions that are associated with long-term mortality. 

PMID- 27281086
TI  - In vivo confocal microscopy of meibomian glands in primary blepharospasm: A
      prospective case-control study in a Chinese population.
AB  - The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphological changes of meibomian
      glands (MGs) in primary blepharospasm (PBS) by in vivo laser scanning confocal
      microscopy (LSCM) and to investigate the correlations between clinical data of
      PBS and LSCM parameters of MGs. This prospective and case-control study recruited
      30 consecutive PBS patients and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.
      After questionnaire assessments of ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Jankovic
      rating scale, and blepharospasm disability index, all subjects underwent blink
      rate evaluation, tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining
      (CFS), Schirmer test, MG expressibility, meibum quality, MG dropout, and LSCM
      examination of the MGs. The main LSCM outcomes included the mean MG acinar area
      and density, orifice diameter, meibum secretion reflectivity, acinar
      irregularity, and inhomogeneity of interstice and acinar wall. The PBS patients
      had significantly higher blink rate, higher OSDI and CFS scores, lower TBUT and
      Schirmer test value, and worse MG expressibility than the controls (All P <
      0.05), whereas meibum quality showed no difference (P > 0.05). The PBS patients
      showed lower values of MG acinar area, orifice diameter and meibum secretion
      reflectivity, and higher scores of acinar irregularity and inhomogeneity of
      interstices than the controls (All P < 0.05). For the PBS patients, the severity
      of blepharospasm evaluated by JCR scale was strong correlated with MG acinar area
      (P < 0.001), orifice diameter (P = 0.002), meibum secretion reflectivity (P =
      0.002), and MG acinar irregularity (P = 0.013). The MG expressibility was
      significantly correlated to MG acinar area (P = 0.039), orifice diameter (P <
      0.001), and MG acinar irregularity (P = 0.014). The OSDI score was moderate
      correlated with MG acinar irregularity (P = 0.016), whereas the TBUT value was
      positively correlated with MG acinar area (P = 0.045) and negatively correlated
      to MG acinar irregularity (P = 0.016). The CFS score was negatively correlated to
      MG orifice diameter (P = 0.008). The LSCM provided a noninvasive tool for in vivo
      histopathologic studies of MGs in PBS patients. The excessive constriction of lid
      muscles closely related to MG morphological alterations of PBS, which offered a
      new research approach to interpret the interactional mechanism between dry eye
      and PBS. 

PMID- 27281087
TI  - The clinical outcomes and predictive factors for in-hospital mortality in non
      neutropenic patients with candidemia.
AB  - Recent epidemiologic studies have showed that candidemia is an important
      nosocomial infection in hospitalized patients. The majority of candidemia
      patients were non-neutropenic rather than neutropenic status. The aim of this
      study was to determine the clinical outcome of non-neutropenic patients with
      candidemia and to measure the contributing factors for mortality. A total of 163
      non-neutropenic patients with candidemia during January 2010 to December 2013
      were retrospectively enrolled. The patients' risk factors for mortality, clinical
      outcomes, treatment regimens, and Candida species were analyzed. The overall
      mortality was 54.6%. Candida albicans was the most frequent Candida species (n =
      83; 50.9% of patients). Under multivariate analyses, hemodialysis (OR, 4.554; 95%
      CI, 1.464-14.164) and the use of amphotericin B deoxycholate (OR, 8.709; 95% CI,
      1.587-47.805) were independent factors associated with mortality. In contrast,
      abdominal surgery (OR, 0.360; 95% CI, 0.158-0.816) was associated with a better
      outcome. The overall mortality is still high in non-neutropenic patients with
      candidemia. Hemodialysis and use of amphotericin B deoxycholate were independent
      factors associated with mortality, whereas prior abdominal surgery was associated
      with a better outcome. 

PMID- 27281088
TI  - Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: early or delayed?: Evidence
      from a systematic review of discordant meta-analyses.
AB  - The laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is an important approach of treating acute
      cholecystitis and the timing of performing this given treatment is associated
      with clinical outcomes. Although several meta-analyses have been done to
      investigate the optimal timing of implementing this treatment, the conflicting
      findings from these meta-analyses still confuse decision-making. And thus, we
      performed this systematic review to assess discordant meta-analyses and generate
      conclusive findings to facilitate informed decision-making in clinical context
      eventually. We electronically searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE
      to include meta-analysis comparing early (within 7 days of the onset of symptoms)
      with delayed LC (at least 1 week after initial conservative treatment) for acute
      cholecystitis through August 2015. Two independent investigators completed all
      tasks including scanning and appraising eligibility, abstracting essential
      information using prespecified extraction form, assessing methodological quality
      using Oxford Levels of Evidence and Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews
      (AMSTAR) tool, and assessing the reporting quality using Preferred Reporting
      Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), as well as implementing
      Jadad algorithm in each step for the whole process. A heterogeneity degree of
      <=50% is accepted. Seven eligible meta-analyses were included eventually. Only
      one was Level I of evidence and remaining studies were Level II of evidence. The
      AMSTAR scores varied from 8 to 11 with a median of 9. The PRISMA scores varied
      from 19 to 26. The most heterogeneity level fell into the desired criteria. After
      implementing Jadad algorithm, 2 meta-analyses with more eligible RCTs were
      selected based on search strategies and implication of selection. The best
      available evidence indicated a nonsignificant difference in mortality, bile duct
      injury, bile leakage, overall complications, and conversion to open surgery, but
      a significant reduction in wound infection, hospitalization, and operation
      duration and improvement of the quality of life when compared early LC with
      delayed LC. However, number of work days lost, hospital costs, and patient
      satisfaction are warranted to be assessed further. With the best available
      evidence, we recommend early LC to be as the standard treatment option in
      treating acute cholecystitis. 

PMID- 27281089
TI  - The biophysical characterization of the first SCN5A mutation R1512W identified in
      Chinese sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome.
AB  - Increasing evidence observed in clinical phenotypes show that abrupt breathing
      disorders during sleep may play an important role in the pathogenesis of sudden
      unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS). The reported Brugada syndrome
      causing mutation R1512W in cardiac sodium channel alpha subunit encoded gene
      SCN5A, without obvious loss of function of cardiac sodium channel in previous in
      vitro study, was identified as the first genetic cause of Chinese SUNDS by us.
      The R1512W carrier was a 38-year-old male SUNDS victim who died suddenly after
      tachypnea in nocturnal sleep without any structural heart disease. To test our
      hypothesis that slight acidosis conditions may contribute to the significant loss
      of function of mutant cardiac sodium channels underlying SUNDS, the biophysical
      characterization of SCN5A mutation R1512W was performed under both extracellular
      and intracellular slight acidosis at pH 7.0. The cDNA of R1512W was created using
      site-directed mutagenesis methods in the pcDNA3 plasmid vector. The wild type
      (WT) or mutant cardiac sodium channel R1512W was transiently transfected into
      HEK293 cells. Macroscopic voltage-gated sodium current (INa) was measured 24
      hours after transfection with the whole-cell patch clamp method at room
      temperature in the HEK293 cells. Under the baseline conditions at pH 7.4, R1512W
      (-175 +/- 15 pA/pF) showed about 30% of reduction in peak INa compared to WT (
      254 +/- 23 pA/pF, P < 0.05). Under the acidosis condition at pH 7.0, R1512W (-130
      +/- 17 pA/pF) significantly decreased the peak INa by nearly 50% compared to WT (
      243 +/- 23 pA/pF, P < 0.005). Compared to baseline condition at pH 7.4, the
      acidosis at pH 7.0 did not affect the peak INa in WT (P > 0.05) but decreased
      peak INa in R1512W (P < 0.05). This initial functional study for SCN5A mutation
      in the Chinese SUNDS victim revealed that the acidosis aggravated the loss of
      function of mutant channel R1512W and suggested that nocturnal sleep disorders
      associated slight acidosis may trigger the lethal arrhythmia underlying the
      sudden death of SUNDS cases in the setting of genetic defect. 

PMID- 27281090
TI  - Usefulness of voxel-based lesion mapping for predicting motor recovery in
      subjects with basal ganglia hemorrhage: A preliminary study with 2 case reports.
AB  - It is important to estimate motor recovery in the early phase after stroke. Many
      studies have demonstrated that both diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) and motor
      evoked potentials (MEP) are valuable predictors of motor recovery, but these
      modalities do not directly reflect the status of the injured gray matter. We
      report on 2 subjects with basal ganglia hemorrhage who showed similar DTT and MEP
      findings, but had markedly different clinical outcomes. Specifically, Subject 1
      showed no improvement in motor function, whereas Subject 2 exhibited substantial
      improvement 7 weeks after onset. To determine if differences in gray matter might
      lend insight into these different outcomes, we analyzed gray matter lesions of
      the 2 subjects using a novel voxel-based lesion mapping method. The lesion of
      Subject 1 mainly included the putamen, thalamus, and Heschl's gyri, indicating
      extension of the hemorrhage in the posterior direction. In contrast, the lesion
      of Subject 2 mainly included the putamen, insula, and pallidum, indicating that
      the hemorrhage extended anterior laterally. These differential findings suggest
      that voxel-based gray matter lesion mapping may help to predict differential
      motor recovery in subjects with basal ganglia hemorrhage with similar DTT and MEP
      findings. 

PMID- 27281091
TI  - Genetic variants associated with lean and obese type 2 diabetes in a Han Chinese
      population: A case-control study.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is highly phenotypically heterogeneous. Genetics of the
      heterogeneity of lean and obese T2D is not clear. The aim of the present study
      was to identify the associations of T2D-related genetic variants with the risks
      for lean and obese T2D among the Chinese Han population. A case-control study
      consisting of 5338 T2D patients and 4663 normal glycemic controls of Chinese Han
      recruited in the Chinese National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study was
      conducted. T2D cases were identified according to the 1999 World Health
      Organization criteria. Lean T2D was defined as T2D patient with a body mass index
      (BMI) <23 kg/m, whereas obese T2D was defined as T2D patient with a BMI >=28
      kg/m. Twenty-five genome-wide association studies previously validated T2D
      related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped. A genotype risk
      score (GRS) based on the 25 SNPs was created. After adjusting for multiple
      covariates, SNPs in or near CDKAL1, CDKN2BAS, KCNQ1, TCF7L2, CDC123/CAMK1D, HHEX,
      and TCF2 were associated with the risk for lean T2D, and SNPs in or near KCNQ1
      and FTO were associated with the risk for obese T2D. The results showed that the
      GRS for 25 T2D-related SNPs was more strongly associated with the risk for lean
      T2D (Ptrend = 2.66 * 10) than for obese T2D (Ptrend = 2.91 * 10) in our study
      population. Notably, the T2D GRS contributed to lower obesity-related
      measurements and greater beta-cell dysfunction, including lower insulin levels in
      oral glucose tolerance test, decreased insulinogenic index, and Homeostasis Model
      Assessment for beta-cell Function. In conclusion, our findings identified T2D
      related genetic loci that contribute to the risk of lean and obese T2D
      individually and additively in a Chinese Han population. Moreover, the study
      highlights the contribution of known T2D genomic loci to the heterogeneity of
      lean and obese T2D in Chinese Hans. 

PMID- 27281092
TI  - World Health Organization (WHO) surgical safety checklist implementation and its
      impact on perioperative morbidity and mortality in an academic medical center in
      Chile.
AB  - Health care organizations are unsafe. Numerous centers have incorporated the WHO
      Surgical Safety Checklist in their processes with good results; however, only
      limited information is available about its effectiveness in Latin America. We
      aimed to evaluate the impact of the checklist implementation on the in-hospital
      morbidity and mortality rate in a tertiary health care center. After
      Institutional review board approval, and using data from our hospital
      administrative records, we conducted a retrospective analysis of all surgical
      encounters (n = 70,639) over the period from January 2005 to December 2012.
      Propensity scoring (PS) methods (matching and inverse weighting) were used to
      compare the pre and postintervention period, after controlling for selection
      bias. After PS matching (n = 29,250 matched pairs), the in-hospital mortality
      rate was 0.82% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.73-0.92] before and 0.65% (95%
      CI, 0.57-0.74) after checklist implementation [odds ratio (OR) 0.73; 95% CI, 0.61
      0.89]. The median length of stay was 3 days [interquartile range (IQR), 1-5] and
      2 days (IQR, 1-4) for the pre and postchecklist period, respectively (P <
      0.01).This is the first Latin American study reporting a decrease in mortality
      after the implementation of the WHO Surgical Checklist in adult surgical
      patients. This is a strong and simple tool to make health care safer, especially
      in developing countries. 

PMID- 27281093
TI  - SafAIRway: an airway training for pulmonologists performing a flexible
      bronchoscopy with nonanesthesiologist administered propofol sedation: A
      prospective evaluation.
AB  - Nonanesthesiologist administered propofol (NAAP) sedation for flexible
      bronchoscopy is controversial, because there is no established airway management
      (AM) training for pulmonologists. The aim was to investigate the performance and
      acceptance of a proposed AM algorithm and training for pulmonologists performing
      NAAP sedation. The algorithm includes using 3 maneuvers including bag mask
      ventilation (BMV), laryngeal tube (LT), and needle cricothyrotomy (NCT). During
      training (consisting of 2 sessions with a break of 9 weeks in between), these
      maneuvers were demonstrated and exercised, followed by 4 consecutive attempts to
      succeed with each of these devices. The primary outcome was the improvement of
      completion time needed for a competent airway. Secondary outcomes were the
      trainees' overall reactions to the training and algorithm, and the perceptions of
      psychological safety (PS). The 23 staff members of the Department of Pulmonology
      performed a total of 552 attempts at AM procedures (4 attempts at each of the 3
      maneuvers in 2 sessions), and returned a total of 42 questionnaires (4
      questionnaires were not returned). Median completion times of LT and NCT improved
      significantly between Sessions 1 and 2 (P = 0.005 and P = 0.04, respectively),
      whereas BMV was only marginally improved (P = 0.05). Trainees perceived training
      to be useful and expressed satisfaction with this training and the algorithm. The
      perception of PS increased after training. An AM algorithm and training for
      pulmonologists leads to improved technical AM skills, and is considered useful by
      trainees and raised their perception of PS during training. It thus represents a
      promising program. 

PMID- 27281094
TI  - Correlation of platelets count with endoscopic findings in a cohort of Egyptian
      patients with liver cirrhosis.
AB  - Screening endoscopy is recommended for early detection of esophageal varices
      (EVs) in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. However, this approach is
      limited by its invasiveness and cost. The aim of the study was to determine if
      platelet count can predict the presence of EVs, especially large (grade III, IV)
      EVs in need of prophylactic therapy, in a cohort of Egyptian patients with liver
      cirrhosis. In all, 110 patients with cirrhosis were prospectively analyzed. The
      presence of medium or large EVs was correlated with patients' platelet count and
      FIB-4. Esophageal varices were present in 87 (79.09%) patients. Among those with
      thrombocytopenia (platelet level below 150,000), 25.97% (20 patients) and 27.27%
      (21 patients) had EV grade II and EV grade III or IV, respectively. Whereas in
      patients in whom the platelet count was above 150,000, only 21.21% (7 patients)
      and 9.09% (3 patients) of patients had grade II EV and EV grade III or IV,
      respectively. A platelet count cut-off value of 149,000 was found to have
      specificity of 82% and sensitivity 39% for detection of presence of varices. A
      FIB-4 cut-off value of 3.175 was found to have an 83.3% sensitivity and 39.5%
      specificity in detecting large (grade III, IV) EVs. Platelet count is a
      noninvasive parameter with high accuracy for prediction of EVs. Cirrhotic
      patients with normal platelet counts (above 150,000), especially in financially
      deprived developing countries, can avoid screening endoscopy as they are at a low
      risk for variceal bleeding, and presence of large EVs in these patients is much
      less common than in those with thrombocytopenia. A 3.175 cut-off value of FIB-4
      could be useful as a noninvasive predictor of large varices requiring
      prophylactic banding in cirrhotic patients. 

PMID- 27281095
TI  - Circulating interleukin-6 and rheumatoid arthritis: A Mendelian randomization
      meta-analysis.
AB  - Interleukin-6 (IL-6), as a pleiotropic cytokine, has been demonstrated to be
      closely associated with the pathogenisis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However,
      whether this association is causal or not remains unclear, because of the
      multifactorial role of IL-6 and related confounding factors. We aimed to evaluate
      the causal relevance between circulating IL-6 levels and the risk of RA through
      meta-analytical Mendelian randomization approach. IL-6 gene -174G/C variant was
      selected as an instrument in this Mendelian randomization meta-analysis. Article
      identification and data collection were conducted in duplicate and independently
      by 2 authors. The STATA software was used for data analysis. In total, 15 and 5
      articles on the association of the -174G/C variant with RA risk and circulating
      IL-6 level, respectively, were included. The overall analysis showed that C
      allelic and GC+CC genotype were significantly with 1.59-fold (95% CI: 1.19-2.14)
      and 1.63-fold (95% CI: 1.17-2.26) increased risk of developing RA, respectively.
      Asian populations showed stronger association with 4.55-fold (95% CI: 1.62
      12.75), 1.84-fold (95% CI: 1.13-2.99), and 4.69-fold (95% CI: 1.68-13.14)
      increased RA risk in carriers of -174C allelic, CC, and GC+CC genotype,
      respectively. Carriers of GC+CC genotype showed significant reduction in the
      circulating IL-6 level compared with GG carriers (WMD = -0.77; 95% CI: -1.16 to 
      0.38; P = 0.000) in overall populations. Mendelian randomization presented 6% and
      22% increased risk of RA with 0.1 pg/mL reduction of circulating IL-6 level in
      overall and Asian populations, respectively. This Mendelian randomization meta
      analysis demonstrated that the long-term genetically reduced circulating IL-6
      level might be causally related to a higher risk of RA, especially in Asian
      populations. 

PMID- 27281096
TI  - The association between human papillomavirus infection and female lung cancer: A
      population-based cohort study.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Taiwanese women. Human
      papillomavirus (HPV) has been detected in lung cancer tissues. The aim of this
      study was to investigate the association between HPV infection and lung cancer
      among the Taiwanese women. The analytical data were collected from the
      longitudinal health insurance databases (LHID 2005 and 2010) of the National
      Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). The study participants were 30 years
      and older and included 24,162 individuals who were identified with HPV infection
      from 2001 to 2004 and 1,026,986 uninfected individuals. Lung cancer incidence
      among infected and uninfected individuals was compared using the univariate and
      multivariate regression models. Among the total participants, 24,162 individuals
      were diagnosed with HPV. After adjusting for age, gender, low income, residential
      area, and comorbidity, the risk of lung cancer was higher in women (hazard ratio
      [HR] 1.263, 95% CI 1.015-1.571), while all cancer risks were high in both men and
      women with corresponding hazard ratios (HR) of 1.161 (95% CI 1.083-1.245) and HR
      1.240 (95% CI 1.154-1.331), respectively. This study showed a significant
      increase in lung cancer risk among Taiwanese women who were exposed to HPV
      infection. 

PMID- 27281097
TI  - Noninvasive fat quantification of the liver and pancreas may provide potential
      biomarkers of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.
AB  - The aim of the study is to investigate if the fat content of the liver and
      pancreas may indicate impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or type 2 diabetes
      mellitus (T2DM). A total of 83 subjects (34 men; aged 46.5 +/- 13.5 years) were
      characterized as T2DM, IGT, or normal glucose tolerant (NGT). NGT individuals
      were stratified as <40 or >=40 years. Standard laboratory tests were conducted
      for insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. The magnetic resonance imaging
      Dixon technique was used to determine fat distribution in the liver and pancreas.
      Correlations among liver and pancreatic fat volume fractions (LFVFs and PFVFs,
      respectively) and laboratory parameters were analyzed. Among the groups, fat
      distribution was consistent throughout sections of the liver and pancreas, and
      LFVFs closely correlated with PFVFs. LFVFs correlated more closely than PFVFs
      with insulin resistance and beta-cell function. Both the LFVFs and PFVFs were the
      highest in the T2DM patients, less in the IGT, and least in the NGT; all
      differences were significant. The PFVFs of the NGT subjects >=40 years were
      significantly higher than that of those <40 years. The fat content of the liver
      and pancreas, particularly the liver, may be a biomarker for IGT and T2DM. 

PMID- 27281098
TI  - The relationships of sleep apnea, hypertension, and resistant hypertension on
      chronic kidney disease.
AB  - Hypertension, blood pressure variation, and resistant hypertension have close
      relations to sleep apnea, which lead to target organ damage, including the
      kidney. The complex relationships between sleep apnea and blood pressure cause
      their interactions with chronic kidney disease ambiguous. The aim of the study
      was to elucidate the separate and joint effects of sleep apnea, hypertension, and
      resistant hypertension on chronic kidney disease. A cross-sectional study was
      done to see the associations of sleep apnea, hypertension, and resistant
      hypertension with chronic kidney disease in 998 subjects underwent overnight
      polysomnography without device-therapy or surgery for their sleep-disordered
      breathing. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the severity of
      SA, hypertension stage, resistant hypertension, and their joint effects on CKD.
      The multivariable relative odds (95% CI) of chronic kidney disease for the aged
      (age >=65 years), severe sleep apnea, stage III hypertension, and resistant
      hypertension were 3.96 (2.57-6.09) (P < 0.001), 2.28 (1.13-4.58) (P < 0.05), 3.55
      (1.70-7.42) (P < 0.001), and 9.42 (4.22-21.02) (P < 0.001), respectively. In
      subgroups analysis, the multivariable relative odds ratio of chronic kidney
      disease was highest in patients with both resistant hypertension and severe sleep
      apnea [13.42 (4.74-38.03)] (P < 0.001). Severe sleep apnea, stage III
      hypertension, and resistant hypertension are independent risk factors for chronic
      kidney disease. Patients with both severe sleep apnea and resistant hypertension
      have the highest risks. 

PMID- 27281099
TI  - Benign incidental findings of osteopoikilosis on Tc-99m MDP bone SPECT/CT: A case
      report and literature review.
AB  - Osteopoikilosis is a benign but rare condition characterized by bone islands
      throughout the osseous tissue, which could be easily confused with bone
      metastasis. We present a case of a 37-year-old man presented to orthopedic
      outpatient clinic with right hip pain for 2 weeks. There were multiple, small
      punctate lesions scattered throughout the skeleton on radiograph. Subsequent Tc
      99m methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone scan with pelvic single-photon emission
      computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) showed multiple enostoses
      without abnormal focal MDP uptake. Therefore, clinical diagnosis was compatible
      with osteopoikilosis while bone metastasis was unlikely. The symptoms then
      improved by conservative treatments. Osteopoikilosis is usually an incidental
      finding on radiograph or CT, and a normal MDP confirmed the diagnosis by
      excluding bone metastasis. It is important for clinicians to recognize the
      specific image features to prevent further unnecessary interventions. In
      addition, bone SPECT/CT could also make the diagnosis in one step. 

PMID- 27281100
TI  - Gallbladder bleeding-related severe gastrointestinal bleeding and shock in a case
      with end-stage renal disease: A case report.
AB  - Gallbladder (GB) bleeding is very rare and it is caused by cystic artery aneurysm
      and rupture, or GB wall rupture. For GB rupture, the typical findings are
      positive Murphy's sign and jaundice. GB bleeding mostly presented as hemobilia.
      This is the first case presented with severe GI bleeding because of GB rupture
      related GB bleeding. After comparing computed tomography, one gallstone spillage
      was noticed. In addition to gallstones, uremic coagulopathy also worsens the
      bleeding condition. This is also the first case that patients with GB spillage
      related rupture and bleeding were successfully treated by nonsurgical management.
      Clinicians should bear in mind the rare causes of GI bleeding. Embolization of
      the bleeding artery should be attempted as soon as possible. 

PMID- 27281101
TI  - Clostridium difficile infection in a French university hospital: Eight years of
      prospective surveillance study.
AB  - The epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has changed with an
      increase in incidence and severity. Prospective surveillance was therefore
      implemented in a French university hospital to monitor the characteristics of
      patients at risk and to recognize local trends. Between 2007 and 2014, all
      hospitalized patients (>=18 years) with CDI were included. During the survey, the
      mean incidence rate of CDI was 2.9 per 10,000 hospital-days. In all, 590 patients
      were included. Most of the episodes were healthcare-associated (76.1%). The
      remaining cases were community-acquired (18.1%) and unknown (5.9%). The
      comparison with healthcare-associated cases showed that the community-acquired
      group had a lower rate of antimicrobial exposure (P < 0.001), proton pump
      inhibitor (P < 0.001), and immunosuppressive drugs (P = 0.02). Over the study
      period, death occurred in 61 patients (10.3%), with 18 (29.5%) being related to
      CDI according to the physician in charge of the patient. Active surveillance of
      CDI is required to obtain an accurate picture of the real dimensions of CDI. 

PMID- 27281102
TI  - Bleeding events associated with fibrinolytic therapy and primary percutaneous
      coronary intervention in patients with STEMI: A systematic review and meta
      analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - From the year 1986 onwards, several studies have been published focusing on the
      comparison between fibrinolysis and primary percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PPCI) in patients with ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).
      However, because antiplatelet and anticoagulating medications are used in
      approximation, before and during these procedures, bleeding events have been
      reported to be associated with both reperfusion therapies. This study aimed to
      compare the bleeding events associated with fibrinolytic therapy and primary
      angioplasty in patients with STEMI. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing
      fibrinolysis and primary angioplasty in patients with STEMI were searched from
      Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases. Bleeding complications
      following 30 days from hospitalization were considered as the primary clinical
      endpoints in this study. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality, re
      infarction, stroke, and shock. Antiplatelet and anticoagulating drugs used during
      these 2 different procedures were compared. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) were calculated and the pooled analyses were performed with
      RevMan 5.3 software. Twelve studies involving 10 RCTs consisting of a total
      number of 5561 patients (2784 patients from the fibrinolysis group and 2777
      patients from the PPCI group) were included in this meta-analysis. Our results
      showed no significant difference in the overall bleeding complications during a
      30-day period between these 2 reperfusion therapies with OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.89 to
      1.17, P = 0.78. Nonintracranial bleeding was also not statistically significant
      with OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.70 to 1.04, P = 0.12. However, fibrinolytic therapy was
      associated with a significantly higher rate of intracranial bleeding with OR
      0.17; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.50, P = 0.001 than PPCI. In addition, death, re
      infarction, and stroke significantly favored primary angioplasty. According to
      the results of this study, even if the rate of nonintracranial bleeding was not
      statistically significant between these 2 reperfusion therapies, fibrinolytic
      therapy was associated with a significantly higher rate of intracranial bleeding
      than PPCI. In addition, PPCI was associated with a significantly lower rate of
      death, reinfarction, and stroke. Therefore, PPCI should be recommended in
      patients with STEMI, especially in PCI-capable hospitals. 

PMID- 27281103
TI  - The use of gabapentin in the management of postoperative pain after total knee
      arthroplasty: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - Pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) varies and has been widely
      studied in recent years. Some randomized controlled studies have carried out to
      evaluate the effects of gabapentin on pain relief after TKA. However, no solid
      result was made about it. The purpose of this Meta-Analysis of Randomized
      Controlled Trials (RCTs) was to estimate the overall effect of pain control of
      gabapentin versus placebo after a TKA. An electronic-based search using the
      following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and
      Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial from 1966 to June 2015. RCTs
      involving gabapentin and placebo for total knee arthroplasty were included. The
      meta-analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for
      Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Six trials with 859
      participants met the inclusion criteria. The primary endpoint was cumulative
      narcotic consumption and the visual analog scale scores at 12 hours, 24 hours,
      and 48 hours, postoperatively. The knee flexion degree and treatment side effects
      were also compiled to evaluate the safety of gabapentin. After testing for the
      heterogeneity and publication bias among studies, data were aggregated for random
      effects modeling when necessary. There was a significant decrease in morphine
      consumption at 12 hours (MD = -4.69, 95% CI: -7.18 to -2.21, P = 0.0002), 24
      hours (MD = -5.30, 95% CI: -9.94 to -0.66, P = 0.03), and 48 hours (MD = -17.80,
      95% CI: -31.95 to -3.64, P = 0.01), respectively. Compared with the control
      group, the rate of pruritus was less in the gabapentin group (RR 0.20, 95% CI
      0.10 to 0.38, P = 0.00). In summary, the administration of gabapentin was
      effective in decreasing postoperative narcotic consumption and the incidence of
      pruritus. There was a high risk of selection bias and a higher heterogeneity of
      knee flexion range in this analysis. More high-quality large randomized
      controlled trials with long follow-up period are necessary for proper comparisons
      of the efficacy and safety of gabapentin with placebo.Systematic review
      registration number: No. 

PMID- 27281104
TI  - Therapeutic bronchoscopic interventions for malignant airway obstruction: A
      retrospective study from experience on 547 patients.
AB  - There is no definitive consensus about the factors affecting the choice of
      interventional bronchoscopy in the management of malignant airway obstruction.
      The present study defines the choice of the interventional bronchoscopic modality
      and analyzes the factors influencing survival in patients with malignant central
      airway obstruction. Totally, over 7 years, 802 interventional rigid bronchoscopic
      procedures were applied in 547 patients having malignant airway obstruction.
      There was a significant association between the type of stent and the site of the
      lesion in the present study. Patients with tracheal involvement and/or
      involvement of the main bronchi had the worst prognosis. The sites of the lesion
      and endobronchial treatment modality were independent predictors of survival in
      the present study. The selection of different types of airway stents can be
      considered on the base of site of the lesion. Survival can be estimated based on
      the site of the lesion and endobronchial brochoscopic modality used. 

PMID- 27281105
TI  - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with excessive calorie intake
      rather than a distinctive dietary pattern.
AB  - We aimed to assess the dietary patterns associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver
      disease (NAFLD) and the efficacy of dietary interventions in a real-life setting
      at a tertiary medical center in Northern Germany.Clinical and laboratory data as
      well as data obtained by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire of 55
      consecutive patients diagnosed with NAFLD were compared to an age and gender
      matched cohort of 88 healthy individuals by univariate analysis. The efficacy of
      the dietary intervention was assessed in a subgroup of 24 NAFLD patients 6 months
      after receiving dietary advice. Macronutritional components of the diet were
      normalized for absolute daily energy intake.NAFLD patients consumed more calories
      per day as compared with healthy controls (P <0.001). The absolute amounts of
      most nutritional components ingested by NAFLD patients were higher than those of
      the controls. However, there were no significant differences with regards to the
      relative consumption of carbohydrates (P = 0.359), fat (P = 0.416), and fructose
      (P = 0.353) per 1000 kcal energy intake. NAFLD patients displayed a higher intake
      of glucose/1000 kcal (P = 0.041) and protein/1000 kcal (P = 0.009) but a lower
      intake of fibers/1000 kcal (P < 0.001) and mineral nutrients/1000 kcal (P =
      0.001) than healthy controls. In the longitudinal analysis patients significantly
      reduced their caloric intake and their ALT levels improved 6 months after the
      dietary counselling (P < 0.001).Our data from a German real-life cohort
      demonstrate that dietary patterns of patients with NAFLD display great
      variability and little disease specificity, while the most distinctive feature
      compared with healthy controls was higher energy intake in NAFLD patients. 

PMID- 27281106
TI  - A network signal amplification strategy of ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical
      immunosensing carcinoembryonic antigen based on CdSe/melamine network as label.
AB  - Taking advantage of CdSe/melamine network as label and Au-TiO2 as substrate, this
      work developed a novel kind of signal amplification strategy for fabricating
      photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassay. The melamine, a star-shaped triamino
      molecule, was firstly used for readily capturing CdSe QDs and forming a
      CdSe/melamine network, which was formed through strong interactions between the
      carboxyl groups of TGA-stabilized CdSe QDs and the three amino groups of each
      melamine molecule. In this strategy, the primary antibody (Ab1) was immobilized
      onto Au-TiO2 substrate, which made the photoelectric conversion efficiency
      increase significantly. After the formed Ab2-CdSe/melamine network labels were
      captured onto the electrode surface via the specific antibody-antigen
      interaction, the photoelectric activity could be further enhanced via the
      interaction between the Au-TiO2 substrate and CdSe/melamine network. Due to this
      amplification of PEC signals and the special structure of the label, the
      fabricated PEC immunosensor was applied for sensitive and specific detection of
      cancer biomarker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and displayed a wide linear
      range (0.005-1000ngmL(-1)) and low detection limit (5pgmL(-1)). In addition, the
      immunosensor was performed with good stability and reproducibility, and the
      results to analyze human serum samples were satisfactory. 

PMID- 27281107
TI  - A label-free colorimetric aptasensor for simple, sensitive and selective
      detection of Pt (II) based on platinum (II)-oligonucleotide coordination induced
      gold nanoparticles aggregation.
AB  - Herein, a gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) based label-free colorimetric aptasensor for
      simple, sensitive and selective detection of Pt (II) was constructed for the
      first time. Four bases (G-G mismatch) mismatched streptavidin aptamer (MSAA) was
      used to protect AuNPs from salt-induced aggregation and recognize Pt (II)
      specifically. Only in the presence of Pt (II), coordination occurs between G-G
      bases and Pt (II), leading to the activation of streptavidin aptamer.
      Streptavidin coated magnetic beads (MBs) were used as separation agent to
      separate Pt (II)-coordinated MSAA. The residual less amount of MSAA could not
      efficiently protect AuNPs anymore and aggregation of AuNPs will produce a
      colorimetric product. With the addition of Pt (II), a pale purple-to-blue color
      variation could be observed by the naked eye. A detection limit of 150nM and a
      linear range from 0.6MUM to 12.5MUM for Pt (II) could be achieved without any
      amplification. 

PMID- 27281108
TI  - A dendrimer-based highly sensitive and selective fluorescence-quenching sensor
      for Fe(3+) both in solution and as film.
AB  - A novel fluorescent dendrimer PYTPAG2, with pyrene as the interior core and
      triphenylamine (TPA) as the exterior periphery, is studied as a fluorescence
      quenching sensor for iron (sh) ions (Fe(3+)), both in solution and as a film.
      This dendrimer-based sensor possesses preferential detection of Fe(3+) by a very
      strong fluorescence quenching not found for other metal ions. The fluorescent
      detection limits of this PYTPAG2 sensor for Fe(3+) in solution and thin-film are
      6.5*10(-7)M and 5.0*10(-7)M, respectively. The possible mechanism of this process
      is explained by the complexation between the peripheral TPA units of PYTPAG2 and
      Fe(3+) ions, which may disrupt the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)
      from the TPA groups to the pyrene core (intramolecular of PYTPAG2) and results in
      the fluorescence quenching. Moreover, this striking performance could not be
      disturbed by pH, the interference with other metal ions, counter anions, or
      surrounding environment. In addition, biological fluorescence imaging studies of
      Fe(3+) in living roundworms demonstrate its valuable practical application. 

PMID- 27281109
TI  - Single-Pot Asymmetric Approach toward Enantioenriched Quaternary Stereocenter
      Containing Alkylidenecyclobutanes.
AB  - Enantioenriched alkylidenecyclobutanes possessing a quaternary stereogenic
      center, usually difficult to access, have been synthesized by combining a double
      boron-homologation and an allylboration through a highly efficient and
      diastereoselective one-pot process. Starting from commercially available
      substrates, this protocol represents a simple way of accessing chiral unsaturated
      four-membered ring systems with excellent stereoisomeric ratios.

PMID- 27281111
TI  - National Practice Patterns of Antireflux Medication for Chronic Rhinosinusitis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Antireflux medication has been endorsed as a useful adjunctive
      therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis, but its use remains controversial.
      OBJECTIVES: To determine whether chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with
      administration of proton pump inhibitors, histamine2-receptor antagonists,
      antacids, or prokinetic agents; whether practice patterns vary according to visit
      setting; and whether those patterns vary according to the presence or absence of
      potentially confounding conditions. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross
      sectional analysis was performed of data from January 1, 2005, to December 31,
      2010, from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital
      Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, which included 590 772 observations representing
      7 191 711 480 ambulatory care visits. Univariate, multivariate, and stratified
      analyses were performed from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2010. EXPOSURES:
      Chronic rhinosinusitis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The probability of receiving
      antireflux medications was the main measured outcome. RESULTS: Of 7 191 711 480
      ambulatory care visits, those for chronic rhinosinusitis were not more likely to
      result in the administration of proton pump inhibitors (odds ratio, 1.00; 95% CI,
      0.62-1.63; P = .99) or antacids and prokinetic agents (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI,
      0.30-5.10; P = .77). In addition, patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were less
      likely to receive histamine2-receptor antagonists than were those without chronic
      rhinosinusitis, even when adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, visit setting,
      other antireflux agents, and presence or absence of gastroesophageal reflux,
      laryngopharyngeal reflux, or allergy diagnoses (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.12
      0.57; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: National practice patterns observed
      thus far have not favored the use of proton pump inhibitors, histamine2-receptor
      antagonists, antacids, or prokinetic agents for chronic rhinosinusitis.

PMID- 27281113
TI  - A Novel Imaging System Distinguishes Neoplastic from Normal Tissue During
      Resection of Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of a novel imaging system designed for
      intraoperative detection of residual cancer in tumor beds to distinguish
      neoplastic from normal tissue in dogs undergoing resection of soft tissue sarcoma
      (STS) and mast cell tumor (MCT). STUDY DESIGN: Non-randomized prospective
      clinical trial. ANIMALS: 12 dogs with STS and 7 dogs with MCT. METHODS: A
      fluorescent imaging agent that is activated by proteases in vivo was administered
      to the dogs 4-6 or 24-26 hours before tumor resection. During surgery, a handheld
      imaging device was used to measure fluorescence intensity within the cancerous
      portion of the resected specimen and determine an intensity threshold for
      subsequent identification of cancer. Selected areas within the resected specimen
      and tumor bed were then imaged, and biopsies (n=101) were obtained from areas
      that did or did not have a fluorescence intensity exceeding the threshold.
      Results of intraoperative fluorescence and histology were compared. RESULTS: The
      imaging system correctly distinguished cancer from normal tissue in 93/101
      biopsies (92%). Using histology as the reference, the sensitivity and specificity
      of the imaging system for identification of cancer in biopsies were 92% and 92%,
      respectively. There were 10/19 (53%) dogs which exhibited transient facial
      erythema soon after injection of the imaging agent which responded to but was not
      consistently prevented by intravenous diphenhydramine. CONCLUSION: A fluorescence
      based imaging system designed for intraoperative use can distinguish canine soft
      tissue sarcoma (STS) and mast cell tumor (MCT) tissue from normal tissue with a
      high degree of accuracy. The system has potential to assist surgeons in assessing
      the adequacy of tumor resections during surgery, potentially reducing the risk of
      local tumor recurrence. Although responsive to antihistamines, the risk of
      hypersensitivity needs to be considered in light of the potential benefits of
      this imaging system in dogs.

PMID- 27281115
TI  - Ionic Liquid-Based Polymer Electrolytes via Surfactant-Assisted Polymerization at
      the Plasma-Liquid Interface.
AB  - We first report an innovative method, which we refer to as interfacial liquid
      plasma polymerization, to chemically cross-link ionic liquids (ILs). By this
      method, a series of all-solid state, free-standing polymer electrolytes is
      successfully fabricated where ILs are used as building blocks and ethylene oxide
      based surfactants are employed as an assisted-cross-linking agent. The thickness
      of the films is controlled by the plasma exposure time or the ratio of surfactant
      to ILs. The chemical structure and properties of the polymer electrolyte are
      characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformation
      infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, X
      ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC),
      and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Importantly, the underlying
      polymerization mechanism of the cross-linked IL-based polymer electrolyte is
      studied to show that fluoroborate or halide anions of ILs together with the aid
      of a small amount of surfactants having ethylene oxide groups are necessary to
      form cross-linked network structures of the polymer electrolyte. The ionic
      conductivity of the obtained polymer electrolyte is 2.28 * 10(-3) S.cm(-1), which
      is a relatively high value for solid polymer electrolytes synthesized at room
      temperature. This study can serve as a cornerstone for developing all-solid state
      polymer electrolytes with promising properties for next-generation
      electrochemical devices. 

PMID- 27281114
TI  - Distribution of Water in Synthetic Calcium Silicate Hydrates.
AB  - Understanding calcium silicate hydrates (CSHs) is of paramount importance for
      understanding the behavior of cement materials because they control most of the
      properties of these man-made materials. The atomic scale water content and
      structure have a major influence on their properties, as is analogous with clay
      minerals, and we should assess these. Here, we used a multiple analytical
      approach to quantify water distribution in CSH samples and to determine the
      relative proportions of water sorbed on external and internal (interlayer)
      surfaces. Water vapor isotherms were used to explain the water distribution in
      the CSH microstructure. As with many layered compounds, CSHs have external and
      internal (interlayer) surfaces displaying multilayer adsorption of water
      molecules on external surfaces owing to the hydrophilic surfaces. Interlayer
      water was also quantified from water vapor isotherm, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and
      thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA) data, displaying nonreversible
      swelling/shrinkage behavior in response to drying/rewetting cycles. From this
      quantification and balance of water distribution, we were able to explain most of
      the widely dispersed data already published according to the various relative
      humidity (RH) conditions and measurement techniques. Stoichiometric formulas were
      proposed for the different CSH samples analyzed (0.6 < Ca/Si < 1.6), considering
      the interlayer water contribution.

PMID- 27281116
TI  - Stem Xylem Characterization for Vitis Drought Tolerance.
AB  - Together with stomatal conductance and root conductivity, the stem water reserve
      and transport systems could be regulatory mechanisms able to participate in the
      regulation of the plant water status. Lianas, such as Vitis spp., minimize the
      trunk support role, and stems have evolved to improve their ability in water
      transport. In this work, stems of 10 different Vitis species were studied in
      relation to their expected drought tolerance using reflectance spectroscopy.
      Spectra were measured before (T0) and after coloration with Sudan IV dye. The T0
      spectral signature showed characteristic species features. The partial least
      squares (PLS) regression and the self-organizing map (SOM) neural network
      analysis were able to predict the expected drought tolerance score; thus,
      reflectance spectroscopy was demonstrated to be a useful technique for drought
      tolerance phenotyping. These methods could be applied for the preliminary
      selection of new rootstocks/cultivars. Wood composition variation appeared to be
      correlated with the water stress susceptibility. To clarify this relationship,
      the attention was focused on the wood hydrophobicity. Sudan IV is a microscopy
      dye traditionally used to underline suberin, waxes, and, in general, hydrophobic
      substances. Differences between rough and colored spectra evidenced the
      absorption band of Sudan IV with a maximum at 539 nm. The coloration intensity
      was used to develop a hydrophobicity index. The obtained values were correlated
      with the expected drought tolerance score. Therefore, hydrophobic compounds seem
      to play an important role in water use efficiency, and an hydrophobic barrier in
      the xylem tissue appears to be a protective mechanism against water stress. 

PMID- 27281117
TI  - Overview of microprobe analysis in pulmonary pathology.

PMID- 27281118
TI  - Asbestos content of lung tissue in patients with malignant peritoneal
      mesothelioma: A study of 42 cases.
AB  - Lung tissue from 42 peritoneal mesothelioma cases was analyzed by light
      microscopy and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry. There
      were 34 men and 8 women with a mean age of 61 +/- 10 years. Also, 17% of cases
      had histologically confirmed asbestosis, and 26% had only parietal pleural
      plaques. The asbestos body count exceeded our normal range in 22 of 42 cases
      (52%). Cases with asbestos-related pulmonary disease had higher fiber burdens
      than those without. The vast majority of fibers were commercial amphiboles
      (amosite with lesser amounts of crocidolite). These findings concur with
      previously published epidemiological observations. 

PMID- 27281119
TI  - Endogenous pneumoconiosis: Analytical scanning electron microscopic analysis of a
      case.
AB  - Pneumoconiosis is often considered a disease of the lung initiated by exposure to
      dust or other airborne particles, resulting in injury to the lungs. The term
      "endogenous pneumoconiosis" has been used in the literature to describe the
      deposition of compounds on the elastic fibers of the lung, usually in the setting
      of cardiac failure. In the case we present here, the patient aspirated a foreign
      body resulting in damage to the lung tissue and subsequent deposition of
      endogenous compounds on the elastic fibers of the pulmonary parenchyma and
      vasculature. We determined the composition of this mineral and mapped the
      distribution of elements using a combination of backscattered electron microscopy
      and energy dispersive spectrometry. 

PMID- 27281120
TI  - Dysbindin as a novel biomarker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma identified by
      proteomic profiling.
AB  - Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is known to have a poor prognosis partly because
      of lack of effective biomarkers. In the test set, we investigated dysbindin
      (DTNBP1) as a potential biomarker for PDAC by comparing preoperative and
      postoperative serum mass spectrometry (MS) proteomic profilings. Of the included
      50 PDAC patients, 42 (positivity of 84.0%) detected a lower MS peak in
      postoperative serums than preoperative ones which was then identified as
      dysbindin. In the verification set, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were
      used to assess diagnostic efficiency. 550 participants were included in the
      verification set [250 with PDAC, 80 with benign biliary obstruction (BBO), 70
      with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and 150 healthy donors (HD)]. Dysbindin was
      increased in PDAC patient sera than in all controls. ROC curves revealed the
      optimum diagnostic cutoff for dysbindin was 699.16 pg/ml [area under curve (AUC)
      0.849 (95% CI 0.812-0.885), sensitivity 81.9% and specificity 84.7%]. Raised
      concentration of dysbindin in sera could differentiate PDAC from BBO, CP and HD.
      Moreover, dysbindin maintained its diagnostic accuracy for PDAC patients who were
      CA19-9 negative [AUC 0.875 (95% CI 0.804-0.945), sensitivity 83.0%, specificity
      89.0%] and for patients with benign biliary obstruction [AUC 0.849 (95% CI 0.803
      0.894), sensitivity 82.3%, specificity 84.0%].Our discovery of dysbindin may
      complement measurement of CA19-9 in the diagnosis of PDAC and help to
      discriminate PDAC from other pancreatic diseases or begin biliary obstruction.

PMID- 27281121
TI  - Complex Polarity: Building Multicellular Tissues Through Apical Membrane Traffic.
AB  - The formation of distinct subdomains of the cell surface is crucial for
      multicellular organism development. The most striking example of this is apical
      basal polarization. What is much less appreciated is that underpinning an
      asymmetric cell surface is an equally dramatic intracellular endosome
      rearrangement. Here, we review the interplay between classical cell polarity
      proteins and membrane trafficking pathways, and discuss how this marriage gives
      rise to cell polarization. We focus on those mechanisms that regulate apical
      polarization, as this is providing a number of insights into how membrane traffic
      and polarity are regulated at the tissue level.

PMID- 27281122
TI  - Bromine-rich Zinc Bromides: Zn6Br12(18-crown-6)2*(Br2)5, Zn4Br8(18-crown
      6)2*(Br2)3, and Zn6Br12(18-crown-6)2*(Br2)2.
AB  - The bromine-rich zinc bromides Zn6Br12(18-crown-6)2*(Br2)5 (1), Zn4Br8(18-crown
      6)2*(Br2)3 (2), and Zn6Br12(18-crown-6)2*(Br2)2 (3) are prepared by reaction of
      ZnBr2, 18-crown-6, and elemental bromine in the ionic liquid [MeBu3N][N(Tf)2]
      (N(Tf)2 = bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide). Zn6Br12(18-crown-6)2*(Br2)5 (1) is
      formed instantaneously by the reaction. Even at room temperature, compound 1
      releases bromine, which was confirmed by thermogravimetry (TG) and mass
      spectrometry (MS). The release of Br2 can also be directly followed by the color
      and density of the title compounds. With controlled conditions (2 weeks, 25 
      degrees C, absence of excess Br2) Zn6Br12(18-crown-6)2*(Br2)5 (1) slowly releases
      bromine with conconcurrent generation of Zn4Br8(18-crown-6)2*(Br2)3 (2) (in ionic
      liquid) and Zn6Br12(18-crown-6)2*(Br2)2 (3) (in inert oil). All bromine-rich zinc
      bromides contain voluminous uncharged (e.g., Zn3Br6(18-crown-6), Zn2Br4(18-crown
      6)) or ionic (e.g., [Zn2Br3(18-crown-6)](+), [(Zn2Br6)*(Br2)2](2-)) building
      units with dibromine molecules between the Zn oligomers and partially
      interconnecting the Zn-containing building units. Due to the structural
      similarity, the bromine release is possible via crystal-to-crystal transformation
      with retention of the crystal shape. 

PMID- 27281123
TI  - T cell cytokine responses to stimulation with Ureaplasma parvum in pregnancy.
AB  - Ureaplasma spp. are a common vaginal microorganism causally linked to
      inflammation-driven preterm birth (PTB). The nature of the immune response to
      Ureaplasma spp. may influence PTB risk. This study sought to define maternal T
      cell cytokine responses to in vitro stimulation with Ureaplasma parvum serovar 3
      (UpSV3) in vaginally colonised (UP+) and non-colonised (UP-) pregnant women.
      Whole blood flow cytometry demonstrated an increase (p=0.027) in the baseline
      frequency of IFNgamma-positive CD3(+)CD4(-)(CD8(+)) T cells in UP+ women. UpSV3
      stimulation resulted in a significant and specific increase (p=0.001) in the
      frequency of IFNgamma-positive CD3(+)CD4(-)(CD8(+)) T cells, regardless of
      vaginal colonisation status. UpSV3 stimulation also increased the frequency of
      IFNgamma-positive CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells, particularly in the UP+ group (p=0.003).
      This is the first published study to examine T cell responses to Ureaplasma spp.
      EXPOSURE: Future appropriately-powered studies are needed to assess whether
      insufficient priming or a loss of tolerance to Ureaplasma spp. is occurring in
      UP+ women at risk of PTB.

PMID- 27281124
TI  - Highly Efficient Blue Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Employing a
      Host Material with Small Bandgap.
AB  - Blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode (PhOLED) with a high maximum
      external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 26.6% was achieved using a new material, 2,8
      bis(9,9-dimethylacridin-10(9H)-yl)dibenzo[b,d]furan (DBF-DMS) with a small
      bandgap, as the host. The device with DBF-DMS showed improved performance
      compared with that with 1,3-di-9-carbazolylbenzene, which is ascribed to the
      enhancement in carrier injection and transporting abilities and material
      stability of DBF-DMS. A lifetime of more than 100 h (time to 50% of the initial
      luminance, 1000 cd/m(2) with an EQE of 19.6%) in the other DBF-DMS-based device
      is obtained by further utilizing better device structure. This is a report
      indicating that host material with a small bandgap like DBF-DMS can be
      successfully utilized toward blue PhOLEDs with high performance. 

PMID- 27281125
TI  - Duration of Untreated Psychosis in Chinese and Mauritian: Impact of Clinical
      Characteristics and Patients' and Families' Perspectives on Psychosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is a potentially modifiable
      prognostic factor of course and prognosis of psychiatric disorders. Few studies
      have demonstrated that different cultural backgrounds or perspectives on
      psychosis may be important factors to the DUP. This study attempted to explore
      whether the DUP was different in Chinese and Mauritians and to clarify potential
      influencing factors to a long DUP (>3 months). METHODS: 200 patients from China
      and 100 patients from Mauritius were enrolled in the study. Their respective
      family members were also recruited. Demographic and clinical characteristics were
      collected, and the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale was adapted
      to measure the stigma in all subjects. Binary logistic regression analysis was
      used to find the potential influencing factors to the long DUP. RESULTS: 35.3% of
      the enrolled patients had a long DUP. No significant difference was found in
      frequency of long DUP between the two countries. Chinese patients had relatively
      less perceptions of stigma. Furthermore, Chinese patients with a long DUP had
      more perception of breakup due to mental illness (OR = 2.22, p = 0.04) and more
      families' perception of the patient being disinherited due to mental illness (OR
      = 6.47, p = 0.01). Mauritian patients with a long DUP were less likely to have
      high monthly income (OR = 0.12, p<0.01), while they had less patients' awareness
      of mental illness (OR = 0.31, p<0.05) and less families' awareness of mental
      illness (OR = 0.14, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study underlined the
      importance of DUP in economic conditions, racial and sociocultural factors, and
      public awareness on psychosis in developing countries.

PMID- 27281126
TI  - Calcium Signaling Pathway Is Associated with the Long-Term Clinical Response to
      Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and SSRI with Antipsychotics in
      Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are established first
      line pharmacological treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while
      antipsychotics are used as an augmentation strategy for SSRI in OCD patients who
      have either no response or a partial response to SSRI treatment. The goal of the
      present study was to identify genetic variants and pathways that are associated
      with the long-term clinical response of OCD patients to SSRI or SSRI with
      antipsychotics. METHODS: We first performed a genome-wide association study of 96
      OCD patients to examine genetic variants contributing to the response to SSRI or
      SSRI with antipsychotics. Subsequently, we conducted pathway-based analyses by
      using Improved Gene Set Enrichment Analysis for Genome-wide Association Study (i
      GSEA4GWAS) to examine the combined effects of genetic variants on the clinical
      response in OCD. RESULTS: While we failed to detect specific genetic variants
      associated with clinical responses to SSRI or to SSRI with an atypical
      antipsychotic at genome-wide levels of significance, we identified 8 enriched
      pathways for the SSRI treatment response and 5 enriched pathways for the
      treatment response to SSRI with an antipsychotic medication. Notably, the calcium
      signaling pathway was identified in both treatment responses. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results provide novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the
      variability in clinical response to SSRI and SSRI with antipsychotics in OCD
      patients.

PMID- 27281128
TI  - Critical Review Upon the Role and Potential of Fluorescence and Near-Infrared
      Imaging and Absorption Spectroscopy in Cancer Related Cells, Serum, Saliva, Urine
      and Tissue Analysis.
AB  - During the last years, non-invasive or minimally invasive diagnostic tools in
      cancer diagnostics have become more important. Many fluorescence spectroscopic
      methodologies have been established for nearly all different kinds of cancer. The
      reason therefore is its high sensitivity, low amount of sample required, short
      testing time, and the suitability for in situ testing. The potential influence
      factors for cancer diagnostics and the subsequent suitability of the method to
      different applications are well described. Near-Infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is
      based on differences of endogenous chromophores between cancer and normal tissues
      using either oxyhaemoglobin or deoxy-haemoglobin, lipid or water bands, or a
      combination of two or more of these diagnostic markers. These marker bands are
      known to provide the fundamental for the diagnosis of several cancers and the
      spectroscopic setup can be applied for the analysis of cells, urine and tissue.
      For the preparation of this review the literature published during the last
      fifteen years has been taken into consideration. It will provide an overview on
      the importance of the fluorescence and NIRS tools in cancer analysis giving hints
      about how these techniques can play a crucial role in cancer diagnosis, treatment
      decisions and therapy. The two techniques, fluorescence and near-infrared
      spectroscopy (NIRS) are faced to each other and individual advantages and/or
      drawbacks are discussed. Finally, it will be taken into consideration; how the
      synergistic combination of different approaches can give additional information
      related to development and progression stages of cancer.

PMID- 27281127
TI  - Extracellular Matrix in Atherosclerosis: Hyaluronan and Proteoglycans Insights.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the blood vessel
      wall, is the most common cause of cardiovascular pathologies. Hyaluronan, the
      major polysaccharide involved in this process, plays a pivotal role acting as a
      modulator of all inflammatory stages, affecting the behavior of both endothelial
      and smooth muscle cells. OBJECTIVE: The inflammatory condition is the main reason
      of the increased deposition of extracellular matrix, that in turn, traps
      lipoproteins and inflammatory/growth factors from the circulation within the
      vessel wall and thicken the arterial wall. Therefore, this chronic condition that
      continuously affects the arterial walls in a specific area causes a severe
      remodeling of the tissue architecture and a drastic change in the resident cell
      behavior. METHODS: Because of the great complexity of the extracellular matrix in
      the arterial wall, we investigate the modification in the different layers of the
      vessels with a particular attention to hyaluronan and proteoglycans and to the
      events that affects their normal turnover. RESULTS: Hyaluronan, the major
      polysaccharide involved in this process, plays a pivotal role acting as a
      modulator of all inflammatory stages, affecting the behavior of both endothelial
      and smooth muscle cells. Moreover, glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans had been
      shown to change during the lesion progression, and to possess the chemical
      features essential for lipid retention, immune system activation, smooth cells
      proliferation and macrophages recruitment. CONCLUSION: The ECM characteristics
      should be investigated in order to understand their prevention potentials as well
      as their negative impact on the onset of the disease.

PMID- 27281129
TI  - Targeting Stim and Orai Proteins as an Alternative Approach in Anticancer
      Therapy.
AB  - An increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration plays a key role in the
      establishment of many cancer hallmarks, including aberrant proliferation,
      migration, invasion, resistance to apoptosis and angiogenesis. The dysregulation
      of Ca2+ entry is one of the most subtle mechanisms by which cancer cells
      overwhelm their normal counterparts and gain the adaptive advantages that result
      in tumour growth, vascularisation and dissemination throughout the organism. Both
      constitutive and agonist-induced Ca2+ influx may be mediated by store-dependent
      as well as store-independent Ca2+ entry routes. A growing body of evidences have
      shown that different isoforms of Stromal Interaction Molecules (Stim1) and Orai
      proteins, i.e. Stim1, Stim2, Orai1 and Orai3, underlie both pathways in cancer
      cells. The alteration in either the expression or the activity of Stim and Orai
      proteins has been linked to the onset and maintenance of tumour phenotype in many
      solid malignancies, including prostate, breast, kidney, esophageal, skin, brain,
      colorectal, lung and liver cancers. Herein, we survey the existing data in
      support of Stim and Orai involvement in tumourigenesis and provide the rationale
      to target them in cancer patients. Besides, we summarize the most recent advances
      in the identification of novel pharmacological tools that could be successfully
      used in clinical therapy.

PMID- 27281130
TI  - Myeloperoxidase as a Target for the Treatment of Inflammatory Syndromes:
      Mechanisms and Structure Activity Relationships of Inhibitors.
AB  - Inflammation is an initial response of the body to a harmful stimuli and it is
      achieved by the increased movement of leukocytes (especially granulocytes) from
      blood into injured tissues. It is required for healing wounds and infections.
      Despite their indispensable role in microbial killing, the inflammation reactions
      may also cause diseases to a host such as hay fever, atherosclerosis, and
      rheumatoid arthritis. The enzymes and oxidizing species released during the
      inflammatory process can cause damages to the host tissues which lead to
      inflammatory syndromes. The role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the inflammatory
      reactions is well documented. It contributes in killing the pathogens but it is
      also implicated in several inflammatory syndromes such as Parkinson's disease,
      Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. Thus, this enzyme has attracted more
      attention of the scientists and it has become a target for drug designing. In the
      last decade, several reversible and irreversible MPO inhibitors were identified
      as very high potent inhibitors such as fluoroalkylindole, aromatic hydroxamic
      acid, thioxanthine and benzoic acid hydrazide derivatives. In this review, we
      tried to illustrate the MPO inhibitors and highlight their structure activity
      relationship (SAR). In this paper we also discussed the mechanism of the
      inhibitory effect of the most potent compounds.

PMID- 27281132
TI  - Recent Trends of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery:
      A Review.
AB  - A vast amount of research on nanoparticles has been conducted in recent years
      with versatile applications in the field of drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles
      are designed as a carrier molecule to deliver drugs in a sustained and stimuli
      response manner. Recent advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of
      long circulating nanoparticles with high encapsulation efficiency. This article
      focuses on the properties such as biocompatibility and biodegradability, which
      are considered as essential criteria for nanoparticles to be successfully used as
      a carrier molecule in drug delivery systems. Physicochemical characterization of
      the nanoparticles such as size and size distribution, surface morphology, zeta
      potential and surface chemistry has a significant role in the successful
      formulation and applications in drug delivery systems. Mostly, the size and
      surface characteristics of nanoparticles enable enhanced intracellular
      accumulation in tumor cells through passive targeting mechanisms and rapid
      development of nanoengineering, and aid towards attaining active targeting
      delivery by co-functionalization of nanoparticles using appropriate targeting
      ligands. This article reviews the recent progress and development of employing
      different biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles in drug delivery systems.
      It also briefly recaps the important methods available to evaluate its
      biocompatibility, the mechanism of biodegradability and clearance properties of
      NPs.

PMID- 27281133
TI  - Ensemble of Pinanones from the Permanganate Oxidation of Myrtenal.
AB  - The buffered permanganate oxidation of (-)-myternal, a member of the pinene
      family, provides the alpha-hydroxyketone (-)-(1R,3S,5R)-3-hydroxy-6,6
      dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-2-one in preparative yield (65% on a multigram
      scale). This alpha-hydroxyketone is oxidized, in a second reaction, to the
      alpha,beta-diketone (1R,5R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptane-2,3-dione
      ("PinDione"). As both oxidations are fast, simple, safe, inexpensive, good
      yielding, and multigram scalable, these transformations are a preparative
      expansion of the pinane family.

PMID- 27281134
TI  - Use of Palliative Chemo- and Radiotherapy at the End of Life in Patients With
      Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Administration of chemotherapy and radiotherapy near the end of life
      is a frequently discussed issue nowadays. We have evaluated the factors
      associated with the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the end of life among
      terminally ill patients in China. METHODS: This study included the data from
      patients who had died from advanced cancer who underwent palliative chemotherapy
      and radiotherapy between January 2007 and December 2013 at the Department of
      Palliative Care of Fudan University, Shanghai Cancer Center. Data were collected
      from hospital medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were
      conducted to identify the factors independently associated with the use of chemo-
      and radiotherapy. RESULTS: Among the 410 patients included (median age, 68 years;
      range, 18-93; 53% males), 47 (11.5%) underwent palliative chemotherapy and 28
      (6.8%) underwent radiotherapy in the last 30 days. Age <65 years (odds ratio
      [OR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-2.88), performance status <3 (OR:
      3.95; 95% CI: 1.56-5.07), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR: 4.09, 95% CI:
      2.66-5.34) were independently associated with the use of chemotherapy.
      Performance status <3 (OR: 4.06, 95% CI: 2.17-5.83) and cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation (OR: 5.28, 95% CI: 3.77-7.21) were independently associated with
      the use of radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that younger patients
      with a lower performance status who do not have complications are more likely to
      opt for chemo- or radiotherapy. Further, the use of palliative chemo- and
      radiotherapy should be considered carefully in terminally ill patients with
      cancer, as they seem to indicate a higher risk of cardiovascular complications
      requiring resuscitation.

PMID- 27281135
TI  - Fractal Nature of Food Materials.
AB  - Through the concept of fractals, the new non-integer dimensional world is
      introduced. Experimental results to show this new world are taken from the author
      and his colleagues' own works. A few words are given also to the scaling law in
      the "Critical phenomena" in relation to sol-gel transition, and Chaos, both of
      which are closely related to the fractal. 

PMID- 27281136
TI  - Conformational Analysis of Abscisic Acid Analogs Produced by Cercospora cruenta.
AB  - The conformation of hydroxy-gamma-ionylideneacetic acids produced by Cercospora
      cruenta was examined by 'H-NMR analysis. (1)H-(1)H COSY and NOE data indicated
      that (2Z,4E,1'R,4'#)-4'-hydroxy-(gamma)- ionylideneacetic acid has a cyclohexane
      ring of chair form furnishing a hydroxyl group and a 2,4-pentadienoic acid
      moiety, each with equatorial orientation, while (2Z,4E,1'S,3'S)-3'-hydroxy-gamma
      ionylideneacetic acid has a flexible twisted-boat form of cyclohexane ring. It is
      suggested that the structure of another (2Z,4E,1'S,4'R)-isomer of 4'-hydroxy
      gamma-ionylideneacetic acid with an equatorial hydrogen at the l'-position is the
      key for further oxygenation to abscisic acid. 

PMID- 27281131
TI  - Targeting the Microglial Signaling Pathways: New Insights in the Modulation of
      Neuropathic Pain.
AB  - The microglia, once thought only to be supporting cells of the central nervous
      system (CNS), are now recognized to play essential roles in many pathologies.
      Many studies within the last decades indicated that the neuro-immune interaction
      underlies the generation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Through a large
      number of receptors and signaling pathways, the microglial cells communicate with
      neurons, astrocytes and other cells, including those of the immune system. A
      disturbance or loss of CNS homeostasis causes rapid responses of the microglia,
      which undergo a multistage activation process. The activated microglia change
      their cell shapes and gene expression profiles, which induce proliferation,
      migration, and the production of pro- or antinociceptive factors. The cells
      release a large number of mediators that can act in a manner detrimental or
      beneficial to the surrounding cells and can indirectly alter the nociceptive
      signals. This review discusses the most important microglial intracellular
      signaling cascades (MAPKs, NF-kB, JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt) that are essential for
      neuropathic pain development and maintenance. Our objective was to identify new
      molecular targets that may result in the development of powerful tools to control
      the signaling associated with neuropathic pain.

PMID- 27281137
TI  - Synthesis and Biological Activities of Substituted 4,4,4-Trifluoro-3-(indoIe-3
      )butyric Acids, Novel Fluorinated Plant Growth Regulators.
AB  - Substituted 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(indole-3-)butyric acids (TFIBAs), novel
      fluorinated plant growth regulators, were easily synthesized from substituted
      2,2,2-trifluoro-l-(indole-3-)ethanols. The synthetic substituted TFIBAs showed
      marked root growth-promoting activity toward Chinese cabbage, lettuce, and rice
      plants. 5-MeO-2-Me-TFIBA (2d) had especially strong promoting activity toward
      Chinese cabbage, while 5-Me- TFIBA (2b) markedly promoted the root growth of all
      three plants. The promoting activity of TFIBAs halogenated at the 5-position in
      the indole nucleus of the molecule (5-Br- and 5-C1-TFIBA (2e and 2g)) was also
      greater than the activity of TFIBA, the original non-substituted compound. 5-N02
      TFIBA (2h) with a strong electron-withdrawing group showed only very weak root
      growth-promoting activity. 

PMID- 27281138
TI  - Purification and Characterization of Ethyl 2-Methyl-3-oxobutanoate Reductase from
      Klebsiella pneumoniae IF03319.
AB  - An enzyme that catalyzes a reduction of ethyl 2-methyl-3-oxobutanoate (1) to
      ethyl (2R,3S) 3-hydroxy- 2-methylbutanoate was found in Klebsiella pneumoniae IFO
      3319 cells. The enzyme was isolated from the cells and purified 250-fold by
      ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, affinity
      chromatography, and gel filtration. The purified enzyme was found to be a monomer
      protein with a molecular weight of approximately 31,000 and an isoelectric point
      of 6.2. It was NADPH-dependent and had maximum activity at pH 7.0 and 45 degrees
      C for the reduction and at pH 10.0 and 45 degrees C for oxidation. The Km's at pH
      7.0 were 5.6 mM for 1 and 12.5 mM for benzyl 2-methyl-3-oxobutanoate,
      respectively. Esters of 2-oxocycloalkane carboxylic acids as well as esters of 2
      methyl-3-oxobutanoic acid served as substrates, and the corresponding reduced
      products were obtained with high stereoselectivity. 

PMID- 27281139
TI  - Selective Oxidation of 2-Methylnaphthalene to 2-Methyl-l-naphthol by Rhodococcus
      sp. M192.
AB  - About 6000 isolates of microorganisms assimilating methylketones (C3-C6) were
      tested for their selective oxidation of 2-methylnaphthalene to 2-methyl-1
      naphthol. Strain M192 was the highest 2-methyl-1-naphthol producer and was
      classified as the genus Rhodococcus. The optimal conditions for the site-specific
      oxidation were studied using resting Rhodococcus sp. M192. The 2-methyl-1
      naphthol productivity was specifically increased using methylethylketone as a
      carbon source, 1-propanol as a solvent to dissolve the substrate, and
      ethylxanthate or diethyldithiocarbamate as an inhibitor of 2-naphthoic acid (side
      product) production. In the presence of these compounds, 2-methylnaphthalene was
      specifically oxidized at the 1-position without the conversion to 2-naphthoic
      acid. The productivity of 2-methyl-1-naphthol was about 90 MUM from 1 mM 2
      methylnaphthalene. 

PMID- 27281140
TI  - Mold Pectinase Modified with Dialdehyde Derivatives of Dextran and Cellulose.
AB  - Chemical modification of mold pectinase with dextran- and cellulose-dialdehydes
      was examined to improve the enzyme characteristics. The modified pectinase with
      dextran-dialdehyde retained about 50% of the original activity, and more than 80%
      of the total amino groups were modified. HPLC gel filtration analysis showed an
      increase in molecular weight of the reaction product. Reaction with cellulose
      dialdehyde provided an immobilized form of pectinase. The immobilized pectinase
      was resistant to both acidic and alkaline pHs, and also acquired heat stability
      at 60 degrees C. The optimum pH of the modified enzyme shifted from pH 4.5 to 5.0
      5.5, and this enzyme had higher activity at neutral pH regions than the native
      enzyme. A rather low recovery of immobilized enzyme (14.5%) should be improved by
      the combination with various methods hitherto established. 

PMID- 27281141
TI  - Methoxypyrazine Content of Japanese Red Wines.
AB  - Three 2-methoxy-3-alkylpyrazines (MPs) in Japanese red wine and grape samples
      were determined by GC-EIMS, using 2-methyl-3-n-propylpyrazine as an internal
      standard. MPs in the Cabernet Sauvignon red wines were derived not only from the
      pulp but also from other parts of the grape berries. All of the Cabernet
      Sauvignon red wines made annually from 1975 to 1994 contained 2-methoxy-3
      isobutylpyrazine (isobutylMP), although those made from well-ripened grapes had a
      low isobutylMP level. It is suggested that the climatic conditions of September
      might effect the isobutylMP level of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and red wines. The
      mean isobutylMP level of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot Japanese
      commercial red wines was significantly higher than the mean isobutylMP level of
      Muscat Bailey A and Zweigeltrebe. 

PMID- 27281142
TI  - Kinetic Study of the Active Site Structure of beta-Amylase from Bacillus cereus
      var. mycoides.
AB  - The subsite affinities of the active site of beta-amylase from Bacillus cereus
      var. mycoides were evaluated based on Hiromi's theory, using (14)C-radiolabeled
      maltooligosaccharides as substrate. It was estimated that the active site
      consisted of six subsites, and all subsite affinities could be evaluated. The
      active site had a common subsite arrangement with those of beta -amylases from
      soybean and wheat bran. The intrinsic breakdown rate constant of alpha-1,4
      glucosidic linkage (kint) was five to seven times as large as those of the other
      enzymes.From the pH dependence of log[k0/Km], pK values of two functional
      ionizable groups were pK1 =4.0 and pK2 = 8.4. The pK values were 0.5-0.6 units
      for pK1 and 0.2-0.3 units for pK2 larger than those of the other enzymes. For the
      affinity-labeling of this enzyme by 2, 3 epoxypropyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside
      (alpha-EPG), the binding affinity of alpha-EPG was 1-1.6kcal/mol larger than
      those of the other beta-amylases. 

PMID- 27281143
TI  - Purification and Characterization of a Thermostable Trehalose Synthase from
      Thermus aquaticus.
AB  - Thermostable trehalose synthase, which catalyzes the conversion of maltose into
      trehalose by intramolecular transglucosylation, was purified from a cell-free
      extract of the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus ATCC 33923 to an
      electrophoretically homogeneity by successive column chromatographies. The
      purified enzyme had a molecular weight of 105,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis and a pI of 4.6 by gel isoelectrofocusing. The N-terminal amino
      acid of the enzyme was methionine. The optimum pH and temperature were pH 6.5 and
      65 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was stable from pH 5.5 to 9.5 and up to 80
      degrees C for 60min. The trehalose synthase from Thermus aquaticus is more
      thermoactive and thermostable than that from Pimelobacter sp. R48. The yield of
      trehalose from maltose by the enzyme was independent of the substrate
      concentration, and tended to increase at lower temperatures. The maximum yield of
      trehalose from maltose by the enzyme reached 80-82% at 30-40 degrees C. The
      activity was inhibited by Cu(2+) , Hg(2+), Zn(2+), and Tris. 

PMID- 27281144
TI  - Measurement of L-Malate Using Immobilized Enzyme Reactors: Comparison of Results
      Obtained with Four Different Enzymatic Systems.
AB  - For the measurement of malate by an enzyme sensor, we did a comparative study
      using malate dehydrogenase (MDH) alone, MDH and glutamate oxaloacetate
      transaminase (GOT) together, a malic enzyme (ME) that requires NADP as a
      cofactor, and MDH and NADH oxidase together. With respect to the response of each
      reactor to 0.5 mM L-malate, the systems using ME alone and MDH plus NADH oxidase
      gave high values. The ranges of measurements were 0.05-1.00 mM (MDH alone), 0.01
      0.05 mM (MDH plus GOT), 0.01-0.50 mM (ME alone) and 0.02-1.00 mM (MDH plus NADH
      oxidase). In the system with MDH alone, however, reducing sugars in the sample
      interfered with measurements and it was impossible to use this system for
      practical analysis of fruit samples. By contrast, the systems using ME alone or
      MDH plus NADH oxidase were unaffected by the presence of reducing sugars and were
      suitable for analysis of samples. Thus, the MDH-NADH oxidase system is
      recommended for practical analyses of samples. 

PMID- 27281145
TI  - Effect of Uniconazole and Gibberellin on the Flowering of Pharbitis nil.
AB  - The role of endogenous gibberellin (GA) in the flowering of the short-day plant,
      Pharbitis nil, was investigated by using uniconazole, which is a specific
      inhibitor of GA biosynthesis. Both the endogenous GA level and flowering response
      decreased with increasing concentration of uniconazole applied via the roots. The
      strongest inhibition of flowering was observed when uniconazole was applied one
      day before a 15-h dark treatment. The inhibition by uniconazole was overcome by
      an application of GAs to the plumules, the order of effectiveness of the
      endogenous GAs in P. nil being GA1 ?GA20>GA19?GA44>GA53"GAH. This is the first
      report of the correlation between the endogenous GA level and flowering response
      in P. nil. It was found that endogenous GAs were required for the flowering of P.
      nil during or just after the dark period. 

PMID- 27281146
TI  - Inhibiting Effects of Lunularic Acid Analogs on the Growth of Liverwort,
      Watercress, and Timothy Grass.
AB  - A number of analogs of lunularic acid varying in the number of methylene carbons
      between the two benzene rings and in the substituents on their rings were
      prepared, and their effects on the growth of liverwort gemmaling, watercress, and
      timothy grass were investigated. Almost all the analogs tested were more
      inhibitory than lunularic acid, and a correlation between the structure and
      activity was observed. The differences in the growth-inhibition activity of
      analogs between higher and lower plants are also discussed. 

PMID- 27281147
TI  - A Tentative Measurement of Brown Pigments in Various Processed Foods.
AB  - A tentative method for measuring brown pigment in food was proposed and applied
      to 25 items of commercial browned foods. The principle was based on the
      assumption that any brown pigment with general absorption in the visible wave
      length spectrum is quantitatively equivalent to melanoidin prepared from a model
      system of the Maillard reaction. The spectral curve for general absorption was
      represented by the equation dE/dlambda=-kE (E, absorbance; lambda = wave length;
      k = constant > 0), of which the value k w as found to correlate with the
      molecular weight and the molar extinction coefficient and to serve as an
      empirical parameter for the measurement of brown substances in different foods. 

PMID- 27281148
TI  - Inhibiting Effect of Browned Processed Foods on Trypsin.
AB  - Inhibition of proteases was examined in browned foods including soy pastes, soy
      sauces, fish sauce, sauces, teas, coffees, and others in association with
      melanoidin, a Maillard product, which had been found to be a potent inhibitor of
      trypsin. Most of the foods were effective in restraining trypsin activity based
      on hydrolysis of N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide, while being
      ineffective on chymotrypsin except for black tea and cola. Especially, teas were
      noted for their strong inhibitory effect on trypsin. The color intensity of the
      foods in terms of optical density at 400 nm appeared not to correlate with the
      extent of inhibition except for soy sauces. 

PMID- 27281149
TI  - Conversion of Naphthoates to cis-Dihydrodiols by Naphthalenesulfonate
      assimilating Pseudomonas sp. TA-2.
AB  - A naphthalenesulfonate-assimilating bacterium, Pseudomonas sp. TA-2, was found to
      convert 2-naphthoate to cis-1,2-dihydroxv-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-2-carboxylate
      (DDN2C) and cis-l,2-dihydroxy-l,2-dihydronaphthalene-3-carboxylate (DDN3C), and
      converted 1-naphthoate to as-l,2-dihydroxy-l,2-dihydronaphthalene-l-carboxylate
      (DDN1C). It was suggested that conversion of naphthoates was done by a
      dioxvgenase with relaxed regioselectivity. 

PMID- 27281150
TI  - Improved Purification and Spectroscopic Properties of Squash Glutamate
      Decarboxylase.
AB  - Squash glutamate decarboxylase was purified by DEAE-Cellulose batchwise followed
      by Blue-Sepharose, Cellulofine GCL-2000, and Toyopearl HW-55F column
      chromatography. The purified glutamate decarboxylase had a high specific activity
      (95.0 u/mg). The absorption spectrum of glutamate decarboxylase had an absorption
      maximum at 420 nm in the range 300-500 nm. A pH change from 5.3 to 7.8 was
      accompanied by a decrease in absorbancy at 420 nm. One mole of glutamate
      decarboxylase contained 3.8 and 1.3 mol of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate at pH 5.8 and
      pH 7.8, respectively. 

PMID- 27281151
TI  - Duration of Treatment of Carrot Hypocotyl Explants with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic
      Acid for Direct Somatic Embryogenesis.
AB  - The relationship between the concentration of 2,4-dichlorophe- noxyacetic acid
      (2,4-D) and the duration of treatment with 2,4-D on direct somatic embryogenesis
      from carrot hypocotyl explants was examined. Elevated concentrations of 2,4-D (up
      to 100 mg/ liter) reduced the duration of pretreatment required for successful
      embryogenesis. 

PMID- 27281152
TI  - Effects of Uniconazole-P on Abscission and Endogenous ABA, IAA, and GA-like
      Substances Levels of Satsuma Mandarin Fruitlet.
AB  - Uniconazole-P, a gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis inhibitor, did not affect growth
      of mandarin fruitlets definitely but stimulated abscission markedly. Endogenous
      abscisic acid concentration in fruitlets treated with uniconazole-P was about 4
      fold higher compared with the control. Endogenous indole-3-acetic acid and total
      GAs levels also changed. The relationships between these changes in endogenous
      hormone levels and fruit abscission were discussed. 

PMID- 27281153
TI  - Easy Preparation Method for 2-Thioxopyrrolidine Derivatives Including 3-Hydroxy-
      methylene-2-thioxopyrrolidine, an Antimicrobial Degradation Product of Radish
      Pungent Principle, via (E,Z)-4-Ylethoxy-3-butenyl Isothiocyanate.
AB  - An easy preparation method was developed for 3-hydroxymethylene-2
      thioxopyrrolidine (TPC), an antimicrobial degradation product of radish pungent
      principle. The key intermediate, 4- methoxy-3-butenyl-isothiocyanate (MBI), which
      was prepared from 3-cyanopropionaldehyde dimethyl acetal in 3 reaction steps, was
      easily converted to TPC in acidic (pH 3.0-4.0) aqueous media. In methanol or
      ethanol with a few drops of acetic acid, MBI afforded corresponding 3
      (alpha,alpha-dialkoxy)methyl-2-thioxopyrrolidines as the major products. 

PMID- 27281154
TI  - A Facile Synthesis of (R)-3-Amino-4-phenylbutyric Acid from L-Aspartic Acid.
AB  - A practical synthesis of (R)-3-amino-4-phenylbutyric acid 1, based on Friedel
      Crafts acylation with the alpha-aminocarboxyl group of L-aspartic acid retaining
      its original alpha-carbon chirality, is described. 

PMID- 27281155
TI  - Reaction Mechanism of a New Glycosyltrehalose-producing Enzyme Isolated from the
      Hyperthermophilic Archaeum, Sulfolobus solfataricus KM1.
AB  - An amylolytic activity, which converts soluble starch to alpha,alpha-trehalose
      (trehalose), was found in the cell homogenate of the hyperthermophilic,
      acidophilic archaeum Sulfolobus solfataricus KM1. Two enzymes, a
      glycosyltransferase and an amylase, which are essential for this activity, were
      purified to homogeneity. A glycosyltransferase catalyzed the conversion of
      maltooligosaccharides to glycosyltrehaloses. Based on a detailed analysis of the
      reaction products, kinetic parameters, and an experiment using (3)H-labeled
      substrates, it was verified that glycosyltransferase transferred an oligomer
      segment of maltooligosaccharide to the Cl-OH position of glucose, located at the
      reducing end of the maltooligosaccharide, to produce a glycosyltrehalose having
      an alpha-1,1 linkage. The reaction appears to be intramolecular. Nine strains of
      the Sulfolobaceae family were found to have glycosyltransferases. 

PMID- 27281156
TI  - Reaction Mechanism of a New Glycosyltrehalose-hydrolyzing Enzyme Isolated from
      the Hyperthermophilic Archaeum, Sulfolobus solfataricus KM1.
AB  - Amylolytic activity, which converts soluble starch to alpha,alpha-trehalose
      (trehalose), was found in the cell homogenate of the hyperthermophilic
      acidophilic archaeum, Sulfolobus solfataricus KM1. Two enzymes, a
      glycosyltransferase and an alpha-amylase, which were essential for this activity
      were identified. The alpha-amylase was purified to homogeneity on SDS-PAGE. The
      alpha-amylase catalyzed the hydrolysis of glycosyltrehaloses to trehalose.
      Analysis of the reaction products, kinetic parameters, and experimental findings
      using (3)H-labeIed substrates indicated that the alpha-amylase hydrolyzed only
      the alpha-1,4 glucosidic linkage adjacent to the trehalose unit of the
      glycosyltrehaloses. Six strains of the Sulfolobaceae family examined were
      observed to have the glycosyltrehalose-hydrolyzing enzyme, the alpha-amylase. 

PMID- 27281157
TI  - Estimate of Unmet Need for Cleft Lip and/or Palate Surgery in India.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The unmet need for cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) care in India is
      significant. However, estimates required for CL/P care program planning are
      lacking. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the unmet need for CL/P surgery in India at the
      state level. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: To determine the proportion of
      individuals with CL/P who presented for care in India, data were used from
      patients who received care at Operation Smile programs in 12 low- and middle
      income countries from June 1, 2013, to May 31, 2014. The resulting model
      describes the prevalent unmet need for cleft surgery in India by state and
      includes patients older than the surgery target ages of 1 and 2 years for cleft
      lip and cleft palate repair, respectively. Next, the total number of unrepaired
      CL/P cases in each state was estimated using state-level economic and health
      system indicators. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Prevalent unmet need for CL/P
      repair. RESULTS: In the 28 states with available data, an estimated 72 637 cases
      of unrepaired CL/P (uncertainty interval, 58 644-97 870 cases) were detected. The
      percentage of individuals with unrepaired CL/P who were older than the respective
      target ages ranged from 37.0% (95% CI, 30.6%-43.8%) in Goa to 65.8% (95% CI,
      60.3%-70.9%) in Bihar (median, 57.9%; interquartile range, 52.6%-63.4%). The rate
      of unrepaired CL/Ps ranged from less than 3.5 per 100 000 population in Kerala
      and Goa to 10.9 per 100 000 population in Bihar (median rate, 5.9 [interquartile
      range, 4.6-7.3] per 100 000 population). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: An estimated
      72 000 cases of unrepaired CL/P are found in India. Poor states with less health
      care infrastructure have exceptionally high rates (eg, Bihar). These estimates
      are useful for informing international and national CL/P care strategies,
      allocating resources, and advocating for individuals and families affected by
      CL/P more broadly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

PMID- 27281158
TI  - In Situ Metabolism of Cinnamyl Alcohol in Reconstructed Human Epidermis: New
      Insights into the Activation of This Fragrance Skin Sensitizer.
AB  - Chemical modification of epidermal proteins by skin sensitizers is the molecular
      event which initiates the induction of contact allergy. However, not all chemical
      skin allergens react directly as haptens with epidermal proteins but need either
      a chemical (prehaptens) or metabolic (prohaptens) activation step to become
      reactive. Cinnamyl alcohol has been considered a model prohapten, as this skin
      sensitizer has no intrinsic reactivity. Therefore, the prevailing theory is that
      cinnamyl alcohol is enzymatically oxidized into the protein-reactive
      cinnamaldehyde, which is the sensitizing agent. Knowing that reconstructed human
      epidermis (RHE) models have been demonstrated to be quite similar to the normal
      human epidermis in terms of metabolic enzymes, use of RHE may be useful to
      investigate the in situ metabolism/activation of cinnamyl alcohol, particularly
      when coupled with high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic
      resonance. Incubation of carbon-13 substituted cinnamyl derivatives with RHE did
      not result in the formation of cinnamaldehyde. The metabolites formed suggest the
      formation of an epoxy-alcohol and an allylic sulfate as potential electrophiles.
      These data suggest that cinnamyl alcohol is inducing skin sensitization through a
      route independent of the one involving cinnamaldehyde and should therefore be
      considered as a skin sensitizer on its own.

PMID- 27281160
TI  - Unacceptable failure of the PI2(r) implant.
AB  - : The PI2(r) spacer is designed for treatment of trapeziometacarpal (TM)
      osteoarthritis. However, the shape of this implant has raised concerns about its
      stability. We retrospectively investigated 45 implants in 41 patients treated for
      trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis in our hospital between 2004 and 2009 who
      underwent trapeziectomy and insertion of a PI2(r) spacer. Outcome parameters
      included revision rates and clinical outcomes correlated with implant position
      and scaphometacarpal distance, assessed using standard radiographs. A total of 12
      implants (27%) were removed at a median time of 10 months (interquartile range
      (IQR), 7-22 months). These included five dislocations and one early infection.
      Additionally, a further six patients underwent revision due to persistent pain.
      Three of these had scapho-trapezoid osteoarthritis, two had developed subluxation
      of the implant, and one did not show any radiographic abnormalities. A review of
      patient records revealed that 33 implants remained in place at a median time of
      29 months (IQR, 20-57). However, of those, only 21 implants (64%) in 17 patients
      were available for clinical evaluation at a median follow-up of 29 months (IQR,
      19-62 months). No significant differences in clinical outcomes including
      functional results were observed between in-place ( n = 8) and subluxated ( n =
      13) implants. Due to the high revision rate (12/45), consistent with other
      reports in the literature, we have abandoned the use of the PI2(r) spacer. We
      recommend the establishment of a registry for evaluation of future implants. TYPE
      OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-series study/level IV.

PMID- 27281159
TI  - Aberrant Glycosylation in the Left Ventricle and Plasma of Rats with Cardiac
      Hypertrophy and Heart Failure.
AB  - Targeted proteomics focusing on post-translational modifications, including
      glycosylation, is a useful strategy for discovering novel biomarkers. To apply
      this strategy effectively to cardiac hypertrophy and resultant heart failure, we
      aimed to characterize glycosylation profiles in the left ventricle and plasma of
      rats with cardiac hypertrophy. Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rats, a model of
      hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy, were fed a high-salt (8% NaCl) diet
      starting at 6 weeks. As a result, they exhibited cardiac hypertrophy at 12 weeks
      and partially impaired cardiac function at 16 weeks compared with control rats
      fed a low-salt (0.3% NaCl) diet. Gene expression analysis revealed significant
      changes in the expression of genes encoding glycosyltransferases and
      glycosidases. Glycoproteome profiling using lectin microarrays indicated
      upregulation of mucin-type O-glycosylation, especially disialyl-T, and
      downregulation of core fucosylation on N-glycans, detected by specific
      interactions with Amaranthus caudatus and Aspergillus oryzae lectins,
      respectively. Upregulation of plasma alpha-l-fucosidase activity was identified
      as a biomarker candidate for cardiac hypertrophy, which is expected to support
      the existing marker, atrial natriuretic peptide and its related peptides.
      Proteomic analysis identified cysteine and glycine-rich protein 3, a master
      regulator of cardiac muscle function, as an O-glycosylated protein with altered
      glycosylation in the rats with cardiac hypertrophy, suggesting that alternations
      in O-glycosylation affect its oligomerization and function. In conclusion, our
      data provide evidence of significant changes in glycosylation pattern,
      specifically mucin-type O-glycosylation and core defucosylation, in the
      pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, suggesting that they are
      potential biomarkers for these diseases. 

PMID- 27281161
TI  - Characterisation of a novel light activated adhesive scaffold: Potential for
      device attachment.
AB  - The most common methods for attaching a device to the internal tissues of the
      human body are via sutures, clips or staples. These attachment techniques require
      penetration and manipulation of the tissue. Tears and leaks can often be a
      complication post-attachment, and scarring usually occurs around the attachment
      sites. To resolve these issues, it is proposed to develop a soft tissue scaffold
      impregnated with Rose Bengal/Chitosan solution (RBC-scaffold, 0.01% w/v Rose
      Bengal, 1.7% w/v Medium Molecular Weight Chitosan). This scaffold will initially
      attach to the tissue via a light activation method. The light activates the dye
      in the scaffold which causes cross-links to form between the scaffold and tissue,
      thus adhering them together. This is done without mechanically manipulating the
      surrounding tissue, thus avoiding the issues associated with current techniques.
      Eventually, the scaffold will be resorbed and tissue will integrate for long-term
      attachment. A variety of tests were performed to characterise the RBC-scaffold.
      Porosity, interconnectivity, and mechanical strength were measured. Light
      activation was performed with a broad spectrum (380-780nm) 10W LED lamp exposed
      to various time lengths (2-15min, Fluence range 0.4-3J/cm(2) ). Adhesive strength
      of the light-activated bond was measured with lap-shear tests performed on
      porcine stomach tissue. Cell culture viability was also assessed to confirm
      tissue integration potential. These properties were compared to VariotisTM, an
      aliphatic polyester soft tissue scaffold which has proven to be viable for soft
      tissue regeneration. The RBC-scaffolds were found to have high porosity (86.46+/
      2.95%) and connectivity, showing rapid fluid movement. The elastic modulus of the
      RBC-scaffolds (3.55+/-1.28MPa) was found to be significantly higher than the
      controls (0.15+/-0.058MPa, p<0.01) and approached reported values for human
      gastrointestinal tissue (2.3MPa). The maximum adhesion strength achieved of the
      RBC-scaffolds was 8.61+/-2.81kPa after 15min of light activation, this is
      comparable to the adhesion strength of fibrin glue on scaffolds. Cell attachment
      was seen to be similar to the controls, but cells appeared to have better cell
      survivability. In conclusion, the RBC-scaffolds show promise for use as a novel
      light activated attachment device with potential applications in attaching an
      anti-reflux valve in the lower oesophagus and also in wound healing applications
      for stomach ulcers.

PMID- 27281162
TI  - Mini-interfacial fracture toughness as a new validated enamel-bonding
      effectiveness test.
AB  - Today's most commonly applied bonding effectiveness tests are criticized for
      their high variability and low reliability, the latter in particular with regard
      to measuring the actual strength of the adhesive interface. OBJECTIVES: in
      continuation of previous research conducted at dentin, we hereby aimed to
      validate the novel mini-interfacial fracture toughness (mini-iFT) test on its
      applicability to assess bonding effectiveness of contemporary adhesives when
      bonded to enamel. METHODS: The 3-step etch&rinse (E&R) adhesive OptiBond FL
      (Kerr), the 2-step self-etch (SE) adhesive Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray Noritake)
      and the two multi-mode adhesives Clearfil S(3) Bond Plus (Kuraray Noritake) and
      Scotchbond Universal (3M ESPE), both used following a 2-step E&R and 1-step SE
      mode, were applied to clinically relevant, flattened enamel surfaces. A composite
      (Filtek Z100; 3M ESPE) build-up was made in layers. After 1-week water storage at
      37 degrees C, all specimens were sectioned perpendicular to the interface to
      obtain rectangular sticks. A mini-iFT notch was prepared at the adhesive-enamel
      interface using a thin diamond blade under water cooling. Finally, the specimens
      were loaded in a 4-point bending test until failure. RESULTS: the mini-iFT onto
      human enamel was significantly higher for the adhesives applied in E&R mode
      versus those applied in SE mode. The lowest mini-iFT was found for the adhesives
      applied following a 1-step SE approach. SEM fracture analysis revealed that all
      fractures originated at the adhesive-enamel interface and that the induced crack
      propagated preferentially along this interface. CONCLUSION: mini-iFT appeared a
      valid alternative method to assess the mechanical properties of adhesive-enamel
      interfaces.

PMID- 27281163
TI  - Structural and mechanical characterisation of the peri-prosthetic tissue
      surrounding loosened hip prostheses. An explorative study.
AB  - Very little is known about the structure and properties of peri-prosthetic
      fibrous tissue that is found around loose orthopaedic implants. We describe a
      method for characterizing the structural organisation (histology, confocal
      microscopy) as well as the nano- and micro-scale mechanical behaviour (atomic
      force microscopy, nanoindentation) of peri-prosthetic fibrous tissue. The tissue
      was collected from 11 patients undergoing revision surgery due to aseptic
      loosening. Sirius Red and Movat histological staining procedures indicated that
      the tissue mainly consists of collagen fibres and ground substance. However,
      large inter- and intra-patient variations in the relative proportions of these
      tissue components were found, as well as in collagen fibre orientation and
      possibly also maturation. The nano-scale Young's moduli ranged from 0-950kPa, but
      showed large inter-patient variability. When the results per sample were
      presented in a probability density function, we could roughly discriminate one
      peak in the 0-100kPa range and/or one peak in the 100-500Pa range. These nano
      scale moduli seem to respectively present the mechanical properties of
      glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen molecules. The majority of the micro-scale
      Young's moduli ranged between 0.5 and 2.0kPa for all samples. This explorative
      study provides new insights in (the variations of) structural organisation and
      mechanical properties of peri-prosthetic tissue.

PMID- 27281164
TI  - The in vitro passive elastic response of chicken pectoralis muscle to applied
      tensile and compressive deformation.
AB  - The mechanics of passive skeletal muscle are important in impact biomechanics,
      surgical simulation, and rehabilitation engineering. Existing data from porcine
      tissue has shown a significant tension/compression asymmetry, which is not
      captured by current constitutive modelling approaches using a single set of
      material parameters, and an adequate explanation for this effect remains elusive.
      In this paper, the passive elastic deformation properties of chicken pectoralis
      muscle are assessed for the first time, to provide deformation data on a skeletal
      muscle which is very different to porcine tissue. Uniaxial, quasi-static
      compression and tensile tests were performed on fresh chicken pectoralis muscle
      in the fibre and cross-fibre directions, and at 45 degrees  to the fibre
      direction. Results show that chicken muscle elastic behaviour is nonlinear and
      anisotropic. The tensile stress-stretch response is two orders of magnitude
      larger than in compression for all directions tested, which reflects the
      tension/compression asymmetry previously observed in porcine tissue. In
      compression the tissue is stiffest in the cross-fibre direction. However, tensile
      deformation applied at 45 degrees  gives the stiffest response, and this is
      different to previous findings relating to porcine tissue. Chicken muscle tissue
      is most compliant in the fibre direction for both tensile and compressive applied
      deformation. Generally, a small percentage of fluid exudation was observed in the
      compressive samples. In the future these data will be combined with
      microstructural analysis to assess the architectural basis for the
      tension/compression asymmetry now observed in two different species of skeletal
      muscle.

PMID- 27281165
TI  - Additive manufacturing and mechanical characterization of graded porosity
      scaffolds designed based on triply periodic minimal surface architectures.
AB  - Since the advent of additive manufacturing techniques, triply periodic minimal
      surfaces have emerged as a novel tool for designing porous scaffolds. Whereas
      scaffolds are expected to provide multifunctional performance, spatially changing
      pore patterns have been a promising approach to integrate mechanical
      characteristics of different architectures into a unique scaffold. Smooth
      morphological variations are also frequently seen in nature particularly in bone
      and cartilage structures and can be inspiring for designing of artificial
      tissues. In this study, we carried out experimental and numerical procedures to
      uncover the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of linearly graded
      porosity scaffolds for two different mathematically defined pore structures.
      Among TPMS-based scaffolds, P and D surfaces were subjected to gradient modeling
      to explore the mechanical responses for stretching and bending dominated
      deformations, respectively. Moreover, the results were compared to their
      corresponding uniform porosity structures. Mechanical properties were found to be
      by far greater for the stretching dominated structure (P-Surface). For bending
      dominated architecture (D-Surface), although there was no global fracture for
      uniform structures, graded structure showed a brittle fracture at 0.08 strain. A
      layer by layer deformation mechanism for stretching dominated structure was
      observed. For bending dominated scaffolds, deformation was accompanied by
      development of 45 degrees  shearing bands. Finite element simulations were also
      performed and the results showed a good agreement with the experimental
      observations.

PMID- 27281166
TI  - Proteinases as Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Prognosis and Diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths
      among women in the Western World. METHOD: Upon diagnosis and treatment in the
      preinvasive state, the five years survival rate levitate up to 93%, making early
      detection crucial for dedicative diagnosis and treatment. Currently, mammography
      is the most efficacious diagnostic modality. However, this technique does not
      match the ultimate sensitivity. Other routinely used biomarkers include tumor
      size, histological type, nuclear and cellular characteristics, mitotic index,
      vascular invasion, hormonal and axillary lymph node status were not good enough
      to predict the course of cancer. To date, researchers revealed a change in the
      level of some proteinases in breast cancer tissue and reported the role of these
      proteinases in tumor aggressiveness and patient response to therapy. CONCLUSION:
      This review summarizes the potential role of serine proteinases (including
      urokinasedependent plasminogen activator and kallikreins) and zinc
      metalloproteinases (including matrix metalloproteinase and A disintegrin and
      metalloproteinase) as either a prognostic and/or diagnostic breast cancer
      biomarkers. These proteinases plus genetic biomarkers could be implemented in the
      development of multiplex bio sensing platform toward early breast cancer
      detection, diagnosis, monitor progression and therapeutic success.

PMID- 27281167
TI  - Trypanosoma cruzi Invasion into Host Cells: A Complex Molecular Targets
      Interplay.
AB  - Chagas' disease is still a worldwide threat, with estimated from 6 to 7 million
      infected people, mainly in Latin America. Despite all efforts, especially from
      international consortia (DNDi, NMTrypI), to develop an innovative therapeutic
      strategy against this disease, no candidate has achieved full requirements for
      clinical use yet. In this review, we point out the general molecular and cellular
      mechanisms involved in T. cruzi cell invasion and elucidate the roles of specific
      parasite and host targets in the progress of Chagas' disease. Among these
      molecular targets are Gp85/transsialidase, mucins, cruzipain and oligopeptidase
      B, found in parasite cell surface, and Galectin-3 and Toll-like receptors present
      in host cells. Thus, the deep understanding of their interplay and involvement on
      T. cruzi host cell adhesion, invasion and evasion from host immune may expand the
      chances for discovering new therapeutic agents against this neglected disease.
      Additionally, these targets may represent a remarkable strategy to block parasite
      invasion in the early stages of infection. 

PMID- 27281168
TI  - In situ remediation-released zero-valent iron nanoparticles impair soil
      ecosystems health: A C. elegans biomarker-based risk assessment.
AB  - There is considerable concern over the potential ecotoxicity to soil ecosystems
      posed by zero-valent iron nanoparticles (Fe(0) NPs) released from in situ
      environmental remediation. However, a lack of quantitative risk assessment has
      hampered the development of appropriate testing methods used in environmental
      applications. Here we present a novel, empirical approach to assess Fe(0) NPs
      associated soil ecosystems health risk using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
      as a model organism. A Hill-based dose-response model describing the
      concentration-fertility inhibition relationships was constructed. A Weibull model
      was used to estimate thresholds as a guideline to protect C. elegans from
      infertility when exposed to waterborne or foodborne Fe(0) NPs. Finally, the risk
      metrics, exceedance risk (ER) and risk quotient (RQ) of Fe(0) NPs in various
      depths and distances from remediation sites can then be predicted. We showed that
      under 50% risk probability (ER=0.5), upper soil layer had the highest infertility
      risk (95% confidence interval: 13.18-57.40%). The margins of safety and
      acceptable criteria for soil ecosystems health for using Fe(0) NPs in field scale
      applications were also recommended. Results showed that RQs are larger than 1 in
      all soil layers when setting a stricter threshold of ~1.02mgL(-1) of Fe(0) NPs.
      This C. elegans biomarker-based risk model affords new insights into the links
      between widespread use of Fe(0) NPs and environmental risk assessment and offers
      potential environmental implications of metal-based NPs for in situ remediation.

PMID- 27281170
TI  - Erratum: Bacopaside I ameliorates cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice via immune
      mediated clearance of beta-amyloid.

PMID- 27281169
TI  - Effect of operational strategies on activated sludge's acclimation to phenol,
      subsequent aerobic granulation, and accumulation of polyhydoxyalkanoates.
AB  - Aerobic granules, a relative novel form of microbial aggregate, are capable of
      degrading many toxic organic pollutants. Appropriate strategy is needed to
      acclimate seed sludge to the toxic compounds for successful granulation. In this
      study, two distinct strategies, i.e. mixed or single carbon sources, were
      experimented to obtain phenol-acclimated sludge. Their effects on reactor
      performance, biomass characteristics, microbial population and the granulation
      process were analyzed. Sludge fed with phenol alone exhibited faster acclimation
      and earlier appearance of granules, but possibly lower microbial diversity and
      reactor stability. Using a mixture of acetate and phenol in the acclimation
      stage, on the other hand, led to a reactor with slower phenol degradation and
      granulation, but eventual formation of strong and stable aerobic granules. In
      addition, the content of intracellular polyhydoxyakanoates (PHA) was also
      monitored, and significant accumulation was observed during the pre-granulation
      stage, where PHA >50% of dry weight was observed in both reactors.

PMID- 27281171
TI  - Role of Twist1 Phosphorylation in Angiogenesis and Pulmonary Fibrosis.
AB  - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive lung disease in which
      microvessel remodeling is deregulated. However, the mechanism by which
      deregulated angiogenesis contributes to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis
      remains unclear. Here we show that a transcription factor, Twist1, controls
      angiogenesis through the angiopoietin-Tie2 pathway, and that deregulation of this
      mechanism mediates pathological angiogenesis and collagen deposition in a
      bleomycin-induced mouse pulmonary fibrosis model. Twist1 knockdown decreases Tie2
      expression and attenuates endothelial cell sprouting in vitro. Angiogenesis is
      also inhibited in fibrin gel implanted on Tie2-specific Twist1 conditional
      knockout (Twist1fl/fl/Tie2-cre) mouse lung in vivo. Inhibition of Twist1
      phosphorylation at the serine 42 (Ser42) residue by treating endothelial cells
      with a mutant construct (Twist1S42A) decreases Tie2 expression and attenuates
      angiogenesis compared with full-length Twist1 in vitro and in vivo. Bleomycin
      challenge up-regulates Twist1 Ser42 phosphorylation and Tie2 expression,
      increases blood vessel density, and induces collagen deposition in the mouse
      lung, whereas these effects are attenuated in Twist1fl/fl/Tie2-cre mice or in
      mice treated with Twist1S42A mutant construct. These results indicate that Twist1
      Ser42 phosphorylation contributes to the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced
      pulmonary fibrosis through angiopoietin-Tie2 signaling.

PMID- 27281172
TI  - Strong Dipolar Effects on an Octupolar Luminiscent Chromophore: Implications on
      their Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties.
AB  - Design parameters derived from structure-property relationships play a very
      important role in the development of efficient molecular-based functional
      materials with optical properties. Here, we report on the linear and nonlinear
      optical properties of a fluorene-derived dipolar system (DS) and its octupolar
      analogue (OS), in which donor and acceptor groups are connected by a
      phenylacetylene linkage, as a strategy to increase the number of delocalized
      electrons in the pi-conjugated system. The optical nonlinear response was
      analyzed in detail by experimental and theoretical methods, showing that, in the
      octupolar system OS, the dipolar effects induced a strong two-photon absorption
      process whose magnitude is as large as 2210 GM at infrared wavelengths.
      Solvatochromism studies were implemented to obtain further insight on the charge
      transfer process. We found that the triple bond plays a fundamental role in the
      linear and nonlinear optical responses. The strong solvatochromism behavior in DS
      and OS was analyzed by using four empirical solvent scales, namely Lippert
      Mataga, Kamlet-Taft, Catalan, and the recently proposed scale of Laurence et al.,
      finding consistent results of strong solvent polarizability and viscosity
      dependence. Finally, the role of the acceptor groups was further studied by
      synthesizing the analogous compound 2DS, having no acceptor group. 

PMID- 27281173
TI  - Mechanism and Reaction Pathways for Microcystin-LR Degradation through UV/H2O2
      Treatment.
AB  - Microcystin-LR (MCLR) is the most common cyanotoxin in contaminated aquatic
      systems. MCLR inhibits protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, leading to liver damage and
      tumor formation. MCLR is relatively stable owing to its cyclic structures. The
      combined UV/H2O2 technology can degrade MCLR efficiently. The second-order rate
      constant of the reaction between MCLR and hydroxyl radical (.OH) is 2.79(+/
      0.23)*1010 M-1 s-1 based on the competition kinetics model using nitrobenzene as
      reference compound. The probable degradation pathway was analyzed through liquid
      chromatography mass spectrometry. Results suggested that the major destruction
      pathways of MCLR were initiated by .OH attack on the benzene ring and diene of
      the Adda side chain. The corresponding aldehyde or ketone peptide residues were
      formed through further oxidation. Another minor destruction pathway involved .OH
      attack on the methoxy group of the Adda side chain, followed by complete removal
      of the methoxy group. The combined UV/H2O2 system is a promising technology for
      MCLR removal in contaminated aquatic systems. 

PMID- 27281174
TI  - Proteomics of Durum Wheat Grain during Transition to Conservation Agriculture.
AB  - Nitrogen management in combination with sustainable agronomic techniques can have
      a great impact on the wheat grain proteome influencing its technological quality.
      In this study, proteomic analyses were used to document changes in the proportion
      of prolamins in mature grains of the newly released Italian durum wheat cv
      Achille. Such an approach was applied to wheat fertilized with urea (UREA) and
      calcium nitrate (NITRATE), during the transition to no-till Conservation
      Agriculture (CA) practice in a Mediterranean environment. Results obtained in a
      two-years field experiment study suggest low molecular weight glutenins (LMW-GS)
      as the fraction particularly inducible regardless of the N-form. Quantitative
      analyses of LMW-GS by 2D-GE followed by protein identification by LC-ESI-MS/MS
      showed that the stable increase was principally due to C-type LMW-GS. The highest
      accumulation resulted from a physiologically healthier state of plants treated
      with UREA and NITRATE. Proteomic analysis on the total protein fraction during
      the active phase of grain filling was also performed. For both N treatments, but
      at different extent, an up-regulation of different classes of proteins was
      observed: i) enzymes involved in glycolysis and citric acid cycles which
      contribute to an enhanced source of energy and carbohydrates, ii) stress proteins
      like heat shock proteins (HSPs) and antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxidases and
      superoxide dismutase which protect the grain from abiotic stress during starch
      and storage protein synthesis. In conclusion N inputs, which combined rate with N
      form gave high yield and improved quality traits in the selected durum wheat
      cultivar. The specific up-regulation of some HSPs, antioxidant enzymes and
      defense proteins in the early stages of grain development and physiological
      indicators related to fitness traits, could be useful bio-indicators, for wheat
      genotype screening under more sustainable agronomic conditions, like transition
      phase to no-till CA in Mediterranean environments. 

PMID- 27281177
TI  - Immune Sensing of Lipopolysaccharide in Plants and Animals: Same but Different.

PMID- 27281176
TI  - Molecular Hydrogen as a Neuroprotective Agent.
AB  - Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation cause many neurological disorders.
      Recently, it has been reported that molecular hydrogen (H2) functions as an
      antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The routes of H2 administration in
      animal model and human clinical studies are roughly classified into three types,
      inhalation of H2 gas, drinking H2-dissolved water, and injection of H2-dissolved
      saline. This review discusses some of the remarkable progress that has been made
      in the research of H2 use for neurological disorders, such as cerebrovascular
      diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and neonatal brain disorders. Although
      most neurological disorders are currently incurable, these studies suggest the
      clinical potential of H2 administration for their prevention, treatment, and
      mitigation. Several of the potential effectors of H2 will also be discussed,
      including cell signaling molecules and hormones that are responsible for
      preventing oxidative stress and inflammation. Nevertheless, further investigation
      will be required to determine the direct target molecule of H2.

PMID- 27281178
TI  - Dural carotid cavernous fistulas: endovascular treatment and assessment of the
      correlation between clinical symptoms and the Cognard classification system.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with endovascular treatment of dural carotid
      cavernous fistulas (DCCFs) and determine if there is a correlation between
      clinical symptoms and the Cognard classification system. METHODS: We searched our
      institutional neurovascular database to identify patients treated for DCCFs from
      January 1995 to May 2015. DCCFs were defined as a vascular shunt between
      meningeal branches of the internal carotid artery (ICA), external carotid artery
      (ECA), or both, draining into the cavernous sinus. Clinical symptoms were
      recorded based on clinical examination. Lesions were classified on angiography
      using the Cognard and Barrow classification systems. Treatment goal was defined
      as symptomatic cure based on clinical examination, cure of ophthalmic venous
      drainage, and cortical venous reflux on angiography. RESULTS: The search revealed
      37 patients with DCCFs; 32 DCCFs underwent endovascular treatment. The primary
      treatment goal was met in 30/32 (94%) lesions, with one neurologic complication
      (1/34; 3%). We identified 31 Cognard IIa fistulas, 4 Cognard IIa+b, 2 Cognard
      IIb, 7 Barrow B, 7 Barrow C, and 23 Barrow D fistulas. Eye redness, proptosis,
      and ocular pain were significantly lower in the Cognard IIb group than in the
      Cognard IIa and IIa+b groups (p=0.0015). Intracranial hemorrhage was more likely
      in the Cognard IIb group than in the Cognard IIa and IIa+b groups, with marginal
      significance (p=0.054). No correlation was seen between symptomatology and the
      Barrow classification. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of DCCFs has a high
      degree of clinical success and a low complication rate. The Cognard system is
      suitable for grading DCCFs as it correlates with presenting symptomatology and
      venous drainage patterns. The Barrow classification adds no value in grading
      DCCFs.

PMID- 27281175
TI  - Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors and Drugs Acting on Muscarinic Receptors-
      Potential Crosstalk of Cholinergic Mechanisms During Pharmacological Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pharmaceuticals with targets in the cholinergic transmission have
      been used for decades and are still fundamental treatments in many diseases and
      conditions today. Both the transmission and the effects of the somatomotoric and
      the parasympathetic nervous systems may be targeted by such treatments.
      Irrespective of the knowledge that the effects of neuronal signalling in the
      nervous systems may include a number of different receptor subtypes of both the
      nicotinic and the muscarinic receptors, this complexity is generally overlooked
      when assessing the mechanisms of action of pharmaceuticals. METHODS: We have
      search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature focused
      on the cholinergic system. Also, we have taken advantage of our expertise in this
      field to deduce the conclusions of this study. RESULTS: Presently, the life cycle
      of acetylcholine, muscarinic receptors and their effects are reviewed in the
      major organ systems of the body. Neuronal and non-neuronal sources of
      acetylcholine are elucidated. Examples of pharmaceuticals, in particular
      cholinesterase inhibitors, affecting these systems are discussed. The review
      focuses on salivary glands, the respiratory tract and the lower urinary tract,
      since the complexity of the interplay of different muscarinic receptor subtypes
      is of significance for physiological, pharmacological and toxicological effects
      in these organs. CONCLUSION: Most pharmaceuticals targeting muscarinic receptors
      are employed at such large doses that no selectivity can be expected. However,
      some differences in the adverse effect profile of muscarinic antagonists may
      still be explained by the variation of expression of muscarinic receptor subtypes
      in different organs. However, a complex pattern of interactions between
      muscarinic receptor subtypes occurs and needs to be considered when searching for
      selective pharmaceuticals. In the development of new entities for the treatment
      of for instance pesticide intoxication, the muscarinic receptor selectivity needs
      to be considered. Reactivators generally have a muscarinic M2 receptor acting
      profile. Such a blockade may engrave the situation since it may enlarge the
      effect of the muscarinic M3 receptor effect. This may explain why respiratory
      arrest is the major cause for deaths by esterase blocking.

PMID- 27281179
TI  - A pilot study of neurointerventional research level of evidence and
      collaboration.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: No studies have sought to provide a quantitative or qualitative
      critique of research in the field of neurointerventional surgery. OBJECTIVE: To
      analyze recent publications from the Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery
      (JNIS) to test a new method for assessing research and collaboration. METHODS: We
      reviewed all JNIS Online First publications from 25 February 2015 to 24 February
      2016. All publications-human or non-human research, systematic reviews, meta
      analyses, or literature reviews-were included; editorials and commentaries were
      excluded. For each publication, study design, number of patients, authors,
      contributing centers, and study subject were recorded. Level of evidence was
      defined using a new scale. RESULTS: A total of 206 articles met inclusion
      criteria. Only 4% were prospective studies. Twenty-eight per cent of scientific
      research featured patient series of nine or less. The majority of publications
      were categorized as low-level evidence (91%). Forty-seven per cent involved
      individuals from a single center, with 87% having collaboration from three or
      fewer centers. International collaboration was present in 19%. While 256
      institutions from 31 countries were represented, 66% were represented in only one
      publication. CONCLUSIONS: We queried JNIS Online First articles from a 1-year
      period in a pilot study to test a new method of analyzing research quality and
      collaboration. The methodology appears to adequately quantify the studies into
      evidence tiers that emulate previously published, widely accepted scales. This
      may be useful for future comparison of peer-reviewed journals or for studying the
      quality of research being performed in different disease processes or medical
      specialties.

PMID- 27281180
TI  - Ten Simple Rules for Effective Statistical Practice.

PMID- 27281181
TI  - Anesthesia Residents Have a Negative Opinion on Proposed ACGME Changes to the
      Curriculum: A Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ACGME has proposed changes to the curriculum for anesthesia
      residents. These changes include increasing critical care from 2 to 4 months,
      pain from 1 to 3 months, and obstetrics, pediatric, neuroanesthesia, and cardio
      thoracic anesthesia from 1 to 2 months. In addition, they have included a
      preoperative clinic for 1 month. METHODS: With IRB approval, a survey of the
      anesthesia residents at New York University was distributed. The residents
      questioned ranged from the CA-1 to the Ca-3 class. The survey questioned the
      residents on their current curriculum and the proposed changes. RESULTS: 22
      Residents completed the questionnaire. Seventy-seven percent of the residents
      polled felt they had enough experience in critical care with the current
      requirements and 82% did not want the increase to 4 months (p=0.007). Seventy
      three percent of the residents responded that their pain management exposure was
      sufficient and 82% did not want it increased (p=0.011). Overwhelmingly, 82% of
      those polled felt an entire month of preoperative clinic was not necessary.
      Seventy-three percent of those residents polled would not be comfortable on
      subspecialty rotations as early as August of their CA-1 year. 82% felt that too
      much of their training would be spent outside of the operating room, and the
      majority (59%) thought more residents would be on each rotation. Moreover, 55%
      think that the proposed changes will adversely affect residents in training.
      DISCUSSION: The results of this survey demonstrate that most residents at New
      York University do not think the current curriculum should change. The majority
      opinion is that it will negative impact their education.

PMID- 27281182
TI  - Local Immune Responses in Children and Adults with Allergic and Nonallergic
      Rhinitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common allergic disease but little
      is known about the difference of local immune responses in children and adults
      with AR. OBJECTIVE: To compare local immune responses between children and adults
      with AR and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR), and to investigate whether the
      association of local and systemic immune responses is different between the two
      age groups. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with chronic rhinitis were enrolled and
      grouped into children (N = 27, mean age 7.2 years) and adults (N = 24, mean age
      29.9 years). Diagnosis of AR was based on symptoms, skin prick tests and serum
      specific IgEs. Nasal lavage (NAL) fluids were collected from all subjects and
      used to measure the levels of total IgE, specific IgEs to house dust mites (Dp
      and Df), and cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17A and IFN-gamma). Flow
      cytometry was used to measure inflammatory cell types in NAL fluids. RESULTS: AR
      had significantly increased local levels of total IgE and specific IgEs to Dp and
      Df compared with NAR in both age groups (P < 0.05). Nasal eosinophils % (P =
      0.01) was significantly increased only in children with AR. Local-systemic
      correlations of total IgE (r = 0.662, P = 0.000) and eosinophil % (r = 0.461, P =
      0.015) between the peripheral blood and NAL fluids were found only in children.
      Moreover, children had correlations between total IgE and eosinophil % in the
      peripheral blood (r = 0.629, P = 0.001) and in NAL fluids (r = 0.373, P = 0.061).
      CONCLUSION: Elevated local IgE is a common feature of AR in children and adults.
      Local measures in NAR showed naive state of immune response which disagree with
      the hypothesis of local allergic rhinitis. Children showed intense local
      inflammation and close local-systemic interactions compared to adults supporting
      pediatric AR as a distinct feature.

PMID- 27281184
TI  - The struggle with employee engagement: Measures and construct clarification using
      five samples.
AB  - Among scholarly researchers, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is a
      popular scale for assessing employee or work engagement. However, challenges to
      the scale's validity have raised major concerns about the measurement and
      conceptualization of engagement as a construct. Across 4 field samples, we
      examined 2 measures of engagement, the UWES and the Job Engagement Scale (JES),
      in both factor structure and patterns of relationships with theoretically
      hypothesized antecedents and consequences. In a fifth field sample, we examined
      the construct-level relationships between engagement and related variables, while
      controlling for sources of measurement error (i.e., item-specific factor, scale
      specific factor, random response, and transient). By examining 2 measures, each
      derived from different theoretical bases, we provide unique insight into the
      measurement and construct of engagement. Our results show that, although
      correlated, the JES and UWES are not interchangeable. The UWES, more so than the
      JES, assesses engagement with overlap from other job attitudes, requiring
      improvement in the measurement of engagement. We offer guidance as to when to use
      each measure. Furthermore, by isolating the construct versus measurement of
      engagement relative to burnout, commitment, stress, and psychological
      meaningfulness and availability, we determined (a) the engagement construct is
      not the same as the opposite of burnout, warranting a reevaluation of the
      opposite-of-burnout conceptualization of engagement; and (b) psychological
      meaningfulness and engagement are highly correlated and likely reciprocally
      related, necessitating a modification to the self-role-expression
      conceptualization of engagement. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27281183
TI  - Genetic Polymorphisms of Glutathione S-Transferase P1 (GSTP1) and the Incidence
      of Anti-Tuberculosis Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDH) is one of the
      most common adverse effects associated with tuberculosis (TB) therapy. Animal
      studies have demonstrated important roles of glutathione S-transferases in the
      prevention of chemical-induced hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of
      glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) and ATDH in TB patients. METHODS: We used
      two independent samples for this genetic association study. In the initial
      prospective study, 322 newly diagnosed TB patients were followed up for three
      months after initiating anti-TB therapy. In an independent retrospective study,
      115 ATDH patients and 116 patients without ATDH were selected to verify the
      results of the prospective study. Tag-SNPs of GSTP1 were genotyped either with
      the MassARRAY platform or the improved multiple ligase detection reaction (iMLDR)
      method. The associations between SNPs and ATDH were analyzed by logistic
      regression analysis adjusting for confounding factors. RESULTS: Of the 322
      patients recruited in the prospective cohort, 35 were excluded during the 3
      months of follow-up, and 30 were diagnosed with ATDH and were considered as the
      ATDH group. The remaining 257 subjects without ATDH were considered as the non
      ATDH group. After correction for potential confounding factors, significant
      differences were found for rs1695 (A>G) under an allelic model (OR = 3.876,
      95%CI: 1.258011.905; P = 0.018). In the retrospective study, rs1695 allele A also
      had a higher risk of ATDH (OR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.17-3.76; P = 0.012). We only found
      rs4147581AA genotype under a dominant model was related to ATDH in the
      prospective study (OR = 2.578, 95%CI: 1.076-6.173; P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: This
      is the first study to suggest that GSTP1 genotyping can be an important tool for
      identifying patients who are susceptible to ATDH. This result should be verified
      in independent large sample studies and also in other ethnic populations.

PMID- 27281185
TI  - Actions speak louder than words: Outsiders' perceptions of diversity mixed
      messages.
AB  - To attract a gender diverse workforce, many employers use diversity statements to
      publicly signal that they value gender diversity. However, this often represents
      a misalignment between words and actions (i.e., a diversity mixed message)
      because most organizations are male dominated, especially in board positions. We
      conducted 3 studies to investigate the potentially indirect effect of such
      diversity mixed messages through perceived behavioral integrity on employer
      attractiveness. In Study 1, following a 2 * 2 design, participants (N = 225) were
      either shown a pro gender diversity statement or a neutral statement, in
      combination with a gender diverse board (4 men and 4 women) or a uniform all-male
      board (8 men). Participants' perceived behavioral integrity of the organization
      was assessed. In Study 2, participants (N = 251) either read positive or negative
      reviews of the organization's behavioral integrity. Employer attractiveness was
      then assessed. Study 3 (N = 427) investigated the impact of board gender
      composition on perceived behavioral integrity and employer attractiveness using a
      bootstrapping procedure. Both the causal-chain design of Study 1 and 2, as well
      as the significance test of the proposed indirect relationship in Study 3,
      revealed that a diversity mixed message negatively affected an organization's
      perceived behavioral integrity, and low behavioral integrity in turn negatively
      impacted employer attractiveness. In Study 3, there was also evidence for a
      tipping point (more than 1 woman on the board was needed) with regard to
      participants' perceptions of the organization's behavioral integrity. (PsycINFO
      Database Record 

PMID- 27281186
TI  - Expressing pride: Effects on perceived agency, communality, and stereotype-based
      gender disparities.
AB  - Two experimental studies were conducted to investigate how the expression of
      pride shapes agency-related and communality-related judgments, and how those
      judgments differ when the pride expresser is a man or a woman. Results indicated
      that the expression of pride (as compared to the expression of happiness) had
      positive effects on perceptions of agency and inferences about task-oriented
      leadership competence, and negative effects on perceptions of communality and
      inferences about people-oriented leadership competence. Pride expression also
      elevated ascriptions of interpersonal hostility. For agency-related judgments and
      ascriptions of interpersonal hostility, these effects were consistently stronger
      when the pride expresser was a woman than a man. Moreover, the expression of
      pride was found to affect disparities in judgments about men and women,
      eliminating the stereotype-consistent differences that were evident when
      happiness was expressed. With a display of pride women were not seen as any more
      deficient in agency-related attributes and competencies, nor were they seen as
      any more exceptional in communality-related attributes and competencies, than
      were men. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27281187
TI  - An integrative formal model of motivation and decision making: The MGPM*.
AB  - We develop and test an integrative formal model of motivation and decision
      making. The model, referred to as the extended multiple-goal pursuit model
      (MGPM*), is an integration of the multiple-goal pursuit model (Vancouver,
      Weinhardt, & Schmidt, 2010) and decision field theory (Busemeyer & Townsend,
      1993). Simulations of the model generated predictions regarding the effects of
      goal type (approach vs. avoidance), risk, and time sensitivity on prioritization.
      We tested these predictions in an experiment in which participants pursued
      different combinations of approach and avoidance goals under different levels of
      risk. The empirical results were consistent with the predictions of the MGPM*.
      Specifically, participants pursuing 1 approach and 1 avoidance goal shifted
      priority from the approach to the avoidance goal over time. Among participants
      pursuing 2 approach goals, those with low time sensitivity prioritized the goal
      with the larger discrepancy, whereas those with high time sensitivity prioritized
      the goal with the smaller discrepancy. Participants pursuing 2 avoidance goals
      generally prioritized the goal with the smaller discrepancy. Finally, all of
      these effects became weaker as the level of risk increased. We used quantitative
      model comparison to show that the MGPM* explained the data better than the
      original multiple-goal pursuit model, and that the major extensions from the
      original model were justified. The MGPM* represents a step forward in the
      development of a general theory of decision making during multiple-goal pursuit.
      (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27281188
TI  - Safety in the c-suite: How chief executive officers influence organizational
      safety climate and employee injuries.
AB  - According to social learning theory, powerful and high status individuals can
      significantly influence the behaviors of others. In this paper, we propose that
      chief executive officers (CEOs) indirectly impact frontline injuries through the
      collective social learning experiences and effort of different groups of
      organizational actors-including members of the top management team (TMT),
      organizational supervisors, and frontline employees. We found support for our
      collective social learning model using data from 2,714 frontline employees, 1,398
      supervisors, and 229 members of TMTs in 54 organizations. TMT members'
      experiences within a CEO-driven TMT safety climate was positively related to
      organizational supervisors' reports of the broader organizational safety climate
      and their subsequent collective support for safety (reported by frontline
      employees). In turn, supervisory support for safety was associated with fewer
      employee injuries at the individual level. We discuss the theoretical and
      practical implications of these findings for workplace safety research and
      practice. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27281189
TI  - Assessing the Spatial Variability of Alfalfa Yield Using Satellite Imagery and
      Ground-Based Data.
AB  - Understanding the temporal and spatial variability in a crop yield is viewed as
      one of the key steps in the implementation of precision agriculture practices.
      Therefore, a study on a center pivot irrigated 23.5 ha field in Saudi Arabia was
      conducted to assess the variability in alfalfa yield using Landsat-8 imagery and
      a hay yield monitor data. In addition, the study was designed to also explore the
      potential of predicting the alfalfa yield using vegetation indices. A calibrated
      yield monitor mounted on a large rectangular hay baler was used to measure the
      actual alfalfa yield for four alfalfa harvests performed in the period from
      October 2013 to May 2014. A total of 18 Landsat-8 images, representing different
      crop growth stages, were used to derive different vegetation indices (VIs). Data
      from the yield monitor was used to generate yield maps, which illustrated a
      definite spatial variation in alfalfa yield across the experimental field for the
      four studied harvests as indicated by the high spatial correlation values (0.75
      to 0.97) and the low P-values (4.7E-103 to 8.9E-27). The yield monitor-measured
      alfalfa actual yield was compared to the predicted yield form the Vis. Results of
      the study showed that there was a correlation between actual and predicted yield.
      The highest correlations were observed between actual yield and the predicted
      using NIR reflectance, SAVI and NDVI with maximum correlation coefficients of
      0.69, 0.68 and 0.63, respectively. 

PMID- 27281190
TI  - RIPK3-Mediated Necroptosis and Apoptosis Contributes to Renal Tubular Cell
      Progressive Loss and Chronic Kidney Disease Progression in Rats.
AB  - Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is caused by the progressive loss of renal
      tubular cells and the consequent replacement of the extracellular matrix. The
      progressive depletion of renal tubular cells results from apoptosis and
      necroptosis; however, the relative significance of each of these cell death
      mechanisms at different stages during the progression of chronic kidney disease
      (CKD) remains unclear. We sought to explore the mechanisms of renal tubular cell
      death during the early and intermediate stages of chronic renal damage of
      subtotal nephrectomied (SNx) rats. The results of tissue histological assays
      indicated that the numbers of necrotic dying cells and apoptotic cells were
      significantly higher in kidney tissues derived from a rat model of CKD. In
      addition, there was a significant increase in necroptosis observed by
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and an increase in the proportion of TUNEL
      positive cells in kidney tissues from SNx rats compared with control rats, and
      necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) could inhibit necroptosis and reduce the proportion of
      TUNEL-positive cells. More importantly, we observed a significant increase in the
      incidence of necroptosis compared with apoptosis by TEM in vivo and in vitro and
      a significant increase in the proportion of TUNEL-positive tubular epithelial
      cells that did not express caspase-3 compared with those expressing cleaved
      caspase-3 in vitro. Furthermore, treatment with Nec-1 and zVAD strongly reduced
      necroptosis- and apoptosis-mediated renal tubular cell death and decreased the
      levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine and tubular damage scores of
      SNx rats. These results suggest that necroptotic cell death plays a more
      significant role than apoptosis in mediating the loss of renal tubular cells in
      SNx rats and that effectively blocking both necroptosis and apoptosis improves
      renal function and tubular damage at early and intermediate stages of CKD. 

PMID- 27281191
TI  - Characteristics and Distribution of Phosphorus in Surface Sediments of Limnetic
      Ecosystem in Eastern China.
AB  - Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for aquatic organisms; however, excessive
      P inflow to limnetic ecosystems can induce eutrophication. P concentrations in
      the rivers, wetlands and lakes of Eastern China have been amplified by fertilizer
      and sewage inputs associated with the development of industry and agriculture.
      Yet, knowledge of the distribution and speciation of P is lacking at the regional
      scale. We determined the distribution and speciation of P in limnetic ecosystems
      in Eastern China using Standards, Measurements and Testing (SMT) and phosphorus
      nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR). The results indicate that P pollution in
      surface sediments was serious. Inorganic P (Pi) was the primary drive of
      variation in total P (TP) among different river systems, and Pi accounted for 71%
      to 90% of TP in surface sediment in Eastern China. Also, the concentrations of TP
      and Pi varied among watersheds and Pi primarily drove the variation in TP in
      different watersheds. Sediments less than 10-cm deep served as the main P
      reservoir. Environmental factors affect the speciation and origin of P. NaOH-Pi,
      HCl-Pi and organic P (Po) were related to pH accordingly at the regional scale.
      The physicochemical properties of sediments from different limnetic ecosystems
      affect the P speciation. HCl-Pi was higher in wetland sediments than in riverine
      and lake sediments in Eastern China. Conversely, NaOH-Pi was lowest in wetland
      sediments. Total Po concentration was lower in riverine sediments than in other
      sediments, but Mono-P was higher, with an average concentration of 48 mg kg-1.
      Diesters-P was highest in lake sediments. By revealing the regional distribution
      of TP, Pi and Po, this study will support eutrophication management in Eastern
      China. 

PMID- 27281192
TI  - Corrigendum: Mycocerosic acid synthase exemplifies the architecture of reducing
      polyketide synthases.

PMID- 27281193
TI  - Structural basis for amino acid export by DMT superfamily transporter YddG.
AB  - The drug/metabolite transporter (DMT) superfamily is a large group of membrane
      transporters ubiquitously found in eukaryotes, bacteria and archaea, and includes
      exporters for a remarkably wide range of substrates, such as toxic compounds and
      metabolites. YddG is a bacterial DMT protein that expels aromatic amino acids and
      exogenous toxic compounds, thereby contributing to cellular homeostasis. Here we
      present structural and functional analyses of YddG. Using liposome-based
      analyses, we show that Escherichia coli and Starkeya novella YddG export various
      amino acids. The crystal structure of S. novella YddG at 2.4 A resolution reveals
      a new membrane transporter topology, with ten transmembrane segments in an
      outward-facing state. The overall structure is basket-shaped, with a large
      substrate-binding cavity at the centre of the molecule, and is composed of
      inverted structural repeats related by two-fold pseudo-symmetry. On the basis of
      this intramolecular symmetry, we propose a structural model for the inward-facing
      state and a mechanism of the conformational change for substrate transport, which
      we confirmed by biochemical analyses. These findings provide a structural basis
      for the mechanism of transport of DMT superfamily proteins.

PMID- 27281194
TI  - Structural basis of N(6)-adenosine methylation by the METTL3-METTL14 complex.
AB  - Chemical modifications of RNA have essential roles in a vast range of cellular
      processes. N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is an abundant internal modification in
      messenger RNA and long non-coding RNA that can be dynamically added and removed
      by RNA methyltransferases (MTases) and demethylases, respectively. An MTase
      complex comprising methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) and methyltransferase-like
      14 (METTL14) efficiently catalyses methyl group transfer. In contrast to the well
      studied DNA MTase, the exact roles of these two RNA MTases in the complex remain
      to be elucidated. Here we report the crystal structures of the METTL3-METTL14
      heterodimer with MTase domains in the ligand-free, S-adenosyl methionine (AdoMet)
      bound and S-adenosyl homocysteine (AdoHcy)-bound states, with resolutions of 1.9,
      1.71 and 1.61 A, respectively. Both METTL3 and METTL14 adopt a class I MTase fold
      and they interact with each other via an extensive hydrogen bonding network,
      generating a positively charged groove. Notably, AdoMet was observed in only the
      METTL3 pocket and not in METTL14. Combined with biochemical analysis, these
      results suggest that in the m(6)A MTase complex, METTL3 primarily functions as
      the catalytic core, while METTL14 serves as an RNA-binding platform, reminiscent
      of the target recognition domain of DNA N(6)-adenine MTase. This structural
      information provides an important framework for the functional investigation of
      m(6)A.

PMID- 27281195
TI  - Solid-state harmonics beyond the atomic limit.
AB  - Strong-field laser excitation of solids can produce extremely nonlinear
      electronic and optical behaviour. As recently demonstrated, this includes the
      generation of high harmonics extending into the vacuum-ultraviolet and extreme
      ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. High harmonic generation is
      shown to occur fundamentally differently in solids and in dilute atomic gases.
      How the microscopic mechanisms in the solid and the gas differ remains a topic of
      intense debate. Here we report a direct comparison of high harmonic generation in
      the solid and gas phases of argon and krypton. Owing to the weak van der Waals
      interaction, rare (noble)-gas solids are a near-ideal medium in which to study
      the role of high density and periodicity in the generation process. We find that
      the high harmonic generation spectra from the rare-gas solids exhibit multiple
      plateaus extending well beyond the atomic limit of the corresponding gas-phase
      harmonics measured under similar conditions. The appearance of multiple plateaus
      indicates strong interband couplings involving multiple single-particle bands. We
      also compare the dependence of the solid and gas harmonic yield on laser
      ellipticity and find that they are similar, suggesting the importance of electron
      hole recollision in these solids. This implies that gas-phase methods such as
      polarization gating for attosecond pulse generation and orbital tomography could
      be realized in solids.

PMID- 27281196
TI  - Fission and reconfiguration of bilobate comets as revealed by 67P/Churyumov
      Gerasimenko.
AB  - The solid, central part of a comet--its nucleus--is subject to destructive
      processes, which cause nuclei to split at a rate of about 0.01 per year per
      comet. These destructive events are due to a range of possible thermophysical
      effects; however, the geophysical expressions of these effects are unknown.
      Separately, over two-thirds of comet nuclei that have been imaged at high
      resolution show bilobate shapes, including the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov
      Gerasimenko (67P), visited by the Rosetta spacecraft. Analysis of the Rosetta
      observations suggests that 67P's components were brought together at low speed
      after their separate formation. Here, we study the structure and dynamics of
      67P's nucleus. We find that sublimation torques have caused the nucleus to spin
      up in the past to form the large cracks observed on its neck. However, the
      chaotic evolution of its spin state has so far forestalled its splitting,
      although it should eventually reach a rapid enough spin rate to do so. Once this
      occurs, the separated components will be unable to escape each other; they will
      orbit each other for a time, ultimately undergoing a low-speed merger that will
      result in a new bilobate configuration. The components of four other imaged
      bilobate nuclei have volume ratios that are consistent with a similar
      reconfiguration cycle, pointing to such cycles as a fundamental process in the
      evolution of short-period comet nuclei. It has been shown that comets were not
      strong contributors to the so-called late heavy bombardment about 4 billion years
      ago. The reconfiguration process suggested here would preferentially decimate
      comet nuclei during migration to the inner solar system, perhaps explaining this
      lack of a substantial cometary flux.

PMID- 27281197
TI  - Seafloor geodetic constraints on interplate coupling of the Nankai Trough
      megathrust zone.
AB  - Interplate megathrust earthquakes have inflicted catastrophic damage on human
      society. Such an earthquake is predicted to occur in the near future along the
      Nankai Trough off southwestern Japan--an economically active and densely
      populated area in which megathrust earthquakes have already occurred. Megathrust
      earthquakes are the result of a plate-subduction mechanism and occur at slip
      deficit regions (also known as 'coupling' regions), where friction prevents
      plates from slipping against each other and the accumulated energy is eventually
      released forcefully. Many studies have attempted to capture distributions of slip
      deficit rates (SDRs) in order to predict earthquakes. However, these studies
      could not obtain a complete view of the earthquake source region, because they
      had no seafloor geodetic data. The Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department of
      the Japan Coast Guard (JHOD) has been developing a precise and sustainable
      seafloor geodetic observation network in this subduction zone to obtain
      information related to offshore SDRs. Here, we present seafloor geodetic
      observation data and an offshore interplate SDR-distribution model. Our data
      suggest that most offshore regions in this subduction zone have positive SDRs.
      Specifically, our observations indicate previously unknown regions of high SDR
      that will be important for tsunami disaster mitigation, and regions of low SDR
      that are consistent with distributions of shallow slow earthquakes and subducting
      seamounts. This is the first direct evidence that coupling conditions might be
      related to these seismological and geological phenomena. Our findings provide
      information for inferring megathrust earthquake scenarios and interpreting
      research on the Nankai Trough subduction zone.

PMID- 27281198
TI  - Selective spider toxins reveal a role for the Nav1.1 channel in mechanical pain.
AB  - Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels initiate action potentials in most neurons,
      including primary afferent nerve fibres of the pain pathway. Local anaesthetics
      block pain through non-specific actions at all Nav channels, but the discovery of
      selective modulators would facilitate the analysis of individual subtypes of
      these channels and their contributions to chemical, mechanical, or thermal pain.
      Here we identify and characterize spider (Heteroscodra maculata) toxins that
      selectively activate the Nav1.1 subtype, the role of which in nociception and
      pain has not been elucidated. We use these probes to show that Nav1.1-expressing
      fibres are modality-specific nociceptors: their activation elicits robust pain
      behaviours without neurogenic inflammation and produces profound hypersensitivity
      to mechanical, but not thermal, stimuli. In the gut, high-threshold
      mechanosensitive fibres also express Nav1.1 and show enhanced toxin sensitivity
      in a mouse model of irritable bowel syndrome. Together, these findings establish
      an unexpected role for Nav1.1 channels in regulating the excitability of sensory
      nerve fibres that mediate mechanical pain.

PMID- 27281201
TI  - Cell reprogramming: Brain versus brawn.

PMID- 27281199
TI  - Aberrant PD-L1 expression through 3'-UTR disruption in multiple cancers.
AB  - Successful treatment of many patients with advanced cancer using antibodies
      against programmed cell death 1 (PD-1; also known as PDCD1) and its ligand (PD
      L1; also known as CD274) has highlighted the critical importance of PD-1/PD-L1
      mediated immune escape in cancer development. However, the genetic basis for the
      immune escape has not been fully elucidated, with the exception of elevated PD-L1
      expression by gene amplification and utilization of an ectopic promoter by
      translocation, as reported in Hodgkin and other B-cell lymphomas, as well as
      stomach adenocarcinoma. Here we show a unique genetic mechanism of immune escape
      caused by structural variations (SVs) commonly disrupting the 3' region of the PD
      L1 gene. Widely affecting multiple common human cancer types, including adult T
      cell leukaemia/lymphoma (27%), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (8%), and stomach
      adenocarcinoma (2%), these SVs invariably lead to a marked elevation of aberrant
      PD-L1 transcripts that are stabilized by truncation of the 3'-untranslated region
      (UTR). Disruption of the Pd-l1 3'-UTR in mice enables immune evasion of EG7-OVA
      tumour cells with elevated Pd-l1 expression in vivo, which is effectively
      inhibited by Pd-1/Pd-l1 blockade, supporting the role of relevant SVs in clonal
      selection through immune evasion. Our findings not only unmask a novel regulatory
      mechanism of PD-L1 expression, but also suggest that PD-L1 3'-UTR disruption
      could serve as a genetic marker to identify cancers that actively evade anti
      tumour immunity through PD-L1 overexpression.

PMID- 27281200
TI  - TRPV1 structures in nanodiscs reveal mechanisms of ligand and lipid action.
AB  - When integral membrane proteins are visualized in detergents or other artificial
      systems, an important layer of information is lost regarding lipid interactions
      and their effects on protein structure. This is especially relevant to proteins
      for which lipids have both structural and regulatory roles. Here we demonstrate
      the power of combining electron cryo-microscopy with lipid nanodisc technology to
      ascertain the structure of the rat TRPV1 ion channel in a native bilayer
      environment. Using this approach, we determined the locations of annular and
      regulatory lipids and showed that specific phospholipid interactions enhance
      binding of a spider toxin to TRPV1 through formation of a tripartite complex.
      Furthermore, phosphatidylinositol lipids occupy the binding site for capsaicin
      and other vanilloid ligands, suggesting a mechanism whereby chemical or thermal
      stimuli elicit channel activation by promoting the release of bioactive lipids
      from a critical allosteric regulatory site.

PMID- 27281203
TI  - Tunable two-dimensional arrays of single Rydberg atoms for realizing quantum
      Ising models.
AB  - Spin models are the prime example of simplified many-body Hamiltonians used to
      model complex, strongly correlated real-world materials. However, despite the
      simplified character of such models, their dynamics often cannot be simulated
      exactly on classical computers when the number of particles exceeds a few tens.
      For this reason, quantum simulation of spin Hamiltonians using the tools of
      atomic and molecular physics has become a very active field over the past years,
      using ultracold atoms or molecules in optical lattices, or trapped ions. All of
      these approaches have their own strengths and limitations. Here we report an
      alternative platform for the study of spin systems, using individual atoms
      trapped in tunable two-dimensional arrays of optical microtraps with arbitrary
      geometries, where filling fractions range from 60 to 100 per cent. When excited
      to high-energy Rydberg D states, the atoms undergo strong interactions whose
      anisotropic character opens the way to simulating exotic matter. We illustrate
      the versatility of our system by studying the dynamics of a quantum Ising-like
      spin-1/2 system in a transverse field with up to 30 spins, for a variety of
      geometries in one and two dimensions, and for a wide range of interaction
      strengths. For geometries where the anisotropy is expected to have small effects
      on the dynamics, we find excellent agreement with ab initio simulations of the
      spin-1/2 system, while for strongly anisotropic situations the multilevel
      structure of the D states has a measurable influence. Our findings establish
      arrays of single Rydberg atoms as a versatile platform for the study of quantum
      magnetism.

PMID- 27281202
TI  - Translation readthrough mitigation.
AB  - A fraction of ribosomes engaged in translation will fail to terminate when
      reaching a stop codon, yielding nascent proteins inappropriately extended on
      their C termini. Although such extended proteins can interfere with normal
      cellular processes, known mechanisms of translational surveillance are
      insufficient to protect cells from potential dominant consequences. Here, through
      a combination of transgenics and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in Caenorhabditis
      elegans, we demonstrate a consistent ability of cells to block accumulation of C
      terminal-extended proteins that result from failure to terminate at stop codons.
      Sequences encoded by the 3' untranslated region (UTR) were sufficient to lower
      protein levels. Measurements of mRNA levels and translation suggested a co- or
      post-translational mechanism of action for these sequences in C. elegans. Similar
      mechanisms evidently operate in human cells, in which we observed a comparable
      tendency for translated human 3' UTR sequences to reduce mature protein
      expression in tissue culture assays, including 3' UTR sequences from the
      hypomorphic 'Constant Spring' haemoglobin stop codon variant. We suggest that 3'
      UTRs may encode peptide sequences that destabilize the attached protein,
      providing mitigation of unwelcome and varied translation errors.

PMID- 27281204
TI  - Genomics: The language of flowers.

PMID- 27281206
TI  - Immunotherapy: Cancer vaccine triggers antiviral-type defences.

PMID- 27281207
TI  - The bacterial DnaA-trio replication origin element specifies single-stranded DNA
      initiator binding.
AB  - DNA replication is tightly controlled to ensure accurate inheritance of genetic
      information. In all organisms, initiator proteins possessing AAA+ (ATPases
      associated with various cellular activities) domains bind replication origins to
      license new rounds of DNA synthesis. In bacteria the master initiator protein,
      DnaA, is highly conserved and has two crucial DNA binding activities. DnaA
      monomers recognize the replication origin (oriC) by binding double-stranded DNA
      sequences (DnaA-boxes); subsequently, DnaA filaments assemble and promote duplex
      unwinding by engaging and stretching a single DNA strand. While the specificity
      for duplex DnaA-boxes by DnaA has been appreciated for over 30 years, the
      sequence specificity for single-strand DNA binding has remained unknown. Here we
      identify a new indispensable bacterial replication origin element composed of a
      repeating trinucleotide motif that we term the DnaA-trio. We show that the
      function of the DnaA-trio is to stabilize DnaA filaments on a single DNA strand,
      thus providing essential precision to this binding mechanism. Bioinformatic
      analysis detects DnaA-trios in replication origins throughout the bacterial
      kingdom, indicating that this element is part of the core oriC structure. The
      discovery and characterization of the novel DnaA-trio extends our fundamental
      understanding of bacterial DNA replication initiation, and because of the
      conserved structure of AAA+ initiator proteins these findings raise the
      possibility of specific recognition motifs within replication origins of higher
      organisms.

PMID- 27281205
TI  - Systemic RNA delivery to dendritic cells exploits antiviral defence for cancer
      immunotherapy.
AB  - Lymphoid organs, in which antigen presenting cells (APCs) are in close proximity
      to T cells, are the ideal microenvironment for efficient priming and
      amplification of T-cell responses. However, the systemic delivery of vaccine
      antigens into dendritic cells (DCs) is hampered by various technical challenges.
      Here we show that DCs can be targeted precisely and effectively in vivo using
      intravenously administered RNA-lipoplexes (RNA-LPX) based on well-known lipid
      carriers by optimally adjusting net charge, without the need for
      functionalization of particles with molecular ligands. The LPX protects RNA from
      extracellular ribonucleases and mediates its efficient uptake and expression of
      the encoded antigen by DC populations and macrophages in various lymphoid
      compartments. RNA-LPX triggers interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) release by
      plasmacytoid DCs and macrophages. Consequently, DC maturation in situ and
      inflammatory immune mechanisms reminiscent of those in the early systemic phase
      of viral infection are activated. We show that RNA-LPX encoding viral or mutant
      neo-antigens or endogenous self-antigens induce strong effector and memory T-cell
      responses, and mediate potent IFNalpha-dependent rejection of progressive
      tumours. A phase I dose-escalation trial testing RNA-LPX that encode shared
      tumour antigens is ongoing. In the first three melanoma patients treated at a low
      dose level, IFNalpha and strong antigen-specific T-cell responses were induced,
      supporting the identified mode of action and potency. As any polypeptide-based
      antigen can be encoded as RNA, RNA-LPX represent a universally applicable vaccine
      class for systemic DC targeting and synchronized induction of both highly potent
      adaptive as well as type-I-IFN-mediated innate immune mechanisms for cancer
      immunotherapy.

PMID- 27281210
TI  - Corrigendum: Convergence of terrestrial plant production across global climate
      gradients.

PMID- 27281209
TI  - Corrigendum: A novel multiple-stage antimalarial agent that inhibits protein
      synthesis.

PMID- 27281208
TI  - Image-based detection and targeting of therapy resistance in pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia is a pre-malignant lesion that can progress
      to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a highly lethal malignancy marked by its
      late stage at clinical presentation and profound drug resistance. The genomic
      alterations that commonly occur in pancreatic cancer include activation of KRAS2
      and inactivation of p53 and SMAD4 (refs 2-4). So far, however, it has been
      challenging to target these pathways therapeutically; thus the search for other
      key mediators of pancreatic cancer growth remains an important endeavour. Here we
      show that the stem cell determinant Musashi (Msi) is a critical element of
      pancreatic cancer progression both in genetic models and in patient-derived
      xenografts. Specifically, we developed Msi reporter mice that allowed image-based
      tracking of stem cell signals within cancers, revealing that Msi expression rises
      as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia progresses to adenocarcinoma, and that
      Msi-expressing cells are key drivers of pancreatic cancer: they preferentially
      harbour the capacity to propagate adenocarcinoma, are enriched in circulating
      tumour cells, and are markedly drug resistant. This population could be
      effectively targeted by deletion of either Msi1 or Msi2, which led to a striking
      defect in the progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia to
      adenocarcinoma and an improvement in overall survival. Msi inhibition also
      blocked the growth of primary patient-derived tumours, suggesting that this
      signal is required for human disease. To define the translational potential of
      this work we developed antisense oligonucleotides against Msi; these showed
      reliable tumour penetration, uptake and target inhibition, and effectively
      blocked pancreatic cancer growth. Collectively, these studies highlight Msi
      reporters as a unique tool to identify therapy resistance, and define Msi
      signalling as a central regulator of pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 27281211
TI  - Corrigendum: Cerebral cavernous malformations arise from endothelial gain of
      MEKK3-KLF2/4 signalling.

PMID- 27281212
TI  - Corrigendum: A receptor heteromer mediates the male perception of female
      attractants in plants.

PMID- 27281213
TI  - Self-assembly of microcapsules via colloidal bond hybridization and anisotropy.
AB  - Particles with directional interactions are promising building blocks for new
      functional materials and may serve as models for biological structures. Mutually
      attractive nanoparticles that are deformable owing to flexible surface groups,
      for example, may spontaneously order themselves into strings, sheets and large
      vesicles. Furthermore, anisotropic colloids with attractive patches can self
      assemble into open lattices and the colloidal equivalents of molecules and
      micelles. However, model systems that combine mutual attraction, anisotropy and
      deformability have not yet been realized. Here we synthesize colloidal particles
      that combine these three characteristics and obtain self-assembled microcapsules.
      We propose that mutual attraction and deformability induce directional
      interactions via colloidal bond hybridization. Our particles contain both
      mutually attractive and repulsive surface groups that are flexible. Analogously
      to the simplest chemical bond--in which two isotropic orbitals hybridize into the
      molecular orbital of H2--these flexible groups redistribute on binding. Via
      colloidal bond hybridization, isotropic spheres self-assemble into planar
      monolayers, whereas anisotropic snowman-shaped particles self-assemble into
      hollow monolayer microcapsules. A modest change in the building blocks thus
      results in much greater complexity of the self-assembled structures. In other
      words, these relatively simple building blocks self-assemble into markedly more
      complex structures than do similar particles that are isotropic or non
      deformable.

PMID- 27281214
TI  - Synthetic Landau levels for photons.
AB  - Synthetic photonic materials are an emerging platform for exploring the interface
      between microscopic quantum dynamics and macroscopic material properties. Photons
      experiencing a Lorentz force develop handedness, providing opportunities to study
      quantum Hall physics and topological quantum science. Here we present an
      experimental realization of a magnetic field for continuum photons. We trap
      optical photons in a multimode ring resonator to make a two-dimensional gas of
      massive bosons, and then employ a non-planar geometry to induce an image rotation
      on each round-trip. This results in photonic Coriolis/Lorentz and centrifugal
      forces and so realizes the Fock-Darwin Hamiltonian for photons in a magnetic
      field and harmonic trap. Using spatial- and energy-resolved spectroscopy, we
      track the resulting photonic eigenstates as radial trapping is reduced, finally
      observing a photonic Landau level at degeneracy. To circumvent the challenge of
      trap instability at the centrifugal limit, we constrain the photons to move on a
      cone. Spectroscopic probes demonstrate flat space (zero curvature) away from the
      cone tip. At the cone tip, we observe that spatial curvature increases the local
      density of states, and we measure fractional state number excess consistent with
      the Wen-Zee theory, providing an experimental test of this theory of electrons in
      both a magnetic field and curved space. This work opens the door to exploration
      of the interplay of geometry and topology, and in conjunction with Rydberg
      electromagnetically induced transparency, enables studies of photonic fractional
      quantum Hall fluids and direct detection of anyons.

PMID- 27281215
TI  - Neural correlates of single-vessel haemodynamic responses in vivo.
AB  - Neural activation increases blood flow locally. This vascular signal is used by
      functional imaging techniques to infer the location and strength of neural
      activity. However, the precise spatial scale over which neural and vascular
      signals are correlated is unknown. Furthermore, the relative role of synaptic and
      spiking activity in driving haemodynamic signals is controversial. Previous
      studies recorded local field potentials as a measure of synaptic activity
      together with spiking activity and low-resolution haemodynamic imaging. Here we
      used two-photon microscopy to measure sensory-evoked responses of individual
      blood vessels (dilation, blood velocity) while imaging synaptic and spiking
      activity in the surrounding tissue using fluorescent glutamate and calcium
      sensors. In cat primary visual cortex, where neurons are clustered by their
      preference for stimulus orientation, we discovered new maps for excitatory
      synaptic activity, which were organized similarly to those for spiking activity
      but were less selective for stimulus orientation and direction. We generated
      tuning curves for individual vessel responses for the first time and found that
      parenchymal vessels in cortical layer 2/3 were orientation selective.
      Neighbouring penetrating arterioles had different orientation preferences. Pial
      surface arteries in cats, as well as surface arteries and penetrating arterioles
      in rat visual cortex (where orientation maps do not exist), responded to visual
      stimuli but had no orientation selectivity. We integrated synaptic or spiking
      responses around individual parenchymal vessels in cats and established that the
      vascular and neural responses had the same orientation preference. However,
      synaptic and spiking responses were more selective than vascular responses-
      vessels frequently responded robustly to stimuli that evoked little to no neural
      activity in the surrounding tissue. Thus, local neural and haemodynamic signals
      were partly decoupled. Together, these results indicate that intrinsic cortical
      properties, such as propagation of vascular dilation between neighbouring
      columns, need to be accounted for when decoding haemodynamic signals.

PMID- 27281216
TI  - Pore-forming activity and structural autoinhibition of the gasdermin family.
AB  - Inflammatory caspases cleave the gasdermin D (GSDMD) protein to trigger
      pyroptosis, a lytic form of cell death that is crucial for immune defences and
      diseases. GSDMD contains a functionally important gasdermin-N domain that is
      shared in the gasdermin family. The functional mechanism of action of gasdermin
      proteins is unknown. Here we show that the gasdermin-N domains of the gasdermin
      proteins GSDMD, GSDMA3 and GSDMA can bind membrane lipids, phosphoinositides and
      cardiolipin, and exhibit membrane-disrupting cytotoxicity in mammalian cells and
      artificially transformed bacteria. Gasdermin-N moved to the plasma membrane
      during pyroptosis. Purified gasdermin-N efficiently lysed
      phosphoinositide/cardiolipin-containing liposomes and formed pores on membranes
      made of artificial or natural phospholipid mixtures. Most gasdermin pores had an
      inner diameter of 10-14 nm and contained 16 symmetric protomers. The crystal
      structure of GSDMA3 showed an autoinhibited two-domain architecture that is
      conserved in the gasdermin family. Structure-guided mutagenesis demonstrated that
      the liposome-leakage and pore-forming activities of the gasdermin-N domain are
      required for pyroptosis. These findings reveal the mechanism for pyroptosis and
      provide insights into the roles of the gasdermin family in necrosis, immunity and
      diseases.

PMID- 27281217
TI  - Towards clinical application of pronuclear transfer to prevent mitochondrial DNA
      disease.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are maternally inherited and are associated
      with a broad range of debilitating and fatal diseases. Reproductive technologies
      designed to uncouple the inheritance of mtDNA from nuclear DNA may enable
      affected women to have a genetically related child with a greatly reduced risk of
      mtDNA disease. Here we report the first preclinical studies on pronuclear
      transplantation (PNT). Surprisingly, techniques used in proof-of-concept studies
      involving abnormally fertilized human zygotes were not well tolerated by normally
      fertilized zygotes. We have therefore developed an alternative approach based on
      transplanting pronuclei shortly after completion of meiosis rather than shortly
      before the first mitotic division. This promotes efficient development to the
      blastocyst stage with no detectable effect on aneuploidy or gene expression.
      After optimization, mtDNA carryover was reduced to <2% in the majority (79%) of
      PNT blastocysts. The importance of reducing carryover to the lowest possible
      levels is highlighted by a progressive increase in heteroplasmy in a stem cell
      line derived from a PNT blastocyst with 4% mtDNA carryover. We conclude that PNT
      has the potential to reduce the risk of mtDNA disease, but it may not guarantee
      prevention.

PMID- 27281219
TI  - Corrigendum: Mitochondrial ROS regulate thermogenic energy expenditure and
      sulfenylation of UCP1.

PMID- 27281218
TI  - Co-repressor CBFA2T2 regulates pluripotency and germline development.
AB  - Developmental specification of germ cells lies at the heart of inheritance, as
      germ cells contain all of the genetic and epigenetic information transmitted
      between generations. The critical developmental event distinguishing germline
      from somatic lineages is the differentiation of primordial germ cells (PGCs),
      precursors of sex-specific gametes that produce an entire organism upon
      fertilization. Germ cells toggle between uni- and pluripotent states as they
      exhibit their own 'latent' form of pluripotency. For example, PGCs express a
      number of transcription factors in common with embryonic stem (ES) cells,
      including OCT4 (encoded by Pou5f1), SOX2, NANOG and PRDM14 (refs 2, 3, 4). A
      biochemical mechanism by which these transcription factors converge on chromatin
      to produce the dramatic rearrangements underlying ES-cell- and PGC-specific
      transcriptional programs remains poorly understood. Here we identify a novel co
      repressor protein, CBFA2T2, that regulates pluripotency and germline
      specification in mice. Cbfa2t2(-/-) mice display severe defects in PGC maturation
      and epigenetic reprogramming. CBFA2T2 forms a biochemical complex with PRDM14, a
      germline-specific transcription factor. Mechanistically, CBFA2T2 oligomerizes to
      form a scaffold upon which PRDM14 and OCT4 are stabilized on chromatin. Thus, in
      contrast to the traditional 'passenger' role of a co-repressor, CBFA2T2 functions
      synergistically with transcription factors at the crossroads of the fundamental
      developmental plasticity between uni- and pluripotency.

PMID- 27281220
TI  - Dissecting direct reprogramming from fibroblast to neuron using single-cell RNA
      seq.
AB  - Direct lineage reprogramming represents a remarkable conversion of cellular and
      transcriptome states. However, the intermediate stages through which individual
      cells progress during reprogramming are largely undefined. Here we use single
      cell RNA sequencing at multiple time points to dissect direct reprogramming from
      mouse embryonic fibroblasts to induced neuronal cells. By deconstructing
      heterogeneity at each time point and ordering cells by transcriptome similarity,
      we find that the molecular reprogramming path is remarkably continuous.
      Overexpression of the proneural pioneer factor Ascl1 results in a well-defined
      initialization, causing cells to exit the cell cycle and re-focus gene expression
      through distinct neural transcription factors. The initial transcriptional
      response is relatively homogeneous among fibroblasts, suggesting that the early
      steps are not limiting for productive reprogramming. Instead, the later emergence
      of a competing myogenic program and variable transgene dynamics over time appear
      to be the major efficiency limits of direct reprogramming. Moreover, a
      transcriptional state, distinct from donor and target cell programs, is
      transiently induced in cells undergoing productive reprogramming. Our data
      provide a high-resolution approach for understanding transcriptome states during
      lineage differentiation.

PMID- 27281221
TI  - Concerted nucleophilic aromatic substitution with (19)F(-) and (18)F(-).
AB  - Nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) is widely used by organic chemists to
      functionalize aromatic molecules, and it is the most commonly used method to
      generate arenes that contain (18)F for use in positron-emission tomography (PET)
      imaging. A wide range of nucleophiles exhibit SNAr reactivity, and the
      operational simplicity of the reaction means that the transformation can be
      conducted reliably and on large scales. During SNAr, attack of a nucleophile at a
      carbon atom bearing a 'leaving group' leads to a negatively charged intermediate
      called a Meisenheimer complex. Only arenes with electron-withdrawing substituents
      can sufficiently stabilize the resulting build-up of negative charge during
      Meisenheimer complex formation, limiting the scope of SNAr reactions: the most
      common SNAr substrates contain strong pi-acceptors in the ortho and/or para
      position(s). Here we present an unusual concerted nucleophilic aromatic
      substitution reaction (CSNAr) that is not limited to electron-poor arenes,
      because it does not proceed via a Meisenheimer intermediate. We show a phenol
      deoxyfluorination reaction for which CSNAr is favoured over a stepwise
      displacement. Mechanistic insights enabled us to develop a functional-group
      tolerant (18)F-deoxyfluorination reaction of phenols, which can be used to
      synthesize (18)F-PET probes. Selective (18)F introduction, without the need for
      the common, but cumbersome, azeotropic drying of (18)F, can now be accomplished
      from phenols as starting materials, and provides access to (18)F-labelled
      compounds not accessible through conventional chemistry.

PMID- 27281223
TI  - Controlled fragmentation of multimaterial fibres and films via polymer cold
      drawing.
AB  - Polymer cold-drawing is a process in which tensile stress reduces the diameter of
      a drawn fibre (or thickness of a drawn film) and orients the polymeric chains.
      Cold-drawing has long been used in industrial applications, including the
      production of flexible fibres with high tensile strength such as polyester and
      nylon. However, cold-drawing of a composite structure has been less studied. Here
      we show that in a multimaterial fibre composed of a brittle core embedded in a
      ductile polymer cladding, cold-drawing results in a surprising phenomenon:
      controllable and sequential fragmentation of the core to produce uniformly sized
      rods along metres of fibre, rather than the expected random or chaotic
      fragmentation. These embedded structures arise from mechanical-geometric
      instabilities associated with 'neck' propagation. Embedded, structured
      multimaterial threads with complex transverse geometry are thus fragmented into a
      periodic train of rods held stationary in the polymer cladding. These rods can
      then be easily extracted via selective dissolution of the cladding, or can self
      heal by thermal restoration to re-form the brittle thread. Our method is also
      applicable to composites with flat rather than cylindrical geometries, in which
      case cold-drawing leads to the break-up of an embedded or coated brittle film
      into narrow parallel strips that are aligned normally to the drawing axis. A
      range of materials was explored to establish the universality of this effect,
      including silicon, germanium, gold, glasses, silk, polystyrene, biodegradable
      polymers and ice. We observe, and verify through nonlinear finite-element
      simulations, a linear relationship between the smallest transverse scale and the
      longitudinal break-up period. These results may lead to the development of
      dynamical and thermoreversible camouflaging via a nanoscale Venetian-blind
      effect, and the fabrication of large-area structured surfaces that facilitate
      high-sensitivity bio-detection.

PMID- 27281222
TI  - Dual targeting of p53 and c-MYC selectively eliminates leukaemic stem cells.
AB  - Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) arises after transformation of a haemopoietic
      stem cell (HSC) by the protein-tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL. Direct inhibition of BCR
      ABL kinase has revolutionized disease management, but fails to eradicate
      leukaemic stem cells (LSCs), which maintain CML. LSCs are independent of BCR-ABL
      for survival, providing a rationale for identifying and targeting kinase
      independent pathways. Here we show--using proteomics, transcriptomics and network
      analyses--that in human LSCs, aberrantly expressed proteins, in both imatinib
      responder and non-responder patients, are modulated in concert with p53 (also
      known as TP53) and c-MYC regulation. Perturbation of both p53 and c-MYC, and not
      BCR-ABL itself, leads to synergistic cell kill, differentiation, and near
      elimination of transplantable human LSCs in mice, while sparing normal HSCs. This
      unbiased systems approach targeting connected nodes exemplifies a novel precision
      medicine strategy providing evidence that LSCs can be eradicated.

PMID- 27281225
TI  - Solid waste containing persistent organic pollutants in Serbia: From
      precautionary measures to the final treatment (case study).
AB  - Sustainable solid waste management needs more dedicated attention in respect of
      environmental and human health protection. Solid waste containing persistent
      organic pollutants is of special concern, since persistent organic pollutants are
      persistent, toxic and of high risk to human health and the environment. The
      objective of this investigation was to identify critical points in the Serbian
      system of solid waste and persistent organic pollutants management, to assure the
      life cycle management of persistent organic pollutants and products containing
      these chemicals, including prevention and final destruction. Data were collected
      from the Serbian competent authorities, and led us to identify preventive actions
      for solid waste management that should reduce or minimise release of persistent
      organic pollutants into the environment, and to propose actions necessary for
      persistent organic pollutants solid waste. The adverse impact of persistent
      organic pollutants is multidimensional. Owing to the lack of treatment or
      disposal plants for hazardous waste in Serbia, the only option at the moment to
      manage persistent organic pollutants waste is to keep it in temporary storage and
      when conditions are created (primarily financial), such waste should be exported
      for destruction in hazardous waste incinerators. Meanwhile, it needs to be
      assured that any persistent organic pollutants management activity does not
      negatively impact recycling flows or disturb progress towards a more circular
      economy in Serbia. 

PMID- 27281224
TI  - Serum-Based Oxylipins Are Associated with Outcomes in Primary Prevention
      Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Individuals with systolic heart failure are at risk of ventricular
      arrhythmias and all-cause mortality. Little is known regarding the mechanisms
      underlying these events. We sought to better understand if oxylipins, a diverse
      class of lipid metabolites derived from the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty
      acids, were associated with these outcomes in recipients of primary prevention
      implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). METHODS: Among 479 individuals
      from the PROSE-ICD study, baseline serum were analyzed and quantitatively
      profiled for 35 known biologically relevant oxylipin metabolites. Associations
      with ICD shocks for ventricular arrhythmias and all-cause mortality were
      evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Six oxylipins, 17,18
      DiHETE (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.99 per SD change in oxylipin level), 19,20
      DiHDPA (HR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.98), 5,6-DiHETrE (HR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.58 to
      0.91), 8,9-DiHETrE (HR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.95), 9,10-DiHOME (HR = 0.81, 95%
      CI 0.65 to 1.00), and PGF1alpha (HR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.71) were associated
      with the risk of appropriate ICD shock after multivariate adjustment for clinical
      factors. Additionally, 4 oxylipin-to-precursor ratios, 15S-HEPE / FA (20:5
      omega3), 17,18-DiHETE / FA (20:5-omega3), 19,20-DiHDPA / FA (20:5-omega3), and 5S
      HEPE / FA (20:5-omega3) were positively associated with the risk of all-cause
      mortality. CONCLUSION: In a prospective cohort of patients with primary
      prevention ICDs, we identified several novel oxylipin markers that were
      associated with appropriate shock and mortality using metabolic profiling
      techniques. These findings may provide new insight into the potential biologic
      pathways leading to adverse events in this patient population.

PMID- 27281226
TI  - A steady state model of agricultural waste pyrolysis: A mini review.
AB  - Agricultural waste is one of the main renewable energy resources available,
      especially in an agricultural country such as Serbia. Pyrolysis has already been
      considered as an attractive alternative for disposal of agricultural waste, since
      the technique can convert this special biomass resource into granular charcoal,
      non-condensable gases and pyrolysis oils, which could furnish profitable energy
      and chemical products owing to their high calorific value. In this regard, the
      development of thermochemical processes requires a good understanding of
      pyrolysis mechanisms. Experimental and some literature data on the pyrolysis
      characteristics of corn cob and several other agricultural residues under inert
      atmosphere were structured and analysed in order to obtain conversion behaviour
      patterns of agricultural residues during pyrolysis within the temperature range
      from 300  degrees C to 1000  degrees C. Based on experimental and literature data
      analysis, empirical relationships were derived, including relations between the
      temperature of the process and yields of charcoal, tar and gas (CO2, CO, H2 and
      CH4). An analytical semi-empirical model was then used as a tool to analyse the
      general trends of biomass pyrolysis. Although this semi-empirical model needs
      further refinement before application to all types of biomass, its prediction
      capability was in good agreement with results obtained by the literature review.
      The compact representation could be used in other applications, to conveniently
      extrapolate and interpolate these results to other temperatures and biomass
      types. 

PMID- 27281227
TI  - DNA Origami Mask for Sub-Ten-Nanometer Lithography.
AB  - DNA nanotechnology is currently widely explored and especially shows promises for
      advanced lithography due to its ability to define nanometer scale features. We
      demonstrate a 9 * 14 nm(2) hole pattern transfer from DNA origami into an SiO2
      layer with a sub-10-nm resolution using anhydrous HF vapor in a semiconductor
      etching machine. We show that the resulting SiO2 pattern inherits its shape from
      the DNA structure within a process time ranging from 30 to 60 s at an etching
      rate of 0.2 nm/s. At 600 s of etching, the SiO2 pattern meets corrosion and the
      overall etching reaction is blocked. These results, in addition to the entire
      surface coverage by magnesium occurring on the substrate at a density of 1.1 *
      10(15) atom/cm(2), define a process window, fabrication rules, and limits for DNA
      based lithography.

PMID- 27281229
TI  - ERRATUM.

PMID- 27281228
TI  - Co-Occurrence of Health Conditions during Childhood: Longitudinal Findings from
      the UK Millennium Cohort Study (MCS).
AB  - AIMS: To identify patterns of stability and change in co-occurrence in children
      between 5-11 years, and to assess if they vary by socio-demographic factors.
      METHODS: Data from 9548 singleton children from the UK Millennium Cohort Study
      (MCS) were assessed for co-occurrence of five common adverse conditions: wheeze;
      longstanding illness; unfavorable weight; injury; and socio-emotional
      difficulties. We summed adverse conditions (0-5) for each child at ages 5, 7, and
      11 and identified co-occurrence (>=2 conditions). Using multinomial regression,
      we explored associations between co-occurrence trajectories and child's sex and
      ethnicity, maternal education, and income quintile. RESULTS: 45.6% of children
      experienced co-occurrence between 5-11 years (7% experienced constant co
      occurrence). More children moved into co-occurrence than moved out (16.9 vs.
      11.9%). Mutually-adjusted relative risk ratios (aRRR) showed a gradient by
      maternal education: compared to children with no co-occurrence whose mothers had
      a higher/degree, children whose mothers had no qualifications were more likely to
      move into (aRRR = 1.32(95%CI:1.02,1.70)), out of (1.74(1.34,2.26)), have
      fluctuating (1.52(1.09,2.10)) or constant co-occurrence (2.58(1.76,3.80)). The
      same gradient (high vs. low) was evident for income quintiles. Girls were less
      likely to experience co-occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Co-occurrence of adverse
      conditions is common during childhood, and trajectories are socially patterned.
      Child-focused care for lower-income children and boys early in life may prevent
      and reduce co-occurrence in later childhood.

PMID- 27281231
TI  - Structure of the Photo-catalytically Active Surface of SrTiO3.
AB  - A major goal of energy research is to use visible light to cleave water directly,
      without an applied voltage, into hydrogen and oxygen. Although SrTiO3 requires
      ultraviolet light, after four decades, it is still the "gold standard" for the
      photo-catalytic splitting of water. It is chemically robust and can carry out
      both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions without an applied bias. While
      ultrahigh vacuum surface science techniques have provided useful insights, we
      still know relatively little about the structure of these electrodes in contact
      with electrolytes under operating conditions. Here, we report the surface
      structure evolution of a n-SrTiO3 electrode during water splitting, before and
      after "training" with an applied positive bias. Operando high-energy X-ray
      reflectivity measurements demonstrate that training the electrode irreversibly
      reorders the surface. Scanning electrochemical microscopy at open circuit
      correlates this training with a 3-fold increase of the activity toward the photo
      induced water splitting. A novel first-principles joint density functional theory
      simulation, constrained to the X-ray data via a generalized penalty function,
      identifies an anatase-like structure as the more active, trained surface.

PMID- 27281232
TI  - Protection of Vine Plants against Esca Disease by Breathable Electrospun
      Antifungal Nonwovens.
AB  - The harmful Esca disease in vine plants caused by wood-inhabiting fungi including
      Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) is spreading all across the world. This disease
      leads to poor vine crops and a slow decline or to a sudden dieback of the vine
      plants. The pruning wounds of vine plants are the main entry point for Pch. While
      model experiments with aerosol particles recommend electrospun nonwovens as a
      suitable barrier to block Pch, tests with living spores show clearly that only
      electrospun fibrous nonwovens do not prevent Pch invasion. However it is found,
      that with antifungal additives electrospun nonwovens could be applied
      successfully for blocking of Pch to infect the substrate. Thereby, a highly
      useful concept for the protection of vine plants against Esca disease is provided
      which could also serve as a concept for related plant diseases.

PMID- 27281233
TI  - Vacuum Sealing Drainage Treatment Combined with Antibiotic-Impregnated Bone
      Cement for Treatment of Soft Tissue Defects and Infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of vacuum sealing
      drainage (VSD) and antibiotic-loaded bone cement on soft tissue defects and
      infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective non-blinded study recruited 46
      patients with soft tissue defects and infection from January 2010 to May 2014 and
      randomly divided them into experimental and control groups (n=23). Patients in
      the experimental group were treated with VSD and antibiotic-loaded bone cement,
      while the patients in the control group were treated with VSD only. RESULTS In
      the experimental group, the wound was healed in 23 cases at 4 weeks
      postoperatively, of which direct suture was performed in 12 cases, and additional
      free flap transplantation or skin grafting was performed in 6 cases and 5 cases,
      respectively. No infection reoccurred in 1-year follow-up. In the control group,
      the wound was healed in 15 cases at 6 weeks postoperatively, of which direct
      suture was performed in 8 cases, and additional free flap transplantation or skin
      grafting was performed in 3 cases and 4 cases, respectively. In the other 8 cases
      the wound was healed at 8 weeks postoperatively. Infection reoccurred in 3 cases
      during the follow-up. The experimental group had significantly fewer VSD dressing
      renewals, shorter time needed until the wound was ready for surgery, shorter
      duration of antibiotic administration, faster wound healing, and shorter hospital
      stay than the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The combination of VSD and
      antibiotic bone cement might be a better method for treatment of soft tissue
      defects and infection. 

PMID- 27281234
TI  - Carbon Nanomembranes.
AB  - Carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) are synthetic 2D carbon sheets with tailored physical
      or chemical properties. These depend on the structure, molecular composition, and
      surroundings on either side. Due to their molecular thickness, they can be
      regarded as "interfaces without bulk" separating regions of different gaseous,
      liquid, or solid components and controlling the materials exchange between them.
      Here, a universal scheme for the fabrication of 1 nm-thick, mechanically stable,
      functional CNMs is presented. CNMs can be further modified, for example
      perforated by ion bombardment or chemically functionalized by the binding of
      other molecules onto the surfaces. The underlying physical and chemical
      mechanisms are described, and examples are presented for the engineering of
      complex surface architectures, e.g., nanopatterns of proteins, fluorescent dyes,
      or polymer brushes. A simple transfer procedure allows CNMs to be placed on
      various support structures, which makes them available for diverse applications:
      supports for electron and X-ray microscopy, nanolithography, nanosieves, Janus
      nanomembranes, polymer carpets, complex layered structures, functionalization of
      graphene, novel nanoelectronic and nanomechanical devices. To close, the
      potential of CNMs in filtration and sensorics is discussed. Based on tests for
      the separation of gas molecules, it is argued that ballistic membranes may play a
      prominent role in future efforts of materials separation. 

PMID- 27281235
TI  - Associations of ChREBP and Global DNA Methylation with Genetic and Environmental
      Factors in Chinese Healthy Adults.
AB  - Age, gender, diet, gene and lifestyle have been reported to affect metabolic
      status and disease susceptibility through epigenetic pathway. But it remains
      indistinct that which factors account for certain epigenetic modifications. Our
      aim was to identify the influencing factors on inter-individual DNA methylation
      variations of carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) and global
      genome in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs). ChREBP DNA methylation was
      determined by bisulfite sequencing, and genomic 5mdC contents were quantified by
      capillary hydrophilic-interaction liquid chromatography/ in-source fragmentation/
      tandem mass spectrometry system in about 300 healthy individuals. Eleven single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning ChREBP and DNA methyltransferase 1
      (DNMT1) were genotyped by high resolution melting or PCR-restriction fragment
      length polymorphism. DNMT1 mRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative PCR. We
      found ChREBP DNA methylation levels were statistically associated with age (Beta
      (B) = 0.028, p = 0.006) and serum total cholesterol concentrations (TC) (B =
      0.815, p = 0.010), independent of sex, concentrations of triglyceride, high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),
      fasting blood glucose and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, PBLs
      counts and classifications. The DNMT1 haplotypes were related to ChREBP (odds
      ratio (OR) = 0.668, p = 0.029) and global (OR = 0.450, p = 0.015) DNA methylation
      as well as LDL-C, but not DNMT1 expression. However, only the relation to LDL-C
      was robust to correction for multiple testing (ORFDR = 1.593, pFDR = 0.013).
      These results indicated that the age and TC were independent influential factors
      of ChREBP methylation and DNMT1 variants could probably influence LDL-C to
      further modify ChREBP DNA methylation. Certainly, sequential comprehensive
      analysis of the interactions between genetic variants and blood lipid levels on
      ChREBP and global DNA methylation was required. 

PMID- 27281236
TI  - N-Oleoylethanolamine Reduces Inflammatory Cytokines and Adhesion Molecules in TNF
      alpha-induced Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells by Activating CB2 and PPAR
      alpha.
AB  - Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
      Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) and cannabinoid
      receptor 2 (CB2) crucially impact the modulation of inflammation. N
      Oleoylethanolamine (OEA), a natural agonist of PPAR-alpha, can also up-regulate
      the expression of CB2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and
      further shows an antiatherosclerotic effect. Our study was designed to
      determinate whether OEA could inhibit inflammation in HUVECs induced by tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and to identify the mechanism of OEA function.
      Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM
      1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) levels were detected in HUVECs
      exposed to tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the presence of OEA. The results showed
      that OEA suppressed the expression of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, vascular
      adhesion molecule-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in a dose-dependent
      manner. OEA also enhanced CB2 and PPAR-alpha receptor expression, which
      contributed to its anti-inflammatory effect. OEA inhibited the nuclear factor
      kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway, and the effect of OEA on nuclear factor-kappaB was
      partly abolished when HUVECs were pretreated with either CB2 or PPAR-alpha
      antagonist. OEA attenuated tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced inflammation in
      HUVECs by up-regulating the expression of CB2 and PPAR-alpha receptors.
      Furthermore, OEA suppresses the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway. These results
      suggest that OEA exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesive effects on HUVECs.

PMID- 27281237
TI  - Energetics of surface confined ferritin during iron loading.
AB  - We report on the first quantitative picture on how iron loading inside ferritin
      molecules occurs when they are self-assembled onto solid surfaces. Recombinant
      human ferritin H-chain with ferroxidase activity was adsorbed onto
      microcantilever beams to form a stable close-packed thin film. The obtained
      nanomechanical system was used to track in real time the energetics of inter
      ferritin surface interactions during incubation with Fe(II) for iron loading. We
      observed that iron loading is accompanied by increasing attractive in-plane inter
      ferritin interactions able to perform a maximum surface work of 6.0+/-1.5mJ/m(2),
      corresponding to a surface energy variation per ferritin of about 40kbT. Unique
      to this protein surface transformation, part of the surface work is exerted by
      the attractive electrostatic forces arising among the new born nanosized iron
      cores inside the ferritin shells. The remaining work comes from subtle action of
      steric, bridging and depletion forces. These findings are of fundamental interest
      and add important information for the rational development of ferritin
      nanotechnology. 

PMID- 27281238
TI  - Effective co-delivery of doxorubicin and curcumin using a glycyrrhetinic acid
      modified chitosan-cystamine-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymer micelle for
      combination cancer chemotherapy.
AB  - A glycyrrhetinic acid-modified chitosan-cystamine-poly(epsilon-caprolactone)
      copolymer (PCL-SS-CTS-GA) micelle was developed for the co-delivery of
      doxorubicin (DOX) and curcumin (CCM) to hepatoma cells. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA)
      was used as a targeting unit to ensure specific delivery. Co-encapsulation of DOX
      and CCM was facilitated by the incorporation of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)
      groups. The highest drug loading content was 19.8% and 8.9% (w/w) for DOX and
      CCM, respectively. The PCL-SS-CTS-GA micelle presented a spherical or ellipsoidal
      geometry with a mean diameter of approximately 110nm. The surface charge of the
      micelle changed from negative to positive, when the pH value of the solution
      decreased from 7.4 to 6.8. Meanwhile, it also exhibited a character of redox
      responsive drug release and GA/pH-mediated endocytosis in vitro. In simulated
      body fluid with 10mM glutathione, the release rate in 12h was 80.6% and 67.2% for
      DOX and CCM, respectively. The cell uptake of micelles was significantly higher
      at pH 6.8 than pH 7.4. The combined administration of DOX and CCM was facilitated
      by PCL-SS-CTS-GA micelle. Results showed that there was strong synergic effect
      between the two drugs. The PCL-SS-CTS-GA micelle might turn into a promising and
      effective carrier for improved combination chemotherapy. 

PMID- 27281239
TI  - Neodymium doped hydroxyapatite theranostic nanoplatforms for colon specific drug
      delivery applications.
AB  - Theranostic nanoplatforms integrate therapeutic payloads with diagnostic agents,
      and help monitor therapeutic response. In this regard, stimuli responsive
      nanoplatforms further favour combinatorial therapeutic approach that can
      considerably improve efficacy and specificity of treatment. Herein, we present
      the engineering of a smart theranostic nanoplatform based on neodymium doped
      hydroxyapatite (HAN). The presence of neodymium endows the HAN nanoplatforms with
      near-infrared fluorescence capability. These HAN nanoparticles were then
      subsequently modified with alginic acid (HANA) to confer pH responsiveness to the
      synthesized nanoplatforms delivering them to the colon after oral administration.
      These nanoplatforms possessing optimum size, needle shaped morphology and
      negative zeta potential, are conducive to cellular internalization. On excitation
      at 410nm they exhibit near infrared emission at 670nm unraveling their
      theranostic capabilities. Cytotoxic effects systematically assessed using MTT and
      live dead assays reveal excellent viability. Raman microscopic imaging technique
      used to visualize uptake in HeLa cells demonstrate increased uptake from 4 to
      16h, with growing cluster size and localization in the cytoplasm. Moreover the
      concomitant presence of alginic acid manifested advantages of augmented loading
      and pH dependent release profiles of the model drug, 4 acetyl salicylic acid
      (4ASA). We could thus establish a theranostic system for early tumour detection,
      targeted tumour therapy and monitoring of colon cancer that can be administered
      via the oral route. 

PMID- 27281240
TI  - Foliar penetration enhanced by biosurfactant rhamnolipid.
AB  - With recent environmental and health concerns, biosurfactants have obtained
      increasing interest in replacing conventional surfactants for diverse
      applications. In agriculture, the use of surfactant in stimulating foliar uptake
      is mainly for wetting leaf surface, resisting deposition/evaporation, enhancing
      penetration across cuticular membrane (CM) and translocation. This paper aimed to
      address the improved foliar uptake by rhamnolipid (RL) in comparison with the
      currently used alkyl polyglucoside (APG). As found, compared with APG at 900mg/L
      (1*critical micellar concentration, CMC), RL at a much lower concentration of
      50mg/L (1*CMC) showed much better wettability and surface activity, indicative of
      its high effectiveness as surfactants. Its performance on resistance to
      deposition and evaporation was at least as same as APG. Moreover, RL could
      significantly improve the penetration of herbicide glyphosate and other two small
      water-soluble molecules (phenol red and Fe(2+)) across CM at an equivalent
      efficiency as APG at 1*CMC. Finally, the greatly enhanced herbicidal actitivity
      of glyphosate on greenhouse plants confirmed that RL and APG could both enhance
      the foliar uptake including translocation. Overall, RL should be more applicable
      than APG in agriculture due to its more promising properties on
      health/environmental friendliness. 

PMID- 27281241
TI  - Organophilic treatments of bentonite increase the adsorption of aflatoxin B1 and
      protect stem cells against cellular damage.
AB  - Bentonite clays exhibit high adsorptive capacity for contaminants, including
      aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a mycotoxin responsible for causing severe toxicity in
      several species including pigs, poultry and man. Organophilic treatments is known
      to increase the adsorption capacity of bentonites, and the primary aim of this
      study was to evaluate the ability of Brazilian bentonite and two organic salts -
      benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to adsorb
      AFB1. For this end, 2(2) factorial designs were used in order to analyze if BAC
      or CTAB was able to increase AFB1 adsorption when submitted in different
      temperature and concentration. Both BAC and CTAB treatment (at 30 degrees C and
      2% of salt concentration) were found to increase the adsorption of AFB1
      significantly compared with untreated bentonite. After organophilic bentonite
      treatments with BAC or CTAB, a vibration of CH stretch (2850 and 2920cm(-1)) were
      detected. A frequency of the SiO stretch (1020 and 1090cm(-1)) was changed by
      intercalation of organic cation. Furthermore, the interlayer spacing of bentonite
      increases to 1.23nm (d001 reflection at 2theta=7.16) and 1.22 (d001 reflection at
      2theta=7.22) after the addition of BAC and CTAB, respectively. Another aim of the
      study was to observe the effects of these two bentonite salts in neural crest
      stem cell cultures. The two materials that were created by organophilic
      treatments were not found to be toxic to stem cells. Furthermore the results
      indicate that the two materials tested may protect the neural crest stem cells
      against damage caused by AFB1. 

PMID- 27281242
TI  - Injectable composites via functionalization of 1D nanoclays and biodegradable
      coupling with a polysaccharide hydrogel.
AB  - The use of injectable materials in minimally invasive surgical procedures could
      help in facing the bone diseases connected to the ageing of world population. To
      this aim, materials integrating the rheological properties of biocompatible
      polymers with the mechanical properties of 1D inorganic nanostructures represent
      promising scaffolds. Here we describe the preparation of hydrogel composites made
      of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and halloysite nanotubes (HNT) as injectable
      materials for the local treatment of bone defects. The rheology and injectability
      of the materials reflects their structural properties, showing the possibility of
      successfully injecting the prepared composites over a large range of operative
      conditions. 

PMID- 27281243
TI  - Interaction of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease and a derived peptide with
      lipid vesicles.
AB  - Ureases are metalloenzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and
      carbon dioxide. Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) produces three isoforms of
      urease (Canatoxin, JBU and JBURE-II). Canatoxin and JBU display several
      biological properties independent of their ureolytic activity, such as
      neurotoxicity, exocytosis-inducing and pro-inflammatory effects, blood platelets
      activation, insecticidal and antifungal activities. The Canatoxin entomotoxic
      activity is mostly due to an internal peptide, named pepcanatox, released upon
      the hydrolysis of the protein by insect cathepsin-like digestive enzymes. Based
      on pepcanatox sequence, Jaburetox-2Ec was produced in Escherichia coli. JBU and
      its peptides were shown to permeabilize membranes through an ion channel-based
      mechanism. Here we studied the JBU and Jaburetox-2Ec interaction with platelet
      like multilamellar liposomes (PML) using Dynamic Light Scattering and Small Angle
      X-ray Scattering techniques. We also analyzed the interaction of JBU with giant
      unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) using Fluorescence Microscopy. The interaction of
      vesicles with JBU led to a slight reduction of hydrodynamic radius, and caused an
      increase in the lamellar repeat distance of PML, suggesting a membrane
      disordering effect. In contrast, Jaburetox-2Ec decreased the lamellar repeat
      distance of PML membranes, while also diminishing their hydrodynamic radius.
      Fluorescence microscopy showed that the interaction of GUVs with JBU caused
      membrane perturbation with formation of tethers. In conclusion, JBU can interact
      with PML, probably by inserting its Jaburetox "domain" into the PML external
      membrane. Additionally, the interaction of Jaburetox-2Ec affects the vesicle's
      internal bilayers and hence causes more drastic changes in the PML membrane
      organization in comparison with JBU. 

PMID- 27281244
TI  - Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV - Thailand.
AB  - Thailand experienced a generalized human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic
      during the 1990s. HIV prevalence among pregnant women was 2.0% and the mother-to
      child transmission (MTCT) rate was >20% (1-3). In June 2016, Thailand became the
      first country in Asia to validate the elimination of MTCT by meeting World Health
      Organization (WHO) targets. Because Thailand's experience implementing a
      successful prevention of MTCT program might be instructive for other countries,
      Thailand's prevention of MTCT interventions, outcomes, factors that contributed
      to success, and challenges that remain were reviewed. Thailand's national
      prevention of MTCT program has evolved with prevention science from national
      implementation of short course zidovudine (AZT) in 2000 to lifelong highly active
      antiretroviral therapy regardless of CD4 count (WHO option B+) in 2014 (1). By
      2015, HIV prevalence among pregnant women had decreased to 0.6% and the MTCT rate
      to 1.9% (the elimination of MTCT target is <2% for nonbreastfeeding populations)
      (4). A strong public health infrastructure, committed political leadership,
      government funding, engagement of multiple partners, and a robust monitoring
      system allowed Thailand to achieve this important public health milestone. 

PMID- 27281245
TI  - Total pancreatectomy and islet cell autotransplantation: Definitive treatment for
      chronic pancreatitis.
AB  - In appropriately selected patients, total pancreatectomy and islet cell
      autotransplant controls pain and improves quality of life while often minimizing
      the development of overt diabetes. Multidisciplinary management and lifelong
      follow-up help to maximize the benefit of this procedure. This review highlights
      its history, indications, metabolic outcomes, and future directions.

PMID- 27281246
TI  - The fifth vital sign: A complex story of politics and patient care.

PMID- 27281247
TI  - To the Editor: Wilson disease.

PMID- 27281248
TI  - In Reply: Wilson disease.

PMID- 27281249
TI  - To the Editor: Cognitive bias and diagnostic error.

PMID- 27281250
TI  - In Reply: Cognitive bias and diagnostic error.

PMID- 27281251
TI  - Anticoagulation in dental surgery: Is it rude to interrupt?

PMID- 27281252
TI  - Multiple linear subcutaneous nodules.

PMID- 27281253
TI  - Whiplash-shaped acute rash.

PMID- 27281254
TI  - Should I suspect obstructive sleep apnea if a patient has hard-to-control
      hypertension?

PMID- 27281255
TI  - When does chest CT require contrast enhancement?

PMID- 27281256
TI  - Navigating pneumococcal vaccination in adults.
AB  - With two nonequivalent vaccines available and different recommendations for
      different patient populations, vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae can
      be confusing. Here we try to clarify the situation. 

PMID- 27281257
TI  - Opioids for persistent pain in older adults.
AB  - Older adults compose a large portion of patients with persistent pain. Opioid
      analgesics are widely used to treat acute and persistent pain in cancer and end
      of-life care, but their use in other types of persistent pain in older adults is
      controversial. Clinicians and regulators must work together, balancing the
      legitimate medical need for opioids while acknowledging increasing opioid misuse
      and morbidity and mortality related to opioids.

PMID- 27281258
TI  - A guide to managing acute liver failure.
AB  - Nearly 2,000 cases of acute liver failure occur each year in the United States.
      This disease carries a high mortality rate, and early recognition and transfer to
      a tertiary medical care center with transplant facilities is critical. This
      article reviews the definition, epidemiology, etiology, and management of acute
      liver failure. 

PMID- 27281259
TI  - Dietary and medical management of recurrent nephrolithiasis.
AB  - Dietary approaches and medical treatment can prevent recurrence of urinary
      stones. Some interventions are appropriate for all types of stones, but there are
      particular risk factors that may need directed therapy. 

PMID- 27281260
TI  - Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation as an adjunct therapy for
      obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is thought to
      have potential to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OBJECTIVE: The
      purpose of this study was to determine whether adding TEAS to cognitive
      behavioral therapy (CBT) and clomipramine would improve the efficacy of these
      conventional treatments in OCD. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 360
      OCD patients were assigned to receive TEAS combined with CBT plus clomipramine
      (Group A, n = 120), TEAS combined with CBT plus placebo (Group B, n = 120), and
      simulated (placebo) TEAS combined with CBT plus clomipramine (Group C, n = 120)
      for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive
      Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). RESULTS: OCD symptoms in all patients reduced over
      time, however Groups A and B had a significantly greater reduction in Y-BOCS
      total score and the subscale for obsession and compulsion between week 2 and week
      12 compared to Group C. Groups A and B had similar scores on these measures. Both
      groups had significantly higher rates of clinical response than Group C (88.3%
      and 81.7% vs. 67.5%, respectively, p < 0.001); and higher rates of remission
      (30.0% and 22.5% vs. 9.2%, respectively, p < 0.001). Group B experienced fewer
      adverse events than the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: TEAS enhances the efficacy
      of conventional OCD interventions and avoids the adverse effects associated with
      conventional pharmacological treatment. It can be considered as an effective
      adjunct intervention for OCD.

PMID- 27281261
TI  - Bipolar disorder course, impaired glucose metabolism and antioxidant enzymes
      activities: A preliminary report.
AB  - This study aimed to examine the role of oxidative stress in bipolar disorder (BD)
      by evaluating the relationship among antioxidant enzymes activities, impaired
      glucose metabolism (IGM) and illness course. We measured the activities of plasma
      superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in individuals with
      BD (N = 55) and healthy controls (N = 28). Information related to current and
      past psychiatric/medical history, as well as prescription of any pharmacological
      treatments was captured. Impaired glucose metabolism was operationalized as pre
      diabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Our results showed that, after adjustment
      for age, gender, alcohol use, smoking and current medication, both BD (p < 0.001)
      and IGM (p = 0.019) were associated with increased GPx activity, whereas only BD
      was associated with decreased SOD activity (p = 0.008). We also observed an
      interaction between BD and IGM on SOD activity (p = 0.017), whereas the
      difference between BD and controls was only significant in individuals with IGM
      (p = 0.009). IGM, GPx and SOD activity were independently associated with
      variables of illness course. Moreover, IGM moderated the association between SOD
      activity and number of mood episodes (p < 0.001), as a positive correlation
      between SOD activity and mood episodes was observed only in participants with
      IGM. In conclusion, BD and IGM are associated with independent and synergistic
      effects on markers of oxidative stress. The foregoing observations suggest that
      the heterogeneity observed in previous studies evaluating antioxidant enzymes in
      BD may be a function of concurrent IGM; and that imbalances in the oxidative
      system may subserve the association between BD and IGM, as well as its
      relationship with illness course.

PMID- 27281262
TI  - Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors: A Single Institution's Experience Using
      Combined Surgery and Radiation Therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate local control (LC), survival
      outcomes, and associated prognostic factors for patients with malignant
      peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) treated with combined surgery and
      radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 71
      consecutive patients treated with surgery and RT for localized MPNST between 1965
      and 2012. Preoperative RT was used to treat 23 patients (32%) to a median dose of
      50 Gy (range, 50 to 60 Gy), whereas 48 (68%) received postoperative RT to a
      median dose of 64 Gy (range, 45 to 70 Gy). RESULTS: Median follow-up for living
      patients was 118 months (range, 21 to 512 mo). The 5-year LC, distant metastatic
      free survival, and disease-specific survival rates were 84%, 62%, and 66%,
      respectively. To identify predictors of outcome, several multivariate models were
      constructed: (1) positive/uncertain surgical margin status was the only factor
      adversely associated local relapse at 5 years (28% vs. 5% for negative margins;
      P=0.02; hazard ratios 5.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-27.4). (2) No factors
      were significantly associated with distant metastatic free survival. Of the 35
      patients (49%) who sustained disease relapse, only 3 were ultimately salvaged.
      Only 2 patients had grade 2 late toxicities (necrosis, fibrosis) based on Common
      Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 criteria, and 1 patient had
      grade 1 edema. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with surgery and RT provides
      favorable LC. Distant recurrences, however, continue to be challenging with
      limited salvage success at the time of relapse.

PMID- 27281263
TI  - Targeted Prostate Biopsy Gleason Score Heterogeneity and Implications for Risk
      Stratification.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To quantify Gleason score (GS) heterogeneity within multiparametric
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted prostate biopsies and to determine
      impact on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk stratification.
      METHODS: An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study was performed
      on men who underwent Artemis (MRI-transrectal-ultrasound fusion) targeted biopsy
      (TB) for suspected prostate cancer between 2012 and 2015. Intratarget
      heterogeneity was defined as a difference in GS between 2 cores within a single
      target in patients with >=2 positive cores. Prostate specific antigen, maximum
      tumor diameter, apparent diffusion coefficient, MRI suspicion score, prostate
      volume, systematic biopsy (SB) GS, and T-stage were analyzed for correlation with
      heterogeneity. Changes in NCCN risk based on high versus low GS on TB, SB alone,
      and SB+TB were compared. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients underwent TB of 73
      suspected lesions. Seventy percent (51/73) had >=2 positive cores, thus meeting
      inclusion criteria for heterogeneity analysis. Fifty-five percent (28/51) of
      qualifying targets showed GS heterogeneity. None of the evaluated factors showed
      a significant relationship with heterogeneity. NCCN low-risk, intermediate-risk,
      and high-risk groups were 30%, 49%, and 21%, respectively, with SB alone. Adding
      low GS TB to SB resulted in 17%, 55%, 28% in each risk group, while using high
      GS+SB resulted in 4%, 54%, and 42%. Overall, the addition of TB resulted in
      higher NCCN risk groups in 38% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Over half of
      multiparametric MRI-defined targets demonstrated GS heterogeneity. The addition
      of high GS from TB leads to risk inflation compared with using SB alone. Further
      research is needed on how to integrate these findings into current risk
      stratification models and clinical practice.

PMID- 27281264
TI  - Perioperative Mortality in Nonelderly Adult Patients With Cancer: A Population
      based Study Evaluating Health Care Disparities in the United States According to
      Insurance Status.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether insurance status
      predicts for perioperative mortality (death within 30 d of cancer-directed
      surgery) for the 20 most common surgically treated cancers. METHODS: The SEER
      database was examined for the 20 most common surgically resected cancers and
      included nonelderly adults, aged 18 to 64 years. The database was queried from
      2007 to 2011, with a total of 506,722 patients included in the analysis. RESULTS:
      Insurance status for all patients were the following: non-Medicaid insurance
      (83%), any Medicaid (10%), uninsured (4%), and unknown (3%). In univariate
      analyses, predictors for perioperative mortality included insurance status
      (P<0.001), age (P=0.015), race (P<0.001), marital status (P<0.001), residence
      (P=0.002), percent of county below the federal poverty level (P<0.001), and
      median county-level income (P<0.001). Perioperative mortality was also associated
      with advanced disease (P<0.001). Under multivariate analysis, patients with
      either Medicaid (Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio [CMH OR], 1.21; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.29; P<0.001) or uninsured status (CMH OR, 1.56;
      95% CI, 1.44-1.70; P<0.001) were more likely to die within 30 days of surgery
      compared with patients with non-Medicaid insurance. When comparing Medicaid with
      the uninsured, Medicaid patients had significantly lower rates of perioperative
      mortality when compared with the uninsured (CMH OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.73-0.89,
      P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In the largest reported analysis of
      perioperative mortality evaluating the 20 most common surgically treated
      malignancies, patients with Medicaid coverage or without health insurance were
      more likely to die within 30 days of surgery, with the uninsured having the worst
      outcomes.

PMID- 27281265
TI  - The Role of Lymphadenectomy Versus Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early-stage
      Endometrial Cancer: A Review of the Literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to review existing data regarding the
      feasibility, diagnostic performance, and oncologic outcomes of sentinel lymph
      node biopsy (SLNB) versus lymphadenectomy (LND) in endometrial cancer. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A PubMed search identified studies on different staging strategies
      in endometrial cancer, including routine LND, predictive models of selective
      nodal dissection, and SLNB. RESULTS: There is ongoing controversy over the risk
      benefit ratio of LND in assessing nodal involvement in presumed early-stage
      endometrial cancer. Current experience with sentinel node biopsy suggests high
      detection rates and low false-negative rates across most series, as well as the
      increased detection of occult metastatic disease overlooked by conventional
      pathology. Although data on the long-term oncologic outcomes of sentinel node
      biopsy in this setting are limited, short-term follow-up shows no immediate
      impairment of disease-free survival or overall survival rates when compared with
      LND. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB holds promise as a less-morbid and more accurate
      alternative to LND for determining nodal spread in early-stage endometrial
      cancer. Further studies are necessary to understand how lymph node status will
      guide postoperative management and impact survival of women with nodal
      metastases.

PMID- 27281266
TI  - Retrospective Analysis of Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity in Patients With Head and Neck
      Cancer Receiving Outpatient Treatment With Concurrent High-dose Cisplatin and
      Radiotherapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cisplatin remains the pivotal chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma
      of the head and neck (SCCHN), with nephrotoxicity considered the dose-limiting
      toxicity. The purpose of our study was to propose an outpatient high-dose
      cisplatin protocol aimed at preventing nephrotoxicity and to analyze the results
      of its utilization in patients with SCCHN treated with concurrent radiotherapy.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 82 SCCHN patients treated
      with outpatient high-dose cisplatin concurrent with radiotherapy at our
      institution. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease were defined by
      Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Associated factors were
      identified using analysis of covariance models for categorical variables and
      adjusted Pearson correlations for continuous variables. RESULTS: The incidence of
      AKI during treatment was 34.2%. With a median follow-up of 25.7 months, the
      average decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate was 12.57 mL/min/1.73 m
      (SD=18.58). At 1 year and at last follow-up, 5.4% and 4.4% of patients had
      estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m. Predictors associated
      with AKI and chronic kidney disease were: lower baseline weight and creatinine,
      higher baseline creatinine clearance, smoking, female sex, African American race,
      hypertension, and increased hydration and magnesium replacement requirements.
      CONCLUSIONS: We encountered limited early and late nephrotoxicity. Importantly,
      nephrotoxicity was not the main dose-limiting toxicity. Our results emphasize the
      importance of close monitoring and additional replacement of water and
      electrolytes as needed. A consistent method of measuring and reporting
      chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity would be a valuable contribution to the
      literature.

PMID- 27281267
TI  - Effects of Crowding and Environment on the Evolution of Conformational Ensembles
      of the Multi-Stimuli-Responsive Intrinsically Disordered Protein, Rec1-Resilin: A
      Small-Angle Scattering Investigation.
AB  - In this study, we explore the overall structural ensembles and transitions of a
      biomimetic, multi-stimuli-responsive, intrinsically disordered protein (IDP),
      Rec1-resilin. The structural transition of Rec1-resilin with change in molecular
      crowding and environment is evaluated using small-angle neutron scattering and
      small-angle X-ray scattering. The quantitative analyses of the experimental
      scattering data using a combination of computational models allowed comprehensive
      description of the structural evolution, organization, and conformational
      ensembles of Rec1-resilin in response to the changes in concentration, pH, and
      temperature. Rec1-resilin in uncrowded solutions demonstrates the equilibrium
      intrinsic structure quality of an IDP with radius of gyration Rg ~ 5 nm, and a
      scattering function for the triaxial ellipsoidal model best fit the experimental
      dataset. On crowding (increase in concentration >10 wt %), Rec1-resilin molecules
      exert intermolecular repulsive force of interaction, the Rg value reduces with a
      progressive increase in concentration, and molecular chains transform from a
      Gaussian coil to a fully swollen coil. It is also revealed that the structural
      organization of Rec1-resilin dynamically transforms from a rod (pH 2) to coil (pH
      4.8) and to globular (pH 12) as a function of pH. The findings further support
      the temperature-triggered dual-phase-transition behavior of Rec1-resilin,
      exhibiting rod-shaped structural organization below the upper critical solution
      temperature (~4  degrees C) and a large but compact structure above the lower
      critical solution temperature (~75  degrees C). This work attempted to correlate
      unusual responsiveness of Rec1-resilin to the evolution of conformational
      ensembles.

PMID- 27281268
TI  - Illness Cognitions and Coping Self-Efficacy in Depression Among Persons With Low
      Vision.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the mediating role of coping self-efficacy (CSE) between
      two types of illness cognitions (i.e., acceptance and helplessness) and
      depressive symptoms in persons with low vision. METHODS: This was a single-group,
      cross-sectional study. Patients with visual acuity < 6/12 in the better eye and
      at least minimal depressive symptoms (>=5 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9
      [PHQ-9]) were recruited from vision rehabilitation services and participated in
      telephone-administered structured interviews at one time point. Measures were the
      PHQ-9, CSE Scale, and Illness Cognition Questionnaire. Structural equation
      modeling (SEM) devised the causal flow of illness cognitions and their observed
      indirect effects on depressive symptoms via the CSE mediators: problem focused,
      emotion focused, and social support. RESULTS: The study comprised 163 patients
      (mean age 62 years; 61% female), most with age-related macular degeneration (26%)
      and moderate vision impairment (44%, <6/18-6/60). Structural equation modeling
      indices indicated a perfect fit (chi2 < 0.001, P = 1.00), accounting for 55% of
      the variance in depressive symptoms. Lower levels of acceptance and higher levels
      of helplessness illness cognitions were associated with lower self-efficacy in
      problem-focused coping (beta = 0.38, P < 0.001, beta = -0.28, P < 0.01,
      respectively), which in turn was associated with greater depressive symptom
      severity (beta = -0.54, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lack of acceptance and greater
      helplessness relating to low vision led to a lack of perceived capability to
      engage in problem-focused coping, which in turn promoted depressive symptoms.
      Third-wave cognitive-behavioral treatments that focus on acceptance may be
      efficacious in this population.

PMID- 27281269
TI  - Connexin 50 Regulates Surface Ball-and-Socket Structures and Fiber Cell
      Organization.
AB  - PURPOSE: The roles of gap junction protein connexin 50 (Cx50) encoded by Gja8,
      during lens development are not fully understood. Connexin 50 knockout (KO)
      lenses have decreased proliferation of epithelial cells and altered fiber cell
      denucleation. We further investigated the mechanism for cellular defects in Cx50
      KO (Gja8-/-) lenses. METHODS: Fiber cell morphology and subcellular distribution
      of various lens membrane/cytoskeleton proteins from wild-type and Cx50 KO mice
      were visualized by immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy. RESULTS:
      We observed multiple morphological defects in the cortical fibers of Cx50 KO
      lenses, including abnormal fiber cell packing geometry, decreased F-actin
      enrichment at tricellular vertices, and disrupted ball-and-socket (BS) structures
      on the long sides of hexagonal fibers. Moreover, only small gap junction plaques
      consisting of Cx46 (alpha3 connexin) were detected in cortical fibers and the
      distributions of the BS-associated beta-dystroglycan and ZO-1 proteins were
      altered. CONCLUSIONS: Connexin 50 gap junctions are important for BS structure
      maturation and cortical fiber cell organization. Connexin 50-based gap junction
      plaques likely form structural domains with an array of membrane/cytoskeletal
      proteins to stabilize BS. Loss of Cx50-mediated coupling, BS disruption, and
      altered F-actin in Cx50 KO fibers, thereby contribute to the small lens and mild
      cataract phenotypes.

PMID- 27281271
TI  - Gas Chromatography/Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Tandem Mass
      Spectrometry for Fingerprinting the Macondo Oil Spill.
AB  - We report the first application of a new mass spectrometry technique (gas
      chromatography combined to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass
      spectrometry, GC/APCI-MS/MS) for fingerprinting a crude oil and environmental
      samples from the largest accidental marine oil spill in history (the Macondo oil
      spill, the Gulf of Mexico, 2010). The fingerprinting of the oil spill is based on
      a trace analysis of petroleum biomarkers (steranes, diasteranes, and pentacyclic
      triterpanes) naturally occurring in crude oil. GC/APCI enables soft ionization of
      petroleum compounds that form abundant molecular ions without (or little)
      fragmentation. The ability to operate the instrument simultaneously in several
      tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) modes (e.g., full scan, product ion scan,
      reaction monitoring) significantly improves structural information content and
      sensitivity of analysis. For fingerprinting the oil spill, we constructed
      diagrams and conducted correlation studies that measure the similarity between
      environmental samples and enable us to differentiate the Macondo oil spill from
      other sources.

PMID- 27281272
TI  - Assessing autobiographical memory: the web-based autobiographical Implicit
      Association Test.
AB  - By assessing the association strength with TRUE and FALSE, the autobiographical
      Implicit Association Test (aIAT) [Sartori, G., Agosta, S., Zogmaister, C.,
      Ferrara, S. D., & Castiello, U. (2008). How to accurately detect autobiographical
      events. Psychological Science, 19, 772-780. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02156.x
      ] aims to determine which of two contrasting statements is true. To efficiently
      run well-powered aIAT experiments, we propose a web-based aIAT (web-aIAT).
      Experiment 1 (n = 522) is a web-based replication study of the first published
      aIAT study [Sartori, G., Agosta, S., Zogmaister, C., Ferrara, S. D., & Castiello,
      U. (2008). How to accurately detect autobiographical events. Psychological
      Science, 19, 772-780. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02156.x ; Experiment 1]. We
      conclude that the replication was successful as the web-based aIAT could
      accurately detect which of two playing cards participants chose (AUC = .88; Hit
      rate = 81%). In Experiment 2 (n = 424), we investigated whether the use of
      affirmative versus negative sentences may partly explain the variability in aIAT
      accuracy findings. The aIAT could detect the chosen card when using affirmative
      (AUC = .90; Hit rate = 81%), but not when using negative sentences (AUC = .60;
      Hit rate = 53%). The web-based aIAT seems to be a valuable tool to facilitate
      aIAT research and may help to further identify moderators of the test's accuracy.

PMID- 27281270
TI  - Vulnerability of Dopaminergic Amacrine Cells to Chronic Ischemia in a Mouse Model
      of Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Retinal dopamine deficiency is a potential cause of myopia and visual
      deficits in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We investigated the cellular
      mechanisms responsible for lowered levels of retinal dopamine in an oxygen
      induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model of ROP. METHODS: Retinopathy was induced by
      exposing mice to 75% oxygen from postnatal day 7 (P7) to P12. Oxygen-induced
      retinopathy and age-matched control mice were euthanized at P12, P17, P25, or P42
      to P50. Immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, and biochemical approaches were
      used to determine the effect of OIR on the structure and function of dopaminergic
      amacrine cells (DACs). RESULTS: The total number of DACs was unchanged in OIR
      retinas at P12 despite significant capillary dropout in the central retina.
      However, a significant loss of DACs was observed in P17 OIR retinas (in which
      neovascularization was maximal), with the cell loss being more profound in the
      central (avascular) than in the peripheral (neovascular) regions. Cell loss was
      persistent in both regions at P25, at which time retinal neovascularization had
      regressed. At P42, the percentage of DACs lost (54%) was comparable to the
      percent decrease in total dopamine content (53%). Additionally, it was found that
      DACs recorded in OIR retinas at P42 to P50 had a complete dendritic field and
      exhibited relatively normal spontaneous and light-induced electrical activity.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that remaining DACs are structurally and
      functionally intact and that loss of DACs is primarily responsible for the
      decreased levels of retinal dopamine observed after OIR.

PMID- 27281273
TI  - Air pollution and diabetes association: Modification by type 2 diabetes genetic
      risk score.
AB  - Exposure to ambient air pollution (AP) exposure has been linked to type 2
      diabetes (T2D) risk. Evidence on the impact of T2D genetic variants on AP
      susceptibility is lacking. Compared to single variants, joint genetic variants
      contribute substantially to disease risk. We investigated the modification of AP
      and diabetes association by a genetic risk score (GRS) covering 63 T2D genes in
      1524 first follow-up participants of the Swiss cohort study on air pollution and
      lung and heart diseases in adults. Genome-wide data and covariates were available
      from a nested asthma case-control study design. AP was estimated as 10-year mean
      residential particulate matter <10MUm (PM10). We computed count-GRS and weighted
      GRS, and applied PM10 interaction terms in mixed logistic regressions, on odds of
      diabetes. Analyses were stratified by pathways of diabetes pathology and by
      asthma status. Diabetes prevalence was 4.6% and mean exposure to PM10 was
      22MUg/m(3). Odds of diabetes increased by 8% (95% confidence interval: 2, 14%)
      per T2D risk allele and by 35% (-8, 97%) per 10MUg/m(3) exposure to PM10. We
      observed a positive interaction between PM10 and count-GRS on diabetes
      [ORinteraction=1.10 (1.01, 1.20)], associations being strongest among
      participants at the highest quartile of count-GRS [OR: 1.97 (1.00, 3.87)].
      Stronger interactions were observed with variants of the GRS involved in insulin
      resistance [(ORinteraction=1.22 (1.00, 1.50)] than with variants related to beta
      cell function. Interactions with count-GRS were stronger among asthma cases. We
      observed similar results with weighted-GRS. Five single variants near GRB14,
      UBE2E2, PTPRD, VPS26A and KCNQ1 showed nominally significant interactions with
      PM10 (P<0.05). Our results suggest that genetic risk for T2D may modify
      susceptibility to air pollution through alterations in insulin sensitivity. These
      results need confirmation in diabetes cohort consortia.

PMID- 27281274
TI  - Apolipoprotein E isotype-dependent modulation of microRNA-146a in plasma and
      brain.
AB  - The Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) isotype ApoE4 is a prevalent genetic risk factor for
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) that can modulate systemic and central inflammation,
      independent of amyloid accumulation. Although disruption of innate immune toll
      receptor signaling is modulated by ApoE and observed in AD, ApoE isotype-specific
      effects remain poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the effect of the ApoE
      isotype on the brain levels of major regulators of TLR signaling including
      miR146a, a microRNA enriched in the brain. We used 6-month-old ApoE3 or ApoE4
      targeted replacement mice with and without mutant familial AD transgenes. ApoE4
      reduced the levels of miR146a compared with ApoE3, both in the brain (29%;
      P<0.0001) and in plasma (47%; P<0.05), which correlated with each other (r=0.74;
      P<0.05). The presence of 5xFAD transgenes increased brain miR146a in both ApoE3
      (E3FAD) and ApoE4 (E4FAD) mice; however, miR146a levels in E4FAD mice remained
      lower than those in E3FAD mice (62%; P<0.05), despite increased amyloid and
      inflammation. Supporting these observations, ApoE4 brains showed increased
      expression of interleukin receptor-associated kinase-1 (160%; P<0.05) (normally
      downregulated by miR146) that correlated inversely with miR146a levels (r=0.637;
      P<0.0001). Reduced negative feedback of toll-like receptor signaling (by
      miRNA146a) can explain early-life hypersensitivity to innate immune stimuli
      (including Abeta) in ApoE4 carriers. Thus, ApoE4 causes early dysregulation of a
      central controller of the innate immune system both centrally and systemically.
      This defect persists with familial AD pathology and may be relevant to ApoE4 AD
      risk.

PMID- 27281275
TI  - Ibuprofen Differentially Affects Supraspinatus Muscle and Tendon Adaptations to
      Exercise in a Rat Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that ibuprofen is detrimental to tissue
      healing after acute injury; however, the effects of ibuprofen when combined with
      noninjurious exercise are debated. HYPOTHESIS: Administration of ibuprofen to
      rats undergoing a noninjurious treadmill exercise protocol will abolish the
      beneficial adaptations found with exercise but will have no effect on sedentary
      muscle and tendon properties. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS:
      A total of 167 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into exercise or cage
      activity (sedentary) groups and acute (a single bout of exercise followed by 24
      hours of rest) and chronic (2 or 8 weeks of repeated exercise) response times.
      Half of the rats were administered ibuprofen to investigate the effects of this
      drug over time when combined with different activity levels (exercise and
      sedentary). Supraspinatus tendons were used for mechanical testing and histologic
      assessment (organization, cell shape, cellularity), and supraspinatus muscles
      were used for morphologic (fiber cross-sectional area, centrally nucleated
      fibers) and fiber type analysis. RESULTS: Chronic intake of ibuprofen did not
      impair supraspinatus tendon organization or mechanical adaptations (stiffness,
      modulus, maximum load, maximum stress, dynamic modulus, or viscoelastic
      properties) to exercise. Tendon mechanical properties were not diminished and in
      some instances increased with ibuprofen. In contrast, total supraspinatus muscle
      fiber cross-sectional area decreased with ibuprofen at chronic response times,
      and some fiber type-specific changes were detected. CONCLUSION: Chronic
      administration of ibuprofen does not impair supraspinatus tendon mechanical
      properties in a rat model of exercise but does decrease supraspinatus muscle
      fiber cross-sectional area. This fundamental study adds to the growing literature
      on the effects of ibuprofen on musculoskeletal tissues and provides a solid
      foundation on which future work can build. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study findings
      suggest that ibuprofen does not detrimentally affect regulation of supraspinatus
      tendon adaptations to exercise but does decrease muscle growth. Individuals
      should be advised on the risk of decreased muscle hypertrophy when consuming
      ibuprofen.

PMID- 27281276
TI  - Reliability and Validity of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-3 (SCAT3) in
      High School and Collegiate Athletes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-3 (SCAT3) facilitates sideline
      clinical assessments of concussed athletes. Yet, there is little published
      research on clinically relevant metrics for the SCAT3 as a whole. PURPOSE: We
      documented the psychometric properties of the major SCAT3 components (symptoms,
      cognition, balance) and derived clinical decision criteria (ie, reliable change
      score cutoffs and normative conversation tables) for clinicians to apply to cases
      with and without available preinjury baseline data. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study
      (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: High school and collegiate athletes
      (N = 2018) completed preseason baseline evaluations including the SCAT3. Re
      evaluations of 166 injured athletes and 164 noninjured controls were performed
      within 24 hours of injury and at 8, 15, and 45 days after injury. Analyses
      focused on predictors of baseline performance, test-retest reliability, and
      sensitivity and specificity of the SCAT3 using either single postinjury cutoffs
      or reliable change index (RCI) criteria derived from this sample. RESULTS:
      Athlete sex, level of competition, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
      (ADHD), learning disability (LD), and estimated verbal intellectual ability (but
      not concussion history) were associated with baseline scores on >=1 SCAT3
      components (small to moderate effect sizes). Female sex, high school level of
      competition (vs college), and ADHD were associated with higher baseline symptom
      ratings (d = 0.25-0.32). Male sex, ADHD, and LD were associated with lower
      baseline Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) scores (d = 0.28-0.68). Male
      sex, high school level of competition, ADHD, and LD were associated with poorer
      baseline Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) performance (d = 0.14-0.26). After
      injury, the symptom checklist manifested the largest effect size at the 24-hour
      assessment (d = 1.52), with group differences diminished but statistically
      significant at day 8 (d = 0.39) and nonsignificant at day 15. Effect sizes for
      the SAC and BESS were small to moderate at 24 hours (SAC: d = -0.36; modified
      BESS: d = 0.46; full BESS: d = 0.51) and became nonsignificant at day 8 (SAC) and
      day 15 (BESS). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated a
      stronger discrimination for symptoms (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.86) than
      cognitive and balance measures (AUCs = 0.58 and 0.62, respectively), with
      comparable discrimination of each SCAT3 component using postinjury scores alone
      versus baseline-adjusted scores (P = .71-.90). Normative conversion tables and
      RCI criteria were created to facilitate the use of the SCAT3 both with and
      without baseline test results. CONCLUSION: Individual predictors should be taken
      into account when interpreting the SCAT3. The normative conversion tables and
      RCIs presented can be used to help interpret concussed athletes' performance both
      with and without baseline data, given the comparability of the 2 interpretative
      approaches.

PMID- 27281277
TI  - The Medial Stitch in Transosseous-Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair: Vertical or
      Horizontal Mattress?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite advances in surgical technique, rotator cuff repair retears
      continue to occur at rates of 10%, 22%, and 57% for small, medium, and large
      tears, respectively. A common mode of failure in transosseous-equivalent rotator
      cuff repairs is tissue pullout of the medial mattress stitch. While the medial
      mattress stitch has been studied extensively, no studies have evaluated a
      vertical mattress pattern placed near the musculotendinous junction in comparison
      with a horizontal mattress pattern. HYPOTHESIS: Vertical mattress stitches will
      have higher load to failure and lower gapping compared with horizontal mattress
      stitches in a transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair. STUDY DESIGN:
      Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Double-row transosseous-equivalent rotator
      cuff repairs were performed in 9 pairs of human male cadaveric shoulders (mean
      age +/- SD, 58 +/- 10 years). One shoulder in each pair received a medial-row
      suture pattern using a vertical mattress stitch, and the contralateral shoulder
      received a horizontal mattress. Specimens were mounted in a materials testing
      machine and tested in uniaxial tensile deformation for cyclic loading (500 cycles
      at 1 Hz to 1.0 MPa of effective stress), followed by failure testing carried out
      at a rate of 1 mm/s. Construct gapping and applied loads were monitored
      continuously throughout the testing. RESULTS: Vertical mattress sutures were
      placed in 5 right and 4 left shoulders. Peak cyclic gapping did not differ
      between vertical (mean +/- SD, 2.8 +/- 1.1 mm) and horizontal mattress specimens
      (3.0 +/- 1.2 mm) (P = .684). Vertical mattress sutures failed at higher loads
      compared with horizontal mattress sutures (568.9 +/- 140.3 vs 451.1 +/- 174.3 N;
      P = .025); however, there was no significant difference in failure displacement
      (8.0 +/- 1.6 vs 6.0 +/- 2.1 mm; P = .092). Failure stiffness did not differ
      between the suture patterns (P = .204). CONCLUSION: In transosseous-equivalent
      rotator cuff repairs near the musculotendinous junction, a vertical mattress
      suture used as the medial stitch has a higher load to failure but no difference
      in gapping compared with a horizontal mattress pattern. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A
      vertical mattress suture may offer enhanced strength of repair for transosseous
      equivalent repairs.

PMID- 27281278
TI  - Quantifying Head Impacts in Collegiate Lacrosse.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concussion and repetitive head impact in sports has increased
      interest and concern for clinicians, scientists, and athletes. Lacrosse is the
      fastest growing sport in the United States, but the burden of head impact in
      lacrosse is unknown. PURPOSE: The goal of this pilot study was to quantify head
      impact associated with practicing and playing collegiate lacrosse while subjects
      were fitted with wearable accelerometers. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology
      study. METHODS: In a single year, a collegiate cohort of 14 women's and 15 men's
      lacrosse players wore mastoid-patch accelerometers to measure the frequency and
      severity of head impacts during official practices and games. Average impact
      severity, mean number of impacts, and cumulative acceleration were evaluated,
      stratified by sport and event type. RESULTS: Men's and women's collegiate
      lacrosse players did not significantly differ in the number of head impacts
      received during games (11.5 for men vs 9.2 for women) or practices (3.1 vs 3.1).
      Men's lacrosse players had significantly higher average head acceleration per
      impact during games compared with women (21.1g vs 14.7g) but not during practices
      (21.3g vs 18.1g). For both men and women, more impacts occurred during games than
      during practices (men, 11.5 vs 3.1; women, 9.2 vs 3.1), but impact severity did
      not significantly differ between events for either sport (men, 21.1g vs 21.3g;
      women, 14.7g vs 18.1g). CONCLUSION: The study data suggest a higher impact burden
      during games compared with practices, but this effect is driven by the quantity
      rather than severity of impacts. In contrast, sex-based effects in impact burden
      are driven by average impact severity rather than quantity. Data collected from
      larger multisite trials and/or different age groups could be used to inform
      ongoing debates, including headgear and practice regulations, that might
      appreciably affect the burden of head impacts in lacrosse. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
      While most head impacts do not result in a clinical diagnosis of concussion,
      evidence indicates that subconcussive head impacts may increase susceptibility to
      concussion and contribute to long-term neurodegeneration.

PMID- 27281279
TI  - Humeral Torsion as a Risk Factor for Shoulder and Elbow Injury in Professional
      Baseball Pitchers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have demonstrated that humeral retrotorsion is
      increased in the dominant arms of throwing athletes. No study has clearly defined
      the relationship between humeral retrotorsion and shoulder and elbow injury.
      HYPOTHESIS: Uninjured professional pitchers will display more dominant humeral
      torsion (HT) than professional pitchers who sustain shoulder injuries but less
      than pitchers who sustain elbow injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level
      of evidence, 3. METHODS: Pitchers from the Colorado Rockies professional baseball
      organization were recruited for participation for this prospective injury study
      from 2009 to 2013. HT was assessed using indirect ultrasonographic techniques and
      was measured prospectively in 255 pitchers before each spring training (average
      of 2 trials). From the beginning of the preseason to the end of the postseason,
      overuse upper extremity injuries (shoulder or elbow) were tracked for each
      participating athlete. All athletes who reported pain or injury to their coach
      were referred to the organization's athletic trainer for evaluation and
      classification of each injury. The difference in HT was calculated by subtracting
      measurement of the dominant arm from the nondominant arm, and 3 separate mixed
      model analyses of variance (side * injury group) were used to compare the
      dominant and nondominant HT between all pitchers who developed an arm injury
      (shoulder and elbow combined), as well as comparing pitchers who developed a
      shoulder or elbow injury to those who did not miss games due to shoulder or elbow
      injury (alpha = .05). RESULTS: During the course of the study, 60 arm (30
      shoulder; 30 elbow) injuries were observed; 195 pitchers did not suffer an
      injury. There were no differences when HT was compared between all injured
      (shoulder and elbow injuries combined) and uninjured pitchers (P = .13; effect
      size 0.14). There was a significant interaction effect showing that pitchers who
      suffered a shoulder injury displayed 4 degrees  less dominant humeral
      retrotorsion compared with pitchers without injury (P = .04) and that pitchers
      with elbow injury displayed 5 degrees  greater humeral retrotorsion (P = .04). In
      addition, those who suffered an ulnar collateral ligament injury requiring
      reconstruction (n = 17) also displayed 4(o) greater dominant retrotorsion and 5
      degrees  less nondominant humeral retrotorsion compared with pitchers who did not
      suffer an injury (n = 195; P = .05). There was not a significant difference
      between nondominant HT among pitchers who sustained shoulder and elbow injuries
      and pitchers without injury. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show a
      contrast in dominant humeral retrotorsion between pitchers who suffered shoulder
      and elbow injuries compared with those without an injury. Pitchers who sustained
      shoulder injuries had less dominant humeral retrotorsion compared with noninjured
      pitchers. In contrast, pitchers who sustained time-loss elbow injuries displayed
      increased humeral retrotorsion compared with noninjured pitchers. Together, these
      results suggest that increased adaptive humeral retrotorsion is protective
      against shoulder injuries but a harmful contributor for elbow injuries in
      professional pitchers. This is the first study to show differing injury risk
      profiles for shoulder and elbow injury.

PMID- 27281281
TI  - Laboratory Monitoring of Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and Fondaparinux.
AB  - Compared with older agents, low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) and fondaparinux
      offer improved bioavailability and more predictable, dose-independent clearance.
      While routine monitoring of coagulation parameters is not usually necessary with
      these agents, certain populations (including pregnant patients, children, obese
      patients, and patients with renal impairment) may benefit from the monitoring of
      anti-factor Xa activity, thromboelastography, or other coagulation assays to help
      guide therapy. The chromogenic anti-factor Xa assay is currently the gold
      standard for monitoring LMWH and fondaparinux therapy. Thromboelastography has
      been used to monitor LMWH therapy in special situations but is not needed for
      routine use.

PMID- 27281280
TI  - Retina regeneration in zebrafish.
AB  - Unlike mammals, zebrafish are able to regenerate a damaged retina. Key to this
      regenerative response are Muller glia that respond to retinal injury by
      undergoing a reprogramming event that allows them to divide and generate a
      retinal progenitor that is multipotent and responsible for regenerating all major
      retinal neuron types. The fish and mammalian retina are composed of similar cell
      types with conserved function. Because of this it is anticipated that studies of
      retina regeneration in fish may suggest strategies for stimulating Muller glia
      reprogramming and retina regeneration in mammals. In this review we describe
      recent advances and future directions in retina regeneration research using
      zebrafish as a model system.

PMID- 27281282
TI  - Current Trends in Neonatal Tracheostomy.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The indications for neonatal tracheostomy may have changed with
      current noninvasive respiratory therapies compared with previous decades.
      OBJECTIVES: To study the current trends in neonatal tracheostomy and identify the
      primary indication for the procedure and risk factors for failed extubation.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective medical record review
      included 47 neonates who underwent tracheostomy from January 1, 2009, to December
      31, 2013, at the University of Maryland Children's Hospital. Group 1 included
      infants undergoing tracheostomy for the primary indication of upper airway
      obstruction; group 2, infants with primary pulmonary disease. Data on weight,
      gestational age, comorbid conditions, congenital abnormalities, complications,
      outcomes, and indications for tracheostomy were compared statistically between
      groups. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Differences in gestational age, birth weight,
      and age at tracheostomy. RESULTS: Among the 47 infants included in the study (30
      boys; 17 girls, mean [SD] age, 113 [73] days), 31 (66%) demonstrated anatomical
      causes of airway obstruction, and 16 (34%) had significant pulmonary disease.
      Among infants with anatomical causes, subglottic stenosis represented the largest
      group (11 of 31 [35%]). The mean age at the time of tracheostomy was
      significantly lower in the group with airway obstruction (98.9 vs 146.9 days;
      difference, 48 [95% CI, 4.8-91.2] days; P = .04). No procedure-related morbidity
      or mortality was encountered. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Anatomical upper airway
      obstruction may be returning as the most common indication for a neonatal
      tracheostomy, thereby supporting the belief that current respiratory therapies
      have lowered the burden of chronic lung disease and the need for prolonged
      ventilatory care.

PMID- 27281283
TI  - Direct Nucleophilic Difluoromethylation of Carbonyl Compounds.
AB  - Phosphonium salt ([Ph3P(+)CF2H] Br(-), DFPB) was found to be an efficient
      nucleophilic difluoromethylation reagent. Although DFPB is known as a phosphonium
      ylide precursor, its reaction with carbonyl compounds under traditional "Wittig
      reaction conditions" did not give the expected Wittig difluoroolefinated
      products, but afforded the nucleophilic difluoromethylation products, alpha-CF2H
      alcohols. Mechanistic investigation reveals that the unexpected transformation
      proceeded via the direct transfer of the CF2H group, which resulted from the high
      P-O affinity.

PMID- 27281284
TI  - Trapped modes in an infinite or semi-infinite tube with a local enlargement.
AB  - Trapped modes in a hard cylindrical tube with a local axisymmetric enlargement or
      bulge and filled with a uniform acoustic medium is studied. The governing
      Helmholtz equation in the cylindrical coordinate system is employed to deal with
      this problem through the domain decomposition method and matching technique. The
      trapped modes and the corresponding frequencies less than the threshold frequency
      or cut-off frequency are derived. It is found that in addition to the fundamental
      mode, the second- and higher-order trapped modes exist and depend on the geometry
      parameters of the local bulge. The effects of the bulge radius and width on the
      frequencies are discussed. The local bulge leads to a decrease of the frequencies
      and the corresponding vibration mode is localized near the bulge. A multimodal
      analysis is made and frequency band gap of generalized trapped modes is also
      studied. A frequency band gap depends on the radius of a bulge and is independent
      of its width. The obtained results can be extended to analyze bound states in
      quantum wires.

PMID- 27281285
TI  - Tunable Lamb wave band gaps in two-dimensional magnetoelastic phononic crystal
      slabs by an applied external magnetostatic field.
AB  - This paper theoretically investigates the band gaps of Lamb mode waves in two
      dimensional magnetoelastic phononic crystal slabs by an applied external
      magnetostatic field. With the assumption of uniformly oriented magnetization, an
      equivalent piezomagnetic material model is used. The effects of magnetostatic
      field on phononic crystals are considered carefully in this model. The numerical
      results indicate that the width of the first band gap is significantly changed by
      applying the external magnetic field with different amplitude, and the ratio
      between the maximum and minimum gap widths reaches 228%. Further calculations
      demonstrate that the orientation of the magnetic field obviously affects the
      width and location of the first band gap. The contactless tunability of the
      proposed phononic crystal slabs shows many potential applications of vibration
      isolation in engineering.

PMID- 27281286
TI  - Three-Quarters of Persons in the US Population Reporting a Clinical Diagnosis of
      Fibromyalgia Do Not Satisfy Fibromyalgia Criteria: The 2012 National Health
      Interview Survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although fibromyalgia criteria have been in effect for decades,
      little is known about how the fibromyalgia diagnosis is applied and understood by
      clinicians and patients. We used the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to
      determine the prevalence of self-reported clinician diagnosed fibromyalgia and
      then compared demographics, symptoms, disability and medical utilization measures
      of persons with a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia that did not meet diagnostic
      criteria (false-positive or prior [F/P] fibromyalgia) to persons with and without
      criteria-positive fibromyalgia. METHODS: The National Health Interview Survey
      (NHIS) collected information about both clinical diagnosis and symptoms of
      fibromyalgia that was appropriately weighted to represent 225,726,257 US adults.
      Surrogate NHIS diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia were developed based on the
      level of polysymptomatic distress (PSD) as characterized in the 2011 modified
      American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR) for fibromyalgia. Persons with
      F/P fibromyalgia were compared with persons who do not have fibromyalgia and
      those meeting surrogate NHIS fibromyalgia criteria. RESULTS: Of the 1.78% of
      persons reporting a clinical diagnosis, 73.5% did not meet NHIS fibromyalgia
      criteria. The prevalence of F/P fibromyalgia is 1.3%. F/P fibromyalgia is
      associated with a mild degree of polysymptomatic distress (NHIS PSD score 6.2)
      and characterized by frequent but not widespread pain and insomnia. Measures of
      work disability and medical utilization in F/P fibromyalgia were equal to that
      seen with NHIS criteria positive fibromyalgia and were 6-7x greater in F/P
      fibromyalgia than in non-fibromyalgia persons. F/P fibromyalgia was best
      predicted by being female (Odds Ratio [OR] 8.81), married (OR 3.27), and white
      (OR 1.96). In contrast, being a white, married woman was only modestly predictive
      of NHIS (criteria positive) fibromyalgia (OR 2.1). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of
      clinically diagnosed fibromyalgia cases in the US do not reach levels of severity
      necessary and sufficient for diagnosis. The clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia is
      disproportionally dependent on demographic and social factors rather than the
      symptoms themselves. Diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia appear to be used as a
      vague guide by clinicians and patients, and allow for substantial diagnostic
      expansion of fibromyalgia.

PMID- 27281288
TI  - Direct Measurement of Pore Dynamics and Leakage Induced by a Model Antimicrobial
      Peptide in Single Vesicles and Cells.
AB  - Antimicrobial peptides are promising therapeutic alternatives to counter growing
      antimicrobial resistance. Their precise mechanism of action remains elusive,
      however, particularly with respect to live bacterial cells. We investigated the
      interaction of a fluorescent melittin analogue with single giant unilamellar
      vesicles, giant multilamellar vesicles, and bilamellar Gram-negative Escherichia
      coli (E. coli) bacteria. Time-lapse fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy was
      employed to determine the population distribution of the fluorescent melittin
      analogue between pore state and membrane surface state, and simultaneously
      measure the leakage of entrapped fluorescent species from the vesicle (or
      bacterium) interior. In giant unilamellar vesicles, leakage from vesicle interior
      was correlated with an increase in level of pore states, consistent with a stable
      pore formation mechanism. In giant multilamellar vesicles, vesicle leakage
      occurred more gradually and did not appear to correlate with increased pore
      states. Instead pore levels remained at a low steady-state level, which is more
      in line with coupled equilibria. Finally, in single bacterial cells, significant
      increases in pore levels were observed over time, which were correlated with only
      partial loss of cytosolic contents. These observations suggested that pore
      formation, as opposed to complete dissolution of membrane, was responsible for
      the leakage of contents in these systems, and that the bacterial membrane has an
      adaptive capacity that resists peptide attack. We interpret the three distinct
      pore dynamics regimes in the context of the increasing physical and biological
      complexity of the membranes.

PMID- 27281287
TI  - Cognition and the Default Mode Network in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: A
      Resting State Functional MRI Study.
AB  - Cerebrovascular complications are frequent events in children with sickle cell
      disease, yet routinely used techniques such as Transcranial Doppler (TCD),
      Magnetic Resonance (MRI) and Angiography (MRA), insufficiently explain the cause
      of poor cognitive performances. Forty children with SS-Sbeta degrees  (mean age 8
      years) underwent neurocognitive evaluation and comprehensive brain imaging
      assessment with TCD, MRI, MRA, Resting State (RS) Functional MRI with evaluation
      of the Default Mode Network (DMN). Sixteen healthy age-matched controls underwent
      MRI, MRA and RS functional MRI.Children with SCD display increased brain
      connectivity in the DMN even in the absence of alterations in standard imaging
      techniques. Patients with low neurocognitive scores presented higher brain
      connectivity compared to children without cognitive impairment or controls,
      suggesting an initial compensatory mechanism to maintain performances. In our
      cohort steady state haemoglobin level was not related to increased brain
      connectivity, but SatO2<97% was. Our findings provide novel evidence that SCD is
      characterized by a selective disruption of connectivity among relevant regions of
      the brain, potentially leading to reduced cognition and altered functional brain
      dynamics. RS functional MRI could be used as a useful tool to evaluate cognition
      and cerebral damage in SCD in longitudinal trials. 

PMID- 27281290
TI  - Effect of the Mn Oxidation State on Single-Molecule-Magnet Properties: Mn(III) vs
      Mn(IV) in Biologically Inspired DyMn3O4 Cubanes.
AB  - Inspired by the ferromagnetic coupling in the cubane model CaMn(IV)3O4 of the
      oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II, 3d-4f mixed-metal DyMn3O4 clusters
      were prepared for investigation of the magnetic properties. For comparison,
      YMn(IV)3O4 and YMn(IV)2Mn(III)O4 clusters were investigated as well and showed
      ferromagnetic interactions, like the calcium analogue. DyMn(IV)3O4 displays
      single-molecule-magnet properties, while the one-electron-reduced species
      (DyMn(IV)2Mn(III)O4) does not, despite the presence of a Mn(III) center with
      higher spin and single-ion anisotropy. 

PMID- 27281291
TI  - Response Characteristics of Bisphenols on a Metal-Organic Framework-Based
      Tyrosinase Nanosensor.
AB  - Bisphenols (BPs), which have more than ten kinds of structural analogues, are
      emerging as the most important endocrine disrupting chemicals that adversely
      affect human health and aquatic life. A tyrosinase nanosensor based on metal
      organic frameworks (MOFs) and chitosan was developed to investigate the
      electrochemical response characteristics and mechanisms of nine kinds of BPs for
      the first time. The developed tyrosinase nanosensor showed a sensitive response
      to bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol E, bisphenol B, and bisphenol Z, and the
      responsive sensitivities were highly dependent on their respective log Kow
      values. However, the nanosensor showed no response to bisphenol S (BPS),
      bisphenol AP (BPAP), bisphenol AF (BPAF), or tetrabromobisphenol A, although BPS,
      BPAP, and BPAF have structures similar to those of the responsive BPs. The
      obtained results reveal that the electrochemical response of different BPs is
      affected not only by the molecular structure, especially the available ortho
      positions of phenolic hydroxyl groups, but also by the substituent group
      properties (electron acceptor or electron donor) on the bisphenol framework. The
      electronic cloud distribution of the phenolic hydroxyl groups, which is affected
      by the substituent group, determines whether the available ortho positions of
      phenolic hydroxyl groups can be oxidized by the tyrosinase biosensor. These
      response mechanisms are very significant as they can be used for predicting the
      response characteristics of many BPs and their various derivatives and
      metabolites on biosensors. The unexpected anti-interference ability of the
      biosensor to nine heavy metal ions was also discovered and discussed. The MOF
      chitosan nanocomposite proves to be a promising sensing platform for the
      construction of diverse biosensors for selective detection of targets even in the
      presence of a high concentration of heavy metal ions. 

PMID- 27281292
TI  - Exogenous Melatonin Treatment Increases Chilling Tolerance and Induces Defense
      Response in Harvested Peach Fruit during Cold Storage.
AB  - The effect of exogenous melatonin on chilling injury in peach fruit after harvest
      was investigated. To explore the optimum concentration of melatonin for chilling
      tolerance induction, peach fruit were treated with 50, 100, or 200 MUM melatonin
      for 120 min and then stored for 28 days at 4  degrees C. The results showed that
      application of melatonin at 100 MUM was most effective in reducing chilling
      injury of peach fruit after harvest. Peaches treated with melatonin at this
      concentration displayed higher levels of extractable juice rate and total soluble
      solids than the non-treated peaches. In addition, melatonin treatment enhanced
      expression of PpADC, PpODC, and PpGAD and consequently increased polyamines and
      gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) contents. Meanwhile, the upregulated transcripts
      of PpADC and PpODC and inhibited PpPDH expression resulted in the higher proline
      content in melatonin-treated fruit compared to the control fruit. Our results
      revealed that melatonin treatment may be a useful technique to alleviate chilling
      injury in cold-stored peach fruit. The chilling tolerance of harvested peaches
      induced by melatonin treatment is associated with higher levels of polyamine,
      GABA, and proline. These data provided here are the first protective evidence of
      exogenous melatonin in harvested horticultural products in response to direct
      chilling stress. 

PMID- 27281293
TI  - Intuitive and Deliberative Empathizers and Systemizers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recent findings suggest there may be some overlap between individual
      differences in orientations for intuitive thinking and empathizing, and between
      deliberative thinking and systemizing. This overlap is surprising, given that
      intuitive and deliberative thinking derive from dual-process theories that
      concern domain-general types of processing, whereas theoretically, empathizing
      and systemizing are domain-specific orientations for understanding people and
      lawful physical phenomena. METHOD: The present studies (Study 1: N = 2,789, Study
      2: N = 87; Finnish volunteers ages 15-69, 65% females) analyzed each of these
      four constructs using self-report as well as performance measures. RESULTS:
      Confirmatory factor analysis showed that systemizing was strongly and positively
      related to deliberative thinking and negatively related to intuitive thinking.
      Empathizing was negatively related to deliberative thinking, whereas no
      association between empathizing and intuition was found. However, some
      deliberative aspects and some intuitive aspects were involved in empathizing.
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that a distinction between "intuitive
      empathizing" and "deliberative systemizing" is not warranted.

PMID- 27281295
TI  - Iron Acquisition Pathways as Targets for Antitubercular Drugs.
AB  - Tuberculosis nowadays ranks as the second leading cause of death from an
      infectious disease worldwide. In the last twenty years, this disease has again
      started to spread mainly for the appearance of multi-drug resistant forms.
      Therefore, new targets are needed to address the growing emergence of bacterial
      resistance and for antitubercular drug development. Efficient iron acquisition is
      crucial for the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, because it serves as
      cofactor in many essential biological processes, including DNA biosynthesis and
      cellular respiration. Bacteria acquire iron chelating non-heme iron from the host
      using the siderophore mycobactins and carboxymycobactins and by the uptake of
      heme iron released by damaged red blood cells, through several acquisition
      systems. Drug discovery focused its efforts on the inhibition of MbtI and MbtA,
      which are are two enzymes involved in the mycobactin biosynthetic pathway. In
      particular, MbtI inhibitors have been studied in vitro, while MbtA inhibitors
      showed activity also in infected mice. Another class of compounds, MmpL3
      inhibitors, showed antitubercular activity in vitro and in vivo, but their
      mechanism of action seems to be off-target. Some compounds inhibiting 4'
      phosphopantetheinyl transferase were discovered but not tested on in vivo assays.
      The available data reported in this study based on inhibitors and gene deletion
      studies, suggest that targeting iron acquisition systems could be considered a
      promising antitubercular strategy. Due to their redundancy, the relative
      importance of each pathway for Mycobacterium tuberculosis survival has still to
      be determined. Thus, in vivo studies with new, potent and specific inhibitors are
      needed to highlight target selection.

PMID- 27281296
TI  - Engineered Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles; Biological Interactions at the Organ Level.
AB  - Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the widely used nanoparticles with
      spectrum of application, in the areas like daily care products, sensors,
      antibacterial agents, and biomedical sector. With extensive application the risk
      of exposure at occupational and consumer level also increases. Huge amount of
      data are available on the biointeraction of ZnO NPs. Though the toxicity of ZnO
      NPs is attributed to particle dissolution inside the cellular compartments and
      their ability to generate the reactive oxygen species, the ambiguity prevails
      over the exact mechanism of toxicity. The in vivo studies on different animal
      models and humans suggest different level of toxicity in these organisms. However
      the synthetic route, physiochemical properties of the nanoparticle, mode of
      exposure and nature of the test system often influences these studies. Hence the
      study results vary and sometimes contradict on one another. The current review
      focuses on the interaction of ZnO NPs with different organ systems. It also
      points to the factors to be considered while undertaking such studies in order to
      ensure reliability of the results.

PMID- 27281297
TI  - Human Tuberculosis I. Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Pathogenetic Mechanisms.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), an almost genetically monomorphic
      pathogen is a human parasite, transmitted mostly by humans and causes
      tuberculosis (TB). TB is firmly associated to poverty, although lack of proper
      nutrition and lowered immune status are contributing factors for disease
      development. TB remains second only to HIV/AIDS as the leading cause of mortality
      worldwide due to a single infectious agent and is responsible for nearly 1.5
      million deaths annually. Some steps of the progress of our knowledge of M.
      tuberculosis physiology and its interactions with human beings, are reviewed
      here. This progress has provided fertile ground for improving diagnosis and cure
      of TB infection. For TB diagnostics laboratories in high-burden countries,
      primary isolation is the first step before performing drug susceptibility testing
      (DST) of M. tuberculosis. IGRA (interferon-gamma release assay)-based tests for
      diagnosis of active TB are sufficiently fast, specific and sensitive to allow to
      contain infection and distinguish among latent TB infection and BCG vaccination
      individuals from those who have clinically resolved M. tuberculosis infection
      after anti-TB treatment.

PMID- 27281298
TI  - The Complete Mechanism of an Aldol Condensation.
AB  - Although aldol condensation is one of the most important organic reactions,
      capable of forming new C-C bonds, its mechanism has never been fully established.
      We now conclude that the rate-limiting step in the base-catalyzed aldol
      condensation of benzaldehydes with acetophenones, to produce chalcones, is the
      final loss of hydroxide and formation of the C?C bond. This conclusion is based
      on a study of the partitioning ratios of the intermediate ketols and on the
      solvent kinetic isotope effects, whereby the condensations are faster in D2O than
      in H2O, regardless of substitution.

PMID- 27281299
TI  - Glucose-Derived Carbonaceous Nanospheres for Photoacoustic Imaging and
      Photothermal Therapy.
AB  - Carbon nanomaterials with small size and unique optical properties have attracted
      intensive interest for their promising biomedical applications. In this work,
      glucose-derived carbonaceous nanospheres (CNSs) with high photothermal conversion
      efficiency up to 35.1% are explored for the first time as a novel carbon-based
      theranostic agent. Different from most other carbon nanomaterials, the obtained
      CNSs are highly biocompatible and nontoxic because of their intrinsic hydrophilic
      property and the use of glucose as raw materials. Under near-infrared laser
      irradiation (808 nm, 6 W cm(-2)) for 10 min, less than 15% of PC-3M-IE8 cells
      exposed to CNSs aqueous dispersions (0.16 mg/mL) remained alive. After
      intravenous administration of CNSs aqueous dispersions into nude mice, the
      photoacoustic intensity of the tumor region is about 2.5 times higher than that
      of preinjection. These results indicate that CNSs are suitable for simultaneous
      photoacoustic imaging and photothermal ablation of cancer cells and can serve as
      promising biocompatible carbon-based agents for further clinical trials. 

PMID- 27281301
TI  - Issues in the Diagnosis and Management of Hereditary Antithrombin Deficiency.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review insights gained in the past several years about hereditary
      antithrombin (AT) deficiency and to outline approaches to the management of
      patients with AT deficiency in the acute and chronic settings. DATA SOURCES: An
      extensive literature search of Scopus (January 2008-April 2016) was performed for
      the terms congenital antithrombin deficiency, inherited antithrombin deficiency,
      or hereditary antithrombin deficiency Additional references were identified by
      reviewing literature citations. STUDY SELECTION: All relevant English-language
      case reports, reviews, clinical studies, meeting abstracts, and book chapters
      assessing hereditary AT deficiency were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: AT deficiency
      significantly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The risk of VTE
      is particularly high during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and following major
      surgery. Effective clinical management includes determination of the appropriate
      type and duration of antithrombotic therapy (ie, AT replacement for acute
      situations) while minimizing the risk of bleeding. For persons newly diagnosed
      with AT deficiency, age, lifestyle, concurrent medical conditions, family
      history, and personal treatment preferences can be used to individualize patient
      management. Patients should be informed of the risks associated with hormonal
      therapy, pregnancy, surgical procedures, and immobility, which further increase
      the risk of VTE in patients with AT deficiency. CONCLUSION: AT deficiency poses
      the highest risk for VTE among the hereditary thrombophilias, often requiring
      long-term anticoagulation. Undertaking an evaluation for hereditary thrombophilia
      is controversial; however, a diagnosis of VTE in association with AT deficiency
      can have management implications. An important treatment option for patients with
      this disorder in high-risk situations is AT concentrate.

PMID- 27281300
TI  - A small peptide promotes EphA2 kinase-dependent signaling by stabilizing EphA2
      dimers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase is known to promote cancer cell
      malignancy in the absence of activation by ephrin ligands. This behavior depends
      on high EphA2 phosphorylation on Ser897 and low tyrosine phosphorylation,
      resulting in increased cell migration and invasiveness. We have previously shown
      that EphA2 forms dimers in the absence of ephrin ligand binding, and that
      dimerization of unliganded EphA2 can decrease EphA2 Ser897 phosphorylation. We
      have also identified a small peptide called YSA, which binds EphA2 and competes
      with the naturally occurring ephrin ligands. METHODS: Here, we investigate the
      effect of YSA on EphA2 dimer stability and EphA2 function using quantitative FRET
      techniques, Western blotting, and cell motility assays. RESULTS: We find that the
      YSA peptide stabilizes the EphA2 dimer, increases EphA2 Tyr phosphorylation, and
      decreases both Ser897 phosphorylation and cell migration. CONCLUSIONS: The
      experiments demonstrate that the small peptide ligand YSA reduces EphA2 Ser897
      pro-tumorigenic signaling by stabilizing the EphA2 dimer. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE:
      This work is a proof-of-principle demonstration that EphA2 homointeractions in
      the plasma membrane can be pharmacologically modulated to decrease the pro
      tumorigenic signaling of the receptor.

PMID- 27281302
TI  - A randomized, crossover, head-to-head comparison of eicosapentaenoic acid and
      docosahexaenoic acid supplementation to reduce inflammation markers in men and
      women: the Comparing EPA to DHA (ComparED) Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To date, most studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of
      eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in humans have used a
      mixture of the 2 fatty acids in various forms and proportions. OBJECTIVES: We
      compared the effects of EPA supplementation with those of DHA supplementation (re
      esterified triacylglycerol; 90% pure) on inflammation markers (primary outcome)
      and blood lipids (secondary outcome) in men and women at risk of cardiovascular
      disease. DESIGN: In a double-blind, randomized, crossover, controlled study,
      healthy men (n = 48) and women (n = 106) with abdominal obesity and low-grade
      systemic inflammation consumed 3 g/d of the following supplements for periods of
      10 wk: 1) EPA (2.7 g/d), 2) DHA (2.7 g/d), and 3) corn oil as a control with each
      supplementation separated by a 9-wk washout period. Primary analyses assessed the
      difference in cardiometabolic outcomes between EPA and DHA. RESULTS:
      Supplementation with DHA compared with supplementation with EPA led to a greater
      reduction in interleukin-18 (IL-18) (-7.0% +/- 2.8% compared with -0.5% +/- 3.0%,
      respectively; P = 0.01) and a greater increase in adiponectin (3.1% +/- 1.6%
      compared with -1.2% +/- 1.7%, respectively; P < 0.001). Between DHA and EPA,
      changes in CRP (-7.9% +/- 5.0% compared with -1.8% +/- 6.5%, respectively; P =
      0.25), IL-6 (-12.0% +/- 7.0% compared with -13.4% +/- 7.0%, respectively; P =
      0.86), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (-14.8% +/- 5.1% compared with -7.6% +/-
      10.2%, respectively; P = 0.63) were NS. DHA compared with EPA led to more
      pronounced reductions in triglycerides (-13.3% +/- 2.3% compared with -11.9% +/-
      2.2%, respectively; P = 0.005) and the cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio (-2.5%
      +/- 1.3% compared with 0.3% +/- 1.1%, respectively; P = 0.006) and greater
      increases in HDL cholesterol (7.6% +/- 1.4% compared with -0.7% +/- 1.1%,
      respectively; P < 0.0001) and LDL cholesterol (6.9% +/- 1.8% compared with 2.2%
      +/- 1.6%, respectively; P = 0.04). The increase in LDL-cholesterol concentrations
      for DHA compared with EPA was significant in men but not in women (P-treatment *
      sex interaction = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: DHA is more effective than EPA in
      modulating specific markers of inflammation as well as blood lipids. Additional
      studies are needed to determine the effect of a long-term DHA supplementation per
      se on cardiovascular disease risk. This trial was registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01810003.

PMID- 27281304
TI  - A weight-loss program adapted to the menstrual cycle increases weight loss in
      healthy, overweight, premenopausal women: a 6-mo randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle influence energy
      intake and expenditure as well as eating preferences and behavior. OBJECTIVE: We
      examined the effect in healthy, overweight, premenopausal women of a diet and
      exercise weight-loss program that was designed to target and moderate the effects
      of the menstrual cycle compared with the effect of simple energy restriction.
      DESIGN: A total of 60 healthy, overweight, premenopausal women were included in a
      6-mo weight-loss program in which each subject consumed a diet of 1600 kcal/d.
      Subjects were randomly assigned to either a combined diet and exercise program
      that was tailored to metabolic changes of the menstrual cycle (Menstralean) or to
      undergo simple energy restriction (control). RESULTS: Thirty-one women (19
      Menstralean and 12 control women) completed the study [mean +/- SD body mass
      index (in kg/m(2)): 32.0 +/- 5.2]. Both groups lost weight during the study. In
      an intention-to-treat analysis, the Menstralean group did not achieve a
      clinically significant weight loss compared with that of the control group (P =
      0.61). In per-protocol analyses, a more-pronounced weight loss of 4.3 +/- 1.4 kg
      (P = 0.002) was shown in adherent Menstralean subjects than in the control group.
      CONCLUSION: A differentiated diet and exercise program that is tailored to
      counteract food cravings and metabolic changes throughout the menstrual cycle may
      increase weight loss above that achieved with a traditional diet and exercise
      program in women who can comply with the program. This trial was registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01622114.

PMID- 27281303
TI  - The association of serum choline with linear growth failure in young children
      from rural Malawi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Choline is an essential nutrient for cell structure, cell signaling,
      neurotransmission, lipid transport, and bone formation. Choline can be
      irreversibly converted to betaine, a major source of methyl groups. Trimethylene
      N-oxide (TMAO), a proatherogenic molecule, is produced from the metabolism of
      dietary choline by the gut microbiome. The relation between serum choline and its
      closely related metabolites with linear growth in children is unknown. OBJECTIVE:
      The aim was to characterize the relation between serum choline and its closely
      related metabolites, betaine and TMAO, with linear growth and stunting in young
      children. DESIGN: We measured serum choline, betaine, and TMAO concentrations by
      using liquid chromatography isotopic dilution tandem mass spectrometry in a cross
      sectional study in 325 Malawian children, aged 12-59 mo, of whom 62% were
      stunted. RESULTS: Median (25th, 75th percentile) serum choline, betaine, and TMAO
      concentrations were 6.4 (4.8, 8.3), 12.4 (9.1, 16.3), and 1.2 (0.7, 1.8) MUmol/L,
      respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients of age with serum choline,
      betaine, and TMAO were -0.57 (P < 0.0001), -0.26 (P < 0.0001), and -0.10 (P =
      0.07), respectively. Correlation coefficients of height-for-age z score with
      serum choline, betaine-to-choline ratio, and TMAO-to-choline ratio were 0.31 (P <
      0.0001), -0.24 (P < 0.0001), and -0.29 (P < 0.0001), respectively. Serum choline
      concentrations were strongly and significantly associated with stunting. Children
      with and without stunting had median (25th, 75th percentile) serum choline
      concentrations of 5.6 (4.4, 7.4) and 7.3 (5.9, 9.1) MUmol/L (P < 0.0001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Linear growth failure in young children is associated with low serum
      choline and elevated betaine-to-choline and TMAO-to-choline ratios. Further work
      is needed to understand whether low dietary choline intake explains low
      circulating choline among stunted children living in low-income countries and
      whether increasing choline intake may correct choline deficiency and improve
      growth and development. This trial was registered in the ISRCTN registry
      (www.isrctn.com) as ISRCTN14597012.

PMID- 27281305
TI  - Empty calories and phantom fullness: a randomized trial studying the relative
      effects of energy density and viscosity on gastric emptying determined by MRI and
      satiety.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stomach fullness is a determinant of satiety. Although both the
      viscosity and energy content have been shown to delay gastric emptying, their
      relative importance is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: We compared the relative
      effects of and interactions between the viscosity and energy density on gastric
      emptying and perceived satiety. DESIGN: A total of 15 healthy men [mean +/- SD
      age: 22.6 +/- 2.4 y; body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 22.6 +/- 1.8] participated in
      an experiment with a randomized 2 * 2 crossover design. Participants received
      dairy-based shakes (500 mL; 50% carbohydrate, 20% protein, and 30% fat) that
      differed in viscosity (thin and thick) and energy density [100 kcal
      (corresponding to 0.2 kcal/mL) compared with 500 kcal (corresponding to 1
      kcal/mL)]. After ingestion, participants entered an MRI scanner where abdominal
      scans and oral appetite ratings on a 100-point scale were obtained every 10 min
      until 90 min after ingestion. From the scans, gastric content volumes were
      determined. RESULTS: Overall, the gastric emptying half-time (GE t50) was 54.7 +/
      3.8 min. The thin 100-kcal shake had the lowest GE t50 of 26.5 +/- 3.0 min,
      followed by the thick 100-kcal shake with a GE t50 of 41 +/- 3.9 min and the thin
      500-kcal shake with a GE t50 of 69.5 +/- 5.9 min, and the thick 500-kcal shake
      had the highest GE t50 of 81.9 +/- 8.3 min. With respect to appetite, the thick
      100-kcal shake led to higher fullness (58 points at 40 min) than the thin 500
      kcal shake (48 points at 40 min). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that increasing
      the viscosity is less effective than increasing the energy density in slowing
      gastric emptying. However, the viscosity is more important to increase the
      perceived fullness. These results underscore the lack of the satiating efficiency
      of empty calories in quickly ingested drinks such as sodas. The increase in
      perceived fullness that is due solely to the increased viscosity, which is a
      phenomenon that we refer to as phantom fullness, may be useful in lowering energy
      intake. This trial was registered at www.trialregister.nl as NTR4573.

PMID- 27281306
TI  - Plasma alkylresorcinols, biomarkers of whole-grain wheat and rye intake, and risk
      of type 2 diabetes in Scandinavian men and women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies that use dietary biomarkers to investigate the association
      between whole-grain intake and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) are
      lacking. OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between plasma total
      alkylresorcinols and the alkylresorcinol C17:0-to-C21:0 ratio, biomarkers of
      whole-grain wheat and rye intake and relative whole-grain rye over whole-grain
      wheat intake, respectively, and the risk of T2D among Scandinavian men and women.
      DESIGN: A nested case-control study was established within the Northern Sweden
      Health and Disease Study and the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort.
      Alkylresorcinol concentrations and the ratios of C17:0 to C21:0 were determined
      in plasma samples from 931 case-control pairs. ORs for T2D were calculated for
      plasma total alkylresorcinol concentration or C17:0-to-C21:0 ratio in quartiles
      with the use of conditional logistic regression that was adjusted for potential
      confounders. Additional analyses with whole-grain wheat and rye intake estimated
      from food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs) as exposures were also performed.
      RESULTS: The plasma total alkylresorcinol concentration was not associated with
      T2D risk (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.88) for the highest compared with the lowest
      quartiles in multivariable adjusted models. However, the C17:0-to-C21:0 ratio was
      associated with a lower diabetes risk (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.78). Analyses
      with whole-grain intake estimated from FFQs yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS:
      Total whole-grain wheat and rye intake, reflected by alkylresorcinols in plasma,
      was not associated with a lower risk of T2D in a population with high whole-grain
      intake. In contrast, the proportion of whole-grain rye to whole-grain wheat
      intake, indicated by the plasma C17:0-to-C21:0 ratio, was inversely associated
      with T2D. This suggests that whole-grain intake dominated by rye may be favorable
      for T2D prevention.

PMID- 27281307
TI  - Dietary phosphatidylcholine and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular-specific
      mortality among US women and men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The trimethylamine-containing nutrient phosphatidylcholine is the
      major dietary source for the gut microbiota metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide
      (TMAO), which has been related to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and mortality.
      Previous research suggested that the relation of TMAO with CVD risk might be
      stronger in diabetic than in nondiabetic populations. However, the evidence for
      an association of dietary phosphatidylcholine with CVD and mortality is limited.
      OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine whether dietary consumption of
      phosphatidylcholine, which is mainly derived from eggs, red meat, and fish, is
      related to all-cause and CVD mortality in 2 cohorts of US women and men. In
      particular, we also tested if such an association was modified by diabetes
      status. DESIGN: We followed 80,978 women from the Nurses' Health Study (1980
      2012) and 39,434 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986-2012),
      who were free of cancer and CVD at baseline, for mortality. Dietary intakes and
      potential confounders were assessed with regularly administered questionnaires.
      We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate HRs and 95% CIs. RESULTS: We
      documented 17,829 all-cause and 4359 CVD deaths during follow-up. After
      multivariate adjustment for potential confounders, including demographic factors,
      disease status, lifestyle, and dietary intakes, higher phosphatidylcholine
      intakes were associated with an increased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality.
      HRs (95% CIs) comparing the top and bottom quintiles of phosphatidylcholine
      intake were 1.11 (1.06, 1.17; P-trend across quintiles < 0.0001) for all-cause
      mortality and 1.26 (1.15, 1.39; P-trend < 0.0001) for CVD mortality in the
      combined data of both cohorts. The associations of phosphatidylcholine with all
      cause and CVD mortality were stronger in diabetic than in nondiabetic
      participants (P-interaction = 0.0002 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: These
      data suggest that higher phosphatidylcholine consumption is associated with
      increased all-cause and CVD mortality in the US population, especially in
      patients with diabetes, independent of traditional risk factors.

PMID- 27281308
TI  - Genetic susceptibility to diabetes and long-term improvement of insulin
      resistance and beta cell function during weight loss: the Preventing Overweight
      Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS LOST) trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diet interventions have shown effectiveness in improving diabetes
      risk factors; however, little is known about whether the effects of diet
      intervention are different according to genetic susceptibility. OBJECTIVE: We
      examined interactions between weight-loss diets and the genetic risk score (GRS)
      for diabetes on 2-y changes in markers of insulin resistance and beta cell
      function in a randomized controlled trial. DESIGN: Data from the Preventing
      Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS LOST) trial were analyzed. A
      GRS was calculated on the basis of 31 diabetes-associated variants in 744
      overweight or obese nondiabetic adults (80% white Americans). We assessed the
      changes in insulin resistance and beta cell function over the 2-y intervention.
      RESULTS: Dietary protein significantly interacted with the diabetes GRS on
      fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), the homeostasis model assessment of
      beta cell function (HOMA-B), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin
      resistance (HOMA-IR) at 2 y in white Americans (P-interaction = 0.02, 0.04, 0.01,
      and 0.05, respectively). The lower GRS was associated with a greater decrease in
      fasting insulin (P = 0.04), HbA1c (P = 0.0001), and HOMA-IR (P = 0.02), and a
      lesser increase in HOMA-B (P = 0.004) in participants consuming a low-protein
      diet. Participants with a higher GRS might have a greater reduction in fasting
      insulin when consuming a high-protein diet (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      suggest that individuals with a lower genetic risk of diabetes may benefit more
      from consuming a low-protein weight-loss diet in improving insulin resistance and
      beta cell function, whereas a high-protein diet may be more beneficial for white
      patients with a higher genetic risk. This trial was registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00072995.

PMID- 27281310
TI  - Food quality score and the risk of coronary artery disease: a prospective
      analysis in 3 cohorts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Currently, there are few diet quality assessment tools that are
      predictive of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk that do not require nutrient
      analysis and substantial time to administer in clinical settings. OBJECTIVE: To
      inform the development of such a tool, we prospectively examined the association
      between a food-based diet quality score and risk of CAD in 3 separate large US
      cohort studies. DESIGN: Between 1984 and 2012, 71,415 women (aged 43-63 y in
      1984), 42,945 men (aged 40-75 y in 1986), and 93,131 younger women (aged 27-44 y
      in 1991) without a history of cardiovascular disease were followed up to 28 y.
      Diet was assessed <=7 times by using repeated food-frequency questionnaires. We
      computed the Food Quality Score (FQS) for each individual based on food groups
      previously associated with less weight gain. A higher score represented a
      healthier diet. The FQS and CAD association was modeled with the Cox proportional
      hazard model, controlling for potential confounders. We also compared the
      magnitude of association with CAD for the FQS and other diet quality scores.
      RESULTS: We ascertained 6817 incident total CAD events, with 4588 cases of
      nonfatal myocardial infarction and 2131 fatal CAD events. Comparing top to bottom
      deciles, pooled RRs of the FQS were 0.61 (95% CI: 0.54, 0.69; P-trend < 0.001)
      for total CAD. These associations were independent of established cardiovascular
      disease risk factors including body weight, physical activity, and smoking. The
      magnitude of the RR for 1 SD of the FQS and CAD was generally similar to
      established diet scores that require detailed nutrient analysis, including the
      Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
      score, and the alternate Mediterranean diet score. CONCLUSION: A higher food
      based diet quality score was associated with lower risk of CAD and was comparable
      with established diet scores.

PMID- 27281311
TI  - Risk Factors of Typhoid Infection in the Indonesian Archipelago.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knowledge of risk factors and their relative importance in different
      settings is essential to develop effective health education material for the
      prevention of typhoid. In this study, we examine the effect of household level
      and individual behavioural risk factors on the risk of typhoid in three
      Indonesian islands (Sulawesi, Kalimantan and Papua) in the Eastern Indonesian
      archipelago encompassing rural, peri-urban and urban areas. METHODS: We enrolled
      933 patients above 10 years of age in a health facility-based case-control study
      between June 2010 and June 2011. Individuals suspected of typhoid were tested
      using the typhoid IgM lateral flow assay for the serodiagnosis of typhoid fever
      followed by blood culture testing. Cases and controls were defined post
      recruitment: cases were individuals with a culture or serology positive result (n
      = 449); controls were individuals negative to both serology and culture, with or
      without a diagnosis other than typhoid (n = 484). Logistic regression was used to
      examine the effect of household level and individual level behavioural risk
      factors and we calculated the population attributable fraction (PAF) of removing
      each risk significant independent behavioural risk factor. RESULTS: Washing hands
      at critical moments of the day and washing hands with soap were strong
      independent protective factors for typhoid (OR = 0.38 95% CI 0.25 to 0.58 for
      each unit increase in hand washing frequency score with values between 0 = Never
      and 3 = Always; OR = 3.16 95% CI = 2.09 to 4.79 comparing washing hands with soap
      sometimes/never vs. often). These effects were independent of levels of access to
      water and sanitation. Up to two thirds of cases could be prevented by compliance
      to these practices (hand washing PAF = 66.8 95% CI 61.4 to 71.5; use of soap PAF
      = 61.9 95%CI 56.7 to 66.5). Eating food out in food stalls or restaurant was an
      important risk factor (OR = 6.9 95%CI 4.41 to 10.8 for every unit increase in
      frequency score). CONCLUSIONS: Major gains could potentially be achieved in
      reducing the incidence of typhoid by ensuring adherence to adequate hand-washing
      practices alone. This confirms that there is a pivotal role for 'software'
      related interventions to encourage behavior change and create demand for goods
      and services, alongside development of water and sanitation infrastructure.

PMID- 27281309
TI  - Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration is inversely associated with mucosal
      inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitamin D exerts anti-inflammatory actions both in vitro and in
      murine models of colitis. In previous studies, we demonstrated that vitamin D
      protects against the development of colitis by maintaining the integrity of the
      intestinal mucosal barrier. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate whether deficient
      serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are associated with increased
      mucosal inflammation, a loss of epithelial junctional proteins, and an increase
      in mucosal inflammatory cytokines in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).
      DESIGN: We prospectively enrolled 230 subjects with UC. Serum 25(OH)D
      concentrations were compared with the Mayo endoscopic score, the total Mayo
      score, and histologic activity. Colonic mucosal expression concentrations of
      vitamin D receptor (VDR), E-cadherin, zonula occluden 1 (ZO-1), occludin, claudin
      2, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) were
      compared between dichotomous groups with low or high serum 25(OH)D
      concentrations. RESULTS: The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 21.8 ng/mL.
      Subjects stratified by concentrations included 12.6% >=30 ng/mL, 45.6% >=20 to
      <30 ng/mL, 37.4% >=10 to <20 ng/mL, and 4.4% <10 ng/mL. There was an inverse
      association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and mucosal inflammation as
      assessed by the Mayo endoscopy score (P = 0.01), disease activity as indicated by
      the total Mayo score (P = 0.001), and histologic activity (P = 0.02). A serum
      25(OH)D concentration <20 ng/mL was associated with decreased mucosal transcript
      and protein expression concentrations of VDR, E-cadherin, and occludin as well as
      decreased protein expression of ZO-1, whereas TNF-alpha and IL-8 mucosal
      transcript expression concentrations were increased. CONCLUSIONS: In UC patients,
      serum 25(OH)D concentration is inversely correlated with mucosal inflammation and
      disease activity. These results, coupled with the findings that serum 25(OH)D
      concentrations correlate with the mucosal expression of VDR as well as epithelial
      junction proteins and inversely with proinflammatory cytokines, suggest that
      vitamin D deficiency may contribute to UC inflammation by disrupting epithelial
      barrier function.

PMID- 27281312
TI  - Intrinsic Subgroups or Individual Biomarkers for Predicting Outcome of Metastatic
      Breast Cancer?

PMID- 27281313
TI  - Modeling the effects of water content on TiO2 nanoparticles transport in porous
      media.
AB  - The transport of manufactured titanium dioxide (TiO2, rutile) nanoparticles (NP)
      in porous media was investigated by metric scale column experiments under
      different water saturation and ionic strength (IS) conditions. The NP
      breakthrough curves showed that TiO2 NP retention on the interface between air
      and water (AWI) and the interface between the solid and the fluid (SWI) is
      insignificant for an IS equal to or smaller than 3mM KCl. For larger IS, the
      retention is depending on the water content and the fluid velocity. The
      experiments, conducted with an IS of 5mM KCl, showed a significantly higher
      retention of NP than that observed under saturated conditions and very similar
      experimental conditions. Water flow was simulated using the standard Richards
      equation. The hydrodynamic model parameters for unsaturated flow were estimated
      through independent drainage experiments. A new mathematical model was developed
      to describe TiO2 NP transport and retention on SWI and AWI. The model accounts
      for the variation of water content and water velocity as a function of depth and
      takes into account the presence of the AWI and its role as a NP collector.
      Comparisons with experimental data showed that the suggested modeled processes
      can be used to quantify the NPs retentions at the AWI and SWI. The suggested
      model can be used for both saturated and unsaturated conditions and for a rather
      large range of velocities.

PMID- 27281315
TI  - Combined Palmer Type 1A and 1B Traumatic Lesions of the Triangular Fibrocartilage
      Complex A New Category.
AB  - We present a series of eight patients who underwent wrist arthroscopy for
      presumed solitary tears of the triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) and were, instead,
      found to have combined 1A (central tear) and 1B (ulnar avulsion) tears. The
      Palmer Classification does not currently categorize this combined pattern. All
      but one patient had a traumatic injury. Each subject had preoperative radiographs
      and MRI scans. TFC tears were evident on all MRI scans, though only one was
      suggestive of a combined tear pat - tern. Surgical management included
      arthroscopic central tear debridement and ulnar peripheral repair. Average follow
      up was 22 months. Grip strength in the affected hand improved from 16% deficit as
      compared to the unaffected side, to 3.5% deficit postoperatively (p = 0.003), and
      visual analog scores (VAS) decreased from an average of 7.1/10 preoperatively to
      2.3/10 postoperatively (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant change
      in wrist range of motion (ROM), however. Arthroscopic debridement of the central
      perforation (1A lesion) with concomitant repair of the ulnar detachment (1B
      lesion) resulted in functional and symptomatic improvement. This combined 1A/1B
      TFC injury is not reliably diagnosed preoperatively and should be considered a
      new subset in the Palmer classification, as this will raise awareness of its
      presence and assist in preoperative planning of such lesions. 

PMID- 27281314
TI  - Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence in Patients with Osteoarthritis, Gout, or Both.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) and gout have each been associated with increased
      cardiovascular disease (CVD), but their relative impact is unknown. We compared
      CVD rates among patients with gout versus patients with OA and no gout (OA-only).
      METHODS: We identified male patients at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System
      with gout (with or without concur - rent OA) and with OA-only between August 2007
      and August 2008. For each group, we collected baseline demographic data and CVD
      risk factors. The primary outcome was a composite index (CV4) of any diagnosis of
      coronary artery disease (CAD), angina, myocardial infarction (MI), or coro- nary
      bypass surgery (CABG). Secondary outcomes included individual diagnoses within
      the CV4, CHF, and death. We subsequently divided the gout patients into those who
      did versus did not have concurrent diagnoses of OA (gout-only; gout+OA). Logistic
      regression was used to compare the associations of OA-only, gout-only, and
      gout+OA with CV outcomes. RESULTS: 1,280 gout subjects met inclusion criteria
      (983 gout- only and 297 gout+OA), along with 1,231 OA-only subjects. Gout
      subjects overall had more CVD risk factors at baseline, including hypertension,
      hyperlipidemia, and chronic kidney disease, versus OA-only. Compared with OA
      only, gout subjects overall had increased rates of all outcomes except MI. Both
      the gout-only and gout+OA subgroups also had increased risk for all outcomes
      except MI, and CABG in the case of gout+OA subjects. After adjusting for
      traditional CVD risk factors, both gout-only and gout+OA subjects continued to
      have increased risk for multiple CVD outcomes. Gout+OA did not impart ad-
      ditional risk over gout-only for any outcome studied. CONCLUSION: Our data
      suggest that gout is associated with higher risk of CVD compared with OA, and
      that OA does not impart any additive CVD risk to patients who also have gout.
      Significance and Innovations: * In our dataset, gout subjects both with and
      without con- comitant OA had more cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors at
      baseline, and higher prevalence of CVD outcomes, than patients with OA only. *
      After adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors, gout-only and gout+OA subjects
      continued to have increased rates of multiple CVD outcomes, suggesting an
      intrinsic CVD risk to the diagnosis of gout, compared with OA. * These
      observations underline that gout patients represent a group at increased CVD
      risk, for whom both rheumatic disease management and CVD prevention need to be
      addressed.

PMID- 27281316
TI  - Examination Under Anesthesia for Posterior Wall Acetabular Fracture A Survey of
      the OTA Membership.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this survey was to learn more about the indications,
      criteria, and methods surgeons use for performing examination under anesthesia
      (EUA) for "intermediate" sized posterior wall acetabular fractures (those
      involving 20% to 40% of the posterior wall) and to find what criteria are used to
      determine hip instability. METHODS: An 18 question survey was posted on the Ortho
      paedic Trauma Association's website and was used to gather anonymous data from
      orthopaedic surgeons regarding their approach to the intermediate sized posterior
      wall fracture. RESULTS: Considerable variability existed among re- sponses to
      many of the questions asked. Based on the an - swers given to the survey, a
      consensus of 75% or more of respondents was found for the following: 1. Supine
      position for the examination (100%); 2. "Live" fluoroscopy is used during the
      examination (97%); 3. The AP and obturator oblique are the x-rays most frequently
      used (81% and 76%, respectively); 4. The hip is placed in flexion and adduction
      during the exam (100% and 84%, respectively); 5. Axial load is applied during the
      examination (90%); Finally, 6. instabil - ity is defined as subluxation on exam
      by most respondents (98%), and any perceived visible subluxation is what defines
      instability (88%). CONCLUSION: Most surgeons agreed with the following: 1. Supine
      is the position of choice for the examination; 2. "Live" fluoroscopy is used
      during the examination; 3. The AP and obturator oblique are the x-rays most
      frequently used; 4. The hip is placed in flexion and adduction during the exam;
      5. Axial load is applied during the examination; and 6. Instability is defined as
      subluxation on exam.

PMID- 27281317
TI  - Rotator Cuff Fatty Infiltration Are Coronal Images More Helpful for
      Characterization than Sagittal Images?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess for a difference in the characteriza - tion of rotator cuff
      (RC) muscle fatty infiltration (FI) between the sagittal and coronal planes in
      the setting of a large or massive RC tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective
      review of pa - tients with MRIs demonstrating large or massive RC tears (study
      group-SG) and no tearing (control group-CG) was conducted. Sagittal T1W and
      coronal PD images of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles from each
      patient were selected, separated, and placed in random order. Three MSK readers
      reviewed the images blindly and independently and qualified the FI based on the
      Goutallier classification. RESULTS: The SG included 15 men and 15 women (mean
      age: 65; range: 45 to 87 years); CG included 10 men and 10 women (mean age: 60;
      range 45 to 76 years). Statistically significant (SS) discrepancies in the
      assessment of the FI between the sagittal and coronal images occurred 62% in SG
      and 33% in CG, (p < 0.001). In SG, each reader demon - strated a SS tendency (p <
      0.04) to assign a higher value to each muscle when grading the sagittal images
      compared to coronal images. In SG, 33% of the time (37% supraspinatus, 29%
      infraspinatus), there was a grade greater than or equal to 3 assigned on the
      sagittal images but less than 3 grade on corresponding coronal images.
      CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant differ - ence in the
      characterization of RC FI between the sagittal and coronal planes in the setting
      of a large or massive tear, likely related to incomplete visualization of the
      musculature on sagittal imaging secondary to muscle and tendon retrac - tion and
      more complete visualization on coronal imaging. Awareness of this difference may
      allow for a more accurate characterization of the degree of fatty infiltration.

PMID- 27281318
TI  - Can Flexible Instruments Create Adequate Femoral Tunnel Lengths at 90 degrees  of
      Knee Flexion in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aims to study femoral tunnel lengths drilled with a flexible
      reamer and the distance to important lateral structures obtained by flexing the
      knee at various angles and by drilling the guide pins arthroscopically to
      resemble clinical practice. The purpose of this cadaveric study was twofold: 1.
      to determine whether femoral tunnel lengths of greater than 20 mm can be created
      with a flexible reamer system at 90  degrees  of knee flexion and 2. to determine
      whether the lateral structures of the knee are safe with this technique. METHODS:
      Ten fresh cadaveric knees were utilized. The intra-osseous length can be measured
      with a specially de - signed flexible guide pin. Flexible pins were inserted with
      the knee at 70 degrees , 90 degrees , and 120 degrees  of flexion. The intra
      osseous length was measured with the measuring device. Each speci - men was
      dissected around the lateral aspect of the knee to identify the critical
      structures, the common peroneal nerve, and the LCL. The distance from the guide
      pins to the com - mon peroneal nerve and femoral attachment of the LCL were
      measured with a standard flexible paper ruler to the nearest millimeter. RESULTS:
      There is a trend for progressively increasing mean intra-osseous length
      associated with increased flexion of the knee. The mean intra-osseous length for
      70 degrees  flexion was 25.2 mm (20 mm to 32 mm), which was statistically
      significant when compared to mean intra-osseous lengths of 32.1 mm (22 mm to 45
      mm) and 38.0 mm (34 mm to 45 mm) in the 90 degrees  and 120 degrees  flexion
      groups, respectively (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the
      groups with respect to distance to the LCL. There is a trend toward longer
      distances to the common peroneal nerve with increased flexion. There was a
      statistically significant dif - ference when comparing 120 degrees  versus 70
      degrees  (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study that shows that adequate femoral
      tunnel lengths can be safely created without knee hyperflex - ion using flexible
      instruments via an anteromedial portal.

PMID- 27281319
TI  - The Effects of Hospital Closure on the Local Utilization of Total Joint
      Replacement The Queens Experience.
AB  - Since 2000, 31 hospitals have closed in New York State. This has primarily been
      due to the financial difficulties endured by these institutions, many of which
      were located in areas inhabited predominantly by patients of lower socioeconomic
      status. Additionally, recommendations by the NYS Depart- ment of Health (Berger
      Commission) cited excess hospital capacity as a driver for the struggles of the
      healthcare delivery system in New York, forcing financially stable in -
      stitutions to close their doors as well. Data has shown that outcomes are
      improved when complex procedures, such as joint arthroplasty, are performed at
      high volume hospitals. However, for patients in the outer boroughs of NYC, travel
      to these specialized centers may be too expensive and physi- cally difficult for
      poor patients with severe osteoarthritis. Using the SPARCS database, we
      identified a temporary decrease in utilization of lower extremity total joint
      replace - ment in the areas immediately adjacent to closed hospitals. This does
      not appear to have a lasting effect as illustrated by quick return back to pre
      closure trends and further in- crease when compared with regional trends. This
      effect is more pronounced in urban areas where public transportation and traffic
      are more of an issue for patients, making it more difficult to travel with the
      goal of seeking care elsewhere. 

PMID- 27281320
TI  - Ilizarov Method for Bone Lengthening and Defect Management Review of Contemporary
      Literature.
AB  - Since its origination in the middle of the past century, the Ilizarov method has
      advanced greatly and has become a viable method for bone lengthening, severe
      deformity correc- tion, and defect management. As the reported studies show, it
      remains one of the most used tools for bone reconstruction. The original method
      and its modifications continue to be the topic of interest for orthopaedic
      scientists as evidenced by the number of clinical studies on the Ilizarov method
      that have been published in orthopaedic journals in the period from 2000 through
      2014, most of which present the out- comes of treating large series of patients
      using distraction osteogenesis for bone lengthening, defect management, and
      deformity correction. We made a review of contemporary clinical studies on the
      Ilizarov method used for bone length- ening and defect management. 

PMID- 27281321
TI  - The Etiology of Improved Outcomes at High Volume Centers Learning Theory and the
      Case of Implant Flashing.
AB  - Increased volume has been shown to be associated with improved outcomes for many
      orthopaedic procedures. For individual surgeons, the concepts of learning curves
      and volume effects have been well established in the literature. For
      institutions, high-volume hospitals have also been shown to have better outcomes
      for orthopaedic procedures such as total joint replacements. However, exactly how
      hospital volume mediates this improvement is not well understood. Learning theory
      states that learning occurs as a result of accumulated experience, not based on
      time. We compared our institution's curve representing our implant flashing rates
      to other institutional data sets that exhibit learning and continuous quality
      improvement, including airline near misses, coal mining accidents, and others.
      Development of expertise is based on volume and rate of errors, and therefore
      higher volume is conducive to faster learning. 

PMID- 27281322
TI  - Surgical Fracture Repair in Chronic Renal Failure Patients on Hemodialysis An
      Analysis of Complications and Hospital Quality Measures.
AB  - In end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD), it is known that
      renal bone disease has a negative impact on postoperative complication rate of
      fracture repair compared to non-ESRD patients. Previous studies have examined
      complications following surgical hip fracture repair in ESRD patients on HD.
      However, there is paucity of information outside of hip fracture repair. This
      study was undertaken to investigate complications associated with surgical
      fracture repair in ESRD patients on hemodialysis and to compare quality measures
      with a control group for various fracture types. Data of all consecutive ESRD
      patients on HD was collected prospectively starting in 2013. Charts of 2,558 ESRD
      patients on HD from 2010 to 2013 were also reviewed. Thirty-four patients who
      underwent surgical fracture repair were included in the study. Additionally,
      1,000 patients without ESRD who underwent fracture repair were also identified,
      and a random sample of 267 patients was selected for inclusion as a control
      group. Primary outcomes were major complications as defined by the Clavien-Dindo
      complication rating system for orthopaedic surgery. Secondary outcomes were minor
      complications, defined by the same method. Demographic information and hospital
      quality measures, such as hospital length of stay (LOS) and discharge
      disposition, were also collected. There were no differences between the two
      groups in terms of BMI, ethnicity, or gender distribution. The ESRD patients were
      older than control patients (62.6 versus 46.8 years; p > 0.01). Overall, the
      complication rate in the ESRD group was 14.7% compared to 3% in the control group
      (p < 0.05) while the rate of major complications was similar (5.8% versus 2.2%, p
      = 0.2). The rate of minor complications was higher in the ESRD group though this
      did not reach statistical significance (8.8% versus 1%, p = 0.07). Median LOS was
      significantly higher in the ESRD group (15.9 versus 6.4 days; p < 0.01), and
      patients in the ESRD group were less likely to be discharged to home (29.4%
      versus 78%; p < 0.01). Surgical fracture repair in ESRD patients can be performed
      with similar major complication rate as a control group. However, the higher rate
      of minor complications and poorer hospital quality measures in the ESRD group
      must be taken into account as we move toward "pay for performance" and bundled
      payment initiatives for orthopaedic trauma patients. 

PMID- 27281323
TI  - Calcaneonavicular Coalition with Naviculocuneiform and Cuneiform-First Metatarsal
      Coalitions A Case Report.
AB  - Coalitions involving three joints of the midfoot are rare. To our knowledge, this
      is the first report of a patient having fibrocartilaginous coalition of the
      calcaneonavicular joint along with partial osseous fusion of the
      naviculocuneiform (Chopart's joint) and medial cuneiform-first metatarsal joints.
      These multi-coalition pathologies are challenging to address operatively as pain
      can persist even after recognizing and surgically addressing each coalition in a
      patient. 

PMID- 27281324
TI  - Indirect Popliteal Artery Transections in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty A Case
      Report.
AB  - Popliteal artery injury in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is rare but a
      devastating complication with consequence from transient bleeding to death. We
      report a case of 83-yearold woman suffering from an unusual early postoperative
      indirect popliteal artery transection in revision TKA for an infected knee. This
      injury was triggered by surgical correction of stiffened and distorted soft
      tissue, which resulted in excessive tensioning and eventual indirect transection
      of the artery. To avoid this devastating complication, early elimination of
      infection concomitant with perioperative maintenance of the normal anatomy of the
      knee is important. 

PMID- 27281325
TI  - The Teenage Terrible Triad A Case Report.
AB  - Anterior shoulder dislocation in the athlete may result in an assortment of
      injuries that often benefit from surgical stabilization procedures. These injury
      patterns can be complex, requiring a multimodal approach to treatment. We present
      a rare case of a traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in a teenage athlete
      that resulted in humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament, rotator cuff
      tear, and axillary nerve palsy. Surgical treatment enabled return to football
      within 1 year of injury, and full function was restored. 

PMID- 27281326
TI  - Management of Lower Extremity and Pelvic Tumors Using Computer Assisted Modeling
      (CAM) A Case Series.
AB  - Computer assisted modeling (CAM) has become an important tool in surgical
      oncology and reconstructive surgery. The preservation of the limb is an important
      consideration when approaching the treatment of lower extremity and pelvic
      tumors. The use of cutting guides allows for optimal conservation of disease-free
      bone and maintenance of function. We present a small case series that illustrates
      the use of CAM in patients with lower extremity and pelvic bone tumors. 

PMID- 27281328
TI  - Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Queen Reproductive Potential Affects Queen Mandibular
      Gland Pheromone Composition and Worker Retinue Response.
AB  - Reproductive division of labor is one of the defining traits of honey bees (Apis
      mellifera), with non-reproductive tasks being performed by workers while a single
      queen normally monopolizes reproduction. The decentralized organization of a
      honey bee colony is maintained in large part by a bouquet of queen-produced
      pheromones, the distribution of which is facilitated by contact among workers
      throughout the hive. Previous studies have shown that the developmental fate of
      honey bee queens is highly plastic, with queens raised from younger worker larvae
      exhibiting higher measures of reproductive potential compared to queens raised
      from older worker larvae. We investigated differences in the chemical composition
      of the mandibular glands and attractiveness to workers of "high-quality" queens
      (i.e., raised from first instar worker larvae; more queen-like) and "low-quality"
      queens (i.e., raised from third instar worker larvae; more worker-like). We
      characterized the chemical profiles of the mandibular glands of high-quality
      queens and low-quality queens using GC-MS and used the worker retinue response as
      a measure of the attractiveness to workers of high-quality queens vs. low-quality
      queens. We found that queen quality affected the chemical profiles of mandibular
      gland contents differently across years, showing significant differences in the
      production of the queen mandibular pheromone ("QMP") components HVA and 9-HDA in
      2010, but no significant differences of any glandular compound in 2012. We also
      found that workers were significantly more attracted to high-quality queens than
      to low-quality queens in 2012, possibly because of increased attractiveness of
      their mandibular gland chemical profiles. Our results indicate that the age at
      which honey bee larvae enter the "queen-specific" developmental pathway
      influences the chemical composition of queen mandibular glands and worker
      behavior. However, these changes are not consistent across years, suggesting that
      other external factors may play important roles in modulating queen quality. 

PMID- 27281330
TI  - Essential Oils and Pure Volatile Compounds as Potential Drugs in Alzheimer's
      Disease Therapy: An Updated Review of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of aromatic plants to relief different illness is not a new
      therapy. Actually aromatic plants have been used for many centuries by different
      cultures around the world. Pharmacological studies provide scientific support to
      the traditional use of aromatic medicinal plants and aromatherapy; nevertheless,
      more clinical trials are required regarding to their effectiveness in order to
      establish a guidance for their use in routine healthcare. Moreover, modern
      medicine in studies about olfactory function has attained great achievements and
      got Nobel Prize in 2004. These new searches have obviously fueled interest in the
      essential oils and volatile compounds of natural origin. Several reviews on the
      newly discovered AChEi obtained from plants, fungus and marine organisms have
      also been published over the last years. The majority of these AChEi belong to
      the alkaloid group, including indole, isoquinoline, quinolizidine, piperidine and
      steroidal alkaloids. RESULTS: Probably the interest in the essential oils and
      volatile compounds will be fueled from the new available scientific data about
      receptor on olfactory mucosa of nasal cavity. It can receive and distinguish
      different odor molecules, which produce nerve impulse and transmit into olfactory
      bulb via olfactory nerves. The nerve cells in the olfactory bulb transmit the
      signals into hippocampus. Because hippocampus is closely related with learning
      and memory functions, the volatile compounds can be potential drugs in AD
      therapies.

PMID- 27281329
TI  - Antiplatelet Treatment in Peripheral Arterial Disease: The Role of Novel
      Antiplatelet Agents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel are two antiplatelet agents
      currently used in the therapy of peripheral arterial disease. Cilostazol also
      inhibits platelet aggegration. These agents present limitations that novel
      antiplatelet agents may overcome. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this manuscript is to
      review current data on the use of novel antiplatelet agents in peripheral
      arterial disease. METHOD: An extensive search in the English medical literature
      has yielded a number of publications on a number of novel antiplatelet agents;
      atopaxar, vorapaxar, cangrelor, ticagrelor, elinogrel, and prasugrel. RESULTS:
      Data on atopaxar, vorapaxar, cangrelor, ticagrelor, elinogrel and prasugrel come
      mainly from cardiology publications. Limitations, side effects and effectiveness
      of each of these agents are studied, but their use in peripheral arterial disease
      is limited, especially for those agents that have not still been approved for
      this indication. As expected, main side effect of most of these agents is
      haemorrhage, but other important side effects limit the use of some of these
      agents in specific subgroups of patients. CONCLUSION: Novel antiplatelet agents
      demonstrate a range of promising characteristics, but further study and clinical
      trials are necessary for them to be considered safe and effective.

PMID- 27281331
TI  - Current Perspective in the International Trade of Medicinal Plants Material: An
      Update.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recent years have seen an increased interest in medicinal plants
      together with the therapeutic use of phytochemicals. Medicinal plants are
      utilized by the industry for the production of extracts, phytopharmaceuticals,
      nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals and their use is expected to grow faster than
      the conventional drugs. The enormous demand of medicinal plant material has
      resulted in huge trade both at domestic and international levels. METHODS: The
      trade data of medicinal plant material with commodity code HS 1211 (SITC.4, code
      292.4) and their derived/related products which are traded under different
      commodity codes has been acquired from COMTRADE, Trade Map, country reports,
      technical documents etc for the period 2001 to 2014. The data was analyzed using
      statistical tools to draw conclusions. RESULTS: The significant features of the
      global trade; the leading source, consumer, import and export countries; and the
      striking trends are presented. The trade of the ten key countries and the
      selected important items is also discussed in detail. The conservative figure of
      trade of medicinal plants materials and their derived/related products including
      extracts, essential oils, phytopharmaceuticals, gums, spices used in medicine,
      tannins for pharmaceutical use, ingredients for cosmetics etc. as calculated from
      the global export data for the year 2014 is estimated at USD 33 billion. The
      average global export in medicinal plants under HS 1211 for the fourteen year
      period was USD 1.92 billion for 601,357 tons per annum and for the year 2014 it
      stood at 702,813 tons valued at USD 3.60 billion. CONCLUSION: For the studied
      period, an annual average growth rate (AAGR) of 2.4% in volumes and 9.2% in
      values of export was observed. Nearly 30% of the global trade is made up by top
      two countries of the import and export. China and India from Asia; Egypt and
      Morocco from Africa; Poland, Bulgaria and Albania from Europe; Chile and Peru
      from South America are important supply sources. The USA, Japan and Europe are
      the major consumers of the world.

PMID- 27281327
TI  - Targeted and Untargeted Approaches Unravel Novel Candidate Genes and Diagnostic
      SNPs for Quantitative Resistance of the Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to
      Phytophthora infestans Causing the Late Blight Disease.
AB  - The oomycete Phytophthora infestans causes late blight of potato, which can
      completely destroy the crop. Therefore, for the past 160 years, late blight has
      been the most important potato disease worldwide. The identification of cultivars
      with high and durable field resistance to P. infestans is an objective of most
      potato breeding programs. This type of resistance is polygenic and therefore
      quantitative. Its evaluation requires multi-year and location trials.
      Furthermore, quantitative resistance to late blight correlates with late plant
      maturity, a negative agricultural trait. Knowledge of the molecular genetic basis
      of quantitative resistance to late blight not compromised by late maturity is
      very limited. It is however essential for developing diagnostic DNA markers that
      facilitate the efficient combination of superior resistance alleles in improved
      cultivars. We used association genetics in a population of 184 tetraploid potato
      cultivars in order to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are
      associated with maturity corrected resistance (MCR) to late blight. The
      population was genotyped for almost 9000 SNPs from three different sources. The
      first source was candidate genes specifically selected for their function in the
      jasmonate pathway. The second source was novel candidate genes selected based on
      comparative transcript profiling (RNA-Seq) of groups of genotypes with
      contrasting levels of quantitative resistance to P. infestans. The third source
      was the first generation 8.3k SolCAP SNP genotyping array available in potato for
      genome wide association studies (GWAS). Twenty seven SNPs from all three sources
      showed robust association with MCR. Some of those were located in genes that are
      strong candidates for directly controlling quantitative resistance, based on
      functional annotation. Most important were: a lipoxygenase (jasmonate pathway), a
      3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (mevalonate pathway), a P450
      protein (terpene biosynthesis), a transcription factor and a homolog of a major
      gene for resistance to P. infestans from the wild potato species Solanum
      venturii. The candidate gene approach and GWAS complemented each other as they
      identified different genes. The results of this study provide new insight in the
      molecular genetic basis of quantitative resistance in potato and a toolbox of
      diagnostic SNP markers for breeding applications. 

PMID- 27281332
TI  - Phytochemicals: Potential in Management of Climacteric Neurobiology.
AB  - Menopause jeopardizes the integrity of brain and makes it vulnerable to various
      diseases, both of psychiatric and degenerative nature. Exogenous estrogen
      supplementation confers neuroprotection but the results of Women's Health
      Initiative (WHI), Million Women Study (MWS) and incidence of endometrial cancer,
      breast cancer and venous thromboembolism reported with estrogen use have
      engendered doubts over its clinical translation for postmenopausal neurological
      disorders. Scientific community and general public have started recognizing the
      protective potential of phytochemicals in climacteric medicine. These
      phytochemicals are plant-derived, non-steroidal bioactive estrogenic compounds.
      Emerging preclinical studies have suggested that these phytochemicals display
      potential benefits in mitigating postmenopausal depression, anxiety, cerebral
      ischemia and cognitive dysfunction. Thus, the aim of present review is: a) to
      give an overview of neuroprotective action of estrogen, b) to address the
      chemical and pharmacological features of various classes of phytoestrogens, and
      c) to present preclinical and clinical evidence of effect of phytoestrogens on
      climacteric neurobiology with their possible mechanisms of action.

PMID- 27281333
TI  - Challenges in the Development of Antifungal Agents Against Candida: Scope of
      Phytochemical Research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infections caused by Candida have become a major source of morbidity
      and mortality. Limited numbers of drugs are available to treat these infections.
      Phytochemicals can be the major source of antifungal compounds. The aim of this
      publication was to review the current literature to assess the challenges and
      scope of phytochemical research in the development of new antifungal drugs.
      METHODS: Literature describing cellular nature of Candida, the development of
      drug resistance and target sites for the new drugs were assessed. Publications
      reporting antifungal activities of crude extracts of plants, their essential oils
      and identified chemical constituents were also summarised. RESULTS: The results
      showed that the development of new antifungal agents from natural sources is a
      complex process due to the cellular nature of Candida and the types of infections
      caused, such as superficial to life threatening systemic mycosis which
      necessitate systemic and topical use of drugs. Efficacy of the drugs in the
      presence of body fluids, normal flora and medical devices can also pose a
      challenge. Synthetic, semi-synthetic and natural compounds can be screened for
      their antifungal activities against emerging target sites using new cost
      effective techniques to increase throughput. Their efficacy, substantivity and
      site specific desired drug delivery can be enhanced using nanotechnology,
      hydrogel formulation and bio-adhesive technology. Finally, partnership between
      academic research laboratories and pharmaceutical industries is also necessary.
      CONCLUSION: Many challenges are identified in the development of new antifungal
      drugs, however phytochemicals are still the major source of new antifungal drugs
      and should be strategically explored.

PMID- 27281334
TI  - The Role of Platelets in Cardiovascular Disease: Molecular Mechanisms.
AB  - The role of platelets in atherosclerotic process and subsequently in the
      pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease is essential as platelets in addition
      to their contribution to thrombosis and hemostasis modulating inflammatory
      reactions and immune response. Platelets after adhesion on the injured vascular
      endothelium and activation release a wide range of molecules stored in platelets
      granules such as chemokines, proinflammatory molecules and other biological
      response modulators accelerating interaction among platelets, endothelial cells
      and leukocytes. These interactions establish a localized inflammatory response
      that promotes the atherosclerotic process. Moreover, activated platelets give
      rise to microparticles another active participant within the blood stream. The
      purpose of this review is to present the role of platelets in the above
      mechanisms giving an emphasis on the nature of the platelet derived- molecules
      and their contribution to the atherosclerotic process.

PMID- 27281336
TI  - Bayesian Solutions for Handling Uncertainty in Survival Extrapolation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Survival extrapolation using a single, best-fit model ignores 2
      sources of model uncertainty: uncertainty in the true underlying distribution and
      uncertainty about the stability of the model parameters over time. Bayesian model
      averaging (BMA) has been used to account for the former, but it can also account
      for the latter. We investigated BMA using a published comparison of the Charnley
      and Spectron hip prostheses using the original 8-year follow-up registry data.
      METHODS: A wide variety of alternative distributions were fitted. Two additional
      distributions were used to address uncertainty about parameter stability:
      optimistic and skeptical. The optimistic (skeptical) model represented the model
      distribution with the highest (lowest) estimated probabilities of survival but
      reestimated using, as prior information, the most optimistic (skeptical)
      parameter estimated for intermediate follow-up periods. Distributions were then
      averaged assuming the same posterior probabilities for the optimistic, skeptical,
      and noninformative models. Cost-effectiveness was compared using both the
      original 8-year and extended 16-year follow-up data. RESULTS: We found that all
      models obtained similar revision-free years during the observed period. In
      contrast, there was variability over the decision time horizon. Over the observed
      period, we detected considerable uncertainty in the shape parameter for Spectron.
      After BMA, Spectron was cost-effective at a threshold of L20,000 with 93%
      probability, whereas the best-fit model was 100%; by contrast, with a 16-year
      follow-up, it was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: This case study casts doubt on the ability of
      the single best-fit model selected by information criteria statistics to
      adequately capture model uncertainty. Under this scenario, BMA weighted by
      posterior probabilities better addressed model uncertainty. However, there is
      still value in regularly updating health economic models, even where decision
      uncertainty is low.

PMID- 27281335
TI  - Tie2 Expressing Monocytes in the Spleen of Patients with Primary Myelofibrosis.
AB  - Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a Philadelphia-negative (Ph-) myeloproliferative
      disorder, showing abnormal CD34+ progenitor cell trafficking, splenomegaly,
      marrow fibrosis leading to extensive extramedullary haematopoiesis, and abnormal
      neoangiogenesis in either the bone marrow or the spleen. Monocytes expressing the
      angiopoietin-2 receptor (Tie2) have been shown to support abnormal angiogenic
      processes in solid tumors through a paracrine action that takes place in
      proximity to the vessels. In this study we investigated the frequency of Tie2
      expressing monocytes in the spleen tissue samples of patients with PMF, and
      healthy subjects (CTRLs), and evaluated their possible role in favouring spleen
      angiogenesis. We show by confocal microscopy that in the spleen tissue of
      patients with PMF, but not of CTRLs, the most of the CD14+ cells are Tie2+ and
      are close to vessels; by flow cytometry, we found that Tie2 expressing monocytes
      were Tie2+CD14lowCD16brightCDL62-CCR2- (TEMs) and their frequency was higher (p =
      0.008) in spleen tissue-derived mononuclear cells (MNCs) of patients with PMF
      than in spleen tissue-derived MNCs from CTRLs undergoing splenectomy for
      abdominal trauma. By in vitro angiogenesis assay we evidenced that conditioned
      medium of immunomagnetically selected spleen tissue derived CD14+ cells of
      patients with PMF induced a denser tube like net than that of CTRLs; in addition,
      CD14+Tie2+ cells sorted from spleen tissue derived single cell suspension of
      patients with PMF show a higher expression of genes involved in angiogenesis than
      that found in CTRLs. Our results document the enrichment of Tie2+ monocytes
      expressing angiogenic genes in the spleen of patients with PMF, suggesting a role
      for these cells in starting/maintaining the pathological angiogenesis in this
      organ. 

PMID- 27281337
TI  - Cost-effectiveness Analysis in R Using a Multi-state Modeling Survival Analysis
      Framework: A Tutorial.
AB  - This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to performing cost-effectiveness
      analysis using a multi-state modeling approach. Alongside the tutorial, we
      provide easy-to-use functions in the statistics package R. We argue that this
      multi-state modeling approach using a package such as R has advantages over
      approaches where models are built in a spreadsheet package. In particular, using
      a syntax-based approach means there is a written record of what was done and the
      calculations are transparent. Reproducing the analysis is straightforward as the
      syntax just needs to be run again. The approach can be thought of as an
      alternative way to build a Markov decision-analytic model, which also has the
      option to use a state-arrival extended approach. In the state-arrival extended
      multi-state model, a covariate that represents patients' history is included,
      allowing the Markov property to be tested. We illustrate the building of multi
      state survival models, making predictions from the models and assessing fits. We
      then proceed to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis, including deterministic
      and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Finally, we show how to create 2 common
      methods of visualizing the results-namely, cost-effectiveness planes and cost
      effectiveness acceptability curves. The analysis is implemented entirely within
      R. It is based on adaptions to functions in the existing R package mstate to
      accommodate parametric multi-state modeling that facilitates extrapolation of
      survival curves.

PMID- 27281338
TI  - Receptor-Targeted Nipah Virus Glycoproteins Improve Cell-Type Selective Gene
      Delivery and Reveal a Preference for Membrane-Proximal Cell Attachment.
AB  - Receptor-targeted lentiviral vectors (LVs) can be an effective tool for selective
      transfer of genes into distinct cell types of choice. Moreover, they can be used
      to determine the molecular properties that cell surface proteins must fulfill to
      act as receptors for viral glycoproteins. Here we show that LVs pseudotyped with
      receptor-targeted Nipah virus (NiV) glycoproteins effectively enter into cells
      when they use cell surface proteins as receptors that bring them closely enough
      to the cell membrane (less than 100 A distance). Then, they were flexible in
      receptor usage as demonstrated by successful targeting of EpCAM, CD20, and CD8,
      and as selective as LVs pseudotyped with receptor-targeted measles virus (MV)
      glycoproteins, the current standard for cell-type specific gene delivery.
      Remarkably, NiV-LVs could be produced at up to two orders of magnitude higher
      titers compared to their MV-based counterparts and were at least 10,000-fold less
      effectively neutralized than MV glycoprotein pseudotyped LVs by pooled human
      intravenous immunoglobulin. An important finding for NiV-LVs targeted to Her2/neu
      was an about 100-fold higher gene transfer activity when particles were targeted
      to membrane-proximal regions as compared to particles binding to a more membrane
      distal epitope. Likewise, the low gene transfer activity mediated by NiV-LV
      particles bound to the membrane distal domains of CD117 or the glutamate receptor
      subunit 4 (GluA4) was substantially enhanced by reducing receptor size to below
      100 A. Overall, the data suggest that the NiV glycoproteins are optimally suited
      for cell-type specific gene delivery with LVs and, in addition, for the first
      time define which parts of a cell surface protein should be targeted to achieve
      optimal gene transfer rates with receptor-targeted LVs.

PMID- 27281339
TI  - Microarray Noninvasive Neuronal Seizure Recordings from Intact Larval Zebrafish.
AB  - Zebrafish epilepsy models are emerging tools in experimental epilepsy. Zebrafish
      larvae, in particular, are advantageous because they can be easily genetically
      altered and used for developmental and drug studies since agents applied to the
      bath penetrate the organism easily. Methods for electrophysiological recordings
      in zebrafish are new and evolving. We present a novel multi-electrode array
      method to non-invasively record electrical activity from up to 61 locations of an
      intact larval zebrafish head. This method enables transcranial noninvasive
      recording of extracellular field potentials (which include multi-unit activity
      and EEG) to identify epileptic seizures. To record from the brains of zebrafish
      larvae, the dorsum of the head of an intact larva was secured onto a multi
      electrode array. We recorded from individual electrodes for at least three hours
      and quantified neuronal firing frequency, spike patterns (continuous or
      bursting), and synchrony of neuronal firing. Following 15 mM potassium chloride-
      or pentylenetetrazole-infusion into the bath, spike and burst rate increased
      significantly. Additionally, synchrony of neuronal firing across channels, a
      hallmark of epileptic seizures, also increased. Notably, the fish survived the
      experiment. This non-invasive method complements present invasive zebrafish
      neurophysiological techniques: it affords the advantages of high spatial and
      temporal resolution, a capacity to measure multiregional activity and neuronal
      synchrony in seizures, and fish survival for future experiments, such as studies
      of epileptogenesis and development. 

PMID- 27281340
TI  - Bayesian Multi-Trait Analysis Reveals a Useful Tool to Increase Oil Concentration
      and to Decrease Toxicity in Jatropha curcas L.
AB  - The biggest challenge for jatropha breeding is to identify superior genotypes
      that present high seed yield and seed oil content with reduced toxicity levels.
      Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for
      three important traits (weight of 100 seed, oil seed content, and phorbol ester
      concentration), and to select superior genotypes to be used as progenitors in
      jatropha breeding. Additionally, the genotypic values and the genetic parameters
      estimated under the Bayesian multi-trait approach were used to evaluate different
      selection indices scenarios of 179 half-sib families. Three different scenarios
      and economic weights were considered. It was possible to simultaneously reduce
      toxicity and increase seed oil content and weight of 100 seed by using index
      selection based on genotypic value estimated by the Bayesian multi-trait
      approach. Indeed, we identified two families that present these characteristics
      by evaluating genetic diversity using the Ward clustering method, which suggested
      nine homogenous clusters. Future researches must integrate the Bayesian multi
      trait methods with realized relationship matrix, aiming to build accurate
      selection indices models. 

PMID- 27281341
TI  - Role of Gaze Cues in Interpersonal Motor Coordination: Towards Higher Affiliation
      in Human-Robot Interaction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ability to follow one another's gaze plays an important role in
      our social cognition; especially when we synchronously perform tasks together. We
      investigate how gaze cues can improve performance in a simple coordination task
      (i.e., the mirror game), whereby two players mirror each other's hand motions. In
      this game, each player is either a leader or follower. To study the effect of
      gaze in a systematic manner, the leader's role is played by a robotic avatar. We
      contrast two conditions, in which the avatar provides or not explicit gaze cues
      that indicate the next location of its hand. Specifically, we investigated (a)
      whether participants are able to exploit these gaze cues to improve their
      coordination, (b) how gaze cues affect action prediction and temporal
      coordination, and (c) whether introducing active gaze behavior for avatars makes
      them more realistic and human-like (from the user point of view).
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 43 subjects participated in 8 trials of the
      mirror game. Each subject performed the game in the two conditions (with and
      without gaze cues). In this within-subject study, the order of the conditions was
      randomized across participants, and subjective assessment of the avatar's realism
      was assessed by administering a post-hoc questionnaire. When gaze cues were
      provided, a quantitative assessment of synchrony between participants and the
      avatar revealed a significant improvement in subject reaction-time (RT). This
      confirms our hypothesis that gaze cues improve the follower's ability to predict
      the avatar's action. An analysis of the pattern of frequency across the two
      players' hand movements reveals that the gaze cues improve the overall temporal
      coordination across the two players. Finally, analysis of the subjective
      evaluations from the questionnaires reveals that, in the presence of gaze cues,
      participants found it not only more human-like/realistic, but also easier to
      interact with the avatar. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This work confirms that people
      can exploit gaze cues to predict another person's movements and to better
      coordinate their motions with their partners, even when the partner is a computer
      animated avatar. Moreover, this study contributes further evidence that
      implementing biological features, here task-relevant gaze cues, enable the
      humanoid robotic avatar to appear more human-like, and thus increase the user's
      sense of affiliation.

PMID- 27281342
TI  - CDK-1 Inhibition in G2 Stabilizes Kinetochore-Microtubules in the following
      Mitosis.
AB  - Cell proliferation is driven by cyclical activation of cyclin-dependent kinases
      (CDKs), which produce distinct biochemical cell cycle phases. Mitosis (M phase)
      is orchestrated by CDK-1, complexed with mitotic cyclins. During M phase,
      chromosomes are segregated by a bipolar array of microtubules called the mitotic
      spindle. The essential bipolarity of the mitotic spindle is established by the
      kinesin-5 Eg5, but factors influencing the maintenance of spindle bipolarity are
      not fully understood. Here, we describe an unexpected link between inhibiting CDK
      1 before mitosis and bipolar spindle maintenance. Spindles in human RPE-1 cells
      normally collapse to monopolar structures when Eg5 is inhibited at metaphase.
      However, we found that inhibition of CDK-1 in the G2 phase of the cell cycle
      improved the ability of RPE-1 cells to maintain spindle bipolarity without Eg5
      activity in the mitosis immediately after release from CDK-1 inhibition. This
      improved bipolarity maintenance correlated with an increase in the stability of
      kinetochore-microtubules, the subset of microtubules that link chromosomes to the
      spindle. The improvement in bipolarity maintenance after CDK-1 inhibition in G2
      required both the kinesin-12 Kif15 and increased stability of kinetochore
      microtubules. Consistent with increased kinetochore-microtubule stability, we
      find that inhibition of CDK-1 in G2 impairs mitotic fidelity by increasing the
      incidence of lagging chromosomes in anaphase. These results suggest that
      inhibition of CDK-1 in G2 causes unpredicted effects in mitosis, even after CDK-1
      inhibition is relieved. 

PMID- 27281343
TI  - Regulation of the Axillary Osmidrosis-Associated ABCC11 Protein Stability by N
      Linked Glycosylation: Effect of Glucose Condition.
AB  - ATP-binding cassette C11 (ABCC11) is a plasma membrane protein involved in the
      transport of a variety of lipophilic anions. ABCC11 wild-type is responsible for
      the high-secretion phenotypes in human apocrine glands, such as that of wet-type
      ear wax, and the risk of axillary osmidrosis. We have previously reported that
      mature ABCC11 is a glycoprotein containing two N-linked glycans at Asn838 and
      Asn844. However, little is known about the role of N-linked glycosylation in the
      regulation of ABCC11 protein. In the current study, we investigated the effects
      of N-linked glycosylation on the protein level and localization of ABCC11 using
      polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney II cells. When the N-linked glycosylation in
      ABCC11-expressing cells was chemically inhibited by tunicamycin treatment, the
      maturation of ABCC11 was suppressed and its protein level was significantly
      decreased. Immunoblotting analyses demonstrated that the protein level of the N
      linked glycosylation-deficient mutant (N838Q and N844Q: Q838/844) was about half
      of the ABCC11 wild-type level. Further biochemical studies with the Q838/844
      mutant showed that this glycosylation-deficient ABCC11 was degraded faster than
      wild-type probably due to the enhancement of the MG132-sensitive protein
      degradation pathway. Moreover, the incubation of ABCC11 wild-type-expressing
      cells in a low-glucose condition decreased mature, glycosylated ABCC11, compared
      with the high-glucose condition. On the other hand, the protein level of the
      Q838/844 mutant was not affected by glucose condition. These results suggest that
      N-linked glycosylation is important for the protein stability of ABCC11, and
      physiological alteration in glucose may affect the ABCC11 protein level and
      ABCC11-related phenotypes in humans, such as axillary osmidrosis. 

PMID- 27281344
TI  - Investigation of NS3 Protease Resistance-Associated Variants and Phenotypes for
      the Prediction of Treatment Response to HCV Triple Therapy.
AB  - Triple therapy of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with boceprevir (BOC)
      or telaprevir (TVR) leads to virologic failure in many patients which is often
      associated with the selection of resistance-associated variants (RAVs). These
      resistance profiles are of importance for the selection of potential rescue
      treatment options. In this study, we sequenced baseline NS3 RAVs population-based
      and investigated the sensitivity of NS3 phenotypes in an HCV replicon assay
      together with clinical factors for a prediction of treatment response in a cohort
      of 165 German and Swiss patients treated with a BOC or TVR-based triple therapy.
      Overall, the prevalence of baseline RAVs was low, although the frequency of RAVs
      was higher in patients with virologic failure compared to those who achieved a
      sustained virologic response (SVR) (7% versus 1%, P = 0.06). The occurrence of
      RAVs was associated with a resistant NS3 quasispecies phenotype (P<0.001), but
      the sensitivity of phenotypes was not associated with treatment outcome (P =
      0.2). The majority of single viral and host predictors of SVR was only weakly
      associated with treatment response. In multivariate analyses, low AST levels,
      female sex and an IFNL4 CC genotype were independently associated with SVR.
      However, a combined analysis of negative predictors revealed a significantly
      lower overall number of negative predictors in patients with SVR in comparison to
      individuals with virologic failure (P<0.0001) and the presence of 2 or less
      negative predictors was indicative for SVR. These results demonstrate that most
      single baseline viral and host parameters have a weak influence on the response
      to triple therapy, whereas the overall number of negative predictors has a high
      predictive value for SVR. 

PMID- 27281346
TI  - The feeding-nutrition connection, three aspects for its understanding.
AB  - Feeding is not an isolated concept; it is linked to biological, psychological,
      cultural, political and economic determinants. Physiologically the meeting of the
      biological need is very important, but when a group is subjected to a diet that
      only satisfies hunger and does not provide for nutrients, chronic deficient
      nutritional stages appear that impact social welfare and health. In this paper,
      we present three instances of nutritional problems that affect the Mexican
      population: child malnourishment, obesity and food security. This article exposes
      some of its social determinants and public policies that address them considering
      the collective health and its sociology, in the context of social inequality. We
      highlight the need for public policies that consider social inclusion, for the
      collective food security, and not merely the pursuit of satisfying hunger, but
      also to have an accessible, nutritious, and varied diet to prevent alterations in
      the health of the people. 

PMID- 27281345
TI  - Depression 12-months after coronary artery bypass graft is predicted by cortisol
      slope over the day.
AB  - Alterations in the diurnal profile of cortisol have been associated with
      depressed mood in patients with coronary heart disease. The relationship between
      cortisol output and depressed mood has not been investigated prospectively in
      coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients before. We aimed to study the
      relationship between cortisol measured pre- and post-operatively and depression
      symptoms measured 12 months after CABG surgery. We analysed data from 171
      patients awaiting first-time, elective CABG surgery from the pre-assessment
      clinic at St. George's Hospital, London. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was
      used to assess depression symptoms and saliva samples were collected to measure
      diurnal cortisol. Baseline assessments of depression and cortisol were obtained
      an average 29days before surgery, short-term follow-up of cortisol occurred
      60days after surgery and long-term follow-up of depression was assessed 378days
      after surgery. Baseline cortisol slope was not associated with depression at 12
      month follow-up. However, a steeper cortisol slope measured 60days after surgery
      predicted reduced odds of depression (BDI>=10) 12 months after surgery (odds
      ratio 0.661, 95% confidence interval 0.437-0.998, p=0.049) after controlling for
      covariates. These findings suggest interventions aimed at improving adaptation in
      the early recovery period may have long-term benefits in this patient group.

PMID- 27281347
TI  - Fabrication of Electrochemical Model Influenza A Virus Biosensor Based on the
      Measurements of Neuroaminidase Enzyme Activity.
AB  - Neuroaminidase (NA) enzyme is a kind of glycoprotein that is found on the
      influenza A virus. During infection, NA is important for the release of influenza
      virions from the host cell surface together with viral aggregates. It may also be
      involved in targeting the virus to respiratory epithelial cells. In this study, a
      model electrochemical influenza A viral biosensor in which receptor-binding
      properties have been based on NA was developed for the first time. The
      biosensor's working principle is based on monitoring the interactions between
      fetuin A and NA enzyme. The assay was monitored step by step by using
      electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

PMID- 27281348
TI  - Do infants have the horizontal bias?
AB  - A robust set of studies show that adults make more horizontal than vertical and
      oblique saccades, while scanning real-world scenes. In this paper we study the
      horizontal bias in infants. The directions of eye movements were calculated for
      41 infants (M=8.40 months, SD=3.74, range=3.48-15.47) and 47 adults (M=21.74
      years, SD=4.54, range=17.89-39.84) while viewing 28 real-world scenes. Saccade
      directions were binned to study the proportion of saccades in the horizontal,
      vertical and oblique directions. In addition, saccade directions were also
      modeled using a mixture of Von Mises distributions, to account for the relatively
      large amount of variance in infants data. Horizontal bias was replicated in
      adults and also found in infants, using both the binning and Von Mises approach.
      Moreover, a developmental pattern was observed in which older infants are more
      precise in targeting their saccades than younger infants. That infants have a
      horizontal bias is important in understanding infants' eye movements. Future
      studies should account for the horizontal bias in their designs and analyses.

PMID- 27281349
TI  - Antiinflammatory Effects of Budesonide in Human Fetal Lung.
AB  - Lung inflammation in premature infants contributes to the development of
      bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease with long-term sequelae.
      Pilot studies administering budesonide suspended in surfactant have found reduced
      BPD without the apparent adverse effects that occur with systemic dexamethasone
      therapy. Our objective was to determine budesonide potency, stability, and
      antiinflammatory effects in human fetal lung. We cultured explants of second
      trimester fetal lung with budesonide or dexamethasone and used microscopy,
      immunoassays, RNA sequencing, liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, and
      pulsating bubble surfactometry. Budesonide suppressed secreted chemokines IL-8
      and CCL2 (MCP-1) within 4 hours, reaching a 90% decrease at 12 hours, which was
      fully reversed 72 hours after removal of the steroid. Half-maximal effects
      occurred at 0.04-0.05 nM, representing a fivefold greater potency than for
      dexamethasone. Budesonide significantly induced 3.6% and repressed 2.8% of 14,500
      sequenced mRNAs by 1.6- to 95-fold, including 119 genes that contribute to the
      glucocorticoid inflammatory transcriptome; some are known targets of nuclear
      factor-kappaB. By global proteomics, 22 secreted inflammatory proteins were
      hormonally regulated. Two glucocorticoid-regulated genes of interest because of
      their association with lung disease are CHI3L1 and IL1RL1. Budesonide retained
      activity in the presence of surfactant and did not alter its surface properties.
      There was some formation of palmitate-budesonide in lung tissue but no detectable
      metabolism to inactive 16alpha-hydroxy prednisolone. We concluded that budesonide
      is a potent and stable antiinflammatory glucocorticoid in human fetal lung in
      vitro, supporting a beneficial antiinflammatory response to lung-targeted
      budesonide:surfactant treatment of infants for the prevention of BPD.

PMID- 27281350
TI  - Revising probability estimates: Why increasing likelihood means increasing
      impact.
AB  - Forecasted probabilities rarely stay the same for long. Instead, they are subject
      to constant revision-moving upward or downward, uncertain events become more or
      less likely. Yet little is known about how people interpret probability estimates
      beyond static snapshots, like a 30% chance of rain. Here, we consider the
      cognitive, affective, and behavioral consequences of revisions to probability
      forecasts. Stemming from a lay belief that revisions signal the emergence of a
      trend, we find in 10 studies (comprising uncertain events such as weather,
      climate change, sex, sports, and wine) that upward changes to event-probability
      (e.g., increasing from 20% to 30%) cause events to feel less remote than downward
      changes (e.g., decreasing from 40% to 30%), and subsequently change people's
      behavior regarding those events despite the revised event-probabilities being the
      same. Our research sheds light on how revising the probabilities for future
      events changes how people manage those uncertain events. (PsycINFO Database
      Record

PMID- 27281352
TI  - Straight until proven gay: A systematic bias toward straight categorizations in
      sexual orientation judgments.
AB  - Perceivers achieve above chance accuracy judging others' sexual orientations, but
      they also exhibit a notable response bias by categorizing most targets as
      straight rather than gay. Although a straight categorization bias is evident in
      many published reports, it has never been the focus of systematic inquiry. The
      current studies therefore document this bias and test the mechanisms that produce
      it. Studies 1-3 revealed the straight categorization bias cannot be explained
      entirely by perceivers' attempts to match categorizations to the number of gay
      targets in a stimulus set. Although perceivers were somewhat sensitive to base
      rate information, their tendency to categorize targets as straight persisted when
      they believed each target had a 50% chance of being gay (Study 1), received
      explicit information about the base rate of gay targets in a stimulus set (Study
      2), and encountered stimulus sets with varying base rates of gay targets (Study
      3). The remaining studies tested an alternate mechanism for the bias based upon
      perceivers' use of gender heuristics when judging sexual orientation.
      Specifically, Study 4 revealed the range of gendered cues compelling gay
      judgments is smaller than the range of gendered cues compelling straight
      judgments despite participants' acknowledgment of equal base rates for gay and
      straight targets. Study 5 highlighted perceptual experience as a cause of this
      imbalance: Exposing perceivers to hyper-gendered faces (e.g., masculine men)
      expanded the range of gendered cues compelling gay categorizations. Study 6
      linked this observation to our initial studies by demonstrating that visual
      exposure to hyper-gendered faces reduced the magnitude of the straight
      categorization bias. Collectively, these studies provide systematic evidence of a
      response bias in sexual orientation categorization and offer new insights into
      the mechanisms that produce it. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27281351
TI  - Dispositional contempt: A first look at the contemptuous person.
AB  - Contempt is a powerful emotion. Marriages fail (Gottman, 1994), coworkers are
      shamed (Melwani & Barsade, 2011), terrorism is tended toward (Tausch et al.,
      2011). Despite its importance, contempt has not been investigated at the level of
      personality. The present research examines how our contemptuous reactions can be
      conceptualized and measured as a stable individual-difference variable with a
      range of theoretically predicted correlates. First, we introduce a measure of
      dispositional contempt, the tendency to look down on, distance, and derogate
      others who violate our standards. We then unpack the dynamics of dispositional
      contempt. Across 6 studies using self-report and emotion elicitation in student
      and MTurk samples (Ns = 165 to 1,368), we examined its (a) nomological network,
      (b) personality and behavioral correlates, and (c) implications for relationship
      functioning. Dispositional contempt was distinguished from tendencies toward
      related emotions and was most associated with dispositional envy, anger, and
      hubristic pride. Somewhat paradoxically, dispositional contempt was related to
      being cold and "superior," with associations found with narcissism, other
      oriented perfectionism, and various antisocial tendencies (e.g.,
      Disagreeableness, Machiavellianism, racism), but it was also related to being
      self-deprecating and emotionally fragile, with associations found with low self
      esteem, insecure attachment, and feeling that others impose perfectionistic
      standards on oneself. Dispositional contempt predicted contemptuous reactions to
      eliciting film clips, particularly when targets showed low competence/power.
      Finally, perceiving one's romantic partner as dispositionally contemptuous was
      associated with lower commitment and satisfaction. Taken together, results give a
      first look at the contemptuous person and provide a new organizing framework for
      understanding contempt. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281353
TI  - "Whether I like it or not, it's important": Implicit importance of means predicts
      self-regulatory persistence and success.
AB  - To effectively self-regulate, people must persevere on tasks that they deem
      important, regardless of whether those tasks are enjoyable. Building on past work
      that has noted the fundamental role of implicit cognition in guiding effective
      self-regulation, the present paper tests whether an implicit association between
      goal means and importance predicts self-regulatory persistence and success.
      Implicit importance predicted markers of effective self-regulation-better grades,
      more studying and exercise, and stronger standardized testing performance-over
      and above, and often better than, explicit beliefs about the importance of that
      self-regulation, as well as implicit evaluations of those means. In particular,
      those for whom tasks were fairly taxing to complete (i.e., those for whom this
      self-regulation required effortful self-control) were those who most benefitted
      from the implicit association between means and importance. Moreover, when
      participants were reminded of recent self-regulatory failure that they believed
      could be overcome through hard work, implicit importance toward the means
      increased as if to prepare them to achieve self-regulatory persistence. A final
      study sought to reconcile the present findings with previous work showing the key
      role that implicit evaluations play in effective self-regulation. We reasoned
      that means are important precisely because they are associated with valued end
      states. Consistent with this account, implicit evaluations of end-states
      predicted the implicit importance of means, which in turn predicted effective
      self-regulation. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27281354
TI  - Power and the pursuit of a partner's goals.
AB  - We investigated how power dynamics in close relationships influence the tendency
      to devote resources to the pursuit of goals valued by relationship partners,
      hypothesizing that low (vs. high) power in relationships would lead individuals
      to center their individual goal pursuit around the goals of their partners. We
      study 2 related phenomena: partner goal prioritization, whereby individuals
      pursue goals on behalf of their partners, and partner goal contagion, whereby
      individuals identify and adopt as their own the goals that their partner pursues.
      We tested our ideas in 5 studies that employed diverse research methods,
      including lab experiments and dyadic studies of romantic partners, and multiple
      types of dependent measures, including experience sampling reports, self-reported
      goal commitment, and behavioral goal pursuit in a variety of goal domains.
      Despite this methodological diversity, the studies provided clear and consistent
      evidence that individuals with low power in their relationships are especially
      likely to engage in both partner goal prioritization and partner goal contagion.
      (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27281355
TI  - "Affective contingencies in the affiliative domain: Physiological assessment,
      associations with the affiliation motive, and prediction of behavior": Correction
      to Dufner et al. (2015).
AB  - Reports an error in "Affective contingencies in the affiliative domain:
      Physiological assessment, associations with the affiliation motive, and
      prediction of behavior" by Michael Dufner, Ruben C. Arslan, Birk Hagemeyer, Felix
      D. Schonbrodt and Jaap J. A. Denissen (Journal of Personality and Social
      Psychology, 2015[Oct], Vol 109[4], 662-676). In this article an erroneous
      statement was made regarding the high cutoff filter for the EMG raw signal. The
      high cutoff filter reported in Appendix B in the Technical Details of the EMG
      Recording Procedure section should be 300 Hz. (The following abstract of the
      original article appeared in record 2015-37761-001.) 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. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 27281356
TI  - Thank goodness it's Friday: weekly pattern of workplace incivility.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent research has shown day-level differences in an
      individual's experience of uncivil behavior; however, it is unknown if that
      experience follows a consistent weekly change pattern. This study extends
      incivility theory and research by applying latent growth curve (LGC) modeling to
      diary study data to understand day-to-day changes in incivility. DESIGN: The
      authors took a theory-driven approach, reviewing both mood and recovery theory
      that would support a decrease in incivility over the working week. METHODS: Diary
      survey methodology was used, with a morning and evening survey completed on five
      consecutive workdays by 171 (73% of the 235 who initially volunteered, 95% of
      those who completed any surveys) employees in the legal industry. LGC analysis
      was used to identify patterns of experienced incivility, mood (both measured
      after work), and recovery (assessed the following morning). RESULTS: Regardless
      of job demands and gender, a weekly pattern was identified with the likelihood of
      experiencing incivility (coded as 0 = none, 1 = some) decreasing from Monday to
      Friday by .78 each day (p < .001) in a relatively linear fashion with a slope
      factor of .34 (SE = 0.23; p > .05), indicating invariance between individuals.
      This weekly pattern was not explained by changes in mood or recovery.
      CONCLUSIONS: Results emphasize the impact of contextual factors such as time on
      workplace incivility and the need to consider weekly rhythms of other behaviors
      that are likely to affect employee well-being and productivity. Although limited
      to one week of data per person, the findings are likely to be relevant to studies
      of other forms of interpersonal mistreatment, such as social undermining and
      interpersonal conflict.

PMID- 27281357
TI  - Appropriate margin thresholds for isocontour metabolic volumetry of fluorine-18
      fluorodeoxyglucose PET in sarcoma: a hybrid PET/MRI study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Metabolic volumetry and heterogeneity indexes are increasingly being
      used in fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET, mostly using isocontour
      methods. However, there is no standard method to determine optimal margin
      thresholds for isocontour volume of interest (VOIiso). Here, VOIiso with various
      margin thresholds were compared with exact anatomical tumor volumes in sarcoma
      using a hybrid PET/MRI scanner. PATIENTS AND METHODS: F-FDG PET/MRI images were
      retrospectively analyzed for 36 lesions of soft tissue or bone sarcoma. VOIiso of
      tumors was drawn with varying margin thresholds; standardized uptake value (SUV)
      1.0-4.0 with an increment of 0.5 and 30-70% of maximal SUV (SUVmax) with an
      increment of 10%. Exact anatomical tumor volumes (VOIMRI) were drawn manually on
      the basis of MRI. In each VOI, metabolic tumor volume, SUVmean, total lesion
      glycolysis, and SD were measured and compared between VOIiso and VOIMRI. RESULTS:
      Significant correlations were observed between the indexes from VOIiso and
      VOIMRI. For metabolic tumor volume, no significant difference existed between
      VOIiso and VOIMRI with margin thresholds of 30 and 40% of SUVmax, and SUV 1.5.
      For SUVmean, no significant difference existed with 30% of SUVmax, and SUV 1.5.
      For total lesion glycolysis, no significant difference existed with 40% of
      SUVmax, SUV 1.5, and 2.0. For SD, no significant difference existed with 30% of
      SUVmax, SUV 1.5, and 2.0. CONCLUSION: Margin thresholds of 30 or 40% of SUVmax
      and SUV 1.5 or 2.0 may be used for the VOIiso method in F-FDG PET images of
      sarcoma. VOIiso with these margin thresholds are expected to produce reliable
      metabolic, volumetric, and heterogeneity indexes on F-FDG PET images.

PMID- 27281358
TI  - High metabolic characteristics of uterine fibroids in 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging and
      the underlying mechanisms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the high metabolic characteristics of uterine fibroids
      in fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/computed tomographic imaging and
      the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 47 patients with
      uterine fibroids who underwent PET/computed tomographic imaging and ultrasound
      examination from November 2011 to May 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The
      characteristics of F-FDG uptake by uterine fibroids were analyzed and their
      correlations with age, menopause, menstrual cycle, hormone indexes, tumor markers
      as well as the number and maximum diameter of fibroids in ultrasound images were
      explored using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
      RESULTS: (a) The total positive F-FDG uptake rate and maximum standardized uptake
      value (SUVmax) were 40.4% (19/47) and 4.38+/-2.57 (1.74-10.81), respectively, in
      patients with uterine fibroids; (b) univariate analysis showed that age,
      menopause, estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone as well as
      the number of fibroids were correlated positively with F-FDG uptake in uterine
      fibroids (P<0.05); and (c) multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that
      only the number of fibroids was meaningfully correlated with F-FDG uptake in
      uterine fibroids (odds ratio=30.000, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Uterine fibroids have a
      higher positive F-FDG uptake rate and highly variable SUVmax. The SUVmax is
      especially higher in younger and premenopausal patients. Multiple fibroids play a
      decisive role in the positive F-FDG uptake rate possibly because of the
      quantitative to qualitative changes in the effects of estrogen on the
      proliferation of uterine fibroids.

PMID- 27281360
TI  - Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells of the ampullary
      region: Short term survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Undifferentiated carcinomas with osteoclast-like giant cells (UC
      OGCs) of the ampullary region are very rare, with only a few cases reported to
      date. The clinicopathological features, treatment options, and prognosis of UC
      OGCs are unclear. This report describes a patient with UC-OGCs of the ampullary
      region. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 78-year-old male patient was admitted for
      epigastric pain and fever. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a 2.6
      cm mass at the duodenal papilla. Duodenoscopy revealed a smooth red protruding
      mass compressing the orifice of the papilla of Vater. Biopsy of the mass showed
      proliferation of osteoclast-like giant cells. A subtotal stomach-preserving
      pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed, and the tumor was histologically diagnosed
      as an UC-OGCs of the ampullary region. Carcinoma in situ was also observed,
      spreading from the tumor at the terminal segment of the common bile duct to the
      common hepatic duct, with carcinoma cells at the surgical margin of the common
      hepatic duct. One year after surgery, the patient is alive and without tumor
      recurrence. DISCUSSION: UC-OGCs of the ampullary region is very rare neoplasm
      containing osteoclast-like giant cells and mononuclear cells. Osteoclast-like
      giant cells may originate from reactive mesenchymal cells and carcinoma in situ
      may spread to the common hepatic duct. Surgery including pancreaticoduodenectomy
      may be a treatment option for resectable tumors, whereas gemcitabine may be a
      treatment option for unresectable tumors. CONCLUSION: Carcinoma in situ may
      spread quite far (5cm) to the common hepatic duct, making it desirable to
      intraoperatively confirm negative bile duct margins by rapid pathologic
      diagnosis.

PMID- 27281359
TI  - Interim fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET-computed tomography and cell of origin
      by immunohistochemistry predicts progression-free and overall survival in diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma patients in the rituximab era.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of the
      interim PET (iPET)-computed tomography (CT) (iPET-CT) after two cycles of
      immunochemotherapy with the R-CHOP protocol in patients with diffuse large B-cell
      non-Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with a curative intent in combination with
      the neoplastic cell origin defined by Hans's immunohistochemstry algorithm
      followed in a reference center for cancer treatment in Brazil. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 147 DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP-21 to
      assess the value of the International Prognostic Index, iPET-CT, and cell of
      origin by immunohistochemistry as prognostic markers in the rituximab era.
      Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT was performed after two cycles (iPET-CT)
      and at the end of treatment in 111 patients. Lymphoma cases were categorized into
      germinal center (GC) and nongerminal center subtypes by immunohistochemistry
      according to Hans's algorithm. RESULTS: The median age of GC-DLBCL patients (52.7
      years) was lower than that of nongerminal center-DLBCL patients (59.4 years)
      (P=0.021); in addition, it was lower in patients with negative iPET-CT findings
      (52.7 years) versus positive findings (59.4 years) (P=0.031). The overall
      survival at 48 months was 100% for iPET-CT-negative GC-DLBCL patients and 61.2%
      for iPET-CT-positive GC-DLBCL patients (P=0.002). Progression-free survival at 30
      months was 100% for iPET-CT-negative GC-DLBCL patients and 60.3% for iPET-CT
      positive GC-DLBCL patients (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that iPET-CT
      associated with cell origin identified a very good prognostic group in DLBCL
      patients treated with R-CHOP. Video Abstract: http://links.lww.com/NMC/A59.

PMID- 27281361
TI  - Breast sarcoma. A case report and review of literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Breast sarcomas are rare with an annual incidence of 4.6
      cases/1,000,000 women. They can appear as primary forms or secondary to radiation
      therapy or chronic lymphedema. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 41 year old woman attended
      our hospital after having noticed an increase in the size of her fibroadenoma.
      The examination revealed a 7cm retroareolar nodule. Breast sonography described a
      hypoechoic bilobulated lesion and MRI showed a large size polinodular image,
      suggesting a Phyllodes tumor. A core needle biopsy was performed with a
      histological result of low-grade fusiform cells sarcoma on Phyllodes tumor so we
      proceeded to surgical treatment with a mastectomy. After two years and a half she
      noticed a tough nodule over the mastectomy scar, which was resected with a
      histological result of fusiform cells sarcoma. Considering the diagnosis of
      recurrence of the disease, surgery was undertaken. DISCUSSION: Breast sarcoma is
      a rare but aggressive entity. Core biopsy is the procedure of choice for the
      diagnosis. Lymphatic spread is uncommon so nodal status in breast sarcoma is less
      informative. Staging study differs from other breast tumors and chest computed
      tomography is helpful since lungs are the predominant metastatic sites. The use
      of radiotherapy or chemotherapy is controversial and will depend on the risk of
      tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: Surgery represents the only potentially curative
      therapy for breast sarcoma. Tumor size and adequate resection margin are the most
      important prognostic factors. Approximately 80% of recurrences appear in the
      first two years.

PMID- 27281362
TI  - A case report of anorectal malignant melanoma with mucosal skipped lesion.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We report our experience involving a case of relatively rare
      anorectal malignant melanoma with skipped lesion. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The
      patient was a 72-year-old man who had visited a local clinic complaining of a
      mass in the anal region, whereupon he was referred to our hospital on suspicion
      of a malignant melanoma. Close examination revealed a 25-mm black type 1 tumor
      one-third the size of the circumference of the anal canal and located externally
      to it. We performed transanal resection of the tumor and confirmed a diagnosis of
      malignant melanoma. Notably, multiple macular black lesions spaced away from the
      main lesion were observed during surgery in half of the circumference of the anal
      canal, from the tumor to the pectinate line. A biopsy of the area also revealed
      malignant melanoma; therefore, we performed abdominoperineal resection.
      Pathological diagnosis indicated a submucosal depth; the patient was thus
      diagnosed with T4 N2c M0 stage IIIb malignant melanoma and was followed on an
      outpatient basis. DISCUSSION: Patients with anorectal malignant melanoma have
      very poor prognoses owing to early lymph node metastasis and hematogenous
      metastasis. Our case illustrates that small anorectal malignant melanoma lesions
      can spread from the main lesion and invade the mucosa; examinations may sometimes
      miss such skipped lesions. CONCLUSION: Skipped lesions can occur in anorectal
      melanomas; thus, careful scrutiny of such lesions is required. Moreover, lesion
      resection is critical for anorectal malignant melanomas.

PMID- 27281363
TI  - Aggressive angiomyxoma presenting with back and perineal bulge; a complex
      surgical approach: A case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor occurring
      predominantly in the pelvi-perineal region. It is more common in females during
      their reproductive age. Our focus is on the surgical approach for a recurrent
      angiomyxoma. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 36-year-old female patient
      with a recurrent lower back and perineal bulges. One year ago, she had the same
      presentation and underwent resection of that mass in a peripheral hospital
      without available information. Five months later, she started to have the same
      bulge. Computed tomography scan and true cut biopsy were suggestive of
      angiomyxoma with single lung metastasis. The decision was to proceed with
      resection through a transabdominal and perineal incision, even in the presence of
      metastasis since it's a very slow growing tumor with long life expectancy. The
      pathology was consistent with aggressive angiomyxoma. DISCUSSION: 90% of patients
      with angiomyxoma are women. Although it is benign, the tumor is still aggressive
      because of the high rate of local recurrence after resection. Angiomyxoma is a
      mesenchymal tumor, composed of fibroblasts within a myxoid background. Treatment
      is usually through wide local excision to achieve an R0 resection. Our approach
      was through a transabdominal and perineal incision, which allowed full control
      and mobilization of the tumor without disrupting the capsule. This surgical
      approach was not described previously in the literature. CONCLUSION: The
      principle to achieve cure in aggressive angiomyxoma is by optimizing exposure
      through two different incisions, wide excision while keeping the capsule intact
      and removing enbloc any invaded organ.

PMID- 27281364
TI  - Influenza Activity - United States, 2015-16 Season and Composition of the 2016-17
      Influenza Vaccine.
AB  - During the 2015-16 influenza season (October 4, 2015-May 21, 2016) in the United
      States, influenza activity* was lower and peaked later compared with the previous
      three seasons (2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15). Activity remained low from October
      2015 until late December 2015 and peaked in mid-March 2016. During the most
      recent 18 influenza seasons (including this season), only two other seasons have
      peaked in March (2011-12 and 2005-06). Overall influenza activity was moderate
      this season, with a lower percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like
      illness (ILI),(?) lower hospitalization rates, and a lower percentage of deaths
      attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) compared with the preceding three
      seasons. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses predominated overall, but influenza
      A(H3N2) viruses were more commonly identified from October to early December, and
      influenza B viruses were more commonly identified from mid-April through mid-May.
      The majority of viruses characterized this season were antigenically similar to
      the reference viruses representing the recommended components of the 2015-16
      Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine (1). This report summarizes influenza
      activity in the United States during the 2015-16 influenza season (October 4,
      2015-May 21, 2016)(S) and reports the vaccine virus components recommended for
      the 2016-17 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccines. 

PMID- 27281365
TI  - Sodium Selenite as an Anticancer Agent.
AB  - Selenium (Se) is a ubiquitous, albeit not uniformly distributed metalloid present
      in earth crust. Consequently, its human intake with food products, particularly
      grains and vegetables, is also very uneven, and in certain cases can result in a
      severe Se deficiency. It was also documented that Se deficiency observed in some
      countries and/or geographic regions (e.g. Keshan region in China), is associated
      with an increased morbidity and mortality of neoplastic diseases. To correct this
      problem a number of organic and inorganic selenium compounds were developed and
      tested. However, it is now firmly established that only an inorganic sodium
      selenite with four-valent Se, and not that with six-valent (selenate) cation
      shows anticancer activity. This difference in their biological activities is due
      to their physicochemical properties. Thus selenite (Se+4) can undergo redox
      reaction, for example with protein's sulfhydryl groups expressed on the surface
      of tumor cells. In this way selenite prevents non-enzymatic formation of
      parafibrin that coats tumors cells and hence presents them as 'self' to the
      innate cellular immune system. Consequently, macrophages of the lymphatic system
      do not recognize neoplastic cells as 'foreign' bodies and spare them from the
      immune destruction. This mechanism can explain the failure of various
      immunotherapies to completely eliminate tumors from human bodies. Another
      contributing factor to carcinogenesis is the excessive consumption of red meat
      containing redox-active iron (Fe+3) that initiates parafibrin formation from
      blood fibrinogen. In conclusion, sodium selenite is a readily available and
      inexpensive drug of choice in the cancer treatment and prevention.

PMID- 27281366
TI  - Diazenyl Derivatives and their Complexes as Anticancer Agents.
AB  - In the past years, many diazenyl compounds (i.e diazenecarboxamides,
      diazeniumdiolate prodrugs, diazenyl complexes etc.) have been prepared for the
      evaluation of their cytotoxic potential towards various cancer cell lines.
      Majority of them have shown promising cytotoxic activities even against several
      drug resistant cell lines. These derivatives have shown their effect by acting as
      alkylating agents, releasers of cytotoxic NO, targeting receptors like tyrosine
      kinase, EGFR or targeting enzymes like GST, AGT, CDKs etc. Their interaction with
      different receptors or enzymes leads to DNA damage, necrosis or apoptosis
      resulting in cell death. The present review will cover updated information on the
      synthetic methodologies and cytotoxic potential of diazenyl derivatives developed
      during the past years along with the recent developments. This may prove to be
      helpful for the researchers to develop novel anticancer drugs in future by
      molecular modifications of potential derivatives with better cytotoxic
      activities. 

PMID- 27281367
TI  - Plant Derived Inhibitor Sulforaphane in Combinatorial Therapy Against
      Therapeutically Challenging Pancreatic Cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive human cancers and is expected to
      surpass breast cancer to become the third chief cause of cancer-related deaths in
      the United States. While conventional treatment approaches such as surgery and
      classic chemotherapy have slightly improved the relative five year survival rate
      to 8% yet it is the lowest survival rate for any major cancer. This emphasizes
      the serious need of more effective and well tolerated therapies to reverse the
      poor prognosis of the defined neoplasm. Aberrant expression of histone
      deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes has been implicated in pancreatic cancer signalling.
      The inhibitors of these enzymes namely HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are the novel
      agents which are currently being tested. These inhibitors modulate both histone
      and nonhistone proteins and have shown multiple biological effects including cell
      cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis in several cancer models. This
      article focuses on plant-derived HDAC inhibitor Sulforaphane (SFN) as a promising
      antipancreatic cancer agent. Moreover, we discuss the distinct molecular
      mechanisms triggered by SFN to exert cytotoxic effect in the predefined cancer
      models. Finally we describe the combinatorial therapeutic strategy involving SFN
      with other anticancer agents. This novel approach circumvents herculean cancer
      chemoresistance and alleviates toxicity, the main drawbacks of monotherapy.

PMID- 27281368
TI  - Measuring Physical Activity in Older Adults Using MotionWatch 8 Actigraphy: How
      Many Days are Needed?
AB  - Evidence suggests sleep and physical activity (PA) are associated with each other
      and dementia risk. Thus, identifying reliable methods to quantify sleep and PA
      concurrently in older adults is important. The MotionWatch 8(c) (MW8) wrist-worn
      actigraph provides reliable estimates of sleep quality via 14 days of
      measurement; however, the number of days needed to monitor PA by MW8 for reliable
      estimates is unknown. Thus, we investigated the number of days of MW8 wear
      required to assess PA in older adults. Ninety-five adults aged > 55 years wore
      MW8 for >= 14 days. Spearman-Brown analyses indicated the number of monitoring
      days needed for an ICC = 0.95 was 6-7 days for sedentary activity, 9-10 days for
      light activity, and 7-8 days for moderate-to-vigorous PA. These results indicate
      14 days of MW8 monitoring provides reliable estimates for both sleep and PA.
      Thus, MW8 is ideal for future investigations requiring concurrent measures of
      both sleep quality and PA.

PMID- 27281369
TI  - Proapoptotic Activity of Propolis and Their Components on Human Tongue Squamous
      Cell Carcinoma Cell Line (CAL-27).
AB  - Propolis has been used since ancient times in folk medicine. It is a popular
      medicine possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities. This material is
      one of the richest sources of polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids and
      phenolic acids. The ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) evokes antibacterial,
      antiviral, antifungal and anticancer properties. Due to pharmacological
      properties it is used in the commercial production of nutritional supplements. In
      this study, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to
      quantify main polyphenols in EEPs. The effect of EEPs, individual EEPs components
      (chrysin, galangin, pinocembrin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid) and
      their mixture on viability of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line (CAL
      27) as well as the molecular mechanisms of the process were examined. The results
      of MTTs assay demonstrated that EEP, polyphenols and mixture of polyphenolic
      compounds were cytotoxic for CAL-27 cells in a dose dependent manner. The
      mechanism of cytotoxicity induced by these components undergoes through apoptosis
      as detected by flow cytometry. The ethanolic extracts of propolis activated
      caspases -3, -8, -9. Mixture of polyphenols was found as the most potent inducer
      of apoptosis thorough both intrinsic and extrinsic pathway. Therefore, we suggest
      that anticancer properties of propolis is related to synergistic activity of its
      main components. 

PMID- 27281370
TI  - Sonographic evaluation of immobility of normal and endometriotic ovary in
      detection of deep endometriosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between ovarian immobility and presence of
      endometriomas and assess the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal sonographic
      (TVS) ovarian immobility in the detection of deep infiltrating endometriosis
      (DIE). METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective observational study of women
      presenting with chronic pelvic pain from January 2009 to March 2015. Women with
      or without history of endometriosis who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic
      surgery for endometriosis gave a detailed history and underwent specialized TVS
      in a tertiary referral unit prior to laparoscopy. During TVS, ovarian mobility
      and the presence of endometriomas were assessed. The relationship between TVS
      ovarian mobility, with or without endometriomas, and DIE was correlated with the
      gold standard, diagnosis of endometriosis at laparoscopy. RESULTS: Included in
      the analysis were 265 women with preoperative TVS and laparoscopic outcomes.
      Ovarian immobility on TVS was significantly associated with presence of
      endometriomas at surgery, with a prevalence of 12.2%, 10.8% and 52.7% for
      fixation of the left ovary only, the right ovary only and bilateral ovaries,
      respectively, compared with 4.2%, 3.7% and 7.3% for normal ovaries. The
      sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values and
      positive and negative likelihood ratios of TVS ovarian immobility for diagnosis
      at surgery of immobility of ovaries with endometriomas in the left ovary only
      were 44.4%, 92.3%, 44.4%, 92.3%, 5.8, 0.6, in the right ovary only were 50.0%,
      98.5%, 80.0%, 94.2%, 33.0, 0.5 and bilaterally were 74.4%, 68.6%, 72.5%, 70.6%,
      2.4, 0.4, while those for diagnosis of immobility of normal ovaries were 25.0%,
      87.9%, 8.3%, 96.4%, 2.1, 0.9 for left ovary only, 14.3%, 92.9%, 7.1%, 96.6%, 2.0,
      0.9 for right ovary only and 35.7%, 97.2%, 50.0%, 95.0%, 12.6, 0.7 bilaterally,
      respectively (P < 0.05 except for normal left and right ovaries with P = 0.2 and
      0.4, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for performance of
      ovarian immobility in the prediction of DIE for all women were 58.3%, 74.1%,
      60.6%, 72.2% and in the prediction of need for bowel surgery were 78.2%, 71.1%,
      41.3%, 92.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association
      between ovarian immobility and the presence of endometriomas. Ovarian immobility
      as a sonographic 'soft marker' of DIE performs better in the presence of
      endometriomas compared with in normal ovaries. Copyright (c) 2016 ISUOG.
      Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27281372
TI  - Improving transparency and reproducibility through registration: The status of
      intervention trials published in clinical psychology journals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Prospective registration increases the validity of randomized
      controlled trials (RCTs). In the United States, registration is a legal
      requirement for drugs and devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration
      (FDA), and many biomedical journals refuse to publish trials that are not
      registered. Trials in clinical psychology have not been subject to these
      requirements; it is unknown to what extent they are registered. METHOD: We
      searched the 25 highest-impact clinical psychology journals that published at
      least 1 RCT of a health-related psychological intervention in 2013. For included
      trials, we evaluated their registration status (prospective, retrospective, not
      registered) and the completeness of their outcome definitions. RESULTS: We
      identified 163 articles that reported 165 RCTs; 73 (44%) RCTs were registered, of
      which only 25 (15%) were registered prospectively. Of registered RCTs, only 42
      (58%) indicated their registration status in the publication. Only 2 (1% of all
      trials) were registered prospectively and defined their primary outcomes
      completely. For the primary outcome(s), 72 (99%) of all registrations defined the
      domain, 67 (92%) the time frame, and 48 (66%) the specific measurements. Only 19
      (26%) and 5 (7%) defined the specific metric and method of aggregation,
      respectively, for all primary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Very few reports of RCTs
      published in clinical psychology journals were registered prospectively and
      completely. Clinical psychology journals could improve transparency and
      reproducibility, as well as reduce bias, by requiring complete prospective trial
      registration for publication and by including trial registration numbers in all
      reports of RCTs. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281371
TI  - Brief mindfulness training reduces salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha in young women
      with depressive symptomatology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pro-inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiology
      and maintenance of depression. This study investigated the effects of a brief
      mindfulness intervention on salivary pro-inflammatory correlates of depression
      (IL-6, TNF-alpha) and self-reported symptoms of depression in college women.
      METHODS: Sixty-four females with a cut score of >=16 on the Center for
      Epidemiological Studies for Depression Scale (CES-D) were assigned to a 4-week
      mindfulness-based intervention (MBI; N = 31) or a contact-control group (N = 33).
      For both groups, salivary cytokines and depressive symptoms were assessed at
      baseline and posttreatment. For the mindfulness group only, salivary cytokines
      were also assessed at a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Both groups showed similar
      reductions in depression. However, MBI (vs. control) predicted greater reductions
      in IL-6 and TNF-alpha; changes in IL-6 were sustained at 3-month follow-up.
      Higher baseline depressive symptoms predicted greater reductions in inflammation
      in the mindfulness group. CONCLUSION: MBIs may reduce inflammatory immune markers
      commonly implicated in depression. Individuals with greater depressive symptoms
      may benefit more from mindfulness training. Although reductions in salivary
      cytokines in the mindfulness condition were not attributable to changes in
      depressive symptoms, future work should examine the possibility that such
      reductions are protective against the development of future depressive episodes.
      (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281373
TI  - Treatment expectations for cognitive-behavioral therapy and light therapy for
      seasonal affective disorder: Change across treatment and relation to outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the dynamic relationship between treatment expectations and
      treatment outcome over the course of a clinical trial for winter seasonal
      affective disorder (SAD). METHOD: Currently depressed adults with Major
      Depression, Recurrent with Seasonal Pattern (N = 177) were randomized to 6 weeks
      of group-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for SAD (CBT-SAD) or light
      therapy (LT). The majority were female (83.6%) and white (92.1%), with a mean age
      of 45.6 years. Treatment expectations for CBT-SAD and LT were assessed using a
      modification of the Treatment Expectancy and Credibility Survey (Borkovec & Nau,
      1972). Depression severity was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory
      Second Edition (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996). All measures were administered at
      pretreatment, midtreatment, and posttreatment. RESULTS: As treatment progressed,
      expectations for the treatment received increased across time steeply in CBT-SAD
      patients and moderately in LT patients. Collapsing across time, patients with
      higher treatment expectations had lower depression severity than those with lower
      treatment expectations. In a cross-lagged panel path analysis, there was a
      significant effect of treatment expectations at midtreatment on depression
      severity at posttreatment among CBT-SAD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment
      expectations changed across treatment, affected outcome, and should be assessed
      and monitored repeatedly throughout treatment. Findings suggest that treatment
      expectations at midtreatment are a mechanism by which CBT-SAD reduces depression,
      which should be replicated in SAD samples and examined for generalizability to
      nonseasonal depression. These findings underscore the importance of further
      research examining treatment expectations in mediating CBT's effects in
      depression and other types of psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281374
TI  - Effects of attention control training on drug abusers' attentional bias and
      treatment outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Attentional bias for drug-related stimuli (Drug-AB) has been shown to
      play an important role in drug abuse, drug treatment, and relapse. This study
      sought to retrain Drug-AB using the Drug Attention Control Training Program (Drug
      ACTP) on a sample of Iranian drug abusers. METHOD: The experimental group (n =
      24) received 3 sessions of training with the Drug-ACTP in addition to treatment
      as usual; the control group (n = 24) received only treatment as usual. All
      participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the drug-Stroop test,
      measures of physiological cue reactivity, the Personal Concerns Inventory (a
      measure of motivational structure), Persian Temptation Scale, Perceived Stress
      Scale (PSS), Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Situational
      Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ), and Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RTCQ). All
      participants were tested at baseline, posttraining, and a 2-month follow-up. A
      brief, 6-month telephone follow-up was also conducted to monitor their
      temptation, SCQ, RTCQ, PANAS, and PSS scores; doses of medicine taken; and number
      of lapses. RESULTS: The results showed that, compared to the control group, the
      experimental group showed (a) reductions in Drug-AB, temptations to use, doses of
      medicine, and number of lapses; and (b) increases on the RTCQ and 2 subscales of
      the SCQ. Regardless of group membership, adaptive motivation was positively
      correlated with success in achieving therapeutic goals, and negatively associated
      with doses of methadone taken and number of relapses. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that
      attentional training can be an important addition to methadone maintenance
      therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281375
TI  - Neglected waterborne parasitic protozoa and their detection in water.
AB  - Outbreak incidents raise the question of whether the less frequent aetiological
      agents of outbreaks are really less frequent in water. Alternatively, waterborne
      transmission could be relevant, but the lack of attention and rapid, sensitive
      methods to recover and detect the exogenous stages in water may keep them under
      recognized. High quality information on the prevalence and detection of less
      frequent waterborne protozoa, such as Cyclospora cayetanensis, Toxoplasma gondii,
      Isospora belli, Balantidium coli, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba histolytica and
      other free-living amoebae (FLA), are not available. This present paper discusses
      the detection tools applied for the water surveillance of the neglected
      waterborne protozoa mentioned above and provides future perspectives.

PMID- 27281376
TI  - Factors Affecting Healthful Eating Among Touring Popular Musicians and Singers.
AB  - Maintaining good health is essential for touring musicians and singers. The
      stressful demands of touring may impact food choices, leading to detrimental
      effects on health and performance. This exploratory pilot study aimed to assess
      factors affecting healthful eating of touring musicians and singers. A 46-item
      survey was used to assess food- and nutrition-related attitudes, knowledge and
      behaviors, and environmental factors, as well as lifestyle, musical background,
      and demographic data. Participants (n=35) were recruited from a musicians'
      assistance foundation as well as touring musical theater productions and a music
      festival. Results indicate that touring musicians and singers had positive
      attitudes regarding healthful foods. Of 35 respondents, 80.0% indicated eating
      healthful food was important to them. Respondents reported feeling confident
      selecting (76.5%) and preparing (82.4%) healthful foods; however, they showed
      uncertainty when determining if carbohydrate-containing foods should be consumed
      or avoided. Respondents indicated environmental factors including availability
      and cost of healthy food options and tour schedules limited access to healthful
      foods. Venues (73.5%), fast food restaurants (67.6%), and airports (64.7%) were
      the most frequently identified locations in need of offering more healthful food
      choices. Respondents (52.9%) indicated more support from others while touring
      would help them make healthier food choices. More research is needed to develop
      mobile wellness programs as well as performance-based nutrition guidelines for
      musicians and singers that address the unique demands associated with touring. 

PMID- 27281377
TI  - Inefficiencies in Motor Strategies of Horn Players with Embouchure Dystonia:
      Comparisons to Elite Performers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Motor control of the muscles of the face, lips, and tongue of horn
      players has traditionally been described from externally observed phenomena.
      Developments in real-time, high-speed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) extend the
      scope of study to include descriptive and quantitative information from within
      the mouth. We employed these developments to compare oral movement strategies
      between 12 elite horn players and 5 horn players with embouchure dystonia (ED).
      METHODS: Serial images with an acquisition time of 33.3 ms were obtained from
      each subject as they performed 6 exercises on an MRI-compatible horn: 1) a
      slurred ascending harmonic sequence, 2) a slurred descending harmonic sequence, 3
      6) sustained high and low notes, each performed softly and loudly. Temporal
      changes in pixel luminescence along a series of lines positioned within the oral
      cavity were calculated using a customized MATLAB toolkit. This allowed the
      extraction of temporal line profiles for comparative analyses between elite and
      dystonic horn players. RESULTS: Differing motor strategies of controlling the
      tongue and jaw were observed during ascending and descending exercises. In
      ascending exercises, the elite players employed a strategy of elevation and
      anterior tongue displacement and elevation of the jaw, whereas dystonic players
      exhibited more variability in their responses. With descending exercises, both
      groups exhibited a lowering of the tongue and jaw, though this was more
      pronounced and consistent in the elite horn players. Sustained note exercises
      also elicited differences between groups. We suggest that elite strategies are
      more efficient and that the less-efficient patterns of dystonic players may
      exacerbate muscular tension with ED.

PMID- 27281378
TI  - Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Problems Among Professional Orchestra Musicians
      in Scotland: A Prevalence Study Using a Validated Instrument, the Musculoskeletal
      Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM).
AB  - Many epidemiological surveys on playing-related musculoskeletal problems (PRMPs)
      have been carried out on professional musicians, but none have evaluated or
      confirmed the psychometric properties of the instruments that were used. The aim
      of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of PRMPs among professional
      orchestra musicians and to gather information on pain intensity and pain
      interference on function and psychosocial variables, using a self-report
      instrument developed and validated specifically for a population of professional
      orchestra musicians. METHODS: Out of 183 professional orchestra players, 101 took
      part in the study (55% response rate) and completed the Musculoskeletal Pain
      Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM). RESULTS:
      Lifetime prevalence of PRMPs was 77.2%, 1-year prevalence was 45.5%, and point
      prevalence was 36.6%. Of the PRMP group, 43% reported having pain in three or
      more locations, most commonly the right upper limb, neck, and left forearm and
      elbow. However, predominant sites of PRMPs varied between instrument groups. The
      mean pain intensity score for the PRMP group was 12.4+/-7.63 (out of 40). The
      mean pain interference score was 15.2+/-12.39 (out of 50), increasing
      significantly with the number of reported pain locations (F=3.009, p=0.044).
      CONCLUSION: This study confirms that musculoskeletal complaints are common in
      elite professional musicians and that the use of an operational definition and a
      validated self-report instrument allows for more accurate and meaningful
      estimates of pain prevalence.

PMID- 27281379
TI  - Musculoskeletal Pain in Trombonists: Results from the UNT Trombone Health Survey.
AB  - The trombone is a popular, versatile, and unique member of the brass family of
      musical instruments. Yet the musculoskeletal health concerns of trombonists are
      grossly understudied. The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a novel
      online research strategy for assessing musical and non-musical demographics along
      with prevalence, frequency, intensity, quality, timing, and location of site
      specific trombone-related pain. Of the 316 trombonist respondents to this open
      survey, 76.6% (n=242) experienced trombone-related pain in one or more sites over
      the past year. Lip was the site with the highest prevalence rate for pain (23%).
      Selected pain sites were outlined in three primary clusters of musculoskeletal
      sites: 1) the lips and jaw region, 2) left upper extremity, and 3) back region.
      Over 35% (n=114) reported that trombone-related pain prevented playing their
      instrument. Site-specific characteristics of pain suggest that future
      epidemiologic studies seek to better understand location-specific intensity,
      frequency, quality, and timing of pain. Such details will assist educators,
      performers, and clinicians understand, prevent, and treat musculoskeletal
      problems associated with learning and performing musical instruments. 

PMID- 27281380
TI  - Whole-Body Balance Regulation during the Turn Phase of Pique and Pirouette Turns
      with Varied Rotational Demands.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare dancers' balance regulation at the whole-body level under
      increased rotational demands during the turn phase of turns with and without
      large center-of-mass (CM) translation (i.e., pique vs pirouette turns). METHODS:
      Ten dancers performed single and double pique and pirouette turns while
      kinematics and reaction forces were measured. During the turn phase, initial CM
      velocity, vertical alignment of the CM, mean braking force, and moment about the
      CM were compared across turn conditions using within-subject (Cliff's analog of
      Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, adjusted for multiple comparisons) and group (sign
      test) statistical methods. RESULTS: For both single and double turns, the pique
      turn phase was initiated with a significantly larger CM velocity towards the base
      of support than during the pirouette, consistent with the mechanical objectives
      of the turn. Additionally, during the turn phases of both single and double
      turns, the CM during the pirouette turns was more vertically aligned with the
      base of support than it was during the pique turns. As rotational demand
      increased in both turns, the reaction forces were regulated in two ways to
      minimize the CM horizontal velocity as it approached vertical alignment with the
      base of support. By controlling the braking force and moment applied about the CM
      early during the turn phase, the potential for the CM to remain vertically
      aligned with the base of support increased. These findings can assist development
      of training tools geared towards balance regulation during pirouette and pique
      turns.

PMID- 27281381
TI  - Association Between Unstable Work and Occupational Wellbeing Among Artists in
      Finland: Results of a Psychosocial Survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although artistic work is in transition, the occupational wellbeing of
      artists has been less studied than wellbeing among other workers. This study
      aimed to explore the relationship between work characteristics and occupational
      (psychosocial) wellbeing of artists. METHODS: A national questionnaire was sent
      to all artists (theatre artists, writers, and visual artists) reached by four
      major labor unions in Finland. Type of employment (permanent full-time work vs
      other), working field (own field of art vs other), regularity of working hours
      (regular vs irregular), and control of workload were assessed. The wellbeing
      outcomes were work engagement, recovery from work, and experience of stress and
      low mood. RESULTS: Full-time permanent employment, regular working hours, and
      working in one's own field of art were positively associated with work
      engagement. Furthermore, regular working hours were positively associated with
      recovery and negatively associated with subjective report of low mood. Ability to
      control workload was positively associated with recovery and negatively
      associated with stress and low mood. Higher age was associated with lower stress
      and better recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Artists with regular working hours, secure
      employment, ability to control workload, working in one's own field of art, and
      higher age reported better wellbeing in this study. The late stages of career
      appear to guarantee more stability and wellbeing than the more insecure beginning
      of a career.

PMID- 27281382
TI  - Embouchure Dysfunction in Air Force Band Brass Musicians.
AB  - Occupational injuries and medical problems in musicians are well described, but
      relatively less attention has been paid to orofacial and embouchure-related
      problems in professional brass players. This study addressed embouchure-related
      problems in Air Force Band members, a population of musicians with an intense
      practice and performance schedule. METHODS: A survey was developed and
      distributed via the Air Force Survey Office to 599 active-duty Air Force Band
      members and 201 Air National Guard members. The survey assessed practice
      patterns, practice and performance venues, and presence of symptoms suggesting
      embouchure dysfunction. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 167 Air Force Band
      brass players. Of the 157 responding to the question about embouchure
      dysfunction, 42% reported having experienced an embouchure problem at some point
      in the past, and 53% of those respondents reported that they were currently
      experiencing an embouchure problem. Forty-one percent of those with embouchure
      problems cited practice venues that were not conducive to effective and efficient
      practice at the time their embouchure problems began, and 48% of those with
      embouchure problems reported having to overblow in rehearsal at the time their
      problems began. DISCUSSION: Embouchure disorders were reported in a large
      proportion of Air Force Band brass survey respondents, and specific concerns
      related to practice venues and the need to overblow in practice settings suggest
      factors suitable to remediation and preventive strategies.

PMID- 27281383
TI  - In the June Issue.

PMID- 27281384
TI  - Pressure-Induced Conductivity in a Neutral Nonplanar Spin-Localized Radical.
AB  - There is a growing interest in the development of single-component molecular
      conductors based on neutral organic radicals that are mainly formed by
      delocalized planar radicals, such as phenalenyl or thiazolyl radicals. However,
      there are no examples of systems based on nonplanar and spin-localized C-centered
      radicals exhibiting electrical conductivity due to their large Coulomb energy (U)
      repulsion and narrow electronic bandwidth (W) that give rise to a Mott insulator
      behavior. Here we present a new type of nonplanar neutral radical conductor
      attained by linking a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donor unit to a neutral
      polychlorotriphenylmethyl radical (PTM) with the important feature that the TTF
      unit enhances the overlap between the radical molecules as a consequence of short
      intermolecular S...S interactions. This system becomes semiconducting upon the
      application of high pressure thanks to increased electronic bandwidth and charge
      reorganization opening the way to develop a new family of neutral radical
      conductors.

PMID- 27281385
TI  - An intergated serum and urinary metabonomic research based on UPLC-MS and
      therapeutic effects of Gushudan on prednisolone-induced osteoporosis rats.
AB  - Gushudan, a Chinese compound formulation based on the theory of traditional
      Chinese medicine and desgined to treat osteoporosis. However, its intergated
      intervention effective mechanism in vivo is not well understood. In this study,
      an intergated serum and urinary metabonomic strategy based on UPLC-MS technique
      have been developed to increase the understanding of the metabolism characters of
      osteoporosis and to investigate the holistic therapeutic efficacy of Gushudan on
      prednisolone-induced osteoporosis rat model. Principle component analysis (PCA)
      was utilized to identify differences in metabolic profiles of rats in the control
      group, prednisolone-induced osteoporosis model group and Gushudan-treatment group
      and clear separation was achieved among three groups. Furthermore, 17 potential
      biomarkers from urine and 10 potential biomarkers from serum were identified,
      primiarily related to amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism,
      intestinal flora metabolism and kidney damage. Gushudan has therapeutic effects
      on rat with osteoporosis via the regulation of multiple metabolic pathways. It's
      worth mentioning that some new biomarkers associated with osteoporosis such as 3
      methoxydopa, 2,8-digydroxyadenine have been discovered in this study for the
      first time. This study provides a useful approach to get insight into the
      intergated metabonomic mechanism of prednisolone-induced osteoporosis and to
      assess the efficacy of Gushudan on osteoporotic rats. The work also shows that
      the metabonomics method is a promising tool in the efficacy and mechanism
      research of traditional Chinese compound medicines. 

PMID- 27281386
TI  - Recessive Retinopathy Consequent on Mutant G-Protein beta Subunit 3 (GNB3).
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Mutations in phototransduction and retinal signaling genes are
      implicated in many retinopathies. To our knowledge, GNB3 encoding the G-protein
      beta subunit 3 (Gbeta3) has not previously been implicated in human disease.
      OBSERVATIONS: In this brief report, whole-exome sequencing was conducted on a
      patient with distinct inherited retinal disease presenting in childhood, with a
      phenotype characterized by nystagmus, normal retinal examination, and mild
      disturbance of the central macula on detailed retinal imaging. This sequencing
      revealed a homozygous GNB3 nonsense mutation (c.124C>T; p.Arg42Ter). Whole-exome
      sequencing was conducted from April 2015 to July 2015. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Expressed in cone photoreceptors and ON-bipolar cells, Gbeta3 is essential in
      phototransduction and ON-bipolar cell signaling. Knockout of Gnb3 in mice results
      in dysfunction of cone photoreceptors and ON-bipolar cells and a naturally
      occurring chicken mutation leads to retinal degeneration. Identification of
      further affected patients may allow description of the phenotypic and genotypic
      spectrum of disease associated with GNB3 retinopathy.

PMID- 27281387
TI  - Aripiprazole-Associated Hypoprolactinemia in the Clinical Setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increase in prolactin (PRL) levels is a common adverse effect
      that occurs when using conventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs.
      Aripiprazole (ARI) is beneficial for antipsychotic-associated hyperprolactinemia
      but has been reported to decrease PRL secretion. Therefore, we investigated blood
      levels of PRL in patients who had taken ARI alone or in combination with other
      antipsychotics. METHODS: Retrospective information was obtained from 25
      psychiatric patients who were prescribed ARI, and the blood levels of PRL were
      measured. RESULTS: The incidence of hypoprolactinemia in the current study was
      44.0% (11/25). Eighteen patients were treated with ARI alone and 7 received ARI
      in combination with other antipsychotics. The PRL value of patients who took ARI
      alone was significantly lower than those who were also taking other
      antipsychotics (5.45 +/- 3.93 vs 10.85 +/- 5.53, P = 0.02; mean +/- SD). There
      was no significant correlation of the PRL levels and dose of ARI used in the 18
      patients who had taken ARI alone. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study,
      and the data were obtained from a small number of psychiatric patients treated
      with ARI. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring of PRL levels in patients treated with ARI may
      be useful in minimizing hypoprolactinemia, which has the potential to negatively
      impact patients. In particular, hypoprolactinemia as a consequence of taking ARI
      should be discussed with patients of childbearing age and those with immune
      deficiencies.

PMID- 27281388
TI  - A Case of Sleepwalking With Sleep-Related Eating Associated With Ziprasidone
      Therapy in a Patient With Schizoaffective Disorder.

PMID- 27281389
TI  - Cataplexy Possibly Associated With Lamotrigine.

PMID- 27281390
TI  - Erratum, Vol. 13, May 26 Release.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.5888/pcd13.150535.].

PMID- 27281391
TI  - Perceived and Objective Measures of Neighborhood Environment for Physical
      Activity Among Mexican Adults, 2011.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Environmental supports for physical activity may help residents to
      be physically active. However, such supports might not help if residents'
      perceptions of the built environment do not correspond with objective measures.
      We assessed the associations between objective and perceived measures of the
      built environment among adults in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and examined whether
      certain variables modified this relationship. METHODS: We conducted a population
      based (n = 645) study in 2011 that used objective (based on geographic
      information systems) and perceived (by questionnaire) measures of the following
      features of the built environment: residential density, mixed-land use,
      intersection density, and proximity to parks and transit stops. We used linear
      regression to assess the adjusted associations between these measures and to
      identify variables modifying these relationships. RESULTS: Adjusted associations
      were significant for all features (P < .05) except intersection density and
      proximity to transit stops. Significantly stronger associations between perceived
      and objective measures were observed among participants with low socioeconomic
      status, participants who did not own a motor vehicle or did not meet physical
      activity recommendations, and participants perceiving parks as safe. CONCLUSION:
      Perceived measures of residential density, mixed-land use, and proximity to parks
      are associated with objective environmental measures related to physical
      activity. However, in Mexico, it should not be assumed that perceived measures of
      intersection density and proximity to transit stops are the same as objective
      measures. Our results are consistent with those from high-income countries in
      that associations between perceived and objective measures are modified by
      individual sociodemographic and psychosocial factors.

PMID- 27281392
TI  - An Intervention to Increase Availability of Healthy Foods and Beverages in New
      York City Hospitals: The Healthy Hospital Food Initiative, 2010-2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospitals serve millions of meals and snacks each year; however,
      hospital food is often unhealthy. Hospitals are ideal settings for modeling
      healthy eating, but few programs have sought to improve nutrition in all venues
      where food is served. COMMUNITY CONTEXT: The New York City Department of Health
      and Mental Hygiene created the Healthy Hospital Food Initiative (HHFI) to improve
      the healthfulness of food served in hospitals. The HHFI built on prior work
      implementing mandatory nutrition standards for patient meals and vending in
      public hospitals. Public hospitals joined the HHFI by voluntarily adopting
      standards for cafeterias and cafes. Private hospitals joined by implementing
      nutrition standards for patient meals, food and beverage vending machines, and
      cafeterias and cafes. METHODS: Hospitals were recruited from 2010 through 2014
      and provided technical assistance from health department staff. Implementation in
      each of the 4 areas was monitored through on-site assessments and menu review.
      Twenty-eight hospital cafeterias and cafes were evaluated at baseline and at the
      end of the HHFI to assess changes. OUTCOME: Sixteen public hospitals and 24
      private hospitals joined the HHFI. Most (n = 18) private hospitals implemented
      standards in at least 2 areas. In cafeterias, most hospitals introduced a healthy
      value meal (n = 19), removed unhealthy items from the entrance and checkout (n =
      18), increased whole grains to at least half of all grains served (n = 17), and
      reduced calories in pastries and desserts (n = 15). INTERPRETATION: Most New York
      City hospitals joined the HHFI and voluntarily adopted rigorous nutrition
      standards. Partnerships between hospitals and local government are feasible and
      can lead to significant improvements in hospital food environments.

PMID- 27281395
TI  - Gilead bets big on Nimbus' fatty liver disease drug.

PMID- 27281394
TI  - No guarantees in translation.

PMID- 27281393
TI  - Stability of a Split Streptomycin Binding Aptamer.

PMID- 27281396
TI  - Bristol-Myers Squibb locks into novel autoimmune strategy.

PMID- 27281397
TI  - Consortium nurtures ex vivo gene therapy firm.

PMID- 27281398
TI  - Matchmaker for NIH-rejected grants.

PMID- 27281399
TI  - Amgen/UCB build on bone franchise with anti-sclerostin antibody.

PMID- 27281400
TI  - White House unveils National Microbiome Initiative.

PMID- 27281401
TI  - CRISPR-edited crops free to enter market, skip regulation.

PMID- 27281402
TI  - Around the world in a month.

PMID- 27281403
TI  - Tech billionaires fund new cancer centers.

PMID- 27281404
TI  - AstraZeneca nabs genomics giants.

PMID- 27281405
TI  - First Rounders Podcast: Tom Maniatis.

PMID- 27281406
TI  - Research institute partnerships 2015.

PMID- 27281407
TI  - The president says patients should own their genetic data. He's wrong.

PMID- 27281408
TI  - Reply to Why patients shouldn't "own" their medical records.

PMID- 27281409
TI  - Why patients shouldn't "own" their medical records.

PMID- 27281410
TI  - Research that is fit to print.

PMID- 27281411
TI  - Secure cloud computing for genomic data.

PMID- 27281412
TI  - Reply to Research that is fit to print.

PMID- 27281413
TI  - The contribution of cell cycle to heterogeneity in single-cell RNA-seq data.

PMID- 27281414
TI  - Reply to The contribution of cell cycle to heterogeneity in single-cell RNA-seq
      data.

PMID- 27281415
TI  - Cancer moonshot countdown.

PMID- 27281416
TI  - Gene therapy's out-of-body experience.

PMID- 27281417
TI  - Biotech's wellspring-a survey of the health of the private sector in 2015.

PMID- 27281418
TI  - The morality and ethics governing CRISPR-Cas9 patents in China.

PMID- 27281420
TI  - Resistance from relatives.

PMID- 27281421
TI  - Comparing CRISPR and RNAi-based screening technologies.

PMID- 27281422
TI  - The minimal genome comes of age.

PMID- 27281425
TI  - Erratum: 20 years of Nature Biotechnology biomedical research.

PMID- 27281424
TI  - The US regulatory and pharmacopeia response to the global heparin contamination
      crisis.
AB  - The contamination of the widely used lifesaving anticoagulant drug heparin in
      2007 has drawn renewed attention to the challenges that are associated with the
      characterization, quality control and standardization of complex biological
      medicines from natural sources. Heparin is a linear, highly sulfated
      polysaccharide consisting of alternating glucosamine and uronic acid
      monosaccharide residues. Heparin has been used successfully as an injectable
      antithrombotic medicine since the 1930s, and its isolation from animal sources
      (primarily porcine intestine) as well as its manufacturing processes have not
      changed substantially since its introduction. The 2007 heparin contamination
      crisis resulted in several deaths in the United States and hundreds of adverse
      reactions worldwide, revealing the vulnerability of a complex global supply chain
      to sophisticated adulteration. This Perspective discusses how the US Food and
      Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) and
      international stakeholders collaborated to redefine quality expectations for
      heparin, thus making an important natural product better controlled and less
      susceptible to economically motivated adulteration.

PMID- 27281426
TI  - Erratum: 20 years of Nature Biotechnology research tools.

PMID- 27281427
TI  - Erratum: Community crystal gazing.

PMID- 27281428
TI  - Corrigendum: Combinatorial hydrogel library enables identification of materials
      that mitigate the foreign body response in primates.

PMID- 27281429
TI  - Erratum: When biotech goes bad.

PMID- 27281430
TI  - Compensation inflation remains consistent at private life science companies.

PMID- 27281432
TI  - Aggregation and removal of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles in wastewater
      environment and their effects on the microbial activities of wastewater biofilms.
AB  - The transport behaviors of copper oxide (CuO) NPs in wastewater matrix and their
      possible impacts on microbial activities of stable wastewater biofilms cultivated
      in a lab scale rotating biological contactor (RBC) were investigated. Significant
      aggregation of CuO NPs was observed in the wastewater samples, depending on their
      mass concentrations. Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)-adsorbed copper
      accounted for a large proportion of the total copper accumulated in biofilms. The
      microelectrode profiles showed that a single pulse exposure to 50mg/L CuO
      resulted in a deeper penetration depth of oxygen in biofilms compared to the CuO
      NP free biofilms. The maximum oxygen consumption rate shifted to the deeper parts
      of biofilms, indicating that the respiration activities of bacteria in the top
      region of the biofilms was significantly inhibited by CuO NPs. Biofilms secreted
      more EPS in response to the nano-CuO stress, with higher production of proteins
      compared to polysaccharides. 

PMID- 27281433
TI  - Dynamic effect of leachate recirculation on batch mode solid state anaerobic
      digestion: Influence of recirculated volume, leachate to substrate ratio and
      recirculation periodicity.
AB  - Performances of batch mode solid state anaerobic digestion (SSAD) were
      investigated through several leachate recirculation strategies. Three parameters
      were shown to particularly influence methane production rates (MPR) and methane
      yields: the length of the interval between two recirculation events, the leachate
      to substrate (L:S) ratio and the volume of leachate recirculated. A central
      composite factor design was used to determine the influence of each parameter on
      methane production. Results showed that lengthening the interval between two
      recirculation events reduced methane yield. This effect can be counteracted by
      recirculating a large volume of leachate at a low L:S ratio. Steady methane
      production can be obtained by recirculating small amounts of leachate, and by
      lengthening the interval between two recirculations, regardless of the L:S ratio.
      However, several combinations of these parameters led to similar performances
      meaning that leachate recirculation practices can be modified as required by the
      specific constraints SSAD plants configurations. 

PMID- 27281434
TI  - Optimizing granules size distribution for aerobic granular sludge stability:
      Effect of a novel funnel-shaped internals on hydraulic shear stress.
AB  - A novel funnel-shaped internals was proposed to enhance the stability and
      pollutant removal performance of an aerobic granular process by optimizing
      granule size distribution. Results showed up to 68.3+/-1.4% of granules in novel
      reactor (R1) were situated in optimal size range (700-1900MUm) compared to less
      than 29.7+/-1.1% in conventional reactor (R2), and overgrowth of large granules
      was effectively suppressed without requiring additional energy. Consequently,
      higher total nitrogen (TN) removal (81.6+/-2.1%) achieved in R1 than in R2
      (48.1+/-2.7%). Hydraulic analysis revealed the existence of selectively assigning
      hydraulic pressure in R1. The total shear rate (tautotal) on large granules was
      3.07+/-0.14 times higher than that of R2, while tautotal of small granules in R1
      was 70.7+/-4.6% in R2. Furthermore, large granules in R1 with intact
      extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) outer layer structure entrapped
      hydroxyapatite at center, which formed a core structure and further enhanced the
      stability of aerobic granules. 

PMID- 27281435
TI  - Germanium-Based Nanomaterials for Rechargeable Batteries.
AB  - Germanium-based nanomaterials have emerged as important candidates for next
      generation energy-storage devices owing to their unique chemical and physical
      properties. In this Review, we provide a review of the current state-of-the-art
      in germanium-based materials design, synthesis, processing, and application in
      battery technology. The most recent advances in the area of Ge-based
      nanocomposite electrode materials and electrolytes for solid-state batteries are
      summarized. The limitations of Ge-based materials for energy-storage applications
      are discussed, and potential research directions are also presented with an
      emphasis on commercial products and theoretical investigations.

PMID- 27281436
TI  - Biomolecular Interactions and Biological Responses of Emerging Two-Dimensional
      Materials and Aromatic Amino Acid Complexes.
AB  - The present work experimentally investigates the interaction of aromatic amino
      acids viz., tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalnine with novel two-dimensional
      (2D) materials including graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and boron nitride (BN).
      Photoluminescence, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry were employed
      to investigate the nature of interactions and possible charge transfer between 2D
      materials and amino acids. Graphene and GO were found to interact strongly with
      aromatic amino acids through pi-pi stacking, charge transfer, and H-bonding.
      Particularly, it was observed that both physi and chemisorption are prominent in
      the interactions of GO/graphene with phenylalanine and tryptophan while tyrosine
      exhibited strong chemisorption on graphene and GO. In contrast, BN exhibited
      little or no interactions, which could be attributed to localized pi-electron
      clouds around N atoms in BN lattice. Lastly, the adsorption of amino acids on 2D
      materials was observed to considerably change their biological response in terms
      of reactive oxygen species generation. More importantly, these changes in the
      biological response followed the same trends observed in the physi and
      chemisorption measurements. 

PMID- 27281437
TI  - Phosphorus(V) corrole: DNA binding, photonuclease activity and cytotoxicity
      toward tumor cells.
AB  - A new phosphorus(V) corrole, 10-(4-hydroxylphenyl)-5,15
      bis(pentafluorophenyl)corrolato (trans-dihydroxo)phosphorus(V) 1-P, was
      synthesized and characterized. The interaction of 1-P with calf thymus DNA (CT
      DNA) was studied by multi-spectroscopic methods. The photonuclease activity of
      this complex was examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. 1-P may bind to CT-DNA
      via an outside binding mode and display good photonuclease activity. 1-P
      displayed low dark toxicity but high photocytotoxic activity against H460 and
      A549 tumor cell lines.

PMID- 27281438
TI  - Air-Stable Triazine-Based Ni(II) PNP Pincer Complexes As Catalysts for the Suzuki
      Miyaura Cross-Coupling.
AB  - Air-stable, thermally robust, and well-defined cationic Ni(II) PNP pincer
      complexes based on the 2,4-diaminotriazine scaffold are described. These
      complexes are active catalysts for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of a wide
      range of aryl, heteroaryl (including benzoxazole, thiazole, pyridine, pyrimidine,
      thiazole), primary and secondary alkyl halides, and pseudohalides with different
      organoboronate reagents giving excellent to good isolated yields. Neutral
      deprotonated complexes seem to play a key role in the catalytic process.

PMID- 27281439
TI  - (1)H NMR-Based Metabolomics Reveals a Pedoclimatic Metabolic Imprinting in Ready
      to-Drink Carrot Juices.
AB  - Carrots are usually consumed in their native form or processed into many
      different products. Carrot juice is a popular beverage consumed throughout the
      world and is attracting increasing attention due to its nutritional value, being
      a natural source of bioactive compounds. Ready-to-drink carrot juices produced in
      the same factory were analyzed by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
      spectroscopy. The juices were made from carrot roots of the same cultivar grown
      in three different geographical areas in Italy. More than 30 compounds have been
      identified and quantified, and the data was subjected to univariate ANOVA and
      multivariate analyses. Clear geographical-dependent clustering was observed, and
      the metabolic profiles were related to the different pedoclimatic conditions. The
      proposed phytoprofiling approach could be employed on an industrial scale to
      evaluate finished products involving different sites of supply of the raw
      material, thus improving both the quality and uniformity of the juices. 

PMID- 27281441
TI  - Kawasaki Disease: An Autopsy Case Series and Review of the Literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a major cause of acquired heart disease in
      children, and there is limited information on postmortem findings in the
      pediatric population in Canada. CASES: For a 15-year time span (January 2000
      March 2015), we had 2 cases of KD presented to the Department of Forensic
      Pathology at Hamilton General Hospital. DISCUSSION: There were common cardiac
      findings including presence of giant coronary artery aneurysms and microscopic
      changes occurring within the coronary arteries and the myocardium. Evidence of
      old infarction was present in both heart specimens, but acute infarction was
      noted in one of the specimens. CONCLUSIONS: This case series documents postmortem
      findings that outline cardiac complications of KD including aneurysms, thrombotic
      events, and infarcts. In addition to addressing the medical complications of KD,
      it is also important to address the psychosocial effect due to its impact on
      quality of life.

PMID- 27281440
TI  - Cost of Medications Recommended by Canadian Acne Clinical Practice Guidelines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acne affects a large proportion of the Canadian population and has
      psychosocial and financial consequences. OBJECTIVE: We provide cost information
      for treatments recommended by the Canadian acne guidelines. METHODS: Highest
      level recommendations were selected for 3-month usage cost. RESULTS: Three-month
      estimated treatment costs were as follows: topical retinoids ($14.40-$73.80),
      benzoyl peroxide (BPO; $6.75), fixed-dose BPO-clindamycin ($40.95-$44.10) and BPO
      adapalene ($73.80), oral antibiotics ($25.20 for tetracycline 250 mg qid; $52.20
      and $52.74 for doxycycline 50 mg bid and 100 mg od, respectively), and hormonal
      therapy ($26.46-$37.80 for ethinyl estradiol [EE] 0.030 mg/drospirenone 3mg and
      $75.60-108.99 for EE 0.035 mg/cyproterone acetate 2 mg). Oral isotretinoin 3
      month costs ranged from $393.96 to $478.80. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of costs of
      recommended treatments may facilitate improved outcomes by increasing procurement
      and adherence.

PMID- 27281442
TI  - Hanging Deaths: A Retrospective Study Regarding 260 Cases.
AB  - Hanging is a form of asphyxia caused by external pressure on the upper airways
      deriving from a band tightened by the gravitational weight of the body. During a
      33-year period from 1983 to 2015, there were 260 hanging deaths examined at the
      Brescia Institute of Forensic Medicine (Northern Italy), which represented
      approximately 40% of all the asphyxial deaths recorded during this period. Almost
      all of the cases were represented by suicidal events, 1 case was a homicide event
      and there also was a case of sexual asphyxia. Eighty-two percent of the victims
      were men; 18% were women. There was an increasing tendency in the ages between 20
      and 60 years, and the highest number of cases was observed in the 41- to 50-year
      age group (23% of the cases). The most common place chosen by the victim was the
      home setting followed by isolated outdoor places. The most common ligature
      material was a rope. The pathological findings were evaluated in all cases. 

PMID- 27281443
TI  - Court Decisions on Medical Malpractice in China After the New Tort Liability Law.
AB  - A new Tort Law of the People's Republic of China became effective on July 1,
      2010. We undertook an analysis of medical malpractice lawsuits brought before
      regional courts in Beijing districts after this new Tort Liability Law went into
      effect. In total, 726 cases eventuating in a final verdict were collected from
      the Beijing district courts from 2011 to 2013 in this retrospective study; 83.7%
      of the 726 alleged instances of medical malpractice were confirmed to be
      malpractice by the final verdict. The disciplines most frequently involved with
      claims of medical malpractice were obstetrics and gynecology, the most frequent
      outcomes was death, and the most common types of case associated with malpractice
      was surgery related. The average length of time between the occurrence of the
      injury and closure of the claim was 9.2 months, and the average payment was
      Y163,000. Since the introduction of the new Tort Liability Law, the average time
      to complete a litigation was shortened, but it has made little apparent
      difference otherwise. 

PMID- 27281444
TI  - Happy Now, Tired Later? Extraverted and Conscientious Behavior Are Related to
      Immediate Mood Gains, but to Later Fatigue.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Experience sampling studies on Big Five-related behavior show that
      people display the whole spectrum of each trait in their daily behavior, and that
      desirable Big Five states-especially state Extraversion-are related to positive
      mood. However, other research lines suggest that extraverted and conscientious
      behavior may be mentally depleting. The present research examined this
      possibility by extending the time frame of the measured personality processes.
      METHOD: A 12-day experience sampling study (N = 48; observations = 2,328)
      measured Big Five states, mood, stress, and fatigue five times a day. RESULTS:
      Extraverted and conscientious behavior were concurrently related to positive mood
      and lower fatigue, but to higher fatigue after a 3-hour delay. These relations
      were not moderated by personality traits. The relation between extraverted
      behavior and delayed fatigue was mediated by the number of people the person had
      encountered. Whether the person had a goal mediated the relation between
      conscientious behavior and delayed fatigue. CONCLUSION: Extraverted and
      conscientious behavior predict mental depletion after a 3-hour delay. The results
      help reconcile previous findings regarding the consequences of state Extraversion
      and provide novel information about the consequences of state Conscientiousness.

PMID- 27281445
TI  - The Effect of Prednisolone on miR 15a and miR16-1 Expression Levels and Apoptosis
      in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Line: CCRF-CEM.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids are probably the most important drugs in the
      treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Prednisolone exerts
      its effect by induce apoptosis in lymphoid lineage cells. Micro RNAs are 18-24
      nucleotides RNA implicated in the control of essential biological functions,
      including apoptosis. In the following study, the effect of prednisolone on the
      expression of miR 15a & miR16-1 and apoptosis in the CCRF-CEM cell line is
      investigated. METHODS: The cell line of CCRF-CEM was cultured in standard
      conditions. The changes in the miR 15a and miR 16-1 expression levels were
      determined by Real Time-PCR technique. Also, the apoptosis is evaluated by flow
      cytometry using Annexin V and PI staining. RESULTS: This study revealed that, the
      prednisolone induced apoptosis in a time dependent manner. Prednisolone in
      concentration of 700 uM was significantly increased the expression of miR 16-1
      and miR 15a after 24 h and 48 h treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: prednisolone
      induced apoptosis might be mediated by up-regulation of these 2 miRNAs in CCRF
      CEM cells.

PMID- 27281446
TI  - Reversible Anti-Spermatogenic Effect of Piperine on Epididymis and Seminal
      Vesicles of Albino Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We have recently proved the interactions of piperine with androgen
      receptor and androgen binding protein. The present study was aimed to evaluate
      the antifertility effect of piperine on male albino rats after the treatment
      period i. e., after 60 days and withdrawal period i. e., after 120 days.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male rats were divided into 4 groups (n=12). Group
      I: CONTROL: Rats were given vehicle p.o i. e., 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose
      (CMC) in normal saline daily for 60 days, Group II: Rats were treated with
      piperine suspended in 0.5% CMC at a dose of 10 mg/kg daily/60 days. Group III:
      Rats were treated with piperine suspended in 0.5% CMC at a dose of 10 mg/kg on
      every 4(th) day for 60 days. Group IV: Rats were treated with piperine suspended
      in 0.5% CMC at a dose of 10 mg/kg on every 7(th) day for 60 days. RESULTS:
      Piperine significantly altered the epididymal sperm count, motility, viability,
      weight of the epididymis, cauda, caput, corpus and seminal vesicles. It also
      exhibited negative impact on biochemical markers via decreasing epididymal sialic
      acid levels, seminal fructose content, epididymal anti-oxidant enzyme activities
      of super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and by increasing the
      malondialdehyde content after the treatment period. Histopathological
      observations also supported the above findings. All the altered values were
      reinforced after the withdrawal period. CONCLUSION: From the results of this
      study, we can conclude that piperine has the potential to become a good lead for
      the reversible male oral contraceptive research.

PMID- 27281447
TI  - LC-MS Guided Isolation of Bioactive Principles from Iris hookeriana and
      Bioevaluation of Isolates for Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities.
AB  - The genus Iris is diverse both in the abundance of secondary metabolities as well
      as the biological activities. The rhizomes of Iris hookeriana exhibit significant
      anthelminthic activity against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. Although Iris
      hookeriana has been a subject of the study of so many phytochemical studies, yet
      we report some constituents for the first time from this plant using a different
      isolation approach. This manuscript presents the isolation, antimicrobial and
      antioxidant evaluation of bioactive principles from Iris hookeriana. LC-MS guided
      isolation technique was applied for the separation of target constituents. The
      isolates were characterised by spectral techniques and subjected to antioxidant
      evaluation by DPPH assay. Four compounds; resveratrol, resveratroloside,
      junipeginin C and isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside were isolated for the first
      time along with 3 known compounds viz piceid, irigenin and iridin from I.
      hookeriana using this approach. The antioxidant activity screening of the
      isolates revealed that all the 4 constituents isolated for the first time, have
      strong antioxidant potential with IC50 of 14.0 ug/ml (resveratroloside), 19.7
      ug/ml (junipeginen C), 12.8 ug/ml (resveratrol) and 19.8 ug/ml (isorhamnetin-3-O
      neohesperodoside). So it can be safely concluded that LC-MS guided isolation of
      chemical compounds from Iris hookeriana has furnished 4 antioxidant constituents.
      Thus Iris hookeriana can act as as a good source of wonder molecule resveratrol
      and its 2 glycosides, resveratrolside and piceid which upon hydrolysis can be
      converted into the parent drug resveratrol. 

PMID- 27281448
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Ambroxol Lozenges in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated
      Sore Throat - a Pooled Analysis.
AB  - A pooled analysis is presented of 7 placebo-controlled RCT that investigated
      lozenges containing ambroxol for pain relief in acute sore throat.2 242 patients
      were treated with different ambroxol doses or control treatments, 2 183 were
      evaluable for efficacy. The present analysis is focused on the recommended dose
      of 20 mg (AXL20): 856 patients were treated with AXL20, 847 with matched placebo
      lozenges (PL).The average reduction in pain intensity over the first 3 h after
      the first AXL20 ranged from 38% to 52% of the maximum achievable effect (MAE).
      The overall treatment difference between AXL20 and PL was 11% (95% CI: 8-13%) of
      the MAE (post-hoc meta-analysis). The corresponding NNT was 6.0 (CI: 4.7-8.4) for
      an average pain reduction from baseline of 33% of the MAE over the first 3
      h.71.9, 79.0, and 85.3% of the AXL20-patients scored the efficacy as "very good
      or good" at the end of the 1(st), 2(nd) and 3(rd) day, respectively, vs. 57.5,
      64.4, and 70.4% of the PL-patients resulting in odds ratios of 1.9 (CI: 1.5-2.3)
      for the 1(st), 2.1 (CI: 1.7-2.6) for the 2(nd) and 2.43 (CI: 1.8-3.3) for the
      3(rd) day.At the end of treatment 'no redness' or 'slightly red' was scored on
      pharyngeal inspection in 84.4% and 77.3% of AXL20- and PL-patients (OR: 1.6, CI:
      1.3-1.9).AXL20-treatment was well tolerated and is safe and efficacious for acute
      uncomplicated sore throat of recent onset in adolescent and adult patients. 

PMID- 27281449
TI  - Ultrafast Nonlinear Excitation Dynamics of Black Phosphorus Nanosheets from
      Visible to Mid-Infrared.
AB  - The recent progress on black phosphorus makes it a promising candidate material
      for broadband nanophotonic devices, especially operating in the mid-infrared
      spectral region. Here, the excited carrier dynamics and nonlinear optical
      response of unoxidized black phosphorus nanosheets and their wavelength
      dependence were systematically studied from 800 nm to 2.1 MUm. The wavelength
      dependent relaxation times of black phosphorus nanosheets are determined to be
      360 fs to 1.36 ps with photon energies from 1.55 to 0.61 eV. In a comparative
      study with graphene, we found that black phosphorus has a faster carrier
      relaxation in near- and mid-infrared region. With regard to nonlinear optical
      absorption, the response of black phosphorus significantly increases from near-
      to mid-infrared, and black phosphorus is also confirmed to be better as saturable
      absorber to MoS2 in infrared region.

PMID- 27281450
TI  - A Selenium-Containing Diarylamido Pincer Ligand: Synthesis and Coordination
      Chemistry with Group 10 Metals.
AB  - The synthesis of new bifunctional organoselenium diarylamine compounds RN(4-Me-2
      SeMe-C6H3)2 (R = Me: 1; R = tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc): 2; R = H: 3-H) via
      aryllithium chemistry is disclosed. Compound 1 serves as a Se,Se-bidentate
      neutral ligand toward Pd(II), forming the coordination complex {PdCl2[MeN(4-Me-2
      SeMe-C6H3)2-kappa(2)Se)]} (1-Pd) in reaction with [PdCl2(COD)] (COD = 1,5
      cyclooctadiene), while the protio ligand 3-H forms tridentate pincer complexes
      [MCl(N(4-Me-2-SeMe-C6H3)2)] (M = Pd: 3-Pd; M = Pt: 3-Pt) with [MCl2(COD)] (M =
      Pd, Pt) in the presence of triethylamine. Complex 1-Pd does not undergo N-C
      cleavage at high temperature, unlike related alkylphosphine-bearing complexes.
      All compounds have been characterized by multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, (77)Se) NMR
      spectroscopy, and crystal structures of 1, 1-Pd, 3-Pd, and 3-Pt are reported.
      Additionally, density functional theory calculations have been performed on the
      pincer complexes to contrast them with well-known analogues containing phosphine
      donor groups. 

PMID- 27281451
TI  - Serum progranulin levels are elevated in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus
      infection, reflecting viral load.
AB  - Progranulin (PGRN) is implicated in infection, immunity and host defense, but its
      role in the pathogenesis of HBV infection remains unknown. Here we investigated
      whether there is dysregulated production and the clinical significance of
      circulating PGRN in patients with chronic HBV infection. Serum concentrations of
      PGRN were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum PGRN levels were
      significantly higher in patients with chronic HBV infection than healthy
      subjects. PGRN levels were significantly associated with HBV-DNA levels, but did
      not correlate with the concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate
      aminotransferase. This study demonstrates increased circulating PGRN production
      and association between PGRN levels and viral loads in patients with chronic HBV
      infection, suggesting a functional role of PGRN in the pathogenesis of HBV
      infection.

PMID- 27281453
TI  - Young adults with paediatric liver disease: future challenges.

PMID- 27281452
TI  - Impact of elicited mood on movement expressivity during a fitness task.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of four mood
      conditions (control, positive, negative, aroused) on movement expressivity during
      a fitness task. Motion capture data from twenty individuals were recorded as they
      performed a predefined motion sequence. Moods were elicited using task-specific
      scenarii to keep a valid context. Movement qualities inspired by Effort-Shape
      framework (Laban & Ullmann, 1971) were computed (i.e., Impulsiveness, Energy,
      Directness, Jerkiness and Expansiveness). A reduced number of computed features
      from each movement quality was selected via Principal Component Analyses.
      Analyses of variance and Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to identify
      movement characteristics discriminating the four mood conditions. The aroused
      mood condition was strongly associated with increased mean Energy compared to the
      three other conditions. The positive and negative mood conditions showed more
      subtle differences interpreted as a result of their moderate activation level.
      Positive mood was associated with more impulsive movements and negative mood was
      associated with more tense movements (i.e., reduced variability and increased
      Jerkiness). Findings evidence the key role of movement qualities in capturing
      motion signatures of moods and highlight the importance of task context in their
      interpretations. 

PMID- 27281454
TI  - Failure to evaluate introduction of female genital mutilation mandatory
      reporting.

PMID- 27281455
TI  - Retrospective study of imported falciparum malaria in French paediatric intensive
      care units.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The World Health Organization (WHO) severity criteria for paediatric
      Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria are based on studies in countries of endemic
      malaria. The relevance of these criteria for other countries remains unclear. We
      assessed the relevance of these criteria in an industrialised country. DESIGN:
      Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Eight French university hospitals,
      from 2006 to 2012. PATIENTS: Children with Pf malaria admitted to paediatric
      intensive care units (cases: n=55) or paediatric emergency departments (controls:
      n=110). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Descriptive analysis of WHO severity criteria and
      major interventions (mechanical ventilation, blood transfusion, fluid challenge,
      treatment of cerebral oedema, renal replacement therapy). Thresholds were set by
      receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. RESULTS: Altered consciousness
      (71% vs 5%), shock (24% vs 1%), renal failure (20% vs 1%), anaemia <50 g/L (7% vs
      2%), acidosis (38% vs 0%), bilirubin level >50 umol/L (25% vs 8%) and
      parasitaemia >10% (30% vs 8%) were more frequent in cases (p<0.01). All these
      criteria were associated with major interventions (p<0.001). Respiratory distress
      (six cases), and hypoglycaemia (two cases) were infrequent. Thrombocytopenia <50
      000/mm3 (46% vs 7%) and anaemia (haemoglobin concentration <70 g/L (41% vs 13%))
      were more frequent in cases (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The WHO severity criteria
      for paediatric Pf malaria are relevant for countries without endemic malaria. The
      infrequent but severe complications also provide a timely reminder of the
      morbidity and mortality associated with this condition worldwide. In non-endemic
      countries haemoglobin <70 g/L and platelet count <50 000/mm3 could be used as
      additional criteria to identify children needing high level of care.

PMID- 27281456
TI  - Extending Health and Safety to Informal Workers: A Photo Essay.

PMID- 27281457
TI  - Regioselective Hydrolysis and Transesterification of Dimethyl 3
      Benzamidophthalates Assisted by a Neighboring Amide Group.
AB  - An efficient, highly regioselective hydrolysis and transesterification of
      dimethyl 3-benzamidophthalates into the corresponding carboxylic acid monoesters
      and mixed esters (including tert-butyl esters) under basic conditions is
      presented. The selectivity is governed by the neighboring 3-benzamido moiety's
      participation and by the nature of the solvent. In alcohols the reaction occurred
      exclusively at the ortho-position to the benzamido functionality, in pyridine or
      acetonitrile at both ester groups. An insight into the mechanistic pathway was
      obtained from a (1)H NMR study in perdeuteromethanol.

PMID- 27281458
TI  - Surface display of bacterial tyrosinase on spores of Bacillus subtilis using CotE
      as an anchor protein.
AB  - Tyrosinases, copper-containing monooxygenases, are widely used enzymes for
      industrial, medical, and environmental applications. We report the first
      functional surface display of Bacillus megaterium tyrosinase on Bacillus subtilis
      spores using CotE as an anchor protein. Flow Cytometry was used to verify surface
      expression of tyrosinase on the purified spores. Moreover, tyrosinase activity of
      the displayed enzyme on B. subtilis spores was monitored in the presence of L
      tyrosine (substrate) and CuSO4 (inducer). The stability of the spore-displayed
      tyrosinase was then evaluated after 15 days maintenance of the spores at room
      temperature, and no significant decrease in the enzyme activity was observed. In
      addition, the tyrosinase-expressing spores could be repeatedly used with 62%
      retained enzymatic activity after six times washing with Tris-HCl buffer. This
      genetically immobilized tyrosinase on the spores would make a new advance in
      industrial, medical, and environmental applications.

PMID- 27281460
TI  - What Unites Us in Death.

PMID- 27281463
TI  - De Novo Design of New Inhibitor of Mutated Tyrosine-Kinase for the Myeloid
      Leukemia Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic myelogenous leukemia is associated with hematopoietic stem
      cells that are manifested primarily with expansion myelopoiesis. It is the first
      cancer directly associated with a genetic abnormality. Specifically, it is
      associated to a particular cytogenetic abnormality, known as Philadelphia
      chromosome (Ph), which results from a fusion between part of the BCR ("breakpoint
      cluster region") gene from chromosome 22 and the Abelson (ABL) gene on chromosome
      9 and leads to the formation a new gene leukemia-specific, the BCR-ABL. Since
      2011, there are several tyrosine-kinase inhibitors in the market. Due to
      mutations in the tyrosine-kinase domain, these inhibitors are becoming less
      effective in the leukemia treatment, and then there is a need for new more
      effective inhibitors. METHODS: The aim of this work is to obtain new tyrosine
      kinase inhibitors using in silico tools like de novo drug design, docking and
      absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion studies. RESULTS: Using the
      proposed methodology, an initial library of more than 6000 molecules was
      obtained. This library was then filtered out using the Tanimoto metric to compute
      the similarity between the molecules using as parameter the 2D linear hashed
      fingerprint with a 64-bit address space. The resulting library was then used to
      run docking studies together with the reference market drugs and their ADME
      (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) properties were determined.
      Three compounds with better inhibition capacity and better ADME properties that
      the commercially available not only for the wild form of enzymes under study but
      also to its mutated forms were obtained. CONCLUSION: The fragment based drug
      design method used in this work turns to be a good alternative to create new
      drugs that can control this neoplasm. Based on the calculated GScore, the de novo
      designed molecules have better inhibitor capacity than the tyrosine-kinase
      inhibitors most used in the market. These molecules shown strong potential to
      become drugs capable to inhibit all mutations, mainly the T315I mutation, now the
      leading cause of deaths due to the difficulty of inhibitors to control it.

PMID- 27281464
TI  - Boundary extension: Insights from signal detection theory.
AB  - After viewing a scene, people often remember having seen more of the world than
      was originally visible, an error referred to as boundary extension. Despite the
      large number of studies on this phenomenon, performance has never been considered
      in terms of signal detection theory (SDT). We report two visual memory
      experiments that allowed us to explore boundary extension in terms of SDT. In our
      experiments, participants first studied pictures presented as close-up or wide
      angle views. At test, either the identical view or a different view (a closer or
      wider angle version of the same scene) were presented and participants rated the
      test image as being the same or different than before on a 6-point scale. We
      found that both discrimination sensitivity and bias contributed to the boundary
      extension effect. The discrimination sensitivity difference was at least 28%, and
      its presence refuted the hypothesis that boundary extension was due solely to
      participants' response bias to label test pictures as more wide-angled. Instead,
      our results support the idea that participants' responses reflect false memory
      beyond the view (i.e., a more wide-angle view of the world).

PMID- 27281462
TI  - GLT-1-Dependent Disruption of CNS Glutamate Homeostasis and Neuronal Function by
      the Protozoan Parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
AB  - The immune privileged nature of the CNS can make it vulnerable to chronic and
      latent infections. Little is known about the effects of lifelong brain
      infections, and thus inflammation, on the neurological health of the host.
      Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can infect any mammalian nucleated cell with
      average worldwide seroprevalence rates of 30%. Infection by Toxoplasma is
      characterized by the lifelong presence of parasitic cysts within neurons in the
      brain, requiring a competent immune system to prevent parasite reactivation and
      encephalitis. In the immunocompetent individual, Toxoplasma infection is largely
      asymptomatic, however many recent studies suggest a strong correlation with
      certain neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Here, we demonstrate a
      significant reduction in the primary astrocytic glutamate transporter, GLT-1,
      following infection with Toxoplasma. Using microdialysis of the murine frontal
      cortex over the course of infection, a significant increase in extracellular
      concentrations of glutamate is observed. Consistent with glutamate dysregulation,
      analysis of neurons reveal changes in morphology including a reduction in
      dendritic spines, VGlut1 and NeuN immunoreactivity. Furthermore, behavioral
      testing and EEG recordings point to significant changes in neuronal output.
      Finally, these changes in neuronal connectivity are dependent on infection
      induced downregulation of GLT-1 as treatment with the beta-lactam antibiotic
      ceftriaxone, rescues extracellular glutamate concentrations, neuronal pathology
      and function. Altogether, these data demonstrate that following an infection with
      T. gondii, the delicate regulation of glutamate by astrocytes is disrupted and
      accounts for a range of deficits observed in chronic infection.

PMID- 27281465
TI  - Testing the dual-route model of perceived gaze direction: Linear combination of
      eye and head cues.
AB  - We have recently proposed a dual-route model of the effect of head orientation on
      perceived gaze direction (Otsuka, Mareschal, Calder, & Clifford, 2014; Otsuka,
      Mareschal, & Clifford, 2015), which computes perceived gaze direction as a linear
      combination of eye orientation and head orientation. By parametrically
      manipulating eye orientation and head orientation, we tested the adequacy of a
      linear model to account for the effect of horizontal head orientation on
      perceived direction of gaze. Here, participants adjusted an on-screen pointer
      toward the perceived gaze direction in two image conditions: Normal condition and
      Wollaston condition. Images in the Normal condition included a change in the
      visible part of the eye along with the change in head orientation, while images
      in the Wollaston condition were manipulated to have identical eye regions across
      head orientations. Multiple regression analysis with explanatory variables of eye
      orientation and head orientation revealed that linear models account for most of
      the variance both in the Normal condition and in the Wollaston condition.
      Further, we found no evidence that the model with a nonlinear term explains
      significantly more variance. Thus, the current study supports the dual-route
      model that computes the perceived gaze direction as a linear combination of eye
      orientation and head orientation.

PMID- 27281466
TI  - An Appraisal of Clinically Meaningful Outcomes Guidelines for Oncology Clinical
      Trials.

PMID- 27281468
TI  - Squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva with extraocular involvement: case
      report and literature review.
AB  - Squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva is the most frequent malignant tumor
      of the ocular surface. It is a rare disease with an incidence of 0.13 to 1.9 per
      100,000 inhabitants, mainly affecting individuals between 50 and 75 years of age.
      It tends to have a slow, non-aggressive course. Treatment depends on the extent
      of the tumor. If there is intraocular involvement, enucleation is indicated, and
      in the presence of extraocular involvement the orbital exenteration is the
      standard treatment. We report and discuss the case of an 82 year old male patient
      having a conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma with intra and extraocular
      involvement, together with a review of the literature.

PMID- 27281467
TI  - Oral Health in Pregnancy.
AB  - Oral health is crucial to overall health. Because of normal physiologic changes,
      pregnancy is a time of particular vulnerability in terms of oral health. Pregnant
      women and their providers need more knowledge about the many changes that occur
      in the oral cavity during pregnancy. In this article we describe the importance
      of the recognition, prevention, and treatment of oral health problems in pregnant
      women. We offer educational strategies that integrate interprofessional oral
      health competencies.

PMID- 27281470
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281469
TI  - Speciation of Gold Nanoparticles by Ex Situ Extended X-ray Absorption Fine
      Structure and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure.
AB  - A combined X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray
      absorption fine structure (EXAFS) methodology is here presented on a series of
      partially and fully reduced Au(III) samples. This allows monitoring the relative
      fraction of Au(III) and Au(0) in the studied samples, displaying a consistent and
      independent outcome. The strategy followed is based, for the first time, on two
      structural models that can be fitted simultaneously, and it evaluates the
      correlation among strongly correlated parameters such as coordination number and
      the Debye-Waller factor. The results of the present EXAFS and XANES approach can
      be extended to studies based on X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments for the
      in situ monitoring of the formation of gold nanoclusters.

PMID- 27281471
TI  - Fatigue and Exhaustion in Hypoxia: The Role of Cerebral Oxygenation.
AB  - Fan, Jui-Lin, and Bengt Kayser. Fatigue and exhaustion in hypoxia: the role of
      cerebral oxygenation. High Alt Med Biol. 17:72-84, 2016.-It is well established
      that ascent to high altitude is detrimental to one's aerobic capacity and
      exercise performance. However, despite more than a century of research on the
      effects of hypoxia on exercise performance, the underlying mechanisms remain
      incompletely understood. While the cessation of exercise, or the reduction of its
      intensity, at exhaustion, implies reduced motor recruitment by the central
      nervous system, the mechanisms leading up to this muscular derecruitment remain
      elusive. During exercise in normoxia and moderate hypoxia (~1500-2500 m),
      peripheral fatigue and activation of muscle afferents probably play a major role
      in limiting exercise performance. Meanwhile, studies suggested that cerebral
      tissue deoxygenation may play a pivotal role in impairing aerobic capacity during
      exercise in more severe hypoxic conditions (~4500-6000 m). However, recent
      studies using end-tidal CO2 clamping, to improve cerebral tissue oxygenation
      during exercise in hypoxia, failed to demonstrate an improvement in exercise
      performance. In light of these recent findings, which seem to contradict the
      hypothetical role of cerebral tissue deoxygenation as a performance limiting
      factor at high altitude, this short review aims to provide a critical reappraisal
      of the extant literature and ends exploring some potential avenues for further
      research in this field. 

PMID- 27281472
TI  - Increased Cardiometabolic Risk and Worsening Hypoxemia at High Altitude.
AB  - Miele, Catherine H., Alan R. Schwartz, Robert H. Gilman, Luu Pham, Robert A.
      Wise, Victor G. Davila-Roman, Jonathan C. Jun, Vsevolod Y. Polotsky, J. Jaime
      Miranda, Fabiola Leon-Velarde, and William Checkley. Increased cardiometabolic
      risk and worsening hypoxemia at high altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 17:93-100,
      2016.-Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, and dyslipidemia are
      associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. While excessive
      erythrocytosis is associated with cardiovascular complications, it is unclear how
      worsening hypoxemia of any degree affects cardiometabolic risk factors in high
      altitude populations. We studied the relationship between daytime resting
      oxyhemoglobin saturation and cardiometabolic risk factors in adult participants
      living in Puno, Peru (3825 m above sea level). We used multivariable logistic
      regression models to study the relationship between having a lower oxyhemoglobin
      saturation and markers of cardiometabolic risk. Nine hundred and fifty-four
      participants (mean age 55 years, 52% male) had information available on pulse
      oximetry and markers of cardiometabolic risk. Average oxyhemoglobin saturation
      was 90% (interquartile range 88%-92%) and 43 (4.5%) had excessive erythrocytosis.
      Older age, decreased height-adjusted lung function, and higher body mass index
      (BMI) were associated with having an oxyhemoglobin saturation <=85%. When
      adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, having excessive erythrocytosis,
      and site, we found that each 5% decrease in oxyhemoglobin saturation was
      associated with a higher adjusted odds of metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.35, 95% CI:
      1.07-1.72, p < 0.04), insulin resistance as defined by homeostasis model
      assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) >2 mass units (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.00
      1.67, p < 0.05), hemoglobin A1c >=6.5% (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.09-2.51, p < 0.04),
      and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) >=3 mg/L (OR = 1.46, 95% CI:
      1.09-1.96, p < 0.01). In high-altitude populations in Puno, Peru, a higher BMI
      and lower pulmonary function were associated with lower resting daytime
      oxyhemoglobin saturation. Lower resting oxyhemoglobin saturation, in turn, was
      associated with higher odds of having multiple unfavorable cardiometabolic
      factors. Worsening hypoxia of any degree in high-altitude dwellers may be an
      independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. 

PMID- 27281473
TI  - Muscarinic Receptor Activation Affects Pulmonary Artery Contractility in Sheep:
      The Impact of Maturation and Chronic Hypoxia on Endothelium-Dependent and
      Endothelium-Independent Function.
AB  - Giang, Michael, Demosthenes G. Papamatheakis, Dan Nguyen, Ricardo Paez, Carla
      Blum Johnston, Joon Kim, Alexander Brunnell, Quintin Blood, Ravi Goyal, Lawrence
      D. Longo, and Sean M. Wilson. Muscarinic receptor activation affects pulmonary
      artery contractility in sheep: the impact of maturation and chronic hypoxia on
      endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent function. High Alt Med Biol.
      17:122-132, 2015.-Muscarinic receptor activation in the pulmonary vasculature can
      cause endothelium-dependent vasodilation and smooth muscle-dependent
      vasoconstriction. Chronic hypoxia (CH) can modify both of these responses. This
      study aimed to assess the combined influence of CH and maturation on endothelium
      dependent and endothelium-independent muscarinic-induced vasoreactivity. This was
      accomplished by performing wire myography on endothelium-intact or endothelium
      disrupted pulmonary arterial rings isolated from normoxic or CH fetal and adult
      sheep. In endothelium-intact arteries, vasodilation was evaluated using
      cumulative bradykinin doses in phenylephrine and carbachol precontracted
      pulmonary arterial segments; and vasoconstriction was examined using cumulative
      doses of carbachol following bradykinin predilation. Effects of nonselective
      (atropine) and selective M1 (pirenzepine), M2 (AFDX116), and M3 (4-DAMP and
      Dau5884) muscarinic receptor antagonists were assessed in disrupted arteries. In
      normoxic arteries, bradykinin relaxation was twofold greater in the adult
      compared to fetus, while carbachol contraction was fourfold greater. In adult
      arteries, CH increased bradykinin relaxation and carbachol contraction. In
      vessels with intact endothelium, maturation and CH augmented maximal response and
      efficacy for carbachol constriction and bradykinin relaxation. Approximately 50%
      80% of adult normoxic and CH endothelium-disrupted arteries contracted to
      acetylcholine, while ~50% of fetal normoxic and ~10% of CH arteries responded.
      Atropine reduced carbachol-induced contraction in all vessels. Adult normoxic
      vessels were most responsive to M3 antagonism, fetal to M2 antagonism, while M1
      inhibition had no effect. Overall, muscarinic-induced pulmonary arterial
      contraction is partially endothelium dependent and appears to develop after
      birth. Fetuses are more reliant on M3 receptors while M2 receptors predominate in
      adults, whereas CH augments muscarinic-dependent pulmonary vasoconstriction in
      both. 

PMID- 27281474
TI  - Tissue responses resulting from tooth movement surgically assisted by corticotomy
      and corticision in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the histological responses in corticotomy- and corticision
      assisted tooth movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety Wistar rats were divided
      into three groups: C (control-tooth movement only), CT (tooth movement +
      corticotomy), and CI (tooth movement + corticision). Surgeries were performed on
      the vestibular and lingual cortical bone of the maxillary first molar. Tooth
      movement was carried out with nickel-titanium closed coil springs having a force
      of 30 g. The rats were sacrificed at 3, 14, and 28 days. To evaluate the number
      of osteoclasts and amount of root resorption, a tartrate-resistant acid
      phosphatase stain was used. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed for
      areas of hyalinization, and the organic bone matrix was stained with picrosirius.
      RESULTS: The CT group showed a greater number of osteoclasts than did the C group
      on day 3 (P < .05). At the same time point, the CT and CI groups showed a delayed
      onset of organic bone matrix remodeling and a lower incidence of root resorption
      than did the C group (P < .05). There were also fewer hyalinization areas in the
      CI group than in the C group on day 3 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Corticotomy
      effectively increased bone resorption during the early stages of tooth movement,
      but this increase was not observed for corticision. The surgical procedures did
      not accelerate organic bone matrix remodeling. Corticotomies and corticisions
      decreased the risk of root resorption only during the early stages of movement.
      Corticision reduced the level of hyalinization, while corticotomy did not.

PMID- 27281475
TI  - Factors associated with hospitalization risk among community living middle aged
      and older persons: Results from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA).
AB  - The aims of the present study were to: (1) describe and compare individual
      characteristics of hospitalized and not hospitalized community living persons,
      and (2) to determine factors that are associated with hospitalization risk over
      time. We conducted a prospective study with a multifactorial approach based on
      the population-based longitudinal Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA). A
      total of 772 Swedes (mean age at baseline 69.7 years, range 46-103, 59.8%
      females) answered a postal questionnaire about physical and psychological health,
      personality and socioeconomic factors. During nine years of follow-up,
      information on hospitalizations and associated diagnoses were obtained from
      national registers. Results show that 484 persons (63%) had at least one hospital
      admission during the follow-up period. The most common causes of admission were
      cardiovascular diseases (25%) and tumors (22%). Cox proportional hazard
      regression models controlling for age, sex and dependency within twin pairs,
      showed that higher age (HR=1.02, p<0.001) and more support from relatives
      (HR=1.09, p=0.028) were associated with increased risk of hospitalization, while
      marital status (unmarried (HR=0.75, p=0.033) and widow/widower (HR=0.69,
      p<0.001)) and support from friends (HR=0.93, p=0.029) were associated with lower
      risk of hospitalization. Social factors were important for hospitalization risk
      even when medical factors were controlled for in the analyses. Number of diseases
      was not a risk in the final regression model. Hospitalization risk was also
      different for women and men and within different age groups. We believe that
      these results might be used in future interventions targeting health care
      utilization.

PMID- 27281476
TI  - Erratum to: Selection-based instruction and the emergence of topography-based
      responses to interview questions.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s40616-014-0013-z.]. 

PMID- 27281477
TI  - Brefeldin A promotes the appearance of oligosaccharyl phosphates derived from
      Glc3Man9GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol within the endomembrane system of HepG2 cells.
AB  - We reported an oligosaccharide diphosphodolichol (DLO) diphosphatase (DLODP) that
      generates dolichyl-phosphate and oligosaccharyl phosphates (OSPs) from DLO in
      vitro. This enzyme could underlie cytoplasmic OSP generation and promote dolichyl
      phosphate recycling from truncated endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-generated DLO
      intermediates. However, during subcellular fractionation, DLODP distribution is
      closer to that of a Golgi apparatus (GA) marker than those of ER markers. Here,
      we examined the effect of brefeldin A (BFA), which fuses the GA with the ER on
      OSP metabolism. In order to increase the steady state level of truncated DLO
      while allowing formation of mature DLO (Glc3Man9GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol), dolichyl-P
      mannose Man7GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol mannosyltransferase was partially downregulated
      in HepG2 cells. We show that BFA provokes GA endomannosidase trimming of
      Glc3Man9GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol to yield a Man8GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol structure that
      does not give rise to cytoplasmic Man8GlcNAc2-P. BFA also strikingly increased
      OSP derived from mature DLO within the endomembrane system without affecting
      levels of Man7GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol or cytoplasmic Man7GlcNAc2-P. The BFA-provoked
      increase in endomembrane-situated OSP is sensitive to nocodazole, and BFA causes
      partial redistribution of DLODP activity from GA- to ER-containing regions of
      density gradients. These findings are consistent with BFA-provoked microtubule
      dependent GA-to-ER transport of a previously reported DLODP that acts to generate
      a novel endomembrane-situated OSP population.

PMID- 27281479
TI  - Tcf7l2 localization of putative stem/progenitor cells in mouse conjunctiva.
AB  - Conjunctival integrity and preservation is indispensable for vision. The self
      renewing capacity of conjunctival cells controls conjunctival homeostasis and
      regeneration; however, the source of conjunctival self-renewal and the underlying
      mechanism is currently unclear. Here, we characterize the biochemical phenotype
      and proliferative potential of conjunctival epithelial cells in adult mouse by
      detecting proliferation-related signatures and conducting clonal analysis.
      Further, we show that transcription factor 7-like 2 (T-cell-specific
      transcription factor 4), a DNA binding protein expressed in multiple types of
      adult stem cells, is highly correlated with proliferative signatures in basal
      conjunctival epithelia. Clonal studies demonstrated that Transcription factor 7
      like 2 (Tcf7l2) was coexpressed with p63alpha and proliferating cell nuclear
      antigen (PCNA) in propagative colonies. Furthermore, Tcf7l2 was actively
      transcribed concurrently with conjunctival epithelial proliferation in vitro.
      Collectively, we suggest that Tcf7l2 may be involved in maintenance of
      stem/progenitor cells properties of conjunctival epithelial stem/progenitor
      cells, and with the fornix as the optimal site to isolate highly proliferative
      conjunctival epithelial cells in adult mice.

PMID- 27281478
TI  - VNN1 promotes atherosclerosis progression in apoE-/- mice fed a high-fat/high
      cholesterol diet.
AB  - Accumulated evidence shows that vanin-1 (VNN1) plays a key part in glucose
      metabolism. We explored the effect of VNN1 on cholesterol metabolism,
      inflammation, apoptosis in vitro, and progression of atherosclerotic plaques in
      apoE(-/-) mice. Oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) significantly induced VNN1 expression
      through an ERK1/2/cyclooxygenase-2/PPARalpha signaling pathway. VNN1
      significantly increased cellular cholesterol content and decreased apoAI and HDL
      cholesterol (HDL-C)-mediated efflux by 25.16% and 23.13%, respectively, in THP-1
      macrophage-derived foam cells (P < 0.05). In addition, VNN1 attenuated Ox-LDL
      induced apoptosis through upregulation of expression of p53 by 59.15% and
      downregulation of expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 127.13% in THP-1 macrophage (P
      < 0.05). In vivo, apoE(-/-) mice were divided randomly into two groups and
      transduced with lentivirus (LV)-Mock or LV-VNN1 for 12 weeks. VNN1-treated mice
      showed increased liver lipid content and plasma levels of TG (124.48%), LDL
      cholesterol (119.64%), TNF-alpha (148.74%), interleukin (IL)-1beta (131.81%), and
      IL-6 (156.51%), whereas plasma levels of HDL-C (25.75%) were decreased
      significantly (P < 0.05). Consistent with these data, development of
      atherosclerotic lesions was increased significantly upon infection of apoE(-/-)
      mice with LV-VNN1. These observations suggest that VNN1 may be a promising
      therapeutic candidate against atherosclerosis.

PMID- 27281480
TI  - Mitochondrial maintenance via autophagy contributes to functional skeletal muscle
      regeneration and remodeling.
AB  - The primary objective of this study was to determine whether alterations in
      mitochondria affect recovery of skeletal muscle strength and mitochondrial enzyme
      activity following myotoxic injury. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) was administered daily
      (15 mg/kg) to blunt autophagy, and the creatine analog guanidionpropionic acid
      (beta-GPA) was administered daily (1% in chow) to enhance oxidative capacity.
      Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to nontreatment (Con, n = 6), 3-MA
      treated (n = 6), and beta-GPA-treated (n = 8) groups for 10 wk. Mice were
      euthanized at 14 days after myotoxic injury for assessment of mitochondrial
      remodeling during regeneration and its association with the recovery of muscle
      strength. Expression of several autophagy-related proteins, e.g., phosphorylated
      Ulk1 (~2- to 4-fold, P < 0.049) was greater in injured than uninjured muscles,
      indicating a relationship between muscle regeneration/remodeling and autophagy.
      By 14 days postinjury, recovery of muscle strength (18% less, P = 0.03) and
      mitochondrial enzyme (e.g., citrate synthase) activity (22% less, P = 0.049) were
      significantly lower in 3-MA-treated than Con mice, suggesting that the autophagy
      process plays an important role during muscle regeneration. In contrast, muscle
      regeneration was nearly complete in beta-GPA-treated mice, i.e., muscle strength
      recovered to 93% of baseline vs. 78% for Con mice. Remarkably, 14 days allowed
      sufficient time for a near-complete recovery of mitochondrial function in beta
      GPA-treated mice (e.g., no difference in citrate synthase activity between
      injured and uninjured, P = 0.49), indicating a robust mitochondrial remodeling
      process during muscle regeneration. In conclusion, autophagy is likely activated
      following muscle injury and appears to play an important role in functional
      muscle regeneration.

PMID- 27281481
TI  - Leptin augments recruitment of IRF-1 and CREB to thrombospondin-1 gene promoter
      in vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro.
AB  - We previously reported that high pathophysiological concentrations of leptin, the
      adipocyte-secreted peptide, upregulate the expression of a potent proatherogenic
      matricellular protein, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), in vascular smooth muscle cells.
      Moreover, this regulation was found to occur at the level of transcription;
      however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The goal of the
      present study was to investigate the specific transcriptional mechanisms that
      mediate upregulation of TSP-1 expression by leptin. Primary human aortic smooth
      muscle cell cultures were transiently transfected with different TSP-1 gene
      (THBS1) promoter-linked luciferase reporter constructs, and luciferase activity
      in response to leptin (100 ng/ml) was assessed. We identified a long THBS1
      promoter (-1270/+750) fragment with specific leptin response elements that are
      required for increased TSP-1 transcription by leptin. Promoter analyses,
      protein/DNA array and gel shift assays demonstrated activation and association of
      transcription factors, interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) and cAMP response
      element-binding protein (CREB), to the distal fragment of the THBS1 promoter in
      response to leptin. Supershift, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and
      coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed formation of a single complex between IRF-1
      and CREB in response to leptin; importantly, recruitment of this complex to the
      THBS1 promoter mediated leptin-induced TSP-1 transcription. Finally, binding
      sequence decoy oligomer and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that regulatory
      elements for both IRF-1 (-1019 to -1016) and CREB (-1198 to -1195), specific to
      the distal THBS1 promoter, were required for leptin-induced TSP-1 transcription.
      Taken together, these findings demonstrate that leptin promotes a cooperative
      association between IRF-1 and CREB on the THBS1 promoter driving TSP-1
      transcription in vascular smooth muscle cells.

PMID- 27281482
TI  - Polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit Kv1.4 by interacting with positively charged
      extracellular pore residues.
AB  - Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) modulate voltage-gated K(+) channel
      inactivation by an unknown site and mechanism. The effects of omega-6 and omega-3
      PUFAs were investigated on the heterologously expressed Kv1.4 channel. PUFAs
      inhibited wild-type Kv1.4 during repetitive pulsing as a result of slowing of
      recovery from inactivation. In a mutant Kv1.4 channel lacking N-type
      inactivation, PUFAs reversibly enhanced C-type inactivation (Kd, 15-43 MUM). C
      type inactivation was affected by extracellular H(+) and K(+) as well as PUFAs
      and there was an interaction among the three: the effect of PUFAs was reversed
      during acidosis and abolished on raising K(+) Replacement of two positively
      charged residues in the extracellular pore (H508 and K532) abolished the effects
      of the PUFAs (and extracellular H(+) and K(+)) on C-type inactivation but had no
      effect on the lipoelectric modulation of voltage sensor activation, suggesting
      two separable interaction sites/mechanisms of action of PUFAs. Charge
      calculations suggest that the acidic head group of the PUFAs raises the pKa of
      H508 and this reduces the K(+) occupancy of the selectivity filter, stabilizing
      the C-type inactivated state.

PMID- 27281483
TI  - Clinical Response to Tocilizumab in Severe Thyroid Eye Disease.
AB  - Tocilizumab, in a preliminary study, was reported to be an effective therapy for
      moderate to severe thyroid eye disease. The authors describe the clinical
      response of 2 severe thyroid eye disease cases refractory to intravenous steroids
      and orbital decompression. Both patients demonstrated improved clinical activity
      scores with minimal side effects after tocilizumab therapy. In addition, post
      tocilizumab orbital fat biopsies demonstrated benign adipose tissue without
      evidence of inflammatory cells.

PMID- 27281484
TI  - A Concomitant Case of Orbital Granuloma Faciale and Eosinophilic Angiocentric
      Fibrosis.
AB  - Granuloma faciale is an eosinophilic dermatosis that typically presents as red
      brown facial plaques of middle-aged white men, while eosinophilic angiocentric
      fibrosis is a histologically similar fibrotic condition affecting the respiratory
      mucosa. Both are very uncommon conditions and pose a therapeutic challenge. While
      a handful of reports have reported concurrent presentation, the authors present
      the first case of eyelid granuloma faciale with eosinophlilic angiocentric
      fibrosis.

PMID- 27281485
TI  - Vital Signs: Deficiencies in Environmental Control Identified in Outbreaks of
      Legionnaires' Disease - North America, 2000-2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The number of reported cases of Legionnaires' disease, a severe
      pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella, is increasing in the United States.
      During 2000-2014, the rate of reported legionellosis cases increased from 0.42 to
      1.62 per 100,000 persons; 4% of reported cases were outbreak-associated.
      Legionella is transmitted through aerosolization of contaminated water. A new
      industry standard for prevention of Legionella growth and transmission in water
      systems in buildings was published in 2015. CDC investigated outbreaks of
      Legionnaires' disease to identify gaps in building water system maintenance and
      guide prevention efforts. METHODS: Information from summaries of CDC
      Legionnaires' disease outbreak investigations during 2000-2014 was systematically
      abstracted, and water system maintenance deficiencies from land-based
      investigations were categorized as process failures, human errors, equipment
      failures, or unmanaged external changes. RESULTS: During 2000-2014, CDC
      participated in 38 field investigations of Legionnaires' disease. Among 27 land
      based outbreaks, the median number of cases was 10 (range = 3-82) and median
      outbreak case fatality rate was 7% (range = 0%-80%). Sufficient information to
      evaluate maintenance deficiencies was available for 23 (85%) investigations. Of
      these, all had at least one deficiency; 11 (48%) had deficiencies in >=2
      categories. Fifteen cases (65%) were linked to process failures, 12 (52%) to
      human errors, eight (35%) to equipment failures, and eight (35%) to unmanaged
      external changes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE:
      Multiple common preventable maintenance deficiencies were identified in
      association with disease outbreaks, highlighting the importance of comprehensive
      water management programs for water systems in buildings. Properly implemented
      programs, as described in the new industry standard, could reduce Legionella
      growth and transmission, preventing Legionnaires' disease outbreaks and reducing
      disease.

PMID- 27281486
TI  - Neighborhood context, psychological outlook, and risk behaviors among urban
      African American youth.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Researchers have found a link between neighborhood risk factors and
      youth risk behaviors. However, the pathways by which this occurs remain poorly
      understood. This study sought to test a hypothesized pathway that suggests the
      influence of neighborhood risk on sexual risk and substance use among urban
      African American youth may operate indirectly via their psychological outlook
      about current and future opportunities. METHOD: Secondary data analysis using
      structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the conceptual framework. The
      sample included 592 African American youth (61% female, 39% male) mean age 15.58
      years, 1.23 SD. A modified structural equation model (SEM) met prespecified
      global fit index criteria. RESULTS: The model contained 3 indirect paths linking
      increased neighborhood risk to increased sexual risk and substance use through
      higher levels of negative psychological outlook and youth approval of substance
      use. CONCLUSIONS: These findings increase our understanding of factors that
      influence the initiation and progression of substance use and sexual risk
      behaviors among urban African American adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281487
TI  - Family dynamics and aggressive behavior in Latino adolescents.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Despite high prevalence rates and evidence that acculturation is
      associated with adolescent behavioral and mental health in Latino youth, little
      research has focused on aggressive behavior for this population. The aim of the
      current study was to fill this research gap by examining the influence of several
      aspects of family functioning, including parent-adolescent conflict, parent
      worry, and parent marital adjustment, on aggression among Latino adolescents.
      METHOD: Data come from the Latino Acculturation and Health Project (LAHP), a
      longitudinal investigation of acculturation in Latino families in North Carolina
      and Arizona. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to estimate a longitudinal
      rater effects model of adolescent aggression as reported by 258 Latino
      adolescents each paired with 1 parent for a total of 516 participants across 4
      time points over a span of 18 months. RESULTS: Results indicated a general
      decline in aggression over the study window. In addition, parent-adolescent
      conflict and parent worry predicted higher adolescent aggression whereas parent
      marital adjustment predicted lower adolescent aggression. CONCLUSIONS: The
      salience of family risk factors for aggression among Latino adolescents is
      discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281489
TI  - Body Composition, Neuromuscular Performance, and Mobility: Comparison Between
      Regularly Exercising and Inactive Older Women.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in body composition,
      neuromuscular performance, and mobility in healthy, regularly exercising and
      inactive older women, and examine the relationship between skeletal muscle
      indices and mobility. Overall, 32 healthy older women participated. They were
      divided into groups according to their physical activity history as regularly
      exercising (n = 22) and inactive (n = 10) women. Body composition, hand grip
      strength, leg extensor muscle strength, rapid force development, power output,
      and mobility indices were assessed. Regularly exercising women had lower fat mass
      and higher values for leg extensor muscle strength and muscle quality, and also
      for mobility. Leg extensor muscle strength and power output during vertical
      jumping and appendicular lean mass per unit of body mass were associated with
      mobility in healthy older women. It was concluded that long-term regular
      exercising may have beneficial effects on body composition and physical function
      in older women.

PMID- 27281488
TI  - Thermosensitive and Highly Flexible Hydrogels Capable of Stimulating Cardiac
      Differentiation of Cardiosphere-Derived Cells under Static and Dynamic Mechanical
      Training Conditions.
AB  - Cardiac stem cell therapy has been considered as a promising strategy for heart
      tissue regeneration. Yet achieving cardiac differentiation after stem cell
      transplantation remains challenging. This compromises the efficacy of current
      stem cell therapy. Delivery of cells using matrices that stimulate the cardiac
      differentiation may improve the degree of cardiac differentiation in the heart
      tissue. In this report, we investigated whether elastic modulus of highly
      flexible poly(N-isopropylamide) (PNIPAAm)-based hydrogels can be modulated to
      stimulate the encapsulated cardiosphere derived cells (CDCs) to differentiate
      into cardiac lineage under static condition and dynamic stretching that mimics
      the heart beating condition. We have developed hydrogels whose moduli do not
      change under both dynamic stretching and static conditions for 14 days. The
      hydrogels had the same chemical structure but different elastic moduli (11, 21,
      and 40 kPa). CDCs were encapsulated into these hydrogels and cultured under
      either native heart-mimicking dynamic stretching environment (12% strain and 1 Hz
      frequency) or static culture condition. CDCs were able to grow in all three
      hydrogels. The greatest growth was found in the hydrogel with elastic modulus of
      40 kPa. The dynamic stretching condition stimulated CDC growth. The CDCs
      demonstrated elastic modulus-dependent cardiac differentiation under both static
      and dynamic stretching conditions as evidenced by gene and protein expressions of
      cardiac markers such as MYH6, CACNA1c, cTnI, and Connexin 43. The highest
      differentiation was found in the 40 kPa hydrogel. These results suggest that
      delivery of CDCs with the 40 kPa hydrogel may enhance cardiac differentiation in
      the infarct hearts. 

PMID- 27281490
TI  - Simvastatin and oxidative stress in humans: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo
      controlled clinical trial.
AB  - Simvastatin reduces the blood concentration of cholesterol by inhibiting
      hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in
      cholesterol synthesis, and thereby reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. In
      addition, simvastatin treatment leads to a reduction in fluxes in mitochondrial
      respiratory complexes I and II and might thereby reduce the formation of reactive
      oxygen species, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of
      arteriosclerosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that simvastatin may reduce
      oxidative stress in humans in vivo. We conducted a randomized, double-blinded,
      placebo-controlled study in which subjects were treated with either 40mg of
      simvastatin or placebo for 14 days. The endpoints were six biomarkers for
      oxidative stress, which represent intracellular oxidative stress to nucleic
      acids, lipid peroxidation and plasma antioxidants, that were measured in urine
      and plasma samples. A total of 40 participants were included, of which 39
      completed the trial. The observed differences between simvastatin and placebo
      groups in the primary outcomes, DNA and RNA oxidation, were small and
      nonsignificant (p=0.68), specifically, 3% in the simvastatin group compared to
      7.1% in the placebo group for DNA oxidation and 7.3% in the simvastatin group
      compared to 3.4% in the placebo group. The differences in biomarkers related to
      plasma were not statistically significant between the treatments groups, with the
      exception of total vitamin E levels, which, as expected, were reduced in parallel
      with the reduction in plasma cholesterol. In healthy young male volunteers, short
      term simvastatin treatment, which considerably reduces cholesterol, does not lead
      to a clinically relevant reduction in a panel of measures of oxidative stress.
      Whether simvastatin has effects on oxidative stress in diseased populations, such
      as diabetes or hemochromatosis, where oxidative stress is prominent, is unknown
      but seems unlikely.

PMID- 27281491
TI  - N-acetylcysteine inhibits lipid accumulation in mouse embryonic adipocytes.
AB  - Oxidative stress plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of diabetes,
      hypertension, and atherosclerosis; some authors reported that fat accumulation
      correlates to systemic oxidative stress in human and mice, but cellular redox
      environment effect on lipid accumulation is still unclear. In our laboratory we
      used mouse embryonic fibroblasts (undifferentiated cells: CC), which are capable
      of differentiating into mature adipocytes (differentiated cells: DC) and
      accumulate lipids, as obesity model. Here we analyzed the role of the well-known
      antioxidant and glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in cellular MAPK
      modulation and lipid accumulation. We evaluated the effect of NAC on the
      adipogenic differentiation pathway using different doses: 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 5mM;
      no toxic doses in these cells. A dose of 5mM NAC [DCN-5] provoked a significant
      decrease in triglyceride accumulation (72+/-10 [DCN-5] vs 169+/-15 [DC], p<0.01),
      as well in Oil Red O stained neutral lipid content (120+/-2 [DCN-5] vs 139+/-12
      [DC], p<0.01). Molecular mechanisms responsible for adipogenic differentiation
      involve increase of the expression of phosphoERK1/2 and phosphoJNK, 5mM NAC
      treatment inhibited both pERK1/2 and pJNK protein levels. We also evaluated the
      mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) which takes place during adipogenesis and observed
      an increase in DC at a rate of 1.5 cells number compared to CC at day 2, whereas
      the highest doses of NAC significantly inhibited MCE. Our results suggest that
      NAC inhibits lipid accumulation and the MAPK phosphorylation in mouse embryonic
      fibroblasts during adipogenic differentiation and further contribute to probe the
      importance of cellular redox environment in adipogenesis.

PMID- 27281492
TI  - Unexplained Homonymous Hemianopia.

PMID- 27281493
TI  - Perceptions of "Natural" and "Additive-Free" Cigarettes and Intentions to
      Purchase.
AB  - In August 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to
      cigarette manufacturers promoting brands as "natural" or "additive-free" because
      of concerns that such marketing claims might mislead consumers into believing
      that these brands are less dangerous to smoke than others. The current study
      examined consumer beliefs about the relative harms of "natural" cigarettes, and
      whether these beliefs influenced perceptions of advertising and purchase
      intentions when participants were shown an advertisement for American Spirit
      cigarettes. Data were collected using a web-based survey conducted in 2013 among
      3,006 U.S.-based web panel members aged 15 to 65 years. Ratings of "natural"
      cigarette health risks (i.e., misperceptions) differed by sex, race, education,
      smoking status, and age. Controlling for perceived risks of other cigarette
      types, never smokers ( B = -0.31, p < .001) and ever/former smokers ( B = -0.15,
      p = .002) had significantly fewer misperceptions of "natural" cigarettes than
      current smokers. Current smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 17.8), believing the ad was
      truthful (OR = 1.18), and having more misperceptions about "natural" cigarette
      health risks (OR = 1.13) were independently associated with greater purchase
      intention. Consumers perceived cigarettes marketed as "natural" or "additive
      free" as less harmful, and this influenced their perceptions of advertising
      claims and intention to purchase, controlling for other factors. These findings
      underscore Food and Drug Administration's recent warning letters.

PMID- 27281495
TI  - Reducing Mediastinitis after Sternotomy with Combined Chlorhexidine-Isopropyl
      Alcohol Skin Disinfection: Analysis of 3,000 Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reducing surgical site infections (SSI) following median sternotomy
      remains a challenge for cardiac surgeons. Standard prophylaxis of SSI at our
      institution includes pre-operative skin disinfection with isopropyl alcohol
      (IPA). The addition of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has the theoretical
      advantage of longer antimicrobial activity (>48h), compared with 2 h for IPA
      alone. OBJECTIVES: This prospective registry study was conducted to evaluate the
      effect of combined CHG-IPA (ChloraPrep(r)) skin antiseptic on the incidence of
      sternal surgical incision infections after cardiac surgical procedures via median
      sternotomy. METHODS: Between September 2011 and November 2013, 3,942 consecutive
      patients underwent cardiac surgery with median sternotomy at our institution.
      Among them, 2,985 patients met inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study.
      The complete cohort was prospectively divided into two registries. In registry 1
      (1,523 patients), CHG-IPA was used to disinfect skin at the thoracic operative
      site prior to incision. In registry 2 (1,462 patients), single IPA disinfection
      was used. The primary endpoint was the incidence of post-sternotomy mediastinitis
      within 30 d of surgery. Secondary endpoints were SSI of any other kind, 30-d
      survival, and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: Both registries were well matched
      in baseline characteristics and main risk factors. Post-operative data analysis
      revealed reduction in the rate of post-sternotomy mediastinitis in registry 1 (29
      patients, 1.9%) versus registry 2 (62 patients, 4.2%), p = 0.0002. No relevant
      difference in incidence of other surgical site infections, length of hospital
      stay, and 30-d mortality was found. CONCLUSIONS: Skin disinfection with combined
      chlorhexidine-isopropyl alcohol reduced the incidence of mediastinitis in
      elective adult cardiac surgery with median sternotomy but did not affect other
      types of surgical site infections.

PMID- 27281494
TI  - Cyclic nucleotide signaling is required during synaptic refinement at the
      Drosophila neuromuscular junction.
AB  - The removal of miswired synapses is a fundamental prerequisite for normal circuit
      development, leading to clinical problems when aberrant. However, the underlying
      activity-dependent molecular mechanisms involved in synaptic pruning remain
      incompletely resolved. Here the dynamic properties of intracellular calcium
      oscillations and a role for cAMP signaling during synaptic refinement in intact
      Drosophila embryos were examined using optogenetic tools. We provide In vivo
      evidence at the single gene level that the calcium-dependent adenylyl cyclase
      rutabaga, the phosphodiesterase dunce, the kinase PKA, and Protein Phosphatase 1
      (PP1) all operate within a functional signaling pathway to modulate Sema2a
      dependent chemorepulsion. It was found that presynaptic cAMP levels were required
      to be dynamically maintained at an optimal level to suppress connectivity
      defects. It was also proposed that PP1 may serve as a molecular link between cAMP
      signaling and CaMKII in the pathway underlying refinement. The results introduced
      an in vivo model where presynaptic cAMP levels, downstream of electrical activity
      and calcium influx, act via PKA and PP1 to modulate the neuron's response to
      chemorepulsion involved in the withdrawal of off-target synaptic contacts. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 39-60, 2017.

PMID- 27281496
TI  - First-line chemotherapy in low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This is the second update of a Cochrane review that was first
      published in 2009, Issue 1, . Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a rare
      but curable disease arising in the fetal chorion during pregnancy. Most women
      with low-risk GTN will be cured by evacuation of the uterus with or without
      single-agent chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy regimens vary between treatment
      centres worldwide and the comparable benefits and risks of these different
      regimens are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of first
      line chemotherapy in the treatment of low-risk GTN. SEARCH METHODS: We
      electronically searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
      (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and Embase in September 2008, February 2012, and January 2016.
      In addition, we searched online trial registers for protocols and ongoing trials.
      SELECTION CRITERIA: For the original review, we included randomised controlled
      trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs and non-RCTs that compared first-line chemotherapy for
      the treatment of low-risk GTN. For this updated versions of the review, we
      included only RCTs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors
      independently assessed studies for inclusion and extracted data to a pre-designed
      data extraction form. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model.
      MAIN RESULTS: We included seven RCTs (667 women) in this updated review. Most
      studies were at a low or moderate risk of bias and all compared methotrexate with
      actinomycin D. Three studies compared weekly intramuscular (IM) methotrexate with
      bi-weekly pulsed intravenous (IV) actinomycin D (393 women), one study compared
      five-day IM methotrexate with bi-weekly pulsed IV actinomycin D (75 women), one
      study compared eight-day IM methotrexate-folinic acid (MTX-FA) with five-day IV
      actinomycin D (49 women), and one study compared eight-day IM MTX-FA with bi
      weekly pulsed IV actinomycin D. One study contributed no data. Moderate-certainty
      evidence indicates that actinomycin D is probably more likely to lead to primary
      cure than methotrexate (risk ratio (RR) 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57
      to 0.75; six trials, 577 participants; I(2) = 26%), and first-line methotrexate
      treatment is probably more likely to fail than actinomycin D treatment (RR 3.55,
      95% CI 1.81 to 6.95; six trials, 577 participants; I(2) = 61%; moderate-certainty
      evidence) Low-certainty evidence suggests that there may be little or no
      difference between methotrexate and actinomycin D treatment with respect to
      nausea (four studies, 466 women; RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.26) or any of the
      other individual side-effects reported, although data for all of these outcomes
      were insufficient and too inconsistent to be conclusive. Low-certainty evidence
      suggests that there may be little or no difference in the risk of severe adverse
      events (SAEs) between the groups overall (five studies, 515 women; RR 0.35, 95%
      CI 0.08 to 1.66; I2 = 60%); however, the direction of effect favours methotrexate
      and more evidence is needed. Furthermore, evidence from subgroup analyses
      suggests that actinomycin D may be associated with a greater risk of SAEs than
      methotrexate (low-certainty evidence). We found no evidence on the effect of
      these treatments on future fertility. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Actinomycin D is
      probably more likely to achieve a primary cure in women with low-risk GTN, and
      less likely to result in treatment failure, than a methotrexate regimen. There
      may be little or no difference between the pulsed actinomycin D regimen and the
      methotrexate regimen with regard to side-effects. However, actinomycin D may be
      associated with a greater risk of severe adverse events (SAEs) than a
      methotrexate regimen. Higher-certainty evidence is still needed on treating low
      risk GTN and the four ongoing trials are likely to make a significant
      contribution to this field. Given the variety of treatment regimens, findings
      from these trials could facilitate a network meta-analysis in the next version of
      this review to help women and clinicians determine the best treatment options for
      low-risk GTN.

PMID- 27281497
TI  - Atomic Details of the Interactions of Glycosaminoglycans with Amyloid-beta
      Fibrils.
AB  - The amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) comprise fibrillar
      amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides as well as non-protein factors including
      glycosaminoglycan (GAG) polysaccharides. GAGs affect the kinetics and pathway of
      Abeta self-assembly and can impede fibril clearance; thus, they may be accessory
      molecules in AD. Here we report the first high-resolution details of GAG-Abeta
      fibril interactions from the perspective of the saccharide. Binding analysis
      indicated that the GAG proxy heparin has a remarkably high affinity for Abeta
      fibrils with 3-fold cross-sectional symmetry (3Q). Chemical synthesis of a
      uniformly (13)C-labeled octasaccharide heparin analogue enabled magic-angle
      spinning solid-state NMR of the GAG bound to 3Q fibrils, and measurements of
      dynamics revealed a tight complex in which all saccharide residues are restrained
      without undergoing substantial conformational changes. Intramolecular (13)C-(15)N
      dipolar dephasing is consistent with close (<5 A) contact between GAG anomeric
      position(s) and one or more histidine residues in the fibrils. These data provide
      a detailed model for the interaction between 3Q-seeded Abeta40 fibrils and a
      major non-protein component of AD plaques, and they reveal that GAG-amyloid
      interactions display a range of affinities that critically depend on the precise
      details of the fibril architecture.

PMID- 27281498
TI  - Effects of maternal depression on family food insecurity.
AB  - We use data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort to estimate
      the effects of maternal depression, a condition that is fairly common and can be
      severe, on food insecurity, a hardship that has increased substantially in the
      U.S. Using various model specifications, we find convincing evidence that severe
      maternal depression increases the likelihood that young children experience food
      insecurity by 23-79%, with estimates depending on model specification and
      measures of depression and food insecurity. For household food insecurity, the
      corresponding estimates are 11-69%. We also find that maternal depression
      increases reliance on several types of public programs, suggesting that the
      programs play a buffering role.

PMID- 27281499
TI  - SURGERY VERSUS ENDOSCOPIC THERAPIES FOR EARLY CANCER AND HIGH-GRADE DYSPLASIA IN
      THE ESOPHAGUS: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer occurs as a local disease in 22% of cases, and a
      minority of this disease is limited to the mucosa or submucosa (early lesions).
      Endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, photodynamic
      therapy, laser therapy, and argon plasma coagulation have emerged as alternatives
      to surgical resection for early lesions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic
      review is to identify studies that statistically compare survival, disease-free
      survival, morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure, and mortality
      associated with cancer in the endoscopic versus surgical therapies. DATA SOURCES:
      A systematic review using MEDLINE, COCHRANE, EMBASE, EBSCO, LILACS, Library
      University of Sao Paulo, BVS, and SCOPE. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled
      trial, controlled clinical trial, clinical trial, and cohort study. CRITERIA: -
      Studies that statistically compare survival, disease-free survival, morbidity and
      mortality associated with the procedure, and mortality associated with cancer in
      patients who underwent endoscopic and surgical therapy for early lesions of
      esophageal cancer. DATA EXTRACTION: Independent extraction of the articles by two
      authors using predefined data fields, including study quality indicators.
      LIMITATION: Only retrosprospective cohort studies comparing the endoscopic and
      surgical therapies were recovered. RESULTS: The survival rates after 3 and 5
      years were different and exhibited superiority with the surgical therapies over
      time. Endoscopy is superior in the control of mortality related to cancer with a
      high rate of disease recurrence. With regard to the comorbidity and the mortality
      associated with the procedure, endoscopy is superior. CONCLUSION: There is no
      evidence from clinical trials. In this systematic review, surgical therapies
      showed superiority for survival, and endoscopic therapies showed superiority in
      the control of mortality related to cancer with a high rate of disease
      recurrence; also, for the comorbidity and the mortality associated with the
      procedure, endoscopy is superior. Prospective, controlled trials with large
      sample sizes are necessary to confirm the results of the current analysis.

PMID- 27281500
TI  - DEPRESSIVE EPISODE INCIDENCE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C TREATED WITH
      PEGYLATED INTERFERON AND RIBAVIRIN.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon and
      ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C is far from ideal and presents several adverse
      events. Among such events, there is the depressive episode that can even lead to
      treatment discontinuity. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the incidence of depressive episodes
      in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon (IFN-PEG)
      and ribavirin, as well as the possible factors associated with its occurrence and
      its impact on patients' sustained virological response. METHODS: People with
      chronic hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy were interviewed at the
      baseline, at the 4th, 12th, 24th and 48th treatment weeks and 4 weeks after the
      end of it, using the HADS scale for tracking the depressive episode. Patients
      with HADS >=9 were subjected to Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) to grade the
      episode. Clinical, sociodemographic, laboratorial and histological variables were
      obtained to identify factors related to the onset of depression. The sustained
      virological response rate (negative HCV-RNA 6 months after end of therapy) was
      compared among patients with and without depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The study
      comprised 32 patients, most men (59%) with mean age of 54+/-11.13 years old.
      Genotype non-1 was prevalent (56%) and 81% of the patients were non-cirrhotic.
      The depressive episode was diagnosed in 25% of the patients and the peak
      incidence was found in the 12th treatment week. The depressive episode was
      moderate in 87% of the patients and only one patient abandoned the treatment.
      None of the analyzed factors was associated with depressive episode onset. A
      trend was observed in female patients ( P =0.08). The sustained virological
      response rate was of 75% and 67% in patients with and without depressive episode,
      respectively ( P =0.66). CONCLUSION: The incidence of depressive episodes in
      patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy was of 25% and the
      12th treatment week was the most critical one. The presence of depressive episode
      did not affect the sustained virological response rate.

PMID- 27281501
TI  - DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE CANDIDATES FOR LIVER
      TRANSPLANTATION.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The primary stress factor for families in the pre-transplant period
      is reported as the waiting time for suitable organs, leading to anxiety, despair,
      and distress. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the psychosocial factors, anxiety and
      depression, in the parents of children who are candidates for liver
      transplantation. METHODS: Thirty-five pediatric liver transplantation candidates
      and their 38 parents, from February to August 2014, were included. Participants
      were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton
      Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI).
      RESULTS: We found that a significant number of parents (n=25, 65.7%) were
      diagnosed with clinical psychiatric disease: 18.4% (n=7) with depression and
      47.3% (n=18) with anxiety disorders. There was a significant difference in the
      examination scores of parents between genders (P <0.05). There was also a
      significant difference in CGI and HAM-D scores of parents relative to the history
      and presence of liver disease (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The rate of these disorders
      was high in relation to the prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in the
      community reported in the literature. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate
      psychosocial factors of parents of all transplant candidate children as a part of
      routine care so that the high-risk to family members and to enable early
      intervention.

PMID- 27281502
TI  - REDUCED HAND GRIP STRENGTH IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE CHRONIC HEPATITIS C PATIENTS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C is a liver disease that causes significant changes in
      metabolism, and also has an impact on nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate
      the nutritional status and cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic hepatitis
      C. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated 58 patients with chronic
      hepatitis C, non-cirrhotic and were not under active pharmacological treatment.
      Patients with significant alcohol consumption (greater than 10 g ethanol/day)
      were excluded. Patients underwent nutritional assessment through anthropometric
      measurements and functional assessment using hand grip strength by dynamometry.
      The physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity
      Questionnaire. Patients also underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation.
      Cardiovascular risk was calculated by the Framingham score. RESULTS: The mean age
      of patients was 51.6+/-9.7 years, 55.2% were female, and 79.3% had genotype 1.
      The most prevalent degree of fibrosis was F1 (37.9%) followed by F2 (27.6%) and
      F3 (1.7%). The prevalence of overweight/obesity considering the body mass index
      was 70.7%. However, 57.7% of men and 68.8% of women were considered malnourished
      according to hand grip strength. These patients also had waist circumference
      (93.5+/-10.7 cm) and neck circumference (37.0+/-3.6 cm) high. Almost 60% of
      patients were considered sedentary or irregularly active. In relation to
      cardiovascular risk, 50% of patients had high risk of suffering a cardiovascular
      event within 10 years. CONCLUSION: Although most patients with hepatitis C
      presented overweight, associated with high cardiovascular risk, they also have
      reduced functional capacity, indicative of protein-caloric commitment. Therefore,
      body mass index can not be considered the only method of assessment for
      nutritional diagnosis of patients with liver disease. Adopting methods such as
      hand grip strength can be important for a better understanding of nutritional
      status of these patients.

PMID- 27281503
TI  - ADMINISTRATION OF H2 BLOCKERS IN NSAID INDUCED GASTROPATHY IN RATS: effect on
      histopathological changes in gastric, hepatic and renal tissues.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induces gastric mucosal lesions
      because of its acidic properties. Ranitidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, has
      proved beneficial in patients with gastric ulcers. OBJECTIVE: The present study
      was performed to assess the effect of administering ranitidine in Nonsteroidal
      anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, nimesulide) induced gastropathy, and their
      effect on the histopathology of stomach, kidney and liver. METHODS: Diclofenac,
      nimesulide, and ranitidine were administered in doses of 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg, p.o.
      once daily for 14 days, and their effect on gastric volume, acidity, mean ulcer
      number, and gastric pH. In addition, histopathological examination was also
      performed on sections of stomach, kidney and liver. RESULTS: Following the
      administration of diclofenac or nimesulide, all the gastric parameters were
      significantly altered as well as the histopathology of stomach, liver and kidney.
      In the control group, the renal sections showed normal glomeruli with no
      thickening of glomerular basement membrane, while in diclofenac alone, nimesulide
      alone, and ranitidine with nimesulide groups, the thickening of glomerular
      basement membrane was observed. These alterations were observed to be reversed in
      the ranitidine with diclofenac group. In the sections from the liver, the control
      group showed anastomosing plates and cords of cuboidal hepatocytes with round
      well stained nuclei and abundant cytoplasm. In the ranitidine with diclofenac,
      and ranitidine with nimesulide groups, mild dilatation of sinusoids is seen
      coupled with prominence of central vein. In the diclofenac alone and nimesulide
      alone groups, the proximal and distal convoluted tubules show mild focal tubular
      necrosis. In the gastric sections, the control group showed several folds forming
      villi, and the epithelial lining surface of the mucosa. In the ranitidine with
      diclofenac, and ranitidine with nimesulide groups, the duodenum showed scattered
      inflammatory cells composed predominantly of lymphocytes. In diclofenac alone and
      nimesulide alone group, the sections from the gastric areas showed partial
      necrosis and mild chronic inflammation respectively. CONCLUSION: The study,
      therefore, has provided therapeutic rationale towards simultaneous administration
      of H2 receptor blocker ranitidine with diclofenac to be more beneficial as
      compared to ranitidine with nimesulide, to minimise the gastric intolerance of
      diclofenac in long term treatment of inflammatory conditions.

PMID- 27281504
TI  - ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA: IS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA DIFFERENT DISEASE COMPARED TO
      ADENOCARCINOMA? A transversal study in a quaternary high volume hospital in
      Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among the
      neoplasms that affect the gastrointestinal tract. There are several factors that
      contribute for development of an epidemiological esophageal cancer profile in a
      population. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe both clinically and
      epidemiologically the population of patients with diagnosis of esophageal cancer
      treated in a quaternary attention institute for cancer from January, 2009 to
      December, 2011, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: The charts of all patients
      diagnosed with esophageal cancer from January, 2009, to December, 2011, in a Sao
      Paulo (Brazil) quaternary oncology institute were retrospectively reviewed.
      RESULTS: Squamous cell cancer made up to 80% of the cases of esophageal cancer.
      Average age at diagnosis was 60.66 years old for esophageal adenocarcinoma and 62
      for squamous cell cancer, average time from the beginning of symptoms to the
      diagnosis was 3.52 months for esophageal adenocarcinoma and 4.2 months for
      squamous cell cancer. Average time for initiating treatment when esophageal
      cancer is diagnosed was 4 months for esophageal adenocarcinoma and 4.42 months
      for squamous cell cancer. There was a clear association between squamous cell
      cancer and head and neck cancers, as well as certain habits, such as smoking and
      alcoholism, while adenocarcinoma cancer showed more association with gastric
      cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Tumoral bleeding and pneumonia were
      the main causes of death. No difference in survival rate was noted between the
      two groups. CONCLUSION: Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are different
      diseases, but both are diagnosed in advanced stages in Brazil, compromising the
      patients' possibilities of cure.

PMID- 27281505
TI  - LACK OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HELICOBACTER PYLORI'S VIRULENCE AND INCREASED SERUM C
      REACTIVE PROTEIN LEVELS IN FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPTIC PATIENTS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, a great variety of studies aimed to investigate and even
      suggest Helicobacter pylori as an important key factor in gastrointestinal and
      non-gastrointestinal events development. The well-established relationship
      between bacterial virulence and increased risk for peptic ulcer or gastric
      carcinoma is not so clear when comparing inflammation markers alterations, such C
      reactive protein, with the pathogen. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was
      to evaluate the presence of H. pylori, bacterial virulence and C-reactive protein
      serum levels in individuals diagnosed with functional dyspepsia. METHODS: Were
      prospectively included in this study 489 dyspeptic individuals. They fulfill Rome
      III clinical criteria for the diagnosis of functional dyspepsia with no organic
      disease at endoscopy. The bacterial infection was established by histology and
      urease rapid test. The levels of serum C-reactive protein were obtained by
      immunonefelometry and CagA status of H. pylori positive individuals was
      determined through an imunoenzimatic assay. RESULTS: Prevalence rate of H. pylori
      was 66.3% and virulence factor CagA was detected in nearly 43% of positive
      samples. In addition, it has been noticed an association between Ilex
      paraguariensis (yerba mate) consumption and pathogen's prevalence. An important
      effect of bacterial infection on inflammation was only observed in gastric
      epithelium. CONCLUSION: No systemic response to the pathogen, measured through C
      reactive protein levels, was observed, regardless of CagA status. Otherwise, the
      intake of yerba mate should be considered as a cultural factor possibly related
      to H. pylori's transmission.

PMID- 27281506
TI  - H. PYLORI INFECTION, ENDOSCOPIC, HISTOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND CELL PROLIFERATION IN
      THE GASTRIC MUCOSA OF PATIENTS SUBMITTED TO ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS WITH
      CONTENTION RING: a cross sectional endoscopic and immunohistochemical study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity treatment through vertical gastroplasty Roux-en-Y
      gastric bypass initially used a contention ring. However, this technique may
      create conditions to the development of potentially malign alterations in the
      gastric mucosa. Although effective and previously performed in large scale, this
      technique needs to be better evaluated in long-term studies regarding alterations
      caused in the gastric mucosa. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the preoperative and
      postoperative endoscopic, histological and cell proliferation findings in the
      gastric antrum and body mucosa of patients submitted to the Roux-en-Y gastric
      bypass with a contention ring. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated all patients
      submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a contention ring with more than 60
      months of postoperative follow-up. We compared the preoperative (gastric antrum
      and body) and postoperative (gastric pouch) gastric mucosa endoscopic findings,
      cell proliferation index and H. pylori prevalence. We evaluated cell
      proliferation through Ki-67 antibody immunohistochemical expression. RESULTS: In
      the study period, 33 patients were operated with the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
      using a contention ring. We found a chronic gastritis rate of 69.7% in the
      preoperative period (gastric antrum and body) and 84.8% in the postoperative
      (gastric pouch). H. pylori was present in 18.2% of patients in the preoperative
      period (gastric antrum and body) and in 57.5% in the postoperative (gastric
      pouch). Preoperative cell proliferation index was 18.1% in the gastric antrum and
      16.2% in the gastric body, and 23.8% in the postoperative gastric pouch. The
      postoperative cell proliferation index in the gastric pouch was significantly
      higher (P=0.001) than in the preoperative gastric antrum and body. Higher cell
      proliferation index and chronic gastritis intensity were significantly associated
      to H. pylori presence (P=0.001 and P=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: After Roux
      en-Y gastric bypass with contention ring, there was a higher chronic gastritis
      incidence and higher cell proliferation index in the gastric pouch than in the
      preoperative gastric antrum and body. Mucosa inflammation intensity and cell
      proliferation index in the postoperative gastric pouch were associated to H.
      pylori presence and were higher than those found in the preoperative gastric
      antrum and body mucosa.

PMID- 27281507
TI  - Burden of disease and increasing prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in a
      population-based cohort in the Netherlands.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reported epidemiology and phenotype distributions vary widely and
      disease burden of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is poorly described. Our aim
      was to establish these features in a population-based cohort covering 319 976
      inhabitants. Furthermore, differences between tertiary referral and peripheral
      hospital patients were quantified. METHODS: IBD patients in the adherence area of
      three peripheral hospitals (2004-2012) were included. Medical and surgical
      treatment data were obtained. Quality of life and disease activity were
      evaluated. An outpatient cohort from a tertiary referral centre was accrued.
      RESULTS: A total of 1461 patients were included: 761 (52.1%) with ulcerative
      colitis (UC), 579 (39.5%) with Crohn's disease (CD) and 121 (8.3%) with IBD
      unspecified. Point prevalence of IBD was 432.1 per 100 000 inhabitants in 2010,
      which increased significantly over time, P-value of less than 0.0001. The mean
      annual incidence was 17.2 for UC, 10.5 for CD and 2.2 for IBD-unspecified.
      Tertiary referral Crohn's patients used thiopurines and biological therapy and
      underwent surgery significantly more often than patients in peripheral hospitals
      (P<0.0001). Disease activity correlated negatively with quality of life
      (P<0.0001) in UC and CD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IBD is still increasing.
      Burden of disease was significantly more severe, mainly in Crohn's patients, in
      the referral centre, highlighting the importance of population-based studies to
      accurately describe phenotype distribution and disease burden.

PMID- 27281508
TI  - Spin-Free [2]R12 Basis Set Incompleteness Correction to the Local Multireference
      Configuration Interaction and the Local Multireference Average Coupled Pair
      Functional Methods.
AB  - The local multireference configuration interaction (LMRCI) and local
      multireference averaged coupled pair functional (LMRACPF) methods are extended to
      include explicit correlation via the universal spin-free [2]R12 basis set
      incompleteness correction. Four test cases are examined to measure the
      performance of the LMRCI+[2]R12 (without and with the Davidson + Q correction for
      size-extensivity) and LMRACPF+[2]R12 methods. These tests examine bond
      dissociation energies (BDEs) for ethene, perfluoroethene, propene, and 2-butene.
      As has been demonstrated for other methods, the
      LMRCI+[2]R12/LMRCI+Q+[2]R12/LMRACPF+[2]R12 BDEs are as accurate as the
      conventional LMRCI/LMRACPF BDEs that are computed with the basis set one cardinal
      number higher. It is shown that LMRCI+[2]R12/LMRCI+Q+[2]R12/LMRACPF+[2]R12 BDEs
      computed with the June calendar basis sets preserve the accuracy of the
      corresponding BDEs computed with the conventional aug-cc-pVXZ basis sets (where X
      = D, T, Q). 

PMID- 27281511
TI  - Toward Leiodermatolide: Synthesis of the Core Structure.
AB  - The macrocyclic core (35) of the marine natural product leiodermatolide (1) was
      synthesized from two key fragments, vinyl iodide 23 (C1-C11 part) and vinyl
      stannane 31 (C12-C18 part). A Stille coupling led to conjugated Z,Z-diene 32. The
      derived seco acid 34 was cyclized using a Yamaguchi macrolactonization. Key steps
      in the assembly of vinyl iodide 23 were a Paterson aldol reaction, and a Kumada
      coupling on a triflate derivative to create the C4-C5 trisubstituted double bond.
      The two stereocenters in fragment 31 were established by a Marshall-Tamaru
      reaction. The longest linear sequence comprises 20 steps.

PMID- 27281509
TI  - Monoclonal antibody-based optical molecular imaging probes; considerations and
      caveats in chemistry, biology and pharmacology.
AB  - The monoclonal antibody (mAb) has proven to be a good platform for designing
      specific molecular imaging probes due to its superior binding specificity.
      Several optical imaging probes have been developed for surgical navigation in
      patients and are in early phase clinical trials. However, an inherent limitation
      of using the mAb is its pharmacokinetics which result in a prolonged circulating
      half-life and slow clearance from the body. This results in undesirable target to
      background ratios during imaging. In this review, we first describe the mAb as a
      platform material for optical probe design and then discuss optimizing the design
      of monoclonal antibody-based optical molecular imaging probes by focusing on
      chemistry, biology and pharmacology.

PMID- 27281510
TI  - Intracellular and in vivo oxygen sensing using phosphorescent iridium(III)
      complexes.
AB  - Molecular oxygen plays an indispensable role as a terminal electron acceptor in
      the electron transport chain in mitochondria. Acute or chronic oxygen deprivation
      (hypoxia) in organisms results in various diseases, and the elucidation of the
      pathogenic mechanism of hypoxia-related diseases and various cellular responses
      to hypoxia is an urgent issue. Optical oxygen imaging methods using
      phosphorescent probes have opened up techniques for noninvasive imaging of the
      intracellular and tissue oxygen status, and oxygen-sensitive probes play a key
      role in the development of this approach. We expect that phosphorescent Ir(III)
      complexes can serve as new oxygen-sensing probes for intracellular and
      intravascular oxygen imaging in vivo.

PMID- 27281513
TI  - Three-dimensional transvaginal sonographic assessment of uterine volume as
      preoperative predictor of need to morcellate in women undergoing laparoscopic
      hysterectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In light of recent statements from the United States Food and Drug
      Administration warning against the use of power morcellation of uterine
      leiomyomas during laparoscopy, we sought to evaluate the use of preoperative two-
      (2D) and three- (3D) dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (US) assessment of
      uterine volume to predict the need for morcellation in women undergoing
      laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH). METHODS: This was a prospective observational
      study performed between October 2008 and November 2011 in a tertiary referral
      laparoscopic unit. All women scheduled to undergo LH were included and underwent
      detailed preoperative transvaginal US. Uterine volumes were calculated using 2D
      US measurements (ellipsoid formula), and using Virtual Organ Computer-aided
      AnaLysis (VOCALTM) having acquired 3D-US volumes of the uterus. Age, parity, need
      to morcellate and final uterine dry weight at histology were recorded. The
      estimated uterine volumes were then incorporated into a previously published
      logistic regression model to predict the need to morcellate for both nulliparous
      and parous women. The probability threshold cut-off of 0.14 (95% sensitivity) was
      evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV),
      negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratios (LRs). The performance of
      the models incorporating 2D- and 3D-US calculations were compared with 2D- and 3D
      US-generated volumes alone, using receiver-operating characteristics (ROC)
      curves. RESULTS: Of 76 women who underwent LH during the study period, 79% (n =
      60) had complete background and 3D-US data. Their mean age was 43.7 years, 91.7%
      were parous and 35% underwent morcellation. The greatest uterine volume that did
      not require morcellation was 404 mL estimated using 3D-US, which corresponded to
      a uterine volume of 688.8 mL using 2D-US. The smallest uterine volume that
      required morcellation was 118.9 mL using 3D-US, which corresponded to a uterine
      volume of 123.4 mL using 2D-US. The 3D-US uterine volume for parous women with a
      sensitivity of 95% based on ROC-curve analysis was approximately 120 mL, which
      equated to a predicted probability of morcellation cut-off of 0.14. For this cut
      off, specificity was 55.00%, PPV was 51.35%, NPV was 95.65%, LR+ was 2.11 and LR-
      was 0.09. Areas under the ROC curves for the morcellation logistic regression
      model were 0.769 (95% CI, 0.653-0.886) and 0.586 (95% CI, 0.419-0.753) using
      uterine volumes obtained by 3D-US and by 2D-US, respectively, and they were 0.938
      (95% CI, 0.879-0.996) and 0.815 (95% CI, 0.681-0.948) using 3D-US and 2D-US
      volumes alone. CONCLUSIONS: The need to morcellate can be predicted
      preoperatively using 3D-US uterine volumes obtained by transvaginal US with a
      fair degree of accuracy. Uteri with volumes smaller than 120 mL at 3D-US are very
      unlikely to require morcellation. The incorporation of 3D-US-estimated uterine
      volume into the previously published logistic regression model does not seem to
      confer any significant improvement when compared with 3D-US uterine volume alone
      to predict the need to morcellate in women undergoing total LH. Copyright (c)
      2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 27281512
TI  - Riboflavin and ultraviolet light: impact on dengue virus infectivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dengue viruses (DENV 1-4) are emerging across the world, and these
      viruses pose a risk to transfusion safety. Pathogen inactivation may be an
      alternative approach for managing the risk of DENV transfusion transmission. This
      study aimed to investigate the ability of riboflavin and UV light to inactivate
      DENV 1-4 in platelet concentrates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DENV 1-4 were spiked
      into buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates in additive solution (SSP+) before
      being treated with riboflavin and UV light. Infectious virus was quantified pre-
      and posttreatment, and the reduction in viral infectivity was calculated.
      RESULTS: All four DENV serotypes were modestly reduced after treatment. The
      greatest amount of reduction in infectivity was observed for DENV-4 (1.81 log
      reduction) followed by DENV-3 (1.71 log reduction), DENV-2 (1.45 log reduction)
      and then DENV-1 (1.28 log reduction). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that
      DENV 1-4 titres are modestly reduced following treatment with riboflavin and UV
      light. With the increasing number of transfusion-transmitted cases of DENV around
      the globe, and the increasing incidence and geographical distribution of DENV,
      additional approaches for maintaining blood safety may be required in the future.

PMID- 27281514
TI  - An examination of the roles played by early adolescent children in interactions
      with their local food environment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine how pre- and early
      adolescent (10-14 years old) children from a wide range of neighbourhoods
      interact with their local food environment (FE), with a focus on the foods and
      food sources they access and their locations. Children in this age group are
      developing independence and mobility within (and beyond) their home
      neighbourhoods but are somewhat geographically bound as they cannot yet drive.
      METHODS: This research consists of qualitative interviews with 31 children (15
      males, 16 females) aged 10-14 years living in socio-economically diverse
      neighbourhoods across Saskatoon, SK. A thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS:
      Children's descriptions of what constitutes their neighbourhood FE were varied,
      ranging from a couple of city blocks to several kilometres from home. Children
      were familiar with the types of establishment that sell food within their
      perceived neighbourhood. When children purchased their own food they most
      frequently cited buying snacks such as ice cream, candy and slushes, and the
      majority of these purchases were made in convenience stores, gas stations and
      grocery stores. Few children reported frequenting fast-food or other restaurants
      without adults, and when they did it was usually to buy snacks such as French
      fries and ice cream rather than meals. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the
      importance of interventions targeted to this age group, in which personal food
      choices were reported almost exclusively as being energy- but not nutrient-dense
      snack foods.

PMID- 27281515
TI  - The food environment and diet quality of urban-dwelling older women and men:
      Assessing the moderating role of diet knowledge.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The relationships between local food environments and dietary
      patterns are important for older adults and could be different in men and women.
      We examined associations between exposure to neighbourhood food sources and food
      consumption and the moderating role of diet knowledge separately among older
      women and men living in Montreal in 2003-2005 (n = 722). METHODS: The proportion
      of fast-food outlets relative to all restaurants (%FFO) and the proportion of
      healthy food stores relative to all stores (%HFS) were estimated for 500 m
      buffers around participants' homes. Two dietary patterns, designated "Western"
      and "prudent", reflecting lower- and higher-quality diets respectively, were
      identified from food frequency questionnaire data. The unique and interactive
      effects of diet knowledge and food-source exposure on diet scores were tested
      with separate linear regression models for women and men. RESULTS: For men,
      greater %FFO exposure was related to lower prudent diet scores (beta = -0.18, p =
      0.02), but no effect of %HFS exposure was observed and no interactions were
      statistically significant. For women, an inverse relationship between %FFO and
      prudent diet scores was strongest among those with low diet knowledge (beta = 
      0.22, p < 0.01). No other associations were statistically significant.
      CONCLUSION: Older men's diet patterns may reflect unhealthy cues associated with
      fast-food outlets. Among women, diet knowledge potentiated both negative and
      positive relationships with the food environment. In the absence of consistent
      main effects of the food environment on diet scores, subgroup analysis is a
      promising avenue for research.

PMID- 27281516
TI  - Exploring experiences of the food environment among immigrants living in the
      Region of Waterloo, Ontario.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This exploratory study aimed to shed light on the role of the food
      environment in shaping food access among immigrants living in the Region of
      Waterloo, Ontario. METHODS: In this qualitative case study, in-depth interviews
      aided by photovoice were conducted with nine immigrants, and key informant (KI)
      interviews were conducted with nine community stakeholders (e.g., settlement
      workers, planners) who held expert knowledge of the local context with respect to
      both the food system and experiences of immigrants in interacting with this
      system. In this paper, we focus specifically on insights related to the food
      environment, applying the Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity
      Framework to assess economic, physical, socio-cultural and political aspects.
      RESULTS: Economic features of the food environment, including food prices and
      differential costs of different types of food, emerged as factors related to food
      access. However, interactions with the food environment were shaped by broader
      economic factors, such as limited employment opportunities and low income. Most
      immigrants felt that they had good geographic access to food, though KIs
      expressed concerns about the types of outlet and food that were most accessible.
      Immigrants discussed social networks and cultural food practices, whereas KIs
      discussed political issues related to supporting food security in the Region.
      CONCLUSION: This exploratory case study is consistent with prior research in
      highlighting the economic constraints within which food access exists but
      suggests that there may be a need to further dissect food environments.

PMID- 27281517
TI  - Relative and absolute availability of fast-food restaurants in relation to the
      development of diabetes: A population-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether residents living in areas with a high proportion
      of fast-food restaurants (FFR) relative to all restaurants are more likely to
      develop diabetes and whether the risk varies according to the volume of FFR.
      METHODS: The study cohort consisted of adult respondents (20-84 years) to the
      Canadian Community Health Survey (cycles 2005, 2007/2008, 2009/2010) who resided
      within walking distance (720 m) of at least one restaurant in Toronto, Brampton,
      Mississauga or Hamilton, ON. The development of diabetes was established by
      linking participants to the Ontario Diabetes Database. Cox proportional hazards
      models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of incident diabetes associated
      with relative and absolute measures of restaurant availability. RESULTS: During a
      median follow-up of 5 years, 347 of 7,079 participants (4.6%) developed diabetes.
      Among younger adults (20-65 years, n = 5,806), a greater proportion of fast-food
      relative to all restaurants was significantly associated with incident diabetes
      after adjustment for a range of individual and area-level covariates, but only in
      areas with high volumes of fast-food retailers (3+ outlets) (HR = 1.79, 95%
      confidence interval: 1.03-3.12, across the interquartile range). Adjusting for
      body mass index rendered this association non-significant. No significant
      associations were observed in areas with low volumes of FFR or among older adults
      (65-84 years, n = 1,273). Absolute availability (number) of fast-food and other
      restaurants was generally unrelated to incident diabetes. CONCLUSION: Areas with
      the double burden of a high volume of FFR and few dining alternatives may
      represent an adverse environment for the development of diabetes.

PMID- 27281518
TI  - Challenges in assessing food environments in northern and remote communities in
      Canada.
AB  - Effective tools for retail food environments in northern and remote communities
      are lacking. This paper examines the challenges of conducting food environment
      assessments in northern and remote communities in Canada encountered during our
      experience with a food costing project. One of the goals of the Paying for
      Nutrition in the North project is to develop guidelines to improve current food
      costing tools for northern Canada. Paying for Nutrition illustrates the complex
      context of measuring food environments in northern and remote communities.
      Through the development of a food costing methodology guide to assess northern
      food environments, several contextual issues emerged, including retail store
      oligopolies in communities; the importance of assessing food quality; informal
      social food economies; and the challenge of costing the acquisition and
      consumption of land- and water-based foods. Food environment measures designed
      for northern and remote communities need to reflect the geographic context in
      which they are being employed and must include input from local residents.

PMID- 27281519
TI  - Policy options for healthier retail food environments in city-regions.
AB  - Public policy is central to health promotion: it determines the distribution of
      resources in a society and establishes the structural context for the actions of
      both corporations and consumers. With this in mind, the purpose of this paper is
      to begin a discussion on promising policy options for a health-promoting retail
      food environment. Drawing on specific municipal examples, we examine four groups
      of policy options for healthier retail food environments in city-regions:
      planning for health; transforming consumer environments; economic and fiscal
      instruments; and a culture of transparency and participation. We introduce
      examples of policy options that are receiving increasing attention in the public
      health and urban planning literature and that function at the municipal level. We
      also highlight how public health professionals have an important role to play in
      policy that shapes retail food environments, especially in making explicit the
      linkages between health and other policy goals. In doing so, this commentary aims
      to motivate public health practitioners in a variety of community contexts to
      consider the policy supports they need to advance their exploration, development,
      testing and evaluation of interventions for healthier retail food environments.

PMID- 27281520
TI  - Retail food environments research in Canada: A scoping review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The field of retail food environments research is relatively new in
      Canada. The objective of this scoping review is to provide an overview of retail
      food environments research conducted before July 2015 in Canada. Specifically,
      this review describes research foci and key findings, identifies knowledge gaps
      and suggests future directions for research. METHODS: A search of published
      literature concerning Canadian investigations of retail food environment settings
      (food stores, restaurants) was conducted in July 2015 using PubMed, Web of
      Science, Scopus, PsychInfo and ERIC. Studies published in English that reported
      qualitative or quantitative data on any aspect of the retail food environment
      were included, as were conceptual papers and commentaries. SYNTHESIS: Eighty
      eight studies were included in this review and suggest that the field of retail
      food environments research is rapidly expanding in Canada. While only 1 paper was
      published before 2005, 66 papers were published between 2010 and 2015. Canadian
      food environments research typically assessed either the socio-economic
      patterning of food environments (n = 28) or associations between retail food
      environments and diet, anthropometric or health outcomes (n = 33). Other papers
      profiled methodological research, qualitative studies, intervention research and
      critical commentaries (n = 27). Key gaps in the current literature include
      measurement inconsistency among studies and a lack of longitudinal and
      intervention studies. CONCLUSION: Retail food environments are a growing topic of
      research, policy and program development in Canada. Consistent methods (where
      appropriate), longitudinal and intervention research, and close partnerships
      between researchers and key stakeholders would greatly advance the field of
      retail food environments research in Canada.

PMID- 27281522
TI  - Walkable home neighbourhood food environment and children's overweight and
      obesity: Proximity, density or price?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify characteristics of the food environment associated with
      child overweight/obesity that could, if subjected to intervention, mitigate the
      risk of childhood overweight/obesity. We examined whether the proximity to or
      density of grocery and convenience stores or fast food restaurants, or the prices
      of healthy food options were more strongly associated with overweight/obesity
      risk in children. METHODS: We collected geocoded data by residential addresses
      for 1,469 children aged 10-14 years and conducted a census of all food outlets in
      Saskatoon. The Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS)-Stores and the NEMS
      Restaurants were used to measure availability, quality and relative price of
      healthy food items in stores and restaurants. Children's weight status was
      calculated on the basis of measured height and weight. Logistic regression was
      used to test the associations between overweight/obesity and food environment
      variables. RESULTS: Within an 800 m walking distance from home, 76% of children
      did not have access to a grocery store; 58% and 32% had access to at least one
      convenience store or one fast-food restaurant respectively. A significantly lower
      odds of overweight/obesity was associated with lower price of healthy food
      items/options in grocery stores (odds ratio [OR] = 0.87, 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 0.77-0.99) and fast-food restaurants (OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99) within
      walking distance of home. Neither the distance to the closest food outlet nor the
      density of food outlets around children's homes was associated with odds of
      overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Improving economic access to healthy food in
      food outlets or fast-food restaurants is one strategy to counter childhood
      overweight/ obesity.

PMID- 27281521
TI  - Using GPS and activity tracking to reveal the influence of adolescents' food
      environment exposure on junk food purchasing.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study examines the influence of adolescents' exposure to
      unhealthy food outlets on junk food purchasing during trips between home and
      school, with particular attention to how exposure and purchasing differ according
      to child's biological sex, mode of transportation, and direction to or from
      school. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2013, students (n = 654) aged 9-13 years from
      25 schools in London and Middlesex County, ON, completed a socio-demographic
      survey and an activity diary (to identify food purchases), and were observed via
      a global positioning system for 2 weeks (to track routes for trips to/from
      school). Spatial data on routes and purchase data were integrated with a
      validated food outlet database in a geographic information system, and exposure
      was measured as the minutes a child spent within 50 m of an unhealthy food outlet
      (i.e., fast food restaurants, variety stores). For trips involving junk food
      exposure (n = 4588), multilevel logistic regression was used to assess the
      relationship between exposure and purchasing. RESULTS: Multilevel analyses
      indicated that adolescents' duration of exposure to unhealthy food outlets
      between home and school had a significant effect on the likelihood of junk food
      purchasing. This relationship remained significant when the data were stratified
      by sex (female/male), trip direction (to/from school) and travel mode
      (active/car), with the exception of adolescents who travelled by bus. CONCLUSION:
      Policies and programs that mitigate the concentration of unhealthy food outlets
      close to schools are critical for encouraging healthy eating behaviours among
      children and reducing diet-related health issues such as obesity.

PMID- 27281523
TI  - Identifying rural food deserts: Methodological considerations for food
      environment interventions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Food insecurity in an important public health issue and affects 13%
      of Canadian households. It is associated with poor accessibility to fresh,
      diverse and affordable food products. However, measurement of the food
      environment is challenging in rural settings since the proximity of food supply
      sources is unevenly distributed. The objective of this study was to develop a
      methodology to identify food deserts in rural environments. METHODS: In-store
      evaluations of 25 food products were performed for all food stores located in
      four contiguous rural counties in Quebec. The quality of food products was
      estimated using four indices: freshness, affordability, diversity and the
      relative availability. Road network distance between all residences to the
      closest food store with a favourable score on the four dimensions was mapped to
      identify residential clusters located in deprived communities without reasonable
      access to a "good" food source. The result was compared with the food desert
      parameters proposed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as with
      the perceptions of a group of regional stakeholders. RESULTS: When food quality
      was considered, food deserts appeared more prevalent than when only the USDA
      definition was used. Objective measurements of the food environment matched
      stakeholders' perceptions. CONCLUSION: Food stores' characteristics are different
      in rural areas and require an in-store estimation to identify potential rural
      food deserts. The objective measurements of the food environment combined with
      the field knowledge of stakeholders may help to shape stronger arguments to gain
      the support of decision-makers to develop relevant interventions.

PMID- 27281524
TI  - Retail food environments research: Promising future with more work to be done.
AB  - As members of the scientific committee for the Food Environments in Canada
      conference, we reflect on the current state of food environments research in
      Canada. We are very encouraged that the field is growing and there have been many
      collaborative efforts to link researchers in Canada, including the 2015 Food
      Environments in Canada Symposium and Workshop. We believe there are 5 key
      challenges the field will need to collectively address: theory and causality;
      replication and extension; consideration of rural, northern and vulnerable
      populations; policy analysis; and intervention research. In addressing the
      challenges, we look forward to working together to conduct more sophisticated,
      complex and community-driven food environments research in the future.

PMID- 27281525
TI  - Retail food environments in Canada: Maximizing the impact of research, policy and
      practice.
AB  - Retail food environments are gaining national and international attention as
      important determinants of population dietary intake. Communities across Canada
      are beginning to discuss and implement programs and policies to create supportive
      retail food environments. Three considerations should drive the selection of food
      environment assessment methods: relevance (What is the problem, and how is it
      related to dietary outcomes?); resources (What human, time and financial
      resources are required to undertake an assessment?); and response (How will
      policy-makers find meaning out of and act on the information gained through the
      food environment assessment?). Ultimately, food environment assessments should be
      conducted in the context of stakeholder buy-in and multi-sectoral partnerships,
      since food environment solutions require multi-sectoral action. Partnerships
      between public health actors and the food and beverage industry can be
      challenging, especially when mandates are not aligned. Clarifying the
      motivations, expectations and roles of all stakeholders takes time but is
      important if the impact of food environment research, policy and practice is to
      be maximized. The articles contained in this special supplementary issue describe
      ongoing food environments research across Canada and fill some of the important
      gaps in the current body of Canadian food environments literature.

PMID- 27281526
TI  - Retail Food Environments in Canada.
AB  - No abstract available.

PMID- 27281528
TI  - Sex differences exist after intracerebral hemorrhage but may not affect outcome.

PMID- 27281527
TI  - Sex-related differences in primary intracerebral hemorrhage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little information is available about sex-related differences in
      intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This is a prospective observational study to
      describe the sex differences in demographics, vascular risk factors, stroke care,
      and outcomes in primary ICH. METHODS: BasicMar is a hospital-based registry of
      all stroke patients admitted to a single public hospital that covers a population
      of 330,000. From 2005 to 2015, there were 515 consecutive acute primary ICH
      patients. Outcome data were obtained at 3 months. RESULTS: More men than women
      had ICH (52.4% vs 47.6%); the women were older and had worse previous functional
      status than men, who were more likely to drink alcohol and smoke and to have
      ischemic heart disease and peripheral arterial disease. There were no sex
      differences in etiology, severity, or hemorrhage volume. ICH score was greater in
      women than in men (p = 0.018). Women had more lobar ICH than men (odds ratio
      adjusted by age was 1.75 [95% confidence interval 1.18-2.58], p = 0.005). The
      quality of stroke care was similar in both sexes. Mortality at 3 months was 44.1%
      in women and 41.1% in men (p = 0.656), and 3-month poor outcome among survivors
      (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 3-5) 58.4% in women and 45.3% in men (p =
      0.027). After adjustment for previous mRS and ICH score, there were no
      differences in 3-month mortality or poor outcome at 3 months between sexes.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ICH showed sex-related differences in demographic
      characteristics, ICH location, and vascular risk factors, but not in stroke care,
      3-month mortality, or adjusted poor outcome.

PMID- 27281529
TI  - Motor plasticity after extra-intracranial bypass surgery in occlusive
      cerebrovascular disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore plasticity in patients scheduled for extra-intracranial
      bypass surgery due to unilateral symptomatic occlusive cerebrovascular disease
      via navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation. METHODS: In this observational
      study, patients were allocated to different substudies and examined before and 3
      months after operation. (1) Corticospinal excitability was determined via
      identification of the resting motor threshold. (2) Intracortical inhibition and
      facilitation were tested by paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. (3)
      Area of cortical representation of the first dorsal interosseous muscle was
      identified. RESULTS: (1) Resting motor thresholds were higher in the affected
      hemispheres with impaired cerebrovascular reserve capacity compared to the
      unaffected hemispheres (45.7% +/- 2.2% compared to 39.2% +/- 1.4%, n = 39, p <
      0.05). Reduced excitability normalized 3 months after revascularization (51% +/-
      2.6% -> 45% +/- 1.9%, n = 21, p < 0.05). (2) In paired pulse paradigms, there was
      a motor disinhibition in the operated hemispheres. (3) There was a reduction of
      the cortical representation areas of the first dorsal interosseous muscle (2.3 +/
      0.5 cm(2) -> 0.9 +/- 0.6 cm(2), n = 9, p < 0.05) after operation. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our data demonstrate a reversibly impaired motor cortical function in the
      chronically ischemic brain. In carefully selected patients, cerebral
      revascularization leads to improved motor output indicated by a lower resting
      motor threshold, intracortical disinhibition, and more focused motor cortical
      representation.

PMID- 27281530
TI  - Anti-NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis and neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor:
      Causal link?

PMID- 27281531
TI  - TEV-48125 for the preventive treatment of chronic migraine: Efficacy at early
      time points.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the onset of efficacy of TEV-48125, a monoclonal antibody
      against calcitonin gene-related peptide, recently shown to be effective for the
      preventive treatment of chronic migraine (CM) and high-frequency episodic
      migraine. METHODS: A randomized placebo-controlled study tested once-monthly
      injections of TEV-48125 675/225 mg or 900 mg vs placebo. Headache information was
      captured daily using an electronic headache diary. The primary endpoint was
      change from baseline in the number of headache hours in month 3. Herein, we
      assess the efficacy of each dose at earlier time points. RESULTS: The sample
      consisted of 261 patients. For headache hours, the 675/225-mg dose separated from
      placebo on day 7 and the 900-mg dose separated from placebo after 3 days of
      therapy (p = 0.048 and p = 0.033, respectively). For both the 675/225-mg and 900
      mg doses, the improvement was sustained through the second (p = 0.004 and p <
      0.001) and third (p = 0.025 and p < 0.001) weeks of therapy and throughout the
      study (month 3, p = 0.0386 and p = 0.0057). For change in weekly headache days of
      at least moderate intensity, both doses were superior to placebo at week 2 (p =
      0.031 and p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: TEV-48125 demonstrated a significant
      improvement within 1 week of therapy initiation in patients with CM.
      CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that for
      patients with CM, TEV-48125 significantly decreases the number of headache hours
      within 3 to 7 days of injection.

PMID- 27281532
TI  - Novel motor phenotypes in patients with VRK1 mutations without pontocerebellar
      hypoplasia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the phenotypes in 2 families with vaccinia-related kinase
      1 (VRK1) mutations including one novel VRK1 mutation. METHODS: VRK1 mutations
      were found by whole exome sequencing in patients presenting with motor neuron
      disorders. RESULTS: We identified pathogenic mutations in the VRK1 gene in the
      affected members of 2 families. In family 1, compound heterozygous mutations were
      identified in VRK1, c.356A>G; p.H119R, and c.1072C>T; p.R358*, in 2 siblings with
      adult onset distal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). In family 2, a novel VRK1
      mutation, c.403G>A; p.G135R and c.583T>G; p.L195V, were identified in a child
      with motor neuron disease. CONCLUSIONS: VRK1 mutations can produce adult-onset
      SMA and motor neuron disease in children without pontocerebellar hypoplasia.

PMID- 27281533
TI  - TBC1D24 genotype-phenotype correlation: Epilepsies and other neurologic features.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the phenotypic spectrum associated with mutations in
      TBC1D24. METHODS: We acquired new clinical, EEG, and neuroimaging data of 11
      previously unreported and 37 published patients. TBC1D24 mutations, identified
      through various sequencing methods, can be found online (http://lovd.nl/TBC1D24).
      RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were included (28 men, 20 women, average age 21
      years) from 30 independent families. Eighteen patients (38%) had myoclonic
      epilepsies. The other patients carried diagnoses of focal (25%), multifocal (2%),
      generalized (4%), and unclassified epilepsy (6%), and early-onset epileptic
      encephalopathy (25%). Most patients had drug-resistant epilepsy. We detail EEG,
      neuroimaging, developmental, and cognitive features, treatment responsiveness,
      and physical examination. In silico evaluation revealed 7 different highly
      conserved motifs, with the most common pathogenic mutation located in the first.
      Neuronal outgrowth assays showed that some TBC1D24 mutations, associated with the
      most severe TBC1D24-associated disorders, are not necessarily the most disruptive
      to this gene function. CONCLUSIONS: TBC1D24-related epilepsy syndromes show
      marked phenotypic pleiotropy, with multisystem involvement and severity spectrum
      ranging from isolated deafness (not studied here), benign myoclonic epilepsy
      restricted to childhood with complete seizure control and normal intellect, to
      early-onset epileptic encephalopathy with severe developmental delay and early
      death. There is no distinct correlation with mutation type or location yet, but
      patterns are emerging. Given the phenotypic breadth observed, TBC1D24 mutation
      screening is indicated in a wide variety of epilepsies. A TBC1D24 consortium was
      formed to develop further research on this gene and its associated phenotypes.

PMID- 27281535
TI  - Comment: Monoclonal antibodies in chronic migraine-Are early effects meaningful?

PMID- 27281534
TI  - A low-cost, tablet-based option for prehospital neurologic assessment: The iTREAT
      Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In this 2-center study, we assessed the technical feasibility and
      reliability of a low cost, tablet-based mobile telestroke option for ambulance
      transport and hypothesized that the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) could be performed
      with similar reliability between remote and bedside examinations. METHODS: We
      piloted our mobile telemedicine system in 2 geographic regions, central Virginia
      and the San Francisco Bay Area, utilizing commercial cellular networks for
      videoconferencing transmission. Standardized patients portrayed scripted stroke
      scenarios during ambulance transport and were evaluated by independent raters
      comparing bedside to remote mobile telestroke assessments. We used a mixed
      effects regression model to determine intraclass correlation of the NIHSS between
      bedside and remote examinations (95% confidence interval). RESULTS: We conducted
      27 ambulance runs at both sites and successfully completed the NIHSS for all
      prehospital assessments without prohibitive technical interruption. The mean
      difference between bedside (face-to-face) and remote (video) NIHSS scores was
      0.25 (1.00 to -0.50). Overall, correlation of the NIHSS between bedside and
      mobile telestroke assessments was 0.96 (0.92-0.98). In the mixed-effects
      regression model, there were no statistically significant differences accounting
      for method of evaluation or differences between sites. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing a
      low-cost, tablet-based platform and commercial cellular networks, we can reliably
      perform prehospital neurologic assessments in both rural and urban settings.
      Further research is needed to establish the reliability and validity of
      prehospital mobile telestroke assessment in live patients presenting with acute
      neurologic symptoms.

PMID- 27281537
TI  - Acute stroke in the field: iTREAT, you treat, we all one day will treat ...
      better.

PMID- 27281538
TI  - Efficient Targeting of Adipose Tissue Macrophages in Obesity with Polysaccharide
      Nanocarriers.
AB  - Obesity leads to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke,
      and cancer. The causal link between obesity and these pathologies has recently
      been identified as chronic low-grade systemic inflammation initiated by pro
      inflammatory macrophages in visceral adipose tissue. Current medications based on
      small-molecule drugs yield significant off-target side effects with long-term
      use, and therefore there is a major need for targeted therapies. Here we report
      that nanoscale polysaccharides based on biocompatible glucose polymers can
      efficiently target adipose macrophages in obese mice. We synthesized a series of
      dextran conjugates with tunable size linked to contrast agents for positron
      emission tomography, fluorophores for optical microscopy, and anti-inflammatory
      drugs for therapeutic modulation of macrophage phenotype. We observed that larger
      conjugates efficiently distribute to visceral adipose tissue and selectively
      associate with macrophages after regional peritoneal administration. Up to 63% of
      the injected dose remained in visceral adipose tissue 24 h after administration,
      resulting in >2-fold higher local concentration compared to liver, the dominant
      site of uptake for most nanomedicines. Furthermore, a single-dose treatment of
      anti-inflammatory conjugates significantly reduced pro-inflammatory markers in
      adipose tissue of obese mice. Importantly, all components of these therapeutic
      agents are approved for clinical use. This work provides a promising
      nanomaterials-based delivery strategy to inhibit critical factors leading to
      obesity comorbidities and demonstrates a unique transport mechanism for drug
      delivery to visceral tissues. This approach may be further applied for high
      efficiency targeting of other inflammatory diseases of visceral organs.

PMID- 27281539
TI  - Application of microwave irradiation for the removal of polychlorinated biphenyls
      from siloxane transformer and hydrocarbon engine oils.
AB  - The removal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) both from siloxane transformer
      oil and hydrocarbon engine oil was investigated through the application of
      microwave (MW) irradiation and a reaction system based on polyethyleneglycol
      (PEG) and potassium hydroxide. The influence of the main reaction parameters (MW
      irradiation time, molecular weight of PEG, amount of added reactants and
      temperature) on the dechlorination behavior was studied. Promising performances
      were reached, allowing about 50% of dechlorination under the best experimental
      conditions, together time and energy saving compared to conventional heating
      systems. Moreover, an interesting dechlorination degree (up to 32%) was achieved
      for siloxane transformer oil when MW irradiation was employed as the unique
      driving force. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time in which MW
      irradiation is tested as the single driving force for the dechlorination of these
      two types of PCB-contaminated oils. 

PMID- 27281536
TI  - The genetic basis of undiagnosed muscular dystrophies and myopathies: Results
      from 504 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To apply next-generation sequencing (NGS) for the investigation of the
      genetic basis of undiagnosed muscular dystrophies and myopathies in a very large
      cohort of patients. METHODS: We applied an NGS-based platform named MotorPlex to
      our diagnostic workflow to test muscle disease genes with a high sensitivity and
      specificity for small DNA variants. We analyzed 504 undiagnosed patients mostly
      referred as being affected by limb-girdle muscular dystrophy or congenital
      myopathy. RESULTS: MotorPlex provided a complete molecular diagnosis in 218 cases
      (43.3%). A further 160 patients (31.7%) showed as yet unproven candidate
      variants. Pathogenic variants were found in 47 of 93 genes, and in more than 30%
      of cases, the phenotype was nonconventional, broadening the spectrum of disease
      presentation in at least 10 genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our large DNA study of patients
      with undiagnosed myopathy is an example of the ongoing revolution in molecular
      diagnostics, highlighting the advantages in using NGS as a first-tier approach
      for heterogeneous genetic conditions.

PMID- 27281540
TI  - Ultrasensitive detection of inhaled organic aerosol particles by accelerator mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) was shown to be applicable for studying the
      penetration of organic aerosols, inhaled by laboratory mice at ultra-low
      concentration ca. 10(3) cm(-3). We synthesized polystyrene (PS) beads, composed
      of radiocarbon-labeled styrene, for testing them as model organic aerosols. As a
      source of radiocarbon we used methyl alcohol with radioactivity. Radiolabeled
      polystyrene beads were obtained by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of
      synthesized (14)C-styrene initiated by K2S2O8 in aqueous media. Aerosol particles
      were produced by pneumatic spraying of diluted (14)C-PS latex. Mice inhaled (14)C
      PS aerosol consisting of the mix of 10(3) 225-nm particles per 1 cm(3) and
      5.10(3) 25-nm particles per 1 cm(3) for 30 min every day during five days.
      Several millions of 225-nm particles deposited in the lungs and slowly excreted
      from them during two weeks of postexposure. Penetration of particles matter was
      also observed for liver, kidneys and brain, but not for a heart. 

PMID- 27281541
TI  - Improving the accuracy of hand-held X-ray fluorescence spectrometers as a tool
      for monitoring brominated flame retardants in waste polymers.
AB  - An optimised method for Br quantification as a metric of brominated flame
      retardant (BFR) concentrations present in Waste Electrical and Electronic
      Equipment (WEEE) polymers is proposed as an alternative to the sophisticated, yet
      time consuming GC-MS methods currently preferred. A hand-held X-ray fluorescence
      (XRF) spectrometer was validated with Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma
      Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Customized standard materials of specific BFRs in
      a styrenic polymer were used to perform an external calibration for hand-held XRF
      ranging from 0.08 to 12 wt% of Br, and cross-checking with LA-ICP-MS having
      similar LODs (0.0004 wt% for LA-ICP-MS and 0.0011 wt% for XRF). The "thickness
      calibration" developed here for hand-held XRF and the resulting correction, was
      applied to 28 real samples and showed excellent (R(2) = 0.9926) accordance with
      measurements obtained via LA-ICP-MS. This confirms the validity of hand-held XRF
      as an accurate technique for the determination of Br in WEEE plastics. This is
      the first use of solid standards to develop a thickness-corrected quantitative
      XRF measurement of Br in polymers using LA-ICP-MS for method evaluation. Thermal
      desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) was used to confirm
      the presence of specific BFRs in WEEE polymer samples. We propose that expressing
      limit values for BFRs in waste materials in terms of Br rather than BFR
      concentration (based on a conservative assumption about the BFR present),
      presents a practical solution to the need for an accurate, yet rapid and
      inexpensive technique capable of monitoring compliance with limit values in situ.

PMID- 27281542
TI  - Environmental organic pollutants in human milk before and after weight loss.
AB  - Many persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are banned because they accumulate in
      organisms and are toxic. Lipophilic POPs are stored in maternal adipose tissue
      and concentrations in human milk (HM) may increase during weight loss. Our aim
      was to examine associations between weight loss and concentrations of chlorinated
      POPs in HM in lactating women participating in a weight loss study. We analysed
      POPs (PCB 28, PCB 153, HCB, DDE) in HM at 12 and 24 weeks postpartum from 32
      women who participated in a randomized, 2 * 2 factorial trial of diet and
      exercise for postpartum weight loss. Participants donated milk before and after
      the intervention period. We examined associations between weight loss and change
      in POP concentrations and estimated the intake of POPs by their breastfed
      infants. Most (n = 27) women lost weight during intervention, 0.45 +/- 0.30
      kg/week (mean +/- SD). Among these women, the concentration of PCB 153 in HM was
      significantly (p = 0.04) higher at follow-up than at baseline. Weight loss was
      significantly positively associated with changes in concentrations of all studied
      POPs (2.0-2.4% increase per percent weight loss). Estimated mean intakes of POPs
      (ng/day) remained stable because infant milk consumption decreased during the
      study period. As infants gained weight, estimated mean intakes per kg body weight
      decreased 17-22%. Changes in concentrations of POPs in HM correlated positively
      with maternal weight loss, but it is unlikely that the balance between the
      benefits and risks of breastfeeding will change if the weight loss is restricted
      to 0.5 kg per week. 

PMID- 27281544
TI  - Mechanisms of interaction between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and
      CYP2B6: An in silico approach.
AB  - Human Cytochrome P450s (CYP450) are a group of heme-containing metalloenzymes
      responsible for recognition and metabolism of numerous xenobiotics, including
      drugs and environmental contaminants. CYP2B6, a member of CYP450, is well known
      for being a highly inducible and polymorphic enzyme and for its important role in
      the oxidative metabolism of environmental pollutants, such as the Polybrominated
      Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). However the
      mechanisms of interaction of PBDEs and PCBs with CYP2B6 is not entirely known. In
      this work, a computational approach was carried out to study the interactions of
      41 POPs (17 PBDEs, 17 PCBs, and 7 Dioxins) with four CYP2B6 protein structures
      downloaded from PDB data base (PDB: 3UA5, 3QOA, 3QU8 and 4I91) using molecular
      docking protocols with AutoDock Vina. The best binding affinity values (kcal/mol)
      were obtained for PBDE-99 (-8.5), PCB-187 (-9.6), and octachloro-dibenzo-dioxin (
      9.8) that can be attributed to the hydrophobic interactions with important
      residues, such as Phe-363, in the catalytic site of CYP2B6. Molecular docking
      validation revealed the best values for PDB: 3UA5 (R = 0.622, p = 0.001)
      demonstrating the reliability of molecular docking predictions. The information
      obtained in this work can be useful in evaluating the modes of interaction of
      xenobiotic compounds with the catalytic site of CYP2B6 and provide insights on
      the important role of these enzymes in the metabolism of potentially toxic
      compounds in humans. 

PMID- 27281543
TI  - Sorption of roxarsone onto soils with different physicochemical properties.
AB  - Elevated roxarsone (ROX) concentrations in soils, caused by land application of
      ROX-bearing poultry litter, mandate investigation of ROX sorption onto soils.
      Equilibrium and kinetic studies of ROX sorption onto five soils were carried out
      to explore the relationship between sorption parameters and soil properties, and
      to reveal the effects of coexisting humic acid (HA), P(V), As(V), and As(III) on
      ROX transport. Experimental results indicated that ROX sorption reached
      equilibrium within 24 h, with pseudo-second order rate constants of 5.74-5.26 *
      10(2) g/(mg h); film and intra-particle diffusion were the rate-limiting
      processes. ROX sorption to soils involved partitioning and adsorption phenomena;
      however, their relative contributions varied for different soils. The maximum ROX
      sorption varied with soil type, ranging from 0.59 to 4.12 mg/g. Results from
      correlation analysis and multiple linear regressions revealed that the maximum
      sorption capacities, partition coefficients, and desorption percentages were
      correlated with soil properties, especially iron content, total organic carbon,
      and dissolved organic carbon. ROX sorption to soils was affected more by soil pH
      than the initial pH of ROX-containing solutions. Carboxylic and amide functional
      groups were determined to be responsible for ROX sorption to soils. ROX sorption
      capacities decreased in the presence of HA, P(V), As(V), and As(III), indicating
      that ROX mobility in soils was facilitated by dissolved organic matter (DOM) and
      competing anions. 

PMID- 27281545
TI  - Mechanism of Fluorescence Switching in One ESIPT-Based Al(3+) Probe.
AB  - A recently synthesized Schiff base used as a probe for aluminum cations was
      studied with ab initio models. The primary reason for the lack of fluorescence in
      aprotic solvents was found to be the presence of an efficient conical
      intersection (CI) between the ground-states and the first singlet excited-states
      close to the Franck-Condon geometry. The excited-state pathway leading to this CI
      is barrierless but implies large amplitude motions, explaining why the
      fluorescence was observed in frozen acetonitrile matrix. Our calculations suggest
      that constraining the molecule by impending the rotation around the imino bond
      enables excited-state intramolecular proton transfer. A similar stiffening
      mechanism is responsible for the strong fluorescence turn-on after formation of
      complexes between Al(3+) cations and dehydrogenated Schiff base. Finally, the
      analysis of the possible fluorescence mechanisms in water indicates that the
      anion of 1 is the likely fluorescence source. Overall, this work allows one to
      disentangle the various origins of fluorescence switching in a probe.

PMID- 27281546
TI  - Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO With Re-Pyridyl-NHCs: Proton Source
      Influence on Rates and Product Selectivities.
AB  - A series of four electron-deficient-substituted Re(I) pyridyl N-heterocyclic
      carbene (pyNHC) complexes have been synthesized, and their electrocatalytic
      reduction of CO2 has been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and controlled
      potential electrolysis experiments. All of the catalysts were evaluated by cyclic
      voltammetry under inert atmosphere and under CO2 and compared to the known
      benchmark catalyst Re(bpy)(CO)3Br. Among the four Re-NHC catalysts, Re(pyNHC
      PhCF3)(CO)3Br (2) demonstrated the highest catalytic rate (icat/ip)(2) at the
      first and second reduction events with a value of 4 at the second reduction
      potential (TOF = 0.8 s(-1)). The rate of catalysis was enhanced through the
      addition of proton sources (PhOH, TFE, and H2O; TOF up to 100 s(-1); (icat/ip)(2)
      = 700). Controlled potential electrolysis shows Faradaic efficiencies (FE) for CO
      production and accumulated charge for the Re(pyNHC-PhCF3)(CO)3Br catalyst exceed
      those of the benchmark catalyst in the presence of 2 M H2O (92%, 13 C at 1 h
      versus 61%, 3 C for the benchmark catalyst) under analogous experimental
      conditions. A peak FE of 100% was observed during electrolysis with Re(pyNHC
      PhCF3)(CO)3Br. 

PMID- 27281547
TI  - Partially Hydrated Electrons at the Air/Water Interface Observed by UV-Excited
      Time-Resolved Heterodyne-Detected Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - Hydrated electrons are the most fundamental anion species, consisting only of
      electrons and surrounding water molecules. Although hydrated electrons have been
      extensively studied in the bulk aqueous solutions, even their existence is still
      controversial at the water surface. Here, we report the observation and
      characterization of hydrated electrons at the air/water interface using new time
      resolved interface-selective nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy. With the
      generation of electrons at the air/water interface by ultraviolet
      photoirradiation, we observed the appearance of a strong transient band in the OH
      stretch region by heterodyne-detected vibrational sum-frequency generation.
      Through the comparison with the time-resolved spectra at the air/indole solution
      interface, the transient band was assigned to the vibration of water molecules
      that solvate electrons at the interface. The analysis of the frequency and decay
      of the observed transient band indicated that the electrons are only partially
      hydrated at the water surface, and that they escape into the bulk within 100 ps.

PMID- 27281548
TI  - Ex Vivo Treatment with a Polyphenol-Enriched Cocoa Extract Ameliorates Myocardial
      Infarct and Postischemic Mitochondrial Injury in Normotensive and Hypertensive
      Rats.
AB  - Our objective was to determine the effects of a polyphenol-enriched cocoa extract
      (PCE) on myocardial postischemic alterations in normotensive (Wistar rats, W) and
      spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Isolated hearts were submitted to 110 min
      of perfusion or 20 min stabilization, 30 min global ischemia, and 60 min
      reperfusion (R). Other hearts were treated with PCE at the onset of R. Infarct
      size, the reduced glutathione (GSH), and the expression of phospho-Akt, P-GSK
      3beta, and P-eNOS were assessed. In isolated mitochondria, the Ca(2+)-mediated
      response of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), membrane potential
      (Deltapsim), and superoxide production were determined. PCE decreased infarct
      size, partly preserved GSH, increased the P-Akt, P-GSK-3beta, and P-eNOS
      contents, improved mPTP response to Ca(2+), decreased the superoxide production,
      and restored Deltapsim. These data show that PCE decreases the cardiac
      postischemic damage in W rats and SHR and suggest that Akt/GSK-3beta/eNOS
      dependent pathways are involved. 

PMID- 27281549
TI  - Publication ethics and COPE.

PMID- 27281550
TI  - Chemical and biological methods to evaluate the availability of heavy metals in
      soils of the Siena urban area (Italy).
AB  - A biogeochemistry field study was conducted in the Siena urban area (Italy) with
      the main objective of establishing the relationship between available amounts of
      heavy metals in soil assessed by a chemical method (soil fractionation) and
      bioavailability assessed by a biological method (bioaccumulation in earthworm
      tissues). The total content of traffic-related (Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Zn) and geogenic
      (Co, Cr, Ni, U) heavy metals in uncontaminated and contaminated soils and their
      concentrations in soil fractions and earthworms were used for this purpose. The
      bioavailability of heavy metals assessed by earthworms did not always match the
      availability defined by soil fractionation. Earthworms were a good indicator to
      assess the bioavailability of Pb and Sb in soil, while due to physiological
      mechanisms of regulation and excretion, Cd, Cu and Zn tissue levels in these
      invertebrates gave misleading estimates of their bioavailable pool. No
      relationship was identified between chemical and biological availability for the
      geogenic heavy metals, characterized by a narrow range of total contents in soil.
      The study highlighted that chemical and biological methods should be combined to
      provide more complete information about heavy element bioavailability in soils. 

PMID- 27281551
TI  - Insecticides in sediment cores from a rural and a suburban area in South China: A
      reflection of shift in application patterns.
AB  - A shift in pesticide application pattern has occurred in recent decades, yet
      little information is available in the consequence of this shift. To better
      understand how the shift is reflected in aquatic environment, two sediment cores
      were collected from a rural (RLY) and a suburban (SGZ) river in South China. A
      variety of legacy organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and current-use pesticides
      (CUPs), including organophosphate, pyrethroid and phenylpyrazole insecticides
      were quantified at distinct increments of the sediment cores. Total insecticide
      concentrations were in the ranges of 67.6-1671 and 99.2-231ng/g dry weight in RLY
      and SGZ with pyrethroids and organochlorines being the dominant components,
      respectively. In general, the shifting profile of sediment-bound insecticides
      from legacy OCPs to CUPs over time followed their historical application pattern,
      but significant differences were noted between the temporal profiles of the rural
      and suburban cores in regards to concentrations and composition of insecticides.
      The observed difference between the suburban and rural cores was synchronous with
      land use pattern and local economic changes. A steep increased occurrence of CUPs
      in the 1990s was observed in the RLY core, which is consistent with the onset of
      economic growth in this area. In contrast, the suburban SGZ area has been
      historically contaminated by legacy OCPs, with fresh input of OCPs in SGZ
      believed to be caused by soil erosion, caused by land reclamation activities
      associated with urban expansion. The current study shows the shift in insecticide
      application pattern from legacy OCPs to CUPs leading to an elevated CUP
      occurrence in the environment. It also suggests a stronger need for understanding
      not only environmental fate and risk, but also how their use pattern and land use
      changes impact the occurrence of pesticides. 

PMID- 27281552
TI  - ALK Expression in Melanomas: Looking for a Needle in a Haystack.

PMID- 27281553
TI  - Trading off accountability against professional survival? Or the consequences of
      Pareto's principle....

PMID- 27281554
TI  - Remineralizing Agents: The Next Frontier.
AB  - Remineralizing agents represent a new frontier in dentistry. They may be
      classified as fluoride agents, calcium and phosphate based agents, herbal agents
      or combinations. The modes of delivery of remineralizing agents may be as
      dentifrices, mouth rinses, lozenges or chewing gums. The applications of
      remineralizing agents may be extrapolated to virtually every branch of dentistry
      ranging from pediatric to geriatric dentistry.

PMID- 27281555
TI  - Cobalt-Catalyzed Peroxidation of 2-Oxindoles with Hydroperoxides.
AB  - A highly efficient and facile cobalt-catalyzed C-H activation and peroxidation of
      2-oxindoles was reported, which provides a new pathway for the synthesis of
      biologically active 3-peroxy-2-oxindoles from readily available starting
      materials in excellent chemical yields. The resulting products could be further
      transformed into various substituted 3-peroxyoxindoles in good to excellent
      yields. The developed method has been successfully applied to the synthesis of
      the natural product (+/-)-N-[2-(3-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3
      yl)ethyl]acetamide.

PMID- 27281556
TI  - Prognostic Value of Intrinsic Subtypes in Hormone Receptor-Positive Metastatic
      Breast Cancer Treated With Letrozole With or Without Lapatinib.
AB  - Importance: The value of the intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer (luminal A,
      luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [currently known as ERBB2,
      but referred to as HER2 in this study]-enriched, and basal-like) in the
      metastatic setting is currently unknown. Objective: To evaluate the association
      of the intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer with outcome and/or benefit in hormone
      receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer. Design, Setting, and
      Participants: Unplanned retrospective analysis of 821 tumor samples (85.7%
      primary and 14.3% metastatic) from the EGF30008 phase 3 clinical trial
      (NCT00073528), in which postmenopausal women with HR-positive invasive breast
      cancer and no prior therapy for advanced or metastatic disease were randomized to
      letrozole with or without lapatinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor
      (EGFR)/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Tumor samples were classified into each
      subtype using the research-based PAM50 classifier. Prior neoadjuvant/adjuvant
      antiestrogen therapy was allowed. Patients with extensive symptomatic visceral
      disease were excluded. Treatment effects were evaluated using interaction tests.
      Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary and secondary end points were progression
      free survival and overall survival. Results: The median (range) age was 62 (31
      94) years. Intrinsic subtype was the strongest prognostic factor independently
      associated with progression-free survival and overall survival in all patients,
      and in patients with HER2-negative (n = 644) or HER2-positive (n = 157) diseases.
      Median progression-free survival differed across the intrinsic subtypes of
      clinically HER2-negative disease: luminal A (16.9 [95% CI, 14.1-19.9] months),
      luminal B (11.0 [95% CI, 9.6-13.6] months), HER2-enriched (4.7 [95% CI, 2.7-10.8]
      months), and basal-like (4.1 [95% CI, 2.5-13.8] months). Median OS also differed
      across the intrinsic subtypes: luminal A (45 [95% CI, 41-not applicable {NA}]
      months), luminal B (37 [95% CI, 31-42] months), HER2-enriched (16 [95% CI, 10-NA]
      months), and basal-like (23 [95% CI, 12-NA] months). Patients with HER2
      negative/HER2-enriched disease benefited from lapatinib therapy (median PFS, 6.49
      vs 2.60 months; progression-free survival hazard ratio, 0.238 [95% CI, 0.066
      0.863]; interaction P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance: This is the first study
      to reveal an association between intrinsic subtype and outcome in first-line HR
      positive metastatic breast cancer. Patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative
      disease with a HER2-enriched profile may benefit from lapatinib in combination
      with endocrine therapy. The clinical value of intrinsic subtyping in hormone
      receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer warrants further investigation, but
      patients with luminal A/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer might be good
      candidates for letrozole monotherapy in the first-line setting regardless of
      visceral disease and number of metastases.

PMID- 27281557
TI  - Psychological disorders in adults with inherited cardiomyopathies and Takotsubo
      syndrome.
AB  - We performed a narrative review about psychological disorders in adults with
      Takotsubo syndrome and inherited cardiomyopathies. Through the electronic
      database PubMed and PsycINFO we searched all relevant related manuscripts
      published between 2000 and 2015. We found twelve studies that explore
      psychological disorders in Takotsubo syndrome and eight about inherited
      cardiomyopathies: five enrolled patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, two
      dilated cardiomyopathy, and one arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
      All papers reported the presence of psychological disorders. In Takotsubo
      syndrome, depression fluctuates between 20.5 and 48% and anxiety was present
      among 26 and 56%. A study reported that anxiety increases the probability of
      developing Takotsubo syndrome. In dilated cardiomyopathy, anxiety was present in
      50% and depression in 22%. In arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy,
      younger age, poorer functional capacity and having experienced at least one
      implantable cardioverter defibrillator shock, were significant independent
      predictors of both device-specific and generalized anxiety. In hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy, anxiety and depression were present in 45.2% and 17.9%,
      respectively. Thirty seven percent met diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders
      and 21% for mood disorders. Nearby half hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients
      report triggering of chest pain, dyspnea, and dizziness by emotional stress. Due
      to the small number of studies, conclusions are limited. However, we discuss some
      results. 

PMID- 27281559
TI  - Clinical Implications of the Pharmacokinetics of Crizotinib in Populations of
      Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: We assessed the effect of baseline patient demographic and disease
      characteristics on the crizotinib pharmacokinetic parameters oral clearance
      (CL/F), volume of distribution (V2/F), and area under the curve at steady state
      (AUCss) following multiple crizotinib 250-mg twice-daily dosing in patients with
      ALK-positive cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A pharmacokinetic model was fit to data
      from 1,214 patients. We identified statistically significant covariates (P <=
      0.001) by evaluating their effects on CL/F and V2/F and estimated their
      magnitudes. RESULTS: Age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status,
      aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, albumin levels, and smoking status had
      no effect on CL/F or V2/F. Statistically significant covariates were Asian race
      and female sex for CL/F and V2/F and body weight, creatinine clearance (CLcr),
      and total bilirubin for CL/F only. The model predicted that CL/F would be 9%
      lower or higher in a 40-kg or a 100-kg patient, respectively; 16% lower in
      patients with CLcr 30 mL/minute; 23% lower in Asians; and 11% lower in females
      than the reference patient (65-kg non-Asian male; baseline CLcr, 91.6 mL/minute;
      total bilirubin, 0.41 mg/dL). The effect of total bilirubin on CL/F was small.
      V2/F was 23% lower in Asians than non-Asians and females than males. Effects of
      all significant covariates on AUCss were not predicted to be clinically relevant.
      CONCLUSIONS: Crizotinib at a 250-mg twice-daily starting dose appears to be
      appropriate for all patients irrespective of age, sex, race, body weight, mild or
      moderate renal impairment, or hepatic function (in the range evaluated: bilirubin
      <= 2.1 mg/dL or AST <=124 U/L). Clin Cancer Res; 22(23); 5722-8. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27281562
TI  - Love Thy Neighbor: Sharing and Cooperativity in the Gut Microbiota.
AB  - To persist in the competitive gastrointestinal ecosystem, microbes often enforce
      selfish strategies that limit resource loss to neighboring bacteria. In contrast,
      a recent study in Nature by Rakoff-Nahoum et al. (2016) reveals that one
      commensal bacterium releases nutrients to benefit another species, which
      reciprocally provides growth-promoting factors to the producer. 

PMID- 27281561
TI  - A Prospective Evaluation of Circulating Tumor Cells and Cell-Free DNA in EGFR
      Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Erlotinib on a Phase II
      Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: Genotype-directed therapy is the standard of care for advanced non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but obtaining tumor tissue for genotyping remains a
      challenge. Circulating tumor cell (CTC) or cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis may
      allow for noninvasive evaluation. This prospective trial evaluated CTCs and cfDNA
      in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients treated with erlotinib until progression.
      EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients were enrolled in a phase II trial
      of erlotinib. Blood was collected at baseline, every 2 months on study, and at
      disease progression. Plasma genotyping was performed by droplet digital PCR for
      EGFR19del, L858R, and T790M. CTCs were isolated by CellSave, enumerated, and
      analyzed by immunofluorescence for CD45 and pan-cytokeratin and EGFR and MET FISH
      were also performed. Rebiopsy was performed at disease progression. RESULTS:
      Sixty patients were enrolled; 44 patients discontinued therapy for disease
      progression. Rebiopsy occurred in 35 of 44 patients (80%), with paired CTC/cfDNA
      analysis in 41 of 44 samples at baseline and 36 of 44 samples at progression.
      T790M was identified in 23 of 35 (66%) tissue biopsies and 9 of 39 (23%) cfDNA
      samples. CTC analysis at progression identified MET amplification in 3 samples in
      which tissue analysis could not be performed. cfDNA analysis identified T790M in
      2 samples in which rebiopsy was not possible. At diagnosis, high levels of cfDNA
      but not high levels of CTCs correlated with progression-free survival.
      CONCLUSIONS: cfDNA and CTCs are complementary, noninvasive assays for evaluation
      of acquired resistance to first-line EGFR TKIs and may expand the number of
      patients in whom actionable genetic information can be obtained at acquired
      resistance. Serial cfDNA monitoring may offer greater clinical utility than
      serial monitoring of CTCs. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6010-20. (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27281560
TI  - Inhibition of SOAT1 Suppresses Glioblastoma Growth via Blocking SREBP-1-Mediated
      Lipogenesis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Elevated lipogenesis regulated by sterol regulatory element-binding
      protein-1 (SREBP-1), a transcription factor playing a central role in lipid
      metabolism, is a novel characteristic of glioblastoma (GBM). The aim of this
      study was to identify effective approaches to suppress GBM growth by inhibition
      of SREBP-1. As SREBP activation is negatively regulated by endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) cholesterol, we sought to determine whether suppression of sterol O
      acyltransferase (SOAT), a key enzyme converting ER cholesterol to cholesterol
      esters (CE) to store in lipid droplets (LDs), effectively suppressed SREBP-1 and
      blocked GBM growth. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The presence of LDs in glioma patient
      tumor tissues was analyzed using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and
      electronic microscopy. Western blotting and real-time PCR were performed to
      analyze protein levels and gene expression of GBM cells, respectively.
      Intracranial GBM xenografts were used to determine the effects of genetically
      silencing SOAT1 and SREBP-1 on tumor growth. RESULTS: Our study unraveled that
      cholesterol esterification and LD formation are signature of GBM, and human
      patients with glioma possess elevated LDs that correlate with GBM progression and
      poor survival. We revealed that SOAT1 is highly expressed in GBM and functions as
      a key player in controlling the cholesterol esterification and storage in GBM.
      Targeting SOAT1 suppresses GBM growth and prolongs survival in xenograft models
      via inhibition of SREBP-1-regulated lipid synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Cholesterol
      esterification and storage in LDs are novel characteristics of GBM, and
      inhibiting SOAT1 to block cholesterol esterification is a promising therapeutic
      strategy to treat GBM by suppressing SREBP-1. Clin Cancer Res; 22(21); 5337-48.
      (c)2016 AACR.

PMID- 27281563
TI  - The Murky Life of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus.
AB  - Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) expressing viral T antigens is a common feature
      of most Merkel cell carcinomas, a primary neuroendocrine skin tumor. MCPyV has
      been difficult to propagate in vitro. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Liu
      et al. (2016) report that human dermal fibroblasts support productive MCPyV
      infection.

PMID- 27281564
TI  - African Trypanosomes Find a Fat Haven.
AB  - The African trypanosome was thought to primarily develop in the bloodstream and
      interstitial spaces of its mammalian host. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe,
      Trindade et al. (2016) report the surprising finding that during ongoing
      persistent infections in mice, a major fraction of the parasites reside within
      fatty tissues.

PMID- 27281565
TI  - The Fungal Mycobiota: Small Numbers, Large Impacts.
AB  - Fungi are an underappreciated component of the human gut microbiota. In this
      issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Wheeler et al. (2016) demonstrate that fungal
      dysbiosis induced by antifungal treatment or inoculation with typically rare
      fungi results in exaggerated immune responses, suggesting that fungal colonizers
      play key roles in immune homeostasis.

PMID- 27281566
TI  - Synthetic Biology Provides a Toehold in the Fight against Zika.
AB  - The World Health Organization has identified the development of a rapid point-of
      care diagnostic test for Zika virus as a top research priority. In a recent Cell
      paper, Pardee et al. (2016) have exploited recent advances in synthetic biology
      and molecular engineering to deliver a sensitive, affordable, and field-ready
      Zika test. 

PMID- 27281567
TI  - Pain and Itch: Beneficial or Harmful to Antimicrobial Defense?
AB  - Pain and itch are unpleasant sensations accompanying many microbial infections.
      Recent studies demonstrate that pain- and itch-mediating somatosensory neurons
      are able to directly detect pathogens, triggering neuronal activation and
      subsequent regulation of immune responses. We discuss whether pain and/or itch
      during infection is beneficial or harmful to host antimicrobial defense. 

PMID- 27281568
TI  - The Roles of Type I Interferon in Bacterial Infection.
AB  - Type I interferons (IFNs) are pleiotropic cytokines well recognized for their
      role in the induction of a potent antiviral gene program essential for host
      defense against viruses. They also modulate innate and adaptive immune responses.
      However, the role of type I IFNs in host defense against bacterial infections is
      enigmatic. Depending on the bacterium, they exert seemingly opposite and
      capricious functions. In this review, we summarize the effect of type I IFNs on
      specific bacterial infections and highlight the effector mechanisms regulated by
      type I IFNs in an attempt to elucidate new avenues to understanding their role. 

PMID- 27281569
TI  - Viral Spread to Enteric Neurons Links Genital HSV-1 Infection to Toxic Megacolon
      and Lethality.
AB  - Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), a leading cause of genital herpes, infects oral
      or genital mucosal epithelial cells before infecting the peripheral sensory
      nervous system. The spread of HSV-1 beyond the sensory nervous system and the
      resulting broader spectrum of disease are not well understood. Using a mouse
      model of genital herpes, we found that HSV-1-infection-associated lethality
      correlated with severe fecal and urinary retention. No inflammation or infection
      of the brain was evident. Instead, HSV-1 spread via the dorsal root ganglia to
      the autonomic ganglia of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the colon. ENS
      infection led to robust viral gene transcription, pathological inflammatory
      responses, and neutrophil-mediated destruction of enteric neurons, ultimately
      resulting in permanent loss of peristalsis and the development of toxic
      megacolon. Laxative treatment rescued mice from lethality following genital HSV-1
      infection. These results reveal an unexpected pathogenesis of HSV associated with
      ENS infection. 

PMID- 27281570
TI  - Both Neutralizing and Non-Neutralizing Human H7N9 Influenza Vaccine-Induced
      Monoclonal Antibodies Confer Protection.
AB  - Pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza viruses continue to represent a public health
      concern, and several candidate vaccines are currently being developed. It is
      vital to assess if protective antibodies are induced following vaccination and to
      characterize the diversity of epitopes targeted. Here we characterized the
      binding and functional properties of twelve H7-reactive human antibodies induced
      by a candidate A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) vaccine. Both neutralizing and non
      neutralizing antibodies protected mice in vivo during passive transfer challenge
      experiments. Mapping the H7 hemagglutinin antigenic sites by generating escape
      mutant variants against the neutralizing antibodies identified unique epitopes on
      the head and stalk domains. Further, the broadly cross-reactive non-neutralizing
      antibodies generated in this study were protective through Fc-mediated effector
      cell recruitment. These findings reveal important properties of vaccine-induced
      antibodies and provide a better understanding of the human monoclonal antibody
      response to influenza in the context of vaccines. 

PMID- 27281572
TI  - The Response of Acinetobacter baumannii to Zinc Starvation.
AB  - Zinc (Zn) is an essential metal that vertebrates sequester from pathogens to
      protect against infection. Investigating the opportunistic pathogen Acinetobacter
      baumannii's response to Zn starvation, we identified a putative Zn
      metallochaperone, ZigA, which binds Zn and is required for bacterial growth under
      Zn-limiting conditions and for disseminated infection in mice. ZigA is encoded
      adjacent to the histidine (His) utilization (Hut) system. The His ammonia-lyase
      HutH binds Zn very tightly only in the presence of high His and makes Zn
      bioavailable through His catabolism. The released Zn enables A. baumannii to
      combat host-imposed Zn starvation. These results demonstrate that A. baumannii
      employs several mechanisms to ensure bioavailability of Zn during infection, with
      ZigA functioning predominately during Zn starvation, but HutH operating in both
      Zn-deplete and -replete conditions to mobilize a labile His-Zn pool. 

PMID- 27281571
TI  - Salmonella Mitigates Oxidative Stress and Thrives in the Inflamed Gut by Evading
      Calprotectin-Mediated Manganese Sequestration.
AB  - Neutrophils hinder bacterial growth by a variety of antimicrobial mechanisms,
      including the production of reactive oxygen species and the secretion of proteins
      that sequester nutrients essential to microbes. A major player in this process is
      calprotectin, a host protein that exerts antimicrobial activity by chelating zinc
      and manganese. Here we show that the intestinal pathogen Salmonella enterica
      serovar Typhimurium uses specialized metal transporters to evade calprotectin
      sequestration of manganese, allowing the bacteria to outcompete commensals and
      thrive in the inflamed gut. The pathogen's ability to acquire manganese in turn
      promotes function of SodA and KatN, enzymes that use the metal as a cofactor to
      detoxify reactive oxygen species. This manganese-dependent SodA activity allows
      the bacteria to evade neutrophil killing mediated by calprotectin and reactive
      oxygen species. Thus, manganese acquisition enables S. Typhimurium to overcome
      host antimicrobial defenses and support its competitive growth in the intestine. 

PMID- 27281573
TI  - Historical Y. pestis Genomes Reveal the European Black Death as the Source of
      Ancient and Modern Plague Pandemics.
AB  - Ancient DNA analysis has revealed an involvement of the bacterial pathogen
      Yersinia pestis in several historical pandemics, including the second plague
      pandemic (Europe, mid-14(th) century Black Death until the mid-18(th) century
      AD). Here we present reconstructed Y. pestis genomes from plague victims of the
      Black Death and two subsequent historical outbreaks spanning Europe and its
      vicinity, namely Barcelona, Spain (1300-1420 cal AD), Bolgar City, Russia (1362
      1400 AD), and Ellwangen, Germany (1485-1627 cal AD). Our results provide support
      for (1) a single entry of Y. pestis in Europe during the Black Death, (2) a wave
      of plague that traveled toward Asia to later become the source population for
      contemporary worldwide epidemics, and (3) the presence of an historical European
      plague focus involved in post-Black Death outbreaks that is now likely extinct. 

PMID- 27281574
TI  - Subversion of Autophagy by Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Impairs
      Oncogene-Induced Senescence.

PMID- 27281575
TI  - Bacterial Peptidoglycan Traverses the Placenta to Induce Fetal Neuroproliferation
      and Aberrant Postnatal Behavior.

PMID- 27281576
TI  - A systematic review of transcatheter aortic valve implantation via carotid artery
      access.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The carotid artery is a novel access route for transcatheter aortic
      valve implantation (TAVI). This may represent a viable alternative in patients
      unsuitable for TAVI via traditional transfemoral access, up to 20%, as well as
      other access routes such as subclavian, transapical and aortic. This systematic
      review summarises the current evidence for its safety and feasibility. METHODS: A
      systematic review was conducted as per the Preferred Reporting Instructions for
      Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines using five electronic
      databases. RESULTS: 16 studies were identified, including three prospective
      cohort studies, one retrospective cohort study, three case series and eight case
      reports. Data on 74 patients (mean age 76.9years) was extracted including pre
      operative work-up, technical procedure details and outcomes. This found 1
      intraoperative death, 2 further deaths within 30days, two incidences of transient
      ischaemic attack, no incidences of stroke, myocardial infarction, carotid access
      site complications or infection, 1 patient required new dialysis and 1 patient
      had an intraoperative dissection which resolved. Follow-up from 30days to 1year
      showed symptomatic improvement and echocardiographic improvement in line with
      those seen in transfemoral TAVI. CONCLUSIONS: The available data on TAVI via
      carotid access demonstrate technical feasibility with comparable outcomes to
      other traditional access routes. A low number of patients, heterogeneous clinical
      endpoints and relatively short follow-up periods limit formal meta-analysis and
      firmer conclusions. For patients in which other access routes are impossible,
      TAVI via carotid access represents a viable and potentially crucial alternative
      in patients who might otherwise be untreatable.

PMID- 27281577
TI  - Relation between fractional flow reserve value of coronary lesions with deferred
      revascularization and cardiovascular outcomes in non-diabetic and diabetic
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: FFR of deferred PCI lesions can predict future cardiovascular events.
      However, the prognostic utility of FFR remains unclear in diabetic patients in
      view of the potential impact of the diffuse nature of vascular disease process.
      We aimed to study the relation between fractional flow reserve (FFR) values and
      long-term outcomes of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with deferred
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Patients with FFR assessment
      and deferred PCI (n=630) were enrolled and stratified according to diabetes
      mellitus (DM) status and FFR values. Patients were followed over a median of
      39months. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the
      association between clinical endpoints and clinical factors such as DM and FFR.
      RESULTS: In non-diabetics (n=450), higher FFR values were associated with less
      cardiovascular events (hazard ratio (HR) for death and myocardial infarction (MI)
      [95% confidence interval (CI)], 0.61[0.44 to 0.86] per 0.1 increase in FFR,
      p=0.007; HR for revascularization [95%CI], 0.66[0.49 to 0.9] per 0.1 increase in
      FFR, p=0.006). In diabetics (n=180), there was no difference in death and MI
      across the range of FFR values. Among those patients with an FFR >0.85, diabetics
      had a more than two-fold higher risk of death and MI than non-diabetics (HR [95%
      CI], 2.20 [1.19 to 4.01], p=0.015). CONCLUSION: Among non-diabetic patients with
      deferred PCI, a higher FFR was associated with lower rates of death, MI and
      revascularization. On the contrary in diabetic patients with deferred
      revascularization, FFR was not able to differentiate the risk of cardiovascular
      events.

PMID- 27281578
TI  - Rapid quantification of a cleavable antibody-conjugated drug by liquid
      chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with microwave-assisted enzymatic
      cleavage.
AB  - Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) play an increasingly important role for targeted
      cancer treatment. One class of ADCs has attracted particular interest in drug
      development. These ADCs employ a cleavable chemistry linkage for drugs and
      utilize the reduced interchain disulfide cysteine residues for conjugation. In
      this work, a novel bioanalytical method for the quantification of a cleavable
      antibody-conjugated drug in plasma was developed, qualified, and implemented.
      This novel method significantly improves throughput by combining a microwave
      assisted, enzymatic cleavage of conjugated drugs from ADCs with a 96-well based
      sample preparation procedure to immunocapture ADCs in plasma. The released drug
      is subsequently quantified using a LC/MS/MS method. Our results represent a high
      throughput, generic, and sensitive quantification method for antibody-conjugated
      microtubule inhibitors (such as MMAE) for preclinical PK/PD studies. The linear
      range of the standard curve for antibody conjugated drug (MMAE) was from 2.01 to
      2010ng/mL with an excellent linearity (r(2)>0.997). The intra-run precision was
      below 8.14% and accuracy was from -7.71% to -1.08%. No matrix effect or carryover
      was observed for this method. This method was successfully used to measure the
      level of conjugated drug in a preclinical PK/PD study in mice. 

PMID- 27281579
TI  - Quantification and handling of nonlinearity in Raman micro-spectrometry of
      pharmaceuticals.
AB  - This work demonstrates how nonlinearity in Raman spectrometry of pharmaceuticals
      can be handled and accurate quantification can be achieved by applying certain
      chemometric methods including variable selection. Such approach proved to be
      successful even if the component spectra are very similar or spectral intensities
      of the constituents are strongly different. The relevant examples are: blends of
      two crystalline forms of carvedilol ("CRYST-PM" blend) and a three-component
      pharmaceutical model system ("PHARM-TM" blend). The widely used classical least
      squares regression (CLS) and partial least squares regression (PLS)
      quantification methods provided relatively poor root mean squared error of
      prediction (RMSEP) values: approximately 2-4% and 4-10% for CRYST-PM and PHARM-TM
      respectively. The residual plots of these models indicated the nonlinearity of
      the preprocessed data sets. More accurate quantitative results could be achieved
      with properly applied variable selection methods. It was observed that variable
      selection methods discarded the most intensive bands while less intensive ones
      were retained as the most informative spectral ranges. As a result not only the
      accuracy of concentration determination was enhanced, but the linearity of models
      was improved as well. This indicated that nonlinearity occurred especially at the
      intensive spectral bands. Other methods developed for handling nonlinearity were
      also capable of adapting to the spectral nature of both data sets. The RMSEP
      could be decreased this way to 1% in CRYST-PM and 3-6% in PHARM-TM. Raman maps
      with accurate real concentrations could be prepared this way. All quantitative
      models were compared by the non-parametric sum of ranking differences (SRD)
      method, which also proved that models based on variable selection or nonlinear
      methods provide better quantification. 

PMID- 27281580
TI  - Development and full validation of an UPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of
      the plant-derived alkaloid indirubin in rat plasma.
AB  - An UPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of indirubin in lithium heparinized
      rat plasma was developed and validated according to current international
      guidelines. Indirubin was extracted from rat plasma by using Waters OstroTM pass
      through sample preparation plates. The method was validated with a LLOQ of
      5.00ng/mL and an ULOQ of 500ng/mL. The calibration curve was fitted by least
      square quadratic regression, and a weighting factor of 1/X was applied.
      Recoveries of indirubin and I.S. were consistent and >=75.5%. Stability studies
      demonstrated that indirubin was stable in lithium heparinized rat plasma for at
      least 3 freeze/thaw cycles, for 3h at RT, for 96h in the autosampler at 10
      degrees C, and for 84days when stored below -65 degrees C. Preliminary
      pharmacokinetic (PK) data were obtained from Sprague Dawley rats after
      intravenous administration of indirubin (2mg/kg b.w.) and blood sampling up to
      12h after injection. PK parameters were determined by non-compartmental analysis.
      Indirubin had a half-life (t1/2) of 35min, and a relatively high clearance (CL)
      of 2.71L/h/kg. 

PMID- 27281581
TI  - Isolation and characterization of related substances in alogliptin benzoate by LC
      QTOF mass spectrometric techniques.
AB  - A highly specific and efficient LC-QTOF mass spectrometric method was developed
      for the separation and characterization of process related substances and the
      major degradation products in alogliptin benzoate and its tablets. The separation
      was performed on Phenomenex Gemini-NX C18 column (250mm*4.6mm, 5MUm) using 0.2%
      formic acid-0.2% ammonium acetate in water as mobile phase A, acetonitrile and
      methanol (60:40, v/v) as mobile phase B in linear gradient elution mode. Forced
      degradation studies were also conducted under ICH prescribed stress conditions.
      Alogliptin benzoate and its tablets were tending to degrade under acid, alkaline,
      oxidative and thermal stresses, while relatively stable to photolytic stress. A
      total of seven related substances were detected and characterized through liquid
      chromatography-high resolution QTOF mass spectrometry techniques, including
      process related substances and degradation products, and two of them were further
      synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Based on the related
      substances elucidation and the plausible formation mechanisms, efficient
      approaches were proposed to reduce or eliminate related substances, and in
      consequence the quality of alogliptin benzoate and its tablets have been promoted
      obviously. Therefore, the impurity profiles obtained are critical to the quality
      control and manufacturing processes optimization and monitoring of alogliptin
      benzoate and its tablets. 

PMID- 27281582
TI  - Validation of UHPLC-MS/MS methods for the determination of kaempferol and its
      metabolite 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, and application to in vitro blood-brain
      barrier and intestinal drug permeability studies.
AB  - Sedative and anxiolytic-like properties of flavonoids such as kaempferol and
      quercetin, and of some of their intestinal metabolites, have been demonstrated in
      pharmacological studies. However, routes of administration were shown to be
      critical for observing in vivo activity. Therefore, the ability to cross
      intestinal and blood-brain barriers was assessed in cell-based models for
      kaempferol (KMF), and for the major intestinal metabolite of KMF, 4
      hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4-HPAA). Intestinal transport studies were performed
      with Caco-2 cells, and blood-brain barrier transport studies with an immortalized
      monoculture human model and a primary triple-co-culture rat model. UHPLC-MS/MS
      methods for KMF and 4-HPAA in Ringer-HEPES buffer and in Hank's balanced salt
      solution were validated according to industry guidelines. For all methods,
      calibration curves were fitted by least-squares quadratic regression with 1/X(2)
      as weighing factor, and mean coefficients of determination (R(2)) were >0.99.
      Data obtained with all barrier models showed high intestinal and blood-brain
      barrier permeation of KMF, and no permeability of 4-HPAA, when compared to
      barrier integrity markers. 

PMID- 27281583
TI  - Efficient Removal of Cationic and Anionic Radioactive Pollutants from Water Using
      Hydrotalcite-Based Getters.
AB  - Hydrotalcite (HT)-based materials are usually applied to capture anionic
      pollutants in aqueous solutions. Generally considered anion exchangers, their
      ability to capture radioactive cations is rarely exploited. In the present work,
      we explored the ability of pristine and calcined HT getters to effectively
      capture radioactive cations (Sr(2+) and Ba(2+)) which can be securely stabilized
      at the getter surface. It is found that calcined HT outperforms its pristine
      counterpart in cation removal ability. Meanwhile, a novel anion removal mechanism
      targeting radioactive I(-) is demonstrated. This approach involves HT surface
      modification with silver species, namely, Ag2CO3 nanoparticles, which can attach
      firmly on HT surface by forming coherent interface. This HT-based anion getter
      can be further used to capture I(-) in aqueous solution. The observed I(-) uptake
      mechanism is distinctly different from the widely reported ion exchange mechanism
      of HT and much more efficient. As a result of the high local concentrations of
      precipitants on the getters, radioactive ions in water can be readily immobilized
      onto the getter surface by forming precipitates. The secured ionic pollutants can
      be subsequently removed from water by filtration or sedimentation for safe
      disposal. Overall, these stable, inexpensive getters are the materials of choice
      for removal of trace ionic pollutants from bulk radioactive liquids, especially
      during episodic environmental crisis. 

PMID- 27281584
TI  - Indirect coculture of stem cells with fetal chondrons using PCL electrospun
      nanofiber scaffolds.
AB  - In vitro coculture system provides a powerful tool for tissue engineering. In
      this study, we evaluated the gene expressions of human adipose-derived stem cells
      (ASCs) on polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold in coculture model with fetal
      chondrons. Electrospun PCL scaffolds (900 nm fiber diameter) were created and
      human infrapatellar fat pad-adipose-derived stem cells (IPFP-ASCs) were seeded on
      these scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed attachment of human
      IPFP-ASCs to scaffold. IPFP-ASCs on scaffolds were cocultured with fetal
      chondrons in transwell. Gene expressions were investigated using real-time
      polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). In comparison with control group, the
      expression level of collagen type 2 and aggrecan were significantly decreased but
      Indian Hedgehog(IHH) significantly increased (P < 0.05).These findings may
      interpreted that IPFP-ASCs seeded on PCL scaffold, in cocultures with fetal
      chondrons are tending toward osteogenesis rather than chondrogenesis.

PMID- 27281585
TI  - Too many men die young.

PMID- 27281586
TI  - Providing a lifeline for nurses.

PMID- 27281588
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27281587
TI  - A collaborative approach to reduce healthcare-associated infections.
AB  - Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to be an ongoing issue for
      patients in acute hospital settings. Effectively preventing and controlling HAIs
      requires a collaborative approach compelling all healthcare staff to take up
      responsibilities and be involved. A surgical ward in an acute hospital aimed to
      implement comprehensive HAI prevention strategies by applying both Kotter's eight
      step change model and the practice development principles into its current
      system. The project motivated staff to be involved and engaged in the assessment,
      implementation and evaluation of the project processes, and take ownership of the
      practice change. It focused on ensuring a clean environment, improving hand
      hygiene compliance, increasing staff's knowledge base regarding HAIs and
      enhancing active surveillance. The project achieved success in the reduction and
      prevention of HAIs as well as the development of a sustainable workplace culture.

PMID- 27281589
TI  - The role the nurse in the management of norovirus: vigilance and prevention.

PMID- 27281590
TI  - Infection Prevention and Control Award. Runner up 2016.

PMID- 27281591
TI  - Dermatology Nurse of the Year. Runner up 2016.

PMID- 27281592
TI  - Emollients and ageing skin: optimising effectiveness and safety.

PMID- 27281593
TI  - Knowledge of palliative care and attitudes towards nursing the dying patient.
AB  - AIMS: This study examines the palliative care knowledge and attitudes towards
      caring for the dying patient of nurses working in care of older people settings
      in one rural region in Ireland. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design was used
      combining two questionnaires: the palliative care quiz for nurses (PCQN) and the
      thanatophobia scale (TS). RESULTS: A total of 61 nurses completed the
      questionnaire. There was a significant correlation found between level of
      knowledge and attitudes towards palliative care (p=0.007), highlighting that as
      participants' level of palliative care knowledge increased, attitudes become more
      positive. While palliative care training did not impact on the mean overall
      scores, there was a significant difference in the PCQN scores of those who had
      completed the European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care (ECEPC) compared
      with those who had attended information sessions within their unit. Furthermore,
      increasing years as a registered nurse improved palliative care knowledge and
      attitudes towards caring for the dying. CONCLUSION: Nurses who completed the
      ECEPC had better knowledge of palliative care when compared with nurses who had
      not undertaken the programme. This article also considers areas of focus for
      palliative care training.

PMID- 27281594
TI  - Point-of-care testing of activated clotting time in the ICU: is it relevant?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the past 50 years there have been significant advances in both
      the clinical techniques and equipment used in the intensive care environment. One
      traditionally used point-of-care test is activated clotting time (ACT), a
      coagulation test primarily used during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery to monitor
      the anticoagulation effects of heparin. The ACT test has since emerged into the
      intensive care environment to guide clinical assessment and management of
      haemostasis in postoperative cardiac patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this
      integrative systematic review was to critique the available research evaluating
      the effectiveness of ACT point-of-care testing in the intensive care unit for
      adult patients following cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery and any
      impacts this may have on nursing care. METHODS: A systematic search of Medline,
      CINAHL and PubMed was undertaken. RESULTS: The search identified five research
      papers reporting on the use of ACT point-of-care testing in the intensive care
      unit for adult cardiac surgical patients. Meta-analysis was not performed due to
      the lack of homogeneity between the papers included. CONCLUSIONS: There was a
      lack of clear evidence for the use of the ACT point-of-care test after cardiac
      surgery in the intensive care environment. This review has highlighted that
      conventional laboratory tests are generally more accurate and reliable than this
      point-of-care test in guiding nursing care management.

PMID- 27281596
TI  - Experiences of nurse handover.

PMID- 27281595
TI  - The first national clinical audit for rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - The first national audit for rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis has
      benchmarked care for the first 3 months of follow-up activity from first
      presentation to a rheumatology service. Access to care, management of early
      rheumatoid arthritis and support for self care were measured against National
      Institute for Health and Care Excellence quality standards; impact of early
      arthritis and experience of care were measured using patient-reported outcome and
      experience measures. The results demonstrate delays in referral and accessing
      specialist care and the need for service improvement in treating to target,
      suppression of high levels of disease activity and support for self-care.
      Improvements in patient-reported outcomes within 3 months and high levels of
      overall satisfaction were reported but these results were affected by low
      response rates. This article presents a summary of the national data from the
      audit and discusses the implications for nursing practice. 

PMID- 27281597
TI  - A US perspective on bullying in nursing.

PMID- 27281598
TI  - Scrubbing up: my first experience as a student nurse in the operating theatre.

PMID- 27281599
TI  - Handwriting and a nurse's duty of care.

PMID- 27281600
TI  - Is the sexual health of children and young people adequately protected?

PMID- 27281601
TI  - The urgent need to improve patient complaint handling in the NHS.

PMID- 27281602
TI  - From staff nurse to nurse consultant. Clinical leadership part 3: developing your
      leadership style.

PMID- 27281603
TI  - Doing more to protect whistleblowers.

PMID- 27281604
TI  - Determination of Nanogram Microparticles from Explosives after Real Open-Air
      Explosions by Confocal Raman Microscopy.
AB  - Explosives are increasingly being used for terrorist attacks to cause devastating
      explosions. The detection of their postblast residues after an explosion is a
      high challenge, which has been barely investigated, particularly using
      spectroscopic techniques. In this research, a novel methodology using confocal
      Raman microscopy has been developed for the analysis of postblast residues from
      10 open-air explosions caused by 10 different explosives (TNT, RDX, PETN, TATP,
      HMTD, dynamite, black powder, ANFO, chloratite, and ammonal) commonly used in
      improvised explosive devices. The methodology for the determination of postblast
      particles from explosives consisted of examining the samples surfaces with both
      the naked eye, first, and microscopically (10* and 50*), immediately afterward;
      and finally, analyzing the selected residues by confocal Raman spectroscopy in
      order to identify the postblast particles from explosives. Interestingly,
      confocal Raman microscopy has demonstrated to be highly suitable to rapidly,
      selectively, and noninvasively analyze postblast microscopic particles from
      explosives up to the nanogram range.

PMID- 27281605
TI  - An Electronic Cigarette Vaping Machine for the Characterization of Aerosol
      Delivery and Composition.
AB  - Introduction: Characterization of aerosols generated by electronic cigarettes (e
      cigarettes) is one method used to evaluate the safety of e-cigarettes. While some
      researchers have modified smoking machines for e-cigarette aerosol generation,
      these machines are either not readily available, not automated for e-cigarette
      testing or have not been adequately described. The objective of this study was to
      build an e-cigarette vaping machine that can be used to test, under standard
      conditions, e-liquid aerosolization and nicotine and toxicant delivery. Methods:
      The vaping machine was assembled from commercially available parts, including a
      puff controller, vacuum pump, power supply, switch to control current flow to the
      atomizer, three-way value to direct air flow to the atomizer, and three gas
      dispersion tubes for aerosol trapping. To validate and illustrate its use, the
      variation in aerosol generation was assessed within and between KangerTech Mini
      ProTank 3 clearomizers, and the effect of voltage on aerosolization and toxic
      aldehyde generation were assessed. Results: When using one ProTank 3 clearomizer
      and different e-liquid flavors, the coefficient of variation (CV) of aerosol
      generated ranged between 11.5% and 19.3%. The variation in aerosol generated
      between ProTank 3 clearomizers with different e-liquid flavors and voltage
      settings ranged between 8.3% and 16.3% CV. Aerosol generation increased linearly
      at 3-6V across e-liquids and clearomizer brands. Acetaldehyde, acrolein, and
      formaldehyde generation increased markedly at voltages at or above 5V.
      Conclusion: The vaping machine that we describe reproducibly aerosolizes e
      liquids from e-cigarette atomizers under controlled conditions and is useful for
      testing of nicotine and toxicant delivery. Implications: This study describes an
      electronic cigarette vaping machine that was assembled from commercially
      available parts. The vaping machine can be replicated by researchers and used
      under standard conditions to generate e-cigarette aerosols and characterize
      nicotine and toxicant delivery.

PMID- 27281606
TI  - Impact of Total Vending Machine Restrictions on US Young Adult Smoking.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In an analysis of smoking using a longitudinal sample of US young
      adults, we extend research on tobacco vending machine restrictions beyond its
      prior focus on minors by examining the influence of total vending machine
      restrictions, which apply to adult-only facilities and represents the only
      remaining vending machine exemption since the enactment of the Family Smoking
      Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. We identify whether the passage of a
      restriction influences an individual's smoking on repeated observations, and if
      the propensity is lower among those who live in locations with a restriction.
      METHODS: Combining a repository of US tobacco policies at all geographic levels
      with the nationally-representative geocoded National Longitudinal Survey of Youth
      1997 and Census data, we use multilevel logistic regression to examine the impact
      of total vending machine restrictions on any past 30-day smoking and past 30-day
      smoking of one pack per day among young adults (ages 19-31), while accounting for
      other tobacco control policy, community, and individual covariates. RESULTS: We
      find that total vending machine restrictions decrease any recent smoking (OR =
      0.451; p < .01), net of other covariates. Though the passage of a restriction
      does not alter an individual's smoking over time, living longer in an area that
      has a restriction lowers the propensity that an individual will smoke at all (OR
      = 0.442; p < .05). We find no effect of total vending machine restrictions on
      smoking a pack daily. CONCLUSIONS: Total vending machine restrictions appear to
      be an effective, yet highly underutilized, means of tobacco control.
      IMPLICATIONS: Past scientific inquiries examining vending machine restrictions
      have focused upon minor access, adolescent perceptions of availability, and
      subsequent smoking. The potential for total vending machine restrictions, which
      extend to adult-only facilities, to influence patterns of smoking among those of
      legal age, remains significant. Those who are subject to total vending machine
      restrictions for longer periods are less likely to have recently smoked, but
      individuals do not change their smoking behavior in response to the passage of a
      restriction. These restrictions do not affect heavy smokers. Such policies are an
      effective but underutilized policy mechanism to prevent smoking among young
      adults.

PMID- 27281607
TI  - 3D Bioprinting of Developmentally Inspired Templates for Whole Bone Organ
      Engineering.
AB  - The ability to print defined patterns of cells and extracellular-matrix
      components in three dimensions has enabled the engineering of simple biological
      tissues; however, bioprinting functional solid organs is beyond the capabilities
      of current biofabrication technologies. An alternative approach would be to
      bioprint the developmental precursor to an adult organ, using this engineered
      rudiment as a template for subsequent organogenesis in vivo. This study
      demonstrates that developmentally inspired hypertrophic cartilage templates can
      be engineered in vitro using stem cells within a supporting gamma-irradiated
      alginate bioink incorporating Arg-Gly-Asp adhesion peptides. Furthermore, these
      soft tissue templates can be reinforced with a network of printed
      polycaprolactone fibers, resulting in a ~350 fold increase in construct
      compressive modulus providing the necessary stiffness to implant such immature
      cartilaginous rudiments into load bearing locations. As a proof-of-principal,
      multiple-tool biofabrication is used to engineer a mechanically reinforced
      cartilaginous template mimicking the geometry of a vertebral body, which in vivo
      supported the development of a vascularized bone organ containing trabecular-like
      endochondral bone with a supporting marrow structure. Such developmental
      engineering approaches could be applied to the biofabrication of other solid
      organs by bioprinting precursors that have the capacity to mature into their
      adult counterparts over time in vivo.

PMID- 27281608
TI  - LTBP2 is a prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta binding protein 2 (LTBP2) belongs to
      the fibrillin/LTBP extracellular matrix glycoprotein superfamily. It plays vital
      roles in tumorigenesis through regulating TGFbeta activity, elastogenesis and
      maintenance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure. In this study, we
      determined the expression levels of LTBP2 mRNA and protein in head and neck
      squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissues and adjacent normal tissues by
      quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and tissue microarray
      immunohistochemistry analysis (TMA-IHC) respectively. LTBP2 protein levels in
      cancer tissues were correlated with HNSCC patients' clinical characteristics and
      overall survival. Both LTBP2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in
      HNSCC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. High LTBP2 protein level was
      associated with lymph node metastasis and higher pTNM stages. High LTBP2 protein
      level is an independent prognostic marker in HNSCC. Our data suggest that LTBP2
      acts as an oncogene in HNSCC development and progression. Detection of LTBP2
      expression could be a useful prognosis marker and targeting LTBP2 may represent a
      novel strategy for cancer treatment through regulating activities of TGFbeta.

PMID- 27281609
TI  - Wnt-beta-catenin pathway signals metastasis-associated tumor cell phenotypes in
      triple negative breast cancers.
AB  - Tumor cells acquire metastasis-associated (MA) phenotypes following genetic
      alterations in them which cause deregulation of different signaling pathways.
      Earlier, we reported that an upregulation of the Wnt-beta-catenin pathway (WP) is
      one of the genetic salient features of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and
      WP signaling is associated with metastasis in TNBC. Using cBioPortal, here we
      found that collective % of alteration(s) in WP genes, CTNNB1, APC and DVL1 among
      breast-invasive-carcinomas was 21% as compared to 56% in PAM50 Basal. To
      understand the functional relevance of WP in the biology of
      heterogeneous/metastasizing TNBC cells, we undertook this comprehensive study
      using 15 cell lines in which we examined the role of WP in the context of
      integrin-dependent MA-phenotypes. Directional movement of tumor cells was
      observed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and quantitative confocal
      video-microscopy while matrigel-invasion was studied by MMP7-specific casein
      zymography. WntC59, XAV939, sulindac sulfide and beta-catenin siRNA (1) inhibited
      fibronectin-directed migration, (2) decreased podia-parameters and motility
      descriptors, (3) altered filamentous-actin, (4) decreased matrigel-invasion and
      (5) inhibited cell proliferation as well as 3D clonogenic growth. Sulindac
      sulfide and beta-catenin siRNA decreased beta-catenin/active-beta-catenin and
      MMP7. LWnt3ACM-stimulated proliferation, clonogenicity, fibronectin-directed
      migration and matrigel-invasion were perturbed by WP-modulators, sulindac sulfide
      and GDC-0941. We studied a direct involvement of WP in metastasis by stimulating
      brain-metastasis-specific MDA-MB231BR cells to demonstrate that LWnt3ACM
      stimulated proliferation, clonogenicity and migration were blocked following
      sulindac sulfide, GDC-0941 and beta-catenin knockdown. We present the first
      evidence showing a direct functional relationship between WP activation and
      integrin-dependent MA-phenotypes. By proving the functional relationship between
      WP activation and MA-phenotypes, our data mechanistically explains (1) why
      different components of WP are upregulated in TNBC, (2) how WP activation is
      associated with metastasis and (3) how integrin-dependent MA-phenotypes can be
      regulated by mitigating the WP.

PMID- 27281610
TI  - Epigenetic modifications promote the expression of the orphan nuclear receptor
      NR0B1 in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.
AB  - The ectopic activation of NR0B1 is involved in the development of some cancers.
      However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling NR0B1 expression are not well
      understood. Therefore, the epigenetic modifications promoting NR0B1 activation
      were examined in this study. NR0B1 protein was detected in cancerous tissues of
      more than 50% of human lung adenocarcinoma (ADCA) cases and tended to be
      expressed in low-differentiated cancerous tissues obtained from males.
      Nevertheless, NR0B1 activation in ADCA has not previously been correlated with
      DNA demethylation. NR0B1 expression was not detected in 293T cells, although it
      contains a hypomethylated NR0B1 promoter. Treating 293T cells with a histone
      deacetylase inhibitor increased acetylated histone H4 binding to the NR0B1
      promoter and activated NR0B1 expression. In contrast, treatment with histone
      methylase inhibitors decreased the methylation of histones H3K9 and H3K27 and
      slightly induced NR0B1 transcription. Furthermore, the level of acetyl-histone H4
      binding to the NR0B1 promoter increased, whereas the occupancy of H3K27me3 was
      lower in cancerous tissues than in non-cancerous tissues. Similar histone
      occupancies were confirmed in a comparison of cancerous tissues with strong,
      moderate and negative NR0B1 expression. In conclusion, this study shows that CpG
      methylation within the NR0B1 promoter is not involved in the in vivo regulation
      of NR0B1 expression, whereas the hyperacetylation of histone H4 and the
      unmethylation of histones H3K9 and H3K27, and their binding to the NR0B1 promoter
      results in decondensed euchromatin for NR0B1 activation.

PMID- 27281611
TI  - Radiosensitization of HNSCC cells by EGFR inhibition depends on the induction of
      cell cycle arrests.
AB  - The increase in cellular radiosensitivity by EGF receptor (EGFR) inhibition has
      been shown to be attributable to the induction of a G1-arrest in p53-proficient
      cells. Because EGFR targeting in combination with radiotherapy is used to treat
      head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) which are predominantly p53
      mutated, we tested the effects of EGFR targeting on cellular radiosensitivity,
      proliferation, apoptosis, DNA repair and cell cycle control using a large panel
      of HNSCC cell lines. In these experiments EGFR targeting inhibited signal
      transduction, blocked proliferation and induced radiosensitization but only in
      some cell lines and only under normal (pre-plating) conditions. This
      sensitization was not associated with impaired DNA repair (53BP1 foci) or
      induction of apoptosis. However, it was associated with the induction of a
      lasting G2-arrest. Both, the radiosensitization and the G2-arrest were abrogated
      if the cells were re-stimulated (delayed plating) with actually no
      radiosensitization being detectable in any of the 14 tested cell lines. Therefore
      we conclude that EGFR targeting can induce a reversible G2 arrest in p53
      deficient HNSCC cells, which does not consequently result in a robust cellular
      radiosensitization. Together with recent animal and clinical studies our data
      indicate that EGFR inhibition is no effective strategy to increase the
      radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells.

PMID- 27281612
TI  - Phosphorylation of Notch1 by Pim kinases promotes oncogenic signaling in breast
      and prostate cancer cells.
AB  - Tumorigenesis is a multistep process involving co-operation between several
      deregulated oncoproteins. In this study, we unravel previously unrecognized
      interactions and crosstalk between Pim kinases and the Notch signaling pathway,
      with implications for both breast and prostate cancer. We identify Notch1 and
      Notch3, but not Notch2, as novel Pim substrates and demonstrate that for Notch1,
      the serine residue 2152 is phosphorylated by all three Pim family kinases. This
      target site is located in the second nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of the
      Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD), and is shown to be important for both
      nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of N1ICD. Phosphorylation
      dependent stimulation of Notch1 signaling promotes migration of prostate cancer
      cells, balances glucose metabolism in breast cancer cells, and supports in vivo
      growth of both types of cancer cells on chick embryo chorioallantoic membranes.
      Furthermore, Pim-induced growth of orthotopic prostate xenografts in mice is
      associated with enhanced nuclear Notch1 activity. Finally, simultaneous
      inhibition of Pim and Notch abrogates the cellular responses more efficiently
      than individual treatments, opening up new vistas for combinatorial cancer
      therapy.

PMID- 27281613
TI  - Human HLA-A*02:01/CHM1+ allo-restricted T cell receptor transgenic CD8+ T cells
      specifically inhibit Ewing sarcoma growth in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - The endochondral bone protein Chondromodulin-I (CHM1) provides oncogene addiction
      in Ewing sarcoma (ES). We pre-clinically tested the targetability of CHM1 by TCR
      transgenic, allo-restricted, peptide specific T cells to treat ES. We previously
      generated allo-restricted wildtype CD8+ T cells directed against the ES specific
      antigen CHM1319 causing specific responses against ES. However, utilization of
      these cells in current therapy protocols is hampered due to high complexity in
      production, relatively low cell numbers, and rapid T cell exhaustion.In order to
      provide off-the-shelf products in the future, we successfully generated HLA
      A*02:01-restricted T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic T cells directed against
      CHM1319 by retroviral transduction.After short-term expansion a 100% purified
      CHM1319-TCR-transgenic T cell population expressed a CD62L+/CD45RO and
      CD62L+/CD45RA+ phenotype. These cells displayed specific in vitro IFNg and
      granzyme B release in co-culture with HLA-A*02:01+ ES cell lines expressing CHM1.
      When co-injected with ES cells in Rag2-/-ELc-/- mice, CHM1-specific TCR
      transgenic T cells significantly inhibited the formation of lung and liver
      metastases in contrast to control mice. Lungs and livers of representative mice
      displayed CD8+ T cell infiltration in the presence (control group treated with
      unspecific T cells) and in the absence (study group) of metastatic disease,
      respectively. Furthermore, mice receiving unspecific T cells showed signs of
      graft-versus-host-disease in contrast to all mice, receiving CHM1319-TCR
      transgenic T cells.CHM1319 specific TCR-transgenic T cells were successfully
      generated causing anti-ES responses in vitro and in vivo. In the future, CHM1319
      TCR-transgenic T cells may control minimal residual disease rendering donor
      lymphocyte infusions more efficacious and less toxic.

PMID- 27281614
TI  - A novel anticancer agent SNG1153 inhibits growth of lung cancer stem/progenitor
      cells.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women.
      Lung cancer contains a small population of cancer cells with stem-like features
      known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are often more resistant to current
      therapeutic treatments. Thus, it is urgent to develop a novel agent that is able
      to inhibit CSCs growth. In this study, we examined the ability of SNG1153, a
      novel chemical agent to inhibit the growth of lung CSCs. We found that SNG1153
      inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in established lung cancer cells. We also
      found that SNG1153 inhibited the tumorsphere formation and decreased CD133
      positive (lung CSC marker) cancer cells. SNG1153 was able to attenuate tumor
      formation in NOD/SCID (non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient) mice
      injected with lung tumorsphere cells. We further demonstrated that SNG1153
      induced beta-catenin phosphorylation and down-regulated beta-catenin. Our results
      thus demonstrate that SNG1153 effectively inhibits the growth of lung CSCs and
      suggest that SNG1153 may be a novel therapeutic agent to treat human lung cancer.

PMID- 27281615
TI  - MicroRNA-181a suppresses parkin-mediated mitophagy and sensitizes neuroblastoma
      cells to mitochondrial uncoupler-induced apoptosis.
AB  - Damage to mitochondria often results in the activation of both mitophagy and
      mitochondrial apoptosis. The elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria is
      necessary for mitochondrial quality maintenance and efficient energy supply. Here
      we report that miR-181a is a novel inhibitor of mitophagy. miR-181a is
      downregulated by mitochondrial uncouplers in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.
      Overexpression of miR-181a inhibits mitochondrial uncoupling agents-induced
      mitophagy by inhibiting the degradation of mitochondrial proteins without
      affecting global autophagy. Knock down of endogenous miR-181a accelerates the
      autophagic degradation of damaged mitochondria. miR-181a directly targets Parkin
      E3 ubiquitin ligase and partially blocks the colocalization of mitochondria and
      autophagosomes/lysosomes. Re-expression of exogenous Parkin restores the
      inhibitory effect of miR-181a on mitophagy. Furthermore, miR-181a increases the
      sensitivity of neuroblastoma cells to mitochondrial uncoupler-induced apoptosis,
      whereas miR-181a antagomir prevents cell death. Because mitophagy defects are
      associated with a variety of human disorders, these findings indicate an
      important link between microRNA and Parkin-mediated mitophagy and highlights a
      potential therapeutic strategy for human diseases.

PMID- 27281616
TI  - CHES-1-like, the ortholog of a non-obstructive azoospermia-associated gene,
      blocks germline stem cell differentiation by upregulating Dpp expression in
      Drosophila testis.
AB  - Azoospermia is a high risk factor for testicular germ cell tumors, whose
      underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In a genome-wide association
      study to identify novel loci associated with human non-obstructive azoospermia
      (NOA), we uncovered a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1887102, P=2.60 *10-7) in
      a human gene FOXN3. FOXN3 is an evolutionarily conserved gene. We used Drosophila
      melanogaster as a model system to test whether CHES-1-like, the Drosophila FOXN3
      ortholog, is required for male fertility. CHES-1-like knockout flies are viable
      and fertile, and show no defects in spermatogenesis. However, ectopic expression
      of CHES-1-like in germ cells significantly reduced male fertility. With CHES-1
      like overexpression, spermatogonia fail to differentiate after four rounds of
      mitotic division, but continue to divide to form tumor like structures. In these
      testes, expression levels of differentiation factor, Bam, were reduced, but the
      expression region of Bam was expanded. Further reduced Bam expression in CHES-1
      like expressing testes exhibited enhanced tumor-like structure formation. The
      expression of daughters against dpp (dad), a downstream gene of dpp signaling,
      was upregulated by CHES-1-like expression in testes. We found that CHES-1-like
      could directly bind to the dpp promoter. We propose a model that CHES-1-like
      overexpression in germ cells activates dpp expression, inhibits spermatocyte
      differentiation, and finally leads to germ cell tumors.

PMID- 27281617
TI  - Prevention of pancreatic cancer in a hamster model by cAMP decrease.
AB  - Smoking and alcoholism are risk factors for the development of pancreatitis
      associated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We have previously shown that
      these cancers overexpressed stress neurotransmitters and cyclic adenosine
      monophosphate (cAMP) while the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric
      acid (GABA) was suppressed. Using a hamster model, the current study has tested
      the hypothesis that cAMP decrease by GABA supplementation in the drinking water
      prevents the development of pancreatitis-associated PDAC. Our data reveal strong
      preventive effects of GABA supplementation on the development of PDAC and
      pancreatic intraductal neoplasia (PanIN). ELISA assays and immunohistochemistry
      revealed significant decreases in the levels of cAMP and interleukin 6
      accompanied by reductions in the expression of several cancer stem cell markers
      and phosphorylated signaling proteins, which stimulate cell proliferation, and
      migration in pancreatic exocrine cells of GABA treated animals. We conclude that
      cAMP decrease by GABA supplementation inhibits multiple cancer stimulating
      pathways in cancer stem cells, differentiated cancer cells and the immune system,
      identifying this approach as promising novel tool for the prevention of PDAC in
      individuals with a history of smoking and alcoholism.

PMID- 27281622
TI  - The Permanent.

PMID- 27281618
TI  - Immunoproteomic identification of MbovP579, a promising diagnostic biomarker for
      serological detection of Mycoplasma bovis infection.
AB  - A lack of knowledge regarding the antigenic properties of Mycoplasma bovis
      proteins prevents the effective control of bovine infections using immunological
      approaches. In this study, we detected and characterized a specific and sensitive
      M. bovis diagnostic biomarker. After M. bovis total proteins and membrane
      fractions were separated with two dimensional gel electrophoresis, proteins
      reacting with antiserawere detected using MALDI-TOF MS. Thirty-nine proteins were
      identified, 32 of which were previously unreported. Among them, immunoinformatics
      predicted eight antigens, encoded by Mbov_0106, 0116, 0126, 0212, 0275, 0579,
      0739, and 0789, to have high immunological value. These genes were expressed in
      E. coli after mutagenesis of UGA to UGG using overlap extension PCR. A
      lipoprotein, MbovP579, encoded by a functionally unknown gene, was a sensitive
      and specific antigen for detection of antibodies in sera from both M. bovis
      infected and vaccinated cattle. The specificity of MbovP579 was confirmed by its
      lack of cross-reactivity with other mycoplasmas, including Mycoplasma agalactiae.
      An iELISA based on rMbovP579 detected seroconversion 7 days post-infection (dpi).
      The ELISA had sensitivity of 90.2% (95% CI: 83.7%, 94.3%) and a specificity of
      97.8% (95% CI: 88.7%, 99.6%) with clinical samples. Additional comparative
      studies showed that both diagnostic and analytic sensitivities of the ELISA were
      higher than those of a commercially available kit (p<0.01). We have thus detected
      and characterized the novel antigen, MbovP579, and established an rMbovP579-based
      ELISA as a highly sensitive and specific method for the early diagnosis of M.
      bovis infection.

PMID- 27281623
TI  - Multiple Causes of Cardiotoxic Effects in Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

PMID- 27281619
TI  - MiR-422a promotes loco-regional recurrence by targeting NT5E/CD73 in head and
      neck squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - At the time of diagnosis, 60% of patients with head and neck squamous cell
      carcinoma (HNSCC) present tumors in an advanced stage (III-IV) of disease and 80%
      will relapse within the first two years post-treatment, due to their frequent
      radio(chemo)resistance. To identify new molecular targets and companion
      biomarkers, we have investigated the miRNome of 75 stage III-IV oropharynx tumors
      without relapse (R) or with loco-regional relapse (non-responder, NR) within two
      years post-treatment. Interestingly, miR-422a was significantly downregulated in
      NR tumors, in agreement with the increase in cell proliferation and adhesion
      induced by miR-422a inhibition in vitro. Furthermore, we identified CD73/NT5E
      oncogene as target of miR-422a. Indeed, modulation of the endogenous level of miR
      422a inversely influences the expression and the enzymatic activity of CD73.
      Moreover, knocking down CD73 mimics the effects of miR-422a upregulation.
      Importantly, in tumors, miR-422a and CD73 expression levels are inversely
      correlated, and both are predictive of relapse free survival - especially
      considering loco(regional) recurrence - in vitro two independent cohorts of
      advanced oropharynx or HNSCC (N=255) tumors. In all, we reported, for the first
      time, that MiR-422a and its target CD73 are involved in early loco(regional)
      recurrence of HNSCC tumors and are new targets for personalized medicine.

PMID- 27281624
TI  - Women at a Disadvantage in Fluorouracil Treatment.

PMID- 27281625
TI  - Multiple Causes of Cardiotoxic Effects in Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
      Reply.

PMID- 27281626
TI  - Women at a Disadvantage in Fluorouracil Treatment-Reply.

PMID- 27281627
TI  - Cachexia in Radiotherapy-Treated Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Phenomenon
      That Should Be Investigated.

PMID- 27281628
TI  - Cachexia in Radiotherapy-Treated Patients With Head and Neck Cancer-Reply.

PMID- 27281629
TI  - Against "Healthy Paternalism" at the End of Life.

PMID- 27281630
TI  - Against "Healthy Paternalism" at the End of Life-Reply.

PMID- 27281631
TI  - Notes from the Field: Intoxication and Deaths Associated with Ingestion of a
      Racing Fuel and Carbonated Soft Drink Mixture - Tennessee, January 2016.
AB  - In January 2016, the Tennessee Poison Center and Tennessee Department of Health
      learned of the deaths of two adolescents, and the nonfatal intoxication of two
      other adolescents, after ingestion of a mixture of racing fuel (approximately
      100% methanol) and a carbonated soft drink. The Tennessee Department of Health
      reviewed medical records and police reports to learn more about the racing fuel
      source, assess ongoing risk, and guide prevention efforts. These are the first
      reported deaths in the United States associated with ingestion of this racing
      fuel mixture. 

PMID- 27281632
TI  - Inhibitory effect of cyanide on wastewater nitrification determined using SOUR
      and RNA-based gene-specific assays.
AB  - The effect of cyanide (CN(-) ) on nitrification was examined with samples from
      nitrifying bacterial enrichments using two different approaches: by measuring
      substrate (ammonia) specific oxygen uptake rates (SOUR), and by using RT-qPCR to
      quantify the transcripts of functional genes involved in nitrification. The
      nitrifying bioreactor was operated as a continuous reactor with a 24 h hydraulic
      retention time. The samples were exposed in batch vessels to cyanide for a period
      of 12 h. The concentrations of CN(-) used in the batch assays were 0.03, 0.06,
      0.1 and 1.0 mg l(-1) . There was considerable decrease in SOUR with increasing
      dosages of CN(-) . A decrease of more than 50% in nitrification activity was
      observed at 0.1 mg l(-1) CN(-) . Based on the RT-qPCR data, there was notable
      reduction in the transcript levels of amoA and hao for increasing CN(-) dosage,
      which corresponded well with the ammonia oxidation activity measured via SOUR.
      The inhibitory effect of cyanide may be attributed to the affinity of cyanide to
      bind ferric haeme proteins, which disrupt protein structure and function. The
      correspondence between the relative expression of functional genes and SOUR shown
      in this study demonstrates the efficacy of RNA-based function-specific assays for
      better understanding of the effect of toxic compounds on nitrification activity
      in wastewater. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The effect of cyanide on
      nitrifying bacteria was characterized by measuring physiological and
      transcriptional response. Cyanide was inhibitory to nitrification at
      concentrations that may be found in industrial waste. The RNA-based function
      specific assays represent a mechanistic approach for better understanding the
      effect of toxic compounds on nitrification activity in wastewater. Moreover, the
      relative abundance of RNA transcripts can be used to closely track in situ
      nitrifying bacterial activity which can be used to predict inhibition events,
      thereby providing a metric to potentially improve performance of wastewater
      nitrifying systems.

PMID- 27281633
TI  - A portion of plant airborne communication is endorsed by uptake and metabolism of
      volatile organic compounds.
AB  - Plants have the ability to sense volatile organic compounds (VOCs) so as to
      efficiently adapt to their environment. The mechanisms underlying such plant
      'olfactory' systems are largely unknown. Here I would like to propose that the
      metabolism of VOCs in plant tissues is one of the mechanisms by which plants
      sense VOCs. During the gas-exchange that is essential for photosynthesis, VOCs in
      the atmosphere are taken into the intercellular spaces of leaves. Each VOC is
      partitioned between the gas phase (intercellular space) and liquid phase (cell
      wall) at a certain ratio determined by Henry's law. The VOCs in the cell wall
      diffuse through the plasma membrane to the cytosol depending on their oil/water
      partition coefficients. Plants detoxify some VOCs, especially those that are
      oxidized, through glycosylation, glutathionylation, and reduction. These
      metabolic processes lower the concentration of VOCs in the cytosol, which
      facilitates further cytosolic uptake. As a result, vigorous metabolism of VOCs in
      the cytosol can lead to a substantial accumulation of VOC metabolites and the
      depletion of glutathione or NADPH. One such metabolite (a VOC glycoside) is known
      to mount a direct defense against herbivores, whilst deprivation of glutathione
      and NADPH can fortify plants with responses similar to the oxidative stress
      response.

PMID- 27281637
TI  - Workplace Exposures and Cognitive Function During Adulthood: Evidence From
      National Survey of Midlife Development and the O*NET.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Expand understanding of the role of selected workplace exposures (ie,
      occupational complexity, conflict in the workplace, pace of work, and physical
      hazards) in adults' cognitive function. METHODS: Cross-sectional data (n = 1991)
      from the second wave of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study;
      restricted to participants who completed telephone-based cognitive assessments of
      episodic memory, executive functioning, and self-perceived memory. Occupational
      exposure data were harvested from the ONET Release 6.0. RESULTS: Greater
      complexity was associated with better self-perceived memory among women and men,
      and better episodic memory and executive functioning among women. Greater
      physical hazards were independently associated with poorer episodic memory and
      executive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Objective assessments of physical and
      psychosocial exposures in the workplace are independently associated with
      cognitive outcomes in adulthood, with psychosocial exposures being particularly
      pronounced among women.

PMID- 27281638
TI  - Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness and Return-on-Investment of a Mindfulness-Based
      Worksite Intervention: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to conduct a cost-effectiveness and return
      on-investment analysis comparing a mindfulness-based worksite intervention to
      usual practice. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-seven governmental research institute
      employees were randomized to the intervention or control group. Intervention
      group participants received an eight-week mindfulness training, e-coaching, and
      supporting elements. Outcomes included work engagement, general vitality, job
      satisfaction, work ability, and costs. Cost-effectiveness analyses were conducted
      from the societal and employer's perspective, and a return-on-investment analysis
      from the employer's perspective. RESULTS: After 12 months, a significant but not
      clinically relevant adverse effect on work engagement was found (-0.19; 95%
      confidence interval: -0.38 to -0.01). There were no significant differences in
      job satisfaction, general vitality, work ability, and total costs. Probabilities
      of cost-effectiveness were low (<=0.25) and the intervention did not have a
      positive financial return to the employer. CONCLUSION: The intervention was
      neither cost-saving nor cost-effective. Poor e-coaching compliance might partly
      explain this result.

PMID- 27281639
TI  - Workplace Accommodations for Pregnant Employees: Associations With Women's Access
      to Health Insurance Coverage After Childbirth.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the associations between workplace accommodations
      for pregnancy, including paid and unpaid maternity leave, and changes in women's
      health insurance coverage postpartum. METHODS: Secondary analysis using Listening
      to Mothers III, a national survey of women ages 18 to 45 years who gave birth in
      U.S. hospitals during 2011 to 2012 (N = 700). RESULTS: Compared with women
      without access to paid maternity leave, women with access to paid leave were 0.4
      times as likely to lose private health insurance coverage, 0.3 times as likely to
      lose public health coverage, and 0.3 times as likely to become uninsured after
      giving birth. CONCLUSION: Workplace accommodations for pregnant employees are
      associated with health insurance coverage via work continuity postpartum.
      Expanding protections for employees during pregnancy and after childbirth may
      help reduce employee turnover, loss of health insurance coverage, and
      discontinuity of care.

PMID- 27281640
TI  - What Factors Are Associated With Occupational Health Office Staffing, Job Stress,
      and Job Satisfaction?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study sought to identify factors associated with occupational
      health staffing in health care settings, provide benchmarking data, and
      investigate relationships between staffing and worker stress and satisfaction.
      METHODS: Members of the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in
      Healthcare were sent an online survey. Data on facility served, staffing, job
      attitudes, and work stress were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Number and types
      of personnel served were the largest predictors of staffing, accounting for 38
      and 41% of the variability seen, respectively. Number of personnel served was
      related to worker stress and lack of work/life balance. CONCLUSION: Offices that
      required a provider presence had roughly one provider, seven nurses, and three
      clerical staff per 8000 personnel served. Occupational health workers are
      generally highly satisfied, and staffing has little relation to sources of job
      stress and satisfaction.

PMID- 27281641
TI  - A Validation Method to Determine Missing Years of Birth in a Cohort Study of
      Shipyard Workers Using Social Security Number.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to evaluate the generalizability and
      feasibility of a prediction method developed by Block et al (1983) to estimate
      missing age of workers by using their Social Security Numbers (SSNs). METHODS:
      Our study used a retrospective occupational cohort of about 15,000 workers from
      the Long Beach Naval Shipyard (1978 to 1985). RESULTS: Our results showed an
      89.2% agreement (P < 0.0001) between the predicted and observed years of birth
      using Block's method. The correlation increased to 93.1% (P < 0.0001) after our
      modifications by removing workers with SSNs issued in U.S. territories. The
      method performed better in shipyard workers who obtained their SSNs after 1950.
      CONCLUSION: Although the method is useful in imputing missing age, the accuracy
      is dependent on the year, age, and location of SSN issuance.

PMID- 27281642
TI  - Then and Now Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome.

PMID- 27281646
TI  - Error in Figure Key.

PMID- 27281645
TI  - Impact of a Comprehensive Workplace Hand Hygiene Program on Employer Health Care
      Insurance Claims and Costs, Absenteeism, and Employee Perceptions and Practices.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a multimodal
      hand hygiene intervention program in reducing health care insurance claims for
      hygiene preventable infections (eg, cold and influenza), absenteeism, and
      subjective impact on employees. METHODS: A 13.5-month prospective, randomized
      cluster controlled trial was executed with alcohol-based hand sanitizer in
      strategic workplace locations and personal use (intervention group) and brief
      hand hygiene education (both groups). Four years of retrospective data were
      collected for all participants. RESULTS: Hygiene-preventable health care claims
      were significantly reduced in the intervention group by over 20% (P < 0.05).
      Absenteeism was positively impacted overall for the intervention group. Employee
      survey data showed significant improvements in hand hygiene behavior and
      perception of company concern for employee well-being. CONCLUSION: Providing a
      comprehensive, targeted, yet simple to execute hand hygiene program significantly
      reduced the incidence of health care claims and increased employee workplace
      satisfaction.

PMID- 27281647
TI  - Methylation-assisted bisulfite sequencing to simultaneously map 5fC and 5caC on a
      genome-wide scale for DNA demethylation analysis.
AB  - Active DNA demethylation is mediated by ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins
      that progressively oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
      (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC). We have developed a
      methylation-assisted bisulfite sequencing (MAB-seq) method that enables direct
      genome-scale mapping and quantification of 5fC and 5caC marks together at single
      base resolution. In bisulfite sequencing (BS), unmethylated cytosine residues
      (Cs), 5fCs and 5caCs, are converted to uracil and cannot be discriminated from
      each other. The pretreatment of the DNA with the CpG methylation enzyme M.SssI,
      which converts only the Cs to 5mCs, protects Cs but not 5fCs and 5caCs, which
      enables direct detection of 5fCs and 5caCs as uracils. Here we also describe an
      adapted version of the protocol to perform reduced-representation MAB-seq (RRMAB
      seq) that provides increased coverage on CpG-rich regions, thus reducing the
      execution costs and increasing the feasibility of the technique. The main
      advantage of MAB-seq is to reduce the number of chemical/enzymatic DNA treatments
      required before bisulfite treatment and to avoid the need for prohibitive
      sequencing coverage, thus making it more reliable and affordable than subtractive
      approaches. The method presented here is the ideal tool for studying DNA
      demethylation dynamics in any biological system. Overall timing is ~3 d for
      library preparation.

PMID- 27281648
TI  - Isolation, culture and characterization of primary mouse RPE cells.
AB  - Mouse models are powerful tools for the study of ocular diseases. Alterations in
      the morphology and function of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are common
      features shared by many ocular disorders. We report a detailed protocol to
      collect, seed, culture and characterize RPE cells from mice. We describe a
      reproducible method that we previously developed to collect and culture murine
      RPE cells on Transwells as functional polarized monolayers. The collection of RPE
      cells takes ~3 h, and the cultures mimic in vivo RPE cell features within 1 week.
      This protocol also describes methods to characterize the cells on Transwells
      within 1-2 weeks by transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM,
      respectively), immunostaining of vibratome sections and flat mounts, and
      measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance. The RPE cell cultures are
      suitable to study the biology of the RPE from wild-type and genetically modified
      strains of mice between the ages of 10 d and 12 months. The RPE cells can also be
      manipulated to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying the RPE pathology in
      the numerous mouse models of ocular disorders. Furthermore, modeling the RPE
      pathology in vitro represents a new approach to testing drugs that will help
      accelerate the development of therapies for vision-threatening disorders such as
      macular degeneration (MD).

PMID- 27281649
TI  - Synthesis of a highly HOCl-selective fluorescent probe and its use for imaging
      HOCl in cells and organisms.
AB  - During infection, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase of innate
      immune cells generates important microbicidal reactive oxygen species (ROS) such
      as hypochlorous acid (HOCl) to kill the invading pathogens. However, excess
      amounts of HOCl induce oxidative damage of functional biomolecules such as DNA
      and proteins, which may cause chronic inflammatory diseases. Herein, we outline
      protocols for the preparation of a rhodamine-based HOCl probe, as well as
      applications thereof, with which to detect HOCl in living cells and organisms.
      The probe (R19S) can be prepared from a commercially available rhodamine,
      rhodamine 6G, in two steps. When R19S is treated with HOCl, the sulfur atom is
      replaced by an oxygen atom, resulting in opening of the lactone ring; thus,
      nonfluorescent R19S is converted to highly fluorescent rhodamine 19 (R19). R19S
      exhibits high selectivity for HOCl over other ROS and high sensitivity in a
      weakly acidic environment. In addition, we describe fluorescence imaging assays
      of HOCl in mouse neutrophils and Drosophila targeted using this probe. The
      approximate amount of time required to synthesize the probe is 2-3 d, after which
      it can be used for up to 5 h in the bioimaging of living cells.

PMID- 27281651
TI  - A Light-Induced Vinylogous Nazarov-Type Cyclization.
AB  - The first examples of a photochemically induced vinylogous Nazarov-type
      cyclization forming a cycloheptadienone core are described. The reaction can be
      included in a three-step cascade consisting of a photochemical isoxazole-azirine
      ring contraction, cobalt(II)-catalyzed ring expansion, and the photochemical
      cyclization. Furthermore, the first representative of the hitherto unknown 1
      azatricyclo[2.2.0.0(2,6)]hexanes has been identified as a side product of the
      azirine formation.

PMID- 27281650
TI  - Nonadherence to Medications for Chronic Conditions and Nonadherence to Adjuvant
      Hormonal Therapy in Women With Breast Cancer.
AB  - Importance: While adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT) reduces mortality for women with
      nonmetastatic breast cancer, nonadherence to HT is common. Objective: We
      investigated the association between patterns of prior nonadherence to
      medications for chronic conditions with HT nonadherence. Design, Setting, and
      Participants: For this retrospective cohort study, the MarketScan database was
      scanned for women 18 years and older who had been diagnosed with nonmetastatic
      breast cancer between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012, and who filled 2 or
      more prescriptions for tamoxifen and/or an aromatase inhibitor. Main Exposures
      and Outcomes: Nonadherence to medications for 6 chronic conditions (hypertension,
      hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, thyroid disease, diabetes,
      osteoporosis) in the 12 months before diagnosis was defined as a medication
      possession ratio (MPR) less than 80%. Nonadherence to HT was defined as an MPR
      less than 80% between the first and last prescription for HT up to 2 years.
      Analysis: Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association
      between prior medication nonadherence and HT nonadherence. Results: Of 21 255
      women treated with adjuvant HT, 3314 (15.6%) were nonadherent, and age (<55 or
      >=75 years vs 55-64 years), higher 30-day out-of-pocket costs, and increased
      comorbidities were associated with nonadherence. Women without prior medications
      for 1 of the chronic conditions (n = 7828 [37%]) had an 18.4% nonadherence rate
      to HT. Those who used 1 or more medication prior to HT and were adherent (n =
      9223 [43%]) had a 9.8% nonadherence rate to HT (relative to those without prior
      medications: odds ratio [OR] 0.56; 95% CI, 0.50-0.61), while those who were
      nonadherent to their chronic medications (n = 4214 [20%]) had a 23.1%
      nonadherence rate to HT (OR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.30-1.58). Adherence and nonadherence
      for medications for each of the 6 medical conditions was associated with
      adherence or nonadherence for HT, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: We
      found that nonadherence to medications for chronic conditions prior to HT was
      associated with greater nonadherence to oral HT in patients with breast cancer.
      Medication nonadherence history may play an important role in determining
      patients at risk for nonadherence to a subsequent medication for a different
      illness, such as HT, and a potential target for future interventions.

PMID- 27281652
TI  - Metal-catalyzed oxidation of 2-alkenals generates genotoxic 4-oxo-2-alkenals
      during lipid peroxidation.
AB  - Lipid peroxidation products react with cellular molecules, such as DNA bases, to
      form covalent adducts, which are associated with aging and disease processes.
      Since lipid peroxidation is a complex process and occurs in multiple stages,
      there might be yet unknown reaction pathways. Here, we analyzed comprehensively
      2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) adducts with oxidized arachidonic acid using liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and found the formation of 7-(2-oxo
      hexyl)-etheno-dG as one of the major unidentified adducts. The formation of this
      adduct was reproduced in the reaction of dG with 2-octenal and predominantly with
      4-oxo-2-octenal (OOE). We also found that other 2-alkenals (with five or more
      carbons) generate corresponding 4-oxo-2-alkenal-type adducts. Importantly, it was
      found that transition metals enhanced the oxidation of C4-position of 2-octenal,
      leading to the formation of OOE-dG adduct. These findings demonstrated a new
      pathway for the formation of 4-oxo-2-alkenals during lipid peroxidation and might
      provide a mechanism for metal-catalyzed genotoxicity. 

PMID- 27281653
TI  - A novel approach to detect test-seeking behaviour in the blood donor population:
      making the invisible visible.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Individuals may donate blood in order to determine
      their infection status after exposure to an increased infection risk. Such test
      seeking behaviour decreases transfusion safety. Instances of test seeking are
      difficult to substantiate as donors are unlikely to admit to such behaviour.
      However, manifestation in a population of repeat donors may be determined using
      statistical inference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Test-seeking donors would be highly
      motivated to donate following infection risk, influencing the timing of their
      donation. Donation intervals within 2005-2014 of all Dutch blood donors who
      acquired syphilis (N = 50), HIV (N = 13), HTLV (N = 4) or HCV (N = 2) were
      compared to donation intervals of uninfected blood donors (N = 7 327 836) using
      the Anderson-Darling test. We adjusted for length bias as well as for age, gender
      and donation type of the infected. Additionally, the power of the proposed method
      was investigated by simulation. RESULTS: Among the Dutch donors who acquired
      infection, we found only a non-significant overrepresentation of short donation
      intervals (P = 0.54). However, we show by simulation that both relatively short
      and long donation intervals among infected donors can reveal test seeking. The
      power of the method is >90% if among 69 infected donors >35 (51%) are test
      seeking, or if among 320 infected donors >90 (30%) are test seeking. CONCLUSION:
      We show how statistical analysis may be used to reveal the extent of test seeking
      in repeat blood donor populations. In the Dutch setting, indications for test
      seeking behaviour were not statistically significant. This may, however, be due
      to the low number of infected individuals.

PMID- 27281654
TI  - Fortification of staple foods with zinc for improving zinc status and other
      health outcomes in the general population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Zinc deficiency is a global nutritional problem, particularly in
      children and women residing in settings where diets are cereal based and
      monotonous. It has several negative health consequences. Fortification of staple
      foods with zinc may be an effective strategy for preventing zinc deficiency and
      improving zinc-related health outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the beneficial
      and adverse effects of fortification of staple foods with zinc on health-related
      outcomes and biomarkers of zinc status in the general population. SEARCH METHODS:
      We searched the following databases in April 2015: Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 3 of 12, 2015, the Cochrane Library), MEDLINE &
      MEDLINE In Process (OVID) (1950 to 8 April 2015), EMBASE (OVID) (1974 to 8 April
      2015), CINAHL (1982 to April 2015), Web of Science (1900 to 9 April 2015), BIOSIS
      (1969 to 9 April 2015), POPLINE (1970 to April 2015), AGRICOLA, OpenGrey,
      BiblioMap, and Trials Register of Promoting Health Interventions (TRoPHI),
      besides regional databases (April 2015) and theses. We also searched clinical
      trial registries (17 March 2015) and contacted relevant organisations (May 2014)
      in order to identify ongoing and unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We
      included randomised controlled trials, randomised either at the level of the
      individual or cluster. We also included non-randomised trials at the level of the
      individual if there was a concurrent comparison group. We included non-randomised
      cluster trials and controlled before-after studies only if there were at least
      two intervention sites and two control sites. Interventions included
      fortification (central/industrial) of staple foods (cereal flours, edible fats,
      sugar, condiments, seasonings, milk and beverages) with zinc for a minimum period
      of two weeks. Participants were members of the general population who were over
      two years of age (including pregnant and lactating women) from any country. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed the
      eligibility of studies for inclusion, extracted data from included studies, and
      assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. MAIN RESULTS: We included
      eight trials (709 participants); seven were from middle-income countries of Asia,
      Africa, Europe, and Latin America where zinc deficiency is likely to be a public
      health problem. Four trials compared the effect of zinc-fortified staple foods
      with unfortified foods (comparison 1), and four compared zinc-fortified staple
      foods in combination with other nutrients/factors with the same foods containing
      other nutrients or factors without zinc (comparison 2). The interventions lasted
      between one and nine months. We categorised most trials as having unclear or high
      risk of bias for randomisation, but low risk of bias for blinding and attrition.
      None of the studies in comparison 1 reported data on zinc deficiency.Foods
      fortified with zinc increased the serum or plasma zinc levels in comparison to
      foods without added zinc (mean difference (MD) 2.12 umol/L, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 1.25 to 3.00 umol/L; 3 studies; 158 participants; low-quality
      evidence). Participants consuming foods fortified with zinc versus participants
      consuming the same food without zinc had similar risk of underweight (average
      risk ratio 3.10, 95% CI 0.52 to 18.38; 2 studies; 397 participants; low-quality
      evidence) and stunting (risk ratio (RR) 0.88, 95% CI 0.36 to 2.13; 2 studies; 397
      participants; low-quality evidence). A single trial of addition of zinc to iron
      in wheat flour did not find a reduction in proportion of zinc deficiency (RR
      0.17, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.94; very low-quality evidence). We did not find a
      difference in serum or plasma zinc levels in participants consuming foods
      fortified with zinc plus other micronutrients when compared with participants
      consuming the same foods with micronutrients but no added zinc (MD 0.03 umol/L,
      95% CI -0.67 to 0.72 umol/L; 4 studies; 250 participants; low-quality evidence).
      No trial in comparison 2 provided information about underweight or stunting.There
      was no reported adverse effect of fortification of foods with zinc on indicators
      of iron or copper status. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Fortification of foods with zinc
      may improve the serum zinc status of populations if zinc is the only
      micronutrient used for fortification. If zinc is added to food in combination
      with other micronutrients, it may make little or no difference to the serum zinc
      status. Effects of fortification of foods with zinc on other outcomes including
      zinc deficiency, children's growth, cognition, work capacity of adults, or on
      haematological indicators are unknown. Given the small number of trials and
      participants in each trial, further investigation of these outcomes is required.

PMID- 27281655
TI  - Precision Chain-Walking Polymerization of trans-4-Octene Catalyzed by alpha
      Diimine Nickel(II) Catalysts Bearing ortho-sec-Phenethyl Groups.
AB  - alpha-Diimine nickel complexes bearing bulky ortho-sec-phenethyl groups
      (bis{[N,N'-(4-methyl-2,6-di-sec-phenethylphenyl)imino]-1,2
      dimethylethane}dibromonickel (1), bis{[N,N'-(4,6-dimethyl-2-sec
      phenethylphenyl)imino]-1,2-dimethylethane}dibromonickel (2), bis{[N,N'-(4-methyl
      2-sec-phenethylphenyl)imino]-1,2-dimethylethane}dibromonickel (3)) and {bis[N,N'
      (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imino]-1,2-dimethylethane}dibromidonickel (4) are used as
      a precatalyst for the polymerization of trans-4-octene upon activation with
      modified methylaluminoxane. These catalysts conduct chain-walking polymerization
      of trans-4-octene to give polymers possessing propyl and butyl branches with high
      molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. The branching
      structure depends on the nickel complex as well as the polymerization
      temperature, and the ratio of propyl branch was increased with increasing the
      bulkiness of the ligand and decreasing the polymerization temperature.
      Consequently, the most bulky 1 among the complexes used is found to polymerize
      trans-4-octene with high 1,5-regioselectivity at -20  degrees C to give poly(1
      propylpentan-1,5-diyl). 

PMID- 27281656
TI  - National Health Promotion Policy (PNPS): chapters of a journey still under
      construction.

PMID- 27281657
TI  - Author-actors and organizational and relational processes in the review of the
      National Health Promotion Policy.

PMID- 27281658
TI  - An assessment of the National Policy on Health Promotion by SUS managers,
      employees, health counselors, and users.

PMID- 27281659
TI  - Scientific research about the National Policy for Health Promotion.

PMID- 27281660
TI  - Research and intervention in the promotion of health: methodological challenges
      of researching "with".

PMID- 27281661
TI  - Extended communities for action-research as a tool for the emancipatory promotion
      of health: conceptual and methodological bases.

PMID- 27281662
TI  - A mapping of 'healthy territory' initiatives, their characteristics and
      effectiveness.

PMID- 27281663
TI  - A theoretical framework on intersectoral practice in School Health Promotion.

PMID- 27281664
TI  - Inter-professional collaboration in the 'Health and Prevention in Schools'
      Project.

PMID- 27281665
TI  - Health promotion in professional education: challenges in Health and the need to
      achieve in other sectors.

PMID- 27281666
TI  - Health promotion policies and potential conflicts of interest involving the
      commercial private sector.

PMID- 27281667
TI  - The contribution of CEPEDOC to the development of the Brazilian Health Promotion
      Policy.

PMID- 27281668
TI  - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, "Street Clinic" team: care and health
      promotion practice in a vulnerable territory.

PMID- 27281669
TI  - The right to water and sanitation as a tool for health promotion of vulnerable
      groups.

PMID- 27281670
TI  - Perception of environmental quality of nearby localities to the Petrochemical
      Complex of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

PMID- 27281671
TI  - The Enlighten Campinas Program: the construction of an intersectoral and
      interinstitutional policy to confront violence as a social problem.

PMID- 27281672
TI  - Pedagogical techniques in food and nutrition groups: the backstage of choice
      process.

PMID- 27281673
TI  - Workplace Health Promotion: a path to follow.

PMID- 27281674
TI  - Employment and income generation as a Health Promotion Strategy: the case of
      women submitted to mastectomy in Nova Iguacu, RJ, Brazil.

PMID- 27281675
TI  - For a Global Agenda on Post Millennium Development Goals.

PMID- 27281676
TI  - The effect of lexical factors on recall from working memory: Generalizing the
      neighborhood size effect.
AB  - The word-length effect, the finding that lists of short words are better recalled
      than lists of long words, is 1 of the 4 benchmark phenomena that guided
      development of the phonological loop component of working memory. However,
      previous work has noted a confound in word-length studies: The short words used
      had more orthographic neighbors (valid words that can be made by changing a
      single letter in the target word) than long words. The confound is that words
      with more neighbors are better recalled than otherwise comparable words with
      fewer neighbors. Two experiments are reported that address criticisms of the
      neighborhood-size account of the word-length effect by (1) testing 2 new stimulus
      sets, (2) using open rather than closed pools of words, and (3) using stimuli
      from a language other than English. In both experiments, words from large
      neighborhoods were better recalled than words from small neighborhoods. The
      results add to the growing number of studies demonstrating the substantial
      contribution of long-term memory to what have traditionally been identified as
      working memory tasks. The data are more easily explained by models incorporating
      the concept of redintegration rather than by frameworks such as the phonological
      loop that posit decay offset by rehearsal. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281677
TI  - Insight into and Computational Studies of the Selective Synthesis of 6H
      Dibenzo[b,h]xanthenes.
AB  - Starting from 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (lawsone), we synthesized eight new 6H
      dibenzo[b,h]xanthene derivatives selectively under solvent-free conditions.
      Spectroscopic investigations confirmed that only the isomer 6H
      dibenzo[b,h]xanthene was obtained in all eight cases. Computational studies
      provide a rationalization for the selective appearance of these isomers having as
      an intermediate an addition product.

PMID- 27281678
TI  - Improved Optimization for the Cluster Jastrow Antisymmetric Geminal Power and
      Tests on Triple-Bond Dissociations.
AB  - We present a novel specialization of the variational Monte Carlo linear method
      for the optimization of the recently introduced cluster Jastrow antisymmetric
      geminal power ansatz, achieving a lower-order polynomial cost scaling than would
      be possible with a naive application of the linear method and greatly improving
      optimization performance relative to that of the previously employed quasi-Newton
      approach. We test the methodology on highly multireference triple-bond stretches,
      achieving accuracy superior to those of the traditional coupled cluster theory
      and multireference perturbation theory in both the typical example of N2 and the
      transition-metal-oxide example of [ScO](+). 

PMID- 27281680
TI  - Peripheral Refraction, Peripheral Eye Length, and Retinal Shape in Myopia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate how peripheral refraction and peripheral eye length are
      related to retinal shape. METHODS: Relative peripheral refraction (RPR) and
      relative peripheral eye length (RPEL) were determined in 36 young adults (M
      +0.75D to -5.25D) along horizontal and vertical visual field meridians out to +/
      35 degrees  and +/-30 degrees , respectively. Retinal shape was determined in
      terms of vertex radius of curvature Rv, asphericity Q, and equivalent radius of
      curvature REq using a partial coherence interferometry method involving
      peripheral eye lengths and model eye raytracing. Second-order polynomial fits
      were applied to RPR and RPEL as functions of visual field position. Linear
      regressions were determined for the fits' second order coefficients and for
      retinal shape estimates as functions of central spherical refraction. Linear
      regressions investigated relationships of RPR and RPEL with retinal shape
      estimates. RESULTS: Peripheral refraction, peripheral eye lengths, and retinal
      shapes were significantly affected by meridian and refraction. More positive
      (hyperopic) relative peripheral refraction, more negative RPELs, and steeper
      retinas were found along the horizontal than along the vertical meridian and in
      myopes than in emmetropes. RPR and RPEL, as represented by their second-order fit
      coefficients, correlated significantly with retinal shape represented by REq.
      CONCLUSIONS: Effects of meridian and refraction on RPR and RPEL patterns are
      consistent with effects on retinal shape. Patterns derived from one of these
      predict the others: more positive (hyperopic) RPR predicts more negative RPEL and
      steeper retinas, more negative RPEL predicts more positive relative peripheral
      refraction and steeper retinas, and steeper retinas derived from peripheral eye
      lengths predict more positive RPR.

PMID- 27281681
TI  - Eye Movements and Road Hazard Detection: Effects of Blur and Distractors.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the effects of optical blur, auditory distractors, and age on
      eye movement patterns while performing a driving hazard perception test (HPT).
      METHODS: Twenty young (mean age 27.1 +/- 4.6 years) and 20 older (73.3 +/- 5.7
      years) drivers with normal vision completed a HPT in a repeated-measures
      counterbalanced design while their eye movements were recorded. Testing was
      performed under two visual (best-corrected vision and with +2.00DS blur) and two
      distractor (with and without auditory distraction) conditions. Participants were
      required to respond to road hazards appearing in the HPT videos of real-world
      driving scenes and their hazard response times were recorded. RESULTS: Blur and
      distractors each significantly delayed hazard response time by 0.42 and 0.76 s,
      respectively (p < 0.05). A significant interaction between age and distractors
      indicated that older drivers were more affected by distractors than young drivers
      (response with distractors delayed by 0.96 and 0.60 s, respectively). There were
      no other two- or three-way interaction effects on response time. With blur, for
      example, both groups fixated significantly longer on hazards before responding
      compared to best-corrected vision. In the presence of distractors, both groups
      exhibited delayed first fixation on the hazards and spent less time fixating on
      the hazards. There were also significant differences in eye movement
      characteristics between groups, where older drivers exhibited smaller saccades,
      delayed first fixation on hazards, and shorter fixation duration on hazards
      compared to the young drivers. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, the findings of delayed
      hazard response times and alterations in eye movement patterns with blur and
      distractors provide further evidence that visual impairment and distractors are
      independently detrimental to driving safety given that delayed hazard response
      times are linked to increased crash risk.

PMID- 27281679
TI  - Erythropoietin either Prevents or Exacerbates Retinal Damage from Eye Trauma
      Depending on Treatment Timing.
AB  - PURPOSE: Erythropoietin (EPO) is a promising neuroprotective agent and is
      currently in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of traumatic brain
      injury. The goal of this study was to determine if EPO is also protective in
      traumatic eye injury. METHODS: The left eyes of anesthetized DBA/2J or Balb/c
      mice were exposed to a single 26 psi overpressure air-wave while the rest of the
      body was shielded. DBA/2J mice were given intraperitoneal injections of EPO or
      buffer and analyses were performed at 3 or 7 days post-blast. Balb/c mice were
      given intramuscular injections of rAAV.EpoR76E or rAAV.eGFP either pre- or post
      blast and analyses were performed at 1 month post-blast. RESULTS: EPO had a
      bimodal effect on cell death, glial reactivity, and oxidative stress. All
      measures were increased at 3 days post-blast and decreased at 7-days post-blast.
      Increased retinal ferritin and NADPH oxygenases were detected in retinas from EPO
      treated mice. The gene therapy approach protected against axon degeneration, cell
      death, and oxidative stress when given after blast, but not before. CONCLUSIONS:
      Systemic, exogenous EPO and EPO-R76E protects the retina after trauma even when
      initiation of treatment is delayed by up to 3 weeks. Systemic treatment with EPO
      or EPO-R76E beginning before or soon after trauma may exacerbate protective
      effects of EPO within the retina as a result of increased iron levels from
      erythropoiesis and, thus, increased oxidative stress within the retina. This is
      likely overcome with time as a result of an increase in levels of antioxidant
      enzymes. Either intraocular delivery of EPO or treatment with non-erythropoietic
      forms of EPO may be more efficacious.

PMID- 27281682
TI  - Oligomer Formation of Amyloid-beta(29-42) from Its Monomers Using the Hamiltonian
      Replica-Permutation Molecular Dynamics Simulation.
AB  - Oligomers of amyloid-beta peptides (Abeta) are formed during the early stage of
      the amyloidogenesis process and exhibit neurotoxicity. The oligomer formation
      process of Abeta and even that of Abeta fragments are still poorly understood,
      though understanding of these processes is essential for remedying Alzheimer's
      disease. In order to better understand the oligomerization process of the C
      terminal Abeta fragment Abeta(29-42) at the atomic level, we performed the
      Hamiltonian replica-permutation molecular dynamics simulation with Abeta(29-42)
      molecules using the explicit water solvent model. We observed that oligomers
      increased in size through the sequential addition of monomers to the oligomer,
      rather than through the assembly of small oligomers. Moreover, solvent effects
      played an important role in this oligomerization process.

PMID- 27281683
TI  - Trajectory Calculations for Bergman Cyclization Predict H/D Kinetic Isotope
      Effects Due to Nonstatistical Dynamics in the Product.
AB  - An unusual H/D kinetic isotope effect (KIE) is described, in which isotopic
      selectivity arises primarily from nonstatistical dynamics in the product. In DFT
      based quasiclassical trajectories of Bergman cyclization of (Z)-3-hexen-1,5-diyne
      (1) at 470 K, the new CC bond retains its energy, and 28% of nascent p-benzyne
      recrosses back to the enediyne on a vibrational time scale. The competing process
      of intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) in p-benzyne is too slow to
      prevent this. Deuteration increases the rate of IVR, which decreases the fraction
      of recrossing and increases the yield of statistical (trapable) p-benzyne, 2.
      Trapable yields for three isotopomers of 2 range from 72% to 86%. The resulting
      KIEs for Bergman cyclization differ substantially from KIEs predicted by
      transition state theory, which suggests that IVR in this reaction can be studied
      by conventional KIEs. Leakage of vibrational zero point energy (ZPE) into the
      reaction coordinate was probed by trajectories in which initial ZPE in the CH/CD
      stretching modes was reduced by 25%. This did not change the predicted KIEs.

PMID- 27281685
TI  - Subpicosecond Photoinduced Hole Transfer from a CdS Quantum Dot to a Molecular
      Acceptor Bound Through an Exciton-Delocalizing Ligand.
AB  - This paper describes the enhancement of the rate of hole transfer from a
      photoexcited CdS quantum dot (QD), with radius R = 2.0 nm, to a molecular
      acceptor, phenothiazine (PTZ), by linking the donor and acceptor through a
      phenyldithiocarbamate (PTC) linker, which is known to lower the confinement
      energy of the excitonic hole. Upon adsorption of PTC, the bandgap of the QD
      decreases due to delocalization of the exciton, primarily the excitonic hole,
      into interfacial states of mixed QD/PTC character. This delocalization enables
      hole transfer from the QD to PTZ in <300 fs (within the instrument response of
      the laser system) when linked by PTC, but not when linked by a benzoate group,
      which has a similar length and conjugation as PTC but does not delocalize the
      excitonic hole. Comparison of the two systems was aided by quantification of the
      surface coverage of benzoate and PTC-linked PTZ by (1)H NMR. This work provides
      direct spectroscopic evidence of the enhancement of the rate of hole extraction
      from a colloidal QD through covalent linkage of a hole acceptor through an
      exciton-delocalizing ligand.

PMID- 27281684
TI  - Redoxable heteronanocrystals functioning magnetic relaxation switch for
      activatable T1 and T2 dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - T1/T2 dual-mode magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents (DMCAs) have gained much
      attention because of their ability to improve accuracy by providing two pieces of
      complementary information with one instrument. However, most of these agents are
      "always ON" systems that emit MR contrast regardless of their interaction with
      target cells or biomarkers, which may result in poor target-to-background ratios.
      Herein, we introduce a rationally designed magnetic relaxation switch (MGRS) for
      an activatable T1/T2 dual MR imaging system. Redox-responsive heteronanocrystals,
      consisting of a superparamagnetic Fe3O4 core and a paramagnetic Mn3O4 shell, are
      synthesized through seed-mediated growth and subsequently surface-modified with
      polysorbate 80. The Mn3O4 shell acts as both a protector of Fe3O4 in aqueous
      environments to attenuate T2 relaxation and as a redoxable switch that can be
      activated in intracellular reducing environments by glutathione. This
      simultaneously generates large amounts of magnetically decoupled Mn(2+) ions and
      allows Fe3O4 to interact with the water protons. This smart nanoplatform shows an
      appropriate hydrodynamic size for the EPR effect (10-100 nm) and demonstrates
      biocompatibility. Efficient transitions of OFF/ON dual contrast effects are
      observed by in vitro imaging and MR relaxivity measurements. The ability to use
      these materials as DMCAs is demonstrated via effective passive tumor targeting
      for T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging in tumor-bearing mice.

PMID- 27281686
TI  - Syntheses, Structures, and Electrochemistry of the Defective ccp [Pt33(CO)38](2-)
      and the bcc [Pt40(CO)40](6-) Molecular Nanoclusters.
AB  - The molecular [Pt33(CO)38](2-) nanocluster was obtained from the thermal
      decomposition of Na2[Pt15(CO)30] in methanol. The reaction of [Pt19(CO)22](4-)
      with acids (1-2 equiv) affords the unstable [Pt19(CO)22](3-) trianion, which
      evolves with time leading eventually to the [Pt40(CO)40](6-) hexa-anion. The
      total structures of both nanoclusters were determined via single-crystal X-ray
      diffraction. [Pt33(CO)38](2-) displays a defective ccp Pt33 core and shows that
      localized deformations occur in correspondence of atomic defects to "repair"
      them. In contrast, [Pt40(CO)40](6-) shows a bcc Pt40 core and represents the
      largest Pt cluster with a body-centered structure. The rich electrochemistry of
      the two high-nuclearity platinum carbonyl clusters was studied by cyclic
      voltammetry and electrochemical in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
      The redox changes of [Pt33(CO)38](2-) show features of chemical reversibility and
      electrochemical quasi-reversibility, and the vibrational spectra in the CO
      stretching region of the nine redox forms of the cluster [Pt33(CO)38](n) (n = 0
      to -4, -6 to -9) are reported. Almost all the redox processes exhibited by
      [Pt40(CO)40](6-) are chemically and electrochemically reversible, and the eight
      oxidation states of [Pt40(CO)40] from -4 to -11 were spectroscopically
      characterized. The effect of the more regular bcc Pt-carbonyl cluster structure
      of [Pt40(CO)40](6-) with respect to that of the defective ccp Pt33 core on the
      redox behavior is discussed. 

PMID- 27281687
TI  - Wastewater-based epidemiological evaluation of the effect of air pollution on
      short-acting beta-agonist consumption for acute asthma treatment.
AB  - Asthma, one of the most common chronic diseases in the world and a leading cause
      of hospitalization among children, has been associated with outdoor air
      pollution. We applied the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approach to study
      the association between the use of salbutamol, a short-acting beta-agonist used
      to treat acute bronchospasm, and air pollution in the population of Milan, Italy.
      Composite 24-h samples of untreated wastewater were collected daily and analyzed
      for human metabolic residues of salbutamol by liquid chromatography tandem mass
      spectrometry. Corresponding daily outdoor concentrations of particular matter up
      to 10um (PM10) and 2.5um (PM2.5) in aerodynamic diameter, nitrogen dioxide,
      ozone, sulfur dioxide, and benzene were collected from the public air monitoring
      network. Associations at different lag times (0-10 days) were assessed by a log
      linear Poisson regression model. We found significant direct associations between
      defined daily doses (DDD) of salbutamol and mean daily concentrations of PM10 and
      PM2.5 up to nine days of lag time. The highest rate ratio, and 95% confidence
      interval (CI), of DDD of salbutamol was 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02-1.10) and 1.07 (95%
      CI: 1.02-1.12) at seven days of lag time and for an increase of 10 MUg/m(3) of
      PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Reducing the mean daily PM10 concentration in Milan
      from 50 to 30MUg/m(3) means that 852 (95% CI: 483-1504) daily doses of salbutamol
      per day would not be used. These results confirm the association between asthma
      and outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 and prove the potential of the WBE approach to
      quantitatively estimate the relation between environmental exposures and
      diseases.

PMID- 27281688
TI  - Association of Bisphenol A exposure and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
      in a national sample of U.S. children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked to changes in the dopamine system
      and development of an Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) phenotype
      in animal models, with differing effects in males compared to females. We
      examined the association between urinary BPA concentrations and ADHD in a
      national sample of U.S. children, and whether this association differs by child
      sex. METHODS: We used data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey, a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of the
      U.S. POPULATION: Participants were 8-15 years of age (N=460). Using a diagnostic
      interview to ascertain the presence of ADHD in the past year, multivariable
      logistic regression examined the link between concurrent urinary BPA
      concentrations and ADHD status. RESULTS: Of the 460 participants, 7.1% [95% CI:
      4.4-11.3] met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth
      Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for ADHD. Children who had BPA concentrations at or
      above the median of the sample had higher prevalence of meeting criteria for ADHD
      (11.2% [95% CI: 6.8-17.8]) than those with BPA concentrations below the median
      (2.9% [95% CI: 1.1-7.2]). Higher urinary BPA concentrations were associated with
      ADHD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.68 [95% CI: 1.6-19.8] for BPA concentrations
      above vs. below the median). In sex-stratified analyses, these associations were
      stronger in boys (aOR=10.9 [95% CI: 1.4-86.0]) than in girls (aOR=2.8 [95% CI:
      0.4-21.3]), although the BPA by sex interaction term was not significant
      (p=0.25). CONCLUSION: We found evidence that higher urinary BPA concentrations
      were associated with ADHD in U.S. children; these associations were stronger in
      boys than in girls. Considering the widespread use of BPA and growing literature
      on neurobehavioral effects of BPA in children, further study is warranted to
      determine if reducing exposure to BPA may represent an important avenue for ADHD
      prevention.

PMID- 27281689
TI  - Exposure to outdoor air pollution during trimesters of pregnancy and childhood
      asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mounting evidence suggests that exposure to ambient air pollution is
      associated with the development of childhood allergic diseases, but the effect of
      prenatal exposure to air pollution on the risk of childhood asthma and allergy is
      unclear. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the association between maternal exposure to
      outdoor air pollution during different trimesters of pregnancy and incidence of
      asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema in 2598 preschool children aged 3-6 years
      in China. METHODS: Children's lifetime incidence of allergic diseases was
      obtained using questionnaire. Individual exposure to outdoor air pollutants
      during trimesters of pregnancy was estimated by an inverse distance weighted
      (IDW) method based on the measured concentrations at monitoring stations. We used
      multiple logistic regression method to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of asthma,
      allergic rhinitis, and eczema for per interquartile range (IQR) increase in the
      exposure to air pollutant in each trimester, which was adjusted for the effect of
      other air pollutants and its effect in other trimesters by a multi
      pollutant/trimester model. RESULTS: Incidence of asthma (6.8%), allergic rhinitis
      (7.3%), and eczema (28.6%) in children was associated with maternal exposure to
      traffic-related pollutant NO2 during entire pregnancy with OR (95% confidence
      interval [CI]) respectively 1.63 (0.99-2.70), 1.69 (1.03-2.77), and 1.37 (1.04
      1.80). After adjustment for other pollutants and trimesters, we found the
      association was significant only in specific trimester: the first trimester for
      eczema (1.54, 1.14-2.09), the second trimester for asthma (1.72, 1.02-2.97), and
      the third trimester for allergic rhinitis (1.77, 1.09-2.89). Sensitivity analysis
      indicated that the trimester sensitive to the development of allergic diseases
      was stable. CONCLUSION: Maternal exposure to traffic-related air pollutant NO2
      during pregnancy, especially in specific trimesters, is associated with an
      increased risk of developing asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in children. Our
      results support the hypothesis that childhood allergic diseases originate in
      fetal life and are triggered by traffic-related air pollution in sensitive
      trimesters.

PMID- 27281691
TI  - Specific Synergist for Neonicotinoid Insecticides: IPPA08, a cis-Neonicotinoid
      Compound with a Unique Oxabridged Substructure.
AB  - Insecticide synergists are key components to increase the control efficacy and
      reduce active ingredient use. Here, we describe a novel insecticide synergist
      with activity specific for insecticidal neonicotinoids. The synergist IPPA08, a
      cis configuration neonicotinoid compound with a unique oxabridged substructure,
      could increase the toxicity of most neonicotinoid insecticides belonging to the
      Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) 4A subgroup against a range of
      insect species, although IPPA08 itself was almost inactive to insects at
      synergistic concentrations. Unfortunately, similar effects were observed on the
      honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens),
      resistant to imidacloprid. IPPA08 did not show any effects on toxicity of
      insecticides with different targets, which made us define it as a neonicotinoid
      specific synergist. Unlike most insecticide synergists, by inhibition of
      activities of detoxification enzymes, IPPA08 showed no effects on enzyme
      activities. The results revealed that IPPA08 worked as a synergist through a
      distinct way. Although the modulating insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
      (nAChRs, targets of neonicotinoid insecticides) were supposed as a possible mode
      of action for IPPA08 as a neonicotinoid-specific synergist, direct evidence is
      needed in further studies. In insect pest control, IPPA08 acts as a target
      synergist to increase neonicotinoid toxicity and reduce the amount of
      neonicotinoid used. Combinations of IPPA08 and insecticidal neonicotinoids may be
      developed into new insecticide formulations. In summary, combining an active
      ingredient with a "custom" synergist appears to be a very promising approach for
      the development of effective new insecticide products. 

PMID- 27281690
TI  - Residential proximity to organophosphate and carbamate pesticide use during
      pregnancy, poverty during childhood, and cognitive functioning in 10-year-old
      children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low-income communities and communities of color have been shown to
      experience disproportionate exposure to agricultural pesticides, which have been
      linked to poorer neurobehavioral outcomes in infants and children. Few studies
      have assessed health impacts of pesticide mixtures in the context of
      socioeconomic adversity. OBJECTIVES: To examine associations between residential
      proximity to toxicity-weighted organophosphate (OP) and carbamate pesticide use
      during pregnancy, household- and neighborhood-level poverty during childhood, and
      IQ scores in 10-year-old children. METHODS: We evaluated associations between
      both nearby agricultural pesticide use and poverty measures and cognitive
      abilities in 10-year-old children (n = 501) using data from a longitudinal birth
      cohort study linked with data from the California Pesticide Use Reporting system
      and the American Community Survey. Associations were assessed using multivariable
      linear regression. RESULTS: Children of mothers in the highest quartile compared
      to the lowest quartile of proximal pesticide use had lower performance on Full
      Scale IQ [beta = -3.0; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = (-5.6, -0.3)], Perceptual
      Reasoning [beta = -4.0; (-7.6, -0.4)], and Working Memory [beta = -2.8; (-5.6, 
      0.1)]. Belonging to a household earning an income at or below the poverty
      threshold was associated with approximately two point lower scores on Full Scale
      IQ, Verbal Comprehension, and Working Memory. Living in the highest quartile of
      neighborhood poverty at age 10 was associated with approximately four point lower
      performance on Full Scale IQ, Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, and
      Working memory. CONCLUSIONS: Residential proximity to OP and carbamate pesticide
      use during pregnancy and both household- and neighborhood-level poverty during
      childhood were independently associated with poorer cognitive functioning in
      children at 10 years of age.

PMID- 27281692
TI  - Impact of a person-centred community rehabilitation service on outcomes for
      individuals with a neurological condition.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of a person-centred, community rehabilitation
      service on outcomes for people with a neurological condition, in the first year
      of service. METHOD: A prospective, observational, pre-post study was conducted
      with 206 people who had a neurological condition and attended the rehabilitation
      service to restore function (e.g., Stroke); maximize recovery in an ongoing
      situation (e.g., Spina Bifida); or maximize function and independence while
      preparing for inevitable decline (e.g., Parkinson's Disease). Outcomes were
      measured via self-report questionnaires, prior to, and following three months of
      rehabilitation. The primary outcome was achievement of self-identified goals,
      measured by the Patient-Specific Functional scale. Secondary outcomes included
      the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, EQ-5D-5L
      European Quality of Life scale, and ICECAP-O - Index of Capability for Older
      Adults and health and medical resource use. RESULTS: Participants demonstrated
      significant goal achievement and a significant reduction in health and medical
      resource use. There were small positive changes in the Lawton IADL, EQ-5D-5L, and
      ICECAP-O however these changes were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In the first
      year of operation, the community rehabilitation service made a significant impact
      on outcomes for individuals with a neurological condition. Further research is
      required to identify appropriate measures of activities of daily living and
      quality of life that reflect person-centred rehabilitation outcomes for restoring
      function, maximizing function, or preparing for functional decline. Implications
      for Rehabilitation Self-identified goals are an important guide for achievement
      of meaningful outcomes for individuals with a neurological condition. Person
      centred outcome measures are required to evaluate the benefits of a person
      centred community rehabilitation service for individuals with a neurological
      condition.

PMID- 27281693
TI  - Band Alignment and Minigaps in Monolayer MoS2-Graphene van der Waals
      Heterostructures.
AB  - Two-dimensional layered MoS2 shows great potential for nanoelectronic and
      optoelectronic devices due to its high photosensitivity, which is the result of
      its indirect to direct band gap transition when the bulk dimension is reduced to
      a single monolayer. Here, we present an exhaustive study of the band alignment
      and relativistic properties of a van der Waals heterostructure formed between
      single layers of MoS2 and graphene. A sharp, high-quality MoS2-graphene interface
      was obtained and characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution X-ray
      photoemission spectroscopy (HRXPS), and scanning high-resolution transmission
      electron microscopy (STEM/HRTEM). Moreover, direct band structure determination
      of the MoS2/graphene van der Waals heterostructure monolayer was carried out
      using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), shedding light on
      essential features such as doping, Fermi velocity, hybridization, and band-offset
      of the low energy electronic dynamics found at the interface. We show that, close
      to the Fermi level, graphene exhibits a robust, almost perfect, gapless, and n
      doped Dirac cone and no significant charge transfer doping is detected from MoS2
      to graphene. However, modification of the graphene band structure occurs at
      rather larger binding energies, as the opening of several miniband-gaps is
      observed. These miniband-gaps resulting from the overlay of MoS2 and the graphene
      layer lattice impose a superperiodic potential.

PMID- 27281694
TI  - Cinnamomum verum component 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde: a novel antiproliferative
      drug inducing cell death through targeting both topoisomerase I and II in human
      colorectal adenocarcinoma COLO 205 cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cinnamomum verum is used to manufacture the spice cinnamon. In
      addition, the plant has been used as a Chinese herbal medication. METHODS: We
      investigated the antiproliferative effect of 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (2-MCA), a
      constituent of the cortex of the plant, and the molecular biomarkers associated
      with tumorigenesis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma COLO 205 cells.
      Specifically, cell viability was evaluated by colorimetric assay; apoptosis was
      determined by flow cytometry and morphological analysis with bright field,
      acridine orange, and neutral red stainings, as well as comet assay; topoisomerase
      I activity was determined by assay based upon DNA relaxation and topoisomerase II
      by DNA relaxation plus decatentation of kinetoplast DNA; lysosomal vacuolation
      and volume of acidic compartments (VACs) were determined by neutral red staining.
      RESULTS: The results demonstrate that 2-MCA inhibited proliferation and induced
      apoptosis as implicated by mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) loss,
      activation of both caspase-3 and -9, increase of annexin V(+)PI(+) cells, as well
      as morphological characteristics of apoptosis. Furthermore, 2-MCA also induced
      lysosomal vacuolation with elevated VAC, cytotoxicity, and inhibitions of
      topoisomerase I as well as II activities. Additional study demonstrated the
      antiproliferative effect of 2-MCA found in a nude mice model. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      data implicate that the antiproliferative activity of 2-MCA in vitro involved
      downregulation of cell growth markers, both topoisomerase I and II, and
      upregulation of pro-apoptotic molecules, associated with increased lysosomal
      vacuolation. In vivo 2-MCA reduced the tumor burden that could have significant
      clinical impact. Indeed, similar effects were found in other tested cell lines,
      including human hepatocellular carcinoma SK-Hep-1 and Hep 3B, lung adenocarcinoma
      A549 and squamous cell carcinoma NCI-H520, and T-lymphoblastic MOLT-3 (results
      not shown). Our data implicate that 2-MCA could be a potential agent for
      anticancer therapy.

PMID- 27281695
TI  - Effect of Cell Cycle Interactions and Inhibition of Histone Deacetylases on
      Development of Porcine Embryos Produced by Nuclear Transfer.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate if the positive effects of inhibiting
      histone deacetylase enzymes on cell reprogramming and development of somatic cell
      nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos is affected by the cell cycle stage of nuclear
      donor cells and host oocytes at the time of embryo reconstruction. SCNT embryos
      were produced with metaphase II (MII) or telophase II (TII) cytoplasts and
      nuclear donor cells that were either at the G1-0 or G2/M stages. Embryos
      reconstructed with the different cell cycle combinations were treated or not with
      the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) Scriptaid for 15 h and then cultured in
      vitro for 7 days. Embryos reconstructed with MII-G1-0 and TII-G2/M developed to
      the blastocyst stage with a higher frequency compared to the other groups,
      confirming the importance of cell cycle interactions on cell reprogramming and
      SCNT embryo development. Treatment with HDACi improved development of SCNT
      embryos produced with MII but not TII cytoplasts, independently of the cell cycle
      stage of nuclear donor cells. These findings provide evidence that the positive
      effect of HDACi treatment on development of SCNT embryos depends upon cell cycle
      interactions between the host cytoplast and the nuclear donor cells. 

PMID- 27281696
TI  - Providers' perspectives of factors influencing implementation of evidence-based
      treatments in a community mental health setting: A qualitative investigation of
      the training-practice gap.
AB  - This study aims to elucidate relations between provider perceptions of aspects of
      the consolidated framework for implementation research (Damschroder et al., 2009)
      and provider attitudes toward the implementation of evidence-based treatments
      (EBTs) in an ethnically diverse community health setting. Guided by directed
      content analysis, we analyzed 28 semistructured interviews that were conducted
      with providers during the pre-implementation phase of a larger implementation
      study for cognitive processing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (Resick
      et al., 2008). Our findings extend the existing literature by also presenting
      provider-identified client-level factors that contribute to providers' positive
      and negative attitudes toward EBTs. Provider-identified client-level factors
      include the following: client motivation to engage in treatment, client openness
      to EBTs, support networks of family and friends, client use of community and
      government resources, the connection and relationship with their therapist,
      client treatment adherence, client immediate needs or crises, low literacy or
      illiteracy, low levels of education, client cognitive limitations, and
      misconceptions about therapy. These results highlight the relations between
      provider perceptions of their clients, provider engagement in EBT training, and
      subsequent adoption of EBTs. We present suggestions for future implementation
      research in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281697
TI  - Studying Muscle Protein Turnover in CKD.

PMID- 27281698
TI  - Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality Risk in Patients with Advanced
      CKD.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and
      premature death in patients with CKD associates with a plethora of elevated
      circulating biomarkers that may reflect distinct signaling pathways or simply,
      are epiphenomena of CKD. We compared the predictive strength of 12 biomarkers
      analyzed concomitantly in patients with stage 5 CKD. DESIGN, SETTING,
      PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: From 1994 to 2014, 543 patients with stage 5 CKD
      (median age =56 years old; 63% men; 199 patients had CVD) took part in our study
      on malnutrition, inflammation, and CVD in incident dialysis patients. Circulating
      levels of albumin, ferritin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), IGF-1,
      IL-6, orosomucoid, troponin T (TnT), TNF, soluble intracellular adhesion
      molecule, soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), and platelet
      and white blood cell (WBC) counts were analyzed as predictors of the presence of
      clinically overt CVD at baseline, protein-energy wasting (PEW), and subsequent
      all-cause mortality. During follow-up for a median of 28 months, there were 149
      deaths, 81 of which were caused by CVD. RESULTS: Most biomarkers were elevated
      compared with reference values and--except for albumin, ferritin, and IGF-1
      higher in patients with CVD. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, age,
      IL-6, TnT, hsCRP, and IGF-1 were classifiers of baseline CVD and predictors of
      all-cause mortality. In addition to age, diabetes mellitus, smoking (for CVD),
      and PEW, only IL-6, relative risk (RR) 1.10 and 95% confidence interval ([95%
      CI], 1.02 to 1.19), sVCAM-1 RR 1.09 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.17), and serum albumin RR
      0.89 (95% CI, 0.83 to 0.95) associated with baseline CVD, and only WBC, hazard
      ratio (HR) 1.94 (95% CI, 1.34 to 2.82), IL-6 HR 1.79 (95% CI, 1.20 to 2.67), and
      TNF HR 0.65 (95% CI, 0.44 to 0.97) predicted all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In
      addition to age and comorbidities, only IL-6, sVCAM-1, and albumin could
      independently of other biomarkers-classify clinical CVD, and only IL-6, WBC, and
      TNF could-independently of other biomarkers-predict all-cause mortality risk.
      These data underscore the robustness of IL-6 as a classifier of clinically overt
      CVD and predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with stage 5 CKD.

PMID- 27281699
TI  - High Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acid Administration and Skeletal Muscle Protein Turnover
      in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Protein energy wasting and systemic inflammation are
      prevalent in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Omega-3 (omega-3) fatty
      acids have anti-inflammatory properties and have been shown to improve protein
      homeostasis. We hypothesized that administration of high-dose (2.9 g/d) omega-3
      would be associated with decreased muscle protein breakdown in MHD patients with
      systemic inflammation. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS & MEASUREMENTS: This is a
      substudy from a randomized, placebo-controlled study (NCT00655525). Patients were
      recruited between September 2008 and June 2011. Primary inclusion criteria
      included signs of chronic inflammation (average C-reactive protein of >=5 mg/L
      over three consecutive measurements), lack of active infectious or inflammatory
      disease, no hospitalization within 1 month prior to the study, and not receiving
      steroids (>5 mg/d) and/or immunosuppressive agents. The primary outcomes were
      forearm muscle and whole body protein breakdown and synthesis before and after
      the intervention. The patients received omega-3 (n=11) versus placebo (n=9) for
      12 weeks. Analysis of covariance was used to compare outcome variables at 12
      weeks. Models were adjusted for a propensity score that was derived from age,
      sex, race, baseline high sensitivity C-reactive protein, diabetes mellitus, and
      fat mass because the groups were not balanced for several characteristics.
      RESULTS: Compared with placebo, omega-3 supplementation was significantly
      associated with decreased muscle protein breakdown at 12 weeks (-31,
      [interquartile range, -98--13] versus 26 [interquartile range, 13-87] ug/100 ml
      per min; P=0.01), which remained significant after multivariate adjustment (-46,
      [95% confidence interval, -102 to -1] ug/100 ml per min). omega-3 Supplementation
      resulted in decreased forearm muscle protein synthesis while the rate in the
      placebo group increased; however, there is no longer a statistically significant
      difference in skeletal muscle protein synthesis or in net protein balance after
      multivariate adjustment. There was no statistically significant effect of omega-3
      supplementation on whole body protein synthesis or breakdown. CONCLUSIONS: High
      dose omega-3 supplementation over 12 weeks in MHD patients with systemic
      inflammation was associated with attenuation of forearm muscle protein breakdown
      but did not influence skeletal muscle protein synthesis, skeletal muscle net
      protein balance or any component of the whole-body protein balance. These results
      should be interpreted cautiously given the imbalance in the two groups and the
      short duration of the intervention.

PMID- 27281701
TI  - The Only Constant Is Change: Next Generation Materials and Medical Device Design
      for Physical and Mental Health.
AB  - Cell health and cell network patency dictate human physical and mental health
      throughout life. Cutting edge multiscale imaging and mapping of cell to organ
      structure and function is unravelling the remarkable plasticity of cellular
      networks, from bone to brain. Insights from these studies will enable the
      development of next generation implants to replace, repair and reprogram cellular
      networks, for promotion of mental and physical health.

PMID- 27281700
TI  - Genetic, Clinical, and Pathologic Backgrounds of Patients with Autosomal Dominant
      Alport Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Alport syndrome comprises a group of inherited
      heterogeneous disorders involving CKD, hearing loss, and ocular abnormalities.
      Autosomal dominant Alport syndrome caused by heterozygous mutations in collagen
      4A3 and/or collagen 4A4 accounts for <5% of patients. However, the clinical,
      genetic, and pathologic backgrounds of patients with autosomal dominant Alport
      syndrome remain unclear. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We
      conducted a retrospective analysis of 25 patients with genetically proven
      autosomal dominant Alport syndrome and their family members (a total of 72
      patients) from 16 unrelated families. Patients with suspected Alport syndrome
      after pathologic examination who were referred from anywhere in Japan for genetic
      analysis from 2006 to 2015 were included in this study. Clinical, laboratory, and
      pathologic data were collected from medical records at the point of registration
      for genetic diagnosis. Genetic analysis was performed by targeted resequencing of
      27 podocyte-related genes, including Alport-related collagen genes, to make a
      diagnosis of autosomal dominant Alport syndrome and identify modifier genes or
      double mutations. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: The
      median renal survival time was 70 years, and the median age at first detection of
      proteinuria was 17 years old. There was one patient with hearing loss and one
      patient with ocular lesion. Among 16 patients who underwent kidney biopsy, three
      showed FSGS, and seven showed thinning without lamellation of the glomerular
      basement membrane. Five of 13 detected mutations were reported to be causative
      mutations for autosomal recessive Alport syndrome in previous studies. Two
      families possessed double mutations in both collagen 4A3 and collagen 4A4, but no
      modifier genes were detected among the other podocyte-related genes. CONCLUSIONS:
      The renal phenotype of autosomal dominant Alport syndrome was much milder than
      that of autosomal recessive Alport syndrome or X-linked Alport syndrome in men.
      It may, thus, be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of autosomal dominant
      Alport syndrome on the basis of clinical or pathologic findings. No modifier
      genes were identified among the known podocyte-related genes.

PMID- 27281702
TI  - Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Domestic Cat (Felis catus)
      Spermatogonial Stem Cells.
AB  - In many mammalian species, surface markers have been used to obtain enriched
      populations of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) for assisted reproduction and
      other applications; however, little is known about the expression patterns of
      feline SSCs. In this study, we assessed expression of the SSC surface markers
      commonly used in other species, KIT, ITGA6, CD9, GFRalpha1, ADGRA3, and THY1, in
      addition to the less frequently used pluripotent markers TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, SSEA
      1, and SSEA-4 in SSCs of both prepubertal and adult domestic cats (Felis catus).
      To further characterize cat SSCs, we sorted cells using SSC-specific markers and
      evaluated the expression of the pluripotent transcription factors NANOG, POU5F1,
      and SOX2 and the proto-oncogene MYC within these populations. We concluded that
      SSC surface markers used in other mammalian species were not specific for
      identifying cat SSCs. However, the pluripotent markers we evaluated were more
      specific to cat spermatogonia, and the presence of SSEA-1 and SSEA-4 in fewer and
      primarily individual cells suggests that these two markers may be used for
      enrichment of cat SSCs. The expression of pluripotent transcription factors at
      mRNA level by single-stained cells positive for SSEA-4 and by dual-stained cells
      positive for both GFRalpha1 and SSEA-4 reflects the undifferentiated stage of cat
      SSCs. The absence of transcription factors in double-stained cells positive for
      only one marker implies the loss of the stem cell-like identity with the loss of
      either GFRalpha1 or SSEA-4. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the
      biological characteristics of these spermatogonial subpopulations.

PMID- 27281703
TI  - Virus-Mediated Metalloproteinase 1 Induction Revealed by Transcriptome Profiling
      of Bovine Herpesvirus 4-Infected Bovine Endometrial Stromal Cells.
AB  - Viral infections can cause genital tract disorders (including abortion) in cows,
      and bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) is often present in endometritis-affected
      animals. A major problem with cattle uterine viral infections in general, and
      BoHV-4 in particular, is our limited understanding of the pathogenic role(s) that
      these infections play in the endometrium. A similar lack of knowledge holds for
      the molecular mechanisms utilized, and the host cell pathways affected, by BoHV
      4. To begin to fill these gaps, we set up optimized conditions for BoHV-4
      infection of a pure population of bovine endometrial stromal cells (BESCs) to be
      used as source material for RNA sequencing-based transcriptome profiling. Many
      genes were found to be upregulated (417) or downregulated (181) after BoHV-4
      infection. As revealed by enrichment functional analysis on differentially
      expressed genes, BoHV-4 infection affects various pathways related to cell
      proliferation and cell surface integrity, at least three of which were centered
      on upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) and interleukin 8 (IL8).
      This was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR, real-time PCR, Western
      immunoblot analysis, and a luciferase assay with a bovine MMP1-specific promoter
      reporter construct. Further, it was found that MMP1 transcription was upregulated
      by the BoHV-4 transactivator IE2/RTA, leading to abnormally high
      metalloproteinase tissue levels, potentially leading to defective endometrium
      healing and unresolved inflammation. Based on these findings, we propose a new
      model for BoHV-4 action centered on IE2-mediated MMP1 upregulation and novel
      therapeutic interventions based on IFN gamma-mediated MMP1 downregulation.

PMID- 27281704
TI  - Quiescence Loosens Epigenetic Constraints in Bovine Somatic Cells and Improves
      Their Reprogramming into Totipotency.
AB  - Reprogramming by nuclear transfer (NT) cloning forces cells to lose their lineage
      specific epigenetic marks and reacquire totipotency. This process often produces
      molecular anomalies that compromise clone development. We hypothesized that
      quiescence alters the epigenetic status of somatic NT donor cells and elevates
      their reprogrammability. To test this idea, we compared chromatin composition and
      cloning efficiency of serum-starved quiescent (G0) fibroblasts versus nonstarved
      mitotically selected (G1) controls. We show that G0 chromatin contains reduced
      levels of Polycomb group proteins EED, SUZ12, PHC1, and RING2, as well as histone
      variant H2A.Z. Using quantitative confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and
      fluorometric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we further show that G0 induced
      DNA and histone hypomethylation, specifically at H3K4me3, H3K9me2/3 and H3K27me3,
      but not H3K9me1. Collectively, these changes resulted in a more relaxed G0
      chromatin state. Following NT, G0 donors developed into blastocysts that retained
      H3K9me3 hypomethylation, both in the inner cell mass and trophectoderm. G0
      blastocysts from different cell types and cell lines developed significantly
      better into adult offspring. In conclusion, serum starvation induced epigenetic
      changes, specifically hypotrimethylation, that provide a mechanistic correlate
      for increased somatic cell reprogrammability.

PMID- 27281706
TI  - Initial Segment Differentiation Begins During a Critical Window and Is Dependent
      upon Lumicrine Factors and SRC Proto-Oncogene (SRC) in the Mouse.
AB  - Without a fully developed and functioning initial segment, the most proximal
      region of the epididymis, male infertility results. Therefore, it is important to
      understand the development of the initial segment. During postnatal development
      of the epididymis, many cellular processes of the initial segment are regulated
      by lumicrine factors, which are produced by the testis and enter the epididymis
      with testicular luminal fluid. In this report, we showed that prior to Postnatal
      Day 15 (P15), the initial segment was lumicrine factor independent in the mouse.
      However, from P19 onward, lumicrine factors were essential for the proliferation
      and survival of initial segment epithelial cells. Therefore, P15 to P19 was a
      critical window that established the dependency of lumicrine factors in the
      initial segment epithelium. The initial segment-specific kinase activity profile,
      a marker of initial segment differentiation, was also established during this
      window. The SFK (SRC proto-oncogene family kinases), ERK pathway (known as the
      RAF/MEK/ERK pathway) components, and AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinases) pathway
      components had increased activities from P15 to P19, suggesting that lumicrine
      factors regulated SFK/ERK/AMPK signaling to initiate differentiation of the
      initial segment from P15 to P19. Compared with litter mate controls, juvenile Src
      null mice displayed lower levels of MAPK3/1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase
      3/1) activity and a reduced level of differentiation in the initial segment
      epithelium, a similar phenotype resulting from inhibition of SRC activity within
      the window of P15 to P19. Therefore, lumicrine factor-dependent SRC activity
      signaling through MAPK3/1 is important for the initiation of initial segment
      differentiation during a critical window of development.

PMID- 27281705
TI  - mTOR Regulates Gap Junction Alpha-1 Protein Trafficking in Sertoli Cells and Is
      Required for the Maintenance of Spermatogenesis in Mice.
AB  - The mammalian target of rapamycin (Mtor) gene encodes a serine/threonine kinase
      that acts as a master regulator of processes as diverse as cell growth, protein
      synthesis, cytoskeleton reorganization, and cell survival. In the testis,
      physiological roles for Mtor have been proposed in perinatal Sertoli cell
      proliferation and blood-testis barrier (BTB) remodeling during spermatogenesis,
      but no in vivo studies of Mtor function have been reported. Here, we used a
      conditional knockout approach to target Mtor in Sertoli cells. The resulting
      Mtor(flox/flox); Amhr2(cre/+) mice were characterized by progressive, adult-onset
      testicular atrophy associated with disorganization of the seminiferous
      epithelium, loss of Sertoli cell polarity, increased germ cell apoptosis,
      premature release of germ cells, decreased epididymal sperm counts, increased
      sperm abnormalities, and infertility. Histopathologic analysis and quantification
      of the expression of stage-specific markers showed a specific loss of pachytene
      spermatocytes and spermatids. Although the BTB and the ectoplasmic
      specializations did not appear to be altered in Mtor(flox/flox);Amhr2(cre/+)
      mice, a dramatic redistribution of gap junction alpha-1 (GJA1) was detected in
      their Sertoli cells. Phosphorylation of GJA1 at Ser373, which is associated with
      its internalization, was increased in the testes of Mtor(flox/flox); Amhr2(cre/+)
      mice, as was the expression and phosphorylation of AKT, which phosphorylates GJA1
      at this site. Together, these results indicate that Mtor expression in Sertoli
      cells is required for the maintenance of spermatogenesis and the progression of
      germ cell development through the pachytene spermatocyte stage. One mechanism of
      mTOR action may be to regulate gap junction dynamics by inhibiting AKT, thereby
      decreasing GJA1 phosphorylation and internalization. mTOR regulates gap junction
      alpha-1 protein distribution in Sertoli cells and is necessary for progression
      through the pachytene spermatocyte stage.

PMID- 27281707
TI  - Unraveling the Sperm Bauplan: Relationships Between Sperm Head Morphology and
      Sperm Function in Rodents.
AB  - Rodents have spermatozoa with features not seen in other species. Sperm heads in
      many rodent species bear one or more apical extensions known as "hooks." The
      process by which hooks have evolved, together with their adaptive significance,
      are still controversial issues. In order to improve our understanding of the
      biological meaning of these sperm head adaptations, we analyzed hook curvature
      angles, hook length, and overall hook shape in muroid rodents by using geometric
      morphometrics. We also searched for relationships between hook design and
      measurements of intermale competition to assess whether postcopulatory sexual
      selection was an important selective force driving changes in this sperm
      structure. Finally, we sought possible links between aspects of sperm hook design
      and sperm velocity as a measure of sperm performance. Results showed that one
      hook curvature angle is under strong selective pressure. Similarly, hook length
      appears to be strongly selected by sexual selection, with this selective force
      also exhibiting a stabilizing role reducing intermale variation in this trait.
      The adaptive significance of changes in hook structure was supported by the
      finding that there are strong and significant covariations between hook
      dimensions and shape and between hook design and sperm swimming velocity.
      Overall, this study strongly suggests that postcopulatory sexual selection has an
      important effect on the design of the sperm head that, in turn, is important for
      enhancing sperm velocity, a function crucial to reaching the vicinity of the
      female gamete and winning fertilizations under competitive situations.

PMID- 27281709
TI  - Possible Contribution of Alpha2,6-Sialylation to Luteolysis in Cows by Inhibiting
      the Luteotropic Effects of Galectin-1.
AB  - The corpus luteum (CL) is essential for establishing pregnancy. If pregnancy does
      not occur during the estrous cycle, luteolysis is induced by prostaglandin (PG)
      F2alpha secreted from the uterus. Galectin-1, a beta-galactose-binding protein,
      is expressed in the functional CL of cows and increases the viability of bovine
      luteal steroidogenic cells (LSCs) by modifying the functions of membrane
      glycoproteins. The binding of galectin-1 to glycoproteins is blocked by alpha2,6
      sialylation of the terminal galactose residues of glycoconjugates, which is
      catalyzed by a sialyltransferase (ST6Gal-I). However, the physiological role of
      alpha2,6-sialic acid in bovine CL is unclear. The level of alpha2,6-sialylation
      of the bovine CL was higher during the regressed-luteal stage than in other
      luteal stages. Lectin histochemistry revealed that alpha2,6-sialylated
      glycoconjugates were localized to luteal endothelial cells throughout the estrous
      cycle. In addition, alpha2,6-sialylated glycoconjugates concentrated to the
      membrane of LSCs during the regressed-luteal stage. PGF2alpha treatment for 72 h
      enhanced the expression of ST6Gal-I mRNA and the level of alpha2,6-sialylated
      glycoproteins in mid-LSCs. The level of alpha2,6-sialylated glycoproteins of late
      stage LSCs (Days 15-17 after ovulation) was higher than that of mid-stage LSCs
      (Days 8-12 after ovulation), and galectin-1 increased the viability of mid-LSCs
      but not that of late-stage LSCs. Furthermore, galectin-1 increased the viability
      of late-LSCs when alpha2,6-sialic acid residues were removed by neuraminidase.
      The overall findings suggest that alpha2,6-sialylation stimulated by PGF2alpha
      contributes to luteolysis by inhibiting the luteotropic effects of galectin-1 in
      bovine CL.

PMID- 27281710
TI  - A Men's Workplace Health Intervention: Results of the POWERPLAY Program Pilot
      Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore physical activity and eating behaviors among men following
      the implementation of a gender-sensitive, workplace health promotion program.
      METHODS: Using a pre-post within-subjects design, computer-assisted telephone
      interviewing (CATI) was used to collect health-related information along with
      physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake at baseline and after 6 months.
      RESULTS: At baseline, participants (N = 139) consumed 3.58 servings of fruit and
      vegetables/day and engaged in an average of 229.77 min/week moderate-vigorous
      physical activity (MVPA). At 6 months, daily fruit/vegetable intake did not
      increase, whereas MVPA increased by 112.3 min/week. CONCLUSIONS: The POWERPLAY
      program successfully increased weekly MVPA. Engaging men in health promotion can
      be a challenge; here, the workplace served as a valuable environment for
      achieving positive change.

PMID- 27281711
TI  - Use of Framingham Risk Score as a Clinical Tool for the Assessment of Fitness for
      Work: Results From a Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to validate the use of the Framingham Risk
      Score (FRS) as clinical tool to predict the risk of diagnosis of unsuitability
      for work in a cohort of Italian workers. METHODS: A cohort of workers has been
      observed from January 2006 to March 2014. FRS was calculated at each visit.
      Health surveillance diagnosis of unsuitability for work was selected as outcome.
      RESULTS: Two thousand eight hundred fifty seven workers were observed, 58.9% were
      men, mean age was 51.6 (+/-6.7), the mean FRS was 15.1% (+/-10.7%). Increased
      values of FRS at baseline were associated with increased rate of diagnosis of
      unsuitability for work (Hazard ratio [HR], 11.2, 95%CI, 3.3 to 37.8).
      CONCLUSIONS: FRS is a strong predictor of diagnosis of unsuitability for work and
      should be used as a clinical tool for the assessment of fitness for work in
      health surveillance.

PMID- 27281708
TI  - Zinc Transport Differs in Rat Spermatogenic Cell Types and Is Affected by
      Treatment with Cyclophosphamide.
AB  - Adequate zinc levels are required for proper cellular functions and for male germ
      cell development. Zinc transport is accomplished by two families of zinc
      transporters, the ZIPs and the ZnTs, that increase and decrease cytosolic zinc
      levels, respectively. However, very little is known about zinc transport in the
      testis. Furthermore, whether cytotoxic agents such as cyclophosphamide (CPA), a
      known male germ cell toxicant, can affect zinc transport and homeostasis is
      unknown. We examined zinc transporter expression and zinc transport in pachytene
      spermatocytes (PS) and round spermatids (RS) in a normal state and after exposure
      to CPA. We observed differences in the expression of members of the ZnT and ZIP
      families in purified populations of PS and RS. We also observed that RS
      accumulate more zinc over time than PS. The expression of many zinc binding genes
      was altered after CPA treatment. Interestingly, we found that the expression
      levels of ZIP5 and ZIP14 were increased in PS from animals treated daily with 6
      mg/kg CPA for 4 wk but not in RS. This up-regulation led to an increase in zinc
      uptake in PS but not in RS from treated animals compared to controls. These data
      suggest that CPA treatment may alter zinc homeostasis in male germ cells leading
      to an increased need for zinc. Altered zinc homeostasis may disrupt proper germ
      cell development and contribute to infertility and effects on progeny.

PMID- 27281712
TI  - Clobazam higher-evening differential dosing as an add-on therapy in refractory
      epilepsy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Clobazam treatment tailored to the timing of patient's seizures may
      improve seizure control. We aim to describe the safety and efficacy of higher
      evening differential dose of clobazam as add-on therapy in patients with night
      time/early morning seizures. METHOD: Differential dosing with higher evening
      dosing was started based on a high proportion of seizures (>80%) at nighttime
      (6p.m. to 6a.m.). Differential dosing was defined as providing more than 50% of
      the total daily dose of clobazam after 6p.m. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were
      treated with clobazam differential dosing as an add-on therapy. The median age
      was 9.1 years, with 11 (40.7%) females and median of the first follow-up was 2.7
      months. Patients with differential dosing tolerated a higher median total
      clobazam dose of 0.8mg/kg/d at first follow-up, as compared to 0.6mg/kg/d in
      controls. In differential dose, the median percentage of the total clobazam dose
      administered in the evening was 66.7%. Differential dose patients exhibited a
      median seizure reduction of 75% as compared to 50% in controls (p<0.005).
      Patients with generalized seizures benefited the most from differential dosing
      with a 77.5% median seizure reduction, as compared to 50% in controls (p=0.017).
      CONCLUSION: Higher-evening differential dose of clobazam improved seizure control
      in patients with predominantly nighttime and early-morning seizures.
      Chronotherapy tailored to the patients' seizure susceptibility patterns may
      improve care in epilepsy patients as differential dosing may allow for higher
      overall treatment doses at times of greatest seizure susceptibility without
      increased side effects at other times.

PMID- 27281713
TI  - Observation of Two Triplet-Pair Intermediates in Singlet Exciton Fission.
AB  - Singlet fission is an excitation multiplication process in molecular systems that
      can circumvent energy losses and significantly boost solar cell efficiencies;
      however, the nature of a critical intermediate that enables singlet fission and
      details of its evolution into multiple product excitations remain obscure. We
      resolve the initial sequence of events comprising the fission of a singlet
      exciton in solids of pentacene derivatives using femtosecond transient absorption
      spectroscopy. We propose a three-step model of singlet fission that includes two
      triplet-pair intermediates and show how transient spectroscopy can distinguish
      initially interacting triplet pairs from those that are spatially separated and
      noninteracting. We find that the interconversion of these two triplet-pair
      intermediates is limited by the rate of triplet transfer. These results clearly
      highlight the classical kinetic model of singlet fission and expose subtle
      details that promise to aid in resolving problems associated with triplet
      extraction. 

PMID- 27281718
TI  - Automated detection and analysis of depolarization events in human cardiomyocytes
      using MaDEC.
AB  - Optical imaging-based methods for assessing the membrane electrophysiology of in
      vitro human cardiac cells allow for non-invasive temporal assessment of the
      effect of drugs and other stimuli. Automated methods for detecting and analyzing
      the depolarization events (DEs) in image-based data allow quantitative assessment
      of these different treatments. In this study, we use 2-photon microscopy of
      fluorescent voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs) to capture the membrane voltage of
      actively beating human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS
      CMs). We built a custom and freely available Matlab software, called MaDEC, to
      detect, quantify, and compare DEs of hiPS-CMs treated with the beta-adrenergic
      drugs, propranolol and isoproterenol. The efficacy of our software is quantified
      by comparing detection results against manual DE detection by expert analysts,
      and comparing DE analysis results to known drug-induced electrophysiological
      effects. The software accurately detected DEs with true positive rates of 98-100%
      and false positive rates of 1-2%, at signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of 5 and
      above. The MaDEC software was also able to distinguish control DEs from drug
      treated DEs both immediately as well as 10min after drug administration.

PMID- 27281719
TI  - Trace metals in the giant tiger prawn Penaeus monodon and mangrove sediments of
      the Tanzania coast: Is there a risk to marine fauna and public health?
AB  - Mangroves ecosystems support livelihood and economic activities of coastal
      communities in the tropics and subtropics. Previous reports have documented the
      inefficiency of waste treatment facilities in Tanzania to contain trace metals.
      Therefore, the rapidly expanding coastal population and industrial sector is
      likely to threaten mangrove ecosystems with metal pollution. This study analysed
      trace metals in 60 sediment samples and 160 giant tiger prawns from the Tanzanian
      coast in order to document the distribution of trace metals and to establish if
      measured levels present a threat to mangrove fauna and are of public health
      importance. High levels of Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and V was observed in
      mangroves of river Pangani, Wami, and Rufiji. Multivariate analysis showed that
      they originate mainly from weathering and erosion in the river catchments.
      Extreme enrichment of Cd was observed in a mangrove affected by municipal sewage.
      The distribution of Hg, Pb, and Zn was related with urbanisation and industrial
      activities along the coast. The metal pollution index was high at Pangani,
      Saadani, and Rufiji, suggesting that these estuarine mangroves are also affected
      by human activities in the catchment. Moderate to considerable ecological risks
      were observed in all sampled mangroves, except for Kilwa Masoko. It was revealed
      that As, Cd, and Hg present moderate risks to fauna. High levels of Cu, Fe and Zn
      were observed in prawns but the level of the non-essential Cd, Hg, and Pb did not
      exceed the maximum allowed levels for human consumption. However, based on the
      trends of fish consumption in the country, weekly intake of Hg is likely to
      exceed provisional tolerable weekly intake level, especially in fishing
      communities. This calls for measures to control Hg emissions and to strengthen
      sewage and waste treatment in coastal cities and urban centres in the basin of
      major rivers. 

PMID- 27281720
TI  - Effects of the Intraneural and Subparaneural Ultrasound-Guided Popliteal Sciatic
      Nerve Block: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical and
      Electrophysiological Comparison.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This prospective, randomized, double-blind study
      compared the effects of the ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block
      performed by either intraneural or subparaneural approach followed by an
      electrophysiological evaluation. We hypothesized that intraneural injection
      provides a faster onset with a better success rate compared with the
      subparaneural approach. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients were enrolled and
      randomized to receive an ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block
      injecting 15 mL ropivacaine 1% according to an intraneural injection (group INTRA
      = 44) or a subparaneural injection (group SUBPARA = 44). The primary end point
      was the onset time of sensory and motor block, whereas secondary end points were
      successful, duration of the block, and the variation of the electrophysiological
      assessment after 5 weeks. The study was registered prior to patient enrollment
      (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01987128). RESULTS: The median onset time for
      successful sciatic nerve block in the INTRA group was 10 (5-15 [5-30]) minutes
      versus 25 (15-35 [5-45]) minutes in the SUBPARA group (P < 0.001), with a rate of
      41/43 (95.3%) compared with 25/40 (62.5%) in the SUBPARA group (P < 0.001). No
      difference was found regardless of the duration of the block. Fifty-three
      patients also performed the electrophysiological assessment at 5 weeks, showing a
      subclinical, significant reduction in amplitude of the action potentials with no
      difference between groups. No patients reported any clinical neurological
      complications after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic
      nerve block, intraneural injection provided a faster onset and better success
      rate compared with subparaneural. Both techniques resulted in a similar
      subclinical reduction in amplitude of the sciatic action potentials at 5 weeks
      after surgery. These findings should not be extended to other approaches.

PMID- 27281721
TI  - Radiofrequency Procedures to Relieve Chronic Knee Pain: An Evidence-Based
      Narrative Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis or following
      arthroplasty is a common problem. A number of publications have reported
      analgesic success of radiofrequency (RF) procedures on nerves innervating the
      knee, but interpretation is hampered by lack of clarity regarding indications,
      clinical protocols, targets, and longevity of benefit from RF procedures.
      METHODS: We reviewed the following medical literature databases for publications
      on RF procedures on the knee joint for chronic pain: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane
      Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,
      and Google Scholar up to August 9, 2015. Data on scores for pain, validated
      scores for measuring physical disability, and adverse effects measured at any
      timepoint after 1 month following the interventions were collected, analyzed, and
      reported in this narrative review. RESULTS: Thirteen publications on ablative or
      pulsed RF treatments of innervation of the knee joint were identified. A high
      success rate of these procedures in relieving chronic pain of the knee joint was
      reported at 1 to 12 months after the procedures, but only 2 of the publications
      were randomized controlled trials. There was evidence for improvement in function
      and a lack of serious adverse events of RF treatments. CONCLUSIONS:
      Radiofrequency treatments on the knee joint (major or periarticular nerve supply
      or intra-articular branches) have the potential to reduce pain from
      osteoarthritis or persistent postarthroplasty pain. Ongoing concerns regarding
      the quality, procedural aspects, and monitoring of outcomes in publications on
      this topic remain. Randomized controlled trials of high methodological quality
      are required to further elaborate role of these interventions in this population.

PMID- 27281722
TI  - Comparison of 2-Chloroprocaine, Bupivacaine, and Lidocaine for Spinal Anesthesia
      in Patients Undergoing Knee Arthroscopy in an Outpatient Setting: A Double-Blind
      Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Knee arthroscopy is a well-established procedure in
      day-case surgery, which is frequently performed under spinal anesthesia. It is,
      however, controversial whether the choice for a specific local anesthetic
      translates into relevant outcomes. We hypothesized that the use of 2
      chloroprocaine would be associated with a faster recovery from sensorimotor
      block. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients were included in this prospective, double
      blind, randomized controlled trial and randomly allocated to receive either 40 mg
      2-chloroprocaine, 40 mg lidocaine, or 7.5 mg bupivacaine. The primary endpoint
      was the time until complete recovery of sensory block. Secondary endpoints
      included time to recovery from motor block, failure rates, incidence of
      hypotension/bradycardia, postoperative pain, first mobilization, voiding and
      discharge times, and the incidence of transient neurologic symptoms. This
      clinical trial was registered prior to patient enrollment (EudraCT 2011-003675
      11). RESULTS: Patients in the chloroprocaine group had a significantly shorter
      time until recovery from sensory block (median, 2.6 hours; interquartile range
      [IQR], 2.2-2.9 hours) than patients in the lidocaine group (3.1 hours; IQR, 2.7
      3.6 hours; P < 0.006) and in the bupivacaine group (6.1 hours; IQR, 5.5 hours to
      undefined hours; P < 0.0001). Chloroprocaine was associated with a significantly
      faster recovery from motor block than lidocaine and bupivacaine. Times to first
      mobilization, voiding, and discharge were significantly shorter for
      chloroprocaine when compared with bupivacaine, but not with lidocaine. In the
      bupivacaine group, patients needed significantly less rescue medication for
      postoperative pain when compared with lidocaine and chloroprocaine. Groups did
      not differ with respect to patient satisfaction, incidence of
      bradycardia/hypotension, and transient neurologic symptom rate. CONCLUSIONS: For
      spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing ambulatory knee arthroscopy,
      chloroprocaine has the shortest time to complete recovery of sensory and motor
      block compared with bupivacaine and lidocaine.

PMID- 27281723
TI  - The Role of Spectral Tissue Sensing During Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural
      Injection.
AB  - Spectral tissue sensing (STS) exploits the scattering and absorption of light by
      tissue. The main objective of the present study was to determine whether STS can
      discriminate between correct and incorrect placement of the needle tip during
      lumbar transforaminal epidural injection. This was a single-blind prospective
      observational study in 30 patients with lumbar radicular pain scheduled for
      lumbar transforaminal epidural injection. Spectral tissue sensing data from the
      needle tip were acquired along the needle trajectory at 4 predefined measurement
      points and compared with ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and digital subtraction
      angiography images. Spectral tissue sensing data contained the full spectra. The
      lipid and hemoglobin content at the different measurement points was also
      calculated, and partial least-squares discriminant analysis was used to estimate
      the sensitivity and specificity of STS. Spectral tissue sensing identified
      correct needle placement with a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 82%, and
      intraforaminal versus extraforaminal locations were identified with a sensitivity
      of 80% and a specificity of 71%.

PMID- 27281724
TI  - In-Plane Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Plexus Block Using Catheter-Over-Needle
      Technique in a 14-Month-Old Baby.
AB  - This case report details the feasibility of a continuous lumbar plexus block
      obtained with a paramedian transverse scan of the lumbar paravertebral region,
      using a catheter-over-needle system, as a main postoperative orthopedic
      analgesia, in a 14-month-old patient undergoing surgical treatment of a localized
      Ewing family tumor of the right proximal femur. After surgery, the patient
      remained in the intensive care unit for 3 days; pain was assessed regularly using
      the Children's and Infants' Postoperative Pain Scale, and comfort was monitored.
      Analgesia was provided with continuous levobupivacaine 0.2% infusion 0.2 mL kg h,
      rectal paracetamol 15 mg kg, and oral ibuprofen 60 mg twice per day, with a dose
      of morphine 0.05 mg kg intravenously as rescue. Pain relief was excellent, and no
      additional morphine was needed during the postoperative course. Nausea, vomiting,
      and disturbed sleep were not reported. Oral diet was resumed on the first
      postoperative day. In conclusion, this case represents successful postoperative
      management of orthopedic pain in a child using continuous posterior lumbar plexus
      infusion. 

PMID- 27281725
TI  - Adverse Events and Resource Utilization After Spinal and General Anesthesia in
      Infants Undergoing Pyloromyotomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interest in spinal anesthesia (SA) is increasing
      because of concern about the long-term effects of intravenous (IV) and inhaled
      anesthetics in young children. This study compared SA versus general anesthesia
      (GA) in infants undergoing pyloromyotomy. METHODS: Between 2000 to 2013, the
      University of Vermont Medical Center almost exclusively used SA for infant
      pyloromyotomy surgery, whereas Columbia University Medical Center relied on GA.
      Outcomes included adverse events (AEs) within 48 hours of surgery, operating room
      (OR) time, and postoperative length of stay (LOS). Regression was used to
      evaluate the association between anesthesia technique and outcomes, accounting
      for demographic and clinical covariates. RESULTS: We studied 218 infants with SA
      at the University of Vermont Medical Center and 206 infants with GA at Columbia
      University Medical Center. In the SA group, 96.3% of infants had adequate initial
      analgesic levels, but 35.8% required supplemental IV or inhaled anesthetic
      agents. Compared with GA, the risk of AEs in SA (adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 0.27-1.36) did not significantly differ, but SA was
      associated with shorter OR times (17.5 minutes faster; 95% CI, 13.5-21.4 minutes)
      and shorter postoperative LOS (GA is 1.19 times longer; 95% CI, 1.01-1.40).
      CONCLUSIONS: Infants undergoing pyloromyotomy with SA had shorter OR times and
      postoperative LOS, no significant differences in AE rates, and decreased exposure
      to IV and inhaled anesthetics, although SA infants often still required
      supplemental anesthetics. Whether these differences result in any long-term
      benefit is unclear; further studies are needed to determine the risk of rare AEs,
      such as aspiration.

PMID- 27281727
TI  - Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind Study: Does Decreasing Interscalene Nerve
      Block Volume for Surgical Anesthesia in Ambulatory Shoulder Surgery Offer Same
      Day Patient Recovery Advantages?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this randomized double-blind prospective study in
      patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy, we compared the effects of ultrasound
      guided interscalene nerve block using 20 mL (intervention group) and 40 mL
      (control group) of a mepivacaine 1.5% and bupivacaine 0.5% mixture (1:1 volume)
      on ipsilateral handgrip strength and other postoperative end points. METHODS: One
      hundred fifty-four patients scheduled for ambulatory shoulder arthroscopy were
      randomly assigned to receive a single-injection interscalene block under
      ultrasound guidance with either 40 mL (control) or 20 mL (intervention) and
      intravenous sedation. The primary outcome was the change in ipsilateral handgrip
      strength in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) measured with a dynamometer.
      Secondary end points were recorded, including negative inspiratory force,
      incidences of hoarseness and Horner syndrome, time to readiness for discharge
      from PACU, time to discharge from PACU, patient satisfaction, time to block
      resolution, and pain scores. RESULTS: Postoperative handgrip strength was greater
      in the 20-mL group compared with the 40-mL group (difference in means, 2.3 kg
      [95% confidence interval, 0.6-4.0 kg]; P = 0.009). A smaller proportion of
      patients in the intervention group experienced hoarseness postoperatively
      compared with the control group (odds ratio, 0.26 [95% confidence interval, 0.08
      0.82]; P = 0.015). Patient satisfaction and duration of analgesia were similar in
      both groups. CONCLUSIONS: When used for surgical anesthesia for shoulder
      arthroscopies in the ambulatory setting, a 20-mL volume in an ultrasound-guided
      interscalene block preserves greater handgrip strength on the ipsilateral side in
      the PACU compared with 40 mL without significant decrease in block success,
      duration of analgesia, and patient satisfaction.

PMID- 27281726
TI  - Epidural Versus Paravertebral Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients
      Undergoing Open Liver Resection: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although many studies have found no difference between
      thoracic epidural block and unilateral thoracic paravertebral block after
      thoracotomy, no previous studies have compared epidural block with bilateral
      thoracic paravertebral block (bTPVB) in patients undergoing open liver resection.
      We aimed to investigate whether there was a significant analgesic advantage of
      thoracic epidural over bTPVB after liver resection. METHODS: This randomized,
      prospective, open-label study included adult patients undergoing elective open
      liver resection. Patients were randomized to receive either thoracic epidural
      block or bTPVB, through which ropivacaine (0.2%) was infused for 3 days. The
      primary outcome was pain Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) score (0-10) at rest and with
      postoperative incentive spirometry. Secondary outcomes included VRS at rest,
      inspired volumes during incentive spirometry, patient-controlled analgesia
      hydromorphone utilization, measures of hemodynamic stability, and postoperative
      bowel function. RESULTS: Eighty patients completed the study and received
      thoracic epidural block (n = 41) or bTPVBs (n = 39). No catheter-related
      complications were noted. The primary outcome, pain (VRS) with incentive
      spirometry, was significantly lower in the epidural group (epidural vs bTPVB,
      mean [SD]) (4.5 [2.7] vs 5.4 [2.7] at 24 hours postoperatively, and 3.2 [2.1] vs
      4.6 [2.4] at 48 hours postoperatively). Maximal inspired volumes at 24 hours
      postoperatively (917 [379] vs 1042 [468] mL) and cumulative utilization of
      patient-controlled analgesia hydromorphone during the first 48 hours
      postoperatively (10.7 [7.9] vs 13.6 [8.5] mg) were not significantly different
      between groups. Decrease in mean arterial pressure from baseline at 24 hours
      postoperatively was greater for the epidural group (-12.6 [15.8] vs -3.8 [16.2];
      P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there is a modest analgesic
      advantage of thoracic epidural over bTPVBs for patients after open liver
      resection.

PMID- 27281728
TI  - Giving Priority to Lipid Administration Can Reduce Lung Injury Caused by
      Epinephrine in Bupivacaine-Induced Cardiac Depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epinephrine is usually administered in concert with a
      lipid emulsion during local anesthetic toxicity. However, the timing and role of
      epinephrine administration in combination with a lipid emulsion remain unclear.
      Specifically, the temporal association of epinephrine and lipid emulsion
      administration with related changes in pulmonary vascular pressures that may lead
      to pulmonary edema and hemorrhage needs to be determined. METHODS: This study
      consisted of 2 parts, experiments A and B. In experiment A, 24 adult male Sprague
      Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8) to receive 1 of 3
      treatments. All rats were anesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of
      chloral hydrate, and anesthesia was maintained by sevoflurane. Each treatment
      group was initially given an infusion of bupivacaine (15 mg/kg) in order to
      produce cardiac depression. Group 1 (A-LEN) received a 30% lipid infusion (3
      mL/kg) followed by a rapid epinephrine bolus (10 MUg/kg), which was then followed
      by a normal saline infusion (3 mL/kg). Group 2 (A-NEL) first received a normal
      saline infusion (3 mL/kg) followed by a rapid epinephrine bolus, which was then
      followed by a 30% lipid emulsion. Group 3 (A-NEN, considered a control group)
      first received a normal saline infusion (3 mL/kg) followed by a rapid epinephrine
      bolus (10 MUg/kg), which was then followed by another normal saline infusion (3
      mL/kg). Lipid and normal saline infusions were administered over 1 minute,
      whereas epinephrine was injected rapidly. The continuous monitoring of blood
      pressure, heart rate, pulmonary arterial pressure, and pulmonary venous pressure
      occurred for 30 minutes. After the 30-minute monitoring period, lung tissue was
      sampled, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected. In experiment B, the
      experimental model and resuscitation protocol were similar to experiment A (B-LEN
      and B-NEL groups). In this arm of the experiment, bupivacaine concentrations of
      cardiac tissue were determined after the second minute of normal saline infusion.
      RESULTS: The A-LEN group produced the best rate pressure product when compared
      with the A-NEL or A-NEN group (P = 0.045, P = 0.011, respectively). In regard to
      pulmonary venous pressure, the A-LEN group was lower than the A-NEL or A-NEN
      group (P = 0.031, P = 0.006, respectively). Animals in the A-NEL and A-NEN groups
      rapidly developed pulmonary edema after infusion of epinephrine. The wet-to-dry
      ratio of the lungs in the A-LEN group was lower than that of the lungs in the A
      NEL group (P = 0.024).The lung permeability index of the A-LEN group was lower
      than that of the A-NEL group (P = 0.011). In experiment B, concentrations of
      bupivacaine in cardiac tissue and plasma of the B-LEN group were lower than those
      of the B-NEL group (P = 0.001, P = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Giving
      priority to the administration of a lipid emulsion before the administration of
      epinephrine can reduce lung injury in bupivacaine-induced cardiac depression in
      rats.

PMID- 27281729
TI  - Neurologic Outcomes After Low-Volume, Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block and
      Ambulatory Shoulder Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative neurologic symptoms after interscalene
      block and shoulder surgery have been reported to be relatively frequent. Reports
      of such symptoms after ultrasound-guided block have been variable. We evaluated
      300 patients for neurologic symptoms after low-volume, ultrasound-guided
      interscalene block and arthroscopic shoulder surgery. METHODS: Patients underwent
      ultrasound-guided interscalene block with 16 to 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine or a
      mix of 0.2% bupivacaine/1.2% mepivacaine solution, followed by propofol/ketamine
      sedation for ambulatory arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Patients were called at 10
      days for evaluation of neurologic symptoms, and those with persistent symptoms
      were called again at 30 days, at which point neurologic evaluation was initiated.
      Details of patient demographics and block characteristics were collected to
      assess any association with persistent neurologic symptoms. RESULTS: Six of 300
      patients reported symptoms at 10 days (2%), with one of these patients having
      persistent symptoms at 30 days (0.3%). This was significantly lower than rates of
      neurologic symptoms reported in preultrasound investigations with focused
      neurologic follow-up and similar to other studies performed in the ultrasound
      era. There was a modest correlation between the number of needle redirections
      during the block procedure and the presence of postoperative neurologic symptoms.
      CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance of interscalene block with 16- to 20-mL volumes
      of local anesthetic solution results in a lower frequency of postoperative
      neurologic symptoms at 10 and 30 days as compared with investigations in the
      preultrasound period.

PMID- 27281731
TI  - Dr P. Prithvi Raj: A True Founding Father.

PMID- 27281730
TI  - Adverse Drug Effects and Preoperative Medication Factors Related to Perioperative
      Low-Dose Ketamine Infusions.
AB  - High-dose opioid administration is associated with significant adverse events.
      Evidence suggests that low-dose ketamine infusions improve perioperative
      analgesia over conventional opioid management, but usage is highly variable.
      Ketamine's adverse drug effects (ADEs) are well known, but their prevalence
      during low-dose infusions in a clinical setting and how often they lead to
      infusion discontinuation are unknown. The purposes of this study were 3-fold: (1)
      to identify patient factors associated with initiation of ketamine infusions
      during spine surgery, (2) to identify specific spine procedures in which ketamine
      has been used most frequently, and (3) to identify ADEs associated with
      postoperative ketamine infusions and which ADEs most frequently led to
      discontinuation. Spine surgery was chosen because of its association with
      moderate to severe pain and a relatively high use of ketamine infusions in this
      population at our hospital. 

PMID- 27281732
TI  - Like mother, like child: Offspring marital timing desires and maternal marriage
      timing and stability.
AB  - Understanding the determinants of marital timing is critical because it has
      implications for marital functioning and divorce. One salient predictor of
      marital timing is youth's desires for marriage timing. To shine light on
      predictors of both desires for marital timing and the timing of marriage itself,
      we examine offspring marital desires and maternal marriage characteristics in the
      National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 (NLSY79) cohort and 1979 Child and
      Young Adult cohort (NLSY79-CYA; biological offspring of the women in the 1979
      cohort). Analyses showed that maternal cohabitation postdivorce predicted
      decreased expectations to ever marry in offspring. Maternal age at marriage was
      positively associated with offspring desires for age at marriage, but only for
      those whose mothers had not divorced. Maternal marital age was significantly
      associated with the offspring's transition into marriage even when controlling
      for the offspring's desires for marriage timing, but neither maternal marriage
      age nor offspring desires for marital timing were associated with the timing of
      entrance into cohabitation, whereas maternal divorce was associated with earlier
      cohabitation. Our findings suggest that maternal marriage characteristics,
      particularly divorce, are significant predictors of millennials' desires for and
      experiences with romantic relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 27281733
TI  - Data management architecture, University Hospital Haiti.

PMID- 27281734
TI  - CFTR and pHi regulation.

PMID- 27281735
TI  - Reply: Epithelial alkalinity and hyperproliferation in the Cftr KO intestine.

PMID- 27281738
TI  - Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma Presenting With Bilateral Compressive Optic
      Neuropathy.

PMID- 27281739
TI  - Fernlike Maculopathy in a Patient With Central Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PMID- 27281740
TI  - Hair in the Eye.

PMID- 27281743
TI  - A physiological and behavioral system for hearing restoration with cochlear
      implants.
AB  - Cochlear implants are neuroprosthetic devices that provide hearing to deaf
      patients, although outcomes are highly variable even with prolonged training and
      use. The central auditory system must process cochlear implant signals, but it is
      unclear how neural circuits adapt-or fail to adapt-to such inputs. The knowledge
      of these mechanisms is required for development of next-generation
      neuroprosthetics that interface with existing neural circuits and enable synaptic
      plasticity to improve perceptual outcomes. Here, we describe a new system for
      cochlear implant insertion, stimulation, and behavioral training in rats. Animals
      were first ensured to have significant hearing loss via physiological and
      behavioral criteria. We developed a surgical approach for multichannel (2- or 8
      channel) array insertion, comparable with implantation procedures and depth in
      humans. Peripheral and cortical responses to stimulation were used to program the
      implant objectively. Animals fitted with implants learned to use them for an
      auditory-dependent task that assesses frequency detection and recognition in a
      background of environmentally and self-generated noise and ceased responding
      appropriately to sounds when the implant was temporarily inactivated. This
      physiologically calibrated and behaviorally validated system provides a powerful
      opportunity to study the neural basis of neuroprosthetic device use and
      plasticity.

PMID- 27281741
TI  - Emerging Role of Zika Virus in Adverse Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes.
AB  - The rapid spread of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas and its potential
      association with thousands of suspected cases of microcephaly in Brazil and
      higher rates of Guillain-Barre syndrome meet the conditions for a Public Health
      Emergency of International Concern, as stated by the World Health Organization in
      February 2016. Two months later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
      (CDC) announced that the current available evidence supports the existence of a
      causal relationship between prenatal Zika virus infection and microcephaly and
      other serious brain anomalies. Microcephaly can be caused by several factors, and
      its clinical course and prognosis are difficult to predict. Other pathogens with
      proven teratogenicity have been identified long before the current ZIKV epidemic.
      Despite the growing number of cases with maternal signs of infection and/or
      presence of ZIKV in tissues of affected newborns or fetuses, it is currently
      difficult to assess the magnitude of increase of microcephaly prevalence in
      Brazil, as well as the role of other factors in the development of congenital
      neurological conditions. Meanwhile, health agencies and medical organizations
      have issued cautious guidelines advising health care practitioners and expectant
      couples traveling to, returning from, or living in affected areas. Analogous to
      dengue virus (DENV) epidemics, ZIKV has the potential to become endemic in all
      countries infested by Aedes mosquitoes, while new mutations could impact viral
      replication in humans, leading to increased virulence and consequently heightened
      chances of viral transmission to additional naive mosquito vectors. Studies are
      urgently needed to answer the questions surrounding ZIKV and its role in
      congenital neurological conditions.

PMID- 27281744
TI  - Proactive modulation of long-interval intracortical inhibition during response
      inhibition.
AB  - Daily activities often require sudden cancellation of preplanned movement, termed
      response inhibition. When only a subcomponent of a whole response must be
      suppressed (required here on Partial trials), the ensuing component is markedly
      delayed. The neural mechanisms underlying partial response inhibition remain
      unclear. We hypothesized that Partial trials would be associated with
      nonselective corticomotor suppression and that GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition
      within primary motor cortex might be responsible for the nonselective
      corticomotor suppression contributing to Partial trial response delays. Sixteen
      right-handed participants performed a bimanual anticipatory response inhibition
      task while single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was
      delivered to elicit motor evoked potentials in the left first dorsal interosseous
      muscle. Lift times, amplitude of motor evoked potentials, and long-interval
      intracortical inhibition were examined across the different trial types (Go, Stop
      Left, Stop-Right, Stop-Both). Go trials produced a tight distribution of lift
      times around the target, whereas those during Partial trials (Stop-Left and Stop
      Right) were substantially delayed. The modulation of motor evoked potential
      amplitude during Stop-Right trials reflected anticipation, suppression, and
      subsequent reinitiation of movement. Importantly, suppression was present across
      all Stop trial types, indicative of a "default" nonselective inhibitory process.
      Compared with blocks containing only Go trials, inhibition increased when Stop
      trials were introduced but did not differ between trial types. The amount of
      inhibition was positively correlated with lift times during Stop-Right trials.
      Tonic levels of inhibition appear to be proactively modulated by task context and
      influence the speed at which unimanual responses occur after a nonselective
      "brake" is applied.

PMID- 27281746
TI  - Stochastic slowly adapting ionic currents may provide a decorrelation mechanism
      for neural oscillators by causing wander in the intrinsic period.
AB  - Oscillatory neurons integrate their synaptic inputs in fundamentally different
      ways than normally quiescent neurons. We show that the oscillation period of
      invertebrate endogenous pacemaker neurons wanders, producing random fluctuations
      in the interspike intervals (ISI) on a time scale of seconds to minutes, which
      decorrelates pairs of neurons in hybrid circuits constructed using the dynamic
      clamp. The autocorrelation of the ISI sequence remained high for many ISIs, but
      the autocorrelation of the DeltaISI series had on average a single nonzero value,
      which was negative at a lag of one interval. We reproduced these results using a
      simple integrate and fire (IF) model with a stochastic population of channels
      carrying an adaptation current with a stochastic component that was integrated
      with a slow time scale, suggesting that a similar population of channels
      underlies the observed wander in the period. Using autoregressive integrated
      moving average (ARIMA) models, we found that a single integrator and a single
      moving average with a negative coefficient could simulate both the experimental
      data and the IF model. Feeding white noise into an integrator with a slow time
      constant is sufficient to produce the autocorrelation structure of the ISI
      series. Moreover, the moving average clearly accounted for the autocorrelation
      structure of the DeltaISI series and is biophysically implemented in the IF model
      using slow stochastic adaptation. The observed autocorrelation structure may be a
      neural signature of slow stochastic adaptation, and wander generated in this
      manner may be a general mechanism for limiting episodes of synchronized activity
      in the nervous system.

PMID- 27281745
TI  - Organization of cortico-cortical pathways supporting memory retrieval across
      subregions of the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex.
AB  - Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) evidence indicates that different
      subregions of ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) participate in distinct
      cortical networks. These networks have been shown to support separable cognitive
      functions: anterior VLPFC [inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) pars orbitalis]
      functionally correlates with a ventral fronto-temporal network associated with
      top-down influences on memory retrieval, while mid-VLPFC (IFG pars triangularis)
      functionally correlates with a dorsal fronto-parietal network associated with
      postretrieval control processes. However, it is not known to what extent
      subregional differences in network affiliation and function are driven by
      differences in the organization of underlying white matter pathways. We used high
      angular-resolution diffusion spectrum imaging and functional connectivity
      analysis in unanesthetized humans to address whether the organization of white
      matter connectivity differs between subregions of VLPFC. Our results demonstrate
      a ventral-dorsal division within IFG. Ventral IFG as a whole connects broadly to
      lateral temporal cortex. Although several different individual white matter
      tracts form connections between ventral IFG and lateral temporal cortex,
      functional connectivity analysis of fMRI data indicates that these are part of
      the same ventral functional network. By contrast, across subdivisions, dorsal IFG
      was connected with the midfrontal gyrus and correlated as a separate dorsal
      functional network. These qualitative differences in white matter organization
      within larger macroanatomical subregions of VLPFC support prior functional
      distinctions among these regions observed in task-based and functional
      connectivity fMRI studies. These results are consistent with the proposal that
      anatomical connectivity is a crucial determinant of systems-level functional
      organization of frontal cortex and the brain in general.

PMID- 27281747
TI  - Startle reveals decreased response preparatory activation during a stop-signal
      task.
AB  - In a stop-signal task participants are instructed to initiate a movement in
      response to a go signal, but to inhibit this movement if an infrequent stop
      signal is presented after the go. Reaction time (RT) in a stop-signal task is
      typically longer compared with that in a simple RT task, which may be attributed
      to a reduced readiness to initiate the response caused by the possibility of
      having to inhibit the response. The purpose of this experiment was to probe the
      preparatory activation level of the motor response during a stop-signal task
      using a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS), which has been shown to involuntarily
      trigger sufficiently prepared responses at a short latency. Participants
      completed two separate tasks: a simple RT task, followed by a stop-signal RT
      task. During both tasks, an SAS (120 dB) was pseudorandomly presented
      concurrently with the go signal. As expected, RT during the simple RT task was
      significantly shorter than during the stop-signal task. A significant reduction
      in RT was noted when an SAS was presented during the simple RT task; however,
      during the stop-signal task, an SAS resulted in either a significant speeding or
      a moderate delay in RT. Additionally, the subset of SAS trial responses with the
      shortest RT latencies produced during the stop-signal task were also delayed
      compared with the short-latency SAS trial responses observed during the simple RT
      task. Despite evidence that a response was prepared in advance of the go signal
      during a stop-signal task, it appears that the amount of preparatory activation
      was reduced compared with that achieved during a simple RT task.

PMID- 27281748
TI  - Paired associative transspinal and transcortical stimulation produces plasticity
      in human cortical and spinal neuronal circuits.
AB  - Anatomical, physiological, and functional connectivity exists between the neurons
      of the primary motor cortex (M1) and spinal cord. Paired associative stimulation
      (PAS) produces enduring changes in M1, based on the Hebbian principle of
      associative plasticity. The present study aimed to establish neurophysiological
      changes in human cortical and spinal neuronal circuits by pairing noninvasive
      transspinal stimulation with transcortical stimulation via transcranial magnetic
      stimulation (TMS). We delivered paired transspinal and transcortical stimulation
      for 40 min at precise interstimulus intervals, with TMS being delivered after
      (transspinal-transcortical PAS) or before (transcortical-transspinal PAS)
      transspinal stimulation. Transspinal-transcortical PAS markedly decreased
      intracortical inhibition, increased intracortical facilitation and M1
      excitability with concomitant decreases of motor threshold, and reduced the
      soleus Hoffmann's reflex (H-reflex) low frequency-mediated homosynaptic
      depression. Transcortical-transspinal PAS did not affect intracortical circuits,
      decreased M1 excitability, and reduced the soleus H-reflex-paired stimulation
      pulses' mediated postactivation depression. Both protocols affected the
      excitation threshold of group Ia afferents and motor axons. These findings
      clearly indicate that the pairing of transspinal with transcortical stimulation
      produces cortical and spinal excitability changes based on the timing interval
      and functional network interactions between the two associated inputs. This new
      PAS paradigm may constitute a significant neuromodulation method with
      physiological impact, because it can be used to alter concomitantly excitability
      of intracortical circuits, corticospinal neurons, and spinal inhibition in
      humans.

PMID- 27281742
TI  - Approved Antiviral Drugs over the Past 50 Years.
AB  - Since the first antiviral drug, idoxuridine, was approved in 1963, 90 antiviral
      drugs categorized into 13 functional groups have been formally approved for the
      treatment of the following 9 human infectious diseases: (i) HIV infections
      (protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, entry inhibitors, nucleoside reverse
      transcriptase inhibitors, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and
      acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues), (ii) hepatitis B virus (HBV)
      infections (lamivudine, interferons, nucleoside analogues, and acyclic nucleoside
      phosphonate analogues), (iii) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections (ribavirin,
      interferons, NS3/4A protease inhibitors, NS5A inhibitors, and NS5B polymerase
      inhibitors), (iv) herpesvirus infections (5-substituted 2'-deoxyuridine
      analogues, entry inhibitors, nucleoside analogues, pyrophosphate analogues, and
      acyclic guanosine analogues), (v) influenza virus infections (ribavirin, matrix 2
      protein inhibitors, RNA polymerase inhibitors, and neuraminidase inhibitors),
      (vi) human cytomegalovirus infections (acyclic guanosine analogues, acyclic
      nucleoside phosphonate analogues, pyrophosphate analogues, and oligonucleotides),
      (vii) varicella-zoster virus infections (acyclic guanosine analogues, nucleoside
      analogues, 5-substituted 2'-deoxyuridine analogues, and antibodies), (viii)
      respiratory syncytial virus infections (ribavirin and antibodies), and (ix)
      external anogenital warts caused by human papillomavirus infections (imiquimod,
      sinecatechins, and podofilox). Here, we present for the first time a
      comprehensive overview of antiviral drugs approved over the past 50 years,
      shedding light on the development of effective antiviral treatments against
      current and emerging infectious diseases worldwide. 

PMID- 27281749
TI  - Brain heating induced by near-infrared lasers during multiphoton microscopy.
AB  - Two-photon imaging and optogenetic stimulation rely on high illumination powers,
      particularly for state-of-the-art applications that target deeper structures,
      achieve faster measurements, or probe larger brain areas. However, little
      information is available on heating and resulting damage induced by high-power
      illumination in the brain. In the current study we used thermocouple probes and
      quantum dot nanothermometers to measure temperature changes induced by two-photon
      microscopy in the neocortex of awake and anaesthetized mice. We characterized
      heating as a function of wavelength, exposure time, and distance from the center
      of illumination. Although total power is highest near the surface of the brain,
      heating was most severe hundreds of micrometers below the focal plane, due to
      heat dissipation through the cranial window. Continuous illumination of a 1-mm(2)
      area produced a peak temperature increase of ~1.8 degrees C/100 mW. Continuous
      illumination with powers above 250 mW induced lasting damage, detected with
      immunohistochemistry against Iba1, glial fibrillary acidic protein, heat shock
      proteins, and activated caspase-3. Higher powers were usable in experiments with
      limited duty ratios, suggesting an approach to mitigate damage in high-power
      microscopy experiments.

PMID- 27281750
TI  - Octopamine stabilizes conduction reliability of an unmyelinated axon during
      hypoxic stress.
AB  - Mechanisms that could mitigate the effects of hypoxia on neuronal signaling are
      incompletely understood. We show that axonal performance of a locust visual
      interneuron varied depending on oxygen availability. To induce hypoxia, tracheae
      supplying the thoracic nervous system were surgically lesioned and action
      potentials in the axon of the descending contralateral movement detector (DCMD)
      neuron passing through this region were monitored extracellularly. The conduction
      velocity and fidelity of action potentials decreased throughout a 45-min
      experiment in hypoxic preparations, whereas conduction reliability remained
      constant when the tracheae were left intact. The reduction in conduction velocity
      was exacerbated for action potentials firing at high instantaneous frequencies.
      Bath application of octopamine mitigated the loss of conduction velocity and
      fidelity. Action potential conduction was more vulnerable in portions of the axon
      passing through the mesothoracic ganglion than in the connectives between
      ganglia, indicating that hypoxic modulation of the extracellular environment of
      the neuropil has an important role to play. In intact locusts, octopamine and its
      antagonist, epinastine, had effects on the entry to, and recovery from, anoxic
      coma consistent with octopamine increasing overall neural performance during
      hypoxia. These effects could have functional relevance for the animal during
      periods of environmental or activity-induced hypoxia.

PMID- 27281753
TI  - Efficacy of automated computer-aided diagnosis of retinal nerve fibre layer
      defects in healthcare screening.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of a new automatic computer-aided
      detection (CAD) system for mass screening of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL)
      defects in a large population using fundus photographs. METHODS: Among the fundus
      photographs of 1200 consecutive subjects who visited a healthcare centre, a total
      of 2270 photographs appropriate for analysis were tested. The photographs were
      first reviewed by two expert ophthalmologists for detection of RNFL defects (gold
      standard manual detection). The images were then analysed using an automatic CAD
      system for detecting RNFL defects in various cases of glaucomatous and non
      glaucomatous optic neuropathy. A free-response receiver operating characteristics
      curve was generated to evaluate the validity of the CAD system. The results of
      the automatic detection were compared with those of manual detection, and
      sensitivity and specificity of the CAD system were calculated. RESULTS: In manual
      detection of 2270 photographs, 41 RNFL defects from 36 photographs (1.6%) were
      detected, and no RNFL defects were found in 2234 photographs (98.4%). The
      sensitivity of the CAD system for detecting RNFL defects was 90.2% (37/41 RNFL
      defects) and the specificity was 72.5% (1620/2234 photographs with no RNFL
      defects) at a false-positive rate of 0.36 per image. CONCLUSIONS: The new CAD
      system successfully detected RNFL defects during mass screening of fundus
      photographs in a large population who visited a healthcare centre. The proposed
      algorithm can be useful for clinicians in screening RNFL defects in healthcare
      centres. The false-positive rate is still unsatisfactory, although improved
      compared with the previous study. Further studies are needed to enhance the speed
      and specificity of image analysis using the CAD system.

PMID- 27281752
TI  - Two classes of excitatory synaptic responses in rat thalamic reticular neurons.
AB  - The thalamic reticular nucleus (nRt), composed of GABAergic cells providing
      inhibition of relay neurons in the dorsal thalamus, receives excitation from the
      neocortex and thalamus. The two excitatory pathways promoting feedback or
      feedforward inhibition of thalamocortical neurons contribute to sensory
      processing and rhythm generation. While synaptic inhibition within the nRt has
      been carefully characterized, little is known regarding the biophysics of
      synaptic excitation. To characterize the functional properties of thalamocortical
      and corticothalamic connections to the nRt, we recorded minimal electrically
      evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents from nRt cells in vitro. A hierarchical
      clustering algorithm distinguished two types of events. Type 1 events had larger
      amplitudes and faster kinetics, largely mediated by alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5
      methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, whereas type 2 responses had
      more prominent N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor contribution. Type 1
      responses showed subnormal axonal propagation and paired pulse depression,
      consistent with thalamocortical inputs. Furthermore, responses kinetically
      similar to type 1 events were evoked by glutamate-mediated activation of thalamic
      neurons. Type 2 responses, in contrast, likely arise from corticothalamic inputs,
      with larger NMDA conductance and weak Mg(2+)-dependent block, suggesting that
      NMDA receptors are critical for the cortical excitation of reticular neurons. The
      long-lasting action of NMDA receptors would promote reticular cell burst firing
      and produce powerful inhibitory output to relay neurons proposed to be important
      in triggering epilepsy. This work provides the first complete voltage-clamp
      analysis of the kinetics and voltage dependence of AMPA and NMDA responses of
      thalamocortical and corticothalamic synapses in the nRt and will be critical in
      optimizing biologically realistic neural network models of thalamocortical
      circuits relevant to sensory processing and thalamocortical oscillations.

PMID- 27281755
TI  - Correction: Effect of the pigment-free optical zone diameter of decorative tinted
      soft contact lenses on visual function.

PMID- 27281754
TI  - Predictors of intraocular pressure change after phacoemulsification in patients
      with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate anterior chamber biometric factors and intraoperative metrics
      associated with the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after
      phacoemulsification in non-glaucomatous pseudoexfoliative syndrome (PXS) eyes.
      METHOD: Thirty-three patients were enrolled in this prospective interventional
      study. Images were excluded if they had poor quality, poor perpendicularity or
      inability to locate sclera spurs. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber
      area (ACA), iris thickness, iris area, iris curvature, lens vault, angle opening
      distance (AOD500, AOD750) and trabecular iris space area (TISA500, TISA750) were
      measured in qualified images using the Zhongshan Angle Assessment Program and
      compared preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Cumulative dissipated
      energy (CDE), aspiration time and infusion fluid usage during cataract surgery
      were obtained from the phacoemulsification machine's metrics record.
      Postoperative IOP change was compared with these anatomical and intraoperative
      metric parameters. RESULTS: Mean IOP was 18.1+/-3.4 mm Hg preoperatively and
      decreased by 3.3 mm Hg (18%) to 14.8+/-3.6 mm Hg at 3 months postoperatively
      (p<0.001). All angle parameters, ACD and ACA increased significantly
      postoperatively (p<0.001 for all) and iris curvature decreased (p<0.001). In
      univariate analysis, preoperative IOP (B=-0.668, p=0.002), infusion fluid usage
      (B=-0.040, p=0.04) and aspiration time (B=-0.045, p=0.003) were negatively
      associated with IOP decrease after phacoemulsification. Changes in IOP did not
      demonstrate significant associations with CDE measurements or anterior segment
      optical coherence tomography measurements, including preoperative angle, iris or
      anterior segment parameters. In the final multivariate regression model,
      preoperative IOP (B=-0.668, p=0.002) and infusion fluid usage (B=-0.041, p=0.04)
      were significantly associated with IOP drop and together can predict 45.1%
      (p=0.002) of the variability in IOP change. CONCLUSIONS: Non-glaucomatous
      patients with PXS experience moderate IOP reduction following
      phacoemulsification, and this effect is correlated with preoperative IOP,
      aspiration time and infusion fluid used intraoperatively.

PMID- 27281751
TI  - Decisions in motion: vestibular contributions to saccadic target selection.
AB  - The natural world continuously presents us with many opportunities for action,
      and thus a process of target selection must precede action execution. While there
      has been considerable progress in understanding target selection in stationary
      environments, little is known about target selection when we are in motion. Here
      we investigated the effect of self-motion signals on saccadic target selection in
      a dynamic environment. Human subjects were sinusoidally translated (f = 0.6 Hz,
      30-cm peak-to-peak displacement) along an interaural axis with a vestibular sled.
      During the motion two visual targets were presented asynchronously but
      equidistantly on either side of fixation. Subjects had to look at one of these
      targets as quickly as possible. With an adaptive approach, the time delay between
      these targets was adjusted until the subject selected both targets equally often.
      We determined this balanced time delay for different phases of the motion in
      order to distinguish the effects of body acceleration and velocity on saccadic
      target selection. Results show that acceleration (or position, as these are
      indistinguishable during sinusoidal motion), but not velocity, affects target
      selection for saccades. Subjects preferred to look at targets in the direction of
      the acceleration-the leftward target was preferred when the sled accelerated to
      the left, and vice versa. Saccadic reaction times mimicked this selection bias by
      being reliably shorter to targets in the direction of acceleration. Our results
      provide evidence that saccade target selection mechanisms are modulated by self
      motion signals, which could be derived directly from the otolith system.

PMID- 27281756
TI  - Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Risk of Biliary Tract and Gallbladder Cancer
      in a Prospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption raises blood glucose
      concentration and has been positively associated with weight gain and type 2
      diabetes, all of which have been implicated in the development of biliary tract
      cancer (BTC). This study examined the hypothesis that sweetened beverage
      consumption is positively associated with risk of BTC in a prospective study.
      METHODS: The study population comprised 70 832 Swedish adults (55.9% men, age 45
      83 years) from the Swedish Mammography Cohort and Cohort of Swedish Men who were
      free of cancer and diabetes and completed a food frequency questionnaire at
      baseline. Incident BTC case patients were ascertained through linkage with the
      Swedish Cancer Register. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to
      analyze the data. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: During a mean
      follow-up of 13.4 years, 127 extrahepatic BTC case patients (including 71
      gallbladder cancers) and 21 intrahepatic BTC case patients were ascertained.
      After adjustment for other risk factors, women and men in the highest category of
      combined sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage consumption had a
      statistically significantly increased risk of extrahepatic BTC and gallbladder
      cancer. The multivariable hazard ratios for two or more servings per day (200
      mL/serving) of sweetened beverages compared with no consumption were 1.79 (95%
      confidence interval [CI] = 1.02 to 3.13) for extrahepatic BTC and 2.24 (95% CI =
      1.02 to 4.89) for gallbladder cancer. The corresponding hazard ratio for
      intrahepatic BTC was 1.69 (95% CI = 0.41 to 7.03). CONCLUSIONS: These findings
      support the hypothesis that high consumption of sweetened beverages may increase
      the risk of BTC, particularly gallbladder cancer.

PMID- 27281757
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 27281758
TI  - African-American Congregational Care and Counseling: Transcending Universal and
      Culturally-Specific Barriers.
AB  - This article addresses two major African-American congregational care needs: (1)
      helping suffering people to access sustained mental health care, particularly in
      a large/mega-church; and (2) helping suffering people with multi-layered
      challenges to access appropriate, skilled care that transcends traditional
      barriers and is consistent with their faith. One model of congregational care is
      presented with concrete examples of how cultural, theological, and strategic
      concerns are discussed, with broad implications for diverse faith communities. 

PMID- 27281759
TI  - The Taboo of Retirement for Diocesan Catholic Priests.
AB  - This paper considers Catholic priests in the USA and their freedom to retire, the
      constraints that may restrain them from retirement, and the financial and
      psychological variables that impact them in ministry and in future retirement.
      Implications for pastoral care and counseling are considered. 

PMID- 27281760
TI  - Pastoral Care and Counseling with Military Families.
AB  - The complex human experience of military service and the stress suffered by
      millions of military families each time a loved one deploys present unique
      challenges and opportunities in providing pastoral care and counseling. War and
      military service impact many facets of our society, as well as generational and
      interpersonal relationships. This article speaks to both academic and
      practitioner communities, and provides a vision for effective pastoral care and
      counseling with military families drawing on resources from family systems
      theory. 

PMID- 27281761
TI  - The Interactive Play and a Persuasive God: A Psychoanalytic Approach to Re
      envisioning Pastoral Care and Counseling.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to present a sketch of a new image of pastoral
      care and counseling, which reflects the psychoanalytic understanding of the
      interacting transference and countertransference matrix, along with a process
      view of God in a mutually influencing relationship with creatures. A more
      effective approach in pastoral care and counseling can be conceptualized as the
      interactive play in which pastoral caregivers and receivers co-create a
      therapeutic relationship with their own past experiences and their creative
      capabilities. The interactive play is a concept of describing the mutually
      influencing relationship in the transference and countertransference interchange.
      The article introduces the concept of a persuasive God as a new image of pastoral
      care and counseling which includes aspects of the mutually interacting process in
      play. 

PMID- 27281762
TI  - Pneumaplasticity: Rewiring the Human Soul.
AB  - We human beings continue to wrestle with our identities as spiritual people, both
      individually and collectively. This article proposes a synthesized perspective on
      human spirituality, introducing the concept of pneumaplasticity, which allows us
      to move beyond the spiritual limits common to several major faith traditions to
      see how our spiritual selves can adapt and rewire to facilitate meaning-making
      and continued discernment of our ever-developing senses of identity and meaning.
      This concept is of particular value to professionals providing spiritual care in
      any setting. 

PMID- 27281764
TI  - In the Media.

PMID- 27281763
TI  - 'Is Grandma Still There?' A Pastoral and Ethical Reflection on the Soul and
      Continuing Self-identity in Deeply Forgetful People.
AB  - This metaphysical and pastoral reflection focuses on a question that over several
      decades has been posed to me by many family caregivers for deeply forgetful
      people (persons with dementia). The question may take different forms: Is my
      loved one still there underneath all of this confusion? Is my loved one's soul
      still present? Will she come to rest fully intact in the arms of a Supreme Being?
      Could she be 'gone' but already somewhere experiencing the fullness of divine
      love? This reflection provides a pastoral response to this big question that has
      to do with the need to find meaning in caring for deeply forgetful people. 

PMID- 27281765
TI  - In the Media.

PMID- 27281766
TI  - In the Media.

PMID- 27281767
TI  - The Silent We.

PMID- 27281768
TI  - If You Want a True Friend.

PMID- 27281769
TI  - James L. Griffith, Religion That Heals, Religion That Harms: A Guide for Clinical
      Practice.

PMID- 27281770
TI  - Vacek, Heather H. (2015) Madness: American Protestant Responses to Mental
      Illness.

PMID- 27281771
TI  - The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling Quiz.

PMID- 27281772
TI  - Increased Burden of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in Patients With Type 2
      Diabetes and Retinopathy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the presence and severity of brain small vessel
      disease (SVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR)
      compared with those without DR. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We evaluated 312
      patients with type 2 diabetes without previous cardiovascular disease (men 51%;
      mean age 57 years; age range 40-75 years); 153 patients (49%) had DR. MRI was
      performed to evaluate the presence and severity (age-related white matter changes
      scale) of white matter lesions (WMLs) and lacunes, and transcranial Doppler
      ultrasound was used to measure the Gosling pulsatility index (PI) of the middle
      cerebral artery (MCA). RESULTS: The prevalence of lesions of cerebral SVD (WML
      and/or lacunes) was higher in patients with DR (40.2% vs. 30.1% without DR, P =
      0.04). Age (P < 0.01) and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.02) were associated with
      the presence of SVD. The severity of SVD was associated with age and the presence
      of DR (P < 0.01 and P = 0.01, respectively). Patients with DR showed a higher MCA
      PI compared with those without DR (P < 0.01). Age, systolic and diastolic blood
      pressure, and retinopathy and its severity were associated with an increased MCA
      PI (P < 0.01 for all variables). A positive correlation was found between MCA PI
      values and the presence and severity of SVD (P < 0.01 for both variables).
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with type 2 diabetes who have DR have an increased burden
      of cerebral SVD compared with those without DR. Our findings suggest that the
      brain is a target organ for microangiopathy, similar to other classic target
      organs, like the retina.

PMID- 27281774
TI  - Seasonality of tweets related to multiple sclerosis.

PMID- 27281773
TI  - Arterial Stiffness Is Positively Associated With 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron
      Emission Tomography-Assessed Subclinical Vascular Inflammation in People With
      Early Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes is accompanied by premature atherosclerosis and
      arterial stiffness. The underlying association remains incompletely understood.
      The possible relationship between subclinical arterial inflammation assessed by
      (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography
      (PET/CT) and arterial stiffness was investigated in patients with early type 2
      diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 44),
      without cardiovascular disease and any type of antidiabetic medication, were
      studied (median age 63 years [interquartile range 54-66], men:women 27:17).
      Arterial inflammation was quantified as the FDG uptake maximal standardized
      uptake value (SUVmax). SUVmax was corrected for the prescan glucose level. A
      target-to-background ratio (TBR) was calculated by dividing the SUVmax of the
      arteries by the SUVmean of the caval veins (blood pool). TBRs were calculated for
      four individual segments (carotid arteries, ascending aorta and aortic arch,
      descending and abdominal aorta, and iliac and femoral arteries) and averaged for
      the total aortic tree (meanTBR). Arterial stiffness was assessed as central
      systolic blood pressure (cSBP), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), and
      augmentation index (AIx). RESULTS: The meanTBR was significantly associated with
      PWV (R = 0.47, P = 0.001) and cSBP (R = 0.45, P = 0.003) but not with AIx. TBR of
      each separate segment was also significantly associated with PWV and cSBP. In a
      multiple linear regression model including age, sex, BMI, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c),
      hs-CRP, cholesterol, cSBP, and PWV, PWV was the strongest determinant of meanTBR.
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes, FDG-PET/CT-imaged subclinical
      arterial inflammation is positively associated with determinants of arterial
      stiffness.

PMID- 27281775
TI  - International consensus statement on injury surveillance in cricket: a 2016
      update.
AB  - Cricket was the first sport to publish recommended methods for injury
      surveillance in 2005. Since then, there have been changes to the nature of both
      cricket and injury surveillance. Researchers representing the major cricket
      playing nations met to propose changes to the previous recommendations, with an
      agreed voting block of 14. It was decided that 10 of 14 votes (70%) were required
      to add a new definition element and 11 of 14 (80%) were required to amend a
      previous definition. In addition to the previously agreed 'Match time-loss'
      injury, definitions of 'General time-loss', 'Medical presentation', 'Player
      reported' and 'Imaging-abnormality' injuries are now provided. Further, new
      injury incidence units of match injuries per 1000 player days, and annual
      injuries per 100 players per year are recommended. There was a shift towards
      recommending a greater number of possible definitions, due to differing contexts
      and foci of cricket research (eg, professional vs amateur; injury surveillance
      systems vs specific injury category studies). It is recommended that researchers
      use and report as many of the definitions as possible to assist both comparisons
      between studies within cricket and with those from other sports.

PMID- 27281776
TI  - Injuries in world junior ice hockey championships between 2006 and 2015.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Detailed injury data are not available for international ice hockey
      tournaments played by junior athletes. We report the incidence, type, mechanism
      and severity of injuries in males under ages 18 and 20 at junior ice hockey World
      Championships during 2006-2015. METHODS: All injuries in the International Ice
      Hockey Federation World Junior under-20 (WJ U20) Championship and under-18 (WJ
      U18) Championship were collected over a 9-year period using a strict injury
      definition, a standardised injury reporting system and diagnoses made by a team
      physician. RESULTS: 633 injuries were recorded in 1326 games over a 9-year
      period, resulting in an injury rate (IR) of 11.0 per 1000 player-games and
      39.8/1000 player-game hours. The IRs in all tournaments were 4.3/1000 player
      games for the head and face, 3.2 for the upper body, 2.6 for the lower body and
      1.0 for the spine and trunk. A laceration was the most common injury type
      followed by a sprain. Lacerations accounted for 80% (IR 3.6) of facial injuries
      in WJ U20 tournaments. The shoulder was the most common injury site (IR 2.0) in
      WJ U18 tournaments. Board contact was the mechanism for 59% of these shoulder
      injuries. Concussion was the most common head and face injury (46%; IR 1.2) in WJ
      U18 tournaments. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The risk of injury among male
      junior ice hockey players was lower than the reported rates in adult men but
      higher than that in women. Facial lacerations were common in U20 junior players
      (WJ U20) since most wear only partial facial protection (visor). The IR for
      shoulder injuries was high in U18 junior players (WJ U18). Suggested strategies
      for injury prevention include full facial protection for all players and flexible
      board and glass for all junior tournaments.

PMID- 27281777
TI  - Screening for risk factors: if you liked it then you should have put a number on
      it.

PMID- 27281778
TI  - Physical, nutritional, cognitive and combination interventions reduce frailty in
      community-dwelling prefrail and frail older people.

PMID- 27281779
TI  - Radiation risk due to CT diagnostics of acute appendicitis.

PMID- 27281781
TI  - Using observational research to obtain a picture of nursing practice.

PMID- 27281780
TI  - Spermometer: electrical characterization of single boar sperm motility.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study single sperm boar motility using electrical impedance
      measurements in a microfluidic system. DESIGN: Comparison of the optical data and
      electrical impedance data. SETTING: Research laboratory at a university.
      ANIMAL(S): Boar semen sample were used. INTERVENTION(S): A microfluidic system is
      developed that is able to spatially confine single boar sperm cells and allows
      noninvasive analysis of their motility on the single cell level. Using this
      system, the single sperm motility was affected by changing the temperature or
      adding chemical stimuli (caffeine). The retrieved electrical impedance and video
      data were processed using Matlab. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The sperm beat
      frequency and amplitude determined from the electrical impedance and video data.
      RESULT(S): The electrically measured sperm beat frequency was verified by optical
      analysis and in correspondence. Furthermore the microfluidic platform allowed
      single sperm analysis by altering the sperm by temperature and chemical stimuli.
      CONCLUSION(S): This platform could be exploited as a potential tool to study
      sperm cells on the single cell level and to perform advanced sperm selection for
      intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) applications.

PMID- 27281782
TI  - Simultaneous Enrichment of Cysteine-containing Peptides and Phosphopeptides Using
      a Cysteine-specific Phosphonate Adaptable Tag (CysPAT) in Combination with
      titanium dioxide (TiO2) Chromatography.
AB  - Cysteine is a rare and conserved amino acid involved in most cellular functions.
      The thiol group of cysteine can be subjected to diverse oxidative modifications
      that regulate many physio-pathological states. In the present work, a Cysteine
      specific Phosphonate Adaptable Tag (CysPAT) was synthesized to selectively label
      cysteine-containing peptides (Cys peptides) followed by their enrichment with
      titanium dioxide (TiO2) and subsequent mass spectrometric analysis. The CysPAT
      strategy was developed using a synthetic peptide, a standard protein and
      subsequently the strategy was applied to protein lysates from Hela cells,
      achieving high specificity and enrichment efficiency. In particular, for Cys
      proteome analysis, the method led to the identification of 7509 unique Cys
      peptides from 500 MUg of HeLa cell lysate starting material. Furthermore, the
      method was developed to simultaneously enrich Cys peptides and phosphorylated
      peptides. This strategy was applied to SILAC labeled Hela cells subjected to 5
      min epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation. In total, 10440 unique reversibly
      modified Cys peptides (3855 proteins) and 7339 unique phosphopeptides (2234
      proteins) were simultaneously identified from 250 MUg starting material.
      Significant regulation was observed in both phosphorylation and reversible Cys
      modification of proteins involved in EGFR signaling. Our data indicates that EGF
      stimulation can activate the well-known phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream
      signaling molecules, such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK1 and MAPK3),
      however, it also leads to substantial modulation of reversible cysteine
      modifications in numerous proteins. Several protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs)
      showed a reduction of the catalytic Cys site in the conserved putative
      phosphatase HC(X)5R motif indicating an activation and subsequent de
      phosphorylation of proteins involved in the EGF signaling pathway. Overall, the
      CysPAT strategy is a straight forward, easy and promising method for studying
      redox proteomics and the simultaneous enrichment strategy offers an excellent
      solution for characterization of cross-talk between phosphorylation and redox
      induced reversible cysteine modifications.

PMID- 27281783
TI  - Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE) Is Expressed in Spermatogenic Cells, and It Altered
      the Expression of Several Nucleic-Acid-Binding and Cytoskeletal Proteins in Germ
      Cell 1 Spermatogonial (GC1-spg) Cells.
AB  - Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is a gene associated with autoimmune
      polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED). AIRE is expressed
      heavily in the thymic epithelial cells and is involved in maintaining self
      tolerance through regulating the expression of tissue-specific antigens. The
      testes are the most predominant extrathymic location where a heavy expression of
      AIRE is reported. Homozygous Aire-deficient male mice were infertile, possibly
      due to impaired spermatogenesis, deregulated germ cell apoptosis, or
      autoimmunity. We report that AIRE is expressed in the testes of neonatal,
      adolescent, and adult mice. AIRE expression was detected in glial cell derived
      neurotrophic factor receptor alpha (GFRalpha)(+) (spermatogonia), GFRalpha(
      )/synaptonemal complex protein (SCP3)(+) (meiotic), and GFRalpha(
      )/Phosphoglycerate kinase 2 (PGK2)(+) (postmeiotic) germ cells in mouse testes.
      GC1-spg, a germ-cell-derived cell line, did not express AIRE. Retinoic acid
      induced AIRE expression in GC1-spg cells. Ectopic expression of AIRE in GC1-spg
      cells using label-free LC-MS/MS identified a total of 371 proteins that were
      differentially expressed. 100 proteins were up-regulated, and 271 proteins were
      down-regulated. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002511.
      Functional analysis of the differentially expressed proteins showed increased
      levels of various nucleic-acid-binding proteins and transcription factors and a
      decreased level of various cytoskeletal and structural proteins in the AIRE
      overexpressing cells as compared with the empty vector-transfected controls. The
      transcripts of a select set of the up-regulated proteins were also elevated.
      However, there was no corresponding decrease in the mRNA levels of the down
      regulated set of proteins. Molecular function network analysis indicated that
      AIRE influenced gene expression in GC1-spg cells by acting at multiple levels,
      including transcription, translation, RNA processing, protein transport, protein
      localization, and protein degradation, thus setting the foundation in
      understanding the functional role of AIRE in germ cell biology.

PMID- 27281785
TI  - On Strengthening the MCP Editorial Leadership.

PMID- 27281788
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27281784
TI  - Identification of RNA-binding Proteins in Macrophages by Interactome Capture.
AB  - Pathogen components, such as lipopolysaccharides of Gram-negative bacteria that
      activate Toll-like receptor 4, induce mitogen activated protein kinases and
      NFkappaB through different downstream pathways to stimulate pro- and anti
      inflammatory cytokine expression. Importantly, post-transcriptional control of
      the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 downstream signaling molecules contributes
      to the tight regulation of inflammatory cytokine synthesis in macrophages.
      Emerging evidence highlights the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in the post
      transcriptional control of the innate immune response. To systematically identify
      macrophage RBPs and their response to LPS stimulation, we employed RNA
      interactome capture in LPS-induced and untreated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages.
      This combines RBP-crosslinking to RNA, cell lysis, oligo(dT) capture of
      polyadenylated RNAs and mass spectrometry analysis of associated proteins. Our
      data revealed 402 proteins of the macrophage RNA interactome including 91
      previously not annotated as RBPs. A comparison with published RNA interactomes
      classified 32 RBPs uniquely identified in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Of these, 19
      proteins are linked to biochemical activities not directly related to RNA. From
      this group, we validated the HSP90 cochaperone P23 that was demonstrated to
      exhibit cytosolic prostaglandin E2 synthase 3 (PTGES3) activity, and the
      hematopoietic cell-specific LYN substrate 1 (HCLS1 or HS1), a hematopoietic cell
      specific adapter molecule, as novel macrophage RBPs. Our study expands the
      mammalian RBP repertoire, and identifies macrophage RBPs that respond to LPS.
      These RBPs are prime candidates for the post-transcriptional regulation and
      execution of LPS-induced signaling pathways and the innate immune response.
      Macrophage RBP data have been deposited to ProteomeXchange with identifier
      PXD002890.

PMID- 27281789
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27281790
TI  - Optimizing HIV/AIDS resources in Armenia: increasing ART investment and examining
      HIV programmes for seasonal migrant labourers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: HIV prevalence is declining in key populations in Armenia including
      in people who inject drugs (PWID), men who have sex with men, prison inmates, and
      female sex workers (FSWs); however, prevalence is increasing among Armenians who
      seasonally migrate to work in countries with higher HIV prevalence, primarily to
      the Russian Federation. METHODS: We conducted a modelling study using the Optima
      model to assess the optimal resource allocation to meet targets from the 2013 to
      2016 national strategic plan to minimize HIV incidence and AIDS-related deaths by
      2020. Demographic, epidemiological, behavioural, and programme cost data from
      2000 through 2014 were used to inform the model. The levels of coverage that
      could be attained among targeted populations with different investments, as well
      as their expected outcomes, were determined. In the absence of evidence of the
      efficacy of HIV programmes targeted at seasonal labour migrants, we conducted a
      sensitivity analysis to determine the cost-effective funding threshold for the
      seasonal labour migrant programme. RESULTS: The optimization analysis revealed
      that shifts in funding allocations could further minimize incidence and deaths by
      2020 within the available resource envelope. The largest emphasis should be on
      antiretroviral therapy (ART), with the optimal investment to increase treatment
      coverage by 40%. Optimal investments also involve increases in opiate
      substitution therapy and FSW programmes, as well as maintenance of other
      prevention programmes for PWID and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
      Additional funding for these increases should come from budgets for general
      population programmes. This is projected to avert 17% of new infections and 29%
      of AIDS-related deaths by 2020 compared to a baseline scenario of maintaining
      2013 spending. Our sensitivity analysis demonstrated that, at current spending,
      coverage of annual testing among migrants of at least 43% should be achieved to
      warrant continuation of funding for this programme. CONCLUSIONS: Optimization of
      HIV/AIDS investment in Armenia, with a main priority for scaling-up ART, and less
      emphasis on primary prevention in the general non-key population could
      significantly reduce incidence and deaths by 2020.

PMID- 27281791
TI  - Sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on sialorrhea in children with cerebral
      palsy. SOURCE OF DATA: Non-systematic review using the keywords "sialorrhea" and
      "child" carried out in the PubMed(r), LILACS(r), and SciELO(r) databases during
      July 2015. A total of 458 articles were obtained, of which 158 were analyzed as
      they were associated with sialorrhea in children; 70 had content related to
      sialorrhea in cerebral palsy or the assessment and treatment of sialorrhea in
      other neurological disorders, which were also assessed. DATA SYNTHESIS: The
      prevalence of sialorrhea is between 10% and 58% in cerebral palsy and has
      clinical and social consequences. It is caused by oral motor dysfunction,
      dysphagia, and intraoral sensitivity disorder. The severity and impact of
      sialorrhea are assessed through objective or subjective methods. Several types of
      therapeutic management are described: training of sensory awareness and oral
      motor skills, drug therapy, botulinum toxin injection, and surgical treatment.
      CONCLUSIONS: The most effective treatment that addresses the cause of sialorrhea
      in children with cerebral palsy is training of sensory awareness and oral motor
      skills, performed by a speech therapist. Botulinum toxin injection and the use of
      anticholinergics have a transient effect and are adjuvant to speech therapy; they
      should be considered in cases of moderate to severe sialorrhea or respiratory
      complications. Atropine sulfate is inexpensive and appears to have good clinical
      response combined with good safety profile. The use of trihexyphenidyl for the
      treatment of sialorrhea can be considered in dyskinetic forms of cerebral palsy
      or in selected cases.

PMID- 27281792
TI  - Renal medullary and urinary oxygen tension during cardiopulmonary bypass in the
      rat.
AB  - Renal hypoxia could result from a mismatch in renal oxygen supply and demand,
      particularly in the renal medulla. Medullary hypoxic damage is believed to give
      rise to acute kidney injury, which is a prevalent complication of cardiac surgery
      performed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). To determine the mechanisms that could
      lead to medullary hypoxia during CPB in the rat kidney, we developed a
      mathematical model which incorporates (i) autoregulation of renal blood flow and
      glomerular filtration rate, (ii) detailed oxygen transport and utilization in the
      renal medulla and (iii) oxygen transport along the ureter. Within the outer
      medulla, the lowest interstitial tissue P$_{?rm O2}$, which is an indicator of
      renal hypoxia, is predicted near the thick ascending limbs. Interstitial tissue
      P$_{?rm O2}$ exhibits a general decrease along the inner medullary axis, but
      urine P$_{?rm O2}$ increases significantly along the ureter. Thus, bladder
      urinary P$_{?rm O2}$ is predicted to be substantially higher than medullary
      P$_{?rm O2}$. The model is used to identify the phase of cardiac surgery
      performed on CPB that is associated with the highest risk for hypoxic kidney
      injury. Simulation results indicate that the outer medulla's vulnerability to
      hypoxic injury depends, in part, on the extent to which medullary blood flow is
      autoregulated. With imperfect medullary blood flow autoregulation, the model
      predicts that the rewarming phase of CPB, in which medullary blood flow is low
      but medullary oxygen consumption remains high, is the phase in which the kidney
      is most likely to suffer hypoxic injury.

PMID- 27281793
TI  - Thrombopoietin receptor agonists shift the balance of Fcgamma receptors toward
      inhibitory receptor IIb on monocytes in ITP.
AB  - Elevated expression of the activating Fcgamma receptor (FcgammaR) I and
      FcgammaRIIa together with decreased expression of the inhibitory FcgammaRIIb are
      involved in the pathogenesis of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
      Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) have been used clinically for the
      management of ITP; however, little is known about the effect of TPO-RAs on
      FcgammaR modulation in ITP. In this prospective study, we measured the alteration
      in monocyte FcgammaR expression from 21 corticosteroid-resistant/relapsed
      patients with chronic ITP receiving eltrombopag therapy. Results showed that the
      mRNA and protein levels of FcgammaRIIb were significantly elevated after 6-week
      eltrombopag treatment. Concurrently, FcgammaRI and IIa levels decreased
      remarkably, whereas FcgammaRIII expression did not change. In vitro phagocytosis
      assays indicated that a shift in the balance of FcgammaR toward inhibitory
      FcgammaRIIb on monocytes was accompanied with a considerable decrease in
      monocyte/macrophage phagocytic capacity. The response to eltrombopag therapy in
      patients with ITP was associated with FcgammaR phenotype and functional changes
      of monocytes/macrophages. Moreover, the plasma transforming growth factor-beta1
      (TGF-beta1) concentrations increased significantly in eltrombopag responders.
      Modulation of monocyte FcgammaR balance by TPO-RAs was also found in a murine
      model of ITP established by transferring splenocytes from immunized CD61 knockout
      mice into CD61(+) severe combined immunodeficient mice. Romiplostim
      administration in ITP mice significantly upregulated inhibitory FcgammaRII
      expression and downregulated activating FcgammaRI expression. These findings
      showed that recovery of platelet counts after TPO-RA treatment in ITP is
      associated with the restoration of FcgammaR balance toward the inhibitory
      FcgammaRIIb on monocytes, and suggested that thrombopoietic agents have a
      profound effect on immune modulation in ITP. This study is registered at
      ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT01864512.

PMID- 27281796
TI  - Compulsory treatment: ask who the patient really is. A response to Mirko Garasic.

PMID- 27281797
TI  - The unethical use of ethical rhetoric: the case of flibanserin and
      pharmacologisation of female sexual desire.
AB  - The current debate around sexual dysfunctions focuses mostly on the
      pharmacological regulation of lowered sexual desire in women. The Food and Drug
      Administration approval of the first drug-Addyi-to treat this condition was
      preceded by a campaign, in which ethically saturated arguments were used to lobby
      policy makers. This article provides a critical evaluation of these arguments. In
      particular, we focus our attention on deceitful and unethical use of moral
      arguments and concepts. First, we present the context in which hypoactive sexual
      desire disorder is defined as a serious medical condition, showing how non
      medical and non-scientific influences shaped the understanding of the problem.
      Further, we demonstrate how in current discussions regarding lower sexual
      interest attention has been shifted from psychosocial to pharmacological
      solutions and we trace the ethical consequences of such a change. We argue that,
      in addition to typical detrimental effects of overmedicalisation, there are new
      serious perils. In particular, we demonstrate that it is highly probable that
      pharmacologisation of female desire-contrary to the emancipatory declarations of
      the drug proponents-exerts pressure on women and narrows the range of potential
      choices they can make. As a result, it is inconsistent with the very idea of free
      choice.

PMID- 27281794
TI  - XLF deficiency results in reduced N-nucleotide addition during V(D)J
      recombination.
AB  - Repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by the nonhomologous end-joining
      pathway (NHEJ) is important not only for repair of spontaneous breaks but also
      for breaks induced in developing lymphocytes during V(D)J (variable [V],
      diversity [D], and joining [J] genes) recombination of their antigen receptor
      loci to create a diverse repertoire. Mutations in the NHEJ factor XLF result in
      extreme sensitivity for ionizing radiation, microcephaly, and growth retardation
      comparable to mutations in LIG4 and XRCC4, which together form the NHEJ ligation
      complex. However, the effect on the immune system is variable (mild to severe
      immunodeficiency) and less prominent than that seen in deficiencies of NHEJ
      factors ARTEMIS and DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit, with defects
      in the hairpin opening step, which is crucial and unique for V(D)J recombination.
      Therefore, we aimed to study the role of XLF during V(D)J recombination. We
      obtained clinical data from 9 XLF-deficient patients and performed immune
      phenotyping and antigen receptor repertoire analysis of immunoglobulin (Ig) and T
      cell receptor (TR) rearrangements, using next-generation sequencing in 6
      patients. The results were compared with XRCC4 and LIG4 deficiency. Both Ig and
      TR rearrangements showed a significant decrease in the number of nontemplated (N)
      nucleotides inserted by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, which resulted in
      a decrease of 2 to 3 amino acids in the CDR3. Such a reduction in the number of N
      nucleotides has a great effect on the junctional diversity, and thereby on the
      total diversity of the Ig and TR repertoire. This shows that XLF has an important
      role during V(D)J recombination in creating diversity of the repertoire by
      stimulating N-nucleotide insertion.

PMID- 27281795
TI  - Deep phenotyping of Tregs identifies an immune signature for idiopathic aplastic
      anemia and predicts response to treatment.
AB  - Idiopathic aplastic anemia (AA) is an immune-mediated and serious form of bone
      marrow failure. Akin to other autoimmune diseases, we have previously shown that
      in AA regulatory T cells (Tregs) are reduced in number and function. The aim of
      this study was to further characterize Treg subpopulations in AA and investigate
      the potential correlation between specific Treg subsets and response to
      immunosuppressive therapy (IST) as well as their in vitro expandability for
      potential clinical use. Using mass cytometry and an unbiased multidimensional
      analytical approach, we identified 2 specific human Treg subpopulations (Treg A
      and Treg B) with distinct phenotypes, gene expression, expandability, and
      function. Treg B predominates in IST responder patients, has a memory/activated
      phenotype (with higher expression of CD95, CCR4, and CD45RO within FOXP3(hi),
      CD127(lo) Tregs), expresses the interleukin-2 (IL-2)/STAT5 pathway and cell-cycle
      commitment genes. Furthermore, in vitro-expanded Tregs become functional and take
      on the characteristics of Treg B. Collectively, this study identifies human Treg
      subpopulations that can be used as predictive biomarkers for response to IST in
      AA and potentially other autoimmune diseases. We also show that Tregs from AA
      patients are IL-2-sensitive and expandable in vitro, suggesting novel therapeutic
      approaches such as low-dose IL-2 therapy and/or expanded autologous Tregs and
      meriting further exploration.

PMID- 27281798
TI  - Predictive genetic testing for neurodegenerative conditions: how should
      conflicting interests within families be managed?
AB  - Predictive genetic testing for a neurodegenerative condition in one individual in
      a family may have implications for other family members, in that it can reveal
      their genetic status. Herein a complex clinical case is explored where the
      testing wish of one family member was in direct conflict to that of another. The
      son of a person at 50% risk of an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative condition
      requested testing to reveal his genetic status. The main reason for the request
      was if he had the familial mutation, he and his partner planned to utilise
      preimplantation genetic diagnosis to prevent his offspring having the condition.
      His at-risk parent was clear that if they found out they had the mutation, they
      would commit suicide. We assess the potential benefits and harms from acceding to
      or denying such a request and present an approach to balancing competing rights
      of individuals within families at risk of late-onset genetic conditions, where
      family members have irreconcilable differences with respect to predictive
      testing. We argue that while it may not be possible to completely avoid harm in
      these situations, it is important to consider the magnitude of risks, and make
      every effort to limit the potential for adverse outcomes.

PMID- 27281799
TI  - A Slow- Compared with a Fast-Release Form of Oral Arginine Increases Its
      Utilization for Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Overweight Adults with Cardiometabolic
      Risk Factors in a Randomized Controlled Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral l-arginine supplements can have a beneficial effect on nitric
      oxide (NO)-related functions when subjects have cardiovascular disease risk
      factors. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to determine the utilization for NO
      synthesis of oral l-arginine as a function of the cardiometabolic risk and the
      speed of absorption by comparing immediate-release arginine (IR-Arg), as in
      supplements, and sustained-release arginine (SR-Arg), which mimics the slow
      release of dietary arginine. METHODS: In a randomized, single-blind, 2-period
      crossover, controlled trial (1 wk of treatment, >2 wk of washout), using [(15)N
      (15)N-(guanidino)]-arginine for the first morning dose, we compared the
      bioavailability (secondary outcome) and utilization for NO synthesis (primary
      outcome) of 1.5 g IR- and SR-Arg 3 times/d in 12 healthy overweight [body mass
      index (BMI; in kg/m(2)): 25-30] adults with the hypertriglyceridemic waist
      phenotype [HTW; plasma triglycerides (TGs): >150 mg/dL; waist circumference: >94
      cm (men) or >80 cm (women)] and 15 healthy control adults (CON; BMI: 18.5-25; no
      elevated TGs and waist circumference). RESULTS: Plasma oral arginine areas under
      the curve were lower after supplementation with SR-Arg than with IR-Arg (112 +/-
      52.3 and 142 +/- 50.8 MUmol ? h/L; P < 0.01). The utilization of oral arginine
      for NO synthesis was 58% higher in HTW subjects than in CON subjects and higher
      with SR-Arg than with IR-Arg (P < 0.05 both), particularly in HTW subjects (group
      by-treatment interaction, P < 0.05). In HTW subjects administered the SR form,
      utilization for NO synthesis was 32% higher than with the IR form and 87% higher
      than in CON subjects who were administered the SR form. CONCLUSION: In overweight
      adults with the HTW phenotype, a slow- compared with a fast-release form of oral
      arginine markedly favors the utilization of arginine for NO synthesis. The
      utilization of low-dose, slow-release arginine for NO synthesis is higher in
      overweight adults with the HTW phenotype than in healthy controls, suggesting
      that the sensitivity of NO synthesis to the dietary arginine supply increases
      with cardiometabolic risk. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as
      NCT02352740.

PMID- 27281800
TI  - l-Arginine Supplementation Alleviates Postprandial Endothelial Dysfunction When
      Baseline Fasting Plasma Arginine Concentration Is Low: A Randomized Controlled
      Trial in Healthy Overweight Adults with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial dysfunction, the hallmark of early
      atherosclerosis, is induced transiently by a high-fat meal. High doses of free l
      arginine supplements reduce fasting endothelial dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: We sought
      to determine the effects of a low dose of a sustained-release (SR) l-arginine
      supplement on postprandial endothelial function in healthy overweight adults with
      cardiometabolic risk factors and to investigate whether this effect may vary by
      baseline arginine status. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, 2-period
      crossover, placebo-controlled trial (4-wk treatment, 4-wk washout), we compared
      the effects of 1.5 g SR-l-arginine 3 times/d (4.5 g/d) with placebo in 33 healthy
      overweight adults [body mass index (BMI, in kg/m(2)): 25 to >30] with the
      hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTW) phenotype [plasma triglycerides > 150 mg/dL;
      waist circumference > 94 cm (men) or > 80 cm (women)]. The main outcome variable
      tested was postprandial endothelial function after a high-fat meal (900 kcal), as
      evaluated by use of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and Framingham reactive
      hyperemia index (fRHI), after each treatment. By use of subgroup analysis, we
      determined whether the effect was related to the baseline plasma arginine
      concentration. RESULTS: In the total population, the effects of SR-arginine
      supplementation on postprandial endothelial function were mixed and largely
      varied with baseline fasting arginine concentration (P-interaction < 0.05). In
      the lower half of the population (below the median of 78.2 MUmol arginine/L
      plasma), but not the upper half, SR-arginine supplementation attenuated the
      postprandial decrease in both FMD (29% decrease with SR-arginine compared with
      50% decrease with placebo) and fRHI (5% increase with SR-arginine compared with
      49% decrease with placebo), resulting in significantly higher mean +/- SEM values
      with SR-arginine (FMD: 4.0% +/- 0.40%; fRHI: 0.41 +/- 0.069) than placebo (FMD:
      2.9% +/- 0.31%; fRHI: 0.21 +/- 0.060) at the end of the postprandial period (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with low-dose SR-arginine alleviates
      postprandial endothelial dysfunction in healthy HTW adults when the baseline
      plasma arginine concentration is relatively low. The benefits of arginine
      supplementation may be linked to a lower ability to mobilize endogenous arginine
      for nitric oxide synthesis during a postprandial challenge. This trial was
      registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02354794.

PMID- 27281801
TI  - Whole Blood omega-3 Fatty Acids Are Inversely Associated with Carotid Intima
      Media Thickness in Indigenous Mexican Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long-chain omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may
      reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. The association between n-3 PUFAs and
      cardiovascular disease may vary across different populations, and there is
      limited information on Hispanic individuals with mixed Amerindian and European
      origin. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the cross-sectional relations between whole blood
      n-3 PUFAs and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in Mexican women living in
      Mexico and assessed whether this relation was different in women who spoke an
      indigenous language compared with women who did not. METHODS: In 2012-2013, we
      assessed the association between blood n-3 PUFAs and IMT in 1306 women free of
      disease in Chiapas and Yucatan, Mexico. We categorized blood n-3 PUFAs (% of
      total FAs) in quartiles and adjusted linear regression models by age, indigenous
      language, site, socioeconomic status, education, smoking, menopause, diabetes,
      hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, body mass index, physical activity, and diet.
      We stratified analyses by indigenous/nonindigenous language speakers (n = 315 of
      991). RESULTS: Whole blood n-3 PUFAs (means +/- SDs) were 3.58% +/- 0.78% of
      total FAs. We did not observe a significant association between n-3 PUFAs and IMT
      in the overall study population. However, the adjusted mean difference of IMT was
      -6.5% (95% CI: -10.7%, -2.3%; P-trend < 0.0001) for indigenous women in the
      highest quartile compared with the lowest quartile of blood n-3 PUFAs. In
      nonindigenous women, we did not observe an association (-0.6%; 95% CI: -3.0%,
      1.8%, comparing extreme quartiles; P-trend = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Overall,
      circulating n-3 PUFAs were not associated with IMT. However, we observed a strong
      statistically significant inverse association with IMT in indigenous Mexican
      women. Future studies should evaluate genetic markers that may reflect
      differences in n-3 PUFA metabolism across populations.

PMID- 27281802
TI  - A Daily Snack Containing Leafy Green Vegetables, Fruit, and Milk before and
      during Pregnancy Prevents Gestational Diabetes in a Randomized, Controlled Trial
      in Mumbai, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prospective observational studies suggest that maternal diets rich in
      leafy green vegetables and fruit may help prevent gestational diabetes mellitus
      (GDM). OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to test whether increasing women's dietary
      intake of leafy green vegetables, fruit, and milk before conception and
      throughout pregnancy reduced their risk of GDM. METHODS: Project SARAS
      ("excellent") (2006-2012) was a nonblinded, individually randomized, controlled
      trial in women living in slums in the city of Mumbai, India. The interventions
      included a daily snack made from leafy green vegetables, fruit, and milk for the
      treatment group or low-micronutrient vegetables (e.g., potato and onion) for the
      control group, in addition to the usual diet. Results for the primary outcome,
      birth weight, have been reported. Women were invited to take an oral-glucose
      tolerance test (OGTT) at 28-32 wk gestation to screen for GDM (WHO 1999
      criteria). The prevalence of GDM was compared between the intervention and
      control groups, and Kernel density analysis was used to compare distributions of
      120-min plasma glucose concentrations between groups. RESULTS: Of 6513 women
      randomly assigned, 2291 became pregnant; of these, 2028 reached a gestation of 28
      wk, 1008 (50%) attended for an OGTT, and 100 (9.9%) had GDM. In an intention-to
      treat analysis, the prevalence of GDM was reduced in the treatment group (7.3%
      compared with 12.4% in controls; OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.86; P = 0.008). The
      reduction in GDM remained significant after adjusting for prepregnancy adiposity
      and fat or weight gain during pregnancy. Kernel density analysis showed that this
      was explained by the fact that fewer women in the treatment group had a 2-h
      glucose concentration in the range 7.5-10.0 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: In low-income
      settings, in which women have a low intake of micronutrient-rich foods, improving
      dietary micronutrient quality by increasing intake of leafy green vegetables,
      fruit, and/or milk may have an important protective effect against the
      development of GDM. This trial was registered at www.controlled-trials.com as
      ISRCTN62811278.

PMID- 27281803
TI  - A Model-Based Approach to Identify Classes and Respective Cutoffs of the
      Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale (EBIA) is
      the main tool for assessing household food insecurity (FI) in Brazil, assisting
      in monitoring and improving national public policies to promote food security.
      Based on the sum of item scores, households have been classified into 4 levels of
      FI, with the use of cutoffs arising from expert discussions informed by
      psychometric analyses and policy considerations. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to
      identify homogeneous latent groups corresponding to levels of FI, examine whether
      such subgroups could be defined from discriminant cutoffs applied to the overall
      EBIA raw score, and compare these cutoffs against those currently used. METHODS:
      A cross-sectional population-based study with a representative sample of 1105
      households from a low-income metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro was conducted.
      Latent class factor analysis (LCFA) models were applied to the answers to EBIA's
      items to identify homogeneous groups, obtaining the number of latent classes for
      FI measured by the scale. Based on this and a thorough classification agreement
      evaluation, optimal cutoffs for discriminating between different severity levels
      of FI were ascertained. Model-based grouping and the official EBIA classification
      cutoffs were also contrasted. RESULTS: LCFA identified 4 homogeneous groups with
      a very high degree of class separation (entropy = 0.906), endorsing the
      classification of EBIA as a 4-level measure of FI. Two sets of cutoffs were
      identified to separate such groups according to household type: 1/2, 5/6, and
      10/11 in households with children and adolescents (score range: 0-14); and 1/2,
      3/4, and 5/6 in adult-only households (score range: 0-7). CONCLUSION: Although
      roughly classifying EBIA as in previous studies, the current approach suggests
      that, in terms of raw score, households endorsing only one item of the scale
      would be better classified by being placed in the same stratum as those remaining
      negative on all items.

PMID- 27281804
TI  - Postnatal Iron Deficiency Alters Brain Development in Piglets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive deficits associated with postnatal iron deficiency (ID)
      suggest abnormal brain development, but little is known about animals with
      gyrencephalic brains. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the impact of ID on
      brain development in piglets. METHODS: Male and female Yorkshire piglets were
      reared from postnatal day (PD) 2 until PD 29 or 30 by using milk replacer
      adequate [control (CON)] or deficient (100 compared with 10 mg/kg) in iron and
      subjected to MRI to assess brain macrostructure, microstructure, and metabolites
      in the dorsal hippocampi and intervening space. After MRI, brains were collected
      for histology. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, and liver iron were measured to determine
      iron status. RESULTS: Hematocrit and hemoglobin in ID piglets were less than CON
      after PD 14 (P < 0.001), and at the study end liver iron in ID piglets was less
      than CON (P < 0.001). Brain region volumes were not affected by ID, but changes
      in brain composition were evident. ID piglets had less white matter in 78,305
      voxels, with large clusters in the hippocampus and cortex. ID piglets had less
      gray matter in 13,625 voxels primarily in cortical areas and more gray matter in
      28,017 voxels, most notably in olfactory bulbs and hippocampus. The major effect
      of ID on white matter was supported by lower fractional anisotropy values in the
      corpus callosum (0.300 compared with 0.284, P = 0.006) and in whole brain white
      matter (0.313 compared with 0.307, P = 0.002) in ID piglets. In coronal brain
      sections, corpus callosum width was less (P = 0.043) in ID piglets. Inositol was
      lower (P = 0.01) and phosphocholine was higher (P = 0.03) in hippocampus of ID
      piglets. CONCLUSIONS: Postnatal ID in piglets affects brain development,
      especially white matter. If the effects of ID persist, it might explain the
      lasting detrimental effects on cognition.

PMID- 27281805
TI  - Coffee Consumption Is Positively Associated with Longer Leukocyte Telomere Length
      in the Nurses' Health Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coffee is an important source of antioxidants, and consumption of
      this beverage is associated with many health conditions and a lower mortality
      risk. However, no study, to our knowledge, has examined whether varying coffee or
      caffeine consumption levels are associated with telomere length, a biomarker of
      aging whose shortening can be accelerated by oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: We
      performed a large comprehensive study on how coffee consumption is associated
      with telomere length. METHODS: We used data from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS),
      a prospective cohort study of female nurses that began in 1976. We examined the
      cross-sectional association between coffee consumption and telomere length in
      4780 women from the NHS. Coffee consumption information was obtained from
      validated food-frequency questionnaires, and relative telomere length was
      measured in peripheral blood leukocytes by the quantitative real-time polymerase
      chain reaction. Unconditional logistic regression was used to obtain ORs when the
      telomere length outcome was dichotomized at the median. Linear regression was
      used for tests of trend with coffee consumption and telomere length as continuous
      variables. RESULTS: Higher total coffee consumption was significantly associated
      with longer telomeres after potential confounding adjustment. Compared with non
      coffee drinkers, multivariable ORs for those drinking 2 to <3 and >=3 cups of
      coffee/d were, respectively, 1.29 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.68) and 1.36 (95% CI: 1.04,
      1.78) (P-trend = 0.02). We found a significant linear association between
      caffeine consumption from all dietary sources and telomere length (P-trend =
      0.02) after adjusting for potential confounders, but not after additionally
      adjusting for total coffee consumption (P-trend = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: We found
      that higher coffee consumption is associated with longer telomeres among female
      nurses. Future studies are needed to better understand the influence of coffee
      consumption on telomeres, which may uncover new knowledge of how coffee
      consumption affects health and longevity.

PMID- 27281806
TI  - Neither Preconceptional Weekly Multiple Micronutrient nor Iron-Folic Acid
      Supplements Affect Birth Size and Gestational Age Compared with a Folic Acid
      Supplement Alone in Rural Vietnamese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal nutritional status before and during early pregnancy plays a
      critical role in fetal growth and development. The benefits of periconception
      folic acid (FA) supplementation in the prevention of neural tube defects is well
      recognized, but the evidence for preconception micronutrient interventions for
      improving pregnancy outcomes is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate
      whether preconception supplementation with weekly iron and folic acid (IFA) or
      multiple micronutrients (MMs) improves birth outcomes compared with FA alone.
      METHODS: We recruited 5011 women of reproductive age in a double-blind,
      randomized controlled trial in Vietnam and provided weekly supplements containing
      either 2800 MUg FA, 60 mg Fe and 2800 MUg FA (IFA), or the same amount of FA and
      iron plus other MMs until they conceived (n = 1813). All pregnant women received
      daily IFA through delivery, and were followed up for birth outcomes, including
      birth weight, gestational age, preterm delivery and small for gestational age
      (SGA). Group comparisons were done with the use of ANOVA or chi-square tests for
      both intention-to-treat (n = 1599) and per-protocol analyses (women consumed
      supplements >=26 wk before conception; n = 824). Effect modification by baseline
      underweight or anemia status was tested with the use of generalized linear
      models. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 26 y, 30% were underweight, and
      <10% were nulliparous. The groups were similar for most baseline characteristics.
      The mean +/- SD duration of the preconception intervention was 33 +/- 25 wk and
      compliance was high (>90%). Infants born to the 3 groups of women did not differ
      (P >= 0.05) on mean +/- SD birth weight (3076.8 +/- 444.5 g) or gestational age
      (39.2 +/- 2.0 wk), or prevalence of SGA (12%), low birth weight (5%) and preterm
      delivery (10%). There were no significant differences in women who consumed
      supplements >=26 wk before conception or by baseline underweight or anemia.
      CONCLUSION: Weekly supplementation with MMs or IFA before conception did not
      affect birth outcomes compared with FA in rural Vietnamese women. The trial was
      registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01665378.

PMID- 27281807
TI  - Adolescent Snacking Behaviors Are Associated with Dietary Intake and Weight
      Status.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most adolescents consume >=1 snack/d; exploring the relevance of
      snacking patterns for overall diet and weight status is important to guide
      dietary counseling and public health strategies for obesity prevention.
      OBJECTIVE: This study examined intake of common energy-dense snack foods, total
      number of snacks consumed, frequency of consuming snacks prepared away from home,
      and frequency of snacking while watching television in adolescents and how these
      behaviors may be linked to diet and weight status. Relations were examined with
      attention to potential confounders that may help explain the mixed findings of
      previous research. METHODS: Survey measures of snacking behavior, a food
      frequency questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were completed by 2793
      adolescents (53.2% girls, mean age = 14.4 y) in Minneapolis-St. Paul school
      classrooms in 2009-2010. Linear regression was used to examine associations with
      adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and other potential confounding
      factors, such as meal skipping, underreporting energy intake, dieting to lose
      weight, and physical activity. RESULTS: Adolescents reported consuming a mean of
      2.2 energy-dense snack food servings/d and 4.3 snacks/d and purchasing snacks
      prepared away from home on 3.2 occasions/wk. More than two-thirds of adolescents
      reported that they sometimes, usually, or always consumed a snack while watching
      television. The measures of snacking were directly associated (P < 0.01) with
      higher energy, lower fruit/vegetable, higher sugar-sweetened beverage, and more
      frequent fast-food intakes in all models except for one: energy-dense snack food
      servings were not related to sugar-sweetened beverage intake. A direct relation
      between daily servings of energy-dense snack foods and body mass index (BMI) z
      score was found; however, the snacking behaviors were inversely related to BMI z
      score (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The observed cross-sectional associations suggest
      that snack consumption is a risk factor for poor diet, but unless energy-dense
      foods are consumed, snacking does not consistently contribute to overweight in US
      adolescents.

PMID- 27281808
TI  - A Summary of Pathways or Mechanisms Linking Preconception Maternal Nutrition with
      Birth Outcomes.
AB  - Population, human, animal, tissue, and molecular studies show collectively and
      consistently that maternal nutrition in the pre- or periconception period
      influences fetal growth and development, which subsequently affects the
      individual's long-term health. It is known that nutrition during pregnancy is an
      important determinant of the offspring's growth and health. However, now there is
      evidence that the mother's nutritional status at conception also influences
      pregnancy outcome and long-term health. For example, the mother's nutritional
      status at conception influences the way energy is partitioned between maternal
      and fetal needs. Furthermore, placental development during the first weeks of
      gestation reflects maternal nutrition and establishes mechanisms for balancing
      maternal and fetal nutritional needs. Also, maternal nutritional signals at
      fertilization influence epigenetic remodeling of fetal genes. These findings all
      indicate that maternal parenting begins before conception. The following papers
      from a symposium on preconception nutrition presented at the 2015 Scientific
      Sessions and Annual Meeting of the ASN emphasize the importance of maternal
      nutrition at conception on the growth and long-term health of the child.

PMID- 27281809
TI  - Development of Intrinsically Labeled Eggs and Poultry Meat for Use in Human
      Metabolic Research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stable isotope amino acids are regularly used as tracers to examine
      whole-body and muscle protein metabolism in humans. To accurately assess in vivo
      dietary protein digestion and absorption kinetics, the amino acid tracer is
      required to be incorporated within the dietary protein food source (i.e.,
      intrinsically labeled protein). OBJECTIVE: We assessed the practicality of
      producing eggs and poultry meat intrinsically labeled with l-[5,5,5-(2)H3]leucine
      through noninvasive oral tracer administration. METHODS: A specifically
      formulated diet containing 0.52% leucine was supplemented with 0.3% l-[5,5,5
      (2)H3]leucine and subsequently fed to 3 laying hens (Lohmann LSL Whites) for 55
      d. On day 55, the hens were slaughtered and their meat, bones, and organs were
      harvested to determine tissue labeling. In Expt. 1, 2 healthy young men [mean +/-
      SEM age: 22 +/- 1.5 y; mean +/- SEM body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)): 23.7 +/-
      0.5] ingested 18 g l-[5,5,5-(2)H3]leucine-labeled egg protein. In Expt. 2, 2
      healthy young men (mean +/- SEM age: 20.0 +/- 0.0 y; mean +/- SEM BMI: 26.4 +/-
      3.1) ingested 28 g l-[5,5,5-(2)H3]leucine-labeled poultry meat protein. Plasma
      samples (Expts. 1 and 2) and muscle biopsies (Expt. 1) were collected before and
      after labeled-food ingestion. RESULTS: High tracer labeling [>20 mole percent
      excess (MPE)] in the eggs was obtained after 7 d and maintained throughout the
      feeding protocol (P < 0.05). Over a 55-d period, ~850 g egg protein (145 eggs)
      was produced, with a mean +/- SEM tracer enrichment of 22.0 +/- 0.8 MPE. Mean +/-
      SEM l-[5,5,5-(2)H3]leucine enrichment in the meat was 9.6 +/- 0.1 MPE. In Expts.
      1 and 2, the consumption of labeled eggs and poultry meat protein increased
      plasma l-[5,5,5-(2)H3]leucine enrichment, with mean +/- SEM peak values of 6.7 +/
      0.1 MPE and 4.0 +/- 0.9 MPE, respectively. The mean +/- SEM 5-h postprandial
      increase in myofibrillar l-[5,5,5-(2)H3]leucine enrichment after egg ingestion in
      healthy young men was 0.051 +/- 0.008 MPE (Expt. 1). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated
      the feasibility of producing intrinsically labeled eggs and poultry meat for use
      in human metabolic research.

PMID- 27281811
TI  - Physical Activity Performed in the Evening Increases the Overnight Muscle Protein
      Synthetic Response to Presleep Protein Ingestion in Older Men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass is partly attributed
      to anabolic resistance to food intake. Dietary protein ingestion before sleep
      could be used as a nutritional strategy to compensate for anabolic resistance.
      OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed whether physical activity performed in the
      evening can augment the overnight muscle protein synthetic response to presleep
      protein ingestion in older men. METHODS: In a parallel group design, 23 healthy
      older men (mean +/- SEM age: 71 +/- 1 y) were randomly assigned to ingest 40 g
      protein intrinsically labeled with l-[1-(13)C]-phenylalanine and l-[1-(13)C]
      leucine before going to sleep with (PRO+EX) or without (PRO) performing physical
      activity earlier in the evening. Overnight protein digestion and absorption
      kinetics and myofibrillar protein synthesis rates were assessed by combining
      primed, continuous infusions of l-[ring-(2)H5]-phenylalanine, l-[1-(13)C]
      leucine, and l-[ring-(2)H2]-tyrosine with the ingestion of intrinsically labeled
      casein protein. Muscle and blood samples were collected throughout overnight
      sleep. RESULTS: Protein ingested before sleep was normally digested and absorbed,
      with 54% +/- 2% of the protein-derived amino acids appearing in the circulation
      throughout overnight sleep. Overnight myofibrillar protein synthesis rates were
      31% (0.058% +/- 0.002%/h compared with 0.044% +/- 0.003%/h; P < 0.01; based on l
      [ring-(2)H5]-phenylalanine) and 27% (0.074% +/- 0.004%/h compared with 0.058% +/-
      0.003%/h; P < 0.01; based on l-[1-(13)C]-leucine) higher in the PRO+EX than in
      the PRO treatment. More dietary protein-derived amino acids were incorporated
      into de novo myofibrillar protein during overnight sleep in PRO+EX than in PRO
      treatment (0.042 +/- 0.002 compared with 0.033 +/- 0.002 mole percent excess; P <
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity performed in the evening augments the
      overnight muscle protein synthetic response to presleep protein ingestion and
      allows more of the ingested protein-derived amino acids to be used for de novo
      muscle protein synthesis during overnight sleep in older men. This trial was
      registered at Nederlands Trial Register as NTR3885.

PMID- 27281810
TI  - 13C Natural Abundance of Serum Retinol Is a Novel Biomarker for Evaluating
      Provitamin A Carotenoid-Biofortified Maize Consumption in Male Mongolian Gerbils.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Crops such as maize, sorghum, and millet are being biofortified with
      provitamin A carotenoids to ensure adequate vitamin A (VA) intakes. VA assessment
      can be challenging because serum retinol concentrations are homeostatically
      controlled and more sensitive techniques are resource-intensive. OBJECTIVES: We
      investigated changes in serum retinol relative differences of isotope amount
      ratios of (13)C/(12)C (delta(13)C) caused by natural (13)C fractionation in C3
      compared with C4 plants as a biomarker to detect provitamin A efficacy from
      biofortified (orange) maize and high-carotene carrots. METHODS: The design was a
      2 * 2 * 2 maize (orange compared with white) by carrot (orange compared with
      white) by a VA fortificant (VA+ compared with VA-) in weanling male Mongolian
      gerbils (n = 55), which included a 14-d VA depletion period and a 62-d treatment
      period (1 baseline and 8 treatment groups; n = 5-7/group). Liver VA and serum
      retinol were quantified, purified by HPLC, and analyzed by GC combustion isotope
      ratio mass spectrometry for (13)C. RESULTS: Treatments affected liver VA
      concentrations (0.048 +/- 0.039 to 0.79 +/- 0.24 MUmol/g; P < 0.0001) but not
      overall serum retinol concentrations (1.38 +/- 0.22 MUmol/L). Serum retinol and
      liver VA delta(13)C were significantly correlated (R(2) = 0.92; P < 0.0001).
      Serum retinol delta(13)C differentiated control groups that consumed white maize
      and white carrots (-27.1 +/- 1.2 delta(13)C0/00) from treated groups that
      consumed orange maize and white carrots (-21.6 +/- 1.4 delta(13)C0/00 P < 0.0001)
      and white maize and orange carrots (-30.6 +/- 0.7 delta(13)C0/00 P < 0.0001). A
      prediction model demonstrated the relative contribution of orange maize to total
      dietary VA for groups that consumed VA from mixed sources. CONCLUSIONS:
      Provitamin A efficacy and quantitative estimation of the relative contribution to
      dietary VA were demonstrated with the use of serum retinol delta(13)C. This
      method could be used for maize efficacy or effectiveness studies and with other
      C4 crops biofortified with provitamin A carotenoids (e.g., millet, sorghum).
      Advantages include no extrinsic tracer dose, 1 blood sample, and higher
      sensitivity than serum retinol concentrations alone.

PMID- 27281812
TI  - Preconceptional Nutrition Interventions for Adolescent Girls and Adult Women:
      Global Guidelines and Gaps in Evidence and Policy with Emphasis on
      Micronutrients.
AB  - Much of the global nutrition efforts in recent years have been focused on
      improving the nutritional status of children during the window of the first 1000
      d of life, from conception to 2 y of age. However, as the world transitions from
      the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals, women's
      and adolescent girls' overall health and well-being are being placed at the
      center of the global agenda. It is also increasingly recognized that a woman's
      nutritional status before pregnancy affects maternal and child outcomes and thus
      needs to be improved to ensure optimal outcomes. This article reviews the global
      picture of preconception nutrition in women and girls, including some of the key
      factors that influence women's outcomes, as well as their children's outcomes, if
      they do become pregnant. This article describes the current global guidelines on
      preconceptional nutrition interventions for girls and women; highlights related
      gaps in evidence, guidelines, and policy; and discusses research to forward the
      agenda of improving women's and girls' preconceptional nutrition.

PMID- 27281813
TI  - Soluble Corn Fiber Increases Calcium Absorption Associated with Shifts in the Gut
      Microbiome: A Randomized Dose-Response Trial in Free-Living Pubertal Females.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Soluble corn fiber (SCF; 12 g fiber/d) is shown to increase calcium
      absorption efficiency, associated with shifts in the gut microbiota in adolescent
      males and females who participated in a controlled feeding study. OBJECTIVE: We
      evaluated the dose response of 0, 10, and 20 g fiber/d delivered by PROMITOR SCF
      85 (85% fiber) on calcium absorption, biochemical bone properties, and the fecal
      microbiome in free-living adolescents. METHODS: Healthy adolescent females (n =
      28; aged 11-14 y) randomly assigned into a 3-phase, double-blind, crossover study
      consumed SCF for 4 wk at each dose (0, 10, and 20 g fiber/d from SCF) alongside
      their habitual diet and were followed by 3-d clinical visits and 3-wk washout
      periods. Stable isotope ((44)Ca and (43)Ca) enrichment in pooled urine was
      measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Fecal microbial
      community composition was assessed by high-throughput sequencing (Illumina) of
      polymerase chain reaction-amplified 16S rRNA genes. Mixed model ANOVA and
      Friedman analysis were used to determine effects of SCF on calcium absorption and
      to compare mean microbial proportions, respectively. RESULTS: Calcium absorption
      increased significantly with 10 (13.3% +/- 5.3%; P = 0.042) and 20 g fiber/d
      (12.9% +/- 3.6%; P = 0.026) from SCF relative to control. Significant differences
      in fecal microbial community diversity were found after consuming SCF
      (operational taxonomic unit measures of 601.4 +/- 83.5, 634.5 +/- 83.8, and 649.6
      +/- 75.5 for 0, 10, and 20 g fiber/d, respectively; P < 0.05). Proportions of the
      genus Parabacteroides significantly increased with SCF dose (1.1% +/- 0.8%, 2.1%
      +/- 1.6%, and 3.0% +/- 2.0% for 0, 10, and 20 g fiber/d from SCF, respectively; P
      < 0.05). Increases in calcium absorption positively correlated with increases in
      Clostridium (r = 0.44, P = 0.023) and unclassified Clostridiaceae (r = 0.40, P =
      0.040). CONCLUSIONS: SCF, a nondigestible carbohydrate, increased calcium
      absorption in free-living adolescent females. Two groups of bacteria may be
      involved, one directly fermenting SCF and the second fermenting SCF metabolites
      further, thereby promoting increased calcium absorption. This trial was
      registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01660503.

PMID- 27281814
TI  - Performance assessment of two lysis methods for direct identification of yeasts
      from clinical blood cultures using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
AB  - In cases of fungal infection of the bloodstream, rapid species identification is
      crucial to provide adapted therapy and thereby ameliorate patient outcome.
      Currently, the commercial Sepsityper kit and the sodium-dodecyl sulfate (SDS)
      method coupled with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry are the most commonly reported
      lysis protocols for direct identification of fungi from positive blood culture
      vials. However, the performance of these two protocols has never been compared on
      clinical samples. Accordingly, we performed a two-step survey on two distinct
      panels of clinical positive blood culture vials to identify the most efficient
      protocol, establish an appropriate log score (LS) cut-off, and validate the best
      method. We first compared the performance of the Sepsityper and the SDS protocols
      on 71 clinical samples. For 69 monomicrobial samples, mass spectrometry LS values
      were significantly higher with the SDS protocol than with the Sepsityper method
      (P < .0001), especially when the best score of four deposited spots was
      considered. Next, we established the LS cut-off for accurate identification at
      1.7, based on specimen DNA sequence data. Using this LS cut-off, 66 (95.6%) and
      46 (66.6%) isolates were correctly identified at the species level with the SDS
      and the Sepsityper protocols, respectively. In the second arm of the survey, we
      validated the SDS protocol on an additional panel of 94 clinical samples. Ninety
      two (98.9%) of 93 monomicrobial samples were correctly identified at the species
      level (median LS = 2.061). Overall, our data suggest that the SDS method yields
      more accurate species identification of yeasts, than the Sepsityper protocol.

PMID- 27281815
TI  - Dyspnoea in a patient with unilateral lung agenesis.

PMID- 27281816
TI  - Cardiac arrest leadership: in need of resuscitation?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leadership skills directly correlate with the quality of technical
      performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and clinical outcomes. Despite
      an improved focus on non-technical skills in CPR training, the leadership of
      cardiac arrests is often variable. AIMS: To assess the perceptions of leadership
      and team working among members of a cardiac arrest team and to evaluate future
      training needs. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 102 members of a cardiac
      arrest team at an Acute Hospital Trust in the UK with 892 inpatient beds.
      Responses sought from doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants to 12 rated
      statements and 4 dichotomous questions. RESULTS: Of 102 responses, 81 (79%) were
      from doctors and 21 (21%) from nurses. Among specialist registrars 90% agreed or
      strongly agreed that there was clear leadership at all arrests compared with
      between 28% and 49% of nurses and junior doctors respectively. Routine omission
      of key leadership tasks was reported by as many as 80% of junior doctors and 50%
      of nurses. Almost half of respondents reported non-adherence with Advanced Life
      Support (ALS) guidelines. Among junior members of the team, 36% felt confident to
      lead an arrest and 75% would welcome further dedicated cardiac arrest leadership
      training. CONCLUSIONS: Leadership training is integrated into the ALS (Resus
      Council, UK) qualification. However, this paper found that in spite of this
      training; standards of leadership are variable. The findings suggest a pressing
      need for further dedicated cardiac arrest leadership training with a focus on
      improving key leadership tasks such as role assignment, team briefing and
      debriefing.

PMID- 27281817
TI  - Use of medical abbreviations and acronyms: knowledge among medical students and
      postgraduates.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inappropriate use of abbreviations and acronyms in healthcare has
      become an international patient safety issue. The aim of this study was to assess
      the knowledge of medical abbreviations and acronyms among residents of the
      department of medicine at a tertiary-care hospital. METHODS: Internal medicine
      residents (IMRs), subspecialty residents (SRs) and students were asked to
      complete a self-administered questionnaire which comprised standard abbreviations
      used in medicine and its various subspecialties. Scores obtained by the residents
      were classified into three categories: >70% correct answers; 50-69% correct
      answers; <50% correct answers. RESULTS: A total of 77 IMRs, SRs and medical
      students participated. Overall, good responses were achieved by 53 (68.8%), 16
      (20.8%) attained satisfactory responses, and eight (10.4%) had unsatisfactory
      scores. The majority of SRs achieved good responses (19/22 (86%)), followed by
      IMRs (30/40 (75%)) and students (4/15 (26.7%)). Evaluation of their knowledge
      taken from the list of 'do not use' abbreviations showed that 89.6% reported
      using 'Q.D.' instead of 'once a day', and 93% used 'IU' instead of the entire
      phrase 'international unit'. The top five 'not to use' abbreviations were ZnSO4,
      ug, MgSO4, IU and SC, with the frequency 100%, 96%, 94.8%, 93% and 90%,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that there is a knowledge gap among
      trainees in medicine regarding the meaning and usage of common medical
      abbreviations. We therefore recommend proper education of trainees in medicine to
      ensure they understand the meaning of abbreviations and are aware of the list of
      'do not use' abbreviations.

PMID- 27281818
TI  - Supranuclear gaze palsy and hummingbird sign.

PMID- 27281819
TI  - How Glycosaminoglycans Promote Fibrillation of Salmon Calcitonin.
AB  - Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) bind all known amyloid plaques and help store protein
      hormones in (acidic) granular vesicles, but the molecular mechanisms underlying
      these important effects are unclear. Here we investigate GAG interactions with
      the peptide hormone salmon calcitonin (sCT). GAGs induce fast sCT fibrillation at
      acidic pH and only bind monomeric sCT at acidic pH, inducing sCT helicity.
      Increasing GAG sulfation expands the pH range for binding. Heparin, the most
      highly sulfated GAG, binds sCT in the pH interval 3-7. Small angle x-ray
      scattering indicates that sCT monomers densely decorate and pack single heparin
      chains, possibly via hydrophobic patches on helical sCT. sCT fibrillates without
      GAGs, but heparin binding accelerates the process by decreasing the otherwise
      long fibrillation lag times at low pH and accelerates fibril growth rates at
      neutral pH. sCT.heparin complexes form beta-sheet-rich heparin-covered fibrils.
      Solid-state NMR reveals that heparin does not alter the sCT fibrillary core
      around Lys(11) but makes changes to Val(8) on the exterior side of the beta
      strand, possibly through contacts to Lys(18) Thus GAGs significantly modulate sCT
      fibrillation in a pH-dependent manner by interacting with both monomeric and
      aggregated sCT.

PMID- 27281820
TI  - Insulin Mimetic Peptide Disrupts the Primary Binding Site of the Insulin
      Receptor.
AB  - Sets of synthetic peptides that interact with the insulin receptor ectodomain
      have been discovered by phage display and reported in the literature. These
      peptides were grouped into three classes termed Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3 based
      on their mutual competition of binding to the receptor. Further refinement has
      yielded, in particular, a 36-residue Site 2-Site 1 fusion peptide, S519, that
      binds the insulin receptor with subnanomolar affinity and exhibits agonist
      activity in both lipogenesis and glucose uptake assays. Here, we report three
      dimensional crystallographic detail of the interaction of the C-terminal, 16
      residue Site 1 component (S519C16) of S519 with the first leucine-rich repeat
      domain (L1) of the insulin receptor. Our structure shows that S519C16 binds to
      the same site on the L1 surface as that occupied by a critical component of the
      primary binding site, namely the helical C-terminal segment of the insulin
      receptor alpha-chain (termed alphaCT). In particular, the two phenylalanine
      residues within the FYXWF motif of S519C16 are seen to engage the insulin
      receptor L1 domain surface in a fashion almost identical to the respective
      alphaCT residues Phe(701) and Phe(705) The structure provides a platform for the
      further development of peptidic and/or small molecule agents directed toward the
      insulin receptor and/or the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor.

PMID- 27281821
TI  - RNA Exosome Complex Regulates Stability of the Hepatitis B Virus X-mRNA
      Transcript in a Non-stop-mediated (NSD) RNA Quality Control Mechanism.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a stealth virus, minimally inducing the interferon
      system required for efficient induction of both innate and adaptive immune
      responses. However, 90% of acutely infected adults can clear the virus,
      suggesting the presence of other, interferon-independent pathways leading to
      viral clearance. Given the known ability of helicases to bind viral nucleic
      acids, we performed a functional screening assay to identify helicases that
      regulate HBV replication. We identified the superkiller viralicidic activity 2
      like (SKIV2L) RNA helicase (a homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ski2
      protein) on the basis of its direct and preferential interaction with HBV X-mRNA.
      This interaction was essential for HBV X-mRNA degradation at the RNA exosome. The
      degradation of HBV X-mRNA at the RNA exosome was also mediated by HBS1L (HBS1
      like translational GTPase) protein, a known component of the host RNA quality
      control system. We found that the redundant HBV-precore translation initiation
      site present at the 3'-end of HBV X-mRNA (3' precore) is translationally active.
      The initiation of translation from this site without a proper stop codon was
      identified by the non-stop-mediated RNA decay mechanism leading to its
      degradation. Although 3' precore is present in the five main HBV-RNA transcripts,
      only X-mRNA lacks the presence of an upstream start codons for large, middle, and
      small (L, M, and S) HBV surface proteins. These upstream codons are in-frame with
      3' precore translation initiation site, blocking its translation from the other
      HBV-mRNA transcripts. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the
      anti-viral function of the non-stop-mediated RNA decay mechanism.

PMID- 27281822
TI  - Effect of Hypoxia-regulated Polo-like Kinase 3 (Plk3) on Human Limbal Stem Cell
      Differentiation.
AB  - Hypoxic conditions in the cornea affect epithelial function by activating Polo
      like kinase 3 (Plk3) signaling and the c-Jun.AP-1 transcription complex,
      resulting in apoptosis of corneal epithelial cells. Hypoxic stress in the culture
      conditions also regulates limbal stem cell growth and fate. In this study, we
      demonstrate that there is a differential response of Plk3 in hypoxic stress
      induced primary human limbal stem (HLS) and corneal epithelial (HCE) cells,
      resulting in different pathways of cell fate. We found that hypoxic stress
      induced HLS cell differentiation by down-regulating Plk3 activity at the
      transcription level, which was opposite to the effect of hypoxic stress on Plk3
      activation to elicit HCE cell apoptosis, detected by DNA fragmentation and TUNEL
      assays. Hypoxic stress-induced increases in c-Jun phosphorylation/activation were
      not observed in HLS cells because Plk3 expression and activity were suppressed in
      hypoxia-induced HLS cells. Instead, hypoxic stress-induced HLS cell
      differentiation was monitored by cell cycle analysis and measured by the decrease
      and increase in p63 and keratin 12 expression, respectively. Hypoxic stress
      induced Plk3 signaling to regulate c-Jun activity, resulting in limbal stem cell
      differentiation and center epithelial apoptosis, was also found in the corneas of
      wild-type and Plk3(-/-)-deficient mice. Our results, for the first time, reveal
      the differential effects of hypoxic stress on Plk3 activity in HLS and HCE cells.
      Instead of apoptosis, hypoxic stress suppresses Plk3 activity to protect limbal
      stem cells from death and to allow the process of HLS cell differentiation.

PMID- 27281825
TI  - The Babinski sign.

PMID- 27281823
TI  - Sprouty2 Protein Regulates Hypoxia-inducible Factor-alpha (HIFalpha) Protein
      Levels and Transcription of HIFalpha-responsive Genes.
AB  - The alpha-subunits of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF1alpha and HIF2alpha) promote
      transcription of genes that regulate glycolysis and cell survival and growth.
      Sprouty2 (Spry2) is a modulator of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and
      inhibits cell proliferation by a number of different mechanisms. Because of the
      seemingly opposite actions of HIFalpha subunits and Spry2 on cellular processes,
      we investigated whether Spry2 regulates the levels of HIF1alpha and HIF2alpha
      proteins. In cell lines from different types of tumors in which the decreased
      protein levels of Spry2 have been associated with poor prognosis, silencing of
      Spry2 elevated HIF1alpha protein levels. Increases in HIF1alpha and HIF2alpha
      protein levels due to silencing of Spry2 also up-regulated HIFalpha target genes.
      Using HIF1alpha as a prototype, we show that Spry2 decreases HIF1alpha stability
      and enhances the ubiquitylation of HIF1alpha by a von Hippel-Lindau protein
      (pVHL)-dependent mechanism. Spry2 also exists in a complex with HIF1alpha.
      Because Spry2 can also associate with pVHL, using a mutant form of Spry2 (3P/3A
      Spry2) that binds HIF1alpha, but not pVHL, we show that WT-Spry2, but not the
      3P/3A-Spry2 decreases HIF1alpha protein levels. In accordance, expression of WT
      Spry2, but not 3P/3A-Spry2 results in a decrease in HIF1alpha-sensitive glucose
      uptake. Together our data suggest that Spry2 acts as a scaffold to bring more
      pVHL/associated E3 ligase in proximity of HIF1alpha and increase its
      ubiquitylation and degradation. This represents a novel action for Spry2 in
      modulating biological processes regulated by HIFalpha subunits.

PMID- 27281826
TI  - Ectopic crypt foci in conventional and serrated colorectal polyps.
AB  - AIMS: Despite almost pathognomonic status of ectopic crypt foci (ECF) in the
      diagnosis of traditional serrated adenoma (TSA), there are few systematic studies
      on their prevalence in other types of colon polyps or in adenomas adjacent to
      colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We calculated ECF in all the polyps (n=922)
      removed in the colonoscopy in Oulu University Hospital in 2001. Moreover, to
      study ECF in precursor lesions next to CRCs, we re-examined a previously
      described cohort of 148 CRCs. RESULTS: ECF were seen in 53 (5.7%) polyps
      representing 28 (6.5%) tubular adenomas (TAs), 14 (53.8%) tubulovillous adenomas
      (TVAs), 2 (100.0%) villous adenomas (VAs) and 9 (100.0%) TSAs. In all TSAs and
      VAs, the density of ECF was higher than in TVAs and TAs. An adjacent precursor
      lesion was recognised in 28 of 148 (18.9%) CRCs. Twenty-four (85.7%) of these
      contained ECF. CONCLUSIONS: ECF can most frequently be observed in TSAs but also
      in many TVAs, VAs and TAs, reflecting a histological overlap between serrated and
      conventional polyps. Especially, precursor lesions adjacent to CRC frequently
      contain ECF.

PMID- 27281827
TI  - Effects of Head-Mounted Display on the Oculomotor System and Refractive Error in
      Normal Adolescents.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical effects of head-mounted display on the
      refractive error and oculomotor system in normal adolescents. METHODS: Sixty
      volunteers (age: 13 to 18 years) watched a three-dimensional movie and virtual
      reality application of head-mounted display for 30 minutes. The refractive error
      (diopters [D]), angle of deviation (prism diopters [PD]) at distance (6 m) and
      near (33 cm), near point of accommodation, and stereoacuity were measured before,
      immediately after, and 10 minutes after watching the head-mounted display. The
      refractive error was presented as spherical equivalent (SE). Refractive error was
      measured repeatedly after every 10 minutes when a myopic shift greater than 0.15
      D was observed after watching the head-mounted display. RESULTS: The mean age of
      the participants was 14.7 +/- 1.3 years and the mean SE before watching head
      mounted display was -3.1 +/- 2.6 D. One participant in the virtual reality
      application group was excluded due to motion sickness and nausea. After 30
      minutes of watching the head-mounted display, the SE, near point of
      accommodation, and stereoacuity in both eyes did not change significantly (all P
      > .05). Immediately after watching the head-mounted display, esophoric shift was
      observed (0.6 +/- 1.5 to 0.2 +/- 1.5 PD), although it was not significant (P =
      .06). Transient myopic shifts of 17.2% to 30% were observed immediately after
      watching the head-mounted display in both groups, but recovered fully within 40
      minutes after watching the head-mounted display. CONCLUSIONS: There were no
      significant clinical effects of watching head-mounted display for 30 minutes on
      the normal adolescent eye. Transient changes in refractive error and binocular
      alignment were noted, but were not significant. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
      2016;53(4):238-245.].

PMID- 27281824
TI  - Mechanism of Histone H3K4me3 Recognition by the Plant Homeodomain of Inhibitor of
      Growth 3.
AB  - Aberrant access to genetic information disrupts cellular homeostasis and can lead
      to cancer development. One molecular mechanism that regulates access to genetic
      information includes recognition of histone modifications, which is carried out
      by protein modules that interact with chromatin and serve as landing pads for
      enzymatic activities that regulate gene expression. The ING3 tumor suppressor
      protein contains a plant homeodomain (PHD) that reads the epigenetic code via
      recognition of histone H3 tri-methylated at lysine 4 (H3K4me3), and this domain
      is lost or mutated in various human cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms
      targeting ING3 to histones and the role of this interaction in the cell remain
      elusive. Thus, we employed biochemical and structural biology approaches to
      investigate the interaction of the ING3 PHD finger (ING3PHD) with the active
      transcription mark H3K4me3. Our results demonstrate that association of the
      ING3PHD with H3K4me3 is in the sub-micromolar range (KD ranging between 0.63 and
      0.93 MUm) and is about 200-fold stronger than with the unmodified histone H3. NMR
      and computational studies revealed an aromatic cage composed of Tyr-362, Ser-369,
      and Trp-385 that accommodate the tri-methylated side chain of H3K4. Mutational
      analysis confirmed the critical importance of Tyr-362 and Trp-385 in mediating
      the ING3PHD-H3K4me3 interaction. Finally, the biological relevance of ING3PHD
      H3K4me3 binding was demonstrated by the failure of ING3PHD mutant proteins to
      enhance ING3-mediated DNA damage-dependent cell death. Together, our results
      reveal the molecular mechanism of H3K4me3 selection by the ING3PHD and suggest
      that this interaction is important for mediating ING3 tumor suppressive
      activities.

PMID- 27281828
TI  - Safety and Long-term Outcomes of Congenital Ptosis Surgery: A Population-Based
      Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the long-term outcomes of childhood ptosis surgery in a
      population-based setting over a 46-year period. METHODS: In this population-based
      cohort study, the medical records of all patients who were residents of Olmsted
      County, Minnesota, diagnosed as having blepharoptosis and having undergone
      surgical management prior to 19 years of age (between January 1, 1965, and
      December 31, 2010), were retrospectively reviewed. Age at time of surgery, type
      of surgery, duration of follow-up, number and nature of revisions, degree of
      amblyopia, and postoperative lagophthalmos and dry eye were documented. RESULTS:
      Forty-seven children meeting inclusion criteria underwent ptosis surgery. The
      median age at time of first surgery was 5.6 years (range: 1.5 to 17.7 years).
      Fifteen of 47 (31.9%) patients required a second procedure. Three of 47 (6.4%)
      patients underwent three procedures. The median time was 1.1 years (range: 0.03
      to 7.8 years) between the first and second surgery and 6.0 years (range: 0.3 to
      6.1 years) between the second and third procedure. Seven of 47 (14.9%) patients
      had amblyopia. Nineteen of 47 (40.4%) patients were noted to have lagophthalmos
      and 3 of 47 (6.4%) presented for symptomatic dry eye postoperatively.
      CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based setting, more than half of the children
      with ptosis required only a single surgical procedure, although a significant
      proportion required two procedures. Postoperative lagophthalmos is common, but
      symptomatic dry eye is rare. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2016;53(4):212
      217.].

PMID- 27281829
TI  - Sutureless Lamellar Corneoscleral Patch Graft With Fibrin Sealant for Limbal
      Dermoid Removal.
AB  - A 2-year-old boy with Goldenhar syndrome had a limbal dermoid removed and covered
      with a lamellar corneoscleral patch graft that was attached with fibrin glue and
      no sutures. The graft healed and attached well. A sutureless technique is
      beneficial due to decreased scarring and chance of infection.

PMID- 27281830
TI  - Electroretinography and Pupillography in Unilateral Foveal Hypoplasia.
AB  - The authors describe a 3-year-old boy with unilateral foveal hypoplasia and an
      absence of other ocular or systemic findings. Electroretinography obtained
      predominantly affecting cones. Laterality of pupil constriction to red but not to
      blue light was observed. The colored-light pupil response can be used to predict
      the retinal state.

PMID- 27281832
TI  - Screening for Ovarian Cancer-More Hype Than Hope?

PMID- 27281833
TI  - Lucky: Reflecting on Relationships in Family Medicine.

PMID- 27281834
TI  - When to Discontinue Antiepileptic Drug Therapy for Patients in Remission.

PMID- 27281835
TI  - Topical Antihistamines and Mast Cell Stabilizers for Treating Allergic
      Conjunctivitis.

PMID- 27281836
TI  - Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States.
      One-third of these deaths may be preventable through healthy lifestyle choices
      including diet and physical activity. The Mediterranean diet is associated with
      reduced cardiovascular mortality, whereas the Dietary Approaches to Stop
      Hypertension (DASH) eating plan is associated with a reduced risk of coronary
      artery disease. Substituting dietary saturated fat with polyunsaturated fatty
      acids is associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, although exogenous
      supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids does not improve cardiovascular
      outcomes. There is an association between increased sodium intake and
      cardiovascular risk, but reducing dietary sodium has not consistently shown a
      reduction in cardiovascular risk. Physical activity recommendations for adults
      are at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, 75
      minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, or an equivalent
      combination. Increases in physical activity by any level are associated with
      reduced cardiovascular risk. Introducing muscle-strengthening activities at least
      twice per week in previously inactive adults is associated with improved
      cardiovascular outcomes. Inactive adults without known CVD can gradually increase
      activity to a moderate-intensity level without consulting a physician. The U.S.
      Preventive Services Task Force recommends behavioral counseling to promote
      healthy diet and physical activity in adults at high risk of CVD. Evidence of
      benefit for counseling patients at average risk is less established. 

PMID- 27281837
TI  - Genital Herpes: A Review.
AB  - Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease, affecting more than 400
      million persons worldwide. It is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) and
      characterized by lifelong infection and periodic reactivation. A visible outbreak
      consists of single or clustered vesicles on the genitalia, perineum, buttocks,
      upper thighs, or perianal areas that ulcerate before resolving. Symptoms of
      primary infection may include malaise, fever, or localized adenopathy. Subsequent
      outbreaks, caused by reactivation of latent virus, are usually milder.
      Asymptomatic shedding of transmissible virus is common. Although HSV-1 and HSV-2
      are indistinguishable visually, they exhibit differences in behavior that may
      affect management. Patients with HSV-2 have a higher risk of acquiring human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Polymerase chain reaction assay is the
      preferred method of confirming HSV infection in patients with active lesions.
      Treatment of primary and subsequent outbreaks with nucleoside analogues is well
      tolerated and reduces duration, severity, and frequency of recurrences. In
      patients with HSV who are HIV-negative, treatment reduces transmission of HSV to
      uninfected partners. During pregnancy, antiviral prophylaxis with acyclovir is
      recommended from 36 weeks of gestation until delivery in women with a history of
      genital herpes. Elective cesarean delivery should be performed in laboring
      patients with active lesions to reduce the risk of neonatal herpes. 

PMID- 27281838
TI  - Diagnosis and Management of Ovarian Cancer.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Less than one-half of
      patients survive for more than five years after diagnosis. Ovarian cancer affects
      women of all ages but is most commonly diagnosed after menopause. More than 75%
      of affected women are diagnosed at an advanced stage because early-stage disease
      is usually asymptomatic and symptoms of late-stage disease are nonspecific. The
      strongest risk factors are advancing age and family history of ovarian and breast
      cancer. Women who have symptoms concerning for ovarian cancer should undergo a
      physical examination, transvaginal ultrasonography, and measurement of biomarkers
      such as cancer antigen 125. If results are suspicious for ovarian cancer, the
      patient should be referred to a gynecologic oncologist. Despite the low rate of
      early diagnosis, guidelines recommend against routine screening for ovarian
      cancer in average-risk women because screening, including routine pelvic
      examinations, is ineffective and associated with harm. However, a recent trial
      found a potential benefit of annual screening using an algorithm based on serial
      cancer antigen 125 measurements followed by transvaginal ultrasonography for
      women at increased risk, as determined by the algorithm. Women with an increased
      risk family history should be referred for genetic counseling and, if genetic
      mutations (e.g., BRCA mutations) are identified, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
      can be considered for risk reduction. In both average- and high-risk women, long
      term hormonal contraceptive use reduces risk by about 50%. The treatment of
      ovarian cancer usually involves surgery, with or without intraperitoneal and
      intravenous chemotherapy. Primary care physicians have important roles in
      posttreatment surveillance and end-of-life care. 

PMID- 27281839
TI  - Hyperkeratotic Plaques on Hands.

PMID- 27281840
TI  - Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System vs. Oral Progestins for Treatment of
      Endometrial Hyperplasia.

PMID- 27281841
TI  - ACCP Releases Guideline for the Treatment of Unexplained Chronic Cough.

PMID- 27281842
TI  - Corticosteroids for Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

PMID- 27281843
TI  - Genital Herpes: What You Should Know.

PMID- 27281844
TI  - Ovarian Cancer.

PMID- 27281845
TI  - Elucidation and identification of amino acid containing membrane lipids using
      liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry.
AB  - RATIONALE: Intact polar lipids (IPLs) are the building blocks of cell membranes,
      and amino acid containing IPLs have been observed to be involved in response to
      changing environmental conditions in various species of bacteria. High
      performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) has become the
      primary method for analysis of IPLs. Many glycerol-free amino acid containing
      membrane lipids (AA-IPLs), which are structurally different than abundant
      aminophospholipids, have not been characterized using HPLC/MS. This results in
      many lipids remaining unrecognized in IPL analysis of microbial cultures and
      environmental samples, hampering the study of their occurrence and functionality.
      METHODS: We analyzed the amino acid containing IPLs of a number of bacteria (i.e.
      Gluconobacter cerinus, Cyclobacterium marinus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, and
      Pedobacter heparinus) in order to decipher fragmentation pathways, and explore
      potential novel lipid structures using HPLC/electrospray ionization ion trap MS
      (HPLC/ESI-IT-MS) and HPLC/high-resolution MS (HPLC/HRMS). RESULTS: We report
      differentiation between glutamine and lysine lipids with the same nominal masses,
      novel MS fragmentation pathways of cytolipin, the lipopeptides cerilipin and
      flavolipin, head group hydroxylated ornithine lipids, and the novel
      identification of cerilipin with a hydroxylated fatty acid. CONCLUSIONS: Non
      glycerol AA lipids can be readily recognized as their fragmentation follows a
      clear pattern with initial dehydration or other loss from the head group,
      followed by fatty acid losses resulting in a diagnostic fragment ion. Higher
      level MSn and HRMS are valuable tools in characterizing AA lipid head group
      structural components.

PMID- 27281846
TI  - Author reply.

PMID- 27281847
TI  - [Dnmt2 is the Most Evolutionary Conserved and Enigmatic Cytosine DNA
      Methyltransferase in Eukaryotes].
AB  - Dnmt2 is the most strongly conserved cytosine DNA methyltransferase in
      eukaryotes. It has been found in all organisms possessing methyltransferases of
      the Dnmt1 and Dnmt3 families, whereas in many others Dnmt2 is the sole cytosine
      DNA methyltransferase. The Dnmt2 molecule contains all conserved motifs of
      cytosine DNA methyltransferases. It forms 3D complexes with DNA very similar to
      those of bacterial DNA methyltransferases and performs cytosine methylation by a
      catalytic mechanism common to all cytosine DNA methyltransferases. Catalytic
      activity of the purified Dnmt2 with DNA substrates is very low and could hardly
      be detected in direct biochemical assays. Dnmt2 is the sole cytosine DNA
      methyltransferase in Drosophila and other dipteran insects. Its overexpression as
      a transgene leads to DNA hypermethylation in all sequence contexts and to an
      extended life span. On the contrary, a null-mutation of the Dnmt2 gene leads to a
      diminished life span, though no evident anomalies in development are observed.
      Dnmt2 is also the sole cytosine DNA methyltransferase in several protists.
      Similar to Drosophila these protists have a very low level of DNA methylation.
      Some limited genome compartments, such as transposable sequences, are probably
      the methylation targets in these organisms. Dnmt2 does not participate in genome
      methylation in mammals, but seems to be an RNA methyltransferase modifying the
      38th cytosine residue in anticodon loop of certain tRNAs. This modification
      enhances stability of tRNAs, especially in stressful conditions. Dnmt2 is the
      only enzyme known to perform RNA methylation by a catalytic mechanism
      characteristic of DNA methyltransferases. The Dnmt2 activity has been shown in
      mice to be necessary for paramutation establishment, though the precise
      mechanisms of its participation in this form of epigenetic heredity are unknown.
      It seems likely, that either of the two Dnmt2 activities could become a
      predominant one during the evolution of different species. The high level of the
      Dnmt2 evolutionary conservation proves its activity to have a significant
      adaptive value in natural environment.

PMID- 27281848
TI  - [The Mechanisms of Transgenerational Inheritance and Their Potential Contribution
      to Human Phenotypes].
AB  - As of today, classical genetics has already completed the majority of groundwork
      to describe the laws of inheritance, identify the causes of many human diseases,
      and dissect the mechanisms of transfer of genetic information from parents to
      offspring. However, recent studies indicate that inheritance of phenotypic traits
      may also occur through nongenetic factors, in particular, through epigenetic
      factors, that manifest their effects in a transgenerational fashion. This review
      discusses findings in the area of transgenerational inheritance that open a new
      era in modern genetics. We discuss the mechanisms of transgenerational
      inheritance, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA
      transfer, and give an overview of the approaches to detect transgenerational
      effects in humans.

PMID- 27281849
TI  - [Deinococcus radiodurans RecX and Escherichia coli RecX Proteins Are Able to
      Replace Each Other in vivo and in vitro].
AB  - A plasmid carrying the Deinococcus radiodurans recXgene under the control of a
      lactose promoter decreases the Escherichia coli cell resistance to UV irradiation
      and gamma irradiation and also influences the conjugational recombination
      process. The D. radiodurans. RecX protein functions in the Escherichia coli cells
      similarly to the E. coli RecX protein. Isolated and purified D. radiodurans RecX
      and E. coli RecX proteins are able to replace each other interacting with the E.
      coli RecA and D. radiodurans RecA proteins in vitro. Data obtained demonstrated
      that regulatory interaction of RecA and RecX proteins preserves a high degree of
      conservatism despite all the differences in the recombination reparation system
      between E. coli and D. radiodurans.

PMID- 27281850
TI  - [Dot1 and Set2 Histone Methylases Control the Spontaneous and UV-Induced
      Mutagenesis Levels in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeasts].
AB  - In the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, the DOT1 gene product provides
      methylation of lysine 79 (K79) of hi- stone H3 and the SET2 gene product provides
      the methylation of lysine 36 (K36) of the same histone. We determined that the
      dot1 and set2 mutants suppress the UV-induced mutagenesis to an equally high
      degree. The dot1 mutation demonstrated statistically higher sensitivity to the
      low doses of MMC than the wild type strain. The analysis of the interaction
      between the dot1 and rad52 mutations revealed a considerable level of spontaneous
      cell death in the double dot1 rad52 mutant. We observed strong suppression of the
      gamma-in- duced mutagenesis in the set2 mutant. We determined that the dot1 and
      set2 mutations decrease the sponta- neous mutagenesis rate in both single and d
      ouble mutants. The epistatic interaction between the dot1 and set2 mutations and
      almost similar sensitivity of the corresponding mutants to the different types of
      DNA damage allow one to conclude that both genes are involved in the control of
      the same DNA repair pathways, the ho- mologous-recombination-based and the
      postreplicative DNA repair.

PMID- 27281851
TI  - [Variability of Allozyme and cpSSR Markers in the Populations of Siberian
      Spruce].
AB  - The variability of 21 allozyme and three microsatellite loci of chloroplast DNA
      (cpDNA) was studied in the populations of Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.)
      from Irkutsk oblast, Magadan oblast, Buryatia, and Mongolia. It was demonstrated
      that the highest level of genetic diversity among the examined populations at
      both allozyme and microsatellite loci was observed in the Tulyushka population
      from Irkutsk oblast. The lowest level of genetic diversity was observed in
      marginal isolated populations of Bogd Uul and Magadan. In the relict spruce
      population from Olkhon Island, differing from the other populations in the lowest
      allelic diversity of both types of markers, no expected decline of expected
      heterozygosity and haplotype diversity was observed. In this population, the
      variability parameters mentioned were close to the population mean. The obtained
      intrapopulation and intraspecific variability parameters of allozyme and
      microsatellite loci of chloroplast DNA and the data on the population
      differentiation at these loci indicate that the given markers can be used for the
      analysis of the population structure of Siberian spruce.

PMID- 27281852
TI  - [New Approach to the Mitotype Classification in Black Honeybee Apis mellifera
      mellifera and Iberian Honeybee Apis mellifera iberiensis].
AB  - The black honeybee Apis mellifera mellifera L. is today the only subspecies of
      honeybee which is suitable for commercial breeding in the climatic conditions of
      Northern Europe with long cold winters. The main problem of the black honeybee in
      Russia and European countries is the preservation of the indigenous gene pool
      purity, which is lost as a result of hybridization with subspecies, A. m.
      caucasica, A. m. carnica, A. m. carpatica, and A. m. armeniaca, introduced from
      southern regions. Genetic identification of the subspecies will reduce the extent
      of hybridization and provide the gene pool conservation of the black honeybee.
      Modern classification of the honeybee mitotypes is mainly based on the combined
      use ofthe DraI restriction endonuclease recognition site polymorphism and
      sequence polymorphism of the mtDNA COI-COII region. We performed a comparative
      analysis of the mtDNA COI-COII region sequence polymorphism in the honeybees
      ofthe evolutionary lineage M from Ural and West European populations of black
      honeybee A. m. mellifera and Spanish bee A. m. iberiensis. A new approach to the
      classification of the honeybee M mitotypes was suggested. Using this approach and
      on the basis of the seven most informative SNPs of the mtDNA COI-COII region,
      eight honeybee mitotype groups were identified. In addition, it is suggested that
      this approach will simplify the previously proposed complicated mitotype
      classification and will make it possible to assess the level of the mitotype
      diversity and to identify the mitotypes that are the most valuable for the
      honeybee breeding and rearing.

PMID- 27281853
TI  - [Unidirectional Hybridization of Kaluga Acipenser dauricus Georgi, 1775 and Amur
      Sturgeon Acipenser schrenckii Brandt, 1869, Inferred from the Mitochondrial DNA
      Genotyping of Their Natural Hybrids].
AB  - In 2009 through 2011, among 730 individuals of kaluga and Amur sturgeon collected
      in the lower reaches of the Amur River and the Amursky Liman, 17 morphologically
      intermediate individuals (hybrids) with the body length of 56 to 202 cm (median,
      81 cm) were identified, including 11 individuals (4.6%) found in 2009, three
      individuals (1.6%) found in 2010, and three individuals (1.1%), in 2011. In 16
      hybrids 819 bp of the mtDNA control regions were sequences and 11 haplotypes were
      identified. Since all these haplotypes were from the mtDNA lineages of kaluga, it
      was concluded that hybridization occurred in one direction, kaluga (?) x Amur
      sturgeon (?). This asymmetry could be caused by the large difference in sizes of
      these species. Since the earlier examined morphologically typical Amur sturgeons
      showed the absence of alien haplotypes (Shedko, et al., 2015), the absence of the
      mtDNA introgression is claimed. This can be caused by low viability or sterility
      of the backcross females (kaluga (?) x Amur sturgeon (?)) x Amur sturgeon (?).
      The samples of hybrids and typical kaluga individuals demonstrated no differences
      in the frequency spectra of the mtDNA haplotypes. However, haplotype and
      nucleotide diversity in the first sample was somewhat higher than in the second
      one (0.950 versus 0.927 and 0.0054 versus 0.0044, respectively). The data
      obtained will be useful for population monitoring of kaluga and Amur sturgeon,
      Amur River endemics, which are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN
      Red List of Threatened Species.

PMID- 27281854
TI  - [Expression of SM30 (A-F) Genes Encoding Spicule Matrix Proteins in Intact and
      Damaged Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius (A. Agassiz, 1863) at the Six
      Arm Pluteus].
AB  - In this study we investigated expression of the SM30(A-F) gene family encoding
      Strongylocentrotus intermedius spicule matrix proteins during the normal and
      regenerative pluteus II stage (three pairs of arms). We found that SiSM30A and
      SiSM30B genes are expressed at high levels in the normal pluteus II sea urchin.
      SiSM30A is expression was also significantly upregulated in the reparative
      pluteus II stage 3 hours after damage. Conversely, SiSM30B was downregulated
      during the reparative pluteus II stage. Our findings reveal a substantial
      similarity between the activity of SiSM30A and SiSM30B activity in the processes
      of regenerative growth during the pluteus II stage and during normal development
      at the prism stage in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. On the basis of our
      findings, we propose that normal developmental mechanisms corresponding to the
      preceding developmental stage are reactivated during pluteus regeneration.

PMID- 27281855
TI  - [Comparative Estimate of the Sheep Breed Gene Pools using ISSR Analysis].
AB  - Using the ISSR-PCR technique, the genetic structure of nine sheep breeds (Ovis
      aries) bred on the territories of Russia and Mongolia was examined. Species
      specific and breed-specific DNA fragments were identified. For the first time,
      data on the genetic diversity of Telengit and Buubey sheep breeds were obtained.
      The main parameters of the genetic diversity and the breed structure were
      assessed, and the phylogenetic relationships and genetic distances between the
      studied breeds were determined. Using the method of hierarchical frequency
      averaging, the prototypal sheep gene pool was reconstructed. The three-tiered
      analysis of diversity based on the ISSR fingerprinting data showed that 15.8% of
      variability was found between the breeds, 31.4% of variability was found between
      the populations within the breeds, and the diversity among the individuals within
      the populations constituted 52.8%.

PMID- 27281856
TI  - [Variability of the mtDNA Control Region in Goose Anser albifrons Scopoli, 1769].
AB  - Sequence variation of the mtDNA (D loop) control region was examined in greater
      white-fronted goose Anser albifrons Scopoli, 1769 individuals (n = 71). The
      obtained sequences were compared with those from the NCBI GenBank database. The
      high level of similarity of the sample from Primorye (A. albifrons) with the
      sample from Japan (A. a. frontalis) at the level of molecular variation, genetic
      distance, phylogenetic reconstruction, and haplotype network was demonstrated. A
      hypothesis on the ways of spring goose migration in the Far East was made. It was
      confirmed that white-fronted geese wintering in Japan fly to their breeding
      grounds through Kamchatka.

PMID- 27281857
TI  - [Role of Allelic Genes of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors
      in the Peptic Ulcer Disease Development].
AB  - Peptic ulcer disease is a chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, mainly
      manifesting itself in the formation of the fairly persistent ulcer defect of the
      mucous membrane of the stomach and/or duodenum. Association analysis of common
      polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases genes MMP-1 (rs1799750, rs494379), MMP
      2 (rs2285052), MMP-3 (rs3025058), MMP-9 (rs3918242, rs17576), and MMP-12
      (rs2276109) and their tissue inhibitors TIMP-2 (rs8179090) and TIMP-3 (rs9619311)
      was carried out in 353 patients with a gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer and in 325
      unrelated healthy individuals from the Republic of Bashkortostan. Associations of
      polymorphic variants rs1799750 and rs494379 of gene MMP-1, rs3025058 of gene MMP
      3, rs3918242 and rs17576 of gene MMP-9, and rs9619311 of gene TIMP-3 with the
      risk of peptic ulcer disease in Russians and Tatars were revealed.

PMID- 27281858
TI  - [Haplotype Analysis of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD) Locus in
      Yakutia].
AB  - Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a hereditary neuromuscular disease
      with autosomal dominant and rarely with autosomal recessive inheritance types.
      This study included 50 patients with a clinical diagnosis of OPMD, 23
      asymptomatic carriers of the mutation from 45 unrelated families, and 56 healthy
      relatives, as well as population samples of four ethnic groups of Yakutia:
      Yakuts, Evens, Evenks, Yukaghirs. It was found that the cause of OPMD development
      in all investigated families is the same increase in.GCN repeats to 14 copies in
      the PABPN1 gene. The molecular structure ofthe (GCN)14 mutant allele is
      (GCG)10(GCA)3GCG. The genetic variability of ten SNPs at the OPMD locus was
      studied in patient families and population samples. The haplotypes of OPMD were
      determined by a segregation analysis technique using the EM algorithm in the
      groups of patients, mutation carriers, and population samples. Only one haplotype
      of four SNPs (ATCG) linked with the (GCN)14 mutant allele was found in Yakuts and
      Russian patients and OPMD mutation carriers. Probably, this indicates the
      accumulation of mutations as a result of the founder effect.

PMID- 27281859
TI  - [Marriage and Migratory Characteristic of Circassians (Late 20th Century)].
AB  - This paper analyzes 2052 marriage records for 1990-2000 in the Khabezsky district
      of Karachay-Cherkessia. The main marriage and migration characteristics of
      Circassians are studied: index of endogamy, ethnic mar- riage assortativity,
      intensity of metisation, and Malecot's parameters of isolation by distance.

PMID- 27281860
TI  - Nursing in Urology: Where Can We Go from Here?

PMID- 27281861
TI  - Genitourinary Syndrome Of Menopause and Vaginal Estrogen Use.
AB  - The prevalence of women experiencing the genitourinary syndrome of menopause is
      expected to escalate due to the rising numbers of menopausal women. In no other
      time in history has it been more important for nurses to possess current
      knowledge regarding menopause management.

PMID- 27281862
TI  - Effect of an Education Presentation On the Knowledge and Awareness of Urinary
      Tract Infection among Non-Licensed and Licensed Health Care Workers in Long-Term
      Care Facilities.
AB  - This article presents the findings of a pre-test, post-test quality improvement
      project that describes the change in knowledge from prior to and following an
      evidence-based education presentation. The presentation addressed the clinical
      symptoms, diagnostic processes, interventions, and responsibilities of licensed
      and unlicensed health care workers employed in long-term care facilities related
      to prevention and detection of non-catheter-related urinary tract infections.
      Results indicate that the education presentation improved knowledge in specific.

PMID- 27281863
TI  - Application to the Evidence Base: Effect of an Education Intervention on Urinary
      Tract Infection Knowledge.

PMID- 27281864
TI  - Anesthetic Concerns for Patients Undergoing a Transurethral Resection of the
      Prostate (TURP).
AB  - Although there are competing alternatives available to treat benign prostatic
      hyperplasia (BPH), transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the
      gold standard using either general or spinal anesthesia. There are advantages and
      disadvantages related to spinal or general anesthesia. Anesthetic concerns and
      complications during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative surgical
      phases are analyzed and summarized. Early detection and prevention play a key
      role in reducing complications and shortening the recovery period.

PMID- 27281865
TI  - Pelvic Muscle Exercises Using A Home Trainer for Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction: A
      Case Report.
AB  - Pelvic muscle exercises can help improve symptoms of pelvic floor muscle
      dysfunction. This article describes the case of a 66-year-old woman with moderate
      pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and mild urinary incontinence (UI) who initiated
      pelvic muscle exercises with the assistance of a novel, at-home trainer equipped
      with a vaginal sensor and accompanying smartphone app software, the PeriCoach
      system (Analytica, 2015). After 8 weeks of training with the device, she showed
      improvements in strength, endurance, and disability, as measured by manual muscle
      test, electromyography, and Pelvic Floor Disability Index scores. Older women can
      use biofeedback technology to improve pelvic floor muscle function successfully
      at home.

PMID- 27281866
TI  - Pelvic Floor Biofeedback via a Smart Phone App for Treatment Of Stress Urinary
      Incontinence.
AB  - Biofeedback can be useful for treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Many
      women have difficulty isolating their pelvic floor muscles and adhering to a
      daily exercise regimen. This case study highlights a woman's experience using
      PeriCoach, a home biofeedback device that assists women in strengthening their
      pelvic floor muscles through Bluetooth technology using a smartphone.

PMID- 27281867
TI  - Chasing Zero: A Nurse-Driven Process for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract
      Infection Reduction In a Community Hospital.
AB  - Due to treatment costs and lack of reimbursement, community hospitals are charged
      with implementing innovative strategies that will reduce the incidence of
      hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). A nurse
      driven system for decreasing the number of hospital-acquired CAUTI is effective
      and useful for a community hospital. One nurse with accountability for
      implementing a simple evidence-based protocol can dramatically decrease the total
      incidence of hospital-acquired CAUTI. The basis for the success of this
      initiative relied heavily on the ease of using the eight-point Question the Foley
      criteria, the availability of the electronic medical record, interdisciplinary
      collaboration, and support from nursing and physician administration. With
      collaboration and support from nursing leadership, the goals for patient safety
      by reducing hospital-acquired CAUTI can become a reality in a short period of
      time.

PMID- 27281868
TI  - Evidence-Based Nursing: When the Evidence Is Fraudulent.

PMID- 27281869
TI  - [EFFECTS OF BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS TRANSPLANTATION FOR TREATING RAT
      SPINAL CORD INJURY AND CYTOKINE EXPRESSION AT INJURY SITES].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
      (BMSCs) transplantation for treating spinal cord injury (SCI) in rat and the
      cytokine expression changes in the local injury tissues. METHODS: BMSCs were
      separated from Sprague Dawley (SD) rat and cultured with the whole bone marrow
      culture method. rAd-EGFP was used to transfect the 5th generation BMSCs for green
      fluorescent protein (GFP) label. Twelve SD rats were randomly divided into
      experimental group (n = 6) and control group (n = 6). After the T10 SCI model was
      established with Allen's impact device in 2 groups, 1 x 1096) GFP-labeled BMSCs
      and PBS were administered by subarachnoid injection in situ in experimental group
      and control group, respectively. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to
      detect the motor function at immediat, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after SCI. At 5
      weeks, the spinal cord tissues were harvested for the histological and
      immunofluorescent staining examinations to measure the expressions of neural
      marker molecules, including Nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and
      neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN). Cytokine was analyzed with antibody
      array. RESULTS: At 5 weeks, 2 rats died of urinary tract infection in 2 groups
      respectively, the other rats survived to the end of experiment. BBB score of
      experimental group was significantly higher than that of control group at 1, 2,
      3, 4, and 5 weeks (P < 0.05). At 5 weeks, histological results showed that there
      were many cells with regular arrangement in the experimental group; there were
      less cells with irregular arrangement in the control group. Compared with the
      control group, Nestin and NeuN expressions significantly increased (P < 0.05),
      and GFAP expression significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the experimental group.
      Leptin and ciliary neurotrophic factor levels were higher in the experimental
      group than the control group, but granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating
      factor, tumor necrosis factor beta, interleukin 1 beta, and tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinases 1 levels were lower in the experimental group than the control
      group. CONCLUSION: BMSCs transplantation can improve survival and regeneration of
      nerve cells and enhances the recovery of nerve function by regulating secretion
      of cytokines from grafted BMSCs.

PMID- 27281870
TI  - [EFFECT OF Hey1 EXPRESSION ON OSTEOGENIC DIFFERENTIATION AND PROLIFERATION OF
      C3H10T1/2 CELLS INDUCED BY BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN 9].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Notch signaling pathway important target
      Hey1 expression on the differentiation and proliferation of C3H10T1/2 cells
      induced by bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP-9). METHODS: Hey1 lentivirus and
      Hey1 short hairpin RNA lentivirus were constructed and used to infect C3H10T1/2
      cells to change the expression level of Hey1 in C3H10T1/2 cells. C3H10T1/2 cells
      infected with LV-Blank (empty plasmid) as control. The Hey1 expression levels of
      different groups were detected by fluorescence microscope, real-time fluorescence
      quantitative PCR, and Western blot. The C3H10T1/2 cells with different Hey1
      expression level were induced by BMP-9 conditioned medium (BMP-9+C3H10T1/2 group,
      BMP-9+C3H10T1/2-Hey1 group, and BMP-9+C3H10T1/2-shHey1 group); the cells of
      control groups (C3H10T1/2 group and G3H10T1/2-Blank group) were cultured with
      normal medium. The mRNA and protein expression levels of osteogenesis related
      transcription factors (Runx2, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) were detected at 48
      hours by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot assay. The
      cells proliferation and cycles were detected by MTT assay at 4, 5, 6, and 7 days
      and flow cytometry at 4, 5, and 10 days. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity
      was analyzed by ELISA and observed by ALP staining at 4 and 7 days. RESULTS:
      C3H10T1/2 cell lines with different Hey1 expression levels were successfully
      established. In osteogenesis compared with BMP-9+C3H10T1/2 group, overexpression
      of Hey1 enhanced the mRNA and protein expressions of transcription factors
      (Runx2, osteopontin, and osteocalcin), and the expression of osteogenic
      differentiation marker (ALP) (P < 0.05); however, inhibition of Hey1 expression
      significantly decreased the above indexes (P < 0.05). In cell proliferation
      activity compared with BMP-9+C3H10T1/2 group, overexpression of Hey1 increased
      absorbance (A) value in MTT assay and pecentage of G2+S cells in cytometry assay,
      but inhibition of Hey1 expression significantly decreased the indexes (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Expression of Hey1 is the important link in the osteogenic
      differentiation process of C3H10T1/2 cells induced by BMP-9, and plays an
      important role in the regulation of early cell proliferation.

PMID- 27281871
TI  - [ECTOPIC OSTEOGENESIS EVALUATION OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN
      2 LOADED CHITOSAN/DEXTRAN SULFATE BY MICRO-CT].
AB  - OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ectopic osteogenesis of recombinant human bone
      morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) loaded chitosan (CS)/dextran sulfate (DS) by
      micro-CT. METHODS: rhBMP-2/CS/DS microspheres were prepared by the ionic
      crosslinking and its shape was observed under the scanning electron microscope.
      The release of rhBMP-2 was determined from resultant microspheres by ELISA assay.
      Forty-eight Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =
      12), quadriceps muscle bag model was made, gelatin sponge (group A), CS/DS
      microspheres (group B), rhBMP-2 (group C), and CS/DS/rhBMP-2 microspheres (group
      D) were implanted into the bags respectively. The tissue samples with heterotopic
      ossification were harvested for micro-CT scanning at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. The
      tissue mineral density (TMD), bone volume fraction (BVF), trabecular thickness
      (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), bone mineral density (BMD), and tissue mineral
      content (TMC) were measured. RESULTS: The prepared rhBMP-2/CS/DS microspheres
      with smooth surfaces were spherical and evenly disperses without obvious
      agglomeration. At 2 hours, microsphere started a sudden release period in vitro;
      the release reached a peak at 2 days; and the release cycle lasted about 20 days.
      The rats survived to the end of the experiment. At each time point after
      operation, no radiation developed and no osteogenesis was observed by three
      dimensional reconstruction in groups A and B. However, radioactive strength and
      reconstructed bone tissue gradually increased in groups C and D, and group D had
      more radioautography and more bone tissues than group C. At each time point, TMD,
      BVF, Tb.Th, Tb.N, BMD, and TMC of groups A and B were zero. Ectopic bone formed
      with time, the other parameters showed an increasing trend except Tb.N in groups
      C and D, showing significant difference when compared with groups A and B at each
      time point (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups C and D
      at 4 weeks (P > 0.05); the parameters of group D were significantly higher than
      those of group C at 8-16 weeks (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: rhBMP-2/CS/DS microspheres
      have stronger ability of ectopic bone formation than single rhBMP-2.

PMID- 27281872
TI  - [CYTOCOMPATIBILITY AND PREPARATION OF BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING SCAFFOLD BY
      COMBINING LOW TEMPERATURE THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING AND VACUUM FREEZE-DRYING
      TECHNIQUES].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the preparation and cytocompatibility of bone tissue
      engineering scaffolds by combining low temperature three dimensional (3D)
      printing and vacuum freeze-drying techniques. METHODS: Collagen (COL) and silk
      fibroin (SF) were manufactured from fresh bovine tendon and silkworm silk.
      SolidWorks2014 was adopted to design bone tissue engineering scaffold models with
      the size of 9 mm x 9 mm x 3 mm and pore diameter of 500 MUm. According to the
      behavior of composite materials that low temperature 3D printing equipment
      required, COL, SF, and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) at a ratio of 9 : 3 : 2 and low
      temperature 3D printing in combination with vacuum freeze-drying techniques were
      accepted to build COL/SF/nHA composite scaffolds. Gross observation and scanning
      electron microscope (SEM) were applied to observe the morphology and surface
      structures of composite scaffolds. Meanwhile, compression displacement,
      compression stress, and elasticity modulus were measured by mechanics machine to
      analyze mechanical properties of composite scaffolds. The growth and
      proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells were evaluated using SEM, inverted microscope,
      and MTT assay after cultured for 1, 7, 14, and 21 days on the composite
      scaffolds. The RT-PCR and Western blot techniques were adopted to detect the gene
      and protein expressions of COL I, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin
      (OCN) in MC3T3-E1 cells after 21 days. RESULTS: COL/SF/nHA composite scaffolds
      were successfully prepared by low temperature 3D printing technology and vacuum
      freeze-drying techniques; the SEM results showed that the bionic bone scaffolds
      were 3D polyporous structures with macropores and micropores. The mechanical
      performance showed that the elasticity modulus was (344.783 07 +/- 40.728 55)
      kPa; compression displacement was (0.958 41 +/- 0.000 84) mm; and compression
      stress was (0.062 15 +/- 0.007 15) MPa. The results of inverted microscope, SEM,
      and MTT method showed that a large number of cells adhered to the surface with
      full extension and good cells growth inside the macropores, which demonstrated a
      satisfactory proliferation rate of the MC3T3-E1 cells on the composite scaffolds.
      The RT-PCR and Western blot electrophoresis revealed gene expressions and protein
      synthesis of COL I, ALP, and OCN in MC3T3-E1 cells. CONCLUSION: Low temperature
      3D printing in combination with vacuum freeze-drying techniques could realize
      multi-aperture coexisted bionic bone tissue engineering scaffolds and control the
      microstructures of composite scaffolds precisely that possess good
      cytocompatibility. It was expected to be a bone defect repair material, which
      lays a foundation for further research of bone defect.

PMID- 27281873
TI  - [EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON CHITOSAN/ALLOGENEIC BONE POWDER COMPOSITE POROUS SCAFFOLD
      TO REPAIR BONE DEFECTS IN RATS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of chitosan/allogeneic bone powder
      composite porous scaffold as scaffold material of bone tissue engineering in
      repairing bone defect. METHODS: The composite porous scaffolds were prepared with
      chitosan and decalcified allogeneic bone powder at a ratio of 1 : 5 by vacuum
      freeze-drying technique. Chitosan scaffold served as control. Ethanol alternative
      method was used to measure its porosity, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
      to measure pore size. The hole of 3.5 mm in diameter was made on the bilateral
      femoral condyles of 40 adult Sprague Dawley rats. The composite porous scaffolds
      and chitosan scaffolds were implanted into the hole of the left femoral condyle
      (experimental group) and the hole of the right femoral condyle (control group),
      respectively. At 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation, the tissues were
      harvested for gross observation, histological observation, and
      immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The composite porous scaffold prepared by
      vacuum freeze-drying technique had yellowish color, and brittle and easily broken
      texture; pore size was mostly 200-300 MUm; and the porosity was 76.8% +/- 1.1%,
      showing no significant difference when compared with the porosity of pure
      chitosan scaffold (78.4% +/- 1.4%) (t = -2.10, P = 0.09). The gross observation
      and histological observation showed that the defect area was filled with new bone
      with time, and new bone of the experimental group was significantly more than
      that of the control group. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation, the bone
      forming area of the experimental group was significantly larger than that of the
      control group (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemical staining results showed that
      osteoprotegerin (OPG) positive expression was found in the experimental group at
      different time points, and the positive expression level was significantly higher
      than that in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chitosan/allogeneic bone
      powder composite porous scaffold has suitable porosity and good osteogenic
      activity, so it is a good material for repairing bone defect, and its bone
      forming volume and bone formation rate are better than those of pure chitosan
      scaffold.

PMID- 27281874
TI  - [EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THREE DIMENSINONAL CULTURE OF RABBIT ANNULUS FIBROSUS
      CELLS ON KLD-12 POLYPEPTIDE NANOFIBER GEL IN VlTRO].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility to culture rabbit annulus fibrosus
      cells on the KLD-12 polypeptide nanofiber gel so as to search for the seed cells
      and the scaffolds for tissue engineering. METHODS: The rabbit annulus fibrosus
      cells were isolated with pancreatin and cultured; the cells at passage 3 were
      seeded on the KLD-12 polypeptide nanofiber gel to prepare the KLD-12
      polypeptide/annulus fibrosus cells gel. The cell morphology change was observed
      by inverted microscope. The cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the
      cell proliferation, and Calcein-AM/propidium iodide (PI) fluorescent staining to
      observe the cell vitality. The alcian blue method was used to measure the
      glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, immunofluorescence technique to observe the
      collagen type II level, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to
      measure the mRNA expressions of Aggrecan and collagen type II. RESULTS: The cells
      on the scaffolds grew well, showing round shape on the scaffolds and spindle or
      fusiform shape at the edge of the scaffold. The cell proliferation exhibited
      increasing trend with time, and it was significantly higher at 14 days than the
      other time points (P < 0.05), and on KLD-12 polypeptide nanofiber gel than on
      blank gel (P < 0.05). The ratios of living cells were 89.32% +/- 8.58% at 5 days
      and 97.81% +/- 1.09% at 14 days, showing no significant difference (t = - 1.962,
      P = 0.097). The GAG content gradually increased with culture time, reached the
      peak at 8 days, and then gradually decreased; the GAG content at 5, 8, and 11
      days was significantly higher than that at 2 and 14 days (P < 0.05). The level of
      collagen type II was normal. The mRNA expressions of collagen type II and
      Aggrecan could be measured at 5 and 14 days; the relative expression levels of
      collagen type II and Aggrecan mRNA were significantly higher at 14 days than 5
      days (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The rabbit annulus fibrosus cells on KLD-12
      polypeptide nanofiber gel are able to grow well and to produce extracellular
      matrix, so KLD-12 polypeptide nanofiber gel has the potential to serve as a
      scaffold for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.

PMID- 27281875
TI  - [CONSTRUCTION OF TISSUE ENGINEERED COMPOSITE WITH THERMOSENSITIVE COLLAGEN
      HYDROGEL IN DYNAMIC CULTURE SYSTEM].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the morphological and functional features of tissue
      engineered composite constructed with bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) as
      seeding cells, thermosensitive collagen hydrogel (TCH) and poly-L-lactic acid
      (PLLA) as the extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds in the dynamic culture system.
      METHODS: BMSCs were separated from long bones of Fischer 344 rat, and cultured;
      and BMSCs at the 3rd generation were seeded on the ECM scaffold constructed with
      braided PLLA fiber and TCH. The BMSCs-ECM scaffold composite was cultured in the
      dynamic culture system which was designed by using an oscillating device at a
      frequency of 0.5 Hz and at swing angle of 70 degrees (experimental group), and in
      the static culture system (control group) for 7 days. The general observation and
      scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation were performed; total DNA content
      was.measured at 0, 1, 3, and 7 days. RESULTS: PLLA was surrounded by collagen to
      form translucent gelatiniform in 2 groups; and compact membrane developed on the
      surface of PLLA. SEM observation showed that BMSCs had high viability and were
      fusiform in shape with microvilli on the surface of cells, and arranged in line;
      collagen and cells filled in the pores of PLLA fiber in the experimental group.
      The cells displayed a flat shape on the surface; there were less cells filling in
      the pores of PLLA fiber in the control group. At 1, 3, and 7 days, total DNA
      content in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in control
      group (P < 0.05). The total DNA content were increased gradually with time in 2
      groups, showing significant difference between at 0 day and at 7 days (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: The ECM constructed with TCH and PLLA has good biocompatibility. The
      dynamic cultivation system can promote the cell proliferation, distribution, and
      alignment on the surface of the composite, so it can be used for tissue
      engineered composite in vitro.

PMID- 27281876
TI  - [RESEARCH AND PROSPECT OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS IN FEMALE FERTILITY
      PRESERVATION].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fertility preservation (FP) technology has gradually been concerned by
      scholars all over the world due to the increasing survival rate of cancer
      patients. To review the recent progress of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in
      female FP. METHODS: The recent original literature about MSCs in female FP was
      extensively reviewed. RESULTS: MSCs have the advantages of rich source, easy
      isolation and amplification, and capacities for multipotential differentiation
      and migration so that they can be used to avoid the ethical and legal controversy
      which have great potential of FP for the damage of ovarian tissue and
      reproductive endocrine disorders. In addition, MSCs can be induced to
      differentiate into a specific condition, which is expected to be the resource in
      oocyte-like cells that can be used as a steady cell source for the future
      experiments and clinical application. CONCLUSION: MSCs have great potential to
      provide new research ideas for future FP technology.

PMID- 27281877
TI  - [RESEARCH PROGRESS OF ADIPOSE-DERIVED STEM CELLS COMPOUND WITH THREE DIMENSIONAL
      PRINTING SCAFFOLD FOR ENGINEERED TISSUE].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)
      compound with three dimensional (3D) printing scaffold in tissue engineering of
      fat, bone, cartilage, blood vessel, hepatocyte, and so on. METHODS: The recently
      published literature about ADSCs compound with 3D printing scaffold in tissue
      engineering at home and abroad was reviewed, analyzed, and summarized. RESULTS: A
      large number of basic researches showed that ADSCs could differentiate into a
      variety of tissues on 3D printing scaffold and involve in tissue repair and
      regeneration. But there is still a long way between the basic theory and the
      clinical practice at the early stages of development. CONCLUSION: It can
      effectively improve and restore the structure and function of the damaged tissue
      and organ to use ADSCs and 3D printing scaffold.

PMID- 27281878
TI  - [RESEARCH PROGRESS OF TISSUE ENGINEERING TECHNIQUE IN ESOPHAGEAL DEFECT REPAIR
      AND RECONSTRUCTION].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of the tissue engineering technique in
      the esophageal defect repair and reconstruction. METHODS: The recently published
      clinical and experimental literature at home and abroad on the scaffold materials
      and the seeding cells used in the tissue engineered esophageal reconstruction was
      consulted and summarized. RESULTS: A large number of basic researches and
      clinical applications show that the effect of the tissue engineered esophagus is
      close to the autologous structure and function of the esophagus and it could be
      used for the repair of the esophageal defect. However, those techniques have a
      long distance from the clinical application and need an acknowledged rule of
      technology. CONCLUSION: Tissue engineering technique could provide an innovative
      theory for the esophageal defect reconstruction, but its clinical application
      need further research.

PMID- 27281879
TI  - [PRELIMINARY EFFECTIVENESS OF POLYAMINOACID/NANO-HYDROXYAPATITE/CALCIUM SULFATE
      CAGE IN LUMBAR FUSION SURGERY].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the early effectiveness of polyaminoacid/nano
      hydroxyapatite/calcium sulfate (PAA/HA/CS) Cage (PHC Cage) in lumbar fusion
      surgery. METHODS: Thirty cases undergoing lumbar fusion of single segment between
      March and September 2014 were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly
      divided into the trial group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 10). The PHC
      Cage was implanted in the trial group, while the polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Cage
      was implanted in the control group. The patients of 2 groups mainly presented
      lumbocrural pain and lower limb radiation pain or numbness. There was no
      significant difference in gender, age, type, affected segment, disease duration,
      preoperative intervertebral height, the lordosis angle of fusion segments, and
      the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Lateral lumbar X
      ray films and three dimensional CT were taken preoperatively and at 1 week and 3,
      6, and 12 months postoperatively. The intervertebral height and the lordosis
      angle of fusion segments at 1 week and 3, 6, and 12 months after operation and
      ODI at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were measured; and the bone graft
      fusion rate was evaluated according to Brantigan criteria. RESULTS: There was no
      significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and the
      amount of autologous blood transfusion between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Healing by
      first intention as obtained in 30 cses. All patients were followd up 12 months.
      The intervertebral height of fusion segments, the lordosis angle of fusion
      segments, and ODI at each time point after operation were significantly improved
      when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05). The ODI showed significant
      difference between 3 months and 6, 12 months (P < 0.05), but there was no
      significant difference between the other time points after operation (P > 0.05).
      There was no significant difference in the intervertebral height and the lordosis
      angle of fusion segments between groups at different time points (P > 0.05).
      There was no significant difference in the above indexes between the trial group
      and the control group at each time point (P > 0.05). At last follow-up, 5 cases
      were rated as Brantigan grade E, 13 cases as grade D, and 2 cases as grade C in
      the trial group; 4 cases were rated grade E, 5 cases as grade D, and 1 case as
      grade C in the control group. The bone fusion rate was 90% in 2 groups.
      CONCLUSION: The PHC Cage can effectively restore and maintain the disc height of
      fusion segment, normal sequence and biomechanical stability of the lumbar spine.
      The PHC Cage is similar to the PEEK Cage and has good clinical outcome in short
      term follow-up.

PMID- 27281880
TI  - [CHANGE AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CERVICAL SPINE SAGITTAL ALIGNMENT OF
      ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes and relationship of cervical spine sagittal
      alignment and other spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters in adolescent idiopathic
      scoliosis. METHODS: Between July 2011 and July 2014, 35 patients with idiopathic
      scoliosis who met the inclusion criteria underwent posterior pedicle screw
      instrumentation and fusion. There were 12 males and 23 females with a mean age of
      16.2 years (range, 13-20 years), including 16 cases of Lenke type 1, 7 cases of
      Lenke type 2, 4 cases of Lenke type 3, 3 cases of Lenke type 4, 4 cases of Lenke
      type 5, and 1 case of Lenke type 6. The average follow-up time was 10.9 months
      (range, 5-36 months). The pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope
      (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), cervical lordosis (CL), T1
      slope, C2 slope, C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7 SVA), C2.7 plumbline (cSVA) were
      measured on pre- and post-operative standing lateral X-ray film. Based on
      preoperative CL, the patients were divided into kyphosis group (CL > 0 degress)
      and lordosis group (CL < 0 degrees); after operation, the patients were divided
      into restored lordosis (group A), decreased kyphosis (group B), and increased
      lordosis (group C) after operation. All data about sagittal profile changes were
      analyzed. The relations between CL and other spinal-pelvic parameters in the
      kyphosis and lordosis groups before operation were determined via Spearman
      correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes were observed
      in PT, PI, SS, and LL between at pre- and post-operation (P < 0.05), but no
      significant difference was found in the other parameters (P > 0.05). There were
      17 patients in lordosis group and 18 in kyphosis group before operation. Intra
      group comparisons showed significant changes in PT, PI, SS, C2 slope, and C7 SVA
      in lordosis group, and in PT, PI, SS, LL, CL, TK, T1 slope, and C2 slope in
      kyphosis group (P < 0.05). Subgroup comparisons showed significant changes in CL,
      TK, C2 slope, C7 SVA, and T1 slope before operation (P < 0.05) and T1 slope at
      last follow-up between 2 groups (P < 0.05). In kyphosis group, 7 cases (group A)
      had restored lordosis, 7 cases (group B) had decreased kyphosis, and 4 cases had
      increased lordosis. In lordosis group, 9 cases (group C) had increased lordosis,
      3 cases had decreased lordosis, and 5 cases had kyphotic cervical alignment after
      operation. Significant difference was found in LL, CL, T1 slope, C2 slope, and C7
      SVA of group A, in TK and CL of group B, and in CL and cSVA of group C between
      pre- and post-operation (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in pre-
      and post-operative LL between groups A and B (P < 0.05). In lordosis group, there
      was a strong correlation between CL and C2 slope (P < 0.05) at preoperation. CL
      had strong correlation with C2 slope and T1 slope (P < 0.05) at pre-operation in
      kyphosis group, and CL had moderate correlation with cSVA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Cervical sagittal alignment plays an important role in the balance of the spine
      and pelvis. The change of cervical sagittal alignment has a certain correlation
      with the change of thoracic kyphosis. Attention to properly maintaining or
      restoring cervical sagittal lordosis alignment should be considered in
      preoperative evaluation of adolescent indiopathic scoliosis.

PMID- 27281881
TI  - [ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION OF RABBITS BY USING MINIMALLY
      INVASIVE ACUPUNCTURE AND ROTARY-CUTTING].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of establishing intervertebral disc
      degeneration (IDD) model by using minimally invasive acupuncture and rotary
      cutting. METHODS: Forty New Zealand white rabbits [male or female, (2.9 +/- 0.3)
      kg in weight] were randomly divided into control group (n = 20) and experimental
      group (n = 20). No treatment was done in the control group; percutaneous puncture
      was performed on L4,5 and L5,6 intervertebral disc by using 18G needle under C
      arm X-ray monitoring for rotary-cutting of nucleus pulposus to promote
      degeneration of the disc in the experimental group. At 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks
      after operation, general observation and MRI observation were done, and
      intervertebral disc degeneration was accessed based on Pfirrmann grade; the
      specimens were harvested for Masson staining and Safranine O staining. RESULTS:
      The nucleus pulposus showed dark colors and reduced elasticity in the
      experimental group when compared with the control group. T2-weighted MRI images
      indicated that the disc signal intensity of control group had no obvious change
      at early stage, and weakened slightly at late stage; disc signal intensity of the
      experimental group decreased with time. According to Pfirrmann grade for disc
      degeneration, disc degeneration degree was significantly aggravated with time in
      2 groups (P < 0.05); degeneration was significantly more severe in the
      experimental group than the control group at the other time points (P < 0.05)
      except 4 weeks (P > 0.05). Masson staining results showed that irregular
      arrangement of annulus with integrate structure was observed in the control group
      with time; the annulus of the experimental group arranged in disorder, or even
      disc fibrous circle rupture appeared with time. Safranin O staining showed that
      the nucleus pulposus cells reduced significantly in the experimental group, but
      did not in the control group. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive acupuncture and
      rotary-cutting could successfully establish the IDD model in rabbits.

PMID- 27281882
TI  - [MINI TITANIUM PLATE FOR TREATMENT OF INTRACAPSULAR CONDYLAR FRACTURES].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of mini titanium plate for the
      treatment of intracapsular condylar fractures-type A. METHODS: Between March 2013
      and July 2015, 22 cases (26 sides) of intracapsular condylar fractures-type A
      were treated with mini titanium plate through anterior auricular approach. There
      were 13 males and 9 females, aged from 16 to 32 years (mean, 22.7 years). The
      disease causes were traffic accident injury in 17 cases, falling injury in 4
      cases, and heavy impact injury in 1 case. Five cases had intracapsular condylar
      fractures-type A only, and the other cases were accompanied with fractures of
      mandible, maxillary, or other part of jaw. All patients had different degrees of
      limitation of opening mouth, occlusal disorder, and joint pain, and the maximum
      opening was 5-16 mm (mean, 8.6 mm). All patients received surgical treatment
      within 2 to 9 days after injury (mean, 4 days). The clinical dysfunction index
      (DI) of Helkimo index was used to evaluate the mandibular motor function
      postoperatively. According to the 4 basic criterion of cure about mandibular
      condylar fractures by the international consensus conference in 1999, and maximal
      mouth opening by HE Dongmei et al., the surgical treatment effectiveness was
      evaluated. RESULTS: All wounds healed at stage I, with no infection or other
      complications. All 22 cases were followed up 5-8 months (mean, 6 months). At 1
      week after operation, the coronal spiral CT and three-dimensional reconstruction
      showed that contraposition of fractures was good, and the condyles located in the
      articular fossa. At 6 months after operation, the maximum opening was 33-42 mm
      (mean, 35.7 mm). After operation, 3 cases showed the mandible deflected to the
      affected side when opening, and limited lateral motion. According to the DI
      evaluation method in Helkimo index, there were 7 sides of DI grade 0, 18 sides of
      DI grade I, and 1 side of DI grade II. Based on surgical treatment effect of
      intracapsular condylar fractures-type A, occlusion recovery was obtained in 19
      cases (86.36%), maximum opening degree of >= 35 mm in 20 cases (90.91%), no
      symptoms of joint injury in 19 cases (86.36%), and no serious postoperative
      complications in 22 cases (100%); 17 cases (77.27%) were in accordance with the
      above 4 items. CONCLUSION: Mini titanium plate is one of the most effective
      approaches to treat intracapsular condylar fractures-type A.

PMID- 27281883
TI  - [MODIFIED CLASSIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF TERRIBLE TRIAD OF ELBOW].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of modified classification of terrible
      triad of the elbow and the effectiveness of treatment strategy which was chosen
      by modified classification results. METHODS: Between March 2007 and November
      2013, 12 cases of terrible triad of the elbow were treated by operation. There
      were 5 males and 7 females with an average age of 37.2 years (range, 26-74
      years). The mechanism of injury was falling from height in 8 cases and traffic
      accident in 4 cases. The time from injury to operation was 4 to 11 days (mean,
      6.8 days). According to the radial head, coronoid process, olecranon, and medial
      and lateral collateral ligament complexes injury situation, and based on Mason
      classification standard and O'Driscoll criteria, the classification standard of
      terrible triad of the elbow was improved. According to classification results,
      the approach was determined. The fracture reduction and fixation were performed
      and soft tissue was repaired. RESULTS: Dehiscence of incision occurred in 1 case
      and was cured after dressing change; primary healing was obtained in the other
      patients. All the cases were followed up 19-35 months (mean, 21.6 months). The X
      ray films showed fracture healing at 10-17 weeks (mean 12.8 weeks). At last
      follow-up, the mean flexion-extension arc of the elbow was 117.9 degrees (range,
      95-135 degrees) and the mean forearm pronation and supination were 77.1 degrees
      (range, 70-85 degrees) and 62.5 degrees (range, 45-75 degrees). According to Mayo
      elbow performance score (MEPS), the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 5
      cases, and fair in 3 cases. One patient had valgus deformity of elbow who refused
      radial head replacement, and 5 cases had heterotopic ossification of the elbow on
      the X-ray films. CONCLUSION: The modified classification of the terrible triad of
      the elbow is simple and practical, based on the damage assessment of bony
      structures (radial head, coronoid process, and olecranon) and the soft tissue
      (medial and lateral collateral ligament complexes). The modified classification
      can be used effectively for guiding treatment decisions.

PMID- 27281884
TI  - [EFFECTIVENESS OF OPEN REDUCTION AND INTERNAL FIXATION WITH LOCKING ANATOMICAL
      PLATE FOR TREATING VALGUS IMPACTED PROXIMAL HUMERUS FRACTURE].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of open reduction and internal
      fixation with locking anatomical plate for treating valgus impacted proximal
      humerus fracture. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data
      of 38 patients with valgus impacted proximal humerus fracture who underwent open
      reduction and internal fixation with locking anatomical plate between January
      2009 and January 2014. There were 25 males and 13 females, aged from 47 to 63
      years (mean, 52.3 years); the left and the right sides were involved in 18 and 20
      cases, respectively. The causes of fracture included high falling injury in 10
      cases, traffic accident injury in 15 cases, and falling injury in 13 cases. The
      time between injury and operation was 5-10 days (mean, 7.5 days). The
      collodiaphyseal angle was 160-200 degrees (mean, 176 degrees) on X-ray films.
      RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no early
      complication related to operation. All these patients were followed up 12-30
      months (mean, 18 months). X-ray film showed that clinical healing time of
      fracture was 10-16 weeks after operation (mean, 12 weeks); at 12 months after
      operation, the collodiaphyseal angle recovered to 120-145 degrees (mean, 135
      degrees). During follow-up, no loss of fracture reduction and no loosening of
      internal fixation were observed. At 10-12 months, osteonecrosis of the humeral
      head occurred in 3 cases (7.9%), including 2 cases of Cruess stage III and 1 case
      of Cruess stage IV. At last follow-up, the Constant shoulder joint scores were 56
      95 (mean, 82.6); the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 15 cases, fair
      in 9 cases, and poor in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 66%. Visual
      analogue scale (VAS) scores were 0-6 (mean, 0.9). CONCLUSION: It can achieve a
      comparatively satisfactory clinical result to use open reduction and internal
      fixation with locking anatomical plate for treating valgus impacted proximal
      humerus fracture.

PMID- 27281885
TI  - [EFFICACY COMPARISON BETWEEN DEEP MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT REPAIR AND
      CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT FOR COMPLETE MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT RUPTURE].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between deep medial collateral
      ligament (dMCL) repair and conservative treatment for complete MCL rupture.
      METHODS: Between August 2009 and December 2013, 36 patients with grade 3 MCL
      rupture underwent superior MCL (sMCL) reconstruction with tibial Inlay technique.
      Of 36 cases, 19 received dMCL repair (repair group), and 17 received conservative
      treatment (conservation group) after sMCL reconstruction. There was no
      significant difference in gender, age, knee sides, type of injury, disease
      duration and preoperative medial joint opening, knee Lysholm scores, and
      International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score between 2 groups (P >
      0.05). The Lysholm and IKDC scores, medial joint opening, range of motion (ROM),
      visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and complications were used to assess the
      knee joint function. RESULTS: All patients achieved primary incision healing
      without acute postoperative complications of incision infection and deep vein
      thrombosis in the lower limb. The patients were followed up 28-65 months (mean,
      46.3 months) in the repair group, and 26-69 months (mean, 45.9 months) in the
      conservation group. No knee stiffness, vascular or nerve injury, and knee joint
      infection occurred in 2 groups. All the patients recovered medial stability at 2
      years postoperatively. At 2 years after operation, no significant difference was
      shown in knee ROM between 2 groups (t = 0.26, P = 0.80); the VAS score of the
      repair group was significantly lower than that of the conservation group (t =
      5.22, P = 0.00); medial joint opening, IKDC score, and Lysholm score were
      significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05),
      but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Whether or not additional dMCL repair is performed can recover medial stability
      after sMCL reconstruction. However, the additional dMCL repair is better in
      relieving medial knee pain than the conservative treatment.

PMID- 27281886
TI  - [[INFLUENCES OF PREOPERATIVE SEVERE LOWER LIMB DEFORMITY ON PROSTHESIS
      INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT RESTORATION IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of preoperative valgus or varus deformity on
      the prosthesis installation and alignment restoration in total knee arthroplasty
      (TKA). METHODS: Between January 2012 and December 2013, 198 patients (245 knees)
      with osteoarthritis underwent primary TKA, and the clinical data were
      retrospectively analyzed. There were 23 males and 175 females, with the average
      age of 67 years (range, 43-90 years). Single knee and double knees were involved
      in 151 and 47 cases respectively. The disease duration was from 1 month to 30
      years (mean, 8.99 years). The anteroposterior X-ray films of whole lower limbs
      were taken, and the femorotibial angle (FT) was measured before operation and at
      1 week after operation; the mechanical femoral angle (MF) and the anatomical
      tibial angle (AT) at 1 week after operation were measured. The correlation
      analysis was made for pre- and post-operative FT, MF, and AT. According to the
      valgus or varus deformity before operation, all patients were divided into 5
      groups: >= 20 degrees varus (group A), 10-20 degrees varus (group B), <= 10
      degrees varus (group C), < 10 degrees valgus (group D), and >= 10 degrees valgus
      (group E), and the above indicators were compared between groups. And the rate of
      the good limb alignment was recorded after operation. RESULTS: The pre- and post
      operative FT were (171.53 +/- 9.12) and (177.38 +/- 3.57)degrees respectively,
      and postoperative MF and AT were (89.00 +/- 2.68) and (88.62 +/- 2.16)
      respectively. Preoperative FT was associated with postoperative FT and MF (r =
      0.375, P = 0.000; r = 0.386, P = 0.000), but it was not correlated with AT (r =
      0.024, P = 0.710). Postoperative FT was associated with MF and AT (r = 0.707, P =
      0.000; r = 0.582, P = 0.000). Postoperative FT was significantly increased when
      compared with preoperative FT in each group (P < 0.05). There were significant
      differences in preoperative FT between groups (P < 0.05). There were significant
      differences in postoperative FT when compared group A with groups B, C, D, and E
      (P < 0.05), and when compared groups B and C with groups D and E (P<0.05), but
      there was no significant difference between groups B and C, and between groups D
      and E (P > 0.05). The rate of good alignment was 70.2% (172/245); it was 27.8%
      (5/18), 66.0% (62/94), 74.4% (67/90), 88.9% (32/36), and 85.7% (6/7) in groups A,
      B, C, D, and E respectively, showing significant differences between groups (P <
      0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative AT between groups (P
      > 0.05). Except for between group D and group E (P > 0.05), significant
      difference in MF was shown between the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The
      more severe deformity of lower limb before TKA, the higher risk of deviation for
      prosthesis installation and poor alignment in TKA.

PMID- 27281887
TI  - [CLINICAL APPLICATION OF THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTED NAVIGATION TEMPLATES FOR
      TREATMENT OF OSTEONECROSIS OF FEMORAL HEAD WITH PEDICLED ILIAC BONE GRAFT].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and early effectiveness to treat
      osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) with pedicled iliac bone graft assisted
      by individual digital design and three dimensional (3D) printed navigation
      templates. METHODS: Between February and June 2014, 15 patients (24 hips) with
      ONFH underwent pedicled iliac bone graft assisted by individual digital design
      and 3D printed navigation templates. There were 11 males (17 hips) and 4 females
      (7 hips) with a mean age of 38 years (range, 18-56 years) and a mean disease
      duration of 7.5 months (range, 1-24 months); the left hip was involved in 2
      cases, the right hip in 4 cases, and both hips in 9 cases. There were 7 cases (12
      hips) of steroid-induced ONFH, 5 cases (8 hips) of alcohol-induced ONFH, 1 case
      (1 hip) of traumatic ONFH, and 2 cases (3 hips) of idiopathic ONFH. The
      preoperative Harris score was 56.60 +/- 6.97. According to Association Research
      Circulation Osseous (ARCO) staging system, 5 hips were classified as stage IIB, 8
      hips as stage IIC, 6 hips as stage IIIB, and 5 hips as stage IIIC. The navigation
      templates were designed and printed to assist accurate location and debridement
      of necrosis area according to preoperative CT scanning at the beginning of
      pedicled iliac bone grafting procedure. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 135
      minutes (range, 120-160 minutes), mean amount of bleeding was 255 mL (range, 200
      300 mL). All the wounds healed primarily, no complication of deep vein thrombosis
      or infection was observed. All patients were followed up 12-16 months (mean, 14
      months). The location of necrosis area was in accordance with preoperative
      design, which was removed completely without penetration of joint surface,
      pedicled iliac bone graft was performed at the right site according to
      postoperative imaging examination. Radiographically, graft fusion was achieved at
      2.7 months (range, 2-3 months) in all patients. All the hips had no collapse
      during follow-up. Hip pain was relieved, and range of motion was improved. The
      Harris score was significantly improved to 89.53 +/- 5.83 at last follow-up (t =
      14.3 19, P = 0.000). The results were excellent in 12 hips, good in 10 hips, and
      fair in 2 hips according to Harris score standard. CONCLUSION: Pedicled iliac
      bone graft assisted by individual digital design and 3D printed navigation
      templates for treatment of adult ONFH has the advantages of accurate location and
      complete debridement of necrosis area, so satisfactory results can be obtained.

PMID- 27281888
TI  - [FREE MEDIAL SURAL ARTERY PERFORATOR FLAP FOR REPAIRING ANTERIOR DORSAL FOOT
      WOUND].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of the free medial sural artery
      perforator flap for repairing anterior dorsal foot wound. METHODS: Between
      January 2010 and April 2015, 16 patients with skin and soft tissue defects of the
      anterior foot dorsal side were treated. There were 12 males and 4 females with
      the average age of 35 years (mean, 16-58 years). The disease causes included burn
      in 5 cases, traffic accident injury in 8 cases, and crush injury in 3 cases. The
      time from injury to admission was 2-30 hours (mean, 6.5 hours). The wound area
      ranged from 4 cm x 3 cm to 10 cm x 7 cm; combined injury included defects of
      lateral collateral ligament and joint capsule in 3 cases, and bone exposure in 12
      cases, and all had exposure of tendon. Wounds were repaired with the medial sural
      artery perforator flap in 13 cases, and with medial sural artery perforator
      composite tissue flap carrying of medial head of gastrocnemius muscle flap in 3
      cases. The size of flaps ranged from 5 cm x 4 cm to 11 cm x 8 cm. The donor site
      was sutured directly or was repaired with skin grafting. RESULTS: All flaps
      survived well and wounds healed with stage I; skin grafts at donor site survived
      and the incision healed with stage I. All patients were followed up 6-36 months
      (mean, 11 months). The appearance of skin flap was satisfactory, without
      overstaffed; the joint of reconstructed ligament was stable, without secondary
      deformity. There was no obvious depression at the donor site, and no effect on
      the function. CONCLUSION: The medial sural artery perforator flap has the
      advantages of relatively constant perforator anatomy, reliable blood supply, and
      carries the gastrocnemius muscle flap for repair of compound tissue defect. It is
      one of better ways to repair the anterior dorsal foot wound.

PMID- 27281889
TI  - [EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT FLAPS FOR REPAIR OF SEVERE PALM SCAR CONTRACTURE
      DEFORMITY].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of different flaps for repair of severe
      palm scar contracture deformity. METHODS: Between February 2013 and March 2015,
      thirteen cases of severe palm scar contracture deformity were included in the
      retrospective review. There were 10 males and 3 females, aged from 14 to 54 years
      (mean, 39 years). The causes included burn in 9 cases, hot-crush injury in 2
      cases, chemical burn in 1 case, and electric burn in 1 case. The disease duration
      was 6 months to 6 years (mean, 2.3 years). After excising scar, releasing
      contracture and interrupting adherent muscle and tendon, the soft tissues and
      skin defects ranged from 6.0 cm x 4.5 cm to 17.0 cm x 7.5 cm. The radial artery
      retrograde island flap was used in 2 cases, the pedicled abdominal flaps in 4
      cases, the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in 2 cases, the anterolateral
      thigh flap in 1 case, and the scapular free flap in 4 cases. The size of flap
      ranged from 6.0 cm x 4.5 cm to 17.0 cm x 7.5 cm. RESULTS: All flaps survived
      well. Venous thrombosis of the pedicled abdominal flaps occurred in 1 case, which
      was cured after dressing change, and healing by first intention was obtained in
      the others. The mean follow-up time was 8 months (range, 6-14 months). Eight
      cases underwent operation for 1-3 times to make the flap thinner. At last follow
      up, the flaps had good color, and the results of appearance and function were
      satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Severe palm scar contracture deformity can be
      effectively repaired by proper application of different flaps.

PMID- 27281890
TI  - [PRIMARY STUDY ON IMPLANT COVERAGE WITH LOCAL SOFT TISSUE IN IMMEDIATE IMPLANT
      BASED BREAST RECONSTRUCTION].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the method of implant coverage with local soft tissue in
      immediate implant-based breast reconstruction and to evaluate the early
      effectiveness. METHODS: Between April 2014 and August 2015, 11 patients with
      breast cancer underwent immediate breast reconstruction with implants after
      mastectomy, and the clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. The age ranged
      29-48 years (mean, 36 years). The disease duration was from 7 days to 12 months
      (median, 3 months). According to tumor staging, 3 cases were rated as T(is)N0M0,
      4 cases as T1N0M0, and 4 cases as T2N0M0. The implants were covered with local
      soft tissue according to the volume of mastectomy and contralateral breast size,
      including pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps with inframammary adipofasical
      flaps (3 cases), with serratus anterior fascial flap (5 cases), with rectus
      sheath fascial flap (1 case), and with serratus anterior fascial flap and rectus
      sheath fascial flap (2 cases). The size of pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps
      ranged from 15 cm x 9 cm to 20 cm x 15 cm, and the serratus anterior fascial
      flaps from 10 cm x 8 cm to 15 cm x 10 cm, and the rectus sheath fascial flap from
      8 cm x 6 cm to 10 cm x 8 cm. RESULTS: One patient had partial nipple necrosis
      postoperatively and was cured, and no other postoperative complications of
      hematoma, infection, or implant exposure was found. The patients were followed up
      4-13 months (median, 8 months). The reconstructive outcomes were excellent in 10
      cases and good in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. During follow
      up, no rupture or exposure of the implant was observed; capsular contracture
      (Baker grade II) occurred in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Adequate coverage of implants
      with different local soft tissue flaps can achieve satisfactory early
      effectiveness in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

PMID- 27281892
TI  - Root causes must be tackled.

PMID- 27281891
TI  - [EFFECTIVENESS OF ROTATION-EMBEDDING TECHNOLOGY FOR TREATMENT OF MODERATE TO
      SEVERE INVERTED NIPPLES].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of rotation-embedding technology for
      treatment of moderate to severe inverted nipples. METHODS: Between March 2012 and
      March 2014, 24 patients (39 nipples) with moderate to severe inverted nipples
      were treated using rotation-embedding technology. The age ranged from 28 to 42
      years (mean, 32 years). The bilateral nipples involved in 15 cases, unilateral
      nipple in 9 cases, including 30 moderate inverted nipples, 9 severe inverted
      nipples. The first time operation was performed in the other patients except 1
      patient who had received corrective operation of bilateral nipples. RESULTS: The
      operation was successfully performed in all patients; primary healing of incision
      was obtained; no swollen, bleeding, dehiscence, or blood flow obstacle occurred.
      All patients were followed up 5-24 months (mean, 12 months). The shapes of
      nipples were satisfactory; bilateral nipples were symmetrical basically; no
      nipple inversion recurred, and the nipple skins had good sensation. CONCLUSION:
      Using rotation-embedding technology can correct moderate to severe inverted
      nipples effectively.

PMID- 27281893
TI  - Reader finds 'a bit of everything' in last month's issue.

PMID- 27281894
TI  - Dual responsibilities difficult.

PMID- 27281895
TI  - NP article strikes a chord.

PMID- 27281896
TI  - Butler follows protest traditions.

PMID- 27281897
TI  - In solidarity with Butler.

PMID- 27281898
TI  - Protest is good for democracy.

PMID- 27281899
TI  - ENs reaching their full potential.

PMID- 27281900
TI  - Kai Tiaki reunites old friends.

PMID- 27281901
TI  - Where has nursing pride gone?

PMID- 27281902
TI  - Venous leg ulcer study needs more participants.

PMID- 27281903
TI  - Violent incidents stretch ED resources.

PMID- 27281904
TI  - Surgery on intersex infants 'causes unnecessary trauma'.

PMID- 27281905
TI  - Enhancing residents' quality of life.

PMID- 27281906
TI  - Administering intramuscular penicillin injections to reduce rheumatic fever.

PMID- 27281907
TI  - Nursing in a unique part of New Zealand.

PMID- 27281908
TI  - Nursing on the Chathams offers rare opportunities.

PMID- 27281909
TI  - Disorders of the skin.

PMID- 27281911
TI  - Protecting patients.

PMID- 27281910
TI  - Improving health care for young transgender people.

PMID- 27281912
TI  - Caring for the patient who is deteriorating.

PMID- 27281913
TI  - Just a spoonful of sugar....

PMID- 27281914
TI  - Gerontology: Awanui praised for gay care.

PMID- 27281915
TI  - HCAs' pay progression an 'obstacle course'.

PMID- 27281916
TI  - EFFECTS OF LONG-TIME COMMUTING AND LONG-HOUR WORKING ON LIFESTYLE AND MENTAL
      HEALTH AMONG SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TOKYO, JAPAN.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of long-time commuting
      and long-hour working on lifestyle including sleeping, physical exercise,
      breakfast, smoking, alcohol intake and mental health. In this cross-sectional
      study, data were collected from 146 school teachers in Tokyo. The binary
      associations of commuting time and working hours with lifestyle, mental stress
      measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and stress coping measured by
      the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scores were examined. The Chi-square test was used
      for statistical analyses. Our results indicated that the mean commuting time and
      working hours per week of the respondents were 42.1 (SD 22.5) minutes and 50.4
      (SD 8.6) hours, respectively. Longer commuting time was significantly associated
      with shorter working hours (p = 0.023), less physical exercise (p < 0.001) and
      shorter sleeping hours (p = 0.001). Longer working hours were significantly
      associated with more frequent working on holidays (p = 0.001), higher SOC scores
      (p = 0.001) and more smoking (p = 0.028). The negative association between GHQ
      and SOC scores was also significant (p < 0.001). Our findings revealed that long
      time commuters were more likely to sleep less, exercise less and work less long.
      Long-hour workers were more likely to commute shorter, work on holidays more
      frequently, smoke more and their stress coping potentials were higher. Some kinds
      of strategies are required to improve the healthy lifestyle for long-time com-
      muters or long-hour workers. Key words: stress; stress coping; general health
      questionnaire; sense of coherence

PMID- 27281917
TI  - COMPARING 3D FOOT SHAPE MODELS BETWEEN TAIWANESE AND JAPANESE FEMALES.
AB  - This study compares foot shape and foot dimensions between Taiwanese and Japanese
      females. One hundred Taiwanese and 100 Japanese female 3D foot scanning data were
      used for comparison. To avoid the allometry effect, data from 23 Taiwanese and 19
      Japanese with foot length between 233 to 237 mm were used for shape comparison.
      Homologous models created for the right feet of the 42 subjects were analyzed by
      Multidimensional Scaling. The results showed that there were significant
      differences in the forefoot shape between the two groups, and Taiwanese females
      had slightly wider feet with straighter big toe than Japanese females. The
      results of body and foot dimension comparison indicated that Taiwanese females
      were taller, heavier and had larger feet than Japanese females, while Japanese
      females had significantly larger toe 1 angle. Since some Taiwanese shoemakers
      adopt the Japanese shoe sizing system for making shoes, appropriateness of the
      shoe sizing system was also discussed. The present results provide very useful
      information for improving shoe last design and footwear fit for Taiwanese
      females.

PMID- 27281918
TI  - SPREADSHEET-BASED PROGRAM FOR ERGONOMIC ADJUSTMENT OF NOTEBOOK COMPUTER AND
      WORKSTATION SETTINGS.
AB  - This paper discusses a computer program, ErgoNBC, which provides suggestions
      regarding the ergonomic settings of a notebook computer (NBC), workstation
      components, and selected accessories in order to help computer users to assume an
      appropriate work posture during the NBC work. From the users' body height, NBC
      and workstation component data, ErgoNBC computes the recommended tilt angle of
      NBC base unit, NBC screen angle, distance between the user and NBC, seat height
      and work surface height. If necessary, the NBC base support, seat cushion and
      footrest, including their settings, are recommended. An experiment involving
      twenty-four university students was conducted to evaluate the recommendations
      provided by ErgoNBC. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique was used to
      analyze their work postures both before and after implementing the Ergo NBC's
      recommendations. The results clearly showed that ErgoNBC could significantly help
      to improve the subjects' work postures.

PMID- 27281919
TI  - CONSTRUCTION AND APPLICATIONS OF A MYCORRHIZAL ARBUSCULAR SPECIFIC cDNA LIBRARY.
AB  - To exploit the potential benefits of mycorrhizas, we need to investigate the
      processes that occur in these symbiotic interactions, particularly in the
      arbuscular compartment where nutrients are exchanged between the plant and the
      fungus. Progress in this area is restricted due to the intricacy and complexity
      of this plant-fungus interface and many techniques that have been employed
      successfully in other plants and animal systems cannot be used. An effective
      approach to study processes in arbuscules is to examine transcript composition
      and dynamics. We applied laser capture microdissection (LCM) to isolate
      approximately 3000 arbuscules from Glomus intraradices colonised Me- dicago
      truncatula roots. Total RNA was extracted from microdissected arbuscules and
      subjected to T7 RNA polymerase-based linear amplification. Amplified RNA was then
      usedfor construction of a cDNA library. The presence and level of enrichment of
      mycorrhiza-specific transcripts was determined by quantitative Real-time and
      conventional PCR. To improve enrichment a cDNA library subtraction was performed.
      Complementation of yeast mutants deficient in the uptake of.potassium, phosphate,
      sulphate, amino acids, ammonium and of a Mn2+sensitive strain, demonstrates the
      functionality of our cDNA library.

PMID- 27281920
TI  - IDENTIFICATION OF QTLs ON CHROMOSOME 1B FOR GRAIN QUALITY TRAITS IN BREAD WHEAT
      (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.).
AB  - The present study was designed considering the importance of grain quality
      traits, genetic diversity and marker-trait association analysis in wheat. A
      significant amount of genetic diversity was found for various seed traits though
      the genotypes included in the study were found structured. The extent of
      polymorphism was high with a range of 2-13 alleles and average of 6.5 alleles per
      locus. Population structure was detected with 30 unlinked SSRs that divided the
      population of 92 genotypes in three sub-populations. Extensive LD extent was
      found on chromosome 1B with 42 SSRs specific for 1B chromosome. Marker-trait
      associations were determined using mixed linear model, where, population
      structure and kinship calculated on the basis of unlinked markers were covariated
      with 1B specific markers and traits data. Eight QTLs for five traits including
      protein, gluten contents, test weight bread and chapati making quality. Protein
      content, test weight, bread quality and Glu-B1 were found significantly
      associated with primers WMC419 (32 cM); WMC128 (30 cM), WMC419 (32 cM); WMC818
      (17 cM) and WMC416 (44 cM), respectively.

PMID- 27281921
TI  - THE HOMOLOGOUS IDENTIFICATION OF THE STEM RUST RESISTANCE GENES RDg5, Adf3 AND
      RGA1 IN THE RELATIVES OF BARLEY.
AB  - The barley genes Rpg5, RGA1 and Adf3, which provide a strong resistance to many
      pathotypes of stem rust, were cloned a few years ago, but it was still unclear
      whether their homologues were represented in wheat and in related species. The
      paper describes the results of a bioinformatic research to determine the
      homologues of Rpg5, RGA1 and Adf3 in the genomes of Triticum aestivum and several
      wild grasses, which breeders usually use as sources of stem rust resistance, and
      which are available in the genome databases. It was found that the Th. elongatum
      sequence Q9FEC6 and T. aestivum sequence Q43655 were the high identical
      homologues of the Adf3 sequence. T. urartu M8A999 sequence and T. aestivum W5FCU1
      sequence were found to be the closest homologues of Rpg5 complete protein
      sequence, but the identity of their kinase domains were not as clear as that of
      the other domains. The separate Rpg5 kinase part analysis did not provide the
      strong evidences that its orthologs were presented in our corn species. T urartu
      M7ZZX9 sequence and T. aestivum W5FFP0 and W5F133 sequences were showed to be the
      homologues of RGA1. The analysis of the predicted active sites allowed finding
      out the difference between sequences of Rpg5, RGA1, Adf3 protein and their
      homologues.

PMID- 27281922
TI  - A HIGH FREQUENCY OF HERITABLE CHANGES IN NATURAL POPULATIONS OF DROSOPHILA
      MELANOGASTER IN UKRAINE.
AB  - Spontaneous mutations are thought to have a stable rate for a given species. If
      non-adaptive, they appear at low frequencies and are governed by drift. However,
      environmental factors have been reported to cause spread of non-adaptive
      mutations in populations, governed by mechanisms, such as genetic assimilation.
      In the present study, we report a simultaneous appearance of a mutant and
      apparently non-adaptive C2 vein in Drosophila melanogaster at higher than
      expected frequencies in several distant populations, which excludes the role of
      drift or selection as the cause of the reported mutation frequencies. We discuss
      explanations of the phenomenon, including the role of externalfactors, such as
      temperature, in the possible genetic assimilation of the trait.

PMID- 27281923
TI  - [GENETIC VARIABILITY OF MATERNAL PLANTS AND SEED EMBRYOS OF KOCH PINE POPULATIONS
      (PINUS KOCHIANA KLOTZSCH EX KOCH) IN CRIMEA].
AB  - Comparative studies of genetic variability were undertaken for 12 allozyme loci
      selections of trees and embryos of seed, and also for the crossing systems in
      five populations of Koch pine of (Pinus kochiana Klotzsch ex Koch) in Crimea. It
      was shown that in seed embryos the allelic variety peculiar to the maternal
      plants was restored, however the level of the available (H0) heterozygosity was
      considerably lower, 0.286 and 0.189 respectively. For the embryos unlike the
      trees, in the majority of the analyzed loci the considerable divergence was
      specific in the actual distribution of genotypes from the theoretically expected
      according to Hardy- Weinberg law. The proportion of cross pollination at the
      unilocal (t(s)) estimation varied from 0.384 to 0.673 in the populations, while
      at the multilocal ones (t(m)) it was 0.639-0.841.

PMID- 27281924
TI  - [INHERITANCE OF EPIDERMIS PIGMENTATION IN SUNFLOWER ACHENES].
AB  - Inheritance of epidermis pigmentation in the pericarp of sunflower seeds was
      studied. Inheritance of pigmentation was confirmed by three alleles Ew (epidermis
      devoid of pigmentation), Estr (epidermal pigmentation in strips), Edg (solid
      pigmentation). Dominance of the lack of epidermis pigmentation over striped
      epidermis and striped epidermis over solid pigmentation was established. It was
      shown that the striped epidermis pigmentation and the presence of testa layer are
      controlled by two genes, expression of which is independent from each other.
      Yellowish hypodermis was discovered in the sample I2K2218, which is inherited
      monogenically dominantly.

PMID- 27281925
TI  - INDUCED CYTOMICTIC VARIATIONS AND SYNCYTE FORMATION DURING MICROSPOROGENESIS IN
      PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.
AB  - The intercellular translocation of chromatin material along with other
      cytoplasmic contents among the proximate meiocytes lying in close contact with
      each other commonly referred as cytomixis was reported during microsporogenesis
      in Phaseolus vulgaris L., a member of the family Fabaceae. The phenomenon of
      cytomixis was observed at three administered doses of gamma rays viz. 100, 200,
      300 Gy respectively in the diploid plants of Phaseolus vulgaris L. The gamma rays
      irradiated plants showed the characteristic feature of inter-meiocyte
      chromatin/chromosomes transmigration through various means.such as channel
      formation, beak formation or by direct adhesion between the PMC's (Pollen mother
      cells). The present study also reports the first instance of syncyte formation
      induced via cytomictic transmigration in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Though the
      frequency of syncyteformation was rather low yet these could play a significant
      role in plant evolution. It is speculated that syncyte enhances the ploidy level
      of plants by forming 2n gametes and may lead to the production ofpolyploid
      plants. The phenomenon of cytomixis shows a gradual inclination along with the
      increasing treatment doses of gamma rays. The preponderance of cytomixis was more
      frequent during meiosis I as compared to meiosis II. An interesting feature
      noticed during the present study was the channel formation among the microspores
      and fusion among the tetrads due to cell wall dissolution. The impact of this
      phenomenon is also visible on the development of post-meiotic products. The
      formation of heterosized pollen grains; a deviation from the normal pollen grains
      has also been reported. The production of gametes with unbalanced chromosomes is
      of utmost importance and should be given more attention in future studies as they
      possess the capability of inducing variations at the genomic level and can be
      further utilized in the improvement of germplasm.

PMID- 27281926
TI  - [CYTOSKELETON ORIENTATION IN THE EPIDERMAL CELLS OF ROOTS FORMED DE NOVO ON LEAF
      EXPLANTS UNDER CLINOROTATION].
AB  - Root anatomy, cytoskeleton orientation and cell wall thickness in cells of the
      roots formed de novo in vitro under clinorotation (simulated microgravity) were
      investigated. Structure of the embryonic roots and of the roots formed de novo in
      cambium cells of the leaf petiole explants was shown to be similar. Root cell
      differentiation in vitro under clinorotation did not differ from that in control.
      Changes of tubulin microtubules' orientation in the epidermis of the distal
      elongation zone were observed under clinorotation that seems to be associated
      with specific physiological properties of the cells. Under clinorotation, the
      tendency of cell wall thinning was detected in the root cells formed in vitro.

PMID- 27281927
TI  - [THE ROLE OF (p)ppGpp MOLECULES IN FORMATION OF "STRICT RESPONSE" IN BACTERIA AND
      BIOSYNTHESIS OF ANTIBIOTICS AND MORPHOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION IN ACTINOMYCETES].
AB  - Strict response is a pleiotropic physiological response of cells caused by lack
      of aminoacetylated tRNAs. Experimentally, this response occurs due to the lack of
      amino acids in the environment and the limitation of tRNA aminoacylation even in
      the presence of the corresponding amino acids in the cell. Many features of this
      response indicate its dependence on the accumulation of ppGpp molecules. There is
      a correlation between the growth rate of actinomycetes and biosynthesis of their
      secondary metabolites. Introduction of additional relA gene copies of ppGpp
      synthetase can affect the production of antibiotics in streptomycetes. The
      article presents the authors' own experimental data, dedicated to the influence
      of heterologous relA gene expression in Streptomyces nogalater cells.

PMID- 27281928
TI  - [Elie Metchnikoff: father of phagocytosis theory and pioneer of experiments in
      vivo].

PMID- 27281929
TI  - [Ya.B. BLUME (on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the birth)].

PMID- 27281930
TI  - [[The Lacteol's laboratory of Dr Boucard (Laboratoire du Dr Boucard].
AB  - Shortly before 1910, Dr Boucard creates his laboratory in Paris. It manufactures
      and sells a drug based on lactic ferments the " Lacteol du Dr Boucard" (Dr's
      Boucard Lacteol) that will make the fortune of the physician. The article
      explains Dr Boucard's life and his relationship with the arts (painting and
      photography), and tells the story of his laboratory until the 2000s, referring to
      the pharmacists who succeeded them, as well as the various buildings where were
      elaborated Lacteol's variants.

PMID- 27281931
TI  - [The pharmacopoeia of Father Morin in 1864].
AB  - The "pharmacopoeia or collection of divine remedies found in the documents of an
      old rural priest after his death" is a publication of nearly 400 pages including
      a long list of diseases with their associated treatments, followed by several
      recipes for the day to day life (such as: how to preserve wine, how to produce
      Champagne's wine, recipes for filler paste, etc.). A last part, very unique, is
      dedicated to evil spells, i.e. to diseases that do not have natural explanations
      and for which Saint Benoit's medal works wonders, according to the author. This
      pharmacopoeia of 1864 is a typical example of "incoherent collection" mentioned
      by Tardieu in 1862 concerning clergy and pharmacy. It is, from that point of
      view, the archetype that pharmacists wanted to see disappearing after the law of
      germinal year XI (1803), but that persisted until the beginning of the XXth
      century: the illegal practice of pharmacy by priests and nuns.

PMID- 27281932
TI  - [Penicher: an manuscript addendum to his pharmacopoeia of 1695 on the copy of
      Pharmacy College Library].
AB  - Penicher's pharmacopeia (1695) was part of the Library of the "College de
      Pharmacie". The inventory of this Library was done in 1780 and is kept by the
      Library of the BIU Sante, Paris-Descartes University in Paris that digitized it
      recently. This copy contains handwritten texts that complete the original
      edition. The first main addition, at the beginning of the document, is three
      recipes of drugs, in Latin, one of them being well known at the early 18th
      century, the vulnerary balm of Leonardo Fioraventi (1517-1588), that is also
      known as Fioraventi's alcoholate. This product will still be present in the
      French Codex until 1949. The Penicher' book also includes, at the end, three
      handwritten pages in French which represent the equipment of apothecaries. These
      drawings are very close to the ones of Charas' Pharmacopeia. One can think that
      these additions are from the second part of the 18th century, but before the gift
      of the pharmacopeia to the College de Pharmacie by Fourcy en 1765. The author is
      unknown but he is probably one of the predecessor of Fourcy in Pharmacie de
      l'Ours (Bear's pharmacy). This gift done by Fourcy when joining the Community of
      Parisians pharmacists did not prevent the fact that Fourcy was sentenced by his
      colleagues pharmacists, a few years later, for the sales of "Chinese specialties"
      that someone called Jean-Daniel Smith, a physician installed in Paris, asked him
      to prepare.

PMID- 27281933
TI  - [The complex travel of cinchona barks between Peru and Quebec Hotel-Dieu, in the
      middle of the eighteenth century].
AB  - Duplessis sisters, who were religious nuns in Hotel-Dieu (Quebec hospital), were
      exchanging letters with a French apothecary from Dieppe in Normandy, named
      Jacques-Tranquilain Feret. They asked him to send them in Quebec the drugs and
      medicines their apothecary needed. Amongst these drugs were cinchona barks that
      came from Callao in Peru by boat, passed Cape Horn and then sailed to Cadiz, the
      great Spanish port. Then they embarked to Rouen, which was the French port for
      goods coming from overseas. The goods from Peru had then to be transported on
      little fishing boats to Dieppe, where Feret received the barks. The apothecary
      sent these drugs to Quebec by boats sailing either from Rouen or from La
      Rochelle. So these Peruvian drugs had to cross two times the Ocean before
      accessing to North America.

PMID- 27281934
TI  - [Treat Princes in Cordoue (9th-10th centuries)].
AB  - It is proposed, through biographic notes and historical reports, to observe the
      physicians/power relationships in one hand, and power/medical institutions
      relationships on the other, in Cordoue, during omeyades' emirate and caliphate,
      between the 9th and 10th centuries. The gathered information allows to describe
      the social position of physicians who received marks of favor from princes, but
      also served the power in place for various responsabilities. These documents are
      also able to make an evaluation of the role of princes for the development of
      medico-pharmaceutical subjects and give indications on the health of great
      figures, on their diseases and the conditions of their death.

PMID- 27281935
TI  - [[The apothecaries of the district of Les Halles in Paris in the 17th century.
      Moliere's ancestors in Les Halles].
AB  - Les Halles were created by King Louis VI at the begining of the 12th century as a
      central market for food and trade. Apothecaries conducted their trade there from
      that time. In the 17th century, eleven apothecaries were established in this
      district, bordered on the south by the rue Saint-Honore, on the east by the rue
      Saint-Denis, on the west by the rue de la Tonnellerie, and the north by the rue
      Montmartre. Their biographies have been analysed, and the data that has been
      collected has enabled their precise location to be fixed on a map of 1700.
      Moliere's ancestors, both maternal (the Cresse family) and paternal (the
      Pocquelin's), lived in this district. Details of their relationships with their
      apothecary neighbours have been revealed.

PMID- 27281936
TI  - [Laboratory of Pharmacognosy of Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra
      (Portugal): teaching and et research (1902-1980)].
AB  - In this article the authors present a brief history of the Laboratory of
      Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal (1902-1980).
      The authors refer the importance of pharmacognosy in the study plans, the
      scientific research and the scientific collection of pharmacognosy, Faculty of
      Pharmacy, University of Coimbra. This heritage consists of collection of drugs
      prepared in the laboratory of pharmacognosy, a collection Drogen-Lehrsammlung
      purchased to E. Merck and a collection of botanic-didactic models of the XIXth
      century of the famous German manufacturer R. Brendel. The authors study the
      relationship between research and teaching, highlighting the importance of the
      collections of drugs.

PMID- 27281937
TI  - [Fragments of a correspondence between the Parisian pharmacist Emile Vial and the
      Dutch painter Johan-Barthold Jongkind].
AB  - We study a series of exchanged original letters between the Parisian pharmacist
      art lover Emile Vial (1833-1917) and the Dutch painter Johan-Barthold Jongkind
      (1819 - 1891) from april 13th, 1876 till February 1th, 1887.

PMID- 27281938
TI  - [[Not Available ]].

PMID- 27281939
TI  - [Multidisciplinar approach to the management of gliomas].
AB  - Gliomas represent two thirds of all primary brain tumors. Their prognosis depends
      directly upon their level of differentiation. On MRI, tumoral aggressivity is
      highlighted by contrast uptake and the infiltrative nature of the lesion.
      Clinical suspicion must however be confirmed by histology and molecular markers
      become essential to refine the diagnosis and tailor the treatment. Isocytrate
      dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations, codeletion of 1p and 19q and the presence of
      methylation of the MGMT promoter identify a subgroup of gliomas with better
      prognosis and may help predict response to treatment. Management of patients with
      primary brain tumors should always be defined in multidisciplinar tumor boards
      involving neurosurgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists
      and neuroradiologists.

PMID- 27281940
TI  - [Immunotherapy for brain tumors: obstacles and perspectives].
AB  - Glioblastomas are highly aggressive tumors. Their prognosis remain poor despite
      standard therapies combining surgery, radiation and temozolomide based
      chemotherapy. Among innovating strategies, there is a major interest for
      immunotherapy. During the past 3 decades, there has been a general scepticism
      concerning the efficacy of this approach. But the latest achievements, such as
      immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors, and adoptive cell therapy in
      hematologic malignancies, have radically changed the face of the field and have
      already an impact on the daily practice. To which extent these advances have an
      impact for brain tumors also? This article aims to present the principal clinical
      applications of the various immune therapies currently under investigation in
      neurooncology and give an insight on the future perspectives in the field.

PMID- 27281941
TI  - [Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes: an update].
AB  - Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes are a group of neurological syndromes
      secondary to an underlying malignancy. Associated autoantibodies can be
      classified according to the cellular localization of the antigen target.
      Onconeuronal autoantibodies (targeting intracellular antigens) strongly associate
      with cancer and the response to immunotherapy is often disappointing. Identifying
      and treating the underlying malignancy is a high priority. However,
      immunomodulation can provide a favourable outcome for neurological symptoms
      associated with autoantibodies specific for cell membrane antigens. An early
      recognition of these disorders following the triad "clinical neurological
      syndrome--specific autoantibodies--tumour research" is important so that patients
      can benefit from appropriate targeted treatments.

PMID- 27281942
TI  - [Neurological complications of anticancer treatments].
AB  - After bone marrow toxicity, neurological toxicities are the second most common
      complications of cancer. They can be observed throughout the course of the
      disease or even after the end of treatment. Establishing the correct diagnosis
      may be a challenge but is of outmost importance to minimize the risk of long-term
      neurological deficits and to improve the quality of life of the patients. This
      review will focus on neurological complications induced by chemotherapeutic
      agents. As the life expectancy and number of treatment lines used in cancer
      patients increases, these complications are bound to become more frequent and
      should be aware to neurologists.

PMID- 27281943
TI  - [Intracranial tumors and epileptic seizures: treatment principles].
AB  - Epileptic seizures represent a relatively frequent issue in patients with
      intracranial neoplasms, and very frequently imply the start of an antiepileptic
      treatment as secondary prophylaxis. Even if the current level of evidence is
      relatively low, compounds with a limited risk of pharmacokinetic interactions are
      clearly preferred. Levetiracetam is probably the most prescribed agent in this
      setting, while pregabalin, valproate, lacosamide and lamotrigine are valuable
      alternatives. The treatment choice has to consider the different profiles of side
      effects and should be tailored to each patient. In this setting, a
      multidisciplinary approach including general practicioner, oncologist and
      neurologist is strongly advocated.

PMID- 27281944
TI  - [Acute neurorehabilitation in neurooncology: Swiss Pilot Project and review of
      the litterature].
AB  - New treatment modalities in oncology, radiation oncology and surgery have led to
      a significant improvement in life expectancy for cancer patients. Some will
      however develop severe neurologic deficits that will impact their quality of
      life. To limit this impact, it is essential to offer optimal neurorehabilitation.
      In this context, a pilot project of early and intensive neurorehabilitation for
      brain tumor patients has been set up. A collaboration between the teams of
      neurooncology, acute neurorehabilitation and neurosurgery from the CHUV and the
      Clinique La Ligniere allows an intensive and direct neurorehabilitation following
      neurosurgery. This neuroreeducation has allowed 75% of the patients included in
      this program to return home.

PMID- 27281945
TI  - [Palliative care for glioblastoma].
AB  - Patients with glioblastoma have a limited life expectancy and an impaired quality
      of life and they should be offered palliative care soon after the diagnosis is
      established. Still, only a quarter of patients aged over 65 return home or
      medical institution after completing treatments. Home care must be promoted by
      coordinating assistance and care, combining disciplines such as physiotherapy and
      ergotherapy, medical and nursing care and psychosocial support. Patients are at
      risk of mood, personality and behavioural disorders. Limited awareness of these
      troubles and their physical limitations alter their capacity of rehabilitation
      and social relationships. Isolation of relatives, exhaustion and
      misunderstandings should be prevented. The therapeutic goals should be discussed
      and determined upstream to anticipate difficulties and questions concerning end
      of life.

PMID- 27281947
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281946
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281948
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281949
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281950
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281951
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281952
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281953
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281954
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27281955
TI  - Overview: Mechanism and Control of a Prosthetic Arm.
AB  - Continuous growth in industrialization and lack of awareness in safety parameters
      the cases of amputations are growing. The search of safer, simpler and automated
      prosthetic arms for managing upper limbs is expected. Continuous efforts have
      been made to design and develop prosthetic arms ranging from simple harness
      actuated to automated mechanisms with various control options. However due the
      cost constraints, the automated prosthetic arms are still out of the reach of
      needy people. Recent data have shown that there is a wide scope to develop a low
      cost and light weight upper limb prosthesis. This review summarizes the various
      designs methodologies, mechanisms and control system developed by the researchers
      and the advances therein. Educating the patient to develop acceptability to
      prosthesis and using the same for the most basic desired functions of human hand,
      post amputation care and to improve patient's independent life is equally
      important. In conclusion it can be interpreted that there is a wide scope in
      design in an adaptive mechanism for opening and closing of the fingers using
      other methods of path and position synthesis. Simple mechanisms and less parts
      may optimize the cost factor. Reduction in the weight of the prosthesis may be
      achieved using polymers used for engineering applications. Control system will
      remain never ending challenge for the researchers, but it is essential to
      maintain the simplicity from the patients perspective.

PMID- 27281956
TI  - Evaluation of Mechanical and Chemical Stimulations on Osteocalcin and Runx2
      Expression in Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
AB  - The osseous tissue repair and regeneration have great importance in orthopedic
      and maxillofacial surgery. Tissue engineering makes it possible to cure different
      tissue abnormalities using autologous grafts. It is now obvious that mechanical
      loading has essential role in directing cells to differentiation. In this study,
      the influence of cyclic uniaxial loading and its combination with chemical
      factors on expression of osteogenic markers was investigated. Rat bone marrow
      derived stem cells were isolated and cultured. In one group cells were maintained
      in chemical induction medium. In another group cells were subjected to cyclic
      uniaxial strain with 3% amplitude and 0.3 Hz frequency for 24 hours and in the
      last group cells were affected by induction medium and physical stimulation.
      TaqMan Real time PCR and immunocytochemistry were done to evaluate gene
      expression variations. Moreover, a small incision was made to access the bone of
      the cranium and induced cells were seeded on collagen based scaffolds and finally
      the cell seeded scaffolds were implanted. Results indicated that mechanical
      loading alone caused a phenomenal increase in Runx2 and osteocalcin expression.
      Remarkable increment in gene expression was gained when induction medium were
      added to mechanical stimulation. The order of chemical and mechanical stimulation
      caused different effects and results were much better when the cells were
      affected by mechanical strain at first. Histological analysis showed mechanical
      stimulation could promote bone ingrowth in vivo. These evidences demonstrated
      that combination of chemical factors with mechanical strain was much more
      effective for directing osteogenesis since these elements have synergistic
      effects.

PMID- 27281958
TI  - An Aesthetics Focus: For Good Reason.

PMID- 27281957
TI  - Size-Dependent Diffusion of Dextrans in Excised Porcine Corneal Stroma.
AB  - Delivery of therapeutic agents to the eye requires efficient transport through
      cellular and extracellular barriers. We evaluated the rate of diffusive transport
      in excised porcine corneal stroma using fluorescently labeled dextran molecules
      with hydrodynamic radii ranging from 1.3 to 34 nm. Fluorescence correlation
      spectroscopy (FCS) was used to measure diffusion coefficients of dextran
      molecules in the excised porcine corneal stroma. The preferential sensitivity of
      FCS to diffusion along two dimensions was used to differentially probe diffusion
      along the directions parallel to and perpendicular to the collagen lamellae of
      the corneal stroma. In order to develop an understanding of how size affects
      diffusion in cornea, diffusion coefficients in cornea were compared to diffusion
      coefficients measured in a simple buffer solution. Dextran molecules diffuse more
      slowly in cornea as compared to buffer solution. The reduction in diffusion
      coefficient is modest however (67% smaller), and is uniform over the range of
      sizes that we measured. This indicates that, for dextrans in the 1.3 to 34 nm
      range, the diffusion landscape of corneal stroma can be represented as a simple
      liquid with a viscosity approximately 1.5 times that of water. Diffusion
      coefficients measured parallel vs. perpendicular to the collagen lamellae were
      indistinguishable. This indicates that diffusion in the corneal stroma is not
      highly anisotropic. Our results support the notion that the corneal stroma is
      highly permeable and isotropic to transport of hydrophilic molecules and
      particles with hydrodynamic radii up to at least 34 nm.

PMID- 27281959
TI  - Oral Cancer Screening. Reducing Fear Using Salivary Diagnostics.

PMID- 27281960
TI  - "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?".

PMID- 27281961
TI  - Mark T Murphy, DDS, reflects on today's new business models in dentistry.

PMID- 27281962
TI  - Edward Shellard, DMD, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Carestream Dental.

PMID- 27281963
TI  - Danny Marinkovic, CDT, COO, Synergy 3D Dental Laboratory.

PMID- 27281964
TI  - Ceramic Crown for an Implant Abutment.

PMID- 27281965
TI  - Your Patients Can't Sleep? Have You Checked the Size of Their Tongue and Tonsils?

PMID- 27281966
TI  - BIOLASE Unveils New Learning Center.

PMID- 27281967
TI  - Are We in Good Shape? Fat Chance!

PMID- 27281968
TI  - University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine Wins Gies Award.

PMID- 27281969
TI  - Small-Diameter Implants.

PMID- 27281970
TI  - Immediate Placement of SDIs in the Maxillary Arch. Immediate Post-Extraction
      Placement.

PMID- 27281971
TI  - Immediately Loading Dental Implants. Doing It Right for Long-Term Success.

PMID- 27281972
TI  - Inflection Points in Dental Imaging.

PMID- 27281974
TI  - Aesthetics and Removable Prosthetics.

PMID- 27281973
TI  - Putting Material Science to Work. Use of a Self Polishing Universal Nanohybrid
      Composite.

PMID- 27281975
TI  - Interdisciplinary Management of Worn Anterior Teeth. Facially Generated Treatment
      Planning.

PMID- 27281976
TI  - Service With a Smile.

PMID- 27281977
TI  - Vital Pulp Therapy in Primary Teeth: An Update.

PMID- 27281978
TI  - Platelet-Rich Growth Factor for Lip and Perioral Rejuvenation. A Case Study on
      "The Kiss Shot".

PMID- 27281979
TI  - [Heinz Kohut and Vienna].

PMID- 27281980
TI  - [August Aichhorn and Heinz Kohut. Their correspondence 1946 - 1949].

PMID- 27281981
TI  - [The reception of Heinz Kohut in Germany].
AB  - First the discussion of Kohut's new ideas in the United States is sketched as a
      background. The response to these ideas was divided: on the one hand they were
      hailed as important innovations of psychoanalytic theory, and a circle of
      colleagues formed around their author; on the other hand they were violently
      rejected, and old friends distanced themselves from him. In Germany Kuhut's ideas
      were initially well received. His visits, lectures and supervisions resulted in a
      lively exchange and a number of friendships. When the differences between
      Kohutian and classical theory became evident this led increasingly to
      disillusionment and retreat. De-emphasizing drive and ego psychology had
      considerable consequences for psychoanalytic technique as well as for the
      analyst's Menschenbild, his relationship to the patient and his critical self
      reflection. In Germany, too, a circle of colleagues emerged, following and
      elaborating the ideas of Kohut.

PMID- 27281982
TI  - [The politicization of narcissism: Reading Kohut with and through Morganthaler].
AB  - While in the US in the 1970s, Heinz Kohut's work served as a major rescue
      operation for a psychoanalytic profession that was in deep crisis, the reception
      in the German-speaking lands was, for multiple reasons, ultimately marked by far
      more ambivalence. No one explicated and defended Kohut more vigorously to his
      professional peers as well as to a younger generation of left-leaning
      psychoanalysts than the charismatic Swiss psychoanalyst (and coinventor of
      ethnopsychoanalysis) Fritz Morgenthaler. It was, furthermore, specifically in
      engaged grappling with Kohut's creative clinical innovations as well as his blind
      spots that Morgenthaler--as a close reading of their correspondence and
      respective writings shows--developed his own distinctive perspectives on the
      enduring riddle of how best to theorize the interrelationships between "the
      sexual" and other realms of existence. It was also in this context that
      Morgenthaler became the first European analyst of any nationality to articulate
      an eloquent rebuttal to the homophobic consensus that had become consolidated
      across the psychoanalytic diaspora since Freud's death.

PMID- 27281983
TI  - [From anamnesis to the art of interpretation, or: What is a "genuine"
      psychoanalyst? Wolfgang Warda, Ludwig Binswanger, Wilhelm Strohmayer and the
      origins of psychoanalysis in Thuringia].
AB  - Warda and Strohmayer from Thuringia were among the first German physicians who
      developed an interest in Freuds theory and therapeutic method around 1900. Their
      contributions reflect the influence of Otto Binswanger, professor of psychiatry
      in Jena, a representative of the "psychological direction" in psychiatry which in
      the beginning was relatively receptive to Freud. The paper discusses their
      rapprochement to, and detachment from, the Freudian school, including also the
      work of a third young physician: Ludwig Binswanger, Otto's nephew, who was active
      in Jena at the same time. It points to certain factors contributing to the
      increasing rejection Freud met in academic circles which have been underrated to
      date: (1) the transformation of psychoanalysis into an art of interpretation; (2)
      the introduction of transference. Both factors which were elaborated by Freud as
      essentials of his theoretical and practical approach around 1900 and published in
      1904/05, undermined the claim of academic medicine to objectivity. The paper
      describes how psychoanalysis officially abandoned the scientific standards of
      contemporary medicine at the Weimar congress in 1911, at the same time as Warda
      and Strohmayer left the Freudian group.

PMID- 27281984
TI  - ["The incomparable Doctor Arthur Ludwig". A biographical sketch].
AB  - In two separate papers, two participants of the Weimar congress are identified on
      the famous congress photo for the first time. --Stephan von Minden provides a
      pioneering biographical sketch of the Munich neurologist A. Ludwig. Co-founder of
      the Munich IPA branch in 1911, and friend of the poet Else Lasker-Schuler and the
      educational reformer Paul Geheeb, Ludwig played a certain role in cultural
      history as a member of the "Munich bohemian scene" and head of a "medical family
      resort". --Reinhard Lampe highlights the life and work of psychiatrist E. Rehm,
      also a founding member of the Munich IPA branch. He directed a private sanatorium
      and exerted a considerable influence on medical politics in Munich for many
      years. An ardent National Socialist, Rehm sold his sanatorium to the Nazis in
      1941.

PMID- 27281985
TI  - [Ernst Rehm and the Neufriedenheim sanatorium].
AB  - In two separate papers, two participants of the Weimar congress are identified on
      the famous conigress photo for the first time. --Stephan von Minden provides a
      pioneering biographical sketch of the Munich neurologist A. Ludwig. Co-founder of
      the Munich IPA branch in 1911, and friend of the poet Else Lasker-Schuler and the
      educational reformer Paul Geheeb, Ludwig played a certain role in cultural
      history as a member of the "Munich bohemian scene" and head of a "medical family
      resort". --Reinhard Lampe highlights the life and work of psychiatrist E. Rehm,
      also a founding member of the Munich IPA branch. He directed a private sanatorium
      and exerted a considerable influence on medical politics in Munich for many
      years. An ardent National Socialist, Rehm sold his sanatorium to the Nazis in
      1941.

PMID- 27281986
TI  - [Is Freud the author of the "aphasia" article in Villaret's Handworterbuch der
      Gesamten Medizin (1888)? A reply to Anneliese Menninger].
AB  - In 2011/12 Menninger rejected my proposition that Freud could not have composed
      the "aphasia" article in Villaret's medical dictionary. In this reply I argue in
      favour of my initial view that Freud is not the author of the article that has
      been attributed to him for over 60 years.

PMID- 27281987
TI  - [The "aphasia" article in Villaret's Handworterbuch].
AB  - Freud's authorship is founded on three arguments: 1) the reasoning of the article
      is close to Charcot's lectures which Freud had just translated; 2) there is a
      specific Freudian core thesis, common to the article and his later writings,
      namely the notion of an associative speech area extending between the "motor
      fields of the cortex and those of the optic and auditory nerves" and touching
      them like "corners" of a continuous field; 3) general observations on the
      revision or non- revision of articles taken over from the 1st to the 2nd edition
      of Villaret.

PMID- 27281988
TI  - MEMORIAL TRIBUTE To Professor Wladyslaw J.H. Kunicki-Goldfinger (1916-1995).

PMID- 27281989
TI  - The Functions of Effector Proteins in Yersinia Virulence.
AB  - Yersinia species are bacterial pathogens that can cause plague and intestinal
      diseases after invading into human cells through the Three Secretion System
      (TTSS). The effect of pathogenesis is mediated by Yersinia outer proteins (Yop)
      and manifested as down-regulation of the cytokine genes expression by inhibiting
      nuclear factor-kappa-gene binding (NF-kappaB) and mitogen-activated protein
      kinase (MAPK) pathways. In addition, its pathogenesis can also manipulate the
      disorder of host innate immune system and cell death such as apoptosis,
      pyroptosis, and autophagy. Among the Yersinia effector proteins, YopB and YopD
      assist the injection of other virulence effectors into the host cytoplasm, while
      YopE, YopH, YopJ, YopO, and YopT target on disrupting host cell signaling
      pathways in the host cytosols. Many efforts have been applied to reveal that
      intracellular proteins such as Rho-GTPase, and transmembrane receptors such as
      Toll-like receptors (TLRs) both play critical roles in Yersinia pathogenesis,
      establishing a connection between the pathogenic process and the signaling
      response. This review will mainly focus on how the effector proteins of Yersinia
      modulate the intrinsic signals in host cells and disturb the innate immunity of
      hosts through TTSS.

PMID- 27281990
TI  - Recovery of Gram-Positive Cocci and Candida albicans from Peroxygen/Silver-Based
      Disinfectants.
AB  - Neutralization method evaluation is an important first step in a disinfectant
      validation study program. It is also crucial in assessment of the efficiency of
      microbial recovery media in the presence of a residual biocidal agent. In the
      present study, four commercially available peroxygen/silver-based disinfectant
      formulae--intended to be used in a pharmaceutical facility sanitization program-
      were tested at two dilutions against three Gram-positive cocci and one yeast;
      Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Kucoria rhizophila (ATCC 9341) and Candida
      albicans (ATCC 10231) and Staphylococcus capitis as an environmental monitoring
      (EM) isolate sample (identified by miniaturized biochemical identification
      system). Disinfectants preparation, dilutions and the test procedure were carried
      on in laboratory under conditions simulating the working environment of 20-25
      degrees C and RH% 40-60. In-house made neutralizing broth was mixed with biocidal
      agents to make two dilutions of each disinfectant forming Peroxygen: neutralizing
      broth ratios of 1:10 and 1:100 (v/v). Three populations were established and two
      comparison ratio groups were examined, namely neutralizer efficacy and
      neutralizer toxicity. Two acceptance criteria were tested. One criterion showed
      higher rate of neutralization success than the other. S. aureus showed the
      highest rate of successful microbial recovery from neutralization process. The
      Disinfectant (Bixco) was exceptionally neutralized at all dilutions with all
      microorganisms. In conclusion, in-house made neutralizing broth effectively
      neutralized all disinfectants with all the tested microorganisms at 1:100 (v/v);
      thus, it can be used in sanitizer validation studies and EM media.

PMID- 27281991
TI  - Effectiveness of Antipseudomonal Antibiotics and Mechanisms of Multidrug
      Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading human pathogen that causes serious infections
      at various tissues and organs leading to life threatening health problems and
      possible deadly outcomes. Resistance patterns vary widely whether it is from
      hospitals or community acquired infections. Reporting resistance profiles to a
      certain antibiotics provide valuable information in a given setting, but may be
      extrapolated outside the sampling location. In the present study, P. aeruginosa
      isolates were screened to determine their susceptibilities against anti
      pseudomonal antimicrobial agents and possible existing mechanisms of resistance
      were determined. Eighty-six isolates of P. aeruginosa were recovered. Isolates
      representing different resistance profiles were screened for the existence of
      three different resistance mechanisms including drug inactivation due to metallo
      beta-lactamases, drug impermeability by outer membrane proteins and drug efflux.
      All tested isolates showed uniform susceptibility (100%, n = 86/86) to
      piperacillin, meropenem, amikacin, and polymyxin B. A single isolate was found to
      be imipenem resistant (99%, n = 85/86). The possible mechanisms of resistance of
      P. aeruginosa to imipenem involve active drug efflux pumps, outer membrane
      impermeability as well as drug inactivating enzymes. These findings demonstrate
      the fundamental importance of the in vitro susceptibility testing of antibiotics
      prior to antipseudomonal therapy and highlight the need for a continuous
      antimicrobial resistance surveillance programs to monitor the changing resistance
      patterns so that clinicians and health care officials are updated as to the most
      effective therapeutic agents to combat the serious outcomes of P. aeruginosa
      infections.

PMID- 27281992
TI  - Streptococcus anginosus (milleri) Group Strains Isolated in Poland (1996-2012)
      and their Antibiotic Resistance Patterns.
AB  - Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus intermedius and Streptococcus constellatus
      form a group of related streptococcal species, namely the Streptococcus Anginosus
      Group (SAG). The group, previously called "milleri" had been rarely described
      until 1980/1990 as source of infections. Nowadays SAG bacteria are often
      described as pathogens causing predominantly purulent infections. The number of
      infections is highly underestimated, as SAG strains are often classified in the
      microbiology laboratory as less virulent "viridans streptococci" Epidemiological
      situation regarding SAG infections in Poland has been unrecognized, therefore we
      performed a retrospective analysis of strains isolated between 1996 and 2012.
      Strains suspected of belonging to SAG were re-identified using an automated
      biochemical approach (Vitek2) and MALDI-TOF MS. We performed first analysis of
      antibiotic resistance among SAG strains isolated in Poland using automated
      methods (Vitek2), disk diffusion tests and E-Tests. We also performed PCR
      detection of resistance determinants in antibiotic resistant strains. Clonal
      structure of analyzed strains was evaluated with PFGE and MLVF methods. All three
      species are difficult to distinguish using automated diagnostic methods and the
      same is true for automated MIC evaluation. Our analysis revealed SAG strains are
      rarely isolated in Poland, predominantly from purulent infections. All isolates
      are very diverse on the genomic level as estimated by PFGE and MLVF analyses. All
      analyzed strains are sensitive to penicillin, a substantial group of strains is
      resistant to macrolides and the majority of strains are resistant to
      tetracycline.

PMID- 27281993
TI  - Comparison of Free and Immobilized L-asparaginase Synthesized by Gamma-Irradiated
      Penicillium cyclopium.
AB  - Gamma irradiation is used on Penicillium cyclopium in order to obtain mutant
      cells of high L-asparaginase productivity. Using gamma irradiation dose of 4 KGy,
      P. cyclopium cells yielded L-asparaginase with extracellular enzyme activity of
      210.8 +/- 3 U/ml, and specific activity of 752.5 +/- 1.5 U/mg protein, which are
      1.75 and 1.53 times, respectively, the activity of the wild strain. The enzyme
      was partially purified by 40-60% acetone precipitation. L-asparaginase was
      immobilized onto Amberlite IR-120 by ionic binding. Both free and immobilized
      enzymes exhibited maximum activity at pH 8 and 40 degrees C. The immobilization
      process improved the enzyme thermal stability significantly. The immobilized
      enzyme remained 100% active at temperatures up to 60 degrees C, while the free
      asparaginase was less tolerant to high temperatures. The immobilized enzyme was
      more stable at pH 9.0 for 50 min, retaining 70% of its relative activity. The
      maximum reaction rate (V(max)) and Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) of the free
      form were significantly changed after immobilization. The K(m) value for
      immobilized L-asparaginase was about 1.3 times higher than that of free enzyme.
      The ions K+, Ba2+ and Na+ showed stimulatory effect on enzyme activity with
      percentages of 110%, 109% and 106% respectively.

PMID- 27281994
TI  - Characterization and Optimization of Biosynthesis of Bioactive Secondary
      Metabolites Produced by Streptomyces sp. 8812.
AB  - The nutritional requirements and environmental conditions for a submerged culture
      of Streptomyces sp. 8812 were determined. Batch and fed-batch Streptomyces sp.
      8812 fermentations were conducted to obtain high activity of secondary
      metabolites. In the study several factors were examined for their influence on
      the biosynthesis of the active metabolites-7-hydroxy-6-oxo-2,3,4,6
      tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxy acid (C10H9NO4) and N-acetyl-3,4-dihydroxy-L
      phenylalanine (C11H13NO5): changes in medium composition, pH of production
      medium, various growth phases of seed culture, amino acid supplementation and
      addition of anion exchange resin to the submerged culture. Biological activities
      of secondary metabolites were examined with the use of DD-carboxypeptidase 64-575
      and horseradish peroxidase. Streptomyces sp. 8812 mycelium was evaluated under
      fluorescent microscopy and respiratory activity of the strain was analyzed.
      Moreover, the enzymatic profiles of the strain with the use of Api ZYM test were
      analyzed and genetic analysis made. Phylogenetic analysis of Streptomyces sp.
      8812 revealed that its closest relative is Streptomyces capoamus JCM 4734 (98%),
      whereas sequence analysis for 16S rRNA gene using NCBI BLAST algorithm showed
      100% homology between these two strains. Biosynthetic processes, mycelium growth
      and enzyme inhibitory activities of these two strains were also compared.

PMID- 27281995
TI  - Isolation and Characterization of alpha-Endosulfan Degrading Bacteria from the
      Microflora of Cockroaches.
AB  - Extensive applications of organochlorine pesticides like endosulfan have led to
      the contamination of soil and environments. Five different bacteria were isolated
      from cockroaches living in pesticide contaminated environments. According to
      morphological, physiological, biochemical properties, and total cellular fatty
      acid profile by Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs), the isolates were identified as
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa G1, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia G2, Bacillus atrophaeus
      G3, Citrobacter amolonaticus G4 and Acinetobacter lwoffii G5. This is the first
      study on the bacterial flora of Blatta orientalis evaluated for the
      biodegradation of alpha-endosulfan. After 10 days of incubation, the
      biodegradation yields obtained from P. aeruginosa G1, S. maltophilia G2, B.
      atrophaeus G3, C. amolonaticus G4 and A. lwoffii G5 were 88.5% , 85.5%, 64.4%,
      56.7% and 80.2%, respectively. As a result, these bacterial strains may be
      utilized for biodegradation of endosulfan polluted soil and environments.

PMID- 27281996
TI  - Bacterial Diversity and Composition in Oylat Cave (Turkey) with Combined
      Sanger/Pyrosequencing Approach.
AB  - The microbiology of caves is an important topic for better understanding
      subsurface biosphere diversity. The diversity and taxonomic composition of
      bacterial communities associated with cave walls of the Oylat Cave was studied
      first time by molecular cloning based on Sanger/pyrosequencing approach. Results
      showed an average of 1,822 operational taxonomic units per sample. Clones
      analyzed from Oylat Cave were found to belong to 10 common phyla within the
      domain Bacteria. Proteobacteria dominated the phyla, followed by Actinobacteria,
      Acidobacteria and Nitrospirae. Shannon diversity index was between to 3.76 and
      5.35. The robust analysis conducted for this study demonstrated high bacterial
      diversity on cave rock wall surfaces.

PMID- 27281997
TI  - Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Carotenogenic Flavobacterial
      Isolates from Marine Waters.
AB  - Carotenoids are known to possess immense nutraceutical properties and
      microorganisms are continuously being explored as natural source for production
      of carotenoids. In this study, pigmented bacteria belonging to Flavobacteriaceae
      family were isolated using kanamycin-containing marine agar and identified using
      the molecular techniques and their phenotypic characteristics were studied along
      with their potential to produce carotenoids. Analysis of random amplification of
      polymorphic DNA (RAPD) banding patterns and the fragment size of the bands
      indicated that the 10 isolates fall under two major groups. Based on 16S rRNA
      gene sequence analysis the isolates were identified as Vitellibacter sp. (3
      isolates), Formosa sp. (2 isolates) and Arenibacter sp. (5 isolates).
      Phenotypically, the isolates showed slight variation from the reported species of
      these three genera of Flavobacteriaceae. Only the isolates belonging to
      Vitellibacter and Formosa produced flexirubin, a typical yellow orange pigment
      produced by most of the organisms of the family Flavobacteriaceae. Vitellibacter
      sp. and Formosa sp. were found to produce higher amount of carotenoids compared
      to Arenibacter sp. and zeaxanthin was found to be the major carotenoid produced
      by these two species. The study indicated that Vitellibacter sp. and Formosa sp.
      can be exploited for production of carotenoids, particularly zeaxanthin.

PMID- 27281998
TI  - Serotype-Specific Pneumococcal Status prior to PCV 13 Administration in Children
      and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the serotype-specific pneumococcal status
      of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were naive
      to pneumococcal vaccination before administering the 13-valent pneumococcal
      conjugate vaccine (PCV 13). This was an open, prospective study on children and
      adolescents aged 5-18 years who had IBD and were naive to pneumococcal
      vaccination. A single dose of PCV 13 was administered to each patient. The
      geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were measured for all 13 serotypes. A total
      of 122 subjects completed the study. Prevaccination GMCs ranged from 0.55 MUg/ml
      (serotype 4) to 4.26 MUg/mI (serotype 19A). Prior to the administration of PCV
      13, high GMCs were detected in older children and adolescents who had IBD and
      were naive to pneumococcal vaccination.

PMID- 27281999
TI  - Prevalence of Urogenital Mycoplasmas Among Men with NGU in Upper Silesia, Poland.
      Preliminary Study.
AB  - The prevalence of urogenital mycoplasmas in men with NGU in Upper Silesia
      (Poland) was studied. Mycoplasmas were detected in 36.7% men (Ureaplasma parvum
      and Mycoplasma genitalium were found in 30% and 16.7% respectively). Urealyticum
      urealyticum was not detected. We suggest including M. genitalium in the
      diagnostic scheme for nongonococcal urethritis (NGU).

PMID- 27282000
TI  - Assessment of the Microbiological Status of Probiotic Products.
AB  - The aim of this study was to perform the microbiological analysis of quality of
      25 probiotic products, available on the Polish market. Analysis of bacterial
      viability in probiotic products showed that not all of these preparations possess
      a suitable number of bacteria. Moreover, some of the tested probiotic products
      contained bacterial strains other than those declared by the manufacturer. All
      tested strains recovered from probiotic products were found to be resistant to
      metronidazole and susceptible to nitrofurantoin. The susceptibility to other
      antibiotics was strain specific. Probiotic products should be subject to regular
      and thorough inspection by appropriate institutions.

PMID- 27282001
TI  - Antimicrobial Activity of Penicillin G and N-acetylcystein on Planktonic and
      Sessile Cells of Streptococcus suis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the capacity of Streptococcus suis
      strains to form biofilms and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Penicillin
      G and N-acetylcystein (NAC) on both S. suis sessile and planktonic forms. Only
      non-typeable isolates of S. suis were correlated with a greater biofilm formation
      capacity. The MCI of Penicillin G and NAC required for inhibiting biofilm growth
      were higher than the required concentration for inhibiting planktonic growth. The
      combinations of NAC and Penicillin G showed a strong synergistic activity that
      inhibited biofilm formation and disrupted the pre-formed biofilm of S. suis.

PMID- 27282002
TI  - Usefulness of CHROMagar Candida Medium, Biochemical Methods--API ID32C and VITEK
      2 Compact and Two MALDI-TOF MS Systems for Candida spp. Identification.
AB  - This study was conducted to compare of the yeasts identification results obtained
      with two new systems using the MALDI-TOF MS technique with the ones obtained
      using the routine identification methods of Candida spp. in clinical microbiology
      laboratories. All 124 Candida spp. isolates were recovered from the routine
      examination of clinical specimens in microbiological laboratories and collected
      in the Centre of Quality Control in Microbiology in Warsaw (Poland). Our findings
      confirm the high agreement (98%) of fungal identification using the standard,
      biochemistry laboratory methods and mass spectrometry technique.

PMID- 27282003
TI  - Enterobacter asburiae KUNi5, a Nickel Resistant Bacterium for Possible
      Bioremediation of Nickel Contaminated Sites.
AB  - Nickel resistant bacterial strain Enterobacter asburiae KUNi5 was isolated and
      showed resistance up to 15 mM and could remove Ni optimally better at 37 degrees
      C and pH 7. Maximum removal was found at initial concentration of 0.5 to 2 mM,
      however, growth and Ni removal were affected by other heavy metals. Major amount
      of the metal was accumulated in the membrane fractions and certain negatively
      charged groups were found responsible for Ni binding. KUNi5 could also produce 1
      aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase, indole-acetic acid and siderophore. It
      seems that KUNi5 could be a possible candidate for Ni detoxification and plant
      growth promotion in Ni-contaminated field.

PMID- 27282004
TI  - IgG Avidity: an Important Serologic Marker for the Diagnosis of Tick-Borne
      Encephalitis Virus Infection.
AB  - A total of 52 serum samples from patients with symptoms suggestive of tick-borne
      encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection and positive IgM and/or IgG antibodies were
      tested for IgG avidity. Acute/recent TBEV infection was confirmed by
      low/borderline avidity index (AI) in 94.8% IgM positive/IgG positive samples,
      while in 5.2% high AI was found indicating persisting IgM antibodies. Majority of
      IgM negative/IgG positive samples (78.6%) showed high AI consistent with past
      TBEV infection. However, in 21.3% patients without measurable IgM antibodies
      current/recent infection was confirmed by AI. IgG avidity represents an
      additional serologic marker that improves diagnosis of TBEV, especially in cases
      of atypical antibody response.

PMID- 27282006
TI  - Acute Emergencies in Adolescents.

PMID- 27282005
TI  - Etiologic Agents and Antifungal Susceptibility of Oral Candidosis from Romanian
      patients with HIV-infection or type 1 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - This is the first Romanian investigation of oral candidosis in patients suffering
      of HIV-infection or type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Candida albicans was the
      dominant species in both types of isolates: n = 14 (46.7%) in T1DM, n = 60
      (69.8%) in HIV. The most frequent non-albicans Candida spp. were Candida kefyr (n
      = 6; 20%) in T1DM and Candida dubliniensis (n = 8; 9.3%) in HIV. Resistance to
      fluconazole was detected only in the HIV non-albicans Candida group (n = 8;
      9.3%). All isolates were susceptible to VOR. The experimental drug MXP had MIC
      values equal or close to the ones of VOR. Echinocandin resistance was more
      frequent than azole resistance.

PMID- 27282007
TI  - Adolescent Gynecologic Emergencies.
AB  - Adolescent females frequently present to the ED with complaints that may be
      caused by a gynecologic emergency. Differentiating and excluding some of the
      common and most serious gynecologic emergencies reviewed in this article are
      critical. Timely and effective treatment of these conditions, once diagnosed, can
      result in better health outcomes.

PMID- 27282008
TI  - Adolescent Male Genitourinary Emergencies.

PMID- 27282009
TI  - Sports-Related Head Injuries in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Update.

PMID- 27282010
TI  - Sports-Related Sudden Cardiac Injury or Death.
AB  - Symptoms such as syncope and chest pain, especially if they are accompanied by
      palpitations or occur with exercise in any combination, require cardiac
      evaluation before adolescent athletes are allowed to return to the sports field.
      Some life-threatening conditions will likely be associated with a family history
      of HCM or LQTS, but the family history may not be discovered at the first medical
      visit. A family history of CPVT, for example, is hard to elicit unless this
      diagnosis has already been established in an affected family member. The keys
      will be the timing of symptoms and the documentation of arrhythmia with exercise.
      The ECG at baseline in CPVT may be deceptively normal. Hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy is progressive, so evaluation during early childhood may be
      negative. Long QT syndrome may not always result in an abnormal ECG, even in
      genetically positive individuals. A high index of suspicion is needed to make
      these diagnoses, especially if the family history is not available.

PMID- 27282011
TI  - Approach to the Adolescent with Chest Pain.

PMID- 27282012
TI  - Approach to the Adolescent Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Emergency.

PMID- 27282013
TI  - Generation Z: Adolescent Xenobiotic Abuse in the 21st Century.
AB  - NMDA receptor antagonists include the prescription medication ketamine, the
      illicit xenobiotics PCP, MXE, and other novel PCP analogs, and the OTC medication
      DXM. The NMDA receptor antagonist most commonly abused by adolescents in the
      United States is DXM. These xenobiotics cause dissociative effects by non
      competitively inhibiting the action of glutamate at the NMDA receptor.
      Additionally, these agents modulate the actions of monoamine neurotransmitters,
      agonize opioid receptors, and inhibit nitric oxide synthase. Patients typically
      present with sympathomimetic and neuropsychiatric clinical manifestations after
      abuse of NMDA receptor antagonists. Treatment is generally symptomatic and
      supportive. Interventions include benzodiazepines, propofol, fluids, antiemetics,
      aggressive cooling, and respiratory support.

PMID- 27282014
TI  - Emergency Care of Youth with Social and Environmental Vulnerabilities.

PMID- 27282015
TI  - Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Adolescent Emergencies.
AB  - Many adolescents are at high risk for HIV infection, and those who are infected
      or at-risk commonly present to the ED, often as their only or frequent source of
      care. It is important to consider routine screening and to have a high index of
      suspicion for AHI in this setting. If a diagnosis of HIV infection is made,
      immediate linkage to care with a specialist in adolescent and young adult HIV
      infection should be prioritized. For the known HIV-infected patient, management
      must consider unique possibilities of OIs, IRIS, and medication side effects. For
      any patient on ART, drug-drug interactions must be noted as part of any treatment
      plan. If a young person presents with a recent sexual or needlestick exposure of
      concern, every effort to prescribe and ensure follow-up for PEP should be made.
      It is essential for physicians to understand and comply with local regulations
      regarding HIV testing and adolescents' rights for associated confidential care.
      Finally, physicians who see adolescents in acute care settings have a tremendous
      opportunity to make a difference in ensuring improved health outcomes for youth
      living with HIV and to prevent new infections.

PMID- 27282016
TI  - Evaluation and Treatment of the Adolescent Sexual Assault Patient.

PMID- 27282017
TI  - Update on Meningitis in Adolescents and Young Adults.

PMID- 27282018
TI  - Adolescent Dating Violence in the Emergency Department: Presentation, Screening,
      and Interventions.

PMID- 27282019
TI  - Syncope in Children and Adolescents.

PMID- 27282020
TI  - Dumbbell Defects in FeSe Films: A Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and First
      Principles Investigation.
AB  - The properties of iron-based superconductors (Fe-SCs) can be varied dramatically
      with the introduction of dopants and atomic defects. As a pressing example, FeSe,
      parent phase of the highest-Tc Fe-SC, exhibits prevalent defects with atomic
      scale "dumbbell" signatures as imaged by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).
      These defects spoil superconductivity when their concentration exceeds 2.5%.
      Resolving their chemical identity is a prerequisite to applications such as
      nanoscale patterning of superconducting/nonsuperconducting regions in FeSe as
      well as fundamental questions such as the mechanism of superconductivity and the
      path by which the defects destroy it. We use STM and density functional theory to
      characterize and identify the dumbbell defects. In contrast to previous
      speculations about Se adsorbates or substitutions, we find that an Fe-site
      vacancy is the most energetically favorable defect in Se-rich conditions and
      reproduces our observed STM signature. Our calculations shed light more generally
      on the nature of Se capping, the removal of Fe vacancies via annealing, and their
      ordering into a ?5 * ?5 superstructure in FeSe and related alkali-doped
      compounds.

PMID- 27282021
TI  - Predictors of response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors in obsessive-compulsive
      disorder.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: 40-60% of patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) do not
      respond adequately to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). It is important to
      identify predictors of response to help individualize treatment and identify
      refractory patients early in the course of treatment. AREAS COVERED: We review
      the current literature on predictors of response to SRIs in adult patients with
      OCD including clinical features, neuropsychological profile, neuroimaging,
      genetics and other biological factors. We conducted a literature search in PUBMED
      database using the MeSH terms 'Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder', 'drug therapy',
      'treatment outcome', 'neuroimaging', 'genetics' 'cytokines' and obtained 60
      articles. Expert commentary: Poor-insight into obsessions, symmetry/hoarding and
      contamination/washing dimension and the presence of certain personality disorders
      are associated with poor response to SRIs. Orbitofrontal cortex, anterior
      cingulate cortex, caudate, putamen and thalamus volume changes in structural
      imaging studies and altered activity in the same regions in functional imaging
      studies were found predictive of poor response. However, there is inconsistency
      with regards to direction of change. Genes involving serotonergic and
      glutamatergic signalling pathways have emerged as predictors in recent studies.
      Studies with large sample size, standardised methodology and rigorous statistical
      analyses are required before predictors can be utilised in routine clinical
      practice.

PMID- 27282022
TI  - The "Mendelian Gene" and the "Molecular Gene": Two Relevant Concepts of Genetic
      Units.
AB  - We focus here on two prevalent meanings of the word gene in research articles. On
      one hand, the gene, named here "molecular gene," is a stretch of DNA that is
      transcribed and codes for an RNA or a polypeptide with a known or presumed
      function (as in "gene network"), whose exact spatial delimitation on the
      chromosome remains a matter of debate, especially in cases with alternative
      splicing, antisense transcripts, etc. On the other hand, the gene, called here
      "Mendelian gene," is a segregating genetic unit which is detected through
      phenotypic differences associated with different alleles at the same locus (as in
      "gene flow"). We show that the "Mendelian gene" concept is still extensively used
      today in biology research and is sometimes confused with the "molecular gene." We
      try here to clarify the distinction between both concepts. Efforts to delineate
      the beginning and the end of the DNA sequence corresponding to the "Mendelian
      gene" and the "molecular gene" reveal that both entities do not always match. We
      argue that both concepts are part of two relevant frameworks for explaining the
      biological world. 

PMID- 27282024
TI  - To Have and to Hold: Selection for Seed and Fruit Retention During Crop
      Domestication.
AB  - Crop domestication provides a useful model system to characterize the molecular
      and developmental bases of morphological variation in plants. Among the most
      universal changes resulting from selection during crop domestication is the loss
      of seed and fruit dispersal mechanisms, which greatly facilitates harvesting
      efficiency. In this review, we consider the molecular genetic and developmental
      bases of the loss of seed shattering and fruit dispersal in six major crop plant
      families, three of which are primarily associated with seed crops (Poaceae,
      Brassicaceae, Fabaceae) and three of which are associated with fleshy-fruited
      crops (Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae). We find that the developmental basis of
      the loss of seed/fruit dispersal is conserved in a number of independently
      domesticated crops, indicating the widespread occurrence of developmentally
      convergent evolution in response to human selection. With regard to the molecular
      genetic approaches used to characterize the basis of this trait, traditional
      biparental quantitative trait loci mapping remains the most commonly used
      strategy; however, recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies are
      now providing new avenues to map and characterize loss of shattering/dispersal
      alleles. We anticipate that continued application of these approaches, together
      with candidate gene analyses informed by known shattering candidate genes from
      other crops, will lead to a rapid expansion of our understanding of this critical
      domestication trait. 

PMID- 27282023
TI  - The Genetic Basis of Pigmentation Differences Within and Between Drosophila
      Species.
AB  - In Drosophila, as well as in many other plants and animals, pigmentation is
      highly variable both within and between species. This variability, combined with
      powerful genetic and transgenic tools as well as knowledge of how pigment
      patterns are formed biochemically and developmentally, has made Drosophila
      pigmentation a premier system for investigating the genetic and molecular
      mechanisms responsible for phenotypic evolution. In this chapter, we review and
      synthesize findings from a rapidly growing body of case studies examining the
      genetic basis of pigmentation differences in the abdomen, thorax, wings, and
      pupal cases within and between Drosophila species. A core set of genes, including
      genes required for pigment synthesis (eg, yellow, ebony, tan, Dat) as well as
      developmental regulators of these genes (eg, bab1, bab2, omb, Dll, and wg),
      emerge as the primary sources of this variation, with most genes having been
      shown to contribute to pigmentation differences both within and between species.
      In cases where specific genetic changes contributing to pigmentation divergence
      were identified in these genes, the changes were always located in noncoding
      sequences and affected cis-regulatory activity. We conclude this chapter by
      discussing these and other lessons learned from evolutionary genetic studies of
      Drosophila pigmentation and identify topics we think should be the focus of
      future work with this model system. 

PMID- 27282025
TI  - The Genetics Underlying Natural Variation in the Biotic Interactions of
      Arabidopsis thaliana: The Challenges of Linking Evolutionary Genetics and
      Community Ecology.
AB  - In the context of global change, predicting the responses of plant communities in
      an ever-changing biotic environment calls for a multipronged approach at the
      interface of evolutionary genetics and community ecology. However, our
      understanding of the genetic basis of natural variation involved in mediating
      biotic interactions, and associated adaptive dynamics of focal plants in their
      natural communities, is still in its infancy. Here, we review the genetic and
      molecular bases of natural variation in the response to biotic interactions
      (viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, herbivores, and plants) in the model plant
      Arabidopsis thaliana as well as the adaptive value of these bases. Among the 60
      identified genes are a number that encode nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich
      repeat (NBS-LRR)-type proteins, consistent with early examples of plant defense
      genes. However, recent studies have revealed an extensive diversity in the
      molecular mechanisms of defense. Many types of genetic variants associate with
      phenotypic variation in biotic interactions, even among the genes of large effect
      that tend to be identified. In general, we found that (i) balancing selection
      rather than directional selection explains the observed patterns of genetic
      diversity within A. thaliana and (ii) the cost/benefit tradeoffs of adaptive
      alleles can be strongly dependent on both genomic and environmental contexts.
      Finally, because A. thaliana rarely interacts with only one biotic partner in
      nature, we highlight the benefit of exploring diffuse biotic interactions rather
      than tightly associated host-enemy pairs. This challenge would help to improve
      our understanding of coevolutionary quantitative genetics within the context of
      realistic community complexity. 

PMID- 27282026
TI  - Behavioral Genetic Toolkits: Toward the Evolutionary Origins of Complex
      Phenotypes.
AB  - The discovery of toolkit genes, which are highly conserved genes that
      consistently regulate the development of similar morphological phenotypes across
      diverse species, is one of the most well-known observations in the field of
      evolutionary developmental biology. Surprisingly, this phenomenon is also
      relevant for a wide array of behavioral phenotypes, despite the fact that these
      phenotypes are highly complex and regulated by many genes operating in diverse
      tissues. In this chapter, we review the use of the toolkit concept in the context
      of behavior, noting the challenges of comparing behaviors and genes across
      diverse species, but emphasizing the successes in identifying genetic toolkits
      for behavior; these successes are largely attributable to the creative research
      approaches fueled by advances in behavioral genomics. We have two general goals:
      (1) to acknowledge the groundbreaking progress in this field, which offers new
      approaches to the difficult but exciting challenge of understanding the
      evolutionary genetic basis of behaviors, some of the most complex phenotypes
      known, and (2) to provide a theoretical framework that encompasses the scope of
      behavioral genetic toolkit studies in order to clearly articulate the research
      questions relevant to the toolkit concept. We emphasize areas for growth and
      highlight the emerging approaches that are being used to drive the field forward.
      Behavioral genetic toolkit research has elevated the use of integrative and
      comparative approaches in the study of behavior, with potentially broad
      implications for evolutionary biologists and behavioral ecologists alike. 

PMID- 27282027
TI  - Identifying Coopted Networks and Causative Mutations in the Origin of Novel
      Complex Traits.
AB  - One of the central goals of the field of evo-devo is to understand how novel
      complex traits originate. Novel complex traits are often old, and this makes
      understanding the genetic basis of their origin difficult. The traditional
      genetics approach for identifying the causative mutations for trait origin, of
      crossing species with and without the trait, is often impossible when the species
      are too distantly related. Alternatively, if the species are closely related, the
      genetic basis of their differences is often the recent loss, rather than the
      gain, of the trait in one of them, and mutations resulting in trait loss are not
      always equivalent to those that led to trait gain. Here, we reexamine an evo-devo
      study of the origin of melanic spots in the wings of flies, which is presented in
      more than one mainstream undergraduate textbook on Evolution, as an example of
      molecular evolution leading to the origin of a novel trait. We put forth an
      alternative to the previously proposed scenario and, in our view, a more likely
      evolutionary framework that explains the data, the CRE-DDC model, and then review
      other case studies and avenues of research that should help identify where new
      complex traits come from, as well as the actual causative mutations underlying
      their origin. 

PMID- 27282028
TI  - Looking Beyond the Genes: The Interplay Between Signaling Pathways and Mechanics
      in the Shaping and Diversification of Epithelial Tissues.
AB  - The core of Evo-Devo lies in the intuition that the way tissues grow during
      embryonic development, the way they sustain their structure and function
      throughout lifetime, and the way they evolve are closely linked. Epithelial
      tissues are ubiquitous in metazoans, covering the gut and internal branched
      organs, as well as the skin and its derivatives (ie, teeth). Here, we discuss in
      vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies on epithelial tissues to illustrate the
      conserved, dynamical, and complex aspects of their development. We then explore
      the implications of the dynamical and nonlinear nature of development on the
      evolution of their size and shape at the phenotypic and genetic levels. In rare
      cases, when the interplay between signaling and mechanics is well understood at
      the cell level, it is becoming clear that the structure of development leads to
      covariation of characters, an integration which in turn provides some predictable
      structure to evolutionary changes. We suggest that such nonlinear systems are
      prone to genetic drift, cryptic genetic variation, and context-dependent
      mutational effects. We argue that experimental and theoretical studies at the
      cell level are critical to our understanding of the phenotypic and genetic
      evolution of epithelial tissues, including carcinomas. 

PMID- 27282029
TI  - Phenotypic Evolution With and Beyond Genome Evolution.
AB  - DNA does not make phenotypes on its own. In this volume entitled "Genes and
      Phenotypic Evolution," the present review draws the attention on the process of
      phenotype construction-including development of multicellular organisms-and the
      multiple interactions and feedbacks between DNA, organism, and environment at
      various levels and timescales in the evolutionary process. First, during the
      construction of an individual's phenotype, DNA is recruited as a template for
      building blocks within the cellular context and may in addition be involved in
      dynamical feedback loops that depend on the environmental and organismal context.
      Second, in the production of phenotypic variation among individuals, stochastic,
      environmental, genetic, and parental sources of variation act jointly. While in
      controlled laboratory settings, various genetic and environmental factors can be
      tested one at a time or in various combinations, they cannot be separated in
      natural populations because the environment is not controlled and the genotype
      can rarely be replicated. Third, along generations, genotype and environment each
      have specific properties concerning the origin of their variation, the hereditary
      transmission of this variation, and the evolutionary feedbacks. Natural selection
      acts as a feedback from phenotype and environment to genotype. This review
      integrates recent results and concrete examples that illustrate these three
      points. Although some themes are shared with recent calls and claims to a new
      conceptual framework in evolutionary biology, the viewpoint presented here only
      means to add flesh to the standard evolutionary synthesis. 

PMID- 27282031
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 27282030
TI  - Human Phenotypic Diversity: An Evolutionary Perspective.
AB  - As humans migrated across the world, they encountered new environments requiring
      them to adapt to new challenges that presented themselves. The distribution of
      human phenotypes observed today is the result of this continuous adaptation, via
      biological/physiological and cultural means, and also by the modification of
      cultural practices, which leads to biological changes. In this chapter, we
      examine a number of adaptive traits and the roles played by their genetic and
      environmental determinants. We have selected a few traits used for human
      identification purposes (externally visible characteristics), associated with
      human metabolism and linked to a shift in subsistence method and food
      consumption. We discuss the evolutionary processes that have affected the
      temporal and spatial distribution of these traits, including natural, sexual, and
      cultural selection. 

PMID- 27282032
TI  - Human Biology of the Amazon.

PMID- 27282074
TI  - High wholegrain barley beta-glucan lowers food intake but does not alter small
      intestinal macronutrient digestibility in ileorectostomised rats.
AB  - Using barley cultivars differing widely in beta-glucan content, we aimed to
      determine their effects on small intestinal macronutrient digestion in 24
      ileorectostomised rats. The rats were fed 1 of 4 experimental diets, each
      containing a different barley variety, for 11 d. The diets had a content of 0,
      2.1, 2.6 and 4.3 g of beta-glucan/100 g. Feed intake and faecal excretion of fat,
      protein, starch, and non-starch polysaccharides were determined in the final 5 d
      of the study and apparent macronutrient digestibility calculated. Higher dietary
      levels of beta-glucan (2.6% and 4.3%) lowered feed intake (by 15 and 19%,
      respectively) but final body weight was only lowered by the 4.3% beta-glucan diet
      relative to rats fed the 0% beta-glucan diet (all ps < 0.05). Protein, lipid and
      starch digestibility was unrelated to the dietary beta-glucan content. Higher
      dietary levels of barley beta-glucan lower feed intake of ileorectostomised rats,
      which is independent of intestinal fermentation and unrelated to macronutrient
      digestibility. 

PMID- 27282076
TI  - Bibliometric analysis of scientific literature on intestinal parasites in
      Argentina during the period 1985-2014.
AB  - The study of scientific production is a good indicator of the progress in
      research and knowledge generation. Bibliometrics is a scientific discipline that
      uses a set of indicators to quantitatively express the bibliographic
      characteristics of scientific publications. The scientific literature on the
      epidemiology of intestinal parasites in Argentina is scattered in numerous
      sources, hindering access and visibility to the scientific community. Our purpose
      was to perform a quantitative, bibliometric study of the scientific literature on
      intestinal parasites in humans in Argentina published in the period 1985-2014.
      This bibliometric analysis showed an increase in the number of articles on
      intestinal parasites in humans in Argentina published over the past 30 years.
      Those articles showed a collaboration index similar to that of the literature,
      with a high index of institutionality for national institutions and a very low
      one for international collaboration. The original articles were published in
      scientific journals in the American Continent, Europe and Asia. The use of
      bibliometric indicators can provide a solid tool for the diagnosis and survey of
      the research on epidemiology of intestinal parasites and contributes to the
      dissemination and visibility of information on the scientific production
      developed in Argentina. 

PMID- 27282077
TI  - Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP): A New Approach
      for Children with Cerebral Palsy.
AB  - AIMS: The results of a small single-case study series suggested that Cognitive
      Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) may be a successful
      approach for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Therefore a pilot randomized
      controlled trial was conducted with the following research questions-is CO-OP a
      feasible approach to use with children with CP, what are the effects of CO-OP
      when compared to usual practice, and is a larger study warranted? METHODS: 18
      children between age 7 and 12 (nine in CO-OP group and nine in Current Usual
      Practice Approach (CUPA) group) received ten 1-hour sessions of intervention on
      average once per week at home. Primary outcome measures were the Canadian
      Occupational Performance Measure and the Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS).
      PQRS assessors were blind to group allocation and timing of assessment. RESULTS:
      All children in the CO-OP group were able to learn the strategies and achieve
      their chosen goals, thus demonstrating the feasibility of the approach. Both
      approaches equally promoted skill acquisition and skill maintenance at follow-up.
      Effect sizes suggest that CO-OP may show some advantage for transfer and
      maintenance. CONCLUSION: Based on these initial findings, further research is
      warranted.

PMID- 27282075
TI  - RNA sequencing of pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumors yields novel expression
      patterns associated with long-term survival and reveals a role for ANGPTL4.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients have low survival rates due to
      late-stage diagnosis and high rates of cancer recurrence even after surgical
      resection. It is important to understand the molecular characteristics associated
      with survival differences in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumors that may inform
      patient care. RESULTS: RNA sequencing was performed for 51 patient tumor tissues
      extracted from patients undergoing surgical resection, and expression was
      associated with overall survival time from diagnosis. Our analysis uncovered 323
      transcripts whose expression correlates with survival time in our pancreatic
      patient cohort. This genomic signature was validated in an independent RNA-seq
      dataset of 68 additional patients from the International Cancer Genome
      Consortium. We demonstrate that this transcriptional profile is largely
      independent of markers of cellular division and present a 19-transcript
      predictive model built from a subset of the 323 transcripts that can distinguish
      patients with differing survival times across both the training and validation
      patient cohorts. We present evidence that a subset of the survival-associated
      transcripts is associated with resistance to gemcitabine treatment in vitro, and
      reveal that reduced expression of one of the survival-associated transcripts,
      Angiopoietin-like 4, impairs growth of a gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer
      cell line. CONCLUSIONS: Gene expression patterns in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
      tumors can distinguish patients with differing survival outcomes after undergoing
      surgical resection, and the survival difference could be associated with the
      intrinsic gemcitabine sensitivity of primary patient tumors. Thus, these
      transcriptional differences may impact patient care by distinguishing patients
      who would benefit from a non-gemcitabine based therapy.

PMID- 27282078
TI  - Comparative value of blood and skin samples for diagnosis of spotted fever group
      rickettsial infection in model animals.
AB  - The definitive diagnosis of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses in humans is
      challenging due to the retrospective nature and cross reactivity of the
      serological methods and the absence of reliable and consistent samples for
      molecular diagnostics. Existing data indicate the transient character of
      bacteremia in experimentally infected animals. The ability of arthropod vectors
      to acquire rickettsial infection from the laboratory animals in the absence of
      systemic infection and known tropism of rickettsial agents to endothelial cells
      of peripheral blood vessels underline the importance of local infection and
      consequently the diagnostic potential of skin samples. In order to evaluate the
      diagnostic sensitivity of rickettsial DNA detection in blood and skin samples, we
      compared results of PCR testing in parallel samples collected from model
      laboratory animals infected with Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri and
      Rickettsia slovaca-like agent at different time points after infection. Skin
      samples were collected from ears - away from the site of tick placement and
      without eschars. Overall, testing of skin samples resulted in a higher proportion
      of positive results than testing of blood samples. Presented data from model
      animals demonstrates that testing of skin samples from sites of rickettsial
      proliferation can provide definitive molecular diagnosis of up to 60-70% of tick
      borne SFG rickettsial infections during the acute stage of illness. Detection of
      pathogen DNA in cutaneous samples is a valuable alternative to blood-PCR at least
      in model animals.

PMID- 27282079
TI  - How to Avoid Stereotypes? Evaluation of a Strategy based on Self-Regulatory
      Processes.
AB  - Based on research on the motivational processes involved in preventing and
      controlling stereotypes, we aimed to assess whether temporary activation of
      egalitarian goals - by means of a task that gives respondents exposure to a text
      on gender inequality - can prevent stereotyped answers on the task. The task asks
      participants to place women and men into a hierarchical organizational structure.
      Two specific objectives were established: first, to control the effect of
      prejudice and egalitarian commitment on the dependent variable; and second, to
      study gender differences in task responses. The study included 474 college
      students, 153 men and 321 women. Their mean age was 20.04 (SD = 4.43). ANCOVA
      indicated main effects of condition, F(1) = 4.15, p = .042, eta2 = .081 (control
      condition without goal activation vs. experimental condition with goal
      activation) and sex, F(1) = 40.46, p < .001, eta2 = .081, on the dependent
      variable (female candidates placed in the chart). Specifically, responses from
      participants in the experimental condition avoided stereotyped answers more than
      participants in the control condition. Furthermore, women's performance on the
      task was more egalitarian than men's. Finally, there was a significant
      interaction effect of condition and type of organization, F(2) = 3.97, p = .019,
      eta2 = .017; participants assigning candidates to the feminized organization
      differed the most across conditions. 

PMID- 27282081
TI  - "Exploding" electronic cigarette: a case report.

PMID- 27282080
TI  - Osteogenic potential of murine periosteum for critical-size cranial defects.
AB  - Tissue engineering of bone has combined bespoke scaffolds and osteoinductive
      factors to maintain functional osteoprogenitor cells, and the periosteum has been
      confirmed as a satisfactory source of osteoblasts. Suitable matrices have been
      identified that support cell proliferation and differentiation, including
      demineralised bone matrix (both compatible and osteoinductive) and acellular
      human dermis. We have evaluated the osteogenic potential of an osteogenic unit,
      developed by combining periosteum, demineralised bone matrix, and acellular human
      dermis, in rodents with critical-size cranial defects. Briefly, remnants from the
      superior maxillary periosteum were used to harvest cells, which were
      characterised by flow cytometry and reverse retrotranscriptase-polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-PCR). Cells were cultured into the osteogenic unit and assessed for
      viability before being implanted into 3 rodents, These were compared with the
      control group (n=3) after three months. Histological analyses were made after
      staining with haematoxylin and eosin and Von Kossa, and immunostaining, and
      confirmed viable cells that stained for CD90, CD73, CD166, runt-related
      transcription factor, osteopontin, and collagen type I in the experimental group,
      while in the control group there was only connective tissue on the edges of the
      bone in the injury zone. We conclude that osteogenic unit constructs have the
      osteogenic and regenerative potential for use in engineering bone tissue. 

PMID- 27282082
TI  - Mandibular fractures - towards a national standard for "time to theatre" -
      national audit by the BAOMS Trauma Specialist Interest Group.
AB  - Recent studies have shown that in most patients, a delay of several days in the
      treatment of mandibular fractures is not associated with adverse outcomes, and
      this has challenged the traditional practice of recommending treatment within
      24hours. Longer hospital stays cost more and lower the patients' quality of life,
      but we know of no standard recommendation about when these patients should be
      treated. Our aim therefore was to find out how many patients had reduction and
      fixation of a fractured mandible by the end of the next working day, with a view
      to developing a national standard. We invited all oral and maxillofacial surgery
      (OMFS) units in the UK to participate in a prospective audit over two months, and
      35 agreed. Overall, 506 patients (80%) were operated on by the end of the next
      working day. The time to theatre varied from 1 hour 15minutes to 11 days, 20hours
      and 51minutes (median 22hours 7minutes). Patients admitted to units with an OMFS
      trauma list were more likely to be operated on by the next working day (p=0.011)
      as were those operated on at the weekend (p=0.019). We think that early fixation,
      return of function, and discharge, benefit patients most in terms of quality of
      life. Also, shorter hospital stays and reduced costs increase the availability of
      resources for elective operations. Setting a standard will improve our service
      and the care we deliver. 

PMID- 27282083
TI  - Search for a reliable model for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw:
      establishment of a model in pigs and description of its histomorphometric
      characteristics.
AB  - The pathogenesis of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ)
      remains unknown, and the development of a reliable experimental model would help
      to improve our understanding of it. We used 12 domestic pigs of which 6 made up
      the experimental group and were treated with zoledronate 4mg intravenously weekly
      for 5 weeks, while the control group (n=6) were given no drugs. On day 60 the
      right second maxillary and mandibular third molars were extracted. Thirty days
      later 3 animals in each group were killed; the rest were killed 90 days later.
      Histopathological specimens from the extraction sites were analysed for bone
      density, collagen architecture, density of osteons, and the amount of non
      mineralised bone. Bone density, amount of non-mineralised bone, and density of
      osteons differed significantly between the 2 groups (p<0.001 in each case), but
      the chromatic pattern dictated by the collagen architecture did not. Our results
      correspond to the observations that have been made in patients with BRONJ, which
      means that the histomorphometric conditions seen in patients can be reproduced in
      this experimental setting.

PMID- 27282084
TI  - Short-term immobilization influences use-dependent cortical plasticity and fine
      motor performance.
AB  - Short-term immobilization that reduces muscle use for 8-10h is known to influence
      cortical excitability and motor performance. However, the mechanisms through
      which this is achieved, and whether these changes can be used to modify cortical
      plasticity and motor skill learning, are not known. The purpose of this study was
      to investigate the influence of short-term immobilization on use-dependent
      cortical plasticity, motor learning and retention. Twenty-one adults were divided
      into control and immobilized groups, both of which underwent two experimental
      sessions on consecutive days. Within each session, transcranial magnetic
      stimulation (TMS) was used to assess motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes,
      short- (SICI) and long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI), and
      intracortical facilitation (ICF) before and after a grooved pegboard task. Prior
      to the second training session, the immobilized group underwent 8h of left hand
      immobilization targeting the index finger, while control subjects were allowed
      normal limb use. Immobilization produced a reduction in MEP amplitudes, but no
      change in SICI, LICI or ICF. While motor performance improved for both groups in
      each session, the level of performance was greater 24-h later in control, but not
      immobilized subjects. Furthermore, training-related MEP facilitation was greater
      after, compared with before, immobilization. These results indicate that
      immobilization can modulate use-dependent plasticity and the retention of motor
      skills. They also suggest that changes in intracortical excitability are unlikely
      to contribute to the immobilization-induced modification of cortical
      excitability.

PMID- 27282086
TI  - Distribution of PSA-NCAM in normal, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease human
      brain.
AB  - Polysialated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) is a membrane bound
      glycoprotein widely expressed during nervous system development. While commonly
      described in the neurogenic niches of the adult human brain, there is limited
      evidence of its distribution in other brain regions. PSA-NCAM is an important
      regulator of cell-cell interactions and facilitates cell migration and
      plasticity. Recent evidence suggests these functions may be altered in
      neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD).
      This study provides a detailed description of the PSA-NCAM distribution
      throughout the human brain and quantitatively compares the staining load in
      cortical regions and sub-cortical structures between the control, AD and PD
      brain. Our results provide evidence of widespread, yet specific, PSA-NCAM
      expression throughout the human brain including regions devoid of PSA-NCAM in the
      rodent brain such as the caudate nucleus (CN) and cerebellum (CB). We also
      detected a significant reduction in PSA-NCAM load in the entorhinal cortex (EC)
      of cases that was inversely correlated with hyperphosphorylated tau load. These
      results demonstrate that PSA-NCAM-mediated structural plasticity may not be
      limited to neurogenic niches and is conserved in the aged brain. We also provide
      evidence that PSA-NCAM is reduced in the EC, a region severely affected by AD
      pathology.

PMID- 27282087
TI  - Reduced response to chronic mild stress in PACAP mutant mice is associated with
      blunted FosB expression in limbic forebrain and brainstem centers.
AB  - Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been implicated in
      stress adaptation with potential relevance in mood disorder management. PACAP
      deficient (KO) mice on CD1 background were shown to have depression-like
      phenotype. Here we aimed at investigating effects of chronic variable mild stress
      (CVMS) in non-injected, vehicle and imipramine-treated KO mice vs. wildtype (WT)
      counterparts. We hypothesized reduced FosB neuronal activity in stress-related
      centers, altered activity and peptide/neurotransmitter content of corticotropin
      releasing factor (CRF) cells of the oval (ovBST) bed nucleus of stria terminalis
      (BST), urocortin 1 (Ucn1) neurons of centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal
      nucleus (cpEW) and serotonin (5HT) cells of dorsal raphe (DR) in PACAP
      deficiency. CVMS caused decreased body weight and increased adrenal size,
      corticosterone (CORT) titers and depression-like behavior in WT mice, in contrast
      to KO animals. CVMS increased FosB in the central (CeA) and medial amygdala,
      dorsomedial (dmBST), ventral (vBST), ovBST, CA1 area, dentate gyrus (DG), ventral
      lateral septum, parvo- (pPVN) and magnocellular paraventricular nucleus, lateral
      periaqueductal gray, cpEW and DR. Lack of PACAP blunted the CVMS-induced FosB
      rise in the CeA, ovBST, dmBST, vBST, CA1 area, pPVN and DR. The CVMS-induced FosB
      expression in ovBST-CRF and cpEW-Ucn1 neurons was abolished in KO mice. Although
      CVMS did not induce FosB in 5HT-DR neurons, PACAP KO mice had increased 5HT cell
      counts and 5HT content. We conclude that PACAP deficiency affects neuronal
      reactivity in a brain area-specific manner in stress centers, as well as in ovBST
      CRF, cpEW-Ucn1 and 5HT-DR neurons leading to reduced CVMS response and altered
      depression level.

PMID- 27282085
TI  - The neural underpinnings of cognitive flexibility and their disruption in
      psychotic illness.
AB  - Schizophrenia (SZ) has long been associated with a variety of cognitive deficits,
      including reduced cognitive flexibility. More recent findings, however, point to
      tremendous inter-individual variability among patients on measures of cognitive
      flexibility/set-shifting. With an eye toward shedding light on potential sources
      of variability in set-shifting abilities among SZ patients, I examine the neural
      substrates of underlying probabilistic reversal learning (PRL) - a paradigmatic
      measure of cognitive flexibility - as well as neuromodulatory influences upon
      these systems. Finally, I report on behavioral and neuroimaging studies of PRL in
      SZ patients, discussing the potentially influences of illness profile and
      antipsychotic medications on cognitive flexibility in SZ.

PMID- 27282088
TI  - Lipid-Based Therapy for Ocular Surface Inflammation and Disease.

PMID- 27282089
TI  - Modelling Adaptive Learning Behaviours for Consensus Formation in Human
      Societies.
AB  - Learning is an important capability of humans and plays a vital role in human
      society for forming beliefs and opinions. In this paper, we investigate how
      learning affects the dynamics of opinion formation in social networks. A novel
      learning model is proposed, in which agents can dynamically adapt their learning
      behaviours in order to facilitate the formation of consensus among them, and thus
      establish a consistent social norm in the whole population more efficiently. In
      the model, agents adapt their opinions through trail-and-error interactions with
      others. By exploiting historical interaction experience, a guiding opinion, which
      is considered to be the most successful opinion in the neighbourhood, can be
      generated based on the principle of evolutionary game theory. Then, depending on
      the consistency between its own opinion and the guiding opinion, a focal agent
      can realize whether its opinion complies with the social norm (i.e., the majority
      opinion that has been adopted) in the population, and adapt its behaviours
      accordingly. The highlight of the model lies in that it captures the essential
      features of people's adaptive learning behaviours during the evolution and
      formation of opinions. Experimental results show that the proposed model can
      facilitate the formation of consensus among agents, and some critical factors
      such as size of opinion space and network topology can have significant
      influences on opinion dynamics.

PMID- 27282090
TI  - Current role for spa therapy in rheumatology.

PMID- 27282091
TI  - Current role for bone absorptiometry.
AB  - Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
      (DXA) is a key contributor to the management of bone fragility syndromes, most
      notably postmenopausal osteoporosis. Experimental studies of bone biomechanics
      have established that an accurate marker for mechanical strength is areal BMD
      (aBMD, g/cm2). Areal BMD contributes 70% of mechanical strength at the femur and
      40% at the spine. Two decades after the T-score was first introduced (World
      Health Organization, 1994), changes have occurred in the indications of DXA and
      in the interpretation of its results for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment
      of osteoporosis.

PMID- 27282092
TI  - Sleeping difficulties and health-related quality of life in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Various sleep-related symptoms occur in Parkinson's disease (PD).
      Their occurrence with health-related quality of life (HRQL), comorbid sleep
      disorders, and other comorbidities was studied. METHODS: Altogether, 1447
      randomly selected patients with Parkinson's disease, aged 43-89 years,
      participated in a questionnaire study. A structured questionnaire with 207 items
      was based on the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire. Questions on demographics, PD,
      sleep disorders, and comorbidities were included. RESULTS: The response rate was
      59.0%, and of these, 80% had answered to all questions that were used in the
      analyses (N=684). Occurrence of long sleep was found in 26.2% of the subjects,
      short sleep in 32.5%, poor sleep in 21.2%, sleep deprivation in 33.8%, disrupted
      sleep in 47.4%, and difficulties to fall asleep in 12.2%, respectively. Poor self
      rated health and poor quality of life occurred in 44.4% and in 43.3% of all
      participants. In the logistic regression, age and gender differentially predicted
      long sleep and sleep deprivation, such that older age and being male were
      positively associated with long sleep but negatively associated with the report
      of sleep deprivation. Depression, subjective negative stress, and fatigue
      occurred with long sleep. On the other hand, poor sleep and excessive daytime
      sleepiness occurred with short sleep and sleep deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: The
      sleep difficulties in PD are frequent. The long sleeping patients have
      depression, stress, and fatigue.

PMID- 27282093
TI  - Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy improves tendon-to-bone healing in a rat
      rotator cuff repair model.
AB  - Rotator cuff tears are common musculoskeletal injuries often requiring surgical
      intervention with high failure rates. Currently, pulsed electromagnetic fields
      (PEMFs) are used for treatment of long-bone fracture and lumbar and cervical
      spine fusion surgery. Clinical studies examining the effects of PEMF on soft
      tissue healing show promising results. Therefore, we investigated the role of
      PEMF on rotator cuff healing using a rat rotator cuff repair model. We
      hypothesized that PEMF exposure following rotator cuff repair would improve
      tendon mechanical properties, tissue morphology, and alter in vivo joint
      function. Seventy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three groups:
      bilateral repair with PEMF (n = 30), bilateral repair followed by cage activity
      (n = 30), and uninjured control with cage activity (n = 10). Rats in the surgical
      groups were sacrificed at 4, 8, and 16 weeks. Control group was sacrificed at 8
      weeks. Passive joint mechanics and gait analysis were assessed over time.
      Biomechanical analysis and MUCT was performed on left shoulders; histological
      analysis on right shoulders. Results indicate no differences in passive joint
      mechanics and ambulation. At 4 weeks the PEMF group had decreased cross-sectional
      area and increased modulus and maximum stress. At 8 weeks the PEMF group had
      increased modulus and more rounded cells in the midsubstance. At 16 weeks the
      PEMF group had improved bone quality. Therefore, results indicate that PEMF
      improves early tendon healing and does not alter joint function in a rat rotator
      cuff repair model. (c) 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:902-909, 2017.

PMID- 27282094
TI  - Current knowledge of sand fly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) of northwestern Yemen
      and how it relates to leishmaniasis transmission.
AB  - This report presents the results of the first entomological survey of the sand
      fly fauna in northwestern Yemen. Sand flies were collected using sticky paper
      traps and CDC light traps from Hajjah governorate, a cutaneous leishmaniasis
      focus due to Leishmania tropica. Six Phlebotomus species: P. alexandri, P.
      arabicus. P. bergeroti, P. orientalis, P. papatasi, P. sergenti and ten
      Sergentomyia species: S. africana, S. antennata, S. christophersi, S. dolichopa,
      S. dreyfussi, S. fallax, S. multidens, S. taizi, S. tiberiadis, S. yusafi were
      identified. P. alexandri was the most predominant Phlebotomus species and P.
      papatasi was a scarce species. S. fallax was the principal Sergentomyia species
      and S. dolichopa was the least species encountered. The diversity of the sand fly
      fauna within and among three altitudinal ranges using Simpson index and Jaccard's
      diversity coefficient respectively were measured. High species diversity was
      found in all altitude ranges. There seemed to be more association between sand
      fly fauna in higher altitudes with fauna from moderate altitudes. Sand fly
      seasonal activity showed a mono-modal trend in the lowland and a confluent
      bimodal trend in the highlands. Leishmania DNA could not be detected from 150
      Phlebotomus females using PCR-RFLP. A possible zoonotic cutaneous transmission
      cycle due to Leishmania tropica in northwestern Yemen would involve P. arabicus
      as the sand fly vector and the rock hyrax as the reservoir host. The vector
      competence for P. alexandri as a vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Hajjah
      governorate is discussed. 

PMID- 27282095
TI  - Molecular and serological characterization of the first Leptospira santarosai
      strain isolated from a dog.
AB  - Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance caused by pathogenic
      Leptospira species. Dogs can become asymptomatically infected, acting like
      reservoir hosts for pathogenic Leptospira, notably Leptospira interrogans serovar
      Canicola. Identification of such individuals and characterization of leptospires
      involved in chronic infections may unravel the role of dogs in the epidemiology
      of particular leptospiral strains. The aim of the present work was to describe
      the first Leptospira santarosai strain isolated from a dog. The dog was kept in a
      public shelter in Sao Paulo city, Brazil, and presented asymptomatic urinary
      shedding detected by PCR. Prospective evaluation was performed to fully
      characterize its chronic carrier state. The dog did not present anti-Leptospira
      titles or clinical/laboratorial abnormalities during the evaluations;
      nevertheless long-term urinary shedding was confirmed by PCR and leptospires were
      recovered from two occasions. The isolated strain was molecularly characterized
      by partial 16S rRNA and secY gene sequencing and MLST analysis. Serogroup
      identification was performed using polyclonal antibodies. The strain was
      identified as Leptospira santarosai, serogroup Sejroe. This is the first evidence
      in the literature of the isolation of L. santarosai in dogs. Our findings show
      that dogs can persistently harbor leptospires other than L. interrogans. 

PMID- 27282097
TI  - Morphology and identification of first instar larvae of Australian blowflies of
      the genus Chrysomya of forensic importance.
AB  - Light microscopy photographs, line illustrations and scanning electron microscopy
      micrographs are provided for first instar larvae of six Australian species of
      Chrysomya. All species have confirmed or potential in forensic investigations
      given their carrion-breeding habits. Morphology of the first instar larvae of Ch.
      nigripes, Ch. rufifacies, Ch. saffranea and Ch. varipes is revised, while larvae
      of Ch. incisularis and Ch. latifrons are described for the first time. The
      following morphological structures are documented: pseudocephalon, antennal
      complex, maxillary palpus, facial mask, thoracic and abdominal spinulation,
      spiracular field, posterior spiracles and cephaloskeleton. New diagnostic
      features of the cephaloskeleton and the spinulation of the abdominal segments are
      described. Verification of earlier descriptions revealed major discrepancies
      between published data, especially in the case of Ch. nigripes. The present
      results allow clarification, correction and, especially, complementation of the
      existing information provided by numerous authors. Finally, an identification key
      for first instar larvae of Australian necrophagous Chrysomya is presented. 

PMID- 27282096
TI  - Evidence for natural vertical transmission of chikungunya viruses in field
      populations of Aedes aegypti in Delhi and Haryana states in India-a preliminary
      report.
AB  - Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are principal vectors for the transmission of
      chikungunya virus (CHIKV). India is a hub for both dengue and chikungunya
      infections and there are several reports of co-infection of dengue and
      chikungunya virus in the clinical scenario. The present pilot entomological
      survey was conducted to evaluate vertical transmission of CHIKV in Aedes field
      populations. Aedes immature (larvae and pupae) collection was done in 2012, over
      a period of six months from selected sites in Delhi and Haryana, India. The
      immatures collected were reared for adult emergence and species identification
      was done. A. aegypti male and female mosquitoes were separated and pooled
      collection spot-wise, RNA extracted and RT PCR performed to test for the presence
      of CHIKV in the pools. Container index (CI) and minimum infection rate (MIR) were
      estimated. From study areas that tested positive for CHIKV, adult collections
      were made and females upon feeding on uninfected blood in laboratory were allowed
      to lay eggs. The progeny that emerged from these field-collected mothers were
      tested for CHIKV presence. Our pilot survey showed the existence of A. aegypti
      population even during peak summer season in a few foci which eventually helped
      the mosquitoes to tide over adverse environmental conditions and with the start
      of rainfall, the population exploded within a short period of time. Immatures
      collected from field and progeny of adults collected from the field were CHIKV
      positive demonstrating the presence of vertical transmission of chikungunya virus
      in field population of A. aegypti. The present study further demonstrates the
      importance of identifying permanent breeding sites for proper Aedes species
      control. 

PMID- 27282098
TI  - Genetics, cross-resistance and synergism of indoxacarb resistance in Helicoverpa
      armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera is a global pest of field
      and horticultural crops and has developed resistance to insecticides from many
      chemical classes. Indoxacarb is an important option for selective control of H.
      armigera in a range of crops that play host to this species. A strain of H.
      armigera resistant to indoxacarb (designated GY7-39) was detected from the field
      by F2 screening and characterised by comparison with a near-isogenic indoxacarb
      susceptible laboratory strain to determine inheritance, cross-resistance profile
      and synergism of indoxacarb resistance. RESULTS: The level of indoxacarb
      resistance in the GY7-39 strain was 139-198-fold compared with the susceptible
      strain. Genetic analysis showed that resistance was autosomal, incompletely
      dominant and conferred by one or a few closely linked loci. Indoxacarb resistance
      in the GY7-39 strain did not confer cross-resistance to chlorantraniliprole. The
      GY7-39 strain was more susceptible to emamectin benzoate, fenvalerate, Cry1Ac and
      Cry2Ab compared with the susceptible strain. Indoxacarb resistance was synergised
      by the metabolic inhibitor PBO. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid selection of indoxacarb
      resistance in the GY7-39 strain indicates the potential risk of resistance
      development to indoxacarb in field populations of H. armigera. Lack of cross
      resistance indicates that resistance could be managed effectively by the use of
      rotational strategies that incorporate transgenic technologies. Synergism studies
      indicate the potential involvement of metabolic detoxification enzymes as the
      mechanism of resistance to indoxacarb. (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27282099
TI  - Higher visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio is associated with small intestinal
      bacterial overgrowth.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is a lack of studies evaluating the association
      between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and abdominal fat. The aim
      of this study was to evaluate whether visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat
      area (SFA) or visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio (VFA/SFA ratio) were associated
      with SIBO. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this case-control study, 152 eligible patients
      submitted to glucose hydrogen/methane breath test who also had computed
      tomography (CT) of the abdomen performed were included. Clinical and demographic
      information was obtained. VFA and SFA were measured using Image J software at
      lumbar 3 level on CT cross-sectional image of the 152 patients included in this
      study, 68 patients (44.7%) tested positive for SIBO. In the univariate analysis,
      the presence of SIBO was associated with older age (65.2 +/- 1.5 vs. 59.3 +/-
      1.5, p = 0.007); type 2 diabetes mellitus (33.8% vs. 17.9%; p = 0.019);
      hypertension (63.2% vs. 39.3%; p = 0.003); metabolic syndrome (85.3% vs. 64.3%; p
      = 0.003); and higher VFA/SFA ratio (1.0 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.1; p < 0.001). In
      multivariate analysis, metabolic syndrome (odds ratio [OR]: 2.5; 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: 1.1-5.7; p = 0.035) and higher VFA/SFA ratio (OR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.6
      7.2; p = 0.002) remained independently associated with SIBO. CONCLUSION: The
      presence of SIBO was found to be associated with high VFA/SFA ratio measured from
      cross-sectional CT image.

PMID- 27282100
TI  - Monitoring of multiple bacteriocins through a developed dual extraction protocol
      and comparison of HPLC-DAD with turbidometry as their quantification system.
AB  - The present study describes the development of a simple and efficient screening
      system that allows identification and quantification of nine bacteriocins
      produced by Lactococcus lactis. Cell-free L. lactis extracts presented a broad
      spectrum of antibacterial activity, including Gram-negative bacteria, Gram
      positive bacteria, and fungi. The characterization of their sensitivity to pH,
      and heat, showed that the extracts retained their antibacterial activity at
      extreme pH values and in a wide temperature range. The loss of antibacterial
      activity following treatment of the extracts with lipase or protease suggests a
      lipoproteinaceous nature of the produced antimicrobials. The extracts were
      subjected to a purification protocol that employs a two phase extraction using
      ammonium sulfate precipitation and organic solvent precipitation, followed by ion
      exchange chromatography, solid phase extraction and HPLC. In the nine fractions
      that presented antimicrobial activity, bacteriocins were quantified by the
      turbidometric method using a standard curve of nisin and by the HPLC method with
      nisin as the external standard, with both methods producing comparable results.
      Turbidometry appears to be unique in the qualitative determination of
      bacteriocins but the only method suitable to both separate and quantify the
      bacteriocins providing increased sensitivity, accuracy, and precision is HPLC.

PMID- 27282101
TI  - Evaluation of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing using two next-generation sequencing
      technologies for phylogenetic analysis of the rumen bacterial community in
      steers.
AB  - Next generation sequencing technologies have vastly changed the approach of
      sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for studies in microbial ecology. Three distinct
      technologies are available for large-scale 16S sequencing. All three are subject
      to biases introduced by sequencing error rates, amplification primer selection,
      and read length, which can affect the apparent microbial community. In this
      study, we compared short read 16S rRNA variable regions, V1-V3, with that of near
      full length 16S regions, V1-V8, using highly diverse steer rumen microbial
      communities, in order to examine the impact of technology selection on
      phylogenetic profiles. Short paired-end reads from the Illumina MiSeq platform
      were used to generate V1-V3 sequence, while long "circular consensus" reads from
      the Pacific Biosciences RSII instrument were used to generate V1-V8 data. The two
      platforms revealed similar microbial operational taxonomic units (OTUs), as well
      as similar species richness, Good's coverage, and Shannon diversity metrics.
      However, the V1-V8 amplified ruminal community resulted in significant increases
      in several orders of taxa, such as phyla Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia (P <
      0.05). Taxonomic classification accuracy was also greater in the near full-length
      read. UniFrac distance matrices using jackknifed UPGMA clustering also noted
      differences between the communities. These data support the consensus that longer
      reads result in a finer phylogenetic resolution that may not be achieved by
      shorter 16S rRNA gene fragments. Our work on the cattle rumen bacterial community
      demonstrates that utilizing near full-length 16S reads may be useful in
      conducting a more thorough study, or for developing a niche-specific database to
      use in analyzing data from shorter read technologies when budgetary constraints
      preclude use of near-full length 16S sequencing.

PMID- 27282103
TI  - Corrigendum: Interaction between V-ATPase B2 and (Pro) renin Receptors in
      Promoting the progression of Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis.

PMID- 27282102
TI  - Spectral properties of bacteriophytochrome AM1_5894 in the chlorophyll d
      containing cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina.
AB  - Acaryochloris marina, a unicellular oxygenic photosynthetic cyanobacterium, has
      uniquely adapted to far-red light-enriched environments using red-shifted
      chlorophyll d. To understand red-light use in Acaryochloris, the genome of this
      cyanobacterium was searched for red/far-red light photoreceptors from the
      phytochrome family, resulting in identification of a putative bacteriophytochrome
      AM1_5894. AM1_5894 contains three standard domains of photosensory components as
      well as a putative C-terminal signal transduction component consisting of a
      histidine kinase and receiver domain. The photosensory domains of AM1_5894
      autocatalytically assemble with biliverdin in a covalent fashion. This assembled
      AM1_5894 shows the typical photoreversible conversion of bacterial phytochromes
      with a ground-state red-light absorbing (Pr) form with lambdaBV max[Pr] 705 nm,
      and a red-light inducible far-red light absorbing (Pfr) form with lambdaBV
      max[Pfr] 758 nm. Surprisingly, AM1_5894 also autocatalytically assembles with
      phycocyanobilin, involving photoreversible conversion of lambdaPCB max[Pr] 682 nm
      and lambdaPCB max[Pfr] 734 nm, respectively. Our results suggest phycocyanobilin
      is also covalently bound to AM1_5894, while mutation of a cysteine residue
      (Cys11Ser) abolishes this covalent binding. The physiological function of
      AM1_5894 in cyanobacteria containing red-shifted chlorophylls is discussed.

PMID- 27282104
TI  - New Insights into the Biology of the BDNF Transcriptional 'Code'.

PMID- 27282105
TI  - Atomoxetine Enhances Connectivity of Prefrontal Networks in Parkinson's Disease.

PMID- 27282106
TI  - RBP2 induces stem-like cancer cells by promoting EMT and is a prognostic marker
      for renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), one of the most common kidney cancers, has a poor
      prognosis. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a hallmark of carcinoma
      invasion and metastasis. Several studies have examined the molecular regulation
      of EMT, but the relationship between histone demethylases and EMT is little
      understood. In this study, we investigated the role of retinoblastoma-binding
      protein-2 (RBP2), a histone demethylase that is highly expressed in RCC and is
      positively correlated with poor RCC prognosis in the regulation of EMT. We found
      that ectopic overexpression of RBP2 can induce cancer stem cell-like (CSC)
      phenotypes through EMT in RCC cells by converting them to a more mesenchymal
      phenotype. This results in increased resistance to apoptosis, which leads to
      enhanced tumor growth in xenograft models. Together, our data show that RBP2 is
      an epigenetic regulator that has an important role in the initiation of CSC
      phenotypes through EMT, leading to tumor progression. RBP2 is also a novel
      biomolecule for RCC diagnosis, and prognosis and may be a therapeutic target.

PMID- 27282108
TI  - Comparison of deep neural networks to spatio-temporal cortical dynamics of human
      visual object recognition reveals hierarchical correspondence.
AB  - The complex multi-stage architecture of cortical visual pathways provides the
      neural basis for efficient visual object recognition in humans. However, the
      stage-wise computations therein remain poorly understood. Here, we compared
      temporal (magnetoencephalography) and spatial (functional MRI) visual brain
      representations with representations in an artificial deep neural network (DNN)
      tuned to the statistics of real-world visual recognition. We showed that the DNN
      captured the stages of human visual processing in both time and space from early
      visual areas towards the dorsal and ventral streams. Further investigation of
      crucial DNN parameters revealed that while model architecture was important,
      training on real-world categorization was necessary to enforce spatio-temporal
      hierarchical relationships with the brain. Together our results provide an
      algorithmically informed view on the spatio-temporal dynamics of visual object
      recognition in the human visual brain.

PMID- 27282109
TI  - Trends analyses of 30 years of ambient 8 hour ozone and precursor monitoring data
      in the South Central U.S.: progress and challenges.
AB  - In the last 30 years ambient ozone concentrations have notably decreased in the
      South Central U.S. Yet, current ambient ozone concentrations measured over the
      past three years 2013-2015 in this area of the U.S. are not meeting the U.S. 2015
      8 hour ozone standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb). This paper provides an
      update on long-term trends analyses of ambient 8 hour ozone and ozone precursor
      monitoring data collected over the past 30 years (1986-2015) in four South
      Central U.S. cities, following up on two previously published reviews of 20 and
      25 year trends for these cities. All four cities have benefitted from national
      ozone precursor controls put in place during the 1990s and 2000s involving
      cleaner vehicles (vehicle fleet turnover/replacement over time), cleaner fuels,
      cleaner gasoline and diesel engines, and improved inspection/maintenance programs
      for existing vehicles. Additional ozone precursor emission controls specific to
      each city are detailed in this paper. The controls have resulted in impressive
      ambient ozone and ambient ozone precursor concentration reductions in the four
      South Central U.S. cities over the past 30 years, including 31-70% ambient
      nitrogen oxides (NOx) concentration declines from historical peaks to the
      present, 43-72% volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration declines from
      historical peaks to the present, a related 45-76% VOC reactivity decline for a
      subset of VOC species from historical peaks to the present, and an 18-38 ppb
      reduction in city 8 hour ozone design value concentrations. A new challenge for
      each of the four South Central U.S. cities will be meeting the U.S. 2015 8 hour
      ozone standard of 70 ppb. 

PMID- 27282107
TI  - Somatic mutations in disorders with disrupted brain connectivity.
AB  - Mutations occur during cell division in all somatic lineages. Because
      neurogenesis persists throughout human life, somatic mutations in the brain arise
      during development and accumulate with the aging process. The human brain
      consists of 100 billion neurons that form an extraordinarily intricate network of
      connections to achieve higher level cognitive functions. Due to this network
      architecture, perturbed neuronal functions are rarely restricted to a focal area;
      instead, they are often spread via the neuronal network to affect other connected
      areas. Although somatic diversity is an evident feature of the brain, the extent
      to which somatic mutations affect the neuronal structure and function and their
      contribution to neurological disorders associated with disrupted brain
      connectivity remain largely unexplored. Notably, recent reports indicate that
      brain somatic mutations can indeed play a critical role that leads to the
      structural and functional abnormalities of the brain observed in several
      neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, I review the extent and significance of brain
      somatic mutations and provide my perspective regarding these mutations as
      potential molecular lesions underlying relatively common conditions with
      disrupted brain connectivity. Moreover, I discuss emerging technical platforms
      that will facilitate the detection of low-frequency somatic mutations and
      validate the biological functions of the identified mutations in the context of
      brain connectivity.

PMID- 27282110
TI  - Prospective Randomized Comparison of Knee Stability and Proprioception for
      Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Autograft, Hybrid Graft, and
      gamma-Irradiated Allograft.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate posterior stability and proprioception after arthroscopic
      posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autograft, hybrid graft, and
      gamma-irradiated allograft. METHODS: This prospective, randomized controlled
      trial (with 5 years' follow-up) included 90 patients who underwent posterior
      cruciate ligament reconstruction with autograft (gracilis and semitendinosus
      tendons), hybrid graft (gamma-irradiated tibialis anterior tendon allograft and
      semitendinosus tendon autograft), or gamma-irradiated allograft (tibialis
      anterior tendons). All the gamma-irradiated allografts (tibialis anterior
      tendons) received an irradiation dose of 2.5 Mrad before distribution. Patients
      in this study had undergone a preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan and
      physical examination. Patients were excluded from the study if they had a
      concomitant injury to other knee ligaments, previous surgery on the injured knee,
      or articular cartilage lesions greater than Outerbridge grade II. Clinical and
      proprioceptive evaluation results were collected preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12,
      24, 36, and 60 months after surgery. RESULTS: The autograft, allograft, and
      hybrid graft groups were followed up for 5.5 +/- 0.2 months (range, 5 to 6
      years), 5.7 +/- 0.3 months (range, 5 to 6 years), and 5.6 +/- 0.5 months (range,
      5 to 6 years), respectively. No statistically significant differences were found
      among the 3 groups regarding preoperative demographic factors (P > .05). The
      differences in physical examination findings and subjective evaluations among the
      3 groups were not significant (P > .05). However, a significant difference was
      detected in instrumented anteroposterior measurements, with more laxity shown in
      the gamma-irradiated allograft group than in the other 2 groups (P = .006).
      CONCLUSIONS: The differences in proprioceptive and functional outcomes among the
      3 groups were not significant. In contrast, a significant difference was detected
      in instrumented anteroposterior measurements, which showed more laxity in the
      gamma-irradiated allograft group than in the other 2 groups. However, this may
      not be clinically significant. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective
      comparative study.

PMID- 27282111
TI  - The Effect of Purified Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on
      Rotator Cuff Tendon Healing in an Athymic Rat.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of purified human bone marrow-derived
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to augment healing of an acute small- to medium
      sized rotator cuff repair in a small-animal model, evaluating the structure and
      composition of the healing tendon-bone interface with histologic and
      biomechanical analyses. METHODS: Fifty-two athymic rats underwent unilateral
      detachment and transosseous repair of the supraspinatus tendon augmented with
      either fibrin glue (control group) or fibrin glue with 106 human MSCs
      (experimental group) applied at the repair site. Flow cytometry verified the stem
      cell phenotype of the cells as CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD14-, CD34-, and CD45-.
      Rats were killed at 2 and 4 weeks, with 10 from each group used for biomechanical
      testing and 3 for histologic analysis. RESULTS: Safranin O staining identified
      increased fibrocartilage formation at the repair site at 2 weeks in the human MSC
      group (18.6% +/- 2.9% vs 9.1% +/- 1.6%, P = .026). Picrosirius staining
      identified decreased energy (36.88 +/- 4.99 J vs 54.97 +/- 8.33 J, P = .04) and
      increased coherence in the human MSC group (26.96% +/- 15.32% vs 14.53% +/-
      4.10%, P = .05), indicating improved collagen orientation. Biomechanical testing
      showed a significant increase in failure load (11.5 +/- 2.4 N vs 8.5 +/- 2.4 N, P
      = .002) and stiffness (7.1 +/- 1.2 N/mm vs 5.7 +/- 2.1 N/mm, P < .001) in the
      experimental group compared with the control group at 2 weeks. These effects
      dissipated by 4 weeks, with no significant differences in fibrocartilage
      formation (35% +/- 5.0% vs 26.6% +/- 0.6%, P = .172) or biomechanical load to
      failure (24.6 +/- 7.1 N vs 21.5 +/- 4.1 N, P = .361) or stiffness (13.5 +/- 3.1
      N/mm vs 16.1 +/- 5.6 N/mm, P = .384). All failures occurred at the bone-tendon
      interface. CONCLUSIONS: Rotator cuff repair augmentation with purified human MSCs
      improved early histologic appearance and biomechanical strength of the repair at
      2 weeks, although the effects dissipated by 4 weeks with no significant
      differences between groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Human MSCs may improve early
      rotator cuff healing during the first 2 weeks after repair.

PMID- 27282112
TI  - Para-allopatry in hybridizing fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina and B.
      variegata): Inference from transcriptome-wide coalescence analyses.
AB  - Ancient origins, profound ecological divergence, and extensive hybridization make
      the fire-bellied toads Bombina bombina and B. variegata (Anura: Bombinatoridae)
      an intriguing test case of ecological speciation. Previous modeling has proposed
      that the narrow Bombina hybrid zones represent strong barriers to neutral
      introgression. We test this prediction by inferring the rate of gene exchange
      between pure populations on either side of the intensively studied Krakow
      transect. We developed a method to extract high confidence sets of orthologous
      genes from de novo transcriptome assemblies, fitted a range of divergence models
      to these data and assessed their relative support with analytic likelihood
      calculations. There was clear evidence for postdivergence gene flow, but, as
      expected, no perceptible signal of recent introgression via the nearby hybrid
      zone. The analysis of two additional Bombina taxa (B. v. scabra and B.
      orientalis) validated our parameter estimates against a larger set of prior
      expectations. Despite substantial cumulative introgression over millions of
      years, adaptive divergence of the hybridizing taxa is essentially unaffected by
      their lack of reproductive isolation. Extended distribution ranges also buffer
      them against small-scale environmental perturbations that have been shown to
      reverse the speciation process in other, more recent ecotypes.

PMID- 27282114
TI  - Outcomes of halo immobilization in the management of subaxial cervical facet
      fractures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spinal injury causes a significant burden on patients, families and
      health services. Cervical facet fractures are uncommon, and there is a paucity of
      functional and health-related quality-of-life data in patients who are managed
      non-operatively for this injury. METHODS: Victorian State Trauma Registry
      patients managed in a halothoracic brace for cervical facet injuries from August
      2006 to June 2013 were included. Health status (12-item Short-Form health
      survey), function (Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended), pain and return to work
      outcomes were assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months post-injury. Subgroup analysis was
      performed for age, sex, comorbidity, compensable status, Injury Severity Score
      (ISS) and education. RESULTS: Outcome data were available for 54 patients, with
      road trauma being the most common mechanism (69%), followed by a fall from height
      (18%). Overall, good 24-month function was achieved in 35% of patients, and 51%
      and 77% of patients reported good physical and mental health status,
      respectively. Ongoing moderate-severe neck pain was present in 19% of patients.
      Poorer function was associated with compensable status (P = 0.05), an ISS > 12 (P
      = 0.001) and a lower level of education (P = 0.04). Poorer physical health status
      was associated with age >=50 (P = 0.05), pre-existing comorbidities, an ISS > 12
      (P = 0.04) and a lower level of education (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Although many
      patients achieved good function and health status by 24 months, neck pain remains
      prevalent. A number of demographic factors were associated with a poorer outcome.
      This understanding helps to inform prognosis when managing this injury.

PMID- 27282113
TI  - New therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities for injured tissue-specific
      targeting of complement inhibitors and imaging modalities.
AB  - Despite substantial opportunity and commercial interest in developing drugs that
      modulate the complement system in a broad range of non-orphan indications,
      several obstacles remain to be overcome. Among these issues is the biophysical
      nature of complement proteins, whose circulating levels are typically very high
      and whose turnover rates are relatively rapid, especially in the setting of
      chronic inflammatory conditions. This situation necessitates the use of very high
      levels of therapeutic compounds in order to achieve both multi-pathway and
      multiple effector mechanism inhibition. In addition, one must avoid infectious
      complications or the systemic impairment of the other important physiological
      functions of complement. Herein we focus on the development of a novel
      therapeutic strategy based on injured tissue-specific targeting of complement
      inhibitors using the antigen-combining domains of a small subset of natural IgM
      antibodies, which as endogenous antibodies specifically recognize sites of local
      damage across a broad range of tissues and locally activate complement C3,
      resulting in C3 fragment covalent fixation. Because the use of such recombinant
      tissue-targeting inhibitors precludes the utility of measuring systemic levels of
      complement biomarkers or function, since a goal of this targeting strategy is to
      leave those processes intact and unimpeded, we also briefly describe a new method
      designed to quantitatively measure using imaging modalities the inhibition of
      generation of fixed C3 fragments at sites of inflammation/injury. In addition to
      the ability to determine whether complement activation is locally constrained
      with the use of inhibitors, there is also a broader application of this imaging
      approach to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases characterized by local
      complement activation.

PMID- 27282115
TI  - Barriers and Facilitation Measures Related to People With Mental Disorders When
      Using the Web: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mental disorders (MDs) affect almost 1 in 4 adults at some point
      during their lifetime, and coupled with substance use disorders are the fifth
      leading cause of disability adjusted life years worldwide. People with these
      disorders often use the Web as an informational resource, platform for convenient
      self-directed treatment, and a means for many other kinds of support. However,
      some features of the Web can potentially erect barriers for this group that limit
      their access to these benefits, and there is a lack of research looking into this
      eventuality. Therefore, it is important to identify gaps in knowledge about
      "what" barriers exist and "how" they could be addressed so that this knowledge
      can inform Web professionals who aim to ensure the Web is inclusive to this
      population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide an overview of
      existing evidence regarding the barriers people with mental disorders experience
      when using the Web and the facilitation measures used to address such barriers.
      METHODS: This study involved a systematic review of studies that have considered
      the difficulties people with mental disorders experience when using digital
      technologies. Digital technologies were included because knowledge about any
      barriers here would likely be also applicable to the Web. A synthesis was
      performed by categorizing data according to the 4 foundational principles of Web
      accessibility as proposed by the World Wide Web Consortium, which forms the
      necessary basis for anyone to gain adequate access to the Web. Facilitation
      measures recommended by studies were later summarized into a set of minimal
      recommendations. RESULTS: A total of 16 publications were included in this
      review, comprising 13 studies and 3 international guidelines. Findings suggest
      that people with mental disorders experience barriers that limit how they
      perceive, understand, and operate websites. Identified facilitation measures
      target these barriers in addition to ensuring that Web content can be reliably
      interpreted by a wide range of user applications. CONCLUSIONS: People with mental
      disorders encounter barriers on the Web, and attempts have been made to remove or
      reduce these barriers. As forewarned by experts in the area, only a few studies
      investigating this issue were found. More rigorous research is needed to be
      exhaustive and to have a larger impact on improving the Web for people with
      mental disorders.

PMID- 27282116
TI  - Molecular evaluation of vitamin D responsiveness of healthy young adults.
AB  - Vitamin D3 has via its metabolites 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) and 1alpha,25
      dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) direct effects on the transcriptome and the
      epigenome of most human cells. In the VitDbol study we exposed 35 healthy young
      adults to an oral vitamin D3 dose (2000MUg) or placebo and took blood samples
      directly before the supplementation as well as at days 1, 2 and 30. Within 24h
      the vitamin D3 intake raised the average serum levels of both 25(OH)D3 and
      1,25(OH)2D3 by approximately 20%. However, we observed large inter-individual
      differences in these serum levels, reflected by the average ratios between
      25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations ranging from 277 to 1365. Interestingly,
      average serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels increased at day 1 by some 10% but
      then decreased within the following four weeks to levels 5% below baseline. In
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that were isolated at the same time
      points we determined vitamin D-modulated chromatin accessibility by FAIRE-qPCR at
      selected genomic loci. This method is well suited to evaluate both short-term and
      long-term in vivo effects of vitamin D on the epigenome of human subjects. The
      differential vitamin D responsiveness of the VitDbol study participants was
      determined via individual changes in their PTH levels or chromatin accessibility
      in relation to alterations in 25(OH)D3 concentrations. This led to the
      segregation of the subjects into 14 high, 11 mid and 10 low responders. In
      summary, the vitamin D responsiveness classification provides additional
      information compared to a vitamin D status assessment based on single 25(OH)D3
      serum measurements. The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02063334).

PMID- 27282117
TI  - Interim methadone and patient navigation in jail: Rationale and design of a
      randomized clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methadone maintenance is an effective treatment for opioid dependence
      but is rarely initiated in US jails. Patient navigation is a promising approach
      to improve continuity of care but has not been tested in bridging the gap between
      jail- and community-based drug treatment programs. METHODS: This is an open-label
      randomized clinical trial among 300 adult opioid dependent newly-arrested
      detainees that will compare three treatment conditions: methadone maintenance
      without routine counseling (termed Interim Methadone; IM) initiated in jail v. IM
      and patient navigation v. enhanced treatment-as-usual. The two primary outcomes
      will be: (1) the rate of entry into treatment for opioid use disorder within
      30days from release and (2) frequency of opioid positive urine tests over the 12
      month follow-up period. An economic analysis will examine the costs, cost
      effectiveness, and cost-benefit ratio of the study interventions. RESULTS: We
      describe the background and rationale for the study, its aims, hypotheses, and
      study design. CONCLUSIONS: Given the large number of opioid dependent detainees
      in the US and elsewhere, initiating IM at the time of incarceration could be a
      significant public health and clinical approach to reducing relapse, recidivism,
      HIV-risk behavior, and criminal behavior. An economic analysis will be conducted
      to assist policy makers in determining the utility of adopting this approach.
      ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02334215.

PMID- 27282118
TI  - Injectable pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorders (IPOD).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the growing prevalence of opioid use among offenders,
      pharmacotherapy remains an underused treatment approach in correctional settings.
      The aim of this 4-year trial is to assess the clinical utility, effectiveness,
      and cost implications of extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX, Vivitrol(r);
      Alkermes Inc.) alone and in conjunction with patient navigation for jail inmates
      with opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS: Opioid-dependent inmates will be
      randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions before being released to
      the community to include: 1) XR-NTX only; 2) XR-NTX plus patient navigation (PN),
      and 3) enhanced treatment-as-usual (ETAU) with drug education and a community
      treatment referral. Before release from jail, participants in the XR-NTX and XR
      NTX plus PN conditions will receive their first XR-NTX injection. Those in the XR
      NTX plus PN condition also will meet with a patient navigator. Participants in
      both XR-NTX conditions will be scheduled for medical management sessions twice
      monthly for months 1-3, monthly medical management sessions for months 4-6, with
      monthly injections for 5months post-release (which, given the pre-release
      injection, results in a 6-month medication phase). Follow-up data collection will
      occur at 1, 3, 6, and 12months post release. RESULTS: We discuss the study's
      rationale, aims, methods, and anticipated findings. The primary outcome is the
      presence of a DSM 5 OUD diagnosis 1year after randomization (6months after the
      end of the active treatment phase). DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that providing XR
      NTX prior to release from jail will be particularly beneficial for this extremely
      high-risk population by reducing opioid use, associated criminal behavior, and
      injection-related disease risk. ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT02110264.

PMID- 27282119
TI  - The OPTIMIZE trial: Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial of
      motivational enhancement therapy to improve adherence to statin medication.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Statins are a class of medications that are particularly effective
      for lowering cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
      Despite a range of benefits, non-adherence to statin medication is prevalent with
      50% to 75% of patients failing to adhere to treatment within the first 2-years. A
      previous review on interventions to improve adherence to cholesterol lowering
      medication concluded that rigorous trials were needed with emphasis on the
      patient's perspective and shared decision making. Motivational interviewing
      (MInt) is a promising patient-centered approach for improving adherence in
      patients with chronic diseases. This manuscript describes the rational and design
      of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the efficacy of MInt in improving
      adherence to statin medication. METHODS: Patients filling their first statin
      prescription will be recruited to complete a 6-month observation run-in period
      (phase-1) after which medication possession ratio (MPR) will be assessed.
      Patients meeting criteria for non-adherence (MPR<=60%) will be invited to
      participate in the trial. 336 non-adherent new statin users will undergo a
      fasting lipid panel, complete baseline questionnaires, and be randomly allocated
      to receive four sessions of adherence education delivered using MInt (EdMInt) or
      to an education control (EC) delivered at 3-month intervals. Final assessments
      will occur 12-months after the first EdMInt or EC session. The primary outcome is
      change in MPR adherence to statin medication from baseline to 12-months.
      Secondary outcomes include within-patient change in self-reported medication
      adherence, stage of change and self-efficacy for medication adherence, motivation
      to adhere to statin medication, and lipid profile.

PMID- 27282120
TI  - Corrigendum: Characterization of a temperature-responsive two component
      regulatory system from the Antarctic archaeon, Methanococcoides burtonii.

PMID- 27282122
TI  - Structural interconnections and the role of heptagonal rings in endohedral
      trimetallic nitride template fullerenes.
AB  - Recent experiments indicate that fullerene isomers outside the classical
      definition can also encapsulate metallic atoms or clusters to form endohedral
      metallofullerenes. Our systematic study using DFT calculations, suggests that
      many heptagon-including nonclassical trimetallic nitride template fullerenes are
      similar in stability to their classical counterparts, and that conversion between
      low-energy nonclassical and classical parent cages via Endo-Kroto
      insertion/extrusion of C2 units and Stone-Wales isomerization may facilitate the
      formation of endohedral trimetallic nitride fullerenes. Close structural
      connections are found between favored isomers of trimetallic nitride template
      fullerenes from C78 to C82 . It appears that the lower symmetry and local
      deformations associated with introduction of a heptagonal ring favor
      encapsulation of intrinsically less symmetrical mixed metal nitride clusters. (c)
      2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27282121
TI  - Activity-dependent plasticity of hippocampal place maps.
AB  - Hippocampal neurons encode a cognitive map of space. These maps are thought to be
      updated during learning and in response to changes in the environment through
      activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Here we examine how changes in activity
      influence spatial coding in rats using halorhodopsin-mediated, spatially
      selective optogenetic silencing. Halorhoposin stimulation leads to light-induced
      suppression in many place cells and interneurons; some place cells increase their
      firing through disinhibition, whereas some show no effect. We find that place
      fields of the unaffected subpopulation remain stable. On the other hand, place
      fields of suppressed place cells were unstable, showing remapping across sessions
      before and after optogenetic inhibition. Disinhibited place cells had stable maps
      but sustained an elevated firing rate. These findings suggest that place
      representation in the hippocampus is constantly governed by activity-dependent
      processes, and that disinhibition may provide a mechanism for rate remapping.

PMID- 27282123
TI  - Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of DNP-ready trehalose obtained by solid state
      mechanochemical amorphization.
AB  - (1)H nuclear spin-lattice relaxation and Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) have
      been studied in amorphous samples of trehalose sugar doped with TEMPO radicals by
      means of mechanical milling, in the 1.6-4.2 K temperature range. The radical
      concentration was varied between 0.34 and 0.81%. The highest polarization of 15%
      at 1.6 K, observed in the sample with concentration 0.50%, is of the same order
      of magnitude of that reported in standard frozen solutions with TEMPO. The
      temperature and concentration dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation rate
      1/T1, dominated by the coupling with the electron spins, were found to follow
      power laws with an exponent close to 3 in all samples. The observed
      proportionality between 1/T1 and the polarization rate 1/Tpol, with a coefficient
      related to the electron polarization, is consistent with the presence of Thermal
      Mixing (TM) and a good contact between the nuclear and the electron spins. At
      high electron concentration additional relaxation channels causing a decrease in
      the nuclear polarization must be considered. These results provide further
      support for a more extensive use of amorphous DNP-ready samples, obtained by
      means of comilling, in dissolution DNP experiments and possibly for in vivo
      metabolic imaging. 

PMID- 27282124
TI  - Satiation meal and the effects of meal and body sizes on gastric evacuation rate
      in brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis fed commercial pellets.
AB  - Gastric evacuation (GE) experiments were performed on brook trout Salvelinus
      fontinalis fed commercial food pellets. The experiments included small fish (36
      g; 15 cm total length, LT ) fed meals of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 g and large fish (152
      g; 23 cm) fed meals of 0.8, 2.0 and 4.0 g at temperatures ranging from 15.1 to
      18.2 degrees  C. The stomach contents were thereafter sampled and weighed at 3 h
      intervals until the first empty stomach was observed. The course of GE was
      examined by use of a general power function of the data that revealed that the
      square-root function described the GE rate (GER) by the current stomach content
      mass independently of original meal size. Using the square-root function, the
      relationship between GER and fish size was described by a power function of fish
      length, whereas the effect of temperature was described by a simple exponential
      function. GER of the commercial pellets fed to S. fontinalis could thus be
      described by dStdt=-0.000464L1.31e0.052TSt (g h(-1) ), where St is stomach mass
      (g) at time t (h), L is total fish length (cm) and T is temperature ( degrees 
      C). The result of this study should provide a useful tool for planning of feeding
      regimes in production of S. fontinalis by optimizing growth and minimizing food
      waste. 

PMID- 27282125
TI  - Differences Between Psoriasis Patients and Skin-healthy Controls Concerning
      Appraisal of Touching, Shame and Disgust.
AB  - Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease associated with high levels of psychological
      distress and considerable life impact. Feelings of shame and stigmatization can
      lead to avoidance of social activity and intimacy. In this study, the
      questionnaire TSD-Q was used to evaluate pleasure in touching oneself and in a
      partnership, parental touching during childhood and (skin-related) shame and
      disgust. Skin-related disgust and shame were significantly higher in psoriatic
      patients than in healthy controls. Moreover, psoriasis-patients scored
      significantly lower than skin-healthy controls concerning appraisal of self
      touching and parental touching. In contrast, psoriasis-patients scored higher
      concerning appraisal of touching in a partnership. Due to the fact that low self
      esteem might enhance the negative evaluation of touch and the feelings of shame
      and disgust, psychological interventions should be integrated in the treatment of
      psoriasis. 

PMID- 27282126
TI  - Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as a Catalyst for Gas-Phase Oxidation of Ethanol to
      Acetaldehyde.
AB  - Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were directly used as a sustainable and
      green catalyst to convert ethanol into acetaldehyde in the presence of molecular
      oxygen. The C=O groups generated on the nanocarbon surface were demonstrated as
      active sites for the selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. The
      transformation of disordered carbon debris on the CNT surface to ordered
      graphitic structures induced by thermal-treatment significantly enhanced the
      stability of the active C=O groups, and thus the catalytic performance. A high
      reactivity with approximately 60 % ethanol conversion and 93 % acetaldehyde
      selectivity was obtained over the optimized CNT catalyst at 270  degrees C. More
      importantly, the catalytic performance was quite stable even after 500 h, which
      is comparable with a supported gold catalyst. The robust catalytic performance
      displayed the potential application of CNTs in the industrial catalysis field.

PMID- 27282127
TI  - Generalizing the Concept of Specific Compound Formulation Additives towards Non
      Fluorescent Drugs: A Solubilization Study on Potential Anti-Alzheimer-Active
      Small-Molecule Compounds.
AB  - Tailor-made compound formulation additives enable the testing of potential drugs
      with undesirable pharmacological profiles. A combinatorial approach using Raman
      microscopy as the readout method is presented to select peptide sequences from
      large one-bead-one-compound libraries. The resulting peptide-PEG conjugates
      solubilize potential prophylactic and therapeutic anti-Alzheimer compounds and
      can be used as specific additives not only for fluorescent but also for non
      fluorescent compounds.

PMID- 27282128
TI  - Biodiversity and technological potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from
      spontaneously fermented amaranth sourdough.
AB  - Spontaneous fermented sourdoughs prepared from amaranth flour were investigated
      for the presence of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) predominating
      microbiota. The doughs were fermented with daily backslopping on a laboratory
      scale at 30 degrees C for 10 days. LAB counts ranged from 2.60 to 8.54 log CFU g(
      1) with a pH declined from 6.2 to 3.8 throughout fermentation. The combined use
      of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR analysis and sequence analysis
      of 16S rRNA was applied for LAB intraspecies differentiation and taxonomic
      identification, respectively. Enterococcus, Pediococcus and Lactobacillus species
      were present in amaranth sourdoughs (AS). After the first refreshment step,
      Lactobacillus plantarum dominated AS until the end of fermentation. In
      coincidence, when DGGE analysis was performed, the occurrence of a progressive
      change in bacterial communities allowed the selection of Lact. plantarum as a
      dominant species. Moreover, technological, functional and safety characteristics
      of representative RAPD-biotypes were investigated. Lact. plantarum CRL1898 was
      selected as a potential candidate for gluten-free amaranth sourdough starter.
      SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Nowadays, there is an increasing interest
      in ancient noncereal gluten-free (GF) crops such as amaranth, due to their
      reported nutritional and health benefits. However, the use of these grains is
      still limited to traditional foods and bread making processes that are not yet
      well standardized. Results on the dynamics of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria
      (LAB) microbiota during laboratory spontaneous amaranth sourdoughs (AS)
      fermentation will contribute to overcome challenges for GF-fermented products
      development. In addition, knowledge about LAB diversity involving Enterococcus,
      Pediococcus and Lactobacillus species, with Lactobacillus plantarum predominating
      during AS fermentation, and their technological and functional properties
      provides the basis for the selection of autochthonous strains as starters
      cultures for novel gluten-free bakery products with enhanced nutritional, sensory
      and/or safety quality.

PMID- 27282129
TI  - Arginine side-chain modification that occurs during copper-catalysed azide-alkyne
      click reactions resembles an advanced glycation end product.
AB  - Dehydroascorbate is a by-product of copper-catalysed azide-alkyne click (CuAAC)
      reactions and also forms advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in tissues
      undergoing oxidative stress. Here we isolate and characterize an arginine
      dehydroascorbate adduct formed during CuAAC reactions, investigate strategies for
      preventing its formation, and propose its biological relevance as an AGE. 

PMID- 27282130
TI  - The Camel Rhinarium: A Study Revealing the Presence of the Nasal Plane in
      Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius), with Special Reference to Its Epidermal
      Structure.
AB  - The aim of this study was to prove that the nasal plane (Planum nasale) present
      in camel (Camelus dromedarius). Furthermore, it was the first description of the
      gross and primary microscopic anatomy as well as the epidermal ultrastructure of
      the camel nasal plane. Grossly, the camel rhinarium was formed of the glabrous
      grayish-black skin that extended to cover the philtrum and the medial nasal
      angles. It was composed of two perinasal parts and an inter-labial part. A
      shallow groove was passed across its middle. A dermatoglyphic pattern of
      epidermal ridges with primary and secondary fissures in between was revealed by
      scanning electron microscopy. The nasal plane was very small in relation to the
      camel head size. In general, the morphological appearance of the camel rhinarium
      was greatly similar to that of the proboscis-bearing mammals. The basic
      histological structure as well as the epidermal ultrastructure of the camel nasal
      plane was observed to resemble very closely the common type. Few differences were
      found, including indistinct or absent hypodermal layer, thinner stratum corneum
      and some basal cells have unusual sinuous bases.

PMID- 27282131
TI  - Signaled alternative reinforcement and the persistence of operant behavior.
AB  - Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) is a treatment designed
      to eliminate problem behavior by reinforcing an alternative behavior at a higher
      rate. Availability of alternative reinforcement may be signaled, as with
      Functional Communication Training, or unsignaled. Whether or not alternative
      reinforcement is signaled could influence both the rate and persistence of
      problem behavior. The present study investigated whether signaling the
      availability of alternative reinforcement affects the rate and persistence of a
      concurrently available target response with pigeons. Three components of a
      multiple concurrent schedule arranged equal reinforcement rates for target
      responding. Two of the components also arranged equal reinforcement rates for an
      alternative response. In one DRA component, a discrete stimulus signaled the
      availability of response-contingent alternative reinforcement by changing the
      keylight color upon reinforcement availability. In the other DRA component,
      availability of alternative reinforcement was not signaled. Target responding was
      most persistent in the unsignaled DRA component when disrupted by satiation, free
      food presented between components, and extinction, relative to the signaled DRA
      and control components. These findings suggest the discrete stimulus functionally
      separated the availability of alternative reinforcement from the discriminative
      stimuli governing target responding. These findings provide a novel avenue to
      explore in translational research assessing whether signaling the availability of
      alternative reinforcement with DRA treatments reduces the persistence of problem
      behavior.

PMID- 27282132
TI  - High-resolution colonic motility recordings in vivo compared with ex vivo
      recordings after colectomy, in patients with slow transit constipation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of slow transit constipation (STC) remains poorly
      understood, with intrinsic and extrinsic abnormalities implicated. Here, we
      present high-resolution colonic manometry recordings from four STC patients
      recorded before total colectomy, and subsequently, ex vivo, after excision.
      METHODS: In four female, treatment-resistant STC patients (median age 35.5
      years), a fiber-optic manometry catheter (72 sensors spaced at 1 cm intervals)
      was placed with the aid of a colonoscope, to the mid-transverse colon. Colonic
      manometry was recorded 2 h before and after a meal. After the colectomy, ex vivo
      colonic manometry was recorded in an organ bath. Ex vivo recordings were also
      made from colons from 4 patients (2 male; median age 67.5 years) undergoing
      anterior resection for nonobstructive carcinoma ('control' tissue). KEY RESULTS:
      A large increase in 'short single propagating contractions' was recorded in STC
      colon ex vivo compared to in vivo (ex vivo 61.3 +/- 32.7 vs in vivo 2.5 +/- 5/h).
      In STC patients, in vivo, the dominant frequency of contractile activity was 2-3
      cycle per minute (cpm), whereas 1-cpm short-single propagating contractions
      dominated ex vivo. This same 1-cpm frequency was also dominant in control colons
      ex vivo. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: In comparison to control adults, the colon of
      STC patients demonstrates significantly less propagating motor activity. However,
      once the STC colon is excised from the body it demonstrates a regular and similar
      frequency of propagating activity to control tissue. This paper provides
      interesting insights into the control of colonic motor patterns.

PMID- 27282133
TI  - Interaction between intra-oral cinnamaldehyde and nicotine assessed by
      psychophysical and physiological responses.
AB  - Cinnamaldehyde and nicotine activate the transient receptor potential subtype A1
      (TRPA1) channel, which may cause burning sensations. This study investigated
      whether cinnamaldehyde modulates nicotine-induced psychophysical and
      physiological responses in oral tissues. Healthy non-smokers (n = 22) received,
      in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, three different gums containing
      4 mg of nicotine, 20 mg of cinnamaldehyde, or a combination thereof. Assessments
      of orofacial temperature and blood flow, blood pressure, heart rate, taste
      experience, and intra-oral pain/irritation area and intensity were performed
      before, during, and after a 10-min chewing regime. Cinnamaldehyde increased the
      temperature of the tongue and blood flow of the lip, and was associated with
      pain/irritation, especially in the mouth. Nicotine increased the temperature of
      the tongue and blood flow of the cheek, and produced pain/irritation in the mouth
      and throat. The combination of cinnamaldehyde and nicotine did not overtly change
      the psychophysical or physiological responses. Interestingly, half of the
      subjects responded to cinnamaldehyde as an irritant, and these cinnamaldehyde
      responders reported greater nicotine-induced pain/irritation areas in the throat.
      Whether sensitivity to cinnamaldehyde can predict the response to nicotine
      induced oral irritation remains to be determined. A better understanding of the
      sensory properties of nicotine in the oral mucosa has important therapeutic
      implications because pain and irritation represent compliance issues for nicotine
      replacement products.

PMID- 27282134
TI  - Peptide purification using the chemoselective reaction between N-(methoxy)glycine
      and isothiocyanato-functionalized resin.
AB  - An efficient peptide purification strategy is established, comprising the
      selective reaction of an N-terminal N-(methoxy)glycine residue of the peptide and
      isothiocyanato-functionalized resins, and subsequent Edman degradation. These
      reactions take place in acidic media; in particular, the Edman degradation
      proceeds smoothly in media containing more than 50% trifluoroacetic acid (v/v).
      These acidic conditions offer increased solubility, making them advantageous for
      the purification of hydrophobic and aggregation-prone peptides. The effectiveness
      of this method, together with scope and limitations, is demonstrated using model
      peptides and the practical purification of the loop region of the human dopamine
      D2 receptor long isoform (residues 240-272). Copyright (c) 2016 European Peptide
      Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27282135
TI  - Peptide nanotube aligning side chains onto one side.
AB  - A novel pseudo cyclic penta-beta-peptide composed of a beta-naphthylalanine, two
      beta-alanines, and a sequence of ethylenediamine-succinic acid (CP5ES) is
      synthesized and investigated on peptide nanotube (PNT) formation. When the PNT is
      formed with the maximum number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the
      cyclic peptides, the sequence enables the alignment of the side chains, naphthyl
      groups, on one side of the PNT. Microscopic and spectroscopic observations of
      CP5ES crystals reveal that CP5ES forms rod- or needle-shaped molecular assemblies
      showing exciton coupling of the Cotton effect and predominant monomer emission,
      which are different from a reference cyclic tri-beta-peptide composed of a beta
      naphthylalanine and two beta-alanines. Insertion of a sequence of ethylenediamine
      succinic acid into beta-amino acids in the cyclic skeleton is therefore suggested
      to be effective to make the side chains aligning on one side of the PNT.
      Copyright (c) 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27282136
TI  - Comparison of marmoset and human FSH using synthetic peptides of the beta-subunit
      L2 loop region and anti-peptide antibodies.
AB  - Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycoprotein hormone required for female
      and male gametogenesis in vertebrates. Common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a
      New World primate monkey, used as animal model in biomedical research.
      Observations like, requirement of extremely high dose of human FSH in marmosets
      for superovulation compared to other primates and generation of antibodies in
      marmoset against human FSH after repeated superovulation cycles, point towards
      the possibility that FSH-FSH receptor (FSHR) interaction in marmosets might be
      different than in the humans. In this study we attempted to understand some of
      these structural differences using FSH peptides and anti-peptide antibody
      approach. Based on sequence alignment, in silico modeling and docking studies, L2
      loop of FSH beta-subunit (L2beta) was found to be different between marmoset and
      human. Hence, peptides corresponding to region 32-50 of marmoset and human L2beta
      loop were synthesized, purified and characterized. The peptides displayed
      dissimilarity in terms of molecular mass, predicted isoelectric point, predicted
      charge and in the ability to inhibit hormone-receptor interaction. Polyclonal
      antibodies generated against both the peptides were found to exhibit specific
      binding for the corresponding peptide and parent FSH in ELISA and Western
      blotting respectively and exhibited negligible reactivity to cross-species
      peptide and FSH in ELISA. The anti-peptide antibody against marmoset FSH was also
      able to detect native FSH in marmoset plasma samples and pituitary sections. In
      summary, the L2beta loop of marmoset and human FSH has distinct receptor
      interaction ability and immunoreactivity indicating possibility of subtle
      conformational and biochemical differences between the two regions which may
      affect the FSH-FSHR interaction in these two primates. Copyright (c) 2016
      European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27282137
TI  - Beta amino acid-modified and fluorescently labelled kisspeptin analogues with
      potent KISS1R activity.
AB  - Kisspeptin analogues with improved metabolic stability may represent important
      ligands in the study of the kisspeptin/KISS1R system and have therapeutic
      potential. In this paper we assess the activity of known and novel kisspeptin
      analogues utilising a dual luciferase reporter assay in KISS1R-transfected
      HEK293T cells. In general terms the results reflect the outcomes of other assay
      formats and a number of potent agonists were identified among the analogues,
      including beta(2) -hTyr-modified and fluorescently labelled forms. We also
      showed, by assaying kisspeptin in the presence of protease inhibitors, that
      proteolysis of kisspeptin activity within the reporter assay itself may diminish
      the agonist outputs. Copyright (c) 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27282139
TI  - Retraction statement: 'S14G-humanin inhibits Abeta1-42 fibril formation,
      disaggregates preformed fibrils, and protects against Abeta-induced cytotoxicity
      in vitro' by Wei Zhang, Ying Du, Miao Bai, Ye Xi, Zhuyi Li and Jianting Miao J.
      Peptide Sci. 2013; 19: 159-165. DOI:10.1002/psc.2484.

PMID- 27282138
TI  - Site-specific conjugation of the quencher on peptide's N-terminal for the
      synthesis of a targeted non-spreading activatable optical probe.
AB  - Optical imaging offers high sensitivity and portability at low cost. The design
      of 'smart' or 'activatable' probes can decrease the background noise and increase
      the specificity of the signal. By conjugating a fluorescent dye and a compatible
      quencher on each side of an enzyme's substrate, the signal remains in its 'off '
      state until it reaches the area where a specific enzyme is expressed. However,
      the signal can leak from that area unless the dye is attached to a molecule able
      to bind to a specific target also presented in that area. The aim of this study
      was to (i) specifically conjugate the quencher on the alpha-amino group of the
      peptide's N-terminus, (ii) conjugate the dye on the epsilon-amino group of a
      lysine in C-terminus, and (iii) conjugate the carboxyl group of the peptide's C
      terminus to an amino group present on an antibody, using carbodiimide chemistry.
      The use of protecting groups, such as Boc or Fmoc, to allow site-specific
      conjugation, presents several drawbacks including 'on beads labeling', additional
      steps required for deprotection and removal from the resin, decreased yield, and
      dye degradation. A method of preferential labeling of alpha-amino N-terminal
      group in slightly acidic solution, proposed by Selo et al. (1996) has partially
      solved the problem. The present study reports improvements of the method allowing
      to (i) avoid the homo-bilabeling, (ii) increase the yield of the N-terminal
      labeling by two folds, and (iii) decrease the cost by 44-fold. Copyright (c) 2016
      European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27282140
TI  - Decadal variability in the occurrence of wintertime haze in central eastern China
      tied to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation.
AB  - Haze is a serious issue in China with increasing concerns, and understanding the
      factors driving decadal-scale variations in haze occurrence is relevant for
      government policymaking. Using a comprehensive observational haze dataset, we
      demonstrate notable decadal fluctuations in the number of haze days (HD) during
      winter in central eastern China, showing a decline since the mid-1980s. The
      leading mode of the wintertime HD features an increasing trend for 1959-2012 in
      eastern China, highly correlated with China's gross domestic product (GDP) that
      represents increasing trend of pollutant emissions, and to a lesser extent
      meteorological factors. The second mode shows decadal variations in central
      eastern China associated with Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Observations and
      numerical simulations suggest that Mongolia High and corresponding descending
      motion tend to be enhanced (weakened) in central eastern China during the
      positive (negative) phase of PDO. With PDO shifting towards a negative phase, the
      weakened Mongolia High and ascending anomalies make the air unstable and conduce
      to the spread of pollutants, leading to the decline in the wintertime HD over
      central eastern China since the mid-1980s. Based on above physical mechanisms, a
      linear model based on PDO and GDP metrics provided a good fit to the observed HD.

PMID- 27282141
TI  - Immunological biomarkers associated with brain structure and executive function
      in late-life depression: exploratory pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Several immunological biomarkers are altered in late-life major
      depressive disorder (LLD). Immunological alterations could contribute to LLD's
      consequences, but little is known about the relations between specific
      immunological biomarkers and brain health in LLD. We performed an exploratory
      pilot study to identify, from several candidates, the specific immunological
      biomarkers related to important aspects of brain health that are altered in LLD
      (brain structure and executive function). METHODS: Adults (n = 31) were at least
      60 years old and had major depressive disorder. A multiplex immunoassay assessed
      13 immunological biomarkers, and we examined their associations with structural
      MRI (grey matter volume and white matter hyperintensity volume (WMH)) and
      executive function (Color-Word Interference and Trail-Making tests) measures.
      RESULTS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the chemokine eotaxin had
      significant negative associations with grey matter volume (VEGF: n = 31, r = 
      0.65; eotaxin: n = 29, r = -0.44). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) had a
      significant positive relationship with WMHs (n = 30, r = 0.52); interferon-gamma
      (IFN-gamma) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) were also
      significantly associated with WMHs (IFN-gamma: n = 31, r = 0.48; MIP-1alpha: n =
      29, r = 0.45). Only eotaxin was associated with executive function (set-shifting
      performance as measured with the Trail-making test: n = 33, r = -0.43).
      CONCLUSIONS: Immunological markers are associated with brain structure in LLD. We
      found the immunological correlates of grey and white matter differ. Prospective
      studies are needed to evaluate whether these immunological correlates of brain
      health increase the risk of LLD's consequences. Eotaxin, which correlated with
      both grey matter volume and set-shifting performance, may be particularly
      relevant to neurodegeneration and cognition in LLD. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley
      & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27282142
TI  - Seedling growth responses to phosphorus reflect adult distribution patterns of
      tropical trees.
AB  - Soils influence tropical forest composition at regional scales. In Panama, data
      on tree communities and underlying soils indicate that species frequently show
      distributional associations to soil phosphorus. To understand how these
      associations arise, we combined a pot experiment to measure seedling responses of
      15 pioneer species to phosphorus addition with an analysis of the phylogenetic
      structure of phosphorus associations of the entire tree community. Growth
      responses of pioneers to phosphorus addition revealed a clear tradeoff: species
      from high-phosphorus sites grew fastest in the phosphorus-addition treatment,
      while species from low-phosphorus sites grew fastest in the low-phosphorus
      treatment. Traits associated with growth performance remain unclear: biomass
      allocation, phosphatase activity and phosphorus-use efficiency did not correlate
      with phosphorus associations; however, phosphatase activity was most strongly
      down-regulated in response to phosphorus addition in species from high-phosphorus
      sites. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that pioneers occur more frequently in
      clades where phosphorus associations are overdispersed as compared with the
      overall tree community, suggesting that selection on phosphorus acquisition and
      use may be strongest for pioneer species with high phosphorus demand. Our results
      show that phosphorus-dependent growth rates provide an additional explanation for
      the regional distribution of tree species in Panama, and possibly elsewhere. 

PMID- 27282143
TI  - Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of the PI3K-regulated signaling network.
AB  - The PI3K pathway is commonly activated in cancer. Only a few studies have
      attempted to explore the spectrum of phosphorylation signaling downstream of the
      PI3K cascade. Such insight, however, is imperative to understand the mechanisms
      responsible for oncogenic phenotypes. By applying MS-based phosphoproteomics, we
      mapped 2509 phosphorylation sites on 1096 proteins, and quantified their
      responses to activation or inhibition of PIK3CA using isogenic knock-in
      derivatives and a series of targeted inhibitors. We uncovered phosphorylation
      changes in a wide variety of proteins involved in cell growth and proliferation,
      many of which have not been previously associated with PI3K signaling. A
      significant update of the posttranslational modification database PHOSIDA
      (http://www.phosida.com) allows efficient use of the data. All MS data have been
      deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD003899
      (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD003899).

PMID- 27282144
TI  - The Psychosomatic Practice.
AB  - There is increasing awareness of the limitations of the disease oriented approach
      in medical care. The primary goal of psychosomatic medicine is to correct this
      inadequacy by incorporation of innovative operational strategies into clinical
      practice. Psychosomatic practice can be recognized by 2 distinctive features: the
      holistic approach to patient management (encompassing psychosocial factors) and
      the clinical model of reasoning (which reflects a multifactorial frame of
      reference). A basic psychosomatic assumption is the consideration of patients as
      partners in managing disease. The partnership paradigm includes collaborative
      care (a patient-physician relationship in which physicians and patients make
      health decisions together) and implementation of self-management (a plan that
      provides patients with problem-solving skills to enhance their self-efficacy).
      Pointing to strategies that focus on individual needs may improve patient quality
      of life and final outcomes. 

PMID- 27282145
TI  - Genome-wide detection of CNVs in Chinese indigenous sheep with different types of
      tails using ovine high-density 600K SNP arrays.
AB  - Chinese indigenous sheep can be classified into three types based on tail
      morphology: fat-tailed, fat-rumped, and thin-tailed sheep, of which the typical
      breeds are large-tailed Han sheep, Altay sheep, and Tibetan sheep, respectively.
      To unravel the genetic mechanisms underlying the phenotypic differences among
      Chinese indigenous sheep with tails of three different types, we used ovine high
      density 600K SNP arrays to detect genome-wide copy number variation (CNV). In
      large-tailed Han sheep, Altay sheep, and Tibetan sheep, 371, 301, and 66 CNV
      regions (CNVRs) with lengths of 71.35 Mb, 51.65 Mb, and 10.56 Mb, respectively,
      were identified on autosomal chromosomes. Ten CNVRs were randomly chosen for
      confirmation, of which eight were successfully validated. The detected CNVRs
      harboured 3130 genes, including genes associated with fat deposition, such as
      PPARA, RXRA, KLF11, ADD1, FASN, PPP1CA, PDGFA, and PEX6. Moreover, multilevel
      bioinformatics analyses of the detected candidate genes were significantly
      enriched for involvement in fat deposition, GTPase regulator, and peptide
      receptor activities. This is the first high-resolution sheep CNV map for Chinese
      indigenous sheep breeds with three types of tails. Our results provide valuable
      information that will support investigations of genomic structural variation
      underlying traits of interest in sheep.

PMID- 27282147
TI  - Synthesis, Structure, Optical, and Electrochemical Properties of Triple- and
      Quadruple-Decker Co-facial Tetrathiafulvalene Arrays.
AB  - Understanding the details of the electronic structure in face-to-face arranged
      tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs) is very important for the design of supramolecular
      functional materials and superior conductive organic materials. This article is a
      comprehensive study of the interactions among columnar stacked TTFs using
      trimeric (trimer) and tetrameric (tetramer) TTFs linked by alkylenedithio groups
      (-S(CH2 )n S-, n=1-4) as models of triple- and quadruple-decker TTF arrays.
      Single-crystal X-ray analyses of neutral trimeric TTFs revealed that the three
      TTF moieties are oriented in a zigzag arrangement. Cyclic voltammetry
      measurements (CV) reveal that the trimer and tetramer exhibited diverse
      reversible redox processes with multi-electron transfers, depending on the length
      of the -S(CH2 )n S- units and substituents. The electronic spectra of the radical
      cations, prepared by electrochemical oxidation, showed charge resonance (CR)
      bands in the NIR/IR region (1630-1850 nm), attributed to a mixed valence (MV)
      state of the triple- and quadruple-decker TTF arrays. In the trimeric systems,
      the dicationic state (+2; 0.66 cation per TTF unit) was found to be a stable
      state, whereas the monocationic state (+1) was not observed in the electronic
      spectra. In the tetrameric system, substituent-dependent redox processes were
      observed. Moreover, pi-trimers and pi-tetramers, which show a significant Davydov
      blueshift in the spectra, are formed in the tricationic (trimer) and
      tetracationic (tetramer) state. In addition, these attractive interactions are
      strongly dependent on the length of the linkage unit. 

PMID- 27282148
TI  - Malaria: Global progress 2000 - 2015 and future challenges.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 2015 was the target year for malaria goals set by the World Health
      Assembly and other international institutions to reduce malaria incidence and
      mortality. A review of progress indicates that malaria programme financing and
      coverage have been transformed since the beginning of the millennium, and have
      contributed to substantial reductions in the burden of disease. FINDINGS:
      Investments in malaria programmes increased by more than 2.5 times between 2005
      and 2014 from US$ 960 million to US$ 2.5 billion, allowing an expansion in
      malaria prevention, diagnostic testing and treatment programmes. In 2015 more
      than half of the population of sub-Saharan Africa slept under insecticide-treated
      mosquito nets, compared to just 2 % in 2000. Increased availability of rapid
      diagnostic tests and antimalarial medicines has allowed many more people to
      access timely and appropriate treatment. Malaria incidence rates have decreased
      by 37 % globally and mortality rates by 60 % since 2000. It is estimated that 70
      % of the reductions in numbers of cases in sub-Saharan Africa can be attributed
      to malaria interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in malaria incidence and
      mortality rates have been made in every WHO region and almost every country.
      However, decreases in malaria case incidence and mortality rates were slowest in
      countries that had the largest numbers of malaria cases and deaths in 2000;
      reductions in incidence need to be greatly accelerated in these countries to
      achieve future malaria targets. Progress is made challenging because malaria is
      concentrated in countries and areas with the least resourced health systems and
      the least ability to pay for system improvements. Malaria interventions are
      nevertheless highly cost-effective and have not only led to significant
      reductions in the incidence of the disease but are estimated to have saved about
      US$ 900 million in malaria case management costs to public providers in sub
      Saharan Africa between 2000 and 2014. Investments in malaria programmes can not
      only reduce malaria morbidity and mortality, thereby contributing to the health
      targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, but they can also transform the
      well-being and livelihood of some of the poorest communities across the globe.

PMID- 27282146
TI  - Prospects for HIV control in South Africa: a model-based analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The goal of virtual elimination of horizontal and mother-to-child HIV
      transmission in South Africa (SA) has been proposed, but there have been few
      systematic investigations of which interventions are likely to be most critical
      to reducing HIV incidence. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate SA's potential
      to achieve virtual elimination targets and to identify which interventions will
      be most critical to achieving HIV incidence reductions. DESIGN: A mathematical
      model was developed to simulate the population-level impact of different HIV
      interventions in SA. Probability distributions were specified to represent
      uncertainty around 32 epidemiological parameters that could be influenced by
      interventions, and correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to assess the
      sensitivity of the adult HIV incidence rates and mother-to-child transmission
      rates (2015-2035) to each epidemiological parameter. RESULTS: HIV incidence in SA
      adults (ages 15-49) is expected to decline from 1.4% in 2011-2012 to 0.29% by
      2035 (95% CI: 0.10-0.62%). The parameters most strongly correlated with future
      adult HIV incidence are the rate of viral suppression after initiating
      antiretroviral treatment (ART) (r=-0.56), the level of condom use in non-marital
      relationships (r=-0.40), the phase-in of intensified risk-reduction counselling
      for HIV-positive adults (r=0.29), the uptake of medical male circumcision (r=
      0.24) and the phase-in of universal ART eligibility (r=0.22). The paediatric HIV
      parameters most strongly associated with mother-to-child transmission rates are
      the relative risk of transmission through breastfeeding when the mother is
      receiving ART (r=0.70) and the rate of ART initiation during pregnancy (r=-0.16).
      CONCLUSIONS: The virtual elimination target of a 0.1% incidence rate in adults
      will be difficult to achieve. Interventions that address the infectiousness of
      patients after ART initiation will be particularly critical to achieving long
      term HIV incidence declines in South Africa.

PMID- 27282149
TI  - Primary mucinous carcinoma with rhabdoid cells of the thyroid gland: a case
      report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary mucinous carcinoma of the thyroid gland is a rare disease;
      only 6 cases of primary mucinous carcinoma of the thyroid have been previously
      reported. Primary mucinous carcinoma of the thyroid gland with incomplete tumor
      resection tends to be associated with a poor prognosis, resulting in death within
      a few months. An early and appropriate diagnosis may contribute to improvement in
      patient prognosis; however, it is extremely difficult to diagnose primary
      mucinous carcinoma of the thyroid. We present the seventh reported case of
      primary mucinous carcinoma in the thyroid gland; moreover, rhabdoid cells were
      detected, which, to our knowledge, is a novel finding. CASE PRESENTATION: An 81
      year-old Japanese woman was initially diagnosed with a poorly differentiated
      thyroid carcinoma, and she underwent a hemithyroidectomy. Pathological
      examination revealed the presence of abundant mucus and agglomeration of large
      atypical cells. Rhabdoid cells were also seen scattered among the tumor cells.
      Immunostaining was performed for various markers, and on the basis of these
      results, we diagnosed the lesion as primary mucinous carcinoma with rhabdoid
      cells in the thyroid gland. Ten months after surgery, recurrence was noted in the
      paratracheal lymph nodes; therefore, total resection of the residual thyroid
      gland and paratracheal lymphadenectomy with thyroid-stimulating hormone
      suppression were performed. The patient is currently alive and disease-free.
      CONCLUSIONS: The current case is of interest not only because of the rare
      histological findings, but also because the patient achieved long-term survival
      following diagnosis of a mucinous carcinoma. We believe this report will be
      helpful for diagnosing future cases of mucinous carcinoma of the thyroid.

PMID- 27282150
TI  - Study design and data analysis considerations for the discovery of prognostic
      molecular biomarkers: a case study of progression free survival in advanced
      serous ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate discovery of molecular biomarkers that are prognostic of a
      clinical outcome is an important yet challenging task, partly due to the
      combination of the typically weak genomic signal for a clinical outcome and the
      frequently strong noise due to microarray handling effects. Effective strategies
      to resolve this challenge are in dire need. METHODS: We set out to assess the use
      of careful study design and data normalization for the discovery of prognostic
      molecular biomarkers. Taking progression free survival in advanced serous ovarian
      cancer as an example, we conducted empirical analysis on two sets of microRNA
      arrays for the same set of tumor samples: arrays in one set were collected using
      careful study design (that is, uniform handling and randomized array-to-sample
      assignment) and arrays in the other set were not. RESULTS: We found that (1)
      handling effects can confound the clinical outcome under study as a result of
      chance even with randomization, (2) the level of confounding handling effects can
      be reduced by data normalization, and (3) good study design cannot be replaced by
      post-hoc normalization. In addition, we provided a practical approach to define
      positive and negative control markers for detecting handling effects and
      assessing the performance of a normalization method. CONCLUSIONS: Our work
      showcased the difficulty of finding prognostic biomarkers for a clinical outcome
      of weak genomic signals, illustrated the benefits of careful study design and
      data normalization, and provided a practical approach to identify handling
      effects and select a beneficial normalization method. Our work calls for careful
      study design and data analysis for the discovery of robust and translatable
      molecular biomarkers.

PMID- 27282151
TI  - MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a potential tool for Trichomonas vaginalis
      identification.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan causing
      trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted human infection, with around 276.4 million
      new cases estimated by World Health Organization. Culture is the gold standard
      method for the diagnosis of T. vaginalis infection. Recently,
      immunochromatographic assays as well as PCR assays for the detection of T.
      vaginalis antigen or DNA, respectively, have been also available. Although the
      well-known genome sequence of T. vaginalis has made possible the application of
      proteomic studies, few data are available about the overall proteomic expression
      profiling of T. vaginalis. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential
      application of MALDI-TOF MS as a new tool for the identification of T. vaginalis.
      METHODS: Twenty-one isolates were analysed by MALDI-TOF MS after the creation of
      a Main Spectrum Profile (MSP) from a T. vaginalis reference strain (G3) and its
      subsequent supplementation in the Bruker Daltonics database, not including any
      profile of protozoa. This was achieved after the development of a new
      identification method created by modifying the range setting (6-10 kDa) for the
      MALDI-TOF MS analysis in order to exclude the overlapping of peaks derived from
      the culture media used in this study. RESULTS: Two MSP reference spectra were
      created in 2 different range: 3-15 kDa (standard range setting) and 6-10 kDa (new
      range setting). Both MSP spectra were deposited in the MALDI BioTyper database
      for further identification of additional T. vaginalis strains. All the 21 strains
      analysed in this study were correctly identified by using the new identification
      method. CONCLUSIONS: In this study it was demonstrated that changes in the MALDI
      TOF MS standard parameters usually used to identify bacteria and fungi allowed
      the identification of the protozoan T. vaginalis. This study shows the usefulness
      of MALDI-TOF MS in the reliable identification of microorganism grown on complex
      liquid media such as the protozoan T. vaginalis, on the basis of the proteic
      profile and not on the basis of single markers, by using a "new range setting"
      different from that developed for bacteria and fungi.

PMID- 27282152
TI  - Susceptibility to antifungal agents and enzymatic activity of Candida haemulonii
      and Cutaneotrichosporon dermatis isolated from soft corals on the Brazilian
      reefs.
AB  - Candida is a common fungus with the capacity to cause infections in humans.
      However, most studies have concentrated on clinical isolates and little is known
      about the identity, ecology and drug resistance of free living species/strains.
      Here, we isolate eight strains of Candida haemulonii and four strains of
      Cutaneotrichosporon dermatis from three marine cnidarian zoanthids species
      (Palythoa caribaeorum, Palythoa variabilis and Zoanthus sociatus) collected from
      Brazilian coral reefs. Strains were identified by sequencing of the D1/D2 domain
      LSU rDNA and ITS region. We tested these environmental isolates for their
      capacity to grow in media with increasing concentration of NaCl, capacity to grow
      in different temperatures, enzymatic activity and antifungal susceptibility. For
      C. haemulonii, all strains strongly produced gelatinase, esterase and albuminase
      and were either able to express lipase, phospholipase and keratinase, but not
      express urease and DNase. The strains were able to grow at 37  degrees C, but not
      at 39  degrees C, and except for LMS 40, all of them could grow in a 10 % NaCl
      medium. All isolates were resistant to all antifungals tested, with exception for
      ketoconazole and tioconazole (MIC = 2 ug/mL). For C. dermatis, all strains could
      grow at 39  degrees C and could not express phospholipase, keratinase or
      gelatinase. However, all were capable of expressing urease, lipase and esterase.
      Three out of four strains could grow in a 10 % NaCl medium, but none grew in a 30
      % NaCl medium. The strains showed high values of minimal inhibitory
      concentration. LMPV 90 was resistant to tioconazole, terbinafine, fluconazole and
      posaconazole, and LMS 38 was resistant to all antifungal agents tested. We
      discuss the characterization of C. haemulonii and C. dermatis as a possible
      emerging pathogen due to its animal-related enzymatic arsenal and antifungal
      resistance.

PMID- 27282154
TI  - The Crossed Projection to the Striatum in Two Species of Monkey and in Humans:
      Behavioral and Evolutionary Significance.
AB  - The corpus callosum establishes the anatomical continuity between the 2
      hemispheres and coordinates their activity. Using histological tracing, single
      axon reconstructions, and diffusion tractography, we describe a callosal
      projection to n caudatus and putamen in monkeys and humans. In both species, the
      origin of this projection is more restricted than that of the ipsilateral
      projection. In monkeys, it consists of thin axons (0.4-0.6 um), appropriate for
      spatial and temporal dispersion of subliminal inputs. For prefrontal cortex,
      contralateral minus ipsilateral delays to striatum calculated from axon diameters
      and conduction distance are <2 ms in the monkey and, by extrapolation, <4 ms in
      humans. This delay corresponds to the performance in Poffenberger's paradigm, a
      classical attempt to estimate central conduction delays, with a
      neuropsychological task. In both species, callosal cortico-striatal projections
      originate from prefrontal, premotor, and motor areas. In humans, we discovered a
      new projection originating from superior parietal lobule, supramarginal, and
      superior temporal gyrus, regions engaged in language processing. This projection
      crosses in the isthmus the lesion of which was reported to dissociate syntax and
      prosody. The projection might originate from an overproduction of callosal
      projections in development, differentially pruned depending on species.

PMID- 27282153
TI  - A novel anticancer agent icaritin inhibited proinflammatory cytokines in TRAMP
      mice.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate whether icaritin (ICT) would inhibit serum
      proinflammatory cytokines and postpone prostate cancer (PCa) development and
      progression in both normal diet and high-fat diet (HFD) transgenic adenocarcinoma
      mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice. METHODS: TRAMP mice were randomly divided into four
      groups: normal diet with/without ICT group and HFD with/without ICT group. Each
      TRAMP mouse received intraperitoneal injection of ICT solution at the dose of 30
      mg/kg 5 times per week. RESULTS: ICT treatment could significantly increase the
      survival when compared with those in normal diet group (P = 0.015, log-rank test)
      and HFD group (P = 0.009, log-rank test). Proinflammatory cytokine levels,
      including IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, were decreased more or less
      in ICT-treated TRAMP mice. Moreover, significant higher inflammation scores were
      detected in normal diet group and HFD group compared with their relevant ICT
      treatment groups (P = 0.026 and P = 0.006, respectively). Meanwhile, the
      incidences of well-differentiated tumor tissue in two ICT treatment groups (39.13
      and 31.82 %) were moderately higher than control groups (29.41 and 20.00 %,
      respectively), though no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Taken
      together, our findings indicate that ICT could inhibit the development and
      progression of PCa in TRAMP mice via inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines.

PMID- 27282155
TI  - Synthesis and evaluation of selected 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives for in vitro
      cytotoxicity and in vivo anti-tumor activity.
AB  - The oxadiazole moiety is known for its anticancer activity through its
      antiangiogenic and mitostatic potential. Taking this as a cue, the present study
      was designed to investigate the anti-cancer potential of selected oxadiazole
      derivatives. Twelve 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives (AMK OX-1 to AMK OX-12) were
      synthesized and were tested for IC50 values through brine shrimp lethality assay
      and MTT assay on HeLa and A549 cell lines. Four compounds, AMK OX-8, 9, 11 and 12
      showed potential cytotoxicity activity with low IC50 value. These compounds
      produced considerable cytotoxic effect on Hep-2 and A549 cancer cell lines.
      However, they were found to be comparatively safer to normal cell lines, viz., V
      79 cell lines than to the tested cancer cell lines, such as HeLa, A 549, and Hep2
      cell lines. The mechanism of cytotoxicity was evaluated through nuclear staining
      and DNA ladder assay. Although DNA ladder assay showed DNA fragmentation
      (apoptotic phenomenon) in Hep-2 cells treated with only AMK OX-12, the staining
      procedures using acridine orange, ethidium bromide and propidium iodide showed
      apoptotic bodies in cells treated with AMK OX-8, 9 and 12 also. In JCI staining
      on isolated mitochondria of Hep2 cells, AMK OX-8, 9-11 and 12 displayed
      increasing fluorescence intensity with time which confirmed involvement of
      mitochondrial pathway and intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. All four compounds were
      found to be safe in acute oral toxicity study in Swiss albino mice. These
      derivatives were effective in reducing tumor size and weight in the in vivo DLA
      induced solid tumor model. They were found to be significantly effective in
      reducing tumor volume and tumor weight.

PMID- 27282156
TI  - A new class of fatty acid allene oxide formed by the DOX-P450 fusion proteins of
      human and plant pathogenic fungi, C. immitis and Z. tritici.
AB  - Linoleate dioxygenase-cytochrome P450 (DOX-CYP) fusion enzymes are common in
      pathogenic fungi. The DOX domains form hydroperoxy metabolites of 18:2n-6, which
      can be transformed by the CYP domains to 1,2- or 1,4-diols, epoxy alcohols, or to
      allene oxides. We have characterized two novel allene oxide synthases (AOSs),
      namely, recombinant 8R-DOX-AOS of Coccidioides immitis (causing valley fever) and
      8S-DOX-AOS of Zymoseptoria tritici (causing septoria tritici blotch of wheat).
      The 8R-DOX-AOS oxidized 18:2n-6 sequentially to 8R-hydroperoxy-9Z,12Z
      octadecadienoic acid (8R-HPODE) and to an allene oxide, 8R(9)-epoxy-9,12Z
      octadecadienoic acid, as judged from the accumulation of the alpha-ketol, 8S
      hydroxy-9-oxo-12Z-octadecenoic acid. The 8S-DOX-AOS of Z. tritici transformed
      18:2n-6 sequentially to 8S-HPODE and to an alpha-ketol, 8R-hydroxy-9-oxo-12Z
      octadecenoic acid, likely formed by hydrolysis of 8S(9)-epoxy-9,12Z
      octadecadienoic acid. The 8S-DOX-AOS oxidized [8R-(2)H]18:2n-6 to 8S-HPODE with
      retention of the (2)H-label, suggesting suprafacial hydrogen abstraction and
      oxygenation in contrast to 8R-DOX-AOS. Both enzymes oxidized 18:1n-9 and 18:3n-3
      to alpha-ketols, but the catalysis of the 8R- and 8S-AOS domains differed. 8R-DOX
      AOS transformed 9R-HPODE to epoxy alcohols, but 8S-DOX-AOS converted 9S-HPODE to
      an alpha-ketol (9-hydroxy-10-oxo-12Z-octadecenoic acid) and epoxy alcohols in a
      ratio of ~1:2. Whereas all fatty acid allene oxides described so far have a
      conjugated diene impinging on the epoxide, the allene oxides formed by 8-DOX-AOS
      are unconjugated.

PMID- 27282157
TI  - Interactions of mucins with the Tn or Sialyl Tn cancer antigens including MUC1
      are due to GalNAc-GalNAc interactions.
AB  - The molecular mechanism(s) underlying the enhanced self-interactions of mucins
      possessing the Tn (GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr) or STn (NeuNAcalpha2-6GalNAcalpha1
      Ser/Thr) cancer markers were investigated using optical tweezers (OT). The mucins
      examined included modified porcine submaxillary mucin containing the Tn epitope
      (Tn-PSM), ovine submaxillary mucin with the STn epitope (STn-OSM), and
      recombinant MUC1 analogs with either the Tn and STn epitope. OT experiments in
      which the mucins were immobilized onto polystyrene beads revealed identical self
      interaction characteristics for all mucins. Identical binding strength and energy
      landscape characteristics were also observed for synthetic polymers displaying
      multiple GalNAc decorations. Polystyrene beads without immobilized mucins showed
      no self-interactions and also no interactions with mucin-decorated polystyrene
      beads. Taken together, the experimental data suggest that in these molecules, the
      GalNAc residue mediates interactions independent of the anchoring polymer
      backbone. Furthermore, GalNAc-GalNAc interactions appear to be responsible for
      self-interactions of mucins decorated with the STn epitope. Hence, Tn-MUC1 and
      STn-MUC1 undergo self-interactions mediated by the GalNAc residue in both
      epitopes, suggesting a possible molecular role in cancer. MUC1 possessing the T
      (Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr) or ST antigen (NeuNAcalpha2-3Galbeta1
      3GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr) failed to show self-interactions. However, in the case of
      ST-MUC1, self-interactions were observed after subsequent treatment with
      neuraminidase and beta-galactosidase. This enzymatic treatment is expected to
      introduce Tn-epitopes and these observations thus further strengthen the
      conclusion that the observed interactions are mediated by the GalNAc groups.

PMID- 27282158
TI  - Pharmacokinetic Properties of Liraglutide as Adjunct to Insulin in Subjects with
      Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pharmacokinetic properties of liraglutide, a glucagon-like
      peptide-1 receptor agonist approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
      (T2D), have been established in healthy individuals and subjects with T2D.
      Liraglutide has been under investigation as adjunct treatment to insulin in type
      1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). This single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled,
      crossover, clinical pharmacology trial is the first to analyze the
      pharmacokinetic properties of liraglutide as add-on to insulin in T1D. METHODS:
      Subjects (18-64 years; body mass index 20.0-28.0 kg/m2; glycated hemoglobin <=9.5
      %) were randomized 1:1:1 to 0.6, 1.2, or 1.8 mg liraglutide/placebo. Each group
      underwent two 4-week treatment periods (liraglutide then placebo or placebo then
      liraglutide) separated by a 2- to 3-week washout. Both trial drugs were
      administered subcutaneously, once daily, as adjunct to insulin. A stepwise
      hypoglycemic clamp was performed at the end of each treatment period (data
      reported previously). Pharmacokinetic endpoints were derived from liraglutide
      concentration-time curves after the final dose and exposure was compared with
      data from previous trials in healthy volunteers and subjects with T2D. RESULTS:
      The pharmacokinetic properties of liraglutide in T1D were comparable with those
      observed in healthy volunteers and subjects with T2D. Area under the steady-state
      concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration data were
      consistent with dose proportionality of liraglutide. Comparison of dose
      normalized liraglutide AUC suggested that exposure in T1D, when administered with
      insulin, is comparable with that observed in T2D. CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide,
      administered as adjunct to insulin in subjects with T1D, shows comparable
      pharmacokinetics to those in subjects with T2D. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
      NCT01536665.

PMID- 27282159
TI  - Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Saxagliptin, a Dipeptidyl
      Peptidase-4 Inhibitor.
AB  - Saxagliptin is an orally active, highly potent, selective and competitive
      dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
      mellitus at doses of 2.5 or 5 mg once daily. DPP-4 is responsible for degrading
      the intestinally derived hormones glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and glucose
      dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Inhibition of DPP-4 increases intact
      plasma GLP-1 and GIP concentrations, augmenting glucose-dependent insulin
      secretion. Both saxagliptin and its major active metabolite, 5-hydroxy
      saxagliptin, demonstrate high degrees of selectivity for DPP-4 compared with
      other DPP enzymes. Saxagliptin is orally absorbed and can be administered with or
      without food. The half-life of plasma DPP-4 inhibition with saxagliptin 5 mg is
      ~27 h, which supports a once-daily dosing regimen. Saxagliptin is metabolized by
      cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4/5 and is eliminated by a combination of renal and
      hepatic clearance. No clinically meaningful differences in saxagliptin or 5
      hydroxy saxagliptin pharmacokinetics have been detected in patients with hepatic
      impairment. No clinically meaningful differences in saxagliptin or 5-hydroxy
      saxagliptin pharmacokinetics have been detected in patients with mild renal
      impairment, whereas dose reduction is recommended in patients with moderate or
      severe renal impairment because of greater systemic exposure [the area under the
      plasma concentration-time curve (AUC)] to saxagliptin total active moieties.
      Clinically relevant drug-drug interactions have not been detected; however,
      limiting the dose to 2.5 mg once daily is recommended in the USA when saxagliptin
      is coadministered with strong CYP inhibitors, because of increased saxagliptin
      exposure. In summary, saxagliptin has a predictable pharmacokinetic and
      pharmacodynamic profile.

PMID- 27282160
TI  - GC and VDR SNPs and Vitamin D Levels in Parkinson's Disease: The Relevance to
      Clinical Features.
AB  - Vitamin D deficiency is suggested to be associated with Parkinson's disease (PD).
      Our aim was to investigate the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD) levels of PD
      patients in Turkish cohort, to investigate any association of vitamin D binding
      protein (GC) genotypes with PD due to the significant role of GC in vitamin D
      transport, to determine whether vitamin D receptor (VDR) haplotype that we
      previously demonstrated to be a risk haplotype for AD is also a common haplotype
      for PD and to investigate any relevant consequence of serum 25OHD levels, GC or
      VDR genotypes on clinical features of PD. Three hundred eighty-two PD patients
      and 242 healthy subjects were included in this study. The serum 25OHD levels were
      investigated by CLIA, and GC and VDR SNPs were evaluated with LightSnip. Our
      results indicated a strong relationship between low serum 25OHD levels and PD (p
      < 0.001). rs7041 of GC and ApaI of VDR were associated with the PD risk (p <
      0.05). Minor allele carriers for BsmI of VDR gene in both PD patients and healthy
      subjects had significantly higher levels of serum 25OHD (p < 0.05). The
      homozygous major allele carriers for rs2282679, rs3755967 and rs2298850 of GC
      gene in PD patients with slower progression had significantly higher levels of
      serum 25OHD (p  < 0.05). Minor allele carriers for FokI of VDR gene were more
      frequent in patients with advanced-stage PD (p < 0.05). Consequently, this is the
      first study demonstrating GC gene as a risk factor for PD. The relationship
      between PD's clinical features and low 25OHD or risk genotypes might have effects
      on PD independently.

PMID- 27282161
TI  - Assessment of edema volume in skin upon injury in a mouse ear model with optical
      coherence tomography.
AB  - Accurate measurement of edema volume is essential for the investigation of tissue
      response and recovery following a traumatic injury. The measurements must be
      noninvasive and repetitive over time so as to monitor tissue response throughout
      the healing process. Such techniques are particularly necessary for the
      evaluation of therapeutics that are currently in development to suppress or
      prevent edema formation. In this study, we propose to use optical coherence
      tomography (OCT) technique to image and quantify edema in a mouse ear model where
      the injury is induced by a superficial-thickness burn. Extraction of edema volume
      is achieved by an attenuation compensation algorithm performed on the three
      dimensional OCT images, followed by two segmentation procedures. In addition to
      edema volume, the segmentation method also enables accurate thickness mapping of
      edematous tissue, which is an important characteristic of the external symptoms
      of edema. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method for
      noninvasively measuring absolute edema volume. 

PMID- 27282162
TI  - Detection of interventricular dyssynchrony: An evolution of the phase analysis
      technique.

PMID- 27282163
TI  - Can project management principles help the sports clinician manage return to
      play?

PMID- 27282164
TI  - Early identification of autism spectrum disorder: Do we need a paradigm shift?

PMID- 27282165
TI  - Anodic concentration loss and impedance characteristics in rotating disk
      electrode microbial fuel cells.
AB  - A rotating disk electrode (RDE) was used to investigate the concentration loss
      and impedance characteristics of anodic biofilms in microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
      Amperometric time-current analysis revealed that at the rotation rate of 480 rpm,
      a maximum current density of 168 uA cm(-2) can be achieved, which was 22.2 %
      higher than when there was no rotation. Linear sweep voltammetry and
      electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests showed that when the anodic
      potential was set to -300 mV vs. Ag/AgCl reference, the power densities could
      increase by 59.0  %, reaching 1385 mW m(-2), the anodic resistance could reduce
      by 19  %, and the anodic capacitance could increase by 36 %. These results concur
      with a more than 85 % decrease of the diffusion layer thickness. Data indicated
      that concentration loss, diffusion layer thickness, and the mixing velocity play
      important roles in anodic resistance reduction and power output of MFCs. These
      findings could be helpful to the design of future industrial-scale MFCs with
      mixed bacteria biofilms. 

PMID- 27282166
TI  - A newly isolated and identified vitamin B12 producing strain: Sinorhizobium
      meliloti 320.
AB  - Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin, VB12) has several physiological functions and is widely
      used in pharmaceutical and food industries. A new unicellular species was
      extracted from China farmland, and the strain could produce VB12 which was
      identified by HPLC and HPLC-MS/MS. 16S rDNA analysis reveals this strain belongs
      to the species Sinorhizobium meliloti and we named it S. meliloti 320. Its whole
      genome information indicates that this strain has a complete VB12 synthetic
      pathway, which paves the way for further metabolic engineering studies. The
      optimal carbon and nitrogen sources are sucrose and corn steep liquor (CSL) plus
      peptone. The optimal combination of sucrose and CSL was obtained by response
      surface methodology as they are the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources,
      respectively. This strain could produce 140 +/- 4.2 mg L(-1) vitamin B12 after
      incubating for 7 days in the optimal medium. 

PMID- 27282167
TI  - African Americans with left ventricular hypertrophy and chronic kidney disease:
      what should we do?

PMID- 27282168
TI  - [App-based self-monitoring in type 2 diabetes].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The success of self-monitoring in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
      mellitus has already been verified in several studies. To date there are a
      multitude of smartphone apps which support diabetic patients in systematically
      recording and analyzing relevant health data; however, most of these smartphone
      apps are primarily developed for a young target group. OBJECTIVE: As part of this
      study we examined to what extent a smartphone app for self-monitoring is used by
      older diabetic patients. METHODS: In this study 36 adults with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus older than 60 years were included. After a comprehensive training course
      the participants used the application for 3 months. Reminders for medication,
      physical activity and diet could be set and recorded health data, such as weight
      or blood sugar, could be entered into the app. After 3 months the data were
      analyzed concerning usage behavior and impact on overall health. RESULTS: Data
      analysis revealed intensive usage of the smartphone app (90 % on a daily basis).
      Furthermore, according to the patients, after the study period significant
      improvements in medication adherence and psychological well-being were recorded
      [t[35] = -2.24, p < 0.05). Additional motivational elements did not influence the
      usage behavior by older adults. CONCLUSION: Until now only a small proportion of
      older adults used smartphone health apps, despite the ubiquitous availability.
      These apps have to be tailored to the requirements of older adults so that the
      market will be opened up to them. Using self-monitoring apps can help older
      adults to structure their daily routine despite their disease.

PMID- 27282169
TI  - Can the use of social media contribute towards Nursing and Midwifery Council
      revalidation?

PMID- 27282170
TI  - Acceptance and commitment therapy: an appropriate treatment option for older
      adults with chronic pain.

PMID- 27282171
TI  - The Contribution of Sources to the Sustained Elevated Inventory of (137)Cs in
      Offshore Waters East of Japan after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station
      Accident.
AB  - We have evaluated the contribution of sources of (137)Cs to the inventory of
      radiocesium in waters (surface area: 6160 km(2), water volume: 753 km(3)) off
      Fukushima Prefecture and neighboring prefectures from May 2011 to February 2015.
      A time-series of the inventory of (137)Cs in the offshore waters revealed a
      clearly decreasing trend from May 2011 (283.4 TBq) to February 2015 (1.89 TBq).
      The (137)Cs inventory about four years after the accident was approximately twice
      the background inventory of 1.1 TBq. The magnitudes of the (137)Cs influxes from
      sources into offshore waters for periods of 182-183 days were estimated from the
      first period (1 October 2011 to 31 March 2012: 15.3 TBq) to the last period (1
      October 2014 to 31 March 2015: 0.41 TBq). We assumed that three sources
      contributed (137)Cs: continuous direct discharge from the Fukushima Dai-ichi
      Nuclear Power Station (FNPS) even after the massive discharge in late March 2011,
      desorption/dissolution from sediments, and fluvial input. Quantification of these
      sources indicated that the direct discharge from the FNPS is the principal source
      of (137)Cs to maintain the relatively high inventory in the offshore area.

PMID- 27282172
TI  - Promising Cell Configuration for Next-Generation Energy Storage: Li2S/Graphite
      Battery Enabled by a Solvate Ionic Liquid Electrolyte.
AB  - Lithium-ion sulfur batteries with a [graphite|solvate ionic liquid
      electrolyte|lithium sulfide (Li2S)] structure are developed to realize high
      performance batteries without the issue of lithium anode. Li2S has recently
      emerged as a promising cathode material, due to its high theoretical specific
      capacity of 1166 mAh/g and its great potential in the development of lithium-ion
      sulfur batteries with a lithium-free anode such as graphite. Unfortunately, the
      electrochemical Li(+) intercalation/deintercalation in graphite is highly
      electrolyte-selective: whereas the process works well in the carbonate
      electrolytes inherited from Li-ion batteries, it cannot take place in the ether
      electrolytes commonly used for Li-S batteries, because the cointercalation of the
      solvent destroys the crystalline structure of graphite. Thus, only very few
      studies have focused on graphite-based Li-S full cells. In this work, simple
      graphite-based Li-S full cells were fabricated employing electrolytes beyond the
      conventional carbonates, in combination with highly loaded Li2S/graphene
      composite cathodes (Li2S loading: 2.2 mg/cm(2)). In particular, solvate ionic
      liquids can act as a single-phase electrolyte simultaneously compatible with both
      the Li2S cathode and the graphite anode and can further improve the battery
      performance by suppressing the shuttle effect. Consequently, these lithium-ion
      sulfur batteries show a stable and reversible charge-discharge behavior, along
      with a very high Coulombic efficiency. 

PMID- 27282173
TI  - Isocyano Enones: Addition-Cyclization Cascade to Oxazoles.
AB  - Copper iodide catalyzes the conjugate addition of organometallic and heteroatom
      nucleophiles to isocyano enones to afford oxazoles. A range of enolates,
      metalated nitriles, amines, and thiols undergo catalyzed conjugate addition to
      cyclic and acyclic oxoalkene isocyanides. Mechanistic studies suggest that copper
      complexation facilitates the nucleophilic attack on the isocyano enone to
      generate an enolate that cyclizes onto the isocyanide leading to a variety of
      substituted acyclic or ring-fused oxazoles.

PMID- 27282174
TI  - Unemployment as a source of mental distress to individuals and their family:
      Unemployed parents' perceptions during the economic recession.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to the economic recession, several people in Europe became
      unemployed. This situation may risk their mental health. AIM: This study explored
      parents' perceptions about their unemployment's effects in daily life during the
      recession. METHODS: A total of 59 unemployed parents (40.7% fathers and 59.3%
      mothers), ageing 44.4 years (+/-6.2), answer a question on how the unemployment
      affected their family lives. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. RESULTS:
      The findings suggest that unemployment is a source of adult and youth mental
      distress and of economic hardship and changes in family relations. CONCLUSION:
      Support to unemployed individuals and their families could benefit from these
      insights when granting the needed financial and socioemotional assistance.

PMID- 27282175
TI  - War and disaster in Sri Lanka: Depression, family adjustment and health among
      women heading households.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The civil war, lasting from 1983 to 2009, and the tsunami that struck
      Southeastern Asia in 2004 were major stressors that changed the demographic
      landscape of the northern province of Sri Lanka. The composition of families
      changed dramatically, with an increase in female-headed households, largely due
      to casualties. The conservation of resources (COR) model was applied in this
      study to examine relationships between risk and resiliency factors among women
      heading households, including women widowed by war or disaster. AIMS: This study
      represents an investigation of the association between predictive risk and
      resiliency factors (i.e. war damage and loss, social support, economic status,
      religious participation and discrimination) and outcomes representing well-being
      (depressive symptoms, family adjustment and a rating of physical health).
      METHODS: Data from 514 women heading households living in the Kilinochchi
      district of Sri Lanka were collected through face-to-face interviews in 2013, and
      associations among the data were estimated using path analysis. RESULTS: Results
      suggest that resiliency factors that are representative of greater resources
      generally predicted lower levels of distress and vice versa. CONCLUSION: Further
      study informing intervention development with women heading households in Sri
      Lanka is warranted to better understand which individual, family and community
      resources are most important to mobilize for sustainable recovery efforts to be
      successful in the decades following war and natural disaster.

PMID- 27282176
TI  - Caregiving for mental health service users: A study exploring the perceptions of
      mental health service users and their caregivers in Cape Town, South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our study explores perceptions of the caregiver support for mental
      health service users (MHSUs) in a low- to middle-income country setting.
      MATERIALS: We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 16 MHSUs and their
      treatment partners/caregivers from a treatment partner and text-message
      intervention study. DISCUSSION: Treatment partners/caregivers felt obligated to
      care for MHSUs, but had a limited understanding of mental illness. They found
      supporting adherence to treatment difficult due to a number of factors including
      violence, food insecurity and substance abuse. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic and
      environmental factors affecting the lives of MHSUs have impact on caregiver
      relationships with MHSUs in their care.

PMID- 27282177
TI  - Aging: T cell metabolism within tumors.

PMID- 27282189
TI  - The importance of predictive biomarkers in oncology drug development.

PMID- 27282190
TI  - Comparison of the Properties of the Handwriting Speed Test (HST) and Detailed
      Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH): An Exploratory Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Handwriting speed is an important component of students' ability to
      adequately express their ideas, knowledge and creativity in a timely and
      effective manner. AIMS: Psychometric properties of the Handwriting Speed Test
      (HST) and Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH) and accuracy of the
      norms for identifying current Australian students with handwriting speed
      difficulties were examined. METHODS: An exploratory, cross-sectional study was
      conducted involving students, with and without handwriting difficulties, in Years
      3-12 (mean age: 12.0 yrs, SD = 3.0 yrs; range = 7 to 18 yrs) in New South Wales
      (NSW; Australia). Participants were recruited through occupational therapists and
      schools. Students completed the HST and all DASH subtests. RESULTS: Thirty-two
      students with, and 139 students without, handwriting difficulties participated.
      Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were found to be excellent; sensitivity
      was low and specificity high for the HST and DASH. No significant differences
      were found between test scores and normative data for students without
      handwriting difficulties (year/age groups with n > 10). CONCLUSIONS: The HST and
      DASH are reliable assessments of handwriting speed. Further research is required
      into discriminant validity of the HST and DASH and need for updated norms.

PMID- 27282191
TI  - Characteristic chromatographic fingerprint study of short-chain fatty acids in
      human milk, infant formula, pure milk and fermented milk by gas chromatography
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - Human milk, infant formula, pure milk and fermented milk as food products or
      dietary supplements provide a range of nutrients required to both infants and
      adults. Recently, a growing body of evidence has revealed the beneficial roles of
      short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), a subset of fatty acids produced from the
      fermentation of dietary fibers by gut microbiota. The objective of this study was
      to establish a chromatographic fingerprint technique to investigate SCFAs in
      human milk and dairy products by gas chromatography coupled with mass
      spectrometry. The multivariate method for principal component analysis assessed
      differences between milk types. Human milk, infant formula, pure milk and
      fermented milk were grouped independently, mainly because of differences in
      formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and hexanoic acid levels. This method
      will be important for the assessment of SCFAs in human milk and various dairy
      products. 

PMID- 27282192
TI  - The relationship between theory of mind and the executive functions: Evidence
      from patients with frontal lobe damage.
AB  - "Theory of mind" (ToM) refers to the ability to predict others' thoughts,
      intentions, beliefs, and feelings. Evidence from neuropsychology and functional
      imaging indicates that ToM is a domain-specific or modular architecture; however,
      research in development psychology has suggested that ToM is the full development
      of the executive functions in individuals. Therefore, the relationship between
      ToM and the executive functions needs to be clarified. Since the frontal lobe
      plays a critical role in the abilities of ToM and the executive functions,
      patients with frontal lobe damage were recruited for the present study.
      Assessments of ToM and the executive functions were performed on 23 patients with
      frontal lobe damage and 20 healthy controls. When controlling for the executive
      functions, significant differences between the patient and normal groups were
      found in the affective component of ToM, but not in the cognitive component. The
      present study suggests that in various social situations, executing ToM abilities
      requires logical reasoning processes provided by the executive functions.
      However, the reasoning processes of affective ToM are independent of executive
      functions.

PMID- 27282193
TI  - Genetic polymorphism of 8 Y-STR loci in native population of Isfahan province in
      central part of Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) are genetic markers with
      practical applications in human identification and population studies. AIM: Here
      we present the allelic and haplotype frequencies of 8 Y-STR loci most commonly
      used in forensic medicine in 103 unrelated native males of Isfahan province,
      central part of Iran. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The cases were selected on the basis
      of strict criteria to assure pure native populations of Isfahan origin. DNA
      extracted from peripheral blood samples and PCR amplified for each marker. Y
      specific STR loci DYS19, DYS385, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392 and
      DYS393 were included in this study. RESULTS: The most common alleles for each
      locus were: DYS19, allele 12; DYS385, allele 12; DYS389I, allele 13; DYS389II,
      allele 29; DYS390, allele 24; DYS391, allele 10; DYS392, allele 11; and DYS393,
      allele 13. Gene diversity value was calculated from the allelic frequency for
      each locus. The average gene diversity was 0.6518. A total of 101 haplotypes were
      observed in eight Y-specific STR loci, the haplotype diversity was raised to
      0.986. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that a set of eight Y-specific STR loci
      were able to discriminate most of the male individuals in the population studied.
      A search through the Y Haplotype Reference Database demonstrated 21 matched
      haplotypes to 160,693 haplotypes, exclusively with Eurasian-European, Eurasian,
      and Eurasian-Indo Iranian populations.

PMID- 27282194
TI  - Interplay of Itch and Psyche in Psoriasis: An Update.
AB  - Itch or pruritus is defined as an unpleasant subjective sensation leading to the
      need or to the idea of scratching. A number of studies have shown that pruritus
      is often responsible for marked morbidity, quality of life impairment, and even
      for increased mortality. Patients suffering from chronic pruritus had also
      decreased self-esteem, suffer from anxiety or depression and have problems to
      cope with negative feelings. Several studies documented that itching is a very
      prevalent symptom of psoriasis affecting more than 70% of individuals and for
      many patient it is the most bothersome symptom of the disease. While assessing
      various aspects of itch in psoriatic patients it was found that individuals with
      pruritus had a significantly lower health-related QoL; patients with pruritus,
      moreover, were more depressed than those without itching. In conclusion, pruritus
      is closely related to decreased psychosocial well-being of patients with chronic
      pruritic skin diseases, including psoriasis. It is important to underscore that
      itch may interfere with various aspects of patient functioning, emotions and
      social status and should therefore be adequately addressed while treating
      patients with psoriasis. 

PMID- 27282196
TI  - Patient-Doctor Relationship in Dermatology: From Compliance to Concordance.
AB  - The concept of what the doctor-patient relationship should be has changed
      increasingly in recent years. Previously, an asymmetric relationship was assumed.
      Compliance and adherence are terms used currently. The concordance model goes
      further and examines the effectiveness of the mutual process between the doctor
      and the patient. In this model the interaction is two-sided and involves finding
      a decision as partners. The origins of this approach are to be found in
      psychoanalytic theory. 

PMID- 27282195
TI  - Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Mobile Health Technologies for Managing
      Chronic Conditions in Older Adults: A Scoping Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current landscape of a rapidly aging population accompanied by
      multiple chronic conditions presents numerous challenges to optimally support the
      complex needs of this group. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have shown
      promise in supporting older persons to manage chronic conditions; however, there
      remains a dearth of evidence-informed guidance to develop such innovations.
      OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to conduct a scoping review of current
      practices and recommendations for designing, implementing, and evaluating mHealth
      technologies to support the management of chronic conditions in community
      dwelling older adults. METHODS: A 5-stage scoping review methodology was used to
      map the relevant literature published between January 2005 and March 2015 as
      follows: (1) identified the research question, (2) identified relevant studies,
      (3) selected relevant studies for review, (4) charted data from selected
      literature, and (5) summarized and reported results. Electronic searches were
      conducted in 5 databases. In addition, hand searches of reference lists and a key
      journal were completed. Inclusion criteria were research and nonresearch papers
      focused on mHealth technologies designed for use by community-living older adults
      with at least one chronic condition, or health care providers or informal
      caregivers providing care in the home and community setting. Two reviewers
      independently identified articles for review and extracted data. RESULTS: We
      identified 42 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, described
      innovations focused on older adults with specific chronic conditions (n=17),
      chronic conditions in general (n=6), or older adults in general or those
      receiving homecare services (n=18). Most of the mHealth solutions described were
      designed for use by both patients and health care providers or health care
      providers only. Thematic categories identified included the following: (1)
      practices and considerations when designing mHealth technologies; (2) factors
      that support/hinder feasibility, acceptability, and usability of mHealth
      technologies; and (3) approaches or methods for evaluating mHealth technologies.
      CONCLUSIONS: There is limited yet increasing use of mHealth technologies in home
      health care for older adults. A user-centered, collaborative, interdisciplinary
      approach to enhance feasibility, acceptability, and usability of mHealth
      innovations is imperative. Creating teams with the required pools of expertise
      and insight regarding needs is critical. The cyclical, iterative process of
      developing mHealth innovations needs to be viewed as a whole with supportive
      theoretical frameworks. Many barriers to implementation and sustainability have
      limited the number of successful, evidence-based mHealth solutions beyond the
      pilot or feasibility stage. The science of implementation of mHealth technologies
      in home-based care for older adults and self-management of chronic conditions are
      important areas for further research. Additionally, changing needs as cohorts and
      technologies advance are important considerations. Lessons learned from the data
      and important implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed to
      inform the future development of innovations.

PMID- 27282197
TI  - Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of an Arabic language
      version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire in Lebanon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients' positive illness perceptions (IPs) significantly contribute
      to treatment success. The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ) is
      widely used in various diseases for assessing IPs. It was developed in English
      speaking countries and studies on it in Arab countries are scarce. OBJECTIVES,
      SETTING AND DESIGN: This observational cross-sectional study aimed to cross
      culturally adapt the Brief IPQ English version into a modern Arabic language
      version and determine its psychometric properties in a sample of Lebanese cardiac
      disease patients. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of
      Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of
      30 patients with cardiac disease were recruited during routine visits to
      cardiologists' offices in Beirut, Lebanon. Inclusion criteria were at least one
      cardiac disease for at least 6 months with no acute episode or exacerbation of
      the disease during the 6 preceding months, age >= 18 years, and the ability to
      read and comprehend Arabic. The pre-final version of the Brief IPQ Arabic version
      was tested for face and content validity. The meaning, comprehensibility, and
      acceptability were studied by individual interviews. For discriminant validity
      and internal consistency of the Brief IPQ Arabic version (Brief IPQ-Ar), 100
      patients were recruited in a similar manner using the same inclusion criteria. To
      assess reproducibility, 30 patients, selected randomly from the 100 patients,
      filled the questionnaire a second time, 3-4 weeks after its first administration
      and under the same conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychometric properties of
      the Brief IPQ-Ar among Lebanese patients suffering from cardiac diseases.
      RESULTS: Semantic equivalence between the Brief IPQ-Ar questions and patients'
      descriptions was 100%. Cronbach's alpha was 0.717, which shows good internal
      consistency. Reproducibility was satisfactory (ICC values>0.776). Moreover, the
      Brief IPQ-Ar discriminated participants according to the type of cardiac disease
      and treatment-related characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that the Brief IPQ
      Ar is appropriate for exploring IPs in cardiac disease patients whose first
      language is Arabic. Further research should be conducted to test this Arabic
      version in other types of diseases.

PMID- 27282198
TI  - Results from a large targeted screening program for alpha-1-antitrypsin
      deficiency: 2003 - 2015.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is an autosomal codominant
      inherited disease that is significantly underdiagnosed. We have previously shown
      that the combination of an awareness campaign with the offer of free diagnostic
      testing results in the detection of a relevant number of severely deficient AATD
      patients. The present study provides an update on the results of our targeted
      screening program (German AAT laboratory, University of Marburg) covering a
      period from August 2003 to May 2015. METHODS: Diagnostic AATD detection test kits
      were offered free of charge. Dried blood samples were sent to our laboratory and
      used for the semiquantitative measurement of the AAT-level (nephelometry) and the
      detection of the S- or Z-allele (PCR). Isoelectric focusing was performed when
      either of the initial tests was indicative for at least one mutation. Besides, we
      evaluated the impact of additional screening efforts and the changes of the
      detection rate over time, and analysed the relevance of clinical parameters in
      the prediction of severe AATD. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2015, 18,638 testing
      kits were analysed. 6919 (37.12 %) carried at least one mutation. Of those, we
      identified 1835 patients with severe AATD (9.82 % of the total test population)
      including 194 individuals with rare genotypes. Test initiatives offered to an
      unselected population resulted in a dramatically decreased detection rate. Among
      clinical characteristics, a history of COPD, emphysema, and bronchiectasis were
      significant predictors for Pi*ZZ, whereas a history of asthma, cough and phlegm
      were predictors of not carrying the genotype Pi*ZZ. CONCLUSION: A targeted
      screening program, combining measures to increase awareness with cost-free
      diagnostic testing, resulted in a high rate of AATD detection. The clinical data
      suggest that testing should be primarily offered to patients with COPD,
      emphysema, and/or bronchiectasis.

PMID- 27282199
TI  - Comparison of small-area deprivation measures as predictors of chronic disease
      burden in a low-income population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measures of small-area deprivation may be valuable in geographically
      targeting limited resources to prevent, diagnose, and effectively manage chronic
      conditions in vulnerable populations. We developed a census-based small-area
      socioeconomic deprivation index specifically to predict chronic disease burden
      among publically insured Medicaid recipients in South Carolina, a relatively poor
      state in the southern United States. We compared the predictive ability of the
      new index with that of four other small-area deprivation indicators. METHODS: To
      derive the ZIP Code Tabulation Area-Level Palmetto Small-Area Deprivation Index
      (Palmetto SADI), we evaluated ten census variables across five socioeconomic
      deprivation domains, identifying the combination of census indicators most highly
      correlated with a set of five chronic disease conditions among South Carolina
      Medicaid enrollees. In separate validation studies, we used both logistic and
      spatial regression methods to assess the ability of Palmetto SADI to predict
      chronic disease burden among state Medicaid recipients relative to four
      alternative small-area socioeconomic deprivation measures: the Townsend index of
      material deprivation; a single-variable poverty indicator; and two small-area
      designations of health care resource deprivation, Primary Care Health
      Professional Shortage Area and Medically Underserved Area/Medically Underserved
      Population. RESULTS: Palmetto SADI was the best predictor of chronic disease
      burden (presence of at least one condition and presence of two or more
      conditions) among state Medicaid recipients compared to all alternative
      deprivation measures tested. CONCLUSIONS: A low-cost, regionally optimized
      socioeconomic deprivation index, Palmetto SADI can be used to identify areas in
      South Carolina at high risk for chronic disease burden among Medicaid recipients
      and other low-income Medicaid-eligible populations for targeted prevention,
      screening, diagnosis, disease self-management, and care coordination activities.

PMID- 27282201
TI  - Effects of Titanium Layer Oxygen Scavenging on the High-k/InGaAs Interface.
AB  - One of the main challenges in the path to incorporating InGaAs based metal-oxide
      semiconductor structures in nanoelectronics is the passivation of high-k/InGaAs
      interfaces. Here, the oxygen scavenging effect of thin Ti layers on high-k/InGaAs
      gate stacks was studied. Electrical measurements and synchrotron X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, with in situ metal deposition, were
      used. Oxygen removal from the InGaAs native oxide surface layer remotely through
      interposed Al2O3 and HfO2 layers observed. Synchrotron X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy has revealed a decrease in the intensity of InOx features relative
      to In in InGaAs after Ti deposition. The signal ratio decreases further after
      annealing. In addition, Ti 2p spectra clearly show oxidation of the thin Ti layer
      in the ultrahigh vacuum XPS environment. Using capacitance-voltage and
      conductance-voltage measurements, Pt/Ti/Al2O3/InGaAs and Pt/Al2O3/InGaAs
      capacitors were characterized both before and after annealing. It was found that
      the remote oxygen scavenging from the oxide/semiconductor interface using a thin
      Ti layer can influence the density of interface traps in the high-k/InGaAs
      interface. 

PMID- 27282200
TI  - Temple-Baraitser Syndrome and Zimmermann-Laband Syndrome: one clinical entity?
AB  - BACKGROUND: KCNH1 encodes a voltage-gated potassium channel that is predominantly
      expressed in the central nervous system. Mutations in this gene were recently
      found to be responsible for Temple-Baraitser Syndrome (TMBTS) and Zimmermann
      Laband syndrome (ZLS). METHODS: Here, we report a new case of TMBTS diagnosed in
      a Lebanese child. Whole genome sequencing was carried out on DNA samples of the
      proband and his parents to identify mutations associated with this disease.
      Sanger sequencing was performed to confirm the presence of detected variants.
      RESULTS: Whole genome sequencing revealed three missense mutations in TMBTS
      patient: c.1042G > A in KCNH1, c.2131 T > C in STK36, and c.726C > A in ZNF517.
      According to all predictors, mutation in KCNH1 is damaging de novo mutation that
      results in substitution of Glycine by Arginine, i.e., p.(Gly348Arg). This
      mutation was already reported in a patient with ZLS that could affect the
      connecting loop between helices S4-S5 of KCNH1 with a gain of function effect.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that KCNH1 mutations cause TMBTS and expand
      the mutational spectrum of KCNH1 in TMBTS. In addition, all cases of TMBTS were
      reviewed and compared to ZLS. We suggest that the two syndromes are a continuum
      and that the variability in the phenotypes is the result of the involvement of
      genetic modifiers.

PMID- 27282202
TI  - Quantitative Analysis of Critical Factors for the Climate Impact of Landfill
      Mining.
AB  - Landfill mining has been proposed as an innovative strategy to mitigate
      environmental risks associated with landfills, to recover secondary raw materials
      and energy from the deposited waste, and to enable high-valued land uses at the
      site. The present study quantitatively assesses the importance of specific
      factors and conditions for the net contribution of landfill mining to global
      warming using a novel, set-based modeling approach and provides policy
      recommendations for facilitating the development of projects contributing to
      global warming mitigation. Building on life-cycle assessment, scenario modeling
      and sensitivity analysis methods are used to identify critical factors for the
      climate impact of landfill mining. The net contributions to global warming of the
      scenarios range from -1550 (saving) to 640 (burden) kg CO2e per Mg of excavated
      waste. Nearly 90% of the results' total variation can be explained by changes in
      four factors, namely the landfill gas management in the reference case (i.e.,
      alternative to mining the landfill), the background energy system, the
      composition of the excavated waste, and the applied waste-to-energy technology.
      Based on the analyses, circumstances under which landfill mining should be
      prioritized or not are identified and sensitive parameters for the climate impact
      assessment of landfill mining are highlighted.

PMID- 27282203
TI  - [Prenatal treatment with magnesium sulphate: Initial clinical outcomes in pre
      term infants less than 29 weeks and correlation with neonatal magnesium levels].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Antenatal magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) administration has shown to be
      effective in minimising cerebral palsy and severe motor dysfunction at the age of
      2 years. The aim of this study is to analyse the initial clinical outcome of
      preterm neonates less than 29 weeks who have received prenatal MgSO4, as well as
      to determine the relationship between the magnesium dose delivered to the mother
      and the magnesium concentration in the neonates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A
      prospective cohort study was conducted on neonates of less than 29 weeks
      gestation admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Hospital
      Universitario de Vigo from December 2012 to July 2015. Comparative analysis was
      performed on the perinatal outcomes, neonatal morbidity, mortality, and magnesium
      levels between the groups of neonates exposed to magnesium sulphate and the
      control group. RESULTS: A total of 42 neonates were included in the study. The
      mothers of 28 of them had received MgSO4 as a neuroprotective agent. Statistical
      significance was obtained in the mortality variable. There were no significant
      differences in the rest of studied variables. There was a significant correlation
      between the full dose of MgSO4 received by the mother and the levels of magnesium
      in the neonate in the first 24hours of life (r2 0.436; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: A
      lower mortality was observed in the group that had been exposed to MgS04. No
      significant side effects were found as a result of administering of MgS04. The
      MgS04 dose received by mother has a linear relationship with the magnesium levels
      obtained in neonates.

PMID- 27282204
TI  - Ultrasound in the diagnosis of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia and gout.
AB  - The increase in serum urate concentrations (hyperuricaemia, >=7.0mg/dL) creates
      crystals, which promote inflammation and joint lesions. Ultrasonography can
      reveal these urate deposits. The presence of crystals suggests that a patient
      with hyperuricaemia is actually experiencing asymptomatic gout, and that a
      patient with gout without subcutaneous tophi could experience tophaceous gout.
      The information offered by ultrasound (double contour sign and hyperechoic
      concretions mimicking clouds) enables a more specific classification of
      hyperuricaemia and gout. Additionally, this information can lead to relevant
      changes in terms of the diagnosis and therapeutic approach for patients with
      hyperuricaemia and gout.

PMID- 27282205
TI  - Pleural ultrasound for clinicians.
AB  - Pleural ultrasonography is useful for identifying and characterising pleural
      effusions, solid pleural lesions (nodules, masses, swellings) and pneumothorax.
      Pleural ultrasonography is also considered the standard care for guiding
      interventionist procedures on the pleura at the patient's bedside (thoracentesis,
      drainage tubes, pleural biopsies and pleuroscopy). Hospitals should promote the
      acquisition of portable ultrasound equipment to increase the patient's safety.

PMID- 27282206
TI  - C-reactive protein in pleural fluid. Does it help predict complicated
      parapneumonic effusions?

PMID- 27282207
TI  - Integracides H-J: New tetracyclic triterpenoids from the endophytic fungus
      Fusarium sp.
AB  - Three new tetracyclic triterpenoids namely, integracides H (1), I (4), and J (5),
      along with integracides B (3) and F (2) have been isolated from the endophytic
      fungus Fusarium sp. isolated from the roots of Mentha longifolia L. (Labiatae)
      growing in Saudi Arabia. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was
      achieved by spectroscopic analysis including UV, IR, 1D ((1)H and (13)C) and 2D
      ((1)H(1)H COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) NMR as well as HRESIMS and
      comparison with literature data. Integracides H (1) and J (5) showed significant
      anti-leishmanial activity towards Leishmania donovani with IC50 values of 4.75
      and 3.29MUM, respectively compared to pentamidine (IC50 6.35MUM). Moreover, they
      displayed potent cytotoxic activity towards BT-549, SKOV-3, and KB cell lines
      with IC50 values of 1.82, 1.32, and 0.18MUM and 2.46, 3.01, and 2.54MUM,
      respectively. 

PMID- 27282208
TI  - Characterization and preparation of oligomeric procyanidins from Litchi chinensis
      pericarp.
AB  - The main purpose of this study is to characterize and prepare A-type oligomeric
      procyanidins from litchi pericarp (Litchi chinensis Baila). The variety of
      oligomeric procyanidins was characterized by LC-ESI-MS analysis. There were (+)
      catechin, (-)-epicatechin, twelve dimers and six trimers of procyanidins were
      found in litchi pericarp extracts, and A-type procyanidins were much more
      abundant than B-type procyanidins. The main flavan-3-ol monomer and oligomeric
      procyanidins in litchi pericarp were (-)-epicatechin, A-type dimers (A1 and A2)
      and trimer (epicatechin-(4beta-8, 2beta-O-7)-epicatechin- (4beta-8)-epicatechin).
      Procyanidin A1 (epicatechin-(4beta-8, 2beta-O-7)-catechin) was identified by NMR
      in litchi pericarp for the first time. (-)-Epicatechin and oligomeric
      procyanidins were prepared by the combination of AB-8 column chromatography and
      Toyopearl HW-40S column chromatography. The results showed that each fraction
      predominantly owned a single compound and gave a high yield with (-)-epicatechin,
      A-type dimers (A1 and A2) and trimer, suggesting a useful method to obtain pure (
      )-epicatechin and A-type oligomeric procyanidins. 

PMID- 27282209
TI  - Dermal permeation data and models for the prioritization and screening-level
      exposure assessment of organic chemicals.
AB  - High-throughput screening (HTS) models are being developed and applied to
      prioritize chemicals for more comprehensive exposure and risk assessment. Dermal
      pathways are possible exposure routes to humans for thousands of chemicals found
      in personal care products and the indoor environment. HTS exposure models rely on
      skin permeability coefficient (KP; cm/h) models for exposure predictions. An
      initial database of approximately 1000 entries for empirically-based KP data was
      compiled from the literature and a subset of 480 data points for 245 organic
      chemicals derived from testing with human skin only and using only water as a
      vehicle was selected. The selected dataset includes chemicals with log octanol
      water partition coefficients (KOW) ranging from -6.8 to 7.6 (median=1.8; 95% of
      the data range from -2.5 to 4.6) and molecular weight (MW) ranging from 18 to
      765g/mol (median=180); only 3% >500g/mol. Approximately 53% of the chemicals in
      the database have functional groups which are ionizable in the pH range of 6 to
      7.4, with 31% being appreciably ionized. The compiled log KP values ranged from 
      5.8 to 0.1cm/h (median=-2.6). The selected subset of the KP data was then used to
      evaluate eight representative KP models that can be readily applied for HTS
      assessments, i.e., parameterized with KOW and MW. The analysis indicates that a
      version of the SKINPERM model performs the best against the selected dataset.
      Comparisons of representative KP models against model input parameter property
      ranges (sensitivity analysis) and against chemical datasets requiring human
      health assessment were conducted to identify regions of chemical properties that
      should be tested to address uncertainty in KP models and HTS exposure
      assessments.

PMID- 27282210
TI  - Dupuytren Disease Infiltrating a Full-Thickness Skin Graft.
AB  - Although the role of the skin in the development and propagation of Dupuytren
      disease remains unclear, dermofasciectomy and full-thickness skin grafting (FTSG)
      appears to delay recurrence. In 2011, a 71-year-old, left-handed man presented
      with recurrent Dupuytren disease in the dominant hand. In 1991, he originally
      underwent a primary dermofasciectomy and FTSG for Dupuytren disease involving the
      palmar skin. Twenty years later, the left middle finger was drawn into flexion by
      a recurrent cord, and the old graft and adjacent palmar skin were clinically
      involved by fibromatosis. We performed a revision dermofasciectomy and FTSG.
      Microscopic analysis of the excised graft demonstrated dense infiltration of the
      entire skin graft by Dupuytren disease, with areas of active and burnt-out
      fibromatosis distinct from hypertrophic scarring. This report of Dupuytren
      fibromatosis infiltrating a skin graft raises questions about the pathophysiology
      of Dupuytren disease. 

PMID- 27282211
TI  - Effect of LTRA on IP-10-induced eosinophil adhesion to ICAM-1.

PMID- 27282212
TI  - Endotypes of allergic diseases and asthma: An important step in building blocks
      for the future of precision medicine.
AB  - Discoveries from basic science research in the last decade have brought
      significant progress in knowledge of pathophysiologic processes of allergic
      diseases, with a compelling impact on understanding of the natural history, risk
      prediction, treatment selection or mechanism-specific prevention strategies. The
      view of the pathophysiology of allergic diseases developed from a mechanistic
      approach, with a focus on symptoms and organ function, to the recognition of a
      complex network of immunological pathways. Several subtypes of inflammation and
      complex immune-regulatory networks and the reasons for their failure are now
      described, that open the way for the development of new diagnostic tools and
      innovative targeted-treatments. An endotype is a subtype of a disease condition,
      which is defined by a distinct pathophysiological mechanism, whereas a disease
      phenotype defines any observable characteristic of a disease without any
      implication of a mechanism. Another key word linked to disease endotyping is
      biomarker that is measured and evaluated to examine any biological or pathogenic
      processes, including response to a therapeutic intervention. These three keywords
      will be discussed more and more in the future with the upcoming efforts to
      revolutionize patient care in the direction of precision medicine and precision
      health. The understanding of disease endotypes based on pathophysiological
      principles and their validation across clinically meaningful outcomes in asthma,
      allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, atopic dermatitis and food allergy
      will be crucial for the success of precision medicine as a new approach to
      patient management. 

PMID- 27282213
TI  - Application of failure mode and effect analysis in an assisted reproduction
      technology laboratory.
AB  - Assisted reproduction technology laboratories have a very high degree of
      complexity. Mismatches of gametes or embryos can occur, with catastrophic
      consequences for patients. To minimize the risk of error, a multi-institutional
      working group applied failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) to each critical
      activity/step as a method of risk assessment. This analysis led to the
      identification of the potential failure modes, together with their causes and
      effects, using the risk priority number (RPN) scoring system. In total, 11
      individual steps and 68 different potential failure modes were identified. The
      highest ranked failure modes, with an RPN score of 25, encompassed 17 failures
      and pertained to "patient mismatch" and "biological sample mismatch". The maximum
      reduction in risk, with RPN reduced from 25 to 5, was mostly related to the
      introduction of witnessing. The critical failure modes in sample processing were
      improved by 50% in the RPN by focusing on staff training. Three indicators of
      FMEA success, based on technical skill, competence and traceability, have been
      evaluated after FMEA implementation. Witnessing by a second human operator should
      be introduced in the laboratory to avoid sample mix-ups. These findings confirm
      that FMEA can effectively reduce errors in assisted reproduction technology
      laboratories. 

PMID- 27282214
TI  - Individual differences in behavioral activation and cardiac vagal control
      influence affective startle modification.
AB  - The startle response (SR) has a close relationship with stress responses. Startle
      modification (SRM) has been widely used to study stress disorders (e.g.,
      posttraumatic stress disorder). The framework of the behavioral inhibition and
      activation systems (BIS/BAS) has been thought to correspond with withdrawal and
      approach motivational processes underlying affective SRM and can influence stress
      reactivity. Vagally-mediated cardiac activity as indexed by heart rate
      variability (HRV) has been associated with SRM and regulatory processes during
      stress. In the present study, the influence of individual differences in the
      BIS/BAS and resting HRV on affective SRM were examined. Eighty-six subjects
      viewed affective pictures while acoustic SR stimuli were delivered. Individual
      differences in motivation were measured by the BIS/BAS scales. The magnitude of
      SR was assessed as electromyographic activity of the SR eyeblink during pictures
      of different valences. Resting HRV was derived from electrocardiography. In
      contrast to previous studies, the present results showed that startle inhibition
      and potentiation were related to BAS and HRV, but not to BIS. There was also an
      interaction of BAS and HRV, indicating that the relationship between HRV and SRM
      strengthened as BAS scores decreased. The present findings suggest that BAS may
      relate to both withdrawal and approach, and trait stress reactivity is influenced
      by BAS and cardiac vagal activity. In addition, BAS moderates the relationship
      between cardiac vagal activity and SRM. These findings have both theoretical and
      practical implications for the study of SRM, stress disorders, and health.

PMID- 27282215
TI  - Use of an autologous patch of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to prevent leakage after
      sleeve gastrectomy: A prospective observational study of 62 cases.

PMID- 27282216
TI  - Antibiotic-impregnated calcium phosphate cement as part of a comprehensive
      treatment for patients with established orthopaedic infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of established orthopaedic infection is challenging.
      While the main focus of treatment is wide surgical debridement, systemic and
      local antibiotic administration are important adjuvant therapies. Several reports
      have described the clinical use of antibiotic-impregnated calcium phosphate
      cement (CPC) to provide local antibiotic therapy for bone infections. However,
      these were all individual case reports, and no case series have been reported. We
      report a case series treated by a single surgeon using antibiotic-impregnated CPC
      as part of a comprehensive treatment plan in patients with established
      orthopaedic infection. METHODS: We enrolled 13 consecutive patients with
      osteomyelitis (n = 6) or infected non-union (n = 7). Implantation of antibiotic
      impregnated CPC was performed to provide local antibiotic therapy as part of a
      comprehensive treatment plan that also included wide surgical debridement,
      systemic antibiotic therapy, and subsequent second-stage reconstruction surgery.
      We investigated the rate of successful infection eradication and systemic/local
      complications. The concentration of antibiotics in the surgical drainage fluids,
      blood, and recovered CPC (via elution into a phosphate-buffered saline bath) were
      measured. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period after surgery was 50.4 (range, 27
      73) months. There were no cases of infection recurrence during follow-up. No
      systemic toxicity or local complications from the implantation of antibiotic
      impregnated CPC were observed. The vancomycin concentration in the fluid from
      surgical drainage (n = 6) was 527.1 +/- 363.9 MUg/mL on postoperative day 1 and
      224.5 +/- 198.4 MUg/mL on postoperative day 2. In patients who did not receive
      systemic vancomycin therapy (n = 3), the maximum serum vancomycin level was <0.8
      MUg/mL. In vitro vancomycin elution was observed from the CPC that was surgically
      retrieved (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of antibiotic-impregnated CPC is an
      option to provide local antibiotic therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment
      plan.

PMID- 27282217
TI  - Importance of the lateral parabrachial nucleus to sodium balance in fluid
      depleted rats.
AB  - The lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) exerts an important inhibitory influence
      for the control of sodium and water intake. However, the importance of LPBN on
      renal responses and cardiovascular changes during extracellular dehydration are
      still unknown. Here we investigated the effects of bilateral injections of
      moxonidine (alpha2-adrenergic and imidazoline receptor agonist) on renal and
      cardiovascular changes in fluid-depleted rats. Male Wistar rats (n=4-8 per group)
      with bilateral stainless steel guide-cannulas implanted into the LPBN were
      treated with subcutaneous furosemide (10mg/kg)+captopril (5mg/kg) to induce fluid
      depletion. Forty-five min later vehicle or moxonidine (0.5nmol/0.2MUl) were
      bilaterally injected into the LPBN. In fluid-depleted rats, moxonidine produced
      strong 0.3M NaCl and water intake without noticeable changes in cardiovascular
      parameters. Moxonidine did not change sodium excretion (488+/-135, vs. vehicle:
      376+/-75MUEq/1h) or urinary volume (2.5+/-0.7, vs. vehicle: 2.5+/-0.3ml/1h) in
      fluid-depleted rats without access to fluids for rehydration. However, moxonidine
      decreased natriuresis (462+/-127, vs. vehicle: 888+/-122MUEq/1h) and diuresis
      (2.5+/-0.5, vs. vehicle: 4.5+/-0.5ml/1h) in fluid-depleted rats submitted to i.g.
      rehydration. These data suggest that alpha2-adrenergic mechanism of the LPBN
      facilitates sodium/water retention and body fluid volume expansion during
      extracellular dehydration. 

PMID- 27282218
TI  - Removal of Caval and Right Atrial Thrombi and Masses Using the AngioVac Device:
      Initial Operative Experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe initial single-center experience with a thrombectomy device
      in managing right atrial and caval thrombi, tumors, and vegetations. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of AngioVac thrombectomy performed in 16
      patients (mean age 53 y +/- 13; 8 men, 8 women) between August 2013 and August
      2015 was performed. Indications included right atrial mass/thrombus (6/16; 37.5%)
      and iliocaval thrombus (10/16; 62.5%). Procedural success was defined as
      aspiration of > 70% volume of atrial mass/thrombus or restoration of antegrade
      caval flow. RESULTS: Procedural success was achieved in 4/6 (67%) right atrial
      masses/thrombi and 10/10 (100%) caval thrombi. All patients (8/8; 100%) with
      caval thrombus presenting with swelling/edema had improvement or resolution of
      symptoms. There were no procedural or periprocedural mortalities; complications
      included one major (6.3%; intraprocedural pulmonary embolus) and one minor (6.3%;
      access site hematoma not requiring transfusion) complication. Of 16 patients, 14
      (87.5%) survived to discharge at a mean of 10 days +/- 8 (range, 1-23 d), and 12
      patients (75%) were alive at last known follow-up at a mean of 385 days +/- 267
      (range, 63-730 d). At a mean of 194 days +/- 177 (range, 41-372 d), 4/16 (25%)
      patients were dead; no death was related to AngioVac thrombectomy. At a mean of
      66 days +/- 21 (range, 49-90 d) after intervention, 3/14 (21.4%) cases with
      procedural success had local recurrence of mass/thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: AngioVac
      thrombectomy can be performed with high procedural success with clinical benefit
      in patients with right atrial and caval masses/thrombi.

PMID- 27282219
TI  - Social Media: The New Impact Factor?

PMID- 27282220
TI  - Resolving new ultrastructural features of cytokinetic abscission with soft-X-ray
      cryo-tomography.
AB  - Mammalian cytokinetic abscission is mediated by the ESCRT membrane fission
      machinery. While much has been clarified on the topology and kinetics of
      abscission through high-resolution microscopy, key questions regarding the
      mechanism of abscission remain open. Here we apply cryogenic soft-X-ray
      tomography to elucidate new ultrastructural details in the intercellular membrane
      bridge connecting cells undergoing abscission. In particular, we resolve defined
      ring-like structures inside the midbody dark zone that have been inaccessible to
      EM, and identify membrane extrusions at the abscission sites. In cells at late
      stages of abscission we resolve a complex array of helical spirals, extending the
      structural information obtained by EM. Our results highlight the advantages of
      soft-X-ray tomography and emphasize the importance of using complementary
      approaches for characterizing cellular structures. Notably, by providing new
      structural data from intact cells we present a realistic view on the topology of
      abscission and suggest new mechanistic models for ESCRT mediated abscission.

PMID- 27282221
TI  - Corrigendum: Substoichiometric inhibition of transthyretin misfolding by immune
      targeting sparsely populated misfolding intermediates: a potential diagnostic and
      therapeutic for TTR amyloidoses.

PMID- 27282222
TI  - Developmental model of an automatic production of the human bronchial tree based
      on L-system.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The human lungs exchange air with the external
      environment via the conducting airways. The application of an anatomically
      accurate model of the conducting airways can be helpful for simulating gas
      exchange and fluid distribution throughout the bronchial tree in the lung.
      METHODS: In the current study, Lindenmayer system (L-system) has been formulated
      to generate the bronchial tree structure in a human lung. It has been considered
      that the structure of the bronchial tree is divided into two main segments: 1)
      The central airways (from the trachea to segmental bronchi) and 2) the
      dichotomous structure (from segmental bronchi to terminal bronchioles). Two sets
      of parametric rewriting rules which can be used to develop central and peripheral
      airways have been proposed; the first set used to develop central airways
      consists of seven rules, while the second rule set contains four rules. RESULTS:
      The proposed model is capable of generating bronchial tree inside the volume of
      the host lung; and comparison of the resulting model with those reported in the
      literature shows that the morphometric characteristics of L-system structure are
      in good agreement with their corresponding experimental data. CONCLUSION: The
      resulting model can be used to obtain a mathematical model required for the study
      of transport phenomena occurring in the lung during respiration.

PMID- 27282223
TI  - Automatic detection and segmentation of sperm head, acrosome and nucleus in
      microscopic images of human semen smears.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Manual assessment of sperm morphology is subjective and
      error prone so developing automatic methods is vital for a more accurate
      assessment. The first step in automatic evaluation of sperm morphology is sperm
      head detection and segmentation. In this paper a complete framework for automatic
      sperm head detection and segmentation is presented. METHODS: After an initial
      thresholding step, the histogram of the Hue channel of HSV color space is used,
      in addition to size criterion, to discriminate sperm heads in microscopic images.
      To achieve an improved segmentation of sperm heads, an edge-based active contour
      method is used. Also a novel tail point detection method is proposed to refine
      the segmentation by locating and removing the midpiece from the segmented head.
      An algorithm is also proposed to separate the acrosome and nucleus using
      morphological operations. Dice coefficient is used to evaluate the segmentation
      performance. The proposed methods are evaluated using a publicly available
      dataset. RESULTS: The proposed method has achieved segmentation accuracy of 0.92
      for sperm heads, 0.84 for acrosomes and 0.87 for nuclei, with the standard
      deviation of 0.05, which significantly outperforms the current state-of-the-art.
      Also our tail detection method achieved true detection rate of 96%. CONCLUSIONS:
      In this paper we presented a complete framework for sperm detection and
      segmentation which is totally automatic. It is shown that using active contours
      can improve the segmentation results of sperm heads. Our proposed algorithms for
      tail detection and midpiece removal further improved the segmentation results.
      The results indicate that our method achieved higher Dice coefficients with less
      dispersion compared to the existing solutions.

PMID- 27282224
TI  - Clinical testing of propofol geriatic dose for sedation designed via in silico
      trial.
AB  - The geriatric population shows significant physiological changes due to aging and
      the multiple co-morbidities that they often present. Conventionally the propofol
      sedation dose for patients older than 65 years is 80% of the adult dose. We
      performed an in silico trial for elderly population and the results showed that
      the necessary simulated dose of propofol was lower than the conventional dose;
      therefore, a clinical trial was implemented to test three different propofol
      doses, two of them lower than the conventional dose, during a pacemaker
      implantation. The clinical trial showed that there was no clinical difference
      between the effects of the doses. A BIS monitor was used to measure the level of
      sedation, which proved to be adequate and well maintained by all patients. All
      the patients maintained an acceptable level of sedation, measured by a BIS
      monitor. Since propofol has some dose-dependent secondary effects, the use of
      lower doses, especially the ones designed for this age group, helps to avoid
      them. 

PMID- 27282225
TI  - CopyMean: A new method to predict monotone missing values in longitudinal
      studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Longitudinal studies are those in which the same variable is
      repeatedly measured at different times. More likely than others, these studies
      suffer from missing values. Because the missing values may impact the statistical
      analyses, it is important that they be dealt with properly. METHODS: In this
      paper, we present "CopyMean", a new method to impute (predict) monotone missing
      values. We compared its efficiency to sixteen imputation methods dedicated to the
      treatment of missing values in longitudinal data. All these methods were tested
      on four datasets, real or artificial, presenting markedly different
      caracteristics. RESULTS: The analysis showed that CopyMean was more efficient in
      almost all situations.

PMID- 27282226
TI  - Blood flow suspension in tapered stenosed arteries for Walter's B fluid model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the present article, I have studied the blood flow
      of a Walter's B fluid through a tapered artery with a stenosis. The problem is
      modeled in cylindrical coordinates system. METHODS RESULTS CONCLUSIONS: The
      analytical solutions have been carried out using regular perturbation method by
      taking alpha as perturbation parameter. The expressions for velocity, resistance
      impedance, wall shear stress and shearing stress at the stenosis throat have been
      evaluated. The graphical results of different types of tapered arteries (i.e.
      converging tapering, diverging tapering, non-tapered artery) have been examined
      for different parameters of interest.

PMID- 27282227
TI  - Association between anxiety state and mitral valve disorders: A Taiwanese
      population-wide observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite substantial research progress in concurrent
      diseases, for instance comorbidities involving anxiety state (AS) and mitral
      valve disorders (MVD), the current measures and care are limited and no consensus
      about their association has yet been reached. Hence, this study aims to analyze
      the prevalence and association between AS and MVD among Taiwanese population.
      METHODS: We employed phenome-wide association study (PWAS) portal to investigate
      the association between AS and MVD using claim data of Taiwan's National Health
      Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from year 2000 to 2002. Association strength
      between AS and MVD was analyzed among overall age and gender groups. RESULTS: We
      found an overall stronger association between AS and MVD, which was significantly
      higher in younger age group (OR 15, 95% CI 14.82-16.88) than in the elderly age
      group (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.76-2.24). Also, the study reveals a higher incidence of
      co-occurrence in females than males, particularly in age group of 40-49.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results showing considerable strength of association
      between AS and MVD, this study suggests the necessity of MVD assessment in all
      patients with AS, particularly in younger females. Moreover, we also propose
      psychotherapeutic as well as pharmacologic intervention for comorbidity-based
      pathologies to better the quality care for high-need Taiwanese population.

PMID- 27282228
TI  - Improving the discrimination of hand motor imagery via virtual reality based
      visual guidance.
AB  - While research on the brain-computer interface (BCI) has been active in recent
      years, how to get high-quality electrical brain signals to accurately recognize
      human intentions for reliable communication and interaction is still a
      challenging task. The evidence has shown that visually guided motor imagery (MI)
      can modulate sensorimotor electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms in humans, but
      how to design and implement efficient visual guidance during MI in order to
      produce better event-related desynchronization (ERD) patterns is still unclear.
      The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of using object-oriented
      movements in a virtual environment as visual guidance on the modulation of
      sensorimotor EEG rhythms generated by hand MI. To improve the classification
      accuracy on MI, we further propose an algorithm to automatically extract subject
      specific optimal frequency and time bands for the discrimination of ERD patterns
      produced by left and right hand MI. The experimental results show that the
      average classification accuracy of object-directed scenarios is much better than
      that of non-object-directed scenarios (76.87% vs. 69.66%). The result of the t
      test measuring the difference between them is statistically significant (p =
      0.0207). When compared to algorithms based on fixed frequency and time bands,
      contralateral dominant ERD patterns can be enhanced by using the subject-specific
      optimal frequency and the time bands obtained by our proposed algorithm. These
      findings have the potential to improve the efficacy and robustness of MI-based
      BCI applications. 

PMID- 27282229
TI  - An effective model for store and retrieve big health data in cloud computing.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The volume of healthcare data including different and
      variable text types, sounds, and images is increasing day to day. Therefore, the
      storage and processing of these data is a necessary and challenging issue.
      Generally, relational databases are used for storing health data which are not
      able to handle the massive and diverse nature of them. METHODS: This study aimed
      at presenting the model based on NoSQL databases for the storage of healthcare
      data. Despite different types of NoSQL databases, document-based DBs were
      selected by a survey on the nature of health data. The presented model was
      implemented in the Cloud environment for accessing to the distribution
      properties. Then, the data were distributed on the database by applying the Shard
      property. RESULTS: The efficiency of the model was evaluated in comparison with
      the previous data model, Relational Database, considering query time, data
      preparation, flexibility, and extensibility parameters. The results showed that
      the presented model approximately performed the same as SQL Server for "read"
      query while it acted more efficiently than SQL Server for "write" query. Also,
      the performance of the presented model was better than SQL Server in the case of
      flexibility, data preparation and extensibility. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these
      observations, the proposed model was more effective than Relational Databases for
      handling health data.

PMID- 27282230
TI  - Do false positive alerts in naive clinical decision support system lead to false
      adoption by physicians? A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: False positive alerts in patient-safety-related clinical decision
      support systems (CDSS) are defined as alerts which incorrectly prompt when no
      risk patients are encountered. It is an unfavorable condition which may
      potentially mislead physicians. The aim is to investigate physician responses
      toward false positive (FP) and true positive (TP) alerts in CDSS for the
      prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). METHODS: A two-arm cluster
      randomized controlled trial was conducted in university hospitals. Eligible
      physicians were randomized to receive alert intervention or no intervention
      (groups 1 and 2, respectively). The alert system was embedded with a deliberately
      non-specific risk detection tool in order to generate TP and FP alerts. The naive
      alert system would alert the physician to cancel the order regardless of the
      patient being at-risk or not at-risk. CIN risk was stratified as at-risk and no
      risk according to a patient's pre-existing renal function. Contrast imaging order
      cancellation rate was measured as primary outcome. RESULTS: 3802 contrast
      enhanced examination orders from 66 physicians were analyzed. Demographic data
      and risk distributions of patients were similar and well-balanced between two
      groups. In the intervention group, a total of 1892 alerts were generated (332 TP
      alerts and 1560 FP alerts). Order-cancellation rates were 5.1% versus 1.4% in
      groups 1 and 2 for at-risk patients (relative risk [RR] = 3.69) from TP alerts,
      and 1.0% versus 1.4% for no-risk patients (RR = 0.71) from FP alerts. Using
      generalized linear model with generalized estimating equation, the FP alerts had
      no order-cancellation effect when compared to the control arm (adjusted RR =
      0.69; 95%CI, 0.36-1.32). The TP alerts had a larger order-cancellation effect
      than that of the control arm (adjusted RR = 2.95; 95%CI, 0.94-9.27), which
      revealed a marginal trend toward significance. However, the effect was not
      statistically significant (adjusted RR = 1.24; 95%CI, 0.71-2.18) if TP and FP
      alerts were mixed. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians are not likely to adopt
      recommendations provided by false positive alerts in patient-safety-related CDSS.
      If reporting only the adoption rate of CDSS as a whole without differentiating
      between TP and FP alerts, the effects of TP and FP alerts will be mixed, and
      thus, will lead to an underestimation of system effectiveness.

PMID- 27282231
TI  - A review of the applications of data mining and machine learning for the
      prediction of biomedical properties of nanoparticles.
AB  - This article presents a comprehensive review of applications of data mining and
      machine learning for the prediction of biomedical properties of nanoparticles of
      medical interest. The papers reviewed here present the results of research using
      these techniques to predict the biological fate and properties of a variety of
      nanoparticles relevant to their biomedical applications. These include the
      influence of particle physicochemical properties on cellular uptake,
      cytotoxicity, molecular loading, and molecular release in addition to
      manufacturing properties like nanoparticle size, and polydispersity. Overall, the
      results are encouraging and suggest that as more systematic data from
      nanoparticles becomes available, machine learning and data mining would become a
      powerful aid in the design of nanoparticles for biomedical applications. There is
      however the challenge of great heterogeneity in nanoparticles, which will make
      these discoveries more challenging than for traditional small molecule drug
      design. 

PMID- 27282233
TI  - Real-time seizure prediction using RLS filtering and interpolated histogram
      feature based on hybrid optimization algorithm of Bayesian classifier and Hunting
      search.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epileptic seizure prediction using EEG signal analysis
      is an important application for drug therapy and pediatric patient monitoring.
      Time series estimation to obtain the future samples of EEG signal has vital role
      for detecting seizure attack. In this paper, a novel density-based real-time
      seizure prediction algorithm based on a trained offline seizure detection
      algorithm is proposed. METHODS: In the offline seizure detection procedure, after
      signal preprocessing, histogram-based statistical features are extracted from
      signal probability distribution. By defining a deterministic polynomial model on
      the normalized histogram, a novel syntactic feature that is named Interpolated
      Histogram Feature (IHF) is proposed. Moreover, with this feature, Seizure
      Distribution Model (SDM) as a descriptor of the seizure and non-seizure signals
      is presented. By using a novel hybrid optimization algorithm based on Bayesian
      classifier and Hunting Search (HuS) algorithm, the optimal features are selected.
      To detect the seizure attacks in the online mode, a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP)
      classifier is trained with the optimal features in the offline procedure. For
      online prediction, the enhanced Recursive Least Square (RLS) filter is applied to
      estimate sample-by-sample of the EEG signal. Also, a density-based signal
      tracking scenario is introduced to update and tune the parameters of RLS
      filtering algorithm. RESULTS: Our prediction algorithm is evaluated on 104 hours
      of EEG signals recorded from 23 pediatric patients. Our online signal prediction
      algorithm provides the accuracy rate of 86.56% and precision rate of 86.53%
      simultaneously using the trained MLP classifier from the offline mode. The recall
      rate of seizure prediction is 97.27% and the false prediction rate of 0.00215 per
      hour is achieved as well. Ultimately, the future samples of EEG signal are
      estimated, and the time of seizure signal prediction is also converged to 6.64
      seconds. CONCLUSION: In our proposed real-time algorithm, by implementing a
      density-based signal tracking scenario, the future samples of signal with
      suitable time is predicted and the seizure is detected based on the optimal
      features from the IHF and histogram-based statistical features with acceptable
      performance.

PMID- 27282232
TI  - Cloud-based BP system integrated with CPOE improves self-management of the
      hypertensive patients: A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Less than 50% of patients with hypertensive disease manage to
      maintain their blood pressure (BP) within normal levels. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
      this study is to evaluate whether cloud BP system integrated with computerized
      physician order entry (CPOE) can improve BP management as compared with
      traditional care. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial done on a random sample
      of 382 adults recruited from 786 patients who had been diagnosed with
      hypertension and receiving treatment for hypertension in two district hospitals
      in the north of Taiwan. Physicians had access to cloud BP data from CPOE. Neither
      patients nor physicians were blinded to group assignment. The study was conducted
      over a period of seven months. RESULTS: At baseline, the enrollees were 50% male
      with a mean (SD) age of 58.18 (10.83) years. The mean sitting BP of both arms was
      no different. The proportion of patients with BP control at two, four and six
      months was significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control
      group. The average capture rates of blood pressure in the intervention group were
      also significantly higher than the control group in all three check-points.
      CONCLUSIONS: Cloud-based BP system integrated with CPOE at the point of care
      achieved better BP control compared to traditional care. This system does not
      require any technical skills and is therefore suitable for every age group. The
      praise and assurance to the patients from the physicians after reviewing the
      Cloud BP records positively reinforced both BP measuring and medication adherence
      behaviors.

PMID- 27282234
TI  - Iterative fuzzy segmentation for an accurate delimitation of the breast region.
AB  - In mammographic images, extracting different anatomical structures and tissues
      types is a critical requirement for the breast cancer diagnosis. For instance,
      separating breast and background regions increases the accuracy and efficiency of
      mammographic processing algorithms. In this paper, we propose a new region-based
      method to properly segment breast and background regions in mammographic images.
      These regions are estimated by an Iterative Fuzzy Breast Segmentation method
      (IFBS). Based on the Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm, IFBS method iteratively
      increases the precision of an initially extracted breast region. This proposal is
      evaluated using the MIAS database. Experimental results show high accuracy and
      reliability in breast extraction when compared with Ground-Truth (GT) images. 

PMID- 27282235
TI  - 3D active surfaces for liver segmentation in multisequence MRI images.
AB  - Biopsies for diagnosis can sometimes be replaced by non-invasive techniques such
      as CT and MRI. Surgeons require accurate and efficient methods that allow proper
      segmentation of the organs in order to ensure the most reliable intervention
      planning. Automated liver segmentation is a difficult and open problem where CT
      has been more widely explored than MRI. MRI liver segmentation represents a
      challenge due to the presence of characteristic artifacts, such as partial
      volumes, noise and low contrast. In this paper, we present a novel method for
      multichannel MRI automatic liver segmentation. The proposed method consists of
      the minimization of a 3D active surface by means of the dual approach to the
      variational formulation of the underlying problem. This active surface evolves
      over a probability map that is based on a new compact descriptor comprising
      spatial and multisequence information which is further modeled by means of a
      liver statistical model. This proposed 3D active surface approach naturally
      integrates volumetric regularization in the statistical model. The advantages of
      the compact visual descriptor together with the proposed approach result in a
      fast and accurate 3D segmentation method. The method was tested on 18 healthy
      liver studies and results were compared to a gold standard made by expert
      radiologists. Comparisons with other state-of-the-art approaches are provided by
      means of nine well established quality metrics. The obtained results improve
      these methodologies, achieving a Dice Similarity Coefficient of 98.59. 

PMID- 27282236
TI  - Efficient patient modeling for visuo-haptic VR simulation using a generic patient
      atlas.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This work presents a new time-saving virtual patient
      modeling system by way of example for an existing visuo-haptic training and
      planning virtual reality (VR) system for percutaneous transhepatic cholangio
      drainage (PTCD). METHODS: Our modeling process is based on a generic patient
      atlas to start with. It is defined by organ-specific optimized models, method
      modules and parameters, i.e. mainly individual segmentation masks, transfer
      functions to fill the gaps between the masks and intensity image data. In this
      contribution, we show how generic patient atlases can be generalized to new
      patient data. The methodology consists of patient-specific, locally-adaptive
      transfer functions and dedicated modeling methods such as multi-atlas
      segmentation, vessel filtering and spline-modeling. RESULTS: Our full image
      volume segmentation algorithm yields median DICE coefficients of 0.98, 0.93,
      0.82, 0.74, 0.51 and 0.48 regarding soft-tissue, liver, bone, skin, blood and
      bile vessels for ten test patients and three selected reference patients.
      Compared to standard slice-wise manual contouring time saving is remarkable.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our segmentation process shows out efficiency and robustness for
      upper abdominal puncture simulation systems. This marks a significant step toward
      establishing patient-specific training and hands-on planning systems in a
      clinical environment.

PMID- 27282237
TI  - Three-dimensional reconstruction of trachea using computed tomography imaging as
      therapy for tracheal stenosis in infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to develop a system that uses
      computed tomography (CT) imaging for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the
      trachea as therapy for tracheal stenosis in infants, and further calculate the
      cross-sectional area and volume, assisting doctors in clinical diagnosis.
      METHODS: We first used image processing, calculating the cross-sectional area and
      volume. We used the improved median filter for image processing and designed the
      system for capturing the cross-sectional area of endotracheal tube. We then
      established 3D reconstruction images with isosurface extraction technology and
      calculated the cross-sectional area and volume. Medical indicator data analysis
      was performed. RESULTS: The median filter developed in this study performed
      better in filtering speckle noise compared to traditional filtering methods.
      Furthermore, the median filter can keep fine texture feature, so that the
      subsequent contour selection and 3D reconstructed volume are more accurate. We
      also proposed new medical grading indexes according to tracheal obstruction
      volume ratio to assist doctors with the diagnosis and provide recommendations on
      treatment. Seventeen samples were examined in this study. Four sections of each
      sample are reviewed. Sixty-eight sections were used for validation, and the
      overall accuracy is very reliable. CONCLUSIONS: Using image processing we
      obtained tracheal CT images before 3D reconstruction and calculated the cross
      sectional area and volume of the trachea. New medical indicators are proposed
      according to the location and severity of stenosis to assist doctors with
      diagnosis.

PMID- 27282238
TI  - Dynamic relaxation in algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) for breast
      tomosynthesis imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A major challenge in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
      (DBT) is handling image noise since the 3D reconstructed images are obtained from
      low dose projections and limited angular range. The use of the iterative
      reconstruction algorithm Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (ART) in clinical
      context depends on two key factors: the number of iterations needed (time
      consuming) and the image noise after iterations. Both factors depend highly on a
      relaxation coefficient (lambda), which may give rise to slow or noisy
      reconstructions, when a single lambda value is considered for the entire
      iterative process. The aim of this work is to present a new implementation for
      the ART that takes into account a dynamic mode to calculate lambda in DBT image
      reconstruction. METHODS: A set of initial reconstructions of real phantom data
      was done using constant lambda values. The results were used to choose, for each
      iteration, the suitable lambda value, taking into account the image noise level
      and the convergence speed. A methodology to optimize lambda automatically during
      the image reconstruction was proposed. RESULTS: Results showed we can dynamically
      choose lambda values in such a way that the time needed to reconstruct the images
      can be significantly reduced (up to 70%) while achieving similar image quality.
      These results were confirmed with one clinical dataset. CONCLUSIONS: With simple
      methodology we were able to dynamically choose lambda in DBT image reconstruction
      with ART, allowing a shorter image reconstruction time without increasing image
      noise.

PMID- 27282239
TI  - gVARVI: A graphical software tool for the acquisition of the heart rate in
      response to external stimuli.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: At present, tools capable of acquiring heart rate data
      can be found both in commercial and research fields. However, these tools do not
      allow users to manage experiments comprising sequences of activities or to store
      the information needed to perform heart rate variability analysis across
      different activities. One exception is VARVI, a simple software tool developed
      previously in our research group that does not have a graphical user interface
      and it works only with visual stimuli. In this paper, we present gVARVI, a
      software tool aimed at obtaining heart rate data signals while the user is either
      receiving a sequence of external stimuli or performing a sequence of actions (an
      activity). METHODS: gVARVI is an open source application developed in Python
      programming language. It can acquire heart rate data by means of a wireless chest
      strap using either Bluetooth or ANT+ protocols. Users can define activities of
      different types (video, sounds, pictures or keyboard controlled actions) which
      will associate contextual information to the heart rate data. gVARVI allows users
      to preview this data or to store it to be used for heart rate variability
      studies. Our tool was validated by 15 researchers, who worked with the
      application and filled in a usability questionnaire. RESULTS: The outcome of the
      usability test was satisfactory, giving a mean score of 4.75 in a 1-5 scale (1 -
      strongly disagree, 5 - strongly agree). Participants also contributed with
      valuable comments, which we used to include new features in the last version of
      our tool. CONCLUSIONS: gVARVI is an open source tool that offers new
      possibilities to both physicians and clinicians to perform heart rate variability
      studies. It allows users to acquire heart rate data including information on the
      activity performed by subjects while recording. In this paper, we describe all
      the functionalities included in gVARVI, and a complete example of use is
      provided.

PMID- 27282240
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 27282241
TI  - The behaviour of green tea catechins in a full-fat milk system under conditions
      mimicking the cheesemaking process.
AB  - Due to their well-known health benefits, green tea catechins have received recent
      attention as natural additives in foods such as dairy products. However, they may
      present some irreversible associations with milk components (e.g. protein and
      milk fat globules). To investigate the behaviour of two important green tea
      catechins, (+)-catechin (C) and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), in a
      standard whole milk system under the conditions of cheesemaking, 250 and 500 ppm
      of each catechin were added to whole milk (3.3% fat). Although both C and EGCG at
      either concentration increased both total phenolic content and total antioxidant
      capacity of the subnatants obtained from the milk system, there was a less linear
      increase when the concentration of the catechins was doubled, whereas C or EGCG
      were recovered (measured by HPLC) differently. Overall, these results suggest a
      degree of associations between green tea catechins with milk proteins and milk
      fat. 

PMID- 27282242
TI  - Influence of static electric field on cognition in mice.
AB  - With the rapid development of high voltage direct current transmission, the
      possibility of health effects associated with static electric field (SEF) has
      caused wide public concern. To examine the effects of long-lasting, full-body
      exposure to SEF on cognition, Institute of Cancer Research mice were exposed to
      SEF for 35 d. The intensities of SEF in experimental group I (EG-I), experimental
      group II (EG-II) and control group (CG) were 2.30~15.40 kV/m, 9.20~21.85 kV/m and
      0 kV/m, respectively. The performance in learning and memory of mice were tested
      by Morris water maze (MWM) on days 2~6, 16~20 and 30~34 during the exposure
      period. The concentrations of hippocampal amino acid neurotransmitters were
      evaluated on days 7, 21 and 35. Results showed that the latency in the MWM test
      had no significant difference among the EG-I, EG-II and CG (P > 0.05) during the
      exposure period. The percentage of time spent in the target quadrant was
      significantly decreased in the EG-II on day 34 during the exposure period (P <
      0.05), whereas the percentage of time spent in the opposite quadrant increased
      markedly (P < 0.01). The glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid concentrations
      showed no significant differences among the EG-I, EG-II and CG (P > 0.05) during
      the exposure period. These results indicated that long-lasting, full-body
      exposure to SEF with certain intensity would not cause significant influence on
      learning ability, but it might associate with memory impairment of receptors.
      Meanwhile, this effect of memory impairment was dose-dependent and not causally
      linked to the glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in the hippocampus. 

PMID- 27282243
TI  - Shadows of Beauty - Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Concerns in Germany is
      Increasing: Data from Two Representative Samples from 2002 and 2013.
AB  - Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychosomatic disease associated with reduced
      quality of life and suicidal ideations. Increasing attention to beauty and the
      development of beauty industries lead to the hypothesis that BDD is increasing.
      The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis in two representative samples
      of Germans, assessed in 2002 and 2013. In 2002, n = 2,066 and in 2013, n = 2,508
      Germans were asked to fill in the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ), which
      assesses dysmorphic concerns. Subclinical and clinical dysmorphic concerns
      increased from 2002 to 2013 (subclinical from 0.5% to 2.6%, OR = 5.16 (CI95% =
      2.64; 10.06); clinical from 0.5% to 1.0%, OR = 2.20 (CI95% = 1.03; 4.73). Women
      reported more dysmorphic concerns than men, with rates of 0.7% subclinical and
      0.8 clinical BDD in women and 0.3% subclinical and 0.1% clinical BDD in men in
      2002. In 2013, 2.8% subclinical and 1.2% clinical BDD were found in women and
      2.4% subclinical and 0.8% clinical BDD in men. Further studies should assess
      predictors for developing a BDD and evaluate factors determining the efficacy of
      disease-specific psychotherapeutic and psychotropic drug treatments. 

PMID- 27282244
TI  - Epidemiology and pathogenesis of diffuse obstructive coronary artery disease: the
      role of arterial stiffness, shear stress, monocyte subsets and circulating
      microparticles.
AB  - Despite falling age-adjusted mortality rates coronary artery disease (CAD)
      remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Advanced diffuse CAD is becoming an
      important entity of modern cardiology as more patients with historical
      revascularisation no longer have suitable anatomy for additional procedures.
      Advances in the treatment of diffuse obstructive CAD are hampered by a poor
      understanding of its development. Although the likelihood of developing
      clinically significant (obstructive) CAD is linked to traditional risk factors,
      the morphology of obstructive CAD among individuals is highly variable - some
      patients have diffuse stenotic disease, while others have a focal stenosis. This
      is challenging to explain in mechanistic terms as vascular endothelium is equally
      exposed to injury stimulants. Patients with diffuse disease are at high risk of
      adverse outcomes, particularly if unsuitable for revascularisation. We searched
      multiple electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database) and
      reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis and prognosis relating to advanced
      diffuse CAD with particular focus on the role of endothelial shear stress, large
      artery stiffness, monocyte subsets and circulating microparticles. Key messages
      Although traditional CAD risk factors correlate strongly with disease severity,
      significant individual variation in disease morphology exists. Advanced, diffuse
      CAD is difficult to treat effectively and can significantly impair quality of
      life and increases mortality. The pathophysiology associated with the progression
      of CAD is the result of complex maladaptive interaction between the endothelium,
      cells of the immune system and patterns of blood flow.

PMID- 27282245
TI  - Association of psychological, cognitive, and functional variables with self
      reported executive functioning in a sample of nondemented community-dwelling
      older adults.
AB  - Subjective executive functioning (EF) measures provide valuable information about
      real-world difficulties, although it is unclear what variables actually associate
      with subjective EF scores. We investigated subjective EF in 245 nondemented,
      community-dwelling older adults (aged 70 and above) from the Einstein Aging
      Study. Partial correlational analyses controlling for age were performed between
      the nine Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version (BRIEF-A)
      clinical scales and objective EF tests, self-reported mood and personality, and
      informant-reported activities of daily living. The significance level was set at
      p < .006 for all analyses (two-tailed). Most notably, higher
      worry/oversensitivity, physiological anxiety, and fear of aging were
      significantly associated with increased EF difficulties on all nine BRIEF-A
      scales. Additionally, increased EF difficulties on five or more BRIEF-A scales
      were significantly associated with lower conscientiousness, higher neuroticism,
      and higher depressive symptom scores. The only objective neuropsychological test
      that significantly correlated with increased EF difficulties (on four BRIEF-A
      scales) was a measure of practical judgment. Overall, results indicate that
      interpretation of subjective EF scores must account for self-report of mood and
      personality. Moreover, the BRIEF-A only minimally taps objective EF as measured
      by performance-based measures. We discuss the theoretical and practical
      implications of these findings.

PMID- 27282246
TI  - Lysophosphatidylcholine plays critical role in allergic airway disease
      manifestation.
AB  - Phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), pivotal for allergic and inflammatory response,
      hydrolyses phosphatidylcholine (PC) to lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). In present
      study, the role of LPC in allergic airway disease manifestation was studied using
      mouse model. Balb/c mice were immunized using cockroach extract (CE) and LPC
      release was blocked by sPLA2 inhibitor. Airway hyperresponse (AHR), lung
      histology, total and differential leukocyte count (TLC&DLC), Th2 type cytokines,
      sPLA2 activity and LPC levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were
      measured. Exogenous LPC was given to the mice with or without CE sensitization,
      to demonstrate its role in allergic airway disease manifestation. Anti-CD1d
      antibody was given to study the involvement of natural killer T (NKT) cells in
      LPC induced response. AHR, lung-inflammation, TLC, DLC, Th2 type cytokines, sPLA2
      activity and LPC levels were increased on CE challenge. sPLA2 activity and LPC
      release was blocked by sPLA2-inhibitor, which decreased AHR, and inflammatory
      parameters. Exogenous LPC with or without CE sensitization increased above
      parameters. CE challenge or LPC exposure increased LY49C(+)TCRbeta(+) NKT cells
      in BALF and spleen, which was reduced by anti-CD1d antibody, accompanied with
      reduction in AHR and allergic airway inflammation parameters. Conclusively, LPC
      induces allergic airway disease manifestation and it does so probably via CD1d
      restricted LY49C(+)TCRbeta(+) NKT cells.

PMID- 27282247
TI  - Associative-memory representations emerge as shared spatial patterns of theta
      activity spanning the primate temporal cortex.
AB  - Highly localized neuronal spikes in primate temporal cortex can encode
      associative memory; however, whether memory formation involves area-wide
      reorganization of ensemble activity, which often accompanies rhythmicity, or just
      local microcircuit-level plasticity, remains elusive. Using high-density
      electrocorticography, we capture local-field potentials spanning the monkey
      temporal lobes, and show that the visual pair-association (PA) memory is encoded
      in spatial patterns of theta activity in areas TE, 36, and, partially, in the
      parahippocampal cortex, but not in the entorhinal cortex. The theta patterns
      elicited by learned paired associates are distinct between pairs, but similar
      within pairs. This pattern similarity, emerging through novel PA learning, allows
      a machine-learning decoder trained on theta patterns elicited by a particular
      visual item to correctly predict the identity of those elicited by its paired
      associate. Our results suggest that the formation and sharing of widespread
      cortical theta patterns via learning-induced reorganization are involved in the
      mechanisms of associative memory representation.

PMID- 27282248
TI  - Transient ECM protease activity promotes synaptic plasticity.
AB  - Activity-dependent proteolysis at a synapse has been recognized as a pivotal
      factor in controlling dynamic changes in dendritic spine shape and function;
      however, excessive proteolytic activity is detrimental to the cells. The exact
      mechanism of control of these seemingly contradictory outcomes of protease
      activity remains unknown. Here, we reveal that dendritic spine maturation is
      strictly controlled by the proteolytic activity, and its inhibition by the
      endogenous inhibitor (Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 - TIMP-1).
      Excessive proteolytic activity impairs long-term potentiation of the synaptic
      efficacy (LTP), and this impairment could be rescued by inhibition of protease
      activity. Moreover LTP is altered persistently when the ability of TIMP-1 to
      inhibit protease activity is abrogated, further demonstrating the role of such
      inhibition in the promotion of synaptic plasticity under well-defined conditions.
      We also show that dendritic spine maturation involves an intermediate formation
      of elongated spines, followed by their conversion into mushroom shape. The
      formation of mushroom-shaped spines is accompanied by increase in AMPA/NMDA ratio
      of glutamate receptors. Altogether, our results identify inhibition of protease
      activity as a critical regulatory mechanism for dendritic spines maturation.

PMID- 27282251
TI  - Upregulation of p27 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and a C-terminus truncated
      form of p27 contributes to G1 phase arrest.
AB  - Potent anti-cancer compounds FR901464 and its methyl-ketal derivative
      spliceostatin A (SSA) inhibit cell cycle progression at G1 and G2/M phases. These
      compounds bind to the spliceosome and inhibit the splicing reaction. However, the
      molecular mechanism underlying G1 arrest after SSA treatment remains unknown. In
      this study, we found that ~90% of SSA-treated cells arrested at G1 phase after
      cell cycle synchronization. SSA treatment caused upregulation of the p27 cyclin
      dependent kinase inhibitor both at mRNA and protein levels. In addition to p27,
      we observed expression of p27*, a C-terminal truncated form of p27 that is
      translated from CDKN1B (p27) pre-mRNA accumulated after splicing inhibition.
      Overexpression of p27 or p27* inhibited the exit from G1 phase after a double
      thymidine block. Conversely, knocking down of p27 by siRNA partially suppressed
      the G1 phase arrest caused by SSA treatment. There results suggest that G1 arrest
      in SSA-treated cells is caused, at least in part, by upregulation of p27 and
      p27*.

PMID- 27282249
TI  - Neutrophils in cancer: neutral no more.
AB  - Neutrophils are indispensable antagonists of microbial infection and facilitators
      of wound healing. In the cancer setting, a newfound appreciation for neutrophils
      has come into view. The traditionally held belief that neutrophils are inert
      bystanders is being challenged by the recent literature. Emerging evidence
      indicates that tumours manipulate neutrophils, sometimes early in their
      differentiation process, to create diverse phenotypic and functional polarization
      states able to alter tumour behaviour. In this Review, we discuss the involvement
      of neutrophils in cancer initiation and progression, and their potential as
      clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

PMID- 27282253
TI  - Commentary on: 'Age, not therapy intensity, determines outcomes of adults with
      acute myeloid leukemia'.

PMID- 27282252
TI  - Physical, chemical and kinetic factors affecting prion infectivity.
AB  - The mouse-adapted scrapie prion strain RML is one of the most widely used in
      prion research. The introduction of a cell culture-based assay of RML prions, the
      scrapie cell assay (SCA) allows more rapid and precise prion titration. A semi
      automated version of this assay (ASCA) was applied to explore a range of
      conditions that might influence the infectivity and properties of RML prions.
      These include resistance to freeze-thaw procedures; stability to endogenous
      proteases in brain homogenate despite prolonged exposure to varying temperatures;
      distribution of infective material between pellet and supernatant after
      centrifugation, the effect of reducing agents and the influence of detergent
      additives on the efficiency of infection. Apparent infectivity is increased
      significantly by interaction with cationic detergents. Importantly, we have also
      elucidated the relationship between the duration of exposure of cells to RML
      prions and the transmission of infection. We established that the infection
      process following contact of cells with RML prions is rapid and followed an
      exponential time course, implying a single rate-limiting process.

PMID- 27282250
TI  - RNA splicing factors as oncoproteins and tumour suppressors.
AB  - The recent genomic characterization of cancers has revealed recurrent somatic
      point mutations and copy number changes affecting genes encoding RNA splicing
      factors. Initial studies of these 'spliceosomal mutations' suggest that the
      proteins bearing these mutations exhibit altered splice site and/or exon
      recognition preferences relative to their wild-type counterparts, resulting in
      cancer-specific mis-splicing. Such changes in the splicing machinery may create
      novel vulnerabilities in cancer cells that can be therapeutically exploited using
      compounds that can influence the splicing process. Further studies to dissect the
      biochemical, genomic and biological effects of spliceosomal mutations are crucial
      for the development of cancer therapies targeted at these mutations.

PMID- 27282254
TI  - Genomic disruption of the histone methyltransferase SETD2 in chronic lymphocytic
      leukaemia.
AB  - Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) are important epigenetic regulators of gene
      transcription and are disrupted at the genomic level in a spectrum of human
      tumours including haematological malignancies. Using high-resolution single
      nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, we identified recurrent deletions of the
      SETD2 locus in 3% (8/261) of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients.
      Further validation in two independent cohorts showed that SETD2 deletions were
      associated with loss of TP53, genomic complexity and chromothripsis. With next
      generation sequencing we detected mutations of SETD2 in an additional 3.8% of
      patients (23/602). In most cases, SETD2 deletions or mutations were often
      observed as a clonal event and always as a mono-allelic lesion, leading to
      reduced mRNA expression in SETD2-disrupted cases. Patients with SETD2
      abnormalities and wild-type TP53 and ATM from five clinical trials employing
      chemotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy had reduced progression-free and overall
      survival compared with cases wild type for all three genes. Consistent with its
      postulated role as a tumour suppressor, our data highlight SETD2 aberration as a
      recurrent, early loss-of-function event in CLL pathobiology linked to aggressive
      disease.

PMID- 27282256
TI  - The T-type calcium channel antagonist Z944 rescues impairments in crossmodal and
      visual recognition memory in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg.
AB  - Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is often comorbid with behavioral and cognitive
      symptoms, including impaired visual memory. Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from
      Strasbourg (GAERS) is an animal model closely resembling CAE; however, cognition
      in GAERS is poorly understood. Crossmodal object recognition (CMOR) is a recently
      developed memory task that examines not only purely visual and tactile memory,
      but also requires rodents to integrate sensory information about objects gained
      from tactile exploration to enable visual recognition. Both the visual and
      crossmodal variations of the CMOR task rely on the perirhinal cortex, an area
      with dense expression of T-type calcium channels. GAERS express a gain-in
      function missense mutation in the Cav3.2 T-type calcium channel gene. Therefore,
      we tested whether the T-type calcium channel blocker Z944 dose dependently (1, 3,
      10mg/kg; i.p.) altered CMOR memory in GAERS compared to the non-epileptic control
      (NEC) strain. GAERS demonstrated recognition memory deficits in the visual and
      crossmodal variations of the CMOR task that were reversed by the highest dose of
      Z944. Electroencephalogram recordings determined that deficits in CMOR memory in
      GAERS were not the result of seizures during task performance. In contrast, NEC
      showed a decrease in CMOR memory following Z944 treatment. These findings suggest
      that T-type calcium channels mediate CMOR in both the GAERS and NEC strains.
      Future research into the therapeutic potential of T-type calcium channel
      regulation may be particularly fruitful for the treatment of CAE and other
      disorders characterized by visual memory deficits. 

PMID- 27282257
TI  - Experiences With a Self-Reported Mobile Phone-Based System Among Patients With
      Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In cancer care, mobile phone-based systems are becoming more widely
      used in the assessment, monitoring, and management of side effects. OBJECTIVE: To
      explore the experiences of patients with colorectal cancer on using a mobile
      phone-based system for reporting neurotoxic side effects. METHODS: Eleven
      patients were interviewed (ages 44-68 years). A semistructured interview guide
      was used to perform telephone interviews. The interviews were transcribed
      verbatim and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The patients'
      experiences of using a mobile phone-based system were identified and constructed
      as: "being involved," "pacing oneself," and "managing the questions." "Being
      involved" refers to their individual feelings. Patients were participating in
      their own care by being observant of the side effects they were experiencing.
      They were aware that the answers they gave were monitored in real time and taken
      into account by health care professionals when planning further treatment.
      "Pacing oneself" describes how the patients can have an impact on the time and
      place they choose to answer the questions. Answering the questionnaire was easy,
      and despite the substantial number of questions, it was quickly completed.
      "Managing the questions" pointed out that the patients needed to be observant
      because of the construction of the questions. They could not routinely answer all
      the questions. Patients understood that side effects can vary during the cycles
      of treatment and need to be assessed repeatedly during treatment. CONCLUSIONS:
      This mobile phone-based system reinforced the patients' feeling of involvement in
      their own care. The patients were comfortable with the technology and appreciated
      that the system was not time consuming.

PMID- 27282258
TI  - Barrier inhomogeneities limited current and 1/f noise transport in GaN based
      nanoscale Schottky barrier diodes.
AB  - The electrical behaviour of Schottky barrier diodes realized on vertically
      standing individual GaN nanorods and array of nanorods is investigated. The
      Schottky diodes on individual nanorod show highest barrier height in comparison
      with large area diodes on nanorods array and epitaxial film which is in contrast
      with previously published work. The discrepancy between the electrical behaviour
      of nanoscale Schottky diodes and large area diodes is explained using
      cathodoluminescence measurements, surface potential analysis using Kelvin probe
      force microscopy and 1ow frequency noise measurements. The noise measurements on
      large area diodes on nanorods array and epitaxial film suggest the presence of
      barrier inhomogeneities at the metal/semiconductor interface which deviate the
      noise spectra from Lorentzian to 1/f type. These barrier inhomogeneities in large
      area diodes resulted in reduced barrier height whereas due to the limited role of
      barrier inhomogeneities in individual nanorod based Schottky diode, a higher
      barrier height is obtained.

PMID- 27282259
TI  - Corrigendum: Hyperactive mTOR signals in the proopiomelanocortin-expressing
      hippocampal neurons cause age-dependent epilepsy and premature death in mice.

PMID- 27282255
TI  - Substitution scanning identifies a novel, catalytically active ibrutinib
      resistant BTK cysteine 481 to threonine (C481T) variant.
AB  - Irreversible Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, ibrutinib and acalabrutinib
      have demonstrated remarkable clinical responses in multiple B-cell malignancies.
      Acquired resistance has been identified in a sub-population of patients in which
      mutations affecting BTK predominantly substitute cysteine 481 in the kinase
      domain for catalytically active serine, thereby ablating covalent binding of
      inhibitors. Activating substitutions in the BTK substrate phospholipase Cgamma2
      (PLCgamma2) instead confers resistance independent of BTK. Herein, we generated
      all six possible amino acid substitutions due to single nucleotide alterations
      for the cysteine 481 codon, in addition to threonine, requiring two nucleotide
      substitutions, and performed functional analysis. Replacement by arginine,
      phenylalanine, tryptophan or tyrosine completely inactivated the catalytic
      activity, whereas substitution with glycine caused severe impairment. BTK with
      threonine replacement was catalytically active, similar to substitution with
      serine. We identify three potential ibrutinib resistance scenarios for cysteine
      481 replacement: (1) Serine, being catalytically active and therefore
      predominating among patients. (2) Threonine, also being catalytically active, but
      predicted to be scarce, because two nucleotide changes are needed. (3) As BTK
      variants replaced with other residues are catalytically inactive, they presumably
      need compensatory mutations, therefore being very scarce. Glycine and tryptophan
      variants were not yet reported but likely also provide resistance.

PMID- 27282260
TI  - Predictive Value of Antiviral Effects in the Development of Hepatocellular
      Carcinoma in the General Korean Population with Chronic Hepatitis B.
AB  - Background/Aims: The benefit of oral antiviral therapy in preventing
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the general population is not well understood.
      We used a novel prediction method to estimate the risk of HCC in the Korean
      population based on various treatment guidelines. Methods: The 5-year risk of HCC
      following antiviral therapy was calculated using an HCC risk prediction model. A
      virtual cohort that represented Koreans (>40 years old) with chronic hepatitis B
      virus (HBV) infection was established using the fifth National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey. The antiviral indications tested were the Korean
      National Health Insurance (NHI) and European Association for the Study of the
      Liver (EASL) guidelines as well as a new extended indication (serum HBV DNA
      >2,000 IU/mL regardless of serum aminotransferase level). Results: A total of
      993,872 subjects were infected with HBV in the general Korean population. Over a
      5-year period, 2,725 HCC cases were predicted per 100,000 persons (0.55%/yr).
      When the cohort was treated based on the Korean NHI, the EASL, and the newly
      extended indications, HCC risks decreased to 2,531 (-7.1%), 2,089 (-23.3%), and
      1,122 (-58.8%) cases per 100,000 persons, respectively (p<0.0001). Conclusions:
      Simulated risk prediction suggests that extending of oral antiviral indication
      may reduce the HCC risk in the general population.

PMID- 27282261
TI  - Limited Effect of Rebamipide in Addition to Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) in the
      Treatment of Post-Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Gastric Ulcers: A Randomized
      Controlled Trial Comparing PPI Plus Rebamipide Combination Therapy with PPI
      Monotherapy.
AB  - Background/Aims: The ability of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to resect
      large early gastric cancers (EGCs) results in the need to treat large artificial
      gastric ulcers. This study assessed whether the combination therapy of rebamipide
      plus a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) offered benefits over PPI monotherapy.
      Methods: In this prospective, randomized, multicenter, open-label, and
      comparative study, patients who had undergone ESD for EGC or gastric adenoma were
      randomized into groups receiving either rabeprazole monotherapy (10 mg/day, n=64)
      or a combination of rabeprazole plus rebamipide (300 mg/day, n=66). The Scar
      stage (S stage) ratio after treatment was compared, and factors independently
      associated with ulcer healing were identified by using multivariate analyses.
      Results: The S stage rates at 4 and 8 weeks were similar in the two groups, even
      in the subgroups of patients with large amounts of tissue resected and regardless
      of CYP2C19 genotype. Independent factors for ulcer healing were circumferential
      location of the tumor and resected tissue size; the type of treatment did not
      affect ulcer healing. Conclusions: Combination therapy with rebamipide and PPI
      had limited benefits compared with PPI monotherapy in the treatment of post-ESD
      gastric ulcer (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000007435).

PMID- 27282262
TI  - Performance of the Fecal Immunochemical Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening
      Using Different Stool-Collection Devices: Preliminary Results from a Randomized
      Controlled Trial.
AB  - Background/Aims: We are in the process of conducting a randomized trial to
      determine whether compliance with the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for
      colorectal cancer screening differs according to the stool-collection method.
      This study was an interim analysis of the performance of two stool-collection
      devices (sampling bottle vs conventional container). Methods: In total, 1,701
      individuals (age range, 50 to 74 years) were randomized into the sampling bottle
      group (intervention arm) or the conventional container group (control arm). In
      both groups, we evaluated the FIT positivity rate, the positive predictive value
      for advanced neoplasia, and the detection rate for advanced neoplasia. Results:
      The FIT positivity rates were 4.1% for the sampling bottles and 2.0% for the
      conventional containers; these values were significantly different. The positive
      predictive values for advanced neoplasia in the sampling bottles and conventional
      containers were 11.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.4 to 25.6) and 12.0% (95%
      CI, -0.7 to 24.7), respectively. The detection rates for advanced neoplasia in
      the sampling bottles and conventional containers were 4.5 per 1,000 persons (95%
      CI, 2.0 to 11.0) and 2.4 per 1,000 persons (95% CI, 0.0 to 5.0), respectively.
      Conclusions: The impact of these findings on FIT screening performance was
      unclear in this interim analysis. This impact should therefore be evaluated in
      the final analysis following the final enrollment period.

PMID- 27282263
TI  - Antral or Pyloric Deformity Is a Risk Factor for the Development of
      Postendoscopic Submucosal Dissection Pyloric Strictures.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Surgeons must be aware of risk factors for strictures before
      performing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), to enable early interventions
      to prevent severe strictures. METHODS: This study was a single-center
      retrospective study. We reviewed the clinical data of patients who has undergone
      gastric ESD from January 2007 to December 2012. RESULTS: Among the 3,819 patients
      who had undergone gastric ESD, 11 patients (7.2%) developed pyloric strictures
      and received successful endoscopic balloon dilation. Significant differences were
      noted between the patients without and with post-ESD strictures for pretreatment
      of antral or pyloric deformities (46.4% vs 81.8%), the proportion of extension to
      the lumen circumference (>3/4, 9.4% vs 54.5%), the longitudinal extent of mucosal
      defects (27.9+/-10.1 mm vs 51.5+/-10.8 mm), and post-ESD bleeding (2.9% vs
      27.3%). Multivariate analysis revealed that pretreatment antral or pyloric
      deformities (odds ratio [OR], 30.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.476 to
      631.565; p=0.027), larger longitudinal extent of mucosal defects (OR, 1.20; 95%
      CI, 1.074 to 1.340; p=0.001), and circumferential extension of >=3/4 (OR, 13.69;
      95% CI, 1.583 to 118.387; p=0.017) were independent risk factors for post-ESD
      stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Antral or pyloric deformities, sub-circumferential
      resection over more than 75% of the circumference and greater longitudinal extent
      of mucosal defects are independent risk factors for post-ESD stricture.

PMID- 27282264
TI  - Lamivudine versus Entecavir for Newly Diagnosed Hepatitis B Virus-Related
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - Background/Aims: Antiviral therapy is a key component in the management of
      hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However,
      whether the potent drug entecavir is more effective than a less potent drug, such
      as lamivudine, in HBV-related HCC is not clear. Methods: A retrospective cohort
      of 451 newly diagnosed, HBV-related HCC patients without antiviral therapy at
      diagnosis, who started antiviral therapy with either entecavir (n=249) or
      lamivudine (n=202), were enrolled. Results: The median survival was longer for
      the entecavir group than for the lamivudine group, and lamivudine use (vs
      entecavir) was an independent factor for mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.49;
      p=0.002). Lamivudine use (vs entecavir) was an independent risk factor for new
      onset hepatic decompensation (HR, 1.67; p=0.010) in 318 patients without previous
      hepatic decompensation, and it was also an independent risk factor for recurrence
      after curative therapy (HR, 1.84; p=0.002) in 117 patients who received curative
      therapy. The findings were similar in a propensity score-matched cohort.
      Conclusions: Overall survival, decompensation-free survival, and recurrence-free
      survival were better in the entecavir-treated patients than in the lamivudine
      treated-patients, indicating that the potent antiviral drug should be the
      preferred choice in HBV-related HCC patients.

PMID- 27282265
TI  - The Benefits of Combination Therapy with Esomeprazole and Rebamipide in Symptom
      Improvement in Reflux Esophagitis: An International Multicenter Study.
AB  - Background/Aims: To investigate the effects of esomeprazole and rebamipide
      combination therapy on symptomatic improvement in patients with reflux
      esophagitis. Methods: A total of 501 patients with reflux esophagitis were
      randomized into one of the following two treatment regimens: 40 mg esomeprazole
      plus 300 mg rebamipide daily (combination therapy group) or 40 mg esomeprazole
      daily (monotherapy group). We used a symptom questionnaire that evaluated
      heartburn, acid regurgitation, and four upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The
      primary efficacy end point was the mean decrease in the total symptom score.
      Results: The mean decreases in the total symptom score at 4 weeks were estimated
      to be -18.1+/-13.8 in the combination therapy group and -15.1+/-11.9 in the
      monotherapy group (p=0.011). Changes in reflux symptoms from baseline after 4
      weeks of treatment were -8.4+/-6.6 in the combination therapy group and -6.8+/
      5.9 in the monotherapy group (p=0.009). Conclusions: Over a 4-week treatment
      course, esomeprazole and rebamipide combination therapy was more effective in
      decreasing the symptoms of reflux esophagitis than esomeprazole monotherapy.

PMID- 27282266
TI  - NADPH Oxidase 1 and NADPH Oxidase 4 Have Opposite Prognostic Effects for Patients
      with Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX)
      mediated reactive oxygen species contribute to various liver diseases, including
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Uncertainties remain regarding the prognostic
      relevance of NOX1 and NOX4 protein expression in HCC. METHODS: NOX1 and NOX4
      protein expression was examined by using immunohistochemistry in tumor tissue
      from 227 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy. RESULTS: High immunoreactivity
      for NOX1 was observed in 197 (86.8%) of the 227 HCC cases and low
      immunoreactivity for NOX4 in 112 (49.3%). NOX1 and NOX4 proteins had opposite
      prognostic effects. High NOX1 expression was an independent predictor of both
      shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p<0.01) and shorter overall survival (OS)
      (p=0.01). Low NOX4 expression was an independent predictor of both shorter RFS
      (p<0.01) and shorter OS (p=0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that, among patients
      with normal alpha-fetoprotein levels, patients with tumor size <=5.0 cm and
      patients in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A, high NOX1 expression had
      unfavorable effects on RFS, whereas low NOX4 expression had unfavorable effects
      on both RFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated that NOX1 and NOX4
      protein expression had opposite prognostic effects for HCC patients. Moreover,
      both proteins had prognostic value in HCC patients with normal alpha-fetoprotein
      levels or with early-stage HCC.

PMID- 27282267
TI  - Quality of Life after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer:
      A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.
AB  - Background/Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been an established
      treatment for indicated early gastric cancer (EGC) without deterioration of
      quality of life (QOL) compared with surgical resection. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate long-term QOL in patients undergoing ESD for EGC. Methods: Patients
      scheduled to undergo curative ESD for EGC were prospectively enrolled from 12
      institutions between May 2010 and December 2011. Assessments of QOL with Korean
      versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer
      (EORTC) QOL questionnaire-core (QLQ-C30) and a gastric cancer-specific
      questionnaire (STO22) were performed at baseline and at 7 days, 3 months, and 6
      months after ESD. Results: A total of 666 subjects were assessed for QLQ-C30 and
      QLQ-STO22. The mean QLQ-C30 score was 69.5 at baseline, 68.8 at 7 days, 73.1 at 3
      months, and 73.2 at 6 months. The global health status on the EORTC QLQ-C30 was
      significantly improved after 3 and 6 months (p=0.0003 and p<0.0001,
      respectively). The QLQ-C30 and STO22 scores were not significantly different, or
      they only slightly deteriorated between before and immediately after ESD, but
      they were significantly improved after 3 and 6 months (p<0.05). Conclusions: QOL
      did not deteriorate immediately after ESD, and it improved more significantly at
      up to 6 months in patients who underwent curative ESD for EGC without significant
      complications.

PMID- 27282268
TI  - Antireflux Metal Stent as a First-Line Metal Stent for Distal Malignant Biliary
      Obstruction: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Background/Aims: In distal malignant biliary obstruction, an antireflux metal
      stent (ARMS) with a funnel-shaped valve is effective as a reintervention for
      metal stent occlusion caused by reflux. This study sought to evaluate the
      feasibility of this ARMS as a first-line metal stent. Methods: Patients with
      nonresectable distal malignant biliary obstruction were identified between April
      and December 2014 at three Japanese tertiary centers. We retrospectively
      evaluated recurrent biliary obstruction and adverse events after ARMS placement.
      Results: In total, 20 consecutive patients were included. The most common cause
      of biliary obstruction was pancreatic cancer (75%). Overall, recurrent biliary
      obstruction was observed in seven patients (35%), with a median time to recurrent
      biliary obstruction of 246 days (range, 11 to 246 days). Stent occlusion occurred
      in five patients (25%), the causes of which were sludge and food impaction in
      three and two patients, respectively. Stent migration occurred in two patients
      (10%). The rate of adverse events associated with ARMS was 25%: pancreatitis
      occurred in three patients, cholecystitis in one and liver abscess in one. No
      patients experienced nonocclusion cholangitis. Conclusions: The ARMS as a first
      line biliary drainage procedure was feasible. Because the ARMS did not fully
      prevent stent dysfunction due to reflux, further investigation is warranted.

PMID- 27282269
TI  - Helicobacter pylori Eradication Downregulates Cellular Inhibitor of Apoptosis
      Protein 2 in Gastric Carcinogenesis.
AB  - Background/Aims: To evaluate the expression of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis
      protein 2 (cIAP2) during gastric carcinogenesis after Helicobacter pylori (HP)
      infection and after HP eradication. Methods: We divided non-cancer patients into
      four groups according to the status of HP infection and atrophic gastritis
      (AG)/intestinal metaplasia (IM). We compared cIAP2 mRNA expression among these
      four groups and patients with HP-positive early gastric cancer (EGC) by using
      real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We evaluated the expression of cIAP2
      messenger RNA (mRNA)/protein by using real-time PCR/immunohistochemistry and the
      degree of apoptosis with a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated nick end
      labeling assay before and 12 months after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)
      in HP-positive EGC patients, regardless of whether they had undergone eradication
      therapy. Results: The expression of cIAP2 mRNA was significantly higher in the
      groups with HP(+), AG/IM(+), and HP-positive EGC than in the control, HP(+), and
      AG/ IM(-) groups (p<0.005). In the HP eradication group, the expression of cIAP2
      mRNA/protein significantly decreased (p=0.006) and apoptosis increased at the 12
      month follow-up after ESD. In the HP noneradication group, the aforementioned
      changes were not found during the same follow-up period. Conclusions: The
      expression of cIAP2 increased during gastric carcinogenesis after HP infection;
      HP eradication in the patients who had undergone ESD for EGC reversed
      overexpression of cIAP2 and suppressed cell apoptosis.

PMID- 27282270
TI  - National Endoscopy Quality Improvement Program Remains Suboptimal in Korea.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: We evaluated the characteristics of the National Cancer
      Screening Program (NCSP) and opinions regarding the National Endoscopy Quality
      Improvement Program (NEQIP). METHODS: We surveyed physicians performing
      esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy screenings as part of the NCSP via
      e-mail between July and August in 2015. The 32-item survey instrument included
      endoscopic capacity, sedation, and reprocessing of endoscopes as well as opinions
      regarding the NEQIP. RESULTS: A total of 507 respondents were analyzed after the
      exclusion of 40 incomplete answers. Under the current capacity of the NCSP, the
      typical waiting time for screening endoscopy was less than 4 weeks in more than
      90% of endoscopy units. Performance of endoscopy reprocessing was suboptimal,
      with 28% of respondents using unapproved disinfectants or not knowing the main
      ingredient of their disinfectants and 15% to 17% of respondents not following
      reprocessing protocols. Agreement with the NEQIP was optimal, because only 5.7%
      of respondents did not agree with NEQIP; however, familiarity with the NEQIP was
      suboptimal, because only 37.3% of respondents were familiar with the NEQIP
      criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The NEQIP remains suboptimal in Korea. Given the
      suboptimal performance of endoscopy reprocessing and low familiarity with the
      NEQIP, improved quality in endoscopy reprocessing and better understanding of the
      NEQIP should be emphasized in Korea.

PMID- 27282271
TI  - Coordinated Hospital-Home Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Percutaneous
      Endoscopic Cecostomy for Recurrent Steroid-Dependent Ulcerative Colitis.
AB  - Since its introduction as an alternative intestinal microbiota alteration
      approach, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been increasingly used as a
      treatment of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), but no reports
      exist regarding FMT via percutaneous endoscopic cecostomy (PEC). This report
      describes the case of a 24-year-old man with a 7-year history of recurrent,
      steroid-dependent UC. He received FMT via PEC once per day for 1 month in the
      hospital. After the remission of gastrointestinal symptoms, he was discharged
      from the hospital and continued FMT via PEC twice per week for 3 months at home.
      The frequency of stools decreased, and the characteristics of stools improved
      soon thereafter. Enteral nutrition was regained after 1 week, and an oral diet
      was begun 1 month later. Two months after the FMT end point, the patient resumed
      a normal diet, with formed soft stools once per day. The follow-up colonoscopy
      showed normal mucus membranes; then, the PEC set was removed. On the subsequent
      12 months follow-up, the patient resumed orthobiosis without any gastrointestinal
      discomfort and returned to work. This case emphasizes that FMT via PEC can not
      only induce remission but also shorten the duration of hospitalization and reduce
      the medical costs; therefore, this approach should be considered an alternative
      option for patients with UC.

PMID- 27282273
TI  - Flexible endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy - The gold standard for the
      management of Zenker's diverticulum.
AB  - The prevalence of Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) is difficult to estimate. If we
      focus on some published data, it may be as low as 2 new cases per 100,000
      inhabitants per year in the United Kingdom, which is in contrast the with feeling
      in some endoscopy units, that this condition's prevalence is increasing year
      after year. Prevalence likely remains the same as ever, but the addition of
      factors such as population ageing, optimal diagnostic care, availability of
      effective endoscopic management, increased awareness, and cumulative experience
      in some endoscopy teams, may well have increasingly brought this condition to our
      attention in our daily practice. This is reflected by an unbelievable 18 ZDs over
      the last 18 months, as discussed in the manuscript by Dr. de la Morena, reported
      in this issue of The Spanish Journal of Digestive Diseases (Revista Espanola de
      Enfermedades Digestivas.

PMID- 27282274
TI  - Rehydration methods to recover cysticercoids of the rat tapeworm Hymenolepis
      diminuta from dry flour beetle carcasses.
AB  - Terrestrial arthropods host a variety of helminth parasites, yet quantifying the
      intensity of infection in these hosts post-mortem is challenging because
      carcasses may desiccate quickly. We recovered cysticercoids of Hymenolepis
      diminuta from desiccated flour beetle (Tribolium confusum) carcasses by modifying
      a published insect rehydration procedure. Without rehydration, carcasses
      dissected more than 1 day post-mortem had noticeable degradation of
      cysticercoids. Mild rehydration (soaking in water only for 2 days, or 0.5-10% KOH
      for 1 h followed by 1 day in water, or 0.5% KOH for 1 day) left carcasses tough
      and time-consuming to dissect, but all parasites could be recovered and were
      similar in body size to fresh cysticercoids. Moderate rehydration (5-10% KOH for
      1 day) allowed all parasites to be recovered and facilitated dissection by
      partially dissolving internal organs of the beetle while causing little
      degradation of the cysticercoids. Harsh rehydration (5-10% KOH for 1 day followed
      by 5 days in water) not only dissolved internal beetle tissues but also severely
      damaged cysticercoids, such that parasite counts were unreliable. The degree of
      initial carcass desiccation had little effect on results following rehydration.
      However, regardless of treatment used, intact cercomers were rarely retained on
      rehydrated cysticercoids. Rehydration was less successful on early developmental
      stages of the parasite, which were recovered reliably only as they neared the
      cysticercoid stage. This method has utility for studies of parasite-induced
      mortality by permitting accurate and reliable parasite counts from dead,
      desiccated hosts.

PMID- 27282275
TI  - Anodized Ti3SiC2 As an Anode Material for Li-ion Microbatteries.
AB  - We report on the synthesis of an anode material for Li-ion batteries by
      anodization of a common MAX phase, Ti3SiC2, in an aqueous electrolyte containing
      hydrofluoric acid (HF). The anodization led to the formation of a porous film
      containing anatase, a small quantity of free carbon, and silica. By varying the
      anodization parameters, various oxide morphologies were produced. The highest
      areal capacity was achieved by anodization at 60 V in an aqueous electrolyte
      containing 0.1 v/v HF for 3 h at room temperature. After 140 cycles performed at
      multiple applied current densities, an areal capacity of 380 MUAh.cm(-2) (200
      MUA.cm(-2)) has been obtained, making this new material, free of additives and
      binders, a promising candidate as a negative electrode for Li-ion microbatteries.

PMID- 27282272
TI  - Differences in Clinical Manifestations according to the Positivity of Interferon
      gamma Assay in Patients with Intestinal Tuberculosis.
AB  - Intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) remains prevalent in Asia. An interferon-gamma
      assay (QuantiFERON-TB gold test [QFT]) is considered to be an effective
      supplementary tool for diagnosing ITB. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical
      features of ITB patients based on the initial results of QFT. A total of 109
      patients with ITB were enrolled, and 82 patients (75.2%) showed positive QFT
      results. In the QFT-positive group, the mean age (44.1+/-12.0 years) was
      significantly higher than that in the QFT-negative group (37.0+/-14.8, p=0.0096).
      Abdominal pain (p=0.006) and diarrhea (p=0.030) were more frequent in the QFT
      negative group. Further, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly
      higher in the QFTnegative group (6.4+/-9.9 mg/dL) than in the QFT-positive group
      (1.3+/-2.3, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that younger age (p=0.016),
      diarrhea (p=0.042), and high levels of CRP (p=0.029) were independent predictors
      of QFTnegative results in patients with ITB. These results suggest that prior
      exposure to TB, reflected by QFT positivity, may cause mild inflammation in
      patients with ITB. 

PMID- 27282276
TI  - Impact of a family medicine resident wellness curriculum: a feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Up to 60% of practicing physicians report symptoms of burnout, which
      often peak during residency. Residency is also a relevant time for habits of self
      care and resiliency to be emphasized. A growing literature underscores the
      importance of this; however, evidence about effective burnout prevention
      curriculum during residency remains limited. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this
      project is to evaluate the impact of a new, 1-month wellness curriculum for 12
      second-year family medicine residents on burnout, empathy, stress, and self
      compassion. METHODS: The pilot program, introduced during a new rotation
      emphasizing competencies around leadership, focused on teaching skills to
      cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion in order to enhance empathy and reduce
      stress. Pre-assessments and 3-month follow-up assessments on measures of burnout,
      empathy, self-compassion, and perceived stress were collected to evaluate the
      impact of the curriculum. It was hypothesized that this curriculum would enhance
      empathy and self-compassion as well as reduce stress and burnout among family
      medicine residents. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics revealed positive trends on
      the mean scores of all the measures, particularly the Mindfulness Scale of the
      Self-Compassion Inventory and the Jefferson Empathy Scale. However, the small
      sample size and lack of sufficient power to detect meaningful differences limited
      the use of inferential statistics. CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study
      demonstrates how a residency wellness curriculum can be developed, implemented,
      and evaluated with promising results, including high participant satisfaction.

PMID- 27282277
TI  - Evaluating the online platform of a blended-learning pharmacist continuing
      education degree program.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Distance-based continuing education opportunities are increasingly
      embraced by health professionals worldwide. METHODS: To evaluate the online
      component of a blended-learning degree program for pharmacists, we conducted a
      structured self-assessment and peer review using an instrument systematically
      devised according to Moore's principles of transactional distance. The web-based
      platform for 14 courses was reviewed by both local and external faculty, followed
      by shared reflection of individual and aggregate results. RESULTS: Findings
      indicated a number of course elements for modification to enhance the structure,
      dialog, and autonomy of the student learning experience. CONCLUSION: Our process
      was an important exercise in quality assurance and is worthwhile for other health
      disciplines developing and delivering distance-based content to pursue.

PMID- 27282278
TI  - Modulation of radiation-induced oral mucositis by thalidomide : Preclinical
      studies.
AB  - PURPOSE: Oral mucositis is a common, dose-limiting early side effect of
      radio(chemo)therapy for head-and-neck tumors. The epithelial radiation response
      is accompanied by changes in the inflammatory signaling cascades mediated by the
      transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). The present study was
      initiated to determine the effect of the NF-kappaB inhibitor thalidomide on the
      clinical manifestation of oral mucositis in the established mouse tongue model.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment protocols comprised single dose irradiation and
      daily fractionated irradiation (5  fractions of 3 Gy/week) over 1 (days 0-4) or 2
      weeks (days 0-4, 7-11), alone or in combination with daily thalidomide
      application (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally) over varying time intervals.
      Fractionation protocols were terminated by graded local radiation doses (day
      7/14) to generate full dose-effect curves. Tongue epithelial ulcerations,
      corresponding to confluent mucositis, served as the clinically relevant endpoint.
      RESULTS: Thalidomide application did not show a significant radioprotective
      potential when administered in combination with single dose irradiation.
      Thalidomide in combination with one week of fractionated irradiation
      significantly increased the isoeffective top-up doses. Similar results were
      observed during two weeks of fractionated irradiation in all but one experiment.
      CONCLUSION: Thalidomide treatment demonstrated a significant mucositis
      ameliorating effect during fractionated irradiation, which is likely to result
      from NF-kappaB inhibition. However, further mechanistic studies are required to
      define the underlying mechanisms of the observed mucoprotective effect.

PMID- 27282280
TI  - Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: Case report of a Terminally-ill patient.

PMID- 27282279
TI  - Ablative dose proton beam therapy for stage I and recurrent non-small cell lung
      carcinomas : Ablative dose PBT for NSCLC.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ablative dose hypofractionated
      proton beam therapy (PBT) for patients with stage I and recurrent non-small cell
      lung carcinoma (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 55 patients with stage I
      (n = 42) and recurrent (n = 13) NSCLC underwent hypofractionated PBT and were
      retrospectively reviewed. A total dose of 50-72 CGE (cobalt gray equivalent) in 5
      12 fractions was delivered. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 29 months
      (range 4-95 months). There were 24 deaths (43.6%) during the follow-up period: 11
      died of disease progression and 13 from other causes. Kaplan-Meier overall
      survival rate (OS) at 3 years was 54.9% and the median OS was 48.6 months (range
      4-95 months). Local progression was observed in 7 patients and the median time to
      local progression was 9.3 months (range 5-14 months). Cumulative actuarial local
      control rate (LCR), lymph node metastasis-free survival, and distant metastasis
      free survival rates at 3 years were 85.4, 78.4, and 76.5%, respectively. Larger
      tumor diameter was significantly associated with poorer LCR (3-year: 94% for <=3
      cm vs. 65% for >3 cm, p = 0.006) on univariate analysis and also an independent
      prognostic factor for LCR (HR 6.9, 95% CI = 1.3-37.8, p = 0.026) on multivariate
      analysis. No grade 3 or 4 treatment-related toxicities developed. One grade 5
      treatment-related adverse event occurred in a patient with symptomatic idiopathic
      pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Ablative dose hypofractionated PBT was safe and
      promising for stage I and recurrent NSCLC.

PMID- 27282281
TI  - miR-222 confers the resistance of breast cancer cells to Adriamycin through
      suppression of p27(kip1) expression.
AB  - Adriamycin (Adr) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent for chemotherapy of breast
      cancer patients. Despite impressive initial clinical responses, some developed
      drug resistance to Adr-based therapy and the mechanisms underlying breast cancer
      cells resistance to Adr are not well known. In our previous study, in vitro, we
      verified that miR-222 was upregulated in Adr-resistant breast cancer cells (MCF
      7/Adr) compared with the sensitive parental cells (MCF-7/S). Here, miR-222
      inhibitors or mimics were transfected into MCF-7 cell lines. RT-qPCR and western
      blot were used to detect the expression of p27(kip1). Immunofluorescence showed
      that miR-222 altered the subcellular location of p27(kip1) in nucleus. MTT was
      employed to verify the sensitivity of breast cancer cell lines to Adr. Flow
      cytometry showed the apoptosis and cell cycles of the cells after adding Adr. The
      results showed that downregulation of miR-222 in MCF-7/Adr increased sensitivity
      to Adr and Adr-induced apoptosis, and arrested the cells in G1 phase, accompanied
      by more expressions of p27(kip1), especially in nucleus. Furthermore,
      overexpressed miR-222 in MCF-7/S had the inverse results. Taken together, the
      results found that miR-222 induced Adr-resistance at least in part via
      suppressing p27(kip1) expression and altering its subcellular localization, and
      miR-222 inhibitors could reverse Adr-resistance of breast cancer cells. These
      results disclosed that the future holds much promise for the targeted therapeutic
      in the treatment of Adr-resistant breast cancer. 

PMID- 27282282
TI  - Down-regulation of miR-133a as a poor prognosticator in non-small cell lung
      cancer.
AB  - miR-133a has been demonstrated to play an important role in tumor progression.
      The aim of present study was to analyze the correlation between miR-133a
      expression level and clinicopathologic features and its prognostic significance
      in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The expression of miR-133a in 104 pairs of
      human lung cancer tissues and adjacent normal lung tissues were analyzed by qRT
      PCR. Here we show that miR-133a was down-regulated in NSCLC. The levels of miR
      133a were negatively correlated with the status of N classification (N0-N1 vs. N2
      N3, P=0.000), clinical stage (I-II vs. III-IV, P=0.010) and MMP-14 expression
      (High vs. Low, P=0.012). The patients with low miR-133a expression had shorter
      survival time than those with high miR-133a expression. Multivariate analysis
      indicated that the level of miR-133a expression was an independent prognostic
      indicator (P=0.012) for the survival of patients with NSCLC. In conclusion,
      decreased expression of miR-133a might be a potential unfavorable prognostic
      factor for patients with NSCLC, and further studies would be needed to prove our
      findings. 

PMID- 27282283
TI  - UGT2B4 previously implicated in the risk of breast cancer is associated with
      menarche timing in Ukrainian females.
AB  - Age at menarche (AAM) is a multifactorial trait that is regulated by dozens
      environmental and genetic factors. Recent meta-analysis of GWAS showed
      significant association of 106 loci with AAM. These polymorphisms need
      replicating in different ethnic populations in order to confirm their association
      with menarche timing. This study was aimed to replicate 53 polymorphisms that
      were previously associated with AAM. DNA samples were collected from 416
      Ukrainian young females for further genotyping. After data quality control 47
      polymorphisms remained for the association analysis using the linear regression
      model. SNP rs13111134 located in UGT2B4 showed the most significant association
      with AAM (0.431years per allele A, padj=0.044 after the Bonferroni correction).
      Polymorphisms rs7589318 in POMC, rs11724758 in FABP2, rs7753051 in IGF2R,
      rs2288696 in FGFR1 and rs12444979 in GPRC5B may also contribute to menarche
      timing. However, none of these associations remained significant after the
      Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. The obtained results provide evidence
      that UGT2B4, which was previously associated with predisposition to breast
      cancer, may play a role in the onset of menarche. 

PMID- 27282284
TI  - Enantioselective synthesis of cyanohydrins catalysed by hydroxynitrile lyases - a
      review.
AB  - The first enantioselective synthesis was the selective addition of cyanide to
      benzaldehyde catalysed by a hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL). Since then these enzymes
      have been developed into a reliable tool in organic synthesis. HNLs to prepare
      either the (R)- or the (S)-enantiomer of the desired cyanohydrin are available
      and a wide variety of reaction conditions can be applied. As a result of this,
      numerous applications of these enzymes in organic synthesis have been described.
      Here the examples of the last decade are summarised, the enzyme catalysed step is
      discussed and the follow-up chemistry is shown. This proves HNLs to be part of
      main stream organic synthesis. Additionally the newest approaches via
      immobilisation and reaction engineering are introduced. 

PMID- 27282286
TI  - Systems biology of viral infection.

PMID- 27282285
TI  - Risk Factors for Cataracts Treated Surgically in Postmenopausal Women.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify risk factors for cataracts treated surgically in
      postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Population-based, prospective cohort study.
      PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1 312 051 postmenopausal women in the UK Million Women
      Study, aged 56 years on average (standard deviation [SD], 4.8), without previous
      cataract surgery, hospital admission with cataracts, or cancer at baseline, were
      followed for cataracts treated surgically. METHODS: Cox regression was used to
      calculate adjusted relative risks (RRs) for cataract surgery by lifestyle
      factors, treatment for diabetes, reproductive history, and use of hormonal
      therapies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cataract surgery identified by linkage to
      central National Health Service (NHS) records for inpatient and day-patient
      admissions (Hospital Episode Statistics for England and Scottish Morbidity
      Records in Scotland). RESULTS: Overall, 89 343 women underwent cataract surgery
      during an average of 11 (SD, 3) years of follow-up. Women with diabetes were at
      greatest risk (diabetes vs. no diabetes RR, 2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      2.82-2.97). Other factors associated with an increased risk of cataract surgery
      were current smoking (current smokers of >=15 cigarettes/day vs. never smokers
      RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.23-1.30) and obesity (body mass index [BMI] >=30 vs. <25
      kg/m(2); RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.10-1.14). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes, smoking, and
      obesity were risk factors for cataract surgery. Alcohol use, physical activity,
      reproductive history, and use of hormonal therapies had little, if any,
      association with cataract surgery risk.

PMID- 27282287
TI  - Atomic scale mobility of the volatile fission products Xe, Kr and I in cubic SiC.
AB  - The migration barriers for the vacancy-assisted migration of fission products in
      3C-SiC are reported and analysed in the context of the five frequency model,
      which enables one to calculate an effective diffusion coefficient from elementary
      mechanisms. Calculations were carried out using the nudged elastic band method
      (NEB) with interatomic forces determined from density functional theory (DFT).
      Justification for treating vacancy-assisted fission product migration as limited
      to the FCC carbon sublattice is based on the stability of carbon vacancies,
      unfavourable silicon vacancy formation and the accommodation of fission products
      on the carbon sublattice. Results show that for most Fermi levels within the band
      gap the activation energy for I exceeds that of Xe which exceeds that of Kr.
      Results also indicate that activation energies are higher near the conduction
      edge, thus, implying that enhanced fission product retention can be achieved
      through n-type doping of 3C-SiC, which limits the availability of the migration
      mediating carbon vacancies. 

PMID- 27282288
TI  - Spectral Pathology: general discussion.

PMID- 27282289
TI  - Safety and feasibility of fasting in combination with platinum-based
      chemotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Short-term starvation prior to chemotherapy administration protects
      mice against toxicity. We undertook dose-escalation of fasting prior to platinum
      based chemotherapy to determine safety and feasibility in cancer patients.
      METHODS: 3 cohorts fasted before chemotherapy for 24, 48 and 72 h (divided as 48
      pre-chemo and 24 post-chemo) and recorded all calories consumed. Feasibility was
      defined as >= 3/6 subjects in each cohort consuming <= 200 kcal per 24 h during
      the fast period without excess toxicity. Oxidative stress was evaluated in
      leukocytes using the COMET assay. Insulin, glucose, ketones, insulin-like growth
      factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) were measured as biomarkers of
      the fasting state. RESULTS: The median age of our 20 subjects was 61, and 85 %
      were women. Feasibility criteria were met. Fasting-related toxicities were
      limited to <= grade 2, most commonly fatigue, headache, and dizziness. The COMET
      assay indicated reduced DNA damage in leukocytes from subjects who fasted for
      >=48 h (p = 0.08). There was a non-significant trend toward less grade 3 or 4
      neutropenia in the 48 and 72 h cohorts compared to 24 h cohort (p = 0.17). IGF-1
      levels decreased by 30, 33 and 8 % in the 24, 48 and 72 h fasting cohorts
      respectively after the first fasting period. CONCLUSION: Fasting for 72 h around
      chemotherapy administration is safe and feasible for cancer patients. Biomarkers
      such as IGF-1 may facilitate assessment of differences in chemotherapy toxicity
      in subgroups achieving the physiologic fasting state. An onging randomized trial
      is studying the effect of 72 h of fasting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00936364 ,
      registered propectively on July 9, 2009.

PMID- 27282290
TI  - Rare disease landscape in Brazil: report of a successful experience in inborn
      errors of metabolism.
AB  - Brazil is a country of continental dimensions, with many social inequalities. The
      latter are reflected on its health system, which comprises a large public
      component called SUS, a small paid health insurance component and a third very
      small private component, in which patients pay personally for medical services.
      Seventy five percent of the population depends on SUS, which thus far does not
      provide adequate coverage for genetic medical procedures. In 2014, SUS introduced
      the "Policy for the Integral Attention to Subjects with Rare Diseases",
      establishing guidelines for offering diagnosis and treatment. The policy defines
      the two main axes, genetic and non-genetic rare diseases. In this fashion, public
      genetic services in SUS will be installed and funded not by themselves, but as
      part of the more general policy of rare diseases. Unfortunately, up to now this
      policy is still depending on financial allowances to be effectively launched. In
      this article, our intention was to describe activities developed in the area of
      inborn errors of metabolism by a Brazilian reference center. In spite of the lack
      of support of SUS, thousands of Brazilian families affected by rare genetic
      metabolic disorders, and many health professionals from all regions of Brazil,
      already have benefited from the services, training programs and research projects
      provided by this comprehensive center.

PMID- 27282292
TI  - Farewell and thanks to Dave Sackett, Cochrane's first pilot.

PMID- 27282294
TI  - Corrigendum to "Blood collection, components preparation and distribution in
      Iran, 2008-2012" [Transfus Apher Sci 54 (2016) 117-121].

PMID- 27282293
TI  - Paradoxical reaction to antituberculosis therapy after 6 months of treatment for
      pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report.
AB  - Paradoxical reactions (PRs) to antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs during treatment
      are well known phenomena, but a PR presenting as a new pulmonary lesion after
      completion of treatment is extremely rare, and little is known about the
      management of such cases. A 44-year-old man was diagnosed with pulmonary TB. His
      sputum cultures became negative 45 days after the initiation of standard anti-TB
      treatment. Upon the patient's completion of 6 months of anti-TB therapy, computed
      tomography revealed a new irregularly shaped mass in the lower left pulmonary
      lobe. A transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) revealed caseous necrosis and
      granulomatosis surrounded by epithelioid and multinucleated giant cells. Cultures
      of both the TBLB specimen and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid remained negative for
      TB. The CT shadow disappeared 6 months later without further administration of
      anti-TB drugs. Careful observation without therapy may be sufficient for a
      patient treated for TB who develops a PR upon completion of treatment, if the
      patient has achieved a bacteriological remission.

PMID- 27282291
TI  - Influence of PapMV nanoparticles on the kinetics of the antibody response to flu
      vaccine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The addition of an adjuvant to a vaccine is a promising approach to
      increasing strength and immunogenicity towards antigens. Despite the fact that
      adjuvants have been used in vaccines for decades, their mechanisms of action and
      their influence on the kinetics of the immune response are still not very well
      understood. The use of papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) nanoparticles-a novel TLR7
      agonist-was recently shown to improve and broaden the immune response directed to
      trivalent inactivated flu vaccine (TIV) in mice and ferrets. RESULTS: We
      investigated the capacity of PapMV nanoparticles to increase the speed of the
      immune response toward TIV. PapMV nanoparticles induced a faster and stronger
      humoral response to TIV that was measured as early as 5 days post-immunization.
      The addition of PapMV nanoparticles was shown to speed up the differentiation of
      B-cells into early plasma cells, and increased the growth of germinal centers in
      a CD4+ dependent manner. TIV vaccination with PapMV nanoparticles as an adjuvant
      protected mice against a lethal infection as early as 10 days post-immunization.
      CONCLUSION: In conclusion, PapMV nanoparticles are able to accelerate a broad
      humoral response to TIV. This property is of the utmost importance in the field
      of vaccination, especially in the case of pandemics, where populations need to be
      protected as soon as possible after vaccination.

PMID- 27282295
TI  - Functional dyspepsia and dyspepsia associated with Helicobacter pylori infection:
      Do they have different clinical characteristics?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori causes motor, secretory, and inflammatory
      gastrointestinal disorders and therefore the term "functional" has been
      questioned when referring to dyspepsia associated with this bacterium. Patients
      with dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori infection could have clinical
      characteristics that differentiate them a priori from those with true functional
      dyspepsia. AIMS: To determine whether there are clinical differences between
      patients with functional dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori-associated dyspepsia
      that enable their a priori identification and to know the prevalence of
      Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with functional dyspepsia. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A total of 578 patients with dyspepsia with no significant lesions
      detectable through endoscopy were divided into 2 groups according to the presence
      of Helicobacter pylori. The clinical characteristics, medical history,
      comorbidities, and use of health resources were compared between the two groups.
      A sub-analysis pairing the groups by age and sex in a 1:1 ratio was carried out
      to reduce bias. RESULTS: A total of 336 patients infected with Helicobacter
      pylori were compared with 242 non-infected patients. The prevalence of infection
      in the patients with dyspeptic symptoms and no endoscopically detectable lesions
      was 58%. The initial analysis showed that the cases with dyspepsia and
      Helicobacter pylori infection were more frequently associated with overweight,
      obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, but the
      paired analysis nullified all these differences. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with
      dyspepsia infected with Helicobacter pylori had similar clinical characteristics
      to the non-infected patients and could not be differentiated a priori. The
      prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with functional dyspepsia
      was 58% and increased with age.

PMID- 27282297
TI  - Mobilization and removing of cadmium from kidney by GMDTC utilizing renal glucose
      reabsorption pathway.
AB  - Chronic exposure to cadmium compounds (Cd(2+)) is one of the major public health
      problems facing humans in the 21st century. Cd(2+) in the human body accumulates
      primarily in the kidneys which leads to renal dysfunction and other adverse
      health effects. Efforts to find a safe and effective drug for removing Cd(2+)
      from the kidneys have largely failed. We developed and synthesized a new
      chemical, sodium (S)-2-(dithiocarboxylato((2S,3R,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6
      pentahydroxyhexyl)amino)-4-(methylthio) butanoate (GMDTC). Here we report that
      GMDTC has a very low toxicity with an acute lethal dose (LD50) of more than
      10,000mg/kg or 5000mg/kg body weight, respectively, via oral or intraperitoneal
      injection in mice and rats. In in vivo settings, up to 94% of Cd(2+) deposited in
      the kidneys of Cd(2+)-laden rabbits was removed and excreted via urine following
      a safe dose of GMDTC treatment for four weeks, and renal Cd(2+) level was reduced
      from 12.9MUg/g to 1.3MUg/g kidney weight. We observed similar results in the
      mouse and rat studies. Further, we demonstrated both in in vitro and in animal
      studies that the mechanism of transporting GMDTC and GMDTC-Cd complex into and
      out of renal tubular cells is likely assisted by two glucose transporters, sodium
      glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2). Collectively,
      our study reports that GMDTC is safe and highly efficient in removing deposited
      Cd(2+) from kidneys assisted by renal glucose reabsorption system, suggesting
      that GMDTC may be the long-pursued agent used for preventive and therapeutic
      purposes for both acute and chronic Cd(2+) exposure.

PMID- 27282296
TI  - Understanding cognition in older patients with cancer.
AB  - Cancer and neurocognitive disorders, such as dementia and delirium, are common
      and serious diseases in the elderly that are accompanied by high degree of
      morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, evidence supports the under-diagnosis of
      both dementia and delirium in older adults. Complex questions exist regarding the
      interaction of dementia and delirium with cancer, beginning with guidelines on
      how best measure disease severity, the optimal screening test for either
      disorder, the appropriate level of intervention in the setting of abnormal
      findings, and strategies aimed at preventing the development or progression of
      either process. Ethical concerns emerge in the research setting, pertaining to
      the detection of cognitive dysfunction in participants, validity of consent,
      disclosure of abnormal results if screening is pursued, and recommended level of
      intervention by investigators. Furthermore, understanding the ways in which
      comorbid cognitive dysfunction and cancer impact both cancer and non-cancer
      related outcomes is essential in guiding treatment decisions. In the following
      article, we will discuss what is presently known of the interactions of pre
      existing cognitive impairment and delirium with cancer. We will also discuss
      identified deficits in our knowledge base, and propose ways in which innovative
      research may address these gaps.

PMID- 27282298
TI  - Regulation of rat plasma and cerebral cortex oxylipin concentrations with
      increasing levels of dietary linoleic acid.
AB  - Linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) is the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in
      the North American diet and is a precursor to circulating bioactive fatty acid
      metabolites implicated in brain disorders. This exploratory study tested the
      effects of increasing dietary LA on plasma and cerebral cortex metabolites
      derived from LA, its elongation-desaturation products dihomo-gamma linolenic
      (DGLA, 20:3n-6) acid and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6), as well as omega-3 alpha
      linolenic (alpha-LNA, 18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5n-3) and
      docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3). Plasma and cortex were obtained from rats
      fed a 0.4%, 5.2% or 10.5% energy LA diet for 15 weeks and subjected to liquid
      chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Total oxylipin concentrations,
      representing the esterified and unesterified pool, and unesterified oxylipins
      derived from LA and AA were significantly increased and EPA metabolites decreased
      in plasma at 5.2% or 10.5% energy LA compared to 0.4% energy LA. Unesterified
      plasma DHA metabolites also decreased at 10.5% energy LA. In cortex, total and
      unesterified LA and AA metabolites increased and unesterified EPA metabolites
      decreased at 5.2% or 10.5% LA. DGLA and alpha-LNA metabolites did not
      significantly change in plasma or cortex. Dietary LA lowering represents a
      feasible approach for targeting plasma and brain LA, AA, EPA or DHA-derived
      metabolite concentrations.

PMID- 27282299
TI  - Identification of Covert Atrial Fibrillation in Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke:
      Current Clinical Practice in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: A new insertable cardiac monitor, Reveal LINQ (Medtronic,
      Dublin, Ireland), was approved for clinical use in Japan in March 2016 for
      detecting atrial fibrillation in patients who develop ischemic stroke with no
      clearly definable etiology even after extensive workup, so-called cryptogenic
      ischemic stroke. Cooperation between a specialist of the Japan Stroke Society and
      a trained cardiologist or cardiac surgeon is needed both for appropriate patient
      selection and appropriate management of the device. In this paper, the clinical
      significance of and diagnostic methods for cryptogenic stroke and covert atrial
      fibrillation are explained, along with our proposal for the clinical indications
      for this new device. METHODS, RESULTS, AND CONCLUSION: The majority of
      cryptogenic ischemic strokes are considered to be embolic. In particular, covert
      atrial fibrillation is drawing attention as the causal emboligenic disease, and
      it was identified in 30% of patients with long-term observation using an
      insertable cardiac monitor. Should atrial fibrillation be present, there is a
      high risk of recurrent stroke, and the cardioembolic stroke that appears is
      generally severe. The ability to identify atrial fibrillation would be beneficial
      for preventing stroke recurrence, as anticoagulants can then be used as an
      established method of secondary prevention. Because the use of insertable cardiac
      monitors is somewhat invasive, and long-term care systems are also needed,
      patients suitable for examination using the new device would need to be
      identified on the basis of detailed diagnostics in accordance withcurrent medical
      practice in Japan.

PMID- 27282300
TI  - Faciolingual Hemiparesis with Mild Limb Weakness of Cortical Origin.
AB  - The clinical combination of unilateral facial and hypoglossal palsy with upper
      limb weakness is known as the capsular genu syndrome and responds most often to
      an ischemic infarct in the internal capsule. We here describe a patient with this
      peculiar combination, in whom the responsible lesion was located in the
      contralateral prefrontal cortex, involving the corresponding areas of the
      Penfield's homunculus. Contralateral cortical frontal lesions should be
      considered in patients with facial and hypoglossal palsy with upper limb
      weakness. 

PMID- 27282301
TI  - Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke-Patients with Wake-Up Stroke and
      the Elderly May Benefit as Well.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We have assessed to what extent age, sex, preintervention infarct
      size, time to groin puncture, and stroke severity are associated with outcome of
      mechanical thrombectomy in patients treated for acute ischemic stroke. METHODS:
      All 192 patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke
      from September 2005 to December 2011 were included in this observational study.
      Main outcomes were independence, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2,
      an improvement in stroke severity score post-thrombectomy, and the occurrence of
      symptomatic hemorrhage. Exposure variables were sex, age, intravenous
      thrombolysis, prethrombectomy stroke severity grading, pretreatment infarct size,
      time from onset of symptoms to groin puncture, thrombectomy device used, and the
      angiographic result from the thrombectomy. RESULTS: For patients above 50 years
      with no neurological symptoms before stroke onset, the proportion gaining
      independence was unrelated to age group, ranging from 49% to 54%. For patients
      younger than 50 years of age, the proportion was significantly higher (81%).
      Patients with wake-up stroke did not differ from other patients with regard to
      outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasize that when patients are selected on
      the basis of angiographic and perfusion imaging, both older patients and patients
      with wake-up stroke may experience a favorable outcome after mechanical
      thrombectomy.

PMID- 27282302
TI  - Giant Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Presenting as Trigeminal Neuralgia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We report an extremely rare case of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) caused
      by a giant posterior communicating artery aneurysm. METHODS: We describe the case
      of a 73-year-old man who suffered disabling TN, which was deeply exacerbated when
      he laid down. Computed tomography angiography and digital angiography revealed an
      unruptured giant posterior left communicating artery aneurysm projecting to the
      posterior fossa and contacting the trigeminal root. RESULTS: The size and
      projection of the aneurysm seemed responsible for both the neuralgia itself and
      its peculiar clinical characteristic of exacerbation when the patient laid down.
      The aneurysm was surgically clipped, then opened and emptied to decompress the
      trigeminal root. The patient reported an immediate complete remission of the
      neuralgia. CONCLUSION: The finding of TN secondary to aneurysms is rare but even
      more in the case of a posterior communicating aneurysm. The clinical clue that
      should alert physicians about the presence of an aneurysm as the cause of TN is
      exacerbation of pain by adopting a supine position. Due to the high risk of
      rupture associated with giant and symptomatic aneurysms, we believe that
      treatment should be aggressive in this case, not only to solve the symptomatic TN
      but also to avoid the risk of aneurysm rupture in the future. The treatment
      selection between surgical clipping or endovascular coiling with or without
      stenting, depends on patient's clinical condition and the size and shape of the
      aneurysm.

PMID- 27282303
TI  - Neurological Involvement in the Course of Scleromyxedema: A Case Report.
AB  - Scleromyxedema is a rare disease of unknown etiology primarily affecting the
      skin, characterized by generalized papular eruption, dermal fibroblast
      proliferation with mucin deposition, and a monoclonal gammopathy. Neurological
      impairment is a rare but sometimes fatal complication of scleromyxedema that
      should be rapidly identified to prevent significant morbidity and mortality. A 63
      year-old Caucasian man had a 2-year history of scleromyxedema, and was under
      immunosuppressive treatment with ciclosporine and methotrexate. The patient came
      to our attention because of sudden neurological dysfunction with altered
      sensorium, confusion, and dysarthria. After a few hours since admission, the
      patient developed left hemiparesis, followed after 2 days by right hemiparesis.
      The brain computed tomography and cerebrospinal fluid examination results were
      normal. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a bilateral cortical
      hyperintense signal on T2 sequences with leptomeningeal enhancement. Extensive
      serological and liquoral evaluations were performed without significant findings.
      After steroid initiation, a remarkable neurological improvement was noticed. The
      dramatic and immediate response of the patient's to steroid and MRI data strongly
      suggested a dysimmune etiology. Over the ensuing week, the patient's language,
      motor, and sensory functions continued to improve. Two weeks after admission, the
      patient was discharged to home without significant neurological sequelae. 

PMID- 27282305
TI  - Auditory hallucinations in the population: what do they mean and what should we
      do about them?

PMID- 27282304
TI  - Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Runs of Premature Atrial Complexes in
      Ischemic Stroke Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Runs of premature atrial complexes (PACs) are common in
      stroke patients and perceived to be clinically insignificant, but their
      prognostic significance is unclear. This study investigated the association
      between runs of PACs in ischemic stroke patients and the risk of recurrent
      ischemic strokes/transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or death. METHODS: The study
      included consecutive patients admitted with an ischemic stroke from August 2008
      to April 2011. Patients with known and newly detected atrial fibrillation were
      excluded. Runs of PACs were defined as 3 or more PACs lasting less than 30
      seconds during 48 hours of continuous inpatient cardiac telemetry. The patients
      were followed for 4 years or until death, whichever came first. They were
      stratified according to stroke severity. The combined primary endpoint was a
      recurrent ischemic stroke/TIA or death. RESULTS: Of the 565 patients included in
      the study, 28% had runs of PACs. Patients with runs of PACs were likely to be
      older, female, and to have experienced more severe strokes. During the follow-up,
      210 (37%) patients had a recurrent ischemic stroke/TIA (n = 73) or died (n = 137)
      respectively. Among the 489 patients who had mild-to-moderate strokes, runs of
      PACs were associated with recurrent ischemic strokes/TIAs or death (hazard ratio
      = 1.47; 95% CI 1.06-2.04; P = .023). CONCLUSION: Runs of PACs were frequent in
      patients with acute ischemic strokes and sinus rhythm, and they were
      independently associated with an increased risk of recurrent ischemic
      strokes/TIAs or death in patients with mild-to-moderate strokes.

PMID- 27282306
TI  - Brimonidine Toxicity Secondary to Topical Use for an Ulcerated Hemangioma.
AB  - Combigan (Allergan, Irvine, CA) is an ophthalmic solution that combines 0.2%
      brimonidine, a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, with 0.5% timolol, a
      nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonist. It is approved for the reduction of
      intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. There have
      been recent reports of successful treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas
      (IHs) using Combigan topically. We report the case of a 2-month-old girl who
      developed life-threatening brimonidine toxicity requiring intubation and
      mechanical ventilation secondary to central nervous system depression and apnea
      after topical application to an ulcerated IH. 

PMID- 27282308
TI  - Does a Multimodal No-Compression Suture Technique of the Intercostal Space Reduce
      Chronic Postthoracotomy Pain? A Prospective Randomized Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic postthoracotomy pain is a significant adverse outcome of
      thoracic surgery. We evaluated with a prospective randomized trial the effect of
      a multimodal no-compression suture technique of the intercostal space on
      postoperative pain occurrence in patients undergoing minithoracotomy. METHODS:
      Patients undergoing a muscle-sparing lateral minithoracotomy for different
      thoracic diseases were randomly divided into two groups: 146 patients received
      intercostal muscle flap harvesting and pericostal no-compression "edge" suture
      (the IMF group), and 151 patients received a standard suture technique associated
      with an intrapleural intercostal nerve block (the IINB group). Pain scores and
      interference of pain with daily activities were assessed by using the Italian
      version of the Brief Pain Inventory on day 1, and at 1 to 6 months
      postoperatively. The results of pulmonary function tests (spirometry and the 6
      minute walking test ) were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 and 6 months
      postoperatively. RESULTS: Postthoracotomy pain scores throughout the first
      postoperative day were significantly lower in the IMF group. After 1 and 6
      months, patients in the IMF group had a significantly lower average pain score (p
      = 0.001). There were no significant differences in pain interference scores at
      each evaluation time point in either group. However, differences were shown in
      lung function test results at 1 and 6 months postoperatively (the forced
      expiratory volume in 1 second in the IINB group averaged 68.8 +/- 17.4% of
      predicted value and 72.8 +/- 10.5%, respectively, and in the IMF group it
      averaged 83.1 +/- 7.4% and 86.4 +/- 12.8%, respectively [p = 0.023 and 0.013,
      respectively]; the 6-minute walking test results in the IINB group averaged 311.1
      +/- 51.0 and 329.9 +/- 54.8 m, respectively, and those in the IMF group averaged
      371.2 +/- 54.8 and 395.7 +/- 56.4 m, respectively [p = 0.0001]). CONCLUSIONS: The
      multimodal no-compression suture technique is a rapid and feasible procedure that
      reduces the intensity of early and chronic postthoracotomy pain.

PMID- 27282307
TI  - In vitro microbicidal, anti-biofilm and cytotoxic effects of different commercial
      antiseptics.
AB  - Topical antiseptics are widely used for wound treatment, with the goal of
      disrupting biofilm capacity. We analysed the effectiveness of a variety of
      antiseptics to inhibit various stages of biofilm formation and to remove biofilms
      in vitro as well as the agents' cytotoxic effects on fibroblasts. We found that
      the chlorine-releasing agents exhibited immediate anti-biofilm effects in the
      short term, with lesser cytotoxicity than agents prepared from more stable
      compounds, such as biguanide or modified diallyl disulfide-oxide, which,
      conversely, have better long-term effectiveness. Among the examined organisms,
      Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans were the most sensitive to the
      antiseptics, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were
      relatively resistant to them. Formulations whose mechanisms of action involve the
      release of chemically active chlorine were more effective when administered in
      solution than the gel form, likely because of the stability of the active
      ingredients during or after preparation of the formula. Interestingly,
      hypochlorous acid and some superoxidation solutions were effective in preventing
      biofilm formation within a short time period and showed virtually no toxicity.
      Our study indicates that most antiseptics remain effective long enough to prevent
      biofilm formation; thus, even brief application of an antiseptic agent during
      initial wound treatment can lead to better wound management outcomes.

PMID- 27282309
TI  - The Genetic Landscape of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Results from Massively
      Parallel Sequencing.
AB  - Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare yet aggressive tumor that is
      causally associated with-mostly professional-asbestos exposure. Given the long
      latency between exposure and disease, and because asbestos is still being used,
      MPM will remain a global health issue for decades to come. Notwithstanding the
      increasing incidence of MPM and the fact that patients with MPM face a poor
      prognosis, currently available treatment options are limited. To enable the
      development of novel targeted therapies, identification of the genetic
      alterations underlying MPM will be crucial. The first studies reporting on the
      genomic background of MPM identified recurrent somatic mutations in a number of
      tumor suppressor genes (i.e., cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A gene [CDKN2A],
      neurofibromin 2 (merlin) gene [NF2], and BRCA1 associated protein 1 gene [BAP1]).
      More recently, massively parallel sequencing strategies have been used and have
      provided a more genome-wide view on the genetic landscape of MPM. This review
      summarizes their results, describing alterations that cluster mainly in four
      pathways: the tumor protein p53/DNA repair, cell cycle, mitogen-activated protein
      kinase, and phosphoinisitide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways. As these pathways are
      important during tumor development, they provide interesting candidates for
      targeting with novel drugs.

PMID- 27282310
TI  - Factor XII: form determines function.
AB  - Factor XII is a mysterious plasma protein without a clear physiologic function.
      It was identified as a clotting factor, but has no clear role in hemostasis.
      However, FXII also contributes to the production of bradykinin, a short-lived
      inflammatory peptide. A growing body of mechanistic research from animal models
      indicates that FXII contributes to thrombotic disease by triggering excessive
      coagulation. FXII is evolutionarily conserved, suggesting that this molecule does
      have a physiologic function. This leads to intriguing questions: What does FXII
      really do? Is it even a real clotting factor at all? Before the groundbreaking
      discovery of a role for FXII in thrombotic disease, many studies investigated the
      biochemical properties of FXII and its activators. In this review, we highlight
      several biochemical studies that reveal much about the natural behavior of FXII.
      On the basis of these findings, it is possible to draft a conceptual model to
      explain how FXII reacts to surface materials. We then discuss how this model
      applies to the activities of FXII in its natural environment. There are two
      tentative physiologic functions of FXII that can operate exclusively: (i)
      maintenance of thrombus stability; (ii) local regulation of vascular
      permeability. Either, or both, of these natural functions may explain the
      evolutionary development and maintenance of FXII.

PMID- 27282311
TI  - A Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Family Systems Intervention for Managing Pediatric
      Chronic Illness.
AB  - Despite recent increases of psychosocial programs for pediatric chronic illness,
      few studies have explored their economic benefits. This study investigated the
      costs-benefits of a family systems-based, psychosocial intervention for pediatric
      chronic illness (MEND: Mastering Each New Direction). A quasi-prospective study
      compared the 12-month pre-post direct and indirect costs of 20 families. The
      total cost for program was estimated to $5,320. Families incurred $15,249 less in
      direct and $15,627 less in indirect costs after MEND. On average, medical
      expenses reduced by 86% in direct and indirect costs, for a cost-benefit ratio of
      0.17. Therefore, for every dollar spent on the program, families and their third
      payers saved approximately $5.74. Implications for healthcare policy and
      reimbursements are discussed. 

PMID- 27282312
TI  - Ecology Letters, and Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) guidelines.

PMID- 27282313
TI  - Promoting transparency in evolutionary biology and ecology.

PMID- 27282314
TI  - N-dimensional hypervolumes to study stability of complex ecosystems.
AB  - Although our knowledge on the stabilising role of biodiversity and on how it is
      affected by perturbations has greatly improved, we still lack a comprehensive
      view on ecosystem stability that is transversal to different habitats and
      perturbations. Hence, we propose a framework that takes advantage of the
      multiplicity of components of an ecosystem and their contribution to stability.
      Ecosystem components can range from species or functional groups, to different
      functional traits, or even the cover of different habitats in a landscape mosaic.
      We make use of n-dimensional hypervolumes to define ecosystem states and assess
      how much they shift after environmental changes have occurred. We demonstrate the
      value of this framework with a study case on the effects of environmental change
      on Alpine ecosystems. Our results highlight the importance of a multidimensional
      approach when studying ecosystem stability and show that our framework is
      flexible enough to be applied to different types of ecosystem components, which
      can have important implications for the study of ecosystem stability and
      transient dynamics. 

PMID- 27282315
TI  - Defensive insect symbiont leads to cascading extinctions and community collapse.
AB  - Animals often engage in mutualistic associations with microorganisms that protect
      them from predation, parasitism or pathogen infection. Studies of these
      interactions in insects have mostly focussed on the direct effects of symbiont
      infection on natural enemies without studying community-wide effects. Here, we
      explore the effect of a defensive symbiont on population dynamics and species
      extinctions in an experimental community composed of three aphid species and
      their associated specialist parasitoids. We found that introducing a bacterial
      symbiont with a protective (but not a non-protective) phenotype into one aphid
      species led to it being able to escape from its natural enemy and increase in
      density. This changed the relative density of the three aphid species which
      resulted in the extinction of the two other parasitoid species. Our results show
      that defensive symbionts can cause extinction cascades in experimental
      communities and so may play a significant role in the stability of consumer
      herbivore communities in the field. 

PMID- 27282317
TI  - Invasion fitness, inclusive fitness, and reproductive numbers in heterogeneous
      populations.
AB  - How should fitness be measured to determine which phenotype or "strategy" is
      uninvadable when evolution occurs in a group-structured population subject to
      local demographic and environmental heterogeneity? Several fitness measures, such
      as basic reproductive number, lifetime dispersal success of a local lineage, or
      inclusive fitness have been proposed to address this question, but the
      relationships between them and their generality remains unclear. Here, we
      ascertain uninvadability (all mutant strategies always go extinct) in terms of
      the asymptotic per capita number of mutant copies produced by a mutant lineage
      arising as a single copy in a resident population ("invasion fitness"). We show
      that from invasion fitness uninvadability is equivalently characterized by at
      least three conceptually distinct fitness measures: (i) lineage fitness, giving
      the average individual fitness of a randomly sampled mutant lineage member; (ii)
      inclusive fitness, giving a reproductive value weighted average of the direct
      fitness costs and relatedness weighted indirect fitness benefits accruing to a
      randomly sampled mutant lineage member; and (iii) basic reproductive number (and
      variations thereof) giving lifetime success of a lineage in a single group, and
      which is an invasion fitness proxy. Our analysis connects approaches that have
      been deemed different, generalizes the exact version of inclusive fitness to
      class-structured populations, and provides a biological interpretation of natural
      selection on a mutant allele under arbitrary strength of selection.

PMID- 27282316
TI  - How mutualisms arise in phytoplankton communities: building eco-evolutionary
      principles for aquatic microbes.
AB  - Extensive sampling and metagenomics analyses of plankton communities across all
      aquatic environments are beginning to provide insights into the ecology of
      microbial communities. In particular, the importance of metabolic exchanges that
      provide a foundation for ecological interactions between microorganisms has
      emerged as a key factor in forging such communities. Here we show how both
      studies of environmental samples and physiological experimentation in the
      laboratory with defined microbial co-cultures are being used to decipher the
      metabolic and molecular underpinnings of such exchanges. In addition, we explain
      how metabolic modelling may be used to conduct investigations in reverse,
      deducing novel molecular exchanges from analysis of large-scale data sets, which
      can identify persistently co-occurring species. Finally, we consider how
      knowledge of microbial community ecology can be built into evolutionary theories
      tailored to these species' unique lifestyles. We propose a novel model for the
      evolution of metabolic auxotrophy in microorganisms that arises as a result of
      symbiosis, termed the Foraging-to-Farming hypothesis. The model has testable
      predictions, fits several known examples of mutualism in the aquatic world, and
      sheds light on how interactions, which cement dependencies within communities of
      microorganisms, might be initiated. 

PMID- 27282318
TI  - A Visible-Light-Active Heterojunction with Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen
      Generation.
AB  - A visible-light-active carbon nitride (CN)/strontium pyroniobate (SNO)
      heterojunction photocatalyst was fabricated by deposition of CN over
      hydrothermally synthesized SNO nanoplates by a simple thermal decomposition
      process. The microscopic study revealed that nanosheets of CN were anchored to
      the surface of SNO resulting in an intimate contact between the two
      semiconductors. Diffuse reflectance UV/Vis spectra show that the resulting CN/SNO
      heterojunction possesses intense absorption in the visible region. The structural
      and spectral properties endowed the CN/SNO heterojunction with remarkably
      enhanced photocatalytic activity. Specifically, the photocatalytic hydrogen
      evolution rate per mole of CN was found to be 11 times higher for the CN/SNO
      composite compared to pristine CN. The results clearly show that the composite
      photocatalyst not only extends the light absorption range of SNO but also
      restricts photogenerated charge-carrier recombination, resulting in significant
      enhancement in photocatalytic activity compared to pristine CN. The relative band
      positions of the composite allow the photogenerated electrons in the conduction
      band of CN to migrate to that of SNO. This kind of charge migration and
      separation leads to the reduction in the overall recombination rate of
      photogenerated charge carriers, which is regarded as one of the key factors for
      the enhanced activity. A plausible mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic
      activity of the heterostructured composite is proposed based on observed
      activity, photoluminescence, time-resolved fluorescence emission decay,
      electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and band position calculations.

PMID- 27282319
TI  - The Chemical Shift Baseline for High-Pressure NMR Spectra of Proteins.
AB  - High-pressure (HP) NMR spectroscopy is an important method for detecting rare
      functional states of proteins by analyzing the pressure response of chemical
      shifts. However, for the analysis of the shifts it is mandatory to understand the
      origin of the observed pressure dependence. Here we present experimental HP NMR
      data on the (15) N-enriched peptide bond model, N-methylacetamide (NMA), in
      water, combined with quantum-chemical computations of the magnetic parameters
      using a pressure-sensitive solvation model. Theoretical analysis of NMA and the
      experimentally used internal reference standard 4,4-dimethyl-4-silapentane-1
      sulfonic (DSS) reveal that a substantial part of observed shifts can be
      attributed to purely solvent-induced electronic polarization of the backbone. DSS
      is only marginally responsive to pressure changes and is therefore a reliable
      sensor for variations in the local magnetic field caused by pressure-induced
      changes of the magnetic susceptibility of the solvent.

PMID- 27282320
TI  - Comprehensive Electrocardiographic Analysis of Lead Exposed Workers: An
      Arrhythmic Risk Assessment Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate electrocardiographic parameters which are related with
      atrial and ventricular arrhythmias measured from 12-lead surface
      electrocardiogram (ECG) in workers occupationally exposed to lead. METHODS: Sixty
      lead-exposed workers and 60 healthy controls were enrolled. Twelve-lead surface
      ECG was recorded and measurements of P wave durations (Pmax, Pmin) and P wave
      dispersion (PWD), QT durations and dispersion (QTd), corrected QT (QTc), Tp-e
      interval, and Tp-e/QT ratio were analyzed. RESULTS: The lead-exposed and control
      groups were similar with respect to baseline demographic, laboratory, and
      transthoracic echocardiographic indices. PWD (26.3 +/- 9.7 vs 22.0 +/- 9.0 ms, P
      = 0.014), Pmin (89.9 +/- 13.8 vs 79.2 +/- 10.1 ms, P < 0.001), and Pmax (116.2 +/
      15.0 vs 101.2 +/- 14.2 ms, P < 0.001), QT maximum (377.0 +/- 27.6 vs 364.9 +/-
      28.5 ms, P = 0.02), QTd (38.4 +/- 16.5 vs 30.5 +/- 12.4 ms, P = 0.004), Tp-e
      interval (78.9 +/- 16.5 vs 70.3 +/- 14.5 ms, P = 0.003), and Tp-e/QT ratio (0.22
      +/- 0.04 vs 0.20 +/- 0.04, P = 0.013) were significantly higher in lead-exposed
      workers. QT minimum and QTc values did not differ significantly. QT maximum, QTd,
      and Tp-e/QT ratio were correlated with urine lead level and Tp-e interval was
      correlated with both blood and urine lead levels. CONCLUSIONS: Lead-exposed
      workers have a higher risk for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias even without
      overt cardiac diseases compared with healthy subjects. These workers should be
      followed closely for adverse cardiovascular outcomes especially arrhythmias.

PMID- 27282321
TI  - Forest drought as an emerging research priority.

PMID- 27282322
TI  - Do trace metals select for darker birds in urban areas? An experimental exposure
      to lead and zinc.
AB  - Trace metals from anthropogenic activities are involved in numerous health
      impairments and may therefore select for detoxification mechanisms or a higher
      tolerance. Melanin, responsible for the black and red colourations of teguments,
      plays a role in metal ion chelation and its synthesis is positively linked to
      immunity, antioxidant capacity and stress resistance due to pleiotropic effects.
      Therefore, we expected darker birds to (1) store higher amounts of metals in
      their feathers, (2) maintain lower metal concentrations in blood and (3) suffer
      less from metal exposure. We exposed feral pigeons (Columba livia) exhibiting
      various plumage darkness levels to low, but chronic, concentrations of zinc
      and/or lead, two of the most abundant metals in urban areas. First, we found
      negative and positive effects of lead and zinc, respectively, on birds' condition
      and reproductive parameters. Then, we observed positive relationships between
      plumage darkness and both zinc and lead concentrations in feathers.
      Interestingly, though darker adults did not maintain lower metal concentrations
      in blood and did not have higher fitness parameters, darker juveniles exhibited a
      higher survival rate than paler ones when exposed to lead. Our results show that
      melanin-based plumage colouration does modulate lead effects on birds' fitness
      parameters but that the relationship between metals, melanin, and fitness is more
      complex than expected and thus stress the need for more studies.

PMID- 27282323
TI  - Tree-mycorrhizal associations detected remotely from canopy spectral properties.
AB  - A central challenge in global ecology is the identification of key functional
      processes in ecosystems that scale, but do not require, data for individual
      species across landscapes. Given that nearly all tree species form symbiotic
      relationships with one of two types of mycorrhizal fungi - arbuscular mycorrhizal
      (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi - and that AM- and ECM-dominated forests
      often have distinct nutrient economies, the detection and mapping of mycorrhizae
      over large areas could provide valuable insights about fundamental ecosystem
      processes such as nutrient cycling, species interactions, and overall forest
      productivity. We explored remotely sensed tree canopy spectral properties to
      detect underlying mycorrhizal association across a gradient of AM- and ECM
      dominated forest plots. Statistical mining of reflectance and reflectance
      derivatives across moderate/high-resolution Landsat data revealed distinctly
      unique phenological signals that differentiated AM and ECM associations. This
      approach was trained and validated against measurements of tree species and
      mycorrhizal association across ~130 000 trees throughout the temperate United
      States. We were able to predict 77% of the variation in mycorrhizal association
      distribution within the forest plots (P < 0.001). The implications for this work
      move us toward mapping mycorrhizal association globally and advancing our
      understanding of biogeochemical cycling and other ecosystem processes.

PMID- 27282324
TI  - Estimating tissue-specific discrimination factors and turnover rates of stable
      isotopes of nitrogen and carbon in the smallnose fanskate Sympterygia bonapartii
      (Rajidae).
AB  - This study aimed to estimate trophic discrimination factors (TDFs) and metabolic
      turnover rates of nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes in blood and muscle of the
      smallnose fanskate Sympterygia bonapartii by feeding six adult individuals,
      maintained in captivity, with a constant diet for 365 days. TDFs were estimated
      as the difference between delta(13) C or delta(15) N values of the food and the
      tissues of S. bonapartii after they had reached equilibrium with their diet. The
      duration of the experiment was enough to reach the equilibrium condition in blood
      for both elements (estimated time to reach 95% of turnover: C t95%blood  = 150
      days, N t95%blood  = 290 days), whilst turnover rates could not be estimated for
      muscle because of variation among samples. Estimates of Delta(13) C and Delta(15)
      N values in blood and muscle using all individuals were Delta(13) Cblood =
      1.70/00, Delta(13) Cmuscle = 1.30/00, Delta(15) Nblood = 2.50/00 and Delta(15)
      Nmuscle = 1.50/00, but there was evidence of differences of c.0.40/00 in the
      Delta(13) C values between sexes. The present values for TDFs and turnover rates
      constitute the first evidence for dietary switching in batoids based on long-term
      controlled feeding experiments. Overall, the results showed that S. bonapartii
      has relatively low turnover rates and isotopic measurements would not track
      seasonal movements adequately. The estimated Delta(13) C values in S. bonapartii
      blood and muscle were similar to previous estimations for elasmobranchs and to
      generally accepted values in bony fishes (Delta(13) C = 1.50/00). For Delta(15)
      N, the results were similar to published reports for blood but smaller than
      reports for muscle and notably smaller than the typical values used to estimate
      trophic position (Delta(15) N c. 3.40/00). Thus, trophic position estimations for
      elasmobranchs based on typical Delta(15) N values could lead to underestimates of
      actual trophic positions. Finally, the evidence of differences in TDFs between
      sexes reveals a need for more targeted research. 

PMID- 27282325
TI  - [Outpatient thoracic surgery: Evolution of the indications, current applications
      and limits].
AB  - The objectives of outpatient surgery are to reduce the risks connected to
      hospitalization, to improve postoperative recovery and to decrease the health
      costs. Few studies have been performed in the field of thoracic surgery and there
      remains great scope for progress in outpatient lung surgery. The purpose of this
      article is to present a revue of the current situation and the prospects for the
      development of out patient thoracic surgery.

PMID- 27282327
TI  - [Smoking cessation support among persons in situation of precariousness].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Underprivileged people smoke more frequently, present with a more
      severe smoking profile and stop less often than wealthier smokers. They can have
      difficulties to afford smoking cessation treatments as the French medical
      insurance coverage system requires smokers to pay it in advance with a later
      reimbursement. The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics,
      treatment plans and cessation rates of smokers from disadvantaged population in
      comparison with smokers in wealthier condition. METHODS: Study population
      concerned smokers received for a first visit in the smoking cessation service at
      Georges-Pompidou European Hospital (Paris, France) in 2013. The EPICES score was
      used to define precariousness. The national file of smoking cessation
      consultation (CDT) was completed and the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
      prescriptions were detailed, as treatment could be given for free to precarious
      smokers on a weekly basis. Data were registered in CDTnet, the French national
      database of smoking cessation services. RESULTS: Precarious smokers (36.8%)
      presented with a more severe smoking profile and suffered more often from
      psychiatric disorders than wealthier smokers. They benefited most often from a
      combination NRT with patch and oral forms. The followed-up precarious smokers
      attended a greater number of consultations (4.7 against 3.4) and, if they were
      less often abstainers (22.2% against 41.3%), they were able to significantly
      reduce their consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Precarious smokers adhere to structured
      care with aid for access to TSN with a positive consequent impact on consumption.

PMID- 27282326
TI  - [Breast metastases from lung cancers with the EGFR mutation].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The breast is a rare site for metastases from lung cancers. Their
      occurrence in patients with adenocarcinoma which has the EGFR mutation is
      exceptional. In this context, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate a second
      primary breast cancer from a breast metastasis. OBSERVATIONS: We report the cases
      of two patients who developed breast metastases from lung adenocarcinoma that was
      TTF1 positive with a deletion of exon 19 of the EGFR gene. A non-smoking woman of
      Asian origin, presented with a solitary breast metastasis 29 months after being
      established on first-line chemotherapy. The second case was a Caucasian patient
      who was an active smoker presented with tumor progression with multiple
      metastases including involvement of both breasts 10 months after the start of
      treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In both, tumor cells from the breast
      showed positive immunostaining for TTF1 and genotyping detected the presence of
      the deletion of exon 19 of the EGFR gene. CONCLUSION: In patients with lung
      adenocarcinoma and EGFR mutation, immunohistochemical examination, including TTF1
      and genotyping of synchronous breast tumour, is needed to confirm its metastatic
      nature and to guide treatment.

PMID- 27282328
TI  - Sarcopenic Obesity in Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe (1) the frequency and utility of clinically relevant
      spinal cord injury (SCI)-specific and general population thresholds for obesity
      and sarcopenic obesity; and (2) the fat and lean soft tissue distributions based
      on the neurologic level of injury and the American Spinal Injury Association
      Impairment Scale. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Tertiary SCI rehabilitation
      hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Persons (N=136; men, n=100; women, n=36) with chronic
      (mean +/- SD: 15.6+/-11.3y postinjury) tetraplegia (n=66) or paraplegia (n=70).
      INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body composition was
      assessed with anthropometrics and whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.
      Muscle atrophy was quantified using a sarcopenia threshold of appendicular lean
      mass index (ALMI) (men, <=7.26kg/m2; women, <=5.5kg/m2). Obesity was defined by
      percentage body fat (men, >=25%; women, >=35%), visceral adipose tissue
      (>=130cm2), and SCI-specific obesity thresholds (body mass index [BMI] >=22kg/m2;
      waist circumference >=94cm). Sarcopenic obesity was defined as the presence of
      both sarcopenia and obesity. Groups were compared based on impairment
      characteristics using an analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Sarcopenic obesity was
      prevalent in 41.9% of the sample. ALMI was lower among participants with motor
      complete (6.2+/-1.3kg/m2) versus motor-incomplete (7.5+/-1.6kg/m2) injuries
      (P<.01). Whole-body fat was greater among participants with tetraplegia (28.8+/
      11.2kg) versus paraplegia (24.1+/-8.7kg; P<.05). Compared with general population
      guidelines (20.6%), SCI-specific BMI thresholds identified all the participants
      with obesity (77.9%) based on percentage body fat (72.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The
      observed frequency of sarcopenic obesity in this sample of individuals with
      chronic SCI is very high, and identification of obesity is dissimilar when using
      SCI-specific versus general population criteria.

PMID- 27282329
TI  - Optimizing the Management of Disabling Spasticity Following Spinal Cord Damage:
      The Ability Network-An International Initiative.
AB  - Optimizing the treatment of disabling spasticity in persons with spinal cord
      damage is hampered by a lack of consensus regarding the use of acceptable
      definitions of spasticity and disabling spasticity, and the relative absence of
      decision tools such as clinical guidelines and concise algorithms to support
      decision-making within the broader clinical community. Many people with spinal
      cord damage are managed outside specialist centers, and variations in practice
      result in unequal access to best practice despite equal need. In order to address
      these issues, the Ability Network-an international panel of clinical experts-was
      initiated to develop management algorithms to guide and standardize the
      assessment, treatment, and evaluation of outcomes of persons with spinal cord
      damage and disabling spasticity. To achieve this, consensus was sought on common
      definitions through facilitated, in-person meetings. To guide patient selection,
      an in-depth review of the available tools was performed and expert consensus
      sought to develop an appropriate instrument. Literature reviews are guiding the
      selection and development of tools to evaluate treatment outcomes (body
      functions, activity, participation, quality of life) as perceived by people with
      spinal cord damage and disabling spasticity, and their caregivers and clinicians.
      Using this approach, the Ability Network aims to facilitate treatment decisions
      that take into account the following: the impact of disabling spasticity on
      health status, patient preferences, treatment goals, tolerance for adverse
      events, and in cases of totally dependent persons, caregiver burden.

PMID- 27282330
TI  - Association between body mass index and outcomes in Japanese living kidney
      transplant recipients: The role of sex differences.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of pretransplant body mass index on graft
      failure and mortality in Japanese patients undergoing living kidney transplant.
      METHODS: A cohort of 888 living kidney transplant recipients who received
      standard immunosuppressive therapy between 2000 and 2013 were identified from the
      Japan Academic Consortium of Kidney Transplantation database. Pretransplant body
      mass index was divided into three categories according to the following tertiles:
      <19.4, 19.5-22.2 and >=22.3 kg/m(2) . A multivariable time-to-event analysis was
      carried out. RESULTS: Estimated hazard ratios of the body mass index effects
      regarding graft failure were 1.62 (95% confidence interval 0.83-3.18) for the
      first tertile and 2.20 (95% confidence interval 1.24-3.90) for the third tertile.
      Patient mortality was 1.21 (95% confidence interval 0.32-4.54) for the first
      tertile and 1.52 (95% confidence interval 0.56-4.13) for the third tertile. In a
      subgroup analysis, the effects of body mass index according to sex were
      substantially heterogeneous (P = 0.029 for interaction). Pretransplant body mass
      index had a non-linear J-shaped association with graft failure that resulted from
      qualitative interaction between body mass index and the recipient's sex.
      CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences and interaction effects must be considered when
      evaluating the effects of pretransplant body mass index on post-transplant
      outcomes in Japanese patients undergoing living kidney transplant.

PMID- 27282331
TI  - Effects of signaled and unsignaled alternative reinforcement on persistence and
      relapse in children and pigeons.
AB  - Three experiments explored the impact of different reinforcer rates for
      alternative behavior (DRA) on the suppression and post-DRA relapse of target
      behavior, and the persistence of alternative behavior. All experiments arranged
      baseline, intervention with extinction of target behavior concurrently with DRA,
      and post-treatment tests of resurgence or reinstatement, in two- or three
      component multiple schedules. Experiment 1, with pigeons, arranged high or low
      baseline reinforcer rates; both rich and lean DRA schedules reduced target
      behavior to low levels. When DRA was discontinued, the magnitude of relapse
      depended on both baseline reinforcer rate and the rate of DRA. Experiment 2, with
      children exhibiting problem behaviors, arranged an intermediate baseline
      reinforcer rate and rich or lean signaled DRA. During treatment, both rich and
      lean DRA rapidly reduced problem behavior to low levels, but post-treatment
      relapse was generally greater in the DRA-rich than the DRA-lean component.
      Experiment 3, with pigeons, repeated the low-baseline condition of Experiment 1
      with signaled DRA as in Experiment 2. Target behavior decreased to intermediate
      levels in both DRA-rich and DRA-lean components. Relapse, when it occurred, was
      directly related to DRA reinforcer rate as in Experiment 2. The post-treatment
      persistence of alternative behavior was greater in the DRA-rich component in
      Experiment 1, whereas it was the same or greater in the signaled-DRA-lean
      component in Experiments 2 and 3. Thus, infrequent signaled DRA may be optimal
      for effective clinical treatment.

PMID- 27282332
TI  - Small RNA and degradome profiling reveals important roles for microRNAs and their
      targets in tea plant response to drought stress.
AB  - Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a popular beverage worldwide. Drought stress (DS) is a
      major constraint on the growth, yield and quality of tea plants. MicroRNAs
      (miRNAs) play important roles in plant responses to DS. We constructed eight
      small RNA libraries from the drought-tolerant 'Ningzhou 2' (NZ2) and drought
      susceptible 'Zhuyeqi' (ZYQ) cultivars during four stages [control (CK), the
      fourth day of DS, the eighth day of DS and after recovery (RC)]. A total of 268
      conserved and 62 novel miRNAs were identified using small RNA sequencing. In
      total, 139 (52.9%) and 96 (36.0%) conserved miRNAs were differentially expressed
      during the four stages (P <= 0.05) in NZ2 and ZYQ, respectively. A total of 814
      predicted target genes were identified as differentially regulated by 199 miRNAs
      through degradome sequencing. Among them, 201 and 218 genes were specific to the
      NZ2 and ZYQ cultivars, respectively, and 395 were common to both cultivars. Gene
      ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses
      revealed the biological roles of these targets and showed that some of the
      targets responded to DS in a stress- and cultivar-dependent manner. Correlated
      expression patterns between miRNA and their targets showed that specific miRNAs
      target the miRNA effector Argonaute 1 (AGO1), drought signaling-related receptors
      and enzymes, transcription factors, and other structural and functional proteins.
      The predicted regulatory networks provide insights into a potential miRNA
      mediated regulatory mechanism. These results will contribute to the breeding of
      drought-tolerant tea plants and to elucidating miRNA regulation in response to
      drought.

PMID- 27282334
TI  - Stenting of the Brachiocephalic Vein Following Occlusion After Coronary Artery
      Bypass Surgery.
AB  - We describe a case of left arm swelling over nine months post coronary artery
      bypass grafting (CABG), due to occlusion of the left brachiocephalic vein. The
      patient's perioperative course, diagnosis, and management of this complication
      are presented. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12765 (J Card Surg 2016;31:432-434). 

PMID- 27282333
TI  - Acidic pH sensing in the bacterial cytoplasm is required for Salmonella
      virulence.
AB  - pH regulates gene expression, biochemical activities and cellular behaviors. A
      mildly acidic pH activates the master virulence regulatory system PhoP/PhoQ in
      the facultative intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.
      The sensor PhoQ harbors an extracytoplasmic domain implicated in signal sensing,
      and a cytoplasmic domain controlling activation of the regulator PhoP. We now
      report that, surprisingly, a decrease in Salmonella's own cytoplasmic pH induces
      transcription of PhoP-activated genes even when the extracytoplasmic pH remains
      neutral. Amino acid substitutions in PhoQ's cytoplasmic domain hindered
      activation by acidic pH and attenuated virulence in mice, but did not abolish
      activation by low Mg(2+) or the antimicrobial peptide C18G. Conversely, removal
      of PhoQ's extracytoplasmic domains prevented the response to the latter PhoQ
      activating signals but not to acidic pH. PhoP-dependent genes were minimally
      induced by acidic pH in the non-pathogenic species Salmonella bongori but were
      activated by low Mg(2+) and C18G as in pathogenic S. enterica. Our findings
      indicate that the sensor PhoQ enables S. enterica to respond to both host- and
      bacterial-derived signals that alter its cytoplasmic pH.

PMID- 27282335
TI  - Role of laccase in the virulence of Talaromyces marneffei: A common link between
      AIDS-related fungal pathogens?

PMID- 27282336
TI  - Poly-l-Lactic Acid Nanofiber-Polyamidoamine Hydrogel Composites: Preparation,
      Properties, and Preliminary Evaluation as Scaffolds for Human Pluripotent Stem
      Cell Culturing.
AB  - Electrospun poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofiber mats carrying surface amine
      groups, previously introduced by nitrogen atmospheric pressure nonequilibrium
      plasma, are embedded into aqueous solutions of oligomeric acrylamide-end capped
      AGMA1, a biocompatible polyamidoamine with arg-gly-asp (RGD)-reminiscent
      repeating units. The resultant mixture is finally cured giving PLLA-AGMA1
      hydrogel composites that absorb large amounts of water and, in the swollen state,
      are translucent, soft, and pliable, yet as strong as the parent PLLA mat. They do
      not split apart from each other when swollen in water and remain highly flexible
      and resistant, since the hydrogel portion is covalently grafted onto the PLLA
      nanofibers via the addition reaction of the surface amine groups to a part of the
      terminal acrylic double bonds of AGMA1 oligomers. Preliminary tested as
      scaffolds, the composites prove capable of maintaining short-term
      undifferentiated cultures of human pluripotent stem cells in feeder-free
      conditions.

PMID- 27282337
TI  - How many Layers has the Adventitia? - Structure of the Arterial Tunica Externa
      Revisited.
AB  - Tunica adventitia or tunica externa is the outer layer of the blood vessel wall.
      It consists of connective tissue with vasa and nervi vasorum and plays a key role
      in vascular health. The aim of our study was to compare the wall layers beyond
      tunica media in arteries of different type and location. The following arteries
      of pig, dog and cat were processed histologically and analysed by light
      microscopy: aorta ascendens, arcus aortae, aorta thoracica, aorta abdominalis,
      arteria (a.) femoralis, a. tibialis cranialis, a. carotis communis, a. lingualis,
      a. basilaris, a. cerebralis media, a. testicularis and aa. jejunales. We found
      two layers of connective tissue outside the media: (1) a compact layer with many
      elastic fibres in muscular and few in elastic arteries and (2) an outer layer of
      loose connective tissue. The compact layer was missing in aorta ascendens, arcus
      aortae and intracranial vessels. Adventitial stripping removed only the loose
      connective tissue layer. In spite of the still present compact layer, stripped
      arteries were very flimsy. We suggest using the term 'tunica externa' for the
      compact connective tissue layer and 'tunica adventitia' for the outermost loose
      connective tissue layer as in other organs. The presence of the tunica externa
      differs between species, arteries and arterial side, as well as the removability
      of tunica adventitia and tunica externa by anatomical dissection.

PMID- 27282339
TI  - Corrigendum to "Ozonation of chlortetracycline in the aqueous phase: Degradation
      intermediates and pathway confirmed by NMR" [Chemosphere 152 (2016) 31-38].

PMID- 27282338
TI  - Mycobacterium leprae-induced Insulin-like Growth Factor I attenuates
      antimicrobial mechanisms, promoting bacterial survival in macrophages.
AB  - Mycobacterium leprae (ML), the etiologic agent of leprosy, can subvert macrophage
      antimicrobial activity by mechanisms that remain only partially understood. In
      the present study, the participation of hormone insulin-like growth factor I (IGF
      I) in this phenomenum was investigated. Macrophages from the dermal lesions of
      the disseminated multibacillary lepromatous form (LL) of leprosy expressed higher
      levels of IGF-I than those from the self-limited paucibacillary tuberculoid form
      (BT). Higher levels of IGF-I secretion by ML-infected macrophages were confirmed
      in ex vivo and in vitro studies. Of note, the dampening of IGF-I signaling
      reverted the capacity of ML-infected human and murine macrophages to produce
      antimicrobial molecules and promoted bacterial killing. Moreover, IGF-I was shown
      to inhibit the JAK/STAT1-dependent signaling pathways triggered by both
      mycobacteria and IFN-gamma most probably through its capacity to induce the
      suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3). Finally, these in vitro findings were
      corroborated by in vivo observations in which higher SOCS3 expression and lower
      phosphorylation of STAT1 levels were found in LL versus BT dermal lesions.
      Altogether, our data strongly suggest that IGF-I contributes to the maintenance
      of a functional program in infected macrophages that suits ML persistence in the
      host, reinforcing a key role for IGF-I in leprosy pathogenesis.

PMID- 27282341
TI  - Right Colectomy for Cancer: A Matched Comparison of Three Different Surgical
      Approaches.
AB  - PURPOSE: The standard approach to right colon cancer resection is still a matter
      of debate and includes laparoscopy, open midline incision, or open transverse
      incision. We aimed this study to compare the short- and long-term results of
      laparoscopic right-colectomy with those provided by the open approaches. METHODS:
      Of the 176 patients who underwent right-colectomy at our Department for
      nonmetastatic colon cancer, 40 patients treated by laparoscopy, 40 treated by
      transverse incisions, and 40 treated by midline incisions were selected and
      matched using the propensity score method. Short-term results included: operating
      time, morbidity rate, number of lymph-nodes harvested (LNH), patients' recovery
      features, and costs. Long-term results included: disease-specific survivals and
      the rate of incisional hernias. The sub-groups were compared using t-test and Chi
      square tests, whereas the Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess survivals.
      RESULTS: Laparoscopies were the longer procedures, providing similar morbidity
      rates and LNH in comparison with the open approaches. Laparoscopy provided a
      faster return to oral intake and a shorter use of analgesics comparing with the
      midline approach; however, it showed only a minor consumption of analgesics in
      comparison with transverse laparotomy. There were no differences in the hospital
      stay and the long-term results were comparable between sub-groups. Costs analysis
      documented minor but not significant surgical expenses for the transverse
      approach. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy was documented safe, with similar morbidity
      rates and long-term results comparing with open surgery. Laparoscopy provided
      better functional short-term results comparing with the midline approach, but
      only small differences with respect to the transverse incision approach.

PMID- 27282342
TI  - End-tidal CO2 to detect recovery of spontaneous circulation during
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation: We are not ready yet.

PMID- 27282343
TI  - Optimizing quality of digital mammographic imaging using Taguchi analysis with an
      ACR accreditation phantom.
AB  - This work demonstrated the improvement of the visualization of lesions by
      modulating the factors of an X-ray mammography imaging system using Taguchi
      analysis. Optimal combinations of X-ray operating factors in each group of level
      combination were determined using the Taguchi method, in which all factors were
      organized into only 18 groups, yielding analytical results with the same
      confidence as if each factor had been examined independently. The 4 considered
      operating factors of the X-ray machine were (1) anode material (target), (2) kVp,
      (3) mAs and (4) field of view (FOV). Each of these factors had 2 or 3 levels.
      Therefore, 54 (2*3*3*3 = 54) combinations were generated. The optimal settings
      were Rh as the target, 28 kVp, 80 mAs and 19*23 cm(2) FOV. The grade of exposed
      mammographic phantom image increased from the automatic exposure control (AEC)
      setting 70.92 to 72.00 under the optimal setting, meeting the minimum standard
      (70.00) set by Taiwan's Department of Health. The average glandular dose (AGD) of
      the exposed phantom, 0.182 cGy, was lower than that, 0.203 cGy, under the AEC
      setting. The Taguchi method was extremely promising for the design of imaging
      protocols in clinical diagnosis. 

PMID- 27282344
TI  - Psychoneuroimmunology and the Skin.
AB  - The nervous, immune, endocrine and integumentary systems are closely related and
      interact in a number of normal and pathological conditions. Nervous system
      mediators may bring about direct changes to the skin or may induce the release of
      immunological or hormonal mediators that cause pathological changes to the skin.
      This article reviews the psychological mechanisms involved in the development of
      skin diseases. 

PMID- 27282340
TI  - Comparative transcriptomic analysis of human and Drosophila extracellular
      vesicles.
AB  - Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles containing
      specific repertoires of genetic material. In mammals, EVs can mediate the
      horizontal transfer of various cargos and signaling molecules, notably miRNA and
      mRNA species. Whether this form of intercellular communication prevails in other
      metazoans remains unclear. Here, we report the first parallel comparative
      morphologic and transcriptomic characterization of EVs from Drosophila and human
      cellular models. Electronic microscopy revealed that human and Drosophila cells
      release similar EVs with diameters ranging from 30 to 200 nm, which contain
      complex populations of transcripts. RNA-seq identified abundant ribosomal RNAs,
      related pseudogenes and retrotransposons in human and Drosophila EVs. Vault RNAs
      and Y RNAs abounded in human samples, whereas small nucleolar RNAs involved in
      pseudouridylation were most prevalent in Drosophila EVs. Numerous mRNAs were
      identified, largely consisting of exonic sequences displaying full-length read
      coverage and enriched for translation and electronic transport chain functions.
      By analogy with human systems, these sizeable similarities suggest that EVs could
      potentially enable RNA-mediated intercellular communication in Drosophila.

PMID- 27282345
TI  - In vitro and in vivo evaluation of puerarin-loaded PEGylated mesoporous silica
      nanoparticles.
AB  - Puerarin, which is extracted from Chinese medicine, is widely used in China and
      mainly used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
      Owing to its short elimination half-life in human beings, frequently intravenous
      administration of high doses of puerarin may be needed, which possibly leads to
      severe and acute side effects. The development of an effective sustained-release
      drug delivery system is urgently needed. In this study, PEGylated mesoporous
      silica nanoparticles (PEG-MSNs) had become a preferred way to prolong the half
      life and improve the bioavailability of drugs. The release of puerarin from PEG
      MSNs was pH dependent, and the release rate was much faster at lower pH than that
      at higher pH. Moreover, the PEG-MSNs exhibited improved blood compatibility over
      the MSNs in terms of low hemolysis, and it could also reduce the side effect of
      hemolysis induced by PUE. Compared with puerarin, PUE-loaded PEG-MSNs showed a
      2.3-fold increase in half-life of puerarin and a 1.47-fold increase in
      bioavailability. Thus, the PEG-MSNs hold the substantial potential to be further
      developed as an effective sustained-release drug delivery system.

PMID- 27282346
TI  - RBANS memory percentage retention: No evidence of incremental validity beyond
      RBANS scores for diagnostic classification of mild cognitive impairment and
      dementia and for prediction of daily function.
AB  - RBANS percentage retention scores may be useful for diagnosis, but their
      incremental validity is unclear. Percentage retention versus RBANS immediate and
      delayed memory subtests and delayed index scores were compared for diagnostic
      classification and for prediction of function. Data from 173 memory clinic
      patients with an interdisciplinary diagnosis (no cognitive impairment, amnestic
      mild cognitive impairment [aMCI], and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease [AD])
      and complete RBANS data were analyzed. Across diagnostic contrasts, list
      percentage retention classification accuracy was similar to List Learning delayed
      recall, but below the Delayed Memory Index (DMI). Similarly, for classifying no
      cognitive impairment versus aMCI or dementia due to AD, story percentage
      retention was similar to Story Memory subtests and below the DMI. For classifying
      aMCI versus AD; however, Story Memory exceeded the DMI, but was similar to Story
      Memory subtest scores. Similarly, for prediction of function percentage retention
      measures did not predict variance beyond that predicted by the RBANS subtest or
      index scores. In sum, there is no evidence that calculation of percentage
      retention for RBANS adds clinical utility beyond those provided by the standard
      RBANS scores.

PMID- 27282347
TI  - Interoccurrence time statistics in fully-developed turbulence.
AB  - Emergent extreme events are a key characteristic of complex dynamical systems.
      The main tool for detailed and deep understanding of their stochastic dynamics is
      the statistics of time intervals of extreme events. Analyzing extensive
      experimental data, we demonstrate that for the velocity time series of fully
      developed turbulent flows, generated by (i) a regular grid; (ii) a cylinder;
      (iii) a free jet of helium, and (iv) a free jet of air with the Taylor Reynolds
      numbers Relambda from 166 to 893, the interoccurrence time distributions P(tau)
      above a positive threshold Q in the inertial range is described by a universal q-
      exponential function, P(tau) = beta(2 - q)[1 - beta(1 - q)tau](1/(1-q)), which
      may be due to the superstatistical nature of the occurrence of extreme events.
      Our analysis provides a universal description of extreme events in turbulent
      flows.

PMID- 27282348
TI  - Integration of metal-organic frameworks into an electrochemical dielectric thin
      film for electronic applications.
AB  - The integration of porous metal-organic frameworks onto the surface of materials,
      for use as functional devices, is currently emerging as a promising approach for
      gas sensing and flexible displays. However, research focused on potential
      applications in electronic devices is in its infancy. Here we present a facile
      strategy by which interpenetrated, crystalline metal-organic framework films are
      deposited onto conductive metal-plate anodes via in situ temperature-controlled
      electrochemical assembly. The nanostructure of the surface as well as the
      thickness and uniformity of the film are well controlled. More importantly, the
      resulting films exhibit enhanced dielectric properties compared to traditional
      inorganic or organic gate dielectrics. This study demonstrates the successful
      implementation of the rational design of metal-organic framework thin films on
      conductive supports with high-performance dielectric properties.

PMID- 27282349
TI  - Functional coordination of muscles underlying changes in behavioural dynamics.
AB  - The dynamical systems approach addresses Bernstein's degrees of freedom problem
      by assuming that the neuro-musculo-skeletal system transiently assembles and
      dismantles its components into functional units (or synergies) to meet task
      demands. Strikingly, little is known from a dynamical point of view about the
      functioning of the muscular sub-system in this process. To investigate the
      interaction between the dynamical organisation at muscular and behavioural
      levels, we searched for specific signatures of a phase transition in muscular
      coordination when a transition is displayed at the behavioural level. Our results
      provide evidence that, during Fitts' task when behaviour switches to a different
      dynamical regime, muscular activation displays typical signatures of a phase
      transition; a reorganisation in muscular coordination patterns accompanied by a
      peak in the variability of muscle activation. This suggests that consistent
      changes occur in coordination processes across the different levels of
      description (i.e., behaviour and muscles). Specifically, in Fitts' task, target
      size acts as a control parameter that induces a destabilisation and a
      reorganisation of coordination patterns at different levels of the neuro-musculo
      skeletal system.

PMID- 27282350
TI  - Effects of Leisure-Time Physical Activity on Vertebral Dimensions in the Northern
      Finland Birth Cohort 1966.
AB  - Vertebral fractures are a common burden amongst elderly and late middle aged
      people. Vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA) is a major determinant of vertebral
      strength and thus associated with vertebral fracture risk. Previous studies
      suggest that physical activity affects vertebral CSA. We aimed to investigate the
      relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) from adolescence to
      middle age and vertebral dimensions in adulthood. We utilized the Northern
      Finland Birth Cohort 1966, of which 1188 subjects had records of LTPA at 14, 31
      and 46 years, and had undergone lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the
      mean age of 47 years. Using MRI data, we measured eight dimensions of the L4
      vertebra. Socioeconomic status, smoking habits, height and weight were also
      recorded at 14, 31 and 46 years. We obtained lifetime LTPA (14-46 years of age)
      trajectories using latent class analysis, which resulted in three categories
      (active, moderately active, inactive) in both genders. Linear regression analysis
      was used to analyze the association between LTPA and vertebral CSA with
      adjustments for vertebral height, BMI, socioeconomic status and smoking. High
      lifetime LTPA was associated with larger vertebral CSA in women but not men.
      Further research is needed to investigate the factors behind the observed gender
      related differences.

PMID- 27282351
TI  - The oncocytic subtype is genetically distinct from other pancreatic intraductal
      papillary mucinous neoplasm subtypes.
AB  - In 2010, the World Health Organization reclassified the entity originally
      described as intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasm as the 'oncocytic subtype'
      of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Although several key molecular
      alterations of other intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm subtypes have been
      discovered, including common mutations in KRAS, GNAS, and RNF3, those of
      oncocytic subtype have not been well characterized. We analyzed 11 pancreatic
      'oncocytic subtype' of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. Nine pancreatic
      'oncocytic subtype' of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms uniformly
      exhibited typical entity-defining morphology of arborizing papillae lined by
      layers of cells with oncocytic cytoplasm, prominent, nucleoli, and
      intraepithelial lumina. The remaining two were atypical. One lacked the
      arborizing papilla and had flat oncocytic epithelium only; the other one had
      focal oncocytic epithelium in a background of predominantly intestinal subtype
      intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Different components of this case were
      analyzed separately. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of all cases
      were microdissected and subjected to high-depth-targeted next-generation
      sequencing for a panel of 300 key cancer-associated genes in a platform that
      enabled the identification of sequence mutations, copy number alterations, and
      select structural rearrangements involving all targeted genes. Fresh frozen
      specimens of two cases were also subjected to whole-genome sequencing. For the
      nine typical pancreatic 'oncocytic subtype' of intraductal papillary mucinous
      neoplasms, the number of mutations per case, identified by next-generation
      sequencing, ranged from 1 to 10 (median=4). None of these cases had KRAS or GNAS
      mutations and only one had both RNF43 and PIK3R1 mutations. ARHGAP26, ASXL1,
      EPHA8, and ERBB4 genes were somatically altered in more than one of these typical
      'oncocytic subtype' of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms but not in the
      other two atypical ones. In the neoplasm with flat oncocytic epithelium, the only
      mutated gene was KRAS. All components of the intestinal subtype intraductal
      papillary mucinous neoplasms with focal oncocytic epithelium manifested TP53,
      GNAS, and RNF43 mutations. In conclusion, this study elucidates that 'oncocytic
      subtype' of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is not only morphologically
      distinct but also genetically distinct from other intraductal papillary mucinous
      neoplasm subtypes. Considering that now its biologic behavior is also being found
      to be different than other intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm subtypes,
      'oncocytic subtype' of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm warrants being
      recognized separately.

PMID- 27282352
TI  - Mammary analog secretory carcinoma of the thyroid gland: A primary thyroid
      adenocarcinoma harboring ETV6-NTRK3 fusion.
AB  - ETV6-NTRK3 fusion was identified in several cancers including the recently
      described mammary analog secretory carcinoma (MASC) of the salivary glands and a
      minority of papillary thyroid carcinomas. We describe three cases of primary MASC
      of the thyroid gland and provide a detailed clinical and pathological
      characterization of the tumor morphology, immunoprofile, and genetic background.
      Immunohistochemistry for PAX8, TTF-1, thyroglobulin, mammaglobin, GCDFP-15, S-100
      protein, and p63 was used to define the tumor immunophenotype. Fluorescence in
      situ hybridization for ETV6 rearrangement was performed in three, and the next
      generation sequencing assay MSK-IMPACTTM (Memorial Sloan Kettering-Integrated
      Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets) was performed in two cases.
      Primary MASC of the thyroid occurred in two women and one man, age 47-72 years.
      All patients presented with high T stage, infiltrative, locally aggressive tumors
      with extrathyroidal extension. Two cases were associated with well-differentiated
      papillary thyroid carcinoma. Histologically, they appeared as low-grade tumors,
      resembling MASC of the salivary glands and labeled positive for mammaglobin,
      GCDFP-15, S-100 protein, p63, weakly positive for PAX8, and negative for TTF-1
      and thyroglobulin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed ETV6 rearrangement
      in all cases. In two tested cases MSK-IMPACTTM confirmed the presence of ETV6
      NTRK3 gene fusion. Two patients had at least two local recurrences, one was alive
      with disease, and one was alive and free of disease after 14 and 17 years,
      respectively. The third patient was alive and free of disease after 2 years. MASC
      of the thyroid is histologically, immunophenotypically, and genetically similar
      to its salivary gland counterpart. Thyroid MASC can be associated with a well
      differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma component, supporting follicular cell
      origin. Clinically, these carcinomas may show frequent recurrences but are
      associated with long-term survival. Patients with MASC of the thyroid may
      potentially benefit from Trk molecular-targeted therapy.

PMID- 27282354
TI  - Market watch: Upcoming market catalysts in Q3 2016.

PMID- 27282353
TI  - Differential expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) protein in small
      cell and aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and differential regulation of
      EZH2 expression by p-ERK1/2 and MYC in aggressive B-cell lymphomas.
AB  - EZH2, a member of the polycomb protein group, is an important methyltransferase
      that is overexpressed in various neoplasms. We found that in small cell B-cell
      lymphomas, EZH2 is expressed in <40% of neoplastic cells, with heterogenous
      signal intensity. In aggressive B-cell lymphomas, 70-100% of tumor cells were
      positive for EZH2 expression with high signal intensity, which correlated with a
      high proliferation rate. We investigated the potential signaling molecules that
      regulate EZH2 overexpression in aggressive B-cell lymphomas and found that 80% of
      cases of EZH2-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma show high p-ERK1/2
      expression (average ~57% tumor cell positivity). In contrast, only a small
      percentage of tumor cells (~10%) show p-ERK1/2 expression in Burkitt lymphoma and
      double hit lymphoma. On average, 91 and 76% of neoplastic cells were positive for
      MYC expression in Burkitt lymphoma and double hit lymphoma, respectively, while
      only 20% neoplastic cells were positive for MYC expression in diffuse large B
      cell lymphoma. None of the aggressive B-cell lymphomas showed significant p-STAT3
      expression in EZH2-overexpressed cases. The correlation of EZH2 expression with
      aggressive behavior and proliferation rate in B-cell neoplasms suggests that this
      molecule may function as an oncogenic protein in these neoplasms, with possible
      regulation by different signaling cascades in different types of aggressive B
      cell lymphomas: p-ERK-related signaling in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and MYC
      related signaling in Burkitt lymphoma and double hit lymphoma. Furthermore, EZH2
      and associated signaling cascades may serve as therapeutic targets for the
      treatment of aggressive B-cell lymphomas.

PMID- 27282355
TI  - Azaepothilone B and its derivatives: a patent review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Azaepothilone B, also known as ixabepilone, is a semi synthetic
      second generation epothilone B analogue. Azaepothilone B, its derivatives, and
      analogues, are used for treating advance metastatic breast cancer. It has been
      used as a chemotherapeutic medication for cancer. AREAS COVERED: This review
      highlights the patents on different routes for synthesis of azaepothilone B, its
      derivatives and analogues. The review will also provide the reported
      pharmacological activity and its polymorphs in the treatment of several cancers,
      such as breast cancer (metastatic or locally advanced), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,
      and pancreatic cancer. In addition, it considers other proliferative diseases
      such as viral infections, degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system,
      kidney disease, and immune response related diseases. Different databases such as
      Espacenet, ISI Web of Knowledge, Patbase, and Thomson Innovation have been
      searched extensively to review the patents. The analysis has been done to
      indicate the patenting trend across years and the comparison of active assignees.
      EXPERT OPINION: Azaepothilone B, along with its derivatives and analogues, can
      damage cancer cells in very low concentrations and retain its activity when tumor
      cells are insensitive to paclitaxel. Hence, it is highly potent agent.
      Azaepothilone B alone, in combination with other chemotherapeutics, or in the
      form of formulations, led to applications in various types of cancer. Also,
      antiproliferative activity of azaepothilone B has great potential for the
      treatment of proliferative diseases, such as skin diseases and infections. Recent
      progress in synthesizing azaepothilone B has encouraged researchers to develop
      new methods for the synthesis of azaepothilone B, its derivatives, and analogues,
      to obtain maximum yield in minimum steps.

PMID- 27282356
TI  - Prediction of residue-residue contact matrix for protein-protein interaction with
      Fisher score features and deep learning.
AB  - Protein-protein interactions play essential roles in many biological processes.
      Acquiring knowledge of the residue-residue contact information of two interacting
      proteins is not only helpful in annotating functions for proteins, but also
      critical for structure-based drug design. The prediction of the protein residue
      residue contact matrix of the interfacial regions is challenging. In this work,
      we introduced deep learning techniques (specifically, stacked autoencoders) to
      build deep neural network models to tackled the residue-residue contact
      prediction problem. In tandem with interaction profile Hidden Markov Models,
      which was used first to extract Fisher score features from protein sequences,
      stacked autoencoders were deployed to extract and learn hidden abstract features.
      The deep learning model showed significant improvement over the traditional
      machine learning model, Support Vector Machines (SVM), with the overall accuracy
      increased by 15% from 65.40% to 80.82%. We showed that the stacked autoencoders
      could extract novel features, which can be utilized by deep neural networks and
      other classifiers to enhance learning, out of the Fisher score features. It is
      further shown that deep neural networks have significant advantages over SVM in
      making use of the newly extracted features.

PMID- 27282357
TI  - Stalled replication fork rescue requires a novel DNA helicase.
AB  - During DNA replication, forks often stall and require restart. One mechanism for
      restart requires that the fork be moved in a direction opposite to that of
      replication. This reaction is known as fork regression. For this reaction to
      occur, the enzyme must couple unwinding of the nascent heteroduplex fork arms to
      the rewinding of nascent strands ahead of itself and to the parental duplex in
      its wake. As the arms of the fork are complementary, this reaction is
      isoenergetic making it challenging to study. To overcome this, a novel adaptation
      of magnetic tweezers was developed by the Croquette group. Here, a 1200bp hairpin
      was attached at opposite ends to a flow cell surface and a magnetic bead. By
      manipulating the bead with the magnets, force can be applied to unwind the
      hairpin or alternatively, released to allow the hairpin to rewind. This
      adaptation was used to study fork regression by RecG. The results show that this
      is an efficient regression enzyme, able to work against a large opposing force.
      Critically, it couples DNA unwinding to duplex rewinding and in the process, can
      displace bound proteins from fork arms.

PMID- 27282358
TI  - Metal [100] Nanowires with Negative Poisson's Ratio.
AB  - When materials are under stretching, occurrence of lateral contraction of
      materials is commonly observed. This is because Poisson's ratio, the quantity
      describes the relationship between a lateral strain and applied strain, is
      positive for nearly all materials. There are some reported structures and
      materials having negative Poisson's ratio. However, most of them are at
      macroscale, and reentrant structures and rigid rotating units are the main
      mechanisms for their negative Poisson's ratio behavior. Here, with numerical and
      theoretical evidence, we show that metal [100] nanowires with asymmetric cross
      sections such as rectangle or ellipse can exhibit negative Poisson's ratio
      behavior. Furthermore, the negative Poisson's ratio behavior can be further
      improved by introducing a hole inside the asymmetric nanowires. We show that the
      surface effect inducing the asymmetric stresses inside the nanowires is a main
      origin of the superior property.

PMID- 27282360
TI  - Corrigendum: Triggering mitophagy with far-red fluorescent photosensitizers.

PMID- 27282359
TI  - Determination of Anti-Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Neutralizing Antibodies in
      Patients With Heart Failure in the Cardiovascular Foundation of Colombia
      (ANVIAS): Study Protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent progress in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) has led
      to the development of new therapeutic options such as gene therapy and the use of
      adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors. Despite the promising results in early
      clinical trials of gene therapy for HF, various obstacles have been faced, such
      as the presence of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against the capsid vectors. NAb
      activity limits vector transduction levels and therefore diminishes the final
      therapeutic response. Recent studies evaluating the prevalence of NAbs in various
      populations found considerable geographic variability for each AAV serotype.
      However, the levels of NAbs in Latin American populations are unknown, becoming a
      limiting factor to conducting AAV vector therapeutic trials in this population.
      OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to determine for the first time, the
      prevalence of anti-AAV NAbs for the serotypes 1, 2, and 9 in HF patients from the
      city of Bucaramanga, Colombia, using the in vitro transduction inhibition assay.
      METHODS: We will conduct a cross-sectional study with patients who periodically
      attend the HF clinic of the Cardiovascular Foundation of Colombia and healthy
      volunteers matched for age and sex. For all participants, we will evaluate the
      NAb levels against serotypes AAV1, AAV2, and AAV9. We will determine NAb levels
      using the in vitro transduction inhibition assay. In addition, participants will
      answer a survey to evaluate their epidemiological and socioeconomic variables.
      Participation in the study will be voluntary and all participants will sign an
      informed consent document before any intervention. RESULTS: The project is in the
      first phase: elaboration of case report forms and the informed consent form, and
      design of the recruitment strategy. Patient recruitment is expected to begin in
      the spring of 2016. We expect to have preliminary results, including the titer of
      the viral vectors, multiplicity of infections that we will use for each serotype,
      and the general validation of the assay, at the end of 2016. The final results
      are expected mid-2017. CONCLUSIONS: This project is the first effort to evaluate
      NAb levels against AAV1, AAV2, and AAV9 serotypes in patients with HF in Latin
      America. Our results will allow us to check the cross-reactivity response between
      the serotypes assessed, to describe the epidemiological characteristics of the
      participant population, and to set up a link with earlier reports of NAb
      prevalence in the literature.

PMID- 27282361
TI  - Analysis of the incidence and factors predictive of inadvertent parathyroidectomy
      during thyroid surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inadvertent (or incidental) parathyroidectomy can occur during
      thyroidectomy. However, the factors associated with inadvertent parathyroidectomy
      remain unclear. This study aimed to report the rate of inadvertent
      parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy and associated risk factors. METHODS:
      Variables including fine needle aspiration cytology findings, age, sex, thyroid
      weight, concurrent neck dissection, extent of thyroidectomy, and the presence of
      cancer and parathyroid tissue within the specimen were recorded for 266 patients.
      The incidence of post-operative hypocalcaemia was also recorded. Univariate and
      multivariate analysis were performed to identify factors associated with
      inadvertent parathyroidectomy. RESULTS: The inadvertent parathyroidectomy rate
      was 16 per cent. Univariate analysis revealed that cancer and concurrent neck
      dissection predicted inadvertent parathyroidectomy. On multivariate analysis,
      only concurrent neck dissection remained an independent predictor of inadvertent
      parathyroidectomy: it was associated with a fourfold increase in inadvertent
      parathyroidectomy. CONCLUSION: The inadvertent parathyroidectomy rate was 16 per
      cent and concurrent neck dissection was identified as an independent predictor of
      inadvertent parathyroidectomy.

PMID- 27282362
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Antidepressants Added to Antipsychotics for Schizophrenia:
      A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the safety and efficacy of antidepressants added
      to antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia. METHOD: Multiple
      databases and previous publications were searched through June 2015 to identify
      all randomized controlled trials of any add-on antidepressants compared with
      placebo or no-treatment in schizophrenia. Depressive and negative symptoms
      (primary outcomes), overall symptoms, positive symptoms, side effects,
      exacerbation of psychosis, and responder rates were examined. Subgroup, meta
      regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed, as well as investigations of
      publication bias and risk of bias. RESULTS: Eighty-two randomized controlled
      trials with a total of 3,608 participants were included. Add-on antidepressants
      appeared more efficacious than controls for depressive symptoms (standardized
      mean difference: -0.25, 95% CI=-0.38 to -0.12), negative symptoms (standardized
      mean difference: -0.30, 95% CI=-0.44 to -0.16), overall symptoms (standardized
      mean difference: -0.24, 95% CI=-0.39 to -0.09), positive symptoms (standardized
      mean difference: -0.17, 95% CI=-0.33 to -0.01), quality of life (standardized
      mean difference: -0.32, 95% CI=-0.57 to -0.06), and responder rate (risk ratio:
      1.52, 95% CI=1.29 to 1.78; number-needed-to-treat-to-benefit: 5, 95% CI=4 to 7).
      The effects on depressive and negative symptoms appeared more pronounced when
      minimum thresholds of these symptoms were inclusion criteria (standardized mean
      difference: -0.34, 95% CI=-0.58 to -0.09 and standardized mean difference: -0.58,
      95% CI=-0.94 to -0.21, respectively). There were no significant differences
      between antidepressants and controls in terms of exacerbation of psychosis,
      premature discontinuation, and the number of participants with at least one
      adverse event. More patients taking add-on antidepressants suffered from
      abdominal pain, constipation, dizziness, and dry mouth. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of
      primary outcomes (depressive and negative symptoms) suggests small, beneficial
      effects of adjunctive antidepressants. It would appear that this augmentation can
      be accomplished with a low risk of exacerbation of psychosis and adverse effects.
      However, secondary and subgroup analyses should be interpreted cautiously and
      considered exploratory.

PMID- 27282363
TI  - Alkane-Metal Interfacial Structure and Elastic Properties by Molecular Dynamics
      Simulation.
AB  - The structure of amorphous materials near the interface with an ordered substrate
      can be affected by various characteristics of the adjoining phases, such as the
      lattice spacing of the adherent surface, polymer chain length, and adhesive
      strength. To discern the influence of each of these factors, four FCC metal
      lattices are examined for three chain lengths of n-alkane and van der Waals
      interfacial interactions are controlled by adjusting the Lennard-Jones 12-6
      potential parameters. The role of interaction strength is investigated for a
      single chain length and substrate combination. Four nanoconfined systems are also
      analyzed in terms of their mechanical strength. A strong layering effect is
      observed near the interface for all systems. The distinctiveness of polymer
      layering, i.e., the maximum density and spatial extent, exhibits a logarithmic
      dependence on the interaction strength between polymer and substrate. Congruency
      with the substrate lattice parameter further enhances this effect. Moreover, the
      elastic modulus of the alkane phase as a function of layer thickness indicates
      that the effects of ordering within the structure extend beyond the immediately
      obvious interfacial region. 

PMID- 27282364
TI  - Metal-Organic Framework Nodes Support Single-Site Magnesium-Alkyl Catalysts for
      Hydroboration and Hydroamination Reactions.
AB  - Here we present the first example of a single-site main group catalyst stabilized
      by a metal-organic framework (MOF) for organic transformations. The
      straightforward metalation of the secondary building units of a Zr-MOF with Me2Mg
      affords a highly active and reusable solid catalyst for hydroboration of
      carbonyls and imines and for hydroamination of aminopentenes. Impressively, the
      Mg-functionalized MOF displayed very high turnover numbers of up to 8.4 * 10(4)
      for ketone hydroboration and could be reused more than 10 times. MOFs can thus be
      used to develop novel main group solid catalysts for sustainable chemical
      synthesis.

PMID- 27282365
TI  - The tendency to sign-track predicts cue-induced reinstatement during nicotine
      self-administration, and is enhanced by nicotine but not ethanol.
AB  - RATIONALE: Some individuals are particularly responsive to reward-associated
      stimuli ("cues"), including the effects of these cues on craving and relapse to
      drug-seeking behavior. In the cases of nicotine and alcohol, cues may acquire
      these abilities via the incentive-enhancing properties of the drug. OBJECTIVES:
      To determine the interaction between cue-responsivity and nicotine reinforcement,
      we studied the patterns of nicotine self-administration in rats categorized based
      on their tendency to approach a food-predictive cue ("sign-trackers") or a reward
      delivery location ("goal-trackers"). In a second experiment, we determined
      whether nicotine and ethanol altered the incentive value of a food cue. METHODS:
      Rats were classified as sign- or goal-trackers during a Pavlovian conditioned
      approach paradigm. Rats then self-administered intravenous nicotine (0.03 mg/kg
      infusions) followed by extinction and cue-induced reinstatement tests. We also
      tested the effects of nicotine (0.4 mg/kg base s.c.) or ethanol (0.7 g/kg i.p.)
      on the approach to, and reinforcing efficacy of, a food cue. RESULTS: Sign
      trackers showed greater reinstatement in response to a nicotine cue. Further,
      nicotine enhanced sign-tracking but not goal-tracking to a food cue and also
      enhanced responding for the food cue during the conditioned reinforcement test.
      Conversely, ethanol reduced sign-tracking and increased goal-tracking, but had no
      effect on conditioned reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies demonstrate that
      the tendency to attribute incentive value to a food cue predicts enhanced cue
      induced reinstatement. Additionally, the incentive value of food cues is
      differentially modulated by nicotine and ethanol, which may be related to the
      reinforcing effects of these drugs.

PMID- 27282366
TI  - Effect of the CYP2D6 and APOE Polymorphisms on the Efficacy of Donepezil in
      Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Differential responses to donepezil treatment in patients with
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been observed in clinical practice. It remains
      controversial whether, and to what extent, individual variation in the genes
      responsible for drug metabolism (CYP2D6) or those associated with AD pathogenesis
      (APOE) modulate the response to donepezil treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this
      study was to better understand the potential link between donepezil treatment
      response and CYP2D6 or APOE polymorphisms. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis
      based on data collected from 1266 donepezil-treated AD patients, and evaluated
      the association of CYP2D6 or APOE polymorphisms with treatment effectiveness.
      RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the responder rate of
      donepezil treatment between the normal function CYP2D6 alleles group and the
      decreased/non-functional group [odds ratio (OR) 1.34, 95 % confidence interval
      (CI) 0.5-3.58; p = 0.56]. However, compared with the increased function CYP2D6
      alleles group, the normal function group had a better response to donepezil
      treatment (OR 1.52, 95 % CI 1.14-2.03; p = 0.005). For the specific CYP2D6 single
      nucleotide polymorphism rs1080985, patients who carried the G allele had a
      significantly higher risk of poor response to donepezil treatment. After
      adjusting the data based on APOE genotype, it was observed that only individuals
      bearing both the APOE-epsilon4 allele and the rs1080985-G allele showed a
      significant increase in the frequency of treatment non-response (OR 1.73, 95 % CI
      1.07-2.09; p = 0.03). No independent effect of APOE polymorphism on donepezil
      clinical responses was found (OR 1.08, 95 % CI 0.85-1.38; p = 0.53). Lastly, in a
      subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, all results remained consistent.
      CONCLUSION: The CYP2D6 genotype may be potentially effective for predicting the
      response to donepezil treatment in AD patients.

PMID- 27282367
TI  - Estimation of environmentally relevant chemical properties of veterinary
      ionophore antibiotics.
AB  - Monensin (MON) and salinomycin (SAL), known as polyether ionophore antibiotics
      (IPAs), are extensively used in livestock industry and can enter the environment
      via animal manure and agricultural runoff. Although some studies have
      investigated the environmental fate and transformation of IPAs, the lack of
      information on IPAs' aqueous-phase chemical properties is a major hindrance for
      further in-depth research. This study was able to experimentally determine the
      acidity constants (pKa), metal-complex dissociation constants (Kdiss), and
      intrinsic aqueous solubility of MON species, and some of these properties of SAL.
      The pKa value of MON was found to be 4.5, close to other aliphatic carboxylic
      acids and the predicted value by the computer program ChemAxon. The metal-complex
      dissociation constants of MON were estimated to be 0.058 and 0.573 with sodium
      ion (Na(+)) and potassium ion (K(+)), respectively. The Kdiss value of SAL with
      sodium ion was found to be 1.31. Compared to the previous values determined in
      organic solvents, the Kdiss of MON in aqueous phase are several orders of
      magnitude higher but maintain the same relative selectivity toward metal ions
      (Na(+) versus K(+)). The determined pKa and Kdiss values were also used to assess
      the aqueous solubility limits of different IPA species under different pH and
      metal ion concentrations. Results from this study provide more accurate
      information for the properties of IPAs. The obtained constants can be applied to
      predict the speciation of IPAs in various aquatic systems and help shed light on
      the environmental fate of IPAs. 

PMID- 27282368
TI  - Effects of gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the survival and reproduction of
      Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) and their elimination from this benthic aquatic
      snail.
AB  - This study aims to evaluate the effects of maghemite nanoparticles (gamma-Fe2O3)
      coated with meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) stabilizer on the survival
      and reproduction of the aquatic snail Biomphalaria glabrata. The cumulative means
      of egg masses and eggs per individual in the control group at the end of 4 weeks
      were 18.8 and 326.7, respectively. These values at the concentration of 1 mg/L
      were 17.2 and 291.6; at 10 mg/L, they were 19.6 and 334.4 ,and at 100 mg/L, they
      were 14.3 and 311.1. Results showed no significant differences between the tested
      and the control groups at the level of p < 0.05. Exposure of embryos for 10 days
      showed absence of mortality, malformation, or hatching delay. X-ray
      microtomography confirmed the presence of nanoparticles in exposed individuals
      and showed the complete elimination of the nanoparticles after 30 days in clean
      water. In the studied conditions, it is clear that gamma-Fe2O3 coated with
      stabilizing DMSA did not alter the fecundity or the fertility of the snail B.
      glabrata after 4 weeks of exposure, and accumulation was not present after 30
      days in clean water. 

PMID- 27282369
TI  - Ag/Ag2SO3 plasmonic catalysts with high activity and stability for CO2 reduction
      with water vapor under visible light.
AB  - The conversion of CO2 into useful raw materials for fuels and chemicals by solar
      energy is described using a plasmonic photocatalyst comprised of Ag supported on
      Ag2SO3 (Ag/Ag2SO3) fabricated by a facile solid-state ion-exchange method and
      subsequent reduction with hydrazine hydrate. The optimum molar ratio of
      Ag(0)/Ag(+) was 5 %. Visible light irradiation (>400 nm) of the Ag/Ag2SO3 powder
      in the presence of CO2 and water vapor led to the formation of CH4 and CO with a
      quantum yield of 0.126 %, and an energy returned on energy invested of 0.156 %.
      The Ag/Ag2SO3 retained high catalytic activity after ten successive experimental
      cycles. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X
      ray analysis, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller
      analyses, as well as photocurrent action spectroscopy. It is proposed that the
      photocatalytic activity of the catalysts is initiated by energy conversion from
      incident photons to localized surface plasmon resonance oscillations of silver
      nanoparticles. This plasmonic energy is transferred to the Ag2SO3 by direct
      electron transfer and/or resonant energy transfer, causing the separation of
      photogenerated electron/hole pairs. 

PMID- 27282370
TI  - Biological responses of midge (Chironomus riparius) and lamprey (Lampetra
      fluviatilis) larvae in ecotoxicity assessment of PCDD/F-, PCB- and Hg
      contaminated river sediments.
AB  - We evaluated the utility of chironomid and lamprey larval responses in
      ecotoxicity assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans
      (PCDD/F)-, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)- and mercury (Hg)-contaminated river
      sediments. Sediment samples were collected from the River Kymijoki with a known
      industrial pollution gradient. Sediment for the controls and lamprey larvae were
      obtained from an uncontaminated river nearby. Contamination levels were verified
      with sediment and tissue PCDD/F, PCB and Hg analyses. Behaviour of sediment
      exposed chironomid and lamprey larvae were measured with Multispecies Freshwater
      Biomonitor(c) utilizing quadrupole impedance conversion technique. In addition,
      mortality, growth and head capsule deformity incidence of chironomids were used
      as ecotoxicity indicators. WHOPCDD/F+PCB-TEQ in the R. Kymijoki sediments ranged
      from the highest upstream 22.36 ng g(-1) dw to the lowest 1.50 ng g(-1) near the
      river mouth. The sum of PCDD/Fs and PCBs correlated strongly with Hg sediment
      concentrations, which ranged from <0.01 to 1.15 MUg g(-1). Lamprey tissue
      concentrations of PCDD/Fs were two orders and PCBs one order of magnitude higher
      in the R. Kymijoki compared to the reference. Chironomid growth decreased in
      contaminated sediments and was negatively related to sediment ?PCDD/Fs,
      WHOPCDD/F+PCB-TEQ and Hg. There were no significant differences in larval
      mortality or chironomid mentum deformity incidence between the sediment
      exposures. The distinct behavioural patterns of both species indicate overall
      applicability of behavioural MFB measurements of these species in sediment
      toxicity bioassays. Chironomids spent less and lampreys more time in locomotion
      in the most contaminated sediment compared to the reference, albeit statistically
      significant differences were not detected. Lamprey larvae had also a greater
      activity range in some of the contaminated sediments than in the reference. High
      pollutant levels in lamprey indicate risks for biomagnification in the food webs,
      with potential health risks to humans consuming fish. 

PMID- 27282372
TI  - The environmental Kuznets curve and CO2 emissions in the USA : Is the
      relationship between GDP and CO2 emissions time varying? Evidence across economic
      sectors.
AB  - In this paper, we analyze the existence of the environmental Kuznets curve as
      reported by Kuznets (Am Econ Rev 5:1-28, 1955) by using the methodology proposed
      by Kejriwal and Perron (J Econ 146:59-73, 2008, J Bus Econ Stat 28:503-522, 2010)
      and applying Jaunky's (Energy Policy 39(3):1228-1240, 2011) specification using
      quarterly data from 1973:1 to 2015:2. We also allow different behaviors across
      time and identify it by economic sectors. Our results show the existence of the
      environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) in the USA only when we allow for structural
      breaks. Interestingly, the industrial sector shows a different pattern than do
      other economic sectors; with the beginning of the economic crisis, it appears to
      have abandoned the objective of the environmental stabilization found until then.

PMID- 27282371
TI  - Response of leaf and fine roots proteomes of Salix viminalis L. to growth on Cr
      rich tannery waste.
AB  - The tannery industry is a major source of anthropogenic chromium (Cr)
      contamination due to the large amounts of solid waste produced and its
      problematic management. The unique composition of tannery waste, usually high
      concentrations of Cr and other metals as well as organic matter and nutrients,
      makes it a great risk for soil and water environment but also a possible
      effective fertilizer for non-food plants that can tolerate metals. The goal of
      this study was to understand the adaptation mechanism of Salix viminalis to
      growth on Cr-rich tannery waste from an active landfill. We used a proteomic
      approach to identify leaf and fine roots proteins altered by tannery waste as
      compared to control soil conditions. We found no obvious symptoms of oxidative
      stress in leaves or fine roots. Proteomic results indicated some changes in
      metabolism, with increases in energy production processes and their greater
      efficiency for leaves rather than root development. Comparison between S.
      viminalis and P. * canescens response to tannery waste suggested that S.
      viminalis is not suitable for remediation of Cr-contaminated areas of a tannery
      waste landfill site. 

PMID- 27282373
TI  - Morphological effect of BiVO4 catalysts on degradation of aqueous paracetamol
      under visible light irradiation.
AB  - Morphological effect of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) on visible light-driven
      catalytic degradation of aqueous paracetamol was carefully investigated using
      four monoclinic BiVO4 catalysts. The catalysts with different morphologies were
      controllably prepared by a hydrothermal method without any additions. The
      prepared catalysts were fully characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS).
      Under the visible light irradiation, these catalysts with different morphology
      were investigated to degrade aqueous paracetamol contaminant. The degradation
      effects were evaluated based on the catalyst morphology, solution pH, initial
      paracetamol concentration, and catalyst dosage. Cube-like BiVO4 powders exhibited
      excellent photocatalytic performance. The optimal photocatalytic performance of
      the cube-like BiVO4 in degrading paracetamol was achieved. 

PMID- 27282374
TI  - Clinical prediction model to identify vulnerable patients in ambulatory surgery:
      towards optimal medical decision-making.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ambulatory surgery patients are at risk of adverse psychological
      outcomes such as anxiety, aggression, fatigue, and depression. We developed and
      validated a clinical prediction model to identify patients who were vulnerable to
      these psychological outcome parameters. METHODS: We prospectively assessed 383
      mixed ambulatory surgery patients for psychological vulnerability, defined as the
      presence of anxiety (state/trait), aggression (state/trait), fatigue, and
      depression seven days after surgery. Three psychological vulnerability categories
      were considered-i.e., none, one, or multiple poor scores, defined as a score
      exceeding one standard deviation above the mean for each single outcome according
      to normative data. The following determinants were assessed preoperatively:
      sociodemographic (age, sex, level of education, employment status, marital
      status, having children, religion, nationality), medical (heart rate and body
      mass index), and psychological variables (self-esteem and self-efficacy), in
      addition to anxiety, aggression, fatigue, and depression. A prediction model was
      constructed using ordinal polytomous logistic regression analysis, and
      bootstrapping was applied for internal validation. The ordinal c-index (ORC)
      quantified the discriminative ability of the model, in addition to measures for
      overall model performance (Nagelkerke's R (2) ). RESULTS: In this population, 137
      (36%) patients were identified as being psychologically vulnerable after surgery
      for at least one of the psychological outcomes. The most parsimonious and optimal
      prediction model combined sociodemographic variables (level of education, having
      children, and nationality) with psychological variables (trait anxiety,
      state/trait aggression, fatigue, and depression). Model performance was
      promising: R (2)  = 30% and ORC = 0.76 after correction for optimism. CONCLUSION:
      This study identified a substantial group of vulnerable patients in ambulatory
      surgery. The proposed clinical prediction model could allow healthcare
      professionals the opportunity to identify vulnerable patients in ambulatory
      surgery, although additional modification and validation are needed.
      (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01441843).

PMID- 27282375
TI  - Unintended effects of the herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba on lady beetles.
AB  - Weed resistance to glyphosate and development of new GM crops tolerant to 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and dicamba is expected to lead to increased
      use of these herbicides in cropland. The lady beetle, Coleomegilla maculata is an
      important beneficial insect in cropland that is commonly used as an indicator
      species in safety evaluations of pesticides. Here, we examined the lethal and non
      lethal effects of 2,4-D and dicamba active ingredients and commercial
      formulations to this lady beetle species, and tested for synergistic effects of
      the herbicides. Second instars of lady beetles were exposed to an experimental
      treatment, and their mortality, development, weight, sex ratio, fecundity, and
      mobility was evaluated. Using similar methods, a dose-response study was
      conducted on 2,4-D with and without dicamba. The commercial formulation of 2,4-D
      was highly lethal to lady beetle larvae; the LC90 of this herbicide was 13 % of
      the label rate. In this case, the "inactive" ingredients were a key driver of the
      toxicity. Dicamba active ingredient significantly increased lady beetle mortality
      and reduced their body weight. The commercial formulations of both herbicides
      reduced the proportion of males in the lady beetle population. The herbicides
      when used together did not act synergistically in their toxicity toward lady
      beetles versus when the chemistries were used independently. Our work shows that
      herbicide formulations can cause both lethal and sublethal effects on non-target,
      beneficial insects, and these effects are sometimes driven by the "inactive"
      ingredients. The field-level implications of shifts in weed management practices
      on insect management programs should receive further attention. 

PMID- 27282376
TI  - Caveolin-1/-3: therapeutic targets for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.
AB  - Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of morbidity and
      mortality worldwide. Caveolae, caveolin-1 (Cav-1), and caveolin-3 (Cav-3) are
      essential for the protective effects of conditioning against myocardial I/R
      injury. Caveolins are membrane-bound scaffolding proteins that compartmentalize
      and modulate signal transduction. In this review, we introduce caveolae and
      caveolins and briefly describe the interactions of caveolins in the
      cardiovascular diseases. We also review the roles of Cav-1/-3 in protection
      against myocardial ischemia and I/R injury, and in conditioning. Finally, we
      suggest several potential research avenues that may be of interest to clinicians
      and basic scientists. The information included, herein, is potentially useful for
      the design of future studies and should advance the investigation of caveolins as
      therapeutic targets.

PMID- 27282377
TI  - Chest radiography in acute aortic syndrome: pearls and pitfalls.
AB  - Acute aortic syndrome is a group of life-threatening diseases of the thoracic
      aorta that usually present to the emergency department. It includes aortic
      dissection, aortic intramural hematoma, and penetrating aortic ulcer. Rare aortic
      pathologies of aorto-esophageal fistula and mycotic aneurysm may also be included
      in this list. All these conditions require urgent treatment with complex clinical
      care and management. Most patients who present with chest pain are evaluated with
      a chest radiograph in the emergency department. It is important that maximum
      diagnostic information is extracted from the chest radiograph as certain signs on
      the chest radiograph are extremely useful in pointing towards the diagnosis of
      acute aortic syndrome. 

PMID- 27282378
TI  - Frustration Tolerance in Youth With ADHD.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare children with ADHD with
      children without ADHD on frustration tolerance and to examine the role of
      oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in frustration tolerance within the sample.
      METHOD: Participants included 67 children ages 10 to 14 years-old with (n = 37)
      and without (n = 30) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th
      ed.; DSM-IV) ADHD who completed the Mirror Tracing Persistence Task (MTPT), a
      validated computerized behavioral measure of frustration tolerance. RESULTS:
      Children with ADHD were more likely to quit this task than children without ADHD,
      demonstrating lower levels of frustration tolerance. There were no differences in
      frustration tolerance between children with ADHD + ODD and those with ADHD - ODD.
      Moreover, ODD did not moderate the relationship between ADHD and frustration
      tolerance. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that low frustration tolerance is
      directly linked to ADHD and not better accounted for by ODD. This research
      highlights specific behavioral correlates of frustration in children with ADHD.

PMID- 27282379
TI  - Comparative expression patterns and diagnostic efficacies of SR splicing factors
      and HNRNPA1 in gastric and colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serine/arginine-rich splicing factors (SRSFs) and HNRNPA1 have
      oncogenic properties. However, their proteomic expressions and practical priority
      in gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) are mostly unknown. To apply
      SFs in clinics, effective marker selection and characterization of properties in
      the target organ are essential. METHODS: We concurrently analyzed SRSF1, 3, and 5
      7, and HNRNPA1, together with the conventional tumor marker carcinoembryonic
      antigen (CEA), in stomach and colorectal tissue samples (n = 420) using
      semiquantitative immunoblot, subcellular fractionation, and quantitative real
      time polymerase chain reaction methods. RESULTS: In the semiquantitative
      immunoblot analysis, HNRNPA1 and SRSF7 levels were significantly higher in GC
      than in gastric normal mucosa, and SRSF7 levels were higher in intestinal-type
      compared with diffuse-type of gastric adenocarcinoma. Of the SFs, only HNRNPA1
      presented greater than 50 % upregulation (cancer/normal mucosa > 2-fold)
      incidences and CEA-comparable, acceptable (>70 %) detection accuracy (74 %) for
      GC. All SF protein levels were significantly higher in CRC than in colorectal
      normal mucosa, and HNRNPA1 levels were higher in low-stage CRC compared with high
      stage CRC. Among the SFs, HNRNPA1 and SRSF3 presented the two highest
      upregulation incidences (88 % and 74 %, respectively) and detection accuracy (90
      % and 84 %, respectively) for CRC. The detection accuracy of HNRNPA1 was
      comparable to that of CEA in low (<= II)-stage CRC but was inferior to that of
      CEA in high (>II)-stage CRC. Extranuclear distributions of HNRNPA1 and SRSF6
      (cytosol/microsome) differed from those of other SRSFs (membrane/organelle) in
      both cancers. In an analysis of the six SF mRNAs, all mRNAs presented
      unacceptable detection accuracies (<=70 %) in both cancers, and all mRNAs except
      SRSF6 were disproportionate to the corresponding protein levels in GC.
      CONCLUSION: Our results provide a comprehensive insight into the six SF
      expression profiles in GC and indicate that, among the SFs, HNRNPA1, but not
      HNRNPA1 mRNA, is the most effective, novel GC marker. Regardless of the good to
      excellent detection accuracy of SRSF3 and HNRNPA1 in CRC, the SFs have lower
      practical priority than CEA, especially for high-stage CRC detection.

PMID- 27282381
TI  - Understanding Non-Adherence From the Inside: Hypertensive Patients' Motivations
      for Adhering and Not Adhering.
AB  - Patients' low adherence to medical treatment in chronic illnesses is one of the
      biggest public health problems. Numerous studies attend to the diverse factors
      associated with patient adherence. However, little research has been done to
      explore patients' reasons for non-compliance from their own point of view. In
      this article, we aim to understand patient non-adherence using dialogical self
      theory and qualitative research methods. We interviewed 51 hypertensive patients
      to explore their anti- and pro-adherence motivations. Results show that most
      patients adhere and non-adhere to different aspects of treatment programs
      (medication, exercise, diet) according to the way they construct meaning to those
      activities. Also, our findings support the notion that patients' non-adherent
      behavior aims to preserve important values such as self-esteem, autonomy,
      affiliation, well-being, freedom, and health (or that more adherence is not worth
      the extra effort). We discuss the therapeutic relevance of empathically
      understanding patients' worldview and implicit beliefs.

PMID- 27282380
TI  - Finding covert fluid: methods for detecting volume overload in children on
      dialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung ultrasound is a novel technique for detecting generalized fluid
      overload in children and adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
      Echocardiography and bioimpedance spectroscopy are established methods, albeit
      variably adopted in clinical practice. We compared the practicality and accuracy
      of lung ultrasound with current objective techniques for detecting fluid overload
      in children with ESRD. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed
      to compare lung ultrasound B-lines, echocardiographic measurement of inferior
      vena cava parameters and bioimpedance spectroscopy in the assessment of fluid
      overload in children with ESRD on dialysis. The utility of each technique in
      predicting fluid overload, based on short-term weight gain, was assessed.
      Multiple linear regression models to predict fluid overload by weight were
      explored. RESULTS: A total of 22 fluid assessments were performed in 13 children
      (8 on peritoneal dialysis, 5 on haemodialysis) with a median age of 4.0 (range
      0.8-14.0) years. A significant linear correlation was observed between the number
      of B-lines detected by lung ultrasound and fluid overload by weight (r = 0.57, p
      = 0.005). A non-significant positive linear correlation was observed between
      fluid overload by weight and bioimpedance spectroscopy (r = 0.43, p = 0.2),
      systolic blood pressure (r = 0.19, p = 0.4) and physical examination measurements
      (r = 0.19, p = 0.4), while a non-significant negative linear relationship was
      found between the inferior vena cava collapsibility index and fluid overload by
      weight (r = -0.24, p = 0.3). In multiple linear regression models, a combination
      of three fluid parameters, namely lung ultrasound B-lines, clinical examination
      and systolic blood pressure, best predicted fluid overload (R 2  = 0.46, p =
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Lung ultrasound may be superior to echocardiographic methods
      and bioimpedance spectroscopy in detecting volume overload in children with ESRD.
      Given the practicality and sensitivity of this new technique, it can be adopted
      alongside clinical examination and blood pressure in the routine assessment of
      fluid status in children with ESRD.

PMID- 27282382
TI  - Effect of adjuvant interferon therapy on hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular
      carcinoma: a systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant
      interferon therapy for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      after different previous therapy. METHODS: An electronic search for articles
      about adjuvant treatment with IFN for patients with HCC published between 2000
      and 2015 was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE
      databases. All data was tested with Stata12.0 software. RESULTS: Six trials with
      a total of 1054 subjects were screened according to inclusion and exclusion
      standards. Five hundred and seventeen HCC patients were treated with adjuvant
      treatment with IFN and 537 patients with placebo. Compared to the control group,
      both the recurrence rate and death rate of HCC in IFN group were statistically
      lower, especially after transhepatic arterial chemotherapy and embolization
      (TACE) treatment and both TACE and resection according to subgroup analysis.
      There is no statistical significance on the both recurrence and death rate of HBV
      related hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection treatment (RR = 0.96,
      95 % CI, 0.84 to 1.1, p = 0.59 for recurrence and RR = 0.78, 95 % CI, 0.60 to
      1.04, p = 0.09 for death rates). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant IFN therapy may
      significantly reduced mortality as well as recurrence rate of patients with HBV
      related HCC after no matter what the previous treatment. On the other hand, there
      is no statistical significance on the recurrence rate and mortality after
      surgical resection only. More research is needed into the relationship between
      effect of adjuvant interferon therapy and previous therapy, especially TACE.

PMID- 27282383
TI  - Zinc in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - In the last 35 years, zinc (Zn) has been examined for its potential role in the
      disease multiple sclerosis (MS). This review gives an overview of the possible
      role of Zn in the pathogenesis of MS as well as a meta-analysis of studies having
      measured Zn in serum or plasma in patients with MS. Searching the databases
      PubMed and EMBASE as well as going through reference lists in included articles
      24 studies were found measuring Zn in patients with MS. Of these, 13 met
      inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The result of the meta
      analysis shows a reduction in serum or plasma Zn levels in patients with MS with
      a 95% CI of [-3.66, -0.93] and a p value of .001 for the difference in Zn
      concentration in MUM. One of six studies measuring cerebrospinal fluid, Zn levels
      found a significant increase in patients with MS with controls. The studies
      measuring whole blood and erythrocyte Zn levels found up to several times higher
      levels of Zn in patients with MS compared with healthy controls with decreasing
      levels during attacks in relapsing-remitting MS patients. Future studies
      measuring serum or plasma Zn are encouraged to analyze their data through
      homogenous MS patient subgroups on especially age, sex, and disease subtype since
      the difference in serum or plasma Zn in these subgroups have been found to be
      significantly different. It is hypothesized that local alterations of Zn may be
      actively involved in the pathogenesis of MS.

PMID- 27282384
TI  - Zbtb20 modulates the sequential generation of neuronal layers in developing
      cortex.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During corticogenesis, genetic programs encoded in progenitor cells
      at different developmental stages and inherited in postmitotic neurons specify
      distinct layer and area identities. Transcription factor Zbtb20 has been shown to
      play a role for hippocampal development but whether it is implicated in mammalian
      neocortical morphogenesis remains unknown. RESULTS: Here, we report that during
      embyogenesis transcription factor Zbtb20 has a dynamic spatio-temporal expression
      pattern in mitotic cortical progenitors through which it modulates the sequential
      generation of cortical neuronal layer identities. Zbtb20 knock out mice exhibited
      enhanced populations of early born L6-L4 neuronal subtypes and a dramatic
      reduction of the late born L3/L2 neurons. This defect was due to a temporal
      misbalance in the production of earlier versus later born neurons, leading to a
      progressive diminishing of the progenitor pool for the generation of L3-L2
      neurons. Zbtb20 implements these temporal effects in part by binding to promoter
      of the orphan nuclear receptor CoupTF1/Nr2f1. In addition to its effects exerted
      in cortical progenitors, the postmitotic expression of Zbtb20 in L3/L2 neurons
      starting at birth may contribute to their proper differentiation and migration.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal Zbtb20 as a novel temporal regulator for the
      generation of layer-specific neuronal identities.

PMID- 27282385
TI  - Nerve growth factor receptor negates the tumor suppressor p53 as a feedback
      regulator.
AB  - Cancer develops and progresses often by inactivating p53. Here, we unveil nerve
      growth factor receptor (NGFR, p75NTR or CD271) as a novel p53 inactivator. p53
      activates NGFR transcription, whereas NGFR inactivates p53 by promoting its MDM2
      mediated ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis and by directly binding to its central
      DNA binding domain and preventing its DNA-binding activity. Inversely, NGFR
      ablation activates p53, consequently inducing apoptosis, attenuating survival,
      and reducing clonogenic capability of cancer cells, as well as sensitizing human
      cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents that induce p53 and suppressing mouse
      xenograft tumor growth. NGFR is highly expressed in human glioblastomas, and its
      gene is often amplified in breast cancers with wild type p53. Altogether, our
      results demonstrate that cancers hijack NGFR as an oncogenic inhibitor of p53.

PMID- 27282386
TI  - Place cells on a maze encode routes rather than destinations.
AB  - Hippocampal place cells fire at different rates when a rodent runs through a
      given location on its way to different destinations. However, it is unclear
      whether such firing represents the animal's intended destination or the execution
      of a specific trajectory. To distinguish between these possibilities, Lister
      Hooded rats (n = 8) were trained to navigate from a start box to three goal
      locations via four partially overlapping routes. Two of these led to the same
      goal location. Of the cells that fired on these two routes, 95.8% showed route
      dependent firing (firing on only one route), whereas only two cells (4.2%) showed
      goal-dependent firing (firing similarly on both routes). In addition, route
      dependent place cells over-represented the less discriminable routes, and place
      cells in general over-represented the start location. These results indicate that
      place cell firing on overlapping routes reflects the animal's route, not its
      goals, and that this firing may aid spatial discrimination.

PMID- 27282388
TI  - Astrocyte morphology is confined by cortical functional boundaries in mammals
      ranging from mice to human.
AB  - Cortical blood flow can be modulated by local activity across a range of species;
      from barrel-specific blood flow in the rodent somatosensory cortex to the human
      cortex, where BOLD-fMRI reveals numerous functional borders. However, it appears
      that the distribution of blood capillaries largely ignores these functional
      boundaries. Here we report that, by contrast, astrocytes, a major player in blood
      flow control, show a striking morphological sensitivity to functional borders.
      Specifically, we show that astrocyte processes are structurally confined by
      barrel boundaries in the mouse, by the border of primary auditory cortex in the
      rat and by layers IIIa/b and Cytochrome Oxidase (CO)-blobs boundaries in the
      human primary visual cortex. Thus, astrocytes which are critical elements in
      neuro-hemodynamic coupling show a significant anatomical segregation along
      functional boundaries across different mammalian species. These results may open
      a new anatomical marker for delineating functional borders across species,
      including post-mortem human brains.

PMID- 27282387
TI  - Metabolic reprogramming during neuronal differentiation from aerobic glycolysis
      to neuronal oxidative phosphorylation.
AB  - How metabolism is reprogrammed during neuronal differentiation is unknown. We
      found that the loss of hexokinase (HK2) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA)
      expression, together with a switch in pyruvate kinase gene splicing from PKM2 to
      PKM1, marks the transition from aerobic glycolysis in neural progenitor cells
      (NPC) to neuronal oxidative phosphorylation. The protein levels of c-MYC and N
      MYC, transcriptional activators of the HK2 and LDHA genes, decrease dramatically.
      Constitutive expression of HK2 and LDHA during differentiation leads to neuronal
      cell death, indicating that the shut-off aerobic glycolysis is essential for
      neuronal survival. The metabolic regulators PGC-1alpha and ERRgamma increase
      significantly upon neuronal differentiation to sustain the transcription of
      metabolic and mitochondrial genes, whose levels are unchanged compared to NPCs,
      revealing distinct transcriptional regulation of metabolic genes in the
      proliferation and post-mitotic differentiation states. Mitochondrial mass
      increases proportionally with neuronal mass growth, indicating an unknown
      mechanism linking mitochondrial biogenesis to cell size.

PMID- 27282390
TI  - Anatomical organization of presubicular head-direction circuits.
AB  - Neurons coding for head-direction are crucial for spatial navigation. Here we
      explored the cellular basis of head-direction coding in the rat dorsal
      presubiculum (PreS). We found that layer2 is composed of two principal cell
      populations (calbindin-positive and calbindin-negative neurons) which targeted
      the contralateral PreS and retrosplenial cortex, respectively. Layer3 pyramidal
      neurons projected to the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). By juxtacellularly
      recording PreS neurons in awake rats during passive-rotation, we found that head
      direction responses were preferentially contributed by layer3 pyramidal cells,
      whose long-range axons branched within layer3 of the MEC. In contrast, layer2
      neurons displayed distinct spike-shapes, were not modulated by head-direction but
      rhythmically-entrained by theta-oscillations. Fast-spiking interneurons showed
      only weak directionality and theta-rhythmicity, but were significantly modulated
      by angular velocity. Our data thus indicate that PreS neurons differentially
      contribute to head-direction coding, and point to a cell-type- and layer-specific
      routing of directional and non-directional information to downstream cortical
      targets.

PMID- 27282389
TI  - A lipoprotein/beta-barrel complex monitors lipopolysaccharide integrity
      transducing information across the outer membrane.
AB  - Lipoprotein RcsF is the OM component of the Rcs envelope stress response. RcsF
      exists in complexes with beta-barrel proteins (OMPs) allowing it to adopt a
      transmembrane orientation with a lipidated N-terminal domain on the cell surface
      and a periplasmic C-terminal domain. Here we report that mutations that remove
      BamE or alter a residue in the RcsF trans-lumen domain specifically prevent
      assembly of the interlocked complexes without inactivating either RcsF or the
      OMP. Using these mutations we demonstrate that these RcsF/OMP complexes are
      required for sensing OM outer leaflet stress. Using mutations that alter the
      positively charged surface-exposed domain, we show that RcsF monitors lateral
      interactions between lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecules. When these interactions
      are disrupted by cationic antimicrobial peptides, or by the loss of negatively
      charged phosphate groups on the LPS molecule, this information is transduced to
      the RcsF C-terminal signaling domain located in the periplasm to activate the
      stress response.

PMID- 27282392
TI  - Irradiation-induced grain growth and defect evolution in nanocrystalline zirconia
      with doped grain boundaries.
AB  - Grain boundaries are effective sinks for radiation-induced defects, ultimately
      impacting the radiation tolerance of nanocrystalline materials (dense materials
      with nanosized grains) against net defect accumulation. However, irradiation
      induced grain growth leads to grain boundary area decrease, shortening potential
      benefits of nanostructures. A possible approach to mitigate this is the
      introduction of dopants to target a decrease in grain boundary mobility or a
      reduction in grain boundary energy to eliminate driving forces for grain growth
      (using similar strategies as to control thermal growth). Here we tested this
      concept in nanocrystalline zirconia doped with lanthanum. Although the dopant is
      observed to segregate to the grain boundaries, causing grain boundary energy
      decrease and promoting dragging forces for thermally activated boundary movement,
      irradiation induced grain growth could not be avoided under heavy ion
      irradiation, suggesting a different growth mechanism as compared to thermal
      growth. Furthermore, it is apparent that reducing the grain boundary energy
      reduced the effectiveness of the grain boundary as sinks, and the number of
      defects in the doped material is higher than in undoped (La-free) YSZ. 

PMID- 27282391
TI  - Architecture and RNA binding of the human negative elongation factor.
AB  - Transcription regulation in metazoans often involves promoter-proximal pausing of
      RNA polymerase (Pol) II, which requires the 4-subunit negative elongation factor
      (NELF). Here we discern the functional architecture of human NELF through X-ray
      crystallography, protein crosslinking, biochemical assays, and RNA crosslinking
      in cells. We identify a NELF core subcomplex formed by conserved regions in
      subunits NELF-A and NELF-C, and resolve its crystal structure. The NELF-AC
      subcomplex binds single-stranded nucleic acids in vitro, and NELF-C associates
      with RNA in vivo. A positively charged face of NELF-AC is involved in RNA
      binding, whereas the opposite face of the NELF-AC subcomplex binds NELF-B. NELF-B
      is predicted to form a HEAT repeat fold, also binds RNA in vivo, and anchors the
      subunit NELF-E, which is confirmed to bind RNA in vivo. These results reveal the
      three-dimensional architecture and three RNA-binding faces of NELF.

PMID- 27282394
TI  - Place Cell Networks in Pre-weanling Rats Show Associative Memory Properties from
      the Onset of Exploratory Behavior.
AB  - Place cells are hippocampal pyramidal cells that are active when an animal visits
      a restricted area of the environment, and collectively their activity constitutes
      a neural representation of space. Place cell populations in the adult rat
      hippocampus display fundamental properties consistent with an associative memory
      network: the ability to 1) generate new and distinct spatial firing patterns when
      encountering novel spatial contexts or changes in sensory input ("remapping") and
      2) reinstate previously stored firing patterns when encountering a familiar
      context, including on the basis of an incomplete/degraded set of sensory cues
      ("pattern completion"). To date, it is unknown when these spatial memory
      responses emerge during brain development. Here, we show that, from the age of
      first exploration (postnatal day 16) onwards, place cell populations already
      exhibit these key features: they generate new representations upon exposure to a
      novel context and can reactivate familiar representations on the basis of an
      incomplete set of sensory cues. These results demonstrate that, as early as
      exploratory behaviors emerge, and despite the absence of an adult-like grid cell
      network, the developing hippocampus processes incoming sensory information as an
      associative memory network.

PMID- 27282395
TI  - A familial ATP13A2 mutation enhances alpha-synuclein aggregation and promotes
      cell death.
AB  - Aberrant protein-protein interactions are a common pathological hallmark among
      neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus far,
      mutations in more than 20 genes have been associated with PD. These genes encode
      for proteins involved in distinct intracellular pathways, complicating our
      understanding of the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. Recent
      reports suggested that the endolysosomal protein ATP13A2 can determine the fate
      of alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn), although no consensus has yet been reached on the
      mechanisms underlying this effect. Here, we describe, for the first time, the
      deleterious effect arising from the interaction between the ATP13A2 familial
      mutant Dup22 with alpha-Syn. We show that this ATP13A2 mutant can enhance alpha
      Syn oligomerization and aggregation in cell culture. Additionally, we report the
      accumulation of both proteins in abnormal endoplasmic reticulum membranous
      structures and the activation of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic
      reticulum kinase pathway. Ultimately, our data bring new insight into the
      molecular mechanisms underlying the interplay of these two proteins, opening
      novel perspectives for therapeutic intervention.

PMID- 27282393
TI  - Presynaptic Spike Timing-Dependent Long-Term Depression in the Mouse Hippocampus.
AB  - Spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) is a Hebbian learning rule important for
      synaptic refinement during development and for learning and memory in the adult.
      Given the importance of the hippocampus in memory, surprisingly little is known
      about the mechanisms and functions of hippocampal STDP. In the present work, we
      investigated the requirements for induction of hippocampal spike timing-dependent
      long-term potentiation (t-LTP) and spike timing-dependent long-term depression (t
      LTD) and the mechanisms of these 2 forms of plasticity at CA3-CA1 synapses in
      young (P12-P18) mouse hippocampus. We found that both t-LTP and t-LTD can be
      induced at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses by pairing presynaptic activity with
      single postsynaptic action potentials at low stimulation frequency (0.2 Hz). Both
      t-LTP and t-LTD require NMDA-type glutamate receptors for their induction, but
      the location and properties of these receptors are different: While t-LTP
      requires postsynaptic ionotropic NMDA receptor function, t-LTD does not, and
      whereas t-LTP is blocked by antagonists at GluN2A and GluN2B subunit-containing
      NMDA receptors, t-LTD is blocked by GluN2C or GluN2D subunit-preferring NMDA
      receptor antagonists. Both t-LTP and t-LTD require postsynaptic Ca(2+) for their
      induction. Induction of t-LTD also requires metabotropic glutamate receptor
      activation, phospholipase C activation, postsynaptic IP3 receptor-mediated Ca(2+)
      release from internal stores, postsynaptic endocannabinoid (eCB) synthesis,
      activation of CB1 receptors and astrocytic signaling, possibly via release of the
      gliotransmitter d-serine. We furthermore found that presynaptic calcineurin is
      required for t-LTD induction. t-LTD is expressed presynaptically as indicated by
      fluctuation analysis, paired-pulse ratio, and rate of use-dependent depression of
      postsynaptic NMDA receptor currents by MK801. The results show that CA3-CA1
      synapses display both NMDA receptor-dependent t-LTP and t-LTD during development
      and identify a presynaptic form of hippocampal t-LTD similar to that previously
      described at neocortical synapses during development.

PMID- 27282396
TI  - Modern advances in heterocyclic chemistry in drug discovery.
AB  - New advances in synthetic methodologies that allow rapid access to a wide variety
      of functionalized heterocyclic compounds are of critical importance to the
      medicinal chemist as it provides the ability to expand the available drug-like
      chemical space and drive more efficient delivery of drug discovery programs.
      Furthermore, the development of robust synthetic routes that can readily generate
      bulk quantities of a desired compound help to accelerate the drug development
      process. While established synthetic methodologies are commonly utilized during
      the course of a drug discovery program, the development of innovative
      heterocyclic syntheses that allow for different bond forming strategies are
      having a significant impact in the pharmaceutical industry. This review will
      focus on recent applications of new methodologies in C-H activation, photoredox
      chemistry, borrowing hydrogen catalysis, multicomponent reactions, regio- and
      stereoselective syntheses, as well as other new, innovative general syntheses for
      the formation and functionalization of heterocycles that have helped drive
      project delivery. Additionally, the importance and value of collaborations
      between industry and academia in shaping the development of innovative synthetic
      approaches to functionalized heterocycles that are of greatest interest to the
      pharmaceutical industry will be highlighted. 

PMID- 27282397
TI  - Histopathologic review of pineal parenchymal tumors identifies novel morphologic
      subtypes and prognostic factors for outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs) are rare neoplasms of the central
      nervous system, and data concerning clinical outcomes are limited. The purpose of
      this study was to define the clinical behavior of PPT according to current
      histopathologic criteria and identify prognostic factors to guide therapeutic
      decisions. METHODS: Seventy-five patients treated for PPT at a single institution
      between 1992 and 2015 were retrospectively identified. Forty-five resection
      specimens were available and re-reviewed. Freedom from progression (FFP) and
      overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared
      using log-rank tests. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 4.1 years. All patients
      initially underwent surgery; 78% of patients with PPT of intermediate
      differentiation (PPTID) and all patients with pineoblastoma received adjuvant
      therapy. Pathologic re-review refined classification in 27% of cases, with the
      majority of these being adult patients with pineal tumors originally classified
      as pineoblastomas that more accurately resembled PPTID based on the 2007 WHO
      classification. CLASSIFICATION: Our histologic review also identified that PPTIDs
      can be classified into small-cell and large-cell morphologic subtypes, which have
      distinct clinical outcomes. Tumor grade, extent of resection, and neuraxis spread
      were prognostic for FFP. PPTID subtype, extent of resection, and neuraxis spread
      were prognostic for OS. Genetic analysis of a pineoblastoma case identified
      somatic mutations of DICER1, ARID1A, and KDM5C genes. CONCLUSIONS: PPTIDs can be
      classified into 1 of 2 novel morphologic subtypes that are associated with
      distinct clinical outcomes. Tumor grade, neuraxis spread, and extent of resection
      also influence outcome for patients with PPT.

PMID- 27282400
TI  - Gastroduodenal Involvement in Asymptomatic Crohn's Disease Patients in Two Areas
      of Emerging Disease: Asia and Eastern Europe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of Crohn's disease [CD] is increasing in Asia and
      Eastern Europe. Limited studies have reported on the frequency of upper
      gastrointestinal [GI] involvement in patients with CD in non-Western countries.
      This prospective study compared the rate of macroscopic and microscopic upper GI
      manifestations and Helicobacter pylori positivity in asymptomatic CD patients in
      Asia and Eastern Europe. METHODS: Consecutive asymptomatic CD patients were
      prospectively recruited for upper GI endoscopy between 2013 and 2015 in Hong Kong
      and in Hungary. Endoscopy and biopsy findings were recorded and histology was
      performed to assess for H. pylori and microscopic signs characteristic for CD,
      using standardized diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty CD
      patients [100 Hong Kong; 80 Hungary; 70.6% male; mean age, 38.5 years] and 189
      controls [100 Hong Kong; 89 Hungary; 57.7% male; mean age 41 years] were
      included. Gastroduodenal involvement of CD was significantly higher in Hungary
      than in Hong Kong [16.5% vs 2.0%, p <= 0.001]. H. pylori positivity was
      significantly higher in Hungarian than Chinese CD patients [13.9% vs 4.0%, p <=
      0.001]. Granulomas were detected in 1% in Hong Kong and 7.6% in Hungary [p <=
      0.001]. Chinese CD subjects had a significantly lower H. pylori positivity
      compared with controls [6% vs. 15%; p <= 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Upper GI CD was
      significantly higher in Eastern Europe than in Asia. The detection of granuloma
      in Hungary was similar to the literature data, whereas focal gastritis was lower
      than expected in both cohorts.

PMID- 27282398
TI  - Pediatric high-grade glioma: biologically and clinically in need of new thinking.
AB  - High-grade gliomas in children are different from those that arise in adults.
      Recent collaborative molecular analyses of these rare cancers have revealed
      previously unappreciated connections among chromatin regulation, developmental
      signaling, and tumorigenesis. As we begin to unravel the unique developmental
      origins and distinct biological drivers of this heterogeneous group of tumors,
      clinical trials need to keep pace. It is important to avoid therapeutic
      strategies developed purely using data obtained from studies on adult
      glioblastoma. This approach has resulted in repetitive trials and ineffective
      treatments being applied to these children, with limited improvement in clinical
      outcome. The authors of this perspective, comprising biology and clinical
      expertise in the disease, recently convened to discuss the most effective ways to
      translate the emerging molecular insights into patient benefit. This article
      reviews our current understanding of pediatric high-grade glioma and suggests
      approaches for innovative clinical management.

PMID- 27282401
TI  - Disability in Restorative Proctocolectomy Recipients Measured using the
      Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Index.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] disability index [IBD
      DI], which measures IBD-associated disability, has been validated on IBD patients
      but not those who have had restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal
      anastomosis [RP with IPAA]. This study aimed to utilize the IBD-DI in RP with
      IPAA recipients and compare ulcerative colitis [UC]-indicated RP with IPAA
      patients to medically treated UC patients. METHODS: This study was population
      based. Demographic, indication, complication and direct cost data were collected
      via medical records while disability, quality of life [QoL] and indirect costs
      were measured using questionnaires and structured interviews. De-identified raw
      data about medically treated UC patients were provided by a previous study for
      comparison. RESULTS: In total there were 136 RP with IPAA patients [mean 11.5
      years of follow up]. Eighty-four completed the IBD-DI and 80 completed the IBD
      questionnaire [IBDQ]. The IBDQ and IBD-DI were highly correlated [r = 0.84, p <
      0.01]. Worse QoL and disability were found in those who had their position
      affected at work [both p < 0.01] and those who had more than 100 days off work in
      the last year [p < 0.01 for QoL and p = 0.012 for disability]. Lower QoL and
      disability scores were associated with higher indirect and total costs [p <
      0.01]. UC patients treated with RP with IPAA had less disability than medically
      treated UC patients [p = 0.04]. CONCLUSIONS: Disability in RP with IPAA
      recipients can be measured using the IBD-DI. Perioperative complications and high
      costs of care are associated with higher levels of disability. Disability of RP
      with IPAA recipients was lower than that of medically managed UC patients.

PMID- 27282399
TI  - Stem cell-based therapies for tumors in the brain: are we there yet?
AB  - Advances in understanding adult stem cell biology have facilitated the
      development of novel cell-based therapies for cancer. Recent developments in
      conventional therapies (eg, tumor resection techniques, chemotherapy strategies,
      and radiation therapy) for treating both metastatic and primary tumors in the
      brain, particularly glioblastoma have not resulted in a marked increase in
      patient survival. Preclinical studies have shown that multiple stem cell types
      exhibit inherent tropism and migrate to the sites of malignancy. Recent studies
      have validated the feasibility potential of using engineered stem cells as
      therapeutic agents to target and eliminate malignant tumor cells in the brain.
      This review will discuss the recent progress in the therapeutic potential of stem
      cells for tumors in the brain and also provide perspectives for future
      preclinical studies and clinical translation.

PMID- 27282403
TI  - Detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis in patients with
      paranasal chronic sinusitis by polymerase chain reaction method.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sinusitis is a complex involvement of the upper respiratory system by
      bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other allergens. Streptococcus pneumoniae,
      Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis are the dominant bacterial
      microorganisms involved in acute sinusitis, whereas in chronic sinusitis,
      Staphylococcus aureus and some anaerobic bacteria are the prevailing pathogens.
      Appropriate antibiotic treatment requires sinusitis bacteriology assessment. The
      aim of this study was to isolate bacteria in clinical samples from patients with
      chronic sinusitis. METHODS: A total of 55 samples were collected from patients
      with chronic sinusitis undergoing surgery at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz,
      Iran. Samples were cultured in conventional medium, and for each culture, Gram
      staining, catalase, coagulase, oxidase, and DNAse tests were performed and
      isolates were stored for polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: Twenty
      three isolates were obtained from five patients, including S. aureus (23.6%),
      Rhizomucor (1.8%), and Escherichia (1.8%) by the culture method and M.
      catarrhalis (3.6%) and S. Pneumoniae (7.2%) by the polymerase chain reaction
      method. Compared with acute sinusitis, the microbiology of chronic sinusitis
      remains controversial. Results are affected by many factors, including diversity
      of molecular and culture methods, sterilization of sampling area, sample transfer
      to laboratory, use of antibiotics prior to surgery, and nasal polyps. CONCLUSION:
      In Iran, the causative agents of chronic sinusitis are similar to those in other
      countries. Compared with other bacteria, S. aureus was observed more often in
      asthmatic patients with sinusitis.

PMID- 27282404
TI  - Live-cell single-molecule imaging of the cytokine receptor MPL for analysis of
      dynamic dimerization.

PMID- 27282402
TI  - Predicting Outcomes to Optimize Disease Management in Inflammatory Bowel
      Diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Efforts to slow or prevent the progressive course of
      inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] include early and intensive monitoring and
      treatment of patients at higher risk for complications. It is therefore essential
      to identify high-risk patients - both at diagnosis and throughout disease course.
      METHODS: As a part of an IBD Ahead initiative, we conducted a comprehensive
      literature review to identify predictors of long-term IBD prognosis and generate
      draft expert summary statements. Statements were refined at national meetings of
      IBD experts in 32 countries and were finalized at an international meeting in
      November 2014. RESULTS: Patients with Crohn's disease presenting at a young age
      or with extensive anatomical involvement, deep ulcerations, ileal/ileocolonic
      involvement, perianal and/or severe rectal disease or penetrating/stenosing
      behaviour should be regarded as high risk for complications. Patients with
      ulcerative colitis presenting at young age, with extensive colitis and frequent
      flare-ups needing steroids or hospitalization present increased risk for
      colectomy or future hospitalization. Smoking status, concurrent primary
      sclerosing cholangitis and concurrent infections may impact the course of
      disease. Current genetic and serological markers lack accuracy for clinical use.
      CONCLUSIONS: Simple demographic and clinical features can guide the clinician in
      identifying patients at higher risk for disease complications at diagnosis and
      throughout disease course. However, many of these risk factors have been
      identified retrospectively and lack validation. Appropriately powered prospective
      studies are required to inform algorithms that can truly predict the risk for
      disease progression in the individual patient.

PMID- 27282406
TI  - miR-5003-3p promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells
      through Snail stabilization and direct targeting of E-cadherin.
AB  - One of the initial steps in metastatic dissemination is the epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT). Along this line, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown
      to function as important regulators of tumor progression at various stages.
      Therefore, we performed a functional screening for EMT-regulating miRNAs and
      identified several candidate miRNAs. Among these, we demonstrated that miR-5003
      3p induces cellular features characteristic of EMT. miR-5003-3p induced
      upregulation of Snail, a key EMT-promoting transcription factor and
      transcriptional repressor of E-cadherin, through protein stabilization. MDM2 was
      identified as a direct target of miR-5003-3p, the downregulation of which induced
      Snail stabilization. E-cadherin was also demonstrated to be a direct target of
      miR-5003-3p, reinforcing the EMT-promoting function of miR-5003-3p. In situ
      hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses using tissue microarrays revealed
      that miR-5003-3p expression was higher in paired metastatic breast carcinoma
      tissues than in primary ductal carcinoma tissues, and was inversely correlated
      with the expression of MDM2 and E-cadherin. Furthermore, miR-5003-3p enhanced the
      formation of metastatic nodules in the lungs of mice in a tail vein injection
      experiment. Collectively, our results suggest that miR-5003-3p functions as a
      metastasis activator by promoting EMT through dual regulation of Snail stability
      and E-cadherin, and may therefore be a potential therapeutic target in metastatic
      cancers.

PMID- 27282405
TI  - Deletion of Gab2 in mice protects against hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis:
      a novel therapeutic target for fatty liver disease.
AB  - Fatty liver disease is a serious health problem worldwide and is the most common
      cause for chronic liver disease and metabolic disorders. The major challenge in
      the prevention and intervention of this disease is the incomplete understanding
      of the underlying mechanism and thus lack of potent therapeutic targets due to
      multifaceted and interdependent disease factors. In this study, we investigated
      the role of a signaling adaptor protein, GRB2-associated-binding protein 2
      (Gab2), in fatty liver using an animal disease model. Gab2 expression in
      hepatocytes responded to various disease factor stimulations, and Gab2 knockout
      mice exhibited resistance to fat-induced obesity, fat- or alcohol-stimulated
      hepatic steatosis, as well as methionine and choline deficiency-induced
      steatohepatitis. Concordantly, the forced expression or knockdown of Gab2
      enhanced or diminished oleic acid (OA)- or ethanol-induced lipid production in
      hepatocytes in vitro, respectively. During lipid accumulation in hepatocytes,
      both fat and alcohol induced the recruitment of PI3K or Socs3 by Gab2 and the
      activation of their downstream signaling proteins AKT, ERK, and Stat3. Therefore,
      Gab2 may be a disease-associated protein that is induced by pathogenic factors to
      amplify and coordinate multifactor-induced signals to govern disease development
      in the liver. Our research provides a novel potential target for the prevention
      and intervention of fatty liver disease.

PMID- 27282407
TI  - Sonochemical production of nanoparticle metal oxides for potential use in
      dentistry.
AB  - Two types of ultrasonic instruments used in dentistry have been compared with a
      sonochemical horn for the production of copper oxide and zinc oxide
      nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can be produced from benign reagents using
      dental instruments as the source of sonochemical enhancement. The process has
      been operated in resin models of teeth in a preliminary exploration of the
      potential of the method for enhancing procedures such as root canal surgery. The
      technique is potentially useful but further work is needed for a full assessment
      of using in-situ generated nanoparticles as an aid to disinfection during some
      types of dental surgery.

PMID- 27282409
TI  - Lemnitoxin, the major component of Micrurus lemniscatus coral snake venom, is a
      myotoxic and pro-inflammatory phospholipase A2.
AB  - The venom of Micrurus lemniscatus, a coral snake of wide geographical
      distribution in South America, was fractionated by reverse-phase HPLC and the
      fractions screened for phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity. The major component of
      the venom, a PLA2, here referred to as 'Lemnitoxin', was isolated and
      characterized biochemically and toxicologically. It induces myotoxicity upon
      intramuscular or intravenous injection into mice. The amino acid residues Arg15,
      Ala100, Asn108, and a hydrophobic residue at position 109, which are
      characteristic of myotoxic class I phospholipases A2, are present in Lemnitoxin.
      This PLA2 is antigenically related to M. nigrocinctus nigroxin, Notechis scutatus
      notexin, Pseudechis australis mulgotoxin, and Pseudonaja textilis textilotoxin,
      as demonstrated with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Lemnitoxin is highly
      selective in its targeting of cells, being cytotoxic for differentiated myotubes
      in vitro and muscle fibers in vivo, but not for undifferentiated myoblasts or
      endothelial cells. Lemnitoxin is not lethal after intravenous injection at doses
      up to 2MUg/g in mice, evidencing its lack of significant neurotoxicity.
      Lemnitoxin displays anticoagulant effect on human plasma and proinflammatory
      activity also, as it induces paw edema and mast cell degranulation. Thus, the
      results of this work demonstrate that Lemnitoxin is a potent myotoxic and
      proinflammatory class I PLA2. 

PMID- 27282408
TI  - Multisensory Processes: A Balancing Act across the Lifespan.
AB  - Multisensory processes are fundamental in scaffolding perception, cognition,
      learning, and behavior. How and when stimuli from different sensory modalities
      are integrated rather than treated as separate entities is poorly understood. We
      review how the relative reliance on stimulus characteristics versus learned
      associations dynamically shapes multisensory processes. We illustrate the
      dynamism in multisensory function across two timescales: one long term that
      operates across the lifespan and one short term that operates during the learning
      of new multisensory relations. In addition, we highlight the importance of task
      contingencies. We conclude that these highly dynamic multisensory processes,
      based on the relative weighting of stimulus characteristics and learned
      associations, provide both stability and flexibility to brain functions over a
      wide range of temporal scales.

PMID- 27282410
TI  - Evidence for a chemical clock in oscillatory formation of UiO-66.
AB  - Chemical clocks are often used as exciting classroom experiments, where an
      induction time is followed by rapidly changing colours that expose oscillating
      concentration patterns. This type of reaction belongs to a class of nonlinear
      chemical kinetics also linked to chaos, wave propagation and Turing patterns.
      Despite its vastness in occurrence and applicability, the clock reaction is only
      well understood for liquid-state processes. Here we report a chemical clock
      reaction, in which a solidifying entity, metal-organic framework UiO-66, displays
      oscillations in crystal dimension and number, as shown by X-ray scattering. In
      rationalizing this result, we introduce a computational approach, the metal
      organic molecular orbital methodology, to pinpoint interaction between the
      tectonic building blocks that construct the metal-organic framework material. In
      this way, we show that hydrochloric acid plays the role of autocatalyst, bridging
      separate processes of condensation and crystallization.

PMID- 27282411
TI  - Parvularcula flava sp. nov., an alphaproteobacterium isolated from surface
      seawater of the South China Sea.
AB  - An aerobic, coccoid to short rod, yellow-pigmented, non-sporulating and Gram
      staining-negative bacterium, designated NH6-79T, was isolated from surface
      seawater of the South China Sea. The isolate was motile with a polar flagellum.
      Growth was observed at 4-42  degrees C (optimum 37  degrees C), at pH 6.0-8.5
      (optimum pH 7.0), and with 0.5-11 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 4.5 %) and 1.5-17 % (w/v)
      sea salt (optimum 3.5-5 %). Strain NH6-79T could decompose peptone to produce
      H2S, but could not hydrolyse skimmed milk. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S
      rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NH6-79T had the closest affinity to the
      genus Parvularcula, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with
      'Parvularcula oceanus' JLT2013 (94.1 %), Parvularcula lutaonensis CC-MMS-1T (93.4
      %), Parvularcula dongshanensis SH25T (92.9 %) and Parvularcula bermudensis
      HTCC2503T (92.7 %), and lower sequence similarities (<90 %) with all other
      genera. The dominant fatty acids were C18 : 1omega7c and C16 : 0. The polar lipid
      profile was mainly composed of three unidentified glycolipids. The predominant
      isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10. The DNA G+C content was 60.7 mol%. Based on
      the polyphasic taxonomic characterization, strain NH6-79T is considered to
      represent a novel species of the genus Parvularcula, for which the name
      Parvularcula flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NH6-79T (=CGMCC
      1.14984T=JCM 30557T=MCCC 1K00277T).

PMID- 27282412
TI  - A cost of living longer: Projections of the effects of prospective mortality
      improvement on economic support ratios for 14 advanced economies.
AB  - The economic implications of increasing life expectancy are important concerns
      for governments in developed countries. The aims of this study were as follows:
      (i) to forecast mortality for 14 developed countries from 2010 to 2050, using the
      Poisson Common Factor Model; (ii) to project the effects of the forecast
      mortality patterns on support ratios; and (iii) to calculate labour force
      participation increases which could offset these effects. The forecast gains in
      life expectancy correlate negatively with current fertility. Pre-2050 support
      ratios are projected to fall most in Japan and east-central and southern Europe,
      and least in Sweden and Australia. A post-2050 recovery is projected for most
      east-central and southern European countries. The increases in labour force
      participation needed to counterbalance the effects of mortality improvement are
      greatest for Japan, Poland, and the Czech Republic, and least for the USA,
      Canada, Netherlands, and Sweden. The policy implications are discussed.

PMID- 27282413
TI  - Messenger RNA-based therapeutics for brain diseases: An animal study for
      augmenting clearance of beta-amyloid by intracerebral administration of
      neprilysin mRNA loaded in polyplex nanomicelles.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis is considered to be the metabolic imbalance
      between anabolism and clearance of amyloid-beta (Abeta), and the strategy of
      breaking the equilibrium between soluble and insoluble forms of Abeta is likely
      to help prevent the progression of AD. Neprilysin (NEP) plays a major role in the
      clearance of Abeta in the brain, and its supplementation using viral vectors has
      shown to decrease Abeta deposition and prevent pathogenic changes in the brain.
      In this study, we developed a new therapeutic strategy by mRNA-based gene
      introduction. mRNA has the advantages of negligible risk of random integration
      into genome and not needing to be transcribed precludes the need for nuclear
      entry. This allows efficient protein expression in slowly-dividing or non
      dividing cells, such as neural cells. We constructed mRNA encoding the mouse NEP
      protein and evaluated its ability degrade Abeta. In vitro transfection of NEP
      mRNA to primary neurons exhibited Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) degradation
      activity superior to that of NEP encoding plasmid DNA. We then evaluated the in
      vivo activity of NEP mRNA by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion using a
      cationic polymer-based PEGylated nanocarrier to form polyplex nanomicelles, which
      have been shown to have a high potential to deliver mRNA to various target
      tissues and organs. Nanomicelles carrying a GFP-NEP fusion mRNA produced
      efficient protein expression in a diffuse manner surrounding the ventricular
      space. An ELISA evaluation revealed that the mRNA infusion significantly
      augmented NEP level and effectively reduced the concentration of Abeta that had
      been supplemented in the mouse brain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the
      first study to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of introducing exogenous
      mRNA for the treatment of brain diseases, opening the new era of mRNA-based
      therapeutics.

PMID- 27282414
TI  - Bladder tumor-targeted delivery of pro-apoptotic peptide for cancer therapy.
AB  - The overall prognosis of conventional chemotherapy for the treatment of bladder
      cancer is poor and reduction of its systemic side effects remains an unsolved
      issue. Targeted therapy for bladder cancer could improve therapeutic efficacy and
      reduce side effects. This study investigated a hybrid peptide (named Bld-1-KLA)
      composed of the CSNRDARRC peptide (Bld-1), which binds to bladder tumor cells,
      and the d-KLAKLAKKLAKLAK (KLA) peptide, which disrupts mitochondrial membrane and
      induces apoptotic cell death, as a bladder cancer-targeted therapeutic agent. Bld
      1-KLA selectively bound to HT1376 bladder tumor cells and efficiently
      internalized into the cells but not to other types of tumor and normal cell
      lines. Bld-1-KLA exerted cytotoxic effects selectively to HT1376 cells
      (LC50=41.5MUM), but not to other types of cells. Pretreatment of cells with Bld-1
      inhibited the binding and cytotoxicity by Bld-1-KLA in HT1376 cells. It induced
      apoptosis of bladder tumor cells, while Bld-1 or KLA alone showed much lesser
      effect on apoptosis, and was co-localized in mitochondria. Bld-1-KLA was stable
      up to 24h in serum. In vivo fluorescence imaging showed that homing of Bld-1-KLA
      in the tumor in HT1376 tumor-bearing nude mice was greater than that of the
      control peptide-KLA after intravenous injection. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice
      with Bld-1-KLA, compared to the control peptide-KLA, induced apoptosis of tumor
      cells and inhibited tumor growth more efficiently. No significant side effects on
      body weight and the liver and myeloid function were observed in mice treated with
      Bld-1-KLA. These results suggest that Bld-1-KLA is a promising therapeutic agent
      for targeted therapy of bladder cancer.

PMID- 27282415
TI  - Doxorubicin-induced co-assembling nanomedicines with temperature-sensitive acidic
      polymer and their in-situ-forming hydrogels for intratumoral administration.
AB  - Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced co-assembling nanomedicines (D-PNAx) with temperature
      sensitive PNAx triblock polymers have been developed for regional chemotherapy
      against liver cancer via intratumoral administration in the present work. Owing
      to the formation of insoluble DOX carboxylate, D-PNAx nanomedicines showed high
      drug-loading and entrapment efficacy via a simple mixing of doxorubicin
      hydrochloride and PNAx polymers. The sustained releasing profile of D-PNA100
      nanomedicines indicated that only 9.4% of DOX was released within 1day, and 60%
      was released during 10days. Based on DOX-induced co-assembling behavior and their
      temperature sensitive in-situ-forming hydrogels, D-PNA100 nanomedicines showed
      excellent antitumor activity against H22 tumor using intratumoral administration.
      In contrast to that by free DOX solution (1.13+/-0.04 times at 9days) and blank
      PNA100 (2.11+/-0.34 times), the tumor volume treated by D-PNA100 had been falling
      to only 0.77+/-0.13 times of original tumor volume throughout the experimental
      period. In vivo biodistribution of DOX indicated that D-PNA100 nanomedicines
      exhibited much stronger DOX retention in tumor tissues than free DOX solution via
      intratumoral injection. D-PNA100 nanomedicines were hopeful to be developed as
      new temperature sensitive in-situ-forming hydrogels via i.t. injection for
      regional chemotherapy.

PMID- 27282416
TI  - Single cell analysis/data handling: general discussion.

PMID- 27282417
TI  - Cognitive impairment improves the predictive validity of physical frailty for
      mortality in patients with advanced heart failure referred for heart
      transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify whether the addition of
      cognitive impairment, depression, or both, to the assessment of physical frailty
      provides better outcome prediction in patients with advanced heart failure
      referred for heart transplantation (HT). METHODS: Beginning in March 2013, all
      patients with advanced heart failure referred to our Transplant Unit have
      undergone a physical frailty assessment using the Fried frailty phenotype.
      Cognition was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and depression with
      the Depression in Medical Illness questionnaire. We assessed the value of 4
      composite frailty measures: physical frailty (PF >= 3 of 5 = frailty), "cognitive
      frailty" (CogF >= 3 of 6 = frail), "depressive frailty" (DepF >= 3 of 6 = frail),
      and "cognitive-depressive frailty" (ComF >= 3 of 7 = frail) in predicting
      outcomes. RESULTS: Frailty was assessed in 156 patients (109 men, 47 women), aged
      53 +/- 13 years, and with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 27% +/- 14%.
      Inclusion of cognitive impairment or depression in the definition of frailty
      increased the proportion classified as frail from 33% using PF to 42% using ComF.
      During follow-up, 28 patients died before ventricular assist device implantation
      or HT. Frailty was associated with significantly lower ventricular assist device-
      and HT-free survival, with CogF best capturing early mortality: 12-month survival
      for non-frail and frail cohorts was 81% +/- 5% vs 58% +/- 10% (p < 0.02) using PF
      and 85% +/- 5% vs 56% +/- 9% (p < 0.002) using CogF. Combining the Depression in
      Medical Illness score with PF or CogF did not strengthen the relationship between
      frailty and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of cognitive impairment to the
      assessment of PF strengthened its capacity to identify advanced heart failure
      patients referred for HT who are at high risk of early death.

PMID- 27282418
TI  - Ambrisentan use for pulmonary arterial hypertension in a post-authorization drug
      registry: The VOLibris Tracking Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The VOLibris Tracking (VOLT) Study was an open-label, prospective,
      observational, multicenter, post-marketing registry program designed to more
      fully characterize the safety profile of ambrisentan for the treatment of
      pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The key outcome was the incidence of
      aminotransferase elevations >3* the upper limit of normal (ULN). METHODS: In
      total, 999 patients from 115 centers in 15 countries, who were prescribed
      ambrisentan for the treatment of PAH (Functional Class II and III) between 30
      June 2008 and 13 May 2011, were enrolled. Of these, 238 had PAH associated with
      connective tissue disease (PAH-CTD) and 220 had no prior PAH-specific therapy.
      Routine clinical monitoring data were collected by physicians. RESULTS: The
      incidence of both alanine and aspartate aminotransferase events (>3* ULN) was
      0.02 per patient-year (95% confidence interval 0.015 to 0.027). Similar results
      were reported for the PAH-CTD and PAH-specific-therapy-naive subgroups. Overall,
      514 (52%) patients reported treatment-emergent adverse events of special
      interest, most commonly edema/fluid retention (249, or 25%) and anemia (143, or
      14%). CONCLUSIONS: Data from the VOLT study indicate no new ambrisentan-related
      safety signals. Ambrisentan was not associated with increases in liver function
      test abnormalities above the assumed background incidence of 1.5% per year, and
      the observed safety profile of ambrisentan was consistent with previously
      published data.

PMID- 27282419
TI  - Deletion 2q37 syndrome: Cognitive-behavioral trajectories and autistic features
      related to breakpoint and deletion size.
AB  - Subtelomeric deletions have been reported in ~2.5% of individuals with
      developmental disabilities. Subtelomeric deletion 2q37 has been detected in many
      individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum
      disorders (ASD). Previously, genotype-phenotype correspondences were examined for
      their relationship to breakpoints 37.1, 37.2, or 37.3. Our purpose was to
      ascertain whether there were phenotypic differences at these breakpoints,
      elucidate the cognitive-behavioral phenotype in del2q37, and examine the genotype
      phenotype association in the deletion with respect to cognitive-behavioral
      profiles and ASD. We administered a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral battery to
      nine children diagnosed with del 2q37, ages 3.9-17.75 years. ID for five tested
      with the Stanford-Binet (4th Edition) (SBFE) ranged from severe to mild [IQ
      Range: 36-59]. Adaptive behavior scores from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale
      (VABS) were much below adequate levels (DQ Range: floor value ["19"] to 55).
      Autism scores from the Child Autism Rating Scale (CARS) ranged from 22 [non
      autistic] to 56 [extremely autistic]; 5/8 [63%] children received scores on the
      autism spectrum. Participants with the largest deletions, 10.1 and 9.5 Mb,
      attained the highest IQ and DQ scores while those with the smallest deletions,
      7.9 and 6.6 Mb, made the lowest IQ and DQ scores. No association between deletion
      breakpoint and phenotype were found. Assessment of the various deleted regions
      suggested histone deacetylase 4 gene (HDAC4) was a likely candidate gene for ASD
      in our sample. However, two earlier reports found no association between HDAC4
      haploinsufficiency and ASD. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27282420
TI  - Magma transport in sheet intrusions of the Alno carbonatite complex, central
      Sweden.
AB  - Magma transport through the Earth's crust occurs dominantly via sheet intrusions,
      such as dykes and cone-sheets, and is fundamental to crustal evolution, volcanic
      eruptions and geochemical element cycling. However, reliable methods to
      reconstruct flow direction in solidified sheet intrusions have proved elusive.
      Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) in magmatic sheets is often
      interpreted as primary magma flow, but magnetic fabrics can be modified by post
      emplacement processes, making interpretation of AMS data ambiguous. Here we
      present AMS data from cone-sheets in the Alno carbonatite complex, central
      Sweden. We discuss six scenarios of syn- and post-emplacement processes that can
      modify AMS fabrics and offer a conceptual framework for systematic interpretation
      of magma movements in sheet intrusions. The AMS fabrics in the Alno cone-sheets
      are dominantly oblate with magnetic foliations parallel to sheet orientations.
      These fabrics may result from primary lateral flow or from sheet closure at the
      terminal stage of magma transport. As the cone-sheets are discontinuous along
      their strike direction, sheet closure is the most probable process to explain the
      observed AMS fabrics. We argue that these fabrics may be common to cone-sheets
      and an integrated geology, petrology and AMS approach can be used to distinguish
      them from primary flow fabrics.

PMID- 27282421
TI  - Sensitivity to hierarchical relations among affordances in the assembly of
      asymmetric tools.
AB  - Research on affordances typically has focused on the identification and
      perception of a single affordance. However, in daily life, multiple affordances
      are available. We investigated potential hierarchical relations among affordances
      of tools in two experiments. In Experiment 1, participants assembled a tool
      consisting of an L-shaped object and attached masses so as to perform a
      particular behavior on a target object-tipping over or sliding it-located at a
      particular distance from the participant. In Experiment 2, participants performed
      the same task with additional precision constraints on the tool use task. In both
      experiments, participants selected longer objects when target objects were
      farther away and added more mass to tools to be used for tipping than for
      sliding. The results were compatible with the hypothesis that participants were
      simultaneously sensitive to affordances for tool assembly (as revealed in their
      actualization of affordances in tool assembly) and, prospectively, to affordances
      for tool use (as revealed in relations between assembled tools and the nature of
      tasks for which they were assembled).

PMID- 27282422
TI  - Quadrivalent vaccine-targeted human papillomavirus genotypes in heterosexual men
      after the Australian female human papillomavirus vaccination programme: a
      retrospective observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Australia introduced a national quadrivalent human papillomavirus
      (4vHPV) vaccination programme for girls and young women in April, 2007. The HPV
      genotypes targeted by the female vaccine could also affect the protection
      afforded to heterosexual men. We examined the prevalence of 4vHPV targeted
      vaccine genotypes and the nine-valent HPV (9vHPV)-targeted vaccines genotypes
      among sexually active, predominantly unvaccinated heterosexual men from 2004 to
      2015. METHODS: We did a retrospective, observational study of urine and urethral
      swab specimens from heterosexual men aged 25 years or younger attending the
      Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2015, who
      tested positive for Chlamydia trachomatis. We extracted HPV DNA and used the
      PapType HPV assay to detect 14 high-risk HPV genotypes (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39,
      45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) and two low-risk genotypes (6 and 11). We
      calculated the prevalence of any HPV genotype, genotypes 6 or 11, genotypes 16 or
      18, genotypes in the 4vHPV group (6, 11, 16, or 18), five additional genotypes in
      the 9vHPV group (31, 33, 45, 52, or 58), and non-vaccine-targeted genotypes (31,
      33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 56, 58, 59, 66, or 68). FINDINGS: We obtained data between
      July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2015, and did the data analysis in December, 2015. Of
      1764 specimens obtained, we included 1466 in our final analysis (the others were
      excluded because they had indeterminate results or were duplicates). The
      prevalence of any HPV genotype and genotypes 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 did not
      change from 2004-05 to 2014-15, but we noted reductions in genotypes 6 and 11
      (from 12% [95% CI 6-21%], to 3% [1-7%], ptrend=0.008), 16 and 18 (from 13% [95%
      CI 7-22%] to 3% [1-6%], ptrend<0.0001), and 4vHPV-targeted genotypes (from 22%
      [95% CI 14-33%] to 6% [3-10%], ptrend<0.0001). Prevalence of non-vaccine-targeted
      genotypes increased from 16% [95% CI 9-26%] to 22% [17-29%], ptrend<0.0001). In
      Australian-born men, 4vHPV-targeted genotype prevalence decreased from 11 of 55
      [20%, 95% CI 10-33%] to two of 74 [3%, 0-11%], ptrend<0.0001); an even greater
      decline occurred in Australian-born men aged 21 years or younger (from four of 13
      [31%, 95% CI 9-61%] to none of 25; ptrend<0.0001). Genotypes 16 and 18 decreased
      (adjusted prevalence ratio [PR] 0.32, 95% CI 0.14-0.74; p=0.008) but not
      genotypes 6 and 11 (adjusted PR 0.50, 0.16-1.56; p=0.234) in the postvaccination
      period among men who had arrived in Australia within 2 years from countries with
      a bivalent vaccine (2vHPV) programme (England, Scotland, Wales, Cook Islands,
      Northern Ireland, or the Netherlands), compared with the prevaccination period.
      No change was noted in 4vHPV genotypes in men born overseas in other countries.
      INTERPRETATION: The marked reduction in prevalence of 4vHPV genotypes among
      mainly unvaccinated Australian-born men suggests herd protection has occurred
      from the female vaccination programme. Additionally, the decline in genotypes 16
      and 18, but not genotypes 6 and 11, among overseas-born men predominantly from
      countries with a 2vHPV vaccine programme suggests that these men received
      benefits from herd protection for genotypes 16 and 18 from their vaccinated
      female partners in their own countries. These reductions could translate to
      reductions in HPV-related malignant conditions in men, even in countries with
      female-only vaccination programmes. FUNDING: The Australian National Health and
      Medical Research Council Program.

PMID- 27282423
TI  - Control of HPV-associated cancers with HPV vaccination.

PMID- 27282424
TI  - Zika virus: history of a newly emerging arbovirus.
AB  - Zika virus was originally identified in a sentinel rhesus monkey in the Zika
      Forest of Uganda in 1947. The virus is a member of the family Flaviviridae, genus
      Flavivirus, and is transmitted to humans by Aedes species mosquitoes. The first
      report of Zika virus outside Africa and Asia was in 2007 when the virus was
      associated with a small outbreak in Yap State, part of the Federated States of
      Micronesia. Since then, Zika virus infections have been reported around the
      world, including in southeast Asia; French Polynesia and other islands in the
      Pacific Ocean; and parts of South, Central, and North America. Symptomatic
      infection in human beings normally results in a mild and self-limiting febrile
      disease, although recent reports have suggested a possible association with more
      serious sequelae such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, and microcephaly in newborn
      infants of mothers infected with Zika virus during pregnancy. In this Review, we
      summarise the history of Zika virus from its first detection to its current
      worldwide distribution. 

PMID- 27282425
TI  - Older-adult marijuana users and ex-users: Comparisons of sociodemographic
      characteristics and mental and substance use disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing numbers of older-adult marijuana users call for better
      understanding of their mental and substance use disorders (MSUDs). METHODS: Data
      came from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related
      Conditions (NESARC-III; N=14,715 respondents aged 50 +). Multinomial logistic
      regression analysis was used to compare never users, past-year users, and ex
      users on past-year and lifetime MSUDs. Binary logistic regression analysis was
      used to examine the association of marijuana use patterns in the past year and
      during the peak use period with lifetime MSUDs. RESULTS: Of the 50+ age group,
      3.9% were past-year marijuana users and 21.7% were ex-users. Past-year users did
      not differ from ex-users with respect to past-year or lifetime mental disorders,
      but they had higher risks of past-year other drug use (RRR=2.73, 95% CI=1.63
      4.55), alcohol use (RRR=2.30, 95% CI=1.78-2.98), and tobacco/nicotine use
      (RRR=1.87, 95% CI=1.50-2.34) disorders. Among past-year users, the number of
      joints smoked during the peak use period (OR=1.14, 95% CI=1.04-1.26) and past
      year use frequency (OR=2.20, 95% CI=1.37-3.52) were significantly associated with
      greater odds of lifetime marijuana/other drug use disorder. Among ex-users, the
      number of joints smoked during the peak use period was significantly associated
      with any mental (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01-1.09) and marijuana and/or other drug use
      (OR=1.13, 95% CI=1.06-1.21) disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Older-adult past-year
      marijuana users and ex-users had similarly high risks for past-year and lifetime
      mental disorders, but past-year users had a higher risk for substance use
      disorders. Health/mental health providers should be concerned about the
      increasing number of older-adult long-term marijuana users with MSUDs.

PMID- 27282426
TI  - Avoid falling for a jerk(ette): Effectiveness of the Premarital Interpersonal
      Choices and Knowledge Program among Emerging Adults.
AB  - Premarital education may help emerging adults form healthy relationships, but
      evaluation research is needed, particularly with community samples. We studied
      emerging adults in the Premarital Interpersonal Choices and Knowledge (PICK)
      program, using a pre- to post- and a posttest-then-retrospective-pretest design
      to examine change in perceived relationship skills, partner selection, relational
      patterns, and relationship behaviors and attitudes. Mixed models analyses showed
      that scores for the treatment group (n = 682) increased from pre to post on all
      four outcomes. Changes in scores for the nonequivalent comparison group (n = 462)
      were nonsignificant. In addition, significant differences between pre- and
      retrospective prescores demonstrated evidence for response shift bias. The
      results suggest that the PICK program helps participants increase their knowledge
      regarding the components of healthy relationship formation.

PMID- 27282429
TI  - Gold nanoparticles: A critical review of therapeutic applications and
      toxicological aspects.
AB  - Gold (Au) compounds have been utilized as effective therapeutic agents for the
      treatment of some inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, Au
      compound use has become limited due to associated high incidence of side effects.
      Recent development of nanomaterials for therapeutic use with Au-containing drugs
      is improving the beneficial actions and reducing toxic properties of these
      agents. Lower toxicity in conjunction with anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic
      effects was reported to occur with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) treatment. However,
      despite this therapeutic potential, safety of AuNP remains to be determined,
      since the balance between therapeutic properties and development of adverse
      effects is not well established. Several variables that drive this benefit-risk
      balance, including physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles such as size,
      shape, surface area, and chemistry, are poorly described in the scientific
      literature. Moreover, therapeutic and toxicological data were obtained employing
      nonstandardized or poorly described protocols with different experimental
      settings (animal species/cell type, route and time of exposure). In contrast,
      effective and safe application of AuNP may be established only after elucidation
      of various physicochemical properties of each specific AuNP, and determination of
      respective kinetics and interaction of compound with target tissue. This critical
      review conveys the state of the art, the therapeutic use, and adverse effects
      mediated by AuNP, with primary emphasis on anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic
      potential, highlighting the limitations/gaps in the scientific literature
      concerning important points: (i) selection of experimental designs (in vitro and
      in vivo models) and (ii) consideration of different physicochemical properties of
      AuNP that are often disregarded in many scientific publications. In addition,
      prospects and future needs for research in this area are provided.

PMID- 27282427
TI  - Targeted Spontaneous Reporting: Assessing Opportunities to Conduct Routine
      Pharmacovigilance for Antiretroviral Treatment on an International Scale.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Targeted spontaneous reporting (TSR) is a pharmacovigilance method
      that can enhance reporting of adverse drug reactions related to antiretroviral
      therapy (ART). Minimal data exist on the needs or capacity of facilities to
      conduct TSR. OBJECTIVES: Using data from the International epidemiologic
      Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Consortium, the present study had two
      objectives: (1) to develop a list of facility characteristics that could
      constitute key assets in the conduct of TSR; (2) to use this list as a starting
      point to describe the existing capacity of IeDEA-participating facilities to
      conduct pharmacovigilance through TSR. METHODS: We generated our facility
      characteristics list using an iterative approach, through a review of relevant
      World Health Organization (WHO) and Uppsala Monitoring Centre documents focused
      on pharmacovigilance activities related to HIV and ART and consultation with
      expert stakeholders. IeDEA facility data were drawn from a 2009/2010 IeDEA site
      assessment that included reported characteristics of adult and pediatric HIV care
      programs, including outreach, staffing, laboratory capacity, adverse event
      monitoring, and non-HIV care. RESULTS: A total of 137 facilities were included:
      East Africa (43); Asia-Pacific (28); West Africa (21); Southern Africa (19);
      Central Africa (12); Caribbean, Central, and South America (7); and North America
      (7). Key facility characteristics were grouped as follows: outcome ascertainment
      and follow-up; laboratory monitoring; documentation-sources and management of
      data; and human resources. Facility characteristics ranged by facility and
      region. The majority of facilities reported that patients were assigned a unique
      identification number (n = 114; 83.2 %) and most sites recorded adverse drug
      reactions (n = 101; 73.7 %), while 82 facilities (59.9 %) reported having an
      electronic database on site. CONCLUSION: We found minimal information is
      available about facility characteristics that may contribute to pharmacovigilance
      activities. Our findings, therefore, are a first step that can potentially assist
      implementers and facility staff to identify opportunities and leverage their
      existing capacities to incorporate TSR into their routine clinical programs.

PMID- 27282428
TI  - Pregnancy Outcomes in the Tofacitinib Safety Databases for Rheumatoid Arthritis
      and Psoriasis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and is being investigated for the treatment of
      psoriasis. Both conditions can present in women of child-bearing potential, but
      pregnancy was an exclusion and discontinuation criterion in tofacitinib
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) because of the unknown effects of tofacitinib
      on mother and child. Tofacitinib is a small molecule that has the potential to
      cross the placenta. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to report outcomes of pregnancy
      cases identified through April 2014 from tofacitinib RA/psoriasis RCTs, RA post
      approval non-interventional studies, and spontaneous adverse-event reporting.
      METHODS: Pregnancy outcomes were categorized as follows: healthy newborn, medical
      termination, fetal death, congenital malformation, spontaneous abortion, or
      pending/lost to follow-up. RESULTS: Out of 9815 patients, 1821 female patients of
      child-bearing age were enrolled in the RA/psoriasis RCTs; 47 women became
      pregnant, including 33 who received tofacitinib monotherapy, 13 who received
      combination therapy with methotrexate (RA patients only), and one patient whose
      therapy was still blinded. No fetal deaths were reported. One congenital
      pulmonary valve stenosis (monotherapy, n = 1), seven spontaneous abortions
      (monotherapy, n = 4; combination therapy, n = 3), and eight medical terminations
      (monotherapy, n = 4; combination therapy, n = 3; blinded therapy, n = 1) were
      identified. Remaining cases reported healthy newborns (n = 25) or were
      pending/lost to follow-up (n = 6). Forty-four cases of paternal exposure to
      tofacitinib were reported (monotherapy, n = 43; combination therapy, n = 1),
      including five spontaneous abortions (monotherapy, n = 4; combination therapy, n
      = 1), 23 healthy newborns, and 16 pending/lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The
      pregnancy outcomes reported in this small number of RA/psoriasis patients appear
      similar to those observed in the general population and in patients treated with
      biologic therapies for inflammatory diseases. However, definitive conclusions
      cannot be drawn, and pregnancy outcomes in patients receiving tofacitinib will
      continue to be monitored.

PMID- 27282430
TI  - Remarkable Improvement in the Mechanical Properties and CO2 Uptake of MOFs
      Brought About by Covalent Linking to Graphene.
AB  - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are exceptional as gas adsorbents but their
      mechanical properties are poor. We present a successful strategy to improve the
      mechanical properties along with gas adsorption characteristics, wherein graphene
      (Gr) is covalently bonded with M/DOBDC (M=Mg(2+) , Ni(2+) , or Co(2+) , DOBDC=2,5
      dioxido-1,4-benzene dicarboxylate) MOFs. The surface area of the graphene-MOF
      composites increases up to 200-300 m(2)  g(-1) whereas the CO2 uptake increases
      by ca. 3-5 wt % at 0.15 atm and by 6-10 wt % at 1 atm. What is significant is
      that the composites exhibit improved mechanical properties. In the case of
      Mg/DOBDC, a three-fold increase in both the elastic modulus and hardness with 5
      wt % graphene reinforcement is observed. Improvement in both the mechanical
      properties and gas adsorption characteristics of porous MOFs on linking them to
      graphene is a novel observation and suggests a new avenue for the design and
      synthesis of porous materials.

PMID- 27282433
TI  - Corrigendum to "Macroporous natural capsules extracted from Phoenix dactylifera
      L. spore and their application in oral drugs delivery" [Int. J. Pharm. 504 (2016)
      39-47].

PMID- 27282431
TI  - Implementation of an evidence-based intervention to promote colorectal cancer
      screening in community organizations: a cluster randomized trial.
AB  - The implementation of evidence-based strategies to promote colorectal cancer
      (CRC) screening remains challenging. The aim of this study is to evaluate two
      strategies to implement an evidence-based intervention to promote CRC screening
      in Filipino American community organizations. Twenty-two community organizations
      were randomized to either a basic or enhanced implementation strategy. In both
      arms, community health advisors recruited participants non-adherent to CRC
      screening guidelines, conducted educational sessions, distributed print materials
      and free fecal occult blood test kits, reminded participants to get screened, and
      mailed letters to participants' providers. In the enhanced arm, leaders of the
      organizations participated in implementation efforts. While the effectiveness was
      similar in both arms of the study (screening rate at 6-month follow-up was 53 %
      in the enhanced arm, 49 % in the basic arm), 223 participants were screened in
      the enhanced arm versus 122 in the basic arm. The enhanced implementation
      strategy reached 83 % more participants and achieved a higher public health
      impact. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01351220 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

PMID- 27282432
TI  - UWALK: the development of a multi-strategy, community-wide physical activity
      program.
AB  - UWALK is a multi-strategy, multi-sector, theory-informed, community-wide approach
      using e and mHealth to promote physical activity in Alberta, Canada. The aim of
      UWALK is to promote physical activity, primarily via the accumulation of steps
      and flights of stairs, through a single over-arching brand. This paper describes
      the development of the UWALK program. A social ecological model and the social
      cognitive theory guided the development of key strategies, including the
      marketing and communication activities, establishing partnerships with key
      stakeholders, and e and mHealth programs. The program promotes the use of
      physical activity monitoring devices to self-monitor physical activity. This
      includes pedometers, electronic devices, and smartphone applications. In addition
      to entering physical activity data manually, the e and mHealth program provides
      the function for objective data to be automatically uploaded from select
      electronic devices (Fitbit(r), Garmin and the smartphone application Moves) The
      RE-AIM framework is used to guide the evaluation of UWALK. Funding for the
      program commenced in February 2013. The UWALK brand was introduced on April 12,
      2013 with the official launch, including the UWALK website on September 20, 2013.
      This paper describes the development and evaluation framework of a physical
      activity promotion program. This program has the potential for population level
      dissemination and uptake of an ecologically valid physical activity promotion
      program that is evidence-based and theoretically framed.

PMID- 27282434
TI  - How to Reach Emotions with Psychosomatic Patients: A Case Report.
AB  - Alopecia areata (patchy hairloss) often indicates to the dermatologist the
      existence of psychological disorders, mostly anxiety and depression.
      Psychosomatic conditions are usually associated with difficulty in expressing
      emotions, as is the case in alexithymia, and this difficulty is often seen in
      patients with alopecia areata. This case study aims to show how to help these
      patients connect with their emotions and how the somatic symptom can become
      meaningful by using a unifying approach, which challenges the beliefs, the rules
      and the interactions of both the individual and the family, as well as the
      emotions expressed or suppressed. In this particular case we used a systemic
      family therapy tool, "the family blazon" that helped to discover the unconscious
      myth of unity and the fear of family disaggregation that is involved in
      psychosomatic families. 

PMID- 27282435
TI  - Quality of life and disease severity in patients with atopic dermatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects quality of life (QoL) negatively in
      patients and their families. We examined the relationship between disease
      severity and QoL in patients with AD. METHODS: Consecutive, newly referred
      outpatients with AD, 4 years of age or older, were assessed from January 2012
      onwards by means of the dermatology life quality index (DLQI, range 0-30), the
      Scoring of AD (SCORAD) disease severity score (range 0-103), filaggrin gene (FLG)
      mutation status and paraclinical tests related to allergy. RESULTS: A total of
      250 patients with a mean age of 26.0 years were identified with complete data on
      DLQI; 148 (59.2%) females and 102 (40.8%) males. Of these 45.6% had asthma, 46.8%
      had hay fever, 22.7% had a loss-of-function mutation in FLG, and 61.9% had one or
      more inhalant allergic sensitizations. The correlation between SCORAD and DLQI
      was 0.42 (P < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment there was an increasing mean
      DLQI score with increasing disease severity measured by SCORAD (DLQI in mild =
      5.30, moderate = 8.59 and severe = 11.94 AD), P-value for difference between
      groups <0.001; a higher mean DLQI among females than males (9.73 vs. 8.34), P =
      0.028; and among patients reporting facial eczema (9.88 vs. 6.24), P = 0.012. No
      statistically significant influence on DLQI was found for hand or foot eczema,
      age, blood eosinophil count, allergic sensitization, asthma, hay fever, FLG
      mutation status and smoking. FLG null mutation status was not significantly
      associated with SCORAD. CONCLUSION: AD impacts negatively on the QoL,
      proportional to the severity of the disease. Furthermore, female sex and facial
      eczema are associated with low QoL. Positive FLG null mutation status is not
      associated with QoL or disease severity.

PMID- 27282436
TI  - Multifocal Lymphangioendotheliomatosis with Thrombocytopenia: Presentation of Two
      Cases Treated with Sirolimus.
AB  - Multifocal lymphangioendotheliomatosis with thrombocytopenia (MLT) is a rare
      disease characterized by congenital and progressive vascular lesions of the skin
      and gastrointestinal tract that may be associated with thrombocytopenia and
      possibly life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. Reports published on the
      disease and treatment strategies are scarce. We present two cases of MLT treated
      with sirolimus. 

PMID- 27282437
TI  - Transitions of Care Between Acute and Chronic Heart Failure: Critical Steps in
      the Design of a Multidisciplinary Care Model for the Prevention of
      Rehospitalization.
AB  - Despite advances in the treatment of heart failure, mortality, the number of
      readmissions, and their associated health care costs are very high. Heart failure
      care models inspired by the chronic care model, also known as heart failure
      programs or heart failure units, have shown clinical benefits in high-risk
      patients. However, while traditional heart failure units have focused on patients
      detected in the outpatient phase, the increasing pressure from hospital
      admissions is shifting the focus of interest toward multidisciplinary programs
      that concentrate on transitions of care, particularly between the acute phase and
      the postdischarge phase. These new integrated care models for heart failure
      revolve around interventions at the time of transitions of care. They are
      multidisciplinary and patient-centered, designed to ensure continuity of care,
      and have been demonstrated to reduce potentially avoidable hospital admissions.
      Key components of these models are early intervention during the inpatient phase,
      discharge planning, early postdischarge review and structured follow-up, advanced
      transition planning, and the involvement of physicians and nurses specialized in
      heart failure. It is hoped that such models will be progressively implemented
      across the country.

PMID- 27282438
TI  - Contagious risk taking: social information and context influence wild jackdaws'
      responses to novelty and risk.
AB  - Although wild animals increasingly encounter human-produced food and objects, it
      is unknown how they learn to discriminate beneficial from dangerous novelty.
      Since social learning allows animals to capitalize on the risk-taking of others,
      and avoid endangering themselves, social learning should be used around novel and
      unpredictable stimuli. However, it is unclear whether animals use social cues
      equally around all types of novelty and at all times of year. We assessed whether
      wild, individually marked jackdaws-a highly neophobic, yet adaptable species-are
      equally influenced by social cues to consume novel, palatable foods and to
      approach a startling object. We conducted these tests across two seasons, and
      found that in both seasons observers were more likely to consume novel foods
      after seeing a demonstrator do so. In contrast, observers only followed the
      demonstrator in foraging next to the object during breeding season. Throughout
      the year more birds were wary of consuming novel foods than wary of approaching
      the object, potentially leading to jackdaws' greater reliance on social
      information about food. Jackdaws' dynamic social cue usage demonstrates the
      importance of context in predicting how social information is used around
      novelty, and potentially indicates the conditions that facilitate animals'
      adjustment to anthropogenic disturbance.

PMID- 27282441
TI  - Would an FFR by Any Technique Perform as Sweet?

PMID- 27282440
TI  - Follow-Up of Pulmonary Hypertension With Echocardiography.
AB  - Individual patient response to effective therapies for pulmonary hypertension
      (PAH) is variable and difficult to quantify. Consequently, management decisions
      regarding initiation and continuation of therapy are highly dependent on the
      results of investigations. Registry data show that changes in cardiac index, mean
      right atrial pressure, and mean pulmonary artery pressure have the greatest
      influence on survival. It is recognized that pulmonary artery pressure (PASP)
      responses to PAH-specific drugs are heterogeneous. However, follow-up testing is
      strongly focused on assessing changes in PASP and functional status (6-min walk).
      The goals of therapy, which should be highlighted in follow-up imaging, include
      not only reduction of PASP, decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance, and
      improvements in right ventricular function, cardiac output, and tricuspid
      regurgitation. This paper reviews the echocardiographic follow-up of pulmonary
      hypertension, and especially focuses on right ventricular function-a major
      determinant of outcome, for which reliable echocardiographic assessment has
      become more feasible.

PMID- 27282439
TI  - MR and CT Imaging for the Evaluation of Pulmonary Hypertension.
AB  - Imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis and management of all forms of
      pulmonary hypertension (PH). Although Doppler echocardiography is essential for
      the evaluation of PH, its ability to optimally evaluate the right ventricle and
      pulmonary vasculature is limited by its 2-dimensional planar capabilities.
      Magnetic resonance and computed tomography are capable of determining the
      etiology and pathophysiology of PH, and can be very useful in the management of
      these patients. Exciting new techniques such as right ventricle tissue
      characterization with T1 mapping, 4-dimensional flow of the right ventricle and
      pulmonary arteries, and computed tomography lung perfusion imaging are paving the
      way for a new era of imaging in PH. These imaging modalities complement
      echocardiography and invasive hemodynamic testing and may be useful as surrogate
      endpoints for early phase PH clinical trials. Here we discuss the role of
      magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in the diagnosis and
      management of PH, including current uses and novel research applications, and we
      discuss the role of value-based imaging in PH.

PMID- 27282442
TI  - The internalization of Helicobacter pylori plays a role in the failure of H.
      pylori eradication.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) internalization involves invasion of
      cells by the bacterium. Several studies have shown that H. pylori can invade
      human gastric epithelial cells, immune cells, and Candida yeast in vivo and in
      vitro. Whether bacterial invasion plays a role in eradication failure is unclear.
      AIM: To investigate the relationship between H. pylori invasion of GES-1 cells
      and H. pylori eradication failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two clinical
      strains isolated from H. pylori-positive patients with different outcomes after
      treatment with furazolidone-based therapy were examined (17 failures and 25
      successes). The H. pylori strains were shown to be susceptible to amoxicillin and
      furazolidone, and the patients also exhibited good compliance. Genotyping was
      performed for cagA and vacA (s and m). The antibiotic susceptibility of the
      strains to amoxicillin, furazolidone, clarithromycin, metronidazole, and
      levofloxacin was determined by E-tests. The levels of H. pylori invasion of GES-1
      cells were detected by gentamicin colony-forming unit assays. RESULTS: The
      internalization level in the eradication success group was 5.40+/-5.78 * 10-3 
      cfu/cell, and the median was 6.194 * 10-3  cfu/cell; the internalization level in
      the eradication failure group was 8.98+/-5.40 * 10-3  cfu/cell, and the median
      was 10.28 * 10-3  cfu/cell. The eradication failure group showed a greater
      invasion level than the eradication success group (P<.05). No significant
      difference was observed between the susceptible strains and the resistant strains
      when the internalization levels were compared (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results
      showed that H. pylori invasion of the gastric epithelia might play a role in
      eradication failure.

PMID- 27282443
TI  - [Inflammatory papules and nodi in a 52-year-old woman after a vacation in
      Zanzibar].

PMID- 27282444
TI  - Neuroendocrinology: Exome sequencing aids targeted treatment of inborn errors of
      metabolism.

PMID- 27282445
TI  - Reproductive endocrinology: Acquisition of kisspeptin responsiveness is key to
      reversal of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

PMID- 27282446
TI  - In the news: ECE2016 - like-minds meet in Munich.

PMID- 27282447
TI  - Adipose tissue: Adipocyte exosomes drive melanoma progression.

PMID- 27282448
TI  - Metabolism: Acetate promotes obesity via a gut-brain-beta-cell axis.

PMID- 27282449
TI  - Prognostic value of post-treatment metabolic tumor volume from 11C-methionine
      PET/CT in recurrent malignant glioma.
AB  - We investigated the diagnostic and prognostic significance of metabolic
      parameters from 11C-methionine (MET) positron emission tomography (PET) in
      patients with malignant glioma. The MET-PET was examined in 42 patients who had
      been previously treated with adjuvant treatment for malignant glioma. Both ratios
      of maximal MET uptake of the tumors to those of the contralateral normal gray
      matter (T/N ratio) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) were estimated in each
      lesion. The diagnostic performance for recurrence was investigated in all
      enrolled patients. A definitive diagnosis was done with pathologic confirmation
      or clinical follow-up. Among recurrent patients, we evaluated the prognostic
      value of metabolic parameters (T/N ratio and MTV) as well as clinical factors.
      Among 42 patients, 35 patients were revealed with recurrence. Both T/N ratios (p
      = 0.009) and MTV (p = 0.001) exhibited statistical significance to differentiate
      between recurrence and post-treatment radiation effect. A T/N ratio of 1.43
      provided the best sensitivity and specificity for recurrence (91.4 and 100 %,
      respectively), and a MTV of 6.72 cm3 provided the best sensitivity and
      specificity (77.1 % and 100 %, respectively). To evaluate the prognostic impact,
      different cutoffs of MTV were examined in patients with recurrent tumor and a
      threshold of 60 cm3 was determined as a best cutoff value to separate the
      patients in two prognostic groups. Univariate analysis revealed improved overall
      survival (OS) for patients with Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) score >=70 (p <
      0.001) or MTV <60 cm3 (p = 0.049). Multivariate analysis showed that patients
      with KPS score >=70 (p < 0.001; hazard ratio = 0.104; 95 % CI, 0.029-0.371) or
      MTV < 60 cm3 (p = 0.031; hazard ratio = 0.288; 95 % CI, 0.093-0.895) were
      significantly associated with a longer OS. However, T/N ratio was not correlated
      with patients' outcome. Metabolic parameters had the diagnostic value to
      differentiate recurrence from post-treatment radiation effect. Compared with T/N
      ratio, MTV was an independent significant prognostic factor with KPS score in
      patients with recurrent tumor. Our study had a potential to manage these patients
      according to prognostic information using MET-PET.

PMID- 27282450
TI  - Profession of neuropsychology in Latin America.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to analyze characteristics of individuals working
      in the profession of neuropsychology in Latin America in order to understand
      their background, professional training, current work situation, assessment and
      diagnostic procedures used, rehabilitation techniques employed, population
      targeted, teaching responsibilities, and research activities. A total of 808
      professionals working in neuropsychology from 17 countries in Latin America
      completed an online survey between July 2013 and January 2014. The majority of
      participants were female and the mean age was 36.76 years (range 21-74 years).
      The majority of professionals working in neuropsychology in Latin America have a
      background in psychology, with some additional specialized training and
      supervised clinical practice. Over half work in private practice, universities,
      or private clinics and are quite satisfied with their work. Those who identify
      themselves as clinicians primarily work with individuals with learning problems,
      ADHD, mental retardation, TBI, dementia, and stroke. The majority respondents
      cite the top barrier in the use of neuropsychological instruments to be the lack
      of normative data for their countries. The top perceived barriers to the field
      include: lack of academic training programs, lack of clinical training
      opportunities, lack of willingness to collaborate between professionals, and lack
      of access to neuropsychological instruments. There is a need in Latin America to
      increase regulation, improve graduate curriculums, enhance existing clinical
      training, develop professional certification programs, validate existing
      neuropsychological tests, and create new, culturally-relevant instruments.

PMID- 27282451
TI  - Predictive Factors for Anastomotic Leakage After Colorectal Surgery: Study
      Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study (REVEAL Study).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains the most important complication
      following colorectal surgery, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality
      rates. Previous research has focused on identifying risk factors and potential
      biomarkers for AL, but the sensitivity of these tests remains poor. OBJECTIVE:
      This prospective multicenter observational study aims at combining multiple
      parameters to establish a diagnostic algorithm for colorectal AL. METHODS: This
      study aims to include 588 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal carcinoma.
      Patients will be eligible for inclusion when surgery includes the construction of
      a colorectal anastomosis. Patient characteristics will be collected upon
      consented inclusion, and buccal swabs, breath, stool, and blood samples will be
      obtained prior to surgery. These samples will allow for the collection of
      information regarding patients' inflammatory status, genetic predisposition, and
      intestinal microbiota. Additionally, breath and blood samples will be taken
      postoperatively and patients will be strictly observed during their in-hospital
      stay, and the period shortly thereafter. RESULTS: This study has been open for
      inclusion since August 2015. CONCLUSIONS: An estimated 8-10% of patients will
      develop AL following surgery, and they will be compared to non-leakage patients.
      The objectives of this study are twofold. The primary aim is to establish and
      validate a diagnostic algorithm for the pre-operative prediction of the risk of
      AL development using a combination of inflammatory, immune-related, and genetic
      parameters. Previously established risk factors and novel parameters will be
      incorporated into this algorithm, which will aid in the recognition of patients
      who are at risk for AL. Based on these results, recommendations can be made
      regarding the construction of an anastomosis or deviating stoma, and possible
      preventive strategies. Furthermore, we aim to develop a new algorithm for the
      post-operative diagnosis of AL at an earlier stage, which will positively reflect
      on short-term survival rates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov:
      NCT02347735; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02347735 (archived by WebCite
      at http://www.webcitation.org/6hm6rxCsA).

PMID- 27282452
TI  - Centrifugation as a countermeasure during bed rest and dry immersion: What has
      been learned?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We review the studies that have evaluated intermittent short-radius
      centrifugation as a potential countermeasure for cardiovascular, musculoskeletal,
      and sensorimotor deconditioning in simulated weightlessness. METHODS: The
      findings from 18 experimental protocols that have used bed rest and dry immersion
      for comparing the protective effects of centrifugation versus standing upright or
      walking, and the effects of continuous vs. periodic exposure to centrifugation
      are discussed. RESULTS: Centrifugation for as little as 30 min per day was found
      to be effective in mitigating orthostatic intolerance and strength in postural
      muscle after 5 days of bed rest, but it was not effective in mitigating plasma
      volume loss. CONCLUSION: To determine the optimal prescription for centrifugation
      as a countermeasure, we recommend further studies using (a) bed rest of longer
      duration, (b) individualized prescriptions of centrifugation combined with
      exercise, and

PMID- 27282453
TI  - The effect of female sex hormone supplementation on tendon in pre and
      postmenopausal women: A systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Oestrogen deprivation has been shown to have a negative effect on
      connective tissue and its turnover. A link may exist between supplemental
      oestrogen, preservation of tendon collagen and less tendon abnormality. The aim
      was to determine the effects of female sex hormone supplementation (FSHS) on
      tendon. METHODS: A systematic search of nine key health databases; Medline,
      CINAHL, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, AUSPORT and AMI, Cochrane Library, SafetyLit and
      PEDro was completed (to Feb 24, 2016). The search yielded 6378 records using
      terms relating to hormone (oestrogen, estrogen, hormone replacement therapy, HRT,
      estrogen therapy, oestrogen therapy, oral contraceptive pill) and tendon. Quality
      assessment, data extraction and data synthesis of included papers was undertaken.
      RESULTS: Low level of evidence for all outcomes; no positive or negative link
      between FSHS and molecular, mechanical and morphological tendon response
      outcomes, and the addition of exercise to FSHS, had minimal effects on tendon
      CSA. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of oestrogen supplementation on tendon is
      contradictory and inconsistent. This review suggests there is a need for further
      studies to understand the effects of FSHS on tendon tissue at a mechanical,
      morphological and molecular level.

PMID- 27282455
TI  - Differences of bone mineral mass, volumetric bone mineral density, geometrical
      and structural parameters and derived strength of the tibia between premenopausal
      and postmenopausal women of different age groups: a peripheral Quantitative
      Computed Tomography (pQCT) study.
AB  - Menopause constitutes a significant cause of bone loss, and it is currently
      debated whether bone mass is preserved or begins to decline substantially before
      that time in women. We used pQCT of the tibia to estimate differences of bone
      mineral mass, bone geometry and derived strength between premenopausal and
      postmenopausal Caucasian women of different age-groups per decade of age (20
      79y). For each individual, we assessed total, trabecular and cortical bone
      mineral content (BMC, mg) and volumetric bone mineral density (BMD, mg/cm3);
      total and cortical cross-sectional areas (CSA, mm2); periosteal circumference
      (PERI_C, mm); endosteal circumference (ENDO_C, mm); mean cortical thickness
      (CRT_THK, mm); and Stress-Strain Index (SSI) . Comparisons were made both between
      premenopausal (N=84) and postmenopausal (N=231) women as distinct groups, and
      among women of the different age-groups. Our results indicated that premenopausal
      women had significantly higher trabecular and cortical BMC and vBMD, with higher
      cortical CSA, CRT_THK and SSI than postmenopausal women. Moreover, significant
      differences of trabecular but not cortical BMC, vBMD or SSI were found between
      women of the younger (<48y) age-groups. PERI_C, ENDO_C displayed lower values in
      the 20-29y group and higher values in the 70-79y group, denoting significant
      differences of bone geometry with aging.

PMID- 27282454
TI  - Achilles tendon material properties are greater in the jump leg of jumping
      athletes.
AB  - PURPOSE: The Achilles tendon (AT) must adapt to meet changes in demands. This
      study explored AT adaptation by comparing properties within the jump and non-jump
      legs of jumping athletes. Non-jumping control athletes were included to control
      limb dominance effects. METHODS: AT properties were assessed in the preferred
      (jump) and non-preferred (lead) jumping legs of male collegiate-level long and/or
      high jump (jumpers; n=10) and cross-country (controls; n=10) athletes. Cross
      sectional area (CSA), elongation, and force during isometric contractions were
      used to estimate the morphological, mechanical and material properties of the ATs
      bilaterally. RESULTS: Jumpers exposed their ATs to more force and stress than
      controls (all p<=0.03). AT force and stress were also greater in the jump leg of
      both jumpers and controls than in the lead leg (all p<0.05). Jumpers had 17.8%
      greater AT stiffness and 24.4% greater Young's modulus in their jump leg compared
      to lead leg (all p<0.05). There were no jump versus lead leg differences in AT
      stiffness or Young's modulus within controls (all p>0.05). CONCLUSION: ATs
      chronically exposed to elevated mechanical loading were found to exhibit greater
      mechanical (stiffness) and material (Young's modulus) properties.

PMID- 27282456
TI  - Severe muscle trauma triggers heightened and prolonged local musculoskeletal
      inflammation and impairs adjacent tibia fracture healing.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Complicated fracture healing is often associated with the severity of
      surrounding muscle tissue trauma. Since inflammation is a primary determinant of
      musculoskeletal health and regeneration, it is plausible that delayed healing and
      non-unions are partly caused by compounding local inflammation in response to
      concomitant muscle trauma. METHODS AND RESULTS: To investigate this possibility,
      a Lewis rat open fracture model [tibia osteotomy with adjacent tibialis anterior
      (TA) muscle volumetric muscle loss (VML) injury] was interrogated. We observed
      that VML injury impaired tibia healing, as indicated by diminished mechanical
      strength and decreased mineralized bone within the fracture callus, as well as
      continued presence of cartilage instead of woven bone 28 days post-injury. The
      VML injured muscle presented innate and adaptive immune responses that were
      atypical of canonical muscle injury healing. Additionally, the VML injury
      resulted in a perturbation of the inflammatory phase of fracture healing, as
      indicated by elevations of CD3(+) lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages in the
      fracture callus at 3 and 14d post-injury, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data
      indicate that heightened and sustained innate and adaptive immune responses to
      traumatized muscle are associated with impaired fracture healing and may be
      targeted for the prevention of delayed and non-union following musculoskeletal
      trauma.

PMID- 27282457
TI  - Four weeks of high- versus low-load resistance training to failure on the rate of
      torque development, electromechanical delay, and contractile twitch properties.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 4-weeks of high-
      versus low-load resistance training to failure on rate of torque development
      (RTD), electromechanical delay (EMD), and contractile twitch characteristics.
      Fifteen men (mean+/-SD; age=21.7+/-2.4 yrs) were randomly assigned to either a
      high- (80% 1RM; n=7) or low-load (30% 1RM; n=8) training group and completed
      elbow flexion resistance training to failure 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The
      participants were tested at baseline, 2-, and 4-weeks of training. Peak RTD
      (pRTDV) and RTD at 0-30 (RTD30V), 0-50 (RTD50V), 0-100 (RTD100V), and 0-200
      (RTD200V) ms, integrated EMG amplitude (iEMG) at 0-30, 0-50, and 0-100 ms, and
      EMD were quantified during maximal voluntary isometric muscle actions. Peak
      twitch torque, peak RTD, time to peak twitch, 1/2 relaxation time and the peak
      relaxation rate were quantified during evoked twitches. Four weeks of high-load,
      but not low-load resistance training, increased RTD200V. There were also
      increases in iEMG during the first 30 ms of muscle activation for the high- and
      low-load groups, which may have indirectly indicated increases in early phase
      motor unit recruitment and/or firing frequency. There were no significant
      training-induced adaptations in EMD or contractile twitch properties.

PMID- 27282458
TI  - TRPV1, ASICs and P2X2/3 expressed in bone cells simultaneously regulate bone
      metabolic markers in ovariectomized mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Nociceptors are expressed at peripheral terminals of neurons. Recent
      studies have shown that TRPV1, a nociceptor, is expressed in bone tissue and
      regulates bone metabolism. We have demonstrated that a TRPV1 antagonist improved
      pain-like behavior in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. The aim of this study was to
      determine whether nociceptors, including TRPV1, acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC)
      and P2X2/3 are expressed in bone cells, and to examine the effects of nociceptor
      antagonists on bone metabolism. METHODS: The expression of nociceptors in femoral
      bone tissue and cultured bone marrow cells in OVX and sham-operated mice were
      examined. The effects of nociceptor antagonists on the up-regulated expression of
      bone metabolic markers, Runx2, Osterix, osteocalcin and RANKL, were also
      examined. RESULTS: TRPV1, ASIC 2 and 3, and P2X2 and 3, were expressed in bone
      tissue and bone marrow cells, and the expression levels of ASIC1 and 2, and P2X2
      were significantly increased in OVX mice in comparison with those in sham mice.
      Treatment with nociceptor antagonists significantly inhibited the expression of
      bone metabolic markers in OVX mice. CONCLUSION: An array of nociceptors, TRPV1,
      ASICs and P2X2/3, could simultaneously regulate not only increases in skeletal
      pain but also bone turnover in OVX mice.

PMID- 27282459
TI  - Preventive effects of kilohertz frequency electrical stimulation on sepsis
      induced muscle atrophy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to evaluate the effect of electrical
      stimulation (ES) by using kilohertz frequency on muscle atrophy induced by
      sepsis. METHODS: Seventeen male ICR mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:
      control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injected for 4 days, LPS plus ES (LPS+ES).
      Sepsis was induced by 4 days of an intraperitoneal LPS injection (10 MUg/g body
      weight/day). LPS+ES animals received the LPS injections and ES twice a day for 4
      days. ELISA and western blot analysis determined the plasma levels of
      inflammatory cytokines and ubiquitinated proteins, while the tibialis anterior
      muscles were weighed and muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured to
      assess muscle atrophy, which were analyzed by Student's t-test and ANOVA.
      RESULTS: LPS induced increased plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines,
      significant muscle mass loss (LPS: -29.0%, LPS+ES: -23.1%), decreased fiber cross
      sectional area, and an up-regulation of atrogin-1 and ubiquitinated proteins in
      the tibialis anterior muscle compared with the control. ES attenuated the sepsis
      induced loss of muscle mass and decreased fiber CSA, as well as attenuated the
      atrogin-1 and ubiquitinated protein up-regulation. CONCLUSIONS: Electrical
      stimulation may prevent sepsis-induced muscle atrophy through ubiquitin
      proteasome pathway inhibition.

PMID- 27282460
TI  - Effects of collagen hydrolysate on the tibialis anterior muscle and femur in
      senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Effects of collagen hydrolysate (CHD) on the oxidative capacity of
      the tibialis anterior muscle and the cortical and trabecular density of the femur
      were investigated in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6). METHODS:
      Sixteen-week-old male SAMP6 mice were divided into control (CON) and CHD groups.
      The CON group was given normal water, while the CHD group was given water
      containing CHD. Fibre cross-sectional areas (CSAs), fibre succinate dehydrogenase
      (SDH) staining intensity, and SDH activity of the tibialis anterior muscle were
      determined at 42 and 60 weeks of age. The cortical and trabecular density of the
      femur and serum osteocalcin levels were also determined. RESULTS: The fibre SDH
      staining intensity and muscle SDH activity were higher in the CHD group at 60
      weeks of age than in the age-matched CON group. The cortical and trabecular
      density and serum osteocalcin levels were greater in the CHD group at 60 weeks of
      age than in the age-matched CON group. CONCLUSION: CHD inhibited th age-induced
      decrease in muscle oxidative capacity and bone density of SAMP6 mice. There is a
      possibility that CHD is effective for inhibition of age-induced degeneration in
      the musculoskeletal system.

PMID- 27282461
TI  - Osteogenesis imperfecta due to a possible new COL1A2 mutation; the importance of
      phenotyping and diagnostic challenges.

PMID- 27282462
TI  - A rare complication after minimally invasive posterior cervical
      laminoforaminotomy.

PMID- 27282463
TI  - The autism symptom interview, school-age: A brief telephone interview to identify
      autism spectrum disorders in 5-to-12-year-old children.
AB  - This study reports on the initial validation of the Autism Symptom Interview
      (ASI), School-Age, a brief (15-20 min) phone interview derived from questions
      from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). The ASI, School-Age was
      administered by interviewers with minimal training to parents of children ages 5
      to 12 who had all been previously identified with (or referred for assessment of)
      ASD or another neurodevelopmental disorder. Children then underwent a
      comprehensive assessment to determine a best-estimate clinical diagnosis of ASD
      (n = 159) or non-ASD (e.g. language disorder, intellectual disability, ADHD; n =
      130). Clinicians who conducted the assessments were blind to ASI results. ROC
      analyses compared ASI scores to clinical diagnosis. Due to the small number of
      participants with non-ASD diagnoses who were classified as nonverbal (i.e. not
      yet using phrases on a daily basis), it was not possible to assess sensitivity
      and specificity of the nonverbal algorithm in this sample. The verbal algorithm
      yielded a sensitivity of 0.87 (95% CI = 0.81-0.92) and a specificity of 0.62 (95%
      CI = 0.53-0.70). When used in conjunction with the Autism Diagnostic Observation
      Schedule (ADOS), sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 (95% CI = 0.74-0.88) and
      0.92 (95% CI = 0.86-0.96), respectively. Internal consistency and test-retest
      reliability were both excellent. Particularly for verbal school age children, the
      ASI may serve as a useful tool to more quickly ascertain or classify children
      with ASD for research or clinical triaging purposes. Additional data collection
      is underway to determine the utility of the ASI in children who are younger
      and/or nonverbal. Autism Res 2017, 10: 78-88. (c) 2016 International Society for
      Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27282464
TI  - A Novel Universal Detection Agent for Time-Gated Luminescence Bioimaging.
AB  - Luminescent lanthanide chelates have been used to label antibodies in time-gated
      luminescence (TGL) bioimaging. However, it is a challenging task to label
      directly an antibody with lanthanide-binding ligands and achieve control of the
      target ligand/protein ratios whilst ensuring that affinity and avidity of the
      antibody remain uncompromised. We report the development of a new indirect
      detection reagent to label antibodies with detectable luminescence that
      circumvents this problem by labelling available lysine residues in the linker
      portion of the recombinant fusion protein Linker-Protein G (LPG). Succinimide
      activated lanthanide chelating ligands were attached to lysine residues in LPG
      and Protein G (without Linker) and the resulting Luminescence-Activating (LA-)
      conjugates were compared for total incorporation and conjugation efficiency. A
      higher and more efficient incorporation of ligands at three different molar
      ratios was observed for LPG and this effect was attributed to the presence of
      eight readily available lysine residues in the linker region of LPG. These
      Luminescence-Activating (LA-) complexes were subsequently shown to impart
      luminescence (upon formation of europium(III) complexes) to cell-specific
      antibodies within seconds and without the need for any complicated bioconjugation
      procedures. The potential of this technology was demonstrated by direct labelling
      of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in TGL bioimaging.

PMID- 27282465
TI  - Shigella flexneri modulates stress granule composition and inhibits stress
      granule aggregation.
AB  - Invasion and multiplication of the facultative, cytosolic, enteropathogen
      Shigella flexneri within the colonic epithelial lining leads to an acute
      inflammatory response, fever and diarrhea. During the inflammatory process,
      infected cells are subjected to numerous stresses including heat, oxidative
      stress and genotoxic stress. The evolutionarily conserved pathway of cellular
      stress management is the formation of stress granules that store translationally
      inactive cellular mRNAs and interfere with cellular signalling pathways by
      sequestering signalling components. In this study, we investigated the ability of
      S. flexneri-infected cells to form stress granules in response to exogenous
      stresses. We found that S. flexneri infection inhibits movement of the stress
      granule markers eIF3 and eIF4B into stress granules and prevents the aggregation
      of G3BP1 and eIF4G-containing stress granules. This inhibition occurred only with
      invasive, but not with non-invasive bacteria and occurred in response to stresses
      that induce translational arrest through the phosphorylation of eIF2alpha and by
      treating cells with pateamine A, a drug that induces stress granules by
      inhibiting the eIF4A helicase. The S. flexneri-mediated stress granule inhibition
      could be largely phenocopied by the microtubule-destabilizing drug nocodazole and
      while S. flexneri infection did not lead to microtubule depolymerization,
      infection greatly enhanced acetylation of alpha-tubulin. Our data suggest that
      qualitative differences in the microtubule network or subversion of the
      microtubule-transport machinery by S. flexneri may be involved in preventing the
      full execution of this cellular stress response.

PMID- 27282466
TI  - High current gain transistor laser.
AB  - A transistor laser (TL), having the structure of a transistor with multi-quantum
      wells near its base region, bridges the functionality gap between lasers and
      transistors. However, light emission is produced at the expense of current gain
      for all the TLs reported up to now, leading to a very low current gain. We
      propose a novel design of TLs, which have an n-doped InP layer inserted in the
      emitter ridge. Numerical studies show that a current flow aperture for only holes
      can be formed in the center of the emitter ridge. As a result, the common emitter
      current gain can be as large as 143.3, which is over 15 times larger than that of
      a TL without the aperture. Besides, the effects of nonradiative recombination
      defects can be reduced greatly because the flow of holes is confined in the
      center region of the emitter ridge.

PMID- 27282467
TI  - Age differences in learning emerge from an insufficient representation of
      uncertainty in older adults.
AB  - Healthy aging can lead to impairments in learning that affect many laboratory and
      real-life tasks. These tasks often involve the acquisition of dynamic
      contingencies, which requires adjusting the rate of learning to environmental
      statistics. For example, learning rate should increase when expectations are
      uncertain (uncertainty), outcomes are surprising (surprise) or contingencies are
      more likely to change (hazard rate). In this study, we combine computational
      modelling with an age-comparative behavioural study to test whether age-related
      learning deficits emerge from a failure to optimize learning according to the
      three factors mentioned above. Our results suggest that learning deficits
      observed in healthy older adults are driven by a diminished capacity to represent
      and use uncertainty to guide learning. These findings provide insight into age
      related cognitive changes and demonstrate how learning deficits can emerge from a
      failure to accurately assess how much should be learned.

PMID- 27282468
TI  - Nearby grandmother enhances calf survival and reproduction in Asian elephants.
AB  - Usually animals reproduce into old age, but a few species such as humans and
      killer whales can live decades after their last reproduction. The grandmother
      hypothesis proposes that such life-history evolved through older females
      switching to invest in their existing (grand)offspring, thereby increasing their
      inclusive fitness and selection for post-reproductive lifespan. However, positive
      grandmother effects are also found in non-menopausal taxa, but evidence of their
      associated fitness effects is rare and only a few tests of the hypothesis in such
      species exist. Here we investigate the grandmother effects in Asian elephants.
      Using a multigenerational demographic dataset on semi-captive elephants in
      Myanmar, we found that grandcalves from young mothers (<20 years) had 8 times
      lower mortality risk if the grandmother resided with her grandcalf compared to
      grandmothers residing elsewhere. Resident grandmothers also decreased their
      daughters' inter-birth intervals by one year. In contrast to the hypothesis
      predictions, the grandmother's own reproductive status did not modify such
      grandmother benefits. That elephant grandmothers increased their inclusive
      fitness by enhancing their daughter's reproductive rate and success irrespective
      of their own reproductive status suggests that fitness-enhancing grandmaternal
      effects are widespread, and challenge the view that grandmother effects alone
      select for menopause coupled with long post-reproductive lifespan.

PMID- 27282469
TI  - Distribution of Marburg virus in Africa: An evolutionary approach.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the origin and geographical dispersion
      of Marburg virus, the first member of the Filoviridae family to be discovered.
      Seventy-three complete genome sequences of Marburg virus isolated from animals
      and humans were retrieved from public databases and analysed using a Bayesian
      phylogeographical framework. The phylogenetic tree of the Marburg virus data set
      showed two significant evolutionary lineages: Ravn virus (RAVV) and Marburg virus
      (MARV). MARV divided into two main clades; clade A included isolates from Uganda
      (five from the European epidemic in 1967), Kenya (1980) and Angola (from the
      epidemic of 2004-2005); clade B included most of the isolates obtained during the
      1999-2000 epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a group of
      Ugandan isolates obtained in 2007-2009. The estimated mean evolutionary rate of
      the whole genome was 3.3*10(-4) substitutions/site/year (credibility interval 2.0
      4.8). The MARV strain had a mean root time of the most recent common ancestor of
      177.9years ago (YA) (95% highest posterior density 87-284), thus indicating that
      it probably originated in the mid-XIX century, whereas the RAVV strain had a
      later origin dating back to a mean 33.8 YA. The most probable location of the
      MARV ancestor was Uganda (state posterior probability, spp=0.41), whereas that of
      the RAVV ancestor was Kenya (spp=0.71). There were significant migration rates
      from Uganda to the DRC (Bayes Factor, BF=42.0) and in the opposite direction
      (BF=5.7). Our data suggest that Uganda may have been the cradle of Marburg virus
      in Africa.

PMID- 27282470
TI  - Genetic diversity in Echinococcus shiquicus from the plateau pika (Ochotona
      curzoniae) in Darlag County, Qinghai, China.
AB  - The metacestode of Echinococcus shiquicus has been recorded previously in the
      lung and liver of its intermediate host, the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae),
      but there is limited information regarding other organ sites. There is also
      limited evidence of intra-specific genetic variation within E. shiquicus. A PCR
      amplified mitochondrial (mt) nad1 gene fragment (approximately 1400bp in size),
      with unique EcoRI and SspI restriction sites, was used to distinguish cysts or
      cyst-like lesions of E. shiquicus from E. multilocularis. Then, the complete mt
      nad1 and cox1 genes for the E. shiquicus isolates were amplified and sequenced.
      Phylogenetic tree and haplotype network analyses for the isolates were then
      generated based on a concatenated dataset of the nad1 and cox1 genes using the
      neighbour-joining (NJ) method and TCS1.21 software. Nineteen of eighty trapped
      pikas were found to harbor cysts (71 in total) when dissected at the survey site.
      Seventeen animals had cysts (fertile) present only in the lungs, one animal had
      fertile cysts in the lungs and spleen, and one individual had an infertile kidney
      cyst. Restriction endonuclease analysis of a fragment of the nad1 gene indicated
      all the cysts were due to E. shiquicus. Genetic diversity analysis revealed that
      the nad1 and cox1 genes varied by 0.1-1.2% and 0.1-1.0%, respectively. Haplotype
      network analysis of the concatenated nad1 and cox1 sequences of the isolates
      showed they were classified into at least 6 haplotypes, and different haplotype
      percentages ranged from 4.2% to 29.6%. Although, high haplotype diversity was
      evident in the study area, the complete nad1 and cox1 gene sequences obtained
      indicated that all samples represented isolates of E. shiquicus. The study has
      also provided a new PCR-restriction endonuclease-based method to rapidly
      distinguish E. shiquicus from E. multilocularis which provides a useful tool for
      epidemiological investigations where the two species overlap.

PMID- 27282471
TI  - Divergent hepatitis E virus in birds of prey, common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
      and red-footed falcon (F. vespertinus), Hungary.
AB  - Hepatitis E virus (HEV), family Hepeviridae, has raised considerable public
      health concerns because of its zoonotic potential; however, the animal to animal
      transmissions and the natural chain of hepevirus infections in wildlife are less
      known. Using random amplification and next generation sequencing technology a
      novel HEV in birds of prey was serendipitously identified in Hungary. HEV RNA was
      detected in total of 2 (18%) of the 11 and 1 (14%) of the 7 faecal samples from
      common kestrels and red-footed falcons, respectively. High faecal viral load
      (2.03*10(8) genomic copies/ml) measured by qPCR. The complete genome of strain
      kestrel/MR22/2014/HUN (KU670940) HEV is 7033-nt long including a 35-nt 5'end and
      a 63-nt 3'end (excluding the poly(A)-tail). Sequence analyses indicated that the
      ORF1 (4920nt/639 aa), ORF2 (1989nt/662 aa) and ORF3 (360nt/119aa) proteins of
      kestrel/MR22/2014/HUN shared the highest identity (58.1%, 66.8% and 28.5%) to the
      corresponding proteins of ferret, rat and human genotype 4 Orthohepeviruses,
      respectively. Interestingly, the ORF3 protein is potentially initiated with
      leucine (L) using an alternate, non-AUG (UUG) start codon. This study reports the
      identification and complete genome characterization of a novel Orthohepevirus
      species related to mammalian HEVs in birds of prey. It is important to recognize
      all potential hosts, reservoirs and spreaders in nature and to reconstruct the
      phylogenetic history of hepeviruses.

PMID- 27282472
TI  - Deep sequencing increases hepatitis C virus phylogenetic cluster detection
      compared to Sanger sequencing.
AB  - Effective surveillance and treatment strategies are required to control the
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic. Phylogenetic analyses are powerful tools for
      reconstructing the evolutionary history of viral outbreaks and identifying
      transmission clusters. These studies often rely on Sanger sequencing which
      typically generates a single consensus sequence for each infected individual. For
      rapidly mutating viruses such as HCV, consensus sequencing underestimates the
      complexity of the viral quasispecies population and could therefore generate
      different phylogenetic tree topologies. Although deep sequencing provides a more
      detailed quasispecies characterization, in-depth phylogenetic analyses are
      challenging due to dataset complexity and computational limitations. Here, we
      apply deep sequencing to a characterized population to assess its ability to
      identify phylogenetic clusters compared with consensus Sanger sequencing. For
      deep sequencing, a sample specific threshold determined by the 50th percentile of
      the patristic distance distribution for all variants within each individual was
      used to identify clusters. Among seven patristic distance thresholds tested for
      the Sanger sequence phylogeny ranging from 0.005-0.06, a threshold of 0.03 was
      found to provide the maximum balance between positive agreement (samples in a
      cluster) and negative agreement (samples not in a cluster) relative to the deep
      sequencing dataset. From 77 HCV seroconverters, 10 individuals were identified in
      phylogenetic clusters using both methods. Deep sequencing analysis identified an
      additional 4 individuals and excluded 8 other individuals relative to Sanger
      sequencing. The application of this deep sequencing approach could be a more
      effective tool to understand onward HCV transmission dynamics compared with
      Sanger sequencing, since the incorporation of minority sequence variants improves
      the discrimination of phylogenetically linked clusters.

PMID- 27282473
TI  - Paediatric tympanoplasty: comparative study between patients aged 5-8 years and
      those aged over 14 years.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and analyse the success rate of tympanoplasty type I in
      paediatric patients aged 5 to 8 years compared to a control group (patients aged
      over 14 years). METHODS: In this prospective study, 60 patients (of either sex)
      with chronic suppurative otitis media inactive mucosal disease were divided into
      2 groups (30 in each): group A comprised paediatric patients aged 5-8 years and
      group B consisted of older individuals aged over 14 years. All patients underwent
      tympanoplasty type I with an underlay technique using a temporalis fascia graft.
      RESULTS: Impressive surgical success rates of 87 and 90 per cent were recorded in
      groups A and B, respectively. Furthermore, audiological success rates of 69 and
      78 per cent were achieved in groups A and B respectively. Statistical analysis of
      the data revealed that eustachian tube function had no impact on the outcome of
      tympanoplasty. CONCLUSION: Tympanoplasty type I performed in children aged five
      to eight years gives comparable results to those of older individuals.

PMID- 27282475
TI  - Reliability of graph analysis of resting state fMRI using test-retest dataset
      from the Human Connectome Project.
AB  - The exploration of brain networks with resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) combined with
      graph theoretical approaches has become popular, with the perspective of finding
      network graph metrics as biomarkers in the context of clinical studies. A
      preliminary requirement for such findings is to assess the reliability of the
      graph based connectivity metrics. In previous test-retest (TRT) studies, this
      reliability has been explored using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with
      heterogeneous results. But the issue of sample size has not been addressed. Using
      the large TRT rs-fMRI dataset from the Human Connectome Project (HCP), we
      computed ICCs and their corresponding p-values (applying permutation and
      bootstrap techniques) and varied the number of subjects (from 20 to 100), the
      scan duration (from 400 to 1200 time points), the cost and the graph metrics,
      using the Anatomic-Automatic Labelling (AAL) parcellation scheme. We quantified
      the reliability of the graph metrics computed both at global and regional level
      depending, at optimal cost, on two key parameters, the sample size and the number
      of time points or scan duration. In the cost range between 20% to 35%, most of
      the global graph metrics are reliable with 40 subjects or more with long scan
      duration (14min 24s). In large samples (for instance, 100 subjects), most global
      and regional graph metrics are reliable for a minimum scan duration of 7min 14s.
      Finally, for 40 subjects and long scan duration (14min 24s), the reliable regions
      are located in the main areas of the default mode network (DMN), the motor and
      the visual networks.

PMID- 27282474
TI  - ALS and FTD: an epigenetic perspective.
AB  - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two
      fatal neurodegenerative diseases seen in comorbidity in up to 50 % of cases.
      Despite tremendous efforts over the last two decades, no biomarkers or effective
      therapeutics have been identified to prevent, decelerate, or stop neuronal death
      in patients. While the identification of multiple mutations in more than two
      dozen genes elucidated the involvement of several mechanisms in the pathogenesis
      of both diseases, identifying the hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72, the
      most common genetic abnormality in ALS and FTD, opened the door to the discovery
      of several novel pathogenic biological routes, including chromatin remodeling and
      transcriptome alteration. Epigenetic processes regulate DNA replication and
      repair, RNA transcription, and chromatin conformation, which in turn further
      dictate transcriptional regulation and protein translation. Transcriptional and
      post-transcriptional epigenetic regulation is mediated by enzymes and chromatin
      modifying complexes that control DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA
      editing. While the alteration of DNA methylation and histone modification has
      recently been reported in ALS and FTD, the assessment of epigenetic involvement
      in both diseases is still at an early stage, and the involvement of multiple
      epigenetic players still needs to be evaluated. As the epigenome serves as a way
      to alter genetic information not only during aging, but also following
      environmental signals, epigenetic mechanisms might play a central role in
      initiating ALS and FTD, especially for sporadic cases. Here, we provide a review
      of what is currently known about altered epigenetic processes in both ALS and FTD
      and discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic mechanisms. As
      approximately 85 % of ALS and FTD cases are still genetically unexplained,
      epigenetic therapeutics explored for other diseases might represent a profitable
      direction for the field.

PMID- 27282477
TI  - A forward modelling approach for the estimation of oxygen extraction fraction by
      calibrated fMRI.
AB  - The measurement of the absolute rate of cerebral metabolic oxygen consumption
      (CMRO2) is likely to offer a valuable biomarker in many brain diseases and could
      prove to be important in our understanding of neural function. As such there is
      significant interest in developing robust MRI techniques that can quantify CMRO2
      non-invasively. One potential MRI method for the measurement of CMRO2 is via the
      combination of fMRI and cerebral blood flow (CBF) data acquired during periods of
      hypercapnic and hyperoxic challenges. This method is based on the combination of
      two, previously independent, signal calibration techniques. As such analysis of
      the data has been approached in a stepwise manner, feeding the results of one
      calibration experiment into the next. Analysing the data in this manner can
      result in unstable estimates of the output parameter (CMRO2), due to the
      propagation of errors along the analysis pipeline. Here we present a forward
      modelling approach that estimates all the model parameters in a one-step
      solution. The method is implemented using a regularized non-linear least squares
      approach to provide a robust and computationally efficient solution. The proposed
      framework is compared with previous analytical approaches using modelling studies
      and in vivo acquisitions in healthy volunteers (n=10). The stability of parameter
      estimates is demonstrated to be superior to previous methods (both in vivo and in
      simulation). In vivo estimates made with the proposed framework also show better
      agreement with expected physiological variation, demonstrating a strong negative
      correlation between baseline CBF and oxygen extraction fraction. It is
      anticipated that the proposed analysis framework will increase the reliability of
      absolute CMRO2 measurements made with calibrated BOLD.

PMID- 27282476
TI  - Multi-compartment microscopic diffusion imaging.
AB  - This paper introduces a multi-compartment model for microscopic diffusion
      anisotropy imaging. The aim is to estimate microscopic features specific to the
      intra- and extra-neurite compartments in nervous tissue unconfounded by the
      effects of fibre crossings and orientation dispersion, which are ubiquitous in
      the brain. The proposed MRI method is based on the Spherical Mean Technique
      (SMT), which factors out the neurite orientation distribution and thus provides
      direct estimates of the microscopic tissue structure. This technique can be
      immediately used in the clinic for the assessment of various neurological
      conditions, as it requires only a widely available off-the-shelf sequence with
      two b-shells and high-angular gradient resolution achievable within clinically
      feasible scan times. To demonstrate the developed method, we use high-quality
      diffusion data acquired with a bespoke scanner system from the Human Connectome
      Project. This study establishes the normative values of the new biomarkers for a
      large cohort of healthy young adults, which may then support clinical diagnostics
      in patients. Moreover, we show that the microscopic diffusion indices offer
      direct sensitivity to pathological tissue alterations, exemplified in a
      preclinical animal model of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a genetic multi
      organ disorder which impacts brain microstructure and hence may lead to
      neurological manifestations such as autism, epilepsy and developmental delay.

PMID- 27282479
TI  - Microvesicles derived from Alde-Low EPCs support the wound healing capacity of AT
      MSCs.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are defined as multipotent cells that can give rise
      to various kinds of differentiated mesenchymal cells, and are thus considered to
      be useful for clinical therapy. However, the big hurdles of MSC therapy are the
      inability of MSCs to reach the appropriate tissues or sites with high efficiency
      and engraftment after transplantation. In this study, we investigated how adipose
      tissue-derived MSCs (AT-MSCs) improve their homing ability after intravenous
      injection. We previously found that human endothelial progenitor cells with low
      aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (Alde-Low EPCs) are suitable for the treatment of
      ischemic tissues. In addition, we demonstrated that microvesicles (MVs) derived
      from Alde-Low EPCs possessed the ability to improve the homing ability of non
      functional Alde-High EPCs, resulting in wound healing. We initially transfected
      MVs derived from Alde-Low EPCs (EMVs) to human AT-MSCs, which were originally
      unable to cure ischemic tissues by intravenous transplantation. Remarkably, AT
      MSC transfected EMVs dramatically repaired the ischemic skin flap compared with
      AT-MSC derived-MV (MMVs) transfected AT-MSCs or control AT-MSCs. We then found
      that the expression of CXCR4, an important chemokine receptor for cell migration,
      was highly elevated in EMV-transfected AT-MSCs. Moreover, AT-MSCs transfected
      with EMVs, but not control AT-MSCs, migrated to wound sites after intravenous
      injection. Consequently, CD45(+) inflammatory cells were successfully recruited
      at the wound sites after the injection of EMV-transfected AT-MSCs. These results
      demonstrate that EMVs are a useful source to improve the homing ability and wound
      healing ability of MSCs at the wound sites.

PMID- 27282478
TI  - Stimulation of triple negative breast cancer cell migration and metastases
      formation is prevented by chloroquine in a pre-irradiated mouse model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients are at higher risk
      of recurrence in the first three years after treatment. This rapid relapse has
      been suggested to be associated with inflammatory mediators induced by radiation
      in healthy tissues that stimulate cancer cell migration and metastasis formation.
      In this study, the ability of chloroquine (CQ) to inhibit radiation-stimulated
      development of metastasis was assessed. METHODS: The capacity of CQ to prevent
      radiation-enhancement of cancer cell invasion was assessed in vitro with the TNBC
      cell lines D2A1, 4T1 and MDA-MB-231 and the non-TNBC cell lines MC7-L1, and MCF
      7. In Balb/c mice, a single mammary gland was irradiated with four daily doses of
      6 Gy. After the last irradiation, irradiated and control mammary glands were
      implanted with D2A1 cells. Mice were treated with CQ (vehicle, 40 or 60 mg/kg) 3
      h before each irradiation and then every 72 h for 3 weeks. Migration of D2A1
      cells in the mammary gland, the number of circulating tumor cells and lung
      metastasis were quantified, and also the expression of some inflammatory
      mediators. RESULTS: Irradiated fibroblasts have increased the invasiveness of the
      TNBC cell lines only, a stimulation that was prevented by CQ. On the other hand,
      invasiveness of the non-TNBC cell lines, which was not enhanced by irradiated
      fibroblasts, was also not significantly modified by CQ. In Balb/c mice, treatment
      with CQ prevented the stimulation of D2A1 TNBC cell migration in the pre
      irradiated mammary gland, and reduced the number of circulating tumor cells and
      lung metastases. This protective effect of CQ was associated with a reduced
      expression of the inflammatory mediators interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and
      cyclooxygenase-2, while the levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 were not
      modified. CQ also promoted a blocking of autophagy. CONCLUSION: CQ prevented
      radiation-enhancement of TNBC cell invasion and reduced the number of lung
      metastases in a mouse model.

PMID- 27282480
TI  - RVX-297- a novel BD2 selective inhibitor of BET bromodomains.
AB  - Bromodomains are epigenetic readers that specifically bind to the acetyl lysine
      residues of histones and transcription factors. Small molecule BET bromodomain
      inhibitors can disrupt this interaction which leads to potential modulation of
      several disease states. Here we describe the binding properties of a novel BET
      inhibitor RVX-297 that is structurally related to the clinical compound RVX-208,
      currently undergoing phase III clinical trials for the treatment of
      cardiovascular diseases, but is distinctly different in its biological and
      pharmacokinetic profiles. We report that RVX-297 preferentially binds to the BD2
      domains of the BET bromodomain and Extra Terminal (BET) family of protein. We
      demonstrate the differential binding modes of RVX-297 in BD1 and BD2 domains of
      BRD4 and BRD2 using X-ray crystallography, and describe the structural
      differences driving the BD2 selective binding of RVX-297. The isothermal
      titration calorimetry (ITC) data illustrate the related differential
      thermodynamics of binding of RVX-297 to single as well as dual BET bromodomains.

PMID- 27282481
TI  - Regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation in endothelial cells
      by S1P1 and S1P3.
AB  - Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a crucial role in vascular
      homeostasis. Lysophospholipid interaction with sphingosine 1-phosphat (S1P)
      receptors results in eNOS activation in different cells. In endothelial cells,
      eNOS activation via S1P1 or S1P3 was shown controversially. The aim of this study
      is to investigate the meaning of both S1P receptors for eNOS activation in human
      endothelial cells. Therefore, several S1P1 and S1P3 agonists in combination with
      antagonists and specific RNAi approach were used. eNOS activation was measured in
      human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) via DAF2-DA-based fluorescence
      microscopy. For investigation of the signaling pathway, agonists/antagonist
      studies, RNAi approach, LuminexTM multiplex, and Western Blot were used. In
      HUVEC, both the S1P1 agonist AUY954 as well as the S1P1,3 agonist FTY720P induced
      eNOS activation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Other S1P1 agonists
      activated eNOS to a lesser extent. The AUY954-induced eNOS activation was blocked
      by the S1P1 antagonist W146, the combination of W146 and the S1P3 antagonist
      CAY10444 and the S1P1,3 antagonist VPC23019, but not by CAY10444 indicating the
      meaning of S1P1 for the AUY954-induced eNOS activation. The FTY720P-induced eNOS
      activation was blocked only by the combination of W146 and CAY10444 and the
      combined S1P1,3 antagonist VPC23019, but not by W146 or CAY10444 indicating the
      importance of both S1P1 and S1P3 for FTY720-induced eNOS activation. These
      results were confirmed using specific siRNA against S1P1 and S1P3. The S1P1,3
      activation results in Akt phosphorylation and subsequent activation of eNOS via
      phosphorylation at serine(1177) and dephosphorylation at threonine(495). Beside
      former investigations with rather unspecific S1P receptor activation these data
      show potent selective S1P1 activation by using AUY954 and with selective S1P
      receptor inhibition evidence was provided that both S1P1 and S1P3 lead to
      downstream activation of eNOS in HUVEC in the same experimental setting.
      Inhibition or knockdown of one of these receptor subtypes did not abolish the
      eNOS activation and subsequent NO production.

PMID- 27282482
TI  - Expression of inflammation-related genes in aldosterone-producing adenomas with
      KCNJ5 mutation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The adrenocortical cells have been shown to produce various
      inflammatory cytokines such as TNFalpha and IL-6, which could modulate
      steroidogenesis. However, the role of inflammatory cytokines in aldosterone
      producing adenomas (APAs) is not fully understood. In the present study, we
      examined the relationships between mRNA expression levels of the inflammation
      related genes and somatic mutations in APA tissues. METHODS: We evaluated mRNA
      expression levels of TNFA, IL6, and NFKB1 in APA tissues obtained from 44
      Japanese APA patients. RESULTS: We revealed that mRNA expression patterns of the
      inflammation-related genes depended on a KCNJ5 somatic mutation. In addition, we
      showed that mRNA expression levels of the inflammation-related genes correlated
      with those of the steroidogenic enzyme CYP11B1 in the patients with APAs.
      CONCLUSION: The present study documented for the first time the expression of
      inflammation-related genes in APAs and the correlation of their expression levels
      with the KCNJ5 mutation status and mRNA expression levels of steroidogenic
      enzymes, indicating the pathophysiological relevance of inflammation-related
      genes in APAs.

PMID- 27282483
TI  - Heteromeric channels with different phenotypes are generated when coexpressing
      two P2X2 receptor isoforms.
AB  - To investigate if channels with different stoichiometry are formed from P2X2
      receptor isoforms during their heterologous co-expression. The two-electrode
      voltage-clamp technique was used to measured ATP induced currents in Xenopus
      laevis oocytes. We used a mutant (P2X2-2bm) because its ATP sensitivity is lower
      than P2X2-2b receptors, which highlights the differences with its splice variant
      P2X2-1a.Currents through homomeric channels had significantly different Hill
      coefficients. P2XR are trimeric proteins with three agonist binding sites;
      therefore, only two homomeric and two heteromeric stoichiometries are possible
      when both P2X2 isoforms are coexpressed, the heteromeric channels might be formed
      by: i) 2(P2X2-1a)+1(P2X2-2bm); or ii) 1(P2X2-1a)+2(P2X2-2bm). Because P2X2
      channels open when two binding sites are occupied, these stoichiometries are
      expected to have different ATP sensitivities. Thus, co-expressing both P2X2
      isoforms, two oocyte populations were distinguished based on their sensitivity to
      ATP and Hill coefficients. For the first population (P2X2-1a like), the ATP EC50
      and the Hill coefficient were not different than those of homomeric P2X2-1a
      channels similarly, for the second population (P2X2-2bm like), these variables
      were also not different than for those of homomeric P2X2-2bm channels. Various
      findings indicate that homomeric channel expression is not responsible for such
      differences. Our observations indicate that two heteromeric channels can be
      assembled from two P2X2 receptor isoforms. Our data support a current model,
      according to which, ATP activation of two subunits can open P2X2 channel.
      However, PPADS appears to bind to all three subunits in order to inhibit ATP
      effects on P2X2 receptors.

PMID- 27282484
TI  - N-terminal domain of PB1-F2 protein of influenza A virus can fold into amyloid
      like oligomers and damage cholesterol and cardiolipid containing membranes.
AB  - PB1-F2 protein is a factor of virulence of influenza A viruses which increases
      the mortality and morbidity associated with infection. Most seasonal H1N1
      Influenza A viruses express nowadays a truncated version of PB1-F2. Here we show
      that truncation of PB1-F2 modified supramolecular organization of the protein in
      a membrane-mimicking environment. In addition, full-length PB1-F2(1-90) and C
      terminal PB1-F2 domain (53-90), efficiently permeabilized various anionic
      liposomes while N-terminal domain PB1-F2(1-52) only lysed cholesterol and
      cardiolipin containing lipid bilayers. These findings suggest that the truncation
      of PB1-F2 may impact the pathogenicity of a given virus strain.

PMID- 27282485
TI  - Effects of environmental enrichment in aged mice on anxiety-like behaviors and
      neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in the brain.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that an enriched environment (EE) has an important
      effect on brain function via the neuronal nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide
      (nNOS/NO) pathway in young and aged animals. However, whether EE induces its
      effect by altering nNOS expression levels and whether it lowers anxiety-like
      behaviors in aged mice remains unclear. Here, we show that nNOS expression levels
      increased with age in the hippocampus and cerebellum in aged mice, but not in the
      cortex. Moreover, EE reduced anxiety-like behaviors in aged mice and reduced nNOS
      expression levels in the cerebellum, but not in the cortex. The present study
      suggests that EE improves anxiety-like behaviors in aged mice by altering nNOS
      expression levels in the hippocampus or cerebellum.

PMID- 27282486
TI  - Evaluation of a time efficient immunization strategy for anti-PAH antibody
      development.
AB  - The development of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with affinity to small molecules
      can be a time-consuming process. To evaluate shortening the time for mAb
      production, we examined mouse antisera at different time points post-immunization
      to measure titer and to evaluate the affinity to the immunogen PBA (pyrene
      butyric acid). Fusions were also conducted temporally to evaluate antibody
      production success at various time periods. We produced anti-PBA antibodies 7
      weeks post-immunization and selected for anti-PAH reactivity during the hybridoma
      screening process. Moreover, there were no obvious sensitivity differences
      relative to antibodies screened from a more traditional 18-week schedule. Our
      results demonstrate a more time efficient immunization strategy for anti-PAH
      antibody development that may be applied to other small molecules. 

PMID- 27282487
TI  - A new ChainMail approach for real-time soft tissue simulation.
AB  - This paper presents a new ChainMail method for real-time soft tissue simulation.
      This method enables the use of different material properties for chain elements
      to accommodate various materials. Based on the ChainMail bounding region, a new
      time-saving scheme is developed to improve computational efficiency for isotropic
      materials. The proposed method also conserves volume and strain energy.
      Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ChainMail method can not only
      accommodate isotropic, anisotropic and heterogeneous materials but also model
      incompressibility and relaxation behaviors of soft tissues. Further, the proposed
      method can achieve real-time computational performance. 

PMID- 27282488
TI  - Treatment With Dithiothreitol Improves Bacterial Recovery From Tissue Samples in
      Osteoarticular and Joint Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prosthetic implants, periprosthetic and osteoarticular tissues are
      specimens of choice for diagnosis of bone and joint infections. Homogenization is
      considered the best procedure for treatment of tissues samples, but, it is not
      always performed in all laboratories. Dithiothreitol (DTT) has been proposed as
      an alternative treatment to sonication for microbiological diagnosis of
      prosthetic joint infections. In this study, the applicability of DTT treatment
      for processing of periprosthetic and osteoarticular tissues for diagnosis of bone
      and joint infections was evaluated and compared with normal saline solution
      treatment. METHODS: Periprosthetic tissue samples were collected from 70
      consecutive patients (25 infected and 45 not infected). For each patient, samples
      from the same site were randomly allocated to DTT or saline treatment. Treated
      samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. Aliquots from the
      concentrated samples were plated on agar plates and inoculated in broths.
      Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each treatment. RESULTS:
      Microbial growth was observed in samples from 14 and 11 infected patients after
      DTT and saline treatments, respectively. Concordance between the 2 methods was
      observed in the 85.7% of cases. Sensitivity was 88.0% for DTT and 72.0% for
      saline. Specificity was 97.8% and 91.1% for DTT and saline, respectively.
      Treatment with DTT showed higher sensitivity and specificity with respect to the
      method routinely used in our laboratory. CONCLUSION: DTT treatment may be
      considered a practicable strategy for microbiological analysis of tissues for
      diagnosis of bone and joint infections.

PMID- 27282490
TI  - Efficacy of a Nasal Spray from Citrus limon and Cydonia oblonga for the Treatment
      of Hay Fever Symptoms-A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Cross-Over Study.
AB  - Nasal spray from lemon and quince (LQNS) is used to treat hay fever symptoms and
      has been shown to inhibit histamine release from mast cells in vitro. Forty-three
      patients with grass pollen allergy (GPA) were randomized to be treated either
      with placebo or LQNS for one week, respectively, in a cross-over study. At
      baseline and after the respective treatments patients were provoked with grass
      pollen allergen. Outcome parameters were nasal flow measured with rhinomanometry
      (primary), a nasal symptom score, histamine in the nasal mucus and tolerability.
      In the per protocol population absolute inspiratory nasal flow 10 and 20 min
      after provocation was higher with LQNS compared to placebo (-37 +/- 87 mL/s; p =
      0.027 and -44 +/- 85 mL/s; p = 0.022). The nasal symptom score showed a trend
      (3.3 +/- 1.8 in the placebo and 2.8 +/- 1.5 in the LQNS group; p = 0.070) in
      favor of LQNS; the histamine concentration was not significantly different
      between the groups. Tolerability of both, LQNS and placebo, was rated as very
      good. LQNS seems to have an anti-allergic effect in patients with GPA. Copyright
      (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 27282489
TI  - Tropical Drosophila pandora carry Wolbachia infections causing cytoplasmic
      incompatibility or male killing.
AB  - Wolbachia infections have been described in several Drosophila species, but
      relatively few have been assessed for phenotypic effects. Cytoplasmic
      incompatibility (CI) is the most common phenotypic effect that has been detected,
      while some infections cause male killing or feminization, and many Wolbachia
      infections have few host effects. Here, we describe two new infections in a
      recently described species, Drosophila pandora, one of which causes near-complete
      CI and near-perfect maternal transmission (the "CI" strain). The other infection
      is a male killer (the "MK" strain), which we confirm by observing reinitiation of
      male production following tetracycline treatment. No incompatibility was detected
      in crosses between CI strain males and MK strain females, and rare MK males do
      not cause CI. Molecular analyses indicate that the CI and MK infections are
      distantly related and the CI infection is closely related to the wRi infection of
      Drosophila simulans. Two population surveys indicate that all individuals are
      infected with Wolbachia, but the MK infection is uncommon. Given patterns of
      incompatibility among the strains, the infection dynamics is expected to be
      governed by the relative fitness of the females, suggesting that the CI infection
      should have a higher fitness. This was evidenced by changes in infection
      frequencies and sex ratios in population cages initiated at different starting
      frequencies of the infections.

PMID- 27282491
TI  - Permissive role of cytosolic pH acidification in neurodegeneration: A closer look
      at its causes and consequences.
AB  - The maintenance of cytosolic pH in its physiological range is required for normal
      neuronal activity, and even minor alterations can have serious consequences. This
      Review summarizes the current understanding of the conditions that are associated
      with cytosolic pH disruption and that lead to abnormal cytosolic acidification.
      Oxidative stress results in cytosolic acidification, and this plays a crucial
      role in the emergence of apoptosis in protein misfolding and excitotoxicity,
      ultimately leading to irreversible neuronal damage. Through the identification of
      mechanisms by which intraneuronal pH acidification promotes neurodegeneration, we
      may identify new approaches for preventing and treating neurodegenerative
      disorders. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27282492
TI  - Mechanical Thrombectomy for Stroke After Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - Stroke after cardiac surgery remains a devastating complication and its treatment
      options are limited. Systemic fibrinolysis is a relative contraindication,
      because it raises the risk of systemic hemorrhage. Endovascular therapy,
      mechanical thrombectomy, and intra-arterial fibrinolysis have emerged as safer
      options. We present three patients who developed strokes following cardiac
      surgery who underwent successful mechanical thrombectomy and review the
      literature on this subject. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12776 (J Card Surg 2016;31:517
      520). 

PMID- 27282493
TI  - Protein Complexation and pH Dependent Release Using Boronic Acid Containing PEG
      Polypeptide Copolymers.
AB  - New poly(L-lysine)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) copolypeptides have been prepared,
      where the side-chain amine groups of lysine residues are modified to contain
      ortho-amine substituted phenylboronic acid, i.e., Wulff-type phenylboronic acid
      (WBA), groups to improve their pH responsive, carbohydrate binding properties.
      These block copolymers form nanoscale complexes with glycosylated proteins that
      are stable at physiological pH, yet dissociate and release the glycoproteins
      under acidic conditions, similar to those found in endosomal and lysosomal
      compartments within cells. These results suggest that WBA modified polypeptide
      copolymers are promising for further development as degradable carriers for
      intracellular protein delivery.

PMID- 27282494
TI  - Enhanced recovery of Arcobacter spp. using NaCl in culture media and re
      assessment of the traits of Arcobacter marinus and Arcobacter halophilus isolated
      from marine water and shellfish.
AB  - The genus Arcobacter is a relatively poorly known group of bacteria, and the
      number of new species and sequences from non-culturable strains has increased
      considerably in recent years. This study investigates whether using media that
      contain NaCl might help to improve the recovery of Arcobacter spp. from marine
      environments. To this aim, 62 water and shellfish samples were analysed in
      parallel, with both a commonly used culture method (enrichment in Arcobacter-CAT
      broth followed by culture on Blood Agar) and a new one that supplements the
      Arcobacter-CAT enrichment broth with 2.5% NaCl (w/v) followed by culturing on
      Marine Agar. The new method yielded ca. 40% more positive samples and provided a
      higher diversity of known (11 vs. 7) and unknown (7 vs. 2) Arcobacter species.
      Among the 11 known species recovered, Arcobacter marinus and Arcobacter
      halophilus were isolated only by this new method. No more strains of these
      species have been isolated since their original descriptions, both of which were
      based only on a single strain. In view of that, the phenotypic characteristics of
      these species are re-evaluated in the present study, using the new strains.
      Strains of A. halophilus had the same phenotypic profile as the type strain.
      However, some strains of A. marinus differed from the type strain in that they
      did not hydrolyse indoxyl-acetate, becoming, therefore, the first Arcobacter
      species to show a varying ability to hydrolyse indoxyl-acetate. This study shows
      to what extent a simple variation to the culture media can have a big influence
      on positive samples and on the community of species recovered. 

PMID- 27282495
TI  - Characterization of plant-derived carbon and phosphorus in lakes by sequential
      fractionation and NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - Although debris from aquatic macrophytes is one of the most important endogenous
      sources of organic matter (OM) and nutrients in lakes, its biogeochemical cycling
      and contribution to internal load of nutrients in eutrophic lakes are still
      poorly understood. In this study, sequential fractionation by H2O, 0.1M NaOH and
      1.0M HCl, combined with (13)C and (31)P NMR spectroscopy, was developed and used
      to characterize organic carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) in six aquatic plants
      collected from Tai Lake (Ch: Taihu), China. Organic matter, determined by total
      organic carbon (TOC), was unequally distributed in H2O (21.2%), NaOH (29.9%), HCl
      (3.5%) and residual (45.3%) fractions. For P in debris of aquatic plants, 53.3%
      was extracted by H2O, 31.9% by NaOH, and 11% by HCl, with 3.8% in residual
      fractions. Predominant OM components extracted by H2O and NaOH were
      carbohydrates, proteins and aliphatic acids. Inorganic P (Pi) was the primary
      form of P in H2O fractions, whereas organic P (Po) was the primary form of P in
      NaOH fractions. The subsequent HCl fractions extracted fewer species of C and P.
      Some non-extractable carbohydrates, aromatics and metal phytate compounds
      remained in residual fractions. Based on sequential extraction and NMR analysis,
      it was proposed that those forms of C (54.7% of TOC) and P (96.2% of TP) in H2O,
      NaOH and HCl fractions are potentially released to overlying water as labile
      components, while those in residues are stable and likely preserved in sediments
      of lakes. These results will be helpful in understanding internal loading of
      nutrients from debris of aquatic macrophytes and their recycling in lakes. 

PMID- 27282496
TI  - Can green structure reduce the mortality of cardiovascular diseases?
AB  - Previous studies have shown that green spaces are beneficial to health; however,
      few studies have analyzed the relationship between green structure and mortality
      of cardiovascular disease. Green structure may mediate the effects of air
      pollution and temperature on health. This work applies partial least squares
      (PLS) modeling to analyze the degree to which green structure reduces mortality
      of cardiovascular disease, using Taipei Metropolitan Area as an empirical case.
      In addition to clarifying the complex relationships and effects of green
      structure, air pollution, temperature, and mortality of cardiovascular disease,
      this study demonstrates that green structure has a significant influence on
      mortality of cardiovascular disease because it reduces the effects of air
      pollution and heat. The most crucial elements for planning a healthy living
      environment are the maximization of the largest green patch proportion and the
      minimization of green space fragmentation. Moreover, to enhance the benefits of
      greening city spaces on health, this work proposes several strategies for
      connecting fragmentary green spaces, expanding green patches to the largest
      possible proportion, and managing green spaces. The proposed strategies may serve
      as a reference for other metropolitan areas with features similar to those of the
      study area. 

PMID- 27282497
TI  - Molecular evaluation of PIK3CA gene mutation in breast cancer: determination of
      frequency, distribution pattern and its association with clinicopathological
      findings in Indian patients.
AB  - Somatic mutations in the PIK3CA gene are common in breast cancer and represent a
      clinically useful marker for prognosis and therapeutic target. Activating
      mutations in the PI3K p110 catalytic subunit (PIK3CA) have been identified in 18
      40 % of breast carcinomas. In this study, we evaluated PIK3CA mutation in 185
      Indian breast cancer patients by direct DNA sequencing. PIK3CA mutations were
      observed in 23.2 % (43/185) of breast tumor samples. PIK3CA mutations were more
      frequent exon 30 (76.8 %) than in exon 9 (23.2 %). Mutations were mostly
      clustered within two hotspot region between nucleotides 1624 and 1636 or between
      3129 and 3140. Sequencing analysis revealed four different missense mutations at
      codon 542 and 545 (E542K, E545K, E545A and E545G) in the helical domain and two
      different amino acid substitutions at codon 1047 (H1047R and H1047L) in the
      kinase domain. None of the cases harbored concomitant mutations at multiple
      codons. PIK3CA mutations were more frequent in older patients, smaller size
      tumors, ductal carcinomas, grade II tumors, lymph node-positive tumors and non
      DCIS tumors; however, none of the differences were significant. In addition,
      PIK3CA mutations were common in ER+, PR+ and HER2+ cases (30 %), and a
      comparatively low frequency were noted in triple-negative tumors (13.6 %). In
      conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the largest study to evaluate the PIK3CA
      mutation in Indian breast cancer patients. The frequency and distribution pattern
      of PIK3CA mutations is similar to global reports. Furthermore, identification of
      molecular markers has unique strengths and can provide insights into the
      pathogenic process of breast carcinomas. 

PMID- 27282498
TI  - Pollen as a target of environmental changes.

PMID- 27282500
TI  - Purity of (28)Si-Enriched Silicon Material Used for the Determination of the
      Avogadro Constant.
AB  - At present, counting atoms in a one-kilogram sphere made of (28)Si-enriched
      silicon allows the determination of the Avogadro constant with the 2.0 * 10(-8)
      relative standard uncertainty required for the realization of the definition of
      the new kilogram. With the exception of carbon, oxygen, boron, nitrogen, and
      hydrogen, the claimed uncertainty is based on the postulation that the silicon
      material used to manufacture the sphere was above a particular level of purity.
      Two samples of the silicon were measured using instrumental neutron activation
      analysis to collect experimental data to test the purity assumption. The results
      obtained in two experiments carried out using different research reactor neutron
      sources are reported. The analysis confirmed that the silicon material was of
      sufficient purity by quantifying the ultratrace concentration of 12 elements and
      determining the detection limits of another 54 elements.

PMID- 27282501
TI  - Care in the last days of life.

PMID- 27282502
TI  - Exploring the quality of life of depressed and nondepressed, home-dwelling,
      Norwegian adults.
AB  - AIM: This study aims to explore how intimacy, physical and psychological health,
      loneliness, and attitudes to ageing at a time of loss affect the overall quality
      of life (QoL) of nondepressed and depressed older adults. METHOD: This was a
      randomised, stratified, cross-sectional study with two subsamples: depressed
      (n=74; mean: 77.9 years; 65% female) and nondepressed (n=356; mean: 75.0 years;
      55% female), and based on the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. RESULTS: Physical
      health accounted for the greatest variance in overall QoL in the nondepressed
      group; psychological health, losses, and feelings of intimacy also made
      significant contributions. In the depressed group, intimacy made the strongest
      contribution, while psychological health came a close second. CONCLUSIONS:
      Physical health, psychological health, and loss were important to the QoL of
      nondepressed older adults, while intimacy was important for QoL in both depressed
      and nondepressed older adults. For those who are depressed, feelings of intimacy,
      in the form of having opportunities to express and receive love, are especially
      relevant and should be assessed by health professionals when planning
      interventions.

PMID- 27282499
TI  - Japanese Encephalitis Virus exploits the microRNA-432 to regulate the expression
      of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) 5.
AB  - Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a plus strand RNA virus, which infects
      brain. MicroRNAs are regulatory non-coding RNAs which regulate the expression of
      various genes in cells. Viruses modulate the expression of various microRNAs to
      suppress anti-viral signaling and evade the immune response. SOCS (Suppressor of
      cytokine signalling) family of proteins are negative regulators of anti-viral Jak
      STAT pathway. In this study, we demonstrated the regulatory role of SOCS5 in Jak
      STAT signaling and its exploitation by JEV through a microRNA mediated mechanism.
      JEV infection in human brain microglial cells (CHME3) downregulated the
      expression of miR-432, and upregulated SOCS5 levels. SOCS5 was validated as a
      target of miR-432 by using 3'UTR clone of SOCS5 in luciferase vector along with
      miR-432 mimic. The overexpression of miR-432 prior to JEV infection enhanced the
      phosphorylation of STAT1 resulting into increased ISRE activity and cellular
      inflammatory response resulting into diminished viral replication. The knockdown
      of SOCS5 resulted into increased STAT1 phosphorylation and suppressed viral
      replication. JEV infection mediated downregulation of miR-432 leads to SOCS5
      upregulation, which helps the virus to evade cellular anti-viral response. This
      study demonstrated that JEV utilizes this microRNA mediated strategy to
      manipulate cellular immune response promoting JEV pathogenesis.

PMID- 27282503
TI  - Caring for carers: how community nurses can support carers of people with cancer.
AB  - There are more than 1 million people in the UK looking after a family member or
      friend with cancer, but half the number of these carers do not receive support to
      care. Providing this care significantly affects cancer carers emotionally,
      physically, and financially. Community and district nurses have a vital role to
      play in reaching out to these hidden carers and signposting them to the correct
      support. This article provides tips on identifying carers, including who they
      are, the challenges they face, and how health professionals can approach and
      speak to them. It also provides guidance on signposting carers to national and
      local sources of support in the UK. 

PMID- 27282504
TI  - Exploring the opportunities and challenges of devolution and integration to
      community nursing.

PMID- 27282505
TI  - Perceptions of people living with Parkinson's disease: a qualitative study in
      Iran.
AB  - AIM: This study explores the primary concerns and perceptions of patients living
      with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHOD: This was an exploratory qualitative study.
      A purposive sample of 17 patients with PD who were attending a hospital
      outpatients' neurology clinic in Iran were recruited. Study data were collected
      through semi-structured interviews and analysed using the conventional
      qualitative content analysis approach. FINDINGS: We identified the 'fear of
      becoming disabled' as a primary concern in these patients. This concern affected
      the physical, emotional, mental, and social aspects of their lives. The 'fear of
      becoming disabled' fell into four categories, including progressive physical
      disability, mental alteration, decreasing social connectedness, and self-change.
      CONCLUSION: The study results showed that older adults with PD face a number of
      challenges in self-care. In addition, the 'fear of becoming disabled' was the
      main concern of patients with PD, particularly in late stages of the disease.

PMID- 27282506
TI  - Exploring the community nurse role in family-centred care for patients with
      dementia.
AB  - A diagnosis of dementia can have a significant effect, not only on the person
      diagnosed, but also on the person's family. Drivers within national policy and
      strategy to raise awareness and promote education have improved the understanding
      of dementia across professional groups, as well as within the wider population.
      However, families living with dementia still struggle to find information and
      support. This paper explores the common issues faced by families, and focuses on
      a relationship approach to care. The role of the community nurse can be central
      to supporting people with dementia and their families to live well in their own
      communities. The paper uses a case-study approach to discuss three scenarios
      commonly raised by family carers and people with dementia: (1) seeking help and
      support at point of seeking diagnosis, (2) knowing the 'right time' to seek help
      and advice, and (3) when symptomatic changes affect wellbeing and relationships.

PMID- 27282507
TI  - Mentoring students: exploring and managing incivil behaviour in community nursing
      placements.
AB  - Students who demonstrate quiet incivility can be challenging and disrupt the
      learning that takes place in the community setting. Recognising incivility and
      acting to address this behaviour with students is difficult because the behaviour
      is not overt or obvious to others. The most important component in attempting to
      manage incivility is exploring the behaviour with the student to identify the
      potential cause, and negotiate a strategy to improve it. It is acknowledged that
      the behaviour may be due to personal, academic, or professional issues. If issues
      are not addressed, care activity and learning are affected, and this can result
      in failure to achieve in practice. 

PMID- 27282508
TI  - Death and the body as property.
AB  - Unlike houses or other buildings that can handed down in a will, our bodies do
      not have the status of property and cannot be passed on by way of gift. It is
      essential therefore that a testator appoints an executor who they trust to carry
      out the wishes of the deceased even in the face of family objection. District
      nurses are well placed to ensure that patients and their relatives are properly
      informed on how to ensure that arrangements for the disposal of the patient's
      body after death comply with the wishes of the patient. In this article, Richard
      Griffith considers the legal definition of death and the law relating to the
      disposal of a body after death. 

PMID- 27282509
TI  - Competing spheres of work/life balance in palliative care.

PMID- 27282510
TI  - Importance of nutrition in the care of patients with diabetes.

PMID- 27282511
TI  - Understanding cultural needs.

PMID- 27282512
TI  - Lethal Epistaxis.
AB  - Epistaxis or nosebleed refers to bleeding from the nostrils, nasal cavity, or
      nasopharynx. Occasional cases may present with torrential lethal hemorrhage.
      Three cases are reported to demonstrate particular features: Case 1: A 51-year
      old woman with lethal epistaxis with no obvious bleeding source; Case 2: A 77
      year-old man with treated nasopharyngeal carcinoma who died from epistaxis
      arising from a markedly neovascularized tumor bed; Case 3: A 2-year-old boy with
      hemophilia B who died from epistaxis with airway obstruction in addition to
      gastrointestinal bleeding. Epistaxis may be associated with trauma, tumors,
      vascular malformations, bleeding diatheses, infections, pregnancy, endometriosis,
      and a variety of different drugs. Careful dissection of the nasal cavity is
      required to locate the site of hemorrhage and to identify any predisposing
      conditions. This may be guided by postmortem computerized tomographic angiography
      (PCTA). Despite careful dissection, however, a source of bleeding may never be
      identified.

PMID- 27282513
TI  - Peptide inhibitor of complement C1 modulates acute intravascular hemolysis of
      mismatched red blood cells in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions have a broad clinical
      presentation from mild and transitory signs and symptoms to shock, disseminated
      intravascular coagulation, renal failure, and death. We have recently developed a
      rat model of acute intravascular hemolysis showing that the classical complement
      pathway mediates antibody-dependent hemolysis. The objective of this study was to
      evaluate the role of the classical pathway inhibitor peptide inhibitor of
      complement C1 (PIC1) in this animal model. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Male Wistar
      rats received a 15% transfusion of human red blood cells (RBCs) and blood was
      isolated from the animals up to 120 minutes. Animals received PIC1 either 2
      minutes before or 0.5 minutes after transfusion. Sham-, vehicle-, and cobra venom
      factor (CVF)-treated animals were used as control groups with a subset of rats
      also receiving an equivalent dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) before
      transfusion. Blood was analyzed for transfused RBC survival by flow cytometry and
      free hemoglobin (Hb) in isolated plasma by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Vehicle
      treated rats showed decreased human RBC survival and increased free Hb as
      expected. Rats receiving PIC1 before transfusion showed increased human RBC
      survival and decreased Hb similar to CVF-treated rats. Notably, rats receiving
      PIC1 after initiation of transfusion showed similar decreases in hemolysis as
      animals receiving PIC1 before transfusion. Compared to IVIG and saline controls,
      PIC1-treated animals demonstrated decreased hemolysis and protection from acute
      kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that PIC1 has efficacy in
      an animal model of acute intravascular hemolysis in both prevention and rescue
      scenarios.

PMID- 27282515
TI  - A first-principles study of the diffusion coefficients of alloying elements in
      dilute alpha-Ti alloys.
AB  - Using first-principles calculations accompanied by the transition state theory
      and an 8-frequency model, we present a comprehensive investigation of the
      diffusion coefficients of substitutional alloying elements X in dilute alpha-Ti
      alloys, where X denotes Al, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, Zr, and Sn. The alloying elements Mo
      and Al exhibit a maximum and a minimum diffusion rate in dilute alpha-Ti alloys,
      respectively. It is found that the nearest-neighbor solute-vacancy binding
      energies and activation energies are roughly inversely proportional to the volume
      changes induced by solute atoms. There are two exceptions to this trend: Al and
      Mo. Besides the physical effect (i.e., solute size), two other key factors
      governing solute diffusion in dilute alpha-Ti are clarified: the chemical bonding
      characteristics and vibrational features of X-Ti pairs. It verifies that the
      ultrafast diffusivity of Mo arises from the interactions with Ti atoms by
      metallic bonds and its low-frequency contributions to lattice vibration, while
      the more covalent bonding nature and the high-frequency contributions to the
      lattice vibration of Al lead to its ultraslow diffusivity. In addition, the
      correlation effects of diffusion coefficients are non-negligible for the large
      solutes Ta, Nb, and Zr, in which the direct solute-vacancy migration barriers are
      much smaller than the solvent-vacancy migration barriers. 

PMID- 27282514
TI  - Nifurtimox Is Effective Against Neural Tumor Cells and Is Synergistic with
      Buthionine Sulfoximine.
AB  - Children with aggressive neural tumors have poor survival rates and novel
      therapies are needed. Previous studies have identified nifurtimox and buthionine
      sulfoximine (BSO) as effective agents in children with neuroblastoma and
      medulloblastoma. We hypothesized that nifurtimox would be effective against other
      neural tumor cells and would be synergistic with BSO. We determined neural tumor
      cell viability before and after treatment with nifurtimox using MTT assays.
      Assays for DNA ladder formation and poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage
      were performed to measure the induction of apoptosis after nifurtimox treatment.
      Inhibition of intracellular signaling was measured by Western blot analysis of
      treated and untreated cells. Tumor cells were then treated with combinations of
      nifurtimox and BSO and evaluated for viability using MTT assays. All neural tumor
      cell lines were sensitive to nifurtimox, and IC50 values ranged from
      approximately 20 to 210 MUM. Nifurtimox treatment inhibited ERK phosphorylation
      and induced apoptosis in tumor cells. Furthermore, the combination of nifurtimox
      and BSO demonstrated significant synergistic efficacy in all tested cell lines.
      Additional preclinical and clinical studies of the combination of nifurtimox and
      BSO in patients with neural tumors are warranted.

PMID- 27282517
TI  - Combination of organotrifluoroborates with photoredox catalysis marking a new
      phase in organic radical chemistry.
AB  - Combination of organotrifluoroborates and visible-light-driven photoredox
      catalysis, both of which have attracted the attention of synthetic chemists,
      marks a new phase in the field of organic radical chemistry. We have developed
      photoredox-catalyzed radical reactions with organotrifluoroborates, which turn
      out to serve not only as a source of organic radicals but also as radical
      acceptors. The first part of this Perspective deals with the generation of
      organic radicals from organotrifluoroborates, and the latter part describes
      addition of the CF3 radical to alkenyltrifluoroborates. The good chemistry
      between organoborates and photoredox catalysis and its future will be discussed. 

PMID- 27282516
TI  - How different data sources and definitions of neighbourhood influence the
      association between food outlet availability and body mass index: a cross
      sectional study.
AB  - Inconsistencies in methodologies continue to inhibit understanding of the impact
      of the environment on body mass index (BMI). To estimate the effect of these
      differences, we assessed the impact of using different definitions of
      neighbourhood and data sets on associations between food outlet availability
      within the environment and BMI. Previous research has not extended this to show
      any differences in the strength of associations between food outlet availability
      and BMI across both different definitions of neighbourhood and data sets.
      Descriptive statistics showed differences in the number of food outlets,
      particularly other food retail outlets between different data sets and
      definitions of neighbourhood. Despite these differences, our key finding was that
      across both different definitions of neighbourhood and data sets, there was very
      little difference in size of associations between food outlets and BMI.
      Researchers should consider and transparently report the impact of methodological
      choices such as the definition of neighbourhood and acknowledge any differences
      in associations between the food environment and BMI.

PMID- 27282518
TI  - A nonlinear updated gain observer for MIMO systems: Design, analysis and
      application to marine surface vessels.
AB  - In this paper, the state estimation problem of a class of multi-input-multi
      output nonlinear systems with measurement noise is studied. We develop an
      extended updated-gain high gain observer to make a tradeoff between
      reconstruction speed and measurement noise attenuation. The designed observer,
      whose gains are driven by nonlinear functions of the available output estimation
      errors, has the ability to reconstruct system states quickly and reduce the
      effect of measurement noise. We establish that, if there exists a state feedback
      law exponentially stabilizing the system with respect to an invariant set, the
      estimations and estimation errors are bounded. Besides, the trajectories of state
      and output-feedback (based on the proposed observer) are sufficiently close,
      namely performance recovery. The observer performance is illustrated by various
      examples in marine control, including a case of transformation into the
      predefined structure. 

PMID- 27282519
TI  - Reliability evaluation of auxiliary feedwater system by mapping GO-FLOW models
      into Bayesian networks.
AB  - Bayesian network (BN) is a widely used formalism for representing uncertainty in
      probabilistic systems and it has become a popular tool in reliability
      engineering. The GO-FLOW method is a success-oriented system analysis technique
      and capable of evaluating system reliability and risk. To overcome the
      limitations of GO-FLOW method and add new method for BN model development, this
      paper presents a novel approach on constructing a BN from GO-FLOW model. GO-FLOW
      model involves with several discrete time points and some signals change at
      different time points. But it is a static system at one time point, which can be
      described with BN. Therefore, the developed BN with the proposed method in this
      paper is equivalent to GO-FLOW model at one time point. The equivalent BNs of the
      fourteen basic operators in the GO-FLOW methodology are developed. Then, the
      existing GO-FLOW models can be mapped into equivalent BNs on basis of the
      developed BNs of operators. A case of auxiliary feedwater system of a pressurized
      water reactor is used to illustrate the method. The results demonstrate that the
      GO-FLOW chart can be successfully mapped into equivalent BNs. 

PMID- 27282521
TI  - From the Editor in Chief.

PMID- 27282520
TI  - The role of researchers in disseminating evidence to public health practice
      settings: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence-based public health interventions, which research has
      demonstrated offer the most promise for improving the population's health, are
      not always utilized in practice settings. The extent to which dissemination from
      researchers to public health practice settings occurs is not widely understood.
      This study examines the extent to which public health researchers in the United
      States are disseminating their research findings to local and state public health
      departments. METHODS: In a 2012, nationwide study, an online questionnaire was
      administered to 266 researchers from the National Institutes of Health, the
      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and universities to determine
      dissemination practices. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the
      association between dissemination to state and/or local health departments and
      respondent characteristics, facilitators, and barriers to dissemination. RESULTS:
      Slightly over half of the respondents (58%) disseminated their findings to local
      and/or state health departments. After adjusting for other respondent
      characteristics, respondents were more likely to disseminate their findings to
      health departments if they worked for a university Prevention Research Center or
      the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or received their degree more
      than 20 years ago. Those who had ever worked in a practice or policy setting,
      those who thought dissemination was important to their own research and/or to the
      work of their unit/department, and those who had expectations set by their
      employers and/or funding agencies were more likely to disseminate after adjusting
      for work place, graduate degree and/or fellowship in public health, and the year
      the highest academic degree was received. CONCLUSIONS: There is still room for
      improvement in strengthening dissemination ties between researchers and public
      health practice settings, and decreasing the barriers researchers face during the
      dissemination process. Researchers could better utilize national programs or
      workshops, knowledge brokers, or opportunities provided through academic
      institutions to become more proficient in dissemination practices.

PMID- 27282522
TI  - Teaching About Genetics and Sickle Cell Disease In Fifth Grade.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: We are grateful to Laura McVittie Gray for her work on the
      development of the student activities described in this article. This work was
      made possible by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA), Grant Number
      R25RR020449, from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component
      of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additional support for this SEPA
      funded project was provided by Grant Number UL1RR024131-01 from NCRR. Its
      contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily
      represent the official views of NCRR or NIH. ABSTRACT: A 5-lesson, 5th-grade
      instructional unit, "Genetics and Sickle Cell Disease," was developed and tested
      as part of a 40-lesson curriculum entitled SEEK (Science Exploration, Excitement,
      and Knowledge): A Curriculum in Health and Biomedical Science for Diverse 4th and
      5th Grade Students. The genetics lessons include hands-on activities (e.g., DNA
      extraction from cheek cells), a simulated plant genetics experiment, and a
      classroom visit by a person with sickle cell disease, as well as by a health care
      practitioner who works with sickle cell patients or a scientist specializing in
      genetics. The unit was tested with 82 5th-grade students at public elementary
      schools in Oakland, CA; 96% were racial and ethnic minorities. The comparison
      group consisted of 84 5th-grade Oakland students racially/ ethnically,
      academically, and socio-economically matched to those in the experimental group.
      Both groups completed a 20-question, multiple-choice pre/posttest covering
      science concepts, scientific process, lifestyle choices, and careers. The
      experimental group showed significant improvement on 13 of 20 questions (P<.05, t
      tests) and on the test as a whole, whereas the comparison group did not show
      significant improvement either on any of the questions or on the test as a whole.
      The experimental group improved on 10 concept questions, 2 scientific process
      questions, and 1 lifestyle question. Teachers rated the educational value of the
      unit as 9.5 on a scale from 1 (low) to 10 (high). These results show that
      genetics and sickle cell disease can be taught successfully in 5th grade,
      although they are not typically covered at this level.

PMID- 27282523
TI  - Prevalence of Diabetes in an Urban Hospital Emergency Room Serving Predominantly
      Indigenous Population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of diabetes and pre
      diabetes in previously undiagnosed individuals who came to the Detroit Receiving
      Hospital-Ambulatory Rapid Center (DRH-ARC), which is part of the emergency room.
      This region has a high minority population with over 83% being African-Americans
      (AAs). Diabetes screening is especially important for this population because AAs
      are more prone to develop complications. METHODS: Free diabetes screening was
      done for all patients coming to the walk in unit of the DRH-ARC. This program was
      supported by the "Healthy Detroit-Diabetes Initiative". The initiative was
      developed by the Detroit Receiving Hospital and Wayne State University Physicians
      Group (WSUPG) administration. RESULTS: A total of 15,971 patients, who did not
      have a history of diabetes, consented for screening during the period of March
      2010 through March 2014. A total of 6,149 (38.5%) patients were found to have
      HbAlc values in the range of pre-diabetes or diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes
      increased with age in both men and women. The data showed high prevalence of
      undiagnosed pre-diabetes and diabetes in this population approaching 31% and 8%,
      respectively. Among patients with elevated blood pressure 41.2% had abnormal
      HbAlc values. In contrast, 32% of patients with normal blood pressure had
      abnormal HbAlc values. CONCLUSION: Continued screening of population at risk for
      diabetes is essential. Public health awareness programs, such as the Healthy
      Detroit-Diabetes Initiative should be initiated in similar areas where minority
      populations are prevalent.

PMID- 27282524
TI  - Long Term Outcomes of a Curriculum on Care for the Underserved.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This work was funded by HRSA grants D16HP00067 and D08PE50097.
      BACKGROUND: Evaluations of curricula to enhance ability to care for the
      underserved are often limited to short-term medical student outcomes. PURPOSE:
      This study evaluates retention of short-term improvements in outcomes from post
      curriculum to graduation. METHODS: Third-year students on 2003-2004 pediatric
      clerkships were randomized to a curriculum on caring for the underserved in one
      of three formats: established "readings only", faculty-led, or web-based.
      Outcomes (knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and clinical skills) were assessed
      at three timepoints-pre- and post-curriculum and at graduation. Analyses, from
      2009-2010, included Fisher's exact test to assess the relationship of curriculum
      group with response patterns, demographics, and outcomes at graduation.
      Multivariate regression was used to model the longitudinal relationship between
      outcomes and curriculum groups, adjusting for prior clerkship experiences,
      baseline scores, and clustering by student. RESULTS: Of 137 students, 135 (99%)
      completed the pre-curriculum survey, 128 (93%) completed the post-curriculum
      survey and 88 (64%) completed the graduation survey. Post-curriculum improvements
      in self-efficacy and clinical skills seen among students receiving the faculty
      led or web-based curricula were retained at graduation. At graduation, web-based
      curriculum students' self-efficacy was significantly greater for "establishing
      achievable goals with underserved families" compared to established curriculum
      students. With regard to skills relevant to caring for the underserved, few
      graduates had facilitated a referral to Women, Infants and Children (33%) or
      followed up to ensure a patient accessed a needed resource (56%). CONCLUSIONS:
      Self-efficacy and skills gained through web-based and faculty-led curricula were
      retained at graduation. Data from items at graduation support targeted curricular
      improvement.

PMID- 27282525
TI  - Use of a Computer Program for Advance Care Planning with African American
      Participants.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The authors wish to acknowledge the support and assistance of
      Dr. William Lawrence for his contribution to the M.A.UT model used in the
      decision aid, Making Your Wishes Known: Planning Your Medical Future (MYWK), Dr.
      Cheryl Dellasega for her leadership in focus group activities, Charles Sabatino
      for his review of legal aspects of MYWK, Dr. Robert Pearlman and his
      collaborative team for use of the advance care planning booklet "Your Life, Your
      Choices," Megan Whitehead for assistance in grant preparation and project
      organization, and the Instructional Media Development Center at the University of
      Wisconsin as well as JPL Integrated Communications for production and programming
      of MYWK. BACKGROUND: For various cultural and historical reasons, African
      Americans are less likely than Caucasians to engage in advance care planning
      (ACP) for healthcare decisions. PURPOSE: This pilot study tested whether an
      interactive computer program could help overcome barriers to effective ACP among
      African Americans. METHODS: African American adults were recruited from
      traditionally Black churches to complete an interactive computer program on ACP,
      pre-/post-questionnaires, and a follow-up phone interview. RESULTS: Eighteen
      adults (mean age =53.2 years, 83% female) completed the program without any
      problems. Knowledge about ACP significantly increased following the computer
      intervention (44.9% -> 61.3%, p=0.0004), as did individuals' sense of self
      determination. Participants were highly satisfied with the ACP process (9.4; 1 =
      not at all satisfied, 10 = extremely satisfied), and reported that the computer
      generated advance directive accurately reflected their wishes (6.4; 1 = not at
      all accurate, 7 = extremely accurate). Follow-up phone interviews found that >80%
      of participants reported having shared their advance directives with family
      members and spokespeople. CONCLUSION: Preliminary evidence suggests that an
      interactive computer program can help African Americans engage in effective
      advance care planning, including creating an accurate advance directive document
      that will be shared with loved ones.

PMID- 27282527
TI  - Environmental Justice and Health Effects of Urban Air Pollution.
AB  - PURPOSE: Minority communities often bear the burden of "hosting" pollution
      sources. This report assesses whether there are any health effects from living
      near such pollution sources and whether health effects of pollution vary by sex,
      ethnicity, or income. METHODS: The air pollution emissions from Hartford area,
      point sources are modeled and exposures are estimated for the residents who
      participated in a geographically-based health survey. The pollution intensities
      and other individual and neighborhood characteristics are used to predict an
      individual's reported respiratory problems. RESULTS: The results indicate that
      respiratory problems are correlated significantly with pollution levels,
      especially sulfur dioxide from the local trash-to-energy incinerator-the fifth
      largest one in the U.S. The effects of a given pollution level tend to be more
      serious for specific subgroups based upon sex, ethnicity, poverty, and age.
      CONCLUSION: Even when controlling for other factors, air pollution levels are
      significantly correlated with health problems, especially for Hispanics. This air
      pollution may contribute to health disparities.

PMID- 27282528
TI  - Race/Ethnicity in Atrial Fibrillation Stroke: Epidemiology and Pharmacotherapy.
AB  - The authors acknowledge the writing and editorial assistance of Rosemary Perkins
      of Envision Pharma Group, whose services were funded by Boehringer Ingelheim
      Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The authors meet criteria for authorship as recommended by
      the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), were fully
      responsible for all content and editorial decisions, and were involved in at all
      stages of manuscript development. The authors received no compensation related to
      the development of the manuscript. 

PMID- 27282529
TI  - The Death of Burghardt Du Bois, 1899; Implications for Today.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Laura Dattner, John Krai and Linda Oppenheim provided
      assistance in obtaining archival material and manuscript review. Edwin
      Rosenthal's decedents, Robert, Eleanore Jane and Edwin Rosenthal II, provided
      information about their distinguished grandfather's life and commitments. Linda
      Oppenheim, Michael Angelo, Jessica Lydon, and Sofie Serada, archivists at
      Princeton University, Thomas Jefferson University, Temple University, and the
      College of Physicians of Philadelphia provided access to material on Edwin
      Rosenthal and medical care in Philadelphia at the turn of the 20th century. We
      thanks Laura Dattner, John Krai and Linda Oppenheim for their manuscript review.
      BACKGROUND: The Souls of Black Folks, W. E. B. Du Bois' compelling narrative from
      1903, includes a description of the death of his only son, Burghardt. His death
      was caused by diphtheria and occurred in Atlanta, GA in the year 1899. Mortality
      from diphtheria had fallen precipitously in the mid-1890s, but neither city of
      Atlanta nor Philadelphia, from which the family had recently moved, had made the
      diphtheria antitoxin available for general use. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors
      affecting availability diphtheria treatment in the two cities the Du Bois family
      lived in and to address implications for immunization policies today. METHODS: We
      reviewed data and observations from medical texts and articles from the turn of
      the 20th century, health department records, archives of newspapers and Du Bois'
      writings. RESULTS: Mortality from diphtheria dropped precipitously at the end of
      the 19th century with the introduction of laryngecostomy and a diphtheria
      antitoxin. However these measures required action by health departments and was
      dependent on the availability of physicians and medical facilities. Lack of
      Public Health Departments put all southerners at risk for infectious illnesses.
      With respect to diphtheria, there was neither an available supply of antitoxin
      nor physician care available. Philadelphia may have been too mired in corruption
      to provide antitoxin. Burghardt lived in close proximity to a facility where
      antitoxin was available, data suggests he would have received appropriate
      treatment there and was likely to have survived. Similar phenomena-disinterest
      and dysfunction-affect provision of immunization for children today. Currently,
      availability of immunization is affected by ethnicity, income levels and
      immigration status.

PMID- 27282530
TI  - Effect of the stiffness of bone substitutes on the biomechanical behaviour of
      femur for core decompression.
AB  - Core decompression is the most common procedure for treatment of the early stages
      of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The purpose of this study was to compare
      the biomechanical performance of four different bone graft substitutes combined
      with core decompression. Subject-specific finite element models generated from
      computed tomography (CT) scan data were used for a comprehensive analysis. Two
      different contact conditions were simulated representing states of
      osseointegration at the interface. Our results showed that the use of a low
      stiffness bone substitute did not increase the risk of femoral fracture in the
      early postoperative phase, but resulted in less micromotion and interfacial
      stresses than high-stiffness bone substitutes.

PMID- 27282531
TI  - Photo-patch and patch tests in patients with dermatitis over the photo-exposed
      areas: A study of 101 cases from a tertiary care centre in India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many patients with dermatitis over photo-exposed body areas are
      positive to many contact allergens and have a pre-existing allergic contact
      dermatitis. METHODS: This study included patients who presented to a tertiary
      centre in India with dermatitis on photo-exposed body areas suspected of chronic
      actinic dermatitis. Their detailed histories were recorded and cutaneous and
      systemic examinations were performed. Patch testing was done in all the patients
      and photo-patch testing was carried out in 86 patients. RESULTS: Altogether 101
      patients were included (69 males, 32 females). The most common presentation was
      lichenified hyperpigmented plaques on the photo-exposed sites. Photosensitivity
      was recorded in 64 (63%) patients and summer exacerbation in 52 (52%). Exposure
      to the Parthenium hysterophorus weed was recorded in 70 (69%) patients, 27
      (26.7%) had a history of hair dye application and 20 (20%) had a history of
      atopy. Photo-patch test was positive in 11 (12.8%) patients and patch testing was
      positive in 71 (70%). Parthenium hysterophorus was the most common allergen
      implicated and was positive in three (4%) photo-patch and 52 (52%) patch tests.
      Other positive photo-patch test allergens were perfume mix, balsam of Peru,
      thiuram mix, Compositae mix and promethazine hydrochloride. Other common patch
      test allergens were parthenolide, colophony, fragrance mix and p-phenylenediamine
      (PPD) base. CONCLUSION: In the Indian population parthenium and perfume mix are
      the most common photoallergens in patients with dermatitis over photo-exposed
      areas, while parthenium, colophony, fragrance mix and PPD are the common positive
      allergens.

PMID- 27282532
TI  - Smart Implants as a Novel Strategy to Regenerate Well-Founded Cartilage.
AB  - Here we explore a new generation of smart, living implants, combining not only
      active therapeutics but also stem cells, as a novel strategy to regenerate
      stabilised cartilage and avoid prostheses. This process can regenerate the
      subchondral bone foundation, which is currently difficult in the clinic.

PMID- 27282533
TI  - Influence of relative humidity during coating on polymer deposition and film
      formation.
AB  - The influence of relative humidity in the pan during coating on polymer
      deposition and film formation was investigated. Four tablet substrates, differing
      in hydrophobicity, porosity, and surface roughness, were prepared and coated with
      Eudragit((r)) RS/RL 30 D (8:2 ratio). The spray rate and atomization air pressure
      were varied to create two distinct micro-environmental conditions in the coating
      pan. PyroButton data logging devices placed directly in the pan were found to
      more accurately reflect the relative humidity to which tablets were exposed in
      comparison to measurements taken at the exhaust. Polymer deposition was shown to
      be influenced by the properties of the substrate, rather than the processing
      conditions used during coating, with higher polymer weight gains observed for the
      more porous tablets. Differences in the film-tablet interface and in the release
      performance of the coated products, however, were attributed to both the relative
      humidity in the pan and tablet porosity. Overall, this study demonstrated that a
      more humid coating process (86% vs 67%) promoted surface dissolution and physical
      mixing of the tablet ingredients with the forming film and the extent of this
      phenomenon was dependent on the tablet porosity. 

PMID- 27282534
TI  - Design and optimization of novel paclitaxel-loaded folate-conjugated amphiphilic
      cyclodextrin nanoparticles.
AB  - As nanomedicines are gaining momentum in the therapy of cancer, new biomaterials
      emerge as alternative platforms for the delivery of anticancer drugs with
      bioavailability problems. In this study, two novel amphiphilic cyclodextrins (FCD
      1 and FCD-2) conjugated with folate group to enable active targeting to folate
      positive breast tumors were introduced. The objective of this study was to
      develop and characterize new folated-CD nanoparticles via 3(2) factorial design
      for optimal final parameters. Full physicochemical characterization studies were
      performed. Blank and paclitaxel loaded FCD-1 and FCD-2 nanoparticles remained
      within the range of 70-275nm and 125-185nm, respectively. Zeta potential values
      were neutral and -20mV for FCD-1 and FCD-2 nanoparticles, respectively. Drug
      release studies showed initial burst release followed by a longer sustained
      release. Blank nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity against L929 cells. T-47D and ZR
      75-1 human breast cancer cells with different levels of folate receptor
      expression were used to assess anti-cancer efficacy. Through targeting the folate
      receptor, these nanoparticles were efficiently engulfed by the breast cancer
      cells. Additionally, breast cancer cells became more sensitive to cytotoxic
      and/or cytostatic effects of PCX delivered by FCD-1 and FCD-2. In conclusion,
      these novel folate-conjugated cyclodextrin nanoparticles can therefore be
      considered as promising alternative systems for safe and effective delivery of
      paclitaxel with a folate-dependent mechanism. 

PMID- 27282535
TI  - Effect of co-solutes and process variables on crystallinity and the crystal form
      of freeze-dried myo-inositol.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to elucidate how co-solutes affect the
      crystallization of small solute molecules during freeze-drying and subsequent
      storage. Crystallization profiles of myo-inositol and its mixture with dextran
      40k in frozen solutions and dried solids were assessed by thermal analysis (DSC),
      powder-X-ray diffraction, and simultaneous DSC and PXRD analysis. Higher mass
      ratios of dextran maintained myo-inositol in the non-crystalline mixture state,
      in frozen solutions, during freeze-drying process, and exposure of dried solids
      to higher temperatures. Co-lyophilization with a lower mass ratio of dextran
      resulted in solids containing a variety of myo-inositol crystal forms and
      crystallinity depending on the composition and thermal history of the process.
      Heating of some inositol-rich amorphous solids showed crystallization of myo
      inositol in the metastable form and its transition to stable form before melting.
      Heat-treatment of inositol-rich frozen solutions resulted in high crystallinity
      stable-form inositol solids, leaving dextran in the amorphous state. Sufficient
      direct molecular interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding) should explain the
      stability of dextran-rich amorphous solids. Optimizing solute composition and
      processes should be a potent way to control crystal form and crystallinity of
      components in freeze-dried formulations. 

PMID- 27282536
TI  - Berberine as a photosensitizing agent for antitumoral photodynamic therapy:
      Insights into its association to low density lipoproteins.
AB  - Recent years have seen a growing interest in Berberine, a phytochemical with
      multispectrum therapeutic activities, as anti-tumoral agent for photodynamic
      therapy (PDT). In this context, low density lipoproteins (LDL) play a key role in
      the delivery of the photosensitizer in tumor cells. We correlate the
      physicochemical parameters of the berberine association to LDL with the influence
      of LDL-delivery on its accumulation in a glioma cell line and on its photo
      induced activity in view of antitumor PDT. Our results evidence an important
      binding of 400 berberine molecules per LDL. Changes in berberine and apoprotein
      fluorescence suggest different fixation types, involving various LDL compartments
      including the vicinity of the apoprotein. The berberine association to LDL does
      not affect their recognition by the specific B/E receptors, of which over
      expression increases the cellular uptake of LDL-preloaded berberine. Fluorescence
      microscopy evidences the mitochondrial labeling of the glioma model cells, with
      no significant modification upon LDL-delivery. Moreover, the cellular delivery of
      berberine by LDL increases its photocytotoxic effects on such cells. So, this
      research illustrates the potential of berberine as a photosensitizing agent for
      PDT, in particular due to their behavior towards LDL as plasma vehicles, and
      gives insights into its mechanisms of cell uptake. 

PMID- 27282537
TI  - Apomorphine and its esters: Differences in Caco-2 cell permeability and
      chylomicron affinity.
AB  - Oral delivery of apomorphine via prodrug principle may be a potential treatment
      for Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
      transport and stability of apomorphine and its esters across Caco-2 cell
      monolayer and their affinity towards chylomicrons. Apomorphine, monolauroyl
      apomorphine (MLA) and dilauroyl apomorphine (DLA) were subjected to apical to
      basolateral (A-B) and basolateral to apical (B-A) transport across Caco-2 cell
      monolayer. The stability of these compounds was also assessed by incubation at
      intestinal pH and physiological pH with and without Caco-2 cells. Molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to understand the stability of the
      esters on a molecular level. The affinity of the compounds towards plasma derived
      chylomicrons was assessed. The A-B transport of intact DLA was about 150 times
      lower than the transport of apomorphine. In contrast, MLA was highly unstable in
      the aqueous media leading to apomorphine appearance basolaterally. MD simulations
      possibly explained the differences in hydrolysis susceptibilities of DLA and MLA.
      The affinity of apomorphine diesters towards plasma derived chylomicrons provided
      an understanding of their potential lymphatic transport. The intact DLA transport
      is not favorable; therefore, the conversion of DLA to MLA is an important step
      for intestinal apomorphine absorption. 

PMID- 27282538
TI  - Targeted chitosan-based bionanocomposites for controlled oral mucosal delivery of
      chlorhexidine.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to develop sustained release systems based on
      chitosan (CS) and montmorillonite (MMT) for chlorhexidine (CLX). Nanocomposites
      were prepared by ion-exchange. CLX systems were characterized by X-ray powder
      diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence
      analysis (XRF). The mucoadhesion properties of CLX nanocomposites were evaluated
      by SEM. The release behavior of these systems was also studied by the dialysis
      technique. The antibacterial activity was investigated in vitro by the disk
      diffusion test. Results showed long-term sustained release of CLX from the hybrid
      carriers without initial burst release. The release profiles of CLX from the
      carriers suggested the diffusion through a swollen matrix and water filled pores
      as the controlled drug release mechanism. The CLX hybrid nanosystem containing
      the positively-charged chitosan exhibited good mucoadhesion properties
      maintaining the CLX antimicrobial properties. 

PMID- 27282539
TI  - Resveratrol cocrystals with enhanced solubility and tabletability.
AB  - Two new 1:1 cocrystals of resveratrol (RES) with 4-aminobenzamide (RES-4ABZ) and
      isoniazid (RES-ISN) were synthesized by liquid assisted grinding (LAG) and rapid
      solvent removal (RSR) methods using ethanol as solvent. Their physiochemical
      properties were characterized using PXRD, DSC, solid state and solution NMR, FT
      IR, and HPLC. Pharmaceutically relevant properties, including tabletability,
      solubility, intrinsic dissolution rate, and hygroscopicity, were evaluated.
      Temperature-composition phase diagram for RES-ISN cocrystal system was
      constructed from DSC data. Both cocrystals show higher solubility than
      resveratrol over a broad range of pH. They are phase stable and non-hygroscopic
      even under high humidity conditions. Importantly, both cocrystals exhibit
      improved solubility and tabletability compared with RES, which make them more
      suitable candidates for tablet formulation development. 

PMID- 27282540
TI  - Pore blocking: An innovative formulation strategy for the design of alcohol
      resistant multi-particulate dosage forms.
AB  - In this work calcium stearate (CaSt) multi-particulates loaded with codeine
      phosphate (COP) were developed in an attempt to provide extended release (ER)
      combined with alcohol dose dumping (ADD) resistance. The pellets were prepared
      via wet/extrusion spheronization and ER characteristics were obtained after fluid
      bed drying at 30 degrees C. Pore blockers (i.e., xanthan, guar gum and TiO2) were
      integrated to control the uptake of ethanolic media, the CaSt swelling and
      consequently, the COP release. While all three pore blockers are insoluble in
      ethanol, xanthan dissolves, guar gum swells and TiO2 does not interact with
      water. The incorporation of 10 and 15% TiO2 still provided ER characteristics and
      yielded ADD resistance in up to 40v% ethanol. The in-vitro data were subjected to
      PK simulations, which revealed similar codeine plasma levels when the medication
      is used concomitantly with alcoholic beverages. Taken together the in-vitro and
      in-silico results demonstrate that the incorporation of appropriate pore blockers
      presents a promising strategy to provide ADD resistance of multi-particulate
      systems. 

PMID- 27282541
TI  - Lasting mantle scars lead to perennial plate tectonics.
AB  - Mid-ocean ridges, transform faults, subduction and continental collisions form
      the conventional theory of plate tectonics to explain non-rigid behaviour at
      plate boundaries. However, the theory does not explain directly the processes
      involved in intraplate deformation and seismicity. Recently, damage structures in
      the lithosphere have been linked to the origin of plate tectonics. Despite
      seismological imaging suggesting that inherited mantle lithosphere
      heterogeneities are ubiquitous, their plate tectonic role is rarely considered.
      Here we show that deep lithospheric anomalies can dominate shallow geological
      features in activating tectonics in plate interiors. In numerical experiments, we
      found that structures frozen into the mantle lithosphere through plate tectonic
      processes can behave as quasi-plate boundaries reactivated under far-field
      compressional forcing. Intraplate locations where proto-lithospheric plates have
      been scarred by earlier suturing could be regions where latent plate boundaries
      remain, and where plate tectonics processes are expressed as a 'perennial'
      phenomenon.

PMID- 27282543
TI  - When group members go against the grain: An ironic interactive effect of group
      identification and normative content on healthy eating.
AB  - Three studies were conducted to examine the effect of group identification and
      normative content of social identities on healthy eating intentions and
      behaviour. In Study 1 (N = 87) Australian participants were shown images that
      portrayed a norm of healthy vs. unhealthy behaviour among Australians.
      Participants' choices from an online restaurant menu were used to calculate
      energy content as the dependent variable. In Study 2 (N = 117), female
      participants were assigned to a healthy or unhealthy norm condition. The
      dependent variable was the amount of food eaten in a taste test. Social group
      identification was measured in both studies. In Study 3 (N = 117), both American
      identification and healthiness norm were experimentally manipulated, and
      participants' choices from an online restaurant menu constituted the dependent
      variable. In all three studies, the healthiness norm presented interacted with
      participants' group identification to predict eating behaviour. Contrary to what
      would be predicted under the traditional normative social influence account,
      higher identifiers chose higher energy food from an online menu and ate more food
      in a taste test when presented with information about their in-group members
      behaving healthily. The exact psychological mechanism responsible for these
      results remains unclear, but the pattern of means can be interpreted as evidence
      of vicarious licensing, whereby participants feel less motivated to make healthy
      food choices after being presented with content suggesting that other in-group
      members are engaging in healthy behaviour. These results suggest a more complex
      interplay between group membership and norms than has previously been proposed.

PMID- 27282545
TI  - Clinical Spectroscopy: general discussion.

PMID- 27282544
TI  - Characterization of GPR101 transcript structure and expression patterns.
AB  - We recently showed that Xq26.3 microduplications cause X-linked acrogigantism (X
      LAG). X-LAG patients mainly present with growth hormone and prolactin-secreting
      adenomas and share a minimal duplicated region containing at least four genes.
      GPR101 was the only gene highly expressed in their pituitary lesions, but little
      is known about its expression patterns. In this work, GPR101 transcripts were
      characterized in human tissues by 5'-Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) and
      RNAseq, while the putative promoter was bioinformatically predicted. We
      investigated GPR101 mRNA and protein expression by RT-quantitative PCR (qPCR),
      whole-mount in situ hybridization, and immunostaining, in human, rhesus monkey,
      rat and zebrafish. We identified four GPR101 isoforms characterized by different
      5'-untranslated regions (UTRs) and a common 6.1kb long 3'UTR. GPR101 expression
      was very low or absent in almost all adult human tissues examined, except for
      specific brain regions. Strong GPR101 staining was observed in human fetal
      pituitary and during adolescence, whereas very weak/absent expression was
      detected during childhood and adult life. In contrast to humans, adult monkey and
      rat pituitaries expressed GPR101, but in different cell types. Gpr101 is
      expressed in the brain and pituitary during rat and zebrafish development; in rat
      pituitary, Gpr101 is expressed only after birth and shows sexual dimorphism. This
      study shows that different GPR101 transcripts exist and that the brain is the
      major site of GPR101 expression across different species, although divergent
      species- and temporal-specific expression patterns are evident. These findings
      suggest an important role for GPR101 in brain and pituitary development and
      likely reflect the very different growth, development and maturation patterns
      among species.

PMID- 27282547
TI  - Ultra-doped n-type germanium thin films for sensing in the mid-infrared.
AB  - A key milestone for the next generation of high-performance multifunctional
      microelectronic devices is the monolithic integration of high-mobility materials
      with Si technology. The use of Ge instead of Si as a basic material in
      nanoelectronics would need homogeneous p- and n-type doping with high carrier
      densities. Here we use ion implantation followed by rear side flash-lamp
      annealing (r-FLA) for the fabrication of heavily doped n-type Ge with high
      mobility. This approach, in contrast to conventional annealing procedures, leads
      to the full recrystallization of Ge films and high P activation. In this way
      single crystalline Ge thin films free of defects with maximum attained carrier
      concentrations of 2.20 +/- 0.11 * 10(20) cm(-3) and carrier mobilities above 260
      cm(2)/(V.s) were obtained. The obtained ultra-doped Ge films display a room
      temperature plasma frequency above 1,850 cm(-1), which enables to exploit the
      plasmonic properties of Ge for sensing in the mid-infrared spectral range.

PMID- 27282546
TI  - BRAT1 mutations present with a spectrum of clinical severity.
AB  - Mutations in BRAT1, encoding BRCA1-associated ATM activator 1, are associated
      with a severe phenotype known as rigidity and multifocal seizure syndrome, lethal
      neonatal (RMFSL; OMIM # 614498), characterized by intractable seizures,
      hypertonia, autonomic instability, and early death. We expand the phenotypic
      spectrum of BRAT1 related disorders by reporting on four individuals with various
      BRAT1 mutations resulting in clinical severity that is either mild or moderate
      compared to the severe phenotype seen in RMFSL. Representing mild severity are
      three individuals (Patients 1-3), who are girls (including two sisters, Patients
      1-2) between 4 and 10 years old, with subtle dysmorphisms, intellectual
      disability, ataxia or dyspraxia, and cerebellar atrophy on brain MRI;
      additionally, Patient 3 has well-controlled epilepsy and microcephaly.
      Representing moderate severity is a 15-month-old boy (Patient 4) with severe
      global developmental delay, refractory epilepsy, microcephaly, spasticity,
      hyperkinetic movements, dysautonomia, and chronic lung disease. In contrast to
      RMFSL, his seizure onset occurred later at 4 months of age, and he is still
      alive. All four of the individuals have compound heterozygous BRAT1 mutations
      discovered via whole exome sequencing: c.638dupA (p.Val214Glyfs*189); c.803+1G>C
      (splice site mutation) in Patients 1-2; c.638dupA (p.Val214Glyfs*189); c.419T>C
      (p.Leu140Pro) in Patient 3; and c.171delG (p.Glu57Aspfs*7); c.419T>C
      (p.Leu140Pro) in Patient 4. Only the c.638dupA (p.Val214Glyfs*189) mutation has
      been previously reported in association with RMFSL. These patients illustrate
      that, compared with RMFSL, BRAT1 mutations can result in both moderately severe
      presentations evident by later-onset epilepsy and survival past infancy, as well
      as milder presentations that include intellectual disability, ataxia/dyspraxia,
      and cerebellar atrophy. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27282548
TI  - Putting a face and context on pediatric surgery cancelations: The development of
      parent personas to guide equitable surgical care.
AB  - Last-minute cancelation of planned surgery can have substantial psychological,
      social, and economic effects for patients/families and also leads to wastage of
      expensive health-care resources. In order to have a deeper understanding of the
      contextual, psychological, practical, and behavioral factors that potentially
      impact pediatric surgery cancelation, we conducted a qualitative study to create
      'personas' or fictional portraits of parents who are likely to cancel surgery. We
      conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 21 parents of children who were
      considered 'at risk' for surgical cancelation and whose scheduled surgery was
      canceled at late notice. From the themes, patterns, and associated descriptive
      phrases in the data, we developed and validated five different personas of
      typical scenarios reflecting parent experiences with surgery and surgery
      cancelations. The personas are being employed to guide contextualized development
      of interventions tailored to prototypical families as they prepare and attend for
      surgery.

PMID- 27282549
TI  - Peri-operative transfusion risk in classic bladder exstrophy closure: Results
      from a national database review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Classic bladder exstrophy (CBE) is one of the most complex pediatric
      urologic conditions, with patients often requiring multiple procedures throughout
      their lives. Patients undergoing these complex surgeries may require blood
      transfusion, exposing them to the risks of transfusion including antibody
      reactions, transmission of infectious diseases, and transfusion-related
      immunomodulation. We sought to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for
      peri-operative transfusion in patients undergoing closure for CBE. Because of the
      complexity of CBE management, we hypothesized that a significant number of
      patients undergoing closure of CBE would require peri-operative transfusion.
      METHOD: Patients undergoing CBE closure between 2012 and 2014 were
      retrospectively identified by Current Procedure Terminology codes from The
      National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database, which includes
      data from 64 participating hospitals. Patient demographics, pre-operative
      characteristics including comorbidities, intra-operative characteristics, and
      post-operative outcomes were analyzed for associations with transfusion
      requirement intra-operatively or in the first 72 h post-operatively. RESULTS:
      Seventy-eight patients met our criteria, of whom 45 (57.7%) underwent
      transfusion. Patient characteristics and outcomes are noted in the Table. There
      was no difference between the groups in terms of age or gender. Patients who
      underwent transfusion were more likely to be over 3 days of age than those who
      did not (93.3% versus 75.8%; p = 0.046). Transfused patients were also more
      likely to have undergone osteotomy (82.2% versus 48.5%; p = 0.002), had an
      external fixation (46.7% versus 6.1%; p < 0.001), had longer median operative
      times (447 versus 295 min; p < 0.001), and had longer median post-operative
      lengths of stay (LOS) (35 versus 17 days; p = 0.003). There was no difference
      between the groups in terms of pre-operative risk factors or post-operative
      complications. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients undergoing CBE
      closure required transfusion in the peri-operative period (57.7%). Patient
      characteristics found to have a higher rate of transfusion included osteotomy,
      external fixation, increased operative times, and longer post-operative LOS. In
      children undergoing closure for CBE, a large number require transfusion. The rate
      of transfusion is greater in older children and children undergoing osteotomy.
      Although osteotomy has a potentially important clinical role, especially in older
      patients, this study emphasizes the need for proper family counseling to include
      the increased likelihood of a blood transfusion and the risks associated with
      blood transfusion if osteotomies are performed.

PMID- 27282550
TI  - Long-term outcome after urinary diversion using the ileocecal segment in children
      and adolescents: Complications of the efferent segment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Long-term outcomes are of special concern in children after urinary
      diversion. In a single institution study we evaluated retrospectively the long
      term outcomes of urinary diversion in children, in whom the ileocecal segment had
      been used, in respect to complications of the efferent segment. METHODS: The
      Mainz pouch was used in 107 children for continent urinary diversion. Indications
      were neurogenic bladder (53%, 57/107), exstrophy-epispadias complex (25%,
      27/107), malignancy (13%, 14/107), and others (9%, 9/107). Continent cutaneous
      diversion was performed in 95 patients, and 12 patients received bladder
      augmentation/substitution with a continent cutaneous stoma. As efferent segment,
      we used the in situ submucosally embedded appendix in 55/107, and an
      intussuscepted ileal nipple valve in 45/107 patients, other in seven patients.
      Complication rates and degree of satisfaction with urinary diversion were
      evaluated by assessing medical records and using follow-up questionnaires.
      RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The median follow-up time was 15.9 years (0.4-27.6
      years). There was a significant difference between the stenosis rates of
      appendical stoma and the intussuscepted ileal nipple valve. In general, 38% of
      patients (41/107) with a continent cutaneous stoma developed a stoma stenosis at
      the skin level, with 41% (17/41) of those having recurrent stenoses (2-6*). Of
      the patients with an appendix stoma, 49% (27/55) developed a stenosis, compared
      with 20% (9/45) of those with an intussuscepted ileal nipple valve (p < 0.001).
      In an attempt to reduce the incidence of stenosis, we implemented use of the ACE
      stopper during the last 2 years, but whether this is successful is subject to
      further investigations. For surgical treatment of stoma stenosis, reanastomosis
      of the efferent segment to the skin (n = 37, re-stenosis rate 37%, [14/37]) was
      superior to endoscopic scar incision (n = 44, re-stenosis rate 59% [26/44], OR
      2.4). The overall continence rate was 85% (91/107). At the latest follow-up, 89%
      (49/55) of patients with an appendix stoma and 82% (37/45) of those with an
      intussuscepted ileal nipple valve were completely continent. CONCLUSION: The in
      situ submucosally embedded appendix and the intussuscepted ileal nipple valve are
      reliable continence mechanisms in the long-term median follow-up of nearly 16
      years. The stomal stenosis rate is approximately double for the submucosal
      appendix, likely because of its smaller diameter in comparison with the ileal
      valve. Although we encountered a high overall rate of complications, the
      satisfaction rate with the diversion was high (99% [88/89] satisfied or very
      satisfied patients).

PMID- 27282551
TI  - Combined low-dose antimuscarinics for refractory detrusor overactivity in
      children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Behavioral therapy and bowel management are the initial
      and mainstay treatments for overactive bladder (OAB). Antimuscarinic agents are
      initiated if these measures fail or symptoms are severe. This study reported the
      results of treatment with a high dosage of a single drug in children with
      refractory detrusor overactivity (DO). After the children maintained their
      previous antimuscarinic medication, a second antimuscarinic drug (trospium
      chloride) was added as a combination therapy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Seventy-two
      children with DO were enrolled in this prospective study (Figure). They had
      persistent urgency and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), even with behavioral
      bowel therapy, and used an optimized dosage of oxybutynine. All patients
      demonstrated DO at urodynamic study and started on oxybutynin and trospium
      chloride at the lowest weight-adjusted dose (10-20 mg/day for trospium chloride).
      A bladder diary was recorded for 3 days, and urodynamic studies were repeated at
      3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Sixteen children (22.2%) became dry. Thirty-three
      children (45.8%) attained a significant decrease in incontinence from an average
      of 5 to 1.3 episodes per day. A statistically significant increase of mean
      cystometeric bladder capacity (P = 0.006) was also observed at the 6-month follow
      up. The overall success rate was 68%, since 23 children (32%) discontinued
      combined treatment due to persistent symptoms and/or intolerable side effects. A
      total of 41 children (57%) reported no side effects, 25 (34.7%) reported mild
      side effects, six (8.3%) reported moderate side effects, and two withdrew from
      the study due to their side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of low-dose
      trospium chloride to oxybutynine seemed to be an effective and safe treatment
      approach for children with DO who were refractory to high-dosage monotherapy.
      Different combinations with different antimuscarinics drugs could be evaluated in
      the future.

PMID- 27282552
TI  - Look Who's Talking: Comparing Perceptions Versus Direct Observations in Family
      Centered Rounds.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Family-centered rounds (FCR) are an important and
      recommended component of pediatric hospital care. This study compares direct
      observations versus perceptions and ideals of who talks during FCR. METHODS: A
      silent investigator observed FCR and noted who spoke, time in patient rooms,
      nurse and family presences, and patient information. After the observation
      period, the medical team was offered an anonymous survey regarding typical and
      ideal usage of time on FCR. Data analysis included general linear models and
      analysis of variance tests. RESULTS: Thirty rounding sessions involving 234
      encounters of FCR over a 12-week period were analyzed. On average, teams spent 7
      minutes in each patient room and approximately the same amount of time outside of
      the room. Attending physicians were the dominant medical speakers during rounds
      (30.8%), and nurses spoke the least (2%). When inside a patient room, there was
      no significant difference between the percentage of time that attending
      physicians spoke (25.6%) and that of families and patients (23.0%). The surveys
      revealed that the medical team consistently underestimated the percentage of time
      attending physicians talked and desired attending physicians to talk less. They
      also overestimated the time spent in the patient rooms, the time families talked,
      and nurse presence during rounds and desired an increase in each of these areas.
      CONCLUSIONS: The medical teams' perceptions of FCR do not reflect clinical
      observations. Medical teams believe and desire that attending physicians talk
      less and families and nurses talk more than observations reveal.

PMID- 27282553
TI  - A Family's Perspective on Family-Centered Rounds: Progress and Frustrations.

PMID- 27282554
TI  - The Family System and Depressive Symptoms during the College Years:
      Triangulation, Parental Differential Treatment, and Sibling Warmth as Predictors.
AB  - Guided by Bowen theory, we investigated the relationships between parent-child
      triangulation, parental differential treatment (PDT), sibling warmth, and
      individual depressive symptoms in a sample of 77 sibling dyads, aged 18-25 years,
      recruited through undergraduate classes at a U.S. public University. Results of
      the actor-partner interdependence models suggested that being triangulated into
      parental conflict was positively related to both siblings' perception of PDT;
      however, as one sibling felt triangulated, the other perceived reduced levels of
      PDT. For both siblings, the perception of higher levels of PDT was related to
      decreased sibling warmth and higher sibling warmth was associated with fewer
      depressive symptoms. The implications of these findings for research and the
      treatment of depression in the college-aged population are discussed.

PMID- 27282555
TI  - Respiratory cancer mortality and incidence in an updated cohort of Canadian
      nickel production workers.
AB  - Respiratory cancer mortality and incidence were examined in an updated cohort of
      >56,000 Canadian nickel mining and refining workers. There was little evidence to
      suggest increased lung cancer risk in workers who had no experience in high-risk
      sintering operations that were closed by 1972, apart from that which would be
      expected from probable increased smoking prevalence relative to the comparison
      population. There was no substantive evidence of increased laryngeal cancer risk
      in the cohort, nor was there evidence of increased pharyngeal cancer risk in
      nonsinter workers. Nasal cancer incidence was elevated in nonsinter workers, but
      excess risks appeared to be confined to those hired prior to 1960. These findings
      lead us to tentatively conclude that occupationally-related respiratory risks in
      workers hired over the past 45 years are either very low or nonexistent.

PMID- 27282556
TI  - Wider than Thought Phylogenetic Occurrence of Apicortin, A Characteristic Protein
      of Apicomplexan Parasites.
AB  - Apicomplexan parasites cause serious illnesses, including malaria, in humans and
      domestic animals. The presence of apicortins is predominantly characteristic of
      this phylum. All the apicomplexan species sequenced contain an apicortin which
      unites two conserved domains: DCX and partial p25alpha. This paper identifies
      novel apicortin orthologs in silico and corrects in several cases the erroneous
      sequences of hypothetical apicortin proteins of Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, and
      Theileria genera published in databases. Plasmodium apicortins, except from
      Plasmodium gallinaceum, differ significantly from the other apicomplexan
      apicortins. The feature of this ortholog suggests that only orthologs of
      Plasmodiums hosted by mammals altered significantly. The free-living Chromerida,
      Chromera velia, and Vitrella brassicaformis, contain three paralogs. Their
      apicomplexan-type and nonapicomplexan-type apicortins might be "outparalogs." The
      fungal ortholog, Rozella allomycis, found at protein level, and the algal Nitella
      mirabilis, found as Transcriptome Shotgun Assembly (TSA), are similar to the
      known Opisthokont (Trichoplax adhaerens, Spizellomyces punctatus) and
      Viridiplantae (Nicotiana tabacum) ones, since they do not contain the long,
      unstructured N-terminal part present in apicomplexan apicortins. A few eumetazoan
      animals possess apicortin-like (partial) sequences at TSA level, which may be
      either contaminations or the result of horizontal gene transfer; in some cases
      the contamination has been proved.

PMID- 27282557
TI  - Robustness of two-step acid hydrolysis procedure for composition analysis of
      poplar.
AB  - The NREL standard procedure for lignocellulosic biomass composition has two
      steps: primary hydrolysis in 72% wt sulfuric acid at 30 degrees C for 1h followed
      by secondary hydrolysis of the slurry in 4wt% acid at 121 degrees C for 1h.
      Although pointed out in the NREL procedure, the impact of particle size on
      composition has never been shown. In addition, the effects of primary hydrolysis
      time and separation of solids prior to secondary hydrolysis on composition have
      never been shown. Using poplar, it was found that particle sizes less than
      0.250mm significantly lowered the glucan content and increased the Klason lignin
      but did not affect xylan, acetate, or acid soluble lignin contents. Composition
      was unaffected for primary hydrolysis time between 30 and 90min. Moreover,
      separating solids prior to secondary hydrolysis had negligible effect on
      composition suggesting that lignin and polysaccharides are completely separated
      in the primary hydrolysis stage. 

PMID- 27282558
TI  - Site-Selective Tertiary Alkyl-Fluorine Bond Formation from alpha-Bromoamides
      Using a Copper/CsF Catalyst System.
AB  - A copper-catalyzed site-selective fluorination of alpha-bromoamides possessing
      multiple reaction sites, such as primary and secondary alkyl-Br bonds, using
      inexpensive CsF is reported. Tertiary alkyl-F bonds, which are very difficult to
      synthesize, can be formed by this fluorination reaction with the aid of an amide
      group. Control experiments revealed that in situ generated CuF2 is a key
      fluorinating reagent that reacts with the tertiary alkyl radicals generated by
      the reaction between an alpha-bromocarbonyl compound and a copper(I) salt.

PMID- 27282559
TI  - A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis of Patients' Experiences and Perceptions
      of Seeking and Using Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs: Towards Safer Prescribing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are used to treat complaints like
      insomnia, anxiety and pain. These drugs are recommended for short-term use only,
      but many studies report long-term use, particularly in older people. OBJECTIVE:
      The aim of this study was to identify and synthesise qualitative studies
      exploring patients' experiences and perceptions of receiving benzodiazepines and
      Z-drugs, and through this identify factors which perpetuate use of these drugs,
      and strategies for achieving safer prescribing. METHODS: A systematic search of
      six databases for qualitative studies exploring patients' experiences and
      perceptions of primary care benzodiazepine and z-drug prescribing published
      between January 2000 and April 2014 in a European language, and conducted in
      Europe, the United States, Australia or New Zealand. Reference lists of included
      papers were also searched. Study quality was assessed using the Critical
      Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist. Findings were synthesised using
      thematic synthesis. RESULTS: Nine papers were included and seven analytical
      themes were identified relating to patients' experiences and perceptions and,
      within that, strategies for safer prescribing of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs: (1)
      patients' negative perceptions of insomnia and its impact, (2) failed self-care
      strategies, (3) triggers to medical help-seeking, (4) attitudes towards treatment
      options and service provision, (5) varying patterns of use, (6) withdrawal, (7)
      reasons for initial or ongoing use. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate use and
      prescribing of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs is perpetuated by psychological
      dependence, absence of support and patients' denial/lack of knowledge of side
      effects. Education strategies, increased availability of alternatives, and
      targeted extended dialogue with patients could support safer prescribing.

PMID- 27282560
TI  - Neutrophil elastase enhances IL-12p40 production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated
      macrophages via transactivation of the PAR-2/EGFR/TLR4 signaling pathway.
AB  - Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are
      involved in innate immune responses and signaling cross-talk between these
      receptor molecules has the potential to augment an ongoing inflammatory response.
      The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible cooperative influence of PAR-2
      and TLR4 on IL-12p40 production by macrophages after stimulation with
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS). During culture, GM-CSF upregulated PAR-2 expression by
      macrophages in a time-dependent manner. Stimulation with LPS enhanced IL-12p40
      production by macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. While human
      neutrophil elastase (HNE) did not induce IL-12p40 production, pretreatment of
      macrophages with HNE synergistically increased the IL-12p40 protein level after
      LPS exposure. Silencing of TLR4 with small interfering RNA blunted the
      synergistic enhancement of IL-12p40 by HNE combined with LPS. Silencing of beta
      arrestin 2, p22phox, or ERK1/2 also inhibited an increase of IL-12p40.
      Interestingly, transfection of macrophages with small interfering RNA duplexes
      for DUOX-2, EGFR, TLR4, or TRAF6 significantly blunted the increase of IL-12p40
      in response to treatment with HNE plus LPS. U73122 and Rottlerin also inhibited
      the increased production of IL-12p40. In conclusion, HNE is involved in
      transactivation of TLR4 through activation of DUOX-2/EGFR and synergistically
      enhances IL-12p40 production by macrophages stimulated with LPS.

PMID- 27282561
TI  - Persistent immune alterations and comorbidities in splenectomized patients with
      Gaucher disease.
AB  - Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in
      the gene encoding acid-beta-glucosidase, resulting in functional disruptions in
      degradation of glycosphingolipids and lysosomal accumulation of the substrates.
      The most frequent clinical presentations of GD are thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly
      and bone pain. Prior to advent of enzyme replacement therapy, splenectomy was
      performed for complications of hypersplenism such as severe thrombocytopenia and
      transfusion dependency. Though there is evidence about worsening bone disease
      after splenectomy, there is no systematic study to assess its effects on the
      immune system in GD patients. In order to investigate the long-term immunological
      effects of splenectomy, we used flow cytometry to compare the immunophenotypes of
      GD patients who had undergone splenectomy (SGD) to those with intact spleen. The
      results show that SGD patients have significantly fewer CD27(+)/IgM(+) B-cells
      but more CD4(+)/CD45RO(+) and CD8(+)/CD45RO(+) T-cells. The most surprising
      finding was an almost complete absence of circulating dendritic cells in SGD
      patients. In addition, splenectomized subjects had comorbidities, the most common
      being monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Taken together,
      these results highlight the persistence of multiple immune alterations and
      comorbidities coexisting in higher frequency in the SGD group and they are not
      affected by GD specific therapy.

PMID- 27282562
TI  - AMD3100 and G-CSF disrupt the cross-talk between leukemia cells and the endosteal
      niche and enhance their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs in biomimetic
      polystyrene scaffolds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The multidrug resistance of leukemia cells is closely related to the
      microenvironment. The present leukemia microenvironment models focus on two
      dimensional co-culture system in vitro which does not mimic the in vivo cell
      growth, while the 3D polystyrene (PS) scaffolds have the advantage. Stromal cell
      derived factor-1 may be involved in the shielding of endosteal niche from
      leukemia cells by binding to its receptor CXCR4, but the relationship between SDF
      1/CXCR4 axis and leukemia cells is unclear. DESIGN AND METHODS: The experiments
      were built on the 3D PS scaffolds coated with osteoblasts. Stromal cells and MV4
      11 cells were plated on the scaffolds. Then G-CSF, AMD3100 and cytarabine were
      added. Adhesive rate, SDF-1 level, migration state, apoptosis rate, and cell
      cycle of leukemia cells were observed after incubation at 24h and 48h. RESULTS: G
      CSF decreased the level of SDF-1 and inhibited the expression of CXCR4 and
      promoted stationary phase leukemia cells to enter the mitotic phase and enhanced
      the killing effect of chemotherapeutic drugs. AMD3100 disrupted the interaction
      between tumors and matrix, mobilized the leukemia cells to keep away from the
      protective microenvironment and strengthened the cytotoxic effect of Ara-C. The
      combination of G-CSF and AMD3100 had stronger effects on killing the leukemia
      cells induced by Ara-C. CONCLUSION: It demonstrates that AMD3100 and G-CSF may
      inhibit adhesion and migration abilities of leukemia cells with the bone marrow
      niche. Both of them inhibit the role of SDF-1/CXCR4 directly or indirectly. Thus
      inhibiting SDF-1/CXCR4 axis may be helpful to the treatment of refractory AML.

PMID- 27282563
TI  - The expression of Death Inducer-Obliterator (DIDO) variants in Myeloproliferative
      Neoplasms.
AB  - Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Polycythemia Vera (PV), Essential Thrombocythemia
      (ET) and Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF) are Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN)
      characterized by clonal myeloproliferation without cell maturation impairment.
      CML pathogenesis is associated with the Ph chromosome leading to BCR-ABL tyrosine
      kinase constitutive expression. The Ph negative MPN (PV, ET and PMF) are
      characterized by the mutation JAK2(V617F) of the JAK2 protein in the auto
      inhibitory JH2 domain, which is found in most PV patients and in approximately
      half of ET and PMF patients. Considerable effort is being made to understand the
      role of JAK2(V617F) at the MPN initiation and to clarify the pathogenesis and
      apoptosis resistance in CML, PV, ET and PMF patients. In the present
      investigation, we evaluated the Death Inducer-Obliterator (DIDO) (variants DIDO
      1, 2 and 3) levels in CML, PV, ET and PMF patients. Our data reported the DIDO 1,
      2 and 3 differential expressions in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

PMID- 27282564
TI  - Erythrocyte glutathione is a novel biomarker of Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
AB  - Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a congenital red cell aplasia with mutations in
      ribosomal protein (RP) genes. Elevated activity of erythrocyte adenosine
      deaminase (eADA) has been utilized as a biomarker of DBA. We examined erythrocyte
      reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as eADA in 22 patients in 18 DBA families, in
      whom RP gene mutations had been identified. Simultaneous evaluation of both eADA
      and GSH demonstrated that all examined DBA patients showed elevated values of
      either eADA or GSH, whereas presence of both eADA and GSH elevation was able to
      distinguish DBA patients from 34 normal controls and 14 unaffected members of the
      DBA families. Furthermore, a support vector machines analysis using both eADA and
      GSH levels yielded a formula to differentiate DBA from both normal controls and
      non-DBA family members. To confirm the usefulness of the formula, we analyzed
      additional 7 patients diagnosed by the clinical criteria. Although eADA showed
      within normal values in 3 patients, all of these patients were diagnosed as 'DBA'
      by use of the formula. Because extensive analysis of the RP genes failed to
      detect no causative mutation in approximately 40% of clinically diagnosed DBA
      patients, GSH may be useful an additional biomarker for diagnosis of DBA.

PMID- 27282565
TI  - Development of anti-velaglucerase alfa antibodies in clinical trial-treated
      patients with Gaucher disease.
AB  - Anti-drug antibodies may develop with biological therapies, possibly leading to a
      reduction of treatment efficacy and to allergic and other adverse reactions.
      Patients with Gaucher disease were tested for anti-drug antibodies every 6 or
      12weeks in clinical studies of velaglucerase alfa enzyme replacement therapy, as
      part of a range of safety endpoints. In 10 studies between April 2004 and March
      2015, 289 patients aged 2-84years (median 43years) were assessed for the
      development of anti-velaglucerase alfa antibodies. Sixty-four patients were
      treatment-naive at baseline and 225 patients were switched to velaglucerase alfa
      from imiglucerase treatment. They received velaglucerase alfa treatment for a
      median of 36.4weeks (interquartile range 26.4-155.4weeks). Four patients (1.4%)
      became positive for anti-velaglucerase alfa IgG antibodies, two of whom had
      antibodies that were neutralizing in vitro, but there were no apparent changes in
      patients' platelet counts, hemoglobin levels or levels of CCL18 and
      chitotriosidase, suggestive of clinical deterioration after anti-velaglucerase
      alfa antibodies were detected, and no infusion-related adverse events were
      reported. Less than 2% of patients exposed to velaglucerase alfa tested positive
      for antibodies and there was no apparent correlation between anti-velaglucerase
      alfa antibodies and adverse events or pharmacodynamic or clinical responses.

PMID- 27282566
TI  - Erytrocyte-related phenotypes and genetic susceptibility to thrombosis.

PMID- 27282567
TI  - Variants of ZBTB7A (LRF) and its beta-globin gene cluster binding motifs in
      sickle cell anemia.

PMID- 27282568
TI  - Cytogenetic abnormalities and genomic copy number variations in EPO (7q22) and
      SEC-61(7p11) genes in primary myelodysplastic syndromes.
AB  - Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are heterogeneous clonal haematopoeitic stem
      cell disorders characterized by ineffective haematopoeisis, cytopenias and risk
      of progression to AML. We studied 150 MDS patients for cytogenetic aberrations
      and 60 patients with normal karyotype and 40 patients harboring cytogenetic
      abnormalities for copy number variations (CNVs). Cytogenetic abnormalities were
      detected in 46% of patients with a majority of patients harboring abnormalities
      of chromosome 7 and del (20q) at frequencies of 16% and 12% respectively. We
      explored the potential of quantitative multiplex PCR assay of short fluorescent
      fragments (QMPSF) to identify CNVs and correlated the findings with cytogenetic
      data and disease prognosis. CNVs (n=31) were detected in 28.3% of karyotypically
      normal and 23% patients with abnormal karyotype. Genetic losses or deletions
      (n=26) were more frequent than duplications (n=5). EPO (7q22) and SEC-61(7p11)
      emerged as new candidate genes susceptible to genetic losses with 57.7% deletions
      identified in regions on chromosome 7. The CNVs correlated with International
      Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) intermediate disease risk group. Our integrative
      cytogenetic and copy number variation study suggests that abnormalities of
      chromosome 7 are predominant in Indian population and that they may play a
      secondary role in disease progression and should be evaluated further for
      asserting their clinical significance and influence on disease prognosis.

PMID- 27282569
TI  - EphB4-VAV1 signaling pathway is associated with imatinib resistance in chronic
      myeloid leukemia cells.
AB  - Imatinib (IM) resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is an important issue to
      be addressed while treating CML patients. The present study analyzes the role of
      EphB4-VAV1 signaling in IM-resistant CML. EphB4 and VAV1 were overexpressed in IM
      resistant CML patients and K562-R cell line (K562-R). Then, we established stable
      under-expressing EphB4 cell line K562-R-EphB4-sh. VAV1 was down-regulated in K562
      R-EphB4-sh cells. K562-R-EphB4-sh cells gained re-sensitivity to IM and K562-R
      cells showed mild IM resistance. However, EphB4 was no changed when the VAV1 was
      down-regulated. EphB4 and VAV1 were overexpressed in IM-resistant CML, VAV1might
      be the downstream moleculars of EphB4. These results suggest a potential role of
      EphB4-VAV1 signaling as therapeutic target of IM-resistant CML.

PMID- 27282570
TI  - Recombinant human erythropoietin-induced erythropoiesis regulates hepcidin
      expression over iron status in the rat.
AB  - The crosstalk between several factors controlling hepcidin synthesis is poorly
      clarified for different physiological and pathological conditions. Our aim was to
      study the impact of increasing recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) doses on
      erythropoiesis, iron metabolism and hepcidin, using a rat model. Male Wistar rats
      were divided in 5 groups: control (vehicle) and rHuEPO-treated groups (100, 200,
      400 and 600IU/kgbody weight/week), 3 times per week, during 3weeks. Hematological
      and iron data were evaluated. The expression of several genes involved in iron
      metabolism was analyzed by qPCR. Liver hepcidin protein was evaluated by Western
      Blot. The rHuEPO treatment induced erythropoiesis and increased transferrin
      saturation (TSAT) in a dose dependent manner. Tf receptor 2 (TfR2), hemojuvelin
      (HJV) and bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) were up-regulated in rHuEPO200
      group. Matriptase-2 was down-regulated in rHuEPO200 group, and up-regulated in
      the other rHuEPO-treated groups. Hepcidin synthesis was increased in rHuEPO200
      group, and repressed in the rHuEPO400 and rHuEPO600 groups. Our study showed that
      when a high erythropoietic stimulus occurs, hepcidin synthesis is mainly
      regulated by TSAT; however, when the erythropoiesis rate reaches a specific
      threshold, extramedullary hematopoiesis is triggered, and the control of hepcidin
      synthesis is switched to matriptase-2, thus inhibiting hepcidin synthesis.

PMID- 27282571
TI  - Molecular characterization of six new cases of red blood cell hexokinase
      deficiency yields four novel mutations in HK1.
AB  - Hexokinase (HK) is a key enzyme of glycolysis, the only metabolic pathway able to
      provide the red blood cell with ATP. HK deficiency is a very rare hereditary
      disorder with severe chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia (HNSHA) as a major
      clinical feature. To date, only 24 patients with HK deficiency have been
      identified. Here, we report the molecular analysis of six new cases of HK
      deficiency. A total of six different mutations were detected in HK1, four of them
      described here for the first time: c.2599C>T p.(His867Tyr), c.1799C>T
      p.(Thr600Met), c.873-2A>G and c.493-1G>A. The pathogenic nature of the identified
      missense mutations was confirmed by biochemical and 3-dimensional structural
      analysis. The effects of the novel splice site mutation c.873-2A>G were studied
      at the level of pre-mRNA processing, and confirmed at the protein level. All
      together, these results provide a better insight into the pathogenesis of this
      rare red cell disorder, and contribute to a better understanding of the genotype
      phenotype correlation in HK deficiency.

PMID- 27282572
TI  - Cholinergic activation enhances retinoic acid-induced differentiation in the
      human NB-4 acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line.
AB  - The non-neuronal cholinergic system (NNCS) has been shown to play a role in
      regulating hematopoietic differentiation. We determined the expression of
      cholinergic components in leukemic cell lines by Western blotting and in normal
      leukocyte subsets by flow cytometry and found a heterogeneous expression of
      choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline
      transporter (CHT), M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3-mAChR) and alpha7
      nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7-nAChR). We then evaluated NNCS role in
      differentiation of human NB-4 acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line and
      discovered a dramatic induction of M3-mAChR after all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)
      treatment (p<0.0001). Adding carbachol which is a cholinergic agonist to the ATRA
      treatment resulted in an increase of a granulocytic differentiation marker
      (CD11b) as compared with ATRA treatment alone (p<0.05), indicating that
      cholinergic activation enhanced ATRA in inducing NB-4 maturation. The combination
      of carbachol and ATRA treatment for 72h also resulted in decreased viability and
      increased cleaved caspase-3 expression when compared with ATRA treatment alone
      (p<0.05). However, this combination did not cause poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase
      (PARP) cleavage. Overall, we have shown that NB-4 cells expressed M3-mAChR in a
      differentiation-dependent manner and cholinergic stimulation induced maturation
      and death of ATRA-induced differentiated NB-4 cells.

PMID- 27282573
TI  - Nine known and five novel mutations in the erythroid transcription factor KLF1
      gene and phenotypic expression of fetal hemoglobin in hemoglobin E disorder.
AB  - Hemoglobin E is the most common Hb variant found in South East Asia. Variation of
      Hb F expression in Hb E syndrome is associated with several genetic modifiers. We
      report several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including nine known and
      five novel mutations of the Kruppel-like factor 1 (KLF1; an erythroid specific
      transcription factor) gene and determine their associations with phenotypic
      expression of Hb F in Hb E disorders. KLF1 mutations were examined using high
      resolution melting (HRM) assay and DNA sequencing in 575 homozygous Hb E, 278
      heterozygous Hb E and 100 normal subjects. Fourteen mutations were mostly
      observed in subjects with elevated Hb F, including nine known mutations
      (G176AfsX179, T334R, R238H, -154 (C>T), A298P, S270W, R301H, -148 (G>A) and G335R
      and five novel mutations (Q217X, Q223X, Y290_S293del, K307N, and M358I). None of
      them, but the -148 (G>A), were observed in normal controls to have Hb F <1%.
      Combined KLF1 mutations with other SNPs including (G)gamma-XmnI, BCL11A and HBS1L
      MYB were associated with higher Hb F levels. KLF1 is therefore an important
      genetic factor associated with increased Hb F and in combination with other
      modifying factors could explain the phenotypic variation of Hb F expression in
      this common hemoglobinopathy.

PMID- 27282574
TI  - Flow-cytometry-based evaluation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in
      prognostication of newly diagnosed DLBCL patients.
AB  - AIMS: We aimed to analyse whether quantitative assessment of peripheral blood
      lymphocyte CD19(+)CD20(+)CD22(+)CD79a(+) B cells, CD3(+)CD4(+)CD5(+)CD8(+) T
      cells and CD4(+)CD25(+++)Foxp3high Treg can improve prognostication in DLBCL
      patients. METHODS: The absolute count of lymphocytes, B-cells, T-cells and Treg
      cells as well as the percentage of apoptotic cells were assessed by means of flow
      cytometry in all studied subjects. RESULTS: Significantly lower level of ALC and
      the percentage of apoptotic cells have been observed exclusively in DLBCL
      patients with HR. We also showed, that in comparison with LR, in HR and MR
      groups, there is a significant decrease in the absolute number of T-cells and
      Tregs. The applied treatment does no normalize the number of B-cells, Tregs and
      apoptotic cells only in the case of HR patients. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphopenia, the
      decreased absolute number of T cells, Tregs, and a percentage of apoptotic cells,
      correlates with clinical staging in DLBCL patients. The increased number of B
      cells and the decreased level of Tregs and apoptotic cells after treatment might
      predict a poor clinical outcome in patients treated with RCHOP. Thereby, flow
      cytometry-based evaluation of peripheral blood lymphocytes may be useful in
      prognostication of newly diagnosed DLBCL patients.

PMID- 27282575
TI  - Carbamazepine-induced thrombocytopenic purpura in a child: Insights from a
      genomic analysis.

PMID- 27282577
TI  - Biomedical science paper authorship: A modest proposal.

PMID- 27282576
TI  - Assessment of serum bioactive hepcidin-25, soluble transferrin receptor and their
      ratio in predialysis patients: Correlation with the response to intravenous
      ferric carboxymaltose.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No reliable biomarker exists to predict responsiveness to intravenous
      (IV) iron (Fe) in iron deficient patients with CKD. We aimed to investigate the
      clinical value of bioactive Hepcidin-25 and soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR)
      levels in predialysis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study
      78 stable stage III-IV CKD predialysis patients with (responders) (40 patients)
      and without (non-responders) (38 patients) adequate erythropoiesis after IV
      administration of ferric-carboxymaltose (FCM). Patients were divided in two
      groups according to their response to IV administration of ferric-carboxymaltose
      (FCM). Along with measurements of common hematologic and blood chemistry
      parameters, determinations of sTfR and bioactive Hepcidin-25 were performed.
      RESULTS: Hepcidin-25 levels were lower in the responders (p=0.025), while sTfR
      and sTfR/Hepcidin-25 ratio were higher (p<0.01 and p=0.002 respectively).
      Diagnostic efficacy indicated cut off point of 1.49 for Hepcidin-25 had
      sensitivity 84% and specificity 48%, while cut off point of 1.21 for
      sTfR/Hepcidin-25 ratio had sensitivity 82% and specificity 52% to predict
      correctly response to iron supplementation therapy. Furthermore, log
      sTfR/Hepcidin-25 correlated negatively with hs-CRP (p=0.005) and IL-6 (p<0.04) in
      non-responders, while such correlations were not found in responders (p>0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that lower Hepcidin-25, as well as higher sTfR
      and sTfR/Hepcidin-25 ratio were significant predictors of favorable hemoglobin
      response within a month after IV administration of FCM in patients with CKD.
      Further experiments and clinical studies in other groups of patients are needed
      to better elucidate the role of Hepcidin-25 and sTfR/Hepcidin-25 ratio as
      predictors of response to intravenous iron administration.

PMID- 27282578
TI  - APOBEC3G has the ability to programme T cell plasticity.
AB  - Recently Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, Catalytic Polypeptide-like 3G
      (APOBEC3G) biology has assumed importance because of its role in oncogenesis. In
      this context, the present study was addressed to understand the immune-modulatory
      role of APOBEC3G through its effect upon the T-cell plasticity phenomenon. Such
      an attempt revealed that APOBEC3G has the inherent capacity to regulate genes
      coding for STAT3, NF-kappaB, CCL5, IL-6, IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IL-17 coupled
      with downregulation of Treg cells within human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
      (PBMCs) without any noticeable influence upon CD4(+) and CD8(+) cell number. On
      the basis of these findings, we propose that APOBEC3G has the ability to induce T
      cell plasticity and modulate immune response.

PMID- 27282579
TI  - Significance of CD34/CD123 expression in detection of minimal residual disease in
      B-ACUTE lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MRD is seen as the major cause of disease relapse. So, it gives
      important feedback about conventional treatment success and helps in selecting
      therapeutic alternatives. We aimed to compare the expression of CD34/CD123 on
      normal B-cell precursors in bone marrow ("hematogones") and on leukemic blasts in
      B-acute lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALL) pediatric cases by flowcytometric
      analysis. Our study conducted on 20 children as a control and 30 B-ALL children
      cases at diagnosis and after 28days of induction therapy. We found that the less
      mature hematogones (dim CD45+) that express CD34 lack CD123 expression, whereas
      the more mature hematogones (moderate CD45+) lack CD34 but always express CD123.
      In contrast with this discordant pattern of CD34 and CD123 expression in
      hematogones, blasts in 24 of 30 cases (80%) of B-ALL showed concordant expression
      pattern of the 2 antigens: 63% (19 of 30) cases expressed both antigens, whereas
      17% (5 of 30) expressed neither. Our study concluded that these distinct patterns
      of CD34/CD123 expression on hematogones (discordant) and B-ALL blasts
      (concordant) are useful in differentiating small populations of residual blasts
      from hematogones after induction therapy to detect MRD.

PMID- 27282580
TI  - LDH and age are associated with hemolysis-endothelial dysfunction in HbSC
      patients.

PMID- 27282581
TI  - Transgenic sickle cell trait mice do not exhibit abnormal thermoregulatory and
      stress responses to heat shock exposure.
AB  - There remains controversy over whether individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT)
      are vulnerable to health risks during physical activity in high temperatures. We
      examined thermoregulatory and stress-related responses to heat exposure in SCT
      and wild-type (WT) mice. No significant differences in core temperature (Tc) were
      observed between SCT and WT mice during heat exposure. There was no correlation
      between peak Tc during heat exposure and levels of hemoglobin S in SCT mice.
      Basal levels of circulating inflammatory and stress-related markers were not
      significantly different between SCT and WT mice. Although heat exposure caused
      significant increases in plasma interleukins 1beta and 6, and 8-isoprostane in
      SCT and WT mice, no differences were found between SCT and WT mice with similar
      thermal response profiles during heat exposure. SCT mice had significantly higher
      expression of heat shock protein 72 in heart, liver and gastrocnemius muscle than
      WT mice under control and post-heat conditions. In conclusion, there is neither
      thermoregulatory dysfunction nor abnormal stress-related response in SCT mice
      exposed to moderate heat. The hemoglobin variant in mice is associated with
      altered tissue stress protein homeostasis.

PMID- 27282582
TI  - TP53 codon 72 polymorphism predicts chronic myeloid leukemia susceptibility and
      treatment outcome.
AB  - BCR-ABL1 gene is a key molecular marker of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but it
      is still unclear which molecular factors may influence CML risk or lead to
      variable responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The aim of this study
      was to investigate the impact of TP53 c.213 G>C(Arg72Pro; rs1042522) polymorphism
      on CML risk and its correlation with clinical outcome. Peripheral blood samples
      from 141 treated CML patients and 141 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals
      were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Standard genetic models for disease penetrance were
      evaluated by logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier method was performed
      to estimate survival curves. Our study suggests that TP53 c.213 G>C polymorphism
      may be involved in CML development considering a recessive model (p=0.01; OR:
      0.19; CI: 0.06-0.68). In addition, a non-homogenous distribution was found for
      this polymorphism in males and patients youngers than 50years (p=0.02). According
      to clinical response, TP53-GG genotype was associated with higher levels of BCR
      ABL1 transcripts (p=0.04) and shorter event free survival (p=0.04). Moreover, a
      trend toward significance was found for failure free survival (p=0.06) and time
      to imatinib failure (p=0.08). In conclusion, our data suggest that a;TP53 c.213
      G>C may be a potential biomarker of CML susceptibility and clinical outcome.

PMID- 27282583
TI  - Red blood cell-derived microparticles: An overview.
AB  - The red blood cell (RBC) is historically the original parent cell of
      microparticles (MPs). In this overview, we describe the discovery and the early
      history of red cell-derived microparticles (RMPs) and present an overview of the
      evolution of RMP. We report the formation, characteristics, effects of RMP and
      factors which may affect RMP evaluation. The review examines RMP derived from
      both normal and pathologic RBC. The pathologic RBC studies include sickle cell
      anemia (SCA), sickle cell trait (STr), thalassemia intermedia (TI), hereditary
      spherocytosis (HS), hereditary elliptocytosis (HE), hereditary stomatocytosis
      (HSt) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).

PMID- 27282584
TI  - Online model checking for monitoring surrogate-based respiratory motion tracking
      in radiation therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Correlation between internal and external motion is critical for
      respiratory motion compensation in radiosurgery. Artifacts like coughing,
      sneezing or yawning or changes in the breathing pattern can lead to misalignment
      between beam and tumor and need to be detected to interrupt the treatment. We
      propose online model checking (OMC), a model-based verification approach from the
      field of formal methods, to verify that the breathing motion is regular and the
      correlation holds. We demonstrate that OMC may be more suitable for artifact
      detection than the prediction error. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established a
      sinusoidal model to apply OMC to the verification of respiratory motion. The
      method was parameterized to detect deviations from typical breathing motion. We
      analyzed the performance on synthetic data and on clinical episodes showing large
      correlation error. In comparison, we considered the prediction error of different
      state-of-the-art methods based on least mean squares (LMS; normalized LMS, nLMS;
      wavelet-based multiscale autoregression, wLMS), recursive least squares (RLSpred)
      and support vector regression (SVRpred). RESULTS: On synthetic data, OMC
      outperformed wLMS by at least 30 % and SVRpred by at least 141 %, detecting 70 %
      of transitions. No artifacts were detected by nLMS and RLSpred. On patient data,
      OMC detected 23-49 % of the episodes correctly, outperforming nLMS, wLMS, RLSpred
      and SVRpred by up to 544, 491, 408 and 258 %, respectively. On selected episodes,
      OMC detected up to 94 % of all events. CONCLUSION: OMC is able to detect changes
      in breathing as well as artifacts which previously would have gone undetected,
      outperforming prediction error-based detection. Synthetic data analysis supports
      the assumption that prediction is very insensitive to specific changes in
      breathing. We suggest using OMC as an additional safety measure ensuring reliable
      and fast stopping of irradiation.

PMID- 27282585
TI  - Psychodermatology: Basics Concepts.
AB  - Psychodermatology is a relatively new field of medicine. It encompasses the
      interaction of mind and skin. The role of psychoneuroimmunology in the causation
      of psychocutaneous disorders and psychosocial aspects of skin disease have gained
      momentum lately. The treatment of psychodermatological disorders focus on
      improving function, reducing physical distress, diagnosing and treating
      depression and anxiety associated with skin disease, managing social isolation
      and improving self esteem of the patient. Both pharmacological and psychological
      interventions are used in treating psychocutaneous disorders. The interest in
      Psychodermatology around the world is increasing and there are several
      organizations holding their regular meetings. 

PMID- 27282586
TI  - Managing Breast Cancer: Echoes from Patients in Lagos, Nigeria.
AB  - Breast cancer is ranked second as the cause of cancer death among women. Of
      importance to the management of breast cancer is the interaction processes
      between the patients and their professional caregivers or healthcare providers.
      Against this background, this study explores the experiences of Nigerian women as
      breast cancer patients and their interaction with their caregivers in the
      management of their condition. The study was cross-sectional in design. Twenty
      diagnosed breast cancer patients participated in the study and were purposively
      selected using convenience and snow balling sampling technique. Patients affirmed
      that they were initially afraid when diagnosed but overcame their fear based on
      caregivers' supports. Physical interactions and the use of mobile phones were
      common means of communication while the fear of death and financial burden of the
      disease were of major concerns to the patients. The majority of the patients were
      satisfied with the quality of care and treatment received in the private
      hospitals as they were encouraged and supported. It was discovered that
      professional caregivers are germane to patients' survival from shock and adequate
      information on how to manage their condition and live a normal life.

PMID- 27282587
TI  - Pulsed dye laser in the treatment of psoriatic nails: a controlled study.

PMID- 27282588
TI  - Koebner's Phenomenon in Childhood Henoch-Schonlein Purpura: A Report of Two
      Cases.
AB  - Koebner's phenomenon occurs rarely in connection with Henoch-Schonlein purpura
      (HSP). We report two children with HSP who developed Koebner's phenomenon on the
      second day after the onset of rash. The first was an 11-year-old girl with
      rheumatic heart disease who presented with abdominal pain for 1 month and
      subsequently developed rash and nephritis. The second patient was a 7-year-old
      girl who presented with rash and polyarthritis. To the best of our knowledge,
      Koebner's phenomenon in childhood HSP has not been reported. 

PMID- 27282589
TI  - Structure-activity relationship studies of benzyl-, phenethyl-, and pyridyl
      substituted tetrahydroacridin-9-amines as multitargeting agents to treat
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - A library of substituted tetrahydroacridin-9-amine derivatives were designed,
      synthesized, and evaluated as dual cholinesterase and amyloid aggregation
      inhibitors. Compound 8e (N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9
      amine) was identified as a potent inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE IC50 
      = 20 nm; AChE IC50  = 2.2 MUm) and was able to inhibit amyloid aggregation (40%
      inhibition at 25 MUm). Compounds 9e (6-chloro-N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4
      tetrahydroacridin-9-amine, AChE IC50  = 0.8 MUm; BuChE IC50  = 1.4 MUm; Abeta
      aggregation inhibition = 75.7% inhibition at 25 MUm) and 11b (6-chloro-N-(3,4
      dimethoxyphenethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9-amine, AChE IC50  = 0.6 MUm;
      BuChE IC50  = 1.9 MUm; Abeta-aggregation inhibition = 85.9% inhibition at 25 MUm)
      were identified as the best compounds with dual cholinesterase and amyloid
      aggregation inhibition. The picolylamine-substituted compound 12c (6-chloro-N
      (pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9-amine) was the most potent AChE
      inhibitor (IC50  = 90 nm). These investigations demonstrate the utility of 3,4
      dimethoxyphenyl substituent as a novel pharmacophore possessing dual
      cholinesterase inhibition and anti-Abeta-aggregation properties that can be used
      in the design and development of small molecules with multitargeting ability to
      treat Alzheimer's disease.

PMID- 27282590
TI  - SERP: a growing society and with an European horizon.

PMID- 27282591
TI  - Improving analytical methods for protein-protein interaction through
      implementation of chemically inducible dimerization.
AB  - When investigating interactions between two proteins with complementary reporter
      tags in yeast two-hybrid or split GFP assays, it remains troublesome to
      discriminate true- from false-negative results and challenging to compare the
      level of interaction across experiments. This leads to decreased sensitivity and
      renders analysis of weak or transient interactions difficult to perform. In this
      work, we describe the development of reporters that can be chemically induced to
      dimerize independently of the investigated interactions and thus alleviate these
      issues. We incorporated our reporters into the widely used split ubiquitin-,
      bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC)- and Forster resonance energy
      transfer (FRET)- based methods and investigated different protein-protein
      interactions in yeast and plants. We demonstrate the functionality of this
      concept by the analysis of weakly interacting proteins from specialized
      metabolism in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our results illustrate that
      chemically induced dimerization can function as a built-in control for split
      based systems that is easily implemented and allows for direct evaluation of
      functionality.

PMID- 27282592
TI  - Influence of Catastrophizing and Personality Traits on Recalled Ratings of Acute
      Pain Experience in Healthy Young Adults.
AB  - Objective: To investigate whether pain catastrophizing and personality traits
      bias recalled ratings of acute pain in an experimental tonic pain model. Subjects
      and Setting: Fifty-six undergraduates (14 males) recruited from the University of
      Peradeniya (mean age 21.7 +/- 0.8 SD years). Design and Methods: Participants
      completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and the Eysenck Personality
      Questionnaire. They were subjected to two cold pressor tests (dominant and non
      dominant hands) and pain threshold, maximum pain intensity, and pain tolerance
      were recorded. One-week later, the maximum pain intensities of both hands were
      recalled and percentage distortions in recalling were calculated. Based on a 180
      s cutoff, two participants were considered pain-insensitive during the test and
      were excluded from the analysis. Results: The maximum pain intensity was recalled
      with a moderate accuracy (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients = 0.68 for dominant
      and 0.59 for non-dominant hands). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses
      revealed that maximum pain intensity ( P  < 0.001) and pain catastrophizing ( P 
      < 0.001) contributed significantly to recalled pain intensity, and only pain
      catastrophizing contributed significantly ( P  < 0.001) to percentage distortion
      in recalling with positive beta-coefficients. Participants who consistently
      overrated pain for both hands in recalling scored significantly higher on
      catastrophizing ( P  < 0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that memory
      for painful events in healthy subjects was reasonably accurate over a period of 1
      week. Pain catastrophizing biased pain recall, whereas among personality traits
      only neuroticism exhibited a weak positive association with the recalled ratings.

PMID- 27282594
TI  - Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy Versus Local Corticosteroid Injection in the
      Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis, a Single Blinded Randomized Clinical
      Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Plantar fasciitis is a self-limiting condition, but can be painful
      and disabling. Among the different treatments which exist, corticosteroid
      injections are effective and popular. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is
      another treatment modality used for resistant conditions. In this study, the
      authors evaluated the efficacy of radial ESWT versus corticosteroid injections in
      the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial.
      SETTING: Physical medicine and rehabilitation research center in a university
      hospital. SUBJECTS: Forty patients with plantar fasciitis who did not respond to
      conservative treatment. METHODS: Patients were allocated to radial ESWT with 2000
      shock waves/session of 0.2 mJ/mm(2) (n = 20) or local methylprednisolone
      injections (n = 20). Pain in the morning and during the day based on a visual
      analog scale (VAS), functional abilities using the foot function index (FFI), and
      satisfaction were evaluated before treatment and at 4 and 8 weeks after
      treatment. RESULTS: Patients (average age: 42.1+/- 8.20) received five sessions
      of ESWT or single steroid injection. Changes in the VAS in morning and during the
      day and the FFI throughout the study period were significant in both groups (P <
      0.001). ESWT group had a higher reduction in VAS in morning and better function
      in FFI, but these changes were insignificant statistically [FFI decreased to
      19.65 +/- 21.26 points (67.4% improvement) in ESWT vs 31.50 +/- 20.53 points
      (47.7%) in injection group at week 8, P = 0.072)]. Good or excellent results in
      the opinions of patients were achieved in 55% of ESWT and 30% of corticosteroid
      injection groups (P = 0.11). CONCLUSION: Both interventions caused improvement in
      pain and functional ability 2 months after treatment. Although inter-group
      differences were not significant, the FFI was improved more with ESWT and
      patients were more satisfied with ESWT, thus shockwave therapy seems a safe
      alternative for management of chronic plantar fasciitis.

PMID- 27282595
TI  - Using self-organizing maps to infill missing data in hydro-meteorological time
      series from the Logone catchment, Lake Chad basin.
AB  - Hydro-meteorological data is an important asset that can enhance management of
      water resources. But existing data often contains gaps, leading to uncertainties
      and so compromising their use. Although many methods exist for infilling data
      gaps in hydro-meteorological time series, many of these methods require inputs
      from neighbouring stations, which are often not available, while other methods
      are computationally demanding. Computing techniques such as artificial
      intelligence can be used to address this challenge. Self-organizing maps (SOMs),
      which are a type of artificial neural network, were used for infilling gaps in a
      hydro-meteorological time series in a Sudano-Sahel catchment. The coefficients of
      determination obtained were all above 0.75 and 0.65 while the average topographic
      error was 0.008 and 0.02 for rainfall and river discharge time series,
      respectively. These results further indicate that SOMs are a robust and efficient
      method for infilling missing gaps in hydro-meteorological time series. 

PMID- 27282596
TI  - The Pharmacodynamics of Switching Between P2Y12 Receptor Antagonists.

PMID- 27282598
TI  - A Simple, Effective, and Durable Treatment Choice for Left Main Coronary Artery
      Disease: Stents or Surgery?

PMID- 27282597
TI  - Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery and Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in
      Patients With Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate long-term clinical outcomes
      following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) in patients with unprotected left main disease (ULMD).
      BACKGROUND: PCI has been increasingly used as an alternative mode of
      revascularization for ULMD. However, there are limited data comparing clinical
      outcomes between CABG surgery and PCI. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, 4,046
      consecutive patients with ULMD were treated with either CABG surgery (n = 2,604)
      or PCI (n = 1,442) with drug-eluting stents. The primary outcome was 3-year all
      cause mortality and the secondary outcome was the composite of death, nonfatal
      myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. RESULTS: The unadjusted 3-year all
      cause mortality was higher in the PCI group as compared with the CABG group (3.8%
      vs. 2.5%; log-rank p = 0.03), although there was no significant difference in the
      composite outcome (7.5% vs. 9.4%; log-rank p = 0.07). After adjustment for
      differences in baseline risk factors, PCI was associated with significantly
      higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.71; 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: 1.32 to 2.21; p < 0.001) but similar risk of the composite outcome
      (HR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.09; p = 0.43). These differences were not
      statistically significant among patients with low or intermediate SYNTAX (Synergy
      Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score (<=32) or diabetes; however,
      PCI was associated with an increased risk among those with high SYNTAX score
      (>32), with HRs of 3.10 (95% CI: 1.84 to 5.22; p < 0.001) for all-cause mortality
      and 1.82 (95% CI: 1.36 to 2.45; p < 0.001) for the composite outcome. CABG was
      associated with lower risk of repeat revascularization but higher risk of stroke
      in each clinically relevant subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center
      observational study among patients with ULMD, CABG was associated with improved
      long-term outcomes, especially in patients with more complex disease.

PMID- 27282599
TI  - Coronary Stent Fracture: A New Form of Patient-Prosthesis Mismatch?

PMID- 27282600
TI  - Transseptal Instead of Transapical Valve Implantation: Making Mitral Great Again?

PMID- 27282602
TI  - Leaving Nothing Behind: Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds for Femoropopliteal
      Disease.

PMID- 27282603
TI  - Simultaneous Coronary and Pulmonary Angiography to Diagnose Critical Left Main
      Coronary Artery Stenosis Secondary to Dilated Pulmonary Artery.

PMID- 27282601
TI  - Bioresorbable Everolimus-Eluting Vascular Scaffold for Patients With Peripheral
      Artery Disease (ESPRIT I): 2-Year Clinical and Imaging Results.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This is the first-in-human study of a drug-eluting bioresorbable
      vascular scaffold (BVS) for treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD)
      involving the external iliac artery (EIA) and superficial femoral artery (SFA).
      BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting BVS has shown promise in coronary arteries. METHODS: The
      ESPRIT BVS system is a device-drug combination consisting of an everolimus
      eluting poly-l-lactide scaffold. Safety and performance were evaluated in 35
      subjects with symptomatic claudication. RESULTS: Lesions were located in the SFA
      (88.6%) and EIA (11.4%). Mean lesion length was 35.7 +/- 16.0 mm. The study
      device was successfully deployed in 100% of cases, without recoil. Procedure
      related minor complications were observed in 3 patients (groin hematoma,
      dissection). Within 2 years there was 1 unrelated death, but no patients in this
      cohort had an amputation. At 1 and 2 years, the binary restenosis rates were
      12.1% and 16.1%, respectively, and target lesion revascularization was performed
      in 3 of 34 patients (8.8%) and 4 of 32 patients (11.8%), respectively. The ankle
      brachial index 0.75 +/- 0.14 improved from pre-procedure to 0.96 +/- 0.16 at 2
      years' follow-up. At 2 years, 71.0% of the patients were Rutherford-Becker 0, and
      93.5% achieved a maximum walking distance of 1,500 feet. CONCLUSIONS: The safety
      of the ESPRIT BVS was demonstrated with no procedure or device-related deaths or
      amputations within 2 years. The low occurrence of revascularizations was
      consistent with duplex-ultrasonography showing sustained patency at 2-years. (A
      Clinical Evaluation of the Abbott Vascular ESPRIT BVS [Bioresorbable Vascular
      Scaffold] System [ESPRIT I]; NCT01468974).

PMID- 27282604
TI  - The MANTA Vascular Closure Device: A Novel Device for Large-Bore Vessel Closure.

PMID- 27282605
TI  - Fully Percutaneous Technique for Transaxillary Implantation of the Impella CP.

PMID- 27282606
TI  - Does Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Improve Survival:
      A Never-Ending Debate.

PMID- 27282607
TI  - Reply: Does Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Improve
      Survival: A Never-Ending Debate.

PMID- 27282608
TI  - Universal Health Care: Is it Impossible?

PMID- 27282609
TI  - Dual Anomalous Origins of the Thyrocervical Trunk and Left Internal Mammary
      Artery.

PMID- 27282610
TI  - A Novel Push-Fold Method for Removing Side Branch-Jailed Stent Struts Under 3D
      Optical Coherence Tomography Guidance.

PMID- 27282611
TI  - Association of TNFalpha-308, IFNgamma+874, and IL10-1082 gene polymorphisms and
      the risk of non-small cell lung cancer in the population of the South Indian
      state of Telangana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cytokine-mediated inflammation is important in the pathogenesis of
      non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes and
      their association with lung cancer in the Indian population have not been
      reported. METHODS: For the first time, we analyzed genetic polymorphisms of
      TNFalpha -308, IFNgamma +874, and IL10 -1082 genes in 246 NSCLC patients and 250
      healthy controls in the South Indian population from Telangana using ARMS PCR.
      RESULTS: IFNgamma+874 A/T and IL10-1082 G/G gene polymorphisms were found to be
      significantly associated with NSCLC with 1.56- and 1.68-fold disease risk,
      respectively. There was no association between the risk of NSCLC and TNFalpha-308
      polymorphism. Gene polymorphisms stratified according to smoking revealed that
      IFNgamma+874 A/T polymorphisms in smokers increased the disease risk by 2.91
      fold. IL10-1082 G/G polymorphisms showed 2-fold increased risk among patients who
      were smokers when compared to the controls. However, there was no association
      between TNFalpha-308, IFNgamma+874, and IL10-1082 gene polymorphism and the stage
      of the NSCLC patients. The overall risk associated with the combination of these
      polymorphisms indicated that the TNFalpha-308 G/A + IFNgamma+874 A/T + IL10-1082
      G/G genotype increased the risk by 1.5 fold. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our
      study indicate an association between cytokine gene polymorphisms and the risk of
      NSCLC in an Indian population.

PMID- 27282613
TI  - Bifurcation lesions: no need to implant two stents when one is sufficient!

PMID- 27282612
TI  - Updated European Heart Rhythm Association practical guide on the use of non
      vitamin-K antagonist anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial
      fibrillation: Executive summary.
AB  - In 2013, the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) published a Practical Guide
      on the use of non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial
      fibrillation (AF) (Heidbuchel H, Verhamme P, Alings M, Antz M, Hacke W, Oldgren
      J, Sinnaeve P, Camm AJ, Kirchhof P, European Heart Rhythm A. European Heart
      Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of new oral anticoagulants in
      patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Europace 2013;15:625-651;
      Heidbuchel H, Verhamme P, Alings M, Antz M, Hacke W, Oldgren J, Sinnaeve P, Camm
      AJ, Kirchhof P. EHRA practical guide on the use of new oral anticoagulants in
      patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: executive summary. Eur Heart J
      2013;34:2094-2106). The document received widespread interest, not only from
      cardiologists but also from neurologists, geriatricians, and general
      practitioners, as became evident from the distribution of >350 000 copies of its
      pocket version (the EHRA Key Message Booklet) world-wide. Since 2013, numerous
      new studies have appeared on different aspects of NOAC therapy in AF patients.
      Therefore, EHRA updated the Practical Guide, including new information but also
      providing balanced guiding in the many areas where prospective data are still
      lacking. The outline of the original guide that addressed 15 clinical scenarios
      has been preserved, but all chapters have been rewritten. Main changes in the
      Update comprise a discussion on the definition of 'non-valvular AF' and
      eligibility for NOAC therapy, inclusion of finalized information on the recently
      approved edoxaban, tailored dosing information dependent on concomitant drugs,
      and/or clinical characteristics, an expanded chapter on neurologic scenarios
      (ischaemic stroke or intracranial haemorrhage under NOAC), an updated
      anticoagulation card and more specifics on start-up and follow-up issues. There
      are also many new flow charts, like on appropriate switching between
      anticoagulants (VKA to NOAC or vice versa), default scenarios for acute
      management of coronary interventions, step-down schemes for long-term combined
      antiplatelet-anticoagulant management in coronary heart disease, management of
      bleeding, and cardioversion under NOAC therapy. The Updated Guide is available in
      full in EP Europace (Heidbuchel H, Verhamme P, Alings M, Antz M, Diener HC, Hacke
      W, Oldgren J, Sinnaeve P, Camm AJ, Kirchhof P, Advisors. Updated European Heart
      Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist
      anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Europace
      2015;17:1467-1507), while additional resources can be found at the related
      ESC/EHRA website (www.NOACforAF.eu).

PMID- 27282614
TI  - Is it time to take bare metal stents off the catheter laboratory shelf?

PMID- 27282615
TI  - The race for higher sensitivity troponins, but for what prize?

PMID- 27282616
TI  - Serum micronutrients and prealbumin during development and recovery of
      chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
AB  - Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a frequent adverse event.
      Nutritional status can become impaired in cancer patients, potentially
      contributing to neuropathy's evolution. Our aim was to evaluate serum
      micronutrients and prealbumin in a cohort of 113 solid-cancer patients receiving
      platinum and taxane compounds during the development and recovery of neuropathy,
      up to 1 year after finishing treatment. CIPN was graded according to Total
      Neuropathy Score((c)) and NCI.CTCv3 at T0 (baseline), T1 (1-3 months), and T12
      (12 months) after chemotherapy. CIPN was classified as asymptomatic (< grade 2)
      or symptomatic (>=2). CIPN recovery was defined as >=1 grade improvement at T12.
      Symptomatic CIPN developed in 52% of patients. Symptomatic patients presented a
      higher increase in TNSc (p < 0.001), in TNSr((c)) (p < 0.001), and decrease in
      sural (p < 0.001) and radial nerve conduction (p < 0.001). No significant
      differences with any of the micronutrients were observed along T0-T1 period
      between severity or chemotherapy groups. By T12, symptomatic patients without
      recovery had a decrease in vitamin E levels (p = 0.019) and prealbumin (p =
      0.062) compared with those symptomatic that improved. A correlation between the
      variation of vitamin E and prealbumin at T0-T1 (r = 0.626, p = 0.001) and T1-T12
      (r = 0.411, p = 0.06) was observed. After chemotherapy treatment, the improvement
      of patients displaying symptomatic neuropathy is related to vitamin E and
      prealbumin serum levels. Our results suggest that nutritional status can play a
      role in CIPN recovery.

PMID- 27282617
TI  - Magnesium Sulfate as an Alternative In Vitro Anticoagulant for the Measurement of
      Platelet Parameters?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There are conflicting reports on the reliable measurement of platelet
      count and mean platelet volume (MPV) using EDTA or citrate. The anticoagulant
      properties of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) are known from the literature. The aim of
      this study was to evaluate MgSO4 as an in vitro anticoagulant for platelet count,
      MPV, platelet distribution width, and platelet activation. METHODS: Whole blood
      from volunteers was anticoagulated by EDTA, citrate, or MgSO4 Platelets were
      counted by the XE 5000 (Sysmex, Norderstedt, Germany) impedance and fluorescence
      optical technique. RESULTS: The mean impedance platelet counts were 227.7, 197.0,
      and 201.1 * 10(9)/L in EDTA-, citrate-, or MgSO4-anticoagulated blood,
      respectively. The counts were 4.7% higher (EDTA) after 3 hours of storage but 4%
      lower in citrate-anticoagulated blood. The counts in magnesium samples remained
      stable. The MPV was 10.4 fL (EDTA), 9.5 fL (citrate), and 9.3 fL (MgSO4). EDTA
      samples showed cell swelling within the first 3 hours. This was lower in citrate
      and only marginal in magnesium samples. High activation of platelets was observed
      only in EDTA samples. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium anticoagulation might be
      advantageous for more reliable MPV measurements. Although platelet count is
      underestimated when the impedance method is used, the platelet count reveals
      similar results when measured by the fluorescent optical method.

PMID- 27282618
TI  - Long-term experiences with genetic consultation in people with hereditary breast
      and ovarian cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Advances in genetics and increased public awareness increased the demand
      for interdisciplinary genetic outpatient consultation (IOGC). Communicating
      cancer risk is complex, and ideally information transfer should be
      individualized. Although psychological experiences with genetic testing have been
      studied in detail, studies on long-term experiences with IOGC and information
      transfer are lacking. We assessed patients' understanding and satisfaction with
      IOGC in families at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) with the
      aim of informing best clinical practice, improving compliance and informed
      decision-making. METHODS: Female counselees referred for IOGC between July 1,
      2009 and July 1, 2011 were eligible. Data were collected using a 47-item postal
      questionnaire to assess sociodemographic, psychological, behavioral parameters.
      Overall satisfaction and personal usefulness of IOGC were assessed with a five
      point, and risk perception with a visual analog scale. Data were analyzed using
      Spearman rank, Wilcoxon U or Chi-squared test. RESULTS: 612 (72 %) of 849 women
      participated reported being highly satisfied (75 %, n = 430) and declared
      personal usefulness (73 %, n = 421) on average 3.5 years after IOGC. Women deemed
      "high risk" assessed their risk of developing BC as significantly higher than non
      high-risk counselees (3.2 versus 3.0, p = 0.00484). Risk perception was lower in
      BRCA1/2 mutation carriers than in women with unclassified variants or no mutation
      (2.8 versus 3.5 and 3.1, respectively). CONCLUSION: Women with an HBOC background
      have additional needs to achieve long-term satisfaction after IOGC. Prospective
      studies are required to optimize care for the increasing number of people who
      seek genetic consultation, particularly as the complexity of genetics knowledge
      increases.

PMID- 27282620
TI  - Sulfuriflexusmobilis gen. nov., sp. nov., a sulfur-oxidizing bacterium isolated
      from a brackish lake sediment.
AB  - A chemolithotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium, strain aks1T, was isolated from
      sediment of a brackish lake in Japan. The cells were curved rod-shaped and Gram
      stain-negative. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 53 mol%. The major
      components in the cellular fatty acid profile were C16 : 0 and summed feature 3
      (C16 : 1omega7c and/or C16 : 1omega6c). As electron donor for
      chemolithoautotrophic growth, strain aks1T oxidized thiosulfate, sulfide, and
      elemental sulfur. The strain could utilize oxygen and nitrate as an electron
      acceptor for thiosulfate oxidation. Growth was observed at a temperature range of
      5-34  degrees C, with optimum growth at 30-32  degrees C. Growth of the strain
      was observed at a pH range of 6.4-8.7. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA
      gene sequences indicated that the strain is related to members of the family
      Granulosicoccaceae within the order Chromatiales, with sequence similarities
      around 92 %. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic properties, strain aks1T
      represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Sulfuriflexus
      mobilis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is
      aks1T (=DSM 102939T=NBRC 111889T).

PMID- 27282619
TI  - Osteopontin regulates proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of murine claudin
      low mammary tumor cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteopontin is a secreted phosphoglycoprotein that is expressed by a
      number of normal cells as well as a variety of tumor cells. With respect to
      breast cancer, osteopontin has been implicated in regulating tumor cell
      proliferation and migration/metastasis and may serve as a prognostic indicator.
      However it remains unclear whether osteopontin has the same impact in all breast
      cancer subtypes and in particular, osteopontin's effects in claudin-low breast
      cancer are poorly understood. METHODS: cDNA microarrays and qRT-PCR were used to
      evaluate osteopontin expression in mammary tumors from MTB-IGFIR transgenic mice
      and cell lines derived from these tumors. siRNA was then used to determine the
      impact of osteopontin knockdown on proliferation, apoptosis and migration in
      vitro in two murine claudin-low cell lines as well as identify the receptor
      mediating osteopontin's physiologic effects. RESULTS: Osteopontin was expressed
      at high levels in mammary tumors derived from MTB-IGFIR transgenic mice compared
      to normal mammary tissue. Evaluation of cell lines derived from different mammary
      tumors revealed that mammary tumor cells with claudin-low characteristic
      expressed high levels of osteopontin whereas mammary tumor cells with mixed
      luminal and basal-like features expressed lower levels of osteopontin. Reduction
      of osteopontin levels using siRNA significantly reduced proliferation and
      migration while increasing apoptosis in the claudin-low cell lines. Osteopontin's
      effect appear to be mediated through a receptor containing ITGAV and not through
      CD44. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that mammary tumors with a mixed
      luminal/basal-like phenotype express high levels of osteopontin however this
      osteopontin appears to be largely produced by non-tumor cells in the tumor
      microenvironment. In contrast tumor cells with claudin-low characteristics
      express high levels of osteopontin and a reduction of osteopontin in these cells
      impaired proliferation, survival and migration.

PMID- 27282621
TI  - Cardiovascular safety of glucose-lowering agents as add-on medication to
      metformin treatment in type 2 diabetes: report from the Swedish National Diabetes
      Register.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the relative safety of various glucose-lowering agents as add
      on medication to metformin in type 2 diabetes in an observational study linking
      five national health registers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients with type 2
      diabetes who had been on metformin monotherapy and started another agent in
      addition to metformin were eligible for inclusion. The study period was 2005
      2012. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of
      mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and
      congestive heart failure (CHF) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards
      models, weighted for a propensity score. RESULTS: Of the 20 422 patients included
      in the study, 43% started on second-line treatment with sulphonylurea (SU), 21%
      basal insulin, 12% thiazolidinedione (TZD), 11% meglitinide, 10% dipeptidyl
      peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, 1% glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor
      agonist and 1% acarbose. At the index date, the mean patient age was ~60 years
      for all groups except the GLP-1 receptor agonist (56.0 years) and SU (62.9 years)
      groups. Diabetes duration and glycated haemoglobin levels were similar in all
      groups. When compared with SU, basal insulin was associated with an 18% higher
      risk and TZD with a 24% lower risk of mortality [HR 1.18 (95% CI 1.03-1.36) and
      0.76 (95% CI 0.62-0.94)], respectively. DPP-4 inhibitor treatment was associated
      with significantly lower risks of CVD, fatal CVD, CHD, fatal CHD and CHF.
      CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide observational study showed that second-line
      treatment with TZD and DPP-4 inhibitor as add-on medication to metformin were
      associated with significantly lower risks of mortality and cardiovascular events
      compared with SU, whereas basal insulin was associated with a higher risk of
      mortality.

PMID- 27282622
TI  - Purification and Characterization of Recombinant Darbepoetin Alfa from Leishmania
      tarentolae.
AB  - Darbepoetin alfa is a biopharmaceutical glycoprotein that stimulates
      erythropoiesis and is used to treat anemia, which associated with renal failure
      and cancer chemotherapy. We herein describe the structural characterization of
      recombinant darbepoetin alfa produced by Leishmania tarentolae T7-TR host. The
      DNA expression cassette was integrated into the L. tarentolae genome through
      homologous recombination. Transformed clones were selected by antibiotic
      resistance, diagnostic PCRs, and protein expression analysis. The structure of
      recombinant darbepoetin alfa was analyzed by isoelectric focusing, ultraviolet
      visible spectrum, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Expression analysis
      showed the presence of a protein band at 40 kDa, and its expression level was
      51.2 mg/ml of culture medium. Darbepoetin alfa have 5 isoforms with varying
      degree of sialylation. The UV absorption and CD spectra were analogous to
      original drug (Aranesp), which confirmed that the produced protein was
      darbepoetin alfa. Potency test results revealed that the purified protein was
      biologically active. In brief, the structural and biological characteristics of
      expressed darbepoetin alfa were very similar to Aranesp which has been normally
      expressed in CHO. Our data also suggest that produced protein has potential to be
      developed for clinical use. 

PMID- 27282623
TI  - Hematological predictors and clinical outcomes in cardiac surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study was to investigate if five values that are part of the
      hemogram analysis routinely checked before heart surgeries can be used as a high
      quality, quick, low-cost, and easy-to-use outcome predictor. METHODS: This
      investigation was a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study.
      Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent
      predictors for combined adverse events. We enrolled 1500 consecutive patients who
      underwent elective, on-pump, open-heart surgery from 2011 to 2014. Preoperative
      hemogram evaluation, red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume
      (MPV), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
      (NLR) were recorded. We classified combined adverse events (CAE) as (1)
      myocardial infarction, (2) cardiac reoperation, (3) prolonged mechanical
      ventilation, (4) prolonged hospital stay, (5) rehospitalization, or (6)
      mortality. RESULTS: It was found that several parameters obtained as part of the
      hemogram, namely RDW, MPV, PLR, and NLR, can predict, individually or in
      combinations, the outcomes in open-heart surgery patients. It was found that the
      prediction success of NLR (4.8 fold) was higher compared to RDW (1.8 fold) and
      MPV (1.5 fold). When the prediction success of the combined parameters was
      investigated, the NLR-RDW (4.7 fold) pair was found higher in the prediction of
      CAE occurrence. The predictive success of the triple combination of NLR-MPV-RDW
      (5.5 fold) was higher than other combinations. CONCLUSIONS: The triple
      combination of parameters obtained as part of the hemogram, NLR-RDW-MPV,
      indicated a much more predictive power than two parameters coupled. This
      combination of three parameters, NLR-RDW-MPV, is to be considered as a sensitive,
      high-quality, low-cost outcome prediction marker for cardiac surgery patients
      that is less time consuming and easy to use.

PMID- 27282624
TI  - Preload dependence and hypotension: One of the causes and one of the consequences
      of poor tolerance of intermittent hemodialysis in the ICU?

PMID- 27282625
TI  - Efficacy of Inhaled Levalbuterol Compared to Albuterol in Horses with Recurrent
      Airway Obstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The (R)-enantiomer of racemic albuterol (levalbuterol) has
      bronchodilatory properties whereas the (S)-enantiomer causes adverse effects in
      human airways, animal models, and isolated equine bronchi. Levalbuterol is
      commercially available and improves pulmonary function of asthmatic patients with
      a longer duration of effect than albuterol. OBJECTIVE: To determine the dose at
      which inhaled levalbuterol produces maximal bronchodilatory effect (EDmax) and
      determine its duration of action in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)-affected
      horses in comparison to racemic albuterol. ANIMALS: Nine horses with inducible
      and reversible RAO. METHODS: Randomized, crossover trial. Horses were challenged
      with moldy hay to induce airway obstruction. Horses were treated with nebulized
      albuterol or levalbuterol chosen randomly. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) was
      measured before and for up to 3 hours after bronchodilatation challenge. Maximum
      change in transpulmonary pressure (DPmax ) was measured to assess the dose effect
      and duration of action of each drug. After a 24 hours washout period, the
      bronchodilatation challenge was repeated with the second bronchodilator. RESULTS:
      The duration of effect was 60 minutes for albuterol and 120 minutes for
      levalbuterol. The dose of bronchodilator EDmax was not significantly different
      between albuterol and levalbuterol (EDmax = 125.0 [125-125 MUg] and EDmax = 188
      [125-188 MUg] respectively; P = .068). The magnitude of bronchodilatation was not
      significantly different between the 2 treatments (61.1 and 59.9% decrease in
      DPmax for albuterol and levalbuterol respectively; P = .86). CONCLUSIONS AND
      CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Levalbuterol is as effective a bronchodilator as albuterol;
      although levalbuterol lasts twice as long as albuterol, its duration of action is
      still too short to make it practical for RAO treatment.

PMID- 27282626
TI  - Secondhand smoke in the operating room? Precautionary practices lacking for
      surgical smoke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Consensus organizations, government bodies, and healthcare
      organization guidelines recommend that surgical smoke be evacuated at the source
      by local exhaust ventilation (LEV) (i.e., smoke evacuators or wall suctions with
      inline filters). METHODS: Data are from NIOSH's Health and Safety Practices
      Survey of Healthcare Workers module on precautionary practices for surgical
      smoke. RESULTS: Four thousand five hundred thirty-three survey respondents
      reported exposure to surgical smoke: 4,500 during electrosurgery; 1,392 during
      laser surgery procedures. Respondents were mainly nurses (56%) and
      anesthesiologists (21%). Only 14% of those exposed during electrosurgery reported
      LEV was always used during these procedures, while 47% reported use during laser
      surgery. Those reporting LEV was always used were also more likely to report
      training and employer standard procedures addressing the hazards of surgical
      smoke. Few respondents reported use of respiratory protection. CONCLUSIONS: Study
      findings can be used to raise awareness of the marginal use of exposure controls
      and impediments for their use. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:1020-1031, 2016. Published
      2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the
      USA.

PMID- 27282627
TI  - Body representation in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
AB  - Clinical observations indicate that many children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy
      refrain from using or disregard the affected upper limb. The aim of the present
      study is to investigate deficits in different body representations (body schema,
      body structural description, and body image) in children with hemiplegic cerebral
      palsy (HCP) compared to typically-developing (TD) children. Three groups of
      children participated in this study: 42 TD children (aged 5.17-10.91 years), 23
      children with right HCP (aged 5.83-10.92 years), and 22 children with left HCP
      (aged 5.67-10.90 years). The results demonstrate generalized deficits in all
      three body representations in children with HCP, and do not offer evidence for an
      effect of hemiplegia laterality.

PMID- 27282628
TI  - Interventional therapy for hypertension: Back on track again?
AB  - Treatment-resistant hypertension, or resistant hypertension, is defined as blood
      pressure that remains above target despite concurrent use of at least three
      antihypertensive agents from different classes at optimal doses, one of which
      should be a diuretic. Important considerations in the diagnosis of treatment
      resistant hypertension include the exclusion of pseudoresistance and the
      evaluation of potential secondary causes of hypertension and of concomitant
      conditions that maintain high blood pressure. The ability to diagnose true
      treatment-resistant hypertension is important for selection of patients who may
      be appropriately treated with an invasive therapy. Currently, there are three
      interventional approaches to treat resistant hypertension, namely: (1) reduction
      of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system by renal nerve ablation, (2)
      stimulation of baroreceptors and (3) creation of a peripheral arterial venous
      anastomosis. This review focuses on the rationale behind these invasive
      approaches and the clinical results.

PMID- 27282629
TI  - Erratum: Elastic spheres can walk on water.

PMID- 27282630
TI  - Effects of age, education, and gender on verbal fluency in healthy adult Arabic
      speakers in Egypt.
AB  - The objective of this study is to establish the effects of age, gender, and
      education and to provide preliminary normative data for letter and category
      fluency tasks in the Egyptian Arabic-speaking population. We evaluated 139
      cognitively healthy volunteers aged 20-93 by adapting the letter and category
      verbal fluency tasks for the Egyptian population. On the letter fluency task,
      mean number of words generated in one-minute beginning with the Arabic letter
      "Sheen" (pronounced "sh") was 8.14 words per minute (SD = 3.25). Letter fluency
      was significantly influenced by education. On category fluency tasks, mean number
      of animal names generated in one minute was 14.63 words (SD = 5.28). Category
      fluency was significantly influenced by age and education. We were able identify
      that age significantly affects category fluency while education significantly
      affected both letter and category fluency. We were also able to provide
      preliminary normative data for both tasks in the Egyptian population.

PMID- 27282633
TI  - PKCdelta stabilizes TAp63 to promote cell apoptosis.

PMID- 27282631
TI  - Transferring intercellular signals and traits between cancer cells: extracellular
      vesicles as "homing pigeons".
AB  - Extracellular vesicles are cell-derived vesicles, which can transport various
      cargos out of cells. From their cell of origin, the content molecules (proteins,
      non-coding RNAs including miRNAs, DNA and others) can be delivered to neighboring
      or distant cells and as such extracellular vesicles can be regarded as vehicles
      of intercellular communication or "homing pigeons". Extracellular vesicle
      shuttling is able to actively modulate the tumor microenvironment and can partake
      in tumor dissemination. In various diseases, including cancer, levels of
      extracellular vesicle secretion are altered resulting in different amounts and/or
      profiles of detectable vesicular cargo molecules and these distinct content
      profiles are currently being evaluated as biomarkers. Apart from their potential
      as blood-derived containers of specific biomarkers, the transfer of extracellular
      vesicles to surrounding cells also appears to be involved in the propagation of
      phenotypic traits. These interesting properties have put extracellular vesicles
      into the focus of many recent studies.Here we review findings on the involvement
      of extracellular vesicles in transferring traits of cancer cells to their
      surroundings and briefly discuss new data on oncosomes, a larger type of vesicle.
      A pressing issue in cancer treatment is rapidly evolving resistance to many
      initially efficient drug therapies. Studies investigating the role of
      extracellular vesicles in this phenomenon together with a summary of the
      technical challenges that this field is still facing, are also presented.
      Finally, emerging areas of research such as the analysis of the lipid composition
      on extracellular vesicles and cutting-edge techniques to visualise the
      trafficking of extracellular vesicles are discussed. 

PMID- 27282634
TI  - Activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the ventral hippocampus improved
      stress-induced amnesia in rat.
AB  - The ventral hippocampus (VH) has a high distribution of cannabinoid CB1 receptors
      which are important in modulating stress responses. Stress exposure activates the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) which can impact hippocampal formation
      to change hippocampus-based memories. The purpose of the present study was to
      determine the possible role of the VH cannabinoid CB1 receptors in stress-induced
      amnesia using a step-through passive avoidance procedure in male Wistar rats. In
      order to induce acute stress, the animals were placed on an elevated platform for
      different time periods (10, 20 and 30min). Our results indicated that post
      training 20 and 30min exposure to stress, but not 10min, induced amnesia. Post
      training microinjection of a cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist,
      arachydonilcyclopropylamide (ACPA; 2.5-7.5ng/rat) into the VH (intra-VH) induced
      amnesia. Interestingly, post-training intra-VH microinjection of the same doses
      of ACPA improved stress-induced amnesia. On the other hand, post-training intra
      VH microinjection of a selective CB1 receptor antagonist, AM-251 (20-50ng/rat)
      with exposure to an ineffective stress (10min) potentiated the effect of stress
      on memory consolidation and induced amnesia. It should be noted that post
      training intra-VH microinjection of the same doses of AM-251 alone had no effect
      on memory consolidation. Our results revealed that post-training intra-VH
      microinjection of AM-251, prior to ACPA microinjection, inhibited the reversal
      effect of ACPA on acute elevated platform stress. Taken together, it can be
      concluded that exposure to post-training inescapable stress impaired memory
      consolidation. The impairing effects of stress on memory retrieval may be
      mediated by the VH cannabinoid CB1 receptors.

PMID- 27282632
TI  - National prospective cohort study of peritonsillar abscess management and
      outcomes: the Multicentre Audit of Quinsies study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate variations in the management and outcomes of
      peritonsillar abscesses, and to develop a trainee collaborative network in the
      UK. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on suspected peritonsillar abscess
      cases presenting over a 2-month period at 42 participating secondary care
      centres, covering a population of 16 million. The primary outcome was an adverse
      event at 30 days, defined as re-presentation or re-drainage. RESULTS: Eighteen
      per cent of the 325 cases experienced an adverse event. Follow-up data were valid
      for 90 per cent of cases. Regression analyses showed a significant reduction in
      adverse events in the 12 per cent of patients who were discharged within 12
      hours, and there was no significant increase in adverse events for the 70 per
      cent receiving corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: Out-patient management of
      peritonsillar abscess is not commonly practised in the UK. Corticosteroid usage
      is common and appears safe. This study demonstrates that trainees working in
      collaboration can effectively deliver prospective multicentre cohort studies in
      the UK.

PMID- 27282635
TI  - Repeated exposure reduces the response to impulsive noise in European seabass.
AB  - Human activities have changed the acoustic environment of many terrestrial and
      aquatic ecosystems around the globe. Mounting evidence indicates that the
      resulting anthropogenic noise can impact the behaviour and physiology of at least
      some species in a range of taxa. However, the majority of experimental studies
      have considered only immediate responses to single, relatively short-term noise
      events. Repeated exposure to noise could lead to a heightened or lessened
      response. Here, we conduct two long-term (12 week), laboratory-based exposure
      experiments with European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to examine how an
      initial impact of different sound types potentially changes over time. Naive fish
      showed elevated ventilation rates, indicating heightened stress, in response to
      impulsive additional noise (playbacks of recordings of pile-driving and seismic
      surveys), but not to a more continuous additional noise source (playbacks of
      recordings of ship passes). However, fish exposed to playbacks of pile-driving or
      seismic noise for 12 weeks no longer responded with an elevated ventilation rate
      to the same noise type. Fish exposed long-term to playback of pile-driving noise
      also no longer responded to short-term playback of seismic noise. The lessened
      response after repeated exposure, likely driven by increased tolerance or a
      change in hearing threshold, helps explain why fish that experienced 12 weeks of
      impulsive noise showed no differences in stress, growth or mortality compared to
      those reared with exposure to ambient-noise playback. Considering how responses
      to anthropogenic noise change with repeated exposure is important both when
      assessing likely fitness consequences and the need for mitigation measures.

PMID- 27282636
TI  - Corrigendum: Femtosecond X-ray absorption study of electron localization in
      photoexcited anatase TiO2.

PMID- 27282638
TI  - Zika virus: a new threat to the safety of the blood supply with worldwide impact
      and implications.

PMID- 27282639
TI  - Phytochemical and Pharmacological Investigations on Nymphoides indica Leaf
      Extracts.
AB  - Nymphoides indica (L.) Kuntze (Menyanthaceae) is traditionally used in the Indian
      subcontinent. However, scientific data reporting its constituents are poor. This
      study aimed at evaluating its phytochemical constituents and various biological
      activities. Phytochemical investigations of the extracts and fractions resulted
      in the isolation of 5 lipophilic compounds, i.e. azelaic (nonanedioic) acid (1)
      and 4-methyl-heptanedioic acid (3), hexadecanoic (2) and stearic acid (5) and the
      fatty alcohol hexadecanol (4); 3 seco-iridoids, i.e. 7-epiexaltoside (6), 6",7"
      dihydro-7-epiexaltoside (7) and menthiafolin (8); 3 flavonoids, i.e. 3,7-di-O
      methylquercetin-4'-O-beta-glucoside (9), 3-O-methylquercetin-7-O-beta-glucoside
      (10) and 3,7-di-O-methylquercetin (11); scopoletin (12) and ferulic acid (13);
      and the monoterpenoids foliamenthoic acid (14) and 6,7-dihydrofoliamenthoic acid
      methyl ester (15). Compounds 1-5 showed moderate antimicrobial activities,
      whereas compound 9 presented mild antiprotozoal activities against Trypanosoma
      brucei (IC50 8 MUM), Leishmania infantum (IC50 32 MUM) and Trypanosoma cruzi
      (IC50 30 MUM). Antiglycation activity was shown by compounds 7 (IC50 0.36 mM), 10
      (IC50 0.42 mM) and 15 (IC50 0.61 mM). Finally alpha-glucosidase inhibition was
      shown by compounds 7, 9, 11 and 13-15. It could be concluded that N. indica leaf
      extracts possess mild to moderate antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antioxidant and
      antidiabetic activities. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27282637
TI  - IDH-mutant glioma specific association of rs55705857 located at 8q24.21 involves
      MYC deregulation.
AB  - The single nucleotide polymorphism rs55705857, located in a non-coding but
      evolutionarily conserved region at 8q24.21, is strongly associated with IDH
      mutant glioma development and was suggested to be a causal variant. However, the
      molecular mechanism underlying this association has remained unknown. With a case
      control study in 285 gliomas, 316 healthy controls, 380 systemic cancers, 31
      other CNS-tumors, and 120 IDH-mutant cartilaginous tumors, we identified that the
      association was specific to IDH-mutant gliomas. Odds-ratios were 9.25 (5.17
      16.52; 95% CI) for IDH-mutated gliomas and 12.85 (5.94-27.83; 95% CI) for IDH
      mutated, 1p/19q co-deleted gliomas. Decreasing strength with increasing anaplasia
      implied a modulatory effect. No somatic mutations were noted at this locus in 114
      blood-tumor pairs, nor was there a copy number difference between risk-allele and
      only-ancestral allele carriers. CCDC26 RNA-expression was rare and not different
      between the two groups. There were only minor subtype-specific differences in
      common glioma driver genes. RNA sequencing and LC-MS/MS comparisons pointed to
      significantly altered MYC-signaling. Baseline enhancer activity of the conserved
      region specifically on the MYC promoter and its further positive modulation by
      the SNP risk-allele was shown in vitro. Our findings implicate MYC deregulation
      as the underlying cause of the observed association.

PMID- 27282641
TI  - The Comprehensive in Vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) initiative - Update on
      progress.
AB  - The implementation of the ICH S7B and E14 guidelines has been successful in
      preventing the introduction of potentially torsadogenic drugs to the market, but
      it has also unduly constrained drug development by focusing on hERG block and QT
      prolongation as essential determinants of proarrhythmia risk. The Comprehensive
      in Vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) initiative was established to develop a new
      paradigm for assessing proarrhythmic risk, building on the emergence of new
      technologies and an expanded understanding of torsadogenic mechanisms beyond hERG
      block. An international multi-disciplinary team of regulatory, industry and
      academic scientists are working together to develop and validate a set of
      predominantly nonclinical assays and methods that eliminate the need for the
      thorough-QT study and enable a more precise prediction of clinical proarrhythmia
      risk. The CiPA effort is led by a Steering Team that provides guidance, expertise
      and oversight to the various working groups and includes partners from US FDA,
      HESI, CSRC, SPS, EMA, Health Canada, Japan NIHS, and PMDA. The working groups
      address the three pillars of CiPA that evaluate drug effects on: 1) human
      ventricular ionic channel currents in heterologous expression systems, 2) in
      silico integration of cellular electrophysiologic effects based on ionic current
      effects, the ion channel effects, and 3) fully integrated biological systems
      (stem-cell-derived cardiac myocytes and the human ECG). This article provides an
      update on the progress of the initiative towards its target date of December 2017
      for completing validation. 

PMID- 27282640
TI  - Multi-parametric assessment of cardiomyocyte excitation-contraction coupling
      using impedance and field potential recording: A tool for cardiac safety
      assessment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The ICH S7B guidelines recommend that all new chemical entities
      should be subjected to hERG repolarization screening due to its association with
      life-threatening "Torsades de Pointes" (TdP) arrhythmia. However, it has become
      evident that not all hERG channel inhibitors result in TdP and not all compounds
      that induce QT prolongation and TdP necessarily inhibit hERG. In order to address
      the limitations of the S7B/E14 guidelines, the FDA through a public/private
      partnership initiated the Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA)
      initiative to examine the possible modification and refinement of the ICH E14/S7B
      guidelines. One of the main components of the CiPA initiative is to utilize a
      predictive assay system together with human cardiomyocytes for risk assessment of
      arrhythmia. METHOD: In this manuscript we utilize the xCELLigence(r) CardioECR
      system which simultaneously measures excitation-contraction coupling together
      with human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to
      assess the effect of 8 reference compounds across 3 different independent sites.
      These 8 compounds were part of Phase I CiPA validation study. RESULTS: Our data
      demonstrate that hERG channel blockers, such as E4031 and moxifloxacin, prolonged
      field potential duration (FPD) at low concentration and induced arrhythmic
      beating activity as measured by field potential (FP) recording and impedance
      (IMP) recordings at higher concentrations. On the contrary, nifedipine, an
      inhibitor of calcium channel, didn't disrupt the periodicity of cell beating and
      weakened cell contractile activity and shortened FPD. Multichannel inhibitors,
      such as flecainide, quinidine and mexiletine, not only increased FPD and induced
      arrhythmia but also significantly reduced the amplitude of FP spike. JNJ303, an
      IKs inhibitor, only affected FPD. Comparison of the compound effect on FPD across
      the 3 different sites is consistent in terms of trend of the effect with observed
      3-10 fold differences in minimal effective concentration at which a minimum of
      10% response is detected. In addition, pentamidine, a hERG trafficking inhibitor
      which induced irregular beating activity over a more prolonged duration of time
      was readily flagged in this assay system. Taken together, this multi-parameter
      assay using hiPSC-CMs in conjunction with simultaneous measurement of ion channel
      activity and contractility can be a reliable approach for risk assessment of
      proarrhythmic compounds.

PMID- 27282642
TI  - Effects of mechanical and chemical surface treatments on the resin-glass ceramic
      adhesion properties.
AB  - AIM: Intraoral repair of fractured ceramic restorations using resin composite is
      practical for dental treatment. In the present study, we investigated whether
      differences in surface treatments for glass ceramic would affect resin adhesion.
      METHODS: Leucite-reinforced glass ceramic plates (IPS Empress Esthetic) were
      ground with 320-grit silicon carbide paper, cleaned using phosphoric acid, and
      then etched with hydrofluoric acid (IPS Ceramic Etching Gel) or left unetched,
      and silanized using silane coupling agent (RelyX Ceramic Primer) or kept
      unsilanized. Either conventional (Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose) or universal
      (Scotchbond Universal) adhesive was used to bond the resin composite to ceramic
      surfaces. Specimens were subjected to microshear test after 37 degrees C water
      storage for 24 h, and fractured surfaces were examined. Ceramic surface
      hydrophobicity after treatments was verified with contact angle measurements.
      Data were analyzed using anova and Tukey's tests. RESULTS: Regardless of the
      adhesive tested, hydrofluoric acid-etched ceramics showed higher bond strengths.
      Ceramic primer application improved resin bonding, even in non-etched groups, and
      also influenced fractography (P < 0.001). Contact angles on ceramics treated with
      ceramic primer were higher than those treated with silane-containing universal
      adhesive (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical and chemical retentions contribute
      to resin adhesion to glass ceramic. Universal adhesive seems to not function in
      the same manner as a silane coupling agent.

PMID- 27282643
TI  - Disease burden attributed to alcohol: How methodological advances in the Global
      Burden of Disease 2013 study have changed the estimates in Sweden.
AB  - AIM: The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study continuously refines its estimates
      as new data and methods become available. In the latest iteration of the study,
      GBD 2013, changes were made related to the disease burden attributed to alcohol.
      The aim of this study was to briefly present these changes and to compare the
      disease burden attributed to alcohol in Swedish men and women in 2010 using
      previous and updated methods. METHODS: In the GBD study, the contribution of
      alcohol to the burden of disease is estimated by theoretically assessing how much
      of the disease burden can be avoided by reducing the consumption of alcohol to
      zero. The updated methods mainly consider improved measurements of alcohol
      consumption, including less severe alcohol dependence, assigning the most severe
      injuries and removing the protective effect of drinking on cardiovascular
      diseases if combined with binge drinking. RESULTS: The overall disease burden
      attributed to alcohol in 2010 increased by 14% when using the updated methods.
      Women accounted for this overall increase, mainly because the updated methods led
      to an overall higher alcohol consumption in women. By contrast, the overall
      burden decreased in men, one reason being the lower overall alcohol consumption
      with the new methods. In men, the inclusion of less severe alcohol dependence
      resulted in a large decrease in the alcohol attributed disease burden. This was,
      however, evened out to a great extent by the increase in cardiovascular disease
      and injuries. CONCLUSIONS WHEN USING THE UPDATED GBD METHODS, THE OVERALL DISEASE
      BURDEN ATTRIBUTED TO ALCOHOL INCREASED IN WOMEN, BUT NOT IN MEN.

PMID- 27282644
TI  - Considerations in the use of microneedles: pain, convenience, anxiety and safety.
AB  - Transdermal delivery using microneedles is gaining increasing attention from
      pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies as one of the promising drug delivery
      methods. Microneedle products have recently become available on the market, and
      some of them are under evaluation for efficacy and safety. To be available in the
      market for cosmetic and therapeutic use, several factors should be considered,
      including pain, anxiety, convenience and safety. These factors are summarized and
      reviewed in this article according to type of microneedle. Various kinds of
      materials have been used for manufacturing microneedles and developing drug
      formulations for microneedles. Safety information about materials used for
      microneedles is summarized in terms of type of microneedles. In addition to their
      biocompatibility, mechanical safety is also discussed. This review can provide
      guidelines for designing microneedle products for proper use.

PMID- 27282645
TI  - Chemistry is a Key Science for the Future of India and the World.
AB  - The next Angewandte Symposium, which is dedicated to chemical biology and
      bioorganic chemistry, will take place on July 13, 2016 during the CRSI National
      Symposium in Chemistry. This is an occasion to reflect on the international
      nature and societal responsibility of science, and to place the focus on chemical
      research in India. The number of Communications from India submitted to
      Angewandte Chemie has increased by 140 % from 2010 to 2015, and the number
      published by as much as 325 % ... Read more in the Editorial by Thisbe Lindhorst.

PMID- 27282646
TI  - Adsorption of benzoxaboroles on hydroxyapatite phases.
AB  - Benzoxaboroles are a family of molecules that are finding an increasing number of
      applications in the biomedical field, particularly as a "privileged scaffold" for
      the design of new drugs. Here, for the first time, we determine the interaction
      of these molecules with hydroxyapatites, in view of establishing (i) how
      benzoxaborole drugs may adsorb onto biological apatites, as this could impact on
      their bioavailability, and (ii) how apatite-based materials can be used for their
      formulation. Studies on the adsorption of the benzoxaborole motif (C7H7BO2,
      referred to as BBzx) on two different apatite phases were thus performed, using a
      ceramic hydroxyapatite (HAceram) and a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HAnano),
      the latter having a structure and composition more similar to the one found in
      bone mineral. In both cases, the grafting kinetics and mechanism were studied,
      and demonstration of the surface attachment of the benzoxaborole under the form
      of a tetrahedral benzoxaborolate anion was established using (11)B solid state
      NMR (including (11)B-(31)P correlation experiments). Irrespective of the apatite
      used, the grafting density of the benzoxaborolates was found to be low, and more
      generally, these anions demonstrated a poor affinity for apatite surfaces,
      notably in comparison with other anions commonly found in biological media, such
      as carboxylates and (organo)phosphates. The study was then extended to the
      adsorption of a molecule with antimicrobial and antifungal properties (3
      piperazine-bis(benzoxaborole)), showing, on a more general perspective, how
      hydroxyapatites can be used for the development of novel formulations of
      benzoxaborole drugs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Benzoxaboroles are an emerging
      family of molecules which have attracted much attention in the biomedical field,
      notably for the design of new drugs. However, the way in which these molecules,
      once introduced in the body, may interact with bone mineral is still unknown, and
      the possibility of associating benzoxaboroles to calcium phosphates for drug
      formulation purposes has not been looked into. Here, we describe the first study
      of the adsorption of benzoxaboroles on hydroxyapatite, which is the main mineral
      phase present in bone. We describe the mode of grafting of benzoxaboroles on this
      material, and show that they only weakly bind to its surface, especially in
      comparison to other ionic species commonly found in physiological media, such as
      phosphates and carboxylates. This demonstrates that administered benzoxaborole
      drugs are unlikely to remain adsorbed on hydroxyapatite surfaces for long periods
      of time, which means that their biodistribution will not be affected by such
      phenomena. Moreover, this work shows that the formulation of benzoxaborole drugs
      by association to calcium phosphates like hydroxyapatite will lead to a rapid
      release of the molecules.

PMID- 27282647
TI  - Micromechanical properties of strain-sensitive lyriform organs of a wandering
      spider (Cupiennius salei).
AB  - Highly sensitive lyriform organs located on the legs of the wandering spider
      Cupiennius salei allow the spider to detect nanometer-scale strains in the
      exoskeleton resulting from locomotion or substrate vibrations. Morphological
      features of the lyriform organs result in their specialization and selective
      sensitivity to specific mechanical stimuli, which make them interesting for
      bioinspired strain sensors. Here we utilize atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based
      force spectroscopy to probe nano-scale mechanical properties of the covering
      membrane of two lyriform organs found on Cupiennius salei: the vibration
      sensitive metatarsal lyriform organ (HS10) and the proprioreceptive tibial
      lyriform organ (HS8). Force distance curves (FDCs) obtained from AFM measurements
      displayed characteristic multi-layer structure behavior, with calculated elastic
      moduli ranging from 150MPa to 500MPa for different regions and indentation
      depths. In addition, we probed the lyriform organs with a large radius tip, which
      allowed for probing structural deformation by the application of high forces and
      large scale deformations without damaging the surface. The viscoelastic behavior
      of the sensor materials observed in this probing suggests mechanical relaxation
      times potentially playing a role in the time-dependent behavior of the lyriform
      organs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Highly sensitive lyriform organs located on
      the legs of the wandering spider Cupiennius salei allow the spider to detect
      nanometer-scale strains in the exoskeleton resulting from locomotion or substrate
      vibrations. Morphological features of the lyriform organs result in their
      specialization and selective sensitivity to specific mechanical stimuli, which
      make them an interesting for bioinspired strain sensors. Here we utilize atomic
      force microscopy (AFM)-based force spectroscopy to probe nano-scale mechanical
      properties of the covering membrane of two lyriform organs found on Cupiennius
      salei: the vibration sensitive metatarsal lyriform organ (HS10) and the
      proprioreceptive tibial lyriform organ (HS8). Force distance curves (FDCs)
      obtained from AFM measurements displayed characteristic multi-layer structure
      behavior, with calculated elastic moduli ranging from 150MPa to 500MPa for
      different regions and indentation depths. The viscoelastic behavior of the sensor
      materials observed in this probing suggests mechanical relaxation times playing a
      role in the time-dependent behavior of the lyriform organs.

PMID- 27282648
TI  - BRAT1 mutations are associated with infantile epileptic encephalopathy,
      mitochondrial dysfunction, and survival into childhood.
AB  - We describe two siblings who were affected with early onset focal seizures,
      severe progressive postnatal microcephaly, muscular hypertonia, feeding problems
      and bouts of apnea, only minimal psychomotor development, as well as death in
      infancy and childhood. We identified compound heterozygous mutations in BRAT1
      exons 5 (c.638_639insA) and 8 (c.1134+1G>A) in one affected child via next
      generation sequencing of the disease-associated genome followed by phenotype
      driven bioinformatic analysis. Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of these
      mutations in both patients and a heterozygote status of the parents. Whereas the
      frameshift mutation (c.638_639insA) has been described in one family, the splice
      site mutation (c.1134+1G>A) is novel. In contrast to all cases published so far,
      one of our patients showed a considerably milder clinical course with survival
      into childhood. Investigation of a skeletal muscle biopsy showed a severely
      reduced COX enzyme histochemical staining, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction.
      Our data expand the clinical and mutational spectrum of the BRAT1-associated
      phenotype. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 27282649
TI  - Spatiotemporal distribution of proliferation, proapoptotic and antiapoptotic
      factors in the early human limb development.
AB  - Involvement of proliferation and apoptosis in the human limb development was
      analyzed electronmicroscopically and immunohistochemically in histological
      sections of 8 human embryos, 4(th) -10(th) week old, using apoptotic (caspase-3,
      AIF, BAX), anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) and proliferation (Ki-67) markers, and TUNEL
      method. The data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's
      post hoc test. Initially, developing human limbs consisted of mesenchymal core
      and surface ectoderm with apical ectodermal ridge (AER). During progression of
      development, strong proliferation activity gradually decreased in the mesenchyme
      (from 78% to 68%) and in the epithelium (from 62% to 42%), while in the
      differentiating finger cartilages proliferation was constantly low (26-7%).
      Apoptotic caspase-3 and AIF-positive cells characterized mesenchyme and AER at
      earliest stages, while during digit separation they appeared in interdigital
      mesenchyme as well. Strong Bcl-2 expression was observed in AER, subridge
      mesenchyme and phalanges, while BAX expression charaterized limb areas undergoing
      apoptosis. Ultrastructurally, proliferating cells showed mitotic figures, while
      apoptotic cells were characterized by nuclear fragmentation. Macrophages were
      observed around the apoptotic cells. We suggest that intense proliferation
      enables growth and elongation of human limb primordia, and differential growth of
      digits. Both caspase-3 and AIF-dependant pathways of cell death control the
      extent of AER and numer of cells in the subridge mesenchyme at earliest
      developmental stages, as well as process of digit separation at later stages of
      limb development. Spatio-temporal co-expresson of Bcl-2 and BAX indicates their
      role in suppression of apoptosis and selective stimulation of growth during human
      limb morphogenesis. 

PMID- 27282651
TI  - Insight into the SEA amide thioester equilibrium. Application to the synthesis of
      thioesters at neutral pH.
AB  - The bis(2-sulfanylethyl)amide (SEA) N,S-acyl shift thioester surrogate has found
      a variety of useful applications in the field of protein total synthesis. Here we
      present novel insights into the SEA amide/thioester equilibrium in water which is
      an essential step in any reaction involving the thioester surrogate properties of
      the SEA group. We also show that the SEA amide thioester equilibrium can be
      efficiently displaced at neutral pH for accessing peptide alkylthioesters, i.e.
      the key components of the native chemical ligation (NCL) reaction. 

PMID- 27282650
TI  - Identification of circulating microRNAs during the liver neoplastic process in a
      murine model of hereditary tyrosinemia type 1.
AB  - Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1) is a severe inborn error of metabolism,
      impacting the tyrosine catabolic pathway with a high incidence of hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). Using a HT1 murine model, we investigated the changes in
      profiles of circulating and hepatic miRNAs. The aim was to determine if plasma
      miRNAs could be used as non-invasive markers of liver damage in HT1 progression.
      Plasma and liver miRNAome was determined by deep sequencing after HT1 phenotype
      was induced. Sequencing analysis revealed deregulation of several miRNAs
      including let-7/miR-98 family, miR-21 and miR-148a, during manifestation of liver
      pathology. Three miRNAs (miR-98, miR-200b, miR-409) presenting the highest
      plasmatic variations among miRNAs found in both plasma and liver and with >1000
      reads in at least one plasma sample, were further validated by RT-qPCR. Two of
      these miRNAs have protein targets involved in HT1 and significant changes in
      their circulating levels are detectable prior an increase in protein expression
      of alpha-fetoprotein, the current biomarker for HCC diagnosis. Future assessment
      of these miRNAs in HT1 patients and their association with liver neoplastic
      lesions might designate these molecules as potential biomarkers for monitoring
      HT1 damage progression, improving diagnosis for early HCC detection and the
      design of novel therapeutic targets.

PMID- 27282652
TI  - Neuro-oncology: Amino acid PET for brain tumours - ready for the clinic?

PMID- 27282654
TI  - In the News: Uniting Europe through neurology.

PMID- 27282655
TI  - Conjugated Microporous Polymers with Built-In Magnetic Nanoparticles for
      Excellent Enrichment of Trace Hydroxylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in
      Human Urine.
AB  - Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), linked by a covalent bond to form an
      extension of the aromatic ring skeleton, are microporous materials characterized
      by a highly conjugated structure and high stability. The present study reported
      on a novel strategy for the synthesis of CMPs with built-in magnetic
      nanoparticles for excellent enrichment of trace hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) in human urine. We modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles with
      boronic acid groups and then reacted the nanoparticles with reactive monomers of
      polyphenylene conjugated microporous polymer (PP-CMP) to anchor the magnetic
      components in the PP-CMP framework. Chemical bonding between Fe3O4 nanoparticles
      and PP-CMP networks, together with equally firm covalent linkage and rigidity of
      the PP-CMP network, endows the magnetic PP-CMP with remarkable chemical stability
      and durability, even in harsh conditions. Magnetic PP-CMP has the characteristics
      of high conjugation ability, highly porous structure, and magnetism, which makes
      it an ideal magnetic adsorbent for trace analytes with aromatic conjugation
      structure. The adsorption mechanism of OH-PAHs on magnetic PP-CMP was
      investigated and demonstrated that hydrophobic interaction was important for the
      contribution of interaction between adsorbents and target analytes, together with
      the assistance of pi-pi stacking interaction. For the application, the magnetic
      PP-CMP was used for the enrichment of trace OH-PAHs in human urine of both
      smokers and nonsmokers in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography
      with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). It showed good selectivity and excellent
      sensitivity to these OH-PAHs. Their detection limits were low and in the range of
      0.01-0.08 MUg.L(-1). The OH-PAHs were detected with different amounts from 0.054
      to 0.802 MUg.L(-1) in urine samples from smokers and nonsmokers. The recoveries
      were found to be 76.0%-107.8%. The results indicate that the magnetic PP-CMP
      offers an efficient enrichment method for trace OH-PAHs in human urine.

PMID- 27282656
TI  - Evaluation of Postmortem Cerebrospinal Fluid S100B Protein and Serotonin Levels:
      Comparison of Suicidal Versus Nonsuicidal Deaths in Konya, Turkey.
AB  - Although suicide is a preventable public health problem, objective assays for
      suicide risk are limited. In this study, it was aimed to determine levels of
      S100B protein and serotonin as a marker for risk of suicide. S100B protein and
      serotonin levels were investigated with ELISA method in the cerebrospinal fluid
      (CSF) in medicolegal autopsy cases, including those of suicide cases (n = 32) and
      nonsuicide cases (n = 56). The CSF S100B levels were higher (9.3 +/- 2.9 ng/mL
      vs. 5.4 +/- 2.0 ng/mL), and serotonin levels were lower (10.4 +/- 4.9 ng/mL vs.
      19.0 +/- 5.7 ng/mL) in suicide group than nonsuicide group (p < 0.05). There was
      no correlation between S100B protein and serotonin levels with gender, age
      groups, postmortem interval, and cause of death. It is concluded that both S100B
      protein and serotonin in CSF may be useful for determination of suicide risk.

PMID- 27282657
TI  - Biofluids and other techniques: general discussion.

PMID- 27282653
TI  - Genetic variants in Alzheimer disease - molecular and brain network approaches.
AB  - Genetic studies in late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) are aimed at identifying
      core disease mechanisms and providing potential biomarkers and drug candidates to
      improve clinical care of AD. However, owing to the complexity of LOAD, including
      pathological heterogeneity and disease polygenicity, extraction of actionable
      guidance from LOAD genetics has been challenging. Past attempts to summarize the
      effects of LOAD-associated genetic variants have used pathway analysis and
      collections of small-scale experiments to hypothesize functional convergence
      across several variants. In this Review, we discuss how the study of molecular,
      cellular and brain networks provides additional information on the effects of
      LOAD-associated genetic variants. We then discuss emerging combinations of these
      omic data sets into multiscale models, which provide a more comprehensive
      representation of the effects of LOAD-associated genetic variants at multiple
      biophysical scales. Furthermore, we highlight the clinical potential of
      mechanistically coupling genetic variants and disease phenotypes with multiscale
      brain models.

PMID- 27282658
TI  - Chemical screening identifies the beta-Carboline alkaloid harmine to be
      synergistically lethal with doxorubicin.
AB  - Despite being an invaluable chemotherapeutic agent for several types of cancer,
      the clinical utility of doxorubicin is hampered by its age-related and dose
      dependent cardiotoxicity. Co-administration of dexrazoxane as a cardioprotective
      agent has been proposed, however recent studies suggest that it attenuates
      doxorubicin-induced antitumor activity. Since compounds of natural origin present
      a rich territory for drug discovery, we set out to identify putative natural
      compounds with the view to mitigate or minimize doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. We
      identify the DYRK1A kinase inhibitor harmine, which phosphorylates Tau that is
      deregulated in Alzheimer's disease, as a potentiator of cell death induced by non
      toxic doses of doxorubicin. These observations suggest that harmine or other
      compounds that target the DYRK1A kinase my offer a new therapeutic opportunity to
      suppress doxorubicin age-related and dose-dependent cardiotoxicity.

PMID- 27282659
TI  - Effects of brown seaweed polyphenols, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid on
      protein oxidation and textural properties of fish mince (Pagrosomus major) during
      frozen storage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frozen storage of minced fish is currently one of the most important
      techniques to maintain its functional properties. However, some deterioration
      does occur during frozen storage and cause quality loss. The effects of brown
      seaweed polyphenols, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid on lipid and protein
      oxidation and textural properties of red sea bream (Pagrosomus major) during 90
      days of frozen storage at -18  degrees C were investigated. RESULTS: All added
      antioxidants at 1 g kg-1 resulted in significantly lower thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances (TBARS) compared to the control during the 45 days of frozen
      storage. The antioxidants were also effective in retarding protein oxidation
      concerning to total sulfhydryl content and protein carbonyl content. Brown
      seaweed polyphenols and alpha-tocopherol significantly retarded the inactivation
      of Ca2+ -ATPase activity during the first 45 days, whereas ascorbic acid had no
      such effect. The antioxidant activity showed either an invariable or decrease
      trend after 45 days storage. Adding antioxidants had a significant effect on the
      breaking force of the gels during the frozen storage period. CONCLUSION: These
      results indicate that brown seaweed polyphenols and alpha-tocopherol can be used
      to prevent oxidative reactions and thus maintain the structure of the gel formed
      by fish mince during frozen storage. (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27282660
TI  - Neonatal Platelet Transfusions and Future Areas of Research.
AB  - Thrombocytopenia affects approximately one fourth of neonates admitted to
      neonatal intensive care units, and prophylactic platelet transfusions are
      commonly administered to reduce bleeding risk. However, there are few evidence
      based guidelines to inform clinicians' decision-making process. Developmental
      differences in hemostasis and differences in underlying disease processes make it
      difficult to apply platelet transfusion practices from other patient populations
      to neonates. Thrombocytopenia is a risk factor for common preterm complications
      such as intraventricular hemorrhage; however, a causal link has not been
      established, and platelet transfusions have not been shown to reduce risk of
      developing intraventricular hemorrhage. Platelet count frequently drives the
      decision of whether to transfuse platelets, although there is little evidence to
      demonstrate what a safe platelet nadir is in preterm neonates. Current clinical
      assays of platelet function often require large sample volumes and are not valid
      in the setting of thrombocytopenia; however, evaluation of platelet function
      and/or global hemostasis may aid in the identification of neonates who are at the
      highest risk of bleeding. Although platelets' primary role is in establishing
      hemostasis, platelets also carry pro- and antiangiogenic factors in their
      granules. Aberrant angiogenesis underpins common complications of prematurity
      including intraventricular hemorrhage and retinopathy of prematurity. In
      addition, platelets play an important role in host immune defenses. Infectious
      and inflammatory conditions such as sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis are
      commonly associated with late-onset thrombocytopenia in neonates. Severity of
      thrombocytopenia is correlated with mortality risk. The nature of this
      association is unclear, but preclinical data suggest that thrombocytopenia
      contributes to mortality rather than simply being a proxy for disease severity.
      Neonates are a distinct patient population in whom thrombocytopenia is common.
      Their unique physiology and associated complications make the risks and benefits
      of platelet transfusions difficult to understand. The goal of this review was to
      highlight research areas that need to be addressed to better understand the risks
      and benefits of platelet transfusions in neonates. Specifically, it will be
      important to identify neonates at risk of bleeding who would benefit from a
      platelet transfusion and to determine whether platelet transfusions either
      abrogate or exacerbate common neonatal complications such as sepsis, chronic lung
      disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, and retinopathy of prematurity.

PMID- 27282661
TI  - Comparison of Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy and Isothermal Micro
      calorimetry for Non-invasive Detection of Microbial Growth in Media Fills.
AB  - Two methods were investigated for non-invasive microbial growth-detection in
      intact glass vials as possible techniques for automated inspection of media
      filled units. Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) was used to
      determine microbially induced changes in O2 and CO2 concentrations within the
      vial headspaces. Isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) allowed the detection of
      metabolic heat production. Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus salivarius were
      chosen as test organisms. Parameters as robustness, sensitivity, comparability
      and time to detection (TtD) were evaluated to assess method adequacy. Both
      methods robustly detected growth of the tested microorganisms within less than 76
      hours using an initial inoculum of <10CFU. TDLA turned out to be less sensitive
      than TDLA and IMC, as some false negative results were observed. Compared to the
      visual media-fill examination of spiked samples, the investigated techniques were
      slightly slower regarding TtD. Although IMC showed shorter TtD than TDLAS the
      latter is proposed for automating the media-fill inspection, as larger throughput
      can be achieved. For routine use either TDLA or a combination of TDLA and TDLA
      should be considered. IMC may be helpful for replacing the sterility assessment
      of commercial drug products before release.

PMID- 27282662
TI  - Natural remedies used by Bunong people in Mondulkiri province (Northeast
      Cambodia) with special reference to the treatment of 11 most common ailments.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In this paper we present a comprehensive
      ethnomedicinal study conducted in Mondulkiri province. Traditional knowledge
      about natural medicine (plants, animals, mushrooms) was investigated in
      Cambodia's largest indigenous community: the Bunong people. The survey aims to
      document the medicinal plant use of this ethnic, by focusing on the eleven most
      frequent diseases encountered in the area, in order to highlight species that
      could be recommended in public health programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the
      years 2013 and 2014, 202 villagers were interviewed in 28 villages from the five
      districts in Mondulkiri. Two types of methodology were employed: (1) an
      ethnobotanical field survey (walk-in-the-wood interviews) and (2) semi-structured
      household interviews with a special emphasis on the treatment of 11 most common
      ailments encountered in the area. Medicinal plants and mushrooms were collected
      and identified together with medicinal animals. The factor informant consensus
      (FIC) and fidelity level (FL) were calculated. RESULTS: Bunong people use a total
      of 214 plants belonging to 72 families, 1 mushroom and 22 animal species in their
      traditional healthcare practices in order to treat 51 different ailments. Among
      the medicinal plants, Fabaceae was the most predominant family; Chromolaena
      odorata (L.) R.M. King and H.Rob. (Asteraceae), Zingiber montanum (J.Koenig) Link
      ex A.Dietr. (Zingiberaceae) and Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. (Crassulaceae)
      were the most cited medicinal plants; and four ailments (cold/fever, diarrhea,
      postpartum disorders and stomachache) were described as major ailments in the
      community. The root was the most important part of plants used, and decoction was
      the most cited method of preparation. During our survey, we also discovered a
      "new to science" plant species called Ardisia mondulkiriensis Hul and Chassagne,
      and we recorded for the second time the plant species recently described, Solanum
      sakhanii Hul. CONCLUSION: Most of the species reported for the treatment of the
      11 most frequent ailments have already been proven to be efficient and safe.
      Furthermore, 10 plant species are reported for the first time as medicinal and
      some of them are widely used in the community. Further pharmacological and
      phytochemical investigations should be undergone to assess the pharmaceutical
      potential of these species. While undergoing considerable changes, Bunong people
      have maintained extensive traditional medicine knowledge. As this indigenous hill
      tribe depend mainly on natural remedies for their daily healthcare, environmental
      preservation is of high importance for the community.

PMID- 27282663
TI  - Mentha longifolia protects against acetic-acid induced colitis in rats.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mentha longifolia L (Wild Mint or Habak) (ML) is
      used in traditional medicine in treatment of many gastrointestinal disorders. AIM
      OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to evaluate potential protecting effect of ML and
      its major constituent, eucalyptol, against acetic acid-induced colitis in rats, a
      model of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were
      divided into ten groups (n=8) given orally for three days (mg/kg/day) the
      following: normal control, acetic acid-induced colitis (un-treated, positive
      control), vehicle (DMSO), sulfasalazine (500), ML extract (100, 500, 1000), and
      eucalyptol (100, 200, 400). After 24h-fasting, two ML of acetic acid (3%) was
      administered intrarectally. On the fifth day, serum and colonic biochemical
      markers, and histopathological changes were evaluated. RESULTS: Colitis
      significantly increased colonic myeloperoxidase activity and malonaldehyde level,
      and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and malonaldehyde levels
      while significantly decreased colonic and serum glutathione levels. All
      treatments (except ML 100, ML 1000, and eucalyptol 100) significantly reversed
      these changes where eucalyptol (400) showed the highest activity in a dose
      dependent manner. The colitis-induced histopathological changes were mild in
      sulfasalazine and eucalyptol 400 groups, moderate in ML 500 and eucalyptol 200
      groups, and severe in ML 100, ML 1000, and eucalyptol 100 groups nearly similar
      to colitis-untreated rats. CONCLUSION: ML (in moderate doses) and eucalyptol
      (dose-dependently) exerted protective effects against acetic acid-induced colitis
      in rats possibly through antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties suggesting a
      potential benefit in treatments of IBD. To our knowledge this is the first report
      addressing this point.

PMID- 27282664
TI  - In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective effects of edible pods of
      Parkia roxburghii and quantification of the active constituent by HPLC-PDA.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Parkia roxburghii G. Don. is a traditional
      medicinal plant and its pods are extensively used as food and medicine. It is
      believed by the traditional healers to have medicinal properties to treat
      diabetes, hypertension and urinary tract infections (Jamaluddin et al., 1994).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanolic extract of pods of P roxburghii and
      fractions were screened for their alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory
      activity. Anti-hyperglycemic effects were studied on streptozotocin (45mg/kg
      b.w.) induced diabetes in albino rats (seven groups, n=7 n=6), using different
      doses for 14 days. Plasma glucose concentration (HbA1c) was analysed using whole
      blood, while SGOT, SGPT, TG, TC and uric acid were analysed using serum,
      employing commercial kits. Quantitative analysis of the major active constituent
      was carried out by HPLC-PDA. RESULTS: Bioactivity guided chemical investigation
      of the edible pods of P roxburghii identified sub-fraction EA-Fr 5 which
      significantly inhibited alpha-glucosidase (IC50 0.39+/-0.06 ugmL(-1)), reduced
      the blood glucose level to normal, and lowered the elevated levels of liver
      function enzymes SGOT and SGPT in STZ-induced diabetic rats. EA-Fr 5 was found to
      contain epigallocatechin gallate (1) and hyperin (2) which exhibited
      significantly higher alpha-glucosidase inhibitory potency with IC50 0.51+/-0.09
      and 0.71+/-0.03uM respectively. EA-Fr 5 contained 379.82+/-2.90mg/g of EGCG, the
      major active constituent which manifests a broad spectrum of biological
      activities. CONCLUSION: The present investigation for the first time reports the
      occurrence of EGCG and hyperin in P roxburghii and substantiates the traditional
      use of pods of P roxburghii as dietary supplement for management of diabetes with
      significantly promising alpha-glucosidase inhibitory potency and anti
      hyperglycemic as well as hepatoprotective effects.

PMID- 27282665
TI  - Synergistic anti-liver fibrosis actions of total astragalus saponins and
      glycyrrhizic acid via TGF-beta1/Smads signaling pathway modulation.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Huangqi decoction (HQD) is a well-known
      traditional Chinese herbal formulation, It is an effective treatment for
      consumptive disease and chronic liver diseases. It consists of Radix Astragali
      (Astragalus membranceus(Fisch.) Bge. Root, Huangqi) and Radix Glycyrrhizae
      (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., root and rhizome, Gancao). Total astragalus
      saponins (AST) is a main component of Radix Astragali and glycyrrhizic acid(GA)
      is a main component of Radix Glycyrrhizae. Our primary results showed that the
      combination of AST and GA had an obvious synergistic effect in reducing liver
      collagen deposition and decreasing serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity
      in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis. AIM OF THE STUDY: Through in
      vivo and in vitro experiments, we aimed at investigating the key anti-fibrosis
      signal pathway TGF-beta1/Smads to further explore the synergistic mechanism of
      AST and GA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hepatic fibrosis animal models, bile duct
      ligation-induced (BDL) and DMN-induced, were utilized. Rats were treated orally
      with AST, GA or AST/GA, with the effects evaluated via liver histopathology,
      hydroxyproline (Hyp) levels, and alpha-SMA expression. In the hepatic stellate
      cell line JS-1, cells were treated with AST/GA for 24h, followed by a cell
      viability assessment using Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8) and Real-time PCR and
      Western blot analysis of alpha-SMA, ColI and TGF-beta1/Smads signaling pathway
      related components. RESULTS: The AST/GA combination attenuated liver tissue
      inflammation, collagen deposition, Hyp levels, and alpha-SMA expression in both
      BDL-and DMN-stimulated hepatic fibrosis rats. In vitro results showed that the
      AST/GA combination significantly inhibited JS-1 cell viability, significantly
      suppressed alpha-SMA, ColI, TGF-beta1, Smad2 and Smad3 mRNA and protein
      expression, as well reduced p-Smad2/3. Compared with AST or GA treatment alone,
      the AST/GA combination significantly reduced Smad3 mRNA expression levels and TGF
      beta1, Smad3, and p-Smad2/3 protein levels. CONCLUSIONS: AST and GA
      synergistically alleviated both BDL-and DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis via TGF
      beta1/Smads signaling pathway inhibition in hepatic stellate cells.

PMID- 27282666
TI  - Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Critonia aromatisans leaves:
      Downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Critonia aromatisans (Asteraceae), commonly known
      as "Chiople", is a cultivated species that is used in Mayan traditional medicine
      to treat inflammation, joint pain and rheumatism. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate
      the in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of
      aqueous and organic extracts prepared from Critonia aromatisans leaves. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Methanol, ethyl acetate, methylene chloride, hexanic, and aqueous
      extracts were obtained from the leaves of C. aromatisans. The anti-inflammatory
      properties of the extracts were tested in vivo to evaluate their ability to
      reduce the inflammatory response in the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model
      in NIH mice. In addition, to explore the immunomodulatory effects of C.
      aromatisans, in vitro testing was performed to determine whether C. aromatisans
      leaf extracts are capable of decreasing macrophage production of nitric oxide
      (NO), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, and
      cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) without affecting macrophage viability. RESULTS: Single
      orally administered doses (100mg/kg or 200mg/kg) of a hexanic extract of C.
      aromatisans leaves significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice
      (P<0.001) by 76% and 84%, respectively. The effect of the extract in this model
      was generally comparable to those of the standard drugs used. In the in vitro
      determination, the extracts reduced the amount of NO mainly at 500 and
      1000MUg/mL. Hexanic extract and subfractions C, D, E, and F at 50 and 100MUg/mL
      produced the lowest concentration of mediators in culture supernatants (protein)
      and at the mRNA/gene level by the significant down-regulation of cytokines. These
      findings explain some of the anti-inflammatory activity of this species.
      Purification of fractions C and D allowed the complete identification of
      cyclocolorenone, stigmasterol and stigmasterol derivatives as some of their main
      components. CONCLUSION: A hexanic extract of C. aromatisans displayed anti
      inflammatory effects, validating the traditional practice of Mayan communities
      wherein an ointment with a petrolatum base, a non-polar substance, is used to
      treat inflammation. Additionally, C. aromatisans showed strong in vivo and in
      vitro activity, and one of the mechanisms of its anti-inflammatory response was
      shown to be inhibition of the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
      The results of this study provide a pharmacological basis for the use of C.
      aromatisans leaves in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. The presence of
      stigmasterol and cyclocolorenone could be the responsibles of the anti
      inflammatory activity of this specie. Further studies should be done on the
      antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cyclocolorenone. The results of
      this study provide a pharmacological basis for the use of C. aromatisans leaves
      in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

PMID- 27282668
TI  - Veritas filia temporis: The origins of the idea of scientific progress.
AB  - The article provides insight into the epistemological and anthropological aspect
      of the origination of the idea of scientific progress. It focuses on the
      relationship between individual's limited lifetime and the immensity of nature.
      The basic assumption is that the idea of scientific progress offers a solution of
      the epistemological problem stemming from the finding that there is no
      (teleological) coincidence between human cognitive abilities and the extent of
      nature. In order to facilitate the understanding of the origin of the idea of
      scientific progress, I propose distinction between the descriptive and
      prescriptive concepts of progress. While the descriptive notion of progress
      expresses the cumulative character of scientific knowledge and the superiority of
      the present over preceding generations, the prescriptive concept pertains to
      progressivist epistemology directing scientific research at the future
      development of knowledge. This article claims that the prevalent concept in
      Antiquity was the descriptive concept of scientific progress. The prescriptive
      notion had developed only in ancient astronomy. Early modern science was faced
      with similar issues as ancient astronomy - mainly the empirical finding related
      to the inexhaustible character of nature. Consequently to the introduction of the
      idea of progress, the progress of sciences became a purpose in itself - hence
      becoming infinite.

PMID- 27282667
TI  - High-energy proton imaging for biomedical applications.
AB  - The charged particle community is looking for techniques exploiting proton
      interactions instead of X-ray absorption for creating images of human tissue. Due
      to multiple Coulomb scattering inside the measured object it has shown to be
      highly non-trivial to achieve sufficient spatial resolution. We present imaging
      of biological tissue with a proton microscope. This device relies on magnetic
      optics, distinguishing it from most published proton imaging methods. For these
      methods reducing the data acquisition time to a clinically acceptable level has
      turned out to be challenging. In a proton microscope, data acquisition and
      processing are much simpler. This device even allows imaging in real time. The
      primary medical application will be image guidance in proton radiosurgery. Proton
      images demonstrating the potential for this application are presented.
      Tomographic reconstructions are included to raise awareness of the possibility of
      high-resolution proton tomography using magneto-optics.

PMID- 27282670
TI  - This month in the journal: cardiology and other disciplines.

PMID- 27282669
TI  - The impact of therapeutic massage on adult residents living with complex and high
      level disabilities: A brief report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research into the effects of touch in disabled adults in residential
      care remains largely unexplored in the current literature. Evidence suggests
      however, that massage therapy may improve mood state, including anxiety and
      stress, reduce pain and improve sleep/wake behavior and fatigue. These benefits
      are of importance as they have substantial impact on quality of life. PURPOSE:
      This pilot study evaluated the effect of therapeutic massage on the quality of
      life of adults with complex care needs living in residential care. METHODS:
      Participants were recruited from three residential homes (Queensland, Australia)
      for 18-65 year olds with severe disability. 25 participants were recruited and
      received a massage program consisting of five weeks of twice weekly massages.
      Structured interviews were conducted pre-post intervention. Additionally, mood
      was ascertained preceding and following each massage session. RESULTS: Mood of
      participants improved markedly immediately following massage session (p < 0.05)
      and pre-massage mood was observed to increase over the study period. However, pre
      and post-intervention measures indicated massage did not improve pain,
      sleepiness, depression or stress levels or sustain positive mood three days post
      intervention. Participants' satisfaction with their current health significantly
      improved (Z = -2.51, p = 0.012), as did their satisfaction with their current
      happiness (Z = -2.06, p = 0.04), suggesting that massage therapy offered some
      improvement in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot indicates
      that massage may be of benefit to people living with high care needs and
      represents a practical innovation providing tactile stimulation that may be
      integrated into care.

PMID- 27282672
TI  - Circulating microRNAs in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of cardiac
      related circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in ST-elevation myo- cardial infarction
      (STEMI) patients. METHODS: This study has a prospective experimental cohort
      design. A total of 12 consecutive patients with acute chest pain within 12 h
      admit- ted to emergency department (STEMI group) and 13 adult patients with
      normal coronary angiography during the same period were enrolled (control group)
      in this study. Changes in the expression of miR-122, miR-208, miR-375, miR-22,
      miR-133b, miR-92b, miR-21, miR-133a, miR-423-5p, miR-27b, miR-30a-3p, miR-17, miR
      30d, miR-642, and miR-95 were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction. Blood samples were collected before angiography and 24
      h after angiography. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the
      Social Sciences v19. RESULTS: The STEMI group included 12 patients (7 males) with
      an average age of 56.5+/-8.3 (range, 44-69) years. The control group included 13
      patients (9 males) with an average age of 59+/-11 (range, 42-80) years. When fold
      differences were calculated for the miRNA expression values, only miR-30d and miR
      423-5p expression levels in STEMI patients showed significant differences in
      expression levels compared with control patients. The miRNA levels were 2.3-fold
      higher for miR-30d (p=0.034) and 6.9-fold higher for miR-423-5p (p=0.017). There
      was no significant cor- relation between troponin I and miR-30d or miR-423-5p
      levels (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, the expression levels of miRNAs
      related to cardiac disease were evaluated in peripheral blood. The circulating
      miR- 423-5p and miR-30d levels in peripheral blood were found to be higher in
      STEMI cases than in the control group. Further studies should be conducted to
      evaluate their potential use as biomarkers in STEMI cases.

PMID- 27282671
TI  - Determinants of prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of high LDL-C in
      Turkey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: High blood cholesterol is one of the main modifiable risk factors for
      cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aim of the study is to determine the factors
      associated with the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of high "low
      density lipoprotein-cholesterol" (LDL-C) among adults aged >=20 years in Turkey.
      METHODS: We used data from Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Survey conducted in
      2011-2012. The presence of high LDL-C, lipid-lowering treatment eligibility, and
      achievement of target LDL-C were defined according to the third Adult Treatment
      Panel guidelines on treatment of high cholesterol. Multivariate logistic
      regression analyses were performed to determine the associations between
      participant characteristics and high LDL-C prevalence, awareness, treatment, and
      control. RESULTS: Framingham risk score categorization was performed for 13121
      individuals aged >=20 years. Approximately, 28% of the participants presented
      with high LDL-C. Among those with high LDL-C, 55.8% were aware of their
      situation; among those aware of high LDL-C, 46.9% were receiving lipid-lowering
      medication, and 50.6% of individuals who were receiving treatment achieved target
      LDL-C levels on the basis of their coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Control of
      high LDL-C was negatively associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus (odds
      ratio: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.27-0.49, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite the high awareness
      rates, there was a high proportion of adults who did not receive treatment or
      achieve recommended levels of LDL-C during treatment. The low treatment and
      control levels among individuals based on their CHD risk levels call for a better
      application of recommendations regarding personal preventive measures and
      treatments in Turkey.

PMID- 27282674
TI  - An aspect to the publication ethics subject in the open access online journals.

PMID- 27282673
TI  - Myocardial infarction as a thrombotic complication of myeloproliferative
      disorders.

PMID- 27282675
TI  - Successful sequential drug eluting balloon angioplasty to chronic total occluded
      popliteal artery in a patient with thromboangitis obliterans by PCR.

PMID- 27282676
TI  - Value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and its combination with GRACE risk score
      in predicting PCI outcomes in acute coronary syndrome.

PMID- 27282677
TI  - Current studies about the energy drinks may not simulate the real life.

PMID- 27282678
TI  - Author's Reply.

PMID- 27282679
TI  - Nebivolol compared with metoprolol for erectile function in males undergoing
      coronary artery bypass graft.

PMID- 27282680
TI  - Author's Reply.

PMID- 27282681
TI  - Cardiac problem because of Zika virus infection: a possibility.

PMID- 27282682
TI  - Conference Report: The 2nd Symposium of sudden cardiac arrest survival.

PMID- 27282683
TI  - Rheumatic involvement of the cleft mitral valve.

PMID- 27282684
TI  - Cardiac metastasis of synovial sarcoma presenting with superior vena cava
      syndrome.

PMID- 27282685
TI  - Early failure of symphysis pubis plating.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Operative fixation of a disrupted symphysis pubis helps return
      alignment and stability to a traumatized pelvic ring. Implant loosening or
      failure has been demonstrated to commonly occur at some subacute point during the
      postoperative period. The purpose of this study is to report on a series of
      patients with traumatic pelvic ring disruptions to determine the incidence and
      common factors associated with early postoperative symphyseal plate failure
      before 7 weeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 126 patients retrospectively identified
      with unstable pelvic injuries treated with open reduction and plate fixation of
      the symphysis pubis and iliosacral screw fixation. Preoperative and postoperative
      radiographs, computed tomography (CT) images, and medical chart were reviewed to
      determine symphyseal displacement preoperatively and postoperatively, time until
      plate failure, patient symptoms and symphyseal displacement at failure,
      subsequent symphyseal displacement, incidence of additional surgery, and patient
      weight bearing compliance. RESULTS: 14 patients (11.1%) sustained premature
      postoperative fixation failure. 13 patients had anteroposterior compression (APC)
      II injuries and 1 patient had an APC-III injury. Preoperative symphyseal
      displacement was 35.6 millimeters (mm) (20.8-52.9). Postoperative symphyseal
      space measurement was 6.3mm (4.7-9.3). Time until plate failure was 29days (5
      47). Nine patients (64.2%) noted a pop surrounding the time of failure.
      Symphyseal space measurement at failure was 12.4mm (5.6-20.5). All patients
      demonstrated additional symphyseal displacement averaging 2.6mm (0.2-9.4). Two
      patients (14.2%) underwent revision. Four patients (28.5%) were non-compliant.
      CONCLUSION: Premature failure of symphysis pubis plating is not uncommon. In this
      series, further symphyseal displacement after plate failure was not substantial.
      The presence of acute symphyseal plate failure alone may not be an absolute
      indication for revision surgery. Making patient education a priority could lead
      to decreased postoperative non-compliance and potentially a decreased incidence
      of implant failure. Posterior pelvic ring fixation aides overall pelvic ring
      stability and may help minimize further displacement after early postoperative
      symphyseal plate failure. Further functional outcome and biomechanical studies
      surrounding early symphyseal plate failure are needed.

PMID- 27282686
TI  - Water-based lubricant as an adjunct to wound toilet: Validation of a technique by
      experiment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Metal debris can produce a foreign body inflammatory reaction or as
      third body wear in the situation of joint arthroplasty. We evaluate a simple
      method for reducing this debris using a sterile water-based lubricating gel.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight experimental surgical models consisting of porcine
      muscle overlying a polyethylene tube with a titanium locking plate and screws
      secured were constructed. Four models had water based lubricating gel applied to
      the wound edges, four were left without as controls. Image were then captured
      before and after irrigation from which the amount of debris could be quantified.
      RESULTS: The reduction of surface area covered by debris for models with water
      based gel was greater (p=0.001). The average reduction in surface area was 27.2%
      for the control group and 94.1% for the models covered with lubricating gel.
      CONCLUSION: We show that using a safe, inexpensive and easily available water
      based lubricating gel reduces the amount of embedded debris when burring metal
      implants using a high-speed burr.

PMID- 27282687
TI  - The injury trajectory for young people 16-24 years in the six months following
      injury: A mixed methods study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young people are the population at greatest risk of
      injury and therefore injury-related mortality and morbidity. Inquiry into the
      injury trajectory of young people is needed to identify this group's specific
      needs for healthcare. This paper reports the integration of quantitative and
      qualitative findings from a sequential explanatory mixed methods study examining
      young people aged 16-24 years' experience and trajectory of traumatic physical
      injury in the initial six months. The aim of integration was to address the
      question: In what ways are injured young peoples' experiences and self-management
      during the initial six months of the injury trajectory impacted by their injury,
      family support, and provision of healthcare? METHODS: Key findings from
      epidemiological datasets on young person injuries from hospital and coronial
      databases (Phase 1) were combined with key findings from qualitative interviews
      with 12 injured young people and 10 family members (Phase 2). RESULTS: The
      integration of findings from Phase 1 and Phase 2 resulted in three new findings;
      [1] (Alfred Health, 2014). A young person's perception of the severity of their
      injury, as well as the amount of time spent in hospital, impacts substantially on
      the way in which they experience injury, and this is managed differently between
      genders; [2] (Newnam et al., 2014). Admission to an Intensive care unit,
      including the intensity and duration of care, is the primary influence on how a
      family will provide support to the young person in the inpatient period; and [3]
      (Lyons et al., 2010). Young people's perception and understanding of their
      recovery from injury is in contrast with how healthcare systems are structured to
      provide rehabilitation and recovery care. CONCLUSION: The injury trajectory and
      recovery process of young people in the six months following injury have been
      have conceptualised. These trajectories of recovery can inform the development of
      anticipatory guidance frameworks for clinicians and guide the provision of and
      planning for clinical services for injured young people.

PMID- 27282688
TI  - Functional and psychological outcomes of delayed lower limb amputation following
      failed lower limb reconstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and
      psychological outcomes of patients who underwent delayed lower limb amputation
      following failed limb salvage surgery. METHODS: This retrospective, descriptive
      study evaluated functional outcomes using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and
      Short Form-36 (SF-36) in 12 patients. Inclusion criteria included patients who
      underwent limb reconstruction and delayed amputation between July 2006 and
      December 2014, with an age range between 18 and 80 years of age, the ability to
      ambulate independently, a time interval between the last salvage procedure and
      amputation greater than six months, and a minimum follow-up of 24 months.
      Patients were contacted via telephone by the principal investigator and both the
      Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) were completed.
      Descriptive analysis (means and standard deviation) was used to determine
      outcomes for both SIP and SF-36 health profiles. RESULTS: Ten patients who had
      amputations following failed reconstruction (2006-2014) with a mean age of 53+/
      10years were interviewed. Six patients had a SIP <5, three patients scored
      between five and 10 points and one scored >10 points. The main deficit on the SF
      36 was in the physical component. The SF-36 scores demonstrated a mean score of
      40.8+/-11.5 for the physical component, and 57.4+/-7.9 for the mental component.
      Three patients returned to work after amputation and continued performing their
      pre-injury duties as farmers. Three other patients returned to work, but were
      allocated to administrative duties. Two patients were pensioners at the time of
      their injuries, and the only female patient was a housewife. One patient went
      into early retirement. CONCLUSION: The results of this study strongly suggest
      that delayed amputation following failed limb salvage surgery can still result in
      good and satisfactory outcomes in the majority of patients and achieves results
      similar to early amputation and limb reconstruction techniques.

PMID- 27282689
TI  - Does the relative density of periarticular bone influence the failure pattern of
      intra-articular fractures?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The architecture of joints almost certainly influences the nature
      of intra-articular fractures, and the concavity is much more likely to fail than
      the associated convexity. However, local differences in periarticular bone
      density potentially also plays a critical role. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate if there was any difference in periarticular bone density in intra
      articular fractures between the two opposing joint surfaces, comparing the
      convexity to the concavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified
      a series of 1003 intra-articular fractures of the hip, knee, and ankle; 129 of
      these patients had previously undergone CT scanning during their routine clinical
      assessment. Periarticular bone density was assessed using Hounsfield Units (HU)
      as a measure of the composite density of the adjacent bone. Bone density was
      compared between the opposite sides of each joint, to determine if a relationship
      exists between local bone density and the risk of articular surface fracture.
      RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in density between the
      two opposing surfaces, with the convexity 19% more dense than the concavity
      (p=0.0001). The knee exhibited the largest difference (55%), followed by the hip
      (18%); in the ankle, an inverse relationship was observed, and the concave
      surface was paradoxically denser (5%). There was no significant difference
      between those cases where the concavity failed in isolation compared to those
      where the convexity also failed (p=0.28). CONCLUSION: When the results were
      pooled for all three joints, there was a statistically significant higher local
      bone density demonstrated on the convex side of an intra-articular fracture.
      However, while this relationship was clearly exhibited in the knee, this was less
      evident in the other two joints; in the ankle the reverse was true, and the local
      bone adjacent to the concavity was found to have greater density. This suggests
      local bone density plays only a minor role in determining the nature of intra
      articular fractures.

PMID- 27282690
TI  - Comparison of clinical and radiologic outcomes between non-operative and
      operative treatment in 5th metatarsal base fractures (Zone 1).
AB  - The treatment of Zone 1 fractures of the 5th metatarsal base with >2mm of
      displacement remains controversial. We prospectively analyzed 29 patients with
      5th metatarsal base fractures (Zone 1) during 2009-2014. Radiography was
      performed to assess the degree of fracture gap and metatarsal length. Patients
      with gaps of 2mm or less were treated conservatively using a short leg cast or
      splint (Group A), while patients with fracture gap >2mm were randomly assigned to
      one of two groups. Group B patients were managed with open reduction and internal
      fixation (ORIF), and Group C patients were placed in a short leg cast only.
      Visual analog scale (VAS) score and American orthopedic foot and ankle society
      (AOFAS) score were obtained at the initial consult and at the last follow-up
      after treatment; change of the 5th metatarsal length was also measured at the
      initial consult and after complete bony union. Our study demonstrated that
      radiographic union of all cases was observed with a significant decrease in VAS
      and AOFAS scores, regardless of the initial fracture gap and type of management.
      Additionally, there was no difference seen in final VAS scores for patients with
      longer metatarsals when compared to those in whom the metatarsals were unchanged
      or shortened. 

PMID- 27282691
TI  - Good responsiveness with EuroQol 5-Dimension questionnaire and Short Form (36)
      Health Survey in 20-69 years old patients with a femoral neck fracture: A 2-year
      prospective follow-up study in 182 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: EQ-5D and SF-36 are two questionnaires used to measure health related
      quality of life (HRQoL). The responsiveness of these instruments has previously
      been evaluated in elderly populations with hip fracture but not in a younger
      population. The purpose was to evaluate the responsiveness of SF-36 and EQ-5D in
      a younger population with femoral neck fracture. METHODS: 182 patients aged 20-69
      were consecutively included. HRQoL was measured by EQ-5D and SF-36 at 4, 12 and
      24 months. Pain and function were measured by Harris Hip Score (HHS) on the same
      occasions. The responsiveness of EQ-5D and SF-36 was evaluated by calculation of
      two effect sizes; standardized effect size (SES) and standardized response mean
      (SRM), and by analysing how changes in score correlated to changes in function
      and subjective state of health. External responsiveness was also evaluated by
      calculating receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve.
      RESULTS: SES was large at four months for both EQ-5D and SF-36 (1.09 and 0.83
      respectively) and moderate at the 12- and 24-month follow-ups. The correlation
      between changes (4-24 months) in HHS and changes in HRQoL were 0.44 for EQ-5D and
      0.37 for SF-36. EQ-5D and SF-36 were both more sensitive than HHS in their
      ability to predict subjective improvements after a hip fracture. CONCLUSIONS: The
      effect sizes and the ability to follow and predict the external standard
      indicates that both EQ-5D and SF-36 have good internal and external
      responsiveness in this younger population with femoral neck fracture. The generic
      HRQoL questionnaires were superior to a hip-specific instrument in predicting the
      patients' subjective feelings of an improved state of health. EQ-5D is simple to
      administer and shows similar responsiveness as SF-36 and may be sufficient to use
      as an outcome measure in clinical trials.

PMID- 27282693
TI  - Biophysical insights into the membrane interaction of the core amyloid-forming
      Abeta40 fragment K16-K28 and its role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - The aggregation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) on neuronal membranes is implicated in
      both neuronal toxicity and the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately,
      the heterogeneous environment that results from peptide aggregation in the
      presence of lipids makes the details of these pathways difficult to interrogate.
      In this study, we report an investigation of the membrane interaction of an Abeta
      fragment (K16LVFFAEDVGSNK28, KK13), which maintains the amyloidogenic nature of
      the full-length peptide and is implicated in membrane-mediated folding, through a
      combination of NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. Despite
      KK13's ability to form amyloids in solution, the monomer remains unstructured in
      the presence of lipid bilayers, unlike its full-length parent peptide.
      Additionally, NMR and molecular dynamics simulation results support that the
      presence of GM1 ganglioside, a lipid which strongly promotes binding between
      Abeta and lipid bilayers, promotes KK13 binding to but not folding on the
      membrane. Finally, we show that the peptide partitions between the membrane and
      aqueous solution based on the hydrophobicity of the N-terminal residues,
      regardless of lipid composition. These results support previous discoveries
      suggesting the importance of GM1 ganglioside in exacerbating membrane-driven
      aggregation while identifying the potential importance of C-terminal residues in
      membrane binding and folding, which has previously been unclear. 

PMID- 27282692
TI  - Impact on the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio of Using Alternatives to EQ-5D
      in a Markov Model for Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study responds to a request in the National Institute for Health
      and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance to assess the impact of using alternative
      sources of utility values, applied to multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS:
      Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated using utility
      values based on UK and Dutch values of EQ-5D, two UK mappings and one Dutch
      mapping of EQ-5D and two condition-specific instruments: the UK eight-dimensional
      Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-8D) and the Dutch Multiple Sclerosis Impact
      Scale Preference-Based Measure (MSIS-PBM). Deterministic and Monte-Carlo
      simulation-based ICERs were estimated for glatiramer acetate versus symptom
      management using a lifetime Markov model. RESULTS: For both UK and Dutch
      perspectives, mapped and condition-specific utility values expressed
      significantly higher quality of life for the worst health state of the model than
      did EQ-5D. The ICER of glatiramer acetate with EQ-5D was US$182,291 for The
      Netherlands and US$153,476 for the UK. Ratios for mapped and condition-specific
      utilities were between 20 and 60 % higher. CONCLUSION: The overestimation of
      quality of life of patients with MS by mapped EQ-5D or condition-specific utility
      values, relative to observed EQ-5D, increases the ICER substantially in a
      lifetime Markov model.

PMID- 27282695
TI  - Closed venereology wards in the GDR.
AB  - BACKGROUND: At least 10 closed venereology wards existed in the GDR. To this
      date, the history of these wards has not yet been investigated thoroughly.
      OBJECTIVE: The history of the closed venereology wards in the GDR will be
      reconstructed by taking those in Halle (Saale) and Leipzig-Thonberg as examples.
      At the centre of the examination are the daily routines, the medical treatment
      and the education of the women. METHODS: Extensive archival research was
      conducted and the historical sources were critically evaluated. Moreover,
      interviews were held with women who had been admitted against their will as well
      as with former physicians, nurses and administrative staff members of the closed
      venereology wards. RESULTS: In most cases, the women were taken at random and
      admitted to the closed venereology wards by the police. They were not informed
      about the purpose, type and possible side-effects of their medical treatment. It
      was performed without their consent and therefore constituted a violation of
      their physical integrity. Even though 70% of the women had not been diagnosed
      with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), all of them had to undergo a
      gynaecological examination on a daily basis. The daily routine was strict, and
      the women were kept under surveillance. The wards had the 'educative' goal of
      transforming the women into 'socialist personalities'. CONCLUSION: The women in
      the closed venereology wards fell victim to politicized medicine. Put
      differently, medical care was supplemented with educational intentions and
      concepts, the purpose of which was to transform 'suffering persons' into
      'socialist personalities'. This disciplinary system was based on terror. The
      closed venereology wards were not all alike; in some wards the women had to carry
      out chores on a daily basis (Halle/Saale), while in other wards they were
      detained and isolated from the outside world (Leipzig-Thonberg).

PMID- 27282697
TI  - Smartphone patient monitoring post-laser resurfacing.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Patients should be monitored post-laser resurfacing for
      reassurance and the early detection of adverse events. Smartphone monitoring in
      the post-laser resurfacing setting is an efficient and convenient tool that is
      well accepted by patients and dermatologists. The objective was to identify the
      benefits and barriers of, and patient attitudes towards, smartphone monitoring in
      the post-laser resurfacing setting. METHODS: A retrospective audit of 123 laser
      resurfacing patients was undertaken to determine the characteristics of this
      population. A web-based survey was used to determine patients' attitudes towards
      smartphone monitoring. RESULTS: The commonest indications for laser resurfacing
      were acne scarring and photoageing rejuvenation. 88% of patients either had no
      adverse outcomes or expected post-laser resurfacing side-effects such as
      erythema. 12% developed adverse effects requiring intervention. The survey showed
      that all patients who had used the smartphone monitoring service felt it was a
      positive initiative for post-laser patients. Of note, most patients not using the
      smartphone review service were simply unaware of its existence. Biases may have
      been introduced as staff were less likely to promote the review service to
      patients undergoing lower intensity procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone
      monitoring post-laser resurfacing is an efficient and convenient alternative to
      face-to-face review for both patients and dermatologists. As technology improves
      and patients' expectations increase we expect more patients will request
      teledermatology reviews in order to easily and rapidly access medical advice.

PMID- 27282698
TI  - Confirming PICC tip position during insertion with real-time information.
AB  - Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) play a fundamental role in
      patient care in a variety of clinical and healthcare settings. Tip location is
      important for both safety and efficacy. New technologies may offer the
      possibility of safer, more efficient and more effective insertion. A prospective
      evaluation was carried out of a system providing real-time information on the
      tip's location, direction, and depth during insertion in a total of 488 patients
      at a single centre (65 patients in the initial study, plus follow-on case series
      reports in 423 patients). No tip malpositions were reported and, as a result, the
      institution has been able to waive the requirement for confirmatory chest X-ray
      after PICC insertion, thus minimising the delay before the PICC can be used and
      increasing staff and patient confidence in the procedure.

PMID- 27282694
TI  - Transcriptomic analysis of submergence-tolerant and sensitive Brachypodium
      distachyon ecotypes reveals oxidative stress as a major tolerance factor.
AB  - When excessive amounts of water accumulate around roots and aerial parts of
      plants, submergence stress occurs. To find the integrated mechanisms of
      tolerance, we used ecotypes of the monocot model plant Brachypodium distachyon to
      screen for genetic material with contrasting submergence tolerance. For this
      purpose, we used a set of previously studied drought sensitive/tolerant ecotypes
      and the knowledge that drought tolerance is positively associated with
      submergence stress. We decided to contrast aerial tissue transcriptomes of the
      ecotype Bd21 14-day-old plants as sensitive and ecotype Bd2-3 as tolerant after 2
      days of stress under a long-day photoperiod. Gene ontology and the grouping of
      transcripts indicated that tolerant Bd2-3 differentially down-regulated NITRATE
      REDUCTASE and ALTERNATIVE OXIDASE under stress and constitutively up-regulated
      HAEMOGLOBIN, when compared with the sensitive ecotype, Bd21. These results
      suggested the removal of nitric oxide, a gaseous phytohormone and concomitant
      reactive oxygen species as a relevant tolerance determinant. Other mechanisms
      more active in tolerant Bd2-3 were the pathogen response, glyoxylate and
      tricarboxylic acid cycle integration, and acetate metabolism. This data set could
      be employed to design further studies on the basic science of plant tolerance to
      submergence stress and its biotechnological application in the development of
      submergence-tolerant crops.

PMID- 27282702
TI  - BJN AWARD RUNNER UP.

PMID- 27282699
TI  - Innovation in training for totally implanted port insertion.
AB  - This article discusses the use of fresh frozen cadavers as an innovative way to
      teach the procedure of totally implanted port insertion. In an attempt to
      increase the number of competent medical and nursing practitioners able to insert
      these devices, workshops have been devised and delivered at a university clinical
      anatomy skills centre. This method of teaching has had positive feedback from
      practitioners.

PMID- 27282696
TI  - Spatiotemporal SERT expression in cortical map development.
AB  - The cerebral cortex is organized into morphologically distinct areas that provide
      biological frameworks underlying perception, cognition, and behavior. Profiling
      mouse and human cortical transcriptomes have revealed temporal-specific
      differential gene expression modules in distinct neocortical areas during
      cortical map establishment. However, the biological roles of spatiotemporal gene
      expression in cortical patterning and how cortical topographic gene expression is
      regulated are largely unknown. Here, we characterize temporal- and spatial
      defined expression of serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) in glutamatergic
      neurons during sensory map development in mice. SERT is transiently expressed in
      glutamatergic thalamic neurons projecting to sensory cortices and in pyramidal
      neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC) during the period
      that lays down the basic functional neural circuits. We previously identified
      that knockout of SERT in the thalamic neurons blocks 5-HT uptake by their
      thalamocortical axons, resulting in excessive 5-HT signaling that impairs sensory
      map architecture. In contrast, here we show that selective SERT knockout in the
      PFC and HPC neurons does not perturb sensory map patterning. These data suggest
      that transient SERT expression in specific glutamatergic neurons provides area
      specific instructions for cortical map patterning. Hence, genetic and
      pharmacological manipulations of this SERT function could illuminate the
      fundamental genetic programming of cortex-specific maps and biological roles of
      temporal-specific cortical topographic gene expression in normal development and
      mental disorders.

PMID- 27282706
TI  - Postpartum Depression in a General Pediatric Practice: Practical Methods for
      Improving Screening and Referrals.
AB  - Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common problem in new mothers. Untreated PPD is
      associated with behavioral and developmental problems in children. We examined
      the effects of an educational session about PPD and modification of the
      electronic medical record (EMR) on providers' screening for PPD. An education
      session was given to the physicians and pre and post surveys compared comfort and
      self-reported screening. Following the EMR change, a retrospective chart review
      was conducted from three time periods: group 1-before the conference, group 2
      after the conference but before EMR change, and group 3-after screening in the
      EMR. Documented screening increased from 0% in group 1, to 2% in group 2, to 74%
      in group 3 (P < .001). Ten percent screened positive, but only 14% had documented
      referrals to a provider for treatment. The combination of provider education and
      screening questions integrated into the EMR enhanced PPD screening rates among
      physicians in a busy practice.

PMID- 27282707
TI  - Examining the Colonization and Survival of E. coli from Varying Host Sources in
      Drainage Basin Sediments and Stormwater.
AB  - It is widely understood that stormwater drainage has a significant impact on the
      health of tidal creek systems via regular inputs of runoff from the surrounding
      watershed. Due to this hydrologic connection, contamination of the upstream
      drainage basin will have a direct effect on estuaries and tidal creeks that often
      act as receiving waters. This study focuses on the importance of drainage basin
      sediments as they enhance the persistence and transport of the fecal indicator
      bacteria E. coli within a watershed. Experiments presented use microcosm
      environments with drainage basin sediments and stormwater to investigate E. coli
      colonization of stagnant waters and to examine the importance of host sources to
      bacterial survival. A novel method for establishing microcosms using
      environmental sediments with in situ bacterial populations and sterile overlying
      waters is used to examine E. coli colonization of the water column in the absence
      of flow. Colonization of sterile sediment environments also is examined using two
      common host sources (human and avian). Each experiment uses sediments of varying
      grain size and organic content to examine the influence of physical
      characteristics on bacterial prevalence. Results suggest host source of bacteria
      may be more important to initial bacterial colonization while physical
      characteristics of drainage basin sediments better explains extended E. coli
      persistence. Findings also suggest an indirect control of water column bacterial
      concentration by sediment type and erodibility. 

PMID- 27282708
TI  - Why Has HIV/AIDS Prevalence Increased in Iran?

PMID- 27282709
TI  - Diabetes and Cirrhosis Are Risk Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma After
      Successful Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Successful treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection reduces the
      risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but a risk remains. Current guidelines
      recommend continued HCC surveillance after sustained virologic response (SVR) has
      been achieved. This study aimed to investigate risk factors and incidence rates
      for HCC after SVR in HCV patients with pretreatment advanced liver disease
      (Metavir stage F3/F4). METHODS: All patients with advanced liver disease
      successfully treated for HCV at Karolinska University Hospital during 1992-2013
      (n = 399) were followed up for a median of 7.8 years. Data from national
      registries were used to minimize loss to follow-up. Incidence rates and hazard
      ratios (HRs) for development of HCC were calculated by Cox regression analysis.
      RESULTS: Seventeen patients developed HCC during 3366 person-years (PY) of follow
      up. The HCC incidence rate was 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], .57-1.6) and
      0.15 (95% CI, .05-.49) per 100 PY for patients with pretreatment F4 and F3,
      respectively. Patients with pretreatment cirrhosis and diabetes had a HR to
      develop HCC of 6.3, and an incidence rate of 7.9 per 100 PY (95% CI, 3.3-19)
      during the first 2 years of follow-up. The risk for HCC decreased significantly 2
      years after SVR had been achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis
      are strong risk factors for HCC development after SVR has been achieved. The risk
      to develop HCC diminishes significantly 2 years after SVR. Patients without
      cirrhosis have a low risk to develop HCC after SVR, and the benefit of HCC
      surveillance for this group is questionable.

PMID- 27282712
TI  - Sharing Is Caring: International Sharing of Data Enhances Genomic Surveillance of
      Listeria monocytogenes.

PMID- 27282710
TI  - Willingness to Take, Use of, and Indications for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among
      Men Who Have Sex With Men-20 US Cities, 2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective prevention tool for
      people at substantial risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To
      monitor the current state of PrEP use among men who have sex with men (MSM), we
      report on willingness to use PrEP and PrEP utilization. To assess whether the MSM
      subpopulations at highest risk for infection have indications for PrEP according
      to the 2014 clinical guidelines, we estimated indications for PrEP for MSM by
      demographics. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2014 cycle of the National HIV
      Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) system among MSM who tested HIV negative in NHBS
      and were currently sexually active. Adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence
      intervals were estimated from log-linked Poisson regression with generalized
      estimating equations to explore differences in willingness to take PrEP, PrEP
      use, and indications for PrEP. RESULTS: Whereas over half of MSM said they were
      willing to take PrEP, only about 4% reported using PrEP. There was no difference
      in willingness to take PrEP between black and white MSM. PrEP use was higher
      among white compared with black MSM and among those with greater education and
      income levels. Young, black MSM were less likely to have indications for PrEP
      compared with young MSM of other races/ethnicities. CONCLUSIONS: Young, black
      MSM, despite being at high risk of HIV acquisition, may not have indications for
      PrEP under the current guidelines. Clinicians may need to consider other factors
      besides risk behaviors such as HIV incidence and prevalence in subgroups of their
      communities when considering prescribing PrEP.

PMID- 27282711
TI  - Clinical and Epidemiological Evidence of the Red Queen Hypothesis in Pneumococcal
      Serotype Dynamics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Red Queen hypothesis is an evolutionary theory that describes the
      reciprocal coevolution of competing species. We sought to study whether
      introduction of the 7- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV7 and
      PCV13, respectively) altered pneumococcal serotype dynamics among children with
      invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) as predicted by the Red Queen hypothesis.
      METHODS: This study examined pneumococcal isolates (n = 641) obtained from
      children <18 years of age hospitalized with IPD from 1997 to 2014 in Utah. A
      review of the literature also identified several additional studies conducted in
      the United States and Europe that were used to test the external generalizability
      of our Utah findings. Simpson's index was used to quantify pneumococcal serotype
      diversity. RESULTS: In Utah, the introduction of PCV7 and PCV13 was associated
      with rapid increases in serotype diversity (P < .001). Serotypes rarely present
      before vaccine introduction emerged as common causes of IPD. Diversity then
      decreased (P < .001) as competition selected for the fittest serotypes and new
      evolutionary equilibriums were established. This pattern was also observed more
      broadly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Spain. CONCLUSIONS:
      This vaccine-driven example of human/bacterial coevolution appears to confirm the
      Red Queen hypothesis, which reveals a limitation of serotype-specific vaccines
      and offers insights that may facilitate alternative strategies for the
      elimination of IPD.

PMID- 27282713
TI  - Most and Least Meaningful Learning Experiences in Marriage and Family Therapy
      Education.
AB  - Marriage and family therapy educators increasingly emphasize training
      competencies. What we know less about is what makes family therapy education
      meaningful to marriage and family therapy (MFT) graduate students and what does
      not. In this study, through an Internet survey, we explored the most and least
      meaningful learning experiences of 68 MFT graduate students and recent graduates
      of Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
      accredited programs. We used thematic analysis to identify and illustrate
      resulting themes, which included the importance of experiential and personal
      components to learning, the professor-student alliance, tying theory to practice,
      and the experiences of students with their clients, among others. We discuss the
      implications of these findings to support family therapy education and offer
      tentative suggestions for formative discussions both within and across programs.
      Video Abstract is found in the online version of the article.

PMID- 27282715
TI  - From the Editor in Chief.

PMID- 27282714
TI  - Congenital Milia En Plaque.
AB  - Milia en plaque is a rare, benign, localized, entity typically seen in adults
      after the third decade of life. Although there have been a few cases described in
      children, we describe the first case in a newborn. 

PMID- 27282716
TI  - About the Cover.

PMID- 27282717
TI  - Health Disparities in Pediatric Asthma: Comprehensive Tertiary Care Center
      Experience.
AB  - LOCATION: Study conducted at Nemours /Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children,
      Wilmington, DE 19803 BACKGROUND: Although the treatment and management of asthma
      hasimproved over time, incidence and prevalence among children continues to rise
      in the United States. Asthma prevalence, health services utilization, and
      mortality rate demonstrate remarkable disparities. The underlying causes of these
      disparities are not fully understood. We aimed to examine racial/ethnic variances
      in pediatric asthma prevalence/admission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed data on 1070 patients and applied a cross-sectional
      design to assess asthma admission between 2010 and 2011. Information was
      available on race/ethnicity, sex, insurance status, severity of illness (SOI),
      and length of stay/hospitalization (LOS).Chi-square statistic was used for the
      association between race and other variables in an attempt to explain the
      racial/ethnic variance. RESULTS: The proportionate morbidity of asthma was
      highest amongCaucasians (40.92%) and African Americans (40.54%), intermediate
      among others (16.57%), and lowest among Asian (0.56%), American Indian/Alaska
      Native (0.28%), and Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander (0.28%). Overall there were
      disparities by sex, with more boys (61.80%) diagnosed with asthma than girls
      (38.20%), chi2(7)=20.1, p=0.005. Insurance status, and SOI varied by
      race/ethnicity, but not LOS. Caucasian children were more likely to have private
      insurance, while African Americans and Hispanics were more likely to have public
      insurance (p<0.005). Asthma was more severe among non-Hispanic children,
      chi2(14)=154.6, p<0.001. While the overall readmission proportion was 2.8%,
      readmission significantly varied by race/ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Racial/ethnic
      disparities in asthma admission exist among children in the Delaware Valley.
      There were racial/ethnic disparities in insurance status, asthma severity, and
      sex differed by race/ethnicity, but not in length of hospitalization.

PMID- 27282718
TI  - The Efficacy of Self-Report Measures in Predicting Social Phobia in African
      American Adults.
AB  - Empirical literature pertaining to anxiety in African Americans has been
      relatively sparse. More recent studies indicate that the construct of social fear
      is different in African Americans than in non-Hispanic Whites. Although some of
      these studies have examined factor structure utilizing self-report measures of
      anxiety in African American samples, none to date have examined the clinical
      utility of these measures in predicting anxiety diagnoses, particularly social
      phobia. A total of sixty-five African American adults from the community
      completed the Fear Survey Schedule-Second Edition (FSS-II), Social Anxiety
      Interaction Scale (SIAS), Social Phobia Scale (SPS), and Albany Panic and Phobia
      Questionnaire (APPQ). The Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule-Fourth Edition
      (ADIS-IV) was administered to all participants to specify differential diagnoses
      of anxiety and related disorders. Twenty-three African American adults were
      diagnosed with social phobia leaving 42 diagnostic controls. Results suggest that
      the social anxiety factors were highly predictive of a social phobia diagnosis
      (AUC=.84 to .90; CI .73-.98, p<.01) and sensitivity and specificity rates
      revealed optimal cutoff scores for each measure. The optimal cutoff scores reveal
      the clinical utility of the social fear factor from these measures in screening
      for social phobia in African Americans. Future direction and implications are
      discussed. PUBLICATION INDICES: Psychinfo, PubMed, Medline.

PMID- 27282719
TI  - Remembering the Basics: African American Youth and HIV Knowledge - Brief Report.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This research was supported by a grant from the Royalty
      Research Fund at the University of Washington. We thank all the youth, families,
      and community organizations for their participation. OBJECTIVE: The current work
      examined three HIV knowledge areas (i.e.,general knowledge, HIV-safe behaviors,
      HlV-risk behaviors) among African American youth living in two urban areas.
      METHODS: In a cross sectional sample of 142 African American youth ages11-17
      years living in Chicago and Seattle, youth's HIV knowledge wasassessed using a 16
      item survey adapted from the Youth AIDS Prevention Project and the Aban Aya
      Project. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analyses examined the association
      among youth HIV knowledge and key demographic variables (i.e., age, gender,
      parent education, household income, and city). Overall HIV knowledge was low
      among all youth. Youth were most informed about general knowledge, followed by
      knowledge of HlV-risk behaviors. Youth were considerably misinformed about HIV
      safe behaviors. Generally, older youth and those living in Seattle were more
      informed about HIV than younger adolescents and youth living in Chicago.
      Household income and youth gender were unrelated to youth's HIV knowledge.
      However, parental education was related to youth's HIV-safe knowledge, with youth
      of more educated parents having less knowledge than youth with less educated
      parents. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study underscore the importance of
      continued attention to HIV knowledge as an important component of HIVprevention
      among African American youth. Accurate information about HIV is critical for
      prevention efforts. Prevention efforts should ensure that new generations of
      youth continue to be provided with knowledge about HIV risk and transmission.
      PUBLICATION INDEX: PubMed.

PMID- 27282720
TI  - Misdiagnosis of African-Americans with Psychiatric Issues - Part I.
AB  - PURPOSE: This article highlights issues of misdiagnosis in an African-American,
      adult clinical population by doing point prevalence, record review study within a
      comprehensive community mental health center. METHOD: Psychiatric evaluations of
      330 patients were reviewed and clinically identifiable variables of: a) childhood
      Intellectual Disability (ID), special education, Attention Deficit Hyperactive
      Disorder (ADHD), or Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD); b) head injury
      causing Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) or Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE); c) a
      history of chronic substance abuse prior to the development of psychiatric
      symptoms; or d) childhood trauma causing Anxiety, Depression, and Panic Disorders
      were tabulated. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty patients, who were free of the
      four variables, had a single psychiatric diagnosis and 18 had multiple co-morbid
      diagnoses. More than 25% (92/330) of the patients had the four variables in their
      histories. Four of the 92 patients had more than one variable in their history.
      Of the remaining 88 cases, 42 had psychiatric issues beginning in childhood (28
      had history of ID, 4 had history of learning disabilities, 3 had history of ADHD,
      7 had histories of Autism/PDD); 9 had histories of OBS or TLE; 20 had histories
      of substance abuse; and 18 had histories of extensive childhood trauma).
      CONCLUSIONS: Careful attention to common issues in African-Americans can inform
      the psychiatric diagnostic process pointing to prevention or treatment
      considerations that would benefit the African-American community at large.

PMID- 27282721
TI  - Misdiagnosis of African-Americans with Psychiatric Issues - Part II.
AB  - PURPOSE: The second "Misdiagnosis of African-Americans with Psychiatric Issues"
      article focuses on traumatic life experiences that meet a proposed criteria for
      Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD).l METHOD: Psychiatric evaluations of 330
      patients were reviewed and clinically identifiable variables of: a) childhood
      mental retardation (MR), special education, Attention Deficit Hyperactive
      Disorder (ADHD), or Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD); b) head injury
      causing Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) or Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE); c) a
      history of chronic substance abuse prior to the development of psychiatric
      symptoms; or d) childhood trauma causing Anxiety, Depression, and Panic Disorders
      were tabulated. RESULTS: In Part I,2-Reference Part I we learn that the above
      four variables did not influence two-thirds of the African-American patient's
      psychiatric diagnoses; however, excluding patients with multiple diagnoses, 26.7%
      of the patient's diagnoses were shaped by these variables. Of these, 20% (18 of
      88 patients), or 5.5% of the total 330 patients, had diagnoses that were strongly
      influenced by childhood traumatic experiences. Accordingly, we present two case
      histories that explicate the psychopathology seen in African-Americans
      traumatized as children. CONCLUSIONS: This study helps to stress and confirm the
      importance of how understanding childhood traumatic experiences shape adult
      African-American psychopathology and the potential for misdiagnosis - an
      important factor for prevention and appropriate treatment of African-American
      patients with psychiatric issues.

PMID- 27282722
TI  - Exploring Donotion-related Knowledge Attitudes, Beliefs and Distrust Among
      African Americans.
AB  - Within the field of organ donation, multiple studies have shown differences in
      patterns of trust, however, it is unclear which elements are significantly
      related to donation decision making among African Americans. This study sought to
      disentangle the construct of trust by parceling out measures related to the
      healthcare system, the donation/allocation system, and the physician; and
      determine the relationship of these dimensions to attitudes toward organ and
      tissue donation. Cross-sectional survey data were gathered from 585 African
      American adults residing in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Results indicate that
      varying dimensions of trust function differently in their influence on attitudes
      toward donation. Our findings suggest that trust is critical to donation decision
      making and should be measured with a multidimensional approach, particularly
      among racial/ethnic groups with complex histories with the healthcare system.
      This study underlines the need for a more tailored, individualized approach to
      promoting organ and tissue donation among African Americans. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: We
      also thank Rianot Amzat, Mohua Basu and Rhonda DeLaremore for their assistance
      with data collection, cleaning, entry, and analysis.

PMID- 27282723
TI  - Caregiver's Health Locus of Control and Medication Adherence in Sickle Cell
      Disease.
AB  - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors would like to thank Dr. Morisky for giving us
      permission to use the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale PURPOSE: To explore
      caregivers' Health Locus of Control's relationship to self-reported adherence to
      penicillin prophylaxis or hydroxyurea in children with sickle cell disease (SCD).
      PROCEDURE: A questionnaire-based study was conducted of caregivers of children
      with SCD who visited a comprehensive sickle cell center in an inner city
      hospital, who were either on penicillin prophylaxis or hydroxyurea or both.
      Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) and the Morisky Medication
      Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) questionnaires were used for the study. RESULTS:
      Caregivers of 43 children (27 on penicillin prophylaxis, 13 on hydroxyurea, and 3
      on both) completed the MHLC and the MMAS-8. There was no significant difference
      in adherence between the penicillin and the hydroxyurea groups. The mean Powerful
      Others score of caregivers of the hydroxyurea only group (25.5+5.6) was higher
      than that of the penicillin only group (21.2+6.1, p=0.043). Regression analysis
      revealed an inverse relationship of Chance Locus of Control to adherence in the
      entire group (Beta = -0.306, R2=0.093, F[1,40]=4.12, p=0.049). CONCLUSION: Chance
      Locus of control may identify caregivers of children with SCD at risk for non
      adherence to treatment.

PMID- 27282724
TI  - Errors in Patient History in Hospital Records.
AB  - CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Ghan-Shyam Lohiya MD provided medico-legal opinions as a
      Qualified Medical Evaluator (Occupational Medicine & Toxicology) supporting a
      related workers' compensation death claim. Dr G. Lohiya received partial payments
      for his services from Gallagher Bassett Services Company (workers' compensation
      insurance adjuster for the patient's employer). Sonia Krishna MD, Sapna Lohiya
      and Sunita Lohiya MD: No actual or potential, real or perceived conflict of
      interest in the drugs, devices or procedures described in the enclosed
      manuscript. ABSTRACT: A patient died of renal failure related to treatment of a
      hand contusion with ibuprofen and valdecoxib. Her hospital records revealed
      several incorrect and mutually conflicting statements about seven historical
      items in the Initial Evaluation Reports authored by five treating physicians.
      There were errors of commission (relying on imperfect memory, acquiescing
      erroneous information), and errors of omission (failure to proofread transcribed
      reports, question and resolve contradictory statements in sister reports, obtain
      correct history, and review prior medical records). Such errors wrongly implied
      that patient had preexisting conditions (advanced renal failure, diabetes
      mellitus, hypertension, asthma and alcoholism) which caused her death, and
      negatively impacted her workers' compensation claim. Incorrect allergy history
      was also noted. Preventive measures are suggested. PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION: At
      the 53rd Quarterly Grand Rounds in Costa Mesa, California.

PMID- 27282725
TI  - A Review of Concussion Management in the Young Adult; the Importance of Baseline
      Testing and Caregiver Education.
AB  - : Despite the increase in studies and media coverage, concussion continues to
      threaten the futures of young athletes and cause a great deal of concern among
      parents and practitioners. Questions continue regarding the management and return
      to play for injured adolescents and young adults, and regarding the long term
      consequences of repeated concussion in our youth. There appears to be a huge
      disparity between what health care professionals know and understand about
      concussion and what the average athlete and parent understands about what
      concussion is and the real risks involved. A review of current literature reveals
      a persistent lag between our knowledge and practice. This literature survey takes
      the athlete from the pre-participation sports physical, to the sidelines, to the
      doctor's office, to return to play and provides a comprehensive assessment of
      current recommendations. There is a significant need, especially in urban areas,
      for education and access to cheap and simple baseline functional assessments of
      adolescents and young adults. We recommend athletes be assessed at their yearly
      physical in order to properly determine their baseline function and readiness to
      return to play after concussion. Additionally, we recommend providing
      anticipatory guidance and a simple concussion evaluation tool to be used by
      parents and guardians to also annually assess a young person's baseline
      functional status and subsequent alterations. The goal of this review is to
      create an evidence-based, simple, cost-effective parental survey; increase
      awareness, understanding and diagnosis of concussion; and finally, expedited
      proper treatment and facilitate return to play. PUBLICATION INDICES: PubMed,
      lib.wayne.edu.

PMID- 27282726
TI  - Large Congenital Hydrocephalus:Extended Survival without Neurosurgery.
AB  - PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION: This work was presented at the 57th Quarterly Grand
      Rounds at Fairview Developmental Center, Costa Mesa, California on October 17,
      2012. ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Authors are grateful to Stephan Reynolds CRT, and Indira
      Makwana for records. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None of the authors has any conflict
      of interest with the information provided in this article. ABSTRACT: We report
      the case of a 45-year-old patient with large congenital hydrocephalus. Patient
      was born prematurely at 26-weeks' gestation with a weight of 1.14Kg. His head
      circumferences have been: Birth, 27.9 cms; age 3-months, 40.6 cms; 18-months, 74
      cms; 36-months, 80 cms; current, 88.4 cms (normal adult: 52-58 cms). During
      infancy, his prognosis was considered "terminal" due to rapid progression of
      severe hydrocephalus; therefore no neurosurgical intervention was undertaken. At
      18-months' age, he was admitted to our developmental center where he is presently
      comfortable and clinically stable. Due to habitual unilateral decubitus, his head
      is now markedly flattened on the right (deformational plagiocephaly), and
      disproportionately long and narrow (scaphocephaly: occipitofrontal length 36.8
      cms, biparietal width 12.5; ratio 2.9). We credit patient's extended survival to
      diligent professional care. INDICES USED: PubMed.

PMID- 27282727
TI  - Teaching Giants and Other Mentors of the Howard University: College of Medicine
      Class of 1952.
AB  - During the two decades following World War II, rapid changes occurred in medicine
      and in society as a whole in the United States including the establishment of the
      National Institutes of Health and the civil rights movement. This article
      profiles the teaching faculty of the Howard University College of Medicine that
      prepared the Class of 1952 for the decades that were to follow. 

PMID- 27282728
TI  - History of the Family Practice Section National Medical Association.

PMID- 27282729
TI  - 4-amino-6-alkyloxy-2-alkylthiopyrimidine derivatives as novel non-nucleoside
      agonists for the adenosine A1 receptor.
AB  - Three 4-amino-6-alkyloxy-2-alkylthiopyrimidine derivatives (4-6) were
      investigated as potential non-nucleoside agonists at human adenosine receptors
      (ARs). When tested in competition binding experiments, these compounds exhibited
      low micromolar affinity (Ki values comprised between 1.2 and 1.9 MUm) for the A1
      AR and no appreciable affinity for the A2A and A3 ARs. Evaluation of their
      efficacy profiles by measurement of intracellular cAMP levels revealed that 4 and
      5 behave as non-nucleoside agonists of the A1 AR with EC50 values of 0.47 and
      0.87 MUm, respectively. No clear concentration-response curves could be instead
      obtained for 6, probably because this compound modulates one or more additional
      targets, thus masking the putative effects exerted by its activation of A1 AR.
      The three compounds were not able to modulate A2B AR-mediated cAMP accumulation
      induced by the non-selective AR agonist NECA, thus demonstrating no affinity
      toward this receptor.

PMID- 27282730
TI  - Evaluation of bacterial diversity recovered from petroleum samples using
      different physical matrices.
AB  - Unraveling the microbial diversity and its complexity in petroleum reservoir
      environments has been a challenge throughout the years. Despite the techniques
      developed in order to improve methodologies involving DNA extraction from crude
      oil, microbial enrichments using different culture conditions can be applied as a
      way to increase the recovery of DNA from environments with low cellular density
      for further microbiological analyses. This work aimed at the evaluation of
      different matrices (arenite, shale and polyurethane foam) as support materials
      for microbial growth and biofilm formation in enrichments using a biodegraded
      petroleum sample as inoculum in sulfate reducing condition. Subsequent microbial
      diversity characterization was carried out using Scanning Electronic Microscopy
      (SEM), Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene libraries
      in order to compare the microbial biomass yield, DNA recovery efficiency and
      diversity among the enrichments. The DNA from microbial communities in petroleum
      enrichments was purified according to a protocol established in this work and
      used for 16S rRNA amplification with bacterial generic primers. The PCR products
      were cloned, and positive clones were screened by Amplified Ribosomal DNA
      Restriction Analysis (ARDRA). Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed that
      the bacterial community was mostly represented by members of the genera
      Petrotoga, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Geobacillus and Rahnella. The use of different
      support materials in the enrichments yielded an increase in microbial biomass and
      biofilm formation, indicating that these materials may be employed for efficient
      biomass recovery from petroleum reservoir samples. Nonetheless, the most diverse
      microbiota were recovered from the biodegraded petroleum sample using
      polyurethane foam cubes as support material. 

PMID- 27282731
TI  - Neuralgic amyotrophy is not the most common neurologic disorder of the shoulder:
      a 78-month prospective study of 60 neurologic shoulder patients in a specialist
      shoulder clinic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) was first described in 1948. Traditional
      literature describes a painful attack with sudden onset, followed by paresis,
      with varied outcomes. Recent studies have suggested NA is currently
      underdiagnosed. However, a large number of studies detailing NA originate from a
      small group of sources. Our study compared the onset, diagnosis, investigation,
      and treatment of all neurologic shoulder conditions to provide comparable data
      for these studies. METHODS: Data were collected from 60 patients (81.6% male;
      median age, 41.5 years) during a 78-month period. Patients with a diagnosis of a
      neurologic disorder of the shoulder with confirmatory electromyogram (EMG)
      studies were included. RESULTS: NA was diagnosed in 18 patients before the EMG
      investigation. Of the clinically diagnosed NA patients, only 5 (27.8%) had EMG
      findings supportive of NA. A further 5 patients with a clinical diagnosis other
      than NA were diagnosed with NA after EMG findings. Overall, 10 patients (16.6%)
      in our study were diagnosed with NA after EMG studies. Only 4 (40.0%) reported a
      sudden onset attack associated with NA. Supraspinatus and infraspinatus were
      involved in 9 patients (90.0%), suggesting a predictable distribution of muscle
      involvement. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NA is overdiagnosed and does
      not warrant the increased attention suggested by recent articles. The current
      study also highlights a necessity to perform EMG investigations in all cases of
      suspected NA because the accuracy of the clinical assessment is poor.

PMID- 27282732
TI  - Stress radiography for clinical evaluation of anterior shoulder instability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of stress
      radiography using the Telos GA-IIE as a clinical methodology to evaluate shoulder
      instability. METHODS: On 36 anterior shoulder dislocators and 23 uninjured
      volunteers, 4 types of stress radiographs were captured while applying 15 daN of
      force anteriorly (AER0 and AER60) and posteriorly (PER0 and PER60) at 2 different
      positions: (1) 90 degrees  of abduction combined with 0 degrees  external
      rotation and (2) 90 degrees  of abduction combined with 60 degrees  external
      rotation. The results of the anterior drawer test and of the same test under
      anesthesia were correlated. RESULTS: AER0 and AER60 from the affected shoulder
      revealed significantly larger displacement than on the normal side (P < .05), and
      all 4 radiographs from the affected joints demonstrated significantly larger
      displacement (P < .05) than in the volunteers. Among the 4 types of radiographs,
      AER0 and AER60 showed significantly higher displacement in the patients (P <
      .001), whereas there were no differences in the volunteers (P = .167). The
      results of the anterior drawer test positively correlated to AER60 (Pearson
      correlation coefficient [PCC] = 0.453; P = .005) and AER0 (PCC = 0.529; P =
      .001), and those of examination under anesthesia weakly correlated to AER60 (PCC
      = 0.287; P = .264) but highly correlated to AER0 (PCC = 0.695; P = .002).
      CONCLUSION: Stress radiographs on the affected shoulder frequently correlated
      with physical examinations, and the displacement of >3 mm on AER0 suggests
      anterior instability.

PMID- 27282733
TI  - Accuracy of sagittal oblique view in preoperative indirect magnetic resonance
      arthrography for diagnosis of tears involving the upper third of the
      subscapularis tendon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of sagittal
      oblique view (SOV) magnetic resonance imaging grading for tears involving the
      upper third of the subscapularis tendons in correlation with arthroscopic
      findings. We also propose a schematic classification in the SOV for upper-third
      subscapularis tears. METHODS: The study analyzed 364 patients with an average age
      of 56.0 years. All patients underwent indirect magnetic resonance arthrography
      (MRA) before surgery. A slightly different magnetic resonance grading was
      introduced with SOV by musculoskeletal radiologists (Y.C.Y. and J.Y.Y.) and an
      orthopedic shoulder surgeon (H.Y.R.) who had no information about the clinical
      data. Subscapularis tendon tear classifications were all prospectively analyzed.
      Magnetic resonance grading was compared with the arthroscopic findings. RESULTS:
      The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of subscapularis tendon tear detection
      were 0.72, 0.77, and 0.75, respectively, for the radiologists. For the orthopedic
      surgeon, the corresponding values were 0.73, 0.83, and 0.79, respectively. The
      kappa coefficients for interobserver agreement comparing magnetic resonance grade
      of the musculoskeletal radiologists with the arthroscopic grading showed fair
      values (kappa value, 0.301). Interobserver agreement between the magnetic
      resonance grade of the orthopedic surgeon and arthroscopic grades was fair (kappa
      value, 0.377). Interobserver agreement between the musculoskeletal radiologists
      and the orthopedic surgeon was moderate (kappa value, 0.591). CONCLUSIONS: The
      accuracy of SOV indirect MRA for detecting tears was 0.75 to 0.79. Although the
      correlation between magnetic resonance and arthroscopic grading was only fair,
      for most of the magnetic resonancegrading on SOV, the first facet view showed
      similar results compared with arthroscopy. The accuracy of determining whether
      subscapularis repair is indicated was 0.82 to 0.83 with SOV indirect MRA.

PMID- 27282734
TI  - Partial rotator cuff repair and biceps tenotomy for the treatment of patients
      with massive cuff tears and retained overhead elevation: midterm outcomes with a
      minimum 5 years of follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A subset of patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears
      present with retained overhead elevation and pain as their primary complaint. Our
      aim was to evaluate the outcomes of partial arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with
      biceps tenotomy and to report the failure rate of this procedure for patients
      with >5 years of follow-up. METHODS: Thirty-four patients underwent partial
      rotator cuff repair and biceps tenotomy for treatment of a massive rotator cuff
      tear. Patients had preoperative active forward elevation >120 degrees  and no
      radiographic evidence of glenohumeral arthritis. Patients were followed up
      clinically and radiographically, and 28 patients had a minimum of 5 years of
      follow-up. Failure was defined as an American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score
      of <70, loss of active elevation >90 degrees , or revision to reverse shoulder
      arthroplasty during the study period. RESULTS: Patients demonstrated improvements
      in average preoperative to postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons
      scores (46.6 to 79.3 [P < .001]) and Simple Shoulder Test scores (5.7 to 9.1 [P <
      .001]) along with decrease in visual analog scale for pain scores (6.9 to 1.9 [P
      < .001]). No significant change in forward elevation (168 degrees  to 154 degrees
      [P = .07]), external rotation (38 degrees  to 39 degrees  [P = 1.0]), or
      internal rotation (84% to 80% [P = 1.0]) was identified; 36% of patients had
      progression of the Hamada stage. The failure rate was 29%; 75% of patients were
      satisfied with their index procedure. CONCLUSION: Partial rotator cuff repair and
      biceps tenotomy for patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears with
      retained overhead elevation and pain as the primary complaint produced reasonable
      outcomes at midterm follow-up of at least 5 years.

PMID- 27282735
TI  - What factors are predictors of emotional health in patients with full-thickness
      rotator cuff tears?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The importance of emotional and psychological factors in treatment of
      patients with rotator cuff disease has been recently emphasized. Our goal was to
      establish factors most predictive of poor emotional health in patients with full
      thickness rotator cuff tears (FTRCTs). METHODS: In 2007, we began to
      prospectively collect data on patients with symptomatic, atraumatic FTRCTs. All
      patients completed a questionnaire collecting data on demographics, symptom
      characteristics, comorbidities, willingness to undergo surgery, and patient
      related outcomes (12-Item Short Form Health Survey, American Shoulder and Elbow
      Surgeons score, Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index [WORC], Single Assessment
      Numeric Evaluation score, Shoulder Activity Scale). Physicians recorded physical
      examination and imaging data. To evaluate the predictors of lower WORC emotion
      scores, a linear multiple regression model was fit. RESULTS: Baseline data for
      452 patients were used for analysis. In patients with symptomatic FTRCTs, the
      factors most predictive of worse WORC emotion scores were higher levels of pain
      (interquartile range odds ratio, -18.9; 95% confidence interval, -20.2 to -11.6;
      P < .0001) and lower Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores (rating of
      percentage normal that patients perceive their shoulder to be; interquartile
      range odds ratio, 6.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-9.95; P = .0012). Higher
      education (P = .006) and unemployment status (P = .0025) were associated with
      higher WORC emotion scores. CONCLUSIONS: Education level, employment status, pain
      levels, and patient perception of percentage of shoulder normalcy were most
      predictive of emotional health in patients with FTRCTs. Structural data, such
      astendon tear size, were not. Those with poor emotional health may perceive their
      shoulder to be worse than others and experience more pain. This may allow us to
      better optimize patient outcomes with nonoperative and operative treatment of
      rotator cuff tears.

PMID- 27282736
TI  - The yield of subsequent radiographs during nonoperative treatment of radial head
      and neck fractures.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: After diagnosis of an isolated radial head or neck fracture and
      selection of nonoperative treatment, the value of subsequent radiographs is
      uncertain. This study tested the null hypothesis that there are no patient,
      surgeon, or injury factors associated with alteration in patient management based
      on subsequent radiographs. Secondarily, we tested the null hypothesis that the
      use of subsequent radiographs is not associated with patient, surgeon, and
      fracture characteristics. METHODS: We identified 415 adult patients with
      nonoperative treatment for isolated Broberg and Morrey modified Mason type 1 or 2
      fractures at a large urban hospital system during years 2013 and 2014. Patient
      demographics, fracture characteristics, provider characteristics, and treatment
      details were obtained from a hospital database. Bivariate analysis and
      multivariable logistic regression modeling were performed. RESULTS: One of 255
      patients with 262 fractures that had subsequent radiographs (0.4%) was offered
      surgery but declined. In multivariable analysis, displaced fractures were more
      likely to have subsequent radiographs, but surgeon-to-surgeon variation was a far
      more influential factor. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographs subsequent to diagnosis do not
      alter treatment of radial head fractures with no associated ligament injuries or
      fractures. The substantial surgeon-to-surgeon variation in the use of subsequent
      radiographs suggests that this may be a good focus for quality improvement
      initiatives.

PMID- 27282737
TI  - Importance of the posterior bundle of the medial ulnar collateral ligament.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There has been a renewed interest in the pathomechanics of elbow
      dislocation, with recent literature having suggested that the medial ulnar
      collateral ligament is more often disrupted in dislocations than the lateral
      ligamentous complex. The purpose of this serial sectioning study was to determine
      the influence of the posterior bundle of the medial ulnar collateral ligament
      (pMUCL) as a stabilizer against elbow dislocation. METHODS: An elbow dislocation
      was simulated in 5 cadaveric elbows by mechanically applying an external rotation
      moment and valgus force. Medial ulnohumeral joint gapping was measured at 30
      degrees , 60 degrees , and 90 degrees  of flexion in an intact elbow after
      sectioning of the medial collateral ligament's anterior bundle (aMUCL) and then
      after sectioning of the pMUCL as well. RESULTS: After sectioning of the aMUCL,
      the pMUCL was able to stabilize the joint against dislocation. After aMUCL
      sectioning, the proximal joint space significantly increased by 4.2 +/- 0.6 mm at
      30 degrees  of flexion and 2.6 +/- 0.3 mm at 60 degrees  of flexion, although it
      did not dislocate. The gapping increase of 0.9 +/- 0.6 at 90 degrees  of flexion
      did not reach significance. After sectioning of the pMUCL (after having already
      sectioned the aMUCL), all of the specimens frankly dislocated at all flexion
      angles. CONCLUSIONS: An intact pMUCL can prevent elbow dislocation and limited
      joint subluxation to within 6.6 mm. Our findings indicate that repair or
      reconstruction may be warranted in certain circumstances (ie, residual
      instability after operative management of a terrible triad injury or after aMUCL
      reconstruction).

PMID- 27282738
TI  - A modification to the Walch classification of the glenoid in primary glenohumeral
      osteoarthritis using three-dimensional imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since Walch and colleagues originally classified glenoid morphology
      in the setting of glenohumeral osteoarthritis, several authors have reported
      varying levels of interobserver and intraobserver reliability. We propose several
      modifications to the Walch classification that we hypothesize will increase
      interobserver and intraobserver reliability. METHODS: We propose the addition of
      the B3 and D glenoids and a more precise definition of the A2 glenoid. The B3
      glenoid is monoconcave and worn preferentially in its posterior aspect, leading
      to pathologic retroversion of at least 15 degrees  or subluxation of 70%, or
      both. The D glenoid is defined by glenoid anteversion or anterior humeral head
      subluxation. The A2 glenoid has a line connecting the anterior and posterior
      native glenoid rims that transects the humeral head. Using 3-dimensional computed
      tomography glenoid reconstructions, 3 evaluators used the original Walch
      classification and the modified Walch classification to classify 129
      nonconsecutive glenoids on 4 separate occasions. Reliabilities were assessed by
      calculating kappa coefficients. RESULTS: Interobserver reliabilities improved
      from an average of 0.391 (indicating fair agreement) using the original
      classification to an average of 0.703 (substantial agreement) using the modified
      classification. Intraobserver reliabilities improved from an average of 0.605
      (moderate agreement) to an average of 0.882 (nearly perfect agreement).
      CONCLUSION: When 3-dimensional glenoid reconstructions and the modified Walch
      classification described herein are used, improved interobserver and
      intraobserver reliabilities are obtained.

PMID- 27282739
TI  - Outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty: a population-based study comparing
      adverse event and readmission rates to inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rate of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is rising, which has an
      impact on health care expenditure. One avenue to mitigate cost is outpatient TSA.
      There are currently no published reports of this practice. In this study, we
      determine the 30-day adverse event and readmission rates after outpatient TSA and
      compare these rates with inpatient TSA. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study
      using a population database in the United States was undertaken. Patients who
      underwent primary TSA between 2005 and 2014 were identified and divided into 2
      cohorts based on length of stay (LOS): outpatient TSA (LOS 0 days) and inpatient
      TSA (LOS >0 days). Patient and procedure characteristics were collected. The 30
      day adverse event and readmission rates were calculated for each cohort. A
      multivariate logistic regression determined if the odds of an adverse event or
      readmission were significantly different between the inpatient and outpatient TSA
      cohorts. RESULTS: Overall, 7197 patients in this database underwent TSA between
      2005 and 2014, of which 173 patients (2.4%) underwent outpatient TSA. The 30-day
      adverse event rate in the outpatient and inpatient TSA cohorts was 2.31% and
      7.89%, respectively. The 30-day readmission rate in the outpatient and inpatient
      TSA cohorts was 1.74% and 2.93%, respectively. In the multivariate logistic
      regression, the odds of an adverse event or readmission were not significantly
      different (odds ratio of 0.4 [P = .077] and odds ratio of 0.7 [P = .623],
      respectively). CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences in the 30-day
      adverse event and readmission rates between outpatient and inpatient TSA. In the
      appropriately selected patient, outpatient TSA is safe and cost-effective.

PMID- 27282741
TI  - New indolizine-chalcones as potent inhibitors of human farnesyltransferase:
      Design, synthesis and biological evaluation.
AB  - A new family of indolizine-chalcones was designed, synthesized and screened for
      the inhibitory potential on human farnesyltransferase in vitro to identify potent
      antitumor agents. The most active compound was phenothiazine 2a, exhibiting an
      IC50 value in the low nanomolar range, similar to that of known FTI-276, highly
      potent farnesyltransferase inhibitor. The newly synthesized indolizine-chalcones
      2a-d constitute the most efficient inhibitors of farnesyltransferase bearing a
      phenothiazine unit known to date.

PMID- 27282740
TI  - Cell-death-inducing DFFA-like Effector B Contributes to the Assembly of Hepatitis
      C Virus (HCV) Particles and Interacts with HCV NS5A.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) uses components of the very-low-density lipoprotein
      (VLDL) pathway for assembly/release. We previously reported that hepatocyte
      nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) participates in HCV assembly/release through
      downstream factors those participate in VLDL assembly/secretion. Cell-death
      inducing DFFA-like effector B (CIDEB) is an important regulator of the VLDL
      pathway. CIDEB is required for entry of HCV particles from cell culture (HCVcc),
      but the effects of CIDEB on the post-entry steps of the HCV lifecycle are
      unclear. In the present study, we determined that CIDEB is required for HCV
      assembly in addition to HCVcc entry. Furthermore, CIDEB interacts with the HCV
      NS5A protein, and the N terminus of CIDEB and the domain I of NS5A are involved
      in this interaction. Moreover, CIDEB silencing impairs the association of
      apolipoprotein E (ApoE) with HCV particles. Interestingly, CIDEB is also required
      for the post-entry stages of the dengue virus (DENV) life cycle. Collectively,
      these results indicate that CIDEB is a new host factor that is involved in HCV
      assembly, presumably by interacting with viral protein, providing new insight
      into the exploitation of the VLDL regulator CIDEB by HCV.

PMID- 27282742
TI  - Alkyl substituted aminal derivatives of HCV NS5A inhibitor MK-8742.
AB  - HCV NS5A inhibitors have demonstrated impressive in vitro potency profiles in HCV
      replicon assays and robust HCV RNA titer reduction in the clinic making them
      attractive components for inclusion in an all oral fixed dose combination regimen
      for the treatment of HCV infection. Herein we describe our continued research
      efforts around the alkyl "Z group" modification of the tetracyclic indole-based
      NS5A inhibitor MK-8742, which led to the discovery of a series of potent NS5A
      inhibitors. Compounds 10 and 19 are of particular interests since they are as
      potent as our previous leads and have much improved rat pharmacokinetic profiles.

PMID- 27282745
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27282743
TI  - Discovery of potent macrocyclic HCV NS5A inhibitors.
AB  - HCV NS5A inhibitors have demonstrated impressive in vitro virologic profiles in
      HCV replicon assays and robust HCV RNA titer reduction in the clinic making them
      attractive components for inclusion in an all oral fixed-dose combination (FDC)
      regimen for the treatment of HCV infection. Merck's effort in this area
      identified MK-4882 and MK-8325 as early development leads. Herein, we describe
      the discovery of potent macrocyclic NS5A inhibitors bearing the MK-8325 or MK
      4882 core structure.

PMID- 27282744
TI  - Default Network and Aging: Beyond the Task-Negative Perspective.
AB  - During cognitive tasks requiring externally directed attention, activation in the
      default-network (DN) typically decreases below baseline levels ('deactivation').
      Healthy aging is associated with reduced deactivation, which is usually
      attributed to a failure to suppress DN processes. Recent evidence instead
      suggests that older adults may be more reliant on DN than young adults when
      performing these tasks.

PMID- 27282746
TI  - Delusional Infestation: State of the Art.
AB  - Patients with a delusional infestation (DI) have an overwhelming conviction that
      they are being infested with (non) pathogens without any medical proof. The
      patients need a systematic psychiatric and dermatological evaluation to assess
      any possible underlying cause that could be treated. Because they avoid
      psychiatrists, a close collaboration of dermatologists and psychiatrists, who
      examine the patient together, seems to be a promising solution. It helps to start
      a trustful doctor-patient relationship and motivates the patient for psychiatric
      treatment. We here review diagnostic criteria, classification of symptoms,
      pathophysiology and treatment options of DI. Antipsychotic medication is the
      treatment of choice when any other underlying cause or disorder is excluded.
      Further research is needed to assess the pathophysiology, and other treatment
      options for patients with DI. 

PMID- 27282747
TI  - Recent advances in the preparation and application of monolithic capillary
      columns in separation science.
AB  - Novel column technologies involving various materials and efficient reactions
      have been investigated for the fabrication of monolithic capillary columns in the
      field of analytical chemistry. In addition to the development of these
      miniaturized systems, a variety of microscale separation applications have
      achieved noteworthy results, providing a stepping stone for new types of
      chromatographic columns with improved efficiency and selectivity. Three novel
      strategies for the preparation of capillary monoliths, including ionic liquid
      based approaches, nanoparticle-based approaches and "click chemistry", are
      highlighted in this review. Furthermore, we present the employment of state-of
      the-art capillary monolithic stationary phases for enantioseparation, solid-phase
      microextraction, mixed-mode separation and immobilized enzyme reactors. The
      review concludes with recommendations for future studies and improvements in this
      field of research.

PMID- 27282748
TI  - Carbon dots with strong excitation-dependent fluorescence changes towards pH.
      Application as nanosensors for a broad range of pH.
AB  - In this study, preparation of novel pH-sensitive N-doped carbon dots (NCDs) using
      glucose and urea is reported. The prepared NCDs present strong excitation
      dependent fluorescence changes towards the pH that is a new behavior from these
      nanomaterials. By taking advantage of this unique behavior, two separated
      ratiometric pH sensors using emission spectra of the NCDs for both acidic (pH 2.0
      to 8.0) and basic (pH 7.0 to 14.0) ranges of pH are constructed. Additionally, by
      considering the entire Excitation-Emission Matrix (EEM) of NCDs as analytical
      signal and using a suitable multivariate calibration method, a broad range of pH
      from 2.0 to 14.0 was well calibrated. The multivariate calibration method was
      independent from the concentration of NCDs and resulted in a very low average
      prediction error of 0.067 pH units. No changes in the predicted pH under UV
      irradiation (for 3 h) and at high ionic strength (up to 2 M NaCl) indicated the
      high stability of this pH nanosensor. The practicality of this pH nanosensor for
      pH determination in real water samples was validated with good accuracy and
      repeatability.

PMID- 27282749
TI  - Hybrid approach combining chemometrics and likelihood ratio framework for
      reporting the evidential value of spectra.
AB  - Many chemometric tools are invaluable and have proven effective in data mining
      and substantial dimensionality reduction of highly multivariate data. This
      becomes vital for interpreting various physicochemical data due to rapid
      development of advanced analytical techniques, delivering much information in a
      single measurement run. This concerns especially spectra, which are frequently
      used as the subject of comparative analysis in e.g. forensic sciences. In the
      presented study the microtraces collected from the scenarios of hit-and-run
      accidents were analysed. Plastic containers and automotive plastics (e.g.
      bumpers, headlamp lenses) were subjected to Fourier transform infrared
      spectrometry and car paints were analysed using Raman spectroscopy. In the
      forensic context analytical results must be interpreted and reported according to
      the standards of the interpretation schemes acknowledged in forensic sciences
      using the likelihood ratio approach. However, for proper construction of LR
      models for highly multivariate data, such as spectra, chemometric tools must be
      employed for substantial data compression. Conversion from classical feature
      representation to distance representation was proposed for revealing hidden data
      peculiarities and linear discriminant analysis was further applied for minimising
      the within-sample variability while maximising the between-sample variability.
      Both techniques enabled substantial reduction of data dimensionality. Univariate
      and multivariate likelihood ratio models were proposed for such data. It was
      shown that the combination of chemometric tools and the likelihood ratio approach
      is capable of solving the comparison problem of highly multivariate and
      correlated data after proper extraction of the most relevant features and
      variance information hidden in the data structure.

PMID- 27282750
TI  - X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic
      analysis of RuO2-Ta2O5 thick film pH sensors.
AB  - The paper reports on investigation of the pH sensing mechanism of thick film RuO2
      Ta2O5 sensors by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical
      impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Interdigitated conductimetric pH sensors were
      screen printed on alumina substrates. The microstructure and elemental
      composition of the films were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy
      dispersive spectroscopy. The XPS studies revealed the presence of Ru ions at
      different oxidation states and the surface hydroxylation of the sensing layer
      increasing with increasing pH. The EIS analysis carried out in the frequency
      range 10 Hz-2 MHz showed that the electrical parameters of the sensitive
      electrodes in the low frequency range were distinctly dependent on pH. The charge
      transfer and ionic exchange occurring at metal oxide-solution interface were
      indicated as processes responsible for the sensing mechanism of thick film RuO2
      Ta2O5 pH sensors.

PMID- 27282751
TI  - Carbonaceous nanomaterials immobilised mixed matrix membrane microextraction for
      the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sewage pond water
      samples.
AB  - In this study, the potential for carbonaceous nanomaterials to be used as
      adsorbents for the mixed matrix membrane (MMM) microextraction and
      preconcentration of organic pollutants was demonstrated. For this method,
      multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and single layer graphene (SLG) nanoparticles
      were individually incorporated through dispersion in a cellulose triacetate (CTA)
      polymer matrix to form a MWCNT-MMM and SLG-MMM, respectively. The prepared
      membranes were evaluated for the extraction of selected polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in sewage pond water samples. The extraction was
      performed by dipping a small piece of membrane (7 mm * 7 mm) in a stirred 7.5 mL
      sample solution to initiate the analyte adsorption. This step was followed by an
      analyte desorption into 60 MUL of methanol prior to high performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) analysis. When the optimum SLG-MMM microextraction
      technique was applied to spiked sewage pond water samples, the detection limit of
      the method for the PAHs were in the range of 0.02-0.09 ng/mL, with relative
      standard deviations of between 1.4% and 7.8%. Enrichment factors of 54-100 were
      achieved with relative recoveries of 99%-101%. A comparison was also made between
      the proposed approach and standard solid phase extraction using polymeric bonded
      octadecyl (C18) cartridges.

PMID- 27282752
TI  - Low cost and compact analytical microsystem for carbon dioxide determination in
      production processes of wine and beer.
AB  - The design, construction and evaluation of a low cost, cyclic olefin copolymer
      (COC)-based continuous flow microanalyzer, with optical detection, to monitor
      carbon dioxide in bottled wines and beers as well as in fermentation processes,
      is presented. The microsystem, constructed by computer numerically controlled
      (CNC) micromilling and using a multilayer approach, integrates microfluidics, gas
      diffusion module and an optical flow-cell in a single polymeric substrate. Its
      size is slightly bigger than a credit card, exactly 45 * 60 * 4 mm in the
      microfluidic and diffusion module zone and 22.5 * 40 * 3 mm in the flow-cell
      zone. The gas-diffusion module is based on a hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride
      (PVDF) membrane, which allows the transfer of the carbon dioxide present in the
      sample to a bromothymol blue (BTB) pH-sensitive acceptor solution, where the
      color change is measured optically. The detection system consisted of a LED with
      an emission peak at 607 nm and a photodiode integrated in a printed circuit board
      (PCB). The obtained analytical features after the optimization of the
      microfluidic platform and hydrodynamic variables are a linear range from 255 to
      10000 mg L(-1) of CO2 and a detection limit of 83 mg L(-1) with a sampling rate
      of 30 samples h(-1).

PMID- 27282754
TI  - Transforming the Landscape of Caregiving.

PMID- 27282753
TI  - Joint-specific DNA methylation and transcriptome signatures in rheumatoid
      arthritis identify distinct pathogenic processes.
AB  - Stratifying patients on the basis of molecular signatures could facilitate
      development of therapeutics that target pathways specific to a particular disease
      or tissue location. Previous studies suggest that pathogenesis of rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA) is similar in all affected joints. Here we show that distinct DNA
      methylation and transcriptome signatures not only discriminate RA fibroblast-like
      synoviocytes (FLS) from osteoarthritis FLS, but also distinguish RA FLS isolated
      from knees and hips. Using genome-wide methods, we show differences between RA
      knee and hip FLS in the methylation of genes encoding biological pathways, such
      as IL-6 signalling via JAK-STAT pathway. Furthermore, differentially expressed
      genes are identified between knee and hip FLS using RNA-sequencing. Double
      evidenced genes that are both differentially methylated and expressed include
      multiple HOX genes. Joint-specific DNA signatures suggest that RA disease
      mechanisms might vary from joint to joint, thus potentially explaining some of
      the diversity of drug responses in RA patients.

PMID- 27282755
TI  - Primacy of lowered baseline glomerular filtration rate as a risk for incident
      chronic kidney disease: A longitudinal study in Japanese subjects.
AB  - AIM: Risk profile for incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Japanese subjects
      has not been established. Our aim was to identify risk factors for CKD in
      Japanese. METHODS: Consecutive 171 536 health examinees (median age 49 years and
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 78.2 mL/min per 1.73 m2 ) without CKD
      were re-examined after a median period of 6.2 years. Results of Cox proportional
      hazards models in randomly assigned two thirds (Derivation cohort) were verified
      in the rest (Validation cohort). CKD was defined as eGFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2
      or positive dipstick proteinuria. RESULTS: In the Derivation cohort, CKD
      developed in 1002 (5.8%) subjects. Seven variables such as lower eGFR, male
      gender, higher uric acid concentration, lower red cell count and higher age and
      systolic blood pressure were identified as significant risks for CKD, with
      lowered eGFR being an overwhelmingly strong risk: adjusted hazard ratio for those
      with the baseline eGFR <70 mL/min per 1.73 m2 was as high as 90.1. Performance of
      prediction of CKD by the probability on the basis of the seven risk factors
      combined was only marginally preferable to eGFR alone. The area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curve (95% CI) for the prediction was 0.846
      (0.826-0.864) and 0.822 (0.802-0.840) (P < 0.01), the kappa statistic was 0.263
      and 0.250 (n.s.), and the mean absolute difference between "predicted
      probability" and "observed" CKD was 1.4% and 1.9% (P = 0.14) by the combined
      model and eGFR alone, respectively. CONCLUSION: Seven risk factors for incident
      CKD were identified in Japanese health examinees. However, lowered baseline eGFR
      outweighed other risks to the degree that eGFR alone was suffice for CKD
      prediction.

PMID- 27282756
TI  - Comparing Laparoscopic to Endoscopic Resections for Early Gastric Cancer in a
      High Volume North American Center.
AB  - Endoscopic submucosal dissection as an organ sparing option for early gastric
      cancer is becoming increasingly accepted as an alternative to laparoscopic
      gastrectomy. Given the very limited North American data, we sought to compare
      outcomes between endoscopic and laparoscopic resection of gastric malignant and
      premalignant tumors. Patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy or endoscopic
      submucosal dissection from 2007 to 2014 for adenocarcinoma or dysplasia at the
      McGill University Health Center were identified from a prospectively collected
      database and dichotomized according to the surgical approach. Patient
      demographics, tumor characteristics, stage, oncologic outcome, length of stay,
      and postoperative complications were recorded. Of 155 patients with gastric
      cancer identified, 67 were treated by laparoscopic gastrectomy (n = 37) or
      endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) (n = 30). There were significantly more
      invasive lesions in the laparoscopic group and patients subject to ESD harbored
      more T1 lesions. No significant difference in the rate of R0 resection or overall
      complications was observed between the groups. Accordingly, length of stay was
      significantly shorter in the ESD group. There were no significant differences in
      terms of overall and disease-free survival. In selected patients, ESD is
      associated with improved short-term outcomes and provides an appropriate
      oncologic resection option in a North American patient cohort.

PMID- 27282757
TI  - Erratum to: Deconstructing the "July Effect" in Operative Outcomes: A National
      Study.

PMID- 27282758
TI  - Sex Differences in the Prevalence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder During Middle
      Childhood: a Meta-Analysis.
AB  - This review provides a meta-analysed male:female prevalence ratio of oppositional
      defiant disorder (ODD) during middle childhood in non-referred children. It also
      analyses sex differences in prevalence across cultures and over time. A
      systematic search for studies via the following sources was conducted: PsycInfo,
      Web of Knowledge, Medline Complete, Scopus, EMBASE, InfoRMIT, Psychological and
      Behavioural Sciences Collection, Cochrane Library, PubMed and ProQuest Health.
      The studies presented in two previous systematic reviews were also added to the
      search results. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were then applied and final studies
      were appraised for their methodological quality. Nineteen independent effect
      sizes met full inclusion criteria (aggregated sample N = 44,107). Overall, the
      prevalence of ODD was significantly higher in boys than girls (RR = 1.59, 95 % CI
      [1.36, 1.86], p < 0.001), with the male:female prevalence ratio found to be
      1.59:1. Sex differences in prevalence were significant in Western (RR = 1.80, 95
      % CI [1.55, 2.10], p < 0.001) but not non-Western cultures (RR = 1.08, 95 % CI
      [0.76-1.53], p > 0.05). Sex differences in prevalence were significant in studies
      published prior to and post the year 2000 (RR = 1.57, 95 % CI [1.22, 2.02], p <
      0.001; RR = 1.64, 95 % CI [1.35, 2.00], p < 0.001), and were consistent between
      these two periods (Q, 1 = 0.36, p = > 0.05). The sex differences in ODD
      prevalence are discussed within the context of (i) predominant theories of sex
      differences in externalising behaviours, and (ii) departure from the sex
      differences pattern found for other disruptive behavioural disorders.

PMID- 27282759
TI  - Linking Social Anxiety with Social Competence in Early Adolescence: Physiological
      and Coping Moderators.
AB  - Despite relatively universal feelings of discomfort in social situations, there
      is considerable evidence for diversity in the social behaviors and peer
      experiences of socially anxious youth. However, to date, very little research has
      been conducted with the aim of identifying factors that differentiate socially
      anxious youth who are more socially competent from those who are less socially
      competent. The present study addresses this gap in the literature by examining
      whether physiological and cognitive coping responses to social stress moderate
      the association between social anxiety and social competence. Participants were a
      community sample of 123 fifth and sixth graders (Mage = 12.03). Social anxiety
      was measured globally and in the context of a lab-based peer evaluation
      situation, and social competence was assessed via teacher-reports. Physiological
      (i.e., skin conductance level reactivity, SCLR, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia
      reactivity, RSAR) and coping (i.e., disengaged) responses to social stressors
      were also assessed. Results indicated that SCLR and disengaged coping with peer
      victimization moderated associations linking global and context-specific social
      anxiety with social competence, such that social anxiety was associated with
      lower social competence at lower levels of SCLR and higher levels of disengaged
      coping with peer victimization. Thus, whether socially anxious preadolescents
      exhibit more or less competent social behavior may depend, in part, on how they
      respond to peer-evaluative stress. Inflexible physiological responses and
      disengaged coping responses may undermine social competence, whereas engaged
      responses may counteract socially anxious preadolescents' tendency to withdraw
      from social interactions or focus primarily on threat cues.

PMID- 27282760
TI  - [Ewing's sarcoma, fibrogenic tumors, giant cell tumor, hemangioma of bone :
      Radiology and pathology].
AB  - Radiological imaging only reflects the anatomy and its pathological
      abnormalities. Therefore, the radiologist should be able to recognize the basic
      features of the pathological anatomy of bone tumors. This can only be learned
      working closely with a pathologist who is experienced in this field. On the other
      hand, the pathologist needs from the radiologist their diagnostic assessment with
      information on size, location, aggressiveness and the existence of a bone tumor's
      matrix, of the whole lesion, because he usually only receives a small part for
      examination in the form of a biopsy. In this article, the features and
      fundamentals (standards) of radiological-pathological cooperation as the mainstay
      for a precise diagnosis in bone tumors are outlined. The radiological appearance
      and the histopathological features behind it are presented for Ewing's sarcoma,
      fibrogenic tumors, giant cell tumor, and hemangioma of the bone. 

PMID- 27282761
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 27282762
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 27282763
TI  - Comparison of Outcomes after Device Closure with Transseptal Puncture and
      Standard Technique in Patients with Patent Foramen Ovale and Ischemic Events.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of device
      closure with the transseptal puncture and standard technique in patients with
      patent foramen ovale (PFO) and ischemic events. METHODS: Eighty-two consecutive
      patients (men: 60 patients, mean age: 45.2 years) who underwent PFO closure with
      the Amplatzer PFO Occluder were enrolled. PFO closure with the transseptal
      puncture was performed in 22 patients (transseptal puncture technique, group I).
      In the remaining patients (n = 60), PFO closure was performed with the standard
      technique (group II). The co-primary end points were the incidence of significant
      residual shunt on follow-up transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and a
      composite of death, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and peripheral
      embolism. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups.
      On TEE, despite similar grade of interatrial right-to-left shunt, shunt at
      rest/septal hypermobility was less common in group I than in group II (40.9% vs.
      72.9%, P < 0.010). The device was successfully implanted in all patients. On
      follow-up TEE, significant residual shunt was more common in group I than in
      group II (28.6% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.021). In addition, composite of death, stroke,
      TIA, or peripheral embolism was more common in group I than in group II (13.6%
      vs. 0%, P = 0.017) during the follow-up period (mean 25.4 months). CONCLUSION:
      Compared to the standard technique, PFO closure with the transseptal puncture
      technique showed higher incidence of residual shunt and ischemic events.
      Therefore, this technique might be considered in only highly selected patients as
      the last option.

PMID- 27282764
TI  - [Formula: see text]Parent rating of executive function in fetal alcohol spectrum
      disorder: A review of the literature and new data on Aboriginal Canadian
      children.
AB  - Aboriginal children in Canada are at high risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
      (FASD) but there is little research on the cognitive impact of prenatal alcohol
      exposure (PAE) in this population. This paper reviews the literature on parent
      report of executive functioning in children with FASD that used the Behavior
      Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). New data on the BRIEF is then
      reported in a sample of 52 Aboriginal Canadian children with FASD for whom a
      primary caregiver completed the BRIEF. The children also completed a battery of
      neuropsychological tests. The results reveal mean scores in the impaired range
      for all three BRIEF index scores and seven of the eight scales, with the greatest
      difficulties found on the Working Memory, Inhibit and Shift scales. The majority
      of the children were reported as impaired on the index scores and scales, with
      Working Memory being most commonly impaired scale. On the performance-based
      tests, Trails B and Letter Fluency are most often reported as impaired, though
      the prevalence of impairment is greater for parent ratings than test performance.
      No gender difference is noted for the parent report, but the boys had slightly
      slower intellectual functioning and were more perseverative than the girls on
      testing. The presence of psychiatric comorbidity is unrelated to either BRIEF or
      test scores. These findings are generally consistent with prior studies
      indicating that parents observe considerable executive dysfunction in children
      with FASD, and that children with FASD may have more difficulty with executive
      functions in everyday life than is detected by laboratory-based tests alone.

PMID- 27282765
TI  - Platelets are versatile cells: New discoveries in hemostasis, thrombosis, immune
      responses, tumor metastasis and beyond.
AB  - Platelets are small anucleate blood cells generated from megakaryocytes in the
      bone marrow and cleared in the reticuloendothelial system. At the site of
      vascular injury, platelet adhesion, activation and aggregation constitute the
      first wave of hemostasis. Blood coagulation, which is initiated by the intrinsic
      or extrinsic coagulation cascades, is the second wave of hemostasis. Activated
      platelets can also provide negatively-charged surfaces that harbor coagulation
      factors and markedly potentiate cell-based thrombin generation. Recently,
      deposition of plasma fibronectin, and likely other plasma proteins, onto the
      injured vessel wall has been identified as a new "protein wave of hemostasis"
      that may occur even earlier than the first wave of hemostasis, platelet
      accumulation. Although no experimental evidence currently exists, it is
      conceivable that platelets may also contribute to this protein wave of hemostasis
      by releasing their granule fibronectin and other proteins that may facilitate
      fibronectin self- and non-self-assembly on the vessel wall. Thus, platelets may
      contribute to all three waves of hemostasis and are central players in this
      critical physiological process to prevent bleeding. Low platelet counts in blood
      caused by enhanced platelet clearance and/or impaired platelet production are
      usually associated with hemorrhage. Auto- and allo-immune thrombocytopenias such
      as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and fetal and neonatal alloimmune
      thrombocytopenia may cause life-threatening bleeding such as intracranial
      hemorrhage. When triggered under pathological conditions such as rupture of an
      atherosclerotic plaque, excessive platelet activation and aggregation may result
      in thrombosis and vessel occlusion. This may lead to myocardial infarction or
      ischemic stroke, the major causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Platelets
      are also involved in deep vein thrombosis and thromboembolism, another leading
      cause of mortality. Although fibrinogen has been documented for more than half a
      century as essential for platelet aggregation, recent studies demonstrated that
      fibrinogen-independent platelet aggregation occurs in both gene deficient animals
      and human patients under physiological and pathological conditions (non-anti
      coagulated blood). This indicates that other unidentified platelet ligands may
      play important roles in thrombosis and might be novel antithrombotic targets. In
      addition to their critical roles in hemostasis and thrombosis, emerging evidence
      indicates that platelets are versatile cells involved in many other
      pathophysiological processes such as innate and adaptive immune responses,
      atherosclerosis, angiogenesis, lymphatic vessel development, liver regeneration
      and tumor metastasis. This review summarizes the current knowledge of platelet
      biology, highlights recent advances in the understanding of platelet production
      and clearance, molecular and cellular events of thrombosis and hemostasis, and
      introduces the emerging roles of platelets in the immune system, vascular biology
      and tumorigenesis. The clinical implications of these basic science and
      translational research findings will also be discussed.

PMID- 27282766
TI  - Potential forensic use of a 33 X-InDel panel in the Argentinean population.
AB  - Polymorphic genetic markers located on the X chromosome might become a complement
      in particular forensic identification when the biological kinship are deficient.
      We analyzed forensic statistical parameters of 33 X-chromosome InDel
      polymorphisms in a sample of 320 individuals from Argentina. The X-chromosome
      InDel polymorphism (X-InDel) panel was amplified in a single multiplex PCR
      reaction. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium was determined in the female cohort, whereas
      the male cohort was used to calculate linkage disequilibrium (LD) tested by an
      extension of Fisher's exact test, D', and Chi-square values. Regarding LD, 15
      markers were organized and grouped into six blocks containing two or three linked
      loci each, namely block I (MID356-MID357), block II (MID448804-MID3703-MID218),
      block III (MID3705-MID3706-MID304737), block IV (MID197147-MID3754), block V
      (MID3664-MID284601-MID103547), and block VI (MID3763-MID3728). The haplotype
      diversity was higher than 0.99 in all cases. Blocks III and VI showed the highest
      match probability in the studied population, whereas block II showed the lowest.
      The accumulated power of discrimination was 99.9999991 % in women and 99.9992925
      % in men. The mean exclusion chance in trios and duos were 99.9891736 and
      99.6099391 %, respectively. Since 15 markers are associated as haplotypic blocks,
      for a conservative treatment of the data, statistical evaluation should consider
      their haplotypic frequencies and the remaining 18 markers can be evaluated as
      independent loci.

PMID- 27282768
TI  - Jeotgalicoccus schoeneichii sp. nov. isolated from exhaust air of a pig barn.
AB  - A Gram-staining-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, coccus (strain 140805
      STR-02T) was isolated from exhaust air of a pig barn on Columbia Blood Agar Base
      (Oxoid) supplemented with 5 % defibrinated horse blood, Streptococcus selective
      supplement and 0.5 mg erythromycin l-1. The strains shared high 16S rRNA gene
      sequence similarity to Jeotgalicoccus pinnipedialis (98.6 %) but only a maximum
      of 94 % sequence similarity to all other species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus. DNA
      DNA hybridisation values between strain 140805-STR-02T and J. pinnipedialis CIP
      107946T were 60.3 % (reciprocal, 51.2 %). The quinone system of 140805-STR-02T
      contained predominantly menaquinone MK-7 and minor amounts of MK-6. The polar
      lipid profile of strain 140805-STR-02T contained the major compounds
      diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol and four unidentified lipids
      present in minor to moderate amounts. In the polyamine pattern spermidine and
      spermine were predominant. The fatty acid profile comprising iso-C15 : 0 and
      anteiso-C15 : 0 as major fatty acids, and was in congruence with those reported
      for other species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus and thus supported the affiliation
      of strain 140805-STR-02T to this genus. The results of physiological and
      biochemical tests allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 140805-STR
      02T from the most closely related species. Strain 140805-STR-02T represents a
      novel species, for which the names Jeotgalicoccus schoeneichii sp. nov. is
      proposed, with the type strain 140805-STR-02T (=LMG 29445T=CCM 8667T).

PMID- 27282767
TI  - Adrenomedullin and endothelin-1 are associated with myocardial injury and death
      in septic shock patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adrenomedullin and endothelin-1 are hormones with opposing effects on
      the cardiovascular system. Adrenomedullin acts as a vasodilator and seems to be
      important for the initiation and continuation of the hyperdynamic circulatory
      response in sepsis. Endothelin-1 is a vasoconstrictor and has been linked to
      decreased cardiac performance. Few studies have studied the relationship between
      adrenomedullin and endothelin-1, and morbidity and mortality in septic shock
      patients. High-sensitivity troponin T (hsTNT) is normally used to diagnose acute
      cardiac injury but is also prognostic for outcome in intensive care. We
      investigated the relationship between mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR
      proADM), C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 (CT-proET-1), and myocardial injury,
      measured using transthoracic echocardiography and hsTNT in septic shock patients.
      We were also interested in the development of different biomarkers throughout the
      ICU stay, and how early measurements were related to mortality. Further, we
      assessed if a positive biomarker panel, consisting of MR-proADM, CT-proET-1, and
      hsTNT changed the odds for mortality. METHODS: A cohort of 53 consecutive
      patients with septic shock had their levels of MR-proADM, CT-proET-1, hsTNT, and
      left ventricular systolic functions prospectively measured over 7 days. The
      relationship between day 1 levels of MR-proADM/CT-proET-1 and myocardial injury
      was studied. We also investigated the relationship between biomarkers and early
      (7-day) and later (28-day) mortality. Likelihood ratios, and pretest and posttest
      odds for mortality were calculated. RESULTS: Levels of MR-proADM and CT-proET-1
      were significantly higher among patients with myocardial injury and were
      correlated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. MR-proADM and hsTNT were
      significantly higher among 7-day and 28-day non-survivors. CT-proET-1 was also
      significantly higher among 28-day but not 7-day non-survivors. A positive
      biomarker panel consisting of the three biomarkers increased the odds for
      mortality 13-fold to 20-fold. CONCLUSIONS: MR-proADM and CT-proET-1 are
      associated with myocardial injury. A biomarker panel combining MR-proADM, CT
      proET-1, and hsTNT increases the odds ratio for death, and may improve currently
      available scoring systems in critical care.

PMID- 27282769
TI  - Influence of school-related factors on smoking among Chilean adolescents: a cross
      sectional multilevel study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adolescent tobacco smoking is a major health concern in Chile.
      Schools may be able to influence adolescent behaviour regarding smoking; however,
      this topic has received limited research attention in Latin-American countries.
      Moreover, the prevalence of cigarette smoking varies between schools, and some of
      this variability may be explained by school factors. This article examines the
      inter-school variability in student smoking in a large sample of Chilean schools
      and identifies the school- and student-level characteristics associated with
      cigarette smoking. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used self-reported student
      level data from 45,273 students from 1462 schools and official data from these
      schools provided by the Chilean Ministry of Education (2007). Student smoking
      behaviour was used as an outcome, and individual-level and school-level features
      were used as explanatory variables. Logistic multilevel modelling was used to
      analyse the data. RESULTS: The mean prevalence of smoking in the 1462 schools was
      39.9 %. The null model indicated that 8 % of the variance in smoking behaviour
      was explained by schools; and in the final model, controlled by individual- and
      school-level variables, the variance explained by schools dropped to 2.4 %. The
      main school-level variables explaining the school influence were school bonding,
      school truancy and school achievement. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to
      examine the extent to which student smoking varies between Chilean schools and to
      identify some of the school factors associated with this inter-school
      variability. Although most variation in smoking prevalence lies between students
      within schools, there is sufficient between-school variation to be of interest to
      educators and policy makers.

PMID- 27282770
TI  - Effects of BDNF-Transfected BMSCs on Neural Functional Recovery and Synaptophysin
      Expression in Rats with Cerebral Infarction.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)
      on neural functional recovery and synaptophysin expression in rats with cerebral
      infarction (CI). A total of 120 healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided
      into sham group, control group, and model group. Craniotomy was conducted and
      neurological function defect scoring was used to verify the model. BDNF
      containing recombinant plasmid was transfected into rat BMSCs, which was verified
      by flow cytometry and Western Blot. After injection of the transfected BMSCs,
      neural functional recovery of the CI rats and synaptophysin expression were
      measured. After the CI rat model was established, magnetic resonance (MR)
      imaging, 2, 3, 5- triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and the
      neurological function defect scoring determined the success of the model. CD34 (
      ), CD45 (-), CD29 (+), and CD90 (+) cells detected showed that the obtained BMSCs
      have high purity. BDNF protein was highly expressed in the BMSCs successfully
      transfected with the recombinant plasmid. Balance beam walking score, rotating
      bar walking score, and screen test score were significantly lower, while
      synaptophysin expression was higher in the BDNF model group than those in the non
      BDNF model group and sham group with time extension. BDNF can increase synaptic
      plasticity and neurogenesis and have a promotional role in neural functional
      recovery and synaptophysin expression in rats with CI. BDNF-transfected BMSCs may
      therefore have better treatment efficacy for CI clinically.

PMID- 27282771
TI  - Prognostic Role of Body Mass Index in Advanced Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma
      Patients Receiving Palliative Chemotherapy.
AB  - As small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare cancer worldwide, prognostic
      factors have not been clearly defined. The purpose of this study is to assess the
      prognostic role of clinicopathologic features, including body mass index (BMI),
      in patients with advanced SBA. A total of 28 consecutive patients with advanced
      SBA treated with palliative chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled and
      analyzed. Clinicopathologic features, progression-free survival (PFS), and
      overall survival (OS) were compared according to BMI level. Eighteen patients had
      BMI < 25 kg/m(2) (overweight/normal/underweight in Asian) and ten patients had
      BMI >= 25 kg/m(2) (obese in Asian). Baseline characteristics were similar
      regardless of patient's BMI. Compared to patients with BMI < 25 kg/m(2), patients
      with BMI >= 25 kg/m(2) had higher response rate to chemotherapy (40.0% vs. 0%, P
      = 0.010), longer OS (11.2 vs. 7.0 months, P = 0.018) and a tendency toward
      prolonged PFS (2.1 vs. 1.9 months, P = 0.085). Multivariate analysis revealed
      that BMI >= 25 kg/m(2) is an independent positive prognostic factor of OS
      (adjusted hazard ratio 0.35, P = 0.024). In conclusion, baseline BMI >= 25
      kg/m(2) has a positive prognostic role in patients with advanced SBA.

PMID- 27282772
TI  - Mycorrhizal detection of native and non-native truffles in a historic arboretum
      and the discovery of a new North American species, Tuber arnoldianum sp. nov.
AB  - During a study comparing the ectomycorrhizal root communities in a native forest
      with those at the Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts (USA), the European species
      Tuber borchii was detected on the roots of a native red oak in the arboretum over
      two successive years. Since T. borchii is an economically important edible
      truffle native to Europe, we conducted a search of other roots in the arboretum
      to determine the extent of colonization. We also wanted to determine whether
      other non-native Tuber species had been inadvertently introduced into this 140
      year-old Arboretum because many trees were imported into the site with intact
      soil and roots prior to the 1921 USDA ban on these horticultural practices in the
      USA. While T. borchii was not found on other trees, seven other native and exotic
      Tuber species were detected. Among the North American Tuber species detected from
      ectomycorrhizae, we also collected ascomata of a previously unknown species
      described here as Tuber arnoldianum. This new species was found colonizing both
      native and non-native tree roots. Other ectomycorrhizal taxa that were detected
      included basidiomycetes in the genera Amanita, Russula, Tomentella, and
      ascomycetes belonging to Pachyphlodes, Helvella, Genea, and Trichophaea. We
      clarify the phylogenetic relationships of each of the Tuber species detected in
      this study, and we discuss their distribution on both native and non-native host
      trees. 

PMID- 27282773
TI  - Atom-economic catalytic amide synthesis from amines and carboxylic acids
      activated in situ with acetylenes.
AB  - Amide bond-forming reactions are of tremendous significance in synthetic
      chemistry. Methodological research has, in the past, focused on efficiency and
      selectivity, and these have reached impressive levels. However, the unacceptable
      amounts of waste produced have led the ACS GCI Roundtable to label 'amide bond
      formation avoiding poor atom economy' as the most pressing target for sustainable
      synthetic method development. In response to this acute demand, we herein
      disclose an efficient one-pot amide coupling protocol that is based on simple
      alkynes as coupling reagents: in the presence of a dichloro[(2,6,10-dodecatriene)
      1,12-diyl]ruthenium catalyst, carboxylate salts of primary or secondary amines
      react with acetylene or ethoxyacetylene to vinyl ester intermediates, which
      undergo aminolysis to give the corresponding amides along only with volatile
      acetaldehyde or ethyl acetate, respectively. The new amide synthesis is broadly
      applicable to the synthesis of structurally diverse amides, including dipeptides.

PMID- 27282774
TI  - Age-related differences in the sonographic characteristics of endometriomas.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Do sonographic characteristics of ovarian endometriomas vary with
      age in premenopausal women? SUMMARY ANSWER: With increasing age, multilocular
      cysts and cysts with papillations and other solid components become more common
      whereas ground glass echogenicity of cyst fluid becomes less common. WHAT IS
      KNOWN ALREADY: Expectant or medical management of women with endometriomas is now
      accepted. Therefore, the accuracy of non-invasive diagnosis of these cysts is
      pivotal. A clinically relevant question is whether the sonographic
      characteristics of ovarian endometriomas are the same irrespective of the age of
      the woman. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This is a secondary analysis of cross
      sectional data in the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) database. The
      database contains clinical and ultrasound information collected pre-operatively
      between 1999 and 2012 from 5914 patients with adnexal masses in 24 ultrasound
      centres in 10 countries. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: There were
      1005 histologically confirmed endometriomas in adult premenopausal patients found
      in the database and these were used in our analysis. The following ultrasound
      variables (defined using IOTA terminology) were used to describe the ultrasound
      appearance of the endometriomas: tender mass at ultrasound, largest diameter of
      lesion, tumour type (unilocular, unilocular-solid, multilocular, multilocular
      solid, solid), echogenicity of cyst content, presence of papillations, number of
      papillations, height (mm) of largest papillation, presence and proportion of
      solid tissue and number of cyst locules, as well as vascularity in papillations
      and colour content of the tumour scan (colour score) on colour or power Doppler
      ultrasounds. Results are reported as median difference or odds ratio (OR) per 10
      years increase in age. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Maximal lesion
      diameter did not vary substantially with age (+1.3 mm difference per 10 years
      increase in age, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.4 to 4.0). Tender mass at scan
      was less common in the older the woman (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63-0.89), as were
      unilocular cysts relative to multilocular cysts (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.57-0.85) and
      to lesions with solid components (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.48-0.77), and ground glass
      echogenicity relative to homogeneous low-level echogenicity (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58
      0.94) and other types of echogenicity of cyst contents (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.50
      0.81). Papillations were more common the older the woman (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.24
      2.21), but their height and vascularization showed no clear relation to age.
      LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: It is a limitation that we have little clinical
      information on the women included, e.g. previous surgery or medical treatment for
      endometriosis. It is important to emphasize that we do not know the age of the
      endometrioma itself and that our study is not longitudinal and so does not
      describe changes in endometriomas over time. The differences in the ultrasound
      appearance of endometriomas between women of different ages might be explained by
      previous surgery or medical treatment and might not be an effect of age per se.
      WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Awareness of physicians that the ultrasound
      appearance of endometriomas differs between women of different ages may
      facilitate a correct diagnosis of endometrioma. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING
      INTERESTS: This study was supported in part by the Regione Autonoma della
      Sardegna (project code CPR-24750). B.V.C., A.C. and D.T. are supported by the
      Fund for Scientific Research Flanders, Belgium (FWO). The authors declare that
      there is no conflict of interest.

PMID- 27282775
TI  - Women's adjustment trajectories during IVF and impact on mental health 11-17
      years later.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Do patients present different adjustment trajectories during and
      after IVF treatment? SUMMARY ANSWER: Most women show resilient trajectories
      during and after IVF treatment but 37% show temporary or chronic maladjustment
      during IVF and 10% are maladjusted 11-17 years after treatment. WHAT IS KNOWN
      ALREADY: Research on patient psychosocial adjustment during treatment has
      contributed to identifying the most distressful stages of IVF treatment and
      profiling patients at risk for emotional maladjustment at these specific stages.
      This knowledge is currently driving the deliverance of psychosocial care at
      fertility clinics by tailoring it to patients' risk profiles and specific
      treatment stages. However, current care does not take into consideration how
      individuals adjust across the entire treatment pathway. This can be assessed by
      profiling individual adjustment trajectories. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A
      longitudinal cohort study with five assessment moments that combines data from
      two different studies, the STRESSIVF and OMEGA projects. Participants enrolled in
      the STRESSIVF study (started IVF in 1998-2000) were assessed before and after the
      first IVF treatment cycle and 6 months and 2.5 years after the last IVF cycle. A
      subset participated in the OMEGA project (started IVF in 1995-2000) and reported
      on their mental health 11-17 years after treatment. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS,
      SETTING, METHODS: Three hundred and forty-eight women participated in the
      STRESSIVF project and 108 of these in the OMEGA. Anxiety was measured with the
      State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, depression with the Beck Depression Inventory
      and mental health with the Mental Health Inventory. Latent class growth mixed
      modelling was carried out to identify distinct anxiety and depression
      trajectories over the four STRESSIVF study assessment moments. Multinominal
      logistic regressions were conducted to investigate predictors of trajectory
      membership, and stepwise linear regressions were performed to investigate if
      adjustment trajectories predicted mental health 11-17 years after IVF treatment.
      MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: A total of 67 and 86% of women showed normal
      levels of anxiety and depression, respectively, throughout treatment (resilient
      trajectories), 24 and 33% experienced anxiety and depression only during
      treatment (recovery trajectories), 4.6 and 4.9% experienced anxiety and
      depression only after treatment (delayed trajectories), and 4.3% showed chronic
      anxiety (chronic trajectory, not identified for depression). Non-resilient
      trajectories were associated with unsuccessful treatment, marital
      dissatisfaction, lack of social support and negative infertility cognitions. One
      in 10 women had a delayed or chronic trajectory and these trajectories predicted
      serious mental health impairment 11-17 years after treatment. LIMITATIONS,
      REASONS FOR CAUTION: The study only focuses on women. In the OMEGA project
      adjustment was assessed using a mental health measure. Although we could
      investigate how trajectories predicted mental health, it would have been
      preferable to map anxiety and depression trajectories up to 11-17 years after
      treatment. Missing analysis showed selective dropout from the study but this was
      accounted for by using mixed models and imputation procedures. Finally, data on
      other life stressors were not collected; therefore any contribution from these
      events cannot be assessed. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Fertility health
      care providers have been called upon considering their responsibility in
      supporting patients in the aftermath of treatment. Results show it is possible to
      profile different groups of at-risk women at the start of the treatment and
      tailor psychosocial support to risk profile to promote health adjustment during
      treatment and thereafter. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This study was
      supported by a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (2006-3631) and the
      Praeventiefonds (28-3012). No competing interests exist.

PMID- 27282776
TI  - Enhancement by GOSPEL protein of GAPDH aggregation induced by nitric oxide donor
      and its inhibition by NAD(.).
AB  - Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase's (GAPDH's) competitor of Siah Protein
      Enhances Life (GOSPEL) is the protein that competes with Siah1 for binding to
      GAPDH under NO-induced stress conditions preventing Siah1-bound GAPDH nuclear
      translocation and subsequent apoptosis. Under these conditions, GAPDH may also
      form amyloid-like aggregates proposed to be involved in cell death. Here, we
      report the in vitro enhancement by GOSPEL of NO-induced GAPDH aggregation
      resulting in the formation GOSPEL-GAPDH co-aggregates with some amyloid-like
      properties. Our findings suggest a new function for GOSPEL, contrasting with its
      helpful role against the apoptotic nuclear translocation of GAPDH. NAD(+)
      inhibited both GAPDH aggregation and co-aggregation with GOSPEL, a hitherto
      undescribed effect of the coenzyme against the consequences of oxidative stress.

PMID- 27282777
TI  - Effect of cis-(Z)-flupentixol on DPPC membranes in the presence and absence of
      cholesterol.
AB  - Cis-(Z)-flupentixol dihydrochloride (FLU), a thioxanthene drug, is used in
      therapy of schizophrenia as well as in anxiolytic and depressive disorders. Since
      the action mechanism of FLU is not completely understood, the main objective of
      present study is to provide a detailed evaluation of flupentixol-phospholipid
      membrane interactions at molecular level. FLU-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
      (DPPC) interactions in presence and absence of cholesterol (CHO) were
      investigated as a function of temperature. The changes in upper part of membrane
      were more pronounced than those in central part of membrane, as indicated by EPR
      and FTIR. FLU was proposed to incorporate into phospholipid membranes with its
      triple ring parallel to head group and its chain toward alkyl chain of
      phospholipids. According to DSC results, the incorporation of 10 mol% FLU into
      DPPC caused a shoulder in transition peak, suggesting the occurence of a phase
      separation, and formation of this new phase is still observable in presence of
      CHO. It is well known that, structure and dynamics of lipids have significant
      influence on the function of membrane bound proteins, and consecutively their
      actions. Based upon these, it was proposed that FLU may modify membrane
      associated receptors and transport proteins, which would form the basis of its
      clinical efficiency.

PMID- 27282778
TI  - Prospective longitudinal voxel-based morphometry study of major depressive
      disorder in young individuals at high familial risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous neuroimaging studies indicate abnormalities in cortico
      limbic circuitry in mood disorder. Here we employ prospective longitudinal voxel
      based morphometry to examine the trajectory of these abnormalities during early
      stages of illness development. METHOD: Unaffected individuals (16-25 years) at
      high and low familial risk of mood disorder underwent structural brain imaging on
      two occasions 2 years apart. Further clinical assessment was conducted 2 years
      after the second scan (time 3). Clinical outcome data at time 3 was used to
      categorize individuals: (i) healthy controls ('low risk', n = 48); (ii) high-risk
      individuals who remained well (HR well, n = 53); and (iii) high-risk individuals
      who developed a major depressive disorder (HR MDD, n = 30). Groups were compared
      using longitudinal voxel-based morphometry. We also examined whether progress to
      illness was associated with changes in other potential risk markers (personality
      traits, symptoms scores and baseline measures of childhood trauma), and whether
      any changes in brain structure could be indexed using these measures. RESULTS:
      Significant decreases in right amygdala grey matter were found in HR MDD v.
      controls (p = 0.001) and v. HR well (p = 0.005). This structural change was not
      related to measures of childhood trauma, symptom severity or measures of sub
      diagnostic anxiety, neuroticism or extraversion, although cross-sectionally these
      measures significantly differentiated the groups at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: These
      longitudinal findings implicate structural amygdala changes in the neurobiology
      of mood disorder. They also provide a potential biomarker for risk stratification
      capturing additional information beyond clinically ascertained measures.

PMID- 27282779
TI  - Structure of the host-recognition device of Staphylococcus aureus phage phi11.
AB  - Phages play key roles in the pathogenicity and adaptation of the human pathogen
      Staphylococcus aureus. However, little is known about the molecular recognition
      events that mediate phage adsorption to the surface of S. aureus. The lysogenic
      siphophage phi11 infects S. aureus SA113. It was shown previously that phi11
      requires alpha- or beta-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) moieties on cell wall
      teichoic acid (WTA) for adsorption. Gp45 was identified as the receptor binding
      protein (RBP) involved in this process and GlcNAc residues on WTA were found to
      be the key component of the phi11 receptor. Here we report the crystal structure
      of the RBP of phi11, which assembles into a large, multidomain homotrimer. Each
      monomer contains a five-bladed propeller domain with a cavity that could
      accommodate a GlcNAc moiety. An electron microscopy reconstruction of the phi11
      host adhesion component, the baseplate, reveals that six RBP trimers are
      assembled around the baseplate core. The Gp45 and baseplate structures provide
      insights into the overall organization and molecular recognition process of the
      phage phi11 tail. This assembly is conserved among most glycan-recognizing
      Siphoviridae, and the RBP orientation would allow host adhesion and infection
      without an activation step.

PMID- 27282781
TI  - Revealing the Origin of Fast Electron Transfer in TiO2-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar
      Cells.
AB  - In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), the electron transfer from photoexcited dye
      molecules to semiconductor substrates remains a major bottleneck. Replacing TiO2
      with ZnO is expected to enhance the efficiency of DSCs, owing to the latter
      possesses a much larger electron mobility, but similar bandgap and band positions
      as TiO2 remain. However, the record efficiency of ZnO-based DSCs is only 7%
      compared with 13% of TiO2-based DSCs due to the even slower electron-transfer
      rate in ZnO-based DSCs, which becomes a long-standing puzzle. Here, we
      computationally investigate the electron transfer from the dye molecule into ZnO
      and TiO2, respectively, by performing the first-principles calculations within
      the frame of the Marcus theory. The predicted electron-transfer rate in the TiO2
      based DSC is about 1.15 * 10(9) s(-1), a factor of 15 faster than that of the ZnO
      based DSC, which is in good agreement with experimental data. We find that the
      much larger density of states of the TiO2 compared with ZnO near the conduction
      band edge is the dominant factor, which is responsible for the faster electron
      transfer rate in TiO2-based DSCs. These denser states provide additional
      efficient channels for the electron transfer. We also provide design principles
      to boost the efficiency of DSCs through surface engineering of high mobility
      photoanode semiconductors.

PMID- 27282780
TI  - Organizing pneumonia in mice and men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Organizing pneumonia is a reaction pattern and an inflammatory
      response to acute lung injuries, and is characterized by intraluminal plugs of
      granulation tissue in distal airspaces. In contrast to other fibrotic pulmonary
      diseases, organizing pneumonia is generally responsive to corticosteroids.
      However, some patients do not respond to treatment, leading to respiratory
      failure and potentially death (up to 15 % of patients). In order to devise new
      therapeutic strategies, a better understanding of the disease's pathomechanisms
      is warranted. We previously generated a mouse model overexpressing CCL2, which
      generates organizing pneumonia-like changes, morphologically comparable to human
      patients. In this study, we investigated whether the histopathological
      similarities of human and murine pulmonary organizing pneumonia lesions also
      involve similar molecular pathways. METHODS: We analyzed the similarities and
      differences of fibrosis-associated gene expression in individual compartments
      from patients with organizing pneumonia and transgenic (CCL2) mice using laser
      assisted microdissection, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Gene
      expression profiling of human and murine organizing pneumonia lesions showed in
      part comparable expression levels of pivotal genes, notably of TGFB1/Tgfb1,
      TIMP1/Timp1, TIMP2/Timp2, COL3A1/Col3a1, CXCL12/Cxcl12, MMP2/Mmp2 and IL6/Il6.
      Hence, the transgenic CCL2 mouse model shows not only pathogenomic and
      morphological features of human organizing pneumonia but also a similar
      inflammatory profile. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the CCL2-overexpressing
      transgenic mouse model (CCL2 Tg mice) is suitable for further investigation of
      fibrotic pulmonary remodeling, particularly of organizing pneumonia pathogenesis
      and for the search for novel therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 27282782
TI  - Corrigendum: Facile Discovery of a Diverse Panel of Anti-Ebola Virus Antibodies
      by Immune Repertoire Mining.

PMID- 27282783
TI  - Monistic dualism and the body electric: An ontology of disease, patient and
      clinician for person-centred healthcare.
AB  - Ontology is involved in medical care, because what both doctors and patients
      think the disease, the patient and the doctor are affects the giving and
      receiving of care, and hence the definition of medical care as profession. Going
      back to ancient philosophical views of disease as 'bounded entity' or as
      'relation' (still echoed in contemporary theories and mindsets), I propose a way
      to think ontologically about disease that places it in necessary connection with
      the patient as person. Drawing on Augustine's views on disease, bodily integrity,
      and the human person as mind-body unit, I speak of 'monistic dualism' as the view
      where the unit and health of the person is continuously and personally generated
      by the mind's attention to and action on the body, whether the body is impaired
      or not. Monistic dualism is identified as the ontological position of both
      patients who are (or can become) healthy within illness and clinicians who are
      'healthy' in their profession. It is what guides both to create what their body
      is in a personal state of integrity or health. This 'metaphysical body' is termed
      'the body electric' in patients, and I argue that clinicians can attend properly
      to the diseased body by attending to patients' metaphysical body. As clinicians
      offer metaphysical care to themselves, employing monistic dualism to create their
      metaphysical body, they should not deny it to patients. Ontology cannot be part
      of medical care without making metaphysical care a requirement. 

PMID- 27282784
TI  - Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 exert opposite effects on the contractile response
      induced by serotonin in mouse colon: role of serotonin receptors.
AB  - What is the central question of this study? The action of Toll-like receptors
      (TLRs) 2 and 4 on the motor response to serotonin in mouse colon has not
      previously been reported. What is the main finding and its importance? Toll-like
      receptors 2 and 4 modulate the serotonin-induced contractile response in mouse
      colon by modifying the expression of serotonin (5-HT) receptors. Alterations in 5
      HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors explain the increase of the response to serotonin in
      TLR2(-/-) mice. Alterations in 5-HT2C and 5-HT4 receptors explain the suppression
      of the response to serotonin in TLR4(-/-) mice. The microbiota, through Toll-like
      receptors (TLRs), may regulate gastrointestinal motility by activating
      neuroendocrine mechanisms. We evaluated the influence of TLR2 and TLR4 in
      spontaneous contractions and in the serotonin (5-HT)-induced motor response in
      mouse colon, and assessed the 5-HT receptors involved. Muscle contractility
      studies to evaluate the intestinal spontaneous motility and the response to 5-HT
      were performed in the colon from wild-type (WT), TLR2(-/-) , TLR4(-/-) and TLR2/4
      double knockout (DKO) mice. The 5-HT receptor mRNA expression was determined by
      real-time PCR. The amplitude and frequency of the spontaneous contractions of the
      colon were smaller in TLR4(-/-) and TLR2/4 DKO mice with respect to WT mice. In
      WT, TLR2(-/-) and TLR2/4 DKO mice, 100 MUm 5-HT evoked a contractile response.
      The contractile response induced by 5-HT was significantly higher in TLR2(-/-)
      than in WT mice. In TLR4(-/-) mice, 5-HT did not evoke any contractile response.
      The mRNA expression of 5-HT2A was increased in TLR2(-/-) and TLR2/4 DKO mice. The
      5-HT2C and 5-HT4 mRNA expressions were increased in TLR4(-/-) and TLR2/4 DKO
      mice. The 5-HT2C mRNA expression was diminished in TLR2(-/-) mice. The 5-HT3 mRNA
      expression was increased in TLR2(-/-) , TLR4(-/-) and TLR2/4 DKO mice. The 5-HT7
      mRNA expression was diminished in TLR2/4 DKO mice. In WT, TLR2(-/-) and TLR2/4
      DKO mice, 5-HT2 , 5-HT3 , 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 receptor antagonists reduced or blocked
      the contractile response evoked by 5-HT. We postulate that TLR2 and TLR4 modulate
      the serotonin contractile motor response in mouse colon in an opposing manner by
      modifying the expression of several serotonin receptors.

PMID- 27282785
TI  - A novel RHCE*02 allele, containing the single-nucleotide change c.460A>G, encodes
      weakened expression of C and e antigens.
AB  - We report a novel RHCE*02 allele in a Swedish blood donor that is characterized
      by the change c.460A>G (Arg154Gly). The blood donor's red blood cells showed
      variable reactivity with different monoclonal anti-C and anti-e and antigen
      strength was markedly weakened. We believe that these changes represent both a
      quantitative and qualitative alteration of the antigens encoded by this allele.

PMID- 27282786
TI  - (Challenges of vaccination in older people. Can we circumvent immunosenescence?).

PMID- 27282787
TI  - The impact of menopause on work ability in women with severe menopausal symptoms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To measure the impact of menopause on work ability in women with
      severe menopausal symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study compared the
      work ability of a sample of otherwise healthy employed Dutch women (n=205) with
      that of a sample of first-time attendees of a menopause clinic (n=60); both
      groups were aged 44-60 years. Self-reported questionnaire data assessing work
      ability (Work Ability Index; WAI) and menopausal symptoms (Greene Climacteric
      Scale; GCS) were used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Logistic regression analyses were
      used to examine whether women with severe menopausal symptoms were more likely to
      have low work ability (defined as a score <37.0 points on the WAI) than were
      women in the reference group, after adjustment for individual and lifestyle
      factors. RESULTS: Symptomatic women had significantly higher total GCS scores
      (mean 26.7 vs 14.2, t=10.8, P<0.001) and significantly lower WAI scores (median
      32.0 vs 40.0, U=2380, P<0.001) than the reference group. They were 8.4 times more
      likely to report low work ability than their healthy counterparts: 76.7% versus
      30.2% (OR 8.4, 95% CI 4.1-17.2). CONCLUSIONS: Over three-quarters of symptomatic
      menopausal women report serious problems in dealing with the physical and mental
      demands of their work (recorded here as low work ability); hence these women
      might be at risk of prolonged sickness absence from work.

PMID- 27282788
TI  - What doctors need to know: Prescribing or not for the oldest old.
AB  - Given the global increase in the number of people over the age of 85, there is a
      growing body of work concerning this group, termed the oldest old. Much of this
      work is confined to the literature specialising in geriatrics and the more
      generic health care papers refer to 'older people' with little definition of what
      is meant by 'older'. Iatrogenesis (ill health caused by doctors) is a major issue
      and general practitioners (GPs) need practical help in prescribing for the oldest
      old. This paper presents a narrative review of the literature on prescribing and
      the oldest old. The results showed that all papers sourced referred to
      prescribing for the 'old' as those aged over 65, with only scant mention of
      oldest old. Yet prescribing for the oldest old involves clinical judgement and
      knowledge of the patient. It includes weighing up what will do good, cause no
      harm and is acceptable to the individual. GPs have to make treatment choices
      mostly in isolation from colleagues, during time-limited consultations and with
      few relevant guidelines on managing multi-morbidities in the oldest old. A major
      issue in prescribing for people over the age of 85 is that guidelines for
      diseases are based on trials with younger adults, outline the best practice for
      one disease in isolation (i.e. not in the presence of other diseases) and take
      little account of the interactions between the drugs used in managing several
      diseases in frail older people. There is a growing body of work, however, calling
      for specialist services for the oldest old. 

PMID- 27282789
TI  - Hypertension and age at onset of natural menopause in Korean postmenopausal
      women: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
      (2008-2013).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Menopause is a natural phenomenon of aging, although the timing and
      management of menopause can significantly affect a woman's quality of life. It is
      therefore important to identify measures to ensure a healthy menopause. We set
      out to investigate the association between hypertension and early menopause in
      Korean women. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was based on 2008-2013
      data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
      Of the 53,829 participants surveyed, 13,584 women were selected. We analyzed the
      contents of the health interview, health examination, and nutrition survey. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome was defined based on hazard ratios (HR) to
      identify the effects of hypertension on age at onset of menopause. RESULTS: Among
      postmenopausal women (n=6650), the mean age at onset of menopause was 50.4 years.
      Premenopausal hypertension was statistically significantly associated with age at
      menopause, oral contraceptive usage, household income, education level,
      occupation, marital status and smoking and drinking habits. With lower age at
      diagnosis of hypertension, HRs for menopause tended to be higher, and
      hypertension diagnosed before age 40 years conferred a statistically
      significantly higher HR (Model 1, HR=2.32, 95% CI=1.87-2.88; Model 2, HR=2.31,
      95% CI=1.86-2.86; Model 3, HR=2.23, 95% CI=1.80-2.77; Model 4, HR=2.00, 95%
      CI=1.52-2.63). CONCLUSION: Premature menopause is strongly associated with
      lifestyle factors, in combination with incomplete management of chronic diseases.
      Our findings support the hypothesis that younger age at diagnosis of hypertension
      is associated with younger age at onset of menopause in Korean women.

PMID- 27282790
TI  - Coping with menopausal symptoms: An internet survey of Belgian postmenopausal
      women.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: An internet survey was performed to obtain data on the current use in
      Belgium of hormone replacement therapy and alternative treatments for the
      alleviation of menopausal symptoms. A supplementary aim was to assess the use of
      opt-in internet opinion panels (TalkToChange, http://www.talktochange.com, and
      GMI, http://www.gmi-mr.com/global-panel) as a potential new way to obtain data on
      menopausal issues. STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected via an internet platform
      from 696 postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years. OUTCOME MEASURES: Respondents
      were asked questions about their socio-demographic profile, their experience of
      the menopause, the burden of the menopause, its impact on their quality of life
      and the treatment of menopausal symptoms (if any). RESULTS: The opt-in internet
      opinion panels proved a quick way (19days) to obtain reliable information with a
      low error margin (3.7%). The online survey collected detailed socio-demographic
      data. Almost all of the women (98%) had heard about the menopause before. Sixty
      one percent perceived the menopause as a temporary phase (17% thought it lasted
      for one or two years and 44% thought it lasted for three to five years) and only
      39% realized the menopause would last for the rest of their life. Twenty-three
      percent of the women reported any kind of impact of the menopause on their
      quality of life. However, for the other 77% the menopause had resulted in
      complaints. No differences according to the women's age, level of education or
      professional status were found in this respect. Sixty-nine percent of the women
      had 'ever' used some type of treatment for menopausal symptoms and 53% were
      currently using a treatment. Forty percent of those with more than three symptoms
      were currently untreated. Of those who were not on hormone replacement therapy
      (HRT), 61% would not consider taking it (54% were 'strongly opposed' and 7%
      simply 'opposed'), while 8% would consider asking their doctor for HRT. Among
      those women who were opposed to HRT, 25% indicated that they were afraid of the
      increased risk of breast cancer, 34% cited cardiovascular risks and 26% were
      worried about weight gain. In this Belgian sample, HRT was used significantly
      more often by French-speaking women (32%) than by Dutch-speaking women (9%) (OR
      4.4, p<0.0001). The alternatives to HRT had a high satisfaction rate among users.
      Relaxation techniques, regular physical activity, acupuncture and avoiding stress
      had satisfaction rates similar to that with HRT. It was not possible to compare
      the alternatives in the same women. Nor was it possible to assess whether more
      pronounced symptoms required a specific treatment. CONCLUSION: Opt-in internet
      opinion panels proved a quick and efficient way to gather data on menopausal
      issues in Belgium. Despite the high levels of awareness and knowledge, there is
      some confusion concerning the duration of the menopause, and its common
      perception as a temporary condition is likely to mean that the menopausal burden
      is substantially underestimated. Many symptomatic women are untreated.

PMID- 27282791
TI  - Predictors of functional disability in mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Knowledge about factors predicting functional disability in mild
      cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia would help health care providers to
      identify those patients who are at high risk of functional disability. Previous
      research is scarce and focused on only a small number of possible predictors. The
      aim of this study was to identify predictors of functional disability in patients
      with MCI and dementia. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Data from patients who visited a memory clinic between 2011 and 2015
      were evaluated. The Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) was used to assess
      functional disability. Patients diagnosed with MCI or dementia and with a DAD
      score available were included. This led to the inclusion of 474 patients.
      Univariate analyses with a broad range of variables were performed to detect
      factors that had a significant relationship to the DAD score. Age, gender and
      variables with a p-value of 0.1 or lower in the univariate analyses were taken
      into a multivariable analysis. This multiple linear regression analysis was
      performed to determine which variables were independently associated with the DAD
      score. MAIN RESULTS: Our multivariable model explained 42% of the variance in the
      DAD score. Independent predictors of the DAD score were age (B=0.03, 95%CI=0.002
      0.05), gender (B=-0.43, 95%CI=-0.78 to -0.07), score on the Clinical Dementia
      Rating scale (CDR) (B=1.53, 95%CI=1.07-1.99 for CDR 1, B=2.93, 95%CI=2.28-3.58
      for CDR 2, B=3.96, 95%CI=2.65-5.27 for CDR 3) and level of physical activity
      (B=0.56, 95%CI=0.05-1.07). CONCLUSION: Older age, male gender, higher CDR score
      and lower levels of physical activity are independent predictors of functional
      disability in MCI and dementia.

PMID- 27282792
TI  - Association between hematologic parameters and functional impairment among
      geriatric inpatients: Data of a prospective cross-sectional multicenter study
      ("GeriPravalenz2013").
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Objective of this study was to analyse the association between
      impairment of Barthel Index items and hematologic parameters in geriatric
      inpatients. METHODS: Patient recruitment of the "GeriPravalenz2013" study has
      been described before. INCLUSION CRITERIA: in-patient aged>=70years; exclusion
      criteria: actual cancer disease or cancer associated treatment. Anemia was
      defined according to WHO criteria. Physical impairment was assessed by Barthel
      Index (BI). Association between all 10 items of the BI and hematologic parameters
      was statistically evaluated. RESULTS: Anemia prevalence was 55.1% (319/579) with
      BI impairment in 96.2% patients. T-test revealed significant lower BI in anemic
      patients (47.9 vs 54.3; p=0.004). Binary logistic regression revealed that
      growing age, reduced MCV, reduced iron levels and reduced Hb levels were
      associated with increased impairment of several items of the Barthel-Index.
      Interestingly, increased levels of albumin and folic acid (FA) were associated
      with increased impairment of BI items. CONCLUSION: Anemia and lower levels of
      anemia related parameters showed a negative impact on ADL and physical
      performance based on BI items. An impaired total BI should result in an analysis
      of BI subitems, particularly if anemia related laboratory parameters are deviant.
      Reasons for the negative impact of elevated FA and albumin levels on BI remain
      speculative.

PMID- 27282793
TI  - Inhaled medication usage in post-menopausal women and lifetime tobacco smoke
      exposure: The Women's Health Initiative Observational Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: While active smoking is a causal agent in respiratory disease, the
      independent role of secondhand smoke (SHS) merits further investigation. We
      investigated associations between lifetime active smoking and exposure to
      secondhand smoke - studied independently - and current use of 1 or more inhaled
      medications as a surrogate for prevalent pulmonary disease in post-menopausal
      women. STUDY DESIGN: Information on lifetime active and passive tobacco exposure
      and inhaled pulmonary medication usage at enrollment was collected from 88,185
      postmenopausal women aged 50-79 enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative
      Observational Study from 1993 to 1998 at 40 centers in the United States.
      Participants were recruited from localities surrounding the study centers using a
      variety of methods, including informational mailings and mass media campaigns.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Multivariate adjusted regression models were used to
      estimate odds ratios and 95% CI according to levels of active smoking and SHS
      exposure, and trends were tested across categories. RESULTS: Ever active smokers
      had an overall OR of 1.97 (95% CI 1.58-2.45) for having one or more prescribed
      inhaled medication compared with never-smoking women not exposed to active or
      passive smoke. The overall OR for using inhalers for never-smoking women exposed
      to any SHS compared with the same reference group was 1.33 (95% CI 1.07-1.65). In
      a quantified analysis of SHS, never-smoking women with the highest levels of
      lifetime SHS exposure had an estimated risk of inhaled medication usage of 1.74
      (95% CI 1.32-2.30). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of requiring one or more prescribed
      inhaled medications for pulmonary disease was significantly higher in post
      menopausal women who ever smoked or who had lifetime exposure to SHS.

PMID- 27282794
TI  - The genetics of exceptional longevity: Insights from centenarians.
AB  - As the world population ages, so the prevalence increases of individuals aged 100
      years or more, known as centenarians. Reaching this age has been described as
      exceptional longevity (EL) and is attributed to both genetic and environmental
      factors. Many genetic variations known to affect life expectancy exist in
      centenarians. This review of studies conducted on centenarians and
      supercentenarians (older than 110 years) updates knowledge of the impacts on
      longevity of the twenty most widely investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs). 

PMID- 27282795
TI  - Identification of higher hospital costs and more frequent admissions among mid
      aged Australian women who self-report diabetes mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether the hospital costs for mid-aged Australian women
      who self-reported diabetes mellitus (DM) and who had one or more hospital
      admission during an eight and a half year period were higher than the hospital
      costs for other similarly aged non-DM women. METHODS: The sample comprised 2,392
      mid-aged women, resident in New South Wales (NSW) Australia and participating in
      the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), who had any NSW
      hospital admissions during the eight and a half year period 1 July 2000 to 31
      December 2008. Analyses were conducted on linked data from ALSWH surveys and the
      NSW Admitted Patient Data Collection (APDC). Hospital costs were compared for the
      DM and non-DM cohorts of women. A generalized linear model measured the
      association between hospital costs and self-reported DM. RESULTS: Eight and a
      half year hospital costs were 41% higher for women who self-reported DM in the
      ALSWH surveys (p<0.0001). On average, women who self-reported DM had
      significantly (p<0.0001) more hospital admissions (5.3) than women with no
      reported DM (3.4). The average hospital stay per admission was not significantly
      different between the two groups of women. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported DM status
      in mid-aged Australian women is a predictor of higher hospital costs. This simple
      measure can be a useful indicator for public policy makers planning early-stage
      interventions that target people in the population at risk of DM.

PMID- 27282796
TI  - Patterns and correlates of time use and energy expenditure in older Australian
      workers: A descriptive study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: How people use their time has health implications, but use of time
      may be influenced by factors such as age, sex, education and health. OBJECTIVE:
      This study aimed to provide detailed information on the daily activity patterns
      of older working people. STUDY DESIGN: 139 older Australian adults (aged 50-79
      years) undertook comprehensive interviews on their use of time. This paper
      presents a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline findings from a longitudinal
      study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of time was measured using the Multimedia
      Activity Recall for Children and Adults (MARCA), administered via computer
      assisted phone interview. Activity patterns were described, and compared on the
      basis of sex, education and health status. RESULTS: The main activities
      undertaken were sleep (mean 466min/day), work (mean 233min/day) and chores (mean
      160min/day), with little time spent on physical activity (mean 13min/day). Women
      spent more time doing chores (p<0.001) while men spent more time on vigorous
      activities (p<0.001). Participants with "fair" health spent less time on inside
      chores (p=0.05) and grooming (p=0.02) than healthier participants. CONCLUSIONS:
      Healthy lifestyle interventions for older workers should aim to increase physical
      activity levels by targeting specific activities, depending on sex and health
      status.

PMID- 27282797
TI  - Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on insulin resistance in patients with
      type II diabetes mellitus and chronic periodontitis, as assessed by C-peptide and
      the Homeostasis Assessment Index.
AB  - AIM: A bidirectional relationship exists between diabetes and periodontitis. In
      the present clinical trial, we evaluated the effects of non-surgical periodontal
      therapy (NSPT) on insulin resistance in patients with type II diabetes mellitus
      (DM) and chronic periodontitis. METHODS: Forty chronic periodontitis patients
      with type II DM were selected and equally allocated to case and control groups.
      All patients were assessed for periodontal parameters and systemic parameters.
      The case group received NSPT, and both groups were re-evaluated after 3 months.
      RESULTS: All periodontal parameters were found to be significantly improved in
      the case group compared to the control group 3 months after NSPT. The mean
      differences in systemic parameters, such as fasting serum C-peptide, Homeostasis
      Assessment (HOMA) Index-insulin resistance, and HOMA-insulin sensitivity, from
      baseline to 3 months for the case group were 0.544 +/- 0.73, 0.54 +/- 0.63, and 
      25.44 +/- 36.81, respectively; for the control group, they were significant at 
      1.66 +/- 1.89, -1.48 +/- 1.86, and 31.42 +/- 38.82 respectively (P < 0.05). There
      was a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin
      A1c from baseline to 3 months in the case group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The
      present study showed that periodontal inflammation could affect glycemic control
      and insulin resistance. Effective periodontal therapy reduced insulin resistance
      and improved periodontal health status and insulin sensitivity in patients with
      type II DM and chronic periodontitis.

PMID- 27282798
TI  - Conception, realization and qualification of a radioactive clean room lab
      facility dedicated to the synthesis of radiolabeled API for human ADME studies.
AB  - The human absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination study
      administering radiolabeled drugs to human volunteers is an important clinical
      study in the development program of new drug candidates. The manufacture of
      radiolabeled Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients is covered by national drug laws
      and may come within the scope of regulatory GMP requirements. Additionally,
      authorities may request an appropriate environmental zoning to minimize the risk
      of microbiological contaminations particularly during the synthesis of
      radiolabeled Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients intended for parenteral
      application. Thus, a radioactive clean room lab facility in line with both GMP
      and radiation safety regulations was installed and the environmental zoning
      validated by appropriate testing of technical parameters and microbial and
      particle monitoring. The considerations detailed in this paper cover only GMP
      aspects related to the synthesis of radioactive drug substance. The subsequent,
      final formulation step in the overall process for manufacturing of radioactive
      drug product for any kind of administration is not within the scope of this
      paper. Under these qualified and controlled environmental conditions, we are now
      in a position to provide radiolabeled drug substances for all kinds of drug
      administration including both po and iv.

PMID- 27282799
TI  - Evaluation of the VIDAS glutamate dehydrogenase assay for the detection of
      Clostridium difficile.
AB  - We evaluated the performance of the VIDAS GDH assay for the detection of
      Clostridium difficile. In total, 350 fecal specimens collected from patients
      clinically suspected of having CDI were analyzed by C. difficile culture and
      enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay (VIDAS GDH); the results were compared with
      those of toxigenic C. difficile culture (TC), PCR (Xpert C. difficile assay), and
      toxin AB EIA (VIDAS CDAB). The numbers of culture-positive and culture-negative
      samples were 108 and 242, respectively. The concordance between the GDH assay and
      C. difficile culture was 90.3%. With PCR, 12 more samples were found to be
      positive in GDH-positive/C. difficile culture-negative specimens. Thus, the
      concordance between GDH assay and C. difficile culture/PCR was 93.7%. The
      sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive
      value of the VIDAS GDH assay were 97.2%, 87.2%, 77.2%, and 98.6%, respectively,
      based on the C. difficile culture, and 97.5%, 91.7%, 86.0%, and 98.6%,
      respectively, based on C. difficile culture/PCR. Positivity rates of the GDH
      assay were partially associated with those of semi-quantitative C. difficile
      cultures, which were maximized in grade 3 (>100 colony-forming unit [CFU])
      compared with grade 1 (<10 CFU). We evaluated the two-step or three-step
      algorithm using GDH assay as a first step. No toxin EIA-positive case was found
      among GDH-negative samples, and 60.8% (48/79) were TC- and/or PCR-positive among
      the GDH-positive/toxin EIA-negative samples. Thus, approximately 25% of the 350
      samples required a confirmatory test (TC or PCR) in the GDH-toxin EIA algorithm,
      whereas only 2.3% of the total samples in GDH-PCR algorithm was discrepant and
      required another confirmatory test like TC. 

PMID- 27282800
TI  - The anti-tumor effect of folate-targeted liposome microbubbles loaded with
      oridonin as ultrasound-triggered tumor-targeted therapeutic carrier system.
AB  - In this study, folate receptor (FR) targeted liposome microbubbles loaded with
      oridonin (ORI) (F-LMB-ORI), liposome loaded with ORI (L-ORI) and liposome
      microbubbles loaded with ORI (LMB-ORI) were prepared. In vitro release
      properties, cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in HepG-2 cells as well as in vivo
      antitumor effects in HepG-2 cells tumor-bearing mice of F-LMB-ORI, L-ORI and LMB
      ORI were evaluated upon ultrasound exposure. Results showed cytotoxicity assay on
      F-LMB-ORI gave IC50 of 0.508 +/- 0.018 umol/mL on HepG-2 cells and LMB-ORI; L-ORI
      gave IC50 of 2.424 +/- 0.116 umol/mL, 3.031 +/- 0.122 umol/mL in vitro,
      respectively. These drug delivery carriers were able to control the release of
      ORI. F-LMB-ORI exhibited higher binding to HepG-2 cells in comparison to LMB-ORI
      and L-ORI. F-LMB-ORI improved antitumor activity of ORI obviously in comparison
      to L-ORI, LMB-ORI under in vivo ultrasound. After the treatment for 14 d, the
      tumor inhibition ratio for F-LMB-ORI (the dose of ORI: 1.5 * 10-2 g.kg-1, once a
      day) was 87.6%, obviously higher than that of LMB-ORI group, L-ORI group and free
      ORI (the dose of ORI: 1.5 * 10-2 g.kg-1, once a day) which were 71.5%, 64.3% and
      43.4%, respectively.

PMID- 27282801
TI  - New Members of the National Academy of Sciences: H. Dai, H. L. Ploegh, and M. S.
      Sanford / Chirality Medal: Andreas Pfaltz / Elected to the Akademie der
      Wissenschaften zu Gottingen and Award for International Cooperation of the
      Chinese Academy of Sciences: K. Kohse-Hoinghaus.

PMID- 27282802
TI  - A novel SMARCAL1 missense mutation that affects splicing in a severely affected
      Schimke immunoosseous dysplasia patient.
AB  - Schimke immunoosseous dysplasia (SIOD) is an autosomal recessive disease
      characterized by skeletal dysplasia, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, renal
      failure and immunodeficiency. In this work, we report the molecular studies
      undertaken in a severely affected SIOD patient that died at six years old due to
      nephropathy. The patient was screened for mutations using a targeted skeletal
      dysplasias panel. A homozygous novel missense mutation was identified, c.1615C >
      G (p.[Leu539Val]) that was predicted as mildly pathogenic by in silico
      pathogenicity prediction tools. However, splicing prediction software suggested
      that this variant may create a new splicing donor site in exon 9, which was
      subsequently confirmed using a minigene assay in HEK293 cells. Thus, the splicing
      alteration, c.1615C > G; r.1615c > g, 1615_1644del; (p.[Leu539_Ile548del]),
      results in the loss of 10 amino acids of the HARP-ATPase catalytic domain and the
      RPA-binding domain. Several studies have demonstrated a weak genotype-phenotype
      correlation among such patients. Thus, the molecular characterization has helped
      us to understand why a predicted weakly pathogenic missense mutation results in
      severe SIOD and should be considered in similar scenarios. 

PMID- 27282803
TI  - Treatment with ulipristal acetate (Esmya((r))) and plasma levels of tacrolimus: a
      case report.

PMID- 27282804
TI  - Effects of acute exercise on monocyte subpopulations in metabolic syndrome
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Acute exercise induces numerous changes in peripheral blood, e.g.
      counts of leukocytes. CD16pos monocytes, which play a role in the pathogenesis of
      arteriosclerosis and the metabolic syndrome (MetS), are among the blood cells
      with the highest fold increase through exercise. So far no studies have
      investigated the effect of exercise on the blood cell composition of patients
      with MetS. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Blood cell counts, a wide panel of laboratory
      tests, as well as lipid and protein content of monocytes and granulocytes were
      determined in healthy subjects, persons with metabolic risk and MetS patients
      before and after one minute of exercise at 400 W. Leukocyte counts increased
      significantly in all groups with CD14pos CD16pos monocytes showing the highest
      fold-change. In MetS patients the fold increase was smaller. They had a higher
      resting level of CD14pos CD16pos monocytes and a lower basal ratio of CD16neg
      /CD16pos monocytes. A similar ratio of these cells was induced in control and
      risk subjects after exercise. However, absolute counts of mobilized pro
      inflammatory monocytes did not differ significantly. Furthermore, we detected a
      decrease in protein content of monocytes in controls, but not in MetS patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: As strenuous exercise is able to mobilize the same amount of pro
      inflammatory monocytes in MetS patients as in healthy persons, the elevated basal
      level of these cells in MetS patients is likely to be caused by enhanced
      maturation rather than chronic mobilization. The removal of these monocytes from
      the endothelium might be part of the beneficial effect of exercise on vascular
      disease. (c) 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society.

PMID- 27282806
TI  - A prototype reversible polymersome-stabilized H2S photoejector operating under
      pseudophysiological conditions.
AB  - Persistent self-assembled polymersome capsules are shown to solubilise and
      stabilize a new hydrosulfide-containing (), as well as hydroxylated (), malachite
      green derivatives in their leuco-forms in aqueous buffer solution.
      Photoirradiation resulted in reversible hydroxide release/hydrogen sulfide
      generation. Notably, the efficient augmentation of H2S concentration to
      physiologically-relevant levels is shown. 

PMID- 27282805
TI  - Mechanisms of PDGF siRNA-mediated inhibition of bone cancer pain in the spinal
      cord.
AB  - Patients with tumors that metastasize to bone frequently suffer from debilitating
      pain, and effective therapies for treating bone cancer are lacking. This study
      employed a novel strategy in which herpes simplex virus (HSV) carrying a small
      interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was used
      to alleviate bone cancer pain. HSV carrying PDGF siRNA was established and
      intrathecally injected into the cavum subarachnoidale of animals suffering from
      bone cancer pain and animals in the negative group. Sensory function was assessed
      by measuring thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia. The mechanism by which PDGF
      regulates pain was also investigated by comparing the differential expression of
      pPDGFRalpha/beta and phosphorylated ERK and AKT. Thermal and mechanical
      hyperalgesia developed in the rats with bone cancer pain, and these effects were
      accompanied by bone destruction in the tibia. Intrathecal injection of PDGF siRNA
      and morphine reversed thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in rats with bone
      cancer pain. In addition, we observed attenuated astrocyte hypertrophy, down
      regulated pPDGFRalpha/beta levels, reduced levels of the neurochemical SP, a
      reduction in CGRP fibers and changes in pERK/ERK and pAKT/AKT ratios. These
      results demonstrate that PDGF siRNA can effectively treat pain induced by bone
      cancer by blocking the AKT-ERK signaling pathway.

PMID- 27282808
TI  - Confidence in Assessment of Lumbar Spondylolysis Using Three-Dimensional
      Volumetric T2-Weighted MRI Compared With Limited Field of View, Decreased-Dose
      CT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited z-axis-coverage computed tomography (CT) to evaluate for
      pediatric lumbar spondylolysis, altering the technique such that the dose to the
      patient is comparable or lower than radiographs, is currently used at our
      institution. The objective of the study was to determine whether volumetric 3
      dimensional fast spin echo magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI) can provide equal
      or greater diagnostic accuracy compared with limited CT in the diagnosis of
      pediatric lumbar spondylolysis without ionizing radiation. HYPOTHESIS: Volumetric
      3D MRI can provide equal or greater diagnostic accuracy compared with low-dose CT
      for pediatric lumbar spondylolysis without ionizing radiation. STUDY DESIGN:
      Clinical review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. METHODS: Three pediatric
      neuroradiologists evaluated 2-dimensional (2D) MRI, 2D + 3D MRI, and limited CT
      examinations in 42 pediatric patients who obtained imaging for low back pain and
      suspected spondylolysis. As there is no gold standard for the diagnosis of
      spondylolysis besides surgery, interobserver agreement and degree of confidence
      were compared to determine which modality is preferable. RESULTS: Decreased-dose
      CT provided a greater level of agreement than 2D MRI and 2D + 3D MRI. The kappa
      for rater agreement with 2D MRI, 2D + 3D MRI, and CT was 0.19, 0.32, and 1.0,
      respectively. All raters agreed in 31%, 40%, and 100% of cases with 2D MRI, 2D +
      3D MRI, and CT. Lack of confidence was significantly lower with CT (0%) than with
      2D MRI (30%) and 2D + 3D MRI (25%). CONCLUSION: For diagnosing spondylolysis,
      radiologist agreement and confidence trended toward improvement with the addition
      of a volumetric 3D MRI sequence to standard 2D MRI sequences compared with 2D MRI
      alone; however, agreement and confidence remain significantly greater using
      decreased-dose CT when compared with either MRI acquisition. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
      Decreased-dose CT of the lumbar spine remains the optimal examination to confirm
      a high suspicion of spondylolysis, with dose essentially equivalent to
      radiographs. If clinical symptoms are not classic for spondylolysis, 2D MRI is
      still very good at detecting spondylolysis while remaining sensitive for
      detection of alternative diagnoses such as disc abnormalities and pars stress
      reaction. The data suggest that standard 2D MRI sequences should not be entirely
      replaced by a volumetric T2-weighted 3D sequence (despite promising features of
      rapid acquisition time, increased spatial resolution, and reconstruction
      capability).

PMID- 27282807
TI  - The complete genome of a baculovirus isolated from an insect of medical interest:
      Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).
AB  - Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is a species of medical importance due
      to the severity of reactions caused by accidental contact with the caterpillar
      bristles. Several natural pathogens have been identified in L. obliqua, and among
      them the baculovirus Lonomia obliqua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LoobMNPV).
      The complete genome of LoobMNPV was sequenced and shown to have 120,022 bp long
      with 134 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis of the
      LoobMNPV genome showed that it belongs to Alphabaculovirus group I (lepidopteran
      infective NPV). A total of 12 unique ORFs were identified with no homologs in
      other sequenced baculovirus genomes. One of these, the predicted protein encoded
      by loob035, showed significant identity to an eukaryotic transcription terminator
      factor (TTF2) from the Lepidoptera Danaus plexippus, suggesting an independent
      acquisition through horizontal gene transfer. Homologs of cathepsin and chitinase
      genes, which are involved in host integument liquefaction and viral spread, were
      not found in this genome. As L. obliqua presents a gregarious behavior during the
      larvae stage the impact of this deletion might be neglectable.

PMID- 27282809
TI  - High Performance Liquid Chromatography at -196  degrees C.
AB  - Ultralow temperature high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed
      using a liquefied gas as the mobile phase. HPLC separation of low molecular
      weight alkanes at -196  degrees C with liquid nitrogen mobile phase was
      successfully achieved, whereas their GC separation at -196  degrees C using
      helium gas mobile phase failed to elute the analytes due to strong adsorption.
      Prior to the further study of HPLC at -196  degrees C, the effect of column
      temperature on the chromatographic behavior was investigated, and it was found
      that the retention of analytes drastically increased when the column temperature
      was over the boiling point of the mobile phase. As the study of retention control
      in HPLC at -196  degrees C, the mobile phases of nitrogen and methane mixtures
      were investigated. The addition of methane to the nitrogen mobile phase
      suppressed the retention of the analytes (tetra-deuterated methane, ethane, and
      propane), that is, the retention on HPLC at ultralow temperature could be
      controlled by the mobile phase composition, akin to the typical retention in
      HPLC. The selectivity toward the n- and iso-alkane in HPLC at -196  degrees C was
      altered compared with that in GC separation at room temperature. A significant
      enhancement of retention of alkanes compared with alkanes were observed in HPLC
      at -196  degrees C.

PMID- 27282810
TI  - New paradigms in clonal evolution: punctuated equilibrium in cancer.
AB  - Evolutionary theories are themselves subject to evolution. Clonal evolution - the
      model that describes the initiation and progression of cancer - is entering a
      period of profound change, brought about largely by technological developments in
      genome analysis. A flurry of recent publications, using modern mathematical and
      bioinformatics techniques, have revealed both punctuated and neutral evolution
      phenomena that are poorly explained by the conventional graduated perspectives.
      In this review, we propose that a hybrid model, inspired by the evolutionary
      model of punctuated equilibrium, could better explain these recent observations.
      We also discuss the conceptual changes and clinical implications of variable
      evolutionary tempos. Copyright (c) 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and
      Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27282811
TI  - Histidine switch controlling pH-dependent protein folding and DNA binding in a
      transcription factor at the core of synthetic network devices.
AB  - Therapeutic strategies have been reported that depend on synthetic network
      devices in which a urate-sensing transcriptional regulator detects pathological
      levels of urate and triggers production or release of urate oxidase. The
      transcription factor involved, HucR, is a member of the multiple antibiotic
      resistance (MarR) protein family. We show that protonation of stacked histidine
      residues at the pivot point of long helices that form the scaffold of the dimer
      interface leads to reversible formation of a molten globule state and
      significantly attenuated DNA binding at physiological temperatures. We also show
      that binding of urate to symmetrical sites in each protein lobe is communicated
      via the dimer interface. This is the first demonstration of regulation of a MarR
      family transcription factor by pH-dependent interconversion between a molten
      globule and a compact folded state. Our data further suggest that HucR may be
      utilized in synthetic devices that depend on detection of pH changes.

PMID- 27282812
TI  - Retroaortic Variant of Reverse Horseshoe Kidney With Butterfly Vertebrae
      Presenting as Neurogenic Bladder.
AB  - Horseshoe kidney is a relatively common congenital anomaly. In 95% of the cases,
      lower poles are connected to each other. In a small subset, an isthmus connects
      both upper poles (reverse horseshoe kidney). Almost always, the fusion of kidney
      poles occurs anterior to the aorta and vena cava. The fusion of renal poles
      posterior to both aorta and vena cava is extremely rare. Herein, we present a
      case with multiple rare congenital anomalies-retroaortic variant of reverse
      horseshoe kidney, retroaortic left renal vein, and butterfly vertebrae. 

PMID- 27282814
TI  - Differential Diptera Succession Patterns on Decomposed Rabbit Carcasses in Three
      Different Habitats.
AB  - This study describes for the first time the necrophagous Diptera attracted to
      rabbit carcasses in three distinct habitats in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
      (KSA). A mean number of 1,427 flies belonging to 8 families and 16 species were
      collected during the decomposition process of the rabbits at the three different
      sites. Carcasses in the agricultural habitat attracted 1,146 flies from 7
      families and 14 species, compared to carcasses in the urban site, which attracted
      249 flies from 5 families and 9 species. Carcasses in the desert site attracted
      the lowest number (28 flies from 4 families and 5 species). In the agricultural
      and desert sites, flies were represented at all decomposition stages. Also, in
      the urban site, flies were represented at all stages except the fresh and dry
      stages. Lucilia sericata Meigen was the most abundant species occurring in both
      the agricultural and desert sites, while Musca domestica L. was the most abundant
      species occurring in the urban site. The evidence presented here, therefore,
      suggests that L. sericata and M. domestica are potentially useful species for
      estimating minimal postmortem intervals in this region of KSA.

PMID- 27282813
TI  - Modeling the Geographic Distribution of Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus
      (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Contiguous United States.
AB  - In addition to serving as vectors of several other human pathogens, the black
      legged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, and western black-legged tick, Ixodes
      pacificus Cooley and Kohls, are the primary vectors of the spirochete (Borrelia
      burgdorferi) that causes Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne disease in
      the United States. Over the past two decades, the geographic range of I.
      pacificus has changed modestly while, in contrast, the I. scapularis range has
      expanded substantially, which likely contributes to the concurrent expansion in
      the distribution of human Lyme disease cases in the Northeastern, North-Central
      and Mid-Atlantic states. Identifying counties that contain suitable habitat for
      these ticks that have not yet reported established vector populations can aid in
      targeting limited vector surveillance resources to areas where tick invasion and
      potential human risk are likely to occur. We used county-level vector
      distribution information and ensemble modeling to map the potential distribution
      of I. scapularis and I. pacificus in the contiguous United States as a function
      of climate, elevation, and forest cover. Results show that I. pacificus is
      currently present within much of the range classified by our model as suitable
      for establishment. In contrast, environmental conditions are suitable for I.
      scapularis to continue expanding its range into northwestern Minnesota, central
      and northern Michigan, within the Ohio River Valley, and inland from the
      southeastern and Gulf coasts. Overall, our ensemble models show suitable habitat
      for I. scapularis in 441 eastern counties and for I. pacificus in 11 western
      counties where surveillance records have not yet supported classification of the
      counties as established.

PMID- 27282815
TI  - Preliminary Report on the Reduction of Adult Mosquitoes in Housing Compounds in
      Western Kenya Using the ProVector Flower and Entobac Bait Pads Containing
      Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis With Honey Bait.
AB  - Reducing mosquito populations indoors and outdoors can have a significant impact
      on malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. A new formulation and delivery
      system for Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) was tested against adult
      mosquitoes. One Entobac bait with 7% Bti in a honey solution was placed within
      each ProVector Flower applicator. The applicators were placed in nine housing
      compounds, one on the outside of each home in Ahero and Nyalenda, Kenya, in June
      2009. Seven housing compounds with no applicators were included as controls in
      the study area. After 1 mo, there was a significant reduction of mosquitoes in
      all nine compounds with the ProVector Flower compared to two of the seven control
      compounds. The overall mosquito population was reduced by 69% in housing
      compounds with the ProVector Flower whereas the mosquito population grew by
      nearly 15% in the control compounds. There was a significant reduction of the
      median number of mosquitoes in the test compounds than in the control compounds.
      The proportion of mosquitoes collected was significantly reduced in the test
      compounds within 1 mo for several species of Aedes, Anopheles, Coquillettidia,
      Culex, and Mansonia This study provides evidence that Bti-laced bait may be used
      as an alternative adulticide and be delivered in an applicator to reduce mosquito
      populations of several species. This method may significantly reduce the cost of
      pesticide application through target specificity and by reducing the amount of
      pesticide placed into the environment.

PMID- 27282816
TI  - Ecology of Bats, Their Ectoparasites, and Associated Pathogens on Saint Kitts
      Island.
AB  - Ectoparasites of bats and bat-associated pathogens are poorly studied in the
      Lesser Antilles Islands. We report on an 11-mo field study on Saint Kitts Island
      of bat populations, their associated ectoparasites, and pathogens. We report on
      five ectoparasite species, including four Streblidae (Diptera) and a
      Spinturnicidae (Acari). Several genotypes of unnamed Bartonella were isolated
      from bats and ectoparasites. Microfilaria of an undetermined Litomosoides spp.
      were detected in blood from Artibeus jamaicensis Leach (Chiroptera:
      Phyllostomidae) (and associated ectoparasites: Trichobius intermedius Peterson
      and Hurka (Diptera: Streblidae) and Periglischrus iheringi Oudemans (Acari:
      Spinturnicidae)). In addition, an Ehrlichia sp. and Rickettsia africae were
      detected in the blood of several bat species. Our study is one of the first
      surveys of ectoparasite-borne pathogens in wild mammals from St. Kitts.

PMID- 27282817
TI  - Reported Distribution of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia)
      albopictus in the United States, 1995-2016 (Diptera: Culicidae).
AB  - Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) transmit
      arboviruses that are increasing threats to human health in the Americas,
      particularly dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Epidemics of the associated
      arboviral diseases have been limited to South and Central America, Mexico, and
      the Caribbean in the Western Hemisphere, with only minor localized outbreaks in
      the United States. Nevertheless, accurate and up-to-date information for the
      geographical ranges of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in the United States is
      urgently needed to guide surveillance and enhance control capacity for these
      mosquitoes. We compiled county records for presence of Ae. aegypti and Ae.
      albopictus in the United States from 1995-2016, presented here in map format.
      Records were derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ArboNET
      database, VectorMap, the published literature, and a survey of mosquito control
      agencies, university researchers, and state and local health departments. Between
      January 1995 and March 2016, 183 counties from 26 states and the District of
      Columbia reported occurrence of Ae. aegypti, and 1,241 counties from 40 states
      and the District of Columbia reported occurrence of Ae. albopictus During the
      same time period, Ae. aegypti was collected in 3 or more years from 94 counties
      from 14 states and the District of Columbia, and Ae. albopictus was collected
      during 3 or more years from 514 counties in 34 states and the District of
      Columbia. Our findings underscore the need for systematic surveillance of Ae.
      aegypti and Ae. albopictus in the United States and delineate areas with risk for
      the transmission of these introduced arboviruses.

PMID- 27282818
TI  - mTOR signalling in the nucleus accumbens shell is critical for augmented effect
      of TFF3 on behavioural response to cocaine.
AB  - Neuropeptides play important roles in modulating the rewarding value of abused
      drugs. Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) was recently reported to modulate withdrawal
      syndrome of morphine, but the effects of TFF3 on the cocaine-induced behavioral
      changes are still elusive. In the present study, cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion
      and conditioned place preference (CPP) rat paradigms were provided to investigate
      the role of TFF3 in the reward response to cocaine. High-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to analyse the dopamine concentration.
      The results showed that systemic TFF3 administration (0.1 mg/kg i.p.)
      significantly augmented cocaine- induced hyperlocomotion and CPP formation,
      without any effects on locomotor activity and aversive or rewarding effects per
      se. TFF3 significantly augmented the increment of the dopamine concentration in
      the NAc and the activity of the mTOR signalling pathway induced by acute cocaine
      exposure (10 mg/kg, i.p.) in the NAc shell, but not the core. The Intra-NAc shell
      infusion of rapamycin blocked TFF3-induced hyperactivity in cocaine-treatment
      rats. These findings indicated that TFF3 could potentiate behavioural response to
      cocaine, which may be associated with regulating dopamine concentration.
      Furthermore, the findings indicated that mTOR signalling pathway in the NAc shell
      is important for TFF3-induced enhancement on the cocaine-induced behavioral
      changes.

PMID- 27282820
TI  - Hepatitis B virus is associated with the clinical features and survival rate of
      patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis and development of intrahepatic
      cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) may be triggered by hepatitis B virus (HBV). We
      conducted this retrospective study to explore the potential association between
      HBV infection and the clinical features and survival rate of patients with ICC.
      METHODS: Patients with ICC who had undergone a curative resection were enrolled
      and divided into three groups according to the seropositivity of the hepatitis B
      surface antigen (HBsAg) and the hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). The groups
      were as follows: group I, HBsAg (+)/anti-HBc (+); group II, HBsAg (-)/anti-HBc
      (+); group III HBsAg (-)/anti-HBc (-). The symptoms, pathologic findings, and
      outcome information of all patients were retrospectively reviewed. The patient
      sera were isolated to detect anti-HCV, HBsAg, and anti-HBc. Surgical specimens
      were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The expression of
      cytokeratin 7 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Finally, the 1-, 3-, and 5
      year cumulative survival rates were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients with
      ICC were enrolled in group I (n=26); group II, (n=50), and group III (n=21). A
      total of 26.8% (26/97) patients with ICC were positive for HBsAg. Patients with
      HBV-associated ICC tended to be younger (P=0.018), have lower CA19-9 levels
      (P=0.000), a higher alpha fetal protein (AFP) level (P=0.012) and prothrombin
      time (P=0.030), a higher risk of hepatic cirrhosis (P=0.001), and poor
      differentiation (P=0.028). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates for
      patients within the three groups were as follows: 27.3%, 0%, and 0% for group I,
      respectively; 62.5%, 30.0%, and 0% for group II, respectively; and 87.5%, 66.7%,
      and 50.0% for group III, respectively. The results were significantly different
      in an overall comparison (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: Patients with HBV-associated ICC
      showed different clinicopathological features and lower survival rates compared
      to patients with ICC without HBV infection.

PMID- 27282819
TI  - Addition of grape pomace extract to probiotic fermented goat milk: the effect on
      phenolic content, probiotic viability and sensory acceptability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Grape pomace is a source of phenolic compounds, which are associated
      with health benefits in humans. Additionally, fermented dairy foods with
      probiotics can be good vehicles to deliver these bioactive compounds. The effects
      of the addition of grape pomace extract (GPE) on the total phenolic (TP) content,
      physico-chemical characteristics and viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5
      or Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in fermented goat milks prepared with grape
      juice were investigated. RESULTS: The TP concentration increased significantly in
      fermented milks with the addition of GPE. A protective effect of GPE on the
      viability of L. acidophilus was observed. However, after 14 days of storage, the
      populations of L. acidophilus were significantly lower when compared with those
      of L. rhamnosus, and only the last probiotic maintained its viability above 7 log
      CFU mL-1 throughout the period investigated. The sensory scores of flavor, color
      and overall acceptability of the fermented milk containing L. rhamnosus HN001
      were significantly increased when GPE was added. CONCLUSION: The use of GPE might
      increase the functionality of probiotic fermented goat milk processed with L.
      rhamnosus HN001 and grape juice because grape polyphenols are known for their
      antioxidant properties and positive effect on the modulation of gut microbiota.
      (c) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 27282821
TI  - 'Race' and HIV vulnerability in a transnational context: the case of Chinese
      immigrants to Canada.
AB  - Although immigrants' sustained connections with their homelands are well
      documented, so far we know little about how 'race' - in particular, conceptions
      of race back home - influences the HIV vulnerability of racialised immigrants to
      Western countries. Drawing on data from a multi-sited, qualitative study of
      Chinese immigrants to Canada, this paper presents a contextualised understanding
      of the impacts of race on HIV risk faced by these individuals in a transnational
      context. Data were collected from four study sites in Canada and China as part of
      a study investigating the relationship between HIV risk and transnationalism.
      Although race appears to have bearing on their risk perceptions and sexual
      practices, immigrants' understandings of race are not necessarily consistent with
      dominant discourses of race in Canada, but are also mediated by their racial
      habitus developed in China. Findings reveal the complex power dynamics - not just
      power asymmetries but also power fluidity - around race from a transnational
      perspective and thus challenge the assumed dichotomy of dominance and
      subordination underpinning traditional explanations of the relationship between
      race and HIV risk. In the context of transnationalism, researchers should go
      beyond a nation-bound concept of society (i.e. the host society) and take into
      account the simultaneous influence of both host and home countries on immigrant
      health.

PMID- 27282822
TI  - The BUME method: a new rapid and simple chloroform-free method for total lipid
      extraction of animal tissue.
AB  - In this study we present a simple and rapid method for tissue lipid extraction.
      Snap-frozen tissue (15-150 mg) is collected in 2 ml homogenization tubes. 500 MUl
      BUME mixture (butanol:methanol [3:1]) is added and automated homogenization of up
      to 24 frozen samples at a time in less than 60 seconds is performed, followed by
      a 5-minute single-phase extraction. After the addition of 500 MUl heptane:ethyl
      acetate (3:1) and 500 MUl 1% acetic acid a 5-minute two-phase extraction is
      performed. Lipids are recovered from the upper phase by automated liquid handling
      using a standard 96-tip robot. A second two-phase extraction is performed using
      500 MUl heptane:ethyl acetate (3:1). Validation of the method showed that the
      extraction recoveries for the investigated lipids, which included sterols,
      glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids were similar or better than
      for the Folch method. We also applied the method for lipid extraction of liver
      and heart and compared the lipid species profiles with profiles generated after
      Folch and MTBE extraction. We conclude that the BUME method is superior to the
      Folch method in terms of simplicity, through-put, automation, solvent
      consumption, economy, health and environment yet delivering lipid recoveries
      fully comparable to or better than the Folch method.

PMID- 27282823
TI  - Performance of MRS in metabolic profiling of the lumbar spinal cord in rat and
      mice.
AB  - OBJECT: In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the rodent spinal cord
      (SC) is technically challenging. We investigated the feasibility of MRS in the SC
      of both rat and mice, by comparing the spectral characteristics. We assessed
      possible species dependent differences in the suitability for non-invasive
      metabolite monitoring in the SC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR spectra using a STEAM
      sequence were acquired from a rectangular voxel in lumbar SC of rats and mice,
      after a two-step shim procedure. RESULTS: In addition to total choline (tCho) and
      total creatine (tCr), seven and eleven metabolites were reliably detected in rats
      and mice, respectively. No significant differences were observed in metabolite
      concentrations or spectral characteristics between species. CONCLUSION:
      Identification and quantification of major metabolites including the
      neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine (Gly) in the SC was
      successful in both rat and mice showing that investigation of SC neurochemical
      profiles is feasible in both species.

PMID- 27282824
TI  - Searching for certainty: findings predictive of appendicitis in equivocal
      ultrasound exams.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) is the preferred imaging modality for evaluating
      suspected pediatric appendicitis. However, borderline appendiceal enlargement or
      questionable inflammatory changes can confound interpretation and lead to
      equivocal exams. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine which
      findings on equivocal US exams are most predictive of appendicitis. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: All US exams performed for suspected pediatric appendicitis from July 1,
      2013, through July 9, 2014, were initially interpreted using a risk-stratified
      scoring system. Two blinded pediatric radiologists independently reviewed US
      exams designated as equivocal and recorded the following findings: increased wall
      thickness, loss of mural stratification, peri-appendiceal fat inflammation, peri
      appendiceal fluid, appendicolith and maximum appendiceal diameter. A third
      pediatric radiologist resolved discrepancies. US features were correlated with
      the final diagnosis via multivariate analysis. RESULTS: During the study period,
      162/3,750 (4.3%) children had US exams initially interpreted as equivocal (mean
      age 9.8 +/- 3.8 years). Five outpatients were lost to follow-up. Forty-eight of
      the remaining 157 (30.6%) children had an operative diagnosis of appendicitis.
      Findings significantly associated with appendicitis were loss of mural
      stratification (odds ratio [OR] = 6.7, P=0.035), peri-appendiceal fat
      inflammation (OR = 10.0, P<0.0001) and appendicolith (OR = 15.8, P=0.025). While
      appendiceal diameter tended to be larger in patients with appendicitis, the
      difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Loss of mural
      stratification, peri-appendiceal fat inflammation and an appendicolith are
      significant predictors of appendicitis in children with otherwise equivocal US
      exams. While maximum appendiceal diameter is not statistically associated with
      appendicitis in our study, mean appendiceal diameter of 6.7 mm in those without
      appendicitis suggests that the customary upper normal limit of 6 mm is too
      sensitive.

PMID- 27282825
TI  - Increased signal intensities in the dentate nucleus and globus pallidus on
      unenhanced T1-weighted images: evidence in children undergoing multiple
      gadolinium MRI exams.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent reports have suggested residual gadolinium deposition in the
      brain in subjects undergoing multiple contrast-enhanced MRI exams. These findings
      have raised some concerns regarding gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) usage
      and retention in brain tissues. OBJECTIVE: To summarize findings of hyperintense
      brain structures on precontrast T1-weighted images in 21 children undergoing
      multiple GBCA MRI exams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved
      21 patients, each of whom received multiple MRI examinations (range: 5-37 exams)
      with GBCA over the course of their medical treatment (duration from first to most
      recent exam: 1.2-12.9 years). The patients were between 0.9 and 14.4 years of age
      at the time of their first GBCA exam. Regions of interest were drawn in the
      dentate nucleus and the globus pallidus on 2-D fast spin echo images acquired at
      1.5 T. The signal intensities of these two structures were normalized by that of
      the corpus callosum genu. Signal intensity ratios from these patients were
      compared to control patients of similar ages who have never received GBCA.
      RESULTS: Signal intensity ratios increased between the first and the most recent
      MRI exam in all 21 patients receiving GBCA, with an increase of 18.6%+/-12.7%
      (range: 0.5% to 47.5%) for the dentate nucleus and 12.4%+/-7.4% (range: -1.2% to
      33.7%) for the globus pallidus (P<0.0001). Signal intensity ratios were also
      higher in GBCA patients than in controls (P<0.01). The degree of signal intensity
      enhancement did not correlate with statistical significance to the cumulative
      number or volume of GBCA administrations each patient received, the patient's age
      or the elapsed time between the first and most recent GBCA MRI exams. CONCLUSION:
      These results in children are consistent with recent findings in adults,
      suggesting possible gadolinium deposition in the brain.

PMID- 27282826
TI  - Queensland tick typhus in rural New South Wales.
AB  - We report five cases of Rickettsia australis infection from southern coastal New
      South Wales, Australia. All patients presented with a cutaneous eruption of
      erythematous papules and pustules and systemic features of malaise, headache,
      lymphadenopathy and myalgia. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was present in two of five
      cases and one of five cases had acute delirium. Improvement was only seen after
      treatment with doxycycline 100 mg b.i.d. Positive serology for R. australis was
      present in four of five cases and a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was
      seen in one of five cases. Histology showed varying features, from neutrophilic
      vasculitis to Sweet's syndrome and lymphocytic vasculitis. Recent significant
      advances in the diagnosis of R. australis infection include an eschar swab or
      biopsy PCR and isolation of specific Rickettsia on serology. These investigations
      should be considered in the presence of any of the following features: eschar at
      site of a tick bite or lymphadenopathy and fever with an eruption of erythematous
      papules and pustules.

PMID- 27282828
TI  - Manganese doped-iron oxide nanoparticle clusters and their potential as agents
      for magnetic resonance imaging and hyperthermia.
AB  - A simple, one pot method to synthesize water-dispersible Mn doped iron oxide
      colloidal clusters constructed of nanoparticles arranged into secondary flower
      like structures was developed. This method allows the successful incorporation
      and homogeneous distribution of Mn within the nanoparticle iron oxide clusters.
      The formed clusters retain the desired morphological and structural features
      observed for pure iron oxide clusters, but possess intrinsic magnetic properties
      that arise from Mn doping. They show distinct performance as imaging contrast
      agents and excellent characteristics as heating mediators in magnetic fluid
      hyperthermia. It is expected that the outcomes of this study will open up new
      avenues for the exploitation of doped magnetic nanoparticle assemblies in
      biomedicine. 

PMID- 27282827
TI  - Virus-induced gene silencing of the RPC5-like subunit of RNA polymerase III
      caused pleiotropic effects in Nicotiana benthamiana.
AB  - In eukaryotic cells, RNA polymerase III is highly conserved and transcribes
      housekeeping genes such as ribosomal 5S rRNA, tRNA and other small RNAs. The RPC5
      like subunit is one of the 17 subunits forming RNAPIII and its exact functional
      roles in the transcription are poorly understood. In this work, we report that
      virus-induced gene silencing of transcripts encoding a putative RPC5-like subunit
      of the RNA Polymerase III in a model species Nicotiana benthamiana had
      pleiotropic effects, including but not limited to severe dwarfing appearance,
      chlorosis, nearly complete reduction of internodes and abnormal leaf shape. Using
      transcriptomic analysis, we identified genes and pathways affected by RPC5
      silencing and thus presumably related to the cellular roles of the subunit as
      well as to the downstream cascade of reactions in response to partial loss of RNA
      Polymerase III function. Our results suggest that silencing of the RPC5L in N.
      benthamiana disrupted not only functions commonly associated with the core RNA
      Polymerase III transcripts, but also more diverse cellular processes, including
      responses to stress. We believe this is the first demonstration that activity of
      the RPC5 subunit is critical for proper functionality of RNA Polymerase III and
      normal plant development.

PMID- 27282829
TI  - A Report of Two Patients with Darier Disease and Hidradenitis Suppurativa.
AB  - We report two unique cases of patients with Darier disease and hidradenitis
      suppurativa. Although it is unknown whether there is a connection between the two
      diseases, it is possible that an interaction between sarcoendoplasmic reticulum
      calcium transport ATPase and Notch homolog 1, translocation-associated
      (Drosophila) caused both diseases in these individuals. 

PMID- 27282830
TI  - Foot care behaviors among adults with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to determine factors influencing foot care
      behaviors among adults with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A correlational descriptive
      study was conducted with a random sample of 160 adults with type 2 diabetes from
      the public hospital between April and July 2014. RESULTS: Just over 15% of the
      sample had a history of foot ulcers and almost 42% had numbness/tingling and pain
      in their feet. Positive foot care behaviors were correlated with higher income,
      higher educational attainment, lower body weight, positive attitude and higher
      awareness of diabetes and its management. CONCLUSION: Targeting type 2 diabetes
      people with low level of education, low income and overweight may help to enhance
      their foot care and reduce foot complications in similar populations,
      Implications. Those most at risk of foot problems should be targeted for
      education to increase their awareness of ways to prevent and to manage foot
      problems.

PMID- 27282831
TI  - Protective or destructive: High wall shear stress and atherosclerosis.

PMID- 27282832
TI  - Is the presence of AA amyloidosis associated with impaired coronary flow reserve?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Systemic amyloid A protein (AA) amyloidosis may occur as a
      complication of many chronic inflammatory disorders. Patients receiving
      inadequate anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies have an increased
      risk of developing systemic AA amyloidosis. Inflammation plays a role in all
      stages and the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis. In the absence of
      epicardial coronary stenosis, coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflects coronary
      microvascular dysfunction. In the present study, we hypothesized that amyloid
      advanced subclinical inflammation in chronic inflammatory diseases (CID) patients
      may further affect coronary microcirculation. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with
      biopsy-diagnosed renal AA, 73 patients with non-amyloid CID, and a group of
      healthy volunteers were included in the study. The measurements of coronary flow
      velocity were performed by a single investigator with expertise in transthoracic
      Doppler harmonic echocardiography (TTDE). RESULTS: The AA amyloidosis subgroup
      had significantly lower CFR values than other non-amyloid CID patients and the
      control individuals (1.8 (1.5-2.1) vs. 2.1 (2.0-2.4) and 3.0 (2.8-3.2), p <
      0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the presence of
      AA amyloidosis and elevated hs - CRP independently predict impairment of the CFR
      (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of AA amyloidosis is related to decreased
      CFR values and the presence of AA amyloidosis and elevated hs - CRP independently
      predict impairment of the CFR. Therefore, patients with AA amyloidosis may have
      an increased risk of developing coronary artery diseases.

PMID- 27282833
TI  - PDNAsite: Identification of DNA-binding Site from Protein Sequence by
      Incorporating Spatial and Sequence Context.
AB  - Protein-DNA interactions are involved in many fundamental biological processes
      essential for cellular function. Most of the existing computational approaches
      employed only the sequence context of the target residue for its prediction. In
      the present study, for each target residue, we applied both the spatial context
      and the sequence context to construct the feature space. Subsequently, Latent
      Semantic Analysis (LSA) was applied to remove the redundancies in the feature
      space. Finally, a predictor (PDNAsite) was developed through the integration of
      the support vector machines (SVM) classifier and ensemble learning. Results on
      the PDNA-62 and the PDNA-224 datasets demonstrate that features extracted from
      spatial context provide more information than those from sequence context and the
      combination of them gives more performance gain. An analysis of the number of
      binding sites in the spatial context of the target site indicates that the
      interactions between binding sites next to each other are important for protein
      DNA recognition and their binding ability. The comparison between our proposed
      PDNAsite method and the existing methods indicate that PDNAsite outperforms most
      of the existing methods and is a useful tool for DNA-binding site identification.
      A web-server of our predictor (http://hlt.hitsz.edu.cn:8080/PDNAsite/) is made
      available for free public accessible to the biological research community.

PMID- 27282834
TI  - Role of Health Insurance Status in Interfacility Transfers of Patients With ST
      Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - Lack of health insurance is associated with interfacility transfer from emergency
      departments for several nonemergent conditions, but its association with
      transfers for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which requires timely
      definitive care for optimal outcomes, is unknown. Our objective was to determine
      whether insurance status is a predictor of interfacility transfer for emergency
      department visits with STEMI. We analyzed data from the 2006 to 2011 Nationwide
      Emergency Department Sample examining all emergency department visits for
      patients age 18 years and older with a diagnosis of STEMI and a disposition of
      interfacility transfer or hospitalization at the same institution. For emergency
      department visits with STEMI, our multivariate logistic regression model included
      emergency department disposition status (interfacility transfer vs
      hospitalization at the same institution) as the primary outcome, and insurance
      status (none vs any [including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance]) as the
      primary exposure. We found that among 1,377,827 emergency department STEMI
      visits, including 249,294 (18.1%) transfers, patients without health insurance
      (adjusted odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.5 to 1.7) were more likely to be transferred
      than those with insurance. Lack of health insurance status was also an
      independent risk factor for transfer compared with each subcategory of health
      insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. In conclusion,
      among patients presenting to United States emergency departments with STEMI, lack
      of insurance was an independent predictor of interfacility transfer. In
      conclusion, because interfacility transfer is associated with longer delays to
      definitive STEMI therapy than treatment at the same facility, lack of health
      insurance may lead to important health disparities among patients with STEMI.

PMID- 27282835
TI  - Cardiac Troponin T and I Release After a 30-km Run.
AB  - Prolonged endurance-type exercise is associated with elevated cardiac troponin
      (cTn) levels in asymptomatic recreational athletes. It is unclear whether
      exercise-induced cTn release mirrors a physiological or pathological underlying
      process. The aim of this study was to provide a direct comparison of the release
      kinetics of high-sensitivity cTnI (hs-cTnI) and T (hs-cTnT) after endurance-type
      exercise. In addition, the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC), a
      cardioprotective strategy that limits ischemia-reperfusion injury, was
      investigated in a randomized controlled crossover manner. Twenty-five healthy
      volunteers completed an outdoor 30-km running trial preceded by RIPC (4 * 5 min
      220 mm Hg unilateral occlusion) or control intervention. hs-cTnT, hs-cTnI, and
      sensitive cTnI (s-cTnI) concentrations were examined before, immediately after, 2
      and 5 hours after the trial. The completion of a 30-km run resulted in a
      significant increase in circulating cTn (time: all p <0.001), with maximum hs
      cTnT, hs-cTnI, and s-cTnI levels of 47 +/- 27, 69 +/- 62, and 82 +/- 64 ng/L
      (mean +/- SD), respectively. Maximum hs-cTnT concentrations were measured in 60%
      of the participants at 2 hours after exercise, compared with maximum hs-cTnI and
      s-cTnI concentrations at 5 hours in 84% and 80% of the participants. Application
      of an RIPC stimulus did not reduce exercise-induced cTn release (time * trial:
      all p >0.5). In conclusion, in contrast to acute myocardial infarction, maximum
      hs-cTnT levels after exercise precede maximum hs-cTnI levels. Distinct release
      kinetics of hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI and the absence of an effect of RIPC favors the
      concept that exercise-induced cTn release may be mechanistically distinct from
      cTn release in acute myocardial infarction. 

PMID- 27282837
TI  - Lesion guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation (L-RFTC) for hypothalamic
      hamartomas, nodular heterotopias and cortical dysplasias: Review and perspective.
AB  - Lesion guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation (L-RFTC) via stereotactically
      inserted coagulation probes is a further development of stereotactic
      thermocoagulation thalamotomy and stereo-EEG guided RFTC. In this method
      epileptogenic lesions detected via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) move to the
      center of coagulation planning. Two surgical strategies can be applied: lesion
      disconnection and lesion destruction. This focused review collects all data
      published until January 2016 on L-RFTC for the indications hypothalamic
      hamartoma, periventricular nodular heterotopia and focal cortical dysplasia and
      describes technical issues, surgical objectives and outcomes. Special attention
      is given to the aspect of presurgical MRI requirements. 

PMID- 27282839
TI  - The Alkaline Dissolution Rate of Calcite.
AB  - Due to the widespread presence of calcium carbonate on Earth, several geochemical
      systems, among which is the global CO2 cycle, are controlled to a large extent by
      the dissolution and precipitation of this mineral. For this reason, the
      dissolution of calcite has been thoroughly investigated for decades. Despite this
      intense activity, a consensual value of the dissolution rate of calcite has not
      been found yet. We show here that the inconsistency between the reported values
      stems mainly from the variability of the chemical and hydrodynamic conditions of
      measurement. The spreading of the values, when compared in identical conditions,
      is much less than expected and is interpreted in terms of sample surface
      topography. This analysis leads us to propose benchmark values of the alkaline
      dissolution rate of calcite compatible with all the published values, and a
      method to use them in various chemical and hydrodynamic contexts. 

PMID- 27282836
TI  - Impairment of the humoral and CD4(+) T cell responses in HTLV-1-infected
      individuals immunized with tetanus toxoid.
AB  - T cells from HTLV-1-infected individuals have a decreased ability to proliferate
      after stimulation with recall antigens. This abnormality may be due to the
      production of regulatory cytokine or a dysfunctional antigen presentation. The
      aims of this study were to evaluate the antibody production and cytokine
      expression by lymphocytes before and after immunization with tetanus toxoid (TT)
      and to evaluate the immune response of monocytes after stimulation with TT and
      frequency of dendritic cells (DC) subsets. HTLV-1 carriers (HC) and uninfected
      controls (UC) with negative serology for TT were immunized with TT, and the
      antibody titers were determined by ELISA as well as the cell activation markers
      expression by monocytes. The frequencies of DC subsets were determined by flow
      cytometry. Following immunization, the IgG anti-TT titers and the frequency of
      CD4(+) T cells expressing IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-10 in response to TT were
      lower in the HC than in the UC. Additionally, monocytes from HC did not exhibit
      increased HLA-DR expression after stimulation with TT, and presented low numbers
      of DC subsets, therefore, it's necessary to perform functional studies with
      antigen-presenting cells. Collectively, our finding suggests that HC present an
      impairment of the humoral and CD4(+) T cell immune responses after vaccination. 

PMID- 27282838
TI  - Lack of correlation between extracranial venous abnormalities and multiple
      sclerosis: a quantitative MRI study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the presence of venous stenosis and blood flow
      abnormalities in the neck vessels of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), in
      respect to a group of age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC), and their
      possible relations with clinical variables using a semi-automated quantitative
      MRI method. METHODS: 45 patients with relapsing remitting MS and 40 HC were
      enrolled in this study. Flow rates and cross-sectional areas of arterial and
      venous neck vessels were assessed by phase-contrast MRI at two different neck
      levels (C2-C3 and C6-C7), and differences between groups were evaluated with an
      unpaired t-test. Correlation between blood flow variables and clinical parameters
      was analyzed with Spearman's test. RESULTS: A significant internal jugular vein
      (IJV) stenosis was found in 23/45 (51.1%) patients with MS and 18/40 (45.0%) HC.
      No differences were observed between patients with MS and HC for any of the flow
      measures obtained. No correlations were found between MRI measures and any of the
      tested clinical variables. CONCLUSION: No differences in the IJV area emerged at
      quantitative MRI evaluation, suggesting that stenosis of the extracranial veins
      is unrelated to MS. Furthermore, no flow differences in the neck vessels were
      found between patients with MS and HC in any of the tested flow measures, with no
      correlation with clinical variables. Our results confirm that the hypothesis of
      the presence of extracranial venous abnormalities in MS, both in terms of
      stenosis or flow measures, is not suitable. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Neck venous
      drainage abnormalities have been claimed to be associated with MS. Conversely,
      our quantitative MRI analysis seems to exclude that extracranial venous
      alterations are related to the disease.

PMID- 27282840
TI  - Use of botulinum toxin for chronic pelvic pain.

PMID- 27282841
TI  - Distal myopathy with coexisting heterozygous TIA1 and MYH7 Variants.
AB  - TIA1 mutations cause Welander distal myopathy. MYH7 mutations result in various
      clinical phenotypes, including Laing distal myopathy and cardiomyopathy. We
      describe a family with coexisting TIA1 and MYH7 variants. The proband is a 67
      year-old woman with easy tripping since childhood and progressive asymmetric
      distal limb weakness, but no cardiac involvement. Muscle biopsy showed rare
      rimmed vacuoles, minicore-like structures and congophilic inclusions. Her 66-year
      old sister has a mild distal myopathy, supraventricular tachycardia and
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Both sisters carry the only known pathogenic TIA1
      mutation and a heterozygous MYH7 variant (c.5459G > A; p.Arg1820Gln). Another
      sibling with isolated distal myopathy carries only the TIA1 mutation. MYH7
      p.Arg1820Gln involves a highly conserved residue and is predicted to be
      deleterious. Furthermore, the proband's childhood-onset distal leg weakness and
      sister's cardiomyopathy suggest that MYH7 p.Arg1820Gln likely affects function,
      favoring a digenic etiology of the myopathy.

PMID- 27282842
TI  - Hypomelanosis of Ito (pigmentary mosaicism of the hypopigmented type) with
      endoplasmic reticulum stress in melanocytes.

PMID- 27282843
TI  - Outcomes of long-term iron supplementation in pediatric restless legs
      syndrome/periodic limb movement disorder (RLS/PLMD).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder
      (PLMD) are thought to center around a genetically mediated sensitivity to iron
      insufficiency. Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of short-term iron
      therapy in children with low iron storage. Little is known, however, about long
      term iron treatment in children with RLS and PLMD. Therefore, we performed this
      study to assess the long-term effect of iron therapy in children with RLS and
      PLMD. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for children who met
      the following criteria: A) diagnosed as having either RLS or PLMD, B) started on
      iron supplementation, C) followed up for >2 years in a sleep clinic. Baseline
      values for iron, ferritin, and periodic limb movement of sleep index (PLMS index)
      were defined in the three months leading up to the initiation of iron therapy.
      Values were also computed for follow-up periods of 3-6 months, 1-2 years, and >2
      years. Serum iron and ferritin levels and PLMS index were compared between
      baseline and all subsequent follow-ups. RESULTS: In total, 105 patients met
      inclusion criteria, of whom 64 were diagnosed with PLMD alone, seven with RLS
      alone, and 35 with both RLS and PLMD. The average age was 10.2 +/- 5.3 years.
      Compared to the baseline (27.4 +/- 12.1 ng/ml), the average ferritin values at 3
      6 months (45.62 +/- 21.2 ng/ml, p < 0.001, n = 34), 1-2 years (52.0 +/- 48.3
      ng/ml, p <0.001, n = 63), and >2 years (54.7 +/- 40.5 ng/ml, p <0.001, n = 67)
      were all significantly increased. Inversely, compared to baseline (21 +/- 27.0/h,
      n = 66), PLMS index values at 3-6 months (7.5 +/- 9.5/h p < 0.05, n = 11), 1-2
      years (6.9 +/- 8.9/h, p <0.001, n = 29), and >2 years (10 +/- 14.5/h, p <0.001, n
      = 31) were all significantly decreased. No significant change in serum iron
      levels was noted at any time point. CONCLUSION: While retrospective in nature,
      this study demonstrates a sustained improvement in PLMS index and maintenance of
      adequate ferritin levels >2 years after iron therapy initiation in our RLS/PLMD
      cohort with a long-term follow-up. Iron therapy appears to lead to long-lasting
      improvements in children with RLS/PLMD.

PMID- 27282844
TI  - Vinorelbine With Capecitabine, an Evergreen Doublet for Advanced Breast Cancer: A
      Systematic Literature Review and Pooled-Analysis of Phase II-III Studies.
AB  - Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is treated with cytotoxic drugs or endocrine
      agents according to the site and extent of the disease, biology, previous
      treatments, and the patient's condition, comorbidities, and wishes. In MBC,
      vinorelbine (VRB) and capecitabine (X; VRB + X) are chemotherapy drugs that hold
      activity as first or later lines of therapy. We conducted a systematic literature
      review and meta-analysis to quantify the efficacy of the VRB + X combination in
      HER2-negative (HER2-) MBC. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science,
      the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL for phase II/III clinical trials that assessed
      VRB + X for patients with HER2- MBC. Pooled estimates of the overall response
      rate (RR), median progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were
      computed using random or fixed effects models. Twenty-seven studies were included
      in the analysis, encompassing a total of 1356 MBC patients. All were phase II (n
      = 21) or prospective/pilot (n = 5) trials, except for 1 that was a phase III
      controlled trial. The pooled estimate for the RR in first-line therapy (n = 16
      trials) was 52.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46.5%-59.2%). For second-line
      trials, data were available in n = 9 studies and the overall RR was 41% (95% CI,
      31.2%-51.6%). The pooled estimates for median PFS and OS in first-line therapy
      were 7.3 (95% CI, 6.2-8.3) and 22.3 (95% CI, 20-24.5) months, respectively.
      Vinorelbine + X, with the dose and schedules currently used in clinical practice,
      appears to be an effective and feasible chemotherapy for MBC, for first- and also
      for second-line therapy.

PMID- 27282845
TI  - Assessment of Residual Disease With Molecular Breast Imaging in Patients
      Undergoing Neoadjuvant Therapy: Association With Molecular Subtypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessment of residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy for breast
      cancer is an ongoing challenge of breast imaging. This study evaluates the
      accuracy of a novel dedicated system for molecular breast imaging (MBI) composed
      of the new generation of cadmium zinc telluride detectors in assessing residual
      disease after neoadjuvant therapy in patients with breast cancer. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Clinical data, imaging, surgical, and pathological findings of 51 women
      with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy were recorded. MBI findings
      were correlated with surgical pathology results. Accuracy of MBI in predicting
      complete pathological response and size of residual disease was assessed
      according to molecular subtypes. RESULTS: The size of the largest focus of uptake
      on MBI correlated with the largest dimension measured on pathology (r = 0.55; P <
      .001). This correlation was stronger for triple negative and HER2/neu positive
      subtypes (r = 0.92 and 0.62, respectively). Sixteen patients (31%) had complete
      pathological response. The sensitivity and specificity of MBI for detecting
      residual disease were 83% (95% confidence interval [CI], 66-93) and 69% (95% CI,
      42-88), respectively. For triple negative or HER2/neu positive disease the
      sensitivity and specificity were 88% (95% CI, 62-98) and 75% (95% CI, 43-93),
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of MBI in assessing residual disease after
      neoadjuvant treatment might be related to the molecular subtype. Accuracy is
      highest in the triple negative and HER2/neu positive subtypes.

PMID- 27282846
TI  - From Evidence-based Medicine to Human-based Medicine in Psychosomatics.
AB  - Human-based medicine (HbM), a form of psychiatry that focuses not only on
      fragments and constructs but on the whole person, no longer finds its theoretical
      basis in the positivism of the modern era, but rather owes its central maxims to
      the post-modernist ideal that ultimate truths or objectivity in identifying the
      final cause of illness remain hidden from us for theoretical reasons alone.
      Evidence-based medicine (EbM) and HbM are thus not mutually exclusive opposites;
      rather, despite superficial differences in methods of diagnosis and treatment,
      EbM must be integrated into HbM as an indispensable component of the latter.
      Probably the most important difference between EbM and HbM lies in the aims and
      methods of treatment. In HbM the goal is no longer simply to make illnesses
      disappear but rather to allow the patient to return to a life that is as
      autonomous and happy as possible. The human being with all his or her potential
      and limitations once again becomes the measure of all things. This also implies,
      however, that the multidimensional diagnostics of HbM are oriented not only
      towards symptoms, pathogenesis, process and understanding but also to a greater
      degree towards the patient's resources. Treatment options and forms of therapy do
      not put the disease construct at the centre of the diagnostic and therapeutic
      interest, but have as their primary aim the reopening of the possibility of a
      largely autonomous and joyful life for the patient. 

PMID- 27282848
TI  - Effect of Gender on Outcomes After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients
      With a Narrow QRS Complex: A Subgroup Analysis of the EchoCRT Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In EchoCRT, a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of
      cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with a QRS duration of <130
      ms and echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular dyssynchrony, the primary
      outcome (death from any cause or first hospitalization for worsening heart
      failure) occurred more frequently in the CRT-ON when compared with the control
      group. In this prespecified subgroup analysis, we evaluated the effect of sex on
      clinical outcome in EchoCRT. METHODS AND RESULTS: In EchoCRT, 585 (72%) of
      included patients were men. At baseline, male patients had a higher incidence of
      ischemic cardiomyopathy and longer QRS duration. On uni- and multivariable
      analysis, no significant interaction was observed regarding sex for the primary
      or any of the secondary end points. Numerically, a higher all-cause mortality was
      observed in male patients randomized to CRT-ON versus CRT-OFF on univariable
      analysis (hazard ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.12); however, no
      statistically significant interaction compared with females randomized to CRT-ON
      versus CRT-OFF was noted (hazard ratio, 0.99; P interaction, 0.56). There was no
      difference in the primary safety end point of system-related complications,
      including CRT system- and implantation-related events. CONCLUSIONS: The largest
      hazard for all-cause mortality in EchoCRT was observed in men randomized to CRT
      ON; the comparison with women did not reach statistical significance, which may
      be because of the premature termination of the trial and the limited data. These
      results suggest that male sex may be a risk factor for harm by CRT in patients
      with narrow QRS width, an observation which deserves further investigation.
      CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier:
      NCT00683696.

PMID- 27282847
TI  - Appropriate Use and Clinical Impact of Echocardiographic "Evaluation of Murmur"
      in Pediatric Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the appropriateness and yield of transthoracic
      echocardiograms (TTE) for murmur evaluation based on the pediatric Appropriate
      Use Criteria (AUC) and study the influence of patient age and physician
      experience on TTE appropriateness, yield, and ordering frequency. DESIGN:
      Retrospective review of medical records of patients referred to our practice for
      murmur evaluation from April to September 2014. Data collected included
      indication for TTE, patient age, physician experience since fellowship, TTE
      findings and exit diagnosis. Appropriateness was assigned based on the AUC
      document. SETTING: Pediatric cardiology clinics affiliated with a large pediatric
      cardiology practice. PATIENTS: One thousand seven hundred one consecutive
      patients (<= 18 years) referred to our practice for murmur evaluation.
      INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was
      appropriateness of TTE orders. The secondary outcomes were the yield of abnormal
      TTE findings and the influence of patient age and physician experience on
      appropriateness, yield, and frequency of ordering TTEs. RESULTS: Of the 1701
      patients referred for a murmur, 526 (30.9%) had a TTE [441/526 (83.8%)
      Appropriate; 85/526 (16.2%) Rarely Appropriate]. Abnormal findings were present
      in 130/441 rated Appropriate and none rated Rarely Appropriate. Infants <3 months
      had the highest rate of TTEs rated Appropriate and the highest yield of abnormal
      findings. Physicians with >20 years of experience not only had the lowest TTE
      ordering rate but also the lowest appropriateness rate with no difference in the
      yield of abnormal findings. CONCLUSIONS: Most TTEs ordered for murmur were for
      indications rated Appropriate. Abnormal findings were present in one-fourth and
      only those rated Appropriate. Patient age and physician experience can
      significantly influence TTE utilization. This information is helpful in designing
      quality initiatives to optimize TTE utilization for murmur evaluation.

PMID- 27282849
TI  - Two isocitrate dehydrogenases from a plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv.
      campestris 8004. Bioinformatic analysis, enzymatic characterization, and
      implication in virulence.
AB  - Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) is a key enzyme in the tricarboxylate (TCA) cycle,
      which may play an important role in the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Here,
      two structurally different IDHs from a plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv.
      campestris 8004 (XccIDH1 and XccIDH2) were characterized in detail. The
      recombinant XccIDH1 forms homodimer in solution, while the recombinant XccIDH2 is
      a typical monomer. Phylogenetic analysis showed that XccIDH1 belongs to the type
      I IDH subfamily and XccIDH2 groups into the monomeric IDH clade. Kinetic
      characterization demonstrated that XccIDH1's specificity towards NAD(+) was 110
      fold greater than NADP(+) , while XccIDH2's specificity towards NADP(+) was 353
      fold greater than NAD(+) . The putative coenzyme discriminating amino acids
      (Asp268, Ile269 and Ala275 for XccIDH1, and Lys589, His590 and Arg601 for
      XccIDH2) were studied by site-directed mutagenesis. The coenzyme specificities of
      the two mutants, mXccIDH1 and mXccIDH2, were completely reversed from NAD(+) to
      NADP(+) , and NADP(+) to NAD(+) , respectively. Furthermore, Ser80 of XccIDH1,
      and Lys256 and Tyr421 of XccIDH2, were the determinants for the substrate
      binding. The detailed biochemical properties, such as optimal pH and temperature,
      thermostability, and metal ion effects, of XccIDH1 and XccIDH2 were further
      investigated. The possibility of taking the two IDHs into consideration as the
      targets for drug development to control the plant diseases caused by Xcc 8004
      were described and discussed thoroughly. 

PMID- 27282850
TI  - Measuring cardiovascular risk in COPD; child's play or MENSA?

PMID- 27282853
TI  - Clinical Utility of Potassium-Sparing Diuretics to Maintain Normal Serum
      Potassium in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.
AB  - ? BACKGROUND: Hypokalemia is a vexing problem in end-stage renal disease patients
      on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and oral potassium supplements (OPS) have limited
      palatability. Potassium-sparing diuretics (KSD) (spironolactone, amiloride) may
      be effective in these patients. ? METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional review
      of 75 current or past (vintage > 6 months) PD patients with regard to serum
      potassium (K+), OPS, and KSD utilization. We reviewed charts for multiple
      clinical and laboratory variables, including dialysis adequacy, residual renal
      function, nutritional status and co-existing medical therapy. ? RESULTS: The
      cohort was middle-aged with a mean age of 49.2 years (standard deviation [SD] =
      14.7) and overweight with a body mass index of 29.5 (6.7) kg/m2. Of all the
      participants, 57.3% were female, 73.3% African-American, and 48% diabetic with an
      overall PD vintage of 28.2 (24.3) months at the time of enrollment. Weekly Kt/V
      was 2.12 (0.43), creatinine clearance was 73.5 (33.6) L/week/1.73 m2 with total
      daily exchange volume of 10.8 (2.7) L. Residual urine output (RUO) measured at
      440 (494) mL (anuric 30.6%). Three-month averaged serum K+ measured at 4 (0.5)
      mmol/L with 36% of the participants receiving K+ supplements (median: 20 [0;20]
      mmol/day) and 41.3% KSD (spironolactone dose: 25 - 200 mg/day; amiloride dose: 5 
      10 mg/day). Serum K+ correlated positively with weekly Kt/V (r = 0.239; p =
      0.039), PD vintage (r = 0.272; p = 0.018) but not with PD modality, daily
      exchange volume, RUO, or KSD use. However, KSD use was associated with decreased
      use of OPS (r = -0.646; p < 0.0001). ? CONCLUSIONS: Potassium-sparing diuretics
      were effective in this cohort of PD patients and decreased the need for OPS
      utilization.

PMID- 27282852
TI  - The Trio Trial - A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effect of
      a Biocompatible Peritoneal Dialysis Solution on Residual Renal Function.
AB  - ? BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Residual renal function (RRF) correlates with
      mortality and morbidity rates in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). We
      examined the effect of a biocompatible PD solution (Gambrosol Trio; Gambro Lundia
      AB, Lund, Sweden) with lower concentrations of glucose degradation products on
      rates of decline in RRF. ? DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS:
      Incident patients at 2 centers in Canada and 1 in Hong Kong were randomized (by
      minimization) in an open-label parallel group trial to receive Gambrosol Trio or
      standard PD solution (Dianeal; Baxter Healthcare, Mississauga, Canada) for 2
      years. Primary outcome was slope of RRF. Secondary outcomes were urine volumes,
      fluid and nutrition indices, PD and membrane characteristics, peritonitis rates,
      adverse events, and PD technique survival. ? RESULTS: Residual renal function
      declined by 0.132 mL/minute/1.73 m(2)/month in 51 patients allocated to
      biocompatible, and 0.174 mL/minute/1.73 m(2)/month in 50 patients allocated to
      standard PD solution (difference 0.042 mL/minute/1.73 m(2)/month, p = 0.001).
      Urine volume, body mass index, normalized protein catabolic rates, and fat mass
      were higher; total body water, peritoneal ultrafiltration, and D/P creatinine did
      not differ; and serum phosphate, rates of icodextrin, and automated cycler use
      were lower with Gambrosol Trio use. There were more peritonitis events with
      Gambrosol Trio use, while PD technique survival did not differ between groups. ?
      CONCLUSIONS: The use of the biocompatible PD solution Gambrosol Trio was
      associated with slower rates of decline in RRF, fluid and nutrition benefits, and
      increased peritonitis rates. TRIAL NUMBER: ISRCTN26252543.

PMID- 27282855
TI  - Shortage of Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Is an Independent Risk Factor for
      Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.
AB  - ? BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on clinical outcomes among peritoneal
      dialysis patients with shortage of appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM). In this
      study, we tested the hypothesis that the shortage of ASM is an independent risk
      factor for mortality in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
      patients. ? METHODS: Adult patients undergoing CAPD between March and August 2007
      in a single center in China were recruited in this prospective cohort study. Body
      composition, protein/energy intake, clinical, and biochemical data were collected
      at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. End points were all-cause mortality by 12
      September 2014. The mean follow-up time was 60.21 (+/- 24.45) months (11.00 -
      89.00). ? RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the mean value of ASM in CAPD
      patients decreased at 12 months (19.40 +/- 5.60 vs 21.85 +/- 6.14, p < 0.001).
      According to the estimation of patient survival by Kaplan-Meier, patients with a
      shortage of ASM had a worse survival rate than those with normal ASM (chi2 =
      16.588, p < 0.001). In the Cox's proportional hazards model, patients' survival
      was independently associated with a shortage of ASM (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.318, p
      = 0.024, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.116 - 4.812). Standard daily protein
      intake (stDPI) and standard daily energy intake (stDEI) in patients with a
      shortage of ASM were significantly lower than those in patients with normal ASM
      in the first follow-up year (t = 2.067, p = 0.041; t = 3.673, p = 0.001). ?
      CONCLUSIONS: A shortage of ASM is an independent risk factor for mortality in
      CAPD patients. Further studies are needed to demonstrate that nutritional
      intervention helps with improving muscle mass and, consequently, the survival of
      CAPD patients.

PMID- 27282856
TI  - Hemodialysis is Indicated.

PMID- 27282854
TI  - A New Method to Increase Ultrafiltration in Peritoneal Dialysis: Steady
      Concentration Peritoneal Dialysis.
AB  - ? BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has limited power for liquid extraction
      (ultrafiltration), so fluid overload remains a major cause of treatment failure.
      ? METHODS: We present steady concentration peritonal dialysis (SCPD), which
      increases ultrafiltration of PD exchanges by maintaining a constant peritoneal
      glucose concentration. This is achieved by infusing 50% glucose solution at a
      constant rate (typically 40 mL/h) during the 4-hour dwell of a 2-L 1.36% glucose
      exchange. We treated 21 fluid overload episodes on 6 PD patients with high or
      average-high peritoneal transport characteristics who refused hemodialysis as an
      alternative. Each treatment consisted of a single session with 1 to 4 SCPD
      exchanges (as needed). ? RESULTS: Ultrafiltration averaged 653 +/- 363 mL/4 h -
      twice the ultrafiltration of the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) (300 +/- 251
      mL/4 h, p < 0.001) and 6-fold the daily ultrafiltration (100 +/- 123 mL/4 h, p <
      0.001). Serum and peritoneal glucose stability and dialysis efficacy were
      excellent (glycemia 126 +/- 25 mg/dL, peritoneal glucose 1,830 +/- 365 mg/dL, D/P
      creatinine 0.77 +/- 0.08). The treatment reversed all episodes of fluid overload,
      avoiding transfer to hemodialysis. Ultrafiltration was proportional to fluid
      overload (p < 0.01) and inversely proportional to final peritoneal glucose
      concentration (p < 0.05). ? CONCLUSION: This preliminary clinical experience
      confirms the potential of SCPD to safely and effectively increase ultrafiltration
      of PD exchanges. It also shows peritoneal transport in a new dynamic context,
      enhancing the influence of factors unrelated to the osmotic gradient.

PMID- 27282857
TI  - Physician Perspectives on Factors Contributing to Readmissions and Potential
      Prevention Strategies: A Multicenter Survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The transition out of the hospital is a vulnerable time for patients,
      relying heavily on communication and coordination of resources across care
      settings. Understanding the perspectives of inpatient and outpatient physicians
      regarding factors contributing to readmission and potential preventive strategies
      is crucial in designing appropriately targeted readmission prevention efforts.
      OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare inpatient and outpatient physician opinions
      regarding reasons for readmission and interventions that might have prevented
      readmission. DESIGN: Cross-sectional multicenter study. PARTICIPANTS: We
      identified patients readmitted to general medicine services within 30 days of
      discharge at 12 US academic medical centers, and surveyed the primary care
      physician (PCP), discharging physician from the index admission, and admitting
      physician from the readmission regarding their endorsement of pre-specified
      factors contributing to the readmission and potential preventive strategies. MAIN
      MEASURES: We calculated kappa statistics to gauge agreement between physician
      dyads (PCP-discharging physician, PCP-admitting physician, and admitting
      discharging physician). KEY RESULTS: We evaluated 993 readmission events, which
      generated responses from 356 PCPs (36 % of readmissions), 675 discharging
      physicians (68 % of readmissions), and 737 admitting physicians (74 % of
      readmissions). The most commonly endorsed contributing factors by both PCPs and
      inpatient physicians related to patient understanding and ability to self-manage.
      The most commonly endorsed preventive strategies involved providing patients with
      enhanced post-discharge instructions and/or support. Although PCPs and inpatient
      physicians endorsed contributing factors and potential preventive strategies with
      similar frequencies, agreement among the three physicians on the specific factors
      and/or strategies that applied to individual readmission events was poor (maximum
      kappa 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Differing opinions among physicians on factors
      contributing to individual readmissions highlights the importance of
      communication between inpatient and outpatient providers at discharge to share
      their different perspectives, and suggests that multi-faceted, broadly applied
      interventions may be more successful than those that rely on individual providers
      choosing specific services based on perceived risk factors.

PMID- 27282858
TI  - Comparative Study of Teachers in Regular Schools and Teachers in Specialized
      Schools in France, Working with Students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder:
      Stress, Social Support, Coping Strategies and Burnout.
AB  - The inclusion of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in schools is a
      source of stress for teachers. Specialized teachers have, in theory, received
      special training. To compare the experiences of teachers dealing with students
      with ASD in different classroom environments. A total of 245 teachers filled out
      four self-report questionnaires measuring perceived stress, social support,
      coping strategies, and burnout. Specialized teachers perceive their teaching as a
      challenge, can count on receiving help from colleagues, use more problem-focused
      coping strategies and social support seeking behavior, and are less emotionally
      exhausted than teachers in regular classes. This study highlights that teachers
      in specialized schools and classes have better adjustment, probably due to their
      training, experience, and tailored classroom conditions.

PMID- 27282859
TI  - Automated Quantitation of Spinal CSF Volume and Measurement of Craniospinal CSF
      Redistribution following Lumbar Withdrawal in Idiopathic Intracranial
      Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Automated methods for quantitation of tissue and CSF
      volumes by MR imaging are available for the cranial but not the spinal
      compartment. We developed an iterative method for delineation of the spinal CSF
      spaces for automated measurements of CSF and cord volumes and applied it to study
      craniospinal CSF redistribution following lumbar withdrawal in patients with
      idiopathic intracranial hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging data were
      obtained from 2 healthy subjects and 8 patients with idiopathic intracranial
      hypertension who were scanned before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after
      diagnostic lumbar puncture. Imaging included T1-weighted and T2-weighted
      sequences of the brain and T2-weighted scans of the spine. Repeat scans in 4
      subjects were used to assess measurement reproducibility. Whole CNS CSF volumes
      measured prior to and following lumbar puncture were compared with the withdrawn
      amounts of CSF. RESULTS: CSF and cord volume measurements were highly
      reproducible with mean variabilities of -0.7% +/- 1.4% and -0.7% +/- 1.0%,
      respectively. Mean spinal CSF volume was 77.5 +/- 8.4 mL. The imaging-based pre-
      to post-CSF volume differences were consistently smaller and strongly correlated
      with the amounts removed (R = 0.86, P = .006), primarily from the lumbosacral
      region. These differences are explained by net CSF formation of 0.41 +/- 0.18
      mL/min between withdrawal and imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Automated measurements of the
      craniospinal CSF redistribution following lumbar withdrawal in idiopathic
      intracranial hypertension reveal that the drop in intracranial pressure following
      lumbar puncture is primarily related to the increase in spinal compliance and not
      cranial compliance due to the reduced spinal CSF volume and the nearly unchanged
      cranial CSF volume.

PMID- 27282860
TI  - In Vivo 7T MR Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping Reveals Opposite Susceptibility
      Contrast between Cortical and White Matter Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magnetic susceptibility measured with quantitative
      susceptibility mapping has been proposed as a biomarker for demyelination and
      inflammation in patients with MS, but investigations have mostly been on white
      matter lesions. A detailed characterization of cortical lesions has not been
      performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate magnetic susceptibility in
      both cortical and WM lesions in MS by using quantitative susceptibility mapping.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with MS were scanned on a 7T MR imaging
      scanner with T1-, T2-, and T2*-weighted sequences. The T2*-weighted sequence was
      used to perform quantitative susceptibility mapping and generate tissue
      susceptibility maps. The susceptibility contrast of a lesion was quantified as
      the relative susceptibility between the lesion and its adjacent normal-appearing
      parenchyma. The susceptibility difference between cortical and WM lesions was
      assessed by using a t test. RESULTS: The mean relative susceptibility was
      significantly negative for cortical lesions (P < 10-7) but positive for WM
      lesions (P < 10-22). A similar pattern was also observed in the cortical (P =
      .054) and WM portions (P = .043) of mixed lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The negative
      susceptibility in cortical lesions suggests that iron loss dominates the
      susceptibility contrast in cortical lesions. The opposite susceptibility contrast
      between cortical and WM lesions may reflect both their structural (degree of
      myelination) and pathologic (degree of inflammation) differences, in which the
      latter may lead to a faster release of iron in cortical lesions.

PMID- 27282861
TI  - Neuroimaging Wisely.
AB  - Diagnostic imaging is the most rapidly growing physician service in the Medicare
      and privately insured population. The growing share of medical costs devoted to
      imaging procedures has led to increasing concerns among the key federal agencies
      and private payers. In an attempt to educate health care providers, patients, and
      families on the importance of making optimal clinical decisions, the American
      Board of Internal Medicine Foundation organized the Choosing Wisely initiative
      with strong collaboration from specialty societies representing nearly all
      medical disciplines. Among 45 tests and treatments listed on the Choosing Wisely
      Web site, 24 are directly related to imaging. Eleven of the 24 are associated
      with neuroimaging. The listing of imaging tests in the Choosing Wisely program by
      multiple medical societies other than the radiology societies acknowledges that
      appropriate use of medical imaging is a shared responsibility between
      radiologists and referring physicians. In this article, we highlight why
      radiologists are uniquely positioned to support the appropriate use of imaging.
      We review some of the strategies that radiologists can use to help their
      referring physicians with appropriate ordering of neuroimaging in real-world
      practice and address some the challenges and pitfalls in implementing patient
      centered imaging decision-making and shifting to a value-based focus in
      radiology.

PMID- 27282862
TI  - White Matter Hyperintensity Volume and Cerebral Perfusion in Older Individuals
      with Hypertension Using Arterial Spin-Labeling.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: White matter hyperintensities of presumed vascular origin
      in elderly patients with hypertension may be part of a general cerebral perfusion
      deficit, involving not only the white matter hyperintensities but also the
      surrounding normal-appearing white matter and gray matter. We aimed to study the
      relation between white matter hyperintensity volume and CBF and assess whether
      white matter hyperintensities are related to a general perfusion deficit.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 185 participants of the Prevention of Dementia by
      Intensive Vascular Care trial between 72 and 80 years of age with systolic
      hypertension, white matter hyperintensity volume and CBF were derived from 3D
      FLAIR and arterial spin-labeling MR imaging, respectively. We compared white
      matter hyperintensity CBF, normal-appearing white matter CBF, and GM CBF across
      quartiles of white matter hyperintensity volume and assessed the continuous
      relation between these CBF estimates and white matter hyperintensity volume by
      using linear regression. RESULTS: Mean white matter hyperintensity CBF was
      markedly lower in higher quartiles of white matter hyperintensity volume, and
      white matter hyperintensity volume and white matter hyperintensity CBF were
      negatively related (standardized beta = -0.248, P = .001) in linear regression.
      We found no difference in normal-appearing white matter or GM CBF across
      quartiles of white matter hyperintensity volume or any relation between white
      matter hyperintensity volume and normal-appearing white matter CBF (standardized
      beta = -0.065, P = .643) or GM CBF (standardized beta = -0.035, P = .382) in
      linear regression. CONCLUSIONS: Higher white matter hyperintensity volume in
      elderly individuals with hypertension was associated with lower perfusion within
      white matter hyperintensities, but not with lower perfusion in the surrounding
      normal-appearing white matter or GM. These findings suggest that white matter
      hyperintensities in elderly individuals with hypertension relate to local
      microvascular alterations rather than a general cerebral perfusion deficit.

PMID- 27282863
TI  - Improved Automatic Detection of New T2 Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis Using
      Deformation Fields.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Detection of disease activity, defined as new/enlarging
      T2 lesions on brain MR imaging, has been proposed as a biomarker in MS. However,
      detection of new/enlarging T2 lesions can be hindered by several factors that can
      be overcome with image subtraction. The purpose of this study was to improve
      automated detection of new T2 lesions and reduce user interaction to eliminate
      inter- and intraobserver variability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multiparametric
      brain MR imaging was performed at 2 time points in 36 patients with new T2
      lesions. Images were registered by using an affine transformation and the Demons
      algorithm to obtain a deformation field. After affine registration, images were
      subtracted and a threshold was applied to obtain a lesion mask, which was then
      refined by using the deformation field, intensity, and local information. This
      pipeline was compared with only applying a threshold, and with a state-of-the-art
      approach relying only on image intensities. To assess improvements, we compared
      the results of the different pipelines with the expert visual detection. RESULTS:
      The multichannel pipeline based on the deformation field obtained a detection
      Dice similarity coefficient close to 0.70, with a false-positive detection of
      17.8% and a true-positive detection of 70.9%. A statistically significant
      correlation (r = 0.81, P value = 2.2688e-09) was found between visual detection
      and automated detection by using our approach. CONCLUSIONS: The deformation field
      based approach proposed in this study for detecting new/enlarging T2 lesions
      resulted in significantly fewer false-positives while maintaining most true
      positives and showed a good correlation with visual detection annotations. This
      approach could reduce user interaction and inter- and intraobserver variability.

PMID- 27282851
TI  - ISPD Peritonitis Recommendations: 2016 Update on Prevention and Treatment.

PMID- 27282864
TI  - Bidirectional Changes in Anisotropy Are Associated with Outcomes in Mild
      Traumatic Brain Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mild traumatic brain injury results in a heterogeneous
      constellation of deficits and symptoms that persist in a subset of patients. This
      prospective longitudinal study identifies early diffusion tensor imaging
      biomarkers of mild traumatic brain injury that significantly relate to outcomes
      at 1 year following injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DTI was performed on 39
      subjects with mild traumatic brain injury within 16 days of injury and 40
      controls; 26 subjects with mild traumatic brain injury returned for follow-up at
      1 year. We identified subject-specific regions of abnormally high and low
      fractional anisotropy and calculated mean fractional anisotropy, axial
      diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and mean diffusivity across all white matter
      voxels brain-wide and each of several white matter regions. Assessment of
      cognitive performance and symptom burden was performed at 1 year. RESULTS:
      Significant associations of brain-wide DTI measures and outcomes included the
      following: mean radial diffusivity and mean diffusivity with memory; and mean
      fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, and mean diffusivity with health
      related quality of life. Significant differences in outcomes were found between
      subjects with and without abnormally high fractional anisotropy for the following
      white matter regions and outcome measures: left frontal lobe and left temporal
      lobe with attention at 1 year, left and right cerebelli with somatic
      postconcussion symptoms at 1 year, and right thalamus with emotional
      postconcussion symptoms at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Individualized assessment of DTI
      abnormalities significantly relates to long-term outcomes in mild traumatic brain
      injury. Abnormally high fractional anisotropy is significantly associated with
      better outcomes and might represent an imaging correlate of postinjury
      compensatory processes.

PMID- 27282866
TI  - Vagotomy and subsequent development of diabetes - A nested case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vagal signaling is involved in gastric emptying and the secretion and
      effect of a number of hormones regulating gluco-metabolic processes and, thus,
      crucial for metabolic homeostasis. PURPOSE: We hypothesized that vagotomy would
      increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and examined the association
      between vagotomy and subsequent development of diabetes. METHODS: A nested case
      control study was conducted with information on cases and controls from the
      Danish National Patient Registry. Cases included individuals with a diabetes
      diagnosis subsequent (>12months) to the first registration of vagotomy and/or
      upper gastrointestinal disease in the period 1977-2011. Controls had no
      subsequent diagnosis of diabetes and were matched by incidence density sampling,
      age and gender. Logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: 501,724
      diabetes patients and 1,375,567 matched controls were included in the analysis.
      Vagotomy was performed on 2772 individuals and 148,489 individuals had an upper
      gastrointestinal diagnosis. In this combined population, 30,902 were diagnosed
      with diabetes. The mean follow-up was 16years. The unadjusted odds ratio for
      developing diabetes following vagotomy was 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI):
      0.58-0.71) and did not change in an adjusted analysis (0.64, 95% CI: 0.58-0.70).
      When restricting the multivariate-adjusted analysis to patients with type 2
      diabetes and type 1 diabetes, respectively, the multivariate odds ratios were
      0.79 (95% CI: 0.70-0.89) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.53-1.08), respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Vagotomy was associated with a significantly decreased risk of developing type 2
      diabetes in a population of patients with upper gastrointestinal disease.

PMID- 27282865
TI  - Short-term administration of the GLP-1 analog liraglutide decreases circulating
      leptin and increases GIP levels and these changes are associated with alterations
      in CNS responses to food cues: A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: GLP-1 agonists, including liraglutide, have emerged as effective
      therapies for type 2 diabetes (DM) and obesity. Here, we attempted to delineate
      how liraglutide, at doses approved for DM, may impact circulating hormones
      influencing energy homeostasis in diabetics. BASIC PROCEDURES: Using a
      randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial of 20 patients
      with type 2 diabetes, we examined the effects of liraglutide as compared to
      placebo on fasting levels of circulating hormones important to energy
      homeostasis, including leptin, ghrelin, PYY, and GIP. After 17days (0.6mg for
      7days, 1.2mg for 7days and 1.8mg for 3days) of treatment, we also studied changes
      in fMRI responses to food cues. MAIN FINDINGS: By design, to avoid any
      confounding by weight changes, subjects were studied for 17days, i.e. before body
      weight changed. Participants on liraglutide had significantly increased GLP-1
      levels (p<0.001), decreased percent change in leptin levels (p<0.01) and
      increased GIP levels (p<0.03) in comparison to placebo treated subjects. Whole
      brain regressions of functional activity in response to food cues reveal that
      increased GIP levels were associated with deactivation of the attention- and
      reward-related insula. Decreases in leptin levels were associated with
      activations in the reward-related midbrain, precuneus, and dorsolateral
      prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and sensorimotor-related motor cortex and with
      deactivations in the attention-related parietal cortex and the cognitive control
      related thalamus and pre-SMA. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate herein short
      term changes to circulating levels of GIP and leptin in response to GLP-1 agonist
      liraglutide therapy. These findings suggest that liraglutide may alter the
      circulating levels of hormones important in energy homeostasis that, in turn,
      influence CNS perception of food cues. This could possibly lead to compensatory
      changes in energy homeostasis that could over time limit the efficacy of
      liraglutide to decrease body weight. These novel findings, which, pointing to the
      potential advantages of combination therapies, may have therapeutic implications,
      will need to be confirmed by larger and longer-term trials.

PMID- 27282868
TI  - Circulating adiponectin and carotid intima-media thickness: A systematic review
      and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adiponectin (APN) is an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing, anti
      inflammatory, and vasculoprotective properties. Hypoadiponectinemia has been
      linked with disease states, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular
      disease. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a strong and independent
      predictor of both coronary and cerebrovascular events, and has been used as a
      surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this report is to
      systematically review the evidence on the relationship between APN and cIMT in a
      wide range of individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medline, Embase, Biosis,
      Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed were searched for published studies and
      conference abstracts. The "sign test" and "vote count" methods were used to
      estimate the direction and significance of the relationship between APN and cIMT.
      The quality of the eligible studies was evaluated using an adapted version of the
      New Castle Ottawa quality assessment scale. RESULTS: Fifty-five articles
      fulfilled the inclusion criteria, comprised of only cross-sectional studies,
      including healthy subjects, general population, and individuals with metabolic,
      inflammatory, or other chronic diseases. Most associations between APN and cIMT
      followed a negative direction in the healthier and general populations, and also
      in cohorts with metabolic disorders and other chronic diseases, but not in those
      with inflammatory diseases (sign test). These associations were generally found
      to be weak or non-significant among all cohort groups studied (vote count).
      CONCLUSION: Our results are suggestive but not conclusive for an inverse
      association between APN levels and cIMT in diseased and non-diseased populations.

PMID- 27282867
TI  - Catechol-O-methyltransferase association with hemoglobin A1c.
AB  - AIMS: Catecholamines have metabolic effects on blood pressure, insulin
      sensitivity and blood glucose. Genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase
      (COMT), an enzyme that degrades catecholamines, is associated with
      cardiometabolic risk factors and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here we
      examined COMT effects on glycemic function and type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We
      tested whether COMT polymorphisms were associated with baseline HbA1c in the
      Women's Genome Health Study (WGHS), and Meta-Analyses of Glucose and Insulin
      related traits Consortium (MAGIC), and with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in
      WGHS, DIAbetes Genetics Replication And Meta-analysis consortium (DIAGRAM), and
      the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Given evidence that COMT modifies some
      drug responses, we examined association with type 2 diabetes and randomized
      metformin and aspirin treatment. RESULTS: COMT rs4680 high-activity G-allele was
      associated with lower HbA1c in WGHS (beta=-0.032% [0.012], p=0.008) and
      borderline significant in MAGIC (beta=-0.006% [0.003], p=0.07). Combined COMT per
      val allele effects on type 2 diabetes were significant (OR=0.98 [0.96-0.998],
      p=0.03) in fixed-effects analyses across WGHS, DIAGRAM, and DPP. Similar results
      were obtained for 2 other COMT SNPs rs4818 and rs4633. In the DPP, the rs4680 val
      allele was borderline associated with lower diabetes incidence among participants
      randomized to metformin (HR=0.81 [0.65-1.00], p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: COMT rs4680
      high-activity G-allele was associated with lower HbA1c and modest protection from
      type 2 diabetes. The directionality of COMT associations was concordant with
      those previously observed for cardiometabolic risk factors and CVD.

PMID- 27282869
TI  - Obesity development in neuron-specific lipoprotein lipase deficient mice is not
      responsive to increased dietary fat content or change in fat composition.
AB  - We have previously reported that mice with neuron-specific LPL deficiency (NEXLPL
      /-) become obese by 16weeks of age on chow. Moreover, these mice had reduced
      uptake of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein-derived fatty acids and lower levels
      of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in the hypothalamus.
      Here, we asked whether increased dietary fat content or altered dietary
      composition could modulate obesity development in NEXLPL-/- mice. Male NEXLPL-/-
      mice and littermate controls (WT) were randomly assigned one of three synthetic
      diets; a high carbohydrate diet (HC, 10% fat), a high-fat diet (HF, 45% fat), or
      a HC diet supplemented with n-3 PUFAs (HCn-3, 10% fat, Lovaza, GSK(r)). After
      42weeks of HC feeding, body weight and fat mass were increased in the NEXLPL-/-
      mice compared to WT. WT mice fed a HF diet displayed typical diet-induced
      obesity, but weight gain was only marginal in HF-fed NEXLPL-/- mice, with no
      significant difference in body composition. Dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation did
      not prevent obesity in NEXLPL-/- mice, but was associated with differential
      modifications in hypothalamic gene expression and PUFA concentration compared to
      WT mice. Our findings suggest that neuronal LPL is involved in the regulation of
      body weight and composition in response to either the change in quantity (HF
      feeding) or quality (n-3 PUFA-enriched) of dietary fat. The precise role of LPL
      in lipid sensing in the brain requires further investigation.

PMID- 27282870
TI  - Microdialysis and proteomics of subcutaneous interstitial fluid reveals increased
      galectin-1 in type 2 diabetes patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes by
      comparing the subcutaneous interstitial fluid from type 2 diabetes patients and
      healthy men. METHODS: Proteomics was performed on the interstitial fluid of
      subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained by microdialysis from 7 type 2 diabetes
      patients and 8 healthy participants. 851 proteins were detected, of which 36
      (including galectin-1) showed significantly altered expression in type 2
      diabetes. We also measured galectin-1 expression in: (1) adipocytes isolated from
      adipose tissue biopsies from these participants; (2) subcutaneous adipose tissue
      of 24 obese participants before, during and after 16weeks on a very low calorie
      diet (VLCD); and (3) adipocytes isolated from 6 healthy young participants after
      4weeks on a diet and lifestyle intervention to promote weight gain. We also
      determined the effect of galectin-1 on glucose uptake in human adipose tissue.
      RESULTS: Galectin-1 protein levels were elevated in subcutaneous dialysates from
      type 2 diabetes compared with healthy controls (p<0.05). In agreement, galectin-1
      mRNA expression was increased in adipocytes from the type 2 diabetes patients
      (p<0.05). Furthermore, galectin-1 mRNA expression was decreased in adipose tissue
      after VLCD (p<0.05) and increased by overfeeding (p<0.05). Co-incubation of
      isolated human adipocytes with galectin-1 reduced glucose uptake (p<0.05) but
      this was independent of the insulin signal. CONCLUSION: Proteomics of the
      interstitial fluid in subcutaneous adipose tissue in vivo identified a novel
      adipokine, galectin-1, with a potential role in the pathophysiology of type 2
      diabetes.

PMID- 27282871
TI  - Efficient hydrogen evolution in transition metal dichalcogenides via a simple one
      step hydrazine reaction.
AB  - Hydrogen evolution reaction is catalysed efficiently with precious metals, such
      as platinum; however, transition metal dichalcogenides have recently emerged as a
      promising class of materials for electrocatalysis, but these materials still have
      low activity and durability when compared with precious metals. Here we report a
      simple one-step scalable approach, where MoOx/MoS2 core-shell nanowires and
      molybdenum disulfide sheets are exposed to dilute aqueous hydrazine at room
      temperature, which results in marked improvement in electrocatalytic performance.
      The nanowires exhibit ~100 mV improvement in overpotential following exposure to
      dilute hydrazine, while also showing a 10-fold increase in current density and a
      significant change in Tafel slope. In situ electrical, gate-dependent
      measurements and spectroscopic investigations reveal that hydrazine acts as an
      electron dopant in molybdenum disulfide, increasing its conductivity, while also
      reducing the MoOx core in the core-shell nanowires, which leads to improved
      electrocatalytic performance.

PMID- 27282872
TI  - Frequency and intensity of alcohol consumption: new evidence from Sweden.
AB  - There is an increasing body of evidence that the intensity in which alcohol is
      drunk is of greater concern than the frequency or overall quantity consumed. This
      paper provides an extensive analysis of the demand for alcohol as measured by
      total quantity, frequency, and intensity. A unique large sample of cross
      sectional data from Sweden 2004-2011 allows reduced-form alcohol demand equations
      to be estimated for beer, wine, and spirits, split by alcohol drinking pattern
      (average vs. binge drinkers) and gender. Results find a negative beer excise rate
      effect for participation and frequency, and positive effect for intensity. The
      effect was stronger for binge drinkers. Generally, the results also show a
      positive socioeconomic (income and education) gradient in frequency demand and a
      negative gradient in the intensity demand. Female wine drinkers show a positive
      socioeconomic gradient in both frequency and intensity. The findings highlight
      the complexity of this policy space. Tax increases appear to reduce frequency but
      raise intensity consumed. The more educated and higher earners drink more in
      total, but less intensely when they do and this is likely to explain in part why
      poor health is concentrated amongst lower socioeconomic status individuals.

PMID- 27282873
TI  - Response to the letter to the editor: Comparison of intravitreal aflibercept and
      ranibizumab injections on subfoveal and peripapillary choroidal thickness in eyes
      with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PMID- 27282874
TI  - Intolerant contact lens wearers exhibit ocular surface impairment despite 3
      months wear discontinuation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate ocular surface (OS) parameters recovery in intolerant
      contact lens (CL) wearers after a period of discontinuation. METHODS: This is a
      retrospective analysis of data from 87 intolerant CL wearers who had discontinued
      their use for an average period of 12 weeks because of associated discomfort and
      failure to successfully refit. Data were collected from clinical charts. Data
      from 50 matched healthy volunteers served as controls. Clinical tests included
      subjective discomfort symptoms questionnaire (Ocular Surface Disease Index,
      OSDI), Schirmer test, break-up time (BUT), corneal esthesiometry and corneo
      conjunctival staining. Laboratory tests included scraping and imprint cytology.
      Tear protein analysis included dosage of total tear protein (TP), lysozyme-C (LYS
      C), lactoferrin (LACTO), zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein (ZAG-2), IgA heavy chain bands
      (Ig-A), and serum albumin (ALB). Data were correlated to wear parameters.
      RESULTS: All values were significantly worse in intolerant CL wearers group (p
      always <0.001). In particular, lower values compared to controls were found for
      BUT, corneal esthesiometry, goblet cell density, LYS-C, LACTO, ZAG-2, and TP. On
      the contrary, higher values compared to controls were found for OSDI, staining,
      imprint cytology, scraping cytology, ALB, IgA-heavy chain. The IgA/LYS-C ratio
      calculated as an index of the increased activity of the IgA-producing cell was
      found significantly higher in the intolerant group and in correlation with
      discomfort symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular surface parameters were altered in
      intolerant CL wearers, even after a prolonged discontinuation period. Our data
      suggest that OS recovery necessary to successfully refit lenses may need a
      discontinuation time longer than 3 months.

PMID- 27282875
TI  - Unexpected complications related to tamponade after vitrectomy.

PMID- 27282876
TI  - Fast neutron-induced structural rearrangements at a soybean NAP1 locus result in
      gnarled trichomes.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Three adjacent and distinct sequence rearrangements were identified
      at a NAP1 locus in a soybean mutant. Genetic dissection and validation revealed
      the function of this gene in soybean trichome development. A soybean (Glycine max
      (L.) Merr.) gnarled trichome mutant, exhibiting stunted trichomes compared to
      wild-type, was identified in a fast neutron mutant population. Genetic mapping
      using whole genome sequencing-based bulked segregant analysis identified a 26.6
      megabase interval on chromosome 20 that co-segregated with the phenotype.
      Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of the mutant indicated that the
      chromosome 20 interval included a small structural variant within the coding
      region of a soybean ortholog (Glyma.20G019300) of Arabidopsis Nck-Associated
      Protein 1 (NAP1), a regulator of actin nucleation during trichome morphogenesis.
      Sequence analysis of the candidate allele revealed multiple rearrangements within
      the coding region, including two deletions (approximately 1-2 kb each), a
      translocation, and an inversion. Further analyses revealed that the mutant allele
      perfectly co-segregated with the phenotype, and a wild-type soybean NAP1
      transgene functionally complemented an Arabidopsis nap1 mutant. In addition,
      mapping and exon sequencing of NAP1 in a spontaneous soybean gnarled trichome
      mutant (T31) identified a frame shift mutation resulting in a truncation of the
      coding region. These data indicate that the soybean NAP1 gene is essential for
      proper trichome development and show the utility of the soybean fast neutron
      population for forward genetic approaches for identifying genes.

PMID- 27282877
TI  - Correlates for psycho-active substance use among boarding secondary school
      adolescents in Enugu, South East, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psycho-active substance use among adolescents is a national and
      global problem and its attendant effects on adolescents cannot be overemphasized.
      The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence and pattern of
      psychoactive substance use among adolescents; the substances involved and the
      extent of the problem in this locale. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study
      that assesses the pattern of psychoactive substance use among secondary school
      adolescents in Enugu, south East, Nigeria. The study was carried out among
      adolescents attending six secondary boarding schools in Enugu metropolis of Enugu
      State of Nigeria. The WHO Student Drug Use Questionnaire was adapted for this
      study. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences
      program (SPSS), version 17. Chi-square and multivariate regression were used as a
      test of significance for qualitative variables. A p-value less than 0.05 were
      accepted as significant for each statistical test. RESULTS: Out of 900, a total
      of 896 respondents, comprising 400 and 82 boys (482) (53.8 %) and 400 and 14
      girls (414) (46.2 %) completed the questionnaires. This gave a response rate of
      99.6 %. The study revealed that the prevalence of current use for psychoactive
      substances ranges from 0.4 to 34.9 % while that for life use ranges from 0.8 to
      63.5 %. The least being cannabis and the most being kola nuts. Kola nut is the
      most widely used psychoactive substance both for current use, past year use and
      the respondents' life time use. It shows a lifetime prevalence of 63.5 % and a
      current use prevalence of 34.9 %. More than half of the users of each of the
      psychoactive substances take it occasionally, using them on 1-5 days in a month.
      On the other hand, almost one-quarter of the users of each of the substances take
      it on 20 or more days in a month. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the
      prevalence of current use for psychoactive substances ranges from 0.4 to 34.9 %
      while that for life use ranges from 0.8 to 63.5 %. The least being cannabis and
      the most being kola nuts.

PMID- 27282878
TI  - Portal hypertensive gastropathy after variceal eradication: more bleeding risk or
      just more reddening?

PMID- 27282879
TI  - Interferon-free treatment for HCV-infected patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
AB  - Progress in interferon-free treatment against hepatitis C virus (HCV) has
      remained a challenge in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to a paucity of
      information on efficacy and safety profiles. This review illustrates that
      interferon-free treatment could result in greater than 85 % sustained virological
      response (SVR) rates in patients with HCV genotype 1 and decompensated cirrhosis.
      The combination of pangenotypic HCV NS5A inhibitor velpatasvir and HCV NS5B
      inhibitor sofosbuvir has demonstrated high SVR rates in patients with HCV
      genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 and decompensated cirrhosis. Certain patients
      discontinued treatment due to adverse events, death or having liver
      transplantation. Taken together, interferon-free treatment could produce higher
      SVR rates in decompensated hepatic cirrhosis. However, as adverse events were
      occasionally observed, liver transplantation should always be considered as well.
      Further improvements in treatment are called for in patients with decompensated
      cirrhosis.

PMID- 27282880
TI  - Estimating the annual volume of hematologic cancer cases per hematologist
      oncologist in the United States: are we treating rare cancers too rarely?

PMID- 27282881
TI  - Steroid receptor RNA activator: Biologic function and role in disease.
AB  - Steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA) is a type of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)
      which coordinates the functions of various transcription factors, enhances
      steroid receptor-dependent gene expression, and also serves as a distinct
      scaffold. The novel, profound and expanded roles of SRA are emerging in critical
      aspects of coactivation of nuclear receptors (NRs). As a nuclear receptor
      coactivator, SRA can coactivate androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor alpha
      (ERalpha), ERbeta, progesterone receptor (PR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR),
      thyroid hormone receptor and retinoic acid receptor (RAR). Although SRA is one of
      the least well-understood molecules, increasing studies have revealed that SRA
      plays a key role in both biological processes, such as myogenesis and
      steroidogenesis, and pathological changes, including obesity, cardiomyopathy, and
      tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the SRA-related signaling pathways, such as the
      mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), Notch and tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNFalpha) pathways, play critical roles in the pathogenesis of estrogen
      dependent breast cancers. In addition, the most recent data demonstrates that SRA
      expression may serve as a new prognostic marker in patients with ER-positive
      breast cancer. Thus, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying SRA-mediated
      functions is important to develop proper novel strategies to target SRA in the
      diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. 

PMID- 27282882
TI  - Distinct properties of proteases and nucleases in the gut, salivary gland and
      saliva of southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula.
AB  - Stink bugs negatively impact numerous plant species of agricultural and
      horticultural importance. While efforts to develop effective control measures are
      underway, the unique digestive physiology of these pests presents a significant
      hurdle for either protein- or nucleotide-based management options. Here we report
      the comparative biochemical and proteomic characterization of proteases and
      nucleases from the gut, salivary gland and saliva of the southern green stink
      bug, Nezara viridula. The pH optimum for protease activity was acidic (5 to 6) in
      the gut with the primary proteases being cysteine proteases, and alkaline (8 to
      9) in the saliva and salivary gland with the primary proteases being serine
      proteases. The serine proteases in saliva differ biochemically from trypsin and
      chymotrypsin, and the cathepsins in the gut and saliva showed distinct properties
      in inhibitor assays. Nuclease activity (DNase, RNase, dsRNase) was concentrated
      in the salivary gland and saliva with negligible activity in the gut. The most
      abundant proteins of the gut (530) and salivary gland (631) identified by
      proteomic analysis included four gut proteases along with eight proteases and one
      nuclease from the salivary gland. Understanding of N. viridula digestive
      physiology will facilitate the design of new strategies for management of this
      significant pest.

PMID- 27282883
TI  - Molecular characterization of KMT2A fusion partner genes in 13 cases of pediatric
      leukemia with complex or cryptic karyotypes.
AB  - In pediatric acute leukemias, reciprocal chromosomal translocations frequently
      cause gene fusions involving the lysine (K)-specific methyltransferase 2A gene
      (KMT2A, also known as MLL). Specific KMT2A fusion partners are associated with
      the disease phenotype (lymphoblastic vs. myeloid), and the type of KMT2A
      rearrangement also has prognostic implications. However, the KMT2A partner gene
      cannot always be identified by banding karyotyping. We sought to identify such
      partner genes in 13 cases of childhood leukemia with uninformative karyotypes by
      combining molecular techniques, including multicolor banding FISH, reverse
      transcriptase PCR, and long-distance inverse PCR. Of the KMT2A fusion partner
      genes, MLLT3 was present in five patients, all with acute lymphoblastic leukemia,
      MLLT1 in two patients, and MLLT10, MLLT4, MLLT11, and AFF1 in one patient each.
      Reciprocal reading by long-distance inverse PCR also disclosed KMT2A fusions with
      PITPNA in one patient, with LOC100132273 in another patient, and with DNA
      sequences not compatible with any gene in three patients. The most common KMT2A
      breakpoint region was intron/exon 9 (3/8 patients), followed by intron/exon 11
      and 10. Finally, multicolor banding revealed breakpoints in other chromosomes
      whose biological and prognostic implications remain to be determined. We conclude
      that the combination of molecular techniques used in this study can efficiently
      identify KMT2A fusion partners in complex pediatric acute leukemia karyotypes.
      Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27282885
TI  - Using mHealth as a Lever to Promote Mental Health Care Quality Through Patient
      Engagement.

PMID- 27282884
TI  - Mental Health Nursing Education: An Instructor's View.
AB  - If you knew no one with a mental illness, what would mold your perceptions of
      someone with a mental illness? A movie character, a television actor, a
      description from a friend? Each of these explanations has been given to me by
      nursing students beginning their mental health nursing clinical rotation.
      Reconsideration of the limited amount of mental health education in nursing
      school is urgent. As we become more engrossed as a society in television and
      movies, the result appears to be a deceptive idea of what true mental illness
      entails. This piece shares personal insight from a mental health nursing educator
      and the transformation she witnesses in her students after a mental health
      clinical rotation.

PMID- 27282886
TI  - Modification of the Secondary Binding Site of Xylanases Illustrates the Impact of
      Substrate Selectivity on Bread Making.
AB  - To investigate the importance of substrate selectivity for xylanase functionality
      in bread making, the secondary binding site (SBS) of xylanases from Bacillus
      subtilis (XBS) and Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis was modified. This resulted in
      two xylanases with increased relative activity toward water-unextractable wheat
      arabinoxylan (WU-AX) compared to water-extractable wheat arabinoxylan, i.e., an
      increased substrate selectivity, without changing other biochemical properties.
      Addition of both modified xylanases in bread making resulted in increased loaf
      volumes compared to the wild types when using weak flour. Moreover, maximal
      volume increase was reached at a lower dosage of the mutant compared to wild-type
      XBS. The modified xylanases were able to solubilize more WU-AX and decreased the
      average degree of polymerization of soluble arabinoxylan in dough more during
      fermentation. This possibly allowed for additional water release, which might be
      responsible for increased loaf volumes. Altered SBS functionality and, as a
      result, enhanced substrate selectivity most probably caused these differences. 

PMID- 27282887
TI  - The effect of an automated point of care tool on diagnosis and management of
      childhood obesity in primary care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is underdiagnosed in primary care practices. Our
      study aimed to compare rates of documentation of diagnosis of obesity and
      counselling for nutrition and physical activity at an academic primary care
      practice prior to and following implementation of a body mass index (BMI)-based
      electronic point of care clinical reminder tool. METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective record review of children aged 2-18 years undergoing well child
      visits during any of three calendar years (2009, 2011 and 2013). The electronic
      clinical reminder tool was implemented in September 2010. Records of children
      with BMI > 95th percentile were electronically searched for terms of
      documentation of diagnosis of obesity and nutrition and physical activity
      counselling. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to adjust for
      potential patient and provider confounders. RESULTS: Among those with BMI >= 95th
      percentile, there was a statistically significant increase in documentation of
      diagnosis of obesity (45.5% in 2009 vs. 52.4% in 2011; P < 0.001; adjusted odds
      ratio 1.36; 95% CI 1.13-1.65) and in counselling for physical activity and
      nutrition (66.8% in 2009 vs. 75.2% in 2011; P < 0.001; adjusted odds ratio 1.33;
      95% CI 1.06-1.66) following implementation of the tool. Compared with 2011, there
      was no statistically significant increase in documentation of obesity (50.4%) or
      nutrition and physical activity counselling (77.9%) in 2013. CONCLUSIONS: The
      implementation of a point of care clinical reminder tool was associated with
      improvement in documentation of diagnosis of obesity and counselling for
      nutrition and physical activity. Further studies are needed to determine the
      impact of these automated tools on weight outcomes in children.

PMID- 27282888
TI  - Impact of the induced organic anion transporter 1 (Oat1) renal expression by
      furosemide on the pharmacokinetics of organic anions.
AB  - AIM: Furosemide is a loop diuretic. Different authors demonstrated that
      continuous administration of furosemide modulates the expression of organic anion
      transporters. This study was undertaken to simultaneously evaluate the effects of
      furosemide pretreatment on organic anion transporter 1 (Oat1) and multidrug
      resistance protein 2 (Mrp2) renal expressions, on p-aminohippurate (PAH)
      pharmacokinetics and on renal and urinary PAH levels in rats. METHODS: Male
      Wistar rats were treated with furosemide (6 mg/100 g body weight per day,
      subcutaneously, 4 days) (treated group) or saline (control group). On the fifth
      day, PAH was administered as a bolus infusion in the femoral vein, and plasma
      samples were obtained from femoral artery at different time points. PAH levels in
      renal tissue and urine were also assessed. Renal Oat1 and Mrp2 expressions were
      evaluated by western blotting. RESULTS: Furosemide pretreatment increased both
      the expression of Oat1 and Mrp2. PAH plasma concentrations decreased following a
      biexponential function. The furosemide-treated group showed higher PAH plasma
      levels, a lower systemic clearance and elimination rate constant from the
      peripheral compartment, indicating that PAH renal elimination was decreased. PAH
      levels in renal tissue were significantly elevated and in urine appeared to be
      significantly lower as compared with control animals. CONCLUSIONS: Furosemide
      pretreatment caused a significant decrease of PAH renal elimination, despite Oat1
      and Mrp2 augmented renal expression. The goal of the present study is the
      addition of important information in the wide gap of knowledge that exists about
      drug-drug interactions. Because of furosemide worldwide use, the data obtained
      are interesting and useful in terms of translation to clinical practice.

PMID- 27282889
TI  - Reduction of bacteria and human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 infectivity of
      platelet suspension in plasma using xenon flash-pulse light in a bench-scale
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current pathogen reduction systems for platelet concentrates (PCs)
      require addition of chemical compounds and/or reduction of plasma content in PCs.
      We have investigated a new method using xenon (Xe) flash-pulse light without
      additional compounds or plasma replacement. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An aliquot
      of apheresis platelets (PLTs) in plasma inoculated with bacteria or human
      immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-1) was irradiated with Xe flash-pulse light
      (Xe flash phototreatment). Bacterial growth was monitored up to 6 days of
      storage, whereas HIV-1 infectivity was assayed just after treatment. Pairs of Xe
      flash-phototreated and untreated PCs were examined for PLT lesion during the
      storage period. RESULTS: Under the current conditions, a low titer (1.8 colony
      forming units [CFUs]/mL) of Staphylococcus aureus did not proliferate during the
      6-day storage period, but grew in some cases at high-titer (24.0 CFUs/mL)
      inoculation. HIV-1 infectivity was reduced by 1.8 log. PLT recovery of the
      treated PCs was lower than untreated ones. An increase of mean PLT volume and
      glucose consumption, together with a decrease of hypotonic shock response and pH,
      were enhanced by the treatment. CD62P- and PAC-1-positive PLTs increased after
      the treatment, indicating the induction of PLT activation. Among biologic
      response modifiers, soluble CD40 ligand was significantly increased in the
      treated PCs on Day 6. CONCLUSIONS: Xe flash phototreatment could prevent
      bacterial proliferation and reduce HIV-1 infectivity in 100% plasma PCs without
      any additional compounds, but enhanced PLT storage lesions. Further improvement
      is required to increase the potency of pathogen inactivation with reducing PLT
      damage.

PMID- 27282890
TI  - A wearable headset for monitoring electromyography responses within spinal
      surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: This research examines an approach for enhancing the efficiency of
      spinal surgery utilising the technological capabilities and design
      functionalities of wearable headsets, in this case Google Glass. The aim was to
      improve the efficiency of the selective dorsal rhizotomy neurosurgical procedure
      initially through the use of Glass via an innovative approach to information
      design for an intraoperative monitoring display. METHODS: Utilising primary and
      secondary research methods the development of a new electromyography response
      display for a wearable headset was undertaken. RESULTS: Testing proved that Glass
      was fit for purpose and that the new intraoperative monitor design provided an
      example platform for the innovative intraoperative monitoring display; however,
      alternative wearable headsets such as the Microsoft HoloLens could also be
      equally viable. CONCLUSION: The new display design combined with the appropriate
      wearable technology could greatly benefit the selective dorsal rhizotomy
      procedure.

PMID- 27282891
TI  - Comparison of medetomidine-morphine and medetomidine-methadone for sedation,
      isoflurane requirement and postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing
      laparoscopy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of intravenous (IV) medetomidine-morphine and
      medetomidine-methadone on preoperative sedation, isoflurane requirements and
      postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing laparoscopic surgery. STUDY DESIGN:
      Randomized, crossover trial. ANIMALS: Twelve adult Beagle dogs weighing 15.1 +/-
      4.1 kg. METHODS: Dogs were administered medetomidine (2.5 MUg kg-1) IV 5 minutes
      before either methadone (MET) or morphine (MOR) (0.3 mg kg-1) IV. Anaesthesia was
      induced with propofol, maintained with isoflurane in oxygen, and depth was
      clinically assessed and adjusted by an anaesthetist blinded to the treatment.
      Animals underwent laparoscopic abdominal biopsies. Sedation and nausea scores,
      pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (fR), noninvasive systolic arterial blood
      pressure (SAP), rectal temperature (RT) and pain scores were recorded before drug
      administration, 5 minutes after medetomidine injection and 10 minutes after
      opioid administration. Propofol dose, PR, fR, SAP, oesophageal temperature
      (TOES), end-tidal carbon dioxide and end-tidal isoflurane concentration (Fe'Iso)
      were recorded intraoperatively. Pain scores, PR, fR, SAP and RT were recorded 10
      minutes after extubation, every hour for 6 hours, then at 8, 18 and 24 hours. The
      experiment was repeated with the other drug 1 month later. RESULTS: Nine dogs
      completed the study. After opioid administration and intraoperatively, PR, but
      not SAP, was significantly lower in MET. Fe'Iso was significantly lower in MET.
      Temperature decreased in both treatments. Pain scores were significantly higher
      in MOR at 3 hours after extubation, but not at other time points. Two dogs
      required rescue analgesia; one with both treatments and one in MOR. CONCLUSION
      AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: At the dose used, sedation produced by both drugs when
      combined with medetomidine was equivalent, while volatile anaesthetic
      requirements and PR perioperatively were lower with methadone. Postoperative
      analgesia was deemed to be adequate for laparoscopy with either protocol,
      although methadone provided better analgesia 3 hours after surgery.

PMID- 27282892
TI  - Stent Coating Integrity of Durable and Biodegradable Coated Drug Eluting Stents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coatings consisting of a polymer and drug are widely used in drug
      eluting stents (DES) and are essential in providing programmable drug release
      kinetics. Among other factors, stent coating technologies can influence blood
      compatibility, affect acute and sub-acute healing, and potentially trigger a
      chronic inflammatory response. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to
      investigate the short-term (7 and 28 days) and long-term (90 and 180 days)
      coating integrity of the Xience Prime Everolimus-Eluting Stent (EES), Resolute
      Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent (ZES), Taxus Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent (PES), and Nobori
      Biolimus A9-Eluting Stent (BES) in a rabbit ilio-femoral stent model. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Stented arteries (n = 48) were harvested and the tissue surrounding the
      implanted stents digested away with an enzymatic solution. Results demonstrated
      that the majority of struts of EES were without any coating defects with a few
      struts showing minor defects. Similarly, for the ZES, most of the struts were
      without coating defects at all time points except at 180 days. The majority of
      PES demonstrated mostly webbing and uneven coating. In the BES group, the
      majority of strut coating showed polymer cracking. CONCLUSION: Overall, the EES
      and ZES had fewer coating defects than the PES and BES. Coating defects, however
      increase over time for the ZES, whereas the percent of coating irregularities
      remained constant for the EES. These results provide, for the first time, a
      comparison of the long-term durability of these drug-eluting stent coatings in
      vivo.

PMID- 27282893
TI  - The Development of Therapeutics for Peripheral Artery Disease: A Unique
      Cardiovascular Risk Population.

PMID- 27282894
TI  - Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in the Prevention of Recurrent Ischemic Events.

PMID- 27282896
TI  - The Natural History of Thoracic Aortic Disease: So Much Left to Learn.

PMID- 27282895
TI  - Aortic Dissection in Patients With Genetically Mediated Aneurysms: Incidence and
      Predictors in the GenTAC Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection (AoD) is a serious complication of thoracic aortic
      aneurysm (TAA). Relative risk for AoD in relation to TAA etiology, incidence, and
      pattern after prophylactic TAA surgery are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: This
      study sought to determine the incidence, pattern, and relative risk for AoD among
      patients with genetically associated TAA. METHODS: The population included adult
      GenTAC participants without AoD at baseline. Standardized core laboratory tests
      classified TAA etiology and measured aortic size. Follow-up was performed for
      AoD. RESULTS: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) (39%) and Marfan syndrome (MFS) (22%)
      were the leading diagnoses in the studied GenTAC participants (n = 1,991). AoD
      occurred in 1.6% over 3.6 +/- 2.0 years; 61% of AoD occurred in patients with
      MFS. Cumulative AoD incidence was 6-fold higher among patients with MFS (4.5%)
      versus others (0.7%; p < 0.001). MFS event rates were similarly elevated versus
      those in patients with BAV (0.3%; p < 0.001). AoD originated in the distal arch
      or descending aorta in 71%; 52% of affected patients, including 68% with MFS, had
      previously undergone aortic grafting. In patients with proximal aortic surgery,
      distal aortic size (descending thoracic, abdominal aorta) was larger among
      patients with AoD versus those without AoD (both p < 0.05), whereas the ascending
      aorta size was similar. Conversely, in patients without previous surgery, aortic
      root size was greater in patients with subsequent AoD (p < 0.05), whereas distal
      aortic segments were of similar size. MFS (odds ratio: 7.42; 95% confidence
      interval: 3.43 to 16.82; p < 0.001) and maximal aortic size (1.86 per cm; 95%
      confidence interval: 1.26 to 2.67; p = 0.001) were independently associated with
      AoD. Only 4 of 31 (13%) patients with AoD had pre-dissection images that
      fulfilled size criteria for prophylactic TAA surgery at a subsequent AoD site.
      CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with genetically associated TAA, MFS augments risk
      for AoD even after TAA grafting. Although increased aortic size is a risk factor
      for subsequent AoD, events typically occur below established thresholds for
      prophylactic TAA repair.

PMID- 27282897
TI  - Diagnosis and Treatment Algorithm for Blood Flow Obstructions in Patients With
      Left Ventricular Assist Device.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thrombosis is an uncommon, but severe complication of left
      ventricular assist devices (LVADs). OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed experience
      with obstruction of blood flow through the LVAD with the purpose of developing
      optimal diagnosis and treatment of LVAD-related thrombosis. METHODS: Between
      October 2009 and July 2015, a total of 652 LVAD were implanted in 557 patients.
      Blood flow abnormalities in patients with LVAD (n = 524) were identified and
      classified as "high-power" and "low-flow" events. RESULTS: Three types of late
      blood flow obstructions were identified: 1) pre-pump via thrombus obstructing the
      inflow cannula (26 events; 0.037 events per patient-year); 2) intra-pump (70
      events; 0.1 events per patient-year); and 3) post-pump via thrombosis of the
      outflow graft or stenosis of the anastomosis to the aorta (4 events; 0.006 events
      per patient-year). Pre-pump obstruction was treated by washout maneuver in 9
      cases (success rate, 100%), thrombolysis in 9 patients (success rate, 56%), and
      pump exchange in 9 cases (success rate, 100%); 1 patient died without treatment
      and 2 were weaned from LVAD. Intra-pump obstruction was treated by thrombolysis
      (n = 9; success rate, 33%), pump exchange (n = 53; success rate, 94%), and
      removal due to myocardial recovery (n = 3; success rate, 100%); 7 patients died
      without treatment and parameters spontaneously normalized in 2 cases. Post-pump
      obstruction was treated in 2 patients by stenting (success rate, 100%), and was
      left untreated in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: We identified 3 types of LVAD-related
      blood flow obstruction, and developed an algorithm for optimal diagnosis and
      treatment.

PMID- 27282898
TI  - Managing VAD Complications: Our Growth Industry.

PMID- 27282899
TI  - Invasive FFR and Noninvasive CFR in the Evaluation of Ischemia: What Is the
      Future?
AB  - This review provides an integrative and forward-looking perspective on the gamut
      of coronary physiology for the diagnosis and management of atherosclerosis.
      Because clinical events serve as the ultimate gold standard, the future of all
      diagnostic tests, including invasive fractional flow reserve and noninvasive
      coronary flow reserve, depends on their ability to improve patient outcomes.
      Given the prominent role of acute coronary syndromes and invasive procedures in
      cardiology, we practically consider 2 broad categories of patients with coronary
      disease: acute and stable. For patients with acute coronary disease, coronary
      physiology may potentially refine treatment of the culprit lesion. For both
      patients with stable and acute nonculprit disease, reducing hard endpoints with
      revascularization potentially occurs at the severe end of the focal physiological
      spectrum, an area under-represented in existing trials. Nonepicardial disease and
      diffuse atherosclerosis remain underexplored aspects of coronary physiology for
      testing of novel treatments.

PMID- 27282900
TI  - Procedure Logging in Interventional Cardiology Training Curriculum: The
      Interventional Fellows' T-Score.

PMID- 27282901
TI  - Electronic Cigarette Smoking Increases Aortic Stiffness and Blood Pressure in
      Young Smokers.

PMID- 27282902
TI  - Treatment of Pure Aortic Regurgitation Using a Second-Generation Transcatheter
      Aortic Valve Implantation System.

PMID- 27282903
TI  - Long-QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular
      Tachycardia: A Tale of 3 Diseases.

PMID- 27282904
TI  - Reply: Long-QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic
      Ventricular Tachycardia: A Tale of 3 Diseases : Ibutilide as a Torsade de Pointes
      Stress Test.

PMID- 27282905
TI  - Ibutilide as a Torsade de Pointes Stress Test.

PMID- 27282906
TI  - No Utility of the Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Patients With
      Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy?

PMID- 27282908
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27282907
TI  - Reply: No Utility of the Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Patients With
      Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy?

PMID- 27282909
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 27282911
TI  - Morphological, ultrastructural and functional imaging of frozen/thawed and
      vitrified/warmed human ovarian tissue retrieved from oncological patients.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Which is the best method for human ovarian tissue
      cryopreservation: slow freezing/rapid thawing (SF/RT) or vitrification/warming
      (V/W)? SUMMARY ANSWER: The conventional SF/RT protocol used in this study seems
      to better preserve the morpho-functional status of human cryopreserved ovarian
      tissue than the used open carrier V/W protocol. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY:
      Cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue is generally performed using the SF/RT
      method. However, reduction in the follicular pool and stroma damage are often
      observed. An emerging alternative procedure is represented by V/W which seems to
      allow the maintenance of the morphological integrity of the stroma. STUDY DESIGN,
      SIZE, DURATION: This is a retrospective cohort study including six patients
      affected by oncological diseases and enrolled from January to December 2014.
      PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Ovarian tissue was laparoscopically
      harvested from the right and left ovaries and was cryopreserved using a routinary
      SF/RT protocol or a V/W method, involving tissue incubation in two solutions
      (containing propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and sucrose at different
      concentrations) and vitrification in an open system. For each patient, three
      pieces from each ovary were collected at the time of laparoscopy (fresh tissue)
      and after storage (SF/RT or V/W) and processed for light microscopy (LM) and
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM), to assess the morphological and
      ultrastructural features of follicles and stroma, and for laser scanning confocal
      microscopy (LSCM), to determine the functional energetic/redox stroma status. The
      preservation status of SF/RT and V/W ovarian tissues was compared with that of
      fresh ones, as well as between them. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: By LM
      and TEM, SF/RT and V/W samples showed cryodamage of small entity. Interstitial
      oedema and increased stromal cell vacuolization and chromatin clumping were
      observed in SF/RT samples; in contrast, V/W samples showed oocyte nuclei with
      slightly thickened chromatin and irregular shapes. The functional imaging
      analysis by LSCM revealed that the mitochondrial activity and intracellular
      reactive oxygen species levels were reduced both in SF/RT and in V/W samples
      compared with fresh samples. The study also showed progressive dysfunction of the
      mitochondrial activity going from the outer to the inner serial section of the
      ovarian cortex. The reduction of mitochondrial activity of V/W samples compared
      with fresh samples was significantly higher in the inner section than in the
      outer section. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The results report the
      bioenergetic and oxidative status assessment of fresh and cryopreserved human
      ovarian tissue by LSCM, a technique recently applied to tissue samples. The use
      of LSCM on human ovarian tissues after SF/RT or V/W is a new application that
      requires validation. The procedures for mitochondrial staining with functional
      probes and fixing are not yet standardized. Xenografting of the cryopreserved
      ovarian tissue in severe combined immunodeficient mice and in vitro culture have
      not yet been performed. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The identification of
      a cryopreservation method able to maintain the morpho-functional integrity of the
      ovarian tissue and a number of follicles comparable with those observed in fresh
      tissue might optimize results in clinical practice, in terms of recovery,
      duration of ovarian function and increased delivery outcomes after replanting.
      The SF/RT protocol allowed better morpho-functional tissue integrity than the V/W
      procedure. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Funding was provided by Fondazione
      del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna, Italy. Dr N.A.M. was granted by the project ONEV
      MIUR PONa3 00134-n.254/R&C 18 5 2011 and the project GR-2011-02351396 (Ministry
      of Health, Young Researchers Grant 2011/2012). There are no competing interests.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical trial 74/2001/0 (approved:13 2 2002): 'Pilot
      study on cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue: morphological and
      immunohistochemical analysis before and after cryopreservation'.

PMID- 27282912
TI  - Synthesis of GPR40 targeting 3 H- and 18 F-probes towards selective beta cell
      imaging.
AB  - Diabetes affects an increasing number of patients worldwide and is responsible
      for a significant rise in healthcare expenses. Imaging of beta-cells in vivo is
      expected to contribute to an improved understanding of the underlying
      pathophysiology, improved diagnosis, and development of new treatment options for
      diabetes. Here, we describe the first radiosyntheses of [3 H]-TAK875 and [18 F]
      TAK875 derivatives to be used as beta-cell imaging probes addressing the free
      fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1/GPR40). The fluorine-labeled derivative showed
      similar agonistic activity as TAK875 in a functional assay. The radiosynthesis of
      the 18 F-labelled tracer 2a was achieved with 16.7 +/- 5.7% radiochemical yield
      in a total synthesis time of 60-70 min.

PMID- 27282913
TI  - Conjunctival fibrous histiocytoma in an 8-year-old boy.
AB  - An 8-year-old healthy boy underwent surgery for excision of a painless, enlarging
      vascularized conjunctival tumor. Histopathology disclosed a mass comprised of
      interweaving spindle cells and scattered histiocytes in a fibrous matrix,
      consistent with benign fibrous histiocytoma. This rare tumor can resemble several
      conditions, including scleritis/episcleritis, inflamed pterygium, juvenile
      xanthogranuloma, foreign body granuloma, solitary fibrous tumor, amelanotic
      melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

PMID- 27282915
TI  - Sequential treatment strategy for malignant pleural effusion in non-small cell
      lung cancer with the activated epithelial grow factor receptor mutation.
AB  - With the advent of molecularly targeted therapy, it is necessary to reconsider
      the strategy for malignant pleural effusion in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the efficacy of a two-line sequential treatment strategy in this
      patient subgroup. First-line treatment was gefitinib (250 mg/day) until disease
      progression. Second-line treatment was thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis followed by
      chemotherapy. Primary endpoints were the overall response and progression-free
      survival rates after first-line treatment, and the overall survival rate after
      first- and second-line treatment. Secondary endpoints were the success rate of
      thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis and gefitinib toxicity. Among the 76 patients
      enrolled, 61 (80%) were female and the median age was 62 years. The overall
      response rate after first-line treatment was 92.1% and median progression-free
      survival was 15 months. The success rate for thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis in 33
      patients was 94%. Median follow-up was 35 months. Median overall survival was 39
      months. The 1- and 3-year overall survival rates were 86.4% and 46.1%,
      respectively. The two-line sequential treatment strategy enhanced survival. These
      preliminary findings provide an insight into novel therapeutic models for
      malignant pleural effusion in NSCLC harbouring EGFR mutations.

PMID- 27282916
TI  - Erratum to: Trans effects of chromosome aneuploidies on DNA methylation patterns
      in human Down syndrome and mouse models.

PMID- 27282910
TI  - MicroRNAs in glioblastoma multiforme pathogenesis and therapeutics.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal cancer of the adult
      brain, remaining incurable with a median survival time of only 15 months. In an
      effort to identify new targets for GBM diagnostics and therapeutics, recent
      studies have focused on molecular phenotyping of GBM subtypes. This has resulted
      in mounting interest in microRNAs (miRNAs) due to their regulatory capacities in
      both normal development and in pathological conditions such as cancer. miRNAs
      have a wide range of targets, allowing them to modulate many pathways critical to
      cancer progression, including proliferation, cell death, metastasis,
      angiogenesis, and drug resistance. This review explores our current understanding
      of miRNAs that are differentially modulated and pathologically involved in GBM as
      well as the current state of miRNA-based therapeutics. As the role of miRNAs in
      GBM becomes more well understood and novel delivery methods are developed and
      optimized, miRNA-based therapies could provide a critical step forward in cancer
      treatment.

PMID- 27282914
TI  - Altered excitatory-inhibitory balance within somatosensory cortex is associated
      with enhanced plasticity and pain sensitivity in a mouse model of multiple
      sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic neuropathic pain is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis
      (MS). MOG35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) has been
      used as an animal model to investigate the mechanisms of pain in MS. Previous
      studies have implicated sensitization of spinal nociceptive networks in the
      pathogenesis of pain in EAE. However, the involvement of supraspinal sites of
      nociceptive integration, such as the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), has not
      been defined. We therefore examined functional, structural, and immunological
      alterations in S1 during the early stages of EAE, when pain behaviors first
      appear. We also assessed the effects of the antidepressant phenelzine (PLZ) on S1
      alterations and nociceptive (mechanical) sensitivity in early EAE. PLZ has been
      shown to restore central nervous system (CNS) tissue concentrations of GABA and
      the monoamines (5-HT, NA) in EAE. We hypothesized that PLZ treatment would also
      normalize nociceptive sensitivity in EAE by restoring the balance of excitation
      and inhibition (E-I) in the CNS. METHODS: We used in vivo flavoprotein
      autofluorescence imaging (FAI) to assess neural ensemble responses in S1 to
      vibrotactile stimulation of the limbs in early EAE. We also used
      immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Golgi-Cox staining, to examine synaptic changes
      and neuroinflammation in S1. Mechanical sensitivity was assessed at the clinical
      onset of EAE with Von Frey hairs. RESULTS: Mice with early EAE exhibited
      significantly intensified and expanded FAI responses in S1 compared to controls.
      IHC revealed increased vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT1) expression and
      disrupted parvalbumin+ (PV+) interneuron connectivity in S1 of EAE mice.
      Furthermore, peri-neuronal nets (PNNs) were significantly reduced in S1.
      Morphological analysis of excitatory neurons in S1 revealed increased dendritic
      spine densities. Iba-1+ cortical microglia were significantly elevated early in
      the disease. Chronic PLZ treatment was found to normalize mechanical thresholds
      in EAE. PLZ also normalized S1 FAI responses, neuronal morphologies, and cortical
      microglia numbers and attenuated VGLUT1 reactivity-but did not significantly
      attenuate the loss of PNNs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings implicate a pro
      excitatory shift in the E-I balance of the somatosensory CNS, arising early in
      the pathogenesis EAE and leading to large-scale functional and structural
      plasticity in S1. They also suggest a novel antinociceptive effect of PLZ
      treatment.

PMID- 27282917
TI  - Micromonospora ureilytica sp. nov., Micromonospora noduli sp. nov. and
      Micromonospora vinacea sp. nov., isolated from Pisum sativum nodules.
AB  - A diversity study on the presence of strains representing the genus
      Micromonospora in Pisum sativum nodules collected from Canizal (Spain) has
      provided evidence of the high number of isolates that might represent novel
      species. In the present work, we have characterized three of these isolates:
      GUI23T, GUI43T and GUI63T. Phenotypic and genotypic analyses confirmed that all
      strains represent novel species of the genus Micromonospora with the following
      proposed names: Micromonospora ureilytica sp. nov., type strain GUI23T (=CECT
      9022T=DSM 101692T), Micromonospora noduli sp. nov., type strain GUI43T (=CECT
      9020T=DSM 101694T), and Micromonospora vinacea sp. nov., type strain GUI63T
      (=CECT 9019T=DSM 101695T).

PMID- 27282918
TI  - Quality of life of nursing home residents in China: A mediation analysis.
AB  - We examined whether the relationship between activities of daily living and
      quality of life was mediated by depression, and identified differences of the
      mediating effects by age group. In this cross-sectional survey, 231 older adults
      were recruited from eight nursing homes. The path analysis indicated that
      depression played an important mediating role in the relationship between
      activities of daily living and quality of life. Depression appeared to be more
      significant for the mental health component as an outcome compared to the
      physical health component of quality of life. The impact of depression as a
      mediator for the older old group was greater than the young-middle group. This
      finding increases our understanding of the impact of age on the mediating effect
      of depression on the relationship between activities of daily living and quality
      of life. Healthcare providers should consider older adults' age differences when
      integrating physical or depression programs into clinical practice to enhance
      quality of life.

PMID- 27282919
TI  - Environmental risk factors contributing to traffic accidents in children: a case
      control study.
AB  - The aim of this study is to identify environmental risk factors related to road
      accidents in children of Tehran. This case-control study was performed in 2013.
      The cases were injured pedestrians aged 5-15 who were admitted to major hospitals
      supervised by Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The sample size for the
      cases was 273 and for the control group was 546. For the completeness of the
      clusters, 7 extra persons in case (total = 280) and 14 persons (total = 560) in
      control group were included. The interference of confounding variables assessed
      through forward conditional logistic regression. Result shows occurrence of
      traffic accidents was significantly associate with the width of the alleys or (<5
      m: OR = 8.4, 95% CI: 3.3-21.5; 5-8 m: OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.8-12.2), distance from
      home to school((<100 m: OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-2.8), existence of parking lot (OR
      = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.3), traffic congestion (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.6-6.4), traffic
      speed (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.2) and existence of pedestrian bridges(OR = 4.2,
      95% CI: 2.6-6.8). In the light of the important role of environmental factors in
      the occurrence of child traffic accidents, alleviating structural risk factors in
      addition to education and enforcement need more systematic efforts and planning
      by policymakers and urban planners to attain pedestrian safety goals.

PMID- 27282920
TI  - Comparative leaf proteomics of drought-tolerant and -susceptible peanut in
      response to water stress.
AB  - Water stress (WS) predisposes peanut plants to fungal infection resulting in pre
      harvest aflatoxin contamination. Major changes during water stress including
      oxidative stress, lead to destruction of photosynthetic apparatus and other
      macromolecules within cells. Two peanut cultivars with diverse drought tolerance
      characteristics were subjected to WS, and their leaf proteome was compared using
      two-dimensional electrophoresis complemented with MALDI-TOF/TOF mass
      spectrometry. Ninety-six protein spots were differentially abundant to water
      stress in both cultivars that corresponded to 60 non-redundant proteins. Protein
      interaction prediction analysis suggests that 42 unique proteins showed
      interactions in tolerant cultivar while 20 showed interactions in the susceptible
      cultivar, activating other proteins in directed system response networks. Four
      proteins: glutamine ammonia ligase, chitin class II, actin isoform B, and beta
      tubulin, involved in metabolism, defense and cellular biogenesis, are unique in
      tolerant cultivar and showed positive interactions with other proteins. In
      addition, four proteins: serine/threonine protein phosphate PP1, choline
      monooxygenase, peroxidase 43, and SNF1-related protein kinase regulatory subunit
      beta-2, that play a role as cryoprotectants through signal transduction, were
      induced in drought tolerant cultivar following WS. Eleven interologs of these
      proteins were found in Arabidopsis interacting with several proteins and it is
      believed that similar mechanisms/pathways exist in peanut. SIGNIFICANCE: Peanuts
      (Arachis hypogaea L.) are a major source of plant protein grown in subtropical
      and tropical regions of the world. Pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination is a major
      problem that affects peanut crop yield and food safety. Poor understanding of
      molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with aflatoxin resistance is largely
      responsible for the lack of progress in elucidating a process/methodology for
      reducing aflatoxin contamination in peanuts. Drought perturbs the invasion of the
      aflatoxin producing fungus and thus affects the quality and yield of peanut.
      Therefore, more studies involving the effects of drought stress to determine the
      molecular changes will enhance our understanding of the key metabolic pathways
      involved in the combined stresses. The changes associated with the biotic and
      abiotic interactions within the peanut will be used to determine the metabolic
      pathways involved in the stress tolerance. This research would be beneficial in
      identifying the tolerant molecular signatures and promoting food safety and
      consumer health through breeding superior quality peanut cultivars.

PMID- 27282922
TI  - Revisiting Notechis scutatus venom: on shotgun proteomics and neutralization by
      the "bivalent" Sea Snake Antivenom.
AB  - Recent advances in proteomics enable deep profiling of the compositional details
      of snake venoms for improved understanding on envenomation pathophysiology and
      immunological neutralization. In this study, the venom of Australian tiger snake
      (Notechis scutatus) was trypsin-digested in solution and subjected to nano-ESI
      LCMS/MS. Applying a relative quantitative proteomic approach, the findings
      revealed a proteome comprising 42 toxin subtypes clustered into 12 protein
      families. Phospholipases A2 constitute the most abundant toxins (74.5% of total
      venom proteins) followed by Kunitz serine protease inhibitors (6.9%), snake venom
      serine proteases (5.9%), alpha-neurotoxins (5.6%) and several toxins of lower
      abundance. The proteome correlates with N. scutatus envenoming effects including
      pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurotoxicity and consumptive coagulopathy. The
      venom is highly lethal in mice (intravenous median lethal dose=0.09MUg/g). BioCSL
      Sea Snake Antivenom, raised against the venoms of beaked sea snake (Hydrophis
      schistosus) and N. scutatus (added for enhanced immunogenicity), neutralized the
      lethal effect of N. scutatus venom (potency=2.95mg/ml) much more effectively than
      the targeted H.schistosus venom (potency=0.48mg/ml). The combined venom immunogen
      may have improved the neutralization against phospholipases A2 which are abundant
      in both venoms, but not short-neurotoxins which are predominant only in H.
      schistosus venom. SIGNIFICANCE: A shotgun proteomic approach adopted in this
      study revealed the compositional details of the venom of common tiger snake from
      Australia, Notechis scutatus. The proteomic findings provided additional
      information on the relative abundances of toxins and the detection of proteins of
      minor expression unreported previously. The potent lethal effect of the venom was
      neutralized by bioCSL Sea Snake Antivenom, an anticipated finding due to the fact
      that the Sea Snake Antivenom is actually bivalent in nature, being raised against
      a mix of venoms of the beaked sea snake (Hydrophis schistosus) and N. scutatus.
      However, it is surprising to note that bioCSL Sea Snake Antivenom neutralized N.
      scutatus venom much more effectively compared to the targeted sea snake venom by
      a marked difference in potency of approximately 6-fold. This phenomenon may be
      explained by the main difference in the proteomes of the two venoms, where H.
      schistosus venom is dominated by short-neurotoxins in high abundance - this is a
      poorly immunogenic toxin group that has been increasingly recognized in the
      venoms of a few cobras. Further investigations should be directed toward
      strategies to improve the neutralization of short-neurotoxins, in line with the
      envisioned production of an effective pan-regional elapid antivenom.

PMID- 27282921
TI  - Improvement of core-fucosylated glycoproteome coverage via alternating HCD and
      ETD fragmentation.
AB  - Core-fucosylation (CF) plays important roles in regulating biological processes
      in eukaryotes. Alterations of CF-glycosites or CF-glycans in bodily fluids
      correlate with cancer development. Therefore, global research of protein core
      fucosylation with an emphasis on proteomics can explain pathogenic and metastasis
      mechanisms and aid in the discovery of new potential biomarkers for early
      clinical diagnosis. In this study, a precise and high throughput method was
      established to identify CF-glycosites from human plasma. We found that
      alternating HCD and ETD fragmentation (AHEF) can provide a complementary method
      to discover CF-glycosites. A total of 407 CF-glycosites among 267 CF
      glycoproteins were identified in a mixed sample made from six normal human plasma
      samples. Among the 407 CF-glycosites, 10 are without the N-X-S/T/C consensus
      motif, representing 2.5% of the total number identified. All identified CF
      glycopeptide results from HCD and ETD fragmentation were filtered with neutral
      loss peaks and characteristic ions of GlcNAc from HCD spectra, which assured the
      credibility of the results. This study provides an effective method for CF
      glycosites identification and a valuable biomarker reference for clinical
      research. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CF-glycosytion plays an important role in
      regulating biological processes in eukaryotes. Alterations of the glycosites and
      attached CF-glycans are frequently observed in various types of cancers. Thus, it
      is crucial to develop a strategy for mapping human CF-glycosylation. Here, we
      developed a complementary method via alternating HCD and ETD fragmentation (AHEF)
      to analyze CF-glycoproteins. This strategy reveals an excellent complementarity
      of HCD and ETD in the analysis of CF-glycoproteins, and provides a valuable
      biomarker reference for clinical research.

PMID- 27282923
TI  - Hypocholesterolemic and Anticarcinogenic Effect of Vicia faba Protein
      Hydrolyzates.
AB  - In recent years, the consumption of vegetal-source proteins has been studied to
      determine their preventing effect on the development of several chronic diseases.
      The initial purpose of this report was to determine the effect of a
      hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) given to mice, alone or with azoxymethane (AOM),
      on various obesity biochemical biomarkers, as well as on the induction of colon
      aberrant crypts (aberrant crypt foci; ACF). At the end of the 5-week assay,
      animals fed the HCD showed alterations in the level of total cholesterol, high-
      and low-density lipoproteins, and in the Atherogenic Index; besides, a
      significant elevation was observed in the number of ACF. Our second aim was to
      examine the effect of a Faba Protein Hydrolyzate (FPH) on mice fed the HCD. We
      first obtained protein hydrolyzates from the seeds of Vicia faba, determined the
      in vitro antioxidant potential with two tests, and, subsequently, evaluated the
      effect on obesity biomarkers and on the number of ACF. In the first case, we
      found that, generally, the best protective effect was obtained with the low dose
      of FPH (10 mg/kg) administered to animals fed the HCD, and injected AOM. With
      respect to the number of ACF, we observed that this dose was more effective,
      inhibiting such lesions to almost the level determined for the
      normocholesterolemic diet (NCD). Therefore, our results demonstrated the
      relevance of a HCD to develop anomalies in obesity biomarkers in mouse, as well
      as to increase the number of precarcinogenic lesions. Our results also showed a
      protective response with the administration of FPH, particularly with a specific
      dose, suggesting the need for extending research on the matter by widening the
      spectra of doses, in order to clearly define its potential to counteract the
      damage induced by the HCD, as well as to confirm if antioxidation in mice was
      involved in such an effect.

PMID- 27282925
TI  - Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Pregnancy and Maternal-Child Health: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Cohort
      Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during
      pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes
      mellitus (GDM), and preterm birth. However, these results are inconsistent when
      comparing cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). OBJECTIVE: The
      purpose of our study was to compare the associations between LTPA in pregnancy
      and maternal (GDM, preeclampsia, and weight gain during pregnancy) and child
      health outcomes (preterm birth, birthweight, and fetal growth) between RCTs and
      cohort studies. METHODS: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Web of
      Science, and EBSCO up to 31 August 2015. Inclusion criteria for experimental
      studies required randomized trials with a control group and exposure to a
      physical activity structured program. The inclusion criteria for cohort studies
      required information on LTPA during pregnancy as an exposure and at least one
      maternal-child health outcome. We assessed the methodological quality of all
      studies and performed a meta-analysis to produce summary estimates of the effects
      using random models. RESULTS: We included 30 RCTs and 51 cohort studies. The meta
      analysis of RCTs indicated that participation in LTPA was associated with lower
      weight gain during pregnancy, lower likelihood of GDM, and lower likelihood of
      delivering a large-for-gestational-age infant. Cohort studies indicated that
      participation in LTPA was associated with lower weight gain during pregnancy,
      lower likelihood of GDM, and lower risk of preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings support the promotion of LTPA in pregnancy as a strategy to improve
      maternal and child health.

PMID- 27282924
TI  - Skeletal muscle fibroblasts in health and disease.
AB  - As the primary producer of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in skeletal
      muscle, fibroblasts play an important role providing structural support to
      muscle. Skeletal muscle ECM is vital for force transduction from muscle cells to
      tendons and bones to create movement. It is these ECM connections that allow the
      movement created in muscle to be transmitted to our skeleton. This review
      discusses how fibroblasts participate in maintaining this healthy ECM within
      skeletal muscle. Additionally, from a basic science perspective, we discuss
      current methods to identify and study skeletal muscle fibroblasts, as this is
      critical to bettering our understanding of these important cells. Finally,
      skeletal muscle fibrosis is discussed, which is a devastating clinical condition
      characterized by an overproduction of ECM within skeletal muscle. We discuss the
      role that fibroblasts and other cells play in muscle fibrosis as well as the
      implications of this work.

PMID- 27282927
TI  - Erratum: Phosphoprotein network analysis of white adipose tissues unveils
      deregulated pathways in response to high-fat diet.

PMID- 27282926
TI  - Peptic Ulcer and Exercise.
AB  - Relationships between peptic ulcer and physical activity have as yet received
      little attention. The prevalence of ulceration is high in racehorses and sled
      dogs, particularly during periods of competition. In humans, some occupational
      comparisons show an increased risk among manual workers, but it remains difficult
      to separate effects of work-related activity from social class and attendant
      influences of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, shift work, and other
      stressors. Two studies of leisure activity point to some benefit from moderate
      physical activity, one finding a reduced risk of gastric ulcers and the other
      finding no effect on gastric ulcers but a reduced risk of duodenal ulcers in men
      only. Moderate physical activity could have a favorable impact on a number of
      risk factors for peptic ulceration. It could reduce gastric secretions and
      enhance immune function, with the latter reducing the risk of Helicobacter pylori
      infection. Moderate activity might also reduce anxiety and encourage the adoption
      of a healthy lifestyle, with avoidance of smoking and an excessive consumption of
      alcohol. However, prolonged endurance exercise seems likely to have a negative
      impact, suppressing immune function, reducing mucosal blood flow, and calling for
      frequent administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). As
      with other aspects of exercise medicine, there may be a J-shaped relationship
      between dose and response. Limited human observations suggest a favourable
      response to bouts of moderate leisure activity but little benefit from heavy
      occupational activity and, in some animal studies, negative effects at high
      volumes and intensities of exercise. Further research is recommended to confirm
      the nature of this relationship, clarify the location of any nadir of risk for
      various classes of individual, and to explore mechanisms and antidotes.

PMID- 27282928
TI  - Engineering integrated photonics for heralded quantum gates.
AB  - Scaling up linear-optics quantum computing will require multi-photon gates which
      are compact, phase-stable, exhibit excellent quantum interference, and have
      success heralded by the detection of ancillary photons. We investigate the
      design, fabrication and characterisation of the optimal known gate scheme which
      meets these requirements: the Knill controlled-Z gate, implemented in integrated
      laser-written waveguide arrays. We show device performance to be less sensitive
      to phase variations in the circuit than to small deviations in the coupler
      reflectivity, which are expected given the tolerance values of the fabrication
      method. The mode fidelity is also shown to be less sensitive to reflectivity and
      phase errors than the process fidelity. Our best device achieves a fidelity of
      0.931 +/- 0.001 with the ideal 4 * 4 unitary circuit and a process fidelity of
      0.680 +/- 0.005 with the ideal computational-basis process.

PMID- 27282929
TI  - Defining the neuroanatomic basis of motor coordination in children and its
      relationship with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: When children have marked problems with motor coordination, they
      often have problems with attention and impulse control. Here, we map the
      neuroanatomic substrate of motor coordination in childhood and ask whether this
      substrate differs in the presence of concurrent symptoms of attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Participants were 226 children.
      All completed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth
      edition (DSM-5)-based assessment of ADHD symptoms and standardized tests of motor
      coordination skills assessing aiming/catching, manual dexterity and balance.
      Symptoms of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) were determined using
      parental questionnaires. Using 3 Tesla magnetic resonance data, four latent
      neuroanatomic variables (for the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia and
      thalamus) were extracted and mapped onto each motor coordination skill using
      partial least squares pathway modeling. RESULTS: The motor coordination skill of
      aiming/catching was significantly linked to latent variables for both the
      cerebral cortex (t = 4.31, p < 0.0001) and the cerebellum (t = 2.31, p = 0.02).
      This effect was driven by the premotor/motor cortical regions and the superior
      cerebellar lobules. These links were not moderated by the severity of symptoms of
      inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. In categorical analyses, the DCD
      group showed atypical reduction in the volumes of these regions. However, the
      group with DCD alone did not differ significantly from those with DCD and co
      morbid ADHD. CONCLUSIONS: The superior cerebellar lobules and the premotor/motor
      cortex emerged as pivotal neural substrates of motor coordination in children.
      The dimensions of these motor coordination regions did not differ significantly
      between those who had DCD, with or without co-morbid ADHD.

PMID- 27282930
TI  - Polymorphism of IL-10 gene promoter region: association with T cell proliferative
      responses after acellular pertussis vaccination in adults.
AB  - Individual variation in immune responses is always encountered after vaccination.
      This phenomenon is also seen after acellular pertussis vaccination. The aim of
      this present study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) in the IL-10 gene promoter region (rs1800890, rs1800896, rs1800871), IL
      12B (rs2546890), IL-12RB1 (rs372889), IL-17A (rs2275913), and IL-23R (rs11209026)
      affect the immune responses after acellular pertussis vaccination. The T cell
      proliferative response was evaluated in 38 Finnish young adults who received a
      second booster dose of a vaccine combination of diphtheria, tetanus, and
      acellular pertussis, 10 years after the previous booster. The response was
      evaluated with a proliferation assay in which vaccine antigens pertussis toxin
      (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), and pertactin (PRN) were used for the
      stimulation, before and 1 month after the second vaccination. Specific
      proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells against pertussis antigens
      was affected by IL-10 SNP in the promoter region at position -1082 (A>G,
      rs1800896). One month after the vaccination, subjects with the AA and AG
      genotypes had a significantly higher T cell proliferative response against PT and
      FHA compared to those with the GG genotype. Subjects with the GG genotype had the
      lowest responses. As a conclusion, our preliminary results indicate that IL-10
      SNP -1082 might play an important role in T cell-mediated immune responses after
      acellular pertussis vaccination.

PMID- 27282932
TI  - A Framework for Predicting Intraspecific Variation in Plant Defense.
AB  - One of the most well-supported theories regarding the evolution of plant defenses
      is the resource availability hypothesis (RAH). RAH posits that species from high
      resource environments grow fast and allocate little to herbivore-resistance
      traits, whereas those species in low-resource environments grow slow and are
      highly resistant to herbivores. However, within species, how resources influence
      defense is unclear and existing theories make opposing predictions. Here, we
      review studies documenting intraspecific variation in plant defense across
      resource gradients and find little support for RAH. We outline why RAH does not
      apply intraspecifically and present a predictive framework for understanding how
      resources influence intraspecific variation in plant defense. Our framework
      provides an important step towards reconciling inter- versus intraspecific
      strategies of defense.

PMID- 27282931
TI  - Restoring Mitochondrial Function: A Small Molecule-mediated Approach to Enhance
      Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Cholesterol Accumulated Pancreatic beta
      cells.
AB  - Dyslipidemia, particularly the elevated serum cholesterol levels, aggravate the
      pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. In the present study we explored the
      relationship between fasting blood sugar and serum lipid parameters in human
      volunteers which revealed a significant linear effect of serum cholesterol on
      fasting blood glucose. Short term feeding of cholesterol enriched diet to rodent
      model resulted in elevated serum cholesterol levels, cholesterol accumulation in
      pancreatic islets and hyperinsulinemia with modest increase in plasma glucose
      level. To explore the mechanism, we treated cultured BRIN-BD11 pancreatic beta
      cells with soluble cholesterol. Our data shows that cholesterol treatment of
      cultured pancreatic beta cells enhances total cellular cholesterol. While one
      hour cholesterol exposure enhances insulin exocytosis, overnight cholesterol
      accumulation in cultured pancreatic beta cells affects cellular respiration, and
      inhibits Glucose stimulated insulin secretion. We further report that (E)-4
      Chloro-2-(1-(2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) hydrazono) ethyl) phenol (small molecule
      M1) prevents the cholesterol mediated blunting of cellular respiration and
      potentiates Glucose stimulated insulin secretion which was abolished in
      pancreatic beta cells on cholesterol accumulation.

PMID- 27282933
TI  - Slingshot feeding of the goblin shark Mitsukurina owstoni (Pisces: Lamniformes:
      Mitsukurinidae).
AB  - Five striking and prey capture events of two goblin sharks were videotaped at sea
      for the first time, showing their extraordinary biting process. The goblin sharks
      swung their lower jaw downward and backward to attain a huge gape and then
      rapidly protruded the jaws forward a considerable distance. The jaws were
      projected at a maximum velocity of 3.1 m/s to 8.6-9.4% of the total length of the
      shark, which is by far the fastest and greatest jaw protrusion among sharks.
      While the jaws were being retracted, the mouth opened and closed again, which was
      considered a novel feeding event for sharks. Phylogenetic evidence suggested that
      their feeding behavior has evolved as an adaptation to food-poor deep-sea
      environments, possibly as a trade-off for the loss of strong swimming ability.

PMID- 27282935
TI  - Phosphate-a poison for humans?
AB  - Maintenance of phosphate balance is essential for life, and mammals have
      developed a sophisticated system to regulate phosphate homeostasis over the
      course of evolution. However, due to the dependence of phosphate elimination on
      the kidney, humans with decreased kidney function are likely to be in a positive
      phosphate balance. Phosphate excess has been well recognized as a critical factor
      in the pathogenesis of mineral and bone disorders associated with chronic kidney
      disease, but recent investigations have also uncovered toxic effects of phosphate
      on the cardiovascular system and the aging process. Compelling evidence also
      suggests that increased fibroblastic growth factor 23 and parathyroid hormone
      levels in response to a positive phosphate balance contribute to adverse clinical
      outcomes. These insights support the current practice of managing serum phosphate
      in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, although definitive evidence of
      these effects is lacking. Given the potential toxicity of excess phosphate, the
      general population may also be viewed as a target for phosphate management.
      However, the widespread implementation of dietary phosphate intervention in the
      general population may not be warranted due to the limited impact of increased
      phosphate intake on mineral metabolism and clinical outcomes. Nonetheless, the
      increasing incidence of kidney disease or injury in our aging society emphasizes
      the potential importance of this issue. Further work is needed to more completely
      characterize phosphate toxicity and to establish the optimal therapeutic strategy
      for managing phosphate in patients with chronic kidney disease and in the general
      population.

PMID- 27282934
TI  - EWS-FLI1 impairs aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation by blocking tryptophan
      breakdown via the kynurenine pathway.
AB  - Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive pediatric tumor driven by the fusion protein
      EWS-FLI1. We report that EWS-FLI1 suppresses TDO2-mediated tryptophan (TRP)
      breakdown in ES cells. Gene expression and metabolite analyses reveal an EWS-FLI1
      dependent regulation of TRP metabolism. TRP consumption increased in the absence
      of EWS-FLI1, resulting in kynurenine and kynurenic acid accumulation, both aryl
      hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligands. Activated AHR binds to the promoter region of
      target genes. We demonstrate that EWS-FLI1 knockdown results in AHR nuclear
      translocation and activation. Our data suggest that EWS-FLI1 suppresses autocrine
      AHR signaling by inhibiting TDO2-catalyzed TRP breakdown.

PMID- 27282936
TI  - Preventing peritoneal membrane fibrosis in peritoneal dialysis patients.
AB  - Long-term peritoneal dialysis causes morphologic and functional changes in the
      peritoneal membrane. Although mesothelial-mesenchymal transition of peritoneal
      mesothelial cells is a key process leading to peritoneal fibrosis, and
      bioincompatible peritoneal dialysis solutions (glucose, glucose degradation
      products, and advanced glycation end products or a combination) are responsible
      for altering mesothelial cell function and proliferation, mechanisms underlying
      these processes remain largely unclear. Peritoneal fibrosis has 2 cooperative
      parts, the fibrosis process itself and the inflammation. The link between these 2
      processes is frequently bidirectional, with each one inducing the other. This
      review outlines our current understanding about the definition and
      pathophysiology of peritoneal fibrosis, recent studies on key fibrogenic
      molecular machinery in peritoneal fibrosis, such as the role of transforming
      growth factor-beta/Smads, transforming growth factor-beta beta/Smad independent
      pathways, and noncoding RNAs. The diagnosis of peritoneal fibrosis, including
      effluent biomarkers and the histopathology of a peritoneal biopsy, which is the
      gold standard for demonstrating peritoneal fibrosis, is introduced in detail.
      Several interventions for peritoneal fibrosis based on biomarkers, cytology,
      histology, functional studies, and antagonists are presented in this review.
      Recent experimental trials in animal models, including pharmacology and gene
      therapy, which could offer novel insights into the treatment of peritoneal
      fibrosis in the near future, are also discussed in depth.

PMID- 27282937
TI  - Clinicopathological features of acute kidney injury associated with immune
      checkpoint inhibitors.
AB  - Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), monoclonal antibodies that target inhibitory
      receptors expressed on T cells, represent an emerging class of immunotherapy used
      in treating solid organ and hematologic malignancies. We describe the clinical
      and histologic features of 13 patients with CPI-induced acute kidney injury (AKI)
      who underwent kidney biopsy. Median time from initiation of a CPI to AKI was 91
      (range, 21 to 245) days. Pyuria was present in 8 patients, and the median urine
      protein to creatinine ratio was 0.48 (range, 0.12 to 0.98) g/g. An extrarenal
      immune-related adverse event occurred prior to the onset of AKI in 7 patients.
      Median peak serum creatinine was 4.5 (interquartile range, 3.6-7.3) mg/dl with 4
      patients requiring hemodialysis. The prevalent pathologic lesion was acute
      tubulointerstitial nephritis in 12 patients, with 3 having granulomatous
      features, and 1 thrombotic microangiopathy. Among the 12 patients with acute
      tubulointerstitial nephritis, 10 received treatment with glucocorticoids,
      resulting in complete or partial improvement in renal function in 2 and 7
      patients, respectively. However, the 2 patients with acute tubulointerstitial
      nephritis not given glucocorticoids had no improvement in renal function. Thus,
      CPI-induced AKI is a new entity that presents with clinical and histologic
      features similar to other causes of drug-induced acute tubulointerstitial
      nephritis, though with a longer latency period. Glucocorticoids appear to be a
      potentially effective treatment strategy. Hence, AKI due to CPIs may be caused by
      a unique mechanism of action linked to reprogramming of the immune system,
      leading to loss of tolerance.

PMID- 27282939
TI  - Solomon A, Fahey JL, Malmgren RA. Immunohistologic localization of gamma-1
      macroglobulins, beta-2A-myeloma proteins, 6.6 S gamma-myeloma proteins and Bence
      Jones proteins. Blood. 1963;21(4):403-423.

PMID- 27282938
TI  - Vaccination with recombinant RgpA peptide protects against Porphyromonas
      gingivalis-induced bone loss.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Following Porphyromonas gingivalis infection in mice, the efficacy of
      vaccination by recombinant and native RgpA in modulating the early local anti
      inflammatory and immune responses and periodontal bone loss were examined.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the subcutaneous chamber model, exudates were
      analyzed for cytokines after treatment with native RgpA and adjuvant (test), or
      adjuvant and saline alone (controls). Mice were also immunized with recombinant
      RgpA after being orally infected with P. gingivalis. After 6 wk, serum was
      examined for anti-P. gingivalis IgG1 and IgG2a titers and for alveolar bone
      resorption. RESULTS: Immunization with native RgpA shifted the immune response
      toward an anti-inflammatory response as demonstrated by decreased proinflammatory
      cytokine IL-1beta production and greater anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 in
      chamber exudates. Systemically, immunization with recombinant RgpA peptide
      prevented alveolar bone loss by 50%, similar to immunization with heat-killed
      whole bacteria. Furthermore, recombinant RgpA shifted the humoral response toward
      high IgG1 and low IgG2a titers, representing an in vivo anti-inflammatory
      response. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates the potential of RgpA to
      shift the early local immune response toward an anti-inflammatory response while
      vaccination with recRgpA protected against P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis.

PMID- 27282940
TI  - Platelet disorders: the next generation is in.

PMID- 27282941
TI  - The identity crisis of Hif-1alpha in HSC biology.

PMID- 27282942
TI  - BRAF inhibitor: targeted therapy in hairy cell leukemia.

PMID- 27282943
TI  - Novel NF-kappaB regulator in ABC DLBCL.

PMID- 27282944
TI  - Enhancing cytotoxicity of immunotoxins in AML.

PMID- 27282945
TI  - VWF, ADAMTS13, and acute coronary syndromes.

PMID- 27282947
TI  - Development of immune organs and functioning in humans and test animals:
      Implications for immune intervention studies.
AB  - A healthy immune status is mostly determined during early life stages and many
      immune-related diseases may find their origin in utero and the first years of
      life. Therefore, immune health optimization may be most effective during early
      life. This review is an inventory of immune organ maturation events in relation
      to developmental timeframes in minipig, rat, mouse and human. It is concluded
      that time windows of immune organ development in rodents can be translated to
      human, but minipig reflects the human timeframes better; however the lack of
      prenatal maternal-fetal immune interaction in minipig may cause less
      responsiveness to prenatal intervention. It is too early to conclude which immune
      parameters are most appropriate, because there are not enough comparative immune
      parameters. Filling these gaps will increase the predictability of results
      observed in experimental animals, and guide future intervention studies by
      assessing relevant parameters in the right corresponding developmental time
      frames.

PMID- 27282948
TI  - Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and heart defects.

PMID- 27282946
TI  - E2F1-miR-20a-5p/20b-5p auto-regulatory feedback loop involved in myoblast
      proliferation and differentiation.
AB  - miR-17 family microRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial for embryo development, however,
      their role in muscle development is still unclear. miR-20a-5p and miR-20b-5p
      belong to the miR-17 family and are transcribed from the miR-17~92 and miR
      106a~363 clusters respectively. In this study, we found that miR-20a-5p and miR
      20b-5p promoted myoblast differentiation and repressed myoblast proliferation by
      directly binding the 3' UTR of E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) mRNA. E2F1 is an
      important transcriptional factor for organism's normal development.
      Overexpression of E2F1 in myoblasts promoted myoblast proliferation and inhibited
      myoblast differentiation. Conversely, E2F1 inhibition induced myoblast
      differentiation and repressed myoblast proliferation. Moreover, E2F1 can bind
      directly to promoters of the miR-17~92 and miR-106a~363 clusters and activate
      their transcription, and E2F1 protein expression is correlated with the
      expression of pri-miR-17~92 and pri-miR-106a~363 during myoblast differentiation.
      These results suggested an auto-regulatory feedback loop between E2F1 and miR-20a
      5p/20b-5p, and indicated that miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p and E2F1 are involved in
      myoblast proliferation and differentiation through the auto-regulation between
      E2F1 and miR-20a-5p/20b-5p. These findings provide new insight into the mechanism
      of muscle differentiation, and further shed light on the understanding of muscle
      development and muscle diseases.

PMID- 27282950
TI  - The histopathological structures of the extrapleural hematoma wall: A case
      report.
AB  - Extrapleural hematoma is a rare condition in which blood is present in the
      extrapleural space, which sometimes causes death due to respiratory failure.
      Although a single low-density stripe, called a "displaced extrapleural fat sign,"
      can be detected in chest computed tomographic (CT) scans, no reports have
      confirmed this structure histopathologically. We performed an autopsy on a
      patient with extrapleural hematoma who died of respiratory failure. An
      extrapleural fat sign was detected on the antemortem CT. We investigated the wall
      structure histopathologically. The hematoma wall was composed of parietal pleura,
      a sub-pleural layer, an extrapleural fat layer and endothoracic fascia. The case
      indicated that extrapleural hematoma occurs at the endothoracic fascia. 

PMID- 27282949
TI  - Effects of nano-TiO2 -LDPE packaging on postharvest quality and antioxidant
      capacity of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) stored at refrigeration
      temperature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nano-TiO2 -low-density polyethylene (NTLDPE) packaging was prepared,
      and the effects of NTLDPE packaging on quality and antioxidant capacity of
      strawberry fruits were investigated. RESULTS: With increased barrier properties,
      NTLDPE packaging quickly formed a relative lower O2 and higher CO2 air
      composition in comparison with LDPE. It was also more efficient in maintaining
      the overall quality of strawberry fruit, as reflected by lower decay rate and
      weight loss, as well as retarding the decrease in firmness and titratable acid.
      Meanwhile, reactive oxygen species (ROS) including superoxide anion and hydrogen
      peroxide in NTLDPE-packed fruits were 10.8% and 21.9% lower, respectively.
      Furthermore, the activities of antioxidant enzymes involved in ROS scavenging in
      NTLDPE-packed fruits were significantly higher at the later period of storage
      time. Anthocyanin accumulation was inhibited, whereas ascorbic acid and total
      phenolics contents were better retained and 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical
      scavenging activity was 13.2% higher in NTLDPE-packed fruit by the end of
      storage. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that the beneficial effects of NTLDPE
      packaging on postharvest quality and antioxidant capacity of strawberry are
      probably associated with the promotion of ROS scavenging and related antioxidant
      enzyme activities, and NTLDPE packaging together with refrigeration storage is a
      promising method for strawberry fruit preservation. (c) 2016 Society of Chemical
      Industry.

PMID- 27282951
TI  - Recreational inhalation of butane and propane in adolescents: Two forensic cases
      of accidental death.
AB  - The recreational use of inhalants is a fairly widespread habit among adolescents
      because of the ease of availability and methods of assumption. Their use is
      however not free of risks, both for direct toxicity on several target organs and
      for a mechanism of gas replacement with lack of oxygen. The first case concerns a
      12-year-old boy who died suddenly after sniffing a mix of butane and propane
      contained in a can of air freshener. The second case concerns a 14-year-old boy
      who died by acute poisoning by the same mixture contained in a refill for
      lighters. High concentrations of the compounds were found in the tissues by
      analysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The compounds found in
      tissues and biological fluids were perfectly compatible with those contained in
      the containers used for the inhalation. The mechanisms of death were therefore
      assessed in a combination of the direct toxicity of the compound and oxygen
      replacement, thus highlighting the crucial help that toxicological analyses can
      provide in such cases. 

PMID- 27282952
TI  - Testosterone Administration Moderates Effect of Social Environment on Trust in
      Women Depending on Second-to-Fourth Digit Ratio.
AB  - Animal research has established that effects of hormones on social behaviour
      depend on characteristics of both individual and environment. Insight from
      research on humans into this interdependence is limited, though. Specifically,
      hardly any prior testosterone experiments in humans scrutinized the
      interdependency of testosterone with the social environment. Nonetheless, recent
      testosterone administration studies in humans repeatedly show that a proxy for
      individuals' prenatal testosterone-to-estradiol ratio, second-to-fourth digit
      ratio (2D:4D ratio), influences effects of testosterone administration on human
      social behaviour. Here, we systematically vary the characteristics of the social
      environment and show that, depending on prenatal sex hormone priming,
      testosterone administration in women moderates the effect of the social
      environment on trust. We use the economic trust game and compare one-shot games
      modelling trust problems in relations between strangers with repeated games
      modelling trust problems in ongoing relations between partners. As expected,
      subjects are more trustful in repeated than in one-shot games. In subjects
      prenatally relatively highly primed by testosterone, however, this effect
      disappears after testosterone administration. We argue that impairments in
      cognitive empathy may reduce the repeated game effect on trust after testosterone
      administration in subjects with relatively high prenatal testosterone exposure
      and propose a neurobiological explanation for this effect.

PMID- 27282953
TI  - Internal guide RNA interactions interfere with Cas9-mediated cleavage.
AB  - The CRISPR/Cas system uses guide RNAs (gRNAs) to direct sequence-specific DNA
      cleavage. Not every gRNA elicits cleavage and the mechanisms that govern gRNA
      activity have not been resolved. Low activity could result from either failure to
      form a functional Cas9-gRNA complex or inability to recognize targets in vivo.
      Here we show that both phenomena influence Cas9 activity by comparing mutagenesis
      rates in zebrafish embryos with in vitro cleavage assays. In vivo, our results
      suggest that genomic factors such as CTCF inhibit mutagenesis. Comparing near
      identical gRNA sequences with different in vitro activities reveals that internal
      gRNA interactions reduce cleavage. Even though gRNAs containing these structures
      do not yield cleavage-competent complexes, they can compete with active gRNAs for
      binding to Cas9. These results reveal that both genomic context and internal gRNA
      interactions can interfere with Cas9-mediated cleavage and illuminate previously
      uncharacterized features of Cas9-gRNA complex formation.

PMID- 27282954
TI  - Handheld reflectance confocal microscopy for the diagnosis of molluscum
      contagiosum: Histopathology and dermoscopy correlation.
AB  - Handheld reflectance confocal microscopy may represent an adjunctive, fast, non
      invasive tool for the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum, revealing microscopic
      details closely related to histopathology, as demonstrated by this study
      evaluating 19 molluscum lesions in 11 patients. It permits the rapid examination
      of one or multiple skin lesions in real time and it is perfectly suitable for
      children.

PMID- 27282956
TI  - MicroRNAs in oral lichen planus and potential miRNA-mRNA pathogenesis with
      essential cytokines: a review.
AB  - Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a potentially premalignant condition with unknown
      pathogenesis. Immune and inflammatory factors are thought to play important roles
      in the development of OLP, and cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-gamma and
      tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, can act as critical players in the
      immunopathogenesis of OLP. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are closely correlated with
      cytokines in various inflammation-related diseases. In patients with OLP, miRNA
      146a and miRNA-155 are increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and
      numerous miRNAs have been shown to exhibit altered expression profiles in
      lesions. Although the microRNA-messenger RNA (miRNA-mRNA) network is thought to
      be involved in the development of OLP, in-depth studies are lacking. Here, we
      summarize current data on the mechanisms of action of miRNAs regulating typical
      cytokines in OLP, including interleukin (IL)-10, IL-17, IL-22, IFN-gamma, and TNF
      alpha, to study the genetic basis of the pathogenesis of OLP and to provide
      prospects of therapy. 

PMID- 27282955
TI  - A faulty interaction between SOD1 and hCCS in neurodegenerative disease.
AB  - A proportion of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases result from impaired
      mutant superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) maturation. The copper chaperone for SOD1
      (hCCS) forms a transient complex with SOD1 and catalyses the final stages of its
      maturation. We find that a neurodegenerative disease-associated hCCS mutation
      abrogates the interaction with SOD1 by inhibiting hCCS zinc binding. Analogously,
      SOD1 zinc loss has a detrimental effect on the formation, structure and
      disassociation of the hCCS-SOD1 heterodimer. This suggests that hCCS
      functionality is impaired by ALS mutations that reduce SOD1 zinc affinity.
      Furthermore, stabilization of wild-type SOD1 by chemical modification including
      cisplatination, inhibits complex formation. We hypothesize that drug molecules
      designed to stabilize ALS SOD1 mutants that also target the wild-type form will
      lead to characteristics common in SOD1 knock-outs. Our work demonstrates the
      applicability of chromatographic SAXS when studying biomolecules predisposed to
      aggregation or dissociation; attributes frequently reported for complexes
      involved in neurodegenerative disease.

PMID- 27282957
TI  - Successful Treatment of Keratosis Pilaris Rubra with Pulsed Dye Laser.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Keratosis pilaris rubra is a common but rarely reported condition
      characterized by follicular-based hyperkeratotic papules on a background of
      erythema. It can be embarrassing and symptomatic for patients, particularly
      adolescent boys. We sought to explore the efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) in
      the treatment of keratosis pilaris rubra. METHODS: Eight patients were treated
      with PDL for keratosis pilaris rubra. RESULTS: All patients reported noticeable
      improvement after one to four treatments. CONCLUSIONS: PDL is an effective,
      easily accessible, and underused therapy in the treatment of keratosis pilaris
      rubra.

PMID- 27282958
TI  - Droplet Enhanced Fluorescence for Ultrasensitive Detection Using Inkjet.
AB  - A fluorescence enhanced phenomenon was found within a micrometer-sized liquid
      droplet, and it was adopted to construct droplet enhanced fluorescence (DEF) for
      ultrasensitive fluorescence detection. In this paper, an inkjet was utilized to
      eject perfect spherical droplets to construct a microspherical resonator and to
      develop a DEF system. It was utilized to implement ultrasensitive fluorescence
      detection in a liquid specimen with a volume of several microliters. The DEF
      detection of fluorescent molecules, fluorescein sodium, was used as a model to
      validate the proposed enhanced fluorescence detection method. A low limit of
      detection (LOD) for fluorescein sodium of 124 pM was obtained. The sensitive
      detection of single stranded DNA (ssDNA) was experimentally completed, with a
      wide range of linearity with a LOD of 312 pM. The proposed mechanism can be used
      as an ultrasensitive detection technique for analyzing microliters of liquid
      samples.

PMID- 27282959
TI  - The modulation of Schottky barriers of metal-MoS2 contacts via BN-MoS2
      heterostructures.
AB  - Using first-principles calculations within density functional theory, we
      systematically studied the effect of BN-MoS2 heterostructure on the Schottky
      barriers of metal-MoS2 contacts. Two types of FETs are designed according to the
      area of the BN-MoS2 heterostructure. Results show that the vertical and lateral
      Schottky barriers in all the studied contacts, irrespective of the work function
      of the metal, are significantly reduced or even vanish when the BN-MoS2
      heterostructure substitutes the monolayer MoS2. Only the n-type lateral Schottky
      barrier of Au/BN-MoS2 contact relates to the area of the BN-MoS2 heterostructure.
      Notably, the Pt-MoS2 contact with n-type character is transformed into a p-type
      contact upon substituting the monolayer MoS2 by a BN-MoS2 heterostructure. These
      changes of the contact natures are ascribed to the variation of Fermi level
      pinning, work function and charge distribution. Analysis demonstrates that the
      Fermi level pinning effects are significantly weakened for metal/BN-MoS2 contacts
      because no gap states dominated by MoS2 are formed, in contrast to those of metal
      MoS2 contacts. Although additional BN layers reduce the interlayer interaction
      and the work function of the metal, the Schottky barriers of metal/BN-MoS2
      contacts still do not obey the Schottky-Mott rule. Moreover, different from metal
      MoS2 contacts, the charges transfer from electrodes to the monolayer MoS2,
      resulting in an increment of the work function of these metals in metal/BN-MoS2
      contacts. These findings may prove to be instrumental in the future design of new
      MoS2-based FETs with ohmic contact or p-type character. 

PMID- 27282960
TI  - Body weight support impacts lateral stability during treadmill walking.
AB  - Body weight support (BWS) systems are a common tool used in gait rehabilitation.
      BWS systems may alter the requirements for an individual to actively stabilize by
      1) providing lateral restoring forces that reduce the requirements for the
      nervous system to actively stabilize and 2) decreasing the stabilizing
      gravitational moment in the frontal plane, which could increase the requirements
      to actively stabilize. The goal of the current study was to quantify the
      interaction between BWS and lateral stability. We hypothesized that when able
      bodied people walk with BWS: 1) the lateral restoring forces provided by BWS
      would reduce the requirements to stabilize in the frontal plane when comparing
      dynamically similar gaits, and 2) increasing BWS would decrease the stabilizing
      gravitational moment in the frontal plane and increase the requirements to
      stabilize when speed is constrained. Our findings partly support these
      hypotheses, but indicate a complex interaction between BWS and lateral stability.
      With BWS, subjects significantly decreased step width variability and
      significantly increased step width (p<0.05) for both the dynamically similar and
      Speed-Matched conditions. The decrease in step width variability may be
      attributable to a combination of lateral restoring forces decreasing the
      mechanical requirements to stabilize and an enhanced sense of position that could
      have improved locomotor control. Increases in step width when walking with high
      levels of BWS could have been due to decreases in the gravitational moment about
      the stance limb, which may challenge the control of stability in multiple planes.

PMID- 27282962
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 27282961
TI  - Physiological vortices in the sinuses of Valsalva: An in vitro approach for bio
      prosthetic valves.
AB  - PURPOSE: The physiological flow dynamics within the Valsalva sinuses, in terms of
      global and local parameters, are still not fully understood. This study attempts
      to identify the physiological conditions as closely as possible, and to give an
      explanation of the different and sometime contradictory results in literature.
      METHODS: An in vitro approach was implemented for testing porcine bio-prosthetic
      valves operating within different aortic root configurations. All tests were
      performed on a pulse duplicator, under physiological pressure and flow
      conditions. The fluid dynamics established in the various cases were analysed by
      means of 2D Particle Image Velocimetry, and related with the achieved
      hydrodynamic performance. RESULTS: Each configuration is associated with
      substantially different flow dynamics, which significantly affects the valve
      performance. The configuration most closely replicating healthy native anatomy
      was characterised by the best hemodynamic performance, and any mismatch in size
      and position between the valve and the root produced substantial modification of
      the fluid dynamics downstream of the valve, hindering the hydrodynamic
      performance of the system. The worst conditions were observed for a configuration
      characterised by the total absence of the Valsalva sinuses. CONCLUSION: This
      study provides an explanation for the different vortical structures described in
      the literature downstream of bioprosthetic valves, enlightening the experimental
      complications in valve testing. Most importantly, the results clearly identify
      the fluid mechanisms promoted by the Valsalva sinuses to enhance the ejection and
      closing phases, and this study exposes the importance of an optimal integration
      of the valve and root, to operate as a single system.

PMID- 27282963
TI  - The first single responders in Sweden - Evaluation of a pre-hospital single
      staffed unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Single responder (SR) systems have been implemented in several
      countries. When the very first SR system in Sweden was planned, it was criticised
      because of concerns about sending single emergency nurses out on alerts. In the
      present study, the first Swedish SR unit was studied in order to register waiting
      times and assess the working environment. METHOD: Quantitative data were
      collected from the ambulance dispatch register. Data on the working environment
      were collected using a questionnaire sent to the SR staff. RESULTS: The SR system
      reduced the average patient waiting time from 26 to 13min. It also reduced the
      number of ambulance transports by 35% following triage of patient(s) priority
      determined by the SR. The staff perceived the working environment to be adequate.
      CONCLUSION: The SR unit was successful in that it reduced waiting times to
      prehospital health care. Contrary to expectations, it proved to be an adequate
      working environment. There is good reason to believe that SR systems will spread
      throughout the country. In order to enhance in depth the statistical analysis,
      additional should be collected over a longer time period and from more than one
      SR unit.

PMID- 27282964
TI  - Preclinical evaluation of olaparib and metformin combination in BRCA1 wildtype
      ovarian cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: BRCA mutated ovarian cancers show increased responsiveness to PARP
      inhibitors. PARP inhibitors target DNA repair and provide a second hit to BRCA
      mutated tumors, resulting in "synthetic lethality". We investigated a combination
      of metformin and olaparib to provide "synthetic lethality" in BRCA intact ovarian
      cancer cells. METHODS: Ovarian cancer cell lines (UWB1.289, UWB1.289.BRCA, SKOV3,
      OVCAR5, A2780 and C200) were treated with a combination of metformin and
      olaparib. Cell viability was assessed by MTT and colony formation assays. Flow
      cytometry was used to detect cell cycle events. In vivo studies were performed in
      SKOV3 or A2780 xenografts in nude mice. Animals were treated with single agent,
      metformin or olaparib or combination. Molecular downstream effects were examined
      by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared to single drug treatment, combination
      of olaparib and metformin resulted in significant reduction of cell proliferation
      and colony formation (p<0.001) in ovarian cancer cells. This treatment was
      associated with a significant S-phase cell cycle arrest (p<0.05). Combination of
      olaparib and metformin significantly inhibited SKOV3 and A2780 ovarian tumor
      xenografts which were accompanied with decreased Ki-index (p<0.001). Metformin
      did not affect DNA damage signaling, while olaparib induced adenosine
      monophosphate activated kinase activation; that was further potentiated with
      metformin combination in vivo. CONCLUSION: Combining PARP inhibitors with
      metformin enhances its anti-proliferative activity in BRCA mutant ovarian cancer
      cells. Furthermore, the combination showed significant activity in BRCA intact
      cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This is a promising treatment regimen for
      women with epithelial ovarian cancer irrespective of BRCA status.

PMID- 27282965
TI  - Prognostic Utility of Immunoprofiling in Colon Cancer: Results from a
      Prospective, Multicenter Nodal Ultrastaging Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retrospective data indicate that immunoprofiling of T cell markers
      can be prognostic in colon cancer. Prospective T cell immunoprofiling of colon
      cancer has not been well defined for patients whose lymph nodes are ultrastaged.
      STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort was selected from patients enrolled in an
      ongoing phase II multicenter trial of nodal ultrastaging for colon cancer.
      Primary tumor specimens from 89 patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry
      for the T cells CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), and FOXP3(+). Lymphocyte populations were
      quantified with digital image analysis. Results were examined for their
      association with 5-year disease-free survival along with TNM stage and
      clinicopathologic variables. RESULTS: Longer disease-free survival was associated
      with higher CD3(+) counts at the invasive margin (IM) (p = 0.005), higher CD8(+)
      counts at the tumor center (TC) and IM (p = 0.002), a lower CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio
      at the TC+IM (p = 0.027), and a higher CD8(+)/FOXP3(+) ratio at the TC+IM (p =
      0.020). After multivariable analysis, CD8(+) at the TC+IM (p = 0.002), the
      CD8(+)/FOXP3(+) ratio at the TC+IM (p = 0.004), and the number of tumor-positive
      lymph nodes (p = 0.003) remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first
      prospective demonstration of the prognostic utility of immunoprofiling in colon
      cancer after nodal ultrastaging. Staging based on tumor immunoprofile can augment
      TNM staging and provide targets for specific immunotherapies.

PMID- 27282967
TI  - Ebselen alters cellular oxidative status and induces endoplasmic reticulum stress
      in rat hippocampal astrocytes.
AB  - Ebselen (2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one) is an organoselenium radical
      scavenger compound, which has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
      Because of its properties, it may be protective against injury to the nervous
      tissue. However, evidence suggests that its glutathione peroxidase activity could
      underlie certain deleterious actions on cell physiology. In this study we have
      analyzed the effect of ebselen on rat hippocampal astrocytes in culture. Cellular
      oxidative status, cytosolic free-Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]c), setting of
      endoplasmic reticulum stress and phosphorylation of glial fibrillary acidic
      protein and major mitogen-activated protein kinases were analyzed. Our results
      show that ebselen induced a concentration-dependent increase in the generation of
      reactive oxygen species in the mitochondria. We observed a concentration
      dependent increase in global cysteine oxidation and in the level of
      malondialdehyde in the presence of ebselen. We also detected increases in
      catalase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase activity. Ebselen
      also evoked a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca(2+)]c. Moreover, we
      observed a concentration-dependent increase in the phosphorylation of the
      unfolded protein response markers, eukaryotic translation initiation factor
      2alpha and X-box binding protein 1. Finally, ebselen also induced an increase in
      the phosphorylation of glial fibrillary acidic protein, SAPK/JNK, p38 MAPK and
      p44/42 MAPK. Our results provide strong evidence that implicate endoplasmic
      reticulum stress and activation of crucial mitogen-activated protein kinases in
      an oxidative damage of cells in the presence of ebselen. The compound thus might
      exert deleterious actions on astrocyte physiology that could compromise their
      function.

PMID- 27282968
TI  - Estimation of L-threonine requirements for Longyan laying ducks.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted to test six threonine (Thr) levels (0.39%,
      0.44%, 0.49%, 0.54%, 0.59%, and 0.64%) to estimate the optimal dietary Thr
      requirements for Longyan laying ducks from 17 to 45 wk of age. METHODS: Nine
      hundred Longyan ducks aged 17 wk were assigned randomly to the six dietary
      treatments, where each treatment comprised six replicate pens with 25 ducks per
      pen. RESULTS: Increasing the Thr level enhanced egg production, egg weight, egg
      mass, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (linearly or quadratically; p<0.05).
      The Haugh unit score, yolk color, albumen height, and the weight, percentage,
      thickness, and breaking strength of the eggshell did not response to increases in
      the Thr levels, but the albumen weight and its proportion increased significantly
      (p<0.05), whereas the yolk weight and its proportion decreased significantly as
      the Thr levels increased. CONCLUSION: According to a regression model, the
      optimal Thr requirement for egg production, egg mass, and FCR in Longyan ducks is
      0.57%, while 0.58% is the optimal level for egg weight from 17 to 45 wk of age.

PMID- 27282966
TI  - Translating microfluidics: Cell separation technologies and their barriers to
      commercialization.
AB  - Advances in microfluidic cell sorting have revolutionized the ways in which cell
      containing fluids are processed, now providing performances comparable to, or
      exceeding, traditional systems, but in a vastly miniaturized format. These
      technologies exploit a wide variety of physical phenomena to manipulate cells and
      fluid flow, such as magnetic traps, sound waves and flow-altering micropatterns,
      and they can evaluate single cells by immobilizing them onto surfaces for
      chemotherapeutic assessment, encapsulate cells into picoliter droplets for
      toxicity screenings and examine the interactions between pairs of cells in
      response to new, experimental drugs. However, despite the massive surge of
      innovation in these high-performance lab-on-a-chip devices, few have undergone
      successful commercialization, and no device has been translated to a widely
      distributed clinical commodity to date. Persistent challenges such as an
      increasingly saturated patent landscape as well as complex user interfaces are
      among several factors that may contribute to their slowed progress. In this
      article, we identify several of the leading microfluidic technologies for sorting
      cells that are poised for clinical translation; we examine the principal barriers
      preventing their routine clinical use; finally, we provide a prospectus to
      elucidate the key criteria that must be met to overcome those barriers. Once
      established, these tools may soon transform how clinical labs study various
      ailments and diseases by separating cells for downstream sequencing and enabling
      other forms of advanced cellular or sub-cellular analysis. (c) 2016 International
      Clinical Cytometry Society.

PMID- 27282969
TI  - Effects of dietary marigold extract supplementation on growth performance,
      pigmentation, antioxidant capacity and meat quality in broiler chickens.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary
      supplementation with marigold extract on growth performance, pigmentation,
      antioxidant capacity and meat quality in broiler chickens. METHODS: A total of
      320 one-day-old Arbor Acres chickens were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8
      replicates of 8 chickens each. The chickens of control group were fed with basal
      diet and other experimental groups were fed with basal diet supplemented with
      0.075%, 0.15%, 0.30%, and 0.60% marigold extract respectively (the corresponding
      concentrations of lutein were 15, 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg). RESULTS: The results
      showed that marigold extract supplementation increased the yellowness values of
      shank, beak, skin and muscle and the redness (a*) value of thigh muscle (linear,
      p<0.01). Marigold extract supplementation significantly increased the total
      antioxidant capacity, and the activities of superoxide dismutase in liver and
      thigh muscle (linear, p<0.01) and significantly decreased the malondialdehyde
      contents of liver and thigh muscle (linear, p<0.01). Marigold extract
      supplementation significantly decreased the drip loss and shear force of thigh
      muscles (linear, p<0.01). There was no significant effect on growth performance
      with marigold extract supplementation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, dietary
      supplementation of marigold extract significantly increased the yellowness values
      of carcass, antioxidant capacity and meat quality in broiler chickens.

PMID- 27282970
TI  - Effects of Octacosanol Extracted from Rice Bran on the Laying Performance, Egg
      Quality and Blood Metabolites of Laying Hens.
AB  - A 42-d study with 384 Hy-line brown laying hens was conducted to assess the
      effects of dietary octacosanol supplementation on laying performance, egg quality
      and blood metabolites of laying hens. Hens were randomly allocated into 4 dietary
      groups of 8 cages each, which were fed basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control),
      9 (OCT9), 18 (OCT18), and 27 (OCT27) mg/kg diet of octacosanol isolated from rice
      bran, respectively. The experiment was conducted in an environmental controlled
      house and hens were fed twice daily for ad libitum intake. Laying performance was
      determined over the 42-d period, and egg quality as well as blood metabolites
      were estimated on d 21 and d 42. Diets in OCT18 and OCT27 increased (p<0.05)
      laying rate, egg weight, egg mass, egg albumen height, Haugh unit and eggshell
      strength on d 42, but decreased (p<0.05) feed conversion rate and levels of total
      cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum as
      compared to those of Control. Feed intake, yolk color, yolk diameter, eggshell
      thickness and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were similar (p>0.05) among
      treatments. Results demonstrate that supplementing 18 to 27 mg/kg diet of rice
      bran octacosanol can improve laying rate and egg quality and reduce blood lipid
      of laying hens. 

PMID- 27282971
TI  - Black gram (Vigna Mungo L.) foliage supplementation to crossbred cows: effects on
      feed intake, nutrient digestibility and milk production.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dietary
      supplementation of dried and ground foliage of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) on
      feed intake and utilization, and production performance of crossbred lactating
      cows. METHODS: Eighteen lactating crossbred (Bos taurus*Bos indicus) cows (body
      weight 330.93+/- 10.82 kg) at their second and mid lactation (milk yield 6.77+/
      0.54 kg/d) were randomly divided into three groups of six each in a completely
      randomized block design. Three supplements were formulated by quantitatively
      replacing 0, 50, and 100 per cent of dietary wheat bran of concentrate mixture
      with dried and ground foliage of black gram. The designated supplement was fed to
      each group with basal diet of rice straw (ad libitum) to meet the requirements
      for maintenance and milk production. Daily feed intake and milk yield was
      recorded. A digestion trial was conducted to determine the total tract
      digestibility of various nutrients. RESULTS: The daily feed intake was increased
      (p<0.05) with the supplementation of black gram foliage. Although the
      digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ether extract did
      not vary (p>0.05), the fibre digestibility was increased (p<0.05), which
      ultimately improved (p<0.05) the total digestible nutrients content of composite
      diet. Although, the average milk yield (kg/animal/d) and composition did not
      differ (p>0.05) among the groups, milk yield was increased by 10 per cent with
      total replacement of wheat bran in concentrate mixture with of black gram
      foliage. The economics of milk production calculated as feed cost per kg milk
      yield (INR 10.61 vs 7.98) was reduced by complete replacement of wheat bran with
      black gram foliage. CONCLUSION: Black gram foliage could be used as complete
      replacement for wheat bran in concentrate mixture of dairy cows in formulating
      least cost ration for economic milk production in small holders' animal
      production.

PMID- 27282972
TI  - Heat tolerance in Brazilian hair sheep.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate heat tolerance using heat
      tolerance indices, physiological, physical, thermographic, and hematological
      parameters in Santa Ines and Morada Nova sheep breeds in the Federal District,
      Brazil. METHODS: Twenty-six adult hair sheep, one and a half years old, from two
      genetic groups (Santa Ines: 12 males and 4 females; Morada Nova: 7 males and 3
      females) were used and data (rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate,
      skin temperatures; hematological parameters) were collected during three
      consecutive days, twice a day (morning and afternoon), with a total of six
      repetitions. Also physical parameters (biometric measurements, skin and hair
      traits) and heat tolerance indices (temperature-humidity index, Iberia and
      Benezra) were evaluated. The analyses included analyses of variance, correlation,
      and principal components with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The
      environmental indices, in general, indicate a situation of thermal discomfort for
      the animals during the afternoon. Breed significantly influenced (p<0.001)
      physiological and physical characteristics of skin, hair, biometric measurements
      and Iberia and Benezra heat tolerance indices. Santa Ines animals were bigger and
      had longer, greater number and darker hair, thicker skin, greater respiratory
      rate and Benezra index and lower Iberia index compared with Morada Nova breed.
      CONCLUSION: Although both breeds can be considered adapted to the environmental
      conditions of the region, Morada Nova breed is most suitable for farming in the
      Midwest region. The positive correlation found between the thermographic
      temperatures and physiological parameters indicates that this technique can be
      used to evaluate thermal comfort. Also, it has the advantage that animals do not
      have to be handled, which favors animal welfare.

PMID- 27282973
TI  - Genetic correlations between first parity and accumulated second to last parity
      reproduction traits as selection aids to improve sow lifetime productivity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to estimate genetic correlations
      between number of piglets born alive in the first parity (NBA1), litter birth
      weight in the first parity (LTBW1), number of piglets weaned in the first parity
      (NPW1), litter weaning weight in the first parity (LTWW1), number of piglets born
      alive from second to last parity (NBA2+), litter birth weight from second to last
      parity (LTBW2+), number of piglets weaned from second to last parity (NPW2+) and
      litter weaning weight from second to last parity (LTWW2+), and to identify the
      percentages of animals (the top 10%, 25%, and 50%) for first parity and sums of
      second and later parity traits. METHODS: The 9,830 records consisted of 2,124
      Landrace (L), 724 Yorkshire (Y), 2,650 LY, and 4,332 YL that had their first
      farrowing between July 1989 and December 2013. The 8-trait animal model included
      the fixed effects of first farrowing year-season, additive genetic group,
      heterosis of the sow and the litter, age at first farrowing, and days to weaning
      (NPW1, LTWW1, NPW2+, and LTWW2+). Random effects were animal and residual.
      RESULTS: Heritability estimates ranged from 0.08+/-0.02 (NBA1 and NPW1) to 0.29+/
      0.02 (NPW2+). Genetic correlations between reproduction traits in the first
      parity and from second to last parity ranged from 0.17+/-0.08 (LTBW1 and LTBW2+)
      to 0.67+/-0.06 (LTWW1 and LTWW2+). Phenotypic correlations between reproduction
      traits in the first parity and from second to last parity were close to zero.
      Rank correlations between LTWW1 and LTWW2+ estimated breeding value tended to be
      higher than for other pairs of traits across all replacement percentages.
      CONCLUSION: These rank correlations indicated that selecting boars and sows using
      genetic predictions for first parity reproduction traits would help improve
      reproduction traits in the second and later parities as well as lifetime
      productivity in this swine population.

PMID- 27282974
TI  - Supplementation of Dried Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) on Growth Performance,
      Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Profiles in Weaning Pigs.
AB  - This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dried mealworm
      (Tenebrio molitor larva) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood
      profiles in weaning pigs. A total of 120 weaning pigs (28+/-3 days and 8.04+/
      0.08 kg of body weight) were allotted to one of five treatments, based on sex and
      body weight, in 6 replicates with 4 pigs per pen by a randomized complete block
      design. Supplementation level of dried mealworm was 0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, or 6.0%
      in experimental diet as treatment. Two phase feeding programs (phase I from 0 day
      to 14 day, phase II from 14 day to 35 day) were used in this experiment. All
      animals were allowed to access diet and water ad libitum. During phase I,
      increasing level of dried mealworm in diet linearly improved the body weight
      (p<0.01), average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.01) and average daily feed intake (ADFI)
      (p<0.01). During phase II, ADG also tended to increase linearly when pigs were
      fed higher level of dried mealworm (p = 0.08). In addition, increasing level of
      dried mealworm improved the ADG (p<0.01), ADFI (p<0.05) and tended to increase
      gain to feed ratio (p = 0.07) during the whole experimental period. As dried
      mealworm level was increased, nitrogen retention and digestibility of dry matter
      as well as crude protein were linearly increased (p = 0.05). In the results of
      blood profiles, decrease of blood urea nitrogen (linear, p = 0.05) and increase
      of insulin-like growth factor (linear, p = 0.03) were observed as dried mealworm
      was increased in diet during phase II. However, there were no significant
      differences in immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG concentration by addition of dried
      mealworm in the growth trial. Consequently, supplementation of dried mealworm up
      to 6% in weaning pigs' diet improves growth performance and nutrient
      digestibility without any detrimental effect on immune responses. 

PMID- 27282975
TI  - Effects of Dietary Energy Levels on the Physiological Parameters and Reproductive
      Performance of Gestating Gilts.
AB  - This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary energy levels
      on the physiological parameters and reproductive performance of gestating first
      parity sows. A total of 52 F1 gilts (Yorkshire*Landrace) were allocated to 4
      dietary treatments using a completely randomized design. Each treatment contained
      diets with 3,100, 3,200, 3,300, or 3,400 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME)/kg,
      and the daily energy intake of the gestating gilts in each treatment were 6,200,
      6,400, 6,600, and 6,800 kcal of ME, respectively. During gestation, the body
      weight (p = 0.04) and weight gain (p = 0.01) of gilts linearly increased with
      increasing dietary energy levels. Backfat thickness was not affected at d110 of
      gestation by dietary treatments, but increased linearly (p = 0.05) from breeding
      to d 110 of gestation. There were no significant differences on the litter size
      or litter birth weight. During lactation, the voluntary feed intake of sows
      tended to decrease when the dietary energy levels increased (p = 0.08). No
      difference was observed in backfat thickness of the sows within treatments;
      increasing energy levels linearly decreased the body weight of sows (p<0.05) at d
      21 of lactation and body weight gain during lactation (p<0.01). No significant
      differences were observed in the chemical compositions of colostrum and milk.
      Therefore, these results indicated that high-energy diets influenced the
      bodyweight and backfat thickness of sows during gestation and lactation. NRC
      (2012) suggested that the energy requirement of the gestation gilt should be
      between 6,678 and 7,932 kcal of ME/d. Similarly, our results suggested that 3,100
      kcal of ME/kg is not enough to maintain the reproductive performance for gilts
      during gestation with 2 kg feed daily. Gilts in the treatment 3,400 kcal of ME/kg
      have a higher weaning number of piglets, but bodyweight and backfat loss were
      higher than other treatments during lactation. But bodyweight and backfat loss
      were higher than other treatments during lactation. Consequently, an adequate
      energy requirement of gestating gilts is 6,400 kcal of ME/d. 

PMID- 27282976
TI  - Is CH3NH3PbI3 Polar?
AB  - In view of the continued controversy concerning the polar/nonpolar nature of the
      hybrid perovskite system, CH3NH3PbI3, we report the first investigation of a time
      resolved pump-probe measurement of the second harmonic generation efficiency as
      well as using its more traditional form as a sensitive probe of the
      absence/presence of the center of inversion in the system both in its excited and
      ground states, respectively. Our results clearly show that SHG efficiency, if
      nonzero, is below the limit of detection, strongly indicative of a nonpolar or
      centrosymmetric structure. Our results on the same samples, based on temperature
      dependent single crystal X-ray diffraction and P-E loop measurements, are
      entirely consistent with the above conclusion of a centrosymmetric structure for
      this compound in all three phases, namely the high temperature cubic phase, the
      intermediate temperature tetragonal phase and the low temperature orthorhombic
      phase. It is important to note that all our experimental probes are volume
      averaging and performed on bulk materials, suggesting that basic material
      properties of CH3NH3PbI3 are consistent with a centrosymmetric, nonpolar
      structure. 

PMID- 27282977
TI  - Nurse Practitioners' Comfort in Treating Work-Related Injuries in Adolescents.
AB  - This study examined nurse practitioners' (NPs) previous experiences and comfort
      levels in treating adolescents with work-related injuries in two states where NPs
      have statutory authority to treat work-related injuries. The authors surveyed all
      actively licensed NPs in Washington and Oregon (N = 4,849). Factors associated
      with NPs' previous experiences and comfort in treating adolescents with work
      related injuries were identified using modified Poisson regression. Less than a
      quarter of respondents (21.1%, n = 225) reported having ever treated an
      adolescent for a work-related injury. Nearly half (43.6%) of respondents reported
      being uncomfortable or very uncomfortable in treating adolescents with work
      related injuries. Previous experience and male gender were associated with
      greater likelihood of feeling comfortable (p < .01). Nurse practitioners serve as
      primary care providers for adolescents who may experience work-related injuries.
      This study documents the need for developing educational and outreach efforts to
      better prepare NPs to treat adolescents' work-related injuries. 

PMID- 27282978
TI  - The Importance of Employee Breaks.
AB  - The occupational and environmental health nurse should encourage workers to take
      work breaks. Breaks enable all workers to perform at their best. 

PMID- 27282979
TI  - Burnout and Engagement: Relative Importance of Predictors and Outcomes in Two
      Health Care Worker Samples.
AB  - This study's purpose was twofold: first, to examine the relative importance of
      job demands and resources as predictors of burnout and engagement, and second,
      the relative importance of engagement and burnout related to health, depressive
      symptoms, work ability, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions in two
      samples of health care workers. Nurse leaders ( n = 162) and licensed emergency
      medical technicians (EMTs; n = 102) completed surveys. In both samples, job
      demands predicted burnout more strongly than job resources, and job resources
      predicted engagement more strongly than job demands. Engagement held more weight
      than burnout for predicting commitment, and burnout held more weight for
      predicting health outcomes, depressive symptoms, and work ability. Results have
      implications for the design, evaluation, and effectiveness of workplace
      interventions to reduce burnout and improve engagement among health care workers.
      Actionable recommendations for increasing engagement and decreasing burnout in
      health care organizations are provided.

PMID- 27282980
TI  - NF-kappaB in acute pancreatitis: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential.
AB  - The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) is increasing globally and mortality
      could be high among patients with organ failure and infected necrosis. The
      predominant factors responsible for the morbidity and mortality of AP are
      systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiorgan dysfunction. Even though
      preclinical studies have shown antisecretory agents (somatostatin), antioxidants
      (S-adenosyl methionine [SAM], selenium), protease inhibitors, platelet activating
      factor inhibitor (Lexipafant), and anti-inflammatory immunomodulators (eg.
      prostaglandin E, indomethacin) to benefit AP in terms of reducing the severity
      and/or mortality, most of these agents have shown heterogeneous results in
      clinical studies. Several years of experimental studies have implicated nuclear
      factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation as an early and central event in the
      progression of inflammation in AP. In this manuscript, we review the literature
      on the role of NF-kappaB in the pathogenesis of AP, its early intraacinar
      activation, and how it results in progression of the disease. We also discuss why
      anti-protease, antisecretory, and anti-inflammatory agents are unlikely to be
      effective in clinical acute pancreatitis. NF-kappaB, being a central molecule
      that links the initial acinar injury to systemic inflammation and perpetuate the
      inflammation, we propose that more studies be focussed towards targeted
      inhibition of NF-kappaB activity. Direct NF-kappaB inhibition strategies have
      already been attempted in patients with various cancers. So far, peroxisome
      proliferator activator receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) ligand, pyrrolidine
      dithiocarbamate (PDTC), proteasome inhibitor and calpain I inhibitor have been
      shown to have direct inhibitory effects on NF-kappaB activation in experimental
      AP. 

PMID- 27282981
TI  - Comparative proteome analysis reveals proteins involved in salt adaptation in
      Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida.
AB  - Proteomic approaches were applied to investigate whether Photobacterium damselae
      subsp. piscicida (Phdp) can directly sense and respond to growth conditions under
      different salinities, 0.85% and 3.5% NaCl concentrations, mimicking the osmotic
      conditions in host and marine water bodies, respectively. Proteins significantly
      altered were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), liquid
      chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass
      spectrometry (LC-ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS) and bioinformatics analysis, thus resulting in
      16 outer membrane proteins (OMPs), 12 inner membrane proteins (IMPs), and 20
      cytoplasmic proteins (CPs). Quantitative real-time PCR was also applied to
      monitor the mRNA expression level of these target proteins. Cluster of
      orthologous groups of protein (COG) analysis revealed that when shifting from
      3.5% to 0.85% salinity, the majority of the up-regulated proteins were involved
      in posttranslational modification, protein turnover, and chaperones, while the
      down-regulated proteins were mainly related to energy production and conversion,
      compatible solutes (carbohydrates, amino acids and their derivatives) biogenesis
      and transport. Differentially expressed proteins identified in the current study
      could be used to elucidate the salt adaptation mechanisms of Phdp during their
      transition between host cells and the marine habitats.

PMID- 27282983
TI  - Overexploring and overtreating the axilla.

PMID- 27282982
TI  - Childhood neglect in eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Individuals with eating disorders (EDs) often report a history of early
      traumatization. Although great attention has been paid to certain types of
      trauma, such as sexual and emotional abuse, less is known about the occurrence of
      childhood neglect in individuals with EDs. The aim of the present meta-analysis
      was to provide an estimate of the prevalence of childhood emotional neglect (EN)
      and physical neglect (PN) in individuals with EDs. A systematic literature
      search, a critical appraisal of the collected studies, and a meta-analysis were
      conducted. An electronic search of EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and the Cochrane
      Library from the inception of these databases up to July 2015 was performed. The
      final meta-analyzed data set included 7 studies focusing on EN in EDs (N = 963)
      and 6 on PN in EDs (N = 665). Our meta-analytic data showed that among
      individuals with EDs, the prevalence of childhood EN is 53.3%, whereas 45.4%
      reported experience of childhood PN. These preliminary findings confirm the high
      prevalence of childhood EN and PN in ED samples compared to the general
      population and underline the importance of systematically screening for the
      presence of neglect as a possible traumatic experience in individuals with EDs,
      as its presence may have important consequences for the therapeutic approach.

PMID- 27282984
TI  - Prediction of genetic gain in finite populations with heterogeneous predicted
      breeding values accuracies.
AB  - The algebraic expression of the genetic selection differential (expected genetic
      superiority of breeders after a selection on their Predicted Breeding Values) was
      derived when a limited number of individuals were selected from a limited sample
      of candidates on the basis of their predicted genetic value, with heterogeneous
      reliabilities. A formula is proposed for situations in which these reliabilities
      can be clustered in a few classes. We show that the expected genetic selection
      differential increases with the number of classes, the mean reliability being
      constant. In the panel of cases simulated, this increase reached up to 18% of the
      values obtained in the homogeneous situation. We used the proposed formulae to
      estimate selection differentials and compared it numerically with performing
      simulations. In terms of speed of computation, our algebraic formulae performed
      better than simulations in populations of limited size.

PMID- 27282985
TI  - Secular trends in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in adults in China from 1995
      to 2014: A meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to estimate trends in the prevalence
      of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adults in China. METHODS: A systematic
      search was conducted for studies of T2DM prevalence in adults in China from 2000
      to 2014. Pooled prevalence was calculated by a random-effects model. Subgroup and
      sensitivity analyses were performed. Chi-squared and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
      tests were used to assess differences among subgroups and pooled prevalence,
      respectively. RESULTS: Forty-six studies (data from 1995 to 2014; 1 463 079
      adults) were included in the meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of T2DM was
      7.9 %. The pooled prevalence overall and by location (urban and rural), gender
      (male and female), and age category (18-39, 40-59, and >=60 years) was 4.5 %, 5.1
      % and 3.0 %, 4.0 % and 4.2 %, and 1.4 %, 5.0 %, and 10.3 %, respectively, from
      1995 to 1999; 6.6 %, 9.3 % and 5.6 %, 7.4 % and 7.5 %, and 1.8 %, 5.9 %, and 12.4
      %, respectively, from 2000 to 2004; 10.3 %, 11.8 % and 6.8 %, 10.0 % and 8.6 %,
      and 2.8 %, 10.3 %, and 20.0 %, respectively, from 2005 to 2009; and 8.3 %, 12.5 %
      and 7.6 %, 8.6 % and 8.0 %, and 3.5 %, 8.5 %, and 15.3 %, respectively, from 2010
      to 2014. The prevalence increased from 5.8 % to 11.6 % with per-capita gross
      domestic product and differed by diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSIONS: There was a
      trend of increasing prevalence of T2DM in adults in China from 1995 to 2009, with
      a decrease in 2010-14 and a greater increase over time in urban versus rural
      areas, males versus females, and older versus younger adults.

PMID- 27282986
TI  - Environmental Factors in the Choice of EGMs: A Discrete Choice Experiment.
AB  - EGMs are a form of entertainment, and the gambling environment is an important
      contributor to the overall experience. Logically, to select a play-environment,
      EGM gamblers must choose the platform through which to access the EGM (e.g.,
      internet, mobile application or land-based venue), a particular provider (e.g.,
      specific website, app vendor or branded casino), and the game itself (e.g., based
      on graphical theme or bonus features; Thorne et al. in J Gambl Stud, 2016. doi:
      10.1007/s10899-016-9601-2 ). A discrete choice experiment was conducted to
      identify the features of the platform, provider and game that are most strongly
      preferred by EGM gamblers. Participants were 245 EGM gamblers from clubs in
      Victoria, Australia and 7516 EGM gamblers from an Australian online panel.
      Results indicate that the ideal environment for the average gambler consists of:
      gambling at a club that is close to home; with a group of friends; in a
      relatively quiet place that has air conditioning, cheap food and a large space to
      play in; on a classic game with quality animations and small bet sizes; where you
      feel safe and secure; and where there is a wide variety of other games to play
      when you are done. Segmenting these results by problem-gambler status highlights
      important differences in preferences between problem and non-problem gamblers.
      Problem gamblers are less likely to give weight to the company they share and
      have a preference for larger venues. Using a powerful paradigm from marketing
      research, the present study was able to determine the relative value of different
      features of the EGM gambling environment, and also contributes important insight
      towards what constitutes a safer environment for recreational play.

PMID- 27282987
TI  - Countertransference in Dermatology.
AB  - The doctor-patient relationship in dermatology, as in all the fields of medicine,
      is not a neutral relationship, removed from affects. These affects take root in
      the sociocultural, professional, family and personal history of both persons in
      the relationship. They underpin the psychic reality of the patients, along with a
      variety of representations, preconceived ideas, and fantasies concerning
      dermatology, the dermatologists or the psychiatrists. Practitioners call these
      "countertransference feelings", with reference to the psychoanalytical concept of
      "countertransference". These feelings come forward in a more or less conscious
      way and are active during the follow-up of any patient: in fact they can
      facilitate or hinder such a follow-up. Our purpose in focusing on this issue is
      to sensitize the dermatologists to recognizing these countertransference feelings
      in themselves (and the attitudes generated by them), in order to allow the
      patients and doctors to build a dynamic, creative, trustful and effective
      relationship. 

PMID- 27282988
TI  - Marijuana: Views on Its Medical Use Recorded at the Slovak Social Network.
AB  - We describe opinions on medical use of Cannabis sativa L under conditions of
      Slovakia (n = 717). Personal experience with marijuana was detected in 77.42% (n
      = 553) in age categories younger than 20 years (n = 96) and in 77.06% (n = 457)
      of adults. Almost 86% of respondents (n = 618) agreed with legal use of marijuana
      for medical purposes. Furthermore, respondents' views on legal usage of marijuana
      for medical purposes could be affected by availability of information (r = .12)
      and personal experience (r = .23). Negative impact of substance abuse in younger
      age-groups was recognized as threat (r = .47), but knowledge about harmful effect
      of marijuana use did not affect personal opinion for decriminalization (r = .38).

PMID- 27282989
TI  - DELLA-mediated PIF degradation contributes to coordination of light and
      gibberellin signalling in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Light and gibberellins (GAs) antagonistically regulate hypocotyl elongation in
      plants. It has been demonstrated that DELLAs, which are negative regulators of GA
      signalling, inhibit phytochrome-interacting factors 3 and 4 (PIF3 and PIF4) by
      sequestering their DNA-recognition domains. However, it is unclear whether there
      are other mechanisms of regulatory crosstalk between DELLAs and PIFs. Here, we
      demonstrate that DELLAs negatively regulate the abundance of four PIF proteins
      through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Reduction of PIF3 protein abundance by
      DELLAs correlates closely with reduced hypocotyl elongation. Both sequestration
      and degradation of PIF3 by DELLAs contribute to a reduction in PIF3 binding to
      its target genes. Thus, we show that promotion of PIF degradation by DELLAs is
      required to coordinate light and GA signals, and the dual regulation of
      transcription factors by DELLAs by both sequestration and degradation may be a
      general mechanism.

PMID- 27282990
TI  - The poverty of embodied cognition.
AB  - In recent years, there has been rapidly growing interest in embodied cognition, a
      multifaceted theoretical proposition that (1) cognitive processes are influenced
      by the body, (2) cognition exists in the service of action, (3) cognition is
      situated in the environment, and (4) cognition may occur without internal
      representations. Many proponents view embodied cognition as the next great
      paradigm shift for cognitive science. In this article, we critically examine the
      core ideas from embodied cognition, taking a "thought exercise" approach. We
      first note that the basic principles from embodiment theory are either
      unacceptably vague (e.g., the premise that perception is influenced by the body)
      or they offer nothing new (e.g., cognition evolved to optimize survival, emotions
      affect cognition, perception-action couplings are important). We next suggest
      that, for the vast majority of classic findings in cognitive science, embodied
      cognition offers no scientifically valuable insight. In most cases, the theory
      has no logical connections to the phenomena, other than some trivially true
      ideas. Beyond classic laboratory findings, embodiment theory is also unable to
      adequately address the basic experiences of cognitive life.

PMID- 27282992
TI  - Erratum to: Are the motor features of verb meanings represented in the precentral
      motor cortices? Yes, but within the context of a flexible, multilevel
      architecture for conceptual knowledge.

PMID- 27282991
TI  - Arguments about the nature of concepts: Symbols, embodiment, and beyond.
AB  - How are the meanings of words, events, and objects represented and organized in
      the brain? This question, perhaps more than any other in the field, probes some
      of the deepest and most foundational puzzles regarding the structure of the mind
      and brain. Accordingly, it has spawned a field of inquiry that is diverse and
      multidisciplinary, has led to the discovery of numerous empirical phenomena, and
      has spurred the development of a wide range of theoretical positions. This
      special issue brings together the most recent theoretical developments from the
      leaders in the field, representing a range of viewpoints on issues of fundamental
      significance to a theory of meaning representation. Here we introduce the special
      issue by way of pulling out some key themes that cut across the contributions
      that form this issue and situating those themes in the broader literature. The
      core issues around which research on conceptual representation can be organized
      are representational format, representational content, the organization of
      concepts in the brain, and the processing dynamics that govern interactions
      between the conceptual system and sensorimotor representations. We highlight
      areas in which consensus has formed; for those areas in which opinion is divided,
      we seek to clarify the relation of theory and evidence and to set in relief the
      bridging assumptions that undergird current discussions.

PMID- 27282993
TI  - Putting concepts into context.
AB  - At first glance, conceptual representations (e.g., our internal notion of the
      object "lemon") seem static; we have the impression that there is something that
      the concept lemon "means" (a sour, yellow, football-shaped citrus fruit) and that
      this meaning does not vary. Research in semantic memory has traditionally taken
      this "static" perspective. Consequently, only effects demonstrated across a
      variety of contexts have typically been considered informative regarding the
      architecture of the semantic system. In this review, we take the opposite
      approach: We review instances of context-dependent conceptual activation at many
      different timescales-from long-term experience, to recent experience, to the
      current task goals, to the unfolding process of conceptual activation itself-and
      suggest that the pervasive effects of context across all of these timescales
      indicate that rather than being static, conceptual representations are constantly
      changing and are inextricably linked to their contexts.

PMID- 27282994
TI  - A delta(15)N assessment of nitrogen deposition for the endangered epiphytic
      orchid Laelia speciosa from a city and an oak forest in Mexico.
AB  - Atmospheric nitrogen deposition poses a major threat to global biodiversity.
      Tropical epiphytic plants are especially at risk given their reliance on
      atmospheric sources of nutrients. The leaf, pseudobulb, and root carbon and
      nitrogen content, C:N ratio, as well as the nitrogen isotopic composition were
      studied for individuals of Laelia speciosa from a city and from an oak forest in
      Mexico. The nitrogen content of leaves was similar between the city and the oak
      forest, reaching 1.3 +/- 0.2 % (dry mass). The delta(15)N of leaves, pseudobulbs,
      and roots reached 5.6 +/- 0.2 0/00 in the city, values found in sites exposed to
      industrial and vehicular activities. The delta(15)N for plant from the oak forest
      amounted to -3.1 +/- 0.3 0/00, which is similar to values measured from sites
      with low industrial activities. Some orchids such as Laelia speciosa produce a
      single pseudobulb per year, i.e., a water and nutrient storage organ, so the
      interannual nitrogen deposition was studied by considering the ten most recent
      pseudobulbs for plants from either site formed between 2003 and 2012. The C:N
      ratio of the ten most recent pseudobulbs from the oak forest, as well as that of
      the pseudobulbs formed before 2010 for plants in the city were indistinguishable
      from each other, averaging 132.4 +/- 6.5, while it was lower for the two most
      recent pseudobulbs in the city. The delta(15)N values of pseudobulbs from the oak
      forest averaged -4.4 +/- 0.1 0/00 for the entire series. The delta(15)N ranged
      from 0.1 +/- 1.6 0/00 for the oldest pseudobulb to 4.7 +/- 0.2 0/00 for the
      pseudobulb formed in the city from 2008 onwards. Isotopic analysis and the C:N
      ratio for L. speciosa revealed that rates of nitrogen deposition were higher in
      the city than in the forest. The delta(15)N values of series of pseudobulbs
      showed that it is possible to track nitrogen deposition over multiple years. 

PMID- 27282995
TI  - Prognostic significance of PCR-based molecular staging in patients with diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP immunochemotherapy.
AB  - The prognostic role of detecting clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement (IgR)
      from bone marrow (BM) aspirates was evaluated by BIOMED-2 PCR in 97 patients with
      diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with rituximab-CHOP
      immunochemotherapy. Sixteen (16.5%) patients had BM involvement (BMI) defined by
      BM biopsy (MOR+) and 39 (40.2%) had positive IgR (PCR+). Patients with MOR + BMI
      showed inferior event-free survival (EFS) compared to those with MOR-/PCR- (p <
      0.001) or those with MOR-/PCR + BMI (p = 0.002), while no significant difference
      in EFS was observed between patients with MOR-/PCR + and those with MOR-/PCR -
      BMI (p = 0.497). Use of the BIOMED-2 for PCR resulted in significant increase in
      detection of BMI. However, the increased sensitivity by PCR did not translate
      into improved prediction of prognosis, emphasizing the essential role of
      histopathological review of trephine biopsy for the detection of BMI.

PMID- 27282996
TI  - Novel roles for the lens in preserving overall ocular health.
AB  - Outside the traditional roles of the lens as an important refractive element and
      a UV filter, it was David Beebe's group that first demonstrated that the lens
      acts an oxygen sink that protects the tissues of the anterior segment of the eye
      from oxygen or oxygen metabolites. In this review, we follow on from this work,
      and present new evidence from our laboratory to demonstrate that the lens serves
      as a reservoir for the release of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) into the
      aqueous humor to provide a source of GSH and/or its precursor amino acids to
      nearby tissues that interface with the aqueous humor, or to remove toxic
      metabolites from the eye via the aqueous outflow pathway. In addition to GSH
      release, our laboratory and others have shown that ATP is released from the lens
      under hyposmotic conditions to activate purinergic signalling pathways in an
      autocrine manner to alter lens function. In this review, we raise the idea that
      ATP and/or its subsequent degradation product adenosine may exert a paracrine
      function and influence purinergic signalling systems in other tissues to alter
      aqueous humor outflow. These new secondary roles indicate that the lens is not
      just a passive optical element, but a highly dynamic and active tissue that
      interacts with its neighbouring tissues, through modifying the environments in
      which these tissues function. We believe that the lens actively contributes to
      the ocular environment and as a consequence, removal of the lens would alter the
      functionality of neighbouring tissues. We speculate that a long term effect of
      lens removal may be to inadvertently increase the exposure of anterior tissues of
      the eye to oxidative stress due to elevated oxygen levels and a reduction in the
      availability of GSH and purinergic signalling molecules in the aqueous humor.
      Since cataract surgery is now being performed on younger patients due to our
      increasing diabetic population, over time, we predict these changes may increase
      the susceptibility of these tissues to oxidative stress and the incidence of
      subsequent ocular pathologies. If our view of the lens is correct, the actual
      loss of the biological lens may have longer term consequences for overall ocular
      health than currently appreciated.

PMID- 27282997
TI  - Sucrose and ABA regulate starch biosynthesis in maize through a novel
      transcription factor, ZmEREB156.
AB  - Sucrose is not only the carbon source for starch synthesis, but also a signal
      molecule. Alone or in coordination with ABA, it can regulate the expression of
      genes involved in starch synthesis. To investigate the molecular mechanisms
      underlying this effect, maize endosperms were collected from Zea mays L. B73
      inbred line 10 d after pollination and treated with sucrose, ABA, or sucrose plus
      ABA at 28  degrees C in the dark for 24 h. RNA-sequence analysis of the maize
      endosperm transcriptome revealed 47 candidate transcription factors among the
      differentially expressed genes. We therefore speculate that starch synthetic gene
      expression is regulated by transcription factors induced by the combination of
      sucrose and ABA. ZmEREB156, a candidate transcription factor, is induced by
      sucrose plus ABA and is involved in starch biosynthesis. The ZmEREB156-GFP-fused
      protein was localized in the nuclei of onion epidermal cells, and ZmEREB156
      protein possessed strong transcriptional activation activity. Promoter activity
      of the starch-related genes Zmsh2 and ZmSSIIIa increased after overexpression of
      ZmEREB156 in maize endosperm. ZmEREB156 could bind to the ZmSSIIIa promoter but
      not the Zmsh2 promoter in a yeast one-hybrid system. Thus, ZmEREB156 positively
      modulates starch biosynthetic gene ZmSSIIIa via the synergistic effect of sucrose
      and ABA.

PMID- 27282999
TI  - A philosophical argument against evidence-based policy.
AB  - RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence-based medicine has two components. The
      methodological or ontological component consists of randomized controlled trials
      and their systematic review. This makes use of a difference-making conception of
      cause. But there is also a policy component that makes a recommendation for
      uniform intervention, based on the evidence from randomized controlled trials.
      METHODS: The policy side of evidence-based medicine is basically a form of rule
      utilitarianism. But it is then subject to an objection from Smart that rule
      utilitarianism inevitably collapses. If one assumes (1) you should recommend the
      intervention that has brought most benefit (the core of evidence-based policy
      making), (2) individual variation (acknowledged by use of randomization) and (3)
      no intervention benefits all (contingent but true), then the objection can be
      brought to bear. CONCLUSIONS: A utility maximizer should always ignore the rule
      in an individual case where greater benefit can be secured through doing so. In
      the medical case, this would mean that a clinician who knows that a patient would
      not benefit from the recommended intervention has good reason to ignore the
      recommendation. This is indeed the feeling of many clinicians who would like to
      offer other interventions but for an aversion to breaking clinical guidelines.

PMID- 27282998
TI  - FCGR3A/2A polymorphisms and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma outcome treated with
      immunochemotherapy: a meta-analysis on 1134 patients from two prospective
      cohorts.
AB  - Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FCgamma-receptor genes FCGR3A
      (rs396991) and FCGR2A (rs1801274) influence the affinity of the Fc portion of
      anti-CD20 immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody. Their roles in diffuse large B
      cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with rituximab in combination with anthracycline
      based chemotherapy remain controversial. To address this question, we genotyped
      FCGR2A and FCGR3A SNPs in two prospective DLBCL cohorts from Lymphoma Study
      Association trials (N = 554) and Iowa/Mayo Specialized Program Of Research
      Excellence (N = 580). Correlations with treatment response and hematological
      toxicity were assessed in Lymphoma Study Association. Correlation with event-free
      survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) was performed in both cohorts, followed
      by a meta-analysis to increase power. Our study shows the absence of correlation
      between these SNPs and treatment response. Grades 3 and 4 febrile neutropenia
      during treatment was more frequently observed in FCGR3A VV (39%) than VF (29%)
      and FF (32%) carriers (p = 0.04). Our analysis for EFS and OS shows that FCGR3A
      was not associated with outcome. In a meta-analysis using an ordinal model,
      FCGR2A (per R allele) was associated with a better EFS (hazard ratio = 0.87;
      95%CI, 0.76-0.99; p = 0.04) and OS (hazard ratio = 0.86; 95%CI, 0.73-1.00; p =
      0.05) which was not altered after adjustment for the International Prognostic
      Index. Overall, our data demonstrate that patients with DLBCL with the low
      affinity FCgammaRIIA RR had an unexpectedly better outcome than FCgammaRIIA H
      carriers. Whether rituximab efficacy is improved in FCgammaRIIA RR patients due a
      clearance reduction or other functions of FCgammaRIIA in DLBCL should be
      investigated (clinicaltrials.gov identifiers: NCT00135499, NTC00135499
      NCT00140595, NCT00144807, NCT00144755, NCT01087424, and NCT00301821). Copyright
      (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 27283001
TI  - The Limping Child - What a Pediatrician Should Know?
AB  - Diagnosis of a limping child can be challenging for the clinician given the vast
      array of conditions that present in this manner. This review article discusses
      the history, examination and subsequent differential diagnoses that should be
      considered along with the most appropriate investigations for each diagnosis. The
      latest evidence regarding choice of investigation to make the clinician's task
      less onerous is also discussed.

PMID- 27283003
TI  - Poor sleep quality is responsible for the nondipper pattern in hypertensive but
      not in normotensive chronic kidney disease patients.
AB  - AIM: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between sleep quality
      and hypertension and to determine if there was an association between nondipper
      blood pressure (BP) and sleep quality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
      METHODS: A total of 775 pre-dialysis CKD patients (314 normal BP patients, 461
      hypertension patients) defined as dippers or nondippers by ambulatory BP
      monitoring were recruited for this study. Demographics and clinical correlates
      were collected, including body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate
      (eGFR) and other measures. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep
      Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: A total of 185 (58.9%) patients with normal BP and
      341 (74.0%) hypertensive patients had a nondipper BP pattern. The hypertension
      group had a higher prevalence of the nondipper BP pattern, smoking, alcohol
      intake and diabetes mellitus (DM) and lower eGFR levels and poorer sleep quality
      than the normal BP group. Patients with the nondipper BP pattern had lower
      haemoglobin, worse renal function and poorer sleep quality when compared with
      hypertensive CKD patients with the dipping BP pattern. PSQI scores were
      significantly associated with the rate of nocturnal BP decline (P < 0.05) in the
      hypertension group but not in the normal BP group. Poor sleep quality was an
      independent factor affecting BP pattern in hypertensive CKD patients using
      multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses. There was no association
      between sleep quality and hypertension in CKD patients after multivariate
      logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality, which is commonly
      observed in pre-dialysis CKD patients, is an independent associated factor of the
      nondipper BP pattern in hypertensive CKD patients. No association was found
      between poor sleep and nondipper BP in normotensive patients.

PMID- 27283002
TI  - Neural correlates of conversion disorder: overview and meta-analysis of
      neuroimaging studies on motor conversion disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conversion Disorders (CD) are prevalent functional disorders.
      Although the pathogenesis is still not completely understood, an interaction of
      genetic, neurobiological, and psychosocial factors is quite likely. The aim of
      this study is to provide a systematic overview on imaging studies on CDs and
      investigate neuronal areas involved in Motor Conversion Disorders (MCD). METHODS:
      A systematic literature search was conducted on CD. Subsequently a meta-analysis
      of functional neuroimaging studies on MCD was implemented using an Activation
      Likelihood Estimation (ALE). We calculated differences between patients and
      healthy controls as well as between affected versus unaffected sides in addition
      to an overall analysis in order to identify neuronal areas related to MCD.
      RESULTS: Patients with MCD differ from healthy controls in the amygdala, superior
      temporal lobe, retrosplenial area, primary motor cortex, insula, red nucleus,
      thalamus, anterior as well as dorsolateral prefrontal and frontal cortex. When
      comparing affected versus unaffected sides, temporal cortex, dorsal anterior
      cingulate cortex, supramarginal gyrus, dorsal temporal lobe, anterior insula,
      primary somatosensory cortex, superior frontal gyrus and anterior prefrontal as
      well as frontal cortex show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Neuronal areas
      seem to be involved in the pathogenesis, maintenance or as a result of MCD. Areas
      that are important for motor-planning, motor-selection or autonomic response seem
      to be especially relevant. Our results support the emotional unawareness theory
      but also underline the need of more support by conduction imaging studies on both
      CD and MCD.

PMID- 27283004
TI  - Quality and accuracy of publicly accessible cancer-related physical activity
      information on the Internet: a cross-sectional assessment.
AB  - In this study, we assessed the quality of publicly available cancer-related
      physical activity (PA) information appearing on reputable sites from Canada and
      other English-speaking countries. A cross-sectional Internet search was conducted
      on select countries (Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, UK) using Google to
      generate top 50 results per country for the keywords "'physical activity' AND
      'cancer'". Top results were assessed for quality of PA information based on a
      coding frame. Additional searches were performed for Canadian-based sites to
      produce an exhaustive list. Results found that many sites offered cancer-related
      PA information (94.5%), but rarely defined PA (25.2%). Top 50 results from each
      country did not differ on any indicator examined. The exhaustive list of Canadian
      sites found that many sites gave information about PA for survivorship (78.3%)
      and prevention (70.0%), but rarely defined (6.7%) or referenced PA guidelines
      (28.3%). Cancer-related PA information is plentiful on the Internet but the
      quality needs improvement. Sites should do more than mention PA; they should
      provide definitions, examples and guidelines. With improvements, these websites
      would enable healthcare providers to effectively educate their patients about PA,
      and serve as a valuable resource to the general public who may be seeking cancer
      related PA information. 

PMID- 27283005
TI  - Factors influencing alopecia and hair cortisol in rhesus macaques (Macaca
      mulatta).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alopecia can occur in captive non-human primates, but its etiology is
      poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess alopecia and hair
      cortisol in rhesus monkeys and to identify the potential risk factors. METHODS:
      Subjects were 117 rhesus monkeys at two National Primate Research Centers.
      Photographs and hair samples were obtained during routine physicals. Photographs
      were analyzed using Image J software to calculate hair loss, and hair samples
      were assayed for cortisol. RESULTS: Age, days singly housed, and their
      interactions contributed to the alopecia model for both facilities. Sex and
      location changes contributed to the hair cortisol model for Facility 1; sedations
      contributed for Facility 2. Alopecia and hair cortisol were associated at
      Facility 1. CONCLUSIONS: Captive management practices can affect alopecia and
      hair cortisol. However, there are facility differences in the relationship
      between alopecia and hair cortisol and in the effect of intrinsic variables and
      management procedures.

PMID- 27283006
TI  - The Health and Libraries of Public Use Retrospective Study (HeLPURS).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Public libraries may promote health through literacy, education and
      social connections. OBJECTIVE: To conduct the first broad-based, quantitative
      exploration of health and public library patronage. METHODS: Retrospective cross
      sectional study. All 2925 adult patients at a general practice clinic living in a
      small north-eastern U.S. city were invited by mail to participate; 243 consented.
      Clinical variables from the medical records were combined with library usage
      variables from the public library patron database. The authors analysed how
      patient health characteristics were associated with library cardholding, average
      card use or recency of use. RESULTS: Approximately 72% of participants held a
      library card; 40% of these had used it within the last month. Library cardholding
      was not associated with patient characteristics. Higher average card use was
      associated with pregnancy, having youth at home and depression severity. Lack of
      recent library usage was associated with current smoking (P = 0.01) and drug use
      (P = 0.01). Among ever-smokers, moderate/high card use and card use within six
      months were both associated with over two times the odds of quitting smoking.
      CONCLUSIONS: Public libraries and health appear to intersect around substance
      abuse and depression-anxiety disorders. Moderate or higher use of public
      libraries is strongly associated with tobacco cessation.

PMID- 27283007
TI  - Relationship of Myocardial Strain and Markers of Myocardial Injury to Predict
      Segmental Recovery After Acute ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Late gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
      overestimates infarct size and underestimates recovery of dysfunctional segments
      acutely post ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. We assessed whether
      cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging-derived segmental myocardial strain and
      markers of myocardial injury could improve the accuracy of late gadolinium
      enhancement in predicting functional recovery after ST-segment-elevation
      myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 164 ST-segment-elevation
      myocardial infarction patients underwent acute (median 3 days) and follow-up
      (median 9.4 months) cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Wall-motion
      scoring, feature tracking-derived circumferential strain (Ecc), segmental area of
      late gadolinium-enhancement (SEE), microvascular obstruction, intramyocardial
      hemorrhage, and salvage index (MSI) were assessed in 2624 segments. We used
      logistic regression analysis to identify markers that predict segmental recovery.
      At acute CMR 32% of segments were dysfunctional, and at follow-up CMR 19% were
      dysfunctional. Segmental function at acute imaging and odds ratio (OR) for
      functional recovery decreased with increasing SEE, although 33% of dysfunctional
      segments with SEE 76% to 100% improved. SEE was a strong predictor of functional
      improvement and normalization (area under the curve [AUC], 0.840 [95% confidence
      interval {CI}, 0.814-0.867]; OR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.97-0.98] per +1% SEE for
      improvement and AUC, 0.887 [95% CI, 0.865-0.909]; OR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.94-0.96]
      per +1% SEE for normalization). Its predictive accuracy for improvement, as
      assessed by areas under the receiver operator curves, was similar to that of MSI
      (AUC, 0.840 [95% CI, 0.809-0.872]; OR, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.02-1.03] per +1% MSI for
      improvement and AUC, 0.862 [0.832-0.891]; OR, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.03-1.04] per +1%
      SEE for normalization) and Ecc (AUC, 0.834 [95% CI, 0.807-0.862]; OR, 1.05 [95%
      CI, 1.03-1.07] per +1% MSI for improvement and AUC, 0.844 [95% CI, 0.818-0.871];
      OR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.05-1.10] per +1% SEE for normalization), and for
      normalization was greater than the other predictors. MSI and Ecc remained as
      significant after adjustment for SEE but provided no significant increase in
      predictive accuracy for improvement and normalization compared with SEE alone.
      MSI had similar predictive accuracy to SEE for functional recovery but was not
      assessable in 25% of patients. Microvascular obstruction provided no incremental
      predictive accuracy above SEE. CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study confirms that
      SEE is a strong predictor of functional improvement post ST-segment-elevation
      myocardial infarction, but recovery occurs in a substantial proportion of
      dysfunctional segments with SEE >75%. Feature tracking-derived Ecc and MSI
      provide minimal incremental benefit to SEE in predicting segmental recovery.
      CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.isrctn.com. Unique identifier:
      ISRCTN70913605.

PMID- 27283008
TI  - Myocardial Deformation Imaging by Feature-Tracking Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in
      Acute Myocardial Infarction: Do We Need It?

PMID- 27283009
TI  - Correlation of Venous Blood Gas and Pulse Oximetry With Arterial Blood Gas in the
      Undifferentiated Critically Ill Patient.
AB  - RATIONALE: Blood gas analysis is often used to assess acid-base, ventilation, and
      oxygenation status in critically ill patients. Although arterial blood gas (ABG)
      analysis remains the gold standard, venous blood gas (VBG) analysis has been
      shown to correlate with ABG analysis and has been proposed as a safer less
      invasive alternative to ABG analysis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate the correlation of VBG analysis plus pulse oximetry (SpO2) with ABG
      analysis. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study of patients in the
      emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) at a single academic
      tertiary referral center. Patients were eligible for enrollment if the treating
      physician ordered an ABG. Statistical analysis of VBG, SpO2, and ABG data was
      done using paired t test, Pearson chi2, and Pearson correlation. MAIN RESULTS:
      There were 156 patients enrolled, and 129 patients completed the study. Of the
      patients completing the study, 53 (41.1%) were in the ED, 41 (31.8%) were in the
      medical ICU, and 35 (27.1%) were in the surgical ICU. The mean difference for pH
      between VBG and ABG was 0.03 (95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.04) with a Pearson
      correlation of 0.94. The mean difference for pCO2 between VBG and ABG was 4.8 mm
      Hg (95% confidence interval: 3.7-6.0 mm Hg) with a Pearson correlation of 0.93.
      The SpO2 correlated well with PaO2 (the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial
      blood) as predicted by the standard oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve.
      CONCLUSION: In this population of undifferentiated critically ill patients, pH
      and pCO2 on VBG analysis correlated with pH and pCO2 on ABG analysis. The SpO2
      correlated well with pO2 on ABG analysis. The combination of VBG analysis plus
      SpO2 provided accurate information on acid-base, ventilation, and oxygenation
      status for undifferentiated critically ill patients in the ED and ICU.

PMID- 27283010
TI  - Implant surface roughness alterations induced by different prophylactic
      procedures: an in vitro study.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate surface roughness alterations at the smooth neck of dental
      implants after the use of eight different prophylactic procedures. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: 50 tissue level implants (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland)
      were used for the present investigation. The smooth collar of each implant was
      divided into two segments, each treated with one of eight cleaning procedures:
      use of a rubber cup (RCZ) or a brush (BZ) combined with an abrasive paste
      containing zirconium or a paste derived from perlite (RCP, BP); use of 2
      composite resin burs reinforced by zirconium glass fibers (F1, F2); and use of an
      air-polishing system with glycine powder and two power settings (AP1, AP2). The
      qualitative alterations were recorded by means of a laser profilometer and the
      mean roughness (Ra ) and mean roughness profile depth (Rz ) were reported. Twenty
      untreated surfaces were used as controls. RESULTS: The implant collars treated
      with RCZ (Ra  = 0.33 MUm, Rz  = 2.43 MUm) or BZ (Ra  = 0.30 MUm, Rz  = 3.70 MUm)
      yielded the highest roughness values, followed by the surfaces treated with RCP
      (Ra  = 0.28 MUm, Rz  = 2.02 MUm), with BP (Ra  = 0.25 MUm, Rz  = 2.16 MUm) and by
      the use of F1 (Ra  = 0.27 MUm, Rz  = 2.22 MUm) and F2 (Ra  = 0.27 MUm, Rz  = 2.04
      MUm). The lowest roughness values were observed in the AP1 (Ra  = 0.23 MUm, Rz  =
      1.60 MUm) and AP2 (Ra  = 0.16 MUm, Rz  = 1.06 MUm) group, respectively. Implant
      collars treated with AP2 yielded statistically significantly lower (P = 0.01) Rz
      values compared with untreated surfaces. CONCLUSION: All tested procedures did
      not increase implant surface roughness significantly. Treatment with an air
      powder abrasive system at high-pressure setting resulted in a smoothening of the
      implant collar surface.

PMID- 27283011
TI  - Projecting the impact of hypothetical early life interventions on adiposity in
      children living in low-income households.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed
      at reducing early childhood obesity using randomized trials. Objective To
      illustrate how observational data can be analysed using causal inference methods
      to estimate the potential impact of behavioural 'interventions' on early
      childhood adiposity. Methods We used longitudinal data from 1054 children 1-5
      years old enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
      Infants and Children and followed (WIC) from 2008 to 2010 for a mean duration of
      23 months. The data came from a random sample of WIC families living in Los
      Angeles County in 2008. We used the parametric g-formula to estimate the impact
      of various hypothetical behavioural interventions. Results Adjusted mean weight
      for-height Z score at the end of follow-up was 0.73 (95% CI 0.65, 0.81) under no
      intervention and 0.63 (95% CI 0.38, 0.87) for all interventions given jointly.
      Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months or longer was the most effective
      intervention [population mean difference = -0.11 (95% CI -0.22, 0.01)]. Other
      interventions had little or no effect. Conclusions Compared with interventions
      promoting healthy eating and physical activity behaviours, breastfeeding was more
      effective in reducing obesity risk in children aged 1-5 years. When carefully
      applied, causal inference methods may offer viable alternatives to randomized
      trials in etiologic and evaluation research.

PMID- 27283012
TI  - Challenges in pancreas transplantation.
AB  - Whole-organ pancreas transplantation, either alone or combined with a kidney
      transplant, is the only definitive treatment for many patients with type 1
      diabetes that restores normal glucose homoeostasis and insulin independence.
      Pancreas transplantation delays, or potentially prevents, secondary diabetes
      complications and is associated with improvement in patient survival when
      compared with either patients remaining on the waiting list or those receiving
      kidney transplant alone. Pancreas transplantation is safe and effective, with 1
      year patient survival >97 % and graft survival rates of 85 % at 1 year and 76 %
      at 5 years in recent UK data. This review focuses on some current areas of
      interest in pancreas transplantation.

PMID- 27283013
TI  - Transient Postnatal Gonadal Activation and Growth Velocity in Infancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Transient activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary
      gonadal axis with a sex steroid surge is observed in boys and girls during the
      first months of life. However, the role of sex steroids in the regulation of
      growth has not been substantiated in infancy. We tested the hypothesis that
      testosterone (T) surge, known to be higher in infant boys than in girls during
      the transient postnatal gonadal activation regulates linear growth in infants.
      METHODS: To characterize in detail the linear growth velocity (GV) differences
      between genders in the normal population in early infancy, we evaluated growth of
      18 570 healthy infants (51.0% boys) with 162 003 height measurements from birth
      to 12 months of age. GV was monitored and compared with serially measured urinary
      T and estradiol levels and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in 84
      healthy infants (45% boys) during the first 6 months of life. RESULTS: GV was
      significantly faster from birth to 6 months of age in boys than in girls (P <=
      .01). The greatest GV difference, 4.1 cm per year, was observed at 1 month of
      age, simultaneously with the peak of postnatal gonadal activation. In the mixed
      model analysis, GV showed a significant positive association with T in both
      genders (parameter estimate up to 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.81).
      CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a new insight into the regulation of growth in
      infants and elucidate a novel biological role of the transient postnatal gonadal
      activation in growth regulation.

PMID- 27283014
TI  - Mini-Puberty and Growth.

PMID- 27283015
TI  - Ultrasound Assisted Endovascular Thrombolysis in Adolescents: 2 Case Reports.
AB  - Descending iliofemoral thrombosis in children is a rare event. Anticoagulation
      therapy with low-molecular-weight-heparin is standard of care. However, patency
      cannot be achieved in all cases, increasing the risk for rethrombosis and
      postthrombotic syndrome. To reduce the risk of venous valve failure in adults,
      local catheter-directed thrombolysis is used to reopen vessels. Two adolescent
      girls (17 and 15 years old) presented with acute descending iliofemoral
      thrombosis of the left common iliac, external, and common femoral veins.
      Anticoagulation with enoxaparin was started until insertion of an EkoSonic Mach
      4e catheter for ultrasound-assisted local thrombolysis with recombinant tissue
      plasminogen activator and administration of unfractionated heparin. Success was
      monitored by increases in D-dimer levels and ultrasound findings. After 24 hours
      respectively 48 hours, complete recanalization was obtained. No complication
      occurred except minimal local bleeding. Screening for hereditary thrombophilia
      revealed a heterozygous antithrombin mutation in 1 girl (ie, the 15-year-old).
      May-Thurner syndrome was identified in both girls, necessitating stenting of the
      left common iliac veins and continuation of anticoagulation therapy with
      enoxaparin and acetylsalicylic acid. No rethrombosis or complications occurred
      during the follow-up period. Ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed local
      thrombolysis with the EkoSonic Mach 4e system was effective in achieving
      immediate recanalization of the occluded veins and should be considered in
      children experiencing descending iliofemoral thrombosis. The fast recanalization
      might reduce the incidence of postthrombotic syndrome. May-Thurner syndrome is
      regularly found in these patients, and if present, requires stenting of the
      common iliac vein to avoid early reocclusion. However, long-term patency of iliac
      vein stenting in children remains to be examined.

PMID- 27283016
TI  - Naturally occurring recombination in ferret coronaviruses revealed by complete
      genome characterization.
AB  - Ferret coronaviruses (FRCoVs) exist as an enteric and a systemic pathotype, of
      which the latter is highly lethal to ferrets. To our knowledge, this study
      provides the first full genome sequence of a FRCoV, tentatively called FRCoV-NL
      2010, which was detected in 2010 in ferrets in The Netherlands. Phylogenetic
      analysis showed that FRCoV-NL-2010 is most closely related to mink CoV, forming a
      separate clade of mustelid alphacoronavirus that split off early from other
      alphacoronaviruses. Based on sequence homology of the complete genome, we propose
      that these mustelid coronaviruses may be assigned to a new species. Comparison of
      FRCoV-NL-2010 with the partially sequenced ferret systemic coronavirus MSU-1 and
      ferret enteric coronavirus MSU-2 revealed that recombination in the spike, 3c and
      envelope genes occurred between different FRCoVs.

PMID- 27283017
TI  - Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 4-Phenoxyquinoline Derivatives
      Containing Benzo[d]thiazole-2-yl Urea as c-Met Kinase Inhibitors.
AB  - A series of novel 4-phenoxyquinoline derivatives containing the benzo[d]thiazole
      2-yl urea moiety were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against
      the HT-29, MKN-45, and H460 cell lines. The structures of the target compounds
      were confirmed by (1) H NMR and MS spectra. Most of them showed moderate to
      excellent potency against the three tested cell lines. Especially, compound 23
      was identified a promising agent (c-Met IC50  = 17.6 nM), showing the most potent
      anticancer activities with IC50 values of 0.18, 0.06, and 0.01 uM against the HT
      29, MKN-45, and H460 cell lines, respectively. The docking results of 23 with the
      c-Met kinase model 3LQ8 showed a specific binding mode between the ligand and the
      target protein. 

PMID- 27283018
TI  - Thinking Outside of Outpatient: Underutilized Settings for Psychotherapy
      Education.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although psychiatry residents are expected to achieve competency in
      conducting psychotherapy during their training, it is unclear how psychotherapy
      teaching is integrated across diverse clinical settings. METHODS: Between January
      and March 2015, 177 psychiatry residency training directors were sent a survey
      asking about psychotherapy training practices in their programs, as well as
      perceived barriers to psychotherapy teaching. RESULTS: Eighty-two training
      directors (44%) completed the survey. While 95% indicated that psychotherapy was
      a formal learning objective for outpatient clinic rotations, fifty percent or
      fewer noted psychotherapy was a learning objective in other settings. Most
      program directors would like to see psychotherapy training included (particularly
      supportive psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy) on inpatient (82%) and
      consultation-liaison settings (57%). The most common barriers identified to
      teaching psychotherapy in these settings were time and perceived inadequate staff
      training and interest. CONCLUSIONS: Non-outpatient rotations appear to be an
      underutilized setting for psychotherapy teaching.

PMID- 27283019
TI  - Profile of microbial communities on carbonate stones of the medieval church of
      San Leonardo di Siponto (Italy) by Illumina-based deep sequencing.
AB  - Comprehensive studies of the biodiversity of the microbial epilithic community on
      monuments may provide critical insights for clarifying factors involved in the
      colonization processes. We carried out a high-throughput investigation of the
      communities colonizing the medieval church of San Leonardo di Siponto (Italy) by
      Illumina-based deep sequencing. The metagenomic analysis of sequences revealed
      the presence of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. Bacteria were Actinobacteria,
      Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes and
      Candidatus Saccharibacteria. The predominant phylum was Actinobacteria, with the
      orders Actynomycetales and Rubrobacteriales, represented by the genera
      Pseudokineococcus, Sporichthya, Blastococcus, Arthrobacter, Geodermatophilus,
      Friedmanniella, Modestobacter, and Rubrobacter, respectively. Cyanobacteria
      sequences showing strong similarity with an uncultured bacterium sequence were
      identified. The presence of the green algae Oocystaceae and Trebuxiaceae was
      revealed. The microbial diversity was explored at qualitative and quantitative
      levels, evaluating the richness (the number of operational taxonomic units
      (OTUs)) and the abundance of reads associated with each OTU. The rarefaction
      curves approached saturation, suggesting that the majority of OTUs were
      recovered. The results highlighted a structured community, showing low diversity,
      made up of extremophile organisms adapted to desiccation and UV radiation.
      Notably, the microbiome appeared to be composed not only of microorganisms
      possibly involved in biodeterioration but also of carbonatogenic bacteria, such
      as those belonging to the genus Arthrobacter, which could be useful in
      bioconservation. Our investigation demonstrated that molecular tools, and in
      particular the easy-to-run next-generation sequencing, are powerful to perform a
      microbiological diagnosis in order to plan restoration and protection strategies.

PMID- 27283021
TI  - A phylogenetic study of the tribe Antirrhineae: Genome duplications and long
      distance dispersals from the Old World to the New World.
AB  - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Antirrhineae is a large tribe within Plantaginaceae. Mostly
      concentrated in the Mediterranean Basin, the tribe members are present both in
      the Old World and the New World. Current Antirrhineae phylogenies have different
      views on taxonomic relationships, and they lack homogeneity in terms of
      geographic distribution and ploidy levels. This study aims to investigate the
      changes in the chromosome numbers along with dispersal routes as definitive
      characters identifying clades. METHODS: With the use of multiple DNA regions and
      taxon sampling enriched with de novo sequences, we provide an extensive phylogeny
      for Antirrhineae. The reconstructed phylogeny was then used to investigate
      changes in ploidy levels and dispersal patterns in the tribe using ChromEvol and
      RASP, respectively. KEY RESULTS: Antirrhineae is a monophyletic group with six
      highly supported clades. ChromEvol analysis suggests the ancestral haploid
      chromosome number for the tribe is six, and that the tribe has experienced
      several duplications and gain events. The Mediterranean Basin was estimated to be
      the origin for the tribe with four long-distance dispersals from the Old World to
      the New World, three of which were associated with genome duplications.
      CONCLUSIONS: On an updated Antirrhineae phylogeny, we showed that the three out
      of four dispersals from the Old World to the New World were coupled with changes
      in ploidy levels. The observed patterns suggest that increases in ploidy levels
      may facilitate dispersing into new environments.

PMID- 27283022
TI  - Common mycelial networks impact competition in an invasive grass.
AB  - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Mycorrhizal hyphal complexes can connect multiple host
      plants to form common mycelial networks (CMNs) that may affect plant competitive
      outcomes and community composition through differential resource allocation. The
      impacts of CMN interactions on invasive plants are not well understood and could
      be crucial to the understanding of invasive plant establishment and success.
      METHODS: We grew the invasive grass Brachypodium sylvaticum in intra- and
      interspecific pairings with native grass Bromus vulgaris in a greenhouse and
      controlled for the effects of CMN and root interactions by manipulating the
      belowground separation between competitors. Comparison of plant growth in pots
      that allowed CMN interactions and excluded root competition and vice versa, or
      both, allowed us to delineate the effects of network formation and root
      competition on invasive plant establishment and performance. KEY RESULTS:
      Brachypodium sylvaticum grown in pots allowing for only hyphal interactions, but
      no root competition, displayed superior growth compared with conspecifics in
      other treatments. Invasive performance was poorest when pairs were not separated
      by a barrier. Shoot nitrogen content in B. sylvaticum was higher in mycorrhizal
      plants only when connections were allowed between competitors. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results indicate that the presence of CMN networks can have positive effects on
      B. sylvaticum establishment and nutrient status, which may affect plant
      competition and invasion success.

PMID- 27283020
TI  - Fingolimod promotes peripheral nerve regeneration via modulation of
      lysophospholipid signaling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The lysophospholipids sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and
      lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) are pleiotropic signaling molecules with a broad
      range of physiological functions. Targeting the S1P1 receptor on lymphocytes with
      the immunomodulatory drug fingolimod has proven effective in the treatment of
      multiple sclerosis. An emerging body of experimental evidence points to
      additional direct effects on cells of the central and peripheral nervous system.
      Furthermore, fingolimod has been reported to reduce LPA synthesis via inhibition
      of the lysophospholipase autotaxin. Here we investigated whether modulation of
      particular signaling aspects of S1P as well as LPA by fingolimod might propagate
      peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo and independent of its anti-inflammatory
      potency. METHODS: Sciatic nerve crush was performed in wildtype C57BL/6, in
      immunodeficient Rag1 (-/-) and Foxn1 (-/-) mice. Analyses were based on walking
      track analysis and electrophysiology, histology, and cAMP formation.
      Quantification of different LPA species was performed by liquid chromatography
      coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Furthermore, functional consequences of
      autotaxin inhibition by the specific inhibitor PF-8380 and the impact of
      fingolimod on early cytokine release in the injured sciatic nerve were
      investigated. RESULTS: Clinical and electrophysiological measures indicated an
      improvement of nerve regeneration under fingolimod treatment that is partly
      independent of its anti-inflammatory properties. Fingolimod treatment correlated
      with a significant elevation of axonal cAMP, a crucial factor for axonal
      outgrowth. Additionally, fingolimod significantly reduced LPA levels in the
      injured nerve. PF-8380 treatment correlated with improved myelin thickness.
      Sciatic nerve cytokine levels were not found to be significantly altered by
      fingolimod treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide in vivo evidence for
      direct effects of fingolimod on cells of the peripheral nervous system that may
      propagate nerve regeneration via a dual mode of action, differentially affecting
      axonal outgrowth and myelination by modulating relevant aspects of S1P and LPA
      signaling.

PMID- 27283023
TI  - Absence of postmating barriers between a selfing vs. outcrossing Chilean Mimulus
      species pair.
AB  - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Reproductive isolation between sympatric species pairs may
      be maintained by both pre- and postmating barriers. Here we evaluate potential
      barriers to mating between the outcrossing Mimulus luteus and its more highly
      selfing sympatric congener, M. cupreus, two members of the South American luteus
      complex of Mimulus. METHODS: Seed set was compared following autonomous self
      pollination, manual pollination, conspecific outcrossing, and sympatric and
      allopatric hybridization, for laboratory-maintained inbred lines and wild
      collected accessions. Survival and reproductive fitness of hybrids relative to
      parental species were examined across environments that differed with respect to
      temperature and soil nutrients, two factors that vary across the ranges of M.
      luteus and M. cupreus. KEY RESULTS: Mimulus luteus was minimally capable of
      autonomous self-fertilization, consistent with reliance on an animal pollinator,
      whereas M. cupreus was a successful selfer across all tested accessions.
      Postmating barriers to hybridization are negligible, in both low- and high-stress
      environments, across multiple sympatric and allopatric populations. CONCLUSION:
      As in the North American M. guttatus-M. nasutus species pair, postmating barriers
      contribute little to isolation between M. luteus and M. cupreus. This result
      reinforces the importance of premating barriers, specifically species differences
      in reliance on, and accessibility to, animal pollinators. A unique aspect of the
      M. luteus-M. cupreus pair is the recent gain of red floral anthocyanin
      pigmentation in M. cupreus. On the basis of species differences in vegetative
      anthocyanin production, a facultative stress-protective response, we propose a
      potential stress-protective role for the constitutive floral anthocyanins of M.
      cupreus.

PMID- 27283024
TI  - Computational haemodynamic analysis of left pulmonary artery angulation effects
      on pulmonary blood flow.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of the angulation between the left pulmonary
      artery (LPA) and the main pulmonary artery on pulmonary haemodynamics. METHODS: A
      3D model of patient-specific pulmonary artery (PA) was reconstructed as an
      original model. Four models with descendent LPA angulation equalled to 120
      degrees , 110 degrees , 100 degrees  and 90 degrees , were reconstructed by
      computer-aided design for the virtual simulation of the pulmonary flow under
      different surgical strategies. Computational fluid dynamics was introduced to
      calculate the pulmonary blood flow in five models. Streamlines, wall shear
      stress, energy loss and flow distribution ratio were calculated and compared to
      determine the better haemodynamics in the pulmonary artery. RESULTS: Vortices
      were formed at the lower wall of the opening of right PA and LPA in models with
      LPA angles equal to or less than 100 degrees  (Models 3 and 4). Relative high
      wall shear stress areas at the lateral and lower wall of LPA opening had an
      ascendant tendency as the angle declined. Decreased flow distribution ratio to
      left lung (original model: 0.58, Model 1: 0.63, Model 2: 0.586, Model 3: 0.564,
      Model 4: 0.55) and increased energy loss (original model: 385.2 mV, Model 1:
      239.4 mV, Model 2: 384.3 mV, Model 3: 430.9 mV, Model 4: 439.8 mV) in a cardiac
      cycle were noted as the angle reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Acute LPA angulation is
      associated with adverse haemodynamic performance. This should be particularly
      addressed during the reconstruction of pulmonary artery in the repair of
      tetralogy of Fallot.

PMID- 27283025
TI  - The experimental validation of free fat grafts in thoracic surgery.
AB  - We evaluated the viability of free fat grafts in the thoracic cavity using 3
      month old male swine (n = 2). After left caudal lobectomy, 1-3 g of subcutaneous
      fat tissue harvested via the thoracotomy site was implanted in the chest cavity.
      At re-thoracotomy 6 weeks after implantation, all of the implanted fat grafts (n
      = 15) were found to have closely adhered to the parietal pleura and visceral
      pleura. There was a significant decrease by ~30% in the weight of the fat grafts
      after implantation. Regardless of the weight loss, the implanted fat graft showed
      normal structuring without scar formation in the central area. Our results may
      suggest that free fat pads, which weighed up to 3 g, were successfully cultured
      in the thoracic cavity until the implanted tissues integrated into the
      surrounding tissues. Therefore, the free fat pad can be used as a biomaterial for
      some purposes in thoracic surgery.

PMID- 27283027
TI  - Passivated ambipolar black phosphorus transistors.
AB  - We report the first air-passivated ambipolar BP transistor formed by applying
      benzyl viologen, which serves as a surface charge transfer donor for BP flakes.
      The passivated BP devices exhibit excellent stability under both an ambient
      atmosphere and vacuum; their transistor performance is maintained semi
      permanently. Unlike their intrinsic p-type properties, passivated BP devices
      present advantageous ambipolar properties with much higher electron mobility up
      to ~83 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) from 2-terminal measurement at 300 K, compared to other
      reported studies on n-type BP transistors. On the basis of the n-type doping
      effect that originated from benzyl viologen, we also systematically investigated
      the BP thickness dependence of our devices on electrical properties, in which we
      found the best electron transport performance to be attained when an ~10 nm thick
      BP flake was used. 

PMID- 27283026
TI  - Fibrinolytic crosstalk with endothelial cells expands murine mesenchymal stromal
      cells.
AB  - Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), aside from its vascular fibrinolytic action,
      exerts various effects within the body, ranging from synaptic plasticity to
      control of cell fate. Here, we observed that by activating plasminogen and matrix
      metalloproteinase-9, tPA expands murine bone marrow-derived CD45(-)TER119(-)Sca
      1(+)PDGFRalpha(+) mesenchymal stromal cells (PalphaS-MSCs) in vivo through a
      crosstalk between PalphaS-MSCs and endothelial cells. Mechanistically, tPA
      induces the release of Kit ligand from PalphaS-MSCs, which activates c-Kit(+)
      endothelial cells to secrete MSC growth factors: platelet-derived growth factor
      BB (PDGF-BB) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). In synergy, FGF2 and PDGF-BB
      upregulate PDGFRalpha expression in PalphaS-MSCs, which ultimately leads to
      PalphaS-MSC expansion. These data show a novel mechanism by which the
      fibrinolytic system expands PalphaS-MSCs through a cytokine crosstalk between
      niche cells.

PMID- 27283028
TI  - Faculty Development for Fostering Clinical Reasoning Skills in Early Medical
      Students Using a Modified Bayesian Approach.
AB  - PROBLEM: Clinical reasoning is a necessary skill for medical students to acquire
      in the course of their education, and there is evidence that they can start this
      process at the undergraduate level. However, physician educators who are experts
      in their given fields may have difficulty conveying their complex thought
      processes to students. Providing faculty development that equips educators with
      tools to teach clinical reasoning may support skill development in early medical
      students. INTERVENTION: We provided faculty development on a modified Bayesian
      method of teaching clinical reasoning to clinician educators who facilitated
      small-group, case-based workshops with 2nd-year medical students. We interviewed
      them before and after the module regarding their perceptions on teaching clinical
      reasoning. We solicited feedback from the students about the effectiveness of the
      method in developing their clinical reasoning skills. CONTEXT: We carried out
      this project during an institutional curriculum rebuild where clinical reasoning
      was a defined goal. At the time of the intervention, there was also increased
      involvement of the Teaching and Learning Center in elevating the status of
      teaching and learning. OUTCOME: There was high overall satisfaction with the
      faculty development program. Both the faculty and the students described the
      modified Bayesian approach as effective in fostering the development of clinical
      reasoning skills. LESSONS LEARNED: Through this work, we learned how to form a
      beneficial partnership between a clinician educator and Teaching and Learning
      Center to promote faculty development on a clinical reasoning teaching method for
      early medical students. We uncovered challenges faced by both faculty and early
      learners in this study. We observed that our faculty chose to utilize the method
      of teaching clinical reasoning in a variety of manners in the classroom. Despite
      obstacles and differing approaches utilized, we believe that this model can be
      emulated at other institutions to foster the development of clinical reasoning
      skills in preclerkship students.

PMID- 27283031
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Avoiding a lost opportunity for psychological medicine:
      importance of chimpanzee research to the National Institutes of Health portfolio.

PMID- 27283029
TI  - The recovery trajectory of adolescent social defeat stress-induced behavioral,
      (1)H-MRS metabolites and myelin changes in Balb/c mice.
AB  - Adolescent exposure to social stress precipitates emotion-related disorders and
      affects the development and function of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However,
      this adversity-induced behavioral and neurological changes remain not fully
      explored. Adolescent Balb/c mice were subjected to intermittent social defeat
      stress during postnatal days 28 to 42. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
      ((1)H-MRS) measurements, behavioral tests and immunohistochemistry were performed
      one day or 3 weeks after the last stress episode. Defeated mice exhibited
      hypoactivity and social avoidance with the latter lasting into the early
      adulthood, while the anxiety level was unchanged. Social defeat experience lead
      to temporary decreases in the levels of total creatines (Cr + pCr) and Glx (Glu +
      Gln), but a delayed increase of N- acetylaspartate (NAA) levels. These
      alternations were accompanied with a persistent reduction of myelin basic protein
      expression although the number of mature oligodendrocyte did not change. These
      findings provide evidence that adolescent adverse social experience permanently
      impairs the emotion-related behavioral performance and induces biochemical and
      molecular changes in the brain which at least lasts into early adulthood, thus
      enhancing our understanding of the neurobiology of social defeat stress. Our
      finding also implicates that NAA signals on MRS may reflect myelin status.

PMID- 27283032
TI  - Novel mechanisms of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular repair.

PMID- 27283033
TI  - CardioPulse Articles.

PMID- 27283030
TI  - Human Herpesvirus 8-Unrelated Primary Effusion Lymphoma-Like Lymphoma in an
      Elderly Korean Patient with a Good Response to Rituximab Plus Cyclophosphamide,
      Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisolone.
AB  - Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arising
      from a B-cell lineage characterized by the formation of malignant effusion in
      body cavities without evidence of a detectable tumor. The effusion contains tumor
      cells universally infected with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), which is the critical
      factor differentiating PEL from HHV8-unrelated PEL-like lymphoma (PEL-LL). This
      report describes a 77-year-old male patient with pleural effusion and ascites,
      containing lymphoma cells expressing a B-cell phenotype, but without markers of
      HHV8 in immunocytochemical analysis. The patient was diagnosed with PEL-LL and
      treated with six cycles of rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin,
      vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP), which resulted in a complete remission.
      The patient is currently disease-free 15 months post-treatment. To the best of
      our knowledge, this is the first report on administration of R-CHOP in a PEL-LL
      patient in South Korea.

PMID- 27283034
TI  - Screening of saponins and sapogenins from Medicago species as potential PPARgamma
      agonists and X-ray structure of the complex PPARgamma/caulophyllogenin.
AB  - A series of saponins and sapogenins from Medicago species were tested for their
      ability to bind and activate the nuclear receptor PPARgamma by SPR experiments
      and transactivation assay, respectively. The SPR analysis proved to be a very
      powerful and fast technique for screening a large number of compounds for their
      affinity to PPARgamma and selecting the better candidates for further studies.
      Based on the obtained results, the sapogenin caulophyllogenin was proved to be a
      partial agonist towards PPARgamma and the X-ray structure of its complex with
      PPARgamma was also solved, in order to investigate the binding mode in the ligand
      binding domain of the nuclear receptor. This is the first known crystal structure
      of a sapogenin directly interacting with PPARgamma. Another compound of the
      series, the echinocistic acid, showed antagonist activity towards PPARgamma, a
      property that could be useful to inhibit the adipocyte differentiation which is a
      typical adverse effect of PPARgamma agonists. This study confirms the interest on
      saponins and sapogenins as a valuable natural resource exploitable in the medical
      and food industry for ameliorating the metabolic syndrome.